The Angels' Share (The Bourbon Kings)

I wasn't too sure about reading this due to price but after the first book, I was hooked!! I read both books in a day and a half! I genuinely loved all the characters and was dying inside when it ended.

*No spoilers* But my heart was completely torn out for Edward and Sutton at the end of the book but the last chapter at least provided a happy ending for the others..... for the time being. I have high hopes for Gin and hope that her story continues in another directions.... but a reader can only hope!

I can't wait for the next book and I hope that it doesn't take a year to get!

Disclaimer: I am from Kentucky, from the heart of bourbon country—born, raised, never left. I’ve got some bourbon knowledge which does inform my opinion of this series. So there’s some of my bias. And spoilers below for both series books if you haven’t read.

Last year I read the first book in the series, THE BOURBON KINGS (“TBK”), and was disappointed. The main characters/couple, Lane and Lizzie, were not that interesting, even though they did get (barely) a HFN, and the soap opera crazy was wackadoodle. Nonetheless, I wanted to keep reading for the other characters since there was soooo much potential there—I wanted to see them again—lots more of them. Also, I accommodated for serious world-building in a first-in-series book. When an author has to throw up supporting pillars so quickly, a few are bound to be a little wobbly.

Yet THE ANGELS’ SHARE (“TAS”) left me disappointed again. I should’ve known this would happen from a comment in TBK, about how the author viewed the concept of the angels’ share (which is evaporation of liquid from the barrel over time as it ages to create bourbon—gotta let some of it go to make great bourbon).

Although the author mentioned the angels’ share in TBK in a lay-up-your treasure-in-heaven way as it pertained to one’s own death, it was also called a sacrifice to the past.

I find that second view fascinating because I think it is so very, very wrong. Interestingly—and unfortunately—that point of view bleeds into the book.

Stay with me and hear out this Kentucky girl.

IMHO, the angels’ share is not a sacrifice to the past. It is a sacrifice for the future, letting something go in the present, confident in the knowledge that a better future is ahead for everyone involved—including the one(s) making the sacrifice.

In other words, the angels’ share is not merely a metaphor for sacrifice but a metaphor for broad, inclusive hope. And hope looks forward, not backward.

I have always thought this as I’ve walked into a rickhouse (the warehouses where bourbon is stored and aged). That’s where you can actually *smell* the angels’ share, an intensely comforting aroma of wood mingled with the scent of alcohol. When I catch a whiff, I know those angels are not merely claiming their share as some kind of right. Because it is not a thing that is taken or demanded. The angels’ share is freely, gladly, joyfully given. That is the nature of sacrifice. They then return the favor, so to speak, after the years pass and that white dog (distillate straight from the still and poured into the barrel) is transformed into bourbon.

In this way, patience, change, and hope are rewarded.

From its title, this book should’ve been a much more transformative and ultimately hopeful book. It wasn’t.

It was bleak.

I expected that the characters in this book would start to understand how things had to change in their world—how they had to let go of certain things, even if slowly, and adapt and compromise. The fact that they didn’t, and actually took steps backward for the few they managed to take forward (and they do try), speaks volumes about the story. The “sacrifices” of some characters are not so much sacrifices as exercises in self-loathing bordering on masochistic. Although many individual scenes are great, there is a lot of distracting filler and the overall story arc in this book is not satisfying. We are left with essentially THE BOURBON KINGS Version 2.0, another meandering tale but sadder, with characters in the same place or even worse, instead of moving the narrative ahead on an emotional level.

When I saw the title of this book announced last year, I suspected that at least one book in this series would be called THE DEVIL’S CUT, which is indeed the next series book. The “devil’s cut” in bourbon parlance is bourbon trapped in the staves (the thin curved oak planks) of a barrel after the bourbon has been dumped (yes, that’s the proper term) from the barrel after aging (the bourbon expands into the wood during warm weather, thus acquiring its color and flavoring from the charred oak; the liquid does change over time, it is not the same).

If you take apart a used bourbon barrel, an undulating, fluid-like amber line is visible in the side of the stave. It’s actually beautiful; I’ve seen it, touched the side of a stained stave—the visible, tangible opposite of the angels’ share; a thing that remains but is trapped, inaccessible, unchanging. There is one company, Jim Beam, which markets a bourbon with this trademarked name. They developed a process to remove the trapped bourbon from the stave. But most companies don’t bother to extract that bourbon and it is in a sense a loss. It is in many respects like the angels’ share—you have to suffer a loss (sacrifice) in order to produce that bourbon.

