Bitter Truth

Hawthorne Vines, Book 1

By: Meredith Wild, Jillian Liota

Narrated by: Nelson Hobbs, Savannah Peachwood

For two wounded hearts, love is a risk in an emotional novel about family, past regrets, and future hopes by Jillian Liota and #1 New York Times bestselling author Meredith Wild.

After nine years in LA, aspiring singer Murphy Hawthorne leaves behind her broken dreams to return to her family’s vineyard. But as she helps open the property’s new restaurant, she faces a family still bitter about the fact she ever left, and old wounds quickly resurface. The only refreshing note is the handsome head chef, Wesley Hart.

Hired to draw more tourists to the Hawthorne vineyard, Wes is a culinary master with a reputation he wishes he could forget. Struggling with regrets and complex family dynamics of his own, he’s trying to start over, too. The biggest mistake he could make right now is to act on his attraction to his boss’s younger sister. If only he could get her out of his head…

Despite all the reasons to keep their distance, Murphy and Wes can’t deny the connection that keeps drawing them together. In each other, they find refuge and a sense of belonging neither could have imagined. But to forge a new future together, they must answer one important question: Can they face the past—and forgive it?

©2024 by Meredith Wild & Jillian Liota. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

So good

This was an entertaining romantic story that ticked the boxes for me. Well written, the narration was good and the narrators easy to listen to. From the first chapter I was hooked on the story that was told. The characters were easy to relate to and I really liked them. The chemistry between them was intense and I found myself laughing out loud on a number of occasions with the witty banter and humour. The secondary characters were just as entertaining and I hope to see more of them at a future date. This book is a little gem that I have no trouble recommending. The narrators certainly did justice to the characters and the wonderful story that the author created.

A coming of age story about rediscovering home and finding a soft place to fall

Wes and Murphy’s romance unites a talented but disgraced chef who desperately needs a new start and a singer/songwriter who couldn’t wait to escape her family and never looked back. An anonymous flat tire encounter several hours before Murphy’s arrival seemed promising for both parties but the realization that they have to work together quickly douses their interest. I empathized with Murphy’s consternation at discovering her job description has changed to that of a lowly waitress in the new restaurant on her family’s vineyard property but her lack of maturity, her brother’s curt dismissiveness, and her volatile emotional outbursts are her own worst enemy. Working together during a long lonely summer in a rural setting leaves plenty of time for emotional conversations and a magic connection in a coming of age story about rediscovering home and learning to forgive past mistakes as both characters find their soft place to fall. I loved the small town setting, each character’s maturation, and the emotional connection between them that is quite satisfying. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook and the compelling narration performances by Nelson Hobbs and Savannah Peachwood.

A great start to a new series!

If you're looking for a romance that delves deep into family dynamics, this small-town gem is a must-read. Sweeping you into a picturesque vineyard setting, the drama and emotional highs and lows unfold, holding the reader captivated.

Nelson Hobbs and Savannah Peachwood deliver outstanding performances, breathing life into the story with their narration. Their voices perfectly capture the characters emotions, making the reading experience even more immersive.

This was a terrific introduction to the Hawthorne Vines series and I can't wait for more! For those who enjoy a compelling, heartfelt romance, this audiobook is available for free through Kindle Unlimited. Don't miss out on this beautifully told journey.

Love love love

Loved the voice actors and story line. I was so sad when the book ended because I wanted to hear more!

touching story

I really enjoyed reading this author.  I look forward to reading more books by this author in the near future.