Sadly, this book was pulled before I could read it. Unsure why as the publish and archive date have yet to pass. Hence, why I can't leave a review. I do enjoy Sophie Lark, so I am a little saddened.

Sparrow and Vine brings a slightly different tone compared to the author's darker Brutal Birthright series. While still delivering on the heat and spice, this new series shifts towards a lighter atmosphere.

I appreciated the tender and supportive moments between the main characters, Monroe and Sadie.
However, I must admit that their chemistry didn’t quite ignite for me as strongly as the connection between Monroe's brother and Sadie's sister. That pair’s dynamic has genuinely caught my attention, and I’m eagerly anticipating their story in future books.

The narrative weaves together several compelling threads, including the struggles with the vineyard, the wicked mother-in-law, Monroe's grandfather’s situation, and the complex bond between Sadie and her sisters.
These storylines kept me engaged throughout the book. However, the lack of complete resolution left me craving more by the end.

Overall, Sparrow and Vine was an enjoyable read, despite a few minor pacing bumps.
That being said, my curiosity about the other sister and brother's story is strong enough to ensure that I’ll continue with this series.

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: alcoholism, racism, xenophobia

Unfortunately there were some glaring issues with the content in this book and hopefully the author will fox this. I do think that this book is dealing with a extremely sensitive topic and it was a bit tone deaf in how it handled it. I hope that this book changes and that this romance changes as well.

This book was pulled by the publisher before I was able to read it and thus I will not be providing a review.

I have to admit that I did not know enough about this book when I requested it. I thought it was another cute story about enemies to lovers but I was taken aback by some of the phrases and definitely by the spice level. If you enjoy spicy love stories that read like a YA then you’ll enjoy this one. I haven’t read the spicy sports romances but I think this is one of them. Two and a half stars rounded up.
Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the digital ARC.

I was determined to read this book despite all the buzz surrounding it. I’m not someone who forms opinions based on what others say without first going to the source and making up my own mind. I love this author, and I genuinely believe in freedom of speech, which is why it felt important to read the book myself.

As a Latin immigrant, I thought I could offer a perspective rooted in personal experience, especially since the group allegedly being discriminated against in the story includes people like me. I also don’t live in the US, so I figured I could approach the discussion with a bit more objectivity, removed from the specific political tensions there.

But unfortunately, the book was pulled before I had the chance to read it. I had other ARCs to prioritize and wasn’t fast enough. And honestly, that really sucks. I wanted to read it not just out of curiosity, but to participate in the conversation from an informed place.

This trend of canceling books or authors over statements others find controversial (often before actually reading the material) is getting out of hand. We’re forming conclusions based on outrage rather than evidence, and that’s a dangerous place to be when it comes to literature and discourse.

I'm not here for racist authors who don't listen to their publisher or sensitivity readers. Know better, do better.

I will not be writing a review due to the insensitive nature of the content in this book, and it has since been pulled from the publisher.

The premise of this book got my attention.

The offensive remarks associated with this book saddened me.

The negative press about this book soured me.

At the end of the day, I decided that I cannot in good conscience provide any more feedback other than this.

#unfortunate
#dobetter


Other: In the News...

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/books/sophie-lark-sparrow-vine-bloom-books-cancelled.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/sophie-lark-author-apology-elon-musk-book-b2709923.html

Unable to read/give feedback because the title was pulled from NetGalley before I was able to download

DNFed due to racist comment and controversy. No longer reading this author due to having immigrant in laws.

I will not be giving feedback for this book. Due to the circumstances with what has occurred and the Publisher shelving the book.

I went into Sparrow and Vine with high hopes — the premise was intriguing, and the opening hooked me right away. The idea of a passionate, complicated romance set against the backdrop of the wine industry had so much potential, and I was genuinely curious to see how the story would unfold. However, despite the promising start, I ended up not finishing it. The drama surrounding the book on BookTok and Bookstagram really overshadowed the experience for me, making it hard to stay immersed in the story. It's unfortunate, because the plot — which seemed to revolve around secrets, tension, and forbidden attraction — had all the right ingredients. Maybe I’ll pick it up again later, but for now, it’s a DNF.

Wow! What an exciting new installment in this captivating series! Just imagine a Romeo and Juliet-style story unfolding! We have two rival families, each claiming an overgrown winery and its beautiful fields. The Sparrow family has lovingly tended to the winery for decades, but the Vine family holds a longstanding grudge that began when the Sparrow girls’ father and the Vine boys’ mother were once engaged—an engagement that fell apart and has fueled tension ever since!

Now, with Monroe's grandfather on his deathbed, the future of the winery hangs in the balance. Monroe's mother is determined to liquidate it as a final act of revenge, but Monroe and Sadie are firmly against it. When Monroe proposes a meeting with Sadie, things take a surprising turn—they end up getting married! At first, it seems like a clever loophole in the grandfather's will, a business arrangement to save the winery. But as they navigate their new life together, sparks fly, and their marriage begins to blossom into something much deeper!

Will they be able to save the winery? Discovering who wrote this enchanting tale thrilled me, as she’s quickly becoming one of my favorite romance authors! The story moves at a delightful pace, making it a fast and enjoyable read. I adored the cozy atmosphere, and as a reader, I found myself cheering for Sadie and Monroe, eager to find out what would happen next! I loved it! Thank you, Bloom Books and Netgalley, for the opportunity to read and review this one!

Sparrow and Vine is a book about a marriage of convenience that will captivate you from the very first page. Sadie is determined to save her family winery even if she has to marry her sworn enemy, Monroe, and of course, she has to. This will definitely be a story of family rivalry and unexpected love. Sparrow and Vine has lots of drama and tension throughout the book which makes the characters relatable through their witty and the that they face. Hopefully this is the beginning of an amazing series.

The book left me with mixed feelings. The truth is, I love Sophie and her mind, but in this case, it seems to me that some parts of this book were not quite well thought out and not quite in the spirit of all of Sophie's incredible work so far.

I will not be giving feedback for this book. Due to the unforseen circumstances with what has occurred and the Publisher pulling the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom for the eARC.
I feel like this one had really good potential but fell short. Sadie talked entirely too much, and had way too much energy for me. There was family drama, but not enough of it to keep me interested. I did think Sadie and Monroe had good chemistry, and it was executed well, but the other characters kinda sucked. I was also hoping for some good spicy scenes, and it fell flat on that as well. There were some pretty sweet moments between the two of them, though.
I wish it had more going on, but at least the two main characters were likable.
Overall, it wasn’t bad, but definitely not a favorite of mine I’ve ever read.

I absolutely loved this book! The plot was captivating, and even though there were a couple of scenes that didn't quite resonate with me, the overall experience was thrilling. The characters were incredibly well-developed; I felt like I was right there, witnessing the story come to life. That’s what made this read truly unforgettable!

I opted to not read this title. After the discourse regarding the content, I did not feel it would be the right fit for me. I love Bloom and the authors they support. I hope this personal decision will not affect future eligibility to ARC requests and I thank you all immensely for providing this ARC, regardless of any personal feelings or publish discourse.