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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
The middle dragged a bit (and the big fight only sort of made sense to me) but it was a satisfying listen
I tried so hard to savor this book. I took my time. It felt like a warm hug. It felt like coming home.
As much as I hate third-person point of view, and I mean with a passion, this book is the exception. I always think it's hard with third person to really understand how the characters feel, but it wasn't like that with this book.
Ruby Spencer was a delight to follow. She was funny and brave and willing to do the hard stuff. (Besides the third act 5 I'll get to later) I felt such a kinship to her in the small ways and the big ways. Her journey to find her home and her people and her family was heartwarming, to say the least.
Brochan was actually the epitome of a romance novel love interest, despite what Ruby thought towards the end of th book. He was attentive and reassuring. He actually listened to what she said and remembered. Which is the bare minimum, I know.
I enjoyed the side characters as well. I felt like I knew Grace from the first time we read about her. Anne was honestly just doing her best, even if it was misguided.
Now, for the third act conflict. It was my least favorite part of this book. And I like third act conflict when they're done well. This one wasn't. It wasn't necessarily out of the blue, but it was drawn out longer than needed.
They were both at fault, but Ruby's opinion of it was way off. For her to think that Brochan did worse and to say to him what she said was honestly the worst part of this book. It wasn't even that terrible, but it was rough. I sat with the book closed for five minutes after reading her parting words from the argument. It was a lot.
It was definitely dramatic, and it felt kind of weird. Then, they resolved the conflict kind of easily? Like, Ruby was so adamant that she didn't believe Brochan and was mad at him, just to decide in a split second that she was over it.
Overall, I really loved this book. It's just so lovely to read if you can get through that third act conflict. I'll be reading everything else Rochelle Bilow writes, that's for sure.
As much as I hate third-person point of view, and I mean with a passion, this book is the exception. I always think it's hard with third person to really understand how the characters feel, but it wasn't like that with this book.
Ruby Spencer was a delight to follow. She was funny and brave and willing to do the hard stuff. (Besides the third act 5 I'll get to later) I felt such a kinship to her in the small ways and the big ways. Her journey to find her home and her people and her family was heartwarming, to say the least.
Brochan was actually the epitome of a romance novel love interest, despite what Ruby thought towards the end of th book. He was attentive and reassuring. He actually listened to what she said and remembered. Which is the bare minimum, I know.
I enjoyed the side characters as well. I felt like I knew Grace from the first time we read about her. Anne was honestly just doing her best, even if it was misguided.
Now, for the third act conflict. It was my least favorite part of this book. And I like third act conflict when they're done well. This one wasn't. It wasn't necessarily out of the blue, but it was drawn out longer than needed.
They were both at fault, but Ruby's opinion of it was way off. For her to think that Brochan did worse and to say to him what she said was honestly the worst part of this book. It wasn't even that terrible, but it was rough. I sat with the book closed for five minutes after reading her parting words from the argument. It was a lot.
It was definitely dramatic, and it felt kind of weird. Then, they resolved the conflict kind of easily? Like, Ruby was so adamant that she didn't believe Brochan and was mad at him, just to decide in a split second that she was over it.
Overall, I really loved this book. It's just so lovely to read if you can get through that third act conflict. I'll be reading everything else Rochelle Bilow writes, that's for sure.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF 14% I’m sure there’s a lot of people that will like this book. I picked it up because small town romances are my jam, and I love Scotland but this book like trying so hard to be the Scottish fantasy instead of drawing us into the characters and story and letting that speak for itself.
the deliberate dishonesty when dealing with someone with trust issues felt so icky from beginning to end, shame about the beautiful setting of this
4.5 Stars
This is a cute, cozy book about a woman in her mid-thirties who sets off to spend a year in the Scottish Highlands. As someone who would love to do that, I found this book charming. The setting, characters and vibes were delightful. The pacing was a bit off - slow in places but then the ending felt a tad rushed. There were also maybe one too many coincidences but overall I really enjoyed this read.
This is a cute, cozy book about a woman in her mid-thirties who sets off to spend a year in the Scottish Highlands. As someone who would love to do that, I found this book charming. The setting, characters and vibes were delightful. The pacing was a bit off - slow in places but then the ending felt a tad rushed. There were also maybe one too many coincidences but overall I really enjoyed this read.
lighthearted
Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year was a charming romance novel about a main character who leaves the US with the intent of spending a year in Scotland, licking her wounds after her latest book proposal (for a cookbook) has been rejected. Ruby rents out a cozy cottage in a small village in return for helping out in the local pub kitchen and she is immediately taken in. There are nods to Outlander and travelling to Scotland to find a fine, handsome Scotsman even though Ruby has sworn off men. But of course, the town handyman catches her eye and--spoiler alert, but no surprise--her heart. There is more at stake though, as the pub is soon to be bought by a major company, thus putting her friends out of house and work. Ruby tries her best to meddle-without-meddling. At the end of the day, this was a sweet read about not just found family but found home-away-from-home. There was a third act breakup but it was very nicely redeemed and oof, those few scenes of spice were a bit unexpected! ((some like it SCOT, as they say!))
I chose to read this book based on the title and cover alone.
The first 30% of the book made me wonder if I made the right choice - I felt it was a bit slow and repetitive (Ruby gave up everything and moved to Scotland - we get it).
The premise was promising - Woman moves to Scotland to write a cookbook - Insert a broody, handsome Scotsman - cosy cottage, yummy food, etc.
I didn't love the secrecy and mystery backstory of the characters. I get that sometimes that makes for such a heightened tension and climax - but it didn't quite sell me.
The ending did wrap it up overall - but I'd give it 2.7 stars. I did giggle at the Outlander comment and I dreamily imagined the Scottish town and scenery.
The first 30% of the book made me wonder if I made the right choice - I felt it was a bit slow and repetitive (Ruby gave up everything and moved to Scotland - we get it).
The premise was promising - Woman moves to Scotland to write a cookbook - Insert a broody, handsome Scotsman - cosy cottage, yummy food, etc.
I didn't love the secrecy and mystery backstory of the characters. I get that sometimes that makes for such a heightened tension and climax - but it didn't quite sell me.
The ending did wrap it up overall - but I'd give it 2.7 stars. I did giggle at the Outlander comment and I dreamily imagined the Scottish town and scenery.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced