I loved this book! It was a phenomenal exposure to the authors' writing. The tension with the best friend's brother trope was so good. Plus her deadline to leave the town? It was just incredible!

I look at you and I'm home. You are the other half of me.

Sweet Escape is a story of romance at it's finest. It is immediate mutual attraction for Memphis and Vivian. Memphis was stunned when he first met the feisty Vivian. He had never felt so drawn to a woman like he did with Vivian for a very long time, if ever. Their flirtatious banter back and forth started what was to be an amazing bit of fun. It turned out to be much more.

They are so different from each other. Memphis all business, no nonsense and focused. Whereas Vivian was more easy going and relaxed. This contrast seems to be the key that has them being just right for each other. There are ups and downs as they try to navigate coming to terms with how they really feel about each other. If you enjoy romance, lots of laughter and some spice, Sweet Escape is for you.

I wanted to love this because I really like both of these authors but it fell flat for me. I love the blurb and story concept but I feel like it was too slow in spots.

Sweet Escape by Meredith Wild and Jillian Liota is the 2nd book in the Hawthorne Vines series and I found it to be just as enjoyable as the 1st book, Bitter Truth. Again, it’s set in wine country and focuses this time on Memphis, Murphy’s brother that we were introduced to in the first book. The whole wine country atmosphere makes this story a truly unforgettable experience for the reader. I enjoyed revisiting Wes and Murphy, as well as several secondary characters that really bring out the emotional depth of this entire series. Memphis and Vivian both have their own set of issues they’re dealing with and together their slow, very enjoyable, romantic journey gave me tons of feels. All these characters really make this a heartwarming, heartbreaking, thought-provoking story that reminds you that "Love, like wine, takes time to grow and flourish—but when it does, it’s worth every drop." I’m really looking forward to reaching Micah’s story! I’m grateful to have been given an opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this book for NetGalley.

This is a new author for me but I’ve enjoyed this taste of her voice. Characters are solid, could use more originality or depth. Plot was promising and intriguing, could be refined a bit more. Romance was a balance of emotional and realistic! This was a beautiful book! Looking forward to more!

I am so in love with this series. I read the first book, and thought that this can not get any better. But I was wrong! I fell in love with Memphis myself! I love how much angst the authors produced. I wish that a third book in the series follows with the story of Micah!

The beginning of the book reminds me of Casablanca where the famous line, "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine". Only it is a winery and a Restaurant and wine bar. There is an attraction between Memphis and Vivian, until his younger sister arrives and they discover who each other really is. Memphis is the older brother, Vivian is his little sister's best friend. The attraction is palpable, but each feels it is in a zone where neither can cross. Vivian has sworn off meaningful relationships and Memphis is the ultimate bachelor. Will the heat each one feel for the other melt the ice walls they both put up? To complicate things, geography offers a sink hole of distance. He is tethered to the winery and her job is in L.A . as a singer/song writer causes speed bumps in their journey. How will they make it work? Is there a possible resolution where neither needs to make an ultimate choice? This is a well written book and as an avid reader of these wonderful authors, I highly recommend all to read this.

It had potential with its broody vineyard owner and sassy songwriter pairing, but it didn’t deliver for me. Memphis was one-note with his endless vineyard struggles, and Vivian’s initial rudeness felt forced before she quickly flipped to "let’s hook up for inspiration." Their chemistry was flat, and the romance leaned too heavily on lackluster physical attraction.

The small-town vineyard setting and side characters, like Murphy, added some charm, but I skimmed most of it. Predictable plot, minimal spark—overall, it wasn’t for me. Here’s hoping Murphy’s story is better!

#SweetEscapeHawthorneVines #NetGalley

If you enjoy small town settings and the enemies to lovers trope this book might be for you. However, I had to DNF it at about 45%. There was just too much unnecessary detail that made the pacing feel slow and dragged the story down. It ended up boring me rather than drawing me in. I also struggled to connect with the characters, they irritated me at times, which made it hard to care about their romance.

I really loved this romance, and can't wait to go back to the first book in this series so I can experience another romance in this world. The first thing I noticed in this book is that the physical connection between Memphis and Vivian is what drew them together before any emotional connection formed. That would usually be a red flag in a romance (unless I'm reading erotic romances), but I liked that they really acknowledged it in this book and we got to see them develop a really genuine friendship as they were exploring their sexual relationship. It made the romance truly believable because that friendship was prioritised. The other main aspect to this story is definitely family dynamics, and predominantly the issues that would've been covered in the first book between Murphy, Memphis, Micah and their father. There were definitely feelings of abandonment and neglect from their father that took precedent in Memphis' character development, and it was interesting to see him explore those feelings and slowly realise this responsibility he felt for his entire family wasn't something he needed to bare on his own. For Vivian, she had this slightly more understated storyline of not being able to let anyone past her walls, but that only really came up towards the end of the story, despite the majority of the story being from her POV. I enjoyed seeing her explore her music and her muse, and it was really great to see a strong female character prioritising herself and her career. The only thing that potentially took this book down from five stars was that I think there was something not quite right with the pacing. There were a few moments in the middle that did feel like they were dragging and my interest did wane a little, so I think it would've been helped if there was a larger plot threaded into the story to keep the pace going, outside of the issues with keeping the vineyard running. But I think that's my only criticism of a romance I really truly enjoyed. I can't wait to read Murphy and Wes' story, as well as Micah's, when the time comes!

thank you net galley for the arc.this book follows two characters who each have there own personal struggles..this story has a good balance of emotion, and steam.i do like that it set in a vineyard.memphis and vivian journey is a real emotional ride ,but a great romance over all.

