Devil's Cut: A Bourbon Kings Novel (Bourbon Kings, #3)

by J. R. Ward

"When Edward Baldwine is arrested for his father's murder, life for the Baldwine family is thrown into disarray. Tensions at Easterly, the family estate, are already high--the family's bourbon business is hanging on by a thread and Miss Aurora, head of Easterly's kitchen and surrogate mother of the Baldwine children, is in the ICU. Lane Baldwine, the younger and more successful of the Baldwine siblings, has taken control of the Bradford Bourbon Company with Lizzie, head of staff at Easterly, by his side. The two struggle to keep spirits up at the estate. But when a shocking family secret is revealed, Lane begins to uncover the truth about their father's death and makes a discovery that could irrevocably alter their family's fate"--

• ISBN10: 0451475305
• ISBN13: 9780451475305
• Publish Date: 1 August 2017
• Publish Status: Remaindered
• Imprint: Ballantine Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 416
• Language: English

Reviews

[kimbacaffeinate]

Ward delivered twists and turns as this family tries to pull themselves back together.  For fans of the television drama, Dallas, this series is a must read. The Bourbon Kings was a stunning, poignant and addictive series.

Ward begins DEVIL'S CUT immediately following the draw dropping events at the end of ANGEL'S SHARE. The story follows the Bradford children; Lane, Edward, Max, and Gin. Their mother never leaves her rooms, preferring to live in medicated bliss. Their father had betrayed them all before being murdered. Edward is in jail after confessing to the crime. The rest of the siblings are trying to hold the family dynasty together. On the brink of bankruptcy, Lane with the help of the woman he has alway loved is seeking to keep the company afloat. Gin wanting to secure her future married a man who sees her as a possession and is determined to control her. Max cannot wait to leave, and the one woman who held them altogether lies dying in a hospital bed.

Ward completely pulled me into this saga from the very first pages as she revealed the families tragedies, successes, and struggles. I was desperate for a happily ever after but unsure if it was even possible. They grew up in a dysfunctional home with a father who ruled with an iron fist, scaring each with his controlling ways. Through it, all the siblings were loyal to each other.

From the beginning, this tale has been addictive with its southern drama, twists, betrayals and jaw-dropping reveals. Do you know the expression, "You cannot make this shit up?" Well apparently you can, and Ward was brilliant at it.  I found myself caught up in the suspense, heartbreak and tender moments. I became emotionally attached and felt passion, anger, nervous, excited and even shed a tear or two. It delivered that book high we as book addicts are forever chasing.

Separate threads and perspectives from each of the siblings and a few key players fueled the tale and created suspense in this contemporary story. Ward allowed us to understand, sympathize and become emotionally connected to each. While I didn't always approve of their actions, Ward allowed me to understand them.

DEVIL'S CUT was a real page-turner, and I devoured it. She rewarded readers with answers, conclusions, and hope. The ending was both open and closed, wrapping up some romantic threads and hinting at others. For me, it was entirely satisfying, but it also left the door open to revisit.

Copy provided by the publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer