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It was just a bet . . . until feelings got involved.

This job sucks but someone’s got to do it. My readers expect me to chronicle my very real, very steamy encounters in my novels. I’d never want to disappoint my fans, but the creative well has run a bit dry. Burlington, Vermont, seems like a good place to fill it up. This town offers a tempting array of artists, craftsmen, farmers, lumbersexuals . . . and so many beards.

But no one prepared me for Brody. He’s young. He’s hot. He’s definitely a grump. And he's getting under my skin. Where I want him is under my bed sheets.

When my friend bets I’ll never be able to get Brody there, I make winning my mission. Turns out being with Brody is more than a plot device. He’s so very wrong for my life . . . but is he right for my heart?

Insatiable is a standalone book in the Vino & Veritas series by Heart Eyes Press and contains a big/small, grumpy/sunshine pairing, a bed-hopping author, a jilted sugarmaker and a reluctant fake relationship.

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2021

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About the author

Rhys Everly

34 books192 followers
Rhys Everly-Lawless is a hopeless romantic who loves happily-ever-afters.
Which would explain why he loves writing them.

When he's not passionately typing out his next book, you can find him cuddling his dog, feeding his husband, or taking long walks letting those plot bunnies breed ferociously in his head.

He writes contemporary gay romances as Rhys Everly and LGBTQ+ urban fantasy and paranormal romances as Rhys Lawless.

You can find him and all his latest projects on rhyswritesromance.com

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
Profile Image for Kati *☆・゚.
827 reviews371 followers
June 16, 2023
3.5**** stars


This was actually quite entertaining. Sure, the plot with the bet and than falling for the person was very predictable (very She’s All That and all) and I admit I hoped the author would’ve chosen to vary from that almost classic path and created something new, so that was a bit of a let down, but I still enjoyed it a lot.

Especially on audio. Kale Williams, as always, did a great job narrating. For that I’m rounding up.

I liked the setting with the distillery and Logan selflessly helping Brody to rebrand and market his maple wine and helped him out with a little fake-boyfriend-ery.


“You’re not an adventure, Brody. You’re a destination,”


Overall a sweet and fast read.

*this audio was free with my audible subscription
Profile Image for Cadiva.
3,656 reviews367 followers
July 8, 2021
I liked this book a lot, it made me laugh, it made me go awwww a lot and it made me a bit ragey at times too - all good things!

The narrative has an interesting premise, as it mixes both a fake relationship and a kind of opposites attract scenario with two men who are at odds from the start.

Throw in a bet you know is going to come back to bite someone on the proverbial later and things scoot along at a great pace.

Logan's character and backstory really made me laugh, it's not your typical book hero style to be an unrepentant one and done hook-up erotic writer!

But Brody, he made my heart hurt because he was so badly wounded by his d**k of an ex.

The plot worked well for me, it felt organic and true that the more they interacted, the more their commonalities would actually draw them together.

The instant attraction was clear but I also fully believed in them falling for the other as they worked to help Brody's maple wine business flourish.

All in all, another solid addition to this pretty fabulous series.

#ARC kindly received from the publishers Heart Eyes Press in return for an honest and unbiased review
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
8,030 reviews466 followers
May 10, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.

2.5 stars


Sometimes, you just know from the start that a book isn’t for you and this book and these characters were not for me. I didn’t care for Logan from page one. He is coming to Vermont from England to find writing inspiration. He’s cocky and sure of himself and completely certain that every man he meets will go to bed with him and never want to leave. Wherever Logan goes, everyone he encounters knows his name. Now, Logan is a gay erotica author and it was a stretch that every single person he met knew who he was, whether they were readers or not, like he was the biggest celebrity ever. Of course, of course, his soon to be love interest has no idea who he is and, to me, Logan came across as wish fulfillment.

I find the books in this series sporadic in quality and caliber and, if you are interested in this series, I would not recommend starting here.

Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
Profile Image for Gustaf.
1,440 reviews155 followers
July 21, 2021
I really wanted to like this one... I really did. But I didn't.

I couldn't feel any connection between Logan and Brody. It took me a really long time to warm up to Logan. And when I finally did, it was way too late. Everything about this book felt... forced and a little bit off. The 75% fight happened more at the 85% mark and the getting back together was the very last chapter, leaving us without a lot of time seeing Logan and Brody happy together.

This series has been a rollercoaster ride for me so far. Some books I've absolutely loved and some have been like this one. There's a very long way between the amazing books and the books not really working.
Profile Image for Alisa.
1,819 reviews198 followers
August 2, 2021
DNF @ 36% because I was hate reading from the first page.

I’ve never hated a mc from the very first page before but the author created such a gross, obnoxious, immature character in Logan that I instantly disliked him. I thought I’d stick it out a bit to see if he improved (he does not) but by then I’d met Brody, the other mc. Also, a totally unlikeable asshat. He’d been through a difficult time but he was rude & disrespectful to everyone. Including his mom. For no reason other than he was having a hard time. Like that excused him from basic manners.

Add to that, juvenile writing and a juvenile plot line (cuz making bets with people you just met, that you can have sex with someone who’s turned you down is super sexy & mature amirite? *insert 1000 eye rolls and 2000 vomit emojis*) and I had to toss in the towel. I don’t care how things work out for them. Hopefully they’ll make each other miserable for the rest of their lives.

Anyways.........HATED IT!!
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,217 reviews1,286 followers
May 10, 2021
description
description
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Logan + Brody
Logan is a pretty famous erotic author. He came all the way from England to Vermont to find some inspiration. Male and naked preferably.
Enter Brody. His ex left him at the altar and now he's sad and angry and broken. But he also needs to sell his beloved maple wine. And it's not going as good as it should.

As soon as those two meet at Vino & Veriatas ... Logan is super intrigued and he needs Brody to be his next book inspiration.

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN! ☺

═════════════════

description
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Adorable!

I was a bit unsure when I read the blurb - the bet thing. I don't like those scenarios at all. You just know that it will come to this silly moment when he finds out and then the fight and break up. ☹ It could all be explained with a short conversation. But every story needs a bit drama. And it wasn't so bad!
And then our darling Logan ... he doesn't really make the best first impression... 😂
But I really liked the story. A lot.
It was so sweet and argue-y and sparky and maple-y. I just loved those two together!
I also need some maple wine stat!
Ugh. Talking about the wine. I felt soo sad for Brody! I almost cried a few times when he said that nobody wants his wine. Ugh. That poor guy! But alls good - people want the wine now - big time! 🍷 #Skål

Super sweet romance!

Like I always say when it comes to books in the True North World: I could read these kinds of books every day for the rest of eternity!
And I also wouldn't mind seeing this whole world on Netflix one day!

Can't wait to get more Vermont soon!

INSATIABLE was such an adorable + sparky + maple-y M/M romance! I loved it! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Brody + Logan- they'll be sold out in no time!

description
💜 💜


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Profile Image for Cat the bookworm .
648 reviews91 followers
June 17, 2023
3.5 stars to an enjoyable book that sadly didn't quite reach its potential.

I mean - up until around 80%, I thought I'd rate with 4.5 stars, but then, THE DRAMA happened. I'm all for a bit of drama, but please, please, dear authors, not the terrible, overused (and lazy) miscommunication breakup.

Let's start from the beginning. Firstly, shoutout to Kale Williams for his narration - he's not quite in a league with my top narrators (yet), but he did an more that ok job giving voices (and life) to Brody and Logan.

Logan is an mm erotica author from London who travels to this Vino&Vertitas small-town looking for inspiration for his next book. He is, if you don't mind me saying so, what we could call a man-whore, writing about real sex encounters in his books. He's had more lovers than he can count, and they all kind of blur into each other.

When visiting the local Vin0&Veritas bar, he meets Brody, a maple wine producer trying (in vain) to sell his product to the bar owners. Brody intrigues Logan, and he makes a bet that he can get Brody in his bed.

