I really enjoyed reading this debut novel by Lily Malone. HIS BRAND OF BEAUTIFUL was often light-hearted, sometimes full of drama, and very Australian. I do like my wines and found the story line being set around the development of a marketing strategy to be both informative, and fun. When I first started out drinking wine the bottles would get chosen simply because of the label. In my opinion, if the label looked good the wine must taste good! I am a bit more discerning now – but still have my let’s pick a new wine by its label moments – and these labels would be top notch!

Christina is very focused on her own needs and that she knows what is best for her (insert borderline selfish here). To be fair though, it is not a surprise when the reader learns that in the past when Christina depended on someone she had been badly let down. Her sister-in-law keeps Christina’s attitude mostly in check and is one of the few people not afraid to stand up to Christina. Tate has personal baggage as well; he has taken on the blame for his young sister’s death in Africa. While the two of them are out to prove different things, and often lock horns, the relationship does progress to its much anticipated HEA.

One thing in the book really, really annoyed me – the condom scene – when he raises the fact that he doesn’t have one, she says don’t worry I’m safe and on they go!! I felt that it was such an irresponsible event in this ‘safe sex’ day and age. I know Christina wanted to get pregnant (as that is in the blurb) but boy-oh-boy this was not the way to do it. I’m not sure what the answer is, but it does bother me that as parents we are preaching to the young boys and girls of today about using condoms as protection from STDs that kill you and many romance novels are not encouraging it.

Having got that off my chest, don’t let it hold you off from reading HIS BRAND OF BEAUTIFUL, it is a perfect book to curl up with on a Sunday afternoon – with a large glass, or two, of Australian red near at hand.

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