Item: Can't Hurry Love
Rating: 4
Author: Forever Book Lover

Can't Hurry Love by Christie Ridgway | Book Review

Wish You Were Here by Christie Ridgway - Book Cover

A sexy second-chance romance with witty banter, family drama, and all the heat and heart you'd expect from Christie Ridgway.

Title: Can't Hurry Love

Series: Three Kisses #3

Author: Christie Ridgway

Publisher: Berkley

Published: July 5, 2011

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Book Summary

Liam Bennett staked his claim to Tanti Baci after stepping in to help the Baci sisters save their family winery. But Giuliana Baci doubts his motives. They've been at odds since the hot summer long ago that ended in heartache. With the fate of the winery on the line, the former lovers need to get a handle on their barely leashed hostilities—and the attraction that still draws them toward each other.

My Thoughts

Giuliana (Jules) fulfilled both her parents' final wishes. At sixteen, her mother asked her to care for her younger sisters. Later, her dying father asked her to come home and help save the family winery. She's been strong, practical, and guarded ever since, pushing aside her own needs for the sake of her family. I had a love-hate relationship with her—completely understood why she guarded her heart, but at times, it frustrated me.

Liam was also tough to warm up to. A closed-off hero hiding a family secret for years, driven by guilt and fear of becoming like his father. He’s spent years emotionally detached—but Jules returning throws his defenses into chaos. She’s his first and only true love. Will the secrets of their youth bring them back together or keep them apart for good?

The history between them had been hinted at in the previous books but never fully revealed—until now. And wow, it delivered. I’m trying not to drop spoilers, but trust me, their backstory adds depth and fire to the tension.

I loved the witty, flirty banter between Jules and Liam. Their chemistry was undeniable. They fought it, denied it, and tried to ignore it—but when the walls finally came down? 🔥 FIRE. Honestly, I wish the reconnection had happened a bit sooner, but the payoff was worth the wait.

“Aren’t you going to say something?”
“I can’t,” he answered, honest. “Because there aren't words that would do you justice.”

“It’s so tight, (Jules' dress) I had to go commando, but for that compliment, it might be worth it.”

I also adored the secondary story between Grace and Kohl. I wanted more of them! Their sweet, touching side plot could have been its own novella (preferably a Christmas one!). At times, I skimmed the Liam/Jules drama just to get back to Grace and Kohl.

This was a wonderful ending to the Three Kisses series. It had romance, heart, humor, a bit of angst, and a lot of feels. I even found myself curling up with a glass of wine to toast Tanti Baci, the family's 100-year-old winery.