Okay. I admit that sometimes I just move blithely through my little world and don't always pay attention to details. Why do I say this? Because I wanted to review this book thinking that it was a follow-up to the Sauvignon Blanc to Sigh For (Love in Wine Country, #4) that I reviewed back in February when, in actuality, it's the novel that started the series.

I will tell you straight off that while it doesn't have the finesse of the latter novel, the writing is not as good and the dialogue seems a bit more stilted, it is still an excellent story for the most part. (And, honestly, the writing is far superior to a lot that I've recently encountered.) I think it's just proof that Pamela Gibson's writing is getting much better, quite a bit like wine.

The story here is quite good with a possibly devastating secret keeping Jake and Paige apart. There is a lot of intrigue regarding business dealings and what Jake will ultimately do with the property that Paige feels so fervently about. 

This is a perfect beach read and I can tell you that because I didn't have a lot of actual beach reading success this time, but this is one I did finish and not put aside to stare at the waves instead. Reading this series might make a great beach binge.

I have an admission here to make. I am giving this the same rating as Sauvignon Blanc to Sigh For (Love in Wine Country, #4), which means I pretty much didn't give Sauvignon Blanc the rating it deserved, but I can't conceive of giving A Kiss of Cabernet a lesser rating.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sweet story that has very minimal swearing (no f-bombs) and no on-screen sex. If you like books with sexual tension but fade to black sex, this is a great example of that. Although this is part of a larger series, this story completely stands alone and there is absolutely no cliffhanger.

I really really appreciated that the author wrote this story the way that she did. She could very well have taken the easy way out when resolving the issues that drive this book, but she didn't and I thought that was surprising but also really perfect for this book. Don't misunderstand, this book comes to a beautiful and heartfelt happily ever after, but Ms. Gibson also deals with the serious issues in a really unique way. As a reader, I very much appreciated it, even if I didn't see it coming.

If you enjoy a story with two likable but imperfect characters who find their happiness together despite a host of issues happening in their lives (even if they deny their feelings repeatedly to each other and to themselves), you should give this book a read. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Gibson's work.

I requested and was very generously granted a copy of this story via NetGalley and the publisher. I was under no obligation to write this review.

What an enjoyable romance this proved to be, one where life definitely gets in the way and the best laid plans don’t always work out as you assume (though there is still the HEA you expect)!

Jake Madison is having problems with his business ventures and is also terrified of his own deteriorating health. He’s owned the vineyard for six years but this is the first time he’s come to visit. He’s visiting with a specific purpose - to value the property before selling it to generate finances to keep his business ventures running. His arch rival is out to ruin him and he has to fight back . . .

Paige Reynoso is the vineyard manager. She’s devastated to realise his only purpose in visiting is to value and sell the place she loves and has dreamed of owning. She’s determined to show him the vineyard is a brilliant long term investment . . .

The connection between the two is instant but both resist for very different reasons. Her past is stopping her and his fears for the future are preventing him from giving their attraction the chance to develop any further. With family secrets on both their parts as well as that dreaded rival, things aren’t going to go smoothly for these two and some things won’t work out at all. However, this is a well written romance with great characters and there’s no magic wand to overcome difficulties that life throws in their path, so it feels more realistic than many such stories. The characters are easy to empathise with and the story has plenty of angst and turmoil amongst the romance and wine tips to keep the reader engaged and turning pages. Definitely a great summer read . . . . now I need to try out some of the Napa Valley wines for myself!

I requested and was given a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.

I usually only read clean romances. This is not one. Having said that, I thought the storyline was very original. It was a romantic, sensual story. I laughed a lot at the grandmother. She was a riot with all her suspicions. This read a lot like a Harlequin romance. It was well-written and a stand-alone. I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.