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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was completely on board with this in the beginning--the coziness of the small Scottish town and its local businesses and characters reminds me of Legends and Lattes, and the characters don't devolve into stereotypes (except the one truly evil dude...but I was okay with that). I enjoyed the slow burn of the romance between Ruby and Brochan, but at some point the pacing of the romance started to feel TOO slow and then progressed rapidly; it could have been more even. The communication issues were a little frustrating too. Nonetheless, this is a charming read that you'll devour quickly if you want something quaint and Scottish.
I was completely on board with this in the beginning--the coziness of the small Scottish town and its local businesses and characters reminds me of Legends and Lattes, and the characters don't devolve into stereotypes (except the one truly evil dude...but I was okay with that). I enjoyed the slow burn of the romance between Ruby and Brochan, but at some point the pacing of the romance started to feel TOO slow and then progressed rapidly; it could have been more even. The communication issues were a little frustrating too. Nonetheless, this is a charming read that you'll devour quickly if you want something quaint and Scottish.
One year in Scotland. Drink a lot of whisky. Write a cookbook. Ruby Spencer is sure that she will fulfill that particular dream. There is more than one distraction, however. That distraction is none other than a sexy Scotsman named Brochan. Considering why Ruby chose Scotland in the first place just goes to show that fate just might have played a hand.
Considering her visa is only good for a year, any chance of a romance could not possibly be more than a fling. Not so sure that she has time for such a distraction, Ruby sets out to achieve her goals. Ruby loves the setting where she is at, concerned villagers who share a history that bonds them together. Ruby does far more than to research and work on her book. She finds herself drawn into their lives, even striking up other close friendships the more time she spends there.
Meanwhile, the attraction shared between her and Brochan got stronger and stronger, thus making this book an even better read. Meanwhile, despite having a happy life and a wonderful family back in the States, Ruby begins to feel like Scotland is where she was meant to be. It felt more like home more than ever. I loved the drama in this book, especially as her relationships grew with the villagers. One such villager was Brochan’s aunt Grace. I loved the bond that Ruby formed with Grace. Lastly, Brochan’s story was very intriguing. Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year was a truly delightful read.
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/d3TbqEamML8
Considering her visa is only good for a year, any chance of a romance could not possibly be more than a fling. Not so sure that she has time for such a distraction, Ruby sets out to achieve her goals. Ruby loves the setting where she is at, concerned villagers who share a history that bonds them together. Ruby does far more than to research and work on her book. She finds herself drawn into their lives, even striking up other close friendships the more time she spends there.
Meanwhile, the attraction shared between her and Brochan got stronger and stronger, thus making this book an even better read. Meanwhile, despite having a happy life and a wonderful family back in the States, Ruby begins to feel like Scotland is where she was meant to be. It felt more like home more than ever. I loved the drama in this book, especially as her relationships grew with the villagers. One such villager was Brochan’s aunt Grace. I loved the bond that Ruby formed with Grace. Lastly, Brochan’s story was very intriguing. Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year was a truly delightful read.
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/d3TbqEamML8
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sweet story. Enjoyed the food talk and found family.
🔥🔥½/5 = either game to black or euphemistic language for 🌶️ scenes.
🔥🔥½/5 = either game to black or euphemistic language for 🌶️ scenes.
I understand the outlander girlies. I need more Scottish romance STAT.
I had a great time reading this book it was so cute and wholesome.
I had a great time reading this book it was so cute and wholesome.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was an excellent bit of fluff. It romanticized Scotland without being insulting, and I loved the focus on Ruby’s sense of self and her friendships with the women in her life.
This is a book for the following target audience:
-straight
-white
-millennial women
...who makes drinking some type of alcohol their entire personality (*cough* wine moms *cough*)
Which is fine, but I am none of the above.
I actually did really appreciate the detailed food writing (I could really tell that the author has a background and passion in writing and making food), and I also really liked how the book didn't pit the female characters against each other, which happens much too often in "cozy," small-town, hallmark-esque books/movies.
