Reviews

For The Love of Whiskey by Melissa Foster

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avid_read's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I have realize I really dislike 3rd person in books. So that had me struggling from the beginning. As much as I loved the story, Callahan was too perfect. Their live was too picture perfect and so it left me wanting more.

natalieshinobu's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

kayas_library's review

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4.0

4.5⭐

✨Small Town Romance
✨Ranch x MC
✨Cowboy x Survivor
✨Trauma Healing
✨Overprotective MMC

For the Love of Whiskey is the second book in the The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch series and it follows Sullivan Tate and Callahan "Cowboy" Whiskey who meet after Sully escaped from a cult that kidnapped her as a child and flees to the Redemption Ranch, where Cowboy is tasked with protecting her. Sully, formerly known as Casey Lawler, was abducted from a car wreck, in which her parents died when she was 4 and brought to the Free Rebellion, which is an anti-establishment cult, where she lived until she escaped at the age of 24. Her upbringing left Sully with little knowledge of the outside world and a heaping pile of trauma, which makes the Redemption Ranch a perfect place for her to accumulate to the real world since it is a ranch that employs therapists and acts as a rehabilitation place for both people and horses.

I absolutely adored the relationship between Sully and Cowboy, how she called him Callahan or Cal instead of his road name, how he slept outside her cabin each night until their relationship developed to other sleeping arrangements, how they went on walks during the night and before the sunsets, how Cal spoiled her rotten and bought her the stuff that she needed as well as stuff that she was interested in like art supplies or buying her all the different chocolates from his sisters shop. Ho when taught her everything that she wanted to learn, like riding a horse or riding a bike. And how he made her write a list of all the things that she wants to do and learn.

As for the mental health and trauma aspect, I loved that we got to see glimpses into Sully's therapy sessions. Getting to read about what she worked through in therapy but also what she talked about to people outside of therapy, like when she reconnected with her sister. I also truly adored Cal for how supportive he always was of her, how he kept asking his mom or other therapists if how he acted was fine or if he could trigger her and make her situation worse with some of his actions. How he always listened to her and how she felt safe enough to talk to him about everything that happened to her.

I fell in love with this family and the ranch and I can't wait to read Sasha's story.

hijinx_abound's review

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4.0

Cowboy is a big man with a heart of gold. Sully is running for her life.
I really enjoyed their connection and that the cult didn’t show back up after she’s rescued.

romance_book_obsessed's review

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4.0

Thank you so much to this sweet author for sending me a copy of this book to review! This had all the things I love: hot cowboy, heroine on the run, and small town!

Sully has escaped from a cult and has ended up at Callahan “Cowboy”’s ranch. They have an instant connection, but she’s acclimating to life outside of the cult.

I think you would enjoy this book if you’ve read Catherine Cowles’ book Hidden Waters! It’s another heroine escaping a cult and learning how to live in the world and fall in love!

This is told in dual POV in 3rd person.

Happy reading!!

allingoodtime's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This story has been in the works for a while. A lot longer than even avid readers of this author were aware. Per the author’s notes, she first wrote about Sully in 2013 but didn’t know her full story yet. I think it’s important to point out that the author makes sure to point out, in her author’s note, that Sully’s timeline of recovery is drastically accelerated for story purposes. That being acknowledged from the beginning made it easier for me to sink into this story.

The Whiskeys are an amazing family and I wish they were real and I could be in their inner circle when I read any of their books. Callahan aka Cowboy is so patient and gentle with Sully. He never pressures her to open up even when he knows she’s holding a lot in that is eating at her. He may not be one of the therapists on Redemption Ranch, but it’s obvious that he grew up with and lives around therapists. He’s learned some tricks to help others over the years. Yet there are times Cowboy is so focused on doing what is right for Sully and making sure she has the space and time she needs that he completely disregards his own wants and needs.

Sully has been through things most people cannot even imagine. Growing up in a cult has kept her sheltered in many ways, but it means she has seen and experienced things nobody should have to, especially a child. She is understandably skittish, but Cowboy helps her to feel safe. Although I wouldn’t have blamed her if she didn’t realize how much potential she had to hurt Cowboy, she still knew that any decisions she made about her future would affect him.

While this story broke my heart at times, I didn’t want to put it down. The love and support found in this story wrapped me in warmth. I expected nothing less from this family.

Content Warnings

lynchburgreads's review

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5.0

I have been reading Melissa’s novels for quite a few years now and I can’t lie – I love each and every one. But when I read Tru Blue, I was floored and never thought I’d love another one of her books as much as I loved that one. Some have rivaled it, yet none quite touched it. Until this one. I went into the book with an open mind that with fiction, Melissa could take the liberty of speeding up the timeline. Obviously, in the real world, the type of healing Sully would go through would most likely be a much longer process.

As soon as I read the final words, I felt completely wrecked. My heart was wrung out of all its emotions. Despite everything Sully had endured, from being kidnapped to being forced into a cult life, she has such a beautiful outlook on life. Headstrong, determined, and full of hope, her focus on dealing with the past while moving forward is inspiring.

One of the quotes that finally got me to break my own strength and fall into a teary mess was when Sully tells Callahan, “I like who I am. I just wish I knew my place.” Isn’t that something we’re all searching for? We want to find where we’re loved, cherished, and most of all, where we feel like we belong. Even though their relationship complicates things to an extent, ultimately, they clearly belong together.

I’m in full agreeance with Sully that I love the name Callahan. It suits the strong as an ox man with a heart so deep, full of love and hope. His protection isn’t overbearing or demanding – it’s patient, kind, and strong. He finds unique ways to help her open up and find out more about her past while also being a strong advocate in her blazing her own path.

Redemption Ranch is creating miracles, love, and most of all, allowing redemption for some truly beautiful characters. I’m always amazed at how well Melissa keeps everyone involved, giving us glimpses at previous characters we’ve seen in her books, as well as foreshadowing of what is to come. I also got choked up when Sully and Jordan find themselves bonding and realize how deep their connection was from the images that Sully was drawing for years.

I received a complimentary ARC for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.