Want It

Wolfshead Whiskey #2

by Elisabeth Barrett

Brody Phelan has his hands full keeping the peace between his six brothers and cousins and managing the finances for Wolfshead, his family’s brewery and distillery. He’s gladly sacrificed his own happiness in order to help his family, but from the moment he sees feisty, curvy Juliette Costa he wants to claim her for his own. Too bad their clans are at war and Juliette sees him as the enemy.

Juliette wants one thing–to open up her own wine bar. Problem is she can’t get the project started while she’s constantly helping with her family’s business, dodging her relatives’ misguided efforts to fix her up, and cleaning up her brothers’ messes…which frequently involves some wheeling and dealing with the sexy, bearded CFO next door.

When their tentative alliance morphs into something deeper, things get complicated. Together, Brody and Juliette will have to decide whether they only want a business-with-benefits relationship…or whether they trust each other enough for something more.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2017

About the author

Elisabeth Barrett lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and spends her days teaching, editing, writing sexy contemporary romance, and enjoying time with her sometimes-bearded husband and three spirited children. She is constantly perfecting her home-work-writing juggling act, but in her free time she loves to hike open space preserves, grow orchids, bake sweet things her husband won’t eat, and sing in grand choruses.

To find out more about Elisabeth and her books, please sign up for her newsletter or vist her at her website, on Twitter, or on Facebook.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 - Tart, sweet and everything in between... Stars!

We return to the Phelan family and the Wolfshead Brewery for the second book in the series, Want It gives us Brody’s story, and I think this is the best book Elisabeth Barrett has written (so far).



I am by no means a new reader to Barrett’s work, her Star Harbor series and the Grayson Brothers from it to this day are still one of my all-time favourites, but I am going to go out on a limb and say that I think the Phelan family may just step in and take that crown if the quality of the stories being given are as strong as this one.

"Two warring clans, one Irish, one Italian…"

This book sucked me in, I pretty much read it in one sitting, it reminded me a little of the film; My Big Fat Greek Wedding with regards to the eccentricities of Juliette’s family, her parents being old School Italians, believe that being in her late twenties, she should be look for a good Italian man, getting ready to wed and squeeze out a few bambino’s. Meanwhile, her idiot brothers are given free rein to do, and behave as they like, and Juliette is usually the one left clearing up after them, especially when it comes to their long time feud with the Phelan’s. Sadly, (for them) Juliette has other ideas, she wants to live her life independently, run her own business, and get out from the suffocating control of her family.

"This is just business. We do not get personal."

Brody Phelan, has had his eye on Juliette over the years, but the situation between their families being what it is, acting on the attraction has never been worth the potential hassle it may cause, that is until he literally gets her over a barrel one rainy night. After that, all bets are off and the brooding, bearded sweetheart makes it his mission to be everything she wants, wherever she wants and needs him to be. And boy do the sparks between these two sizzle.

"You make me feel young again… And that’s something I haven’t felt in a very long time."

Even the familial drama in this one didn’t put me off, or dull my enjoyment, and that is usually a major peeve of mine normally, but I just loved this pair, the author gave then the right story, the sex was some of the best she has written, and everything else was just perfectly placed, as I said, I think this is the best book Elisabeth has written to date, and because of that I am so excited to see where the rest of this series is going to take us.

"You’re it for me… I think I’ve known that forever."

Connor Phelan is up next with Need It due in 2018, hopefully its early rather than later 2018 because I am becoming a little addicted to this series.

ARC generously provided by the author, and it was an absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review in exchange.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pretty much remember gushing over the first book in Elisabeth Barrett’s Wolfshead Whiskey series, telling all my friends about it, singing its praises, so I was thrilled when Ms. Barrett contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in reviewing book two, Want It. Want It is everything I look for in a romance; interesting well developed characters, some conflict to make it interesting but not so much as the romance gets lost, great secondary characters, mutual respect and admiration between the main characters, but also tons of heat, and most of all that satisfied feeling when you finish a book and know it is one you want to read again. This book was engaging and sexy with a bit of a Romeo and Juliet vibe without all the angst and death in the end.

For years Juliette Costa and Brody Phelan have worked together to try and keep their families from maiming each other or winding up in jail for being stupid. There has always been a bit of teasing banter between them, a mutual admiration for how they each deal with their family squabbles, but lately there has been something more, a heat neither one wants to admit and they are finding it hard to deny.

