Welp. Since it’s the weekend, I hadn’t been on any socials yet before I picked this up and I was initially enjoying it! The setup has been done before, but I’m down. Then I then hit the (already infamous) line about “people with sketchy work visas” anddddd ✋🏼 I’ve seen all I need to see. If you’re casually throwing this in as a statement a character makes, you aren’t an author I desire to read. That’s the end of my lived experience, but I’m seeing other ARC readers sharing that there’s commentary about how admirable El*n is as well – I can’t imagine being so ignorant in today’s world.

No. You could never make me like a book with casually racist commentary that is never called out (that quote about the questionable work visas is a gem), as well as a character who worships the man currently destroying our country. I'm so disappointed.

I had been looking forward to reading Sparrow and Vine as I’ve enjoyed Lark’s past books. But thankfully other reviewers pointed out the casual racism present in the book.

Having the MMC say “but shouldn’t there be a crew of people with questionable work visas picking these grapes for us?” Is not acceptable at all, let alone in 2025 when our political climate is a mess. Then to name drop Elon Musk as he destroys the government??? Absolutely the hell not.

Sophie Lark is on my do not read list after this.

Bloom, I enjoy a lot of the books you publish but please be more conscious of authors that slip casual racism into books like this. It’s unacceptable.

You know what we don’t stand for in 2025? Casual racism.

Ch8: “I don’t want to sound ignorant,” I say to Sadie as we ascend the gentle slope up to the vines, “but shouldn’t there be a crew of people with questionable work visas picking these grapes for us?”

Fuck right on out of here with this bullshit.

I was looking forward to Sparrow & Vine, but unfortunately, this book completely missed the mark for me. The moment the male main character questioned why there wasn’t a “crew of people with questionable visas” doing the work instead of them, I was immediately put off. It was an unnecessary and problematic line that added nothing to the story, and no one in the book challenged it. On top of that, the female lead’s sister is written as an Elon Musk fan who finds him inspiring—again, a strange and unnecessary detail that no one questions. These elements completely ruined the book for me, and I can no longer support this author.

There is a way to write about immigrants with respect & intention and this isn’t it:


“I was inspired by Elon Musk. I use his five-step design process.”

“I don’t want to sound ignorant,” I say to Sadie as we ascend the gentle slope up to the vines, “but shouldn't there be a crew of people with questionable work visas picking these grapes for us?” “Sometimes there is.” Sadie bites the edge of her lip. “We’re a little short on cash this year.”

I was really excited about this new series and unfortunately everything about this story fell flat for me. It was missing so many hallmarks I’d come to expect and love about Lark’s writing, not to mention there were certainly some comments that made me feel icky.

I have read and loved books by Sophie Lark, and I was so excited when I received the arc for Sparrow and Vine. But then the mmc went ahead and said, “shouldn’t there be some people with questionable work visas picking these grapes for us.” Lost me with that one. I was turned off of him immediately and struggled to root for him and Sadie.

It’s with the greatest disappointment that I write this as I used to adore Sophie Lark. The MMC questions why there isn’t a “crew of people with questionable visas” doing the work instead of them. She also writes the FMC’s sister as an Elon Musk fan who is inspired by him. Not a single character calls out either of these things. Both things were unnecessarily added and I refuse to believe that Sophie didn’t know better.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to ARC read!

“𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵, 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘪𝘵? 𝘞𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.”

This book was just delightful! With the fluffiest sweetest romance that I flew right into. This book was heartwarming, with a refreshingly unique storyline.

I was invested immediately in their cause, drawn in by the way each character had an intriguing perspective. The way it was written makes me excited for the following parts of the series with the side characters. Everyone had such a distinct and vivid personality, I absolutely loved it. I was entertained the entire time!

I was thoroughly absorbed from start to finish. The book’s pacing made for a quick yet satisfying read, offering the perfect blend of light-hearted enjoyment and a refreshing escape—ideal for a "brain candy" or palette cleanser read.

Highly recommend!

Overall, it was a decent story. The romance seemed underdeveloped. The romance had potential, but the emotions never really developed like I had hoped they would. The banter was lacking what it needed to spark. The family drama added tension, but that wasn't enough to make this book what I was wanting.

POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠️

Now when my book bestie mentioned that Sophie Lark was coming out with a new book I was excited to read about it. More so after reading the summary. When NetGalley approved my request I quickly went to download it. However my excitement became diminished. The writing was just not it. The dialogue made it seem wattpady. The MMC gave me the ick. The more I read his inner monologue the more he convinced me that he was a slimy douche. When he was describing the FMC as nothing special but her sisters were drop dead gorgeous I was thinking to myself I’m suppose to be rooting for you? Now what had me DNFing 20% in was when the MMC stated “shouldn’t there be some people with questionable work visas picking these grapes for us.” Book girlies… wtf is this?! It was at this time that I yeeted my kindle out of my sight and decided to go watch Lilo & Stitch. This is my statement officially declaring being done with Sophie Lark books. Such a disappointment in this book but more so the author for even writing and including something as this 🥺

This is one of the most romantic books I’ve ever read. Sadie and Monroe are the absolute perfect couple. Unlike so many romance novels, the conflict in this story never comes from their relationship, but is instead outside factors. The way Sadie and Monroe stay so true to each other, full of faith and confidence in each other, is so uplifting. I am so grateful to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this love story early, and I’ll be eagerly anticipating the rest of the series.

A interesting compensatory romance with rival familys and an old family feud. Sadie and Monroe are trying to save the vineyard with a marriage of convenience, but the tension and forced proximity are making the lines very blurry.
It's almost giving Romeo and Juliette vibes, but with out all the "teenage-drama" but still with the family drama, laughable moments and lot's of spice!

You also get :
Friends to lovers, slow burn, former hockey player and a sassy FMC.

3,5 stars and a thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

i love brutal prince, and the love contract by sophie, and this had so much potential, but I was so put off by some of the dialogue in this book. having the MMC, monroe, ask “shouldn’t there be some people with questionable work visas picking these grapes for us?” and having the FMC refer to someone’s mouth as looking like an anxious anus was about enough for me. genuinely off putting, i’m disappointed by that visa line, it was so unnecessary, but THEN they also joke about having amazing sex infront of her dad, and another character finds herself inspired by elon musk. 🤢

the mmc very early on also has thoughts about how the fmc “is nothing special” but her sisters are really hot??

don’t get me wrong, i love a marriage of convenience and this had some sweet moments and would have been a good book if it hadn’t been overshadowed by gross inner thoughts & dialogue. i think the brutal prince series is a one hit wonder for me now.

bloom should reconsider or edit this book before release.

Omg this story was so cute! Yes there is sweet, sweet tension, some hilarious barbs and family drama that I was eating up!!

Sadie and Monroe both set out to do what they can to save both their family’s legacies. They may not have gone about it how they should but it leads to the best thing life could give, love!

This book is jam packed with DRAMA! I loved every word and couldn’t put this book down. The ending was so beautiful and I can not wait for the next two books because this story is far from over!!

This book is standalone but there is an underlining story that will connect this book to future ones!

Sophie Lark cannot write a bad book. Her latest, Sparrow and Vine was such a good read. It is coming soon and is a must not miss.

I just finished this lovely lovely book!!! My 2nd book by Sophie Lark and again she has surprised me. I'm loving this author the more I read her stories. So far each story has an element of mystery in them, and I LOVE THAT! It keeps me wanting more and more and more. I love books with plots and history and Sophie Lark is giving the most! I really enjoyed the banter between everyone. Monroe and Sadie are just the perfect duo. Monroe is super sweet on Sadie and I feel like they were so open and understanding of each other. Green flags all the way. I particularly enjoy more toxicity, LOL. But that's okay. I feel like the more we get into these brothers the more toxic it might get. A girl can hope. Lol

Back the reviewing. The story has fantastic plot. It feels like there is so much more to unravel behind the history of this family feud. I can not wait to get into it all and know everything. It's all been so juicy with the little grapes dropped here and there. I need more. All the characters are lovable. Even the evil mother, whom I'm sure has a good backstory as well. Sadie's dad seems like grade A garbage as well! Can not wait to get more into it. 5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebook Bloom Books for allowing me to read this one!
Sparrow and Wine by Sophie Lark is book 1 of a new series. it will be published on April 22th.
Sadie Sparrow will do anything to inherit her family’s winery—even marry her worst enemy, Monroe Beaumont. Her sisters are furious, but Monroe insists it’s the only way to unlock the family trust. She’s always been ready to fight for Sparrow and Vine—just not against her own husband.
I'm a sucker for the marriage of convenience trope, so of course, I had to read this one! I've devoured nearly all of Sophie Lark's books, and true to her style, it's a fast, easy read—I loved it!

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this e-arc

Sparrow and Vine follows Sadie Sparrow and Monroe Beaumont who enter a fake marriage to save the vineyard that was set to be bought out by the bank. This is a rival families contemporary romance and I give it a 4.25⭐️.

I really loved how real and raw the characters were and how open they were about their feelings. The story had a great plot and I really connected to the characters. Everything within this book was intentionally placed and I found that some moments left me wanting more that I cannot wait to get in the next book of this series. The relationships explored throughout the book between several of the characters were so well done and really made me feel for them all. The only reason I found this not to be a 5 star read is because I wanted a bit more of the conflict. I found the last 20% of the book could have been longer and the overall conflict (spoiler: Monroe getting a loan and his mother gaslighting Sadie) could have lasted a few pages longer.

Overall, I had a great time reading this book and will be getting my physical copy when it comes out! Thank you again NetGalley for allowing me to receive this arc from my favourite author.