Thursday 12 August 2021

πŸ’œ VINO & VERITAS #14 + #15 + #16 + #17 + #18 🏳️‍🌈 Small-Town M/M Standalones πŸ’œ

  ©  Bianca ✰ Janeane 



The New Vino & Veritas Series is a complete standalone series, but it is part of the new World of True North Series and slightly connected aka a spin-off to Sarina Bowen's True North Series!
So if you're weird like us - read Sarina's #Bittersweet first ☺




• Book #14 in the Vino & Veritas Series
 • 12 August 2021
• Standalone Sexy M/M Small-Town-Farm-Bookstore Romance

★★★★
4.25 Stars

A second chance at love? Or a second chance to ruin everything?

When Skyler spots the new bartender at Vino and Veritas, his body responds before the guy even turns around. But when he does, it takes only a heartbeat for recognition to set in and for sparks to fly. Judson’s been gone for ten years, but he’s the man Skyler never forgot. Or forgave.


The last place Judson wants to be is back home in Burlington, living with family. Not so long ago he was a world-class chef with the lifestyle to prove it. Now he’s serving drinks and flying under the radar until he can get the hell out again. But when his childhood best friend reenters his life, looking finer than any entree at a five-star restaurant, he wonders if it’s time to update his menu of life choices.


Working through past wounds with Skyler won’t be easy, though, especially with family obligations--and the occasional dairy cow--interfering. When their loyalty is tested, will their newly built stronghold be sturdy enough to withstand the storm?


Stronghold is a sweet and sexy Vino & Veritas romance with some creative use of maple syrup.




ARC received for an honest review
 
Yaaaasss more World of True North
 
Now,what is that Bon Jovi song - "Who Says You Can't Come Home".
 
That is delectable Judson's life right now.  And when he sees his old best friend, his heart went boom - and so did  mine.
 
Oh Jud has some splainin' to do do Skyler - and I loved going on the ride with them.
 
I am obsessed with Skyler and his maple farm - and may have just bought everything I need to make maple cream - I need that stuff in my life STAT
 
Cute and adorable and sexy maple farmery - I really enjoyed this best friends to more story.
 



Judson + Skyler.

Judson left his hometown in Vermont ten years ago when he was just 18. We don't yet know why and what happened back then. But he ended up in Paris as a successful chef. But now he's back home at his parents' place - and again we don't yet know what happened in Paris.

Skyler never left home. He dreams of having  his own maple company, but his dad needs him on the farm until his little brother comes home from college to take over.

Judson and Skyler used to be the bestest of friends - until they weren't.

What happened??
What will happen now that they're both back home?!

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN!!! 

 
Aww!
Judson and Sky are so adorable!
They were best friends since the day they were born and then they weren't for ten years!
So sad!
But now here's their second chance! And it was so cute to watch them find their happily ever after - in love and life.
I really loved those maple moments! How happy Sky is with his maple farm - adorable!
And I so need to taste some maple cream now! I already checked out some recipes - I'm gonna make that soon! 

Like I mention in every one of my World of True North reviews - I could read these kinds of books every day for the rest of eternity!

I also wouldn't mind seeing this whole world on Netflix one day!

Can't wait to get more Vermont soon!

STRONGHOLD was an adorable + funny + farmy + mapley + foodie + a bit heartbreaking M/M love story! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Sky + Jud - they'll be sold out in no time!



 LINKS TO THE BOOK
 

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• Book #15 in the Vino & Veritas Series
 • 12 August 2021
• Standalone Sexy M/M Small-Town-Farm-Bookstore Romance

★★★★
4.25 Stars
 

Save the bees, ride a rock star.

Formerly famous . . . and planning to keep it that way.

After my band kicked me out, I ran away to Vermont, changed my name, and kept my head down. So far, it’s working and nobody knows who I am. Or who I was. Until I see geeky poet Caleb stumbling through his first open mic night and I can’t help rescuing him. He’s as sweet as the honey my bees make and sexy enough to make me rethink so many things. But I can’t tell him my secret, or I’ll lose the anonymous life I worked so hard to build.

Everyone warns me he’s too good to be true.

I can’t believe a gorgeous, successful winemaker like Tag is into shy, geeky little accountant me. But he helps me blossom and believe in my talent, and works his way into my heart and my bed… not necessarily in that order. I’m falling for a man for the first time, and now I know what the missing number in my equation has always been.

When lies are revealed, though, someone’s going to get stung . . .




ARC received for an honest review
 
You had me at 'former' rock star

Oh man, how much did I love this installment in the Vino and Veritas series?


That's right, as much as Mark Darcy likes Bridget Jones (side note, Colin Firth 😍😍)

Add in a pupper and. I. Hooked.

Tag and Caleb have that insta connection that you know is going to be more very soon.

I adore Caleb's adorkableness,  and I had a smile on my face nearly all the time he is on the page.
 
