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Blue Plate #2
Sour Grapes
Uncork this delectable Texas Hill Country romance from the critically acclaimed author of From Scratch, the “smart, sexy, and funny” debut that “piles on the Southern charm” (Publishers Weekly).
Margaret Stokes is bitter. And not in the robust fine wine or tangy dark chocolate kind of way. She just got dumped, is fed up with her job as a glorified party-planner for the rich, and can’t possibly listen to one more veiled insult from her impossible-to-please mother. So she retreats to the comfort of her grandmother’s ramshackle bed and breakfast in Texas wine country, where the wide open vineyards are filled with surprises, from the shockingly delicious Tempranillo to the aggravating yet oh-so-tempting man who makes it.
Ryan Camden’s easy approach to life encourages Margaret to loosen up and have a little fun, despite her better judgment. She resists the urge to micromanage every detail, embracing the welcome distractions of her surroundings and letting their relationship unfold at a natural rhythm. But when a health scare forces Grammy J to give up the B&B, Margaret begins to wonder if Ryan really is the man he promises—and whether the problems she tried so hard to escape ever really went away.
Margaret Stokes is bitter. And not in the robust fine wine or tangy dark chocolate kind of way. She just got dumped, is fed up with her job as a glorified party-planner for the rich, and can’t possibly listen to one more veiled insult from her impossible-to-please mother. So she retreats to the comfort of her grandmother’s ramshackle bed and breakfast in Texas wine country, where the wide open vineyards are filled with surprises, from the shockingly delicious Tempranillo to the aggravating yet oh-so-tempting man who makes it.
Ryan Camden’s easy approach to life encourages Margaret to loosen up and have a little fun, despite her better judgment. She resists the urge to micromanage every detail, embracing the welcome distractions of her surroundings and letting their relationship unfold at a natural rhythm. But when a health scare forces Grammy J to give up the B&B, Margaret begins to wonder if Ryan really is the man he promises—and whether the problems she tried so hard to escape ever really went away.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2020
About the author
Rachel Goodman
9 books93 followersRachel is a mojito lover, cheese enthusiast, wanderluster, book junkie, romance writer, and an enginerd. She is a Colorado native displaced in Texas and an engineer and university professor. When she's not creating optimization models or traveling the world, eating her way through city after city, she is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up stories and typing away on the computer. She lives in suburbia Dallas with her husband and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Oliver Pancake and Rigby Peanut. FROM SCRATCH is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 15, 2016
Sometimes you pick up a book and you instantly fall for the male lead. That's what happened in this book. I never really liked the female lead, Margaret. I warmed up to her towards the end of the book but I but I thought she was too sarcastic and snarky, even to people that were reaching out to her.
However, Ryan is a funny, sweet, kind, loving guy. He is the perfect balance to Margaret although I don't see how he puts up with her crappy attitude to other people and to life. Maybe I'm just used to the warm and fuzzy in many of the stories today. I know there's a good person in there with Margaret and you do see that coming through toward the end, but I didn't enjoy her character much.
The author had fun with this book and her creation of it, you can tell. This is not the first book I've read by Rachel Goodman and I did thoroughly enjoy her excellent writing skills and the humorous, fun group of characters that she put together in this book. That to me made this read completely worth it besides Ryan.... He made the read really completely worth it. <3
However, Ryan is a funny, sweet, kind, loving guy. He is the perfect balance to Margaret although I don't see how he puts up with her crappy attitude to other people and to life. Maybe I'm just used to the warm and fuzzy in many of the stories today. I know there's a good person in there with Margaret and you do see that coming through toward the end, but I didn't enjoy her character much.
The author had fun with this book and her creation of it, you can tell. This is not the first book I've read by Rachel Goodman and I did thoroughly enjoy her excellent writing skills and the humorous, fun group of characters that she put together in this book. That to me made this read completely worth it besides Ryan.... He made the read really completely worth it. <3
May 18, 2016
I really enjoyed Rachel's other book, so when I got the invite to read it, I couldn't download it fast enough.
I didn't like Margaret at the beginning of the story. She's rude and entitled and I struggled to care about her problems. And then she gets to the B&B and the changes start to come. Ever so slowly, she wakes up and is a delightful MC who was easy to root for.
Ryan and the group of friends they have are fun and flirty and an excellent source of snark and support. There definitely are some swoons, but I'll let you find those on your own.
Of course there's the obligatory break up, but the resolution is fantastic. And while the epilogue was great, I couldn't help but want more. Not because it was incomplete, but because I just wanted more of them. Overall, it was a quick, fun read that I'll probably read again.
**Huge thanks to Pocket Star for the invite to read**
I didn't like Margaret at the beginning of the story. She's rude and entitled and I struggled to care about her problems. And then she gets to the B&B and the changes start to come. Ever so slowly, she wakes up and is a delightful MC who was easy to root for.
Ryan and the group of friends they have are fun and flirty and an excellent source of snark and support. There definitely are some swoons, but I'll let you find those on your own.
Of course there's the obligatory break up, but the resolution is fantastic. And while the epilogue was great, I couldn't help but want more. Not because it was incomplete, but because I just wanted more of them. Overall, it was a quick, fun read that I'll probably read again.
**Huge thanks to Pocket Star for the invite to read**
January 27, 2019
SOUR GRAPES is now up on Net Galley if you’re a blogger, reviewer, or reader interested in checking it out early!
May 23, 2016
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Set in the Texas hill country and bringing to light that there are is a lot of fine wine making going on in the Lone Star state I enjoyed Sour Grapes, but it took me a very long time to get there. At 20% in I was close to closing it up and not finishing it, at 52% I still wasn't sure the story was salvageable, but I persevered. If not for the hero and the wonderful people of Wilhelmsburg I wouldn't have made it through this book because the heroine was so nasty, rude, condescending and hateful all qualities I might add that she hated in her mother but couldn't see in herself and I wasn't sure if author Rachel Goodman could bring her around and even if she did I wasn't sure I could accept her and while she will never be my favorite person, I was impressed with the way the author soften her, made her take a good long look at herself and made her strong enough to change her life.
Margaret (Madge) Stokes is a bitter, angry and to be honest nasty woman. After helping a friend through a very rough time in his life and expecting him to love her in return, she is appalled when he leaves her pampered high society a$$ for a waitress in a greasy spoon diner no matter that she's the woman he's been in love with most of his life. Finding out he's married her, that her vapid friends knew and didn't tell her, and taking both verbal and some physical abuse from her equally horrible mother she flees to the one place she knows her family won't come after her, her maternal grandmother's bed and breakfast in the small town of Wilhelmsburg, Texas.
For the life of me I couldn't figure out what Ryan (Cricket) Camden saw in Margaret and more importantly why he kept pursuing her. Apparently Ryan is a bit over confident and cocky or so his close friends think, but all I saw as someone who as self assured, who had worked very hard to make a name for himself and someone who constantly went out of his way to help those around him. From the minute he sees her in the Tangled Vine he seems obsessed with inserting himself into her world and the pushes back which only makes him want her more; it was a bit of a strange relationship but over time it did grow into something special.
Margaret was such a horrible character so I kind of felt like she could only get better, but man did it take a long time for that to happen. It took some strong words from her Grammy J, a whole lot of self reflection, some true friendship and figuring out she deserved friendship and love before it could happen. Yes, I did feel some empathy for her because he mother was a verbally abusive person and we all know how that can poison a person's mind, but it just seemed that given how she hated the way her mother treated her she would have realized she was going down that same path.
The road to a relationship was very bumpy and along the way both Ryan and Margaret made some mistakes and while I was happy for them to figure it out if it hadn't been for the secondary characters in this book, I would not have enjoyed it so much. I loved Moose, Possum, Amber, Gina, Tiffany and Bonnie and really hope this author will return to this town for some more small town romance.
A good guy hero, a heroine who was a piece of work, a colorful assortment of secondary characters, a whole lot of laughs, some big emotions and hard lessons on life and love made Sour Grapes a very enjoyable romance and I do look forward to more from this author.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
Set in the Texas hill country and bringing to light that there are is a lot of fine wine making going on in the Lone Star state I enjoyed Sour Grapes, but it took me a very long time to get there. At 20% in I was close to closing it up and not finishing it, at 52% I still wasn't sure the story was salvageable, but I persevered. If not for the hero and the wonderful people of Wilhelmsburg I wouldn't have made it through this book because the heroine was so nasty, rude, condescending and hateful all qualities I might add that she hated in her mother but couldn't see in herself and I wasn't sure if author Rachel Goodman could bring her around and even if she did I wasn't sure I could accept her and while she will never be my favorite person, I was impressed with the way the author soften her, made her take a good long look at herself and made her strong enough to change her life.
Margaret (Madge) Stokes is a bitter, angry and to be honest nasty woman. After helping a friend through a very rough time in his life and expecting him to love her in return, she is appalled when he leaves her pampered high society a$$ for a waitress in a greasy spoon diner no matter that she's the woman he's been in love with most of his life. Finding out he's married her, that her vapid friends knew and didn't tell her, and taking both verbal and some physical abuse from her equally horrible mother she flees to the one place she knows her family won't come after her, her maternal grandmother's bed and breakfast in the small town of Wilhelmsburg, Texas.
For the life of me I couldn't figure out what Ryan (Cricket) Camden saw in Margaret and more importantly why he kept pursuing her. Apparently Ryan is a bit over confident and cocky or so his close friends think, but all I saw as someone who as self assured, who had worked very hard to make a name for himself and someone who constantly went out of his way to help those around him. From the minute he sees her in the Tangled Vine he seems obsessed with inserting himself into her world and the pushes back which only makes him want her more; it was a bit of a strange relationship but over time it did grow into something special.
Margaret was such a horrible character so I kind of felt like she could only get better, but man did it take a long time for that to happen. It took some strong words from her Grammy J, a whole lot of self reflection, some true friendship and figuring out she deserved friendship and love before it could happen. Yes, I did feel some empathy for her because he mother was a verbally abusive person and we all know how that can poison a person's mind, but it just seemed that given how she hated the way her mother treated her she would have realized she was going down that same path.
The road to a relationship was very bumpy and along the way both Ryan and Margaret made some mistakes and while I was happy for them to figure it out if it hadn't been for the secondary characters in this book, I would not have enjoyed it so much. I loved Moose, Possum, Amber, Gina, Tiffany and Bonnie and really hope this author will return to this town for some more small town romance.
A good guy hero, a heroine who was a piece of work, a colorful assortment of secondary characters, a whole lot of laughs, some big emotions and hard lessons on life and love made Sour Grapes a very enjoyable romance and I do look forward to more from this author.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
June 6, 2020
I liked Ryan but did not care for Margaret, now I tend to like strong female and even sarcastic but I felt that she was too much and I was hoping that I would get used to her, but that wasn't the case Ryan did save the story for me. I did enjoy please dont get me wrong, but I have read another book previously and loved so I could have probably still had that in mind.
rvcd and ARC at no cost to author...voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and prayers
rvcd and ARC at no cost to author...voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and prayers
May 26, 2016
By all rights, I should not have liked this book. It is the second in the series, which I did not know (and I have a "thing" about starting series at the beginning!) and the heroine, when we first meet her, is anything but likable. While I can't use the "second" status as a strike, an unlikable main character will almost always turn me off a romance.
But, I stuck around--and I'm glad I did. Yeah, Margaret starts off as someone you would not want in your life--but she changes. Goodman does an exceptional job of showing (not telling!) the reader why Margaret is the way she is. She grew up in with an emotionally abusive mother and an emotionally distant father. She also recently went through a traumatic break up--a case where her beloved did not love her back in that way (and, guess what....that's book #1. And, yes, I have it queued up on my kindle!).
It was this past relationship that kept me reading. Her ex was not the love 'em and leave 'em kind of guy and he seemed rueful for the pain he caused Margaret. In so many other books, the ex is depicted as a jerk and left at that and I really appreciated the humanity that Goodman gives him.
Once the action moves to West Texas and Grammy J's B&B, things start to take shape. The hero, Ryan, is not going to put up with Margaret's behavior--which is one factor leading her to reform. She also learns about her family, comes to terms with her recent relationships--both with her ex and her friends, and realizes that her life just wasn't working the way she was living it and that she had the power to change.
There were two traps that I feared this book would fall into. The first would be a contrived conflict before the promised "Happy Ever After" ending. Honestly, I'd say about 80% of the romances that I read fall victim to this trap, but this book didn't. Goodman was able to keep a couple different plot forces going and then bring them together to make a conflict that was both unexpected and realistic.
The second trap was that there were many opportunities in the second half of this book for Goodman to take the easy way out. I'm not going to go into details, only because I don't want to spoil any elements, but there are a few messy situations where she could have just made things "nice" and then moved on her way. Instead, she had Margaret work through the issue, usually with humor (at least for the reader) and grow from it.
This is the first book I've read by Rachel Goodman and it definitely won't be the last. I would highly recommend this book to any romance fan.
I received an electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review. I received no other compensation for this post.
But, I stuck around--and I'm glad I did. Yeah, Margaret starts off as someone you would not want in your life--but she changes. Goodman does an exceptional job of showing (not telling!) the reader why Margaret is the way she is. She grew up in with an emotionally abusive mother and an emotionally distant father. She also recently went through a traumatic break up--a case where her beloved did not love her back in that way (and, guess what....that's book #1. And, yes, I have it queued up on my kindle!).
It was this past relationship that kept me reading. Her ex was not the love 'em and leave 'em kind of guy and he seemed rueful for the pain he caused Margaret. In so many other books, the ex is depicted as a jerk and left at that and I really appreciated the humanity that Goodman gives him.
Once the action moves to West Texas and Grammy J's B&B, things start to take shape. The hero, Ryan, is not going to put up with Margaret's behavior--which is one factor leading her to reform. She also learns about her family, comes to terms with her recent relationships--both with her ex and her friends, and realizes that her life just wasn't working the way she was living it and that she had the power to change.
There were two traps that I feared this book would fall into. The first would be a contrived conflict before the promised "Happy Ever After" ending. Honestly, I'd say about 80% of the romances that I read fall victim to this trap, but this book didn't. Goodman was able to keep a couple different plot forces going and then bring them together to make a conflict that was both unexpected and realistic.