Brody on the other hand has sworn off men, having been dumped by his fiancé on their wedding day. So when Logan keeps popping in into his path, offering help to make his wine more popular (and to show Theo, the ex faincé, that Brody has moved on), he agrees to both the help and a fake relationship.

As these things tend to go, the relationship is not so fake after a bit, and they fall in love.

All was well if not for the WRETCHED 80% break up . I can't stress it enough:

dear authors, DON'T DO IT.

There would have been so many ways to add drama WITHOUT this overused plot-twist, and I'd GLADLY would have rated it higher.

Still - not a bad book by all means, and the slightly sappy ending almost made me forgive the author. Almost 😬
Profile Image for Renae Reads.
541 reviews516 followers
April 20, 2021
*3.5*

*** I received an eArc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.***

This was another fun and exciting installment in the Vino and Veritas series. At first, I was apprehensive about the fake dating trope, which includes a bet, and I was pleasantly surprised. Both main characters are instantly drawn to one another against their better judgment, which is always a great foundation for any relationship.

This was a riveting story that I enjoyed how their relationship progressed and their feelings toward one another could no longer be ignored.
Profile Image for Denise H..
3,043 reviews246 followers
August 30, 2021
How can a great Maple Wine not sell in Vermont ? Poor marketing...?
Brody, 28, grumpy local, had his ex,

Theo, leave him at the altar. He's running his grandfather's Sugarhouse/distillery, struggling to sell his tasty wine.
Logan, 42, British silver fox, writer,

has come to find new material for his new book. He's a one-night specialist, a fellow who picks up 3 guys within his first 24 hours.

Making his rounds Brody is finding his wine isn't selling. He meets the Brit, he's hot, but irritating. Logan worked in marketing for 15 years, and has brilliant ideas for Brody's sales, plus his writing is flourishing.



There are a few deals made and Logan and Brody pretend to be dating to make ex, Theo, feel bad. Their pull is fierce and the sex is the best either man has ever had, but Logan won't be staying. They were friendly first, and then love came about, and we see them struggling.

Things were going well, sales were up, passion was high, and things fell when Theo pressed misinformation. Brody was hurt badly. How will they ever fix this?

I hated player, Logan at first, but the situation changed, which made him turn around. Neither guy is too likeable. I wanted to like them more.

The guys are each bold, outspoken, and lonely.


=====
Profile Image for Miriah.
849 reviews41 followers
May 24, 2021
Not sure how I managed to finish this but somehow I trudged through.

This was full of ridiculously cheesy language, absolutely terrible (and at times unrealistic sex scenes, good god when will authors stop writing anal sex scenes with giant cocks and no lube?), absolutely ridiculous caricature of the jealous ex character, the most overdone “bet” trope, and falling in love out of nowhere.

At first I thought it would be the start of a pretty decent enemies-to-lovers, as Brody’s reactions to Logan at first were pretty pissy and pretty great. That fizzled out quickly into the ridiculous mess this ended up being.

Can we agree as a society to never use the word “meat” to describe a dick in what’s supposed to be a sexy scene ever again?
Profile Image for alyssa.
936 reviews190 followers
May 18, 2021
[3.25] Everything was a bit on the OTT side, characters didn't quite read their age, some plot inconsistencies with lots of suspension of disbelief, a classic case of instalove AND YET-- surprisingly I had fun.

Logan:
>> Post first chapter impressions:
description
Not my fave kind of MC, so needless to say, it wasn't the best foot to start off on.

