A Taste of Whiskey

The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch #3

by Melissa Foster

Sasha Whiskey is done being the good girl. She’s ready to wrangle in the one man not looking to be caught and give him a taste of Whiskey. With any luck, one taste won’t be nearly enough. Come along for the steamy, emotional ride in this friends-to-lovers, forbidden romance.

Equine rehabilitation therapist Sasha Whiskey has everything she needs right there on Redemption Ranch—a job she’s passionate about, a loving family, and Ezra Moore, the sexy single father who went from trying to nail her as a belligerent teen to keeping his distance as a successful therapist and the person to whom she compares every other man. She’s done with comparisons. She wants the real thing. But going after what she wants means risking everything they’ve both worked so hard to achieve. If only dating co-workers weren’t forbidden.

From New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster comes The Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch, a small-town, big-family series of standalone romance novels featuring fiercely loyal, insanely sexy bikers who give horses—and people—a second chance. Buckle up for a wild ride in Hope Ridge, Colorado, as these big-hearted badasses and their sassy sisters wrangle in their forever loves. No cliffhangers, no cheating, and always a happily ever after.

The Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch
The Trouble with Whiskey
Freeing Sully (Prequel to For the Love of Whiskey)
For the Love of Whiskey
A Taste of Whiskey
More coming soon…

**
While you’re waiting for more Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch, get to know their cousins.

The Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor.
Tru Blue
Truly Madly Whiskey
Driving Whiskey Wild
Wicked Whiskey Love
Mad About Moon
Taming My Whiskey
The Gritty Truth
In for A Penny
Running on Diesel

The Dark Knights at Bayside
A Little Bit Wicked
The Wicked Aftermath
Crazy, Wicked Love
The Wicked Truth

**Don't miss River of Love (The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor), the first story in which the Whiskeys at Peaceful Harbor were introduced, and Searching for Love (The Bradens & Montgomerys), the first story in which the Whiskeys at Redemption Ranch were introduced.


Read the entire Love in Bloom big-family romance collection. Characters from each sub-series appear in future books/series.

Snow Sisters
The Bradens at Weston
The Bradens at Trusty
The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor
The Bradens & The Montgomerys
The Remingtons
The Ryders
Seaside Summers
Bayside Summers
The Steeles at Silver Island
Sugar Lake (Kindle Unlimited)
Harmony Pointe (Kindle Unlimited)
Silver Harbor (Kindle Unlimited)
Wild Billionaires After Dark
Bad Billionaires After Dark
Harborside Nights
Tru Blue and The Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor
The Dark Knights at Bayside

"Melissa Foster writes worlds that draw you in, with strong heroes and brave heroines surrounded by a community that makes you want to crawl right on through the page and live there. - NYT bestselling author Julia Kent

"With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!" NYT Bestseller Julie Kenner

"You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that's fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won't want to stop reading. Every book's a winner!" NYT Bestselling Author Brenda Novak

"Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!" NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Romance, Westerns, Workplace Romance, Small Town Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

332 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 10, 2024

About the author

NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

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Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 100 novels. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, always family oriented, and feature fiercely loyal heroes, smart, sassy heroines, and complex relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name, Addison Cole here: https://addisoncole.com

Melissa loves to hear from readers! Feel free to send her an email or chat with her on social media.

Melissa welcomes the opportunity to chat with book clubs and other reading groups.

"What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately...I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked." International bestseller, M.J. Rose

"Melissa Foster is a wonderful connector of readers and books, a friend of authors, and a tireless advocate for women. She is the real deal"--Author Jennie Shortridge

Reviews

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it's tough to drop right into a middle of a series. However, I felt like all the characters were so well developed that I didn't need much background for them. I am curious about a few other story lines that are percolating in the background though, so I would be interested in more from Redemption Ranch and the Dark Knights.

This story had some:
-mutual pining
-boss's daughter
-a Single Dad and his adorable little boy
-meddling and loving family members
-both MCs are therapists
-sneaking around
-a low angst and powerful love story

Sasha and Ezra are both so gone for each other, they just have to decide if their love is worth the risk. Everyone else seems to know it except for them, so these clueless lovers are the last two know. Not in a frustrating way but it will take a bit to push them into making a move. They have a good thing going at Redemption Ranch and they think it might all be on the line. Especially with Ezra's son needing the stability of his community there. There is a no fraternization policy apparently and they don't want to jeopardize either of their jobs.

I loved everything that had to do with Ezra's son. He was so sweet and my heart just ached for him. Sasha was so good with him and she is meant to be his mom. We can all see it coming.

The sneaking around was hot and their are some great steamy scenes. It's a winner for me.

I did get a tad bored because the whole plot really was these two just needing to speak up and claim the other. Still a very sweet romance.

I listened to the audio, which was lovingly performed by Savannah Peachwood and Aiden Snow. Always a winning combination.

4 stars
3 on the spice scale

*Thank you to Must Love Audio and the Author for an ALC of this title.*

[Lover of Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review

A Taste of Whiskey is the third book in the Redemption Ranch series. This couple has been teased in the previous two books and it definitely has some of the best forbidden vibes to it. I really enjoyed this dynamic of these combination of tropes and the build up of tension that is between these two. The heroine could get a bit annoying in how she pursued the hero, but honestly the ending is what really knocked up the rating for me. The book was so interesting though, and how it built up the forbidden elements to their relationship.

We have a single dad who will do anything for his son. His son has found a safe fun home at Redemption Ranch and he has much more to lose than Sasha does. Sasha's family runs the Redemption Ranch and is tired of waiting for Ezra to make his move and makes the efforts to go after her. So she wants to do it herself. I like the efforts that they work on to go after each other and trying at the same time to keep it from their families that its only platonic.

The reveal was perfection! Sometimes these can be lackluster, but I found that the way it was handled was just right. You really sense how much these two love each other and the way in which that they will be fighting for each other. And the family's reaction was PRICELESS. I honestly want to reread that scene now because it was so heartfelt and seeing the way in which these siblings fight for each other was so brilliant. I really want the parent's book though. If you know if Foster wrote it, let me know.

Overall I found Taste of Whiskey to be a powerful stimulating read that delivered on the laughs and heartfelt moments to satisfy me from beginning to end!

[Sienasummerrreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You can't fake love when it's not there.”

This follows Sasha Whiskey who's parents own Redemption Ranch a place where people and horses get a second chance. Sasha works as an Equine rehabilitation therapist and is known as a good girl. At the age of 15, she snuck out to attend a party and kissed a mysterious boy that has never been far from his mind. Then there is Ezra a single dad doing everything he can for his 5-year-old son Gus. Living and working on the ranch he has always kept his distance from Sasha. But that first kiss with Sasha changed everything but life and bad choices got in the way and have kept them apart. There is a rule on the ranch of no dating colleges but will that stop them from finally giving in to their true feelings…

I loved Sasha she has a fierce energy and pushes Ezra over the edge. Their fun flirty banter and tension were fantastic. Gus the little boy is cute. The way he calls Sasha Sugar melted my heart. Sasha loves that little boy so much. These two people are soulmates and the spice is beautiful and intimate. I need to read more of Melissa's work! The audiobook narration by Aiden and Savannah was brilliant highly recommend it.

If you love:

🔹Small Town
🔹Single Dad
🔹Forbidden
🔹Workplace
🔹Friends To Lovers
🔹Intimate Spice

Genre/Type: Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook ALC
Audiobook Length: 8hrs 15mins
Narrators: Aiden Snow and Savannah Peachwood - Dual
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶
Series or Stand Alone: Book Four In The Whiskeys: Dark Knights At Redemption Ranch
Tropes or Themes: Small Town, Single Dad, Friends To Lovers, Workplace, Forbidden, Mutual Pining, Jealousy, Friends With Benefits, Family Ranch, Best Kids, Banter, Tension, Soul Mates, Taken Care Of, Third Person, Sexual Content, Dirty Talk, Praise and Bath Scene.
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫

All Round Romance Reader 
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫

[Nadine Bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Melissa Foster!

Ezra and Sasha are perfect together and little Gus stole my heart every time he called Sasha “Sugar”, that boy is going to melt panties when he’s older without even trying.

You have to know by now that I am a huge fan of Melissa Foster's and it's because she writes stories that draw you in right away and never let you go, each book is a standalone but because they revolve around family and friends we get to see what happens with other couples. For instance, we were able to see that there was something between Ezra and Sasha before we had their story, we didn't know if they met through work and found they were attracted to one another or if it was something else, we also had the pleasure of watching sweet little Gus call Sasha "Sugar" every time he saw her. Seriously, how cute is that! Now that we have Sasha and Ezra's story there is soooo much to unravel that you'll want to yell at someone, and then jump up and down for joy.

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 ➡ https://bit.ly/NBReviewAToW



**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books
**𝑰 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒆-𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒂𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚
You can find me here:  https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal! Melissa Foster is the Queen of Single Parent Romance. Without fail, she can write children into a love story in the most authentic and endearing way. Gusto is the star of the show. I loved Sasha's independence and grit. And Ezra's arc from bad boy to world's best dad.

My favorite scene was the networking party- so cheeky and cute. I also loved the wedding toast that Tiny made. Tiny is the best!! It was nice to see our friends from Peaceful Harbor. Glad everyone is doing well. I appreciate that the angst has a nice balance of happy moments. If you, like me, get nervous when you hear that a book has angst, put your faith in Melissa Foster. She will not steer you wrong.

I look forward to reading Doc's book.

I received an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️ (rounded up to 5⭐️)

✨ Single Dad
✨ Friends to Lovers
✨ Mutual pining
✨ Found Family
✨ Therapist x Equine rehabilitation therapist
✨ And a little boy that will steal your heart

At this point, this shouldn't come as a surprise because I simply love Melissa's writing, but I adored this book. I am already a sucker for a single-dad romance but combine it with found family, and him being a biker and also kind of a cowboy, and you have me hooked.

Sasha and Ezra's story was such a cute story, while there were also some harder feelings and moments, which is one of the things I love about Melissa's books - that they are so real, their story had been coming for years. First meeting as teens, and sharing a kiss that night, Sasha and Ezra remained friends even though they both felt more for the other. When Ezra's girlfriend fell pregnant and he married her out of obligation, it felt like something that would never be possible. Now, years later and as a single father of little Gus, Sasha and Ezra are best friends who lean on each other whenever they need something. Added to that, they both work on the Redemption Ranch, which is run by Sasha's parents and has a strict policy on relationships between coworkers, namely that there shouldn't be one.

All of this keeps them from finally acting on their feelings for each other, but when Sasha has enough of it all and either wants to be with Ezra or finally move on, they find themselves in a secret friends-with-benefits situation, but is it really just that?

This book was simply the cutest and I loved how Ezra and Sasha were always there for each other, how they knew so much about each other, like how Ezra knew her favourite snacks and drinks and had them stacked at his place for when she came over. How Sasha loved Gus like her own and has helped Ezra raise him ever since his divorce and how she stepped in when his ex-wife wouldn't pick up Gus for their scheduled time together. And Gus was the cutest little nugget ever, calling Sasha his sugar and wanting to marry her in the future or his father to marry her so she could be his mother. He is just the cutest little boy and I loved their relationship as a little family.

