This book is not her best but definetly not her worse. As a big fan, it is always nice to see the links between the previous books. I recommed.

Very cute and lovely. I fell in love with the characters and their story! Totally reading more from this author!

Thank you Net Galley & the Publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/4 stars

This is my first Melisa Brayden Book and it certainly will not be my last, Melissa is terrific and I fell in love with these characters instantly. I loved the concept of the shop turning into a wine and donut shop at night, I LOVEDDD the spice and tension between the two and I loved that they dealt with serious topics in a great way! I cannot wait to buy a physical copy to annotate.

What a rollercoaster!

Jamie is the proud owner of a successful bar/doughnut and coffee shop in NYC. When leughton, a beautiful, spirited and kind woman enters the shop, Jamie has an instant crush on her. As they get to know one another, this crush only intensifies. Unfortunately, they're not from the same world. And Leighton has a job to do: take over the block, including demolishing Jamie's shop...

This book was a truly beautiful and addictive second chance romance. I related and loved our two protagonists from the start. I really like opposties attrack, and in this book, it was definitely the case. Both women are very different, but they work really well together and it was a delight to see their relationship evolve. The writing was very addictive and I just couldn't stop reading once I'd started it. The plot was well-paced and intriguing because the author managed to sprinkle just enough suspence and tension in the main romance plot to keep me hooked. I also loved the business owner and different worlds vibes of the story and how it wrapped it all perfectly. All in all, it was a delightful, intense and addictive sapphic romance that had me go through all the emotions possible.

I highly recommend this great sapphic romance!

"Life is fleeting. Don't waste it in people who don't make you light up the second you see them in the distance."

TW: sexually explicit scenes

Brayden is one of my favorite authors and when she releases a book the day before Valentine’s I’m reading it. Jamie Toliver owns a coffee/shop that turns into wine and donuts at night. That sounds magical and I don’t drink wine. Her shop is filled with sweet regulars and her workers. But she’d like a potential new romance. Enter Leighton Murrow who works in the real estate side of a large family company. A new department store wants to purchase the block including Jamie’s shop. Leighton is making assessments. She is charmed by Jamie and spends more time in the shop before asking her out.

One of my favorite scenes in the book is their first evening getting to know each other. It is Brayden’s trademark writing. There is witty flirting, getting to know you questions. The description of eye contact or a voice lowering to show sincerity was spellbinding as it opened the couple to new possibilities together.

I am not fond of main characters being with other people after they have met up. It makes sense in the storyline with the time jump but I was still frustrated at how much of the story they are with others, especially Leighton. I always trust that Brayden will deliver me a HEA, even when she brings me to the edge and I think all is lost.

I like both characters but wish their separation didn’t go on as long as it did. And I love that Brayden brought in so many characters from her other books that just had a moment here and there. It is a treat to her loyal readers. (4.5 Stars)

This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books, via Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review.

When I started this book I thought it would be a light fun read, without much depth, the book equivalent of a silly Christmas romance movie taking place around Valentine's Day.
It is just as delightful as a silly romance movie, but it is also so much more than that !

I loved the small anticorporate business energy. I also loved the fact that there are parts of the story focused on small business ownership and on being a corporate woman with an important career.

I also like how the story explores more serious themes like grief, the want for children, the relationship between adult children and their parents.

I am kind of sad that I finished the book, I want to spend more time with the characters. I'd love a sequel that still featured Leo and the regulars, they were so much fun !

This was a 2.5 for me. The story had so much potential, and I loved the ambiance of the shop. But the lying and the back and forth killed it for me. I almost DNFd 25% in because the lying made me so mad. I liked it better after the time jump, but was frustrated with the pace of the relationship.

In Melissa Brayden's enchanting and expertly crafted novel, "You Had Me at Merlot," readers are invited into the charming world of Bordeauxnuts, a beloved café in New York City. At the heart of this tale are two unforgettable characters: Jamie Tolliver, the café's spirited owner, and Leighton Morrow, a enigmatic stranger who captures Jamie's attention with her alluring presence. Jamie's life takes an unexpected turn when Leighton enters Bordeauxnuts, turning her world upside down and sparking an undeniable connection between them. As Jamie succumbs to Leighton's charm and the lingering lip print on her cup, she finds herself caught in a web of conflicting emotions. Unbeknownst to Jamie, Leighton's intentions are far from pure. As a development coordinator for Carrington's Department Store, Leighton's mission is to acquire the city block that houses Bordeauxnuts for a new location. This heartwarming and witty novel explores the complexities of love, desire, and the moral dilemmas that can arise when our hearts and our responsibilities clash. Brayden masterfully weaves a tapestry of characters that are relatable, flawed, and utterly captivating. The chemistry between Jamie and Leighton is palpable, leaving readers rooting for their forbidden love while entangled in the inevitable heartbreak that looms on the horizon. Through its captivating prose and insightful portrayal of human nature, "You Had Me at Merlot" showcases Melissa Brayden's exceptional storytelling abilities. This extraordinary novel will leave a lasting impression long after the final page is turned, reminding us of the transformative power of love and the sacrifices we may have to make for it.

This was a wonderfully sweet sapphic romance! I appreciated the second chance aspect and that the characters were a little older - definitely more relatable.

Melissa Brayden has written 25 full-length novels since she started writing in 2011. Her first book, Waiting in the Wings, is still one of my all-time favorites. In recent years, she’s been producing two to three books each year; that’s quite a pace for an author! I’ve been on ARC teams and proofread for authors for several years now and I understand the time it takes to develop quality storytelling. It’s a tedious process. Yet amazingly, Brayden shoulders through the writing regimen like a champ and churns out one best seller after another. (As I write this, You Had Me at Merlot sits at number one in new releases—impressive!)

So, how does she do it? Obviously, she’s very disciplined and structured in her work ethic. However, that doesn’t fully explain the orange best seller banners on Amazon. The answer to that resides in talent, pure and simple. She’s a natural storyteller; it’s probably baked into her genes. On top of that, she understands what readers want in a romance—to experience the thrill and joy of falling in love. So, she gives them heroines that are relatable; women that are smart, capable, and attractive. Then, she lets readers feel the thrill of capturing another woman’s heart, a journey that is filled with desire and consequence. Hearts get bruised and broken along the way, but readers can always count on Brayden to mend them before they turn the last page.

In You Had Me at Merlot, she has quite a bit of mending to do as hearts really get squeezed. Readers feel their pain as the two take a slow and bumpy ride back to a second-chance. The road is long and readers may want to tug their hair out at times, but the journey is worth it. Each step is emotionally charged, complex and heartfelt, making You Had Me at Merlot a compelling read.

Jamie and Leighton are vintage Brayden characters in that they tick all the boxes. They have: 1) distinct and unique personalities 2) interesting, solid relationships with other characters (be prepared to be delighted by several of Brayden’s backlist characters making their way into the script), 3) compelling, dynamic backstories, 4) realistic goals and motivations, and 5) transformative change. More than all of that though, they are extremely likable. They worm their way into readers’ hearts quickly and make a nice home there. These are women that people are drawn to in real life, flaws and all.

Another thing that makes You Had Me at Merlot a standout is the supporting characters. Brayden has always excelled at creating interesting, unique supporting casts, but this one might be the most memorable. Not only does she use them to develop Jamie and Leighton character arcs, they help provide subplots, solidify themes, and even offer comic relief. These characters serve as love interests, friends and family members who create the side dishes for the main course, the romance. In general, they just make the story more interesting; they aren’t just background chatter. They are fully realized individuals with their own personalities, dovetailing seamlessly into the plot and not overshadowing it. The story is richer because of them, making it a more dynamic read in the end.

Final remarks…

You Had Me at Merlot is filled with fun, flirty banter and cute moments. Beware: this is a journey, though. It takes a minute for the girl to get the girl. However, that’s what I appreciated about it; it gave Jamie and Leighton time to fully develop, paving the road for a more believable romance in the end. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys honest, vulnerably told, second-chance romances. It’s absolutely worth the read.

Strengths…

Engaging storyline
Enjoyable, well-crafted narrative
Lovely, well-developed characters
Fantastic secondary characters
Cleverly planted “Easter Eggs”
Heartfelt and emotionally sincere dialogue
4.5 stars

An easy, middle of the road read.

I enjoyed the corny humor to an extent, though it could be a bit grating at times and the eyerolls would pull me out of the story, especially at the beginning. I wish Jamie and Leighton had better communication skills when it came to each other, especially since they're ADULTS. At times, it felt like Jamie was too immature despite being thirty years old, but I suppose we all know someone who doesn't act their age.

This was my first Melissa Brayden book, and I don't know if I'm sold enough to seek out more of her work after this.

This one is a case of a book going from 'this is going to be bloody good' to 'what the hell is happening'. Well! It might be a bit of an exaggeration. But when you are writing the review of a book that you were sure would be 5 stars and it ends up pretty far off from that, an angry review is what you get.
I think the problem with this book is the blurb. I went in with certain expectations that were most definitely not met. Now that's on me. But I don’t want to you to face something similar. This might be a spoiler for a lot of people but 30% into the book, our main characters breakup and then there is a time jump.

Things that worked for me:
1. I absolutely adored our main characters as individuals
2. The friend circle was fun and added to the story
3. The business part of Bordeauxnuts was super interesting to read
4. The writing was easy to read and helped the story flow

Things that didn't work for me:
1. I didn’t know that it was a second chance romance going in
2. The pacing after the first break up
3. They got together in the last 5 percent after being apart for almost 65% of the book

All said and done, I liked the book enough to want to pick up more stuff by the author. I hope that is better than this.

This is more a three and a half star story. I liked the characters, the storyline, the setting, the snippets of past characters making an appearance and the chemistry between the main protagonists.

