Great setting and a very enjoyable tale of an opinionated and strong-willed Latina, Carmen, with a lot on her plate, clashing with the former techie next door, Evan. A great story of family love, romance and friendship.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a copy to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 Stars
Summer at Orchard House is the first in a new series, Blue Hill by Ellyn Oaksmith. This was such a fun and cute enemies to lovers romance between Carmen and Evan. This was one of the few books where I loved all of the character's both the main as well as all the supporting. If you want a quick beach read vibe book that is set in the countryside this book is perfect. I really enjoyed this and I cannot wait for the second book in this series

First time reading Ellyn Oaksmith novel.. Can't wait to read others by her! I'm excited for this new series. It begins with Carmen who leaves her job in Seattle t0 go home to help with the family business. The winery. Once she arrives she discovers that her Neighbor Evan wants to buy the winery. I look forward to what comes next with the series and reading others by Oaksmith! Definitely a great summer read! Especially in all this uncertainty in this world.

It took me a bit to get into this book - it felt like it started out a bit slow. I warmed up to the characters, and really wanted the 2 main characters Evan and Carmen to work out some sort of plan to work together toward each of them being successful. The sabotage efforts made me cringe, and it felt like a pretty high stakes game to be playing.

Toward the middle of the book, I really started to enjoy reading the ingenuity that Catmen was bringing to the winery, and I started getting high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, the things that I liked ended up taking a backseat to drama surrounding an impending wildfire, then the book ended really ubruptly.

I am giving this one two stars for the potential it had. I would have given it more stars if maybe there had been some sort of overview of how things developed between Evan and Carmen, what happened with Stella and Paolo, what was the reaction/impact of the harvesters after they left?

I received a copy of this book to review through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first novel in the new series Blue Hills. I was so looking forward to diving into this book. It is an amazing story of love, family, and new beginnings.

Set in Lake Chelan, Washington, this story whisks away to a place you’ve never been but have always wanted to go. As the Alvarez sisters come together to save their family’s vineyard, you can’t help but feeling as if you are working in the vineyard right along side of them. As the stories of the sisters lives unravel, Carmen finds herself romantically interested in Evan Hollister, in spite of the fact that she doesn’t want to admit it. As you flip through the pages of this book, you can’t help but feeling as if you are part of this family. The vivid description of the characters, the lake, and the vineyard, including the dialogue between them all, makes you feel like you are right there in the mix of it all. This is a real page turner that you can’t put down once you begin reading it. I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to the next book in this series.

This is the first book I’ve read by Ellyn Oaksmith. I like her writing style and her vivid descriptions of people and places. I will definitely read more books written by this author.

This was an easy way to pass the time. I did quite enjoy the book but found it a little Mills and Boon like towards the end, However if you like an uncomplicated romance novel then this is for you!

Summer at Orchard House is the first book in the Blue Hills series and what can I say except I had a lot of fun reading it!

This is a clean, feel good romance with quirky, smart, funny and lovable characters. In fact this is one of the few books where I found I liked all the characters--main and supporting alike. Carmen may have her doubts about Evan Hollister, but when this Microsoft millionaire 'gringo' questions the logic behind eating cakes with no frosting early on in the book, I knew he was alright in my books. The description of the beautiful and scenic town of Chelan and the Blue Hills vineyards made me want to pack up my bags and move there.

And hey! If you are ever in an evil mood to cause a havoc at weddings, unleashing a herd of goats and tiny drones right in the midst of the ceremony and festivities might just work 😉.

All in all I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of the series.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and the author Ellyn Oaksmith for the e-Arc of the book.

A sweet, slow-burn story. Loved this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Growing up on the family vineyard overlooking Lake Chelan wasn’t easy – but love was never in short supply. But now, with their father showing early stages of Alzheimer’s and the vineyard is in trouble, Carmen Alvarez, the middle sister is the one up to bat. Coming home to ‘make a difference’ to the house and vineyard, despite thinking she knows nothing about the business is a bold move, and she instantly feels the pressure. More so when she reunites with her best friend Stella and discovers just how much things have changed and how much there is to do. Making everything worse, the neighboring land is also a vineyard and owned by a former Microsoft whiz kid with oodles of money to burn – and he wants the family vineyard.

Evan has always felt ‘rootless’ and has a few happy childhood memories from vacations spent at Lake Chelan, so instantly he thought buying the vineyard would be a great move. Unaccustomed to the local residents’ views on the “microsofties’ and his flash car, not to mention his inexperience with cultivating vines or wines: he’s in an uphill battle. Sure he can hire the best available workers, and even manage to produce wine, but something is missing and he’s not in a position to make further enemies. Despite what his “business manager” suggests.

Evan and Carmen spark off instantly – bickering, attraction and several miscommunications and their own issues keeping them apart. Until push comes to shove and the two are forced into close proximity to survive catastrophe and lives. From emotionally accessible and honest characters to the power of family and friendships and the ties those engender, Oaksmith has started the story of reaching for and achieving the American Dream, and building a legacy based on that dream while keeping hope and love alive. Easy to read, full of highs and lows, the story has moments that will enchant and frustrate in equal measures, just like every family owned and run business out there.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aL /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

This was a sweet, easy book to read, focusing on the competing interests of Carmen and her father's neighbor Evan over vineyard property. Evan wants her father's land. Carmen is desperate to save it from his clutches and make it successful. Their obvious attraction was pushed away at every turn due to their separate interests. Frustrating? Yes. Fun? Yes! Loved it.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this opportunity to read and review this excellent book.

When Carmen hears about the troubles facing her father, she rushes home to save his vineyard from the rich Evan. Trying to run a vineyard with no experience, working with her sisters and constantly fighting attraction to Evan makes a girl stressed. Fun story and easy summer read. Would recommend this book and author

Summer at Orchard House by Ellyn Oaksmith is the first book in the new contemporary romance Blue Hills series. This first book is a tale of enemies to lovers story but it would be my guest this will be a romance series that changes the main characters between the books probably focusing on other Alvarez sisters so the type of couple may change too.

Carmen Alvarez grew up in Lake Chelan on her family’s vineyard alongs with her sisters but all the girls have moved away as they got older. Unfortunately for the sisters their father, Juan, is showing the first stages of memory loss which is making his business struggle and he now owes the bank quite a bit of money which is past due.

Being the sister without a family and in a job she doesn’t enjoy Carmen drops everything to return to Lake Chelan before her father sells the vineyard. When arriving Carmen finds her father sitting with Evan Hollister, their new millionaire neighbor who desperately wants their fertile land. While Carmen stops the sale she and her sisters still need to come up with the cash to save their home pitting them against Evan and his vineyard.

Summer at Orchard House was an enjoyable opener to this new contemporary romance series bringing in a loving family, some fun hijinx and a slow builing romance. I would warn that there is times there is some switching to Spanish phrases within that don’t translate but it should still be pretty understandable in each situation. Otherwise, a fun read and I’d be happy to continue on to the next book in the series.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is an easy read. Very light and will not leave you hanging. This is one of those love stories that you can predict the ending but keep asking yourself how in the world will it get there. You will enjoy this sweet and sometimes sassy story about two people who have a love/hate relationship. Even thought they have that relationship, you as the reader want them to land with each other. But how will it happen? Read to find out!

Technically a romance, this story of three sisters trying to save their dad’s vineyard is also a testament to the importance of keeping the American Dream alive. I liked how the vineyard is central to the plot, and it being more than an inanimate object added depth to the importance of the plot of land. It became symbolic of everything the family had in life. From the first phone call that Carmen receives from her sister through the stories that unfold, the reason why the vineyard must be saved is clear. I really enjoyed the journey of all of the characters throughout the story. I would highly recommend this book for many reasons, but mainly for the attention to the heart of the story: the importance of maintaining and keeping sight of dreams. For a detailed review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of the book.

A nice slow read about family, romance, and a lot about owning a winery. Maybe a bit too much about that. Basic story line was interesting especially including the history of the patriarch and his developing and growing the winery. The developing romance between his daughter and the neighbor next door who is trying to develop his own winery is a bit slow moving and juvenile. Hurt feelings after each encounter was a little frustrating. Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this advance copy.

A beautiful captivating tale of finding oneself and healing the past hurts. Romance was the added bonus. Author Ellen Oaksmith captured my heart with the warmth of the story and the love that enveloped the characters into a cozy sheath.

Carmen had to quit her job and rush home to save her father’s vineyard. The bank and neighbor were eager to make an offer and foreclose it. It took all her inner strength to save the family property and livelihood. Support came from people close to her heart and love at the unlikeliest corner.

My first book by this author, I was blown away by the feel good energy of the book. Every word felt light and healing even when it dealt with difficult subjects. The writing bound me to it, bringing a joy at the beautiful description of the landscape. Each line was a vivid color painted on an empty canvas, and I could stand there admiring the glory of it. The story helped me escape my tough day.

