Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and Rochelle Bilow for an advance copy of Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year in exchange for an honest review. Everything about this book made me smile. I fell in love with Ruby, Grace, and Brochan and loved following Rubys story unfold after she moved to Thistlecross! I loved the cooking aspects of the book and how the author showed how meals can bring us together. This is such a cute romance and had me pining for a trip to Scotland! This one came out on Valentine's Day and absolutely deserves a spot on your bookshelf! 4.5 Stars rounded up for GR!

What a fun romance. Ever since I took a class in Germany years ago, I’ve always dreamed of flying away to start again far away. While Scotland was never on my list, I loved hearing about life in a small Scottish village. And I always say the most important thing for me in a romance is to root for the couple. And I did. I loved both Ruby and Brochan and luckily I both read and listened to this one to know how to pronounce that name. Nikki Massoud did a fabulous job switching from an American to a Scottish accent. Her narration really drew me in and made me like the book even more.

I loved how Ruby was finding herself again after life’s disappointments. And I loved the chemistry between Ruby and Brochan that leapt off the page. How can anyone not fall for a grumpy Scotsman? Of course they stumble in the process yet find their HEA. It was a fun read.

In short: Ruby leaves her food writer position in NYC for the dream of writing a cookbook. She impulsively heads to the Scottish Highlands for a year to fulfill the dream.

What I liked:
🥃Food & feels!
🥃Scottish setting
🥃 Brochan, the Scottish handyman.
🥃The Audiobook & great Scottish accents.

My thoughts: I loved this romcom! It had fantastic characters, lots of food and whiskey references and a hunky Scottish man. It was charming, funny and a joy to read!

Ruby has decided to take a break from her life writing about food to creating a cookbook. Chance may have sent her to an idyllic village in Scotland but the more time she spends there and with Brochan it is beginning to feel like destiny.

Brochan handles all the repairs that anyone in town needs and once he meets Ruby he finds himself doing the same for her. As they spend time together a romance builds but when changes to the town seem to be coming will it change their relationship as well?

This is a heartwarming story about finding where you belong when it comes to a place and people to call home. I enjoyed seeing Ruby and Brochan overcoming their past experiences and opening their hearts as they realize what will truly make them happy.

Here is a perfect Valentines Day Book! I seriously loved this one and be warned it left me incredibly hungry and thirsty.
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Ruby Spencer takes a giant leap of faith after quitting her job and headed to Scotland for one year to try to write a cookbook. I know, I know it’s a shock that she finds a home she loves, a community in this small town and falls in love, but I really just loved this so much. I loved this town, it’s inhabitants and of course Brochan the handsome Scott she falls in love with.
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There were so many things I loved about this, but I loved the genuinely sweet way he shows love with simple things like a sweet carving in his wood project or giving her a cookie cutter to remind her of home.
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This was just simply delightful and it is out today!
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Huge thank you to @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The setting made this book for me. Ruby quits her job in New York as a food writer and goes to the Scottish highlands for a year to write a cookbook. She rents a one room cottage from the proprietor of a struggling local pub and lends a helping hand in exchange for reduced rent. Ruby quickly falls in love with the community and people, especially Brochan, the village handyman. Trouble arises when she finds out the mayor, who has a mysterious and troubled past connection to Brochan, is planning on selling the pub to an American chain restaurant.

Things I liked: the setting, the characters, characters in their 30s, charming overall
Things I didn't like: the story kind of dragged, not enough spice for me

Overall very cute; I would definitely recommend to any lover of the genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One year in Scotland. Drink a lot of whisky. Write a cookbook. Ruby Spencer is sure that she will fulfill that particular dream. There is more than one distraction, however. That distraction is none other than a sexy Scotsman named Brochan. Considering why Ruby chose Scotland in the first place just goes to show that fate just might have played a hand.

Considering her visa is only good for a year, any chance of a romance could not possibly be more than a fling. Not so sure that she has time for such a distraction, Ruby sets out to achieve her goals. Ruby loves the setting where she is at, concerned villagers who share a history that bonds them together. Ruby does far more than to research and work on her book. She finds herself drawn into their lives, even striking up other close friendships the more time she spends there.

