5 - Stars

EXCERPT
“Saturday . . . ,” Gio started. “What time can you be ready?”
Emma glanced at Nicole, then Gio. “Saturday? Did I miss something?”
“Unless you need me to help with the move before then. In which case I’ll be there.”
Emma paused.
“He wants to take you out on a date, Em. I know it’s been a while, but this is how it’s done. Guys don’t ask if you want to go out, they assume the answer is yes and ask what time,” Nicole told her.
Emma blamed the lack of sleep from the night before. The one where Gio made good on his slow and very thorough lovemaking and kept her up half the night. Not that she was complaining, even in her own head.
She offered a sideways glance. “Are we assuming things?”
He leaned over; his lips hovered above hers. “Can I do that, cara? Can I assume when it comes to Saturday nights with you?”
The man put warmth in her belly like no one had before. “We can give it a trial run,” she teased.
“Trial . . . do I get a six-month lease? A year?”
That sounded long term to her ears. “How about month to month.” Even that sounded like commitment.
Gio kissed her briefly and pulled away. “We’ll renegotiate in thirty days.”
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I mean come on. It's Gio's book. Aren't we excited?!?!
This is the third book in the D'Angelo series and OMG! We knew what we were getting with Gio. Kind of, but you gotta love Emma too! The stuff she goes through with that luggage. I've said it with every book in this series and I meant it each time until the next book came out. I really mean it with this one though. We've got Italy, Wine, an adventurous group of older women, new friends, romance, family troubles and add in the hilarious luggage adventures and what more could you want?
Catherine is great at character building and I love each and every character in this book and series. I ate this book up. I could not put it down and finished it in one day. That's really nothing new with one of her books though.
Seriously. If you have not read this series already, you need to. Now. What are you waiting for???
Highly recommended.

'Reviewed and Recommended by LSK Sweetheart Reviews'

I have been provided with a review copy of Beginning of Forever from NetGalley for an impartial review. This book was just so easy to get lost in. I completely got lost in the story and I just loved getting to see these new characters come together. I just absolutely love this story and I just didn’t want to put it down. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third in the series and I would definitely recommend that you read them in order for all the goodness on offer from this fabulous family and their journeys to their happily ever afters.

Gio does his duty by the family restaurant business, but his true dream is to make wine. So when his family gives him the gift of a three-week wine tour of Tuscany, and promise that it is now his time, he is incredibly grateful and humbled by their generosity. Little did he realise that whilst on this trip of a lifetime he would not only decide it was time to find a vineyard of his own, but also fall for another guest on the tour.

Emma comes from a wine dynasty but is overlooked due to her gender. Frustrated beyond belief, she decides to take a sabbatical and goes on a wine tour with her best friend. Her suitcase bound for the far east, she finds herself in Tuscany short of clothing, but with a willing hero... called Giovanni.

I loved these two together – lots of fun, snark, and fabulous chemistry. It was a delight watching them fight the inevitable. Gio was all in from day one, but Emma, already divorced and fed up of being controlled by her father and ex, took longer to see how Gio was different. His behaviour, thanks to a lifetime of putting everyone else first, could not have been more beguiling to someone used to being ignored.

Delicious fun, and lovely to catch up with all the D'Angelos and their loves!

This is the third book in The D'Angelos series and is the story of Giovanni, Gio, the youngest sibling. The D'Angelos run a well known restaurant in Little Italy, San Francisco. Momma Mari, and oldest brother, Luca basically run the restaurant. Chloe, the middle sibling and only sister also helps out. Gio has always had another dream. He got his sommelier qualifications, but he really wants to open his own winery. For his 30th birthday, his family sends him on a three week tour of Tuscany to learn more about running a vineyard and being a vintner. On the tour he meets Emma Rutledge who is dealing with a crisis and family issue of her own. She does not want any serious involvement as her marriage lasted less than a year, but she is up for some fun. Gio lets her think he is okay with that, but he fell hard for Emma and wants this to be a forever thing. As it turns out they only live about half an hour apart, so maybe it just is doable.

