I’m going to admit I jumped on reading this book for review because the synopsis caught my eye and because it was a series that revolved around a family. Jacquie Underdown is a new to me author and her work shows promise. Bittersweet is an emotional story from start to finish with a whole lot of ups and downs and while there is a romance that blossoms, there are a lot of other relationships and complications that encroach on this couples happiness. At times this book almost seemed too heavy for a romance, in reality it really is more women’s fiction with romantic elements, but I did enjoy it and I will seek out the remaining books in this series.

With her reputation in tatters and her debt mounting, Amy Jenkins flees the city and heads to the small community of Alpine Ridge to help out her best friend by running her bakery while she is on bed rest during a difficult pregnancy. She has no idea just how more complicated her life will become or that the attraction she feels for Tom Mathews, her best friend’s brother in law who spends the majority of his time away from the family’s winery after being overlooked and underappreciated for most of his life.

From the prologue that gets the reader’s heart racing, it was easy to get caught up in this story but nothing could have prepared me for the heartbreak, anger, and turmoil within the pages of this book and most had nothing to do with the romance. The Mathew’s family is put to the test when tragedy strikes changing their lives forever and out of that Amy and Tom find comfort and love in one another.

I enjoyed Bittersweet; it had depth and real life feelings of grief and despair but it was tempered with sweetness and light.

Sweet loving romance. Wish all books could be this great.

Reading the blurb, my expectations were quite high for this book. I thought Amy and Tom's story would grab me and keep me captivated.

At first it did, I enjoyed it a lot and couldn't wait for more but unfortunately it lost me at times. I didn't felt as much for the characters as I thought I would. Tom was great with Amy and she gave it back to him. Her strength and her determination to honor her best friend's wishes was really sweet. And Tom's will to finally be recognized and acknowledged was understandable but something was missing to make this a great book for me.

I liked it but I didn't love it. I still want to see what happens to the other brothers Sam and Mitch tough.

This was an emotional ride! I would call this more women’s fiction vs. A romance although there was the romantic element involved. This is the story of family and all the roller-coaster life throws to everyone over time. Be prepared to ugly cry!!

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a really fantastic romance. It's very sweet and sentimental feeling as it really revolves around a family. There is a great deal of emotion in this one. It's not a funny book. It's an emotional and moving story. This is one that definitely made me cry ... ok, it made me sob. But, in a good way - in that way that a beautiful and moving story will tug at your heartstrings. Jacquie Underdown has written such a wonderful book that I highly recommend. It's not a fun or raunchy romance ... it's sweet and lovely. It was such a nice change of pace for me after reading a lot of less emotional romance lately. I really enjoyed this one and definitely recommend it.

Bittersweet by Jacquie Underdown is a fast pace full ride of emotional ups and downs. The main characters are Amy and Tom, who both are fighting issues and struggling with life. They find each other with the strong chemistry between them and have their happily ever after in the end. It was very touching as they each battle through their issues to overcome them. The story weaves its way with all its twists but is emotionally charged and inspiring. I cried, I laughed, I cringed, I smiled. As I stated it was a ride! I look forward to reading more from Jacquie Underdown in the future.

NetGalley provided me with an advanced copy for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book. The friendships and relationships between the characters is something to envy. There are parts that are heartbreaking and bring you to tears. I look forward to seeing where this series goes.

2.5☆
This is my first book by Jacquie Underdown.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Brothers of the Vine
Standalone
HEA

You might need some tissue....
I look forward to reading more from this author.

3.5 Stars
Review copy received from Escape Publishing

The great thing about NetGalley is free books! And discovering new authors! The downside is you don’t get to preview a book before requesting it, and since my part of the deal in receiving a free book is that I provide a review, I get through every book (unless it’s really, really bad). Thankfully, Bittersweet wasn’t really, really bad. But it wasn’t exactly good either.

Amy Jenkins has recently lost her life’s dream when she had to close the restaurant she’d opened. At the same time, her best friend Rachel is hospitalized because of complications with her pregnancy. As things work out, the hospital is in the city where Amy lives, so Amy offers up her apartment to her friend’s husband, Mitch Mathews, and then Amy goes to stay at her friend’s house in the small town of Alpine Ridge while she runs the friend’s cupcake shop.

Tom Mathews is Rachel’s brother-in-law. As the youngest of three brothers who have inherited a vineyard in Alpine Ridge, Tom has resisted his place with the family business. But when Mitch is unable to work at the vineyard so he can be by his wife’s side, Tom steps up and not only helps with the vineyard, but helps Amy with Rachel’s shop.

Having previously shared a kiss several months before, the attraction between Amy and Tom is given the opportunity to flourish. However, between lingering issues from Amy’s failed restaurant, and a Mathews family tragedy, things get complicated, messy and ugly.

