Whiskey and Werewolves

I have to admit, Whiskey and Werewolves was a wonderful surprise! Carly Spade actually reached out to me and asked if I’d be interested in reading and reviewing her book. At the time, I wasn’t familiar with Carly or her writing, but vampires, werewolves, and supernatural romance? Well, she certainly knew how to get my attention! I decided to take a chance on an author I’d never read before, and I’m so glad I did because I genuinely loved this story.

Of course, leave it to me to discover a new series by jumping straight into Book 3! Thankfully, the books in The Mythical Mates of Arcane Cove series can be read as standalones, so I had no trouble following Aurora and Harkin’s story. I also enjoyed seeing characters from earlier books make appearances, even if I hadn’t officially met them yet. Now I’m looking forward to going back and reading the first two books because Carly has definitely made me curious about the rest of Arcane Cove.

Aurora and Harkin were easily my favorite part of this book. Their chemistry was there almost immediately, and their banter had me laughing and occasionally wanting to shake some sense into both of them. They could insist they didn’t like each other all they wanted, but I wasn’t buying it. Between the teasing, the arguments, and the obvious attraction, I spent a good portion of their early interactions wanting to yell, “Just kiss already! You know you want to!”

Aurora is exactly the kind of heroine I enjoy. She’s stubborn, independent, outspoken, and perfectly capable of taking care of herself. She’s survived centuries of experiences that would have broken plenty of other people, and she’s not about to let some overprotective Alpha werewolf start making decisions for her. I especially appreciated that her independence wasn’t just there to make her seem tough. Once you understand more about her history and the control she fought so hard to escape, her determination to make her own choices becomes much more meaningful.

And then there’s Harkin. He’s protective, possessive, stubborn, and accustomed to being the one everyone listens to. He’s got plenty of that delicious touch-her-and-die energy I love in my fictional men, but what made me appreciate him was watching him learn that loving Aurora doesn’t mean controlling her. His instincts tell him to protect what’s his, while Aurora has absolutely no intention of becoming anyone’s possession. Watching them work through that difference gave their relationship more substance than their physical attraction alone.

And let’s talk about the chemistry between these two, because Carly certainly didn’t disappoint in the spice department! Their attraction was intense, their passion was undeniable, and I enjoyed every bit of it. What I particularly liked was that their physical relationship wasn’t the only thing connecting them. Beneath all that teasing and sexual tension, they were slowly learning to understand each other, respect their differences, and build something meaningful together.

I also loved the humor. Aurora’s internal commentary, Harkin’s reactions to her stubbornness, and the ridiculous situations that come with living among supernatural creatures made the book genuinely entertaining. Ash was another character I enjoyed, especially when he was perfectly happy to stir up trouble.

And we absolutely cannot forget Waffles, Aurora’s zombie pug! That strange little undead creature completely won me over. I loved how much Aurora adored him, and the way Harkin gradually accepted that loving her meant accepting Waffles too. Honestly, any man willing to welcome his girlfriend’s zombie pug into his life deserves a few extra points in my book.

Beyond the romance, I found Aurora’s personal journey particularly interesting. Her past, the choices she’s made, and the person she eventually becomes gave me plenty of reasons to care about what happened to her. I liked that her history wasn’t simply forgotten once Harkin entered the picture. Her experiences continued to influence her decisions, her fears, and the way she approached their relationship. Watching her begin to trust someone again, without completely losing the fierce independence that makes her who she is, was one of the strongest parts of the story for me.

The supernatural world also had some interesting ideas, especially surrounding vampire abilities, werewolf bonds, pack traditions, and the influence of the moon. I enjoyed learning how these different creatures coexist, although I would have appreciated a little more explanation of certain magical elements. Some developments, particularly those involving Aurora’s unusual abilities and the changes she experiences, were fascinating enough that I wanted to understand them better. There’s a lot of potential in this world, and I would happily spend more time exploring it.

My biggest criticism comes down to the pacing and the payoff surrounding the antagonist. I was enjoying Aurora and Harkin’s relationship so much that I wanted more time with them, their world, and the events unfolding around them. Some of the more important developments happened quickly, particularly when it came to the external conflict, and I felt those parts of the story deserved a little more attention.

Carly did a great job making me genuinely dislike the antagonist, and after everything we’d learned, I was more than ready to see him get what he deserved. Unfortunately, the resolution of that storyline fell flat for me. I literally yelled at my book, “Oh, come on! At least kick his ass or make him walk with a limp for a while!” 😂 I won’t spoil what actually happens, but after all that buildup, I wanted a much more satisfying resolution. That man had earned himself a proper ass-kicking, and I was disappointed we didn’t get to see it!

On a happier note, I absolutely loved what we learned about Aurora’s future. The possibilities opened up by her bond with Harkin were such a wonderful surprise, especially considering everything she’d believed was no longer possible for her. And naturally, my mind immediately went to the possibility of little hybrid pups running around someday. Half Mommy, half Daddy, and probably enough attitude to drive their poor parents absolutely crazy! After everything these two have survived, I want them to have all the happiness they can get.

Carly, if you ever feel inspired to write a bonus chapter, or three, showing Aurora and Harkin a little further into their happily ever after, preferably with a few adorable hybrid babies causing chaos, I would happily read it. Hint, hint!

WOULD I RECOMMEND WHISKEY AND WEREWOLVES?

Absolutely! If you enjoy paranormal romance with strong, independent heroines, protective and possessive love interests, fated mates, entertaining banter, plenty of spice, and a little supernatural chaos, I think you’ll have a lot of fun with this one.

Although it’s the third book in the series, I was able to follow Aurora and Harkin’s relationship without having read the previous two. That said, I suspect readers who start at the beginning will appreciate some of the returning characters and connections even more.

MY FINAL VERDICT:

Whiskey and Werewolves gave me a couple I genuinely enjoyed, plenty of laughs, some wonderful emotional moments, and a zombie pug I never knew I needed in my life. Aurora’s strength and personal growth made her easy to root for, while Harkin’s willingness to adapt and respect her independence made their relationship much more satisfying.

What would have made this a five-star read for me? A little more time developing the supernatural world and Aurora’s unusual abilities, better pacing for the external conflict, and a more satisfying payoff involving the antagonist. I also would have loved a longer glimpse into Aurora and Harkin’s future together, because I am absolutely invested in the possibility of those hybrid babies!

The pacing and a few missed opportunities kept this from earning five stars, but the characters, chemistry, humor, and emotional connection made it a solid four-star read for me. More importantly, it left me wanting to return to Arcane Cove, catch up on the books I missed, and hopefully see Aurora and Harkin again.

Final Book Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) | Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (5/5)

NOTE: This review reflects the digital ARC version I read as of September 13, 2026, and may not reflect any revisions, corrections, or updates made thereafter.