A review by just_one_more_paige
Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory

emotional lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 
I always know that when I want a good contemporary romance escape, Jasmine Guillory has got me! I’m behind (and a little all over the place) on her “The Wedding Date” series, but I thought both The Wedding Date and Royal Holiday were great. This one is her most recently (just) published work, a standalone, but was quickly added to the top of my TBR because, with family that works at wineries, the setting was just one of those “I have to read this one” situations. 
 
Margot Noble co-owns and runs the business side of her family winery, along side her brother (Elliot) who handles the actual wine making. She’s been working super hard to get the winery more press and reach and, honestly, could use a night off. Luke Williams just quit his high-profile tech job and moved back to Napa to help a childhood friend while he figures some stuff out for himself. He picks up a job at a local winery to give him something to do while he’s there. On Margot’s big night off and the night before Luke’s first day, the two meet at a bar and have a fireworks-level one night stand. So, when Luke shows up at work the next morning an Margot realizes her new employee is none other than the guy whose apartment she left that morning…things get complicated, emotional, tense, and as time goes by, realllllly spicy. 
 
Well, Guillory delivers again. This was just a super fun romance to read. It jumps right in with the steamy scenes at the beginning. And then the wait as we build to the next ones is perfectly tense and well worth the wait when Margot and Luke finally get together again. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Guillory has a way with writing sex scenes that are hot and not at all cringey…it’s a real skill. Anyways, Margot and Luke have great chemistry, not just physically, but emotionally as well. Luke feels so perfect (at least to me, haha), like thoughtful and nerdy and responsive, and it fits nicely, since he is a bit younger than Margot and that maturity feels like a requirement to make this relationship a believable success. 
 
They each had their own issues (the imposter syndromes and insecurities and internal second-guessing, for very different reasons, but very similar in vibe regardless) at their jobs/in their lives. These troubles felt very authentic and recognizable to me, and they did cause them to make questionable decisions that challenged their connection with each other. And yet, I truly appreciated that they never quibbled over talking straight when conversations about their feelings for each other came up. As a more seasoned reader of romance now, I prefer these more mature relationship realities, versus the contrived conflicts that often rise from lack of or miscommunication with each other. I mean, yes, there were some small secrets, but at the end, they were accidental and more an issue due to each needing to deal with their own stuff and less to do with each other. Plus, the “third act break” was short and more a reasonable argument than a full on break up/get back together trope. So yea, I was here for that.       
 
Like I said, I thought this was an entertaining, well written and wonderfully steamy romance. Super fun with my (limited/second-hand) wine industry knowledge – some of the common happenings and customer stories are definitely familiar and that’s always fun. Both Margot and Luke were solidly developed separately and together, their need to prove themselves at work (for externally motivated reasons) is something I really identify with, and their maturity levels (while still being vulnerable and emotional) definitely felt genuine. Rock solid work from Guillory; I for sure recommend this one. 
 
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