What do Tim Tams and Jack Wilson have in common? Other than both being Australian…nothing! One is an amazingly delicious chocolate-covered cookie, and the other is a total nightmare.At least that’s how Lauren Somerville feels when Jack and the cookies walk back into her life fourteen years later.As much as Lauren isn’t thrilled to see him, Jack is ready to prove that Tim Tams aren’t the only good … the only good thing to come from the Land Down Under.
He may have been an arrogant kid when they met, but time has been good to him, because now he has the looks to back it up.
But Lauren has the upper hand. As the owner of the world famous Somerville Winery & Vineyard, he works for her now.
And you know what they say about sour grapes…
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TROPES: Childhood Best Friends to Lovers Romance. Romantic Comedy.
Claire Raye has made me swoon! I knew this was going to be an amazing series based on the prequel novella (which you can read if you subscribe to the authors newsletter- see above) I just didn’t realize HOW MUCH I was going to love it! I feel like I am friends with Lauren and Jack based on how well the author portrayed them and reading their story felt comforting. I also love being transported into the Vineyard with the characters- a place I have yet to visit but would like to in the future (more now especially after reading this book).
Between the chemistry, the small jabs from Jack to Lauren (if they pick on your they must LIKE you) and the flashbacks to childhood this book is amazing through and through. Everything flowed beautifully and I felt like the entire book was well rounded. There are a few characters thrown in that will make you want to pull out your hair (maybe even scream) but that adds to the realistic quality of the story because not everyone can be too perfect! That happens and it all seems fake.
Anyways, I am truly loving this series and I have a feeling it’s going to be a hit among romance fans. I strongly recommend giving it a try if you are looking for a lighthearted read with an awesome set of characters and love that blossoms off the pages!
This is a new to me author and I’m so glad I picked up this book. After reading that blurb I knew I needed to get this book in my hands. This was a sweet , fun romance with great characters. Lauren and Jack grew up together and couldn’t stand each other. Now years later Jack is back and never thought he would be working for Lauren. They have chemistry and witty banter that kept me entertained. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I am a huge fan of enemies to lovers. I love the witty banter, steamy heat and inevitable combustion, which this book definitely had in spades. Add in the angsty secrets that both Jack and Lauren are keeping and you have the recipe for an awesome book. I also loved the twins and laughed every time they showed up! I throughly enjoyed this story and need to go back and read the novella that I keep reading about.
Claire Reyes!! You. Are. Amazing. After getting all the snippets from the newsletter, I was anxiously anticipating jack and Lauren’s story. And I was not disappointed. At all. The chemistry between these two was crazy hot and they constantly tried to dodge all attempts. The way she took the past and combined it to the present was magical.
I loved Lauren. She has been through so much and you can see and feel the apprehension as her story unfolds. Jack (omg so hot with that accent!). He’s definitely a top 10 book boyfriend. So hot and knows what he wants. And he is determined to get it.
Their story unfolds with many twists and turns that will love you begging for more. Their story has many ups and downs and is one that makes you obsess until you finish the last word. I absolutely love this story and characters!! You will fall in love too!
This was the first book I’ve read by these authors and it was quite enjoyable for a contemporary romance. Jack and Lulu were frenemies from childhood so reading about their antics was quite funny but the scenes with Ollie and Oscar were the icing on the cake! I loved these two kids so much and they added some lightness to the drama in Lauren’s life. The secondary characters were well developed and added to the storyline as well. Solid 4-star read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.
Imagine as a kid, the one boy who seems to annoy you with his very presence and gets under your skin. When that boy leaves, you are relived to be rid of him and never expect to see him again. Life has a way of throwing curve balls when you think everything is going smooth.
Fast forward years later the girl has grown into a smart, independent woman running the family business when life throws a curve ball her way and brings back the boy she couldn’t stand-except he’s all grown up with a swoon-worthy accent.
The fireworks are off the charts! Definitely enough heat in the pages to warm up any cold night.
If you are into the whole “enemies” to lovers genre, this book is sure to please!
3.5 STARS REVIEW
Adult Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Enemies-to-Lovers
First Person, dual-POV
Book #1 of the Love & Wine series, there is a prequel novella that is not needed, but helps to understand their past
WHAT HAS REALLY WORKED FOR ME
Addictiveness: 4/5 This book was a one-sitting read for me. It kept me going until the end. As addictive as ice cream!!!
Character: hero 4/5, heroine 3.5/5, secondary characters 5/5, growth 4/5, real 4/5 Characters were multidimensional with good background to them. They were easy to understand.
Jack was a good hero. They had history together, in which he was foolish like most teenage boys are. 14 years later, he is ready to make a better impression. He still shows his teasing habits but in a smaller scale. I love the interactions with Lauren’s family, specially her nephew.
Lauren still felt a bit immature for me. She had a tendency of creating major storms out of a glass of water. The fact that she was still acting like a child for the pranks of a teenager 14 years later, makes no sense at all. Really too much drama for me. I love her niece and nephew and how she related to her entire family.
I have read the prequel and I have to say that I loved Will and Ellen more than Lauren and Jack. If it weren’t for Ellen, Jack and Lauren may never had their second chance. In fact, I love the entire family. I love Lauren’s parents, her sister and brother-in-law, and her nephew and niece are the stars of it all.
Villains… or antagonists… really I believe they had no major roles here. Closer to the end, some people from the past showed up, but I still believe their major problems were keeping secrets that had not reason to be kept.
All characters were easy to connect and understand, I had a tougher time trying to love Lauren. She annoyed me too much.
Cover: art 4.5/5, title 5/5, color-font 5/5, buy 5/5 I’m obsessed with book covers. I love to find snippets of the stories within the art. I love how this cover has being made for this particular story. I love how it feels like a bunch of pictures. I love the sort of blurry feel. I like how the couple is looking loving and chilled. I love the winery at the back cover. The title is catching and the subtitle add to the overall feel of the book. I would easily buy this book by its cover, without needing to read the blurb!
Freshness: 4/5 This was a good contemporary romance with a good plot concept. I like how the meeting happened in the past and how it has to cross oceans to turn in a reality. It felt fresh, original! As fresh as ice cream!
Plot: believable 3/5, conflict 2.5/5, dialogue 4/5, ending 53/5, enjoyment 4/5, opening 4/5, pace 4/5, setting 5/5, subplots 4/5, twists 3/5 Good opening and great ending. Amazing setting and enjoyable pace. Interesting subplot. The twist didn’t really worked for me and the conflict felt forced. High level of enjoyment!
Romance: believable 4/5, chemistry 5/5, description 3.5/5, development 4/5, steam 4/5 I’ve believed in their chemistry since the prequel. The couple did like each other and I kind of enjoy the love/hate game. The smut was good, even though sometimes only one note. Passionate love!
Writing Style: 3.5/5 I love the concept of the story and the fresh vibe of the plot. I’ve enjoyed the family feel and loved the secondary characters. The story kept me going and made me very curious to what comes next. Good writing!
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
Plot: I didn’t like the conflict. I didn’t understand why both main characters kept their past as a secret since it had nothing to do with each other. Also, their past knocking on their door by the end of the book felt like unnecessary. I believe, their major struggles were themselves and the story really didn’t need the extra baggage.
MY THOUGHTS
This is a series, that has a standalone vibe, but I would recommend everybody to read the prequel. It not only give you an overall view of the amazing family Lauren has, but also gives a lot of insight into Jack and Lauren’s past.
If I were to guess, I would say Tommy will get a book next!
27.5/35 STARS – 3.5 STARS (between 31.5 stars and 33 stars)
Addictiveness: 4 Character: 3.5 Cover: 4.5 Freshness: 4 Plot: 3.5 Romance: 4.5 Writing Style: 3.5
Action 1/5Angst 0/5Darkness 0/5Humor 4/5Romance 5/5Suspense/Mystery 0/5
Would I recommend? Sure. If you like cute, sweet romance.
