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Honeythorn #2
Cherryvine
When Omega Isak get shipped to the South to be married off for the second time, he knows exactly what to expect—Coldness. Neglect. Abuse. He’s learnt how to survive being bonded to a cruel Alpha. He can do it again.
Alpha Emil Carillo, however, is anything but expected. Effusive, charming, and joyful, Isak doesn’t know how to handle him. How to figure out when his new husband will turn mean and abrasive—when the first blow will finally land.
Alpha Carillo seems to be nothing like his late husband, but Isak doesn’t know how to trust that. If he’ll ever be able to let go of the past and embrace the future.
Isak has been hurt badly before…can he really allow himself to open up and let love in?
Cherryvine is an Alpha/Omega, pseudo-regency book filled to the brim with good old hurt/comfort.
This book is part of the Honeythorn series but can be read as a standalone.
Alpha Emil Carillo, however, is anything but expected. Effusive, charming, and joyful, Isak doesn’t know how to handle him. How to figure out when his new husband will turn mean and abrasive—when the first blow will finally land.
Alpha Carillo seems to be nothing like his late husband, but Isak doesn’t know how to trust that. If he’ll ever be able to let go of the past and embrace the future.
Isak has been hurt badly before…can he really allow himself to open up and let love in?
Cherryvine is an Alpha/Omega, pseudo-regency book filled to the brim with good old hurt/comfort.
This book is part of the Honeythorn series but can be read as a standalone.
159 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2022
118 people are currently reading
847 people want to read
About the author
Marina Vivancos
28 books921 followersWhen Marina was a child she couldn’t sleep. Night after dissolving night she just couldn’t sleep. Nothing much worked – until she started making up stories in her head. Suddenly, the transition into unconsciousness was a smooth dive into calm waters.
Marina is currently in a period of sleepless upheaval, and she hopes writing down the stories in her head will cast the same spell it did years ago.
You can find her being malhumorada on Twitter.
Marina is currently in a period of sleepless upheaval, and she hopes writing down the stories in her head will cast the same spell it did years ago.
You can find her being malhumorada on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
June 18, 2024
I can’t seem to decide which one of these books was the most heartbreaking; they both definitely had their moments. But they also both had amazing hurt/comfort!! Emil is the absolute sweetest, the way he tried his best for Isak, wanting to heal his scars and make him feel safe. He was exactly what Isak needed. At first Isak was completely scrambled, because his brain told him he was safe but his body was just waiting for the first hit. Eventually though, he begin to slowly realize what it really felt like to be loved and that there was never going to be a first hit. I love them both so much!! I also liked how this story took place in the South instead of the North so we got to see their many differences. In the end both this book and “Honeythron” are extremely well written and I have no favorite, I enjoyed them to the fullest!!! (4.5)
April 3, 2022
3 stars.
🌸 arranged marriage.
🌸 alpha/omega.
🌸 hurt/comfort.
🌸 mpreg.
🌸 very fluffy and cute.
🌸 lots of affection.
"you're like a lighthouse in a storm, guiding me back."
🌸 beautiful writing, but that's pretty much a given when it comes to this author.
🌸 are you looking for a book with an incredibly sweet and caring alpha? look no further.
🌸 sadly, i didn't fully feel the chemistry between the mcs. sure, they had lots of sweet moments, but i didn't really feel a strong connection between them overall.
🌸 not much happened in this book story wise tbh.
🌸 i enjoyed it overall, it was a very quick and easy read, however, i don't think that this book will stick in my mind for too long.
🌸 arranged marriage.
🌸 alpha/omega.
🌸 hurt/comfort.
🌸 mpreg.
🌸 very fluffy and cute.
🌸 lots of affection.
"you're like a lighthouse in a storm, guiding me back."
🌸 beautiful writing, but that's pretty much a given when it comes to this author.
🌸 are you looking for a book with an incredibly sweet and caring alpha? look no further.
🌸 sadly, i didn't fully feel the chemistry between the mcs. sure, they had lots of sweet moments, but i didn't really feel a strong connection between them overall.
🌸 not much happened in this book story wise tbh.
🌸 i enjoyed it overall, it was a very quick and easy read, however, i don't think that this book will stick in my mind for too long.
December 15, 2023
My first alpha/omega novel (that I finished).
Sweet, full of love and comfort.
I liked it, but the alpha/omega - plot is not something I see myself reading more of in the future. I prefer stories about MCs who are free to choose how to behave, who are not limited by their bodies' needs.
I can see why this might be a comfort reread for people who enjoy the alpha/omega dynamics, though! (And thanks for the rec, alicia! 💜)
Sweet, full of love and comfort.
I liked it, but the alpha/omega - plot is not something I see myself reading more of in the future. I prefer stories about MCs who are free to choose how to behave, who are not limited by their bodies' needs.
I can see why this might be a comfort reread for people who enjoy the alpha/omega dynamics, though! (And thanks for the rec, alicia! 💜)
April 21, 2022
2.5 stars
This was not as emotional or pleasant as I’ve come to expect from Vivancos books. In fact, it had many issues to me.
Isak
Poor Isak! I felt so much for him in this book - we are in his POV, which helps that connection, but he was so careful. All of his calculating and worries and planning, it was heartbreaking to see him struggling.
However…the way his PTSD was handled in the end was a little iffy to me. He struggles to learn to trust Emil after his decade of abuse at the hands of his previous alpha, which is a great plot line. Up until his panic attack at being pregnant and worrying about the baby, at which point Lulu…dumps water on him and tells him he’s being “unfair” to Emil. This apparently cures the problem, as Isak and Emil have a conversation, and then everything is swept under the rug. What a strange choice.
It also doesn’t make sense to me why Isak should trust Emil. I can’t see why Emil is worthy of trust, so why would Isak?
Emil
Emil is a one dimensional non-entity. Even in his one, totally random POV chapter (what was that??) he still manages to develop 0 personality. He somehow is in instalove with Isak, though there’s really no reason given. What it ends up feeling like is that he’s created some idea, some image of Isak and fallen for that instead. Who rhapsodizes about fingernails? That was a clear sign to me that he didn’t understand Isak as a person at all.
There’s also one conversation block where he praises Isak for all these traits, that are in fact defense mechanisms. “You think so much before you talk!” well…yikes. I assumed it was deliberate, but since it wasn’t addressed at all, it just made another strike against Emil actually seeing Isak as a whole person.
Also - I really wanted to see Isak reuniting with his family, but that never happened. It was talked about so much I absolutely expected it to happen, and it was jarring that it didn’t. I think having this happen on page would have gone far to letting Isak actually develop more trust and faith in Emil, instead of the whole water bucket plot.
The epilogue???
This was by far and away one of the most baffling choices I’ve seen in a long time. Not only is the epilogue focusing on different characters than the books MCs - though they do appear, and we see them with their HEA a bit - we are also in the POV of a seven year old child. What??
It doesn’t even work for me as a setup, because again…we are in the perspective of a child. I can see what Vivancos is going for as the setup, but all together it is just weird. This took an okay book and left it finishing on a sour and perplexing note.
Overall, this fell flat for me, and had some very odd choices.
This was not as emotional or pleasant as I’ve come to expect from Vivancos books. In fact, it had many issues to me.
Isak
Poor Isak! I felt so much for him in this book - we are in his POV, which helps that connection, but he was so careful. All of his calculating and worries and planning, it was heartbreaking to see him struggling.
However…the way his PTSD was handled in the end was a little iffy to me. He struggles to learn to trust Emil after his decade of abuse at the hands of his previous alpha, which is a great plot line. Up until his panic attack at being pregnant and worrying about the baby, at which point Lulu…dumps water on him and tells him he’s being “unfair” to Emil. This apparently cures the problem, as Isak and Emil have a conversation, and then everything is swept under the rug. What a strange choice.
It also doesn’t make sense to me why Isak should trust Emil. I can’t see why Emil is worthy of trust, so why would Isak?
Emil
Emil is a one dimensional non-entity. Even in his one, totally random POV chapter (what was that??) he still manages to develop 0 personality. He somehow is in instalove with Isak, though there’s really no reason given. What it ends up feeling like is that he’s created some idea, some image of Isak and fallen for that instead. Who rhapsodizes about fingernails? That was a clear sign to me that he didn’t understand Isak as a person at all.
There’s also one conversation block where he praises Isak for all these traits, that are in fact defense mechanisms. “You think so much before you talk!” well…yikes. I assumed it was deliberate, but since it wasn’t addressed at all, it just made another strike against Emil actually seeing Isak as a whole person.
Also - I really wanted to see Isak reuniting with his family, but that never happened. It was talked about so much I absolutely expected it to happen, and it was jarring that it didn’t. I think having this happen on page would have gone far to letting Isak actually develop more trust and faith in Emil, instead of the whole water bucket plot.
The epilogue???
This was by far and away one of the most baffling choices I’ve seen in a long time. Not only is the epilogue focusing on different characters than the books MCs - though they do appear, and we see them with their HEA a bit - we are also in the POV of a seven year old child. What??
It doesn’t even work for me as a setup, because again…we are in the perspective of a child. I can see what Vivancos is going for as the setup, but all together it is just weird. This took an okay book and left it finishing on a sour and perplexing note.
Overall, this fell flat for me, and had some very odd choices.
May 16, 2022
3.5 Stars
Told in multiple POV (mostly in single POV), 3rd person, it’s the second installment in the "Honeythorn" series and can be read as a standalone. Cherryvine is an arranged marriage in the Alpha/omega universe. It has the potential to be an angsty read (I wished for it) but it’s almost angst-free and so sweet and cute. There is speaking of pregnancy but it’s not in vivid detail (a positive point for me considering I’m not a fan of Mpreg). Overall, it’s an easy read, hope you enjoy it as well!
Told in multiple POV (mostly in single POV), 3rd person, it’s the second installment in the "Honeythorn" series and can be read as a standalone. Cherryvine is an arranged marriage in the Alpha/omega universe. It has the potential to be an angsty read (I wished for it) but it’s almost angst-free and so sweet and cute. There is speaking of pregnancy but it’s not in vivid detail (a positive point for me considering I’m not a fan of Mpreg). Overall, it’s an easy read, hope you enjoy it as well!
August 9, 2022
~4.5~
SO GOOD! Angst, alpha/omega, hurt/comfort, bonding, romance, passion.
I loved Isak and Emil. The way Emil tried and cared for Isak was a beautiful thing.
Rounding down because I wanted MORE. The story is nuanced and well written but too short by far.
The epilogue is told from the POV of Emil and Isak's 7-year-old son, Michael. That's typically a big no-no for me, but it worked surprisingly well here.
I hope I don't have to wait two more years for book 3.
SO GOOD! Angst, alpha/omega, hurt/comfort, bonding, romance, passion.
I loved Isak and Emil. The way Emil tried and cared for Isak was a beautiful thing.
Rounding down because I wanted MORE. The story is nuanced and well written but too short by far.
The epilogue is told from the POV of Emil and Isak's 7-year-old son, Michael. That's typically a big no-no for me, but it worked surprisingly well here.
