Something in the Wine by Jae (400 pages) Rated: Sweet
Set up by her practical-joker brother for a blind date with a lesbian college friend of his, Annie Prideaux, an attractive 30-year-old, straight accountant and her date Drew, a vineyard owner and winemaker, figure out Jake's game and collude to get even with him by pretending to date one another. In the process of pretend-dating, Annie notices how much fun she is having and how easy it is to talk with Drew compared to her could-hardly-wait-till-they-
Like real people, Jae's characters aren't perfect either, especially self-doubting, workaholic Annie, who even with Drew's patient, non-pushy steadiness, is confused and overwhelmed by her emerging attraction. Throughout the story, the revenge games are funny and entertaining. Plus, the story of friendship blossoming into love is intertwined with information about the fascinating vineyard business and wine making process. Fortunately, there's "Something In The Wine" that facilitates Annie's coming out process, personal and public.
Some readers might appreciate the great lengths, 400 pages, that Jae goes to in order to develop the friendship-based love story, whereas, others might be frustrated that Annie and Drew don't quite get to the love-making part of the story in this volume. Problem is solved, though, for only 99 cents. In the short story sequel, Seduction for Beginners, Annie faces her fears and lack of experience, and on Valentines Day, she finds a way to make her girlfriend's dreams come true.
