I have to make the pain stop.I want to feel alive, and I do when I’m drinking and partying the way I should have when I was a teen. Instead, back then, I was preparing to become the Whiskey Princess, a role assigned to me from birth.A lady never drinks to the point of blacking out, nor does she go home with men she meets in bars. But I went home with him…Jackson.He was more than just a one-night … more than just a one-night stand, but I learned that a wee bit late and he was gone. Or so I thought.
For when I return home, Jackson is there, and he finds out very quickly who I am.
Problem is, I’m not sure that I’ve ever known who I really am.
***
I can tell by looking into her blue depths that she’s absolute trouble, but I have to have her. It’s only for one night. Some fun, and I’ll be on my way. My time here is done, and I’m ready to move on to my next adventure.
What I don’t realize at the time is that she is my next adventure.
Lena excites me. She blows my mind. And her brogue? It has me in knots. I don’t even care about the rumors that surround her.
She’s hurting. I want to help her, but then my time is up.
Can I leave her?
I have to leave. I have no choice.
But I love her.
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‘Whiskey Rebellion’ was an unexpected delight from Toni Aleo. It’s the third book of ‘Taking Risks’ series. To tell you the truth when I see the name ‘Lena’ on top of the page, I was like: Wait a minute who was Lena? So guess what I did. I went back and re-read the series before starting it But no worries if you haven’t read the first two books of the series, ‘Whiskey Rebellion’ can easily be read as a standalone.
Lena O’Callahan is the princess of Mayo, not really royalty but close enough Since her childhood she was groomed and raised to be a lady. However, after couple of events that changed her life forever, she decides she wants to live her life, be free and feel alive. Unfortunately, everything is not going the way she expects. When her past catches up with her, she is spinning out of control by trying to drown everything by alcohol, drugs and sex. Right before she was summoned back to her O’Callahan duties, she meets Jackson. Jackson Tremblay is traveling the world and every city he is staying, he finds a job and work until he decides to move to the next city. On his last shift as a bartender in London, he meets with Lena. Their connection is instant and really strong. Since they are both leaving the city soon, they decide it is a good idea to hook-up. After their one-night stand, which ends badly, they both go different directions with regrets and knowing that they won’t be seeing each other again. Jackson decides that his next stop will be the amazing town Lena described, her hometown Mayo. What Lena and Jackson is not expecting is seeing each other again. Their chemistry is off the chart and when their relationship evolves from a hook-up to something more everything gets more complicated for them. It was great to see how they opened up and help each other to heal. But will their connection and feelings be enough for them to leave their pasts in the past? Will O’Callahan’s accept a bartender as their daughters boyfriend? That is for you to find out. The only thing I can say is it was an amazing read and I feel like whatever I say won’t be enough to convey my feelings and I also don’t want to spoil the story for you guys.
‘Whiskey Rebellion’ is heartwarming, captivating, emotional, and sizzling hot! I am so happy that Toni Aleo decided to write this book. As I said before this book was an unexpected delight. I loved Lena and Jackson’s story. They were too real and my heart was breaking for what they went through. It was also great to see how two wounded souls, helped each other to heal. This book is definitely my favorite book in the series.
Would I recommend this book: Yes
Would I re-read this book: Yes
Would I read future books by this author: Yes
I was a fan of the first two books in this series and was really happy to learn that Lena was getting her own book. It was surprising to start reading and see the pits of despair and pain that had overtaken her life. However, meeting Jackson and then her family needing her, slowly puts Lena on track for putting her life back together. Jackson, the bartender she slept with and who then shows up in her hometown, is a world-traveler running from his own demons. However, Lena and the pain she is feeling calls to him and they slowly start to heal each other. This book is truly a wonder because it doesn’t shy away from the pain of life. Both characters are broken but learning to fix themselves. The emotional depth Toni Aleo reaches for both Jackson and Lena is astounding and definitely makes this a satisfying read!
I loved this book. Toni Also is an excellent author. I am looking forward to her next book.
I just loved reading about Lena and Jackson. I read the first two books about Declan and Amberlyn and I just loved them. The first book Whiskey Prince was totally different subject then her hockey series. I wanted to try it because I have loved all her other books, I’m glad I did. It was so romantic how Declan and Amberlyn met. I loved how Toni described the place, Amberlyn’s and Declan lives, and how the whiskey was made. Toni Aleo’s books are so riveting the subjects are realistic in her books. This was about how after all the horrible things Lena’s family went through and how she dealt with all the things that happened to her. I thought I was going to reread the other two books, but Whiskey Rebellion could be read by itself. I recommend reading the other two books to get the history of Lena. Thank you, Toni for another great story. You are an amazing storyteller!!!
I had a hard time liking Lena.. yes I understand that she had several hard events in her life, but running from her family duties seemed a bit childish.. I didn’t connect with Jackson at all.. maybe that’s why they were perfect for each other because they didn’t make sense to me.. it was mostly about sex.. with them.. every encounter they had finished with sex.. I like more story and a few sexy times, but I didn’t see any character development here..
~4.5 Stars~
Another fantastic read by Toni Aleo!
I have read several different series by Toni Aleo, but this is a new one from me. No, I haven’t read the first two yet, but I will definitely be adding them to my to read list!
Lena was born into a dynasty, groomed to be the Whiskey Princess, until her world was ripped from underneath her, along with her innocence. Now, she isn’t really sure who she is. She knows she just doesn’t want to feel the fear or the pain again…booze, drugs, and meaningless sex gives that to her.