First off let’s talk about Juliette Costa who is a strong, smart woman with goals no one but her favorite female cousin knows. Working for her family’s business and constantly battling her father’s disregard for her intelligence and business acumen and her brother’s lack of direction and constant battles with the Phelan’s whose property borders their property, Juliette is tired of being looked over in the business sense and tired of cleaning up her brother’s messes. She is equally tired of being treated like an over the hill woman by her family whose constant meddling into her personal life has her working harder every day to move on with her business plans and out from under their watchful eyes. I honestly loved everything about Juliette and while she was a bit flawed, it made her seem more human.

It is hard to put into words how much I liked Brody Phelan; his ability to settled down his brothers and cousins with his cool demeanor, the fact that he took so much of the success of the business on his shoulders which it should have been spread equally among everyone, the way he cares for his mother and wants to see her happy, and the fact that he sees all sides of Juliette and admires the whole package from the start. Juliette likes to say he is kind which he dismisses regularly, but she is spot on, he is many things but kind if absolutely one of his best features.

The fact that their relationship was a bit forbidden only made the time they spent together that more exciting. While Brody absolutely refused to hide them being together from his family, he understood Juliette’s need to do so. I liked that they had a bit of a “working relationship” for years and that over that time they began to see each other as more than the enemy they were expected to by their families. While there was no doubt Body initially pursued Juliette for some sexy fun, I was impressed that once he realized he had real feelings for her, he didn’t shy away from them and in fact was very up front and honest with her about them. Juliette was a bit of a tough nut to crack, she had years of shutting people out of her life and while she made some mistakes, she owned up to them which I appreciated greatly.

There are a lot of secondary characters in these books, and while they do pop up now and again they don’t overshadow the main characters. I like that with each book we are seeing a bit more into the personalities of the Wolfshead men making me very excited about the future of this series.

I love when a story is so well crafted that I am riveted from the first word to the last and that is exactly what author Elisabeth Barrett has done in Want It. I feel like I am part of this story, that these people could be my friends; I want to celebrate their successes and let them cry on my shoulder when something doesn’t go right, but most of all I want to be the one to toast the love they’ve found with one another.

[Penny Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for WANT IT by Elisabeth Barrett


As most of you know, I have a wee little problem with Harlequin Presents...as in, I read them every day. They are my go-to happy place. To be honest, I have not been reading a lot of non-HP romance lately.

Until now.

I discovered a new-to-me author and she is FABULOUS! Woo hoo!

Order of events...

1. Was wasting time on Facebook and I saw this cover. I thought...Hmm, very nice!

2. Read the book blurb...saw the words "six brothers" and "distillery" and "bearded" and I thought...Hmm, very nice!

3. I went to Amazon and read a sample. This is imperative for new-to-me authors. I've been burned too many times.

So, I read the first 8 sentences, and I knew. I knew this chick could write. Sometimes that's all it takes. Then I read a few more paragraphs and I bought the book. It had a great hook, was funny, and best of all...GOOD WRITING!

4. I started reading and I couldn't stop. Not only did I read the entire book in one sitting, I also bought book #1 in this series (OWN IT) and read it later that day.

5. Good stuff about this book: Setting that pops off the page in all the best ways. Portland comes to life. Barrett does a superb job with setting, which adds excellent texture to the story. The food, the local hotspots, everything. Now I want to go to Portland!

6. More good stuff: The distillery and its cool details. You can tell Barrett has done her research--particularly in the first book of the series. I love learning new things. I learned about whiskey and beer and wine and cars and...let's face it, a family brewery and distillery is a super sexy setting for a family of six brothers + cousins who are bearded, burly, and hot. Hmm, very nice!

7. I have a real soft spot for "family" romance, and this one is sooooooooooo good! Not only did I love the hero and heroine in this, but the secondary characters were fantastic. Brody's family is full of quirky, sexy men (with beards!) and Juliette's hilarious Italian family made me laugh out loud. The conflicts and dialogue were to-die-for. Barrett excels at dialogue, including the sexy banter between the financial wiz Brody and his gorgeous Italian neighbor Juliette. I really loved this couple!

8. This book is VERY sexy. Maybe a tad too much for me (Vanilla Penny *cough cough*), but it totally worked in this story. If you like sweltering hot sexy scenes, you'll be satisfied. (Pun!)

