Title: Leaning Into a Wish (Leaning Into Series: Book 3.5)
Author: Lane Hayes
Publisher: Self-Published/Kindle Unlimited
Length: 130 Pages
Category: Holiday Romance
At a Glance: When Ryan and Danny finally got together, it was great. They were sweet and perfect together.
Reviewed By: Ky
Blurb: Ryan Haskell loves everything about the wine business. He’s fortunate to work at one of the most prestigious wineries in Napa Valley doing something he enjoys with the people who are like family to him. But he could do without the good-natured intern slash former jock with the wicked grin who always seems to be in the way. Ryan isn’t sure why the new guy is under his skin when everyone else loves him. Thankfully he’ll be gone after the holidays.
Danny Meyers can’t believe his luck when he lands an internship at Conrad Winery. It’s the perfect temporary gig to wrap up his graduate studies. He’s left his dreams of tennis stardom on the court to focus on a new career and a new life. However, he didn’t count on the spark of attraction he feels for his prickly co-worker. When their tentative friendship blossoms into something more than either man counted on, they may have to change direction and lean into a holiday wish.
Review: A holiday story to go with the season. Ok, it’s more of a Christmas story, but that’s only a month away, so it still fits! Leaning Into a Wish is a short story taking place in a winery in Napa Valley. If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, and are meaning to, you might want to do it in order. This can be read as a standalone, but other characters make appearances, and there are some mild spoilers about them.
This is Ryan and Danny’s story. They are co-workers, but I wouldn’t call them friends, at least not in the beginning of this story. At first, Ryan was trying to keep his distance from Danny, telling himself that he didn’t like him when the truth was that he liked him a little too much. Danny was flirty and sociable with everyone. He was also very persistent in his chase of Ryan. His behavior bordered on frustrating, because he was so sure about himself that he was almost cocky. He didn’t take no for an answer, and no matter what Ryan told him, he didn’t back down. He kept smiling and doing his own thing, taking for granted that Ryan wanted him too. Of course, Ryan did, and he eventually gave up his pretense of annoyance, but up until then it was weird seeing someone being so persistent. I think the fact that we get this story from Ryan’s point of view instead of Danny’s is what made this behavior more acceptable. We knew how Ryan felt about him, so it was easy to like Danny, too, no matter how over-the-top confident he was.
When they finally got together, it was great. They were sweet and perfect together. In my opinion they talked about them being together to their friends a little too soon, but it was a short story so time was limited. I liked the beginning of their relationship where they moved slowly, getting to know each other and connecting. I liked that they became friends—once Ryan stopped trying to act like he couldn’t stand Danny—as well as lovers.
Danny had a very interesting back story and whenever he talked about his relationship with tennis, I held my breath. The way he explained what he felt about the sport was amazing. I gladly would have read more about his past and how he got to where he is now.
The bell wishes were a nice idea. I haven’t heard about it before, so I don’t know if it’s a common thing. The last bell-wish was a very sweet gesture by Danny, and it could have been silly and corny, but the author managed to make it work. I’m confident that those two are going to make it together and have a happy life.
“You give me roots and wings, baby.
You can buy Leaning Into a Wish here:
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