The second trap was that there were many opportunities in the second half of this book for Goodman to take the easy way out. I'm not going to go into details, only because I don't want to spoil any elements, but there are a few messy situations where she could have just made things "nice" and then moved on her way. Instead, she had Margaret work through the issue, usually with humor (at least for the reader) and grow from it.
This is the first book I've read by Rachel Goodman and it definitely won't be the last. I would highly recommend this book to any romance fan.
I received an electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review. I received no other compensation for this post.
November 6, 2016
I absolutely fell in love with Rachel Goodman's writing in From Scratch and when I got the offer to read this book, I jumped at the chance.
I wasn't a big fan of Margaret in the first book and for a good chunk of this one she didn't manage to change my opinion much. Understanding that she grew up under her judgmental, hard to please, snotty mother's thumb I tried to look past her snarky, entitled attitude for any signs of a decent human being and eventually that part did show up, with the help of Ryan.
Ryan was easy to fall in love with right away. His ability to take whatever attitude and judgement that Margaret threw his way was impressive. He actually found it endearing and obviously he was able to see her for more than what she presented herself as. I love that he brought a side out of Margaret that might have otherwise stayed locked away. The banter between them was just what I needed in order to really enjoy them as a couple.
The addition of all of the new characters helped to round out the story and give Margaret a reason to finally try to live for her own happiness for once. I also enjoyed seeing Nick appear and some sort of amends between the two of them. It also made me really miss Nick and Lillie and want to reread their story, which I totally did after finishing this.
I hope that we get to see more of these characters in the future. Maybe even Wes and Annabelle or maybe even Tim and Amber's story?
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I wasn't a big fan of Margaret in the first book and for a good chunk of this one she didn't manage to change my opinion much. Understanding that she grew up under her judgmental, hard to please, snotty mother's thumb I tried to look past her snarky, entitled attitude for any signs of a decent human being and eventually that part did show up, with the help of Ryan.
Ryan was easy to fall in love with right away. His ability to take whatever attitude and judgement that Margaret threw his way was impressive. He actually found it endearing and obviously he was able to see her for more than what she presented herself as. I love that he brought a side out of Margaret that might have otherwise stayed locked away. The banter between them was just what I needed in order to really enjoy them as a couple.
The addition of all of the new characters helped to round out the story and give Margaret a reason to finally try to live for her own happiness for once. I also enjoyed seeing Nick appear and some sort of amends between the two of them. It also made me really miss Nick and Lillie and want to reread their story, which I totally did after finishing this.
I hope that we get to see more of these characters in the future. Maybe even Wes and Annabelle or maybe even Tim and Amber's story?
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
October 15, 2017
Hard to believe, but I enjoyed this book more than the first (From Scratch). I felt an affinity with Margaret and loved her journey of self-discovery throughout the book - discovering what is important to her and leaving behind what isn't. Very enjoyable read!
May 26, 2016
Sour Grapes (Blue Plate #2) by Rachel Goodman is an amazing second book in the Blue Plate Series. Although the second book in the series, it can be read stand alone. I am foodie book lover, and this story has not only the food to make any foodie lover enjoy but this also has WINE! Can it get any better than that??? This is the story of Margaret and Ryan.
Margaret Stokes has lost a lot recently, the man that she expected to propose to her, the man that she helped to pick up the pieces of his shattered heart, dumped her for the woman that left him in pieces. To top it off, she has lost their joint friends and the members of the Randy Hallis Band, the friends that she supported when they were nothing, the friends that she helped promote. Always a disappointment to her mother, Margaret has never been able to live up to her expectations. Now even her so called friends, hand picked by her mother of course, are gloating and jabbing at her, making her feel even worse. She needs to get away, so she runs to the only place that she can think of, her Grammy J and the Bluebonnet Inn.
Ryan Camden remembered Marge the first moment that he layed eyes on her again. Though it has been years since he has seen her, he remembers her, cannot get her out of his head. When he offers the wind snob a bottle of "No Regrets" and challenges Marge at every turn to step outside her comfort zone, to live her life without regrets, without having to have everything mapped out and planned, he unknowing gives her the room that she needs to grow without smothering her.
When Grammy J takes a fall, and Margaret's mother threatens to sell the Bluebonnet Inn, it will take the inner strength that Margaret did not realized that she has in her to make hre fight for the Inn that has come to love and the man that she will give up everything for.
What I really loved about this amazing story is that it picks up not long after Nick and Margaret have broken up. Again, if you have not read book one, do not worry, the author gives just enough details to insure that the reader understands the dynamic between the two. Ryan and Marge are AMAZING together, though he pushes her, and supports her, he allows her to spread her wings and truly live for the first time in forever. Never judging her, never putting her down, letting her know in big ways and in the little ways too, that she is perfect, and beautiful, and worthy.
Margaret has issues and I blame her mother for that. She feels unworthy, afraid to put her heart on the line, afraid that is she does, Ryan will eventually see what her mother sees, that she cannot measure up. It is not until she almost loses Ryan and the Inn that she realizes that loving and being loved is not something that is guaranteed, it is a risk you take, hoping that the other person loves you back. We met an entirely new cast of amazing characters in this book that welcome Margaret in with open arms and I cannot wait to see where this amazing series goes next.
A great summertime read for anyone that loves good food, great wine and a beautiful HEA set in the back hills wine country.
Margaret Stokes has lost a lot recently, the man that she expected to propose to her, the man that she helped to pick up the pieces of his shattered heart, dumped her for the woman that left him in pieces. To top it off, she has lost their joint friends and the members of the Randy Hallis Band, the friends that she supported when they were nothing, the friends that she helped promote. Always a disappointment to her mother, Margaret has never been able to live up to her expectations. Now even her so called friends, hand picked by her mother of course, are gloating and jabbing at her, making her feel even worse. She needs to get away, so she runs to the only place that she can think of, her Grammy J and the Bluebonnet Inn.
Ryan Camden remembered Marge the first moment that he layed eyes on her again. Though it has been years since he has seen her, he remembers her, cannot get her out of his head. When he offers the wind snob a bottle of "No Regrets" and challenges Marge at every turn to step outside her comfort zone, to live her life without regrets, without having to have everything mapped out and planned, he unknowing gives her the room that she needs to grow without smothering her.
When Grammy J takes a fall, and Margaret's mother threatens to sell the Bluebonnet Inn, it will take the inner strength that Margaret did not realized that she has in her to make hre fight for the Inn that has come to love and the man that she will give up everything for.
What I really loved about this amazing story is that it picks up not long after Nick and Margaret have broken up. Again, if you have not read book one, do not worry, the author gives just enough details to insure that the reader understands the dynamic between the two. Ryan and Marge are AMAZING together, though he pushes her, and supports her, he allows her to spread her wings and truly live for the first time in forever. Never judging her, never putting her down, letting her know in big ways and in the little ways too, that she is perfect, and beautiful, and worthy.
Margaret has issues and I blame her mother for that. She feels unworthy, afraid to put her heart on the line, afraid that is she does, Ryan will eventually see what her mother sees, that she cannot measure up. It is not until she almost loses Ryan and the Inn that she realizes that loving and being loved is not something that is guaranteed, it is a risk you take, hoping that the other person loves you back. We met an entirely new cast of amazing characters in this book that welcome Margaret in with open arms and I cannot wait to see where this amazing series goes next.
A great summertime read for anyone that loves good food, great wine and a beautiful HEA set in the back hills wine country.
April 19, 2016
This second book in the Blue Plate series by Goodman and if it's even possible I liked it better then the first book. In the first book ( From Scratch) we met Margaret who was dating Nick, but when Lillie returns to town Nick realizes he was never over her. Needless to say Nick and Margaret's relationship is over.
This book picks up where one book left off. There are some hard feelings until Margaret decides to leave town and seeks refuge at her grandmothers B& B where she runs into Ryan, who almost got her arrested. When these two meet again the sparks are there and these two end up spending a lot of time together. While at the B& B Margaret re-evaluates her life and decides her old life wasn't all she thought it was.
There are many reasons on why I liked this book so much. First was Margaret, she was witty and showed true character. I liked her in the first book when she was a bit catty but I loved seeing a new side to her in this story. Her banter with Ryan was extremely hilarious and I loved the push and pull they had between them. These two just had amazing chemistry and most of all they had fun together.
I liked we also met a whole new set of characters since she is in a different town. They were different , fun and definitely stood out. While Margaret was there they became close and she needed some real good friends and I'm glad she finally got them. We do see some characters from the previous book and enjoyed how they all kind of fit together.
I'm really hoping this series will continue and I can't wait to see who will be next (since we meet so many people) and what Goodman will have them encounter.
If you haven't read this series you are missing out. It has just the right of romance to balance out the emotional entanglements that happen along the way.
May 23, 2016
Jaime's Review
I absolutely fell in love with Rachel Goodman's writing in From Scratch and when I got the offer to read this book, I jumped at the chance.
I wasn't a big fan of Margaret in the first book and for a good chunk of this one she didn't manage to change my opinion much. Understanding that she grew up under her judgmental, hard to please, snotty mother's thumb I tried to look past her snarky, entitled attitude for any signs of a decent human being and eventually that part did show up, with the help of Ryan.
Ryan was easy to fall in love with right away. His ability to take whatever attitude and judgement that Margaret threw his way was impressive. He actually found it endearing and obviously he was able to see her for more than what she presented herself as. I love that he brought a side out of Margaret that might have otherwise stayed locked away. The banter between them was just what I needed in order to really enjoy them as a couple.
The addition of all of the new characters helped to round out the story and give Margaret a reason to finally try to live for her own happiness for once. I also enjoyed seeing Nick appear and some sort of amends between the two of them. It also made me really miss Nick and Lillie and want to reread their story, which I totally did after finishing this.
I hope that we get to see more of these characters in the future. Maybe even Wes and Annabelle or maybe even Tim and Amber's story?
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest revieThis review was originally posted on Fiction Fangirls
I absolutely fell in love with Rachel Goodman's writing in From Scratch and when I got the offer to read this book, I jumped at the chance.
I wasn't a big fan of Margaret in the first book and for a good chunk of this one she didn't manage to change my opinion much. Understanding that she grew up under her judgmental, hard to please, snotty mother's thumb I tried to look past her snarky, entitled attitude for any signs of a decent human being and eventually that part did show up, with the help of Ryan.
Ryan was easy to fall in love with right away. His ability to take whatever attitude and judgement that Margaret threw his way was impressive. He actually found it endearing and obviously he was able to see her for more than what she presented herself as. I love that he brought a side out of Margaret that might have otherwise stayed locked away. The banter between them was just what I needed in order to really enjoy them as a couple.
The addition of all of the new characters helped to round out the story and give Margaret a reason to finally try to live for her own happiness for once. I also enjoyed seeing Nick appear and some sort of amends between the two of them. It also made me really miss Nick and Lillie and want to reread their story, which I totally did after finishing this.
I hope that we get to see more of these characters in the future. Maybe even Wes and Annabelle or maybe even Tim and Amber's story?
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest revieThis review was originally posted on Fiction Fangirls
May 29, 2016
Sour Grapes is a fabulous book with which to kick off the Summer reading season. I dove until this book and didn’t put it down until I was finished. It is a story about a woman who needed a time out from her life and it expectations, and out then discovers what she really wants out of it.
I have to admit that I wasn’t a big fan of Margaret Stokes at first. Though I loved her snark, but couldn’t see any softness in the least. BUT – As this book progressed, it became clear why. Not only do we get to learn Margaret, but we are allowed to witness her reinvention. Along the way we get to see Margaret rechannel that snark and put that energy into something amazing. And find ROMANCE.
Ryan Camden is every single bit the enigma. From their first scene, it is clear that he and Margaret have met their respective matches. Ryan is the stuff of sweet fantasies – Gorgeous, works outdoors and with his hands. Oh and he has an endless supply of wine.
Sour Grapes has a fantastic supporting cast. Rachel Goodman constantly surprised me with which direction they go. Totally kept me on my toes – LOVED IT!!
What I also enjoyed about Sour Grapes was its setting – a wonderful small town in the Texas Hill country. Where they are all about their wine and all the best in supporting their community. It is the polar opposite of Margaret’s hometown of Dallas and it opens her eyes to all manner of possibilities!
Seriously – one-click this book and pair it with your favorite vintage and cheese plate, then enjoy it in your favorite reading spot.
I have to admit that I wasn’t a big fan of Margaret Stokes at first. Though I loved her snark, but couldn’t see any softness in the least. BUT – As this book progressed, it became clear why. Not only do we get to learn Margaret, but we are allowed to witness her reinvention. Along the way we get to see Margaret rechannel that snark and put that energy into something amazing. And find ROMANCE.
Ryan Camden is every single bit the enigma. From their first scene, it is clear that he and Margaret have met their respective matches. Ryan is the stuff of sweet fantasies – Gorgeous, works outdoors and with his hands. Oh and he has an endless supply of wine.
Sour Grapes has a fantastic supporting cast. Rachel Goodman constantly surprised me with which direction they go. Totally kept me on my toes – LOVED IT!!
What I also enjoyed about Sour Grapes was its setting – a wonderful small town in the Texas Hill country. Where they are all about their wine and all the best in supporting their community. It is the polar opposite of Margaret’s hometown of Dallas and it opens her eyes to all manner of possibilities!
Seriously – one-click this book and pair it with your favorite vintage and cheese plate, then enjoy it in your favorite reading spot.
June 21, 2016
When I started reading this book I was not a fan of Margaret’s. She just wasn’t a likeable character to me. But as the story progressed I changed my mind about her. I felt so bad for her. Yup. She had my pity. I’m sure she would’ve hated that but DAMN!!! Her mother was a first class biatch. She loved her dad and got along with him but mostly, her dad did whatever kept her bitch of a mother happy or pleased. Her friends were douchebags. And as if all of the above wasn’t bad enough, she was hurt by the man she loved.
So naturally, when she meets Ryan, the sexy, flirty wine maker she’s pretty bitchy to him. Lucky for her, he’s a super patient guy. He was a really likeable character. It was as if he could see through all her BS. He never gave up.
Full review posted here: http://wp.me/p18bP3-2HU
So naturally, when she meets Ryan, the sexy, flirty wine maker she’s pretty bitchy to him. Lucky for her, he’s a super patient guy. He was a really likeable character. It was as if he could see through all her BS. He never gave up.
Full review posted here: http://wp.me/p18bP3-2HU
June 20, 2016
I wasn't expecting to love this as much Lillie and Nick's (From Scratch) story. I have this unfathomable love of Nick, so when I found that Margaret was the star of this book, I had doubts.
But Goodman proved me wrong, and made me a fan. I love Margaret and who she is, and especially who she has become. She has depth and a past that you don't originally see. But as each page is turned, she grew on me, and eventually loved.
Ryan is the guy that you want. Period. He's everything that is perfect, and dreamy, and boy-next-door. I swoon for him. Besides, who wouldn't want a guy who has an unlimited supply of wine?
I have been a fan of Rachel Goodman for a long time, but Sour Grapes just proves she is an author that is here to stay.
But Goodman proved me wrong, and made me a fan. I love Margaret and who she is, and especially who she has become. She has depth and a past that you don't originally see. But as each page is turned, she grew on me, and eventually loved.
Ryan is the guy that you want. Period. He's everything that is perfect, and dreamy, and boy-next-door. I swoon for him. Besides, who wouldn't want a guy who has an unlimited supply of wine?
I have been a fan of Rachel Goodman for a long time, but Sour Grapes just proves she is an author that is here to stay.
May 2, 2016
Holy Moley...I don't think I could love this book any more...wait...maybe if it came with a bottle of No Regrets?!?!? Yep, that would be incentive for a 6 star rating!
What can I say? This book is fast paced, sultry, and full of laughs. There is an addictive attraction between Margaret and Ryan that is as much intellectual as it physical. Ryan doesn't try to be anything but who he is and Margaret finds him irresistible. The combination is a perfect balance of spark and class.
The Good: The whole dadgum thing!
The Not So Good: I hate Margaret's mom but that is intended by the author.
The Verdict: SOLID 5 Stars!
What can I say? This book is fast paced, sultry, and full of laughs. There is an addictive attraction between Margaret and Ryan that is as much intellectual as it physical. Ryan doesn't try to be anything but who he is and Margaret finds him irresistible. The combination is a perfect balance of spark and class.
The Good: The whole dadgum thing!
The Not So Good: I hate Margaret's mom but that is intended by the author.
The Verdict: SOLID 5 Stars!
May 28, 2016
In her sophomore work, Rachel Goodman takes us to the Texas Hill Country and gives us a sweet summer romance that is sure to satisfy the palate of romance lovers far and wide.
August 17, 2017
As shown on Books and Boys Book Blog.
This was a first time I had read anything by Rachel Goodman but I enjoyed what I read and give Sour Grapes 4 stars. It is a standalone book although it is the second in ‘The Blue Plate Series’. I actually didn’t know this fact until I had finished and looked into some of the other books by Rachel. There is no need to read the first book before this although it might give some spoilers.
Margaret is from wealthy parents that are part of Texan High Society and because of that she is expected to act in a certain way. Her mother especially expects a lot from Margaret but Margaret never feels that she does anything well in her mother’s eyes even though she has a successful business and acts accordingly to her place in social circles. Feeling in a bit of a rut after a bad break up and having no support Margaret needs to get away.
When she arrives at her family B&B her grandmother gives her no time to wallow and sets her to work. Being back here though means she comes back in contact with Ryan a local vineyard owner. Have to say that Margaret really grated on me at times in the beginning and found her prejudice against others extremely frustrating but gladly she does mellow out with the help of Ryan and his friends. She also struggles a bit to accept her feelings and attraction towards Ryan as Margaret doesn’t like to be vulnerable.
“Sure Ryan’s sexy in a rough-around-the-edges kind of way, and those hazel eyes draw me to him like a bee to a flower. But even beautiful flowers can hold hidden dangers, be as lethal as belladonna berries.”
I really liked Ryan and wouldn’t mind meeting someone like him at all. He is sexy, sweet, considerate, loving and loyal there are times when you feel he is too good her Margaret. From the start his feelings towards Margaret are clear to us even if not to her but he is not to be denied and really why would you deny him. Margaret’s issues are a lot to do about her own opinion of herself and that she need to deal with that self-doubt/worth.
“When will what he thinks is charming become annoying? When will I go from snarky to flat-out bitchy? When will pursuing me turn tedious rather than fun and challenging?”
There are light relief moments throughout from the grandmother and Ryan’s friends. The book is written in the first person POV so we see everything through Margaret’s mind and Margaret does grow on you but I still felt more for some of the other characters than I did her. Also I am not a wine drinker so the explanations of the subtleties of wine and its flavours was a bit lost on me and I felt went on a bit much. That being said I would read more from Rachel Goodman and would even go back and read the first book in this series. It’s a good story and well written.
This was a first time I had read anything by Rachel Goodman but I enjoyed what I read and give Sour Grapes 4 stars. It is a standalone book although it is the second in ‘The Blue Plate Series’. I actually didn’t know this fact until I had finished and looked into some of the other books by Rachel. There is no need to read the first book before this although it might give some spoilers.
Margaret is from wealthy parents that are part of Texan High Society and because of that she is expected to act in a certain way. Her mother especially expects a lot from Margaret but Margaret never feels that she does anything well in her mother’s eyes even though she has a successful business and acts accordingly to her place in social circles. Feeling in a bit of a rut after a bad break up and having no support Margaret needs to get away.
When she arrives at her family B&B her grandmother gives her no time to wallow and sets her to work. Being back here though means she comes back in contact with Ryan a local vineyard owner. Have to say that Margaret really grated on me at times in the beginning and found her prejudice against others extremely frustrating but gladly she does mellow out with the help of Ryan and his friends. She also struggles a bit to accept her feelings and attraction towards Ryan as Margaret doesn’t like to be vulnerable.
“Sure Ryan’s sexy in a rough-around-the-edges kind of way, and those hazel eyes draw me to him like a bee to a flower. But even beautiful flowers can hold hidden dangers, be as lethal as belladonna berries.”
I really liked Ryan and wouldn’t mind meeting someone like him at all. He is sexy, sweet, considerate, loving and loyal there are times when you feel he is too good her Margaret. From the start his feelings towards Margaret are clear to us even if not to her but he is not to be denied and really why would you deny him. Margaret’s issues are a lot to do about her own opinion of herself and that she need to deal with that self-doubt/worth.
“When will what he thinks is charming become annoying? When will I go from snarky to flat-out bitchy? When will pursuing me turn tedious rather than fun and challenging?”
There are light relief moments throughout from the grandmother and Ryan’s friends. The book is written in the first person POV so we see everything through Margaret’s mind and Margaret does grow on you but I still felt more for some of the other characters than I did her. Also I am not a wine drinker so the explanations of the subtleties of wine and its flavours was a bit lost on me and I felt went on a bit much. That being said I would read more from Rachel Goodman and would even go back and read the first book in this series. It’s a good story and well written.
