My Whiskey Redemption

The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch #5

by Melissa Foster

Birdie Whiskey has spent years watching love find everyone else. She has a successful chocolate business, an incredible family, and a full life. All that’s missing is someone to share it with. When she gets swept up in a single, unforgettable night with a mysterious stranger, she believes it’s finally her turn. But the man who knocks her off her feet is the last man her family would ever accept.

Four years ago Crew Hendricks shattered the Whiskey family and went to prison. Now he’s standing on Redemption Ranch, desperate to make amends for what he’s done and trying to forget the one woman he can never have.

Come along for the emotional ride as the Whiskeys’ belief in second chances is put to the test, and Birdie faces her toughest decision yet—stay loyal to her family or fight for the man she loves.

**
From New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster comes The Whiskeys: 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 Valley, 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
Love, Lies, and Whiskey
My Whiskey Redemption

**
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
His Wicked Ways
Talk Wicked to Me
Irresistably Wicked

**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 (Weston, Trusty, and Peaceful Harbor)
The Bradens & The Montgomerys
The Remingtons
The Ryders
Seaside Summers
Bayside Summers
The Steeles at Silver Island
The Silvers at Silver Island
Sugar Lake (Kindle Unlimited)
Harmony Pointe (KU)
Silver Harbor (KU)
Wild Billionaires After Dark
Bad Billionaires After Dark
Harborside Nights
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

"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." NYT Bestselling Author Brenda Novak

"She writes stories that are bound to break your heart but then mend it, that will inspire you and make you stronger. This book is further proof of that." — @_naoures93

"The Whiskey series has become my happy place." - Britt, Red Hatter Book Blog

"Their bantering was fun, their heart to hearts made mine melt and the smexy was HAWT.

Genres: Small Town Romance, Found Family, Contemporary, Forbidden Romance, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 6, 2026

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

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟, 3🌶️

If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and want to move to a ranch, this is the one.

Birdie Whiskey has always been the vibrant, sunshiny soul in the background, so seeing her finally claim her own spotlight was a total joy. She is successful and hilariously outspoken, yet you can feel the quiet loneliness she carries while watching everyone else find their person. When she gets swept off her feet by Crew, the connection is so electric and instant that I was completely hooked.

Crew is the kind of hero who breaks your heart and mends it all at once. He is raw and human, carrying the heavy weight of past mistakes that shattered the Whiskey family. Watching him fight for redemption while falling for the one woman he thinks he can’t have was an emotional gauntlet that had me clutching my chest. He loves Birdie with such deep, unyielding sincerity that it melted me into a puddle, making every look and touch feel incredibly meaningful.

The family conflict made this story stay with me because the healing felt so earned. There is no instant forgiveness here; instead, the messy, painful honesty of the Whiskeys makes the eventual peace feel beautiful and real. I was emotionally spent by the end, feeling like I’d just shared a deep conversation by a bonfire with dear friends.

Seriously, if anyone needs me, I’ll be busy booking ski lessons and hoping to run into my own Viking.

~~~~

Special thanks to Melissa Foster & The Author Agency for providing this Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. ✨

[(Miranda) LovesCozyReadsAndCoffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Whiskey Redemption
The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at
Redemption Ranch - Book 5
Melissa Foster
ARC Review

This one was so hard to write… I’m genuinely sad that the Redemption Ranch Series has come to an end, but at the same time I’m overflowing with gratitude for this incredible series!! Back in 2024, I picked up my very first Melissa Foster book, The Trouble with Whiskey, and it completely pulled me into all the other amazing worlds Melissa has created. So saying goodbye to Redemption Ranch really does sting… but WOW, what a way to go out … BIRDIE. FREAKING. WHISKEY. 🥃🖤

"And then there's every guy's inability to keep up. They're either overwhelmed by me or they want to fix me, and both are equally exhausting," Birdie exclaimed. "Half the time they're like, you're too much, and I'm literally just standing there being delightful."

I’ve been rooting for Birdie to find her love since book one. I adore her “this is me, take it or leave it” attitude. She’s bold, loud, outspoken, fiercely loyal to her people, and unapologetically herself … a total spitfire. But in My Whiskey Redemption, we get to see a deeper, more vulnerable side of her, and honestly? It made me love her even more.

Redemption Ranch has always been about second chances, and seeing how that theme plays out here is equal parts emotional, frustrating, and completely real. Watching Birdie stand firm in what she believes in while still opening her heart to love and forgiveness was so powerful and heartwarming.

"Birdie Whiskey, you listen to me.
You are meant to be adored openly, consistently, and thoroughly, and I'm going to do everything within my power to make that possible."

And Crew? Absolute perfection for Birdie. The way he shows up, stays steady, and refuses to give up on them was everything. Seeing him open his heart and truly put in the work to earn forgiveness? SWOON!! So sweet, so genuine, and so worth it.

"Not everything that's broken can be fixed," Tiny added. "Sometimes you've got to learn how to stand in the wreckage without becoming a part of it."

And I have to talk about the Whiskey family, because it just wouldn’t be right not to! The love and the unwavering support … it’s everything. Tiny and Wynnie are hands-down some of the best parents ever, patient, wise, endlessly loving, and always ready to welcome more people into their big, beautiful family.

I’m definitely sad to say goodbye, but I’m also so excited for what’s next in Salvation Falls!!

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

This has been one of the more emotional series by Melissa that I have experienced thus far, and that’s saying something because the amount of tears I have shed experiencing her stories would probably fill an ocean! This story almost broke me in the best of ways!

There is just so much life in these pages that it is staggering. This isn’t an easy story. It’s not easy on our MMC and it’s not easy on our FMC. It’s not easy on the family and it’s not easy on the reader. It’s also one of the most profoundly beautiful stories of redemption I have read in a long while. It obviously shouldn’t be easy. I just love it when Melissa pulls out all the stops for a story and delivers beautifully!

At its core, this is a romance journey between two unlikely people because of circumstances that happened in the past, not because they don’t “fit” together. Make sense? So now it becomes a story about choices, about family, about forgiveness, about atonement, and about big love. No one writes big love like Melissa Foster. Believe it.

I loved every moment of Birdie and Crew’s journey. Every single one. Even the ones that made me twitch! Everything was necessary. Nothing was “dramatic” (iykyk) and it all made sense. Birdie’s personality sparked off the pages as it has been since the beginning of this series and I am just so darn happy she has found the one in Crew!

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

5⭐️

‘Melissa Foster has gone and poured me a double shot of Whiskey with the latest addition to her Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch series. It goes down as smooth as a Birdie’s call, with a hell of Viking of an aftertaste that will leave you craving more after every sip.’ - The British Bibliophile

┏━━*︎.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*︎━━┓
⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀📖 𝐴𝑅𝐶 𝑅𝐸𝑉𝐼𝐸𝑊 📖
┗━━*︎.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*︎━━┛

My Whiskey Redemption is book six in Melissa Foster's The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch series. This is the latest instalment which follows its predecessors, The Trouble With Whiskey, For The Love of Whiskey, Freeing Sully (a novella), A Taste of Whiskey and Love, Lies and Whiskey.

Each of the books in this outstanding series can be read as a standalone book, but each interconnect with one another. You can begin your reading at any point in this series, but if you start later on, you will come across ‘spoilers’ as to what has already come before in a previous book. Such as who ends up with who, what happens to which character and such other things of the like.

It is recommend that you begin with book one to avoid any potential spoilers, and have the best reading experience.

This is a series in which I have been fortunate to have been following from the start with book one, The Trouble With Whiskey, as have many of my fellow readers. By now, I am more than familiar and am very fond of the burly, bears of bikers that are the Dark Knights of Redemption Ranch. It has been such a joy to see the reactions from my fellow readers who have also come to know and love them—as well as those who’ve joined the series at some point along the way—, and holding out our hands in the kindest way for more of them once we’ve finished the latest book to release. When a series has a lot of or everything you love about biker/small town/friends-to-lovers/second chance/strangers-to-lovers/forbidden love and more in it, you’ll never tire of consuming book after book within it. Though if you’d like to go back to where it all began for the Whiskeys, grab a copy Searching For Love in the Braden's & Montgomerys series. Alternatively, you can catch up on the other branches of the Whiskeys, take a look at both The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor and The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Bayside.

Coming back around to the current branch of the Whiskeys, The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch kicked off with book one to one of the most impressive starts for a series that I have had the pleasure of reading. I knew from that moment on that whatever and how ever many books followed it, that it was going to be a series worth reading, multiple times, consuming in as many formats as possible and talking all about it online to all with an ear ready to listen to how infatuated we are with it. Each path taken by the set of main characters within each book is truly worth walking down, and you’ll find yourself wanting to walk their paths again, and again, and again. The best roads, after all, are well travelled.

Now it's time to travel down another not with a bad boy biker, but a badass, bright and bubbly baker and her Viking.

Birdie Whiskey has spent the last several years of her life watching everyone around her find and fall in love with their person. Although she has a full life with a successful chocolate business and an incredibly loving family, she’s missing someone in her life to share it all with.

When on the slopes, she gets swept up unexpectedly off her feet—literally—, by a mysterious man who she then spends a single, unforgettable night with. After all her years of waiting for someone to come along, the is finally opening her mind, heart and soul to believing that this is her turn at last to secure her person. Only, the self-same man who not only knocked her legs out from under her is the last person, on the surface, that her family would ever consider accepting as part of her life or theirs.

Crew Hendricks, aka ‘Ragnar’, aka ‘Viking’, made the mistake of his life four years ago when he shattered the lives of the Whiskeys and as such, went to prison for his crime. Four years on from that almost-tragically fatal day, he’s no longer in prison and finds himself standing on the grounds of Redemption Ranch, more desperate than he’s ever been in his life, seeking to make amends for what he’s done while trying his best to put out of his mind and forget the one woman he cannot have. Ever.

Will the road to redemption for Crew be smooth? Far from it. It's as emotional for him as it will for Birdie and those around her, as second chances are put to the test and toughest decisions are faced.

For Birdie, especially. For she will have to choose to either stay loyal to her family, or fight for the man she loves.

My Whiskey Redemption is most definitely a read that has a highly appropriate title in regard to the story therewithin. Melissa always writes stories that tie the plot well with an appropriate title that does it justice, but this one was a perfect nail-on-the-head story/title moment. The theme of redemption shines through bright and clear--which is again highly appropriate given the setting where most of the story takes place--, among the many things that I was able to take away while getting to know and love both Birdie, Crew, and the number of familiar side/supporting characters that have been dotted in and throughout the series and of this latest instalment. Everyone is worthy of a shot at redemption, some more so than others depending upon the circumstances, and Crew most definitely fit that bill. As did Birdie, in her own way. Here is a carefully and creatively crafted story where in which we can champion not one, but two people. We had the opportunity to cheer on and root for the happiness, and redemption, of two most deserving people who not only needed it for their own lives, but for them as a couple and how they can continue to help those around them when their redemption has been found.

Because with the Whiskeys and those associated with them, there's always still room to help out others. That's the magic of the ranch, after all.

One of the two main characters who was part-responsible for making this magic happen is of course, the one and only Birdie Whiskey. She's the Whiskey with the wild personality, says anything that comes to her mind--which can get incredibly dirty--, is unlucky in the dating scene, full of fire that cannot be put out, a late-blooming, mind-wandering, colourfully passionate soul that I've always loved to see in other stories, come into her own here in this one. She's a truly unique soul and one that lucked out when her path quite literally crossed with the one man who could not only get to know and love all that she is, but had no desire to change her at all in any way. She is a bird not meant to be caged, but to be left to fly free and admired by all and any who are privileged to see her soar. Highly relatable, she is by far one of my favourite female characters that Melissa has ever written, and I certainly won't be forgetting her in a hurry.

Neither will I be forgetting the man of the hour, Crew Hendricks. Firstly, it is a genius bit of writing on Melissa's part to tie in his character from earlier on in the series. It was a full-circle moment that I appreciated greatly because it means we were already aware of him in a way, though we didn't really knowhim, until given the opportunity to do so here as he walked his own path to redemption. A path that was far from easy to walk down. Laden with guilt over what he's done in the path, he's on a one man mission to write all of his wrongs despite the setbacks he knows he'll encounter which will make his tasks hard to accomplish. He's working with so little against so much, including a less than desirable series of events which leads up to the biggest mistake of his life t0-date. He is, however, not a stranger to hard work and works with others to battle his inner demons and those who've demonised him, to hold within his grasp that silver lining and beacon that is his well-deserved redemption.

Birdie and Crew could not be more perfectly suited for one another. They were not needed to complete one another in the way of being the one to make up for what the other lacks, but instead to love every piece of the other person--regardless how flawed, perfect or in need of nurturing in order to grow--with their whole hearts. Rather like sunflowers, if you come to think of it. They were each other's sunflower that needed loving and nurturing in order to grow, strengthen and stand tall and proud in the sun.

That is, when they're not in colder climates which require a different set of footwear and/or gear to traverse.

The second full-circle moment that closed off this read was perfection personified, and one hundred percent swoonworthy. I might have to hit the slopes myself if it means I'll snag me my own Viking. Booking tickets NOW!

Thank you Melissa, for everything Birdie and Crew. Stories like theirs solidify why you are a top-tier author and a favourite personally of mine.

Here's to our next sip of Whiskey, and for it to be our Salvation!

[Julie Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I love it when a book takes me by surprise, I have loved Blaire/Birdie since we first met her. She is a force, full of sass and bravado. I knew it was going to take a special someone to be her match. To appreciate her for her.

Crew/Ragnar is that special someone, he listens, he banters. He is her equal. When their relationship is exposed, she fights for him. She is in his corner against her family, because their dislike of him is bigger than their relationship.

Redemption Ranch is about forgiveness and second chances. Will Crew get his?

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Birdie Whiskey is a force of nature. She has been one of my favorite secondary characters in the Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch series. Birdie is absolutely a fitting nickname for her because Blaire, her given name, doesn’t truly fit this sunshiny personality. Birdie is outrageous in the most amazing way. She will need someone who can appreciate and accept her for all that goodness.

My Whiskey Redemption brings a smile to your face for a good majority of the book. The way that Crew, aka Ragnar, meets Birdie will have you shaking your head and chuckle. There are some emotional moments that will get you in the feels. My heart would go in a ride just anticipating the moment when Birdie and Crew’s relationship comes out to everyone. I just love the Whiskey family. They “don’t love halfway” or do “anything halfway.”

The magic of Redemption Ranch has finally arrived for Birdie. My Whiskey Redemption is a fitting name for this book. Birdie is the best person for Crew and Crew is the best fit for Birdie. Their story will be a great ride and leave a smile in your heart.

Thank you to Melissa Foster for the advance reader copy. I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily. I received no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

[gabreadsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved! Every book in this series has been a masterpiece and Birdie’s story was no different.

Birdie & Crew were for the romantics. Their meet-cute was amazing and you felt their chemistry instantly. They were so comfortable and accepting of each other that they truly seemed like soulmates. Their connection was undeniable! Besides Dare & Billie, Birdie and Crew may be my favorite couple from the Whiskeys

The plot was great too. I am a huge fan of the forbidden love trope so this worked for me. I wasn’t sure how they were going to resolve the conflict with Birdie’s family. Crew had a tough road towards redemption and by the end I felt that it was earned.

The steam was also fantastic (but isn’t it always when it comes to Melissa Foster?). She just knows how to make each couple feel different. These two were very hot and couldn’t resist each other at all. Let’s just saw there’s a lot of chocolate involved.

Seeing the entire family and the ranch one last time was also special. Checking in on previous book couples is always a treat. This book was a nice closing chapter for this family. Bittersweet but so worth it.

Cannot recommend this series enough, but this can be read as a standalone if you want.

Rating: 5/5
🌶️ Rating: 3.5/5
Release: 05/06/26

[Emma (thecaffeinatedbookaholic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crew & Birdie are EVERYTHING. This was one of those books that I devoured in a day, staying up into the middle of the night because I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely devoured this one. I was living for their banter–they had me cackling from the start!! I loved the way Crew listened to all of Birdie’s rambles, letting her jump from one topic to another, never making her feel like she was “too much.” I loved the way Birdie fought for him, the way she was someone to finally be in his corner. Crew put in the work and wasn’t afraid to do what he had to to even attempt earning forgiveness, and his story brought allllll the feels. I adore Crew & Birdie together because they’re both able to be seen and accepted exactly as they are, and they both deserve that. I absolutely loved every second of this one!!

[ARC review]

[Read All About It · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He’s my Ragnar, and I’m his Trouble.”

Birdie Whiskey, finally gets her own HEA. I’ve been waiting for this one for a while now. She is a whirlwind of energy and her own uniques.

Birdie was his kryptonite. She’d woken the best parts of him.

Crew Hendricks and Birdie meet under crazy circumstances and when they came together again things are total chaos. Huge secrets are revealed.

“I’m just saying you’re high-voltage, Bird,”

Redemption Ranch is a place of healing. I’ve loved every story in this series and this is the best of all.

[Swati Limaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic end to the Redemption Ranch series!

What a perfect end to the Redemption Ranch series! The range of emotions I went through while reading this book was crazy! My heart broke and mended several times while reading Birdie and Crew’s story. While I’m going to miss the Whiskeys at Redemption Ranch, I’m sure I’ll see them in other stories.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa's shop / KINDLE / APPLE / NOOK / KOBO / GOOGLE / PAPERBACK / AUDIO



Birdie wants what she's seen time and again happen to her family - the love of a lifetime. She knows she's a lot to take in, and perhaps it's why she hasn't found her soulmate. Then one literal run in with a gorgeous Viking Ragnar lookalike, and she's smitten. But a ghosting means she has no hope of seeing him again. Until she does. Now he's at her family's Redemption Ranch, looking down at his past and hoping for redemption. They can't be together - her family would never forgive her. But is love more important than what her family thinks?



Crew made the worst mistake of his life, and he paid for it. But now he's out and he wants to make amends if at all possible. He's working at Redemption Ranch, and some of the family is warming to him. But if they knew he and Birdie were in a secret relationship, they'd probably all start treating him the way her brother does - with the contempt and anger he deserves. Can Crew have both love and forgiveness? Or does he have to choose?



I've been looking forward to Birdie's story for a long time. And boy is it worth the wait! She thinks she's too much, but she's honestly, perfect the way she is. She found her soulmate in Crew, the man who thinks she's perfect the way she is, too. All of the Whiskeys have that heart, but I think Birdie and Crew just might have the biggest heart of all. There was a lot of pain and healing they had to work through, but in the end, it was so worth it to see Birdie stand up to her brother, and the rest of the family welcome Crew into their fold. I may have shed a tear or two as they tried to keep things a secret, but denying their real feelings all the while in hopes of it hurting less if Birdie had to choose her family. I love the Whiskeys, all of the generations, and Birdie and Crew have just landed themselves in the top spot in my heart.



ARC provided by the author for an honest review.

