s someone who loves a romance book with the enemies to lovers plot line, I very much enjoyed this book. Callum has always had a thing for his brothers ex-Juniper (scandalous) but things don’t progress until years later (which I appreciated). This book has great banter, strong character development & enough spice to hope your neighbor on the train can’t see what’s on your kindle.

Unfortunately this didn’t hook me like I thought it would. It was still overall a decent read but it took me a while to get through. I kept putting it down to do a task. The main characters were feisty which was a plus but I wasn’t able to really invest in their storylines as much as I had hoped. It wasn’t until around the 70% mark that I really started to resonate with the main characters. Not to say this book was bad, maybe it was just not for me. I would give it a go and see for yourself.

4 out of 5 stars
“A Cozy, Spirited Romance with Heart”

Scotch on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher is a charming, easy-to-love read that blends humor, warmth, and just the right splash of drama. Fletcher’s writing style is smooth and engaging, making it easy to get swept up in the story from the very first page. The characters feel relatable and well-developed, and the chemistry between them is authentic without feeling forced.

I especially enjoyed how the Scottish setting was almost a character itself — cozy, rugged, and inviting, adding an extra layer of atmosphere to the romance. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and there are plenty of moments that made me smile.

The only reason I’m holding back from a full five stars is that a few parts felt a little rushed, especially toward the end. I would’ve loved just a little more time to savor the resolution. But overall, Scotch on the Rocks is a delightful escape — perfect for anyone who enjoys a feel-good love story with a strong sense of place.

Definitely recommend!

Just from the title and cover I knew I was going to love this story. This is my first book from this author and it did not disappoint. The banter that the FMC and MMC have is infectious!! I also LOVE a reverse sunshine. The push and pull that Juniper and Callum have together. Callum doing what he can to show Juniper he is her person and seeing our grumpy FMC slowly realize it was what kept me turning the page. You could feel the tension on the page. When I saw the tropes for this I geeked! First off, ex fiancées brother - hello yes!! I also eat up when the MMC falls first and hard and does everything to show the FMC how he feels. Add in the setting being a small town in Scotland, oh and an AGE GAP!! Yes yes!!
If you love all the above as well as open door romance then this is the book for you. Thank you so much Avon and Harper Voyager as well as Elliott Fletcher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I really appreciate it!

I have loved this series so far! The sweet and fun second chance romance was beautiful, and I enjoyed the vivid Scottish town descriptions and the lovable characters.

4.5/5 stars !
Scotch on The Rocks completely took me by surprise as I don’t normally enjoy contemporary romance THAT much. But, I completely fell in love with Juniper and Callum. From the first chapter I was so hooked. Their character development was so beautiful and the relationship was so genuine.
The setting was beautiful, I’m completely enamored by the Scottish highlands and I felt like I was there the entire time I was reading.
I’m most definitely picking up the first book in the series and look forward to the third!

I adored Whisky Business so I was really excited to get my hands on this book and I just knew I’d love Callum. And I did! I love everything about the Scotland setting, the characters, and family dynamics that all play a role in the story. It’s so good and both laughed and cried while reading!

The YEARNINGGGG. Their chemistry was giving. The way he silently took care of her😭 It was so messy because of the whole brother's ex thing but it was so entertaining!! I recommend it, it was so romantic

Scotch on the Rocks

What to expect from this book:
🍪 Dual first-person POV
🐈‍⬛ Black cat FMC (who owns a literal black cat)
🩺 Veteran/veterinarian MMC
🍪 He falls first and harder (major “mine” vibes)
🐈‍⬛ She’s his brother’s ex fiancée
🩺 They have sassy banter (he calls her harpy, she calls him “Community Ken”)
🍪 A wet waterfall scene
🐈‍⬛ She was adopted
🩺 Alzheimer’s representation (his dad)
🍪 Several open-door spicy scenes

Scotch on the Rocks (out June 5) is book two of the Macabe brothers series (book one is titled “Whisky Business” and is already out).

This book follows eldest Macabe brother, Callum, who falls head over heels for a strange witchy woman on a train. But WHOOPS! The sultry stranger is none other than his baby brother Alistair’s fiancée, Juniper.

But then years after Alistair breaks up with Juniper, her and Callum’s paths start crossing…and often. Juniper is back in Kinleith to watch over her parent’s inn while her mom is out of town. Callum, the local veterinarian, goes out of his way to help her with repairs and the two form a friendship—with feelings.

But this wasn’t the start of their feelings; the two almost slept together a few years after Juniper’s engagement was called off, but the two had so much guilt around Alistair.

Can the two of them look past their unusual connection and circumstances and finally admit their feelings? What will become of their friends and family if so?

——————
The opening line of this book sold me. “Falling in love with Juniper Ross felt like stepping into oncoming traffic.” What!? So great!

I loved the vibes the two had and that it was a little taboo, all while Juniper—who has a hard exterior—shows her sweet side. He is so down bad for her fire. And she loves his caretaker side. I also felt for Juniper’s family story—I wish it was explored even deeper. I also would have loved to hear more about Callum’s time at a veteran and his relationship with his father.

In my opinion, this book is heavier on the lust vs. the romance. It focuses more on the relationship between the main characters vs. being driven by plot. It is funny, sassy and spicy!

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing this eARC. These were my honest opinions.

If you’re going to insist on giving your character a stupid nickname, it should not be used in every paragraph every single fucking time the male main character says anything to her. This happened in the first book with princess (ew) and now its happened in this book with harpy. Please. Call her by her name. Or literally anything else. Mix it up.

