When a top chef and an inspiring singer cross paths as they reset their lives in a small town vineyard, truths are destined to be revealed. Wes has learned from his lessons but so has Murphy and they both set their sights on new goals, but can they work together to achieve them?
The pain Murphy has endeavoured by losing the trust and pride of her family makes her bitterness drive her to heal the wounds of the past, while Wes is battling things that are out of his control now but he can't seem to escape.

I couldn't put this one down and read it in one sitting for the most part. I really enjoyed the ease of the the storyline, building the characters naturally and following their story unfold. Spoiler - did shed a tear or two!

This book was AMAZING! I was hooked the entire time, and Wes and Murphy's dynamic was to DIE FOR.
Murphy moved back home to help her family out with their vineyard and open a new restaurant in hopes that they could pull together enough money to keep it afloat. On Murphy's trip back to the vineyard after spending a long time trying to make it big as a singer, she has some car trouble and shares a kiss with a handsome man who helps her fix her car. But what she didn't realize at the time was that man would soon be her boss at her family's new restaurant. The kiss that they share makes both of their heads spin, and they need to determine what they are gonna do about it and if it's possible to keep the tension away from their work environment.
I really enjoyed reading this book and think that it was written very well. I gave it 5 stars because the plot was very interesting, and I wanted to see what would happen with the vineyard, Murphy's singing career, and the chemistry between Wes and Murphy. Overall, this was a great read!

Bitter Truth by Meredith Wild and Jillian Liota
Rating: 4/5
Tropes: Small town, slow burn, forbidden romance,

Murphy is on her way back to her hometown after being left high in dry with the music industry. On the drive, she gets a flat. In steps our MMC, to help solve her problems, and the chemistry just fills the pages. They got their separate way only before Murphy finds out that he is in fact the new head chef for her family’s restaurant.

I loved this story and I love the journey they took to reach their eventual HEA. This romance book is definitely worth the read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Montlake Books for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. The story drew me in at the beginning with the meeting between Wes and Murphy and Murphy’s return to her family home. I liked the characters but I lost interest in their story. The situations that led to the main characters ending up in Murphy’s hometown are not as deep or complicated as they are made out to be. If you’re interested in a quick uncomplicated read, then give it a try.

This book gave me a lot of mixed feelings. There were a lot of things I did really enjoy about this book, but I feel like it was missing a few things for me. So first, this book is a romance between two people who both have troubled pasts and learn how to cope with their new realities. Murphy and Wes have an adorable meet-cute when Murphy is on her way home and has some car troubles, and Wes ends up helping her out. They later realize Wes was recently hired to work for her family Vineyard, and she is returning home to help out too. There is a lot of family animosity going on from Murphy returning after nine years away. Wes and Murphy at first try to focus on work and deny their attraction, but Wes can't stand how Murphy's family is treating her and decides they can at least be friends. Friends, of course, grow to more. I did love the romance between Wes and Murphy with the way they support each other and help each other achieve their dreams and want the other to be happy. However, the family being so constantly mean to Murphy made me so upset and I know she left but you don't get much detail why it was so upsetting and then they were so fast to be forgiven but no really gives a good explanation or background to these issues happening. I think I would have just liked more character development in the family. This is a very cute romance and such a quick, easy read if you are looking for a feel-good romance novel.

I'm not sure why it took me this long to review this story, considering it was quite an enjoyable read! With a combination of forced proximity, forbidden romance and a sprinkle of found family, the plot to this story was quite unique and intriguing.

Murphy, our FMC, was quite relatable. The fact that her family, especially her dad, never quite understood her or took the time to understand her aspirations was expressed so effectively that you couldn't help but empathize with her. And despite all of her shortcomings, you couldn't help but cheer her on!

Wesley was one intriguing MMC. Closed-off and so mysterious, you couldn't help but be drawn to him (just like Murphy was). He was clearly hiding a big secret, one that possibly affected him more than he'd realized, and he was so ashamed of his past that he truly believed that he didn't deserve happiness.

Theirs is an attraction at first sight. Love comes into the picture a lot later. But, these two go through quite a rollercoaster of emotions as they get to know each other. And despite the forbidden nature of their relationship, they find themselves drawn to each other.

I'd recommend this story for its relatable heroine and plot, as well as the character arcs of each MC.

4 ⭐️

What a beautiful romance story with great storyline and great characters. Really liked the writing style and the cover is beautiful will definitely read more from this author.

Thank you to Meredith Wild, Jillian Liota, Montlake and, NetGalley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars rounded up. Overall I loved the idea of this book. I'm a sucker for a female comeback story and add in the fact that it's small-town romance? Sounded like a winner to me!

