Life isn’t a game. Life isn’t an empty bottle of bourbon spinning on a warehouse floor as I hold my breath. I feel weak when others perceive me as strong. I’m passionate though I appear to hate the world around me.I see beauty in all ugly things. I feel pain when I laugh. No one knows the truth.Well, no one knew the truth until now.Somehow, Brody Pearson understands more about me than anyone else … understands more about me than anyone else in my life. The severed connection should mean something significant, but I don’t know if I can forget all my self-proclaimed promises.
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Bourbon on the Rocks was a book I was hoping and dreaming of! After reading Bourbon Love Notes, I wanted more, I wanted to meet Journey…and Brody!
And, Im so glad Shari J. Ryan gave us them! She pulled me in from the beginning. The characters evolved and developed over time and really make you feel for them. Its sweet and funny, hot and steamy, and it handles some tough topics, very thoughtfully.
5 stars and a must read from me!
2 broken hearts, 2 people who have baggage from the past, that stays present throughout, the ending didn’t surprise me. It’s the way everything should have been. This was a perfect read!
Title: Bourbon on the Rocks by Shari J Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
About the Book: No one knows the real Journey and she doesn’t expect that anyone will…until Brody shows up.
Review: This story was a mix of love, hate, lust, forgiveness, and so much more. This story is in the present dispersed with flashbacks to the past. You do not need to read the first book in the series to understand this one. The writing style was great.
Overall Rating (Out of 5 stars): 5 out of 5
This deeply emotional book is detailed and has many ups and downs. Journey is a tough cookie and a bit hard to like. Brody is loveable and sweet and protective. I wish we knew more about his younger years. Hannah is cute as a tween, teen. Mom and Melody add character to Journey. A good solid drama.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Journey doesn’t have much confidence in herself. Brody has plenty for both of them. He sees Journey for who she really is and can be in life. Journey can’t forgive herself for her past. Brody has a cute little girl named Hannah. The two shared a kiss one night and have never forgotten each other. Can the couple overcome Journey’s past to have a future?
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am leaving a review.
This is the story of Journey Quinn, a photographer with a devastating past and a future that looks jus as grim, if she doesn’t let go of the unwarranted guilt. When she was eighteen there was an accident and to this day she blames herself. But her photography is her outlet and it shows in her work. In this story We also meet Brody a single father and someone who sees the pain and ugliness that emanates from Journey. This is their story of growth, passion and understanding
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Journey and Brody started something when the were younger but a tragedy separated them. Brody moves on and suffers even more personal loss and finds a woman to move on with. However nothing goes as planned and he ends up divorced raising his daughter. The only bright spot to come from his marriage. When he learns that Journey is back and that her father has passed he feels bad because he wasn’t able to pay his respects. He makes it he mission to find her to see how she’s doing. When he does find her Brody sees that she’s struggling and wants to be there for her. Journey fights him every step of the way but once they share secrets with each other nothing is ever the same. Can Brody convince Journey that she’s worthy of being love by someone?
This is an amazing story once I started it I couldn’t put it down. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A wonderfully written story that expressed the emotions of the characters so well, I could feel them myself. I felt connected to the story and the characters by the descriptive dialogue and the interactions between the characters were well crafted.
I requested a copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.
This series about two sisters and two brothers are such well written stories. Journey and Brody are the focus of this story. It is written in Journeys POV so after this review I am onto Fireball to read Brodys story.
Journey had a story to tell that was similar to her name. Her life alter by one night that sets her on a course of self punishment and guilt.
When she reconnects with Brody she wants to deny herself love and joy; especially when he was there that night, but unaware of what transpired.
Such a great story of forgiveness, dedication, family ( especially dad’s letters)
I recommend this heartfelt series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Bourbon on the Rocks by Shari J Ryan is an excellent read.
Book 2 in The Barrel House Series – can be read as a stand alone.
Journey & Brody are excellent characters with an amazing story line.
A well written romance with lots of ups & downs that keep you turning the pages.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Journey intrigued me straight away with her elusive and dismissive ways so I knew there was a deep story behind why she is that way and wow your heart breaks for her, you just want to wrap her up in a big ole hug and also shake her and tell her it’s ok to live life. The dynamic between her and Brody is hilarious they love to push each others buttons, but you can also feel the deep feelings they have for each other even if Journey refuses to acknowledge them. Brody is definitely what she needs in her life and they go through some highs and lows as well as open themselves up to being vulnerable and this all leads to both learning its ok to open your heart and to what to not only live life but love as well.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Journey and Brody have such a sweet but heartbreaking story that I felt for them both in this. There is heartache, love, guilt, and so much sadness that I didn’t know how I was going to finish this. The characters hooked me though and I couldn’t stop. The journey is just as sweet as the end result.
Loving this series. Good read and romance. Ready to see what is next! Hope to read more about these characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Journey and Brody were great together, their path may have some bumps along the way but they were made for each other, their connection and chemistry was strong, it was sexy, they were good together.
I enjoyed this story. Thanks, Shari J. Ryan. Good work 🙂
I love the banter between Brody and Journey. Journey is full of snark and keeps everyone at arms length through her sarcasm. Brody isn’t put off by Journeys bristles and relentlessly pursues her. Her story is heartbreaking and I love that she manages to get past her trauma. There are several hints about something in Brodys past and I’m looking forward to hearing his story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Oh, the heat is HOT, and the physical chemistry is captivating so be careful you may just get burned all the heat coming off these pages. There were some “oh no” “oh wow” ” what the what” moments and add in uncanny mishaps, mayhem, and shenanigans and boy are there shenanigans now we are going to see Journey’s side of things she is one of the strongest women but also, very broken but loving and generous but actually loves her space and it is going to take someone just as strong to reach her heart and yep that would be Brody she has know him all her life yet the things these two get into and say to one another only friends can feel on a level of becoming more than just friends so will they find their HEA?
This is book two in the Barrel House series. It can be read as a standalone, but I think its more enjoyable to read the series in order. This story picks up right around the ending of the first book and since the series is connected there are some small spoilers to book one. This was a wonderful book. Just like with book one, this book is packed with some serious feels. I’ve enjoyed Journey’s character from the start of book one. She’s full of sass but behind all that sass hides a very damaged soul. Brody and Journey shared a kiss when she was in high school and the results of that kisses changed several lives. Can’t say much without spoiling so I’ll leave it at that. Her secrets have kept her closed off from life and she’s punishing herself for something that isn’t her fault. Brody feels the spark they have and wants to get close to her. Can Brody get through her defenses and break down her walls? Is Journey finally ready to let go of the past and guilt? I can’t begin to express how much I’ve enjoyed this series so far. The author has done a wonderful job telling their stories and making you feel the characters pain and joy. Pick up the books in this series, you won’t regret it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Bourbon on the Rocks is the second instalment in Shari J. Ryan’s The Barrel House and this was definitely a better story than book one. Journey has attitude in abundance, but she’s fun and believable with a big heart. Brody is the perfect partner for this spirited woman who’s trying to hide a shattered soul that lies beneath her sassy armour. But can he convince Journey that love is worth the risk of pain and that not everything in life can be controlled? Maybe by choosing the right fork in the road, eternal happiness ca be found.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Bourbon on the Rocks (The Barrel House Series Book 2) by Shari J. Ryan. I really like this heartfelt story, the connection between characters, the banter between them felt genuine and made you feel like you were part of the story as it unfolded. Heartbreaking circumstances of past events lead main characters together and this story is not about the past instead it’s how they move forward despite the past together. Looking forward to Brody’s POV in Bourbon Fireball. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another emotional read by Ms. Ryan. I was drawn in immediately and held on for the ride. Brody and Journey have a history, recently reunited they both remember the kiss. Journey is haunted by her past decisions and the recent passing of her father. Brody is just trying to be a good father to Hannah and rekindle the friendship with Journey. The slow burn of their relationship and the path Journey has taken to heal from her guilt and remorse of her past. Will Brody break through the walls Journey has erected? Will she let herself be loved?
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.