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The Macabe Brothers #3
One for the Road
Opposites attract in this steamy Scottish romance between a grumpy doctor and the single mother who lives next door, from the author of Whisky Business.
Burned-out GP Alistair Macabe never planned to return to his tiny hometown on the Isle of Skye. Especially not to live next door to Isla, a newly single mom with zero time for grumpy doctors.
But when Alistair needs a popularity boost in order to start taking on patients again, and Isla wants to ruffle her smug ex’s feathers, a fake relationship seems like the perfect solution.
And with the pair taking their roles very seriously, they might just forget they are pretending after all …
Opposites attractFake DatingForced ProximitySingle momGrumpy x sunshine
Burned-out GP Alistair Macabe never planned to return to his tiny hometown on the Isle of Skye. Especially not to live next door to Isla, a newly single mom with zero time for grumpy doctors.
But when Alistair needs a popularity boost in order to start taking on patients again, and Isla wants to ruffle her smug ex’s feathers, a fake relationship seems like the perfect solution.
And with the pair taking their roles very seriously, they might just forget they are pretending after all …
Opposites attractFake DatingForced ProximitySingle momGrumpy x sunshine
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 574 reviews
August 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley & Avon for this ALC in exchange for an honest review
dnf at 33%
first off, that cover is GORGEOUS 😍😍 the tropes also sold me on reading this. HOWEVER the plot was too meandering and i didn't feel the chemistry btwn isla & alistair. i also craved MORE SCOTTISHNESS 🏴🏴🏴 while i love the baking & fake dating concepts, i wish they'd been better executed. alistair is a downright unlikeable character. props to isla for being a good single mom 💃🏼
💃🏼 𝓪𝓻𝓬 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𓂃 ོ⋆☀︎𓂃ᨒོ
scottish romance? grumpy x sunshine? yes pleassse 🌹
dnf at 33%
first off, that cover is GORGEOUS 😍😍 the tropes also sold me on reading this. HOWEVER the plot was too meandering and i didn't feel the chemistry btwn isla & alistair. i also craved MORE SCOTTISHNESS 🏴🏴🏴 while i love the baking & fake dating concepts, i wish they'd been better executed. alistair is a downright unlikeable character. props to isla for being a good single mom 💃🏼
💃🏼 𝓪𝓻𝓬 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𓂃 ོ⋆☀︎𓂃ᨒོ
scottish romance? grumpy x sunshine? yes pleassse 🌹
August 1, 2026
“I want you to be selfish with me. Every day for the rest of your life, because you can be damn sure I’ll be selfish with you.”
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He did not beg (as much as I thought he would).
I would recommand reading this one, didn't love the audio.
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I heard he begs?
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He did not beg (as much as I thought he would).
I would recommand reading this one, didn't love the audio.
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I heard he begs?
August 19, 2026
I am telling everyone who asks for a book recommendation about this series! I am just obsessed with it. Elliot's writing is just addicting and perfect. And her characters! They are just so so wonderful and easy to connect with. I have been intrigued by Alistair since book 1. He has been this illusive Macabe brother who broke up with his fiance and doesn't live with his family. He always felt like he was on the fringe of everything. I loved how in this book he was forced to acknowledge the rift with him and his family. I loved how he was this big grump with a HUGE soft heart once you cracked him a bit. He had a hard exterior to protect himself. And I loved that Isla and Teddy were the ones that were able to do that. Isla was the definition of sunshine and chaos. She was a single mom fresh off a disaster of an end to her long term relationship and has been trying to figure out her life. This was almost an enemies to lovers because of how much her and Alistair butted heads from the beginning. You could tell that there was more between them but I loved watching and trying to figure out who was going to cave first. I also loved the fake dating aspect- I felt giddy reading the build up in this one. The way that the both helped the other lower their walls. How much Alistair made it his mission to help Isla build up her confidence. How much Alistair became a consistent for Teddy. And also how much Isla helped Alistair realize he did want to have his family in his life. And how much that meant to him. These two were just SO SO wonderful together yall!! So fun to read their story.
Isla can't believe how much her life has pivoted. How did she go from being in a long term relationship with the father of her child to being single and barely surviving on her paycheck? Living in basically a shack which is all she can afford. And the icing on the cake is that her neighbor is just the worst. He gives off waves of disdain whenever they are around each other. He has no tolerance for anything about her. He complained to their landlord about her. And somehow he is related to one of her best friends- he is Alistair Macabe. After a while though, she does start to get glimpses of a good man underneath all of that hard exterior. He consoles Teddy when she is upset. But then he throws the curveball of a life time when he suggests that they fake date for a bit. He needs to build up his rep in the community, and she needs a partner to do the annual town bake off. Is she really considering this? They can't really stand each other. But that isn't all together true. There is something about Alistair that keeps Isla intrigued which is why she finds herself saying yes. And though they put boundaries around it, she was not prepared for doting boyfriend Alistair. The one who comes to work to say hi and give her hugs. The one who comes over and helps her bake with Teddy. The one who hangs out with Teddy. The one who gives her tingles all over her body when he looks at her sometimes. The man who makes her WANT again. And who she is completely open with about her experience. And somehow he makes her feel more than she has ever felt. He makes her feel confident, and wanted, and sexy and she can't get enough of it. But he is leaving at the end of the summer. Or at least he was. But all Isla can think now is that her life would not be the same without Alistair in it, and that she doesn't want this to be fake anymore.
Alistair is committed to being back in town for a few months. Just enough to sell the practice that his dad left him and go back to his life. And what a life it is. He got fired and put on leave. But that is beside the point. He doesn't want to be here and watch his family be happy without him. So all of this is short term. And it is supposed to be peaceful, but then there is his neighbor who happens to be the bane of his existence. She is sunshine incarnate. She plays music all the time. She has a daughter who seems sad but that isn't his business. She pushes his buttons in all of the worst ways, and Alistair finds himself being his worst self. But that comes back to haunt him when he is told that he can't sell his business unless he gets his rep up in the community. And somehow he wonders if maybe fake dating Isla would help with that. He could help her too. He hates her ex. He could help her make him jealous. He could help but also keep his distance since he will be leaving. But when she agrees, he feels lighter than he has in years. He finds himself looking forward to things like making her smile. Seeing her at work and making her laugh. Playing with Teddy. He finds himself realizing how wrong he was to judge her in the beginning. She is amazing doing everything that she does and putting up with all that she does from her ex. Alistair decides he wants to help her realize how amazing she is and when he sets his mind to something he doesn't stop until it happens. And yet somewhere along the way he has become beyond infatuated with her. His feelings have become real. And watching her confidence grow has added to that. Maybe he doesn't have to leave after all. Maybe he could be a part of the family here and become more of a permanent fixture in Isla and Teddy's lives. He knows that is what he wants- he just hopes she wants it too.
I HIGHLY recommend the audio for this one. The narrators did the accents and portrayed the characters SO well. I think their performance added to how much I enjoyed this one. These two were just so wonderful. I always love the moment when the grump cracks and you see how much they truly care- Alistair was a completely different person with his walls down. And Isla morphed into someone that was confident and held her ground and stood up for what she wanted. The spicy scenes in this one were SO SO hot. I think the only thing I wanted from them was just MORE. I really hope that we are going to get a book for the sister- especially since we got hints that her kid's teacher likes her. I think that could be fun. I highly recommend this book and this series!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Isla can't believe how much her life has pivoted. How did she go from being in a long term relationship with the father of her child to being single and barely surviving on her paycheck? Living in basically a shack which is all she can afford. And the icing on the cake is that her neighbor is just the worst. He gives off waves of disdain whenever they are around each other. He has no tolerance for anything about her. He complained to their landlord about her. And somehow he is related to one of her best friends- he is Alistair Macabe. After a while though, she does start to get glimpses of a good man underneath all of that hard exterior. He consoles Teddy when she is upset. But then he throws the curveball of a life time when he suggests that they fake date for a bit. He needs to build up his rep in the community, and she needs a partner to do the annual town bake off. Is she really considering this? They can't really stand each other. But that isn't all together true. There is something about Alistair that keeps Isla intrigued which is why she finds herself saying yes. And though they put boundaries around it, she was not prepared for doting boyfriend Alistair. The one who comes to work to say hi and give her hugs. The one who comes over and helps her bake with Teddy. The one who hangs out with Teddy. The one who gives her tingles all over her body when he looks at her sometimes. The man who makes her WANT again. And who she is completely open with about her experience. And somehow he makes her feel more than she has ever felt. He makes her feel confident, and wanted, and sexy and she can't get enough of it. But he is leaving at the end of the summer. Or at least he was. But all Isla can think now is that her life would not be the same without Alistair in it, and that she doesn't want this to be fake anymore.
Alistair is committed to being back in town for a few months. Just enough to sell the practice that his dad left him and go back to his life. And what a life it is. He got fired and put on leave. But that is beside the point. He doesn't want to be here and watch his family be happy without him. So all of this is short term. And it is supposed to be peaceful, but then there is his neighbor who happens to be the bane of his existence. She is sunshine incarnate. She plays music all the time. She has a daughter who seems sad but that isn't his business. She pushes his buttons in all of the worst ways, and Alistair finds himself being his worst self. But that comes back to haunt him when he is told that he can't sell his business unless he gets his rep up in the community. And somehow he wonders if maybe fake dating Isla would help with that. He could help her too. He hates her ex. He could help her make him jealous. He could help but also keep his distance since he will be leaving. But when she agrees, he feels lighter than he has in years. He finds himself looking forward to things like making her smile. Seeing her at work and making her laugh. Playing with Teddy. He finds himself realizing how wrong he was to judge her in the beginning. She is amazing doing everything that she does and putting up with all that she does from her ex. Alistair decides he wants to help her realize how amazing she is and when he sets his mind to something he doesn't stop until it happens. And yet somewhere along the way he has become beyond infatuated with her. His feelings have become real. And watching her confidence grow has added to that. Maybe he doesn't have to leave after all. Maybe he could be a part of the family here and become more of a permanent fixture in Isla and Teddy's lives. He knows that is what he wants- he just hopes she wants it too.
I HIGHLY recommend the audio for this one. The narrators did the accents and portrayed the characters SO well. I think their performance added to how much I enjoyed this one. These two were just so wonderful. I always love the moment when the grump cracks and you see how much they truly care- Alistair was a completely different person with his walls down. And Isla morphed into someone that was confident and held her ground and stood up for what she wanted. The spicy scenes in this one were SO SO hot. I think the only thing I wanted from them was just MORE. I really hope that we are going to get a book for the sister- especially since we got hints that her kid's teacher likes her. I think that could be fun. I highly recommend this book and this series!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
September 4, 2026
Big thanks to HarperAudio adult for a copy of One for the Road for review purposes.
This was such a cute little read, truly!
Leave it to a man to suck the life right out of you, FOR YEARS. Then, blame you for things getting bland. Leave you and your child with nothing and get together with the girl he told you not to worry about. 😒 I'm a real Cameron hater, to be sure.
Then we have grumpy small-town doctor Allister McCabe, who really comes off in the worst way in the beginning. He turns out to be such a caring, attentive partner who also happens to have the dirtiest mouth. 😅 The way he cares for Teddy warmed my heart. An unsuspecting love story. 🥹
I really related most to Ilala. I was pretty young when I became a mom. Staying home with the kids, putting your life on hold while your partner works and advances, really hurts your self-esteem no matter if that's the intention or not. It's easy to lose yourself to motherhood, easy to see your body as less than it was before after carrying a child and nourishing them yourself. Seeing Ilala find herself through baking again was amazing. 🙂
I really enjoyed this narration as well. I'm a sucker for an accent, and these two pulled them off!
This was such a cute little read, truly!
Leave it to a man to suck the life right out of you, FOR YEARS. Then, blame you for things getting bland. Leave you and your child with nothing and get together with the girl he told you not to worry about. 😒 I'm a real Cameron hater, to be sure.
Then we have grumpy small-town doctor Allister McCabe, who really comes off in the worst way in the beginning. He turns out to be such a caring, attentive partner who also happens to have the dirtiest mouth. 😅 The way he cares for Teddy warmed my heart. An unsuspecting love story. 🥹
I really related most to Ilala. I was pretty young when I became a mom. Staying home with the kids, putting your life on hold while your partner works and advances, really hurts your self-esteem no matter if that's the intention or not. It's easy to lose yourself to motherhood, easy to see your body as less than it was before after carrying a child and nourishing them yourself. Seeing Ilala find herself through baking again was amazing. 🙂
I really enjoyed this narration as well. I'm a sucker for an accent, and these two pulled them off!
April 26, 2026
4 ⭐️ This series is such a good time, every time!
Listen, this is an ARC review because, somehow, I got lucky enough to get this as an ARC through Net Galley, which is still an unbelievable experience almost 5 years into deciding this was going to be my go-to hobby. Getting some of my favourite authors' books FOR FREE!? Like, someone pinch me, you know?
The first book in this series was a rec I got through a friend on Goodreads, and I'm so, so happy I gave that first book a chance! Elliot Fletcher was an author I'd never heard of before, but something just felt right. After that first book, I was ready to devour anything this author may have put out in the future. Months later, I was shocked to find the second book I'd been waiting patiently for on Net Galley. And to my even bigger shock, I got the ARC! And now, here we are, years later, another ARC by Elliot Fletcher, and another 4-star read!
This took a slightly different tone than the past two books, but there's still that steadiness this author brings to their romances. Alistair was a character I'd wanted to see get his own book since the very first time we hear of him in book one. And after Junie's book!? I needed to see his side of the story. Maybe see if this guy could be redeemable. And, boy, is he! Isla's story was also interesting and heartbreaking to read about, but everything makes sense in the end.
Just... this series is so good. I'm 10000% reading whatever else this author's got cooking up.
Listen, this is an ARC review because, somehow, I got lucky enough to get this as an ARC through Net Galley, which is still an unbelievable experience almost 5 years into deciding this was going to be my go-to hobby. Getting some of my favourite authors' books FOR FREE!? Like, someone pinch me, you know?
The first book in this series was a rec I got through a friend on Goodreads, and I'm so, so happy I gave that first book a chance! Elliot Fletcher was an author I'd never heard of before, but something just felt right. After that first book, I was ready to devour anything this author may have put out in the future. Months later, I was shocked to find the second book I'd been waiting patiently for on Net Galley. And to my even bigger shock, I got the ARC! And now, here we are, years later, another ARC by Elliot Fletcher, and another 4-star read!
This took a slightly different tone than the past two books, but there's still that steadiness this author brings to their romances. Alistair was a character I'd wanted to see get his own book since the very first time we hear of him in book one. And after Junie's book!? I needed to see his side of the story. Maybe see if this guy could be redeemable. And, boy, is he! Isla's story was also interesting and heartbreaking to read about, but everything makes sense in the end.
Just... this series is so good. I'm 10000% reading whatever else this author's got cooking up.
August 13, 2026
This might be my favorite Macabe Brother yet, which is hilarious considering I was convinced Alistair would be my least favorite of the three!
This book is literal perfection.
Whats to love…
- neighbors-to-lovers
- grumpy MMC
- single mom FMC
- she upgrades!
- cutest little one did character
- found family vibes
- hot hot hot spice
- satisfying af character arcs
Audio Narration: 5/5
Narrators: Isobel Wood & Angus King
Length: 13 hous 36 mins
Style: Dual
Thoughts: Utterly perfect. I’m a firm believer that any book that has a Scottish MMC should be consumed via audio and this is no exception. Narration was an absolute hit. Must listen!
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
This book is literal perfection.
Whats to love…
- neighbors-to-lovers
- grumpy MMC
- single mom FMC
- she upgrades!
- cutest little one did character
- found family vibes
- hot hot hot spice
- satisfying af character arcs
Audio Narration: 5/5
Narrators: Isobel Wood & Angus King
Length: 13 hous 36 mins
Style: Dual
Thoughts: Utterly perfect. I’m a firm believer that any book that has a Scottish MMC should be consumed via audio and this is no exception. Narration was an absolute hit. Must listen!
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
June 7, 2026
Squeals, I loved this book so very much. Isla and Alistair had A+ banter right from the jump and I just could not have loved their connection more. I absolutely adore a hero with a secret heart of gold and Alistair fit that to a T—seeing how much he cared for his loved ones, Isla and Teddy included, just made me so stinking happy. When Alistair would sit right on the floor and play Legos with Teddy? Honestly, give me more because I live for that kind of shit. This book, and series, completely charmed me and I would take a dozen more if ever the author wrote them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.
August 25, 2026
Overall, I'd give this book 4 stars. It was a really sweet comeback story for both Isla and Alistair. It took me a little bit to get into the book, but once the whole Cameron BS was introduced, I was in. Nothing like a good vengeance story for Isla and Teddy to thrive without him. I was so happy that Isla finally found people in her life to build her up and give her the love and confidence she deserves. Isla and Alistair really balanced each other out and I loved how Alistair treated Teddy, that warmed my heart.
*Docter/Baker
*Fake dating
*Single mom
*Forced proximity, neighbors
*Scotland
Format: audiobook (The Scottish accents on the audiobook was a bonus, only thing I didn't love was how the narrator voiced Teddy)
Thank you NetGalley, Elliot Fletcher, and Harper Audio for the ALC!
*Docter/Baker
*Fake dating
*Single mom
*Forced proximity, neighbors
*Scotland
Format: audiobook (The Scottish accents on the audiobook was a bonus, only thing I didn't love was how the narrator voiced Teddy)
Thank you NetGalley, Elliot Fletcher, and Harper Audio for the ALC!
June 27, 2026
Elliot Fletcher is fast becoming a must read ASAP author for me; I was so excited to see how Alistair found his HEA after being sort of an antagonist in Scotch on the Rocks.
Single mom with a jerk ex (money wise, not "i'm trying to take the kid solo" wise thank goodness), stern doctor with a secret heart of gold, eldest sibling energy. Beautiful Scotland. What more can you want?
I cannot wait to listen on audio as these have been very good so far in that format.
Single mom with a jerk ex (money wise, not "i'm trying to take the kid solo" wise thank goodness), stern doctor with a secret heart of gold, eldest sibling energy. Beautiful Scotland. What more can you want?
I cannot wait to listen on audio as these have been very good so far in that format.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 ☆Alistair was always a mystery for me, that one Macabe brother that I barely knew anything about and that only made me more excited for his story. I can now confidently say that I was not disappointed and this might take Whiskey Business out of his top spot.
To be honest, Alistair is not the most likeable character you’ll meet, his moody, a little self centered and a very bad neighbor . But all his bad qualities were quickly outshined by the good in him (I’ll keep those a secret, so anyone can experience first hand) and all the changes that happened to him over the course of this book that made him a better person. I got really invested in seeing his grumpy ass fall in love not only with Isla but also with life itself.
Isla was the perfect match to Alistair and to this story. Her journey here was so real it was tough at times, seeing her struggles trying to be a good mother but also trying her hardest to be good for herself too was hard. Being in both their heads made me too desperate to see them together, because it was clear as day that all they needed was to rely on each other a little bit and every single piece would fall right into place.
The book has a perfect balance between creating a perfect atmosphere (I loved every single side character), portraying the characters feelings and actions and also giving me that craving for more. It’s the type of writing that I’m always desperate for, and the reason why I loved this so much.
I feel like I need to praise Elliot Fletcher for creating such amazing characters, the Macabe Brothers won a place in my heart and I really hope we’ll get Heather’s book (I’m desperate for it actually).
_______
Thank you to Harper Collins for providing this eARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
July 21, 2026
2⭐️
how about throw me into the road so i never have to read this again
how about throw me into the road so i never have to read this again
May 22, 2026
Big thank you to Avon for the eARC 🏴
This was unbelievably sweet (see what I did there?) I have loved the Macabe brothers since summer ‘23 and it’s so bittersweet to say goodbye to them. Alistair was always an interesting guy to me so I wasn’t sure exactly how she was going to write his story, but it was so so good. Isla is a single mom to the most adorable, Lego loving little girl Teddy, and when the two of them move into the cottage/condo sort of home right next to grumpy town doctor Alistair, the two don’t get off on the right foot.
I really loved the progression of their relationship from dislike to intrigue to simmering tension to full blown attraction (and in Alistair’s case, wanting to drop everything for her and Teddy) — it felt very natural, not too quick, not too drawn out. They also weren’t perfect which I appreciated; I love a flawed character because then we get one of the best parts of a story… the character growth. Every conflict made sense, they had to learn how to communicate since they didn’t have the same style of it, and they put other things over their relationship at times which totally makes sense in my opinion. If a couple has no identity outside of their relationship, I’m not interesting. But these two had their own goals, hopes, dreams, and achievements, and didn’t dim anything for the other just because they’re now in it for the long haul. And I appreciate that Teddy (the child) wasn’t pushed to the side and forgotten about OR made to seem older/younger than she actually was. Too often you have a child in a book and they don’t act anything like a child or are ignored altogether, but not this time.
If you haven’t read any of the Macabe brothers books, I would highly recommend because they are the perfect blend of hot Scottish men and swoon-worthy romance 💘
This was unbelievably sweet (see what I did there?) I have loved the Macabe brothers since summer ‘23 and it’s so bittersweet to say goodbye to them. Alistair was always an interesting guy to me so I wasn’t sure exactly how she was going to write his story, but it was so so good. Isla is a single mom to the most adorable, Lego loving little girl Teddy, and when the two of them move into the cottage/condo sort of home right next to grumpy town doctor Alistair, the two don’t get off on the right foot.
I really loved the progression of their relationship from dislike to intrigue to simmering tension to full blown attraction (and in Alistair’s case, wanting to drop everything for her and Teddy) — it felt very natural, not too quick, not too drawn out. They also weren’t perfect which I appreciated; I love a flawed character because then we get one of the best parts of a story… the character growth. Every conflict made sense, they had to learn how to communicate since they didn’t have the same style of it, and they put other things over their relationship at times which totally makes sense in my opinion. If a couple has no identity outside of their relationship, I’m not interesting. But these two had their own goals, hopes, dreams, and achievements, and didn’t dim anything for the other just because they’re now in it for the long haul. And I appreciate that Teddy (the child) wasn’t pushed to the side and forgotten about OR made to seem older/younger than she actually was. Too often you have a child in a book and they don’t act anything like a child or are ignored altogether, but not this time.
If you haven’t read any of the Macabe brothers books, I would highly recommend because they are the perfect blend of hot Scottish men and swoon-worthy romance 💘
July 25, 2026
I really enjoyed this one. It follows two imperfect and sometimes unlikable characters who genuinely bring out the best in each other, and their growth felt earned rather than forced.
At first, I was worried it was going to lean too heavily into the classic grumpy/sunshine dynamic. The MMC has always been described really poorly in the past books and I had a lot of reservations about him and whether he could turn it around. He was so grumpy, and the FMC was almost too cheerful, so I expected a fairly predictable romance. Thankfully, the story went much deeper than that. As they got to know each other, their chemistry felt authentic, and watching them evolve together was one of my favorite parts of the book. I will say that these characters can be extremely frustrating at times. You definitely want to tell them to pull their heads out of their asses a couple of times but I can understand why they act the way they do.
This book blends seamlessly with the characters from the previous two books and I loved revisiting them! Patiently waiting for Heathers story!
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the advanced copy!
At first, I was worried it was going to lean too heavily into the classic grumpy/sunshine dynamic. The MMC has always been described really poorly in the past books and I had a lot of reservations about him and whether he could turn it around. He was so grumpy, and the FMC was almost too cheerful, so I expected a fairly predictable romance. Thankfully, the story went much deeper than that. As they got to know each other, their chemistry felt authentic, and watching them evolve together was one of my favorite parts of the book. I will say that these characters can be extremely frustrating at times. You definitely want to tell them to pull their heads out of their asses a couple of times but I can understand why they act the way they do.
This book blends seamlessly with the characters from the previous two books and I loved revisiting them! Patiently waiting for Heathers story!
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the advanced copy!
May 9, 2026
There is just something about a mean who yearns that feels so right, like the universe is healing.. my question is how fast do i have to shake the book just for the man to fall out??
God i had such a marvellous time reading this books and im not exaggerating.
I have been in quite a slump, life gets in the way sometimes and i have not been able to read as much as i want to, but my hands were itching to read this one.
And it didn’t disappoint me one bit.
Tension, found family, cute moments together with the cutest child i have ever come across in a book, hot scenes with a side of cold showers??
THIS HAD IT ALLLL
Alistair and Isla had such good chemistry every time i read their scenes, a different kind of chemistry from Juniper and Cal, whose chemistry can be found between intense and “even if you are a little insane i am still in love with you”, whereas Alistair and Isla had a slow build “let’s just tolerate each other” to “where was this person all my life”
AND IT S OK TO LOVE THEM BOTH I KNOW I DO
Thank you ti the publisher for the arc
This got me out of my slump so u better believe I am giving 5⭐️
Rtc
God i had such a marvellous time reading this books and im not exaggerating.
I have been in quite a slump, life gets in the way sometimes and i have not been able to read as much as i want to, but my hands were itching to read this one.
And it didn’t disappoint me one bit.
Tension, found family, cute moments together with the cutest child i have ever come across in a book, hot scenes with a side of cold showers??
THIS HAD IT ALLLL
Alistair and Isla had such good chemistry every time i read their scenes, a different kind of chemistry from Juniper and Cal, whose chemistry can be found between intense and “even if you are a little insane i am still in love with you”, whereas Alistair and Isla had a slow build “let’s just tolerate each other” to “where was this person all my life”
AND IT S OK TO LOVE THEM BOTH I KNOW I DO
Thank you ti the publisher for the arc
This got me out of my slump so u better believe I am giving 5⭐️
Rtc
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Harper Collins for sending me an invite email for this book ( after you denied me) . I appreciate the link as this definitely was a book I was looking forward to this year . I love the cover so much . I don’t think I’ll get a physical copy of it because it’s not an all time fave but y’know . It was an honour to be sent this book .
I read the second book as an arc last year and I tried to read the first book last month ( but dnfed it ) so I’m happy that this book is good like the second and not boring and mid like the first . This won’t be for everyone though . I may like this alot but not everyone will . I can say this did not play it safe unlike the first book in this although not the perfect book was fun read - it was enjoyable and kept me entertained.
The mmc is the ex fiance of the fmc from the last book . And the brother of the mmc ( from the first and second ) . He also is a guy that is lowkey a terrible person in the past 2 books - so this is his redemption arc romance book .
This is grumpy sunshine done right - it’s also a neighbour romance and the fmc is a single mother . Mmc is a doctor - fmc is a baker . It’s obviously small town and well its set in Scotland . It’s a slowburn romance wise - not really wont spice wise .
I do wanna say the argument between the fmc and mmc at like 70% - 80% did not need to end in sex . I can’t say I hated that it did but I also wish before they had sex etc - they talked stuff out. It’s like the makeup sex without the breakup . If you know me you know I’m very big on wanting communication- solving issues temporarily by having sex doesn’t help . Talking about things helps .
There is no 3rd act breakup and that’s a win . For those like me who look to see if books have a 3rd act breakup - im here to tell you they don’t . I mean they take a “break” but it’s not a breakup . It’s like a week of space - that’s all ) . So I would say it’s no 3rd act breakup - but instead a 3rd act conflict that results in space without a breakup . - There is no grovelling or anything .
_______________________________________________
This is just me saying how much I hate the fmcs ex not really part of the review but it’s non spoiler)
This is non spoiler tbh cus like it’s got nothing to do with the romance / main plot of the book ) it’s just me hating the fmcs ex . HES NOT THE MMC BTW THEY ARE DIFFERENT PEOPLE
I absolutely hate Cameron the fmcs ex - he plays the terrible ex bf who’s a pos so well - I mean he is that so I’m glad he was written that way . He’s a POS who cheated on the fmc with his ex gf ( high school sweetheart) after knocking the fmc up - basically making her quit baking classes & made her basically be a “stay a home mum” .
NOT only that , he made her move to HIS small town only for him to & years later cheat on her with his ex gf . What’s worse he basically made her and his ex be friends cus he was still close to her . Basically it’s a story of ex going “don’t worry about her she’s just a friend “ and sleeping with her . And he’s also a pos dad - he left the fmc ( Made her move out of his house) . Literally only cares about his kid when it comes to being able to use xyz thing against the fmc .
She has full custody of the kid all he has to fucking do is see his kid once a week - on weekends and he seems to always say “I’m busy “ when it’s his turn . He only has to see his kid for 2 days and he literally can’t be asked to do that - istg he’s a deadbeat dad and a cheat . And he literally is back with his ex gf he left his baby mama for his ex .
And then like 70% he’s like comes to her home - basically tells her that her bf is using her and Shit and says - “ I want you back - things between em and the woman I cheated on you with aren’t going well - I want to be a family again “ dude this man istg I hate this man . He is like saying your bf is lying to you and how he’ll be there for her after alistair ( said bf ) hurts her.
Classic pos ex bf . Trying to cause problems in a
Relationship cus he’s a jealous man who can’t seem to understand that like he isn’t entitled to her . He hurt her and then literally didn’t gaf about her or the kid . He only cares now cus his “toy” is being “used” by someone else . Hes like a kid who put down a toy and then screams about how he wants it back after someone else plays with it .
—————————————————————————————-
Preread : I’m excited for this . funny story - the publisher denied me this arc but I’m signed up for their influencer list shit thing ( basically emails)
. Edit apparently said email was sent to some people via their NetGalley email so maybe I was chosen for an arc after they denied me idk . Either way I have it and i appreciate it
I do hope that I like it as much as the second one and it’s not boring like the first one
I read the second book as an arc last year and I tried to read the first book last month ( but dnfed it ) so I’m happy that this book is good like the second and not boring and mid like the first . This won’t be for everyone though . I may like this alot but not everyone will . I can say this did not play it safe unlike the first book in this although not the perfect book was fun read - it was enjoyable and kept me entertained.
The mmc is the ex fiance of the fmc from the last book . And the brother of the mmc ( from the first and second ) . He also is a guy that is lowkey a terrible person in the past 2 books - so this is his redemption arc romance book .
This is grumpy sunshine done right - it’s also a neighbour romance and the fmc is a single mother . Mmc is a doctor - fmc is a baker . It’s obviously small town and well its set in Scotland . It’s a slowburn romance wise - not really wont spice wise .
I do wanna say the argument between the fmc and mmc at like 70% - 80% did not need to end in sex . I can’t say I hated that it did but I also wish before they had sex etc - they talked stuff out. It’s like the makeup sex without the breakup . If you know me you know I’m very big on wanting communication- solving issues temporarily by having sex doesn’t help . Talking about things helps .
There is no 3rd act breakup and that’s a win . For those like me who look to see if books have a 3rd act breakup - im here to tell you they don’t . I mean they take a “break” but it’s not a breakup . It’s like a week of space - that’s all ) . So I would say it’s no 3rd act breakup - but instead a 3rd act conflict that results in space without a breakup . - There is no grovelling or anything .
_______________________________________________
This is just me saying how much I hate the fmcs ex not really part of the review but it’s non spoiler)
This is non spoiler tbh cus like it’s got nothing to do with the romance / main plot of the book ) it’s just me hating the fmcs ex . HES NOT THE MMC BTW THEY ARE DIFFERENT PEOPLE
I absolutely hate Cameron the fmcs ex - he plays the terrible ex bf who’s a pos so well - I mean he is that so I’m glad he was written that way . He’s a POS who cheated on the fmc with his ex gf ( high school sweetheart) after knocking the fmc up - basically making her quit baking classes & made her basically be a “stay a home mum” .
NOT only that , he made her move to HIS small town only for him to & years later cheat on her with his ex gf . What’s worse he basically made her and his ex be friends cus he was still close to her . Basically it’s a story of ex going “don’t worry about her she’s just a friend “ and sleeping with her . And he’s also a pos dad - he left the fmc ( Made her move out of his house) . Literally only cares about his kid when it comes to being able to use xyz thing against the fmc .
She has full custody of the kid all he has to fucking do is see his kid once a week - on weekends and he seems to always say “I’m busy “ when it’s his turn . He only has to see his kid for 2 days and he literally can’t be asked to do that - istg he’s a deadbeat dad and a cheat . And he literally is back with his ex gf he left his baby mama for his ex .
And then like 70% he’s like comes to her home - basically tells her that her bf is using her and Shit and says - “ I want you back - things between em and the woman I cheated on you with aren’t going well - I want to be a family again “ dude this man istg I hate this man . He is like saying your bf is lying to you and how he’ll be there for her after alistair ( said bf ) hurts her.
Classic pos ex bf . Trying to cause problems in a
Relationship cus he’s a jealous man who can’t seem to understand that like he isn’t entitled to her . He hurt her and then literally didn’t gaf about her or the kid . He only cares now cus his “toy” is being “used” by someone else . Hes like a kid who put down a toy and then screams about how he wants it back after someone else plays with it .
—————————————————————————————-
Preread : I’m excited for this . funny story - the publisher denied me this arc but I’m signed up for their influencer list shit thing ( basically emails)
. Edit apparently said email was sent to some people via their NetGalley email so maybe I was chosen for an arc after they denied me idk . Either way I have it and i appreciate it
I do hope that I like it as much as the second one and it’s not boring like the first one
June 7, 2026
4.5-4.75ish, looks like I’m on a 4.5-to-5 stars streak
Dear Honor, I loved them!
People told me to read the first two books before diving into One for the Road but I didn’t listen and I have zero regrets. I can confirm this book works very well as standalone. I plan to go back to previous books but as someone who pays way too much attention if standalones in a series are really standalones - this one was just PERFECT. Other couples didn’t take the spotlight from main couple and there was just enough context provided. I didn’t feel like I was missing any significant details and also there were NOT too many details about other characters.
