A review by theaccidentalromanceblogger
For The Love of Whiskey by Melissa Foster

adventurous emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Callahan 'Cowboy' Whiskey is a natural born protector. A member of the Dark Knights, the quiet rancher rescues horses and rehabilitates them at Redemption Ranch, his family's facility. Redemption Ranch is a special place - a place where broken souls, whether they are human or animal, go to heal. 

So, when the Dark Knights are called to protect a young woman who has just escaped from a cult, Cowboy is put on protection duty. As time passes, he may have to end up protecting her from himself. 

Sullivan Tate left behind everything she's ever known. Now, she not only has to learn how to navigate life in the outside world but she has to figure out who she is... all that while falling completely in love with the cowboy who's supposed to protect her. 

This book wrecked me. After reading the prequel, I already knew the horrors Sully endured before she finally got to the ranch. The beauty of Melissa's writing is that she doesn't do anything for shock value, so we, along with Cowboy, learn - by the little things Sully reveals about herself - how incredibly badass this young woman is. And together with Cowboy, we fall in love with her we understand that there is no one better to be by her side than him. 

There is no dreadful third act conflict but at 95% of the book, after wrecking my soul throughout it, Melissa slayed me. No spoilers, but descriptions of drawings can make me sob. That was a first... who knew! 

Beautiful story! 

Note: Some people may complain that, in real life, Sully's recovery journey would take a lot longer and that their romance is instalove-y, but Melissa acknowledges all that. Believe me, it works. 

Loved it! 

Possible triggers: FMC is a cult escapee, mentions of SA, kidnapping, child abuse, PTSD