Bourbon and Lies by Victoria Wilder | Audiobook Review • Ana's Attic Book Blog

Bourbon & Lies by Victoria Wilder

Duet Narration by Connor Crais and Samantha Brentmoor

1st in a related series. Adult Contemporary Romance.

“In Fiasco, Kentucky, there is one rule: never fall for a Foxx brother.”

It’s been a few weeks since I listened to Bourbon & Lies by Victoria Wilder. I was trying to cover as many authors as possible for the Books by the Lake signing in Montana, but instead of reviewing everything right away, I listened to more audiobooks (I can get through half a book in the time it takes to write a review!). Normally, my notes and highlights are enough to refresh my memory later, but this time I still found myself struggling to recall the details. What I do remember clearly, though, is the duet narration by Samantha Brentmoor and Connor Crais—it was outstanding and really brought the story to life.

Laney witnesses a crime and ends up in an unofficial witness protection situation on the property of the Foxx family, owners of a famous high-end bourbon distillery. The Foxx brothers are said to be cursed—the women they love always end up dead. Grant Foxx lost his love five years ago, and his brothers have suffered the same fate. Carrying immense guilt after also losing his partner, Grant walked away from being a cop.

But instincts don’t just disappear. He knows Laney is hiding something, and he’s determined to protect her.

“But I don’t care. Lie if you need to. If it keeps you safe, then lie to everyone. But not to me, honey.”

I liked the characters, the story kept my interest, but it never wowed me. I love romantic suspense, but the pacing here weakened the suspense overall. It started strong, got lost in the middle, and then rushed to the finish. I’ve heard the next book in the series is stronger, so I might continue.

“But in case you misunderstood me, honey. When I woke up with the taste of you on my tongue and the smell of you in my beard, I considered you mine.”

Likes:

I liked that it was cowboy adjacent, not fully cowboy.
I enjoyed learning about bourbon.
I liked both characters.
Good setup for the next books.
Cool cover.
The dirty talk.

Dislikes:

This one didn’t really stick with me—I can’t recall much beyond the main premise and the stellar narration.
I know this is a plus for most people, but sometimes the sex pulled me away from the story.
The middle got slow and rambly, and then the ending felt too quick.

The Narration:

Connor Crais and Samantha Brentmoor in duet? YES PLEASE. Their performance was phenomenal and no doubt elevated the story.

The Down & Dirty:

I liked the setup for Bourbon & Lies by Victoria Wilder, but I can’t say much of it stuck with me afterward. That said, I consistently rated it 3.5 to 4 stars while listening, and that’s still where it lands. It didn’t wow me, but some of my favorite series started the same way—with a first book that didn’t blow me away before the later ones hooked me, so I’m not giving up on The Bourbon Boys series.