I really really wanted to like this book! Older MCs (35/38!!!), Scotland, Whisky, finding yourself? All sounds absolutely amazing and would want to read. However this book just didn't do it for me. I think it was a mix of what the plot actual was and the author's writing style that I didn't vibe with. This isn't saying it's not a good book because it was! It just wasn't for me.

I appreciated how Ruby and Brochan and the whole Thistlecross gang was written. I felt like each of the characters were beautifully developed. There were no flat characters here. I especially loved how sorta messy Ruby was (adore these characters!!). Brochan was so soft and ahhhhh, loved it.

The setting was so lush and the way that Bilow described it made me feel like I was there. It was so cozy and comfortable. Ugh, it was just perfect for being stuck in Missouri during winter to read this book. Plus the way that Ruby's cooking was described: A++!

That all being said, I was not a big fan of how this was written. There were large swaths of long paragraphs and not a ton of action? When there were things happening it felt like we were trudging through molasses to get it done. Like I said, this is definitely a *me* problem with the book more than the book itself. I just wasn't in the mood for this style writing (and tbh probably never am).

Also, this felt like IF YOU ASK ME by Libby Hubscher, which was not a fave last year either. They're written less like romance novels and more like literary ("chick lit") find yourself books. Which those are good! Just not what I was anticipating under this being touted as a romance. Sure there are romantic threads in it, but I felt like too little of the story was on that? idk.

Long story short, if you're in the mood for a not-romance-romance set in Scotland that is descriptive and lush: this is your book! Enjoy some whisky and settle in.

Thank you Berkley Pub for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This book is SO GOOD! It is romantic, witty, funny, heartbreaking, sweet, full of heart, quite steamy at times, and so much more! Whenever I picked up "Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year", I was whisked away to Scotland, and went on an emotional journey with this story!

Rochelle Bilow is such a phenomenal writer! Her passion for writing and the story she is telling is so clear, and her writing style is vivid and visceral. Her characters feel like such real people; their wants, needs, desires, and fears were so clear to me. I truly had such a hard time putting this book down.

(Possible Spoilers!):
Ruby and Brochan are both such kind, caring, intelligent, and strong people, both together and apart. However, these two truly bring out the best in one another, and are able to understand each other in such a deep and beautiful way. Both of them, understandably, are hesitant to trust and are afraid to get hurt due to things they have gone through in their own pasts. But, after getting to know one another and seeing how strong their connection is, they begin to open their hearts more and more to each other. I hope there is a sequel continuing their story!

Also, I absolutely love Grace. She is such a kind, loving, welcoming, and absolutely lovely woman!

If you enjoy Contemporary Romance, I highly recommend this book! It kept me turning the pages chapter after chapter to see what was going to happen next, and I look forward to reading what Ms. Bilow writes next!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC of this book, and to Berkley Publishing Group for having me as part of the Book Tour for this novel! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This had all the ingredients of the type of book I knew I was going to like so I was SO HAPPY that I was right.

Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year is a story about Ruby's journey to figuring her shit out and we're just along for the ride. She is determined to write her cookbook while also helping around to make herself useful. As she gets to know the ins and outs of the community, she finds herself growing attached to its uniqueness. She's never known a life like this.

It helps that there's a hot scotsman willing to help around. Brochan's roots are woven in, around and through Thistlecross. He has so much to tell her and the more time they spend with each other, the more she doesn't want to stop. When her time in Thistlecross starts to creep up to its end, she realizes what she has to lose. Her original plan hasn't gone 100% accordingly but the things she's been up to have given her more purpose than she thought possible.

I loved this. I love me a Scotsman and Brochan was GREEATTTTT. It was so enjoyable to read and exactly what I needed right now. Ruby and Brochan were enjoyable and not at all frustrating to read. I find that I keep reading books involving Scottish men and this didn't feel like it was falling victim to typical stereotypes. I was light and cute and I loved it. GOOD JOB ROCHELLE!

In Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year, New Yorker and food writer, Ruby Spencer, packs up her life and moves to Scottish Highlands after realizing that NYC's fast-paced lifestyle and the job no longer make her happy. Ruby plans to spend a year in Scotland and finally start working on her dream of writing a cookbook. In the small village of Thistlecross, where she stays, she meets a hunky Scotsman and the village's handyman, Brochan, who introduces her to the Scottish culture, his favorite places, and, of course, whisky.

I thoroughly enjoyed this charming debut romance. It's a sweet love story with a little bit of spice. I would've loved to see more character development and a little more depth in the story. I loved the Scottish setting and all the food references. I recommend this book to fans of foodie romances and those who love books set in Scotland.

In ‘Ruby Spencer’s Whiskey Year’ our main character Ruby is writing a cookbook after leaving behind everything she knows to move to a small Scottish town where she meets a quirky cast of locals and finds her place among them. If you like Hallmark romances and Scotland, you will love this book! It’s a classic story of a woman deciding to follow her dreams, needing to believe in love again and devoting herself to her new community to save a local business. A good read on a rainy afternoon!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was completely on board with this in the beginning--the coziness of the small Scottish town and its local businesses and characters reminds me of Legends and Lattes, and the characters don't devolve into stereotypes (except the one truly evil dude...but I was okay with that). I enjoyed the slow burn of the romance between Ruby and Brochan, but at some point the pacing of the romance started to feel TOO slow and then progressed rapidly; it could have been more even. The communication issues were a little frustrating too. Nonetheless, this is a charming read that you'll devour quickly if you want something quaint and Scottish.

You really can’t go wrong with a book about moving to Scotland to live in an old cottage and write a cookbook. This is what the main character Ruby does, and she is swept into the charming life in Scotland. Throw in some whisky, a delightful pub owner, and a hunky Scot with a beard named Brochan, and it’s a winner. This book had me dreaming of visiting Scotland and loving every word!

This was a really sweet book. I loved the Scotland setting and the cinnamon roll hero. The romance is fade to black FYI but that was fine with me. Ruby was a fun character and Brochan was an excellent love interest. Loved all the small town vibes.

Read this book if you like: Grumpy sunshine, Scotland setting, small town, slow burn, steamy 🔥

This was so good. It had an overall slow pace to it. I love that Ruby came into this small town in Scotland to be welcomed by everyone. Ruby seriously had to grow on me. The random conflicts she started was just annoying. I LOVE Brochan. This book really highlights the importance of community. The characters of the town were charming and well-developed. I highly recommend it! It comes out on Valentine's!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Berkley Publishing for the gifted e-book! ❤️

This book is so fun, like a cozy hug. It's the perfect winter and/or Valentine's Day read, so it seems like it's being released at just the right time!

Ruby Spencer has quit her job, sold all her possessions, and plans to spend a full year living in Thistlecross, Scotland. She has dreams of spending the year writing her new cookbook while indulging in Whiskey and figure out her life. She does not have plans to fall in love with the brooding and bearded Scot, Brochan. But as Ruby and Brochan get cozier, town secrets will force Ruby to device where ‘Home’ really is while Brochan is pushed to face his past.

I now want to move to a small Scottish town and just be free! I always have dreams of spending a year in different places, so I was totally on board with Ruby’s ‘leap year’. The atmosphere in the book is top notch, and I loved the cozy feel of the book. The romance between Brochan and Ruby was quick to start and fairly realistic and while this one isn’t a closed door romance, it was fairly light on the steam, imo.

The last part of the book felt a little slow but ultimately this was a cute read. If you liked Amy Adam’s ‘Leap Year’ movie, then you’ll love this fun romance. 3.5 stars.

Ruby Spencer’s Ruby Year is out now. Huge thank you to Berkley Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof.books.

I thought this book was super cute! And am impressive debut! I’m a sucker for romances with Scottish men (I have Samantha Young to thank for that!) so this book was right up my alley! American-born Rudy moves to the Scottish Highlands to write a cookbook after feeling unfulfilled living and working in NYC (and after a string of bad relationships). Her plan is to live in a small Scottish cabin for a year to find herself and to develop her cookbook. The last thing she imagined would happen was to find a home in Thistlecross; and find love with a strapping, bearded Scot. This reminded me so much of one of my fave books, Much Ado About You, but it was different enough that I still really enjoyed the book. I didn’t get emotionally in the characters as I did with MAAY, because they didn’t seem as developed to me. Ruby, the h, was written in a way that seemed younger than her 35 years. Brochan, the H, was a hunky cinnamon roll. I thought the book was written well and the story was interesting; just not as emotional as I was expecting. But overall, it was a cute, heartwarming, "fade to black" romance and I would recommend it! Just be warned - you will get hungry reading the book!

Thank you so much, @berkleyromance, for the eARC and finished copy of the book; and @prhaudio for the complementary audiobook! Nikki Massoud did a fantastic job narrating! Stay tuned for a formal post!❤️

I dare you to read this and NOT want to start planning a trip to Scotland! Between the beautifully described setting and the copious amounts of scotch, I mean whisky, being tasted, that’s all I can think about!
Ruby is 35 and done with Manhattan and her food critic job. She quits on the spot, throws a dart at a map, sells all her belongings, and moves to where the dart landed, the tiny village of Thistlecross in the Scottish Highlands, to write a cookbook. Minor problem - the cottage she’s moving into, where she plans to write this cookbook, doesn’t have a kitchen. However it comes with a great cast of characters which become a found family.
This contemporary romance had everything I wanted - a grumpy, brooding, strapping Scot in a small town with a cozy (or cosy!) atmosphere and an older female main character looking for a change, both in terms of her job and the people she associates with. And mouth-watering food descriptions!! I thought Brochan was an amazing book boyfriend! The scenery is so detailed it made me feel like I knew it well, even though I’ve never been to Scotland! I have a feeling that will be changing soon.
I love that this book comes out on Valentine’s Day next Tuesday! Thank you to Berkley Romance for the advanced copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

First things first: Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year isn’t quite a romance. Or rather, it is a romance, but it’s also women’s fiction and a story of community and a coming-of-age novel for a woman in her mid-30s. It’s a big-hearted and tender story with a generous helping of romance, and though it’s not quite what I’d anticipated, it is a book I thoroughly loved.

The novel follows the titular Ruby Spencer from the time she arrives in the village that will be her new home for the next year. She’ll be living in a small cottage, and she’ll spend the first several weeks working on a proposal for her agent before she officially begins writing a cookbook. The only problem is that she doesn’t have a concise concept for her book just yet.

As Ruby gets her bearings, she befriends her older landlady Grace and several other locals. She eventually meets the town hunk Brochan, who is also in his 30s. Theirs is a tentative strangers-to-friends-to-lovers. It’s a slow burn, but eventually these two do get a little spicy. (Food pun intended.)

One thing I love about Ruby and Brochan’s relationship is that they’re both mature and level-headed. They’re in their mid- to late-30s, so it makes sense that they’re more sure of themselves and of where they stand in their relationship. Ruby and Brochan do run into problems—they don’t agree about everything, and there are some little secrets they’re each hiding—but ultimately they tackle these issues in a mature way. Well, maybe not the bigger issue that arises later on…. that may take some extra work. But overall, Ruby and Brochan fit together nicely, like two peas in a pod. (Second food pun intended.)

While the romance is a significant part of Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year, nearly as important is how Ruby comes into herself, both professionally and as a woman who’s part of a community. She often talks about how New York never felt like home to her, and she craves someplace where putting down roots is what feels right. Through getting to know Grace, the mayor Anne, Brochan, and others in the town, Ruby builds a sort of found family and a much-needed sense of belonging. There is some need to save the town’s central meeting place, currently known as the Cosy Hearth, and it will take a community to make a difference.

Not everything in this novel totally worked for me. Some passages felt choppily written, and little too silly or quirky. But writing style is something I can usually overlook, especially if I like the story. Which I did. Like the story, that is. (That pretty much exemplifies the writing style I didn’t like, by the way. Choppy! Silly!)

As can be gleaned from the title, the characters spend a good amount of time drinking and talking about whisky. I don’t drink alcohol at all, so some of that went over my head, but the characters seemed happy, and that’s what matters.

Despite some disagreement with stylistic choices and a general disinterest in whisky, overall I really enjoyed this book. I loved getting to know the Scottish Highlands, away from the more touristic destinations and themes. Honestly, I would just love to spend a month or two with these characters while staying in a little cottage in Scotland. At the very least, I hope to do just that via another book in this world.

All in all, Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year is a sweet and inspiring novel of love, family, and a sense of home. As a woman in her 30s who dreams of a new life in Europe, this book spoke to my soul. It’s a heartwarming debut novel, and I look forward to reading more from Rochelle Bilow. Maybe Lee and Kyle will get a love story of their own? My fingers are crossed, because I would love to spend more time with these characters and this Scottish community!

Ruby Spencer has been experiencing the grind of NYC for far too long. She decides to quit, relocate and write a cookbook. She sets up a map and throws a dart. (*I just read Breaking All the Rules which had exactly the same scenario. ) Her escape is a lovely little cottage in Thistlecross, Scotland. Ruby finds found family, her true interests, a new home, and most of all, her “person” - a gorgeous, sexy, caring Scottish hometown guy.

