🥘 Book Review 🥘

Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year felt like a warm hug of a book. Thanks to @berkleyromance for early access to this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

✔️ Small Town
✔️ Love on Vacation
✔️ Found Family

This was incredible escapist fun for anyone (like me!) who has ever had that fantasy of moving to another country for a major life change and then falling in love and then being in that other country with all the food and the accents and your gorgeous partner who is also very good with his hands like he can build things and fix things and then you also find your life's calling and can pursue your passions. It felt like this book is the random daydream I had when I was 20 and feeling adrift.

I loved the main characters, Ruby and Brochan. Both very skilled people, content enough with life, but feeling incomplete. I loved that the completeness doesn't come with the falling in love but in also figuring our their jobs and healing from past trauma as well.

This also had everything you could want in a small town romance - a motley crew of townspeople, some town drama, picturesque scenery that the two MCs explore.

Of course there's conflict but it didn't feel over the top - it felt pretty grounded aside from one reveal at the end (which I figured out very early on so it wasn't an a-ha to me). Despite that, the stakes felt authentic and the emotional payoff was well worth it. I'd give this 4.5⭐️. This book releases on February 14, 2023!

Steam 🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕

The book is about Ruby Spencer who quits her job and moves to Thistlecross, Scotland in hopes that she’ll get inspired for her new cookbook. Upon arriving, she meets Grace who owns the cottage she’s staying in. The two quickly bond over their love of food and have almost a mother-daughter relationship.

However, things really start to escalate when Ruby is introduced to Brochan. As a tall and bearded Scotsman, it’s clear why Ruby can’t take her eyes off him upon first meeting. The two eventually start to get closer including Brochan fixing up the cottage for her, Ruby cooking for him, and the two generally being the most adorable dummies who can’t have a conversation.

Regardless, the relationship between these two is so sweet and wholesome. It’s clear they’re both working through a lot of trauma from their past. Brochan, he’s dealing with lots of family drama while Ruby is still stuck trying to find herself and find value in a relationship amidst a major rejection at the beginning of the book.

What I adored about Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year wasn’t the romance. It was all of the cozy vibes this book gave me. This book honestly felt like a warm hug. With all of the descriptions of Thistlecross as such a quaint small-town, lots of delicious food, and Ruby having a found family with the people of Thistlecross, I couldn’t get enough of this one.

Honestly, I don’t want to give away much of the plot as it’s truly a mystery along with everything we learn about Brochan. While the cover is what drew me into the story, the book truly felt magical at times. It was such a sweet and cozy read including some deliciously sexy moments between Ruby and Brochan.

The only issue I had with this book was the third-act conflict. The actions of both Brochan and Ruby felt extremely out of character. Thankfully, it didn’t last long but it kind of leave a bad taste in my mouth. Even so, I adored this book and it’s the perfect cozy read for a chilly winter day.

Oh my goodness! Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year was such a delightful read.
Thank you PRHaudio for my complimentary audiobook and NetGalley and Berkley for my eArc.

I love all things Scotland and this was the perfect mini vacation.

It was refreshing to have a female MC who is a tad bit older than the norm. Ruby has life experience and does not just jump into situations with her eyes closed.
Brochan has just enough Jamie vibes to make me swoon while i was reading.

This was a quick paced read and i really enjoyed the narrator, She was spot on with the voices and accents.

I am not a fan of the third act breakup, but understand it is sometimes warranted for the story. The slow burn was nice and I appreciated not being bombarded with overly descriptive sex scenes.

3.5 stars

It’s no secret I’m obsessed with Scotland and I’m always on the hunt for romances set there. While there are plenty of historical romances to choose from, I haven’t found a ton of contemporary romances or romcoms, so I was excited when I first heard about Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year. Scotland + food + whisky + a heroine in search of home + a hot Scot hero? Sign me up!

This book had many themes and tropes I love, including found family, starting over, finding your place in the world, and finding a sense of home and belonging. I also appreciated that the characters were older; Ruby was in her mid-thirties and Brochan was in his late thirties. Ruby was floundering when she went to Scotland - she had quit her job, she’d dated a string of meh guys after experiencing a major heartbreak, she felt lost and adrift and in search of more meaning in her life and a place that felt like home.

If you’re looking for a steamy slow burn friends-to-lovers romance with found family, small-town vibes, and an emphasis on the heroine’s journey, be sure to pick up Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year.

Did not finish book. Stopped at 68%.

I had such high hopes for this book. I requested an arc on Netgalley but was denied. And then the publicist reached out and offered me a digital arc.

I just could not connect with these characters and found myself skimming. There was too much tell and not enough show.

The female MC had a narrative voice that came across as too immature and disingenuous. The plotline was too drawn out and definitely could have used a heavier editing hand to rework some of the awkward pacing.

I do like the male MC, but I don’t understand his attraction to the female MC. It seems to be primarily based on appearance as her character came across as one dimensional to me. His character is a little more layered

Who doesn't love gorgeous Scottish men! I also enjoyed that the characters were more grown up and that they had a more grown up relationship than what sometimes come with romance books.

Does this book hold up to other romance writers that I really enjoy i.e. Emily Henry, Ali Hazelwood, and Beth O'Leary? Honestly, no I found the writing to be a little off for me but that doesn't mean that Bilow's writing wont get better with time this is their debut novel.

"When a thirty-something American food writer moves to a Scottish village for one year to fulfill her dream of writing a cookbook she finds more than inspiration - she meets a handsome Scotsman she can't resist in this charming debut romance.

Ruby Spencer is spending one year living in a small cottage in a tiny town in the Scottish Highlands for three reasons: to write a bestselling cookbook, to drink a barrelful of whisky, and to figure out what comes next. It's hard to know what to expect after an impulse decision based on a map of Scotland in her Manhattan apartment - but she knows it's high time she had an adventure.

The moment she sets foot in Thistlecross, the verdant scenery, cozy cottages, and struggling local pub steal her heart. Between designing pop-up suppers and conversing with the colorful locals, Ruby starts to see a future that stretches beyond her year of adventure. It doesn't hurt that Brochan, the ruggedly handsome local handyman, keeps coming around to repair things at her cottage. Though Ruby swore off men, she can't help fantasizing what a roll in the barley might be like with the bearded Scot.

As Ruby grows closer to Brochan and the tightly held traditions of the charming village, she discovers secret plans to turn her beloved pub into an American chain restaurant. Faced with an impossible choice, Ruby must decide between love, loyalty, and the Highlands way of life."

Can you think of a better way to spend Valentine's Day then with a HEA?

This was the perfect book to read to get in the mood for my trip to Scotland this year.
When I first heard about this book I was so excited. An older heroine, a sexy Scotsman, plus getting to travel to Scotland through the book, sign me up!
I am glad to report that the book did not let me down. The characters were lovable and the author made me want to travel to Scotland ASAP.
I think the romance was lovely too. It's a slow burn but there were enough romantic moments to tide me over until they got together (think Lorelei and Luke from Gilmore Girls).
This book is also for the foodies. The heroine is working on a cook book so we get to experience a lot of cuisine.
A charming debut novel!

I absolutely LOVED this romance debut by a new to me author! Ruby was so easy to cheer for and relate with - 35 and feeling lost and stuck in her NYC job, she quits and moves to a small town in the Scottish Highlands in order to write a cookbook.

While there she finds a newfound family of close-knit neighbors, a swoony Highland man and inspiration for her book. I couldn't get enough of this story (or the cover!). It was funny and heartfelt with amazing food descriptions and just plain wonderful in all the best ways. Plus all the tongue in cheek Outlander references were spot on!

Great on audio narrated by Nikki Massoud. I can't wait to read more from Rochelle Bilow! Highly recommended for fans of Meghan Quinn's Highland fling or Samantha Young's Much ado about you. Much thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary audio copy and NetGalley and Berkley Romance for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

The premise is cute, and the chemistry between Ruby and Brochan was definitely there! That said, the pacing felt off, and Ruby just never felt fully fleshed out as a character. Also, the way that she spoke really poorly of a man for having ED did not sit right with me - it was very shaming and harmful, but positioned as a joke. Every time she made a joke about it, I cringed and lost interest in the book.

A fun and charming contemporary romance, Ruby Spencer’s Whiskey year follows food writer Ruby, who rents a cottage in Scotland for one year to write a cookbook. It’s a cute story, and I like that Ruby takes control of her life, opens herself up to new experiences, and embraces change.

The story takes place in Scotland, which is a beautiful backdrop to the story. I would love to go there one day, and the author brought the country to live in the rich and vivid imagery and descriptions. Ruby rents a place in a small town, and she becomes quickly immersed into the comings and going of the locals. I love the charm of this small community. It’s a place where everybody knows each other, and they create a little found family for Ruby. There are so many unique and interesting characters to love! Of course, my favorite is Brochan, the handsome, bearded handyman and the perfect grump to Ruby’s sunshine.

