Another gorgeous YA rom-com from Chinese Australian author Ann Liang.
Leah Zhang has spent her whole life in LA – it’s all she’s ever known. But after accidentally wishing her cousin ill health and a very depressing marriage at her wedding, her parents stage an intervention. She’s forgotten most of her Mandarin, has zero regard for etiquette, and can’t hold a conversation with her own grandparents for longer than a minute. Their solution? Send her on an intensive two-week travel program across China’s most beautiful cities. To them, it’s the perfect opportunity for Leah to get back to her roots. To Leah, it’s simply a much-needed escape.
But before Leah can even begin to enjoy the luxurious hotels, stunning scenery, and mouth-watering cuisine, she finds that also on the trip is her former classmate and least favourite person ever- cynical, sarcastic Cyrus, who’s somehow only gotten more annoyingly handsome since they last saw each other.
While Leah might be tempted to shove him off the peak of the Yellow Mountain when nobody’s looking, she can’t get rid of him just yet. After all, she might never get another chance to get revenge on the boy who ruined her life.
Yet the deeper they wander into China’s provinces, the deeper Leah finds herself falling in love – with the boy she once thought she despised, the home she never thought she’d call her own, and the parts of herself she thought were already lost.
(5/5)
Fans of the Overlander series will enjoy this. I learned much about whisky production and what Scotland was like in the 1780’s. It was fast-paced. I liked how the novel was broken up into parts using names from the distillate process.
Often history only names men who took part, as if women didn’t exist. I loved how women were brought to the front of this story.
Greer is a fantastic character – full of determination and grit. She needs to be. Life in the 1870’s wasn’t kind to women, wives of customs officers, or scorned spouses – all of which Greer was. Added to this her daughter is deaf. Fen is treated unkindly by most, including her bigamous, deceitful father.
Luckily Greer and Fen find a home in the Highlands. It isn’t easy. They are viewed with suspicion and dislike. Eventually, Greer’s indominable spirit and quick-wittedness win out. She finds love with the Tackman Tam Gordon. Greer learns how interwoven into life whisky is. How it feeds families, pays for the schoolteacher, buys seeds, and pays rents. It is the lifeblood of the Highlands.
This is a great historical read. You’ll be submerged into a whisky-flavoured 1780’s Scotland.
(5/5)
When Greer McAlister and her daughter leave Edinburgh for the Highland town of Montrose, in search of her dead husband’s outstanding wages, she has no idea of the consequences which will pitch her into the strange and unfamiliar world of Highland Scotland.
1780 is a turbulent time for the Highlands, and Greer and her daughter will experience this instability in full force. Loaded with vibrant descriptions that the author does so well, we are drawn into a life of whiskey, survival, clearances and excise men, who played such an important role in Scottish daily life.
This is a compelling tale of love, loss and family, where whiskey is the main source of income despite its illegality. Society itself was in a state of flux; the world of the book is fractured by the “lingering resentment between the Jacobites and Hanoverians”.
A great read for all who enjoy the genre of Historical fiction or indeed, for those who just love a good story.
(4/5)
Having read and enjoyed “The Good Wife of Bath” by Karen Brooks, I was looking forward to “The Whisky Widow” and was not disappointed.
The painstaking attention to detail is evident as the reader is immersed in a totally believable setting, rich and fascinating. The story revolves around strong female protagonists.
A rollicking whisky fuelled adventure, with a touch of mystery and romance…..thanks to HarperCollins and Good Reading Magazine for the ARC, a satisfying saga to be enjoyed with a nip of Scotland’s finest!
(4/5)
This is an unexpected story of betrayal, resilience, language, and love. A slow burn to begin with, this book soon enough crawled under my skin and into my heart.
When Greer MacAlister’s excise officer husband dies, she and her young daughter, Fen are left without an inheritance, a home, or a hope. After begging for a job from a mysterious highlander, Gree and Fen find themselves as incomers in a small village whose means of survival is everything her late husband fought against for so long.
This story will immerse you in the lives of all its characters, plus the history of the Scottish Highlands and especially the illicit whisky trade.
(5/5)
The Whisky Widow by Karen Brooks is a riveting historical adventure set in the Scottish Highlands of 1780.
After the death of her unpleasant husband, Greer MacAlister and her daughter Fen find themselves in a whisky smuggling community, where Brooks vividly captures the rebellious spirit of the Highlanders and the intricate art of whisky distilling. Greer’s brave actions against the excise officers earn her a place in the community, but danger and betrayal are never far away.
This novel is packed with rich details, suspense, and emotional depth, bringing to life the Scots’ struggles and victories under British rule. Greer’s transformation from an outsider to a respected villager is truly inspiring, showcasing her resilience and cleverness. Brooks’ deep knowledge and love for Scotland shine through, making this a must-read for historical fiction fans.
Five stars for this thrilling tale of bravery, love, and survival.
(4/5)
This one’s for the Outlander fans, the Scotch sippers, and anyone craving a story that whisks them away to the misty hills of the Scottish Highlands. While the love story was clear from the start (and I’m usually more of an enemies-to-lovers kind of reader), what truly stood out for me was the beautiful bond between mother and daughter.
Greer McAlister and her daughter Fen journey to the Highlands, seeking refuge from hardship and a difficult past. What they find isn’t ease—but it is belonging. I especially loved seeing a deaf girl embraced by a supportive community and the fierce love of a mother who sees the good in those who care for her child.
The rich details of 18th-century Scottish politics, bootleg whisky-making, and the blend of pagan and Christian traditions completely hooked me. A cosy, heart-filling read that lingers like the warmth of a good dram.
(5/5)
The Whisky Widow by Karen Brooks is a spicy, historical romance with a smattering of Gaelic prose dispersed throughout that brings the next level of authenticity to the story.
WOW – Greer is definitely someone I want in my corner! Greer’s level of acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude, tenacity, and trust was repeatedly tested, and Greer came out on top each and every time. Tam, Greer’s knight in shining armour is a compassionate, honourable man; Tam’s handshake is his word, Tam’s word is his bond. I loved both of them! Greer’s sweet daughter Fen, who has the gift of swift fingers, slowly and surely wins the hearts and minds of their fellow Highlanders.
Karen has woven a beautiful tapestry of a story, the harsh climate, the poverty, and yet unwavering spirit of an initial unaccepting mob, that gradually begins to accept the Lowlanders into their clan. This was absolutely a five-star book , and I can’t wait to read Karen’s back catalogue.
(5/5)
Brooks immerses her reader in eighteenth century Scotland and the dangerous world of whiskey smuggling with the narrative perspective of the protagonist Greer MacAlister. Feisty, clever, intrepid and pragmatic, she and her deaf daughter Fen, overcome an initial setback to secure employment with Tam Gordon as a housekeeper.
Brooks uses historical notes and primary sources to enhance the narrative. Her engaging dialogue and meticulous attention to historical detail, including the everyday patois of the Scottish Highlands, is captured using slang, geographical and cultural details, with imagery redolent of the time and place such as ‘Moss covered many of the stones like a moth-eaten coat.’
A romantic subplot of mature love adds further drama to the tempestuous events (and even murders) the characters are embroiled in! The story of Fen and her ‘finger talking’ gives some insight into the nascent development of sign language and Dr Braidwood’s School for Deaf and Dumb students established in 1760. It also proves useful in challenging situations!
The historical genre at its best, Brooks has created an engaging literary world!
(5/5)
Greer is a very strong character. She travels from the Scottish lowlands to the highlands, which in 1780, is a very daring thing to do. She’s intends to work as a housekeeper, but her newly widowed life is nothing like she’d ever imagined. The village and his family don’t like anyone from the lowlands, so it’s tough for her and especially her mute daughter Fen. They’ve both developed a type of hand language to communicate, so this alone is strange to the people.
Scotland is under occupation by the British. To make ends meet, most of the families work in illicit whisky distilling. It’s exceptionally dangerous, and redcoats and excise men from over the border are on the lookout for anyone trying to smuggle their peetreek (whisky not aged in barrels) for sale. There are many trials and tribulations, and without giving the end away, Brooks will have you on the edge of your seat wondering how this is ever going to pan out.
As the blurb states, it’s a “rollicking story of bravery, adventure, love and murder” set in 1780 Scottish Highlands, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
(5/5)
The Whiskey Widow by Karen Brooks is a gripping blend of mystery and historical drama. Rich in atmosphere, it weaves betrayal, ambition, and resilience into a compelling tale of love and survival. The pacing is steady, and the writing evocative, often revealing the nuances of power, gender, and survival in a time of great social change. Fans of historical fiction, especially those drawn to stories of pioneering women, will find this a rewarding and empowering read. The Whiskey Widow is not just a tale of spirits—it’s one of spirit.
(5/5)
The Whisky Widow was an amazing read!
Karen Brooks has beautifully woven a rich history that enriched my tiny knowledge of Scottish history, culture, superstitions and all the dangerous ways to survive.
I have been transported to 1780 in a Scottish Highlands, watching Greer McAllister and Fen find a new home and family. It was a complex story that sparked my imagination, especially when you get to know and love the characters. I found myself laughing or crying with them, I felt their pain, but also cheered with their triumphs.
