A slow grin spread across his face and I had to turn away from the wattage. It was like staring at the sun. The handsome sun that was making my core temperature rise and causing a hormone dump in my brain. — Shelby ThompsonPersonal trainer Jonah Bodine discovers more than he bargained for with the half-siblings he didn’t know he had in small-town West Virginia. Not only is his dead father a … Virginia. Not only is his dead father a person of interest in a cold case disappearance, but the entire town seems way too invested in Jonah’s happily ever after potential.
His summer of solitude in a lakeside cottage is ruined when his matchmaking sister saddles him with an unwanted roommate.
Adorable, snort-laughing nerd Shelby Thompson came to Bootleg Springs looking for answers and ends up getting adopted by the town’s nosy elders. Maneuvered into sharing a cottage with the handsome trainer, she makes the best of a sticky situation by offering her perpetually shirtless roommate a strings-free summer fling.
Jonah is tempted. Very tempted. But Shelby has secrets. And as the Callie Kendall mystery unravels, Shelby’s own past comes back to haunt her. The danger is very real and so are the feelings she’s developing for Jonah.
Pleasure Buttons: Small-town. Romantic comedy. Romantic suspense. Summer fling. Roommates to lovers. Rescued puppies. Family series. Mystery. Happily ever after.more
Bootleg Springs is back y’all with the amazing story of Jonah and Shelby! Gin Fling had it all…fun, laughs, romance, friendship and the ongoing mystery of what happened to Callie Kendall.
Jonah and Shelby are basically thrown together by the townsfolk of Bootleg Springs as well as Jonah’s sister Scarlett. While their friendship got off to a rocky start, you quickly get to witness these two becoming so much more and it was perfectly adorable!! Their banter, the chemistry, everything about Jonah and Shelby screamed a forever romance, even though it is a summer fling 😉
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love the Bootleg Springs series! Everything about this book is a win! Family, friends and a town where everyone’s got your back, Lucy Score and Claire Kingsley have completely outdone themselves with this series!
I’m a bit of a disheveled mess after reading Gin Fling. Tangled hair and left gasping for breath from the roller coaster ride of emotions, whiplashed from all the unexpected dips and spins and twists, flushed face from the searing heat between Jonah and Shelby, and a huge freakin’ smile on me face as I now try to process everything. Holy moly, what a ride!
And on top of all that – the writing was phenomenal! I was only 2% in before I was already blubbering like an idiot, then a few pages later I was laughing out loud. Lucy knows how to pull every emotion out of a reader and I was putty in her hands. Shelby and Jonah’s story definitely lived up to all the hype.
Warning: This was not just a book or series you can simply read. The characters are too real, the town is too vibrant, and the plot has you too invested to just read it passively. Lucy and Claire have elevated Bootleg Springs to an adventure to be experienced. Buckle up and enjoy!
Thrown together in the same rental house Shelby and Jonah have to learn to get along. It does not help that the enemies both have skeletons in their closets that neither one wants divulged. But can the two move from enemies to friends and then from friends to lovers all while secrets are revealed and more questions need answers? Can they fall in love in the face of tragedy and despair? I absolutely love this family and cannot wait for the next book in the series. This story had me on the edge of my seat and left me wanting more.
I have come down with a severe case of the feels!
– Along with a craving for pepperoni rolls and nuggets!
I swear, with every Bootleg book my connection to the Bodine’s and the gossiping always there for you, band of drink you under the table West Virginians grows!
It’s like catching up with crazy family and friends.
Oh, Jonah! This is one story I have been waiting for since he was introduced! Now that Ms. Scarlet has taken it upon herself to lovingly impart her matchmaking wisdom between GTs brother Shelby and Jonah- they don’t stand a chance in love or well anything else really!
Marriages are happening
Parents are visiting
All while the murder mystery between the Bodine Family and Kendall family takes a dangerous turn as new leads are uncovered in the intricately detailed case.
