REVIEW: One Summer of Love by Reese Ryan

One Summer of Love by Reese Ryan: Delaney Carlisle decides to spend the summer near family in Magnolia Lake. Her sisters find her a nice townhouse where she and her daughter Harper can live. Delaney aka Laney interviews at Valentine Vineyards. They are working on building their brand after buying the vineyard and all that goes with it. Laney is an enologist and knows she can be a huge asset for them given a chance.

CFO Nolan Valentine is a little hesitant about hiring her after he finds out she has a young child. He doesn’t want to be hurt again by getting attached to a child after his disastrous breakup with his wife took three beloved step-children away from him.

Finally, his family members persuade him to try Laney for three months and then go from there. Laney is okay with that since she’s not sure if she will be staying in Magnolia Lake or move on. Nolan wants to keep his personal life separate from his business life. That proves to be hard after he discovers Laney’s sisters have put her into a townhome very close to his. When he meets Harper at the pool he is charmed by her and Laney in a bathing suit is more than charming. Laney can see that Nolan is not all brains. He has a tone physique that leaves her a little hot and bothered.

Nolan’s family takes Laney right into their lives. It will be hard to leave them behind if she has to leave after summer. It will be even worse with Nolan as they become closer.

Harper leaves to visit her father in Seattle for several weeks. Derrick had not much to do with Harper when she was little. Suddenly, he wants to be more of a true father to her and let her get to know his side of the family.

Although she misses her daughter, Laney begins what may be only one summer of love with Nolan. Their chemistry is perfect and the summer nights become even hotter. What will happen after summer is over?

As the reader would expect this novel is extra spicy. You wouldn’t want anything different from a book from Harlequin’s Desire line. At the same time, Nolan’s and Laney’s love story is one that had to overcome the hurts of the past. They try to protect their hearts at all costs despite a fair amount of meddling from both sides of the family.

I learned more about wine and wine making from this story. I had never heard the term enologist before. I always say there is lots to be learned from fiction. I have been educated and entertained so often in my many years of reading.

This is the second in author Reese Ryan’s Valentine Vineyards series. I will be reading #3 very soon. I have only started to read talented Reese Ryan’s work in recent history and plan to continue with future works as well as some of her back list.

Book Info:

Publication: August 22, 2023 | Harlequin Desire | Valentine Vineyards #2

When a cheery STEM nerd and a no-nonsense CFO work together, opposites definitely attract! Only in the next Valentine Vineyards book from Reese Ryan.

She’s beautiful, competent…and wreaking havoc on his self-control!

Brains and beauty? Scientist Delaney Carlisle challenges all of CFO Nolan Valentine’s professional boundaries—and inspires a passion unlike any other. Their chemistry is as intoxicating as the wine they’re creating. But she’s an employee. She’s off-limits. Not to mention, the determined single mom is only in town for the summer to help turn Valentine Vineyards into a success. Then she’s off to a full-time job and stability. Yet when Nolan finally rebels thanks to Delaney’s irresistible charms, he’ll have to choose between listening to his head and following his heart…

From Harlequin Desire: Passionate and provocative stories featuring rich, powerful heroes and scandalous family sagas.

You’ll be swept away by this bold, sizzling romance, part of the Valentine Vineyards series:

Book 1: A Valentine for Christmas
Book 2: One Summer of Love
Book 3: Snowbound Second Chance