What do you think?
Rate this book
Tequila: A Story of Success, Love, and Violence
388 pages, Paperback
Published May 29, 2025
4 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 20, 2025
I received a free copy of, Tequila, by Tim Reuben, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The Ramirez family is known for their Tequila. I could not finish this book, after reading about Miguel and his wants, I could not read anymore.
September 20, 2025
“Succession” meets John Grisham in this page turning legal thriller from Tim Reuben.
Ram Industries has come through the hell of Mexican gang wars to become a leading maker of premium tequila. The company operates under the iron rule of a Master Trust established by grandfather Sotero, which dictates that the company must always be run by a family member with children and that violation of the rules of the trust, including conviction of any crime, will cause you and your offspring to be completely disinherited and excluded from the company. Of course, anyone with a law degree will immediately wonder if the trust is at all enforceable, because it seems to violate the Rule Against Perpetuities and to be against public policy in every conceivable way, but Tim Reuben neatly sidesteps that issue by saying that whether or not it is enforceable, the family is committed to following it.
Following the death of Sotero, leadership of the company falls to Sotero’s daughter, Marta, a wise leader who moves company headquarters to New York and builds it into a multibillion dollar business before turning over control to her daughter, Maria, who is poised to take the company to the next level by going into the hotel business. Whip smart and beautiful with an Ivy League education, Maria is also a kind and generous boss. She’s cautious, but willing to take calculated risks. Above everything she values family. Marta and Maria are benevolent despots, whose essential goodness make the story of this family company fundamentally different from “Succession” though it is still not immune from other less admirable family members jockeying for control.
Maria’s two brothers are nothing like her. Miguel, who runs the Miami operation, is pure evil. His only motivations are an insatiable thirst for power and luxury and taking pleasure in the pain of others. This guy hasn’t got a good bone in his body. And then there is Tomaso, who plays the role of Fredo from The Godfather – weak, not very bright, easily manipulated and essentially dishonest. He has been exiled to Los Angeles, where he is supposedly in charge of west coast operations, but really does nothing but golf and drink. Maria keeps them both at bay for a long time until Tomaso’s wife, Nora, decides to divorce him, at which point, all hell breaks loose.
This sets the stage for our hero, Brian Youngman, an up and coming lawyer who has recently launched his own practice after a few years as a prosecutor. He’s smart, handsome and deeply committed to justice. He has recently started moving into family law and seems to have landed a big fish in representing Tomaso’s wife, Nora, in the divorce. We see Brian holding his own against the big money opposition, though his toughest challenge seems to be his client who cares nothing for justice or for her children and only wants to torture Tomaso and his family.
Then things get complicated when Nora disappears. It’s clear from the beginning that evil Miguel is behind it and is setting up his brother to take the fall. Brian and Maria both go looking for Nora and become unlikely allies. The chemistry between them is obvious from the start though there is an unavoidable clash between Maria’s commitment to family and Brian’s commitment to the law. For the rest of it, you will have to read the book.
Beyond the fun of the book as a page turning thriller, this book has two qualities that make it a must read for lawyers.
First, it is completely authentic in its portrayal of the legal system in Los Angeles today. The way that the lawyers think and act, the courtroom scenes, the strategies, the interactions with the judges and the different perspectives of the characters on justice and the legal system felt completely true and real to me in a way that almost never happens in legal fiction. Most novelists with law degrees are too far removed from the rough and tumble of legal practice to have a good feel for it, and even when the novelist is a practicing lawyer, too often the realities of the legal system are pushed aside to serve the requirements of the fictional world that the author wants to build. But in this book, Tim Reuben manages to keep it real while still telling a rollicking good story.
Second, Brian Youngman is a character who, as lawyers, we can all relate to. Yes, there is a wish fulfillment side of it. We can imagine ourselves living Brian’s exciting life, marooned on a desert island and falling in love with Maria. We could be resourceful like Brian, ready at the opportune moment to apply our martial arts training to take out a bad guy. The fact that Brian is really just a young schlemiel doing his best to get by in a struggling solo practice makes it all seem possible for any of us. OK, OK, maybe the book leads us down that path but then we get pulled back to earth when we see sad sack Tomaso having fantasies of hanging out with sports stars and having threesomes with hot women. No, no, we are better than Tomaso. But still, glamor and fantasy aside, Brian is a very relatable character. Any of us who have practiced law can feel his pains and triumphs and can share his faith that somehow the justice system really can serve justice despite all of the frequent indications to the contrary. And, of course, like Brian, all of us know in our hearts that we will get the partner of our dreams in the end.
In the interests of full disclosure, I must acknowledge that Tim Reuben is one of my oldest friends. We have known each other since college and have been in the trenches together as colleagues in the same law firm. I have always admired Tim for his extracurricular ambitions. I remember him telling me in the 1980s that he was going to write a musical. Where could he find the time? Now he has written a book, and I haven’t. Yes, I’m a little jealous, but mostly I’m proud of my friend for following through and delivering a compelling fun read. Now I guess I’d better get to it and write my own book.
Ram Industries has come through the hell of Mexican gang wars to become a leading maker of premium tequila. The company operates under the iron rule of a Master Trust established by grandfather Sotero, which dictates that the company must always be run by a family member with children and that violation of the rules of the trust, including conviction of any crime, will cause you and your offspring to be completely disinherited and excluded from the company. Of course, anyone with a law degree will immediately wonder if the trust is at all enforceable, because it seems to violate the Rule Against Perpetuities and to be against public policy in every conceivable way, but Tim Reuben neatly sidesteps that issue by saying that whether or not it is enforceable, the family is committed to following it.
Following the death of Sotero, leadership of the company falls to Sotero’s daughter, Marta, a wise leader who moves company headquarters to New York and builds it into a multibillion dollar business before turning over control to her daughter, Maria, who is poised to take the company to the next level by going into the hotel business. Whip smart and beautiful with an Ivy League education, Maria is also a kind and generous boss. She’s cautious, but willing to take calculated risks. Above everything she values family. Marta and Maria are benevolent despots, whose essential goodness make the story of this family company fundamentally different from “Succession” though it is still not immune from other less admirable family members jockeying for control.
Maria’s two brothers are nothing like her. Miguel, who runs the Miami operation, is pure evil. His only motivations are an insatiable thirst for power and luxury and taking pleasure in the pain of others. This guy hasn’t got a good bone in his body. And then there is Tomaso, who plays the role of Fredo from The Godfather – weak, not very bright, easily manipulated and essentially dishonest. He has been exiled to Los Angeles, where he is supposedly in charge of west coast operations, but really does nothing but golf and drink. Maria keeps them both at bay for a long time until Tomaso’s wife, Nora, decides to divorce him, at which point, all hell breaks loose.
This sets the stage for our hero, Brian Youngman, an up and coming lawyer who has recently launched his own practice after a few years as a prosecutor. He’s smart, handsome and deeply committed to justice. He has recently started moving into family law and seems to have landed a big fish in representing Tomaso’s wife, Nora, in the divorce. We see Brian holding his own against the big money opposition, though his toughest challenge seems to be his client who cares nothing for justice or for her children and only wants to torture Tomaso and his family.
Then things get complicated when Nora disappears. It’s clear from the beginning that evil Miguel is behind it and is setting up his brother to take the fall. Brian and Maria both go looking for Nora and become unlikely allies. The chemistry between them is obvious from the start though there is an unavoidable clash between Maria’s commitment to family and Brian’s commitment to the law. For the rest of it, you will have to read the book.
Beyond the fun of the book as a page turning thriller, this book has two qualities that make it a must read for lawyers.
First, it is completely authentic in its portrayal of the legal system in Los Angeles today. The way that the lawyers think and act, the courtroom scenes, the strategies, the interactions with the judges and the different perspectives of the characters on justice and the legal system felt completely true and real to me in a way that almost never happens in legal fiction. Most novelists with law degrees are too far removed from the rough and tumble of legal practice to have a good feel for it, and even when the novelist is a practicing lawyer, too often the realities of the legal system are pushed aside to serve the requirements of the fictional world that the author wants to build. But in this book, Tim Reuben manages to keep it real while still telling a rollicking good story.
Second, Brian Youngman is a character who, as lawyers, we can all relate to. Yes, there is a wish fulfillment side of it. We can imagine ourselves living Brian’s exciting life, marooned on a desert island and falling in love with Maria. We could be resourceful like Brian, ready at the opportune moment to apply our martial arts training to take out a bad guy. The fact that Brian is really just a young schlemiel doing his best to get by in a struggling solo practice makes it all seem possible for any of us. OK, OK, maybe the book leads us down that path but then we get pulled back to earth when we see sad sack Tomaso having fantasies of hanging out with sports stars and having threesomes with hot women. No, no, we are better than Tomaso. But still, glamor and fantasy aside, Brian is a very relatable character. Any of us who have practiced law can feel his pains and triumphs and can share his faith that somehow the justice system really can serve justice despite all of the frequent indications to the contrary. And, of course, like Brian, all of us know in our hearts that we will get the partner of our dreams in the end.
In the interests of full disclosure, I must acknowledge that Tim Reuben is one of my oldest friends. We have known each other since college and have been in the trenches together as colleagues in the same law firm. I have always admired Tim for his extracurricular ambitions. I remember him telling me in the 1980s that he was going to write a musical. Where could he find the time? Now he has written a book, and I haven’t. Yes, I’m a little jealous, but mostly I’m proud of my friend for following through and delivering a compelling fun read. Now I guess I’d better get to it and write my own book.
November 16, 2025
Tequila: A Story of Success, Love & Violence, Tim Reuben, author
This book, dear reader, will glue you to your seat from page one until the very end. The title perfectly describes the novel. The intricately woven tale that begins in the mid 1900’s, and continues until the present time, takes you into the dangerous world of the drug cartels in Mexico and illustrates their power and their cruelty, exactly what has given them their awesome power and control over people and government officials. Sadism runs through the novel as a theme in both the cartels and the overly ambitious; those willing to do whatever it takes to succeed have no limits to their depravity. It goes without saying that when the criminal mind, possessing no moral compass, driven by greed, jealousy and the need for omniscience, does not possess a full deck of cards, madness appears in all the corners of their world. I cannot provide more than the barest outline, the most minimal details of the story, because it would definitely detract from the experience if any of its events were anticipated by the reader.
This is a tale about an honorable, hard-working Mexican family just beginning to make its fortune producing Tequila in the mid 1900's. At first, Sotero Ramirez attempts to fairly compete in the market, but soon, the need to grow took over. The more aggressive they became, the bigger their risk of offending competitors became. In the business world they traversed, Sotero knew the danger and did not want to cross the wrong people. Xiomara, his wife, however, was more daring. She wanted to expand their little enterprise once it started to become successful, not quite heeding the true threats that were out there. With her murder, witnessed by their daughter Marta, the family goes to ground, takes revenge and Sotero rebuilds his life, taking the business forward. Marta later becomes a powerful matriarch overseeing the business.
The story jumps back and forth from the past to the present day, following the progress of the family and the business. The granddaughter of Sotero and Xiomara, Marta's daughter Maria Ramirez, now heads up their mega powerful company that continues to grow. It distributes its own products and has expanded outside the world of Tequila production and sales. The main office is no longer in Mexico. It is now in New York, and Maria runs a tight ship. Her grandfather has set up a Trust that controls the private company so that it must stay in the hands of the Ramirez family. However, if there is even a whiff of illegality or incompetence threatening the business, that member accused and involved in such behavior will be excommunicated from the business and the family. The problem is that Maria’s siblings are not quite as honorable as Sotero was, nor are they as hard-working or intelligent. Both of her brothers, Miguel and Tomaso, leave a lot to be desired in the brain and character department. Their behavior begins to threaten the company.
The illustration of the magnitude of the power and fear the cartels arouse is authentic. The willingness of the people involved to participate in sadistic behavior to threaten and control their victims and extort huge amounts of money is palatable. Sometimes the descriptions of the tactics used by the cartels, and also those who wished to ignore their authority, were too difficult to read all at once, as were the revelations about the types of people who conducted the violence on both sides, the cartels and also those who attempted to compete with them for a greater share of the business. I was often forced to avert my eyes and take a deep breath before I could continue.
The story sometimes seemed over the top when it came to the tragedies that befell some of the characters, but all of the events hinted at reality, especially if they would have occurred in smaller bursts. Dealing with an attempted drowning, and then its aftermath that was followed up by a kidnapping by further forces of evil, was hard to swallow, but the knowledge that this could actually happen, even if only as just one act of violence, was just as horrifying.
Now, having finished the book, I realize that the violence and sadistic descriptions and language I found offensive were necessary to drive the message of this book home. The almost fairy-tale ending, between Maria and attorney Brian Youngman, did not even take away from the massive effect the book had on me as I read it. While it has been said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, it is also true that hope springs eternal. Yes, there was terrible violence that was an overriding theme in this novel of the hard-won success of the Ramirez family business dynasty, but there was also the idea that the future could always brighten if the right path and/or choice was made. Every action and reaction of each character, and every choice made, propelled the family either forward or backward, threatened their security or maintained it, but there was always another door that might open that would salvage whatever life threw at them.
This book, dear reader, will glue you to your seat from page one until the very end. The title perfectly describes the novel. The intricately woven tale that begins in the mid 1900’s, and continues until the present time, takes you into the dangerous world of the drug cartels in Mexico and illustrates their power and their cruelty, exactly what has given them their awesome power and control over people and government officials. Sadism runs through the novel as a theme in both the cartels and the overly ambitious; those willing to do whatever it takes to succeed have no limits to their depravity. It goes without saying that when the criminal mind, possessing no moral compass, driven by greed, jealousy and the need for omniscience, does not possess a full deck of cards, madness appears in all the corners of their world. I cannot provide more than the barest outline, the most minimal details of the story, because it would definitely detract from the experience if any of its events were anticipated by the reader.
This is a tale about an honorable, hard-working Mexican family just beginning to make its fortune producing Tequila in the mid 1900's. At first, Sotero Ramirez attempts to fairly compete in the market, but soon, the need to grow took over. The more aggressive they became, the bigger their risk of offending competitors became. In the business world they traversed, Sotero knew the danger and did not want to cross the wrong people. Xiomara, his wife, however, was more daring. She wanted to expand their little enterprise once it started to become successful, not quite heeding the true threats that were out there. With her murder, witnessed by their daughter Marta, the family goes to ground, takes revenge and Sotero rebuilds his life, taking the business forward. Marta later becomes a powerful matriarch overseeing the business.
The story jumps back and forth from the past to the present day, following the progress of the family and the business. The granddaughter of Sotero and Xiomara, Marta's daughter Maria Ramirez, now heads up their mega powerful company that continues to grow. It distributes its own products and has expanded outside the world of Tequila production and sales. The main office is no longer in Mexico. It is now in New York, and Maria runs a tight ship. Her grandfather has set up a Trust that controls the private company so that it must stay in the hands of the Ramirez family. However, if there is even a whiff of illegality or incompetence threatening the business, that member accused and involved in such behavior will be excommunicated from the business and the family. The problem is that Maria’s siblings are not quite as honorable as Sotero was, nor are they as hard-working or intelligent. Both of her brothers, Miguel and Tomaso, leave a lot to be desired in the brain and character department. Their behavior begins to threaten the company.
The illustration of the magnitude of the power and fear the cartels arouse is authentic. The willingness of the people involved to participate in sadistic behavior to threaten and control their victims and extort huge amounts of money is palatable. Sometimes the descriptions of the tactics used by the cartels, and also those who wished to ignore their authority, were too difficult to read all at once, as were the revelations about the types of people who conducted the violence on both sides, the cartels and also those who attempted to compete with them for a greater share of the business. I was often forced to avert my eyes and take a deep breath before I could continue.
The story sometimes seemed over the top when it came to the tragedies that befell some of the characters, but all of the events hinted at reality, especially if they would have occurred in smaller bursts. Dealing with an attempted drowning, and then its aftermath that was followed up by a kidnapping by further forces of evil, was hard to swallow, but the knowledge that this could actually happen, even if only as just one act of violence, was just as horrifying.
Now, having finished the book, I realize that the violence and sadistic descriptions and language I found offensive were necessary to drive the message of this book home. The almost fairy-tale ending, between Maria and attorney Brian Youngman, did not even take away from the massive effect the book had on me as I read it. While it has been said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, it is also true that hope springs eternal. Yes, there was terrible violence that was an overriding theme in this novel of the hard-won success of the Ramirez family business dynasty, but there was also the idea that the future could always brighten if the right path and/or choice was made. Every action and reaction of each character, and every choice made, propelled the family either forward or backward, threatened their security or maintained it, but there was always another door that might open that would salvage whatever life threw at them.
