I felt like Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year tiptoed too far into women’s fiction territory for my liking and was not the fun Scottish romance I was looking forward to. It seemed like a story of two people (and a town) trying to figure out their lives and their identities. The Scottish setting was picturesque and the side characters were sometimes charming, but the romance was not very compelling and took a backseat to the many other plot points. Would recommend it more for someone looking for a slow-paced cozy women’s fiction read.

When Ruby impulsively moves from NYC to a small town in Scotland for a year with goals to write a cookbook, she never expects to fall in love with Brochan - or the local pub.

I really like this! I enjoyed that Ruby was older, but you’d think older main characters would just talk to each other. The small town Scottish settings was amazing. I listened to the audiobook, and it was so good.

So I really enjoyed some aspects of this book, and some parts were just fine.

I loved the overall vibes of a small Scottish village, the cooking, the gardening, the close friendships that Ruby develops with the town.

I didn't enjoy how many times characters lied by omission. It was just like everyone would only tell partial truths and never a full story. There were several aspects of the main conflict that really didn't need to be part of the main as they were just so trivial.

Was there a review bomb of this book? Lots of 2 and 1 stars (on Goodreads) that for a book that was fairly well written and at least original in plot seems...odd.

You have a mid-late 30 something old woman who moves to Scotland to write a cookbook, finds love, a home, and herself. Considering the tonnage of romances continually published that are the same freaking story (early-mid 20s, is a creative, lives in NYC, terrible ex-bf, etc), this is a breath of fresh air. Especially with the heroine NOT in her 20s or even early 30s.

(A very small quibble is Bilow keeps pointing out Ruby has curly hair that is always in a braid. She mentions it a lot to the point of being annoyingly noticeable.)

I'm not saying this is Pulitzer winning stuff but it's a really good read (I do recommend the audiobook), decent sex scenes, and a lovely story of learning that who you are was with you all the time. I just don't get the super hate.

I'm giving this four stars because I would totally read more Bilow if she desides to write more fiction.

(Bilow's website, however, looks like it was influenced by twee IG designers.)

Every time I read about a heroine picking up her entire life and moving to Scotland and finding like the perfect guy, not going to lie I always spend at least a couple of hours browsing "how to move to Scotland" because I want this to be my life lol. But jokes aside, I loved this. I think that the scenery gave me a little bit of "leap year" vibes but the story was obviously different. I really loved the characters and I think that I loved them just as much separately as I do together which is rare. Overall, I had so much fun reading.

Definitely a slow burn romance here, which if that's a trope you love, no judgement. Ruby makes some really frustrating choices that make it hard to root for her. The best part is all the lovely descriptions of food and the Scottish setting.

I think I’ve read this premise — woman leaves life in the US to go live in Scotland and finds true love — in several contemporary romance novels. I figure I’ll get sick of it someday. That day is not today.

I loved the pop culture references! I enjoyed Ruby’s character. The book was cute and felt well balanced between the development in our FMC and the romantic elements of the story.

The lying, even though it was by omission, was frustrating. Also, the conflict between main characters seemed to just… go away? There wasn’t much active resolution and then things were okay. I’m glad we got a happy ending but wonder if there could have been more time/plot resolving it.

Enjoyable listen that got me through a long commute!

***3 Stars***

This book immediately caught my eye with it's cover and title, also who can resist a man with long hair and a beard amiright?!?! I'm always going to be game for books set in Scotland because I dream of one day going and visiting a pub with everyone knows your name vibes but also the Whisky is grade A. That being said, I feel terrible that I just didn't fall in love with Ruby and Brochan's love story. This is a Grumpy/Sunshine + a bit of instalove on behalf of our male lead. Ruby has decided to pin a country (any country) on the map and go there, she has a cookbook to write and needs inspiration/change of scenery. The Scottish Highlands is where we travel and here is where this story delivers! the author did well with creating the atmosphere we all think of when imagining Scotland and paired it with a charming cast of characters literally in a pub! Ruby has just moved into this cottage and will be working in the Pub's kitchen. The cottage she's living in needs a bit of repairs and that is where our love interest makes his appearance.