Meanwhile, the attraction shared between her and Brochan got stronger and stronger, thus making this book an even better read. Meanwhile, despite having a happy life and a wonderful family back in the States, Ruby begins to feel like Scotland is where she was meant to be. It felt more like home more than ever. I loved the drama in this book, especially as her relationships grew with the villagers. One such villager was Brochan’s aunt Grace. I loved the bond that Ruby formed with Grace. Lastly, Brochan’s story was very intriguing. Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year was a truly delightful read.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/d3TbqEamML8

I’m a lover of all things Scottish and this was no exception! Ruby was the most adorable American transplant and I absolutely loved how fully she immersed herself in the Scottish culture. Overall, this was so sweet and I adored every second of it!

Lovers of small town grumpy/sunshine trope rejoice, this is a new one for you!

Food critic Ruby who moves to Scotland to write a cookbook, where she meets grumpy handyman Brochan. Cue sparks, cue slow burn, cue fun banter!

I was also pleasantly surprised that this does in fact have some steamy scenes!

All around this was a super cute and fun read!

Ruby is an American, trying to write a cookbook, who takes herself off to Scotland to await inspiration. The biggest bit of inspiration comes in the form of Brochan, the local handyman. Well, maybe Brochan is not helping with cooking ideas, but he is stimulating Ruby in other ways.

Ruby does get culinary encouragement from her landlady, Grace, who runs the local pub, the Cosy Hearth. The Cosy Hearth is a very quiet pub, that had a former life as a whisky pub, but now serves a limited clientele, due to the ultra-modern hotel in town gobbling up business.

I loved the setting, the town and the residents of Thistlecross. Getting to know Grace and a few other important Cosy Hearth patrons, rounded out the story, while focusing on Ruby and Brochan as they figured out each other and themselves. Ruby is fond of lists and cooking. Brochan is fond of the Cosy Hearth and fixing things.

Author Rochelle Bilow is a food writer who previously had a job similar to Ruby’s prior job in the story. Ms. Bilow followed the adage ‘write what you know’, giving the story a solid foundation while expanding that base to incorporate Ruby’s hopes and dreams. The result is a delightful story that I would call a Cozy Romance. Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year has a few charming, but key characters, and plenty of whisky and food. Plus, a smattering of little mysteries to work out, while, all the time, two people are falling in love.

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.

Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year is utterly captivating. Rochelle Bilow's vivid writing transports readers to a cozy Scottish cottage. The vivid writing style will have readers experience the local cuisine, whisky, and the alluring presence of a strapping, bearded handyman alongside the irrepressible heroine. This book is a must-read for those who are enchanted by Scotland and the classic friends-to-lovers romance.

I give this one 3.5 stars.

Ruby Spencer is a delightful character, and I loved her impromptu move to Scotland to escape her NYC chaotic life, old boyfriends and a job she didn't love in order to dedicate a year to writing a cookbook. I loved all of the supporting characters. While the story started strong, there was a very definite drag about three-fourths of the way through that forced a rather abrupt ending.

Overall, a cute read.

The story is set in Scotland and features a swoon-worthy male protagonist. I loved Ruby too - an authentic thirty something woman who wants a change in her life and has the courage to act on it. She finds a place where she belongs and people with whom she feels comfortable. This story left me with a warm feeling as I red the last page.

Do you like whiskey? Just thinking about it makes me I’ll but…. Ruby Spencer’s Whiskey Year was a very endearing romcom. It is the story of Ruby, a single woman who packs up her life in NYC to move to a small village in Scotland and write a cookbook. Of course she meets a rugged Scotsman. Obviously. There were very sweet romance moments with real life issues and very quirky local residents woven in. It felt like the town was its own character with all of its charm. And so much 🔥. Whoa.

🥃 𝗥𝘂𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘆 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 🥃⁣
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Who wouldn’t love to take a year off from their life to travel and enjoy a new country? Ruby Spencer does just that when she moves to Scotland to write a cookbook. She isn’t looking for love here; she’s trying to further her career. She rents a cottage in the village of Thistlecross and she needs help from the local handyman, Brochan. ⁣
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Of course, Brochan is extremely handsome and helpful with all things. He helps show Ruby around town and they enjoy lots of delicious Scottish cuisine and whisky as they get to know each other. When an American chain restaurant wants to open a franchise in Thistlecross, the two work together to stop it.⁣
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This was an excellent audiobook and I loved that they included the Scottish accents. It has wonderful descriptions of the scenery and all the incredible food they try. The author is also a food writer and she does a excellent job of making you hungry!⁣
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Thank you to @berkleyromance @prhaudio and @rochellebilow for my gifted ARC. Ruby Spencer was released yesterday so get your copy now!

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Thank you #berkleypartner @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the gifted widget / eARC and @libby.app for access to the audiobook. #BerkleyIG
#penguinrandomhousepartner

𝗥𝘂𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘆 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿
𝗕𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘄
𝟯𝟲𝟴 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟮/𝟭𝟰/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

🔥𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 @buzzfeedbooks 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘛𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘖𝘶𝘵 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘐𝘯 2023, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 @𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘦'𝘴 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘈𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘧 2023

📖 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯: Ruby leaves behind her busy Manhattan life to escape to a small village in Scotland to fulfill her dream of writing a cookbook. While there, she meets a sexy, charismatic Scottish handyman named Brochan, who is handy with more than just his tools. 😉

ROMANCE READERS!!! Stop what you're doing and add this to your list IMMEDIATELY! It has EVERYTHING I'm looking for in a romance novel: a high stakes subplot, an adorably charming heroine, delicious food, a swoony, broody Scotsman, a charming small-town setting, a cozy atmosphere to get lost in, so much culture, the perfect amount of spice 🌶️, and one of my faves: the moving-away-to-live-in-a-cottage trope (is that a trope?).

The audiobook narrator is an absolute rock star! 🙌🏼 Imagine the talent it takes to perform multiple accents flawlessly. Nikki Massoud knocked it out of the park.

Highly recommend in either format.💗 Came out yesterday so snag your copy today!

3.5 Scot Me Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
Well, as someone who would never turn down a Scotsman or a trip to Scotland, I was all ready to enjoy this book. And I did get what I wanted. I got writing that took me by the hand to Scotland and introduced me to the people and land. I could close my eyes and feel like I was there.

I also was given a man who made it easy to like and a woman who was looking for answers in her life. The two of them made a delicious couple and I enjoyed the read.

Thank you @berkleypub and @netgalley for my free book! My thoughts are my own.
#penguinrandomhousepartner

Ruby works as a food writer in New York City. When she realizes she has reached a point where she is no longer excited about city life, she impulsively decides to move to the Scottish Highlands for a year while she works to fulfill her dream of writing a cookbook.

When she arrives in Thistlecross, she immediately becomes immersed in the life of the small town. She also meets Brochan, the handsome town handyman who arrives to make repairs on her stone cottage. As Ruby grows close to Brochan, she begins to envision a future in Scotland.

Ruby also makes friends with the female mayor. When the mayor discloses a secret that would impact Brochan and the whole town, she swears Ruby to secrecy.

Ruby is torn between her promise to the mayor and her allegiance to Brochan.

MY THOUGHTS: This is a light-hearted story, perfect for Valentines’ Day! Though largely character-driven, it also has an intriguing storyline that held my interest… and the setting! Who wouldn’t love the Scottish Highlands, a stone cottage, and a swoon-worthy love interest?

I enjoyed both the print and the audio version, which is narrated by Nikki Massoud. She does an excellent job switching between Ruby’s American accent to the delightful Scottish accents of Bru, Grace, and the other residents of Thistlecross.

Read this if you enjoy love stories with a good plot line, a great setting, and lots of spice! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Oh Ruby. She is lost and took a chance. It isn't until she does that she finds Brochan. Swoony, manly Brochan. I loved everything about this story! I feel like it had several stories in one, with the side characters, but it didn't detract from the main love story. It just made it better! This was so well done!

This may be an it's not you, it's me situation, but this one just didn't hit the mark for me. I enjoyed the sweet small town Scotland setting and the characters in the community. Ruby, though, felt like she lacked a lot of emotional maturity for someone in her late 30s, and this book often felt too long and meandering.