What made me drop stars is that I felt this story lost its way at times, the timeline was a problem for me (time jump was jarring)and the lack of communication between the protagonists at the beginning which catapulted the storyline in a different direction, just wasn’t believable. For the majority of the book, Jamie and Leighton aren’t in a romantic relationship with each other at all. Sure there is wonderful chemistry and wonderful friendship, with underlying love, however it just doesn’t feel right.

Perhaps I wanted more for these women, both interesting but I feel like Jamie needed to grow the heck up, Leighton didn’t get a chance to explain before Jamie cast her aside. These women are in their 30s, please let them behave like it. Having said that, I mostly enjoyed the story, but I think overall, I wanted more of them “together “ romantically. Thanks to NetGalley for the early read so I could review.

I typically love all of Melissa Brayden’s books. While this one was enjoyable, it was missing a little bit of what usually takes me from liking a book to loving it. Part of that came from some of the timeline choices in the book that were incredibly frustrating to me as a reader.

I did really enjoy all the mentions to characters from past books, it was a fun trip down memory lane!

Melissa’s characters are always memorable and the connection between the two in this book (Leighton and Jamie) was very strong and I was rooting for them the whole time, I just wish we would have gotten to the HEA in a slightly different manner with a whole lot more communication between the MC’s.

All that being said, this story was still sweet and enjoyable and I will continue to pick up anything by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the gifted copy!

A book about the unlikely pairing of a down-to-earth coffee/wine shop owner and a high-powered business woman. There is a lot I really enjoyed about this book. I think my favorite aspect of the book is how different it is from the romances I tend to read. The characters are a bit older, so they have established careers, social circles, Etc. The plot is a nod to You've Got Mail, and that vibe is definitely present (i.e. characters in their mid-late thirties living in New York). In the best way possible, this gave me all the feel-good vibes of a queer Hallmark holiday movie. Lots of good feelings and comfort, but some emotion tied in as well.

The writing was a little stilted and cheesy for me at times, and the pacing felt off in certain moments, but Brayden is a talented storyteller, and I think this one will stick with me.

I have read a lot of Melissa Brayden's books and this one is now one of my favourites. I enjoyed both of the main characters and their chemistry, I also really enjoyed the characters from past novels making an appearance!

Leighton is a development coordinator for a department store and Jamie is a small cafe/bar owner. They are both funny and easy to connect with.

*Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own*

What a pleasant surprise this book was, it was a good reading experience.
I loved watching these characters fall in love, I enjoyed going through all the emotions with them.
It was a super quick and engaging read, I didn't even realize that I read the book practically in 1 day because it was such a good read.
This is a perfect book to read in one day, and a good and mature romance.
I loved it, I highly recommend it!

4,25⭐️
I wish Jamie and her coffee/wine bar Bordeauxnuts were in my hometown of Zurich, it would definitely be my favorite place to go.

When Jamie Tolliver, the proud owner of Bordeauxnuts, sees Leighton Marrow, a development coordinator for Carrington's Department Store, in front of her for the first time, the world stops for a few seconds. The usually eloquent and charming Jamie is momentarily speechless, which never happens to her. Between the two, the sparks are flying high from the first eye contact - a fateful moment for Jamie and Leighton. Only they have no idea what a rollercoaster ride of emotions lies ahead of them.

New York City, small business owner versus large department stores' chain. Carrington Department Store wants to take over the building complex where Bordeauxnuts is rented, putting Jamie and her coffee/wine bar out on the street. When feelings between Leighton and Jamie come into play, things get messy. And as is almost always the case when all the cards are not laid out on the table, people get hurt and trust is lost.

Melissa Brayden emotionally tells the story of Jamie and Leighton. Loyalty and honesty play an important role, and a breach of trust weighs heavily. I can well understand that I also have a great sense of justice and find it difficult to forgive betrayal. Time and the ability to self-reflect help both to develop further, to recognize what is important, and not simply settle for second best. The timing of the two finally confessing their feelings couldn't be lousier though, it almost looked like winning the lottery was the bigger chance.

I also liked the regulars at the café, the family and friends who helped them find the right path and see what had been in front of their eyes for a long time. Please take a seat on the rollercoaster and ride up and down with Jamie and Leighton, occasionally with a loop, until they finally reach their destination.

Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC for an honest review.

One of my favorite authors who has me smiling as usual. Great read, well developed and relatable characters. I enjoyed it very much. This is another well written one by Melissa Brayden for your collection. Well done.


Thank you, Bold Strokes Books, NetGalley and Author melissa Brayden for this ARC.

What a cute story! I loved the relatable situations and the main characters. They are older and I like not having every character be a teenager or super young. I loved the cozy vibes of the cafe and the city vibes of New York. I don’t really enjoy when the MC’s break up and then get back together but I liked the way this author kind of kept me involved in their lives until they got back together. Although the timeline was a bit long for this short of a book. Overall I really liked the plot and the characters so I’d read it again.

Thanks NetGalley and Melissa Braydon for this eARC in exchange for my review!