jmsss's review
5.0
How is this my first from this author?!
Came across a rec for this book - it sounded good and wow did I ever love it. What a combination. Austin is
Came across a rec for this book - it sounded good and wow did I ever love it. What a combination. Austin is
ellafaereads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
megkitch25's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
glavreads's review
4.0
4.25 Stars!
Rae and Austin have been best friends since college when Rae wanted to hook up and Austin became the first, and only, man to ever turn her down. He took her out for midnight waffles instead and the rest is history.
Rae is vehemently anti-marriage for herself and Austin is holding out for the right woman. When they end up in Vegas for a trip and have a little too much vodka, they wake up with rings on their fingers. Rae is ready to run to the courthouse to have it annulled while Austin isn't willing to give up their marriage.
Austin has been pining after Rae since that first night he met her but would rather keep her as a friend than be her casual, one night hook up and lose her afterwards. He sees their marriage as fate and isn't letting his chance go.
This was a great, quick read. Lots of great banter, $pice, and I really loved their friendship. There were so many moments that I actually laughed out loud or smiled to myself. I felt like in the morning after their marriage, Austin expected a little too much out of Rae but he was truly an amazing hero. He was a dutiful friend/Instagram husband but was an alpha in the bedroom and we love to see it. Rae's past did explain some of her actions but she realllllly annoyed me at points. Austin showed her over and over how different he was but she kept making an issue out of nothing.
Overall, such a good and $picy read. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. CW: This book deals with past and recent domestic abuse.
Rae and Austin have been best friends since college when Rae wanted to hook up and Austin became the first, and only, man to ever turn her down. He took her out for midnight waffles instead and the rest is history.
Rae is vehemently anti-marriage for herself and Austin is holding out for the right woman. When they end up in Vegas for a trip and have a little too much vodka, they wake up with rings on their fingers. Rae is ready to run to the courthouse to have it annulled while Austin isn't willing to give up their marriage.
Austin has been pining after Rae since that first night he met her but would rather keep her as a friend than be her casual, one night hook up and lose her afterwards. He sees their marriage as fate and isn't letting his chance go.
This was a great, quick read. Lots of great banter, $pice, and I really loved their friendship. There were so many moments that I actually laughed out loud or smiled to myself. I felt like in the morning after their marriage, Austin expected a little too much out of Rae but he was truly an amazing hero. He was a dutiful friend/Instagram husband but was an alpha in the bedroom and we love to see it. Rae's past did explain some of her actions but she realllllly annoyed me at points. Austin showed her over and over how different he was but she kept making an issue out of nothing.
Overall, such a good and $picy read. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. CW: This book deals with past and recent domestic abuse.
jesilva46's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The audio is amazing!! Rae and Austin are brought to life!
Fiona Cole just knows how to write a damn romance! She's written a couple of my favorite friends to lovers (MY favorite trope) and now I can add another to that list. Blame it on the Vodka was fantastic. It ticked off all the right things for me:
--pure gold banter and dialogue
--fierce, loving girl friendships
--badass women
--protective men
--will they/won't they push and pull
--years long (sort of unrequited but not really) love
--best friends to lovers angst
--hot AF diry talk...like seriously. WOW!
--overcoming trauma and heartbreak
--personal growth
--and SO MUCH MORE!
Rae and Austin's story is my new favorite of this series. These characters have grit and heart in spades. Rae is so strong, yet that strength and determination she has to do everything she can to not let the past repeat itself has made her close off her heart to a deep love. And Austin...talk about swoony book boyfriend material! I absolutely love that he falls for Rae at first sight, but he's resigned himself to make the most of what he thinks he can have with her--friendship only.
The tension and chemistry in this story is incredible. And when that bridge is crossed...hot hot HOT! There's just so much to unpack with these characters and the changes they undergo as they get closer than ever before. Blame it on the Vodka has devastating scenes and laugh out loud scenes. It has sarcasm and substance. And it most definitely has that Fiona Cole heart that I adore. Fabulous story. Xoxo
Fiona Cole just knows how to write a damn romance! She's written a couple of my favorite friends to lovers (MY favorite trope) and now I can add another to that list. Blame it on the Vodka was fantastic. It ticked off all the right things for me:
--pure gold banter and dialogue
--fierce, loving girl friendships
--badass women
--protective men
--will they/won't they push and pull
--years long (sort of unrequited but not really) love
--best friends to lovers angst
--hot AF diry talk...like seriously. WOW!
