Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year Audiobook By Rochelle Bilow cover art

Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year

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Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year

By: Rochelle Bilow
Narrated by: Nikki Massoud
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Buzzfeed's Romance Books To Look Out For In 2023
Paste Magazine's Most Anticipated Contemporary Romance Books of 2023

When a thirty-something American food writer moves to a Scottish village for one year to fulfill her dream of writing a cookbook she finds more than inspiration—she meets a handsome Scotsman she can’t resist.

Ruby Spencer is spending one year living in a small cottage in a tiny town in the Scottish Highlands for three reasons: to write a bestselling cookbook, to drink a barrelful of whisky, and to figure out what comes next. It’s hard to know what to expect after an impulse decision based on a map of Scotland in her Manhattan apartment—but she knows it’s high time she had an adventure.

The moment she sets foot in Thistlecross, the verdant scenery, cozy cottages, and struggling local pub steal her heart. Between designing pop-up suppers and conversing with the colorful locals, Ruby starts to see a future that stretches beyond her year of adventure. It doesn’t hurt that Brochan, the ruggedly handsome local handyman, keeps coming around to repair things at her cottage. Though Ruby swore off men, she can’t help fantasizing what a roll in the barley might be like with the bearded Scot.

As Ruby grows closer to Brochan and the tightly held traditions of the charming village, she discovers secret plans to turn her beloved pub into an American chain restaurant. Faced with an impossible choice, Ruby must decide between love, loyalty, and the Highlands way of life.

©2023 Rochelle Bilow (P)2023 Penguin Audio Fiction Romance Romantic Comedy Women's Fiction Highlander Scotland Comedy Heartfelt

Critic reviews

"This book doesn’t just have a phenomenal romance at its heart—and a sexy Scotsman to swoon over—but a truly immersive sense of place, one that you’ll never want to leave once you’ve allowed yourself to discover Thistlecross’s inherent charms and the hilarious locals who inhabit this cozy village.”—Paste Magazine

"Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year is utterly charming. Rochelle Bilow’s evocative writing made me feel like I was in a cozy Scottish cottage right alongside her irrepressible heroine, swooning over the local food, whisky, and strapping bearded handyman. I finished the book, my heart full and my stomach rumbling, then immediately googled 'plane tickets to Scotland'.”—Laura Hankin, author of A Special Place for Women

"Rochelle Bilow's debut is a transportive delight! The humor and warmth are like a sip of fine single malt, with all the depth and complexity of flavor to make you plan your own escape to Scotland. If you're in search of a love story to make you feel like you've come home, don't miss your chance to fall in love with this book."—Denise Williams, author of Do You Take This Man
Heartfelt Romance • Quirky Heroine • Great Narration • Vivid Descriptions • Cozy Story • Witty Writing • Complex Hero
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While a classic romance novel might focus on the dreamy male lead, this book makes you fall head over heels for the beautiful, quirky and heartfelt Ruby Soencer! In fact, I found the male lead a bit one dimensional, moody and boring (but this may be because he reminded me if myself) I could read endlessly about the effortless and brilliant cooking Ruby does while navigating small town politics and interesting characters. Her adventures in the highlands leaves one wanting to explore more, live harder and love deeper! Excellently written book and outstanding audio performance by Nikki!

Wonderfully written, heartfelt and charming!

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I really liked the author’s writing style, enjoyed the performance by the narrator. It was an easy listen. However, about halfway through, it became clear I just could not connect with the main character. She made silly, slap-dash choices and I just had a really hard time wanting her to get her happily ever after.

I am looking forward to seeing what this author does next. I feel like if I had gelled better with Ruby, I really would have enjoyed this book.

Had real potential!

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The characters were impossible not to like, and the descriptions of the Scottish highlands, whisky, and FOOD made you feel like you were experiencing them first-hand. The audio narration was also fantastic. I look forward to many more novels by Rochelle Bilow!

So charming!!

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Overall an ok light read. I don’t mind shallow plot and this falls into Hallmark movie style escape read. The main character was a bit annoying. She was written like a teen but was supposed to be 35. Her lists were hard to listen to but might not be as bad in written form. References to poor hygiene/grooming for main characters was off-putting.

Light read

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I went to Scotland on my honeymoon and we even spent a few days in Inverness, so the description of the Scottish setting were spot on and amazingly written. Such witty and cute writing. I really enjoyed this book, a feel-good story with fabulous descriptions of food and landscapes,

A well-written, cozy, contemporary romance

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Loved it all it enjoyed their chemistry and the story line was fabulous!!! I highly recommend it !!!

It was all good

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Absolutely Loved this story! Enough realism and unknown dream realized.
thank you so much for allowing us to take the adventure with Ru & Bru.

My Vicarious Dream

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This book has all the little quirks of Scotland you want with a hint of American brashness. You get a heartfelt gooey story with a good amount of steamy romance. Definitely not for underage readers. Great read for anyone that wants a bit of Outlander in modern times.

Heartfelt and a little steamy

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I just felt BORED. I don't know what else to say beyond that. The premise was great and the descriptions of the food and the setting was outstanding, but I just didn't feel anything else. I felt Ruby and Brochan were lacking chemistry and it just didn't feel believable to me. There wasn't much of a plot and Ruby's supposed journey was very lackluster. I just feel like this had such potential but unfortunately fell flat for me.

I felt very bored

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I get frustrated when people make crap decisions in stories and movies. The story started off good. The characters developed fairly well. I ended up getting to frustrated with the main character's decisions. I was literally yelling at my phone.

couldn't continue

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