AN AMAZON TOP 50 BESTSELLEROn the Rocks is a stand-alone, small town, country romance in the Becker Brothers Series. Noah Becker is nothing but trouble.That’s what Mama told me when I was a kid, kicking his pew in church and giggling at the games we’d play. It’s what the town said when his father died and the Becker brothers went wild. And it’s on repeat in my mind the day I walk into the whiskey … mind the day I walk into the whiskey distillery where he works to buy a wedding gift for my fiancé.
He’s trouble.
Dirty, sweaty, rude trouble.
No matter how many times I repeat it, I can’t escape Noah in our small Tennessee town. And the more I run into him, the more he infuriates me.
Because he sees what no one else does.
He sees me—the real me.
The me I’m not sure I’m allowed to be.
I’m Ruby Grace Barnett, the mayor’s daughter. Soon to be a politician’s wife, just like Mama and Daddy always wanted. Soon to fulfill my family’s legacy, just like I always knew I would.
Until the boy everyone warned me about makes me question everything, like whether the wedding I’m planning is one I even want.
Everyone says Noah Becker is nothing but trouble.
If only I had listened.
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A breath of fresh air
You know when you read a new book and once in a while you think ‘that was so refreshing, and amazing and and and…’, well On The Rocks by Kandi Steiner was exactly that for me.
The list of positive vibes it held and the twists you never expected had me so amped up I found it extremely hard to put down.
Stratford is a town with a reputation for making some of the finest whiskey in Tennessee, that of which also has a major impact on the community.
Noah Becker is known as a trouble maker, and upon meeting a particular little lady he had no idea just how much trouble he would be in. Once he realises the fact, he will stop at nothing to get what or whom he wants.
Ruby Grace is a lovely, caring and very giving woman who finds herself in a rather big situation. Will she fight or let go of the only hope she’s ever had?
This book was so magical; the amount of times I found myself smiling while engrossed in the pages, or mentioning to friends how much I was enjoying it and the well thought out ending that really had my feels on overdrive was beyond amazing!
I loved every minute of it and cannot wait for more in the future.
It comes highly recommended.
This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me. There were so many things I loved that this SHOULD have been a 5-star book. But then there were just a couple of things that dragged it down for me…
Plot overview: Engaged good girl, Ruby, meets semi-bad boy, Noah. Sparks fly. It’s an opposites-attract, friends-to-lovers, younger woman/older man romance. (She’s 19, he’s almost 30)
Noah pretty much carried this whole book for me. He’s a pretty awesome, all-around-sweet-natured, sexy, hard-working hero. And he works with his hands, which is always a plus. But while Noah is a bit of a rascal, I wouldn’t go so far as to call him a real “bad boy,” which to me, is a compliment. I hate “bad boys.” “Bad boys” are usually emotionally stunted jerkwads. Noah’s just a cocky, confident guy. He hasn’t had any real relationships in the past, but that doesn’t make him a commitment-phobe; he just hadn’t met the right woman yet. I loved everything about Noah and would happily add him to my list of book boyfriends who would make the best real-life boyfriends.
Now, Ruby Grace on the other hand…she was a little tougher for me to warm up to. If she’d been any older than nineteen, I would’ve hated her. She was a little bit of a doormat and completely unaware of what she actually wanted in life. She had no idea who she was and needed to spend a good amount of time finding herself before even THINKING about getting married. I let most of her naivety go because she was just a kid. But I MUCH prefer heroines who are actually mature grown-ups.
Then there was Ruby Grace’s cartoonishly awful fiance. He pretty much only existed to create conflict between Noah and Ruby Grace. He had absolutely no dimension to his character whatsoever. I would’ve enjoyed the story a lot more if he had been a better character. Maybe more like Patrick Dempsey’s character in Sweet Home Alabama?
And finally, the epilogue of this book darn near ruined the whole thing for me. It was a complete non-ending, as far as I’m concerned. It was not anywhere near a HEA, and it wasn’t even close enough to HFN for my liking. It was just a bummer, really. I was left wondering if these two would actually one day figure everything out and be together—and sadly, I felt like their odds weren’t that great, not because Noah isn’t awesome (he is), but because Ruby Grace is just a kid.
So, long-story-short, despite the issues I had with it, this was still a well-written story about a great guy finding the love of his life in a completely unexpected place and person. It’s still worth a read for those of you who are willing to overlook an immature heroine and a bummer of a non-ending.
And don’t forget to check out the Romance Rehab blog for more rants, raves, booklists and other fun romance-y stuff: http://www.romancerehab.com/
5 Stars!!
On the Rocks has been one of my most anticipated reads since it was announced. I did the biggest happy dance when I saw this beauty on my Kindle! Oh my heart! This book was every bit beautiful and full of the feels! I loved this story so much! I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end at the same time.
Ruby Grace and Noah absolutely stole my heart! The depth of their journey hit me right in the chest. I pictured it all so clearly and I felt everything.
With On the Rocks, Ms.Steiner made the whole world fade away while I was reading her words, and it was an unforgettable! This is my new favorite book of hers!
*I volunteered to read and review a Copy of this book from Social Butterfly PR / the author*
Thankfully this one didn’t go the way I originally thought. In the end, I was so thankful and glad I stuck it out.
Well edited.
Noah Becker works for the local whiskey distillery. His father worked there before him, helping to create the brand and the business. Several years before the current story, his father died in a fire at the distillery offices. It was ruled an accident, but the family has serious doubts. This really feels like it is a mystery that several books will have as a backstory until we finally get the truth.
Ruby Grace is engaged and comes to the distillery to buy her fiance a wedding gift. Noah Becker helps her in the choosing of her barrel, and in the process sparks fly between him and Ruby Grace. She’s feeling pressured into the marriage, and finds the more she doubts, the more she is drawn to Noah. And, the more she is drawn to Noah, the more she doubts. Despite their attraction and growing feelings, Ruby feels she has no choice but to go through with the wedding. Her parents are all about image and appearances, and a few other things besides. As that point in the wedding approaches where someone can object – will they? Will Ruby be trapped in a horrid marriage? Or, will she break free and find happiness and love with Noah?
As I am not a big fan of cheating, I was a bit concerned that this was where the story was headed. Engaged girl falls for some other guy. Hmmm…. Thankfully, Ruby’s circumstances were cleared up, and the story was about Ruby breaking free of other people’s expectations for her life. And she so needed to break free! Loved Noah and am looking forward to the stories of his brothers and the answers to the mysteries. Enjoy!
There is something about the flow of Kandi’s words and two fingers of a good whiskey that just go hand in hand. A little strong, a little smooth and the ability to have you dizzy, and out of sorts if you over indulge.
A simple boy that loves a simple girl should be a simple romance. They should fall in love and sail off into blissfulness with no confusion but that would not be a Kandi Steiner story. It must consist of all the feels.
Noah Becker is not what some would call a good boy. Not even the kid next door. He is known as the town’s bad boy and he makes no apologies for it. He works hard, but he plays harder. He and his brothers can raise a ruckus with the best of them. But there is always someone that can tame the wildness . . .
Ruby Grace Barnett is stuck amid a storm. The responsibility that has been placed on her is too much for someone in their prime, much less someone that is only 19 years old. Finding her own way does not seem to be an option. Because after all, what’s a southern girl to do?
Once again, Kandi has taken the misfits, placed them together and given them the strength to save each other, to protect each other and to find a path together. I get so lost in the characters Kandi pens I find myself fighting the idea they are not real, just the internal genius of Kandi. Once again, a five-star book from a five-star author!
Slow burn. Angst. Romance. Family. Hot man who works with his hands. Heroine who is independent. These were the best parts of this book!
Noah Becker and all of his brothers and his mom were the BOMB. I loved the whole damn family and their relationships to each other. From beginning to end, this family was one of my favorite parts of this book.
Another one of my favorite parts? The words. Kandi Steiner has a way with them and there was a lot of highlighting going on in my copy of this book. This was my first Kandi Steiner book and I’m now obsessed!
And last but not least, Ruby Grace. A girl who finally found her bravery when it was most important and went for what she wanted. I could go on and on about the ending, but I can’t without spoiling it, so just know that it was perfect, it gave me all the feels, and I loved it.
“If you were mine, Ruby Grace, your dreams wouldn’t come second to anything.” – Noah Becker, my newest book boyfriend 🙂
Noah freakin Becker, what does one even say about a man like him? He’s perfection, even with his flaws. He loves his family, job and the town he grew up in. He loves the people, everything. Swoon worthy man. And Ruby Grace? Even if she is stubborn as hell, she loves herself enough to know what she deserves.
Kandi has done it again with her words and ways of telling a story, her way of sucking us into the world that is Stratford, Tennessee. As a girl who loves Whiskey, I couldn’t turn down this one, especially because it’s Kandis book.
