Rumors & Whiskey

The Whiskey Women #1

by Victoria Wilder

From Booktok sensation Victoria Wilder comes the first in an all-new small-town romantic suspense series with all the steam, drama, and banter you could ask for, perfect for fans of Paisley Hope, Catherine Cowles, and Elsie Silver.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Small Town Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Expected publication June 16, 2026

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

[Matea ☽]

Pre-release

I just got an email saying Connor Crais is the narrator for this book…

[naz]

oh hell yes have this bad boi as an audiobook, thank you bloom and netgalley!!!

[tiana ♡]

pre-read notes:
I MADE IT INTO THE ARC TEAM 😭✨ Thank you so much Victoria Wilder and her amazing team for this opportunity ♡
I’m having a bit of a ‘pinch me’ moment. I’m so happy and READY to read this!!
🗓️: Releasing on June 16, 2026 💚🥃

[Halo]

YES TO THIS. WHATEVER IT IS, YES.

[Noi (in & out)]

This, is a need.

[Karly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just DEVOURED Rumors & Whiskey in less than 24 hours, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!

🗓️ Pub date: June 16th, 2026
🎁 ARC & ALC gifted to me by Bloom Books & Sourcebooks Audio

If you love…
❓Romantic suspense
🗣️1st person, dual POV
🏔️ Small town setting
🙏 He’s down bad
🥃 Whiskey play
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (slow burn)

Then you won’t regret adding this book to your TBR.

Now, I LOVE Victoria Wilder's Bourbon Boys trilogy, so I can't discredit my love for that series because it definitely carried into this series. I was always curious about Julian's character (The Jeweler) from the Bourbon Boys trilogy, so I'm glad we finally got his story. The connections to that trilogy absolutely heightened my reading experience, and I highly recommend other readers reading it first before diving into Rumors & Whiskey.

This book is SUCH a strong start to the series. The Crowne women and this new cast of characters are incredibly lovable. I love their dynamics & personalities.

Wyn is an incredible FMC. She's resilient, a survivor, and witty. I love the way Julian complements her character and is down SO bad for her. I was a bit nervous he'd be a little too similar to the Foxx brothers, but he completely stands on his own. I really appreciate the way Victoria developed both of their characters.

The pacing of this book? Fantastic
The mystery? Kept me guessing till the very last moment
The spice? Ah heck ya

I was super fortunate to be gifted a paperback ARC and an ALC ahead of this book's release so I immersive read this book, and I HIGHLY recommend doing the same. The narration is phenomenal and absolutely heightened my reading experience. The way this book also had me sobbing?! Such an entertaining read, and I couldn't get enough of it.

If you're a fellow Bourbon Boys fan, you are going to LOVEEEEEE how she ties these series together (because I did), and it actually tied up some loose ends from the Bourbon Boys trilogy.

I went back and forth a bit giving this the full 5 stars because Victoria makes a few goofy word choices (e.g., calling characters morally gray, stating a character gave them comedic relief) and some moments were a littleeee too easy. However, given how quickly I devoured this book, I can't deny it the full 5 stars.

An absolute must-read, and I can't wait for book 2.

A sincere thank you to Bloom Books & Sourcebooks Audio for the ARC & ALC—can't wait for more readers to fall in love with this book and its characters.

[Sandy (Sandy.Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Let me start off by saying this book has badass women who are willing to do whatever it takes to protect the people they love, a man who is down oh so bad, and a family you’ll desperately want to be a part of.

I am already completely obsessed with this new series. Getting to know Wyn’s family was honestly top-tier. Every single one of them had such a distinct personality and their own things going on, which made every scene with them feel so alive. I already cannot wait to see more of them in the upcoming books.

And then we have Julian… hot, mysterious, talented, and absolutely capable of stealing your heart and your panties lol.

Watching Wyn and Julian meet, reconnect, and slowly fall for each other was everything. Their chemistry was undeniable from the start, but once you start uncovering their backstories? Holy shit. The layers to both of them made this story so addictive.

The suspense throughout this book kept me constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, and let me just say… that twist? I did NOT see it coming. Victoria Wilder absolutely got me with that one.

If you love suspense, tension, family dynamics, and a romance that keeps you hooked from beginning to end, add this to your TBR immediately.

[Amelia Blackmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Rumors & Whiskey
Author: Victoria Wilder
Series: The Whiskey Women, 1

Format: Edelweiss ebook
Genre: Contemporary, romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV’s: Wyn (FMC) & Julian (MMC)

What to expect:
*Jeweler x Professor
*Small town, Found family
*Witness protection

Safety:
No OW/OM drama in the form of jealousy. No third act breakup. Flashbacks of abuse against the FMC.

Review:
Very angsty romance involving some incredibly hard topics. Read the trigger warnings before jumping in. Abuse was told through flashbacks, but could still be triggering to some readers.

I loved both of the main characters so much! Wyn was so strong after surviving what she went through, but did not let her past keep her from falling for Julian. Julian was all in with Wyn from the moment he laid eyes on her, and he made sure to prove how much he loved her by accepting her palm reading, whiskey making family whole heartedly!

Can’t wait to see where this series leads next!

[vioreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 5 of my 24 hour readathon 📚 Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster for the physical ARC ❤ Video review -> https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNR9CwmtV/

[Ally Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

This book starts dark. Read those trigger warnings and be warned that it starts on page one.

I prefer my romance novels without cannibalism, but other than that, this story was really good.

I don’t want to give any spoilers. If I had to figure it out, then so do you. I felt pretty dumb for taking so long to connect the dots.

After having it taken from her, Win has to find her voice and discover who she wants to be.

[angelictaleslibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely phenomenal. The narrators brought every emotion, every bit of tension, and every heartfelt moment to life in such an immersive way that I couldn’t stop listening. The chemistry between the characters felt even more intense through the performances, and the emotional scenes hit so hard.

I found myself completely lost in the story and thinking about it long after ended..





#RumorsWhiskeyAudio #NetGalley

[Nicole (literary_nics) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this at 1am, immediately texted three people, then sat in the dark wondering how I get a flight to Rumor, Tennessee that doesn't technically exist.

Welcome to Rumor, a town that runs on gossip, grudges, and the Crowne women, who have been delivering shots and quiet, surgical revenge for generations. In the prologue, Wyn is living under a different name in a different life, buried under a past she's barely surviving, and she has one unforgettable night with a charming stranger named Julian who has no idea who she really is. Cut to chapter one: she's finally safe enough to come home, back to her sisters, back to her real name, back to the bar. She thinks she's finally got her feet under her. Enter Julian Colton: charming jeweller, filthy mouth, far too many questions, and, minor inconvenience, the man from that one unforgettable night, now standing in her town under his real identity while she's standing in hers. Then there's a dead body. And a missing cop. And a job that ties him to her family. Cool, cool, cool, nothing to see here.

What worked: EVERYTHING. The Crowne women are my new whole personality, sharp-tongued, ride-or-die, every conversation feels like sitting at the kitchen table in a house where the women would absolutely help you bury a body and then pour you a drink. The bar is a CHARACTER. I need it built, brick by brick, in a town I can drive to. Wyn is the kind of FMC who is barely holding it together with both hands, and Julian is unbearable in the best way, relentless, smug, and somehow tender right when it counts. The slow unspooling of her past against the suspense plot is so well paced I forgot to be suspicious of anyone until I should have been. Also: the dirty-talking, jewellery-making, ex-something-shady MMC archetype is doing the LORD'S work in romantic suspense right now.

Trope Chaos Check
✨ Second chance (but make it she didn't even tell him her real name the first time)
✨ Small town, big secrets
✨ Found family / sisters who would commit crimes for each other
✨ Dirty-talking MMC who Will Not Be Ignored
✨ Romantic suspense with actual stakes (a body! a missing cop! questions!)
✨ Hidden identity / woman on the run
✨ He falls first and so hard it's embarrassing for him

★★★★★ Hand it to me as a series, a TV adaptation, AND a functioning bar I can sit at, Victoria Wilder has built a town and a family I am refusing to leave.

Thank you to Bloom Books for the ARC, I have been a menace in everyone's DMs about this since I opened it, so consider this my formal apology and also: please send the next one immediately, I will be unwell until then.

[skyeslibrary]

“It’s too easy to get lost with you”

Having loved The Bourbon Boys series so much, I was eager to start Whiskey Women! Finding myself in Rumor, Tennessee with the Crowne women was such a delight, and I already can’t wait for the next book in this series!

The story began with so much suspenseful intrigue that it locked me in until the very end. Julian was a character in the Bourbon Boys that I wanted to know more about, and I love that he was the MMC to FMC, Wyn. There’s a very specific man that could slot into the world of the Crowne women, and Julian was the perfect one to do it.

Victoria Wilder’s ability to write angsty love stories while also having a suspense focus is incredible. She doesn’t shy away from hard topics, but she handles them with such intentionality. And, I’m not going to spoil anything, but I KNEW that person was not to be trusted from the moment I met them on the page. 👀
—

this and that:
♡ bluegrass and whiskey
♡ distilling spirits
♡ dual pov
♡ family business
♡ found family
♡ insta-ish love
♡ jeweler x professor
♡ open door spice
♡ palm reading
♡ reading tea leaves
♡ romantic suspense
♡ small town
♡ tarot
♡ witness protection

triggers:
☞ blood x gore
☞ cannibalism
☞ captivity
☞ death of a loved one
☞ drugging
☞ grief
☞ PTSD
☞ SA (alluded to, off-page)
☞ violence

notable quotes:

“Might have just tasted my new favorite thing.
_
“So, she likes praise.”
_
“Be careful, looking at me like that.”
_
“It’s too easy to get lost with you.”
_
“I want you to make me nice and messy.”
_
“I go where you go.”
_
“I can see all of this life with you.”

—

thank you to Victoria Wilder and Bloom Books for the gifted review copies!
—
♡ find me on Instagram!

[lucialeelibros]

i just got accepted to the arc team and i'm so ready.

[Tanika Millington · Rating 3 out of 5]

We were first welcomed with the hot Bourbon Boys of Fiasco, Kentucky and now we have our own Whiskey Women of Rumour, Tennessee. A small gator town with the hottest gossip and rumours to go around. 🥃🥃🥃🥃

I was so excited to get the story of our beloved Jeweller Julian. After meeting him in the Bourbon boys i needed to know more about him. He was always so elusive in the Bourbon Boys series. And he did not disappoint, the way he carries him self and cares for other people. Whilst on top of that protecting what is his 🤭

Our FMC Wyn is a little troubled, but shes also super fiery and passionate. I loved her flirty banter she had with Julian which created some sultry sparks immediately.

The tension between Wyn and Julian is so freaking HOT. I mean it was oozing off the page, utterly electric and fiery from the get go. I loved that their chemistry and pull towards each other made you feel giddy and excited. And boy did i have some blushing. 🔥

I overall loved the women in Rumour, they were badass and loved that they are the queens of revenge and were giving that boss energy throughout the book. I did however find this one a little bit slower paced whilst we navigated new characters and plot lines, and at times it felt some what derailing when i thought we were going to learn more info only for it to completely change course.

I am eager to see where this series takes off too. And how the other stories progress. Rumour Tennessee has got more in store for us i can tell!

Thankyou to Victoria, Simon and Schuster Australia and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this one early

[Brady Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT ON EARTH?? Seriously, what did Victoria Wilder put in this book? Magic? Whatever it is, whatever the formula, it should be studied! Truly.

I thought I was a fan of the Bourbon Boys, but even they could not properly prepare me for the Whiskey Women of Rumor, TN.

If you hear Tennessee and Whiskey and think of bachelorette parties in downtown Nashville, turn around, you missed the exit. This is NOT that story-in all the best ways.

These women are fierce, intelligent, hilarious, and strong-willed. There is so much to this story- unbreakable bonds, vigilante justice (maybe?), and a romance so hot your pages will melt!

Thankfully for me, I listened to this title as well, so no melted pages on my end. And having Samantha and Connor as the duet narrators?? Gahhhh…it’s so incredibly perfect!!

My only complaint? I flew this story and now have to wait for the next one to release! Can’t wait for the road trip back to Rumor!

Thank you to the publishing team for the opportunity to read and listen to this title in advance of its release. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[readwithdanica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

I really loved this read.

Loved the nods to the Bourbon Boys Series, one piece had me SUPERRR emotional lord I was shedding tears.

I felt an attachment to both the FMC and MMC. Now I know what the trope meant when it says strangers to lovers, like don’t most people start out as strangers anyway? but nooo the author meant something more!! This one pulled way too many of my heartstrings I am telling you

I loved the connection the FMC has with her family, and keeping those connections and touch points in another life was genius.

Can’t wait for the rest of this series! I think the sisters are really interesting

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 BOOK 72 OF 2026 📚

🥃 RUMORS AND WHISKEY - VICTORIA WILDER 🥃

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Summary: Rumors and Whiskey follows Wyn, a woman returning to her hometown after overcoming a traumatic past, and Julian, a charming jeweller she shared a moment with in her past. She is forced to confront her past and the feelings she has for him, as well as the dangerous rumors and more importantly, truths, surrounding her family.

Thoughts: This one was so good! I honestly loved everything about it and thought the author did an oustanding job in beginning this new series. I adored Wyn so much. Her strength and resilience were so incredibly admirable, and added a lot of depth and ability for growth to her character. Watching he slowly reclaim pieces of herself and her old life, and discover new things about her wants and needs, was such a lovely journey to read. Julian was honestly the perfect book boyfriend. He was patient and supportive, but also protective and the right amount of posessive. He had charm and confidence, and I adored watching him really work to gain Wyn's trust. The way he cared for her, in both actions and words, as well as the way he gave her so much time and space to truly heal, was absolutely beautiful. Their chemistry was innate and palpable, and so intense and all-consuming from the start. The emotional depth, with the intimacy, trust and love, was what really made me fall in love with this relationship. It felt natural and real, and seeing them become so vulnerable with one another, really warmed my heart. This book had me completely hooked from the beginning and consumed me right until the very end. The author created the perfect balance of suspense, romance and emotional depth that had me completely invested. Her writing was incredibly engaging, whilst also raw, real and delving right into the tough stuff. She handled all the topics with care and precision, and just has such a way with words. The pacing, the flow and everything else came together perfectly as well. I loved the suspense plot and the way the mystery unfolded alongside the romance. They were each given the right amount of attention, and the small town dynamics with all the rumours and secrets made it that much more engaging. Even though I did see the twist coming, it didn't reduce its impact at all. It still had me on the edge of my seat waiting for everything to unfold. Why wasn't it 5 stars? I was a little confused at the beginning with the flipping of perspectives. Now, its totally a me issue because I went into this totally blind, but it was something small I did note. I also think the author handled it well and it actually added to the story, because it created a tense amd secretive atmosphere. So the confusion was absolutely my own fault haha! Overall, this was a banger of a book that I loved every second of reading. It immediately made me download her other series!

Final rec: YES!

[Whispering Chapters · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ I don’t know if it’s because this was an early ARC, but the pacing in the first half of the book felt off. The story moves in different directions at once—it didn’t give me time to absorb what was happening before pulling me somewhere else. Once I passed the 50%, though, the story felt like it had better pacing and overall structure.

Despite Wyn having a traumatic past, she certainly doesn’t let it derail her from living her life. She’s still figuring out what she wants for her future, but once she decides, there’s no stopping her. It’s the same for her attraction to Julian. Once she gave in, she was all in. And Julian never stood a chance. That man was all in from the moment he laid eyes on her.

I was heavily invested in the side characters and their potential love interests, and I cannot wait for their stories! The Crowne women are so bold and confident. I want to be a combination of Birdie Crowne and Lolli (Sparrow Falls series) when I grow old.

As someone who lived for a year near a rustic small town in Tennessee—I kid you not, I always expected to see a tumbleweed roll by because of the whole western, cowboy look and feel—Rumor, Tennessee felt very much like a real life small town, complete with all the never-ending whispers and rumors. After reading this book, the "rumors" have a whole different meaning, especially when it comes to the Crowne women. I can't wait to discover how that will continue to play a role in the upcoming books.

🥃 small town
🥃 romantic suspense
🥃 hidden identity
🥃 found family

I received an eARC for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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[chelseabrookelikesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything I love in a romantic suspense: small town secrets, missing people, family drama, morally grey vibes, danger lurking around every corner, and a man who walks into a woman’s life at the absolute worst time possible.

