In a split second, life can steal a last breath … and derail all future plans. While flying home after a phone call that left me heartbroken, a row to myself would have been ideal. Instead, I was unknowingly sitting shoulder to shoulder with a strikingly attractive single dad and ex-Marine. I could have pretended not to notice the man, but there was something familiar about him. It didn’t take …
It didn’t take long before I pieced together where I knew him from or why he was back in my life.
With chaos holding me hostage, I wanted to hide but couldn’t avoid Brett Pearson, our old family friend, and my teenage crush, because he kindly offered to help out with my family’s business—The Barrel House.
Handling my father’s distillery would be a distraction from my brutal reality. Except, I never paid close attention to the art of making bourbon, unlike Brett, who was full of bourbon knowledge. He offered to teach me a thing or two, but all I could focus on was the way his lips moved when he spoke to me.
I needed to grieve, and my head was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but my heart was splitting at the seams.
Bourbon was spilled, drinks were shared, but could passion ignite from a dying last wish?
*Bourbon Love Notes is a small-town second-chance angsty romance.
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My heart broke. I cried. I laughed and then I cried again. This is an emotionally moving story of letting go, refinding love and getting your hearts desire. This is a story that many will find something that moves them. Well done.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Emotional and often heavy, this romance shows that tragedy doesn’t have to mean the end of all life. As a fan of Shari J. Ryan’s romantic comedies, I was surprised by the heaviness of this book but not by the quality of the writing itself. It’s all well done and very realistic, which means that it’s an emotional gut punch, may trigger some readers, and our heroine is sometimes abrasive or difficult to connect to because of all that she’s going through. This is definitely for those who like an angsty, heavier read.
The story follows Melody, a woman whose long term relationship grew stagnant a few years ago. It isn’t until she finds out that her father is terminally ill that she decides to finally end things and move home. On the plane ride, she encounters a guy who seems vaguely familiar, though she doesn’t puzzle out who he is until she returns home. Brett was her childhood crush, an all-around good guy, and one of the only people to step up and help her family in their time of need. As Melody struggles with the impending loss of her father, she also slowly connects with Brett.
This is a whole new side of Ryan’s work for me, and while I appreciated the quality of the work, I also struggled with just how heavy a lot of it is. I would’ve liked a few more light moments early on in the book in order to connect with the characters – Melody is obviously not in the best frame of mind, and we don’t get Brett’s perspective on things, so that often made connecting difficult. If you go into this with the right expectations, it’s likely that you’ll enjoy the book a whole lot, just know it’s an emotional ride.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review of this angsty romance.
Bourbon Love Notes – Another emotion-filled story from a talented storyteller. I absolutely love this book and took my time savoring it. Like Ms. Ryan’s other books this one has multiple storylines that weave a living tapestry blending the ingredients of wonderful, realistic characters and believable, interesting dialogues well with a gamut of emotions and plenty of humor. There is always hope and love. Clean but with one sex scene that leaves plenty to the reader’s imagination, almost innocent compared to the explicit trash too common today. The following reviews can be used to describe this book, too. I found this book on Booksprout. 5*
Which path if you had to decide…
A Heart of Time – Oh, my goodness! The depth of emotions that run the gamut in this well written story, along with the storylines make this a hard to put down read. I have not come across a book yet by this author that was not worth reading. The characters are wonderful and have realistic ways of dealing with the cards dealt them. This story is full of love, support and determination just to mention a few of the substance in this second chance story. The good storylines combined with a vivid imagination and descriptions weave a tapestry of love, sacrifices and second chances for several characters. There are sex scenes and some vulgar language, which I skipped or ignored. 5*
Last Words #1 – This is my first read by this author and I find this story is amazing. I’ve read many stories by the survivors of the Holocaust and this is one of the best. Well written but full of emotions and experiences that rip the heart out of a decent person. While the book isn’t as graphic about the horrors of Theresenstadt, there is plenty of the reader to grasp what everyone was going through in that terrible period of time. The four main characters are so loving, so decent, that what happened in the past wastes 75 years of a perfect love. Ms. Ryan has a gift for telling a story full of horror and pain, and yet, lets the light of love shining brightly through the decades. 5*
The Other Blue Sky #2 – This is the second of two books of the Surviving the Holocaust series. I highly recommend reading Last Words before reading Blue Sky. Blue will be more meaningful to know the previous generation’s story as well as Annie’s past before Blue. This well written, emotion filled sequel can be read without reading Words first but why? The storylines continue from Words but focus on Annie, although all the previous family characters are still a large part of this story, too. The emotions are still plentiful and range the gamut. Love is a major character, along with fear. While this book is filled with pain, there is so much love and light that shines through. The author does a wonderful job with her descriptions and the reader can see the locations and feel the emotions. There are smiles but there is plenty of pain and discoveries in Annie’s life. 5*
Shattered Stars – Interesting and intriguing, this is a story of overcoming the bad and living for the good. A horrible rape with a good outcome; a horrible illness with a corrected outcome; and a marriage made up of three wonderful people making the best of the worst. It is too easy to turn this review into a book report but there are so many good elements to this story with a large focus on living with a good attitude for life, not the negativity so common in these types of situations.
A young man with a heart the size of Texas filled with love and determination for a young teenaged mother and her daughter and a life with them. The young woman faces many problems from the age of sixteen, but with the support and love from her mother, good friends and her man, she succeeds against all odds.
The well written storylines alternate between her past and her present with plenty of emotions, drama and love so well described by the author as she unfolds a wonderful story full of good characters and a positive view of life. 4*
You’ll definitely need something with a kick for this book. The emotions and journey Melody goes through are so relatable I couldn’t put this down. Brett was out of this world good.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a heartbreaking story! This book definitely hits more home for me than most readers, so the emotions were in full force while reading. Melody has had a massive crush on her father’s business associate’s son Brett for years, but as she grew up it became unrealistic and she moved on while still harboring those feelings. When her father’s cancer comes back and she rushes home, she has a chance encounter with Brett, and then finds out he’s returning home as well and working in her father’s business, the pair start to get to know each other as adults. In the midst of getting to know each other and figuring out if they could be something, Melody experiences heartbreak like no other, and while it has a lasting impact, we see Brett and their relationship help her to cope and go after what she wants in life. I really enjoyed this storyline and the author’s style of writing, and I’m interested to see if we get a story for Melody’s sister and/or Brett’s brother in the future!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
This is the first book I have read by Shari Ryan and I a so glad I selected it! This book focuses on Melody, who heads home after hearing her father is dying, and Brett, a single father who agrees to help Melody to learn the family’s bourbon distillation business. Melody had a crush on Brett during her early years, but the couple had both matured and traveled their own life paths. This book takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride from tears and sadness to happiness and humor which touches your heart. I highly recommend this phenomenal novel with its memorable characters and realistic plot emphasizing the importance of family, dealing with loss and grief, and celebrating life and love.
HEART-WRENCHING yet BEAUTIFUL!
A Beautiful love story evolves around a world of grief all while the past becomes an important part of molding a future. This story is deep raw with an abundance of pain filled tears an occasional burst of humor to somewhat pull you out of the somber mood that plagued this grief stricken story as life came at full force for Melody and her family. Dealing and surviving a loss from cancer a dead end relationship and taking the steps to move on as the past steps in and becomes the unexpected steps of healing and moving forward. You definitely feel the force of pain in this read from cancer and the wounds of living through the loss of it all while a second chance from the past plays a major part with an uplifting turn of events. I enjoyed this story and gladly recommend it to others.
An unexpected letter and a stale relationship have Melody returning home. She didn’t expect to come face-to-face with Brett, the first boy she ever kissed. Throw in some drama, an illness, and a woman who is trying to find her place in the life she left behind, and you have a book that will hold you hostage.
Shari J. Ryan has given us a book that made me hold my breath, made my heart twist, and had me amazed that an author could pack so much heartache and romance into one book. Bourbon Love Notes shows that family comes first, you never forget your first kiss, and those who leave before we’re ready will always be with us in our hearts and in spirit.
“The duration of time determines the worth of an outcome –“
“That kiss has been bottled up and aging for quite a while,” he whispers.
AMAZING! I adored everything about this book! Not exactly what I was expecting, but it was so much more than I could have hoped for! Brett and Melody’s story was everything I didn’t know I wanted it to be! HUGE FIVE STARS!
Bourbon Love Notes is so much more than a romance. Ryan truly bottles up every ounce of emotion possible and distributes it amongst the Quinn family for one unforgettable read.
Melody Quinn is coming home to face the possibility of losing her father. That alone creates such a turmoil of emotions within me. Her bond and love of her father had me completely swept away into this novel. However the love story between Melody and Brett connected all the cherished moments truly reeled me in until the very end. Melody and Brett’s story was a sweet romance filled with heartache, growth and possibility. I think Ryan did a perfect job of filling the holes of not one, but broken hearts.
My only regret is that there wasn’t more of a bond between Melody and Brett’s daughter, Parker. I kept waiting for that moment when Melody’s father’s wisdom would penetrate into her love of Parker. Having faced the same losses, I think if Ryan had of pursued that story point more this book would have brought another wonderful layer of emotion connecting this family together, rather than the flashback of Brett’s Afghanistan experiences.
With that being said, you’ll still want your Kleenex. You’ll feel your eyes burn more than once with this story. But that is what Ryan does best with her heart stirring romances. She moves you in a unique way unlike any other author in a way only she can. Which is exactly why, you need to read Bourbon Loves Notes, a story of how a forever love can live on forever through the right person.
Bourbon Love Notes was an emotional story of love and loss. It personified how to celebrate the life of our loved ones while still embracing the happiness still to be found.
When we meet Melody, she knows that she isn’t happy but she can’t work up the nerve to do anything about it until she receives the news that her father is dying. She immediately comes homes to be with her family and reconnects with her teenage crush, Brett, along the way. Brett was helping to run her father’s bourbon business and he was able to both challenge and support Melody in her struggle to accept the changes in her life. Brett and Melody’s love story was sweet and they complemented each other. I am also interested to read both Journey’s and Brody’s stories.
There were parts of this story that were difficult to read, but in the end, it was beautiful, heartwarming story of family, love, acceptance and embracing life. I recommend this emotional, sweet and real story.
Bourbon Love Notes is a story that is a slow burn second chance romance. A story filled with heartache, life decisions and learning to live life to the fullest. Just like the heat that a nip of bourbon will bring to your body on a cold winters night, Brett and Melody’s story will be just as passionate and endearing to warm your heart. The words of their story will tear at your heart, have your eyes misting, bring you warmth, affection and complete satisfaction. A book that will allow you to get lost in it and leave you with a feeling of utter happiness.
4.5 Stars!
I loved Brett and Melody and their poignant, slow burn romance! Melody was in denial about her perfect life, not ready to face the truth. It took some unexpected and heartbreaking news that forces her to finally make the right decisions, and return home. Melody had never planned on taking over the family business, but when faced with the reality of letting it go, she is determined to fight for it. It is hard for her at first having Brett, a family friend and her school girl crush, helping her run their family Bourbon business. But Brett has a way of making her feel at ease, more confident and stronger. I loved how patient and kind Brett was with her. I did have some questions about the foundation of his feelings for Melody from their youth, and would have liked a bit more of his pov. But I did love how authentic the evolution of their relationship was, and I cheered for their HEA. I also loved the strong connection and bond they shared with their families, it made this story so sweet, heartwarming, but heartrending as well. Their bond and unconditional love gave them the strength to hope, heal, and keep moving forward. This is a wonderfully rich and moving story about love, loss, recovery and perseverance that completely captured my heart.
4.5 Sweet, Smoky Stars…
This one was full of “feels”. Shari takes us on a journey in this one; I felt like I was a part of the Quinn family, I wanted to go to The Barrel House, hang out with the Pearson family and roam around their little town. Emotions ran wild through these pages. I loved the little things Melody’s Dad did to make his girls feel special, made me teary eyed every single time. This one really makes me want to learn more about Bourbon, from notes to process.
I want Journey’s story…
I enjoyed the sweet second chance romance between Melody and Brett, and I look forward to Journey’s story. I’m curious to see if she ends up with Brody!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy.
This was filled with so much feeling and emotion of loss grief and so real and I loved how it was written it was beautiful I couldn’t get enough.
Melody and Brett were fantastic characters the support and caring and becoming friends was so nice to read. I just loved everything about it Brett was the most caring man and I’m glad Melody cared enough about herself to do the right thing for her. The ending was perfection, I didn’t know what I was going into but wow it will capture every bit of your heart.
Bourbon Love Notes by Shari J. Notes was a heartfelt story about grief, family and love.
Melody is trying to deal with grief while trying to also move forward. Enter Brett, a family friend who is there to help her. Melody’s anguish is palpable and yet when Brett and Melody are together, there was great banter and light moments. The story was emotional and touching and will captivate you from start to finish.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
A terrific second chance love story. The author has written a story full of hope, love and second chances. You are taken on this emotional rollercoaster that doesn’t slow down and will have you pausing to reflect on what you just read. Melody grew on me and I loved how you see her growth as the story progressed. One story you don’t want to miss out on.
One of these days I’ll actually remember what kind of an emotional workout a Shari Ryan title will put me through before I start reading the book. It’s not going to stop me from reading it, but it might mean that I remember to have the box of tissues to hand before I can no longer see the words through my tears. Heck, I can’t even type out this review without getting choked up again. There is no good age at which to say “goodbye” forever to someone you love. But Melody’s story shows us, that so long as there is life left, there’s still the hope for more, better. And there’s always the opportunity for a second chance. A little bit of romantic comedy with a whole lot of angsty emotional drama. Even though I was bawling like a baby before this book had barely started, I loved every moment of it. Brett occasionally made me want to reach into the book and smack him, yet overall he’s so sweet and such a romantic. I loved watching how much Melody matures through the course of this book. I just wish it hadn’t taken the events it does to get her there. Now, we have a couple of siblings left over that I’m hoping we’ll get stories for as well.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Foreword PR & Marketing.
This was such an emotional and angst-filled read! So heartwarming and a story that shows you all the sides of love. Melody and Brett do not have an easy road, but its a rich road. Its about the choices we make, and how well we feel about the direction those choices take us. It has sugary sweet one minute and made me bawl and judge my own life choices the next. Very thought provoking read, this author always surprises me.