Zoe Brennan, the woman you are and how deeply I love you.

This book was an absolute delight. I loved every moment. From opening with a bang (I did request this because I heard it had a sapphic threesome and that scene did not disappoint) to the very end, I was enthralled and entertained. Also, I have never laughed so hard as I have during one specific scene in this book.

I love when I can predict the reason for past conflict, and I was about 50% correct about why Zoe's friendship with Laine's sister ended. I think that the conflict between Zoe and Rachel was drawn out and I wish there had been a bit of a better reason for all the animosity, because Rachel was simply unreedeemable, I fear.

The narrator did a phenomenal job with this story and truly brought every character to life. I felt like I was a part of the group.

I’m giving five stars because I absolutely loved everything about this story, although the narration on the audiobook was absolutely abysmal. I am glad I was able to read digital copy as well, because the narration would have made this story (which is truly lovely! So funny, so emotional, such great characters!) completely intolerable.

This one didn't catch my attention - it was a pretty straightforward romcom, with LOTS of spice and little plot.

“That’s what people want to hear. The romance.” Yeah, I did want to hear romance, but despite great work done by the audiobook narrator, I couldn't. I didn't feel any chemistry between them, except for lust in the first few spicy scenes.

Still, I wanted it to be a bit more detailed and deep story that focuses on two characters. I hoped it would be more about feelings and internal problems instead of bunch external problems and obstacles on top of internal. It was a bunch of events without a lot of self-reflection and bonding between the characters.

We also got of a big net of characters which are plastic and have two lines in the book and no personality. There were quite a few big events that required a lot of characters, but apart from those events, most of them do not exist in main character's life and do not participate in it.

Zoe is egotistical and ignorant, and at the end I hated her. She took a lot but gave nothing. Not to any characters, and definitely not to me.

Thank NetGalley, the publisher, the author and the audiobook narrator for providing me with audiobook

I love a good ole sapphic love story. This book was super cute and had some very steamy scenes. And yes, it did all get tied up with a big fat bow at the end, but that didn’t bother me too much. Highly recommend for a fun read with not much at stake.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review.

What could go wrong (or right😉) with your ex bff’s older sister/your first real crush/world renowned winemaker coming back to your small town to moonlight as a winemaker at you family’s vineyard for months while your winemaker dad goes to his home country for an extended stay to look after your aging Nonna?!

This book was the best mix of funny, heartfelt, and warm, fuzzy, and spicy feelings in true @laurapiperlee fashion! Another absolutely wonderful 5 star read!

Thank you to the publisher for the review alc of this book!

Zoe Brennan, First Crush is the perfect follow-up to Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair. It has the same amount of swoon and heart that Hannah Tate had, but with the horniness scale ramped up to 1,000. Both of these books have been some of my favorite discoveries of the year. Laura Piper Lee's writing is magic and I can't wait to read more from her.

Zoe and Lane have such great chemistry. The "yes boss" really did it for me. I liked that their relationship built into something so tender after an interesting start (the surprise threesome in chapter two lol).

Highly recommend.

3.5* rounded up.

I normally don't care much for contemporary romance books - they all have the same language, the same voice, and while this one definitely doesn't have it's own identity, I still enjoyed it regardless. I liked all the interpersonal interactions the FMC has with everyone, whether it be her childhood crush turned romantic interest, to her father, to her friends and colleagues. This book commits the crime of The Gay Best Friend, but thankfully he's not as offensively over nor overused, so he doesn't grind on my gears too much.

Zoe is your typical FMC in these kinds of books, but I appreciate her mix of feisty and grounded, reasonable and unreasonable. She feels like a late 20's woman who lost her mother at a young age. I found her incredibly relatable. Lane, on the other hand, I found lacking as a RI at the beginning, but she grew on me in the end. I found their relationship believable and sweet.

The narrator had a natural voice for this kind of story, and did a wonderful job giving each character their own weight. Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot more than I thought I would. Maybe because I went in with such low expectations, I'm shocked that I liked this story as much as I did.

Thank you NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for a copy of the audiobook!

3.25/3.5 ⭐️

i feel like… indifferent? I had some issues with this book, and then I also enjoyed parts of this book but none of it felt overwhelmingly amazing that I would would remember it in a month or two.

What i liked:
I really loved the atmosphere of this book. The author did a really good job at making the reader feel like they’re in the story with them. TONS of show, not tell and I really loved that.

I adored Teddy, Laine and Zoe. I loved the character growth that Zoe had by the end of the book, i was worried she wasn’t going to get there but she did end up finding her way through.

