Intoxicated by You by K.C. McCormick Çiftçi: Book Review

 *Book received for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

When sober hearts collide, love is the ultimate intoxicant.

Haunted by the tragic loss of a dear friend, Maya has sworn off alcohol, determined to honor her friend's memory. Her world takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with Tom, a charming Irishman who owns a non-profit organization collaborating with Maya's marketing agency.

After an awkward misunderstanding at their first meeting, Maya dreads working in close proximity with Tom, something she has to do every day when she is assigned to his account.

As Maya and Tom navigate their professional collaboration, their personal lives become increasingly intertwined. With each passing day, they discover shared values, dreams, and an irresistible chemistry that transcends their initial misunderstanding. Their relationship blossoms, offering a tender respite from the weight of their individual struggles.

"Intoxicated by You" deftly balances the weighty themes of addiction and loss with lighthearted moments of laughter, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit. Through Maya and Tom's uplifting tale, readers will be immersed in a story of hope, growth, and second chances. Will Maya find the courage to trust again, and will Tom prove to be the missing piece she never knew she needed?

Perfect for fans of romantic comedies with a touch of depth, "Intoxicated by You" is a captivating novel that will leave readers both smiling and reflecting on the transformative power of love. This enchanting story promises a happily ever after that will warm your heart and reaffirm the beauty of finding love in unexpected places.

KC McCormick Çiftçi is an English teacher turned romance writer. She is from Michigan, but spent the majority of her twenties living and working abroad, collecting the experiences that inform the stories she tells. She enjoys telling multicultural and international love stories through sweet romance, romantic comedy, and women’s fiction. She lives in Turkey with her husband and a herd of cats.

While Intoxicated by You is part of the Summer of RomComs, I would definitely say it reads more like chick lit with a hint of RomCom. The romance is definitely there---and I really enjoyed Maya and Tom's relationship--- but there was also a great story of growth, friendship and healing, while still ultimately ending in the happily ever after we expect in a romance. 

Having lost her best friends as a teenager to a drunk driver, Maya had since struggled with relationships and developed a strong stance against alcohol since then. Throughout the story, we get to join along with her as she continues to deal with that grief and discover that perhaps things are not always as black and white as they seem... and that even good people can struggle with alcohol addiction and make bad decisions. While the subjects of grief and addiction aren't easy ones, there was a good balance with the romance and humor that kept it from going too dark, which I really appreciated. While a bit different than many of my typical reads, I did find I really enjoyed this story. 

Intoxicated by You is a closed-door romance. While intimacy is implied and there are some pretty blunt conversations about sex, nothing happens on the pages aside from kisses. There is also a good amount of language throughout the book as well.