Whisky and Roses

Hello, new book boyfriend, Finn Kinnaird. The grumpiest grump there was, and I loved him for it. I had the privilege to get this as an eARC before my pre-order came in. (It’s the second in the Loch Morven series but can be read alone - Duke It Out was also a five star read 👀)

Tilda Maclean finds herself back on the island of Benruar after years away, to tidy and sell her father’s cottage. Having just lost her gardening business to her ex, and her savings (!), Tilda is in need of a quick sale and now, with an empty bank balance, a short term job.

Having had a run in with a handsome grump on the beach she’s not expecting him to be her new boss, the owner of Benruar Whisky Distillery.

I really loved this. It hit me in all the feels. Tilda’s complicated feelings regarding grief for her father; the version she knew, and the version the locals on the island had come to know. I think the subject matter was handled with care, and I appreciated that.

I like that Finn’s grumpiness isn’t diluted; he’s still a grump through and through - nothing changes here. We just get to see that he has a soft side. Hello, he rescues seals in his spare time?! How can he not be lovable??

Special mention to Flora the basset hound who gets awards for irritating Finn first and winning him over 😂

I love that this was my last read of 2025 and my last five star of the year too.

Read for:
💕Opposites Attract
🐶 Cute pooches
💕Grumpy x Sunshine
🐶A Secret Letter 👀 (haaaa, I cried so much)
💕Found Family (Malcolm, Susan, Georgia 🥺)
🐶 Forced Proximity
💕Scottish Island (and the preservation of traditional island living!!)

Ashy Khaira

519 reviews52 followers

This story pulled me in quickly with a storyline that was genuinely intriguing and easy to sink into. It keeps your attention without forcing drama, letting curiosity and emotional tension guide the pace, which made it a very engaging experience overall.
What really stood out was how the plot explores the female lead’s relationship with her father. After years of hearing only one side of the story and constantly being told she is just like him, watching her slowly question those narratives and learn uncomfortable truths added real depth. The blossoming romance alongside this was sweet and natural, filled with cute moments that had me smiling and wishing there was more of their story to come.

Pat

1,376 reviews42 followers

January 1, 2026

Scotland is one of my favorite places to visit, and this wonderful story makes me want to travel there as soon as possible.

Tilda is a young woman running away from a bad breakup, that made her lose the gardening business she shared with her ex, along with a great deal of her money. She travels to Benruar, Scotland with her dog Flora by her side to settle and sell her estranged father’s cottage after his passing.

Her first encounter with the locals is not pleasant, a great big giant of a man scolds her for letting Flora off leash and endangering wildlife. His name is Finn, and she soon learns all about him. He owns Benruar Whisky Distillery,
and is a member of the Marine Mammal Rescue. There lives become entwined when she needs a job, and the Distillery is looking for a gardener. The more she learns from the locals, she realizes how wrong she was about her father.

The characters are wonderful and Ms. James descriptions bring them to life. The slow burn romance is entertaining, but once it warms up, it’s hot.
This is the first novel I’ve read by Ms. James, but it certainly won’t be my last. This is the first book I have read in 2026, and what a way to start the New Year.

Linna • linnareads

560 reviews252 followers

December 27, 2025

I loved the Scotland setting on this one. This is the first book I’ve read from the authors and really enjoyed the writing and story. I plan to continue reading the series. The romance did feel quite insta love to me with the story only taking place over a few weeks and the mmc being so grumpy at the start then shifting to love so quickly. I think I needed a little bit more conversation and moments with them to make it feel less insta love. There not being a breakup and the way the mmc bluntly would say how he felt for her made it work though.

I have to give a shoutout to the dogs of the book. They were so cute and in the story enough without overpowering it in any way.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 small town
🤭 strangers to lovers
🐾 includes dogs
🤍 insta love
👏🏻 no third act breakup

dual POV
4/5 stars ⭐️
2/5 spice level 🌶️

Evelin

32 reviews

MY RATING: 5⭐
BOOK FEATURES:
• Forced Proximity
• Scottish Vibes
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• Opposites Attract
• Slow Burn Romance
• A Hidden Letter
• Contemporary Romance
• Small Town Romance

MY THOUGHTS:
I’ve been wanting this ARC so badly since I finished the first book in this series, and I’m so glad I recieved it as an ARC, because I loved this even more than the first one!

Tilda and Finn’s story was the kind of dream romance I’d wish for myself. It was so perfect and authentic. I loved that they fell in love slowly (finally, a real slow burn romance!). I was really enjoyed reading how they interacted. Their banter was perfect and hilarious at times, especially it the beginning when they couldn’t even look at each other. There were a few lines that inspired me so much that I had to save them as quotes.

Tilda was so humble, and she basically gave up on life after going through so much all at once. I felt really sorry for her, I just wanted to take all her pain away. She didn’t deserve any of it. I liked watching her growth, she learned so much about herself and her parents throughout the story. She learned to accept the things she couldn’t change and realized that she was worthy enough. I think that was the best thing of the whole story. I could really relate to her.
Finn seemed genuinely nice and mature, even though he always showed his grumpy, serious side to the world. I understood his perspective, too. He had gone through a lot because of his father and needed to escape from reality. I was so happy that he found someone he felt safe and comfortable with and he learned to trust again in others.

I loved them together as a couple. They were total opposites but they could handle everything together, despite a few misunderstandings or miscomunication. Even with their different backgrounds, they could solve every problem by communicating, which made their relationship feel grounded and real. I really liked the forced proximity trope when Tilda moved in with Finn, it complicated their life perfectly and pushed the story forward.

It was wonderful to read about Rory, Edie and others from Loch Morven again! It didn’t disappoint me at all. I loved the way the author developed their personalities even further.
The dogs were really cute and funny, they made me laugh so much. Flora was my absolute favorite character! I adored her mischievousness. I also loved that the dogs’ behavior reflected their owners’ personalities.
The subplot with the seal felt a bit out of place with the main story, but at least we could see Finn’s caring side as well.

The ending was great, there was no loose ends, and I will definitely reread it soon. I recommend it to everyone who loves Scottish vibes, a grumpy whisky distiller, a cheerful gardener, and playful dogs.

Thank you LoveNotesPR and Bella James for providing me this book in exchange for an honest review!

CONTENT WARNINGS:
• Alcohol consumption
• Mention of death
• Grief
• Explicit sexual content

Kaitlin

187 reviews6 followers

5 Stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tilda’s life isn’t going according to plan. Her ex ran off with her gardening business and bank account, and her estranged father left her a crumbling Scottish cottage on the island of Benruar. She needs money, and fast, so she takes a 6 week gardening job at the Benruar Distillery. The problem? Grumpy Finn who thrives on order and doesn’t love Tilda’s chaos or her misbehaving basset hound.

I didn’t think I could love Whisky and Roses more than Duke It Out, but I really did!! It’s definitely my favorite of the series so far! I loved seeing familiar faces from Loch Morven and meeting so many more amazing side characters at Benruar!! Ugh and I loved the chaos vs ordered relationship between Tilda and Finn! The details about the island and gardens were so gorgeous and I loved the little smirks and lingering glances from Finn. I also love the way Bella makes her endings so realistic! I saw the same thing in Duke It Out and it’s so refreshing that the plot just wasn’t easily wrapped up like I assumed.

Thank you so much @bellajamesauthor and @lovenotes.pr for the digital ARC!

Thank you so much Bella James and Love Notes PR for the digital ARC!

🥃 Dual POV
🌹 Opposites Attract
🥃 Forced Proximity
🌹 Scottish Island
🥃 Puppies
🌹 Open Door

“This stopped being practical when her smile started making me laugh despite myself and the moment I started looking for excuses to be near her.”

“I mean you’ve completely wrecked me, Chaos. And I don’t want to go back to how I was before you crashed into my life.”

Antheia

104 reviews6 followers

ARC review

As you already know, I read the ARC of Duke It Out and absolutely adored it, so when I saw that this one was about the duke’s brother, I didn’t hesitate to request the ARC. And what a great decision.

The story follows Tilda, who has to go and restore her late father’s house. While there, she needs money and ends up accepting a job as a gardener for a whisky distillery, even though she’s against this drink for reasons related to her father. The owner of the distillery, Finn, constantly complains about absolutely everything she does. They’ll have to work together to beat the competition.

I absolutely loved Tilda. She’s a very real character, she feels lost and doesn’t know what she wants or which direction to take. She’s funny, loyal, and very authentic.
I liked Finn a lot too, he’s very loyal to his island and his people. I would have liked to know a bit more about the relationship he had with his father and to explore his past a little more. I adored how he starts off hating Tilda’s dog and ends up loving it more than his own dogs.

The secondary characters are wonderful, fun, and they add a great touch to the story.

It’s a beautiful, emotional story with a very well done slow burn. I’ll definitely read more from this author because I’ve loved both of her books.

Madison Neil

26 reviews1 follower

Thank you so much Bella James and Love Notes PR for the ARC opportunity✨

Rating: ★★★★☆
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
Tropes: Grumpy x Sunshine, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Slow burn

Another book that has influenced me to want to travel. Bella James writes Scotland beautifully in this book, giving me all the more reason to want to go there.
As for Tilda and Finn, I absolutely adored their dynamic, and how he was the grump to Tilda’s loveable bubbly self. And don’t even get me started on Flora the Basset Hound, I loved how quirky and sassy she was, and now she has a little story of her own, she had me hooked from the cover. This was my first Bella James book but I can’t wait for more!

Amanda Wildes

148 reviews2 followers

January 8, 2026

must love whisky, gardens, DOGS, and a slowww burn! add in broody (but benevolent) Scottish men who smirk while saying “wouldn’t dream of it” and I’ll just be here trying to read past the hearts in my eyes!

bella writes characters and stories that are so easy to be absorbed into and I just love living in the world she creates! I also suspect she’s a Swiftie because Poppy was giving big Father Figure energy with her “leave it with me” and that only furthers my delusions that we could be friends one day!

Sarah

590 reviews27 followers

Read

December 5, 2025

Beta read and LOVED IT!

Rachel

40 reviews15 followers

December 18, 2025

ARC review:
I was lucky enough to read an early copy of Whisky and Roses and i loved it just as much as Duke it Out (which if you haven't read, go read it now).

He's measured and deliberate in everything he does and she's beautifully chaotic.

Tilda and Finn's story is a slow burn with heart. The way the two of them circle each other and both let their guards down is so sweet. The book also touches on the loss of a parent in a really heartfelt way, showing how complicated grief can be at times.

The side characters are brilliant, the dogs are adorable and the island is so beautifully described and feels so real that it's a character all on its own.

I loved getting to see the characters from book 1 have a cameo and can't wait for book 3.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

own-on-kindle

Tiffany Motton

98 reviews1 follower

I REALLY WANT TO RATE IT 4 BUT I CAN'T I'M SORRY!!!!

Let me start by saying - I love Scotland and I really liked this challenge, so I found myself continuously wishing I could read on. However ... More in the review!

*Small & Silly Description*
Tilda has ADHD so she gets easily distracted by abs and tall men and brooding stares.
When she arrives at a Scottish isle with a wedding dress, and bumps into a "wall" - nay, a tall man with abs and brooding stares, she of course starts to work for him, even though He'S An AnNoYiNg MaN.
She's roped in by Finn to help his distillerie win more clients. Apparently, people go to whisky distilleries for their gardens, and if that isn't serendipity: Tilda happens to be a gardener!
Will they succeed in this quest or will their growing attraction (or you know, ADHD) ruin everything?

*World-building and plot*
Oh Bella James, you wonderful writer you. How you've described Scotland with such detail, I could imagine it so easily. The purple haze of the heather, the salt in the air, the winds and the midges. No details left!
The plot was really clever too, I LOVED this overarching quest of saving the distillerie and wanting to put the islanders first. A clever David vs. Goliath theme there, with an international mogul as contender who continues to up the stakes.
As a whisky lover myself, I could easily imagine this type of situation not being far-fetched either!

*Characters & Dialogue*
So, Tilda has ADHD and while I do love neurodivergent representation, it gets mentioned a LOT. Still - as a person who is frequently distracted herself, I felt seen by her. I think I have a lot in common with Tilda so in all fairness - I love her.
Finn, though. Finn kept on frustrating me. He is so narrow-minded and focused on his goal. Until he "decides" he wants a relationship with Tilda. It's a decision because He DoEsN't MaKe MiStAkEs. Well, epic quote, mr. Finn, but what do you even know about Tilda? Have you even asked her what her deal is? Why she wants to leave?
He says it's because he doesn't want to scare her away but maybe try some conversation first.
I'm so annoyed with Finn because he is why I can't give this book 4 stars, which is what I wanted to give in the first place.

There are some inaccuracies here and there, nothing major but just enough to make you think, "hold up, where did the fifth person in the car go?".
And in the end, it felt a bit rushed. I think I would have loved seeing everyone on the island pull together their launch party. I think, the book would have made me cry to see such sentimentality and community take place.
That would have really made it a GREAT book.

Now it's just good, an easy read, that I DO recommend, but y'know, just don't get attached to Finn.

*READ if you ...*
MUST-read if you like whisky, distilleries, underdog stories and DOGS (oh the dogs!!!). And if you like neurodivergent representation because if a person is somewhat neurodivergent, THEY WILL MENTION IT. A LOT.

Don't read if you cannot handle small plot holes/plot inaccuracies, a hasty ending and physical attraction above emotional attraction. (and maybe if neurodivergency is a trigger for you?)

Hannah

2 reviews

Review of advance copy

December 31, 2025

Bella James has done it again. The second in the series of Loch Morven, we take a detour to Benruar to meet another one of the Kinnaird brothers and his own love story.

Finn is grumpy, imposing but passionate and we easily fall in love with him as the story unfolds. The mention of a kilt does wonders for the mind but his interactions with our FMC is described with such intimacy and so sexy, we find it hard to not wish this was our own love story. He is a grumpy perfection and easily makes us swoon throughout, excited with anticipation and weak knees as the relationship builds.

Tilda is loveable, independent, if unsure and this comes across, particularly in her interactions with Finn. She is unsure on how they progress but easily stands her own and, despite finding herself in Benruar alone except for her sassy Basset Hound, Flora, she comes across equal measures as unsure and confident.

A curvy character, this is referred to but not overdone, not making it into its own trope. There are little moments that, as a fellow curvy girl, we worry about and go through but this is kept subtle, ensuring this isn't about self deprication and reason for her lack of confidence. Although, part of me wanted her to still lean on that lack of body confidence, probably only for me to relate further.

Tilda also has ADHD, like myself, and this is again subtle. Her insecurities on this are louder than anything else and I felt this deep in my own feelings and worries. It is referred to in different scenarios and ways and we have a round-about moment of acceptance and love for her brain from not only herself but from Finn. It only added to giving me hope to find my own Finn.

We can't leave a review without mentioning our third main character; a funny and adorable dog called Flora. She is her own character with her own story, and her own friendship with Finn and his spaniels is heart warming and provides so many laugh out loud moments. She herself is one sassy girl and deserves and gets her own beautiful happy ending.

Scotland is evoked so clearly. Scotland is one of my favourite places in the world and her description of the landscape and smells and tastes throughout can be seen, felt and sensed so vividly, we can easily be there in the rose bushes and the distillery, at the harbour and amongst the peat fields. It made me ache for the country.

James has created another standalone novel that subtly refers back to the first book, Duke It Out, without relying too heavily on it. The grumpy trope is used again but it is different, with the characters so different to one another between the books. Both books also set up for what I hope will turn into a trilogy, peppering moments for the younger brother and I can't wait to see what is next.

Whisky and Roses is sexy, spicy, heart warming and wrecking in equal measures, with moments of fun and friendship. It evokes beautiful visions of Scottish island life, a intense and knee weakening love story and a journey of several character growths. Now... where do I go to find my own Finn?

Hannah Hartridge

112 reviews1 follower

Review of advance copy

December 29, 2025

Thank you so much to Bella and Love Notes PR for this ARC!

Whisky and Roses swept me straight back to the Highlands for another bonnie adventure, and honestly… I didn’t want to leave. Bella James has this magical way of making Scotland feel like a character in its own right—wild, warm, and full of heart—and this book delivered all of that in spades.

Tilda absolutely stole the show for me.
She’s vibrant, layered, chaotic in the most endearing way, and so painfully human. She feels everything, overthinks everything, and barrels through life with this fierce determination that made me want to wrap her in a hug and cheer her on at the same time. Learning about her upbringing genuinely hurt—despite having Poppy and her loyal basset hound Flora, she’s still so heartbreakingly alone. With an estranged father gone and a mother who’s run as far as she can, Tilda has been left to fend for herself… and yet she rises. Every. Single. Time.
Queen energy. You can’t help but love her.

And then there’s Finn—the grumpy, logical, no‑nonsense counterpart to Tilda’s beautiful chaos. His formal tone had me laughing out loud, especially when he and Tilda clashed over the garden. Their dynamic? Electric. The slow burn? Sizzling. And once Finn finally gave in to Tilda? Goodness. You could not hold that man back. He lets her slip past every wall and rule he’s built, and suddenly he’s lavishing her with the kind of touches and affection she’s been starved of for so long. It was tender, intense, and so well earned.

The dogs—Flora, Jess, and Pol—were once again scene‑stealers. Little rascals, full of mischief, full of charm, and full of heart. Watching Finn slowly warm to Flora was such a soft delight. By the end, they felt like this cosy, mismatched little family you just want to curl up beside with a mug of something warm.

I also loved the added layer of tension as the team worked to secure a major contract to bring tourists to the distillery. The stakes were high, the pressure was real, and it gave the story this brilliant undercurrent of suspense that balanced the romance beautifully.

Warm, cosy, heartfelt, and full of spark—Whisky and Roses is a Highland hug of a book. Bella James has done it again.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Steph

80 reviews3 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

December 29, 2025

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book and was not paid for my review.

***
Tilda’s life has officially imploded. Her ex stole her business, leaving her stranded with a judging basset hound and a crumbling cottage she can’t afford to fix. Enter Finn Kinnaird, the broody distillery owner who needs a gardener to save more than just his business. He is total control to her absolute chaos, but in the wild beauty of the Highlands, their opposite vibes might just be the perfect blend.
• Opposites attract
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• Workplace romance
• Scottish Highlands setting
• Slow burn
***
I was so excited to ARC read this book and I cannot wait for the next – please give me more of the gorgeous Kinnaird brothers in (and out of) their kilts!

Whisky and Roses brings us into the mess that is Tilda’s life as she flees from a failed – almost – marriage, wedding dress and all. But Tilda is not some hopeless runaway bride, our girls got skills! Which is lucky as she is in a right pickle, with an unexpected lack of money to her name, a messy history with her deceased Dad to slowly unravel, and a future to figure out. So obviously she needs to get her Dad’s cottage fixed up, flipped and get off this tiny Scottish Island.

Finn is her opposite, having spent his adult life devoted to, and in perfect orderly fashion, keeping the distillery and slice of Benruar safe and sound. He’s got a legacy to live up to and despite being prickly, grumpy and downright closed off, he has a heart of gold and wants to keep this Island alive and prospering.

I thought that Duke Rory Kinnaird (Book 1) was a delicious grumpy treat in a kilt. But now I get an even grumpier mountain man of a Lord in a Kilt in my man Finn. Mother may I? Bella James really knows how to appeal to this reader.

This book was gorgeous, so well written and you can’t help but be drawn into this delicious slow burn that turns co-workers, who can barely stand each other, with a dash of forced proximity and a dollop of chemistry into beautiful partnership and love story.

This couple smooths out each other’s rough edges, supports through their difficulties and works damned hard to help build a better future.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – He’s pure order, she’s glorious chaos. Together? Absolute magic.

arc ebooks

Ciara Hartman

Author 21 books52 followers

FYI - This is book 2 in the Loch Morven series, but I haven’t read book 1.

My Thoughts: 👉 Reading this story was like walking a quiet meandering path and stopping occasionally to take in the sights of some crazy creatures frolicking in the woods, all while learning more about yourself and what you want out of life. Or at least that’s kinda how it felt to me.

The FMC is chaotic (I think ADHD was mentioned at the beginning of the story?) and the MMC is very focused and orderly. They clash instantly, yet there’s the tiniest hint of something more. Due to unexpected circumstances, she needs a job and gets hired as his gardener. There are plenty of times when they get snippy with each other and crazy dog antics happen as well, but they slowly come to know each other as they work towards a goal that eventually becomes a shared interest. All the while, the small island town is helping heal parts of her and revealing truths about her estranged father (now deceased) that she hadn’t known previously.

It’s heartfelt and moving, but also chaotic and fun in parts. Overall though, I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re looking for a spicy fast paced read. - This story moved very slowly, and while I won’t say I was bored, I found it easy to set it down and come back at a later time. It is slow burn, spice doesn’t hit till 65% in, but once it hits you get to enjoy it. It’s nice to see how their relationship progresses before they take that step.

Also, Scotland… so there were many words/phrases I was unfamiliar with and at times I even thought perhaps that’s a typo… but I looked things up and found out the meaning behind a lot of interesting words!

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5

Tropes 👇

- Slow Burn 🔥
- Opposites Attract
- Forced Proximity
- Grumpy Sunshine 😒😁
- Curvy FMC
- Scottish island
- Canine Companions 🐶🦮
- Dual, First person POV

Micro-Tropes 👇

- He says ‘I love you’ first
- Height Difference
- Seal Rescue 🦭
- Whisky Distillery 🥃
- Organized MMC
- Chaotic FMC

🚨 Content Warnings 👇

- Death of parents (historical/off page)
- Financial abuse (off page)
- Family alcohol abuse (historical)
- Cheating ex (off page)

Thank you to Love Notes PR and Bella James for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

_.Beckyslibrary._

256 reviews4 followers

4,25⭐️
•

“I need you by my side for this. Not for the meeting. For all of it.”
•

Whisky and roses is a romance standalone book, here you’ll find:

🥃Slow burn
💐Grumpy x Sunshine
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scottish island setting
🐶Forced proximity

This was my first book by this author, and I really enjoyed it. The writing was smooth, engaging, and easy to get lost in from the very beginning.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the Scottish setting. It felt incredibly immersive—I truly felt like I was there. The way the characters speak and the local terms used throughout the story felt authentic and well-researched, and honestly, it made me miss Scotland so much. That atmosphere played a huge role in why I loved this book as much as I did.

Finn is a character who deeply struggles with emotions, and I found myself empathizing with him a lot. He thrives on order, discipline, and rules, and while he comes across as grumpy and closed-off, it’s clear he’s carrying a lot beneath the surface. He just needed the right person to slowly melt those walls, and I really appreciated his character growth throughout the story.

Tilda, on the other hand, is his complete opposite. She’s chaotic, disorganized, and a true free spirit. I loved watching her learn more about her father through the people on the island and realizing how much she resembles him. Her personal journey and growth were beautiful to witness and added a lot of emotional depth to the story.

Finn and Tilda’s relationship definitely didn’t start off on the right foot—after all, she is chaos personified, and he is the exact opposite. But the tension and yearning were there from the very beginning. The slow burn was so well done, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship evolve over time. That said, I would have loved a few more intimate moments between them—not just physically, but emotionally as well, to deepen their connection even more.

Overall, this was a wonderful read with a strong sense of place, great character growth, and a satisfying slow-burn romance.

Thank you so much to @lovenotes.pr and @bellajamesauthor for the ARC!

Mardhiyah

14 reviews

The story follows Tilda who packed up and moved to a small town after she broke up with her fiance and to renovate her late father's cottage so she can put it up for sale. Finn, on the other hand is running a distillery and trying to honor the promise he made to his late cousin.

Their first meeting didn't go well, all thanks to Tilda's dog trespassing. I honestly didn't like the way Finn behaved during that encounter, it wasn't a good first impression.

Things take an interesting turn when Tilda applies to work as a gardener at the distillery not knowing Finn was the boss. He didn't react well when he saw her but they needed her help to revive the garden and Georgia wouldn't allow him to send her away if he tried.