Say hello to this 42 y/o silver fox from London who's guaranteed unlikeable at the start (take a shot every time he mentions bedding someone 🙄); writer of erotica based on his personal sexcapades now in the small town of Burlington, Vermont to find his muse and save him from a bout of extreme writer’s block; overly confident in his ability to shag everyone; the epitome of a man-whore with an identity crisis

Brody: 28 y/o maple wine maker carrying on his grandfather’s passion for wine with dreams of turning his product into a bustling business, left at the altar on his wedding day and now a lonely grumpy pants who's lost faith in himself and love, tends to share whatever he's thinking without realizing, often converses with inanimate objects (hey, we all do it)

The story starts off with a bet between Logan and a third party to get Brody in his bed by the end of the week (uh-oh, can you hear the bomb ticking?). During one of his initial attempts to catch Brody's attention, Logan gallantly strides in as the "new boyfriend" after Brody freezes up in front of his ex-fiancé Theo, and their relationship kicks off from there. (Let's ignore the fact that it's a small town and none of the three people he sexually engaged with on day one ever show up to expose the whole fake relationship situation 🙈)

Over the course of the story, I'm glad we got to see Logan whip out something that's not his dick, but rather his years of business/marketing experience to take the future love of his life's maple wine business to the next level 😌 And the ending, , was also pretty sweet.

A quick and easy read that takes time to grow on you like fine (maple) wine ;) 🍷

(On a side note, the words "breed me" outside an omegaverse story? Me no likey 😂)
Profile Image for ItaPixie.
1,113 reviews125 followers
May 10, 2021

Insatiable was a very good read for me, I didn't expect to like it so much but the characters and wording was catching and I got really involved into the story.

Logan Graves is an english erotic writer who decided to go to Vermont to find the inspiration for his next book. Brody Mercier produces a very good maple wine but he isn't the best at advertasing it.
They see each other for the first time at Vino and Veritas while Brody is promoting his maple wine with little success but he catches Logan's eyes who decides to get close to him and to help with his business too in order to make him his next muse. Will they start to get some feelings working every day side by side?

At the beginning I didn't like either of the main characters, Logan was too cocky and Brody was too lonely and angry but then chapter after chapter you can see how they have a positive influence on one another becoming two new brand new persons that conquered my heart and I hoped they get their happily ever after. I miss them already.

I hope people will give this book a chance, they won't regret it.


Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.

Profile Image for Jessica Alcazar.
4,081 reviews572 followers
May 11, 2021
I’ve mentioned in the past that I very rarely read blurbs as a means to deciding if I should read a book or not. I’m more of a fly by the seat of your pants kind of reader. Give me a cover that pops and you’ve pretty much won me over. There’s an exception to this almost 100% of the time and that’s with new-to-me-authors. There are way too many plots that can go awry in a flash and way too few hours in the day to read so you do the math LOL

Anywho, I read this blurb and yes, I cringed at the bet scenario because it takes the guessing game of what will be the conflict before we even begin. Also, it’s a ridiculous plot point for grown adults to be a part of in my opinion so I was cautious with my hopes on this one. Turns out this author made some pretty good choices in this story and pulled this entire thing without me rolling my eyes too many times and that’s a thing kinds so don’t discard it. My eyes roll, twitch, and blink quite a lot but on the flip side, my heart soars and I get giddy quite a lot as well. I’m a well-rounded reader :) I think I’m digressing …

There’s a lot to like about this story but my favorite part is the growth in our characters, especially Logan. He came into the story as one character and journeyed thru or rather navigated himself into a more beautiful soul because of his pursuit of Brody and where that took him. I know what you’re thinking, vague much, but you didn’t think I’d spell it out for you did you? HA! Like I ever. I’ve given you enough information from my perspective that should lead you to the conclusion that this story was a hit for me, not without some problematic areas, but the good outshined! Do with that information what you will :)
Profile Image for Emma.
905 reviews58 followers
June 12, 2021
A disappointing read. - 2*

I was looking forward to this book. Logan is unrepentant about his promiscuity. When he sees Brody at Vino & Veritas he decides that a shag is in order. When informed by the bartender (oz? - I forget) that Brody is unlikely to agree a bet is made. It is pretty tasteless and a ploy I dislike in general. The only mitigating for is the stakes are tame. Still at that point I was still enjoying the book. But after spending several more chapters with the unpleasant Brody I was just wishing the book was over. I actually felt sorry for Logan when the bet was discovered.

