🌟Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💧Drip-o-Meter: 💦💦💦💦
💗Something I Loved: Talk about teasing banter…. this book has it in excess and it had me in a chokehold. It was “enemies to lovers” adjacent, although very one sided, and their chemistry made this book unputdownable. You see, Callum has been in love with Juniper since the moment he laid eyes on her. The problem however is that at the time, she was his brother’s girlfriend. About a year after she split from his brother, Callum and Juniper have a (very hot) almost hook-up, but it’s premature ending leaves Juniper full of “hatred” towards Callum and his seemingly careless attitude. But he does care and is in fact still completely obsessed with her. How does he handle this unrequited love you ask? By teasing her like a little boy with a crush. He got off on it. She hate loved it. And as for me… I ate it up.
🫤Something I Would Have Changed: Nada.
🥰Favorite Moment: All of their dates. But especially the one at the Fairy Pools. Heartfelt moments followed by defiling a historic site… all in a typical day for these two. 😂
🌶️Spiciest Scene: All of them? I don’t even know. The tension in this book is literal perfection, making every spicy scene (from undressing her while she’s covered in literal cow shit to edging her in front of the fireplace) so freaking hot. But if I’m picking it’s ch. 34. My goddess that was something else. There’s drama and sweetness and then a lot of titillating smut. 🥵
📚Standalone vs. Series: The 2nd book in the Macabe Brothers trilogy. They are interconnected but could be read as standalones. I read book #1, Whisky Business, back in 2023… so naturally I remembered very little of it because it had been more than 3-7 business days. I’m sure because of this I missed some subtle things but I never felt like I was missing any key info.
📖Would I Recommend: Absolutely. Guys, this book was hot. And fun. And heartwarming. Did I mention hot? At one point I messaged @notyourmomsshelf just to gab about it and tell them that the chemistry had me frothing at the mouth. And it did. There was honestly nothing I didn’t like, and so much that I did (their vulnerability with each other, the emotional depth that’s balanced with humor, the yEaRniNg), and I need the rest of this series… desperately.
💬Tropes: Black Cat FMC, Golden Retriever MMC, 9 Year Age Gap, Ex-Fiancés Brother, Forced Proximity
⚠️Quotes taken from an uncorrected advanced copy and may not appear in the finished product.

Talk about a "he falls first!" After meeting Juniper on a train, Callum discovered she was his brother's girlfriend. Pushing those feelings down for years, through the engagement and eventual breakup, he bided his time living next door. While it's a fun story filled with banter as he tries to break through her prickly walls, it also tackles feelings of abandonment and dealing with parental dementia diagnosis.

Scotch on the Rocks ARC Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Tropes:
-Ex’s Brother
-Forbidden
-Enemies to Lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Black Cat x Golden Retriever
-Age Gap
-Dual POV

Format: Kindle via NetGalley
Book 2 in The Macabe Brothers Series

Goodness. Callum Macabe and Juniper Ross have some of the best STEAMY, morbid, and quick witted banter I’ve ever read. Let’s start there:

Juniper: “speaking of work, I need to get going.”
Callum: “Running late for a seance?”
Juniper:” A cursing, actually. I’m short of a few ingredients.”
Callum: “What might those be?”
Juniper: “five eyelashes and a pint of blood. Yours would probably suffice.”
Callum: “I’m flattered, harpy. Truly. Unfortunately, I prefer to keep my blood where it belongs.”

They just have such great enemy back and forth that also gets so juicy. This is a slow burn with all of the angst of him yearning for YEARS over his brother’s fiancee….then ex-fiancee…. Once he’s down, he’s down BAD.

Juniper has abandonment issues to overcome and HATES the Macabe brothers (which kind of makes sense because her ex was a total penis wrinkle to her)

This story had all of the family drama, angst, slow burn, comedic relief and banter pulling out all of the stops to make you enjoy the entire ride.

I loved Whisky Business and didn’t think the story could get any better but IT DID. The second book in The Macabe Brothers, we get Callum and June. I loved the romance - it was years in the making, and they waited a long time to actually be together. June is one of my new favorite characters - a total ice queen on the outside but inside: " 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘴, 𝘐 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯." - she’s misunderstood, full of doubts and fears of being unlovable. Callum knows her better than anyone and totally gets her reputation being a cover up. "𝘏𝘰𝘸'𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘦?" "𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘱𝘦𝘳."He is one of my favorite Scottish characters - close to Jamie Fraser worthy ( lol seriously! ) and I loved the electric chemistry and stunning bond these two develop. One of my top reads of the year so far!

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins for this advanced reader copy! You can pick up Scotch on the Rocks on July 8, 2025!

2.5 ⭐️

I DNF at 54% in this book, and here are my honest thoughts.

I was hooked from the beginning, however, I lost interest halfway through into the story.

I’m disappointed that the tropes didn’t exceed my expectations I have for this story. The plot and storyline was a bit weak.

The pacing was too slow for my liking.

The characters were frustrating—especially with Juniper’s past and her ex-fiancé. I felt like I wasn’t able to connect with the characters.

This book could’ve been better in my opinion.

I’m always down for a hot, yearning, pathetic (non-derogatory) Scottish man and Elliot Fletcher is always going to deliver!

This book follows Juniper and Callum, a black cat/golden retriever pair who intially meet because Juniper is engaged to Callum's brother. Years later, Juniper is back to their smalltown, single and itching to make her dreams come true. The problem is she is perpetually drawn to Callum and he is EVERYWHERE. He's been yearning for Juniper for years and he thinks it's finally time to make her his.

Brother’s ex is a trope that I sometimes struggle with because I’m like “BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FAMILY DYNAMIC”. But in Scotch on the Rocks, it was done in a way that highlighted the yearning and desperation that comes with this forbidden trope, but also the healing that both of the main characters needed to be together.

Scotch on the Rocks is fast-paced, interesting, and compelling. I was hooked from the very first page and was so excited to see how their love story unfolded. I adore Elliot's writing and can't wait to see what comes next!

Thank you to Elliot, Netgalley and Avon for the ARC!

I really enjoyed Callum and Juniper's story! Callum is the very definition of a golden retriever hero. He's so swoony! Juniper irked me a little; she was almost TOO black cat with her energy. But, I do get where she's coming from with her background. I wish we had gotten more interaction between Juniper, Heather, and April. All in all, this is a satisfying continuation of the Macabe Brothers series. I can't wait for book 3!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

3.5⭐️

Wow I loved Callum & Juniper!!! Two complex characters that are able to recognize what the other needs <333. I didn’t fully connect with these two, but I still enjoyed their story; the tension went absolutely crazy. I liked Whisky Business a tad more but would definitely recommend this series! The found family is so sweet🥹

I finished this one on audio and the narrators were perfect. If you read this series, PLEASE do it via audio I’m begging you!!! It’s for your own good!!!!

Ex fiancé’s brother??? And he’s a VET (the animal kind)????? And he’s been pining for her for YEARS?????? Okay delicious go off!!!!!

*Thank you so much to NetGalley & Avon for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!!!*

I absolutely loved the reverse grumpy x sunshine dynamic! This book completely took me by surprise in the best possible way. The banter was top-tier, the setting was perfection, and the spice 🫠 wow so hot 🥵
Callum had total golden retriever energy that made me swoon, and Juniper’s black cat vibes? Chief kiss.😚

I had such a fun time with this book! It was just what I needed—a cozy romance on the beautiful Isle of Skye, with a sweet family of gruff Scottish men and an edgy, snarky heroine who gives off all the black cat energy. This book is the epitome of black cat/golden retriever trope, and I enjoyed it immensely.

It took a bit for me to get behind the premise—woman is engaged, he breaks it off, and years later she falls in love with her ex-fiancé’s brother? That’s got some cringe to it that I struggled with at first. But Callum was such a complete simp for Juniper, and Juniper was such a wounded birdy who melted for him, that I eventually was won over by their chemistry.

They both had their own non-romantic plots, as well, which made for a solid story. They are full characters dealing with really difficult conflict already, and throwing a complicated romance on top of that is just like dropping the match in the gasoline. June’s adopted mother leaves her to manage their inn for a few weeks, and Juniper, eager to make some changes that will help the business thrive and show her mom that she can contribute, tries to fix a bathroom. It goes as poorly as possible, ruining the entire room. And when she is backed in a corner, without a professional resource, Callum steps in gladly to be her renovator every spare minute he has. Meanwhile, Callum’s father’s Alzheimer’s is rapidly declining, and his mother often calls him to help care for his dad.

These two characters begin to find their own motivation and their self-determination while they also forge a new relationship. It was fun to watch!

I’d say what made it fall short of the full 5 stars is that discomfort at the beginning with the premise, and later the somewhat abrupt conflict resolution when Juniper’s mom totally supports her work, and Juniper realizes she loves Callum, and has the epiphany that she is loved and won’t be abandoned. It was nice, but it felt like a very tidy resolution after all her resistance.

Overall, I really enjoy this series. The characters are full and complex, the setting is lovely and makes me want to go back to Skye, the family dynamics are enviable (I would love to be a McCabe, with all those supportive brothers), and the romances are rich and spicy. I totally recommend!

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!

Opposites attract in this sexy Scottish romance between a young woman, Juniper, and the man who is completely off-limits, Callum. This was such a fun read filled with tension, yearning filled with a messy complicated forbidden romance. I devoured it. The narrators did an epic delivery with Scottish accents that had me melting. I recommend the audiobook version on this one. It was such a great time, and I am excited for the next book in the series . Highly recommend!

Gosh, what a messy opposites attract romance.. I loved every minute of it!

After divorcing Alistair Macabe, Juniper wants nothing to do with the Macabe brothers. In fact, she follows a strict set of rules from her Macabe Brother Rule Book. The rules are as follows:
1. Don't look at a Macabe brother.
2. Don't talk to a Macabe brother.
3. Don't even think of a Macabe brother.

But there is one Macabe brother she can not resist, no matter how hard she tries. Callum Macabe. Her ex-fiance's older brother.

Was this messy? Yes. Was it also charming, and was I rooting for Callum and Juniper the entire read? Of course! I love how Callum was so smitten over Juniper and determined to win her heart and show her that she is capable and deserving of love. It was fun watching Juniper battle internally with her feelings for this Macabe brother. Plus, she's a boss in the bedroom (slight dom 6 I loved that! The pacing is consistent, the banter is on point, and the romance is wonderful. I really enjoyed this one!
Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Elliot Fletcher for this ARC!

Falling for your brother's ex fiancee was definitely not in his cards... but he's determined to get the girl and make sure she doesn't slip through his fingers again all these years later. Juniper has strict rules when it comes to he Macabe Brothers and yet when she moves back to her small town to work on her business the last thing she wants to do is face off against her ex fiance's older brother, the super hot town hero and all around perfect guy Callum Macabe... and then there's the fact that a few years back when she was getting over her ex.... she had an almost one night stand with Callum but he shut it down and she's definitely DEFINITELY not tried to ever get back with him again ever since. Callum has a secret: the first moment he met June at the train stop he fell completely head over heels for her only to get rejected and then find out that she is his younger brother's new girlfriend... then fiance... and then his brother left her on the alter when she found out her father died. Callum is still in love with her and has tried to stay away for his brother's sake.. but his brother had his chance and now Callum is determined to get the girl and prove to June that he is the RIGHT Macabe brother for her and that he's serious. Can Callum convince June to give him a chance or did he fumble the bag and miss the timing once again? Oh my goshhhhhh THIS BOOK. Talk about YEARNING, talk about a ROMANCE. I devoured this book. I adored June and Callum's banter and their undeniable chemistry. They are so perfect for one another and I just can't get enough of this book!! I LOVED IT!!!

Release Date: July 8, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing the ARC.

When I picked up this book, I didn't realize it was the second book in a series. And after devouring Whisky Business (book 1) and this one, I can happily say that Elliot Fletcher has a new fan.

This book is a seamless combination of lighthearted and serious, with the emotional pieces hitting you deep, but with enough brevity that there would be no way to classify this as a drama. Not a romcom either, but definitely has more lighter elements that could gently push it into that category. The chemistry between Callum and Juniper is palpable, and their banter is top notch. He is absolutely, head over heels in love with her right from the very first page, and apart from the time period where she was with his brother Alistair, he ensured that he was always on her mind, even if it was just to piss her off.

Juniper is a stereotypical black cat character, guarded and suspicious of everyone around her and their motives as far as he is concerned. Some of that has to deal with her being orphaned and in foster care until she was adopted and the other part of it having to do with the fallout of her relationship with Alistair. But she is ambitious and fiercely determined, so it is hard not to love her just as much.

Their relationship is always tinged by the Alistair-shaped cloud lingering in the periphery, but honestly, it never felt 0ppressive. Generally, I find ex's siblings to be a bit too messy for a romantic relationship, but it works in this context. Mostly because Alistair is in a completely different city and hasn't been home in a long time. But when it does all come to a head, I think Fletcher does a great job navigating the situation, with the understanding that it has been 5-6 years since their relationship ended, and that Alistair really has no right to be upset about how Juniper chooses to live her life. Although, I am now eagerly awaiting his book, since I fear that it's probably going to be the most gut-wrenching of the three. And also secretly hoping for a 4th book where Heather gets her happy ending as well.

Solid second book!

This is the second book in the charming Macabe Brothers series by Elliot Fletcher, and it has all the lovely reverse grumpy/sunshine energy I love! It’s spicy and sexy and opposites attract deliciousness.

Juniper, our prickly, mercurial black cat is no match for Callum, with all his golden retriever energy! And he’s the town vet? You’re killing me! These two bickering over everything from cookies to plumbing is hugely entertaining and I’m so grateful for the dual POV! It made every interaction more insightful and therefore, more interesting. Even as their relationship became richer and deeper, they still had that rivalry and banter going, challenging and teasing and appreciating (well, on his side mostly) each other.

And the pining! Oh, Callum’s tortured pining all these years! That kind of soul-deep commitment to have even a moment of her attention, (negative, positive, didn’t matter!), made me love him even more!

Their relationship—Juniper with her abandonment issues, he with his guilt over falling in love with his brother’s ex—was that much more fulfilling when it finally started to evolve. It was so heartfelt, I could understand and empathize with the pain on both sides without ever having experienced either IRL. I loved how he slowly, steadily pulled down her walls while she learned to maybe trust him a little, all the while mirrored by her rescue cat’s two steps forward, three steps back behavior. I mean, Shakespeare trusted him first! Perfection!

Mad props for the Holly Golightly/Cat vibes. I also about died over how CRANKY Juniper got when she started to feel her feelings! Too funny!

Yes, both characters’ issues/hangups dealing with rejection and family obligations were serious. But the author balanced these so well with moments of hope and lightheartedness, it never felt too heavy. It just made their hard-fought/hard-won relationship that much more rewarding.

It was great seeing Mal and April again, and I’m so excited for Alistair’s book, One for the Road. Seriously, what is going on with him??? Inquiring minds want to know! Wink wink.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

A moment for an when the moment you fell in love with a woman and just to find out she is your brother's girl!!!!!!!! I was hooked! HOOKED! I love Elliot Fletcher books, I mean down bad Scottish men say less! GIVE ME 10 of them please! I adored Juniper, her strength and her complexity is so good! I loved her black cat energy, but also a woman with a sweet heart deep down! Oh, now Callum who has been down bad for his little brother's ex for YEARS.
When they finally had their moments, so so good! I am obsessed with how this plays out for them, because he fully jumped into the opportunity to be with her!
.Their spicy scenes had me 1000% blushing!!!!!

READ THIS BOOK!

CW: Parent with Alzheimer’s (MMC), Growing up in foster care & fear of abandonment (FMC)

“Folk in the village described Juniper as cold, it made me wonder if they ever paused long enough to look her in the eyes. They were the furthest thing from cold I'd ever encountered.”

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Elliot Fletcher for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Haven’t been to the Macabe brothers universe before but I was lucky enough to have travelled to the Highlands on a cruise. The scenery is breathtaking and the hairy coos are my favorite!!

This has tension, banter, beautiful scenery and spice! Excited to continue this series!! Loved the audio, Scottish accents are so fun!

Rating: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

OKAY SO AHHHHHHH THIS BOOK. If it wasn't already clear, I loved it. Primarily because Callum Macabe is the king of yearning and is so, so, so far gone for our girl Juniper. He's tall. He's handsome. He's a veterinarian. He wants everyone to be happy. I love him. He loves Juniper. Speaking of Juniper...she is a beautiful badass who has such a lovely arc in this book. I legit teared up on more than one occasion. She works through so much, and I just want to hug her and be her best friend. The way these two just WORK has me all in my feels. 

The banter? Perfect. The spice? *Fans self.* The romance? Heart-melting. Mal Macabe from Whisky Business being stuck listening to girl talk involving his brother? Priceless.

Read this book, but please PLEASE read Whisky Business first. One, because I love it (like, LOVE IT), and two, because it gives helpful context for Scotch on the Rocks.

I could have listened to these two narrators all day and night long. They were absolutely fantastic!!

The story itself was so fun, the tension between them was so good and the black cat energy from the FMC was the best!!

Scotch on the Rocks is one of those rare novels that grabs you from the very first page and doesn’t let go until the very last line. It’s a story where humor, sharp-witted dialogue, sensuality, and deep emotions intertwine into an incredibly atmospheric, heartfelt, and touching tale of love.

The main character, Juniper Ross, is a charismatic, strong, and authentic woman—impossible not to fall for. Her quick tongue, inner vulnerability, and fierce determination to fight for herself and her dreams make her a brilliant character, one many readers will find easy to connect with. Her journey with Callum Macabe is far more than just a romantic arc—it’s a profound exploration of past mistakes, loss, family bonds, and the fragile hope of second chances.

What truly makes this novel shine is the electric dynamic between the main characters: sparks fly on every page. Their banter is laced with humor, sarcasm, and hidden tenderness, and the chemistry between them is so palpable you can almost feel it leap off the page.

I was especially captivated by the way the author brings the characters to life through vivid little details—inside jokes, shared memories, favorite songs (the playlist featuring Taylor Swift, Hozier, and Fleetwood Mac sets the perfect mood). Every character—not just Callum and Juniper, but the entire supporting cast—feels vibrant and deeply loved by the author.

The atmosphere deserves a special mention: the rugged beauty of the Scottish landscapes, the charm of small-town life, the warmth of family traditions—it all weaves together into a world that feels cozy, real, and impossible to resist.

This is more than just a romance—it’s a story you can lose yourself in, a place you won’t want to leave. The kind of book you read in one breath, leaving behind a lingering warmth and the quiet wish to return to that world just a little longer.