Whiskey Sour

by Juno Rose North

Jessie Charlton has it all. Great friends, a cosy flat in Fulham, and her dream job running London’s most exclusive private members’ club.

So when the club’s owner, Luke, announces he’s bringing in a new investor, Jessie’s immediately on edge. Especially when it turns out that investor is the City’s youngest self-made millionaire, Rafe Shere. What could he possibly know about running a club like Salt?

Rafe’s excitement about investing in Salt is short-lived when he realises that the club’s manager isn’t exactly happy he’s coming on board. Surely he can win her over with his trademark charm?

But then, he’s never met a woman like Jessie before. And as he gets to know her, he learns there’s more to Jessie than meets the eye - especially when a figure from her past starts looming in the shadows.

Can he protect the woman he’s falling for before her history catches up with them both?

Whiskey Sour is a contemporary romance novel, packed with romantic suspense and Juno Rose North's signature blend of heart, heat, and a happily ever after. It is the third book in The Salt Collection.

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 22, 2026

Reviews

[Nine]

This book is more than 5 stars im forever grateful to stumble on this series, i didn’t think anything could beat daddy Cole I have a unhealthy obsession over him. Juno said hold my purse im gonna make you cry smile giggle kick your feet smile so much my jaw physically hurt wow it was a turmoil of emotions. My unhealthy obsession is now with this whole series it’s bitter sweet that it’s over but i am so glad it ended with Jessie & Rafe.

If you want slow burn read this book, when the kiss happened I screamed 😂👀it’s unhealthy how happy I was over a lil smooch 😂I’m not saying the spice didn’t hit because Rafe 👀knows how to put it down he might be a tad bit vanilla but 😬yeah he knows how to please his woman, and when I mean woman I mean Jessie when that man knows what he wants he is gonna 100% get what he wants.

I’m actually smiling whilst writing this review it’s how sickening Rafe has melted my black heart 😂he got into Jessie’s heart and mine also. I am obsessed with Jessie our black cat bad b, what do you mean she walks in and dominates any room, her quick quips had me questioning my own sexuality I was folding like a pretzel with her flirty ways and quick remarks.

The TENSION no why did it start as soon as they met 🙂😬the one sided beef was top tier I love the way Jessie was fighting for her life but also holding her own.

I’ve talked enough about my loves Jessie & rafe because if I talk anymore I will give spoilers. This book was more than Salt & the main characters the side characters all I’m gonna say is when you meet them don’t jus think they are just a lil snippet the way the book flowed with the side characters becoming a good part in the book 😍♥️omg it was genuinely top tier. This book is darker than the rest of the books but it was handled well, did my heart stop a few times yes, did I cry yes, will I reach for this book over and over again and push it into people’s hands also yes.

If your reading this book read the whole series and live your filthy lil dream with The Salt Collection you won’t regret it

[Abbie Rhodes]

I was so grateful to be picked to read an advanced copy of Whiskey Sour, I'm such a huge fan of Juno's writing and this did not disappoint!

I love how quickly and easily Juno drops us into the world of Salt and the familiar characters but this could still be read as stand alone for sure. I've been wanting to know Jessie's story from the beginning, and it's been amazing seeing how Juno's writing has progressed and developed over the three books.

Immediately Jessie is such an intriguing character, you can tell she's got a troubled past but is putting it behind her - and then barrels in like the golden retriever we were promised, Rafe effing Shere 😅 I adore this MMC so much, he's sweet, he's flawed, he's sexy, he's silly... Such a beautiful dynamic between the two of them.

As usual, the spice is hot and heavy, but it's really not the point of Juno's books - th relationship, the character development, the strong female friendships, the importance of intimacy, consent, pleasure... Juno gets so so so many points across without being preachy and the more people who read these books, the better the world will be!!

I don't know who else in the Salt world we could explore but I'm not ready to give this family up yet 😭

[Sarah]

Review of advance copy received from Author

This book developed into so much more than I was expecting. I thought I understood why Jessie was so protective of the club, but the more the story developed and her past came to light, the more I started seeing her in a whole new light!

Rafe seemed like a normal guy. I mean, he’s insanely rich, but I understood his thought processes. I could see why he was annoyed about being put on a trial period for the club. I imagine he wasn’t used to being limited in any way. His attraction to Jessie felt very natural to me. She’s very exotic and just so open sexually. Watching Jessie’s walls come down was very satisfying to read!

Jessie’s past coming back to become a current problem was not what I was expecting! I honestly grew to love each of their characters even more because of how they processed those moments. I felt for both of them and empathized with both characters.

The ending was so empowering. Their whole journey was wild and unexpected! I really had high hopes for them!

[Georgia Gowling]

This is the third book in The Salt Collection and my goodness, it did NOT disappoint! After meeting Jessie in the previous books, I was desperately waiting for her story, and it was so worth the wait!! PLUS Rafe might be one of my new fav book boyfriends!

The storyline is a little more serious this time around, but it was SO well written. The spice was 10/10 as always, and I truly didn’t want this book to end. 👏🏼👏🏼

Can’t wait for more from Juno! ❤️

[Lauren Kitts]

Full RTC - bloomin’ phenomenal

[Caitlin Furniss]

I’m starting to sound like a broken record because I said this about book two, but somehow, Juno has done it again. Whiskey Sour is my favourite book in the Salt series so far, and I genuinely think Juno gets better with every book. Her writing has always been fantastic, but there’s something about the way she’s growing and refining her storytelling that makes each new instalment even better.

Reading these books is like sliding through melted butter. They’re effortless to get lost in, ridiculously easy to read, and feel like the biggest, warmest hug. And can we talk about the fact that I’m STILL having to Google naughty words I’ve never heard before? Juno, you’re keeping me educated in ways I never expected!

One of my favourite things about this series is getting to see all the side characters from books one and two again. They genuinely feel like old friends at this point, and I love that we get to catch up with them while falling in love with a new couple. We also get some brilliant new additions this time around, with a particular shout-out to Gray the doorman and Clara, the MMC’s sister, who were absolute highlights for me.

But Jessie and Rafe? My favourite couple yet. (Don’t tell Daddy Cole). I really connected with Jessie’s backstory, and I loved getting to know her throughout this book. And Rafe… what a man. Yes, he can be a little misguided, a bit bullish when it comes to love, and perhaps a touch too quick to make decisions for other people. But honestly, he needs those flaws because otherwise, he’d be almost unbearably perfect. And where would the fun be in that? When he hugged his doorman from happiness after their first date went well I was kicking my feet!!!!!!

This book is an absolute triumph. I laughed, I fell in love, and I was reminded all over again why I adore this series. I may even admit to a tear when the girls came for a night at Athena Farm to support Jessie.

I desperately hope this isn’t the end of the Salt books, but if it is, what a way to round things off. Juno, you should be incredibly proud of what you’ve created here.

That said, I have heard whispers of a bonus chapter, and if there’s any chance of getting my hands on that immediately, I would be eternally grateful. Just saying.

Finally, thank you Juno, for once again trusting me with an advanced copy of your book. I’m so grateful to be along for this ride, and as long as you keep writing books, I’ll keep reading them. No questions asked.

[Irene P.]

Whiskey Sour is real, raw and beautiful. Just like the FMC. This book is for anyone who loves carefully thought out characters, hard earned love stories and cat-dog households.

After following Emmy’s and Sloane’s stories in the Salt Collection this year I was extremely excited to read Jessie’s tale. Even though all 3 of these books are labeled as standalone (and they absolutely can be read that way) to me they are more like an interconnected series, more so with the character of Jessie. In the few sections that Jessie appears in Salt and Sweet and Spicy Honey we get the sense that something is amiss in her life. And those few glimpses really springboard the story in this book.

