I've Got My Mind Set on Brew by Stephanie Jayne
4.25 ⭐

It was a pretty good read. I liked how each chapter had a beer title with it's description. The plot was pretty good and engaging. However, as the story moved on, I didn't like Ryan much. His and Kat's relationship seemed too entangled with business and most of the time, I felt like he was just using her. But Kat seemed clueless. So, I kinda lost interest when their relationship escalated.

But, I appreciate what followed. Though I still believe their relationship was kinda forced, I liked the ending. The other characters were warm and honest- which was pretty amazing.

The style of writing was great and the storyline was well-crafted. At the beginning of the book I was properly captivated to know more about the main characters. However, I wasn’t able to relate to Kay. Her character was fun, and a force not to be reckoned with, but since I couldn’t find a connection the rest of the story got lost.

I would give this author another chance with a different book. This one sadly wasn’t it for me.

Thank you netgalley and publisher for letting me read this arc!

Overall I enjoyed this book. I really liked Kat’s character, she was very relatable. Down on her luck, feels like she has something good going only to be let down time and time again but in the end it all works out! Ryan, meh, I like/dislike him. He gave me whiplash. He pushed Kat too much into things that weren’t her dream or what she wanted to do and it took something drastic to make him realize that. If you like cutesy romance but also enemies to lovers, beer and some comedy definitely give this book a read!

I loved the premise of this one, but something was missing and I can't quite put my finger on it. That said, I still really enjoyed the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy.

I’ve Got My Mind Set on Brew is a story about woman named Kat who is a brewer at a brewpub that is struggling to stay afloat. When the owner is forced to sell due to health problems, Kat butts heads with the new owner who doesn’t think she has enough brewing experience for the direction he wants to take the business. This enemies-to-lovers romance is lacking steam, but is full of witty banter. I was rooting for Kat and Ryan as they learned to accept that they needed each other in order to save Resistance Brewing and their futures.

I loved the beer-related chapter titles and the short description of each one. Being a beer lover myself, I thought this was creative and set it apart from other rom-coms. There were a few times I was annoyed with Kat and Ryan’s bickering, but for the most part I enjoyed the slow burn of their relationship. I don’t enjoy a lot of steam, so I was content with how clean this one was. Overall, I loved it and can’t wait to see what Stephanie Jayne writes next!

Thank you Alcove Press for my advanced copy to read and review!

This was tough for me - I thought the synopsis sounded cute (and I love the cover) but it just fell flat all the way around for me! Kat and Ryan both felt like pencil drawings of interesting characters - I got what the author was going for, but I couldn't connect to either of them. This felt like it was much more a workplace story with hints of romance. If you like craft beer, or the brewery business you might really like this one. There is a HEA, but it all feels pretty superficial and shallow, I'm afraid.

Two stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove for the ARC.

Pro: I learned a lot about beer
Con: not enough romance

Overall, this was a straight enemies-to-lovers book. However, the enemies to said lovers felt like it took awhile to get there. I really liked Kat and I really liked Ryan, but I guess I just wasn't as enthralled as I wanted to be for "their love story". The book was well written and overall it was a nice read, but I wouldn't pick this out of a pile of read books to tell my friends unless they LOVED beer.

I do hope the author writes a POV from Jana and Claudette and the Myths and Muses side!

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Kat is a server with the belief that she is to become a craft brewer at Resistance Brew Pub. At least that was the plan with the owners, but now they are selling the brewery/bar.

Ryan is the new owner and running the show. Kat is trying to remain optimistic but is having a hard time as she and Ryan often butt heads. And this becomes the final straw Kat’s proverbial cap. She already feels like she has been abandoned by all those that she loves, now she is finally putting herself first; even if that means leaving Resistance. I did like this aspect of the novel, watching Kat grow and decide to finally do what’s best for herself and her wellbeing.

Ryan has taken this job as a way to prove himself to his father but he often seems immature and unwilling to stand up for himself, or for Kat. But together they are determined to save this brew pub. So will Ryan and Kat be able to save Resistance, and will Kat finally have the chance at becoming a brewer? You’ll have to one click now, to find out.

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

This was a fun read, but it hit heavy at points. The underlying trust issues were written well. Being abandoned (in a sense) by her parents made it relatable for how Kat was feeling towards her personal relationships. I loved hearing her inner monologue. It was heavily geared towards beer (hence, brew in the title!). I do wish we heard from Ryan's point of view more, especially when he spoke with his parents about anything. Overall, it was a nice read, and I love Kat's journey and finding her community.