THE DEVIL’S CUT would’ve been a much more appropriate title for this book due to the overall failure of the characters to progress: they are in so many respects trapped, stagnant, hopeless (especially one particular character—that character has deliberately—and I suspect wrongfully—trapped him-/herself at the end of the book; and there was absolutely no surprise there that the character was going to do that, based on massive hints through the narrative via the character’s internal dialogue; minispoilers ahoy throughout the narrative :( ).

Enough with the thematic/symbolism issues. Now to specifics.

The book description hints at romance and, more specifically, Edward’s romance or, if not in genre terms, his love story. Therefore, *based on the description alone* it was entirely reasonable for readers to expect that perhaps while this might not be “Edward’s book,” it would primarily feature his POV.

But no.

While there is more Edward in this book than the first, the focus is mostly on Lane and Lizzie again, with Lane trying to resolve the mess of the company and family’s imminent financial collapse due to the dead father’s theft (and that’s dull). The blurb also teased about Max, the missing brother, and his return. He’s barely here! He shows up and sulks. Not a major factor at all, despite the big tease in the blurb about how he could save or ruin everything. Gin is present, but she’s still keeping her secrets and even actively planning for and expecting her ultimate ruin. No meaningful character growth (although there is the barest glimmer of it—but only in the sense of regret by most characters).

Lack of overall character and narrative development is particularly frustrating when it comes to the Edward/Sutton pairing. They have the potential to be—and really should be—the emotional fulcrum of this series, the couple that first comes to mind when someone mentions the series name. Think about it: The groomed heirs of two rival bourbon dynasties? Friends-to-lovers? Each secretly in love with the other? A broken hero? Goddess-like, self-doubting CEO heroine? BRING IT. They should be this series’ brand—they are by far the most likeable, interesting, and sympathetic couple based upon their choices and circumstances. Yet such rich potential was squandered in this installment.

They get limited and ultimately unsatisfying page time in TAS. If I count correctly, they get three scenes (and they are excellent, beautiful, shattering) in four hundred + pages. I suppose stinginess with their appearances is to get readers to buy the next book—but that’s a real disservice to readers’ expectations with *this* book, expectations generated by the events of Book 1 as well as the description. The couple is also left in an even worse position than they were in the first book.

I would also point out that in the front matter of this book, it is categorized in several different ways, one of them being romance. That means something to genre readers. If it’s not romance, don’t use that word where it matters.

So what did I like? The descriptive language in some places was truly lovely. But while it helped set some of the scenes, it did little to move things along. The twists and turns were great up to a point, but in the end were just too much. It became Scooby-Doo meets Dynasty with a dash of Tale of Two Cities thrown in at the end.

Where is this series going? Why focus so much on Lane and Lizzie? Are they really going to be the main characters in this family saga with the others (Edward/Sutton and Gin/Samuel) in mere (and frustrating) supporting roles? I hope not, but the first two series books don’t give me that much hope. I get that sagas or soap operas often focus on one couple, but as the main couple, Lane and Lizzie need to be epic. They’re not. Edward and Sutton could’ve been, but this many books in, that chance seems lost.

Overall, the concept of night-time soap opera in doorstopper book form is problematic since this series can’t decide if it’s drama, social commentary, family saga, or romance. That’s a whole bunch of expectations to try to manage. The potential for superb narrative with heavy and satisfying romance elements is palpable but unclaimed, leaving me a very disappointed reader.

And I HATE to say this. Because the love the author has for her corner of Kentucky bleeds through the pages and I immensely respect and share that love. I can easily spot things I recognize—places, names (real and slightly altered), little customs, down to the descriptions of the very air I breathe and the color of the sky above me. Her heart is in this series; and that fact is hard to reconcile with the serious problems from which this book and series continue to suffer.

Ward allowed us to spend time with each character in Angel’s Share giving us their history and connecting them to us. Each is realistic and yet over the top. The Bradford’s are cocky and self-assured yet vulnerable and raw. Max appears at the big house and we even a little time with him. I am curious and want to know more. Our spunky, stubborn girl Gin sees tremendous growth even as we witness her mistakes. Lane and Lizzie strengthen their romance as he words to hold the family together. Lane continues to be the glue that holds this family together and Ward showed his determination, love for his family and ruthless strength. Edward’s story tore me apart and we watched him tango with a woman who will always hold his heart. We see growth and perhaps peace in Edward even as we witnessed his softer side.

Romances finds its way on to the pages of Angel’s Share but it is subtle and only a part of this complicated symphony. Ward creates a world with characters that becomes real to the reader.