9. I liked the 2nd book a bit better than the first book only because I am pretty much a low-angst girl. The first book has more angst. WANT IT was just right for me...perfect amount of conflict, etc.

10. In conclusion...if you like well-written, well-crafted novels with plenty of sexy banter, quirky secondary characters, a setting that pops off the page, a satisfying and sexy romance, and bottom line high quality romantic fiction, this book is a winner!

Bonus: Beards.

Grade: A

Have a nice day,
Penny

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2nd book in the Wolfshead Whiskey Series...

Loved the beginning to the end. A modern day Romeo and Juliet. Passion, romance, and real heart.

Juliette Costa works for her family, but secretly wants something for herself. It seems all she's doing is fixing her brothers things..one night to right the wrong she's caught by the arch rival. But to her surprise Brody Phelan is pretty cool about things.

Brody Phelan might have been a player, but he's not anymore. Its just something about Juliette Costa that sets things apart. Its more then he's ever felt before..ever since his dad and uncle died its been hard. He's got the head for business. But now he wants more.

While Juliette and Brody spend time together it might be just business as talked about, but soon maybe more. See where it goes.

So good. I suggest you read OWN IT which is the first book.

[Bette Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adored this book! Once I started reading it I simply couldn't put it down. In this second book in the Wolfshead Whiskey series we get Brody Phelan's story. It's a remarkable story with a Romeo and Juliette feel to it. The Phelan's and the Costa's have been feuding as long as Brody and Juliette can remember. Too bad Juliette Costa is the one woman Brody can't get out of his head. Convincing her to go out with him won't be easy but he's determined to find a way. Will she agree to go around her family or will she cave to the family pressure? These two have a lot to get around but it might turn out to be the best thing they could ever do.

I really think you'll enjoy not only this book but this series as well. It's one I highly recommend.

[Amy Leibenguth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juliette and Brody were two souls that were so afraid of trust. They had a flirting friendship from afar. The only two in their respective feuding families that were focused on keeping peace between them. But Juliette caught Brody's eye. He may have thought that he could not love someone after his parents broken relationship, but Juliette breaks through. Juliette is just trying to prove she can stand on her own two feet without her family sticking their noses in. It takes a very strong stance and threat of moving to shake things up along With her family finding out she was sleeping with the enemy. Overall great story. I loved their story of finding their HEA!

[Rhonda Ziglar · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS FOR WANT IT!! This was another great story in the Wolfshead Whiskey series. The story has all the feels and to keep you turning pages. I loved Brody and Juliette these two have obstacles to work through, but made it believable and great to see it unfold. Elisabeth Barrett always turns out fabulous book that I can't put down. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back to my favorite family series! Brody decided at a young age that marriage or any long-term relationship was not for him. He has spent a good portion of his adult life keeping the peace between his brothers and cousins all while working is financial genius on the family brewery and distillery business. When keeping the peace has him aligning himself with a beautiful brunette he can’t seem to get out of his head things get complicated quickly. Juliette has two goals in life first prove to her family she has what it takes to open her own business and second to keep her brothers out of jail when they decide to pull ridiculous pranks on the business next to theirs. Juliette thinks she can keep the alliance with Brody all business but quickly realizes her body and her heart are not on the same page.

I love this series and I really loved these characters! Brody is a beautifully broken man who over the course of his relationship with Juliette realizes that he is not permanently broken. Juliette is scared; she has felt micromanaged most of her life. She is so focused on showing everyone she loves that she can stand on her own two feet that she almost misses her opportunity to achieve the best goal of all.

Elisabeth has a way of writing deep real characters who’s feeling you take on as your own and forces you to become invested in the story. I really love that this book is romance but it is so much more, it’s heart, friendship, family and all the other things that really make our lives beautiful. This book is excellently written and a real page turner. Fair warning you will probably end up staying up until the wee hours reading. To say I’m anxiously awaiting the next installment of this series would be an understatement.

[Judyrudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want It by Elisabeth Barrett is the second book in her Wolfshead Whiskey series. I’ve gotta say this is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time! I couldn’t put it down, and I was totally invested in Juliette and Brody.

Both Brody and Juliette are strong characters. Brody is the force behind Wolfshead who deals non-stop with issues at the distillery while Juliette’s living a career that is unfulfilling to her. She has a dream that she’s kept hidden from her family.

