Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Release Day Review: The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward

Title: The Bourbon Kings
Author: J.R. Ward
Series: Book One in the Bourbon Kings Series
Published By: NAL (July 28, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Drama/Family Saga
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
For generations, the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege—as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall meet.

For Lizzie King, Easterly’s head gardener, crossing that divide nearly ruined her life. Falling in love with Tulane, the prodigal son of the bourbon dynasty, was nothing that she intended or wanted—and their bitter breakup only served to prove her instincts were right. Now, after two years of staying away, Tulane is finally coming home again, and he is bringing the past with him. No one will be left unmarked: not Tulane’s beautiful and ruthless wife; not his older brother, whose bitterness and bad blood know no bounds; and especially not the ironfisted Bradford patriarch, a man with few morals, fewer scruples, and many, many terrible secrets.

As family tensions—professional and intimately private—ignite, Easterly and all its inhabitants are thrown into the grips of an irrevocable transformation, and only the cunning will survive.








My very first J.R. Ward book was nothing short of spectacular. Something full of deceit, intrigue, lies, love, abuse, mystery, danger, backstabbing, and heavy on the family and personal drama.

In short, it was everything you should expect form a soap opera in book form. It was truly addicting and hard to put down. 

Is it possible to truly feel sorry for the troubles of the filthy rich and spoiled family that are the Bradfords? When they have a father like William, yes, it is indeed not only plausible but is indisputably bound to happen.

With a mixed blend of struggles bouncing from one family member to the next this book really kept a fast pace and made it impossible to put down. Never knowing who to feel more sorry for or have compassion or hatred towards, this book is one that will keep you on your toes as much as it will turning the pages. 

Well written and executed the cliffhanger ending will leave you begging for more.






*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

43 comments:

  1. So glad to hear this is good. I really enjoyed her Black Dagger Brotherhood series for as long as I kept up with it. I love the fact it is like a soap opera. Sounds like a great start to a series!

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    1. It really was like one, it was sort of crazy in a good way.

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  2. I've read a few books by J.R Ward but I can't say they were favorites. I've had my eyes on this one though since everyone seems to love this one so much. I fascinated by the family and I think I would really like the characters as well.
    Great review, Ali! Glad your first J.R Ward was a success!

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    1. I hope you try this and like it more than her other series Nick.

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  3. It was addicting and each character so interesting.

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  4. Ahh I'm so glad you enjoyed your first from Ward, Ali! And whew yeah the "dad". So dang vile! She did a good job with the cliffhanger too. I don't usually deal well with those but had enough closure that it worked. Felt more like how they're done in PNR

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    1. Yeah that Dad, yikes! I did love the ending, crazy but in a good way.

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  5. I am so excited you enjoyed this one. I never finished her brotherhood series because I got bored of it after awhile, but I do enjoy her contemporaries. :)

    Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger

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    1. Maybe I will just stick with this series then. ;) Thanks for stopping by Sarah!

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  6. Oooh I think I like the sound of this. I've been wanting to read one of J.R. Ward's books for a while! Great review. I am so intrigued!

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    1. I think this is a great place to start, especially if you like family saga type reads.

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  7. Ali, this is the second review I've seen of this today and it's definitely on my list now. Thanks!

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  8. This is the second review I've seen in as many days. It's gotten some really great reviews, I think I need to check it out.

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    1. Hee hee, it does seem to be popular this week. ;)

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  9. Glad to hear you like this one, Ali! Her books are addictive and the BDB boys have a special place in my heart.

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    1. Nice to hear that, I may have to try the series one day. ;)

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  10. Everybody seems to love this one, and I have to say I'm a sucker for sagas :) And the setting in this sounds especially gorgeous, so I'll have to try it out for sure! Another brilliant review, Ali <3

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  11. What a great review! You certainly piqued my interest. Suffice it to say, I would rather read about a family saga than watch one on television ha ha! :)

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  12. Great review I'm considering reading it now ;)

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  13. This sounds great and especially juicy!! Awesome Review gonna add this to my TBR list

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    1. It was a bit steamy for sure. I hope you end up liking it!

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  14. I have read countless reviews for this one over the last couple of weeks and though everyone seems to be enjoying, I just don't think it's for me as I am not a big fan of soap opera drama.

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    1. This one might not be Heidi but you never know until you try it. ;)

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  15. So happy you first Ward experience went well. I don't like the cliffhanger but I am excited to try this one out.

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  16. I loved this one too! It's very soap opera-ish but I didn't really mind the formula. Dysfunctions are fascinating to me, I want more!

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    1. It was and your right, for some reason it did work well in this.

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  17. I'm not very fond of soap operas, so I'm kind of hesitant with this. I do want to read her BBD series for sure, though!

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    1. I honestly don't watch them either but this was fun.

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  18. I got this one for review, and I have been super excited to read it. And I love that you say it is a soap opera in book form. Great review! I am even more excited now haha

    Great Review!

    Michelle @ Book Briefs

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    1. Oh I hope you love it! Can't wait to see what you thought!

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  19. Oh this book sounds like it had SO MUCH drama in it! And that's just what I need. A soap opera in book form you say? How awesome is that? I'm glad you enjoyed this read so much!I'm loving the cover! Awesome review girlie♡♡

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    1. Definitely full of family drama! If you are looking for that, this is definitely the read for you!

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  20. I should jump on this one, the first in a new series. I have yet to read a J.R. Ward book. I own a couple, but will have to check if they are first in series.

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  21. As you know, I loved this one too! I couldn't put it down either. I hope we get Edward's story next! :) Great review! :)

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