A talented singer and a famous chef find love as they start over at a vineyard. Murphy and Wes have sparks for days and try their darndest not to mix business with pleasure. However, these broken characters are drawn to one another and will help each other move past their fear of failure and fight for happiness.

Murphy is leaving her dreams as a singer behind and heading back to the family vineyard. She knows the moment she arrives, the 'I told ya so's' will begin. Instead of her family applauding her for trying, they are ready to knock her down for trying. But she will keep her head up and be professional as she works in the newly founded restaurant to get staff ready and prepared for opening day. A flat tire makes things worse, but at least a sweet and sexy man comes to her rescue. How can they have such an instant connection? It doesn't make sense to both of them, but they won't ever see each other again so a kiss can't hurt. Murphy arrives and is still imagining the wonderful kiss and is surprised when she runs into Wes...the new head chef. As is life wasn't already complicated.

Wes is also starting over in his career. He was a well-known chef that could get any job he wanted and now he is just thankful to be given this chance. He sees Murphy and puts two and two together. She is the sister of his new boss. He must keep things professional so being terse is the way to go.

At first, Murphy thought that she could have a friend in Wes but he is surprisingly a jerk. Working together should have been easy but he is making it harder every day. Then, a few talks on a bench help them understand each other a bit more. Those chats are special and they get to know each other genuinely. But it's like they take 1 step forward and 2 steps back. Just when Murphy thinks they can be more than friends, he pulls a 180 and is back to being harsh.

What is so beautiful about this story is how hard they have to work for their HEA. Nothing but their chemistry comes easy for them. In the beginning, Memphis (Murphy's brother and Wes' boss) would flip if he found out because so much is riding on the success of the restaurant, and by the end, he is championing their happiness. This book is romantic and emotional in so many ways that I wanted to keep reading even when I read the final page. This book is about learning to move past your fears of failure and living the way you dreamed about. Sure dreams change and sometimes you do fail, but at least you can learn to smile about the journey you went on.

A forbidden, boss's sister workplace romance with both MCs looking for a fresh start. Murphy has spent years trying to make it in the music industry when she finally retreats to her family's vineyard. Wes is the professional chef full of regrets who is hired to draw diners to the vineyard's restaurant. Their connection is palpable as they each try to move forward. A charming redemption story in which the characters move forward together while facing their pasts.

I’ve read Meredith Wild’s books before, and this is completely different than anything I’ve seen by her.

This story is a bit insta-love, which isn’t usually something I like, but Wes and Murphy really build the chemistry with each chapter.

I loved Wes because he has such a kind soul and just wants to be a better person. I thought Murphy may be a spoiled diva, but she is as down to earth as one can get. I loved them both together. The side characters, especially Aunt Sarah and Memphis, really added to the story.

This was a cute, fast read. Perfect for a rainy afternoon.

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

This is a book about Murphy, a singer who experienced a failure in LA and returns to the family vineyard. Here she meets Wesley Hart, the new chef who will apparently be her boss, he is very handsome but kind of grumpy. I thought the romantic relationship between the two was very cute, Murphy suffered a disappointment in his career and is trying to recover, but instead of being welcomed in the family, she is struck by the cold attitude of his father and even of her older brother. Even Wes sometimes has a shitty attitude because he wants to keep her at a distance, but I still didn't like the way he behaved even though I understood his reasons. In the end, I liked the book, it was romantic and I appreciated the fact that the two protagonists managed to find in each other reasons to move on and progress, but I wanting maybe more romance.

From the moment Murphy and Wes met over a flat tire, I instantly wanted to know more about the newfound connection.

Wes is so tormented by his need to distance himself from Murphy, and you follow his journey and the challenges as their relationship develops along the way.

Murphy is facing issues and struggles to open up to anyone until she starts to really connect with Wes on a deeper level. Wes really starts to become her person well before the relationship really starts to blossom.

I really enjoyed this book and both the main characters. The setting of the scene was great, and the added family drama to the personal struggles was real and relatable. I love a book that does a great job at documenting the journey of a relationship, and the journey of Wes and Murphy was fantastic.

This was a cute book. A quick read that you could use as a palate cleanser. I didn’t feel like the characters had enough development. At the same time it felt like there were so many different story lines and so many questions were left unanswered. Does ever confront his dad? Does the relationship with the siblings get any better? Do they save the winery? It’s not something I would read again but it wasn’t terrible.

What a great story... I truly enjoyed this book! Wes and Murphy are written so well. From the beginning of the book, I was drawn in and needed to learn more about each character. The family dynamics and backstories drew me in, and I couldn't wait to read the next page!

Wes and Murphy are both struggling to find their footing after major disappointments derailed their dream careers — her as a singer/songwriter, and him as a celebrity chef. Instant chemistry is immediately chased by the startling realization that she is his boss' sister. Ultimately, the potential impropriety is the least of each character's worries as they navigate the challenges of opening a restaurant on a family vineyard and plotting new goals on such tenuous foundations.

This novel, written in the leisurely pace of so many small-town stories, builds just the right amount of tension between characters with a few little plot twists tossed in for flavor. I found myself underlining words of wisdom the characters relayed to each other, and I enjoyed each character's personal development almost as much as the romance storyline.

Spice: 3 out of 5
Overall rating: 4 out of 5
Tropes: Small town, boss-employee, secret romance, anxiety representation

I absolutely loved this, Meredith and Jillian put together a wonderful story, full of love, compassion, compromise, dreams and family!
Wes and Murphy’s story is one of a kind, they each have dreams and as the story develops you just can’t wait for them to end up together.
From the first pages it will fill you up with more than you are bargaining for and it will not disappoint you!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book early!

Small town is one of my favourite types of romance and this had so many of the small town elements I look forward to reading!

I really enjoyed the way that Murphy and Wes helped each other through difficult situations and supported one another even after a rocky start!

The story was wholesome and I loved both Wes and Murphy, I’m excited to see who’s book is next!

I really enjoyed this!

It’s about two people starting over and finding acceptance in each other. It’s got small town, grumpy x sunshine, and overcoming struggles. I think the romance worked really well and I truly rooted for the main characters.

I think the pacing could have been better but otherwise I this was a good read!

Perfectly enjoyable read. Nothing spectacular. But the audience for this type of romance novel is likely not looking for anyone to reinvent the wheel.

The characters fell a little flat for me, even with some of my favorite tropes like grumpy/sunshine and boss/employee. There was not enough of the steamy banter that usually comes with those types of relationships for me to fully buy it.

I did adore the setting however and I thought there was a lot that could have been cultivated and developed about the FMC that was sort of left on the table. But I think it’s great for what it is and it gets the job done.

I can’t even express how much I love the chemistry between Murphy and Wes. They were just so adorable and sexy, and I especially loved how Wes sees Murphy in a way that no one else in the town or even her own family sees her.

This romance book had some of my absolutely favourite tropes. I really enjoyed Wes’ character especially and how he was Murphy’s boss. I loved the whole grumpy persona that Wes had and how Murphy was his ray of sunshine. To me, this book just felt a bit short. It felt as if more character development and relationship development was needed as I am not convinced that they would stay together forever. Overall, a quick and easy read and if you want a cheesy romance story, this book is for you.

I really enjoyed this book! For me it was the perfect pace and kept me interested the whole time! Loved alllllll the characters. Thanks Netgalley and to the publisher.