So Good: A Ribbon Ridge Novel (Love on the Vine Book 1)
Publication Date: September 6, 2016
Contemporary Romance
Self-Published

Reviewed by Kini

Blurb

Cameron Westcott has spent eight years recovering from heartbreak by keeping romantic entanglements casual and simple. He’s never minded being called a player, but after two years immersing himself in his new winery, he might be ready for the next chapter. Especially when he meets a sexy wine distributor-only she says she isn’t interested.

Following a bitter divorce, Brooke Ellis relocated to Ribbon Ridge to rebuild her life. Things will never be the same for her, and she’s coming to terms with that reality when she meets charming, persistent Cam. She can’t imagine a happy ever after given his reputation, but he makes her feel so good.

As the sparks between them intensify, they’re both hesitant to commit for very different reasons. Or are they really just sabotaging their own futures? If they can trust each other—and themselves-they may realize that what they share is too good to let slip away.

I was interested in this book because I do enjoy the player trope, where the hero is already on his way to deciding that he’s over it or he meets a woman that brings him to his knees and his player days are now over. This author is new to me, so I thought I would give it a try. I was not impressed.

The plot itself was so-so, Cam was hurt by a previous girlfriend eight years ago so he has been staying away from serious dating since then. Brooke was previously married but her husband cheated on her and she divorced him. Cam and Brooke meet because they both work in the wine industry. They are both attracted to each other and attempt some sort of a relationship while working together. That part had potential but for me, got overshadowed by everything else.

It is clear that this book is an introductory book in a series, as there are a crap ton of characters introduced, Cam has three brothers, two of whom are bachelors, he works with several of his best friends. Brooke’s best friends are kind of the worst and she distances herself from them, but makes friends with like 4 other women in the town of Ribbon Ridge. Brooke also has two sisters. And all these people were weirdly invested in Cam and Brooke dating. As if their lives weren’t complete without a man/women in them.

Cam and Brooke are relationship idiots, there was far too much back and forth, will they or won’t they for my like. Additionally they are both stubborn and jump to conclusions, a lot. Rhonda was a great voice of reason and possibly the best thing about this book. Rhonda was a great sister and called Brooke out for her ways a few times. Rhonda to Brooke,

“Sometimes I think you like to wallow in your circumstances.”

And an exchange text exchange between Brooke and Rhonda – although it includes a spoiler

[spoiler]“Brooke: If you’re asking whether I told him about my infertility, no. I told him we were a dead end. And we are.

Rhonda: So you didn’t trust him with the facts and give him a chance to decide for himself?”

[/spoiler]

I found this book boring and too heavy on the world building of Ribbon Ridge and its inhabitants. Both main characters annoyed me and their behavior was more on target with characters in an NA book. I am not interested in reading any further stories in this series.

Grade: D

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