Sandy M’s review of The Angels’ Share (Bourbon Kings, Book 2) by J.R. Ward
Contemporary Romance published by NAL 26 Jul 16
Sometimes I get myself in a bit of a quandary by making assumptions when I shouldn’t and not following up by, say, reading the blurb on the book I’m about to begin. While I’m probably not the only one who assumed this book would be about Edward, the oldest Bradford child, my assuming was definitely wrong. Other folks are still referring to the ’80’s style nighttime soap operas to describe this series, but so far the only thing that I find it has in common with those decades-old TV shows it follows the same characters through the current story arc and the fact you never know what is going to happen until the last page and you can’t wait for the next meet-up with it all. Thus, what occurs in this book doesn’t follow your typical romance novel. Hang on to your hats, romance fans, this is more than a bumpy ride!
Lane and Lizzie are still the main focus of this series as they find themselves in the middle of another Bradford family crisis – the patriarch of the family has died by suicide – or is it murder? – and it’s up to Lane to keep their bourbon business afloat, especially since his father’s death it’s come to light millions – lots of zeros millions – are missing. Calling in a friend to help him figure out what the hell has happened to all that money, there’s a funeral to plan, employees to pay, mothers to care for, and he’d probably like to keep his family intact, but that’s a job I’m not sure anyone can handle. Thank goodness for Lizzie – she keeps him sane, standing by his side through it all. I like that she continues to do her job at the estate, along with taking over when certain employees begin to walk out.
Doing whatever needs to be done, from blackmail to straight-up locking people out, Lane seems to be just like his father. What distinguishes him from that self-absorbed asshole is that Lane is doing it for his family and their livelihood. William Bradford was out for only himself. Some will question Lane’s tactics and the lengths he goes to, but I like his attitude that nothing will stop him to save what his family has built. I’m thinking if Edward hadn’t gone through his kidnapping, he may have turned out more like their father than anyone would have liked, despite the fact the two never got along. He’s now a broken man in both body and spirit, stays out of the limelight to work with his horses. He still longs for his lost love, the daughter of a distillery rival, and she has just taken over the whole shebang from her father – the timing making their worlds even further apart – but there’s a new female ranch hand who may end up being more involved with Edward than is thought. Just going out on a limb there.
Then there’s the only Bradford daughter, Gin. She’s in love with Samuel T., lawyer extraordinaire, and he feels the same toward her, but their relationship hasn’t worked from the beginning. So Gin is being a good girl and marrying the abusive jerk her father had picked for her before his death. The family is in need of money and she’ll make sure they get it in the old-money, old-fashioned way. Gin is one character who has to grow on you. So far she’s been nothing but a selfish, spoiled southern rich girl who has a child out of wedlock and knows next to nothing about that child. She finally begins to see the light in this book and begins to take some precautions, but you hope her life doesn’t take the path she thinks it might. Her daughter is home, and while she’s still keeping secrets, she’s finally trying to be somewhat of a mother to the girl.
Last we have the youngest son, Maxwell. He’s been gone for years, never truly keeping in touch with anyone. At last he’s come home, though his timing is suspect. We don’t learn too much about him here, so I imagine that will be taken care of in the next book. I like how these siblings feel about their “mother,” Miss Aurora is the family cook and basically raised them as her own, and they definitely think of her as their momma. Especially since their biological mother is in a drug-induced state and hardly ever leaves her rooms, again thanks to that now-dead patriarch. The man gets what he deserves more than once in this series.
There are twists and turns that keep the pages flying as we watch these characters develop and unfurl layer after layer. Ms. Ward expertly weaves the south and old-money privilege into her characters and setting, all richly written. I’m very much looking forward to the next installment of this series.
Grade: A
Summary:
In Charlemont, Kentucky, the Bradford family is the crème de la crème of high society—just like their exclusive brand of bourbon. And their complicated lives and vast estate are run by a discrete staff who inevitably become embroiled in their affairs. This is especially true now, when the apparent suicide of the family patriarch is starting to look more and more like murder…
No one is above suspicion—especially the eldest Bradford son, Edward. The bad blood between him and his father is known far and wide, and he is aware that he could be named a suspect. As the investigation into the death intensifies, he keeps himself busy at the bottom of a bottle—as well as with his former horse trainer’s daughter. Meanwhile, the family’s financial future lies in the perfectly manicured hands of a business rival, a woman who wants Edward all to herself.
Everything has consequences; everybody has secrets. And few can be trusted. Then, at the very brink of the family’s demise, someone thought lost to them forever returns to the fold. Maxwell Bradford has come home. But is he a savior…or the worst of all the sinners?
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
