Say You'll Be Mine by Julia Amante

Title: Say You'll Be Mine
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 25, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0446581631
ISBN-13: 978-0446581639
Author's Website: http://www.juliaamante.com/



They say timing is everything...

"Doesn't it seem like life just sort of snowballs and you start going down one road and pretty soon you realize it's too late to turn back, that you have to keep going, because you've left yourself no other option?" 

Occasionally in life events change you. Something happens and you take a path you could have never foreseen yourself taking. Sometimes it's for the better and other times it's for the worse. Sometimes only you can decided what the outcome will be.

That is the crossroad Isabel is at. She was about to permanently sever her relationship with Nick. They'd been divorced for years and they were finally selling the family winery. The divorce had not ended well, but Isabel's parents had held out hope that one day the two would get back together. They kept Nick on in the business letting him know he'd be part owner when they passed away. Finally, the planets aligned and a buyer had been found. Isabel's parents had passed on a few years ago so nothing was holding them back from selling the vineyard. Then in the midst of the sale, tragedy struck. Isabel's cousin, Brenda and her husband, the last of her family, had passed away leaving Isabel her children. While Nick had let Isabel down all those years ago, he's determined not to do it again in her time of need. The question is, will their renewed closeness spark something more???

Julia Amante did something you don't see very often in romances--a rekindling of a love once lost. Isabel is determined to finally be rid of her ex. She's the type of person who once her mind is made she doesn't change it. Even though Nick has proven himself to be reformed, she still doesn't want to get back together with him. Some relationships just leave you with a bitter taste in your mouth. Plus, bearing the brunt of the responsibility to make and keep the vineyard a success has taken it's toll on her.

Nick is a determined individual and willing to use any opening he can get to get what he wants. Once upon a time he had wanted Isabel back, but he finally started to move on with his life and had recently gotten engaged. When he heard about Brenda leaving Isabel her children, he felt inclined to help her.  He had considered her parents family even if there is no true bond and, in some ways, felt the need to look out for her since she had no one.

I wasn't sure how Ms. Amante was going to carry off this romance. She threw in quite a few roadblocks for the couple to overcome. Each felt a bit betrayed by the other and while they each still were attracted to each other, sometimes that just isn't enough. I liked how the two seemed to get to know each other again and come to terms with what went wrong with their marriage.

I loved how the kids came into play in this romance. The support Nick gave Isabel in caring for them was great. At times I wanted to shake some sense into Isabel and other times it was Nick who I felt needed a swift kick in the dairy aire. I enjoyed the drama created by the children's estranged uncle wanting to get custody of them. For awhile, I wasn't sure who would ultimately get them.

My favorite Quote:
"No, she thought. Family trees lie. Love isn't measured by by the distance on a stupid branch of a tree. Love grows slowly at first, then exponentially with each smile, with each interaction--happy or sad--until you can't imagine not having that person in your life."

On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a  STEAM rating - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you look flustered and flushed. Overall, I gave this one 3 1/2 out of 5 roses.