A shocking twist of fate reunites a quiet school teacher with her childhood nemesis and greatest love.Shy and modest Lina Montez has been infatuated with Tobias Langthorne, heir to a Napa Valley land fortune, for as long as she can remember. Growing up alongside the intoxicatingly handsome bully on his family’s fabled vineyard and estate was an experience she will never forget. The young “lord of … young “lord of the manor” spent countless hours tormenting the housekeeper’s daughter as well as inspiring her budding sexual desire.
Ten years later Lina finds Tobias as provocative and dangerous as ever, but embittered by divorce and haunted by his own demons of the past. Now Lina must battle her old playmate to save the land she loves, but this time she won’t be intimidated by her sexually magnetic business partner. The biggest struggle of all, however, is the one within herself. Can she fight off an attraction that is as ripe and full bodied as the lush cabernet grapes they farm? And will she breathe new life into the forsaken ranch as well as polish the rust from her tarnished hero?
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Audible. Also on KU.
DNF at 4 hours (33%). I tried. I even walked away for a bit, listened to some other books, and went back to it to see if it was just a mood, but I can’t. I enjoy a reformed bad boy, but so far all I’m seeing is an alcoholic jerk. Technically I’m at the part just after detox and even sober, Tobias Langthorne is insufferable. Get ready to hear the name Tobias Langthorne (yes, his full name) a lot. Because it’s in the book almost 600 times. Tobias mocks, teases, disrespects, and belittles Lina, not only in the prologue but currently as adults.
Lina is disturbingly obsessed with Toby. Not just in a “he’s hot” kind of way (and no amount of hot makes up for his words/behavior), but also in saying she’s been in love with him forever. At nearly 30, she still talks/thinks/acts like the 15yo at the beginning.
I see that the ratings increase significantly for the subsequent books, so I may try those to see if it’s just this author’s take on the trope I’m not connecting with.
Logan McAllister’s narration was fine.
I received a free copy of this audiobook series and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Have you ever read a book in which you can’t stand a character in the beginning and wondered just how he could even be considered a hero? That is the description of Tobias Langthorne, heir to the Langthorne vineyards, an athlete that shines above the rest and the boy/man who has women vying for his attention. Smug, handsome and immature describe the teenager best. Since I had read Valley Storm first and knew the man he became, I was waiting for his growth to begin. The key was Catalina. Lina is the daughter of the Langthorne’s housekeeper and she grew up adoring Tobias. She was a young, nerdy but sweet girl who wanted him to notice her. He kept disappointing her by bringing home one girlfriend after another, but she didn’t give up hope. After high school, Tobias got married and left the country, leaving Lina as well. For her part, Lina had always dreamed of being a teacher and her hard work through college led her to that dream. When Toby returns to the vineyard, after a decade abroad, he’s a changed man. He’s not so sure of himself, there’s a sad look in his eyes and he’s resentful of having to tend to the vineyards. Lina can’t imagine what has caused such a change in him but she needs to find out. He’s treats her no differently, at first, and it’s tough to listen to the old snide remarks he used to make to her return but, this time, she’s not going to just sit and take it. Lina found the inner strength to stand up to him and let him know that things had changed. But Tobias had more demons that threatened to overwhelm him and she loved him enough to help stand them down, too. Tessa Bowen writes with eloquence and fluency and the HEA is so satisfying. Logan McAllister does a tremendous job of narrating, giving an articulate and lively voice to both Tobias and Lina.