This was a fun read! While I have no problem with the heroine being curvy, I did get a little tired of hearing Avery mentioning her size over and over. But I liked the chemistry between her and Declan. I enjoyed how her friend, Kat, engineered a date between them and they couldn't fake that chemistry if they had tried. Neither one of them was looking for someone and yet they kept bumping into each other. I'm glad they didn't fight it and allowed themselves the chance. I enjoyed the banter between these characters and liked the friends they had around them, supporting them. I look forward to future books from this new author!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Avery is a beautiful full figured woman and is very talented with her job as an engineer. However, not everyone seems to agree with her. I feel that she has been taken advantage of. Her vacation to New Orleans leads her to a handsome rocker named Declan for a vacation fling. Her determination to cut loose, her mouth that loves to let loose and her fantastic personality lead her to many changes. Is this just a vacation fling or much more involved???


I have also reviewed this on B&N and Kobo under the name IrishEyes430

Moonlight & Whiskey is a book I've wanted to read since I read the sypnosis and read that the main character is a curvy woman. Not many romance books have a plus sized main characters, so this was really interesting to see. Besides that, this story sounded like it was going to be amazing!

Avery has made it career wise (well, it would be completely true if she still wasn't doing more work than she should be doing) and knows that she's smart. After not having the best childhood, Avery has built up some walls. She knows she's beautiful and she loves her curves, but society (especially at work) still makes her feel like she needs to be someone she's not!

Declan is the mysterious bad boy and it's clear there is more to him than meets the eye. He doesn't do relationships. Not after the way his mother treated his father and how that left him in pieces. Declan is a smart man though, owns his own business, plays in a rock band. His world just happens to get turned upside down when he meets Avery on vacation.

Avery and Declan are only supposed to be together while she is on vacation in NOLA, but it's clear they've got a connection that isn't going to let it go that easily. I loved seeing them connect and the chemistry was there from the start. There are quite a lot of steamy moments in this book, that romance lovers will definitely enjoy! I think my favorite part of their relationship is the fact that they start making the other feel safe. The need for the walls slowly starts to fade. On top of that, Declan loves her for the way she is. He embraces her curves and makes sure she realizes she should too! They both become a lot stronger in this book and fight for what they want.

While I loved a lot about this book, for some reason it took a long time for it to really grab me. I normally fly through books this size, but it felt like I just wasn't getting any further. I've been trying to put my finger on what it could be, but while I loved these characters, I was missing something. I'm wondering if maybe the "will they, won't they" took too long, or maybe things were described too much? In the beginning, we read about the mystery of NOLA. After their first date in the restaurant with the whiskey, I kind of missed that through the rest of the book. It would've been interesting to have that play a bigger part.

Moonlight & Whiskey is mostly told from Avery's POV. We eventually get to read how Declan thinks, but I think maybe this book would've grabbed me more if that had started sooner. Don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoyed this story, there were just a few things that felt off.

All in all, if you're looking for a steamy romance, a character who is comfortable in her own skin, great friends, tons of music references and even a couple of concerst and that has people who learn to love, Moonlight & Whiskey is the book for you!

I honestly struggled with this book - so much so that it took me 2 months to finish. It started out interesting and got my attention with the crassness of Avery and the mysterious rocker bad boy Declan. The middle of the book seemed to drag incredibly slow (which is what took a month to finish alone). The ending was decent and finally got me interested again. But for the most part, this just wasn't the book for me.

I quickly became annoyed with Avery's constant self-depreciating thoughts regarding her weight. I mean she complains because she's 30 lbs heavier than her taller former model friend. I know people have self image issues regardless of their size and can understand that battle (since I could stand to lose a 100 lbs myself), but after hearing about it every other paragraph it seems, I just got tired of reading about it.

Her crassness and flat out immaturity really bugged me as well. I thought it was funny at first, loved that she at least pretended to have a backbone. But then she started doing a lot of things that just made me question just how old she was, if she really was some engineer making six figures and why she'd act like that if she was supposedly a grown woman just on vacation. I mean I'd never think to do some of the things she did - that's stuff you expect from a spring breaker, not a grown woman.

