"Dr. Ryan Lockwood is known as a professor who deeply cares for his students. Having grown up as an orphan, he now serves as a literature professor at Pepperdine University, his old alma mater. Located in Malibu, California, Pepperdine holds some of his most treasured memories. It's where he dated and married his first love, and it's where he met his two best friends, Clayton "Finn" Fincannon (The Mason Jar) and Brian "Oz" Bailey (Alabama Irish).
Now, Ryan's on track to become the department Chair, a position he’s dreamed of since graduate school. At just thirty–two years old, life couldn't be better. But when his wife passes away unexpectedly, and his grandmother follows soon after, Ryan falls into a deep depression.
His grandmother leaves him her vineyard in Tennessee, where Ryan spent his childhood summers. Since the estate hosts sell-out jazz concerts and the best wine in the southeast, Ryan plans to sell the estate to the highest bidder. But when he visits the vineyard, he meets Rachel Young, the twenty–five year old daughter of the vine dresser. Rachel is good–sensed, hard–working, and she's one of the prettiest women Ryan’s ever encountered.
Ryan has sworn to never fall in love again, the vineyard is auctioned at three times it's value, and Pepperdine offers him his dream. Now, Ryan must make a decision: Return to his career and friends in California, or begin a new chapter in life with a young love in Tennessee.
A love story set among the beaches of Malibu, and the lakes and pastures of Tennessee, Young Vines teaches us that sometimes we must let go of old dreams to embrace new ones."
I've had the privilege of reading both The Mason Jar and Alabama Irish so I was very excited to be able to continue the story with Young Vines! This line stood out to me more than anything else: "Sometimes we have to let go of old dreams in order to embrace new ones." Though this line was spoken towards the end of the story, it sums up the journey Ryan went on throughout the whole book. Of letting go of the plans he had for his life and embracing the opportunities before him. This really spoke to me because we can't hold on so tightly to what we think life will look like that we miss out on what's in front of us. We can't be afraid of moving forward just because it looks differently than what we expected or planned for. I like the thought Ryan had that "It's our attitude and our responses that make or break us." That statement is so timely with life right now! So many things are out of my control but I can control how I respond! Do I look at the unexpected as an adventure or a disappointment? I really enjoyed this book! Being from Tennessee myself, it automatically had a place in my heart! I immediately understood the pull Ryan felt at the beauty of his grandmother's vineyard! I like the role that she played in his life. It makes me think of the summers I spent with my grandparents growing up. Overall, an easy read and book I thoroughly enjoyed! This is the perfect book to curl up with and read during a weekend!
I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review.
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