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Notes About Vodka
LAURA never thought she’d break free from the trailer park she grew up in, let alone survive two spine surgeries and a failing marriage by the age of 23. Now, juggling a second shot at college and playing piano at a bar by night, she dreams of becoming a doctor—if life will finally let her breathe.
VALEЯEY—or Val—is a 26-year-old Russian mixologist with an expired visa, a talent for crafting the perfect cocktail, and a heart that longs for home. Stuck between his past and an uncertain future, he dreams of opening his own restaurant while figuring out how to reunite with his family.
When Laura and Val meet at Pianissimo, their connection is instant—sharp-witted banter, stolen glances, and late-night napkin notes ignite something neither expected. But what begins as playful flirtation turns into something much deeper, something worth fighting for.
Just as they’re ready to take a chance on forever, reality comes crashing in. Laura’s acceptance into a prestigious medical internship in another state and Val’s battle to legalize his immigration status threaten to tear them apart. In a desperate gamble, they marry, believing love will be enough to conquer the odds.
But love, no matter how fierce, is never easy. Will Laura and Val defy the forces pulling them apart, or will their love story end before it’s truly had a chance to begin?
***WARNING***
This love story comes with a HEA Hangover that begins and ends with a cliffhanger!
VALEЯEY—or Val—is a 26-year-old Russian mixologist with an expired visa, a talent for crafting the perfect cocktail, and a heart that longs for home. Stuck between his past and an uncertain future, he dreams of opening his own restaurant while figuring out how to reunite with his family.
When Laura and Val meet at Pianissimo, their connection is instant—sharp-witted banter, stolen glances, and late-night napkin notes ignite something neither expected. But what begins as playful flirtation turns into something much deeper, something worth fighting for.
Just as they’re ready to take a chance on forever, reality comes crashing in. Laura’s acceptance into a prestigious medical internship in another state and Val’s battle to legalize his immigration status threaten to tear them apart. In a desperate gamble, they marry, believing love will be enough to conquer the odds.
But love, no matter how fierce, is never easy. Will Laura and Val defy the forces pulling them apart, or will their love story end before it’s truly had a chance to begin?
***WARNING***
This love story comes with a HEA Hangover that begins and ends with a cliffhanger!
470 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2025
8 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 24, 2025
*Minor Spoilers*
Tropes:
He Falls First
Trauma Bonding
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
FMC: Laura—fiery, copper red wavy curls, milky skin, freckled nose, cheeks, and corners of lips, bright blue almost gray eyes, red lips, scar down her back (and other areas), pear shaped frame, a few freckles on neck, well cut abs and arms, insecure, has trauma, but trying to achieve and grow 23-24
MMC: Val—Russian, dark brown eyes, 6’2”, muscular, broad shouldered with lean waist, dark brown hair, usually clean shaven but has red tinted facial hair
He falls first, confident and bold, “crawl to her vibes” 26
Setting: NYC in the late 00’s? It was a little hard to tell.
Plot: Laura and Val meet while working at the same bar and begin and semi-slow burn romance while she’s navigating person and family issues and he’s figuring out his life. Frequently, Laura doesn’t communicate, and Val often struggles with possessive tendencies. Eventually, they figure out how to navigate their desires together.
Overall, the book was hard to connect with. The romance and love story felt slightly in-authentic, and the strong elements of family dynamics were areas the author could have focused on. I was really interested in Laura’s family conflicts, and those sub-plots should have been given more time on the pages.
The author mentioned that this is semi-autobiographical, and I think that if she had written this more as a memoir, like Hillbilly Elegy, it would be more engaging to the reader.
I appreciated the references to my own home state and was able to visualize many of the locations as she described them.
Tropes:
He Falls First
Trauma Bonding
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
FMC: Laura—fiery, copper red wavy curls, milky skin, freckled nose, cheeks, and corners of lips, bright blue almost gray eyes, red lips, scar down her back (and other areas), pear shaped frame, a few freckles on neck, well cut abs and arms, insecure, has trauma, but trying to achieve and grow 23-24
MMC: Val—Russian, dark brown eyes, 6’2”, muscular, broad shouldered with lean waist, dark brown hair, usually clean shaven but has red tinted facial hair
He falls first, confident and bold, “crawl to her vibes” 26
Setting: NYC in the late 00’s? It was a little hard to tell.
Plot: Laura and Val meet while working at the same bar and begin and semi-slow burn romance while she’s navigating person and family issues and he’s figuring out his life. Frequently, Laura doesn’t communicate, and Val often struggles with possessive tendencies. Eventually, they figure out how to navigate their desires together.
Overall, the book was hard to connect with. The romance and love story felt slightly in-authentic, and the strong elements of family dynamics were areas the author could have focused on. I was really interested in Laura’s family conflicts, and those sub-plots should have been given more time on the pages.
The author mentioned that this is semi-autobiographical, and I think that if she had written this more as a memoir, like Hillbilly Elegy, it would be more engaging to the reader.
I appreciated the references to my own home state and was able to visualize many of the locations as she described them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2025
Tandy’s solo debut did not disappoint! This book is packed with heartbreak, angst, trauma, and a slow burn romance that had me hooked from the first page.
Val is a Russian exchange student who’s stuck in the U.S. after missing a visa deadline. He’s living under the radar, working at a piano lounge and coasting through life—until her.
Laura is the fiery redhead who auditions to play piano at the bar. Beautiful, wildly talented, and clearly hiding something, she captures Val’s attention instantly. What starts as passing notes evolves into a magnetic connection—one that neither of them can ignore, even if their pasts threaten to pull them apart.
Their chemistry? Undeniable.
Their trauma? Gut-wrenching.
Their story? Unforgettable.
Laura is such a layered, resilient character—flawed, strong, and deeply relatable. Val is swoony but battling his shortcomings. Together, they burn slow, but burn bright.
And yes, it ends on a cliffhanger! I need book 2 ASAP.
Val is a Russian exchange student who’s stuck in the U.S. after missing a visa deadline. He’s living under the radar, working at a piano lounge and coasting through life—until her.
Laura is the fiery redhead who auditions to play piano at the bar. Beautiful, wildly talented, and clearly hiding something, she captures Val’s attention instantly. What starts as passing notes evolves into a magnetic connection—one that neither of them can ignore, even if their pasts threaten to pull them apart.
Their chemistry? Undeniable.
Their trauma? Gut-wrenching.
Their story? Unforgettable.
Laura is such a layered, resilient character—flawed, strong, and deeply relatable. Val is swoony but battling his shortcomings. Together, they burn slow, but burn bright.
And yes, it ends on a cliffhanger! I need book 2 ASAP.
May 12, 2025
The Story: Laura and Val ‘s story left me living their hangover. Their passion breathes on the pages, hitting like a song I won’t forget or a drink I can’t put down.
Val falls hard and fast for Laura, but she’s got a past. She resists Val’s attention, her heart split between being broken and hopeful about her future. Will she take a chance on him?
Laura’s trauma lives on the pages just as much as her desire does; it propels the drama, it drives her to bask in the safe love of her friends and Val, and it gives me a reason to root for her. And for Val.
The Setting : The visceral setting of the moodily atmospheric Pianissimo plays in harmony with the neon motion of the New York cityscape while deeply contrasting with Laura’s mom’s stagnant home.
The Banter: The back and forth between Laura and Val’s perspectives is smooth. The charged interactions, banter, and heated discussions go down like a sweet cocktail.
Val falls hard and fast for Laura, but she’s got a past. She resists Val’s attention, her heart split between being broken and hopeful about her future. Will she take a chance on him?
Laura’s trauma lives on the pages just as much as her desire does; it propels the drama, it drives her to bask in the safe love of her friends and Val, and it gives me a reason to root for her. And for Val.
The Setting : The visceral setting of the moodily atmospheric Pianissimo plays in harmony with the neon motion of the New York cityscape while deeply contrasting with Laura’s mom’s stagnant home.
The Banter: The back and forth between Laura and Val’s perspectives is smooth. The charged interactions, banter, and heated discussions go down like a sweet cocktail.
May 4, 2025
🍸 I was SO incredibly lucky (and absolutely ecstatic!! 🙌🏼) to be a BETA reader for this amazing and deeply emotional story! 🍹
🌷This book truly spoke to me. From the lyrical writing and vivid imagery to the incredible chemistry between Laura and Val, I felt everything right alongside them. I laughed, I cried (which does NOT happen), and experienced their joy and heartache as if it were my own.
