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St. Helena Vineyard #5
From the Moment We Met
After years of designing her family’s grand wineries (and a few not-so-grand closets on the side), Abby DeLuca knows she has what it takes to be an award-winning interior designer. Newly single, Abby lands the career opportunity of a lifetime and refuses to let anything—or anyone—stand in her way. And that includes St. Helena’s most irresistible contractor, the man who makes her melt every time she sees him—even though he shattered her heart years ago.
A former NFL star, Jack “Hard Hammer” Tanner now spends his days doing contract work for the beautiful women of St. Helena—and his nights doing off-the-books projects in their bedrooms. Yet the more time the sexy tool-belt-for-hire spends with Abby, the more he longs to fix her broken heart. Soon, rekindled sparks fly. But when Jack’s dream job comes calling, he faces a tough choice: building in the big leagues, or building forever with his first love.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2014
508 people are currently reading
1,664 people want to read
About the author
Marina Adair
38books1,922followersMarina Adair is a New York Times author whose fun, flirty contemporary romances have sold over a million copies. She has hit #1 overall in Amazon Kindle Paid and her St. Helena Vineyard series was optioned and made into the original Hallmark Channel Vineyard movies: Autumn in the Vineyard, Summer in the Vineyard, and Valentines in the Vineyard. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a MFA from San Jose University and currently lives in Northern California with her husband, daughter, and two neurotic cats. Please visit her online at MarinaAdair.com and sign up for her newsletter at .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
June 23, 2015
By the time you get to the fifth book in a series, you've either built up some pretty massive anticipation for a particular couple's story, or you've lost me as a reader because I haven't found anything in your series that speaks to me. When I finally sat down to read this book, I was in the massive anticipation for (Jack) Tanner and Abby's story camp. However, when I finished this book tonight, I found myself wondering if I should continue the series.
Abby is the sheltered and protected little sister of the DeLuca family, and she's mainly let that ride for the first four books. In this book, she finally gets her claws in so many ways, and yet in so many others, she winds up being a whiny, spineless shell of what she started out as. I found it very annoying. It took a character I hated from the beginning of the book to point out to Abby how spineless she really was, then she finally took charge of what she wanted. There was also a lot of miscommunication in this story, which could have been cleared up if only (Jack) Tanner and Abby had talked with one another! (Jack) Tanner was also the silent type, too much so, as he wound up taking a lot of crap from all of his supporting characters in the group, to the point where I wondered if he had "doormat" as a secondary nickname. To be fair, I did chuckle and laugh at a good handful of places in the book, which has saved it from a 2 star rating, but in my opinion, this book is the weak link in the series, and I'll be waiting for a library copy of the 6th book in the series to read it before purchase.
Abby is the sheltered and protected little sister of the DeLuca family, and she's mainly let that ride for the first four books. In this book, she finally gets her claws in so many ways, and yet in so many others, she winds up being a whiny, spineless shell of what she started out as. I found it very annoying. It took a character I hated from the beginning of the book to point out to Abby how spineless she really was, then she finally took charge of what she wanted. There was also a lot of miscommunication in this story, which could have been cleared up if only (Jack) Tanner and Abby had talked with one another! (Jack) Tanner was also the silent type, too much so, as he wound up taking a lot of crap from all of his supporting characters in the group, to the point where I wondered if he had "doormat" as a secondary nickname. To be fair, I did chuckle and laugh at a good handful of places in the book, which has saved it from a 2 star rating, but in my opinion, this book is the weak link in the series, and I'll be waiting for a library copy of the 6th book in the series to read it before purchase.
May 6, 2015
DNF @ 45%
It started out good and then it just fizzled out. I ended up not liking the heroine and the hero does nothing for me. I felt disconnected to the storyline. It might have helped if I had read the previous books in the series but maybe not.
It started out good and then it just fizzled out. I ended up not liking the heroine and the hero does nothing for me. I felt disconnected to the storyline. It might have helped if I had read the previous books in the series but maybe not.
January 13, 2019
3.5-4 stars
I put off reading this one because of the lower rating in the series. It had me not overly excited. But I ended really enjoying it... A lot more than I expected I would. I loved finally getting Abby's story and watching her grow and change. Plus being the only girl in a family of overbearing brothers was fun to read. And, as always, the grandmas are hilarious.
I put off reading this one because of the lower rating in the series. It had me not overly excited. But I ended really enjoying it... A lot more than I expected I would. I loved finally getting Abby's story and watching her grow and change. Plus being the only girl in a family of overbearing brothers was fun to read. And, as always, the grandmas are hilarious.
December 12, 2018
3.5 for this installment
4.0 for the overall series
It's been a while since I binged on a series like this. I read the 5 books in less than a week. I couldn't even read a highly anticipated finale, because I couldn't stop thinking about these heart warming and enchanting characters.
This final installment is my least favorite, but it doesn't detract from my overall love of the series. It was absolutely perfect for the holiday season, and I look forward to starting the spinoff ASAP.
4.0 for the overall series
It's been a while since I binged on a series like this. I read the 5 books in less than a week. I couldn't even read a highly anticipated finale, because I couldn't stop thinking about these heart warming and enchanting characters.
This final installment is my least favorite, but it doesn't detract from my overall love of the series. It was absolutely perfect for the holiday season, and I look forward to starting the spinoff ASAP.
March 30, 2018
I loved the overall story and Abby’s character. Her drive and determination to come out from behind her family’s shadow was heartwarming. It was the romance aspect of the story that fell short for me, however. There was never any actual relationship growth because it never progressed past the physical. Every single encounter between Abby and Jack was just, “he/she (interchangeable) is just SO hot!” This left the story sitting on the surface and made the happily ever after a bit hard to believe.
May 3, 2014
(4.5 stars)
I really really enjoyed From the Moment We Met. I took my day off yesterday from work and spent it with some quality time with my couch (and a few other chairs), my kindle (thanks amazon prime ;) ) and a hunky man and a leading lady I liked a lot.
First a quick little intro to the story: (sorry there won’t be any gifs to entertain you this is a good old fashion review :P )
Abby DeLuca wants nothing more than to spend her first day as a divorced woman in peace with her new silky robe and some slippers that growl (I kinda want a pair of those for myself). Abby was married to a not so nice man who not only liked to “train the interns” more than needed (if you know what I mean) and scammed a whole bunch of people in town out of their money. Leaving Abby with an A sewn to her chest by the town who believe she let her SOB of a cheating husband get out of town.
After waiting the mandatory time it takes to get a divorce without hearing from the other party she is looking forward to a clean slate from the past. But of course Abby’s dream of a peaceful day as a single woman has been shattered when she gets an unexpected delivery that has the whole town talking. Also, while all this horrible ensues who should be jogging by like the built and handsome man he is? Jack “Hard Hammer” Tanner. A former NFL star and an old flame of Abby’s. He is the last person she wants to see this clown show going down on her front lawn. But in her cute little silky robe it is just the show Tanner wants to see. ;)
Abby wants nothing but respect from the people in town so she can do what she loves. Designing. For years Abby has been working on design grand wineries and things on the side. The only problem is they come attached to her family name. She needs to land a good job that can lift her career up to a new level. However, over protective brothers, a stain from her good ol’ husband on her name, and a contractor named Tanner seem to keep getting in her way.
Now the two main characters!
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. I felt like a lot of them had real flaws and I could believe all of them.
Abby DeLuca is a hardworking woman who has dreams and goals she tries very hard to achieve. But Marina Adair does a great job at showing her vulnerable side too. She has been hurt in love and in life. But you can see her work through her problems in the book and it isn't all easily solved which is something I like in a book.
Tanner is a former NFL star and totally looks the part. But there is more to him than just the good-looking guy who has the town in the palm of his hand. We see his struggles with his father who is living in his house after an injury on the worksite and the wreakingball of a dog that seems to come with him. Adair is more than adept at making these characters have faults that we all struggle with. I think that Tanner really grows a lot in this book which makes me happy.
I love the relationship and the history between Tanner and Abby. It makes me think of my own Tanner I have and make me wonder.
What I really really thought was great was the history that was already there in the book with every single one of the relationships but there wasn’t the unnecessary retelling of every event. You don’t have to read any other books in the St. Helena series to get what is going on. It was like we jumped into a time in these peoples lives and just followed along for the ride. We didn't need a tour guide to stop the bus and explain the history. My biggest pet peeve in a series is when you have to get a retelling of every relationship that happened in the previous books. So gold star for Adair. (Also if you're jumping in not in order it doesn't spoil any other books!)
Overall I would give this book a 4.5. There were just a couple over the top things I was like “ehh” that weren't even a big deal. I never put the book down! I think that has to count for something!! I also have a new author I really like! Adair you’re now one of my favorites.
I really really enjoyed From the Moment We Met. I took my day off yesterday from work and spent it with some quality time with my couch (and a few other chairs), my kindle (thanks amazon prime ;) ) and a hunky man and a leading lady I liked a lot.
First a quick little intro to the story: (sorry there won’t be any gifs to entertain you this is a good old fashion review :P )
Abby DeLuca wants nothing more than to spend her first day as a divorced woman in peace with her new silky robe and some slippers that growl (I kinda want a pair of those for myself). Abby was married to a not so nice man who not only liked to “train the interns” more than needed (if you know what I mean) and scammed a whole bunch of people in town out of their money. Leaving Abby with an A sewn to her chest by the town who believe she let her SOB of a cheating husband get out of town.
After waiting the mandatory time it takes to get a divorce without hearing from the other party she is looking forward to a clean slate from the past. But of course Abby’s dream of a peaceful day as a single woman has been shattered when she gets an unexpected delivery that has the whole town talking. Also, while all this horrible ensues who should be jogging by like the built and handsome man he is? Jack “Hard Hammer” Tanner. A former NFL star and an old flame of Abby’s. He is the last person she wants to see this clown show going down on her front lawn. But in her cute little silky robe it is just the show Tanner wants to see. ;)
Abby wants nothing but respect from the people in town so she can do what she loves. Designing. For years Abby has been working on design grand wineries and things on the side. The only problem is they come attached to her family name. She needs to land a good job that can lift her career up to a new level. However, over protective brothers, a stain from her good ol’ husband on her name, and a contractor named Tanner seem to keep getting in her way.
Now the two main characters!
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. I felt like a lot of them had real flaws and I could believe all of them.
Abby DeLuca is a hardworking woman who has dreams and goals she tries very hard to achieve. But Marina Adair does a great job at showing her vulnerable side too. She has been hurt in love and in life. But you can see her work through her problems in the book and it isn't all easily solved which is something I like in a book.
Tanner is a former NFL star and totally looks the part. But there is more to him than just the good-looking guy who has the town in the palm of his hand. We see his struggles with his father who is living in his house after an injury on the worksite and the wreakingball of a dog that seems to come with him. Adair is more than adept at making these characters have faults that we all struggle with. I think that Tanner really grows a lot in this book which makes me happy.
I love the relationship and the history between Tanner and Abby. It makes me think of my own Tanner I have and make me wonder.
What I really really thought was great was the history that was already there in the book with every single one of the relationships but there wasn’t the unnecessary retelling of every event. You don’t have to read any other books in the St. Helena series to get what is going on. It was like we jumped into a time in these peoples lives and just followed along for the ride. We didn't need a tour guide to stop the bus and explain the history. My biggest pet peeve in a series is when you have to get a retelling of every relationship that happened in the previous books. So gold star for Adair. (Also if you're jumping in not in order it doesn't spoil any other books!)