What I wasn’t fond of:
I don’t really understand why the author had Laine’s pronouns included? She made a point to include her pronouns, but then maybe forgot? Absolutely no other time were they included in the book. I would have rather them been not included at all, rather than brought up to never be heard of again.

I also absolutely despised Rachel. I can’t express the amount i hated her, her character, everything 😆

Overall, i feel like… it was fine but wasn’t anything special. 🙈 I apologize. I enjoyed the read during, but don’t see myself remembering much about it.

Would I recommend? Sure. I’d also read more from this author.

Hits the ground running from the first sentence.

Overall: 4
Spice: 4
Narration: 4

Zoe is struggling to grow her family's winery that was the dream of her deceased mother. Her Italian father has to return to Italy to care for his mother, so hires a temporary vintner to oversee the winery while he is away. Unfortunately, that vintner is very qualified, but is Zoe's first Lesbian crush, and sister of her former BFF/current nemesis, Laine.

I've never had a book make me say, "WTF," in the first paragraph, but this one did. Because of that and the meet cute threesome in chapter 2, you'll know right away if you will like this one. I found this to be an interesting story and characters. The narrator did a great job of creating distinct voices for all of the characters, I'll definitely look for more of her narrations. I have some conflicting emotions about the characters in this one and felt like Zoe wasn't well cared for by some of the people in her life. But overall a good romance read and would recommend. This is the second book in the series, so maybe start with Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair.

Zoe Brennan is trying to keep her family's vineyard afloat when her high school crush and ex-best friend's older sister comes back into town and turns Zoe's life upside down. Zoe Brennan, First Crush was a fun small town romance that combined spicy sapphic pining with a lovely and atmospheric small town vineyard.

I love rom-coms where the main characters are working towards an event, and this was no exception. I also really enjoyed the supporting characters. Zoe had such a good group of friends and community members to lean on, and that was honestly my favorite part of the book.

The subtitle of the book says that it is spicy and boy is it! It starts with a threesome and I was a little unsure of what I was getting into. Thankfully the book balanced the spice with actual plot. I will say though that I have never heard the term "blue bean" to refer to sexual frustration.

Overall a fun quick rom-com that's definitely one for the wine lovers!

“You’re going to rue the day you decided to court me Lane Woods.” My voice is low and dangerously flirtatious, but Lane just smiles and reaches out a hand to gently cup my painted cheek. “No” she says simply, “but I rue all the days I didn’t”.

Deliciously sexy, queer romcom!

Have you ever accidently had a threesome with your ex-best friends sister/childhood crush, only to find out your dad just hired her to work on your family vineyard and you're her new boss? Yea, me neither, but it's delightfully entertaining.

Zoe has had a crush on Lane since they were in grade school. Her puppy dog crush is what drove the final nail in the coffin of Zoe and Rachel's (Lane's sister) friendship. Zoe hasn't seen Lane for years, when suddenly Zoe finds herself blindfolded and in a threesome. When she removes the blindfold, who's there? Her childhood crush Lane, who has returned home to work on Zoe's vineyard. Their sexual encounter only causes slight drama for them at work. Think The Hating Game but queer.

Lane is a sexy, growly, butch who would do anything to protect Zoe... and push her buttons. “Shut up and sit on my face, boss.” The audio book narrator does a great job on both characters voices;)

Tropes: ex-best friends sister, childhood crush, boss/employee, enemies to lovers

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This book was both deeply, wonderfully steamy and utterly romantic. I loved the ways that Zoe and Lane supported each other and got to grow both as their beautifully flawed selves and as a couple. This one had me crying as I drove around town listening and really tugged on my heartstrings! Also, the narrator was stunning. Her narration as Lane had me swooning!

I want to just live on a vineyard now.

Zoe Brennan is a perpetually lonely lesbian, but luckily she can focus on her family vineyard and vying for an opportunity to host a prestigious wine festival. The only obstacle in her way is Rachel, her ex best friend who runs another winery who is determined to best Zoe. Well until Zoe's dad and vintner has to go to Italy for a family emergency and hires Laine to stand in for him. Since Laine is Zoe's high school crush as well as Rachel's sister and the reason they are no longer best friends. Yeah, her working for Zoe will definitely complicate things.

This was such a cute fun read. Zoe and Laine are adorable. The vineyard business and how it intertwines with Zoe and Laine's family histories was an interesting aspect. I adored the Mountaineer Queers so much! This was light and fun but still with good emotional depth and real world problems. The only part I struggled with was the relationship with Rachel. She seemed to be a one dimensional character and I felt like there was something missing from that part of the story. But overall a good read.

