| Title | : | Blame it on the Vodka (Blame it on the Alcohol, #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 320 |
| Publication | : | First published April 19, 2022 |
Don't miss Raelynn and Austin's friend-to-lovers romance, Blame it on the Vodka, coming April 21st.
Waking up beside my best friend after a crazy night in Vegas is nothing new.
However, waking up wearing nothing but two shiny, matching wedding rings is.
For the girl who promised to never settle down, it's her worst nightmare.
For me, it's a dream come true.
I've wanted Raelynn Vos since she first propositioned me at a frat party. I, of course, turned her down, knowing I'd need more than a one night stand. Nothing less than forever would do.
She's fierce and determined, but I'm more determined than she could ever be.
When fate forces us to pretend our marriage is real, I use every second to prove I'm the perfect man to tame her wildness.
In fact, by the end of our charade, I'll have her begging for it.
Blame it on the Vodka (Blame it on the Alcohol, #3) Reviews
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"𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙑𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙑𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙨. 𝙀𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙪𝙥 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙."
I am SO EXCITED because Rae and Austin are finally here! These two set the pages on fire with all the delicious tension that will have you flipping pages until the very end!
LIVE NOW AND AVAILABLE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED!
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💋 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐨𝐝𝐤𝐚...
💍Friends To Lovers
🍸Unrequited Love
👰Fake Marriage
🍸Alpha Hero
💍Sassy Heroine
👰Girl Gang
💍Off The Charts Tension
🍸Page-Melting Heat
👰Standalone In A Series
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*Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for an ARC of this title.*
This was a very unique take on Married in Vegas trope. I loved that these two were such good friends. Friends who already knew they were very attracted to each other, but for different reasons they were holding off on more.
When Raelynn breaks up with her abusive and manipulative boyfriend, and is in Vegas for the wedding of a friend.. things get a little out of hand and she wakes up married to her best friend, Austin. She immediately knows it is a mistake and wants to get it annulled but Austin isn't so eager to undo everything. Marriage means a lot to him and no matter how they ended up hitched... how bad could it be, married to his best friend.
Especially when it's a friend that he has always wanted to be with, he just knew that he wanted more than one night. He has passions for her that he is itching to unleash, but will she be brave enough to share them with him? Or will the commitment be too much for her?
The chemistry between them is INSANE! Austin has hidden depths and Raelynn is more than woman enough to let him be himself, she just isn't sure she wants to be someone's WIFE.
The only downside for me was.... I wish Raelynn had a better way of sharing her fears with Austin. Her issues are understandable, but the way she chooses to lash out.. it was just very predictable to me. I know that is a petty critique, but my heart wants what it wants.
I think this book is for you if you like Friends to Lovers where the hero is pining and has some surprises up his sleeve.
4 Stars
4 on the spice scale
TW: Abusive ex-boyfriend. Verbal and physical. -
This was such a good conclusion to the series! Friends to lovers AND marriage of convenience!?! Austin seriously stole the show in this book and he is definitely my favorite hero of hte series. I loved how this turned into a fake married romance where Austin and Rae had to act like their marriage was real and they were madly in love. I was frustrated with Rae for pushing Austin away so much, even though I did understand why she was so hesitant to love. I wanted her to grovel a bit more at the end in order to make up for how she treated Austin when he was so madly in love with her, which is why this book is getting four stars. But I love a good friends to lovers romance and this did not disappoint on that front!
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*thank you Valentine PR for an arc of this*
I love a good best friends to lovers romance, so this was EXACTLY what i needed. i read most of the book on a 3 hour flight, so I would say this is a good pick me up if you’re in the mood for a quick read with not too much angst (there is definitely angst tho don’t get me wrong) and the perfect amount of smut🔥
This is also my first Fiona Cole book and definitely think i’ll give the rest of the books in this series a try! -
This was alright, nothing mind blowing and pretty predictable. The sex was hot as hell tho. Austin can get it anytime with his secret freaky side! 🥵🥵
I loved the friend groups too. Those moments were fun. -
This is hands down the best book in the series. God damn, best friends to lovers is my new favorite trope because Austin and Rae's connection eclipsed every fucking thing else.
These two have been so effortlessly in love for years-- even though Rae would fight until her dying die & lie and say they were just best friends -- but the way Austin loved her was absolutely infinite. He would kill himself a thousand times over just to have a shred of her, and even though he finally had her, he still didn't have her the way he always dreamed. So after their drunken wedding (which I'll admit, I'm sad we didn't get any flash backs of) Austin convinces himself he'll use the time he has to make sure Rae knows that marriage isn't the death march she's believed it to be. That instead of caging her, he wants to help spread her wings and soar even higher than ever. He was her champion, her protector, her best friend and her soul mate all at once, and goddamit if he isn't my favorite hero of Fiona's.
I loved Rae -- she was so strong, and even though we've seen that strength throughout this series, we've never uncovered just why that is, and her backstory just broke my heart. Add in that fucking soul sucking piss ant, my heart just broke for our fierce girl. I loved how our author here showed that abuse is more than just in your face black eyes and broken bones, and just how small it starts-- a pinch, and an overbearing presence, not taking no for an answer, finger bruises and cutting words-- those all instill fear. And even with Raes past, she never thought much of it because of how gradual it was, and if that's not so heartbreaking honest, I don't know know is.
But I loved how Austin breathed that fire back into her and made her realize she was always that badass bitch she projected herself as. I loved every aspect of their relationship, but seeing these two always being each others person just really hit me in all the feels.
Also, Austin has a filthy fucking mouth and I'm all here for it. If you thought the other books were hot, just you wait. I need a cold shower and a cigarette, pronto. 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵
There's so much more I want to say, but just know that this book is by far one of the best this author has ever written. It's so beautiful, poignant, sexy, and just the ultimate best friends to lovers romance. I can't wait for you all to read this!!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!!** -
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DNF 60% also skipped a lot till the end.
I hated this h so freaking much, i can't stand her.
Other than that ,i can't stand how they meet.
That first chapter at that party ruined the whole book for me.
I don't have a problem if the girl is experienced BUT she was wayyy to much, way to selfish and with ''the smell under her nose'' ( as we italians say) .
She jumped on each guy, and in that first scene she literally , without any introduction was like to him: ''you wanna fuck?'' bye bitch.
They didn't, they chose to be friends instead.
Well he did, cuz , from the first sight of her he believed that he wanted more than a one night stand with her...yeah right...*roll my eyes*
Then they stay friends for years.
Well ,there is no build up between them, NONE!!!
It was all OFF page, till years later when they get married while being drunk... really romantic.
Really romantic also how the first intimacy thing between them was oral...and not a fucking kiss...yep...again how romantic.
Then she was a bitch about the whole marriage thing all way till the end because she was scarred.
Yep. Can't stand her. There were a lot of stuffs i hated about this. This didn't work for me at all.
The only saving grace was him, but he DON'T deserve a girl like that. -
I was really excited to read Raelynn's story because I loved the previous books in the series, especially Vera & Nick's story but this one wasn't as good as I was expecting it to be. There were only like two big events where Raelynn & Austin had to pretend to be husband and wife but to be honest, it didn't feel like they were married. They gave me more of "strictly best friends vibes" only and it was kind of disappointing. The first half was slow but the last half was so quick, which is why the book felt so short. And I felt like Raelynn was too unreasonable, impulsive and selfish. She didn't deserve Austin's kindness because he always forgave her way too easily. The man was a goner for her and she kept leading him on, then broke his hope. Usually we readers want the H to grovel a lot when he commits even a small mistake, so why can't the h do the same if she's the one in the wrong? The only things I liked were the friendship between the girls, Austin's whipped behaviour and Raelynn's relationship with her mom and dad.