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[Patti Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved My Whiskey Redemption by Melissa Foster; it is an incredible forbidden love story. It is the fifth and final book in her The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch series. It filled me with a rollercoaster of emotions that no words can accurately describe. Melissa Foster continues to show that she is an amazing storyteller and I love that she continues to write the books that I love to read. I was hooked from the first few pages, and it was impossible to put My Whiskey Redemption down and I loved every moment on every page. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another? Birdie and Crew are my favorite Melissa Foster couple. I really enjoy how the book is told from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting the insight and feelings from the different characters. My Whiskey Redemption is the story of Crew Hendricks and Blaire “Birdie” Whiskey, chocolatier and co-owner of Divine Intervention. Redemption Ranch is located in Hope Valley, Colorado is the Whiskey family’s second-chance ranch where they rescue horses and give troubled souls the help, support, and therapy they need to rehabilitate their lives. Birdie and Crew meet while snowboarding when Birdie crashes into him. Crew carries her down the rest of the slope on his back after she injures her ankle. They do not exchange names or numbers. Birdie calls him “Ragnar” after a guy on a show Vikings, and Crew calls her “Trouble.” After spending the night together, Crew finds her phone that has been exploding with text messages and realizes that she is Birdie Whiskey, leaving her and ghosting her. Crew was responsible for the accident that injured Dare and Billie, leaving Billie with memory issues. Crew was released from prison a few weeks before meeting Birdie. Crew heads to Redemption Ranch to apologize to Dare and Billie. He changes his appearance, by cutting his hair, but does not receive a warm welcome from Dare, but Birdie’s parents Wynona and Tiny offer Crew a job, a place to live and counselling sessions. Crew has no desire to return to his former career in wealth management. Crew tries to avoid Birdie, knowing the burden a relationship with him would have on the Whiskeys. As Birdie and Crew spend time together, their feelings for each other develop into something more and quickly heat up. Crew secretly helps Birdie learn and understand the importance of the accounting behind the business. They keep their relationship a secret from everyone, especially Birdie’s family. They have not been very welcoming toward Crew. I love their trip to Timber Crest where they could act like a couple. I love how Birdie tells Crew that should would rather have a secret relationship with him and sneak around rather than not have a chance to hold him. I love the chemistry between Birdie and Crew. Conversation between Crew and Birdie flows so easily, with innuendos and playful banter, and Birdie constantly flirting with dirty talking Crew. I love that Birdie and Crew share secrets with each other that they have not shared before, especially their shared stories about the North Star. The secrets that Crew shares with Birdie are truly heartbreaking: the impact that the death of his younger brother, Robbie had on their family, and what happened in Crew’s personal live on the night before the accident involving Dare and Billie. A plot twist threatens their relationship. I love everything that they do to resolve the plot twist. Especially when Birdie confronts her family and reveals Crew’s secrets. I love all the heart-to-heart conversations that take place between Birdie, Crew, and the Whiskeys. Another favorite part is all the work does Crew does with therapy to learn to forgive himself for the accident, and how a simple suggestion by Birdie changes his relationship with his mother. I love how the Whiskeys embrace Crew as “family.” My favorite part is the charm bracelet that Crew gives to Birdie and the significance of the charms, especially the one that is secretly engraved, so that she always has a part of him with her and how she puts one of the charms on his chain with the North Star, so a part of her is with him. My Whiskey Redemption is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming moments that I have come to love and expect in a Melissa Foster love story as well as the poignant and bittersweet moments, plot twists and surprises that filled this page turner. As well as those moments that make me laugh. I love how Melissa Foster always manages to create the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong, sassy woman on her own, to balance out the sexy, swoon worthy man. My favorite part is how Melissa Foster incorporates the picture on the cover and the title of the book into the love story. Another favorite part is the epilogue and Crew’s proposal, the location, her brother’s involvement, and the significance of the engagement ring that Crew had made for to Birdie. I loved his proposal; it had me swooning. The epilogue was the perfect ending of their love story. I love how both Birdie and Crew change because of their love for one another and all the changes that they made in their lives to have a life with each other, because of the magic of the ranch. I love how Crew’s relationship with Birdie’s siblings’ changes throughout the story. I love how Melissa Foster introduces Rebel Whiskey the next Whiskey to fall in love. I love the characters and the family dynamic in My Whiskey Redemption the characters feel like family and friends. I enjoyed all the interactions between the Whiskey siblings; it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? I thoroughly enjoyed My Whiskey Redemption. It was an incredible farewell to the Whiskeys at Redemption Ranch. Highly recommend this incredible forbidden love story and am so looking forward to reading the books in the next series. Received an advanced copy from the author.

[Leticia (jerseygirlsbookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Not everything that’s broken can be fixed. Sometimes you’ve got to learn how to stand in the wreckage without becoming a part of it."
I could say Melissa saved the best for last… if all the books in this series weren't phenomenal. As someone who's often been told she's "too much," Birdie and Crew's HEA meant the world to me. What a book!

"What’s that saying? Always a third wheel, never a ride or die? Story of my life."
Birdie Whiskey is a firecracker. She’s her own woman and she loves who she is… Unfortunately, not many people—especially men—can really handle her. Which is why she finds herself third-wheeling one weekend.
And while she’s filming in the snow, she literally runs into a guy who’s snowboarding.

"Want me to film you now? Show all your fanboys how you swerved into my path just so you could meet me?"
He’s not just a guy, though. He’s built like a Viking and gorgeous like one too. But it’s not just the physical side—she doesn’t know him at all, but for some reason she feels safe with him. So they go out, they hang out, and they talk.
No names are exchanged. She’s his Trouble, he’s her Ragnar.

"I know I’m a lot. I warned you."
"I didn’t say that, and I sure as hell don’t feel it."
And it’s perfect. Birdie’s always been told she’s too much, but Crew doesn’t think so. He finds her honesty refreshing, he loves her sass, and he likes everything about her. Even when she almost gets them in trouble in someone else’s hot tub.
She’s everything he’s ever needed, he’s everything she never saw coming.

"Lean back on your hands and watch me ruin you for all other men."
Unsurprisingly, they’re fire together. But throughout that first night together, there’s a sense of permanence. Whatever they have doesn’t seem like only a one-time thing.
It feels a lot like they found each other when they most needed it.
Until he leaves her the next morning when he finds out who she is.

"How can you even want to be near me after what I did to your family?"
"How can I not after what you’ve been through?"
Crew’s done something bad in his past, and it has to do with one of her brothers. He’s freshly out of prison, and he wants to make amends. Which is why he finds himself at Redemption Ranch.
And while Dare, her brother, is not willing to forgive and forget, he finds people there who are. Who understand.
And damn it, the found family at the ranch is only outmatched by the magic that lives there.

"I’m so fucking into you, I can barely see straight when we’re together. But I don’t want to be the guy who comes over and hides with you."
Birdie is surprised to find him there, but as usual in Melissa’s books, there’s no shortage of communication. And they know this can’t be. He’s hurt her family in a way he knows he can never make up for, and they won’t be okay with her dating him.
At the same time, they both have to deal with the fact that they’ll see each other all the time. It was frustrating beyond belief to see how perfect they are for each other, wanting to push them closer and not being able to.

"I’d walk through hell for this woman."
"I think you just did."
Theirs is not an easy journey. They have to deal with judgy people, they have to sneak around, they have to pretend they’re not falling for each other… It's heartwrenching but so worth it.
I fell in love with them both. I fell in love with the ranch all over again, and I wish we’d all have the chance to spend some time there. They give their love freely and envelop you in it.

"I came here hoping to make amends for what I’d done. I didn’t expect to find a life that wasn’t defined by it, a woman I can’t live without, or a sense of family I didn’t realize I needed."
Birdie and Crew’s is the kind of love that offers redemption and a second chance. One that heals you. One that shows you that, for the right person, you will only ever be right.

[Lisa Broadman · Rating 5 out of 5]

For many of us, we met Birdie Whiskey back in Zev and Carly’s book. She was such a wonderful character that you definitely remembered her! Then came Redemption Ranch and she is still someone that is difficult to forget! She’s such a sunny, strong and positive person that you just knew she would need someone strong and special who would be able to handle her and not dim her light. Welp, Crew turned out to be just that guy and their story was SUCH a satisfying read!

Crew Hendricks is a little lost - his past is full of heartbreak, anger and regret. The man that meets Birdie while snowboarding is not the man that he used to be. Fresh out of prison after four years, he’s trying to figure out who he is now and how to pick up the pieces of his life. The only thing that he knows is that he desperately wants to make amends to the Whiskey family for the terrible mistake he made years ago.

Crew is incredibly brave to walk onto Redemption Ranch to ask for forgiveness from the family of the couple that he nearly killed. While his reception was mixed by the Whiskey’s it was clear, that no matter what, Dare couldn’t stand the sight of him and wouldn’t forgive him. I loved that Crew is determined to do the hard things so that he can live with himself. Tiny and Winnie were incredibly generous to Crew and gave him a helping hand that no one understood – including Crew!

Birdie met Crew and pretty much fell for him that first night all the while not knowing who he was to her family. Once she discovers his true identity, Birdie is forced to confront her feelings because she knows how her family will react to seeing her with him. I thought this choice was pivotal for Birdie’s character. Her strength and determination to fight for what she wants made me admire her so much because you just know that the fight was going to be rough. Her path to true love and her own HEA was very hard fought but SO gratifying to read!

This was a very emotional read with emotions ranging the WHOLE way! I felt everything and loved each one. This story was about second chances, forgiveness and courage – each of our main characters experience all of this and still choose love. I loved that Birdie wasn’t ‘too much’ for Crew – she was just right!

I have LOVED Redemption Ranch and our Whiskeys, they’re simply magic! Each story and character has resonated with my heart and makes me wish that I could visit so that I can see and meet everyone in person! The side character that really melted my heart in every story was Tiny (though Gus was a pretty close second!)! He is such an incredible man, husband and father. He gave his family everything! Taught them to love deeply and live true. What an incredible gift! I’ll miss Redemption Ranch but am so looking forward to more Whiskeys anywhere else! Bravo Ms. Foster!

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC reçu en échange d’un avis honnête

J’adore Melissa Foster et surtout cette série, j’ai donc été ravie d’avoir la chance de recevoir l’ARC de ce cinquième et dernier tome. On suit ici Birdie, la plus jeune de la famille Whiskey. Elle a un fort caractère et est très exhubérante ce qui a tendance à faire fuire les hommes. Birdie désespère un peu de rencontrer l’homme de sa vie surtout quand elle voit ses frères et soeur construire leurs familles. Mais lors d’une sortie en ski elle rentre littéralement dans Crew et entre eux l’alchimie est immédiate et indéniable. Ils passent une nuit torride et Birdie pense qu’elle a enfin sa chance jusqu’à ce qu’elle découvre que Crew est l’homme que sa famille n’accepter jamais. Car quatre ans auparavant, Crew a détruit la famille Whiskey et est allée en prison. Maintenant il revient au Redemption Ranch et est désespéré de faire amende honorable pour ce qu’il a fait et tenter d’oublier la seule femme qu’il ne pourra jamais avoir…

J’ai adoré ce dernier tome qui a été un gros coup de coeur.

D’abord parce que les personnages sont absoluments géniaux. Birdie est vraiment drôle et j’ai vraiment beaucoup aimé son caractère original et exhubérant. C’est aussi une grande romantique mais elle ne se laisse pas marcher sur les pieds pour autant lorsqu’elle recherche son prince charmant. Mais lorsqu’elle va croiser la route de Crew sa loyauté envers sa famille va être mise à rude épreuve… Ce dernier est tout aussi génial. Je l’ai trouvé très touchant et j’ai beaucoup aimé son caractère. Il a fait une erreur quatre ans plus tôt, il le sait et est prêt à tout pour se faire pardonner. De plus son histoire est très touchante et apporte une certaine profondeur à ce personnage. J’aime aussi l’attention qu’il donne à Birdie et sa façon d’être avec elle. Cela donne une relation hyper touchante mais loin d’être facile au vu du passif de Crew avec la famille Whiskey…
Cela va amener pas mal de remous et permet d’en savoir plus sur les Whiskeys mais aussi de retrouver les personnages des tomes précédents et de voir ce qu’ils sont devenus.

Avec tout ceci la trame est tout aussi géniale et intéressante. Divers sujets sont abordés de façon plutôt juste et amènent des émotions diverses qui font que l’on ne s’ennuie pas un seul instant. J’ai lu ce roman très rapidement tellement j’avais du mal à le lâcher car je voulais absolument savoir comment aller évoluer la relation entre Birdie et Crew. Bien qu’elle ne soit pas simple cette lecture m’a réchauffée le coeur et j’ai refermé ce livre avec un grand sourire. Il n’y a pas à dire Melissa Foster sait vraiment créer des pépites et même après plus d’une centaine de livres lus de cette autrice, je n’ai jamais été déçue une seule fois. Et cela ne me donne que plus envie de continuer à lire ses oeuvres. J’attends d’ailleurs avec impatience la sortie de son prochain roman en août pour sa série « The Silver at Silver Island ».

En attendant je ne peux que très fortement recommander ce livre si vous aimez les romances avec des arcs de rédemption et des personnages aussi forts que touchants.

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[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Whiskey Redemption is the fifth book in the Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch series by Melissa Foster. If you are familiar with this series, we finally get Birdie's story and it does not disappoint! Though it can be read as a standalone. I highly recommend reading the other books in this series to get the most from this book.
Birdie Whiskey has a personality that is larger than life and wants nothing more than to find love the same way she has watched her siblings find their forever person. She has been told too many times that she is" too much" and wonders if she will ever find the perfect guy who will love her for her and not try to change her. She meets a perfect guy while snowboarding and they spend the night together. They never exchange names - he's 'Ragnar' and she's 'Trouble’. In the morning she wakes up to find him gone, no note left. She's disappointed and even after returning home, she can't stop thinking about her mysterious viking.
As she soon learns, her mystery man has a name, and a history, and is someone all the Whiskeys know - and not in a good way. Crew Hendricks made the unfortunate decision to get behind the wheel of his vehicle after drinking and it almost cost Dare (Birdie’s brother) & Billie (Dare’s wife) their lives. He went to prison for this and now that he's out, he is lost. He shows up at Redemption Ranch to apologize to Dare, Billie and their families and it doesn't go well.
But this is Redemption Ranch and ultimately Crew is given the opportunity to stay at the ranch and rediscover himself. Not everyone on the ranch is happy about it and I, personally, found it very hypocritical of many of the Whiskeys when it came to their views of Crew. Yes, his choices hurt their family but they have spent years claiming everyone deserves a chance at redemption but weren't willing to give Crew that same benefit. Crew works very hard working at the ranch and on himself, trying to find a sense of peace and to find a way back to the guy he used to be before he lost his way. Meanwhile he also starts spending time (secretively) with Birdie as they get to know each other and help each other work through their own individual challenges.
But, as we all know, nothing stays a secret forever and eventually theirs is revealed and they must deal with that fallout.
I loved this story and appreciated how well all the difficulties and challenges they faced were dealt with. Birdie couldn't be more deserving of her happily ever after and Crew is absolutely perfect for her and she is absolutely perfect for him.

[Linda Ketter · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Whiskey Redemption is the sixth, and final, book in the Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch series and all I can say is we finally get Birdie's book.

Birdie is the youngest of the Whiskey children and has always been an enigma. She dresses to make herself happy and does not care what people think. Instead of working at Redemption Ranch, she has her own business in town. She is very creative and loves coming up with new chocolate ideas and marketing ideas for her business. She loves her family and will stand up and fight for what she believes in.

Crew childhood is full of strife. He is the oldest of two boys born to his parents. His younger brother always looked up to him. But when fate steps in, his family would never be the same. Crew spent his teens and early adult years trying to make his father proud. He tried to emulate him. Until one night when everything in Crew's life changed.

Birdie and Crew meet in the cutest way possible. When they lock eyes, all she sees is her Viking Ragnar. And all he sees is Trouble. Both will continue to live up to those names throughout the book and throughout their lives.

When Crew realizes who Trouble is related to, reality sets in for him. Although he is missing her, Crew must do some hard things first before he can seek her out. But fate has other plans.

Crew and Birdie cannot seem to stay away from each other. They think they are being sneaky, but in a small town there are no secrets.

Crew and Birdie spend a lot of time together. He is teaching her the financial side of the business in terms she can understand. That is something no one else seems to be able to do. When at the ranch, she finds a reason to call him out or to touch him. But people notice things. And their secret will only be safe for so long.

When the showdown occurs, will Crew walk away to ensure Birdie does not lose her family? Will Birdie stand up and fight for the man she loves, even against the wishes of others in her family? Will this divide the family, or bring them closer together?

Let me start by saying that Birdie does not disappoint. I was worried about who she could be paired up with that would be deserving of her. Ms Foster outdid herself with finding Crew. Absolute best pairing ever.

