Georgia Beers rings it in for us with the second of the Swizzle Stick series, and has once again given us an excellent read! We feel all of the angst with the characters, Vanessa, a school teacher, and Grace, the mother of one of her students, who hit it off, Vanessa finds herself ignoring her rule to never date the parent of a student, and is drawn to Grace in a way that she can't ignore. This is a fun and enthusiastic romcom with the two main female characters going on dates and enjoying the company of one another.

It seems that Oliver, the son of Grace and the student of Vanessa is put on the back burner once the romance comes to play in this story, so it would have been nice to continue seeing Oliver in some light, as it led with him seeming to be a big part of the story. Otherwise, this was a fantastic read!

Solid four stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Georgia Beers knows how to take a simplistic story and elevate it to the next level. The story between Vanessa and Grace and how they kept running into one another, along with the chemistry that ensued between the two.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This gives me perfect sapphic romcom vibes, its light and sweet with just a few serious topics included. This is the second in the Martini cousin series, but can be read as a standalone.
The romance between Vanessa and Grace was lovely to see develop. There is a slight hate to love aspect to it, Vanessa is the teacher of Grace's son and is very judgmental of how Grace is parenting Oliver after her recent divorce. However after coincidentally bumping into each other multiple times neither can deny the attraction that has built between them.
The supporting characters are all great, especially the pets. Overall an easy low stakes romance.

Thanks to NetGalley, Author Georgia Beers, and Bold Strokes Books for an advanced copy for honest review.

On the Rocks is book #2 of the Swizzle Sticks Romance collection of auto-buy author Georgia Beers. This time we are following Vanessa Martini, one of the three Martini cousins. Vanessa is looking for a relationship but has strict rules. One rule, most important rule actually, is to not catch feelings for any student’s parents. Grace is going through a divorce and her son Oliver is lashing out about this. He is having a hard time and it’s becoming a problem. Whether we call it right place at the wrong time or wrong time altogether, Grace keeps meeting her son’s teacher, running into each other at the most inopportune times. They keep playing it cool, but will any thing come of it? No spoilers

4 STARS! If you are familiar with Georgia Beers, this series is not to be missed. Recommend!

Swizzle Sticks Romance
Book #1 Shaken or Stirred
Book #2 On the Rocks *review above*
Book #3 With a Twist

Firstly, I don't mean 3-stars as in bad. I liked it. Maybe 3.5 stars at a pinch but I'm not going to squabble about that.

Vanessa, one of the Martini cousins, is a school teacher. In fact, Vanessa is Oliver's teacher and Grace is Oliver's mum. Getting a bit complicated. Meeting each other is the easy thing - the school teacher/parent thing makes it tricky. Sure, there are no rules about it, but it's not exactly welcomed.

It's an interesting connection and a nice plot. Nothing stressful apart from a small case of hiccups. Vanessa and Grace are pretty chill characters ... low angst plus a little more insight into the Martini cousins.

This one was a lovely read. I really enjoyed reading this one. I just love this kind of books.
4 stars read for me

Spectacular book, love the characters, love the story, I got into the book fairly quickly and could not put it down, I read it all in one go, would recommend!

Georgia Beers can always be relied on to write lovely, low angst women-loving-women romances. On The Rocks is no exception. As a seasoned writer Beers knows how to play on our heartstrings: two lovely, rescued pets (yeah, we get to revisit Junebug farm), a mostly great kid, two women who have some issues, but nothing too heavy, no big drama, both love their jobs and are basically well-balanced people. And not to forget: a great cast of friends!
The low-angst comes, alas, with not really resolving those issues which come up: the hubby who causes some drama, Grace’s constant criticism by her family esp. her mother and Vanessa’s ghosting. And it might come with the territory of a very experienced writer. Beers gives us great (and at times witty) glimpses into the thoughts of her main characters – one technique is to have a loop with the same thought coming up once, twice, thrice – light bulb. This is excellent, until it is too often, too often, yeah!
To sum it up: Another very good, lovely romance read to soothe the mind in trying times.

A WONDERFUL second in the series!

Teacher Vanessa Martini has seen too many relationships crash and burn and its taught her to be picky. That’s fine though, she has a full and busy life…even if she is a bit lonely, or maybe a lot lonely. She has a list of absolutely nots on her dating checklist, straight women and parents of her students top that list. Being a dedicated educator, she is worried when one of her kids starts acting out, its so out of character according to his former teachers. There is nothing left to do, its time to meet with his parents. Grace is in the middle of a divorce and its really affecting her young son Oliver. She feels like the whole world is against her and she is so sick of everyone’s disapproval. She has reached her limit when her Oliver’s teacher practically blames her for his bad behaviour. She is doing the best that she can with no support from anyone, who does Ms Martini think she is anyway? You know how it is when you are thinking of something and you see it everywhere? Well the two women keep bumping into each other and somehow they begin to see each other in a different way. Too bad Grace’s crazy life and Vanessa’s rules are getting in the way….but maybe…

I adored the first book in the series and could not wait for the tale to continue. Oh wow, it was like I was visiting old friends and I had really missed them! I was so happy to have this book! I felt so badly for poor Grace and yet I was rooting for her! She was so overwhelmed but she kept putting one foot in front of the other, doing her best to be what her son needed even though she felt like she was drowning in pressure. Vanessa too was loveable. She has such compassion for the people in her life. It was so sweet when she and Grace began to see each other as something other than rivals or enemies. I loved how compassionate Vanessa was with Oliver and how he really related to the animals both women adopted from June Bug Farm (Also a special place that I would REALLY like to see more of) Grace and Vanessa made such a special couple, both trying their best in spite of all the obstacles in their way. They have such strength and you can’t help but root for them! I REALLY hope to see more of them in the next book, I want to know that this really is a Happily Ever After.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher's for the opportunity to read and review Georgia Beers "On the Rocks".
This was a really good read. The second in what is fast becoming a favourite series, it’s a return to familiar characters and weaving their continued story into this new storyline. There is just the right mix of great characterisations, heady, giddy chemistry, a push pull dilemma, sufficient obstacles to add tension and optional outcomes and a flowing storyline which the reader is propelled along at a comfortable pace. Vanessa and Grace come from different emotional places and what could be a professional stop sign, is given a decent quandary. Loved this book, loved these characters, loved the storyline. And it’s a 5* from me.

This is the second book in the romantic series “Swizzle Stick” by George Beers. When I am looking for a good romance novel, Ms. Beers is one of my favorite authors. This book is no exception.

The series is centered around three gay cousins and their paths to true love. Each book focuses on one of the cousins. In On The Rocks readers will get to know Vanessa Martini, a 35-year-old elementary school teacher. She is very firm about whom she will date, and a student’s family member is certainly a taboo.

One of Vanessa’s students is 6-year-old Oliver. He has been a smart, fun student, but recently he has been acting out in class. Oliver’s mother, Grace Chapman, is dealing with a nasty divorce. Her divorce seems to be at the root of Oliver’s poor behavior. Grace is juggling many hats and is trying to deal with her son’s negative actions.

During the parent-teacher meeting, Vanessa meets Grace. Although there is an underlying attraction to Grace, Vanessa has strong opinions on how Grace should handle the divorce and the backlash it is causing Oliver. Of course, Oliver’s father is not helping the situation and seems to fuel to fire.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book. They had to face many emotional lows and highs. Ms. Beers created solid characters. Readers will find them to be relatable. Also, the plot is believable and blends beautifully with the first book in the series.

It is always fun when authors are able to mix the characters together. Instead of feeling a loss when you complete a book in a series, you know that the next one is just around the corner, and you will be able to see your “old friends”.

I highly recommend On The Rocks and look forward to reading the next book in Ms. Beers’ Swizzle Stick series. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this ARC from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me an eARC of this book to read and review. I love reading and making a difference by giving feedback.

This is an LGBTQIA romance book that is cute but also broaches and mentions very large issues in this community, the main couple is adorable and I just fell in love with them.

Vanessa Martini is very careful when it comes to her heart. She has a dating checklist and she is ok with being picky in order to avoid a messy break up. Grace Chapman is just tired. Tired of being judge by her parents, her husband who she is divorcing and concern for his 7-year old who is acting up in school. Grace does not check the boxes in Vanessa's list, however they cant ignore the pull they feel towards each other.

