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Whiskey and Weddings #1
Maybe I Do
She doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He is married to his job. Maybe whiskey is the secret ingredient that will bring them together–and give true love a shot.
Wedding photographer Charlotte Linley loves her work –even though she hates weddings. Sure, she still holds a grudge after being left at the altar by her high-school sweetheart. But today Charlotte is just happy to have complete control over her career, which is flourishing. Especially since she joined forces with one of the three gorgeous owners of The Stag, a boutique distillery that has become Kansas City’s hottest wedding venue.
Dean Troyer, bitter after the end of his own marriage, knows that Charlotte is the real deal–beautiful, talented, and successful. He may flirt with her every time she comes to The Stag, but Dean is determined to keep his professional distance…particularly now that she’s helping him with his own sister’s wedding. The only problem? The more time Dean spends with Charlotte, the deeper their connection grows. Is this a rom-com cliche’ or could it be that these two jaded souls in the wedding business have finally found their real-life happily ever after?
Wedding photographer Charlotte Linley loves her work –even though she hates weddings. Sure, she still holds a grudge after being left at the altar by her high-school sweetheart. But today Charlotte is just happy to have complete control over her career, which is flourishing. Especially since she joined forces with one of the three gorgeous owners of The Stag, a boutique distillery that has become Kansas City’s hottest wedding venue.
Dean Troyer, bitter after the end of his own marriage, knows that Charlotte is the real deal–beautiful, talented, and successful. He may flirt with her every time she comes to The Stag, but Dean is determined to keep his professional distance…particularly now that she’s helping him with his own sister’s wedding. The only problem? The more time Dean spends with Charlotte, the deeper their connection grows. Is this a rom-com cliche’ or could it be that these two jaded souls in the wedding business have finally found their real-life happily ever after?
300 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 29, 2017
17 people are currently reading
1177 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
February 14, 2018
Hero turned to his cheating ex-wife when he was hurting was the last nail on the coffin.
Given he was on forced good terms with his ex because of his sister but he didn't NEED to push heroine out and cut her off. He didn't HAVE to pretend he's all buddy with his ex.
He basically told her I'm choosing her over you. She's family, you're not.
No. He didn't sleep with his ex. But what he did was still emotional infidelity.
He didn't tell heroine his biggest secret and the reason for pushing her away. Which basically means he took the choice out of her hand and made the choice for her, which is selfish, manipulative, disrespectful and downright insulting.
It insinuates many things but mostly a) he thinks heroine isn't capable of knowing her mind and b) he doesn't believe heroine is capable of fidelity.
However all of that can be forgiven because he can get back to it and discuss this.
But he did NOT allow the heroine to be the part of the funeral which was an important part of his life and he let his ex be part of it.
There is no going back from that.
No matter what he does he won't be able to turn back the clock and let h attend the funeral to pay her respect or support his sister.
Where was the penance for that?
He tried to get her back just like any other entitled prick. Like nothing happened. Like weeks of radio silence didn't happen, and NOW he's ready to move on so she'll just meet him over for dinner?
Let me make it clear. NO grovelling.
Heroine took 4 days to think over things.
THAT is NOT grovelling.
An explanation is NOT grovelling.
A promise to not screw up is NOT making it up to her.
She went back to him DESPITE his "issues" because SHE truly loves him.
What did HE do?
He didn't even go to her first, he bumped into her at work. I MEAN I CANT EVEN.....🤬
And then promised to TRY to trust her.
So tell me WHY he deserves the third (second chance was already wasted) chance?
Given he was on forced good terms with his ex because of his sister but he didn't NEED to push heroine out and cut her off. He didn't HAVE to pretend he's all buddy with his ex.
He basically told her I'm choosing her over you. She's family, you're not.
No. He didn't sleep with his ex. But what he did was still emotional infidelity.
He didn't tell heroine his biggest secret and the reason for pushing her away. Which basically means he took the choice out of her hand and made the choice for her, which is selfish, manipulative, disrespectful and downright insulting.
It insinuates many things but mostly a) he thinks heroine isn't capable of knowing her mind and b) he doesn't believe heroine is capable of fidelity.
However all of that can be forgiven because he can get back to it and discuss this.
But he did NOT allow the heroine to be the part of the funeral which was an important part of his life and he let his ex be part of it.
There is no going back from that.
No matter what he does he won't be able to turn back the clock and let h attend the funeral to pay her respect or support his sister.
Where was the penance for that?
He tried to get her back just like any other entitled prick. Like nothing happened. Like weeks of radio silence didn't happen, and NOW he's ready to move on so she'll just meet him over for dinner?
Let me make it clear. NO grovelling.
Heroine took 4 days to think over things.
THAT is NOT grovelling.
An explanation is NOT grovelling.
A promise to not screw up is NOT making it up to her.
She went back to him DESPITE his "issues" because SHE truly loves him.
What did HE do?
He didn't even go to her first, he bumped into her at work. I MEAN I CANT EVEN.....🤬
And then promised to TRY to trust her.
So tell me WHY he deserves the third (second chance was already wasted) chance?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2017
3.5 stars
Maybe I Do by Nicole McLaughlin was a sweet, heartfelt read and a nice start to the Whiskey and Weddings series.
The storyline was sweet, entertaining, emotional and kept me turning the pages.
I liked Charlotte and Dean together, and while I could see them having a long and happy life ahead I just wanted a little more chemistry between them.
Overall, Maybe I Do is a nice read, I enjoyed getting to know the characters and I'm looking forward to reading more in the near future.
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*Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy.*
Maybe I Do by Nicole McLaughlin was a sweet, heartfelt read and a nice start to the Whiskey and Weddings series.
The storyline was sweet, entertaining, emotional and kept me turning the pages.
I liked Charlotte and Dean together, and while I could see them having a long and happy life ahead I just wanted a little more chemistry between them.
Overall, Maybe I Do is a nice read, I enjoyed getting to know the characters and I'm looking forward to reading more in the near future.
*Buy Links*
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Maybe-Do-Whisk...
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mayb...
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn...
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/mayb...
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
*Thank you to the publisher for the advance copy.*
August 21, 2017
2.5 -
A man was never going to be her everything...
Nicole Mclaughlin starts her Whiskey and Weddings series with two commitment-phobes who are attracted to each other and not sure what to do about it.
So I am going to keep this review brief, because while I generally enjoy this authors work Maybe I Do didn’t really work for me for several important reasons. Mainly, I found the chemistry between Dean and Charlotte almost non-existent. The lengthy rambling inner monologues on their pasts and personal insecurities, and their feelings on pretty much everything just bogged down the flow of the story in general. Which in itself also took far too long to actually get going with any real development for a large part of the first half, which was surprise because this is something this author usually pitches perfectly.
Unfortunately, I also struggle with irrelevant/over-the-top ex drama in my books, and it comes from both sides in this one, for me it was too much and really didn’t add much to the plot or help with my already waning enjoyment of the story.
I liked Charlotte and Dean separately but they were pretty bland together, even the flirting came across a little stilted, and the constant internal references to their past relationship woes became extremely repetitive.
Great set-up though with the Stag Brewery being the main location for a lot of the book, but I just found everything reminiscent of other romances I have read based around weddings/wedding planning, but for all the wrong reasons. That won’t stop me wanting to read the next book Maybe This Time due for release early 2018, I just hope that it is pared back a bit to reduce the internal rambling and overly lengthy explanations for things I didn’t really need in depth knowledge on, oh and 100% less ex drama would be a great plus as well.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
Nicole Mclaughlin starts her Whiskey and Weddings series with two commitment-phobes who are attracted to each other and not sure what to do about it.
So I am going to keep this review brief, because while I generally enjoy this authors work Maybe I Do didn’t really work for me for several important reasons. Mainly, I found the chemistry between Dean and Charlotte almost non-existent. The lengthy rambling inner monologues on their pasts and personal insecurities, and their feelings on pretty much everything just bogged down the flow of the story in general. Which in itself also took far too long to actually get going with any real development for a large part of the first half, which was surprise because this is something this author usually pitches perfectly.