Juno does warn at the beginning of Whiskey Sour that this book touches “darker themes” than the previous two books, but I feel it has to. Now don’t fret, this is not a dark romance novel, but Jessie is not a fluffy or malleable FMC. She is a strong, independent and resilient woman who has had to fight for everything she has. This book is her.

Juno has an uncanny ability to make these books portray the exact vibe of the FMC so that you’re not just reading ABOUT them, you ARE them. So yes, Whiskey Sour isn’t all rainbows and sunshine, but it’s real, raw and beautiful. Just like Jessie.

When Jessie meets Rafe she instinctively doesn’t trust him. Not because he is a shady character or is purposefully disingenuous, but simply because this is Jessie’s default setting. I loved how, through Jessie, Rafe discovers that he often does wear a mask and slowly starts learning how to be more himself.

Jessie and Rafe’s relationship has such a beautiful and realistic pace to it. Their vulnerability towards each other is so adorable and well worth waiting for!

Jessie is such a pivotal character for Emmy and Sloane in the first two books that there is something so rewarding to see her get her own HEA in Whiskey Sour.

Without giving too much away Whiskey Sour at its core is about one thing: trust.

“Trust is like a mirror, you can fix it when it breaks but you will always see the cracks “

If you like:

Strong FMCs
Grovelling
Protective MMCs
Healing journeys
Found family
Consent

Pick up Whiskey Sour, you won’t be disappointed.

[KatieByName]

Thank you to Juno North for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

I am a big fan of the Salt Collection Series with it's wholesome and realistic take on non-traditional relationships and sexual relationships; Whiskey Sour is just another perfect addition to this series!

Whiskey Sour is a heavier read than the previous two books but the topics were handled so sensitively whilst raising awareness of domestic violence and violence against women.

I already adored Jessie from the other books but it was awesome getting to know her beyond the wise, loyal and supportive side character she was in those books. What we got in the deeper layers of her story was a brave, protective and compassionate woman who worked so hard to get to the beautiful life she has carved out for herself from a dark past.

I was very surprised by Rafe; I went in thinking he would be the typical cocky, over-confident millionaire MMC of other romance books but instead we got a man who was not afraid to be vulnerable, loves fiercely and, yes admittedly, makes some questionable choices but with his heart in the right place.

It was also fantastic to have the other Salt characters so front and centre (I hate it when a series tells a character's story and then acts like they hardly exist in subsequent entries!).

I really enjoyed Whiskey Sour with it's mix of romance, suspense and loveable characters, and I hope that we get more stories in the Salt world (...Damon's story perhaps? Hint hint, wink wink).

[Amy Jones]

I received an ARC of Whiskey Sour.

I’ve read and loved all of Juno’s Salt collection, and Jessie has always been such an intriguing character that I was delighted to hear she’d be the star of book three. I didn’t know what I was heading into, though, and finding out Jessie’s backstory was even better than I imagined.

Whiskey Sour is such an excellent book - less immediately spicy than Salt and Sweet and Spicy Honey, but that’s no criticism as the slow-burn is delicious. When Jessie and Rafe do get jt on, it feels very well earned, and the spicy scenes there are are absolutely delicious.

One thing I love about Whiskey Sour is how it balances the romance with a real thriller - the tension and growing unease of Tyler’s looming presence, and to a lesser extent what Jessie will do when she finds out how Rafe is protecting her, had me racing through the book to find out what was going to happen next.

I think though, my favourite scenes are the ones of Jessie with Sloane, Emmy and Chloe. Juno understands female friendship so well, and the scenes of them having sleepovers or even just laughing together at work left my heart warmed. I want to be friends with all of them.

It’s gripping, it’s funny, it’s sexy, and it left me beaming. I’m sad to see the end of the Salt trilogy, but I can’t wait to see what Juno writes next.

[Rebecca]

I’ve been lucky enough to receive Whiskey Sour as an ARC. Juno has done it again, another great book! You’ll get all the spice, strong FMCs and stunning female friendships you are used to but this time mixed in with more sensitive topics which have been handled with such care.

You’ve already met Jessie in the previous books and know that she is an all-round absolute Goddess! What you might not quite realise is how hard this badass has worked to get where she is and overcome her troubled past and what can I say about Rafe, whatta man. I loved how he realised through the book there’s a whole load more flavours than just vanilla, even if he was a bit scared to try them!

I really appreciated how this story developed. Jessie has boundaries in place for a reason and Rafe really does have good intentions and wants to protect the woman he has big ol’ heart eyes for, in any way he can! He just wants to be a Good Boy 😉 and was genuine and upfront with his feelings for Jessie.

Thank you Juno for letting us into the wonderful world of Salt ❤️

[louise_in_her_library]

ARC reader - Juno has done it again. Book three in the Salt collection had me gripped, I was giddy with the flirty banter and emotional with Jessie’s past. This is a slightly more serious storyline than the previous books but beautifully written and handled with such sensitivity. I loved Jessie our strong fearless FMC who has made it her mission to build up her walls and protect her heart. Enter the gorgeous and kind Rafe our MMC who only wants to save her and give her anything she needs. Cole , from Spicy Honey, always held a soft spot in my heart but I’m making room for Rafe. He is the epitome of a green flag man! Also special shout out to two of my new favourite characters Josephine and Strongbow I’m scared of dogs and allergic to cats but loved these two and their healing powers they give to Jessie and Rafe. Loved this book as I knew I would. Can’t wait to see what Juno gives us next. Thank you Juno x

[TC Parker]

I'm so thankful I was able to get an ARC of Whiskey Sour because I love the Salt universe so much! I was very curious about Jessie's story from what we knew of her from Salt & Sweet and Spicy Honey but it was Rafe that really stole the show for me. What an adorable, lovable man! I really related to both the FMC's and MMC's need to protect those they love - even if it leads to poor decision making. I also really really liked the exploration of their dom/sub dynamics (and bravo to Jessie knowing exactly what she needed when). So many memorable scenes that had me smiling but the cupboard is my new favorite place in Salt! This book is definitely a little darker and more action packed than the other Salt books and Juno has taken her writing to new heights. I find all her books so enjoyable and easy to ready. You can't go wrong! I was so sad when I finished Whiskey Sour that I went back and started rereading Salt & Sweet again. I can't wait to see what's next from JRN.

[Jodi Warne]

The Salt Collection has been an absolute blast to read.

When Juno mentioned that this one was going to be darker than the others she wasn’t joking and I can say with hand of heart she executed it perfectly. This book is stronger in writing and plot than the others yet still has you having those kicking feet moments, swoon worthy moments and all the spice.

I’m trying to write a constructive review and all I can think about is how much I enjoyed every aspect, from the character development, the plot, the spice, the inclusion of previous characters and their interactions.

Jessie is fierce and capable beyond measure but even she realises that you can’t protect those closest to you without help. And it’s not a weakness. She may have judged Rafe at the beginning but she never truly hated him, this really was a dislike to lovers.

Yeah that’s it I’m not writing any spoilers, read the book you won’t be disappointed.

[Chareads]

Based on all her interactions in the previous book in this series, I was really eager to read Jessie's story. Juno didn’t disappoint.

This book was a masterpiece and I enjoyed every seconds of this book
The found family in this series is a top tier
Sloane is always so funny and clearly an amazing Friends

Guys there is cute sidekicks in this book Strongbow and Joséphine are so sweet and the perfect companion for this pairing

Rafe is really charming, sweet and fascinating. I love the way he did everything for her and how fiercely loyal he is for the people he cares

Jessie is such a powerful and badass character. It’s amazing to see her so empowered!

They deserved their 'happily ever after', and seeing them achieve it was so satisfying.

I’m so in love with this series and you clearly need to read it

[Yasmin Howard]

*I recieved this as an ARC. All views are my own and I was not paid for this review*

I came for the smut, stayed for the story!