So much goes on!
Its a tornado of high flying emotions, steamy tensions, sexual combustion, dark plot twists, light, humorous moments only Bootleg Springs can offer,a smattering of Bootleg justice, Love, and finding there is light at the end of the tunnel….. and maybe a pot-bellied pig and a stray dog for good measure! ‘Gin Fling’ is My NEW favorite book in the Bootleg series- GAH, as much as I need answers, I don’t know If I am ready for the last book now that we’re so close to the end!
If you have not acquainted yourself with this fantabulous series….. WHY NOT?
Lucy Score and Claire Kingsley’s masterminds have been working overtime creating this hilarious, sexy, mysterious, action-packed town- Jump on the train to Bootleg Springs- it’s worth it!!
Shelby, picky (junk food) eater extraordinaire, is working on her thesis in Bootleg Springs. Jonah Bodine, fitness buff and all around good guy, is the half brother of the Bodines and unsure of whether he belongs or not. Shelby harbors a small crush on Jonah, but he thinks she is an evil reporter set on exposing his family. Enemies to lovers (can you really call them enemies if only one person is doing the disliking) is one of my favorite tropes, and Lucy brought her A-game with this one. The romance aspect alone is enough to make this an exceptional read.
The Callie Kendall mystery has taken so many twists and turns and just when I think I have it figured out, Lucy (or Claire) throws me for a loop! So many revelations are made in this book, and trust me if you are following the series, YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS! There is suspense and danger and I was a mess trying to figure everything out or save fictional characters with my mind powers alone. *Warning* If you are a nervous nail biter, take the necessary precautions! My nails did not survive.
Bootleg Springs is one of the best little quirky towns ever. Shelby has asked the townspeople to fill out a survey to help with her thesis and their answers are wonderfully charming, witty, and true to what you would expect from Bootleg Springs. The group text messages between the Bodines were also the best. I love this family, town, and how they step up for one another. I am so excited for Claire’s installment (#6 Highball Rush) but have thoroughly loved each and every book. This series is a MUST.
Ah Shelby & Jonah! I really enjoyed getting to know these two transplants to Bootleg Springs. & the mystery of Callie Kendall & all the new evidence & theories….can’t wait for all the questions to be answered.
What a wild ride!! On the surface this is the story of Jonah Bodine and Shelby Thompson. They start out as adversary’s and become first friends then lovers and finally fall in love. This is the least of the story though. The depth of community and family is huge. It’s like a fine tapestry. Woven together with love and caring for each other. There is danger and drama. There is an unresolved mystery that we find out much more about. I honestly tried to read slowly and savor it. Hard to do with a book this good. I loved it
Expectations for this addition and the next to finish out the Bootleg Springs series are high. Gin Fling blew those out of the water! With everything happening between the Bodine siblings and their significant others, Jonah getting an unexpected roommate, George winning at pets, June’s aliases, dino nuggets, everyone getting “Scarlet Bodined” and the twists in the ongoing Callie mystery, I didn’t want this story to end.
My heart was bursting with love for Jonah. This brother from another mother feels like such an outsider when, in reality, this little West Virginia town has welcomed him with open arms. Reading his journey was so rewarding. Be on the look out for some epic Bootleg Justice! And Shelby, ahhhh I just love her nerdy little soul. She was an incredible heroine with horrible eating habits, a big heart, and hefty goals.
The ongoing mystery throughout the series continues and has you shaking your head, taking notes and adjusting all the theories. In addition to updates on all our favorite Bootleggers, we finally get to meet Jonah’s mom and several other new characters. They’re a lovely addition to the colorful communal fabric of Bootleg Springs. I’ve fallen head over heels for the Bodines and the town folk as a whole. While excited to read the last book in the series soon, I’m also saddened that the series will be over. Lucy and Claire have fabricated a world of kooky characters with humongous hearts where I want to vacation every summer.
Lucy Score has another winner and a whole lot more Bootleg shenanigans and a few more clues in the mystery that’s woven through this series. I loved Jonah and Shelby, they have a lot of chemistry and are perfect for each other….they fit right in in Bootleg Springs. That Scarlett Bodine sure knows how to play matchmaker!
5*
Jonah & Shelby appeared to be getting closer until a misunderstanding by the bodines.
The bodine’s are still trying to find out what happened to Callie but more questions need answering. A few surprises in this book and I definitely cannot wait for Gibson’s book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Another fabulous book.
Gin Fling is book five in the Bootleg Springs series by Lucy Score and Claire Kingsley. I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited to find out how a series is going to end. This is the next to the last book. Jonah Bodine’s story. And I’m telling you, it is FULL of so much! There are so many big reveals, but still some questions left to be answered. And Jonah was everything I hoped he would be and more.
Jonah Bodine grew up with his single mom, never knowing the father he was named after. A year before, when he realized he had four half siblings, he packed up and headed to Bootleg Springs, West Virginia to get to know them better. He never had a real plan. Didn’t know how long he was going to stay. But he found himself smack dab in the middle of the town mystery. Who killed Callie Kendall? And all the evidence seems to be pointing to the father he was named after.
Jonah is a personal trainer and he has spent the year gaining clients in Bootleg Springs and one by one, forging relationships with the town’s residents. He is also bonding with his three brothers and sister. He still sometimes feels like an outsider, the illegitimate son of a suspected killer. But most of the time, he finds himself accepted, part of something he never imagined he would be, a family.
Shelby Thompson is GT’s younger sister. She is working on her doctoral degree and is studying the residents of Bootleg Springs for her thesis. She loves this little town. Loves being closer to her big brother and Junie. She needs a more permanent place to stay while she works on her degree. Unfortunately, Scarlett uses this opportunity to do a little match making and puts her in the same house as Jonah as roommates. Jonah who is so beautiful, who she might have a little crush on, and who thinks she is a hated journalist and despises her.
“I’m here to learn why it is that the residents of Bootleg Springs work so well together.”
“Shelby, there’s no secret there. We’re neighbors. That makes us family.”
I’m telling you, this book had so much!!! At first, things build slowly. And then, hold on to your horses! The secrets started coming in hot and heavy. Everyone had secrets here. At the same time, there were so many sweet, adorable moments between all of our favorite couples we’ve fallen in love with over this series! Get ready for sexy, hot Jonah as well because once this man decides what he wants, he is all in!!! (pun intended!)
The final book in this series will soon be behind this one, Gibson’s story. At the same time, we’ll get all of the questions answered. I’ve had my own theories from the start and I can’t wait to see if I am anywhere close to being correct. Can you read this as a stand alone? Probably. There is the Callie Kendall mystery running throughout the series but enough information is given to get you through. But then you’d be missing all of the awesomeness of getting to know ALL of the Bodine siblings and their love interests. Every book is more amazing than the one before it.
“Bootleg Springs had cast its spell on all of us, drawing us in and making us feel like we belonged.”
4.5 Stars
This is a good continuation to the series. Loved Jonah and Shelby! Cannot wait for Gibson’s story!
Bootleg Spring has sucked me in and the amazing friends and neighbors. I want to move there! This has been a amazing series and every book is equally brilliant. Lucy and Claire have done a amazing job writing these books. This one is special in its own way. Jonah and Shelby are both looking to fit it and find a place to call home. New beginnings and meddling family. Follow along With Jonah as he figures out if he’s staying or going and Shelby as she does her research and challenges herself living on Dino nuggets. The insta family they weren’t looking for but fell right into. Billy Ray snuggles. We are getting so close to finding out the full story of Callie and I’m so excited but so sad at the same time. That means we will have to leave Bootleg Springs behind. This is a must read book and series. A love story and mystery in one. The greatest small town love, friendship and loyalty. A laugh out loud heart wrenching read you won’t want to miss!
