Cover Image: What a Tangled Web

What a Tangled Web

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[Content warnings: alcohol (recreational), past child abuse, death, graphic sex, manipulation]

This was a nice ending for the series. While I didn’t love it as much as the previous books, What a Tangled Web still put a smile on my face.

Winemaker Madison LeGrange’s sudden acquisition of Bacon & Biscuit took everyone off guard, especially Clementine Monroe, the manager of the place, who had dreamed of purchasing the café herself. This temporary rivalry mixed with Clementine’s long-standing crush on Madison prompts the pair to work through their complicated dynamics, but it just might end up being the turning points of both their lives, too.

I love the contrast between Maddie and Clem, especially when it comes to their childhood backgrounds. Clem’s parents weren’t the greatest and adult Clem still suffers from her past while Madison has an attentive and relatively supportive family throughout her life. Also, Clementine is an avid reader while Maddie loves her movies. They have differing economic backgrounds, too.

And Madison, oh, clueless Madison. I adore her for being so incredibly nerdy, loving toward her grapes, but seldom expressing emotions to her friends. She says the oddest things because she doesn’t really read the room and I find her adorkableness extremely relatable. Seeing her in this story made me very happy.

The chemistry between the two was light to me, and most of the feels I got had fizzled by the second kiss. Sex scenes were plentiful in the book though. There were a few interactions that made me wonder if either or both of them were acting slightly out of character, namely when Clementine doesn’t seem a little bit nervous and Madison being very sure and flirty, but those moments didn’t hinder my overall enjoyment. I was, however, a bit thrown off by the rapid change of setting and time, sometimes without paragraph breaks, as well as a few dialogues I found hard to follow. But all in all, I enjoyed the big plot and felt satisfied with the last chapter and epilogue of this book as the closing for whole series.

A Tangle Valley Romance is my favorite contemporary romance series to date, and while I am sad that the stories for Joey Wilder, Gabriella Russo, and Madison LeGrange have come to an end, I am happy for the three of them to find happiness not only with their respective partners, but also within the Tangle Valley community.

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Third and last part of the Tangle Valley Romances series, set in the Whisper Wall vineyards, which adds to the previous menu the sweetness provided by Clementine biscuits.

To begin with, this is one part of a trilogy but it can be read independently, as can the other two parts Entangled and Two to Tangle. Thanks to the author for that. Although thanks to her too, for being able to know that the other two leading couples are doing so well, one recommendation is that the three books be read in their successive order.

Her formula in the creation of romances can be found totally here, the two protagonists are well defined and with a personality that entices, romance has its point of thrill, sexual and otherwise, and al the threads are well sewed.

Some may find it a bit cheesy or too sentimental, but life in a rural environment with so many intertwined stories without them leading to anything dramatic has to be that way.

I like that romances are like that. I love them like that. Thanks to the author again.

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This one felt different from others in the series. I can't really pinpoint why, but honestly it was my least favorite of them. I did enjoy the humor, friendships, characters. Nothing bad here, just different. An all around enjoyable story with old characters and new.

Can be read as a standalone if you didn't read the previous two :)

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I couldn't wait to read the story about Madison, probably the most enigmatic character of the three friends from Tangle Valley. It turned out to be my favourite book of the whole series.
Madison's personality (in which I saw myself a lot) so logical and rational, was a real novelty compared to the other characters written by Melissa Brayden in the past. Her chemistry with Clementine was described very well and felt like the most realistic couple among the 3.

Clementine on the other hand was a character who stole my heart. I loved how we already knew a bit of her personality from the previous books, now she finally had the chance to shine. Her past traumas give a slightly dramatic vibe to the book but also the opportunity to think about how much the past can affect our present.

All the characters are fascinating and pleasant to read as always. Even the evolution of the Biddies, that in the previous books we came to hate a little, cannot leave you indifferent. The friendship between Joey, Gabriella and Madison has been enchantingly described and I can only be already nostalgic for the Tangle Valley family that I grew so much to love.

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This was such a cute and fluffy romance that I really enjoyed. Melissa Brayden's characters are always a breath of fresh air to read! The plot was captivating and I can't wait to see what this author comes out with next!

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Melissa Brayden is a master at the emotional rollercoaster. I went from laughing to crying and back every few pages. Clementine and Madison have know each other since they were kids. Clem has quietly held a torch for Madison for years, but feels fed up and angry when unknowingly Madison buys the restaurant of her dreams from underneath her. Eventually Madison wins clementine over in both business and love.

This story is not only a sweet love story, but deals with childhood trauma and self esteem issues. It shows how difficult it is to see your worth through the eyes of those who love you and how sweet life can be when you can let go of the emotional baggage. I love the story line, the main characters, and especially the supporting characters. Another win by Brayden.

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Super excited when i finally got this one, i really fell for Madison from book one and couldnt wait to have her book in my hands, dont know who i love more now, Madison or Clementine <3
The book ended up being my fave in the series, so much goodness and hotness and fluffy cuteness and did i say HOTNESS.

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The final book in the Tangled trilogy didn't disappoint. If you know Melissa's books, you know the formula she uses, and this book was no different. I loved seeing my "friends" in Whisper Wall again. Melissa is truly my go-to for comfort when it comes to her books.

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This was the third and final installment of the Tangle Valle series and boy was it wonderful! Madison, head winemaker at Tangle Valley Vineyards spent the last year or so watching her two best friends meet and fall in love with their soul mates. She was content to be on her own until she got a brilliant idea to diversify her funds and purchased the Bacon and Biscuit, a hot spot in Whisper Wall. What Madison didn't know was that Clementine, a former schoolmate, and general manager of said Cafe has plans to purchase. Needless to say, Clem's 15 plus year crush on Madison instantly evaporated. Yikes!

As Madison and Clem spent more time in one another's orbit, the more they couldn't deny their chemistry and feelings. This book was just simply wonderful. Two really nice humans finding one another and exploring what could be. The townsfolk of Whisper Wall continued to add delight to this series. I'm thrilled with the ending of this series, although I will miss our 6 main characters a lot. This could possibly be read as a stand-alone, however, I would encourage potential readers to read the first two books in the series first.

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This was the second book by Brayden that I have read and it was every bit as good as the first. The characters are so well rounded after appearing in three books together. You want to be able to kick back and have a glass of wine with all of them at the winery and sample all the delicious food described throughout.

Madison and Clementine were so fun to watch falling in love. Analytical, occasionally chilly Madison, and warm, wary Clementine finding a way to get past their difficulties all with love, humor and plenty of sexy times. A fabulous wrap up to this series.

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After closing What a Tangled Web I was suddenly craving for biscuits and feeling very sorry for myself I don't live in a country where that is a thing, but I won't hold it against Melissa Brayden because she gave me a great romance once more. You can never go wrong with picking up one of her books and this one about Madison, the last one to find her happily ever after in the Tangle Valley series, is one I enjoyed immensely. I loved the quirky, logical and practical Madison from the start of this series and Clementine is a very relatable love interest with an unhappy past that makes you want to root for her even more.
I feel like I am repeating myself when reviewing a Brayden rather often so I am going to keep it short and just say: if you are looking for a romance with great characters in a great setting with interesting side characters, great dialogue, laughter and maybe a tear now and again you'd better pick up her books. If you haven't read anything from her before I would recommend starting at the beginning of this series, but if have read the other books in this series: what are you waiting for?

*** An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. ***

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I was a bit annoyed with Madison from the previous book but she's redeemed herself in this one! She was an intriguing character and I'm glad we got to have more of an insight into her with this latest book. Clementine was also a very relatable character and I really felt for her, being alone in the world and having to carve a space for herself in the world despite financial and family circumstances holding her back. The two leads were adorable together and it was a fitting end to a fantastic series. I may have shed a tear or two in the last few chapters, and craved wine. bacon and biscuits thoughout. I'll miss these characters.

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The book was wonderful. hell the entire series was one of the best that I’ve read. Clem was the perfect person to root for. She had a beautiful soul and Madison was hilarious with her practicality. Melissa was perfect in writing about that special connection when you just click with someone because it’s an awesome feeling when you meet that person who just gets you. If you haven’t read the series then I definitely recommend that you do so...now!

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Madison was the most intriguing of the trio to me so I was really excited for 'What a Tangled Web' but since the first chapter, Clementine ended up being my favourite between the two. In fact, she might be my favourite character in the whole series. From the start, it was clear as day that she should be the one to own the Bacon and Biscuit Café, (view spoiler) Clementine didn't have the best childhood which made her insecure and introverted. She lost so much but still never grew resentful and was charming, adorable and sincere and I just love her!
I like the childhood crush trope and it was done wonderfully here and you can feel the chemistry between the pair bouncing off the pages. I would've preferred a bit more angst because while I loved the fluff it gets a little too much for me.
Both the MCs had great character growth. Clementine realizing her self worth and Madison learning to share her feelings with the ones she loves, like her girlfriend or you know her grapes, was fun to read.
The most unexpected thing in the book was the change in Biddies and yeah, that one scene made me cry. In the first two books their actions created problems between both the couples. In this one it was the opposite and I loved it.
This book had all the usual charm of a Brayden book. It was sweet and funny with witty dialogues and even a bit sad at times. Overall a beautiful conclusion to the series.

Copy provided by the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, via NetGalley.

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Madison done well for herself. When her accountant tells her she should spread her wings she decides to do just that. When her favorite cafe up for sale she decides to buy it.

Clementine had overcome her past when she has an opportunity to buy the cafe Bacon and Biscuits she jump up at the chance to make her dreams comes true. When she learns the woman she had crush on Madison since high school bought the cafe right from under her she is piss and won’t forgive her anytime soon.

I love Madison and I was so happy this book was about her because she was fun supporting character and she finally got to shine in her own romance. Clementine was just as sweet. I like that this read was more about letting go what you can’t change but to live your life to the fullest. I really wish networks looks at LGBTQ writers and their book series because they will be great on screen and this is one of them .

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

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What a Tangled Web by Melissa Brayden is one of the best books I've read and how timely this book is for living your life. Clementine and Madison meet under unusual circumstances, and maybe even fate had a hand in the meeting as well. The book is well written with chemistry between Madison and Clementine, the story is great, but that's not only why you should read this book.

Honestly I didn't expect to be moved so much by one book.

Something I have never written in a review is how much I cried from the middle of the book to the end. It's honesty about how life can seem hard (hello 2020 and 2021) and it's about choosing to let go of the past, and truly embrace living. The living can be outside situations we have no control over, like the someone 'seemingly' taking away a dream, to internal conflicts around self worth, to letting go of family patterns.

This book leaves with simply the choice to embrace life and love the heck out of it!

This book is not only a fantastic story, funny, well written, great characters, the book is letting go and truly embracing life. I highly, highly, highly recommend this book.

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I basically finished this in one sitting. I enjoyed the book so much and I’m sad to see that it has finally reached its conclusion. The author gave us so many characters that I fell in love with. This series really was such a delight to read. Each book shinned in their own personal way but I think this one was truly something special. While I adored the first book, this one seemed to hit my heartstrings just a tad bit more - the proof is with the smile that is still on my face.

Madison had always been a personal favorite of mine in the series. I thought she was such a fun character so I’m happy the last book was about her. Mix it up with sweet ‘ol Clementine and it truly made a fantastic love story. It didn’t go as deep into conflict like the other two did, but I thought it had just enough and sometimes less it better than more. Sometimes I just want to read a story and not guess when the show will drop.

I feel like each book Brayden comes out with gets better and better. I cannot wait to see where she will be taking us next. Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go see about getting me a biscuit. For some reason I have a huge craving for them. Wonder why.

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