Profile Image for ✰  BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰.
2,851 reviews12 followers
April 27, 2021
ARC received for an honest review

Oy! Insatiable is not really the word I would use for our guy Logan.

I think the correct Aussie words for him would be root rat!

He didn't make the best first impression, and then the bet thing came into it, and I knew it would cause a lot of unnecessary drama.

However, Logan turned things around, and then I couldn't wait for he and Brody to get their HEA.

Oh Brody, how I adored you. I wanted to stab people wit my pen as I was reading - you know who you are, character! - and the way he was treated broke my heart.

But never fear! Of course the good guy wins, and I loved the way he got his comeuppance!

I also loved the changes in our Logan - see, you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Now I want something maple - don't care what it is, I want it all!


a> Email Smokin Hot Book Blog
Profile Image for Dani.
762 reviews84 followers
September 28, 2022
A massive miss for me.

I detested every single character and actually found myself hoping the MCs didn't get a HEA at all! None of the characters had any personality beyond a basic description:
Logan = sex obsessed.
Brody = angry but won't help himself.
Brody's parents = overbearing. Theo = smug twat.

This author even managed to taint my opinion of Harrison!!!! He apparently stood by and let the 'bet' go ahead and did nothing to stop it hurting someone. Completely against his character in every other book in this series!

Hopefully the remaining books in the series are of the standard of the others previous to this one.
324 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2021
Loving the series...did not like this story at all. DNF, and I usually can get through anything.
Profile Image for Saimi Vasquez.
1,572 reviews84 followers
October 9, 2021
Logan es un escritor de libros eroticos ingles, pero despues que su ultimo libro tuviera tan malas criticas y viendo que su "musa" estaba desaparecida, decidio viajar hacia Burlington, el hogar de uno de sus mejores amigos Harrison Fletcher, dueño de Vino & Veritas. Su vida, hasta el momento, ha estado ocupada por noches de sexo sin sentido que ha sido la base de todos sus libros, pero ya se esta cansando de eso, y despues de ver a este hombre tan atractivo ser inmune a sus encantos, hace una apuesta para conquistarlo. El reto lo despierta de su adormecida vida, pero Brody no es para nada lo que espera, y esto no solo lo desconcierta sino que lo atrae.
Brody esta amargado, su prometido lo abandono en el altar, su sueño de producir vino no parece llevarlo a ningun lado, y para mas colmo, su madre lo sigue presionando para que salga y tenga citas, y disfrute la vida. Y cuando un dia en el mercado mensual, llega su ex a su stand para restregarle en la cara que ya no esta solo, un cliente bien parecido que se encuentra en su stand lo rescata, haciendose pasar por su novio. Ese encuentro lleva a otro y a otro, y poco a poco Brody se ve atraido no solo por el fisico del hombre sino por su inteligencia, su humor y su manera de hacerlo sentir unico.
Una mentira entre ellos pondra en peligro su relacion, pero solo el amor y la confianza entre ellos podra mantenerlos juntos.

Este es un libro que no me esperaba en esta serie, los personajes, la trama y el drama son totalmente clasicos, y sin embargo la forma que el autor lo manejo me hizo encariñarme con los protas. Es cierto, no hay mayor presencia de los personajes anteriores de la serie, sino apenas algunas menciones. No hay mayor interaccion con los locales/personas de Vino & Veritas. No hay grandes problemas ni misterios. Y sin embargo, este libro logro que cuando terminara de leer quedara suspirando por ese romance dulce, que no todos los autores saben llevar.
No tiene grandes momentos, ni siquiera tiene grandes gestos o escenas eroticas, pero la forma de llevarlo te lleva a creer en el amor, y en que todo es posible solo si tienes la persona correcta a tu lado.
En fin, yo suelo clasificar los libros por como me hacen sentir, ademas de la trama y los personajes, y este libro me hizo sentir el romance. Por eso, esta serie me ha traido mas de una sorpresa (algunas muy buenas), asi que voy a continuar con ella.
592 reviews83 followers
April 23, 2021
Another fantastic book by Rhys, one of my favorite writers
I especially liked Brody, the grumpy maple wine-maker that changes the anti-hero Logan, a writer who writes about his sexual meetings with a writer’s block
The attraction was clear since the beginning but the it was credible the way they fall in love with each other as they worked together to help Brody's maple wine business flourish.
It’s a very funny book and I can«t read the other books from this series Vino & Veritas