I got her hesitancy to really allow herself to love Declan and give him a chance. She'd been burned before and wanted to protect her heart. I guess I can't be too mad at her for intentionally screwing things up just to run away again.

Then there's Declan. I didn't have a lot of issues with him. He was the typical moody, bad boy, running from 'demons' rocker. But he was also incredibly sweet and had a soft side to him. I also got why he was hesitant to allow himself to love. I mean he had it pretty bad as a young kid and saw how bad his dad loving his mom even after she left really hurt him. So again, I can't fault him and actually thought he was a pretty good guy and character.

But Avery just ruined this book for me and I wish she hadn't.

I did enjoy the descriptions and history lessons of New Orleans. I've never visited, but it's on my list. I also liked the secondary characters - they added more color to an otherwise blah book for me. The music references flew right over my head. When they play such a big part of the storyline, that's just disappointing. I'd normally immediately Google a reference and listen to the song, but I couldn't even bring myself to care for this book.

Obviously, a lot of people like this book, it just wasn't for me and may be better suited for a YA reader.

Moonlight and Whiskey by Tricia Lynn is a very cute story of a thick girl getting the guy. Avery is confident and can hold her own when it comes to the mean girls. Declan is the lead singer of a popular band. He is typical rocker. He has the looks, the voice, the tattoos and the demons. The two hit it off and have a hot and heavy time. What started out between them as something casual morphed into more. Loved their chemistry. This
was the first time I have read this author. The story drew me in and had me from beginning to end. Really like how this author told this story. Loved Avery's spunk and sass. For her first book she knocked it out the park. I look forward to reading more stories by this author. 5 stars for me.

A steamy romance that started off with smart-mouth sass, quickly turning into more as the chemistry grows out of control. Avery Barrows has been burned in the past and left with a less than ideal body image, but she's everything that Declan McGinn desires, especially her unfiltered mouth. They both have demons from their past to deal with, and watching them battle it out while fighting between the sheets...this book was one hot read, I couldn't put down!

Wow, I was really entertained by Tricia Lynne and Moonlight & Whiskey. First of all it was a well paced, well plotted story. I really appreciated the complexity of the characters, both primary and secondary. I was really drawn to the heroine. The chemistry between the hero and heroine was evident, and I was impressed that the intimate scenes were well placed and seemed to move the story along. There was a little too much dialogue "in their heads" for me, but it didn't hurt my enjoyment.
I received my copy through NetGalley and am under no obligation to the publisher.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

I absolutely loved Avery. She was snarky, sassy, kind, intelligent, and sexy. She was what all women should strive to be. Comfortable with herself, after years of not being. She knew that despite working in a world dominated by men, she could hold her own and she didn't take much guff from people. She worked hard and played even harder. I also really enjoyed her relationship with her best friend. They complemented each other, pushed each other to be the best versions of themselves.

Then you have Declan. He is mysterious. His talent is singing, and he loves his band members as if they were his own family. He sees Avery and is instantly enamored. He knows that she is made for him. Declan knows that his time with Avery is limited, but he can't help himself.

The chemistry between Avery and Declan is off the charts and I loved their witty banter. They were strong characters, but they didn't overpower each other. Rather, they were complements of each other and to the other characters in the book.

I do hope that everyone else will get their own story and that we'll be able to see Avery and Declan more.

