Can't Shoot Whiskey

by Zoe Forward

Josh Hurst was supposed to be my forever. Instead, he became the villain in my origin story.
I gave him my heart. He broke it without flinching. So, I did what any self-respecting, heart-shattered girl would do—I declared war.
Our revenge game? Legendary.
Until I left for college and swore I’d never look back.

But life doesn’t care about vows made in the dark.
When my father dies unexpectedly, I’m dragged back to the hometown I outgrew, handed guardianship of my grieving kid brother, and forced to take over my father’s struggling veterinary clinic.
And waiting for me—like karma with a smirk—is Josh.
Not as a memory.
Not as a ghost.
But as my new business partner.

Avoiding him? Impossible.
Forgetting what we were? Laughable.
He still looks at me like I’m his. Like we’re a story paused instead of over. Like one spark is all it would take.
And God help me, the spark is still there.
But we don’t do soft. We don’t do safe.
We do oil and fire. War and wreckage.
Whatever we once were—
Whatever we still could be—
We’re enemies.
And this time, nobody’s walking away unburned.

344 pages, ebook

Expected publication April 6, 2026

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Zoe Forward is a parent, wife, veterinarian, and unapologetic chocolate lover. She writes spicy paranormal and contemporary romances that blend action, adventure, humor, and a touch of magic.

Her novels have earned numerous awards, including the Prism Award, Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence, Golden Quill, Carolyn Readers’ Choice Award, and the Booksellers’ Best Award.

Zoe lives in the South with a lively menagerie of four-legged beasts and two slightly wild kids.

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See the latest on Zoe's website: http://www.zoeforward.com

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Reviews

[Cara]

~˚˖𓍢💙✧˚.🦋⋆⚘ I gave him my heart, he broke it without flinching~˚˖𓍢💙✧˚.🦋⋆⚘ !!!!!!!!

[☆Laura☆]

Quien tenía que hacer algo para recuperarla y demostrar que se había equivocado era Josh, no Erika. No mentiré, estuvo entretenido, pero siento que todo fue muy injusto para Erika. Primero, su novio del pasado, o sea Josh, va y se besa con otra. Luego se le muere su madre, su padre se casa casi de inmediato con otra mujer, tiene otro hijo y forma una nueva familia, dejándola de lado. En el presente, su novio resulta ser abusador e infiel. Después, su padre y su madrastra mueren y ahora ella tiene que hacerse cargo de su hermano, un niño que nunca había conocido y que además es grosero con ella (por obvias razones). Por si fuera poco, su padre estaba endeudado y falsificó su firma como aval, así que ahora ella tiene que pagar esa deuda y para rematar, resulta que a quien debe pagarle es a Josh. Tmabien tiene que soportar a Josh que se la pasa diciéndole que no la quiere ahí. Además, ella lo ve con su novia, que es la misma con la que se besó en el pasado y todavía tiene que aguantar que todas las mujeres le digan lo bueno que está el tipo y que se aleje de él.

*Lo del beso se supone que él lo hizo para que ella lo dejara y se fuera, porque según merecía algo mejor. Pero eso lo dicen otros personajes, él nunca da una explicación directa.

Durante todo el libro es ella quien da los pasos, quien se sincera y quien se pone en situaciones vulnerables, mientras que él no hace casi nada.

También me sorprendió que ni la mamá ni el papá de Josh le pusieran un alto a Timothy. El tipo era un bully con su propio hermano, lo intimidaba constantemente, lo golpeaba, le decía que por su culpa había muerto el otro hermano y lo hacía trabajar sin pagarle, lo cual no tiene sentido considerando el tipo de relación que se supone que tienen. Me imagino que el libro siguiente será suyo y no veo como podría tener rendición.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t Shoot Whiskey is a spicy, contemporary small-town romance following Erika and Josh, two veterinarians who have been at odds since a high school betrayal. After years of estrangement from her father, Erika is forced to return to her North Carolina hometown following the sudden death of her father and stepmother. There, she discovers she has been named guardian to her younger half-brother, whom she’s never met, and that she now co-owns a vet clinic with her ex-nemesis, Josh. She also has to navigate a clean break from her controlling boyfriend back in Philly, which isn’t as clean as she hoped it’d be.

This book made me cry so many times. If you’ve lost a parent or really anyone, this will dredge up a lot of feelings. I felt like the author handled grief really well, where there is no one single way to handle it, and people can be irrational when dealing with their feelings. I would not recommend reading this while on break at work because there’s a chance your co-workers will witness you crying.

I really appreciate that Erika always had plans for Vinny, her little brother. So many times, you have the kids or pets that as soon as they are off-screen, it's easy to forget about them, and you will be like, “How are you doing all this stuff!? Where is so and so!?”

I went in expecting a light-hearted, low-stakes story and instead found a gut-wrenching, high-stakes emotional journey. I also love that the animals they interact with behave differently depending on who is interacting with them, because so many pets prefer some people over others. Overall, it felt pretty authentic.

I got an advanced copy of Can’t Shoot Whiskey for free through HiddenGemsBooks and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Elia Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't Shoot Whiskey was a fun, emotional, and wonderful read. Erika and Josh had amazing chemistry and I lived for their banter. Both Erika and Josh have been through so much in their lives and currently but through all of the bad, they brought out the spark in each other.

Erika having to take on the responsibility of her 8 year old brother she never met and dealing with all of the baggage of losing her dad and step-mom. Wow, she handled it so much better than I ever could have and I loved the bond she formed with Vinny, it was tough at first but she remained honest with him and they connected in such a beautiful way. Josh still blames himself for his brother's death when they were kids and even though he has proved himself time and time again as a great vet, he clearly still deals with so much hurt and pain.

I just loved that even through their fighting and banter, they could be honest with each other and be there for each other. I loved the locket and how Josh still had it. This book brought out all of the emotions for me and I loved every moment of it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Zoe Forward for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Laure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within months of finishing her veterinary emergency medical residency Erika Chomping receives the tragic news that her father and stepmother died in a tragic accident. Never expecting to return to her hometown she finds out that not only is she guardian to her eight-year-old brother, but she is also half owner of her father's struggling veterinary clinic. To top it all off Josh Hurst is her new partner. They boy she grew up with and dated in high school is not expecting her to take over her father's half of the business, but Erika has no intention of staying.
Oh, my goodness, these are wonderful characters, they are so beautifully written and realistic I was completely engrossed in their love/hate/love story. They actually made me laugh out loud at times and brought tears to my eyes at others. This is a fantastic enemies to lovers romance with some interesting twists in the plot, some steam, and a happily ever after. I loved this book and recommend it.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by Hidden Gems.

[Scooterbugs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute! I read this all in a day, it was an easy read. The drama doesn’t drag on extremely long or get cringy like some stories do. I love a good multi pov, I like that the story doesn’t have dead space to drag it on. It’s a wonderful book

[jay]

pre read:

OOOO a vet romance how exciting

A huge thank you to netgalley, Xpresso Book Tours, and Zoe Forward for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.