Whisky and Sunshine

by Louisa Duval

In a world of Gastons, how does Beauty find her Beast?

Stuart ‘the Beast’ McAlister feels cursed. His new whisky is ruined, his family are at each other’s throats and their distillery is missing a fortune.

Forensic accountant, Amanda Turner, arrives in Scotland determined to catch a thief and earn her promotion.

When Beauty meets the Beast, she finds him cocky and rude. Stuart thinks she’s the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. The more they work together, the more their attraction grows.

Can the Beast be tamed, or will he prove to be just another Gaston? Will Beauty take a chance for a Happily Ever After?

‘Whisky and Sunshine’ is a standalone, debut novel for Louisa Duval set in Scotland featuring whisky, haggis, poetry of Robert Burns, sexy spreadsheets and a grumpy boss who can’t resist the sunshine of a feisty Australian.

Genres: Romance

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2020

About the author

Louisa Duval is an Australian author who writes small town, contemporary romance set in Ballydoon, where the heroes are rugged as the landscape around them, and the stories steamier than an Aussie heat wave.
Louisa has worked in radio, recruitment, education, freelance writing and corporate communications, and once traipsed around a national park looking for wombat burrows.
When she isn’t working in the city, she spends as much time as possible with her family at their riverside acreage watching the wallabies and drinking the local wine. She is a proud supporter of her local rural fire brigade and hopes she will never be in the front line of a bushfire and admires those who have.
She lives with her husband, two kids, a lazy cattle dog-Kelpie cross, three chickens, and many indoor plants.

Reviews

[Susan Mackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprising little page turner.
I love everything about Scotland, and this story involved a grumpy Scot and a sunshine-ey Aussie. A perfect combo. Set around a centuries-old whisky distillery, a clan of hot-headed but close-knit Scots battling an accounting audit while attempting to launch their stunning new single-malt. Funny and moving and quite steamy at times. Couldn't put it down. I want more from this author.

[Anna M_82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been meaning to read this romance for awhile and I’m so glad that I did! I am in love Louisa Duval’s writing and her characters. Do yourself a favor and get this romance today!!! Her characters are as fantastic as they are flawed with plenty to build a story on and even more to fall in love with! It’s like a modern day Beauty and the Beast, with grumpy Stuart and his sunshine Amanda. No locking in the tower but she does need to spend quite a bit of time as his family’s distillery which allows them time to either avoid each other or fall in love.

Amanda and Stuart meet and have an unexpected connected, whisky girl and her beast. Then unknowingly she is sent to his family distillery to perform a financial audit and determine where missing finances have gone. The way that their connection is described will give you goosebumps! That alone is explained in such heart pounding detail that it just gets better from there! The more time he spends with her the more the “Beast” smiles and enjoys life. It won’t be an easy road to a happily ever after, mistakes are made and missing money needs to be found, but it’s more than worth the journey to get there. I can’t forget to mention that even the use of a spreadsheet was turned into something romantic and steamy. I loved this book and can’t recommend it enough! Definitely put this book down as your next must read.

[JenReviews4U · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding debut novel! I really enjoyed this story, it’s got a modern Beauty & the Beast vibe but doesn’t follow that storyline which I like, it shows creativity and makes it unique. The author has strong writing abilities, tells an interesting tale with plot twists and the editing is well done. This novel follows the cultural ‘different -yet-not-so-different’ adventure of Amanda, an Australian living in the UK and working for an accounting firm when she is sent to audit a whisky distillery in a small town in Scotland. Stuart is the new CEO of the distillery and is still trying to get his bearings after hanging up his rugby career and after meeting a woman who not only is smart but knows her whisky. The author did a great job of putting the reader into the perspectives of the characters experiencing a different setting. For example, Amanda being female Australian, sort of a fish out of water in Scotland, and Stuart being male Scottish interpreting her foreignness in more ways than one. As the reader you feel as if you are right there with them and can totally sympathize with either one. I also liked the narration from the characters themselves which blended really well together and flowed throughout the story. Overall this tells a sweet, romantic, and completely believable tale about finding love where you least expect it and taking a chance on it. Readers will not be disappointed to give this one a go.
My thanks to the author for an advanced unedited copy, my review is entirely voluntary and my own opinion.

[Floraljoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read:
This was a sweet yet sexy "wee yarn" that I really enjoyed reading! I loved that it included some different cultures with the setting being Scotland and the leading lady being Australian. It was a sort of modern day take on Beauty and the Beast but in a plausaible way. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the financial investigation even if it was pretty obvious from the beginning who the culprit was. I was so glad that Stuart and Amanda were able to work things out and I look forward to meeting the rest of her Aussie family in the upcoming books.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It was well-written, even though the Scottish and Australian was a bit challenging at times. The characters were realistic and the plot nicely flushed out. I did not feel like it was missing any explanations and it flowed well. Amanda and Stuart were clearly attracted to each other from the start and the problems with both their jobs felt realistic. There was enough steam and romance to make for a great story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vinessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Beauty and the Beast was never so intriguing.
Amanda wants to get in crunch the numbers and find the theif.

He's a family man, blood and by choice. His business is in parel. Someone is embezzling from the company and it is a shock to think who has access.
When these two come face to face it is heat and passion but the closethey come to finding answers their relationship will be put through its paces.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JessTheCat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cracking romance between a Scottish an ex-rugby player with a whisky distillery, and an Australian forensic accountant. Louisa Duval has shot off the starting blocks with this one! I read this book in one sitting - it had me hooked from start to finish! Stuart and Amanda are very likeable leads, and the suite of other characters in the story really carry it along and definitely draw you into action. Just like life, it's the interactions between the people in the mix that make the ride worthwhile. Can't wait for more from this author!

[Bek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I assumed when listening to the audiobook that the author was not Australian, and had probably never met an Australian before. So to find out that she is, is a bit jarring - I've never actually heard an Australian use the word 'crikey' in a non-sarcastic way before. This book was a bit predictable but an easy romance read if you're looking for something short and sweet. I listened to the audiobook - the narrators were great, but the production wasn't great with long pauses and occasional repetition of lines.

[Joey Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hubba hubba! An easy read and I have completely fallen in love with Stuart and Amanda such passionate and loveable characters. It took a second to get use to the voice of Stuart, but once I could imagine it, I couldn't get the accent out of my head! Obsessed.

The start of the book was a little abrupt and sudden in terms of pace, but the rest of the book was just perfect and really fun to read! Made me blush :) and made me thirsty for some Whisky.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read from this author. I absolutely loved the first person point of view and the Scottish spelling. I really liked this story. The storyline, the characters, especially the hero who always has to convince whether or not I'll finish the book. And I finish this one in one sitting. I will definitely read more from this author in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern twist to the beauty and the beast which was unique in its portrayal and freshness.
Stuart aka beast is a Scottish ex-rugby player who's now in charge of his family distillery. Amanda is an Aussie in the UK who's a forensic accountant and is in Scotland to find what wrong with the distillery.
It's well-written, engaging, sweet, romantic with twist and turns and characters that are well crafted.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Stuart McAllister, the new CEO of a distillery with a ruined batch of whiskey and an embezzler, and Amanda Turner, a forensic accountant hired to find the embezzler. Their attraction grows as they work together. This well written book has interesting characters and a plot with steamy chemistry and fantastic romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kellie Dyer]

If you are looking for a different take on some classic themes (think beauty and the beast!), which is well written and easy to read, then this is your book. The twists and turns kept me turning the pages, not wanting the book to end. The level of detail in scene-setting, in developing the characters, all made this a thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I've read written by Louisa Duval; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Esme Greiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first novel by this author and nicely done. Amanda and Stuart meet when she arrives in Scotland looking to catch a thief. Stuart is instantly attracted to Amanda and the more time they spend together the more the attraction between them grows. Good Read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable, tension-packed, steamy read! The chemistry between the protagonists was strong, adding drama and spice to work-place relations. This novel is a bit naughty! It was so much fun escaping into the pages of this book.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good enjoyable heat, steamy, small town romance read. The story has a good story line with plot twists. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars
I enjoyed reading this book with its creative storyline and intriguing characters. I believe this is the first book I’ve read from this author and it was very entertaining. Nicely done.

I requested a copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Page Turner
A romance based around an audit in a whisky distillery doesn’t sound interesting but it turned out to be a book I read in one sitting. A grumpy Scot and a sunny Aussie make sparks when they first meet and things ramp up even more when they discover they are working together.

[Kate Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet workplace romance hit all the right spots.

Fiery and intelligent Amanda is the perfect match for grumpy and cocky CEO Stuart. I absolutely loved all the Scottish themes, taking me back to my time in Scotland.

“Her voice lured me like the sirens who lured sailors to their fate.”

It took me a little bit to get into this book but after the initial first chapters, I couldn’t put the damn book down. Love this romance, and the unique storyline.

“The Beast was slayed the moment I laid eyes on you.”

Rating: 4 ⭐️
Spice: 2 🌶️

[Naiomi Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 ⭐️
1 🌶️

I enjoyed this retelling of Beauty and the Beast. If you want a quick but enjoyable read definitely pick this one up.

[Mary Sefton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved everything about this story. I laughed and I cried. More please Louisa.

[BlazesBookNook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that it pays homage to Australia and Scotland

But I mostly love how hen challenges Stuart at every turn and yet they still fall in love.

[Jem McCusker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasure read...

Amanda brings the heat to Stuart and the Scottish winter! An absolute pleasure to read, finished in 2 sittings!

A whirlwind romance, beautiful Scottish setting and a little mystery to bring it all together.