Avery admitted she had a porn habit. She liked watching people have sex. Avery would never be thin but she still wanted to be feminine and sexy in her skin. Just as she was. She had let kat/katia talk into having a Brazilian wax and Kat had made the appointment. Avery had learned to appear asexual - it was the role she had to play as a female engineer trying to make partner in her firm. She had an entirely different woman locked inside her who had a huge set of balls, liked hard rock music, and drank her whiskey neat. She mouthed off with great satisfaction and cursed like a well informed sailor. She had little filter between her brain and mouth and zero tolerance policy on stupidity. Kat and Avery were going on vacation to New Orleans. Kat is like family they had been roommates University Of Texas. Kat was a little famous as she had been a model but a couple of years ago she had moved behind the camera. Now kat and Avery were at their hotel and than someone ran into Avery from behind pushing her into Kat. Avery turned to tell this person to watch the hell where he was going. Than she actually saw the guy and he was really hot. This guy looked like he had done it all and posted bail. The guy’s name was Declan and he offered to take Avery to dinner for almost running her down and she declined but Kataccepted for her. Avery had met many jerks but after jason two years ago the scars were still healing . Now Avery’s walls were steep and her defense mechanism was razor sharp. But declan didn't back down and didn’t seem to be put off with the shots she took at his ego. Her body definitely reacted to him. They went and Avery felt Declan only7 wanted her as a friend but than he said she should see his bed. They left and flirted some more but than Declan said he had to go or he would be late for for his gig. Than Avery and kat later go into a bar and he was singing in a band on stage, he really did have a gig. Kat talked Avery into going up to declan and talk to him after the gig was over . Than Kat went and talked to the guitarist- Jamie. Avery finally purposely bumped into Declan from the back making him spill some of his drink and as he quickly turned around and than saw who it was and said she owed him a drink. Declan’s band was called Blacksmith. The drummer Matt also flirted with Avery and than she saw a look pass between declan and Avery. Than kat said they should be going. As they walked away Kat said he knows where you are staying. Avery couldn’t sleep and had been thinking about declan so she went outside to get some air. Than declan showed up and they made out but than he stopped and said he couldn’t do this and went to his room. Avery was angry and it brought back memories of Jason. Jason and Avery had sheared smiles at the coffee shop . finally he asked her out.They hit it off and over the next six months they spent a lot of time together. But he always took her to out of the way places. Avery learned jason was an oil executive and his parents were well known Dallas socialites. Than when Avery asked why she never met his family or friends he said he was expected to be with someone who looked a certain way, lived a certain lifestyle, came from a certain family. She then ended things as she would no longer be his dirty little secret. Avery had given up trying after jason. But she had never felt anything as intense with anyone else as she did with Declan. The next morning she told kat what had happened as Kat had already ordered breakfast for them. Than with breakfast was a bouquet of flowers and a note from Declan saying he would pick her up at seven to go out and Kat had a date with Jamie. After their date and they had returned to the hotel they went to Declan’s room. Declan made it clear he didn’t do the relationship thing when in the tub with Avery. Her quick answer was she was just on vacation. Declan explained he knew he was screwed up about woman after what his mom had done to him and his father. He didn’t believed he wasn’t capable of that kind of love. Avery admitted she had only been with five other men and two had been one night stands. Avery woke from a dream about declan being cruel to her and she grabbed her things and snuck back to her own room. She left because if she stayed he would end up hurting her. Than Declan showed up at her hotel room door very angry.
I loved this book. It was a well written romance with just enough angst and if you believe in fate and soulmates you will love this book like I did. I loved the pace and the plot. I loved Declan and Avery together and how they interacted together. This was a quick love brought between them Avery thought they were old souls who always found each other. I loved how Avery let herself be her real self with Declan and how she grew. Also she didn't put her real self back into hiding since she left New Orleans. I loved the relationship between Kat and Avery as well as Declan and his bandmates and Sadie- Shauns wife. .I didn’t want to put this down and really didn't and lost some sleep but this book was so worth it. I loved the characters and ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend it.

An ARC was provided to me from NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This was an incredibly promising debut novel. I instantly connected with the characters and found them to be very realistic and well-thought out. Avery was unexpectedly crass and aggressive. I think she had her charming moments, but eventually, her language became a little too much. It came off as childish and kind of ridiculous as she was a professional business woman... there was an obvious disconnect there. I think the body positivity in this book was wonderful, and Avery was perfect curvy girl rep. I also enjoyed Declan as the main love interest and could picture him easily. The one thing that left an icky taste in my mouth though, was his "demon" nature. Like, I understand the whole brooding bad boy, but his darkness and "demon" thing really wasn't needed. I also rolled my eyes at the fact he was a musician. There were just too many tropes to his character. The two characters did work well together and their banter was entertaining.

I think the best part about this was the setting. This was a true love letter to New Orleans. I could picture the city with vivid colour and the adventures Avery and Kat had were extraordinary. I've never been there, but it certainly made me want to make the trip.

Great debut romance

I thought Tricia Lynne did a great job with her debut novel Moonlight & Whiskey.
Avery and Declan felt like realistic characters both carrying a lot of baggage that needs to be worked through before they can get to their HEA. I liked that Avery was a legitimately plus-sized woman and Declan and his band weren’t superstars. The secondary characters were interesting and I’d love to read the other band members stories.
I received an advance reader copy via Netgalley.

A beautiful hot heartfelt read. Love Avery and Declan’s story. Love how they tear each other’s walls down and give with all their hearts.

One of the best books I’ve read this year!

Engineer Avery Barrows is full figured and knows how to work her curves even though being an engineer has her act like one of the guys at work. Avery and her best friend Katia decide to have a girls’ trip to New Orleans and the meet the gorgeous Declan McGinn and he shows her a good time but when he told her he was late for a gig, she didn’t know that he was musician until they heard him sing with his band. Avery and Declan are like match and a flame because they burn so hot together and match each other.

Avery and Katia definitely believe in laissez les bon temps rouler or let the good times roll which is the motto of Louisiana and makes this book hot and wonderful to read. I’m really hoping that Tricia Lynne writes many more books for me to read because the book is that good.

P.S. Avery running description of her Brazilian wax is worth reading by itself!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

While I might be in the minority on this one, I have to say I did not care this book at all. I couldn't connect with these characters. I found Avery abrasive and offensive at times. I didn't understand or feel the connection between her and Declan. On top of all that I thought there was too much focus put on the Avery's size and it took away from the story. Rarely do I choose not to finish a book but after about 60% of the way through I had to give up on this one. This is not a book I can recommend.

Loved it from the beginning to the end. Avery is a smart mouth engineer who don't take no mess other than the partners at her firm as she is the only female in a male world trying to fit in. Declan with his Irish accent is too hot for words, the sexy singer and guitarist. How does a local singer has own a black card, one of kind cars, property, etc. The two literally bump into each other or rather Declan bumps into Avery and she turns and rips him a new one. All he can do is blink in surprise. What is supposed to be a vacation fling turns into much more that the two definitely don't have time for or want to pursue further. Can't wait to read other books by this author.

A very good read! Avery isn't an over feminine woman, she grew up a little bit of a tomboy, she downplays her feminine curves as she strives to make a place with her male coworkers, but deep down she's a little gruff and unsure of her luscious curves. When a vacation in NOLA with her bestfriend brings out all sorts of new experiences Avery's not sure she's ready or if it's in ernest. Declan had no idea how his life would change after running into a sassy foul mouth bundle of curves and he sure didn't know how to handle her! Hot passions and tempers and hurting souls make this a dark passionate tale lit with humor and sass.

How did I loathe this book? Let me count the ways.

Quite early on this book annoyed me with it's lazy writing. I mean, the female MC and her best friend call each other names as a way of proving that they're close. I had ONE friend with whom I did this in high school. Then I grew up. I don't know any adult women who talk to each other this way, and rather than showing us how close they are through action, we have them spewing vulgar comments at each other. And I know Lynne wants to show this powerful connection between the MC and her love interest, but writing that she's about to orgasm just from the feel of his hand on the small of her back makes me think the MC has a serious medical condition because that's just not normal.

Then the author gets lost in descriptions of New Orleans (think of Anne Rice spending four paragraphs to describe a table), but cuts corners elsewhere. For example: how many shades of red lipstick are there? Let's go with 20 throughout all the brands, just to be conservative. Then what shade am I to picture when the author writes "...the bathroom was done in lipstick red subway tiles"? Ruby? Fire Engine? Candy Apple? This seems to be a recurring issue with the author. The MC refers to her "generous hips" (fat women only think about them as hips), can apparently tell the designer of a suit by looking (I can tell if a suit is bespoke, but honestly who can tell the difference between an Armani and Hugo Boss just by looking?), and has the magical power to know that band members have second-hand instruments. I mean, how? Because they're worn down and old looking? Isn't it possible that they're just well-used? (Think Glen Hansard in the movie "Once".)

Then there's the fat shaming disguised as body positivity, which always depresses me when written by women in general, but even more so when it's an author who isn't a size 6 herself. The fact that all the men seem to want this woman, even though her self-image is lower than a snail's belly. The push-pull which goes on forever, until they sleep together at which time every single scene is sex. For about five chapters! When I start wanting to skip through the sex scenes you know something is seriously wrong.

On top of that we have hints of vodun that never go anywhere, smirks and looks between the male characters that never amount to anything, secrets that are blown out of proportion, and a plethora of editing mistakes that should never make it to this stage. (Talking rum instead of rum talking, and apparently neither the author nor her editor knows the difference between passed and past; one is good for slipping through folds, the other not so much.)

Finally, after approximately 85% of the book being single POV, we're suddenly subjected to alternating POVs. No. If you've made it this far without, there's no need to start. Also, while I hate when the men refer to the women as "baby", it's even more disgusting when it's overused by the female MC. (She: Hey, baby? He: Yeah? She: What should we do today, baby? He: Whatever you want. She: I love you, baby. Me: Kill me now.)

Now some might say that I'm expecting too much from a debut novel, but I disagree. I have read self-published books that were miles ahead of this. I have no patience for drama for the sake of drama, trite tropes, and lazy writing. And no one else should either.

Would I recommend this book? Yes. I recommend everyone stay away.

A case of me, not the book. I went in with certain expectations and they just didn't pan out.

I had a hard time connecting with Avery - her character was too blunt and in-your-face aggressive. I felt like she was portrayed one way but the wrong image came across and not as intended.

I liked Declan, he seemed a decent hero but I wasn't seeing a convincing reason why he would be so attracted to a woman who would act and treat him the way Avery did. It got old fast how quick she was to jump to conclusions. The saying about when you assume really came to life in this one and not in a good way.

Bottom line, I couldn't relate to the characters enough to really get into the story. Bummer because the blurb really sells it.

.......I just couldn’t get into it. The story is so cliche and slow not my favorite.Couldnt finish it.

***4 Stars***

Not gonna lie, the word Whiskey was the hook and then I saw curves and New Orleans and I knew I had to dive in and I really enjoyed this book. From the first page I was hooked and even though I wanted to reach out and Gibbs smack some of the characters (numerous times) the sweet, swoon worthy and smexy moments more than made up for them and kept me turning the pages until the very end.

I loved Avery. She’s sassy, snarky and yet is still searching for who she wants to be. She has all the key components, but she’s unsure of where to go with them. Though she comes across as strong and confident, her body image issues have a way of messing with her head, which held her back in a lot of situations. Declan is all kinds of laid back alpha male. He is a bad boy gentleman with more charisma than he knows what to do with. He has a few demons riding him hard and they tend to hold him back from what he wants most.

Declan and Avery’s journey was an enjoyable one. The chemistry between them was obvious from their first collision, but boy did their issues get in their way many, many times. I swear the urge to reach out and shake them was strong as they decided they KNEW what the other wanted or what was best for them...and all of it was decided as they had conversations in their own heads with themselves. It was maddening. But I couldn’t deny that they WERE good together and had the chance to be great for each other if they could only get over themselves. Things of course go south, and it was rough, and though I found what brought them to their senses was actually a great way to do it, I would have liked a little more...grovelling, but all in all I’m happy with how it all worked out for them.

This is my first read by the author and it was an enjoyable one. The writing was engaging, pacing good and I think she nailed it on body issues and how they affect our perceptions of ourselves. As for the secondary characters, I really liked Jaime, Matt and Shaun but Kat was definitely my favorite. But I’m hoping that there will be more from this crew, and author in the future!

~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~