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White Whiskey Bargain
"Like I said before, I know we ain’t in love, and I don’t expect us to ever fall in love, but I want us to be good to each other. People have been gettin’ married in situations like this for hundreds of years, and they’ve made it work. It doesn’t matter if this doesn’t last forever. I’m goin’ to make sure I’m good to you, and I’d appreciate it if you extended me the same courtesy.” - Javier Meza
The sudden and tragic death of her mother throws Hannah Hawkins into a position she doesn’t feel at all prepared for. With the duty of leading her family’s decades-long moonshining business weighing heavy on her shoulders, the last thing she needs is something making her transition even harder. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what she gets. A band of vicious new players has arrived in small-town Harlan, Kentucky, and while what they really want remains a mystery, it quickly becomes clear they’re willing to stoop to dark lengths to get it. To fight off a beast, Hannah realizes she needs to join forces with a rival.
Javier Meza may be the sole heir to his family’s moonshining empire, but he’s certainly no leader. He has no head for business or diplomacy, preferring to spend his days in the trenches, making corn liquor with the rest of the “cooks.” That doesn’t mean he isn’t more than willing to step up and take charge when his family finds themselves in danger. Forming a shaky partnership with the Hawkins family is one thing, but marrying Hannah Hawkins to keep their deal on the straight and narrow is something else entirely.
While Hannah is determined to keep their marriage as something that exists in name only, Javier is eager not to leave this wife hurt and disappointed like his last one. They both quickly learn that their feelings, much like their enemies, don’t plan on going away without a fight.
From All Things Burn author, Jodie Slaughter - illegal white whiskey, a marriage of convenience between decades-long rival families, and Black Appalachia. Jodie blends romance and suspense to bring to the forefront a spotlight on the impact of populations of color in small-town Kentucky. A full-length romance novel with a very satisfying HEA.
The sudden and tragic death of her mother throws Hannah Hawkins into a position she doesn’t feel at all prepared for. With the duty of leading her family’s decades-long moonshining business weighing heavy on her shoulders, the last thing she needs is something making her transition even harder. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what she gets. A band of vicious new players has arrived in small-town Harlan, Kentucky, and while what they really want remains a mystery, it quickly becomes clear they’re willing to stoop to dark lengths to get it. To fight off a beast, Hannah realizes she needs to join forces with a rival.
Javier Meza may be the sole heir to his family’s moonshining empire, but he’s certainly no leader. He has no head for business or diplomacy, preferring to spend his days in the trenches, making corn liquor with the rest of the “cooks.” That doesn’t mean he isn’t more than willing to step up and take charge when his family finds themselves in danger. Forming a shaky partnership with the Hawkins family is one thing, but marrying Hannah Hawkins to keep their deal on the straight and narrow is something else entirely.
While Hannah is determined to keep their marriage as something that exists in name only, Javier is eager not to leave this wife hurt and disappointed like his last one. They both quickly learn that their feelings, much like their enemies, don’t plan on going away without a fight.
From All Things Burn author, Jodie Slaughter - illegal white whiskey, a marriage of convenience between decades-long rival families, and Black Appalachia. Jodie blends romance and suspense to bring to the forefront a spotlight on the impact of populations of color in small-town Kentucky. A full-length romance novel with a very satisfying HEA.
258 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2019
156 people are currently reading
1399 people want to read
About the author
Jodie Slaughter
9 books735 followersJodie Slaughter is a twenty-something romance author who spends most of her days hunched over a computer for her day job and her nights hunched over a different computer for her novels. While her back is definitely suffering, she wouldn’t have it any other way. She loves love, so she writes romance novels full of heart, passion, and heat. When she isn’t putting steamy scenes or declarations of devotion on the page she can normally be found being generally hilarious on twitter, dreaming about brisket, or consuming way too much television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
May 7, 2020
UM. This is one of my favourite books of all time, so I'm not sure how I haven't officially reviewed it yet? I've certainly shouted about it everywhere else on the internet. Now it's time for Screeching My Love From The Rooftops: Goodreads Edition.
This book is perfect. That is not an overstatement.
It has a gentle, tender, hot AF hero, a powerful, badass, hot AF heroine, two rival moonshine brewing empires that must join forces to survive, AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE BETWEEN HERO AND HEROINE TO ENABLE SAID SURVIVAL, head given on the hood of a car in the rain, a shared bed and some accidental sleep-humping, and basically literally everything one could ask for from a book. Honestly, if that list doesn't hook you, I no longer know what to say. This book is... this book is... oh my God. Read it.
This book is perfect. That is not an overstatement.
