Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Unforgettable

SERIES:  Vinos and Veritas #14

AUTHOR:  Marley Valentine

PUBLISHER:  Heart Eyes Press

LENGTH:  208 pages

RELEASE DATE:  August 12, 2021

BLURB:

One night with Reeve Hale wasn’t enough. I knew it when I kissed him, I knew it when I slept with him, and I was certain of it when I walked out of his motel room the very next day.

So when the shy, gorgeous man is introduced as our newest employee at Vino and Veritas, I can’t help but conjure up all the ridiculous ways to convince him to repeat that unforgettable night. Like asking him to be my fake boyfriend at my sister’s upcoming wedding.

Only, I didn’t expect him to say yes.

Playing pretend shouldn’t feel this real. Especially when Reeve is planning on leaving Vermont after the summer.

We agreed to one night. We negotiated a fake relationship. But I’m the one who broke our terms. I wasn’t supposed to fall in love and he was never supposed to be so unforgettable.

REVIEW:

Unforgettable is another great novel set in the Vino and Veritas world and it begins on a supremely hot note. It is, in fact, one of my favorites in the series. This one is tied more to the bookstore/wine bar than some because both leading men are employed by V&V. At just over 200 pages it’s on the shorter side which suited my short attention span on this hot summer day. Marley Valentine employs a fun fake boyfriend relationship, the progression of which is not quite the norm for the trope. Reeve and Oz move from a one-night-stand, to friends, to being fake boyfriends sans benefits, to fakes with benefits, to lovers. I enjoyed every step of the journey.

Reeve is young – just twenty-three – but he’s already had his heart broken by a boyfriend of two years. No way is he going down that path again, so he has sworn off relationships. Having newly relocated to Burlington, Vermont, for the summer, he decides to try a hookup app for the first time. He’s shy and nervous when he meets the more experienced Oz at a bar. For readers of the series, you’ll remember Oz as a stocker at the bar; he was one of their first employees. He, too, is just looking for a one time thing. When they make their way to a motel, they find their sexual chemistry is off the charts, but nonetheless, they have no intentions of seeing each other again. Reeve has family obligations that require him to return to Connecticut in September.

Oz is a big, gruff looking guy who appears confident and likes to be in control, but he’s fighting a host of insecurities that are reinforced by his parents. He didn’t go to college, doesn’t have a career, and isn’t in a relationship – all things of importance to his parents. He loves his family but he wants so badly to prove he’s good enough, so he concocts the fake boyfriend scheme. Reeve agrees as long as they remain friends only – no sex.

The men have one strong commonality: they’re both misunderstood by their parents. Reeve’s uber-wealthy, successful parents are cold and largely absent, but have his whole life mapped out for him. Reeve and Oz are perfectly understood by each other, though, and can be themselves. They listen to each other – something severely lacking in their lives. It’s clear they start to care deeply for each other but their future plans are out of sync.

The important theme in this novel is character growth. Reeve changes the way Oz sees himself. Through Reeve’s eyes, Oz realizes it’s possible to turn his life in a different direction, pursuing his dream job. He feels more capable. Oz helps Reeve take control of his life, stand up for himself, and not let his parents dictate his future. He allows himself to trust Oz, which is difficult for him after being blindsided by his previous boyfriend. They both realize they want a person to call their own. Eventually they have to quit denying that either can be happy without the other.

Unforgettable includes brief cameos from Tanner, Harrison, and Mrs. Fletcher that provide continuity with the series. Reeve and Oz are endearing, well-written characters, and the secondary cast, including their siblings and especially Reeve’s roommate, Murph, are welcome additions. It’s a mostly upbeat story with a pleasant pace. As the Vino and Veritas series reaches its end this week, I’m happy to be able to recommend this very enjoyable book.

RATING: 

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