I hope I don't have to wait two more years for book 3.
May 3, 2022
This was a pretty short book with an uncomplicated plot that I wasn’t supposed to like so much but I did. It reminded me of my first historical MF books with arranged marriage tropes I used to devour in my youth. And I enjoyed it so so much ; I don’t know if it’s because of the excellent writing or because I loved the characters or maybe because I needed something fluffy and sugary sweet at this moment but this book did it for me. The plot is simple : a widowed Omega who was abused pretty badly by his late husband is ordered to travel South to wed another Alpha. He’s battered and scared and numb and he doesn’t trust anyone , much less his future husband. Oh, but the Alpha is… how can I paint the most accurate picture..? Let’s see : he’s like a hot chocolate with a drop of rum you drink in front of the fireplace in a very cold winter night . He’s THAT wonderful. They’re wonderful together and the book is lovely.
March 31, 2022
I loved this book, and I loved being in this world again.
If you love:
- Arranged Marraige trope
- Player alpha who turns to goo for his omega
- Hurt comfort
- Mpreg
- A caring, affectionate alpha
- Cuddles and kisses
- Medium Steam
- Lowish angst
- Heat sex
Then this book is for you.
If you love:
- Arranged Marraige trope
- Player alpha who turns to goo for his omega
- Hurt comfort
- Mpreg
- A caring, affectionate alpha
- Cuddles and kisses
- Medium Steam
- Lowish angst
- Heat sex
Then this book is for you.
June 23, 2023
rtc 😭 bc this was just so good and I need to sit in my feelings 🥹
September 30, 2024
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
“I don’t know how to not be afraid,” Isak whispered into the dark.
I think I might be in love with Marina Vivancos’ writing. It’s beautiful, simple, original and the pages just fly by when reading her books. I finished Honeythorn in record time and I just had to read Cherryvine as well. They are quite similar in some ways as they deal with past abuse and arranged marriages, but the characters felt new and I could never mistake any of the MCs in Honeythorn for those in Cherryvine. Gosh I love this little world. The descriptions are so vivid. I couldn’t stop imagining a place that looks like a mix of Santorini and King’s Landing from GoT. I want to go there, lol. Omegaverse meets regency meets steampunk? Yup, it works.
Isak snorted, giving him that half-disbelieving, half-amused look he always had when Emil was especially effusive. “You cannot possibly tell me I am funny.” “You make me smile.” “That’s not the criteria for being funny.” “Hm. Well. I shall call the comedy committee and make a formal complaint.”
It’s a short book and nothing truly bad actually happens, but my god the angst was effective. I was so on edge throughout, exactly like poor Isak was. That distrust of everything and everyone after prolonged domestic abuse was really powerful, in many ways.
Emil was a delightful character. He’s cheeky, a himbo alpha, pure sunshine and also the sappiest of devoted husbands. Great freaking combo.
“No ifs, darling. Do them the justice of allowing them to speak for themselves, and don’t insult their character by speculating on things that only exist in your fears.”
Highly recommend.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Arranged marriage
Regency meets steampunk and omegaverse
Past trauma
Abuse survivor
Alpha/omega
Mpreg
Steampunk
Widower
Size difference
Heat/slick/knotting
Multiple orgasms
Hands-free orgasm
Himbo alpha
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Details of past domestic abuse (emotional, verbal, physical)
Mentions of death of parents (past)
Death of husband (past, bad guy)
PTSD symptoms
Explicit sexual content
MC pushing other MC during panic attack
Alcohol consumption
Heat/slick/knotting
Mpreg (some details of labor)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, single (1 chapter from Emil)
Genre: Omegaverse romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 28 and not specified
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 159
Happy ending: Yes
In all truthfulness, the day of Isak’s second wedding dawned like any other. The sense of foreboding that filled him was old and familiar—he couldn’t remember a day when he hadn’t awoken with it deep in his gut.
It turned out that the swim clothes covered his torso, but only went down to mid-thigh. Mid-thigh. People were going to see his knees.
“It’s all lovely. I was especially taken by the glasswork. Truly, I have never seen anything more beautiful.” “Have you not looked in the mirror?” Isak blushed, scoffing. “Alpha.” “Sorry, sorry. I’ll stop being such a sap if I must.”
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
“I don’t know how to not be afraid,” Isak whispered into the dark.
I think I might be in love with Marina Vivancos’ writing. It’s beautiful, simple, original and the pages just fly by when reading her books. I finished Honeythorn in record time and I just had to read Cherryvine as well. They are quite similar in some ways as they deal with past abuse and arranged marriages, but the characters felt new and I could never mistake any of the MCs in Honeythorn for those in Cherryvine. Gosh I love this little world. The descriptions are so vivid. I couldn’t stop imagining a place that looks like a mix of Santorini and King’s Landing from GoT. I want to go there, lol. Omegaverse meets regency meets steampunk? Yup, it works.
Isak snorted, giving him that half-disbelieving, half-amused look he always had when Emil was especially effusive. “You cannot possibly tell me I am funny.” “You make me smile.” “That’s not the criteria for being funny.” “Hm. Well. I shall call the comedy committee and make a formal complaint.”
It’s a short book and nothing truly bad actually happens, but my god the angst was effective. I was so on edge throughout, exactly like poor Isak was. That distrust of everything and everyone after prolonged domestic abuse was really powerful, in many ways.
Emil was a delightful character. He’s cheeky, a himbo alpha, pure sunshine and also the sappiest of devoted husbands. Great freaking combo.
“No ifs, darling. Do them the justice of allowing them to speak for themselves, and don’t insult their character by speculating on things that only exist in your fears.”
Highly recommend.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Arranged marriage
Regency meets steampunk and omegaverse
Past trauma
Abuse survivor
Alpha/omega
Mpreg
Steampunk
Widower
Size difference
Heat/slick/knotting
Multiple orgasms
Hands-free orgasm
Himbo alpha
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Details of past domestic abuse (emotional, verbal, physical)
Mentions of death of parents (past)
Death of husband (past, bad guy)
PTSD symptoms
Explicit sexual content
MC pushing other MC during panic attack
Alcohol consumption
Heat/slick/knotting
Mpreg (some details of labor)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, single (1 chapter from Emil)
Genre: Omegaverse romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 28 and not specified
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 159
Happy ending: Yes
In all truthfulness, the day of Isak’s second wedding dawned like any other. The sense of foreboding that filled him was old and familiar—he couldn’t remember a day when he hadn’t awoken with it deep in his gut.
It turned out that the swim clothes covered his torso, but only went down to mid-thigh. Mid-thigh. People were going to see his knees.
“It’s all lovely. I was especially taken by the glasswork. Truly, I have never seen anything more beautiful.” “Have you not looked in the mirror?” Isak blushed, scoffing. “Alpha.” “Sorry, sorry. I’ll stop being such a sap if I must.”
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
August 23, 2024
edit 8/22/24: idk why but this just didn’t hit as hard as the first time i read it😭😭 marina’s writing is fabulous as always, but emil fell so hard and fast, it didn’t quite make sense to me. it’s like he tried so hard to get out of the marriage and didn’t spend any time with isak, then as soon as he felt the bond, bam, he’s devoted. still love love love isak’s inner thoughts tho, how twisted they are from the abuse he suffered, how absolutely fucking exhausting it must be for him….heartbreaking….so many quotes that still hit and made me blubber like a baby…i’m just shocked and sad that the romance felt flat for me this time around😭 i’m still going to keep my original rating, but unforch the reread brought it down to 4 stars. i think i flew too close to the sun with my mv rereading streak🥲
original 11/3/23: this is very special to me omg i CRIED like a baby like marina is soooo talented at writing characters who’ve been mistreated and abused, and just at writing characters that move you in general….isak, my sweet sweet baby, i am so glad you ended up with someone as caring and perceptive and gentle as emil🫶🫶 also lulu is amazing and i dearly love how she kept it real with isak…..now the epilogue…..tell me why it’s got me wanting a michael/asani book in the future🤭 i will riot if this never happens!! anyway thank u marina for breaking my heart and putting the pieces back together so tenderly……i need time to recover now pls😮💨
original 11/3/23: this is very special to me omg i CRIED like a baby like marina is soooo talented at writing characters who’ve been mistreated and abused, and just at writing characters that move you in general….isak, my sweet sweet baby, i am so glad you ended up with someone as caring and perceptive and gentle as emil🫶🫶 also lulu is amazing and i dearly love how she kept it real with isak…..now the epilogue…..tell me why it’s got me wanting a michael/asani book in the future🤭 i will riot if this never happens!! anyway thank u marina for breaking my heart and putting the pieces back together so tenderly……i need time to recover now pls😮💨
April 20, 2022
2.5 stars
Unfortunately, this book just didn't work for me. Part of my disappointment with this it was the writing, and part of it my own expectations, which stemmed from two things: The assumption that this was non-mpreg, and how much I liked Honeythorn.
I don't think it was presumptive of me to assume this was a non-mpreg book when none of Vivancos other omegaverse have mpreg (to my memory it wasn't even mentioned as a possibility in Honeythorn) and the fact that there is no info in the blurb about mpreg or even pregnancy/children in general. I would really have liked a heads up on that, and it threw me for a loop from the very start of the book.
In a lot of ways this book is the inverse of Honeythorn - an omega travels to the south for an arranged marriage, fully expecting the worst of his husband-to-be but learns to trust and love him. Most of the conflict comes from Isak dealing with the effects of a previous abusive relationship, and it felt a bit monotonous and repetitive at times since there wasn't anything else going on in this book. Emil was a pretty boring and one-dimensional character who fell in instalove with Isak, and I just didn't feel the emotional impact of their relationship that I've come to expect from Vivancos' books, particularly Honeythorn.
There were a few writing choices that didn't work for me either. The book is single POV, but there is a chapter from Emil's perspective about two thirds into the book which I didn't feel added anything important that couldn't have been told from Isak's perspective. Changing the POV just for a single chapter felt jarring and unnecessary. We also don't get to see Isak reunite with his parents on page, which was a disappointment. I'm not a fan of epilogues that seem to only exist to set up the next book, which we had here with another jarring POV shift, and I ended up skimming a lot of the epilogue because it felt boring and disconnected from the main story.
Unfortunately, this book just didn't work for me. Part of my disappointment with this it was the writing, and part of it my own expectations, which stemmed from two things: The assumption that this was non-mpreg, and how much I liked Honeythorn.
I don't think it was presumptive of me to assume this was a non-mpreg book when none of Vivancos other omegaverse have mpreg (to my memory it wasn't even mentioned as a possibility in Honeythorn) and the fact that there is no info in the blurb about mpreg or even pregnancy/children in general. I would really have liked a heads up on that, and it threw me for a loop from the very start of the book.
In a lot of ways this book is the inverse of Honeythorn - an omega travels to the south for an arranged marriage, fully expecting the worst of his husband-to-be but learns to trust and love him. Most of the conflict comes from Isak dealing with the effects of a previous abusive relationship, and it felt a bit monotonous and repetitive at times since there wasn't anything else going on in this book. Emil was a pretty boring and one-dimensional character who fell in instalove with Isak, and I just didn't feel the emotional impact of their relationship that I've come to expect from Vivancos' books, particularly Honeythorn.
There were a few writing choices that didn't work for me either. The book is single POV, but there is a chapter from Emil's perspective about two thirds into the book which I didn't feel added anything important that couldn't have been told from Isak's perspective. Changing the POV just for a single chapter felt jarring and unnecessary. We also don't get to see Isak reunite with his parents on page, which was a disappointment. I'm not a fan of epilogues that seem to only exist to set up the next book, which we had here with another jarring POV shift, and I ended up skimming a lot of the epilogue because it felt boring and disconnected from the main story.
May 31, 2022
I loved the beginning. Isak is terrified of getting married again after his first abusive marriage, and Emil has no idea what is going on. I loved the South, the people, the food. I loved the hurt-comfort.
But then it turned sappy and got a little boring. And there is mpreg which is just not my thing. The whole thing gave strong historical MF vibes.
And the worst? Epilogue from a child’s POV. No. Just no. I like my romances children free or at least free of children thoughts.
But then it turned sappy and got a little boring. And there is mpreg which is just not my thing. The whole thing gave strong historical MF vibes.
And the worst? Epilogue from a child’s POV. No. Just no. I like my romances children free or at least free of children thoughts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2025
Marina Vivancos: When you've been so beaten in to submission and fear that you cannot trust being safe at last and are always waiting for the next bad thing to happen until the person you're with shows you with his actions you are safe and not alone, and that you are a person who deserves being loved for who they are.
Me: 🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰
Me: 🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰
November 2, 2023
⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️
Cherryvine had the same vibe as the first book, with the arranged marriage and hurt/comfort elements, but kind of the opposite dynamic — in this one Isak the omega was the abused and the alpha the one to gently and patiently get him to trust and love again.
The relationship was so sweet and tender, and Emil might be the softest and most gentle alpha I’ve ever seen.
I loved this even more than book one, and it still holds its place as one of my favorite omegaverse reads.
CW and tropes(spoilers):
- Mpreg
- Past abuse
- Arranged marriage
- Knotting
- Strict top/bottom
“You’re like a lighthouse in a storm, guiding me back.”
Cherryvine had the same vibe as the first book, with the arranged marriage and hurt/comfort elements, but kind of the opposite dynamic — in this one Isak the omega was the abused and the alpha the one to gently and patiently get him to trust and love again.
The relationship was so sweet and tender, and Emil might be the softest and most gentle alpha I’ve ever seen.
I loved this even more than book one, and it still holds its place as one of my favorite omegaverse reads.
CW and tropes(spoilers):
- Mpreg
- Past abuse
- Arranged marriage
- Knotting
- Strict top/bottom
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2023
2.5-3 stars, I guess
Finally, a book by this author I didn't enjoy.
I liked Honeythorn, but this one was an imbalanced hurt/comfort with too much page time on the hurt and not nearly enough on the comfort or healing.
I do think it was a genuine and realistic portrayal of a survivor of domestic violence, the fear and anxiety was palpable. A little too heavy, even if the topic warrants it.
I didn't feel anything for the actual relationship. Even though the Alpha was kind, there was so much time and energy on the abusive ex, that the current relationship didn't get a chance to break through.
It felt too short. Or maybe it's just my unhappy reading week...
Finally, a book by this author I didn't enjoy.
I liked Honeythorn, but this one was an imbalanced hurt/comfort with too much page time on the hurt and not nearly enough on the comfort or healing.
I do think it was a genuine and realistic portrayal of a survivor of domestic violence, the fear and anxiety was palpable. A little too heavy, even if the topic warrants it.
I didn't feel anything for the actual relationship. Even though the Alpha was kind, there was so much time and energy on the abusive ex, that the current relationship didn't get a chance to break through.
It felt too short. Or maybe it's just my unhappy reading week...
April 1, 2022
3.5 stars
RTC but I wanted to love this book so much and it was so so close to being a perfect book for me and I enjoyed the set up of this book so much and I cried a lot while reading the book, which is always good in my book, but unfortunaly I just wanted more of the romance part of this book because I just felt like there wasn’t enough of that.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion
RTC but I wanted to love this book so much and it was so so close to being a perfect book for me and I enjoyed the set up of this book so much and I cried a lot while reading the book, which is always good in my book, but unfortunaly I just wanted more of the romance part of this book because I just felt like there wasn’t enough of that.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion
October 15, 2024
OH MY GOD. I WILL BE CHASING THE HIGH OF THIS BOOK FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.
April 19, 2022
This was a disappointment. This is the story of an omega slowly recovering from many years of trauma at the hands of his abusive former husband. Isak's pain is palpable and it's heartbreaking to see how difficult it is for him to trust even the littlest things, like being able to leave the house on his own. However, while the reader is grateful Isak's new husband is kind and loving, so little is said about Emil's thoughts, desires, or motivations that he's impossible to connect with as a character. His one POV chapter two-thirds through the book is too little, too late and feels out of place.
By far the most disappointing part of this book is that, while Vivancos normally writes so sensitively about mental health and trauma, here the climax of the book is two speeches to Isak telling him to "calm the fuck down" and stop having anxious thoughts about his husband and family because it's insulting to them. Emil tells him not to even speak these thoughts out loud. This isn't how anxiety works, at all, but these speeches do appear to cure Isak because we never hear about his fears again. I guess Vivancos needed a crisis point for the story and a way to "cure" Isak by the end, but I'm shocked she couldn't come up with something better -- almost anything would have been.
Finally, like many people I hated that the epilogue was about the children from this book and Honeythorn. Being introduced to entirely new characters in the last 5% of a book doesn't work.
By far the most disappointing part of this book is that, while Vivancos normally writes so sensitively about mental health and trauma, here the climax of the book is two speeches to Isak telling him to "calm the fuck down" and stop having anxious thoughts about his husband and family because it's insulting to them. Emil tells him not to even speak these thoughts out loud. This isn't how anxiety works, at all, but these speeches do appear to cure Isak because we never hear about his fears again. I guess Vivancos needed a crisis point for the story and a way to "cure" Isak by the end, but I'm shocked she couldn't come up with something better -- almost anything would have been.
Finally, like many people I hated that the epilogue was about the children from this book and Honeythorn. Being introduced to entirely new characters in the last 5% of a book doesn't work.
December 23, 2024
3.5 Stars
A lovely hurt/comfort read. A tad sedate for me personally, but nonetheless enjoyable. I do wish the epilogue had been in Isak’s/Emil’s POV though 🤷🏻♀️
A lovely hurt/comfort read. A tad sedate for me personally, but nonetheless enjoyable. I do wish the epilogue had been in Isak’s/Emil’s POV though 🤷🏻♀️
October 16, 2024
Tropes: arranged marriage, alpha/omega, historical
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: knotting, mpreg
Angst: medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: past emotional and physical abuse by former spouse, forced estrangement from family by former spouse, slow burn
Isak is an Omega, he's 28 years old. At 17 he was forced into an arranged marriage, not by his family but as a government arranged thing. His Alpha husband was much older than him and abusive. He had a horrible marriage. His husband died 9 months ago and now he's being set up for another arranged marriage because. This time he's being set up with a bit of a rascal Emil, people are hoping that this marriage will calm him down.
When they meet, Isak is meek but it's because he is so scarred mentally from his past marriage, he has no expectations and he's full of fear and he wants to comply so that he can avoid abuse. Emil is not terribly excited about this marriage that's being foisted on him. But there's no way around it, so they go through with it. Emil's not a bad guy, he's just been a little unruly. He intends to commit himself to this marriage because if you can't avoid it he's going to give it a go. He was raised in a loving family except his parents died too soon, so he's actually secretly looking for family to fill a void. Emil quickly realizes that his new husband is scared to death of him and a victim of severe domestic abuse by his former spouse. He decides to take things slow with Isak, court him, give him a chance to start to know and trust him.
And the more time he spends with him, the more he enjoys him and affection grows in their bond. One flaw with this book is probably that the affection on Emil's side seems to come from the bond and the desire for family, it doesn't really come from who Isak is as a person. It seems like Emil doesn't really love Isak for himself to start.
This book is very sweet though. Emil is very good to Isak. He really takes care of him and makes him feel safe. He's selfless. And he's so sweet on Isak. His family and everyone around him are surprised to see how he's taken to marriage and what a simp he is for his husband. He can't shut up about him, constantly he's singing his praises. The conflict comes because it's a journey for Isak to let himself open up and trust that Emil won't hurt him.
Some notable moments:
"“I assure you, I am completely reformed now.” “I’ll have to ask your friends when we meet.” “Actually, you know, there really isn’t any need for you to consort with each other. In fact, let’s move away, yes?”"
"Clara peeked at him, cheek still plastered to the desk. “Are you sure? You don’t want to describe the scent profile of your husband’s farts?” Emil scoffed. “I’ve never smelt his farts before, he’s far too shy—but the moment I do I’ll be grateful he shared something so intimate with me.” Clara ground her forehead into the wood. “Gods help me.”"
"“It’s quite slight, not an obvious thing. I think by the time the baby becomes more active, you’ll be able to feel it too.” When that day came, Isak was truly worried Emil would faint from sheer excitement. He yanked Isak’s shirt up—something he would never normally do—and placed his cheek on Isak’s belly. His hand, apparently, wasn’t enough. “I can feel Little Fish.”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: knotting, mpreg
Angst: medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: past emotional and physical abuse by former spouse, forced estrangement from family by former spouse, slow burn
Isak is an Omega, he's 28 years old. At 17 he was forced into an arranged marriage, not by his family but as a government arranged thing. His Alpha husband was much older than him and abusive. He had a horrible marriage. His husband died 9 months ago and now he's being set up for another arranged marriage because. This time he's being set up with a bit of a rascal Emil, people are hoping that this marriage will calm him down.
When they meet, Isak is meek but it's because he is so scarred mentally from his past marriage, he has no expectations and he's full of fear and he wants to comply so that he can avoid abuse. Emil is not terribly excited about this marriage that's being foisted on him. But there's no way around it, so they go through with it. Emil's not a bad guy, he's just been a little unruly. He intends to commit himself to this marriage because if you can't avoid it he's going to give it a go. He was raised in a loving family except his parents died too soon, so he's actually secretly looking for family to fill a void. Emil quickly realizes that his new husband is scared to death of him and a victim of severe domestic abuse by his former spouse. He decides to take things slow with Isak, court him, give him a chance to start to know and trust him.
And the more time he spends with him, the more he enjoys him and affection grows in their bond. One flaw with this book is probably that the affection on Emil's side seems to come from the bond and the desire for family, it doesn't really come from who Isak is as a person. It seems like Emil doesn't really love Isak for himself to start.
