*I received a free copy of The Bourbon Thief from Harlequin MIRA via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
The Bourbon Thief by Tiffany ReiszPublished by Harlequin MIRA on 28 June 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Erotica
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
When Cooper McQueen wakes up from a night with a beautiful stranger, it's to discover he's been robbed. The only item stolen—a million-dollar bottle of bourbon. The thief, a mysterious woman named Paris, claims the bottle is rightfully hers. After all, the label itself says it's property of the Maddox family who owned and operated Red Thread Bourbon distillery since the last days of the Civil War until the company went out of business for reasons no one knows… No one except Paris.
In the small hours of a Louisville morning, Paris unspools the lurid tale of Tamara Maddox, heiress to the distillery that became an empire. But the family tree is rooted in tainted soil and has borne rotten fruit. Theirs is a legacy of wealth and power, but also of lies, secrets and sins of omission. The Maddoxes have bourbon in their blood—and blood in their bourbon. Why Paris wants the bottle of Red Thread remains a secret until the truth of her identity is at last revealed, and the century-old vengeance Tamara vowed against her family can finally be completed.
I’m not sure how Reisz does it – The Bourbon Thief has an amazing narrator who knows how to spin a story, and it’s like a mixture between a dark fairytale and a melancholy history lesson.
The one and only progress update I made while I was reading The Bourbon Thief was this : This whole story has me on the edge of tears, there’s such a strong melancholy, or unfinished sadness here I can hardly stand it! And that feeling of being on the edge of tears stayed with me for the duration of the story – and I just couldn’t stop reading. Always needing to know what would happen next, I was completely mesmerized from start to finish. Reisz is such an amazing story-teller, and it was truly a joy to have a chance to read her new title before it is released!
The Bourbon Thief switches seamlessly between past and present, because Paris, who is the one telling the story to Cooper, and as a by-product the readers get the story as well. It is a story about wealth, greed, oppression and lies. The way Paris shares the story with Cooper, and the reason behind it had me in awe of both the character and the author at the same time. It is genius to both let some of the plot unfold in front of the readers’ eyes, while also plunging us all into the past through the story-telling skills of one of the characters. There are some very chilling connections throughout the story, and there are some I’m still trying to understand – especially because Paris seemed set on Cooper, and there seems to me there could be more to this story.
While The Bourbon Thief is quite different from the Original Sinners series, there is something about the story that is just as addictive as the series. I think part of it is how the story unfolds, how both the reader and Cooper are being kept in suspense as Paris uses all her cunning as she crafts a story that is so captivating it’s impossible to look away. Even when I felt that I maybe should look away – I still really wanted to see up close what was going to happen. And in many ways, it was devastating. I had many moments when I thought I would know what was going to happen next, only to see that I was completely wrong. And I loved that the story took me on twists and turns that made it both exhilarating and more than a little chilling.
Written in past tense, third person, sometimes from Cooper’s perspective but most of the time told from Paris’ point of view, the story had a great pace, even, and not too fast. If you enjoy a story in which you become completely engrossed, characters that entice you to keep turning the pages and writing that takes your breath away, The Bourbon Thief is the book for you.
Her dress was tight as old Scrooge’s fist, red as Rudolph’s nose , and looking at her, McQueen had only one thought – Christmas had come awfully early this year.
Now it was her turn to spin on her bar stool, ninety degrees, and she met him face on with full eye contact, fearless and shameless. “I could own you by morning.” Her words rendered McQueen momentarily speechless.
“Can’t hear you,” she sang out. “I’m riding in the wind with joy at my feet and freedom in my hear.”
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Oh my gosh! This story sounds like it would be perfect for me! Great review!
It was so well done, Leona! In some ways it was a tough read, too, because it touches on a lot of different subjects.
Well, damn. I guess I better add this baby. I’ve wanted to read her other stuff for so long now, but obviously I suck. I love a book that can make you feel so strongly, though.
Oh my gosh, Christy, Reisz is really something else! Her storytelling skills are out of this world!!
I’m going to finish The Original Sinners series first, but I *will* be reading this one! Reisz really seems to have this indescribable talent for telling a story. I *still* haven’t written a review for The Siren. 😉 I’m glad you were able to put to words how The Bourbon Thief made you feel. It’s obviously touching…and I’m damn curious. 😉 **BIG HUGS**
Oh it’s such an amazing story, Brandee! There is a little of everything in there, and it’s all told with such a specific narrative voice I was completely blown away!
Twitter: ailynk
another book to add to my ever growing list of books, sometimes I am glad these books have no use by date xD
but definitely won’t be reading with a bourbon
Oh thank goodness for that! It would be oh so sad if books had a read by date, Ailyn!!
Twitter: ailynk
it would be devastating, paper books rule, my kid can inherit them (or use them as fire kindling… hope not)
I agree, but I still have mostly kindle books, because of shipping costs to Switzerland. Only my absolute favorites I get in paper, too.
Twitter: Mlsimmons
I love Tiffany Reisz. She is so much fun. I also love her writing. I was very interested to see what she could do with a full length story outside of the Original Sinners world. Looks like she nailed it. I had little doubt that she could. She is such a great storyteller. I will probably pick up the audio for this one. Is it a standalone? I can’t remember.
It is a standalone, Melanie, even if I’m sure there could be more books about the same characters. And yeah, I was excited about a story that didn’t have anything at all to do with the Original Sinners. Reisz did extremely well!
The framing of this story sounds amazing. I haven’t read her other series, but this one is begging for my attention first.
And as this is a standalone, you can get acquainted with her writing before you delve into her 8-book series, Sophia Rose 🙂
Twitter: talksupeblog
I’ll be honest, I just looked at your rating and read the first paragraph of your review. You know I’m a fan too but I have yet to read this. Thanks for the encouraging rating, now I’m excited!
WooHoo Braine! I am actually looking forward to seeing you read this! You are going to have to be better at updating your goodreads status while reading 😉
Thanks for sharing. I just saw this on someone’s WOW post. That’s great to hear that you really loved this one. It takes place in Kentucky doesn’t it?
-Lauren
Yes, it does take place in Kentucky, Lauren. And it was really good!
I have been seeing this book all over the place recently and have been so intrigued with it but unsure whether to read it. Your review makes it sound so good and right up my street. Definitely added to my TBR now!
It’s awesome, Lauren! Very different from her other stories, apart from the amazing story-telling – that is still going strong.
Twitter: kbaby81
I actually have this on my wish list. Wow, five stars makes me want to dive right on in. I’m intrigued by the mystery.
I really hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did, Lekeisha!
This sounds so good! I am glad to know you enjoyed it so much because I’ve been curious about this one for months! And that cover is just amazingly pretty. I love the colours. I was thinking of requesting this one as well, but since I’m pretty busy I think I’ll actually just buy a copy at some point. I want it on my shelf, especially since you enjoyed it so much. Great review!
It was awesome, Annika! Did you know that you can pre-order a signed copy internationally? Check it out at Jan’s Paperbacks if you’re interested.
I really hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did 🙂