Also, I just love the Whiskey's. I loved them at Peaceful Harbor and I love them here. They always welcome everyone into their family, just like Ezra and Gus, and while they can be meddling and overprotective, they are also always there for each other and would drop and do everything and anything for their family.

[Nate Brightman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is the third book in the author’s Dark Knights of Redemption Ranch series featuring another branch of the Whiskey family. This one is located in Colorado. Tiny Whiskey, brother of Biggs Whiskey of Peaceful Harbor MD. heads up the local chapter of the Dark Knights. With his wife Wynnie a psychologist and four of their five adult children they run Redemption Ranch, a place where lost and damaged souls and abused and neglected animals can come to heal. This story features Ezra Moore and his young son Gus. Ezra a mostly single dad lives and works at the ranch as a therapist. He’s had a crush on Sasha Whiskey who also lives and works at the ranch as a horse rehabilitation specialist, since he was a teenager. Sasha has also had a crush on Ezra and loves Gus like he was her own son. But years ago, after a relationship between their oldest son Doc and an intern who was the daughter of a powerful senator went sour, Tiny and Wynnie instituted a no fraternization rule between employees or employees and clients. Which apparently didn’t stop Cowboy and Sully from getting together in For the Love of Whiskey. But if Ezra and Sasha act upon their feelings it could jeopardize not only Ezra’s livelihood but it would upset Gus’s life because he is thriving being surrounded by all the people on Redemption Ranch who love him. To his mother and Ezra’s ex-wife Tina, being a mother to Gus is an afterthought. In the first books in this series, The Trouble with Whiskey, son Dare and Billie Mancini his childhood BFF reconnected and are now about to get married. In book two, For the Love of Whiskey, Callahan or Cowboy as he’s called falls in love with Sully a resident who heroically escaped a cult where she’d been held since she was a young girl. They’re now engaged but no wedding date has been set. Both couples, Doc a still single veterinary and the eldest Whiskey sibling, along with Birdie the youngest Whiskey and Bobbie, Billie’s sister all have prominent secondary roles in this book. Dare and Billie’s wedding gives the author an opportunity to bring in a whole bunch of related characters from other older inter-connected series (other members of the Whiskey family, their cousins the Wickeds and of course the Bradens) in her Love in Bloom Universe, as well as introducing some new ones to be potential protagonists in future books.
As our story opens, with two of her brothers finding their true loves, Sasha Whiskey who is approaching thirty herself is growing anxious to find her soulmate and settle down. The problem is while she’s hardly lived the life of a nun, the man she shared her first kiss with at fifteen, the man she’s become BFFs with and lightly flirted with for years, the man whose son she’s come to love as much as him, the man she wants forever with is Ezra Moore. Her younger sister Birdie who is a shit stirrer tells her to basically kiss Ezra, and tell him what she wants. If he feels the same, get under him. Or if he doesn’t, get over him. It takes a while for Sasha to work up the courage to follow her little sister’s advice but when she does the results are mixed. After kissing her senseless in a way she’s never been kissed before, Ezra tells Sasha he wants her but he doesn’t dare risk the life he’s built for his son by being in a relationship with her that could cost him his job and them their home. A broken-hearted Sasha believes she’s got her answer and is determined to get over her feelings for Ezra and move on. Birdie and her friends encourage her, telling her the best way to get over a man is to get under another one. Apparently having meaningless, no strings sex is the norm for both the males and females of Generation Z. Yeah, sexual equality! They help Sasha get all dolled up and accompany her to The Roadhouse, the local saloon where everyone in the small town of Hope Valley goes to drink and dance and hookup for some serious flirting. Since Sasha tells us that even though Ezra has always held her heart, she’s been with several guys, I’m not sure why finding a someone new for her to help put Ezra behind her becomes such a big angsty part of this story? Sasha and Ezra may have always had strong feelings for each other but apparently they’ve both taken Stephen Stills advice when he sings, “if you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.” To heart. So why its suddenly such a big deal for Sasha to go looking for love or at least sex with someone else is such a big deal eludes me? Of course, Ezra and Sasha’s brothers pick the same night to show up at the Roadhouse. Ezra becomes infuriated when he watches Sasha strutting her stuff and worse, every man in the bar noticing her. He knows he can’t have her but apparently that doesn’t mean he irrationally wants anyone else to either. He confronts Sasha who tearfully tells him she gave him his shot and he passed so leave her alone. This spurs Ezra on to finally say damn the consequence and begin a steamy “friends and more with benefits” relationship with Sasha. The sex is great of course with Ezra able to give Sasha three or more orgasms when they’re just warming up and Sasha giving Stormy Daniels a run for her money with her sexual performance, whenever they can find time to sneak in a booty call. It doesn’t take long for them both to accept the reality that they are far more to each other than just friends with benefits. Sneaking around behind Sasha’s parents and her brother’s backs, not being able to have PDA and publicly claim each other and the fear of getting caught and Ezra losing his job wears on the couple. Meanwhile Gus’s mom Tina becomes less and less interested in being a part of Gus’s life and Gus doesn’t really seem to care. Ezra worries that Gus will suffer the same abandonment issues he did when his mother walked out on him and his father when he was fourteen. The whole situation becomes intolerable for Sasha and Ezra who are desperate to stop hiding their relationship. Which brings everything to a head with a confrontation that could potentially cost Ezra his job and home on the ranch. Which of course it doesn’t because this is a contemporary romance, so thankfully unlike real life, it comes with a guaranteed H.E.A.
And here’s where I had a serious problem with this story. Pretty much all the angst, drama and tension in this story is built around Tiny and Wynnie’s rule that employees of the ranch can’t fraternize. So while it was wonderful that when Ezra and Sasha finally come clean to them with Ezra’s brave, heartfelt declaration of love for Sasha, they are not only accepting but thrilled about it, WTF? Seems they both knew all along what was going on between Sasha and Ezra and approved of it. Wynnie even tried to push them together when it appeared they were falling apart. Which again is great for the H.E.A., but what about the damn no fraternization rule that kept Ezra and Sasha apart of years that Tiny and Wynnie act like they never instituted? Just like when Cowboy and Sully got together even though she was a resident/patient at the ranch everything is cool. If they don’t care about employees following the rules they’ve made, why do they have them in the first place? Or are they only for non-family member employees? The author used the rule to create all the tension and drama for this story only to have her characters too casually discard it as if it didn’t matter when it was convenient to write a H.E.A. And that bothered me.

[Arianna ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in the Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch series, so it took me a little bit to get into the book & actually grasp who all of the characters were. It was also told in 3rd person which usually doesn't bother me but made it a little more confusing for me to determine who was who.

But once I got into the book, I just couldn't stop! Sasha and Ezra were just so incredibly perfect together but Gus was constantly stealing the show with his adorable little antics. And the way his nickname for Sasha was Sugar?! CUTEST EVER. I couldn't get over the yearsssssss of mutual pining between Sasha and Ezra & the way they were both oblivious to each other's feelings despite being in such close proximity. I really enjoyed their friendship, secret relationship, and general romance but I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the characters as well! I do wish I had started this series with book one but I'm excited to eventually go back & read the rest of the series!

I listened to this book on audio & thoroughly enjoyed it! I already knew that Aiden Snow & Savannah Peachwood were 2 of my favorite narrators. But they absolutely smashed this audiobook! It was such a great listening experience.

Thank you to MustLoveAudio, Lyric Audiobooks, & Melissa Foster for listening to an early copy of the audio!

Features:
- friends to lovers
- mutual pining
- single dad
- secret relationship
- forbidden romance
- small town ranch
- large extended family & found family
- reformed bad boy & the good girl
- his son calls her "Sugar"

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this newest addition to the Redemption Ranch series. It was everything you'd expect from a Melissa Foster book, family, love, respect, and two people finding each other at the right time and being everything they need for each other.

Ezra is a therapist at Redemption Ranch and has always had feelings for Sasha, but the timing was never right. When he was ready to make a move, he found out he was going to be a dad. He out his wants and needs aside and did what he had to do for his son.

Sasha has compared every man and kiss to the one Ezra gave her when she was fifteen. No other man was ever good enough for her. Finally, after all of this time, Sasha is ready to make a move, but she is too scared. Then, one night, Ezra makes the move, and those fireworks go off!! They can't keep their hands off each other but do it behind everyone's back or so they think.

I loved this book so much!! It had family by blood or by those you choose, a love that grew more and more each day, and two people who were destined to be together.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Forbidden
Single dad
Secret relationship
Small town / ranch setting

Honestly if anyone was gonna make me love a friends to lovers - not a trope I usually gravitate to - it’d be Melissa! And of course she nailed it.

I have been excited for Ezra & Sasha since book 1 of the redemption ranch series & im so glad I got to see their story play out. I found this such a fun & super easy read! It was completely bingeable.

I love how open and honest their communication is in this book. There’s not a single hint of miscommunication in the entire story, and honestly that’s so refreshing to read. There’s also no 3rd act break up!

The story was a great mix of forbidden tension, explosive chemistry, romance, sweet family scenes and spice. I of course loved getting to see all the other family members as side characters, and the huge family dynamic is something I always enjoy in Melissa’s books.

Another Melissa book I’d highly recommend!

Spice:
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Range & Rep
Adult romance

[Megan Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

"No one tastes my Whiskey but me."

This is perhaps my FAVORITE Melissa Foster novel. I was absolutely obsessed with the characters and the storyline. This book can be read as a standalone, but is #4 in the series.

There has always been something between Sasha Whiskey and Ezra Moore since their first encounter as teenagers, and the desire and attraction had done nothing but grow over the years. Sasha wants more with Ezra while he has been striving to make himself a better man - one that Sasha deserved.

This book was so touching! It had me laughing and smiling and the spice was just... *chef's kiss*🤌🏼 I devoured this book in one sitting and have become obsessed with this series. The characters had me giggling, laughing and even tearing up throughout the book. I absolutely love the way that Ezra and Sasha love. I love the bond that they had before they begin to explore things romantically. I love that Sasha loves Ezra's son, Gus, as if he were her own. I love the amazing bond that Sasha and Gus have and it just makes me smile and so happy🥹 Melissa did an amazing job with this book and I am so excited to read the rest of this series!

[Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gus is the best!

Sasha Whiskey lives on Redemption Ranch where she rehabs injured horses. Ezra Moore is a former troubled teen who cleaned up his act to be a therapist. He’s always loved Sasha but when he finds out he’s going to be a dad, he marries his girlfriend and vows to put his son, Gus first. Now five years later, he’s finding it harder to keep Sasha at arms length, especially since Gus loves her just as much. But there’s a rule preventing coworkers from getting together. On top of everything else, his ex’s apathy toward Gus is getting out of control, making Ezra fear that getting caught may cost him everything, including Sasha.
I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to everyone.