The friends-to-lovers romance between Ruby and Brochan is slow-building and heart-warming. I love how these two slowly form a friendship and how that friendship turns into so much more. They have such fantastic conversations and get to know each other on a deep and meaningful level. Plus, Brochan sounds like an absolute dish!

I enjoyed this book. It was light and fun, and it was just what I wanted after reading several heavier fantasies. It’s a story about starting over, finding your place in the world, and opening yourself up to love. Also, be prepared to get hungry and thirsty when reading the book. All of the delicious food talk and the whiskey drinking, and I wanted to raid my fridge every time I picked up the book. I need Ruby’s Cookbook! Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Books for providing m e with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

If you are someone who watches THE HOLIDAY every holiday season this book is for you. Very similar vibe and loved Ruby being a stranger in a strange land. Also, call it a cliché, but a Scottish man is attractive. A fantastic slow burn!

This was a fun and easy romance read. The atmosphere of Scotland really comes through, and is the more enjoyable for it. Ruby is a very likable and relatable character, and the development of her relationship with Brochan was an enjoyable slow-growth. I also liked her relationship with Brochan's aunt.

I did find her relationship with Anne a little stranger/forced, but it wasn't a big deal.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2022 seems to be the year where I read books where women decide to drastically change their life to recenter themselves. In this book, you have Ruby Spencer, a burnt-out New Yorker who moves into a rustic cabin in Scotland to write her own cookbook. She found a small village by throwing a dart at a map and will be spending a year there to reset her life. Along the way, she bonds with the Village and falls in love with the town's Handyman.

Overall, this book was cute. Ruby was a fun character to read from, and the village was a great setting. The romance was slower but still good. The ending was positive and overall it was a solid read. I will say, it didn't have a ton of staying power in my brain, nor did it entertain me as much as other books I read with the same premise. I will say I finished it right before Christmas Eve and now it is New Year's Day as I write it, so quite a bit has happened that could be affecting my memory. I can see why this is the most anticipated for a lot of people in 2023, and I do think a lot of people will like the story and the characters. So I do suggest picking this book up when it comes out in February.

Thanks to Berkley for an advanced copy of Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year by Rochelle Billow.

This was such a fun book that I adored. It doesn't help that I love Scotland and went to a lot of Scotch distilleries when we were there, so that was a fun element!

I liked the cooking aspect, the cute Scottish small town and Brochan, the brooding handyman.
This was just a fun and enjoyable read.

I tried really hard to enjoy this one, but it really fell flat for me. A second round purchase for most libraries and maybe an OK entry point for people trying to get into Scottish romances.

3.5 stars

Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year is set in, you guessed it, Scotland. This has the following tropes: small-town, found family far away from home, an American spending a year abroad, lots of food and baking, and a romance with a hot, bearded, introverted Scot. There is also a central mystery. More coming of age than a romcom, this one was sweet, had its very cozy moments, and a cast of easy-to-root-for characters. There is a certain amount of miscommunication/lack of communication but not so much or for too long to annoy (miscommunication is one of my most hated tropes), and I felt like certain parts of the story were weirdly paced, but all in all, this is a cute book to cozy up with during the colder months.

A fun read about a woman who moves to Scotland to spend a year drinking whisky, writing a cookbook, and avoiding romantic entanglements. It was the perfect cozy read! Great for when you want something fun and easy.

This book is exactly what's on the tin. Do you want a quirky-bordering-on-irritating protagonist? A rugged man who uses stoicism to avoid therapy or personal growth? A zany set of local oddballs? Food? Adventures in romantic yet not even slightly exotic locals? Improbable (but not technically impossible) HEAs?

If your answers are “yes” then this book will be perfect. This is a book about a woman who hits her 30s, takes off to English-speaking Europe and faffs about being a creative type while falling in love, finding a family and tripping into success. Romance readers, well we love that stuff! This is not a perfect book, but it is cozy and comfortable, being just magical enough to feel swoony, but not ridiculous. With room to grow into a series, this low-spice, high atmosphere (the setting and food writing do a lot of the work) classic contemporary will be a big hit as a long-winter read.

Published by: Berkley Publishing Group Release Date: 14 February 2023

Enjoyable romance with medium spice. Cooking, whisky (never whiskey!) and Scotland are a pretty unbeatable combination for me. And it looks like the author left some meat on the bone for for more potential romance in Thistlecross.