Red Velvet: 2 (Blackwood Cellars Series)

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Both April and Brody have complicated family relationships, though the story focuses more on April’s family. Her sisters are particularly difficult and antagonistic, especially toward April. They are a highly competitive family, unlike April, and April often feels like the odd one out. She and Brody are alike in that way. They both struggle with feelings of worth and not living up to the expectations of their family. Neither feels like they fit in with the rest of their family, and they always seem like they are trying to prove themselves to those who should accept them without reservation. Too bad there’s a grueling 10k race and a cutthroat trivia night to endure. Not to mention a massive secret to protect. But will the biggest secret of all be that this fake relationship feels more real than April or Brody ever imagined? My Thoughts

He set down the food and enfolded her in a hug. She clung to him tightly, pressing her body against his, and he was distracted by how nice she felt. Soft and warm and sexier than usual. I never should have agreed to it. Attending a destination wedding? With your entire family? That implies we’re getting serious. This trip means a lot to me, she said. And you promised you’d go. If you can’t be there for me, then I don’t want to be with you anymore. I think I could pull it off, he said. Your family’s never met me, so I could easily pretend to be Chris for six days. I love how hard Brody works to make things easier for April. He knows how anxiety-ridden she becomes when with her parents and sisters, and he does everything in his power to alleviate her stress. It’s clear long before he realizes it that Brody loves April, and I love how he supports and defends her throughout their trip. From running in a 10k to participating in trivia night to enduring painful events with her terrible family, Brody puts his own problems aside to be there for his best friend, which says so much about him and their relationship.Nothing could equal the agony he’d experienced when he recovered and realized what he’d done. Though Marc and the rest of his family had since forgiven him, he still had moments when he lay awake in misery, replaying the entire hellscape. Maybe that’s why he couldn’t leave town for six days. Tears welled up in her eyes. I feel so stupid. What if he has a secret family?

Was he making a huge mistake? The last time he attended a wedding, he made a total ass of himself. He still hadn’t fully recovered from the debacle. The romance between April and Brody is fantastic and equal parts sweet and steamy. Both April and Brody are nerds, and I loved their references to Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and more. They are the best of friends, and they are a great support to each other. They have such fun together, and it’s clear that they can be completely themselves when they are together. Both have had bad and recent breakups and are a little hesitant about love. However, they have a special connection and care deeply for each other. I love how they slowly admit their feelings for each other and how their relationship grows and transitions throughout the story. They have such fantastic chemistry, and their ease with and love for each other is relatable, realistic, and swoon-tastic! I totally related to this couple, as my husband and I were friends before we became more. We are also big nerds, much like April and Brody. She filled the sink with soapy water and shoved in the rest of her utensils. Once the dishes were done, she’d whip up the cream cheese frosting.

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When April opened the door, her frazzled appearance made his heart ache in sympathy. Wisps of chestnut-brown hair had escaped from her messy bun, her Godzilla t-shirt was dusted with flour, and her large, hazel eyes were red and swollen. She undid her apron and hung it on a peg. It’s Delilah’s birthday tomorrow. Red velvet cupcakes are her favorite.

I know. And you’re right—Chris didn’t respect me. I realize I’m better off without him, but that doesn’t solve the problem. He was my plus-one for the wedding. I told my entire family about him. When she bit her lip and looked away, he was hit with a rush of guilt. He didn’t want to hurt her. But he also didn’t want her thinking Chris’s behavior was acceptable. Sorry. I’m not trying to make things worse. This might’ve been one of the books I read whilst I was sweating on a sun bed last month but, on the face of it, it is a cosy autumn romance through and through. He rolled his eyes. You’re making this into a bigger deal than it needs to be. But if that’s what you want, then it’s your loss. When she put it that way, the whole enterprise sounded likely to trigger his anxiety. But unlike Maui, this wasn’t a romantic trip. He had no expectations other than spending a fun week in Wisconsin with one of his closest friends. There was no chance of heartbreak.

I loved the tropes in Red Velvet. We had friends to (fake) lovers, horrible siblings and the inevitable ex-boyfriend turning up when everything is actually going alright. But before Chris, her bed had been empty for months. Even the crumbs of his affection were better than slowly morphing into a lonely cat lady. I also want to thank the publishers Moon Manor Press and the writer Carla Luna for my e-copy of this book. I enjoyed it and I hope others will as well. About the Author He wrinkled his nose. You know how I feel about cat hair on my clothes. And I won’t be long. He sauntered over to the breakfast bar and frowned at the cupcakes. Baking again? Butter and refined sugar are terrible for your waistline. April cringed. Though she was on the curvy side, none of her previous boyfriends had ever criticized her figure. But Chris claimed he did it out of compassion. After one too many lectures about her cholesterol levels, she’d vowed to seek out healthier baking choices. Yet here she was, breaking her word.