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joker_girl's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hsinjulit's review
4.0
3.5 stars rounding up.
This is the second book I’ve read this month featuring an elementary school teacher main (the other one is Marry Me by Melissa Brayden; my review here), and gosh, why aren’t there more books with frazzled teachers and trouble-making kids?
Vanessa Martini (33) knows what she wants in a woman: not her students’ mom, not under 35 years old. But when she met Grace Chapman (29, bisexual), mother of the headache named Oliver, they connected better than expected. Too good, actually. Could the worst timing of Grace going through divorce while Oliver is in Vanessa’s class turn out to be the best time for them to date?
On the Rocks was so cute and funny! Beers certainly made me crack up multiple times with her clever dialogues and writing. The previous book, Shaken or Stirred (my review), was the first book on the Martini cousins. The overall tone in that one was heavier and more dramatic. On the Rocks is fluffier, especially since there are two adorable fur babies Delilah and Rudy. There are a lot of chance meetings though, but even though I am sometimes bothered by too much coincidence in a plot line, I thought they were really cute in this book.
I enjoyed getting to know more about Vanessa and Grace. Their interactions are fun and sometimes frustrating, and with the story taking place over fall and winter, we get to see a lot of holiday scenes from Thanksgiving to Christmas to the New Year.
One of the heaviest theme of On the Rocks is divorce. Grace is going through it with Michael with Oliver as the collateral damage, and Vanessa’s parents divorced when she was thirteen. I appreciate the storyline about the parents’ parenting style and how family dynamics are affected by the split. While Vanessa’s father and her no longer have much of a relationship, I’m glad to see Grace and Michael working out on the best way to co-parent Oliver.
Some major plot lines did not wrap up as nicely as probably should have. Yes, it is crucial to leave some parts of the story open-ended, but when the reason of the conflict doesn’t get fully addressed, I feel worried for the romance. I was disappointed that we didn’t get to see Vanessa and Grace and it was a little bit suspicious how Michael . Also, I am very sad that in the epilogue; she could’ve just declared or something.
On the Rocks is a mostly light-hearted romance with adorable pets. While I didn’t feel a lot of chemistry between the main characters, I did root for them to be together. Now, I’m looking forward to the third book on Amelia Martini (48), and it looks like there will be a lot more dog content, too!
content warnings: graphic sex, alcohol (recreational), past cheating, death of a minor character, mention of infertility, divorce
Buddy read with Gabriella! Check out her review here!
I received a digital review copy from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the second book I’ve read this month featuring an elementary school teacher main (the other one is Marry Me by Melissa Brayden; my review here), and gosh, why aren’t there more books with frazzled teachers and trouble-making kids?
Vanessa Martini (33) knows what she wants in a woman: not her students’ mom, not under 35 years old. But when she met Grace Chapman (29, bisexual), mother of the headache named Oliver, they connected better than expected. Too good, actually. Could the worst timing of Grace going through divorce while Oliver is in Vanessa’s class turn out to be the best time for them to date?
On the Rocks was so cute and funny! Beers certainly made me crack up multiple times with her clever dialogues and writing. The previous book, Shaken or Stirred (my review), was the first book on the Martini cousins. The overall tone in that one was heavier and more dramatic. On the Rocks is fluffier, especially since there are two adorable fur babies Delilah and Rudy. There are a lot of chance meetings though, but even though I am sometimes bothered by too much coincidence in a plot line, I thought they were really cute in this book.
I enjoyed getting to know more about Vanessa and Grace. Their interactions are fun and sometimes frustrating, and with the story taking place over fall and winter, we get to see a lot of holiday scenes from Thanksgiving to Christmas to the New Year.
One of the heaviest theme of On the Rocks is divorce. Grace is going through it with Michael with Oliver as the collateral damage, and Vanessa’s parents divorced when she was thirteen. I appreciate the storyline about the parents’ parenting style and how family dynamics are affected by the split. While Vanessa’s father and her no longer have much of a relationship, I’m glad to see Grace and Michael working out on the best way to co-parent Oliver.
Some major plot lines did not wrap up as nicely as probably should have. Yes, it is crucial to leave some parts of the story open-ended, but when the reason of the conflict doesn’t get fully addressed, I feel worried for the romance. I was disappointed that we didn’t get to see Vanessa and Grace
Spoiler
talk to Oliver about their relationshipSpoiler
came around so fastSpoiler
nice old lady Ava had to dieSpoiler
retirementOn the Rocks is a mostly light-hearted romance with adorable pets. While I didn’t feel a lot of chemistry between the main characters, I did root for them to be together. Now, I’m looking forward to the third book on Amelia Martini (48), and it looks like there will be a lot more dog content, too!
content warnings: graphic sex, alcohol (recreational), past cheating, death of a minor character, mention of infertility, divorce
Buddy read with Gabriella! Check out her review here!
I received a digital review copy from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
jennabeebs79's review
5.0
This is the second book in Georgia Beers’s Swizzle Stick trilogy. I’d recommend reading book one prior to this but you won’t feel too left out if you don’t. Vanessa and Grace met at a parent-teacher conference and sparks immediately flew. Naturally they kept bumping into one another after that first rocky meeting and Vanessa’s cousins seemed to think this was fate. Their relationship progressed slowly and when they finally got together, t was hot! Good for them! Obviously, Vanessa being Grace’s son’s teacher was caused some major hiccups for Vanessa. This was a super sweet read and readers were able to become better acquainted with all our friends from book 1. I can’t wait for Amelia’s turn!
I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
neurorobin's review
4.0
Absolutely delightful. Initially rated 5 stars but then knocked down to 4 due to some questionable parenting decisions that continued to bug me after finishing the book.
pandon's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kieranl's review
fast-paced
4.0
I wished we'd gotten more of their relationship after the forgiveness; the ending felt a tad rushed, but overall really enjoyable book.
jetteh19's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0