This book is very sweet though. Emil is very good to Isak. He really takes care of him and makes him feel safe. He's selfless. And he's so sweet on Isak. His family and everyone around him are surprised to see how he's taken to marriage and what a simp he is for his husband. He can't shut up about him, constantly he's singing his praises. The conflict comes because it's a journey for Isak to let himself open up and trust that Emil won't hurt him.
Some notable moments:
"“I assure you, I am completely reformed now.” “I’ll have to ask your friends when we meet.” “Actually, you know, there really isn’t any need for you to consort with each other. In fact, let’s move away, yes?”"
"Clara peeked at him, cheek still plastered to the desk. “Are you sure? You don’t want to describe the scent profile of your husband’s farts?” Emil scoffed. “I’ve never smelt his farts before, he’s far too shy—but the moment I do I’ll be grateful he shared something so intimate with me.” Clara ground her forehead into the wood. “Gods help me.”"
"“It’s quite slight, not an obvious thing. I think by the time the baby becomes more active, you’ll be able to feel it too.” When that day came, Isak was truly worried Emil would faint from sheer excitement. He yanked Isak’s shirt up—something he would never normally do—and placed his cheek on Isak’s belly. His hand, apparently, wasn’t enough. “I can feel Little Fish.”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2025
Ahhhhhhhh, this was exactly the balm I needed after the trauma of the first book. I adored how loving, gentle and patient Emil was.
And the doting, the doting was next level:
Workmate-“How kind of you to describe in detail the shape of your husband’s nails.”
*Side notes
-Stunningly beautiful cover
-Would have loved Emil’s POV chapter to have been a bit earlier to explain why he has gone from a philanderer who was forced ito marriage to the doting simp he one-eightyed into.
4.5 stars.
And the doting, the doting was next level:
Workmate-“How kind of you to describe in detail the shape of your husband’s nails.”
*Side notes
-Stunningly beautiful cover
-Would have loved Emil’s POV chapter to have been a bit earlier to explain why he has gone from a philanderer who was forced ito marriage to the doting simp he one-eightyed into.
4.5 stars.
August 11, 2022
~4.5
◇ Hurt/Comfort
◇ Emotional and heartfelt - Isak's story made me cry
◇ Isak - strong and vulnerable, afraid to hope and trust but giving Emil a chance
◇ Emil - caring, accepting, patient, loving
◇ Love that heals and trust that is built step by step
◇ Character and relationships development
◇ The bond
◇ Beautiful writing
I haven't read the first book in the series and had no trouble reading this one as a stand-alone.
I just wish it was longer
◇ Hurt/Comfort
◇ Emotional and heartfelt - Isak's story made me cry
◇ Isak - strong and vulnerable, afraid to hope and trust but giving Emil a chance
◇ Emil - caring, accepting, patient, loving
◇ Love that heals and trust that is built step by step
◇ Character and relationships development
◇ The bond
◇ Beautiful writing
I haven't read the first book in the series and had no trouble reading this one as a stand-alone.
I just wish it was longer
February 27, 2022
"Cherryvine" is SUCH a gem of a book. So sweet your heart will literally melt all over the floor; so gut-wrenching you'll want to scream; so, so lovely and precious and tough and ROMANTIC you'll want to go and find the author and build an altar in her name. It was also so completely and utterly addicting I managed to finish it in one setting: a delicious morsel of a book, one I never wanted to finish.
I loved the other novel set in this omegaverse universe: "Honeythorn" was so angsty and lovely that I still think about it, months and months later, but "Cherryvine"? It was love at first sight.
I absolutely loved it, start to finish; and I also absolutely loved both MCs. I've grown obsessed with the omegaverse genre, but the books I've read, while I absolutely loving them, where more of the wolf-shifter type and had more action/plot and less character development. I liked them nevertheless, but I absolutely LOVE it when a book is more character-centric, when both MCs have time to grow and get to know each other and slowly trust one another. "Cherryvine" was a masterclass in character development, and, although I would have loved a tiny bit more plot (yes, I'm still a plot kind of gal) and maybe a bit of outside drama (SUE ME, I love me some drama), I adored the fact that the author took the time to really explore, really delve into both of our MCs minds and especially into the ramifications of domestic abuse. This was a really tough book, so heart-breaking at times it felt like a punch to the gut, but I believe that it dealt with this kind of theme with such care and thoroughness. Marina Vivancos took the time to actually deal with and SHOW how Isak's past marriage, the physical and mental abuse he was subjected to by that utter bastard of his previous husband, influenced his emotions and his thought-process, how all that abuse took a toll on the way he would have normally reacted to kindness and gentleness and simple affection if he had not been married to a monster. I loved Isak to bits: he was such a lovely and sweet protagonist and I adored seeing him slowly bloom, seeing him finally flourish in a safe space. And Emil? God, that man. He was like a giant puppy, excitable and lovable and endearing, but also so careful, so thoughtful, so *sighs* perfect. I loved how he took care of Isak, how he showed him with words and actions that he'd never purposely harm him, and how utterly and helplessly (and also cheerfully) wrapped around Isak's finger he was. I found myself swooning for the whole damn book and I (literally) cried at one point from the sheer amount of care and love and affection these two felt for one another.
GAH, it was such a lovely, lovely book. The prose was wonderful, the world-building made me want to go and live near a beach (even though I live in sunny, beachy Italy, but still!), and the side characters were an utter delight. AND THAT (KIND OF) EPILOGUE? Oh my God, I shrieked. I'm pretty sure there's going to be a third book in this alt-regency omegaverse world (at least, I hope so!) and I cannot literally wait to get my greedy, grabby hands on it.
