Member Reviews
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for access to this digital arc!
This small town romance opens from the perspective of Ava Durant, a woman on the brink of disaster. Despite her young age and presumed health, Ava has been feeling drained lately-- so tired in fact that she had to leave a job she was passionate about, because she simply couldn't make it through the day. With her dad's recent health scare in mind, Ava returns home to her family's mansion-- thinking she can just relax and her problems will disappear (ahh, privilege).
On top of her looming health issue, her personal life has been less than stellar. She was recently turned down by the handsome but aloof Cam, who is a good friend of the family her brother Nate just married in to. When she runs into him at Nate's wedding, Ava decides to try and put the whole thing behind them and befriend Cam. This backfires when Ava collapses after a few dances and is escorted to the hospital.
This is the point where the story went downhill for me, but I do still think it holds a lot for people to enjoy depending on tropes you enjoy! What happens next is a montage of insta love, trauma bonding (Cam dumps all his ex military trauma), an insane amount of jealousy, and confusingly a storyline that feels forced, in which there is a dying family member who is being kept a secret (no one knows this family member exists, save one person) who comes out of the woodworks to wrap up a happily ever after for Cam and Ava.
I won't share too many frustrations about storyline in order to keep from sharing spoilers, but for me this story moved too quickly- glazing over aspects that could definitely be expanded on. I could certainly see fans of Virgin River enjoying this series, particularly if it becomes a long series, as you will get to know and love the characters of this charming small town over the course of the series.
This book was amazing and I devoured this book in just a few sittings! I loved the character development and how the story progressed.
This is the 2nd installment in the Flora Valley series. This book is about Cam and Ava.
What I liked about Ava is that she is so open about her feelings. She immediately tells Cam what she's feeling and doesn't let him off the hook either. She makes him tell her everything he's feeling, even if he doesn't want to tell her.
Cam is supposed to be this very silent person, who doesn't say more than 3 words per conversation. In this book, we can finally see why and what he's thinking, which is a lot. Because of Ava, he begins to say more and confront his feelings.
This book deals with some heavy themes, such as PTSD, but it doesn't really help the characters fix or confront those things. Cam has some severe PTSD, but he just deals with it and doesn't get any professional help. I think it would be good for him, even now that he has found love.
You're So Vine by Catherine Robertson is a fast-paced, small town romance in which our FMC and MMC, Ava and Cam, get to know each other better between Ava's medical emergency. This book really felt like the second half of a story. I didn't get a chance to read Corkscrew You and it really feels like you need that story first to get anything out of You're So Vine. I feel like the description was misleading. I thought we were getting a love at first sight romance with lots of tension and waiting, but the characters already know each other and Ava has asked Cam on a date prior to the start of this book (that he says no to). There is zero tension and things between them move extremely fast. The side plots also felt very messy. I believe the entire story happens within a week. I also did not enjoy the style of writing where it seems like the main character is talking directly to the reader and asking us questions.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC for my honest review in return.
this book was not my cup of tea. the characters had no chemistry and then they fell in love after 4 days of KNOWING each other. they both had individual problems they didn't work out and an illness that was never solved.
Should have DNF but kept reading hoping it would get better sadly I will not continue this series
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc
Ava and Cam were both such likeable people with such different traumas bringing them together. Their romance was hard and fast and very unrealistic! There were a lot of siblings (therefore their names) to keep up with. I did really enjoy this book and found it a nice, easy and light read but felt like there were some unfinished storylines and parts to the plot that could tidy it up a bit and make for an even better read.
You're So Vine is perfect for fans of the movie, How to Lose a Guy in 10 days. It's such a fun summer romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced e-copy of You're so Vine, in exchange for an honest review.
'You're So Vine' is the second installment in the Flora Valley series, and the book will introduce you to Cam's and Ava's love story.
One of the standout aspects of this book is Ava's refreshing honesty. She is unapologetically open about her feelings, confronting Cam even when he attempts to avoid emotional vulnerability. This forces Cam to confront his own emotions, leading to a more authentic and intimate connection between them.
Cam is characterized as very reserved and quiet, but the narrative delves into his inner thoughts and struggles. Readers gain insight into his past trauma and the reasons behind his emotional reserve. As Ava challenges him to open up, we witness a gradual transformation in Cam, who begins to express himself more freely.
While 'You're So Vine' focuses on a romantic relationship, it also touches on serious themes such as PTSD. Cam's experiences have deeply affected him, and while he attempts to cope with them on his own, the book acknowledges the importance of seeking professional help.
Despite the compelling characters and storyline, one area where the book could have improved is in addressing Cam's PTSD. While the narrative acknowledges the severity of his condition, it does not provide concrete solutions or a clear path to recovery. It would have been beneficial to see Cam actively seeking therapy or other forms of support.
'You're So Vine' is a super cute romance that explores the transformative power of open communication and emotional vulnerability. While it delves into heavy themes, it ultimately will leave you with a sense of hope and the belief that even those who have experienced trauma can find love and healing.
This was a 3.5 Star read for me?
It was cute storyline, had me confused at bits with the whole Lee relationship. Characters were good but I just think it didn't flow the best too many bits and bobs going on.
I had the opportunity to read this book as an ARC, and I feel grateful for the opportunity to read early and give an honest opinion.
So, I will start by saying the positives. One positive is that even though I didn’t like the characters, I did appreciate that they didn’t line for line follow the very popular stereotypes at every opportunity. They were dense at times, shallow at others, etc.