I highly recommend this beautiful book! “Slàinte mhath!
(3/5)
I am a big lover of historical fiction and Natasha Lester, so I really enjoyed this book.
The Whisky Widow so richly encapsulated everything within the Scottish Highlands in the early 1700’s. Greer finds herself the widow of an excise man, William. Left with only her daughter Fen, she must escape her life in the lowlands and travel to a remote whisky smuggling village, where her husband is a despised person. Her life is devoted to becoming a valued, respected member of the village.
This book powerfully demonstrates the strength of Greer and her commitment to a life for herself and her daughter Fen.
(5/5)
Karen Brooks’ beautiful command of language and extensive historical research had me fully immersed in the late 17th-Century milieu of Greer MacAlister; a recently widowed, cash-strapped, young mother hailing from Scotland’s Lowlands. The story unfolds as she arrives in the Highlands to obtain her deceased husband’s wages. In an ironic turn, Greer is offered work in a remote Highlands village by Tamhas Gordon, a whisky smuggler.
Brooks’ love of Scotland and its rugged, breath-taking landscapes permeates her rich narrative interspersed with Scottish Gaelic. Greer rapidly learns how important the dangerous and illicit whisky distilling trade of the Highlanders is to their survival and cultural pride.
As a determined, strong, articulate, intelligent woman Greer makes every effort to overcome the Highlanders’ distrust of a Lowlander. The camaraderie and the way villagers, led by women, plot and plan to save their way of life adds lots of exciting twists and turns to the story. However it was not until almost the novel’s conclusion that I worked out why Brooks’ had titled her book The Whisky Widow. No telling at this stage – you will have to read this enjoyable book to find the answer.
(4/5)
The Whisky Widow feels like wolfing down a hearty haggis, stuffed with castoffs, doolally bastards, and heroes, bursting with late eighteenth century hardscrabble Highlander life.
Spirited dialogue and spicy idioms drive the story and the plot gallops along at a cracking pace. I devoured the folklore and traditions, and the clashes between genders, class, the old ways, and city bustle during an age of enlightenment.
Truth serum, relaxant, and commodity, whisky is front and centre. While a love affair brews in the background, with kilt tilts and tresses falling, it resists no-strings romance. Women’s work, whisky trading, housing, and reputations are at the heart of the story. The main character is a woman ahead of her time, outsmarting the lot of them with the currency of grog and her will to survive. She fights and unites all at once, her clever daughter aiding their cause.
This gritty tale takes the reader on a wild adventure mulling over brutal times gone by, surprising with comical moments and tragic twists of fate. The Whisky Widow is a realistic and fascinating reimagining of a bygone era. A story of hope, striving for independence, and settling for familial love wherever that may be found.
(4/5)
I really enjoyed The Whisky Widow. It had a real Outlander feel to it – I kept expecting Jamie to jump out of the heather with his sword and sporran!
The story behind the illegal whisky distillers was so interesting. What a difficult life people faced in the 1700s. Karen Brooks has a lovely style of writing and I felt like I was right there in a Highlands farmhouse, the peat fire smoking away and a dram of whiskey in hand.
My only negatives are that I found it a big stretch of the imagination that so many of the villagers learned sign language. The other was the amount of Scottish words that were used on the page and not included in the glossary. Within two pages were five words that I had to google for the meaning. It did detract from the fluidity of reading.
All in all, it was an enjoyable book!
(5/5)
The Whisky Widow is story of survival, set in the 1780s in the isolated Scottish highlands. I would highly recommend it to lovers of historical fiction (and whisky lovers!)
The main theme is that “Whisky stands between them and starvation, we’ve no choice but to keep smuggling”, but many others are cleverly woven through the story (widowhood, abandonment, domestic abuse, discrimination, bribery, unfair laws, love, murder) and kept me wanting to turn the pages. Women are fighting for survival under harsh living conditions and patriarchal repression, yet still manage to be acknowledged.
Greer shows such strength of character by standing up to the authorities, showing leadership and determination, and fights for her acceptance in a superstitious disapproving, judgmental community. Despite being an outsider, she has compassion, kindness and empathy for other women in the village while fiercely protecting her daughter Fen from hostility and discrimination regarding her disability. Against Greer’s better judgement, she fights to hide her growing feelings for her employee.
Every page had such beautiful descriptive language, and it was such a compelling read – a beautiful romance interwoven with the reality of a harsh life.
(4/5)
I was gifted an advanced reading copy of The Whisky Widow by Karen Brooks for review. Although I had heard of Karen’s work, I was yet to read a book from this author, so it was a wonderful opportunity.
As I usually read different genres, I wasn’t sure what to expect, and happily wasn’t disappointed. The novel is beautifully written, with so much care and love. I was impressed by the historical research and real-life inclusions within the fictional narrative, along with incredibly detailed authors notes.
The language, descriptive scenes, period detail, and colourful characters work together to create a vivid story. The main characters, Greer MacAlister and daughter Fen, provided an interesting outsider view on a Scottish Highland society, often questioning what’s right over legal laws and traditional ways. The book is a roller-coaster of emotions, intriguing scenes, and tragic events, which are handled with care and empathy.
I had an interesting time researching the period, people and recipes while I was reading. My only critic would be the glossary could have been 3 times longer with Gaelic and Scottish words I didn’t know.
Highly recommended book, best enjoyed with oat cakes and a cup of tea.
(4/5)
The Whisky Widow was a really engaging read, with informative descriptions of the locations. I felt like I was part of this heartfelt adventurous story.
Easy to read, hard to put down, I was easily absorbed into this whisky-flavoured rebellion which tugged at the heartstrings. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I would recommend.
(2/5)
I read The Whisky Widow by Karen Brooks and I found it very hard going and a chore to finish. I would give it only 2 stars. I know there was a glossary at the back but I felt it needed to be a more comprehensive one. Was tired of looking up Google to see what the author meant. The characters didn’t really stand out as ones I wanted to follow. It was thoroughly disappointing as I really enjoyed her other novel set in Scotland.
(5/5)
The Whisky Widow is set in the Scottish Highlands and Montrose during 1780. The book opens with the main character Greer MacAlister and her daughter Fen (Fenella), who is deaf and dumb, arriving in Montrose, a very different place from their previous home in Edinburgh. Her husband, excise officer William Reed, died at sea and they are hoping for a fresh start. Whilst trying to claim his owed wages, she discovers her husband had another wife, as well as two young boys! Greer manages to convince tackman Tam Gordon into giving her a job as a housekeeper for twelve months in Glasglen.
The story centres on illicit whisky making and smuggling in the Highlands. It is truly battle of survival for all Highlanders, due to the savagery of the excise men in shutting down the stills. The story intertwines the lives of Tam’s family and the villagers under his care. I enjoyed this immensely, the twists and turns and the growth of the characters were fascinating to read. I loved this novel and the history of the Highlander’s rebellion woven through the plot. I will be looking out for more of Karen Brook’s novels in the future.
(4/5)
I have not read any other books by Karen Brooks, and I’m not usually an historical fiction reader, but I have enjoyed The Whisky Widow.
It is set in the Scottish Highlands and is an evocative and rollicking story. The often muddy, raw and rugged countryside is a strong feature of the novel, matched with rough weather-beaten characters in a small and remote tight knit community. Brooks paints a vivid picture of Glasglen, including the sounds, sights and smells of farmyards, boothies, and everything to do with whisky.
The classic premise of the outsider gradually making good within the community, with some love and tragedy thrown into the mix. Greer McAlister and her deaf daughter Fen face alienation, show boundless courage, experience hardship and heartache, and ultimately become endearing characters.
I like the Scottish language which harps back to my distant heritage, although at first it felt a bit contrived. I dinnae ken the language was such a part of me! I look forward to it coming out on audio. I think it would add to the reading experience.
(5/5)
The Whisky Widow is a brilliant historical read that takes you to the beautiful Scottish Highlands after the Battle of Culloden. It’s a beautiful story about forging your own path and finding strength in the unknown.
I felt especially connected to it because of Fen, the deaf daughter, and the way sign language was naturally woven into the story. There’s even a brief mention of Thomas Braidwood’s school, which was a nice touch. If you enjoy stories that include deaf characters and sign language, definitely add this one to your TBR pile!
(5/5)
The Whisky Widow is a wonderful historical fiction set in 1780s Scotland.
Greer McAlister and her young daughter Fen leave Edinburgh and find themselves alone and almost penniless in the port town of Montrose. After an uncomfortable encounter with the locals, Greer and her deaf daughter accept the help of Tam Gordon and travel to the isolated village of Glasglen to become Tam’s housekeeper. However, the local Highlanders are suspicious of any incomers, due to their involvement in the illegal whisky trade. Greer’s life becomes complicated, and danger lurks as she becomes involved with whisky smugglers, the unforgiving British Red Coats, strange local traditions, and the harsh environment of the Scottish Highlands.
This is another thoroughly-researched novel by Karen Brooks, and I highly recommend it.