angieinbooks's review against another edition
4.0
So I've finally caught up on Melissa Brayden's books and now have nothing new of hers to read until her next novel comes out. This is a pretty sad day for me, especially considering I read my first Brayden in September! Less than a year ago! But I couldn't help myself. I really couldn't. But now I have to wait until November! Waiting two weeks for this book to some out (after finally finishing all her other novels) was hard enough. Sigh.
Okay, enough about my emotional turmoil--which probably no one else cares about but me--and onto my thoughts on Entangled, the first book in Melissa Brayden's new series that takes place in and around a winery.
Joey Wilder has been around wine since she was born, and her family's winery, Tangle Valley--a relatively small but perennially award-winning operation in the idyllic town of Whisper Wall, Oregon--is her passion. But she didn't expect to have to run the winery at 30 years old. But Joey loves the land, she loves the wine, she loves the town, and she's determined to continue her family's legacy while also developing it into something more. Her first step is to bring back her childhood best friend, Madison, a quickly emerging star in winemaking circles to help her make the wine, and Madison's ex-girlfriend-turned-friend, Gabrielle, a chef looking for a new challenge. Her second step is to disrupt the success of the corporately-owned chain resort that's being built to overlook Tangle Valley.
Becca Crawford moves to Whisper Wall to become the general manager of The Jade, the resort that, according the the town's residents, is threatening the very existence of the community. Becca loves her job and she's quickly learning to love Whisper Wall and she's definitely interested in owner of Tangle Valley, but her connection to The Jade is getting in the way of community favor and it's most definitely a non-starter where Joey Wilder is concerned. It's a good thing Becca Crawford is charming and patient and just so nice because breaking down Joey's prejudice against The Jade and some other big stuff she's dealing with requires all of Becca's efforts.
This novel is Brayden at her best. The location is perfect for the series. The main characters have amazing chemistry and such great dialogue back and forth. The supporting characters bring so much to the table (and I can't wait to read Gabrielle and Madison's stories). And then there are those delicious easter eggs I love so much! The Brayden formula is in full effect and it works here. I find the "angst" completely believable and really well handled. But this book does what I think no other Brayden book has done and actually made me cry.
The book isn't perfect. And that's okay. My biggest issue is that I had trouble distinguishing the characters' voices. They all sounded pretty much the same, apart from Madison, but everyone is so fictionally charming, I didn't care all that much. I'm happy to live in Brayden's universe for as long as the books allow.
Now for that long wait until November...
Okay, enough about my emotional turmoil--which probably no one else cares about but me--and onto my thoughts on Entangled, the first book in Melissa Brayden's new series that takes place in and around a winery.
Joey Wilder has been around wine since she was born, and her family's winery, Tangle Valley--a relatively small but perennially award-winning operation in the idyllic town of Whisper Wall, Oregon--is her passion. But she didn't expect to have to run the winery at 30 years old. But Joey loves the land, she loves the wine, she loves the town, and she's determined to continue her family's legacy while also developing it into something more. Her first step is to bring back her childhood best friend, Madison, a quickly emerging star in winemaking circles to help her make the wine, and Madison's ex-girlfriend-turned-friend, Gabrielle, a chef looking for a new challenge. Her second step is to disrupt the success of the corporately-owned chain resort that's being built to overlook Tangle Valley.
Becca Crawford moves to Whisper Wall to become the general manager of The Jade, the resort that, according the the town's residents, is threatening the very existence of the community. Becca loves her job and she's quickly learning to love Whisper Wall and she's definitely interested in owner of Tangle Valley, but her connection to The Jade is getting in the way of community favor and it's most definitely a non-starter where Joey Wilder is concerned. It's a good thing Becca Crawford is charming and patient and just so nice because breaking down Joey's prejudice against The Jade and some other big stuff she's dealing with requires all of Becca's efforts.
This novel is Brayden at her best. The location is perfect for the series. The main characters have amazing chemistry and such great dialogue back and forth. The supporting characters bring so much to the table (and I can't wait to read Gabrielle and Madison's stories). And then there are those delicious easter eggs I love so much! The Brayden formula is in full effect and it works here. I find the "angst" completely believable and really well handled. But this book does what I think no other Brayden book has done and actually made me cry.
The book isn't perfect. And that's okay. My biggest issue is that I had trouble distinguishing the characters' voices. They all sounded pretty much the same, apart from Madison, but everyone is so fictionally charming, I didn't care all that much. I'm happy to live in Brayden's universe for as long as the books allow.
Now for that long wait until November...
netgyrl's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars - Looking forward to reading more in this series
Nice characters, a bit of non-relationship drama to spice things up. the Angst did not annoy me. Introduced to side characters that are interesting and pulled me into wanting to read their stories as well. Living on a vineyard sounds lovely. Cheers!
Nice characters, a bit of non-relationship drama to spice things up. the Angst did not annoy me. Introduced to side characters that are interesting and pulled me into wanting to read their stories as well. Living on a vineyard sounds lovely. Cheers!
rakhya's review against another edition
3.0
Entagled is a good romance read that does have its moments of fun. But when you've read Brayden's best works, even a book like this can fail to measure up to a reader's expectations.
This was the case for me here, as the characters and setting were interesting enough to keep me invested in the series but the pacing of the romance didn't work as well as in other books by Brayden.
This was the case for me here, as the characters and setting were interesting enough to keep me invested in the series but the pacing of the romance didn't work as well as in other books by Brayden.
hhushaw's review against another edition
4.0
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. I love Brayden, she is probably one of my favorite authors. This book did not disappoint, you are transformed into this amazing small town and winery and the people there. Brayden did a great job setting up a series as well as introducing us to Joey and Becca's romance. Amazing, I want the next book in the series now!
