Kay Bing is recovering from a bad breakup when her mentor Neve pushes her into a new job—one that will challenge Kay and help her to become the person she is meant to be. Meanwhile, there is one small problem: Oliver Pierce, an undercover cop posing as Kay’s assistant. When the two meet, their conflicting personalities cause sparks to fly—as well as sexual tension. As each learns to trust the other, they must discover what is really going on at Free Leaf Concepts—and find the brains behind it all. Smith (To the Studs) writes an engaging story with some steam. Our protagonists have made mistakes that they regret, making them human and more realistic. Kay’s self-doubt is particularly interesting and will likely strike a chord with most readers.
Verdict This second installment in Smith’s series is a solid read, with engaging characters, and will prevent readers from discovering who did it too soon. Recommended for anyone who enjoys romantic suspense, especially with elements of design and botany.

I wasn't a big fan of the first book in the series and I am definitely not a fan of this book either. I wasn't able to get into the story and I had a hard time reading a book that otherwise would have been a very easy read. I took a couple of breaks when I was reading this book and I actually was able to read and finish two books in those breaks. Then I had to woman up and finish this one because it will be released in a couple of days and I have to have my review ready. The characters are not as strange as Neve, but they are also not your usual kind of people which didn't always translate in a good way. I wasn't drawn to the story and I ended up skimming some parts. I am happy that I am able to say that one thing in the book satisfied me. Kay had a feeling that she and Oliver weren't able to solve the whole mystery and I was wondering if we were going to find out if she was correct. We do find out and loose things were tied up. That made me like the book a bit. I think a three star rating is fair for this book, considering my whole experience. Probably more than it deserves since we had the "pleasure" to read about Neve and her problems. I don't know how that man puts up with her. Why would anyone be fine with her demands for her man to always be ok with her behavior, but he cannot do anything without being considered a jerk? I had to say that last thing because Neve always manages to get on my nerves. The book didn't work for me, unfortunately, but I would recommend it only because it's better than the first book.

Love on the Vine is a decent book, I just wasn't able to quite get into it. I like the premise, just the execution left me a bit on the fence.

When Kay's mentor and boss not so gently pushes Kay into a new job at an innovative botanicals firm, she knows she has to do her best at her new position because if Neve (her boss) referred her, she can't possibly do anything to let her down or make her look bad. Kay's new assistant is hot and gets under her skin immediately. As Kay takes on her new job, Oliver is there to help her, but he's really helping himself because he's there to investigate her new employer, as the firm is suspected of manufacturing a new deadly drug.

Although I like the mystery of Love on the Vine, and I even like both Kay and Oliver, there was something missing here. I can't pinpoint it exactly except to say that I just didn't connect to either of the characters, nor to the story as a whole. It's not horrible, it's not even bad, it's just...lacking something. Sorry for being so vague and cryptic. Unfortunately, I just can't justify a high rating for something I didn't connect to.

DNF. Got about 40% in before calling it quits. Couldn't connect to either character. Not enough action with either romance or mystery.

undercover detective oliver pierce has more than one reason to want to bring down the leaders of a drug ring producing super shrooms in love on the vine. and it's not just wanting to save people from a dangerous hallucinogenic. but when his boss gets fired for inappropriate on-the-job behavior he's got to start from scratch with kay bing.

on paper and in person it would be easy to dismiss kay bing. she's petite and blond and looks barely old enough to drive. but she's been mentored by two powerful women for her professional life and she decides to channel them in her new role as lead designer at free leaf concepts. she's out to make an impression, and her first order of business is firing oliver.

luckily it doesn't stick, but with kay suspicious of his motives oliver knows he will need to change tactics in order to keep the case. when honesty becomes the best policy, his cover depends on kay's buying the fact that all is not as it seems at free leaf concept. it's an idea she'd like to dismiss, but things are weird.

things are weird between kay and oliver too, because the truth is that there's this crazy attraction between them. partly because they are so good at reading one another. not just their motives, but the way their minds work. both oliver and kay are good at assessing people and figuring out what makes them tick. when kay is drugged with the shrooms in her salad everything ramps up, the case and kay and oliver's relationship.

it's a decent mystery and the romance works, as both kay and oliver are clearly meant for each other.

Review by Amanda for Love Romance Books Blog

I was asked by the author for an honest review.

I would give Love on the Vine 4.5 stars. You do not have to read any other books in the Bound By Design series to enjoy this one. This is the first book I've read by Roxanne Smith and I am interested in reading others.

I liked the storyline and found the characters interesting. I would recommend Love on the Vine to people who like more suspense than love scenes.

Kay Bing has been recently hired as a chief designer at Free Leaf Concepts. Her assistant, Oliver has been with the company as an assistant to the former chief designer. Is Oliver really what he seems? Has something odd and illegal been going on at the company? A great summer read.

a good read