SO IN LOVE (Ribbon Ridge: Love on the Vine #3) by Darcy Burke-Review, Excerpt and Giveaway
SO IN LOVE
Ribbon Ridge: Love on the Vine #3
by Darcy Burke
Release Date: August 25, 2017
Genre: adult,contemporary, erotic, romance
Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / itunes
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 25, 2017
After a hot hook-up on New Year’s Eve, Crystal Donovan plans to avoid Jamie Westcott, which could be difficult, given the size of Ribbon Ridge. But she’s only there a few days doing research on the town’s history then it’s back to her glam life in LA. When his family holds the key to unraveling a century-old mystery she has to seek him out—and the sparks are still flying.
Jamie Westcott works his ass off to repay his college loans, which doesn’t leave much time for other commitments. Crystal’s a perfect fling: she’s fun and sexy and, best of all, they have little in common and she lives somewhere else. Only, the more time they spend together the closer they get, despite their intent to keep things casual.
When everyone learns Crystal sold a screenplay exposing the dark secrets of Ribbon Ridge—and Jamie’s family—she becomes the town pariah. Jamie won’t leave and Crystal can’t stay—can love show them another way?
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REVIEW: SO IN LOVE is the third and final installment in Darcy Burke’s contemporary, adult LOVE ON THE VINE erotic, romance series focusing on the Westcott brothers of Ribbon Ridge. This is twenty seven year old, economics graduate and vintner Jamie Westcott, and thirty two year old, PA/ budding screen writer Crystal Donovan’s story line. The LOVE ON THE VINE series is a spin off from Burke’s Ribbon Ridge series. We were first introduced to Jamie and his brothers (Cameron and Luke) in You’re Still the One (Ribbon Ridge #6). You do not have to read the original series to follow the premise of SO IN LOVE but I recommend reading You’re Still the One for some backstory about the brothers and their new winery business.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Jamie and Crystal) SO IN LOVE follows the building relationship between vintner Jamie Westcott, and PA Crystal Donovan-a relationship that began with a New Year’s Eve one-night stand, and Crystal’s reluctance to get involved with a man five years her junior. Ribbon Ridge is a small town where everyone is connected through family or friendship, and Crystal’s connections to Ribbon Ridge place our heroine on the committee researching the historical significance of the small town she has yet to call home. While Jamie Westcott intends to pursue Crystal Donovan for something more than a one-night stand, Crystal uncovers some disturbing history that places Jamie’s family in the middle of a controversial era in the settling of Ribbon Ridge. What ensues is the growing love between Crystal and Jamie, and the fall out as more of Jamie’s family history comes to light.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Luke and Kelsey (So Right #2), and Cameron and his wife Brooke (So Good #1), both Jamie and Crystal’s parents and siblings, Crystal’s best friend Alaina Pierce (The Idea of You /Ribbon Ridge #4), as well as a large number of the Archer clan from the original Ribbon Ridge Series.
The relationship between Crystal and Jamie is one of immediate attraction but Crystal struggles with the five-year age difference, as well as the possibility of a long-distance relationship that is rarely successful. Jamie’s personal life is shrouded in rejection and loss; Crystal struggles with memories from the past, and a history she is reluctant to reveal. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and passionate.
SO IN LOVE is a timely, story of controversy that somewhat mirrors the political and volatile unrest in today’s American society. While our heroine uncovers a dark and violent past in Ribbon Ridge’s history, the connections to our story line hero are personal and potentially embarrassing to the people he loves. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the characters are spirited and encouraging; the romance is challenging and intense. SO IN LOVE is a revealing and surprising conclusion to Darcy Burke’s LOVE ON THE VINE series.
Reading Order and Previous Reviews
So Good
So Right
So In Love
Copy supplied by Netgalley for review
Reviewed by Sandy
“Never have I ever been to a party with Prince Harry.” He drank.
She pulled her feet down and sat straight up, leaning forward, in one fluid, whiplash movement. “Shut. Up.”
“Well, not with him, but I met him. Nice bloke.”
“Okay, that is way better than any famous person I’ve met.” Her gaze softened. “Is he as tall and gorgeous as I think?”
Jamie chuckled. “I have no idea. How tall and gorgeous do you think he is?”
“Super gorgeous.” She slid him a glance that clearly said, “duh.” Propping her feet back up, she settled into the couch once more. “And he’s six inches taller than me. And nine months older. In other words, we’d be perfect for each other.” She sent him another look, this one full of self-mockery. “I’ve been planning our wedding since I was ten. Just ask Alaina.”
“Well, it seems you ought to meet him then.”
She bolted upright again. “You could make that happen?”
“Probably not. Sorry. Anyway, I think he has a girlfriend now.”
She slouched back with a dejected sigh. “I know.”
“I’m six-one,” Jamie said, recalling the prince was maybe the same height or just slightly taller. “Not nearly as good looking though.”
Crystal tipped her head to the side and studied him. “You’re no Prince Harry, but you’re cute.”
“I’ll take that. Your turn.”
“Let’s see… Never have I ever made out with a celebrity.” This time she took a drink.
“You going to kiss and tell?” When she shook her head, he prodded for more information. “Just making out?”
She peered at him over the top of her glass. “How naughty do you want to take this game?”
Her sultry look heated his body once more. “If you recall, I was all for the stripping part. In fact, there’s been a disappointing lack of that.”
A smile teased her lips. “I see. Honestly, if it wasn’t so cold out, I’d suggest a dip in the hot tub. I think that’s uncovered at least.”
“Can it be too cold if the water is over a hundred degrees?”
“Good point. But I don’t have a suit.”
“Neither do I. Never have I ever gone skinny dipping.” He sipped his beer. “In a hot tub.” He drank again. “With a hot blonde.” This time he didn’t drink but simply stared at her in open invitation.
“She pulled her feet from the table and rose from the couch. “There are towels in the locker room. Give me a head start.”
Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, and three Bengal cats. Visit Darcy online at www.darcyburke.com and sign up for her newsletter, follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans.
Connect:
Site: www.darcyburke.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans
Twitter: twitter.com/darcyburke
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/5823441.Darcy_Burke
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Great review, Sandy. Sounds like a good series.
wonderful review, sandy. i love the sound of this book.
Thanks for the fantastic review. congrats to Darxy on the new release.?
Excellent review, thanks Sandy.
Another great review,thanks Sandy.
Wonderful review, thanks Sandy. Looks like a great series.
Terrific review, Sandy. Looks very good.
Very nicereview. Looks like a great series