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Cómo Friends to Lovers, meh no me funcionó 👎
Pero como Fake Dating 👌👌
Soy demasiado picky con los Friends to Lovers porque es mi trope favorito de la vida por lo que siempre les pongo un pero y en este caso fue la protagonista que fue muy exasperante y no es del tipo que me gusten.
En cambio el fue un amor y merecía una mejor protagonista.
En cuanto al matrimonio por conveniencia eso sí me gustó, tenían bastante química y había demasiada tensión sexual acumulada de años por lo que las escenas spicy eran fuego puro 🔥🔥
No era lo que esperaba pero no estuvo tan malo y fue entrenido, solo hubiera querido que ella sufriera más por él. -
4.5 Stars!!
This is my first Fiona Cole book and it will not be my last. I have several of her books marked on my TBR but I had not read one of them yet. This was definitely my kind of book since it had humor, angst and some awesomely delicious sex!
I love a “married in Vegas” storyline but this one is also a “Friends to Lovers” trope which made it a bit unusual, which is always welcome.
This does have some abuse in it, in case you are someone with triggers.
I loved Raelynn and Austin’s friendship. I really liked how committed Austin was to not giving in until he thought she was ready to handle more. This was a unique storyline and kept me engaged from start to finish.
Super HOT!!! -
Friends to lovers AND boy obsessed!!! I’ve been excited for Austin and Rae’s story since early on in the series and this book did NOT disappoint!
4/5 stars!! -
🍹Friends to Lovers
🍹Obsessed Hero
🍹Badass/strong Heroine
🍹Girl Gang
Okay, I’m already in love with Austin and Rae! They are book couple dreams!! Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, mix in obsessed boy… and I’m a goner. 😭I wasn’t ready for what these two we’re going to do to me!
If you are like me and have read the other books you have been waiting for Rae and Austin, and Fiona Cole definitely delivered on their story. Rae is the queen we all knew from the other books, independent, wild and loving. She has been through something that has changed her, but she finds her way back to herself early on.
Austin, the perfect match for Rae, he loves her just the way she is, doesn’t want to take her, just wants to be there for her. The minute you read the prologue you will totally swoon and fall in love with Austin. He is so selfless and caring, but don’t let that fool you, he’s probably one of Fiona’s dirtiest, heroes in the bedroom. The steamy scenes in this story are next level hot, like go take a cold shower level.
As always Fiona Cole is able to write a book filled with steam but still deliver an amazing story and plot. Nothing lacks in this story, it’s filled with swoon, love, angst, steam, drama everything you could want. This is honestly one of my favorite stories by this author and I’m so sad to see this series end. Rae and Austin are going to stick with me forever. They are one of my favorite couples. -
Listen, I didn’t think blame it on the tequila could be topped, but these two are droool worthy. A true friends to lovers. Except the one who is adversed to commitment is actually the FMC and the MMC is a whole softie for her. I loved these two, I loved how opposite they were but mostly how it was pretty damn obvious it was ALWAYS them. Sparks fly when these two collide, from their banter to their tension to the moment where they FINALLY did the damn thing. This was one of Fiona’s best works. This series is genuinely one of my favorites by her, if not my favorite. I will be holding this one close to my heart and probably rereading it as soon as I can!
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Book: Blame it on the Vodka
Author: Fiona Cole
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫stars
Angst level: 💧💧
Spice level: 🌶 🌶️🌶️
Heroine: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
Hero: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars
"The best you can do is guide the change to the best possible outcome."
Who went to bed at 4 am just because she didn't want to stop reading this book? That would be me! Do I regret it? No way! Was it worth it? EVERY SECOND!
I can safely say that this is my favorite book in the series. The chemistry between Austin and Rae was scorching hot, their friendship one of a kind, but them denying the fact that they were dying for each other was frustratingly angsty it made me crave for them to finally come together and accept the were made for each other!
As always, this is my opinion of this book, yours may differ and that's okay. Be kind.
ARC provided in exchange for was an honest review. -
This was an okay read. A little basic and predictable actually. Although I really enjoyed Austin’s freaky side, dirty mouth and overall personality. Rae got on my nerves more times than i can count and I don’t think she actually deserves the awesomeness that is Austin tbvh.
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Hands down my favorite of the series and one of Fiona's best to date. Sincere, sexy, divinely emotive, and so deliciously addictive- I could not get enough! Friends to lovers perfection!
Full RTC -
Rae and Austin’s story was everything we’d been waiting for and more! Their romance is my official favorite in the Blame It on the Alcohol series!
If you read the first two books in this series, then you know Rae and Austin are best friends with some lingering tension. In Blame It on the Vodka, Rae and Austin go to Vegas for Nova and Parker’s wedding (the couple from Blame It on the Tequila). Well, what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay there because Rae and Austin drink a bit too much vodka…and wake up married! For Austin, it’s a dream come true because he’s always been in love with Rae. But for Rae? Being married is the last thing she ever wanted, or so she tells herself. Each one has their reasons for pretending the marriage is real, hence it turning into a marriage of convenience.
This book ended up being so much more than I expected. Rae has some deeper reasons as to why she never wanted to get married, and Austin has his own reasons as to why marriage means so much to him. My heart went out to both of them, and I loved watching them work through their vulnerabilities.
Can we talk about Austin and his secret filthiness🥵🥵🥵?!?! I was not ready for it y’all, NOT READY. Rae and Austin’s chemistry was off the charts and if you thought you knew what Austin was like in the bedroom, think again!!!
Now that Rae and her two besties, Vera and Nova, have all gotten books, I can’t wait to see who’s next! There seemed to be a hint at Oren, one of Parker’s bandmates, getting a book so I look forward to more in this series or potentially some spin-offs! You can meet Vera/Nico in Blake It on the Champagne and Nova/Parker in Blame it on the Tequila!
TROPES: marriage of convenience; best friends to lovers; closet freak in the sheets hero 🥵
TRIGGER WARNINGS: domestic abuse/violence (not between H/h) -
This is how you do a friends to lovers romance that feels fresh, unique and raises the heat level to volcanic levels!
Rae and Austin have a deep and envy worthy friendship. I loved their playfulness, teasing and great banter.
I loved how much fun they had together and the amazing connection they had was palpable.
I loved Rae’s brash confidence, I adored her adventurous and fun loving nature.
I absolutely loved that Austin very willingly goes along on her adventures and it’s swoon worthy that he recognizes and appreciates the unique things that make her amazing.
He’s so sweet, he’s clever, funny and also… surprise! He is a very sexy and naughty boy! He is the BEST dirty talker around!
He’s kind of a hidden alpha hottie. He’s my new favorite book boyfriend.
I loved that he’s sweet, caring AND a freak-in the sheets, the car, against the wall… ;)
Both characters have layers that are exposed and explored, it makes a fun, entertaining and super erotic romance SO much more emotional.
It also makes it a full bodied story with great emotional depth.
There’s a sensitive situation that Rae deals with and I think it was written with so much insight and respect.
I think the author did such a great job showing the reality of it in a way that wasn’t too heavy, nor was it brushed over. It is central to Rae’s emotional journey.
I was deeply touched by the realistic and empathetic characterization and by Rae’s incredible strength.
I loved the secondary characters old and new.
I’ll miss Rae’s girl gang and their significant others.
I’ve enjoyed every book in this series of interconnected standalone’s. They are wonderful stories and characters.
This book was emotional, funny, angsty and crazy super-duper SEXY!
I am always blown away by this author’s ability to write emotional, entertaining stories with THE sexiest and BEST naughty scenes ever!
It’s a real winner for me and I say -CHEERS TO THE VODKA! -
Blame it on the Vodka by Fiona Cole was not good for my heart at all. I swear my heart almost exploded from the emotional overload. This friends-to-lovers fake relationship romance was extremely swoony and panty melting hot. Raelynn is a firecracker and her raw vulnerability made me fall in love even more. And Austin is definitely one of my top book boyfriend. Sexy. Charming. Gentleman in street and totally filthy under sheets.
Austin and Raelynn have been best friends since college. Austin feels more for her but he never expressed it. Raelynn was sure that she will never get married and Austin is extremely serious about it. She has been living her best socialite life and helping her father in his political campaign. She just escaped from her good for nothing ex.Then Vegas and Vodka and a druken marriage happened. Austin wants to give it his full. And Rae wants to run. But they have to fake it for her father's career. This is Austin's chance to prove to Raelynn that marriage isn't so bad but Rae is in full self destructive mode.
Austin cannot be any more perfect. He is the perfect friend. The perfect husband. Loyal and protective and charming. And wow he changes gears so fast in bedroom. There he is dominating and filthy and his dirty mouth..omg someone call an ambulance. Rae is sassy and fierce. She has grown up in a broken family till her mother married her stepfather. She is afraid of getting hurt. She is scared of losing herself on a restricted relationship. And that makes her act irrationally. It was a rollercoaster. My heart breaks for both of them. Austin was so committed that he broke when Raelynn tried to push him away. It was sometimes sweet and funny and witty. I adore their friendship. And sometimes it was angsty and deeply emotional. And the girl gang! They are just a beauty! I will miss these girls so much!
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily -
*Trigger warnings: abusive relationship, domestic violence
Blame It On The Vodka was a romance that I really enjoyed reading. Friends-to-lovers is actually one of my favorite tropes and I think it was well done in this book, especially because there is a lot of pining, which I like.
Rae is a very good female character and I also loved reading about her relationship with her family. Her friends were also a very big part of the story and that's something I always look for when I am reading romance, so I thought it was a very positive point. I still haven't read the first two books in the series (this can be read as a standalone) but after getting to know a bit about Rae's friends, I got curious about their love stories as well.
I liked Austin very much as well, even if his opinions about marriage do seem a bit strict (but to be honest, so did Rae's). But he did know what he wanted and he actually went for it when he had a chance.
This book is very steamy and as someone who reads a lot of steamy books, I know what I am talking about. I really liked this aspect of the story, but I know that's not everybody's cup of tea.
The only thing I'd change is I would have introduced the idea of therapy for some characters. I think talking about the necessity of therapy for dealing with some of the situations described in this book could be very beneficial.
And please, keep in mind the trigger warnings if you decide to read this book.
Thanks to Valentine PR, the author and the publisher for providing a digital advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.. -
I had been waiting for Blame It On the Vodka for a while now and omg... this book didn't disapoint! It's my new favorite in the BIOTA Series. I adored Raelynn and Austin's relationship so much. They were such a perfect match as friends and romantic couple!
Rae had me really surprised. I loved her fun and outgoing personality in the previous novel, but I enjoyed seeing a more vulnerable side of her. It was interesting to discover more about her past and the reasons behind her reticence to open up her heart to love. Her transformation during this book where Austin pushed her to understand and face her feelings was well done.
For me, the highlight of the story was Austin. I adored the guy! He was so devoted to Rae from day one and to witness his unrequited feelings growing through the years was so poignant. I admired his convictions about love and marriage. He was also the perfect dominant alpha with a dirty mouth under all his sweet and caring side! I wasn't suspecting this level of intensity in the bedroom from him and wow! This couple was a real inferno of passion! So HOT!
The scenes featuring Vera, Nova and Rae were so entertaing. Never a dull moment between these friends. It was nice to get a little glimpes at the girls and their other halves, Nico and Parker.
Blame It on the Vodka was seriously so well balanced between emotional, steamy and funny moments! I cherished every second of my read and I'm now really sad to let go of this characters.
**ARC received in exchange for an honest review ** -
“I loved this man. I loved my husband. I loved my best friend.”
My ovaries have exploded after reading what comes out of Austin’s mouth 🥵💦 he has become one of my favorite book boyfriends to date.
We see Rae as a strong, independent, stubborn and hot headed woman. She is very open about her sexuality, when she meets Austin she wants to have a one-night stand but he tells her no, and this is the start of their friendship.
Austin is sweet, caring, dominant, possessive and AMAZING, he believes in happily ever afters, very different from Rae’s views, but they become best friends, he has been in love with her for so many years, until Vegas gives him a chance to do that.
Their chemistry is INSANE, they both have things that have hidden, as they get to spend more time married due to some things, they begin to see each other in a different light.
The downside for me was how Rae lashed out toward Austin due to her fears, she was very selfish and didn’t think of Austin but wanted him to put her first when she didn’t do that.
ARC provided in exchange of my honest opinion. -
Phew! That sauna was HOT!
Blame it on the Vodka by Fiona Cole was steamin’ where I didn’t even know it could steam!
This was the third book in Fiona’s “Blame it on the Alcohol” series and it was the best one yet!
Raelynn and Austin have been strictly platonic best friends since college..best friends who secretly want to bang each other. After a drunken night of all the vodka Vegas can bring, they wake up naked, married and with no recollection of the night before.
I loved seeing all the different sides to Austin as a hero. He had this hidden and core deep love for Raelynn but always knew she was too special to waste it on a quick night.
Bonus: this man has a steamy side that would make a grown woman weep 🔥🥵🔥
I loved seeing Raelynn discover herself (and her feelings for Austin); but also take control of her trauma and come back swinging ready to fight for HERSELF.
As a reader, this is the kind of book that reminds us why we love this fictional world of romance and how true love can be found in a best friend. Even when we don’t see it ourselves.
Austin and Raelynn are now my favorite & my book boyfriend standards have risen! 💕
Trigger warning ⚠️ physical abuse
**I received a ARC of this book for my honest review! -
So worth the wait.
I’ve been waiting for Rae and Austin’s story since we first met them earlier in the series. I love the direction Austin and Rae’s story went in. I related to her on so many levels.
I love a story that involves an ex and DV, because it speaks to me and I love reading the strength of the female MCs. I love that this book was realistic and so damn respectful to DV/DA survivors. I went through a rough time with my ex and always feel small calling it abuse, because it was never physical, because it “wasn’t that bad”, because I “let it happen”, because it was subtle and abuse just sounds so harsh.But it took me a long time to get over everything that happened, and stories like this always remind me that abuse is abuse and it doesn’t matter how subtle it is, or how long it lasts, or the fact that they never laid a hand on you. It’s still abuse. And surviving is always a strength.
Fiona’s easy writing means that I read most of her books in one sitting and this was no different. I loved seeing Rae and Austin’s first meeting. I usually don’t like books ending with “I loved you from the moment I met you” but I didn’t mind it as much here, maybe because they seemed like such a good match from the very start, maybe because I’m biased and can’t dislike anything Fiona Cole does🤷🏼♀️ it still wasn’t my favourite but I’m willing to look past it. This was a fresh take on married in Vegas and I loved everything about it. How their friendship grew, how despite being best friends there was still so much they didn’t know about each other (which is extremely realistic, particularly with friendships with guys), how much love they had for each other on a general level and would do anything for each other. I also missed seeing my girls together and that epilogue ending was everything I didn’t know I needed. -
“…I loved her from the moment I saw her. I was just biding my time until I could snag her as mine.”
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Is this one of my new favorite friends-to-lovers romances? Yes. Yes, it is. Did it introduce me to my new favorite Fiona Cole hero?! Also, YES!
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Blame it on the Vodka was sweet, swoony, steamy PERFECTION! I’ve eagerly anticipated Raelynn and Austin’s story for forever, and these two did not disappoint! Their book was so fun to read — it had the best banter, and took my heart on a whirlwind of emotions as they navigated their feelings. I loved every single second of it!
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This book was absolutely amazing! I love a friends-to-lovers romance and I thought this was a really great one. Austin and Rae took my heart on one whirlwind trip filled with deep emotion, long buried feelings, vicious heartstring tugging and an avalanche of swoon. This story offers a perfect balance of fun and heart, so be fully prepared to enjoy yourself but not to have your heart go unscathed. Both of these characters were easy to care about and fall in love with. Their chemistry was sizzling and 100% undeniable. A truly excellent romance and a wonderful addition to this terrific series that if you have not started yet, I don't know why and you're really missing out. I am independently posting a candid review.
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Blame it on the Vodka is the 3rd and final book in the Blame it on the Alcohol series and easily my favorite in the series! This series was so bingeable and honestly only got better as they went on. I’m obsessed with friends to lovers romances and Rae and Austin’s best friendship-turned-“waking up married in Vegas” was everything!
Raelynn and Austin first met in college when she propositioned him. 😅 He surprised her by turning her down and he wanted them to be friends instead, since he said if she wouldn’t give him more than a night, then they’d only ever be friends. We cut to years later and they’re still best friends! Rae and Austin end up in Vegas for one of her friend’s wedding and after spending the night out partying together, they wake up married the next morning with no memory of how they got there. Austin had only ever wanted to marry once in life, his grandparents (who raised him) find out about the marriage and he wants to make them happy. So he asks Rae to go along with it for a little while. At the same time, Rae’s father is running for a political office and wants to keep the image of her married as well. So thus begins the marriage of convenience!
I became obsessed with this book early on and could tell it was going to be a 5-star read for me. I loved their friends, her parents, his grandparents, just all the side characters are amazing. I also just loveeee friends to lovers and their connection and chemistry was so believable. The slow burn tension between them was drawn out so deliciously and I just loved Rae and Austin together. Austin’s dirty talk and the steam in this book, whoa I was not ready but loved every second of it. 😍🔥 The unrequited pining was so good in this! Rae’s hesitation to wanting to get married/stay married was believable because of her past, and ugh Austin was just everything! Loved this read so much!
CW: domestic abuse (verbal, physical) -
The FMC was kind of unlikable to me. We start off right out of the gate with her asking a random guy if he wants to fuck and then when she gets rejected she gets irrationally mad 😂 Then she goes and interrupts him when he does find a girl that he's making out with. Then she goes on to give the poor girl a compliment because "girls support girls" while basically hijacking the date for herself.
This is the third book in the series so maybe there was some background that I was missing out on that made the FMC a bearable human being but damn.
Austin kind of just grossed me out too. Rae was in a committed relationship (from what I interpreted) after the flashback in the prologue so she had a boyfriend. Austin kind of just lurks in her world as a best friend type who secretly wants her and it made me think of all the friends I had who had loser boyfriends just like this with girl "friends" that were basically in love with them. So in almost every situation where he was being nice to her, I was just thinking about the times when I would see my friends have to sit through their significant others being a sneaky little worm and insult my friends while gaslighting them into think that they were being crazy.
He’d probably fully unmask his hatred and hit me in the face if he knew how much I truly loved her and would happily snatch her from him if she’d ever want me for more than a night.
It just wasn't for me. -
****AVAILABLE NOW****
4 STARS
As always, Fiona writes impeccable steam, & the hero, I loved him.
What I loved:
1. I did love that Rae was who she was and didn’t apologize for it. That is always refreshing for me, and while these heroines are often slammed by reviewers, I love them. I think we need more of them.
2. Austin was a cinnamon roll with kinky predilections in the bedroom. I wasn’t ready for him. His unwavering support was amazing.
3. I loved that these two had so much fun together - the banter, the conversations. I think I loved that they really found out more about each other after the Vegas wedding.
4. I loved the discussion of domestic abuse and how it was handled here.
5. The steam was top notch - really the whole series was so good.
What I needed more of:
1. Rae has a moment if acknowledging her flaws but we never get to see her really work on them.
2. Austin is at times too much of a push over.
3. The ending was resolved very quickly. I would have liked more development in that area.
Overall, it was good conclusion to this standalone series. I loved the girl group, and the ending nod to them was so cute!
ARC review