Ok, but back to Isla and Alistair - loved them individually and together. Loved how their relationship developed. He’s a bit of an a-hole but when it comes down to it, he isn’t. I have extreme levels of empathy for divorced FMCs, especially if the ex was not appreciating them, and add the kid to the mix - Isla stole my heart from the very beginning.
Cameron (the ex) should just get lost. There were times I wanted to scream at Isla to just get the f out of this town or at least take proper legal action. While it made me angry, I could see how her actions and decisions in terms of relationship with the father of her child made sense for her character, considering her childhood.
Both characters have their own issues to go through and they both do by the end - the characters development is very much there.
The fake dating that was not really fake at all - BIG YES.
I could not put this book down!!! Loved the plotline, storytelling, execution, the writing itself - simply loved the whole thing!
I’m a bit sad the series is finished (please do correct me if I’m wrong) cause I was hoping for Heather’s book. Maybe she will get her own series or sth 👀 I would love to see her as main character, but in the meantime I have books #1 and #2 to catch up with!
Oh, and spice that was not the main focus but just added to the story. There were 3 or 4 spicy scenes, pretty far into the story (slow burn, yaaaas 🔥) and were placed just perfectly in the storyline.
Fake dating , single mom (I mean, the dad is there but really he isn’t), fake dating, neighbors, opposites attract, Scottish setting, he’s a doctor, slow burn, yearning
Check out my reading updates, I added some of my highlights there ;)
Big thanks to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for the eARC
Dear Honor, I loved them!
People told me to read the first two books before diving into One for the Road but I didn’t listen and I have zero regrets. I can confirm this book works very well as standalone. I plan to go back to previous books but as someone who pays way too much attention if standalones in a series are really standalones - this one was just PERFECT. Other couples didn’t take the spotlight from main couple and there was just enough context provided. I didn’t feel like I was missing any significant details and also there were NOT too many details about other characters.
Ok, but back to Isla and Alistair - loved them individually and together. Loved how their relationship developed. He’s a bit of an a-hole but when it comes down to it, he isn’t. I have extreme levels of empathy for divorced FMCs, especially if the ex was not appreciating them, and add the kid to the mix - Isla stole my heart from the very beginning.
Cameron (the ex) should just get lost. There were times I wanted to scream at Isla to just get the f out of this town or at least take proper legal action. While it made me angry, I could see how her actions and decisions in terms of relationship with the father of her child made sense for her character, considering her childhood.
Both characters have their own issues to go through and they both do by the end - the characters development is very much there.
The fake dating that was not really fake at all - BIG YES.
I could not put this book down!!! Loved the plotline, storytelling, execution, the writing itself - simply loved the whole thing!
I’m a bit sad the series is finished (please do correct me if I’m wrong) cause I was hoping for Heather’s book. Maybe she will get her own series or sth 👀 I would love to see her as main character, but in the meantime I have books #1 and #2 to catch up with!
Oh, and spice that was not the main focus but just added to the story. There were 3 or 4 spicy scenes, pretty far into the story (slow burn, yaaaas 🔥) and were placed just perfectly in the storyline.
Fake dating , single mom (I mean, the dad is there but really he isn’t), fake dating, neighbors, opposites attract, Scottish setting, he’s a doctor, slow burn, yearning
Check out my reading updates, I added some of my highlights there ;)
Big thanks to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for the eARC
August 23, 2026
Arc review 🥧 💖
CUTE AND SWOON!
•plot•
Alistair is back in his home town after inheriting his dad’s medical practice and he is rather grumpy about it. He and his father had a strained relationship and Alistair only ever wanted to make him proud. Meanwhile, his neighbor Isla and her daughter Teddy are living in the adjoining cottage and they are loud, messy and just plain infuriating. Even though Isla and Alistair have a rough start, Ali offers to compete in the local baking contest and also spin them dating all for his image and her winning the prize money. And we all know how fake dating goes down 😉
•thoughts•
This was SUPER cute! This is book 3 in this set of interconnected romances and I love being back in the Scottish town and being immersed in the drama of the Macabe brothers. The story was well crafted and the pacing was good, I think my only issue was how much I hated her ex. I know he was there for plot reasons, but he REALLY bothered me! Such an awful dad and a really terrible person. I already don’t prefer stories with children (usually) and this really made things worse. I will say, Teddy wasn’t a bothersome child character! She was sweet and loved Lego, which was endearing!
Thank you NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the arc in exchange for my honest review!
CUTE AND SWOON!
•plot•
Alistair is back in his home town after inheriting his dad’s medical practice and he is rather grumpy about it. He and his father had a strained relationship and Alistair only ever wanted to make him proud. Meanwhile, his neighbor Isla and her daughter Teddy are living in the adjoining cottage and they are loud, messy and just plain infuriating. Even though Isla and Alistair have a rough start, Ali offers to compete in the local baking contest and also spin them dating all for his image and her winning the prize money. And we all know how fake dating goes down 😉
•thoughts•
This was SUPER cute! This is book 3 in this set of interconnected romances and I love being back in the Scottish town and being immersed in the drama of the Macabe brothers. The story was well crafted and the pacing was good, I think my only issue was how much I hated her ex. I know he was there for plot reasons, but he REALLY bothered me! Such an awful dad and a really terrible person. I already don’t prefer stories with children (usually) and this really made things worse. I will say, Teddy wasn’t a bothersome child character! She was sweet and loved Lego, which was endearing!
Thank you NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the arc in exchange for my honest review!
August 16, 2026
4.75 stars rounded up!
One for the Road gets the romance formula right. It has fun markings of the genre (fake dating, small town, forced proximity) but still keeps the plot interesting with complex family dynamics and a baking contest.
Isla and Alistair are hottttt together. Like... you wouldn't think he'd be one to be up front about his feelings, but he's Down Bad pretty instantly and doesn't try to hide it. Now, Isla may look past it, but he isn't hiding it! I really liked how the past two books didn't shy away from what a complex character Alistair is, and we continue to see that in book 3, but, as he's our MC now, we get to know his complexities so much better. I really liked exploring his character more. But Isla... my GIRL... I love her. She's strong but soft and I adored seeing her grow into herself while still being WHO SHE IS which is a good freaking mom and a good freaking baker.
Dare I say this is my favorite of the three...??! I DON'T KNOW. I may just have to go back and reread them all to find out. ;)
I don't know if the author has stated whether the series is finished or not, but I'd like to petition for Heather to get her own book!!! I know the series is called "The Macabe Brothers", but we need a Macabe SISTER MC!!!! She deserves her HEA, too. :')
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an e-arc for review. <3
One for the Road gets the romance formula right. It has fun markings of the genre (fake dating, small town, forced proximity) but still keeps the plot interesting with complex family dynamics and a baking contest.
Isla and Alistair are hottttt together. Like... you wouldn't think he'd be one to be up front about his feelings, but he's Down Bad pretty instantly and doesn't try to hide it. Now, Isla may look past it, but he isn't hiding it! I really liked how the past two books didn't shy away from what a complex character Alistair is, and we continue to see that in book 3, but, as he's our MC now, we get to know his complexities so much better. I really liked exploring his character more. But Isla... my GIRL... I love her. She's strong but soft and I adored seeing her grow into herself while still being WHO SHE IS which is a good freaking mom and a good freaking baker.
Dare I say this is my favorite of the three...??! I DON'T KNOW. I may just have to go back and reread them all to find out. ;)
I don't know if the author has stated whether the series is finished or not, but I'd like to petition for Heather to get her own book!!! I know the series is called "The Macabe Brothers", but we need a Macabe SISTER MC!!!! She deserves her HEA, too. :')
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an e-arc for review. <3
August 28, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc and alc.
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⟡˙⋆
🏝️ remote island in scotland
🩺 he’s a doctor
🧁 she’s a baker
💍 fake dating
🌊 opposites attract
🌷 single mother
⋆˙⟡ thoughts ⟡˙⋆
i liked that we get two imperfect characters that bring out the better in one another. it’s like they needed each other because her ex, cameron. ICK. he’s awful. i’m glad isla got away and found someone who would put her and her daughter teddy first. the bond teddy and alistar have was so cute. now i didn’t fall in loveee with this one, but overall, still an enjoyable read.
⋆˙⟡ synopsis ⟡˙⋆
burned out gp alistair never planned to return to his tiny hometown. especially not to live next door to isla, the newly single mom with zero time for grumpy doctors.
but when he needs a popularity boost in order to start taking on patients again and she wants to ruffle her smug ex’s feathers, a fake relationship seems like the perfect solution… or so they thought.
🎧audio: the audio was super enjoyable. the narrators did a great job portraying the characters especially alistair’s accent.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc and alc.
