Liberty Stowe has done it again!

I hoped for a return to Vogel Springs, and by popular demand this author did it! Does this second book mean we get a full series! Because I must say , I am LOVING my trips to the Hill Country and the town I think my entire book club wants to move to!!!

Okay: The review: In terms of a small town romance, Liberty Stowe is the first author next to Lucy Score, who truly incorporates the town and its very well developed characters. She creates a cast you FALL IN LOVE with and book 2 did not disappoint! Anderson, Cal, Tiny, Martha, Conner and no spoilers, so I'll stop there! Just top notch how she incorporated them all in a way that served the plot and themes of book two so specifically. This book was just beautifully crafted, and if I'm being completely critical and honest... Liberty Stowe brings much more depth, research, and uniqueness to her stories than the Lucy Score "quirk" or "camp" and the tropey/I already figured it out same old set up we are consistently hit with. This is the second book in what I'm hoping will be a series. She's calling it her "Vogel Springs Collection," so fingers crossed. And it is my third book of this author's to read since her debut, Steady Now, book 1 of the Vogel Springs Collection.

Some highlights.... If you read Liberty Stowe, you know she writes spice well. I think, "Well done spice" is a tagline on most of my reviews for her. It's often hard for me to give small town romance five stars, but she just gets me every time. I ENJOY the ride, the anticipation, and identifying with her characters, so this second book gets a five from me as well. *You see the vineyard, and you think the plot or story is typical.... No way! This was so unexpected. MMC: August & FMC: Delilah are on a league of there own. Liberty Stowe gives these two an old soul sophistication that makes their spicy scenes ravenous. These two are true lovers. Welcome to romance without the cheesy stick!

Bottled Up is the most unique small town romance book I've read, yet it still honors its genre, hitting all the marks for why we covet and read this romance comfort staple so much. Who doesn't like exploring fictitious towns that welcome you with open arms? If there is any hope out there... Vogel Springs is real, and so are its residents.

This is the Texas Hill Country author, read, and hopefully full series you won't want to miss.

Sorry Small Town Romance authors, I'm afraid Liberty Stowe raised the bar with this one!

I really enjoyed this book! I liked the characters and I felt that the plot was well written and well paced. I would definitely recommend this book to others!

Welcome back to Vogel Springs.
A small town rich with history and community, where there are no secrets and everyone remembers all the teenage mistakes you made
lol.
Delilah a highly successful pastry chef, returns home to heal her wounds and decide the next move in her life.
August is a renowned wine maker who takes a job at the famous Vogel Haus to create a signature wine.
Well, these two have an immediate connection, they are both too stubborn for their own good and fight it at every return.
This is book 2 in the series and to get the whole small town feel please start a book one!
I really enjoy the series and I look forward to many more trips to Vogel Springs!

*Bottled Up* by Liberty Stowe was my first Liberty Stowe novel and it definitely won't be my last.

This book was everything I want in a contemporary romance. It had heart, chemistry, emotional depth, memorable characters, and a setting so beautifully written that I never wanted to leave. From the very first chapter, I found myself completely immersed in the world of Vogel Springs.

One of the strongest aspects of this novel was the characterization. Every single character felt real, layered, and thoughtfully developed. It's rare to find a book where even the supporting cast leaves such an impression, but Liberty Stowe managed to do exactly that. I became so invested in these characters that I genuinely felt like I was part of their community.
And can we talk about Vogel Springs? The world-building was phenomenal. The vineyard, the town, the people—it all felt so vivid that I honestly wanted to pack my bags, move to Vogel Haus, and start making wine myself. That's how immersive this story was.

August and Delilah were absolutely wonderful together. Their chemistry was effortless, and every interaction between them had me smiling. Delilah was such a strong, resilient heroine who carried the weight of her past while still fighting for her future. And August? Swoon-worthy in every sense of the word. Supportive, charming, handsome, and impossible not to fall in love with.
By the time I reached the final pages, I wasn't ready to say goodbye. I loved these characters, this town, and this story so much that I wanted it to keep going. *Bottled Up* is the kind of romance that wraps around your heart and stays there long after you've finished reading.

A truly wonderful contemporary romance and one of my favorite reads of the year.

