Review: The cover is a great example of how simple and yet heartfelt this book ...
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 15, 2014
If you are looking to find a book that is a prime example of New Adult fiction done right then Whiskey Prince by Toni Aleo is the book. Ms. Aleo’s world is full of everything from leaving home for the first time, career choices, new relationships and even the angst with a dose of heart break to leave you losing yourself in this world and only coming up for air when you must.The cover is a great example of how simple and yet heartfelt this book is from cover to cover. Make sure you really take a look because you might miss some of the things that are pivotal to the entire book. And if you love book covers like I do this is one that may very well become the new trend in book covers like the single items that are on most of Sylvia Day’s books.So hopefully you did take a minute to really look at the cover but what you want to know is what about the story? This is a book I will definitely return to over and over. There are so many layers and subtle story telling devices used that I am still in awe over this story. The over arching plot revolves around Amberlyn Reilly making a huge life altering move after the loss of her mother. The depth and scope of the grief that Ms. Aleo packs into Amberlyn still resounds with me and I’m sure with anyone who has lost a loved one will also feel this impact very strongly.Meanwhile Declan O’Callaghan is born and raised in Ireland with the expectation of taking over the family whiskey business once he comes of age and marries. The exchanges between Declan and his family are told with care. We see a family struggling with tradition but a resolve to see it carried onto the next generation but a desire to ensure that all the key ingredients are included like a marriage for love and not one of convenience or position.And if you missed it, the majority of this book is set in Ireland and that means amazing accents. In fact I’m hopeful that this book will be converted into an Audiobook and have a male narrator that embodies the Irish accent. Here is hoping!The secondary characters include Declan’s best friend, Kane, and Amberlyn’s cousin, Fiona, really encourage the story along and help to fuel and fix some of the roadblocks that come between Declan and Amberlyn.But I’m sure you are wondering about the chemistry between our main characters: a page turner. The first kiss between these two was stellar. The entire sequence had me completely riveted and I forgot that I had to wash laundry and cook dinner. Well done, Ms. Aleo.Now I’m hoping you will go out and grab a copy of this book ASAP but I do have one minor caveat, this book is in 3rd person and switches from Declan to Amberlyn and back through out the book. And I know that some people don’t like that style of writing but I was never once lost and loved that I got a look at both of their reactions to events through out the entire book.Final Thoughts: Buy this book immediately. This is the 1st New Adult book to make my Best of 2014 list and I’m thrilled to include it. I’m hopeful that there will be additional books in this world, Ms. Aleo. Not to mention, can we have this on audio pretty please with cherries on top?Toni Aleo provided me with a copy of Whiskey Prince but nothing else was exchanged for my honest review.