This book had it all. Romance, struggles and along with being sweet mixed in. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it. Go read it today.

I liked this book - fast moving plot, good characters, and fun to read. The author did a great job with the story, plot, and setting. Overall, I would definitely recommend!

This was so good. I really liked them as a couple and I really enjoyed the plot. Personally I don't drink Whiskey, I'm much more in it for the sweet flavors. I really enjoyed reading this. I don't know if I'd recommend it to any of my friends because it doesn't seem to be their style but I still enjoyed nonetheless. Not really a favourite but definitely still good.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

What a great read, enjoyed it.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgally for providing me with an ACR in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This is the first book in the series I read and it worked just fine as a stand a lone. This was a cute story but pretty middle of the road for me. I did get a little bit bored with the will they wont they about 30% in and started skimming to get the part where they actually get together but over all the characters were good and the relationship was nice. I don't think the end will work for everyone because the book does bring in another story line a bit late in the game and I can see that being something that might annoy some people but I thought it was fine.

First of all, thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.
I'm going to be honest, I'll never properly finish this book.
It didn't pull me into the storyline, I don't know why, maybe I've been reading too many romance books, but this one wasn't for me.

great book! I usually don't like friends to lovers too much, but sometimes its necessary after reading so many dark enemies to lovers books.
This book was sweet and beautiful!

4.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC
I went way past my usual bed time to finish reading this book and it was all worth it. I read this book in a day. This book made me laugh and it made me cry. I could feel the grief of Liv for her mom and her relationship with her father. I also felt for Wes and his inability to let people in. This book was such a easy read.

This friends to lovers, slow burn romance was cute, yet dragged a bit. It took the protagonists ages to admit to their feelings for each other. There were also too many things going on in the story that distracted from the two lovers.

I've not read any of the others in this series but I'll be heading back to pick them up now! An easy, sweet slow burn to spicy read and I devoured it!

I received Risks and Whiskey on NetGalley by agreeing to review, but all thoughts are my own.

This is the first book of Dani McLean's that I have read, so I cannot compare to her other books. This was definitely a slow-burn romance. I actually thought the beginning of the book was a little slow. Both parties were attracted to each other, but they were best friends, so the first 48% of the book was them lamenting only to themselves that they wanted the other. It got repetitive to me, and if I wasn't intent on reviewing, I might have given up before hitting the good parts.

Once they got together, I liked the book a lot more. Not BECAUSE they got together, but because of the personal growth that the characters showed. I appreciated the way they fought for each other and for themselves. Those are my favorite types of books.

Overall, I liked the book more than I thought I would in the beginning. I liked the writing, the characters, and the dialogue. I especially loved the dog. And I'd like the tv show the 2 MCs were filming! I would give this book 3 1/2 stars (3 being "I liked it" and 4 being "I loved it"), and I'll read her other books as well.

EDITED TO ADD: THANK YOU!! for the inclusion of Sym's character. This is a wonderful thing to see, becoming so normalized in the books we read.

Some time ago I received as an ARC the first book of Dani McLean's Cocktail Series, and I really enjoyed it. So I was very happy when I found this book available to be requested and my request approved.

Usually I don't like the trope "friends to lovers" very much, but I wanted to give it a chance. And I was not disappointed.
The sexual tension was HUGE. I loved the characters and the correlation between them. I also appreciated the setting of this book. I really liked Wes: I mean, he has curls 🥹

In conclusion I appreciated this book and I rate it 3.5 stars!

Although the 3rd in this series it is more than capable of standing up on its own.
The chemistry and romance on the two main characters is intense, although I am a little frustrated that Wes was so backward in coming forward and didn’t really feel like it was in keeping with his character but I enjoyed how the relationship developed and that as individuals they had their own life drama to sort but leant on each other whilst they also learnt to discover each other in other ways

I found it difficult to put the book down. Instantly and completely immersed me in a beautiful romance, heartbreak and the passion. A gem of a novel, intimate yet sweeping, modern yet timeless.

'Risks and Whiskey' - the third in Dani McLean's cocktail series - is a slow burn friends-to-lovers story set in the background of showbusiness.

Wes has been in love with his best friend and co-star Liv after meeting her at university. Liv, meanwhile has had a two year secret romance with their showrunner, which, after paparazzi out them, ends with Liv dumped.

Unfortunately it is too slow-burn, I felt the starting chapters were way too slow with unncessary things that could've moved the story along faster, while still retaining that slow burn.

Also the author could've done more research about Hollywood works.

While I liked that the showrunner was fired for his relationship with Liv, I found it completely unrealistic. (But I'm happy for this plot development!)

Also if anything, a romance between two much loved co-stars would not have made them unpopular with the producers of the show, if anything there are far more fake relationships between co-stars for publicity. I would've preferred if this was more the machinations of Jen, Liv's controlling manager Jen.

Speaking if Jen. In Hollywood, a manager cannot negotiate deals, only an agent can. So her manager wouldn't have been able to sign those brand deals on her behalf.

Also, why was Wes unrepresented to sign his contract without his agent present or his agent and legal team looking over it first? Liv had her manager there! Also its unclear if the new manager Wes recommended to Liv was also his manager. I realise this is fiction and sometimes you need to cut out details, but it should've been more authentic.

The other error I found is Wes met Liv at 'film school' but that's different to acting school and its implied they were doing acting classes together. (Yes these little details matter if you're going to put them in!)

Refreshingly though this book was miscommunication free. The third act seperation was done in a much more authentic way. I also enjoyed the empotional growth both Liv and Wes had to deal with, and how they both are a soruce of strength for each other to deal with it - Liv grieving her mum, and Wes dealing with neglectful, rich parents and his brother who cut him off. I think this was the best bits out of the book.

Overall this book could've been better at its pacing and Hollywood authenticity. However I intend to read the earlier books in this series, particularly the one with Wes and Liv's co-star Jackson.

Liv and Wes are successful co-start on a tv series. Also they are in love. For years. But they don't know of each others feelings and both are just to afraid to admit it. And well, that changes one day and this love story starts.
Both Liv and Wes had their own side arcs. Liv is struggling with grief and pushy manager. Wes has problems opening up and therefore relationship issues.

This is a slow burn friends-to-lovers story. For my personal taste it was a little bit too slow-burn. In the middle of the book I sometimes had to push myself to continue reading.
But both main characters were so likable that I rooted for them and wanted to see them happy together.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

4.5 stars
Get ready for a new book boyfriend
I really liked this book! The writing and the vibes reminded me of The Ex Talk and the heartwarming friends-to-lovers storyline reminded me of People we Meet on Vacation. The characters are extremely lovable and as I know a lot of people hate the miscommunication trope I do believe people will be happy to hear this does not have one. A bit of spice but on par with most contemporary romances (4 scenes, good scenes I might add). I think anyone who likes contemporary romance and especially friends to lovers they will love this book.
Comprehensive list of tropes and assets: duel POV, the man falls first, friends to lovers, united against problems.
* I received this as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review*

I’ve enjoyed this series a lot and was looking forward to this installment. This is a sweet friends to lovers with a lot of mutual pining between Wes and Olivia who are costars on a TV show. I wanted more plot - most of the book takes place during a trip they take to LA - but I did like the way they both developed in relation to their family and friends.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 Stars
Wesley and Olivia are costars on a popular YA fantasy show. When tabloid reports come out that Olivia has been in a relationship with a producer on the show, her publicist suggests she keep a low profile. Olivia decides to take up the suggestion and Wes's offer to stay with him in LA. As Wes and Olivia grow closer, Wes is finding it more difficult to keep his attraction and feelings at bay.

I thought this was such a fun friend to lovers romance. In a romance, I always love when there is angst coming from the male main character because he is pining so hard for the heroine, and I felt that so hard coming from Wes. I loved the fact that he didn't see her as this perfect person, instead, he found out about her and the producer, and still felt the same way about her, even when she didn't. Olivia grew a lot throughout the book, I love her showing Wes her insecurities and vulnerabilities throughout the book, and seeing her confidence grow because of Wes, was refreshing in that he didn't feel the need to put her down or she didn't need to put him down to feel better. I loved that they both grew from the angst they felt for one another to a loving healthy-ish adult relationship.

Great romantic comedy. Nice story line and fun well fleshed out characters. This is a slow burn romance with insane chemistry between the two MC's. Overall this was a fun, light, cozy read that I really enjoyed.