[ReadTillDawnBooks ~ IG · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Melissa is trying to make sure all her leading men earn a top spot in the 2024 Best Book Boyfriend category.
Add Ezra to the list because this Greek god will have you swooning on every page. He puts the hot, in hot single dads. The instant connection and chemistry of Ezra and Sasha makes you blush. There were a number of times I did that internal scream and fanned my face. The Whiskeys are a special group that I hope live forever in Melissa’s books. Docs up next and I can’t wait.

[Stacey Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell more in love with the Whiskeys!! Ezra and Sasha are perfect together! I love the Whiskey family and the people they count as family! This book is so good, it has heart, emotion, laughter, and oh the heat! Ezra is a single dad to Gus, who will melt your heart!! Another wonderful story by Melissa Foster!!!

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

SERIOUSLY, how is it possible that every time I pick up a new Melissa Foster story, I fall a little bit more in love with the woman and, the stories just keep getting better and better!

If you’re a fan of Melissa’s, then you’ve probably been waiting on pins and needles for Sasha and Ezra’s story like me. I mean …. these.two! They were sexier than sexy and filled me with a tremendous amount of emotion and quite a few sprinkles of laughter here and there. This is the story you know is going to happen but yet the happening of it all surprises you and captivates you from beginning to end.

Melissa is a wizard. A WIZARD, I say!

[Lisa Nizz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The single dad trope is one of my favorites, throw in a second chance romance and an adorable child and I’m all in!

Sasha is the daughter of the leader of the Dark Knights, her family also runs Redemption Ranch which helps not only people who have survived trauma but animals too. Sasha is an equine rehabilitation therapist who loves her job. Ezra came to the ranch as a troubled adolescent who then became a therapist with Sasha’s parents encouragement. He has built a life there for himself and his son and feels such gratitude towards the Whiskey family. Sasha and Ezra met as teens at a party. The timing was always off for them but feelings never ceased. These feelings can longer be denied but the rules of the ranch are that relationships are not allowed between employees of the ranch. They both struggle with risking their careers they love and hurting their families for their relationship. Ezra especially with a son who’s heart could be broken if it goes bad.

How do they navigate these issues when they can no longer stand to hide their feelings?! An excellent read. The emotions and strong characters drove this book. I loved it!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a friends to lovers' romance for Sasha Whiskey as, after years of lusting after former bad boy turned therapist and single father, Ezra Moore, she finally gathers the courage to make her move even though fraternisation between colleagues is against the rules as Redemption Ranch. I loved the relationship between Ezra and Sasha as they danced around each other, building the tension between them until it erupted like a cork out of a bottle of champagne. They were both afraid of losing the friendship that meant so much to them which meant a lot of sneaking around and keeping secrets from their family, friends and colleagues, or so they thought. Star of the show though for me was Ezra’s son, Gus and his relationship with Sasha or Sugar as he sweetly nicknamed her. He loved her even more than his dad did and stole every scene he was in. I loved the secondary characters who will be familiar to regular readers especially Hyde and Taz whose antics were hilarious. Added to this there were so many scenes that I adored. From the paint balling combined stag/hen party to the wedding of Dare and Billie itself and if this was anything to go by, I would love to attend a Whiskey family wedding especially if Tiny was giving a speech. All this came together to make another fantastic read from Melissa Foster.

[Tori Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melissa can honestly do no wrong. And a hot, filthy mouthed man on a motorcycle who also lives on a ranch?? And he’s a single dad?? I’m sorry, what more could you want?

I love their dynamic from the get go. This is a true friends to lovers at its core. They’re best friends and his son is in love with Sasha. I love that she helps him in any way she can and she genuinely wants to spend all the time in the world with his son.

It was refreshing that our MMC was a therapist so I felt like he didn’t make too many toxic decisions. I felt like he made some good decisions and I loved that his heart was always about protecting his son.

He has literally been in love with her for YEARS and I was rooting for them every second of the way and I loved it. Same for her, though. The PINING WAS 🤌🏻🤌🏻

I love this world that Melissa built and I loved this couple.

You’ll love this book if you like
✨ friends to lovers
✨ single dad
✨ reformed player
✨ forbidden romance
✨ brother’s best friend
✨ it’s always been you
✨ small town
✨ found family

4⭐️ | 2.5🌶️

[Philippa - (The British Bibliophile) · Rating 5 out of 5]

'However you take your Whiskey, I take it in the form of Sasha Whiskey with a side-order of Ezra Moore. And make it a double! - The British Bibliophile

Thank you to Melissa and her PA for sending me an ebook Advanced Readers Copy for me to read and leave an honest review, as apart of her ARC team.

NOTE - This review will be spoiler-free as standard, but will contain references to the contents of the blurb of the novel. If you do not wish to know a single thing about this book and go in with this as a blind read, please scroll away from my review now :)


A Taste of Whiskey is book four in Melissa Foster's The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch series. It follows on from book one and two, The Trouble With Whiskey and For The Love of Whiskey . Sneaking in a novella for Sully after book one called Freeing Sully .

If like me, you have been following from the series from the start--or have caught up at some point--, you will now these burly, bear-like bikers and their backpacks pretty well. Some of us might even have a favourite across this and other series' that intertwine with this world. I have a few favourites, but that could all soon change with the addition of this single father, forbidden love, friends-to-lovers romance. If you're not familiar--why not?!--I highly recommend catching up with them & their cousins from other branches of the Melissa Foster series tree. The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor, The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Bayside . Want to start at the beginning? Grab a copy of 'River of Love' from Melissa's Braden's at Peaceful Harbor series. To read the beginnings of the Whiskeys, head on over to Searching For Love in the Braden's & Montgomerys series.

Bringing things back to this latest branch of the Melissa Foster series tree, The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch got off to one of the most impressive starts for a series that I, as a reader, have had the pleasure of reading from the start. Dare and Billie came in with swagger and sass, leaving the bar to be kept aloft by the next Whiskey and their partner to hit if not go even higher with. Cue Cowboy--yes, that is his name--and Sully. If you haven't read the prequel Novella to that story, called Finding Sully , it is recommended that you do before starting her's and Cowboy's main novel. That little extra tidbit of information pays off investing in. When their story was all said and done, I was not only pleading for someone to find me a man like Cowboy, but I also gave their story five stars going to-for-two making it at that point in time, a five-star series.

Will A Taste of Whiskey: Sasha Whiskey make it three-for-three? Please do read on to find out.

Done being the good girl that everyone knows her to be and for who she's been herself for the longest time, Sasha Whiskey is done being that version of herself. She's single and ready to mingle with the one man who has been in her sights for the longest time, a man who doesn't want to be caught and ensnared by the opposite sex. Specifically, he doesn't want a taste of a very unique brand of Whiskey because as he and Sasha both know, one taste will never be near enough to wet a whistle or hit the spot.

Sasha has worked towards a worthwhile and worthy career as an equine therapist, operating right on her parent's own ranch known as Redemption Ranch. There, she has all that she could ever want, ask for and dream of. This includes a loving family and the one and only sexy, single father who has been occupying a space in her head and heart for a very long time, Ezra Moore. A man whom we have all met in previously who was simply screaming for his story to be told, and Sasha was always destined to be the one to be a part of it.

As teens, it was Ezra who tried his best as a young man full of both swagger and of himself, who tried to nail her . Not the other way around. Speed forward all these years later, he's doing quite the opposite. He's keeping at arms length and at a distance. Something that young Ezra would definitely be shaking his head at. He's not only got her to keep away, but he's got a son to keep close and do his best to raise as a single father, while working as a therapist on the self-same ranch Sasha works for and lives on.

Comparing Ezra to any other man Sasha comes in to contact with, has her eyes on or interacts with, dampens her chances of moving on from the one man who she knows is her forever. Someone who is as right for her as a saddle is for a horse. It's just a case of making the right fit, holding on tight and enjoying the ride. But, will she make it to the point where they will not only ride together, but side by side? As the determined young lady she is, Sasha is going to give it all she's got to make that happen. She's done comparing him to other men, she's ready for the real deal that is Ezra Moore.

With such determination comes with equally as many risks, potential fallout and consequences. There's more than one person's life and livelihood at risk. Both Sasha and Ezra stand to lose everything they've worked equally as hard and long for, if the two of them were ever discovered in their covert, under-wraps activities. If only the clause forbidding two consenting adults, working on the same premises for the same boss, didn't exist.

As a reader who tends not to be fond of friends-to-lovers romances on the whole as a go-to trope, I found it hard to ignore the call of Ezra Moore and Sasha Whiskey. Especially when they and their story has been written by one of my favourite, must-read authors. Melissa is reason enough alone to give any genre and trope a try. Anyone who has ever read one of her books will know that and after the two previous successful books in the series--three if you include Sully's prequel--, was ready to see if this read would hold that bar or raise it higher. Expectations were up there, and A Taste of Whiskey met every single one of them.

The father and son won over my heart just as much as they did Sasha's and I for one can hand on heart say, that it was one thousand percent worth the risk from them both, to ride towards a happily ever after they deserve and then some. I know my fellow readers of this novel will agree with me on that.

I'm so glad that I pre-ordered the special edition cover paperback person of this story to go with the rest of my collection, because I'm far from done with Ezra and Sasha yet. It is safe to say that without a shadow of a doubt, that I have found my new favourite pairing--and Dark Knight for this series--, in them both. Ezra ties equal with Cowboy, Dare following up the rear closely.

It's been an honour to ride with this chapter of the Dark Knights so far. With one more left to go at this point there's only one thing left to say, 'Eh, what's up DOC?'

Five stars!

[Marivel (marislitcorner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been enjoying my time in Redemption Rancho and I’m here to stay. Melissa created such a great small-town world where family is key and with such well-rounded characters you can’t help but fall for all of them. I loved this book so much! Single dad, mutual pining, and little man Gus who stole my heart. Sasha and Ezra’s romance was a long time coming from one kiss they shared as teenagers. Their story was ripe with the angst I love and the undeniable chemistry that I couldn’t wait for it to combust.

Sasha Whiskey was the classic good girl, but underneath it all, she was one smexy vixen. I loved that balance of her character. Sasha had a tender heart that was essential for her work rehabilitating horses and for the gained adoration of Ezra’s son, Gus. Little man calling her Sugar was the cutest! She was fierce, and I loved how she laid it all out to get her man. Ezra didn’t know what was coming for him.

Ezra Moore! This Greek god of a man was “bad boy” turned smexy single dad and I was just a swoony mess over him. Then he went on and pumped me up with that dirty mouth of his, uuufff. I devoured those moments when the bad boy came out to play with Sasha. It was HOT, HOT, HOT. I loved Ezra’s character arc and how much he grew and bettered himself, first to be good enough for Sasha and most importantly, to be a great dad to his son.

Found family is a favorite of mine and the folks of Redemption Ranch along with the Dark Knights MC had such a wonderful vibe. The way they all came together, and share meals was so special. Daddy Tiny had me laughing out loud, nothing got past this man. I mean ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. IYKYK

If you love small-town with a HEA, I recommend that you take a trip into Hope Ridge, Colorado and meet the Redemption Ranch family and Dark Knights MC. You will not be disappointed.

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and life alignment

Oh the feels in this book. My heart was all in on this friends to lovers, first love, the universe finally aligned swoony love story. It had the perfect balance of humor, cuteness, heartwarming love, real life issues, angst, and spicy spice. Sasha is an equine rehabilitation therapist. She lives and works at Redemption Ranch with her family. Ezra is a therapist and also lives and works at Redemption Ranch. He is a single dad to 5 year old Gus. Sasha and Ezra shared one wild passionate kiss as teenagers 15 years ago but circumstances resulted in them only being really good friends since then. Despite their chemistry and deep feelings for each other, there are so many things that make a romantic entanglement between them impossible including a no fraternization policy at the Ranch. Oh boy though, their chemistry sizzled off the page and it pulled them together no matter how hard they tried to resist. It was such a feel good journey as they finally got to their HEA as a family of three as shown through sweet moments, painful pasts, spicy scenes, supportive family and friends, heart clenches, fun, healing, and love. I loved how Gus was such a wonderful and integral addition to the story rather than a flimsy story prop. The story would not have been as rich and well rounded without the full development and inclusion of his character which drove so many of the MCs choices. All of Melissa Foster’s books have a central theme of family - those we are born into and those we create - and so much beautiful heart squeezing love. This book is no exception, Redemption Ranch and the families that live there are the embodiment of family bonds and deep love. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Laurenreadingrecs · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5

Tropes:
💛single dad
🐴 ranch life
💛forced proximity
🐴forbidden
💛found family
🐴secret relationship
💛small town

Gahhhh I absolutely adored this book! This is book 4 of the Dark Knights Redemption Ranch series but can be completely read as a standalone book. This is the story of Ezra and Sasha

The MMC, Ezra, is a reformed playboy. He’s been at the ranch since he was 17 and once completing his masters degree became a therapist at Redemption Ranch. He’s had a thing for Sasha since he was 17, but has never really done anything about it due to ranch rules and his little boy, Gus.

The FMC, Sasha, grew up on Redemption Ranch, as her parents run it. She is working there as an Equine Rehab therapist. She’s been in love with Ezra since she was in high school. No man has compared to him in her eyes.

When Ezra and Sash finally came together they were such fire. The way that Ezra loved her and took care of her was just Everything and the way that Sasha loved his little boy Gus was just so sweet.

This was a great book if you like hot single dads, small town romance, mixed with some workplace romance. Give this book a read.

[Ryla · Rating 4 out of 5]

🐎 Close proximity
🖤 Second chance ranch
🐎 Forbidden
🖤 Workplace
🐎 Unrequited love
🖤 Found family
🐎 Single dad (Gus is the SWEETEST!)
🖤 Reformed Bad Boy
🐎 No third act break up!!

🖤 “This mouth is mine. No one tastes my Whiskey but me.”
🐎 “Yes, you were, Bo Peep. I wanted to be good enough to be with a girl like you.”
🖤 “I had you pegged as an acts-of-service love-language guy, but now I’m thinking physical touch might be your love language.”
🐎 “Woman, I think about you so much, it’s a wonder I can think of anything else.”
🖤 “You got your sweet claws into me a long damn time ago, and you’ve had some kind of hold on me ever since.”
🐎 “For making it feel even more like a home.”

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5

This book became one I loved VERY quickly. I haven’t read many Melissa Foster, I wanted to last September but I just wasn’t able to; looks like I’m going to have to soon because Ezra Moore?! 🫠 Woooeee that man is SWOON-WORTHY! 


Sasha Whiskey has always been an independent woman. Knows what she wants, has her head screwed on right, and does not let anything get in her way of doing what is right. But the one thing she hasn’t been able to do is get over her first kiss at 15 by a teenage bad boy….bring in Exra Moore. He had a rough time as a teen, being sent to a program for troubled teens really helped him, but what made him get his head set screwed on right, was Sasha Whiskey. 


Both of these two have had feelings for each other since they were young, but when Exra had to step up and be the father his never was, he put aside his feelings for Sasha to take care of his son Gus (who is the sweetest and most adorable child in the world. I loved him so much). They go through a lot of “accepting their feelings” in this book. From Sasha not knowing that Ezra always wanted her, to Ezra realizing he can have happiness and love for himself outside of Gus. 


The only reason I took away a star for this book is because I’m not used to third POV and it’s a little rough for me to read. But Melissa makes her books so easy to follow, that it barely bothered me this time, and when I tell you I’m obsessed with Ezra Moore…..I mean it…obsessed!

[jen florio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sasha and Ezra have been in love with each other since they were teenagers. Sasha spent years pining after Ezra, while Ezra spent years trying to make himself worthy of Sasha. Living on the ranch and working there, made it difficult for them to be together. There was a rule that prohibited employees from dating. So once they both realize their attraction to each other, and couldn’t hold back anymore, they started sneaking around. But of course their feelings grew. It became harder and harder to keep it quiet and secret. Ezra had a lot to lose, his job, his son’s happiness and his newfound family and home. When their secret comes out, will they lose everything or finally find the happiness they’ve been looking for their whole lives?
This was a great, sweet, love story. I adored Ezra‘s son, Gus. He made the story fun. Ezra and Sasha, we’re just the perfect couple. It was impossible not to see how much they loved each other. I would definitely recommend this story, and the other Whiskey stories as well . They are an interesting and sweet family.