Jackson is traveling Europe, stopping places only long enough to make money before moving on. He never stays very long in one place, and he has no shortage of women. When he Lena strolls into the bar where he is working in London, he’s immediately under her spell. He wants to get to know her, but when she offers a hook-up, he can’t refuse. He thinks he’ll never see her again, so why not?
After their hook-up, Jackson insults her, not really meaning to. Any thoughts of sticking around are thrown out of the window when she throws him out of her penthouse. Even after their encounter, neither can forget their connection. They have no idea each will see each other a lot sooner than they thought they would.
My heart went out to Lena. She gave her trust to someone she loved, and he not only took her heart but decimated her. She always wanted to be like her mother, but she ran from that and her family that adored her. She thinks she can control her life finally, but she is finding out that the alcohol, the drugs, and the sex are beginning to control her. She returns home when her mother is ill, and when she discovers Jackson there, he forces her past to break through her defenses.
Jackson has his own issues, but I knew he saw Lena’s pain and wanted to help her. He loved her. I just kept hoping he would find a way for him and Lena to be together.
Not only was this a fantastic romance, it was a story about self-discovery, healing, and happiness.
***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
It’s incredibly difficult to live up to societal expectations, especially for someone like Lena O’Callaghan, because on top of public scrutiny, she also has to contend with her family’s list of rules and responsibilities, which makes it feel like she’s meant to live someone else’s life instead of her own…someone who’s portrayed to be one way when, in reality, Lena is completely different and wants nothing to do with her ‘supposed’ role as the Whiskey Princess because she doesn’t feel like it fits her or the woman she’s trying to find in herself to be.
Some may view Lena as a spoiled brat – one who doesn’t appreciate the life she’s been given and would rather do everything in her power to shed a negative light on her family name and its importance. And, while there is definitely evidence to prove her downward spiral could be a big middle finger to her family and the pressure she feels due to her last name and the expectations of her role because of her family’s position in society, if people would look passed her recklessness and inappropriate behavior and see a woman struggling to find her true place in the world…in her city…in her family in a way that allows her the breathing room she needs to explore the limitless possibilities of who she can be if she only chooses to take the initiative to become that person.
If there’s anyone who can help Lena find her way in this judgmental and overwhelming life, it’s Jackson Tremblay because it’s clear upon their initial meeting that he sees Lena for who she is and who she wants to become and everything about her works for him. Jackson has his own demons to shed and while he’s clearly not used to building the kind of connection he does with Lena, especially because their time together was meant to be a one-night stand, the quiet and solace they find with one another when everything else feels like it’s suffocating them makes then keenly aware of exactly what they could come to mean to each other as long as they were both willing to take a risk on love.
I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about Lena when I began Whiskey Rebellion; her desire to be an ordinary girl made sense to me, but I wasn’t sure if I would be able to truly understand the reasons for her rebellion and her need to find her own way. I can happily say, though, that Toni Aleo portrays Lena in such a way that her conflicted attitude fits what she has had to endure her entire life as a member of the O’Callaghan family and the fact that Jackson ‘gets’ her also helped me to corral my judgment and give Lena a chance to explain and show readers exactly why she struggles with how she’s perceived and who she’s taught to be versus who she truly wants/can be.
Lena and Jackson’s story is about coming to terms with one’s past and finding one’s footing in the present, so that the future is everything that it ought to be. Both Lena and Jackson are a bit lost when Whiskey Rebellion begins and they’re unsure of how to find what they need to move forward, but the fact that they found support in each other and a passion that reignites their lives does wonders for their hearts and their souls.
4 Poison Apples
I adored this pair, two souls adrift, subconsciously looking for their anchors. Lena is in a world of hurt, unable to shake off the effects of her past. Her vulnerability calls out for Jackson’s assurance and affection and man, does he give it in spades! Although she wants to break free of the family traditions she was groomed for, her sense of duty constantly clashes with her wants. Lena’s struggles will tug at your heartstrings.
Jackson is a strong male character; affectionate, supportive without being overbearing and loyal. I love the subtle ways he cheers Lena up and how he spends the time to really get to know her ins and outs without relying on physical intimacies only.
Although I am reading this series out of order, I am able to fully enjoy this story.
Whiskey Rebellion is book three in the Takng Risks Series but it can be read as a stand-alone, I know this because I have read a fair few books by Toni Aleo but this is the first in this particular series, I was not disappointed in fact I will be one clicking books one and two.
The attraction between Lena and Jackson was instant and maybe a little bit crazy but that’s just the start of this beautifully written story and I really enjoyed seeing their relationship develop as the story unfolds. Lena was raised as a lady but she needs some excitement in her life in fact she needs to feel alive, she needs to work out just where her life is going, she need to get out of tailspin her life was going in and meeting Jackson might be just what she needs problem is for reasons only he knows Jackson only stays in one place for a maximum of 3 months. Lena and Jackson have a one night stand that ends up with her telling him about her home town of Mayo in Ireland and it plants a seed in Jackson’s mind to visit as part of his trip around Europe the last thing he expects was Lena to be there and for her to get so far under his skin his 3 month rule needs to be reconsidered…….
I loved the way this author describes the small and peaceful village of Mayo, I loved Jackson he is so strong and supportive of Lena and I loved how he founds ways to make her smile and cheer her up.
This is a love story with plenty of steamy scenes and even though I have not read the previous two books I still got a lot of enjoyment out of Lena and Jackson’s story.