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leasummer's review against another edition
3.0
It was better than 3 stars but not really 4. I liked Lexi's story, but it got a little too neat after about the half way point. Her and Marc struggle but then it's just okay, and once they have sex, they're insatiable, which hurts the plot I felt. The story seemed to drag on at points, maybe due to the predictable nature of the story, I kept thinking get on with it already. But the writing was good and they characters - sans Jeffery - were likable.
desertlover's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Lexie and Marc's story. I enjoyed getting more of a feel for the dreamy setting and characters.
I can't seem to stop reading this series.
I can't seem to stop reading this series.
osmarabarrera's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jen286's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland
I'm really enjoying reading through Marina Adair's books! They are all so hot and sweet and fun and wonderful. I'm so glad I found her!
Lexi grew up in St Helena, but then moved away to follow her then boyfriend to school and start her life with him. She got married, they opened a restaurant, everything was great until it wasn't. Until she found him cheating on her. Until she got divorced and he got the restaurant. So now she is back in St Helena a bit embarrassed and trying to get back on her feet. She did always want to work with her grandmother and turn her bakery into a bistro and now she can. If only she can make it work.
Marco is best friends with Jeff, Lexi's now ex-husband. He has always like Lexi, was in love with her in high school, but she was his best friends girl so off limits. She still is, only now she is single, in town, and he can't seem to stay away. Lexi's grandmother keeps setting her up with dates - someone different for breakfast lunch and dinner it seems. It is a bit overwhelming and she can't seem to turn them down. As Marco and Lexi grow closer they come up with a great idea to pretend to date so she can easily get out of her grandmother's setups. Only...things don't seem to stay pretend for very long.
These two were great. Marco is a good friend, was always a good friend, and now? Now he is starting to realize maybe he doesn't really know his friend Jeff as well as he did. Maybe he can really have something with Lexi, the girl he has always wanted. Oh, it was fun. And hot! Phew! The chemistry was there right from the start. It was so much fun to read.
I'm really enjoying reading through Marina Adair's books! They are all so hot and sweet and fun and wonderful. I'm so glad I found her!
Lexi grew up in St Helena, but then moved away to follow her then boyfriend to school and start her life with him. She got married, they opened a restaurant, everything was great until it wasn't. Until she found him cheating on her. Until she got divorced and he got the restaurant. So now she is back in St Helena a bit embarrassed and trying to get back on her feet. She did always want to work with her grandmother and turn her bakery into a bistro and now she can. If only she can make it work.
Marco is best friends with Jeff, Lexi's now ex-husband. He has always like Lexi, was in love with her in high school, but she was his best friends girl so off limits. She still is, only now she is single, in town, and he can't seem to stay away. Lexi's grandmother keeps setting her up with dates - someone different for breakfast lunch and dinner it seems. It is a bit overwhelming and she can't seem to turn them down. As Marco and Lexi grow closer they come up with a great idea to pretend to date so she can easily get out of her grandmother's setups. Only...things don't seem to stay pretend for very long.
These two were great. Marco is a good friend, was always a good friend, and now? Now he is starting to realize maybe he doesn't really know his friend Jeff as well as he did. Maybe he can really have something with Lexi, the girl he has always wanted. Oh, it was fun. And hot! Phew! The chemistry was there right from the start. It was so much fun to read.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
Good starting over/friends to lovers story. Lexie grew up in St. Helena and dreamed of turning her grandmother's bakery into a bistro. Instead, she followed her high school sweetheart to New York, where they opened their restaurant, Pairings. But somehow, all the things she wanted took second place to Jeff's plans, until the day she found him indulging in his own pairings with her sous-chef. Now she's back home, ready to follow her long-delayed dreams. Only it hasn't started out the way she planned.
If it weren't for bad luck, Lexi would have no luck at all. From her late night arrival and sneaking into the apartment over the bakery, to locking herself out on her way to get her suitcase from her car, she has a rough morning. Then she gets stuck in the window of the bakery as she tries to sneak in without being spotted by anyone out on the street, only to be discovered by Marco DeLuca, her ex-husband's best friend and currently the last person she wants to see.
Marc had been looking forward to Lexi's arrival, even though he shouldn't. He's been crushing on her since he was fourteen, but his buddy Jeff asked her out before he could. Now, the "bro-code" says you don't poach your friend's girl, even after they've broken up, but his heart isn't listening.