[Nancy Ku · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Taste of Whiskey: Sasha Whiskey (The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch Book 4)
by Melissa Foster
Every Redemption Ranch book is out standing and this is no different. Ezra and Sasha have been in love since they were teens. Just when he felt he was good enough for her he found out Tina was pregnant - he married her and tried to raise Gus with her but she was to busy having a goodtime. Ezra is a counselor on the ranch and Sasha rehabs horses. The ranch has a rule about dating other ranch employees. Sasha loves Gus who calls her sugar and gets involved with Ezra and they both feel guilty. There is angst, wonderful friends and family, engagements and and a wedding, troubles with his ex and plenty of steam to get us to a HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read Action-packed Page-turner Steamy Witty Happily Ever After Unpredictable Romantic Entertaining Wonderful characters Informative Tear-jerker Great world building.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been dying for Sasha and Ezra's story and it did not disappoint! They've loved each other in secret for so long that when they finally cross the line, sparks!!

I absolutely love that they met as teens and it essentially jump started their mutual pining to loving one another secretly. Sasha is such a sweet, loving woman with a touch of sass and a pinch of vixen. Ezra is a reformed bad boy, an amazing dad, always in control, and has a heart of gold. His son Gus is the cutest and adds so much more depth to this book!! The way Sasha loves little Gus made my heart so happy.

These two fall hard and fast when they get together. But how could they not? They feel safe and loved together. Sasha has always been a constant in both Ezra and Gus's life. She showers them in love and happiness. They do the same for her. Their love story is angsty and real, sweet and sexy, and completely unputdownable. I loved every single second of it!

ARC review.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good addition to this series through this friends to lovers and a long time in the making read. I have been a fan of Ms. Foster's work for a while and I was not disappointed I this book.

Ezra and Sasha have been friends for a long time as they grew up together and now work on the Redemption Ranch. The only problem for this pair is timing - it was never in their favor until now. After all of the years this pair have been friends they start a friends with benefits relationship that turned into so much more.

This pair had chemistry that was off the charts as both characters were well written. They both overcome the dating and working together issue that they faced as well as the bad timing of their past - Ezra becoming a father to then later be a single father and Sasha with her large family that at times can be meddling.

Overall, this was a good read and a good addition to this series . I would recommend this book and this series to others.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so full of spice and angst between the two main characters and I was here for it!

Sasha and Ezra were childhood friends and became very close over the years. 

Ezra is a single dad with the cutest kid, ever who absolutely adores Sasha. Both try to fight and ignore their feelings for each other because there is so much on the line.

Ezra doesn't want to lose Sash's family or the  Ranch but neither can deny their feelings for each other.

Sasha has always compared every guy to Ezra. No one can hold a candle to him in her eyes. 

They both end up deciding to try "friends with benefits" and that's when the spice and real feelings start to develop even more than they already were. 

I could not put this book down! I may be headed into my cowboy Romance Era after A Taste of Whiskey!

Grab your cowboy boots and get ready for a spicy ride with Sasha and Ezra!! 


Read if you love: 

- Friends to Lovers
- Single Dad Trope
- Friends with benefits
- Cowboy Romance

[Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

First there was Dare, then Cowboy and now we have Ezra. Melissa Foster sure knows how to create swoon worthy heroes, and she did a magnificent job with Ezra in A Taste of Whiskey. In this the third book of The Whiskeys: Dark Knights At Redemption Ranch, Foster treats her fans to the following tropes
1. Single Dad
2. Friends to Lovers
3. Found Family
4. Forbidden Romance


A Taste of Whiskey was an awesome read. Ezra and Sasha were an adorable couple. Because of a no fraternization among employees rule, they both kept their feelings for each other under wraps. They spent time together as friends, but the more they were in each other's company, the harder it became for them to deny what they felt. Eventually tension increased and like an active volcano it exploded, leading to several secret liaisons.


Ezra may not have been born a Whiskey, but he fits perfectly into the family. Ezra and Sasha's interactions will have you smiling throughout the story. From the moment they met as teenagers, one could feel the chemistry building between them. All it took we was one kiss and things were never the same. However, the road leading to their happily ever after was paved with pain, disillusionment, disappointments, imperfect timing, fear, and insecurities. Despite the odds stacked against them, Ezra and Sasha fought for their happiness. Their willingness to sacrifice all they accomplished working on the ranch for their relationship reflected the authenticity of their feelings for each other. A that will have readers rooting for them.

While I loved Ezra and Sasha, the star of this instalment was Gus, Ezra's son. An adorable little boy and a charmer in the making. His interactions with Sasha and the secondary characters will have readers smiling throughout the story.

It was fun returning to the Redemption Ranch, where family and friendship thrive. Once again, Foster gave her readers a story brimming with laughter, heat, and heart.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

[Kylie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the ranch life world coming together with Melissa’s MC world! What an incredibly fun and emotional story !! Ezra and Sasha have grown up together since they were kids. Ezra was Sasha’s first kiss, and crush FOREVER. She’s always remained close with Ezra and his son, Gus, but neither has crossed the line into anything more than the friend zone.
Sasha realizes after many failed dates over the years, nobody will ever compare to the butterflies she got when Ezra kissed her all those years ago.
This forbidden love is filled with emotion, angst, and the most delicious spice. Every book by Melissa never fails to suck me right in. I absolutely adored these two and their story of how they built their HEA.
Gus was an absolute doll and I just wanted to scoop him up and snuggle him!
What an addicting and intriguing read this was !
5 ⭐️ all around!