4.5 stars. Callum Macabe is quite possibly the most pathetically boy obsessed MMC I’ve ever read and I LOVE HIM. We’re talking *years* of pining and being desperate for any scrap of Juniper’s attention he can get, often reverting to schoolyard poking — but never in a mean way and June gives it right back to him. There is so much underlying tension between the two that’s been simmering between them for years with the added layer of June being Callum’s brother’s ex-fiancée. I usually struggle with the sibling’s ex idea but it was done so, so well here.

Aside from their undeniable attraction to each other, Callum and Juniper have so many similarities in the way they present themselves to the people around them. They’re complete opposites in the actual presentation but the motivation for their choices are deeply emotional responses to their pasts. Callum is full golden retriever energy, charming everyone around him and always taking care of others while silently carrying the weight of the world on his own shoulders. June projects her independence and keeps a safe emotional distance after a childhood of being left and fear of taking up too much space or being too needy. June may be a different Macabe’s ex, but it’s clearly for a reason because she and Callum are exactly who the other needs.

I loved getting to know Callum and Juniper on such a deeper level in this book. Thank you to Avon via NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Scotch on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher, is so good! It’s Juniper and Callum on the Isle of Skye—her trying to avoid the Macabe brothers, him being this charming hero next door. The forbidden love thing had me hooked, with funny moments and sweet, romantic ones too. The Scottish island setting felt cozy, like you’re there. It’s like Whisky Business but fresh—perfect with a drink to relax. Loved it!

Simple and chatty, as if I’m telling you about it over coffee. Let me know if you want changes!

I had pretty high expectations after rereading the previous novel in this series, and this book absolutely delivered.

The characters were richly done and well developed; the author really distinguished them as people from the glimpses I'd seen of them without it feeling inauthentic. Callum as the village caretaker and a long-time Juniper devotee worked really well, and June's personality and motivations made her interesting and relatable.

The MMC is the FMC's ex-fiance's brother, and while I was a little fearful going in, this book actually handled that really well. It was compelling and genuine, and it both explained things in a way I appreciated (e.g. Callum seeing and being drawn to Juniper before he knew who she was) and dealt with things head-on (with Alistair never being a topic they didn't talk about or avoided).

This book also hit at a good spot as far as side-plots, the general moving forward of the overall plot, and personal growth being incorporated but not overwhelming. There's enough substance without it taking over the romance storyline.

I also really enjoyed the glimpses of April and Mal in this; it was all very sweet.

PerJuniper Ross
1. Don’t look at a Macabe brother.
2. Don’t talk to a Macabe brother.
3. Don’t even think about a Macabe brother.

So what happens between Juniper Ross and Callum Macabe? Spicy and amusing banter, Forbidden romance (Sister’s best friend AND Brother’s ex girlfriend) and Sizzling sex scenes. With an HOA in there somewhere. It’s one of my favotrites this year.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a fun one! I’m a sucker for any romance book set in or around Scotland, and these characters quickly became lovable. Overall, the banter and dialogue was a major strength of this story…loved it. I will say the flashback chapter transitions in the beginning were a bit choppy and hard to follow, but other the pacing was good. Love these tropes, and can’t wait to check out the next of this series!

oh how i enjoyed this one!
Light reading but with a lot of themes you can relate to

He loves her since forever. she is lost, hurt, afraid and doesn't know how to accept love.

and they are just perfect!.
this book was a Rollercoaster of feelings, I related with so many subjects while also having so much fun. The banter within them was exquisite. and the spice was just right!

The Scottish themed background is everything. I loved it so much.

I would totally recommend it!


Thank you to NetGalley and Avon books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

#ScotchOnTheRocks #ScottishRomance #Romance #blackcat #goldenretriever #bookstagram #contemporaryromance #NeyGalley #TheMacabeBrothers #series #spicybooks #spicyromance #SecondChance #Healing #readersofinstagram #preorder #bookrecommendation #bookworm #romanticreads #ElliotFletcher

If you liked Whiskey Business, you’ll love Scotch on the Rocks!

In Scotch on the Rocks you get all the best parts of Whiskey Business - fun banter, picturesque Scottish setting, great chemistry - but with a new twist including forbidden romance (brother’s ex-fiancé), an ‘ice queen’ with a warm and caring hidden heart, and years of yearning and care that are so sweet.

I’m so glad Elliot Fletcher is being rewarded for her talent and hard work with her first fully traditionally published novel! I’m excited to see not just the rest of the macabre family’s stories but also other people and stories she brings to life going forward.

Thanks to Elliot Fletcher, Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Dare I say I liked this even more than Whisky Business? I didn't think it was possible but the chemistry between Callum and Juniper is deliciously perfect. This is book #2 in the Macabe Brothers series and while I definitely think you should read book one, and not just because the main character is a curvy redhead named April, you could still enjoy this one as a standalone. The previous book provides more depth to the main characters for this book and I think you'll appreciate their complexities more having met them outside of their love story.

This book is a sassy, steamy read. We follow along as Juniper works through her abandonment issues with the help of Callum who has the patience of a Saint and the persistence to stay the course. She's a fierce black cat that he somehow manages to charm.

I loved this so much I immediately pre-ordered the audiobook copy.

Scotch on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher is out July 8, 2025 wherever you get books. Pre-order your copy today!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

#ScotchOnTheRocks #ScottishRomance #Romance #blackcat #goldenretriever #bookstagram #contemporaryromance #NeyGalley #TheMacabeBrothers #series #spicybooks #spicyromance #SecondChance #Healing #readersofinstagram #preorder #bookrecommendation #bookworm #romanticreads #ElliotFletcher

Thanks to Netgalley & Harper Collin’s for this e-arc! This was great. I love a second chance romance, especially with golden retriever/black cat themes too. Juniper has been one of my most enjoyable female main characters in 2025. It’s always really enjoyable to watch a character figure out parts of themselves that are hard to navigate as adults.

There’s a lot of banter- sometimes it’s a lot in places, but I don’t mind banter when it’s snarky and well done. Eagerly awaiting for whatever comes next!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211088841-scotch-on-the-rocks

This story is highly entertaining! I loved the banter and the way Fletcher crafted the cast of characters. The steam and spice is there but also a meaningful book unfolds. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Callum se enamoró de Juniper a primera vista, pero ella estaba comprometida con el hermano, Alistair. Durante un año los vio enamorar y comprometerse, pero todo terminó mal, cuando Alistair la dejó cuando más lo necesitaba.
Callum y Juniper se reencuentran un año después, y aunque la atracción entre ellos es innegable saben que está mal, entonces ambos inician una "guerra" de provocaciones y enfrentamientos que durará cinco años. Sin embargo, las reglas que Juniper se impuso para evitar a los hermanos Macabe se ven cada vez más difíciles de seguir, ya que él está decido a demostrarle que nunca la dejará y que vale la pena su amor.


A pesar de la conexión y la tensión, el libro deja una sensación de historia incompleta, especialmente con el conflicto de Juniper sobre su miedo al abandono. A lo largo de la trama este miedo se muestra en todas sus relaciones (no solo las románticas) y al final parece quedar sin resolución.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Scotch on the Rocks was so good! Callum and Juniper have banter for days, and their sexual tension is hot! I loved that Callum never faltered in his character and that there’s more to this series. These Macabe brothers must be something.

I really enjoyed this book! The banter was good, the tension was just right and fun! Grumpy/ sunshine, age gap and somewhat enemies to lovers, golden retriever/ grump.
Callum takes care of everyone, helps anyone who needs it but doesn't take care of himself. Juniper is the grump, she sees life darker and more depressing, nothing goes her way including expressing her feelings. I liked them together, I liked there banter, the spice was decent and it was a fun rom com book! I have never read the first one and I will have to now after reading this one!

I'm so in love with this book, it's insane. As soon as this arc hit my kindle, I dropped everything to read it. The energy between Callum and Juniper is electric, and their chemistry is so addicting. Elliot Fletcher absolutely killed it with this one.

Thank you so so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the arc! <3

These Macabe brothers… 🔥 I loved Juniper and Callum’s story. These two, an opposites attract, forbidden romance, are full of depth and heart. I love that no character is without flaws and that they find a way to balance and support each other without giving up who they are at their core. Now, can Heather get her own story too??

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this e-reader ARC!

Sometimes follow-ups to an absolute banger of a book don't always hit, WELL DONT WORRY - Elliot knocked this "book 2" out of the fucking park!!

Whisky Business has been one of my favorite books for the last couple years, and I"ve been frothing at the mouth for book two for what feels like forever. I'm so so appreciative that I was approved for this ARC! All thoughts are my own, and all my thoughts are about Callum and Juniper and how perfect their banter and back-and-forth was during this book.

The flashback / first two chapters absolutely destroyed meeeeeeeeeeee. In Whisky Business we get a little taste of the tension and history between them, but that did not prepare me for the full truth!!!

Okay, this was an incredible book, and I will be back to say more, but just know it's perfect. 5 stars. Gimme 14 of them.

Thank you Avon Books and Harper Voyager for approving me for my most anticipated read of 2025! Gonna read it three more times before it comes out in June.

Thank you Avon, Harper Voyager & Net Galley for an advanced copy of this arc for a unbiased review!

The Macabe Brother rulebook (according to Juniper Ross):

• Don't look at a Macabe brother
• Don't talk to a Macabe brother
• Don't even think about a Macabe brother

The second installement of the Macabe Brother's follows Callum and Juniper. Callum instantly falls in love with Juniper the moment he see hers on her on the train, but to his dismay Juniper just happens to be Callum's brother's fiance. This is an insta lover romance with some spice, and will they won't they plot.

Rachel's Review 3.5-4 stars but I'm rounding up to 4 before I really loved Whiskey Business. I thought Mal's and Violet's story was really sweet and I prefer the slow burn. This was a fun read with some spice, but I never felt the same connection that I felt Mal and Violet had. To be fair, I'm not a fan of instalove plot lines, but if you like spice and and must have you vibes then this book is for you. I also don't know how I feel about dating your brother's ex fiance, feels like a no go zone. However overall, I love the Macabe brothers I'm excited to read the next installment and see what type of love story unfolds.

loved this romance and man that fell first and has been in love with for a long time. she finds romance and figures out what she wants and deals with family . loved her friends and that she was able to find love again.

I'll start by saying the black cat energy in this was so so good and done so well. Juniper is jaded and has been let down so much she hides behind sarcasm, however, golden retriever Callum eats it up and it makes their dynamic perfect. So full of flirtatious banter that is just chefs kiss. The pining and obsession in this is just so well done and makes for such a good romance. The chemistry between Cal and June is unmatched. I felt it deep down. I love a story where the MMC is in touch with his sensitive side and who is not afraid to let his emotions show. I especially loved how he allowed Juniper to discover how to emotionally grow on her own. I truly loved seeing the growth in the characters and watching their relationship develop.

4⭐️’s. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC prior to release date. Did I read it because I wanted to escape in the Scottish highlands on the Isle of Skye? Yes. Was it worth the read for that purpose? Yes. The banter was great between Juniper and Callum. Kept it lighthearted and gave a few laughs. Overall a good book.