Eastbound and Down

Ash Alcott, thirty-five, leaves behind his life in Maine, driving cross-country to Montana in search of a fresh start. His car, Edna, breaks down just outside the small town of Darling, where he's rescued by a local and welcomed by his best friend, Virginia. Ash is determined to embrace the unknown, seeking not just a new job but a new sense of belonging. The landscape is vast, the people quirky, and the promise of something different—maybe even happiness—hangs in the air.

Welcome to Darling

Ash's arrival in Darling is met with warmth and curiosity. He's quickly swept into the town's rhythm, landing a job as the cook and housekeeper at the sprawling Darling Ranch, owned by the formidable Marigold and her ex-husband Hank. The ranch is a family affair, with four Darling brothers, each with their own quirks and baggage. Ash is thrown into the deep end, but the sense of community and the beauty of the land begin to work their magic on his weary heart.

The Darling Brothers

The Darling brothers—Lawson, Jackson, Colton, and Remi—are as different as they are close. Jackson, the stoic second-eldest, runs the ranch with a gruff exterior and a heart of gold. Colton is the charming farrier, Remi the Deaf youngest with a passion for animals and art, and Lawson the eldest, a teacher navigating divorce. Ash's presence stirs up the household, especially for Jackson, whose past heartbreak has left him wary of letting anyone in.

Kitchen Chemistry

Ash finds his footing in the kitchen, winning over the ranch hands and family with his food and easy humor. The kitchen becomes the heart of the home, a place where barriers fall and connections form. Jackson, initially reserved, is drawn to Ash's warmth and resilience, especially as Ash navigates chronic pain with quiet strength. Their banter is electric, and the kitchen becomes the backdrop for a slow-burning attraction neither can ignore.

Cowboy Lessons

Jackson teaches Ash the basics of ranch life, from riding horses to understanding the rhythms of the land. Their lessons are filled with flirtation and mutual respect, each man revealing vulnerabilities and strengths. Ash's willingness to try, to get dirty and laugh at himself, chips away at Jackson's defenses. The Montana landscape, with its wild beauty and hard edges, mirrors the growing connection between them.

Whiskey and Want

A bonfire and a bottle of local whiskey become the catalyst for Ash and Jackson to finally give in to their attraction. Their first kiss is electric, a release of pent-up longing and fear. Both men carry scars—Ash from a controlling ex and chronic pain, Jackson from a lover who left—but together, they find solace and passion. Their intimacy is both physical and emotional, each touch a step toward healing.

The Heart of Gold

Ash's chronic pain flares, and Jackson's protective instincts kick in. Their relationship deepens as they navigate the realities of living with invisible wounds. Ash struggles with accepting help, fearing pity, while Jackson learns to balance care with respect. Their honesty and willingness to be seen—truly seen—become the foundation of their growing love.

Trouble in the Rain

As autumn rains sweep the ranch, tensions rise. Family dynamics, old heartbreaks, and the ever-present threat of change test Ash and Jackson's budding relationship. A missing child on a trail ride triggers a search, and Ash, desperate to help, ends up injured and lost. The ordeal forces both men to confront their fears—of loss, of not being enough, of loving and being loved.

The Rescue

Jackson leads the search for Ash, finding him battered but alive after a harrowing fall. The rescue cements their bond, each man realizing how much the other means. Ash's recovery is slow, marked by frustration and vulnerability, but Jackson's steadfast presence and the support of the Darling family help him heal. The ordeal becomes a turning point, a reminder that love is worth the risk.

Healing and Home

As Ash recovers, he and Jackson settle into a new rhythm. Ash moves in, their home becoming a sanctuary filled with laughter, teasing, and quiet moments of care. The ranch, once just a place of work, becomes a true home. The couple navigates the challenges of blending families, dealing with exes, and facing the future with hope. Their love, tested by hardship, proves resilient and real.

The Ex Returns

Ash's ex, Nicholas, arrives in Darling, hoping to rekindle what they lost. The encounter is awkward but necessary, allowing Ash to close the door on his old life and reaffirm his commitment to Jackson. The town, ever watchful, rallies around Ash, making it clear where he belongs. Jackson's jealousy and protectiveness surface, but so does his trust in Ash, strengthening their bond.

Family Ties and Fights

The Darling family is never short on drama. Colton's rivalry with fellow farrier Noah King escalates, Remi navigates life as a Deaf man in a hearing world, and Lawson struggles with the aftermath of divorce. Through it all, Ash becomes an integral part of the family, his presence a balm and a spark. Bonfires, kitchen confessions, and shared struggles bring the brothers closer, with Ash and Jackson at the center.

Bonfire Confessions

A family bonfire becomes the setting for confessions, laughter, and healing. Jackson admits his fears and hopes, Ash reveals his dreams, and the brothers confront their own demons. The firelight burns away old hurts, making space for new beginnings. Ash and Jackson's love, once tentative, now burns bright and sure.

Falling for Sunshine

The seasons turn, and with them, Ash and Jackson's relationship deepens. They confess their love, not in grand gestures but in everyday acts of care and courage. The ranch, the family, and the town become the backdrop for a love story rooted in resilience and hope. Ash, once a wanderer, finds his place—not just with Jackson, but with himself.

The Proposal

Jackson, never one for big speeches, asks Ash to move in, to stay, to build a life together. The proposal is simple, heartfelt, and exactly right. Ash says yes, their future unfolding in the golden light of Montana. The family celebrates, the town cheers, and the couple looks ahead to a life filled with love, laughter, and the occasional goat yoga session.

Wedding at the Ranch

Ash and Jackson's wedding is a testament to found family and hard-won happiness. Surrounded by loved ones, under the wide Montana sky, they exchange vows that speak of sun and mountains, of chasing and being chased, of loving fiercely and without reservation. The ceremony is both intimate and communal, a reflection of the life they've built together.

Sun and Mountains

The newlyweds settle into married life, their days filled with the rhythms of the ranch, the chaos of family, and the quiet certainty of love. Ash, once a wanderer, is now the sun to Jackson's mountains, each man anchoring the other. Their story is one of healing, hope, and the courage to choose happiness, again and again.

Sweet Like Whiskey

Years later, Ash and Jackson's love endures—tested, deepened, and made all the sweeter by the trials they've faced. The ranch thrives, the family grows, and the couple's bond remains unbreakable. Their love, like the best whiskey, is complex, warming, and unforgettable—a testament to the power of choosing each other, every day.

Characters

Ash Alcott

Ash is a thirty-five-year-old man who leaves behind a life of quiet dissatisfaction in Maine, seeking a new start in Montana. He's witty, resilient, and deeply empathetic, carrying the invisible weight of chronic pain and a controlling ex. Ash's journey is one of self-discovery and healing, as he learns to accept help, embrace vulnerability, and open his heart to love. His warmth and humor endear him to the Darling family, and his relationship with Jackson becomes the anchor he never knew he needed. Ash's arc is about finding home—not just in a place, but in a person and a community.

Jackson Darling

Jackson, the second-eldest Darling brother, is the backbone of the family ranch. He's gruff, practical, and fiercely protective, shaped by past heartbreak and the burdens of responsibility. Jackson's exterior hides a deeply caring nature, especially toward those he loves. His journey with Ash is one of learning to trust again, to let down his guard, and to believe in the possibility of lasting happiness. Jackson's love is steady, unwavering, and, once given, all-consuming. He is the mountain to Ash's sun—solid, enduring, and quietly magnificent.

Marigold Darling

Marigold is the formidable mother of the Darling brothers, a woman who rules the ranch with equal parts love and stubbornness. Twice-divorced from Hank but still deeply connected, she is the glue that holds the family together. Marigold sees through everyone's defenses, orchestrating much of the story's matchmaking and emotional breakthroughs. Her wisdom, humor, and unyielding support make her a beloved figure in both the family and the town.

Hank Darling

Hank is Marigold's ex-husband and the father of the Darling brothers. He's quirky, endearing, and often lost in his own world of hobbies (beekeeping, woodworking). Hank provides comic relief but also quiet wisdom, reminding the family of the importance of patience, kindness, and second chances.

Colton Darling

Colton, the third brother, is outgoing, quick-witted, and always in the middle of a friendly rivalry—especially with fellow farrier Noah King. His lightheartedness masks a deep loyalty to his family. Colton's subplot explores themes of pride, competition, and the search for his own place in the world.

Remi Darling

Remi, the youngest brother, is Deaf and communicates primarily through ASL. He's sensitive, creative, and deeply attuned to the animals on the ranch. Remi's presence brings a unique perspective to the family, challenging assumptions and fostering greater understanding. His relationship with Ash is one of mutual respect and quiet support.

Lawson Darling

Lawson is the calm, responsible eldest brother, a teacher navigating the pain of divorce and single parenthood. His journey is one of learning to accept help, process grief, and rediscover joy. Lawson's bond with his daughter Wendy and his brothers is central to the family's strength.

Virginia

Virginia is Ash's ride-or-die, the friend who encourages him to take risks and embrace happiness. She's sharp-tongued, loyal, and unafraid to meddle for Ash's benefit. Virginia's presence is a reminder of the importance of chosen family and the power of unconditional support.

Nicholas

Nicholas is Ash's ex, a well-meaning but controlling figure from his past. His arrival in Darling forces Ash to confront old wounds, assert his independence, and reaffirm his commitment to Jackson. Nicholas's arc is one of letting go and moving on.

The Darling Donkey

The Darling Donkey is a semi-mythical figure in the town, known for his antics and his role in rescuing lost souls (literally and figuratively). He serves as a symbol of the town's quirky charm and the unexpected ways help can arrive.

Plot Devices

Dual POV and Alternating Narration

The novel alternates between Ash and Jackson's perspectives, allowing readers to experience both men's internal struggles, desires, and growth. This structure deepens the emotional resonance, highlighting the ways their fears and hopes mirror and complement each other. The dual POV also provides insight into the family dynamics and the broader community, making the story feel both intimate and expansive.

Found Family and Community

The ranch and the town of Darling serve as more than just a backdrop—they are living, breathing characters. The sense of found family, with all its messiness and warmth, is central to the narrative. Meals, bonfires, and shared work become rituals of connection, healing old wounds and forging new bonds.

Chronic Pain as Character and Metaphor

Ash's chronic pain is not just a plot point but a lens through which themes of vulnerability, resilience, and acceptance are explored. His journey toward self-compassion and the negotiation of care within a relationship mirror the broader emotional arcs of the story.

Symbolism: Sun and Mountains, Whiskey and Home

The recurring imagery of the sun and mountains, and the motif of whiskey—strong, sweet, lingering—underscore the novel's themes of endurance, transformation, and the search for home. The landscape is both a challenge and a comfort, reflecting the characters' internal journeys.

Humor and Banter

The story uses humor—often through banter, family antics, and small-town quirks—to balance heavier themes. This levity makes the characters' struggles feel real and their victories hard-won, inviting readers to root for their happiness.

Foreshadowing and Callbacks

The narrative plants seeds—Ash's car breaking down, the legend of the Darling Donkey, the recurring motif of rice pudding—that blossom into meaningful moments of connection, rescue, and healing. These callbacks provide emotional closure and a sense of narrative cohesion.

Analysis

Sweet Like Whiskey is a heartfelt, slow-burn romance that explores the transformative power of love, community, and self-acceptance. Emmy Sanders crafts a story where healing is not linear, and happiness is a choice made daily, often in the face of pain and uncertainty. The novel's strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of vulnerability—both physical and emotional—and its celebration of found family. Through Ash and Jackson, Sanders shows that true intimacy is built on honesty, mutual care, and the courage to be seen. The Montana setting, with its wild beauty and hard edges, becomes a metaphor for the characters' journeys: daunting, breathtaking, and ultimately, home. The book's message is clear—love, like the best whiskey, is strong, sweet, and worth savoring, especially when shared with the right person.

Last updated: June 12, 2025