Smooth as Whiskey: Special Edition: An older brother’s best friend, secret relationship small town romance

Valentine Texas #4

by Lyra Parish

Top three reasons why I shouldn't eff around and find out with Cash Johnson.

1. He's eight years older than me.
2. He's best friends with my broody, older brother, who’s overly protective.
3. He's hiding something.
So we become roommates. And I become his greatest temptation.

I play his dangerous game of cat and mouse until we collapse between the sheets with a promise to tell no one.

The only problem is that secrets don’t stay hidden in our small town for long—not our forbidden relationship or the pasts we’re both running from.


Smooth as Whiskey is book 4 in the Valentine Texas Series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, but they do interconnect. This is a small-town, older brother's best friend, secret relationship, contemporary romance book with a happily ever after.

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Westerns, Friends To Lovers, Forced Proximity, Cowboy Romance, Small Town Romance

258 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

Lyra Parish is a hopeless romantic obsessed with writing spicy Hallmark-like romances. When she isn’t immersed in fictional worlds, you can find her pretending to be a Vanlifer with her hubby. Lyra loves coffee, the great outdoors, authentic people, and living her best life.

To learn more, please subscribe to Lyra's newsletter: https://bit.ly/lyraparishnewsletter

Reviews

[Elsa Gomes (BookishAurora) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭒ Rating: 4.5

Lyra wrote another incredible book in this series! I absolutely loved this couple. I always feel like I go through these like they’re crack ahah. These two were incredible together. I loved their chemistry, the deep connection between them.

Cash, wow, he was such a surprise. He’s probably my fav hero in the series so far. He was just so sweet and in love. How he treated Remi was so good. Man, sometimes I thought she didn’t deserve him. Not to say I didn’t like our heroine, I did, but sometimes she just made my heart hurt for him.

I love the little details between these two though. They had such a special background. I love that we saw a little bit of it. But gosh, I think one of my favorite things between these two was the letters they wrote to each other every day. That was such a special thing.

I also loved how no one was surprised about these two. Everyone had such lovely reactions and words when they went public. They were so cute.

I also loved the connection with her new standalone, The Wife Situation. All those character interactions were so fun. I’m very intrigued about them all. I really need to go read that asap!

⭒ ARC kindly provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
 
♥ Tropes: brother’s best friend, second chance, he’s obsessed, small town, room mates, age gap
 
⭒ Order at: Amazon US
 
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[sophia ᥫ᭡. · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭒ Rating: 4 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


✨NEW AUTHOR✨


TROPES:

age gap (8 years) 🧡
brothers best friend 🧡
secret relationship 🧡
small town romance 🧡
forbidden romance 🧡
second chance 🧡
best friends younger sister 🧡
he falls first 🧡
roommates 🧡
it's always been you 🧡
veterinarian mmc 🧡
sassy southern fmc 🧡

blurb: Top three reasons why I shouldn't eff around and find out with Cash Johnson.
1. He's eight years older than me.
2. He's best friends with my broody, older brother, who’s overly protective.
3. He's hiding something.
So we become roommates. And I become his greatest temptation. I play his dangerous game of cat and mouse until we collapse between the sheets with a promise to tell no one. The only problem is that secrets don’t stay hidden in our small town for long—not our forbidden relationship or the pasts we’re both running from.

review:

"i'd die a thousand deaths if i could live with her for just one lifetime."

smooth as whiskey by lyra parish (valentine texas #4) is an older brother's best friend, secret relationship, small town romance book that will have you kicking your feet at how sweet it is. a hot veterinarian guy with a wednesday adams type of gal. lyra parish is a new author for me and honestly i wished i read her other books before this one (the one's prior then this) not because it wasn't easy to follow it's because all the other charcters are so intresting i would love to learn more about them. i only came across this one through booktok and i'm indebted to whoever reccomened this! i can offically say im back in my cowgirl era because im jumping right into the first book in the series.

one thing in this book i'm totally here for is how much they love and appreciate eachother. whenever there in private and when they became public they always expressed how much they loved eachother and that they always have. it looks so good on both of them! this book is described as a standalone with a happyily ever after which is all true but i would say this book probaly could have been a duology maybe a book or short prequel showing more into there past because i just felt something was missing from the start. and still have a few questions on why he decided to leave? how did she actually become attracted to him? was it good looks or personality? (from my perspective i believe it would be personality) i also loved that there was no third act breakup. i tend to be someone who reads them more then not but it was a nice supprise not to have that included in this book! I really wish I could have more of them.

