A review by thebritishbibliophile_
The Trouble with Whiskey by Melissa Foster

5.0

'If you think you've tasted your strongest, most powerful Whiskey, prepared for a chaser that will be a scorcher from the inside out! Dare is something else!' -TheBritishBibliophile_

Thank you to Grey's Promotions for sending me an ebook Advanced Readers Copy for me to read and leave an honest review.
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If you're not already familiar with the Whiskeys, their cousins & more, check out The Whiskeys: Dark Nights at Peaceful Harbor' & The Whiskeys: Dark Nights at Bayside series', both by Melissa. Check out 'River of Love' in Melissa's Bradens at Peaceful Harbor series to read where the Whiskeys at Peaceful Harbor began, & read 'Searching For Love' in the Bradens & Montgomerys series for where the Whiskeys at Redemption Ranch were first introduced.

I myself have only read a small handful of books from each series, but that didn't matter when dipping my toes into The Trouble with Whiskey . Melissa effortlessly explains who is who, and who is with who, without having to worry about not having read one or two books prior. Within the first chapter of this novel, I was back up to speed with the members of this chapter of the Dark Nights, who was with who within this MC group, and who did what within the area. So don't worry if this is your first dive into Melissa or the Whiskeys, everything will be fine!

I first signed up to read this book in advance because--hello--it's Melissa Foster! That is reason enough to read a book in advance or if you're not an ARC reader, then Melissa is a one-click author. Her heart and soul is poured into every novel and The Trouble with Whiskey is no different. Just based on the blurb alone, I knew it was going to be good. I just didn't know how good. For the longest time, Running on Diesel was my top Melissa Foster book with Diesel as the top book boyfriend, but I think at last Mr. D has been knocked off his pedestal. He's still a top book boyfriend, but dear me...Dare Whiskey! Oof.

The Trouble with Whiskey is a story which brings together all the elements of a Melissa Foster novel that we all love so much. Small town romance, big family, MC & cowboys. It's a friends-t0-lovers/second chance romance that provides the ride of all rides. Hope Ridge, Colorado is where it all goes down. Not forgetting Redemption Ranch, of course. Many things happen there which you'll discover when you take a chance on this novel.

What's even better when it comes to this read? Why I'm glad you asked! This read provides big-hearted badass brutes, sassy sisters, no cliffhangers and a sweet, sweet Happily Ever After. Nothing beats the latter.

Where I could've devoured this read easily within a day, I wanted to make it last and I'm glad I did. Devlin 'Dare' Whiskey and Billie Mancini, what a pair! Their story is far from easy, and where its not the rockiest of starts, it's definitely a story that when you get to know why they are the way they are at the beginning, prepare to weep! Their backstory is an emotional one and only fuels the fire to where inevitably, the two can resist the call of the flames no more.

I simply could write forever about this book, there's so much to say about it--even without including any spoilers--, but I will say this. The latter part of the book towards the end, wow! Melissa will know what I mean when I say I felt like I was with Dare and Bilie when that happened. It side-swiped me and I was only reading what happened! I love it when novels are still able to surprise a reader, given how we know the typical pattern of a romance book, and Melissa did a great job at throwing in elements like these that took the book to a whole new level.

All of Melissa's books are shelf-worthy, but if there's one book that deserves the holy grail of spots on anyone's shelf, this is it!

The Trouble with Whiskey is an official must & top read of 2022! Congratulations, Melissa!

Five stars!