I absolutely love this series and loved this book.
Jessie was one of my favourite characters from the get go, so when I heard we were getting her story, I was ecstatic.
She was such a rock in books one and 2 for the FMCs, so i really wanted to learn more about her.

I love the chemistry between Jessie and Rafe, and the scene she they are in the closet with the dildos cracked me up!

As someone who doesn’t usually enjoy slow burns, I found this one delicious. And when they FINALLY kissed it had me kicking and screaming my legs!

I love the way Juno writes and deals with sensitive topics with such care!

I highly recommend this series and can’t wait for the book to come out so more people can read it!

[Sophie]

I knew from Salt & Sweet that Jessie would have my heart and that her book would be my favourite 💜 I’m so thankful that Juno & her team sent me an ARC of my most anticipated book in the series!

I both couldn’t put this book down and didn’t want it to end 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣 it had me gasping, laughing, kicking my feet and blushing ☺️
As usual Juno managed to write not only an incredible story with a strong characters but also a spicy good time 🌶️

It’s obvious Jessie is a strong independent woman but Rafe is the charming golden retriever who is determined to show her that she can open up to him however misguided his intentions might be

[i_want_ all_the_spoilers]

Arc Read
Ok, this is 4.5 and MMC is the reason for it. He's an idiot. (Not really, but I have the miscommunication/ I'm not telling her something to protect her trope). I loved.the black cat/golden retriever energy. I loved that he had 0 ideas about the darkish side of the world and just fumbled around like a normal person would actually do (minus the unlimited cash...). And I loved his sister (the equine therapist) and her genuinely good advice that he doesn't listen to. Light BDSM, he's the one learning. Ok, I loved it.

[Charlotte Mitchell]

I was so excited to read Jessie’s story and it did not disappoint!

This series gets better and better, and I love how they are all connected but can easily be enjoyed without reading the others as they are all brilliant in their own right.

This one brought the slow burn, a perfectly imperfect MMC, and another strong independent FMC. The female friendship throughout was also so enjoyable to read.

I loved Rafe and his determination to win Jessie over and keep her safe was adorable.

Can’t wait to see what Juno does next!

[Katie Roberts]

Vibes: 4.5⭐
Plot: 4.5⭐
Characters: 4.5⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I loved this one so much! This takes the series in a slightly new direction, with an addition of suspense and peril! I loved that element and it was so fun. There is a lot of trauma in this book, which is beautifully handled. I loved Rafe, but my days, the man needed help! So many stupid decisions made with the best of intentions. Jessie was amazing. She is very guarded and it took a look time for that to ease up. Overall, an excellent addition to the series! 

[Smut S Sisters]

I blasted through this one. Jessie is the definition of “black cat” energy and I fell for Rafe immediately. Jessie and Rafe definitely belong together. I enjoyed the romantic suspense component as well as seeing all of the characters from previous Salt books. I can’t wait to read the next book Juno writes!

Read this for:
-contemporary romance
-investor x k*nk club manager
-one-sided dislike to lovers
-romantic suspense spin
-one bed
-MCs in their 30s
-he washes her hair
-“crawl to me”
-“hands on the headboard”

Thank you for this advanced copy and a chance to share our honest opinion!

[Gemma]

It was beautiful! I cried, I laughed, it had the perfect amount of suspense, fear and pure spice! Jessie is just as powerful and amazing as I knew she would be! Gray has me very curious, hope to see some more of him 🤣🤣

[The Smut Guide]

Full review to come! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Susanne]

ARC REVIEW:
I had really high expectations for this book, especially since I loved both Salt and sweet and Spicy honey so much. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the same for me as the earlier books.

One of the things I really enjoyed about the other books was the spice, and this one felt less spicy to me. Even though I enjoyed that it was darker than the earlier books, I felt like the plot was a little rushed at times.

That being said, I still really enjoyed reading it, and really appreciate that I got to be an ARC reader. It may not have been my favorite of the three, but it was still a really enjoyable read!