Overall I would give this book a 4.5. There were just a couple over the top things I was like “ehh” that weren't even a big deal. I never put the book down! I think that has to count for something!! I also have a new author I really like! Adair you’re now one of my favorites.
May 30, 2017
הספר הזה היה הטוב ביותר בסידרה. הוא סיפורם של אביגיל (אבי ) דה לוקה אחותם של הגיבורים מהספרים האחרים ושל ג'ק טאנר.
אבי וג'ק ניהלו רומאן בתיכון. הוא עזב לליגת ספורט ושבר את ליבה. היא נישאה לריצ'רד, נוכל, בוגדן שנטש אותה מבלי להתגרש. ואז אבי חוזרת לעיר, ורוצה להתגרש אבל אחרי 7 שנים היא לא יודעת היכן הוא.
אחרי פירסום בעיתון מופיע פסל עירום של ריצ'רד בחצרה של אבי, והעיניינים הופכים משעשעים, מגוחכים ומצחיקים.
אהבתי את הדמות של אבי, אהבתי גם את הסיפור מאחורי הדמויות. יש בספר קטעים מצחיקים במיוחד אלה שעוסקים ביחסים בין אבי לאחים המגוננים יתר על המידה שלה.
אפשר לקרוא את הספר גם כעומד בפני עצמו.
אבי וג'ק ניהלו רומאן בתיכון. הוא עזב לליגת ספורט ושבר את ליבה. היא נישאה לריצ'רד, נוכל, בוגדן שנטש אותה מבלי להתגרש. ואז אבי חוזרת לעיר, ורוצה להתגרש אבל אחרי 7 שנים היא לא יודעת היכן הוא.
אחרי פירסום בעיתון מופיע פסל עירום של ריצ'רד בחצרה של אבי, והעיניינים הופכים משעשעים, מגוחכים ומצחיקים.
אהבתי את הדמות של אבי, אהבתי גם את הסיפור מאחורי הדמויות. יש בספר קטעים מצחיקים במיוחד אלה שעוסקים ביחסים בין אבי לאחים המגוננים יתר על המידה שלה.
אפשר לקרוא את הספר גם כעומד בפני עצמו.
August 10, 2020
Abby finally gets her happily ever after. After the statue of Richard is delivered to her lawn on the day her divorce is final and she finds out she is really a widow instead her world is turned upside down. No one in town will hire her but finally she gets the chance to design the titanic build. Add to all this, Jack Tanner is right there to cheer her on every step. These two have had a thing since high school and now he wants more and the chemistry is off the charts. Definitely the best way to end this series!
July 1, 2020
3.5-4 stars. Audible listen, wonderfully narrated by Renee Raudman.
Ending a really great series on a good note, these books always put a smile in my face.
While I loved getting to know Abby better, and her romance with Tanner was lovely, and sexy... I found myself fully invested in secondary characters (family, friends, neighbours and clients) - which always, joyfully, adds layers and points of humour.
I look forward to the spinoff series!
Ending a really great series on a good note, these books always put a smile in my face.
While I loved getting to know Abby better, and her romance with Tanner was lovely, and sexy... I found myself fully invested in secondary characters (family, friends, neighbours and clients) - which always, joyfully, adds layers and points of humour.
I look forward to the spinoff series!
December 22, 2018
It's been seven years since her cheating husband left after he stole money from a lot of people in town. And since the bastard didn't show his face in the last six months after Abby's post an add, she's finally been granted a divorce. She's finally single and intend to stay that way and she also plan to make a name for herself in the indoor and outdoor design without her family name attached to it. Unfortunately, men aren't done messing with her life. First, with a surprising gift and astonishing news about her ex and then, with the sexy contractor she have to pair up with, also a man from her past.
Former NFL player Jack "Hard Hammer" Tanner certainly live a different life that when he was a football star. But he doesn't miss his other life and without searching for it, he can see himself settling down in the years to come. It's just that he can't seem to forget his first love: Abby DeLuca. Her overprotective brothers doesn't scare him away but he keep asking her out and she keep refusing. Probably because she still haven't forget him when he didn't call after she gave him her virginity in high school. Tanner is determined to used this opportunity to work with her to make her admit she still feel the attraction between them and to show her he's serious about being with her.
The title of this book is pretty apt because from the moment we saw Abby and Tanner together at the beginning of the series, we knew this two would end up together. There was irritation from her side and even if we didn't know the details, we knew that something happened between them before and that she was giving him piano lessons (the reason why I was a little disappointed that we didn't see them during one of those moments). I loved the hero's laid back attitude and really enjoyed the addition of his roommates (his cantankerous dad, his unruly dog and his colleague and friend with a frat-boy party lifestyle) to the story. I adore the DeLuca men but if they were my brothers, I'm sure they would drive me crazy too with their overbearing attitude and always being up in their sister's business. But you can feel the family love, no doubt about it.
Next on my list of Adair's to reread : the series with Frankie's (heroine of book 3 in the St-Helena Vineyard series) brothers.
Former NFL player Jack "Hard Hammer" Tanner certainly live a different life that when he was a football star. But he doesn't miss his other life and without searching for it, he can see himself settling down in the years to come. It's just that he can't seem to forget his first love: Abby DeLuca. Her overprotective brothers doesn't scare him away but he keep asking her out and she keep refusing. Probably because she still haven't forget him when he didn't call after she gave him her virginity in high school. Tanner is determined to used this opportunity to work with her to make her admit she still feel the attraction between them and to show her he's serious about being with her.
The title of this book is pretty apt because from the moment we saw Abby and Tanner together at the beginning of the series, we knew this two would end up together. There was irritation from her side and even if we didn't know the details, we knew that something happened between them before and that she was giving him piano lessons (the reason why I was a little disappointed that we didn't see them during one of those moments). I loved the hero's laid back attitude and really enjoyed the addition of his roommates (his cantankerous dad, his unruly dog and his colleague and friend with a frat-boy party lifestyle) to the story. I adore the DeLuca men but if they were my brothers, I'm sure they would drive me crazy too with their overbearing attitude and always being up in their sister's business. But you can feel the family love, no doubt about it.
Next on my list of Adair's to reread : the series with Frankie's (heroine of book 3 in the St-Helena Vineyard series) brothers.
June 13, 2014
I too received this book free from Amazon and at first I was really enjoying it. There is a character to whom you can easily relate that is just having a bad day when she should be having the best day of her life.
The love story between to the two (Abby and Jack) was okay but they kept lightly brushing on two things: Jack's childhood and the fact that the mother left home and also on their (Abby and Jack's)previous relationships in high school in college.
I gave the book two stars because they go into no detail. I feel as though knowing why Abby was so hesitant to trust Jack now would have been really beneficial. Some backstory would have been excellent.
Otherwise, its a fairly cute romance book. However, some extra character development would have been highly appreciated.
The love story between to the two (Abby and Jack) was okay but they kept lightly brushing on two things: Jack's childhood and the fact that the mother left home and also on their (Abby and Jack's)previous relationships in high school in college.
I gave the book two stars because they go into no detail. I feel as though knowing why Abby was so hesitant to trust Jack now would have been really beneficial. Some backstory would have been excellent.
Otherwise, its a fairly cute romance book. However, some extra character development would have been highly appreciated.
May 31, 2017
Feel-good, sexy read.
This was a feel-good, sexy read. A small town romance full of quirky characters and meddling family members, it's exactly the kind of book to relax me during a week full of craziness. Hot ex-NFL star and the woman he's been half in love with for years = swoons perfection.
This was a feel-good, sexy read. A small town romance full of quirky characters and meddling family members, it's exactly the kind of book to relax me during a week full of craziness. Hot ex-NFL star and the woman he's been half in love with for years = swoons perfection.
October 28, 2019
I have been waiting for Abby & Jack's story from the start.
Jack has broken Abby's heart twice & they had such a strong connection that scared them both but this time Jack was not letting Abby go
Jack has broken Abby's heart twice & they had such a strong connection that scared them both but this time Jack was not letting Abby go
June 28, 2017
A lovely romance
I enjoyed reading about Jack and. The st. Helena wine country gang. I can't wait to read more by Marina. I am hooked by her writing now after the first book
I enjoyed reading about Jack and. The st. Helena wine country gang. I can't wait to read more by Marina. I am hooked by her writing now after the first book
June 3, 2014
I cannot get enough of Ms. Adair’s books. She excels in small town love stories that will easily melt your heart. Abby and Jack certainly did that as I watched their second chance at love unfold. Their interaction was full of banters and sexual innuendos that had me laugh-out-loud. Jack “Hard Hammer” Tanner was uber sweet and sexy. Oh, in case you’re wondering, his name matches his physique. In every way. ;).
The last DeLuca will finally get her happy-ever-after. I have been waiting for Abby’s story since meeting her in Kissing Under the Mistletoe. I didn’t think I could like Abby but certainly intrigued. She was such a *itch in that novel but I guess I can understand why. Abby’s marriage had just ended and it was very complicated. Needless to say, she was able to survive the trials and finally making a name for herself as a designer. Her latest project will entail working with the ex-football player, Hard-Hammer Tanner aka high-school love. This journey will finally give Abby the respect she’s wanted and love she so deserves.
Though this is the last story of the DeLuca siblings, this series is to continue on. Yes, there will be more of St. Helena Vineyard series. Four to be exact but the story will focus on the Baudouin brothers. I believe, we first see them in Nate and Frankie’s book, Autumn in the Vineyard. They are Francesca’s Brothers. It will be interesting to see what Ms. Adair has installed for the town of St. Helena. With that said, those books will be an automatic read for me.
*ARC provided by publisher
October 12, 2016
I really liked Abby, she has had a rough time of it. Her ex-husband had stolen all of her money and most of the towns folks money....all while he was cheating on her with pretty much everyone that walked. She is sweet, caring and wears her heart on her sleeve.
Not a Jack Tanner fan...at all. Money and a super bowl ring cannot buy class. He is pretty much just like the ex minus the stealing part. They dated in high school, where he took her virginity, never called and then had a date to her homecomimg....with someome else, not her. Then she dated him again....because 1 heartbreak wasn't enough????? And he left her to go play college ball....just left her behind...again.
Fast foward and he has been trying to date her for the last year...he wants her but talks about being with another girl a couple of months ago and is always parading women around in front of her. Seriously an a$$hat. It's like she keeps dating or attracting the exact same guy....they just look different. I mean would you want to date someome that the entire town slept with.....uh, no....oooooo. I know 3rd times a charm but I just felt it was 2 times too many.
Treating her like that is like kicking a puppy....and as I said before...I like puppies. I gave this a 3 because I really do like Marina Adair's writing....I'm just not always crazy about her male characters. I would like to see her mix it up a bit and maybe have the woman treat the man like crap for once....you know mix it up. He finally pulls his head out of his a$$ about 95% through the book, but still don't trust him and think she could do better. It's too bad her self esteem is so low she felt she had to settle. I believe she really loves him.....but not really sure he is capable of that...you know except for himself.
Not a Jack Tanner fan...at all. Money and a super bowl ring cannot buy class. He is pretty much just like the ex minus the stealing part. They dated in high school, where he took her virginity, never called and then had a date to her homecomimg....with someome else, not her. Then she dated him again....because 1 heartbreak wasn't enough????? And he left her to go play college ball....just left her behind...again.