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Quinn's Quippy Quotes.
1,335 reviews138 followers
January 12, 2023
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would! I just adore Brody and Logan’s story. I loved Logan’s backstory of writing his novels based on his rendezvouses and how that changed as his relationship developed with Brody.
Profile Image for Airy.
421 reviews8 followers
May 13, 2021
This was a nice read but I disliked Logan very much.
Profile Image for Paige.
1,010 reviews114 followers
December 2, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up

Controversial opinion but — sometimes romances would be better if the couple didn’t exchange I love yous.

I’m not calling for the end of the HEA! Just…

I believe these two are horny and have great sex. I believe they really like each other. I even believe they will have a successful long-term relationship and are on their way to falling in love.

I don’t believe they’re in love *yet.*

So if you can’t quite pull off that belief, just end with them agreeing to give this thing a go. Rather than shoehorning in forced declarations.

But other than that one thing, I really did like that book. Over-but-not-quite-over a shitty ex + slut who’s getting a bit sick of it is a good combo, and both were done well. (Though the two guys Logan fucks at the beginning were a bit Chekhovian, thinking they’d come back to poke holes in the “we’ve been exclusive 2 months” fake dating story.) I thought the setting and their jobs — maple wine maker + erotica author — were incorporated well, even if I wanted a bit more depth to the question of ethics re writing about hookups.

Basically, overall, this was a solidly enjoyable book, well worth its five hour audiobook runtime, even if it does have some issues.

Steam: 3.5ish
Profile Image for Jacquie Stewart.
2,319 reviews71 followers
May 10, 2021
4.5
Like Brody, I didn't really like Logan at first with his smirks and overconfidence. I actually liked seeing Brody take him down a peg or two and having Logan work for it.
I loved the grumpy/sunshine pairing, fake relationship (Theo is awful, like really horrible) and the way Logan really helped Brody.
Over the course of the book I grew to really like Logan and I loved him with Brody.
990 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2021
A generous 3 stars. Would have been a DNF except I like the series.

Written in dual first person POV. Fewer M/M sexy times than I was expecting given Logan’s profession. No real humor. Low angst/drama (no traumatic backstory for either character). HFN that was rushed and unsatisfying.

Not really spoilers but more explanations/notes for my review...

At almost halfway through, I still didn’t like either MC. Logan is just gross (not slut-shaming but his descriptions for things were so cavalier and degrading) and I’m not sure how old Brody is supposed to be but he’s acting like a petulant teenager. You know who has to keep reminding themselves/others that they’re adults? Someone who is not mature enough to be seen as one. Him “talking to himself” is supposed to be funny but it’s just annoying. Also lacking good physical descriptions (especially for Brody) until late in the book.

Logan has already slept with 3 people on day one. He’s a well-known (just not to Brody) author. Why set them up for humiliation at a large gathering where all there is to do is talk (it’s a party where small talk is expected, not an event or activity)? Even if their “fake” relationship isn’t outed during the party, this is a small town and the likelihood should have been high that one of the three people Logan slept with on his first day would be in attendance.

The inconsequential “bet” is made between an MC and a third party at the end of chapter 3. Everyone in town knows what happened to Brody so the bet is just mean-spirited and malicious. Oz does try to redeem himself but it doesn’t matter because if he were a good person then he wouldn’t have allowed the bet in the first place. Also, the bet ensures that you know what the “big fight” towards the end is going to be about.

