this was so good! this was such a cozy read and perfect for this time of year! i just loved these two, forbidden romance is one of my favorite tropes and this one did not disappoint! The character development for both Murphy and Wes was fantastic, i couldnt stop reading this one! I cannot wait for more of this series! If you love a sweet romance with some angsty in a cozy small town i recommend this one!

DNF - This book was unfortunately not for me. There wasn't anything wrong with the book it just wasn't something that kept my interest.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. This is a story about two people who were presented with their dream jobs and made decisions that had huge impacts on their worlds. I really liked how those decisions kind of mirrored each other. I do feel like there was a lot going on but at the same time it didn’t feel like it was anything that really mattered. I was a little lost at the importance of bringing in the storyline of Wes’ mom. It didn’t feel like it was really needed. I did enjoy the story overall and look forward to the next story in the series.

Murphy left home to chase her dream of being a professional singer. She is now returning home broken-hearted and embarrassed. She feels like her family doesn’t want her home. Wes’ career as a top chef crashed and burned. He thinks running the restaurant at the vineyard is his one chance to prove he is a good chef. How do two people who have been hurt by their chosen careers learn that it’s okay to take a chance on love?


The author created two characters who had good backstories and solid reasons for being cautious about starting a relationship. I like that both of them confronted their issues and got at least some level of completion. This book is quiet. A lot happens but there are no explosions or screaming matches. The family interactions are good. The subplot of Murphy and Wes opening the restaurant together is good. It’s just a very pleasing story.

This is a contemporary romance that takes place primarily in a vineyard in California. I look forward to reading more books from this series because I want to find out how Murphy’s brothers find love. I will read more from this author in the future.

Murphy Hawthorne is returning home to her family's vineyard after her dreams of becoming a famous musician in LA were thwarted. But after nine years away, things on the vineyard have changed; her brother is now in charge and he's made some changes, including opening a new restaurant with a new chef, Wesley Hart, and Murphy is assigned to help with this new project. Murphy and Wes both have complicated pasts and they're both pretty closed off. But while they know it is not a good idea to get romantically involved, they can't seem to stay away from each other. And this workplace romance is complicated.

I really liked this book. The story is told from the competing POV's of Murphy and Wes. Both Murphy and Wes are complex characters; while Murphy is headstrong; Wes is kind and considerate. They are both likeable and I was invested in the outcome of their story. I liked the way Wild and Liota wove the character's pasts into the story, which gave the book a bit of mystery as well as romance. It was an easy, fun read and I found myself reading "just one more" chapter well past my bedtime.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I listened to the audiobook of Bitter Truth by Meredith Wild and Jillian Liota, narrated by Nelson Hobbs and Savannah Peachwood, and they really brought the characters to life. I’d recommend the audio version over reading the book—it’s much more engaging.

While the premise of a small-town romance with a female comeback story sounded great, the book didn’t quite hit the mark for me. At under 300 pages, it tried to tackle too many heavy themes—family issues, past trauma, saving a vineyard—which led to underdeveloped storylines. The romance also felt rushed and leaned into insta-love without enough buildup.

Overall, while I appreciated the concept, it felt like the book needed more time to explore the characters and their backstories. I'd still be interested in seeing how these authors develop in future works.

Wes and Murphy have similar backgrounds, failed dreams and trying to move on from them. She returns to the one place she never wanted to be, working for the family’s vineyard. He is the new chef she will be working with. They do have some chemistry but it is more antagonistic creating a slow burn. ARC provided by Netgalley for a honest review.

In this small town romance, we are following Murphy and Wes as they navigate their complicated pasts as they collide in their current lives.

Murphy comes back to her hometown after she struggles to make it in LA. Sadly, her homecoming is far from well received by her brothers and father who run a winery. Murphy wants nothing more than to show her family that she can be helpful with the family business if given the chance, but they trust new chef Wes more than her.

Wes just moved from Chicago to northern California and lands a job at a new restaurant being opened on winery property. Little does he know, the damsel in distress that he helped recently is part of the family that now employs him. Struggling to separate his past discretions with his present feelings for Murphy, the two are constantly going back and forth in a will-they-won't-they tug of war.

Of course, being a romance novel, we know they will and when they do, the chemistry is off the charts. This is one of the only books I have ever read with a 69 scene and I was living for it. I am so excited to read more from this duo of authors.

Characters - 8 out of 10
Atmosphere - 10 out of 10
Writing - 9 out of 10
Plot - 8 out of 10
Intrigue - 9 out of 10
Logic - 10 out of 10
Enjoyment - 9 out of 10
CAWPILE Average Score - 9 out of 10
Star Rating - 5 out of 5

Wonderful story set in wine country, California that tells a tale of redemption. Murphy, slinking back home after a traumatic experience chasing her dreams in LA, breaks down on the way back into town and has an instant connection to a man at the gas station who helps change her tire. Little do they know that they are a lot closer to a second meeting than either realizes. As in, Wes is the new head chef of the restaurant at her family’s vineyard. He’s also the only ally she has save her younger brother. Both her dad and older brother expect her to be the same old Murphy and it was so frustrating watching them treat her the way they did. I love a good forbidden romance plot and Bitter Truth was no exception. I enjoyed the characters, the plot keeps moving, and if you like angst in your romance…this one has it is spades. One of the things the authors do best is build the backstory reveal for both main characters and dish it out at such an opportune time in the arc of emotion of the story. The only question I felt was unresolved was Wes’s dad. He was made such a part of Wes’s storyline and then nothing ever came of it. It felt unresolved for me. That said, it doesn’t detract for the beauty of the story or the strength of these characters. hopefully more to come because Memphis needs some energy release big time and I’d love to watch him fall.

4.5 stars - A great start to a new series!

If you're looking for a romance that delves deep into family dynamics, this small-town gem is a must-read. Sweeping you into a picturesque vineyard setting, the drama and emotional highs and lows unfold, holding the reader captivated.

Nelson Hobbs and Savannah Peachwood deliver outstanding performances, breathing life into the story with their narration. Their voices perfectly capture the characters emotions, making the reading experience even more immersive.

This was a terrific introduction to the Hawthorne Vines series and I can't wait for more! For those who enjoy a compelling, heartfelt romance, this audiobook is available for free through Kindle Unlimited. Don't miss out on this beautifully told journey.

⭐️easy to binge
⭐️ no third act break-up
⭐️ lack of communication
⭐️ rough family relations

This book is great for anybody that wants an easy read. It's set on our female MC's families vineyard as the male MC is leading the opening of a restaurant on their property. It's a story of self discovery and the female MC rediscovering who she is after "failing" on what she wanted to do with her life. Definitely a tead for a "I'm here for the vibes" reader.

When Murphy left her hometown and the vineyard that her family owned to pursue her dream of singing, she didn’t realize how challenging the industry could be. She is now returning to face the family that didn’t support her decision to leave knowing that it will be difficult. She now finds herself working in the restaurant as a waitress for a chef who doesn’t want her there.

Wes is a successful chef who has a challenging past of his own. When he meets his new waitress, he is surprised to learn that not only is she his boss’s sister but the woman whose rescue he came to when she had car trouble and shared a kiss with. He knows he should keep his distance however he can’t ignore his urge to protect her with everything she is going through.

Both Murphy and Wes are looking for a new beginning and even though they don’t want to do anything to jeopardize that the feelings between them are undeniable as they support each other through all the obstacles they have to face.

Murphy and Wes met unexpectedly and had an instant connection! But it was short lived and soon these two met “for real” and realized how off limits they were. But chemistry like theirs couldn’t be denied! They worked well together and supported each other. They had different experiences but both had major letdowns in their lives that brought them to where they were. I liked the ease they had with one another and seeing their relationship grow. I didn’t want this book to be over! I loved it!

Such a cute and spicy story with out being over the top in the spice. I love stories where two people happen to meet and then realize they are both ending up at the same place and that’s how this starts out. I felt like we really got a good amount of content to see the love between these two and feel like this could be a series with all the interesting characters.

I enjoyed this small town, forbidden romance. Murphy and Wes's love story was sweet, and I loved how supportive they were of each other as they dealt with family drama and worked to leave their pasts behind.

En bref, j'ai beaucoup aimé Wes et Murphy, leurs secrets et leur manière de gérer leur passé et leur présent, ils sont pleins de doutes et de peurs mais aussi de l'envie de rebondir après des déconvenues. J'ai aimé les voir se livrer petit à petit, se lier d'amitié puis les voir développer des sentiments amoureux, ils sont touchants et on ne peut que dévorer les pages pour en savoir plus. Dommage que certaines choses soient un peu rapide parce que les sujets abordés sont assez nombreux et dans l'ensemble j'ai aimé leurs actions et réactions. Une chouette romance qui manque du petit truc en plus.

Wonderful small town romance. Murphy has to return home to her families Vineyard after her dreams of making a recording career take off didn’t take off. On route she comes across Wes who helps to change a tyre, their connection was instant but a heated kiss was all they shared.
When Murphy reaches her family home her moody brother (Memphis) tells her she will be working in the new restaurant, much ti her shock her new boss is Wes. He can’t get into a relationship with his bosses sister, he can’t afford to lose his job!
Their pasts both have a lot to play in as to why they behave the way they do now. I loved how they started to open up and share this, supporting each other.
I’m looking forward to reading Memphis’s story now.
Thank you NetGalley, Meredith Wild and Jillian Liota and Montlake for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

Bitter Truth by Meredith Wild and Jillian Liota is a captivating small-town romance with a perfect blend of slow-burn passion and emotional depth. The story centers on Murphy, who returns home after leaving her dreams behind in LA, and Wesley, a talented chef with a complicated past. Both characters are beautifully flawed and struggling with their own issues, which adds depth to their connection.
The chemistry between Murphy and Wes is undeniable, and their journey from resisting their feelings to finally embracing them is heartfelt. The small-town setting, family dynamics, and the forbidden romance create a compelling atmosphere. This book has just the right amount of spice and emotional tension to keep readers hooked. If you enjoy stories about love, healing, and finding your place in the world, Bitter Truth is an easy, enjoyable read that will leave you satisfied

This is a very sweet story.
Both Murphy and Wes have to over come a lot and they help each other through all their hurdles.
It’s a very slow burn and the spicy isn’t the spiciest but still written well.
If you are after a sweet romance set on a winery this book is for you.

Bitter Truth (Hawthorne Vines #1) by Meredith Wild and Jillian Liota.

This is an emotional, charming, small town romance that brought all the feels as well as the perfect mix of drama and romance.

This is Murphy and Wesley story and I was captivated by their journey.

Murphy has just returned home after living in Los Angeles for the last nine years trying to find fame as a singer. Struggling as she returns to the small town that always made he feel like she didn’t belong.

Wesley is a famous chef who is trying to get his career and life back on track. He hopes that being offered a position at the Hawthorne Winery at their new restaurant as the Head Chef will be the restart he needs.

These two broken souls are fantastic together. So easy to love, their chemistry is sizzling, and the strength between them was everything. They made this hopeless romantic melt and swoon!

I received an early copy and this is my honest review.