Running a billion-dollar hedge fund doesn't leave a lot
of time for fun in the sun, but that doesn't bother James Brannigan. After
spending his youth helping his widowed father raise six younger brothers, James
took a cue from his workaholic dad and channeled all his energy into business.
So when he learns that his father left him a tiny winery on the Amalfi Coast,
he's not thrilled. A trip to Italy is the last thing his busy schedule needs,
but the winery has to go. Which means...he has to go to the winery.
Kyra Summers is the definition of a free-spirit. In her
thirty years on earth, she’s never stayed in one place long enough to put down
roots until she arrived in Positano and fell hard for the bold flavors, hot
sun, warm people, and above all, the wonderful wine. Her job at a small, local
winery is her first attempt to make a real home and the people who run the
place start to become like family to her. Until the winery's new owner, a
devastatingly handsome, shockingly ruthless billionaire, arrives with plans to
shut it all down. Kyra's willing to do whatever it takes to save this place she
loves--even if it means cozying up to a man who's harder than granite and twice
as cold.
But the Italian sunshine has a way of heating things
up--with every fiery exchange, they strike sparks and draw irresistibly closer
together. James is stunned by his attraction to a woman unlike any he's met
before, and Kyra discovers a simmering passion hidden behind his polished
exterior. But passion won't be enough to change James's mind and his
priorities, which is exactly why his late father sent him to Italy. Changing
James is going to take a much bigger risk--it's going to take love.
I loved this book. Colin, the patriarch of the Brannigan
family, died eight months earlier, after an illness he kept from his seven
sons. Though he tied up his billions in a trust for five years, he left each of
his sons unique legacies. James received ownership of a tiny winery on the
Amalfi coast of Italy, a bequest that left him thoroughly confused. He never
knew his dad owned a winery, and running a hedge fund is not conducive to
winemaking. Besides, James doesn't drink wine or anything alcoholic because it
can lead to a loss of control. The best thing he can do is unload it fast and
get back to what he does best. With an offer already in hand, James heads to
Italy to check the place out before signing on the dotted line. He doesn't
expect to get blindsided by Kyra, the pretty and bubbly tourist liaison for the
winery.
Kyra toured the winery during her world travels and never
left. After moving from place to place for most of her life, something about
Positano made her want to put down roots. She was embraced by the Sebastiani
family who quickly made her feel like one of them. When they hear that the new
owner is coming to visit, Kyra is determined to find out his intentions. She'll
do anything to help her family.
I loved the development of the relationship between James
and Kyra. It got off to a slightly rough start as laser-focused, business-only
James was confronted by bright and cheerful Kyra, who refuses to be deterred by
James's cold demeanor. I laughed out loud at Kyra's success at rolling right
over James's attempts to avoid going with her, then at his reaction to riding
the Vespa. James realized from the very beginning that Kyra was going to be
trouble for him, and he was right. There was no denying the attraction between
them, but worse than that was the way she got past his walls.
Both James and Kyra were raised by workaholic parents.
James's dad buried his grief at his wife's death by immersing himself in work,
leaving James to watch out for his younger brothers. It was Colin's influence
that had James following in his footsteps, both in business and in choosing
work to avoid his feelings. Kyra's mother was also a workaholic, leaving Kyra
in the care of nannies most of the time. All Kyra wanted was her mother's
attention, but all she got was watching her mother coldly destroy people's
lives in the name of business. Instead of becoming like her mother, Kyra became
the opposite. She left home at eighteen and traveled the world, getting to know
people of all kinds, always in search of a sense of belonging.
It was so much fun to watch Kyra teach James how to relax
and enjoy himself. The more time they spent together, the stronger the
attraction became. They also developed a sense of trust in each other that
enabled them to share painful parts of their pasts, and in that sharing began
to heal. The attraction and trust deepened into stronger feelings. Kyra knew
she was going to hurt when James left, but she couldn't stop what was
happening. It took James longer to realize what he was feeling. I loved his
moment of revelation and his determination to show Kyra the depth of his
feelings. Who knew that stuffy old James had the capability for something so
romantic? But fate threw them a curveball in the form of trouble at the winery.
I ached for Kyra and her feelings of betrayal, and for James and his bewildered
devastation. I loved the ending and how both James and Kyra found what they
were looking for.
The winery itself was at the center of the story. In
previous books we saw how James's father had his reasons for each bequest, each
son learning something about himself and his parents along the way. At the beginning
James was closed off and determined to sell the winery at the earliest
opportunity. But as he got to know the Sebastiani family, the rush to sell
began to fade and thoughts of keeping it began to grow. When the matriarch of
the family shared her memories of James's parents and their visit there, it
brought back memories of happier times. I loved seeing the effect it had on
James and laughed a little at the confusion it caused him. His conversations
with assorted brothers only confused him more. At the same time, James began to
question some things about the winery itself. I had my suspicions long before
James did and wondered if he would figure it out. I loved when the light went
on and James realized what was going on. His reaction was fantastic and I loved
seeing the combination of the old ruthless businessman James and the new and
improved James with a heart. The confrontation at the hotel was great, followed
by him riding to the rescue (on a Vespa, by himself, with no helmet!) at the
winery. That scene was exciting and heartwarming and perfectly showcased the
new James. The epilogue was great, and I loved the conversation with Finn, the
last man standing in the Brannigan family - for now.
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