October 6, 2025
Tequila follows generations of the Ramirez family, from Sotero’s gamble on aging tequila in the 1950s Jaliscan Highlands to the modern corporate empire known as RAM Industries. What begins as a tale of sweat, soil, and ambition slowly becomes a saga of family betrayal, violence, and power. Across decades, we watch tequila move from rustic distilleries into the bloodstream of global trade, all while the Ramirez family wrestles with love, greed, and blood feuds that never seem to fade. It is a story that swings between passion and brutality, family devotion and ruthless ambition.
I admired the way author Tim Reuben captures place, especially the Mexican highlands where Sotero’s first plants take root. Those early chapters breathe with heat and dust, the struggle of a farmer dreaming big. Then, almost suddenly, the narrative shifts to boardrooms and courtrooms, and it struck me how ambition hardens with each generation. I found myself both hooked and unsettled. The violence was raw, sometimes shocking, yet it felt earned, a natural extension of the world Reuben built.
The writing itself is quick, sharp, and often cinematic. The dialogue snaps, the scenes cut hard, and there is little handholding. I enjoyed that rhythm because it gave the book urgency. But I also caught myself wishing for pauses, more room to breathe, especially when the story moved into modern-day plots with kidnappings, corporate lawyers, and family infighting. Still, I admired the boldness. Reuben doesn’t play it safe. He tells a story that spills over with energy, grit, and heat.
I’d recommend Tequila to readers who enjoy family sagas laced with crime, corporate drama, and old-world passion. Tequila felt like a mix of The Godfather’s family drama, the cutthroat energy of Succession, and the grit of Narcos, all poured together into one fiery shot of a story.
I admired the way author Tim Reuben captures place, especially the Mexican highlands where Sotero’s first plants take root. Those early chapters breathe with heat and dust, the struggle of a farmer dreaming big. Then, almost suddenly, the narrative shifts to boardrooms and courtrooms, and it struck me how ambition hardens with each generation. I found myself both hooked and unsettled. The violence was raw, sometimes shocking, yet it felt earned, a natural extension of the world Reuben built.
The writing itself is quick, sharp, and often cinematic. The dialogue snaps, the scenes cut hard, and there is little handholding. I enjoyed that rhythm because it gave the book urgency. But I also caught myself wishing for pauses, more room to breathe, especially when the story moved into modern-day plots with kidnappings, corporate lawyers, and family infighting. Still, I admired the boldness. Reuben doesn’t play it safe. He tells a story that spills over with energy, grit, and heat.
I’d recommend Tequila to readers who enjoy family sagas laced with crime, corporate drama, and old-world passion. Tequila felt like a mix of The Godfather’s family drama, the cutthroat energy of Succession, and the grit of Narcos, all poured together into one fiery shot of a story.
October 12, 2025
Tequila is a gripping debut novel that is an interesting cross between a family saga and legal thriller. Told over a non linear timeline I really enjoyed getting to know the Ramirez family and seeing their small, family run tequila farm grow into RAM industries, an international, multimillion dollar company with offices around the world, contracts and partnerships with 10 countries, 11 hotels and a shipping fleet. However, founding patriarch Sotero has embedded a Family Master Trust clause to make sure the company remains family run. I found myself completely immersed in the world of tequila making, rum running and Mexican Cartels.
In the modern day RAM industries is being run by Maria Ramirez whilst her hapless brother Tomaso play golf and drinks all their products and troublemaker brother Miguel has been relegated to the Cayman Islands to make rum. When Tomaso decides to divorce his wife Nora, it sets off a chain of events that sees the siblings pitted against each other and fighting for control of the company. Nora goes missing and her lawyer Brian Youngman goes in search for her and finds himself involved the fall out of the siblings war.
I loved the stunning locations from the small family hacienda in Tequila, rum distilleries in the Cayman Islands to corporate offices in Manhattan. It was great to see the company run by strong women- I loved Maria and her mother Marta, both set up the company and made it grow. I enjoyed the family story and all their tricky dynamics and the fight for justice. Brian was great as first an adversary and then confidante. You were drawn in immediately with a big Mexican stand off and the pace kept up the whole way. There were a few twists and turns and a big finish. A very engaging story of tequila, family, legal battles and a touch of romance.
In the modern day RAM industries is being run by Maria Ramirez whilst her hapless brother Tomaso play golf and drinks all their products and troublemaker brother Miguel has been relegated to the Cayman Islands to make rum. When Tomaso decides to divorce his wife Nora, it sets off a chain of events that sees the siblings pitted against each other and fighting for control of the company. Nora goes missing and her lawyer Brian Youngman goes in search for her and finds himself involved the fall out of the siblings war.
I loved the stunning locations from the small family hacienda in Tequila, rum distilleries in the Cayman Islands to corporate offices in Manhattan. It was great to see the company run by strong women- I loved Maria and her mother Marta, both set up the company and made it grow. I enjoyed the family story and all their tricky dynamics and the fight for justice. Brian was great as first an adversary and then confidante. You were drawn in immediately with a big Mexican stand off and the pace kept up the whole way. There were a few twists and turns and a big finish. A very engaging story of tequila, family, legal battles and a touch of romance.
September 29, 2025
Review of Digital Galley
In 1950, Sotero Ramirez is ready to harvest his agave plants in preparation for making three varieties of tequila and cementing his place in the tequila industry. So certain of his success, he’s taken a massive loan against the farm; but when he sells this supply of the rarest tequila, he’s earned enough to repay the entire loan.
In the present day, the children . . . Maria, Miguel, and Tomaso . . . run the company under the requirements of the Family Trust. But it isn’t easy. Miguel is interested only in power; his mean streak scares Maria. Tomaso, a figurehead, isn’t the problem that Miguel presents, but Maria, who has built the company slowly and legally, cannot not push either of them out of the company.
Miguel is in the midst of divorcing his wife, Nora, when she suddenly vanishes.
=========
Readers are pulled into the Ramirez family business from the outset; the ensuing intrigue and machinations that occur keep those pages turning as fast as possible. With the characters [well-drawn but not always particularly likeable] pulled into a variety of difficult situations with “making money” at the forefront of their concern.
The unfolding narrative offers readers a few unexpected plot twists as it spreads over the world, taking them from Manhattan to the agave fields in Mexico to Scotland as they deal with business issues. This is a story about family, about truth and power, and justice.
Readers who enjoy thrillers, family sagas, and courtroom suspense will find much to appreciate in this absorbing tale.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Meridian Editions and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Tequila #NetGalley
In 1950, Sotero Ramirez is ready to harvest his agave plants in preparation for making three varieties of tequila and cementing his place in the tequila industry. So certain of his success, he’s taken a massive loan against the farm; but when he sells this supply of the rarest tequila, he’s earned enough to repay the entire loan.
In the present day, the children . . . Maria, Miguel, and Tomaso . . . run the company under the requirements of the Family Trust. But it isn’t easy. Miguel is interested only in power; his mean streak scares Maria. Tomaso, a figurehead, isn’t the problem that Miguel presents, but Maria, who has built the company slowly and legally, cannot not push either of them out of the company.
Miguel is in the midst of divorcing his wife, Nora, when she suddenly vanishes.
=========
Readers are pulled into the Ramirez family business from the outset; the ensuing intrigue and machinations that occur keep those pages turning as fast as possible. With the characters [well-drawn but not always particularly likeable] pulled into a variety of difficult situations with “making money” at the forefront of their concern.
The unfolding narrative offers readers a few unexpected plot twists as it spreads over the world, taking them from Manhattan to the agave fields in Mexico to Scotland as they deal with business issues. This is a story about family, about truth and power, and justice.
Readers who enjoy thrillers, family sagas, and courtroom suspense will find much to appreciate in this absorbing tale.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Meridian Editions and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Tequila #NetGalley
October 17, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
While the author calls this genre “thrillerkiller,” the thriller part was underwhelming as it was entirely predictable. There is a lot of killing though, and some pretty graphic violence at times.
The story begins on Sotero Ramirez’s agave farm in Mexico. Sotero expands his small distillery into a liquor distributorship that becomes an empire. Today, his grandchildren run the multi-national business consisting of tequila, whisky and rum distillation and distribution, as well as hotels and casinos. Unfortunately, sibling rivalry coupled with unstable and extremely violent individuals results in a death spiral for the empire.
The story promised legal drama and pulse-pounding twists, but fell short. While the overall direction and ending was pretty clear, the only surprise was the level of graphic violence exhibited.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
While the author calls this genre “thrillerkiller,” the thriller part was underwhelming as it was entirely predictable. There is a lot of killing though, and some pretty graphic violence at times.
The story begins on Sotero Ramirez’s agave farm in Mexico. Sotero expands his small distillery into a liquor distributorship that becomes an empire. Today, his grandchildren run the multi-national business consisting of tequila, whisky and rum distillation and distribution, as well as hotels and casinos. Unfortunately, sibling rivalry coupled with unstable and extremely violent individuals results in a death spiral for the empire.
The story promised legal drama and pulse-pounding twists, but fell short. While the overall direction and ending was pretty clear, the only surprise was the level of graphic violence exhibited.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
October 28, 2025
Tequila follow the the Ramirez family throughout the decades. When the head of the family dies, Sotero, it is up to his children to keep the legacy going. The company must be run by a family member with children. Marta steps up as the head of the company and will then hand over the company to her daughter Maria. But nothing is ever so simple or easy. And when her not so good brother's wife Nora goes missing, things turn for the worse.
Living in Mexico and hearing all the stories of Tequila makers and the struggled they face to make this beautiful elixir made the book so much more enjoyable and realistic. I enjoyed all the characters, even the horrible brothers.
My favorite characters were Marta and Brian, the lawyer. Their chemistry was palpable. Make sure to read this book to find out if the family is able to surpass greed, ambition and their own drama.
Thank you Meryl Moss Media Group for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
Living in Mexico and hearing all the stories of Tequila makers and the struggled they face to make this beautiful elixir made the book so much more enjoyable and realistic. I enjoyed all the characters, even the horrible brothers.
My favorite characters were Marta and Brian, the lawyer. Their chemistry was palpable. Make sure to read this book to find out if the family is able to surpass greed, ambition and their own drama.
Thank you Meryl Moss Media Group for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
September 12, 2025
4 stars
Tequila is an interesting and exciting book to read tracing a Mexican family engaged in the tequila industry from the 1970s to the present time with several flashbacks which enable the reader to fully understand what is happening in the present time. The book is replete with a plethora of different and difficult situations and characters — family squabbles, murder, divorce, attorney involvement, kidnapping, children and an improbable romance. The writing is excellent and descriptive of the characters and situations in a manner that keeps the reader turning pages . This book is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys this genre and I thank NetGalley and Meridian Editions for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.
Tequila is an interesting and exciting book to read tracing a Mexican family engaged in the tequila industry from the 1970s to the present time with several flashbacks which enable the reader to fully understand what is happening in the present time. The book is replete with a plethora of different and difficult situations and characters — family squabbles, murder, divorce, attorney involvement, kidnapping, children and an improbable romance. The writing is excellent and descriptive of the characters and situations in a manner that keeps the reader turning pages . This book is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys this genre and I thank NetGalley and Meridian Editions for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.
Read
October 14, 2025Tim Reuben's "Tequila" is a sharp, fast-moving thriller centered on the Ramirez family's fight to control a global tequila empire. When Maria Ramirez takes over as CEO, she faces threats from her own brothers and powerful outside forces, including drug cartels and corporate enemies. Brian Youngman, a lawyer with a strong moral code, is pulled into the family's chaos through a legal case. As he falls for Maria, he's forced to navigate a deadly world of corruption, smuggling, and betrayal. The narrative blends legal drama with intense action across global settings. It’s a bold debut that delivers high stakes, complicated loyalties, and plenty of twists.
November 10, 2025
Pretty amazing that the main character gets shot in the ocean and the bad guy gets a screwdriver in the neck and the sharks immediately eat him but leave the bleeding hero alone. Also, after the ruthless father and sons kill their enemies and the bad brother kills his sister -in-law and tries to kill his sister all they want to do is have an intervention? Whateva. Then, our hero (who spends his time gettin shot or getting the shit kicked out of him) leaves the woman he loves and goes back home. But, afterall he is a lawyer. Overall a story lacking in logic.
November 14, 2025
I was offered a free ARC by the publisher and I always read such offers; and I really do try to enjoy this.
Unfortunately with Tequila it just wasn’t the case.
The plot sounded interesting. Almost a Mexican Narcos with the same amount of violence.
But the plot was laughable. I almost felt like I was watching a soap. When the plot took me to Scotland and introduced a red headed man: Jamey I groaned. Loudly. And then I put it down with relief.
Unfortunately this is a one star did not finish for me. To cliched almost to the point of being funny for me to take seriously.
Unfortunately with Tequila it just wasn’t the case.
The plot sounded interesting. Almost a Mexican Narcos with the same amount of violence.
But the plot was laughable. I almost felt like I was watching a soap. When the plot took me to Scotland and introduced a red headed man: Jamey I groaned. Loudly. And then I put it down with relief.
Unfortunately this is a one star did not finish for me. To cliched almost to the point of being funny for me to take seriously.
September 30, 2025
Well written but not my thing.
The story is comprised of clear and interesting characters involved in very high stakes events involving family drama, violence, murder, divorce, attorney, kidnapping, children, and intense greed.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital PDF from Meridian Editions via NetGalley.
#Tequila by @timreubenauthor #MeridianEditions Pub Date Oct 14, 2025 ****review
#thrillerbooks #courtroomdrama #upcomingnovel #debutauthor
The story is comprised of clear and interesting characters involved in very high stakes events involving family drama, violence, murder, divorce, attorney, kidnapping, children, and intense greed.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital PDF from Meridian Editions via NetGalley.
#Tequila by @timreubenauthor #MeridianEditions Pub Date Oct 14, 2025 ****review
#thrillerbooks #courtroomdrama #upcomingnovel #debutauthor
September 30, 2025
(2). I will give this two stars for the middle section of this book as the start and the finish would have almost warranted a dreaded 1 star rating. Miquel Ramirez is truly one of the nastier villains you will encounter and that does give a little excitement here, but most of the rest of the action is pretty predictable. The pace is solid. I got through this one mostly because I was on the road and it was an e book I had ready to go. Disappointing stuff.
October 7, 2025
From the agave fields of Mexico to the glass towers of Manhattan, one family’s tequila empire is built on secrets, betrayal, and blood. 🍸🔥
Tequila: A Story of Success, Love & Violence by Tim Reuben — a gripping, genre-bending thriller that proves power always comes with a price.
📖 Read the full review here: My Review
#BookReview #Thriller #TequilaNovel
Tequila: A Story of Success, Love & Violence by Tim Reuben — a gripping, genre-bending thriller that proves power always comes with a price.
📖 Read the full review here: My Review
#BookReview #Thriller #TequilaNovel
November 19, 2025
Tequila was a great unexpected surprise combining decades of a family business turned empire and how greed, sex and family dynamics don't always make a good cocktail. I loved following the Ramirez family on their journey and how each child came in to their own money and power and the different ways each character handled it. The characters were rich, the story moved quickly I definitely found myself rooting for various characters. That is always the sign of a good story!
December 21, 2025
Tequila is a fast-paced, multi-generational story following a Mexican family in the tequila industry from the 1970s to today. Flashbacks are woven in smoothly, adding depth and making the present-day drama easy to follow. Packed with family feuds, murder, divorce, lawyers, kidnapping, children, and even an improbable romance, there’s never a dull moment. The writing is vivid and engaging, making this a page-turner that’s as spirited as its title.
September 29, 2025
With a family like hers, Maria Ramierez, CEO of RAM Industries, Inc., the family’s liquor business, needs no enemies! What a story of familial love, hate, loyalty, and betrayal. I received an ARC from NetGalley, and the opinions expressed are my own.
October 16, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of thi book in exchange for an honest review.
A great read. Historical, thrilling, intriguing, suspenseful, interesting. It's all in there. A recommended read
A great read. Historical, thrilling, intriguing, suspenseful, interesting. It's all in there. A recommended read
November 19, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book and liked the storyline but didn't feel it was extremely well written. Gratuitous violence was a bit overboard and the love story felt rushed. On a positive note, it was an easy read that flowed and kept me engaged.
October 14, 2025
This is a very naive story and plot, so much that I finished reading the book because I found it funny. So there is entertainment value, but not a great book.
December 5, 2025
A terrific fast-paced read. Lots of great twists and turns...and a novel about a Mexican family that doesn't veer into stereotypes.
November 2, 2025
Very well written family saga about success, love, violence, and TEQUILA! A high stakes legal thriller that blends legal drama, betrayal and survival in 3 generations of the fiery Ramirez family.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews