𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 I just wanted a simple night out for my birthday, but my friends had other plans. One of them being to find someone to finally swipe my v-card. I’ve all but given up when the drummer catches my eye—and I catch his. Something ignites in me, a need I’ve never felt for anyone else. After a heated moment in a supply closet, the fantasy shatters when I learn who he is—my best friend’s (much) older brother. That should be the end of it, we shouldn’t take it any further. But the pull I feel towards him is inevitable. When an unexpected snowstorm traps up together, we make a pact; just for the storm. When our expiration date comes, will it be clear skies? Or will we realize we’ve been caught in something deeper than either of us expected?
𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 Every night is the same, going through the motions here on stage. Same songs, same people, same life of trying to stay out of my father’s clutches. Except for tonight, when a little ray of sunshine catches my eye in the crowd. She’s young—far too young for me, but the way she’s looking at me has me ready to throw caution to the wind. What I don’t expect is for her to be my baby sister’s best friend. I know I can’t do this to my sister… again. I’ve been warned, I’ve been threatened. But I can’t say no when a freak snowstorm leads Stella right to my front door. It might be freezing outside, but the heat between us is undeniable. We agreed. Just for the storm. But it doesn’t look to be clearing up any time soon.
This is book 2 in The Perfect Cup series but can be read as a standalone.
The chemistry and banter between Stella and James was so good. They started off with one night, just to scratch that itch. They didn't want to hurt Nessa but that didn't last long. Their pull towards each other was too strong. Both had a lot to deal with their families and kept some secrets to themselves. That caused lots of tension and they broke off their situationship, leaving them miserable. Until their friends convince them to talk and sort it all out. Can they be honest with each other and make their relationship real?
Great book!! It had me laughing out loud, bawling my eyes out, and shaking my fist in frustration several times in one book!! Love Stella’s relationship with Nessa & Hazel!! Also love, love, love the super-spicy (Just for the storm) relationship of Stella & James!!! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, “Home Brewed”, you have to!!! I can’t wait for book #3!!!
I picked up To Go thinking it would be a quick snowed‑in romance, but it completely swept me away. Stella’s birthday night starts with playful chaos with her friends daring her to finally lose her v‑card, but the moment she meets James, the drummer, everything shifts. That supply closet kiss? Instant chemistry. And then the gut‑punch reveal: James is her best friend’s much older brother.
The tension between them is deliciously unbearable. James is torn between loyalty and desire, while Stella is caught between innocence and hunger for more. The snowstorm traps them together, forcing stolen moments, teasing banter, and the kind of restraint that only makes the eventual breaking point more powerful.
The chemistry between James and Stella is undeniable, electric, and impossible to ignore. Every glance feels loaded, every touch sparks, and even their silences hum with tension. It’s not just physical attraction; it’s the way they see each other differently than anyone else does. Stella’s innocence collides with James’s restraint, creating a dynamic that feels both tender and combustible.
Something I struggled with at times was the emotional immaturity in both James and Nessa’s choices. Nessa pushes Stella toward reckless decisions without fully grasping the consequences; when things implode she pushes Stella away and in what feels like intentionally hurts her. While James hides behind the doom of his future due to family obligations. James’s own family drama adds another layer to his character, but it also exposes his flaws. He’s carrying unresolved baggage that bleeds into his relationship with Stella, and twice he lashes out at her in ways that felt unfair and painful to read. Those moments highlight how much he’s struggling internally, but they also made me ache for Stella, who deserved better than being the outlet for his frustration. Stella is doing things on her own, by her own choice and not wanting to be a burden to her friends. She’s built up walls and has plans to not let anyone get in her way after suffering terrible losses. Both are battling their own demons and handling things very differently. It’s messy, human, and frustrating, but it makes their eventual connection feel hard‑won rather than easy.
What I loved most was how Emme Beaudry balances forbidden longing with tenderness. James isn’t just the older, off‑limits brother, he’s vulnerable, protective, and quietly undone by Stella. Their connection feels inevitable, like fate pressing them together no matter how hard they try to resist. It’s about how desire can feel unstoppable, how devotion sneaks in when you least expect it, and how sometimes the expiration date you set for your heart doesn’t stick.
A huge thank you to Emme Beaudry & Naught Nook PR for the early copy! Need to go back and need Beck & Hazel’s story - plus looking forward to Nessa’s.
Stella wanted to celebrate her 19th birthday with her friends, but they were determined to get her to cash in her v-card and finally hook up with someone. After a disastrous encounter at a club, they end up at the bar where they work, and she catches the eye of the drummer of the band that’s playing. The attraction is instantaneous, and as soon as he finishes his set, he pulls her into a supply closet, where they share a heated moment, only to realize that he is her best friend’s much older brother, and way off limits.
James has been getting tired of doing the same thing night after night, playing the same songs with the same people, but not feeling anything beyond a desperation to avoid going into the family business. When a gorgeous blonde catches his eye during one of his regular gigs, he can’t keep his eyes (or hands) off her. When he finds out who she really is, even though he promised his baby sister he’d stay away, he can’t resist the pull when a freak snowstorm forces them to spend a few days together. They make a promise that it will only be during the storm, and then they’ll go their separate ways.
I received a copy of this book from Naughty Nook PR and loved it even more than the first one! Even though James and Stella were in different points of their life, given the huge age gap, I loved how Stella was wise beyond her years, and helped James realize things about himself and his family that he hadn’t considered. They both protected the other at all costs, and yet still managed to elevate each other, even as they tried to stay apart. Hearing more about the other characters was nice too, as it really helped immerse the reader into the Booze & Brews world.
To Go by Emme Beaudry is a swoon-worthy, funny, and emotional age-gap romance that perfectly blends sunshine-and-grump energy, found family, and the kind of slow-burn tension that makes your heart race. ☕💫
Stella, the chaotic and charming barista from The Perfect Cup series, never planned to fall for anyone — especially not James, her best friend Nessa’s older brother and the drummer of a local band. She just wanted to lose her virginity and move on. But when their paths cross at Booze & Brews, one stolen moment in a closet changes everything.
James is 29, quiet, and done with hookups. Stella is 19, bright, funny, and full of life. Their banter is gold — from her falling in the snow wondering if she suddenly has superpowers, to him calling her Sunshine while pretending not to be completely obsessed. When a snowstorm traps them together, one game of truth or dare turns into something much deeper. 🔥
Underneath the spice, this story hits hard emotionally. Both are dealing with expectations and fear of loss, yet they find warmth and healing in each other. James is patient, protective, and downright filthy — and that airport chase scene? Chef’s kiss.
If you love: ✨ Age gap + forbidden romance ✨ Brother’s best friend tension ✨ Snowed-in + truth or dare ✨ Flirty banter & emotional depth
…then To Go will melt you completely. Sweet, spicy, and full of heart — it’s the perfect blend of laughter, love, and healing. 💕
This.. this book is just.. wow. Apparently I was saving all my 5 star reads for the end of the year. This was exactly what I needed and didn’t know I needed it. It made me feeeeel things. I laughed, I bawled, I grinned and my heart hurt so many times throughout.
I wasn’t sure if To Go would be as good as the first book in the series but I actually think this may be my favourite one so far and I LOVED Home Brewed. The spice doesn’t take away from the plot or the characters but is still incredibly written. The characters themselves will have you falling in love with them, even if you don’t want to.
Emme is an exceptional author and this story is beautiful and heartbreaking and just all around perfect. Stella and James and phenomenal, I absolutely adore them and who doesn’t love a forbidden best friend’s brother romance!?
Stella is a hard-working barista trying to earn enough to escape her past and travel the world. The last thing she expects is to fall for her best friend’s older brother after getting snowed-in. Stella may learn that strings don’t hold you back after all.
What to expect: ☀️ Forbidden love ☀️ Grumpy x Sunshine ☀️ Age gap ☀️ Best friend’s brother ☀️ Diabolical parents
To Go surpassed all of my expectations! I went in for a sweet winter romance and was met unparalleled emotional depth. All of my favorite characters from Home Brewed Coffee came back to foster a sweet “found-family” atmosphere.
I love Stella and James together. They are the perfect balance. When the miscommunication trope rears its ugly head, I appreciate that the inevitable blow up doesn’t fester. Overall, an excellent read and I can’t wait for Nessa’s story!
Stella and James are everything you want in a best friend’s brother romance: electric chemistry, forbidden tension, and a slow burn that turns molten the second the snow starts falling.
Slipping back into this world for book two felt like stepping into a warm embrace. The holiday atmosphere, the soft glow of winter, and the quiet intimacy of being trapped together in a storm created the perfect backdrop for their story.
What really made this shine for me? Both Stella and James are so used to putting everyone else first. Watching them choose themselves, and each other, felt like such a satisfying payoff. Tender, steamy, and emotionally rich, this book was exactly what I needed this week.
A perfect snowed-in romance for winter lovers everywhere. ❄️❤️🔥
I absolutely loved this book! As a huge fan of forbidden romance, "Stella" was everything I wanted and more. The chemistry between Stella and James was off-the-charts from the very first look. I'm a sucker for the "best friend's older brother" trope, and the added tension of their age gap and his complicated past made it impossible to put down. The forced proximity during the snowstorm was the perfect setup. I loved watching their "just for the storm" pact slowly unravel as they developed a real, deep connection. It was sweet, sizzling, and so emotional. If you're looking for a captivating, steamy romance that will make you feel all the feels, I highly recommend this one. It's a definite five-star read for me
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
If I could rate this book high I would. It deserves 6 or 7 stars. Stella and James's pull towards each other is everything. I love how much of a great foundation they have in their relationship. She is so mature for her age. Unfortunately due to what she has been through. But gosh damn if it isn't exactly what James needs. She puts this golden retriever boy in his place and forces him to get real. Stella is everything I want to be and the girl that everybody want's to be with. I love James and his protective love style. There are also SO MANY hot tropes in this book. Age gape? LOVE. Best friends brother who's toottalllyy off limits? YES PLEASE. This book is absolutely everything.
I’m definitely a sucker for brother of someone tropes. This one has it, with her best friend’s brother. He’s a bit older and a total ‘bad boy.’
However I like that this story has more going on with it other than just the romantic chunks. You have the struggles with health, careers, familial, what they want out of life. I’m not there’s a way to describe much more without spoiling any of it but I will say that this story kept a great pace and gave you more to focus on outside of their heated moments, though don’t be fooled they had plenty!
Definitely one I’d recommend for the spicy book lovers.
I really liked Emme Beaudrys first book Home Brewed and was so excited to get my hands on To Go.
To Go follows Stella and James. Stella is a barista/bartender at Booze and Brews and James is in a band that plays there. One night they hook up after a show without realizing Stella's best friend is James' sister! They agree to stay apart after that but a snowstorm has other things in store for them 😏
I loved James so much. He is hot and caring and would do anything for his woman. I loved Stella and watching her character grow and develop into accepting love and people caring for her
⛅ Virgin FMC ⛅ Best Friend’s Brother ⛅ Age Gap (10 years) ⛅ Forbidden Romance ⛅ Snowed in- Forced Proximity ⛅ Grumpy X Sunshine
James is just going through the motions trying to figure out a plan that does not involve him taking over his father company! Stella just wants to have a good time and find someone to take her before she begins her dream to travel. Everything changes for both of them when they get snowed in together after a freak storm!
This book had me going through it!!! I went from laughing at the banter, to mad at the MMC, to sad about all she has gone through, just ahhh!!
I am a sucker for a snowed in trope. Usually romance novels highlight wrong time tragedy. This book, their romance started by a series of being in the right place at the right time and chemistry they both were unable to resist. By time they tried playing the we shouldnt it was too late, they already were in deep. Don't get me wrong they had alot against them, the generational trauma and loss tried to keep them apart but in the end love and strong will persevered. I may like this one even more so than the first in the series.
Going into this I was expecting a spicy fluffy romance and I got both of those things but the emotional depth that these characters experience was amazing. I absolutely loved how strong Stella is and how she is going after what she wants and isn’t changing her plans for anyone. This friend group is everything, they are all mature adults (most of them at least) and look out for each other while they are all going through some seriously life changing events. This was fun and spicy but also down to earth and emotional.
I loved Stella in Home Brewed and was really excited to read her story. It didn't disappoint. James is 10 years older than she is but I mostly didn't notice the large age gap. She is young and perky despite everything. He is jaded and broody but it kinda made the banter even funnier. These two were caught in a storm alright-a spicy but emotional storm. They were also caught in a real storm. I really enjoyed this book.
The is a sweet and emotional love story between Stella and her best friends older brother, James. When the two meet, they don’t know their connection however it becomes clear immediately. However, the harder they fight the attraction, the more intense it becomes and the more they crave eachother. This book discusses parental loss. I enjoyed the way this book unraveled and the way these characters found eachother in the end. Rounded up due to no half points.
This book was sexy and fun. Nothing like setting out to lose you V card, only to find out you lost it to your brothers much older best friend. I can’t imagine how that went lol. But then the two make a pact when they get snowed in. I mean why not right? Hook up until the snow melts? Why not? But it went so much farther than that. This story had me laughing and swooning, and just totally enjoying the whole thing. It was such a good read that I read it in one sitting.
Stella is by far my favorite character in this book. She’s smart, witty, and has a heart of gold. She’s been through so much and still smiles daily.
James is your broody drummer who’s a grump but protective of those he cares about.
You should run to read this book! It will have you laughing and other parts will have you getting a little emotional. I loved every part of this story.
I loved this book. I loved how Stella and James first met. It was funny how grumpy James was at first because he was attracted to Stella but couldn't act on it. I loved when they were trapped together during the snowstorm. Things got really spicy 🌶️🌶️ It was funny that Beck accidentally caught onto what they were up to. I loved that James got Stella a bike helmet. I hated his parents and everything they did. I loved Miriam and her friendship with Stella. I loved the letter she left for Stella too.
Thank you to Emme Beaudry for the ARC read of To Go. This is Book 2 of the series however this can be read as a standalone which is what I did.
I really enjoyed this age gap romance. Both characters very likable with a lot more depth than you first realise. Some parts of this story made me cry ... and that's never a bad thing! ❤️
The only thing I couldn't connect with was the pet name the FMC has for the MMC. "Stud" it made me cringe a little everytime I read it. 🙈
Cuando Stella se dirigió a un bar para celebrar sus 19 años, nunca pensó que el baterista de la banda le fuese llamar la atención, tampoco que fuera recíproco. Pero cuando la tensión está por consumirse algo hace clic; aquel hombre se llama James y es baterista… al igual que el hermano de su mejor amiga.
⭐️ To go de @authoremmebeaudry nos presenta a Stella y James, una chica que carga mucho de su pasado y está tratando de poner su vida en orden, y un hombre que tiene un responsabilidad que aún no quiere tomar, pero está contra reloj.
🌙 Stella es una chica que ha perdido mucho a su corta edad, su estadía en la ciudad no es mera coincidencia, trabaja solo para cumplir unos de sus grandes sueños: viajar y conocer todas las ciudades que reflejan sus postales. ⭐️ James ha pasado su vida sabiendo que debe tomar las riendas de la empresa familiar, aquella que odia, y proteger a su hermana menor de los venenosos padres que comparten. ¿Pero qué pasa cuando es él quien le está escondiéndo su pequeña relación a Nessa?
☕️ Disfute bastante el libro, el inglés es básico así que pude leerlo sin problema. Tanto Stella como James fueron personajes que adoré mucho leer, en especial los capítulos narrados por él, en la manera que refleja a Stella y lo mucho que quería estar con ella sabiendo que para ella no era nada serio, pero debo admitir que todo ese amor se vio opacado un poco por los errores de él y la poca importancia que proyectaba Stella ante estos (sí, me faltó ruego). Los momentos entre ellos dos eran únicos y la manera en que los escribe la autora te hace sentir súper cercana a las escenas, siempre dándole ese toque hogareño y dulce. Por otro lado, me gustó mucho la fortaleza que le dio a Stella, solo quería poder abrazarla y decirle que todo estará bien.
🛋️ Si quieres un romance cozy, con escenas spicy 10/10, un hombre que daria todo por ella, citas en departamento y muffins, este libro es para ti 🤍