“I didn’t reply. I couldn’t. Seeing this man’s naked private parts had not rendered me speechless but watching him lick ice cream off his finger had.” – June TuckerJune Tucker doesn’t understand people. Numbers, data, and statistics? Those make sense. People? Not so much. In a town of Friday night fighters and moonshine-swilling line dancers, she’s the odd duck. And that suits her just fine. But … suits her just fine. But her sister and friends are pairing off, and the change is unsettling.
George “GT” Thompson was at the top of his game—one of the best receivers in football. But a career-ending injury sidelined him for good. Now he’s hoping to find relief in the healing waters of this tiny West Virginia town. And maybe an idea of what life has in store for him next.
He doesn’t expect the no-nonsense girl at the hot spring, telling him he’s not supposed to be there. And pointing out his sizeable… equipment.
George is fascinated by June, with her head full of statistics and blunt honesty. He appreciates her in a way most others don’t. And when the local missing persons case takes a shocking turn, he’s by Scooby-June’s side as she digs for the truth.
He was her fantasy receiver. Now he’s her real-life boyfriend. But as their relationship heats up, June worries she’s not capable of the kind of intimacy he needs. He’s convinced his campaign to get her out of her own head—to stop thinking and feel—will work. But his own crisis could drive them further apart.
more
Bourbon Bliss (Bootleg Springs Book 4) by Claire Kingsley with Lucy Score is a contemporary, romantic comedy with a dash mystery. The story is told in first person, dual POV and takes place in the fictional small town of Bootleg Springs, West Virginia.
June Tucker is brilliant, very literal, great with numbers, and socially awkward. She’s surprised when she finds professional football player, George Thompson, bathing in the hot springs – and even more surprised as she repeatedly runs into him all over town and he shows interest in her.
George is recovering from a knee injury and came to Bootleg Springs to enjoy the healing properties of the hot springs. From the moment he meets June, he’s attracted, intrigued, and wants to know her more. So, they begin spending time together. Following a hunch, June also begins her own investigation into Callie Kendall’s disappearance.
Will George’s knee recover enough for him to play football again? Will he decide to stay in Bootleg Springs? Will June’s investigation put her in danger? Will she find new evidence in the Callie Kendall case? What will happen between June and George? Can their relationship last?
I absolutely loved June and George’s story! It is my favorite in the series so far. I loved them both as characters. They were both flawed, relatable and very likeable. The story was quirky, romantic, sweet, endearing and very entertaining. I look forward to the next love story and more clues being revealed.
There are so many things to love about this book. June is quirky, super-intelligent, and honest to a fault. Some of the things that come out of her mouth are absolutely hilarious. GT is a big giant at a turning point in his life. When he meets June it is awkward and funny and sweet all together.
George seems to automatically know how to communicate with June. There is a dancing scene that is just spectacular. As their relationship develops, they learn things about themselves and each other. They have to learn to communicate their fears and insecurities. George is a saint and he puts the relationship in motion at the slow speed that June needs.
The other characters in Bootleg Springs continue to be developed and there are more clues to the Callie Kendall mystery.
June has to be one of my favorite characters ever and I think readers everywhere will enjoy this book and this series.
I’ve only recently discovered the Bootleg Springs series and I’m hooked! Book 1 to book 4 have had me in their grip for a couple of days. So many laugh out loud moments, three dimensional characters that suck you right in, and a town that I want to live in.
I’m impatiently waiting for the next book.
I adored this book. Easily my favorite so far in this series.
every girl had a little bit of june bug in them
This is the 4th book in The Bootleg Springs series by Lucy Score and Claire Kingsley. I was not sure how anyone was going pull off the character of June Tucker. A female version of Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory. I’m just in love with her! The author did an amazing job and I can’t wait to read more Bootleg Springs this summer!
Humor, sex and a small town named Bootleg Springs made this books totally entertaining.
George Thompson had to give up his pro football career due to injurying his ACL a second time. On the advice of his sister, he decides to use the Bootleg springs for recovery. The first person he meets is the intelligence, smart, quirky June, who knows nothing about sex and relationships. Drawn to this woman who saw him the first time naked in the springs, arouses George in more ways than one. Nothing like baseball to compare to sex when you cover all the bases to make a home run. I can’t think of a better read than catching up and continuing this series.
June is very advanced, on a whole other level compared to everyone mentally, but she’s lacking in the social skills. She’s very lucky that the people in her life, Her dad and Cassidy (and Scarlet by association) make sure to always find ways to relate to her so that she never feels left out. GT is perfect for June. He’s just geeky enough to keep her interested but serves as the perfect bridge to help her become more social. He understands out to explain it out for June and lay everything on the line. Also with June’s high level of smart pants and curiosity she accomplished a lot for the case of the missing neighbor and in turn realizes a lot about herself and her town. Can’t wait for the next book!!!
Like most other fans of the Bootleg Springs series, I anxiously awaited the release of Bourbon Bliss during the weeks after I finished Moonshine Kiss. I was so excited to read June Bug’s story, but I was also nervous. How would Claire write the kind of romance I’d come to expect from her and also remain true to June’s highly logical nature? Would it be believable? Would it be respectful of who June was at her very core (and simultaneously respectful to those in the real world who are not easily carried away by emotions or who may not connect with others in the most obvious ways)?
This is probably one of the challenges of writing a series. Because the author spends so much time crafting an endearing world and all the characters who inhabit it, her readers begin to feel ownership over the characters with each passing book. As the series progresses, the writer has to remain faithful to her own head canon while also presenting characterizations that her readers will believe and enjoy.
By god, she did it. And she did it beautifully and wonderfully and, yes, realistically. Claire invested in June and listened to her, and she made her come alive in all her logical nature. What’s more, in George Thompson, Claire gave June (and us) a man who wouldn’t change her for anything in the world. No, he sought to let her be herself. He desired a real connection with her, one that was forged on her terms, and that connection is one of the strongest I have ever seen on the page.
Beyond the romance, the mystery of Callie Kendall, which is woven throughout the series, continued to unravel in this latest installment. In Bourbon Bliss we receive what are arguably the biggest revelations thus far. For those of us who are reading the series as it’s released, the theories are flying. We’re all anxious for a resolution (and we really want to see inside Gibson Bodine’s head). Where did Callie Kendall go? Is she alive? What is the connection to Jonah Bodine Sr.? What are Callie’s parents hiding?
If you’ve stumbled upon Bourbon Bliss first, do yourself a favor and start at the beginning with Book 1, Whiskey Chaser. I guarantee Bootleg Springs will lure you in, just like it did the rest of us. And you’ll find yourself chugging down Bourbon Bliss in no time.
I have been waiting for June Tucker’s book since the Bootleg Springs families came alive in the pages of Whiskey Chaser. June is so smart, a tad prickly and oh so good when you realize she’s one of the best characters in this series. She pulls no punches. She internalizes a lot of what she’s feeling because it’s hard for to convey what she really means – I completely understand her. She made me laugh, cry and cheer of her in this book. And, helllllllllo GT. Who doesn’t want a boyfriend that played in the NFL. I certainly wouldn’t complain. I loved their relationship. It was imperfect – they learned about each other while exposing the fears, doubts and expectations people had for them. June Tucker and George Thompson had pieces of other couples who I swoon over constantly. They are definitely a top favorite for me.
The backstory and suspense of the case that had been prevalent throughout all the books is smart, complex and full of twists. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Claire and Lucy are AMAZING!
I loved this book. I was so excited that June gets her own story. Up till now she has just been in the background of the Bootleg Series. June is a little different, but aren’t we all?! June meets George, and he is the whole package, perfect for June – smart, easy going, football player and patient. Even though June is probably the smartest in Bootleg Springs, George sure teaches her a thing or two. The best of all, he teaches her to feel. Wish there were more George’s in the world and more people that didn’t look at someone like June as different. This book is a must read and definitely brings out all the feels!
This was my absolute favorite of the Bootleg Springs books! I loved June and George! They were sweet, quirky, and so funny! I laughed the whole way through the book. This book was perfect! I can’t wait for the next Bootleg Springs book!
Loved loved this book and June bug is an awesome character but wow gt has got to be one of the best thus far I definitely recommend you read the whole series it’s amazing
June and George are amazing. You will definitely want to read the whole series.
I love love love this series!
June Tucker, is a social conundrum. She doesn’t understand social settings.
Why do people act the way they do?
Her sister Cassidy, and best friend Scarlett Bodine have always made sure to included her. She tries to fit in the best she can.
George Thompson, G.T. as most of the world calls him, has just had a career ending injury. He has come to terms with it.
He goes to Bootleg Spring’s, because his sister who has been staying there, has recommend the hot springs for it’s healing affects.
So, George, goes and rents a cabin to stay in for a few weeks.
He is so intrigued by the way June reacts to him that he needs to find out more about her.
June, is extremely smart when it comes to numbers and analyses but, she really doesn’t do relationships. She’s tried in the past and they just never seen to amount top anything.
George, helps her to feel and understand what love is.
He helps her with the Callie Kendall mystery.
He is also patient and kind and wants nothing more than to be the man she deserves.
I’m an so happy that June got her happy ever after.
Claire Kingsley, knocked to right out of the park with this winner.
I absolutely love love love this series. I love June and George! George is perfect for June and their story is amazingly good. It helps you to believe that there truly is someone for everyone. I also love the Callie mystery in the series. I am dying to know how it turns out!
June and George’s story is my favorite so far of the Bootleg Springs series, (and that’s saying something since the first three were fantastic.) But there’s something very special about June and George that you won’t get in most contemporary romance books – pure, unabashed romance. Sure, most books have lots of wining and dining and plenty of passion; but after you’ve read this book, you’ll see how all that falls flat to the unconventional ways that this couple connects.
True romance is about finding what makes another person tick and showing a genuine interest in those things. Every display that’s made – from over the top grand gestures, to the unremarkable common moments – should all serve to make the other person feel special. This love story does just that.
And do yourself a favor and google Netherland Dwarf Rabbit before you start reading this because, have mercy, the idea of a gigantic football player cuddling a 1.5lb bunny is just too good to be true.
Once again this writing duo does not disappoint. The characters are so well developed, realistic, and lovable. June is a nerd who lives and breathes math and science. She is beautiful on the inside and out. She struggles with feelings and has never had a loving adult relationship. She’s been labeled a robot by some of the townspeople. We first met GT Thompson he’s in a bar coming to grip with his football career ending injury. GT is pure athlete in his build, his attitude, and he can have any women he wants. But GT needs to unwind relax and regroup and he visits Bootleg Springs. It’s here he meets June who is not impressed with his good looks or money but she immediately calls him George and states his football stats. That’s where the story begins as two people accept each other and take the roller coaster ride of laugh, trust, family, friendships while they each learn to to love and trust unconditionally. A story so special you won’t want it to end. Five stars plus read!
June gets her man!
This book is the fourth book in the Bootleg Springs series. I couldn’t wait to read this book! I love June! She is incredibly smart woman who doesn’t know or care about her appeal to men. At least she didn’t until her football crush George came to Bootleg for the healing powers of the springs. It was love at first sight for George and it was fabulous to see his patience and understanding with June’s quirkiness.
Then the mystery of Callie Kendall’s disappearance rears it’s head again! Just when I thought I knew what was going to be the reason for the disappearance, my theory is completely destroyed! This just makes you want to know what twisted plot is going to happen next! I can’t wait for the next instalment!
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.
I think June is easily going to be one of my favorite heroines ever. She doesn’t pretend to be something she’s not and doesn’t hide who she is. June is extremely analytical, super sciency, thinks things through – really, she just tells it like it is……and her quirkiness is truly refreshing, that I couldn’t help but be drawn towards her from the beginning – just like George. From that first meeting in the hot springs, he saw how wonderful and unique she was and just wanted to be around her. He accepted her wholly and showed her such tenderness, when her insecurities got her down. George understood June Bug’s need for someone to show her how to love, and their run around the bases was just so incredible.
And just when we think the Callie Kendall mystery had been solved……little miss Scooby June blew that whole situation out of the water. Once she had an inkling that something wasn’t right, she couldn’t stop until she got to the bottom of things.
Bourbon Bliss was just amazing and I can’t wait for the next book, as whenever I open the pages and take a visit to Bootleg Springs, it feels like going home again.