Of course, Ward gives us others stories in Angel’s Share, like those of Jeff, Lane’s best friend, the family’s cook, fondly referred to by the Bradford children as Momma. We also get those of Lane’s lawyer and friend. He has always love the complicated and vivacious Gin. Chantal rears her ugly head but has shifted away from the story for now.

Ward wove threads together delivering a flawlessly executed tale. She gave us twists and turns that kept me riveted. She endeared the reader to these characters pulling them into the story. Ward’s ability to pull you in, change your opinion of characters and remember the butler’s name provided was magical.

While Bourbon Kings left us with a cliffhanger, The Angel’s Share leaves us in more of an emotional place and eager to return. It has been a long time since I have found myself so wrapped up in a dysfunctional family and the Bourbon Kings is thrilling to read. Copy provided by publisher, full review at caffeinated book reviewer.

I love J.R. Ward"s work and think her books are amazing. I was so excited for this book and had super high expectations and perhaps that was part of my problem. I felt a lack of direction with this book and was so bummed when I realized it would not be Edward and Sutton's story. I thought perhaps each book would follow suit of the first novel where you have a clear romance thread and at the end of the novel, one of the other main characters has some level of resolution. That really did not happen here, we have endless drama and confusion with the storyline but no sense of where this all could be heading or how many books we are looking at. There are still three siblings that really haven't been discussed much and I'm not sure if Ward is doing a book on each or if there stories will be combined, but I really would really like to see where they all end up going in this saga. Overall, the writing is great and the drama is sky high, but I really just miss the romance and hope so badly that this is not going to be a series like a soap opera on TV where the storyline has no conclusion and they stretch it out forever for profit.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

The Angels' Share by J.R. Ward
Book Two of The Bourbon Kings series
Publisher: NAL
Publication Date: July 26, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

#1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward delivers the second novel in her Bourbon Kings series—a sweeping saga of a Southern dynasty struggling to maintain a façade of privilege and prosperity, while secrets and indiscretions threaten its very foundation…

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?

What I Liked:

For some reason, I was a little surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I was so nervous, when I started it! I had been excited, but anxious. I don't usually like or read the soap opera types of contemporary fiction, so it was unusual for me to be reading this series at all. But I liked The Bourbon Kings, and I think I might even like The Angels' Share more.

This book is told in third person, from a multitude of perspectives. And yet, the changes in perspectives was never overwhelming. The main POV is Lane Bradford, one of the four Bradford children, and the youngest son. We also have Lizzie's POV, Lizzie being Lane's love and girlfriend. Gin (Lane's sister), Mack (Lane's friend and company distiller), Edward (Lane's oldest brother), Sutton (Edward's love interest and head of the rival bourbon company). Other characters are Samuel T (Gin's former love), Jeff (Lane's old roommate and an accountant helping him), John Lenghe (an interesting and very nice billionaire), Ramsey (deputy in the police force), Shelby (works for Edward), Richard (Gin's finance).

You'd think one would get overwhelmed by the sheer number of primary and secondary characters running around, but they are all SO different and play such different roles in the book. It's hard not to know who is who, and it's hard to forget names. Ward really does a great job of crafting her characters, even with the most minor of details!

This book is all about what happens after Lane's father's death. It's currently known as a suicide, but was it really? Lane is now responsible for the company, and Easterly, and everything associated with the Bradford name and money. But he's quickly realizing that there IS no money, and that the family has millions of dollars in debt. In this book, we see what happens when the son that was never supposed to be the one in charge and taking care of the family is left to investigate and scheme and clean up the messes his father made.

Going into this series, I thought it was strictly romance. And there is a lot of romance in this book, in terms of relationships. Lane and Lizzie and sweet and sizzly together. The Bourbon Kings focused on the "chase", the two of them getting together, but this sequel novel features them together and content. They are so well-matched and so in love, and so strong and solid.

There are other ships in this series, but the rest of the ships are so complicated and probably will never happen. Edward has left the Bradford life behind, and while he loves Sutton and vice versa, he knows he has to say good-bye to her. And Gin - she loves Samuel T. (and vice versa), but they are so toxic together, and she needs to marry the obscenely rich Richard Pford.

Back to what I was saying about this series being strictly romance. It's not! This story reads more like a contemporary fiction novel, with the occasional kiss and fade-to-black sex scene. There are no explicit steamy scenes, no blatantly written oozing chemistry. But you can tell how steamy Lane and Lizzie's relationship is, for example, even if it isn't shown directly. So this series isn't strictly a romance series! Which was surprising and kind of refreshing. I'm a romance novel junkie!

Maxwell is a new player in the series. He is the wilder Bradford son, the one that disappeared years ago, and has entered the picture to pay his respects to his father. He and Edward are up to something, in this book, and we'll have to wait until book three to find out what it is...

My favorite character was probably Lane. He is determined to do everything in his power to protect and save his family, as well as all those employed at the company, and the mansion. Lane has grown into the role he was forced upon, and he is showing that he is a strong and capable leader. I like what I see, in the development of his character. I like how faithful and kind he is to Lizzie (especially knowing what kind of poor example his father was).

I mentioned this series being a little soap-opera-y, which it is. There are all kinds of crazy things happening in this book - cheating spouses, surprise pregnancies, massive amounts of money being handled, bribery, threats, possibly murder... the Bradfords are a messed-up family, that's for sure. But Lane and Lizzie are so solid, and totally devoted to each other. Everyone else... fair game.

We're left with a rather shocking final scene! We finally have an answer, in terms of who killed the Bradford patriarch. Lane has had so much to process, and it seems to get pretty rough at the end (not specifically for him, because there were some really great things that happened to him in the end). There is no way this is the last book in the series! I can't wait to read the next installment. Hopefully it is forthcoming!

What I Did Not Like:

One thing I would have liked to see is more of a progression with the plot involving Lane's ex-wife (or whatever), Chantel. The woman needs to be out of the picture. I wanted to see a more concrete direction in terms of her. But I suppose that will happen in future books!

Would I Recommend It:

Steer clear of this series is you can't handle a little drama. No drama touching our main couple (Lane and Lizzie) in this book, but the other protagonists (Edward, Gin, etc.) go through some drama. I like the setting of this book, and the story, and the conflict (I've never read a story quite like this one!), so I'm enjoying the ride so far.

Rating:

4 stars. So far, I'm impressed! This is only my second Ward novel, and I'm liking this series. Needless to say, I will definitely be keeping up with this series. I can't wait for book three!

In typical J.R. Ward style, you get sucked in by her ability to craft words into a beautifully heart breaking story. Overall this story is a perfect follow up to The Bourbon King’s and will leave the reader in tears, while also feeling somewhat happy with the way the story went. It was bittersweet reaching the end of this story. The anticipation for another one is this series is slightly overwhelming. I can’t wait for more.

I love how this series is written. The words on the page written like a script for a television mini-series. Chapter by chapter you’re looking through the eyes of the many characters. I am in awe of J.R. Ward’s gift. She sucks you right into the story with her writing. You smell the bourbon as its poured, you see the beautiful portrait she paints in your mind of the Baldwine’s Easterly Estate. You are mentally transported into a world of love, fortune, secrets, deception and lies. You feel the pain as it’s described when reading the parts of Edwards story. Be prepared to feel emotions you are not expecting for characters you may not expect to feel them for.

Oh what a tangled web we weave. This book is a gigantic web of secrets. Chapter after chapter you will find yourself following the web, only to find another twist at the next chapter. There are so many moments that you’ll gasp with the horror as the plot thickens. Page after page I was enthralled. Fully invested in the characters and the story. Bravo, J.R. Ward, Bravo!

This is the 2nd book in the Bourbon Kings saga. I have no idea how many books there are going to be, but based on the pace at which things move along, there may be several. My wife and I started reading these books together because we love bourbon and horses and our annual trip to Kentucky each year.

This series is the story of the family that owns the Bradford Bourbon Company, although because of marriage, all the characters are Baldwines. I won't get into the backgrounds of all the characters. Hopefully, if you are thinking of reading this book, you have already read the first book in the series.

I will start by saying that I find the story and the characters very interesting. The first book, The Bourbon Kings, ended in what I considered to be a very disappointing way, with no real resolution to any of the problems of the book. The only thing really wrapped up at the end of the first book was the relationship between Lane and Lizzie. Maybe for love story fans, that was adequate. But there are much bigger things going on and, quite frankly, the Lane/Lizzie relationship gets annoying. They really like having sex with each other. They're really in love. We get it.

Despite the unsatisfying ending to the first book, I was excited for The Angels' Share. I figured that the dissatisfaction I felt would be relieved in this book and I was excited to find out what would happen next. Unfortunately, nothing really ever happens. There are so many different things going on with so many different characters and none of it gets resolved and the end of this book. There are probably people who will say that there was a resolution at the end of this book, but I don't think so. I think it's probably just the beginning of a new story for the next book.

Still, It's not as though nothing happens. I'm giving this 2 stars and would probably give it 2 1/2 if I could because, as I said, it does have interesting characters. If you start reading the series, you will probably be intrigued enough to want to continue it. However, if you are considering starting or continuing this series, you need to know that you will probably be left unsatisfied with what happens in this book. From what I read, JR Ward signed a 3-book deal for this series. If that means that the 3rd book will be the last in the series, I will feel more comfortable reading the final book and recommending the series because I know things will get resolved in that book. If that is not the case, she could really drag this out at the pace she's going.

To summarize, this is an interesting story with potential to be very good, but the pace has to pick up. The author needs to wrap up some of the side stories so that the focus can be on the main issues, rather than continuously adding new side issues. If you read it, understand that it will take patience and that these books are part of one long story and they really don't stand on their own as individual books.

By now, I can say I'm invested in this series. I'm a huge BDB series fan and I'm always looking forward to reading anything by JR Ward.

The Angels' Share starts right after The Bourbon Kings. You must read Bourbon or you're going to be lost.

So what's happening to this siblings?

Lane's still trying to keep the family business afloat. The clan has a huge debt and Lane might need to do some gambling to help out. In the romance department, he's sure of his love for Lizzie and this time he won't let anyone interfere in their relationship. She's the one he wants. She brings him peace keeps him centered.

Edward knows he needs to stop drinking his sorrows away. He also knows Sutton is the woman for him and he knows that she deserves better than the man he has become. Pushing her away could be the only way to save her from failure. Just as with book 1, Edward is still my favorite sibling. I need him to triumph and get his well-deserved happiness.

Gin, the only female sibling, is still going through with the wedding despite hating the man she is engaged to and loving Samuel T. She wishes things could be different but she doesn't feel like she deserves to be happy. She's also trying to fix her relationship with her daughter, Amelie.

Surprisingly, another Bradford sibling has come back to the fold. Max is back but we don't get much info about him. I know he's back to give support to his mother but I know he's hiding stuff too.

I liked The Angels' Share a lot. It had intrigue, suspense, romance, and it reminds me a lot of a TV series like Dynasty or Dallas. So many secrets and forbidden relationships happening. But secrets don't stay secrets for too long. I can see a big one coming out soon.

I only have one question....when is the next book out????

Cliffhanger: Yes

4/5 Fangs

Two things you should know before investing your time in this series:

1) This is an ongoing family saga. While romantic relationships ebb and flow, the books in this series are not what I would term as traditional romance. There are love stories and, hopefully, there will be multiple happy endings over the course of the series but you should be aware that each book does not focus on a different primary couple with a definite happy ending for that couple.

2) If you enjoy well-crafted, sweeping sagas with a large cast of multi-layered characters, complex relationships, an ongoing mystery, and plenty of lust, betrayal, deceit, and, yes, love, then I suggest you give this series a try.

I have always enjoyed family sagas and both The Bourbon Kings and The Angels' Share sit firmly on my "recommended read" list. Ward has done an outstanding job of bringing the Bradfords and those around them to life. I love the flawed, realistic characters, the dysfunctional family dynamics, the struggle to save the family business from certain ruin and rebuild both their fortunes and tarnished social status, the cross-class romance, the murder mystery, and the suspicions hanging over all of their heads.

With The Bourbon Kings and The Angels' Share, Ward has tapped into the guilty pleasure that TV series Dynasty and Dallas brought me in the 80's and I am fully on board with this new series. It's a deliciously addictive saga that has sucked me in and refuses to let go.

Seeing people describe this series as a ‘sweeping Southern saga’ does this trilogy such justice. There’s no other way I would describe this other than that. It’s the most complex, addicting, over the top piece of fiction I have ever had the privilege of devouring.

This book leaves off directly after the first, after the death of William Baldwine and the destruction of the Bradford Bourbon Company as the family knows it. The first book leaves us with a lot of loose ends dangling, which is fine considering this is a trilogy, so I went into this with a lot of questions and a lot of desires in terms of plot. The good and bad news is this; there are a lot of things that happened that I wasn’t expecting or didn’t want to happen, but this was the best kind of hot-mess. It’s one of those books you read because it’s so entertaining and addicting, but you know you’re gonna leave with questions, heartbreak, and a desperate need for the next installment.

