I typically love Sophie Lark's romance books.
I was into the book - I mean, fake marriage, right? But, I was very disappointed by some rather insensitive comments that just seemed inconsiderate - it very much soured my take on the book.

It was cute, but flawed. I finished it, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.

✨ BOOK REVIEW: SPARROW AND WINE by Sophie Lark ✨
⭐️ 8/10
💍 arranged marriage
🍷 vineyard drama
❤️ slow-burn feels
📚 one hell of a grape story (sorry, had to)

What do you get when you mix enemies-to-lovers, wine-fueled family drama, and a fake marriage that feels a little too real? You get Sparrow and Wine — and trust me, this book is as juicy as the vineyard it’s set on. 🍇

Sadie Sparrow is a chaotic sunbeam with a heart way too big for her own good. Monroe Beaumont? Moody, broody, and somehow still a total sweetheart under all that… grumpy bark. They marry to save their families’ vineyard, but surprise surprise — fake vows don’t stay fake for long when sparks start flying and secrets start pouring. 👀💥

Let’s be real — arranged marriage tropes can sometimes feel forced, but Sophie Lark turns it into a slow, sweet burn that actually made my cold heart melt a little. Watching Sadie and Monroe stumble, fight, flirt, and fall? Chef’s kiss. There's a certain tenderness that blooms between them, wrapped in banter, wine, and late-night vineyard confessions.

Still, the charm of this story is the relationship at its core. Sadie and Monroe’s journey from reluctant partners to something real is emotional without being heavy, swoony without being saccharine, and just messy enough to feel real.

I will not be reading this book as it was pulled from the publisher and not releasing to the public. I do hope that Sophie could rewrite the book without the negative impact it had on readers.

Could not review properly due to early archive and lack of positive response due to content issues. Unfortunate outcome as the author is generally highly regarded in her genre.

Sophie Lark's "Sparrow and Vine" is a masterful start to a thrilling new series that has left me eagerly anticipating the next installment. The dual narrators bring a vibrant energy to the story, each providing a distinct perspective that enriches the familial themes and the intricate plot. From start to finish, the pace is rapid and engaging, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

What truly sets this book apart is its humor. Lark's witty dialogue and clever scenarios had me laughing out loud, perfectly balancing the tension with moments of levity. The family dynamics are portrayed with such warmth and authenticity, you can't help but feel a part of their world.

Overall, "Sparrow and Vine" is a captivating, witty, and heartwarming read that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking for a fresh and exciting series. Five stars without a doubt!

This one took me a while to get through. I have always enjoyed Sophie's writing but I don't know if this book just wasn't for me or wasn't well written but I did lose interest a lot. At times I felt it was rushed and other times I felt like it was overly detailed/discussed dragging out.

**I know there was a lot of controversy pertaining to some dialogue in this book. I chose to overlook that as a flaw in the character and not judge the author or the rest of the book based on that.

I love Sophie Lark books and this was no exception. She does a great job of writing a semi-dark romance that still relates to real life. I loved the forced proximity and enemies to lovers trope as well.

Unfortunately this book was archived due to negative reviews and so my review has to reflect that. I was unable to download or read and need to leave a review for my netgalley profile. So, I’m glad the book has been pulled due to offensive content.

I really enjoyed this book and wow it’s a Contemporary Enemies to Lovers Romance from the Author of Brutal Birthright Book 1 of 3 book series!!

Tropes
Marriage of Convenience
Enemies to Lovers
Only One Bed
Contemporary Romance
Spicy Romance
High Heat

Sophie Lark is an author I have read in the past and enjoyed but before I could read Sparrow and Vine there was an outcry on social media about some of the alleged content. As someone who doesn’t allow themselves to be influenced by outside sources, I still read this book. While not her best work and not a book I’d probably read again, I realise that some of the content may be offensive to some and I’m honestly not sure if this reflects the personal beliefs or opinions of the author, but at the end of the day it is a work of fiction and I’m more appalled at the idea of a book being pulled because it offends a minority. It feels a little too much like censorship to me.

I have had Sophie Lark on auto request, auto buy, auto read for years. The way she writes swooning and heat between couples has kept me kicking my feet for years.
Her back catalogue when indie published them moved into trad has been my favorite spicy flavor.
The vibes of this one not so much.
The rating is up there because I do still enjoy her writing
But we all know what caused it to not get full stars.

I love Sophie Lark!!!! This was a nice surprise because it was a lot different than her normal writing. This was a Juliet and Romeo type of romance. I was thinking it would be another dark romance and I was surprised it wasn’t. Loved it! It was fantastic. I will always read anything she writes.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the arc of this book.

This book had so much potential, but it was completely ruined. I don't understand why the author chose to express racist views. Because of that, I could never recommend this book.

Sadly, this book was pulled before I could read it. Unsure why as the publish and archive date have yet to pass. Hence, why I can't leave a review. I do enjoy Sophie Lark, so I am a little saddened.

Sparrow and Vine brings a slightly different tone compared to the author's darker Brutal Birthright series. While still delivering on the heat and spice, this new series shifts towards a lighter atmosphere.

I appreciated the tender and supportive moments between the main characters, Monroe and Sadie.
However, I must admit that their chemistry didn’t quite ignite for me as strongly as the connection between Monroe's brother and Sadie's sister. That pair’s dynamic has genuinely caught my attention, and I’m eagerly anticipating their story in future books.

The narrative weaves together several compelling threads, including the struggles with the vineyard, the wicked mother-in-law, Monroe's grandfather’s situation, and the complex bond between Sadie and her sisters.
These storylines kept me engaged throughout the book. However, the lack of complete resolution left me craving more by the end.

Overall, Sparrow and Vine was an enjoyable read, despite a few minor pacing bumps.
That being said, my curiosity about the other sister and brother's story is strong enough to ensure that I’ll continue with this series.

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: alcoholism, racism, xenophobia

Unfortunately there were some glaring issues with the content in this book and hopefully the author will fox this. I do think that this book is dealing with a extremely sensitive topic and it was a bit tone deaf in how it handled it. I hope that this book changes and that this romance changes as well.

This book was pulled by the publisher before I was able to read it and thus I will not be providing a review.

I have to admit that I did not know enough about this book when I requested it. I thought it was another cute story about enemies to lovers but I was taken aback by some of the phrases and definitely by the spice level. If you enjoy spicy love stories that read like a YA then you’ll enjoy this one. I haven’t read the spicy sports romances but I think this is one of them. Two and a half stars rounded up.
Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the digital ARC.

I was determined to read this book despite all the buzz surrounding it. I’m not someone who forms opinions based on what others say without first going to the source and making up my own mind. I love this author, and I genuinely believe in freedom of speech, which is why it felt important to read the book myself.

As a Latin immigrant, I thought I could offer a perspective rooted in personal experience, especially since the group allegedly being discriminated against in the story includes people like me. I also don’t live in the US, so I figured I could approach the discussion with a bit more objectivity, removed from the specific political tensions there.

But unfortunately, the book was pulled before I had the chance to read it. I had other ARCs to prioritize and wasn’t fast enough. And honestly, that really sucks. I wanted to read it not just out of curiosity, but to participate in the conversation from an informed place.

This trend of canceling books or authors over statements others find controversial (often before actually reading the material) is getting out of hand. We’re forming conclusions based on outrage rather than evidence, and that’s a dangerous place to be when it comes to literature and discourse.

I'm not here for racist authors who don't listen to their publisher or sensitivity readers. Know better, do better.