4 stars

. While the premise had potential, the characters and plot felt forced and predictable. Zoe and Laine’s relationship was riddled with unnecessary tension that seemed to drag on, and the back-and-forth between them didn’t feel authentic. The whole vineyard rivalry aspect also felt underdeveloped. There were moments that had potential to be more, but ultimately, I found myself bored and disconnected from the story. It’s not terrible, but I was expecting more. 2 stars (and that’s me being nice).

I loved this!
The couple, the side characters, the way I thought I'd be disappointed in a 3rd act break up but was pleasantly surprised the characters kept talking, worked through things, and showed their love to each other despite being unsure of the future. How refreshing!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Zoe Brennan runs the small Bluebell Vineyards winery with her father. When Zoe's dad has to go home to Italy to take care of his ailing mother, he hires a trained vintner to take over in his absence. The person he hires? She's none other than Zoe's former best friend, Rachel's, estranged older sister, Laine Woods, who, incidentally, is also Zoe's teenage crush. Not to mention that Rachel and Laine's parents own the competing winery next door. The two winery's compete against each other to be chosen to host a high profile wine festival all the while, the tension between Zoe and Laine keeps growing until neither can deny their feelings for each other. Needless to say things get messy and complicated.

While I did find a lot of the plot to be predictable, I don't necessarily think that's automatically a bad thing and I still very much enjoyed the book. I thought the setting of Blue Ridge was cute, quaint, idyllic. It was the perfect portrayal of a charming southern small town. I absolutely loved (most) of the side characters! I want to be best friends with both Teddy and Daryl IRL and I would pay a decent amount of money to be able to go on the redneck wine tour. Zoe Brennan, First Crush also contained a lot of rom-com elements that I personally love: a one-night stand, a teenage crush (aka PINING), a sapphic romance, former best friend's sibling love interest, workplace romance, small town setting, rival businesses.

If you are a fan of low-conflict rom coms with quirky characters, nerdy/geeky references, and a charming setting, then I would definitely recommend

This was the most fun I've had with a book in a while! From the first chapter I was laughing out loud while listening to this audiobook!

Like the title of the book, Laine Woods is Zoe Brennan's first lesbian crush and is the sister of her former best friend. After not seeing Laine for years Zoe's is in for a shock when she discovers that Laine is both the 3rd in a blindfolded threesome her situationship plans and is going to be the new vitner at her family's winery when her father leaves for an extended period to be with her sick grandmother in Italy. Zoe and Laine clash early on: Laine thinks that the winery is underwhelming and Zoe pushes back that Laine's pretentious views based on working in Napa don't work in Georgia wine country. But when a famous wine festival is looking for a venue in town, Zoe and Rachel have to put their differences aside and work together to land the festival to better both of their individual careers. Through that is there more than just a mission to reach a common goal building between them...

Best friends sibling is one of my favorite tropes so I thought that this being a spin on that where it's the ex-best friend's sibling was something really unique. Rachel makes a strong antagonist of the book and made me want to rage scream whenever her snarkiness appeared on page. Despite surface level differences, Zoe and Laine have so much in common deep down and I loved seeing them get to discover that. There's so much sexual tension between them so when Laine makes them put that aside to "court" Zoe, I was giggling kicking my feet with swooniness. This is one of the funniest books I've read in a long time: all the hilarious banter, the elf themed wedding at the vineyard, Zoe's crush box, & THE BLINDFOLDED THREESOME?!?! If you are wanting a good time I definitely suggest you checking this out!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC of Zoe Brennan, First Crush!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Zoe and Rachel are no longer friends which makes it really difficult for Zoe to be around Laine, Rachel’s sister. They try to avoid one another but that becomes impossible when Laine is recruited to the family owned vineyard Zoe runs. Laine was her first crush and they have to learn to work together to keep the vineyard going!

This story was really cute! Such a sweet sapphic romance with fun side characters. One of the characters was so corny one moment then making me laugh out loud the next. Very realistic for a goofy friend I’m sure we’ve all had. I liked the setting and wine talk along with the pacing and writing. I really enjoyed this one!

Lindsey Dorcus did amazing at portraying the characters for the duration of the audio I listened to.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Laura Piper Lee, and Dreamscape Media for providing this free audio ARC. Also thanks to Union Square & Co for my physical copy. This is my honest review. This published on January 21st!