Thanks to Elliot Fletcher, my darling, and Avon for letting me read this wonderful and lovely book early. I am on my knees in gratitude!! All thoughts are my own!

Scotch on the Rocks is the second book in Elliot Fletcher’s Macabe Brothers series! I read Whisky Business almost two years ago when it was independently published, and I knew right then that Elliot was going to be one of my forever favorite authors. The way she writes her characters always gets me so invested in them. Her books are so lovely and so special to me. She’s amazing, and I LOVE HER!! I’m so proud of her and all her hard work to share these books with us. This is her first traditionally published book that wasn’t an indie book first, and I’m so emotional watching her accomplish everything.

Juniper is so relatable and wonderful. She’s tall and fierce and so funny. She spends the whole book just waiting for people to leave her because she thinks she’s unloveable. It’s this expectation that she carries with her, and I LOVE HER SO MUCH!! Her growth to knowing that she is loved and that people care about her made me so emotional because it’s such a real feeling. Every relationship she has in this book, even with her cat, was impacted by her shielding herself and waiting for the moment when they decide she’s too much. And yes, it’s a romance, so Callum fought through those walls and showed her how much he loves and cares for her, but Juniper does the work. She talks to her mom. She realizes that friendships don’t have to come with time limits or conditions. She accepts that she is worthy of love with no conditions.

Callum is also so complicated and layered! He’s taking so much on and trying to protect his siblings from seeing how the situation with their dad has developed. He cares for everyone, and he doesn’t realize that he also needs to be cared for. Juniper knew he needed someone to care for him while he was busy thinking about everyone else. Juniper sees him, and he’s so soft with her I COULD CRY. I did, actually, multiple times. They had such good banter and tension, but once they moved more towards being soft and sweet, it was amazing. Once he started asking her questions because he realized he didn’t know her as well as he thought, I WAS DONE FOR! The fact that this man hid his feelings for her because he knew she was happy and his brother was happy was so sad and so sweet. Even when he knew they were done, he was still so understanding of their history. He cared for Juniper so much, and I cried IT’S FINE. He did all these things to support her through the years without telling her just because he loved her.

The tension has me blushing and giggling. The spice is actually so hot, like at 80% they still haven’t had sex, but what they have been doing is so HOT. Callum is immediately going on my list of book partners who love to eat. They had so much chemistry, and every interaction was so charged. SHE LIKES TO BE IN CHARGE, AND HE LOVES BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO!! I’m still thinking about her piercings too cause DAMN.

I really love the way the conflict with Alistair was handled. I was expecting it to cause an issue between Callum and Juniper and a third act breakup, but they communicated like adults and talked about it. I mean they argued and fought, but they worked through it and didn’t keep anything from each other. I LOVE THEM!! WE LOVE TO SEE IT!! I love when there is no third act breakup, especially when it’s coupled with actual communication.

I LOVED SEEING MY ANGEL BABIES MAL AND APRIL AGAIN!! Since Mal is Callum’s brother, and April and Juniper are friends, I knew they’d be in this book a lot. I miss them so much, and I genuinely have to hold myself back from rereading Whisky Business like once a month.

One of my favorite parts of this book happens in the epilogue, so I won’t spoil that for anyone. But just know, that once you see what I’m talking about, you’ll know.

I am so very intrigued for the next book, even though this one doesn’t come out for a while. I will be as patient as I possibly can, but I will also be screaming about Scotch on the Rocks FOREVER!! Avon, if you’re reading this, I need the next book as soon as you have it besties!

Some of my favorite quotes:

“Falling in love with Juniper Ross felt like stepping into oncoming traffic.”

“What colour today, harpy?”

“Still hate me, sweetheart?”
“Undoubtedly.”
“Good. Just making sure.”

“Quit manhandling me unless you want my hands around your throat.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, sweetheart.”