This story is so much more than a romance. First we have the tour of Tuscany. I loved the descriptions of the villas and vineyards where the group stayed. There was a lot of humor in this part of the story. First we have Emma's luggage go missing and that was an adventure in itself. Gio takes her shopping as she needs a wardrobe and there was so much witty banter that I was laughing and smiling from ear to ear. The group on the tour were so much fun. With three gay men, four older women who loved to drink and party, a newly married couple who pretty much stay by themselves until there is a mishap, Gio, Emma and her BFF Nicole, there are lots of laughs, lots of drinking and some interesting information about the groups and their lives. After the tour, there is a lot of family time. The D'Angelos are one of those families I want to be part of. They are a large, loud, loving and fun Italian families that Emma would be lucky to become a part of. Then there is Emma's family. Her father runs the R&R winery and label and is a misogynist. He won't give Emma a promotion or have her working in his main branch and she bends over backwards to prove to him she can do the job. The family is dysfunctional and it takes an emergency to finally bring them back together. I loved Gio and Emma together. They are perfect for one another and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow. This was my favourite in the trilogy and I was sad to think this is the last book, but I see there is one more to come, maybe Mother Mari's story. I highly recommend this book and series if you enjoy romance, family stories and new beginnings.

Beginning of Forever by Catherine Bybee
The D’Angelos #3

Wonderful ~ Thoroughly enjoyed this story ~ Hated to say goodbye when it ended!

What I liked:
* Emma Ruttledge: bright, focused, motivated, underrated, pushed aside in the family business by her father, has big decisions to make, meets an intriguing man on her trip to Tuscany, has a difficult time with her father, has more than one big issue to contend with before the end of the book
* Giovani “Gio” D’Angelo: youngest sibling, sommelier, has dreams of owning his own winery, wants to settle down and raise a family – if/when he finds the right woman, family oriented, helpful, wise, caring, kind, is perfect with and for Emma
* Getting to see the characters from previous books in the series and find out how they are doing
* The time in Tuscany and the growth of the relationship between Emma and Gio
* That I can see Gio and Emma happy together and feel that both are better off together than they are alone
* The mothers, Mari & Beth, and how much they care for their families
* The surprises, twists, turns, confrontations, and way this all came together
* That it drew me in, made me care, and I felt I was a part of the story
* Learning more about the medical situation that was faced
* Wondering what will happen to some of the characters that are still single at the end of the story: Nicole, Ryan, Salena, and Chris
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

4.5 Stars
Emma Rutledge has been disappointed and frustrated by her father’s treatment. She’s worked hard for the family’s winery and yet her father has discounted her efforts, passing her over for promotions. His latest decision is the final straw pushing Emma to take an extended vacation as she mulls over her options. To help with that her mother gifts her a wine tour through Italy.

Giovanni D’Angelo studied to become a sommelier, but his dream is to create wine. But also, to find love and settle down. He’s put his goals aside to help with the family restaurant, but they understand his passion and gift him the same wine tour Emma’s on. Of course, they meet, sparks fly, but Giovanni wants more than just a holiday affair.

Italy sounded lovely, beautifully described, making me want to book my own tour! Emma and Giovanni’s time together on the trip started out fun and flirty, but turned deeper as the days went by. I loved the advice from the “Golden Girls”, a fun group of older women on the tour, that made them both step back and think about what’s really important in life.

Giovanni’s steadfast support made me swoon! Not only with sorting out Emma’s future career, and standing up to her father, but also when Emma faces a potentially serious medical diagnosis.

Beginning of Forever combined so many things I love in a romance: hot chemistry, a dreamy setting, a big, loving family, and wine! Italy sounded amazing! The perfect setting to start a steamy affair and fall in love! I’ve been loving the D’Angelo series from the beginning, so it was nice to “see” the previous couples and catch up with the other members of that boisterous bunch!

