Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year

By: Rochelle Bilow

Narrated by: Nikki Massoud

Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

One of...
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

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

Enjoyable

The narrator did a great job on all the voices and one of the reason I stuck with this story. I liked how the hero was written and all the food and Scottish details were interesting. But I almost quit listened due to the heroine as I did not find her likable and made the book drag on a bit. Overall an easy enjoyable listen.

A well-written, cozy, contemporary romance

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,

Wonderfully written, heartfelt and charming!

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!

cozy and sweet

very cute story like a glass of whisky by a fire. med/low spice (cracked door more than open door) and I loved their banter and the friendship first start of the romance. very much a found family story and it made me feel warm and fuzzy

Had real potential!

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.

So charming!!

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!

Light read

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.