Attraction interspersed with humor zinged between Carmen and neighbor Evan. But it was the bond between the sisters and farher which kept me gripped to my kindle. Their love made my heart soar. Family came first. ALWAYS. For me and for them.

A light hearted read was this. Completely fun and soothing.

This is the first book in a new series set in the beautiful Blue Hills wine country around Lake Chelan. It is here the the Alvarez sister grew up on the family vineyard but none had ever expressed any interest or desire to continue working there, until a phone call alerts Carmen that the whole vineyard business is in dire financial straits. She quits her job and returns home to discover that a relatively new neighbour, Evan Hollister, is trying to buy her Dad's lands. He's everything she hates and the rivalry between the two fuels everything that happens in this family drama that is packed with history, learning, fire, friendships, community and romance as well as lots of goats, grapes and wine!

This is a story about reevaluating your choices, looking deeper than the surface, a strong sense of community, friendship and family. It is about fighting to protect those you love, overcoming problems, thinking outside the usual and opening yourself up to love. This is a tale to make you laugh out loud, cringe, be sad and, most of all, smile, a heartwarming read, fiery at times (literally) and has some brilliant characters - including a very special goat! I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more in this series in future.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.

A dreamy summer romance I just loved losing myself into, Ellyn Oaksmith’s Summer at Orchard House is a tale of hope, healing and renewal that is perfect for Robyn Carr’s Virgin River fans.

Carmen Alvarez has always been the sensible and practical one out of all her sisters. When things go wrong or something needs sorting out, Carmen is the one they call and the one who always rises to the challenge and settles things down. When her vulnerable father’s livelihood back home in Lake Chelan is threatened, Carmen abandons her job and rides to her father’s and the family vineyard’s rescue…only the more time Carmen spends back home, the more she wonders who is rescuing who! For the first time in a long while, Carmen feels settled, happy and content. Only there is one person standing between her and perfection. The man threatening to ruin her father’s business and her family’s entire life: their new neighbour Evan Hollister.

Evan is everything Carmen usually dislikes in a man: he’s arrogant, entitled and as sexy as sin! Still Carmen must not allow herself to be distracted from her quest to save her father’s vineyard and although she quickly begins to see another side to Evan, she must never forget that he is the man who could derail her life and happiness. With so much to sort out from disgruntled employees to the bank threatening to foreclose and destroy everything her family has worked so hard for, Carmen’s happiness begins to slip further and further away.

But Carmen soon realizes that life is full of surprises and that you never know what’s around the corner…or when and where Cupid’s arrow will strike.

A delicious, poignant and charming small town romance, Summer at Orchard House is a captivating tale about family loyalty, the ties that bind and falling in love when you least expect it that will make you laugh and cry. Ellyn Oaksmith writes with candour, heart and flair and you will be completely enchanted by this feel-good and uplifting romantic read.

Like a chilled glass of wine on a warm and balmy night, Ellyn Oaksmith’s Summer at Orchard House is an unmissable treat you will not be able to resist.

Neighbors aren't all they're cracked up to be...especially in wine country. Evan and Carmen do not have much in common except the need to make prize-winning wine and their overwhelming attraction to each other. Too bad he wants her father's vineyard and she is refusing to sell.

I understand Carmen's determination to save her family's vineyard, but I don't like her tactics. She seems angry all of the time and jumps to conclusions too quickly, especially when it comes to Evan. As for Evan, yes, he's a bit too flashy driving around with his yellow Lamborghini, but he truly wants to make something of himself in the wine business and I felt bad for him when everyone seemed so inhospitable and hostile. Carmen's best friend Stella is my favorite character with her comedic relief to deter Carmen's grumpiness. In fact, I plan to save Stella's phrase "yum on a stick" for a future fun party. Juan, Carmen's father, is also a great character with his charming sense of family and memories while fighting his diminished memory.

I was fascinated to learn a few things about winemaking. Not just the physical aspects, but nowadays using social media and PR strategies to promote business. Carmen's ideas were really unique.

Overall, I fell in love with Chelan, Washington, the beautiful vineyards, and the delightful characters while learning about winemaking. Grab a glass of wine and enjoy this fun summertime read!

Thank you to Ms. Oaksmith for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

This cover really drew me in, and the story kept me turning the pages. I really enjoyed this heartwarming story and I look forward to more by this author.