I enjoyed this beautifully descriptive journey to a small Scottish village. I liked not only Ruby and Brochan, but all the endearing secondary characters . The story also sparked a curiosity about Scottish Whisky - not whiskey

Ruby Spencer leaves her job writing about food in NYC to spend a year in Scotland writing a cookbook. By virtue of a dart throw she ends up in small village of Thistlecross. She is living in what is the flophouse behind a pub that is slowly dying. She makes friends with the villagers especially Grace who runs the pub and a handsome bearded handyman Brochan. I’d consider this women’s fiction because there is a much focus on the goings on in town as there is to the slow burn romance. Brochan and Ruby become friends before they test the waters becoming more.

The Scottish Highlands is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever visited. The author does a great job describing the setting from scenery to scents. And the food descriptions make my mouth water. When an American company wants to put a chain pub in Thistlecross displacing Grace, Brochan isn’t happy. It is worse because his father who left him and the town 30 years ago is a partner in the American business. But the town needs tourism to provide jobs. Ruby and Brochan are great together. But as much as they like each other there are trust issues and Ruby is still searching for the thing that will bring her fulfillment. The book is open door but less descriptive. More is left to the imagination.

There is gentle humor and minimal drama in this romantic adventure. After a slow moving book the ending feels rushed wanting to wrap things up. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 Stars)

Ruby Spencer’s Whiskey Year by Rochelle Bilow is a stand-alone romance novel. We meet our heroine, Ruby Spencer, at the start, when she travels to a charming village, Thislecross, Scotland. Ruby, who is in her 30’s, decides to change her life, leaving New York, and move to Scotland for year, hoping to write and sell her cookbook. She finds herself in a cozy cottage, becoming friends with local woman who runs the pub/restaurant, as well as working with her to create wonderful dishes (to add to her cookbook).

In a short time, Ruby finds herself with a wonderful group that becomes part of her new found family, including meeting the handsome hunk, Brochan, who is also the town handyman. As they got to know each other, this turned into a slow burn romance. The wonderful secondary characters within the town, was fun, and whiskey was the main attraction in the pub, with many tasty creations. Ruby and Grace (pub owner) worked so well together, and designing a weekly table dinner with some colorful locals. I did love how close Ruby and Grace became.

The romance between Ruby and Brochan sizzles with amazing chemistry, as she gives up her decision to swear off men when she arrived, to open her feelings to Brochan. Ruby gets to know many of the village people, and eventually befriends the town mayor, Anne. Ruby will also learn about secret plans to close the pub, and bring in an American restaurant chain, which would be destructive to both Grace and Brochan. Will Ruby leave her close friendship with Grace, as well as her losing Brochan? Can she find a way to help save them all or leave Scotland?

Ruby Spencer’s Whiskey Year was a cute, fun, lighthearted read, with fantastic characters, great local village people, and a wonderful couple we rooted hard for. Ruby was a wonderful heroine, totally fun throughout, as well as falling in love, living her true magical life, and adding a wonderful family. I suggest you read this book, as it was very well written by Rochelle Bilow.

This book was a breath fresh air. I had so much fun reading it. It made me feel all the emotions. I loved the main characters so much. The was such an agonisingly slow-burn, making the chemistry pretty palpable. I simply loved it

Food writer. Scotland. Tiny village. Romance. Rochelle has cooked up a really wonderful rom-com that spirits you away on a fabulous escape.

Ruby Spencer left jobless, sells all of her belongings and moves to Scotland for a year in order to write a cookbook and sample whisky. Only when she gets there, things don’t go according to plan.

I loved the descriptions of the little town she moved to and how people talked. The food and drinks were an added benefit. Ruby’s little cottage, Brochan’s barn, the pub….all of it was so charming and homey. Perfect world building. Some of the places described here, I ended up googling. The author did an amazing job with her details. Brochan was a very lovely character. Very. Lovely.

My big caveat with this: miscommunication and lying. If it wasn’t for that, I would have given five stars. Ruby thinking hiding something and not telling the truth by omitting it, made me want to stop reading. I don’t like that. And then Brochan was in a similar situation. UGH! Not my kind of trope. So, all I will say is, great book but that part of it will make you want to throw something.