White Wedding

I want to start off by saying this is the 3rd book in the Blackwood Cellars Series by author Carla Luna but it is first book in the series I’ve read. I think it makes a great standalone book but I really look forward to reading the first two books 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘪𝘢𝘯 and 𝘙𝘦𝘥 𝘝𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘵 to see how they fit into the family dynamic.

𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 focuses on Victoria Blackwood, daughter of Brian Blackwood who runs the family business Blackwood Cellars. Victoria works as an event planner for the family business and is desperately trying to earn her fathers respect after having committed what her father perceives an unforgivable mistake years prior. As we get deeper into the book we learn more about their history and reasons for the complicated and strained relationship. Victoria struggles to meet her fathers expectations while trying to break free from the control he holds over her life.

After recently having been dumped by her ex-fiancée Ben Victoria finds herself in the gut-wrenching situation of planning his wedding to the woman he cheated on her with. To add insult to injury they have decided to use the same date and venue Victoria had previously booked when she was the bride-to-be … Dec 22nd at Blackwood Cellars Estate. For obvious reasons she is less than excited to be planning this event but her father promised he would wipe her slate clean if she pulls of the perfect 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨.

This is when we meet Rafael Sanchez. The sexy young chef who will be catering the wedding. Only this isn’t the first time Victoria and Rafael meet. As it turns out they had a fling several years ago but agree to handle the event at hand with professionalism and not give into their feelings. In some ways Victory and Rafael are quite similar in that they are both trying to earn the respect of the family and to be seen as equals. The stark difference is their family dynamics. The Blackwood family, primarily the patriarch Brian Blackwood is business and doesn’t regard how his decisions affect his children’s feelings if it gives him an advantage business wise or within his social/political circles. I really felt for Victoria who’s story is rather heartbreaking and to know she didn’t have her family in her corner as she tried to heal from the trauma. Rafaels family is quite the opposite. He works at the family restaurant and catering business Tres Hermanos with his cousins and several other family members working in other roles making it a true multigenerational family business. Years prior he too had made a mistake that greatly disappointed his cousin but they gave him a second chance and opportunity to regain their trust. The wedding at Blackwood Cellars being his big chance at redemption.

I really loved Victoria and Rafael, they were relatable and flawed which really made me root for their love story. It was obvious they had a great connection and passion when they first met but I was curious how they would handle rekindling their relationship when they reunited years later and not in a tropical paradise. I loved it wasn’t smooth sailing, those bumps in the road as they found their way back to each other made it seem much more believable. I am a strong believer that opposites attract and I wish there was another book in this series to check in on them down the road to see how their relationship faired.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author; all opinions are my own

Rafael and Victoria are so lovely. They are really from two different worlds but will find each others. It was so hard for me to read about Victoria and her father, I liked the author shows us a little moment of proudness to Victoria. I wish I would be able to read about them longer. About Rafael and his passion, his family and his new responsabilities. About Victoria : her moving, new job, her relationship with her family.
Really really good book!