Can't Shoot Whiskey

by Zoe Forward

Josh Hurst was supposed to be my forever. Instead, he became the villain in my origin story.
I gave him my heart. He broke it without flinching. So, I did what any self-respecting, heart-shattered girl would do—I declared war.
Our revenge game? Legendary.
Until I left for college and swore I’d never look back.

But life doesn’t care about vows made in the dark.
When my father dies unexpectedly, I’m dragged back to the hometown I outgrew, handed guardianship of my grieving kid brother, and forced to take over my father’s struggling veterinary clinic.
And waiting for me—like karma with a smirk—is Josh.
Not as a memory.
Not as a ghost.
But as my new business partner.

Avoiding him? Impossible.
Forgetting what we were? Laughable.
He still looks at me like I’m his. Like we’re a story paused instead of over. Like one spark is all it would take.
And God help me, the spark is still there.
But we don’t do soft. We don’t do safe.
We do oil and fire. War and wreckage.
Whatever we once were—
Whatever we still could be—
We’re enemies.
And this time, nobody’s walking away unburned.

Genres: Second Chance

344 pages, ebook

Expected publication April 6, 2026

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Zoe Forward is a parent, wife, veterinarian, and unapologetic chocolate lover. She writes spicy paranormal and contemporary romances that blend action, adventure, humor, and a touch of magic.

Her novels have earned numerous awards, including the Prism Award, Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence, Golden Quill, Carolyn Readers’ Choice Award, and the Booksellers’ Best Award.

Zoe lives in the South with a lively menagerie of four-legged beasts and two slightly wild kids.

[Note: Many apologies, but I'm terrible at checking my Goodreads emails! If you'd like to send a note/msg, please catch me on Instagram or FB)

See the latest on Zoe's website: http://www.zoeforward.com

Don't miss the newsletter: http://www.zoeforward.com/contact/

Reviews

[Cara]

~˚˖𓍢💙✧˚.🦋⋆⚘ I gave him my heart, he broke it without flinching~˚˖𓍢💙✧˚.🦋⋆⚘ !!!!!!!!

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for my e-arc, it was greatly appreciated!

I liked the sniping and snark between Erika and Josh, but their story is missing that spark. Overall, a quick and easy read though!

[☆Laura☆]

Quien tenía que hacer algo para recuperarla y demostrar que se había equivocado era Josh, no Erika. No mentiré, estuvo entretenido, pero siento que todo fue muy injusto para Erika. Primero, su novio del pasado, o sea Josh, va y se besa con otra. Luego se le muere su madre, su padre se casa casi de inmediato con otra mujer, tiene otro hijo y forma una nueva familia, dejándola de lado. En el presente, su novio resulta ser abusador e infiel. Después, su padre y su madrastra mueren y ahora ella tiene que hacerse cargo de su hermano, un niño que nunca había conocido y que además es grosero con ella (por obvias razones). Por si fuera poco, su padre estaba endeudado y falsificó su firma como aval, así que ahora ella tiene que pagar esa deuda y para rematar, resulta que a quien debe pagarle es a Josh. Tmabien tiene que soportar a Josh que se la pasa diciéndole que no la quiere ahí. Además, ella lo ve con su novia, que es la misma con la que se besó en el pasado y todavía tiene que aguantar que todas las mujeres le digan lo bueno que está el tipo y que se aleje de él.

*Lo del beso se supone que él lo hizo para que ella lo dejara y se fuera, porque según merecía algo mejor. Pero eso lo dicen otros personajes, él nunca da una explicación directa.

Durante todo el libro es ella quien da los pasos, quien se sincera y quien se pone en situaciones vulnerables, mientras que él no hace casi nada.

También me sorprendió que ni la mamá ni el papá de Josh le pusieran un alto a Timothy. El tipo era un bully con su propio hermano, lo intimidaba constantemente, lo golpeaba, le decía que por su culpa había muerto el otro hermano y lo hacía trabajar sin pagarle, lo cual no tiene sentido considerando el tipo de relación que se supone que tienen. Me imagino que el libro siguiente será suyo y no veo como podría tener rendición.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t Shoot Whiskey is a spicy, contemporary small-town romance following Erika and Josh, two veterinarians who have been at odds since a high school betrayal. After years of estrangement from her father, Erika is forced to return to her North Carolina hometown following the sudden death of her father and stepmother. There, she discovers she has been named guardian to her younger half-brother, whom she’s never met, and that she now co-owns a vet clinic with her ex-nemesis, Josh. She also has to navigate a clean break from her controlling boyfriend back in Philly, which isn’t as clean as she hoped it’d be.