Thank you so much to RupertBossier Publishing for this ARC!
I LOVE small town drama and this didn't disappoint. I also love revisiting fictional towns and their characters so I loved that we got to see Wren, Hud, Anderson and Cal again. I think that this one definitely can standalone, but I think it will make a lot more sense if you read Steady Now first. This book comes four years after Wren and Anderson settled in Vogel Springs, which was a bit of a time jump to adjust to. I thought the way that Delilah's secrets played out was good but also confusing at times. I really enjoyed August's POV. I thought his story was really interesting and I was guessing all the way to the end on how they were going to solve the problem. I have a feeling the next time we are in Vogel Springs, we will be seeing a lot more of May Beth, but I would also love to get more on the dynamic between Anderson and Cal.

Another fantastic story from author Liberty Stowe. This is a sequel to her debut novel, Steady Now, and is set in the same charming small town of Vogel Springs, Texas. While I highly recommend reading the first book to get a better sense of the characters and setting, this book introduces two new main characters to the town. Delilah, a former resident of Vogel Springs, has become a renowned pastry chef in New York. August, a wine maker, is persuaded to relocate to Vogel Springs from Anderson, the owner of Vogel Haus. Their paths cross at the airport, and despite an initial awkwardness, their relationship blossoms quickly. The book delves deep into the lives of each character and weaves a captivating suspense plot centered around the business dealings of Vogel Haus and the vineyard. This is a truly engaging and spicy open-door book that I highly recommend checking out.

Thank you, RupertBossier, for providing this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Welp folks, she did it again! Liberty Stowe is back with another Vogel Springs story and this one is just as awesome as the first!

I LOVED getting to hear from Anderson more and get. a peak inside his mind, while also exploring this new story with August and Delilah! I highly recommend reading book 1 before jumping into this one, if you have not already.

Liberty Stowe does a delightful job at making fun, hilarious characters that feel so realistic. The MMC is strong, capable, and of course grumpy. But the FMC is also strong and has her own remarkable capabilities. These characters are so warm, so real, and so awesome. The spice in this one is perfect- both tender and passionate!

Vogel Springs is the kind of place that just wraps you in it's arms and makes you want to stay forever. The found family and friendships in this story are amazing and truly so special.

I sooooo hope we are coming back to Vogel Springs in the future. I can't wait to read more!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for the opportunity to read this title in advance of it's release.

Thank you RupertBossier publishing for allowing me to read this ARC. I enjoyed this book more than Steady Now. I loved the incorporation of all of our book 1 characters were in this new couple’s story. We get to see how Vogul Häus is thriving and the drama of running it. I could not put this book down. A FMC whose running from her old life to try and hide in her small hometown and a MMC who refuses to be tied down to a job/area with his own tragic childhood trauma he’s trying to stay away from reliving. Will they, won’t they? I got so angsty just waiting to see how it played out! I loved how the couple’s character’s stories were so different from book one and that the author stayed away from a typical series storyline. The epilogue had me a bit scared because they are normally happy-go-lucky to tie everything up, but this one still had the HEA. I hope there is more to this series because I will for sure read it too!

I worried that I wouldn’t get the full effect without reading the previous book, but this was definitely all encompassing as a stand alone.

We are introduced to our two main characters and right away I knew this would be a good read. Delilah and August are well developed characters with their own baggage, and past traumas to shake things up. Small town charm, drama, intrigue and some smutty romance was the best combination.
I enjoyed this read so much!

I loved the first book and this second book did not disappoint! I loved being able to continue with all of our lovely characters lives while immersing with new characters.

This book follows Delilah Mueller who is a world renown pastry chef and August Montenegro a generational winemaker.

Delilah gets burned by her ex Julian and flees back home to Vogal Springs. She's trying to stay away from the cameras but the cameras are always following.

August comes from a family of winemakers. He escapes his toxic family and is constantly on the run. He refuses to plant roots unless they are for grapes.

These two come together in a swoony, healing relationship. He's leaving after the harvest and she might stay here where she calls home.

There's banter, tension, healing and a found family. There's nothing you won't love.

Thank you so much NetGalley and RupertBossier Publishing for this amazing ARC! I can't wait for the next book in this series!

This 2nd book in the Vogel Series did not disappoint. There was so many twists and turns in this book compared to the first. Deliah and August are great together. They both come to understand why the other is the way they are but they don't pressure each other for anything other than living in that moment. They both would sacrifice everything for each other which is something new and a little scary to August who is the self proclaimed never stay in one spot for long guy while Deliah guards her heart because of her ex.
They both find the happiness they deserve in Vogel Springs.

This is an ARC review. I want to thank Liberty Stowe and RupertBussier for allowing me the chance to read this book ahead of release day! After reading Stead Now I was so excited to read the next in the series and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT!

Vogel Springs, Texas in Texas Hill Country sounds like a dream that I need to visit. It can’t be that far of a drive from Houston! It truly just reminds me of all the Texas small town charm I can never get enough of!

Deliah Mueller…I want to taste every single goodie made throughout this book. I’m jealous of everyone who got to taste such extraordinary food! Who should NEVER get a taste of anything good again is her ex-boyfriend, Julian. This man never deserved her and shouldn’t be able to be in the same industry.

Running into August Montenegro was a pleasant surprise. Well at least the first run in. There was a lot of tension and push and pull between these two once they had their second run in. When I tell you their sexual tension was at an all time high. I’ll never look at a lake the same again!

I am happy Delilah finally allowed herself to not live in fear and run and hide from her problems. She deserved someone, herself, to show up for her. August also thankfully did the same. When both of them finally stopped running away they were able to run to each other. What an amazing story! Thank you for sharing!

Bottled Up by Liberty Stowe was a delightful surprise and an easy 4 ⭐️ read for me. As someone who typically reaches for horror and thrillers, contemporary romance isn't my usual genre, but this one completely won me over. The story follows Delilah, an award-winning pastry chef whose world is turned upside down, sending her back home to Vogel Springs to regroup and figure out her next chapter. On her way there, she crosses paths with August, a talented winemaker with a complicated family history, and what begins as a chance encounter quickly becomes something much more significant.

I flew through this book in just a few days. The chemistry between Delilah and August was undeniable, and I loved their push-and-pull dynamic as they tried to resist the connection growing between them. The small-town setting, complete with the Vogel Häus bed and breakfast and vineyard, gave the story a cozy charm, while the wine-making backdrop added a unique touch. And yes—there is plenty of spice for readers who enjoy a steamier romance.

At its heart, Bottled Up is a story about starting over, finding yourself after disappointment, and discovering love in the most unexpected places. I found myself completely invested in both Delilah and August and rooting for them every step of the way. If you're looking for a heartfelt contemporary romance with wonderful chemistry, plenty of emotion, and a touch of wine-country magic, this is definitely one to pick up.

I loved this book so so much. This is number two in the series and I can't wait to see who is up next. I hope it's May Beth. Anyway, this book follows August and Delilah. Delilah is hiding from her recent fall from grace... more on that later. August has been hired by Anderson (from book one) to add a vineyard and winery to Vogel Haus.

August and Delilah are absolutely combustible. First like two opposing magnets and then they are drawn together.

I loved how the characters from the first book were interspersed in the perfect amount. You got to see more of them but it wasn't too much where it ruined the story at hand.

This story had some twists and turns that I did NOT see coming. I don't want to spoil any of it for anyone so JUST GO READ THIS.

You don't need to have read the first one, but it helps. Read that one too.

choose this book solely because of its cover, so I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into. This small town, slow burn romance was such an enjoyable read.

Delilah has headed back to her home town after being away for a number of years. In the airport she crosses paths with August as they squabble of a bag of m&m’s. August shows up in her hometown as a new hire by the local B&B.

I loved the entire cast of characters. This was the second book in the series. I missed the first one so will definitely go back k and read Wren and Hud’s story.

If you enjoy small town, slow burn, with an enemies to lovers feel you should definitely read this.

It’s been over nine months. I thought they were done with photos of me, at the very least. There’s got to be a more tragic story to print than mine.

