Trauma in the Tobacco Mill

The novel opens with a harrowing police raid at an abandoned tobacco mill in Fiasco, Kentucky. Grant Foxx, a former cop and now head of the family bourbon business, is too late to save Fiona, his secret lover and the daughter of his best friend. Her brutal murder, marked by suspiciously precise wounds, leaves Grant and the Foxx family reeling. The trauma and guilt from that night haunt Grant, driving him to leave law enforcement and retreat into the family's bourbon business, where he tries to bury his pain in routine and tradition.

A New Identity, A New Town

Five years later, Eleanor "Laney" Shaw is on the run after witnessing and intervening in a horrific crime in New York—a serial killer with ties to witness protection. With the help of U.S. Marshal Bea Harper, Laney is relocated under a new identity to Fiasco, Kentucky. She's told to trust no one, keep her past secret, and blend in. Laney's arrival is fraught with anxiety, guilt, and the disorienting loss of her old life, but she's determined to survive and start over, even as she struggles with PTSD and the weight of her choices.

Foxx Family Rules

Laney is placed under the unofficial protection of the Foxx family, bourbon royalty in Kentucky. Atticus "Ace" Foxx, the eldest brother, offers her a job and a place to stay, while the patriarch Griz and the other brothers, Lincoln and Grant, circle the wagons. The Foxx family is tight-knit, haunted by a supposed curse that claims the women they love, and fiercely loyal. Laney is quickly swept into their world of bourbon, horses, and small-town politics, but her presence stirs up old wounds and new suspicions.

Bourbon, Barrels, and Secrets

Laney learns the art and science of bourbon-making, working at the Foxx distillery and helping with events. She's drawn to the ritual and community, but also to the secrets that permeate the family—especially Grant's. Grant, meanwhile, is both suspicious and captivated by Laney, sensing she's hiding something big. Their mutual attraction simmers, complicated by the unspoken traumas they both carry and the ever-present threat of Laney's past catching up to her.

The Cowboy Next Door

Grant and Laney's relationship is a slow burn of banter, sexual tension, and emotional push-pull. Grant is gruff, wounded, and protective, while Laney is sharp-tongued, vulnerable, and determined not to be rescued. Their encounters—whether over flower crowns with Grant's nieces, late-night bourbon tastings, or accidental run-ins in various states of undress—are charged with chemistry and the sense that both are fighting to reclaim their lives.

Small Town, Big Gossip

Fiasco is a town where everyone knows everyone's business, and Laney's sudden appearance sets off a wave of speculation. She's the subject of gossip, suspicion, and even jealousy, especially as she grows closer to the Foxx brothers. The town's women are both welcoming and catty, and Laney must navigate the minefield of small-town social politics while keeping her true identity hidden.

Haunted by the Past

Both Grant and Laney are haunted by their pasts—Grant by Fiona's death and the Foxx family curse, Laney by the trauma of the serial killer and the guilt of her own choices. Nightmares, panic attacks, and moments of vulnerability punctuate their days. The past is never far behind, and both must confront their demons if they hope to move forward.

Bourbon Bonds and Bar Fights

Tensions in town escalate as Laney becomes the target of unwanted attention and threats, particularly from Waz, a local troublemaker with ties to Hadley's powerful family. Grant and his brothers are quick to defend her, leading to bar fights and confrontations that reveal both the dangers of small-town life and the depth of the Foxx family's loyalty. The violence is a reminder that safety is never guaranteed, and that the past can erupt into the present at any moment.

Flower Crowns and Family

Despite the danger and suspicion, Laney begins to find a sense of belonging with the Foxx family, especially through her friendships with Hadley and the Foxx nieces, Lark and Lily. She's drawn into family dinners, local festivals, and the rituals of bourbon country. The warmth and chaos of the Foxx clan offer her a glimpse of the home and family she's always longed for, but she knows it could all be ripped away if her secret is exposed.

The Dance of Lies

Grant and Laney's relationship deepens, moving from flirtation to genuine intimacy. They share their traumas, comfort each other through panic attacks and nightmares, and finally give in to their desire. But their love is built on a foundation of lies—Laney's hidden identity, Grant's unresolved guilt, and the secrets that still linger in the Foxx family. The tension between truth and safety becomes unbearable as outside threats close in.

Panic, Thunder, and Comfort

A thunderstorm triggers a panic attack for Laney, and Grant is there to comfort her, sharing his own struggles with PTSD and loss. This moment of vulnerability cements their bond, as both realize they can be each other's safe place. The walls between them begin to crumble, and they start to imagine a future together, even as danger looms.

