A jaded Chicago reporter in her twenties unexpectedly finds love in Napa Valley when she’s assigned to spend a week with a famously reclusive genius in this rich and deeply satisfying contemporary romance by the USA TODAY bestselling author of Sweet Thing.
Kate Corbin has lost her spark. A year ago, she had a handsome boyfriend and a budding career as a reporter at a popular Chicago newspaper. But after the woman who raised her passed away, leaving her lost and alone, she fell into a rut—and never got out. Now she’s stuck writing fluff pieces about lipstick and wine, and feeling trapped in a relationship that’s going nowhere.
Trusting that the hungry, ace reporter is buried somewhere deep inside, Kate’s boss and mentor gives her the opportunity to jump-start her career. The assignment: spend a week interviewing R. J. Lawson, a famously reclusive tech genius who disappeared years ago but recently reemerged as the owner of a well-respected Napa Valley winery.
Kate jumps at the chance, but the trip begins in disaster, both personally and professionally. After alienating R.J., her only saving grace is Jamie, a charming vineyard hand who shows her the beauty of wine country—and stirs her aching heart. It doesn’t take long for Kate and Jamie to fall hard, and for Kate to rethink her life in the city. But the week ends with a heartbreaking journey back to Chicago that sends Kate reeling, wondering what went wrong in those four perfect days.
Carlino definitely knows how to write a romance that I will enjoy. She gave us two slightly damaged people, one who has sort of made peace with it, and the other still struggling with the hurt.
To say I loved Kate and Jamie together would be an understatement. Jamie instantly won my heart with his generosity and romantic tendencies. And Kate! I felt so much empathy towards her and I really wanted her to make her way and move on from her past.
The ending was so lovely, with Carlino gifting us with all the loose ends tied up quite nicely, just the way I like them. I also really liked that the epilogue was from Jamie's presepective. It was nice to finally be in his head, and see Kate through his eyes.
Overall: A beautiful romance that was touching, sweet, and sexy.