Loved this book

I think this series is cute. There’s always great banter and side characters. This one takes place several years after Wren hits Vogel Springs. This is about August, a wine maker and Delilah, a pastry chef, who are both running from parts of their past and happen to meet on their way to Vogel Springs. It’s sweet and passionate with a slow burn and some great banter that had me giggling. Anderson has to be one of my favorite side characters🤭.

BOTTLED UP 🍾
By: Liberty Stowe
Vogel Springs Collection
Interconnected Standalone
Book 2

ARC REVIEW

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Star Review
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 5/5 Spiciness Level
 
MY THOUGHTS:
I loved returning to Vogel Springs! When the publisher reached out to see if i wanted to read this book as an ARC I immediately clicked yes! There is something magical about this small town and its wonderful characters!

Enter Chef Delilah Mueller and August Montenegro! After a not-so-meet-cute in the airport, they both end up in the same tiny Texas town and it seems like this town may not be big enough for the both of them!

Delilah is returning after many years of being away, living a completely different life in Manhattan. Following a scandal with her ex-fiancé, she up and left. She was expecting the media to leave her be… finally. Little did she know the media is flocking to Vogel Springs following someone else.

August Montenegro is a world-renowned winemaker. He was asked to come by the owner of the bed and breakfast in town. August thinks there is a vineyard worth his time there, but he quickly finds it is lacking in just about everything to make wine within the amount of time he agreed to be there. He has absolutely no plans to settle anywhere, ever, much less this little Texas town.

Those pesky sparks always end up flying though, don’t they? Delilah and August are not spared from the cursed sparks. It is a sloooow burn, but the sparks do turn into quite the flame! Both of these characters are entering this reluctant relationship with drama and baggage. Luckily for them, they can help each other overcome them… if they will let the other help anyway. This is a sweet, angsty, spicy story that definitely deserves to be read!

I don’t feel like these necessarily have to be read in order, but there are overlapping characters and you would get the best experience if you do read them in order.

FAVORITE QUOTE(S):
“I’ve traveled enough, seen enough, to think beauty couldn't surprise me anymore. Then Delilah Mueller put her hand on mine and proved me wrong.”

“This is playing with dynamite. Am I toying with her? Or is she toying with me?”

“They say men only know the happiness they feel, and women only know the happiness they give. No truer words could be said of Julian. I gave him everything, to the point I didn’t want anything anymore.”

“The way his arm wraps around my body, his grip holding me in place while it works between my th*ghs is nothing short of possessive. And in this damp, dark relic of an unknown cellar, I’ve never felt so safe and insatiable at the same time.”

“I’ll go anywhere you want to go.”
“Home. Let’s go back home.”

TROPES:
MF
Slow Burn
Dislike to Lovers
Pastry Chef x Winemaker
High Angst
Found Family
Open Door Explicit Spice

GENRE, POV, PAGE COUNT:
Small-Town Romance
Dual POV in 1st Person
381 Pages

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW, NARRATORS & TIME LENGTH:
No information on audiobook at the time of this review.

THANKS:
Thank you to Author Liberty Stowe, RupertBossier Publishing and NetGalley for this amazing book! I loved reading it, look forward to the next book in this series and look forward to reading future books by this author and publisher! Thank you!
 
Happy Reading! ♥☻

To be in Vogel Springs is always a joy and to be directly invited back was a very welcome surprise. Off the bat, Bottled Up stole my heart because the opening was exactly where I was - at an airport. Unlike August and Delilah, I was not having a good time but mentally I was flying through the pages of their story. Second of all…that UC Davis shoutout had me internally cheering because Go Ags!!! I never thought I’d see the school I attended be mentioned like that so I was overjoyed! But what made me really happy is August and Delilah.

August is a brilliant winemaker and when he’s brought in to Vogel Haüs the tension immediately spikes. He is seemingly so at odds with everyone but he is also very good at his job. On the other hand, there is the beautiful Delilah, who is a pastry chef and returning home to Vogel Springs. Their chance encounter at the airport leads to the start of a beautiful pairing for the small town filled with love and heart. Bottled Up is so beautifully written that I can’t wait to see what’s next for the small town of Vogel Springs.

Thank you to Liberty Stowe, RupertBossier, and NetGalley for the gifted ARC! All opinions are my own.

Delicious (tasty?) small town romance where the small town is really half the joy and you want to come back to visit these characters. I sincerely hope that there are even more coming in this series. this totally works as a standalone, but it *does* make me want to read the first in the series (and am eager for the next!

This was a really good read. It hooked me from the beginning and I loved the tension. I also loved the connection between the FMC and the MMC.

The meet cute in this one was 🔥

These two characters had great development throughout this story, I loved reading and piecing these broken hearts back together!
I really enjoyed the plot of this too, felt like it was the perfect amount of story and spice.

New to me author. So happy I gave it a try.
August is taking on new job, as a winemaker in Vogel Springs, Texas.
Delilah is back to Vogel Springs, after her life exploded, she is running away.
Both of them find something exceptional there.
Loved the storyline. All characters in this story are awesome. It was a pleasure to read this book.

Bottled Up completely pulled me into the charming world of Vogel Springs, and I honestly didn't want to leave. This was such a heartwarming small town romance filled with healing, fresh starts, and characters who felt incredibly real.

I absolutely loved Delilah and August together. Delilah's journey of rebuilding herself after everything she went through was inspiring, while August was supportive, swoon-worthy, and impossible not to love. Their chemistry felt natural, emotional, and had just the right amount of spice without overshadowing the story.

One of my favorite parts was the setting. Vogel Springs felt so warm and welcoming that I found myself wishing it were a real place. The vineyard, bakery, and close knit community added so much charm, and the found family atmosphere made the story even more special.

The writing flowed effortlessly, and I was hooked from beginning to end. It balanced romance, humor, emotion, and personal growth beautifully, leaving me smiling long after I finished.

If you love cozy small-town romances with lovable characters, emotional depth, and a romance that feels genuine, I definitely recommend picking this one up

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC
*4.5 stars rounded up*

I enjoyed Bottled Up immensely. I love finding romances with a setting completely new to me, and the pastry chef x wine maker setting was so novel! Liberty managed to craft a heartwarming small town story yet with sizable political stakes to keep the reader invested. August, our MMC, didn’t hurt either. And of course, the spice was spicing 🌶️. I could’ve read a book twice as long!

I absolutely *loved* this book!
I cheered, I laughed, I cried on each and every page!
The characters were 4stars all the way, their inter-action with each other priceless and the love story between Delilah and August just adorable and oh so endearing.
A beautiful story line encompassing a true love story--and definitely a book I will re-read again and again!
Thank you Liberty Stowe for allowing me the privilege of reading this book prior to publication for my review---and I am definitely looking forward to seeing much more from this addicting author.
Thank you again!!!!

This small town romance gives you all the feels. Liberty Stowe has outdone herself. This book gives you romance, yearning, passion, spice, heartache and every other emotion you want to feel and read about in a romance novel. A refreshing take on a not so enemies to lovers story that captures your heart and makes it hard to put this book down. August and Delilah are so perfect together, I loved this book.

After reading Vogel Springs #1 last year, I was super excited to get an ARC for book 2, Bottled Up!
I definitely recommend reading Steady Now first. Though Bottled Up could be read by itself, it's delightful to see the characters from book 1 come back and see what they are up to now!
I loved the journey the characters went through. They both have their past trauma that holds them back from each other, but they are able to work through it to find each other in the end.

🌼 Creative uses for wine ;)
❤️ Small town
🌼 Lust at first sight
❤️ Spicy romance
🌼 Caregiving

Ty to Netgalley and RupertBossier for the ARC!

I chose to read this book because I worked in the wine industry for a long time and I love reading books about things I’m familiar with. What I was not expecting was to hear about small wine regions that I actually worked in or how much spice was going to be in a book about wine! I was also not expecting how many thrills and plot twists would be in this book. This is one of those books that had me hooked from the very beginning. I literally read half of it the first day I opened it! The enemies to lovers banter between Delilah and August was just so good. Add in the small town banter of Delilah’s homecoming and it was chefs kiss (literally). Then throw in the discovery of a secret prohibition wine cave and this book had everything I wanted, from romance, to spice, to a bit of a thrill all at once.

This reads as a stand alone but actually is book two in the series. I will definitely be reading book one and look forward to more in this series. Wow and how do I order an August??? Anyway it all starts over grabbing a bag of peanut M&M's and trying to assist an older person with a kiosk purchase. I enjoyed the tension in the beginning as August and Delilah find out where they land. The chemistry between Delilah and August was undeniable, and I loved their push-and-pull dynamic as they tried to resist the connection growing between them. The small-town setting, complete with the Vogel Häus bed and breakfast and vineyard, gave the story a cozy charm, while the wine-making backdrop added a unique touch. Themes of starting over, trusting yourself and healing are all prevalent tones in the novel. Enjoyed the couple, the setting and the supporting gang. Now hopefully we learn more about Finn. Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity. #CampNetGalley

4.5 stars
Thank you to RupertBossier Publishing for reaching out with an e-arc of Liberty Stowe's newest novel! All opinions that follow are honest and my own.

Delilah Mueller grew up in Vogel Springs but never imagined having to come back with her tail tucked between her legs, terrified of the past that was threatening to catch up with her. Not to mention the infuriatingly handsome winemaker August Montenegro who was bound to cause even more trouble. An incredible story filled with heat, slow burn and a contract that may just destroy them all.

This was such a good read. The heat, the tension, the drama, I was turning every page just foaming at the mouth to get all the details of these two. August was amazing, even when he was being a grump. And Delilah, so determined that she wasn't allowed to succeed only to be shown just how amazing she was. I especially loved the conclusion, nothing too dramatic that had me begging these characters to listen to each other.
Definitely loved this one more than the first and I can't wait to see where Stowe takes this series next!

4.5/5 ☆
4/5🌶️


I received this as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for review.
I was excited to receive this one because I remember liking Steady Now (Vogel Springs book 1), when I read it last summer. And this one was just as good! I am adding Liberty Stowe to my auto read list because I love her characters (both main and supportive) and the chemistry between the main couple is amazing!
I love the small town setting, I liked seeing Wren and Hud from book one, and how August and Delilah took care of each other even though they were both trying to stay away from the other.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Bottled Up follows Delilah Mueller, a celebrated pastry chef whose career is thrown into chaos after a public scandal. She returns to her hometown of Vogel Springs hoping for a fresh start, but things get complicated when she meets August Montenegro, a renowned winemaker with troubles of his own. As they spend more time together at Vogel Haus, both must decide if they’re willing to leave the past behind and take a chance on something new.

This was my first Liberty Stowe book, and now I completely understand why people love Vogel Springs. The small-town setting was so cozy, and Vogel Haus quickly became one of my favorite parts of the story. I found myself wanting to spend even more time there with these characters. Delilah and August were easy to root for, and I loved the mix of romance, family, and second chances. I’ll definitely be picking up more books in this series because I’m already obsessed with Vogel Springs and can’t wait to return to Vogel Haus.

A good story! A small vineyard with a wealthy owner that pulls in a good group of employees. He is looking to have an award winning wine so he brings in an award winner team. There is romance and a pastry chef. So much to like in this book. Loved it!

A sweet, small-town romance with lovable, relatable characters. I genuinely was rooting for Delilah and August and loved their banter and dynamic. Overall, a great romance that I enjoyed reading!

As a Texan, I’m so excited to find an author writing about places I’ve visited. I don’t think I could love this book more than I do. The characters are multifaceted and intriguing. Delilah comes home to help her aunt with her diner. Delilah is a trained pastry chef that feels like she has lost everything professionally after being undermined by her ex Julian. August has been hired to bring a vineyard to life. They are amazing together. I must admit hearing about the creations she made kept me hungry. I love that they both work in the food/wine industry and are so creative. Apparently, this is the second book in the series. It can be read as a standalone but I’m going to get the first book because I want more. I loved this book!

If you enjoy small-town romances with emotional tension, heat, Food and Wine, and forced Proximity that makes you swoon then look no further Bottled Up meets those needs. I did not read the books prior to this book but I feel i enjoyed it and didn’t feel confused at all it only made me want to read the other books. Also that Art at the end of this book was HOT!!! Highly Recommend the read!