Midnight Proof and Midnight Dangers

Laney's past catches up with her when the serial killer she helped put away escapes witness protection and comes looking for her. The Foxx family rallies to protect her, but the threat is real and immediate. The tension ratchets up as Laney is forced to confront the monster who has haunted her nightmares, and Grant must face the possibility of losing another woman he loves.

Poker Faces and Power Plays

A high-stakes poker game at Hooch's, the local bar, becomes a microcosm of the novel's themes: risk, deception, and the search for truth. Laney proves herself a formidable player, outsmarting the men and earning their respect. The game is both literal and metaphorical, as everyone in Fiasco is playing for something—love, power, safety, or redemption.

The Foxx Curse

The legend of the Foxx family curse—that every woman a Foxx man loves is doomed—hangs over the story. Grant, Ace, and Lincoln have all lost women they loved, and the fear of repeating history shapes their choices. Laney's presence tests the boundaries of the curse, as Grant must decide whether to risk loving her or protect himself by pushing her away.

Confessions in the Cooperage

In the heat and sawdust of the cooperage, Grant and Laney finally confess their secrets to each other. Laney reveals her true identity and the full story of the serial killer, while Grant shares the depth of his guilt over Fiona's death and the curse that haunts his family. Their honesty is both cathartic and terrifying, but it allows them to finally trust each other completely.

No More Lies

With the truth out, Grant proposes to Laney, offering her not just love but a partnership built on honesty and mutual protection. They plan to marry quickly, knowing that time is short and danger is still close. The Foxx family rallies around them, offering support and resources, and Laney finally feels like she has a home and a future worth fighting for.

The Monster Returns

The serial killer tracks Laney to Fiasco, leading to a violent showdown at the rickhouse. Grant is shot while trying to protect her, and Laney must rely on her own strength—and the loyalty of Julep, Grant's dog—to survive. In a harrowing sequence, Laney faces her tormentor, and with the help of a rattlesnake and a raging fire, she finally defeats him. The trauma is immense, but so is the relief.

Fire, Blood, and Survival

The rickhouse burns, the killer is dead, and Laney and Grant are both wounded but alive. The Foxx family and the town rally to support them as they recover, both physically and emotionally. The fire becomes a symbol of both destruction and renewal, burning away the past and making room for something new.

Healing, Home, and Hope

With the threat gone, Laney and Grant are free to build a life together. They marry in a field of wildflowers, surrounded by the Foxx family and the community that has become their home. Grant's secret bourbon project saves the family business, and Laney finds purpose in planning events and helping the Foxx brand thrive. Together, they learn that healing is possible, that home is something you build, and that love—messy, hard, and true—is worth every risk.

A Little More Every Day

In the epilogue, Laney and Grant reflect on their journey, grateful for the second chances they've been given. The Foxx family curse is broken, the past is honored but no longer rules their lives, and the future is bright. Their love is not perfect, but it is real, and they promise to choose each other—a little more every day.

Characters

Grant Foxx

Grant is the youngest Foxx brother, a former cop turned bourbon maker, whose life is defined by trauma and guilt. The murder of his lover Fiona, and the Foxx family curse, have left him emotionally closed off and wary of love. He is fiercely loyal, protective, and principled, but struggles with vulnerability and trust. Grant's journey is one of learning to forgive himself, open up to love, and risk everything for a future with Laney. His relationship with his family is complex—marked by love, rivalry, and shared grief—but ultimately redemptive.

Eleanor "Laney" Shaw

Laney is a woman on the run, forced into witness protection after surviving a serial killer and saving another woman's life. She is resourceful, sharp-witted, and determined, but also deeply traumatized and guilt-ridden. Laney's struggle is to reconcile her past with her desire for a new life, to trust others, and to believe she deserves happiness. Her relationship with Grant is both a lifeline and a challenge, as she must learn to be honest and vulnerable in order to truly belong.

Atticus "Ace" Foxx

Ace is the eldest Foxx brother, the de facto head of the family and the bourbon business. He is shrewd, protective, and sometimes emotionally distant, but his loyalty to his family is unwavering. Ace is a fixer, always looking for solutions, and is the one who brings Laney into the family's orbit. His own history of loss and avoidance of deep relationships is a counterpoint to Grant's journey.

Lincoln Foxx

Lincoln is the heart of the family, a widower raising two daughters, Lark and Lily. He is outgoing, funny, and deeply loving, but carries his own scars from loss. Lincoln's friendship with Laney and his support of Grant are crucial to the family's healing. He represents the possibility of moving forward after tragedy.

