A review by kfriend
Blame it on the Champagne by Fiona Cole
4.0
While I was devastated to say goodbye to the Voyeur series, I was so excited to dive into a new Fiona Cole world- and a feisty girl gang making alcohol-influences bad decisions intrigued me from the start. In this series opener, Fiona explores new facets of her writing, and she does not disappoint. We have the sizzling chemistry, complex relationships, and naught undertone that we love- but we also see Fiona play with some new tropes, add a heavy dose of sassy humor, and create a new elite world with delightfully unique, but emotionally scared, characters for us to explore.
In this series starter, we meet a vibrant and hilarious girl gang- Vera, Raelynn, and Nova- friends from college now newly minted “real adults” who are as different as can be. But they share an undying love and devotion to each other- one another’s chosen family. We get the groundwork for this group of friends whose stories will be the backbone of this series, while also focusing on the frustrated and trapped Vera. She’s obligated by her family business and respect to her family’s legacy to enter into a marriage of convenience- a reality she’s always accepted. But she has hopes that her cooperation will result in a marriage that will grow into love- and will inspire her rather to also let her actually have an active role in the business. Unfortunately, she discovers she’s wrong on both counts, so she schemes to at least live her professional dreams- putting in literally in the path of Nico. She’s unaware that her hates her family, and he’s unaware that she is a Mariano. But they share one truth- they lust after each other. Throw in some well timed champagne buzzes, and it’s a recipe for drama. Or perhaps they are exactly what the other needs?
This story is trope rich- you’ve got arranged marriages, vendettas, age gap, secret identities, workplace romance, marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers- SO MUCH. And, it is interesting to see Fiona establish a new world after a series focused on one theme with a very particular vibe- and this book does feel different. A little lighter, definitely more fun, and with more externalized threats/conflict. Time will tell if that translates to the series- but its awesome to see a writer I respect try something different while her strengths still shine- especially her character development, the emotional connection, and the scorching hot physical chemistry.
The characters are FANTASTIC. I loved the girl gang- and I can tell each woman is going to bring something totally different to the table in their own romances, and Vera in particular was so likable. She has a vulnerability to her but she also has some spine- she sassy, resilient, and she finds strength in a connection to someone who challenges her in ways that bring out something new in her- Nico. And Nico is SOOOOOO HOT. TOTAL ALPHAHOLE - arrogant, bossy, controlling- but he also turns out to be such a kind and soulful human. A protective care giver, altruistic and chivalrous. Not to mention- no one writes dirty talkers like Fiona Cole. There is an age gap, although this element felt less taboo (or even central) than prior books- but these still caught my kindle on fire with their heat- both their angry fire and sharp banter as well as their panty melting sexual chemistry and explosive tension.
Fiona’s stories have a way of gripping me- a bit of sizzle, a spark, some consuming quality that just swallows me whole. Unlike some of her other stories- this took a while to grip me. Of course we’re coming off a series that felt more taboo and it is a series starter, which normally means more exposition. The early writing is fantastic- but it took me a minute to really be captured- a good halfway in probably. But BOY did I get there. Once we got to really focus in on the heart of this romance, this story really shone. And that focus is something that Fiona does like no other- the emotionally complicated, erotically titillating, and relationships born out of unusual contexts. That has been the hallmark of what I love about Fiona Cole- and this book really does capitalize on this strength.
I’m looking forward to the rest of this series and watching Fiona continue to flex her muscles. Plus, the girl gang member who intrigues me the most seems to be next- and I want to know more!
4.5 stars
In this series starter, we meet a vibrant and hilarious girl gang- Vera, Raelynn, and Nova- friends from college now newly minted “real adults” who are as different as can be. But they share an undying love and devotion to each other- one another’s chosen family. We get the groundwork for this group of friends whose stories will be the backbone of this series, while also focusing on the frustrated and trapped Vera. She’s obligated by her family business and respect to her family’s legacy to enter into a marriage of convenience- a reality she’s always accepted. But she has hopes that her cooperation will result in a marriage that will grow into love- and will inspire her rather to also let her actually have an active role in the business. Unfortunately, she discovers she’s wrong on both counts, so she schemes to at least live her professional dreams- putting in literally in the path of Nico. She’s unaware that her hates her family, and he’s unaware that she is a Mariano. But they share one truth- they lust after each other. Throw in some well timed champagne buzzes, and it’s a recipe for drama. Or perhaps they are exactly what the other needs?
This story is trope rich- you’ve got arranged marriages, vendettas, age gap, secret identities, workplace romance, marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers- SO MUCH. And, it is interesting to see Fiona establish a new world after a series focused on one theme with a very particular vibe- and this book does feel different. A little lighter, definitely more fun, and with more externalized threats/conflict. Time will tell if that translates to the series- but its awesome to see a writer I respect try something different while her strengths still shine- especially her character development, the emotional connection, and the scorching hot physical chemistry.
The characters are FANTASTIC. I loved the girl gang- and I can tell each woman is going to bring something totally different to the table in their own romances, and Vera in particular was so likable. She has a vulnerability to her but she also has some spine- she sassy, resilient, and she finds strength in a connection to someone who challenges her in ways that bring out something new in her- Nico. And Nico is SOOOOOO HOT. TOTAL ALPHAHOLE - arrogant, bossy, controlling- but he also turns out to be such a kind and soulful human. A protective care giver, altruistic and chivalrous. Not to mention- no one writes dirty talkers like Fiona Cole. There is an age gap, although this element felt less taboo (or even central) than prior books- but these still caught my kindle on fire with their heat- both their angry fire and sharp banter as well as their panty melting sexual chemistry and explosive tension.
Fiona’s stories have a way of gripping me- a bit of sizzle, a spark, some consuming quality that just swallows me whole. Unlike some of her other stories- this took a while to grip me. Of course we’re coming off a series that felt more taboo and it is a series starter, which normally means more exposition. The early writing is fantastic- but it took me a minute to really be captured- a good halfway in probably. But BOY did I get there. Once we got to really focus in on the heart of this romance, this story really shone. And that focus is something that Fiona does like no other- the emotionally complicated, erotically titillating, and relationships born out of unusual contexts. That has been the hallmark of what I love about Fiona Cole- and this book really does capitalize on this strength.
I’m looking forward to the rest of this series and watching Fiona continue to flex her muscles. Plus, the girl gang member who intrigues me the most seems to be next- and I want to know more!
4.5 stars