Would I re-read this book/series? I will follow the series, I don’t think I would reread it though.
Would I read more from the author? I will try to follow the series and see what comes next.
You may read this because you like the author you SHOULD read this because you enjoy sweet romance; you MUST read this for a great family romance in a wonderful setting!!!
This is a sweet,funny and steamy romance between Lauren and Jack.
I Loved the characters,the banter,the humour and the chemisrty between Lauren and Jack is electric.
It is all the perfect combination that makes up a very enjoyable,captivating fantastic read that kept me entertained throughout.
I highly recommend it .
Amazing! After reading Always Yours I knew I was going to love Finally Yours! I adore Lauren and Jack so much! This is a swoon-worthy romantic comedy that I could not put down! I devoured this book in one sitting (tends to be a trend with Claire Raye books) and I loved every second! I need more right now!! FIVE STARS!!
Scrolling through Instagram about a month ago when I see a cover reveal for a new book coming out. This cover is so dreamy and gorgeous that I had to stop and check out the blurb. Now I know we aren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover, but sometimes it can prove to be a great decision.
Finally Yours by Claire Raye is a breath of fresh air. Lauren and Jack were the perfect h/H for this fun and sexy story. Jack won me over immediately in the prologue and continued to swoon me throughout the story. Lauren was a bit neurotic but in a totally lovable way. Claire’s words had me smiling through every page. I also loved the Napa Valley Vineyard setting. You might think that it would be pretentious, but it was the opposite. The characters were all hardworking and down to earth.
This was my first book by Claire Raye, but it won’t be my last. Excited to see what else she has in store for us!
4 HEA stars!! I love this couple!!
This can be read as a stand alone and is book one in the “Love & Wine” series. This is Lauren and Jack’s story.
Ok so I’m super glad I read the prequel (free from author if you sign up to get newsletter) first because the story of Will and Ellen added so much to the current story.
Jack is a hot Aussie!! Omg he’s like book crush definition!! Lauren is such a pain in the ass but you love it about her. The history between these two make the story!! I enjoy the banter so very much! I laughed out loud many of times over the course of this book. Lauren felt like on of my little sisters. I mean I have conversations just like that with them so this story felt believable, realistic. With that said I enjoyed the shit out of the other characters. Ellen was already loved by me and still is. I think Ollie and Oscar steal the damn show. I love the scenes with these little shits!! I wish we even saw more of Jack’s parents because they seemed hilarious.
These book flowed easily. I think this is a great love story. Nothing real dramatic. I think it was sexy and fun. This is a good weekend read.
**I received this book as an ARC and in return gave my honest review**
Started off really strong, but weakened by the end.
So for almost 80% of this book – it was a great story that was a real page-turner. Then – it got mired in so much unnecessary drama that it lost me towards the end. Jack and Lauren have known each other since they were 15. They had a very immature boy likes girl, girl hates boy relationship back then which seems to continue into adulthood.
Lauren, at times, could be a little annoying with her denial over her feelings for Jack. Jack could be a little too c*ck* and self-assured with his sexy Aussie ways. These two fall into lust first, but it’s obvious that there is more to their story than that.
Why they can’t be honest with each other – I never really understood. The drama towards the end was overly drawn out in my opinion. “I feel like my life is one of those never-ending TV series where the writers are just making ridiculous s**t happen to me just to keep the show going long after it should have ended.” That sums up the ending for me. It’s too drawn out and a little misleading.
It was a great story that had an okay ending. The free prequel companion story isn’t necessary to read first, but it gives you a little bit of backstory and you learn about Ellen and Will’s relationship which is a very sweet read!
I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.
Jack and Lauren are so freaking cute that I could barely stand it. I love their history, their love, and their story. I love Jack’s character because he’s hot, he has an (almost) endless supply of Tim Tams – which are really good, by the way – and he clearly loves Lauren from the second the story opens. I love Lauren’s character because even though she is somewhat of a mess at times, she’s a brilliant and strong woman who overcomes an unhappily ever after to get the happily ever after she deserves.
From kids to adults, Jack and Lauren’s story spans more than a decade, but their love is stronger than ever the second time around. While they have a love/hate relationship for awhile, it just hypes the story up and has you sitting on the edge of your seat, waiting to see when they’ll finally give in and embrace what they truly have. And I won’t spoil the story, but there are a couple of really awesome characters in this story who round the story out so well.
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next charter in this series!
This was a sweet read not suspense these authors normally bring forth but it was fun and definitely sexy. After 14 years these two finally have their chance together. Deep down they always wanted each other and now they have their chance. The banter is fun and the kids are a hoot. So many chances to laugh out loud at both. It’s a great intro to these two and yeah once again I find myself reading them out of order. It’s not an issue since the first book is about the sister who is a hoot and the perfect big sister meddling in her sisters affairs. While their past loves do make an appearance it just adds to the fun. Great read now off to read Ellen’s story, which from the glimpse we are given during a date will be just as funny.
Lauren Somerville was thrilled to see Jack Wilson leave her parents vineyard 14 years ago and go back to Australia. He was nothing but trouble for the weeks he was there while his dad was working, call her Lulu and playing pranks on her. She’s not thrilled that he’s back after so long and he still remembers her, but now she’s in charge. Jack has never forgotten Lauren, he just needs to convince her that he’s not the kid he used to be.
I love a good enemies to more lovers and this was a sweet one. I really enjoyed the banter between Lauren and Jack, specifically Jack’s responses to Lauren. Poor Lauren and the chip debacle, I was absolutely cackling. The kids always walking in on them was so relatable, you absolutely have to lock doors. Jack was so sweet and patient, wanting to prove himself to her. This book was funny, relatable in several ways, had a good amount of heartbreak, great characters and dialogue.
This is the first full length novel in the Love & Wine series by Claire Raye and is brilliantly crafted. The story. The characters. The setting. It all comes together to form this laugh-out-loud, emotional, steamy good time. Claire Raye captures an instant chemistry between Jack and Lauren, whose good-natured, back and forth verbal foreplay is witty, smart, and hilarious. The Vineyard and Raye’s ability to descriptively set the scene adds a unique element to the narrative, almost making it feel like its own character. Absolutely love this book. 5 stars!
Thank you to #NetGalley and the author for this ARC of #FinallyYours, which I read and reviewed voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Finally Yours is book one of an all new series by Claire Raye. If you subscribe to their newsletter and read Always Yours, you got a brief introduction to Lauren and Jack. If you didn’t read it, that is fine because you will get the story.
I have been DYING to read this book and it was everything I could have wished for and so much more. I am completely in love with Lauren and Jack. Lauren has some sass to her; she is a feisty woman and everyone at the Vineyard knows she is the boss. Jack, well what can I say about him other than I love him. I loved how much he loved to tease Lauren as children, I love his sweet side, his romantic side. Plus, who doesn’t love an Aussie?!?
The chemistry between Lauren and Jack was PERFECT! I loved their banter, both in the bits we got of the past and in the future. It was the typical, boy picks on you which means he has a crush on you. Lauren tried to fight it, but she couldn’t only stay away for the Tim Tams and Jack’s charm for so long.
The secondary characters were great additions (minus two of them), but you’ll easily understand who those two are once you read this. I loved that there was more Ellen and Will and a repeat of Will and his amazing skunk wresting skills. I really loved Ellen and Will’s twins, Oscar and Olivia. Especially their terrible timing.
Claire Raye’s writing is beautiful. The dynamics they create between the characters is real and nothing feels forced when it comes to the story. The description of the scenes is vivid and you can easily picture yourself standing in the middle of the Vineyard or taking part in the grape wars.
Finally Yours is sweet, hilarious, romantic and steamy. I was hooked from the very beginning and devoured this book in a single sitting. I couldn’t put it down. This is a MUST READ BOOK and one that I will be recommending to anyone and everyone I know. If it was possible to rate this more than 5 stars I would, because it deserves a million.
***ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review***