I'm always a fan of Scottish romances, whether they are historical or contemporary. However, this one fell a bit flat for me. I can't quite pinpoint why, so I don't want to discourage others from reading it.

There's definitely some slow-burn, and past griefs each character has to work. Callum fell for Juniper when he first met her - instalust, I'd say, but she was dating and then engaged to his brother. Now in the present, June is back in the Scottish small town with Callum and the Macabe family, trying to fix up her mother's inn, and they dance around each other while denying their attraction.

There is quick banter, but it didn't quite pull me in. Their "annoying each other but actually flirting" doesn't quite have chemistry, so the lust feels a bit empty. There's a few other characters I had a bit of trouble keeping track of, as everyone is somehow related, and nothing has stood out about any of them to make them memorable.

Again, I think the writing is fine - no errors, it's easy to read, and the slow-burn, he falls first, sort of enemies-to-lovers is all there, and you might love it. I couldn't grasp any over-arching plot to the book, so I dnf'd after the 50% mark.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for allowing me to review the e-arc. All opinions are my own.

This book had me hooked from page one! Imagine falling head-over-heels at first sigh only to discover he’s your sibling’s fiancé. The tension? Immaculate. The banter had me laughing out loud, and the spice? Let’s just say I was kicking my feet and squealing like a teenager. Set in the dreamy hills of Scotland, this story brings us a swoon-worthy veterinarian who’s also a rugby player and the town’s most eligible bachelor. He yearns like really yearns and it’s impossible not to melt. A beautifully written forbidden romance packed with all the best tropes: opposites attract, a touch of an age gap, deep family wounds, and a dual POV that lets you fall in love with both leads. Steamy, emotional, and completely addictive.

I absolutely adored Scotch on the Rocks! Juniper was such a relatable mess in the best way, and watching her try (and fail) to stick to her “no Macabe brothers” rule had me entertained. Callum? Swoon. The perfect mix of protective, grounded, and totally off-limits. Their chemistry felt so real, and I loved how the story balanced heat, heart, and humor. The audiobook narration brought the characters (and that dreamy Scottish setting!) to life in the best way. Such a cozy, addictive listen! 🍂🥃💙

🥃 Small Town Romance
🥃 Hate to Love
🥃 Grumpy x Sunshine
🥃 Black Cat x Golden Retriever
🥃 Ex Fiance's Brother
🥃 Age Gap
🥃 No Third Act Breakup

Loved this installment of the Macabe Brothers and can't wait for more!

The yearning, the banter, these two are everything! And Shakespeare has my whole heart! 🖤

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!

As someone who deeply enjoyed Whisky Business, I was super excited to dive into Scotch On The Rocks and to revisit the Macabe family!

Both Juniper and Callum’s characters are extremely enjoyable, their personalities jump off the page and have their own stand-out qualities. Juniper is a grumpy gal and I loved her! She’s feisty, strong-willed, funny, and kind. Callum is her opposite. A golden-retriever man, if you will, but one that matches her perfectly. His witty sense of humor, caring personality, and his determined nature was so fun to experience. Getting to witness them both develop and see inside their heads was so great.

The romance in this is so fun, fast-paced, and filled with so much chemistry and banter. A man pining after his brother’s ex-fiancée? Yes please!!! Their dynamic is so enjoyable. Theres so much tension, history, and loads of longing packed into their relationship. I adored getting to see them find their love story together after everything!

I was drawn into this story by the first sentence. Literally. With that being said, there were moments in this that fell flat for me, especially in terms of pacing/overall story development. I think the overall plot had a lot of potential and I would have loved to see a bit more from it in that regard.

As a whole, this was a fun, enjoyable, easy read and I definitely recommend picking it up! Especially if you love a reverse grumpy/sunshine, small town, enemies to lovers romance where she’s his brothers ex-fiancée and he falls first (& is obsessed with her)!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

I am absolutely in love with Scotch on the Rocks! This story was the perfect blend of sweet and spicy, packed with emotional depth, irresistible sexual tension, and just the right amount of conflict to keep me turning the pages well into the night.

