4.5 stars

Once again, Elliot Fletcher delivers an amazing love story on the Isle of Skye. (brb just went to search how to move to Scotland in 2025)

June and Callum's story was beautiful, a bit messy, but I feel like those are the best kinds of stories. As an older sister, I felt seen reading about Callum's struggles and fears. With June, I just wanted to give her a hug and tell her everything was going to be alright.

This book took place on the beautiful Isle of Skye, where June and Callum got to know each other while also exploring its stunning landscapes. I loved how Callum and June helped each other and ultimately found themselves with the person they'd always been looking for.

If you like to read about a man who's obsessed and has been yearning for the FMC for years, this is the book you're looking for. I highly recommend reading Whisky Business too. I can't wait for the next book! (I know the series is called Macabe Brothers, but I also need Heather's book, thanks Elliot!)

I loved this book so much! What I didn’t realize is that this was book two so I read them backwards! I couldn’t put it down and I read it within 24 hours!

Rule One, don’t look at a Macabe brother.
Rule Two, don’t talk to a Macabe brother.
Rule Three, don’t even think of a Macabe brother.

8 years ago, Callum Macabe met the love of his life, Juniper Ross, on a train platform. Only to discover hours later that she is already dating his younger brother, Alistair. Years later, Juniper and Alistair’s relationship (and eventual engagement) is long in the past, and Callum is done waiting on the sidelines. When Juniper needs help with some repairs to the inn her family owns and runs, Callum agrees to help her with repairs in trade for taking her on dates around Skye.

I loved the black cat x golden retriever dynamic between these two. Their banter was next level and so layered. Both Callum and Juniper come with their own baggage and are so similar in that they are independent and take care of themselves and mask their pain from others. I loved how they slowly peeled back each other’s layers, broke down the walls, and saw through the masks to their cores.

THE YEARNING!! I’ve been searching for a good book with actual yearning. And this one DELIVERS!

I am pretty sure the next book in the series will be Alistair’s. I’m curious to see what the author does with his story, because he’s got a lot of work to do to make up for his behavior and the way he is portrayed here. From the way it looks now, there is something more going on that he hasn’t let on about and I am so curious to see what that is!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"The Macabe brother rule book (according to Juniper Ross):
1. Don't look at a Macabe brother.
2. Don't talk to a Macabe brother.
3. Don't even think about a Macabe brother."
What part of her own rules couldn't Juniper understand? She found herself attracted to a second Macabe man. The problem? Callum is her ex's brother, therefore off limits.
Juniper has to fight her growing feelings for Callum, she is busy trying to renovate her family's inn before her mom gets home, but in a small town it's hard to avoid someone.


"But mostly. . . I avoided her, because every time I saw Juniper Ross, she owned me a little bit more."

"I stopped seeing Juniper as his and she became mine. Mine to provoke, love and protect, if only from afar."

"A fish could tell another fish how to walk, but we'd both still have flippers instead of feet."

I loved this book; I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. It doesn't get too deep, which keeps it a cozy and feel-good book.
The author keeps your attention and really makes you like the characters. I cannot wait to check out more of her books.



Thanks so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC.

I absolutely loved the banter between Juniper and Callum! I was a little nervous at first with her being Callum's brother's ex and how it would all play out, but I was pleasantly surprised at how that part of the situation was handled in the book.
I do wish we got to see more flashbacks of Callum falling in love with Juniper, but all in all a quick, light read.

i actually could not get into this book at all i really tried, DNF @62%. i felt similarly about the first book in the series but wanted to give the author another try. i just don’t think the writing style is for me. i absolutely love small towns and really wanted to like it

[ARC REVIEW]
SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS by Elliot Fletcher is the follow up to Whisky Business, and you know I love a punny title.

An interconnected standalone, this one follows the Macabe brother Callum and the object of his affection, Juniper. Callum fell in love with Juniper at first sight right years ago, which was approximately an hour before she was introduced to him as the girlfriend if his brother Alistair. Juney and Alistair were engaged, but then he broke up with her over video chat, so I don't see why anyone acts like he has dibs or Callum is doing something wrong by pursuing her. But small town nonsense, I guess.

Juniper lowkey hates Callum and he loves to rile her up, so there's a definite hate to love vibe. But when she needs some help with repairs in the guest house she runs, he jumps on the opportunity to wear down her defenses.

I don't really believe in instalove, but if we accept it at face value, Callum does a good job of easing her into the idea of a relationship, like he'd work with a skittish animal at his veterinary practice. Because she's adopted, so of course she's got trauma around feeling abandoned.

It was fun, and now I'm really looking forward to the next book, where I hope and assume we finally find out WHAT is Alistair's PROBLEM, yeesh.

This book took me a lot longer to read compared to how good this book actually was.

I probably could have read it all in a day or two but this week had just been crazy.

Definitely pick this book up!

OMG HOW I LOVED THIS BOOK. I have a soft spot for Scottish romances so I was thrilled to receive an advanced reader's copy of this book (my opinions are my own) from Netgalley. I went in with moderate expectations because while I liked Fletcher's first book of the Macabe brother series, Whiskey Business, it was just ok.

I am obsessed with the male main character. Yes please to fictional men written by women! I loved the back stories of the two main characters and I loved how their relationship grew. This book was simultaneously so sweet it gave me butterflies and so spicy it made me blush. What a fantastic romance book!

Okay so I accidentally requested the ALC not realizing I also had the eARC for this one- BUT my favorite way to read books is to be able to go between the audio and ebook so that was super nice being able to do that since I normally can’t with ARCs. The narration in this was perfect! I think the voice actors did a fantastic job and were selected well to fit the characters. This was Dual Narration which I also really like! Honestly there was nothing particularly wrong with this story, but I just wasn’t sucked in, and found myself getting easily distracted. I also didn’t really feel connected to the FMC or the MMC. Some good things though, I thought the book wasn’t a great length for the content, I didn’t feel like anything was rushed or drawn out. I also really appreciated that there was not a third act break up, that’s honestly one of my biggest pet peeves! It was absolutely not a bad read, I ultimately just think this book wasn’t for me!

I found the first of The Macabe Brothers series (Whisky Business to be a bit uneven and long, but had pieces that I really enjoyed. When I saw Scotch on the Rocks pop up on NetGalley, I knew I wanted to give Elliot Fletcher another try and I'm glad I did.

The book follows Callum Macabe, resident golden boy and veterinarian as he attempts to woo Juniper Ross, his brother's ex-fiancé. Yes, that's right. I'm actually not sure I've ever read a brother's ex-fiancé romance novel before, but I am a fan. We got an inkling of the bitter relationship between Callum and Juniper in the first of the series, but this book unwinds their long relationship. Their disdain for each other is due to a series of almost connections dating back almost seven years. But the truth is, this isn't really enemies-to-lovers, Callum (at a minimum) has always been down bad for Juniper.

There's an emotional depth to both characters. Callum, as the oldest son, bears the weight of a lot of his family's issues and cares for everyone in his orbit, and Juniper clocks that no one is there to care for him pretty quickly. Juniper, an adoptee, feels like she's just one bad day from every one she loves leaving her, and Callum is there to assure her that he's not going to. Both see each other so clearly, and push themselves to be better for the other.

It isn't all emotions though, don't worry, the book is plenty steamy!

Do pay attention to the author's note. Though the first book mentions the Macabe patriarch's Alzheimer's diagnosis, it is much more of a plot line in this one. If you are dealing with this in your own life, it might be hard to read.

* Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! *

3/3.5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed the overall vibes of this book. I loved the banter between the MCs, the setting and overall atmosphere of the book was really top tier. I loved when authors do “backward” grumpy sunshine , even tho being grumpy or happy doesn’t have a gender 😅 but this was done really well imo! It didn’t feel awkward or uncomfy and i had a great time.

The only things i didn’t enjoy was that I felt that there was almost too much going on. I love a romance book that has some other central themes / story lines because it makes it more real, but it just felt like a lot here because of that i didn’t connect super deeply to their romance so i think this will be a bit forgettable for me.

The vibes:
-black cat / golden retriever (grumpy sunshine)
-ex-fiancé’s brother
-enemies to lovers
-age gap
-slow burn

I actually wasn’t a huge fan of the audiobook, but still enjoyed the story as a whole.

after the first book i knew this scotland based series would be a favorite of mine- callum my sweet dirty mouthed community ken has been in love with juniper since he met her on a train…. when she turned out to be his brothers new girlfriend
i liked that even though juniper had history with allistair, callum’s brother, callum always saw that they had ended and allistair missed his chance (AND HE DID!!)
my black cat, goth girl, dominant QUEEN… she had no self control when it came to callum and like, that’s fair who would??? a man who says he’s been in love with you for over a decade and fights with you as foreplay
i’ll always love the writing & banter and how both stories start long before the book

overall: 4/5
spice: 2.5/5

Scotch on the Rocks is a cozy, spicy romance that takes place on the beautiful Isle of Skye in Scotland and I really enjoyed it. It’s the second book in the Macabe Brothers with Callum, a popular veterinarian and Juniper (June), who works for her mother at their B&B and is also his brother’s ex-fiancé! Callum fell in love with her at first sight years ago when they met on a train only to find out soonafter that she was his brother’s fiancé. Now she’s back in town, is no longer engaged and needs his help with a remodel gone wrong. He has pined for her for years, but thought she was off limits because she was engaged to his brother, Alistar. Now, Callum’s tired of fighting it and sees this as his chance to make his move!

Everyone loves Callum, but he is stretched pretty thin between his practice and his family (his father has dementia and his brother Malcolm needs his help with his whiskey business) plus he's always helping people around town. (I wondered how he did it all!) June is adopted and fears rejection and abandonment. She has also been grieving the death of her father. It was special to see them be there for each other.

June is snarky and there’s lots of teasing banter between her and Callum and quite a few spicy scenes. The pacing slowed down some in the middle but picked back up and got exciting. This reminded me of Elsie Silver’s books except it takes place in Scotland. The scenery is beautiful and I especially loved when he took her hiking. I really liked the ending and felt like it was so perfect for this story. I am excited for Alistair’s story next, One for the Road. I gave this 4 ½ stars and I rounded up here to 5. Thank you to the author, Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

Okay mixed feelings. The grumpy/sunshine was done well within their own banter, but I didn’t like how she was painted as a grumpy/witchy/weirdo by the townsfolk. It also seemed very insta-love once they decided to go for it. To be fair- I never read Whiskey Business so maybe there’s more back story?

Thank you, Netgalley and Harper/Avon, for the ARC of Scotch on the Rocks.

After a chance meeting on a train, Callum Macabe meets the girl of his dreams, Juniper Ross. Awkwardly enough, he comes to find out she's his younger brothers girlfriend (and eventual fiance). After her engagement goes wrong, Juniper returns to help her mom run their families Bed and Breakfast. Unfortunately for her, moving home means she's forced to relive history with Callum that she'd much rather forget.

Juniper is a prickly character that gives off true black-cat vibes. She's edgy, a little mouthy, and a self-described as emotionally stunted. She's jaded and unsure if she wants to let anyone in again, let alone another Macabe brother.

Callum is the "village Ken doll" going out of his way to keep a prestine image and help everyone around him. But he's deeper than surface level and shoulders the brunt of his families burdens.

At times, it felt like Juniper was doing everything in her power to shut down Callum. Obviously, that was intentional, but when we get to 70% into the book and she's still playing guarded, it gets a little repetitive.

Also, what's a girl gotta do to get Heather her own book. The Macabe sister also deserves her own happily ever after.

Alright listen up and listen good.
I freaking loved this. Loved it so much more than the first one. Like this black cat / golden retriever energy. Ugh chef kiss.
Brothers ex?! Ugh. I loved I loved I loved. The moment he could take it anymore and claimed her ? Soooo worth the punch in the face. I truly loved and could stop listening to this, I was reading and enjoyed it but then hearing them ugh!! She was such a beautiful complex character and he was nothing but always there always helping always seeing her !!! I can’t wait for this to come out so more people can read them.

Cal and Harpy 4EVER

I’m in love with the little slice of the world where the Macabe brothers live! This book was just as good, if not better than its counter part Whisky business.

* set on the isle of sky
* Brothers ex girlfriend
* Black cat/golden retriever (or community Ken as some may know him).
* He loved her first
* Foster care/adoption rep

Juniper send her mother on a vacation and is secretly fixing up their struggling Inn. When the town plumber screws her over the town handy man/community Ken/town vet is the only person they can help her.

The banter in this book!!! Top notch. The amount of highlights I have of just there back and forth should be embarrassing.

I’m curious if Allister (Cal’s brother and Junipers ex) will get his own story/redemption arc!

Also, love the tidbits of Mal and April we got in this book!

Thank you to Harper Collins and Elliott Fletcher for the ARC!

I loved Elliott Fletcher’s second book in the Macabe Brothers series. While not necessary to read them in order, the characters do appear again so definitely worth reading Whisky Business first. Juniper Ross does not get soft and fuzzy with anyone. She’s hard edges and skull mugs, especially since her ex-fiance, Alistair Macabe, broke her heart. Her lifelong goal is to avoid him and his brothers at all costs except one brother, Callum, is basically her neighbor and oh yeah, he’s got a major thing for her that dates from before he knew she was with his brother. The town golden boy, Juniper wants nothing to do with Callum but Callum’s willing to do just about anything to make June’s life easier which means they end up spending some time together when she needs help on a project at her family’s inn. I loved the chemistry between these two. They are absolute polar opposites and yet absolutely perfect for each other.

The highlight of this book was definitely the setting for me. The banter while mostly fun was almost too much at times. I didn't love the brothers ex thing but can imagine some people like that. Just wasn't for me.