Broken Promises, Broken Hearts

Lincoln Foxx's world collapses when his wife, Olivia, ends their marriage, leaving him broken and adrift. In the aftermath, he seeks solace in bourbon, horses, and the Kentucky landscape, but finds no escape from his pain. His family—brothers Ace and Grant, and grandfather Griz—offer support, but Lincoln is haunted by guilt and the sense that he's failed as a husband, even as he clings to his role as a devoted father. The night Olivia dies suddenly, Lincoln is left to pick up the pieces for his two daughters, Lark and Lily, and the Foxx family curse—tragedy for any woman who loves a Foxx—seems more real than ever.

Burlesque and Bourbon

Faye Calloway, a private investigator and burlesque dancer, is lured back to her hometown of Fiasco, Kentucky, for a job that's more than it seems. Under the stage name Rosie Gold, she dazzles audiences while secretly surveilling Brock Blackstone, a shady auctioneer with ties to the FBI's latest case. Faye's return is complicated by her estranged sister Maggie's troubles and the ghosts of her own past. Faye's confidence on stage masks deep wounds, and her work as a PI is both a means of survival and a way to control her chaotic life.

Homecoming and Old Wounds

Faye's arrival in Fiasco is met with suspicion and unresolved pain. Her relationship with Maggie is fraught—resentment over Faye's departure and secrets kept. The Foxx family, especially Lincoln, is wary of her presence, and the town's gossip machine churns. Faye's investigation into Blackstone's activities brings her into contact with old friends and enemies, including the powerful Finch & King horse racing dynasty, and the dangerous Waz King. The past—her mother's mysterious death, a buried body, and a night of violence—looms over everything.

Bourbon, Blood, and Betrayal

Lincoln and Faye's paths collide in a charged encounter that reignites old tensions and sparks new desire. Both are drawn to each other despite the baggage they carry—Lincoln's grief and guilt, Faye's secrets and survival instincts. Their connection is electric but fraught with danger, as Faye's investigation puts her in the crosshairs of Fiasco's criminal underbelly. The Foxx family's bourbon business is thriving, but the secondary market and illegal auctions threaten to pull them into scandal.

Foxx Family Ties

The Foxx brothers—Ace, Grant, and Lincoln—navigate the pressures of legacy, business, and personal loss. Griz, the patriarch, dispenses wisdom and pushes for innovation in the bourbon business, while also serving as a surrogate father to many in the community. The Foxx girls, Lark and Lily, bring light and chaos to Lincoln's life, their resilience a testament to the family's strength. Hadley Finch, best friend to Lincoln and owner of Midnight Proof, is a force of nature, bridging the worlds of bourbon and horse racing.

Dangerous Attractions

Lincoln and Faye's mutual attraction becomes impossible to ignore, culminating in a series of passionate, risky encounters. Their chemistry is undeniable, but both are wary—Lincoln of the Foxx curse, Faye of letting anyone close. Their relationship is complicated by Faye's PI work, the threat of exposure, and the ever-present danger posed by Blackstone, Waz King, and the secrets of Fiasco. The town's smallness means nothing stays hidden for long, and every action has consequences.

Sisters and Secrets

Faye and Maggie's relationship is put to the test as old wounds are reopened and new dangers emerge. Maggie's involvement with Finch & King and her gambling addiction put her in harm's way, while Faye's determination to protect her sister leads to risky decisions. The sisters are forced to confront the truth about their mother's death, the night Tullis King was killed, and the roles they each played in covering it up. Their bond, once fractured, becomes a source of strength as they face the fallout together.

The Rules of Fiasco

Fiasco, Kentucky, is a place of tradition, gossip, and unwritten rules—never fall for a Foxx brother, never cross Finch & King, and always respect the power of bourbon. The town's history is steeped in tragedy and resilience, and its people are fiercely loyal. The Foxx curse—every woman who loves a Foxx meets a tragic end—haunts Lincoln and those who care for him. Yet, the town is also a place of second chances, where love and family can heal even the deepest wounds.

The Auction's Shadow

Faye's undercover work at Blackstone's private auction brings her into contact with the town's most powerful and dangerous men. The auction is a front for illegal activity—drug trafficking, horse doping, and more. Faye's surveillance, aided by FBI agent Cortez and her own tech skills, uncovers a web of corruption that implicates Finch & King, Blackstone, and even Maggie. The stakes are raised when violence erupts, and Faye's cover is nearly blown.

Violence in the Dark

The violence that has simmered beneath the surface of Fiasco erupts—Maggie is beaten, Faye is threatened, and Waz King's brutality is revealed. The sisters' past comes back to haunt them as the truth about Tullis King's death is unearthed: it was Waz, not their mother, who committed the murder. The cycle of violence threatens to consume them, but Faye and Lincoln's love, and the support of the Foxx family, offer a path to survival.

Unraveling the Past

As the investigation deepens, the truth about the Calloway family's past, the Foxx curse, and the corruption at the heart of Fiasco is revealed. Maggie's role as an FBI asset, Faye's PI work, and the Foxx brothers' business dealings all converge. The sisters confront their mother's legacy, the choices they made, and the possibility of redemption. The town's power players—Wheeler Finch, Waz King, and Blackstone—are exposed, and justice, long delayed, is finally within reach.

Love, Loss, and Letting Go

Lincoln and Faye, both scarred by loss, learn to let go of the past and embrace the possibility of love. The Foxx family, once defined by tragedy, begins to heal. Faye's reunion with her mother, long thought dead, offers closure and a chance to move forward. Maggie, facing the consequences of her actions, chooses to do the right thing, even at great personal risk. The sisters' bond, tested by fire, emerges stronger than ever.

The Calloway Reckoning

The final confrontation with Waz King is brutal and cathartic. Faye and Maggie, with Lincoln's help, fight for their lives and each other. Waz's death brings an end to his reign of terror, but not without cost—Maggie is gravely injured, and the sisters are forced to reckon with the trauma they've endured. The Foxx family rallies around them, proving that chosen family can be as powerful as blood.

Truths Unearthed

The aftermath of violence brings long-buried truths to the surface. The FBI's case against Finch & King, built on Maggie's evidence and Faye's surveillance, brings down an empire. The sisters learn that their mother is alive, hidden in witness protection, and are given a chance to say goodbye. Griz's role in saving her, and the sacrifices made by all, are finally understood. The past is not erased, but it is finally laid to rest.

The Last Ride

Faye and Maggie, reunited with their mother, find closure and the courage to move forward. Faye returns to Fiasco, choosing Lincoln and the life they can build together. The Foxx family, once cursed, is now a place of healing and hope. The bourbon business thrives, the girls grow, and the town, forever changed, looks to the future.

Healing and Homecoming

Faye and Lincoln blend their lives, families, and dreams. The girls, Lark and Lily, embrace Faye as part of their family, and the farmhouse becomes a home filled with love, laughter, and the chaos of animals and children. The Foxx family's legacy is secured, not just in bourbon, but in the bonds of love and resilience that hold them together.

Bourbon & Peach

Lincoln creates a new bourbon blend—Foxx & Peach—inspired by Faye, symbolizing their partnership and the blending of their lives. Their love, forged in fire and tested by tragedy, is celebrated by family and friends. The curse is broken, and a new chapter begins.

Happily Ever After

Lincoln proposes to Faye, surrounded by their daughters and the Foxx family. Faye, finally home, says yes. The story ends with a sense of hope, healing, and the promise that love—messy, complicated, and hard-won—is always worth fighting for.

Characters

Lincoln Foxx

Lincoln is the heart of the Foxx family—loyal, passionate, and haunted by loss. His marriage to Olivia ends in heartbreak, and her sudden death leaves him a single father to Lark and Lily. Lincoln is defined by his sense of responsibility, his love for his family, and the weight of the Foxx curse. His journey is one of healing, learning to forgive himself, and opening his heart to love again with Faye. His chemistry with Faye is electric, and their relationship is both a source of strength and vulnerability. Lincoln's arc is about reclaiming joy and choosing love, even in the face of fear.

Faye Calloway

Faye is a complex heroine—burlesque dancer, private investigator, and fiercely loyal sister. Her return to Fiasco is driven by duty, but she is also running from her own pain and guilt. Faye's relationship with Maggie is central to her character—marked by love, resentment, and the shared trauma of their mother's death and the night Tullis King was killed. Faye's journey is about confronting the past, embracing vulnerability, and allowing herself to be loved. Her romance with Lincoln is transformative, offering her the home and family she never thought she'd have.

Maggie Calloway

Maggie is Faye's younger sister, struggling with addiction, guilt, and the consequences of her choices. Her involvement with Finch & King and her role as an FBI asset put her in danger, but also offer a path to redemption. Maggie's relationship with Faye is fraught but ultimately redemptive—they save each other. Maggie's arc is about facing the truth, making amends, and choosing to do the right thing, even at great personal cost.

Ace Foxx

Ace is the head of the Foxx family business, a man of principle and tradition. He is cautious, protective, and sometimes rigid, but his love for his family is unwavering. Ace's dynamic with Lincoln is both supportive and challenging—he pushes for excellence but struggles with change. Ace's arc is about learning to trust, adapt, and let go of the past.

Grant Foxx

Grant is the middle Foxx brother, a man marked by loss and resilience. His experience as a police officer gives him a unique perspective on the town's troubles, and his relationship with his brothers is a source of strength. Grant's journey is about finding peace, embracing love, and supporting his family through crisis.

Griz Foxx

Griz is the glue that holds the Foxx family together—a wise, sometimes gruff, but deeply loving grandfather. He dispenses advice, pushes for innovation, and serves as a surrogate father to many. Griz's own love story with Faye and Maggie's mother is a hidden thread, revealing the sacrifices made for family and the enduring power of love.

Hadley Finch

Hadley is a force of nature—owner of Midnight Proof, best friend to Lincoln, and a bridge between the worlds of bourbon and horse racing. She is loyal, outspoken, and fiercely protective of those she loves. Hadley's role is to provide comic relief, support, and a sense of community.

Lark and Lily Foxx

Lark and Lily are Lincoln's daughters, each with their own personalities—Lark is thoughtful and sensitive, Lily is exuberant and curious. Their resilience in the face of loss, and their acceptance of Faye, are central to the story's themes of healing and hope.

Maggie and Faye's Mother (Shelby)

Shelby's death—and later, her survival in witness protection—shapes the lives of her daughters. Her love, mistakes, and sacrifices are central to the sisters' journey. Her reunion with Faye and Maggie offers closure and a chance for healing.

Waz King

Waz is the embodiment of Fiasco's dark side—violent, manipulative, and ultimately doomed. His actions drive much of the story's conflict, and his death is both a reckoning and a release for the Calloway sisters.

Plot Devices

Dual Narration and Shifting Perspectives

The novel alternates between Lincoln and Faye's perspectives, allowing readers to experience their internal struggles, desires, and growth. This structure deepens the emotional resonance and heightens the tension, as each character's secrets and motivations are gradually revealed.

Nonlinear Storytelling and Flashbacks

The narrative weaves together present-day events with flashbacks to pivotal moments—Olivia's death, the night Tullis King was killed, and the sisters' childhood. These flashbacks provide context, foreshadowing, and emotional depth, gradually unraveling the mysteries at the heart of the story.

Small-Town Setting as Character

The town of Fiasco is more than a backdrop—it is a living, breathing force that shapes the characters' lives. Its traditions, curses, and unwritten rules create both obstacles and opportunities for the protagonists. The setting amplifies the stakes and grounds the story in a rich, sensory world.

Secrets, Lies, and Revelations

The story is built on layers of secrets—personal, familial, and criminal. The gradual revelation of these secrets drives the plot, tests relationships, and forces characters to confront their pasts. The motif of "bourbon and secrets" is both literal and metaphorical, symbolizing the intoxicating and dangerous nature of truth.

Romance as Redemption

The central romance between Lincoln and Faye is both a source of tension and a path to healing. Their relationship is marked by passion, fear, and the need to let go of old wounds. The romance is not a simple escape, but a hard-won reward for facing the truth and choosing to love despite the risks.

Found Family and Chosen Bonds

The Foxx family, the Calloway sisters, and the wider community of Fiasco illustrate the power of chosen family. Bonds are tested, broken, and rebuilt, and the story celebrates the resilience and strength that comes from loving and being loved.

Analysis

Bourbon & Secrets is a contemporary romance that blends small-town drama, family saga, and romantic suspense into a story about healing, redemption, and the courage to love again. At its core, the novel explores how trauma and secrets shape individuals and families, and how confronting the past is essential for building a future. The Foxx family curse is a metaphor for generational pain, but also for the possibility of breaking cycles through honesty, vulnerability, and connection. The romance between Lincoln and Faye is both steamy and deeply emotional, illustrating that true intimacy requires risk and the willingness to be seen. The novel's structure—alternating perspectives, nonlinear storytelling, and a rich sense of place—immerses readers in the world of Fiasco, making the stakes feel personal and urgent. Ultimately, Bourbon & Secrets is a celebration of second chances, the power of found family, and the belief that love, like bourbon, is best when shared and savored, even after the hardest of times.

Last updated: July 24, 2025