Fast foward and he has been trying to date her for the last year...he wants her but talks about being with another girl a couple of months ago and is always parading women around in front of her. Seriously an a$$hat. It's like she keeps dating or attracting the exact same guy....they just look different. I mean would you want to date someome that the entire town slept with.....uh, no....oooooo. I know 3rd times a charm but I just felt it was 2 times too many.
Treating her like that is like kicking a puppy....and as I said before...I like puppies. I gave this a 3 because I really do like Marina Adair's writing....I'm just not always crazy about her male characters. I would like to see her mix it up a bit and maybe have the woman treat the man like crap for once....you know mix it up. He finally pulls his head out of his a$$ about 95% through the book, but still don't trust him and think she could do better. It's too bad her self esteem is so low she felt she had to settle. I believe she really loves him.....but not really sure he is capable of that...you know except for himself.
June 3, 2014
I was thrilled to purchase FROM THE MOMENT WE MET, as a Kindle First Read last month, as I have been waiting to read baby sister, Abby DeLuca's romance after watching all of her brother's fall in love. And lucky lady that she is...she got Jack "Hard Hammer" Tanner (I know...the nickname says it ALL).
Abby and Jack had a past, a "thing" in High School...which didn't exactly turn out great and a College "thing" which turned out even worse...and Abby wasn't planning to let Jack break her heart again...but she needs his "professional" help with a Project to kick start her career, but with her "meathead" brothers butting in, and the "ex" that just won't go away...even after his death...well...lets just say, these two getting together is far from easy!
I thought Abby and Jack were fabulous. Adair writes with humor and heart, which are two things you can always expect from her St. Helena Vineyard series. Gus was just so much fun, and he definitely added a special "charm" to the story. But Jack is really the one to steal the show for me...he is just sexy with a capital "S" and a whole lot more. I love when a hero is so into the heroine that he is willing to do whatever it takes (even blackmail) to get the girl!
Not only do I recommend this New Release, but I would encourage you to start at the beginning and get to know the whole DeLuca clan. Who doesn't love a big Italian Family that will charm their way into your heart and keep a hold on those strings long after you have turned the last page.
Abby and Jack had a past, a "thing" in High School...which didn't exactly turn out great and a College "thing" which turned out even worse...and Abby wasn't planning to let Jack break her heart again...but she needs his "professional" help with a Project to kick start her career, but with her "meathead" brothers butting in, and the "ex" that just won't go away...even after his death...well...lets just say, these two getting together is far from easy!
I thought Abby and Jack were fabulous. Adair writes with humor and heart, which are two things you can always expect from her St. Helena Vineyard series. Gus was just so much fun, and he definitely added a special "charm" to the story. But Jack is really the one to steal the show for me...he is just sexy with a capital "S" and a whole lot more. I love when a hero is so into the heroine that he is willing to do whatever it takes (even blackmail) to get the girl!
Not only do I recommend this New Release, but I would encourage you to start at the beginning and get to know the whole DeLuca clan. Who doesn't love a big Italian Family that will charm their way into your heart and keep a hold on those strings long after you have turned the last page.
February 19, 2018
From the Moment We Met is the 5th and final book in Marina Adair’s St. Helena’s Vineyard Series focusing on the DeLuca family one of the town’s founding families and world famous winemakers. Since most readers are women and all about the hunky heroes and I’m a guy and all about the heroines, this book really delivered for me and was probably the one I enjoyed most in the series. Abigail (Abbey, Abs) DeLuca the only girl among the 5 Deluca siblings is the focus of this book. If you’ve read the earlier books in the series you’ve gotten to know Abbey pretty well as she’s been a presence probably more than the other siblings in most. First as the wronged sister whose cheating husband Richard fathered a child (Holly) with Regan Miller one of his many intern affairs and absconded with $12 million dollars in money people had invested in his and Abbey’s proposed new winery and some suspect Abbey may have had a role in. Abbey is more talked about than active in this book as her brothers take keeping her safe (which includes ever crossing paths with Regan) but those plans go astray when her oldest brother Gabe falls in love with Regan and her daughter Holly. We do meet her briefly as the piano teacher and school volunteer directing the school’s Christmas pageant. What we learn is that even though Abbey comes to realize Holly is Richard’s daughter she doesn’t let it influence how she treats the young girl giving her the premier role in the Christmas play. And when Gabe tells her that if Regan’s presence in St. Helena will be too painful for her to endure he’ll leave town with her she agrees to try and accept Regan as part of the family. In the next book we see more of Abbey as Lexi her childhood BFF’s in Lexi and her brother Marco’s love story. We learn that Abbey is a fierce and loyal friend, a good person and that she’s made good on her promise to accept Regan and Holly as part of her family. In the third book her brother Nate and Frankie’s story she agrees to sponsor Frankie a member of the rival Boudain family in the annual wine competition under her Ryo Vineyards flag. Abbey’s kindness to her now sisters-in-laws is repaid in spades in her book with Jack “The Hammer” Tanner.
What I liked about this book
Abigail DeLuca- she’s sweet and sexy, smart, and stubborn
Jack Tanner- I loved the way he believed in Abbey and knew how to support her without smothering her or trying to run her life like her brothers did. I like that he was intimidated by her brothers and he was willing to stand up for her against his best friend and business partner Colin. I also like the way Tanner did his best to help take care of his cantankerous father Gus.
The relationship between Abbey and her sisters-in-laws. When she needed help getting her meddling if well-meaning brothers out of her business they were more than willing to step up and support her in a very hilarious if effective way.
What I didn’t like
I hate when female romance authors use ex NFL players as heroes but don’t take the time to do their research to get it right. Jack Tanner is supposed to be an ex-NFL Superstar, Super Bowl MVP and I think maybe even a Hall of Famer as a runningback. But he’s 6’5” and 250 lbs. and he’s supposedly famous for making great catches. What Ms. Adair is describing to a tee based upon size and skill set is a tightend, not a runningback. I can’t ever remember a runningback that was 6’5” tall and the great ones are known for carrying the football not catching it. Also much is made of Tanner being drafted in the first round by the Buffalo Bills yet we’re led to conclude that he achieved his greatest success as a San Francisco 49er of which he is still a huge fan of. As an Upstate New Yorker and former Buffalo Bills season ticket holder I can’t help being a little miffed at that.
Much of this story involves a naked statue of Richard containing his remains that is dropped in her front yard the day her divorce became final. Because her parish priest advises her, Abbey’s grandmother ChiChi convinces her to keep the statue in her front yard for several weeks until Richard’s grandmother can come from Italy to pay her respects. While the statue does serve to provide plenty of humor for this story the logical thing would have been for Abbey to remove Richard’s ashes and either give them to the interfering priest for safe keeping or have them sent to the grandmother in Italy. Not keep the offending statue in her front yard for nearly a month. As central to the story as this statue was it’s continued presence in Abbey’s front yard just didn’t make any sense.
Why is Abbey struggling financially when the rest of her siblings seem to have plenty of money? As a designer of all the family’s buildings isn’t she a full partner in the winery?
The ending. Oh, Abbey and Jack got their H.E.A. and it was very sweet. Although since I don’t understand why Abbey was so upset with Jack’s proposal I understand even less why she suddenly did a 180 degree turn. I was as confused as Jack. I guess it had something to do with her learning to move forward and leave her past behind but it really wasn’t clear to me. I also wish since this was the last book in the series that somehow Ms. Adair had more of an attempt to include not only her brothers but also their spouses and her noona and her crazy friends in the final chapter. Maybe an actual speaking part for each of them? Gabe and Regan and their kids were off in Italy for apparently a very long vacation and Sarah was mentioned as Trey’s fiancée and she joined in Abbey’s efforts to quell her brother’s meddling ways, but she was never actually in any scenes and I don’t think Frankie was either. Maybe it's me but knowing we're saying goodbye to these characters we've come to know over 5 books I'd like a little more before of them before I say goodbye.
What I liked about this book
Abigail DeLuca- she’s sweet and sexy, smart, and stubborn
Jack Tanner- I loved the way he believed in Abbey and knew how to support her without smothering her or trying to run her life like her brothers did. I like that he was intimidated by her brothers and he was willing to stand up for her against his best friend and business partner Colin. I also like the way Tanner did his best to help take care of his cantankerous father Gus.
The relationship between Abbey and her sisters-in-laws. When she needed help getting her meddling if well-meaning brothers out of her business they were more than willing to step up and support her in a very hilarious if effective way.
What I didn’t like
I hate when female romance authors use ex NFL players as heroes but don’t take the time to do their research to get it right. Jack Tanner is supposed to be an ex-NFL Superstar, Super Bowl MVP and I think maybe even a Hall of Famer as a runningback. But he’s 6’5” and 250 lbs. and he’s supposedly famous for making great catches. What Ms. Adair is describing to a tee based upon size and skill set is a tightend, not a runningback. I can’t ever remember a runningback that was 6’5” tall and the great ones are known for carrying the football not catching it. Also much is made of Tanner being drafted in the first round by the Buffalo Bills yet we’re led to conclude that he achieved his greatest success as a San Francisco 49er of which he is still a huge fan of. As an Upstate New Yorker and former Buffalo Bills season ticket holder I can’t help being a little miffed at that.
Much of this story involves a naked statue of Richard containing his remains that is dropped in her front yard the day her divorce became final. Because her parish priest advises her, Abbey’s grandmother ChiChi convinces her to keep the statue in her front yard for several weeks until Richard’s grandmother can come from Italy to pay her respects. While the statue does serve to provide plenty of humor for this story the logical thing would have been for Abbey to remove Richard’s ashes and either give them to the interfering priest for safe keeping or have them sent to the grandmother in Italy. Not keep the offending statue in her front yard for nearly a month. As central to the story as this statue was it’s continued presence in Abbey’s front yard just didn’t make any sense.
Why is Abbey struggling financially when the rest of her siblings seem to have plenty of money? As a designer of all the family’s buildings isn’t she a full partner in the winery?
The ending. Oh, Abbey and Jack got their H.E.A. and it was very sweet. Although since I don’t understand why Abbey was so upset with Jack’s proposal I understand even less why she suddenly did a 180 degree turn. I was as confused as Jack. I guess it had something to do with her learning to move forward and leave her past behind but it really wasn’t clear to me. I also wish since this was the last book in the series that somehow Ms. Adair had more of an attempt to include not only her brothers but also their spouses and her noona and her crazy friends in the final chapter. Maybe an actual speaking part for each of them? Gabe and Regan and their kids were off in Italy for apparently a very long vacation and Sarah was mentioned as Trey’s fiancée and she joined in Abbey’s efforts to quell her brother’s meddling ways, but she was never actually in any scenes and I don’t think Frankie was either. Maybe it's me but knowing we're saying goodbye to these characters we've come to know over 5 books I'd like a little more before of them before I say goodbye.
September 30, 2015
2.5 stars
Abby DeLuca, interior designer, deals with a missing husband who cheated on her and took other people's money and disappeared. Jack Tanner, Hard Hammer Tanner, former NFL player and co-owner of Tanner Construction. Abby's meddling brothers are also very present in this novel.
The story line became too weird...the naked statue of her dead, estranged husband the contained his ashes, his biological daughter being Abby's niece when richard's mistress married Abby's brother. This sort of thing is the reason for the low rating. The whole story line became asinine. I skipped large parts.
P.136. Refers to Alabama University. I assume author meant the University of Alabama. This is a mistake that should have been caught in proofing.