This was slightly different from what I expected, and I probably enjoyed it even more because of that. We have two strangers meeting at an airport in a situation that isn't your typical interaction, but one that leaves a mark. It clearly shows that there is an instant connection between them and that they seem to share some traits in common.
These two do not expect to meet again only hours later, and the surprise feels realistic. Both are initially very confused by it and try to keep their distance. However, that is not something they can do for long because, as with everything in smaller towns, everyone knows everyone, and everyone interacts with everyone in some way. And that's when the real fun starts happening :)
Two very stubborn people learn to find a way into each other's hearts.

It is rare that I feel the romance in a story can stand on equal footing with the main plot, but it was done really well here. I never had the feeling that one was competing with the other, and they blended together very naturally. I also did not expect to learn so much about wine, but here we are.
The supporting cast was something I appreciated a lot as well, and everyone contributed in a different way. I was pleasantly surprised by this book, and while some things felt like classic genre elements (which can be a little cheesy here and there), it left me feeling good about picking this one up.

Delilah returns home after a failed business venture and a scandal leaves her with nowhere else to turn. Hoping to find comfort and stability, she reconnects with the life she left behind. August, a talented winemaker with no real roots to tie him down, isn't looking for forever either. A winemaker and a pastry chef. What could possibly go wrong?

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book. The slow-burn romance kept me invested from beginning to end, building the tension at just the right pace. Every interaction between Delilah and August had me eagerly waiting for the moment they would finally give in to their feelings, and the payoff was absolutely worth it.

The characters were one of my favorite parts of the story. They felt genuine, relatable, and incredibly easy to love. Their relationships with family and friends created such a warm atmosphere that I felt like I was part of their world. The conflicts in this story were all very relatable and gave the story additional depth.

One of the strongest elements of the book was the mystery surrounding what really happened to Delilah before she returned home. Little by little, the truth unfolded, keeping me curious and emotionally invested. The desire to see justice and seek a little revenge, made those moments even more satisfying.

Although this is the second book in the series, I never felt lost. The author provides enough context that I was able to jump right into Delilah and August's story without feeling like I had missed anything important. It works well as a standalone while still making me interested in reading the first book.

This was a heartfelt, emotional romance with lovable characters, a perfectly paced slow burn, and just enough mystery to keep the pages turning. If you enjoy small-town romances, found family, and stories about second chances, this is a great book to check out.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to RupertBossier and NetGalley for this ARC.

Dear Liberty Stowe,
Thanks for writing this amazing book! I cannot wait for another one of your books. I love the romance because she writes it well, with the right amount of spice. I also love that the plot builds up into a slow burn, plus there is something about a small-town romance that can make a hopeless romantic blush.

thank you to netgalley and rupertbossier for the opportunity to read this book before publication date. i'm always going to be drawn to a book about pastry chefs, as i have been one myself. i was definitely interested in a book that offered up something fluffier than the usual hard core human condition reads that i generally choose. i was therefore rather surprised when i got involved in vogel springs, to find that the author really takes the reader deep inside the human condition, the suffering, losses and brokenness that we find in the lead characters of delilah and august. i learned a lot about growing grapes for wine, which was fun, not realizing before that one doesn't want birds around the vines. all the ways in which one must protect the crop. makes sense. what i loved best about the book, besides the very hot explicit sex, were the support characters. they were just lovely. people i want as friends. and neighbors. this is definitely a great beach read. plane read. before bed read. and so on........

I normally worry about reading companion sequels without reading the first book but Bottled Up stands firmly on its own.

Delilah Mueller, world renowned pastry chef, has fled back home after being burned by her ex. She's not just avoiding the public and the cameras, but she's avoiding letting the truth of what happened come out.

August Montenegro is well sought after winemaker with the inability to put down roots for too long.

When both find themselves in Vogel Springs, they struggle to make the connection stick despite being drawn to each other. When everything seems to be coming together, both their pasts come in to try to rip it all apart.

If you love small town drama, banter, tension and blooming romance, there's nothing you won't love about Bottled Up.

Thank you so much to RupertBossier Publishing, Liberty Stowe and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

A little warning before opening this book... you might accidentally start planning a fictional move to Vogel Springs, become emotionally attached to a town that doesn’t exist and suddenly crave pastries and vineyard views. This was my first time reading Liberty Stowe and I completely understand why readers love her writing. She created a romance that feels warm, comforting and easy to get lost in.

