Vino & Veritas Book 14: Stronghold by Ana Ashley

Vino & Veritas Book 14

The last place Judson wants to be is back home in Burlington, living with his mother. Not so long ago he was a world-class chef with the lifestyle to prove it. Now he’s serving drinks and flying under the radar until he can get the hell out again. But when his childhood best friend reenters his life, looking finer than any entree at a Michelin five-star restaurant, he wonders if it’s time to update his menu of life choices.

Working through past wounds with Skyler won’t be easy, though--especially with a reality-show television camera following (not quite) their every move. When their loyalty is tested, will their newly built stronghold be sturdy enough to withstand the storm?

Stronghold is a sweet and sexy romance for childhood friends to lovers, with some creative use of maple syrup and a TV crew determined to keep appearing out of nowhere. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58375849-stronghold

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I loved diving back into the Vino & Veritas series. And this one in particular definitely made it as one of my favorites from the series so far. You can't help but love Judson and Skyler, the sweetest characters who deserve the happy ending with one another. Judson and Skyler have been friends since the day they were born. Literally. Their mothers met the day they gave birth at the hospital. They have been in one another's lives ever since. That is until the day after graduation. Where a misunderstanding leaves Judson running away from his life in Vermont with no explanation to Skyler. About ten years later and Judson has returned from his life in Europe that has blown up in ways he simply wants to forget. What he doesn't expect is to see Skyler again. The boy turned man that he always secretly loved but knew that nothing would ever happen between them and after that graduation night, it only solidified that idea. However, Jud learns some things about Sky. Like how Sky is working at his family's farm, creates his own maple syrup and products, oh, and that he is also gay. Sky never thought he would see Jud again. His best friend who left him without a goodbye. Taking their dreams along with him. He wants answers and he wants Jud back. Especially that he never told Jud how he felt about him. Jud and Sky now have a second chance when it comes to love but they also have a chance to make their dreams come true when they enter a TV show contest that allows them to open a restaurant for a week in their town. If they win, they could open the restaurant they always wanted. But there are still complications and unexpected surprises heading their way that can threaten their happy ending. Ugh, I LOVED this story. It was so good and I couldn't put it down. It was sweet and romantic and just had me cheering for these two to figure everything out and admit that they don't want to let each other go again. You can't help but love these two characters. Like I said earlier, definitely a favorite from this series so far! 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.