Series: Whiskey and Lies #1
Audience: +18
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: January 2nd 2018
My Rating: 4.5 Cups
Source: InkSlinger PR
Blurb (from Goodreads):
Sparks fly between a former cop-turned-bartender and his new innkeeper in the first installment of a Montgomery Ink spin-off series from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan.
Dare Collins is a man who knows his whiskey and women—or at least that’s what he tells himself. When his family decides to hire on a new innkeeper for the inn above his bar and restaurant, he’s more than reluctant. Especially when he meets the new hire. But he’ll soon find that he has no choice but to work with this city girl and accept her new ideas and the burning attraction between them.
Kenzie Owens left her old life and an abusive relationship behind her—or so she thought. She figures she’ll be safe in Whiskey, Pennsylvania but after one look at her new boss, Dare Collins, she might still be in danger, or at least her heart. And when her past catches up with her despite her attempts to avoid it, it’s more than her heart on the line. This time, it might mean her life.
*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.
I was super excited when I heard that Carrie Ann Ryan was writing a new series, connected to the Montgomery Ink series. I am not ready to be completely done with this world to be honest.
I loved the dynamic of this book. There are so many great characters here, and it was great meeting them all. Kenzie is a woman who's been through some really tough things. I admired her a lot, because even though she doesn't believe it fully, she's strong and brave. I love how she fought constantly with herself, with her fears and her doubts. I saw her blossom in a way, in Whiskey, and I really loved that.
Dare is a very intense man. He's an ex cop, and I feel like he never really learned how not to let his job get to him. His story was really sad. He has a darkness in him and I really felt for him, because nothing that happened in his past was his fault. And you can tell that he's never content with himself, he almost blames himself for everything that can go wrong with the people he cares for, and it made me sad. I liked him, and I wished he liked himself a little bit more. Which is something that Kenzie helps him with a little bit, and even his brothers noticed it, which I liked.
I loved the sense of family this book had. I didn't feel like I was reading about Kenzie and Dare, with the occasional scene with the rest of the characters. Insteas I felt like I was reading a family story, which was awesome. I've become used to Ryan to write this type of story, where family is always present and a very important part of the tale, so I'm glad to see that this is still the case for Whiskey Secrets.
The pacing was good. I felt the ending was a bit too abrupt, but I also kind of get it. The romance was super sweet and fun to see develop. It was also very steamy, I'll admit. I liked the sprinkling of drama too, especially since it helped Kenzie find the courage to defend herself as she needed to do that.
All in all, a great story, and I am very excited to read the rest of the trilogy and learn more about Dare's brothers.
Get your hands on WHISKEY SECRETS now!
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