00leah00's review against another edition
4.0
“Entangled” is a sweet romance between Joey, a winery owner, and Becca, the general manager of a resort that’s going up next door. Many people have also labeled this as an enemies-to-lovers romance but I didn’t really see the “enemies” aspect.
Joey is very much opposed to the resort and what she’s afraid it will mean for a small wine town. Joey and Becca bicker a bit about it but it never goes into the enemy territory for me, which was a little disappointing because I love a good enemies-to-lovers trope. Saying that, this is still an excellent romance that’s definitely worth a read. But it’s a Brayden book so I don’t think there was ever any doubt about that.
This is the first in a trilogy and it spends some time introducing everyone. I also liked how Brayden took the time to really introduce the atmosphere of the town, Whisper Wall, and the people that live there. She’s very descriptive and it was easy to imagine the little shops like the Nifty Nickel and the Bacon and Biscuit Café. The townspeople were quirky and interesting and I’m looking forward to reading more about them.
Joey and Becca were sweet and lovely together, it was very easy to root for them. Joey has recently turned 30 and has a lot going on. She’s dealing with a tough loss and has to take over her family winery. She’s guarded with her heart after past heartbreak but she can’t stay away from Becca. Becca has recently moved to town as the general manager of a new resort that’s being built. She’s dealing with being very lonely in a new town and dealing with the townspeople being unhappy with the resort.
This had a very whimsical feel to me. It’s filled with lots of flirty and witty banter that I feel like is a staple of all Brayden books. There is some angst but everything felt natural. Nothing felt forced or there for the sake of drama.
Now on to Gabriella's story!
Joey is very much opposed to the resort and what she’s afraid it will mean for a small wine town. Joey and Becca bicker a bit about it but it never goes into the enemy territory for me, which was a little disappointing because I love a good enemies-to-lovers trope. Saying that, this is still an excellent romance that’s definitely worth a read. But it’s a Brayden book so I don’t think there was ever any doubt about that.
This is the first in a trilogy and it spends some time introducing everyone. I also liked how Brayden took the time to really introduce the atmosphere of the town, Whisper Wall, and the people that live there. She’s very descriptive and it was easy to imagine the little shops like the Nifty Nickel and the Bacon and Biscuit Café. The townspeople were quirky and interesting and I’m looking forward to reading more about them.
Joey and Becca were sweet and lovely together, it was very easy to root for them. Joey has recently turned 30 and has a lot going on. She’s dealing with a tough loss and has to take over her family winery. She’s guarded with her heart after past heartbreak but she can’t stay away from Becca. Becca has recently moved to town as the general manager of a new resort that’s being built. She’s dealing with being very lonely in a new town and dealing with the townspeople being unhappy with the resort.
This had a very whimsical feel to me. It’s filled with lots of flirty and witty banter that I feel like is a staple of all Brayden books. There is some angst but everything felt natural. Nothing felt forced or there for the sake of drama.
Now on to Gabriella's story!
youreadtoomuch's review against another edition
4.0
It's literally a perfect little romance. It never pretended to be anything but what it was, meet-cute, instant attraction, oh no! sworn enemies. The problems could have been fleshed out a bit more because when they came in they came in, it was train wreck after train wreck. But a lovely little book. Just two women falling in love.
heatherbookely's review against another edition
4.0
Another great Brayden. Romances set in a vineyard/winery/brewery are some of my favorites, and I'm excited that this is going to be a series. I loved the setting, obviously, and the great and not-so-great aspects of living in a small town. Strong characters as usual, great cast of secondary characters, lots of floopy romance feelings. (Very white and cis set of characters, but I'm used to that in Brayden's novels.)
Full warning, this book will make you want wine.
Full warning, this book will make you want wine.
m0thermayi's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars | Melissa Brayden did it again! Entangled is a great sapphic romance and the first book in Brayden’s new Tangle Valley series! I have always loved Brayden’s books. They’re sweet, cozy and her characters are always loveable.
When Joey and Becca meet, it’s pretty much love at first sight… But Joey hates the new elite resort they’re building in town and Becca just happens to be the head of said new resort. Afraid, the new hotel will take away the rustic charm of Tangle Valley, Joey refuses to see how beneficial the tourists visiting the new resort could be to her vineyard. Good thing Becca (and her newly adopted pup, Skywalker) doesn’t give up easily on what she wants.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming, small-town romance between two ladies with chemistry, Entangled is for you.
When Joey and Becca meet, it’s pretty much love at first sight… But Joey hates the new elite resort they’re building in town and Becca just happens to be the head of said new resort. Afraid, the new hotel will take away the rustic charm of Tangle Valley, Joey refuses to see how beneficial the tourists visiting the new resort could be to her vineyard. Good thing Becca (and her newly adopted pup, Skywalker) doesn’t give up easily on what she wants.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming, small-town romance between two ladies with chemistry, Entangled is for you.
aluhealz's review against another edition
3.0
I'm very firmly down the middle of the road with this one. It was good, but there wasn't anything about it that really made it stand out. The characters were likable, both the main and secondary ones. The story had a decent amount of drama as well, but everything felt just a bit too neat. The pacing flowed well, though for me personally everything happened a bit fast between the two main characters. I felt like there were a few moments of temporary drama that could have been built on more. It was overall not bad, just lacked something that could have pushed it over the edge.