I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I've tried to start this book several times but I just can't get into it. I did purchase a copy for the branch.

The Sweetest Secret by author Jacquie Underdown is the second book in the Brothers of the Vine series. The first book in the series did not disappoint., and on that point, gave this story merit to pick to for a top read.
Review copy received from Escape Publishing via Netgalley

3.5 Stars

I am a huge fan of small town, family centered stories, so the Brothers of the Vine series was of automatic interest to me. And even though the first book in the series (Bittersweet) was a bit of a miss for me, I always like to give a new-to-me author more than one read. I’m really glad I did...although The Sweetest Secret almost ended up in my DNF pile.

Ellie is in her mid twenties, and after a series of bad relationships - with her last one having been really unhealthy - she’s moved to Alpine Ridge to start fresh with her own floral shop. When she goes to the shop next door to introduce herself, she meets Amy (from Bittersweet) and Sam, who is immediately smitten with Ellie.

Sam has a bit of a bad reputation himself, a result of his way of coping with his own really unhealthy relationship when he was in university (which was ten years ago). He knows he’s not relationship material, but Ellie has sparked something in him that no one else has, and so they slowly build a relationship from their budding friendship.

As I said, this book almost ended up in my DNF pile. At 25 percent, I really didn’t care much for or about either our hero or heroine. Near as I could tell, this was going to be another whole book about how they couldn’t be together based on how badly their previous relationships had gone. And we didn’t actually KNOW how bad they had gone. But then we learn about Sam’s first real relationship, and how emotionally abusive it was. BAM - now we have a compelling character! I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the man was the one who was abused in the relationship. Plenty of abuse by parents, but none in a romantic relationship. And with that small bit of characterization, my interest in the book began to grow. But I was still placing this book in the marginally entertaining category….

Then the plot took a turn of soap opera proportions, and while this storyline would normally have me rolling my eyes, it worked. Really well actually! The situation (being spoiler-free here people!) added some much needed drama from the outside, whereas all the drama and conflict to the relationship before came from Sam and Ellie’s thoughts and feelings. Sam, as a result of this situation, behaves poorly and hurts Ellie deeply. And she, to her credit, calls him on it. But, I also loved that when she fully understands the situation and Sam tells her he’s sorry, she forgives him and moves on.

The last 30 percent of the book was really, really good, and almost redeemed the first 20 percent. Almost…

I’m really happy I didn’t give up on this book. It was much better than the first book in the series - the characterizations were better, the plot pacing was better, and there were real issues and challenges the couple needed to work through. I even got teary in several places. Now, instead of being mildly interested in the next book, I’ll be actively watching for the book about the final Mathews brother!

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

I have really been looking forward to this story since the first one in the series just about blew me away with the emotional journey between Tom and Amy, so this had to do the same and my verdict it did most defiantly, this reader has been left very, very happy after an emotional roller coaster ride, a journey of hurts and secrets of learning and love and opening up, don’t miss this one, these Matthews men are to die for.

Ellie has arrived in the beautiful country town Alpine Ridge to start a new life a talented florist who has a special bond with flowers but seems to always pick the wrong man in her life, she has travelled for nearly a year and now it is time to settle down. Opening her own shop is hard work for Ellie and meeting Amy the owner of the cupcake shop next door brings her also to meet Sam Matthews and she is left speechless at their first meeting but a business arrangement with flowers starts but it also starts a sensual relationship, but will it ever come to a HEA? They both have a lot to overcome.

Sam Matthews is part of the family that runs the vineyard in Alpine Ridge, he is kind of a loner, after having a relationship that burned him very badly he now is the love em and leave guy, he works hard on the vineyard and he also grows flowers in his glasshouse special flowers that mean a lot to him, he also has a lot of emotional issues that he keeps to himself, but when he meets the new florist Ellie sparks fly, he has never felt this way before but he is unsure of their future.

This story is beautiful there are so many emotional problems from both Sam and Ellie from their pasts it can be hard to think of them both making it through to a HEA their journey is a very rocky one, sensual one minute and too much thinking the next that cause them to hurt each other throw in some vandalism that is worrying and then a huge secret that rocks Sam to his foundations. The tears flowed a few times through this story being back in Alpine Ridge with Mitch and Sophie, and Tom and Amy was fabulous but to see Sam finally open up and ask for help and Ellie wow what a strong heroine, yes I loved this as much as the first one and now bring on Mitch’s story woohoo. Thank you MS Underwood I am taking a deep breathe another emotional, gorgeous story one that I highly recommend. I love that you have taken on issues that are a part of life and done so well with them.