I was soo looking forward to this book release so it was such a suprise to get approved for it here.
I liked how we saw both Juniper and Callum briefly in the first book but from the start of this one you understand that you didnt know the depth of history Juniper and Callum had and i loved that!
It made it feel more like a standalone than part of interconnected series, which is always great.
But overall, I relate to Junioer personally a lot so it was nice to see how she let her walls down slowly but surely, and i mean Callum sure was persistent and just didnt give up on her even if it might not have been the best idea to fall for your brothers ex fiancee 🤭

I did not want to put this book down!! I was so excited to go back to Kinleith with the Macabes. I fell in love with Juniper and Callum instantly. I felt Juniper's struggle with accepting her worth and always waiting for the next shoe to drop, doing everything you can to be as little of a burden as possible in hopes that the people you love don't leave you. She was rough around the edges, but we were given such insight into why and it made me love and respect her so much. Callum was so wrapped around Juniper's finger from the get go. I loved how he found little ways to support her and prove to her that he was in this with her, that he loved her no matter what and wasn't going to abandon her. He continuously showed her that she was safe with him and that she could trust him with her heart. Their banter was so much fun, their chemistry was great, their love was tender in the way that they needed it to be, and they both dealt with complex family dynamics while growing with and towards each other. I am so glad I got to read this early and cannot wait for it's release! I am so looking forward to more stories with this dynamic family in their charming Scottish village.

Scotch on the Rocks was everything I wanted and more! Elliot Fletcher delivers a sharp, witty, and completely intoxicating story with characters that stole my heart. The banter? Perfection. The chemistry? Off the charts. The emotional depth? Hit me right in the feels. I laughed, I swooned, and I never wanted it to end. If you love a romance that’s equal parts steamy, heartfelt, and unputdownable, this one is a must-read!

Getting to return to the island of Skye and the Macabe brothers is a lot like getting to put on pajamas after a full day of wearing town pants. It's comforting, it's cozy, and I never want to leave.

Scotch on the Rocks was one of my most anticipated reads this year. I am a diehard Whisky Business fan, and I was giddy to return to this world.

I think that Elliot did an amazing job with this story. The previously-involved-with-his-brother trope has historically not been my favorite., but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was done in a way that made the story feel much more authentic. I liked how unique the relationship between Callum and Juniper felt and it wasn't constantly revolving around their previous history as his brother's fiance. They made their own connection and it felt removed from their previous knowledge of each other. Callum's decade long pining was palpable, and I thought Juniper's character development was lovely.

I was elated to see our side characters return and Elliot has a knack for crafting vivid imagery for the Scottish island of Skye. The village feels quaint and welcoming and the setting really jumps off the page.

I became a loyal reader with Whisky Business and will remain a fan of the Macabe Brothers after Scotch on the Rocks.

This was a super cute book! I really enjoyed Whisky Business and immediately requested Scotch on the Rocks after finishing. Personally, I preferred Mal and April's story over Callum and Juniper, but I still really loved it. As someone who struggles with abandonment issues myself, it was really nice to see Juniper working through her block when it came to letting others in. I really related to how she makes herself smaller so as not to push others away, and I loved seeing Callum remind her that he would love her regardless, and that she doesn't need to put herself last in order to deserve love.

Enemies to lovers is not one of my favorite tropes, so that's no fault of the author. Overall, I had a really good time reading this. I think the beginning was a bit slow, but once the story got going, it was impossible to put down. I'm really curious to know if we find out what's going on with Alastair. I hope we get a book for both him and Heather, because she deserves her happy ending too!

OH MY GOD THIS WAS AMAZING!! I ATE THIS BOOK UPPPPP, I LOVE THIS AUTHOR SO MUCH AND CAN'T WAIT TO READ MORE OF WHAT THEY COOK UP IN THEIR MAGICAL BRAIN.

So much to love about this book - the emotional energy from the beginning where Callum meets Juniper on the train, falls in love, and realizes she’s his brother’s girlfriend. The dynamics when they both move home and have to coexist when there are all kinds of feelings between them. Love how this played out and how we got our HEA! .

Ex-Fiancé's Brother, He’s obsessed with her, Black Cat X Golden Retriever, Age Gap, Small Town

✨I received this book as an ARC for free in exchange for an honest review✨

Scotch on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher
Pub Date: July 8, 2025

Callum fell in love at first sight with Juniper, however she was dating his younger brother. That didn’t stop Callum from lusting over her from afar for years. Callum and Juniper have a love x hate relationship but their intense attraction is insane. Their pull towards each other is not only physical but emotional as well.

I loved reading this book. It was fun, fast paced and I loved the banter between the MMC and FMC. This is my first book of the series and I didn't feel like I was missing a lot from the first book since it referenced the premise of the first book… However, with that being said, I will be reading the first book because I am obsessed with the moody Macabe brothers and sister.

Thank you to the Author Elliot Fletcher, Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this one! The characters felt so real, and their growth throughout the story was both touching and meaningful. There were moments that really tugged at my heartstrings. It kept me hooked the whole way through, and I couldn’t put it down. A great, feel-good read!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy!

I loved Whisky Business so I was so excited to get the opportunity to read about Callum and Juniper.

I was not disappointed! I loved this book and the journey these two took to get there. Callum is so swoon worthy and Juniper was such a strong but vulnerable character. I really related to her and how she felt unloved. I loved that Callum understood her and noticed her. And I loved that she understood him and knew he needed to be taken care of.

I absolutely loved April and Mal’s story, Whiskey Business, so I was hopeful I’d love the second book in this series just as much! Well I was right! This was so so good! June and Callum had great chemistry from the beginning! The hate banter was hilarious and kept me invested. This was such a good slow burn and I loved every minute of it. The way Callum yearns for Juniper all these years and just wants to do everything right for her… ugh just perfection! The forbidden part of the romance was tricky but I enjoyed how it played out. There was some angst there that gave the story an edge. Both Callum and June were dealing with emotional personal issues and some trauma, which added depth to their characters and romance.

4.5 stars.

I loved "Scotch on the Rocks" by Elliot Fletcher! I was all in from page one on this brother's ex-girlfriend, age-gap, he falls first, small-town Scottish romance. Talk about a tension-and-yearning-filled romance! My goodness, the yearning between Juniper and Callum jumped out in every sentence on every page! The one thing I love about Fletcher's writing is that she seamlessly melds serious, well-thought-out issues, witty banter, and Scottish hallmarks with ease. These are two characters with a tremendous amount of backstory and depth. Juniper is a foster kid, and every single interaction she has with anyone, including friends, is an arms-length one. She learned from a very young age (erroneously!) that people don't stay and that people don't stay long enough to love her. Her abandonment issues run deep, and it has made her prickly. She leads with her claws drawn but is actually a huge softie once you get to know her. Callum has loved Juniper for years from afar because, as it turns out, she was his brother Alistair's girlfriend when they first met. After Alistair broke Juniper's heart and ended their engagement, Callum bided his time and stayed in love with Juniper for years until it was clear she didn't only want him for revenge. Callum has his own baggage, including some trauma from his time in the military, a father with alzheimer's disease, and a penchant for being way too helpful in their small town/running himself thin. These characters display tremendous amounts of growth throughout the course of this story. I just love their character arc! Juniper and Cal's relationship is slow to unfold, but my god, it's worth the wait. The depth, the spice, the anguish, the scandal. I also loved getting another glimpse at April and Mal and where their lives are now, and I have a hunch we'll be getting a book with Alistair in no time! I love this book, and I highly suggest you read it as soon as possible! I *love* the Skye universe, and I know you will, too. Though it is an interconnected standalone novel, I highly recommend reading "Whisky Business" first!

Thank you to NetGalley, Elliot Fletcher, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Callum and Juniper ❤️❤️ I absolutely love them separately but together they are everything! I love Juney and how strong/determined she is and Callum is just the best. I adore Malcolm but Callum 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 I truly loved the story. Callum and Juniper are meant to be together-their hearts belong to each other. I could sit and talk about this book all day-I didn’t want it to end! I need to see more of Callum and Juney 💗💗 I am so so happy I got to read this early and cannot wait to have it on my shelf !!

I absolutely loved this one. I will preface this by saying I didn't realize it was part of a series and after reading I'm definitely going back to book one.
Callum and Juniper's had such an amazing relationship. I wouldn't call it enemies to lovers per say (just because Juniper lied to herself calling Callum her enemy 🫣).

Very quickly climbing the list of my top 10 for the year!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy!

Set on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, Callum Macabe and Juniper Ross have a complicated history. Eight years ago they met on a train, and Callum fell hard even when she showed zero interest. Then he met Juniper again hours later has his brother's girlfriend. Now both living in the same small town, Juniper's relationship with his brother has long ended. Each time they run into each other, Callum and Juniper don't miss opportunities to banter and jab. When Juniper can't find help with an emergency plumbing project at her family's inn, Callum strikes a deal: his plumbing services for four dates of his choosing. Over the course of weeks, this slow burn romance unfolds over these dates and other small town interactions.

Wow, this book pulled me and didn't let go! I loved the depth of these characters. The sexual tension leapt of the page!

Beyond their romance, they also had family dynamics to navigate, which added layers as they dealt with serious topics. It wasn't just what will happen when Alistair finds out, but also her relationship with her adoptive parents, her scars from being in the foster system, his dad's Alzheimer's, and the challenges of care taking.

This is my first time reading this author, so I plan to go back to Whisky Business. I loved that, as Juniper's best friend, April got to hear all the details (and Mal had to endure) in Scotch on the Rocks. And I can't wait to see what is in store for Alistair... and hopefully Heather!

Things I loved:
❤️ Small town romance
🥃 Brother’s ex-fiancé
❤️ Black Cat FMC (and her actual black cat Shakespeare)
🥃 "Community Ken" golden retriever MMC (and his therapy bunny Simon)
❤️ The Yearning!
🥃 Age Gap (9 years)
❤️ Town veterinarian x Inn manager
🥃 He falls first and hard

5 / 5 stars

Open door / spicy!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for this eARC!

Callum has been in love with Juniper since he met her on a train eight years ago. Unfortunately, he realized shortly after meeting her that she was his brother’s new girlfriend. Callum forced his feelings down but they never went away.

Now, living in the same small town, Callum takes every opportunity to interact with Juniper, with only a tiny shred of hope that one day she will return his feelings. When Juniper’s mom leaves for a month’s vacation, leaving her alone to run their inn, Callum jumps in to help Juniper complete some surprise renovations, only asking for payment in the form of four dates.

This spicy swoony book contains the following tropes:
- black cat & golden retriever
- ex-fiancé’s brother
- small town (in Scotland)
- age gap
- he’s been pining for her for years

I received this book as an Advanced Readers Copy via NetGalley. It releases July 8. If you’re looking for a spicy romance with the most constant MMC ever, who has bided his time for almost a decade and is ready to take his shot, add this one to your TBR. This is book two in the McCabe Brothers series.

Thank you Avon and NetGalley for this eARC

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I’m absolutely ecstatic to have had the opportunity to read it early!

The banter! Ex fiancé‘s brother! Age gap!

I adore when we have a grumpy/sunshine trope but it’s the FMC that’s the black cat while the MMC is the golden retriever. I highlighted so many lines in this book and had a blast reading Juniper and Callum’s story.

Callum, as the older brother is busy being the one taking care of his parents, looking out for his siblings, running his own successful veterinary practice, helping any Islanders in need and then somehow finds time to play on a shinty team!! I’m not sure how he runs on such little sleep! 😂

Juniper was dumped by Alistair, Callum‘s younger brother, and has deep trauma and issues with abandonment. Having been adopted and always waiting for the other shoe to drop, Alistair’s leaving her, just solidified an opinion of her self-worth or lack there of.

Their story had me laughing and giggling, and then absolutely gushing 😍 for them! Callum is soooo gone for her and has been for years and is the definition of a man YEARNING.

Juniper: “You want me.”
Callum: “ I never pretended otherwise, sweetheart.”

EVERYTHING about this book is perfection!

I love a good romance and this did not disappoint. It was my first Scottish romance and I am absolutely sold. This book had amazing banter. Both the MMC and FMC were relatable in different ways. Juniper had amazing growth and Callum had me giggling like a schoolgirl. The brothers ex finance piece definitely gave me some pause at first but it played out well. I hope to see some of the other characters get their own story!

Callum was the perfect, goofy mmc. He had me giggling and then kicking my feet a couple paragraphs later. I love Junipers storyline and journey of self love through the book.

Brothers ex fiancé was a new trope for me and did take some adjusting on my part. But I think Callum and Juniper have much better chemistry than Juniper and Alistair.