Birdie is full of sass, but she loves hard. Crew has a shadowed past, but he can't help but fall for this amazing woman. He gives her the best name ever, Trouble. She is a troublemaker. Not in a bad way, but in a fun way. She likes to have fun, so buckle up buttercup, you are in for a ride.

Crew is learning to live with what has happened in his life. The mistakes he has made and the losses he has endured. And Birdie is the reason why. She listens to him. She is involved in his life and his feelings. She is THE ONE for him and he is THE ONE for her.

Enjoy the ride. The good times far outweigh the bad. The emotions will make you cry and make you laugh. But Trouble and Ragnar are a pair made for the ages.

[Sandy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5stars-MY WHISKEY REDEMPTION is the sixth instalment in Melissa Foster’s contemporary, adult THE WHISKEYS: DARK KNIGHTS AT REDEMPTION RANCH erotic, romance series, a spin off set in the author’s numerous interconnected series. This is chocolate maker Blaire ‘ Birdie’ Whiskey, and Crew Hendricks’ story line. MY WHISKEY REDEMPTION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Crew and Birdie) MY WHISKEY REDEMPTION follows in the wake of a one-night stand wherein Birdie would meet a man with connections to her family. Four years earlier, Crew was involved in a drunk driving accident, and sentenced to prison for his actions. Fast forward to present day, a one-night stand with a woman he doesn’t know ends when he discovers her connections to the man whose live he almost destroyed. Risking everything, Crew is hoping to atone for his sins, never expecting forgiveness from anyone involved but Crew struggles with his attraction to our story line heroine, a woman who has every right to push Crew Hendricks out of her life.

The world building focuses on redemption, atonement, and salvation. Crew served his time but our hero needs to prove he is not the man who almost destroyed their lives. A single mistake, a heart breaking and abusive past, leaves Crew battling his own demons but his need to apologize comes with the emotional fall-out of having fallen for a woman who could break his heart, a woman too close to everyone involved.

The relationships between Birdie and Crew is one of mutual attraction. A one-night stand in which Birdie is ghosted by a man she calls Ragnar but a man who is suddenly aware of her familial connections. Struggling to keep his distance, Crew and Birdie embark on a secret affair, that once revealed, may threaten any chance of happiness for our story line couple. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

As per Melissa’s style of writing, there is another large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and familiar secondary and supporting characters including Birdie’s tight-knit family.

MY WHISKEY REDMEPTION is a story of penance and acceptance, family and relationships, recognition and love. The character driven premise is emotional and dramatic; the romance is seductive and edgy; the characters are desperate, dogged and tenacious.

copy supplied for review

[Kylie Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Whiskey Redemption by Melissa Foster completely owned me. This isn’t just a romance—it’s a story about healing, second chances, and the kind of love that doesn’t come easy, but is worth every scar it touches.

Birdie completely drew me in. She carries so much beneath the surface—strength, vulnerability, and a quiet resilience that feels incredibly real. There’s nothing overdone about her pain or her growth; it unfolds in a way that feels honest, like someone slowly learning how to breathe again after holding it together for far too long.

And then there’s Crew. He’s not your typical polished hero—he’s rough around the edges, guarded, and deeply human. What I loved most about him is how his love isn’t perfect, but it’s steady and intentional. He doesn’t try to “fix” Birdie—he meets her where she is, and that makes their connection feel genuine rather than idealized.

Together, Birdie and Crew have this quiet, magnetic chemistry. It’s not just about attraction—it’s about trust, timing, and the courage to let someone see the parts of you you’d rather keep hidden. Their relationship builds in a way that feels earned, and that made every emotional moment hit that much harder.

What added an extra layer of depth for me was Birdie’s family and their journey toward forgiveness. Crew’s past isn’t something that can be brushed aside, and watching her family wrestle with that—protectiveness, hesitation, even doubt—felt incredibly authentic. Their eventual willingness to open their hearts to him isn’t instant or easy, and that’s what makes it so powerful. It reflects a different kind of love: one rooted in accountability, growth, and the courage to believe people can change. That acceptance doesn’t just impact Crew—it reinforces Birdie’s own healing and the strength of the life she’s building.

What really stood out to me was the emotional depth. This story doesn’t rush healing or gloss over past wounds. It acknowledges that love can be messy and complicated, but also incredibly redemptive. There’s a softness woven through even the heavier moments, which made it feel comforting rather than overwhelming.

For me, this book felt like a reminder that sometimes the right person doesn’t come when everything is perfect—they come when you’re still figuring things out, and they choose to stay anyway.

Heartfelt, grounded, and quietly powerful—this is a love story that lingers.

[Ria Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw emotions make an unforgettable story

The final book in The Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch series is upon us and it's the story I've been waiting for. MY WHISKEY REDEMPTION is an emotional journey, one which is deeply heartfelt, and one which definitely stole my heart. Second chances, healing, forgiveness, courage, and unexpected love, themes which make this story unforgettable.

Birdie Whiskey has watched on as all her siblings fell in love and wondered when her time for love would arrive. Crew Hendricks is trying to rebuild his life after several life altering incidents, the last shattering the lives of others, the last thing he needed was to fall in love.

Birdie was a ray of sunshine, sweet and spicy, vulnerable yet strong, always seeing the positive side of life. Crew had suffered a life filled with heartache and regret, and now the time had come for healing. When Birdie and Crew literally crashed into each other on the ski slopes little did they realise tthe consequences and how their lives would change. A night together brought an instant connection, but a text the next morning had Crew fleeing and left Birdie confused.

Crew makes his way to Redemption Ranch, his reception is not a warm one, and Birdie is shocked when he reveals his reason for being there. I loved that Birdie took her time to get to know Crew, she saw the man beneath the pain and the anger, while Crew loved Birdie's whimsical ways and enjoyed watching her shine, she brought him a calmness he'd never had before. Even though Birdie's heart was conflicted, her passion and determination to fight for the man she was falling for made me love her even more. Crew's determination to show the Whiskey family he wasn't the man they thought he was often brought tears to my eyes. These two were destined to be together, they balanced each other while allowing their light to shine.

MY WHISKEY REDEMPTION was pure emotion from start to finish. Melissa Foster brought the emotion, passion, family drama, and heart to Birdie and Crew's story. If you've never read any of Melissa's book (why not?) this is the one to read, and when you have ... you'll feel compelled to go and read the previous books in the series, and all of Melissa's back catalogue. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction

✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE STARS

[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.My Whiskey Redemption is the fifth installment in Melissa Foster’s The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch. It delivers an emotional read. One that dives deep into forgiveness, healing, and the hard work of finding love after tragic mistakes.

Birdie Whiskey has been a standout character from the moment of her introduction in Searching for Love. Since then, seeing her growth throughout this series has only made me admire her more. Moreover, her energy, bold spirit, and unapologetic honesty demand a partner who can match her stride for stride, a task none has managed to accomplish so far

Enter Crew Hendricks.

He’s the first man who sees Birdie's true nature. Also, the only one who matches her energy and understands her without trying to change a thing. Their connection is instant and genuine, but it comes with a huge complication: her family would never approve.

Crew’s past is the kind that doesn’t fade easily. Four years ago, he was involved in the incident that nearly took a member of the Whiskey family’s life. He did his time, and now that he’s out, he’s trying to rebuild and make amends. Watching him fight for redemption and for Birdie made his journey compelling.

I adored their initial meeting. It was the kind of moment that puts a smile in your heart. From their first interaction, one could see their chemistry, an instant spark that was unexpected but completely right.

As their romance blossoms, you are immediately drawn into their connection. From the beginning, Crew saw Birdie in a way no other man had. As a result, she gave him a sense of hope and belonging he’d been missing for years, allowing him to imagine a future he never believed he deserved. At the same time, they balance each other beautifully: her boldness pushes him to show up fully, while his steadiness grounds her. Their relationship unfolds with a sincerity and depth that make every moment feel earned.

These two were perfect together. Not because everything was easy, but because they chose each other despite the challenges.

Crew’s path to redemption feels genuine. Watching him confront his past made his journey powerful. Birdie’s determination to love in the way that feels right to her, without apology, is equally inspiring. Together, they’re a couple you can’t help but cheer for: imperfect, strong, and captivating.

In My Whiskey Redemption Foster delivers a story packed with emotion, compassion, and the hard truth that second chances aren’t always simple. These elements come together, creating a heartfelt and engaging story.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book six in The Whiskeys : Dark Knights of Redemption Ranch and it is Birdie and Crew’s story and omg I can’t believe it is the final book in this amazing series and it is definitely a must read. Birdie owns a very successful chocolate shop called Divine Intervention and even though she lives her life to the full but the only thing missing is love especially as she had watched all of her siblings find their other half leaving Birdie as the only single one left. Crew had been out of prison for a few weeks but still found like he was drowning with no way out of it so at the moment he had his snowboard because he needed to feel at least something other than guilt and regret which he needed to somehow make amends for but at the moment he still didn’t know how. When Birdie and Crew’s collide into each other on the slopes it started a chain reaction and they eventually ended up having the most explosive one night stand ever only for him to disappear the following morning leaving Birdie angry and disappointed because she thought that they had a special connection. When Birdie and Crew meet again it is at Redemption Ranch where Crew had now been offered a job and somewhere to live which has now made things even more difficult and complicated especially what happened in Crew’s past that had affected the Whiskey Family. The more time that Birdie and Crew spend together in secret there feelings for each other grows stronger but if there secret is revealed it could break Birdie and Crew along with her family apart. Wow I absolutely love how this family is always there to support others that are down on there luck or wants redemption and the Whiskey’s build them up and give them a safe place to live while moving forward with their lives. I have really been looking forward to Birdie’s story and Melissa certainly didn’t disappoint her readers with this book. This book will take you on the biggest rollercoaster ride of so many emotions and I read it in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down as it was so addictive and kept my attention throughout. I can’t wait to see what Melissa Foster who is a amazing author and writer comes up with next and I will definitely be there to read it. This book and series is definitely worth reading and you will not be disappointed.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Ever since meeting the family and friends from Redemption Ranch, I knew Birdie was going to break me. She’s so much fun. Always the one to lift someone’s spirits, always there to lend a hand, although she’s the only one of her siblings who doesn’t live and/or work on the ranch, always full of ideas to make the world a better and happier place. Of course, she falls for the one person who could leave her with some impossible choices.

I appreciate the way Crew’s drunk driving is portrayed and treated by those he feels the need to atone to. While nobody acts like it’s okay that he drove under the influence just once in his life, they also (for the most part) understand there are devastating mistakes that good people make. Crew never tries to make excuses. He wouldn’t even be looking for forgiveness if he hadn’t met Birdie and wanted to stay in her life. Yet, he did always want to apologize and atone for what he did. When he goes to Redemption Ranch to find Dare and Billie, he never tells them why he was drinking and driving. He doesn’t tell the matriarch and patriarch of the ranch, he doesn’t even tell Birdie for a while. Again, he never makes excuses for what he did, knowing his reasons don’t matter to the lives he messed up.

There’s someone for everyone. Birdie is the one for Crew and vice versa. A lot is standing in their way, but it’s so obvious how well they fit together and lift each other up. I hate the way they have to hide their feelings, but it also helps Birdie to learn so much about Crew without her family’s interference. And Crew had a lot to work through about himself, which he did with therapy.

Crew puts in the work. Not in a performative way, but in a way that shows his true nature. He’s a hard worker and cares deeply about his loved ones. That’s why his story is so heartbreaking. From his mom and brother to his dad and ex-fiance, Crew’s life is filled with loss. He was on a bad path because of the way his dad treated him as he got older, living to project a certain image instead of living to love and help others. The accident and time in jail helped him take off the blinders, and he learned to be who he really is again.

This story is full of a ton of angst, but so much joy and hope, too. I’m like a broken record, but the Whiskeys never let me down.

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 4 out of 5]

☀️ My Whiskey Redemption: A Sweet and Smoky 4-Star Journey!
It is always a treat to head back to Redemption Ranch. Melissa Foster is truly a master of building those sprawling "found family" worlds where community, honor, and respect aren't just themes—they are the heartbeat of the story. While this might not have been your absolute favorite in the series, Birdie and Crew’s emotional ride was still a "must-read" journey! 🍫🐎✨

🍫 The Chocolatier and the Outcast
Birdie Whiskey has the "full life" many dream of—a thriving business and a supportive family—but she’s been the one on the sidelines watching everyone else find their person. When she finally has that "unforgettable night," the universe delivers a classic Melissa Foster twist: the man of her dreams is her family’s greatest nightmare. 🍫🔥

Crew Hendricks is a hero carrying the heavy weight of his past. Having shattered the Whiskey family and served his time, he’s back at the ranch looking for "redemption," not romance. Watching him try to navigate his "tough decision" while being the one man the Whiskey brothers would never accept added that perfect layer of tension. 🎭⛓️

🤝 Why This Whiskey Story Wins:
The Perfect Match: Even if the brothers didn't agree, you could see that Crew truly "matched her." He provided the balance Birdie needed for her "fierce and independent" spirit. ⚖️❤️

Found Family & Pride: As always, Foster excels at showing how a "sense of pride and honor" dictates the lives of these characters. The struggle between Birdie’s loyalty to the Whiskeys and her fight for Crew was "heart-wrenching" and real. 🏡✨

The Journey of Forgiveness: Watching the family's belief in second chances get put to the ultimate test made the HEA feel deeply earned.

🎙️ The "Melissa Foster" Experience
You said it best: you can’t go wrong with one of these reads. There is always a "sense of community" that makes the ranch feel like a "fab place to lay your head." Even when the road to love is rocky, the warmth of the Whiskey world keeps you coming back for more. 📖🍷

My Final Verdict
My Whiskey Redemption is a solid 4-star addition to the series! It’s a "sizzling" exploration of what happens when love and loyalty collide. Birdie and Crew prove that sometimes the "wrong choice" on paper is the only choice for the heart. 🍫🐎💖

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Whiskey Redemption brings the Redemption Ranch series to a powerful and emotional close beginning as Birdie Whiskey meets a stranger on the slopes, where an instant mutual attraction leads to them spending a memorable night together. However, she wakes up the next morning to find him gone without any explanation. His abrupt exit isn’t a heartless action, though as when he accidentally learns her identity, he realises that revealing his own name would likely end things between before they even began.

At its core, this is a story about forgiveness and second chances. Crew Hendricks isn’t portrayed as a villain or someone who is irredeemable, but as a man burdened by a past mistake, one he’s taken responsibility for and paid for. Recently released from prison, he’s adrift, unsure of his future but certain of two things, he doesn’t want to go back to his old life but more importantly he needs to face those he hurt - the Whiskey family and Dare Whiskey in particular, after he nearly killed Dare and his now wife when he got behind the wheel when he was drunk - and apologise. His connection with Birdie begins without either of them knowing who the other is, making their chemistry feel natural and unguarded. That changes quickly, and when Crew re-enters her life at Redemption Ranch seeking forgiveness, the reception, especially from Dare, is exactly as hostile as he expected. Still, he’s given the chance to stay and figure out his next steps, even as tension lingers. The emotional pull of the story lies in the push and pull between Birdie and Crew. Despite the complications and the inevitable fallout their relationship could cause, they’re drawn to each other in a way that’s hard to resist even as the weight of the past threatens to pull them apart. As their bond deepens, the looming question becomes unavoidable, when their relationship is revealed, will Birdie will be forced to make an impossible choice - whether to stand with her family or follow her heart?

For readers who enjoy a grumpy/sunshine dynamic layered with emotional depth and a strong found-family theme, this book delivers. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most compelling heroes aren’t perfect, they’re human, flawed, and willing to confront the consequences of their actions.

[Michelle Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are at the end of this amazingly wonderful The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch series and the story this series ended with couldn’t have been more in tune with the mission of the ranch and in a way the magic of the ranch as well. I enjoyed how we were away from the ranch to start this book and Birdie spotted a Viking and they ended up spending time together but unfortunately the Viking or Ragnar as Birdie calls him, saw her phone and realized who she really is and his history with her family and took off. Who knew that after their time together, they would be seeing each other but at the ranch and with Dare punching him. Birdie finds out that her Viking/Ragnar is Crew Hendricks who hit Dare and Billie. However, Tiny and Wynnie invite him to live and work at the ranch and figure out what he wants to do next. While I’m not making light of Crew and what he did when you find out what drove him to that night, I truly felt sorry for him. It was sad to learn about his mom and Robbie, and I have to say that his father and ex are truly toxic and he’s better off having them out of his life. I was also happy that Birdie finally found her ‘one’ but at what cost, sneaking around and lying to her family. I loved everything about this book from all the updates we got from Carly and Zev, Sasha and Ezra, Cowboy and Sully, Quinn and Cutter and interwoven into all of that was the sunflower theory. When Thanksgiving comes around and Crew’s father shows up out of the blue, he tells him a lot of truths and sends him on his way but then in her excitement to support Crew, Birdie runs to him and everyone now knows they are together. Of course, in typical fashion it comes out that Crew has already talked with Tiny and that he and Wynnie knew all along that they were together. LOVED how this story ended back on the ski slopes like the story started except we have an update for Birdie and Crew as well. My favorite line from this story is – ‘you are a literal queen, and he was just a footman meant to remind you how much better you can do.’ I’m sad to leave this series and this amazing ranch and cast of characters but I’m hoping we’ll see them interwoven in future books and series. Great story!!!!

[World Of Books 65 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa Foster delivers another deeply emotional, heart-tugging instalment in The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch series, and My Whiskey Redemption is everything fans have come to love—intense, romantic, and impossible to put down.

As this chapter gently ushers us toward the end of one series while seamlessly opening the door to the next, there’s something incredibly special about returning to the Whiskey family. That sense of belonging, of history, of love woven through every page, feels stronger than ever.

This is Birdie Whiskey’s story—and it was always destined to be something a little different.

Birdie has never fit into a neat box. She’s vibrant, beautifully unconventional, seeing the world through a kaleidoscope of colour and emotion. While she may have given her parents a playful six-month deadline to let the magic of Redemption Ranch deliver her happily ever after—just as it did for her siblings—you just know her journey isn’t going to follow a straight path. And it doesn’t. It goes deeper.

Enter Crew.

Haunted by his past and carrying demons that refuse to stay buried, Crew isn’t a man looking for forever. But from the moment he meets Birdie on a snowy slope—sparks flying, tension crackling—he sees her clearly enough to give her a nickname that fits a little too well: Trouble.

What starts as a chance encounter and one unforgettable night feels like it should be the beginning of something beautiful… but Melissa Foster doesn’t take the easy route.

Instead, she gives us a love story shaped by timing, pain, and the kind of emotional curveballs that hit you right in the chest.

Birdie and Crew’s journey is raw and layered, filled with longing, missed moments, and the kind of vulnerability that makes your heart ache as much as it soars. Their connection never fades—it lingers, simmers, and ultimately demands to be faced, no matter how much it hurts.

And when that happily ever after finally comes? It feels earned. Deeply, profoundly earned.

My Whiskey Redemption is a story about trusting love even when it doesn’t come easily, about healing wounds you’d rather ignore, and about finding the one person who sees every fractured piece of you—and stays.

Tender, angsty, and full of heart, this is a romance that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

[Jenna Lundberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love small-town romance with big emotions and unforgettable characters, *My Whiskey Redemption* by Melissa Foster is such a satisfying read. It has that perfect blend of warmth, intensity, and swoon-worthy moments that make you want to curl up and stay in the story just a little longer. From the start, the connection between Crew “Ragnar” and Blaire “Birdie” feels electric, and the emotional layers behind their relationship keep things deeply engaging.

Crew “Ragnar” is the kind of character who instantly grabs your attention—strong, loyal, and a little rough around the edges, but with a heart that runs deeper than he lets on. His past and the weight he carries shape so much of how he moves through the world, especially when it comes to love. Watching him open up, even in small ways, is incredibly rewarding. There’s a protective intensity about him, but it never feels overdone—it feels earned, grounded in who he is and what he’s been through.

Blaire “Birdie” is such a bright and refreshing counterpart to Crew. She brings this warmth and lightness that balances his heavier edges, but she’s far from fragile. What makes her stand out is her resilience and her ability to see people clearly, especially Crew. She doesn’t try to fix him—she meets him where he is, which makes their connection feel genuine and strong. Her emotional honesty adds so much depth to the story, and it’s easy to root for her every step of the way.

Together, Crew and Birdie create a relationship that feels both comforting and intense. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s the emotional trust they slowly build that really makes their story shine. There’s a beautiful sense of healing woven into their journey—like they’re not just falling in love, but also finding pieces of themselves they thought were lost.

Overall, *My Whiskey Redemption* is a heartfelt, feel-good romance with just the right amount of emotional depth. If you’re into stories about second chances, personal growth, and love that feels both powerful and healing, this one is definitely worth diving into. Crew and Birdie’s story will leave you smiling long after you’ve turned the last page.

[Monica (The Accidental Romance Blogger) Barbosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks, Melissa, for the ARC. 

Birdie Whiskey is a whirlwind, a force of nature, a burst of sunshine. She's also a believer in true love. She's seen it happen, many times - with her parents, her siblings... but never her. She also thinks thats's because she is "too much"...

Then she literally runs into the perfect man while snowboarding. Her 'viking'. He not only GETS her but he makes everything tingle in all sorts of ways. Soon they're 'hot tub bandits' and spending glorious hours together. But in the morning, 'Ragnar' is gone...

Crew Hendricks is a little lost. Four years ago, his life took a turn  and he did something terrible and irrevocably changed the lives of the Whiskey family. He went to prison, did his time but he desperately wants to make amends. When he realizes that 'Trouble' is a Whiskey, he can't put her through betraying her family by being with him. 

But Redemption Ranch is magical and there's nothing the Whiskeys believe more than the possibility of redemption. Ands they offer it to Crew. Well, not everyone. Dare, Billie's brother wants nothing with the man who almost destroyed his life. 

I have loved Birdie from the moment she fluttered around like a butterfly in the previous books and I knew Melissa would give her a deserving hero. She did, but most of all, she gave Birdie to Crew - someone desperately needed in his life. You can't not fall in love with a tortured soul hero who's obsessed with our favorite girl and who accepts her and cherishes her the way he does. 

If you ever felt like you were 'too much', you'll absolutely love their story! it's a story of (fittingly) Redemption, acceptance and love. 

What you get: a swoony meet cute, a badass heroine who is a ray of light, a tortyured hero, a forbidden romance, the signature family moments we get in all Melissa's books and an HEA to warm your heart! 

Now, bring me Rebel! 

Content notes (including but not limited to): mentions of drunk driving resulting in car accident with victims, death of a sibling, cheating (not MCs), toxic relationship with a parent, incarceration, depression, grief

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa Foster really grabbed my heart with this one and refused to give it back 😭💔✨ My Whiskey Redemption was EVERYTHING I wanted in a second chance/forbidden love romance and then somehow even more emotional than I was prepared for. I swear this book had me sitting there clutching my chest like a Victorian widow staring dramatically out a rain covered window 😂

Birdie absolutely stole the show for me. Watching her finally want something for herself after always being surrounded by everyone else’s happiness hit so hard. She’s successful, loving, loyal to her family to a fault, but you can FEEL that loneliness quietly sitting inside her. So when Crew comes crashing back into her life??? The tension was instant. Messy. Painful. Delicious.

And CREW. Lord help me. That man walked onto the page carrying guilt, regret, heartbreak, and redemption like heavy chains rattling behind him. You could feel how badly he wanted to make things right. Not in a perfect polished romance hero way either. He felt raw and human and broken in places and it made me love him even more. The way he loved Birdie honestly melted me into a puddle of emotional goo.

The family conflict in this book was SO GOOD too because it actually hurt. Nobody just magically forgives and forgets. The anger, the betrayal, the fear of trusting again… it all felt real. Every conversation felt like it could explode into fireworks or heartbreak at any second. I was fully invested and emotionally unwell the entire time 😭

And can we talk about the chemistry because WOW. Birdie and Crew together burned slow and deep. Every touch felt meaningful. Every look had history behind it. Melissa Foster writes romance in a way that feels warm and aching all at once, like sipping whiskey beside a bonfire while your heart is actively combusting 🔥🥃

This book was about forgiveness, healing, family, redemption, and choosing love even when it’s complicated and painful. It was emotional chaos wrapped in tenderness and I adored every second of it.