Thanks to HarperCollins and Netgalley for this advance copy of Scotch on the Rocks.

Wow, where do I even start with this one?! Truly such a stellar book. I read Whisky Business by Fletcher last year and loved it, and jumped with joy whenever I got accepted for this ARC. Then I proceeded to race through this book in like a day and a half - I couldn't put it down.

Juniper and Callum - ughhh they have my heart. I absolutely adored Callum's eldest sibling energy, and the responsibilities and challenges that come with this - such heartwrenching topics were written in such a delicate and loving way. And Juniper, oh Juniper my love, I just want to wrap her up in bubble wrap and let her know she is SO loved. She was such a little black cat, rough around the edges but so soft and full of yearning. These two mixed together were just something else. I am obsesssssssed. Also obsessed with the fact the premise of this book is that Juniper is Callum's brother's ex-fiance... Yup. The dramaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

I 11/10 recommend picking this book up. I beg of you - read it! It's so worth it. Full of angst, yearning, and tension that has such a delicious payoff. I already can't wait for book three!!!

This book started with such a bang. I was immediately invested and having the best time, but as the story unfolded, I found the way the brother's ex-fiance dynamic was handled really didn't work for me.

For context, Callum has pretty much been in love with June from the minute he set eyes on her, which was just before being introduced to her/realising she was his brother, Alistair's, girlfriend. He spent their relationship pining/loving her from afar until circumstances, and Alistair's admittedly bad handling of them saw him break up with June and remain in Glasgow when she had to move back to Skye. It's been six years since the break-up, and Callum and June are just acquaintances. She's best friends with his sister and his other brother's girlfriend. He's had feelings for her the whole time.

The banter is brilliant. It's dual-pov, and at first, I loved Callum, but the more the romance progressed, the more I disliked being in his head. In the six years since the break-up, Callum has apparently got over any guilt or caution regarding his feelings for June and gives very little thought to the complicated situation when pursuing her.

Even though he even tells June that when Alistair ended things Alistair's "heart broke too," he still told his brother about his and June's relationship in the least compassionate, most selfish way possible.

In the end, I found Callum proprietary, and kind of obsessive. I think we aren't supposed to think of him as selfish because he takes responsibility for his Dad's advancing Alzheimers care, has always done what's expected of him, is a pillar of the community and goes out his way to help June. I think it tries to frame it in a way that this is just his time to do something for himself, but to me, that just gets lost under the complete lack of consideration he has for his brother in this. I think if there had been some more internal conflict, if we'd seen him wrestle with his feelings and his decision to pursue June more, if his behaviour toward his brother had been better, then I would have been on board.

Also, June has some life-long abandonment issues for very valid reasons. She's a black cat character who doesn't believe she's lovable, hides behind snark, and a prickly exterior and keeps everyone at arms length and I felt like this was resolved very quickly.

It's a shame because this is otherwise such a good read. The writing, the banter, every Mal and April crumb which kept me FED, it was all great.

I actually can't wait for Alistair's book. Justice for Alistair.


Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for the earc.

This was a really cute book. I love love LOVE a man who's down bad for his woman, and was Callum ever! Of course he made a dumb decision or two, but I can't fault him too much. June's story was so sweet to me; she's independent to a fault, sassy af, and just wants to be loved. Their banter was fun to read and watching both them learn to let loose and let the other take care of them was heartwarming.

I love a good golden retriever/black cat duo, and that's what initially drew me to the book. Then I learnt it was set in Scotland, a place I just moved from, and I clearly had to read it. I had some gripes about some of the descriptions about Edinburgh and would've of loved some more descriptions of the landscape on the Isle of Skye, but over all it a wonderful reminder of a place I once called home.

If you want a fun quick story, with just a hint of taboo, some spicy dates in the Scottish outdoors, and duo with lots of tension and banter, this is perfect for you.

This was a lovely cosy-yet-spicy small town romance set on the Scottish island of Skye between dependable hunk Callum and cold, emotionally closed-off Juniper. He Falls First, and hard! This was a well-rounded and emotional story, with fleshed out side characters and complex family dynamics, including a very sensitively portrayed exploration of a family member with advanced dementia. You can't help but root for Callum and Juniper - I can't wait for the next instalment of the Macabe brothers books!

If you were going into this like me after reading book one and expecting a cute little romance with a
side of spice then you’re about to experience a full body bolt of shock. Listen, I liked Whisky
Business, It was adorable. I will be a Mal Macabe defender until the day that I die, but this book has a
completely different measure than the first.

We have already met both Callum and Juniper in the first book, but we didn’t really see (if at all)
them interacting. We already know that Juniper was previously involved with the third Macabe
brother Allister, but that’s all we really know. The way this information was kept from us was
absolutely diabolical because they way this their true introduction was thrust upon us with this
book was magical. They meet on a train, Callum is on his way to his brother’s flat to meet his
brother’s new girlfriend but feels an instant zing of connection and Juniper being the brothers said
girlfriend jibs him off in the most glorious and as we will learn most Juniper-like way possible.

We then jump three years forward to an almost encounter they have shortly after Juniper and
Allister break up. Things between these two is just catatonic instantly, I honestly do not know how
they manage to stay away from each other at all. You can feel how thick the air is, there is just this
natural tension and I do not know how it’s not breaking it’s way out instantly. Just when you think
things are going to start really melding together, we have another time jump in the most
bittersweet display of edging I have ever seen. We land five years later, a few months after the end
of Whisky Business.

This is where we truly start to learn about our characters, Both MC’s are both so similar in that they
present and force themselves to act as such independent people, but in reality they are just running
themselves ragged to; in Callum’s case, do everything for else and in Junipers case be good enough
for everyone else. I spent a lot of this book feeling sorry for the characters as they were spending a
lot of the time suffering in silence, but even though this is a bit of an enemies to lovers arc and they
did spend the first 50% of this book arguing, they are unequivocally themselves when interacting
with the other.

I could not get enough of the dynamic, the banter the bickering it was glorious. Despite all of this it
took about 0.2 seconds to realise that Callum was down bad for Juniper and Juniper wasn’t far
behind even if she didn’t want to admit it to herslef. It truly felt like these two would have been
together and happy as hell a lot sooner if they weren’t a slave to their circumstances but seeing
them lumber through it and get over the hurdles was part of what made it so special. I have to
mention as well, the spice in this book was phenomenal, the only book I have read of this author
before was Whisky Business and this was just a completely different monster, for a little perspective
he is on his knee’s multiple times. Begging? Callum’s best friend. She wants to tie him up, Where do
you want me sweetheart? I hate this word but there’s no other way to even to describe this man
other than a simp.

Aside from the main two, I loved Mal in this book. Every time he was mentioned I was giddy, his
reluctant little girl talk group with Juniper and April has me cackling every time, he is just so shy and
so sweet and I love him so much, he is just perfect. April also did grow on me a but more
throughout this story! Heather on the other hand did loose a few points, finding out her actions
during the Juniper/Allister break-up was a bit of a blow and I think she could have handled the
Callum/Juniper situation a bit more maturely, she acted like a jealous teenager. Her apology was
good enough and I would like to see more of her but it’s not something I’m going to forget.

I don’t even want to talk about Callum’s parents because the whole situation just makes me mad. I
think I said this in my Whisky Business review but just because someone is diagnosed with an
illness that affects their brain, it does not completely forgive their prior behaviour. It’s just
heartbreaking and I think the other siblings need to give Callum way more slack, he may not have
gone about things in the right way, but what he was trying to do was admirable and I do think him
and his mother taking on the brunt of the responsibility is a result of Jim’s nasty actions. Then we
have Allister. I don’t even know what to say about him. I feel like I’m missing his side of the story.
Listen, what he did was diabolical, but there must be more to it. Currently I am mad at him, but I will
be reading his story as I need to know what happened from all angles before I fully form an opinion
on him but currently, I’d like to see him trip and fall into a ditch.

Overall, I absolutely loved it. Juniper and Callum are perfect little angels who can do no wrong in my
eyes. I may be delusional but everyone needs to pull their thumbs out their ass’ and treat them with
a bit more respect, town residents I am looking at you. I cannot wait to continue this series

Thank you Harper Collins UK and Elliot Fletcher for the ARC of Scotch on the Rocks!

I read Whisky Business back in January and I loved Mal and April's story, but when I learned that Juniper and Callum would be next, I was SO excited!! You've heard of brother's best friend ... let me introduce you to brother's ex-fiancee!

It's clear early on that Callum had been in love in Juniper for YEARS and she was both the thing that kept him going, and the thing that made him want to quit. He wins the title of Yearner of the Year.

Sometimes I thought Juniper was a little mean to Callum, but he took each jab in stride and also dished it right back to her. It was their own little brand of flirting and foreplay. He never hesitated to put her first, and while it took her some time to come around and do the same, once they established themselves they were solid. Well, Callum does let his feelings get in the way once, but I think he recovers well and makes up for it.

I really liked Juniper, and it was easy to relate to her on a number of levels. I love how she grew throughout the book; believing in herself and letting people take care of her.

This was a delightful read and I really enjoyed it :)

Thanks again to Harper Collins UK and Elliot Fletcher for the ARC!

i can’t lie i wanted to read this book because it’s named after my favourite alcoholic drink and just like that drink i consumed this book like a feral gremlin. i’m so obsessed with this book and its characters that i want to bite it

This book is the second book in the Macabe brothers series and it follows Callum and June. June was engaged to Callum’s brother so is completely off limits even though there has been vibes between them since they first met before he even knew she was with his brother. The banter in this book was too class and I really enjoyed the interactions between Callum and June. One of the main themes in this book for me was that June was fostered by her parents, this plays a massive part in the book of how it’s affected June throughout her whole life (I loved the bond between June and her mum it was brilliant and I’m glad she finally let her in). There were some laugh out loud moments in this book such as the cow scene which provided a lovely balance between the serious topics. I 100% recommend you to pick this book up and I can’t wait to read the next book!

Read if you like:
🐈‍⬛ Black cat x golden retriever
🥃 Brothers ex fiance
🐈‍⬛ Age gap
🥃 Yearning & banter

I loved Whisky Business so I knew I would enjoy Scotch on the Rocks and this met my expectations and more. I’m officially Elliot Fletcher’s number one fan.

We see a glimpse of both main characters in Whisky Business and I knew then that I would love these characters. Juniper was previously engaged to Callum’s brother (though they have been separated now for several years) and Callum has been PINING for her for years. This book was the very definition of a man yearning for the women of his dreams. It was done soooo good!!

I loved that Juniper had a bit of a rough exterior but was deep down very sweet and kind and did everything to put the people she loves before herself. We love complex female characters and her character development was amazing.

I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series and to see how the author will redeem Alistair (Juniper’s ex). I’m also hoping for a book on Heather (Callum’s sister) too. I need her to have a HEA too🤞🏼

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

📚 Paige Reviews: Scotch on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher

I was fortunate to receive an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Are you going to be trouble, Juniper? Please say yes."

Goodness me, Elliot Fletcher. WHAT an author. FIVE STARS. I was addicted to Juniper and Callum's story. It's the second in the Macabe Brothers series (the first following Mal and April's love story).

Tropes you'll love:
🔥 It is the slowest - and most sizzling - burn.
🐈‍⬛ Black Cat x Golden Retriever vibes
🏡 Small town romance in the Scottish Islands
✨ He falls first, and he falls hard!

Scotch of the Rocks is overflowing with tension, flirting and sarcasm. The SPICE in this book. It had me
There are a series of hurdles for them to overcome together interwoven throughout the book, covering some serious topics (e.g. loss, dementia, heartbreak) but these are done SO incredibly well. There is a short monologue from Heather (Macabe sibling) explaining how it feels when a long-term relationship comes to an end and it really hits the nail on the head - both from the perspective of the person experiencing the heartbreak as well as the perspective of those around them.