However, I could tell that the author tried really, really hard to make Ruby this progressive, feminist, girl's girl, even though not every book out there needs to have deep sociopolitical commentary and this book proved why. It just made the moments where Ruby isn't the most "progressive" really stand out in a bad way (e.g., when Ruby makes fun of some random, harmless man's erectile dysfunction disorder, or implies that BO smells like "curry," or when she completely glosses over the fact that the male love interest lashes out at inanimate objects when he loses control of his anger MULTIPLE TIMES). Honestly, for the last one, I did contemplate DNF'ing this book when it happened, because WTF?
The flowery prose also lowkey drove me crazy because of the unnecessarily descriptive detail that the author tried to cram into every single sentence. Sometimes "X did Y." is enough!
All in all, this book made me realize that while infinitely less problematic, it's still fucking weird when white people fetishize other white people culture (take a shot of whisky every time the MC says "It's so Scotland!")
-straight
-white
-millennial women
...who makes drinking some type of alcohol their entire personality (*cough* wine moms *cough*)
Which is fine, but I am none of the above.
I actually did really appreciate the detailed food writing (I could really tell that the author has a background and passion in writing and making food), and I also really liked how the book didn't pit the female characters against each other, which happens much too often in "cozy," small-town, hallmark-esque books/movies.
However, I could tell that the author tried really, really hard to make Ruby this progressive, feminist, girl's girl, even though not every book out there needs to have deep sociopolitical commentary and this book proved why. It just made the moments where Ruby isn't the most "progressive" really stand out in a bad way (e.g., when Ruby makes fun of some random, harmless man's erectile dysfunction disorder, or implies that BO smells like "curry," or when she completely glosses over the fact that the male love interest lashes out at inanimate objects when he loses control of his anger MULTIPLE TIMES). Honestly, for the last one, I did contemplate DNF'ing this book when it happened, because WTF?
The flowery prose also lowkey drove me crazy because of the unnecessarily descriptive detail that the author tried to cram into every single sentence. Sometimes "X did Y." is enough!
All in all, this book made me realize that while infinitely less problematic, it's still fucking weird when white people fetishize other white people culture (take a shot of whisky every time the MC says "It's so Scotland!")
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book is just like whiskey, best consumed slow to savor it. This is not a quick read, I often just read a chapter or two in a sitting. Both characters are very complex and have some pretty deep stories. I did enjoy the depth of the characters but didn’t love that it kept referring to 35 as being “almost 40.” I loved the Scottish setting and the stories of the land. I thought the story went on for too long and the spicy scenes were very unrealistic. Overall, this was a cozy read, but not one that really draws the reader in. 3.5⭐️, 2🌶
Since the steaming lore of Outlander had faded out of me, I’d been looking for a Scottish fix; call me crazy, but the thought of a rugged, bearded, muscled man with a thick Scottish accent and a propensity for saying “lass” is really enticing. Much more so than a plate of haggis.
This story was all that it was supposed to be. I like a lost-but-looking-for-herself protagonist, and as someone who loves traveling and finding oneself in little moments in far-off places, I really enjoyed Ruby’s journey and how she found a home in a place that called for her. I especially loved her relationship with Grace. She was tough and honest, but nurturing and tender at the same time. I feel she was able to get Ruby to see how a place could be there for you in more ways than just where you lived.
There were some cheesy parts and lines that were cringy, but overall I thought the story was cute and a nice fall read. Now all I need is a nice, ripped, bulging glass of… just something delicious to sink my wee teeth into.
This story was all that it was supposed to be. I like a lost-but-looking-for-herself protagonist, and as someone who loves traveling and finding oneself in little moments in far-off places, I really enjoyed Ruby’s journey and how she found a home in a place that called for her. I especially loved her relationship with Grace. She was tough and honest, but nurturing and tender at the same time. I feel she was able to get Ruby to see how a place could be there for you in more ways than just where you lived.
There were some cheesy parts and lines that were cringy, but overall I thought the story was cute and a nice fall read. Now all I need is a nice, ripped, bulging glass of… just something delicious to sink my wee teeth into.