Intoxicating

This is my first book of Heather Heyford and certainly won’t be my last.

The characters are endearing. Heath is adorkable. He has lost so much and doesn’t really think anyone can love him. This stems from his past and he is crushed by it. His dad has never recovered from the past and heath has paid the consequences. He is such a sweet and caring man. Very loyal and giving. successful and happy with where his life is but very quiet and private. he has also been in love with Poppy forever and didn’t know it. She was his bestie and now he sees her in a new light. But is conflicted because she needs his help so she can move on to a new career.

Poppy is precious. She has overcome so many obstacles and even though she doesn’t see it is successful and loved by everyone. She is bubbly and sweet. Precious and real. She is honest and loyal as well. She also feels that she need to prove something to her town and herself. this does hurt Heath because she keeps reeling him in and rejecting him but he supports her because they are friends and he loves her. I hated to see what happened after she got her results. I didn’t like that Poppy. We get a glimpse of her life after when she is Oregon and she isn’t the same. heath changes as well. He grows and expands.

Poppy does finally see the light and I was so glad Heath was always there for her and we get a HEA.

The story is sweet and tender. We see growth of the characters and the journey of self discovery and what matters in life: friendship,love, and family. the love and friendship seen throughout this book is special and complete. It warms the heart and also seeing where Demi is in the end is awesome. Poppy and heath apart are adorable but together they are so dang cute. They belong together-always have been there for each other and always will. Poppy and Heath both learn so much on their way to finding each other and the journey is entertaining and endearing to read.

This second book in Heather Heyford’s Oregon Wine Country series is a nice second entry. So far, Poppy Springer has lived up to what the entry in her high school yearbook, and that isn’t a good thing. When the editor wrote that Poppy would be the “girl most likely to be a waitress at her hometown café”, a decade later is has proven true. Poppy is back home in Clarkston working in her family’s restaurant. But, Poppy has dreams that only her closest friends know about – she wants to become a female sommelier, and best friend Heath is just the person to help her. Only, Poppy can’t figure out why Heath doesn’t seem to be enthusiastic about helping her.

Heath isn’t good with change and when he sees that Poppy is really serious about passing the sommelier test and moving to Portland, he is at a crossroads. He wants Poppy to be happy, but he also wants her to stay in Clarkston working at her family’s restaurant so that he can finally pursue his growing feelings for Poppy.

Watching these two struggle to overcome their own personal challenges while coming to terms with their feelings for each other at the same time kept me engaged throughout the book and crossing my fingers at the same time. Watching socially-awkward introvert Heath force himself out of his comfort zone a bit to support outgoing Poppy was sweet and shows just how far he was willing to go for her.

The author writes about so many issues, yet they fit the story well and are written with grace and hope. Well done!

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing me a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to review it.

Just another reason to fall for Heather Heyford. Intoxicating is adorable, lovable and charmingly irresistible. Not only does it entertain but inspires by shine a light on relevant subjects like self - esteem, success and making dreams into reality. With Heath and Poppy, I found that something special that brightened up my day.