This book was short without feeling too short. Sure, the actual story takes place over two weeks, but I felt like I really got to know both of the main characters. I liked how things played out with the story, and didn’t finish the book thinking that anything felt too rushed.

I did not get to finish listening to this before it was returned. I will edit my review when I get the chance to finish listening to this story.

This is my first book from these authors and I have to say, I really like their writing style. It’s the first thing that caught my eye, how descriptive they are and how balanced that description was. I am a visual person so it was the right balance for me to be able to imagine it without it becoming long drawn out paragraphs regarding that one thing, you know?

Both Memphis and Vivian have issues to overcome, in very different ways and yet their chemistry is undeniable so it’s impossible to stay away from each other. I really like strong FMC characters and Vivian was just that. She is sassy, confident in herself and her sexuality, playful and silly enough to be a character you’d want to meet in real life and although Memphis comes off as a grump, he is a MMC that has a heart of gold and huge loyalty to his family and their business.

I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this book as an arc reviewer and even though it’s the second book in a series, it felt like a standalone. There was little detail given on what happened during the previous book which I find to be a huge positive because sometimes the book is advertised as it could be read without reading any others but the reality is you’re often a little lost, this was not the case.

I’ll definitely follow along with these authors. Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

This is a good book. The two main characters are Vivian and Memphis. Vivian has to escape from her boyfriend of three years because he cheating on her. She comes to her best friend’s family vineyard to get away. The first person she runs into is her best friend’s brother, Memphis. He is working as a bartender, because he is needed to fill in. There is an instant attraction. They decide to be friends with benefits, for Vivian’s two weeks stay. Vivian is a song writer and singer. She has been having trouble writing songs, but since she has been here the songs are pouring out. Memphis and Vivian start dating. They fall in love

this was such a sweet small town romance, i absolutely adored these two and i couldnt get enough of them! these two had an instant attraction and i loved seeing these two get to know each other. Vivian and Memphis had the most amazing banter and such a strong connection, i was rooting for these two from the start!

Love these authors and love this series. Really enjoyed the first book and this was no different . The authors managed to create a vivid world that I could not wait to dive deeper into. Love the best friends brother trope and the individual character arcs.

Small town? SIGN ME UP!!!!

I love this book and characters so much! I went into it based solely on the cover. I didn’t read the blurb or anything! And I am so glad I did! I was so giddy and obsessed with these characters from the very beginning!!

If you’re a small town lover, THIS book is for you!!!

I absolutely loved this first book in this series and this one just continued growing my love for it!
I’m a sucker for a best friends brother and I felt like this one was done incredibly well!

Vivian stole my heart in Bitter Truth and I’m so glad she got her happy ever after with Memphis, who I knew I loved because I cannot resist a grouch!

I have enjoyed this series so much!

Loved this small town huge love story which empowering your true self in a relationship and still having a grand love story.

*3.5 stars*

Was love worth it…

Yes! And Vivian and Memphis – opposites in so many ways – found that out. She was hiding, struggling in the aftermath of a broken relationship, but staying with her bestie was a double-edged sword. She loved Murphy but her family – especially her brother – not so much. She had her friend’s back and was fierce in her support. That added additional sparks to meeting Memphis for the time and set the stage for a courtship that smoldered…

I loved the banter and laughter between these two as I laughed right along with them. Balancing the fun with deep feelings and emotions made this a sweet and sultry read. As a bonus, how they resolved things and made their own way (together) made their HEA perfect…

Sweet Escape has everything I need in a great romance: a well written and compelling storyline, lovable characters with sizzling chemistry, emotion, and epic spice.

Meredith and Jillian write very well together. it was seamless.
I loved Vivian and Memphis. They were both interesting, charismatic, and complex.

They described Rosewood and the vineyard so well that I almost felt like I was there.
I have read a few books from Meredith before, which were also excellent. This is the first I've read from Jillian, though. I'm definitely interested in reading more novels from both of these talented authors.

I'm hopeful that there will be another in the series, maybe Micah and Quinn? 🤞
Until then, I'll be impatiently waiting.

I highly recommend.

5 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley, Montlake, Meredith Wild, and Jillian Liota for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Whilst I enjoyed this book, I did find myself bored at times and skimming over parts. I will be definitely be continuing the series as there was much more positives to take away than negative

SWEET ESCAPE Hawthorne Vines Book 2 by Meredith Wild
The second book of the series has it all and is a very enjoyable read. It’s a best friend’s older brother, enemies to lovers, and small town romance. It’s packed full of plenty of humor, angst, drama, betrayal and some hot chemistry. I really liked this story of Vivian and Memphis, and the way they came together. This is 5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book in the Hawthorne Vines series. While Vivian and Memphis did have issues to work through this book felt a little surface level, if that makes sense. I understand Vivian had some things to work through after finding out her boyfriend had been cheating on her but it didn’t seem like it would be a big deal that she would be opposed to a relationship with Memphis because it honestly it did’t feel like
she even liked her ex. For Memphis, he was a busy guy with the vineyard but some of the stress he was under was due to him not reaching out for any support. I did like that they were both able to work through their issues somewhat quickly and didn’t draw out their conflict. If there is another book in this series, I would definitely read it.

Sweet Escape is book two in the Hawthorne Vines series. It follows Memphis and Vivian. This was a super cute small town romance that was a perfect palate cleanser. I really enjoyed it and felt the characters' chemistry were really well written along with the progression of the story. This is technically book two in the series but it can be read as a standalone.

Thank you to Montlake, NetGalley, Meredith Wild and Jillian Liota for the gifted copy.

After being betrayed by her ex, Vivian needs some inspiration to find the lyrics she needs for the music she is trying to create. Now is the perfect time to escape to spend some time with her friend at Hawthorne Vines. While there she spends time for Memphis who she is not only attracted to but sparks her creativity even knowing that what they share can only be temporary.

Memphis is focused on ensuring that Hawthorn Vines remains viable which doesn’t leave the time or energy for anything else. He can’t deny that Vivian can be intriguing and infuriating but she also draws his attention away from work. A casual relationship with a time limit seems like the perfect solution for but will their hearts agree?

This is a journey of self-discovery for them both as Vivian realizes the past doesn’t foresee the future while Memphis realizes that he isn’t alone as what was supposed to be a fling turns into forever.

I read this as a standalone, not paying attention that it is technically the second in the series, but I had no issues following along. A sweet romance with the best friend's brother trope always makes me feel cozy and this was just that! It was a sweet and cozy romance with some spice.

This book has it all — the laughs, the drama, the anger, the sexy times — everything you could ask for from a book. At one point I was so into what I was reading I was surprised to find myself crying. It’s so hard to come out on the other side of a betrayal and be ok. What matters most is that you try your best to find the truth about yourself afterwards. When you face your own fears, feelings, and problems you can attempt to make positive changes in your life. There’s a saying that everything happens for a reason and that’s evident in this storyline. Vivian must face her worst reality and when she runs to the Hawthorne Vineyard to see her BFF Murphy, she finds more than she ever bargained for. I loved so many things about this book and I highly recommend reading it!

This is the second book in a series which I did not realize at the time. Upside is that it felt like a stand alone read although I am sure there are some background things I probably missed not having read the first book. It was a sweet romance.

This is a small-town love story about a best friend's brother. At times, the demanding careers of both main characters can be too much to handle. This is a heartfelt love story about two self-aware people. I liked how these people changed over time, both individually as well as collectively to embrace love in their lives and to be more open about their emotions. Though I'm delighted that the story took the necessary turns for these two to achieve their HEA together, I didn't anticipate it to include emotional components that it did.

Thank you Montlake & NetGalley for the e-ARC.