Unfortunately, I also struggle with irrelevant/over-the-top ex drama in my books, and it comes from both sides in this one, for me it was too much and really didn’t add much to the plot or help with my already waning enjoyment of the story.
I liked Charlotte and Dean separately but they were pretty bland together, even the flirting came across a little stilted, and the constant internal references to their past relationship woes became extremely repetitive.
Great set-up though with the Stag Brewery being the main location for a lot of the book, but I just found everything reminiscent of other romances I have read based around weddings/wedding planning, but for all the wrong reasons. That won’t stop me wanting to read the next book Maybe This Time due for release early 2018, I just hope that it is pared back a bit to reduce the internal rambling and overly lengthy explanations for things I didn’t really need in depth knowledge on, oh and 100% less ex drama would be a great plus as well.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
November 16, 2019
The story is interesting. Both hero and heroine are divorcee. This is the story where everyone is sort of tangle together. But the angst and the drama is minimum. The flow of the story for me is a bit dragging and slow. But i can see the apeal of the slow sweet story to people who jusy want an easy read.
The character chemistry is lacking. I do not feel the conncectiob nor that sexual charge enegery between Dean and Charlote. It seems bit forced between these two.
Overall this book is ok read for me. A bit boring. But sweet and cute.
3 stars
The character chemistry is lacking. I do not feel the conncectiob nor that sexual charge enegery between Dean and Charlote. It seems bit forced between these two.
Overall this book is ok read for me. A bit boring. But sweet and cute.
3 stars
October 19, 2019
4.5/5
I’ve been so excited about this book, not only because it’s the start of a new Nicole McLaughlin series, but because I can’t seem to get enough from her and I will read anything she writes. Her stories are always so fun to read but they always have what I consider a perfect amount of romance + serious + emotion laced throughout them for what I’m looking for at the time. They’re always perfect for me and I always find myself smiling while I read.
The story of Dean and Charlotte is no exception. I loved it. My feelings ranged from thrilled at various parts to my eyes tearing up at a part of the story that deals with one of Dean’s family members. I also felt pretty angry at the people that Dean and Charlotte were involved with in relationships before this book. And holy Batman, there is a photography scene involving a motorcycle that is just — wow.
Dean is a 41-year-old previously married man who has been crushing on 29-year-old wedding photographer Charlotte for the past few years. Dean is co-owner at a successful distillery and wedding reception venue in the Kansas City area, so he and Charlotte end up working together often. The two flirt almost constantly and get along very well. And Charlotte has a mad crush on him too.
I absolutely love the tension between Dean and Charlotte. I love that Charlotte isn’t afraid to be the first to flirt, but she is still classy without being too forward. Of course, there are some obstacles once these two begin to move ahead with their relationship, but these things eventually work themselves out in true romance-novel fashion.
I love that Dean shows his vulnerability when he feels like the age divide could be a problem. In the beginning, Charlotte thinks that his age is the bulk of his concern; she continues to show Dean that she is interested. In truth, Dean is hiding more behind this age concern. Both have issues that they need to work through — plus a couple of outside obstacles concerning family and community members. I really felt like all of this brings a slightly more emotional feeling to the story than I was expecting. It wasn’t a heavy story or anything, but I wasn’t expecting some of these issues to read their heads (fertility vs infertility, deployment, for example). I think these things are handled really well in terms of tying into the tone of the story and I was increasingly invested as the story continued.
The secondary cast is great in this story. I think I can see where the next couple of books may be headed. (Possibly? It’s fun to try and guess.) Dean’s best friends and distillery co-owners are a lot of fun, and I love his sister Alex. As much as liked the secondary cast, both Dean and Charlotte have people from their past that show up in this story – this is something that I don’t typically love. While neither ex-person is a threat to Dean and Charlotte, I was still incredibly annoyed with these two people every time they were on the pages. I just wanted them to GO AWAY. Perhaps this is because of the emotional traumas they caused Dean and Charlotte in the past, but more likely this is because I just wanted no barriers to their fledgling relationship.
Also, sidenote: I love the backdrop of a whiskey distillery for this series. There is plenty about the distillation process and the marketing of the product, etc in the story. Because this is something that enjoy in my real life, I loved that it was included in the story. As usual, I’m already dying to get my hands on the next new story from Nicole McLaughlin. Her stories are just some of my absolute favorites.
Find this review and many others on my blog, Into the Hall of Books!
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, St. Martin's!
I’ve been so excited about this book, not only because it’s the start of a new Nicole McLaughlin series, but because I can’t seem to get enough from her and I will read anything she writes. Her stories are always so fun to read but they always have what I consider a perfect amount of romance + serious + emotion laced throughout them for what I’m looking for at the time. They’re always perfect for me and I always find myself smiling while I read.
The story of Dean and Charlotte is no exception. I loved it. My feelings ranged from thrilled at various parts to my eyes tearing up at a part of the story that deals with one of Dean’s family members. I also felt pretty angry at the people that Dean and Charlotte were involved with in relationships before this book. And holy Batman, there is a photography scene involving a motorcycle that is just — wow.
Dean is a 41-year-old previously married man who has been crushing on 29-year-old wedding photographer Charlotte for the past few years. Dean is co-owner at a successful distillery and wedding reception venue in the Kansas City area, so he and Charlotte end up working together often. The two flirt almost constantly and get along very well. And Charlotte has a mad crush on him too.
I absolutely love the tension between Dean and Charlotte. I love that Charlotte isn’t afraid to be the first to flirt, but she is still classy without being too forward. Of course, there are some obstacles once these two begin to move ahead with their relationship, but these things eventually work themselves out in true romance-novel fashion.
I love that Dean shows his vulnerability when he feels like the age divide could be a problem. In the beginning, Charlotte thinks that his age is the bulk of his concern; she continues to show Dean that she is interested. In truth, Dean is hiding more behind this age concern. Both have issues that they need to work through — plus a couple of outside obstacles concerning family and community members. I really felt like all of this brings a slightly more emotional feeling to the story than I was expecting. It wasn’t a heavy story or anything, but I wasn’t expecting some of these issues to read their heads (fertility vs infertility, deployment, for example). I think these things are handled really well in terms of tying into the tone of the story and I was increasingly invested as the story continued.
The secondary cast is great in this story. I think I can see where the next couple of books may be headed. (Possibly? It’s fun to try and guess.) Dean’s best friends and distillery co-owners are a lot of fun, and I love his sister Alex. As much as liked the secondary cast, both Dean and Charlotte have people from their past that show up in this story – this is something that I don’t typically love. While neither ex-person is a threat to Dean and Charlotte, I was still incredibly annoyed with these two people every time they were on the pages. I just wanted them to GO AWAY. Perhaps this is because of the emotional traumas they caused Dean and Charlotte in the past, but more likely this is because I just wanted no barriers to their fledgling relationship.
Also, sidenote: I love the backdrop of a whiskey distillery for this series. There is plenty about the distillation process and the marketing of the product, etc in the story. Because this is something that enjoy in my real life, I loved that it was included in the story. As usual, I’m already dying to get my hands on the next new story from Nicole McLaughlin. Her stories are just some of my absolute favorites.
Find this review and many others on my blog, Into the Hall of Books!
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, St. Martin's!
no-way-jose
February 15, 2018Just another shitty hero followed by a weak pathetic woman.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 3, 2017
Books that deal directly with weddings do give me pause. Fussy bridezillas, miles of (pink) sequinned fluff, colour-coordinated decor, crazy cakes and the general wedding fever that gets most characters scurrying around can and often give me nightmares, but I do like Nicole McLaughlin’s writing and ‘Maybe I do’ was pretty much a shoo-in.
I was nonetheless surprised to read though, that beyond a long-term flirtation that turned into something more, much of it shone the spotlight Dean’s hesitation, his indecisiveness and his insecure second-guessing that made him blow hot and cold. These were also what created many of the speed bumps in the story when he had, for 3 years, built a wall between Charlotte and him. That was understandable to an extent, clearly, because McLaughlin does write an irresistible older hero who has already been dented by the hard knocks of life multiple times. Dean’s case is a sympathetic one, yet I thought he needed to get himself sorted sooner and man up (and grovel) where Charlotte was concerned.
Charlotte on the other hand, grabbed me from page one, made me root so much for her and pretty much made the day for me. Amidst a slew of immature heroines who flounce their way into over-the-top hysterics when the situation never calls for it, Charlotte stands out like a sparkling gem. I loved how measured and thoughtful her responses and reactions were as much as I loved how upfront she was with Dean and how put-together she had it all despite how he treated her.
There were some distracting issues that did seem to take a bit of focus away from Charlotte/Dean themselves, so it isn’t quite the perfect read for me since what Dean and Charlotte had to sort out did seem monumental but were dealt with only in the closing chapters (as well as the epilogue) and I was left wondering just how much they really understood each other despite Charlotte’s admirable way of assimilating Dean’s revelation. The nitty-gritty of Dean’s sister’s wedding planning got lost on me, as much as I couldn’t quite get past the issues with both Dean’s and Charlotte’s ex-es, who were more than just ghosts of the ugly past.
I’m mildly curious about the next few books in the series, though I’m going to be on the fence for now—a secondary character who just might be a protagonist in the next story isn't entirely likeable at all so that put a damper in it already. But to get back to the present instead of projecting a bit too much, I’ll have to say that ‘Maybe I do’ is definitely an enjoyable (and emotional) read and with a sparkling heroine who jumped out from the pages and kept me in a girl-crush for the entire duration? That made a near-sleepless night worth it.
I was nonetheless surprised to read though, that beyond a long-term flirtation that turned into something more, much of it shone the spotlight Dean’s hesitation, his indecisiveness and his insecure second-guessing that made him blow hot and cold. These were also what created many of the speed bumps in the story when he had, for 3 years, built a wall between Charlotte and him. That was understandable to an extent, clearly, because McLaughlin does write an irresistible older hero who has already been dented by the hard knocks of life multiple times. Dean’s case is a sympathetic one, yet I thought he needed to get himself sorted sooner and man up (and grovel) where Charlotte was concerned.
Charlotte on the other hand, grabbed me from page one, made me root so much for her and pretty much made the day for me. Amidst a slew of immature heroines who flounce their way into over-the-top hysterics when the situation never calls for it, Charlotte stands out like a sparkling gem. I loved how measured and thoughtful her responses and reactions were as much as I loved how upfront she was with Dean and how put-together she had it all despite how he treated her.
There were some distracting issues that did seem to take a bit of focus away from Charlotte/Dean themselves, so it isn’t quite the perfect read for me since what Dean and Charlotte had to sort out did seem monumental but were dealt with only in the closing chapters (as well as the epilogue) and I was left wondering just how much they really understood each other despite Charlotte’s admirable way of assimilating Dean’s revelation. The nitty-gritty of Dean’s sister’s wedding planning got lost on me, as much as I couldn’t quite get past the issues with both Dean’s and Charlotte’s ex-es, who were more than just ghosts of the ugly past.
I’m mildly curious about the next few books in the series, though I’m going to be on the fence for now—a secondary character who just might be a protagonist in the next story isn't entirely likeable at all so that put a damper in it already. But to get back to the present instead of projecting a bit too much, I’ll have to say that ‘Maybe I do’ is definitely an enjoyable (and emotional) read and with a sparkling heroine who jumped out from the pages and kept me in a girl-crush for the entire duration? That made a near-sleepless night worth it.
December 19, 2017
My review cross-posted from
Wit and Sin
Maybe I Do has a lot of things going for it: a beautiful setting I’d love to spend time in, a warm and welcoming supporting cast, and a premise I was totally on board for. Nicole McLaughlin charmed the hell out of me with the setting; I wanted to drop in and live in Maple Springs, Kansas. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to love this book, it ended up falling short for me thanks to the romance.
Charlotte is a wedding photographer who is wary about marriage after having been left at the altar by her high school sweetheart. Charlotte is talented, hardworking, and genuinely caring, which makes her easy to like. What I didn’t love about her was that she wants Dean so much that she takes scraps of affection from him, puts up with his push-pull attitude for way too long, and she takes way too long to stand up for herself. Dean is where Maybe I Do crashes and burns. He’s not a bad person, but to me he was a bad hero. Ms. McLaughlin did paint a clear picture of why his disastrous marriage made him insecure. However, though I understood where he came from, his jealousy, insecurities, and tendency to make decisions for Charlotte without actually asking her irritated me. As the story went on, Dean’s fears and doubts became his defining characteristics, which was incredibly unappealing. By the end of the story, I liked Charlotte’s ex (who I wanted to hate) more than I did Dean. Added to that, Dean and Charlotte spent much of the book internal monologuing rather than actually talking to one another. A lack of communication and a disappointing lack of chemistry made this romance fall flat. I had a litany of problems with the romance, but it feels overly harsh to continue. Suffice it to say, it just didn’t work for me.
Even though Maybe I Do wasn’t the book for me, I still want to read the next book in the Whiskey and Weddings series. Charlotte and Dean’s friends were lovely, the Stag was a well-imagined setting, and overall the series has potential.
FTC Disclosure: I received the e-book edition of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Maybe I Do has a lot of things going for it: a beautiful setting I’d love to spend time in, a warm and welcoming supporting cast, and a premise I was totally on board for. Nicole McLaughlin charmed the hell out of me with the setting; I wanted to drop in and live in Maple Springs, Kansas. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to love this book, it ended up falling short for me thanks to the romance.
Charlotte is a wedding photographer who is wary about marriage after having been left at the altar by her high school sweetheart. Charlotte is talented, hardworking, and genuinely caring, which makes her easy to like. What I didn’t love about her was that she wants Dean so much that she takes scraps of affection from him, puts up with his push-pull attitude for way too long, and she takes way too long to stand up for herself. Dean is where Maybe I Do crashes and burns. He’s not a bad person, but to me he was a bad hero. Ms. McLaughlin did paint a clear picture of why his disastrous marriage made him insecure. However, though I understood where he came from, his jealousy, insecurities, and tendency to make decisions for Charlotte without actually asking her irritated me. As the story went on, Dean’s fears and doubts became his defining characteristics, which was incredibly unappealing. By the end of the story, I liked Charlotte’s ex (who I wanted to hate) more than I did Dean. Added to that, Dean and Charlotte spent much of the book internal monologuing rather than actually talking to one another. A lack of communication and a disappointing lack of chemistry made this romance fall flat. I had a litany of problems with the romance, but it feels overly harsh to continue. Suffice it to say, it just didn’t work for me.
Even though Maybe I Do wasn’t the book for me, I still want to read the next book in the Whiskey and Weddings series. Charlotte and Dean’s friends were lovely, the Stag was a well-imagined setting, and overall the series has potential.
FTC Disclosure: I received the e-book edition of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
August 30, 2017
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: https://romancingthereaders.blogspot....
The second I saw the cover of Maybe I Do I knew I needed to read it. In fact, until I started it I had no clue what it was about. Crazy I know! But for some reason I just had to read it.
It turns out that I had very mixed emotions about this one. To the point I'm not even sure what I want to tell you guys. Have you ever read a book and when you're finished you aren't sure how you felt about it? Well that's how I'm feeling now. I just don't know!
I will try my best though because this is a review so I do need to say something. Here goes!
I will start with the fact that I did like the idea of the story. It seems weddings, more the planning part, has become popular. I've found myself reading more than one book that is along the same lines. It works for me since I like that them.
I guess my issue is with Charlotte & Dean. As friends they work. I like how they act together, they have a good friendship appeal. It's when you get to the romantic side that they fall apart. I didn't feel like they felt that way about each other. Getting their sexy-on with each other didn't seem like a thing. Weird I know because this is a romance and I did feel like the author was writing a romance, just...I don't know!
I could deal with all their many issues. I don't mind past relationship issues. At times that can make a good story. It's just sometimes I felt the story was more about their issues then the new romance they were starting.
I told you I was having issues writing this review.
It's not like I didn't at times enjoy the story because I really did. It was just something I can't name. I think what I'll do is when it's around the time that the next one comes out I will read this one again. Maybe it was when I read it that was the problem. We will find out when I try it again. I have until February when the next one comes out so I've got some time.
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ARC received for a honest review
The second I saw the cover of Maybe I Do I knew I needed to read it. In fact, until I started it I had no clue what it was about. Crazy I know! But for some reason I just had to read it.
It turns out that I had very mixed emotions about this one. To the point I'm not even sure what I want to tell you guys. Have you ever read a book and when you're finished you aren't sure how you felt about it? Well that's how I'm feeling now. I just don't know!
I will try my best though because this is a review so I do need to say something. Here goes!
I will start with the fact that I did like the idea of the story. It seems weddings, more the planning part, has become popular. I've found myself reading more than one book that is along the same lines. It works for me since I like that them.
I guess my issue is with Charlotte & Dean. As friends they work. I like how they act together, they have a good friendship appeal. It's when you get to the romantic side that they fall apart. I didn't feel like they felt that way about each other. Getting their sexy-on with each other didn't seem like a thing. Weird I know because this is a romance and I did feel like the author was writing a romance, just...I don't know!
I could deal with all their many issues. I don't mind past relationship issues. At times that can make a good story. It's just sometimes I felt the story was more about their issues then the new romance they were starting.
I told you I was having issues writing this review.
It's not like I didn't at times enjoy the story because I really did. It was just something I can't name. I think what I'll do is when it's around the time that the next one comes out I will read this one again. Maybe it was when I read it that was the problem. We will find out when I try it again. I have until February when the next one comes out so I've got some time.
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ARC received for a honest review
August 25, 2017
Such a sweet, sweet book! I wanted to read this because I’m in wedding planning mode for my own wedding but I am so happy I picked this one up! It’s so cute and Dean and Charlotte are adorable.
Charlotte and Dean are both in the wedding business, but they both come from awful past relationships with heartbreaking secrets.
Charlotte Linley being a wedding photographer, she has shot many of her reception photo’s at The Stag. The most prized shots she’s taken there though? Little candid photo’s of her favorite owner, Dean Troyer. Sure they flirt with each other here and there, but what happens when their feelings are out of the bag? Will they run, or find a way to make it work?
I think my favorite part about Maybe I Do was defiantly the characters and the setting. Charlotte and Dean were fantastic and I absolutely fell in love with The Stag, a distillery that is one of the hottest wedding venues around and is also owned by three hot single men!
If The Stag was real, I would totally be having my wedding reception there. The way Charlotte describes it while taking her photographs is breathtaking and I wouldn’t mind seeing Dean work on making their famous aged whiskey.
Charlotte was such a sweet character. She is a young and vibrant woman, I loved her attitude even if she was deathly afraid of falling in love again. She didn’t play the part of the “Poor Charlotte who got left at the altar” though, her pain and the events that happened were way more in depth than that and I couldn’t help but feel for her throughout this whole book.
Dean is a silver fox! I mean it, he’s in his very early forties. He has that ruggedly handsome look going for him and I loved it. Dean was mostly quiet and reserved, but the way he flirted with Charlotte was adorable. Everything about him was adorable actually, I loved It all. He had insecurities that just broke your heart though, and once again I just felt so much for these characters.
Nicole McLaughlin brings us a fun, heartfelt and emotional book in Maybe I Do. It’s the first book in a new series called Whiskey and Wedding’s. I’m so excited to read more from this series, I’m hoping the other books are about the two other Stag men :). That would be so awesome.
I would defiantly recommended this to any of my romance lovers, or anyone who just wants to read a really enjoyable book!
**Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me a copy of Maybe I Do in exchange for an honest review.**
Charlotte and Dean are both in the wedding business, but they both come from awful past relationships with heartbreaking secrets.
Charlotte Linley being a wedding photographer, she has shot many of her reception photo’s at The Stag. The most prized shots she’s taken there though? Little candid photo’s of her favorite owner, Dean Troyer. Sure they flirt with each other here and there, but what happens when their feelings are out of the bag? Will they run, or find a way to make it work?
I think my favorite part about Maybe I Do was defiantly the characters and the setting. Charlotte and Dean were fantastic and I absolutely fell in love with The Stag, a distillery that is one of the hottest wedding venues around and is also owned by three hot single men!
If The Stag was real, I would totally be having my wedding reception there. The way Charlotte describes it while taking her photographs is breathtaking and I wouldn’t mind seeing Dean work on making their famous aged whiskey.
Charlotte was such a sweet character. She is a young and vibrant woman, I loved her attitude even if she was deathly afraid of falling in love again. She didn’t play the part of the “Poor Charlotte who got left at the altar” though, her pain and the events that happened were way more in depth than that and I couldn’t help but feel for her throughout this whole book.
Dean is a silver fox! I mean it, he’s in his very early forties. He has that ruggedly handsome look going for him and I loved it. Dean was mostly quiet and reserved, but the way he flirted with Charlotte was adorable. Everything about him was adorable actually, I loved It all. He had insecurities that just broke your heart though, and once again I just felt so much for these characters.
Nicole McLaughlin brings us a fun, heartfelt and emotional book in Maybe I Do. It’s the first book in a new series called Whiskey and Wedding’s. I’m so excited to read more from this series, I’m hoping the other books are about the two other Stag men :). That would be so awesome.
I would defiantly recommended this to any of my romance lovers, or anyone who just wants to read a really enjoyable book!
**Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me a copy of Maybe I Do in exchange for an honest review.**
August 23, 2017
On the heels of two books that failed to capture my attention, I was delightfully sucked right in to Dean and Charlotte's adorable story. I loved the set-up here. I loved who Charlotte and Dean were to each other. And I fell pretty easily into the effortless, engaging writing.
Unfortunately, the story stumbled a bit for me along the way. I struggled with Dean whose insecurities and self-doubt grated after a while. I would have liked for him to have given more because I felt like Charlotte did the lion's share of giving and the balance felt unequal and frustrating to me. I was also a little disappointed about how they finally took the next step with each other. After all this build-up and back and forth, I felt like it was a cop-out and was even more frustrated that things seemed to stall out in that cop-out for a while.
Maybe I Do is the first in a series and first books can be difficult sometimes. I definitely love all the directions the series could go from here. I love Stag and want to know more about the other men (who, frankly, seemed to have a lot more personality than Dean did). I genuinely enjoyed the writing and I did feel the connection between Charlotte and Dean - I just wanted more for them.
That said, there were some emotional punches that sucked me right back into the story and held me captive until the very end. It was a bit of a bumpy ride, but still one I'm glad I took and I'm definitely interested to see where things go from here. ~ Shelly, 3 Stars
Unfortunately, the story stumbled a bit for me along the way. I struggled with Dean whose insecurities and self-doubt grated after a while. I would have liked for him to have given more because I felt like Charlotte did the lion's share of giving and the balance felt unequal and frustrating to me. I was also a little disappointed about how they finally took the next step with each other. After all this build-up and back and forth, I felt like it was a cop-out and was even more frustrated that things seemed to stall out in that cop-out for a while.
Maybe I Do is the first in a series and first books can be difficult sometimes. I definitely love all the directions the series could go from here. I love Stag and want to know more about the other men (who, frankly, seemed to have a lot more personality than Dean did). I genuinely enjoyed the writing and I did feel the connection between Charlotte and Dean - I just wanted more for them.
That said, there were some emotional punches that sucked me right back into the story and held me captive until the very end. It was a bit of a bumpy ride, but still one I'm glad I took and I'm definitely interested to see where things go from here. ~ Shelly, 3 Stars
September 13, 2017
This was a fairly okay start to Whiskey and Weddings series. Dean Troyer, part owner of The Stag, a distillery/wedding venue has been flirting with wedding photographer Charlotte Linley whenever she works there for the last three years. Things heat up slightly when Dean asks Charlotte's help in planning his little sisters wedding as she is on deployment. The thing that was lacking between the two was some chemistry and passion. The flirting was cute and fun but nothing substantial. Added to that was far too many inner monologues about their individual pasts that it became repetitive and slightly annoying. Both characters had to deal with past issues and while figuring out what's going on between them. I liked the secondary characters and will most probably give their books a try.