Griz Foxx

Griz is the grandfather and bourbon legend, a man who has seen it all and survived. He is both a source of wisdom and comic relief, unafraid to meddle in his grandsons' lives or dispense hard truths. Griz's belief in love, family, and second chances anchors the Foxx clan and offers hope that the curse can be broken.

Hadley Finch

Hadley is Lincoln's best friend and the owner of Midnight Proof, the local speakeasy. She is bold, irreverent, and fiercely loyal, quickly becoming Laney's closest friend in Fiasco. Hadley's humor and support help Laney find her footing, and her own complicated family ties add depth to the town's social web.

Bea Harper

Bea is the marshal who relocates Laney and, as it's revealed, Fiona's estranged mother. She is driven by guilt over her daughter's death and a fierce need to protect Laney, whom she sees as a chance for redemption. Bea's presence is both a lifeline and a source of tension, as her secrets and decisions shape the novel's central conflicts.

Julep

Julep is Grant's retired police dog, a constant companion and silent witness to the family's struggles. She is fiercely protective, especially of Laney, and plays a pivotal role in the novel's climax. Julep represents the possibility of healing, loyalty, and the unconditional love that both Grant and Laney need.

Lark and Lily Foxx

Lincoln's young daughters, Lark and Lily, are bright, loving, and precocious. They offer Laney a sense of family and belonging, and their presence is a reminder of what's at stake. Their acceptance of Laney is a turning point in her journey toward healing.

Waz

Waz is a local troublemaker with ties to Hadley's family and a penchant for stirring up trouble. He represents the dangers lurking beneath Fiasco's charming surface and is a catalyst for several of the novel's conflicts. His actions force Grant and Laney to confront their fears and fight for each other.

Plot Devices

Dual Trauma Narratives

The novel's structure alternates between Grant and Laney's perspectives, allowing readers to experience their parallel struggles with trauma, guilt, and the search for belonging. This dual narrative deepens the emotional stakes and highlights the ways in which love and vulnerability are both terrifying and necessary for healing.

The Foxx Family Curse

The legend of the Foxx curse serves as both a plot device and a psychological barrier, shaping the choices and fears of the main characters. It foreshadows loss and tests the family's ability to break free from the past, ultimately serving as a metaphor for the self-fulfilling nature of trauma and the possibility of rewriting one's story.

Small-Town Microcosm

Fiasco is more than a setting—it's a crucible where secrets are hard to keep, loyalties are tested, and everyone's business is everyone's business. The town's social dynamics drive much of the plot, from the spread of rumors to the mobilization of support in times of crisis. The small-town setting amplifies both the dangers and the rewards of vulnerability.

Bourbon as Symbol and Setting

Bourbon-making is both backdrop and metaphor, representing the slow, painful process of transformation. The rituals of distilling, aging, and tasting bourbon mirror the characters' journeys—pain, patience, and the hope that something beautiful can come from suffering. The secret bourbon project is a literal and figurative legacy, tying the past to the future.

Romantic Suspense Structure

The novel weaves romance and suspense, using foreshadowing and escalating threats to build tension. The return of the serial killer, the bar fights, and the final showdown in the burning rickhouse are all carefully seeded throughout the narrative, culminating in a cathartic climax that tests the characters' growth and commitment.

Found Family and Chosen Home

The theme of found family is central—Laney, an outsider, is gradually adopted by the Foxx clan and the town. The process of earning trust, making mistakes, and choosing to stay is mirrored in Grant's journey from isolation to openness. The novel suggests that home is not a place, but the people who choose you—and whom you choose in return.

Analysis

Bourbon & Lies is a contemporary romance that transcends its genre trappings by blending small-town charm, dark suspense, and a deeply psychological exploration of trauma, trust, and healing. At its core, the novel is about the courage it takes to rescue oneself, to risk love after loss, and to build a home from the ashes of the past. Through the parallel journeys of Grant and Laney—both haunted by violence, guilt, and the fear of repeating history—the story interrogates the ways we lie to protect ourselves, the power of found family, and the slow alchemy of transformation. The Foxx family curse is both a literal and metaphorical obstacle, challenging the characters to break free from fatalism and choose hope. The novel's use of bourbon as both setting and symbol reinforces the idea that beauty and strength are forged through pain, patience, and connection. Ultimately, Bourbon & Lies is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the necessity of vulnerability, and the redemptive power of love—a love that, as the characters promise, grows a little more every day.

Last updated: May 6, 2025