Even though this is book three of the series, it didn't really feel like it. To be honest, I didn't realize that it was part of a series until I went to the author's website.

To say that Alexis Parker had a bad year is an understatement--she lost her fiance to a helicopter accident just months before their wedding. Both her and her fiance are in the military. Alex in the Army and Nate is--was in the Air Force. The plan was to have a short leave where the two could get married in Alex's hometown before spending a year long joint deployment in Italy.



Instead, Alex is heading to Italy alone. The only saving grace is Italy does have any memories of Nate. She went to visit all of the places they planned to go. Any time she was emotional, she messaged Jake, her brother's business partner and company playboy. The entire year Alex was in Italy, she was messaging Jake through Facebook Messenger. They didn't go more than three day without communicating to each other. Jake was Alex's rock--her sounding board. But now her deployment is over, she's coming home. For how long? Who knows? Ok, she does but no one else does. She has already interviewed and accepted a position in the CIA in Arlington Virginia. Halfway across the country from her brother who has raised her since her mother and father died.

Jake is picking Alex up from the airport. He has never been so nervous in his life. He keeps rubbing his hands across his jeans. Most of their conversations have been superficial on his end but he listens to Alex's feelings and emotions. He knows that she still loves her dead fiance. But that doesn't stop him from dreaming about her. Wondering what she's doing. Now, she's in the same town. It's awkward. Jake wants more from Alex. He wants what his best friends have--a stable relationship. Ha! That's funny from the resident playboy. The next promotional tour for their whiskey label is about to begin. Jake is grateful. He needs to get away. Jake feels underappreciated and sometimes stupid. All he does is marketing and social media while Dean runs distribution and TJ does the finances. Alex suggests that she tags along with Jake. She wants to travel more and get out of Dean's house more. Dean being in the happy-couple all over the house with his fiancee.

The more time Jake spends with Alex, the more he's falling for her. He doesn't turn Alex down when she asks for a fling during the tour. But Jake gets more than he bargained for. Alex is almost scared away from a revelation. How can Alex have a relationship with Jake when she still loves Nate. Will Nate's ghost ever leave her alone? ( )

When life doesn't turn out how you planned, maybe it's time to head in a new direction. Maybe For You is a tale of heartbreaking loss, surprising new beginnings and witty dialogue. McLaughlin stages the ultimate road trip for a brokenhearted almost bride and playboy on the mend. Alexis is learning how to live again after a tragic loss. Her second chance comes in the form of a dashing coworker with a reputation for playing the field. Jake and Alexis take a business trip that changes the course of their lives when their hearts become fair game for love. Maybe For You is a sentimental tale that brings out the laughter and perhaps a few tears. ( )

Maybe For You by Nicole McLaughlin
Whiskey and Weddings #3

Alexis “Alex” Parker had her future in front of her. She and Nate would spend their last year in the military in Italy as a married couple but…that did not happen. Instead, before the wedding took place Nate died and Alex headed off to Italy alone. During that year while she was in Italy she messaged time and again with her brother’s friend Jake. Jake listened and was there for her and the two became friends. Sure, Jake is known as a playboy who will never settle down but on the other hand Alex is not sure she ever wants to put her heart on the line again either.

When Alex comes home she is met by Jake at the airport, he takes her to see her brother and that is that…right? Well, Alex is a bit bored with time on her hands till her new job begins in a few months so she asks to go on tour with Jake…a tour that will promote the whiskey Stag distillery produces. Many venues will be visited, many people will be met and much time on the road will be spent…time that sees Alexis and Jake talking and sharing and caring in new ways. But, as Alex is leaving and Jake is a playboy what happens on the road stays a secret of the road…right? Well, perhaps not. No matter how careful one is sometimes secrets are exposed in a rather surprising way.

This is a friends to lovers genre story with HEA for the couple that left me wondering if the two ever do marry but even if they don’t they end up together and seem to have a good relationship once Alex is willing to open her heart to love again. It felt realistic and possible and true for the most part although I am not sure how close one would be to the family of one’s deceased fiancé in the long run.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars ( )

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read in exchange for a fair review. Maybe For You is the third book in Nicole McLaughlin’s Whiskey Weddings Series. The hero in this book and the other two books are co-owners of a small batch distillery. Alexis Parker lost her fiancé in a helicopter crash shortly before their wedding. She’s spent the past year in Italy fulfilling her commitment to the army and has now returned home unsure of her place in the world. Jake Cooper one of her brothers partners has become a good friend over the course of that year listening to her hopes and fears and letting her move through her grief at her own pace. Jake too has been struggling feeling left out in the decision making process for the distillery and unappreciated in his role as marketing director. With both of them needing some space from family and friends Alexis tags along with Jake as he embarks on a promotion and marketing tour and their friendship turns into something more ... Jake is handsome and charming but not one to be tied down or is he? Keep a box of Kleenex handy. Fairly steamy. Publishing Date August 28, 2018 #MaybeForYou #NetGalley #stmartinspress #nicolemauthor ( )

How do you recover from unyielding grief & pain? Alex isn’t sure that she can. She lost her fiancée just before their wedding & it devastated her. She decided to finish out the tour that they were planning on using as a working honeymoon & then decide what to do next. After the year in Italy, she received a job offer she never expected. What was the right thing to do?

Jake was there for his friend’s sister in the only way he knew. He was her friend. After the funeral, he was the strong shoulder for Alex to confess her fears & doubts to. Now that she’s back home, their year long email & text only friendship is over. Where do they go from here? Is she ready to move on? He’s a stereotypical playboy, king of one night stands. Can he really have feelings for her? Is he ready?

What an emotional story! From the story of the tragedy at the beginning, this story drew me in & I couldn’t put it down. Alex’s character was mired in grief & her head was telling her to travel a path to keep her safe from pain. She was trying to stay away so she didn’t get hurt again. As the story goes on, you see her begin to emerge & live again. Jake was slowly growing up & realizing he was ready for something more. He just didn’t know how to change people’s perceptions of him & didn’t have enough faith in himself & his abilities. I really enjoyed this story & can’t wait for the next! ( )