A new author for me and I will certainly be reading more of her books. This was a wonderful story of resilience, strength and love.

When Emma and Gio meet on a 3 week Tuscany wine tour, the similarities are astounding. They share the same birthday and both just celebrated their 30th birthday. He's a sommelier and she's always dreamed of owning and running her own winery. As they build a friendship they begin to support each other on their dreams.

Emma's a little gun-shy about marriage as her first one ended in divorce within 16 months . Her relationship with her father is strained, as he seems to prefer her ex in his business rather than her. Her mother seems to be the buffer, while one brother is her dad's right hand man and the others not in the family business.

Giovanni's family is close knit and they all work in the family restaurant living in the 3 floors above it in San Diego an hour from Emma. He starts spending weekends with Emma and after a surprise medical diagnosis , moves in with her. He supports her throughout the medical tests , diagnosis and treatment. Can they overcome the diagnosis to approach the future realizing their dreams? You're going to want to read this 5 star read to find out. You'll laugh and cry along with them as they travel the quagmire of life.

Although I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

It is a clean love story about family and love.
Nice cover.
The setting of the wine tours is sparse and has nothing Italian or Tuscan about it (it sounds like the usual trite cliché,made to attract readers with the words Tuscany and wine, but which unfortunately does not evoke Italian landscapes and life at all).

This was a really great story about love and family! The D'Angelos made me want to jump in and join their family, and I loved the travel at the beginning and the vineyard/wine tour feel of the whole book. There were a couple steamy scenes I wasn't necessarily expecting. I switched back and forth between the audio and e book, and really enjoyed both! I couldn't put this one down!

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy to read.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Beginning of Forever is the third book in The D'Angelos series and it did not disappoint. If anything I think it was better than the other two. It doesn't need to be read with the series and can be a stand alone, but to get the background of the D'Angelos family dynamic it's better to read them as a series.

Emma can't decide what to do when it comes to her job. She hates working for her father who makes her feel less because shes a woman. When she is overlooked for a promotion she tells her father that she needs time to consider her options and her mother convinces her to take a three week vacation in Italy wine country.
Gio loves wine. As a sommelier he wants to know everything there is to know about wine and their creations. Taking a trip back to Italy for a wine tour gives him a break in life, but also more knowledge to help him with his own goals of owning a vineyard one day.
Little did either of them know what was about to happen in Italy and how it would change their lives forever.
This was a clean romance. Some medical issue triggers and some daddy issue triggers.

I loved it and cannot wait for the next one to come out. However, this one will sit with me for a while. I may have to sit and read all Catherine Bybee now.

e Bybee)

If a reader is drawn to this book’s cover, they will almost certainly enjoy the story that unfolds in these pages.

Time in Italy? Check.

Wine and wine making? Check

Good characters? Check

Romance? Check

Tensions and crisis? Check

It is all here for those who enjoy a bit of escapist fiction.

Note that this title is book 3 in a series. It can be read on its own.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for this title. All opinions are my own.

4.5 shiny, glittery stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ for this captivating and sweet romance novel. Beginning of Forever was the third book in The D’Angelos series written by Catherine Bybee. Although I had not read the first two books in this series, I had no problem reading Beginning of Forever as a stand-alone book. I fell in love with Emma’s and Giovanni’s characters. They were both genuine and endearing. The chemistry they shared was undeniable. I don’t usually read romance books but this one captured my heart. I couldn’t read it fast enough.

Both Emma Rutledge and Giovanni D’Angelos celebrated their thirtieth birthdays and were gifted wine tours to Tuscany. It was the trip of each of their dreams. Little did they realize that they were on the same tour. Giovanni or Gio (the nickname his family and friends used) was a sommelier who lived in the Little Italy neighborhood of San Diego. His family owned a restaurant there. Gio was the youngest of his siblings and his mother was anxious to marry him off. His older brother and sister were already married. Gio was waiting to meet the right woman. He appreciated how close and loving his family was. His long term goal was to own his own vineyard someday and produce his own label for the wine he would produce.

