ARC Review: “Scotch on the Rocks,” by Elliot Fletcher

Image ~ ~ samfsm

Hi all! For full disclosure, I actually read Scotch on the Rocks without realizing it was the second in a series, the Macabe Brothers by Elliot Fletcher. However, I decided not to write this review until after I read the first book, Whisky Business. While I definitely recommend reading the books in order, I also enjoyed Scotch on the Rocks on its own and there was no details included that you couldn’t pick up if you hadn’t read book one. Scotch on the Rocks comes out in July 8th, but I couldn’t resist reading it as soon as I was approved for the ARC (I mean, look at that cover!) So thank you Netgalley and Avon, for this opportunity!

From the Publisher:

Opposites attract in this sexy Scottish romance between a young woman and the man who is completely off-limits, from the author of Whisky Business.

The Macabe Brother Rule Book (according to Juniper Ross):

  1. Don’t look at a Macabe brother
  2. Don’t talk to a Macabe brother
  3. Don’t even think about a Macabe brother

It’s pretty tough for June to follow her own rules, considering one brother is in love with her best friend, one is her ex-fiancé, and one … well, one is super-hot, small-town hero Callum Macabe.

But when Callum seems to be popping up everywhere, especially when Juniper is at her most vulnerable, it’s hard not to imagine just how good breaking a rule might feel.

What I Loved:

  • Golden Retriever / Black Cat Relationship: I have the internet to thank for learning new names for old tropes. While normally the grumpy/sunshine relationship has the guy be scowling, brooding, and unapproachable while the girl is a delight, Scotch on the Rocks turns the trope on its head and has Callum be the friendly one and June be prickly. Honestly, I related much more to this than the “normal” execution of this trope. As an introvert married to an extrovert, I can relate when June is suspicious of Callum’s ease with other people, his good nature, and how well liked he is. I also relate to June thinking everyone around her has ulterior motives even when they don’t. It was a delight watching June open up and allow people (including Callum) in, and to see that underneath it all, Callum is also struggling. They played well off of each other.
  • The Female Friendships. As a continuation of the first book, June, Heather, and April are thick as thieves here barring a couple of hiccups. I love seeing women supporting women, especially in books that are primarily romance. April got her happy ending in the last book, and supports June through her conflicted feelings here. Heather, despite a minor setback, is also a key member of their friend group and needs their support just as much with her little ones. I love that there is clearly an implicit implication that each of these women may have at one point been a “pick me” or just otherwise a dumb high schooler, but have now formed a deep and enduring adult bond.

What Didn’t Work As Well:

  • Callum’s Obsession Behavior. There is a normal amount of longing and adoring behavior, then there is Callum. I think what Fletcher intended here was for the reader to see that Callum is deeper than the first book (and June) makes him out to be, but instead it borders on creepy. I like Callum, I like his and June’s relationship in theory, but if this were real life, I would tell my girl friend in June’s position to evaluate if that much intensity is cute or controlling. Also, I am not a huge fan of the “Mr. steal my brother’s girl” trope in general, so combining that with his multiple year obsession is way too much.
  • (Semi Related) The Ending. Without giving away too many spoilers, the Macabe boys show some truly toxic colors towards the end of this book and June is treated like a possession. Some may find this appealing, but it was a complete turn off for me.

Conclusion:

As I mentioned above, I was fully invested in this series after reading Whisky Business. While Scotch on the Rocks had some problematic elements, I do love the characters in this series and really identified with June, and who can even stop drooling over Scottish scenery and accents? Three waves for me! This comes out in July, so preorder your copy here for the perfect beach read. If you need to catch up like I did and need to read Whisky Business first, pick up your copy here. As always, support local bookstores!

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