I love a black cat and golden retriever story! This was so cute and in many ways it was a slow burn, second chance and I just devoured it. I loved the setting of Scotland and the endearing side characters.

3.5 stars rounded up.

I will start this by saying that I didn't know that this was part of an interconnected series. The title and the blurb are what caught my attention.
I didn't love this one but I also didn't hate it. I loved that this is based in Scotland, and there are such beautifully done descriptions for how everything things. I loved the Fairy Pools. As for characters, I loved the Juniper is flawed and not perfect. No one is. I, however, didn't like that Callum is completely obsessed with Juniper. From the moment he saw her. It was a little much, to me at least.

Alzheimer's is a topic throughout the story, which can be difficult to read about. So that is something to keep in mind.

After reading Whisky Business, I was dying to get back to the Macabe brothers. This enemies to lovers slow-burn romance was so good. The tension builds, and then when it's finally time, the fireworks are amazing. Callum and June have such a believable connection, which is important to me. It's important to note that while this is a spicy romance, there are some topics that could be sensitive to some readers.

Calling this a 3.75 rounded up to four. I loved Whiskey Business so was super excited to read Scotch on the Rocks, I want to say it met my expectations. I enjoyed the first half immensely, and enjoyed the dual POV. I usually love a man obsessed but then…it got a little exhausting being inside Callum’s head. He’s a little too possessive and acted a little immature for a guy that’s supposed to be a 39 year old pillar of the community, and the way he dealt with the Alistair situation was again, immature. I enjoyed Callum when he was being super loving and kind but then other times he acted like a teenager and I was like hmmm okay. I loved loved loved Juniper and her cat, both prickly at first but just want all the love and snuggles on the inside. I thought their banter was really cute and fun and I laughed out loud several times.

Tropes:
-black cat x golden retriever
-small town
-he falls first and harder
-ex boyfriends older brother
-nicknames & banter

I’m honestly really intrigued by Alastair’s story haha so I’m looking forward to that book coming out! Overall zipped through this one pretty fast and had a good time! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved the tension that is woven throughout the book. In this forbidden romance, Juniper is the ex-fiancé of Callum’s brother. I would even call this story *taboo*. The author handles the subject perfectly.

It starts as an enemies-to-lovers story, and their banter is fantastic. I also loved the world-building of the Scottish island and all the tidbits from the culture.

I want to add that there’s a character with Alzheimer’s. It’s not one of the main characters, and nothing dire happens, but it was tough for me to read for personal reasons. (So I’m letting you know as well).

This book is for you if you like:

* Forbidden Romance
* Enemies to Lovers
* A Scottish MMC
* Small-town island settings
* Deep emotional tension
* Family complications

Thanks to Harper Collins and the author for the ARC via NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a fun and heartfelt read. I loved "Whisky Business" so I had high hopes for the sequel, and it lived up to my expectations.

Scotch on the Rocks mixes sharp wit with emotional depth. I really liked Juniper and Callum and their relationship/back-and-forth banter. The way they understand/see each other truly is so sweet and proves how perfect they are for each other. Fletcher’s writing is clever and quick, with characters that feel real—flawed, funny, and honest. The moody Scottish setting adds just the right amount of atmosphere, and I feel like I could see this series as a tv show or movie. A great pick if you like your fiction with equal parts humor and heart.

*Some slight spoilers*

Words cannot express how much I loved this book! Whisky Business had been on my TBR forever and once I finally read it, I was blown away. Elliot Fletcher's writing scratches an itch inside of me that I can't really explain. The characters are just right, passionate and flawed, lost and strong. The hints of Callum and Juniper made me ravenous to read Scotch on the Rocks. It did not disappoint. Dare I say, it surpassed my love of Whisky Business?! Callum is the swooniest man ever. The love, the dedication, the patience!! UGHH!! This was everything.

Besides the love and chemistry (which was bleeding off the pages!!), there was so much in this book that made my heart literally ache. Juniper's worry of everyone leaving and not loving her enough, Callum's desperation to never let anyone down and to be perfect 24/7. Juniper's relationship with her mum and her friendship with Heather that was put together with duct tape, but is slowing growing stronger. Callum working himself to the bone to protect his family and hating himself for hurting his brother Alistair, but wanting to take something for himself. There were so many emotions and I felt all of them. This felt like life.

And the romance. THE ROMANCE. OMG. There was so much teasing and tension and build up, and when it finally exploded, it exploded. This was hot and sweet and delicious. Callum and Juniper compliment each other so well and there's no couple more meant to be than them.

I loved every single glimpse of April and Mal's relationship and how strong they are together. I laughed out loud every time Mal was subjected to hearing about his brother's s*e*x life. I'm so anxious to read Alistar's book now to see what's going on in his head and why he left Glasgow. He seemed to want to reconcile with Juniper, but didn't seem like he was still in love with her. I don't know. It's just so interesting. I also know this is the Macabe Brothers series, but I want a book for Heather! She's been through the wringer and deserves a happily ever after too!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Avon / Harper Voyager for a chance to read this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you for the arc!!

I love this series. I love any Scottish romance book really but this series really takes the cake for me. I found Whiskey Business by chance on KU and have been hooked on this author and I couldn't believe there was a second one so believe me I am SO glad I got to read this early.

June as the main character... 10/10. No notes. I loved her vibe. I think her attitude and just her general demeanor is so relatable.

