Most people meet Frankie and Nate on Hallmark’s Autumn in the Vineyard movie. But the 2016 movie with Rachael Leigh Cook and Brendan Penny is actually based on Marina Adair’s book by the same title from 2013.

This is the third book in the St. Helena Vineyard series and it’s a sweet vineyard romance perfect for your fall TBR. Read on for our Autumn in the Vineyard review for the book and the movie.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

Read this if you want

• two people who each legally own half of the same vineyard and have to work it together
• the kind of bickering that makes you giddy
• a heroine who is hopeless at letting anyone close enough to hurt her
• wine country in autumn and a big Italian family

Skip this if you

• want spicy romance
• the hero with the bickering will grate on you
• need true enemies to lovers

Autumn in the Vineyard by Marina Adair Book Review

Autumn in the Vineyard is a sweet and heartwarming story about two people who are trying to make their mark in their world.  Not only in their status, but proving themselves in the eyes of their family and making their long life dreams come true.  Unfortunately, this time, they are after the same dream.

If you read, Summer in Napa, you know that Frankie and Nate had a very public encounter showing the whole town of St. Helena what has always been obvious…they had it bad for each other.  Whether they were blinded or in denial, their feelings were clear.   They have managed to avoid each other since high school, but a judge mandated situation forces them to work together to resolve an issue with the land they own.

Nate and Frankie’s relationship was definitely entertaining to read about.  They had this love and hate relationship that in the beginning, I was not sure how Ms. Adair would get them to actually like each other.  I was afraid that there would be a hate to insta-love relationship but Ms. Adair did a fabulous job making the “falling in love” in a very subtle way.  I have to admit though that their banters and fights just had me smile knowing that all it was just built up lust toward each other.  From the beginning, I had this curiosity on how and when they will just give in to it.

Nate was very cute with his annoying taunts towards Frankie, but as a reader, you heard the real thoughts about her.  It was like watching a teen trying to come to terms with his emotions towards a girl he likes.  I have to admit though, everything he did including his infuriating comments and his sweet and caring gestures had me melting all over my book.  Not to forget the sexual appeal he radiated right through the pages were just full of promises.  But despite what Frankie thought of him, Nate is sweet and caring.  He actually is the one everyone loves and respects.

Frankie however, was a little bit more complicated.  She is a bad ass, works hard for everything she wants but she had issues that affected all her actions and decisions.  Her hate for Nate really goes deeper and longer than Nate suspected.  She has been jaded by the people she loved and trusting anyone else is just hard for her.  Who can blame her, she’s been hurt way too many times.  I guess that is why she gives off the persona of a bad ass.  She just wants to detach from any more pain.  But deep inside that leather wearing, motorcycle riding, hard ass persona, Frankie aka Francesca is really sweet.  I love that despite all the put downs she had received, she is still focused in what she wants to do and she would do anything to follow her dreams.  Even if it means working with a Delucca.

Overall, Frankie and Nate’s story was a great read.  I just loved Nate.  Ms. Adair yet again had me swooning over the hero she had written about.  I did nothing but smile, grin and sigh as I read this book.  And if you’re anything like me who is a hopeless romantic, you will also love this series.

I simply cannot get enough of the Deluca Brothers from St. Helena Vineyards.

Want to read other vineyard romances? I’ve got a whole list of them to check out.

How was the Autumn in the Vineyard movie?

The movie premiered in 2016 and stars Rachael Leigh Cook playing Frankie and Brendan Penny playing Nate. It’s got perfect cozy Fall vibes and excellent acting. I was excited to see Rachel Leigh Cook in it, as a good elder millennial. But they had great chemistry and brought the story to life. If you’re looking for pretty scenery, this one also gets it right. There are some changes to the plot, of course to the spice and some of the more dramatic parts of the story, but to be expected to adapt it to Hallmark. Otherwise, it kept the essence of the story quite well. Plus you get more than just one!

Are there more Autumn in the Vineyard movies?

Hallmark made a total of three movies about this couple. Autumn in the Vineyard (2016), Summer in the Vineyard (2017) and then Valentine in the Vineyard (2019). You also get Marco and Lexi’s side romance.

While this is one of my favorite Hallmark Fall movies, I’ve got a list with even more if you need others to add to your watchlist.

Answering your questions about Autumn in the Vineyard

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