This book made me cry so many times. If you’ve lost a parent or really anyone, this will dredge up a lot of feelings. I felt like the author handled grief really well, where there is no one single way to handle it, and people can be irrational when dealing with their feelings. I would not recommend reading this while on break at work because there’s a chance your co-workers will witness you crying.

I really appreciate that Erika always had plans for Vinny, her little brother. So many times, you have the kids or pets that as soon as they are off-screen, it's easy to forget about them, and you will be like, “How are you doing all this stuff!? Where is so and so!?”

I went in expecting a light-hearted, low-stakes story and instead found a gut-wrenching, high-stakes emotional journey. I also love that the animals they interact with behave differently depending on who is interacting with them, because so many pets prefer some people over others. Overall, it felt pretty authentic.

I got an advanced copy of Can’t Shoot Whiskey for free through HiddenGemsBooks and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[R Mmm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me. The antagonists were genuinely awful—both in what they said and what they did—which definitely added tension, but at times it felt a little over the top.

The story follows Erika, who at 28 is called back to her estranged father’s ranch and veterinary clinic after the unexpected deaths of her father and his wife. She’s also left to care for a half-brother she barely knows. After leaving town for college years ago—heartbroken and determined never to look back—she’s forced to confront everything she ran from, including her past with Josh.

Erika still carries a lot of resentment toward Josh and how things ended, and honestly, I had a hard time connecting with her. Josh, on the other hand, is just as bitter, still holding onto anger over the way she left and the pranks she pulled before leaving town. Neither of them were particularly easy to root for at first.

That said, there’s definitely something compelling about their dynamic. As the story unfolds, Josh comes to realize how much Erika shaped who he is, and that she’s always been “his person.” It’s a rocky, emotional road to get there, but they eventually come to terms with the fact that they belong together.

While I wasn’t fully sold on the characters, I did appreciate the emotional journey and second-chance romance elements. If you enjoy messy relationships and small-town drama, this might still be worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Books for the free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

[Elia Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't Shoot Whiskey was a fun, emotional, and wonderful read. Erika and Josh had amazing chemistry and I lived for their banter. Both Erika and Josh have been through so much in their lives and currently but through all of the bad, they brought out the spark in each other.

Erika having to take on the responsibility of her 8 year old brother she never met and dealing with all of the baggage of losing her dad and step-mom. Wow, she handled it so much better than I ever could have and I loved the bond she formed with Vinny, it was tough at first but she remained honest with him and they connected in such a beautiful way. Josh still blames himself for his brother's death when they were kids and even though he has proved himself time and time again as a great vet, he clearly still deals with so much hurt and pain.

I just loved that even through their fighting and banter, they could be honest with each other and be there for each other. I loved the locket and how Josh still had it. This book brought out all of the emotions for me and I loved every moment of it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Zoe Forward for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Read, I am so glad I got the privilege of reading this before it came out. It was fantastic. A veterinarian romance! Yes Please!!!!

Erika's dad and step mom pass away early in the book leaving her with an 8 year old half sibling to care for. This was not in her life plan at all! She is currently working her way towards being one of the best emergency vets in the state. As if that wasn't enough she finds out her dad left her half a vet clinic in the red, co owned by an ex boyfriend she wants nothing to do with. How is she going to handle all that has been thrown at her?

I will say I did not really care for all the constant fighting between Erika and the MMC Josh. It was rather annoying at times. After the high school incident it felt like she was just out to get him. I understand payback but she took it a bit too far sometimes. And Josh's brother Timothy, he was also a jerk. I know each character had a role to play in the book but there was just so much arguing and fighting and trying to get back at each other. It was very toxic. I could have done with a little less of all that. The overall plot was great and of course a HEA is always a nice ending. I am glad Jay got what he deserved but I didn't expect it to go the way it did. That was a bit of a twist.

