Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year by Rochelle Bilow – a Review

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Description:
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.

Review:

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.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher