there were so many things happening in this book that were disappointing to me as a reader! I love all of her books but this one had some topics and moments that are offensive toward certain communities. The story had potential to become a good book but there were other issues that are making me give this book 3 stars.

I personally loved this book,. The character development was perfect. It was an easy, quick rea! I can't wait to continue the series!

**I was unable to post a review on Goodreads due to reviewing being blocked.

Absolutely not. I will no longer be supporting this author which has cost me a lot of money to do this much

I'm sure by now all of us have heard about the c.0.n.t.r.0.v.e.r.$.y surrounding this book. Unfortunately, I won't be reading it; I can't tolerate r.a.c.i.$.t actions of any kind, + the previous mentions of we all know who made my decision resolute. That's a bummer cuz I was really excited about it.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the eARC 💕

Sparrow and Vine is a beautifully woven tale, full of heart and quiet depth. A story that lingers with you long after the last page.

No spoilers. Read via kindle (ARC).

I was made aware of the concerns about this book when I started, but I think it was important for the character to kind of be ignorant as his background, but he has a lot of growth. Along with the FMC, which I love character growth so much in books. This has Romeo & Juliet vibes. It’s a good story line, but it did drag in parts for me. I think we are told a lot of things, than us seeing it played out.

Would I recommend? Maybe, I enjoyed the character growth, but it did feel longer than it needed it to be.

Since this book was pulled from the publisher as well as archived on here I will not be reading and reviewing it. After learning about the themes described in the books,

I was debating reading this after seeing all the comments. But I gave it chance.

I overall enjoyed the book. I can see how 1 line of the book could come off as insensitive, and maybe a bit of crude humor.

A marriage of convenience to insta love. The chemistry was lacking in the beginning to me and then bam insta love.

I am curious about the sibling stories.

The backlash speaks for itself. I hope with the reviews and information, Sophie edits this book and hopefully, she can come back from it.

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Title: Sparrow and Vine
Author: Sophie Lark
Page Count: 400
Format: E-book ARC
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Book Number: 39
Dates Read: 3/13-15
Review:
I received this free advanced copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was my first Sophie Lark book, and it may be my last. The main male lead Monroe can't go minutes without sexualizing the woman characters. He obsessed with looks. Sadie is a dull character who is obsessed with how big and built Monroe is. Also, I was not pleased by some of the offensive comments through the book.
The story does get better per the plot and spice, but I don't see me to continue with the series or read any more books by the author.

I received an early digital copy of this book for review. After seeing the quotes that have come out regarding immigrants, I will not be reading this. I searched the quote in question about immigration status and farm workers on my kindle and can confirm it’s in there. It’s disappointing to see rhetoric like this in 2025. The “joke” isn’t funny. Don’t even get me started on the part about a character idolizing Elon Musk. That would’ve been a better joke.

I’ve read two of her books in the past. The incest-y vibes of the first Kingmaker’s book was pushing it. I thought I’d give her latest book a go, but I’m glad now that I hadn’t gotten to it yet. Truly disappointing.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

I have really enjoyed Sophie’s books so I was super excited to read this. I think fans of Sophie’s books will enjoy it. I had fun with it despite so cringy lines. Overall though the ending felt really rushed and the pacing was off.

A vineyard in trouble, an enemy to the rescue, and walls torn down and rebuilt. An enemies to lovers story. Very enjoyable.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I could not get into this book after the first five chapters. Then seeing all the racial allegations I decided to put a pause on it. Maybe once it's edited again, it'll be better. But for now, I won't be picking it up again for awhile.
I do appreciate getting the arc though and wish I could have loved it more!

I do enjoy S. Lark's romance books and I really enjoyed this one also; I wasn't completely obsessed with the characters, but I did like them enough to carry on with this series.

I'd say this one is more friends to lovers due to marriage of convenience. They weren't enemies even though their families (more specifically their parents) are.

This book is set on a beautiful vineyard where Saddie's family lived all their lives; Monroe has loved the site all his life and he was meant to inherited it, along with his family, due to a contract made by both families grandparents, back when Saddies dad and Monroe's mom were in love and to be married. The marriage never happened, and so the vineyard is at risk of going bankrupt and auctioned to be bought off.

As the contract stipulated that a marriage was to happen, but was nom specific on who was to be married, Monroe proposes to Saddie so they can save the site together, and together they work relentlessly to fill this objective.

Close proximity and equal objectives soon develop a strong friendship, which then evolves into a very sweet romance. Sex is on page, but not smutty.

With the exception of some stupid phrases in the beginning of the book, i really enjoyed this. I can see why some people had a problem, particularly with the phrase "shouldn't there be workers with questionable visas working here", but I took it more like a stupid thing that people say than actual racism (you can argue I'm downplaying it, I can argue people are overreacting, but considering I say something stupid on a weekly basis I choose to give people the benefit of the doubt, you don't have to agree and this can be the stupid think I say this week 🤣).

Overall I'm was a fan of Sophie Lark, and I still am! Very happy to have been privileged to receive the ARC of this book.

I hemmed and hawed over what I was going to write when it came down to this book. With all the controversy surrounding it, I can separate what is going on in the book world from what I'm reading, so I'm sad to say that it wasn't the outside world that affected my lower rating, but the actual story itself.

I didn't feel the love connection between Sadie and Monroe. For an enemies to lovers, the main chemistry should constantly be bubbling and brewing. There should always be a nice push and pull so when they finally give in it's explosive and it was just lacking between these two. They internally thought very snide thoughts about the other and it just felt wrong and that's where a character is allowed to have their truthful thoughts. So, since they didn't feel it, I didn't either.

I also began to wonder about the actual winery. I'm surrounded by several and they vary in size from small to large, they are all family owned and pretty much all of them have a heavy social media presence. Winery's nowadays have entertainment and tastings, etc.... Sparrow and Vine felt very dated and perhaps where I'm going with this is perhaps there should have been better or more research.

Sooo, like I said, I didn't need outside commentary or controversy when personally this book just didn't do it for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloom Books for the advance review copy and all opinions are my own.

DNF after the racist quote that ultimately is causing the downfall of this book, it’s just not for me.

I won’t be reading this book after the racist remarks made in it. I don’t support that kind of “entertainment”

It was very….offensive in moments and I did not enjoy it as much as I would have liked to.

The racial comments through the book were harmful to someone who is African American. I understand what she was trying to do but it was not portrayed tastefully.

This book is NOT something that should be out in the reading world

The book was pulled and was very controversial so I will not be reading it. Even against publishers advice they decided to add some racist comments that aren't okay.