What do you think?
The Weston Brothers #1
Whiskey Burn
Not yet published
Expected 20 Oct 26She ran to Montana to save her life.
She never expected to lose her heart.
After witnessing a brutal murder, dancer Delilah Grant has two choices: disappear or die. Armed with a stolen USB and nothing left to lose, she flees to a remote Montana ranch, hiding in plain sight at Weston Whiskey, where hard work and silence are her only shields.
Cole Weston doesn't trust her for a second.
A former bull rider with a permanent scowl and a dark past he doesn't talk about, Cole knows trouble when he sees it—and Delilah is drowning in secrets.
But the longer she stays on his ranch, the harder it becomes to ignore the beautiful little liar. Between glasses of whiskey, seductive dances, and chemistry he can't deny, Cole swears he's not falling for the woman whose taste he can't forget.
Until Delilah's past catches up to her and the truth is far darker than either of them could have imagined.
With the clock ticking and their lives on the line, he'd move heaven and earth to rescue the woman he loves. Because while whiskey might be his family's business, their real legacy is one of bloody vengeance.
The first book in the brand new Weston Brothers series from bestselling author Ava Hunter.
She never expected to lose her heart.
After witnessing a brutal murder, dancer Delilah Grant has two choices: disappear or die. Armed with a stolen USB and nothing left to lose, she flees to a remote Montana ranch, hiding in plain sight at Weston Whiskey, where hard work and silence are her only shields.
Cole Weston doesn't trust her for a second.
A former bull rider with a permanent scowl and a dark past he doesn't talk about, Cole knows trouble when he sees it—and Delilah is drowning in secrets.
But the longer she stays on his ranch, the harder it becomes to ignore the beautiful little liar. Between glasses of whiskey, seductive dances, and chemistry he can't deny, Cole swears he's not falling for the woman whose taste he can't forget.
Until Delilah's past catches up to her and the truth is far darker than either of them could have imagined.
With the clock ticking and their lives on the line, he'd move heaven and earth to rescue the woman he loves. Because while whiskey might be his family's business, their real legacy is one of bloody vengeance.
The first book in the brand new Weston Brothers series from bestselling author Ava Hunter.
411 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 20, 2026
About the author
Ava Hunter
14 books1,705 followersAva Hunter is an Amazon top 50 bestselling author. She writes romance with heart, humor, and heat.
Her bestselling books include Babymoon or Bust, an accidental pregnancy rom-com, and Tame the Heart, a grumpy/sunshine cowboy romance with Yellowstone-vibes.
When she’s not at her computer with a hot cup of coffee, you’ll either find her reading the latest true crime book or traveling with her family. Otherwise, she’ll be behind her desk, plotting out or typing up her next dreamy love story.
Instagram: @authoravahunter
TikTok: @authoravahunter
Her bestselling books include Babymoon or Bust, an accidental pregnancy rom-com, and Tame the Heart, a grumpy/sunshine cowboy romance with Yellowstone-vibes.
When she’s not at her computer with a hot cup of coffee, you’ll either find her reading the latest true crime book or traveling with her family. Otherwise, she’ll be behind her desk, plotting out or typing up her next dreamy love story.
Instagram: @authoravahunter
TikTok: @authoravahunter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
September 11, 2026
☆ 3 stars
“No more suitcases. No more running. . . You deserve a home, Delilah. Make one with me.”
Whiskey Burn is the first instalment in the Weston Brothers series by author Ava Hunter. I’ve read everything that this author has published thus far other than the Nashville Star series (which I plan to rectify soon) and there’s no denying that she’s one of my favourite authors to read and recommend. Unfortunately whilst I still liked this book enough to see it through to the end, it wasn’t the new favourite that I’d hoped it would be. I immediately fell in-love with the cover and have always found Hunter’s writing to feel easy to fall into as I often consume her books in 1-2 sittings. I really enjoyed the setting of Tempest, Montana alongside the lore and complicated history that haunts the locals. There’s definitely a lot information provided that can be assumed will play a role in the storylines across the entire series that I’m excited to explore further. Deadly family rivalries, cult activity, a serial killer that got away, and a mysterious building in the distance that nobody seems to know the purpose of? There’s a lot to uncover and I cannot wait to see how it all comes to fruition across all five brother’s books. This is definitely Ava’s darkest and most graphic book yet so please take care to check the trigger warnings prior to reading. Morally grey cowboys is something that this author has been proven to do well and Whiskey Burn was no exception. I loved getting to delve deeper into the unshakeable family bonds that the Weston’s share as it becomes clear that there is no line they aren’t willing to cross in protection of one another. I’m excited to see what brother will be next in the series and if some of my theories regarding potential love interests may be right.
Now listen, I’m definitely not opposed to a little bit of cringey dialogue for fun and suspended belief to make a story work… but admittedly there are some aspects to this story that stood out to me in not the best way. Some of the dialogue was cringe in a way that just didn’t make sense, such as Delilah’s inner monologue saying “He may be a bull rider through and through, but to me, he feels like mine.” What correlation do these two things have with one another? There are none. This made no sense to me and is a prime example of some of the nonsensical statements sprinkled throughout the story that I did my best to overlook for the sake of entertainment, but unfortunately it’s moment like these that would pull me out of the story in my confusion and secondhand embarrassment.
Delilah Grant is a prime example that strength and resolve doesn’t always need to displayed loudly through action and fight scenes. It can be gentle and soft, yet still formidable with it being showcased through a determination to survive. I have a lot of respect for Delilah and the way she tries her best to embrace the best parts of living the life she chooses amidst the fear of uncertainty. Her capacity for compassion and understanding makes her an easy character to connect with and I loved getting to see how deeply she yearned to be welcomed into the Weston family fold. Delilah really impressed me with the way she refuses to give up every time she is threatened and I felt genuine pride at her ferocity and quick-thinking strategy. Her backstory broke my heart and it was beautiful to witness how closely she guards the memory of her sister as a sort of guidance. Delilah really goes through it during her story and I couldn’t be happier to see her fight so fiercely to acquire the life and family that she has always dreamed to call her own.
Cole Weston is every ‘bad boy cowboy’ fantasy brought to life that I greatly enjoyed getting to see unravel as his story continued to progress. He joins yet another long line of gruff and tortured MMCs that hits every time even if his depiction doesn’t feel new or fresh. I really enjoyed seeing the moments where Cole connects with his family and the unwavering bonds that they keep close to their chests. His protective instincts run deep and I completely understood why he was so mistrustful of Delilah from the moment they met. Family means everything to Cole and I loved getting to see that love slowly begin to extend towards the feisty young woman he couldn’t help but want, no matter how hard he tries to fight against it. It felt significant to see him gradually come to terms with his past in his determination to no longer let it dictate his future. I really appreciated the fact that Cole continued to embrace his fears whilst refusing to let them take control of his life. He learns how to embrace the unknown and vows to strive for love and happiness in a world that would gladly see him burn. I really enjoyed Cole’s character development from beginning to end, and it was sweet to see the man underneath the hard exterior that is capable of so much softness and patience.
Overall I didn’t mind Cole and Delilah as a couple, but I also can’t deny that I did often struggle to connect to and feel invested in their relationship. Lust and attraction acts as the initial spark throughout their dynamic which makes perfect sense in the early stages for two people that exist in a world that has only ever taken from them, and therefore carry the fear of what could happen should they claim something new for themselves. Both Cole and Delilah have experienced the worst tragedy that comes with love and loss, and it was beautiful to witness them use those experiences to better connect on an emotional level. However even as their relationship continues to progress it seems (to me) that lust maintains a pivotal role in the driving force of their chemistry. Moments of vulnerability and emotional connection immediately becomes overshadowed by their sexual intensity which unfortunately lessened the impact of these conversations for me. Sex and intimacy can absolutely play a primary role for couples when it comes to mental and emotional connection as opposed to just physical, and in no way do I mean to disregard this aspect when it comes to Cole and Delilah. However I would’ve loved to have seen more depth and character development to help solidify their relationship that little bit more for greater emotional impact. I loved getting to see their emotional walls crumble as the significance of their feelings became too strong to deny. The way they work to establish trust and find safety within one another was beautiful to witness grow, and I especially enjoyed getting to see how willing both Cole and Delilah were to fight for the life that they yearned to claim as their own.
There was also some (I believe) unintended exploration in power play dynamics that I’m not entirely sure were always depicted in the best way in terms of intent. I’m a huge lover of age-gap romances and firmly believe that there is nothing wrong with them as long as all parties are consenting adults. Delilah is a 24 year old woman and more than grown enough to know who and what she wants. I have zero issue with Cole being 14 years her senior, however I can’t deny that I was at times a little bit unnerved in the way that they regarded one another. Cole is a protector through and through, and Delilah was clearly more than happy to be within a dynamic that made her feel safe and cared for. However when a 38 year old man repeatedly regards his much younger love interest as innocent, small and soft whilst she only ever emphasises his ‘big masculine’ traits… there’s definitely an undercurrent narrative that toes the line in these dynamics. I would like to emphasis that I in no way believe that this is intended and understand the context surrounding Delilah’s ‘innocence’ being more to do with the precarious situation they’re in and what the Weston’s are willing to do in defence of family, rather than to do with their relationship. But I do think that this is something to note and be aware of when exploring wide age-gap dynamics.
Something I really wish we’d gotten to see more of is Delilah interacting with and forging bonds with the Weston brothers, especially during the second half of the story. I was really confused about how they advocated for her staying with them during the summer no questions asked because she had use for them… just to suddenly turn around and become wary and opposed about the potential for Delilah to stick around long-term? They had no issues letting a random woman who turned up on their property in the middle of the night stay without conditions, so why was it suddenly a problem after getting to know her and seeing how Cole has progressed into caring for her? I completely understand why the Weston family were uneasy due to their history and deeply protective instincts, but Delilah’s ‘baggage’ was exactly the same from when she first arrived so their change in attitude felt rather odd. I think it would’ve made more sense if we’d gotten to see Delilah forge relationships with Cole’s brothers and earn their trust organically rather than seeing such a sudden switch-up in opinion. They were shown to accept her in the end which was a nice sentiment to see, but ultimately this progression lacked emotional impact due to how little we see her interacting with them outside of work.
This following paragraph (only this one) will contain spoilers for the end of the book, please only read after finishing:
For the most part I try not to think too hard about gaps in a story or ‘plot holes’ as my main priority is having a good time and feeling entertained in the stories that I read, but ultimately there are a few unresolved aspects within Whiskey Burn that have stood out to me (assuming that there won’t be any follow ups throughout the rest of the series) that leave me with more questions than answers. The main thing that flagged to me is my confusion surrounding Belle’s motives at the start of the book. I already suspected and didn’t trust her relationship with Delilah and the other girls, so the reveal surrounding her betrayal came as no surprise. What I didn’t understand is why Belle encouraged Delilah to run away to begin with considering she was already targeted by Mr. Please (I can’t deal with this name either I’m sorry) and could’ve easily handed her over that same day. Instead Belle had to go through the effort to try and encourage Delilah to return and then Mr. Please had to resort to other methods when that didn’t work. I also really struggled to accept that a mere gold locket was strong enough to stop a bullet from entering Delilah’s chest, even if the symbolism around it is a really sweet sentiment. Lastly, I’m not understanding how Cole and Warren seemed to just get away with murdering two men without explanation considering it was under FBI investigation. I assume Delilah just protected them by refusing to admit that they were even there during the altercation and made up her own story on how she got out, however this could’ve really benefitted with additional information to better explain and finalise this plot line in the end.
End of spoilers.
Whilst Whiskey Burn wasn’t the immediate favourite that I hoped it would be, there’s no denying that this series has a lot of potential to build upon with every new instalment. I’ve loved author Ava Hunter’s work in the past and ultimately need accept that you can be a fan and still discover that some books just won’t resonate with you. I’m genuinely excited and have high hopes for the remainder of the Weston Brothers series with every brother standing out in their own way throughout this instalment. It’s very rare for the first book in a new series to be my favourite, and I highly suspect that either Warren or River’s story will be the stand-out story for me. I’m also crossing my fingers that this book has established the author’s plans to write an MC series in the future because I am very intrigued by some of the side characters introduced.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.
“No more suitcases. No more running. . . You deserve a home, Delilah. Make one with me.”
Whiskey Burn is the first instalment in the Weston Brothers series by author Ava Hunter. I’ve read everything that this author has published thus far other than the Nashville Star series (which I plan to rectify soon) and there’s no denying that she’s one of my favourite authors to read and recommend. Unfortunately whilst I still liked this book enough to see it through to the end, it wasn’t the new favourite that I’d hoped it would be. I immediately fell in-love with the cover and have always found Hunter’s writing to feel easy to fall into as I often consume her books in 1-2 sittings. I really enjoyed the setting of Tempest, Montana alongside the lore and complicated history that haunts the locals. There’s definitely a lot information provided that can be assumed will play a role in the storylines across the entire series that I’m excited to explore further. Deadly family rivalries, cult activity, a serial killer that got away, and a mysterious building in the distance that nobody seems to know the purpose of? There’s a lot to uncover and I cannot wait to see how it all comes to fruition across all five brother’s books. This is definitely Ava’s darkest and most graphic book yet so please take care to check the trigger warnings prior to reading. Morally grey cowboys is something that this author has been proven to do well and Whiskey Burn was no exception. I loved getting to delve deeper into the unshakeable family bonds that the Weston’s share as it becomes clear that there is no line they aren’t willing to cross in protection of one another. I’m excited to see what brother will be next in the series and if some of my theories regarding potential love interests may be right.
Now listen, I’m definitely not opposed to a little bit of cringey dialogue for fun and suspended belief to make a story work… but admittedly there are some aspects to this story that stood out to me in not the best way. Some of the dialogue was cringe in a way that just didn’t make sense, such as Delilah’s inner monologue saying “He may be a bull rider through and through, but to me, he feels like mine.” What correlation do these two things have with one another? There are none. This made no sense to me and is a prime example of some of the nonsensical statements sprinkled throughout the story that I did my best to overlook for the sake of entertainment, but unfortunately it’s moment like these that would pull me out of the story in my confusion and secondhand embarrassment.
Delilah Grant is a prime example that strength and resolve doesn’t always need to displayed loudly through action and fight scenes. It can be gentle and soft, yet still formidable with it being showcased through a determination to survive. I have a lot of respect for Delilah and the way she tries her best to embrace the best parts of living the life she chooses amidst the fear of uncertainty. Her capacity for compassion and understanding makes her an easy character to connect with and I loved getting to see how deeply she yearned to be welcomed into the Weston family fold. Delilah really impressed me with the way she refuses to give up every time she is threatened and I felt genuine pride at her ferocity and quick-thinking strategy. Her backstory broke my heart and it was beautiful to witness how closely she guards the memory of her sister as a sort of guidance. Delilah really goes through it during her story and I couldn’t be happier to see her fight so fiercely to acquire the life and family that she has always dreamed to call her own.
Cole Weston is every ‘bad boy cowboy’ fantasy brought to life that I greatly enjoyed getting to see unravel as his story continued to progress. He joins yet another long line of gruff and tortured MMCs that hits every time even if his depiction doesn’t feel new or fresh. I really enjoyed seeing the moments where Cole connects with his family and the unwavering bonds that they keep close to their chests. His protective instincts run deep and I completely understood why he was so mistrustful of Delilah from the moment they met. Family means everything to Cole and I loved getting to see that love slowly begin to extend towards the feisty young woman he couldn’t help but want, no matter how hard he tries to fight against it. It felt significant to see him gradually come to terms with his past in his determination to no longer let it dictate his future. I really appreciated the fact that Cole continued to embrace his fears whilst refusing to let them take control of his life. He learns how to embrace the unknown and vows to strive for love and happiness in a world that would gladly see him burn. I really enjoyed Cole’s character development from beginning to end, and it was sweet to see the man underneath the hard exterior that is capable of so much softness and patience.
Overall I didn’t mind Cole and Delilah as a couple, but I also can’t deny that I did often struggle to connect to and feel invested in their relationship. Lust and attraction acts as the initial spark throughout their dynamic which makes perfect sense in the early stages for two people that exist in a world that has only ever taken from them, and therefore carry the fear of what could happen should they claim something new for themselves. Both Cole and Delilah have experienced the worst tragedy that comes with love and loss, and it was beautiful to witness them use those experiences to better connect on an emotional level. However even as their relationship continues to progress it seems (to me) that lust maintains a pivotal role in the driving force of their chemistry. Moments of vulnerability and emotional connection immediately becomes overshadowed by their sexual intensity which unfortunately lessened the impact of these conversations for me. Sex and intimacy can absolutely play a primary role for couples when it comes to mental and emotional connection as opposed to just physical, and in no way do I mean to disregard this aspect when it comes to Cole and Delilah. However I would’ve loved to have seen more depth and character development to help solidify their relationship that little bit more for greater emotional impact. I loved getting to see their emotional walls crumble as the significance of their feelings became too strong to deny. The way they work to establish trust and find safety within one another was beautiful to witness grow, and I especially enjoyed getting to see how willing both Cole and Delilah were to fight for the life that they yearned to claim as their own.
There was also some (I believe) unintended exploration in power play dynamics that I’m not entirely sure were always depicted in the best way in terms of intent. I’m a huge lover of age-gap romances and firmly believe that there is nothing wrong with them as long as all parties are consenting adults. Delilah is a 24 year old woman and more than grown enough to know who and what she wants. I have zero issue with Cole being 14 years her senior, however I can’t deny that I was at times a little bit unnerved in the way that they regarded one another. Cole is a protector through and through, and Delilah was clearly more than happy to be within a dynamic that made her feel safe and cared for. However when a 38 year old man repeatedly regards his much younger love interest as innocent, small and soft whilst she only ever emphasises his ‘big masculine’ traits… there’s definitely an undercurrent narrative that toes the line in these dynamics. I would like to emphasis that I in no way believe that this is intended and understand the context surrounding Delilah’s ‘innocence’ being more to do with the precarious situation they’re in and what the Weston’s are willing to do in defence of family, rather than to do with their relationship. But I do think that this is something to note and be aware of when exploring wide age-gap dynamics.
Something I really wish we’d gotten to see more of is Delilah interacting with and forging bonds with the Weston brothers, especially during the second half of the story. I was really confused about how they advocated for her staying with them during the summer no questions asked because she had use for them… just to suddenly turn around and become wary and opposed about the potential for Delilah to stick around long-term? They had no issues letting a random woman who turned up on their property in the middle of the night stay without conditions, so why was it suddenly a problem after getting to know her and seeing how Cole has progressed into caring for her? I completely understand why the Weston family were uneasy due to their history and deeply protective instincts, but Delilah’s ‘baggage’ was exactly the same from when she first arrived so their change in attitude felt rather odd. I think it would’ve made more sense if we’d gotten to see Delilah forge relationships with Cole’s brothers and earn their trust organically rather than seeing such a sudden switch-up in opinion. They were shown to accept her in the end which was a nice sentiment to see, but ultimately this progression lacked emotional impact due to how little we see her interacting with them outside of work.
This following paragraph (only this one) will contain spoilers for the end of the book, please only read after finishing:
For the most part I try not to think too hard about gaps in a story or ‘plot holes’ as my main priority is having a good time and feeling entertained in the stories that I read, but ultimately there are a few unresolved aspects within Whiskey Burn that have stood out to me (assuming that there won’t be any follow ups throughout the rest of the series) that leave me with more questions than answers. The main thing that flagged to me is my confusion surrounding Belle’s motives at the start of the book. I already suspected and didn’t trust her relationship with Delilah and the other girls, so the reveal surrounding her betrayal came as no surprise. What I didn’t understand is why Belle encouraged Delilah to run away to begin with considering she was already targeted by Mr. Please (I can’t deal with this name either I’m sorry) and could’ve easily handed her over that same day. Instead Belle had to go through the effort to try and encourage Delilah to return and then Mr. Please had to resort to other methods when that didn’t work. I also really struggled to accept that a mere gold locket was strong enough to stop a bullet from entering Delilah’s chest, even if the symbolism around it is a really sweet sentiment. Lastly, I’m not understanding how Cole and Warren seemed to just get away with murdering two men without explanation considering it was under FBI investigation. I assume Delilah just protected them by refusing to admit that they were even there during the altercation and made up her own story on how she got out, however this could’ve really benefitted with additional information to better explain and finalise this plot line in the end.
End of spoilers.
Whilst Whiskey Burn wasn’t the immediate favourite that I hoped it would be, there’s no denying that this series has a lot of potential to build upon with every new instalment. I’ve loved author Ava Hunter’s work in the past and ultimately need accept that you can be a fan and still discover that some books just won’t resonate with you. I’m genuinely excited and have high hopes for the remainder of the Weston Brothers series with every brother standing out in their own way throughout this instalment. It’s very rare for the first book in a new series to be my favourite, and I highly suspect that either Warren or River’s story will be the stand-out story for me. I’m also crossing my fingers that this book has established the author’s plans to write an MC series in the future because I am very intrigued by some of the side characters introduced.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.
July 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ava Hunter was already an auto-read author for me, and Whiskey Burn is exactly why. She knows how to write a dark cowboy romance with suspense, and every one of them has been an absolute banger.
I loved Delilah. She was such a strong, independent FMC who never stopped fighting, no matter what she’d been through. And Cole? A broody, whiskey-loving cowboy with a heart hidden behind walls? Sign me up. Watching these two slowly open up to each other and heal together was one of my favorite parts of the book.
That twist completely caught me off guard, and the ending has me counting down the days until book two. I’m already making predictions about the next couples, and I can’t wait to see if I’m right.
The Runner Ranch cameos were the perfect bonus. I loved seeing those characters again. If you love dark cowboy romance with suspense, chemistry, and characters you’ll be rooting for, this one is a must-read.
Ava Hunter was already an auto-read author for me, and Whiskey Burn is exactly why. She knows how to write a dark cowboy romance with suspense, and every one of them has been an absolute banger.
I loved Delilah. She was such a strong, independent FMC who never stopped fighting, no matter what she’d been through. And Cole? A broody, whiskey-loving cowboy with a heart hidden behind walls? Sign me up. Watching these two slowly open up to each other and heal together was one of my favorite parts of the book.
That twist completely caught me off guard, and the ending has me counting down the days until book two. I’m already making predictions about the next couples, and I can’t wait to see if I’m right.
The Runner Ranch cameos were the perfect bonus. I loved seeing those characters again. If you love dark cowboy romance with suspense, chemistry, and characters you’ll be rooting for, this one is a must-read.
July 15, 2026
A whiskey drinking cowboy filled romantic suspense.
With all the whiskey books I’ve read lately I feel like I could start making my own at this point 🤣
Delilah & Cole
G string dancer x ex bull rider cowboy
Group of brothers
A corrupt town
She’s in danger
Ranch setting
Distillery setting
Montana
Grumpy x sunshine
Forced proximity
Similar vibes to Victoria Wilders Bourbon and Lies.
Which I loved. So I loved the vibes here.
The plot and storyline, the overall characters.
Sometimes I felt it wordy and repetitive tho.
Netgalley arc review ✨
With all the whiskey books I’ve read lately I feel like I could start making my own at this point 🤣
Delilah & Cole
G string dancer x ex bull rider cowboy
Group of brothers
A corrupt town
She’s in danger
Ranch setting
Distillery setting
Montana
Grumpy x sunshine
Forced proximity
Similar vibes to Victoria Wilders Bourbon and Lies.
Which I loved. So I loved the vibes here.
The plot and storyline, the overall characters.
Sometimes I felt it wordy and repetitive tho.
Netgalley arc review ✨
July 13, 2026
“𝐍𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬. 𝐍𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐡. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞.”
Ever since getting glimpses of the Weston family in The Runaway Ranch series, I’ve been so curious to learn more about them. First of all, this felt very similar to Victoria Wilder’s books - which isn’t necessarily a bad thing - but at times I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d read this story before. As always, the romantic suspense was a nice addition- although plot holes could be found. I didn’t really connect with the romance in this one but I do have high hopes for the other potential couples in the series. This series also seems to be much darker than The Runaway Ranch series, which was to be expected. Overall, it was an entertaining read.
the vibes ™ :
- whiskey distillery
- midnight ballerina x rancher
- fmc on the run
- grumpy x sunshine
Ever since getting glimpses of the Weston family in The Runaway Ranch series, I’ve been so curious to learn more about them. First of all, this felt very similar to Victoria Wilder’s books - which isn’t necessarily a bad thing - but at times I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d read this story before. As always, the romantic suspense was a nice addition- although plot holes could be found. I didn’t really connect with the romance in this one but I do have high hopes for the other potential couples in the series. This series also seems to be much darker than The Runaway Ranch series, which was to be expected. Overall, it was an entertaining read.
the vibes ™ :
- whiskey distillery
- midnight ballerina x rancher
- fmc on the run
- grumpy x sunshine
July 12, 2026
Obsessed is an understatement. If Ava Hunter writes it… I’m gonna read it. And I freaking loved this book. This was the best introduction to Tempest and Weston’s distillery.
No one writes a cowboy thriller, like Ava. We follow a midnight dancer, Delilah, who ran into trouble in Las Vegas and is now on the run, finding herself in Tempest, Montana and into the arms of Cole Weston. Cole and his brothers are used to trouble, it runs rampant in the town, but he never expected the chaos and fire that Delilah would bring into his life.
Even though it is Delilah and Cole’s story, which is so intense and heart racing, I feel like you also got a great look at the other brothers and the town that makes you excited for this whole series.
Delilah was witty, funny, and so full of energy, despite her dark past and her secrets seeing her collide with Cole was honestly magic, and despite the darker subject matter of the thriller aspect, made the book funny and enjoyable.
If you wanna book that makes you wanna sell your soul for Montana cowboy, that makes your heart race, and leaves you wanting more, I highly recommend whiskey burn.
Thank you so much Ava Hunter and sourcebooks for sending me this ARC and exchange for a honest review.
No one writes a cowboy thriller, like Ava. We follow a midnight dancer, Delilah, who ran into trouble in Las Vegas and is now on the run, finding herself in Tempest, Montana and into the arms of Cole Weston. Cole and his brothers are used to trouble, it runs rampant in the town, but he never expected the chaos and fire that Delilah would bring into his life.
Even though it is Delilah and Cole’s story, which is so intense and heart racing, I feel like you also got a great look at the other brothers and the town that makes you excited for this whole series.
Delilah was witty, funny, and so full of energy, despite her dark past and her secrets seeing her collide with Cole was honestly magic, and despite the darker subject matter of the thriller aspect, made the book funny and enjoyable.
If you wanna book that makes you wanna sell your soul for Montana cowboy, that makes your heart race, and leaves you wanting more, I highly recommend whiskey burn.
Thank you so much Ava Hunter and sourcebooks for sending me this ARC and exchange for a honest review.
July 3, 2026
cole and delilah were everything!! i waited so long for this book and it was such a great intro to this series. I love the brotherly bond between this family. there's so much pain buried between all these characters so I am so excited to explore all their eventual love stories. cole was such a strong and silent type but he has so much heart to him. when he finally let delilah in, I truly melted. delilah is also such a sweet character and I was so happy to see her finally have a family. the stakes were crazy and this was great. Thank you to Ava Hunter and team and NG for the copy!
August 22, 2026
Hello Daddy Cole, my new obsession! I DEVOURED THIS IN A DAY! Couldn’t not put it down!
Thank you to Ava and Source Casa for the EARC provided by Netgalley!
I love Ava’s Cowboys and her feisty FMCs! Cole is my favorite kind of cowboy tall, muscles with tattoos and grumpy AF! Delilah I FU€KING ADORED! She’s strong, fierce and a boss babe with a sharp tongue! These who has sparks flying the minute they met. The plot was so good! Dark, a bit mysterious and great suspense! I absolutely love these brother’s and I’m so ready to get the next one in this series! *grabby hands*
Hands down the tension and banter were perfect, and I loved how she surprised him at every turn. His flabbers were ghasted every time she spoke lol. I’m just absolutely obsessed with this one!
Read: EARC 📱
MMC: Cole
FMC: Delilah
Spice: 3🌶️
Tropes:
Small Town
Suspense
Morally Gray Cowboy
Woman on the Run
Age Gap (38,24)
Found Family
Forced Proximity
Touch Her & Die
Grumpy x Sunshine
Man Obsessed
Thank you to Ava and Source Casa for the EARC provided by Netgalley!
I love Ava’s Cowboys and her feisty FMCs! Cole is my favorite kind of cowboy tall, muscles with tattoos and grumpy AF! Delilah I FU€KING ADORED! She’s strong, fierce and a boss babe with a sharp tongue! These who has sparks flying the minute they met. The plot was so good! Dark, a bit mysterious and great suspense! I absolutely love these brother’s and I’m so ready to get the next one in this series! *grabby hands*
Hands down the tension and banter were perfect, and I loved how she surprised him at every turn. His flabbers were ghasted every time she spoke lol. I’m just absolutely obsessed with this one!
Read: EARC 📱
MMC: Cole
FMC: Delilah
Spice: 3🌶️
Tropes:
Small Town
Suspense
Morally Gray Cowboy
Woman on the Run
Age Gap (38,24)
Found Family
Forced Proximity
Touch Her & Die
Grumpy x Sunshine
Man Obsessed
Read
August 29, 2026a bit too much like every other bourbon based romantic suspense out there right now and i struggled to want to try and finish it
will probably try again in the future with audio once all the books are released, i was very intrigued by the family themselves so i think that format may make for a better experience for me!
will probably try again in the future with audio once all the books are released, i was very intrigued by the family themselves so i think that format may make for a better experience for me!
July 17, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
this was a perfect example of how to do a dark cowboy romance right, i need the next book right now
this was a perfect example of how to do a dark cowboy romance right, i need the next book right now
July 8, 2026
I’ve been an Ava Hunter stan for YEARS, so y’all already know there was absolutely no world where I wasn’t going to be reading this book. She’s been an auto-buy author for me for a long time, and as a certified cowboy romance junkie, her Runaway Ranch series is genuinely one of my favorite series ever.
So knowing Whiskey Burn was not only kicking off an entirely new cowboy series, but was also Ava’s first traditionally published book?! Yeah. I was STOKED.
And I have to say this first because I know longtime Ava readers may be wondering: this is still Ava Hunter through and through. The move to traditional publishing didn’t strip away anything that makes her books hers. The writing, the chemistry, the emotion, the complicated characters, the family dynamics, the suspense woven through the romance… it all still feels unmistakably Ava. If anything, Whiskey Burn feels like her stepping into a bigger, darker world while still giving us everything we already love about her writing.
And DARKER is definitely the word because holy freaking heck?! 👀
We’ve officially left Runaway Ranch and entered Tempest, Montana, where apparently everyone has secrets, the Weston family has enough buried trauma to keep me theorizing for the foreseeable future, girls are disappearing, there’s something seriously wrong in this town, and I already need to know EVERYTHING.
And Cole and Delilah?! GOODBYE. I already knew I wanted Cole’s story after meeting him in Runaway Ranch, but apparently I was wildly unprepared for what Ava was going to do with this man. Grumpy, guarded, fiercely loyal to his brothers, suspicious of absolutely everything… and then Delilah comes crashing into his life with approximately seventeen red flags and a giant PLEASE DON’T ASK QUESTIONS sign over her head. 😂 Watching these two try not to trust each other while very clearly becoming incapable of staying away from each other was everything.
But I think what hooked me most was everything happening outside of their romance too. There is so much simmering underneath this series. The Weston brothers. Their past. Their parents. Tempest itself. The missing women. The corruption. The MC. All the little questions Ava plants that you just KNOW are going to matter later. I finished Cole and Delilah’s story satisfied with their ending while somehow having approximately 847 new questions about everyone else!
And that is exactly how you start a series.
Whiskey Burn is grittier and more suspenseful than what we’ve previously gotten from Ava, but underneath all that darkness is still the emotional, character driven cowboy romance that made me fall in love with her books in the first place.
Basically, Ava Hunter went trad and said, “Don’t worry, I’m still me.”
And THANK GOD FOR THAT. 🤠
The Weston Brothers have officially arrived, and after this introduction to Tempest, Montana, I am already way too invested in this family and whatever the heck is going on in this town. Give me the next brother immediately. I HAVE QUESTIONS!!!
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca, NetGalley, and Ava Hunter for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
So knowing Whiskey Burn was not only kicking off an entirely new cowboy series, but was also Ava’s first traditionally published book?! Yeah. I was STOKED.
And I have to say this first because I know longtime Ava readers may be wondering: this is still Ava Hunter through and through. The move to traditional publishing didn’t strip away anything that makes her books hers. The writing, the chemistry, the emotion, the complicated characters, the family dynamics, the suspense woven through the romance… it all still feels unmistakably Ava. If anything, Whiskey Burn feels like her stepping into a bigger, darker world while still giving us everything we already love about her writing.
And DARKER is definitely the word because holy freaking heck?! 👀
We’ve officially left Runaway Ranch and entered Tempest, Montana, where apparently everyone has secrets, the Weston family has enough buried trauma to keep me theorizing for the foreseeable future, girls are disappearing, there’s something seriously wrong in this town, and I already need to know EVERYTHING.
And Cole and Delilah?! GOODBYE. I already knew I wanted Cole’s story after meeting him in Runaway Ranch, but apparently I was wildly unprepared for what Ava was going to do with this man. Grumpy, guarded, fiercely loyal to his brothers, suspicious of absolutely everything… and then Delilah comes crashing into his life with approximately seventeen red flags and a giant PLEASE DON’T ASK QUESTIONS sign over her head. 😂 Watching these two try not to trust each other while very clearly becoming incapable of staying away from each other was everything.
But I think what hooked me most was everything happening outside of their romance too. There is so much simmering underneath this series. The Weston brothers. Their past. Their parents. Tempest itself. The missing women. The corruption. The MC. All the little questions Ava plants that you just KNOW are going to matter later. I finished Cole and Delilah’s story satisfied with their ending while somehow having approximately 847 new questions about everyone else!
And that is exactly how you start a series.
Whiskey Burn is grittier and more suspenseful than what we’ve previously gotten from Ava, but underneath all that darkness is still the emotional, character driven cowboy romance that made me fall in love with her books in the first place.
Basically, Ava Hunter went trad and said, “Don’t worry, I’m still me.”
And THANK GOD FOR THAT. 🤠
The Weston Brothers have officially arrived, and after this introduction to Tempest, Montana, I am already way too invested in this family and whatever the heck is going on in this town. Give me the next brother immediately. I HAVE QUESTIONS!!!
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca, NetGalley, and Ava Hunter for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 10, 2026
OMG this boook!!
What I appreciated most wasn't just the romance it was the feeling that every character had their own story waiting to be told. The Weston family felt real, messy, loyal, and protective, and I found myself just as invested in them as I was in Cole and Delilah.
Cole isn't the type of hero who wears his heart on his sleeve, which made every moment of vulnerability feel earned. Delilah was exactly the kind of heroine I enjoy reading about: resilient, compassionate, and quietly brave. Their relationship developed in a way that kept me emotionally invested from beginning to end.
Another thing I loved was how naturally the suspense fit into the story. It created tension without taking the focus away from the romance, and more than once I caught myself reading "just one more chapter" because I needed answers.
By the end of the book, I wasn't only satisfied with Cole and Delilah's journey I was genuinely excited about everything that's still waiting for the Weston family. For a first book in a series, that's probably the biggest compliment I can give.
If you're looking for a romance that gives you heartfelt moments, unforgettable characters, and enough mystery to keep the pages turning, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Thank you to Ava Hunter and NetGalley for the ARC🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
What I appreciated most wasn't just the romance it was the feeling that every character had their own story waiting to be told. The Weston family felt real, messy, loyal, and protective, and I found myself just as invested in them as I was in Cole and Delilah.
Cole isn't the type of hero who wears his heart on his sleeve, which made every moment of vulnerability feel earned. Delilah was exactly the kind of heroine I enjoy reading about: resilient, compassionate, and quietly brave. Their relationship developed in a way that kept me emotionally invested from beginning to end.
Another thing I loved was how naturally the suspense fit into the story. It created tension without taking the focus away from the romance, and more than once I caught myself reading "just one more chapter" because I needed answers.
By the end of the book, I wasn't only satisfied with Cole and Delilah's journey I was genuinely excited about everything that's still waiting for the Weston family. For a first book in a series, that's probably the biggest compliment I can give.
If you're looking for a romance that gives you heartfelt moments, unforgettable characters, and enough mystery to keep the pages turning, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Thank you to Ava Hunter and NetGalley for the ARC🤍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
August 7, 2026
I could not put it down.
The combination of the gruff cowboy only soft for her, Delilah’s directness and strength plus the suspense made it one of my favorite reads of the year so far.
There is something about a closed of cowboy that is keeping a tight hold on his secrets and his feelings until the right woman comes along for him to open up. Delilah is surely the right woman for him, putting him in his place and bringing out his protective and softer side.
I loved them both, their instant and undeniable attraction plus the suspense had me in a chokehold. Both of them hiding a dark past and uncovering that piece by piece made it impossible to put the book down and I kept wanting to know more.
This family and the secrets buried in this town had me wanting more and I can not wait for more stories from the Weston brothers.
The combination of the gruff cowboy only soft for her, Delilah’s directness and strength plus the suspense made it one of my favorite reads of the year so far.
There is something about a closed of cowboy that is keeping a tight hold on his secrets and his feelings until the right woman comes along for him to open up. Delilah is surely the right woman for him, putting him in his place and bringing out his protective and softer side.
I loved them both, their instant and undeniable attraction plus the suspense had me in a chokehold. Both of them hiding a dark past and uncovering that piece by piece made it impossible to put the book down and I kept wanting to know more.
This family and the secrets buried in this town had me wanting more and I can not wait for more stories from the Weston brothers.
August 31, 2026
Another Ava book down! I devoured this one! I absolutely loved Cole and Delilah. Their banter, their chemistry, they were so so good. I love how Ava always has suspense in the plot, but what I really loved in this one was that it set up the whole series to be intertwined. She gave me a hook and now I’m sat ready for book two! I need to know more about these brothers and their family. The small town they live in and the stories that town tells! Oof I am soooo excited for what’s next.
Cole was such a simp for Delilah and I ATE THAT UP. Delilah was strong and fierce, and such a little tease! But the way they fit so well together was just a little cherry on top!
I also loved that I couldn’t guess who the bad guy was. Like sure we could see who the bad parties are but the big bad!? No way. Also belle, ugh when she asked where she was I KNEW it wouldn’t be good. I just knew it.
Cole was such a simp for Delilah and I ATE THAT UP. Delilah was strong and fierce, and such a little tease! But the way they fit so well together was just a little cherry on top!
I also loved that I couldn’t guess who the bad guy was. Like sure we could see who the bad parties are but the big bad!? No way. Also belle, ugh when she asked where she was I KNEW it wouldn’t be good. I just knew it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2026
Holy shit! (In the best way) So freaking good! Absolutely loved Cole & Delilah’s story. The suspense, tension, obsession… ate it up! I love how two fairy different people came together and worked so well together. Delilah softened & opened his heart back up, while Cole gave her support & made her feel wanted.
The building of this story - the whole Weston family - has me begging for more asap! I have so many theories and questions that I can’t wait to see unfold with the rest of the series (while hopefully getting a glimpse of what Cole & Delilah’s up to).
4.5 ⭐️
Big thank you to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC!
The building of this story - the whole Weston family - has me begging for more asap! I have so many theories and questions that I can’t wait to see unfold with the rest of the series (while hopefully getting a glimpse of what Cole & Delilah’s up to).
4.5 ⭐️
Big thank you to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC!
August 31, 2026
Ava Hunter’s cowboy romances are next level! Thank you so much to her team and the publisher for this ARC🫶🏻
YEEHAW! Delilah ends up on Cole Weston’s family ranch while on the run! She’s being targeted and has to get away from her life and dancing. At first, Cole isn’t happy Delilah is there. He’s a little grumpy with a laundry list of family issues. While she’s hiding away, he falls hard! He literally calls her darlin’ 🤤
This was soooo good! I loved her previous cowboy series and I knew I’d love this one! There’s spice and suspense! The Weston brothers will do anything for those they love 🤠 I can’t wait for more!
YEEHAW! Delilah ends up on Cole Weston’s family ranch while on the run! She’s being targeted and has to get away from her life and dancing. At first, Cole isn’t happy Delilah is there. He’s a little grumpy with a laundry list of family issues. While she’s hiding away, he falls hard! He literally calls her darlin’ 🤤
This was soooo good! I loved her previous cowboy series and I knew I’d love this one! There’s spice and suspense! The Weston brothers will do anything for those they love 🤠 I can’t wait for more!
July 23, 2026
Wow! From start to finish this book was an emotional, action packed, romantic suspense all the way to the last word! It is a heavy read in parts so definitely check your trigger warnings but I really enjoyed it! There was character development and growth. There was love and trauma. Overall it was really well done!
July 20, 2026
Aahhh!! Screaming running round the room!!
I absolutely loved this book, everything that Ava writes it pure gold. It has the spice, the cowboys and the drama. Amazing, amazing, amazing!!!
I absolutely loved this book, everything that Ava writes it pure gold. It has the spice, the cowboys and the drama. Amazing, amazing, amazing!!!
Did Not Finish
August 9, 2026DNF. I'm beginning to wonder what Sourcebooks was thinking sending me this box. This is 2 for 2 of books that I would never have picked up on my own. But they sent it, so I tried it. Yeah, no.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ava Hunter is the most under hyped Cowboy romance authors in the genre and I stand by that. Her books are emotional with that little touch of darkness that I crave. She didn’t let me down at all with Whiskey Burn. This was darker than her previous books and I was here for it. Steamy, suspenseful and the tension between this couple was FIRE. I cannot wait for the world to get their hands on her newest release, her first trad pub book.
Want to Read
February 9, 2026Expected publication October 20
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I´m a big fan of Ava´s Runaway Ranch series so thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing the opportunity to read this early. I´m not sure I could´ve waited until October. This book was highly anticipated and I will give my honest thoughts for it in this review.
Who doesn´t love morally gray cowboys? Ava Hunter does it again - creating a bunch of badass and engaging new characters in a mysterious small town setting and plot full of suspense (and a little killing?) I´m a sucker for suspense in romance novels and all the TV series kind of drama. The whole murder mystery and dark secrets of these characters were gripping and it reminded me a lot of Runanway Ranch. We will get five Weston brothers, so buckle up – this series might occupy me for a few years. There´s hints of future plots and I can´t wait to know who will be the next MMC and FMC. I´m hoping for River.
The romance was hot and the spice spicing. There´s something about the way Ava Hunter writes her MMCs that I just love. They´re just so down bad for their women and the love between the characters is fierce and passionate. FMC Delilah is a badass. I loved her.
The only thing that bothered me a little and is the reason this is not 5 stars: Thinking back about the marketing stating something alike that Cole does not have time for women I kind of went into the book hoping for one of my all time favorite tropes that we don´t get treated to often enough: celibate Heros. Oh how I love them xD When FMC is the one who ends MMCs dry spell? I´m always here for it. And we got plenty of those in Ava´s other books so I was hopeful.
It´s not like Cole is a playboy or anything (might have been back then), but the beginning of the story painted Cole to be a grumpy and lonely guy who only works and doesn´t let anyone in - it´s insinuated by his brothers and also his own thoughts several times, so I thought he would´ve been on a dry spell for a while. But then we learn that he hasn´t been with anyone since he´s back in town, but that´s only been 6 months! Come on! That´s nothing, give me a few years at least. He´s also been with buckle bunnies in the past and - personally - the whole topic has always been kind of icky to me. My favorite kind of MMC is the one where it´s not just hard for FMC to get into his heart, but also into his bed. I´ve never liked MMCs who are easy to have. At least Cole has never been in a real relationship before and has never loved before - Delilah is the first special woman for him. He reminded me of a grumpy version of Rhett from The Chestnut Spring series in that regard.
I was able to still enjoy this book because everything else was just so good! And other than that the book is safe, though. No cheating involved, no OW drama. MMCs will all be down bad for their women and kill for them, I´m telling you. That´s always a big fat plus. I´m holding out hope for at least one or two his brothers to be like I hoped (not looking at you, Warren, lol). I read this in a day and can´t wait for book 2.
Who doesn´t love morally gray cowboys? Ava Hunter does it again - creating a bunch of badass and engaging new characters in a mysterious small town setting and plot full of suspense (and a little killing?) I´m a sucker for suspense in romance novels and all the TV series kind of drama. The whole murder mystery and dark secrets of these characters were gripping and it reminded me a lot of Runanway Ranch. We will get five Weston brothers, so buckle up – this series might occupy me for a few years. There´s hints of future plots and I can´t wait to know who will be the next MMC and FMC. I´m hoping for River.
The romance was hot and the spice spicing. There´s something about the way Ava Hunter writes her MMCs that I just love. They´re just so down bad for their women and the love between the characters is fierce and passionate. FMC Delilah is a badass. I loved her.
The only thing that bothered me a little and is the reason this is not 5 stars: Thinking back about the marketing stating something alike that Cole does not have time for women I kind of went into the book hoping for one of my all time favorite tropes that we don´t get treated to often enough: celibate Heros. Oh how I love them xD When FMC is the one who ends MMCs dry spell? I´m always here for it. And we got plenty of those in Ava´s other books so I was hopeful.
It´s not like Cole is a playboy or anything (might have been back then), but the beginning of the story painted Cole to be a grumpy and lonely guy who only works and doesn´t let anyone in - it´s insinuated by his brothers and also his own thoughts several times, so I thought he would´ve been on a dry spell for a while. But then we learn that he hasn´t been with anyone since he´s back in town, but that´s only been 6 months! Come on! That´s nothing, give me a few years at least. He´s also been with buckle bunnies in the past and - personally - the whole topic has always been kind of icky to me. My favorite kind of MMC is the one where it´s not just hard for FMC to get into his heart, but also into his bed. I´ve never liked MMCs who are easy to have. At least Cole has never been in a real relationship before and has never loved before - Delilah is the first special woman for him. He reminded me of a grumpy version of Rhett from The Chestnut Spring series in that regard.
I was able to still enjoy this book because everything else was just so good! And other than that the book is safe, though. No cheating involved, no OW drama. MMCs will all be down bad for their women and kill for them, I´m telling you. That´s always a big fat plus. I´m holding out hope for at least one or two his brothers to be like I hoped (not looking at you, Warren, lol). I read this in a day and can´t wait for book 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2026
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.75/5
Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3.5/5
Spoilers are at the end of the review if you want to avoid them.
Sooo there was a lot I enjoyed about this book but it did fall short in parts for me. I’ll discuss those at the end as they contain spoilers.
Firstly, I do love Ava’s writing and her runaway ranch series is fantastic which I think maybe this is why it hasn’t hit as well for this new trad debut. The series has a lot of potential though and I’ll absolutely read the rest in the hopes that this just ends up being my least favourite of the series you know?
I loved the premise and it handles some really dark themes which I absolutely love to read it was full of angst and secrets and it was plenty suspenseful with lots of different threads and elements of mystery, crime, deceit and revenge. The second half of the book in particular is where it gets very gripping.
I very much enjoyed the relationship development between Cole and Delilah even if it was a little contradictory at times (eg I want him/her I’m going for it and then the next moment no I can’t). Cole in particular has so excellent character growth. It was plenty romantic and the spice was JUICY! That whiskey ‘tasting’ scene will live rent free in my head for a very long time!
The relationship between the brothers was also a joy to read and I feel like they all have their own very clear and distinct personalities and no one gets lost which is impressive when it’s a start of a new series and there’s 5 of them to get to know and love. I also loved the set ups for the following brother’s books in the series and I am still really excited to read those.
A few nonsensical plot points/ plots holes were apparent though which let us down for me:
For one Belle - if she was all under Please’s thumb (don’t live that name for the villain either) the whole time why bother sending Delilah away at the start to ‘save her’ in the first place she could’ve just handed her over like she did Melly? Also as soon as she asked where she was u knew she was a baddie so that wasn’t all that subtle.
Secondly, at the end she’s talking about the FBI coming to interview her and how she told them everything but no reference is made to the face that Cole shot and murdered one guy and Warren shot and murdered the other. So like are they just forgiven of that? No reproductions? Or is the FBI covering it up? Did she not tell them? In which case how does she explain how she got away. That was such a massive loose end that should’ve been tied up.
Also I found it a little far fetched to believe a simple gold locket could stop a bullet. Don’t get me wrong I love the idea and the sentiment of it given its importance to the story but it’s not a massive plate it’s a tiny locket. Maybe I’m wrong and that’s totally possible but it didn’t feel right.
All these things couple with some occasional cringey dialogue just made it hard for me to rate it any higher.
Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3.5/5
Spoilers are at the end of the review if you want to avoid them.
Sooo there was a lot I enjoyed about this book but it did fall short in parts for me. I’ll discuss those at the end as they contain spoilers.
Firstly, I do love Ava’s writing and her runaway ranch series is fantastic which I think maybe this is why it hasn’t hit as well for this new trad debut. The series has a lot of potential though and I’ll absolutely read the rest in the hopes that this just ends up being my least favourite of the series you know?
I loved the premise and it handles some really dark themes which I absolutely love to read it was full of angst and secrets and it was plenty suspenseful with lots of different threads and elements of mystery, crime, deceit and revenge. The second half of the book in particular is where it gets very gripping.
I very much enjoyed the relationship development between Cole and Delilah even if it was a little contradictory at times (eg I want him/her I’m going for it and then the next moment no I can’t). Cole in particular has so excellent character growth. It was plenty romantic and the spice was JUICY! That whiskey ‘tasting’ scene will live rent free in my head for a very long time!
The relationship between the brothers was also a joy to read and I feel like they all have their own very clear and distinct personalities and no one gets lost which is impressive when it’s a start of a new series and there’s 5 of them to get to know and love. I also loved the set ups for the following brother’s books in the series and I am still really excited to read those.
A few nonsensical plot points/ plots holes were apparent though which let us down for me:
For one Belle - if she was all under Please’s thumb (don’t live that name for the villain either) the whole time why bother sending Delilah away at the start to ‘save her’ in the first place she could’ve just handed her over like she did Melly? Also as soon as she asked where she was u knew she was a baddie so that wasn’t all that subtle.
Secondly, at the end she’s talking about the FBI coming to interview her and how she told them everything but no reference is made to the face that Cole shot and murdered one guy and Warren shot and murdered the other. So like are they just forgiven of that? No reproductions? Or is the FBI covering it up? Did she not tell them? In which case how does she explain how she got away. That was such a massive loose end that should’ve been tied up.
Also I found it a little far fetched to believe a simple gold locket could stop a bullet. Don’t get me wrong I love the idea and the sentiment of it given its importance to the story but it’s not a massive plate it’s a tiny locket. Maybe I’m wrong and that’s totally possible but it didn’t feel right.
All these things couple with some occasional cringey dialogue just made it hard for me to rate it any higher.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2026
“I like my whiskey like I like my cowboys. At least ten years older than me and made in Montana.”
Ava Hunter knocked this one out of this realm! Holy moly y’all. This new series is rich in layers and layers of dark mysteries and tragic pasts. Whiskey Burn set the tone of Tempest, Montana; a place so embedded with twisted secrets, the locals have just come to terms with things that go bump in the night.
This story had me channeling my inner Nancy Drew and creating a note in my phone with everyone’s backstories, and my theories on where their books were going to lead them! I truly had a blast reading this story because I was actively engaged the entire time.
“Enchantress. Vixen. There are so many words I could use to describe Delilah, but my favorite one is: mine.”
Our leading men, the Weston’s are characters layered in heartache. It changed each of them differently but one thing that never changed was how STRONG their brotherhood is. (Their love for the youngest, Wells, was so flipping heartwarming while also heartbreaking when you learn why they are so protective of him.)
“My darlin’, my girl, my Delilah. Can’t live without you. Won’t.”
Cole Weston was such an interesting part of Ride the Sky, I am so excited we finally are getting his story! He was so grumpy but it was a blast getting to see Delilah tame him!
“I’m his harmony. He’s my darkness.”
Delilah was the best. Ava Hunter’s FMCs are ALWAYS powerhouses. Her life was built around packing bags and running, but in Tempest & Cole Weston she finally found a place to put it all down.
“Keep teasing me darlin’—we know how it’ll end.”
This man was OBSESSED. The tasting room scene? OMG, it will live in my brain rent free for forever! ❤️🔥🫠🥃
“You thirsty, darlin’?”
“For you, always.”
This book’s baddie, and everything involving the missing girls and the climax of this story is DARK. It please check the warnings before diving in. That being said, I was on the edge of my seat, sweating and biting my nails submersed in the suspense of it all!
“He’s ruthless. But I’ve never felt safer. I see his demons, his grief, his bad habits, but I still see him too.”
Tempest isn’t like other towns, when things hit the fan you do NOT call the cops. You trade favors with the local MC! I love that the bikers are the good guys, (mostly)! I can’t wait to get for some of the towns baddies to get what’s coming to them! 👊🏼
‘“Here.” Warren slides a small, serrated blade from its sheath. “A promise. Brothers don’t turn on brothers.” Jack’s words.’
If you are a suspense lover AND ready to fall head of sparkly boots in love with the Weston’s, PLEASE ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR!
I can’t wait to experience this story again on audio!
Tropes:
💃🏻 Woman on the Run
👀 Romantic Suspense
🫶🏼 Band of Brothers
❤️🔥 Dark Cowboy Romance
🖤 Town Full of Dark & Twisted Secrets
🥃 Whiskey Distillery & Animal Rescue
🍷 Age Gap (14yrs)
🏡 Neighbors
☀️ Grumpy x Snarky Sunshine
💋 Tasting Room Fun
Ava Hunter knocked this one out of this realm! Holy moly y’all. This new series is rich in layers and layers of dark mysteries and tragic pasts. Whiskey Burn set the tone of Tempest, Montana; a place so embedded with twisted secrets, the locals have just come to terms with things that go bump in the night.
This story had me channeling my inner Nancy Drew and creating a note in my phone with everyone’s backstories, and my theories on where their books were going to lead them! I truly had a blast reading this story because I was actively engaged the entire time.
“Enchantress. Vixen. There are so many words I could use to describe Delilah, but my favorite one is: mine.”
Our leading men, the Weston’s are characters layered in heartache. It changed each of them differently but one thing that never changed was how STRONG their brotherhood is. (Their love for the youngest, Wells, was so flipping heartwarming while also heartbreaking when you learn why they are so protective of him.)
“My darlin’, my girl, my Delilah. Can’t live without you. Won’t.”
Cole Weston was such an interesting part of Ride the Sky, I am so excited we finally are getting his story! He was so grumpy but it was a blast getting to see Delilah tame him!
“I’m his harmony. He’s my darkness.”
Delilah was the best. Ava Hunter’s FMCs are ALWAYS powerhouses. Her life was built around packing bags and running, but in Tempest & Cole Weston she finally found a place to put it all down.
“Keep teasing me darlin’—we know how it’ll end.”
This man was OBSESSED. The tasting room scene? OMG, it will live in my brain rent free for forever! ❤️🔥🫠🥃
“You thirsty, darlin’?”
“For you, always.”
This book’s baddie, and everything involving the missing girls and the climax of this story is DARK. It please check the warnings before diving in. That being said, I was on the edge of my seat, sweating and biting my nails submersed in the suspense of it all!
“He’s ruthless. But I’ve never felt safer. I see his demons, his grief, his bad habits, but I still see him too.”
Tempest isn’t like other towns, when things hit the fan you do NOT call the cops. You trade favors with the local MC! I love that the bikers are the good guys, (mostly)! I can’t wait to get for some of the towns baddies to get what’s coming to them! 👊🏼
‘“Here.” Warren slides a small, serrated blade from its sheath. “A promise. Brothers don’t turn on brothers.” Jack’s words.’
If you are a suspense lover AND ready to fall head of sparkly boots in love with the Weston’s, PLEASE ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR!
I can’t wait to experience this story again on audio!
Tropes:
💃🏻 Woman on the Run
👀 Romantic Suspense
🫶🏼 Band of Brothers
❤️🔥 Dark Cowboy Romance
🖤 Town Full of Dark & Twisted Secrets
🥃 Whiskey Distillery & Animal Rescue
🍷 Age Gap (14yrs)
🏡 Neighbors
☀️ Grumpy x Snarky Sunshine
💋 Tasting Room Fun
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠’𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐬𝐭, 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐚. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧.
And that's how we like them... right ? RIGHT ?
Whiskey Burn was one of most anticipated releases of the year and it did NOT disappoint. I'm the biggest fan of the runaway ranch series and while Ford is still my favorite Ava MMC, Cole IS STILL PERFECT. I have over a hundred highlights for that book which proves how good it is. They also have highland cows on the ranch so that alone should convince everyone to read that book!
Whiskey burn follows Delilah, a midnight ballerina, who ran away from Vegas after witnessing a client's death. She ends up lost on a side road in the middle of the night and a cowboy (our mmc's brother) finds her and offers a cabin for her to stay in.
Safe to say Cole, our MMC, is not a fan of her being on the ranch. He thinks they're dealing with enough trouble as it is and doesn't want her bringing any more to the distillery or the ranch.
Flash news ? she stays. She starts working as a bartender at the distillery and does a pretty damn good job too.
The physical attraction between our MCs is almost immediate. But both are wary and don't open up easily. The more time they spend together, the easier it gets tho. And once they act on their attraction ? the chemistry is EXPLOSIVE. That scene in the tasting room ? phewwwww, I don't drink whiskey but maybe I could be convinced.
I really loved Cole's protectiveness and grumpiness, even if the grumpiness disappeared when Delilah started really getting under his skin. My favorite part was when Delilah randomly brought back a mini cow one day and he acted all grumpy and then spent a few hours build an enclosure for the lil baby.
Now, the suspense side of things definitely kept me on my toes. Both characters are caught up in some shady stuff, and when Delilah's past catches up to her, she ends up telling Cole EVERYTHING. it was really great to see her finally open up, and feel better after sharing it with Cole.
These last few chapters kept me on the edge of my seat, and that ending was really really satisfying.
One thing Ava always does well is the found family. Sure there are five brothers but they continually choose each other, occasionally bringing in new people like Delilah. And when things got serious, they all showed up for her and Cole and that's what matters. I loved every brother but I'll have to admit I have a feeling River is gonna be my favorite.
Ezra's daughter, Evangeline, is the cutest kid ever.
I absolutely can't wait to see what Ava has in store for us and the Weston brothers next.
Huge thank you to Ava, her team, and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the early digital copy in exchange for my honest review 🫶🏼
And that's how we like them... right ? RIGHT ?
Whiskey Burn was one of most anticipated releases of the year and it did NOT disappoint. I'm the biggest fan of the runaway ranch series and while Ford is still my favorite Ava MMC, Cole IS STILL PERFECT. I have over a hundred highlights for that book which proves how good it is. They also have highland cows on the ranch so that alone should convince everyone to read that book!
Whiskey burn follows Delilah, a midnight ballerina, who ran away from Vegas after witnessing a client's death. She ends up lost on a side road in the middle of the night and a cowboy (our mmc's brother) finds her and offers a cabin for her to stay in.
Safe to say Cole, our MMC, is not a fan of her being on the ranch. He thinks they're dealing with enough trouble as it is and doesn't want her bringing any more to the distillery or the ranch.
Flash news ? she stays. She starts working as a bartender at the distillery and does a pretty damn good job too.
The physical attraction between our MCs is almost immediate. But both are wary and don't open up easily. The more time they spend together, the easier it gets tho. And once they act on their attraction ? the chemistry is EXPLOSIVE. That scene in the tasting room ? phewwwww, I don't drink whiskey but maybe I could be convinced.
I really loved Cole's protectiveness and grumpiness, even if the grumpiness disappeared when Delilah started really getting under his skin. My favorite part was when Delilah randomly brought back a mini cow one day and he acted all grumpy and then spent a few hours build an enclosure for the lil baby.
Now, the suspense side of things definitely kept me on my toes. Both characters are caught up in some shady stuff, and when Delilah's past catches up to her, she ends up telling Cole EVERYTHING. it was really great to see her finally open up, and feel better after sharing it with Cole.
These last few chapters kept me on the edge of my seat, and that ending was really really satisfying.
One thing Ava always does well is the found family. Sure there are five brothers but they continually choose each other, occasionally bringing in new people like Delilah. And when things got serious, they all showed up for her and Cole and that's what matters. I loved every brother but I'll have to admit I have a feeling River is gonna be my favorite.
Ezra's daughter, Evangeline, is the cutest kid ever.
I absolutely can't wait to see what Ava has in store for us and the Weston brothers next.
Huge thank you to Ava, her team, and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the early digital copy in exchange for my honest review 🫶🏼
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m kind of mad this was an ARC, because I want to stay in Tempest for longer than one book at a time.
I don't know what possessed me to dip my toe into dark romance territory, but I can't say I regret it. Check your trigger warnings, though, because when it gets going, it goes deep and spares no detail.
As it often is with books which land on 4 stars for me, I don't actually have that much to say about it. I think it's biggest advantage is the setting and the brothers themselves. The small town of Tempest pulls you in with its secrets, darkness and feuds. There's a rich backstory for this place, for its most influencial inhabitants, and you can't help being more and more invested in it. I liked the book, sure, but I loved this feeling of something bigger still lurking, like this was just the beginning, just the surface of what Tempest had to offer. Genuinely excited to go back when the next book comes out, because I just know it's going to get even better, crazier, and darker.
The suspense part was quite satisfying. A lot of crazy stuff went down, the author didn't hold back, and I enjoyed how it kept my heart beating faster, especially once everything started rapidly going to hell. Yes, you can clearly tell who helped the bad guy practically from the very start if you put your detective hat on, but who cares, the rest was exciting and this detail wasn't really that important in the grand scheme.
I liked the parts about whiskey-making, too. I'd say I feel educated, but my brain is a sieve and I remember nothing.
When it comes to the romance itself, it's a bit insta-lusty, but it makes sense for them to fall for each other when you consider the greater context, and it's heart-warming to watch them embrace the other's darkness. They fit together.
What I didn't like was how repetitive the lust was in the first half of the book. Repetitive is boring for me. I get she's hot and he's hard for her every other second. No need to say it a thousand times.
The writing was generally kind of going in circles sometimes (not only with lust, I mean), and as much as it didn't ruin the whole book for me, it made it somewhat weaker.
I also had some trouble with the spice, but that's a preference more than anything. I'm not a fan of licking used underwear (disgusting) and I don't think women's fluids just drip down their legs, no matter how horny we are.
If you're into dark suspense and lusty, emotional turmoil, I think you might like this. It's a good beginning to a series, that's for sure.
(A disclaimer - I'm sick while writing this review so if any of my ramblings don't make sense, blame my health.)
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for letting me read the ARC!
I don't know what possessed me to dip my toe into dark romance territory, but I can't say I regret it. Check your trigger warnings, though, because when it gets going, it goes deep and spares no detail.
As it often is with books which land on 4 stars for me, I don't actually have that much to say about it. I think it's biggest advantage is the setting and the brothers themselves. The small town of Tempest pulls you in with its secrets, darkness and feuds. There's a rich backstory for this place, for its most influencial inhabitants, and you can't help being more and more invested in it. I liked the book, sure, but I loved this feeling of something bigger still lurking, like this was just the beginning, just the surface of what Tempest had to offer. Genuinely excited to go back when the next book comes out, because I just know it's going to get even better, crazier, and darker.
The suspense part was quite satisfying. A lot of crazy stuff went down, the author didn't hold back, and I enjoyed how it kept my heart beating faster, especially once everything started rapidly going to hell. Yes, you can clearly tell who helped the bad guy practically from the very start if you put your detective hat on, but who cares, the rest was exciting and this detail wasn't really that important in the grand scheme.
I liked the parts about whiskey-making, too. I'd say I feel educated, but my brain is a sieve and I remember nothing.
When it comes to the romance itself, it's a bit insta-lusty, but it makes sense for them to fall for each other when you consider the greater context, and it's heart-warming to watch them embrace the other's darkness. They fit together.
What I didn't like was how repetitive the lust was in the first half of the book. Repetitive is boring for me. I get she's hot and he's hard for her every other second. No need to say it a thousand times.
The writing was generally kind of going in circles sometimes (not only with lust, I mean), and as much as it didn't ruin the whole book for me, it made it somewhat weaker.
I also had some trouble with the spice, but that's a preference more than anything. I'm not a fan of licking used underwear (disgusting) and I don't think women's fluids just drip down their legs, no matter how horny we are.
If you're into dark suspense and lusty, emotional turmoil, I think you might like this. It's a good beginning to a series, that's for sure.
(A disclaimer - I'm sick while writing this review so if any of my ramblings don't make sense, blame my health.)
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for letting me read the ARC!
August 17, 2026
3.5!!
I’ve been anticipating Whiskey Burn ever since we were first introduced to Cole Weston in Ride the Sky, so getting to finally step back into an Ava Hunter country/cowboy/ranch universe was such a treat!!
What’s funny is that while I was reading, I didn’t feel completely swept up in the story the way I sometimes do with her books. But the SECOND I finished it, all I wanted was to be back in this world. Apparently, I didn’t even realize how attached I’d gotten until I had to leave??
Ava Hunter is just SO good at creating these atmospheric worlds that feel nostalgic and lived-in, especially with the family dynamics and groups of brothers she writes about. There’s something about these little universes she creates that makes you want to spend more time there, get to know everyone, and eventually just move in and live there yourself.
I absolutely fell in love with moody Tempest, Montana, too.
I loved how the town almost felt like a character in its own right, something that could be both a friend and an enemy to the people living there, a place that gives just as much as it takes. It felt like another thing the characters had to confront and reckon with, as if Tempest itself was forcing them to face parts of themselves. It added such a unique layer to the story and made the setting feel so much more alive.
It’s way too early to say if Whiskey Burn will end up being my favorite of the series when we’re only one book in, but it was such a strong start to the Weston brothers and, more importantly, it made me SO excited to return to Tempest for the next book!! Considering this is only the first book, there are still SO many characters we haven’t properly met yet, all the girls especially, and I already know that seeing more and more of the cast come together as the series goes on is only going to make the group dynamics even better.
And that little Runaway Ranch cameo at the end had me smiling so hard!! I love that she did that. Having one series ending and another beginning briefly cross paths like that, it felt like they were meeting in the middle and kinda passing the torch to one another and it was such a perfect little moment.
Now, I need to speak into existence that the next book is Warren’s. PLEASE. His dynamic with Hattie already has me completely hooked. The ex-guardian dynamic, the age difference, and the fact that she absolutely does NOT listen to him?? It’s giving DADDY and I love it already.
I also wouldn’t be mad if we got Riven’s book next. I’m intrigued by his character and whatever story is hiding there. I do think his romance might need a little more time to develop, though, so if his book isn’t next, I’ll happily take whatever crumbs we can get in the meantime!
I’ve been anticipating Whiskey Burn ever since we were first introduced to Cole Weston in Ride the Sky, so getting to finally step back into an Ava Hunter country/cowboy/ranch universe was such a treat!!
What’s funny is that while I was reading, I didn’t feel completely swept up in the story the way I sometimes do with her books. But the SECOND I finished it, all I wanted was to be back in this world. Apparently, I didn’t even realize how attached I’d gotten until I had to leave??
Ava Hunter is just SO good at creating these atmospheric worlds that feel nostalgic and lived-in, especially with the family dynamics and groups of brothers she writes about. There’s something about these little universes she creates that makes you want to spend more time there, get to know everyone, and eventually just move in and live there yourself.
I absolutely fell in love with moody Tempest, Montana, too.
I loved how the town almost felt like a character in its own right, something that could be both a friend and an enemy to the people living there, a place that gives just as much as it takes. It felt like another thing the characters had to confront and reckon with, as if Tempest itself was forcing them to face parts of themselves. It added such a unique layer to the story and made the setting feel so much more alive.
It’s way too early to say if Whiskey Burn will end up being my favorite of the series when we’re only one book in, but it was such a strong start to the Weston brothers and, more importantly, it made me SO excited to return to Tempest for the next book!! Considering this is only the first book, there are still SO many characters we haven’t properly met yet, all the girls especially, and I already know that seeing more and more of the cast come together as the series goes on is only going to make the group dynamics even better.
And that little Runaway Ranch cameo at the end had me smiling so hard!! I love that she did that. Having one series ending and another beginning briefly cross paths like that, it felt like they were meeting in the middle and kinda passing the torch to one another and it was such a perfect little moment.
Now, I need to speak into existence that the next book is Warren’s. PLEASE. His dynamic with Hattie already has me completely hooked. The ex-guardian dynamic, the age difference, and the fact that she absolutely does NOT listen to him?? It’s giving DADDY and I love it already.
I also wouldn’t be mad if we got Riven’s book next. I’m intrigued by his character and whatever story is hiding there. I do think his romance might need a little more time to develop, though, so if his book isn’t next, I’ll happily take whatever crumbs we can get in the meantime!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was my first Ava Hunter book and it was such a fun surprise. I needed a palate cleanser in between some heavy books and this was perfect.
Going in, I was really intrigued by how it would juggle all of its different flavours. It’s a small-town romance, a cowboy romance, and it has some genuinely darker, crime-adjacent elements running through it. Ava strikes a really satisfying balance among them.
I absolutely loved the cast, esepcially. The Weston brothers, and all the women introduced, are incredibly endearing, and this feels like exactly the kind of first-in-series book that gets you excited for every sibling’s story to come. That’s not an easy thing to pull off when the first book has to do so much heavy lifting, but it has left me genuinely excited to keep reading every book that comes next.
Delilah was another huge win for me, as someone who has a soft spot for renegades. She’s fiercely independent, stubborn, and more than capable of holding her own. The same goes for the other women we’re introduced to—they’re all headstrong, opinionated, and memorable in their own right, even as the classic rescue tropes play out.
Delilah is on the run from a club where she worked as a dancer in Vegas, and finds herself crashing at the Westons' ranch in Tempest, a town with dark secrets. The Weston family employ her, indulges her, and absorbs her as an extended part of their family. Ofcourse, especially, Cole, the grumpy MMC.
There are plenty of secrets unfurling, events from the past, and chase-escapes that keep you hooked.
I will say here were a couple of moments where the romance lingered on the same emotional beat for just a little too long. I joked to myself that I could make a drinking game out of how often Cole reminded himself that Delilah was “trouble” and he needed to stay away, or how determined Delilah was to crack his grumpy exterior. I was ready for those two to stop circling each other and take the next step.
That said, the slower moments gave me time to settle into the town, the family dynamics, and the emotional stakes, so by the time everything came together, I felt fully invested.
Overall, this was such a strong series opener. It delivers the romance, the intrigue, the family drama, and just enough mystery to leave me desperate to see where the rest of the Weston family goes next.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Going in, I was really intrigued by how it would juggle all of its different flavours. It’s a small-town romance, a cowboy romance, and it has some genuinely darker, crime-adjacent elements running through it. Ava strikes a really satisfying balance among them.
I absolutely loved the cast, esepcially. The Weston brothers, and all the women introduced, are incredibly endearing, and this feels like exactly the kind of first-in-series book that gets you excited for every sibling’s story to come. That’s not an easy thing to pull off when the first book has to do so much heavy lifting, but it has left me genuinely excited to keep reading every book that comes next.
Delilah was another huge win for me, as someone who has a soft spot for renegades. She’s fiercely independent, stubborn, and more than capable of holding her own. The same goes for the other women we’re introduced to—they’re all headstrong, opinionated, and memorable in their own right, even as the classic rescue tropes play out.
Delilah is on the run from a club where she worked as a dancer in Vegas, and finds herself crashing at the Westons' ranch in Tempest, a town with dark secrets. The Weston family employ her, indulges her, and absorbs her as an extended part of their family. Ofcourse, especially, Cole, the grumpy MMC.
There are plenty of secrets unfurling, events from the past, and chase-escapes that keep you hooked.
I will say here were a couple of moments where the romance lingered on the same emotional beat for just a little too long. I joked to myself that I could make a drinking game out of how often Cole reminded himself that Delilah was “trouble” and he needed to stay away, or how determined Delilah was to crack his grumpy exterior. I was ready for those two to stop circling each other and take the next step.
That said, the slower moments gave me time to settle into the town, the family dynamics, and the emotional stakes, so by the time everything came together, I felt fully invested.
Overall, this was such a strong series opener. It delivers the romance, the intrigue, the family drama, and just enough mystery to leave me desperate to see where the rest of the Weston family goes next.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Set in Tempest, Montana, dancer Delilah Grant has escaped Las Vegas after witnessing a brutal death. When she finds Cooper Run Ranch, she takes the chance to hide in plain sight: working as a bartender at the distillery bar. Ex bull rider cowboy Cole Weston doesn't trust Delilah. He's back working for the distillery to help his family and doesn't need a distraction. Yet he can't help think about her. When their relationship turns towards romantic, Delilah's past starts to catch up to her. Can Cole and the Weston brothers protect Delilah?