Thank you GRR for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the other novel set in this omegaverse universe: "Honeythorn" was so angsty and lovely that I still think about it, months and months later, but "Cherryvine"? It was love at first sight.
I absolutely loved it, start to finish; and I also absolutely loved both MCs. I've grown obsessed with the omegaverse genre, but the books I've read, while I absolutely loving them, where more of the wolf-shifter type and had more action/plot and less character development. I liked them nevertheless, but I absolutely LOVE it when a book is more character-centric, when both MCs have time to grow and get to know each other and slowly trust one another. "Cherryvine" was a masterclass in character development, and, although I would have loved a tiny bit more plot (yes, I'm still a plot kind of gal) and maybe a bit of outside drama (SUE ME, I love me some drama), I adored the fact that the author took the time to really explore, really delve into both of our MCs minds and especially into the ramifications of domestic abuse. This was a really tough book, so heart-breaking at times it felt like a punch to the gut, but I believe that it dealt with this kind of theme with such care and thoroughness. Marina Vivancos took the time to actually deal with and SHOW how Isak's past marriage, the physical and mental abuse he was subjected to by that utter bastard of his previous husband, influenced his emotions and his thought-process, how all that abuse took a toll on the way he would have normally reacted to kindness and gentleness and simple affection if he had not been married to a monster. I loved Isak to bits: he was such a lovely and sweet protagonist and I adored seeing him slowly bloom, seeing him finally flourish in a safe space. And Emil? God, that man. He was like a giant puppy, excitable and lovable and endearing, but also so careful, so thoughtful, so *sighs* perfect. I loved how he took care of Isak, how he showed him with words and actions that he'd never purposely harm him, and how utterly and helplessly (and also cheerfully) wrapped around Isak's finger he was. I found myself swooning for the whole damn book and I (literally) cried at one point from the sheer amount of care and love and affection these two felt for one another.
GAH, it was such a lovely, lovely book. The prose was wonderful, the world-building made me want to go and live near a beach (even though I live in sunny, beachy Italy, but still!), and the side characters were an utter delight. AND THAT (KIND OF) EPILOGUE? Oh my God, I shrieked. I'm pretty sure there's going to be a third book in this alt-regency omegaverse world (at least, I hope so!) and I cannot literally wait to get my greedy, grabby hands on it.
Thank you GRR for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2022
Arranged Marriage – one of my favourite tropes... 💗
I really enjoyed Isak and Emil’s story.
Isak had gone through such a horrific first marriage that it turned him into a total cynic when it came to love, kindness and understanding in a marriage.
But Emil was such a gem – always loving and patient with Isak. Showing Isak what a true alpha is actually supposed to be like – kind, caring, selfless and so full of love.
I totally loved Emil’s idea of the courtship and the significance of each step – especially the last one.
Their journey of growth and falling in love was sweet and romantic.
I really liked the ending – with how it intertwined with Milan and Raphael from ‘Honeythorn’
Hoping next that there will be a Michael and Asani story…💙💙
I really enjoyed Isak and Emil’s story.
Isak had gone through such a horrific first marriage that it turned him into a total cynic when it came to love, kindness and understanding in a marriage.
But Emil was such a gem – always loving and patient with Isak. Showing Isak what a true alpha is actually supposed to be like – kind, caring, selfless and so full of love.
I totally loved Emil’s idea of the courtship and the significance of each step – especially the last one.
Their journey of growth and falling in love was sweet and romantic.
I really liked the ending – with how it intertwined with Milan and Raphael from ‘Honeythorn’
Hoping next that there will be a Michael and Asani story…💙💙
December 27, 2022
A short but good story about an omega whose husband died and is asked by the monarchy to marry another man shortly after that.
Isak is terrified, as he expects the same treatment of abuse, neglect, and abandonment he had during the first marriage.
Living in the South, so different from the North makes him happier, and so does his new alpha, once he starts to see the difference.
His trauma is difficult to heal, but he definitely tries.
I liked the story, I liked the characters and even if it was short, most of the important stuff was presented well.
Isak is terrified, as he expects the same treatment of abuse, neglect, and abandonment he had during the first marriage.
Living in the South, so different from the North makes him happier, and so does his new alpha, once he starts to see the difference.
His trauma is difficult to heal, but he definitely tries.
I liked the story, I liked the characters and even if it was short, most of the important stuff was presented well.
November 29, 2023
A sweet romance, but almost a little too sweet at times. It’s nice when a character who’s been traumatized (the omega in this book) receives endless love and affection from their partner, but I don’t think cherryvine gave quite as much depth as was needed for it to really hit you in you in your feels.
I definitely still enjoyed this one, but I don’t think it’s as strong as book one.
I definitely still enjoyed this one, but I don’t think it’s as strong as book one.
June 6, 2022
Same goes as its predessesor:
heartfelt, loveley and thender.
I especially loved the character development in this one in Emil reluctance developing into affection and then love, for Isac fear to trust to love.
Totally surprised by this series, in the best possible way!!
heartfelt, loveley and thender.
I especially loved the character development in this one in Emil reluctance developing into affection and then love, for Isac fear to trust to love.
Totally surprised by this series, in the best possible way!!
March 13, 2024
“I don’t want to have the baby. Make it stop.”
“Isak,” Emil said gently.
“No, it’s not fair. YOU have it! YOU have the baby.”
This one was ooey gooey good. And honestly I loved every bit of it. 😊😊😊😊😊
“Isak,” Emil said gently.
“No, it’s not fair. YOU have it! YOU have the baby.”
This one was ooey gooey good. And honestly I loved every bit of it. 😊😊😊😊😊
March 29, 2022
3.5 stars
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