I loved Cora from the opening scene. We see her in element - completely bad ass, dominating a bartending competition. In this book she has an opportunity she cant refuse to better her own career - except the job comes with a terrible boss - her still very handsome exboyfriend.

This book has a fun supporting cast whos backstories will get you excited for the rest of the series, but the book is also a great standalone. The only downside was that I felt that Levi and Aiden were maybe a little too similar - but I can see how maybe a football field makeout would win me over :)

Cora is a bartender and online mixologist. She dreams of opening her own bar someday but for now she’s working hard to get experience and save money. Aiden is driven to help his alcohol brand succeed. The new plan to start an alcohol-free mixer division means Aiden needs to lure Cora to work for the company. Unfortunately, their first meeting doesn’t go well.

I like that the author gave them a history together. It was something they had to work through from both her perspective and his. When they reconnect after many years apart, she knows who he is but he doesn’t recognize her. That is a good setup to allow them to have some friction they have to overcome. I thought it was believable when Cora finally accepted the job with Aiden’s company even though she had reservations. The author made some good choices comparing and contrasting their family backgrounds. There are characters from prior books that appear in this story and add to the story of the main relationship.

The part that I thought was weak was the staff in the lab accepting Cora with open arms and no friction. She has no lab experience and no business experience. The author makes the point that Cora’s ability to make a drink is the reason but I found it difficult to believe that the lab members wouldn’t question her contribution.

This is a second chance romance. Both characters are adults, one is wildly successful and the other is getting a foothold in her chosen industry. I enjoyed this story. It made me smile. I will read more from this author in the future.

This book was so much fun! Love. Hate. Passion. The tension between these two is palpable from the beginning, and it shifts to something different over the course of the book. Hot steamy scenes. ♥️ Wonderful, tropey plot that's so much fun. Highly recommend this!

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed the book! The plot is very well written with love-hate and second chance tropes, emotion, humor, sizzling chemistry, verbal sparring, playful banter, conflict, steamy love scenes and an endearing cast of main and supporting characters. Cora and Aidan are interesting personalities with issues in the past, who both undergo a great character development over the course of the book and who, after several attempts, finally get their happy ending.

Cora Newport has made a name for herself as the Masked Mixer thanks to her professionalism and creativity. At a mixologist contest, she is pressurised by Aiden Callihan, the Cocktail King and self-made billionaire, to promote his drink, but she turns him down cold. Aiden is her ex-boyfriend from high school, who dumped her without explanation and doesn't recognise her now. But shortly afterwards Aiden makes Cora an offer she can't refuse: she is to help Aiden’s company develop a mocktail, in return for which she can use his resources to expand her own brand and receive enough money to fulfil her dream of opening her own bar. The difficulty, however, is not to lose her heart to Aiden and get hurt by him again...

I am happy to recommend the book and am already looking forward to the next book in the series!

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

Thank you to Relay Publishing and Netgalley for a copy of this book to review.

On the Rocks is a sizzling second-chance romance that delivers on all fronts—chemistry, wit, and heart. Cora, a determined woman working to open her dream speakeasy, reunites with Aiden Calihan, a brooding billionaire and the man who broke her heart. The tension between them is palpable from the start, and their slow-burn romance is irresistibly engaging.

Cora is a relatable, strong-willed heroine, and Aiden, while frustrating at times, is a complex hero who grows throughout the story. The emotional buildup between them is what makes this romance so compelling, Aiden's growth and the pair’s reconnection made for a satisfying journey. The book is fast-paced and evenly paced throughout. I also appreciate that the secondary characters are memorable and stand out.

Also--I just really love the name Cora. It's a beautiful name for a strong heroine.

I would've loved to have experienced this an audiobook! It would've been great!

Thank you NetGalley & Leslie North for the ARC :)

On the rocks, a very well written second chance romance. It has a grumpy billionaire boss, high school sweethearts and alcohol. What could you want more?

I really loved the story, Cora is a mixologist and she's darn good at it. Aiden is the now billionaire ex-boyfriend from high school. The first time they see each other again 15 years later approximately he doesn't recognize her. Talk about a knife to the chest, but to his defence she's wearing a mask.

I really liked the way we got to know the soft side of Aiden through his interaction with his friends, employees, Nana Dee and Hailey. It shows that you don't have to be an a$$hole to be a great CEO.

Of course he did make some very questionable decisions but that's just part of the book.

Overall, I give this book a 4,5 stars! Definitely recommend, it's an easy and well written read.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I had never read anything by Leslie North before so I wasn't sure what to expect.

Aiden and Cora dated in high school and have come back together with Cora working for Aiden's drink company. The chemistry between these two burned off the pages for me and had me hooked. The back and forth zingers between them just really made me love this book.

In addition, I loved that the characters worked on themselves and their mental health throughout the book to become the best versions of themselves.

I definitely will be reading more books from Leslie in the future.

Quick Summary: A second-third chance romance

My Review: On the Rocks by Leslie North is book #2 in the Manhattan Bossholes series. It is a second chance billionaire boss romance novel.

About the Book: "Crafting signature cocktails is my passion. Mixing things up with my oh-so-hot, mega-successful ex? A surefire recipe for the world’s most epic hangover."

In My Own Words: High school sweethearts turned exes reunite unexpectedly at an event. Insecurities, bitter feelings, and tense interactions cannot extinguish the hot chemistry that still lingers between them. When they agree to partner on a special project, a reconciliation of sorts occurs, but unresolved issues from the past get in the way of their forward progression. Why is it that they always seem to take one step forward and two steps back?

My Final Say: I really liked this story. It had that yea-aha vibe. I liked all of the characters, in fact. In terms of Aiden and Cora... They were interesting to watch as a couple and as individuals. The third act conflict was very telling, and so was the ending. I'll just leave it there.

Other: Needless to say, I want to continue with this series. I am particularly interested in Dom, Hailey, and Jennifer. (Will this be a possibility, Ms. North? Perhaps?) This inquiring mind wants to know. Please and thank you.

Rating: 4.25/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 💛
Series: Yes

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Relay Publishing), and to NetGalley. Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this work. It was a pleasure. I look forward to continuing with this series. It is off to a fantastic start!

This one’s for you if you love:
*** Second chance romance
*** First love
*** Billionaire hunk
*** Enemies to lovers
*** Snarky banter
*** Spicy!

I liked the premise of this one; the mixology industry was something different to delve into that I haven’t read about before.
This was a cute, quick read; I’d definitely pick up another novel by this author in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

4.5 stars - I actually loved this book, it really drew me in from the get go and I couldn’t put it down I finished within a few hours. I loved Cora and Aiden’s relationship how they reminisced from high school and built a relationship back together after a fiery meet at the bartending competition. I couldn’t stop laughing how she used the bottle of Elixir as a utensil rather than for alcohol in her cocktail.

I finished reading On the Rocks, in one day. It's true, I couldn't put it down. I liked that the main characters didn't have the boring typical jobs. A mixologist is a new one for me. Cora really puts Aiden in his place in the beginning. He is beyond stunned. Made me smile and laugh.

3.25⭐️


Cora y Aiden fueron novios en su juventud, pero su relación terminó de repente debido a él, y ella siempre se preguntó qué había pasado.
Ambos siguieron con sus vidas, a uno le fue mejor que al otro, y se reencuentran porque ella es una famosa mixóloga y él quiere que trabaje con su empresa. Es la oportunidad perfecta para que ella tenga un mayor alcance y pueda cumplir su sueño.

Al principio, ambos me cayeron mal: él, por creído, y ella, por estar aferrada al pasado. Sin embargo, ambos mostraron otras facetas y me fueron cayendo mejor.

No le pongo una calificación más alta porque, al final, él debió haber pasado más tiempo pidiendo perdón y demostrando su arrepentimiento. Merecía arrastrarse por su perdón.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Good book! It was the right length to adequately tell the story. I would read another book by this author. .