I received a advanced readers copy for a voluntary honest review.
WOW!!
Another sensational trip to Bootleg Springs. Gin Fling has to be the most intense, action packed steamy romcom mystery I’ve ever read!!! It is book 5 in the Bootleg Springs series, and we’ll follow Jonah and Shelby as they embark on their journey to happily ever after. While the couple’s story is completed in this book, the series has an ongoing mystery component and you will want to read the saga in order.
In Gin Fling we get to visit with all of our Bootleg’s best friends and get to meet exciting new characters and adorable four legged darlings. As Jonah and Shelby deal with insecurities, personal demons (past and present) and meddling family members -their feelings for each other grow, and what was meant to be a summer fling becomes so much more as Jonah helps Shelby overcome her trepidations and fears to achieve a major personal triumph. Now, will they be able to outrun the dangerous past as they plan their future together?
What can you say about a book that has you tearing up and it’s only the first chapter? Here was my thought, “I can only imagine what is yet to come. Am I really ready for it?”
Just when I think these authors can’t write a better book than the last one they go and prove me wrong. This story is worth the gasps, the swoons, the laughter, the heartache, the intrigue, Mona Lisa McNugget (speaking of McNuggets can you say Dino nuggets), Katherine, Billy Ray and even the crazy, Misty Lynn. Tag on the tenderness, romance and heat and you have yourself a story you don’t want to end.
This is a town you want to visit and probably want to stay. I know I do. Nobody writes down home country caring people like these authors. This was so much more than a one dimensional story. There are layers over layers yet easy to read and more than interesting. These are your friends. They get into your heart. Jonah and Shelby are easy to love both are trying to find their place in life,in locale,and just trying to find where they fit. Can they do it together? Well that’s one of the burning questions. As much as I love this series it makes me sad to see that it will be coming to it’s conclusion soon. This book is a dichotomy because you want to read as fast as possible but then again you want it to keep going. So savor every word. This is special because you may just see yourself in this book at different spots. So do yourself a favor, maybe have a gin and tonic, a Dino McNugget get comfy and enjoy some down home Bootleg family. You deserve it. I did!
This is the 5th book in a series of 6. It has mystery, smoking hot sex scenes and a great all around story. I loved Jonah and Shelby and the whole Bodine gang! Cannot wait for #6!
Be prepared to let the world go by when you start reading this book. Love the funny quirks and antics this town gets up to. I feel like a Bootleggers rooting for the Bodines. Twits and turns keeping you guessing to the end. Lucy Score delivered another original bind blowing story part of a series.
This book was the best penultimate book I’ve ever read. Jonah Bodine is not my favorite, not for any particular reason, he is just too quiet for me. The people around him though, cover for his inadequacies, Shelby specifically. Shelby and her fixation with bears was this book’s high. She totally kept the story going and this book was the most adventurous one so far. I have to admit that Jonah was actually really supportive of her and that gave him a lot of credits.
I can’t wait to dive into Gibson’s story and… wait, is that a bear?
Book five in the Bootleg Springs series. Full length told in dual POV, can be read as stand-alone. Each book is about a different Bodine sibling with secondary characters the same throughout the series, there is also a small-town mystery theme that will not be solved until book six. Jonah & Shelby are not from Bootleg Springs and they are not sure how long they will be staying, so they agree to a no strings summer fling. Sweet slow burn that is an overall good read. I would have loved more info / back-story about Jonah’s mom and dad, how they met & how their relationship came to be, especially with him having multiple half siblings including a brother his same age.
I’m trying so hard to read this series slowly but it is not working. It’s binge worthy and addicting. Each story focuses on a character but at same time gives you pieces of a bigger puzzle. Love Jonah and I wanted for him was to belong and get that family he so deserves. Him and Shelby match just as well. Loving this series so much and I know you will too so make sure you add this to your must read list.