Good book about enemies to lovers, workplace romance. It was a little slow at parts, so definitely would describe as a slow burn. I did enjoy most of the book and the plot. The characters were very engaging. The main issue I had was that there was an Asian character that the author made biphobic. And then went on to say that in that country, it’s. Still illegal etc. It felt micro aggressive especially since that was one of the only POC in the book. Overall, good but a few flaws and maybe a little bit too long.

If you're looking for an entertaining rom-com read, this is a pretty good one. The characters tend to act and talk like real human beings, which is always refreshing, but the writing and plot sometimes feel forced.

This book is a little hidden gem. I haven't seen or heard anything about the first book or the author but I really enjoyed this read. I loved the bisexual representation in this book. The character and romantic development had the perfect pacing. I mean an office romance AND enemies-to-lovers? What more could you want? This is a really fun read with a lot of heart and a lot of heat (!!!) and I will definitely have to read the rest of the books in the series (they are all companion novels). Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review (even though it's very late).

Enemies to lovers is NOT my favorite romance trope and had I known that was what was happening here, I may not have gotten the book. But I was so charmed by Sex & Sours and I'm so glad I didn't know it was enemies to lovers in advance because I may have missed out on SUCH a gem of a book! One of the major reasons I fell in love with this book was the setting - I worked in restaurants, serving and bartending for years throughout high school & college, so the setting is totally familiar to me. It feels so homey to me whenever I read a book set in a restaurant or a bar, I just love it so much. Of course these characters are also great - Tiff is independent, fiery, speaks her mind, and doesn't take shit from anyone but has a sweet side that very few people get to see, and Sam has been burned in a serious relationship before so he's got a huge wall up, and on top of that he comes across as a controlling jerk; turns out he also has a sweet side that he likes to keep locked up. I freaking loved their chemistry, even when they were more enemies than lovers I loved their bantering back and forth and their thoughts about each other were just so entertaining to read. This is enemies to lovers done in such a perfect way, I really loved it even though like I said the trope is normally not my thing. I will definitely go back and read the first book in this series although I'm not sure how it can top Sex & Sours because this book was truly a delight. I'm so glad I got a chance to read this one.

A strong-willed bartender contends with an inscrutable new boss who immediately gets on her bad side in this enemies to lovers romance. This book is a quick, funny read with vividly drawn characters and a sadly rare bisexual lead. Tiff and Sam have an engaging dynamic, and I bought into why they would initially be resentful of one another before giving into their attraction. I appreciated their discussions about their sexual interests and boundaries.

I also like that the book made a conscious effort to show biphobia, but it felt like a an issue that was raised and then almost immediately dropped. The only biphobic person in the book was Tiff's initial girlfriend Hannah and it seemed like Hannah's purpose in the book was just to reinforce Tiff is bi, be biphobic, and peace out which to me was heavy-handed. I also wish we would have gotten more about Tiff being bi in the later part of the novel - I wanted to know more about her coming out and path to self-realization, as well as how she would play a part in the bar marketing itself as an inclusive space . Other than those issues, I think it is really important we see more bi leads in new adult romance books and I hope this helps pave the way for more authors. I think this is a fun, breezy romance that would be perfect on the beach with a cocktail or at a neighborhood bar with a sour.

I wanted to enjoy this book so much, and the premise sounded like a combo of my favorite tropes. However, I feel like the author did a lot more 'telling' than 'showing' and all the scenes just seemed dramatized and unrealistic. The original build-up for the hatred and the continuation of their conflict throughout seemed so contrived and out of character for both MCs, and it just made no sense to me. I've tried reading it for so long, but I think this will probably be a DNF for me.

This book was really fun. Enemies to lovers, sort of slow burn, not an inappropriate workplace romance, and an ending that didn't annoy me! Truly, what more could I hope for?

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy--this review is not slanted as a result of that! I am a terrible liar so you would definitely be able to tell.

Wow what a steamy book! I loved it especially the LGTBQ+ rep that was included! I actually gave this recommendation to another booktoker and I know she reached out asking to review as she is in the LGBTQ community. Perfect enemies to lovers!

Thank you to NetGalley and Set the Mood Publishing for providing this ARC.

Okay, first off, I love Tiffany. I loved her in Rum & Love as Audrey's best friend, but here she really shined. A hardass, unafraid to live her life exactly how she wants, who cares fiercely about those around her, and just an overall queen.

Apart from that, I loved the way this story played out, more so than Rum & Love. This story has fire and passion, and not just because it's an enemies to lovers trope book. Both Tiffany and Sam are strong, passionate characters, and it shows.

I loved that the author talked about bi-erasure and both called attention to it and simultaneously did not make Tiffany's sexuality the crux of the issues in the main relationship. It felt very authentic to me and I was happy to see the inclusion.

Loved this book. Can't wait to see what's next!

This book was a pleasure to read. A contemporary romance with a plot that can be described as "enemies to lovers" but in a realistic way.
The first chapters were a little bit boring but after a while the story became very interesting 😏

I appreciated the description of Tiffany's struggle with being accepted as a bisexual woman, we live in a biphobic society and that type of events happen quite often

So in conclusion I appreciated this book and I rate it 3 stars!