Emma Rutledge was the only daughter of the owner of R&R Wineries. Wine had been in her blood since she was a little girl. Her father, Robert Rutledge, was determined on keeping her out of the family business. He had awarded her token positions within the company but refused to recognize her talent or abilities. On the day of her thirtieth birthday, Emma learned that her ex husband was being promoted and was now going to be her boss. The position should have been Emma’s. Emma had finally been pushed too far. She decided that she would take a step back from R&R and look for own vineyard. Emma would show her father what she was capable of doing. In the meantime, Emma’s mother gifted Emma a vacation trip for her birthday. It was meant to help lessen the friction between father and daughter. Emma and her best friend Nicole signed up for a bus tour through Tuscany’s vineyards. It was the same tour Gio’s family had given him. What were the odds that both Emma and Gio would end up on the same tour? Even more coincidentally, they both lived rather close to one another. Gio was from the Little Italy neighborhood in San Diego and Emma lived in Temecula. Their homes were in close proximity to one another. As soon as Emma and Gio met on the tour, there was no denying the immediate sparks that sizzled between the two. There was instant chemistry. Emma tried to fight it. She was not looking for romance and marriage was the furthest thing from her mind.

By the time the trip was over and Emma and Gio found themselves back in California, there was no denying that something very special had developed between them. Gio was intent on helping Emma explore her options for acquiring the vineyard from her father and eliminating his control over the land. He was her calming presence when she got herself worked up and frustrated. Their relationship was developing in all the right directions.

Then Emma went to see her doctor one day for a routine visit. Emma had noticed that she had been bruising more than usual. When she asked her doctor about it, Emma’s doctor decided to do some testing. The blood tests that Emma’s doctor performed, revealed that Emma had a rare genetic condition that affected her iron production and her liver. As soon as Emma learned about her condition, Gio was at Emma’s side from the very beginning. He would not leave her. Together, they dealt with the stress, the not knowing, the what if’s and the treatments together. If anything, that time, the unknowns and fears brought Gio and Emma even closer.

I enjoyed how Catherine Bybee lightened the mood by interspersing certain situations within the plot. International flights tend to have the possibility of losing luggage. Of course, Emma’s luggage was lost. The dilemma of her lost luggage and the various remedies that were offered had me smiling and even laughing out loud. As a result, Emma and Gio were forced to shop for a complete new wardrobe for Emma. There were several very funny moments during their excursions. Emma and Gio also participated in a friendly competition at one point.

Gio was definitely the ideal boyfriend and partner. I really enjoyed both Emma’s and Gio’s characters. The other members of the tour were quite memorable. I really enjoyed Gio’s family and all the yummy Italian food Gio’s mother made and that they had on the tour. The vivid descriptions of the Tuscan countryside and vineyards were portrayed in a very beautiful way. I really enjoyed reading Beginning of Forever by Catherine Bybee and hope that there a few more books to come in this series. I am not ready to say goodbye to these characters. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Montlake and Amazon Publishers for allowing me to read Beginning of Forever (The D’Angelos, #3) by Catherine Bybee through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a wonderful addition to a great series. An enjoyable read that has left me awaiting the next in the series. Neither Giovanni nor Emma are living the lives the envisioned or really want, but are trying to figure it all out. Giovanni has always put the needs of his close very loving family far above of his own. Emma who has always wanted to be in the family business is treated like a pariah by her father for teens to just be for living. She can literally never do right by him and she has finally reached her breaking point. For different reasons and some lost luggage, they meet on a tour through Italian vineyards and their chemistry is instant and off the charts. The tour is fantastic with a wonderful cast of tour companions. Giovanni and Emma are so different and yet, just right for each other. Can they make it when they return home to their real lives and have to deal with everything ahead of them? They balance each other and have each others backs always, but can get make it with multiple obstacles along the way? Love, family, acceptance, the future, laughter, health issues, standing up for yourself, learning to love the life you have and so much more. A great read that can be read as a stand alone, but why because the series is so much fun.

It’s such a cute and feel-good book. The book has narrated the tale of two people; Gio and Emma. They had similar taste and similar interest. So I assumed they are like two peas in a pod. Though Gio is more understanding and patient while Emma is impulsive and bottling up her true feelings since so long. He is close to his family and she has trust issues with them. While their path gets entwined, a three weeks vineyard tour in Tuscany brings them together. Dive into the Italian culture, food, wine ( Italian wine is best), families and unexpected romance.

The book is more than romance, the author has shared how intellectually and physically, Gio and Emma developed a connection, shared about their families and businesses and supported each other. Despite the unexpected turn of fate, how they wanted to pursue their dream of running of vineyard of their own and Gio didn’t leave her side even after the revelation of life altering diagnosis. He was there for her in thick and thin.

Tropes:
•Slow-burn Romance
•Wine Tour in Tuscany
•Wine making culture
•Strangers to lovers
•Written in third person
•Forced Proximity
•Dual POV

Setting
- Tuscany, Florence
- Napa, California
- Little Italy, San Diego

Genre
- Contemporary Romance
- Feel Good

Thank you Netgalley, Author, and Publisher

This book is a wonderful, sweet romance between the son of a close, warm, loving Italian family and a woman whose father has overlooked her for most of her life. I'm not a big fan of Contemporary Romance and it is great to discover an author who can craft a family-centric story with a strong value base. There is humor and some serious stuff too. This is just a great book.

For his thirtieth birthday his family has gifted Giovanni D'Angelo a three-week trip to Tuscany. He plans to use the trip to develop, in his mind anyway, a plan to run his own winery. He has been marking time in his family's Italian restaurant business and really wants to make his own wine and get serious about finding a woman to share his life. The trip is wonderful, and he meets Emma Rutledge. Beautiful and caring and very, very much someone Gio wants to know better, and the great thing is he lives in San Diego, and she lives in Temecula a short distance inland. But the most fantastic thing is that she knows and loves wine as well as he does.

During her trip to Tuscany Emma has finally asked herself the question: What do you do when you have spent your whole life trying to please someone who doesn't value you? At some point you have to realize that it is a hopeless endeavor, and you stop beating your head against that particular wall, pick yourself up and move on. Daddies play a big role in the lives of their daughters and Emma's daddy just couldn't see her in anything more than the traditional role of a woman: wife to a successful man of his choice and the mother of his children. Emma tried, but the man only wanted her money and access to her father. Emma was so much more, but trying to prove that to daddy was a losing battle.

With spunk and determination and her own knowledge, Emma sets out to make her own way and make her own family too. She tells herself she doesn't want or need any man, but Gio has wormed his way into her heart and her life and when things get really real, he's there, he's determined and he's not going to let her down.

My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

So excited to see another book in this series with the D'Anglo family and this time it is Gio's turn.

While on a vacation in Italy, he meets Emma who is also on his tour of Tuscany and they are so made for each other. It was so fun to watch them as they tried to outguess each other during their wine challenge.

Emma tried my patience as she just could not get out of her thinking that she wanted to please her father and get his acceptance. Gio challenged her thinking but she was a bit slower in changing and really had to have some life changing events before she saw that her approach was not health.

Another life changing event was later in the book and Gio and his family were there for Emma each step of the way. This also brought out a well kept family secret which was shocking to Emma. Having just gone through a similar family health issue, I totally understood Emma's emotions as she was constantly going to a medical appointment - this part was emotionally and well written.

Good thing that Emma realized that she had a great man in Gio and didn't run away! Great HEA and glad that her father finally came around. Only thing I really wish was resolved was those negative remarks on Emma's previous clients. I know she moved on to a newer and better place but those would make me crazy if I could not get the truth out and correct those negative (and wrong) reviews.

