I really wanted to love this book but I am sorry to say this just wasn't for me.

The main reason is that I found the male lead, Calvin, insufferable and even misogynistic and couldn't understand the reasoning behind his actions at all. I also felt like the steamy scenes tried to make up for the lack in character development and any other kind of connection the main couple could have had.

Amara had so much potential for carrying the story and her relationship with her sisters was great but I just feel like she could have done so much better.

Thank you so much for the advance copy, I truly hoped I would have loved this book.

The spice and banter in this book by Amanda Chaperone will leave you wanting more!! The love/hate working relationship between Amara and Cal was top notch, and I loved watching them try to work together. Amara was the best FMC! She was the boss, and she knew it. She knew who she was, and went after what she wanted. Cal was a bit harsh at the beginning, but watching him fall for her was sooo good!! The sisters and side characters were so fun, and I can’t wait to see their stories come to life!

A funny and spicy enemies to lovers, workplace romance. The fire between these two was on point and their hatred glared through the pages sometimes.
Calvin gets a new job as a CFO of a winery and goes out on the town to celebrate. He meets a cute and witty girl who he has instant chemistry with until he finds out she is the daughter of the man that just hired him and he can’t risk his new career for a hook up. Fast forward to five years later when Amara takes over the company and these two are thrown back together and their hatred burns. Amara needs to prove herself to her family and Calvin needs to ensure the success of the company through this take over. And ohhhhhh, the bickering!

I thought this book was so well written! I felt like I was at Chateau Delatou when I was reading this! Calvin and Amara are the best frenemies that had me cracking up all through this! The book will take you on an emotional roller coaster with Calvin and Amara’s Enemies to lovers story. I laughed, I cringed, I squealed and I loved it! I can’t wait for each book in this series!

DNF: Unfortunately, the male lead (he's no hero) gave me the ick from the first interaction, and he didn't do anything particularly swoony after that to change my opinion. There are lovable jerks, and then there are judgmental, misogynistic a-holes - that's what he is. I did not like him at all. There were several other things about the setup that rubbed me the wrong way, so I ended up setting this one aside.

Finally! I feel like sometimes in romance books, where there is a genuine problem that arises between the MCs that the resolution is one of them just forgives the other like it never happened and moves on with life. This one however, didn't just skim over the problem like it didn't exist. I am so happy they were adults about it instead of just lost in love. Very refreshing for sure.

thank you net galley and victory editing group for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

this one fell SO flat for me. i was so excited about this book and the premise of it sounded like something i would love. however that was not the case. I'll start out with what i did like about it. i loved amara our main girl and how she was this boss bitch who was taking over her family's winery and seemed very excited to do so even though she wasn't expecting to until her older sister stepped down. i loved her personality and the relationship she had with her sisters. that was probably my favorite part of this whole book.

now what i didn't like. calvin. our hero. i however really wouldn't call him a hero. once he finds out amara works for the company he just got a job for 5 years earlier he decides not to pursue her, which makes sense. however he made it a point to hate her because of that and stereotype her just based on one night. as the chapters went on in his pov he didn't respect the fact she was now his boss and severely undermined her to do her job. he did grow on me a little bit until about the 70% mark and that was really when it fell flat for me. there wasn't much development and a lot happened in the last 6 chapters of the book.

i did enjoy this once the mmc got over himself and i will try other books from this author in the future but i didn't really love this one.

Amara Delatou is such a vibrant and strong FMC. She is so perfect for the role she plays within this book. I loved that we got to learn her character development along with Cal as her learns for himself just how exceptional Amara is. Calvin Ryder puts up a hard front but to watch him fall hard and fast for Amara is everything. This enemies to lovers has hilarious banter from the very first chapter and each set back the two come to face, has an even better recovery. After a first encounter 5 years prior, the two finally give in to their mutual desire for one another and are convinced that just one time will be all they need to move on.
I guess the saying of 'when you know, you know' is right, especially for Cal and Mar.

OMG, grab yourself a 10-gallon bucket of ice-cold water, because Amanda's latest book is straight FIRE! 🔥 From page one, it's like you've stepped into a hot sauce factory. And let me tell you, I was sweating bullets but couldn't stop turning those pages!

First off, can we talk about the setting? I legit need to visit a winery ASAP after reading this. It's like the perfect backdrop for all the spicy drama. And speaking of drama, Cal and Amara? They're the definition of relationship goals. Their chemistry is like off the charts, and their banter? Chef's kiss I was shipping them from the beginning, even though their love story isn't all sunshine and rainbows. But hey, life isn't a fairy tale, right? Don't give up on them!

Amanda's writing just keeps getting better and better. She's like a magician, whisking you away into her stories. And her characters? Total heartthrobs, flaws and all. I'm low-key devastated that I can't experience their love story for the first time again. Cal and Amara have a permanent spot in my heart now.

So, if you're into small-town romance, office rivals turned lovers, winery vibes, and steamy scenes that'll make you need that bucket of ice water, this book is for you. Oh, and did I mention the boss a$$ b!tches and meddling sisters? Plus, the cover is drop-dead gorgeous. And of course, there's a happily ever after waiting for you at the end. So what are you waiting for? Dive in and get ready for a wild ride! 🍷❤️

Thanks you Netgalley and Victory Editing for providing this arc.

After reading the description I was really excited to start with this book. I enjoyed reading it but it didn’t gave me the wow-effect that I expected. I’m curious to see how the next book turns out

🍷Wine or Lose by Amanda Chaperon🍷

Amara Delatou has just been named CEO of her family’s Michigan winery, and everyone couldn’t be happier except the company CFO Calvin Ryder. Calvin has no confidence in his new boss and has had her categorized as a “party princess” ever since the night they met five years before. The chemistry between them has never wavered even as they’ve sparred in the boardroom, and with Amara in as CEO Calvin won’t be able to avoid her any longer.

This one started off so strongly for me! I really enjoyed the tension between Amara and Calvin and the workplace banter that escalated as they danced around each other. Calvin’s character at the start was not my favorite but he did show solid growth to become a partner for Amara.

I did not love the third act conflict. I don’t want to spoil anything here but there was a trope that isn’t my favorite included and it felt a bit predictable.

Overall, though, I would definitely pick up the next book in this series! I really enjoyed the setting as well as the close knit Delatou sisters and I’m excited to see whose book is next. I’m hoping it’s Delia and Owen!

Recommended if you love: 🍷 vineyard settings 💰 workplace enemies to lovers 👸🏻 she’s his boss 📈 misconceptions about each other 🍇 closeknit family 🔥 lots of open door action 💍 charming and sweet happily ever afters

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC!

This was a super easy book to get through, and one that I was quickly able to finish in a few days time. I could definitely see this being set up for a series with the supporting characters (like Amara’s sisters or Cal’s friend Owen), which I’d be curious to see how that goes if that is the case.

This had a similar opening premise to the new rom-com movie Anyone But You which I loved, but I felt like Cal and Amara’s relationship never fully recovered romantically after that. There was a ton of spice in this which was great, but I found that at times this read more like enemies with smut vs enemies to lovers for me. With all the side plots needing to get established and resolved, I wish this would’ve delved a little deeper into the MCs relationship so we could really see what drew them to each other outside of physical attraction.

Overall, Wine or Lose was a fast-paced romance with lots of steamy spice, but one that left me wondering if Amanda Chaperon’s other books might be more my speed.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance e-copy of Wine of Lose by Amanda Chaperon in exchange of an honest review.

"Wine or Lose" by Amanda Chaperone is a captivating enemies-to-lovers story that is both cute and spicy. Readers are immersed in the dynamic between Amara, the CEO, and Calvin, the CFO, of Delatou, Inc. Their constant banter, tension, and steamy interactions add depth and excitement to the plot. The book also introduces entertaining side characters, particularly Amara's four sisters, who bring an extra layer of fun to the story. With the perfect blend of family dynamics and a sizzling romance, "Wine or Lose" is a delightful read that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. Fans of meddling family members and sibling dynamics will truly appreciate the added depth these characters bring. One can only hope that the sisters' stories will be explored further in the future. This book is a solid 4.3 Stars!

Wine or Lose
By Amanda Chaperon

⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

A romcom set in a winery! I wanted do badly to love this book for that reason alone. And there were parts I really did enjoy. But it also had a couple misses for me.

First being that I found the MMC, Calvin, absolutely insufferable from page 1. He was entitled and whiney and he treated the FMC horribly for the third of the book. And then even when he decides he's in love with her he still undermines her and underestimates her for the rest of the book. I did not like his character and I was actively rooting for the FMC to find someone else 😂. His only redeeming quality was that he took really good care of his dog.

The FMC, Amara, was actually very likeable. She was dealing with some oppressive toxic masculinity (including from the MMC) but she held her ground and didn't take anyone's shit. I really enjoyed her character.

I also LOVED the rest of Amara's family. This is book 1 of a four book series and if the rest of the books are about her sisters I will definitely check them out, even though this book wasn't my favorite. I'm especially interested in the potential relationship with the bar owner and the younger sister.

This book was A LOT spicier than I anticipated. It was starting to feel like it overshadowed the plot a bit, but part of that could have been that I didn't like the MMC. 😅

Read January 27-29, 2024

I am actually 100% sure that Amanda cannot do any wrong. Another 5 star read from one of my absolute favorite authors!

WHEN I TELL YOU DONT JUDGE OUR MALE MC FROM HIS FIRST IMPRESSION I MEAN IN. I started this book REALLY doubting Calvin. He was awful - rude, degrading and calculating. Hated him. But underneath that he truly was such a teddy bear and i ended up loving him so much. He falls and he falls FAST AND he’s not afraid to admit when he messed up and take ownership of that.

Amara is a bad ass boss. She is independent, a leader, doesn’t need no man. I adored her as a FMC.

I hate a third act break up and a surprise baby, but these actually wound together quite well and i ended up not minding them. I was SQEALING in the epilogue and extended epilogue.

I am so excited for the remainder of this series.

PS the DICKtionary in the back of the book is perfection 😂

Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for providing this arc!!

The premise of this book had everything to make it an entertaining reading experience and I really tried, but this is why it didn't work out for me:

Overall the writing was reasonable, there were scenes that didn't need like 5 words or more to describe something and there were other situations that I thought that there was too much smut for my liking when the characters could've been better developed emotionally.

One side you have Amara Delatou a free spirited, smart, loveable and confident character that is the first woman in charge of her family business. In the other side you have Calvin Ryder a misogynistic, insufferable and condescending little man.

I love a good rivals to lovers story, but not to the point the man crosses the line on questioning the fmc intelligence and her competence + shaming her previous flings, when we know that he would NEVER act like that if it was a man in charge.

There were various moments Amara tried to open up with Calvin about the struggles of being a woman in power and he couldn't even acknowledge that he was part of the problem.

Amara had so much potential as a character and there situations that I felt like she nulified and ended up blaming herself for things that Calvin actually was responsible for.

Another super fun enemies to lovers second chance slow burn romance from one of my fav Indie romance authors. I really enjoyed the setting of this new series on a Winery that sees two former flames forced to work together. Tension and sparks fly in this sizzlingly steamy new novel. I can't wait to see what happens next in the series! Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I am so glad I read this. It was a little slow for me at the beginning but very quickly grasped my attention. I devoured this in about 3 hours lol.

Read this if you like:
•instant chemistry
•workplace romance
•enemies to lovers

This book was so dang cute. And it was set in the Midwest? So here for it. The writing was so good. I adored the steam too. I will say, I personally cannot handle the surprise pregnancy trope, so that’s a me thing, so I’m reviewing & rating as if that plot point didn’t happen so I can be unbiased. I loved the Delatou family and I think this book sets it up well for the rest of the series!

Thank you NetGalley for eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Amara and Ryder were HOT! They had some serious chemistry! The setting for this book was something new to me and I loved reading about it! Also wine is fun to use for… other stuff, ya feel me? If you’re a fan of the accidental pregnancy trope you will love this one. It was a sweet and spicy love story that I devoured! You can find this one on KU on 2/22/2024.

Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for the arc!
Pub date: 2/22/2024