I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Marc and Lexi had been friends for a long time, except for the period since the divorce. Marc had been unable to figure out what to say to Lexie, and as a result said nothing, leaving her feeling hurt. Now that she's back in town, he has a chance to make it up to her. He begins by trying to be just the friend and supporter that she needs, but his attraction to her keeps growing. I loved his inner conversations as he reminds himself over and over that she's off limits, only to forget everything the minute he's with her. Lexi doesn't want to get involved with anyone right now; she just wants to concentrate on her plans. Unfortunately, her grandmother has a bazillion dates already lined up for her, plus she's trying to fight the crazy things she feels around Marc.
I loved their interactions. Lexi has seen Marc as a player all these years. He's well-known for the variety and short tenure of his women. She gives him a hard time about his current problem, even as she tries to help him. Marc may be a player, but with Lexie, he is completely different. I loved how closely he watched her and saw her struggles. Jeff's actions had done a number on her self-confidence, but Marc had an unexpected sensitivity and seemed to know just what to say or do to give her the boost she needed. He also could think on his feet and came up with a brilliant idea - a faux romance to get her grandmother to lay off the matchmaking and protect him from his more aggressive pursuers. It wasn't long before the "faux" was dropped from the romance, as they began to drop their guards. Marc also has to deal with his reputation within his own family. Because of his actions after the deaths of their parents, his siblings still look at him as the family screw-up. However, he has worked hard to make his hotel a success, and Lexi recognizes that immediately. I loved the way that she gave him the same belief and support that he gave her.
There is also a lot going on around them. The town is getting ready for the Great Wine Showdown, a huge event. Marc has stuck his neck way out in using his recently renovated hotel as the site. There are many issues creating headaches for him. The longstanding feud between the DeLucas and the Baudouins threatens the wine-tasting itself. Marc's brothers are constantly on his case about one thing or another. Marc's sister Abby is running newspaper ads about her "missing Dick" of a husband, the battle for the caterer has come down to Lexi versus the woman who wants Marc for her own, and Marc is keeping a huge secret from Lexi. I loved the small town politics and personalities that brought all of this to life. The grandmothers were a hoot with their mix of modern and traditional values. I loved the food showdown between Lexi and Natasha, as Lexi strives to regain her mojo when it comes to unique dishes.
The biggest obstacle is one that Lexie knows nothing about, except for the jerking around she's been getting from Jeff. He is a man I detested from the get-go. His treatment of Lexi during and after the divorce is scum-of-the-earth worthy, as he made it impossible for her to use the recipes she developed for Pairings in her new place. Jeff has also been lying like a rug to Marc to gain his cooperation for his expansion plans - plans that once again will stick it to Lexie. Unfortunately, Marc doesn't figure this out until he's in deep with Lexie, and then he doesn't know how to fix it. I ached for Lexie when she found out, as her feelings of betrayal nearly leveled her. I loved the support she got from her friend Abby, and how she picked herself up yet again and went on. I ached for Marc too, as he realized just how badly he had screwed up. Though he can have major problems with his brothers, when the chips are down, they are there to support him when he needs it. I loved Gabe's comment "you don't fuck with our family, our wine, or our women." Marc's "go big" moment at the end is amazing, and he comes through for Lexie in a big way.
This was my first book by this author, but it won't be my last. Her other books are now on my "plan to read" list. I'm especially looking forward to reading Frankie and Nate's book.
If it weren't for bad luck, Lexi would have no luck at all. From her late night arrival and sneaking into the apartment over the bakery, to locking herself out on her way to get her suitcase from her car, she has a rough morning. Then she gets stuck in the window of the bakery as she tries to sneak in without being spotted by anyone out on the street, only to be discovered by Marco DeLuca, her ex-husband's best friend and currently the last person she wants to see.
Marc had been looking forward to Lexi's arrival, even though he shouldn't. He's been crushing on her since he was fourteen, but his buddy Jeff asked her out before he could. Now, the "bro-code" says you don't poach your friend's girl, even after they've broken up, but his heart isn't listening.
I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Marc and Lexi had been friends for a long time, except for the period since the divorce. Marc had been unable to figure out what to say to Lexie, and as a result said nothing, leaving her feeling hurt. Now that she's back in town, he has a chance to make it up to her. He begins by trying to be just the friend and supporter that she needs, but his attraction to her keeps growing. I loved his inner conversations as he reminds himself over and over that she's off limits, only to forget everything the minute he's with her. Lexi doesn't want to get involved with anyone right now; she just wants to concentrate on her plans. Unfortunately, her grandmother has a bazillion dates already lined up for her, plus she's trying to fight the crazy things she feels around Marc.
