But First, Whiskey

But First, Whiskey #1

by Erin McCarthy

Faith Young is trouble with a capital “T.”

I thought she was drowning. She wasn’t. But I jumped into the pond and saved her and somehow after that it was all wet clothes coming off and a hot and sexy night under the stars.

Until I realize she is my best friend’s little sister.

Bro code accidentally broken in the worst possible way.

There is no way I can let Cash know I hooked up with Faith, so when he asks for my help in securing her an entry level job at my whiskey distillery, I go one step further. I offer her a great position in the company— one that she can’t refuse— in return for her sworn silence about our night together.

Some might call it blackmail. I call it mutually beneficial.

Only now she’s everywhere I turn. At the office, at social events for our whiskey label, out downtown, at her brother’s. I can’t get away from her or her very tempting mouth with that sassy smile.

She calls me a grumpy boss. I call myself a man on the verge of doing something very, very stupid. Like easing her down on my desk for a repeat of our night together.

Now the only one who is drowning is me…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Rom Com

223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2022

About the author

USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy sold her first book in 2002 and has since written over a hundred novels and novellas in teen fiction, new adult, and adult romance. Erin has a special weakness for high-heeled boots, beaches and martinis. She lives in Ohio with her family, two grumpy cats and a socially awkward dog.

Reviews

[Karen]

Faith and MacKay are a great couple. They have instant chemistry and try so hard fight the feelings they have for one another. But sometimes chemistry and fate have a way of making things be a certain way for a reason.

MacKay is an ex-football athlete that had an injury take him out after one year of playing pro. He partnered up with his brothers and opened up a whiskey distillery. Faith is the younger sister of MacKay's old team mate and is now looking for a job and happens to get offered one at MacKay's business. However these two can't keep their hands off of each other and now that MacKay is Faith's boss, will it cause issues within his business? Plus on top of that, Faith's brother does not know that the two of them are a couple.

This story was so good, I just loved it! I can't wait to see if MacKay's siblings will get their own stories since they really interested me.

[Kelly (the book hussy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

- Younger heroine (10 year age gap)
- Little sister of best friend


Spin-off of The Legends series

Faith is the little sister of Cash from The Player and the Single Mom.

Apparently there’s a prequel, At First Glance. No idea how to get my hands on it. But that would have been helpful going in. This book starts a few weeks/months after their hookup.

Because I didn’t see their initial meeting, I never felt their connection. Basically felt like lust, not love throughout.

I’m guessing Mackay’s brothers will each get a book. Ian (the hot nerd) definitely caught my interest.

[Daisy Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews posted at Tales of Love, Life, and Murder

Faith and MacKay’s story starts before the book begins, in the short story At First Glance in the Ten First Dates anthology. I loved it there and couldn’t wait to find out what happened. I’m glad I did, because this book turned out to be one of the best I’ve read all year. Faith and MacKay are hilarious, hot and just confused enough to be entertaining. She’s had a crush on her brother’s best friend since she was thirteen years old. Here we are, ten years later and nothing has changed. Except that MacKay doesn’t recognize her so when he flirts with her at her brother’s wedding, she lets him think she works for the catering staff and flirts right back. It leads to a crazy fun day and one very hot night. Then MacKay has to jump out the window.

They’ve managed to avoid one another for almost a year now but when Faith’s brother asks his bestie to give his new grad little sister a job, MacKay can’t say no. Now they’re working together somewhat awkwardly, trying to act professional but failing to keep their hands off of one another. The characters are real and the dialogue is hilarious. This book made me laugh out loud so many times but it was also sweet and steamy. I’ve only read a few books by the author, but I’ve loved each one more than the last and definitely want more.

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this in the end! McKay and Faith were at different stages in their life and wanted different things from each other at different times but ultimately they worked out well and had great chemistry. At the start I hadn’t read ‘at first glance’ their short story prequel so I was missing part of the story which I kind of wish I’d read already. So at the start of the book I thought their “desire” was childish and kind of stupid but they really had a great connection at the start and dirty jokes was their thing from the start. I appreciate them way more now and actually enjoy the wholes families characters too! I want a story from one of Mckays brothers and also Cash!

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have, admittedly, never wanted the main couple together less. I think I'm too old for 23 year old protagonists who act like 23 year old protagonists; I was incredibly frustrated with Faith and couldn't help but find her romance with MacKay kind of gross (he is a full decade older and knew her at 13).

I did, however, like many of the side characters. MacKay's brothers were great as were Faith's family members. I see myself reading their stories down the line, but I did not like this romance at all.

[Jessica CW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bourbon

She's fresh out of college and ready to make an imprint on the world...but one little complication is a hookup with her crush aka her brothers best friend.....

But let tensions rise with a splash of bourbon added in.

I liked these guys tension, although her rollercoaster on how she feels definitely showed her age/experience in life. Thankfully she got some sense before he permanently became the one that got away.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

But First, Whiskey is the first book in this new stand alone series. This book contains humor, great characters, no cheating, no cliff hanger and a HEA. Romantic Comedy with a a best friends little sister trope.


Faith Young is the little sister of my best friend, Cash. I didn't know this until after I jumped into a pond to save her from drowning and then behind the barn we stripped our wet clothes off of each other and feasted on each other. She told me she was part of the catering staff...

I broke the Bro code in the worst way and she's 10 years younger than me. I can't let Cash know I hooked up with Faith, so I plan on keeping my distance. Until, he asks me to give Faith a job at my whiskey distillery. I offer her a great position in the company, one that I hope she will refuse and in return our secret about our ONS will still be a secret.

Only she accepts the job and she’s everywhere I am. I can’t get away from the temptation of her. We are at different stages in life and I know we are better off as friends but why do I seem to be the one drowning this time around?

[Jennifer Artiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

McKay and Faith

I loved these two together! Their chemistry is crazy but they both had some maturing to do before they could have their HEA. As always, Ms. McCarthy has a winner with this book and I can see many offshoots for future books between McKay’s brothers and Cash’s family. Highly recommended.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Was Smokin!

This started off as a hookup at her brothers wedding and turned into so much more!

I loved watching their trajectory and how they just could NOT stay away from each other ❤️❤️

Makay’s brother Dylan is a trouble maker lol loved his interactions with Makay!


This was a great story!

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This storyline had a lot of tropes… age-gap, forbidden, second chance…. But they all added equal a good read!
M and F were a great pair with an HEA that hinted at the future in the epilogue.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars.

This was a really cute and easy-to-read book. I really enjoyed reading it and it was exactly what I needed and wanted for a full Sunday. I finished it in just a couple of hours because I didn't want to put it down. Can't wait for the next one!

[Xanny Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me way too long to read this... and it's not because of the book. I honestly loved it there was just so much miscommunication if they actually spoke half the things they kept internally there would have never been any drama.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book. Apparently, there is another novella that contains the actual meet cute. I didn't know this and was kinda confused in the beginning.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable enough, very quick read, I’m not a huge fan of big age gaps where the girl is still early 20s but I just tried to ignore that factor

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read