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A review by abidavisf
Bourbon & Proof by Victoria Wilder
dark
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Oh, Victoria Wilder. Why must you do this to me? Why does the Bourbon Boys series need to end? Can we not invent a dozen more brothers? Just for fun?
This is the story that’s had me on the edge of my seats for months, waiting for its release. Hadley and Ace were always meant to be, and to see Ace finally give in is as much of a relief as I knew it would be. We learn his reasons for staying away but, truthfully, I think a part of him would have done so anyway, whether through fear or perceived loyalty to his family and the worry that he and Hadley breaking up would affect them. He’s not a selfish person. He’d always put himself last, and I don’t think he’d ever give in to Hadley that easily.
I don’t know what to do with myself now that this story is over. I had a hunch throughout the book of how it was going to go, and I was right about all of it (not to brag). I kind of wish we’d had a little less foreshadowing so I’d have had more of a surprise but it was still wonderful to see how the story turned out.
What I did not expect was The Den and… listen, I need on that list. That’s a genuine not so secret fantasy of mine, and if I’m going to allow myself that freedom, what better place than a fictional one? Okay, I can see the problem there… maybe I’ll stick to my own daydreams.
With all the tension around Hadley’s father, I don’t feel like we got to truly experience the relief that she and Ace really felt when they were able to give in to their feelings for each other. They encountered disruption and disruption in this book, and we were kept on our toes the entire time. I’d have liked to have a little bit more time to slow down, even if just for a chapter, and indulge in the whole ‘thank god, we’re finally together’-ness of it all. I think the Riggs trip was supposed to give us that but I needed just a little more from it.
I’d also have liked to have touched more on Ace’s feelings towards his parents’ death. It’s hinted at, but we don’t go into great depth about it and I think some readers could miss what is being implied.
All in all, I loved this book. Its characters were gorgeous (loving Julian and Seraphine, cannot wait to see more of them), the justice really served (pun intended), and the happiness I feel seeing my little Foxx family happy is unmatched. I love the Bourbon Boys. Bourbon Boys forever.
This is the story that’s had me on the edge of my seats for months, waiting for its release. Hadley and Ace were always meant to be, and to see Ace finally give in is as much of a relief as I knew it would be. We learn his reasons for staying away but, truthfully, I think a part of him would have done so anyway, whether through fear or perceived loyalty to his family and the worry that he and Hadley breaking up would affect them. He’s not a selfish person. He’d always put himself last, and I don’t think he’d ever give in to Hadley that easily.
I don’t know what to do with myself now that this story is over. I had a hunch throughout the book of how it was going to go, and I was right about all of it (not to brag). I kind of wish we’d had a little less foreshadowing so I’d have had more of a surprise but it was still wonderful to see how the story turned out.
What I did not expect was The Den and… listen, I need on that list. That’s a genuine not so secret fantasy of mine, and if I’m going to allow myself that freedom, what better place than a fictional one? Okay, I can see the problem there… maybe I’ll stick to my own daydreams.
With all the tension around Hadley’s father, I don’t feel like we got to truly experience the relief that she and Ace really felt when they were able to give in to their feelings for each other. They encountered disruption and disruption in this book, and we were kept on our toes the entire time. I’d have liked to have a little bit more time to slow down, even if just for a chapter, and indulge in the whole ‘thank god, we’re finally together’-ness of it all. I think the Riggs trip was supposed to give us that but I needed just a little more from it.
I’d also have liked to have touched more on Ace’s feelings towards his parents’ death. It’s hinted at, but we don’t go into great depth about it and I think some readers could miss what is being implied.
All in all, I loved this book. Its characters were gorgeous (loving Julian and Seraphine, cannot wait to see more of them), the justice really served (pun intended), and the happiness I feel seeing my little Foxx family happy is unmatched. I love the Bourbon Boys. Bourbon Boys forever.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Misogyny, Violence, Blood
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Torture, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail