This author has written very disgusting things in the book and I hope to never see her on NetGalley again.

I thought the premise would be great but the racist remarks and also the overall gist that both just immediately don’t trust people in their lives but each other - who they just met. It’s just not it.

The racist comments + Elon Musk praise was NOT it. I was so excited to read this and was so disappointed. Thank you netgalley for giving me this ARC but unfortunately it was not a good read :(

I wasn't the biggest fan of the Brutal Prince series but I've heard a lot of praise for Sopgie Lark's books. So I decided to give this a second shot but the racist comments truly distorted my enjoyment.

So the racism and Elon Musk worship are a major ick and reason enough not to finish.

This one had a lot of potential. I loved the setting and the idea of the family rivalry. However, the romance just didn’t hold up for me. At the beginning, Monroe says that Sadie is nothing special and it’s alluded that these families don’t get along.

Suddenly, the two main characters trust each other over their siblings and families without us seeing them actually build their relationship. It felt very insta-love without building on their connection and relationship. We hear very little about their background and relationship before the book and honestly I was more interested in what was going on with the other siblings (who I’m sure will be the main characters in the next books).

For the length of the book, the resolution felt rushed and the decisions made were confusing and felt like they were not aligned with what we had previously learned about the characters. The epilogue was cute and definitely sets up for more questions for the rest of the series.

Unfortunately after attempting to read this book I cannot move past the issues I have with some of the comments and characters motivations in this story. Since starting to read this book I have seen that the Sophie Lark has come out and apologized for the insensitive issues in this story and that she will be fixing them. Since I was given the opportunity to review this original version I cannot adjust my review to reflect that. I hope that her changes reflect more sensitivity to her readers and look forward to seeing what changes are made.

I was part way through this book and unsure whether or not to continue when I was made aware of the issues. Given I was already finding the characters unlikeable and the plot dull, I did not finish it.

From the reviews on this book. I no longer want to read it, which is a shame because I was looking forward to it.

Sparrow and Vine was admittedly my last attempt to read a Sophie Lark book. Though I initially enjoyed her unique spin on the mafia and serial unaliver sub-genres, I have noticed a decline in the quality and craft of her work for a while now. But I wanted to give her one last shot, for nostalgia’s sake.

Unfortunately, due to the racist nature of some of the content in this book, I did not complete this novel. I find it staggeringly ignorant to stereotype and denigrate migrant workers and immigrants, especially at this specific moment in time. That it was written so casually as a throwaway line feels even worse, somehow. Also? The hero worship of a certain creep who profited off of daddy’s apartheid money was a whole capital-C CHOICE.

As I was debating on how to write a review for this, I came across other reviewers (thankfully) highlighting these same passages and then being silenced for doing so. I will add my voice with theirs to say that this behavior is not okay. And mention that the author seeking to claim ignorance to the harm she caused because the book was written a year ago was not the “apology” she thought it was.

I am also disappointed that the publisher did not mitigate this issue once it was allegedly raised. Even with the rewrites that are supposedly happening, I will not be continuing with this series or this author.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

I was thrilled to be approved for this book, but unfortunately, I’m really disappointed. The inclusion of racist and political remarks is inexcusable and has no place in any story.

I’m glad to hear that Bloom Books ensured these comments were removed before publication, but the author’s defense—that it was appropriate when originally written—is unacceptable.

I’m giving this 3 stars just to not hurt my account more but it deserves zero.

Having read reviews, I can not read this book. I wouldn't want to read this even if there are edits. I won't be reading anything by this author going forward.

Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

I was super excited to receive this and read as she was a new to me author that I'd heard so much about. Unfortunately due to the racist and political views I can't continue reading.

While I am grateful that Bloom advised the content in question to be removed prior to the release allowing the author to publish this makes the apology so much worse.

Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

When I saw I was approved to read a book from my favorite publisher I was thrilled. Unfortunately, the author of this book has disappointed all of us in their choice to express racist and political views in this book that can not be supported.

I am grateful to hear Bloom had advised this to be removed prior to release but the authors apology or excuse that this book would have been ok to include these comments when it was written, a year prior, is disgusting.

This is unfortunate, because I want to like this book but I cannot justify it with the recent racial issues.

Due to the racism in this book, I am choosing not to read it. I'm disappointed in the author (and will not be reading any of her books) and equally frustrated that Bloom Books allowed the racist lines to make it through the editing process despite being identified as harmful.

I honestly thought we were over this type of thing. The racism in this book was so disgusting and honestly disappointing as well. Saying that they need more people with ‘questionable’ visas to work with the grapes is not okay. Plus, one of the characters sees Elon Musk as an idol.
Hard pass.

I’m not able to finish this book due to the author’s racist writing.I’m not able to finish this book due to the author’s racist writing.I’m not able to finish this book due to the author’s racist writing.

I will not be reading and reviewing this title after seeing recent reviews sharing very obviously racist and offensive language and actions.
These things should be removed immediately.

If I could give this zero stars I would. I am floored that this publisher didn’t force Sophie to remove the racist lines in this book. Deplatform and cut ties with her.

DNF’ing at 50%. I have enjoyed several of Sophie’s books and I was looking forward to this one but honestly the writing felt sloppy. The storyline had potential but I just feel like it was written in a hurry with not much thought. Also- as many others have stated, in today’s political climate, I don’t think using such controversial public figures is a good move. I unfortunately (fortunately for me) didn’t read far enough to reach the other controversial lines about immigration.

I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book.