Alllll the stars for her, the Becker’s and Ruby Grace. I can’t not wait for the rest of the Becker brothers.
I loved this book so much and Kandi Steiner has become one of my go-to authors to read. Her characters come to life for me in the book and beg you not to end. I personally loved Noah and thought he was an awesome hero. I love books that are about childhood and tell a backstory…I want to know about all of that!! I want to know what makes the characters tick and what motivates them. Ruby Grace is a heroine for the century that we all want to be. I just loved this book all the way around.
This book was so full of sweetness and full of lovable characters. I absolutely loved this book. I had a hard time putting this book down! Kandi Steiner is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Kandi’s writing is full of feeling, angst, and depth. The angst in this book was top notch. I love the will they/won’t they type of story and boy, does this book deliver on that! The relationships developed in this story was built gradually and built beautifully. I adored this book and I adored Noah.
Oh dear lord – Noah quickly became a great book boyfriend! Ugh, where is the Noah in my life?! I loved the character development that happened with both Noah and Ruby Grace.
Don’t hesitate on this one – it hits the shelves on June 13th!
On The Rocks is a small town romance. While I have nothing against small town romance, it’s not one of my favorite tropes. But I honestly loved this book. But you can’t help but be drawn into Kandi’s writing, no matter the subject. This book is just like Whiskey. Intensely fresh and rich with a hint of vanilla and whole lot of sweet.
Ruby (ha she even has my name) is the daughter of the major and was raised a certain way. She finds herself engaged at the tender age of nineteen. Everything was going according to plan but fate would intervene and send her a man who has a penchant for Whiskey and women. She finds herself suddenly questioning everything. Then finding what she truly does and doesn’t want.
Noah Becker is a ladies man and everything that it implies. Even though he’s never been in a serious relationship, he knows what love looks like. You can’t help know when you see it everyday. He figures one day the right woman will come along. But after meeting Ruby, he can’t the young beauty out of his head. He doesn’t take in account that the one woman he wants, he can never have.
How can he possibly stay away, when the very thing he knows is right, is deemed to be someone else’s?
I loved the fact that this book is about finding yourself and coming into your own person. And being true to your own wants and needs before anyone else’s. It also shows two people bringing out the best in each other. It is a slow burner but you won’t care because Kandi’s writing is so great!
Malt Flavored Stars
Obviously books have words. Duh! But man this book was so descriptive and too much internal speaking that I missed the connection with the two main characters.
I’m so sad to give this book three stars because I was looking forward to it.
I just didn’t connect with the characters because I wasn’t given a chance to fall for them.
Ruby Grace just complained and then whined about doing the things she was doing.
Noah was okay. I could see the potential for sure but some how you can’t find it because they don’t interact enough to love them together.
So much back and forth
Secret Childhood Crush meets Man of Mystery and Mystery Man likes him some Legs. This book gave me all the feels! I got goosies with all the special moments shared between Noah and Ruby Grace. Don’t even get me started on one of my all time favorite supporting characters, The Majestic Miss Betty. This story was a little on the Taboo side because of the age difference but the connection and the magnetic pull between the two never brought up questions regarding age. Now the Whiskey was sexy and hot but when you have a sexy man that creates them barrels and works them on a daily basis? Its drop your panties time and let me get a cold shower please!
I loved how genuine Noah was. He didn’t need to be flashy or give Ruby Grace what she was supposed to expect. He just gave her his good old fashioned time and patience. That alone spun the gold and diamonds in my romantic heart.
Ruby Grace was a hard character for me to enjoy. She really was too young and naive. Yet, she was able to finally see the truth behind the facade and focus on her own happiness. Regardless if it was literally the last minute.
Miss Betty. I truly adored her and the amazing influence she had not only on Ruby Grace but also Noah. She was able to share her wisdom and spunk and help these two define their relationship and their future.
I seriously love this novel, Kandi. Couldn’t get enough. If I could pick Betty up and out of this book and place her in my pocket that would be the best reward of all for me as a reader. I know run on sentences. This is why I read the stories and not write them.
Stupendous Novel Kandi!!!
