Title: On Tap
Author: Donna Kauffman
Series: Chisholm Brothers #2
In: Bad Boys in Kilts (Donna Kauffman)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Scottish romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Year: 2006

Daisy was completely gorgeous in Bottoms Up – she was just the kind of woman that I like to read about, supportive of someone when she realises where the antagonization comes from. And just genuinely kind of pure and sweet. Which means that I just loved that she got her own tale and romance. It also provided a little more of her backstory, and a little more context into her random move to a tiny, Scottish town. All of which I lapped up incredibly happily. I’m a sucker for a good romance, I particularly love those that are based in Scotland and have a couple that compliment each other like the two in this story.

This novella was a little bit too insta-love for me. I lapped it up and enjoyed it, I also enjoyed that instant attraction moment. But the fact that they were head over heels and tumbling into a relationship when they were both completely addicted to their work? It was a little bit too quick, I think that it honestly just needed one more chapter of building the romantic suspense to make me feel happily content. I may be being a bit pedantic and fussy there though… who knows. Without the build-up and suspense I found it difficult to truly enjoy the lust and the relationship – it felt a little bit like the lead couple just leapt into bed together and suddenly all of their past was totally okay, but this is a novella, so I’m not really sure what I expected.

I did love that both characters were happily obsessed workaholics, and although they are moving forward to a new beginning, that tendency doesn’t exactly disappear. Instead, they figure out how to combine their workaholic natures with their new relationship for a fresh start. They didn’t suddenly drop their work and become relationship-obsessed individuals, rather they continued to be who they are. With a bit of balance. I find this more relatable – I’m a total control freak, that didn’t change just because I’m in a in a happy, healthy, loving relationship. I’m still a nut and a control freak. Which I loved about the couple in this novella.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, and I found that Daisy’s backstory was great. Running the Rat Race and then wanting to find a little better balance in life by moving to a small town is incredibly understandable. The fact that she is still driven and a hard worker made me love her more, she just has figured out a way to have a little bit of a life again. Falling for a man who is just as driven was just all round fun.

Image source: Kensington Publishing

Title: Bottoms Up
Author: Donna Kauffman
Series: Chisholm Brothers #1
In: Bad Boys in Kilts (Donna Kauffman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Scottish romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Year: 2006

I honestly love any romance that features a best friends to lovers trope. They’re always adorable and fun. Plus, it’s such a great foundation for any relationship. Kat and Brodie are a great pair – they’re best mates who already spend all of their time together. They have the same life goals. And are just generally both kind of adorable. The darts scene in this book particularly made me happy, because it reminded me a little of the darts tournaments I was around when I was younger. And my own damn competitive streak…

I do love though that Brodie is so deliciously ignorant of his hold over Kat throughout. It isn’t the moment when Kat dolls herself up that makes him realise what he has though – it’s someone else basically smacking him over the head with the knowledge of her. He’s a little bit dense, but I love that moment when he finally clicks that his perfect match has been right in front of him all along. And that, although he’s entertaining the thought of flirting with another woman, he really doesn’t consider it seriously.

When I started reading this, I was expecting a novella in which two women were kind of pitted against one another. The scene where Daisy and Kat have a little heart to heart about how they are intimidated by each other is great. Not only are both impressed by the other and discussing how they feel envious of each other’s positive qualities. They also are highlighting how there are a multitude of ways to be a strong, beautiful woman. No right or wrong.

Everything about this novella was fun. It was delicious, cute and a nice, light read. I did enjoy though, beyond the relationship dynamics, how Kat is completely unwilling to be loved for anything less than what she is. Although she might be able to attract Brodie’s attention by dolling herself up and changing her whole style, she refuses to succumb to that. Another wonderful point in the favour of highlighting how amazing all types of women are.

Image source: Kensington Publishing