Official Review: Whiskey & Wine by H. Dillon Smith
Posted: 19 Aug 2016, 10:58
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Whiskey & Wine" by H. Dillon Smith.]
4 out of 4 stars
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Ellie Ray Vaughn is starting college in Nashville with her best friend Annie. Ellie has had it rough so far, with an alcoholic musician mother that gave her up, no Dad in the picture, and she’s recovering from a relationship with an abusive ex-boyfriend, Cole. Ellie was taken in by her aunt and uncle who were kind, but she has always felt like a guest in their house. One night at a bar, her cousin Chandler begs Ellie to fill in for the singer in his band, right before they are to go on stage. Luckily she agrees to sing and she meets the guitar player, Dean Thomas.
Dean’s life hasn’t been a fairy tale either. After his real father died, his mother married a controlling and angry ex-Marine named Rick. Rick abused Dean verbally, emotionally, and physically throughout his childhood, but the worst trauma was losing his mother to a long-term illness five years ago. Dean is a gorgeous ladies man who sleeps around with any girl he wants, but as his mother lay dying, she told Dean about the girl he would meet and fall in love with. His mother said she would have also overcome trouble in her life, would use words and music to express her emotions, and would be stubborn. Dean never thought she existed, until he met Ellie.
There’s immediate chemistry between Ellie and Dean and she finds it hard to avoid him considering he’s sharing a dorm room with Chandler just down the hall from her and Annie. She tries to resist his charms and knows she shouldn’t fall for such a player, so she tells him she’s determined just to be friends. Dean decides to let Ellie set the pace between them, but he doesn’t give up. Whether going to class together or writing music together, Ellie and Dean start spending most of their time with each other. Although their friendship is deepening, Ellie is haunted by her upbringing and being harassed by Cole.Dean tries to show Ellie that no girls mean a thing to him anymore since meeting her, but she continues putting up walls. As the novel continues, they have to decide whether to let go of their pasts and move forward or miss out on great love.
This is the first novel by H. Dillon Smith and I was honestly blown away. Ellie and Dean are such complex characters but are relatable and realistic. The plot is definitely fast-paced with enough subplots to make the novel interesting, but there’s not too much going on to where it gets frustrating. Ellie and Dean both grow and change before your eyes, trying to let go of the bad and embrace the good, but maintain the magnetic qualities they have from the beginning. The unique thing about this couple is that they are a blend of beautiful music, sexiness, and tenderness.
I’m very glad I decided to give this book a try and absolutely give it 4 out of 4 stars. I could not put this down while reading and was so disappointed when it was over because I did not want it to end. I highly recommend this sweet romance that is a perfect combination of romance, growing up, and facing the past.
******
Whiskey & Wine
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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4 out of 4 stars
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Ellie Ray Vaughn is starting college in Nashville with her best friend Annie. Ellie has had it rough so far, with an alcoholic musician mother that gave her up, no Dad in the picture, and she’s recovering from a relationship with an abusive ex-boyfriend, Cole. Ellie was taken in by her aunt and uncle who were kind, but she has always felt like a guest in their house. One night at a bar, her cousin Chandler begs Ellie to fill in for the singer in his band, right before they are to go on stage. Luckily she agrees to sing and she meets the guitar player, Dean Thomas.
Dean’s life hasn’t been a fairy tale either. After his real father died, his mother married a controlling and angry ex-Marine named Rick. Rick abused Dean verbally, emotionally, and physically throughout his childhood, but the worst trauma was losing his mother to a long-term illness five years ago. Dean is a gorgeous ladies man who sleeps around with any girl he wants, but as his mother lay dying, she told Dean about the girl he would meet and fall in love with. His mother said she would have also overcome trouble in her life, would use words and music to express her emotions, and would be stubborn. Dean never thought she existed, until he met Ellie.
There’s immediate chemistry between Ellie and Dean and she finds it hard to avoid him considering he’s sharing a dorm room with Chandler just down the hall from her and Annie. She tries to resist his charms and knows she shouldn’t fall for such a player, so she tells him she’s determined just to be friends. Dean decides to let Ellie set the pace between them, but he doesn’t give up. Whether going to class together or writing music together, Ellie and Dean start spending most of their time with each other. Although their friendship is deepening, Ellie is haunted by her upbringing and being harassed by Cole.Dean tries to show Ellie that no girls mean a thing to him anymore since meeting her, but she continues putting up walls. As the novel continues, they have to decide whether to let go of their pasts and move forward or miss out on great love.
This is the first novel by H. Dillon Smith and I was honestly blown away. Ellie and Dean are such complex characters but are relatable and realistic. The plot is definitely fast-paced with enough subplots to make the novel interesting, but there’s not too much going on to where it gets frustrating. Ellie and Dean both grow and change before your eyes, trying to let go of the bad and embrace the good, but maintain the magnetic qualities they have from the beginning. The unique thing about this couple is that they are a blend of beautiful music, sexiness, and tenderness.
I’m very glad I decided to give this book a try and absolutely give it 4 out of 4 stars. I could not put this down while reading and was so disappointed when it was over because I did not want it to end. I highly recommend this sweet romance that is a perfect combination of romance, growing up, and facing the past.
******
Whiskey & Wine
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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