When Vivian needs to escape from her normal life she finds herself at her best friends family vineyard to regroup. She never expected to love the town or the vineyard or even think she’d be attracted to her bffs brother. Yet here she is finding herself distracted in the worst way. Vivian knows she needs to finish her album, stay on track and not let the small town life suck her in.

I throughly enjoyed this read. A little bit too instant love for me, but I love the dynamic of Vivian and Memphis. Absolutely sucked me in and leaving me wanting more. Especially wanting Murphy’s story.

Singer-songwriter Vivian escapes to the family vineyard of her bff to regroup. When her mutual attraction to her best friend's brother leads to several nights of passion, they are both unsure what happens next. When it's time for Vivian then return to her life, they both must confront their feelings.

2⭐

Tropes: best friend's brother, enemies to lovers(?), one night stand

Blurb: Vivian joins her best friend back at her family vineyard after a betrayal from her boyfriend. She meets Memphis, the vineyard owner, with whom she has instant attraction, until she realizes he is her best friend's evil brother.

What I disliked about this book was that I feel like most of this book, the main characters seem to have forced chemistry. They get into a no-strings attached relationship for mutual benefit, mainly for Vivian to regain inspiration for song-writing and that's about it. It was weird how she immediately hated him after realizing he's Murphy's brother, despite that Murphy and Memphis get along well now. The hate she had for him was so strong, but it made no sense. Even less sense that she was okay to have sex with him, despite how much she hates him. So confusing.

I think I liked Bitter Truth more but this one missed the mark for me.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

You're an Excel spreadsheet, she's a watercolor painting.
This was an utterly delightful read. A perfect blend of swoon, chemistry, spice, well rounded and developed characters. Exactly what you want in a light and easy romance read. Like most people Memphis didn't have a life outside of work. Great to see that portrayed in a romance novel.
Vivian and Memphis are easy to love.

Sweet Escape is an enemies-to-lovers, one night that turns into more, family saga, upcoming star is born kind of book. There's a lot going on and I liked the characters and specifically Vivian and Memphis's journey. I did find at times that I skimmed to the good stuff, but the authors did create a vivid back drop and I could see it all and feel a part of the scenery. I love the sibling dynamic and I'm curious about Murphy and her story and what I hope will be Micah's story in the next book.

Loved reading the engaging and amazing romance story. Vivian comes to town for a short break, reconnects with her best friend, Murphy, and spends unforgettable passionate nights with Murphy's brother, Memphis. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting love story by the fabulous duo authors, Meredith Wild and Jillian Liota.

One night stand turned relationship with serious sass. I'm not really sure this is my thing but it was a quick read.

thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review ✨

Vivian is a singer / songwriter who has travelled to Rosewood for some song inspiration and to see her best friend at her family’s vineyard. Memphis is trying to resurrect his family vineyard, feeling the weight of generations of Hawthornes counting on him to pull the vineyard into financial stability. Memphis has no time for the beautiful and sassy Vivian, but Vivian persuades him into a physical agreement in order to keep her creative juices flowing.

honestly? this book bored me. there was soooooooo much talk about the vineyard and Memphis’ struggles at running it and bringing the business to a good place financially and the fact the vineyard has been in the family for generations and the first born son always inherits the vineyard blah blah blah blah blah 😑 there was nothing else of substance to Memphis as a character and it quickly became painful to read.

Vivian initially just irritated me, her immediate dislike and rudeness to Memphis for absolutely no reason was completely childish and unfounded. she very quickly got over it and under him and continued to get under him for the sake of her song writing and good orgasms. there was next to no chemistry between Vivian and Memphis, it was all physical and even those scenes were quick, vanilla and boring.

the plot was predictable but some of the dialogue created the occasional redeeming spark but it didn’t last. maybe i’m biased as i tend to read more fantasy and dark romance, but it just bored me, i only finished it through pure stubborn determination for a No-DNF-vember 🤷🏻‍♀️

3.5 stars
Spicy!

This was a cute sweet story about a family vineyard changing hands to the next generation and a family friend finding her escape in the wine country small town after a bad breakup l.

I didn't realize this was second in a series when I started it and there were a few glaring indications of this. Some series can be started anywhere, I don't think this is one. The story was fine, but nothing ground breaking.

It was a sexy, break from reality that I don't regret.

Thanks to NetGalley, Montlake, Jillian Liota and Meredith Wild for this eARC!