Review: Whiskey Prince is a beautiful love story with a hint of dark, sexy, and suspense.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 15, 2014
If you’re read a Toni Aleo book, you’re usually thrust into the world of hockey. However, Whiskey Prince is a bit of a departure from Toni Aleo’s well known sport romances. It’s heavy on the sweet, new and innocent aspects of a burgeoning romance. There are hints of dark and sexy in this beautiful story, but it’s not a dominating theme. Whiskey Prince is a great representation of the New Adult genre–two characters are moving into adulthood with heavy baggage but brimming with hope for the future.Amberlynn has lost two of the most important people in her life, her parents. After caring for her mother after a long illness, she is challenged to move away from her sheltered life and live in Ireland. Amberlynn finds a second home and family there and she begins to live her life again. I love the new life Toni creates for Amberlynn. The Maclaster family envelopes her into their life with love and protection. I especially love Amberlynn’s relationship with her cousin Fiona. They’re just like sisters, including all the snarky and hilarious banter. Declan O’Callaghan character is a bit surprising. He’s not the typical cocky hero I’m use to reading. He’s shy, almost to the point of pain. He’s quiet, reserved, and shuns the attention his wealthy family receives. He’s the heir to a whiskey fortune and there is a lot of expectations of him. Marrying before he turns 25 is one of them. Declan is determined to marry for love and not obligation. As soon as Declan lays eyes on Amberlynn, he’s smitten. Toni does a wonderful job of building a relationship between the couple. For me, I found it refreshing that their story isn’t overly sexual. Amberlynn is inexperienced and it would have been inauthentic if she just jumped into be with him immediately. Declan is a complete gentleman and he doesn’t rush her. Again, Toni holds true to the nature of their personalities and doesn’t rush the relationship.The plot for Whiskey Prince sucked me in. Declan is bound by obligation, but fights for what he wants even as he’s pressured to do otherwise. Amberlynn is suffering a devastating loss, but steps outside her comfort zone to live a life that would make her mother proud. The secondary story line features the hint of dark that Toni does so well. The antagonist Casey is as horrible as they come. The scenes with him kept me on the edge of my seat. And the ending had me screaming at my Kindle.Whiskey Prince is a beautiful story. The characters are very well written with deep back stories that have you invest in their lives. The plot is a good mix of romance, suspense, and dark themes. The secondary characters are treated like they could be primary characters as well. I enjoyed their story lines just as much as the primary characters. I give Whiskey Prince 4.5 out of 5 stars!Written by Dee McGee - Booze, Bookz, and Bad Boyz