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bookish_notes's review against another edition
5.0
Initial Reaction: This was a wild, exhilarating ride from start-to-finish!!! Couldn't have asked for a better series conclusion!
Full Review:
I am just filled with all the feels right now. This book was a wild, exhilarating ride from start-to-finish. There is romance in this series, and it's so sweet and heartbreaking, but then there's the INTRIGUE. I'm not usually one for mysteries. It's weird, because I do watch an absurd amount of cop dramas and the like. But, somehow that never translated into books for me. Well, to prove me wrong, this Agents Irish and Whiskey series have just sold me on everything I'm not used to reading.
Way back when I read book one in this series, Single Malt, I said that characters seemed to be introduced left and right and I had no idea who was who. So, for anyone else who felt that way? Now would be a fantastic time to go back and re-read the first two books if you're binging your way through this series right now. I don't know if I've ever mentioned this in my previous reviews, but these books are not standalone novels. The stories are very connected. And while the romance itself is pretty HFN, book two, Cask Strength, ended with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger and I've been dying to read Barrel Proof ever since.
This book starts off shortly after the ending of Cask Strength. Melissa is suspected of working with the enemy and Aiden and Jamie are in a rush to find her. Everything that started before the events in book one have been building up to this book. Aiden's FBI partner and his husband dying in a car crash is no accident and the man responsible has plans up his sleeve that takes this story down twist and turns that I never saw coming.
Jamie has kept secrets from Aidan and everything reaches a boiling point. Aidan needs a break and decides to go undercover, finally putting both his law and business degrees to work. However, nothing that happens is ever incidental when it comes to the terrorist Renaud, and he has plans that are much more conniving than I would have expected.
I don't want to spoil anything, so apologies if this review is super vague. But I will say that a lot of characters are brought back, or mentioned at least, from previous books, while new characters are introduced in this one as well. What surprised me is how much I loved some of the new characters. I would not mind at all if we saw a spin-off with the FBI hacker Lauren, or with AUSA Nic.
As for this series, I love Aidan and Jamie. They absolutely broke my heart in this book, but they still manage to be sexy and almost nauseatingly cute together. I loved the ending. For a few seconds there, I thought I was going to be mad at the ending, but then it ended up being really lovely. So, five stars for this book and I can't wait to read more of Layla Reyne's books in the future!
And something random, but one of my favorite non-spoilerish moment from this book:
***Thanks to Carina Press for providing me an ARC through NetGalley***
Full Review:
I am just filled with all the feels right now. This book was a wild, exhilarating ride from start-to-finish. There is romance in this series, and it's so sweet and heartbreaking, but then there's the INTRIGUE. I'm not usually one for mysteries. It's weird, because I do watch an absurd amount of cop dramas and the like. But, somehow that never translated into books for me. Well, to prove me wrong, this Agents Irish and Whiskey series have just sold me on everything I'm not used to reading.
Way back when I read book one in this series, Single Malt, I said that characters seemed to be introduced left and right and I had no idea who was who. So, for anyone else who felt that way? Now would be a fantastic time to go back and re-read the first two books if you're binging your way through this series right now. I don't know if I've ever mentioned this in my previous reviews, but these books are not standalone novels. The stories are very connected. And while the romance itself is pretty HFN, book two, Cask Strength, ended with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger and I've been dying to read Barrel Proof ever since.
Partners, always.
This book starts off shortly after the ending of Cask Strength. Melissa is suspected of working with the enemy and Aiden and Jamie are in a rush to find her. Everything that started before the events in book one have been building up to this book. Aiden's FBI partner and his husband dying in a car crash is no accident and the man responsible has plans up his sleeve that takes this story down twist and turns that I never saw coming.
Jamie has kept secrets from Aidan and everything reaches a boiling point. Aidan needs a break and decides to go undercover, finally putting both his law and business degrees to work. However, nothing that happens is ever incidental when it comes to the terrorist Renaud, and he has plans that are much more conniving than I would have expected.
I don't want to spoil anything, so apologies if this review is super vague. But I will say that a lot of characters are brought back, or mentioned at least, from previous books, while new characters are introduced in this one as well. What surprised me is how much I loved some of the new characters. I would not mind at all if we saw a spin-off with the FBI hacker Lauren, or with AUSA Nic.
As for this series, I love Aidan and Jamie. They absolutely broke my heart in this book, but they still manage to be sexy and almost nauseatingly cute together. I loved the ending. For a few seconds there, I thought I was going to be mad at the ending, but then it ended up being really lovely. So, five stars for this book and I can't wait to read more of Layla Reyne's books in the future!
And something random, but one of my favorite non-spoilerish moment from this book:
Could he get out of a building where all the guards knew him? Fuck him and his Southern-bread manners, always greeting everyone.
Shit.