Overall, I was disappointed. I’m usually okay with suspending disbelief but there were very few things that I liked about this book. The editing was mostly okay. It wasn’t too repetitive. I appreciated the timing of the last chapter as that was the only realistic part of the book, but the ending was super rushed. There’s a “bonus epilogue” (“bonus” implies that the book has an epilogue but it really doesn’t) that can be emailed to you but I didn’t bother because I didn’t care enough to read any more about the MCs.

I’ve never read anything else by this author and I’ll probably stick with that trend. I will read the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Christina Wade - BFD Book Blog.
1,426 reviews31 followers
May 24, 2021
This was my first experience with this author but unfortunately, the book was not for me so it will probably be my only experience.

I did not care for either character. Brody’s defeatist, whiny attitude drove me nuts. Logan has an over-inflated ego yet felt his self-worth was based entirely on sex.

The dialog between them was amateurish and downright silly at times…especially from the festival until the end of the book. I almost jumped ship at 70% and again at 80% because if I thought the dialog was bad when they ‘didn’t like each other', it only got worse after they slept together. In the major conflict scene, Brody acts like a five-year-old. It truly sounded like children speaking to each other…

The first time they have sex, it is unprotected. Logan has slept with hundreds of men and Brody agreed to have unprotected sex with him? Really? Two weeks later and they’re in love. What?

The book is overly predictable…Brody never felt like this with his fiancé, the fiancé acts jealous which throws these two together, Brody gets mad about the bet so they ‘break up’, Logan makes a grand gesture, and all is well again. I skimmed the last 30% or so…but that’s the gist of it.
Profile Image for Amy Dickinson.
1,390 reviews39 followers
May 11, 2021
Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What do you get when you have a British silver fox with a need for hook-ups to inspire his writing and a younger, grumpy. jilted sugarmaker? Well, an INSATIABLE need for their happy ending.

Rhys Everly’s Insatiable situates itself fairly in the Vino & Veritas world, offering up a slice of it that we, the devoted readers of this world, have yet to read. Given that this series is set in Burlington, Vermont, maple anything is the currency of this area. Enter Brody, a jilted maple winemaker, grumpy at life after being left at the altar. In this world, we have yet to meet characters who actually work with maple syrup in the way that Brody does, so Insatiable makes for an interesting read as it introduces us to this fare. When you add to that a pretty randy British erotica writer, you find yourself exposed to the very stories that the reader inhales from the world of romance. In many ways, Everly’s depiction of Logan feels like a meta-reflection on the artform of erotica.

Brody and Logan are light and dark. Everly finds a balance between the two as Logan steps in to help Brody build his winemaking business, a business that is underwhelming at the book’s beginning. Logan initiates his help with the intent to bed Brody, given that their initial meeting is filled with some serious chemistry. Granted, Brody is unimpressed with Logan’s cockiness. However, he cannot deny his attraction to the older man. As Logan penetrates (pun-intended) Brody’s gruff, surly exterior, their attraction grows and turns into something deeper and more vulnerable, and it is in those moments where Everly’s Insatiable soars.

Now, my biggest criticism of this book is how easily Logan, the playboy, falls for Brody. It causes unevenness in his characterization because it feels rushed and incongruous with his character at the beginning. In the beginning, Logan is a straight-up man-ho and seemingly replete in it. For him to quickly transition the other way undermines the credibility of his character development.

Beyond that, though, Logan and Brody’s journey is a compelling contrast to Logan’s hook-up lifestyle illustrating the gravity of deep, abiding relationships. As Logan realizes how unfulfilled his life is in its temporanity, you can’t help but like him more. Even at the beginning of the story in his insatiable need to bed anyone, as he recognizes Brody’s pain and the reasons behind it, you know that there is more to his character. His compassion for Brody ultimately wins you over to his side especially as Brody’s surliness can put you off initially.

Rhys Everly’s Insatiable is a great addition to the Vino & Veritas world. Brody’s reticence to trust Logan, and Logan’s revelation that he needs more from life draw you into their world with ease. By the end of this book, you’ll want more of Brody and Logan’s happy ending, and Everly is easy to oblige that.
Profile Image for Ruthie Taylor.
3,681 reviews38 followers
May 10, 2021
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is the eleventh book in a series of stories written by a collection of talented authors and set in Sarina Bowen’s True North world. I am really enjoying the connections, and yet the variety of styles offered by the different writers. This one involves a somewhat jaded erotic author with a bad hook-up habit making a bet to capture the attention of a very solitary maple wine maker - it makes for some growing up on both sides - and some veritas after the consumption of vino!

Logan is behind on writing deadlines, so has come to hide out in Burlington. There a chance encounter ... his life seems made up of such things - at V&V makes him place a bet that he can get Brody's attention. He then finds that may not be as easy as he expected, and more weirdly, that this is a man he may be catching feelings for, for real. Ironic, but not one to step back from difficult, he finds some truth in his life, and yet revealing the bet is a concern that hangs over him getting who he desires.

Brody is so beautifully described, and so sadly, that it is a delight to see him flourish as Logan gets into his heart. Yet we continue to know that the bet will cause more pain. It is a difficult balance. I loved the wine making parts, and the turnabout caused by Logan's persistence and interference - I also enjoyed the nod to the printers who featured in an earlier book, when they created the new wine labels.

Just as Brody's business was saved by Logan, Logan too is inspired to write once again by Brody ... but wait for the twist, it is wonderful! And of course they both in the process, save each other.

A great addition to the series, thank you Rhys Everly.

Wicked Reads Review Team
Profile Image for Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews.
2,698 reviews132 followers
May 12, 2021
Insatiable, Rhys Everly's contribution to the multi-author Vino & Veritas series, is definitely a fun read. The eleventh book in the series, each book is written to be a standalone.

This tale is a great mix of a bet, a fake relationship, and opposites attract.

Both men are interesting. Logan's an erotic romance author who lives for the hook ups.

Brody's sad and lonely since being hurt by his ex. But, with a bet, Logan starts to pursue the unavailable Brody.

Everything starts with the bet, as Logan has selfish reasons for pursuing the jilted Brody. But after that, the friendship and relationship naturally develops and I definitely enjoy the way they connect.

I adore and am so happy about the help that Logan offers to Brody. This entire aspect of the story is just fabulous.

I'll admit, Logan definitely isn't lovable at the start. I'm always turned off by arrogant characters who think they can get anyone they want. And Logan is just that. But it's fun seeing him start to change over their relationship.

The opposites attract element is great. They butt heads, they banter, they argue, and they ultimately help each other to be better people. Love it!

Of course, as there's a bet involved, you know something bad is looming. And, when it happens, it's as emotional as you'd expect.

Insatiable is one of those stories I easily fell into and couldn't put down. I enjoy the whole V&V world and all the side characters who add tremendously to the story. This Rhys Everly romance is one that ultimately left me happy to have read it. I can't complain about that!
Profile Image for Vicki.
882 reviews20 followers
April 13, 2021
Rating : 4.5 stars

This is a very enjoyable, engaging read that covers a few tropes - age gap, bigger guy/smaller guy, sunshine/ grumpy guy and fake boyfriends.

Of the two main characters, my heart instantly went out to Brody and his recent troubles. It took a few pages for me to warm to Logan and his playboy antics but all was redeemed later.
Brody is a 28 year old grumpy sugar maker who was recently left jilted at the alter. Logan is a 42 year old playboy author in town trying to get his creative writing mojo back. Circumstances bring them together and have them entering into a fake relationship. There is an almost instant attraction between them but it slow burns before anything physical happens. During that time we get to learn about the characters in more depth and start to understand why they are the way they are.
Once the chemistry does explode things do get pretty steamy!
There’s some angst, some feels and a long awaited HEA once these men sort themselves out. The author balanced all these elements perfectly and I really need to go and source some maple wine now!
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