Tall, dark haired, broody and won't shy away from complimenting our female lead, Brochan is very easy to swoon over. He has some baggage surrounding his father but it seems like in the romance department he's ready to find his lobster and Ruby has caught his interest. Our girl Ruby also has some baggage however hers is more surrounding her previous relationship. This is where I struggled where I struggled, the insecurities that played out in her interactions with Brochan as a result of what I see as unhealed wounds were not a fun time. Although I could see where she was coming from, after a while of her insisting something was more than it wasn't...I got turned off of her. Brochan isn't without fault, I didn't love that he withheld some info with regards to a previous relationship he was in...more like who he was romantically linked to. These issues definitely played a part in my enjoyment, I want to root for the ship and I just couldn't because I didn't believe these two were ready. Perhaps if the ending was slowed down a bit and healthy dialogue exchanged, then I could've bought into these two being together. Again, where this story really shined was the small town vibes, side characters and the descriptions of food paired with whisky! 3 stars for enjoyability, I'd give this author another go.

Delicious food recipes, fantastic settings as dreamy cottage in a tiny Scottish highlands, a chance to taste barrels of Scotch and charismatic, handsome Scottish man! Isn’t this book definition just like the definition of stairway to heaven! Food critic Ruby Spencer didn’t buy a stairway to heaven but she definitely rented that lovely and also a little dilapidated cottage by changing her scenery from Manhattan and Scotland to get more inspiration for her new book!

Her muse is definitely reserved, sulking, bearded, handy man Brochan stops by to fix things in her place. Both of them carry their own heavy baggages from their past relationships. They eventually become friends and of course when the attraction is palpable, they cannot resist to want more than friendship!

This book was cute, but not anything to write home about. The third act breakup just seemed unnecessary to me; why does this continue to be a thing? I enjoyed the setting and who doesn't like a Scottish male love interest?

I had a hard time with this one because I couldn't stand Ruby for most of this book. I thought she was taking a front-row seat in other people's business. I mean, she knew the major for all of two days, and she chose to keep her secret about the man she was sleeping with

Also, the breakup made no sense to me because I thought that it was apparent to everyone the identity of the other women; I mean, it seemed clear to me.

Considering how much anger Brochan had toward old love, I was surprised he was so willing to start a relationship with Ruby.

If you love a small-town Scottish story, you may love this and have different feelings for Ruby.

Such a fun book- made me want so whiskey! And a sexy Scott to drink it with! Cute romcom I have told many about already. East to read, fun to follow. Insta- love isn’t always my thing but it worked here!

This was good I enjoyed this book way more than I expected too it was a fun book to read over the weekend

This book was cozy, lovely and dreamy.

Ruby Spencer takes a leap of faith and moves to Scotland from Manhattan for a year to write a cookbook.

Brochan is a handsome handy man who fixed things all around. They had a great chemistry but the baggage stops them from moving forward in their life.

Th other characters in the book were delightful.

Rochelle Bilow has created a beautiful atmosphere and setting taking us to Scotland without getting on a plane. I didn't want anything more than to take a long break and live there.

It was an interesting and surprising plot showcasing how the community comes together and how it matters. The writing was good though some bits were repetitive and went haywire.

This was a sweet and simple slow burn romance with grumpy and sunshine leads to root for.

Thank you Netgalley for a chance to read this.

I loved all of the Scotland vibes of this one. Bilow made me feel like I was there eating the food, walking the meadows and hanging with the people. Pack your bags! We’re going to Scotland!

I really enjoyed Bilow's debut romance - who doesn't love a foray into small town Scotland? Ruby and Brochan were a great couple and I enjoyed following their story.

okay, pop off Ruby Spencer - this book was great!! My rule of thumb is that I will reach for any romance set in the Highlands, ESPECIALLY one that's also a small town romance. Ruby and Brochan were wonderfully paired, and I always love when the seemingly gruff surly hero is just a lovable cinnamon roll with family values LOL. I loved the found family aspect, and that this was above all about Ruby's journey and her sense of self.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Berkeley Publishing, and Rochelle Bilow for access to this e-ARC!!

I enjoy a small town setting romance and this one is set in Scotland.
This slow burn romance was a delight to read. There’s a lot to love in this book. The small town setting is described gorgeously, the characters, food and whiskey though let’s not forget the broody handyman. All of this with the added chemistry makes for an entertaining read.

I didn’t think I’d like this as much as I did. Women who transplant into a rural area and manage to hook up,with the one eligible bachelor in town usually feels forced to me, but I really bought the chemistry btn ruby and brochan and loved the found family aspect. The third act break up was a bit forced but overall charming.

As soon as I finished this novel, I started recommending it to people in my life… especially my foodies and wanderlusters. It was cute and a quick read. Nikki Massoud did a great job narrating the audiobook.