Wyn’s story completely pulled me in. There was something really emotional about watching her return home carrying so much fear, trauma, and guilt while also trying to figure out who she even is after everything she survived. You could feel how badly she wanted comfort and safety while simultaneously not trusting anyone enough to fully let them in.

And then there’s Julian…

That man had this dark, intense energy from the second he appeared on page. The chemistry between him and Wyn felt immediate, but what I really loved was the constant underlying tension of not fully knowing him or his motives. Every interaction between them felt layered with attraction, suspicion, vulnerability, and this magnetic pull neither of them could stay away from. The banter? Incredible. The tension? EVEN BETTER.

What surprised me most though was how invested I became in the mystery side of the story. Every single character felt like they were hiding something and the deeper the story went, the messier everything became. I kept thinking I had pieces figured out only for another secret to surface and completely derail my theories.

But the standout for me was absolutely the family dynamic. The Crowne women felt so vivid and real that half the time it felt like I was standing in the middle of their chaos watching it unfold firsthand. The history between them, the loyalty, the tension, the way they protected each other even when they were frustrated with one another… They brought so much personality and life to the story and made the town itself feel alive.

And if you’re an audiobook person, I highly recommend listening to this one. Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais absolutely crushed these performances. They captured the emotional weight of the story so well while also making the tension between Wyn and Julian feel ridiculously addictive.

This is definitely a darker read at times and there are some heavy themes throughout, so I’d absolutely recommend checking trigger warnings beforehand. But if you love romantic suspense with messy secrets, protective tension-filled relationships, complicated family dynamics, and a small town drowning in rumors, this one is absolutely worth picking up!

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Audio, NetGalley, and Victoria Wilder for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Linna • linnareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rumors & Whiskey by Victoria Wilder 🐊

Oh what a start to this series! It's going to be hard to beat this one as a favorite of the series, but knowing how much I've enjoyed Victoria Wilder's books before I bet this series will end up all being five star reads. I was absolutely hooked from the first page and both didn't want this book to end while needing to know what was going to happen.

The prologue of this book is dark and I recommend reviewing the content warnings at the front of the book before starting. Wyn is back in her small town of Rumor, Tennessee after being away from her family for a few years. That time apart was not by choice though, she survived a nightmare then had to stay away until it was safe to return. Now that she is back she is trying to find a routine again while also having to keep secrets from those she loves. On top of that she runs into someone she expected to never see again. Julian. Someone she spent a couple of nights with as someone else, who showed up in her small town. As some new rumors start to spread, Wyn learns more about her families past and how there are ties to Julian. While Julian was supposed to only be in town for a day, he decides to stay to finally have the chance to get to know Wyn. He's been searching for her since the night they met all those months ago because the chemistry between them is something they cannot ignore.

I love a strong female main character and Wyn was exactly that. She went through something truly awful and I liked getting to see her try and settle back into the town she grew up in with her family. I loved how supportive Julian was of Wyn through it all. The conversations that the two of them had were necessary and I am so glad they were included in the book. I don't think I've read a book with a hot professor (Wyn) and equally hot jeweler (Julian) and I was so here for it! Adored the side characters, adored the setting, adored the story. A new book to add to the favorites list for sure. So excited for the next books in the series!

🤭 strangers to lovers
🏡 small town
✨ found family
🔪 suspense
🧪 woman in STEM
👏🏼 no third act breakup

dual POV
5/5 stars ⭐️
3/5 spice level 🌶️

[Katie Lavoie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rumors & Whiskey lives up to the name, setting up not just this book but the full series to be full of secrets and lies, rumors that have more than a hint of truth, and a supportive (albeit dysfunctional) family of whiskey and chaos-loving women.

I loved the mystery aspect of this book - the family secrets, the whispers from everyone in town about, what happened to Win and what is still happening in Rumor, Tennessee. I seem to be on a ‘vigilantes for justice’ kick and the Crown matriarchs fall into that category.

I also really liked the character arcs, specifically Julian’s, finding not just his passion for art again, but also opening his heart up to people and gaining a family and supportive friends.

I listened to the audio book - Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais did a great job, portraying different emotions, bringing the story to life. The audio quality is good, able to listen to at various speeds without quality being diminished (at least up to 2.5x speed). I did find that I needed to pay closer attention in the first third to follow the stories. Something between the different moving pieces we were getting introduced to, coupled with the duet narration, made it slightly more challenging to figure out who was talking or when something was being thought vs said out loud.

Two critiques: the pacing issues in the first part of the book, mostly do to trying to lay the foundation for everything (Win’s backstory, the Crowne family’ secret, etc). After the first ~40%, the pacing is more smooth, as the scene is set and the story focuses more on Win and Justin themselves. I also found the romance side of the story to be more attraction-based and “I feel safe with him” but lacking any additional depth to the relationship.

Thanks to Victoria Wilder, Bloom, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria Wilder is back with a new series of what I can already tell will be filled with badass women, heat, and suspense. A perfect entertainment recipe for me personally.

Connor Crais and Samantha Brentmoor were fantastic narrators (as per usual from both of them) for the audiobook. It’s done in duet and really works for the flow of the story. I have yet to listen to an audio performed by either of these two that I haven’t enjoyed.

As for the story, I’m so sat for the Whiskey Women. This first book in the series was Wyn’s story. Wyn had a traumatic experience in her past, a brief stay in a Montana town after escaping (and a heated encounter with a mysterious man), and then returned home to Rumor, a town that lives up to its name when it comes to the stories about the women in her family. When the mystery Montana man, Julian, shows up to clean up a mess, she learns more than she bargained for about her family history and has to decide where she fits in her legacy.

Julian and Wyn have explosive chemistry and, as I’ve come to expect from Victoria Wilder, they have some seriously steamy scenes together. At the same time, they are incredibly tender and gently warm with each other. They have a genuine connection that feels like it stems from a deep understanding of one another despite only being in the same orbit for a short time.

The suspense of the story had me completely invested in seeing how things would play out and delivered a satisfying conclusion. There was one reveal I anticipated and one I didn’t connect the dots on until right before it came, and both served the storyline incredibly well.

I can already tell I’m going to love this series and that it’s going to be a true delivery of “I support women’s right and ‘wrongs’” — and I’m here for it. Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio for the ALC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Trinket Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALC Review
WOW! This one had me completely hooked. Like from the first chapter you were thrown into action. The drama, the chemistry, the tension. I was grinning, stressed, swooning, and fully invested the entire time. One of my favourite things about this story was the women. The female characters felt strong, confident, messy in the most real way, and completely unforgettable. I loved that they had backbone, heart, and personalities that jumped right off the page. Victoria Wilder really knows how to write women you want to root for.
In this story we have Win who has endured so much trauma and finds herself with a new identity and secrets, where she meets Julian a hot mysterious stranger who is more than just a dirty talking jeweller. After a VERY memorable moment together, they find themselves back in each other's orbit (much to Julian's delight) who hasn't stop thinking about her. This time, truths come to the surface and they both realise that they each have secrets and Win has demons to defeat, which Julian is more than happy to fight by her side. Along with her fearless and sassy family.
The narration was incredible, Samantha absolutely crushed it. She brought so much emotion, sass, warmth, and vulnerability to the performance of Win that I felt completely pulled into every scene. She made all the characters feel so alive. And Connor was the perfect casting for Julian. His voice had that smooth, emotional, and at times mysterious energy that worked so well for this story. The chemistry between them was incredible and made all the banter and emotional moments hit even harder.
Fantastic storyline that had me gripped all the way through, with a budding romance fuelled with delectable spice, small town banter and the incredible bond of sisterhood. I also loved having a mini catch up with my fave Foxx brothers too! These Crowne Women are badass and I can't wait to see where the rest of this series goes.
Thank you for this ALC opportunity

[Myla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format: 🎧 Audiobook

What to Expect
Genre: Romantic suspense (dark)
POV: First-person, duet narration
Tropes:
- Small-town (Southern)
- Hidden identity / secrets
- Witness protection vibes
- Morally grey family
- Protective MMC (touch her and 💀)
- Trauma / grief healing
Vibes: High-tension, whiskey culture, academia, gritty, sexy, emotional, family chaos, dangerous women
Spice: 3.5/5🌶️

Initial Thoughts
This was my first read from Victoria Wilder and I get the hype! This was an intriguing story that started out a lot darker than I was expecting, but it did not disappoint. I'm not going to lie, I was a little bit lost at the beginning and I thought it might be because I hadn't read Victoria's previous works, but it all came together!
Duet narration by two of my favourite audiobook narrators?! Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais gave an absolutely fantastic performance. Chef's kiss 😚🤌

Quick Summary (No Spoilers) 🥃🧪🐊
This book is a dark, emotional small-town romantic suspense that follows Wyn Crowne - an organic chemistry professor - returning home to Rumor, Tennessee after surviving a trauma. She’s trying to reconnect with her chaotic and fiercely loyal family while keeping dangerous truths a secret. Things get complicated when Julian Colton - a charming jeweller tied to her family in a surprising way - reappears in her life. As rumors swirl, bodies turn up, and hidden secrets unravel, the two are pulled into a tense, emotionally charged relationship built on attraction and past scars.

Final Thoughts
This book had a number of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. A great read for those looking for a small-town romantic suspense with lots of spice and darker themes. Be sure to check the trigger warnings!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Audio, NetGalley, and the author for the ALC!

[Jakara ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish this book had me curious, giggling kicking my feet, FLUSTERED & then crying but from page 1 to the last page I could not put it down. I am DYING for the other Crowne siblings books 🤭

Wyn has survived something super traumatic & while she’s healing from that, she meets Julian. They have so many secrets that continue to unravel throughout the book, but they can’t deny absolutely insane chemistry (see what I did there because she’s a chemistry professor 👀).

The plot for this book was great & moved at a good pace - it also tied in with The Bourbon Boys series really well & all those ties that occur, had my jaw on the floor. I’ll say the same thing I said about all 3 of those books: siblings brewing alcohol in creative ways as a family business, is a genius location setter for these books. I don’t think I’ve ever been so interested &/or informed, on how these drinks are made. And Victoria made it HOTTTT to know these things 🔥

“𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐳𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬?” “𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩,” 𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞, 𝐰𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐬.

The tension in this book was top tier, probably up there with some of the best I’ve read in the past year. I was cheesing so much through so many of the scenes because he was so obsessed with her & it wasn’t just her looks, but her entire personality 🥹

“𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐱𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞,” 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬,
“𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠.” 𝐈 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐤, 𝐥𝐢𝐟���𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐰. “𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞. 𝐈 𝐝𝐨. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬.”

You should definitely read this if you love:
🥃 strong women & whiskey
🔥 romantic suspense with crazy plot lines
🖤 morally grey mmc x healing fmc
🥃 banter & sexual tension
🔥 small town with found family

Huge Thankyou to Netgalley, Atria Australia & Victoria Wilder for the chance to read this early 🫶🏻

[Mood Reader Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story 4.5/5
Spice 4/5
Audiobook Narration 4.5/5

Tropes: Romantic Suspense, Some Horror Elements, Small Town, Mystery, Morally Questionable Characters, Strong Women, Bar with Coyote Ugly Vibes, Mysterious MMC, Family Business

If you enjoyed the Bourbon Boys series this is a must read because the Whiskey Women are incredible! This book hooked me immediately, from chapter 1 it was unputdownable. If you like romantic suspense, but with a little bit (but not too much) horror, Rumors & Whiskey is the perfect balance of both.
The FMC is so well crafted, she is independent, intelligent, and a survivor, and her family are just as incredible (even if they are a little unhinged). Their family dynamic is far from typical, but the scenes with all three sisters together help lighten the mood.
If you like the broody mysterious type MMC, you are going to fall in love with this man. He could be considered "morally grey" in some aspects of his life, but when it comes to the FMC he is perfect! Unfortunately I cannot gush about him as much as I would like, because I don't want to spoil anything... but I dare you to not love this man!
The plot is well paced, it generally follows a singular timeline (with some flashbacks). The darker elements of the story are balanced out with some humor and spice.
You don't have to read the Bourbon Boys series to enjoy Rumors & Whiskey, but there are some brief character & plot crossovers, so those moments might make more sense if you have read the other series.
The audiobook is narrated in duet by Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais. They both did an amazing job bringing these characters to life and Connor Crais' creep voice gave me literal chills. This one is definitely worth listening to!

[Katie Thayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC and ALC✨
Rumors and Whiskey
(Whiskey Women Book 1)
By: Victoria Wilder

She declared to my sisters and me at a very young age that Crowne women have superpowers in the form of great tits, snarky wit, and a knack for speaking truths with facial expressions alone.

“I’m sure you see it,” he says. “Doesn’t take long to feel the effects of the Crowne women. They’re pretty spectacular separately, but all together . . . ” He shakes his head. “They’re a f***ing force.”

Sometimes a woman just needs to be bent over a chair and f***ed.

Did I devour this book in 1 day? Yep (popping the p) I absolutely did! DEVOURED IT! Calling it now! Wyn and Julian’s story is THE BEST THING I HAVE READ FOR 2026!
Holy Sh!t! I am absolutely flabbergasted and obsessed with every single second of this book! I went in completely blind only knowing that it was a romantic suspense and a new series for Victoria about sisters. That’s it, I don’t normally read blurbs so no other idea of what the story was about. But this story, no this masterpiece, that Victoria Wilder gives us? I am absolutely speechless!
Just know that it might be a new series but everything we know and love from Victoria is baked into this book. She gives us badass women, suspense and freaking hot whiskey tastings! I’m not saying a single word other than, READ THIS AND READ IT NOW! I guarantee you will be just as obsessed!

Thank you so much Victoria, @team Victoria for the ARC and thank you to @sourcebooks audio for the ALC.

Tropes:
Romantic Suspense
Small Town
Found Family
Hidden Identity
Strangers to Lovers
Witness Protection

Spice starts at: 14%

Spice: 4/4
Stars: 5/5 ♾️(every single star there is!)

Available on June 16th

[Kate Lauder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up really enjoying Rumors and Whiskey and flew through it way quicker than I expected. The mix of mystery, tension, secrets, and romance made it such an easy book to binge! 🥃💋🖤🔍👢

After being gone for three years, Wyn comes back home only to run into Julian - someone she never expected to see again, especially not living a completely different life than the one she remembered. What starts as an awkward reunion quickly turns into something far messier involving hidden truths, danger, and a suspicious death that keeps pulling them together.🔍

The chemistry between Wyn and Julian was undeniable, and their banter honestly carried so many scenes for me. They had that push-and-pull dynamic that keeps you invested, and I liked how intense their connection felt from the beginning.🖤

My biggest issue was that the romance felt very fast-paced, and sometimes the amount of spice took away from the emotional weight of certain moments. There was one confronting scene closer to the end where I felt the story needed more time to breathe emotionally before jumping back into the physical side of the relationship. I think a bit more emotional development between the characters would have made their relationship feel stronger overall.

Even with that, I still had a good time reading this and would pick up more books in this world!!!!

(Trigger warnings: murder/death, violence, trauma, corruption, emotional manipulation, explicit sexual content, kidnapping themes, and darker emotional topics)

Out: 16th June
Thank you to NetGalley + Victoria Wilder + Simon & Schuster (Australia) for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Duet Narration Audiobook) Wyn Crowne has endured a horrific ordeal and is now home in her small town, after spending some time recovering in a different state. It was there she met a man, Julian, and felt a connection, but was unsure of his motives for being there. Much to her shock she meets him again in her hometown and he’s not what she expected. Wyn also comes to discover things about her family that she was unaware of.

The book, while dealing with some dark elements, was truly a love story. Wyn and Julian’s connection was so strong that I was thrilled when he stayed in Rumor to pursue her. Wyn’s family was more than she realized, and I don’t think she could have handled the truth about them before her ordeal. Wyn’s new outlook and desire to be closer to her family was what helped her deal with what she learned.

The pacing was a bit off in the first quarter of the book, and I felt things went a little bit fast without explaining everything. This also might have been due to listening to an audiobook where it’s not as easy to go back and “re-read” a part. That being said I still really enjoyed the book, and loved how Julian and Wyn were there for each other. Julian’s life was lonely and he gained a while family in the Crowne’s. I am excited for the next books in the series featuring Wyn’s sisters.

Samantha Brentmorr and Connor Crais are two of my favorite narrators and did an amazing job. I love their work! I want to thank Sourcebooks Audio and NetGalley for the copy of this book, I voluntarily chose to leave a review.

No third act breakup

4/5 on the Spicy Scale

M/F

Violence

Gore

PTSD