Okay so this book was originally called Wyler Fire, however the author changed a bunch of stuff and re-published as ‘A Second Shot of Whiskey’. The book was released on NetGalley for a limited time and I was quick enough to grab myself a copy
for review.

I adored the cover of this book, and that’s what made me want to read it the second I saw it.

I think the plot was good, I mean, who doesn’t love a fake marriage to lovers story? But I was left wanting so much more. This story needed more character depth, context and emotion provoking scenes. The book is 192 pages long and that wasn’t enough for the major developments that the author packed in here. Many scenes left me thinking, ‘hold on, where’s the rest?’ especially when it came to Holly’s sister. I had a hard time finishing this one, but I haven’t completely written off the author and do have some more of her books on my tbr.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Second Shot of Whiskey by Sarah Robinson is a contemporary romance centered on a local whiskey distillery and its owner, Sam Wylde. Sam was 30ish and single. Had been single for years, ever since he had discovered his girl and his brother having sex. He didn't really trust women anymore. Now he was on the phone with his event planner, the one planning the unveiling of his brewery and brew who was resigning. Why? She had been dating his cousin, and partner, Noah Wyle, and apparently there had been a rather public breakup the night before. He had nearly run into a car as he turned into the very full parking lot and how someone had slid into his parking space as he was backing into it. He was furious, about so many things. It turned out to be a petite, very attractive young woman. He parked and rushed back to apologize and helped her carry some things to a large tent, where there would shortly be a party: one she had planned.

This was a fun romance between this very stern man and a girl who had had a crush on him since high school. Holly had her own set of problems. There had been a car accident. Her parents were killed; she had survived, with scars; and her sister had been in coma ever since. She was in a local, very expensive care center. Holly was there nearly every day. Sam was supposed to be at the rehearsal dinner for the wedding, which was taking place tomorrow between his brother and his ex. He wasn't. He was sampling is own product when Holly showed up to talk about the unveiling. Things took off from there and they decided to get married. His insurance could pay for Holly's bills and having Holly as a fiancée, then wife, would stop people commenting on what had happened. It was a very fun romance, in which some very sad things happened. The characters were likable and one found oneself in sympathy with each of them. The plot was thin, but then one doesn't expect too many complications in a romance. It is the journey. I enjoyed it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Second Shot of Whiskey by Sarah Robinson, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #sarahrobinson #secondshotofwhiskey

Holly Glenn has had an unrequited crush on Sam Wylde since High School. It is ten years later and Sam hires her to be his event planner for the opening of his Wyldefire Whiskey line. Both Sam and Holly have gone through some tough times. Holly and her family had been in a car accident, killing her parents, scarring her and putting her younger sister in a coma. Holly doesn’t have insurance for her sister, so her job with Sam is really important. Sam dated Jane for ten years, but caught her in the act with his brother. Sam’s family expects his to forgive and forget and come to the wedding of the cheaters (his ex and brother). He concocts a plan to marry Holly to get his family off of his back and to help Holly with her medical expenses. This book had potential, but it fell into the insta-love trope, which is one of my least favorites. I wish that there had been more emotional, rather than physical connections between Sam and Holly. Also, not a big fan of the family that shrugged off the betrayal of Sam’s brother. Overall, a decent read, but I just couldn’t get past everyone expecting Sam to be the bigger person to two truly awful people. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

Second Shot of Whiskey is a flirty and tempting fake-engagement romance. I have only read author Sarah Robinson a few times and I always look forward to her characters because they are so engaging and charming.

Sam is launching Wyldfire Whiskey and is looking to have a launch party for his brand. It's not so easy because he really needs this as a distraction. You see, his brother is marrying his ex. After his ex cheated on him, he has been closed off and he thinks this is how he is going to keep on feeling. But a blast from his past steals his parking spot and changes things forever.

Holly is a breath of fresh air. She is sassy, badass, and a miracle event planner. When she runs into Sam, she plans to make him remember her. Her wit and charm must have worked because she is hired as the event planner for his launch and he asks her to marry him. Fake marry him that is. He doesn't want to deal with his family and their added looks at his brother's wedding so he thinks that if he pretends to be engaged they will back off.

I give Second Shot of Whiskey 4 stars. love Holly and Sam together. Together they are like fireworks. They can not only laugh together but they make each other feel. And to see their personal journey, as well as their relationship, grow is beautiful. This may not be my favorite trope but Sarah Robinson made it worth the read!

What a super surprise second shot of whiskey by Sarah Robinson turned out to be. Whiskey start-up co-owner Sam Wylde needs to find an event planner pronto! His cousin and business partner just screwed over the current planner. Literally. Sam's in a rush to find someone to take over the duties of launching their brand. It just so happens Holly is the girl that’s going to do just that. What comes next is a steamy connection but also a plan. A plan that will benefit them both. This is a quick fun sexy read perfect for an afternoon reading session.

~Tanja

📚* Thank you to IMAG Social Media Agency for sharing this title via Netgalley

Wylde Fire by Sarah Robinson is packed full of angst, laughter, tears, deception with plenty of heartwarming moments. Sam is in need of an event planner to help him launch his whiskey distillery and that’s where Holly comes in.Holly's family had a devastating accident and it brought her back to her hometown where she is the owner / operator of a business that does event planning which is perfect for what Sam needs.

Started off holding my attention. A few chapters n it lost my attention it was a little predictable for me. DNF


2 stars

******************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from Net Galley*****************************

I absolutely loved this book, loved the story line and characters, good and bad! Sam and Holly were a perfect pairing. They were supportive of one another, from the start. Sam's insecurity was both annoying and sweet. His family - mother and father were hard to take to at first, but they both come into their own. I loved Noah and hope that there is a book about him, he deserves to fall...hard!!

Second Shot of Whiskey (A Southern Gentleman Romance) by Sarah Robinson
Publisher: Author Collective 2022
Genre: Erotica, Romance, Women's Fiction
Published: September 17, 2019, Rereleased January 2022

Second Shot of Whiskey is a standalone romance by Sarah Robinson. This steamy romance is a quick read that I could not put down!

There was so much goodness in this book! The characters are interesting, the story is engaging and heartfelt and the romance is intense (NSFW)! I love it when characters have a fake romance and then find themselves in so much deeper!

Holly and Sam are definitely one of my favorite book couples!

If you are looking for a great romance, this one will make you laugh and feel all the feels, all while turning up the heat!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Hot & sexy from the start! But also very sweet! A tiny bit of a tearjerker but all in all a wonderful story with lots of complicated characters and a sweet HEA.

Second Shot of Whisky by Sarah Robinson A five-star read that goes down smooth. I simply adored this story, there was something special about it, Holly Glen you were phenomenal, she is doing everything she can for what she feels is right. Her passion for family just wowed me, and her compassion for others is second to none and Sam has good reason to be gun shy, you could see why he is the way he is. This is a very good story and one I am so excited to see more from, I would love to hear more from the Wyldefire Whisky crew.

Wylde Fire (100 Proof, #1) by Sarah Robinson
Sam Wylde is tired of the whole town feeling sorry for him and Holly Glen is trying to take care of the only family she has left. He caught his brother in bed with his lifelong girlfriend and she and her sister survived a car crash that killed their parents and left her sister in a coma. I laughed out loud and sometimes cried so hard I had to stop reading for a few minutes. A fake engagement, family drama, angst, laughter, tears, deception, heartwarming and heartbreaking feeling and plenty of steam get us to a very HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Great word building Happily Ever After Funny Wonderful characters Steamy Easy-to-read Entertaining Romantic Tragic Tear-jerker Page-turner

I really liked the story, but I feel like I have whiplash. The story felt a bit rushed and certain aspects of the story seemed like they were glossed over. Holly and Sam had great chemistry. Though the opportunity was there, there wasn’t a whole lot of drama. This was a decent read with humor, romance, and a few tear inducing moments.

