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ashhen's review against another edition
5.0
Reminiscent of the Dynasty, Dallas type soap operas of the 80s. The juicy drama and personable, delicious characters have me falling in love with this series.
verorinconin's review against another edition
4.0
La Ward se debió de tomar unos cuantos Bourbon porque menudo tinglao se ha inventado. A ver qué pasa en el próximo, mejor dicho próximos porque esto no se arreglará hasta llegar al décimo libro XDDDDDDD
Reseña completa en Mi Rinconín de Lectura
Reseña completa en Mi Rinconín de Lectura
madisongriffitts's review against another edition
1.0
Bleh. Same old, irritating story: Rich boy. Girl who does not measure up to wealthy family expectations. He comes home and against their better judgment, they rip their clothes off as soon as possible...and then the angst ensues. Don't forget the drama and the family fortune on the line. Oh, and the main male character calls a woman a "chatty accessory" at one point. Real classy.
Spare me.
Spare me.
kpaquette88's review against another edition
5.0
I am wonderfully surprised at how much I liked this book. Not a romance per se. It was more plain fiction with some romance scenes here and there which made sense to the story. Reading it brings thoughts of Dallas and Dynasty to mind....gazillionairre, bourbon-manufacturing, over-the-top, ugly family drama with Kentucky as the backdrop. The main conflict in the story centers around Lane's family and the financial and moral underhandedness that the family's despicable patriarch has instigated. Lane also has a barely salvageable relationship with the family's personal horticulturist (that's right) Lizzie, which fell into disarray when Lane was forced into marriage 2 years prior.....yada yada yada. The problems fall into Lane's lap and we see how he uncovers the pieces of this convoluted and mysterious drama. Not very suspenseful, but there is a definite buildup to a major event near the end.
The writing was very descriptive but not overly so. The characters who required depth, like Lane, Lizzie, Edward, and Aurora, were given that fully, while secondary characters were delved into just enough for me to want to know how they will play into book 2. I want to see how Gin's situation pans out, what happens with Samuel T, Shelby, and Amelia -- who was only mentioned in the book but has the potential to be a big player in future books. The end wasn't exactly a cliffhanger, and Lane's romantic situation had some resolution, but it left me wanting to know what happens next. The end was right at 100% on my kindle, not one thing came after the last word.
The writing was very descriptive but not overly so. The characters who required depth, like Lane, Lizzie, Edward, and Aurora, were given that fully, while secondary characters were delved into just enough for me to want to know how they will play into book 2. I want to see how Gin's situation pans out, what happens with Samuel T, Shelby, and Amelia -- who was only mentioned in the book but has the potential to be a big player in future books. The end wasn't exactly a cliffhanger, and Lane's romantic situation had some resolution, but it left me wanting to know what happens next. The end was right at 100% on my kindle, not one thing came after the last word.
aellis0421's review against another edition
5.0
This is like Dynasty and Dallas all rolled up into one. I honestly loved it.
One thing that seriously annoyed me, and we'll get that out of the way first thing...the author's tendency to under-utilize question marks. If it's a question...a question mark belongs at the end. Is that just the English major within me?
All in all, though, this book was riveting. Fully invested by the first chapter and didn't want to put it down. This family is seriously dysfunctional. It makes for good reading, all set in bucolic Kentucky horse country which serves as a perfect backdrop for old money and an older business. Which is, of course, bourbon.
It's worth the read if you like lots of drama and absolutely insane family dynamics.
One thing that seriously annoyed me, and we'll get that out of the way first thing...the author's tendency to under-utilize question marks. If it's a question...a question mark belongs at the end. Is that just the English major within me?
All in all, though, this book was riveting. Fully invested by the first chapter and didn't want to put it down. This family is seriously dysfunctional. It makes for good reading, all set in bucolic Kentucky horse country which serves as a perfect backdrop for old money and an older business. Which is, of course, bourbon.
It's worth the read if you like lots of drama and absolutely insane family dynamics.
tibbee11's review against another edition
4.0
This book reads like an over-the-top primetime soap opera from the 80’s. Think Dynasty, Dallas or Falcon Crest. There are several storylines going on simultaneously, like the different scenes on any soap. And just like on my beloved soaps, the characters in this book piss me off to no end! I think part of my enjoyment of the soaps is the fun I have complaining about them with fellow fans, and that’s exactly what The Bourbon Kings make me want to do. Just like I yell at the TV, I want to yell at the book. Make no mistake, these characters are FLAWED! There are those you root for and those you despise.
I think the problem I had with the book is the hero, Lane. We are so used to uber-alpha males from J. R. Ward, that Lane comes across as a weak, spoiled brat. We’re used to our J. R. Ward heroes overcoming their pasts and becoming dominant, not running away from their lives and problems. But I do have to admit that Lane ends up stepping up to the challenges his family is facing, even though he really wants leave all the madness behind. Plus, we had a LOT of backstory to learn about this family, so much of the book is just that, a catch up on the backstory. I just want all the secrets of the past to be revealed so that we can just focus on the present events. But that is one of the drawbacks of the reunion romance trope. The readers are essentially just dropped right into the middle of these characters lives, so it felt like we had a lot of catching up to do.
All in all, I really liked The Bourbon Kings, once I let go of my preconceived expectations of what I've come to expect from J. R. Ward, and just got into my soap opera watching mind-set. Once I did that the book was very enjoyable. I can't wait until the next episode! :-)
I think the problem I had with the book is the hero, Lane. We are so used to uber-alpha males from J. R. Ward, that Lane comes across as a weak, spoiled brat. We’re used to our J. R. Ward heroes overcoming their pasts and becoming dominant, not running away from their lives and problems. But I do have to admit that Lane ends up stepping up to the challenges his family is facing, even though he really wants leave all the madness behind. Plus, we had a LOT of backstory to learn about this family, so much of the book is just that, a catch up on the backstory. I just want all the secrets of the past to be revealed so that we can just focus on the present events. But that is one of the drawbacks of the reunion romance trope. The readers are essentially just dropped right into the middle of these characters lives, so it felt like we had a lot of catching up to do.
All in all, I really liked The Bourbon Kings, once I let go of my preconceived expectations of what I've come to expect from J. R. Ward, and just got into my soap opera watching mind-set. Once I did that the book was very enjoyable. I can't wait until the next episode! :-)
upallnightbookaddict's review against another edition
4.0
I had been eyeing this book for quite some time. Everyone had been raving about it. I finally decided to pick it up and read it. I wasn't sure what to expect, especially with it being my first J.R. Ward book. Even though I read the synopsis, I felt like I was going in blind.
This book has a Dallas/soap opera feel to it. I know, I know, this isn't about oil. But basically replace the oil aspect with bourbon. With the family secrets, the lies, the twists, the turns, the super wealthy families, this book was totally a TV show.
I had a hard time keeping the characters straight for a good part of the book. Once I had everyone figured out, I was skipping along through the drama.
This story is full of a lot of information, but it's easy to follow along and reads fairly quickly. The characters are likable and not-so-much likable throughout the book.
Once I hit that ending, I was full-on immersed with the story and couldn't wait to dig into The Angel's Share.
This book has a Dallas/soap opera feel to it. I know, I know, this isn't about oil. But basically replace the oil aspect with bourbon. With the family secrets, the lies, the twists, the turns, the super wealthy families, this book was totally a TV show.
I had a hard time keeping the characters straight for a good part of the book. Once I had everyone figured out, I was skipping along through the drama.
This story is full of a lot of information, but it's easy to follow along and reads fairly quickly. The characters are likable and not-so-much likable throughout the book.
Once I hit that ending, I was full-on immersed with the story and couldn't wait to dig into The Angel's Share.
thedarkfields's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
samsunders's review against another edition
5.0
Alright I was apprehensive. I mean J.R. Ward doing something other than paranormal? Come on really?
OMG she got me again. I was pulled into this from page one. So much intrigue, my heart was pounding through the whole last half of this read.
I found myself wanting the throw my book at the wall multiple time from the characters actions/choices because I just wanted the scream at them to tell them something!!! Amazing work once again.
OMG she got me again. I was pulled into this from page one. So much intrigue, my heart was pounding through the whole last half of this read.
I found myself wanting the throw my book at the wall multiple time from the characters actions/choices because I just wanted the scream at them to tell them something!!! Amazing work once again.