Reviewed by a Scottish lass. Fletcher has done it again with this enemies-to-lovers, reverse grumpy meets sunshine (black cat meets golden retriever), small-town romance. 🐈‍⬛🦮 Notable tropes include age gap, forbidden love and love at first sight. With a whole lot of yearning, arguments, and spice as well as very raw emotional moments, this was a very touching read. 💙
For fans of Alexandra Kiley, B.K. Borison and Tarah DeWitt. 💐

The Macabe brother series has become my new comfort read. I recommend you play <i>Love Looks Pretty On You</i> by Nessa Barrett whilst reading this one. And for those who felt there wasn’t much that happened in Book 1 or that it was too drama-free will find this one quite a treat because this is definitely drama galore!

Some books in a series will gloss over Book 1 and the couple from it without much exploration (which is completely fine don’t get me wrong, because it’s amazing to have standalones so you can jump in and don’t have to read the series in order). But oh my gosh, it was so lovely to see April and Mal again, and for them to be in this story so often! I laughed at how Mal overhears June’s conversation with April so is forced to be in on her secret and he’s like “I shouldn’t be here for this” haha! Priceless and precious Mal. I love him so much, he’s my utter favourite.

June is similar to Mal, keeping people at a distance because she fears rejection and doesn’t think she can be loved. She has an adopted cat called Shakespeare and it is nice the way the cat itself has a personality that mirrors her own, scratching at people and not allowing them near. Callum is always desperate to fix things as a coping mechanism so he doesn’t need to focus on himself. It’s nice that he has a therapy rabbit and makes sure that kids don’t go through what he and Mal did with their father, Jim. I like that June and Callum both pretend to be fine when they aren’t so like calls to like, and distracting each other is just the sort of thing they need.

Jim having Alzheimer’s is a very heartbreaking topic and as someone who has experienced a relative with dementia, I think Fletcher captured so well how helpless and upsetting it can be.

This felt like more 4 stars than 5 because there was so much going on I felt things were crammed in without being fleshed out. The renovation wasn’t explored much and neither were all the dates around Skye (2 out of 4 were covered). I had really hoped that more of the renovation was covered. Callum was going to look at the plans in her notebook/sketchbook and bring them about. The gazebo in the wild garden I was really looking forward to Callum doing but in the Epilogue we discover June’s done it all and more. But all-in-all, I really enjoyed this. I would ultimately rate this 4.5 because of Callum doing so many sweet things!

Scotch on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher is the second book in the Macabe Brothers Series. This is Juniper and Callum’s story.
 
Callum has a crush on Juniper from the start but she’s his brother’s ex and therefore seemingly off-limits. He is very charming and funny and totally surprised me in this story. He is very different than Juniper and that made it very appealing.
 
Juniper is a gorgeous woman who is very independent and knows what she wants and likes. I loved her humor and how witty and sharp-tongued she is. She hasn’t had the best experiences in relationships and is very guarded, but I loved how Callum gives his all and shows her what could be.
 
I adore this world and the setting in Scotland, and it was great to return to it. Juniper and Callum have the perfect black cat and golden retriever energy and I loved their chemistry. Their banter was top notch and I love how he nicknames her Harpy and that was so fitting. I loved the hiking in a kilt scene and their relationship is very uplifting and I loved how they become better people through love.
 
If you’re looking for a funny and swoon worthy Scottish romance, look no further and enjoy this book. 4 stars.
 
(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.)

Scotch on the Rocks is a charming and addictive romance that draws readers in from the very first page. Set against the evocative backdrop of the Isle of Skye, the story follows Juniper and Callum, whose palpable chemistry and witty banter are at the heart of this engaging tale. Juniper shines as a strong, independent protagonist, while Callum—endearingly devoted and delightfully golden retriever-esque—wins hearts with his unwavering affection and determination to win her trust. Their dynamic, rich with slow-burn yearning and emotional vulnerability, is both comforting and compelling, and revisiting familiar faces like April and Mal from Whiskey Business adds an extra layer of warmth.

The book’s tone is light-hearted and fun, laced with humour and moments that genuinely make you giggle, especially through the banter and the antics of memorable side characters like Shakespeare, the “evil” cat. While some aspects—such as the tension between Callum and his brother or their father’s storyline—feel slightly underdeveloped, the emotional core remains strong. The setting is as much a character as the leads, making readers long for a trip to the scenic Scottish island. Though it works well as a standalone, fans will likely want to read the whole series in order to fully appreciate the emotional depth and continuity. Highly recommended for lovers of romantic tropes, strong heroines, and heartfelt storytelling.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC.