The third book in the D’Angelos’ series, follows Giovanni D’Angelo and his desire to do more with his life. Having become a sommelier and working for his family restaurant, he dreams of running his own vineyard and settling down. When his family sends him on a three-week tour of Tuscany, to sample the wines at various vineyards, he meets Emma Rutledge. Having recently divorced, Emma is also searching for her dream. Contemplating her resignation from her father’s wine business, she is determined to set up her vineyard without her father’s help.
Her attraction to Gio is immediate and on their return to California, they continue their relationship. Whilst Emma was at first hesitant to begin a relationship, she realises that Gio is special and that they might have a future together. Yet when she receives a life changing diagnosis, Emma begins to question her future.
The tour of Tuscany was wonderfully described, and the fun had by all is infectious. There are some colourful characters such as the Golden Girls and some drama, to add to the plot. Yet when they return to California, reality sets in and family begins to get involved. Here we see the difference between the two families of Gio and Emma and how they respond to the events that change Emma’s life. A lovely read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Beginning of Forever is the third book in the D’Angelo series. I was disappointed to find that this was a series and I had missed the first two books. I will be adding these to my want to read list.

Giovanni D’Angelo (Gio) is a Sommelier and really wants to have his own vineyard someday. On his 30th birthday he is given a trip to Italy to see family and tour the vineyards of Tuscany. On the tour he meets Emma, and their lives will be changed forever.

Emma is the daughter of Robert and Beth Rutledge owners of the R&R brand of wines. This is a family business but Emma is feeling less included when meetings start earlier than she is told. Basically, she feels devalued when her ex-husband becomes her boss. On her 30th birthday and after the meeting with her father she lashes out and decides that she will venture out on her own and start her own winery. She takes her father by surprise, but he lets her know he doesn't think she will succeed. While at her surprise party with friends she talks to Nicole, and they decide to go to Italy for a three-week trip to visit the vineyards.

Emma and Gio are attracted to one another from the first meeting, which intensifies throughout the trip in Italy. They finally decide to take the next step and are now in a full-fledged relationship. When they return from Italy, Emma starts to notice some health issues and visits the doctor where it becomes clear there is something going on that needs the doctor's attention. This brings Emma and Gio even closer as she begins to depend upon him for support. She keeps her family in the dark until there is a diagnosis.

A family meeting is called to discuss her diagnosis, but before she can tell the family, her father wants to know why Gio is there and jumps to the conclusion she is pregnant. Emma is furious and explains that she has a disease that is genetic, and her parents and brothers need to be tested as well. Her father quickly says he is not sick to which Emma lashes out and a family secret is revealed.

This is a beautiful and emotional story. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I love the characters, they felt like real people I would enjoy spending time with. I can't wait to go back and read the prior books in the series, but I hope this is not the end, I want to read more about the families.

Beginning of Forever is book 3 in the D’Angelos series by Catherine Bybee. This is Giovanni and Emma’s story.

What happens when they both take a trip to Italy for a wine tour, luggage mixup, feelings develop, returning home, family drama, wine and romance..Read on to see how it all ends…

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from the author, NetGalley and Montlake. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Emma Rutledge has lived life for and according to her dad. But she’s slowly opening her eyes to what’s around her and she is discovering who she wants to be. An unexpected trip with her best friend opens her eyes and heart to so much more. Gio is in Italy because his family has encouraged this trip. He is a sommelier and cares about the vineyards. He never expected to make friends with people from his neck of the woods, much less meet a woman with similar interests.
I LOVED Gio and Emma! I enjoyed the banter between them. Emma can be competitive and Gio enjoys that side of her. She also can be reactive when a thought/idea hits her. Gio is attentive and caring. He calms her and is a good voice of reason. These two complemented each other and at Emma’s lowest point, Gio is someone she can lean on. I couldn’t get enough of this story and hated when it was over. Catherine Bybee did such a great job pulling the reader in and capturing them into the story. Gio and Emma are believable and what they go through is real (in so many ways). Cue book hangover!