Four Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ for Breathe, by Lucinda Race
If you want a quick, easy, breezy romance, this is the book for you. And as a bonus, you’ll get to learn a lot about the winemaking industry in the Finger Lakes region of New York.
Tessa Price has decided to strike out on her own after her father handed down the reins of her family winery to her brother. Stung by her perceived rejection to run the family business, she bought a neighboring winery to have something of her own to build and grow.
Sand Creek Winery was owned by Kevin “Max” Maxwell, who was forced to sell due to unexpected financial woes brought about by his sister’s expensive healthcare costs. Kevin resents the fact that someone else will have the power to manage his pride and joy.
When Tessa asks Kevin to stay on and manage the winery, sparks fly.
I liked the main characters very much. The heroine, Tessa, was strong, smart and tough, she knows what she wants and knows how to get it. The hero, Kevin (or Max) was handsome, smart and kind.
I also like the fast pace of the book, the beginning grabbed me almost immediately and except in a few places the pace kept up. There were a few spots in the middle where the plot slowed and the author spent too much time on the winery details itself. However, I liked learning about the wineries and how they are fun and some of the problems winemakers have to overcome.
I also got a bit confused with the Hero’s names. His name is Kevin, but he likes to be called Max, and especially during the first few chapters I thought they were different people.
I recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading the next in this series.