What I Loved:

Golden Retriever / Black Cat Relationship: I have the internet to thank for learning new names for old tropes. While normally the grumpy/sunshine relationship has the guy be scowling, brooding, and unapproachable while the girl is a delight, Scotch on the Rocks turns the trope on its head and has Callum be the friendly one and June be prickly. Honestly, I related much more to this than the “normal” execution of this trope. As an introvert married to an extrovert, I can relate when June is suspicious of Callum’s ease with other people, his good nature, and how well liked he is. I also relate to June thinking everyone around her has ulterior motives even when they don’t. It was a delight watching June open up and allow people (including Callum) in, and to see that underneath it all, Callum is also struggling. They played well off of each other.

The Female Friendships. As a continuation of the first book, June, Heather, and April are thick as thieves here barring a couple of hiccups. I love seeing women supporting women, especially in books that are primarily romance. April got her happy ending in the last book, and supports June through her conflicted feelings here. Heather, despite a minor setback, is also a key member of their friend group and needs their support just as much with her little ones. I love that there is clearly an implicit implication that each of these women may have at one point been a “pick me” or just otherwise a dumb high schooler, but have now formed a deep and enduring adult bond.

What Didn’t Work As Well:

Callum’s Obsession Behavior. There is a normal amount of longing and adoring behavior, then there is Callum. I think what Fletcher intended here was for the reader to see that Callum is deeper than the first book (and June) makes him out to be, but instead it borders on creepy. I like Callum, I like his and June’s relationship in theory, but if this were real life, I would tell my girl friend in June’s position to evaluate if that much intensity is cute or controlling. Also, I am not a huge fan of the “Mr. steal my brother’s girl” trope in general, so combining that with his multiple year obsession is way too much.

(Semi Related) The Ending. Without giving away too many spoilers, the Macabe boys show some truly toxic colors towards the end of this book and June is treated like a possession. Some may find this appealing, but it was a complete turn off for me.

Scotch on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher is a moving, emotionally rich romance that delves deep into the complexities of self-worth and vulnerability. Juniper's struggle with feeling unworthy of love is heartbreakingly relatable, and her instinct to keep people at arm's length felt all too real. Fletcher portrays her guarded nature with such authenticity that it’s impossible not to root for her as she slowly unravels her own defenses. On the other side, Callum’s quiet burden of constantly caring for others while pushing his own needs aside adds a powerful emotional layer to the story. His exhaustion, though never melodramatic, is palpable—and so is his yearning for someone to truly see him.

What makes this novel unforgettable is the way both Juniper and Callum find healing and freedom in each other. Their relationship isn’t about fixing one another, but about creating the space to be fully known and loved. Fletcher’s storytelling is beautiful throughout—lyrical without being overdone, grounded yet deeply tender. The emotional arcs of both characters are carefully crafted, and the resolution feels both earned and uplifting. Scotch on the Rocks is a quiet triumph in emotional storytelling, and a poignant reminder that love, at its best, is a safe place to land.

I love a black cat x golden retriever book! Everything this book was set up perfectly. From the meeting on the train to the pining from afar. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about ex fiancés brother but holy smokes was it amazing. I haven’t been able to stop talking about it since I finished it. I didn’t realized that this was the second in a series as I saw this being talked about on TikTok. So I will be running to read that first book now!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of Scotch on the Rocks!

Juniper is the perfect black cat woman. She has a hard exterior from a difficult early start in life, that has only been reinforced through heartbreak. Those walls of hers are fortified steel. She needs no one, and she lets it be known. Callum is the small-town hero and veterinarian. He is always there for his family and his friends, never one to let anyone down. There is nothing Cal wants more than Juniper, the problem is, she is his brother's ex-fiancé. Can Callum keep pushing down the feelings he has for her and maintain his standing as the dependable one, or will everything crumble when he and June spend more and more time together?

Guys, the YEARNING in this book! It has been sometime since I have seen such good yearnign from a male character, it made me giddy! The banter is also top tier. I loved reading every interaction between Juniper and Cal and their love/hate relationship. The push and the pull, the tension, the buildup, all worth it! When they push over that edge into romance, they fall hard, begging and all (looking at you Callum). And let us not forget the kilts, who doesn't love a good traditionally worn kilt, if you know what I mean. Do yourself a favor and grab this when it comes out! You won't regret it!

- Brother's ex-fiancé
- Black Cat x Golden Retriever
- Small-town Scotland
- Begging
- He falls first (and hard)
- YEARNING
- Dual POV
- Slow burn, but then it is smoldering

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of Scotch on the Rocks. I previously read the 1st book in this series, Whiskey Business and loved it. So i was realy looking forward to this book.
I would say Scotch on the Rocks was a good follow up to Whiskey Business but it wasn't nearly as good. I really liked Callum and Juniper. And i enjoyed the taboo/ kind of off limits aspect of her being his brother’s ex fiancé. It was a different trope i didnt know i needed in my life!
Overall, good read.

This is one of my favorite reads of the year. If I don’t find a man like Callum, I don’t want him!! This banter was top notch, the tension was tangible. It broke my heart and healed me all in one.

This was absolutely adorable.

After a chance meeting on a train, Callum discovers the woman he’s instantly drawn to is none other than his brother’s fiancée, Juniper. Years later—long after the engagement has ended—they’re unexpectedly reunited in their hometown. When Cal offers to help Juniper renovate her family’s inn, the two are forced into a reluctant partnership that slowly blossoms into something more.

I loved their black-cat/golden-retriever dynamic. The banter was sharp and fun, keeping things light while their layered backstories added depth. Callum, a war veteran turned veterinarian, and Juniper, an adoptee struggling with abandonment issues, were both compelling and well-developed. And of course, I adored the rich infusion of Scottish culture and geography, not to mention the delightful return of April and Mal from book one.

I’ll be waiting (not so patiently) for the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for thaw advance copy!

I enjoyed the previous book in this series, Whiskey Business, and had high hopes for this one. While I loved the premise and how the characters were marketed, I did not feel their connection.

It was a bit too insta-lovely on Callum's side and the banter/nicknames felt forced. Juniper felt more like an archetype than a fully fleshed out character.

I did however, enjoy their dynamic in the bedroom. It is rare to see a dominant woman in traditionally published romance, and I appreciated its inclusion. Their intimate moments were written well and very fun to read.

One of the best parts of this book was the setting. I wish we had seen more of Scotland, but the moments we got were magical. The way the fairy pools, featured on the cover, were described made me want to book the next flight out to see them for myself.

If you don't mind insta love and wish to travel to Scotland, you may want to add this to your TBR.

I received a digital advanced reader copy through NetGalley

I had a great time reading Juniper and Callum's love story! Scotch on the Rocks is second in the Macabe brother's series but I think it could likely be read as a standalone. It's a sexy, open door romance between Callum and Juniper, the woman he has dreamed about for years but was unfortunately previously engaged to his brother.

What I loved: the connection between the characters felt realistic, I really liked how they supported each other through their growth arcs. The supporting cast and subplot is solid, and the tension and banter are excellent.

What I didn't love: there were a couple of times when his brother/the ex come up in conversation that made me cringe

Overall I think it's a solid book and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series!

Grumpy x sunshine romance?? Yup give it to me. I am a sucker for when the men are down bad for the FMC. Would recommend to others

This was such a fun and spicy book to read. The plot held enough to keep me intrigued and the characters had flaws that made them seem so real and relatable.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC of this book! Wee all been there, right? There’s a hot hero in town, but it’s Complicated and we really shouldn’t but we want to. I’m glad Juniper got to dive into the fantasy and live a little, taking us on an adventure as she worked through the complications of all of the above. This was fun, flirty and a breath of fresh Scottish air – and revisiting an old friend after reading Whisky Business. Come for the Scot, stay for the hot brother.

The PINING, The YEARNING. Callum and Juniper’s chemistry caught fire and could not be put out. These two and their “be honest with me” energy were just so good.

Flirty, fun, steamy and set on the Isle of Skye, I really enjoyed this romance. Opposites attract-and do they ever-and I love a complicated and prickly main character, especially when it is a woman. This releases on July 7th, and it isn‘t necessary to read the 1st in the series, Whisky Business, but I recommend it. Great fun all around with the McCabe brothers!

Back on the Isle of Skye, we get the second Macabe brother book. And this Macabe brother is the hometown hero, golden retriever 😍

I will read almost any book that’s set in Scotland, especially the Isle of Skye. Elliot Fletcher does a wonderful job describing the Scotland scene so it makes you feel like you’re there.

I love a black cat and golden retriever trope and this one delivered. Callum is the golden retriever hometown hero veterinarian that puts everyone first, taking care of his ailing father, his veterinary business, his friends and neighbors, and now his brother’s ex-fiancé.
And the ex-fiance, Juniper, is the black cat who also always wears black and has a mean cat 😂. Loved her character, the growth she experiences through the book, and the banter between her and Callum is delicious.

And also, that off limits relationship tho. Brother’s ex-fiancé?! Could it get more off-limits?! It created so so much tension!!

I wanted more insight into why things didn’t work out between Callum’s brother Alistair and Juniper (but I’m assuming that’ll be in Alistair’s book). It explains it to an extent but I wanted more. I also wanted more from Callum and Alistair’s confrontation, I felt it all got swept under the rug too quickly and I wanted more drama.

Overall, really cute, spicy romance and definitely excited for the next one in the series!

Does it make me an alcoholic to enjoy books centered around liquor? No? Okay good! Mix that with small town and Scotsmen? I’m sold. Am I easy? Yeah probably, but I have fun time doing it!

Thank you so much to Elliot Fletcher and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for the eARC of this book! I LOVED THIS BOOK. The Dual POV was perfect. It has one of my favorite tropes, Grumpy x Sunshine. This is the second book in the Macabe Brothers series and I can't wait for more from Elliot! The Scotland setting is one of my favorites! I can't say enough good this about this book!

Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley!

Tropes: Ex's Brother, Age Gaps, and He falls first. These are some of my favorite tropes in a good romance novel. The development of the characters and the story was great. The writing made you really like the characters. This is my first time reading this author and i very much enjoyed it. Thank you to the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book. I look forward to more by this author.

4.25 ⭐️ Yes! The exes older brother trope. 🔥

These Maccabe brothers are pure Scottish sin.

Callum: oldest brother
Veterinarian
“Community Ken” 🤣

Juniper: the black cat
Inn “owner”

It had tropes I love.
Grumpy x sunshine
Black cat x golden retriever
Age gap

Oh the pining.
Boy obsessed.

I liked setting, hiking and exploring the little Scottish island.
Banter

Netgalley arc review ✨

I really enjoyed this book!
The characters felt life like, and I could imagine their banter as it was happening. The dual POV allowed you to really see how Callum had always been dealing with his feelings for Juniper and how Juniper was able to deal with her abandonment issues.
Overall, it's a really enjoyable read that has everything you could want from a romance!