Abby DeLuca, interior designer, deals with a missing husband who cheated on her and took other people's money and disappeared. Jack Tanner, Hard Hammer Tanner, former NFL player and co-owner of Tanner Construction. Abby's meddling brothers are also very present in this novel.
The story line became too weird...the naked statue of her dead, estranged husband the contained his ashes, his biological daughter being Abby's niece when richard's mistress married Abby's brother. This sort of thing is the reason for the low rating. The whole story line became asinine. I skipped large parts.
P.136. Refers to Alabama University. I assume author meant the University of Alabama. This is a mistake that should have been caught in proofing.
April 15, 2022
It's on rereading the whole series that I could really appreciate the process of setting up the sequence of events, location, back story and characters from across the series to the final instalment where Abby finally gets her happy ever after. Really loved this one where Abby comes into her own and finally manages to get her brothers to let her be herself.
January 11, 2019
I was a little disappointed by this, but not gonna lie, I was never a huge fan of Abby from the start. I understand she went through hell with her cheating husband and then for him to leave her to pick up the pieces of the bank debacle is no joke.
However, her whole theme of 'she is easy to leave', I call bullshit. First of all, her parents did not choose to leave her, they died. HUGE DIFFERENCE so don't put yourself on that pedestal, bitch. As for being alone, wasn't she the one who told her meddling brothers to back off? Second, her husband was never really there to begin with so she should take some responsibility for turning a rebound into a sham of a marriage. The rest is totally on Richard. As for Tanner constantly leaving her, I'm on Tanner's side. Sorry that he went away to college and got drafted so he had to train in another state. The world does not revolve around you, princess.
As for Tanner, the whole, he runs away when things get hard, no he does not. He could have kicked his Dad out long ago, he had to train in a completely different state to be in the NFL, and the final 'push/climax' between him and Abby when things got too much, HE was the one making the tough call. He was willing to make it work on the weekends and holidays instead of making her uproot her life and leave everything she worked so hard to rebuild.
The one thing I would have like was to see Regan again as, let's not forget, she's the one who also got screwed by Richard, yet she was nowhere to be seen and I would have like to see Abby actually apologize to Regan for never really acknowledging her feelings from the situation. Regan and Gabe are still my favorite couple, with Nate and Freddie coming in at a close second.
In conclusion, Abby kind of came across as a spoiled princess who got an ugly taste of reality, while Tanner came across as a decent guy who allowed his fame to take over for a bit but then moped about it when he thought that's what everyone saw.
However, her whole theme of 'she is easy to leave', I call bullshit. First of all, her parents did not choose to leave her, they died. HUGE DIFFERENCE so don't put yourself on that pedestal, bitch. As for being alone, wasn't she the one who told her meddling brothers to back off? Second, her husband was never really there to begin with so she should take some responsibility for turning a rebound into a sham of a marriage. The rest is totally on Richard. As for Tanner constantly leaving her, I'm on Tanner's side. Sorry that he went away to college and got drafted so he had to train in another state. The world does not revolve around you, princess.
As for Tanner, the whole, he runs away when things get hard, no he does not. He could have kicked his Dad out long ago, he had to train in a completely different state to be in the NFL, and the final 'push/climax' between him and Abby when things got too much, HE was the one making the tough call. He was willing to make it work on the weekends and holidays instead of making her uproot her life and leave everything she worked so hard to rebuild.
The one thing I would have like was to see Regan again as, let's not forget, she's the one who also got screwed by Richard, yet she was nowhere to be seen and I would have like to see Abby actually apologize to Regan for never really acknowledging her feelings from the situation. Regan and Gabe are still my favorite couple, with Nate and Freddie coming in at a close second.
In conclusion, Abby kind of came across as a spoiled princess who got an ugly taste of reality, while Tanner came across as a decent guy who allowed his fame to take over for a bit but then moped about it when he thought that's what everyone saw.
April 26, 2018
3.5 stars
I've really enjoyed all this series, and given 5 stars to all the previous 4 books, but I must admit this was was my least favourite, which was a shame as I was really looking forward to finally getting to Abby and Jack's story.
You really need to have read the other books for the back story, but Abby is the youngest DeLuca, and the only girl with four bossy, controlling Italian brothers. The brothers came across as strong characters in the other books and I really liked them, but in this one they were just annoying, trying to control everything Abby did and were far too over-protective.
Abby always seemed to be pushed around in various situations. At the very beginning a naked statue of her cheating, lying, thieving ex-husband was delivered to her house and dumped on her front lawn, which ended up staying there! Personally I would just have taken a hammer to it, but oh no Abby just accepted it, albeit reluctantly, with half the town turning up to view it! Then her brothers kept sticking their noses in, refunding money to people they had no right to as it was Abby's problem, and interfering in the design job she was trying to get.
I did like Jack most of the time, but again he was walked all over by his (horrible) partner Colin, and his miserable Father, even though they were living in his house at his expense. They really took advantage of him and he let them.
It did get a lot better towards the end when both Abby and Jack started to take control of their own lives - at last! There were other good parts in it too of course, as Marina Adair is a very talented writer and does make me laugh, but overall this was definitely the weakest of the series for me. Hopefully this was just a blip though and I am still looking forward to reading the Heroes of St. Helena series.
I've really enjoyed all this series, and given 5 stars to all the previous 4 books, but I must admit this was was my least favourite, which was a shame as I was really looking forward to finally getting to Abby and Jack's story.
You really need to have read the other books for the back story, but Abby is the youngest DeLuca, and the only girl with four bossy, controlling Italian brothers. The brothers came across as strong characters in the other books and I really liked them, but in this one they were just annoying, trying to control everything Abby did and were far too over-protective.
Abby always seemed to be pushed around in various situations. At the very beginning a naked statue of her cheating, lying, thieving ex-husband was delivered to her house and dumped on her front lawn, which ended up staying there! Personally I would just have taken a hammer to it, but oh no Abby just accepted it, albeit reluctantly, with half the town turning up to view it! Then her brothers kept sticking their noses in, refunding money to people they had no right to as it was Abby's problem, and interfering in the design job she was trying to get.
I did like Jack most of the time, but again he was walked all over by his (horrible) partner Colin, and his miserable Father, even though they were living in his house at his expense. They really took advantage of him and he let them.
It did get a lot better towards the end when both Abby and Jack started to take control of their own lives - at last! There were other good parts in it too of course, as Marina Adair is a very talented writer and does make me laugh, but overall this was definitely the weakest of the series for me. Hopefully this was just a blip though and I am still looking forward to reading the Heroes of St. Helena series.
June 19, 2021
This author tells a good tale, has an interesting plot but .... I realize that many readers may be interested in juicy sex scenes but they can also be a distraction from the story line itself. In the case of this book, the author has a interesting plot that gets lost in the multi-page descriptions of foreplay and "horseplay" that do distract from the story itself. The basic love story in this book could have been easily told with a little less sex and a lot more love; sex is an important part of every love story but this book left the impression that love was less a factor than lust.
The main characters are fairly well developed but shallow at the same time. The descriptions of secondary characters are better done in some ways and less so in others. The location is not well described leaving much to the imagination of the reader; readers who have been to the area are, I am sure, better at filling in the gaps than I am since I haven't been to that area.
The author understands her craft and shows a lot of promise for the future. I just hope that she learns to craft stories that leave some parts of the main characters love lives to the imagination rather than other things.
The main characters are fairly well developed but shallow at the same time. The descriptions of secondary characters are better done in some ways and less so in others. The location is not well described leaving much to the imagination of the reader; readers who have been to the area are, I am sure, better at filling in the gaps than I am since I haven't been to that area.
The author understands her craft and shows a lot of promise for the future. I just hope that she learns to craft stories that leave some parts of the main characters love lives to the imagination rather than other things.
May 29, 2022
I was looking forward to Jack & Abby's story but this was a huge letdown. I found Jack & Abby to be spineless and let everyone in their lives walk all over them. Jack hosts a frat house at his home and lets them destroy his property. Abby was an idiot to even sign for Richard's statue much less agree to leave it on her front lawn for weeks.
I also didn't follow why Abby wasn't running Rio Wines. The first book in the series had Gabe firing Regan from Rio Wines because it was owned & run by Abby & Chi-chi; then in this book Abby has nothing to do at all with Rio Wines.....wth?? And to finally get the Deluca darling's story, where was Chi-chi & her sidekicks? We saw them only once and it was beyond ridiculous to think that Abby's grandmother would ask her to leave that horrifying statue in her yard any longer than necessary. Really dumb. Disappointing story overall.
I also didn't follow why Abby wasn't running Rio Wines. The first book in the series had Gabe firing Regan from Rio Wines because it was owned & run by Abby & Chi-chi; then in this book Abby has nothing to do at all with Rio Wines.....wth?? And to finally get the Deluca darling's story, where was Chi-chi & her sidekicks? We saw them only once and it was beyond ridiculous to think that Abby's grandmother would ask her to leave that horrifying statue in her yard any longer than necessary. Really dumb. Disappointing story overall.
February 4, 2019
This is my 1st time I have read this author and I'm so glad I did. I read the whole series St Helena vineyard and fall in love with the DeLuca siblings and their journey to love and live again. The DeLuca and the Baudouin are enemies. In the book Autumn in the vineyard #3 Frankie Baudouin is in love with Nate DeLuca also Frankie brothers are mention. Jonah, Dax, and Adam the spinoff of this series Hero's of St. Helena vineyard which stars Jonah, Dax, and Adam can't wait to read this Series
October 31, 2017
My Musings
I loved this book from the first page to the last. Abby so deserved her happy ending after being married to the biggest jerk none to mankind. Tanner is perfect for her. It just took him a while to figure it out. I have loved this entire series and hate to see it end. Happy ☺reading 📚!
I loved this book from the first page to the last. Abby so deserved her happy ending after being married to the biggest jerk none to mankind. Tanner is perfect for her. It just took him a while to figure it out. I have loved this entire series and hate to see it end. Happy ☺reading 📚!
May 27, 2017
For love
This was a well written book of love, disappointment, and betrayal. I would recommend this read only for an adult due to some of the language. The author made it easy to immerse yourself with the characters and feel their emotions.
This was a well written book of love, disappointment, and betrayal. I would recommend this read only for an adult due to some of the language. The author made it easy to immerse yourself with the characters and feel their emotions.
June 11, 2017
Fantastic!
Abby and Jack's story was a perfect addition to the St Helena Vineyard series! I've been looking forward to their story since "Hard Hammer" Tanner was introduced in Marc and Lexi's story and it did not disappoint. I'm only sad that the series is over.
Abby and Jack's story was a perfect addition to the St Helena Vineyard series! I've been looking forward to their story since "Hard Hammer" Tanner was introduced in Marc and Lexi's story and it did not disappoint. I'm only sad that the series is over.
October 31, 2017
Good
This was a good ending for the series. The DeLuca Darling grows as an independent woman, but she also learns to feel. Tanner was the last thing she wanted, or at least she didn't want to admit that she wanted him. What will come of these two?
This was a good ending for the series. The DeLuca Darling grows as an independent woman, but she also learns to feel. Tanner was the last thing she wanted, or at least she didn't want to admit that she wanted him. What will come of these two?
July 6, 2019
From the Moment We Met
Jack and Abby have loved each other since high school but communication has been a problem. Will they finally get it right this time and find their happily ever after?
Jack and Abby have loved each other since high school but communication has been a problem. Will they finally get it right this time and find their happily ever after?
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