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⟡˙⋆
🏝️ remote island in scotland
🩺 he’s a doctor
🧁 she’s a baker
💍 fake dating
🌊 opposites attract
🌷 single mother
⋆˙⟡ thoughts ⟡˙⋆
i liked that we get two imperfect characters that bring out the better in one another. it’s like they needed each other because her ex, cameron. ICK. he’s awful. i’m glad isla got away and found someone who would put her and her daughter teddy first. the bond teddy and alistar have was so cute. now i didn’t fall in loveee with this one, but overall, still an enjoyable read.
⋆˙⟡ synopsis ⟡˙⋆
burned out gp alistair never planned to return to his tiny hometown. especially not to live next door to isla, the newly single mom with zero time for grumpy doctors.
but when he needs a popularity boost in order to start taking on patients again and she wants to ruffle her smug ex’s feathers, a fake relationship seems like the perfect solution… or so they thought.
🎧audio: the audio was super enjoyable. the narrators did a great job portraying the characters especially alistair’s accent.
September 6, 2026
Oh, I loved this book and I don't normally love the fake dating trope, particularly in a contemporary romance because the stakes don't seem to be that high, and while the stakes in this one were semi high, they were legit. She needs a partner to enter a baking contest and he needs a love interest to turn his reputation around so he can sell his late father's medical practice and leave town. Except, to absolutely no one's surprise, real feelings emerge. I loved watching the stern, grumpy Alistair fall for single mom Isla. Cameron is the human equivalent of a carbuncle and I'm glad that Isla finally told him off for being a shitty father to their daughter.
Content Notes: death of parent, toxic family life, cheating husband
Content Notes: death of parent, toxic family life, cheating husband
August 24, 2026
I read this in a matter of hours and it ATE DOWN — Elliot you are KILLING IT and now I’ll patiently wait for Heathers book
June 20, 2026
2 -Boring and uneventful- stars ⭐️
I skipped 15 chapters and I still think it was too long and boring. Slow burns are fine, but 85% slow burns are a tragedy for me.
I skipped 15 chapters and I still think it was too long and boring. Slow burns are fine, but 85% slow burns are a tragedy for me.
May 7, 2026
Elliot Fletcher is a miracle worker! 💕
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶 (3/5)
POV : Dual
Tropes : sunshine single mom X grumpy doctor • small Scottish town • age gap • fake dating • dislike to love
Taylor Swift song : Daylight
After reading Scotch on the Rocks last year, I have been very impatient to read this 3rd book and see how Elliot was going to make me like Alistair. And boy, did she do more than make me like him! She is a true miracle worker because, let me tell you, it was not going to be an easy feat! But she. did. it. 👏🏼
From the very first chapter, and meeting Isla and Teddy, I knew this book would have my heart. I'd been struggling to read for quite a few months, feeling like the stories I read just didn't hit the way they used to, but I just blazed through these pages, laughing out loud and kicking my little feet!
Once again, Elliot writes characters that are true and raw. They're not perfect, but they're doing their best, and that's just so damn relatable. I think both of them have a really interesting arc. After learning how Alistair cares for the people he loves, he really grew on me! *Hello acts-of-service-boyfriend* And Isla growing into herself and learning to stand up for herself was so inspiring to read 🥹
It was so so nice to see the whole Macabe family throughout the book. Like, they're so welcoming I want them to adopt me or something!
Now... can we talk about how much I want Heather's book!? 👀
My favorite quote 👇🏼
[Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review]
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶 (3/5)
POV : Dual
Tropes : sunshine single mom X grumpy doctor • small Scottish town • age gap • fake dating • dislike to love
Taylor Swift song : Daylight
After reading Scotch on the Rocks last year, I have been very impatient to read this 3rd book and see how Elliot was going to make me like Alistair. And boy, did she do more than make me like him! She is a true miracle worker because, let me tell you, it was not going to be an easy feat! But she. did. it. 👏🏼
From the very first chapter, and meeting Isla and Teddy, I knew this book would have my heart. I'd been struggling to read for quite a few months, feeling like the stories I read just didn't hit the way they used to, but I just blazed through these pages, laughing out loud and kicking my little feet!
Once again, Elliot writes characters that are true and raw. They're not perfect, but they're doing their best, and that's just so damn relatable. I think both of them have a really interesting arc. After learning how Alistair cares for the people he loves, he really grew on me! *Hello acts-of-service-boyfriend* And Isla growing into herself and learning to stand up for herself was so inspiring to read 🥹
It was so so nice to see the whole Macabe family throughout the book. Like, they're so welcoming I want them to adopt me or something!
Now... can we talk about how much I want Heather's book!? 👀
My favorite quote 👇🏼
[Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review]
June 9, 2026
Infinity Stars? Sorry, I'm still crying from this.
Elliot does a magical thing where every story she writes completely draws me to the point where I really don't want to set it down at all. This was no different. We learn of Alistair and his surly attitude from book 1 and more so in book 2, but actually seeing his POV was just perfect. To see his inner turmoil trying to fight his attraction for Isla while also fighting his own self-doubt was just *chefs kiss*. I loved Isla. She was real, raw, and vulnerable at all the right moments. I loved how selfless she really was while still wanting to reclaim a life for herself and her daughter. The banter between Ali & Isla really set this a part because we have an MMC who gets by on never needing to feel his emotions deeply and an FMC who feels everything all at once so not only do we get very emotional moments but the funny moments between them had me laughing out loud while reading. This story is truly a redemption story, for Ali as an MMC but also for Isla and those alike showing us that there could always be someone in your corner. Amazing. I wept, I laughed, I got angry for the characters. This was truly an infinity star read if I could give it one.
Elliot does a magical thing where every story she writes completely draws me to the point where I really don't want to set it down at all. This was no different. We learn of Alistair and his surly attitude from book 1 and more so in book 2, but actually seeing his POV was just perfect. To see his inner turmoil trying to fight his attraction for Isla while also fighting his own self-doubt was just *chefs kiss*. I loved Isla. She was real, raw, and vulnerable at all the right moments. I loved how selfless she really was while still wanting to reclaim a life for herself and her daughter. The banter between Ali & Isla really set this a part because we have an MMC who gets by on never needing to feel his emotions deeply and an FMC who feels everything all at once so not only do we get very emotional moments but the funny moments between them had me laughing out loud while reading. This story is truly a redemption story, for Ali as an MMC but also for Isla and those alike showing us that there could always be someone in your corner. Amazing. I wept, I laughed, I got angry for the characters. This was truly an infinity star read if I could give it one.
June 10, 2026
I am pleasantly surprised and to be honest I shouldn’t have been shocked, the other 2 books are fantastic also. I didn’t expect this to win me over as Alistair did not come across well in book 2 but happy to be proven wrong!
EF is a professional at writing men who yearn because yearn Alistair did. I devoured this! Relatable, genuine & real relationship. Great communication throughout. Single mother life captured really well, as were the frustrations of the father of your child not showing up. Isla had great change and growth and going from having no one to a big support network at the end was wholesome and lovely to read.
Nice finish to this wonderful series, I’ll be looking out for what EF brings out next 🫶🏻
EF is a professional at writing men who yearn because yearn Alistair did. I devoured this! Relatable, genuine & real relationship. Great communication throughout. Single mother life captured really well, as were the frustrations of the father of your child not showing up. Isla had great change and growth and going from having no one to a big support network at the end was wholesome and lovely to read.
Nice finish to this wonderful series, I’ll be looking out for what EF brings out next 🫶🏻
July 8, 2026
Oh my gosh, One for the Road, how I looove you! This is the third installment in the Macabe Brothers series, but the second one I’ve read. I previously read and properly adored Scotch on the Rocks but my goshhh! My gosh how I loved even more One for the Road. It hits so many of my favorite tropes perfectly.
Alistar is our starring Macabe brother, and oh boy he is a grump. Too much of one, in fact! He returns to his hometown with the agenda to sell the surgery clinic his deceased father left him. But it’s a hard sell when he comes off cold and distant, so he needs an image revamp. Who better to help warm up this grump than Isla, the sunshine of a single mother next door? Sure they got off on the wrong foot, but she’s just the ticket to course correct his image. And she could use his help to enter a baking contest hosted by her awful ex-husband’s affair partner (I know, I knooow!). Win-win, if you ask me!