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC 🧡

[Thorunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y'all, this is the book that I've been waiting for for THREE books! I have loved Remi's character since she was first introduced to us in Valentine Texas book #1, PLUS in the cross-over billionaire book (what a fantastic happy surprise that book was btw!). So to say that I've been foaming at the mouth for this book would be an understatement.

Lyra starts this one off HAWT! Or rather, Remi comes in all hot and feisty. She just totally speaks her mind without fear and I love that soooo much about her. Omg how I love Remi. She's so strong and knows exactly who she is - yet, a part of her is vulnerable and we connect with her so much... all the while quietly screaming between the pages telling her to get over it and claim Cash already. And giiiiiiiiirl!!! Cash? CASH!!!! Omg, this man. As if I couldn't fall harder for a book boyfriend, Lyra brings none other than the cowboy, horse-riding, smart, sexy, sensitive, considerate, veterinarian!!!! Like, seriously??? Ma'am, Lyra - seriously??? Ugh, let me change my bib because I haven't drooled this hard for a cowboy since Lyra's last book. Good grief and good night. This man.

Now, admittedly, I do love me some brother's best friend, forbidden, age gap romances - and throw in a small town and cowboys with horses?!?!?!? This is like my own personal fantasy come true...in a book. Not gonna lie, I totally love all of the above. Guilty pleasure. But hot daaaang, Cash is just... *sigh* He's so dreamy y'all! He's like the entire flipping package! And the way that Lyra writes him... saddling a horse, how he wears his Wranglers, him driving his pickup truck, his backwards baseball cap, his heart, his bedroom eyes and his bedroom mouth... *bites lip*

I digress and maybe interspersed a fantasy or two of my own in the Cash dream that ran on repeat while reading this book. But all joking aside, this book is of course amazing and fabulous and I do love it so hard. But there are certain moments in this book - certain scenes - and they are electric. They are just pure beauty that seemingly comes alive on the page before your eyes. Lyra has created yet another pair of ahhh-mazing characters that we can't help but love, and their story is so compelling and just radiate, well... love. They radiate love. And I LOVED this story and these two characters.

[Libby Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smooth as Whiskey indeed!!

Lyra Parrish did it again with this one!! I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with Remi and Cash! So glad we were given this love story. Lyra Parish is the second chance romance queen! Also this book made me love Easton from her The Wife Situation even more!! If you haven’t please go read that book! So cannot wait for Colt’s story! I will forever think about Dr. Cash Johnson when I have a whiskey drink.

[Readingwithdesi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this second chance romance with remi and cash! Lyra did again with this one! I can’t wait for colts story!

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved being back in Valentine, TX! There is nothing like being in the Valentine bubble! It was even better when parts from The Wife Situation intersected within this book!! I loved that I was able to see that book from this perspective as well as that one one! If you haven't seen that one, then please do yourself a favor and go grab it! It's a great time!! 

Anywho, back to our scheduled program Cash and Remi! 

Remi is one of the several Valentine siblings, but not just any. She is a twin! She like all of the Valentine family love all of her siblings even when they get on her last nerve. Remi knew who she was in love with seven years ago, even when she let him go. Or so she thought. 

Cash loved Remi like no other. She was the one and only and that would never change. He made a deal with a Valentine that he knew would never go out, just so that he could be close. He never gave up on what he knew to be true. He just knew that she needed convincing from all sides of the coin. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I loved being able to see their story seven years ago and how much they have changed as people. They were able to see how much Remi became who she was as well as realizing her love for Cash wasn't going to go away. 

I loved how much her family was involved with every aspect! I should have expected no less considering they are the Valentine's! But at times it's still hard to fathom that there are families that are that close and love that hard. But I definitely loved every single part of this story!! 


Let's Talk About 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Baby: 

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 STEAMY- If it's not for you- Skip Through

This has some great scenes that I was like how could she top this? Then she did. Point. Blank. Period. 

This definitely had some sexy scenes that I couldn't get out of my mind! They had some great places that they shared! 

I received a complimentary copy via the author. All opinions are my own, honest and voluntary.

[kreadsoften · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smooth as Whiskey is the fourth book in the Valentine Texas series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Remi and Cash had a fling over the summer seven years ago. But it was kept secret because he’s best friends with her older brother. Now, they’re both back in Valentine, and Remi needs a roommate. Cash ends up becoming her roommate, and with them being in close proximity, it’s hard to keep old feelings from rising to the surface.

As with the previous books is in the series, the Valentine family makes many appearances. They’re so fun and loving and just a little chaotic.

But back to Cash and Remi because sheesh, Lyra did not play around with them. Out of all the Valentine Texas books, I think this may be the spiciest (though I wouldn’t say it’s super spicy.

Cash was so sweet and swoony. The way he let Remi know how he felt from the start 🫠. And he kept letting her know, even when she had her doubts.

This is told in a dual timeline, with flashbacks about their summer incorporated through a few chapters. I thought those scenes were placed well and helped the story flow.

This was a great addition to the series, and I really liked seeing Easton and Lexi (and Weston) again (from The Wife Situation). I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Favorite moment(s):
The photograph!
He was carrying a photograph of her in his truck for eight years!
Tropes:
Small Town
Second Chance
Brother’s Best Friend
Age Gap (8 years)
Forced Proximity
Roommates
It’s Always Been You

[Menthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was some good reading!!

Rem & Cash are a love at first sight, it's always been & only ever will be YOU, whirlwind secret romance.

The way the author incorporated the pen pal / love letters into this story was so great. I love this when it's used in romance novels. The way the two characters used it to become closer was so great.

Cash has intrigued me since Becketts book, so it was really nice to see his story. I was a bit surprised that he wasn't involved with anyone the entire time he & Rem were apart. That was such a great surprise. I really thought that he'd be like a serial dater or a just for kicks kinda guy.

Remi was so fun! I was excited that she was outwardly so sweet & innocent, especially in prior books, but then when the curtains are pulled back, you see a whole different side. The sneaky, devilish, naughty side.

The time jumps to take a peak at their past was such a nice touch. Learning the history between these two is imperative to fully understand the dynamic of their story.

My favorite scenes:
1. The B&B scenes when the "out of towners" take it over. The banter & fun that ensued was great. The tie-in is fantastic
2. The fights with the brothers, I love when Cash gets all, "I let you hit me once, I'll lay you out if you try again." Like Frick, that's hot.
3. All of the ways that the secret was unearthed slowly, one family member at a time. Every time was so fun.
4. The B&B Shower scene.

Lyra is such an amazing writer.
Go read this book.

[Melissa (honeybee.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smooth As Whiskey is book 4 in the Valentine Texas series, they are all interconnected standalones. Although, I highly recommend reading in order for maximum enjoyment. Another super fast, unputdownable read from the Queen. Her books are truly filled with some type of dr*g and yes I will keep repeating myself 😂. This was another great add on to this series. The way Lyra wrote them and made us dive into their background together was great. The flashbacks were a great addition, and made us take a deeper dive into their past. My favorite part though was reading the letters they wrote to one another, it was such a great touch. Made me truly feel their connection and how deeply they cared for one another.

Cash was an absolute surprise for me. I didn't expect to fall for him as hard as I did. He was just such a sweetheart. He knew what he had with Remi and he fought for it until she finally let go of her fears. Remi was also a great heroine, but I won't lie, I wanted to smack her a few times 😂 This one was definitely very spicy, there were many many spicy scenes and they were hot 🥵 Once more this town and the people in it stole my heart. The way they reacted to the relationship was so heartwarming and the way a family should react!

Overall, this was a great installment in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it and had so much fun revisiting these characters and seeing some from her other series make an appearance. Now I need to know who that mystery woman is !!

[ForgedOpulence · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to read this book and have another example of childhood friends-to-lovers done decently from this author, but that's not what happened.

In a romance book, I think it's reasonable to expect that some romance occurs. However, I genuinely don't know why they like each other. Outside of reading a million different variations of "I love you / I'm in love with you" this gave absolutely nothing in the romance department.
These characters are supposed to be 28 & 34 and are written like highschoolers in puppy-love. Is it intense? Sure. Is there substance? Nope.

In all reality, I got far more context to their relationship in the few moments we saw them interact in BMB than in their own book. I'm heartbroken about it💔

General Asides: I also found an overarching theme of the grammar being so awful that it completely broke up the story-telling for me. I don't remember BMB being so poorly written, so it was not a nice surprise for me.

*There is also a hint of sexual coercion in the book that was not disclosed. One partner lies to the other before getting intimate, withholding information that would have altered the events that took place after.
Partner1 admits to lying multiple times. Partner2 admits that intimacy would have still happened, but would have been different had a truthful disclosure happened prior.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I zoomed through this book and it was a mistake…why? Because now I have to wait for the next ones!! It left in a cliff hanger and I’m so sad! But my god I loved this book! This either beat STST. Or it is a close second. I can’t decide! But my hid. Cash and Remi weee so freaking cute together! I loved it! Twist after twist ones i didn’t see coming. And then that ending?!? I need the next ones!
Cash: dirty talking cowboy, he really was smooth like whiskey! He was always doing right by his woman and he loved her so damn much!
Remi: i freaking loved her! Like she was independent, while still being vulnerable. She was such an amazing character to read and was so laid-back and so happy even though she was hurting inside and I loved it.
My god what am I gunna do now?! I need the other books haha! I honestly can’t wait!

[MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Remi Valentine becomes roommates with her brother’s best friend, Cash Johnson, they think it could go one of two ways… great or a very bad. They both have feelings for each other but know that no one can ever find out. Living together might be one lesson that makes having a secret fling prove how they need to come clean. Cash knows crossing that line with Remi might hurt his friend but he can’t fight his feelings much longer. What will happen when her brothers’ find out? Can these two finally find their HEA? What a sweet small town, secret romance with a cinnamon roll hero who is ready to catch his one true love. Told in first person and dual POV

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a DNF for me. Life’s too short. The most exciting parts of this love story took place in the last book. These two are terrible. I was so excited for this and instead it felt like it happened immediately and dragged on forever? Like I think we got to the I love yous before the second chapter and for some reason we still had a whole fucking book to go? Because the 34 year old and the 28 year old couldn’t possibly tell their brother/friend that they were together??? Make it make sense.

[Lakshmi Praveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaahh, this friends to lovers just hit the right spot!! Lyra killed it with Cash and Remi! This brother's best friend and childhood friends with second chance romance has given me all the feels. The small town feel and where everyone just knows your business, I feel like i need to be there. This read was such a delight and enjoyed every minute of it. Looking forward to more of Valentines!!!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Valentine siblings so much, the banter always makes me LOL! I have been so excited for Cash and Remi, we’ve been teased for a while in previous book and Lyra didn’t disappoint.

Cash and Remi have a secret past but Cash left town and it ended there, but now Cash is back in town and these two have some unfinished business.
Oh and their roommates!

Remi is reluctant to go public with Cash because his a family friend and her brother Becketts best friend. The two have some stuff work out.

Cash was just so swoony and determined to win his girl. 100% recommend 🩵

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could spend all day everyday in Valentine, Texas with this family! Sunday family dinners are the best. Remi is a girl who isn’t afraid to be blunt and tell you like it is. No feelings spared. Cash is honest hard working gentleman who softens all of Remi’s hard edges. I love how scenes from The Wife Situation woven in. It was an amazing read from beginning to end.

[Donna McEachran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Valentine family...and Cash!! I loved the glimpses of Cash and Remi's history and the love letters are beautifully written. Still not a huge fan of Harrison but rejoiced at seeing Beckett and Summer happy. Can't wait for Colt's book.

[Ana Filipa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foi uma história pequena mas perfeita do início ao fim 🥰🥰 quem me dera ter um Cash como a Remi tem, alguém que nunca a deixou de amar. Foi mesmo fofa a história deles podia ter sido mais longa não me importava 😅.

Recomendo muito! 🥰

[Shushi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice - 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Trope - brother's best friend, age gap, best friend younger sister, secret relationship, forbidden, forced proximity, roommates, she falls first he falls harder, grumpy × sunshine, second chance, small town, veterinarian mmc, sassy southern fmc, "it's always been you", HEA

Bonus chapter - 2

After reading the prologue I immediately picked this book, and LITERALLY broke the order and read this one before the other books in the series. That's how much the plot intrigued me.

For years Remi and Cash have wanted each other, but couldn't pursue it because of their equal love/respect for her brother and his best friend Beckett. They have secretly "been" together for quite a while but can't accept nor show it to the world due to multiple reasons. The FORBIDDEN aspect of the book was alluring, like what bad could possibly happen if they fell in love? And OMFG the tension between them from the very first chapter, it was hot in there.

Cash is so sweet, caring, and understanding. DAMN, this guy had me in a chokehold. You could see the amount of love he carried by the way everyone around him, including her parents and siblings loved him.

Remi is equally bold, fierce, and charming. She also has her insecurities and fears and personally, that makes her more attractive to me. I loved her character, she was believable and real. I loved how once she set her mind, even her brothers couldn't convince her otherwise, and the way she dealt with the whole Harrison situation, OMFG YOU QUEEN!! Girl Power. I had a small girl crush on her.

Remi has always been scared to express herself and I love how Cash gave her, the space and time to express her love openly. It was just too adorable for my heart. How can I get Cash in my life? I'm so much like Remi and damn to have a person who not only understands your feelings but also gives you time to process and express them is a blessing, and Remi my girl had it, all she had to do is open her eyes and see it.

I loved those hidden glances, touching, and messages they passed on while they were still hiding their relationship. The subtle groomsmen's speech had my jaw on the floor, it was so precious and secretive at the same time.

Their love was painful but in the most beautiful way. Do you know what I mean? The amount of sacrifice they made for their love was just sad. Every time they looked at each other, craved to touch/ or even accept their relationship in public it physically ached my heart. I was rooting for them even before the book began and I saw the first glimpse of them in The Wife Situation.

Their relationship was enchanting. I loved how the author gave us a small glimpse of their past together along with the most beautiful part i.e. the love letters. Those letters that they wrote to each other every day, were so freakin cute. Each letter carried a lot of emotions and feelings, and they added a lot of meaning to their relationship. I loved the way these two articulated their words, it broke and mended my heart at the same time. Just Gorgeous. They made me fall in love with them and their story with each passing moment.

These two took their time but eventually came to a path that led them to a future together, and every small step they took together towards showing their love publicly, felt like a personal win. They deserved it after what they had gone through to be together.

Their sex scenes, never left like just sex- every moment carried a deep meaning and made the act pure. If you know what I mean. Each scene fairly portrayed their feelings and love.

I was scared to shit seeing how Remi described how the truth will be taken by her family, but surprisingly everyone knew and accepted it with open arms and that just calmed me down. Also, the plot twist, OMFG I didn't see it coming but damn it made so much sense.

The final chapter couldn't have been any more sweet and hot at the same time. It felt like the perfect end for these two lovelies' stories. I've said multiple times in this review, and I will say it again these two deserved all the happiness in the world, and I'm gonna miss them.

The two epilogues were chef's kiss, happiness, and marriage looked good on them. The bonus chapters were equally spice and funny.

Side characters and other things -
* Loved Mama and Papa Valentine, they had limited roles but all of them were significant.
* The bond between Colt and Remi was just so pure and beautiful. Every time they talked and appreciated one another it made me feel happy, I don't know what would have done if she didn't have Colt beside her all the time and showing her how beautiful of a person/sister she was.
* All the Valentine siblings were unique and added a different kick to the plot, and honestly, this makes me want to read all nine(previous and upcoming) books.
* The way Lexi and Easton were subtly blended was really a good move.

This one was GOOD.
Loved it,
Highly recommended.
Overall 5/5

[Patti Gunkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, i just couldn't stop reading this book. I could feel the chemistry between the characters from the start. I had to know how it ended.

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

You guyssss… So dreamy and hot. He makes her count her “o” until she gets to her age! Spice is spicing!

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was cute and fun, at first. A couple sneaking around from the girl's older brother...cute right.
But at the end it is revealed that not only her brother knew that they were in a relationship, but her whole family!!
That's horrible writing.

[Rachel Nahabedian · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

I waited a while to write this before I brought the mood down. Maybe it's because I didn't read the first 3 in this series, maybe it wouldn't have mattered. We'll never know. This book just wasn't for me. It had so much potential.

First, there's way too many characters (maybe it's the downfall of not starting at the beginning of the series), but Remi has like 10 siblings and Cash has at least half a dozen and they're all paired off not to mention best friends and cousins. The book is constantly spouting off names like we're supposed to know who these people are and it was so hard to keep straight who was part of who's family or who was a friend.

The story itself starts with us just magically understanding that there was this whirlwind romance between Cash and Remi seven years prior that broke them both. Apparently they hooked up at one of the many brother's weddings (it was explained enough to make it obvious it was covered in a previous book, maybe?) but I don't see all the background on Remi and Cash being explained in prior books.

The story does randomly go back and forth to show the then and now via memories, but it just wasn't enough for me. They have this connection that I just didn't believe. There was a lot of repetition on this book also. Lots of the same things over and over sometimes reworded.

The blurb also mentioned a past they were both running from, but, honestly, I can't think of whatever it was that was in their past that they were running from unless it was their relationship that one summer.

The spice was nice, the many family/friends were funny, the story was still entertaining, so 3 stars. Will I go back and read the previous 3 books or continue on with the series? No.

Thank you, The Author Agency for this ARC.

[Flipping Nap Time · Rating 1 out of 5]

I made it through 52% of this book before deciding to speed read the rest and be done with it. I was anxiously anticipating Smooth as Whiskey! Cash and Remi had appearances in the last Valentine’s book and the couple seemed really promising! In reality, they are as boring as boring can be. The need to keep their relationship secret feels forced and unnecessary. Especially since everyone already knows they are together. At 52% of the book read, NOTHING had happened to move the story forward. Zip, zero, nada! It was just chapter after chapter of “secret” meetings in which they terribly failed at staying away from each other. The whole “Beckett is my brother and your best friend so we can’t be together because of that” was just cringe worthy. In this day and age, staying away from your soulmate because he is friends with your brother is just backwards and does not make for good storytelling. This book has somewhat spicy scenes but zero plot, which is not a combination I enjoy. Spice alone does not carry a book for me. Parish used to be one of my favorite authors, however her last two attempts at books have been total flops for me. What’s going on Parish? I really hope she get’s her writing groove back for A Not So Merry Nanny!

[Nicole Lavy · Rating 1 out of 5]

So far Bless Your Heart was the best of this bunch.
I was honestly expecting pining and heartache and a forbidden affair.
What I got was a female lead with no personality besides saying she’s Wednesday Addams but not giving that at all, a decent male lead who knew what he wanted and remained celibate (which I really appreciated), an almost nonexistent plot or main conflict, secrets that weren’t secrets at all, and no more.
All I gotta say is that at least this one wasn’t that long.

[Eta · Rating 2 out of 5]

So boring!
There’s no story.
Only imaginary issues that don’t exist and go on and on forever.
So boring.

[Alecia (The Staircase Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smooth As Whiskey by Lyra Parish is the fourth standalone romance novel in her Valentine Texas Series. This is the one I’ve been waiting on!! It’s now time for Remington ‘Remy’ Valentine to finally claim her happily ever after!! 

Remington Valentine has spent the past seven years hiding the scars wrapped around her heart, and although most of those scars were self inflicted, they still have her fearing the possibility of a forever with her infamous one who got away.

Cash Johnson gave his heart away a long time ago to someone he had no business messing around with. But you know the saying, the heart wants what the heart wants. And in Cash’s case, his heart fell hard for his best friend, Beckett’s younger sister, eight years ago.

Sadly, their time wasn’t for the past. Cash found himself building a reputation for himself as a veterinarian in a different town. 

Now, with Beckett’s help, he’s back in Valentine, Texas, building a new name for himself as the top vet in the county. Hopefully, he’ll end this chapter with a ring and an epic happily ever after. It’s his top mission to strip that fear of the unknown Remy has living deep in her heart. 

My thoughts:

I don’t know what it is about the Valentine Texas Series that has my heart falling desperately in love with every character featured. Lyra Parish continues to surprise me with her words and her storytelling skills. One thing is for certain, she’s quickly making her way to the top of my favorite authors list! I can’t get enough of this southern style, small town series.

I just finished Smooth As Whiskey, and one thing I noticed about this novel, and the ones that came before is that Lyra Parish has a skill of taking a trope and putting her own twist on it. I’m starting to become a fan of the age gap trope, and I’ve already been a fan of the best friend’s younger sister trope. This one came as a surprise to me and had me falling hard and fast for Cash Johnson and the ‘he falls first’ nature of this story. If those tropes are on your auto-buy list, believe me when I say you won’t be disappointed with Smooth As Whiskey!

Let’s dive into the characters. Starting with Remington ‘Remy’ Valentine. This woman is considered the ‘Wednesday Addams’ of the Valentine family. She’s basically the black sheep, keeping her secrets to her heart kind of character. I loved this facet to her personality. She seemed very outgoing on the outside, but deep inside, she lived with the fear of losing everything in the name of love. My heart broke for her over and over and over again. In all honesty, I wanted to reach into my Kindle and tell her that everything will work out! But, of course, I can’t do that because she’s a fictional character and all. At the end of the day, I had faith that Lyra Parish would give Remy her epic happily ever after, and I wasn’t disappointed.

And then we have Cash Johnson. Cash fell in love with Remy years ago, but that love wasn’t meant to play out at that moment in their lives. So he moved away and became a master at his craft of becoming a veterinarian. I loved the fact that Cash Johnson bared his heart in this novel. There was never a moment when I thought he was going to walk away. This man was in it for the long haul no matter the fight, the struggle, or the letdown. He was in it, and that is why Cash Johnson is my favorite hero to step foot in the Valentine Texas Series!! This man was so much more than I initially expected!!

Overall, this story of finding love and trying again was sweet and sometimes very spicy! I loved Remy’s emotional journey of finding her true heart, and I loved Cash’s journey of finding his patience. My heart is so happy right now, and that is why I gave Smooth As Whiskey a five-star rating! Any novel that can make my heart feel so much through the reading process deserves all the stars in the sky. A huge thank you goes to Lyra Parish for taking me on this emotionally wonderful journey! I can’t wait to see what’s coming next!!

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[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Your heart. Your mind. Your soul. I love everything about you." ❤️ Cash is the dream, isn't he?! He definitely has me in my heart feels.😲😲💓💓 {Deep sighh}

I was super excited, still am, that I got to read Remi and Cash's meant to be LOVE story. There was so much they went through to finally reach that pinnacle, their place where they belonged to each other. And it wasss long overdue!! Seven years. Seven!! But it's all in divine timing. It had to go down this path to get to where they both needed to be. What's meant to be will always find you. This is for every part of life, not just love. And it landed right smack dab with these two as soon as they were near one another.🎯 It's hottt y'all.🔥🔥🔥🔥 The simmer that brews from across the room. The looks. The longing!! It's not invisible. Anyone with EYES could see it!!👩🏻‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏻👀 Feel it too!!😄😄 But what happens when one person knows their ready, they feel it, but little doubts and fears creep in and it holds that person back? Even from the one person they want the most!😬

Our favorite moody Valentine, Remy, is dealing with her feelings. She's my fav.😉 That girl embraces her hard exterior with near quiet dignity, but still waters run deep, don't they? And when she deals with her overprotective brothers and her man, this girl runs right into the storm!🌪️🌪️ This is an emotional story of family and standing up with honesty to everyone on who you love. Even if your family has issues with it. Meaning her brothers. Everyone else knew. Again, anyone who saw them could see this.😁🙈 Remy had to feel comfortable to do that while not feeling like it's a weakness to do so. She had to open her heart and share her feelings. Be a rebel yes, but it's cool to let people in. Trust Cash. Get those emotions out, girll. Get your man! Lock him down!😝 Here's to forever.

Cash, who is a little older, a sexy honest cowboy veterinarian who knew, since wayyy back when, who his forever is suppose to be, he waited for his woman. This man waited people. Don't you just love an assertive man, who knows who he is, who he wants and needs, and is patient enough to actually wait?! Love Cash!! That's all I'm saying.🤣🤣 And the love letters!!😘 The sharing, their vulnerability only deepened their romantic connection more. It's super romantic. Letter writing needs to come back.💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌

The story ran smoothly and kept me totally invested. There's plenty of stargazing in a beautiful Texas sky, a tree house, dancing, the big beautiful Valentine family/friends, weddings, a baby announcement, some Easter eggs for future adventures, and yes, plenty of steam and naughtiness.💋💋🥵🥵💋💋 I highly recommend!!! Get your book ASAP! Love the book cover.❤️❤️❤️❤️ I can't wait to read the next one. Cheers to the horse Apollo!🐴 He knows why.🥃🥃

"The current of him constantly pulls me under. Cash is my bad habit." Nah Remy, it's good. He's very good!!❤️‍🔥

🎆Thank you to Ms Parish and Bookfunnel for an early book. This is my honest opinion on the story I read. Hurry. Go get this book!🎆

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remington Valentine fell in love with her older brother’s best friend, Cash Johnson, seven years ago. The six year age gap and Cash’s friendship with Beckett made Remi forbidden. They spent one hot secret summer together while Cash was home from college before heading off to veterinary school. Now, after finishing school and practicing in Houston for several years, Cash is back in Valentine, TX to stay. He’s opened a veterinary practice on the same property where Beckett owns and operates a horse training facility. Things are looking great for Cash. There’s just one thing missing – Remi. He’s never gotten over her, and one look at Remi tells him she’s not over him, either. He proves it the night of Harrison and Grace’s wedding when he kisses her. And, now that Grace is married, Remi needs a new roommate. Cash needs a place to live. They agree to be roommates for the summer to see what they have is lasting, before coming clean to Beckett, Harrison, and the rest of the Valentine clan.

I’ll be honest, I read this book TWICE before writing this review. I needed to absorb all that was Remi and Cash. I didn’t think I could love a couple more than Harrison and Grace, but Remi and Cash exceeded all of my expectations and then some. Remi was devastated after Cash left, but because they were a secret, she couldn’t very well share her feelings with her family. Instead, she decided to create a fake online boyfriend who broke her heart and put her off of relationships. Even though she tried, she just couldn’t get over Cash. Now that he’s back, Remi has resurrected her fake online “ex-boyfriend” to cover her new relationship with Cash. When Beckett finds out the “ex-boyfriend” who broke her heart is back, he enlists Cash to watch over Remi as her new roommate.

I love how Lyra made me fall in love with Remi and Cash. I could feel the longing in those moments when they were in a crowded room. I loved how Cash never pushed Remi to tell her family about them, allowing her to come to the realization that they were both all in. I loved the flashbacks, the letters they wrote to each other in the shared notebook, and all of the unsent letters Remi gave to Cash to show how much she loved and thought of him over all of those years apart. I truly loved everything about this couple, especially how surprised Remi was when every time she “came clean” about her relationship with Cash, that no one was surprised.

Keep writing, Lyra. I need more of the Valentine clan!