This is a story I remembered reading a view years ago. I enjoyed it this time just as much as the first time. ( )

An old Southern plantation. Wine. Murder. An attractive closeted private investigator. Family drama. Elements that make for a great read. When Austin Gillespie arrived at Ballineen, he certainly didn't expect an eventful visit, but he definitely ends up with more than he bargained for.

Josh Lanyon is definitely an expert storyteller. He develops very strong characters and creates worlds that almost leave you wondering if there's more than a hint of truth in the story. This one is no exception. It's an m/m romance that doesn't skip or avoid the complicated bits, which I definitely appreciate, but it also delivers everything a romance novel should. Highly recommended. ( )

The least favorite Josh Lanyon book so far. ( )

Not completely sure about this one. Not because of the m/f/m scene (there was a warning after all!) but just something in the story didn't click with me. It felt rather rushed, unpolished and definitely unfinished. Sorry, but not Josh's best work in my opinion at all. ( )

4.5 Stars

For some reason, this book had me rolling up and down and twisting first one way, then another much like a roller-coaster! I liked Austin; he was a bit priggish at the beginning but the more I learned about him, the more I understood him. And the more I understood him, the more he tugged at my heartstrings. While I liked Jeff too, for most of the book I wanted to smack him upside the head...right until the very end when I finally understood and my heart softened.

I love Lanyon's style of writing. There are some memorable lines in this book, my favourite being a description the MC gives of himself - "Not that twenty-nine was so old. In oenophile terms, he was still a young wine: light, fresh, and…um…fruity." But it's Lanyon's way with character development that keeps me coming back.

And now, writing this review, I'm waffling between a 4 and 5 stars. There is a scene that disturbed me in this book, with a mere 20 pages till the end. It's not that I'm against m/f/m, although I really only read m/m usually. I think what I have issue with is that at a time in Austin's life when he is emotionally low, he is "peer-pressured", dare I say coerced, into the menage. Perhaps it's projection on my part. *shrugs* Whatever the reason the scene had me in turmoil, the deft hand of Mr. Lanyon managed to maneuver the characters in such a way that my enjoyment of the book was able to continue. ( )