What a Tangled Web – Melissa Brayden

It was lovely to return to Tangle Valley for Madison’s story. I enjoyed this just as much as the previous two instalments, but in a very different way. This instalment felt quieter than the previous two books in the series, perhaps because the characters themselves are quieter than the previous couples, but perhaps also because it was written during the pandemic.

Madison is the head vintner at Tangle Valley. she’s the only single one amongst her group of friends, but isn’t particularly looking for love. Madison is more concerned with her grapes, the wine, data, logic and the opportunity to use her savings for a worthwhile local investment.

Clementine is the manager at the Biscuit, known throughout the town for her cooking and her pleasant ways behind the counter. An avid book lover she’s constantly aware of her past in the town, for the most part keeping herself to herself outside of work.

I really enjoyed the premise of the plot in this one. I could easily see this happening in real life and felt it fitted with both characters really well. I really liked both of them, I’ve enjoyed Madison in past books, some of her previous behaviour in Two to Tangle aside, but it was really nice getting to know Clementine more. I also liked that Madison doesn’t shy away from her actions in Two to Tangle.

I was a little disappointed with the conflict, in that it involves lack of communication, however it doesn’t stem from miscommunication, rather from outside influences and whilst I felt that I could have predicted them much earlier in the book, the conflict felt like something that would have happened between these characters. I also appreciated that it came much earlier than the often found 90% conflict point and therefore Madison and Clementine had time to grow both individually and back together in an organic way that was very much in keeping with the rest of the book.

The additional storyline background story about Clementine was done really well and I also liked the way the Biddies were depicted in this compared to Two to Tangle.

As with most books that include animals, I have to give Clementine’s cat Toast a mention. I love the idea of him running around the kitchen chasing oranges!

I’m sad this series is coming to an end but I’m looking forward to seeing what Brayden has coming up next as she’s become one of my favourite authors. If you liked the other two books in this series you’ll enjoy this one, and if you haven’t read any of the series yet I’d recommend starting at Tangled.

I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.