This book was simply ADORABLE. I loved the whole feel of it. It was strange getting Sarina's Vermont in someone else's point of view, but it also made it somewhat more "real". While this wasn't a true full length novel I still felt like the arc both characters went through (mainly Harrison) was genuine. I think he needed a sort of "excuse" to live and Finn was exactly it.
Harrison Phillip Fletcher III had a great life in New York as a lawyer but when he lost his job it felt like the right time to make a change - a big one - opening "Vino and Veritas" - a bookstore with a bar - in Burlington, the city his mother was born and raised in. This is HER dream but he is more than happy to make it come true for her. He has his reasons which were sweet but mostly sad. I loved his relationship with his mother, Harrison is such a loving and caring guy.
Unpacking all the boxes the last box he expected to land on his front door is one containing a rare breed of chickens! It's a mistake in address so the right thing to do is contact the owner - enter Finn Barnes. He has been a farmer all of his life as so many generations before him. He loves his job but it does tend to suck all of his time. He isn't very patient with Harrison when he arrives to take his chickens to their new home mostly because seeing Harrison reminds him of his ex - and nothing good could ever come of that!
But once he returns home he realizes he should have been at least polite. Harrison made a really decent effort here so he returns with a thank you basket and from there a friendship blooms. They couldn't be more different. Harrison is strict. The kind to put the guilty in any pleasure while Finn outright says there shouldn't BE guilt in pleasure. He might be very responsible where the farm is concerned but he knows how to have fun. I also enjoyed his family and the way they operated the farm together as a family but also as a community oriented business.
Somehow, through the differences, these two still click and the attraction is also there so why not act upon it? Finn doesn't have time for a relationship and besides he won't bet on the city boy and Harrison has his own reasons to push any kind of real connection away.
Seeing these two build something so honest together, a friendship, a bit more, a relationship without a name, but mostly someone to spend time with, share their dreams - what they hope and wish for - was exactly the kind of story I signed up for. These two deserved each other and a happy ending SO MUCH and while there isn't a lot of drama there is a sad note to Harrison's story but mostly there is hope and happiness in sharing everything they do have today.
This book is the first book in the "Vino and Veritas" a sub-series in the "World of True North" (originally only by Sarina Bowen). I don't think I'll get around to reading all of them but I DO intend on reading the second - Heartscape - by Garrett Leigh of Tanner & Jax. Tanner has the smallest appearance as the new hire in the bar section of "Vino and Veritas".
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I kindly received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book will be out on - 15 March 2021 - Pre-order it through Amazon (KU)
 | Rating: ★★★★★ | E-Book Edition | 186 pages | Read on: 6-7 March 2021 |  |  |
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