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Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Review: Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year by Rochelle Bilow

 

Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year by Rochelle Bilow
Publication Date: February 14th 2023 by Berkley
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher 
Rating: 
Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:
Feeling like her life is growing stale, Ruby Spencer quits her job and moves to Scotland, renting a cottage sight unseen, for a year.  She’s determined to write a cookbook and figure her life out.

Thistlecross is a small town, and the Cosy Hearth Pub has seen better days, certainly busier ones, but it’s charming. Between writing her cookbook, helping out in the pub and getting to know the locals it’s not long before Thistlecross starts to feel like home, wedging a spot into Ruby’s heart. Even more so as she gets to know Brochan, the sexy Scot-slash-handyman in town.

I just loved the setting of Thistlecross, the sound of the charming cottage and the old pub where Ruby is staying. The food she whipped up on her own and with her landlady, Grace, made with fresh eggs, herbs and veggies from the garden she started up sounded delicious and added to the appeal.  I enjoyed Ruby and Brochan getting to know and fall hard for each other. Of course, not all was smooth sailing, I was more irritated with Brochan than Ruby, though, but the conflict wasn’t over-the-top and felt true-to-life. The romance was lovely.

I’d definitely recommend Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year. It was a delightful combination of delicious food, dreamy setting, and a lusty romance!
 
4 Stars


Book Description:

One of...
Buzzfeed's Romance Books To Look Out For In 2023
Paste Magazine's Most Anticipated Contemporary Romance Books of 2023


When a thirty-something American food writer moves to a Scottish village for one year to fulfill her dream of writing a cookbook she finds more than inspiration--she meets a handsome Scotsman she can't resist.

Ruby Spencer is spending one year living in a small cottage in a tiny town in the Scottish Highlands for three reasons: to write a bestselling cookbook, to drink a barrelful of whisky, and to figure out what comes next. It's hard to know what to expect after an impulse decision based on a map of Scotland in her Manhattan apartment--but she knows it's high time she had an adventure.

The moment she sets foot in Thistlecross, the verdant scenery, cozy cottages, and struggling local pub steal her heart. Between designing pop-up suppers and conversing with the colorful locals, Ruby starts to see a future that stretches beyond her year of adventure. It doesn't hurt that Brochan, the ruggedly handsome local handyman, keeps coming around to repair things at her cottage. Though Ruby swore off men, she can't help fantasizing what a roll in the barley might be like with the bearded Scot.

As Ruby grows closer to Brochan and the tightly held traditions of the charming village, she discovers secret plans to turn her beloved pub into an American chain restaurant. Faced with an impossible choice, Ruby must decide between love, loyalty, and the Highlands way of life.


10 comments:

  1. It's the setting that makes me want to read this one. I love books set in Scotland! :D

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  2. Yes! Thistlecross was fantastic and wedged its way into my heart, and the food. I loved the sound of it all. Brochan was a highlight as well. He had a tender heart.

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  3. This sounds lovely. I almost requested a review copy and decided against it at the last minute. I wish I had now, but will look for it at the library.

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  4. I'm still thinking I want to read this one. Wonderful review!

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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  5. The setting and food would definitely make a hit with me.

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  6. I really liked this one! I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job with it.

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  7. Can't wait to read this one! It's in my TBR, so glad to see you loved it :)

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