It has a gentle, tender, hot AF hero, a powerful, badass, hot AF heroine, two rival moonshine brewing empires that must join forces to survive, AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE BETWEEN HERO AND HEROINE TO ENABLE SAID SURVIVAL, head given on the hood of a car in the rain, a shared bed and some accidental sleep-humping, and basically literally everything one could ask for from a book. Honestly, if that list doesn't hook you, I no longer know what to say. This book is... this book is... oh my God. Read it.
February 12, 2022
I came for the marriage of convenience lure, I stayed for the... actually, I've had a hard time staying. :/
I liked the premise alright, though Hannah and Javier's arranged marriage didn't hold much appeal for me on the pages, sadly. I liked Javier but had some issues taking a liking to Hannah for some reason. Was it because of the stark different approach Javier and Hannah took upon their marriage deal? Maybe.
I grew tired/annoyed of the heroine's casual rejection of the hero who made it clear he was in this to support her and his family. Which was kinda strange, heroine reluctantly struck a deal with Javier's father, got herself a husband in the person of Javier— who didn't seem all that much interested by family legacy. Dude just felt content getting a new wife? Poor Javier felt like a pawn in his own story and it was a little sad.
Also, for two rivals entering marriage as a business deal, there wasn't much conflict to be found between them. If there was any angst in this relationship then if flew right past me.
The sex was hot at times, Hannah is not shy to ask what for she needs and Javier has a dirty mouth on him. Their first encounters lacked passion for me though, the chemistry was clearly missing for me. (Except maybe for that first time they woke up from a nap together, I wanted more moments like this)
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You can find me here too ☞
I liked the premise alright, though Hannah and Javier's arranged marriage didn't hold much appeal for me on the pages, sadly. I liked Javier but had some issues taking a liking to Hannah for some reason. Was it because of the stark different approach Javier and Hannah took upon their marriage deal? Maybe.
I grew tired/annoyed of the heroine's casual rejection of the hero who made it clear he was in this to support her and his family. Which was kinda strange, heroine reluctantly struck a deal with Javier's father, got herself a husband in the person of Javier— who didn't seem all that much interested by family legacy. Dude just felt content getting a new wife? Poor Javier felt like a pawn in his own story and it was a little sad.
Also, for two rivals entering marriage as a business deal, there wasn't much conflict to be found between them. If there was any angst in this relationship then if flew right past me.
The sex was hot at times, Hannah is not shy to ask what for she needs and Javier has a dirty mouth on him. Their first encounters lacked passion for me though, the chemistry was clearly missing for me. (Except maybe for that first time they woke up from a nap together, I wanted more moments like this)
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
February 23, 2021
2020 Winter Bingo (#SnowInLoveBingo❄️): Small Town Romance by AOC
3.5 stars
Enjoyed the voice and setting; the romance arc in the second half needed more room/length to breathe after the Ward subplot took over. Still, it’s a promising debut and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
3.5 stars
Enjoyed the voice and setting; the romance arc in the second half needed more room/length to breathe after the Ward subplot took over. Still, it’s a promising debut and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
October 9, 2019
"I'm goin' to make you so happy, wife." His voice sounded wrecked. "Just wait and see."
I'm going through a marriage of convenience ride right now, yall. And it's a good one. First Xeni, now White Whiskey Bargain. It only gets better and better. You should all pick up these two books because you will have the time of your life.
This time around I read white Whisket Bargain. I read it so fast YOU DON'T KNOW. I even tweet about how I was going to read only one chapter last night. But surprise, surprise, who looks like a clown now. I finished it a little while ago and it was just so joyful to read this story. Jodie Slaughter writes beautifully and her descriptions of the scenery are amazing. The mountains, the cities, the places Hannah and Javier visit, everything comes alive.
So okay let's talk about Hannah. Oooof my girl. She is business. She is THE BOSS. She owned my heart and her trajectory and her growth throughtout the novel just made me love her more. Her mother just died and she is next in line for the boss position in the moonshining business. She think she has to do everything her mother did, the way she did things, I mean. But soon enough she starts to see that not everything her mother did is perfect and Hannah can build her own path for herself. Starting with this marriage of convenience with the son of her rivals.
Javier is the sweetest being in the world. When I started this book I thought Javier was going to have a jerk-y personality (at first!). He is the son of one of the biggest moonshine makers in Kentucky, so I was like "he's a fuckboy" lol. But I was 10/10 wrong. First of all he's like so excited to marry Hannah even if they don't know a thing about each other. He's so sweet, even cooks for her, and gives her snacks for the road. He wants to dine with her three days a week AT LEAST. Wants this thing to work, to try to make it work. Hannah is more cautious and not so sure, but Javier is all in since the start. You will love see how their dynamic works and the goodness they bring to each other's lives.
♡ One bed trope
♡ Marriage of convenience
♡ Black heroine
♡ Mexican hero
♡ One epic scene in the rain, on top of a car *wink*
I'm going through a marriage of convenience ride right now, yall. And it's a good one. First Xeni, now White Whiskey Bargain. It only gets better and better. You should all pick up these two books because you will have the time of your life.
This time around I read white Whisket Bargain. I read it so fast YOU DON'T KNOW. I even tweet about how I was going to read only one chapter last night. But surprise, surprise, who looks like a clown now. I finished it a little while ago and it was just so joyful to read this story. Jodie Slaughter writes beautifully and her descriptions of the scenery are amazing. The mountains, the cities, the places Hannah and Javier visit, everything comes alive.
So okay let's talk about Hannah. Oooof my girl. She is business. She is THE BOSS. She owned my heart and her trajectory and her growth throughtout the novel just made me love her more. Her mother just died and she is next in line for the boss position in the moonshining business. She think she has to do everything her mother did, the way she did things, I mean. But soon enough she starts to see that not everything her mother did is perfect and Hannah can build her own path for herself. Starting with this marriage of convenience with the son of her rivals.
Javier is the sweetest being in the world. When I started this book I thought Javier was going to have a jerk-y personality (at first!). He is the son of one of the biggest moonshine makers in Kentucky, so I was like "he's a fuckboy" lol. But I was 10/10 wrong. First of all he's like so excited to marry Hannah even if they don't know a thing about each other. He's so sweet, even cooks for her, and gives her snacks for the road. He wants to dine with her three days a week AT LEAST. Wants this thing to work, to try to make it work. Hannah is more cautious and not so sure, but Javier is all in since the start. You will love see how their dynamic works and the goodness they bring to each other's lives.
♡ One bed trope
♡ Marriage of convenience
♡ Black heroine
♡ Mexican hero
♡ One epic scene in the rain, on top of a car *wink*
June 18, 2020
Quick(ish) Review
This was a recommended read from the #RomBkLove with oodles of delicious tropes: one bed, forced proximity, marriage of convenience turned real, with a dash of super sexy sex scenes with a squirt or two, a cinny roll kind of hero who wants to make this marriage real and a badass heroine running her family’s shine business. So. Many. Tropes. The setup is a racially diverse world that made me smile, felt genuine and the moonshine business has enough detail without getting lost in the weeds, which I appreciated. Wait did I mention the dirty talking? Lawd, so damn good.
Physically, I have no issues with their attraction or romance. Emotionally, I needed a couple more scenes to really finish off Javier and Hannah’s character development. The resolution to the major conflict with the Wards needed a little more oomph in the battle to make that last scene pop even more.
But having said that, there’s so much that is right about this story and that kept me turning the page all night long that I’m very happy I read it and I will definitely read more from this author.
This was a recommended read from the #RomBkLove with oodles of delicious tropes: one bed, forced proximity, marriage of convenience turned real, with a dash of super sexy sex scenes with a squirt or two, a cinny roll kind of hero who wants to make this marriage real and a badass heroine running her family’s shine business. So. Many. Tropes. The setup is a racially diverse world that made me smile, felt genuine and the moonshine business has enough detail without getting lost in the weeds, which I appreciated. Wait did I mention the dirty talking? Lawd, so damn good.
Physically, I have no issues with their attraction or romance. Emotionally, I needed a couple more scenes to really finish off Javier and Hannah’s character development. The resolution to the major conflict with the Wards needed a little more oomph in the battle to make that last scene pop even more.
But having said that, there’s so much that is right about this story and that kept me turning the page all night long that I’m very happy I read it and I will definitely read more from this author.
July 10, 2020
Marriage of convenience is maybe the best trope? Anyway, I definitely liked this and it was quite sexy, but I wasn't entirely in the mood for that while I was reading which was unfortunate. I'd like to go to that speakeasy in Nashville. But not if I have to drink gin.
Read for The Ripped Bodice Bingo 2020 square: Bootleggers
Read for The Ripped Bodice Bingo 2020 square: Bootleggers
January 27, 2022
I had such a fun time reading this. This is my first book in terms of reading about a business like the whiskey business so that was really cool to read about. I loved Javier and Hannah together, they were adorable. And mannnn that rain scene 🔥🔥🔥🔥🌶🌶🌶🌶 sexy as fuck. Loved this.
November 12, 2021
This was OK! Javier gave us the Soft Caring King representation we all need and I appreciated how open he was with his emotions. The sexy times were pretty good even though I don't personally care for Javier's brand of dirty talk (too much marveling at how w*t Hannah was and asking her why she was so w*t? was it because of him? and it's like let's not ask stupid questions sir), but that's fine! The Kentucky setting was fun and a nice change of pace after reading so many romances involving at least one rich person.