Callum - what a man. Also no notes on him. Other than the fact that this was an extremely unconventional romance, the way it was written really sold me. The family dynamics were insane but everything about it was wonderful. I love all of these characters so much.

This book was just so cute. The nicknames, and the setting on the isle of Skye was just ugh. Perfect. I cannot wait to see what's next. I hope this series never ends. I don't even care that there's only 4 siblings, I need more of this world from this author.

Callum instantly knew June was the one when he saw her on the train. But unfortunately later that day she was introduced to him by his younger brother, as his girlfriend....

But after his brother drops the ball, Callum does everything he can to prove to June he's there for her when she moves back to town, even when they argue and she fights their connection.

After years of just tip toeing around each other, June needs help with her family's Inn and Callum needs someone to help him so his mom stops asking him to start dating. But really Callum just used that excuse to try to woo June. Things start to look up but will they be able to move passed their past and risk hurting their loved ones???

This book was a great read! I fell in love with the town vet (Callum) instantly!!! :)

Wow this was so cute!
After loving Whisky Business I had been looking forward to reading this and it didn’t disappoint. I was a little nervous at first because of the dynamic that Juniper had once been engaged to Callum’s brother. However it was handled very maturely and added a very interesting dynamic to the book.
The book was funny and sweet and I loved the character development of both Juniper and Callum. Would absolutely recommend if you are looking for a quick, heartwarming read!

📚🔥 BOOK REVIEW ALERT! 🔥📚
Just finished Scotch on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher and OMG, my heart is all in 💘😍! This steamy Scottish romance totally delivered those swoon-worthy vibes! 🥃

Juniper Ross is all about rules — no Macabe brothers allowed 🙅‍♀️. But guess what? Callum Macabe, the hottest small-town hero, keeps breaking all her rules and showing up when she’s at her most vulnerable 😳🔥. Opposites attract? More like opposites explode with chemistry! 💥🔥

If you love forbidden love, Scottish charm, and swoony moments that make you melt, THIS is your next read! 💕📖 I’m already hooked on the Macabe brothers saga.

Elliot, I’m here, loving every page.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but unfortunately I found this one boring. I didn’t find the characters or the storyline interesting. It’s not bad writing, I think this one may have just not been for me. I wanted to like it so badly. I think the biggest issue is that it doesn’t feel like it can be read as a standalone, and I read the first book last month. There are so many characters that were introduced to in the first, that still play a part in the second. We’re not reintroduced to most of them either. I couldn’t even remember who Juniper was or what part she played. I might reread the first book and then try this one again, so that I have better understanding of what I’m reading.

If you’re looking for a black cat and a golden retriever, you’ve come to the right place. Despite the HOT beginning (and the crushing cold shower), this slow burn was just delicious.

Juniper Ross has sworn off the Macabe brothers, but Callum—ex-soldier, town vet, and all-around golden retriever of a man—makes that promise hard to keep. Their chemistry crackles, their banter is sharp, and their past is messy.

While Callum’s jealousy threw me off at times, and Juniper was a tad unlikable to me at first, the depth of emotion, especially around family and personal growth, kept me hooked. If you love complicated love stories set against a stunning backdrop, this one’s worth a read.

**Thank you very much to NetGalley and Avon for the eARC! All opinions are my own.**

Callum and Juniper have to be one of my most favorite couples of 2025. He’s the golden retriever and she’s the black cat.

Shout out to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the copy of this book!

I loved Whisky Business so I jumped on the chance to read this. This book is the PERFECT amount of banter. I’m a very sarcastic person myself and I felt seen by Callum and Juniper’s relationship. The tension and longing was chefs kiss. There is a fine line between hate and lust and this sure showed that.

If you love banter, reverse grumpy sunshine and golden retriever mmc’s this is the book for you.

Ahhh this was so fun I really enjoyed this with that little forbidden aspect and the tension. Our MMC is down bad and we just love a down bad MMC so much

I love this author. I have read a lot by this author and have loved every book I have come across. I was sucked into this book from the first page and wished I had more story to read.

I absolutely fell in love with April and Mal in Whisky Business, and was delighted when the series got picked up by trad publishing. There was something magical in the writing, especially the setting and characters.
Scotch on the Rocks is the second book in the Macabe brothers series. Juniper and Callum’s banter was wonderful, I love the black cat X golden retriever trope, so I really enjoyed them opening up to one another. While I enjoyed the overall story, I did feel as if the pacing didn’t work quite well for me.

This is an ARC review. I want to thank Elliot Fletcher and Avon and Harper Voyager for allowing me the chance to read this book ahead of release day! This book started out a little hard to read with the flow of the plot. I felt as though there was a lot of dumping information but missing vital pieces of information to piece it together for a better flow. But it was extremely easy to get into Juniper and Callum’s messy love story.

Juniper and Callum have a banter and tension love story at its finest. They are absolutely hilarious pushing each other’s buttons like in grade school. Between Callum’s hero complex and Juniper’s determination to do everything by herself, it caused for a lot of head butting.

I loved that this story provided two strong main characters that had no issue getting on their knees for each other. Literally. This was a good story like with minor spicy scenes which really just allowed you to fall in love more and more with their love story.

Thank you to the author and publisher for this arc! I loved loved loved the first book of this series, but sadly didn’t feel quite the same intensity with the MC’s chemistry here.
I still love Fletcher’s writing style and enjoyed the setting and secondary characters of this book.