I didn't come at the drama and why Caleb went off on Tag - dude, you knew him what, a week? Didn't know his real name, and it felt a bit OTT - but he sorted it out pretty quick so all is forgiven I guess hahah
 
I kow everything is all pretty much surface level with this story, and that there really isn't too much depth to it, but as it all happens over a period of about 2 weeks, I guess I can't really expect much more.
 
I just liked it, I really did.

I wouldn't say no to a bit more of this couple in the future
 
 



Caleb + Tag

Tag moved, or rather escaped to Vermont four years ago. He's now a pretty happy honey and mead maker. He's lonely, but he has his dog to keep him company.

Tag is born and raised Vermonter. He's an accountant and the youngest of four brothers.
He also dreams of being a professional poet - whatever that might mean.

Insta attraction for both our boys.
But of course it couldn't be as easy as that, right?
There might be some drama in the way of our happily ever after ...

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN!! 

 
Adorable!!
Caleb and Tag are so cute! And so perfect for each other. I just loved their insta connection!
But of course we know that there will be some drama from Tag's past...
I hate drama - but we can't have our HEA after a couple of chapters! LOL!
I really enjoyed reading this!
I loved the dog! I need more doggies in books!
I didn't love love the drama part - it was so unnecessary. I don't even know why Caleb was mad - they knew each other for ONE week at the time... it was a bit silly, but it didn't take long to fix. I still really liked reading this!

And as I mentioned in every one of my World of True North reviews - I could read these kinds of books every day for the rest of eternity!

I also wouldn't mind seeing this whole world on Netflix one day!

Can't wait to get more Vermont soon!

LIMELIGHT was an adorable + sweet + honey-y + poetic M/M love story! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Tag + Caleb - they'll be sold out in no time!



 LINKS TO THE BOOK
 

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• Book #16 in the Vino & Veritas Series
 • 12 August 2021
• Standalone Sexy M/M Small-Town-Farm-Bookstore Romance

★★★★
4 Stars

One night with Reeve Hale wasn’t enough. I knew it when I kissed him, I knew it when I slept with him, and I was certain of it when I walked out of his motel room the very next day.

So when the shy, gorgeous man is introduced as our newest employee at Vino and Veritas, I can’t help but conjure up all the ridiculous ways to convince him to repeat that unforgettable night. Like asking him to be my fake boyfriend at my sister’s upcoming wedding.

 Only, I didn’t expect him to say yes.

Playing pretend shouldn’t feel this real. Especially when Reeve is planning on leaving Vermont after the summer.

We agreed to one night. We negotiated a fake relationship. But I’m the one who broke our terms. I wasn’t supposed to fall in love and he was never supposed to be so unforgettable.  





ARC received for an honest review
 
I love my time in the World Of True North and was looking forward to this Grindr date turns to more story

Unfortunately, I just kind of felt ambivalent about Unforgettable.

It was that I loved it or hated it, its just....was.

Oz and Reeve are nice, but nothing really stood out about their story.

Well, maybe except the parents - again, why can't the parents just accept their kids and stop being all douchey to them, ugh.

Like, I was happy that they got their HEA and yay for that, however nothing really stuck out for me.

It was just all.... nice.

Nothing wrong with nice, I feel I just wanted a little something more




Oz + Reeve.

Oz is 25 years old and a bartender at Vino & Veritas. Of his four siblings he's a bit of the loser of the family. At least that's what he thinks his parents think of him..
Reeve is the new guy at V&V.
And also the guy Oz had an amazing hook-up-app-night with recently.
Reeve is only in Vermont for a few months until he has to start working for the family company in Boston.
 
 
Adorable!
I loved this story.
Two young guys who haven't yet found their place in life.
And their love life is not looking too good either, because Reeve is leaving soon.
This was so sad and heartbreaking but also so funny and sweet and sexy and .. just adorable. I loved those two guys and the siblings and one set of parents.

And as I mentioned in every one of my World of True North reviews - I could read these kinds of books every day for the rest of eternity!

I also wouldn't mind seeing this whole world on Netflix one day!

Can't wait to get more Vermont soon!

UNFORGETTALE was such an adorable + sexy + sweet + fun M/M love story! I loved reading it! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Oz + Reeve - they'll be sold out in no time!


 LINKS TO THE BOOK
 

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• Book #17 in the Vino & Veritas Series
 • 12 August 2021
• Standalone Sexy M/M Small-Town-Farm-Bookstore Romance

★★★★★
4.75 Stars

I swore I wouldn’t do this again. Mix sports, school, and sex. But right now the only thing standing between me and the NHL is six feet of frenemy packed into a pair of form-fitting jeans that have me thinking all kinds of things I shouldn’t. Mostly how to get him out of them.

I don’t just want Kolby. I need him. Because I’ve got to pass this theater class--yeah, I said theater--if I’m going to keep my spot on the team. When tutoring sessions turn into dates-not-dates over Shipley Cider at Vino and Veritas, I realize it’s going to be harder than I thought to keep my hands on my stick and off of Kolby. Worse, I think I might be falling for him. But I’m not ready for that. I want to keep this thing between us on the down-low for now.

But Kolby hates secrets. Especially his own . . .


ARC received for an honest review

I adored Kolby and Adam's installment int he WoTN series.
 
Fun and sexy and adorable and I just love them
 
I was worried at first when we find out the Mormons stuff that there may be a real religious overtone to Showstopper (and that is hard pass for me) but thankfully there wasn't.
 
I loved how neither of them were looking for a relationship, but one fell in their laps, and that they - eventually - went for it.
 
I am loving these V & V stories, and could read one every week forever.
 





Kolby + Adam

Adam just transferred to Moo U. He's a hockey player and he was in a little bit of a scandal at his last school. So that means only hockey and studying this year! No guys or girls!
Kolby is a out and proud gay guy who dreams of being an actor in New York. He 'escaped' his ΓΌber religious mormon family a few years back and is now happily living his best gay and theater life in Burlington. And now he has to tutor this hot jock!

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN!!! 

 
Adorable!
I really enjoyed reading this. Kolby and Adam are so cute! Both have their hopes and dreams and plans for the future and those did not include falling in love right now. Especially for Adam, who has to really concentrate on school and hockey this year. 
This was a really sweet sports and acting love story. I adored those two guys!

And as I mentioned in every one of my World of True North reviews - I could read these kinds of books every day for the rest of eternity!

I also wouldn't mind seeing this whole world on Netflix one day!

Can't wait to get more Vermont soon!

SHOWSTOPPER was such a sweet + funny + sporty + theatery M/M love story! I loved reading it! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Kolby + Adam - they'll be sold out in no time!

 
 LINKS TO THE BOOK
 


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• Book #18 in the Vino & Veritas Series
 • 12 August 2021
• Standalone Sexy M/M Small-Town-Farm-Bookstore Romance

★★★★★
4.75 Stars

My new roommate has the worst taste in men.

I mean, Murph’s special. He’s funny and flamboyant and full of life.

While I’m straight, even I can tell these guys aren’t good enough for him.

I had to yell at one date, toss another one out the door, and throw a beer in another’s face.

Kind of embarrassing, really. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.

I ask my sister what’s wrong with me and she says I’m jealous.

Jealous? Please. Me?

Come on.

Only thing is, I hate the thought of Murph kissing any guy. Ever.

Except, maybe ... me?


Undone is a contemporary m/m romance about a dreamy insurance agent that might not be as straight as he thinks, an adorable bartender who adds sparkle wherever he goes, and maybe one or two jokes about swords. 



ARC received for an honest review

Yes!  I have been wiating for Murph's story since we met him in an earlier book of this release.

And I was not disappointed.  I think that this was my favourite boo, in this lot of WoTN books.

I loved everything about Murph.  I loved his joy, his flamboyance and that he didn't let anyone dull his sparkle.

I loved how he brought Jason out of his shell... and maybe out of his closet haha

There is lots of innuendo that leads to lots of spark and hotness.

I adored Jason coming into his own and standing up to those around him.

Yes, definitely my favourite in the series.




Murph + Jason

We already met Murph as Reeve's BFF and roommate two books ago and since Reeve fell in love, Murph needs a new place to live.
Enter Jason. He's a life insurance salesman who rents out a room in his house.
Jason doesn't love his job, but he's good at it and it's family tradition.
Jason is also not gay.
But he's so very intrigued by his happy and glittering new roommate.

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN! 

 
Adorable!!
I was so looking forward to Murph's story! He's so funny and colorful. And male - so he's kinda the total opposite of what Jason would / should find attractive. Right?!
Just adorable those two. I loved reading their story!
It was so sweet and a bit heartbreaking and so sparky and sexy. Great love story!

And as I mentioned in every one of my World of True North reviews - I could read these kinds of books every day for the rest of eternity!

I also wouldn't mind seeing this whole world on Netflix one day!

Can't wait to get more Vermont soon!

UNDONE was an adorable + funny + sparky + sexy M/M love story! I loved reading it! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Murph + Jason - they'll be sold out in no time!


 
 LINKS TO THE BOOK
 


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Books by Sarina Bowen:

🍎🍏🍎 True North Book #1 πŸŽπŸπŸŽ

🏳️‍🌈 Wes & Jamie πŸ³️‍🌈

Good Boy

The Company Book #1
  

Hockey #6
  

YA Rockstar Romance-ish
   





Sarina Bowen writes steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction from the wilds of Vermont.

She is the author of The Ivy Years, an award-winning series set amid the hockey team at an elite Connecticut college.

Waiting for more Ivy Years? You can read more about upcoming volumes in the four book series at http://www.sarinabowen.com/theivyyears

Also, the Gravity series.

Sarina enjoys skiing, espresso drinks and the occasional margarita. She lives with her family, eight chickens and more ski gear and hockey equipment than seems necessary.

To be kept abreast of new releases, please feel free to sign up for the mailing list at http://www.sarinabowen.com/contact.

Or visit the her Facebook page, or tweet her @sarinabowen.