Book 2 of Macabe Brothers series. Can be read as a standalone.

It follows the story of Juniper Ross and Callum Macabe, who navigate a complicated relationship amidst family ties and a "don't-look-at-a-Macabe" rule.

A spicy, opposites attract Rom-com
- Black Cat FMC and Golden Retriever MMC
- Forbidden love (ex fiancé’s brother)
- Age Gap
- small Scottish town
- Dual POV
- He’s down bad for her (like really really down bad 🤣)
- Yearning

The tension and banter between Callum and Harper was so good. Enjoyed it.
Didn’t know it had so much 🌶️ though
Ending of the book was abrupt and okayish.


The audio was good. The scottish accents and voice acting was great. Had so much fun ☺️☺️
Sound production, clarity was good. 1x(default) was extremely slow for me.

Despite an annoying beginning, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Probably in an effort to hook readers, there were sexy thoughts and claims of falling in love within the first 3 minutes. It didn’t grab me; I thought maybe it’d be too heavy, but once the story started I liked the characters and the quaint setting.

The story line was entertaining and not entirely predictable. I was happy as I like books that have both character narratives.
Audiobook is the way to go on this one!
I love when the audiobooks have different voices for the different characters. Also, the narrators having accents added another level of character and helped me understand some of the word choices better.

I appreciated Juniper & Callum’s banter. Juniper’s quips had me laugh out loud a few times. I would love to see some follow ups with the other couples in the book!

3.75⭐️

Scotch on the Rocks is a messy, raw, forced proximity romance packed with tension, banter, and all the yearning, set against the charming backdrop of a small Scottish isle.

She’s his little brother’s ex-fiancée and he fell for her hard and fast, before he even knew she was off limits. Now, years later, they’re both back in their picturesque hometown, and she needs his help fixing up her inn. Cue the forced proximity, complicated history, and longing-filled tension that comes with unresolved feelings.

There’s witty banter, some shenanigans, emotional and physical tension, yearning and messy dynamics. She’s guarded because of her past, fierce, yet vulnerable, while he’s the unwavering, quietly devoted man who’s been in love with her for years, just waiting for her to let him in.

The duet narration brings an added layer of emotion to the story, and the Scottish accents were so immersive, setting the mood perfectly.

If you're craving a small-town, forced proximity, forbidden romance full of tension, tenderness, and yearning, with irresistible Scottish charm, then Scotch on the Rocks is for you!

Absolutely devoured this!

I really enjoyed the banter and pining between Callum & Juniper! The characters and town feel so real and lived in, and found the character development so well done.

Being able to experience this story with dual narrators that spoke in Scottish accents really enhanced the story! Rebecca McClay and Russ Bain put on phenomenal performances!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, HarperAudio, and Avon for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the Audio ARC.

I enjoyed this story. After reading Whiskey on the Rocks, I was excited for book 2. I have to say, Callum is such a sweetheart. He made me swoon with his utter love and devotion to everyone throughout the story.

I found myself relating to Juniper a lot and I like that there was no third act “break up” in this story. It was less predictable that way.

I will say… the story arc about their father having dementia is really sad and I think this book did not shy away from showing the toll it can take on a family. I appreciated that.

I also appreciated all the beautiful descriptions of the island - I want to visit Scotland now!

The voice actors were good for the role - their Scottish accents were strong.

Would recommend this one!

i didn’t enjoy this as much as some other romance books, and i’m gonna be so honest the accent in the audiobook took me out of the story for some reason (yes i know this is a scotish romance, hence the scotish accent). i will definitely be continuing on with the series on ebook format!

I really enjoyed this audiobook partially because I'm crazy about Scotch accents. I also really enjoyed the story because of the characters and the plot. The characters are loveable. The storyline is a good one. The author does a great job at pulling you into the story and getting you invested in the characters and wondering what will happen next. Having traveled Scotland and the Isle of Skye, I really enjoyed hearing a story with that setting.

Russ Bain and Rebecca McClay did a great job with the narration. Their accents sounded pretty on point, but I have no idea if they are Scottish or not.

Thank you to Elliot Fletcher and NetGalley for the ALC.

“I think you like my mouth. In fact, I think you’re about to love my mouth.”

I love a man with a mouth and Callum Macabe did not disappoint. He is down bad for her since meeting her, unfortunately he was unaware at the time she was engaged to his brother.

After the relationship fell apart, these two found themselves in the same town and always in each other’s way. Juniper is trying to find her way in the world while obeying one rule, stay away from Macabe men.

As you can guess, she fails at that task spectacularly!

The narrators for the audiobook were amazing. They really brought the character to life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ALC!

Firstly, I'd like to thank NetGalley, Berkley and the author for sending me an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

My rating: 3 stars
What you can expect:
- Brother's ex-fiancée
- Black cat FMC x Golden boy MMC
- He falls first and hard
- Mental illness and caretaker rep.
- Are we fighting or are we flirting?
- Spice spice spice
- Scottish accent!

My thoughts:
Audiobooks are my newest obsession, so I'm not ashamed to admit I jumped up and down a little when I got approved for this one because, hello?!? VET MMC WITH A SCOTTISH ACCENT??? SIGN. ME. UP.

However, to my eternal dismay, while his delivery was delicious and everything a girl could hope for, hers was just not it. Not in rhythm, not in inflexion, not in line with the character's personality nor the banter between the two. His chapters? I ate them up. Hers? I hit that x2 speed because by the end, I just couldn't stand her. So, so bland, half-way through I was bored out of my mind.

Unfortunately, and although there were some really memorable and phenomenal moments, I wish I could've read this book on my kindle instead because I know I would've loved it that way. Listening to it was plain and boring, and not even the spice made me keep my interest.

No one is sadder than me, I promise.

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.😚

The audio was so good! Russ Bain & Rebecca Mcclay did an amazing job 👏👏

That Scottish brogue really makes this story and its characters pop! It was a sweet and spicy romance with an attraction that started off with a bang. You'll enjoy this for what it is and leave satisfied with a happily ever after worthy of its couple.

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!

Juniper Ross has a few rules when it comes to the Macabe brother's and she is about to break them all. Callum Macabe is the oldest brother and has been in love with Juniper since he first saw her on the train years ago. After asking her for her number Juniper flatly refused and broke his heart ever since. Now that she is back in the village Callum is determined to make his feelings known. They have a love / hate relationship through their bantor. This was a funny and very spicy book while it is book 2 in The Macabe Brothers series I was able to follow along just fine without reading the first book. I would like to thank both NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for letting me listen to an advance copy of this audiobook.

NARRATORS WERE INCREDIBLE!!! OMG. They did so well.

The tension. The chemistry. The YEARNING. This was such a good listen. I love a messy complicated situation and this delivered just what I wanted. Callum is a MAN of mans. I truly loved him. Kind, loved by everyone, helpful, and handsome??? What more can you ask for.

Easily one of the most fun books I've listened to this year. I can't wait for the next.

I loved this one, Juniper is such a perfect fmc! Her sass, attitude and never back down style black cat energy was perfect. I really enjoyed the banter between June and Callum. I am such a sucker for a golden retriever mmc who has spent YEARS pinning after the fmc. The added twist of being his brothers ex-fiance and his sisters best friend was truly diabolical. The old inn renovation part of the plot and the history of feeling un-lovable or easily left by parents and loved ones was really an emotional storyline that added so much depth to June.

-Ex’s Older Brother, Black Cat x Golden Retriever, He Falls First, Remote Scottish Island
-Loved the scenery and descriptions! Could imagine it perfectly in my mind!
-Can’t wait to continue this series with April & Mal’s story!

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, HarperAudio, and Elliot Fletcher for a copy of this ALC in exchange for a review! Loved the Scottish accents, there wasn’t much difference in the female or male character voices. Otherwise really enjoyed the narration. 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! Callum’s narrator had the perfect deep accent. Juniper’s narrator was a bit too sweet/light for a black cat FMC.

Author: Elliot Fletcher
Format: immersive reading (audio & ebook)
Narrators: Rebecca McClay & Russ Bain
Rating: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

The love at FIRST SIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! LOVED this book! I adore this series, because give me Scottish accents and a DOWN BAD man my heart is set! I will forever champion Elliot Fletcher work! She writes some of the best MMC and some great FMC who we as women can relate too!

🥃 Small Town Romance
🥃 Hate to Love
🥃 Grumpy x Sunshine
🥃 Black Cat x Golden Retriever
🥃 Ex Fiance's Brother
🥃 Age Gap
🥃 No Third Act Breakup

When I had the chance to get an ALC I was ecstatic to do a reread. And it did not disappoint! Of course, I love this book with my whole heart and the narrators were icing on the cake, they were perfect!

I listened to this book and highly enjoyed the Scottish accent and dual male/female narrators. Whenever there is a story with an accent it really just transports you into the setting of the story. In this story Callum is the eldest brother of the Macabe brothers and he holds most of the stress of his entire family on his shoulders. Callum owns his own business and is a busy veterinarian. Callum is also a primary caretaker for his father who is having rapid decline in dementia and also is an emotional support for his mother going through this as well. Callum is extremely hard on himself, takes on a lot of responsibility and denies himself from the one thing he really wants, Juniper. Juniper is Callum's brothers ex-fiance. Juniper is fiercely independent, runs her own B&B and fosters cats. Callum and Juniper have had a smoldering attraction that has spanned years (was not during her previous relationship) and they have never followed through. While dealing with a flood at the B&B and the care of Callum's dad Juniper and Callum find themselves together more and more. Everytome they see each other sparks fly and their is so much tension. This was a perfect summer read. Perfect to read and relax on a beach and I highly recommend the audio as it adds another layer to the story. Loved Callum and Juniper's journey and then being end goals.

Thank you Netgalley and Harperaudio Adult for this ALC all opinions are my own.

Solid 3.75 stars for this book. I really was looking forward to learning more about Callum and this book did not disappoint. I listened to the audiobook for this, and I really enjoyed that as well, even though the female narrator‘s voice irritated me a little bit sometimes; It would not put me off, listening to her read another book, though.

I felt like the storyline of the book was thoroughly flushed out, and you could feel the tension between June and Callum building and building, and ebbing and flowing. It was the perfect push and pull where you wanted so badly for them to do something, but it didn’t leave you Waiting too long even though they were just little tiny things leading up to the bigger story. I felt that the smut in this book was perfect, and the romance was incredible, the third act conflict made sense and wasn’t too bad. Although it had to do with communication, it was not your standard yell at the book, what the heck are you thinking? Why wouldn’t you tell them type of conflict. I do believe the third book will likely be Alistair‘s and I look forward to reading his since he was shrouded and mystery for the parts of this book he was in.