After a hot hook-up on New Year’s Eve, Crystal Donovan plans to avoid Jamie Westcott, which could be difficult, given the size of Ribbon Ridge. But she’s only there a few days doing research on the town’s history then it’s back to her glam life in LA. When his family holds the key to unraveling a century-old mystery she has to seek him out—and the sparks are still flying.Jamie Westcott works his … works his ass off to repay his college loans, which doesn’t leave much time for other commitments. Crystal’s a perfect fling: she’s fun and sexy and, best of all, they have little in common and she lives somewhere else. Only, the more time they spend together the closer they get, despite their intent to keep things casual.
When everyone learns Crystal sold a screenplay exposing the dark secrets of Ribbon Ridge—and Jamie’s family—she becomes the town pariah. Jamie won’t leave and Crystal can’t stay—can love show them another way?
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Oh how I love Darcy’s stories whether they be contemporary or historical. There’s always a deep issue of some sort to grapple with and resolve. I also adore that her contemporaries are set in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, my home. It’s delightful to read about places I’ve been and live in.
This is a HOT story about two people who fall in lust and are surprised to find they are OK with falling in love. It happens when they weren’t looking for it. Crystal is Alina’s assistant and long time friend. Crystal feels Alina saved her when she was in desperate trouble and has always lived in Alina’s shadow. She has major issues about self worth and small towns which is the definition of Ribbon Ridge. Jamie is the youngest Westcott and partner with his brothers at the winery. He’s the money man, being he graduated from London School of Economics with dual Master’s degrees, but blew a bundle on the daughter of a Knight in London and is pretty much broke with his investment in the winery. He and Crystal end up being the only “singles” at the New Year’s party at the Archers and find themselves flirting outrageously with each other. By the end of the night they agree to no-strings/no relationship sex that’s off the charts.
Crystal is also digging up a local mystery with Kelsey and Brook. During excavation at the winery a brick and foundation was discovered. Kelsey if a librarian and the three of them decide to find out what it is. Turns out the winery used to be the Bird Nest Ranch that became a brothel when hard times fell on the widow, Dorinda. The book is about the historical discoveries and and a connection to the KKK That upsets Jamie’s Mother and others in the community when Crystal is encouraged to write a screenplay about Dorinda’s life story.
I loved this journey with these characters. Darcy does an excellent job and weaving emotions and conflict into a story I find hard to put down. Lives are healed and growth happens. The town finds out history they’re not proud of but realize they are who they are because of it. The history of the KKK in Oregon is difficult to read but we realize we are stronger in unity and not hate. Thank you Darcy for this ARC and the privilege to ARC review it. I am truly sorry it’s so late this time.
SO IN LOVE is the third and final installment in Darcy Burke’s contemporary, adult LOVE ON THE VINE erotic, romance series focusing on the Westcott brothers of Ribbon Ridge. This is twenty seven year old, economics graduate and vintner Jamie Westcott, and thirty two year old, PA/ budding screen writer Crystal Donovan’s story line. The LOVE ON THE VINE series is a spin off from Burke’s Ribbon Ridge series. We were first introduced to Jamie and his brothers (Cameron and Luke) in You’re Still the One (Ribbon Ridge #6). You do not have to read the original series to follow the premise of SO IN LOVE but I recommend reading You’re Still the One for some backstory about the brothers and their new winery business.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Jamie and Crystal) SO IN LOVE follows the building relationship between vintner Jamie Westcott, and PA Crystal Donovan-a relationship that began with a New Year’s Eve one-night stand, and Crystal’s reluctance to get involved with a man five years her junior. Ribbon Ridge is a small town where everyone is connected through family or friendship, and Crystal’s connections to Ribbon Ridge place our heroine on the committee researching the historical significance of the small town she has yet to call home. While Jamie Westcott intends to pursue Crystal Donovan for something more than a one-night stand, Crystal uncovers some disturbing history that places Jamie’s family in the middle of a controversial era in the settling of Ribbon Ridge. What ensues is the growing love between Crystal and Jamie, and the fall out as more of Jamie’s family history comes to light.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Luke and Kelsey (So Right #2), and Cameron and his wife Brooke (So Good #1), both Jamie and Crystal’s parents and siblings, Crystal’s best friend Alaina Pierce (The Idea of You /Ribbon Ridge #4), as well as a large number of the Archer clan from the original Ribbon Ridge Series.
The relationship between Crystal and Jamie is one of immediate attraction but Crystal struggles with the five-year age difference, as well as the possibility of a long-distance relationship that is rarely successful. Jamie’s personal life is shrouded in rejection and loss; Crystal struggles with memories from the past, and a history she is reluctant to reveal. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and passionate.
SO IN LOVE is a timely, story of controversy that somewhat mirrors the political and volatile unrest in today’s American society. While our heroine uncovers a dark and violent past in Ribbon Ridge’s history, the connections to our story line hero are personal and potentially embarrassing to the people he loves. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the characters are spirited and encouraging; the romance is challenging and intense. SO IN LOVE is a revealing and surprising conclusion to Darcy Burke’s LOVE ON THE VINE series.
The appeal of a Darcy Burke novel is that whether historical or contemporary, her target is always the heart. The connection between author, reader and story is paramount and she never misses her mark. So In Love is a mixture of romance, drama and mystery. Modern day romance gets a hand from a little fictional history. With a few familiar faces along to guide the way, Crystal and Jamie discover the importance of love and sacrifice. If it’s relatable and emotional, Ms. Burke surely has done something right.