This is the second book in the series, and I have to say I did enjoy this one more than the first. The romance was sweet and sexy. Both, Vanessa and Crace were good develop and likeable characters, and you couldn't do anything but root for them.

This was a very sweet, easy and romantic read. Definitely a must for romance fans. Can not wait for the third book in the series.

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Its not enemies to lovers, more like acquaintances that get to fall in love on a healthy timeline and not a whirlwind where you are wondering who drove the U-haul. The supporting characters are absolutely lovable and lend a wonderful dynamic to the story that makes you appreciate your family and besties in your own life just a little harder. The moment of angst is bearable, no tumultuous roller coaster,⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I found myself rooting for both of these characters. The situation they found themselves in was complex but realistic and entertaining, and I wanted good things for them both. A very pleasing read.

I know I say this every single time, but the fact remains unchanged: Beers’ books are like comfort food. The characters are deliciously layered and complex. The stories are piled high with relatable tastiness. The whole package is always scrumptious. Why? Because Beers understands the connections people share with one another. She “gets” big complicated families and tight friendships, and she translates it all onto the page incredibly well. The sights, the sounds, the feelings of love and connectivity—they all flow freely from her pen and onto the page. That’s the meat and potatoes of romance writing, and Beers serves it up warm and gooey every time.

Warm, fuzzy feelings are important to romance storytelling, but they don’t just happen. It’s facilitated through creative storytelling and strong character development, two strong suits for Beers. Additionally, reader connectivity must happen, and she masters this with ease. She bonds her readers to her characters by creating sympathetic, likable characters, characters readers care about. She accomplishes this by showing readers who her characters are through their actions and words. These well-scripted scenes illuminate each character’s inner character, their heart and soul, if you will. This is where Beers’ storytelling excels; she not only engages the readers’ minds, but their hearts as well.

There is a pivotal scene between Grace and Vanessa that showcases this perfectly. It’s where Vanessa’s fear and indecision finally takes a toll on Grace and Grace lets Vanessa know she’s done with it. It cranks up the “will they/won’t they moment” superbly. Readers definitely feel the heat and tension in this scene. It’s so relatable and believable; it just jumps off the page. This is vintage Beers and it’s why she’s garnered a large and dedicated fan base.

Final remarks…

This is a story readers can get behind. Vanessa and Grace are believable, sympathetic characters that readers want to cheer for. Furthermore, there’s a lot of truth within the pages of this book. Beers nails the function and familiarity of large, complex families and tight-knit friend groups. It’s relatable, genuine, and very yummy!

Strengths…

*Heartfelt and tender romance
*Complex, but inviting characters
*Well-scripted, believable dialogue
*Engaging, enjoyable plot
*Wonderful secondary characters

I absolutely loved On the Rocks, probably more than the first instalment in the series (Shaken or stirred), maybe I would recommend reading them in order but it is absolutely enjoyable even on its own since the story focuses on other characters (we always talk about the Martini family though) and the author fills in the gaps with the right explanations.

The characters are Vanessa Martini, the exuberant elementary school teacher, and Grace Chapman, the mother of one of Vanessa's students.

I loved both characters and their chemistry, for once the love story has a real reason to be considered complicated (sometimes it's just the characters' paranoia that makes it so). Vanessa and Grace like each other but Grace's separation from her husband doesn't make things easy, plus there is Vanessa role in her six-year-old son Oliver's life.

I appreciated how the divorce topic was treated. Even if it's a "light" book, it does not hold back from talking about the subject, of how a six-year-old kid can "suffer" a difficult situation like his parent divorcing, what it means for a newly single mother to adapt to the idea of "sharing" her son with her ex-husband and missing important moments of his growth.

There is no dazzling happy ending with all the pieces magically going to their right place (no spoilers but it still ends well fyi) but considering the situation the outcome is realistic, it lays the foundations for the changes that will take place in the future with the right times, nothing is rushed and I think it's perfect.

4 stars. Vanessa Martini did not want to date a parent of one of her students. As a teacher of second graders, they are off limits, until she meets Grace Chapman. Vanessa cannot stay away from Grace. Grace's son Oliver is acting out in school and Grace and Vanessa cannot stay away from each other and the attraction they have to each other. Vanessa cannot help but talk to her every time when she sees her and get to know her a bit more.

