Cheers to another 5-star entry to The Winemakers historical romance series set in Victorian-era Portugal! This holiday novella gifts a HEA to Beth Croft, a stalwart sacrificial lamb to her father's cruel ambition, who we initially met in the series' first novel. Beth has accepted her inevitable spinsterhood after her arranged engagement with Griffin Maxwell ends. Until she learns that her dying father intends for her to marry Boyd Sandeman, a wealthy, self-made vintner from the Scottish Highlands. What Beth doesn't know is that Boyd intends to publicly reject her as an act of revenge against the man who humiliated him when he first arrived in Portugal as a penniless young man.

Of course, all of Boyd's plans immediately go sideways after spending an afternoon with Beth in his vineyard.

This is a standalone novella, but readers of the series will enjoy getting to spend time with Griffin and Julia, and Pedro and Anne, and their children, who also attend Boyd's Duoro Valley vineyard Christmas celebration. I loved the band of brothers vibe between Boyd, Griffin, and Pedro; and Beth, Julia and Anne instantly become besties too.

One of my favorite aspects of the story is Beth's decision to take charge of her own destiny. It is through her interactions with Boyd that she begins to see herself as she truly is -- an independent woman with strength and determination, and the fearlessness to defy expectations. I love that Boyd is the first person who inspires her to go after what she wants in life, and to refuse to settle for whatever leftovers are cast off and can be scraped together.

Giovanna Siniscalchi is one of the best and brightest new talents in HR, and I would recommend her books to every reader looking for a beautifully written love story with emotional depth, and a rich, exotic, immersive setting.