Despite their rocky start and a not-so-perfect work relationship, feelings slowly start creeping in. From her noticing how extremely handsome he is, to him noticing her curves and the focused look on her face whenever she was working, the lingering touches and shared glances made their growing attraction impossible to ignore.

While their relationship felt a bit fast paced to me, it was really nice seeing them have their moments, waking up next to each other, trying not to get caught whenever they're together.
I wish we got to read about Georgia and Poppy's reaction to their relationship.

I'm glad Tilda was able to uncover the truth about her father from those who knew him best, and realize she shared the same vision he once had. Seeing that idea come to life was really nice.

I loved how everyone came together to prevent losing the island to those who wouldn't cherish it. Also loved that everyone accepted Tilda as a "Towner" and everyone had a good relationship at the end.

Can't forget to mention Flora and the spaniels, I just love how they were portrayed in the story. I loved how Flora immediately became one of them and her adoration for Finn added an entertaining layer to the story.

If you enjoy small-town romances and found family tropes, you should read this 💯

Thank you to Bella James and LoveNotes Or for this eARC

It’s Lyn

30 reviews

January 10, 2026

The first read of January and it’s five stars for me. Got me out of my biggest reading slump.
It had everything I laughed, cried, cheered, was angry, and was rooting for the main characters the whole way.
I’m not usually a fan of slow burn but this book is the exception! From chapter one the banter between the mmc and fmc was so good. At first I wasn’t sure about the mmc and how to feel about him. Cause most often when it comes to the grumpy to sunshine trope the man is just a jerk. But as I read from his p.o.v he grew on me. I love it when a man can admit he’s stuck his foot in his mouth. Also when he knows what he wants and makes that clear. As I read I could feel the tension between them. I often found myself internally yelling just kiss already! And when he got jealous 🔥. Then they kissed and oh boy. I loved how it was handled. It wasn’t rushed and we didn’t get the cheesy this shouldn’t have happened. Instead we have two people who are capable of reading each other and communicating. I loved the side characters like Poppy who’s a real girls girl. I became so fond of this distillery and the people who run it that anyone who against them had me rolling my eyes and cussing them out internally.
As the story progressed, we focused on the two developing relationship we lose the plot of why Tilda was there to begin with and it shifts to focus more on Finns problems to the point that even the fmc realizes it. Eventually we do get back to it and we get to learn about the father she never got to know outside of his problems and what her mother told her, through the other people on the island and as we discover more of the father that never got to be a part of her life. Also I think it was so clever and smart how she had both characters have this complex relationship with their fathers from the same thing, yet they both handled it so differently. Which just shows you can’t always assume how someone will turn out or how they will be affected due to their parents.
I loved this book, I can’t recommend it enough! And can’t wait to read more!
Also this as a romcom movie would be perfect ☺️

Daniela Hernandez

84 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy

December 31, 2025

I loved it! (Review to follow later) 💕📚⚘️

UPDATE

Thanks a lot to Bella James and Love Notes PR for the ARC. 💕

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

“Stay,” he says again, softer this time.
I press a kiss to his chest, right over his heart. “I’m not going anywhere.”

It was so nice to be back at the Scottish Highlands, also is there any chance I can book a tour? It would be amazing 🤭.

I have to admit I had a bit of slow start, the first chapters of the book felt a bit slow, and I know this was an opposites attract but sometimes it's so annoying when the MMC is rude or a pain without a reason to the FMC. With this said, after engaging a bit more with the story, I kind of change my perspective of the characters, specially Finn.

Finn is someone who struggles with emotions, and of course the interactions with Tilda are a bit "awkward" at the beginning. Where Finn is order and discipline, Tilda is chaos (adorable nickname btw). And this is why they were the perfect match. They complemented each other.

I love the secondary characters, I'm such a sucker for a nice found family trope, and all the people from the island made it perfect. I liked how they embraced Tilda, even if it was because of her dad, but at the end, they took care of her because they were genuinely interested.
Also it was amazing to see how everyone jumped in to help and organise, and create a plan to save the island and keep the natural charm of it.
Talking about secondary characters, it was nice to see Edie and Rory back, as well as Jamie.

One thing I think I'd have liked to read a bit more about the gardening aspect, we know Tilda is talented and she has a passion for it, and yes, the main project was not entirely about the gardens, but I feel like at the end we didn't get a full glimpse of how the work was done.

Still, it was such a romantic story and I can't wait for the next book in the series, to be taken back to the Scottish Highlands 🥰.

4⭐️ / 5⭐️

Dimitra

470 reviews9 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

December 30, 2025

Whisky and Roses 🥃
Firstly,I want to thank LoveNotes PR and Bella James for trusting me with this wonderful ARC!❤️
Tilda's ex took everything she owned,so the solution is just one:to find her father's old cottage and renovate it in order to gain some money and start over.However,as she goes into the island that the house is located she may find herself tied to the place more than she expected to & finding out some family secrets that might change everything she ever believed.

Whisky and Roses made me fall in love with Scottish countryside again.The way the mountains,the valleys,the countryside in general is described..OMG,just get me there please!
Getting into the characters,I LOVED the grumpy king 👑 that Finn was & that he fell in love with Tilda THE MOMENT HE SAW HER.Literally perfect.As an individual,we see a true Scotsman,that is kinda into royalty(this status of his gave us BEAUTIFUL castle scenes) ,really serious about his job,and whisky in general.
Tilda on the other side,is the cutest in there.As the story goes by she becomes ever more lovely,& I love how passionate she became about her plants-I am sorry,her babies.🪴
Those two together,shared a magical chemistry and the moments were they flirt and make love were my favourite.Especially,those renovation scenes had me giggling my feet!🥹
Back into the general plot,it unfolds really smoothly,with every scene taking the right amount of page time, making the reading experience THE BEST.
Lastly,an another aspect that I truly enjoyed is that,even with the romance being the main thing that is happening,this book has intrigues going on,family drama,save the company\island's economy and so many other staff that will have you GLUED between the pages.
Long story short,if you want to rock your way into 2026 with a good read,Whisky and Roses releases just in time for you!
4⭐

April M.

6 reviews

Do I like whiskey? Yes. Do I like roses? Also yes. Do I like “Whiskey and Roses”, Bella James’s latest rom-com release?? Absolutely yes!

This is the perfect way to kickstart your 2026 reading! The banter is bantering, the tension is the sweetest balance (such a slow burn!!!), the dogs are the absolute best good dogs…there’s Scottish atmosphere, quirky neighbors, wildlife rescues…what more could you want from a sweet holiday break read?!

My favorite part though, maybe especially since it’s a brand new year, is the beautiful fresh start that Tilda finds right when she most needs it but least expects it. Finn is the perfect antidote to cure everything she never needed and be everything she always wanted!

And a special bonus is the peek into what’s going on in the lives of our favorites from “Duke it Out!”

So grateful for the ARC opportunity from Bella James and Love Notes PR! “Whiskey and Roses” was a 10/10, 5 stars all around, perfect romcom read for the long holiday break! And it’s available NOW on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited, making it the perfect 2026 reading kickoff!💚🌹

What to expect:
🥰 Opposites Attract
⛅️ Grumpy Sunshine
💋 Forced Proximity
🔥 Slow Burn
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish Island
📩 A Hidden Letter

📚 BLURB 📚
Tilda MacLean's life is officially off the rails.
Her ex ran off with her business (and her bank balance), and her dad left her a crumbling cottage on a Scottish island. Even Flora, her basset hound, is judging her life choices.
Tilda's plan?
Fix up the cottage, sell it fast, and escape - before anyone realises she's completely winging it.
There's just one problem: Finn Kinnaird.
He needs a gardener to help save his distillery. And Tilda, broke and stranded, needs a job.
He's control, she's chaos. They're opposites in every way - but somehow, they've got to make it work.

Alyssa

134 reviews2 followers

December 29, 2025

Thank you to Love Notes PR and Bella for the Arc!

This book is a solid three star for me. Instantly I was swept away to the beautiful country of Scotland. I am OBSESSED and a NERD about anything Scotland related so I was so SO happy when I received this arc.

The setting on the Scottish island was so picturesque in my head. I wish I could live there. Tilda is our chaotic 34 year old queen tryna get her life sorted out. Even at 34 she doesn’t know what to do or where to go with her life, but one thing is for certain is gardening is her passion, her joy (literally me).
She came to the island to handle her late father’s cottage, but when her ex takes her money and her business she needs a job and fast to fix and sell the cottage. Finn is our closed off, despises people, but her, guy. He owns the distillery to which Tilda works at. Tilda is hesitant to work there as her father was an alcoholic, but Finn opens her mind up to so much more including secrets about her late father. Tilda also has a basset hound Flora, who gives main character energy and I love her.

It’s a workplace romance, grumpy sunshine, he cooks for her, found family, insta-love trope. I’m giving it 3 stars because it did slow down for me when it went into detail about the whisky business to which I personally am not interested in. Also for the insta love trope I bumped it down a star. Yes it is slow burn kind of (for the spice), but they hated each other then boom obsessed. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves contemporary romance and wants to be swept away to Scotland by a broody kilt wearing man. Keep in mind the insta love, just tell yourself that before you read and don’t take it seriously lol.

Samantha Hughes

21 reviews

Do you love a good grumpy/sunshine slow burn romance with a side of opposites attract, with lots of cute dogs as the supporting characters (with main character energy)? This is a book for you!