Alistair and Isla are such a gorgeous, fantastic, perfect couple. I loved watching them fall in love, and how wholly they deserve it. Alistair is a work in progress. He’s certainly had his series of mess ups in life, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve love. And I enjoyed so much seeing how Isla lit his life up with *life*. Alistair was just going through the motions of living before Isla and her daughter snuck their way into his heart. I loved seeing this grump change for the better thanks to them. And in turn, I love the strength he lends isla. Isla has been through it. She moved to the town for her awful ex-husband who then abandoned her and their daughter for his high school sweetheart (who ain’t no peach like she portrays to the town!). He rarely is a dad now, leaving all finances to the struggling Isla. Every bit of joy she finds feels temporary, like her excitement to enter the baking contest. It goes from a sure thing to a suspiciously out-of-reach chance. Until Alistair sets things right.
And this is the relationship between the two: setting things right for one another. Even with certain final act missteps along the way when it comes to righting some wrongs (side eyeing you, Alistar, but I also get it!), they have each other’s back. They build one another up continuously throughout this story, and it adds to the swoons and to the very love that forges between them. It was beautiful to watch them not only find their way to one another, but lift one another up.
Alsoooo! t want to applaud this story for letting awful exes stay awful. Too often I read stories with an awful ex getting some sort of redemption or peace offering, and I appreciate how this story doesn’t whitewash all of Cameron’s wrongdoings. He is not a good father and was an awful husband, and the narrative brilliantly reduces him to a sniveling coward who doesn’t change and I say, good! He receives the ending (spoiler: stays miserable) he deserves and it genuinely satisfied me. But back to the sweet, swoony stuff!
I adored our main love story. Both the romance and how beautifully Alistair, Isla, and her daughter grow as a family. They are exactly what each other deserves. I just felt bliss reading their journey.
Hands down, without question, this is my favorite installment of the series!
Thank you Avon and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
Alistar is our starring Macabe brother, and oh boy he is a grump. Too much of one, in fact! He returns to his hometown with the agenda to sell the surgery clinic his deceased father left him. But it’s a hard sell when he comes off cold and distant, so he needs an image revamp. Who better to help warm up this grump than Isla, the sunshine of a single mother next door? Sure they got off on the wrong foot, but she’s just the ticket to course correct his image. And she could use his help to enter a baking contest hosted by her awful ex-husband’s affair partner (I know, I knooow!). Win-win, if you ask me!
Alistair and Isla are such a gorgeous, fantastic, perfect couple. I loved watching them fall in love, and how wholly they deserve it. Alistair is a work in progress. He’s certainly had his series of mess ups in life, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve love. And I enjoyed so much seeing how Isla lit his life up with *life*. Alistair was just going through the motions of living before Isla and her daughter snuck their way into his heart. I loved seeing this grump change for the better thanks to them. And in turn, I love the strength he lends isla. Isla has been through it. She moved to the town for her awful ex-husband who then abandoned her and their daughter for his high school sweetheart (who ain’t no peach like she portrays to the town!). He rarely is a dad now, leaving all finances to the struggling Isla. Every bit of joy she finds feels temporary, like her excitement to enter the baking contest. It goes from a sure thing to a suspiciously out-of-reach chance. Until Alistair sets things right.
And this is the relationship between the two: setting things right for one another. Even with certain final act missteps along the way when it comes to righting some wrongs (side eyeing you, Alistar, but I also get it!), they have each other’s back. They build one another up continuously throughout this story, and it adds to the swoons and to the very love that forges between them. It was beautiful to watch them not only find their way to one another, but lift one another up.
Alsoooo! t want to applaud this story for letting awful exes stay awful. Too often I read stories with an awful ex getting some sort of redemption or peace offering, and I appreciate how this story doesn’t whitewash all of Cameron’s wrongdoings. He is not a good father and was an awful husband, and the narrative brilliantly reduces him to a sniveling coward who doesn’t change and I say, good! He receives the ending (spoiler: stays miserable) he deserves and it genuinely satisfied me. But back to the sweet, swoony stuff!
I adored our main love story. Both the romance and how beautifully Alistair, Isla, and her daughter grow as a family. They are exactly what each other deserves. I just felt bliss reading their journey.
Hands down, without question, this is my favorite installment of the series!
Thank you Avon and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
June 3, 2026
One for the Road is the third book in the Macabe Brother’s series. It’s previous instalments (Whisky Business and Scotch on the Rocks) have swiftly become books I adore and made Elliot Fletcher a favourite romance author of mine. Although I had been looking forward to One for the Road I had a slight hesitancy, would I love Alistair as much as his siblings? My hesitancy was unwarranted…
Some of my thoughts on this book include:
• The characters, like all others in this series were wonderful. Alistair was a slow burn for me; but as I learned more about him, his motivations, his humour, I loved him (by the close of the book I was wondering if he is my favourite Macabe brother – I’m still pondering this…). I liked the journey I was taken on from my own preconceptions of him from book two and how the events in One for the Road challenged and changed them. Isla is loveable from her opening appearance. She is a character of dichotomies, feisty (particularly in her opening exchange with Alistair) but also growing her confidence throughout the story as she develops a place for herself (and Teddy, her daughter) as well as her personal acceptance. I found her character development heart-warming to read, and every time she had a win I was mentally cheering for her.
• Because both characters stole a little bit of my heart the romance between them was amazing! I loved watching their understanding of one another grow. Some moments were tender, others swoony, and some others steamy (Alistair Macabe was quite the surprise…). I can’t wait to reread my favourite bits.
• Just as I’ve come to expect from Fletcher’s stories, big themes were handled with care and explored well within the context of a story. These included: grief and loss, loneliness (particularly as an adult), single parenthood, financial insecurity, body image and insecurities, and help (both accepting and providing it).
As this is an interconnected standalone I would recommend reading the stories in order, that way you can fully enjoy the previous characters as they appear. Overall, this series has been a joy to discover and read, from Whisky Business being a complete surprise when I picked it up last summer, to devouring Callum and Juniper’s story in Scotch on the Rocks. One for the Road is a great edition, it includes the previous couples; having a check-in with where they are up to is always welcome, and some of these moments with all the characters (Mal and April, Callum and Juniper, and Heather) had me laughing and smiling so much (especially text exchanges). But I am still desperate for Heather to get her own HEA and book!
I read One for the Road via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. But I loved One for the Road, so had placed a pre-order within a few chapters of starting the story; because I needed my collection to be complete! I'd highly recommend this book and series if you love a romance read.
Some of my thoughts on this book include:
• The characters, like all others in this series were wonderful. Alistair was a slow burn for me; but as I learned more about him, his motivations, his humour, I loved him (by the close of the book I was wondering if he is my favourite Macabe brother – I’m still pondering this…). I liked the journey I was taken on from my own preconceptions of him from book two and how the events in One for the Road challenged and changed them. Isla is loveable from her opening appearance. She is a character of dichotomies, feisty (particularly in her opening exchange with Alistair) but also growing her confidence throughout the story as she develops a place for herself (and Teddy, her daughter) as well as her personal acceptance. I found her character development heart-warming to read, and every time she had a win I was mentally cheering for her.
• Because both characters stole a little bit of my heart the romance between them was amazing! I loved watching their understanding of one another grow. Some moments were tender, others swoony, and some others steamy (Alistair Macabe was quite the surprise…). I can’t wait to reread my favourite bits.
• Just as I’ve come to expect from Fletcher’s stories, big themes were handled with care and explored well within the context of a story. These included: grief and loss, loneliness (particularly as an adult), single parenthood, financial insecurity, body image and insecurities, and help (both accepting and providing it).
As this is an interconnected standalone I would recommend reading the stories in order, that way you can fully enjoy the previous characters as they appear. Overall, this series has been a joy to discover and read, from Whisky Business being a complete surprise when I picked it up last summer, to devouring Callum and Juniper’s story in Scotch on the Rocks. One for the Road is a great edition, it includes the previous couples; having a check-in with where they are up to is always welcome, and some of these moments with all the characters (Mal and April, Callum and Juniper, and Heather) had me laughing and smiling so much (especially text exchanges). But I am still desperate for Heather to get her own HEA and book!
I read One for the Road via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. But I loved One for the Road, so had placed a pre-order within a few chapters of starting the story; because I needed my collection to be complete! I'd highly recommend this book and series if you love a romance read.
August 14, 2026
A massive thank you to Avon and HarperVoyager for the ALC of this book!
I was so fortunate to read this one immersively, and I loved hearing the narration by Isobel Wood and Angus King.
I've been looking forward to Alistair's story since Scotch on the Rocks, and was so excited that we'd be getting his story!
I was first introduced to Elliot Fletcher's writing in Juniper and Callum's story, and went back to read April and Mal's story, so it was only fitting for me to jump for joy when I heard that Alistair would be getting his own love story. There's something about a surly/grumpy man falling in love with a sunshine woman that just melts my heart, and this romance did not disappoint!
Our FMC (Isla) is a single-mom who is wanting to develop her love for baking to turn it into a career that'll help support herself and her child (her ex sucksssssssssssssss basically). Our MMC (Alistair) is the local doctor who has returned to Skye to take over his late father's surgery practice...to his chagrin as he wanted to be able to earn a position instead of have one handed to him. Our two MCs live in a cottage that is separated by "paper-thin walls" and so our grumpy Alistair is always knocking on the walls to get Isla to turn down her music (or stop blow drying her hair at early hours). I loved seeing Alistair's ice start to melt as he started showing Isla the ways that he cares - despite his own beliefs that he is not a good person.
Again, I just really loved this one and being able to spend time with the Macabe family again! Here's to hoping that we get Heather's story!
I was so fortunate to read this one immersively, and I loved hearing the narration by Isobel Wood and Angus King.
I've been looking forward to Alistair's story since Scotch on the Rocks, and was so excited that we'd be getting his story!
I was first introduced to Elliot Fletcher's writing in Juniper and Callum's story, and went back to read April and Mal's story, so it was only fitting for me to jump for joy when I heard that Alistair would be getting his own love story. There's something about a surly/grumpy man falling in love with a sunshine woman that just melts my heart, and this romance did not disappoint!
Our FMC (Isla) is a single-mom who is wanting to develop her love for baking to turn it into a career that'll help support herself and her child (her ex sucksssssssssssssss basically). Our MMC (Alistair) is the local doctor who has returned to Skye to take over his late father's surgery practice...to his chagrin as he wanted to be able to earn a position instead of have one handed to him. Our two MCs live in a cottage that is separated by "paper-thin walls" and so our grumpy Alistair is always knocking on the walls to get Isla to turn down her music (or stop blow drying her hair at early hours). I loved seeing Alistair's ice start to melt as he started showing Isla the ways that he cares - despite his own beliefs that he is not a good person.
Again, I just really loved this one and being able to spend time with the Macabe family again! Here's to hoping that we get Heather's story!
June 17, 2026
3.5 ☆
The third book in The Macabe Brothers series was a nice little romance to round out the series. This series has seriously ebbed and flowed. To me, book one was exclusively a charming romance, while book two had a dark streak. A dark streak that the characters from this book contained and definitely could of delved into, yet this is kind of a middle ground of the series, the darker aspects are brought up but only really to a surface level and not explored to the extent that I felt we could have gotten too.
Allistar Macabe move’s back to his home town on the Isle of Sky with plans to briefly take over his late father’s GP practice before selling. That is until his new neighbour Isla moves in with her daughter Teddy. Isla is recently divorced and struggling with the change of being single mother, along with a slew of complications from her ex. Their relationship starts off with a little turbulence, mainly Allistar’s grumpy attitude does not bode well for being neighbours with literally anyone but they quickly come up with a convoluted fake dating plan for a baking contest. Honestly, the parameters felt like a bit of a reach, the plot being written around the trope.
That being said, There were things I really enjoyed about this book. Isla’s character in general was one I just really liked. The way she holds herself and deals with her ex and his partner, her friendship with Heather (give us a Heather Macabe book, please!) and her relationship and mental resilience when dealing with the new reality for raising her daughter were all a heartbreaking delight to watch. We do explore a little of Allistar's history, we get a brief explanation and a kind of reconciliation with Callum and Juniper but most of it feels half-hearted when we know there is so much beneath the surface to explore.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a good escape read from all the fantasy and thriller book I find myself being surrounded by at the moment. It was light, funny, heart and a little ridiculous at times but that’s all just a part of its charm. Thankyou to Harper Collins UK and Elliot Fletcher for providing me with an ARC copy of this book!
The third book in The Macabe Brothers series was a nice little romance to round out the series. This series has seriously ebbed and flowed. To me, book one was exclusively a charming romance, while book two had a dark streak. A dark streak that the characters from this book contained and definitely could of delved into, yet this is kind of a middle ground of the series, the darker aspects are brought up but only really to a surface level and not explored to the extent that I felt we could have gotten too.
Allistar Macabe move’s back to his home town on the Isle of Sky with plans to briefly take over his late father’s GP practice before selling. That is until his new neighbour Isla moves in with her daughter Teddy. Isla is recently divorced and struggling with the change of being single mother, along with a slew of complications from her ex. Their relationship starts off with a little turbulence, mainly Allistar’s grumpy attitude does not bode well for being neighbours with literally anyone but they quickly come up with a convoluted fake dating plan for a baking contest. Honestly, the parameters felt like a bit of a reach, the plot being written around the trope.
That being said, There were things I really enjoyed about this book. Isla’s character in general was one I just really liked. The way she holds herself and deals with her ex and his partner, her friendship with Heather (give us a Heather Macabe book, please!) and her relationship and mental resilience when dealing with the new reality for raising her daughter were all a heartbreaking delight to watch. We do explore a little of Allistar's history, we get a brief explanation and a kind of reconciliation with Callum and Juniper but most of it feels half-hearted when we know there is so much beneath the surface to explore.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a good escape read from all the fantasy and thriller book I find myself being surrounded by at the moment. It was light, funny, heart and a little ridiculous at times but that’s all just a part of its charm. Thankyou to Harper Collins UK and Elliot Fletcher for providing me with an ARC copy of this book!
August 20, 2026
5⭐️
3🔥
Quick Breakdown
Set in Scotland
Single Mom
Neighbors
Grumpy x Sunshine
Fake Dating
Age Gap
Dual POV / Dual Audio
Open Door - Mild to Moderate
Isla is a newly single mom. After moving her & their daughter to his hometown village on the island of Skye, her ex leaves them for his old flame. Kicked from their home, Isla & Teddy relocate to a shabby cottage outside of town. Their new next door neighbor? A very grumpy Alistair Macabe. He’s relocated back to their small village to take care of his ailing father. After he passes, he inherits his medical practice. Alistair wants to sell it - he’d hoped to have had earned a practice on merit, not as a gift, but he needs improved patient satisfaction score to entice a buyer. Enter Isla. Alistair proposes a deal - they fake date to improve his popularity & she’ll be able ruffle her ex’s smug feathers. Only they take faking it quite seriously, to the point where they might not be faking it at all.
I was enchanted from the very beginning.
We first met Alistair in book two, Scotch on the Rocks, as the ex fiancé of Juniper (FMC) & younger brother of Callum (MMC). He was the low-key villain in need of a redemption arc & boy did he get one. He started this book still a raging butthole, but desperation & deep attraction had him making a deal that would change everything. I LOVED how much this man yearned for Isla & subsequently her daughter to. He repeatedly showed up for them when her ex time & again let her down. It’s a slow burn & I ate up every single second. The grand gestures, the tenderness weaved throughout.. I’m still not over it.
I did an immersive read for this & it was such an experience. It’s narrated by Isobel Wood & Angus King in dual narration & I could listen to these two all day. I loved the accents & how well they brought these characters to life.
3🔥
Quick Breakdown
Set in Scotland
Single Mom
Neighbors
Grumpy x Sunshine
Fake Dating
Age Gap
Dual POV / Dual Audio
Open Door - Mild to Moderate
Isla is a newly single mom. After moving her & their daughter to his hometown village on the island of Skye, her ex leaves them for his old flame. Kicked from their home, Isla & Teddy relocate to a shabby cottage outside of town. Their new next door neighbor? A very grumpy Alistair Macabe. He’s relocated back to their small village to take care of his ailing father. After he passes, he inherits his medical practice. Alistair wants to sell it - he’d hoped to have had earned a practice on merit, not as a gift, but he needs improved patient satisfaction score to entice a buyer. Enter Isla. Alistair proposes a deal - they fake date to improve his popularity & she’ll be able ruffle her ex’s smug feathers. Only they take faking it quite seriously, to the point where they might not be faking it at all.
I was enchanted from the very beginning.
We first met Alistair in book two, Scotch on the Rocks, as the ex fiancé of Juniper (FMC) & younger brother of Callum (MMC). He was the low-key villain in need of a redemption arc & boy did he get one. He started this book still a raging butthole, but desperation & deep attraction had him making a deal that would change everything. I LOVED how much this man yearned for Isla & subsequently her daughter to. He repeatedly showed up for them when her ex time & again let her down. It’s a slow burn & I ate up every single second. The grand gestures, the tenderness weaved throughout.. I’m still not over it.
I did an immersive read for this & it was such an experience. It’s narrated by Isobel Wood & Angus King in dual narration & I could listen to these two all day. I loved the accents & how well they brought these characters to life.
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