Bourbon and Lies

by Victoria Wilder, Connor Crais (Narrator), Samantha Brentmoor (Narrator)

Ex-cop Grant Foxx’s life is thrown into chaos when a beautiful woman with a dangerous secret begins working at his distillery – in the first book in a bourbon-infused romantic suspense trilogy featuring mystery, murder and lots of spice.

FEATURING DUET NARRATION

In Fiasco, Kentucky, there is one never fall for a Foxx brother. Any woman who did ended up dead – or so the rumour goes.

Townies call it a curse. But I’ve lived it, and I won’t survive it again. I’m not a cop anymore, but I’ve seen enough danger to know that Laney Young, the beautiful stranger who just showed up in my town, is running from something. She’s lying about where she came from and what she’s doing here.

I don’t want her near the quiet life I’ve made for myself, but she’s working at my distillery, living in our guest house, I can’t avoid her. And the way she dishes out attitude from that pretty mouth of hers has me wanting things I’ve sworn to myself I’d never want again.

When her past shows up and mingles too closely with mine, her lies begin to unravel. I mess up, dig too far, and get too close. Only two things have the power to keep her safe bourbon and lies.

Genres: Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published October 27, 2025

About the author

Forever a hopeful romantic, I write deliciously witty and wild characters. My stories range from small-town swoon-worthy men to fiercely powerful families and lead characters who aren't afraid to ask for what they want.

You will always find a little bit of fate, a whole lot of steam, and a wildly romantic ride.

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I started this I was expecting something totally different so maybe it just hit me wrong. I didn't like the insta lust right from the start, too too much before I even got to know the characters. I must say the narration by Connot Crais & Samantha Brentmoor was excellent and the only reason I finished it, even still took me a month as I kept getting annoyed at the characters and story.

The beginning was good when it explained how MMC Grant's girlfriend was killed and why he quit the police department. Then it forwards to 5 years later and I start to lose interest. He has become a growly recluse working with his brothers and grandfather at the family bourbon business. He and his brothers believe they are cursed as all their women die. So they just f*ck around one night stands or are celibate and avoid attachments. The pity party of "oh I can't get attached for the safety of the women" was not really working for me. The whole small town is in on believing the curse and MMC and his brother both lost their women and their mom so maybe I am too harsh.

I guess I am spoiled as have been reading a lot of romantic suspense like Melinda Leigh (Brie Taggart series) with characters that are so likeable not just sex driven and there is a plot I can get into. I didn't like any of these people much and their dark brooding lives. Laney the female MC has been hidden by a fed agent as she testified against a murderer. As the story unfolds there is a lot more to it wish author had spent more time on that. I was annoyed as it took till the last 1/4 of the book to kind of explain more about the mystery. It also left A LOT of loose ends regarding the killer so was not satisfied.

So if you want a super HOT, emotional sexy book you'll like this, if you want more mystery and more from the characters probably not. Again the narration was awesome but the plot didn't work for me.

[dodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

came for connor crais, stayed for samantha brentmoor. if any of you are interested in reading this book, please consider listening to the audiobook. this duet is maaagic.

now - the review. i’m so obsessed with everything this series has to offer. the narrative, the suspense, and the unraveling of the story was written in such an gripping way. i love how the author has written the town, it almost feels like it’s a character in of itself. every setting and every character feel like they have a purpose.

laney quickly became one of my favorite main characters, she is such a strong and intriguing character. she takes what she wants, never backs down from a challenge and it was so much fun exploring her as a character and her past. despite being such a powerful woman, she isn’t afraid to show weakness and to ask for help. i really really enjoyed that, it made her feel so real.

the foxx family and the dynamic between them was by far one of the highlights. grant, lincoln, and ace are all super interesting characters with distinct personalities. they all have depth to them and despite lincoln and ace being side characters in this particular book, we still learn so much about them. i can’t wait to continue on reading this series so i can get to know them even better.

the love story between laney and grant is insta-lusty for sure but they still built up a solid friendship and relationship before anything real happened between them and i’m so happy the author took this route. i love how they always got each other and supported each other through everything. they have skyrocketed in my list of favorite book couples for sure.

[Jari Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! It helped get me out of my reading slump! The storyline was well written and flowed nicely, the chemistry between characters was just right, and for once there were no weird nicknames. It definitely made me want to continue the series!

⭐️-4.25
🌶️-2

[Savanha_lovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5✨

This was so good!