Review: The Bourbon Thief

The Bourbon Thief by Tiffany Reisz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A masterpiece of secrets, slavery and seduction. Ms. Reisz blows me away with a new book. The Bourbon Thief is not at all what I expected. It is categorized as fiction with some romance. It is much more than this. For those who loved the movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, this is the book for you. This is must read book. The depth and layers in this story are trademark Ms. Reisz. The complexities and how the past and present weave into a cohesive story is phenomenal. Ultimately, this is a love story which bends the rules and breaks hearts.

One would think this story is all about Paris, a thief who wants to steal a one of a kind bourbon bottle from rich man Cooper McQueen. When Cooper prevents this theft, his fee to not turn her over to the police is paid in a fantastic tale of about the Red Thread Bourbon distillery. Whether it is true or not, it brings about a magical love story that transcends time.

When I first started this story, I wasn't sure I would like it. Learning about a spoiled brat, Tamara Maddox seemed to be a bit boring. Quickly, Ms. Reisz lures a reader in when there is more to this spoiled princess. In this book, enemy versus friend is not always as clear as it seems. Because every story has more than one side and in this one, each piece is needed to create a horrific tapestry paid in blood. I loved it. The struggles and the betrayals are so painfully written, my heart hurt for Tamara. The way Ms. Reisz sets up the story, the climax and then lets a reader free fall without a safety net is amazing. I am spellbound as Paris tells her story of Tamara's one true love and how it destroys her. Ms. Reisz lays hints with her subtle clues and when the big reveal hits, I'm flabbergasted and keeling over in misery. How could this be? What does Ms. Reisz have against happily ever afters? Why does she put her characters through so much pain and agony? All is not lost because the story doesn't end with Tamara's earth shattering news. Happily ever afters depend on where the story ends. Ms. Reisz smooths the ending with a mischievous dance on a grave. This potent story is breathtaking and I loved it. This book is highly recommended to readers who enjoy angst, star crossed lovers and vengeance.

*provided by NetGalley