The Bourbon Kings (The Bourbon Kings #1) by J.R. Ward Series: The Bourbon Kings #1
Published by NAL on July 28th 2015
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 420
Goodreads
Start of a Scandalous Soap Opera Type Series
FINAL DECISION: I did not expect to like this book, but I actually loved it. This family is severely disfunctional but I think I love that all these characters are damaged and their family is a mess. Lane might be the most normal of the group and Lizzie is definitely in the “normal” category.
THE STORY: Lizzie King, head gardener for the Bradford family estate, fell in love with the youngest son Lane Baldwine. They had a bitter breakup but he has been gone from the estate for two years. Now he has returned and his determined to make Lizzie give him another chance.
OPINION: This book is the beginning of the story of the Bradford family of Kentucky and their secrets and scandals and loves. I am a moderate fan of Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood — I really liked the first couple of books and then had to drag myself through the rest of the books. I did not have high hopes for this book but was intrigued by the completely different setting and genre.
I am glad that I read this book because I loved it. This is a seriously messed up family. There are many secrets and scandals that this book sometimes reads as a soap opera, but that is one of the reasons that I loved it. It is sprawling and big in scope and the intertwining stories of the different siblings really works here.
The book has deaths and suicides and possible murders. There is adultery and abuse and very evil machinations. There are also mysteries and sweet relationships.
I especially loved Lane as a character. He seems to be the most normal of this whacked family because of his love for Lizzie. He messed up his relationship with her before and is determined to make it work this time. In the midst of the craziness of the story with the revelations that seems to come on every page, Lizzie and Lane have a relationship that is sweet and sexy and sometimes feels incredibly normal.
I can’t wait until the next book.
WORTH MENTIONING: While this book concentrates on the relationship between Lane and Lizzie, there are significant events between two other couples: Lane’s older brother Edward and his love interest Sutton and Lane’s sister Gin and her romantic nemesis.
CONNECTED BOOKS: THE BOURBON KINGS is the first book in the series by the same name.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.