Many thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for providing a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I will be honest and say that the character development in this book is not my favorite—but I mean, it's a romance novel! What I love about this book is that it's got a unique setting among a sea of similar sapphic romance novels. This definitely sets it apart! The characters, while underdeveloped (par for the course), are likable, there's just enough spice, and there's a ton of millennial-grade humor.

This book is for anyone who likes romance (especially WLW romance), humor, a peek into the wine world, and books that are fun, funny, and easy to read. I loved it!

This book was so fun. I am a sucker for sapphic romances, and this one was so nice. The banter between Laine and Zoe was top-notch. I laughed out loud a few times, which is always so fun to do. The setting of this book was nice, and the tag of Queer Mountaineers was fun. I loved how both Laine and Zoe grew as characters over the course of the book. It is always nice to read when that happens, and I felt more connected to the characters. The side characters were all nicely done and really added to the story. However, the goat stole the show, and I am still trying to fully visualize how the goat did $1,300 worth of damage to Laine’s sisters’ car – ha. I enjoyed reading Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair, and was delighted that some of those characters made an appearance in this book. I love it when authors do that.

If you love a good sapphic romance, and want to laugh while reading, then you need to check this one out.

Laura Piper Lee does it again! I’m so happy to be back in Blue Ridge for Zoe’s story. This is my first sapphic romance book, and I absolutely loved it. I enjoyed getting to know Zoe, and see her bloom into her authentic self. The sense of community the characters in this town have, makes you feel like you’re family. The adventures of the Queer Mountaineers, Jamal’s Keep Calm and Karaoke Wednesday and the Blue Ridge Field Day Festival should all exist in real life. I loved Zoe’s parents’ love story and how she continued her mom’s legacy. I was so happy to see characters from Hannah Tate Beyond Repair. Zoe and Laine’s relationship, though it had a bumpy start, it grew into so much more, brining out the best in each other. Their snarky-ness, banter and sexual tension as off the charts! This book has the perfect balance of many laugh out loud and sweet moments. I loved it!

🍷Sapphic romance
🍷Small town
🍷Quirky characters
🍷Enemies to lovers
🍷Workplace romance
🍷No third act breakup
🍷Laine’s her ex-best friend’s older sister
🍷Vineyard rivalry
🍷There’s a pet goat
🍷There’s a blindfolded threesome in chapter 2

Spoiler free moments that made me LOL:
-“Chop-chop”
-The Woods” family dinner and the whole “bitchiness disease” issue.
-Someone named their kids Edward and Bella.
-“Shoelaces”! - at the kid’s soccer games
-“Her Guiding Gay Light”
-Boss N’ Beave’s Wine Depot

Thank you NetGalley, Union Square and Co for the arc! All opinions are my own.

*It can be read as stand alone, but it’s better if you read Hannah Tate Beyond Repair first. :) *

4.5

Grab a glass of wine and welcome back to Blue Ridge. I'm so happy I got to read this book in the fall because the vibes were absolutely perfect to cozy up, too.

Reading this book felt like coming home in a few different ways. I loved this small town in Hannah Tate and was so happy to see the same characters back. The community in Laura's books is just amazing. Laine was also coming back home to her family, Zoe's dad going back home to help, and Zoe coming home to her authentic self. Funny, spicy where needed, small town charm, wine, and love. This is another feel-good laugh out loud book that speaks so beautifully on fears, friendship, and coming home.

I was excited to read this book set in the same world as Hannah Tate, and I'm glad I did because I liked it so much more! (And HTBR was a cute book). I loved the main chae after of Zoe. I felt for her grief both of her mom and of being queer in a small town with limited options. As a therapist, I feel this character was well crafted, her defense mechanisms made so much sense. I loved her character arc. I also like the character of Laine and the whole Woods family. The dynamics were interesting. There were a few moments when I thought this book would jump the shark, but each time the characters acted like adults. I appreciated Rachel getting a moment to be real and raw (book 3 anyone?) The best part of HTBR was her family and community and they are back in full force! Love the tour bus! Love how everyone pulled together for Zoe! This was more than just a sapphic romance. It is really about chosing yourself, chosing love, and recognizing community as family. I could barely put this engaging book down. A fun and worthwhile read by a compelling new romance author. While this is a companion book I definitely think it can be read as a standalone. 4.25 stars. Thanks to Net Galley and Union Square Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved Zoe and Laine’s story. I truly don’t think I’ve laughed this hard while reading in so long! (The soccer game scene LOL). I loved the ending- without saying too much, I feel like it wrapped up so nicely for all of the characters. The pining in this is PALPABLE.

the cutesiest of cutesy romances!!!!! i found laura on instagram and was intrigued by this book from the get go, and man was i not let down! this was an absolutely precious queer romcom full of heart and genuine chemistry, i adored every second! i also read this in two solid sittings, do with that what you will <3

Laura Piper Lee has a way of creating the most unique characters. Whenever I am getting into (small) projects at our cabin, I always try to channel my best Hannah Tate. And she has done it again with Zoe Brennan! I cannot be the only woman who has spent more precious time wasted sweating small stuff in life but these vibrant women are so relatable and are a wonderful wake up call to realize life is far better when we embrace our authentic selves.

Zoe steps up to run the family vineyard when her dad goes to Italy to care for her sick grandmother. However, her chance to shine is dulled when she learns the vintner he hired turns out to be a very awkward random hookup with a not so random familiar face from the past. As with any situation in life, we can let it fester into sour grapes or turn it into a premium vintage bottle, which is clearly the path these wine aficionados would choose. The adventures of the Queer Mountaineers and their family and friends is laugh out loud comical. Zoe Brennan, First Crush is a heartwarming tale about facing the past and forgiving the missteps in life to find our joy with peace, love and laughter.

Review is on Goodreads and will be on instagram soon and then closer to publication date and on Amazon when published!