Spicy Level:🌶️
🌹Grumpy X Sunshine
🥃Slow Burn Romance
🌹Forced Proximity
🥃Opposites Attract
🌹She’s Chaos, He’s Order
🥃Lots of Dogs

She needs a job after her ex ran off with her gardening business (clients and money), and he needs a gardener to help get his distillery in order. She is chaos in the shape of a gardener, and he is ordered and processed just like how you make his Scottish whiskey. They are complete opposites, but as the saying goes, opposites attract.

Tilda (FMC) is picking up the pieces of her life while trying to come to terms with the loss of her father, about whom she has unresolved feelings. She inherited her father's cottage on a small Scottish island. She is going to go over, fix it up, and sell it to try and get her life back on track. Finn (MMC) inherited a distillery on the island and is trying to bring it back to life, he needs a gardner to do this. What Tilda thought would be a quick turnaround on the cottage turns out to be everything, but she finds herself on the island and looking for a job. Finn needs a gardener, and Tilda is exactly what he needs. This is a cute opposites attract story with a slow-burn romance between an FMC with chaotic energy and an MMC who prefers everything to be in order. The main characters build a relationship on their differences and make them stronger while working towards a primary goal of restoring the distillery, all the while building a found family along the way.

Awilda Abreu

58 reviews

January 8, 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Whiskey and Roses is a heartfelt small-town romance about grief, second chances, and the quiet ways love can take root when we least expect it.

Tilda returns to a coastal town to deal with the inheritance her father left behind a cabin she intends to restore and sell before moving on with her life. Still reeling from a painful breakup and long-held resentment toward her father, her plans begin to unravel when financial setbacks force her to stay longer than intended.

Finn, the owner of a local distillery, is reserved, sharp-tongued, and deeply connected to the town. Their first interaction is tense, setting the stage for a relationship built on friction, reluctant teamwork, and gradual understanding. As they work together on a project meant to revitalize the distillery, their guarded exteriors begin to soften.

What truly elevates this story is its emotional honesty. Both Tilda and Finn carry complicated relationships with family, alcohol, and the past, and the author explores these themes with sensitivity and depth. The romance unfolds slowly and naturally, grounded in mutual respect, quiet moments, and emotional growth rather than instant attraction.

The small-town setting adds warmth and charm, while the underlying themes of forgiveness and healing give the story real weight. Whiskey and Roses is ultimately about confronting old wounds, rewriting the stories we’ve told ourselves, and realizing that sometimes what we’re running from is exactly where we’re meant to be.

A beautifully written, comforting slow-burn romance that lingers long after the final page.

Beth

49 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

December 26, 2025

Synopsis: Tilda is a down on her luck florist retreating from Glasgow to get away from her cheating boyfriend. She finds herself on Benraur in the home her estranged father left her. Finn is a grump Scotsman running the Benraur Distillery whom is in need of a landscaper to clean up the property. By chance and luck, the run into each other and form a friendship and love neither saw coming.

Review: When Tilda came to the island, she was looking for a way in and out without spending more time that necessary in the land that he dad called home. I enjoyed watching her grow as she started to learn more about her Dad and his interactions with town. Not only did she grow, but her relationship with Finn slowly burned as he himself realized maybe he too can open up and let people in. The growth of each character was a gradual pace. While I enjoyed the slow burn of the characters, Flora the basset hound, should get the credit of bringing these two together. Her mischief and and “hounding” of Finn, definitely won his heart along with her human mom.

Having visited a few distilleries while visiting Scotland a couple years ago, it was easy as a reader to place myself in the story and imagine the grounds that Tilda was revitalizing. The side characters were also fun to get to know. I would love to hear her Dad’s side story of when he came to the island and his interactions with Malcom and Susan.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, LoveNotes PR and Bella James for the opportunity.

arc

Charlene Atmo

6 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

December 31, 2025

Whisky & Roses is the second book in the Lock Morven series. I actually didn’t know that going in, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

This book is about Finn and Tilda. He is the brooding control freak and she is the sweet chaos.

The story takes place on the Scottish Island and the way the book was written, I actually felt like I was there. The book has a slow build up without it being dull.
Bella James captures all the feelings and emotions perfectly. Tilda’s story is heartbreaking and I can honestly say it got me very emotional. She comes to the island because she wants to escape a bad relationship, but finds so much more. You discover along side her a past that might be different than you think. Finn is the total opposite of Tilda, but he also has his past en reasons for coming to the island.

Their love story develops so naturally and I couldn’t wait for them to finally get together. But the way it happens was totally worth the wait.

This was my first book of Bella James, but it certainly won’t be the last. It also made me very curious about the first book in this series.

The book was just so beautifully written. I couldn’t put it down and wanted to know what else was coming in Tilda’s and Finn’s story. This book completely captured my heart and that’s why I rate it 5 stars. If I could give it more stars I would.

Tropes:
- Scottish Island setting
- Slow burn
- Opposites attract
- Grumpy Sunshine
- Forced proximity
- A hidden letter

Thank you Bella James and Lovenotes.PR for the e.ARC!

EVANGELIA MARAGKOPOULOU

725 reviews8 followers