September 13, 2017
Received an ARC for my fair review for netgalley. I enjoy her books, they are always entertaining. This was sweet, and sometime emotional read. Like all couple Charlotte and Dean, had to go thru some up and down together to be able to have a life together, I felt Dean struggled the most. On to the next one.
September 12, 2017
Always the photographer, never the bride. This contemporary romance is the first in a new series from romance author, Nicole McLaughlin. If you like light and fluffy romances with side of whiskey, you might give this a try. But if you're a reader like me who prefers their romances with a little more emotional depth and natural dialogue, then this one may not be for you.
Charlotte's fiancé left her at the alter five years ago, leaving her more than slightly jaded over the idea of love and marriage. Now she spends most of her time lusting over Dean, the hot owner of the Stag. Dean has his own heartbreak story. His marriage ended years ago because he couldn't give his wife what she needed: children. Both are afraid of commitment and more than a little attracted to each other. Sparks fly when Dean and Charlotte end up in an all-to-real fake relationship after lying to Charlotte's ex while planning Dean's sister's wedding.
When I read the synopsis, I was really excited to read this because it's set in a fictionalized suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, which is where I'm from. Second, it involves a slightly angsty complicated romance, which I was sort of craving. While the book may not have been exactly what I was hoping, I did enjoy parts of it. The beginning of the novel was really fun, being a spy on what goes on behind the scenes at a wedding.
The romance itself was underdeveloped and bland. The lack of chemistry between Dean and Charlotte is likely due to the fact that there was way too much telling instead of showing the reader. There were attempts made to manufacture attraction and chemistry through internal dialogue but it ended up doing just the opposite. To complicate things, the dialogue in the novel was stilted and not natural or conversational.
Some readers, may find the characters extremely obtuse and therefore frustrating. Both Dean and Charlotte have been working together for years. By their own admissions they have also had a strong attraction towards each other for just as long. The mutual flirtation wasn't subtle. Yet, for a good quarter or more of the book, both of them doubt that the other could like each other. I get that love can be complicated and confusing, but this romantic cluelessness in this instance seemed a bit far-fetched and more of a plot device to try to create tension.
This was not what I would call a bad book at all. The premise really is quite charming and I loved the distillery setting. I had a hard to completely feeling the romance or connecting to what the author wanted me to.
* Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an early copy for a review.
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August 22, 2017
***ARC Provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley***
Charlotte and Dean have been flirting for 3 years. Planning their schedules around making sure they bump into one another at weddings she photographs that are held in his distillery. The flirting is serious but it is the kind of flirting where both are serious, but are both waiting for the other person to make the first move...while being jealous of the attentions given to them by others.
Until Dean finally lets go and acts on the attraction between them. Sparks fly, and then he pulls away. You know he thinks she is too young for him, that he is old and that he can't offer the things a young woman will want from a marriage. And, in a way, he just might be right. There are a lot of serious, life events going on in this book, and they are worked together in a way that it feels real and authentic and not at all overdone.
There are siblings, exes, and friends as supporting characters, and they all add to the story but at the same time add drama.
This book was real life. With real issues, and real reasons that they each had to maybe not be together, and to struggle with what they wanted.
I liked the idea that, at the end, you really believe the relationship is going to last...because they went into it with their eyes open, not just relying on their hearts and the instant attraction that fades.
This book might be more real life than some readers like, as it is a little heavier and there are some more serious themes working their way through the book, but I found this refreshing and I enjoyed it.
I recommend this title.
Charlotte and Dean have been flirting for 3 years. Planning their schedules around making sure they bump into one another at weddings she photographs that are held in his distillery. The flirting is serious but it is the kind of flirting where both are serious, but are both waiting for the other person to make the first move...while being jealous of the attentions given to them by others.
Until Dean finally lets go and acts on the attraction between them. Sparks fly, and then he pulls away. You know he thinks she is too young for him, that he is old and that he can't offer the things a young woman will want from a marriage. And, in a way, he just might be right. There are a lot of serious, life events going on in this book, and they are worked together in a way that it feels real and authentic and not at all overdone.
There are siblings, exes, and friends as supporting characters, and they all add to the story but at the same time add drama.
This book was real life. With real issues, and real reasons that they each had to maybe not be together, and to struggle with what they wanted.
I liked the idea that, at the end, you really believe the relationship is going to last...because they went into it with their eyes open, not just relying on their hearts and the instant attraction that fades.
This book might be more real life than some readers like, as it is a little heavier and there are some more serious themes working their way through the book, but I found this refreshing and I enjoyed it.
I recommend this title.
September 8, 2017
Wedding-themed stories can be a hit or miss, but MAYBE I DO was an enjoyable start to Ms. McLaughlin's new series and I'm interested in what she has in store for us next. This story had a few surprises for me but I really enjoyed it, maybe because of those surprises. It was cute, fun and sometimes emotional, but very entertaining.
Charlotte Linley may have a successful career as a wedding photographer but she certainly has no illusions about weddings, having been left standing at the altar. One upside to her gig is spending time with the trio at her favorite wedding venue especially the gorgeous Dean Troyer; and while flirting with him may be fun, Charlotte is not looking for a relationship.
Dean has his own scars from his attempt at a happy ever after and is not looking to take another go at it, but he lives for the days he sees Charlotte and when he's drafted to plan his sister's wedding, she's the only one he can think to ask for help from. Every moment spent together makes their feelings for each other even more powerful, but can two people with such baggage as theirs open up to love again with all the risks it comes with?
I liked the characters a lot. Dean was an older guy and surprisingly was reserved, quiet and quite insecure (with reason), not the confident alpha male you'd expect. Charlotte was more mature in the way she carried herself and managed her business and life than you would expect for her age. She was confident, smart and knew what she wanted. Both of them had a lot to deal with in order to make their relationship succeed and Dean struggled with a lot more. The pairing of a stronger younger woman and the slightly insecure older man was unexpected but totally worked for me.
My least favorite thing about this story is the exes that just won't go away. It added a layer of drama that was unnecessary in my opinion, especially since Dean and Charlotte already had their own hang-ups to deal with.
I definitely will recommend this book to anyone who wants an enjoyable romance to end the summer.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
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Charlotte Linley may have a successful career as a wedding photographer but she certainly has no illusions about weddings, having been left standing at the altar. One upside to her gig is spending time with the trio at her favorite wedding venue especially the gorgeous Dean Troyer; and while flirting with him may be fun, Charlotte is not looking for a relationship.
Dean has his own scars from his attempt at a happy ever after and is not looking to take another go at it, but he lives for the days he sees Charlotte and when he's drafted to plan his sister's wedding, she's the only one he can think to ask for help from. Every moment spent together makes their feelings for each other even more powerful, but can two people with such baggage as theirs open up to love again with all the risks it comes with?
I liked the characters a lot. Dean was an older guy and surprisingly was reserved, quiet and quite insecure (with reason), not the confident alpha male you'd expect. Charlotte was more mature in the way she carried herself and managed her business and life than you would expect for her age. She was confident, smart and knew what she wanted. Both of them had a lot to deal with in order to make their relationship succeed and Dean struggled with a lot more. The pairing of a stronger younger woman and the slightly insecure older man was unexpected but totally worked for me.
My least favorite thing about this story is the exes that just won't go away. It added a layer of drama that was unnecessary in my opinion, especially since Dean and Charlotte already had their own hang-ups to deal with.
I definitely will recommend this book to anyone who wants an enjoyable romance to end the summer.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
Want more? Subscribe to my Newsletter on The Sassy Bookster.
Follow me on Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin’.
Like my page on Facebook.
August 23, 2017
This a fun and well written sweet romance where Nicole Michaels a wedding photographer may find true love and strangely enough the magic elixir bringing the couple together is- whiskey. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading what comes next in this series. Check it out.
August 21, 2017
This is a wonderfully written sweet yet romance and I just loved these characters. Both Charlotte and Dean are disillusioned about love, marriage, and happiness. For Dean he has the ex wife to prove it and Charlotte has memories of the wedding that never happened. Yet they both work in places that have them seeing it day after day. Their attraction for each other is obvious but they allow little things to constantly get in their way. When Dean finds himself responsible for planning his sister's wedding, he knows the perfect person to help him is Charlotte. Will spending more time together finally get them past their reservations??
A really nicely done story and one I couldn't put down. I highly recommend this one.
A really nicely done story and one I couldn't put down. I highly recommend this one.
July 18, 2018
Charlotte is a wedding photographer and she frequently works at the same location, The Stag, a beautiful small distillery that has quickly become a popular venue for the most beautiful day of people's lives. Dean, one of the owners, makes Charlotte look forward to shooting weddings at The Stag every single time. Charlotte loves their easy banter and playful flirting. Dean is a little over a decade older and Charlotte doesn’t know if his interest in her is serious or just on the friendly side of professional, how can she find out?
Charlotte photographs people’s most romantic moments, which isn’t always easy for her. Being left at the altar several years before still hurts and she’s reluctant to let anyone in again. Dean’s ex-wife broke his heart, so they’ve both been burned by love. Working together gives them a chance to slowly develop their bond, but then they need each other’s help and they suddenly have to spend a lot more time together. Can they break down their walls and are they ready to let love in again and give each other a chance?
Maybe I Do is a wonderful story about a very romantic topic, weddings. I loved reading about The Stag, it’s a fantastic setting for a story. Charlotte feels at home at her favorite venue with the man she has a huge crush on, which is a fabulous beginning of an endearing romance. She’s a sweet and talented person and she’s always willing to help others. Dean has that in common with her, which is how the much desired opportunity to finally get to know each other better arises, by being there for someone else they have to open up and let love in again. I kept hoping these two lovely souls would find happiness together and this kept me glued to the pages.
Nicole McLaughlin has a heartwarming writing style. I liked her skillful descriptions of the emotions her main characters are going through. Maybe I Do is a romantic story with plenty of depth and I admired the empathic way she handles difficult subjects. I loved the combination of strong feelings, secrets of the past and multilayered connections and the fun topic of weddings. I enjoyed reading about many truly special wedding days and Nicole McLaughlin definitely entertained me with a lot of charming details that are making her story come to life in a terrific way. Maybe I Do is a fabulous feelgood story.
Charlotte photographs people’s most romantic moments, which isn’t always easy for her. Being left at the altar several years before still hurts and she’s reluctant to let anyone in again. Dean’s ex-wife broke his heart, so they’ve both been burned by love. Working together gives them a chance to slowly develop their bond, but then they need each other’s help and they suddenly have to spend a lot more time together. Can they break down their walls and are they ready to let love in again and give each other a chance?
Maybe I Do is a wonderful story about a very romantic topic, weddings. I loved reading about The Stag, it’s a fantastic setting for a story. Charlotte feels at home at her favorite venue with the man she has a huge crush on, which is a fabulous beginning of an endearing romance. She’s a sweet and talented person and she’s always willing to help others. Dean has that in common with her, which is how the much desired opportunity to finally get to know each other better arises, by being there for someone else they have to open up and let love in again. I kept hoping these two lovely souls would find happiness together and this kept me glued to the pages.
Nicole McLaughlin has a heartwarming writing style. I liked her skillful descriptions of the emotions her main characters are going through. Maybe I Do is a romantic story with plenty of depth and I admired the empathic way she handles difficult subjects. I loved the combination of strong feelings, secrets of the past and multilayered connections and the fun topic of weddings. I enjoyed reading about many truly special wedding days and Nicole McLaughlin definitely entertained me with a lot of charming details that are making her story come to life in a terrific way. Maybe I Do is a fabulous feelgood story.
August 29, 2017
Dean is a sweet man, you can tell he takes his woman's emotions and feelings in consideration, "she felt his lips tilt up in a smile. “We can kiss all night, after you tell me why you’re sad.” I really liked Charlotte the girl kept it real, “well, I don’t turn down free food on principle. And I’m starving. Crying and *** really work up an appetite— and no, I don’t make a habit of doing them together.” I liked this book, I fell head over heels for Dean.
June 29, 2018
A romance to finish off my month. This is the first book in the Whiskey and Weeding series by Nicole McLaughlin. I thoroughly enjoyed it. This one is Charlotte and Dean's story. Both have had some rather painful past relationships. One had a marriage not even make it to the alter and the other had a marriage that ended after his wife cheated on him.
Both had dealt with miscarriages. Dean is older than Charlotte by 12 years and he is afraid his infertility issues will make her run. He does not want to le there down. Charlotte is not looking for marriage, but having children would be a blessing. After her childhood sweetheart left her at the alter, Charlotte does not see a wedding in her future even though she is a wedding photographer. She has photographer the memories of many loving couples and seen them come to fruition.
In the past three years she has been crushing on Dean, the co-owner of the Stag - a distillery that has a lovely reception area that has often been used for weddings.
Charlotte loves working there and Dean usually moves his nights to be able to work there on the nights she is shooting a wedding reception.
Charlotte agrees to help Dean plan his sister's wedding - Alexis is stationed in the Middle East and wants to get married when she and her fiancée Nike come home on leave in August. The planning gives them plenty of time for Charlotte and Dean to see each other and their flirting relationship heats up.... particularly when she has him model for one of her romance book cover clients.
As they move into a new level of their relationship, Dean worries that his infidelity will be a deal breaker, but before that discussion can even happen his sister calls with devastating news. Wanting to be there for his sister and not wanting to burden Charlotte, he makes the decision to pull away, but his sister encourages him to fix things and talk things over with Charlotte.
Being a romance, there is a happy ending, of course, but I will not give those details. You'll have to read those for yourself.
Both had dealt with miscarriages. Dean is older than Charlotte by 12 years and he is afraid his infertility issues will make her run. He does not want to le there down. Charlotte is not looking for marriage, but having children would be a blessing. After her childhood sweetheart left her at the alter, Charlotte does not see a wedding in her future even though she is a wedding photographer. She has photographer the memories of many loving couples and seen them come to fruition.
In the past three years she has been crushing on Dean, the co-owner of the Stag - a distillery that has a lovely reception area that has often been used for weddings.
Charlotte loves working there and Dean usually moves his nights to be able to work there on the nights she is shooting a wedding reception.
Charlotte agrees to help Dean plan his sister's wedding - Alexis is stationed in the Middle East and wants to get married when she and her fiancée Nike come home on leave in August. The planning gives them plenty of time for Charlotte and Dean to see each other and their flirting relationship heats up.... particularly when she has him model for one of her romance book cover clients.
As they move into a new level of their relationship, Dean worries that his infidelity will be a deal breaker, but before that discussion can even happen his sister calls with devastating news. Wanting to be there for his sister and not wanting to burden Charlotte, he makes the decision to pull away, but his sister encourages him to fix things and talk things over with Charlotte.
Being a romance, there is a happy ending, of course, but I will not give those details. You'll have to read those for yourself.
August 29, 2017
Maybe I Do by Nicole McLaughlin
Whiskey and Weddings #1
Great introduction to a new series!
Charlotte is a professional photographer…
Dean Troyer is a distiller of fine whiskey…
Charlotte and Dean like one another, flirt with one another whenever they can but never act on their interest in one another due to past events in both of their lives…
…until…
…things begin to change one day…
Charlotte and Dean have been friends for a few years when Dean’s sister contacts him needing to have her wedding planned and ready to attend when she and her fiancé get home from their current military tour overseas SO Dean asks Charlotte to help and as they work together on the wedding their relationship begin to change. Everything is going fairly well until some truths appear, an accident occurs and communication and soul searching becomes paramount. Thankfully things work out for most in the story. At this point I know there are at least two and perhaps more books to come in this series as Dean has two partners, took on another person to work as his apprentice and there are a number of friends of Charlotte’s that could also have stories of their own…and…you know what…I am looking forward to reading whatever book comes next!
I love the distillery, the story, the concept and the characters. Not being a guy I am not sure if I would relate to Dean’s situation as he does BUT wished at times he had been a bit more forthcoming and done so a bit earlier. Charlotte was very together and a strong female force that I would love to have as a friend. I liked the two together and see them happy in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
Whiskey and Weddings #1
Great introduction to a new series!
Charlotte is a professional photographer…
Dean Troyer is a distiller of fine whiskey…
Charlotte and Dean like one another, flirt with one another whenever they can but never act on their interest in one another due to past events in both of their lives…
…until…
…things begin to change one day…
Charlotte and Dean have been friends for a few years when Dean’s sister contacts him needing to have her wedding planned and ready to attend when she and her fiancé get home from their current military tour overseas SO Dean asks Charlotte to help and as they work together on the wedding their relationship begin to change. Everything is going fairly well until some truths appear, an accident occurs and communication and soul searching becomes paramount. Thankfully things work out for most in the story. At this point I know there are at least two and perhaps more books to come in this series as Dean has two partners, took on another person to work as his apprentice and there are a number of friends of Charlotte’s that could also have stories of their own…and…you know what…I am looking forward to reading whatever book comes next!
I love the distillery, the story, the concept and the characters. Not being a guy I am not sure if I would relate to Dean’s situation as he does BUT wished at times he had been a bit more forthcoming and done so a bit earlier. Charlotte was very together and a strong female force that I would love to have as a friend. I liked the two together and see them happy in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
August 24, 2017
Maybe I Do (Whiskey and Weddings) by Nicole McLaughlin
Whiskey and weddings. Not necessarily a good match, but in the case of Charlotte and Dean it proves a winning combination. As card carrying members of the broken hearts club, successful careers have made them unlucky in love. When work brings them together will the pain of the past tear them apart? Sparks fly, hearts break and hope springs eternal in this temptingly charming total eclipse of the heart.
Whiskey and weddings. Not necessarily a good match, but in the case of Charlotte and Dean it proves a winning combination. As card carrying members of the broken hearts club, successful careers have made them unlucky in love. When work brings them together will the pain of the past tear them apart? Sparks fly, hearts break and hope springs eternal in this temptingly charming total eclipse of the heart.
August 10, 2018
I love the idea of the 3 guys and their whiskey distillery being featured in these books. This was Dean's book, but I'm already interested in the other guys. Charlotte is absolutely awesome and while Dean needed to get past himself for much of the book, when he finally did it was magical. Just loved this book!
August 10, 2017
This was a very enjoyable wedding-themed story, set in a lovely small town and a boutique whiskey distillery, The Stag, with a much-in-demand beautiful wedding venue on the second floor. There seems to be a bit of a theme of whiskey distilleries going on for me at the minute as the last book I read also had one!
The main characters in this book are Charlotte, a wedding photographer, and Dean, one of the owners of The Stag that Charlotte is hired to work at quite a lot with weddings. They have been circling one another for a few years, flirting whenever Charlotte is at The Stag, but she is quite guy-shy and happy to be single and running her own business, and he is also relationship-shy as he is divorced. The only thing that did irritate me a bit was they did go on about the age difference a bit too much and how Dean was 'so old'. For a start-off he was 41, which is hardly 'old'... and Charlotte was 29, so yes there was an age difference, but they were both young, fit professionals with their own businesses and hardly ancient which is how it sounded at times.
Dean's sister, who has just got engaged, decides that she wants her wedding brought forward to only a few months ahead and asks Dean to sort it out for her as she is in the military and deployed overseas at present. So Dean of course asks Charlotte to help and they are thrown together a lot more than usual.
There is a lot of weddings in this book as Charlotte is really busy and unfortunately one of the weddings she promises to photograph is for her ex's brother, so her ex will be at the wedding, and they didn't end on very good terms for a variety of reasons, but the main one because he left her at the altar. But Charlotte decides to be the professional and accept the job which definitely stirs things up for everyone.
This was a very easy-reading, enjoyable book, even though there was a bit of sadness towards the end, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series and seeing how, hopefully, TJ and Jake (the other owners of 'The Stag') have their happy endings.
The main characters in this book are Charlotte, a wedding photographer, and Dean, one of the owners of The Stag that Charlotte is hired to work at quite a lot with weddings. They have been circling one another for a few years, flirting whenever Charlotte is at The Stag, but she is quite guy-shy and happy to be single and running her own business, and he is also relationship-shy as he is divorced. The only thing that did irritate me a bit was they did go on about the age difference a bit too much and how Dean was 'so old'. For a start-off he was 41, which is hardly 'old'... and Charlotte was 29, so yes there was an age difference, but they were both young, fit professionals with their own businesses and hardly ancient which is how it sounded at times.
Dean's sister, who has just got engaged, decides that she wants her wedding brought forward to only a few months ahead and asks Dean to sort it out for her as she is in the military and deployed overseas at present. So Dean of course asks Charlotte to help and they are thrown together a lot more than usual.
There is a lot of weddings in this book as Charlotte is really busy and unfortunately one of the weddings she promises to photograph is for her ex's brother, so her ex will be at the wedding, and they didn't end on very good terms for a variety of reasons, but the main one because he left her at the altar. But Charlotte decides to be the professional and accept the job which definitely stirs things up for everyone.
This was a very easy-reading, enjoyable book, even though there was a bit of sadness towards the end, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series and seeing how, hopefully, TJ and Jake (the other owners of 'The Stag') have their happy endings.
August 29, 2017
I loved this book! I loved Charlotte and Dean! Their story is so emotional, and so powerful. They both have plenty of baggage from failed relationships and other issues and watching them fall in love but fight it makes this a very engaging read. I loved Dean and the rest of the owners of the Stag and I can’t wait for more of their stories but not only theirs but also Charlotte’s assistant and other secondary characters, I want to see them all get their HEA’s. Charlotte and Dean both had so much pain in their pasts, so much to overcome to build their relationship but starting as friends and working together on a project gave them a framework to start falling in love. This book was heartwarming and heart wrenching in turn and kept me up way past my bedtime to finish. I recommend this to anyone looking for an engaging and emotional read. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2017
“Maybe I do...but then again maybe I don’t” that is the question and what seems to be the mantra running through the minds of Charlotte and Dean, the main couple, in this one, my fellow romance book loving friends. Both become conflicted as they struggle with attraction they have kept contained the last couple of years with harmless back and forth, flirty banter/winks every time they meet. Dean is eleven years older, thinks he’s wise enough to know he isn’t what Charlotte needs, and is all but married to his business. Besides considering what happened with his former wife, he assumes he’s just not meant to be the family man he’s always wanted to be.
Charlotte plans to never put another engagement ring on her finger again, folks. Sure, she’ll sign up for the companionship and even children some day but she doesn’t believe wedding vows deliver on their promise of a HEA. Yeah, that’s a rather inconvenient confession since she’s in the wedding photography business. She can’t help but push those thoughts aside though whenever she lays eyes or hands on Dean, owner of a popular wedding venue she uses. She’s had a crush on him for years and is more than ready to make her move to see if he feels the same.
With lots of relationship angst, we journey with these destined to be together knuckleheads but not without some frustrating “What were you thinking?” moments that clearly show age doesn’t always bring wisdom, folks.
I loved Charlotte’s strong character and resilience. She somehow always reached deep and was the better person when dealing with those who had wronged her. A trait that also seemed to be carried by Dean, as well.
There is some OW/OM drama in the form of ex’s that I could have lived without, but that’s just my personal preference. Neither main character are in any way shape or form tempted to go back with their former lovers at any time in this storyline. For that, I am very thankful, though one of them gets hurt when a crisis hits and they are excluded, left to feel like an outsider, while the ex is not.
Here’s to hoping this review has been helpful in deciding if maybe you do want to give this series a try. I found the writing flowed, and I stayed completely engaged. By the way, you might want to check out this author’s “Hearts and Crafts” series, as well. Book 1 - Win Me Over and Book 2 - Draw Me Close were both very enjoyable for this NetGalley reviewer.
Romance Safety Gang:
Title: Maybe I Do, Series: Whiskey and Weddings (Book 1), Author: Nicole McLaughlin, Pages: 300, stand-alone but part of a series, resilient/sweet/gorgeous heroine, older good guy hero who takes awhile to come to his senses, some very steamy scenes.
