suey_library's review
4.0
***Received an Advanced Readers Copy during a blog tour hosted by InkSlingerPR in exchange for an honest review***
Oh my lanta, I love any kind of Irishman with some tasty whiskey in my romances.... ah, activate the beaver drool on that cover too! I just, ah I love it. Honestly for just the synopsis and the backbone of the characters it is something worth mentioning; I have no problem with having covers with zero significance to the plot on books but when they do and they look like this, queue the swoonage. The colors, the characters in the front looking emotionally captivated - you just have to appreciate it.
Well, now that I mentioned that tidbit I feel better, I just love a good warm feeling cover... gives me tugs at my heart.
I will admit a great deal that I enjoyed The Distiller's Darling. The characters were adorably charming, sweet and entertaining. The build of their romance was both amusing and heartwarming. Not only was the build of the main characters romance being the highlight but their back story and the involvement of the secondary characters made it that much more fascinating. I especially loved the parents - probably my favorite moments were the banter between Naomi and her mother or Iain and his father. And don't get me started on the heated scene between the four of them together... in one room. HILARIOUS! The bickering of that one scene left me completely laughing I couldn't stop.
Iain and Naomi are definitely of the same cloth type personalities. They were both accomplished adults, I enjoyed their independence they held for themselves. Not only were they in-charge adults, ones that are go-getters that I could respect and relate to, they were charming, sweet and really fun. Iain was probably my favorite. I just appreciated his personality more, how he handled himself and how he was with Naomi.
They definitely had a really great connection. It was very much insta-lust that really steamed up the novel. Because they had this charismatic dynamic, they had a witty, steam filled relationship that started to build to a more emotionally dependable type romance. Pillow talk turned into relationship building - trusting each others opinions, hanging out as friends turned into getting to know one another. It was really just a sweet romantic build.
Hands down this was a fast, great feel-good type of read. Overall, I liked it, I just didn't love it like I had hoped. Reasons mostly because just something with Naomi's personality irked me, this just caused that lack of ability to connect with chemistry. Don't get me wrong, I liked her to some degree, I loved that she had this independence, the need to prove her worth to herself mentality, but at many points she was rather self-absorbed whether she could admit it or not. Her idea of keeping Iain at a distance as an emotional guard was logical but at a point she become more or less hypocritical to me...
Again, I overall enjoyed the romance. The characters were fun, charmingly sweet and the romance was great. It was a quick read. It was intriguing enough that kept me swooning while feeling the emotional dynamics of the characters that took my breath away. I definitely want to continue this series!
Oh my lanta, I love any kind of Irishman with some tasty whiskey in my romances.... ah, activate the beaver drool on that cover too! I just, ah I love it. Honestly for just the synopsis and the backbone of the characters it is something worth mentioning; I have no problem with having covers with zero significance to the plot on books but when they do and they look like this, queue the swoonage. The colors, the characters in the front looking emotionally captivated - you just have to appreciate it.
Well, now that I mentioned that tidbit I feel better, I just love a good warm feeling cover... gives me tugs at my heart.
I will admit a great deal that I enjoyed The Distiller's Darling. The characters were adorably charming, sweet and entertaining. The build of their romance was both amusing and heartwarming. Not only was the build of the main characters romance being the highlight but their back story and the involvement of the secondary characters made it that much more fascinating. I especially loved the parents - probably my favorite moments were the banter between Naomi and her mother or Iain and his father. And don't get me started on the heated scene between the four of them together... in one room. HILARIOUS! The bickering of that one scene left me completely laughing I couldn't stop.
Iain and Naomi are definitely of the same cloth type personalities. They were both accomplished adults, I enjoyed their independence they held for themselves. Not only were they in-charge adults, ones that are go-getters that I could respect and relate to, they were charming, sweet and really fun. Iain was probably my favorite. I just appreciated his personality more, how he handled himself and how he was with Naomi.
They definitely had a really great connection. It was very much insta-lust that really steamed up the novel. Because they had this charismatic dynamic, they had a witty, steam filled relationship that started to build to a more emotionally dependable type romance. Pillow talk turned into relationship building - trusting each others opinions, hanging out as friends turned into getting to know one another. It was really just a sweet romantic build.
Hands down this was a fast, great feel-good type of read. Overall, I liked it, I just didn't love it like I had hoped. Reasons mostly because just something with Naomi's personality irked me, this just caused that lack of ability to connect with chemistry. Don't get me wrong, I liked her to some degree, I loved that she had this independence, the need to prove her worth to herself mentality, but at many points she was rather self-absorbed whether she could admit it or not. Her idea of keeping Iain at a distance as an emotional guard was logical but at a point she become more or less hypocritical to me...
Again, I overall enjoyed the romance. The characters were fun, charmingly sweet and the romance was great. It was a quick read. It was intriguing enough that kept me swooning while feeling the emotional dynamics of the characters that took my breath away. I definitely want to continue this series!
janineassis's review
4.0
It was my first book by both authors and I have to say it won't be the last. It's contemporary romance on its best. Characters that you love and characters that you love to hate (someone said parents? ;) )
I love books when the main characters are fighting to not fall in love. It's so good to see their surprise! It's the second book in the series and I can't wait to read more about River Hill.
I love books when the main characters are fighting to not fall in love. It's so good to see their surprise! It's the second book in the series and I can't wait to read more about River Hill.
emjayae149's review
4.0
Firstly, let’s appreciate that cover. I am typically not one to mention them but there is something about those autumn colours and our couple that makes me feel warm inside.
I really enjoyed The Distiller’s Darling. As part of the series set in small-town River Hill, a place that appreciates good food and drink, the book does a great job of highlighting various foods and of course, drink; in this case whiskey.
I liked both Iain and Naomi. They are accomplished people and grown adults. Yet both are struggling to get their family to see them for who they really are. Iain is a third son. He works for a centuries old family business with equally archaic business ideas. Naomi is a sculptor whose work seems to matter little given her family’s benchmark for success is to either be a doctor or marry one. Neither of them measure up to expectations.
Together, Iain and Naomi are a match in so many ways. I enjoyed reading about the time they spend together, not only horizontally, but in conversation and getting to know one another. It’s just that burdensome emotional baggage they’re carrying that makes them act toward one another in a way that doesn’t always shout ‘You’re the one for me’. I won’t spoil their journey; it’s best left discovered as you read.
And as much as I liked Iain and Naomi, one of my favourite scenes was the argument between Naomi’s mum and Iain’s dad. I haven’t read such a rip-roaring, object throwing, name calling fight in ages! They were furious with each other. I was highly entertained.
And wow! Hasn’t Noah from The Vintner’s Vixen (book one) calmed down? I was truly worried for his health but it goes to show that the love of the right woman can do wonders even for a curmudgeon like him.
And now we wait for Book 3 ...
I really enjoyed The Distiller’s Darling. As part of the series set in small-town River Hill, a place that appreciates good food and drink, the book does a great job of highlighting various foods and of course, drink; in this case whiskey.
I liked both Iain and Naomi. They are accomplished people and grown adults. Yet both are struggling to get their family to see them for who they really are. Iain is a third son. He works for a centuries old family business with equally archaic business ideas. Naomi is a sculptor whose work seems to matter little given her family’s benchmark for success is to either be a doctor or marry one. Neither of them measure up to expectations.
Together, Iain and Naomi are a match in so many ways. I enjoyed reading about the time they spend together, not only horizontally, but in conversation and getting to know one another. It’s just that burdensome emotional baggage they’re carrying that makes them act toward one another in a way that doesn’t always shout ‘You’re the one for me’. I won’t spoil their journey; it’s best left discovered as you read.
And as much as I liked Iain and Naomi, one of my favourite scenes was the argument between Naomi’s mum and Iain’s dad. I haven’t read such a rip-roaring, object throwing, name calling fight in ages! They were furious with each other. I was highly entertained.
And wow! Hasn’t Noah from The Vintner’s Vixen (book one) calmed down? I was truly worried for his health but it goes to show that the love of the right woman can do wonders even for a curmudgeon like him.
And now we wait for Book 3 ...
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