This was a good one enemies to lovers book. I loved the beer angle and thought it was a great concept for a rom com book. It was a quick read and but a smile on my face after reading some emotional historical fiction books. There was a lot going on at time left and I feel like that muddled the books at times!

The outcome of this is so obvious, but I can handle that if I’m having fun reading it. Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy the writing style or either of the main characters.

I loved the punny title and the craft beer theme (starting each chapter with a different beer description was fun!) but I didn't love the love story. The characters didn't seem right for each other; I kept getting annoyed with Ryan and he didn't redeem himself enough to me. I loved the found family/work family aspect of the brew pub and I was happy when Kat decided to do what was right for herself in the end. I wanted to love it but I would read others by the author.

I was full of sympathy for Kat at first given all the unhappy happenings in her life so far, but after a while I got tired of her for being such a pushover, and for having no social life. It's like she was going to push away all potential good things that was happening in her life! The book turned out to be more negative than positive generally until she decided to go ahead with what she wanted for once and that could have been more of the story than the final few chapters. I am a sucker for happy endings so there are still 3 stars for the book. The craft beer theme was pretty interesting for me.

Overall this was a fun enemies to lovers. I loved the fun beer comparisons to people. the found family aspect of this was fantastic i loved the bars employee dynamic, would definitely recommend

When Kat’s boss and love interest doesn’t follow through on his promise to give her a job brewing beer, she leaves the job and moves and does what’s best for her. That was probably my favorite part because her boss Ryan said he loved her, but his actions indicated otherwise. This book included interesting tidbits about beer brewing and it has a more open ending than the usual HEA.

I love a good romance, and this one was wonderful! It had witty banter, and lovable characters. I was rooting for them the whole way through!

Love this one❤️

Thank you soooooo much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this book💗
"I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

2.5/5
tropes:
-enemies to lovers
-boss/employee
-slow burn

perhaps you won't have a fun time reading this if you're not a drinker, a beer drinker at that. this is heavily centered around craft beer set in a brewery. i found myself a little bored and hard to get hooked on this book in the beginning. nothing made me want to keep on reading, unfortunately. the characters weren't my favorite, and Ryan...oh Ryan.

overall it's an average romcom that you may have better luck with if you're into beer in general so you can relate to the character's interests more.

thank you netgalley for providing an arc for review

I really love a punny book title especially one set in a location we don't really get a lot in the romance genre. A romance set in a brewery and the title had me immediately requesting this book. Unfortunately, however, this book fell short for me.

The main characters just lacked maturity and at times it was so annoying I almost DNF'd the book. Especially Ryan with his white male privilege which he never really puts behind him. It's pitched as a workplace enemies to lovers, but the lovers part was so rushed because the majority of the story is just heated arguments, and I will say that Kat does grow towards the end of the book, but I feel like with her backstory she shouldn't have had to grow that much. Romance has the HEA but this one did not put in the work for it to be earned. Once you read the book you'll understand when I say they should have just ended up as friends.

2.5 stars from me.

My thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This cover? This title? This summary? Yes pleaseeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here we follow Kat who has had a string of bad luck. She's recovering from a job loss and a bad breakup. However, she discovers a new career path that she is passionate about...craft beer brewer. Things are looking up until the brewpub is sold to a new owner and the owner puts his son, Ryan, in charge. Ryan wants to change a lot of things and Kat won't have it! They will soon learn there is more to each other than meets the eye.

This was cute and fun and unique. I personally prefer wine or whiskey, but craft beer can be fun! Hubby likes trying all the crazy crafts. If this became a movie or show, I think he would adore this story (he's not much of a reader). However, I enjoyed learning about the process and different types of brews. Kat is a knowledgeable lady and you can't help but adore her and her passion!!

I had one big issue with this...Ryan. Sighs. He was rough...super rough around the edges. Just be honest with Kat and everyone. I promise he will get better by the end, but it was a rough journey for sure. There were times I just wanted Kat to walk away from that pub and that man and never return. But she loves the pub and the people...and she loves Ryan. Sighs.

Anyway, I did enjoy this overall. It was so refreshing. Sometimes it felt more like a chic lit than a romance, but the romance does happen...eventually. They have a lot to weed through so it takes time. Ryan was a tough character to fall in love with, but like Kat, when you do fall for him...you'll fall hard. But yes, this was pretty fun. A nice way to end August. I'll give it 3 stars.