This has a very clear sense of place: Tempest is about 30 minutes outside of Missoula in Western Montana and is a classic Western theme town. Cooper Run Ranch is 3,500 acre animal sanctuary with whiskey production on-site. The combination of animals and whiskey is fantastic. Plus there is a Hatfield and McCoy relationship between the two founding families (the Hales and the Westons). Add in tunnels from Prohibition area, a mysterious facility outside of town, and other strange elements, Tempest is a character on its own. I could feel the ominous dread over the place.
I really enjoyed this author's prior Montana romantic suspense series but this book just had too many moments that didn't work for me. There were moments that I wanted a bit more emotional depth to their relationship. They got close a couple of times but backed off right after. Since Cole is older and had so many advantages (family, business, money, etc.) compared to Delilah, I wanted her to push back a little more once their romance started. And I wanted him to have an "all in" attitude once he decided on their relationship, but he pushed off defining it with his family for a bit too long for me. Plus there are several darker elements around their family that are set up for later in the series, but they felt like so much darkness without much hope. Overall, it may be that dark cowboy may not be working for me right now. But I look forward to reading other books by this author!
This romance features:
💕 On the run
💕 Morally gray cowboy (think Mafia romance but set it out west)
💕 Small town with sides (either Hales or Westons)
💕 Age gap (M 38 x F 24)
💕 Check content warnings (and maybe skip the USB contents?)
Open door / spicy!!
2.5 / 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC!
This has a very clear sense of place: Tempest is about 30 minutes outside of Missoula in Western Montana and is a classic Western theme town. Cooper Run Ranch is 3,500 acre animal sanctuary with whiskey production on-site. The combination of animals and whiskey is fantastic. Plus there is a Hatfield and McCoy relationship between the two founding families (the Hales and the Westons). Add in tunnels from Prohibition area, a mysterious facility outside of town, and other strange elements, Tempest is a character on its own. I could feel the ominous dread over the place.
I really enjoyed this author's prior Montana romantic suspense series but this book just had too many moments that didn't work for me. There were moments that I wanted a bit more emotional depth to their relationship. They got close a couple of times but backed off right after. Since Cole is older and had so many advantages (family, business, money, etc.) compared to Delilah, I wanted her to push back a little more once their romance started. And I wanted him to have an "all in" attitude once he decided on their relationship, but he pushed off defining it with his family for a bit too long for me. Plus there are several darker elements around their family that are set up for later in the series, but they felt like so much darkness without much hope. Overall, it may be that dark cowboy may not be working for me right now. But I look forward to reading other books by this author!
This romance features:
💕 On the run
💕 Morally gray cowboy (think Mafia romance but set it out west)
💕 Small town with sides (either Hales or Westons)
💕 Age gap (M 38 x F 24)
💕 Check content warnings (and maybe skip the USB contents?)
Open door / spicy!!
2.5 / 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tropes: Dark Western Romance, Slow Burn, Small Town, Secrets, Grumpy X Sunshine, Age Gap, Found Family, Touch Her & ☠️, Whiskey, He Cools for Her
Quotes: "There are so many words I could use to describe Delilah, but my favorite one is: MINE.”
Review No Spoilers: a gripping dark western romantic suspense that blends danger, emotional healing, and slow burning romance against the rugged backdrop of rural Montana. With high stakes suspense, forced proximity, and a broody cowboy hero, this first installment in The Weston Brothers series delivers a captivating mix of action and heart.
Delilah Grant is running for her life after witnessing a brutal murder, carrying nothing but a stolen USB drive and the secrets that make her a target. Seeking refuge, she takes a job at Weston Whiskey, a secluded ranch and distillery where she hopes to disappear. But hiding proves difficult when she crosses paths with Cole Weston, the ranch’s guarded owner and former bull rider, whose instincts tell him she’s hiding far more than she’s willing to admit.
Cole’s rough exterior and deeply buried scars make him reluctant to trust anyone, especially a mysterious stranger. As the two are thrown together, suspicion gradually gives way to undeniable attraction. Their slow building romance unfolds alongside a suspenseful mystery, with both characters forced to confront their pasts as danger closes in.
The novel shines in its atmospheric western setting, creating a vivid backdrop of sprawling ranch land, whiskey making traditions, and close knit family loyalty. The Weston family dynamic adds warmth and depth to the story, balancing the darker themes with moments of humor, tenderness, and unwavering support.
The suspense remains tense throughout, with enough twists to keep the pages turning while never overshadowing the emotional journey of the main characters. The chemistry between Cole and Delilah is intense, fueled by trust earned rather than given, making their relationship feel authentic and rewarding.
It is an engaging blend of romantic suspense and modern western romance. Readers who enjoy protective cowboy heroes, women on the run, forced proximity, found family, and suspense filled love stories will find plenty to enjoy. It sets up The Weston Brothers series with compelling characters and leaves readers eager to return to Tempest, Montana.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Quotes: "There are so many words I could use to describe Delilah, but my favorite one is: MINE.”
Review No Spoilers: a gripping dark western romantic suspense that blends danger, emotional healing, and slow burning romance against the rugged backdrop of rural Montana. With high stakes suspense, forced proximity, and a broody cowboy hero, this first installment in The Weston Brothers series delivers a captivating mix of action and heart.
Delilah Grant is running for her life after witnessing a brutal murder, carrying nothing but a stolen USB drive and the secrets that make her a target. Seeking refuge, she takes a job at Weston Whiskey, a secluded ranch and distillery where she hopes to disappear. But hiding proves difficult when she crosses paths with Cole Weston, the ranch’s guarded owner and former bull rider, whose instincts tell him she’s hiding far more than she’s willing to admit.
Cole’s rough exterior and deeply buried scars make him reluctant to trust anyone, especially a mysterious stranger. As the two are thrown together, suspicion gradually gives way to undeniable attraction. Their slow building romance unfolds alongside a suspenseful mystery, with both characters forced to confront their pasts as danger closes in.
The novel shines in its atmospheric western setting, creating a vivid backdrop of sprawling ranch land, whiskey making traditions, and close knit family loyalty. The Weston family dynamic adds warmth and depth to the story, balancing the darker themes with moments of humor, tenderness, and unwavering support.
The suspense remains tense throughout, with enough twists to keep the pages turning while never overshadowing the emotional journey of the main characters. The chemistry between Cole and Delilah is intense, fueled by trust earned rather than given, making their relationship feel authentic and rewarding.
It is an engaging blend of romantic suspense and modern western romance. Readers who enjoy protective cowboy heroes, women on the run, forced proximity, found family, and suspense filled love stories will find plenty to enjoy. It sets up The Weston Brothers series with compelling characters and leaves readers eager to return to Tempest, Montana.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC REVIEW- WHISKEY BURN
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
🥃Cowboy Romance
🥃Romantic Suspense
🥃Morally Grey MMC
🥃FMC on the Run
🥃Grumpy x Sunshine
🥃Forced Proximity
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Thanks to Ava Hunter, Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the ARC! I received an advance copy of the book and am leaving an honest review. All opinions are my own.
______________________________________
WOW. JUST WOW. I always know I'm gonna love an Ava Hunter book but I didn't know if she could top Tame the Heart for me with a protective AF cowboy. COLE WESTON HAS ENTERED THE CHAT. He might tie Charlie Montgomery for my favorite cowboy MMC. I am feral and obsessed and in love.
This book is classic Ava Hunter morally grey cowboy goodness. Delilah is a dance in Las Vegas who finds herself in trouble and goes on the run. She ends up meeting River Weston on the side of the road outside his ranch in Montana and offers her a place to stay. She then runs into the grumpiest of grumps Cole Weston, who has a mind to run her off. But of course, he falls, she falls and it’s all kinds of romantic suspense yumminess.
This book had me in a chokehold the entire story. I literally couldn't put it down and had to keep turning page after page. It had a really compelling mystery, trying to understand just who was out for Delilah and why they were. The budding romance between Cole and Delilah was just the right pace and the spice hit at just the right time and frequency for me. That being said, this is a very high spice book for those who might like a little bit less.
Cole and Delilah were both on journeys of self-discovery. Cole still needed to process and work through his feelings of grief and trauma, from his parents and brother's death, to learning to be vulnerable and let other people in. Delilah had always been running from something, it was really something to see her put down roots and decide who and where she wanted to be,
The book was a wild ride and such a stellar start to a new series. If you love cowboys, morally grey men and compelling suspense plotlines, this is definitely the book for you. I will never not read or recommend an Ava Hunter book. She cannot do wrong in my book!
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
🥃Cowboy Romance
🥃Romantic Suspense
🥃Morally Grey MMC
🥃FMC on the Run
🥃Grumpy x Sunshine
🥃Forced Proximity
______________________________________
Thanks to Ava Hunter, Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the ARC! I received an advance copy of the book and am leaving an honest review. All opinions are my own.
______________________________________
WOW. JUST WOW. I always know I'm gonna love an Ava Hunter book but I didn't know if she could top Tame the Heart for me with a protective AF cowboy. COLE WESTON HAS ENTERED THE CHAT. He might tie Charlie Montgomery for my favorite cowboy MMC. I am feral and obsessed and in love.
This book is classic Ava Hunter morally grey cowboy goodness. Delilah is a dance in Las Vegas who finds herself in trouble and goes on the run. She ends up meeting River Weston on the side of the road outside his ranch in Montana and offers her a place to stay. She then runs into the grumpiest of grumps Cole Weston, who has a mind to run her off. But of course, he falls, she falls and it’s all kinds of romantic suspense yumminess.
This book had me in a chokehold the entire story. I literally couldn't put it down and had to keep turning page after page. It had a really compelling mystery, trying to understand just who was out for Delilah and why they were. The budding romance between Cole and Delilah was just the right pace and the spice hit at just the right time and frequency for me. That being said, this is a very high spice book for those who might like a little bit less.
Cole and Delilah were both on journeys of self-discovery. Cole still needed to process and work through his feelings of grief and trauma, from his parents and brother's death, to learning to be vulnerable and let other people in. Delilah had always been running from something, it was really something to see her put down roots and decide who and where she wanted to be,
The book was a wild ride and such a stellar start to a new series. If you love cowboys, morally grey men and compelling suspense plotlines, this is definitely the book for you. I will never not read or recommend an Ava Hunter book. She cannot do wrong in my book!
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