Brynn Dormir spends her day tidying up after guests at her wine country bed and breakfast inn, a job she prefers over cleaning up her mother and sister’s messy affairs. Unlike her family, business-minded Brynn never believed in love, a notion solidifed after her ex tries to kill her. She understands the formula to make homemade scouring products much better than any recipe for romantic happiness. happiness.
Looking for a fresh start, psychologist Josh Hart has ended a disastrous partnership and relocates to Hopland to cover his mentor’s practice. Checking into the Carlysle, he can’t fight his attraction to the B and B’s lovely owner. Although she’s not a patient, he longs to get her on his couch for entirely different reasons.
But Josh’s crazy former partner wants him back at work and in her bed . . . and Brynn’s criminal ex wants to finish the job.
Josh and Brynn will have to learn to trust each other in order for love to conquer all.
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I love Brynn and Josh’s story. Josh does an excellent job and staying on task to win over Brynn. So glad Reggie was caught.
As an avid fan of Gemma Brocato’s work, I read everything she releases as soon as I can get my hands on it. Her attention to detail, sense of humor, and dramatic flare bring a story to life.
Trusting the Vine is no exception to this.
The characters are unique with real life experiences that aren’t often portrayed in a romance story. The struggles Brynn went through made my heart weep. I grew fond of her quickly. Josh came with baggage of his own but had that down-to-earth good guy vibe that was hard to keep from loving. Even if there was a time or two I screamed at him while reading. ANd I’d love to hear more about Nicole, Brynn’s sister. While a secondary character in the story, I believe she’s my favorite. She just has a gypsy soul that I fell in love with.
The story itself moved at a pace that kept my attention, with enough suspense to keep me turning the pages. I loved the friendships interwoven throughout and how they added to the story, rather than distracting from the main plot line. Of course, we can’t forget the romance involved. Josh & Brynn’s romantic endeavors were pretty steamy.
Overall, this story has the whole package – plus a B&B and a vineyard! What’s not to love?!
Brynn doesn’t believe in happily ever afters or romance. I can’t say I blame her really, she has seen her mother marry and otherwise entangle herself with too many men chasing HEA! Being almost killed by her last attempt at romance, one where she let them sap her independent streak has done a doozy to her psyche as well.
Josh owes a lot to his former mentor and friend Dr whistler. When he agrees to sub for the doctor in his practice it gives him breathing space from his toxic split from his former partner. Landing at Brynn’s B&B he is met by the lovely Brynn and her gargantuan dog, named Tinkerbelle!
Add in some light stalking by Brynn’s ex, Reggie. Josh’s ex-partner Bekkah trying to seduce him into doing what she wants and Brynn’s friends and family trying to prey her out of her shell and there is a LOT going on. I really enjoyed the family dynamics and the slow burn of Josh and Brynn’s friendship/relationship. He understands her fears and concerns but Brynn is a flight risk from her own emotions and tends to jump at the first sign of trouble rather than wait for explanations.
Very worthwhile book and another genre for me to read from the same author who brought me great PNR!
Brynn Dormir has lived her whole life in Hopland. When her friends left to go to college, she stayed and worked as a chambermaid at the Carlysle Bed and Breakfast for six years and then purchased it when the owners decide to sell. After observing her mother’s 3 failed marriages and many more failed relationships, Brynn spurns her mother’s belief in a love of her life and even love at all. The one time she let her guard down she fell for Reggie Beaumond, whom she had hired as a handyman. Not only wasn’t he very handy, but he wormed his way into her heart, while his objective was to take over the Carlysle, possibly killing her in the process. The 3 years since he was sent to prison, Brynn has not trusted anyone. But just after her sister, Nicole, a palmist, tells her her life is about to change, a stranger drives up to the entrance.
Psychiatrist Josh Hart, sold his half of marriage counseling operation in Walnut Grove, after his made the mistake of having an affair with his partner, Bekkah Downing, and when the relationship failed, her behavior in the office became so unprofessional that he wanted out. The timing couldn’t have been better, because Harmony, the daughter of his mentor, Bruce Whistler contacted him, asking him to take over her father’s practice, while he was recovering from a stoke. Harmony had suggested he stay at the Carlysle, even though she knows that Bekkah only accepts weekend guests and he would need a place for possibly months.
Bekkah reluctantly agrees and Josh slowly wins her trust. He has never been this attracted to a woman before. But they will have many challenges ahead.
This is the first book that I have read from this author, and I enjoyed it immensely. The characters are well developed and the setting at the B&B and town are thoroughly captured. There are villains and a huge dog. All in all a delightful read.