REVIEW: Forever with You by Barb Curtis

Forever with You by Barb Curtis is the first book in the Sapphire Springs series. The series is based on the small town of Sapphire Springs which is a tourist attraction with a bed and breakfast, winery, and wine festivals. It’s a beautiful story of high school sweethearts getting a second chance at love. It was fast-paced, interesting, had charming characters, some family antics, and a mystery. My interest was caught right away, and I didn’t want to put the book down. The story flowed beautifully, and the detailed writing brought the town and characters to life.

Jay Wynter left Wynter Estates, his family’s winery, in Sapphire Springs to become successful on his own in France. Now years later when Stefan, his grandfather, has a stroke Jay returns to help the family business. Jay was surprised to learn his grandfather plans on retiring and that Wynter Estates was collaborating with his ex-high school sweetheart to build a restaurant on the winery. Stefan wants Jay to take over as the CEO, but Jay doubts his abilities to manage the business side of the company due to his dyslexia. Jay agrees to stay until after harvest time but has his doubts about the restaurant and working with Leyna. His feelings for her were still strong and he knew his leaving had hurt her deeply. He wants a second chance with her but isn’t sure he can stay in Sapphire Springs if his mother and step-father take over the winery.

Leyna Milan took over Rosalia, her family’s restaurant when her grandfather passed away. She wants to honor his contract to open a second restaurant at Wynter Estates, but her dream is to purchase the building next to Rosalia and expand it with a concert hall. She certainly doesn’t want to work with Jay but with Rosalia catering the upcoming wine festival, she is forced to. Realizing her feelings for Jay is still there she hopes they might have a second chance. She knows he hasn’t committed to stay in Sapphire Springs so can she find the courage to open her heart to love again?

This was a beautiful second chance romance and a wonderful debut story for the author. I loved all the fascinating details of grapes and wineries she included in the story. They provided a great background and added depth to the story. The author introduced some charming side characters that I hope to see again in future books.
 

Book Info:

Publication: November 10th 2020 | Forever | Sapphire Springs #1

Jay Wynter wants to be successful on his own merit. That’s why he left Sapphire Springs and his family’s winery to build a career from scratch. But now that he’s successor to Wynter Estate, Jay must return to his small hometown to face everything, and everyone, he left behind-especially his high school sweetheart, who happens to be his stunning new business partner . . .

Leyna Milan knows family legacies come with strings attached, but she’s determined to prove that she can run her family’s restaurant. Of course, Leyna never expected that honoring her grandfather’s wishes meant opening a second location on her ex’s property-or having to ignore Jay’s sexy grin and guard the heart he shattered years before. But as they work closely together, she begins to discover that maybe first loves deserve a second chance . . .