Zoe Brennan, First Crush had be giggling and shedding a tear. It’s emotional, swoony, and one of the best books to kick off my 2025. For fans of disasters, queer romance, and childhood crushes this is for you! Keep reading this book review of Zoe Brennan, First Crush for my full thoughts.
Summary
Zoe Brennan may be the loneliest lesbian in Blue Ridge, but at least she has her family vineyard, a deep, abiding vendetta against her ex-best-friend-now-enemy, and the occasional meaningless hook-up to keep her busy.
When a prestigious wine festival announces it’s coming to Blue Ridge, it kicks off a battle royale among local vineyards vying for the opportunity to host it. Zoe’s in it to win it—getting chosen would put Brennan Vineyards on the map while also sticking it to the rival vineyard next door. But disaster strikes when Zoe’s father is called home to Italy to care for his sick mother, leaving Brennan Vineyards without a vintner.
Dejected, Zoe impulsively agrees to a blindfolded threesome with a friend and, excitingly, a stranger. After having the best sex of her life, Zoe’s horrified to discover the butch beneath the blindfold is none other than Laine Woods, Napa-trained vintner, Zoe’s first crush, and her enemy’s big sister.The Napa-trained vintner, Zoe discovers, her father’s just hired as his replacement.
Laine assures Zoe they can put their sizzling one-night stand behind them, but Laine’s snobbery and Zoe’s pride collide at every step, creating a potent pour of sexual and professional tension. Zoe and Laine must learn to work together to win the wine festival, but when working together means late nights under the stars, letting go of the past, and learning each other all over again, Zoe has to be careful or Laine Woods might crush her heart for good.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Zoe Brennan, First Crush is a swoony entertaining romance story which balances emotions and laughs. Beginning with some spice, we love a good childhood crush returned. There’s something not only about your first queer awakening, but also crush to haunt us again. At its core, Zoe Brennan, First Crush is about facing our fears. About realizing that we don’t have to be in control all the time, that we can let others take care of ourselves. Our job isn’t all of us, even if it’s in the family.
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If you love small town romances, Zoe Brennan, First Crush is perfect for you. There are SO many comical accidents and whimsical disasters. Plus tons of Easter Eggs for the first book! It’s delightfully messy and hilarious at the same time. But underneath all the laughs, and swoons, is an emotional story about when a place ceases to feel like home. About knowing when you can leave a place without ever leaving for good. To know the difference between escape and vacation. We need to confront of our fears or we let them control us. There’s plenty of fun banter, fake dating, and family drama.
Find Zoe Brennan, First Crush on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.