I resonate with Laura in so many ways, and I’m still reeling from this story—it hasn’t left my mind. I connected with this book on such an intrinsic level, and I’ve never felt this kind of bond with characters like I have with NAV. I completely fell in love with Laura and Val’s journey, and I’m already impatiently waiting for their next adventure! 🌷
🌷This book truly spoke to me. From the lyrical writing and vivid imagery to the incredible chemistry between Laura and Val, I felt everything right alongside them. I laughed, I cried (which does NOT happen), and experienced their joy and heartache as if it were my own.
I resonate with Laura in so many ways, and I’m still reeling from this story—it hasn’t left my mind. I connected with this book on such an intrinsic level, and I’ve never felt this kind of bond with characters like I have with NAV. I completely fell in love with Laura and Val’s journey, and I’m already impatiently waiting for their next adventure! 🌷
September 8, 2025
OMG how much I loved this book! It was so much fun to read and I have to be honest, it's been a while since I've read something like this but it didn't disappoint!
First I wanna say that I loved the characters. I usually don't like the "sensitive" type of FMC, the one that needs help and all. So, I was very surprised by the strong woman that the author described through Laura. She is really my type of girl!!! And with such a wonderful woman, of course there has to be a wonderful man! I liked Val so so much, I liked how he speaks, how he acts, their relationship, everything! The setting was <3 I love the New-York piano romantic vibes!!
I sincerely congratulate the author for this book! I definitely put it in my top readings of this year!
First I wanna say that I loved the characters. I usually don't like the "sensitive" type of FMC, the one that needs help and all. So, I was very surprised by the strong woman that the author described through Laura. She is really my type of girl!!! And with such a wonderful woman, of course there has to be a wonderful man! I liked Val so so much, I liked how he speaks, how he acts, their relationship, everything! The setting was <3 I love the New-York piano romantic vibes!!
I sincerely congratulate the author for this book! I definitely put it in my top readings of this year!
June 21, 2025
Laura is going through a divorce when she meets Val, the guy she may have been looking for all along. While they are both going through anything life throws at them they are still growing closer. If they are able to overcome the obstacles in their way, Val and Laura may just be what the other has needed all along.
I went into this book with high hopes, the description was intriguing and the cover eye catching. The book was well written and seemed to flow nicely, but I just didn’t connect with it like I hoped. I wasn’t invested in either of the characters and just never felt the story click for me. It wasn’t a bad read by any means, but I just didn’t connect with it like I had hoped.
I went into this book with high hopes, the description was intriguing and the cover eye catching. The book was well written and seemed to flow nicely, but I just didn’t connect with it like I hoped. I wasn’t invested in either of the characters and just never felt the story click for me. It wasn’t a bad read by any means, but I just didn’t connect with it like I had hoped.
June 25, 2025
The slow burn is always frustrating, just waiting for the moment the characters finally get together, but the build up just makes it all the better. Laura and Val have chemistry, trauma bonding & an amazing story. there were so many emotional moments especially because of Val and Laura’s particular situations with an expired visa and the middle of a divorce. But with the chemistry & the attraction between them both they are inevitable. You can feel their emotions, the hurt and joy that they feel. It’s hard not to love these characters and love how they progressed within the story and their story in general. Loved! But cliffhanger!
June 27, 2025
Wow @tandylauralinauthor you have outdone yourself on this one. Y’all when I say this book is a rollercoaster of emotions I am not lying. I was happy, mad, confused, and hurt by these characters. I really felt like I was on their romantic journey with them when I was reading the story. Tandy is that good at storytelling! I really enjoyed the vodka quotes before each chapter, and that ending….I’m so mad I have to wait for the next one! Please check out Tandy’s page if you want to be an ARC reader for her and get your hands on this amazing book. #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #indieauthorsofinstagram #notesaboutvodka #slowburn #coworkerstolovers #vodka #chemistry
July 9, 2025
This is a story that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, evoking anger, sadness, and happiness at various points. Lauralin managed to not only introduce us to a romance between two people not without their faults, but she did it in such a way that it is relatable to every person, and I am one of them. I enjoyed this read and highly recommend it.
July 12, 2025
This was absolutely full of angst and left me feeling some type of way about both characters. I enjoyed this book it kept me entertained and flipped pages to find out what would happen next. I felt for each character and felt that they could truly be relatable.
July 19, 2025
Finished this in one sitting—couldn’t put it down! It was funny, messy, emotional in the best way, and just so real. Felt like I was living the story right alongside the characters. Definitely one of my new favorites!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews