Red Velvet: 2 (Blackwood Cellars Series)

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Over the last three months, he’d felt so ashamed of his behavior at Marc’s wedding he’d curtailed most of his social interactions. Her faded sweats and messy hair were fine for a quiet evening to herself, but not for a night with her smoking-hot friend with benefits. But will the biggest secret of all turn out to be that this fake relationship feels more real than April or Brody ever imagined? Over bites of lo mein, interrupted by the occasional groan of pleasure over the wontons, she filled him in on the situation. Used to being teased and picked on every time she is with her family, April is thrilled to have her handsome boyfriend with her for the week.

I did struggle to like April’s family, and even after the explanations of why specific family members acted so nastily to April, I found them difficult to understand and forgive. Her love of romance began when she discovered the rack of Harlequin romances at the library where she worked as a teen.

Her passions include Broadway musicals, baking, whimsical office supplies, and pop culture podcasts.

She had yet to experience the powerful, all-consuming pull of attraction that led to a lifelong commitment. No matter how many times she asked him to stay, he claimed spending the night would derail his morning run. Sure enough, Brody Blackwood, her good friend, movie buddy, and former crush, had commented on her post: PLEASE say these are for Treatday Thursday.

When Brody Blackwood volunteers to help out April (who makes treat day at Blackwood Cellars a weekly event that he won't miss), he thinks a week alone with her will be the perfect get away. He’d been one of the first people to befriend her when she’d relocated from Santa Barbara to the Temecula Valley—an hour north of San Diego—to work for his family’s company. Red Velvet” pairs a heroine who always comes last in her family with her best friend, who’s agreed to be her fake date to a family wedding. Her love for writing started at the tender age of eight when she wrote a short story about three witches who debated the best way to spend Halloween (riding broomsticks vs riding vacuum cleaners).

While having to share a charming one-bedroom cabin on the lake and navigating the Beckett family competitions, April and Brody discover that they work well together, and they have fun together.April’s brother and his fiancée, April’s quirky cousin, and Brody’s friends are all supportive, accepting, and encouraging, and I loved their roles in the story. I thought I’d find her annoying at first but, as the book continued on, I found myself rooting for her and truly wanting the best for her.