[Laure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within months of finishing her veterinary emergency medical residency Erika Chomping receives the tragic news that her father and stepmother died in a tragic accident. Never expecting to return to her hometown she finds out that not only is she guardian to her eight-year-old brother, but she is also half owner of her father's struggling veterinary clinic. To top it all off Josh Hurst is her new partner. They boy she grew up with and dated in high school is not expecting her to take over her father's half of the business, but Erika has no intention of staying.
Oh, my goodness, these are wonderful characters, they are so beautifully written and realistic I was completely engrossed in their love/hate/love story. They actually made me laugh out loud at times and brought tears to my eyes at others. This is a fantastic enemies to lovers romance with some interesting twists in the plot, some steam, and a happily ever after. I loved this book and recommend it.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by Hidden Gems.

[Lauren Bruns · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m always a sucker for a happy ending, so when a book wraps up on a satisfying note, it automatically leaves me feeling good and this one definitely did 🤍

Overall, I’m giving this ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)

This was one of those reads that was just… good. Not mind-blowing, but still enjoyable enough to keep me turning the pages.

I really liked the little twist toward the end, it wasn’t what I expected, and it added just enough surprise to keep things interesting.

And the details??
The small emotional threads like the dog and the locket he kept 🥺
Those moments always get me.

You already know I’m weak for:
✨ Second chance romance
✨ A hot, sexy veterinarian (say less)

It had some strong elements I genuinely enjoyed, but overall it stayed in that “it was fine” zone for me not unforgettable, but still a solid read.

[Lra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erika pensaba que ya había dejado atrás su pueblo, su pasado y sobre todo a Josh. Su vida estaba en otro lugar, enfocada en su carrera y lejos de todo lo que le dolía recordar. Pero todo se le viene encima de golpe cuando recibe una noticia que la obliga a regresar y hacerse cargo de su hermanastro.

De pronto no solo tiene que lidiar con la muerte de su padre, de su madrastra y también con un hermano pequeño que depende de ella, deudas inesperadas y un futuro que ya no se parece en nada a lo que había planeado. Y como si eso no fuera suficiente, su camino vuelve a cruzarse con Josh, el chico que alguna vez fue todo para ella y que también es parte del desastre en el que ahora está metida.




Gracias Netgalley por el ARC.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an adorable romance. It was my first veterinarian romance and I loved it. There was so much going on but it all worked so perfectly. I didn't realize that there was also a baseball aspect to this and I was so excited. I love baseball.

I also was not expecting to be stressing like that at the end but I'm glad it finally got Josh to realize just how in love with Erika he is. The ending afterwards was so beautiful. I'm especially happy for Vinny. That poor kid went through so much and I'm so glad that all of the uncertainty is hopefully finally out of the way and they all get to heal and move on.

I would love if we could see more. I want to know how the new clinic turns out so bad.

[Amanda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was utter perfection. I fell hard for the characters and couldn't help but root for them. They came across as genuine and relatable. I loved their banter, their relationship how it evolved and just the overall turn of events that led to their HEA. It really had that true enemies to lovers vibe, the back and forth, all of it. This is beautifully written and it instantly had we pulled into the story by chapter one. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this lovely, wonderful, amazing story. I highly recommend reading it. Thanks so much to the author agency and the author for a copy of this. All opinions are my own and freely expressed.

[Scooterbugs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute! I read this all in a day, it was an easy read. The drama doesn’t drag on extremely long or get cringy like some stories do. I love a good multi pov, I like that the story doesn’t have dead space to drag it on. It’s a wonderful book

[Tyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a solid structure, some scenes didn’t connect well for me personally. While it was evident that Josh & Erika had chemistry it didn’t translate well into their actions.
Overall though, a very enjoyable book.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read!! Loved the banter between the two MCs. The enemies to lovers trope was strong and I loved every minute of it. When Josh got the last word in during and argument and walked away and air fisted, I lost it. Such a man thing to do to feel like you won an argument lol loved this one!

[jay]

pre read:

OOOO a vet romance how exciting

A huge thank you to netgalley, Xpresso Book Tours, and Zoe Forward for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.