Truly, Madly, Whiskey

Passionate and warm characters

3.75 stars--TRULY, MADLY, WHISKEY by Melissa Foster is a contemporary, adult, stand alone romantic story line focusing on biker/mechanic Robert ‘Bear’ Whiskey, and costume designer Crystal Moon. We were previously introduced to Bear and the Whisky family in River of Love (The Bradens), and Crystal in Foster’s TRU BLUE (Tru and Gemma’s story line). Bear and Crystal’s story line begins in Tru Blue. Several familiar characters and names cross over from previous novels and series for cohesion.

Told from dual third person points of view (Bear and Crystal) TRULY, MADLY, WHISKEY focuses on the developing relationship between biker / mechanic Bear Whiskey, and designer Crystal Moon. For close to eight months Bear has waited patiently for Crystal to realize they were meant to be but something in Crystal’s past kept our heroine from reaching to the man that called to her heart. What ensues is Bear’s ongoing seduction of Crystal Moon, and Crystal’s struggle to let go of the past.

Bear’s patience is beyond reproach. He is a big, battered and tattooed biker with a softer side where it concerns his family, friends and the woman with whom he is falling in love but there are dark demons in Crystal’s past that control so many aspects of her present and future. As Crystal struggles to step out of her comfort zone, Bear’s overwhelming need to protect and claim Crystal becomes his number one priority. An offer from an unlikely source has Bear contemplating both his and Crystal’s future –a future of which Bear battles his devotion to his family and the businesses they own. Meanwhile the Whiskey family becomes embroiled in turmoil when one of their own is willing to step down and let another family member take his place at the family run Whiskey Bro’s biker bar.

We are introduced to Bear’s extended and tight-knit family-a family that founded the Dark Knights MC, Whiskey Bro’s bar, and Whiskey Automotive: his brothers Bones (a physician by day and a biker by night), and former soldier/ Special Forces veteran Bullet, their long-suffering sister Dixie, and his parents Biggs and Wren (Red) Whiskey, as well as Bear’s best friend Truman, Gemma and Tru’s brothers and sister, Quincy, Lincoln and Kennedy. Kennedy’s innocent, child-like language is endearing and cute. Crystal’s brother Jed battles too many demons but he too, is on the road to recovery with the help of the Whiskey family and Truman’s brother Quincy.

The world building focuses on the building relationship between Crystal and Bear but also on family, friendships and demons from the past. Crystal’s wishy/washy inability to commit controls a major portion of the story line conflict; and the preparations for Truman and Gemma’s upcoming nuptials allows for some humorous moments in relief. Each of the Whiskey siblings (Bullet, Bones and Dixie) will be featured in their own story line. I hope for a happily ever after for Jed Moon, as well.

TRULY, MADLY, WHISKEY is a heartwarming story of romance with a realistic and genuine look at family and friendships, betrayal and revenge, romance and love. The premise captivating and compelling; the characters are passionate and warm; the romance is tender and affectionate without the use of sexually graphic, over the top language and text. I did have some issues with Crystal’s inability to commit, to let go, and to trust but under the circumstances everyone’s reactions would be different, and time does not necessarily heal all wounds.