“Suddenly all those old country love songs I’d played so often made perfect sense.” ~ Gibson Bodine Gravel-voiced Gibson Bodine takes his lone wolf image seriously. The tough guy. The bad boy. He lives alone. Works alone. His one love—besides starting a good brawl—is sitting on a rinky-dink stage in a backwoods bar playing guitar and singing about things he’ll never have.When a video of him … have.
When a video of him playing goes viral, Gibson ignores the unwanted attention. He’s got bigger things to worry about. Like the bomb his half-brother’s mom just dropped on him. And the fallout from the memento he’s been carrying around for thirteen years.
He doesn’t have time for fame… or love… or meddling neighbors stopping by with casseroles and questions.
But one night in a bar, fifty miles from home, he meets her. And she changes everything.
In Bootleg Springs—home of the best moonshine and nosiest neighbors in West Virginia—secrets don’t keep. When the truth about Callie Kendall’s fate brings danger home, it’s up to Gibson to step up and be the hero. And maybe find what he’s been missing all along.
Love.
more
This book was everything I thought I would be. I have not been able to put my thoughts into words without telling the story. This book draws you in not only because we have been learning Gibson throughout the other 5 books but we want his happy ever after so much. He has such a big heart with a gruff exterior.
Finally we find out conclusion of the town Mystery surrounding Callie. Such a wonderfully written series with enough mystery to keep you intrigued. The swoon worthy Gibson we all knew was in there.
This book is full of love, friendship, healing, loyalty, drama, and secrets. A must read final book but this series has my heart. This family and town is part of me. Great job Lucy and Claire.
I received a advanced copy for a voluntary honest review by the Author.
Ms. Kingsley and Ms. Score have given us some of the most memorable characters and stories within this Bootleg series. Gibson’s story is the perfect wrap up to this captivating series! I always had a feeling that this might be how things played out and they did such a great job with the storyline as it wove through the entire series. You get all of the feels from this book and it was the perfect ending to a perfect series. Loved it!
I knew this book would be good, but I honestly wasn’t prepared for just how great this book would be. The characters, the twists, the town, Mona Lisa McNugget…it’s all just so damn good. This book left me in my feelings more than once, and I definitely got teary-eyed as my time in Bootleg Springs came to a close. It was the perfect ending for this dynamic, incredible series.
I was Team Gibson anyway – there was something about the brooding oldest sibling that got to me from the jump – but I’m definitely Team Gibson after this book. I’m not one to re-read books after I finish them, but I’ll be re-reading this series over and over again – especially this book, my favorite in the series.
Gibson and Callie’s story was a wonderful end to an interesting and well written series by two amazing authors. The mysteries are revealed, love is always in the air and Bootleg Springs justice is served with moonshine. Claire Kingsley and Lucy Score are an incredible writing duo and I hope they will continue to collaborate in future writing endeavors. If you haven’t read the Bootleg Springs series yet now is a great time to binge read it!
Writing a review for this book is a bit of a challenge. Nearly everything I can say is a spoiler and that’s not cool. What I can say about this final book in the Bootleg Springs series ties everything up with heart and humor – never expect anything less from these two authors. This book, technically, is a standalone. But between us, it’s really not. You have to start at the beginning of this series to really take in all the fun. There are a lot of side characters, a lot of inside jokes, relationships that need context to really understand. This isn’t a case of “gee, seems like these other couples are cool…”. This is me saying please start at the beginning and build to the finale. Try not to get any spoilers along the way, and enjoy the ride. Gibs is the ultimate anti-hero. He’s the perfect last-book character. Grouchy, chip on his shoulder, growly. But you will love him. And while last books in great series tend to have a bittersweet element (this one does), Kingsley and Score tie every loose end up in a phenomenal bonus epilogue. Please start at the beginning and don’t look for spoilers. It’s a hell of a ride!
This book was everything you wanted it to be and more. I loved Gibson and his lady and of course Cash. Love the characters and storyline. Questions are answered and just go read it people it’s absolutely amazing.
This was an amazing series finale to a wonderful series. I loved grumpy Gibson & was so excited & happy to read his happily ever after. It was also nice to get all the answers to mystery surrounding the town in the previous 5 books in the series. Claire Kingsley & Lucy Score created a wonderful town & families. There are so many emotions I felt while reading this book but so worth it.
A fabulous end to the series!
I’m so thrilled that Gibson finally finds his love! He is the remaining Bodine to find his HEA, and the journey has been long and eventful (you really should read #1-5 before reading this final book in the series). The mystery of what happened to Callie Kendall (this mystery is woven through each book in this series) is also finally resolved!