Book 1 - Maybe I Do, 8/29/17, Pages: 300 (Charlotte & Dean)
Book 2 - Maybe This Time, 2/27/18, Pages: 300
(I received a free advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. No type of compensation was given to this reviewer. There is no relationship/affiliation between the reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
Charlotte plans to never put another engagement ring on her finger again, folks. Sure, she’ll sign up for the companionship and even children some day but she doesn’t believe wedding vows deliver on their promise of a HEA. Yeah, that’s a rather inconvenient confession since she’s in the wedding photography business. She can’t help but push those thoughts aside though whenever she lays eyes or hands on Dean, owner of a popular wedding venue she uses. She’s had a crush on him for years and is more than ready to make her move to see if he feels the same.
With lots of relationship angst, we journey with these destined to be together knuckleheads but not without some frustrating “What were you thinking?” moments that clearly show age doesn’t always bring wisdom, folks.
I loved Charlotte’s strong character and resilience. She somehow always reached deep and was the better person when dealing with those who had wronged her. A trait that also seemed to be carried by Dean, as well.
There is some OW/OM drama in the form of ex’s that I could have lived without, but that’s just my personal preference. Neither main character are in any way shape or form tempted to go back with their former lovers at any time in this storyline. For that, I am very thankful, though one of them gets hurt when a crisis hits and they are excluded, left to feel like an outsider, while the ex is not.
Here’s to hoping this review has been helpful in deciding if maybe you do want to give this series a try. I found the writing flowed, and I stayed completely engaged. By the way, you might want to check out this author’s “Hearts and Crafts” series, as well. Book 1 - Win Me Over and Book 2 - Draw Me Close were both very enjoyable for this NetGalley reviewer.
Romance Safety Gang:
Title: Maybe I Do, Series: Whiskey and Weddings (Book 1), Author: Nicole McLaughlin, Pages: 300, stand-alone but part of a series, resilient/sweet/gorgeous heroine, older good guy hero who takes awhile to come to his senses, some very steamy scenes.
Book 1 - Maybe I Do, 8/29/17, Pages: 300 (Charlotte & Dean)
Book 2 - Maybe This Time, 2/27/18, Pages: 300
(I received a free advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. No type of compensation was given to this reviewer. There is no relationship/affiliation between the reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
November 23, 2017
I’m not going to lie, I took one look at the cover for Maybe I Do and decided I needed it in my life. I love books that are set around weddings and wedding planning, and this is one of those books that used that setting so well. Charlotte was a wedding photographer in the book, so we see her at weddings a lot in the book. Actually, 90% of her time is spent at weddings throughout the book which I enjoyed very much. We get to see the lows and highs of weddings, and it was wonderful. I liked Charlotte as a character. I mean, I wouldn’t say she was a favorite character or anything, but she was chill, and likable overall. I liked how passionate she was about photography, and I liked that even though she had been jilted on her wedding day, she didn’t view weddings negatively. She also shoots book cover photos and I thought that was amazing! I don’t think I enjoyed the hero as much as I liked Charlotte, if I’m being honest. Dean was decent in the beginning, and I thought he had really great qualities that I like to see in a romance hero. I especially loved how devoted he was to his younger sister, Alex. I mean he’s a guy who was willing to plan his sister’s wedding for her, even though weddings really were not his jam. He also had that quiet intensity to him that I liked. What I didn’t like, however, were some of the subtler hints of jealousy and possessiveness he showed occasionally throughout the book. I did enjoy the romance between Charlotte and Dean though. The two of them had been flirting with each other for 3 years every time Charlotte came to shoot a wedding at Dean’s distillery, The Stag. It was cute watching them banter, and the will-they-won’t-they chemistry was hot. Then came the book cover shoot that turns very sexy, and I was pretty much a goner. The romance in Maybe I Do was also an age-gap romance, but I found that part to be a bit frustrating because Dean brought up the big gap consistently throughout the book, and it was such a non-issue. I felt like he was making a mountain out of a molehill. Regardless, it didn’t take away too much from my enjoyment of the story. I’m really excited to read TJ and Jake’s books next. They are the co-owners of Stag with Dean, and I just loved every minute that they were on page. Too bad I have to wait until next year!
May 10, 2018
Working as a photographer, especially at weddings, is what Charlotte does best. She is a competent and famous professional.
Almost every week she's at The Stag, a distillery whose 3 owners, Dean, TJ and Jake, increase profits by renting the party place while they wait for their whiskeys to mature.
Dean Troyer, 41, the oldest of the three, is attracted to Charlotte, 28. But, first of all, he thinks he's too old for her. Then he did not have such a good experience in his first marriage when he was betrayed by his wife.
Charlotte should also complain about her love life. Five years ago, she was abandoned by fiance, John, practically on the altar. Even though she has a certain trauma, her attraction to Dean would even make her to try a new relationship. But she feels that Dean, despite always flirting with her, keeps himself apart.
When Alexis, Dean's younger sister, enlisted at Army, asks him to prepare her wedding, Dean has no choice but to call for help from someone who knows about the scheme, and that's when he and Charlotte work together.
These days of research to make the best wedding day Alexis deserves, make Dean and Charlotte even more drawn to each other.
But as shit happens, John returns to town and Amy, Dean's ex-wife, comes to the conclusion that Dean was the perfect husband for her.
With these two intruders on the set, would Dean leave his fears behind and take his feelings for Charlotte?
I loved the story and the narrative of the author involves the reader. I started to read and could not stop.
I am curious to know The Stag's next partner's story and what will be of the future of Dean and Charlotte (I hope for great news!!)
5 stars
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review
Almost every week she's at The Stag, a distillery whose 3 owners, Dean, TJ and Jake, increase profits by renting the party place while they wait for their whiskeys to mature.
Dean Troyer, 41, the oldest of the three, is attracted to Charlotte, 28. But, first of all, he thinks he's too old for her. Then he did not have such a good experience in his first marriage when he was betrayed by his wife.
Charlotte should also complain about her love life. Five years ago, she was abandoned by fiance, John, practically on the altar. Even though she has a certain trauma, her attraction to Dean would even make her to try a new relationship. But she feels that Dean, despite always flirting with her, keeps himself apart.
When Alexis, Dean's younger sister, enlisted at Army, asks him to prepare her wedding, Dean has no choice but to call for help from someone who knows about the scheme, and that's when he and Charlotte work together.
These days of research to make the best wedding day Alexis deserves, make Dean and Charlotte even more drawn to each other.
But as shit happens, John returns to town and Amy, Dean's ex-wife, comes to the conclusion that Dean was the perfect husband for her.
With these two intruders on the set, would Dean leave his fears behind and take his feelings for Charlotte?
I loved the story and the narrative of the author involves the reader. I started to read and could not stop.
I am curious to know The Stag's next partner's story and what will be of the future of Dean and Charlotte (I hope for great news!!)
5 stars
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review
May 27, 2019
RATING: 3.5 STARS
2017; St. Martin's Paperbacks
(Review Not on Blog)
Charlotte was left at the altar and still isn't over it, and Dean's till bitter with his ex-wife over the demise of their marriage. Yet, the two work weddings most weekend. Charlotte, a photographer joins Dean's business, a venue that holds weddings and receptions. What is first a distraction from their heartache grows into love. Can the two get over the past and make a future together?
This is a cute sweet romance novel with a bit of an emotional edge. The characters are realistic as is the heartbreak and most of the romance. This is a perfect rainy day read. When you want to stay in and feel all the feels of a contemporary romance. I am down for the rest of the series!
***I received an eARC from the PUBLISHER via NETGALLEY***
2017; St. Martin's Paperbacks
(Review Not on Blog)
Charlotte was left at the altar and still isn't over it, and Dean's till bitter with his ex-wife over the demise of their marriage. Yet, the two work weddings most weekend. Charlotte, a photographer joins Dean's business, a venue that holds weddings and receptions. What is first a distraction from their heartache grows into love. Can the two get over the past and make a future together?
This is a cute sweet romance novel with a bit of an emotional edge. The characters are realistic as is the heartbreak and most of the romance. This is a perfect rainy day read. When you want to stay in and feel all the feels of a contemporary romance. I am down for the rest of the series!
***I received an eARC from the PUBLISHER via NETGALLEY***
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