This book was such a fun read and just as good if not even better that Whisky Business!

The book sucks you right in where you instantly feel the chemistry between Juniper and Callum.
I just loved Callum with his „I would burn the world for her“ attitude and how Juniper slowly but surely started to trust and believe him.

Overall this book had me hooked from the beginning and I could not put it down! I was giggling throughout this book and the banter was amazing! I love if a book has a good banter between the MC‘s!
Also I loved how we got to see April and Mal again!

If you are looking for a book that has these tropes, Scotch on the Rocks is for you:

- Black Cat/ Golden Retriever Relationship
- Emotional Scars
- Difficult Childhood
- Brothers Ex- Fiancé
- He falls first
- Age gap
- Set in Scotland

3.75
(The cover is covering so hard omggggg I’m in LOVE.)

Very much loved the setting, the yearning and the slowly warming up to the other person. Although the “warming up”-part is more related to Juniper warming up to Callum because this dude was head over heels since the first time he saw her. Poor man, but very understandable.

Juniper was absolutely the main character and star of this book! She is such a baddy and I love that for her.
The banter between her and Callum was fun to read.
And also shoutout to Shakespear, the evil cat. What a gem.

I do think there could have been more done with Callum dad’s situation as well as with the fight Callum and Alistair (they’re brothers) had. Both of those things felt short at one point even though they kinda are a bigger and constantly mentioned part in the book.
I also sometimes had to remind myself that Callum is supposed to be almost forty and sometimes yes, I could see that and other times, especially with Alistair, I could not.

I haven’t read book one “Whiskey Business” yet, but will definitely do so. I’m also looking forward to the third book in the series.

This book was such a fun read!

The main characters Juniper and Callum had such amazing chemistry. I loved how resistant Juniper was and how Callum would basically do anything for her. He was absolutely adorable when he tried to get Juniper to open up her heart to him.

Callum is such a cute golden retriever mmc and honestly gave off some Travis Kelce vibes which I loved! Juniper is a total black cat which only added to their great dynamic. 🦮🐈‍⬛

It was honestly such a comforting feeling to be back on the Isle of Skye. The books in this series just feel so homey. 🥹 I desperately need to travel there one day because it sounds amazing!

Overall I loved this book just as much as the first one and definitely recommend this series! Even though it’s a series the books in it can all be read as standalones but it’s better to read them in order! My heart is still caught up on Mal and April from book 1!

Thank you so much to the author and netgalley for this e-arc 🫶

This is a sexy, spicy Scottish romance that you seriously can’t miss.

From the first sentence this book claims your full attention and once you started you won’t stop reading it.

I loved the black-cat/golden-retriever relationship between Juniper and Callum. The banter was so much fun to read and the spicy scenes... wow... those were spicy. Drama was also present and when I say drama it is proper drama which I love in a book.

Tropes
✨ ex fiancées brother
✨ he falls first and harder
✨ she is the boss in the bedroom
✨ small town Scotland
✨ black cat x golden retriever
✨ 9 year age gap

I also love a book that has a playlist and this one has which I actually recommend listening to as it gives you all the vibes from the book.

𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐓 𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑 - 𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐒
𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖

My everlasting thanks to the publisher and the author for the eARC copy of this one!

I just knew in my core how devastatingly deep these Macabe men would burrow under my skin and keep me hostage. First Mal, now Callum had me giggling, swooning and contemplating.
Scotch on the Rocks was one of my most anticipated romances this year. No joking, when I first made my 2025 list of books I'd most definitely buy, this one was the first on the list. In parts it's thanks to Elliot. She has me wrapped around her clever fingers, typing up witty banter and pining heroes like it's her god given talent.
But partly it's because of the environment these people are placed in. The Scottish islands, like a small gem offering a comfort in this busy and lately shockingly ugly world, provide a kind of escapism a few stories are able for me.
From the first sentence I was hooked ('Falling in love with Juniper Ross felt like stepping into oncoming traffic.') as it held the similarity of a beautifully written movie script. This set me up for the tangible sexual tension from the get-go, which I wasn't prepared for. But Callum's filthy mouth and thoughts were just peaks in between the constant ribbing and teasing, the funny guy shtick. He was also extremely caring, thoughtful and Atlas-like. Carrying the weight of family expectations, guilt and longing around his shoulders.
With all that, I loved how relentless he was in the pursuit of Juniper. Years’ worth of small gestures, constantly looking out for her and being conscious about her needs and maybe fears all surmounted to him laying his heart on the line.
Finding a different and maybe more direct approach to wooing Juniper was equally crazy, sweet and maybe delusional.
Her yearning to be loved and accepted was bricked up behind tall walls, as she needed to be strong for so many occasions in her life. Falling for another brother, being in the centre of that gossip and possibly enduring another heartbreak were low on her list of wants.
But she and Callum had chemistry, an elusive understanding of each other and that damn pull stringing them together. For him, she would forget all her rules.
She needs someone to care without abandon, he needs it to be him - the one she turns to.
This story felt different from Mal and April’s sweet bumbling love. It held tension, a tightrope of ‘will they or won’t they’. I never could tell if the jabs were too honest or completely foolish. I was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, the tentative feelings to evaporate with one wrong act. This made the story even more special, me slamming down the book mid-sentences and screaming into my pillow.
In the end love conquered: The jaded girl and the man who could barely hold it together, but pretending otherwise found solace and comfort in each other.
And it was as devastatingly perfect as I hoped it’d be.

