I knew going in that this was a slow burn romance but it really felt like a lifetime before anything happened that piqued my interest. The characters were fine but the pacing of the book extinguished any joy I felt throughout my reading experience.

Book three of the "Love Story" stories. The cover completely reeled me in but it was Tracy Ewens writing that ensnared me! If you are looking for a funny romantic story, Brew is definitely it. I really enjoy Tracy’s style of writing, and while it is not the usual story that I go for, it was definitely a welcome break from all the murder mysteries that I have been reading. I really liked that the characters, Boyd and Ella, are a little but older.

Ella, is a doctor who left the big city after being involved in a disastrous affair with another doctor. She meets Boyd, who is a master brewer with a teenage son, Mase, who is just delightful. What results in this book is that we experience the ups and downs of dating and falling in love. I honestly recommend this book and will definitely be reading more of Tracy’s books!

A wonderful single father love story.

Why do I always wait so long to read a new book by Tracy Ewens? (I've had this one for several months and got derailed by a hurricane back in September 2017.) I love her writing and every single book that I've read in her "A Love Story" series has been at least a 4-star read for me.

The "A Love Story" series books are somewhat connected but also stand alone. Brew begins a new group of stories about brothers who own Foghorn Brewery. Each brother will get a book. If you haven't read any of the others in the series, Brew would be a great place to start.

Boyd is a single father trying to raise his son and maintain balance in his life. Ella is a doctor who moved to Petaluma to get away from a disaster of a relationship. Boyd and Ella meet when he goes to the ER after cutting his hand.

I'm a fan of slow-burn romance stories and this one is a gem. Boyd has neglected his personal needs in order to give all of his attention to his thirteen-year-old son. When he feels attracted to Ella he's not quite sure how to handle it; he's been out of the game too long.

There is a fair amount of angst to this story, but not too much in my opinion. Boyd screws things up royally with Ella and has to get advice from his brothers (even though he's the oldest) on how he can fix things.

I just can't say enough good things about this book and the entire series.

A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

This was not a book for me. The writing is good, but the pacing was far too slow for me. I am not the biggest fan of romance, to be honest, but the synopsis really captivated me so I made an exception and requested it. Unfortunately, the story just could not hold my attention. I do appreciate the opportunity to read this, and I know people who love romance will enjoy it.

Brew: A Love Story by Tracy Ewens is a contemporary romance. Boyd McNaughton is working on balance. He is a father, a brewmaster, and the oldest brother of four. When he’s not running Foghorn Brewery with two of his brothers, his days are packed with carpools, teenage angst, and well-intentioned school moms determined to send him on the perfect blind date. After a simple argument ends with a visit to the emergency room, Boyd discovers the one thing he’s been neglecting, his life. Ella Walters is working on connection. Having grown up in a less-than-affectionate family of overachievers, she moved to Petaluma for a slower pace and to escape her past. She has friends now instead of accolades, chooses chocolate croissants over super foods, and cherishes the peace that’s replaced the drama. Sure, she occasionally misses the buzz of the San Francisco General Hospital ER, but Ella is learning that navigating a fuller life can be just as exciting. When Boyd’s son, Mason, seeks out Dr. Ella for “advice” and Boyd stumbles all over her newly healed heart, she finds herself longing for something she never knew existed. But families are messy, and they’ll both need to let go of the past if they want to find a future that’s more than by the book.

Brew: A Love Story is a modern romance full of the trials of connection and letting go. None of us come into a new relationship without our past shaping how we see things and react, this is particularly true with the main players of this story. Ella comes to the story with a less than pleasant family, and something that sent her running from her perfectly ordered life. She is just starting to let people in, and start feeling with the help of great friends. Boyd is a dad first, and everything else second. When he took charge of raising his son he did everything he could o give Mason the best life he could, but things are changing, because Mason is growing up (as they tend to) faster than he is really prepared for. Neither Boyd or Ella is quite ready to jump on in, but their attraction and the support of those around them urge them in the right direction. Now they each just need to get out of their own heads and pasts, and work on figuring out what they want and need. I love the reality of this story, because none of use are in a vacuum. Family, past troubles, friends, and everything around us effects how we interact with others and perceive he world. I love that there was movement in the relationships and characters around them as well, showing just how fluid and changeable life really is. Boyd and Ella each have things to work out, and those that support them and give them the straight talk that they occasionally need to open their eyes. The honesty and heart break her was very well done, and while there were moments when I wanted to kick one or both of them, I was glad to see them find their way.

Brew: A Love Story is a heart warming story of two people finding each other, and themselves. I enjoyed the read, and hope to explore more from this author in the near future.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tracy Ewens is a new to me author. I tried to enjoy this book and some parts were charming but overall the slow burn romance bored me. I think characterization was an absolute strength in this story. I liked the cast of characters but the story line was thin. Romance needs an HEA but the route there doesn't need to be predictable. I really didn't feel sparks between Ella and Mason but I loved was Ella's relationship with Boyd's son, Mason. Overall, it just wasn't what I was looking for right now. The book didn't didn't grab my attention and took me weeks to finish.

Considering the fact this book is only 304 pages long... That felt like a lifetime.
To be honest, I put this book into the DNF pile because my god! I love a slow burn romance but this was pushing it too far! But ever since I put it aside, I got this nagging feeling so i gave it another go. It still felt long but thankfully by the last 30%, the paced increased and I was able to finish it.
Now, back to the characters- Ella and Boyd... I liked them. There really isn't much to say about them to be fair... nothing special. For me the star of the book was Boyd's son, Mason. He was the ray of sunshine to this rather pale novel....
Brew is what I would consider a sweet love story with a dash of sexiness way way way down in the book hahaha.

I read and reread the Stirred/Reserved/Taste novels, so I was thrilled to get Brew via @netgalley. I love how Tracy makes her characters so real. The dialogue between the brothers was hilarious, and I loved that Boyd was a little bit self-conscious about his appearance. In this book I thought Mason was the star!

Tracy Ewens is one of my favorite authors. I really like how she tells a story. In Brew, the love story between Boyd and Ella evolve in a way that is realistic and true. The MC's struggles are relatable and their issues feel are not overdrawn, OTT, angst-filled plot fillers. I totally appreciated that. So if you're looking for a book with characters that feel like friends, who fall in love and live a good life afterwards, do check this book out.

Ms Ewens, I can't wait for the next McNaughton brother book!

I went backwards with this series, having read the second one first (Smooth by Tracy Ewens) and then followed that up with this one. I do not know if that caused the difference, because I preferred the second one.

This story introduces the people who I am already relatively familiar with. This is about the eldest brother Boyd and his slightly unique mid-life crisis. He is about to be hit with a bout of the empty-nest syndrome of sorts. His son is about to start high school and is going to become more self-sufficient. Boyd's path crosses with that of Ella at the ER at the tail end of her shift. Their story has the usual ups and downs, but the highlight of the book would be Mason ( the son) . His role in every scene is both serious and comic at the same time, and that is a really endearing trait. Ella is career driven and focused and has been independent her entire life and detached for her sanity while Boyd is completely plugged into his family. This adds the flavour into the mix. The happily ever after was well written. I am looking forward to the next brother's story.

I was not familiar with Tracey Ewens’s A Love Story series before this but based on how Brew swept me away, I’m going to need to acquaint myself with them stat.

This was a heartwarming story. Ella and Boyd have both suffered blows in their past which make them wary of connecting with others. Single father Boyd figures he’ll be content enough with his 13 year old son Mason, his family, and their brewery. Ella throws herself into work, even when she trades being Head of Trauma in San Francisco for settling in Petaluma as an ER doctor.

Despite wanting to lick her wounds, Ella is befriended by Bri and Vienna and the rest upon arriving in town but she still holds back. She keeps her secrets to herself and there’s a lot in her life that simply isn’t up for discussion. That is, until Mason shows up to ask his dad for advice while Ella removes Boyd’s stitches.

This is how the story grows. As Ella connects with Mason, she begins to connect with Boyd and in the process, she becomes more connected to her own life and community. She becomes more empowered in every area of her life and this was incredible to see.

Boyd will admit he’s attracted to Ella but he’s not interested in a relationship. He doesn’t believe he can be both a good dad and a good boyfriend. Mason’s mom walked out of his life when Mason was a baby and he hasn’t had a relationship since and figures he can put one off for longer. But life has a funny way about it when it comes to our plans…and when it comes to the interference of teenage boys. Everyone in Ella and Boyd’s life thinks they could be a good pair but Mason is the only one that tries to lend a helping hand.

This is a love story, it’s true. But it’s not just the story of Ella and Boyd falling for one another. It’s a love story between them and their respective communities. It’s about the ways friends can be like family and family can go above and beyond in helping us and just how much we need one another. It’s about recognizing our worth and moving toward healthy people and cutting out the ones that are toxic.

Boyd and Ella have different wounds in their pasts. They have different work to do as a result. And it doesn’t always line up perfectly. Mistakes are made. Lines are drawn. But there is such good between these two and I was rooting for them the whole time. I loved seeing them take risks for one another and I loved the way they took care of one another and how they made it up to one another when they screwed up.

It felt just like a real relationship. I also really loved that Ella is 36 and Boyd is 37. (I also loved that Boyd was this big, burly man, pretty much my dream man!) I’m all in favor of love stories between people in their mid to late 30s! Please let there be more.

The way brewing figured into the story was both thoughtful and insightful. Not only because it’s Boyd’s passion and the business he shares with his brothers but because of the way the metaphor of brewing added to the story itself.

This book plain made me happy. There were times I ached for the characters but by and large, this was a fun, heartwarming read and I can’t wait to catch up on the 8 books that came before it. Clearly this can be read as a standalone and I’m glad for it.

An emotionally shut down doctor finds herself falling for a local brewer with abandonment issues after his college sweetheart left him with an infant to raise some 13 years ago.

The storytelling was mostly narration, but the characters felt too flat. I didn't find the chemistry between Ella and Boyd to be very strong, the relationship felt too rushed, and neither actually put in the work on their individual issues.

In Tracey Ewen’s installment within the Love Series, Brew offers the story of Boyd and Ella. Boyd is one four brothers who own a brewery. As the brewmaster, he creates the different styles and flavors, while Ella is a doctor at the local hospital’s emergency department. The two appear to be vastly different at first introduction, but time will show that they have more in common than first believed.

When the two meet, though there is some attraction, it is more of a slow burn than a hot flame. I liked how Ewens stretched out their courtship of sorts, incorporating many of Boyd’s family and Emma’s friends into the plot, to move the romance along. In addition to the predictable elements, Ewens develops her characters well, allowing them to discover themselves along the way. Both Ella and Boyd have pasts that greatly influence their present selves, which is of course common and human nature. Ewens does a good job of exploring these factors and offering new solutions as they appear. I also enjoy reading this series in general, because the author introduces side characters in one book, who then become primary ones in a future one.

The title and cover of this book caught my attention as I love craft beer! As Tracy Ewens was a new author for me I was not sure what to expect so I was wonderfully surprised at how much I enjoyed this read.

Boyd is one of the close knit McNaughton brothers, three of whom are working together to get their Foghorn Brewery and Taphouse off the ground. After he cuts his hand while working in the brewery he goes to hospital and there meets emergency room doctor Ella. Even though Ella is exhausted from work and Boyd is impatient at being made to wait to get attention from the doctor they have an instant connection.

Both Boyd and Ella have a past which makes them reluctant to get involved with anyone. Boyd is bringing up his son alone and Ella due to a disasterous relationship has moved from a prestigious job in a hospital in San Francisco to a new life working in a small hospital in Petaluma. Sparks fly again when Boyd returns to the hospital to have his stitches removed and his son Mason meets Ella. Mason is going through teenage awkwardness with his first crush on a girl at school and Ella gives him dating advice which forms a bond between them.

Suddenly Boyd and Ella are "bumping into each other" all over town and they find that they have the same circle of friends who encourage them to get together. Eventually they find that their love wins over their fear of a new relationship and there is a happy ever after ending.

I loved this book for the wonderful leading and support characters and the small town theme. Ella is lucky to have such a wonderful supportive circle of friends that encourage her to get out and love again. Boyd's brothers and friends help him to realise that they are there to help him bring up Mason and he is not alone and it is time for him to find happiness for himself.

Although I have not read any of Tracy's other books I am looking forward to reading the next one about the McNaughton boys, as well as some of her previous books. I highly recommend reading Brew it is a beautiful feel good love story.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley and this is my honest review.

First book I have read by this author and I loved it. The story of Ella, doctor working the the emergency room of the local hospital, and Boyd, brewmaster and single parent to Mason. They meet when Boyd has a accident and ends up at the hospital, and in the small community their paths keep crossing.

Also, I love the cover of the book, so simple and effective.

I WANT A BOYD!!! This story was a joy to read and I found myself smiling a few times. It's a quick read and sometimes that doesn't give the reader a chance to really enjoy the characters, but that's NOT the case here. There is just something about Boyd (maybe it's the single parent connection I felt with him) and Ella (maybe it's her struggle to be ALL IN) and Mase (maybe I mentally relate him to my own boys) that just truly enjoyed without feeling like they were too good to be true.

I inhaled this book. Smart, grounded, and hopeful - I'd recommend this to anyone who loves reading books where people are really good at their jobs (competence porn is one of my favorite tropes) and loves books where two people with full lives learn to make room for someone else.

This is a slow and easy book, meant to be read on those lazy afternoons when you can take your time with the story. Just like the way Boyd and Ella came together. Slow, but not easy, and finding out more about themselves before they finally...well, I won't say anymore.

Both Boyd and Ella are well developed characters. Mason is such a great kid that I want to know him too. All 3 of them felt like real people to me that I wish I knew. And all this came from the story not being rushed (though I did feel it plod on a bit) but it was a nice build up. It's not fast and sizzling and heavy. It's slow, simple and well, a bit more real.

Read it!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc.

This is a beautiful story about finding love accepting love, and embracing the messiness of love and family.

This is your go to romance novel if you are looking for something short and sweet. Reading about Boyd McNaughton going out of his comfort zone and connecting with Dr. Ella made this an enjoyable read. Boyd's got a great relationship with his brothers and they do well in running the brewery. He's also great with his son, Mason, who for some reason tends to see more than he does when it comes to how he interacts with Dr. Ella.
Each character complements the other and there is a seamless connection that flows between Ella and the McNaughton's.
I am glad to have received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.