I would love to see more of Heather's journey in the next instalment... she deserves her happy ending too!

#elliotfletcher #scotchontherocks #macabebrothers #smalltownromance #netgalley #harpercollins #whiskybusiness

I know we are still technically speaking at the beginning of the year but i want to say wholeheartedly that this book will be in my top 10 at the end of the year.

One of my favourite romance books I’ve read in a while and is definitely one of my favourites of all time.
I can’t even begin to describe you how much i love Juniper. Forget the romance for a second, Juniper Ross is one of the best female characters in a contemporary romance book.
Her feelings, her inner voice, the way she behaves, her struggles, I HAVE FELT SEEN SO MANY TIMES, i was feeling her pain. Chapeau @elliotfletcherwrites you truly captured everything to the outmost detail.

And to see the way Callum was with her and how the relationship progressed it warmed my heart and i want to see more of this messy and soft and not always perfect path towards a life together.

Don’t get me started on how many time i was giggling and laughing and crying it was so amazingly beautiful that after i finished the book i asked myself what am i going to do now??
5 stars are not enough to describe this book.
And Shakespeare is the star of the show, forget Simon.

I do have to say that although reluctant in the beginning, now i am excited to read about Alistair’s story.

Thank you to the publisher for the arc, it was an absolute blast.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the e-arc.

Wow, I really enjoyed Whisky Business and thought Mal was a top tier yearner, but Callum totally outdid him. Elliot Fletcher wrote a man who was playing the long game. There was never another woman for him, it was always Juniper. If you enjoy a bit of forbidden romance angst, this is for you. These two had serious sexual tension and I was waiting on tenterhooks for Juniper to finally realize he was the one for her. The right McCabe brother for her. Love the setting of this series, the banter, the friend group. Definitely recommend.

THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING!! I have been not so patiently waiting for Callum’s book since I’d first read Whisky Business. I could feel the tension between him and Juniper from that book and am so glad they were endgame in Scotch on the Rocks Elliot did such an amazing job of writing the ex fiancés brother trope. Not sure if this is considered ‘pseudo taboo’ but either way I ate it up!!! It was also such an emotional rollercoaster as it touched upon topics such as family loyalty, sense of belonging and going after what we truly deserve.

The pacing of the book was perfect, with enough background knowledge given of both characters, as well as the perfect amount of forced proximity that led to the two main characters getting to know each other more on an intimate level. I think both characters were very well developed, especially Juniper who is out black cat FMC with a softer side that Callum brings out slowly but surely. The banter between the two comes so naturally just like their chemistry. They are clearly meant for one another but there are obstacles in the way of them getting together.

I loved this book so much and honestly have no notes, could not fault a single thing. Callum is honestly my dream man and I would fight Juniper for him if they were real obviously I’d lose lol but if you want a really cute yet heartfelt romance that will have you kicking your feet and giggling tillage at night then this is for you!

Elliott Fletcher has done it again with “Scotch on the Rocks” a romance so swoony, so funny, and so emotionally rich that I want to wrap myself in it like a little reader burrito.

Our FMC, Juniper, is a black cat through and through. Clever, witty, guarded, and perfectly imperfect. Enter our MMC: Callum Macabe - a golden retriever if ever I’ve read one, all sunshine, unwavering devotion, and a complete lack of self-preservation when it comes to winning his “harpy” over. The contrast is *chef’s kiss*.

Their banter is phenomenal, I mean laugh out loud funny and their chemistry is so fiery. The journey from reluctant acquaintances to soul-deep lovers is magic.

But this book isn’t just about romance. No, it’s so much more, a tale of personal growth, self-acceptance, and learning to embrace love without fear. Watching Juniper - VERY slowly - let down her walls (with much grumbling, sarcasm, and maybe a panicked retreat or several) is immensely satisfying. And Callum, my prince, the man deserves a top book boyfriend spot.

Elliott Fletcher’s writing is effortlessly engaging, finding that sweet spot of heat, humour and heart with the skill of a master. I laughed. I swooned. I may have cried a little (don’t judge me until you’ve read it too).

This book’s plot isn’t just about falling in love with someone else, but also with yourself. The character growth is so satisfying. Elliott Fletcher’s writing is addictive and re-readable.

If you love a grumpy x sunshine, crackling tension, and a romance that will have you giggling one moment and clutching your pearls the next, “Scotch on the Rocks” is a must-read.
I simply cannot recommend it enough.

Thank you to NetGalley, Elliott Fletcher, and Harper Collins for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this fantastic novel.

Really enjoyed this next in the series! Absolutely love to see old characters pop up and the romance between these two was great. I was laughing and kicking my feet while reading.

I am well and truly obsessed with the Macabe brothers.

The banter in this book is unmatched. The chemistry these two had was electric and it danced off the page. Harpy might just well be my new favourite nickname.

I loved how different this was to April and Mal’s story. Calum and Juniper were sharper and more hardened and that came across on their road to love. They went through a lot together and I adored every second.

I was so excited when I heard Elliot Fletcher’s second book in The Macabe brothers series was being traditionally published because Whisky Business was SO good and I can’t think of an author who deserves it more!

I knew I was going to enjoy Scotch on the Rocks, but I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I do, it was PERFECTION. I’ve not been this obsessed with a fictional couple for a long time and the chemistry between Callum and Juniper is sensational. I’m not usually a forbidden love trope kinda gal, and this has an ex boyfriend’s brother storyline, but don’t let that put you off because the back story and tension throughout is incredible.

Both Juniper and Callum have their own demons and I applaud how Elliot Fletcher writes her main characters. The men are sensitive, they get emotional and they're not afraid to show it and in the same way, her female characters are messy and don’t have their shit together all the time, it’s true representation and I think that’s why this is a five star read for me (honestly I’d give it more if I could). There’s spice, banter, so much yearning and secret pining and I couldn’t put it down (I read it in a day). Also Callum, I love him.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital arc.

I always enjoy books or shows set in Scotland and this certainly didn’t disappoint. Callum is the definition of a man down bad and he definitely fell first and hard 🙌
There was ALOT of banter throughout, which I enjoyed for the most part! There’s so much tension and chemistry and yearning between Cal and Juniper and I ate it up. I can’t wait for more of this series and this solidified that I want to go back and read Whiskey Business.

I would first like to say a big thank you to NetGalley for the arc!!
I adored whiskey business and could not wait to read about Juniper and Callum.
Let me tell you they did not disappoint.
'Still hate me, sweetheart'
'Undoubtedly'
'Good. Just making sure'
Juniper is a strong-willed and independent woman who has set strict rules for herself to avoid the Macabe brothers.
However, her resolve is tested when she finds herself drawn to Callum, the charming and dependable small-town hero. Callum is a man of integrity, grappling with his feelings for Juniper while respecting the complicated history she shares with his brother, who happens to be her ex-fiance.
This book was FILLED with romantic tension I could not get enough and their humour was top tier.
The way they healed each other as well as supporting each other on their own journeys - learning to except their own flaws and love themselves anyway *sobbing*
Juniper admitting that she'd never felt truly loved until him had me in all my feels.
'Callum?'
'Aye, sweetheart'
Man l've got to get myself over to Scotland...
Tropes:
- Black cat/ golden retriever
- 9 year age gap
- dual POV
- he falls first and harder
- Ex-fiancé's brother
- SO much yearning
- small town/island in Scotland

I absolutely adored this book! The banter was delightful and both main characters were so amazing, so fun and sharp and witty! I loved how their verbal sparring gave way to this soft affection, how they just saw each other and how they loved each other. I loved Juniper, a black cat girlie, protective and hiding this vulnerability and it was so amazing to see her soften. And Callum 🔥 I adored him, in love with his brother’s girl and yet he was putting his family first and taking care of everyone and it took Juniper for someone to take care of him. I just thoroughly devoured this book and can’t recommend it enough!