Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing me with an ARC of You're So Vine by Catherine Robertson. This is an opposites attract story of Cam and Ava. She is in town to help with her (previously ailing father) and recover from exhaustion. She had asked Cam out in the last book in the series, and he turned her down. But he regrets it and asks her to dance at a wedding. And she faints. And an ambulance is called, and for reasons I could not understand, her family is ok with Cam (a man that has not been dating or really friends with Ava) not only being the one to go to the hospital with her, but he then brings her back to his place. And they get steamy the next day. It is a whirlwind. They are immediately asking questions about how other people are going to effect their "relationship" I like Catherine Robertson's writing generally, good banter, wacky characters. But it just feels rushed (an issue I had with the previous book in the series). There is steam, which is great. but again, that the couple has smexy time (for the first time) the day after Ava faints at her brother's wedding. (which again, why her family would just be cool with an acquaintance taking her home with him, feels odd) I wish that the author had slowed down.

I need to read the other book in this series. I did enjoy this one, though. It moved fast, and I appreciated that for these two main characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

You’re so Vine by Catherine Robertson was a sweet read following Ava as she navigates a blooming relationship and unknown health issues. This book felt fast paced edging on rushed, but perhaps I just wanting to know what was next. I haven’t read the first novel in the series, and while it can be read stand alone, I would recommend reading the first one for the context surrounding the secondary characters of the novel. Overall a fun read! Thanks to NetGalley, Catherine Robertson and One More Chapter for the ARC.

This was a fun, sweet read! I loved Cam from the first book in the series so I'm thrilled he had his moment to shine!

Ava and Cam were so cute together. I swear I was falling out of bed laughing at this book. The banter is some of the best I've read. I do wish we got more story with the goose lol!!! I normally shy away from rom coms but this book may have just steered me towards them.

The only thing that caught me off guard was the insta love. This couple was practically moved in and in love with each other within 4 days. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions. I really did connect with Ava and her 2nd guessing and mind running a mile a minute. I honestly wouldn't change anything about Cam and Ava's dynamic.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

this was a bit too fast burn a story for me. I loved the banter but overall not my favorite. I would recommend it overall.

Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC!

I was looking forward to You're So Vine, second in the Flora Valley series, which pairs Ava, our high-achieving, fast-driving no nonsense sister with Cam, our silent-strong type barrel maker. We start off the novel at the wedding of Nate & Shelby, and with Ava re-asking Cam out, despite her better senses. As always, Chiara is such a fun matchmaking character, and a joy to read about. I'm also hoping that the next novel will cover Brandon and Jordan - I love a good grumpy grovel!!

You're So Vine centers around Ava and a new diagnosis of chronic illness, coming to terms of chronic fatigue syndrome. I think that was a great choice for her, given her driven personality, as she comes to terms with having this disorder that is poorly explained and ill-understood, as there's no direct organic cause that we know of in medicine yet. I appreciate that representation and fully enjoy Ava's character now as a protagonist too.

The way in which Ava and Cam are bumped together, by both Chiara and a fainting episode felt a little too fast for me. Don't get me wrong, I still love a fast-burn and early sex scene -- it just felt like the slotting into place was way too fast, and the certainty of their interest in each other. I think I also wanted more of that buildup and tension, when it ended up feeling rather lackluster - especially as Ava all but moves in with Cam from the get-go.

I appreciated that Cam's POV was written sort of like him, especially at the start, with shorter, more stilted sentences. I wonder, too, if this book would have benefitted from having just one POV, even though it breaks from the series tradition. As far as his continued interest and loyalty to Lee, Shelby's mom...I don't know. I get his shame about it. And I also don't understand his continued clinging to her as a "special person" or "best friend"- maybe because Lee didn't seem all that special to me? And also found it frustrating from Ava's perspective. This book showed healthy communication between the two, which is unusual for a romance book, AND man, I would be wayyyy more angry at Cam. It feels like he quite literally loses his mind over Lee, and I never see that emotion come through as strongly for Ava at the start, making this relationship feel just like the "more appropriate one" due to their age-match, and that if Lee ever came around, Cam might reconsider.

Ultimately, giving this book 3 stars with a 2.5 for spice. I didn't love Cam quite as much as I was hoping, nor their get-together, which fell very flat for me. But, I'm still in love with this cast of characters, felt like the writer had good writing and pacing - this book just needed a bit more..plot? or oomph.

Title: You’re So Vine By Catherine Robertson

Release Date: July,5th 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars


Catherine Robertson's "You’re So Vine" is like a refreshing breeze on a warm summer day! Overflowing with lovable characters, witty exchanges, and a cute storyline!

At her brother's wedding, Ava Durant finds herself smitten with the enigmatic Cam Hollander. However, Cam is notoriously reserved, making communication a challenge for Ava. When Ava falls ill, Cam unexpectedly becomes her caretaker, leading to a shift in their relationship dynamics. Despite their differences, sparks fly between them in the intimate setting of Cam's home.

In the scenic embrace of a vineyard, this novel intertwines romance and humour, I was whisked away to a delightful realm where heartfelt connections blossom amidst the grapevines. There is just something about this scenery that just screams romance.

Tropes:

Small-town Romance:
Second Chances
Opposites Attract
RomCom
Quirky Characters


I would recommend this to the RomCom girlies that like a light, cute read.


Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, Catherine Robertson & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

What a sweet book 🥹
Despite the blurb, I found this to be a lighthearted and fun read - purely because Ava was so funny and her inner thoughts were so wild sometimes I just couldn’t help but laugh.
I’ve no idea how Catherine Robertson balanced out funny dialogue with raw and deep conversations. Catherine has great writing and knows how to really set the scene.

I loved Ava and Cam’s banter, their communication was fantastic - they seemed like a couple that was meant to be. I understood Cam’s friendship with Lee but it honestly hurt - it was giving unrequited love vibes at times and I was sad for Ava.

My only drawback of the book was that I wish I saw more of their friendship history, it felt like they jumped in quite fast and shared their feelings after only a few days - giving instalove - but I was confused because it sounded like she was longing for ages and then he switched it up real quick? I needed more of a build up 😅 a medium to slow burn for this book would’ve been perfect!

Nonetheless, I would recommend if you want a fast paced read, friends to lovers, found family, instalove and funny banter. I will 100% be checking out other titles by Catherine.
I would note that there are some heavier topics in the book such as ptsd, grief, guilt, cancer and death.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me at 35%.

I really enjoyed the banter between Ava and Cam, Ava is very lovable and strong. Catherine uses great descriptive language and really sets the scene in the book.

Sadly it just wasn’t for me. Cam has previously rejected her when she asks him on a date. Cam served in the military and he has a lot of emotional hang ups since leaving and he’s not ready for commitment. When Cam and Ava meet again all his problems seem to have been solved and they talk about starting a relationship. For me this just felt too fast paced that all his problems were just fixed? This would have been better as a low burn where he has to take care of Ava and slowly lowers his guard but they sleep together in the first 25%. I really think this could be a brilliant story with better pacing!

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

"You’re So Vine" by Catherine Robertson is an intoxicating blend of passion and emotion that swept me off my feet. From the moment I laid eyes on Cam Hollander at my brother’s wedding, I couldn't shake the feeling that he was the man of my dreams. Ava Durant's impatience clashes intriguingly with Cam's 'strong, silent type' demeanor, making their dynamic utterly captivating. When my health takes an unexpected turn, Cam becomes my unexpected savior, forever altering the course of our connection. Robertson masterfully crafts steamy scenes, balancing intensity with tenderness. As Ava and Cam find themselves alone in Cam's cozy quarters, the sparks ignite, creating a fire that goes beyond the one in the grate. "You’re So Vine" delivers joy, passion, and a whirlwind of emotions, making it an absolute must-read for any romance enthusiast.