Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Red, White, and Blue

SERIES: Uncorked #6

AUTHOR: Shea Balik

PUBLISHER: self-published

LENGTH: 183 pages

RELEASE DATE: July 4, 2019

BLURB:

Raise your wine glasses high to toast the men of Dahlonia while they discover the secret to happiness – LOVE. 

Blue Moon tried to live a fairly ‘normal’ life. To him that meant working, paying bills and keeping as far under the radar as possible. He’d had enough of being the center of attention to last a lifetime. Although, to be fair, it usually wasn’t him that found a way to draw a crowd. That would be his mother, Apple Blossom. Blue was just the unfortunate person she used to gain the spotlight as often possible. 

Lowen Delany loved his new job at The Twisted Vine as a Wine Tasting Assistant. His bosses didn’t even mind his multicolored hair and tattoos. It didn’t hurt that he got to try the vineyard’s new wines every year either. Best of all, he was able to meet new and interesting people every day, including a man who tried to hide behind a fake tree while wearing a colorful outfit that couldn’t have been missed in the dark from a mile away. Although, Lowen was fairly sure, even dressed in black, he would have noticed Blue. 

But when Blue’s mother decides to butt into their budding relationship, thankfully, they both find that family is more than just about genetics. It’s about who is there for them when things get tough that matter most. 

Warning: Many tastings of both red and white wine were consumed during the writing of this book. This author is far from being an expert, but it isn’t from lack of trying.

REVIEW:

This is another series of Shea’s I have grown to just adore. The guys from the winery had no idea what a community they would create when they started it. Now they are all coming together as friends and family. Some, the only family they have. But there’s love and support and a bond between these guys that have made the community what it is. 

Everybody in town seems to love the yarn store owner, Blue. He’s such a sweetheart but having a mother as he does, causes a lot of problems. Mainly for Blue. She dresses like a hooker most of the time and is always making digs at him and embarrassing him at every turn. He’s finally started to stand up to her more but she still gets to him. When he meets Lowen at a wine tasting for a wedding event he had to attend, his mother was being her. Fortunately, Lowen couldn’t keep his eyes off Blue, in spite of his mother. At every turn, she tries to interfere and almost broke them up, or tried to, until Blue and Lowen had enough. He stood his ground. Twice and decided his life was his to live. Not hers. But both Lowen and Blue have issues as far as family and now they have to learn that family is what you make it. Not always blood. 

One thing I have to say about Shea’s books that get me, are the bitches in these stories. Mostly mothers or families, sometimes just people who are that way. And I am always wanting to reach in and smack these women lol. But without them, the story would have a hole. There always has to be some drama right? Lol.

What makes me sad is how it affects Blue. He’s such a sweet soul. It’s his life. He’s an adult and should be allowed to live his life as he sees fit, but heaven forbid she doesn’t get an insult in. So when he does stand up for himself against her, it makes me so happy. She needs to be put in her place. Many times over. It’s hard on Blue because he just wants her to love him, but unfortunately, sometimes in life we have to get rid of the toxic and sometimes it’s family. It’s not easy but for your sanity and health, it has to be done.

Lowen, thankfully, just jumped right in and backed him up. He has his own issues as far as his family but it doesn’t stop him from being the support Blue needs. And I love it. He doesn’t hesitate. And everyone else backs them both as well.

It’s another sweet story. It has its ups and downs, but it’s a good story. Now I’m really ready for Broden and Andrew. Especially after the spanking comment lol.

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

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