KPD SWAT Generation 2.0 Book 5: May Contain Wine

REVIEW: 3.5 POSITIVE STARS
“He sure knew how to say things to make me feel things that I shouldn’t be feeling.”

Ooooh, Calloway is feisty!!! That was my first thought upon starting this book, and what an introduction to my first LLV book this was. I have been recommended this author many times over the years, but I was always too scared to jump in because it seemed as if every series was a spinoff of another, and each series had copious amounts of books. This was clearly a daunting pool to jump into!! But, I was assured that I can read any of her books and they do stand alone but have an underlying theme with them in the series.

While this was claimed as a standalone, she discussed a lot of other characters and their issues and subplots and I think that messed with my connection in the very beginning. I didn’t want to ruin any of the other stories, so I originally thought I needed to walk away. Was I a little aggressive jumping into the 2.0 family version, 5th book of a run on series? Most would say probably, I would say definitely. However, the writing was really good. The storyline intrigued me, so I knew I was going to be able to settle into it. Aside from giving me more info on past characters – in turn potentially spoiling something for me from previous books, I really did enjoy the “family style” story she was giving me. Again, good flow to her writing, but I felt like she was telling me too much side story so it worried me just a bit.

With the story carrying a romantic suspense element to it, many of the actions were glossed over within that aspect – which was totally fine by me since I don’t really enjoy a lot of drama in my books, but it also carried over in to some of the storyline (particularly with the progression of their love) being glossed over as well However, she kept the SWAT action and busy side of the characters true to the long hours, and the grueling schedule they have to keep. It gave me a real sense of the adrenaline rush from their job and I liked reading that side of it. This did read as a series book for sure, so I had to keep that in mind while reading it because of the insinuated familiarity with the characters and their backgrounds. It didn’t take away too much from the enjoyment, but it did give me pause and caused me to slow down a few times.

I liked these characters and found them easy to connect with. I was able to feel the many emotions that Calloway was mentally arguing with herself over in terms of Louis and letting him back in, and that’s what made her story work for me – it made her very likable and relatable. The alpha in Louis was particularly wonderfully written. His cool calm demeanor made him that much more sexy, combined with that sexy smirk, of course. His level headed side mixed with his ability to not give an eff for the PC side of life sure made this one all the more interesting. There was an edge to this SWAT team and all the characters – I loved their mentality. LLV’s alpha was written with an intensity, but genuinely flawed. There was an obvious protective side, but an understated vulnerable side as well. That is what made me fall for him. I really like the dynamic Vale gave these characters.

The truth of their love story was the ability to fall back into a normalcy they’ve always known – and it was really fun to see that happen. I smiled when they got caught in a predicament that they had to make the best of – and that jumpstarted their eventual fall back into each other’s arms. I like how hard Calloway fought it. I won’t lie. She seems like a fine, stubborn young lady. HAHA!!

Overall, great book. Here’s where I sit with this one. It was very easy to read. I feel like I settled into this book magnificently well, without many hiccups, once I got to about 20% in. I was able to really follow the characters and their story. I struggled with the constant mention of the other characters that were clearly pertinent to the overall storyline or were integral to the buildup to this one, but jumping into book 5 made me feel like I missed something. That is MY fault and doesn’t reflect on her writing, but I needed to break into the LLV cycle of books somewhere!! I will definitely be following her but I need to catch up on the previous ones as well. I feel like if I were to start with the 2.0 book 1 in this series, I would be ok to understand these kids’ grown up stories since I know they are kids of the first generation swat team.

This was a pretty short book, so I know not a lot will be squeezed in, but I would have liked some more depth and storyline with it. More focus on them, and their buildup and how it all came to pass. It did feel a little glossed over, again, but this was a 5th book in a 2.0 series – my fault. I will admit, originally I was lost with names thrown at me left and right. It also started to make my head spin when she tried to explain the other characters’ roles in the group of friends. Sometimes I felt she leaned a little too much into the extra side stories instead of focusing on Louis and Calloway, but I will definitely read her again.

I am baffled by one aspect: I have absolutely NO IDEA what the meaning of the title is – like, not one idea. Wine was never mentioned anywhere in the book…..so I am seriously confused. But I also think that has something to do with the author and her personality and one that I am missing out by not “knowing” her or her books previously. I will need to fix that, most definitely. I didn’t really follow the author closely before this, so I’m glad I saw this book in a newsletter. I will also be changing that. I am very interested in checking out more of her books, but I do feel like I need to read the rest of these in order because I do feel like I missed out on a sort of “inside joke” with the buildup of these characters.

TAKEAWAY: I really need to read more by her…

~BEE

So AMAZING!! I laughed my so much in this book with how Lous and Calloway are together. I loved how they grew up together and dated when they were younger but eventually found their way back together. It’s also amazing seeing glimpses of the first gen SWAT guys. You have to go read this book and series, you won’t be disappointed

Love this series and these characters!

May – This is the 5th of the SWAT 2.0 Generation. Most of the men on the SWAT team have history with SWAT, as in their parents were the original SWAT.

Louis and Calloway have grown up together. They were childhood sweethearts. Louis broke it off before enlisting thinking it was for the best. Spoiler Alert…it never is.

Calloway never stops loving him, once again she stays a virgin until him. Louis regrets breaking up with her, of course he does. When they meet up again, he vows to get her back.

I struggled through this book. I couldn’t even tell you what the angst part was in this book…they each had one.

I’m skipping June and July books…not into the twins hooking up with twins and one of the twins having a baby with the twin they don’t like. yuck.

Just as drinking too much wine can make it an addiction, reading a Lani Lynn Vale book from her multi-generational world can turn you into an addicted fan super fast. May Contain Wine was my gateway drug into trying to read all her books. I have read the Freebird series and am almost through Heroes of the Dixie Wardens, and I am enthralled. So May Contain Wine is such a great story that I just had to know more.

Louis Spurlock, a SWAT team member, made a big mistake many years ago when he broke up with the love of his life for misguided reasons. Now he’s working on getting her back and not having a lot of success. He’s agreed to be part of a calendar featuring members of the Kilgore, Texas SWAT team, and all the unwanted attention that is bringing. But Louis is determined, and it is on.

Calloway, a school nurse, resists as long as possible. But the tight-knit first-responder community from Kilgore (that includes her father) keeps bringing the two of them together. But an outside threat to her safety brings out all of Louis’ protector instincts and wears down Calloway’s defenses. What we get is a fun second-chance love story that just makes you want to read all the books. These people, their banter, and the love that exists in the families (that have been around since Freebirds) continue to make Lani Lynn Vale’s world a place you want to hang out.

You do not have to have read the series that precedes this series; however, I can guarantee you, you will want to go back as I did and start with Freebirds. I will tell you that you are not left feeling you don’t know what is going on by reading this book as a standalone. I enjoy reading about the relationships of these characters and their community, so I decided to go back and read the earlier books. If you are a Lani Lynn Vale fan, you are going to love this book. If you have never read her books before you will love this too, it’s a sweet love story of never giving up even when she hates your guts.

Lani Lynn Vale never ceases to amaze me. This is a cute, sweet, suspenseful, and heartwarming journey to go on with Calloway and Louis. I absolutely enjoyed this book.

4.5 Stars
May Contain Wine is the fifth book in the Swat Generation 2.0 series. Every time I pick up one of the books in this series, I have a desire to not only re-read the books in the Code 11: KPD Swat series, to relive the stories of their parents, but to start at the very beginning with The Freebirds series. So many of Lani’s books are entwined with familiar faces throughout I feel like I need to familiarise myself with the books I read several years ago.

May Contain Wine is Calloway Alvarez and Louis Spurlock’s story. Their lives have been entwined since birth as their parents were both SWAT officers in the Code 11: KPD Swat series. Calloway’s parents are Bennett and Lennox and their story was told in Kill Shot, and Louis Spurlock’s, parents are Foster and Blake and their story was told in Charlie Foxtrot.

They were best friends growing up until they became more and became childhood sweethearts, until Louis broke Calloway’s heart just before leaving for the military. Now that he’s returned to Kilgore, he’s bound and determined to make up for the mistakes of his past. He’s a sexy, protective, alpha who doesn’t like to take no for an answer, but also has a sweet, sensitive side. Calloway is just as head strong, but also sweet, intelligent and resilient, and pretty determined to ignore all his attempts to gain her favor.

Their banter is witty and fun, full of sass and sarcasm, with Lani’s signature heat, heart and humor sprinkled throughout. There’s an element of intrigue and danger that kept me completely enthralled and I loved that the previous couples in the series made appearances throughout.

I will be eagerly awaiting the next release in this series, and highly recommend this title if you enjoy a second chance romance with laugh out loud moments and plenty of steam.

4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. I finished it in one day. It’s a second chance for Louis and Calloway. Louis made a decision right out of high school that he has always regretted. He’s biding his time until he can fix it, but he better move fast or lose the girl. Not gonna there were a few parts I was not a big fan of. It’s usually a hard limit for me, but I’m a huge fan of Lani Lynn Vale so I let it slide. I truly love this second generation of SWAT. I want to be friends with Calloway. A big draw for me is the camaraderie between the characters. This book has plenty of heat, humor, and heart, but with some suspenseful moments. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series.

May Contain Wine by Lani Lynn Vale is the fifth book in her SWAT Generation 2.0 series. This is the story of Calloway Alvarez and Louis Spurlock. A second chance story of two people have been apart, initially due to his stupidity and for the long-haul due to her stubbornness. Calloway has been determined to keep Louis out of her life for as long as possible. After he broke her heart in high school she has ignored his presence, denied his advances, and simply refused to acknowledge his existence, at least outwardly. Inside she has been heartbroken over him for years. No one ever coming close to the level of man she was used to and that was when he two was in high school. But now, all bets are off. Louis is kicking his approach into high gear. Refusing to allow Calloway to ignore him and determined to show her that it took but a brief moment for him to realize his mistake all those years ago.

I love second chance romances and I love Lani Lynn Vale stories and I love the town of Kilgore and all of it’s SWAT team members and their families. This book was awesome. The lengths Louis will go to, the sheer stubborn will of Calloway and the slow breakdown of her resistance. Loved it! Enjoy!

My favorite book of the series, so far! It had everything I want in my second chance romances; a redeemable Hero who never gave up in his pursuit of the heroine, a genuine connection between the main characters & a swoon factor that was through the roof.

It was so easy to fall in love with Louis & Calloway. They were such a fun couple & had some major chemistry together.

Calloway… She was sweet, funny & someone I’d love to be friends with. I adored her strength & how she made Louis work for it. Some might consider her stubborn but I beg to differ. Loved her journalist skills & all the details we learned about her magazine; including how Lynn was involved with it.

Louis… He was adorably sexy. The moments where his insecurities shined were some of my most favorite. His admission that he was a dumba** in his younger years, his thoughts of her pregnant belly, his hurried “Love yous”, keeping her hair… it just showed how badly he wanted her back & how he wanted to keep her forever & that was just so… *le sigh*

Loved how close all of the SWAT 2.0 Generation is. The way they can go from ribbing each other, to having one another’s backs in an instant is a beautiful thing to witness. The bar scene was awesome. Loved all of that gossipy, matchmaking girl talk!

As for that lil’ scene-stealer, Asa (Booth & Delanie’s son)… I loved each & every scene that he was a part of. He was so flippin’ cute! Can’t wait to see how he handles the hot mess that is his Dad’s, Aunt’s, Mom’s & Uncle’s relationships!!

Very much looking forward to next month’s release, Jokes on You! I feel the angst in my bones already which means it’s gonna be a page-turner!!