Sex & Sours is the second book in Dani McLean’s The Cocktail Series. (I haven’t yet read Love & Rum, the first book.) I was on board with this book when I read this in the Netgalley description: “A spicy woman. A sour man. Perfect ingredients for romance—or a recipe for disaster?” There was definitely spice, as well as disaster AND romance, but I didn’t find myself especially drawn to the storyline nor did I feel super invested in the main characters.

The female main character, Tiff, was bisexual, and I did like how the author presented this, as well as the stereotypes and misconceptions bisexuals face. Tiff was a strong, opinionated woman; for me, however, she came across as just plain mean at times, and not very likable. Sam, the male main character, was starting over in his hometown of Chicago after a sour breakup and loss of his previous business. I know they say there’s a thin line between love and hate, but I just didn’t understand the connection he ended up feeling for Tiff.

This book didn’t really satisfy my needs for a spicy romance, but there are readers who would definitely connect with the characters and enjoy Sex & Sours.

Thank you to Netgalley and Set the Mood Publishing for the eARC to review.

This is a fun read. Tiffany and Sam have the best banter and sarcastic remarks, with the underlying loaded content of a love story waiting to happen. The storyline is a little slow at times, but worth it to keep going.!

3.5 stars

I am a huge fan of a good enemies-to-lovers trope, especially with an opportunity to spend time with a big ol' grump-hole. Plus, the female MC is bisexual and.. welp... I was sold.

Tiff just got off work as head bartender, when she's called into work for an early bird meeting to meet her new boss, Sam. Sam is taking over ownership from his brother while he deals with a family situation. Sam has built up his career owning and making huge successful bars and such but has suddenly entered into Tiff's world like a wrecking ball. Tiff has been running the bar in lieu of her previous absentee and boss and now the new guy is basically kicking her back down the employee chain a few pegs. Sam instantly doesn't like Tiff and Tiff definitely resents Sam taking over her world. As they work together, grudgingly, they start to see another perspective of the other, and well, it totally and unexpectedly works for them.

Sex & Sours is fun, entertaining, and light enemies-to-lovers/opposites attract story. This is the second book in the Cocktails series and I have yet to pick up the first. I know I probably missed some backstory connections, but... I don't feel like I missed anything super pivotal that this isn't a fairly good stand-alone book.

Tiff was a fun character, I liked that she stuck up for herself and was a force unto her own. She's originally dating someone when we first begin the book, which I'm not a super huge fan of in my romance books, but it adds to the story. The story thread of bi-erasure felt unnecessary to me. Yes, I know it exists. Yes, I know some people just don't understand. Yes, I absolutely get that some people think that all bi people are just hugely promiscuous because they think they NEED both men and women. And it's just crap. I feel like it was portrayed as a - you just don't understand my pain sort of thing. I don't know. I felt like the author was trying to say something about bisexuality, but it didn't really hit the way that made me have any sort of positive conclusion.

I didn't super connect with Sam. I felt he was fresh off a bad breakup and doing that whole transference thing where he puts all his crap on another person that absolutely was not involved and treated Tiff like poo for quite a while. I never understood how his ex really did get the drop on him, and all that relationship stuff was a huge mess.

I will say the smexy times were rather nice. I don't think the couple used an actual bed in any of the scenes. So, A+ for creative locationing.

Overall, I really enjoyed Tiff and Sam but I feel the book dragged quite a bit with the whole bar setup thing. I'm still not quite sure why Tiff had to quit. I don't know. I wanted to connect more with the story and characters but... yeah, I just didn't. I'm not quite sure if I will continue with the series.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

This was such a fun & easy read. The characters were easy to fall in love with and I loved how strong of a character Tiff was! I also enjoyed getting to know Sam, even though my initial impression of him was not great, I loved how his character developed throughout the book & I ended up loving them together.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I cannot wait to see what Dani McLean brings next as I will be reading!

Sex and Sours by Dani McLean
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Dani McLean, emerging author penning Contemporary Romance stories, writes an easy-to-read enemies-to-lovers romance about bar owner Sam and his award-winning, head bartender Tiffany.

Our thanks to NetGalley and Dani McLean for this eARC in exchange for our honest thoughts on ‘Sex & Sours’, the second instalment in Dani McLean’s The Cocktail Series.

To embrace our main character Tiffany’s penchant for transparent honesty, let me start by saying I spent the first one-third of this book disliking both main characters, my distaste towards both of them reflecting how they felt about each other. It made the remaining 2/3 of this read so much more enjoyable and immersive because in learning more about them I grew to love them, alongside their own journey of falling in love with each other. Brilliant execution, Dani McLean!!

At first Tiff reads as headstrong, standoffish and unwilling to forfeit control; as the head bartender and manager of The Basement, a cocktail bar in Chicago, Tiff is ready to hate new general manager Sam, brother of the bar’s former owner Henry. As Sam takes back control of decision-making in all areas of the bar—renovation, menu and staffing—he learns Tiff’s reluctance and tension for his influence comes from a deep-rooted passion for building and sustaining not just a profitable bar, but also one that feels like home for patrons and employees alike.

As an avid-reader of the enemies-to-lovers trope I can say with certainty this is one of the most natural and realistic I’ve had the pleasure of reading. These are two characters who legitimately hate each other but who tear down each other’s personal and professional walls with each interaction. The natural progression of their relationship from a new boss and employee who endlessly butt heads—to friends with deep mutual respect for each other’s experiences and perspectives—to two humans who genuinely see, appreciate and love each other develops so organically you feel like a patron at The Basement watching everything unfold from a barstool.

“When his smile appeared, it took me a moment to realize what was happening. It felt momentous. A firm shift, more so than last night, from the cold antagonism we had to whatever this was. The sight of his grin was unique for me. I was so used to seeing it directed at others that I only just realized he had dimples. They were gorgeous. Oh, no.”

What really made this book for me was the grace and natural elegance with which McLean writes their self-awareness, growing feelings and relationship; I could bask in the warmth of their banter-turned-intimacy ALL DAY. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is that makes their non-sexual intimacy so powerful but McLean perfectly captured the essence and beauty of those shared moments so magically I literally clutched for my heart.

“It felt natural, like an extension of who we’d always been. Nothing scary about it. I knew him. He knew me. We liked each other anyway. We’d already fought and made up or moved on a hundred times, so I didn’t have to worry about that. I’d never held back from him, and I had to believe he’d mostly done the same. The idea of more, of (fuck) forever, was more like never saying no to what we had, not saying yes to anything new…Silently, I flattened my palm against his chest, above his breast bone, feeling for his heartbeat. Did it harbor the same sense of belonging that mine did? The same recognition of a kindred, an equal? I wanted it to.”

I REST MY CASE.

A transcendent theme throughout this book is acceptance—of yourself, your mistakes and past, of others and navigating relationships in a world that is unaccepting of you—and a primary function of exploring this theme is Tiff’s experience as a bisexual woman. I can’t overstate how beautifully, meaningfully and consciously McLean handles Tiff’s struggles with acceptance by partners and experience with bi-erasure. As this was only my second read with a bisexual main character behind Alexandria Bellefleur’s Annie in ‘Hang The Moon,’ in continuing to diversify the voices and perspectives I read, I will look to McLean and her recommendations. I can only imagine how empowering Tiff’s strength will be for those whose personal experiences mirror those we see Tiff overcome in ‘Sex & Sours,’ and I extend heartfelt admiration to McLean, an openly bisexual woman, for the courage it must have taken to shape Tiff’s experiences around your own and those within your community.

A fun and light read with memorable characters and a captivating plot. I wished we could get more glimpses into Tiffany's bar work, as that would have been pretty cool, but she was an awesome character regardless. I liked McLean's first book in this series, Love & Rum, but I liked this one even more.

The bar where Tiffany works is under new ownership. The new owner, Sam, has suffered a great loss and is now focused on making his new bar a success. Their work relationship starts off rocky, but they soon learn to work together in more ways then one.

I don’t know about you but this book made me want to have a cocktail. If you are into the bar scene, mixology or just love a good drink, you’ll want you read this book.

I did think that the book was a little long and it took me a bit to get into but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. The banter between the two main characters is fun and flirty. Tiffany is a strong and talented hard-working character. Sam is just as driven and passionate about what he does for a living. What I appreciated and most enjoyed about the two, was that their relationship wasn’t conventional. Both expressed openly their distain for marriage and kids. I found this to be a refreshing part of the book as now a days, it seems that happily ever after somehow can’t happen without the two.

Thank you net galley for this arc In exchange for an honest review.

This book was great. I loved the restaurant setting and wish I could try some of the drinks that Tiffany was mixing. Tiffany is a strong female and Sam is the quiet, subdued love interest, which personally is my favorite combination. There was plenty of tension between Sam and Tiffany, and also a lot of growth for both of them. I had no idea this was the second book in a series but I will happily read the others. The only thing I don’t like about this book is the title.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A cute read. I hadn't read book one, though it didn't impact on enjoyment. A heart warming story. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

A light and easy read with lgtbqia+ main characters. This enemies to lovers workplace romance is the first title I have read by the author and the second in a series of standalone novels. I would recommend this to any romance enthusiasts.

Check out Sex & Sours (The Cocktail Series Book 2) by Dani McLean wherever you buy books!

✦ Goodreads ➜ https://bit.ly/2Xud8Fd
✦ Amazon ➜ https://amzn.to/2XuddZx
✦ Apple ➜ https://apple.co/3AunYcM
✦ Kobo ➜ https://bit.ly/3ExRP6I
✦ Nook ➜ https://bit.ly/3lIuuGu

TAGS: fiction, romance, contemporary romance, workplace romance, enemies to lovers, standalone, HEA, lgtbqia+

*Thanks to NetGalley, Set The Mood Publishing & Dani McLean for providing a free eARC in exchange for my honest review #SexAndSours #NetGalley @NetGalley #SetTheMoodPublishing #DaniMcLean