Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good second chance/enemies-to-lovers story, though frustration with both characters made it a little harder to invest in their story fully. Sabrina was the daughter of the local winery owner and Liam, the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. The summer she was seventeen, Liam came to work at the winery, where the two of them quickly became friends. That friendship developed into a big crush on Sabrina's part. Sabrina's father noticed and offered Liam a hefty chunk of change to leave town. Right after that offer, Sabrina offered herself to Liam. Knowing he wasn't good enough for her, he turned her down, took the money, and left town, breaking her heart.
Thirteen years later, Liam is back, a wealthy businessman who is working with his brothers at Laughing Irish ranch. He has plans to partner with Sabrina's family's winery. When Sabrina is tasked with partnering with Liam to get the new tasting room up and running, she is not happy. She has done her best to avoid him since his return, but now she has no choice. She plans to keep things professional and lock down any lingering feelings.
That viewpoint doesn't last past their first meeting. The sparks flew as they faced off over the past. I liked that they cleared the air between them, as that opened the door to a better working relationship. But physical attraction simmered under that improvement. It doesn't take too long before they decide to carry on a no-strings affair with an end-date of the tasting room's Christmas opening. The banter between them is quick-witted and fun. The more time they spend together, the closer they get, and some confidences are shared. There were some sweet scenes of the time they spent together, as well as some steamy ones. As the time for the opening grew closer, both Liam and Sabrina had to face the future. Sabrina chooses to protect her heart, while Liam was ready to keep going for as long as they could. I hurt for both of them as their roles reversed, and Sabrina was the one to walk away.
I ached for Liam. What he went through as a child was horrific, and it's not surprising that he holds back the way he does. It's hard for him to believe that anyone would want him for himself, including his family members. Be that as it may, I still became very frustrated with his attitude that he was good enough to sleep with Sabrina, but not for a relationship. I liked seeing all three brothers call him out on his attitude, and try to break through the walls he built up. The confrontation between Liam and Alex finally opened his eyes and heart.
Sabrina provided some frustrating moments also. She was so stuck in the past that she didn't do much dating, much less form a relationship with anyone. She was much stronger than she believed she was, but it took her almost the whole book to realize it. I liked seeing her confront her father over the way he treated her, then and now. It didn't make me like him any better, but I was happy to see the effect it had on Sabrina. I did wish that she dared to tell Liam her feelings, but I understood her hesitation.
The ending was emotional as Liam was able to open himself up and show Sabrina that he was there for the long haul, that he was done walking away. Sabrina could finally trust that she didn't have to fear rejection any longer. I enjoyed the epilogue and seeing where all four brothers and their families are. It was a nice wrap-up to the quartet about the Donnelly brothers.
Thirteen years later, Liam is back, a wealthy businessman who is working with his brothers at Laughing Irish ranch. He has plans to partner with Sabrina's family's winery. When Sabrina is tasked with partnering with Liam to get the new tasting room up and running, she is not happy. She has done her best to avoid him since his return, but now she has no choice. She plans to keep things professional and lock down any lingering feelings.
That viewpoint doesn't last past their first meeting. The sparks flew as they faced off over the past. I liked that they cleared the air between them, as that opened the door to a better working relationship. But physical attraction simmered under that improvement. It doesn't take too long before they decide to carry on a no-strings affair with an end-date of the tasting room's Christmas opening. The banter between them is quick-witted and fun. The more time they spend together, the closer they get, and some confidences are shared. There were some sweet scenes of the time they spent together, as well as some steamy ones. As the time for the opening grew closer, both Liam and Sabrina had to face the future. Sabrina chooses to protect her heart, while Liam was ready to keep going for as long as they could. I hurt for both of them as their roles reversed, and Sabrina was the one to walk away.
I ached for Liam. What he went through as a child was horrific, and it's not surprising that he holds back the way he does. It's hard for him to believe that anyone would want him for himself, including his family members. Be that as it may, I still became very frustrated with his attitude that he was good enough to sleep with Sabrina, but not for a relationship. I liked seeing all three brothers call him out on his attitude, and try to break through the walls he built up. The confrontation between Liam and Alex finally opened his eyes and heart.
Sabrina provided some frustrating moments also. She was so stuck in the past that she didn't do much dating, much less form a relationship with anyone. She was much stronger than she believed she was, but it took her almost the whole book to realize it. I liked seeing her confront her father over the way he treated her, then and now. It didn't make me like him any better, but I was happy to see the effect it had on Sabrina. I did wish that she dared to tell Liam her feelings, but I understood her hesitation.
The ending was emotional as Liam was able to open himself up and show Sabrina that he was there for the long haul, that he was done walking away. Sabrina could finally trust that she didn't have to fear rejection any longer. I enjoyed the epilogue and seeing where all four brothers and their families are. It was a nice wrap-up to the quartet about the Donnelly brothers.