I think ultimately this book wasn't long enough for the number of tropes and issues that arose between characters. At under 300 pages, it lacked enough development of any of the storylines to feel real or relatable. While all great ideas on paper I don't feel like they were executed as fully as they could have been. Both Murphy and Wes had pretty troubling back stories that brought them to the vineyard and I felt as though these were rushed and lacked enough detail to help me relate or become invested in either characters story.

Because of this rushing of backstory it also made their love story feel very "insta-love"-y. The characters had interacted only a handful of times before we are suddenly diving into some spicy scenes that seemed to come out of nowhere. Again, I feel that this was because the book itself was so short and didn't leave enough room for any of the multiple tropes to be properly fleshed out...Murphy's problems that bought her home, dead mother, Daddy issues, saving the vineyard, sibling issues, Wes's past that brought him here, finding his father, mothers addiction...oh me oh my! That's a lot for under 300 pages!

Unfortunately this book didn't hit the way I was hoping it would but would be interested in reading from this author in the future to see if her writing style advances.

In "Bitter Truth," authors Jillian Liota and Meredith Wild craft a tale of love, family, and second chances set against the backdrop of a vineyard. Aspiring singer Murphy Hawthorne returns to her family's vineyard after years away, only to find herself confronted with unresolved family tensions and a budding romance with head chef Wesley Hart.

The story's fast-paced nature makes it an easy read, perfect for unwinding after a long day.
The chemistry between Wes and Murphy is palpable, adding depth to their budding relationship.
Certain scenes pack an emotional punch, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

The characters could benefit from more detailed development, particularly in regards to their backgrounds and relationships.
Certain storylines, such as Wes's relationship with his mother, feel underexplored and leave the reader wanting more.
While the plot starts strong, it loses momentum after the first half, failing to deliver on the initial promise.

Overall, "Bitter Truth" offers a compelling narrative of love and forgiveness, though it falls short in fully fleshing out its characters and sustaining its plot. Romance enthusiasts may find enjoyment in the chemistry between Wes and Murphy, but those seeking deeper characterization and a more engaging storyline may be left wanting.

Starting over again is hard to do, especially when your heart has been broken. When Murphy’s plans didn’t work out for her, she decides to go back to her family’ to start over again - only to face the harsh reality that they are angry with her that she left at all. Then there’s Wes. Wes is a chef who has been hired to make the family restaurant a success. They should stay away from each other. But thankfully for us they can’t! But can they find the happiness they both deserve in each other? I loved reading this and finding out! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

♡ 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4) ♡

A forbidden, small-town boss/employee romance? Count me in.

I loved this book.
Was it the best book I’ve ever read? No, but it was so enjoyable that it didn’t matter. It was a quick and enjoyable read, and I quickly fell into the story!

Wes and Murphy had the perfect little romance. A meet-cute before finding out he’s your new boss? Cue the tension!
There was the perfect amount of tension and actual feeling for these two, and I liked the closure of the relationship for them both. As much as they tried to stay away from each other, they just couldn’t. There was a great connection between them and a touch of spice to go along with their love story, too.

I did feel like some storylines were left unfinished or maybe underdeveloped, though – I would’ve liked to explore the characters more and develop their personalities just a touch more than I could see on the page. There was also strain between Murphy and Wes with their families throughout the book that I felt could have been developed more, too; I still had a lot of questions about those relationships when I turned the last page.
Despite this, the story was great to read. I liked seeing the support that Wes and Murphy offered each other and watching their relationship grow. The pacing was quick, but I think it was perfect for this story.

Overall, Bitter Truth was wholesome and fun, and I truly enjoyed the story. It was the perfect quick read for a Friday night in. I think others would enjoy it, too.

*I received an eARC copy in exchange for my honest review of this book*
Thank you to NetGalley, Meredith Wild, Jillian Liota and Montlake for the chance to read this book.

Small town, slow burn, hot chef? Absolutely.
I really enjoyed this book and read it in one afternoon. It was sweet with a little spice and I really loved seeing the characters promise to stay away from each other and then managing to do nothing of the sort.
Murphy is coming back to her family’s vineyard after her dreams of becoming a music industry sensation collapse and Wes is a talented chef, also starting over.
When they meet the attraction is instant but they don’t take it further. Until they realise they don’t have much choice because Wes is the new chef at her family’s new vineyard restaurant… and also her boss.
The slow burn of this romance was really cute, especially with the emotional baggage both characters are dealing with individually and with their other relationships. I think this was my favourite thing about this book. They clashed and slowly figured each other out before they began to really connect emotionally and the HEA felt really well earned in the end.
A delicious, cozy little read!

Bitter Truth by M. Wild and J. Liota is a full length romance, published by Montlake.
Murphy is an aspiring singer. But after years in LA she has to return home with her tail between her legs. Her family is still bitter about her leaving.
Head chef Wesley is the only breeze of fresh air for her.
A romantic comedy, well written, beautifully told.

This was a cute small town romance between Murphy and Wes on a vineyard *swoon*!!!
I loved the backstory of the main characters and how it was moments of rewriting their story for themselves. I personally love when characters become genuine friends before romance and this had that and it adds to the chemistry and foundation! It adds to the depth of the story because you can tell their HEA was something that was really earned. Their journey was beautiful and it was a great romance read for me!!

I received this advanced copy in return for my honest review.

Murphy is heading to her small hometown after the music industry left her high and dry. After passing the city limits, she pops a tire and a handsome good Samaritan comes to her rescue. Sparks fly but they go their separate ways.... for about 5 miles until she pulls in her driveway and finds out he is Wes, the new head chef of the family's restaurant.

They try and stay away, but as they get to know one another they realize they have a lot in common and they both have to learn to rebuild their dreams.

I loved this book, delightful small town vibes, a bit of forbidden romance, a touch of slow burn. Excellent. I dropped a star because the smut felt more forced into the story, and as much as I love a good spicy story, I think I would have preferred this one without spice, or maybe just one scene at the end, I think it would have fit the narrative better.

I enjoyed this book alot I absolutely loved Murphy and Wes’s characters I absolutely loved that it wasn’t a slow read and it was super easy to get into. #netgalley

A talented singer and a famous chef find love as they start over at a vineyard. Murphy and Wes have sparks for days and try their darndest not to mix business with pleasure. However, these broken characters are drawn to one another and will help each other move past their fear of failure and fight for happiness.

Murphy is leaving her dreams as a singer behind and heading back to the family vineyard. She knows the moment she arrives, the 'I told ya so's' will begin. Instead of her family applauding her for trying, they are ready to knock her down for trying. But she will keep her head up and be professional as she works in the newly founded restaurant to get staff ready and prepared for opening day. A flat tire makes things worse, but at least a sweet and sexy man comes to her rescue. How can they have such an instant connection? It doesn't make sense to both of them, but they won't ever see each other again so a kiss can't hurt. Murphy arrives and is still imagining the wonderful kiss and is surprised when she runs into Wes...the new head chef. As is life wasn't already complicated.

Wes is also starting over in his career. He was a well-known chef that could get any job he wanted and now he is just thankful to be given this chance. He sees Murphy and puts two and two together. She is the sister of his new boss. He must keep things professional so being terse is the way to go.

At first, Murphy thought that she could have a friend in Wes but he is surprisingly a jerk. Working together should have been easy but he is making it harder every day. Then, a few talks on a bench help them understand each other a bit more. Those chats are special and they get to know each other genuinely. But it's like they take 1 step forward and 2 steps back. Just when Murphy thinks they can be more than friends, he pulls a 180 and is back to being harsh.

What is so beautiful about this story is how hard they have to work for their HEA. Nothing but their chemistry comes easy for them. In the beginning, Memphis (Murphy's brother and Wes' boss) would flip if he found out because so much is riding on the success of the restaurant, and by the end, he is championing their happiness. This book is romantic and emotional in so many ways that I wanted to keep reading even when I read the final page. This book is about learning to move past your fears of failure and living the way you dreamed about. Sure dreams change and sometimes you do fail, but at least you can learn to smile about the journey you went on.

A forbidden, boss's sister workplace romance with both MCs looking for a fresh start. Murphy has spent years trying to make it in the music industry when she finally retreats to her family's vineyard. Wes is the professional chef full of regrets who is hired to draw diners to the vineyard's restaurant. Their connection is palpable as they each try to move forward. A charming redemption story in which the characters move forward together while facing their pasts.

I’ve read Meredith Wild’s books before, and this is completely different than anything I’ve seen by her.

This story is a bit insta-love, which isn’t usually something I like, but Wes and Murphy really build the chemistry with each chapter.

I loved Wes because he has such a kind soul and just wants to be a better person. I thought Murphy may be a spoiled diva, but she is as down to earth as one can get. I loved them both together. The side characters, especially Aunt Sarah and Memphis, really added to the story.

This was a cute, fast read. Perfect for a rainy afternoon.

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

This is a book about Murphy, a singer who experienced a failure in LA and returns to the family vineyard. Here she meets Wesley Hart, the new chef who will apparently be her boss, he is very handsome but kind of grumpy. I thought the romantic relationship between the two was very cute, Murphy suffered a disappointment in his career and is trying to recover, but instead of being welcomed in the family, she is struck by the cold attitude of his father and even of her older brother. Even Wes sometimes has a shitty attitude because he wants to keep her at a distance, but I still didn't like the way he behaved even though I understood his reasons. In the end, I liked the book, it was romantic and I appreciated the fact that the two protagonists managed to find in each other reasons to move on and progress, but I wanting maybe more romance.