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bianca89279's review against another edition
2.0
Oh dear, this was so average. Good thing I didn't buy it, especially since it's ridiculously expensive! Actually, at $16.99 AUD it is the most expensive ebook I've ever come across. And it's just #1 in the series. What the... ?
Good parts: easy read.
Bad or blah bits: I wasn't aware that I was reading the book version of Dallas or Dynasty or any other similar big family saga soap operas. It had all the elements of such series: monstrous head of the family, drunk/drugged matriarch, kids who hate their father, marriages of convenience, adultery etc, you get the idea. So yeah, if you enjoy watching that type of TV, you'll probably love this novel. I stopped watching such series a long time ago because they're
The main dude, (Tu)Lane, was kind of blah as well. He's your typical rich, spoiled brat, who hasn't worked a day in his life. And he's a coward. And the chemistry between him with Lizzie is missing. Also, insta-love situations kind of irritate me, especially since the protagonists are past their teen years.
Anyway, I know many will love this novel. I didn't hate it, hate it, like say, Beautiful Bastard and the likes, but I felt duped and cheated. Especially since there's a bloody huge cliffy. I hate those! But something tells me that many won't mind forking out a small fortune for a very average, run-of-the-mill series. I will definitely not bother with the #2 and the rest.
Cover: 3.5 - 4 stars, although it feels like there are a million other similar covers around. So it's probably more of a 3 star cover.
melledotca's review against another edition
2.0
Hooboy. Well, the elitism and obsession with consumerism that seems to be a common theme in her books is there, and the misogyny has been cranked to 11. And a dash of racism, cuz it's the south, naturally. (Or something.)
I was actually fairly amused at just how HORRIBLE the characters are. Like, they make Dallas, Dynasty, et al. seem blandly suburban. And tasteful.
There's also actually not much sexytimes, so I dunno if she's trying to moves genres or what.
I was actually fairly amused at just how HORRIBLE the characters are. Like, they make Dallas, Dynasty, et al. seem blandly suburban. And tasteful.
There's also actually not much sexytimes, so I dunno if she's trying to moves genres or what.
debbiesilkserif's review against another edition
3.0
I originally got my hands on The Bourbon Kings from a friend who managed to get an eARC from NetGalley. I read 30% while waiting for her to do a few errands and had to purchase it once it came out in ebook. I can’t leave any book half-read, ever. I’m a little sad to say that the little over a month wait for the book might have impacted my review a bit. If you plan on reading The Bourbon Kings you really should be ready for a complete read through without breaks or the magic will be lost. The book requires the reader to be in the moment – not rushing to catch up emotionally after a prolonged delay.
The Bourbon Kings swerves away from J.R. Ward’s paranormal pursuits and slips into the contemporary world of old money and upper class struggles. We enter with Lizzie King, the estate gardener, and her love affair with the Bradford heir Tulane (Lane). Quickly things begin to spiral out of control as each chess piece is introduced and their secrets revealed. The novel reads a bit like a soap opera with the characters all having a history that the reader learns about as they move through the plot. The stakes for each Bradford rises until the climax approximately 40% of the way through when things really start to get interesting. Even daddy dearest has some dark secrets.
If I went down the rabbit hole of wanting some kind of justice against that sire of ours, I’d be flat- out insane. And the last time I heard, Mother hasn’t been out of her bed except to take a bath in three years.
I think that perhaps my biggest regret for this book is the rapidly changing character view. I found myself getting really caught up in Ward’s clever mini-plot between Edward and Sutton and then thrust into the middle of Lizzie and Tulane’s romance. Once I’m comfortable in Lizzie’s shoes I suddenly find myself in Gin’s shoes. I personally found it hard to emotionally keep in key with the characters when I was constantly being dropped into different character’s bodies to deal with their respective problems. I also found it hard to keep my mind on the overarching Bradford problems that really keep the book galloping along. Nevertheless, once I returned to the plot upon completion I found my multi-character experience was actually beneficial in developing a soap opera type novel.
I can’t wait to read book two.
“Really?” she whispered. “Really.”
He came over and turned her toward him. “Lizzie, it’s done. That whole thing with her is done. And before you say it, it’s not just for you. I should have put a bullet into that marriage long ago. My mistake.”
So, why did I like this book in the end? I feel Ward is well versed in bourbon creation, southern hospitality and there was no black leather to be seen! I did however, have problems with the way that women were treated by Lane and Edward..and yet, the mistreatment of women by prominent male characters actually made the men less story-book and more flawed. The Bourbon Kings has so much going on, the least of which is an epic love story between Lane and Lizzie which is a fantastic change from Ward’s Brotherhood Series. I loved the fact that there’s a little bit of something for everyone in this book and there’s never a moment to catch your breath.
This novel will appeal to those who love contemporary tales about wealth, love and family dysfunction. The Bourbon Kings is a family saga filled with lies, deceit, pain and drama that spans lifetimes. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a complicated story that constantly keeps you guessing.
The Bourbon Kings swerves away from J.R. Ward’s paranormal pursuits and slips into the contemporary world of old money and upper class struggles. We enter with Lizzie King, the estate gardener, and her love affair with the Bradford heir Tulane (Lane). Quickly things begin to spiral out of control as each chess piece is introduced and their secrets revealed. The novel reads a bit like a soap opera with the characters all having a history that the reader learns about as they move through the plot. The stakes for each Bradford rises until the climax approximately 40% of the way through when things really start to get interesting. Even daddy dearest has some dark secrets.
If I went down the rabbit hole of wanting some kind of justice against that sire of ours, I’d be flat- out insane. And the last time I heard, Mother hasn’t been out of her bed except to take a bath in three years.
I think that perhaps my biggest regret for this book is the rapidly changing character view. I found myself getting really caught up in Ward’s clever mini-plot between Edward and Sutton and then thrust into the middle of Lizzie and Tulane’s romance. Once I’m comfortable in Lizzie’s shoes I suddenly find myself in Gin’s shoes. I personally found it hard to emotionally keep in key with the characters when I was constantly being dropped into different character’s bodies to deal with their respective problems. I also found it hard to keep my mind on the overarching Bradford problems that really keep the book galloping along. Nevertheless, once I returned to the plot upon completion I found my multi-character experience was actually beneficial in developing a soap opera type novel.
I can’t wait to read book two.
“Really?” she whispered. “Really.”
He came over and turned her toward him. “Lizzie, it’s done. That whole thing with her is done. And before you say it, it’s not just for you. I should have put a bullet into that marriage long ago. My mistake.”
So, why did I like this book in the end? I feel Ward is well versed in bourbon creation, southern hospitality and there was no black leather to be seen! I did however, have problems with the way that women were treated by Lane and Edward..and yet, the mistreatment of women by prominent male characters actually made the men less story-book and more flawed. The Bourbon Kings has so much going on, the least of which is an epic love story between Lane and Lizzie which is a fantastic change from Ward’s Brotherhood Series. I loved the fact that there’s a little bit of something for everyone in this book and there’s never a moment to catch your breath.
This novel will appeal to those who love contemporary tales about wealth, love and family dysfunction. The Bourbon Kings is a family saga filled with lies, deceit, pain and drama that spans lifetimes. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a complicated story that constantly keeps you guessing.
cls6's review against another edition
2.0
This didn't grab me like the rest of JR Ward's work. I didn't really care about the characters. I suppose the mystery might make me interested enough to read the next one, but only by borrowing it from the library. This series will not find a place on my bookshelf.
leabookjoy's review against another edition
4.0
The Bradford family made a fortune in the bourbon's trade and they almost became an institution in the Southern United States. But as bodies begin to appear and the family accounts are emptied, the darkest family secrets threaten to be revealed in broad daylight, threaten to shatter everyone's lives ...
This is the first book I read by J.R. Ward (everyone keeps telling me that I TOTALLY have to read the Black Dagger Brotherhood's series ><) and it was an AMAZING surprise !!!
I love the style of this author (I could almost smell the bourbon flow into my throat ><), she created an amazing universe which is bith dark and deliciously addictive and the plot and subplots are just AWESOME >< (I loved the story of Lizzie and Lane but also Edward and his demons and I'm looking forward to learning more about Max x) Ginger broke my heart and I really hope it will get better for her ...)
In short, I'm SOOOOOOO looking forward to read more >< I'm pretty sure I'm addicted to the family Bradford x)
This is the first book I read by J.R. Ward (everyone keeps telling me that I TOTALLY have to read the Black Dagger Brotherhood's series ><) and it was an AMAZING surprise !!!
I love the style of this author (I could almost smell the bourbon flow into my throat ><), she created an amazing universe which is bith dark and deliciously addictive and the plot and subplots are just AWESOME >< (I loved the story of Lizzie and Lane but also Edward and his demons and I'm looking forward to learning more about Max x) Ginger broke my heart and I really hope it will get better for her ...)
In short, I'm SOOOOOOO looking forward to read more >< I'm pretty sure I'm addicted to the family Bradford x)
joyousreads132's review against another edition
4.0
After almost a year of ignoring this book, I finally succumbed and read it. Perfect timing too, considering the next book comes out at the end of the month. You see? Sometimes, procrastination is a good thing.
Dysfunction is an Art Form.
This brand new series by JR Ward is a take off from her usual Urban Fantasy fare. Fashioned after the 80s tv series, Dallas, it has family drama, scandal, murder mystery, skeletons, and romance. It features a prominent Kentucky family who owned the monopoly on Bourbon in America. The patriarch and matriarch of the Bradford Family are in a what you could consider as a stereotypical marriage of convenience amongst rich people. For appearance’s sake, they live in the same mansion but sleep in different beds. He sleeps around, controls the family’s finances, and treats his family like shit. In short, a perennial Father of the Year candidate. The mother is no better. You don’t even see her through the entire novel. She’s in her room all the time – apparently hooked on whatever painkillers she could get her hands on. But I’m willing to bet that in the end, she will save the entire family from ruin, therefore giving this series the mother of a plot twist. Don’t quote me on that, though.
The Prodigal Son Returns.
So this story is about Jonathan Tulane Baldwine and his return to the family after receiving some bad news. Lane hasn’t lived in Kentucky for years for two reasons: one, he can’t stand his family. And two, because of Lizzie King – aka, the one that got away. Lizzie King is the girl who broke his heart but she’ll tell you that he trampled on her’s first by getting another woman pregnant. And since she still works for the family, the reunion will be spectacularly bad. While the focus of the book is how they get over themselves and realize they belong together, this book is also an introduction to the rest of the family.
The Bradford Brood.
It’s implied that Max, the second oldest is out of the picture for – perhaps the same reason Lane has for leaving; Edward the oldest, left after he was rescued from a kidnapping for ransom in South America. He is scarred beyond recognition. Gin was the only one who stayed because the woman loves luxury too much to have any sense of pride. Later, Lane will find out that the family is well on their way to financial ruin all thanks to father dearest. So it’s up to him to figure out how to save the family from everything else.
In Retrospect
This series is turning out to be one for the ages. The kind that will incite a fervor devotion from her already loyal fanbase. It is enthralling, in as much as a soap opera or a reality tv show devotees follow their beloved shows religiously. We may have gotten a resolution to Lane and Lizzie’s relationship in this first installment, but it left a number of plot arches wide open for speculation. As it stands, there are a few that has me anxiously waiting for the next books: I’m curious about the death of one character; Edward’s relationship to the daughter of a rival family; Sam and Gin’s toxic love affair over the years, and of course, Max’s whereabouts and eventual return.
Dysfunction is an Art Form.
This brand new series by JR Ward is a take off from her usual Urban Fantasy fare. Fashioned after the 80s tv series, Dallas, it has family drama, scandal, murder mystery, skeletons, and romance. It features a prominent Kentucky family who owned the monopoly on Bourbon in America. The patriarch and matriarch of the Bradford Family are in a what you could consider as a stereotypical marriage of convenience amongst rich people. For appearance’s sake, they live in the same mansion but sleep in different beds. He sleeps around, controls the family’s finances, and treats his family like shit. In short, a perennial Father of the Year candidate. The mother is no better. You don’t even see her through the entire novel. She’s in her room all the time – apparently hooked on whatever painkillers she could get her hands on. But I’m willing to bet that in the end, she will save the entire family from ruin, therefore giving this series the mother of a plot twist. Don’t quote me on that, though.
The Prodigal Son Returns.
So this story is about Jonathan Tulane Baldwine and his return to the family after receiving some bad news. Lane hasn’t lived in Kentucky for years for two reasons: one, he can’t stand his family. And two, because of Lizzie King – aka, the one that got away. Lizzie King is the girl who broke his heart but she’ll tell you that he trampled on her’s first by getting another woman pregnant. And since she still works for the family, the reunion will be spectacularly bad. While the focus of the book is how they get over themselves and realize they belong together, this book is also an introduction to the rest of the family.
The Bradford Brood.
It’s implied that Max, the second oldest is out of the picture for – perhaps the same reason Lane has for leaving; Edward the oldest, left after he was rescued from a kidnapping for ransom in South America. He is scarred beyond recognition. Gin was the only one who stayed because the woman loves luxury too much to have any sense of pride. Later, Lane will find out that the family is well on their way to financial ruin all thanks to father dearest. So it’s up to him to figure out how to save the family from everything else.
In Retrospect
This series is turning out to be one for the ages. The kind that will incite a fervor devotion from her already loyal fanbase. It is enthralling, in as much as a soap opera or a reality tv show devotees follow their beloved shows religiously. We may have gotten a resolution to Lane and Lizzie’s relationship in this first installment, but it left a number of plot arches wide open for speculation. As it stands, there are a few that has me anxiously waiting for the next books: I’m curious about the death of one character; Edward’s relationship to the daughter of a rival family; Sam and Gin’s toxic love affair over the years, and of course, Max’s whereabouts and eventual return.
penandpencil's review against another edition
3.0
Problematic as hell and basically a soap opera, but it is a page turner and I am interested to see how all the crazy is resolved.
jazzrizz's review against another edition
4.0
I was too young to watch when Dallas was a popular TV show ... but this book makes me think of that TV show ... only Bourbon vs Texas Oil. It was a bit of an adjustment to shift from paranormal to contemporary ... but I enjoyed it, once I got into the rhythym of the story.
I have to say, I was a Lane fan from the get-go, and I really like his best friend in NY. Lizzie ... well, I'm still not a huge fan of hers.
There's a lot of depth to Edward that I can't wait to get to. I can already tell he's probably going to be my favorite book. Gin ... my heart breaks with each poor choice she's made. Not sure how she's going to get her HEA ... but I really like Samuel T. Maxwell is totally a wildcard ... it'll be interesting when he hits the pages.
The cliffhanger at the end literally had me like .... WHAT!?!?! That's it? I've already requested the other two books. Ward sucked me into another series.
I have to say, I was a Lane fan from the get-go, and I really like his best friend in NY. Lizzie ... well, I'm still not a huge fan of hers.
There's a lot of depth to Edward that I can't wait to get to. I can already tell he's probably going to be my favorite book. Gin ... my heart breaks with each poor choice she's made. Not sure how she's going to get her HEA ... but I really like Samuel T. Maxwell is totally a wildcard ... it'll be interesting when he hits the pages.
The cliffhanger at the end literally had me like .... WHAT!?!?! That's it? I've already requested the other two books. Ward sucked me into another series.