I had a really difficult time connecting with the characters in this book. The prologue - which is an event that happens at the end of the story - drew me in, but after that, the story dragged and dragged and dragged. At 20% I almost threw in the towel completely, but instead decided to make-do with skimming through to the end. Where the author lost me was the heroine’s continual lamenting about what went wrong with her restaurant, and how she doesn’t know what she’s going to do with the rest of her life after she’s finished helping the Mathews family. I get that it was devastating and shook her confidence, but it colored absolutely everything in her life, and I got tired of hearing about it. The pace of the story picked up a bit around the 50% point, but I still found myself skimming.

It wasn’t until the last 10% of the book that I stopped skimming and started reading. This was where the messy and ugly part happened, and it was good! But had it not been for the prologue, I wouldn’t have even known about the majorly dramatic moment that happened at the end, and I probably would have set this book aside in my virtual “did-not-finish” pile. It’s not that the writing or plot weren’t good (the dialogue was actually very good - those were the parts I skimmed to and read closely), but for whatever reason, this story and these characters didn’t draw me in and hold my interest. It took me a whole week to finish this book, which is highly unusual for me!

Despite not connecting well with this story, I may be interested in reading another Brothers of the Vine story. I’m a big fan of small town, family-driven books, so in theory this series should be right up my alley. Unfortunately, Bittersweet was a bit of a dead-end for me.

*thank you to NetGalley and Escape Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

This is such an emotional, moving and beautiful story, I could barely put it down once I picked it up and did have a very late night last night, yes there were tears (still are thinking about this one) but there was joy and happiness, as we get to know Amy Jenkins and Tom Matthews and the Matthew’s family in a fabulous setting on a vineyard in the Victorian countryside.

Amy Jenkins is a chef making the best pastries and deserts, she has worked with the best around the world but when her own restaurant in Melbourne goes bust with the help of a past employee Amy is left devastated add to that when her very best calls and asks for help, Amy puts her problems behind her and goes to Rachel’s side to do what she can. Amy jumps in to keep Rachel’s Cupcake shop running while her world is falling apart. This brings her close to Tom Matthews Rachel’s brother in law and the sparks fly in a very sensual way.

Tom Matthews is the youngest of the Matthew brothers they are now running the very successful vineyard started by their father years before, Tom has always felt a little left out over the years and does not work there full time even though his brothers are always trying to get him too. But when a family tragedy strikes Tom is home and willing to help and do what he can and while helping out Amy his heart is lost, Amy helps him see some truths.

With everything that is happening with Tom and Amy the emotions are flying high their pull towards each other is so strong and they decide on a temporary fling but that is never going to do it in the end these two fall head over heels in love in such a beautiful way with so much happening around them. This is the first book from MS Underdown that I have read, it won’t be the last, she has a fabulous writer’s voice that brings the characters to life and makes me feel like I am there with them on the pages, the setting was gorgeous, and the story amazing. This is a story that I highly recommend but do make sure you have tissues at the ready and I am looking forward to Sam and Mitch’s stories. I am sure you will also want lots of cupcakes while reading this one.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was an emotional read but an inspiring story of how people deal with life's struggles and how they come together to help each other in times of need. It is the story of loss of hopes and dreams and of moving on and making new ones and of healing. The characters were all relatable and well written, I travelled with them through their highs and lows. I very much enjoyed the relationship between Tom and Amy and the way they supported each other. Definitely recommend this novel.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion of the book. Its a book about fighting your demons and finding love in the process. I really enjoyed this story of overcoming obstacles put in front of you. Amy must close her restaurant due to financial reasons and a mountain of debt. She goes to help her best friend out during a difficult pregnancy and ends of being thrown together with Tom. Tom is underappreciated by his brothers in the family business and has his reasons for just living on the edges of the family. I loved the way the story was woven and all its twists and turns. A box of tissues is a must! I look forward to the remaining books in the series!

I received an arc from Netgalley. This book started out as quite the tearjerker. I was unsure if Inwanted to continue reading but I stuck it out. An awesome read and a lovely story of love, healing, and new beginnings.

The opening chapter of this book is such a teaser....I too was wondering ‘how did it get to this point?’
The story then takes us back to 4 months earlier. Amy has a failed restaurant venture, which sees her able to help out her friend Rachel with her small cupcake business in Alpine Ridge, while Rachel is in hospital with pre eclampsia.
Rachel’s husband Mitch runs the family winery business with his two brothers, although the youngest Tom, has always been resentful of being expected to do it. Therefore he has working in the mines for the last number of years, coming back one week per month to help out.
But suddenly life for the family and Amy is shattered with the most devastating outcome.
I loved this book, it went through so many emotions and all the characters where so real. I enjoyed Amy and Tom’s growing relationship, and found it refreshing that it wasn’t ‘insta love’. They had met previously and experienced some harmless flirtation, so this was growing through friendship and support. There were a lot things to work through for all the family and I felt the small hint of ‘magical realism’ was great.
I would have loved a cupcake recipe or two to be included in the book, as they sounded delicious! A very enjoyable read of love and healing that will see me looking for the next instalment of ‘Brothers of the Vine’ when it is released.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read and review.

Pulls at your heart strings beautiful. Oh the emotions that come along while reading Bittersweet. You're heart just gets pulled in so many directions. You just want to hug on Amy and the entire Mathews family. I love Tom and Amy. The fight to give their relationship a try is beautiful once everything settles. Amy is meant to be in Alpine Ridge. This family needs someone strong coming in after everything and Amy seems to be the right fit. Once she sees that that's her place to start over the book just gives you a huge happy sigh. The emotions are real in Bittersweet. The Mathew brothers have a story to tell and this is just mainly Tom's. I so can't wait to see what is in stored for Mitch and Sam. In reading Bittersweet do have a few tissues handy you are going to need them. A Beautiful emotional read set in a vineyard in Australia and it is such a amazing read.

Be warned that you will be crying or tearing up throughout the book. All the characters in the book do so why shouldn’t the reader? I don’t want to give away the plot so I won’t provide spoilers. Let’s just say that the title, “Bittersweet,” is perfectly applicable. Among bitter pain much sweetness happens.

This is the start of a series about three brothers. The youngest, Tom, is the hero in this book and he’s just too wonderful. He’s caring and sensitive, but also tough with layers to his personality. And it helps that he’s tall, hunky, and handsome plus he can both cook and fix a car.

I couldn’t put this book down from the first pages. Even when I had to get up to find some Kleenex, I didn’t want to stop reading. I can’t wait to read the stories of Tom’s older brothers.

I was given a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. If I am being honest, if I had not been given this copy I would have bailed after the first chapter. The writing seemed full of laborious sentences a high school student would construct. I persevered and despite the writing style and disjointed narrative I did become involved in the story and was able to finish it. The plot was interesting but I just felt it was poorly executed in so many ways. One of the characters has a very sudden change of heart after a tantrum that is completely unexplained and drove me crazy. I hate when being honest means having to admit that I really did not like something but this is the case here. This book was not for me but might appeal to others.

This is an emotional read. It's also a tough read due to the plot and the characters inside this story.
I don't want to give too much background to ruin the story but I can tell you, your emotions will run the full range reading this.
First, it's extremely well written. There are a couple places where this skipped but in real life this also happens. We're talking living breathing people. The brothers in this book were not only larger than life, they came right off the pages. The emotions and dialogue are intense. I loved the setting. Victoria in Australia and the family owned vineyard. The three brothers are supposed to be working together Mitch and Rachel lived on the property. Rachel ran a cupcake shop in town. Her best friend Amy and she went to culinary school together. When Amy's dream restaurant goes belly up and Rachel is sent to bed during her pregnancy it gives Amy the chance she needs to get her confidence back slowly with the help of Tom. Gad, I loved that guy. Tom is the one who is off working in a mine for a month at a whack, staying away feeling like he didn't fit it, but when the brothers are called home because of Rachel being in the hospital, they come to help. Sam is the third brother (I hope he gets his own book) I need more on that man. Tom falls for Amy, they shared a quick kiss at a Christmas party the past year and he hasn't forgotten her, but this Amy that is in front of him now is not the happy, confident Amy he met in December. And she's pretty tight lipped about how much she's got other plate. Lovely to watch them slowly grow together and Amy trust him.
When an event that no one would ever want to happen, Mitch unravels. To say he's difficult is an understatement. Dealing with grief, loss and he just spirals and there isn't much anyone can do. The brothers seem to manage him, but they know he has to find his way.
Meanwhile we have Tom and Amy. Tom decides to quit the mine and stay at the vineyard and is building a house, trying to show Amy he plans on hanging around, and Amy repeatedly says she isn't staying. She's doing a great job running Rachels cupcake shop and has even changed some of the recipes to add her own flair and they're well received. Amy has some great ideas to make the shop a little better.
When the major dung hits the fan it does so in an explosive and devastating manner. Both Sam and Tom bear the brunt along with Amy who seems to be Mitch's bulls eye. His wife best friend.
That's all from me.
It's a must read. I will say Mitch suffers a devastating loss, just as a word of caution. It was painful at times to listen to his tirades despite the fact he was drunk. Didn't matter. I'll also tell you this book was so well written, again you feel as though you're standing there watching this unfold. She pulls you write into the story. This is real life. Real love and real emotion. And that is why I gave it 5 stars, Jacquie earned every single one.

**I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book. The honest review and opinions are mine alone.**

**arc from NetGalley and Escape Publishing.** Thank you.