Their families have been feuding for years but underneath the feud, Juliette and Brody have found a way to get along. Whenever an issue develops between the two families, somehow they find a way to resolve it without it escalating.

After a multitude of issues causes Juliette to decide on a change, she teams up with Brody to research whether she can make a go of her business. Of course, along the way, the fighting between the families finally comes to a head. Will Juliette move away from her family to make a go of her business? Can Brody learn to live without Juliette nearby?

Want It is a novel packed with so much! This is definitely a modern day twist on Romeo and Juliet with a much better conclusion. I absolutely loved this book. It is a standalone novel, but I also suggest going back and reading the first book in the series, Own It. You won’t be disappointed.

I’d like to disclose that I received an advanced copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed this and this is my honest opinion.

[Perrin Larton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first foray into the books written by Elisabeth Barrett and it won't be my last. Well written, well plotted, and a great story. You get all that and a HEA in Want It.

Juliette Costa works for her father's import business. She loves her family, but cleaning up problems caused by her brothers is getting old. She has dreams for herself as a business woman, although her family has dreams for her as a wife and mother., with a nice Italian boy.

Brody Phelan works for Wolfshead Brewery as the CFO. His family's brewery/distillery has had some bad luck recently and Brody is working extra hard to make sure the business continues to flourish, even with their run of bad luck.

The Costa's HATE the Phelan's...it goes back generations. Unfortunately their businesses are side by side, so property disputes, mixed up deliveries, and thievery continue as hard feelings run deep. In the beginning...Juliette kind of likes Brody., and Brody kind of likes Juliette. Neither one of them think their feelings will EVER be able to overcome the bad blood between the two families...but keep reading...it's worth it!

Family differences, old hurts, new opportunities, communication, and an attraction between Juliette and Brody that is off the charts H.O.T., contribute to this passionate story.

I really liked this book and will purchase the first book in the series while I wait for the third! Want It, is absolutely a stand-alone, so don't feel like you have to read the first to jump right in.

[lauras.always.reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irish men, whiskey, and a date in a bookstore. Want It has so many amazing things about it that make this book by Elisabeth Barrett a must read.

Want It is the second in Barrett's Wolfshed Whiskey series. In this book, we get to know one of the members of the family next door to the Wolfshed Distillery....Juliette Costa. Juliette is a hard worker with a deep sense of family loyalty who plays a huge role in maintaining the success of her family's business. While her brothers and parents want to do nothing but protect Juliette and marry her off to be a wife and mother, Juliette has other ideas about what her life should be and what she is capable of.
Brody Phelan can respect that.

Brody finds he can relate to Juliette. He, too, is the unofficial peacekeeper in his family and is a huge factor in why Wolfshed has been so successful. He works hard but is beginning to want something more than just business in his life and, despite the long time feud between the Costas and the Phelans (who own and run the distillery), Brody can't help but be attracted to Juliette. The two have a chemistry that can't be ignored but they need to work through some of their family history as well as their own personal pasts that have led them to be closed off.

Want It is a great second book in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to read more from the author.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Wolfshead Whiskey series brings us Brody Phelen. The guy who fixes things and keeps the peace. Juliette Costa is the Italian girl who works next door and her family and Brody's are enemies. Problem is Brody is attracted to Juliette and even though she won't really admit it to Brody she is attracted to him too. I loved loved loved Brody! I liked Juliette as well but there was something about Brody. These two were amazing together. Both have some hurts in their hearts but they help each other through it. It's all going well til her family finds out. That's when everything crashes down for Juliette and Brody. Love the Phelan family. So far Brody is my favorite but each other them are so different and interesting. Elisabeth Barrett draws you in with the connections and secrets and loyalty the Phelan's have with each other. I believe you can read this as a stand alone but it if course is much better if you read book one first. Excited to see which one of the Phelan's are next. Don't miss out!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juliette & Brody belong on opposite sides of a family war. Their families will never accept them trying to have a friendship, never mind a relationship. By day, they try to keep their brothers from killing each other. By night, they are trying to keep their relationship a secret. Something's no has to give.

I really enjoyed this story. The characters are three dimensional, realistic, & fully developed. The way Juliette & Brody interact with their brothers sets the tone for a large portion of the story. I like the way Brody manipulates Juliette to do what she really wants anyway. Juliette is a strong, witty, intelligent woman who is tired of keeping the peace. She wants her own life. Brody had it all but lost it & now tells himself he's content at home. I can't wait to see what Book 3 brings!

[Larri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars for Want It! I fell in love with the Phelan family and Elisabeth Barrett’s writing when I read Own It. I couldn’t wait for the next book, and it was just as good as I’d hoped. Brody and Juliette are a great couple, with a lot in common. The growth of their relationship felt very real and normal, not a romanticized version of dating. The characters are well-developed, the story is well-paced, the backgrounds of Brody and Juliette were both interesting and worked well to explain who they are and how they arrived at this point in their lives. My only quibble is the Costa family. They were so over the top annoying, her brothers so immature and irresponsible, they were a little unbelievable, for me. I loved getting to know the Phelans a little better, especially Gabe. I can’t wait to see who’s next!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juliette is a strong willed women who loves her family deeply. However she wants to become her own person and get out of the grips of her family. Brody has returned home to help his family business. He loves his family also but needs to overcome his feelings against his father. Juliette and Brody have had feelings for each other for some time but takes them awhile to come together due to their family history and fighting. I really enjoyed this second book in the series. This can be read as a stand alone but I would highly recommend reading all the books. Elisabeth Barrett writes very good books!

[BBMoreB ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you a fan of the fren·e·my to lover genre? If yes, then I recommend adding this to your TBR.

Neighboring business families, the Phelans and the Costas, have been feuding for generations. I usually enjoy conflict in my stories but, I wanted the Costas brothers to grow up - their behavior was immature. However, I didn't let their childish behavior distract me from how great the overall story was written.

I will say that I quickly fell in love with Brody, his devotion was so sexy. When you combine Brody's sexy with Juliette's sass you get a must read story.

I can't wait to read Connor's story - tattoos and attitude - my favorite combo.

[Annie Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic!! Brody and Juliette are an odd pair, but yet they find their way to each other. They have trials and tribulations...mostly her family being old school Italian and expecting her to conform to their wishes. Brody continues to try to break her away and out of her shell and is trying to help her pursue her own dreams...all while trying to help run his own family business and keep them all in line.
A great family series....I can not wait for the next book!!! Thanks Elisabeth!!!

[Patricia Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this story the first thing that came to my mind was that this is a modern day Romeo & Juliet story. I loved Brody's family in Own It. Brody & Juliette are the peace keepers of their families. I loved how Brody caught Juliette bringing back the whiskey barrel her brothers stole.It was great watching them form a relationship in spite of their families. It is a well written story that I truly enjoyed very much.
I received a ARC of this book.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I’m loving this family and series. Brody and Juliette’s story is hot!!! I couldn’t get enough. You feel so much emotion for them as they deal with feuding family members while trying to keep the peace. Through it all can they learn to trust, open their hearts, go after a dream, and find their happiness. I can’t wait for the next book!!! Just keep them coming!
ARC provided by author - this is a voluntary review

[Kaylee Nizza · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!! I'm in love with this series. Brody and Juliette are the force behind their family businesses. Their chemistry is off the charts hot and make the perfect couple. Both Brody and Juliette are stong willed characters. Once you start this book you won't be able to put it down until you finish reading it. Elisabeth Barrett captivates her readers and leaves them wanting more.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, i was hooked from page one. Want It, has something for everyone, romance, laughter, tears :) I cannot wait to see whats in store for the rest of the brothers.. Elisabeth Barrett is definitely an auto purchase..

[Janeiowa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Another winner from the fantastic Elisabeth Barrett, this is the second in Wolfshead series, also listed sometimes as the second IT novel. I'm anxious for the rest of the Phelan brothers to get their stories.

[Annielyn Beryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want it

The book was really nice. I like that Juliette was a strong woman. And that Brody was very supportive.
The story wqs engaging.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want It is the second book in the Wolfshead Whiskey series. This book is about Brody Phelan, CFO of the family business and the peacemaker. Juliette Costa is the sister of the Costa brothers which is in a family feud with the Phelan brothers. Brody and Juliette form an secret alliance to keep peace between the families. As they get to know each other a friendship grows but there is a undeniable chemistry between them which they are fighting. Will they be able to continue as friends? What will the families do if they are more than friends? .
Elisabeth is such a great writer and this is a great new series.. Fantastic story and look forward to read the next book
I received an ARC copy.