First Crush

First Crush is the third in the Old Vines Trilogy and picks up where Entwined leaves off. The strikingly handsome Italian vintner, Pepe, returns from his life-altering trip to the States and is determined to find a romantic partner. Having come out as a gay man and having sorted through his entangled affections for Patrick and Zeno, Pepe posts a profile on a dating app. Since this is a romantic series, he eventually finds mister right but not without complicated missteps along the way. Zeno and Patrick play matchmakers and help him navigate the complexities of gay life as he searches for someone who shares his interests in art, literature, and history, appreciates life in the countryside, and wants to start a family with kids. The fast-paced plot set along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast is tender and thoughtful as well as steamy and sensual. It weaves together local archaeological and artistic sites with life on the edge of a generations-old vineyard. The story celebrates the tug of eros toward the beautiful and the good and the transformative grace of same-sex love.