A wildly addictive, emotionally charged small town romantic suspense packed with family secrets, morally gray cowboys, and unforgettable chemistry.
Release date: October 20, 2026
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Synopsis:
She 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.
Review:
I genuinely don’t even know where to start with Whiskey Burn because this book is completely unhinged in the best possible way, and I loved every single second of it. Imagine Yellowstone with more murder, more trauma, more sex, and somehow an even more dysfunctional family. That’s the vibe we’re working with here, and I was absolutely eating it up. Ava Hunter doesn’t do anything halfway, and this first book in the Weston Brothers series is packed with drama, danger, secrets, and enough emotional baggage to fill an entire ranch. Is everything completely believable? Absolutely not. Did I care? Not even a little. I was having WAY too much fun.
The Weston brothers are such an intriguing, complicated family, and I am already ridiculously invested in all of them. Their shared history is heartbreaking, their loyalty to each other is fierce, and their moral compasses are questionable at best. These are not your typical sweet small town cowboys, and that’s part of what makes them so fascinating. There’s also an overarching family mystery that I cannot wait to see unfold throughout the series. The suspense is intense, the twists keep coming, and every time I thought things couldn’t possibly get more dramatic, Ava proved me wrong. There is SO much happening in this book, yet I never felt bored or overwhelmed. I just wanted more.
But what really made this a five star read for me was Cole and Delilah. Beneath all the chaos, their relationship is genuinely beautiful. Delilah has spent so much of her life feeling unsafe, and watching her finally find someone who made her feel protected and cared for was incredibly satisfying. Cole carries an enormous amount of guilt over his past, and seeing him begin to forgive himself and allow someone into his heart was equally moving. Their chemistry is fantastic, the steam is STEAMING, and I loved how their emotional connection developed alongside all the danger and drama. Somehow, in the middle of this absolutely outrageous story, Ava created a romance that felt tender, meaningful, and deeply earned.
I know Ava Hunter’s books won’t be for everyone. Her stories are dramatic, angsty, over the top, and unapologetically intense. But if you enjoy romantic suspense with morally gray heroes, complicated family dynamics, small town secrets, and enough twists to make your head spin, you need to meet the Westons. I was completely entertained from beginning to end, and honestly, that’s exactly what I want from a five star read. I’m already desperate for the next brother’s story, and I have a feeling this family is going to keep me hooked for years.
Perfect for Readers Who Love
- Morally gray cowboys and fierce family loyalty
- Small town romantic suspense with interconnected mysteries
- Emotional healing, protective heroes, and sizzling chemistry
- Wildly dramatic, action packed stories with Yellowstone vibes
Overall rating: 5/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
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