I loved their interactions. Lexi has seen Marc as a player all these years. He's well-known for the variety and short tenure of his women. She gives him a hard time about his current problem, even as she tries to help him. Marc may be a player, but with Lexie, he is completely different. I loved how closely he watched her and saw her struggles. Jeff's actions had done a number on her self-confidence, but Marc had an unexpected sensitivity and seemed to know just what to say or do to give her the boost she needed. He also could think on his feet and came up with a brilliant idea - a faux romance to get her grandmother to lay off the matchmaking and protect him from his more aggressive pursuers. It wasn't long before the "faux" was dropped from the romance, as they began to drop their guards. Marc also has to deal with his reputation within his own family. Because of his actions after the deaths of their parents, his siblings still look at him as the family screw-up. However, he has worked hard to make his hotel a success, and Lexi recognizes that immediately. I loved the way that she gave him the same belief and support that he gave her.
There is also a lot going on around them. The town is getting ready for the Great Wine Showdown, a huge event. Marc has stuck his neck way out in using his recently renovated hotel as the site. There are many issues creating headaches for him. The longstanding feud between the DeLucas and the Baudouins threatens the wine-tasting itself. Marc's brothers are constantly on his case about one thing or another. Marc's sister Abby is running newspaper ads about her "missing Dick" of a husband, the battle for the caterer has come down to Lexi versus the woman who wants Marc for her own, and Marc is keeping a huge secret from Lexi. I loved the small town politics and personalities that brought all of this to life. The grandmothers were a hoot with their mix of modern and traditional values. I loved the food showdown between Lexi and Natasha, as Lexi strives to regain her mojo when it comes to unique dishes.
The biggest obstacle is one that Lexie knows nothing about, except for the jerking around she's been getting from Jeff. He is a man I detested from the get-go. His treatment of Lexi during and after the divorce is scum-of-the-earth worthy, as he made it impossible for her to use the recipes she developed for Pairings in her new place. Jeff has also been lying like a rug to Marc to gain his cooperation for his expansion plans - plans that once again will stick it to Lexie. Unfortunately, Marc doesn't figure this out until he's in deep with Lexie, and then he doesn't know how to fix it. I ached for Lexie when she found out, as her feelings of betrayal nearly leveled her. I loved the support she got from her friend Abby, and how she picked herself up yet again and went on. I ached for Marc too, as he realized just how badly he had screwed up. Though he can have major problems with his brothers, when the chips are down, they are there to support him when he needs it. I loved Gabe's comment "you don't fuck with our family, our wine, or our women." Marc's "go big" moment at the end is amazing, and he comes through for Lexie in a big way.
This was my first book by this author, but it won't be my last. Her other books are now on my "plan to read" list. I'm especially looking forward to reading Frankie and Nate's book.
melbell's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
Marina Adair’s Summer in Napa is a cute and witty friends to lovers novel. This second installment of the St. Helena Vineyard series starring the DeLuca family is a slow burning love story that is sure to delight fans of contemporary romances. Please click HERE to read my review in its entirety.
emily0613's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, I had never heard of this series or Marina Adair before winning this book from the goodreads giveaway and I am so glad that I won this book. Contemporary romance is my favorite genre and this is one of the best books that I have read. I loved Marco and Lexi and really hope to see more from them in future book. I can't wait to read Autumn in the Vineyard and I am also going back to read Kissing under the Mistletoe to read about Gabe. I really recommend this book for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.
xakyr's review against another edition
5.0
This book was another surprisingly good read! We get updates on our characters from [b:Kissing Under the Mistletoe|16033387|Kissing Under the Mistletoe (St. Helena Vineyard, #1)|Marina Adair|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347978673s/16033387.jpg|21804474], but Marco also gets his own story. I found myself laughing quite a bit at Lexi's antics in the story, and was able to finish this story in one day, that's how much I was invested in the story. Ms. Adair's writing really draws the reader in, and the characters are easy to relate to. I will be seeking out her other series and waiting anxiously for the next book in this series!
hongim's review against another edition
5.0
I really love this series. It is very heartwarming, funny and just a great read. A fun escape. So glad I read it.