***Thanks to Carina Press for providing me an ARC through NetGalley***
jacqueleenthereadingqueen's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
And the hits just keep on coming for Jamie and his partner Aidan. This book was packed with as much mystery and guns blazing action as the others. Another couple of unexpected surprises were in store as well. I like a law enforcement book that keeps me guessing, while still rooting for the romance between the MCs. Sometimes the author usually gets one or the other right but this series as a whole was on point with both. We finally get our hard won HEA in this 3rd installment. I can't help but stick with my inital assessment that these boys are no Ty and Zane, but thoroughly enjoyable none the less. I also hope to hear more about a certain Kidnapping expert and DA in a future book. * fingers crossed *
And the hits just keep on coming for Jamie and his partner Aidan. This book was packed with as much mystery and guns blazing action as the others. Another couple of unexpected surprises were in store as well. I like a law enforcement book that keeps me guessing, while still rooting for the romance between the MCs. Sometimes the author usually gets one or the other right but this series as a whole was on point with both. We finally get our hard won HEA in this 3rd installment. I can't help but stick with my inital assessment that these boys are no Ty and Zane, but thoroughly enjoyable none the less. I also hope to hear more about a certain Kidnapping expert and DA in a future book. * fingers crossed *
jennifox's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
fresholivebread's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Jamie and Aidan continue their terrorist hunt, and all secrets are out. Aidan's reaction is reasonable and how he processed his feelings of betrayal, anger and love was handled well. I also liked that the conflict didn't drag on at all, as Aidan realises soon after that his feelings for Jamie outweighs any anger he held!<. Aidan is at his strongest here, and Jamie is the ever-constant genius hacker sweetheart.
Every moment of them together is wonderful, even the angst and the emotional turmoil. Their chemistry is remains amazing (they really get down and dirty), they're so fiercely protective of each other, and their love is 100% precious. The action part is very tightly packed, frantic almost, but it's a fun roller-coaster ride with really great side characters. Fantastic and lovely HEA to boot!
Every moment of them together is wonderful, even the angst and the emotional turmoil. Their chemistry is remains amazing (they really get down and dirty), they're so fiercely protective of each other, and their love is 100% precious. The action part is very tightly packed, frantic almost, but it's a fun roller-coaster ride with really great side characters. Fantastic and lovely HEA to boot!
inkiereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Barrel Proof is the final book in the Irish & Whiskey trilogy, and it starts off with a bang. My heart was shattered in a million pieces in the first 20% of the book, and it got slowly put back together throughout the rest of the suspenseful storyline. Not without plenty of twists and surprises, of course! I love Jamie and Aidan so much, and I’m very happy I have more books with them to read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Death, and Violence
blreese's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.25
haletostilinski1's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars rounded down to 4 stars
***ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
He closed the space between them and framed Aidan’s face in his hands. “I’ll be your partner, Irish, always, badge or not.”
Aidan nuzzled one of the big, warm palms. “Partner, always.”
“Damn straight.” Jamie lowered his hands, spreading them out over his shoulders, pressing gently down.”
Barrel Proof is the final installment in the Agents Irish and Whiskey series, and it is a solid end to a wonderful series.
This one picks up almost immediately after the end of the last one, and shit happens basically right away.
Jamie and Aiden are going after Mel with Daniel, Aiden's brother, and when they get to where Mel is, they get the answer to whether or not Mel is a friend or foe.
And finally, FINALLY, Jamie tells Aiden what he's known for months. Be prepared for pain, but don't worry about it lasting for long. I was actually surprised with how fast it was resolved. I mean, it lingers even after it is resolved, but I wasn't expecting Aiden to forgive Jamie until the near the end of the novel, but it happens before that.
Not that there isn't time of them spent apart, but most of it is skipped over because Aiden goes undercover on his own. I kind of like that we skipped over the weeks of them being separated at the same time I wish we had gotten maybe a chapter of that separation because while I love we got the make up quickly, it also made it feel a tad rushed as well.
Also, the fact that by the end of this book its only been a year and a half since Gabe died didn't feel entirely realistic for someone to have found the "second love of their life." Although who knows, I've never been through that myself, so I could be wrong. Still wish it had been longer than 8 months since Aiden had lost Gabe for his and Jamie's romance to have started.
But aside from that, Aiden and Jamie's relationship was as amazing as ever, and I got excited whenever they were in a scene together, and I still ended up loving where they were by the end of the book, even with how fast they came together.
The plot was good too, and there are surprises (where there shouldn't have been. The bad guys that are revealed in this still surprised me even though I had a feeling since the first book.) as well as suspense. And while the climax was good, I also felt it was a tad anti-climatic at the same time. (Weird to say, with what happens to one of the characters, but what happens with Renaud was not what I was expecting, and I think I was expecting an even bigger fight between them than there was, even though what happened with Renaud did make sense at the same time.)
So I have a half a star off rounded down to 4 because this one didn't feel quite as strong as the first two, but it was still solid, it was still enjoyable and fun to read, and I love Aiden and Jamie together so so much, they make my heart melt, and I'm just so happy these two fools got their happy ending together, because they deserve it.
Now, i dunno if its just me, but I kinda felt there was something there between Cam & Nic (Cam being Jamie's best friend and Nic being the guy Aiden kinda "dated" but-not-really for a while) and would love a series about them. Like, it was super subtle, but I still felt some sparks between these two, mmmkay.
So, yeah, definitely worth finishing out the series, and I don't think anyone who has loved this series so far would hate it or be disappointed, but maybe some might not love it as much as the first two, like I did.
Really good ending, just not an amazing ending, I'll say.
***ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
He closed the space between them and framed Aidan’s face in his hands. “I’ll be your partner, Irish, always, badge or not.”
Aidan nuzzled one of the big, warm palms. “Partner, always.”
“Damn straight.” Jamie lowered his hands, spreading them out over his shoulders, pressing gently down.”
Barrel Proof is the final installment in the Agents Irish and Whiskey series, and it is a solid end to a wonderful series.
This one picks up almost immediately after the end of the last one, and shit happens basically right away.
Jamie and Aiden are going after Mel with Daniel, Aiden's brother, and when they get to where Mel is, they get the answer to whether or not Mel is a friend or foe.
And finally, FINALLY, Jamie tells Aiden what he's known for months. Be prepared for pain, but don't worry about it lasting for long. I was actually surprised with how fast it was resolved. I mean, it lingers even after it is resolved, but I wasn't expecting Aiden to forgive Jamie until the near the end of the novel, but it happens before that.
Not that there isn't time of them spent apart, but most of it is skipped over because Aiden goes undercover on his own. I kind of like that we skipped over the weeks of them being separated at the same time I wish we had gotten maybe a chapter of that separation because while I love we got the make up quickly, it also made it feel a tad rushed as well.
Also, the fact that by the end of this book its only been a year and a half since Gabe died didn't feel entirely realistic for someone to have found the "second love of their life." Although who knows, I've never been through that myself, so I could be wrong. Still wish it had been longer than 8 months since Aiden had lost Gabe for his and Jamie's romance to have started.
But aside from that, Aiden and Jamie's relationship was as amazing as ever, and I got excited whenever they were in a scene together, and I still ended up loving where they were by the end of the book, even with how fast they came together.
The plot was good too, and there are surprises (where there shouldn't have been. The bad guys that are revealed in this still surprised me even though I had a feeling since the first book.) as well as suspense. And while the climax was good, I also felt it was a tad anti-climatic at the same time. (Weird to say, with what happens to one of the characters, but what happens with Renaud was not what I was expecting, and I think I was expecting an even bigger fight between them than there was, even though what happened with Renaud did make sense at the same time.)
So I have a half a star off rounded down to 4 because this one didn't feel quite as strong as the first two, but it was still solid, it was still enjoyable and fun to read, and I love Aiden and Jamie together so so much, they make my heart melt, and I'm just so happy these two fools got their happy ending together, because they deserve it.
Now, i dunno if its just me, but I kinda felt there was something there between Cam & Nic (Cam being Jamie's best friend and Nic being the guy Aiden kinda "dated" but-not-really for a while) and would love a series about them. Like, it was super subtle, but I still felt some sparks between these two, mmmkay.
So, yeah, definitely worth finishing out the series, and I don't think anyone who has loved this series so far would hate it or be disappointed, but maybe some might not love it as much as the first two, like I did.
Really good ending, just not an amazing ending, I'll say.
bfdbookblog's review against another edition
5.0
So yeah…I loved this series and this author is now on my watch list. I was on the edge of my seat until the very end of this book/series. It is rare that an author can surprise me…and this one did. I love this couple and am sad their done but this was hands down one of the best series I’ve read this year. I actually attempted reading Tequilla Sunrise as a standalone but needed the whole story so I stopped that and went back to Irish & Whiskey. I’ll now head into TS as I’m anxious to read about Danny and Mel.
I’m not sure which of the two agents broke my heart more in this one. I understand Aiden’s anger and felt terrible for what he was going through but I HATED seeing Jamie so hurt while Aiden worked through his anger. They are so good together and I love how they work through the issues. There were so many twists and turns in the story and I loved every minute of it. The ending was great (although I hope we see a little bit if Jamie & Aiden in the next book) and I love what’s going on with these two.
The supporting cast is great again. I’m left wondering if we’ll see Cam again…maybe, HOPEFULLY. I’m on to read Mel and Danny’s book! Trust me when I tell you this is a MUST READ series!
I’m not sure which of the two agents broke my heart more in this one. I understand Aiden’s anger and felt terrible for what he was going through but I HATED seeing Jamie so hurt while Aiden worked through his anger. They are so good together and I love how they work through the issues. There were so many twists and turns in the story and I loved every minute of it. The ending was great (although I hope we see a little bit if Jamie & Aiden in the next book) and I love what’s going on with these two.
The supporting cast is great again. I’m left wondering if we’ll see Cam again…maybe, HOPEFULLY. I’m on to read Mel and Danny’s book! Trust me when I tell you this is a MUST READ series!
enemies2lover's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
strawbtae1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0