10 STARS if possible
{I received this as an ARC in exchange for an Honest review}
I fell in Love with this book on the first page. The thing about Kandi’s writing is that it is so much more than words on a page. It is Magic!! She creates stories with passion bleeding from every page. “On The Rocks” is Incredible!!! Noah and Ruby Grace make me smile. I love this story. I love the heart that Kandi put into it. You can feel their love and desire and the knowing that it is wrong. The angst and anticipation of Ruby Grace being engaged is everything. I don’t want this book to be over. I am in love this couple. Noah is literally my dream man. I only hope to find someone like him. He is wonderful. He knows who he is and what he wants in life. He never gives up especially not on Ruby Grace. Ruby Grace is kind and giving and would do anything for her family even when she shouldn’t. She has so many expectations put upon her that she has to deal with while still trying to be herself. Getting to see her grow into who she can be along side Noah who will do anything to get her to see who she truly is was amazing! These two truly make me believe in love. This is an Incredible contemporary romance. Its sexy and sweet with the angst you love and look forward to in a Kandi novel. This is a new Favorite of mine. Definitely one of my Favorites of 2019!! Do yourselves a favor and pick this up!
P.S. I am SOO EXCITED for this whole series!!! I can’t wait for Logan’s book!!!
Kandi Steiner has written a brilliant book!!!! I was completely hooked, and never wanted it to end!!!! Cannot wait to read more by Kandi Steiner
God I love small town Southern romances!
God I love Kandi Steiner!
And oh how I LOVE that she wrote this book!
I knew before I even began that I was going to LOVE IT and I wasn’t wrong!
I am in love with this small town and it’s characters.
In fact, I want to pack my suitcase and live there just to drink whiskey and gossip with the local townsfolk.
I’m not typically a fan of age gap romances where the heroine is barely out of high school, BUT given the setting of the story it was somehow fitting.
Packed full of sizzling chemistry, angst, laughter, camaraderie, and passion this is a slow burn romance that will fill your soul to the very last page!
This was another Kandi Steiner favorite for me!
Noah Becker and Ruby Grace Barnett go back a long way, from when they were kids sitting in church on Sunday mornings. It’s been awhile since they have seen each other. She stops at the whiskey distillery where he works to get a gift for her fiance. Yes, she’s getting married to a wanna be politician and she will make the perfect wife to be at his side.
She and Noah reconnect and in a good way.
He made me laugh and for that one hour in time, I wasn’t just Anthony Caldwell’s future wife. I wasn’t a smile and a handshake and a side kick.
Noah turned out to be a really decent man, unlike what she had always thought of him.
And I just sat there, hands on the steering wheel, eyes on my passenger seat, and heart somewhere down the road with a girl who didn’t even realize she had it.
Throw in some problems with her fiance, her family and the fact that she feels a strong obligation to her family and you have a great story!!
“But my dear, isn’t that the best part of being young? The possibilities are endless, the paths limitless, and you have so many different directions you can walk.”
I’ve only read a few books by this author, but I’ve been assured by other readers she’s the one to go to when you’re looking for angst. And I definitely enjoy angst. This one however, wasn’t as angsty as I was hoping for.
On the Rocks was a well plotted, well written story, it just didn’t knock my socks off. The writing was strong, but in the beginning I really didn’t care for the heroine and wanted to slap her. She ended up growing on me as the book went on, but I just didn’t feel a connection with her.
I’ll definitely pick up more by this author, she’s a great storyteller. I just needed and wanted a little more oomph from this one.
~ Lia, 3.75 Stars
Always know your going to get some good angst and drama when you pick up a Kandi Steiner book! This one didn’t fail. Sexy Noah and sassy Ruby Grace. Their history is a cute crush turned hot. When they see each other after years, you can feel the attraction. I want them together instantly. Ugh there’s a fiancé in the way though and boy does she make it interesting!
The southern small town setting is perfect for this forbidden romance. I love the Becker Brothers no matter how much trouble they get into. Ruby Grace and Noah have an unexpected amazing romance. Loved it
I’ve realised Kandi Steiner loves whiskey and that people in the southern states of America really do like the whole two name thing. Like Mary Ellen, Bobby Jo, Ruby Grace, and they always call people by the full moniker. Not just Ruby. It’s always Ruby Grace.
This is apparently going to be a family saga. We have four handsome brothers and Noah Becker is brother number one. I think I already know where the long term plot is going. I’ve already jumped into solution mode.
When Ruby Grace comes back to town to prepare for her wedding, she doesn’t factor Noah Becker into the picture. He was the older boy she annoyed in church and had a little girl crush on. He’s now buff and bold and prepared to ask her the awkward questions she’s been avoiding.
The couple go from teasing and annoying each other to attraction and testing each other. And then there’s Betty. She’s amazing and steals the show.
“You see me with your soul.” “And I feel you with mine.”
I really enjoyed the book, I just wish Ruby Grace had been a bit older.