Whiskey & Sin by Emily Rath - My Review
An omegaverse MM slow burn HEA that's sweeter than banana foster pancakes.
“You are a hurricane of passion and hope and strength. I wanna stand at your center and feel your chaos.”
If there is one thing I can say about Emily Rath, she consistently hits it out of the park. I’ve read other romance authors who books can be hits or misses, even within the same series, or some struggle to balance spice, plot and character development. I’ve read a good amount of her works at this point to confidently say she’s figured out the romantic calculous to find the perfect formula for writing her books and adapting them for any trope. I first got introduced to her books after Pucking Around went viral (I was late on the hockey romance trend). The spice level in that book may not be for everyone but I enjoy a good hot spicy novel so it quickly became a favorite along with the rest of the series.
Another one of her books kept popping up on my recommendation list and the cover looked cute and intriguing. I’ve never read an Omegaverse novel before, but when I read the reviews for this book, many noted that this book is a good introduction to it, so I bought the audiobook and downloaded the ebook and gave it a try.
This book felt like putting on a cozy flannel while in a cabin by the lake (which just so happens to be where one of the MMC lives) and reading a book by the fire. This would be a great autumn read if you’re a seasonal reader. It follows Henry “Bear” Beresford and Silas Wright as the main MMCs. Bear is the classic “alpha”, furniture making, man bun, flannel wearing mountain man who left his pack and lives in solitude. Silas is the “omega” but only just beginning to understand what that means after years of being suppressed by a chemical blocker and owned and sold by gangs. Silas is able to get away from his handler one night and comes across Bear who takes him in and gives him a place to rest and recover.
The rest of the story is a slow burn romance where Bear helps Silas learns to trust and Silas helps Bear open himself back up to being in love with someone again. The spice may be slow but when it hits its *chefs kiss*. The build up of the spice as their relationship evolves is perfection and the audiobook doesn’t hold back on the narration. Rath really shines by knowing how to manage the spice level along with the character development and story.
There is an epilogue you can also download that takes place a few years later that is a short fun addition to the story. This was a fun standalone romance that was an easy read and can even make you stop and self reflect at some moments. Both characters have really vulnerable moments and their own insecurities that they work through in the story. They both feel relatable, but by the end also show you that you still can, and deserve, love.
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Spice: 4.25 🌶️
If you read this, I would love to know what you thought of it or if you have any other recommendations like it!
I don't think I've read any of her books, but I've heard of Pucking Around. This one sounds like one I'd enjoy. Great review!