Gibson always seemed the grumpiest of the bunch, partly because the wrath of his father was turned on him. When a YouTube video of him singing goes viral, he tries to ignore it. But fate has other plans for him.
You’ll love how Claire Kingsley and Lucy Score have written an enthralling romance for each Bodine, painted a picture of a place you’ll want to re-visit over and over, and wrapped up all the previous books’ mysteries in this final book. I am hoping there will be another series for these two ladies as they write such fabulous books!
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.
How do I even start with a review on this book? Well first let me just saw I wish there was more. I loved this series and couldn’t wait for the next book. Claire and Lucy I just love your books.
Ok so Gibson in all the other books was the grumpy old guy. You knew he had a cuddly, fuzzy part inside him. He just needs to find the right girl. I think Maya (have to read who she is) came in and just wiped the grumpy guy right out. I really liked Gibson and just glad he finally got his happy ending.
So Maya, aka someone else was the hero in all the series. How she was so strong and always keeps a light in her heart for Gibson was what stole the book. I could not put the book down until the very end. Loved this series and love the final book. Ladies you did a great job with the story line and how you fit everything together is beyond me. Please keep writing and I will keep reading. I received this book for my honest review and here it is without any spoilers.
wow, i’ve been reading this series for over a year….anxiously waiting for each new book to come out, and they absolutely never disappoint.
Highball Rush is a rush of emotions. Not only for the characters, but for the readers. Seeing Gibson get his HEA with his heroine.
Its really sad that we have to leave bootleg spring….though i’m now going to reread the entire series. A quirky, moonshine drinking, pepperoni roll eating, bon- fire loving, hot pools loving town somewhere in West Virginia.
Best romance series ive read and laughed and cried and then laughed again.
This book is everything we wanted and everything we didn’t know we needed!!! Grumpy Gibson for the win. Sexy, broody, heart of gold! “Maya” is the perfect match for our resident Grump.
Mysteries solved and secrets revealed! All your bootleg favorites. What a great conclusion to an amazing series. Make sure you read that bonus epilogue!!!
If I could give this book more than 5* then I would! I loved everything about it! Infact I loved the whole series! The build up in the first 5 books to what actually happened to Callie is so good, little snippets of information but nothing too much! The evidence that keeps building against Jonah Snr. Building the hype up for the finale, and let me tell you, you will not be disappointed!
Gibson is a grumpy person, his family know it, the whole town of Bootleg Springs knows it, he doesn’t ask for much except a quiet life and to be left alone!
Maya is a well travelled music producer, she helps bands stay on the right track and help them through the difficult times. When her boss asks her to go and check a new act out that has gone viral on the internet, she heads within 50km of Bootleg Springs!
When Gibson and Maya’s eyes meet across the bar there is instant attraction, but she leaves before he can get to her. The next day she turns up in Bootleg Springs, and on his doorstep! Can Maya break through the rough exterior to the real Gibson!
Callie’s story is starting to come to light, the evidence is building against Jonah Snr. and his family has been dragged into it. But, the truth is out there and all it takes is for a small town and one extended family to get the truth out there!
Finally the Bodines have all found happiness, including grumpy old Gibson!
This is a perfect end to an amazing series of books.
I don’t want to spoil one thing about this amazing book, that completes a series written by two amazing authors!!!
So all I’m going to say is just go read it and soak up all the amazing-ness!
Bootleg Springs Forever <3
Holy Hannah I loved this book! This was the perfect ending to the series and I love how another of my favorite fictional towns made an appearance. Way over the moon to see Gibson get his HEA. He, of all people, deserve it. I can identify with him as a child who was a total accident and made to feel horrible for “ruining” their parents’ lives. Also great to catch up on the other couples from the previous books.
And the ending to the mystery? AMAZING! Justice was served and I was happy to find out that my investigative skills are still sharp.
If you haven’t started reading this series, don’t start with this book as this is the final book. BUT! You MUST read this! You will get humor, tears, angst, and love.
This series makes me so happy!!! These two authors together are magnificent!! These characters, the emotions, and the surprises will keep you engaged the whole story! It has laughter along with all the feelings that will consume you. Each installment gets better and better. I am in awe of these authors and how they have made this world seem so real and vivid through their words.
This last installment is the last Bodine brother finding his true love. It is a story you will not want to miss because you will fall in love and be surprised. A great read that will stay with you long after you’ve flipped the last page.
Brava Ladies. I LOVED THIS SERIES WITH MY WHOLE HEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved this book so much but also, Thank you, because Bootleg Springs has imprinted big time on my heart!
In an effort to keep from spoiling anything, this is all you’ll get out of me, but 100% this book, aside from whatever else was happening, was very well written and my heart is all the things!!!
A spoiler free review. This outta be interesting.
This is Gibson’s story…and the end of the mystery. Old friends, new friends, old love and new.
Bootleg Springs is alive and well, and a character in and of itself.
One thing strikes me as I read this book. We’re all the villain in someone’s story…and we’re all the hero in others. No one lives the same life, even those who live together – the lens is always different.
Hanging onto your villains…if it’s stopping you from moving forward, then they’re not the villain. You’re crushing your own story. Let go of your crosses…they’re not yours to bear. And what other people think of you doesn’t define you.
Watching Gibs find love, and realize all of this…I’m not sure how, but Claire and Lucy have created magic here.
No spoilers here. Just go read this. Begin at the start of the series, and keep going…you won’t regret it.
Gibson remains himself, and precisely what I love about him throughout the entire series.
I’ve loved every minute of every single book in this series. This book answers all the questions, and gives Gibs the ability to shine through. And he uses his filthy mouth to distraction!
Thank you Claire, and Lucy, for giving us such an amazing series. I hope you’ll do another serious together eventually, this was absolutely gorgeous!
Finally Gibson’s book!!! If you have read all the other Bootleg Springs books, I know you are so excited to get grouchy Gibson’s story AND the conclusion to the Callie Kendall case!!
No matter what theories you had going into this book, I think we can all agree that Gibson got his happy ending. And he may be my favorite Bodine…closely followed by Scarlett, of course. This was the PERFECT conclusion to this series!! There is nothing I would change!! There’s lots of love, laughs, crazy high jinks, Bootleg justice, and lots of swoony times!!!
That’s all I’m saying so I won’t give anything away!! Just ready it!! You’ll thank me later!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Highball Rush – the final installment in the Bootleg Springs series – is EVERYTHING! Romance, mystery, suspense, danger, music, dancing, plot twists, family, friends, enemies, humor, sexy-time, Bootleg Justice, and a very happy ever after are all in this book.
It has been a couple of days since I finished Highball Rush. I usually want to post my reviews immediately after reading a book so that my thoughts are fresh as to what transpired. Not so with this book. I had so many thoughts and emotions after reading this one that I had to step away from it for a bit before sharing about it. I both snort-laughed and ugly-cried while reading this one (not at the same time) so have some tissues handy. Plus there are certain scenes that may leave you wanting some “alone” time.
Gibson Bodine, the eldest of the Bodine siblings, was the star of this book. He was the sibling most affected by his parent’s tumultuous marriage – feeling (and having been told by his father) that his mother becoming pregnant with him ruined all of his father”s hopes and dreams and started his father down the path to become an alcoholic. He was the one who tried to shield his siblings away from the ugliness of his parent’s marriage and, by doing so, ended up being quite the recluse because he did not want to end up like his parent’s and, because of that, there has always been a piece of him missing.
The mystery thread that binds these books together has been the disappearance of Callie Kendall. She summered in Bootleg Springs as a teen and made friends with most of the young people who lived there. Her parents were well-to-do and her father was a judge with political ambitions. One summer evening, when Callie was 16 and Gibson was 20, she disappeared without a trace. Gibson feared that his father may have had something to do with the disappearance as shortly afterwards he left town for awhile. Gibson had always been both ashamed of his father and afraid that he would be like him if he was not steadfast in his resolve to always be there for his family, always be single, and always be sober.
Then one day Gibson, who is an extremely talented musician, was videoed on a stranger’s phone while playing in a bar with his three-piece band in another town. The video of his incredible performance went viral, leading to a record executive to send one of his producers to locate and sign Gibson to the record label. Little does Gibson know how much that viral video will change his life forever.
Because of the overall mystery in this series, which comes to a satisfying conclusion in this book, I am reluctant to go into any other details. I will simply say the mystery is solved, the ladies’ book club has Bootleg men exhausted, Misty Lynn gets a visit from Karma, and Gibson gets possibly the best happy ever after of all of his siblings.
Lucy Score and Claire Kingsley created a series of six books, so seamlessly woven together that if you didn’t know which writer was creating each book, you would not be able to tell. I am convinced these two women share the same brain! I am hopeful that in the coming years we may get to revisit Bootleg Springs for the stories of the children of the Bodine siblings. If nothing else, the attorney, Jayme, definitely deserves a book of her own. I highly recommend reading Highball Rush and the complete Bootleg Springs series.
Thank you, Lucy and Claire, for sharing these stories with us and for just being completely awesome human beings!