Love on Tap

by Meg Benjamin

[Lynn]

This is a fascinating novel by new-to-me author Meg Benjamin. The idea of a love story set against the beer brewing industry is a new one for me and a refreshing change...pun intended!

Wyatt Montgomery needs to get his hands on what he believes is the last remaining barrel of Zoria; an aged imperial stout from the now de-funked Antero Brewing. Quaff, the gastropub he manages needs to pull out all the stops to keep up with the new gastropub on the block if they are to maintain their status of top gastropub in Denver. Wyatt heads off to Arturo Brewery determined to secure the Zoria and relieved to discover one barrel is still available for sale. Only, the owner has a rather complicated way of making the barrel available for purchase.

Bec Dempsey is wary when a guy from a pretentiously named gastropub in Denver comes to enquire about the last remaining barrel of Zoria. He seems genuine enough, but so did her ex before he took off and ceased financing their fledgeling business leaving it owing debts. However. Bec desperately wants to get Antero Brewing operational again and hatches an idea on how she can achieve it. Only, will the good looking guy from the big city be willing to pay more than the price of the barrel of Zoria to help her achieve her ambition?

Bec and Wyatt's road to a Happy Ever After is amusing. The pair manages to compliment each other although it is Wyatt who has the more appealing, easy-going personality. His actions help Bec to face up to her responsibilities from the past which has isolated her from important friends and associates. It's a mistake she wants to rectify, but embarrassed by how she dealt with the fall-out when Arturo Brewing closed its doors. Thankfully with help, she makes amends and her sincerity solidifies the believes others have in her...including Wyatt's.

The plot is highly original and kept me entertained and turning the pages as I became engrossed with the protagonists and the beer brewing industry. Meg Benjamin gives a wonderful insight into how small micro breweries operated and it's always a huge bonus when reading a novel if I gain a little knowledge along the way. This balances perfectly with the likeable protagonists and complimentary supporting characters. My small criticism is the narrative's pace; it plods along in places giving me a feeling of predictability. However, the author has a wonderful knack of delivering the unexpected, so the reading experience is definitely like riding a roller-coaster.

Love On Tap is a solid start in the Brewing Love series and I'm curious to know what the author comes up with next.

3.5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of Entangled Publishing via NetGalley***