B
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romance
I’d never read a J.R. Ward book before. When we were given this ARC at RT, people in the room squealed, and a few (who shall remain nameless) cried a little, and I was like, “…okay, that looks interesting.”
And that’s kind of where I am with the whole book. This is not a paranormal, and it’s not really a romance; it’s a Southern soap opera with a bunch of horrible people making horrible choices.
It’s the story of the Bradford family, the people who run Kentucky’s largest bourbon distillery. They are stupid rich, and in the grand tradition of stupid rich people who have been stupid rich for a long time, they’re a family of entitled assholes. Part of being an entitled asshole is never speaking to the help, so there’s a whole Downton Abbey upstairs/downstairs thing going on.
The A plot is about Lane, the prodigal son who left two years ago and is called back due to a medical emergency. Still working at the named estate (“Easterly.” Rich people, man) is Lizzie, the gardner and a former flame of Lane’s. Things ended badly because these two crossed class lines, and Lizzy’s been doing the “I shall not think upon him (as long as I never see him)” thing, but he’s back, so things go to shit pretty quickly.
We also have Lane’s sister, Gin, who has a secret daughter and no life skills; Lane’s mother, who is essentially institutionalized in her own home; and Lane’s father, who is evil and I kept imagining him as one of the Lesser Baldwins. Lane has a brother that got kidnapped that one time and tortured, and is now a husk of a man who trains racehorses (I guess if you’re not making bourbon in Kentucky, you’re training racehorses. Or taking care of the rich fuckers who do those two things). There’s corporate espionage, star-crossed lovers in several directions, embezzlement, forced marriage, and a bunch of dysfunctional people.
Like I said, this isn’t a romance. As a novel where there’s a bunch of crazysauce, I appreciated it. I do think the current trend in romance is lacking in crazysauce. There’s a lot that happens! But the weakness in the book is that no one is likable. Lane is sort of likable, but mostly he’s a self-centered ass. Lizzie is sort of likable, but like, show some backbone, girl. This was a bunch of people making terrible choices that sadly affected other people, and they could have solved a bunch of their problems if they’d just told someone about the problems instead of suffering in silence.
For those wondering if fans of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series will like this, Amanda says:
It has a ton of angst and drama like the BDB, though I think this series has even more.
However, those going into the book thinking it’s going to follow the format of one book, one couple, won’t get that. While one couple is undergoing a romance, a bulk of the book goes toward introducing this family and the problems each member has.
If you like Ward’s writing and characterization, you’ll probably like this. But if you’re hoping for more of the same, just in a contemporary setting, that’s not what this is.
The writing is good, and compelling enough. I mean, this sucker was a big book that I carried around for several days and read it at a baseball game, so I guess it sucked me in pretty well- I just didn’t care about much it after I was done.
I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say the characters are all completely 3D, but they’re at worst textured cliches (save for Lesser Baldwin Father, who only doesn’t twirl his mustache because he doesn’t have one).So yeah, nothing is resolved, and it ends on a big ole’ cliffhanger, but yes, I’ll read the next one in the series when it comes out. I probably won’t cry if someone hands me an ARC, though.
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I used to like JR Ward but I can’t read her anymore.I understand why some people love her however, I simply do not trust her. Same reason I do not enjoy reading/watching Game of Thrones and why I do enjoy the relatively safe romance conventions of a HEA.
@ChrisK Yup, I quit Ward after I realized she has the annoying tendency of fridging women so the men can suffer.
I’m distracted by a family with a fortune made from bourbon naming their daughter Gin. Are they trying to corner a new market?
@Scarlett: If I remember correctly, the daughter’s name is actually Virginia, and Gin is the nickname.
Yup, her full name is Virginia.
Your point still stands, though, Scarlett.
Speaking as someone from Kentucky, if you’re a rich entitled asshole and you’re not making bourbon or dealing with horses, you’re probably growing tobacco. 😉
@redheadedgirl Your ‘lesser Baldwin’ crack made me joke on my oatmeal, which is bad because oatmeal looks even nastier masticated. Memo to me: don’t read your reviews while eating.
While one couple is undergoing a romance
Like a root canal. Which is kind of what this felt like to me. I was among those who was really excited because I read the blurb and picked up what I thought was a “Old Skool Linda Howard” vibe. Instead, I got (as I always do with Ward) everything but the kitchen sink story telling with no actual focus, nor any resolution.
Disappointing and unsurprising all at the same time.
I finished and immediately thought “that was exactly like reading a soap opera only soap operas come in one hour bites and this was HOURS.” It’s also possible the entire series could have been condensed into one book if characters had just talked to each other instead of trying to hurt each other. Also? Y’all was used for a singular you. Like one person talking to another person – and just them – called them y’all. This enrages me! That is not correct! No one does that except for people who don’t actually understand how Southerners talk! Y’all know what I mean and by y’all I MEAN MORE THAN ONE PERSON.
I wish I could get into JR Ward, she has such a big following and I wanna get in on that! But last summer I tried to read Dark Lover and within 35 pages there was attempted rape, dickbag alphas, dickbag alphas named Wrath and Rage, dickbag alphas named Wrath and Rage who wear leather and have widows peaks and I… just could not.
But this book sounds kinda nuts in a less teeth-grinding way, I might give it a shot!
I have this book, at this very moment, sitting in front of me waiting to be read. Now I’m afraid to read it because I hate taking the time to read a book and then being disappointed. And Ward’s books aren’t exactly novellas. So then I get cranky because I wasted my time.
I love her BDB series, but if this is more soapy, I may have to return it.
If this had been a rave review, I might have been tempted. But with Ward, I already feel like I gave her too many chances. I don’t mind crazysauce, but feel that she lost respect for her own readers.
@scarlett “I’m distracted by a family with a fortune made from bourbon naming their daughter Gin. Are they trying to corner a new market?”
Pfftt!!
I love JR Ward for the smut that it is!
I thought when I first read the summary for this book that it had the potential to be a trashy epic saga kind of story that would be fun to read. Crazy sauce and soap opera…this sounds a bit like an updated variation of Dallas. I’m definitely in as soon as this shows up at my library. LOL
I am over the abundance of characters, pop culture references and sloppy writing. Personal pet peeve of mine is when the author tells us what the charter looks like, aka, Channing Tatum. She ruined Lane for me because I don’t find that actor attractive. Please stop witj describing everyone’s perfume, too right dowm yo the name… it isn’t neccessary. A simple “she smelled like fresh rain and sweetness” will do.
I’m reading this now and really struggling with the name substitutions. I get it, appropriating Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby could’ve had legal repercussions. And turning UK into KU and Louisville into the eagles…but it really reads like a farce at this point, and I’ve only ever loosely been involved in Derby. If you’re from Kentucky I don’t see how you can stomach it. Hoping for some major soap operatics soon for distraction.
Well someone like it . Look what’s about to happen.
http://deadline.com/2015/08/the-bourbon-kings-nbc-drama-series-kentucky-1201503538/
[…] Kings a la TV. Podéis leer las primeras críticas en inglés del libro en All About Romance, Smart Bitches o Dear […]
Ok…so I’m a smart bitch and I LOVE the Black Dagger Beotherhood books! I specially requested this book from my library, and I couldn’t wait to get it…I’m 50 pages in and I hate it!! I’m bored, and I’m pissed!! Just write me a new BDB book and forget this crap!!!!
@ChrisK Why do you say you “don’t trust” this author? Bourbon Kings is the first I’ve read of hers and was looking to start the Fallen Angels series…
Angelica,
Start with Black Dagger Brotherhood if you want really want to get to know this author at her best.I’ve read the entire BDB series(study guide included).The last and her newest book”The Shadows” in the series had me in tears.It was that good.Then work you way over to”The Fallen Angel” series.
@ChrisK How do you “not trust an author” You’d have sit down and flowchart that concept. J.R.Ward takes your imagination to places it’s never been to before.Her characters are clear and concise.There are plenty of HEA moments in all of her books.
Thank you @MizVal1955! I’ll take your advice and start with BDB.Looking forward to it!
Angelica please enjoy my boys. The Brotherhood and the Vampires in America are my favorites
Love, love, love Ms. J. R. Read all of BDB, just finished BK. I like her people but the “y’all” thing is CRAZY!!!! I was born and raised in TX & LA. “Y’ALL IS PLURAL. Get it right sugah. I live real life I want to read stuff that AINT!!!!!. Keep’em coming darlin’