BOUND: A Dark Southern Billionaire Romance

by Lily R. Steele

She came to write their legacy.
He made her part of the lie that built it.

Wren Delaney expected a simple puff piece on Kentucky’s richest bourbon dynasty.

She didn’t expect Holden Blackstone—the brooding heir with bourbon on his tongue and danger in his shadow. Raised to protect the empire. Trained to bury its sins.

He doesn’t want her questions.
He doesn’t want her digging into the past.

But he wants her—in every forbidden, possessive way he swore he never would.
Their chemistry is brutal. Addictive. Wrong.

And the deeper Wren falls into Holden’s world, the clearer it this family protects its own… violently.

Someone inside the estate watches her.
Follows her.

Warns her to leave before she uncovers a truth the Blackstones would kill to protect.
Holden will burn the whole empire down to keep her safe.

But loving a man like him comes with a price—
one paid in loyalty, blood… and silence.

A dark Southern romance for readers who crave obsession, power, and danger—perfect for fans of Luna Mason, Sadie Kincaid, Shantel Tessier, and K.A. Knight.

Where bourbon tastes like power, desire becomes obsession, and secrets never stay buried.

463 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 31, 2025

About the author

Lily R. Steele writes dark Southern romances filled with obsession, power, and morally gray men who would burn the world down to protect what’s theirs.

Her Bourbon & Blood series blends legacy, corruption, forbidden desire, and Southern Gothic tension into emotionally charged stories where love is never clean—and secrets never stay buried.

When she’s not writing ruthless men and dangerous women, she’s living in Louisiana with her family, bourbon nearby, and another Blackstone scandal brewing.

Reviews

[Mary Butterhof · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an ARC of this book and blew through it today while I was traveling. Holden and Wren are 🔥. There was tension and spice and I enjoyed every second of it. I’m now fully invested in the Blackstone family and cannot wait to read the next story.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author has a way of bringing her characters emotions into a live reel playing in your mind. This is Holden and Wren’s story. And introduces you to the century old Blackstone bourbon dynasty. The mystery around this family and their legacy will have you questioning everything that goes bump in the night. While this has a happy ending for this couple, the mystique of this dynasty will continue on through the family. I’m eager to learn more about this heavy legacy of Bourbon and Blood.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The chemistry between the characters was FIRE from the very beginning. The books gives mystery, spooky vibes through the book with dark undertones of desire that fit the steamy and myterious feel of the whole book. The family dynmaics, with the history of the family, and the outside forces pressing in kept the story moving with all the pieces that were happening at the same time and the characters having to battle issues on several fronts. I liked that you weren't left wondering too much about some things by adding a third POV which will lead perfectly into the next book where we all know the story will continue, because the cliffhanger in this is too good not to continue!

[Amy Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this down! Don't let the size of this be daunting to you if you're not used to long books. The intensity and the intrigue behind the scenes - I swear this isn't just a dark romance it feels more like a thriller.

The fear Wren feels makes your chest clench. The lust Wren feels makes your thighs clench.

I didn't want to leave this world. I immediately wanted to find out Holden's brothers stories. Who are mostly in the background but such bold intriguing characters that I just want more of.

I already want to start reading book #2 Ruined!

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 1 of the Bourbon & Blood series and it is a FANtastic start!
'Where bourbon tastes like power, desire becomes obsession, and secrets never stay buried."

The characters were very complex and complicated and compelling and perfectly steamy together. Plot was dark and gritty and well paced. World building was impressive and solidly drawn. Look forward to more from this world. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this was another great story. It was a steamy page turner, and the suspense was so intense and captivating of heated passion and power. I was hooked on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't even put it down literally. Wren and Holden chemistry was so spicy hot, and the temptation was on high level alert of sexual tension and more. This book is going to have you wanting more of this emotional and drama of romance.
I highly recommend this book, and you won't be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Trina Jones

[Katherine May · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me kicking, blushing and silent screaming. The romance, the tension, the secrets is all executed perfectly. Holden may have just become a new book boyfriend obsession. If you love dark romance with lots of protection and lurking, this is the one for you. I cannot wait to read the next book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Audra Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received the ARC of this book and my goodness it was dark, steamy, and full of tension. The chemistry is intense from the start, and the mysterious, slightly spooky vibes kept so hooked I read it in three days! I loved the layered family dynamics and how everything unfolded from multiple POVs. Its a must read, and I'm honored to have been apart of the ARC team on this one :)

[Taina C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book right here was a 10/10 I loved every moment of it the intense feeling in every page the spice I couldn’t put this book done. May feel like a big book but I promise you’ll get lost in it and fall in love with the characters as I did.

[K Webz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story packs the mystery and suspense! The characters of Holden and Wren sizzle with amazing chemistry.

The mystery with Blackstone Bourbon dynasty keeps you enthralled. The story keeps moving as the family dynamics pull you in and the story has so much grit.

[Amy Hutchins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has mystery and suspense. Holden and Wren have such hot chemistry.
It keeps you hooked from beginning to end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prequel left me raging for more and this installment delivers. The family Blackstone have the richest bourbon and the plot thickens and lies are starting to come to light.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great beginning to the Bourbon & Blood series. The plot is dark, gripping and intense. The drama and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. Holden and Wren’s story was very interesting and very well written.