REVIEW: Slow Dancing At Sunrise by Jo McNally

Slow Dancing At Sunrise by Jo McNally is the first book in the Rendezvous Falls series. After losing her job, Whitney Foster returns to Rendezvous Falls to her aunt Helen’s winery. She’s been so busy working her way up the ladder that she hadn’t returned in a while, not even for her uncle Tony’s funeral. The winery is not what she remembered; it’s run down, the gardens are over grown, the finances are a mess, and Luke Rutledge is the only employee. She’s immediately suspicious of Luke, especially when she finds suspicious money movement while organizing the winery’s books. She’s determined to get her aunt back on her feet and, with Luke’s help and some help from Helen’s friends, restore the winery back to its glory.

I enjoyed both Whitney and Luke. Their initial hostility towards one another gradually thaws as they get to know one another, but I enjoyed their banter along the way. It was nice to watch them put aside their differences to help Helen, who they both cared deeply about. Both are dealing with issues; Whitney is struggling with the loss of her job she worked so hard at, and Luke with his family’s bad reputation. I did think, however, that Luke was too concerned about how his family was viewed, as he kept mentioning it.

I liked Helen and could understand her letting things fall apart after her husband’s death, however, I was also frustrated with her. She knows Whitney is missing financial paperwork, and she knows where it is, but she doesn’t provide it which aide’s in Whitney’s suspicion of Luke. If she just came clean about it, some of the tension between Whitney and Luke could have been avoided.

Helen’s book club friends are entertaining. It was fun watching them try to play matchmaker and set Whitney up on dates. They are also great friends, stepping up to help Helen, Whitney, and Luke with getting the winery and the float ready in time for the festival.

With witty characters and only a small amount of drama, Slow Dancing At Sunrise is an entertaining and charming story that will appeal to readers of small-town romances.

Book Info:

Publication: June 25, 2019 | HQN Books | Rendezvous Falls #1

When accountant Whitney Foster’s carefully calculated life blows up, she escapes to the one place that’s always felt like home. But Rendezvous Falls has changed since she’s been away. Her aunt Helen’s winery is in trouble. And she doesn’t trust the sexy, surly stranger working the vineyard as far as she can throw him.

Luke Rutledge would do anything for Helen, who’s been like a mother to him. Revive the winery? Sure. Repair her property? No problem. Tolerate Helen’s infuriating, big-shot niece? Well…maybe. But as he and Whitney are forced to work together to rebuild the business, her chilly facade reveals a woman as complex and intoxicating as a fine Merlot. Throw in a matchmaking book club hell-bent on happily-ever-after and it’s a potent cocktail.

Love should never be calculated. But it doesn’t take Whitney’s math skills to see that this is adding to up to one tantalizing adventure.