I enjoyed this novel. This is the second one in a series of books. You do not necessarily have to read the last one to read this one, but it helps. I enjoyed this one more than the first one of the series. I enjoyed how Vanessa and Grace get to know each other and their relationship evolved throughout the book. This is a solid book by Georgia Beers and I really enjoyed it. I read this one quickly, as it was a quick good read. Would recommend this novel.

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is book 2 in the Swizzle Stick series featuring the Martini cousins. This book features Vanessa Martini, a second grade teacher and Grace, the mother of one of Vanessa’s students.

I really enjoyed book 1 Shaken or Stirred and loved Vanessa in that, so had high hopes for this, but it fell kind of short.

Vanessa and Grace separately are interesting characters, and I once again loved any scene that featured one or more of the cousins, or Savannah, all of their scenes were great and I loved that once again the cousins have no trouble telling it like it is and don’t automatically side with Vanessa when she’s being an idiot. When the two MCs really interact (not counting the judgey crap Vanessa was doing at the start) they have great chemistry and their banter is fun. I also liked both of the other side characters, Vanessa’s co-worker Danika and Grace’s friend Courtney, who help provide further perspective. There’s also a couple of cute as animals, Delilah was especially a treat.

But there were a lot of other aspects I had trouble with. First, Vanessa is really judgemental about Grace and her situation based on her own experience with her parent’s divorce. While her Dad is mentioned a lot, he doesn’t feature and I feel like if she’d resolved some stuff with him she’d have been a more well-rounded character, I also found it weird that while she says she’s ‘tight’ with her two sisters one barely features and the other doesn’t feature at all.

On the other side is Grace’s mother, who harps at Grace and takes her ex-husband’s side, but no reason is really given for this. Grace’s ex is also written like a 2-dimensional git until close to the end when he has an abrupt about face. But my main issue with the book is how much of it revolves around Oliver, Grace’s seven year old son. He spends the book acting out and many scenes are devoted to his behaviour and the resulting affect on Grace, yet the end of the book holds no resolution regarding Oliver and the divorce, or Grace’s new relationship, even with an epilogue, it was just weird. I also saw the resolution to Grace’s career aspirations coming from early on in the book and found that rushed too, it would have had more impact if it wasn’t crammed into the epilogue.

I think this would have been better if more time had been spent on the relationship and less on the kid (usually I don’t mind kids in books, Beer’s Starting from Scratch is a favourite of mine, but a little of Oliver went a long way). There’s also the requisite drama toward the end, where Vanessa is a complete ass and blows everything way out of proportion, and given how much focus is put on the parent/teacher aspect, it’s barely a ripple when all is said and done, so much ado about nothing. I did like that both the cousins and Grace called Vanessa on her crap and thought the reconciliation was earned.

Overall, this is an ok follow up and I’m looking forward to Amelia’s story, and seeing if my guess about who she’ll be paired with is correct, but this wasn’t as good as I’d hoped it would be. 3.5 stars

Obviously the second book in the series, so it was nice to see Julia and Savannah again. Their story also advances a little bit, so it wasn’t just fluff, but obviously the majority of this story is around Vanessa.

I’ll be honest and say I didn’t give this book 5 stars because Vanessa kind of got on my nerves at times. She acted a bit self centered and selfish, and it took a looong time for that to change. She judged Grace a lot, right from the get-go, and also didn’t think about her feelings for most of the book.

However, Grace I absolutely loved. She is at a point in her life where she is just trying to survive emotionally to all the upheavals that have happened and is doing her best. I found myself rooting for her and her happiness. If it ended up being with Vanessa, then I wanted that for her, but not because I necessarily liked Vanessa. So it was less about my love of the two characters and more about my love for one that had me enjoying the book.

By the end, once Vanessa was getting her head on straight, I could see that she could end up being more likable. I think I’ll probably like her better in the 3rd book, honestly.

No matter what, I’ll be reading the 3rd in the series because I love Amelia and I’ll still read any book that Georgia Beers writes since I’ve been a fan forever.