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lamom77's review against another edition
4.0
I am actually giving this 3.5 stars. It was a fast paced, can't put down story. An interesting tale about a messed up family of a Bourbon empire. JR Ward left a lot hanging at the end of the book, which is unusual for her from another series of hers I have read. We'll see where she takes this one.
dorantammi15's review against another edition
2.0
I love J.R. Ward, and I knew this was not a paranormal book going in. But this book did not do it for me. There was to much jumping around, I could not get into the characters at all. None of them seemed to have any depth.
I can honestly say that even with the cliffhanger at the end of the book, I have no desire to read the next one.
I can honestly say that even with the cliffhanger at the end of the book, I have no desire to read the next one.
amym84's review against another edition
5.0
I'll be the first to admit I didn't make it far in Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Not even past the original brothers really because I could feel the ever expanding cast / characters and didn't feel the need to get that involved in the story. It just wasn't for me.
Regardless of this, the moment I learned of Ward's new project I immediately wanted to read it. I ended up really enjoying Ward's departure from the paranormal. I admit I wasn't quite prepared for the sprawling legacy drama that the story turned out to be but it was great!
Ward, obviously used to being accountable for many characters within a single book, does great with the Bradford family consisting of brothers Tulane, Edward, Max, and sister Gin.
The Bourbon Kings deals mainly with Tulane (Lane)'s return to the family after a two year absence. His return starts the ball rolling on various secrets and problems surfacing for the family and will mark a definite change in the family dynamic.
Even though this book is mainly Lane and Lizzie's (the woman he left heartbroken two years earlier), Ward does great incorporating the other siblings to make this first book a really nicely rounded-out story without taking anything away from Lane and Lizzie's finding there way back to one another. The Bradford siblings consist of flawed characters with various vices, but I liked that no one (not even our hero and heroine) are perfect. I liked them despite their bad decisions or misguided actions. It made me hope for HEA's for all the characters because they get put through a lot just within this book alone, I can only imagine what the rest of the series will bring. Ward sets up a lot of plots with this one.
The book only takes place over a couple of days, but with all the twists Ward throws in, I never felt like the story was dragging. I was pulled in right away from the beginning and only put it down when absolutely forced.
I think if you're already a fan of Ward's there is much to like here too. If you're new to her, you won't be disappointed. I wish the next one was already out!
*Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Regardless of this, the moment I learned of Ward's new project I immediately wanted to read it. I ended up really enjoying Ward's departure from the paranormal. I admit I wasn't quite prepared for the sprawling legacy drama that the story turned out to be but it was great!
Ward, obviously used to being accountable for many characters within a single book, does great with the Bradford family consisting of brothers Tulane, Edward, Max, and sister Gin.
The Bourbon Kings deals mainly with Tulane (Lane)'s return to the family after a two year absence. His return starts the ball rolling on various secrets and problems surfacing for the family and will mark a definite change in the family dynamic.
Even though this book is mainly Lane and Lizzie's (the woman he left heartbroken two years earlier), Ward does great incorporating the other siblings to make this first book a really nicely rounded-out story without taking anything away from Lane and Lizzie's finding there way back to one another. The Bradford siblings consist of flawed characters with various vices, but I liked that no one (not even our hero and heroine) are perfect. I liked them despite their bad decisions or misguided actions. It made me hope for HEA's for all the characters because they get put through a lot just within this book alone, I can only imagine what the rest of the series will bring. Ward sets up a lot of plots with this one.
The book only takes place over a couple of days, but with all the twists Ward throws in, I never felt like the story was dragging. I was pulled in right away from the beginning and only put it down when absolutely forced.
I think if you're already a fan of Ward's there is much to like here too. If you're new to her, you won't be disappointed. I wish the next one was already out!
*Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
geisttull's review against another edition
3.0
a new series by an author i read a lot. first books are always full of set up so i'm not surprised that i didn't love this one. i will keep reading it though because i like the characters and there was some interesting story lines. not as HOT as her Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. Okay, so, The Bourbon Kings has been on my mind ever since I added this to my TBR. Not sure when I actually did because for this edition the date says I added it this month. Which isn't true because I'm pretty sure I added this years ago. Either way, I finally found the time to dive into this book.
In it, you will meet Lane and Lizzie. You also get to meet Lane's family which is a delicious treat if you ask me. Back to theses two though. Now they've had their fair share of bumps in the road or maybe roadblocks. It has been a while since they've crossed paths so I was really excited with their little reunion. Unfortunately, things aren't easy after this either because there's so much drama that follows Lane and his family.
I feel like this introduced us to so many characters that it was a bit hard for me to keep track of everyone - like who was with who and whatnot. It doesn't mean that I didn't eventually find one extremely likable or not because I totally did. Anyone who delivers sass or can banter is a winner in my book.
Then there's the romance, which was good but I honestly wanted more. It didn't care who it was between really because I have a ton of ships. I just wanted more and more - I'm greedy like that. So now I really need to go out and find the next book so I can get what I want. Definitely can't ghost this series because I'm intrigued to see who the next book will be about. I also really want to see everyone still - so, yes, I have my mission.
In it, you will meet Lane and Lizzie. You also get to meet Lane's family which is a delicious treat if you ask me. Back to theses two though. Now they've had their fair share of bumps in the road or maybe roadblocks. It has been a while since they've crossed paths so I was really excited with their little reunion. Unfortunately, things aren't easy after this either because there's so much drama that follows Lane and his family.
I feel like this introduced us to so many characters that it was a bit hard for me to keep track of everyone - like who was with who and whatnot. It doesn't mean that I didn't eventually find one extremely likable or not because I totally did. Anyone who delivers sass or can banter is a winner in my book.
Then there's the romance, which was good but I honestly wanted more. It didn't care who it was between really because I have a ton of ships. I just wanted more and more - I'm greedy like that. So now I really need to go out and find the next book so I can get what I want. Definitely can't ghost this series because I'm intrigued to see who the next book will be about. I also really want to see everyone still - so, yes, I have my mission.
charlotteg0a807's review against another edition
5.0
After being recommended by a friend I finally read this contemporary saga. Totally different to the other jr ward works I've read bdb vampires. I couldn't put the thing down brilliant drama saga definitely be reading the others in the series. Next Angels share.
kenfrommars's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a wild ride. This was my first true read of J.R. Ward. I understand that she is known mainly for her Dark Dagger Brotherhood series, but that one never clicked with me. But, the kind of 80s primetime soap opera vibes that The Bourbon Kings gave me is what I live for in my books. I mean, I grew up on soap operas (among other things). And my own WIP novels have a lot of soapy elements to them.
So when I took up the task of reading this, I was going in expecting a lot of high drama, explosive characters, twists and turns, and just about anything I came to expect from the soap opera genre. And what I got was that and then some.
JR knows how to write her characters well. Even the ones I shouldn't like proved to be my favorites. The intrigue, the plot threads set up for book two, and all of the romance were so well-written.
I have to admit, some of the sex scenes threw me, but I also respected the tasteful approach. It felt like it had a purpose and that's the life I'm all about.
This is definitely one of my favorite books and I look forward to reading The Angel's Share.
So when I took up the task of reading this, I was going in expecting a lot of high drama, explosive characters, twists and turns, and just about anything I came to expect from the soap opera genre. And what I got was that and then some.
JR knows how to write her characters well. Even the ones I shouldn't like proved to be my favorites. The intrigue, the plot threads set up for book two, and all of the romance were so well-written.
I have to admit, some of the sex scenes threw me, but I also respected the tasteful approach. It felt like it had a purpose and that's the life I'm all about.
This is definitely one of my favorite books and I look forward to reading The Angel's Share.