However, I didn’t enjoy this book. I found the prose to be painful - the writing style was just not for me. The story itself was alright, but I couldn’t look past the sentence structure and the fact that it was overly conversational.
3.5 ⭐️
First, a huge thank you to NetGalley and Catherine Robertson for the opportunity to read the advanced copy. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.
I very much liked the overall plot line for this. I liked the backstories and troubles of both Cam and Ava. I thought other the characters were all fun as well, and I have to admit I would love to see Jackson’s story next. I want to give this a higher rating, but the writing style just didn’t do it for me. The sentences often felt stunted or incomplete, and tended to distract me. I think it got better towards the end, but I might have just gotten used to it. My only other “complaint” would be the timeline. This relationship escalates very quickly. It was a little difficult not to roll my eyes when they’d discuss forever after less than a week. I do however recognize that romance tends to be quicker stories and don’t hold it against the overall value of this book.
Ultimately, I think this is a fun, quirky story that is perfect for someone looking for a quick and lighthearted read.
Trigger Warning: There is discussion of cancer, PTSD, and chronic illness.
A good rom com with just a bit of depth in the way of heavier subjects being covered to stop it being too fluffy.
A great holiday read.
A fun easy read perfect to enjoy on the beach or by the pool this summer. I really enjoyed the sizzling romance and the beautiful setting in this novel.
I want to start off by saying, thank you Catherine for the ARC. Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. I DNF at about 20% and just couldn’t get into it. I also was unaware it was the second book in a series, that could also impact my thought. I just did not enjoy it.
I loved
This, it was funny, sweat, cute, super romantic. Like a gorgeous Netflix romance. Cam was a troubled veteran and had been struggling to fit in back to civvy life after 10 years of service. Ava came from a super competitive family and becomes Ill. Her illness makes her evaluate her life. Ava has always had a crush on Cam but his PTSD pushes people away even though he is attracted to her too.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.
please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: yes
POV: dual 1st person POV
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: mental health 9anxiety, PTSD), cheating (attempted, past), terminal illness (cancer), OW drama
standalone: book 2 in the Flora Valley series
final thoughts: once again there was so much about this book that was promising and ultimately it wasn’t for me and it all comes down to the MMC. AGAIN, we have the MMC calling another woman gorgeous, beautiful, pretty, “the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my life” and telling that to the FMC!!! I was honestly so turned off by him and his relationship with this woman that’s he’s so disgustingly infatuated with. I cannot and will never understand the obsession with the best friend. This had so much promise since I love a giant, silent, handyman mountain man who is ex-army, but I really couldn’t get over the friendship between him and his friend’s mother and he didn’t do nearly enough groveling when he kept messing up.
I like this writer’s style of writing but ultimately, I don’t like the MMCs who aren’t entirely dedicated to their chosen women after they get together. Everything moved way too fast (their relationship, his “recovery”, the relationships with additional characters) and felt too forced but has good bones for a good story.
I continued this series for Cam and Chiara and stayed for Chiara and Ava. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked Ava, but she needed to demand more groveling and she deserved better from everyone in this book.
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read this book if you love
😬 angst
🏝️ forced proximity (living together)
💘 instalove
🔀 opposites attract
🏡 small town
🫡 big MMC
🤫 hidden secrets
👨🚒 men in uniform (past)
👨👩👧👦 found family
Ava Durant finds herself captivated by the enigmatic Cam Hollander at her brother's wedding, but the feeling isn't mutual—at least not initially. As Ava navigates her unrequited feelings, a twist of fate brings her closer to Cam when her health takes a downturn, and he becomes her unexpected caretaker. Despite their differences - Ava's impatience contrasting with Cam's steady demeanour - their time together in Cam's cozy quarters sparks a fiery attraction that neither can ignore. With emotions running high and desires aflame, Ava and Cam must confront the unexpected intensity of their connection and decide whether to embrace the flames of passion or extinguish them before they burn too bright.
This was so fun and such a whirlwind! Okay, to be honest this is absolutely insta-love but it works for me?? I will not be taking questions. I know that's a problematic trope for some but I just loved that this jumped into the action and the caretaking right away.
Ava collapses at her brother's wedding after having secret health issues for a couple of months prior. Cam who she had previously asked out on a date and was rejected is her unlikely hero and she basically moves into his house immediately while Ava's family doctor tries to figure out a diagnosis. This has meddling friends and family that essentially Ava is trying to escape from to prevent everyone worrying over her, her worst nightmare. Her and Cam both have pasts that they tenderly divulge to each other over the course of tests Ava undergoes only within a few days.
This has open door spice that was super fun interspersed between communication and then miscommunication/angst. This book is very character driven and honestly I loved it. I didn't want to put it down because I could listen to them talk to each other forever. Again, loving insta-love, can't explain it, it just works for me in this one. The writing is incredibly charming and the small town/family & friends are quirky as well as our FMC.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the eARC.
This book was a little too far fetched to really be very believable but it was still a cute story. I enjoyed the mental health representation and the dual POV. The spice scenes left a bit to be desired.
This was a very quick read and while it was enjoyable, I wanted more. I felt that the pacing was quite fast, as the story takes place over about a week, which felt rushed. I really wanted to feel more connected to the characters than I did. It felt that we needed more pages to fully feel the romantic connection. I liked it, but it could have given me more.