--overcoming trauma and heartbreak
--personal growth
--and SO MUCH MORE!
Rae and Austin's story is my new favorite of this series. These characters have grit and heart in spades. Rae is so strong, yet that strength and determination she has to do everything she can to not let the past repeat itself has made her close off her heart to a deep love. And Austin...talk about swoony book boyfriend material! I absolutely love that he falls for Rae at first sight, but he's resigned himself to make the most of what he thinks he can have with her--friendship only.
The tension and chemistry in this story is incredible. And when that bridge is crossed...hot hot HOT! There's just so much to unpack with these characters and the changes they undergo as they get closer than ever before. Blame it on the Vodka has devastating scenes and laugh out loud scenes. It has sarcasm and substance. And it most definitely has that Fiona Cole heart that I adore. Fabulous story. Xoxo
book_ofroses's review
5.0
This series has become one of my favourite romance series! This can be read as a standalone but I do recommend reading the first two in the Blame it on the Alcohol series before picking up this newest release by one of my favourite steamy romance authors; Fiona Cole.
- Friends to Lovers
- Accidental / Fake Marriage
- SPICE!
I am lucky enough to be in Fiona's ARC team & I am so grateful as her writing just keeps becoming more addictive, with characters you just can't get enough of.
Rae is the party girl. Adopted at 12 YO by her mayor father, she was lucky enough to grow up in her teens and early 20s as a wealthy socialite. Leaving her past behind, her mother & herself found a man who supports & loves them no matter what. Which lead to Rae getting whatever she wants, but keeping her big heart safe.
Rae meets Austin a college frat party. She is instantly attracted to him & with her first sentence to him being "Wanna F**k?".
Austin meanwhile, even though he is attracted to Rae, is not looking for a fling & rejects her asking if they can just be friends. He isn't looking for a 1x night stand like Rae but for the true love he knows is out there thanks to his grandparents. Austin & Rae then settle on best friends & are there for each other whenever the time comes, including wedding dates. When they decide to attend a wedding in Vegas together, what they didn't expect was to have a bit too much fun & wake up with a wedding ring on each other's finger.
Rae doesn't want marriage. She may love Austin, but she can't give him the true love marriage he is seeking & continues to freak out, until her father insists she must keep the façade while his campaign is running. Austin is happy to do this as he secretly hopes Rae will be his wife, in real life.
This was a fun steamy friends to lovers romance. The banter between these two just flowed & oh gosh, Austin's potty mouth made it easy for them to become lovers.
4.5/5 stars with 4/5 steam!
The only reason I didn't give it 5/5 stars is Rae. She frustrated me!!! She had the dream man & she was focusing on the past. I was glad she was able to over come it & give herself and Austin the future the deserved.
Please also check the trigger warnings including physical abuse.
- Friends to Lovers
- Accidental / Fake Marriage
- SPICE!
I am lucky enough to be in Fiona's ARC team & I am so grateful as her writing just keeps becoming more addictive, with characters you just can't get enough of.
Rae is the party girl. Adopted at 12 YO by her mayor father, she was lucky enough to grow up in her teens and early 20s as a wealthy socialite. Leaving her past behind, her mother & herself found a man who supports & loves them no matter what. Which lead to Rae getting whatever she wants, but keeping her big heart safe.
Rae meets Austin a college frat party. She is instantly attracted to him & with her first sentence to him being "Wanna F**k?".
Austin meanwhile, even though he is attracted to Rae, is not looking for a fling & rejects her asking if they can just be friends. He isn't looking for a 1x night stand like Rae but for the true love he knows is out there thanks to his grandparents. Austin & Rae then settle on best friends & are there for each other whenever the time comes, including wedding dates. When they decide to attend a wedding in Vegas together, what they didn't expect was to have a bit too much fun & wake up with a wedding ring on each other's finger.
Rae doesn't want marriage. She may love Austin, but she can't give him the true love marriage he is seeking & continues to freak out, until her father insists she must keep the façade while his campaign is running. Austin is happy to do this as he secretly hopes Rae will be his wife, in real life.
This was a fun steamy friends to lovers romance. The banter between these two just flowed & oh gosh, Austin's potty mouth made it easy for them to become lovers.
4.5/5 stars with 4/5 steam!
The only reason I didn't give it 5/5 stars is Rae. She frustrated me!!! She had the dream man & she was focusing on the past. I was glad she was able to over come it & give herself and Austin the future the deserved.
Please also check the trigger warnings including physical abuse.
romancreadsreviewedbyk's review against another edition
5.0
Fiona Cole ends her Blame It On The Alcohol series with a bang! Tension, angst, drama, steam... Blame It On The Vodka has it all.
This is the story of Raelynn and Austin, her best friend since college, who end up as husband and wife after a wild night in Vegas.
Throughout the series, Rae has been my favorite. She is this strong, free-spirited, badass woman who doesn't let anyone mess around with her. Many people assumed she was a wealthy socialite with an empty head, but I always knew she was brilliant, strong, and badass. I enjoyed getting to know her on a deeper level, but sometimes, I wanted to shake her for not seeing what was right in front of her.
Austin is book boyfriend material, sexy, sweet, swoony, selfless, and dominant. He has loved Rea from afar for years.
My heart broke for Rae and Austin, they both have some serious scars from the past and learned to work through them the hard way.
I loved Rae and Austin's friendship and relationship, they brought the best out of each other.
The steam was scorching hot! Their intense chemistry and sexual tension fired across the room every time they were together.
Like in the other books, Vera and Nova were a part of the story. I love the friendship these girls have. They aren't just best friends, they are sisters, family!
I loved the audiobook narration by Desirée Ketchum and J.F. Harding. They made Rea and Austin and their love story real.
I had high expectations for Rea and Austin, and Fiona Cole delivered! This story and the audiobook narration checked off every mark in my book and gave some extra.
I received an ALC but am voluntarily leaving this review.
This is the story of Raelynn and Austin, her best friend since college, who end up as husband and wife after a wild night in Vegas.
Throughout the series, Rae has been my favorite. She is this strong, free-spirited, badass woman who doesn't let anyone mess around with her. Many people assumed she was a wealthy socialite with an empty head, but I always knew she was brilliant, strong, and badass. I enjoyed getting to know her on a deeper level, but sometimes, I wanted to shake her for not seeing what was right in front of her.
Austin is book boyfriend material, sexy, sweet, swoony, selfless, and dominant. He has loved Rea from afar for years.
My heart broke for Rae and Austin, they both have some serious scars from the past and learned to work through them the hard way.
I loved Rae and Austin's friendship and relationship, they brought the best out of each other.
The steam was scorching hot! Their intense chemistry and sexual tension fired across the room every time they were together.
Like in the other books, Vera and Nova were a part of the story. I love the friendship these girls have. They aren't just best friends, they are sisters, family!
I loved the audiobook narration by Desirée Ketchum and J.F. Harding. They made Rea and Austin and their love story real.
I had high expectations for Rea and Austin, and Fiona Cole delivered! This story and the audiobook narration checked off every mark in my book and gave some extra.
I received an ALC but am voluntarily leaving this review.
kodom251999's review
5.0
Rae Rae Rae! Wow. I loved her confidence. She was so strong. Austin had a dream of only being married once. Their friendship made this book. Everyone should think their husbands are their best friends, but also have girl friends who will kick you in the tail when you are wrong. This book kicked me in the chest. Don’t miss this steamy friends to lovers book!!!
hannahmitchell's review
5.0
I’m crazy picky about books. I usually like them but rarely say I love them. This book however I LOVED, the spice is amazing and the romance made me swoon. I can’t say enough about this book.