I will say that I would've enjoyed this story MUCH more if it was set during Prohibition or something instead of 2019. I can't really explain it but I distinctly feel like this would've been sexier and more realistic if it was a historical romance. I know moonshining is illegal to this day (thanks, Google!) but I found it odd that the Hawkins, Mezas, and Wards were out here dueling and kidnapping people and retaliating like the Hatfields and McCoys in the year of our lord 2019. I also think it's kind of odd that the oNLY way they could unite the Hawkins and the Mezas was through an arranged marriage like....SURELY y'all could've gone to court or something. So every time I was reminded that this was 2019 instead of 1919 or something it took something away from the story for me.
Anyway, I liked this! Will be reading All Things Burn soon.
I will say that I would've enjoyed this story MUCH more if it was set during Prohibition or something instead of 2019. I can't really explain it but I distinctly feel like this would've been sexier and more realistic if it was a historical romance. I know moonshining is illegal to this day (thanks, Google!) but I found it odd that the Hawkins, Mezas, and Wards were out here dueling and kidnapping people and retaliating like the Hatfields and McCoys in the year of our lord 2019. I also think it's kind of odd that the oNLY way they could unite the Hawkins and the Mezas was through an arranged marriage like....SURELY y'all could've gone to court or something. So every time I was reminded that this was 2019 instead of 1919 or something it took something away from the story for me.
Anyway, I liked this! Will be reading All Things Burn soon.
December 31, 2019
A solid book, but somewhat lacking for me, from the point of personal taste. It’s got an intriguing setting with a star-crossed lovers, marriage of convenience conceit: a man and a woman from rival Kentucky moonshine families are forced to marry, to seal an alliance against a new crew. Both Javier and Hannah come from families that have fought tooth and nail for their place in their community and both are willing to do whatever it takes to keep it, even marrying a stranger. I liked them both, insofar as we got to know them, and they had great sexual chemistry. But the relationship itself was a little lacking in conflict, which wasn’t made up for by the moonshine shenanigans. It’s an odd mix of plot suspense and low angst that didn’t really work for me.
May 30, 2020
The fault of this book was that it was just too short!
I LOVED the characters, I thought they had been built up nicely in such a short time but their relationship did not seem believable at all. It's a marriage of convenience and it takes them no time at all to actually like each other and they didn't even know each other! I just wanted more banter and more time with them, to actually believe in their attraction and love.
I LOVED the characters, I thought they had been built up nicely in such a short time but their relationship did not seem believable at all. It's a marriage of convenience and it takes them no time at all to actually like each other and they didn't even know each other! I just wanted more banter and more time with them, to actually believe in their attraction and love.
October 29, 2019
Rival moonshine distillers Hannah Hawkins and Javier Meza get married to present a united front against their common enemy, a band of vicious new players on the scene in their hometown of Harlan, Kentucky.
Hannah found herself at the helm of her recently deceased mother's empire and this is really the last thing she needs, but Javier is the heir to his father's business and could prove to be an amazing partner in the fight to come, and perhaps for a future neither of them dared dream of.
So absolutely delicious. The setting of Black Appalachia is a character in its own right and has opened up a whole new world to me (a white reviewer). The drama comes not from the romance, as it is pretty clear both Hannah and Javier are very much into their "fake" marriage from the start, but from their actions to ensure their family legacies and business. I loved the slow-burn but absolutely steamy development of Hannah and Javier's physical relationship while they teamed up to take down their enemy. The scene on the hood of Javier's car is FIRE.
Slaughter is a new to me author, and I cannot wait to read more!
CW for gun violence, parental death (off page), cancer death of a minor character, kidnapping (of adults).
Hannah found herself at the helm of her recently deceased mother's empire and this is really the last thing she needs, but Javier is the heir to his father's business and could prove to be an amazing partner in the fight to come, and perhaps for a future neither of them dared dream of.
So absolutely delicious. The setting of Black Appalachia is a character in its own right and has opened up a whole new world to me (a white reviewer). The drama comes not from the romance, as it is pretty clear both Hannah and Javier are very much into their "fake" marriage from the start, but from their actions to ensure their family legacies and business. I loved the slow-burn but absolutely steamy development of Hannah and Javier's physical relationship while they teamed up to take down their enemy. The scene on the hood of Javier's car is FIRE.
Slaughter is a new to me author, and I cannot wait to read more!
CW for gun violence, parental death (off page), cancer death of a minor character, kidnapping (of adults).