Perfect follow up to Whiskey Business, a good balance of the supporting characters with the two leads.

Something about their banter/bickering felt a bit off to me, mainly at the start but once I settled into it I didn’t mind it so much. I also wish we could have seen more of their relationship, the book skips a couple of weeks and I would have liked to have seen them in that time, how they become more of a couple. If you are looking for a book where the MMC falls first and pines a lot this is a must read.

Shakespeare 🐈‍⬛ has my heart.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is a compelling exploration of identity, love, and self-discovery, all shaken (not stirred) with a generous dose of wit and vulnerability. Fletcher's writing is sharp and insightful, drawing you into the protagonist's world with vivid descriptions and authentic dialogue. The characters are complex and relatable, each grappling with their own set of challenges and desires.

What sets this book apart is its unflinching honesty. Fletcher doesn't shy away from difficult topics, tackling them with sensitivity and nuance. The narrative unfolds at a satisfying pace, keeping you engaged from beginning to end.

After reading Whisky Business I was intrigued by Mal’s older brother Callum and his flirty enemies-to-lovers vibe with Juniper. It’s safe to say I’ve been counting days till I could read Scotch On The Rocks with a growing list of expectations.

This book. Exceeded. Them. All. I couldn’t imagine the level of yearning and angst in Callum’s POV. The poor boy was gone the moment he met Juniper, and didn’t give up until she was in his arms. June was prickly for a reason, and I completely understand her feelings and her doubts. Luckily, she got the most devoted and persistent guy who loves all her edges. In her turn, she is the only one to see through Callum’s facade and give him care and support that he so desperately needs.

I loved the drama. I always enjoy a romance that’s over the top, but the stories that truly blow me away are the ones in which I can believe. Where there are no real villains, just people who try and fail, make mistakes and learn from them.

I never thought I’d be excited to read Alistair’s story, but here I am. Hope he gets his redemption, and I hope Heather gets her happily ever after. And I will never get tired of watching Mal swoon over April 🫠

Definitely one of the top reads this year—scratch that—top reads ever 😍 At this point I will read anything Elliot Fletcher decides to write!

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Summary

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️ 2.5/5

Fluff rating: 💖💖💖💖 4/5

This was such a lovely soft and romantic read I’m really loving these sweet and tender MMCs with hearts of gold that the author is writing for this series. The Macabe brothers are those men 🥹

This felt more character driven than book 1 which it absolutely had to be for Juniper she’s dealing with a lot of repressed feelings and it was really nice to see her working through them and how good Callum was her even of she didn’t realise it whilst she was trying to push him away.

I loved the dynamic between the two of them and their snappy back and forth was funny, believable and entertaining. We see more in to the dynamics of the Macabe family here too and how they’re coping with Jim’s dementia which I think was really well represented.

If you like soft romantic books like first time caller or wild love and are looking for that warm cozy feeling but with a remote Scottish isle setting with a sunshine vet MMC and a grumpy innkeeper FMC (who also happens to be his brother ex fiancée 👀) I’d definitely recommend this one.

The man who won't forget her!👥

3.5-4 🌟 stars
The Isle of Skye setting drew me to this title. I also liked male lead Callum, the veterinarian Macabe brother, who is all in for Juniper, the woman who WAS his brother's fiancee but has been free and clear of that relationship for years. The whole not treading where a sibling has been thing is a strong theme here, especially since Callum is not sure Juniper is REALLY over brother Alistair. That, coupled with Juniper's grumpy exterior, makes the whole courting project an uphill battle for Callum.

I can't really pinpoint why, but this romance couldn't keep me engaged for long at a sitting. It took two weeks to finish; that's way longer than my norm. There were plenty of things going on such as: lots of barbed banter, a parent with his mind slipping away, island sights to savor, a renovation project with glitches, a scrappy cat to dodge, a mother-adopted daughter situation to work on, an ex-fiance to face and lots of sexual tension. I don't understand why it didn't excite me more. Maybe it just had too much going on! I was also a bit disappointed that it didn't have more about the unique, staggering beauty of the Skye landscape. Maybe some more of that featured in the first book in the series which I did not read.

Thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 6/6/25 on Waterstones, Goodreads and Bookbub sites, and with Barnes & Noble and BAM. To be shared after July release with kobo and Google Play.

I loved Whisky Business, so I was so glad to be back in Skye with the Macabe brothers!

This one was all about Callum and Juniper. The tropes in this were tropes I don't read too much: brothers ex fiance, black cat X golden retriever, and honestly it all worked so well! Callum and Juniper had the best banter, it was just such a fun read.

The romance was fun and quirky, whilst the backstory added a lot of depth. There was a lot going on for both Juniper and Callum and it definitely adds so much to their connection.

I love the Scottish setting of this series, the small town (island) romance adds so much. I cannot wait for book 3 😍

Ex-fiancee's brother can be a tricky trope to do without it coming off wrong but this book did it fantastically.

I feel in love with the small town in the Isle of Skye when I read book one - Whisky Business. I'm so pleased to be back there following Juniper and Callum's forbidden love story.

We meet Juniper and Callum in book one, getting a feel for their personalities. Callum the cheeky, fun loving Macabre brother seemed so carefree but in this book we get to see all his feelings laid bare. I am such a sucker for a male pov, especially when he falls first, and hard.

Juniper is a guarded character. I felt instantly drawn to her though. I loved the slow unfolding of her character, as we get to see behind the walls she's built. The connection and trust growing between her and Callum was perfectly done. Their chemistry and banter was hilarious. I loved their verbal sparing matches.

Usually in small town romances, it's the MMC that's grumpy and the FMC is the sunshine however, this book it's the opposite. The MMC is a golden retriever and the FMC is a black cat. It was a refreshing change from the norm.

I am really looking forward to the third book in the series as I need more of these characters in my life! I'm not ready to leave the Macabre brothers just yet.

Thank you to Harper Fiction for this advanced copy.

5 ⭐️

Elliot Fletcher’s writing is beyond marvellous. Another 5 stars book from her!! This book was so amazing and I’m in an awe with this author and how wonderful her stories are.

This is the second instalment in The Macabe Brothers Series. I read the first one as an ARC as well and it was so good, one of my top reads of 2024. Scotch on the Rocks follows Juniper and Callum and it has the love at first sight and brother's ex fiancée tropes. They both meet on a train on its way to his hometown and he immediately gets drawn by her but turns out, she’s his brother’s new fiancée.

Read if you like:
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ex fiancée’s brother.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 love at first sight.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 reverse grumpy x sunshine.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 age gap.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 small town.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 forbidden love.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 he falls first.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 dual pov.

Thank you to the author, HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Scott on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher will be coming out on June 5th.

I loved Whiskey Business and when I saw this book available, it requested it immediately. I really loved how this characters developed together by the end of the book, starting with their own issues and storylines.

The absolute audacity of Elliot Fletcher to write another Macabe brother that I fell insanely fast and hard for!

This is easily one of my top reads for the year already, as I love a black cat and juniper was the perfect example of one! She’s feisty and head strong and doesn’t take nonsense from anyone, to which I thought she was incredibly endearing because you just knew she was going to be a softie deep down, her love for Shakespeare (the cat!!) really showed that! The deeper dive we get into Junipers past the mods sense it makes as to why she’s not the most welcoming but let’s be real how would anyone be able to resist Callum Macabe especially when he’s basically throwing himself at you???

I adored Callum, very seriously obsessed with them, if I move to Skye can I find one of him? Or is that not how it works when we’re not in a book? He was every level of swoony, from the way that he subtly did little things for June without her knowing (the milk in the shop?? Stop it!) to the fact that he’s a vet who has a bunny that is emotional support for kids??? I love him, he just saw June even when he probably shouldn’t have done!! We’re not even going to get started on the mouth on this man, but also how he was willing to let June take charge. HOT.

Now I am an absolute sucker for an ex’s big brother romance, but this one was another level. I loved the way that Elliot handled it, the fact that there was no glaringly obvious reason for June and Alister to hate each other, but there was obviously hurt there! Just in a different way? It makes me giddy when the brother is down bad for his brother’s girl but Callum was a man obsessed!

The exploring Skye element was definitely one of my favourite things, what do you mean I have a list of things I want to go and do there now?? But because I love a good folklore story, I thoroughly enjoyed Elliot including it!

Honestly, who’d have thought anything would’ve topped WB but here we are!


♾️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Juniper Ross has a strict rule: stay away from the Macabe brothers. But when she finds herself repeatedly crossing paths with Callum Macabe, the small-town hero and her ex-fiancé's brother, resisting him becomes increasingly difficult. As they navigate their complicated past and undeniable attraction, Juniper and Callum discover that breaking the rules might just lead to the love they've both been searching for.

This is a delightful and heart-warming romance that will sweep you off your feet. Fletcher's ability to craft relatable characters and engaging storylines shines through in this novel. The chemistry between the protagonists, Juniper Ross and Callum Macabe, is electric and palpable, making their journey from tension to love incredibly satisfying. The Scottish setting adds a charming backdrop to their story, enhancing the overall reading experience. Fletcher's writing is witty, emotional, and thoroughly enjoyable, making "Scotch on the Rocks" a must-read for romance enthusiasts. Highly recommended!

Tropes:

Opposites attract
Forbidden love
Second chance romance
Small-town romance
Enemies to lovers

I adored Whisky Business, but Scotch on the Rocks absolutely stole my heart! Hands down one of my favorite reads of 2025! I was totally obsessed, the moment I hit the last page, I was ready to start all over again. It’s that good!

This book? Where do I start with this one: The setting? The banter? The pinning? Their nicknames? The characters? Absolutely brilliant!

The book starts with Callum meeting this alluring woman on a train that he's instantly drawn to, but surprise surprise she's none other than Alistair (his brother's) fiancee, that he was traveling to meet. 

Flashforward to years later, long after Alistaire ended the engagement, Juniper is back in her hometown helping her mother run their family's inn. Her dream is to transform the little inn, but nothing goes according to her plan. Callum is always there, teasing and taunting her, but when Callum offers to help her with the inn, the two of them are forced into this reluctant partnership. Callum sees this opportunity as his chance to show Juniper that they were meant to be. 

One of my favorite aspects was their banter and tension. It was absolutely spectacular. Their black cat/golden retriever dynamic was brilliant! And the forbidden love? Ex-Fiance’s brother? Ugh sooo good!  I really liked the balance between deep emotional scenes and their banter. 

Calum was perfect! He was soooo down bad for Juniper from the first time they met, it’s adorable! I adored how he wasn’t scared of the magnitude of his feelings for her, AND the yearning, the begging? CHEF KISS!

And Juniper? She is incredible, I adored that she was the grumpy/black cat of the duo. Her walls were incredibly high and her background made her struggle with love and affection, but Callum slowly breaking Juniper walls was beautiful to read. How little by little he showed her, that not only he was there for her all along and how they are meant to be, but how she is deserving of the inn and how much she’s cared for in the community/family. She is for sure one of my favourite FMC!

Can we talk about the smut for a second?? WOW this book had me blushing and fanning myself in so many scenes! The way this man yearns for her? How they tease each other??  Hot just hot! I also loved that we got to see how bad he had it for her, it’s not something we usually see in MMCs and I LOVED IT. We need more men like Callum! Their chemistry was truly undeniable, you could tell from the beginning that it wasn’t just physical pleasure between them, a deep emotional connection, even if she was in denial for a bit!

LOVED LOVED the setting! As someone who loves Scotland as much as I do, I adored that we got the chance to explore the beautiful Isle of Skye and its culture. The small town vibes in this one were immaculate. Mal and April? Loved that they are still a prominent part of the story, their moments together had me smiling!

The glimpses we got of the next book??? Ugh cannot wait! I have mixed feelings about Alistair, but I know Elliot is going to make me love him nonetheless, not to mention, I adored the snippets we’ve got of Isla.

Definitely read this one if you love the idea of: 
🌼 Reverse Grumpy/sunshine aka Black cat/Golden Retriever
📖 Ex-Fiance’s brother
💖 Age gap (9 Years)
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Small town in Scotland
✨He YEARNS
🔥She’s the boss in the bedroom and he loves it!
🌲 He falls first and harder

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Publishing and Elliot Fletcher for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!