Overall, I enjoyed the story detailing the love between Sam and Holly. The meet-cute was, well, cute, with Sam getting his parking spot stolen by Holly and then having her tell him off. There is the fake engagement trope in this story and Holly has had a crush on Sam for many years. Overall, the story itself played out well. There were many stilted moments though; I felt like explanations were glossed over or just ignored (such as the fact that she had emotional and physical scars from the loss of her parents and also, the way that the brother and ex story played out seemed incomplete. Not to mention he had such hard feelings against his family for their reaction to the brother/ex betrayal and then later l, called them the best part of him? maybe I’m just not the forgiving sort but… yeah. But while it made me take notice, the genuine feelings and overall sweetness of the story stood out. I give this story 3.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an early copy.

3.5 Stars
Any Time Sarah Robinson has a book out, I am interested. I didn't see this the first time it was released so I do not know if there have been any adjustments or changes, but the story is quick, has spicey moments, and the feels Robinson is known for.

I highly enjoyed this small town friends to lovers romance. This book demonstrates that love can be found in the most unlikeliest of places and sometimes it’s better when not expected.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. I loved this book from page 1 to the end. I read it in a matter of hours because I was so wrapped up in the story. Not to mention I was at my desk supposed to be working HA HA. I had to put the phone down twice because the book was so steamy at parts i had to put it down to collect myself. You will LOVE this book. Two people who grew up in the same town but didn't know each other and suddenly fall in love. It was everything I needed in my life! I almost cried at the end! So GOOD

I know for a fact the high school crushes typically don’t amount to anything, generally a flame (sometimes one sided) that flickers then dies. However, when you find each other years later, there are times that flame reignites into a fire that can’t can’t be put out. This was the case of Sam and Holly.
Sam who needed help and Holly coming to the rescue. What resulted was for me, an enjoyable story of a second chance of that one time love we all reach for.

Sam Wylde is climbing his way out of the mire that his ex caused by having an affair with his brother. Holly Glen is desperate and under the weight of the world. The medical bills for the care of her comatose younger sister are mounting and she needs one huge event to put her business and finances in the black. Maybe these two can help each other.

This is my first read by Sarah Robinson and it doesn’t lack spicy fire. Holly was a shy freshman while Sam was the senior jock. That didn’t stop her from fantasizing about him for over a decade. When the two run into each other over a decade later in a parking lot in their small hometown, they have an instant spark.

I don’t often quote books in my reviews, but this passage was just too good not to share. Sam really understands what the both of them need.

“Sometimes I think wounds are magnetized. Even when they heal, there is something in them that pulls to other wounds. Those souls… they can sense one another. They need one another.”

Sam Wylde – Second Shot of Whiskey by Sarah Robinson

I loved how Robinson took the spice up a notch and gave us a real story to sink our teeth into. Sam and Holly have deep hurt in their pasts and need to move on. Holly is the compassionate influence Sam needs, while Sam is the bond she’s been missing since her family tragedy.

If you love a great story, dynamic characters, and a intriguing plot, check out Second Shot of Whiskey.

I received Second Shot of Whiskey for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I can’t imagine what Sam was going through when his event planner for his new Wyldefire Whiskey company pulled out on him because his cousin Noah and partner broke up with her. In hindsight it was probably the best thing to happen to him. It was funny how Sam met Cassie, well reacquainted himself with her since high school. Cassie was putting on an event and Sam saw how good she was and hired her. My heart went out to Cassie as she lost her parents in a car accident, she was badly hurt, and her sister had been in a coma for a number of years with Cassie taking care of her. She was struggling to keep the payments up on the center her sister lived. Poor Sam had been royally messed over by his girlfriend and his younger brother. I was glad the Sam and Cassie decided to get married even though it wouldn’t be real. This was the best thing to happen for both of them. Sam’s family was crazy, but a fun crazy for the most part. I enjoyed the book and encourage you to read it.