The story follows June, a broody and driven heroine who’s tasked with running Ivy House, her family’s inn in Kinleith, Scotland. When her mother finally takes a much needed vacation, June is left in charge, but the inn is falling apart. After the Loss of June's father several years prior, June’s mother has been unwilling to let her make any changes, leaving June to quietly dream of restoring and improving Ivy House in her own way. With her mother gone, she finally has the chance.

June also lives by 3 rules. Don’t look at a Macabe brother. Don’t talk to a Macabe brother. Don’t even think about a Macabe brother.

Enter Callum Macabe, charming, reliable, and full of golden retriever energy. He’s the town’s sweetheart, with a heart of gold. "Community Ken" as June likes to refer to him. Who doesn't love a sexy Veterinarian? But there’s one complication: Callum was almost June’s brother-in-law. Callum has always loved June and when he steps in to help June fix up Ivy House with the stipulation that he gets to show her around Kinleith, he's determined to win her over. Even if loving your bothers ex fiancé comes with complications.

What unfolds is a wonderfully swoony romance full of chemistry, tension, and heartfelt moments. Beyond the romance, this book also delves deeply into themes of identity, self-worth, and healing. June, adopted at age seven, is used to people leaving and doubting their love for her. Callum, as the classic eldest child, has always taken on the role of fixer, the one who keeps everything together. Together, they learn to show up for one another, to love fully, and to trust that they are enough.

I adored every page of Scotch on the Rocks and can’t wait to read more from this author!

Thank you to Avon & Harper Voyager for the ARC for this book! I read the first Macabe brother's book, Whisky Business, & liked it, but I definitely liked Scotch on the Rocks more. Callum had it all. He was selfless & charming, absolute OBSESSED with Juniper, and wore a kilt! Juniper's character had a fire that I loved but a very sweet soft side. There was a lot of build up to their physical relationship, but I wanted a bit more from their emotional connection. I felt that build up initially with the cute (forced) dates, but then all of a sudden they just...were together?! I felt like I had missed something. This book did leave me curious about Alistair's story, so I can't wait to read the last Macabe brother's story!

Scotch on the Rocks by Elliott Fletcher romance and self discovery with beauty of Scotland's rugged landscapes. Set on the Isle of Skye, the book transports readers into the heart of one of the most breathtaking locations in the world, while telling a story of personal growth, relationships, and a sense of belonging.

The Isle of Skye is the star of the show! The reader can almost hear the bagpipes and see the beautiful and rugged Scottish landscape complete with an Inn, crofts and went to a ceildh.

In short, Scotch on the Rocks is a book that captures both the external adventure of traveling to one of the most enchanting places on Earth, while checking in with the McCabe family and the residents of Kinleith on the Isle of Skye It left me dreaming of the Isle of Skye

EASILY TOP TEN FOR THE YEAR!

I loved this book in its entirety. I loved the levels each MC possessed. The banter between Callum & Juniper had me truly, authentically laughing out loud. Those who struggle with feeling unlovable will connect with Juniper. And as for Callum, his desire to fix everything to fill the gaps his father neglected to appreciate is something most people can relate to.


And the spice? I love a good you look good beneath me moment as much as the next reader. But when it’s the FMC saying it? Done. Dead. Yes please . Juniper was a woman in charge, and Callum would drop to his knees if it made her happy.

And that first chapter about him falling for her? I just…it felt so beautiful and raw. I loved it .



Now I need to go reap the first book cuz I have to wait for Alistair’s book now

Yeah I'm obsessed and I need to read the first book immediately. I love a good boy obsessed and boy was Callum in love with her the whole time. He knew that he needed to take it slow because anything else would scare her off. She needed to know that someone was going to be there for her and never leave. They are so good together and I'm in love.

I received an arc through netgalley.

3 Stars Scotch on the Rocks has some of my fave tropes, like Scottish setting/characters, black cat/golden retriever, and ex's brother, but something about this just didn't work for me.

There are only three rules in Juniper Ross's Macabe Brother Rule Book: Don't look at a Macabe brother, don't talk to a Macabe brother, and don't even think about a Macabe brother. But it's easier said than done considering she can't stop doing any of those things with Callum Macabe. It's been years since Juniper's ex-fiancé, Alistair Macabe, broke up with her, but his brother Callum seems to be jumping up everywhere in their small Scottish town. And now Juniper needs help that only Callum can offer. Maybe breaking some rules won't hurt.

Like I said, I really enjoy the tropes in this one but something about it wasn't working for me. I think there was too much emphasis on Juniper and Callum's physical attraction and not enough time spent developing their emotional connection. Like, I couldn't really get why they wanted to be together beyond a physical relationship until much later on in the book. I still enjoyed the Scottish island setting, the banter between the characters, and the secondary characters.

Thank you Avon for the ARC!

the tropes were GOOOODDD in this book!

In this book we follow Juniper Ross, ex-fiancée to Allister Macabe and the manager of the Ivy House while her adoptive mother Fiona is away, and Callum Macabe, who has been falling for his little brother's ex-fiancée since he first met her...and didn't know who she was. With his own family issues, Callum needs a break but when Juniper needs his help, he jumps at the chance to be around her more and break down the high walls she creates around her heart. Will the two of them be able to survive Fiona's trip? Find out on July 8th!!

I truly enjoyed so much of this book! I have not read the first one but I thought the couple's appearances were so cute that I might have to read it! On to the couple at hand, I really understood why it took the two of them so long to be together. They didn't want to be each others replacement or revenge or any other misguided reason they should be together. I feel like there could have been more conversation between the two so there would have been less time apart but that's classic miscommunication. The only thing that threw me off was his nickname because while we know why he calls her that from his inner monologue but we don't see the origin or even an explanation. Maybe I should know what a harpy is but I definitely didn't. The one things I loved about the nickname is that she at first thinks its because he is just poking fun at her but really its because he loves how black cat and strong she is on her own. He said he wants to see her talons!

Which leads me to my next point, they were really perfect for each other. Juniper thought he was a community ken because he wanted everyone to love him when Callum is actually a good man. She is able to see how he takes care of his family and she notices how he shows up for her. On the flip side, Juniper is the light of Callum's dark days. She gives him a new way to think about things and he loves her for everything that she is. There was some other man and other woman drama but not by fault of the main characters. It is an ex's older brother romance there is going to be some fighting with the ex lol! The spice was pretty good, I liked the slow burn and I think I will read the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley, Elliot Fletcher, Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!! I read this in exchange for an honest review!

This book hooked me from the very beginning! Imagine you found love at first sight, but there’s one catch. It’s your sibling’s fiancé! The banter had me cackling, and the spice had me kicking my feet and squealing. And all of this happening in Scotland with the town’s veterinarian/rugby player/most eligible bachelor? A man who yearns with his whole heart? So dreamy!
A well written forbidden love story, with opposites attract, a slight age gap, family trauma, and dual POV.

I didn't realize when I started this book that it would be as healing to me as it was to watch two individuals fall in love: flaws and all. This felt like getting a giant hug after having an emotional day from a loved one. I related a lot to Juniper's fears when it came to her relationships and how she believed she wasn't "enough" for anyone to stay. I can't wait to have this conversation with my own therapist in the next week or so.

I LOVED everything about this book. I can't express that enough. I loved witnessing Juniper and Callum's love story and I hope I get to find that one day. It felt so authentic and special. And it was so different from the usual "we banter like we hate each other, but we are secretly in love with one another" themes in this genre. It was refreshing to see two characters talk out their problems, have those uncomfortable conversations, and own up to their faults and mistakes. I truly was rooting for them this entire book and I will be gushing about this book to anyone and everyone who will listen to me.

4.25/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️ 1/5😢

This was such a fun and hilarious read—I absolutely adored the black cat/golden retriever energy both main characters brought to the story. Their banter together was some of the best I’ve read in a long time! While I spent so much of this book laughing, I also appreciate how the author broached more difficult topics such as caring for a parent with dementia and child abandonment.

Considering the FMC’s ex-fiancé was the MMC’s younger brother, but I thought she did a pretty good job of balancing the nuances of past feelings/emotions and family dynamics that could have made this book really awkward and uncomfortable.

tropes & themes:
→ black cat 🐈‍⬛ x golden retriever 🐕
→ ex-fiancé’s brother 💍
→ loathe to lovers 😈
→ incredible banter 🤭
→ age gap (F30x M39) ↔️
→ superrrrr slow burn 🔥

(one of) my favorite quotes:
“I think I might like you, Macabe.”
“Need a sick bag?”
“And just like that, I’m cured.”
“No takebacks, sweetheart. You. Like. Me.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Callum is absolutely obsessed with June to and has been for years! It was really fun to see him get the girl he was completely head over heels for. I enjoyed that he always showed up for her and put her first. I also had so much fun with his relationship with her cat. He really can charm anyone.

I can't wait for the third installment in this series! If you like a charming Scottish vet who is head over heels for the heroine (and who doesn't) then this one is for you. However, I would say that if adoption and abandonment issues are difficult for you to read about this one might not be fore you.

This was a fun black cat/golden retriever, ex-fiancé's brother romance. The shining parts were definitely in Juniper and Callum's banter and the way the author had them walk a fine line between utter annoyance to being blinded by adoration for each other. They both have issues with taking care of other's over themselves, and Juniper also struggles with feelings of inadequacy and fear of abandonment that make her afraid to let Callum too close and they try to work through these things with each other. I think it was a little surface level, but done well enough. Their sexual chemistry was palpable, and if you are wanting a dynamic that you may not see as often (she takes charge), then this is definitely worth a read. As in any good Scottish romance, Callum does wear a kilt, don't worry.

I received an advance reader copy (ARC) of Scotch on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher in exchange for an honest review. This sequel was everything I hoped for and more. Juniper’s character arc was deeply moving—her internal struggles and sense of unworthiness were portrayed with raw emotion and authenticity. Callum, on the other hand, was exactly the anchor her story needed. The "love at first sight" and "love from afar" tropes were executed beautifully, adding depth and tension to their clashing personalities. The dynamic between them enriched the narrative in a compelling way. I’m eagerly anticipating the release of Book 3!

I loved Whisky Business, but Elliot Fletcher really outdid herself this time.

This is a pretty classic black cat and golden retriever pairing with SEVEN YEARS of yearning. I really enjoy both characters, but I always especially love the claws out because you've been let down...but you secretly are soft too.

It's small town complicated, he's her ex's older brother, so of course his sister is also one of her best friends. There's enough drama to keep it interesting but the bulk of the story is our characters bantering themselves into a relationship and trust.

As a lover of difficult animals, there's a real winner of a cat in here too 🐈‍⬛ thank you to netgalley and Harper Collins for the arc!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is the first book I've read by Elliot Fletcher, although it actually comes second in "The Macabe Brothers" series (the first book in the series is called "Whisky Business," and I have promptly added it to my TBR). I absolutely LOVED this story! Our two leads, Callum and Juniper, go way back — although they met as strangers on a train years ago, Juniper was actually engaged to Callum's younger brother at the time, but the two broke it off. What Juniper doesn't know is that Callum has been hardcore PINING (and when I say pining, I mean pininggggg) for her since the day they met.

When Callum offers to help Juniper with some repairs to her family's inn, sparks fly and the most incredible enemies-to-lovers (though "enemies" only refers to one side, and it is Juniper's) story ensues!

I will go on record saying that Juniper is one of the most well-written and compelling female characters I have ever read in a romance book. She is strong, self-assured, independent, and she KNOWS what she wants. She struggles with being vulnerable and has her own internal traumas to work through, but this girl is fierce, and it was refreshing as hell to read. I loved her character arc and how Callum was able to get through her walls and embrace and LOVE her for who she is.

The beautiful Scottish countryside is really the third main character in this book — the author describes the setting incredibly, and it made me want to book a trip there ASAP!

If you love black cat/golden retriever love stories with a lot of yearning and pining, pick this up immediately when it releases in June. I can't wait to devour the rest of the series!