A Toast for Laurent (Vine Valley Book 1) by Theresa Paolo – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

A Toast for Laurent by Theresa Paolo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Toast for Laurent is about 2 long-lost lovers finding each other after 20 years. Laurent is a wealthy vineyard owner who was very much in love with Phoebe, however, she is a “runner”. Phoebe having mommy, daddy, and their marriage issues is a runner – she runs from life, love, and anything uncomfortable. Well, 20 years ago she ran from Laurent and left him heartbroken. However, they made a pact that if by the time they were 40 and not married they would get married. Phoebe’s younger sister is getting married and is always criticized by her family so she wants to make good on their pact. She happens to be a successful businesswoman for the local hotel in the city Laurent lives in. At the story’s beginning, she is walking into his vineyard/bar and demanding he marries her. This begins the second phase love story. Love was never the problem so can they each learn from the past and begin a future of happiness?

I enjoyed this romance story. I think it isn’t often they have a male leader that isn’t really the problem in the story, and I quite enjoyed that perspective. Laurent is a likable, caring, loving, handsome, level-minded, and successful individual. You can tell he loves with his whole heart and will fight for what he wants. He is quite patient with Phoebe who is really the problem of the love always falling short. Phoebe was an okay character. She is someone who is scared and afraid to love, afraid to be happy. I appreciate her growth in the story but there were many times I really wanted to slap her. I hate that she thought when things were convenient for her they should be for him. I really just wanted her to get over herself a lot of the time and woman up. Also, one thing I would have liked a little more is their after story, would have felt better about where they were going, but overall enjoyable read.

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