My arc copy had a few grammar mistakes.

Also reviewed on goodreads

DNF
Callum just gave me the ick. The way he acted in the beginning was ... not for me.
And don’t even get me started on his nickname for Juniper, I just couldn't do it.

I enjoyed this book just as much as I enjoyed the first book in the series! They are classic contemporary romances set in a small town in Scotland and I really enjoyed the shift in culture in these books as well as the romance storyline! I love an edgy FMC especially with a golden retriever MMC so this book was right up my alley. I would recommend reading this series and I am genuinely looking forward to the next book.

Scotch on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher had me wishing I could drop everything and just hop on plane to Scotland. The story follows Callum who is and has been in love with Juniper. There's just one problem, though: she's his brother's ex-fiancé. And Juniper knows Callum is off limits, but the annoyingly good looking small-town hero has her reconsidering all the rules she swore never to break. Y'all the waterfall scene sill has me blushing!

Spicy: 3 peppers

**Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC**


Callum is down bad for our black cat girl Juniper. The way this book started was perfect and it led to the perfect slow burn. The flirting was perfect and Juniper was finally seen.

There’s so much tension in this book and it’s so well done. You can tell how much Callum and Juniper want each other, but one of them is very reluctant to admit it. Loved seeing the growth between the two main characters.

This book hooked me. it was spicier than the title/art led me to believe and I am okay with this. I did not read the first book but didn't really feel left out of the plot. I do want to go back and catch up on some things because I like the characters and want to hear their story.

The FMC and MMC really pulled me through this because I was invested from the jump. Some things did feel disjointed and I'm hoping it's just the ARC but I did have to scroll back a few times for weird book physics things like "when did he move to his knees", "wasn't her leg just..." overall it was fine but I was gaslighting myself at some point over their positioning.

I was a little iffy on the big proclamation and how it came about but I'm going to just chalk it up to how this couple functions. Factually, I was super entertained and breezed through this story.

Thank you so much to the author Avon/Harper Voyager and Netgalley for this ARC. I attest that I am leaving my review voluntarily and honestly.

probably needed a hug, fell in love with Callum & Juniper instead 🥹💗

I don’t know what it says about me that I could probably recite this book from beginning to end atp, but there’s just something /so hot/ about Callum Macabe willingly (read: eagerly) spending 300+ pages on his hands and knees, yearning for his brother’s ex-fiancé 🙂↕️

I genuinely do /not/ know how to move on from this book (prepare to be sick of me!!) bc the banter, the pining, the deep softness of it all!! It’s just 😙👌

Not to mention the fact that the golden retriever mmc x black cat fmc is arguably the best (!!) couple combo, and I think there was something even more special about the dynamic it created with Callum and Juniper in this book!! Juniper desperately needed someone loyal and steady to show her that not everyone will leave, while Callum needed someone strong to offer him the space to be soft and unburdened for once 🥺🫶🏻

I’m just gonna leave it at that (for now 🤪), bc I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you only take one rec from me this year, pls let it be this one!! (and bonus: if you read Whisky Business, Mal & April are sooooooo fun in this one 🤭)

rating: 5/5 ⭐️’s
release date: june 5th ☀️

thank you sm to avon for providing me with an arc in exchange for a review 🫶🏻 giving y’all a giant virtual smooch on the forehead for this one!

⭐️
🔥🔥🔥

Quick Breakdown

He Falls First & HARD
Ex Fiancé’s Brother
Age Gap - 8 Years
Small Town
Set in Scotland
Black Cat x Golden Retriever
No 3rd Act Breakup
Slow Burn
Dual POV
Open Door - Moderate

After falling head over heels for Whisky Business, I blindly dove right into book two, Scotch on the Rocks after shamelessly begging for an ARC. It was 1000% worth it. This book bewitched me, body & soul, right from the first line of the book.

The tropes here are 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗳’𝘀 𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘀. He falls first is one of my favorite tropes of all time & this one goes straight to the top of the list. Callum is GONE, on this knees for Juniper from the very first page & I ate it up. How patient he is for her. Their playful banter as Juniper slowly fell just as hard for Callum. The nicknames 🫠 PERFECTION.

Callum & Juniper play the black cat x golden retriever trope in a way that had me addicted. Callum, the flirty little golden retriever meets town golden boy & Juniper, the jaded realist who happened to have adopted the grumpiest black cat. There’s even some delightful light power play that I really quite enjoyed 😉

Elliot knocked it out of the park with the taboo-esque ex fiancé’s brother trope. Between the pining & the 6 year gap between brothers, Callum & Juniper felt right & inevitable.

I could wax poetic or mindlessly ramble for hours about how I love this book. Thank you @avonbooks for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Scotch on the Rocks releases July 8th. Add it to your TBR now!

BIG FAN of this one! I didn't realize it was a second book in a series, so I do need to back track a little, but overall you're okay if you go in blind. There is so much banter and a bit og a slow burn. I really liked the black cat fmc / golden retirever mmc dynamic.

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I absolutely ate this story up. I hadn’t read the first book in the series, so I am absolutely going back to read it- if it is as good as this book! The banter was great and the characters were very relatable! Who doesn’t love a good whimpering for her Scottish man?!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Loved book 1 in this series and I wass so excited to jump into book 2. It was a great enemies-to-lovers, ex's sibling romance. I loved the banter between the MCs. I had lots of good angsty feels over their love story. Book 2 did not disappoint. Love the little world that Elliot Fletcher has created. Can't wait to get the audiobook when it comes out to enjoy those Scottish brogues.