February 13, 2019
I adore a good women's fiction book. You throw in a romance and you have me hooked. Rachel Goodman hit all the marks with this one. After reading a few mysteries and dark books this one came at just the right time to remind me of all the sunshine in the world.
I know Margaret is a hit and miss for people but I will say I adored her. Were there times that I absolutely wanted to throttle her? Yes. But on the flip side of that I wanted to step up and defend her in so many ways. Her tenacity to become a better person and find herself outside of the ridiculous expectations set for her by her mother and society had me rooting for her to just tell people to shove it. And well I may have applauded out loud when we finally got to see that side of her. The author did a great job of not just telling us but showing us through the actions of others why Margaret is and can be so brazen and condescending. We learn it's not her true nature but a huge defense mechanism and when she herself realizes it and lets go of her preconceived notions of not only expectations but of people it's a beautiful thing.
Ryan is well, just all around the perfect guy. He truly is the Ying to Marge's Yang. He balances her out in a way that seems to be rare in some romances these days. At times I wanted to tell him to run for the hills but he dug his boots in and saw something in Marge way before I think any of us did. He brought out the best in her without swaying from his own convictions and stood up for himself when needed. Don't take his sweetness for being a pushover because that he is not. He was exactly what Marge needed to break out of the mold she had put herself in from the VERY first time they met, even if Marge wasn't aware yet.
Secondary characters are my soft spot in stories and Rachel Goodman wrote some of the best in my opinion. From the socialites to the down home genuine people, she hit all the marks to show us how different people can shape us into the person we are or want to become. She proved in Sour Grapes that you truly are who you hang around with.
Sour Grapes hit all the marks for me as far as personal growth in characters, the story and of course the romance thrown in. I will definitely be reading more of her in the near future.
I know Margaret is a hit and miss for people but I will say I adored her. Were there times that I absolutely wanted to throttle her? Yes. But on the flip side of that I wanted to step up and defend her in so many ways. Her tenacity to become a better person and find herself outside of the ridiculous expectations set for her by her mother and society had me rooting for her to just tell people to shove it. And well I may have applauded out loud when we finally got to see that side of her. The author did a great job of not just telling us but showing us through the actions of others why Margaret is and can be so brazen and condescending. We learn it's not her true nature but a huge defense mechanism and when she herself realizes it and lets go of her preconceived notions of not only expectations but of people it's a beautiful thing.
Ryan is well, just all around the perfect guy. He truly is the Ying to Marge's Yang. He balances her out in a way that seems to be rare in some romances these days. At times I wanted to tell him to run for the hills but he dug his boots in and saw something in Marge way before I think any of us did. He brought out the best in her without swaying from his own convictions and stood up for himself when needed. Don't take his sweetness for being a pushover because that he is not. He was exactly what Marge needed to break out of the mold she had put herself in from the VERY first time they met, even if Marge wasn't aware yet.
Secondary characters are my soft spot in stories and Rachel Goodman wrote some of the best in my opinion. From the socialites to the down home genuine people, she hit all the marks to show us how different people can shape us into the person we are or want to become. She proved in Sour Grapes that you truly are who you hang around with.
Sour Grapes hit all the marks for me as far as personal growth in characters, the story and of course the romance thrown in. I will definitely be reading more of her in the near future.
June 5, 2020
I loved this book even more than the first one (though for the record, this is a great standalone read, too!) Full of sweet Southern charm and plenty of sass, I adored every character and every moment of this story. It was funny, sweet, tender, and heartfelt, and I couldn't put it down once I started.
After reading From Scratch, I didn't think I'd ever feel any compassion towards or sympathy for Margaret, but it only took a few pages of Sour Grapes to change my mind. Goodman did an incredible job bringing humanity and humility to a character I once perceived as a bully, and I thoroughly enjoyed the transformation.
After reading From Scratch, I didn't think I'd ever feel any compassion towards or sympathy for Margaret, but it only took a few pages of Sour Grapes to change my mind. Goodman did an incredible job bringing humanity and humility to a character I once perceived as a bully, and I thoroughly enjoyed the transformation.
June 5, 2020
I was intrigued to read Sour Grapes after book one, I needed to know what happened with Margaret! It was interesting to see how she grew and changed over time. I wasn't a huge fan of her until the end, she just seemed too angry/bitter. However, I absolutely loved Ryan! He was so sweet & funny! He works with Margaret and balanced her out.
The story flowed well and the pages were turning until the end! Definitely can't wait to read more from Rachel!!
The story flowed well and the pages were turning until the end! Definitely can't wait to read more from Rachel!!
March 16, 2019
I loved this so much more than its predecessor, which I also liked. Margaret is so well written and I loved her story and that Ryan completely accepted who she was. Their love was so low conflict, which was a nice change after the first book. I liked that the story was focused on Margaret and her growth. I can't wait to see more from this author.
June 6, 2020
Margaret is an acquired taste. Lana ~White Hot Reads
I wasn't so sure about Margaret as I did not like her in From Scratch, but after reading Sour Grapes, I like her now. You can't fault the girl once you see how she was raised and how horrible her mother was to her. She truly found herself and had Ryan to help her along the way.
I wasn't so sure about Margaret as I did not like her in From Scratch, but after reading Sour Grapes, I like her now. You can't fault the girl once you see how she was raised and how horrible her mother was to her. She truly found herself and had Ryan to help her along the way.
June 6, 2020
Spunky N Sassy Rating: 4.0
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Great Book
This book was definitely worth the read. I was absolutely hooked from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down.
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Great Book
This book was definitely worth the read. I was absolutely hooked from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down.
February 9, 2017
Another wonderful book by Rachel Goodman! Can't wait for her next one!
May 24, 2016
3.75 stars
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 23, 2016
Margaret Stokes is bitter. And not in the robust fine wine or tangy dark chocolate kind of way. She just got dumped, is fed up with her job as a glorified party-planner for the rich, and can’t possibly listen to one more veiled insult from her impossible-to-please mother. So she retreats to the comfort of her grandmother’s ramshackle bed and breakfast, where the wide open vineyards are filled with surprises, from the shockingly delicious wine to the aggravating yet oh-so-tempting man who makes it.
Ryan Camden’s easy approach to life encourages Margaret to loosen up and have a little fun, despite her better judgment. She resists the urge to micromanage every detail, embracing the welcome distractions of her surroundings and letting their relationship unfold at a natural rhythm. But when a health scare forces Grammy J to give up the B&B, Margaret begins to wonder if Ryan really is the man he promises—and whether the problems she tried so hard to escape ever really went away.
•••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars-OUR GRAPES is the second installment in Rachel Goodman’s contemporary, adult SOUR GRAPES romance series. This is winery owner/vintner Ryan Camden, and party planner Margaret Stokes’s story line. SOUR GRAPES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Some of the characters from book one FROM SCRATCH cross over including Margaret’s ex-boyfriend Nick Preston whose actions, months earlier, set Margaret off on a her adventure. SOUR GRAPES picks up following the events of book one.
Told from first person point of view (Margaret) SOUR GRAPES focuses on acerbic snob Margaret Stokes-a woman who finds herself on the run from family, so-called friends, and a thriving party planning business. Margaret is struggling with who she is, and what it is she wants from live. Months earlier Margaret was dumped by her boyfriend Nick for another woman-his ex Lillie-and things have gone done hill ever since. Without thinking, Margaret embarks on a journey where landing at her Grandmother’s struggling B&B finds our heroine battling with the local bad boy, and owner of the profitable local winery- Ryan Camden. What ensues is a building relationship between Margaret and Ryan, and the reevaluation of one woman’s life.
Wow, Margaret Stokes is a piece of work. I don’t know if I have ever met a heroine of whom I disliked to the extent that I considered DNFing. Not only is Margaret a snob, a condescending, caustic, judgmental b*tch but her so-called friends up the anti by ten fold. But I must say that Margaret comes by her attitude naturally once we meet her highbrow mother-a woman literally torn from Satan’s womb. In the early stages of the story line Margaret’s ability to put people down is nothing short of rude, destructive, patronizing and egotistic but her building relationship with Ryan, and the local townsfolk, find our heroine softening around the edges as love begins to enfold her heart. It is Ryan’s proclamation of love and plans for their future that sets Margaret off on another temperamental tirade of irrational accusations and name calling that finds our couple walking in opposite directions.
SOUR GRAPES is a well written, entertaining and engaging storyline once you ‘see’ beyond the heroine’s attitude and behavior. Ryan is a man who has fallen for the mercurial Margaret and finds himself falling in love when neither one expected anything beyond the present. The premise is passionate; the characters are animated and dynamic; the romance is intimate and seductive.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 23, 2016
Margaret Stokes is bitter. And not in the robust fine wine or tangy dark chocolate kind of way. She just got dumped, is fed up with her job as a glorified party-planner for the rich, and can’t possibly listen to one more veiled insult from her impossible-to-please mother. So she retreats to the comfort of her grandmother’s ramshackle bed and breakfast, where the wide open vineyards are filled with surprises, from the shockingly delicious wine to the aggravating yet oh-so-tempting man who makes it.
Ryan Camden’s easy approach to life encourages Margaret to loosen up and have a little fun, despite her better judgment. She resists the urge to micromanage every detail, embracing the welcome distractions of her surroundings and letting their relationship unfold at a natural rhythm. But when a health scare forces Grammy J to give up the B&B, Margaret begins to wonder if Ryan really is the man he promises—and whether the problems she tried so hard to escape ever really went away.
•••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars-OUR GRAPES is the second installment in Rachel Goodman’s contemporary, adult SOUR GRAPES romance series. This is winery owner/vintner Ryan Camden, and party planner Margaret Stokes’s story line. SOUR GRAPES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Some of the characters from book one FROM SCRATCH cross over including Margaret’s ex-boyfriend Nick Preston whose actions, months earlier, set Margaret off on a her adventure. SOUR GRAPES picks up following the events of book one.
Told from first person point of view (Margaret) SOUR GRAPES focuses on acerbic snob Margaret Stokes-a woman who finds herself on the run from family, so-called friends, and a thriving party planning business. Margaret is struggling with who she is, and what it is she wants from live. Months earlier Margaret was dumped by her boyfriend Nick for another woman-his ex Lillie-and things have gone done hill ever since. Without thinking, Margaret embarks on a journey where landing at her Grandmother’s struggling B&B finds our heroine battling with the local bad boy, and owner of the profitable local winery- Ryan Camden. What ensues is a building relationship between Margaret and Ryan, and the reevaluation of one woman’s life.
Wow, Margaret Stokes is a piece of work. I don’t know if I have ever met a heroine of whom I disliked to the extent that I considered DNFing. Not only is Margaret a snob, a condescending, caustic, judgmental b*tch but her so-called friends up the anti by ten fold. But I must say that Margaret comes by her attitude naturally once we meet her highbrow mother-a woman literally torn from Satan’s womb. In the early stages of the story line Margaret’s ability to put people down is nothing short of rude, destructive, patronizing and egotistic but her building relationship with Ryan, and the local townsfolk, find our heroine softening around the edges as love begins to enfold her heart. It is Ryan’s proclamation of love and plans for their future that sets Margaret off on another temperamental tirade of irrational accusations and name calling that finds our couple walking in opposite directions.
SOUR GRAPES is a well written, entertaining and engaging storyline once you ‘see’ beyond the heroine’s attitude and behavior. Ryan is a man who has fallen for the mercurial Margaret and finds himself falling in love when neither one expected anything beyond the present. The premise is passionate; the characters are animated and dynamic; the romance is intimate and seductive.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
May 26, 2016
***ARC PROVIDED BY AUTHOR FOR AN HONEST REVIEW***
This was a first time I had read anything by Rachel Goodman but I enjoyed what I read and give Sour Grapes 4 stars. It is a standalone book although it is the second in ‘The Blue Plate Series’. I actually didn’t know this fact until I had finished and looked into some of the other books by Rachel. There is no need to read the first book before this although it might give some spoilers.
Margaret is from wealthy parents that are part of Texan High Society and because of that she is expected to act in a certain way. Her mother especially expects a lot from Margaret but Margaret never feels that she does anything well in her mother’s eyes even though she has a successful business and acts accordingly to her place in social circles. Feeling in a bit of a rut after a bad break up and having no support Margaret needs to get away.
When she arrives at her family B&B her grandmother gives her no time to wallow and sets her to work. Being back here though means she comes back in contact with Ryan a local vineyard owner. Have to say that Margaret really grated on me at times in the beginning and found her prejudice against others extremely frustrating but gladly she does mellow out with the help of Ryan and his friends. She also struggles a bit to accept her feelings and attraction towards Ryan as Margaret doesn’t like to be vulnerable.
“Sure Ryan’s sexy in a rough-around-the-edges kind of way, and those hazel eyes draw me to him like a bee to a flower. But even beautiful flowers can hold hidden dangers, be as lethal as belladonna berries.”
I really liked Ryan and wouldn’t mind meeting someone like him at all. He is sexy, sweet, considerate, loving and loyal there are times when you feel he is too good her Margaret. From the start his feelings towards Margaret are clear to us even if not to her but he is not to be denied and really why would you deny him. Margaret’s issues are a lot to do about her own opinion of herself and that she need to deal with that self-doubt/worth.
“When will what he thinks is charming become annoying? When will I go from snarky to flat-out bitchy? When will pursuing me turn tedious rather than fun and challenging?”
There are light relief moments throughout from the grandmother and Ryan’s friends. The book is written in the first person POV so we see everything through Margaret’s mind and Margaret does grow on you but I still felt more for some of the other characters than I did her. Also I am not a wine drinker so the explanations of the subtleties of wine and its flavours was a bit lost on me and I felt went on a bit much. That being said I would read more from Rachel Goodman and would even go back and read the first book in this series. It’s a good story and well written.
Reviewed by Louise G.
This was a first time I had read anything by Rachel Goodman but I enjoyed what I read and give Sour Grapes 4 stars. It is a standalone book although it is the second in ‘The Blue Plate Series’. I actually didn’t know this fact until I had finished and looked into some of the other books by Rachel. There is no need to read the first book before this although it might give some spoilers.
Margaret is from wealthy parents that are part of Texan High Society and because of that she is expected to act in a certain way. Her mother especially expects a lot from Margaret but Margaret never feels that she does anything well in her mother’s eyes even though she has a successful business and acts accordingly to her place in social circles. Feeling in a bit of a rut after a bad break up and having no support Margaret needs to get away.
When she arrives at her family B&B her grandmother gives her no time to wallow and sets her to work. Being back here though means she comes back in contact with Ryan a local vineyard owner. Have to say that Margaret really grated on me at times in the beginning and found her prejudice against others extremely frustrating but gladly she does mellow out with the help of Ryan and his friends. She also struggles a bit to accept her feelings and attraction towards Ryan as Margaret doesn’t like to be vulnerable.
“Sure Ryan’s sexy in a rough-around-the-edges kind of way, and those hazel eyes draw me to him like a bee to a flower. But even beautiful flowers can hold hidden dangers, be as lethal as belladonna berries.”
I really liked Ryan and wouldn’t mind meeting someone like him at all. He is sexy, sweet, considerate, loving and loyal there are times when you feel he is too good her Margaret. From the start his feelings towards Margaret are clear to us even if not to her but he is not to be denied and really why would you deny him. Margaret’s issues are a lot to do about her own opinion of herself and that she need to deal with that self-doubt/worth.
“When will what he thinks is charming become annoying? When will I go from snarky to flat-out bitchy? When will pursuing me turn tedious rather than fun and challenging?”
There are light relief moments throughout from the grandmother and Ryan’s friends. The book is written in the first person POV so we see everything through Margaret’s mind and Margaret does grow on you but I still felt more for some of the other characters than I did her. Also I am not a wine drinker so the explanations of the subtleties of wine and its flavours was a bit lost on me and I felt went on a bit much. That being said I would read more from Rachel Goodman and would even go back and read the first book in this series. It’s a good story and well written.
Reviewed by Louise G.
May 23, 2016
Rachel Goodman has wrote another hilarious book in Blue Plate series. In the first book in the Blue Plate series, Margaret was dumped that she struggle to find herself in Sour Grapes.
I have to admitted that I did not like Margaret at all in the first book of Blue Plate series. She has always seems so stuffy and up struck that she needed to loosen up. But I got to know more about her in Sour Grapes that I definitely understand why she has acted like that. Margaret has a expectation from the beginning of her upbringing is being the most perfect women to the perfect rich man that her mother has indicated throughout her life. But Margaret has finally done of acting all perfect that she ditch her life to the her grandmother bed and breakfast. I definitely admire how determined Margaret is when she needed a change that she is willing to find herself but it will take some time for her to figure it out especially Ryan influence.
Ryan is sexy man that he definitely takes notice of Margaret from day one. I definitely want a Ryan in my life but he seems to make problems go away from his charming side. He may be determined to get Margaret to loosen up but he will start to fall for her too.
Their relationship will get closer and complicated that I definitely root for them to communicate what they want from each other. I definitely want Ryan for myself but he is definitely perfect Margaret.
Sour Grapes is the perfect romance read that it will make you addicted to Rachel Goodman books. Four Star!
I have to admitted that I did not like Margaret at all in the first book of Blue Plate series. She has always seems so stuffy and up struck that she needed to loosen up. But I got to know more about her in Sour Grapes that I definitely understand why she has acted like that. Margaret has a expectation from the beginning of her upbringing is being the most perfect women to the perfect rich man that her mother has indicated throughout her life. But Margaret has finally done of acting all perfect that she ditch her life to the her grandmother bed and breakfast. I definitely admire how determined Margaret is when she needed a change that she is willing to find herself but it will take some time for her to figure it out especially Ryan influence.
Ryan is sexy man that he definitely takes notice of Margaret from day one. I definitely want a Ryan in my life but he seems to make problems go away from his charming side. He may be determined to get Margaret to loosen up but he will start to fall for her too.
Their relationship will get closer and complicated that I definitely root for them to communicate what they want from each other. I definitely want Ryan for myself but he is definitely perfect Margaret.
Sour Grapes is the perfect romance read that it will make you addicted to Rachel Goodman books. Four Star!
May 29, 2016
Rachel Goodman
Sour Grapes
Margaret is part of the Dallas elite. While she excels at her job as an event planner - the rest of her life is empty and fake. She has “friends” who care more about the latest gossip than they do the victims of the gossip. A mother she can never please and no joy in her life.
A run in with ex-boyfriend Nick is the last straw to send her packing. She throws some things in a suitcase, takes care of her business responsibilities and hits the road. She ends up 4 hours away in the town her mother grew up in. Still mad at the world she meets a handsome stranger who seems to enjoy the fact that she’s insulting him.
Margaret takes refuge in the Bed and Breakfast that her Grammy J runs in Wilhelmsburg where she is put to work. On her escape from reality she discovers things about her family, friends and herself. The wine pushing man she met the first night in Wilhelmsburg keeps popping up in her life, insinuating himself into her life. This man - Ryan - is a local owner of a winery who as land adjacent to Grammy J’s property. Throughout the book Margaret or “Marge” as Ryan has decided to call her… starts to change.
This was a fun book to read. Throughout the book, author Rachel Goodman has well developed side characters that you would like to learn more about.
Sour Grapes
Margaret is part of the Dallas elite. While she excels at her job as an event planner - the rest of her life is empty and fake. She has “friends” who care more about the latest gossip than they do the victims of the gossip. A mother she can never please and no joy in her life.
A run in with ex-boyfriend Nick is the last straw to send her packing. She throws some things in a suitcase, takes care of her business responsibilities and hits the road. She ends up 4 hours away in the town her mother grew up in. Still mad at the world she meets a handsome stranger who seems to enjoy the fact that she’s insulting him.
Margaret takes refuge in the Bed and Breakfast that her Grammy J runs in Wilhelmsburg where she is put to work. On her escape from reality she discovers things about her family, friends and herself. The wine pushing man she met the first night in Wilhelmsburg keeps popping up in her life, insinuating himself into her life. This man - Ryan - is a local owner of a winery who as land adjacent to Grammy J’s property. Throughout the book Margaret or “Marge” as Ryan has decided to call her… starts to change.
This was a fun book to read. Throughout the book, author Rachel Goodman has well developed side characters that you would like to learn more about.
May 30, 2016
This story was so cute and enjoyable I hated when it was over. Margaret is a spoiled woman who has been dumped by Nick for his ex waitress girlfriend and she has just put on the function of the year and even though everyone says it's great her mother is embarrassed. Her friends are so full of themselves they can't wait to see another friend in pain so when they tell her that Nick had been married for a while Margaret leaves to go visit her grandmother. Margaret figures she will just stay awhile but she meets Ryan and see how much help her grandmother needs she decides to take her time. Margaret has never felt good enough or even had a true friend so when all of that starts to happen she is confused. She and Ryan have become so close but can she put herself out there? Her mother has never said she was proud of her or that she even loved her and when she finds out why her mother and grandmother aren't speaking she tries to see her mothers point of view but her mother won't even let her speak about it. Margaret is torn should she go home or is the B &B where her home is? I know this is kind of a funny story but heartwarming also.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon a Alpha
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon a Alpha
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