Elle had horrible luck with men as all her relationships had been with losers for ten years of holding the hands of devils and walking through hell with them,without batting an eyelid as to why it was so hot all the time. But she knew better now. Now she had her dream floral shop in a new town almost ready to open up after two weeks of her being absorbed by the renovation. She had worked very hard to transform the shop to her vision of “ In Bloom”. She had yet met her business neighbor who owned Love And Cupcakes which was Amy. Amy said she had wanted to come over but gave Elle time to settle. Elle met Sam at the cupcake shop and he supplied select clientele with varieties of flowers the bigger farms didn't” grow and he had just finished a contract so he could take her on as a client if she wanted. The more Elle touched Sam in passing the more her body wanted Sam was a very hot man. Sam and his family had went through a rough year. Elle had become a florist at eighteen which was eight years ago. Sam said he decompressed by gardening and he showed Elle his greenhouse. Sam didn't want people stepping in his life playing matchmaker as his first try at love was enough to make him very gun shy even if he was attracted to Elle.
I enjoyed this book it was a fun easy story to read.I did chuckle at times while reading this. I also understood why Sam didn’t want any matchmaking done in his life. I was happy to see Tom and Amy so happy. I felt this was well written with a good plot. Although it did drag for me at times. I do advise you read the first book in this series to make smoother reading. I liked the characters and the ins and out of this book and i recommend it.

**3.5 stars**
‘The Sweetest Secret’ is the 2nd book of the ‘Brothers of the Vine’ series and while it’s not essential to read them in order, I do feel it adds to the story knowing the background of the characters.

This is Sam’s story, the middle brother. He works in the family winery and is more involved with the sales side. He’s got a history that makes him feel unable to settle down and he’s earned a reputation for playing the field.Ellie has moved to Alpine Ridge to fulfil her dream of opening a florist shop and she has an instant attraction to Sam (maybe it was Amy’s cupid cupcakes?) but Sam keeps those barriers up.....and it’s a rocky road to HEA, will they ever get there?

After absolutely loving the first in the series I was really looking forward to this but for me, I wasn’t as engaged in this one. I don’t think I was drawn to Sam’s character as much, at times he was lovely then he really ran cold. Poor Ellie, I enjoyed her character but no wonder she got so confused. This book touches on mental health issues and anxiety and I can understand where the story was coming from.

I found I read this book more in shorter spurts (life got in the way) and at all times it was very easy to pick up and put down, so it would be perfect if you wanted something lighter. I will still look forward the next instalment as I’m eager to hear how the family is getting on.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC to read.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing it. The story of the Mathews brothers continues with Sam who first major romance was a messed up and twisted and still messing with his head all these years later. Ellie dates every wrong man she can find and has been running the last year from them and herself and finally has decided to settle down in Alpine Ridge. Shortly after moving and getting ready to open her florist shop she runs into Sam. It is fireworks from the first glance. After a series of vandalism attacks, Ellie and Sam are second guessing they are future together and themselves. Sam's now dead ex from hell has one last surprise up her sleeve, will he and Ellie's budding romance survive? I loved this story and cannot wait for the last book in the series!

This was another delightful romance in the Brothers of the Vine series, I enjoyed catching up again with the brothers and seeing where Amy and Tom's relationship was at and how Mitch was coping. This story though was about Sam and newcomer Ellie who have both been through bad relationships which are still interfering with their lives. Full of humour, miscommunication, romance and small town life, this is the story of starting over and taking chances in order to live our lives. This can be read as a standalone, but I liked knowing the backstories of the characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Escape Publishing for a copy in return for an honest review.

The Sweetest Secret is a well written romance. I enjoyed this author's writing. This book has a good plot and well developed characters. I recommend this to readers who enjoy reading a good romance.

Life, love and the dangers of lacking communication and jumping to conclusions. An entertaining romance story set in a small town outside of Melbourne, Australia. Excellent characters with a depth of development that enhances the story line which is a continuation from the first book Bittersweet. Although, you could read this book as a stand alone story, it is much more enjoyable having read the first book and allowing this one to build upon the first. I'm interested to see if the author continues this series into more books as I am definitely intrigued and looking forward to more!

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!