May 11, 2023
Marriage of convenience 😶🌫️
Small town romance 😐
Only one bed 🤸🏾♀️
Slow burn 😬
I like one out of four tropes, but I ate this book up. Like read in one sitting, don't bother me ate up. I'm really surprised the rating isn't higher. This romance has nuggets of information about shine and how communities survived through the crimilization of the process. These two feuding families are embedded in the history of the process but have been able to coexist until an outsider comes through. Javier wants to d the right thing by Hannah even though she has her guard up. Girl, we knew that wasn't going to last, but chapter 18 🥵 solidified when she got some sense. Also, one thing about Jodie Slaughter is going to do is have a car sex scene, mutual masturbation, and a heroine who's going to insert herself into a dangerous situation. I guess that's not really one thing. 🤭 Anywho, I enjoyed this book! I'm waffling between 4.25 and 4.5 because the Ward situation was a bit anticlimactic, but everything else was chef's kiss, 4 stars doesn't feel like enough
CN: parental death, grief, cancer death, gun violence, kidnapping, unprotected sex, divorce
Small town romance 😐
Only one bed 🤸🏾♀️
Slow burn 😬
I like one out of four tropes, but I ate this book up. Like read in one sitting, don't bother me ate up. I'm really surprised the rating isn't higher. This romance has nuggets of information about shine and how communities survived through the crimilization of the process. These two feuding families are embedded in the history of the process but have been able to coexist until an outsider comes through. Javier wants to d the right thing by Hannah even though she has her guard up. Girl, we knew that wasn't going to last, but chapter 18 🥵 solidified when she got some sense. Also, one thing about Jodie Slaughter is going to do is have a car sex scene, mutual masturbation, and a heroine who's going to insert herself into a dangerous situation. I guess that's not really one thing. 🤭 Anywho, I enjoyed this book! I'm waffling between 4.25 and 4.5 because the Ward situation was a bit anticlimactic, but everything else was chef's kiss, 4 stars doesn't feel like enough
CN: parental death, grief, cancer death, gun violence, kidnapping, unprotected sex, divorce
March 6, 2021
I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. Being immersed in the world of moonshining was interesting and both Hannah and Javier were nuanced characters. Some plot points got a little nuts but overall a good read.
May 19, 2021
Meh, could have had more to the plot and in-depth characters development but what do I know?? I'm just a random girl on the internet 🤷
October 2, 2019
When I got the notification of the 2nd book by new author Jodie Slaughter I was fully on board to get thrown into a new sexy dark world full of bad boy bad talking leading man and an irresistible smart and spunky leading lady. Well... White Whiskey ain't that and I'm a better human for it. I thought that Callum from her previous book was my ultimate book boyfriend but I didn't know I needed the book husband that I got in Javier Meza. He is sweet without being soft. He is sexy in all his gruff stubble glory and he's a CHEF too. Well, sign me up for all of that but wherein Ms. Slaughter's Callum was my favorite character in her last book, Hannah of this book is the modern-day county girl heroine that made this book for me. From her "not unwrapping her hair before 8 am for NOBODY" to every mention of her womanly pooch, I related her to her in a way that I haven't with a character since I've begun this journey into the romance drama world. Her development throughout after being put into a position of leadership and dealing with expectations from her "family" was very real and relatable. The book itself was such a fast read I was actually mad when I read the words epilogue. Jodie's talent for connecting the story in a way that the drama of the battle of the moonshiners and the sexy build of the relationship is phenomenal. I thoroughly enjoyed this "little" book.
September 20, 2020
As this one started out I sort of expected it to be a Romeo and Juliet of Moonshiners, was glad it wasn't. I laughed as these two families went old school to find a way to become allies, by marriage. I found it interesting that Javier was the one that took things more serious, that he had a list of things that he required and how down to earth the list was and how he was taking the situation and hoped it would turn real.
As they looked into their enemies it caused Hannah and Javier to spend time together, allowing them to get to know each other. I thought it telling towards the end it was Javier seeing and speaking to his ex-wife that made him really try with Hannah and tell Hannah why and how Hannah grabbed ahold and took a chance.
The battle for moonshine was a bit crazy! The reason why was even worse. I hated that Javier and Hannah had to play hardball, but it needed to be done. By the end you could see that their two moonshine families weren't enemies any more, but more a great big dysfunctional family, one who can work together.
As they looked into their enemies it caused Hannah and Javier to spend time together, allowing them to get to know each other. I thought it telling towards the end it was Javier seeing and speaking to his ex-wife that made him really try with Hannah and tell Hannah why and how Hannah grabbed ahold and took a chance.
The battle for moonshine was a bit crazy! The reason why was even worse. I hated that Javier and Hannah had to play hardball, but it needed to be done. By the end you could see that their two moonshine families weren't enemies any more, but more a great big dysfunctional family, one who can work together.
April 2, 2025
There were a lot of grammatical and syntax errors, which kept pulling me out of the story.
June 13, 2020
IR marriage of convenience with a determined heroine and a teddy bear of a hero. I really enjoyed watching them learn to trust each other.
CW: violence, some swearing, several scenes with explicit sexual content (m/f)
CW: violence, some swearing, several scenes with explicit sexual content (m/f)
Want to read
May 8, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/8/2020)! 🎁
November 11, 2019
2.5 . I loved the idea of this book: a romance set in contemporary Appalachia, featuring two rival bootlegger families, one African-American and one Mexican-American, who join forces when they are threatened by a powerful white outsider family. But it doesn't live up to its promise.
Thirty-year-old Hannah Hawkins has just inherited the family liquor-running business after the recent death of her mother, and is trying to establish her credibility and leadership skills amongst the extended family, many of whom are older and more experienced than she is. Having one of her best and oldest runners shot while making a delivery is a wake-up call for Hannah, who devises a plan to defeat the rich white Ward family, which is threatening not just her livelihood, but her family: she'll propose an alliance with the Meza family, another moonshine-producing family. She expects some pushback, because the Hawkins and Mezas have always been rivals. Meza patriarch Benecio Meza is open to the idea, but offers a counter-proposal: to ensure against Hawkins betrayal, she will have to marry his son. Practical Hannah agrees, and beta-hero Javier moves into her house. An unusual and intriguing setting for the typical marriage-of-convenience trope, one that I was eager to read.
But the subsequent story proved rather disappointing, both on the romance front and on the adventure story front. I was expecting far more action/suspense from the set-up, which just doesn't happen. An attack on the Meza's property (which our leads don't directly witness) leads the two families to devise a scheme against the Ward family; once the scheme successfully takes place, the plot just hangs in limbo for more than a month, with no retaliation or negotiation happening between the opposing sides. Then, at book's end, there's a big, explosive, violent confrontation, one which is supposed to show that the Hawkins/Meza alliance has defeated the Wards. But that conclusion didn't make much sense to me; I couldn't help but think that the enemy would just come back to fight another day, this time with more reinforcements.
Beyond her initial proposal to the Mezas, Hannah isn't shown leading her "family" in any real way. It's one of those "she's a great leader because the narrative tells you she is" situations. The story thus focuses largely on the relationship between Hannah and Javier. That relationship plays out largely in sex scenes between Hannah and Javier, without much in the way of emotional intimacy growing between the two. This made it hard for me to buy into the claims that they each loved the other by story's end.
Neither one of the characters has much of a character arc, either. There's a revelation towards story's end that Hannah is having difficulty imagining herself as leader in any mold other than her mother's, but we didn't really see her having many doubts earlier in the story, so it feels rather out of the blue. Javier's backstory is more interesting: he married young, and divorced early, and is feeling regretful about both. He, unlike Hannah, is interesting in giving their fake marriage a real chance. But without showing us much of how he used to be, we only get to see how he is now, so we don't actually see him changing and growing.
One last comment: between the dialogue and the narrative, the word "shit" (or one of its forms: bullshit, shitshow, etc.) appears more than 80 times in the novel. I don't have a problem with swearing in itself, but I do find the lack of variety in the use of language boring.
Thirty-year-old Hannah Hawkins has just inherited the family liquor-running business after the recent death of her mother, and is trying to establish her credibility and leadership skills amongst the extended family, many of whom are older and more experienced than she is. Having one of her best and oldest runners shot while making a delivery is a wake-up call for Hannah, who devises a plan to defeat the rich white Ward family, which is threatening not just her livelihood, but her family: she'll propose an alliance with the Meza family, another moonshine-producing family. She expects some pushback, because the Hawkins and Mezas have always been rivals. Meza patriarch Benecio Meza is open to the idea, but offers a counter-proposal: to ensure against Hawkins betrayal, she will have to marry his son. Practical Hannah agrees, and beta-hero Javier moves into her house. An unusual and intriguing setting for the typical marriage-of-convenience trope, one that I was eager to read.
But the subsequent story proved rather disappointing, both on the romance front and on the adventure story front. I was expecting far more action/suspense from the set-up, which just doesn't happen. An attack on the Meza's property (which our leads don't directly witness) leads the two families to devise a scheme against the Ward family; once the scheme successfully takes place, the plot just hangs in limbo for more than a month, with no retaliation or negotiation happening between the opposing sides. Then, at book's end, there's a big, explosive, violent confrontation, one which is supposed to show that the Hawkins/Meza alliance has defeated the Wards. But that conclusion didn't make much sense to me; I couldn't help but think that the enemy would just come back to fight another day, this time with more reinforcements.
Beyond her initial proposal to the Mezas, Hannah isn't shown leading her "family" in any real way. It's one of those "she's a great leader because the narrative tells you she is" situations. The story thus focuses largely on the relationship between Hannah and Javier. That relationship plays out largely in sex scenes between Hannah and Javier, without much in the way of emotional intimacy growing between the two. This made it hard for me to buy into the claims that they each loved the other by story's end.
Neither one of the characters has much of a character arc, either. There's a revelation towards story's end that Hannah is having difficulty imagining herself as leader in any mold other than her mother's, but we didn't really see her having many doubts earlier in the story, so it feels rather out of the blue. Javier's backstory is more interesting: he married young, and divorced early, and is feeling regretful about both. He, unlike Hannah, is interesting in giving their fake marriage a real chance. But without showing us much of how he used to be, we only get to see how he is now, so we don't actually see him changing and growing.
One last comment: between the dialogue and the narrative, the word "shit" (or one of its forms: bullshit, shitshow, etc.) appears more than 80 times in the novel. I don't have a problem with swearing in itself, but I do find the lack of variety in the use of language boring.
September 3, 2020
CW: Death of a parent, death of family, guns
This book was a delight. A treat just absolutely wonderful.
At it's core it's a very wonderful steamy slow burn (it's got the good dirty parts, but no full on sex until later in the book) build up. Great plot development with the Hannah and Javier taking center stage.
I loved how strong Hannah was and take no shit. Javier was not quite a cinnamon roll but close and ready to support her and do whatever he needed to for her.
Just a great book.
This book was a delight. A treat just absolutely wonderful.
At it's core it's a very wonderful steamy slow burn (it's got the good dirty parts, but no full on sex until later in the book) build up. Great plot development with the Hannah and Javier taking center stage.
I loved how strong Hannah was and take no shit. Javier was not quite a cinnamon roll but close and ready to support her and do whatever he needed to for her.
Just a great book.
April 2, 2023
I don’t know why, but I just didn’t like this romance.
The plot started out with a typical marriage-of-convenience trope. It didn’t stay that way, however, as it got pretty wild and the end had something of a gangster movie. Still, all the action didn’t manage to engage my interest.
And to top it off, I found the characters to be annoying and they irritated me without end. As you can imagine, this didn’t exactly help with my enjoyment.
So, while there are many romances which I absolutely adore, White whiskey bargain sadly wasn’t one of them.
—> 2 stars
The plot started out with a typical marriage-of-convenience trope. It didn’t stay that way, however, as it got pretty wild and the end had something of a gangster movie. Still, all the action didn’t manage to engage my interest.
And to top it off, I found the characters to be annoying and they irritated me without end. As you can imagine, this didn’t exactly help with my enjoyment.
So, while there are many romances which I absolutely adore, White whiskey bargain sadly wasn’t one of them.
—> 2 stars
July 29, 2020
Great concept, poor execution. Everything from the story to the world to the characters just seemed...unfinished? Underdone? Not fully cooked? I'll still look for more from this author
February 24, 2021
I am giving this book 4.5 stars. This book is a great example of plot in romance done well. The story follows 2 rival families in the moonshine business who are forced to come together to fight against a common enemy. To do that Hannah Hawkins and Javier Meza, the leader of the Hawkins distilleries and the son of the leaders of the Meza distilleries, get married and fortify an alliance between the families. The Hawkins' are a black owned and operated and the Meza's are latinx owned and operate, both are heavily established in their southern roots and helping support their people through years of discrimination. So having the Wards, a rich white family that runs the opposing organization, try and destroy everything their families have built, there is no damn way they are letting that happen. We follow both Hannah and Javier's perspectives as they try to save their businesses and come to a common ground in their marriage. I loved their relationship because it was so sweet. They started off very business like with each other but quickly grew more comfortable and were honestly such a cute couple. Hannah was such a strong business woman and leader despite being new to the role, and Javier was a cinnamon role who drank his respecting women juice all day long. They worked really well together and felt so genuine as characters. The plot follows them and their families trying to protect their businesses, and in the process there is a lot to learn about the moonshine and alcohol making process. It had that edge of being illegal and there were some dark moments, but the plot was really focused on showing them as just people making a living for themselves and being a staple in the community. I enjoyed the balance of romance and plot, and felt that the 2 worked well in tandem to really make me care about both sides. Definitely worth the read and even though it only had a few spicy scenes, they were pretty fire.
dnf
July 5, 2022Don't mind me just going through my (physical) bookshelves
DNF at page 89
Once again I am so disappointed in myself for not liking this book. I mean the Queen Talia Hibbert said that this is her all time favorite book! But if I am being honest I found the first 90 pages of "White Whisky Bargain" boring and there was not enough tension. For a hate to love the main characters got over their issues fast; they just acted like such rational adults, which sounds good but for some reason made me annoyed?!? Also it all was a little to businessy for me.
Bookmarked reclaimed: I dogeared again (please lower your pitchforks)
DNF at page 89
Once again I am so disappointed in myself for not liking this book. I mean the Queen Talia Hibbert said that this is her all time favorite book! But if I am being honest I found the first 90 pages of "White Whisky Bargain" boring and there was not enough tension. For a hate to love the main characters got over their issues fast; they just acted like such rational adults, which sounds good but for some reason made me annoyed?!? Also it all was a little to businessy for me.
Bookmarked reclaimed: I dogeared again (please lower your pitchforks)
September 27, 2020
I enjoyed this book and liked that it had a different take on things. Enjoyed the moonshine aspect and delving a bit into that.
Having the 2 families rival one another and then setting out a plan to defeat a newcomer just added to the intrigue in this one.
4 stars
Having the 2 families rival one another and then setting out a plan to defeat a newcomer just added to the intrigue in this one.
4 stars
March 8, 2020
Bought this after seeing it talked about on twitter - modern marriage of convenience! It was pretty fun, I had a good time.
December 3, 2019
3.5 stars
This was a lovely read that I enjoyed thoroughly.
This was my first read by Jodie Slaughter and won’t be the last. The book itself starts out with a bang, then slowly builds up until the big climax, then let’s you cool down until you’re ready to leave the mountains and the characters to their life, and I liked that a lot. What rally made that story for me though were the characters. Hannah and Javier were both strong and independent, but still firmly tethered to their home, family and business. I loved the community involvement in this, the history and background effortlessly woven into the main story arc. And Javier especially had all the soft and firm spots I adore in a book character. And the built up for the sexy scenes. *chef’s kiss*
I think what prevented this from being a blow-me-away read is that I wished for a little more meat to the romance, a little more time and space for things to progress and evolve more deeply. And some of the action scenes in the end were things I struggled with. Not because they were bad or badly written, just because I didn’t feel fully satisfied on a personal level because I have a preference for lengthy build ups and climaxes.
But. That does in no way take away from the book or the enjoyment I felt while reading and I am definitely going to check out more of this author's work.
This was a lovely read that I enjoyed thoroughly.
This was my first read by Jodie Slaughter and won’t be the last. The book itself starts out with a bang, then slowly builds up until the big climax, then let’s you cool down until you’re ready to leave the mountains and the characters to their life, and I liked that a lot. What rally made that story for me though were the characters. Hannah and Javier were both strong and independent, but still firmly tethered to their home, family and business. I loved the community involvement in this, the history and background effortlessly woven into the main story arc. And Javier especially had all the soft and firm spots I adore in a book character. And the built up for the sexy scenes. *chef’s kiss*
I think what prevented this from being a blow-me-away read is that I wished for a little more meat to the romance, a little more time and space for things to progress and evolve more deeply. And some of the action scenes in the end were things I struggled with. Not because they were bad or badly written, just because I didn’t feel fully satisfied on a personal level because I have a preference for lengthy build ups and climaxes.
But. That does in no way take away from the book or the enjoyment I felt while reading and I am definitely going to check out more of this author's work.
September 22, 2019
Fun read
With a hint of historical romance. It’s hard to believe that these operations still exist in 2019. I enjoyed how the book was constructed with a slow development of their relationship. Much more realistic than an insta love story. The last fighting scene was funny but what’s to say that just out of spite Ward would set the Feds on them? Anyway it was an enjoyable read. What I missed was more interactions with her sister and friend. We were also due a scene with his grandmother. A bit of background about how his family got settled in that area would have been interesting. The book felt like a hfn. We missed out of the future, the consolidated business, their role in it, their future children etc..
With a hint of historical romance. It’s hard to believe that these operations still exist in 2019. I enjoyed how the book was constructed with a slow development of their relationship. Much more realistic than an insta love story. The last fighting scene was funny but what’s to say that just out of spite Ward would set the Feds on them? Anyway it was an enjoyable read. What I missed was more interactions with her sister and friend. We were also due a scene with his grandmother. A bit of background about how his family got settled in that area would have been interesting. The book felt like a hfn. We missed out of the future, the consolidated business, their role in it, their future children etc..
August 19, 2020
This book is so good. The whole marriage of convenience plot worked perfectly. I loved both main characters and there's an instant attraction between them that made this entire book be filled with sexual tension. This book gets steamy fast and I enjoyed it so much. The hero is such a nice guy and I loved the way he treated the heroine and how much emphasis he put on communication. The heroine is a badass.
While I learned a lot about moonshine (I knew very little about it), I really liked that the whole business and the conflict with the other family didn't take over the story. It was present enough to be interesting but it didn't overpower the romance.
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