Delilah Mueller was such a wonderful character to follow. As a talented pastry chef trying to find her footing again, I loved watching her navigate the messy parts of life while rediscovering her own strength. She felt real, imperfect and easy to cheer for. Also, the desserts in this book deserve their own appreciation post because my imaginary taste buds were working overtime.

Then we have August Montenegro. Oh boy, what can I say about this man. He is the charming winemaker who brings his own layers, confidence and a little bit of mystery. I really enjoyed his connection with Delilah. Their chemistry had that perfect mix of playful moments, emotional conversations and just enough tension to keep me turning pages. They weren’t perfect, but that’s what made their relationship feel genuine.

The biggest surprise for me was how much I loved the atmosphere of Vogel Springs. The town, the vineyard and the people gave the story such a cozy feeling that I wanted to grab a suitcase and move there. (Someone please explain why fictional towns always have better vibes than real ones. 😭) The setting added so much personality and made the story feel like more than just a romance.

If I had one small complaint, it’s that I wanted a little more time with these characters. I wasn’t ready to leave their world once I reached the end. I could have happily stayed longer with Delilah, August and the charming little town Liberty Stowe created.

Final Thoughts: this was a sweet, heartfelt and swoony contemporary romance about healing, fresh starts and finding someone who makes life feel a little brighter. It had the perfect balance of romance, emotion, humor and cozy small town charm. Definitely a lovely read for anyone looking for a comforting romance escape.

Thank you to RupertBussier and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this amazing contemporary small town romance. It was exactly what I needed in my romance reading life. This book delivered the perfect mix of heartfelt moments, chemistry and cozy small town charm.

This is the second book in the Vogel Springs series, and I liked it even more than the first. I love returning to a town and characters I already know—it makes the whole story feel instantly familiar.
Delilah is back in her hometown, trying to outrun a scandal. A famous pastry chef, she returns to help her Aunt Martha at the Mueller Café. Meanwhile, August—an acclaimed, world-renowned winemaker—has been brought to Vogel Haus to run the vineyard.
Their chemistry is immediate, and it’s a lot of fun to watch it unfold. The story also jumps forward a few years from Steady Now, which adds a nice sense of momentum. I can’t wait to go back to Vogel Springs again!
Thank you to NetGalley and RupertBossier for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

She's trying to hide from the world, and he's escaping long-term commitments. Delilah and August come crashing together with their own messes and somehow find a way through to each other's embrace. A startup vineyard hires August for help, and Delilah has an offer from her aunt to come home to rest and regroup in the same small town. There is a great grumpy-grumpy vibe with a lot of sexual tension, and what I loved most was of course it moves as a slow burn to the inevitable climax. Thank-you, RupertBossier and Liberty Stowe, for this complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the start with the airport, through the discovery of love and the troubles of the past. I enjoyed the characters, thr banter and the overprotective community. Will definitely look to read more by this author.

I've fallen hard for this small Texas town and its residents. With strong elements of community, friendship, complicated family dynamics, and unexpected romance, I was drawn into the lives of August and Delilah, eagerly turning pages from start to finish. The mystery of why Delilah returned home unfolds organically throughout the story, as does her relationship with August and her eventual healing.

Both lead characters have emotional trauma to deal with which provides depth to their characters as well as the journeys they travel. The secondary characters give additional texture to the overall story. I really enjoyed the friendships that formed, the way they all came together to support both August and Delilah, as well as the how they worked together to outsmart the obstacles standing in the way of their eventual success and happy endings.

The details about vineyards and winemaking were especially interesting to me. Stowe did a great job of offering the information naturally through August without making it seem like a lecture or information dump. I felt like I was out there in the vineyard with him, learning the ins and outs right along with the other characters.

Bottled Up is the second book in Liberty Stowe's Vogel Springs Collection. It stands well on its own but for readers who have already read book one, Steady Now, it's also a fun reunion with several characters who featured in the earlier book.

I'm already looking forward to the next Vogel Springs book. I have my eye on two particular secondary characters and have my fingers crossed that it will be their story.

ARC received via NetGalley.
Fair and unbiased opinions.