this book was pretty decent! I think it was a little bit over the top in being unrealistic, so that was annoying. But overall, it was a classic romance story. I think it was just okay in my opinion!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

This was a fun read! I love wine and romance and this story delivered! I fell in love with the characters immediately and loved the aspect of French wine and the beautiful language they speak. Looking forward to the next book! Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I found The Champagne Crush to be an utterly charming romance that transports readers on a glamorous journey through vibrant settings like Napa, Paris, and the Champagne region of France. The dynamic between Catherine and Chris is engaging, with their contrasting personalities creating plenty of sparks and witty banter. Their chemistry feels authentic and builds naturally as the story progresses. What I particularly loved was how the book balanced its romance with themes of self-discovery and resilience. Catherine's journey from a glamorous socialite to a determined professional is inspiring and relatable. The subplot of industry sabotage added tension and intrigue, keeping the story exciting and unpredictable. Overall, The Champagne Crush is a perfect blend of romance, ambition, and adventure. The lush descriptions of wine-making and the picturesque locales added an immersive layer to the story, making it an enjoyable escape.

Catherine has always lived a life of luxury, her days filled with designer handbags and high-end events—until her parents cut her off, forcing her to prove she’s more than just a privileged socialite. After taking a PR job at a California winery, she finds herself clashing with her boss, Chris, a no-nonsense businessman who sees her as nothing more than an entitled rich girl. But as Catherine throws herself into her new role, uncovering a web of workplace intrigue, she also finds herself drawn to the man who least expected to be impressed by her.

This book is a blend of romance, self-discovery, and light mystery. The vivid descriptions of the settings made for a fantastic backdrop, immersing me in the world of fine wines and high-stakes business. While the romance between Catherine and Chris had some moments of undeniable chemistry, I sometimes wished for more depth in their interactions to fully grasp the emotional weight of their connection. If I had one criticism overall, it's that I felt the relationships between characters were less developed than I look for them to be in romance novels.

That said, the pacing kept me engaged, and the subtle suspense added an enjoyable layer of tension. Catherine’s journey from pampered heiress to a woman finding her own path was satisfying, even if at times I wanted to see more introspection from her.

The Champagne Crush is a light, fast-paced romance that whisks readers through luxury, sabotage, and second chances—all with a glass of sparkling wine in hand. Caroline O’Connell’s story centers on Catherine Reynolds, a high-society woman whose comfortable life is thrown into chaos when her diplomat parents cut her off financially. Faced with the reality of being broke, Catherine takes a PR role at a California sparkling wine company owned by a family friend, where she’s paired with the company’s stern, skeptical president, Chris McDermott.

What follows is a jet-setting journey from Napa to Paris to Bordeaux as Catherine tries to prove she’s more than just a privileged party girl. Chris is a purist, cautious and guarded, and the two immediately clash—but there’s undeniable chemistry beneath their disagreements. As they prepare for the high-stakes launch of a new prestige sparkling wine, sabotage threatens to unravel everything they’ve built. At the heart of the book is the question: Can Catherine reinvent herself and earn real respect, both in business and in love?

This book is fun and full of flavor. O’Connell paints vivid scenes across glamorous backdrops, from bustling New York cafes to quiet French vineyards. Catherine, though initially easy to judge, grows into a character worth rooting for—scrappy, ambitious, and clever. Chris is the classic closed-off hero who slowly softens, but their romance sometimes feels underdeveloped, especially early on. A few more moments of emotional depth or vulnerability would have added richness to their relationship arc.

The intrigue surrounding the company sabotage adds just enough suspense to keep the pages turning, though it’s not the central focus. This is ultimately a romance—light, stylish, and satisfying in a champagne-and-stiletto kind of way. While there are moments that could have been explored more deeply—especially around the more serious topics mentioned briefly—it’s still an engaging escape with travel, tension, and a touch of sparkle.

If you’re in the mood for a glamorous, easy-to-read romance with business drama and enemies-to-lovers vibes, The Champagne Crush hits the spot.

Catherine has led a privileged life without much consideration of her spending habits until her parents cut her off from her trust fund to teach her fiscal responsibility. Taking up a PR role at a Californian sparkling wine company founded by a friend of her grandmother’s, Catherine proceeds to excel in using her connections to benefit the company ahead of a high-stakes launch of their new prestige sparkling, all while falling for her boss and investigating a potential sabotage plot.

Overall this was a light and pleasant read. The premise was an easy one to get pulled into, and I looked forward to picking up this book again each day. The mystery and intrigue around potential sabotage was written well, with many interconnecting parts to the underhandedness afoot.

There were times particularly in the first two thirds of the book where I felt slightly lost or as though I was missing context - particularly around Catherine and Chris’s affection for each other and budding romance. At times it came across as almost transactional, whereas some further interactions between the characters or insights into their thinking could have allowed the reader to be more connected and invested in the character’s personal and relationship development.

On the whole I enjoyed reading this book, and would gladly read subsequent books in the Les Femmes series. It was a fun world to immerse oneself into, and to imagine yourself in the life of Catherine, jetting between New York, France and Napa Valley.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and SparkPress for providing me with an ARC of The Champagne Crush in exchange for my honest review.

Cat is broke and desperately needs a job to keep up her finances. She's offered one through a family friend and it's perfect timing. Her direct boss, Chris, isn't so sure she's cut for it, mainly because she's a socialite and everything about her screams spoiled.
I liked diving into a book that could transport me to New York, France and Napa with its descriptions, sometimes I could almost taste the coffee (we're big on coffee as is Cat).
The story line is very enthralling: well-off girl, country self-made man, wineries and surprises. However it was very fast-paced and I felt like sometimes I missed a little something. Especially interactions between characters that would've allowed to determine much more about their relations with one another.
I liked the uncertainty of who was being sneaky, and who would Cat like best. I wish I had Cat's job and lifestyle.
Yet I felt a content warning should be there and that some topics weren't properly approached and that really threw me off.

Plot follows Catherine who's used to a high maintenance life and relying on her parents for expenses. Her parents decide to cut her off when things get out of hand and as a result she goes back to see if the marketing job offer with Chris still stands. Chris being the closed off stuck up guy who thinks he has everyone figured out without actually getting to know them, will Catherine be able to prove herself to  be more than just "glitzy" and who will find love first in the process?

Even though this was a slow starter for me I loved how the story unfolded and the character development for both characters I found myself rooting for them as the story went along! This was a fun light read

This is for the fans of traveling, champagne, and Napa Valley vacations!! I like that the main character proves those around her wrong