One of the things I love about this series in general is that fact that it isn’t limited to one view point, the POV in this is spot on and makes it a whole family affair instead of just focusing on one member of the family. There are so many little plots running concurrently together, some tying into one another without realizing it, but it isn’t confusing or hard to follow. These little plot points and the vast cast of characters means I was never bored while I was reading this, there was always something exciting happening and some new drama brewing. While we get all the central characters from the first book, we also get introduced to Maxwell Baldwine, black sheep of the family, we get to actually talk to Little V.E., even if she isn’t really with it mentally, the master distiller gets a new love interest, and we get to meet another, surprising member of the family.

The central issue in this book is the murder of William Baldwine and all he kept from his children in terms of the business and money. Lane is focused on finding out who murdered his father, even though he has a pretty good idea who it was, and he’s also trying to save this whole billion dollar business. The harsh reality is they’re good and truly broke, and their entire household is crumbing around them. While this added an interesting aspect to the series, there’s really nothing like a good old-fashioned murder mystery, I was a little bummed about how this played out. Granted, I can understand the ending, it isn’t far fetched, but it still stings none the less. I’m really interested in seeing how this plays out in the final book, considering there are a lot of things that need tied up, and a lot of happy endings I want to see, but the way this series is going I don’t know if a happy ending for anyone is on the horizon.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; I love J.R. Ward’s writing style. It’s so eloquent and detailed, the entire time I was reading I felt like it was a genuine masterpiece, and not just because I loved the book as a whole. Her writing has a way of sucking you into her worlds completely and making you a part of her masterful universe. Her writing casts a spell, that’s for damn sure. If you’re interested in family sagas like Dynasty or day time soaps, then this series will be a hit for you.

The Angels' Share (The Bourbon Kings)  J.R. Ward 

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Romance, 

As I said in my review of The Bourbon Kings,I loved the sound of this series, it reminded me of Dallas and Dynasty of the 70’s, of those long, intense, escapist  reads written by Joanna Trollope, Jilly Cooper, Jackie Collins etc.
It reminded me of how they covered multiple family members and friends, and really dug out the dirt in people's lives, that brought together romantically  the most unlikely of characters.
I’d not read any JR Ward books before – those awful awful names in BDB just put me off, but thankfully here they’re perfect, the unusual and the passed down in the family dynasty, along with more traditional names according to the backgrounds of each character – much better for me ;-)

So, I loved book one and its on to part two, with which JRW cruelly taunted readers with at the end of book one, *smirk* just when we thought things were looking up.
The family head, the despicable William is dead. Did he jump or was he pushed? Given the way the business has just been revealed to be massively in debt, due to his machinations it’s assumed he jumped into the river and died that way, but then Lizzy and Greta  find a finger in one of the flowerbeds and..yes, its his! That sets the police up looking for a murderer.
He’s been a bad businessman, has had and discarded many lovers, offended so many people that the list is long, long, long. Its not a close loving family, he cheated multiple times on his wife, didn’t even pretend to be in love anymore, and as for his children, he’s been a terrible parent, not just neglected them but brutal and inconsistent physical chastisement according to his whims, mental and emotional abuse even when they were small children, and its an open secret that he was behind Edward’s kidnapping and torture...not just people outside the family but those in it could be considered for the deed. 
Its more of book one, a book featuring mainly Lane and this time he’s got his lovely Lizzie behind him, he’s divorcing Chantal, and he’s trying hard to keep the family home and business afloat. Its tough though, each time he thinks he’s got to grips with one issue two more pop up.
Lane’s really grown up, taken charge, found his place in life within just the short period these books cover. Its as if now he and Lizzie are finally and inevitably together he’s got more reason to succeed, more confidence in himself, and more belief in his siblings and how they need to stay together in some way.

Edward is featured a lot more in this book than book one, and I can see many people assumed this was going to be a book about his finding love, the “I thought this was Edward’s book” comments. There are series/trilogies like that, where each book features a romance about one person but this isn’t that kind of story, and I can’t find anywhere where its suggested it was, so I think criticising it for that not being the case is unfair. You can’t blame the author for not writing what you assumed she would be, when she hasn’t indicated that's the case...

Its a romance in that it still features Lane and Lizzie finding their way forward together, that Edward still is in love with Sutton and she with him, but both seem to not realise how the other feels, or maybe just don’t feel in the position to do anything about it. Edward seems to be starting a very friendly companionship with Shelby too,  so I was wondering what would happen, would he find love, would he be with Sutton with all her graciousness, an heiress with similar family background, or Shelby, daughter of one of his former employees who now works for him, or maybe someone else we’ve not yet met? Shelby is a total opposite to Sutton, very much the other end of the social scale but they are both warm, caring and genuine people and its hard to see which one would be best for him. I’ve a hankering for Sutton but Shelby is very good at the practicalities, of making Edward forget his pain and disability, letting him be himself and not have to put on the face he shows to everyone else..
Then there’s Miss Aurora, the lady the children regard as mother more than their birth parent, and who Lane adores. She’s dying, but still working hard looking after the house, cooking up a storm and dispensing sound advice along with the food. She’s wonderful.
There’s Gin and her daughter Amelia, though they are still minor characters. I don’t really understand why she isn’t with Amelia’s father, the man she loves and who seems to love her, though like Edward and Sutton they don’t ever acknowledge it.
Samuel T is the guy, he's Lane’s very good friend and someone they’ve known since childhood. He doesn’t know he’s Amelia's father, no-one does ( though I guess Miss Aurora does, nothing gets past her..) and you just know when that comes out there’s going to be explosions all round.
Gin appears very materialistic and she’s marrying a horrible man, they don’t love each other, don’t even like each other, but she wants the money and he needs her heritage to give him social position. Awful isn’t it – but that's they way it often works. It’ll be a disaster, we can see that even before the wedding.
Who else – Oh, the elusive Maxwell turns up towards the end, and he’s a real mystery and one I look forward to seeing unravelled.
Alongside all this there’s the local police, some of Lane's friends who are helping him sort out the finances, the others that work in the house and businesses – its a huge cast and it would be useful to have a short rundown of who fits where as Jilly Cooper used to do in her bonkbusters! Its manageable without, but would be a handy quick reference when we meet someone and think “ who are they? How/where do they fit in?”

Like I said its in the Dynasty/Dallas/Jilly Cooper seventies book mould, where its got a huge cast of characters, where there’s so much going on its crisis after crisis, and angst and drama all the way. I would have liked to see more of Chantal – she’s an awful b itch and I do love seeing them in stories ;-) Maybe in the next book? Its clear in this one she’s still on the scene, and the divorce will be a fractious, acrimonious thing.
Don’t go into this thinking is a romance only though, its not like one of those we read so often, book 1 is A+B, book 2 is C+D, its not that sort of read, but one filled with fire and fury, mysteries to be unravelled, OTT finances, WASP characters, huge social events where they dress up to the nines, appear at them because they must and not because they want to, wear heirloom family jewels worth a kings ransom, where there are characters in love with one person but dating/sleeping or just eff ing others, as Samuel T seems to do constantly.
Its a real Family Saga, and though this book is intense and covers so much ground astonishingly its only cover the few days after William's death!
Its a long read again, hurrah, I hate “books” that are sometimes just 30-40 pages long when I look them up after getting intrigued by description. Good stories need time to reveal all the details, to let us explore the plots fully, be led down roads that are misleading, to judge people as one type and then find they are another. Its another fabulous escapist OTT read and I look forward to book three.
 
Stars: Five, a fabulous novel in the mould of the wonderful seventies epic family sagas. One to read to escape from the world for a few hours.

ARC supplied by publisher

I enjoyed this second book in the Bourbon Kings series immensely! Filled with emotion, mysteries and secrets, we are treated to a roller coaster ride from beginning to end. With family drama on the forefront, Ms. Ward keeps the romance between characters light.

We pickup up right where we left off from the first book, the family is dealing with the death of the patriarch, William and the fallout of his death keeps you turning the pages well into the night. While some secrets are uncovered, others are being revealed and it is hard to keep up with the misfortunes this family goes through. Are there really families like this?

Ms. Ward writes using many POV’s and it is interesting getting these different perspectives. Edward is featured more in this story but he still is an enigma and you are often left wondering what he is up to? We get to know more about him and realize all what he has gone through, not only when he was kidnapped but also dealing with his father while working for him, he really is a tortured soul.

I love Lane; he has really stepped up to lead this wayward ship. Somehow he believes he can fix the mess his father created with the help of his girlfriend Lizzie and school mate who is a financial wiz. It is amazing the things they uncover that their father did, his “can do no wrong” egotism hurt so many. Their sister, Gin is a glutton for punishment and I was repulsed by her and also felt sorry for her; however I enjoyed her revelation in the end and look forward to more, but I suspect a painful journey.

This is the second in the series and although the author gives some background, the first book really sets the stage with secrets, dysfunctional characters and wild stories and I highly recommend reading it first. I like that we met several new characters and I enjoyed seeing returning ones as the storylines get more complex, even a missing son shows his face to questions and suspicion. I enjoyed the witty banter between several characters and how they each have a stake in keeping the family together no matter how fractured it seems.

This is filled with a Soap opera essence that has me waiting anxiously for more. It has the pull of a train wreck, you hate what is coming next but you can’t look away because you might miss something. I loved the mystery that had me guessing until the end and there are still so many unanswered questions and several storylines that are incomplete but the stage is set and I can’t wait until I can read the next one.

Copy from the publisher for an honest review

Ok, so I am so conflicted about this book. I feel that it could have been so much more that it is. Or so much less, if you cut out all the descriptions of the same stuff over and over (we KNOW the crystal is Waterford, it doesn't need to be mentioned 82 times). But if you've read the BDB, you know Ward has a thing for over-describing and brand dropping. There is just too much going on, and not enough at the same time. I expected the romance scenes to be more than they are, and I expected the plot to not be all over the place. I was disappointed on both counts. I like the story of Lane, and his maturing to become the head of the family so I don't mind reading about it, but I thought in the second book the author would really make some of the other characters develop for more than 2 pages. That did not happen. I also liked how the relationship between Gin and her daughter was starting to grow, and would have loved to see more of that. I hope it doesn't take 12 books to get to that point, because with all the filler in this story that just might be the case. I am a sucker for a southern bad boy in seersucker and a bowtie, so I can't say for sure I won't continue reading. It took 12 books for me to give up on BDB (I still read the first 4 regularly), so you can't say I don't give a series a fair chance. But Ms. Ward, if you're reading this, more story line and less brand dropping, ok? Thanks.
And to agree with another reviewer, I don't think Edward did it either. I think his mother may have killed his father and he disposed of the body after. But we shall see, a year from now.

Its good, but its not on scale with The Bourban Kings.

I LOVE JR Ward with all my heart. She is not SHerrilyn Kenyon who just farts paranormals out at ten a year and theyre all the same and getting worse each time it seems...JR is a GOOD writer and story teller and that makes this really hard for me.
I loved the Bourban Kings like i havent loved a book in a LONG time. It made me so happy to have a book that i literally could not put down again. I have missed loving a book that much for a long time. I was so excited for the Angles' share that i went to my nearest barnes and noble and bought the hardcopy the very day it came out and put down what else i was reading and started and finished it in one week. Unfortunately, it barely delivered. This book needed to be double the size it is. There is SO MUCH potential story here and jr kept it to what seems to be her status quo(for bourban kings it seems) of a little over four hundred pages...A LOT WAS LEFT OUT. I mean, A LOT. Maxwell, a brother you only heard about throughout the first book, returns, has one scene and that is literally it. nothing else. Edward and sutton were supposed to be the meat and potatoes of this book i thought and they were barely a snack....Mack and Beth also were just given a scene and they have sooooo much potential to be my favorite part of these books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gin's daughter amelia comes home and she too, is then barely in it!!!
I believe that JR intentionally did this, and i hope that the next book or two (it really seems to me like this series is not going be a long one unfortunately...) are HUGE. JR can do this. She delivered in THe King..its not like shes never written those huge books, if they need to be written she can write them and i just hope she realizes that this what this series NEEDS now. She kinda failed us here and the next one, it needs to be the size of Easterly. It needs to BE Ms. Aurora's soul food of the bourban kings series for us. If she does that. I'll forgive. :)

I'm probably one of the last few people that can say that I haven't read any of J.R. Ward's books before now. No, I haven't been under a rock but that's a story for another time.

I haven't read the first book and had no specific expectations when I started reading this book but my mind went to TV soaps like Dallas and Dynasty, which is very fitting. THE ANGELS' SHARE could take its place right beside those TV greats with its decadent cocktail of drama, scandals, secrets, mysteries, romance, twists and turns and is an experience not to be missed!

I am in love with Ms. Ward's writing but I have to say that my brain felt like a tornado was whirling inside it, trying to absorb and enjoy the story and guess what the next play would be. The plot is nothing out of the ordinary but what Ms. Ward does with it is extraordinary. The writing is incredible, the drama is stunning and engrossing, definitely not something you want to walk away from until the last word.

Just when you think you have a character pegged and boxed up nicely, the box springs a leak and you are left trying to define the character all over again. The secrets are shocking and will you leave you gasping for breath as they are revealed and knocks just don't quit. For every answer, there is another question that hopefully will be answered in the next installment in the series. Every one of the family and some of their connections get some page time and leave you wanting more.

Lane Bradford. A chip of the old block or a man in over his head?

Edward Bradford. Friend? Foe? Villain? Protector? You decide.

Max Bradford. An enigma.

What does the future hold for Gin?

A very unflattering picture of the late patriarch of the family forms with every revelation, but what was presumed to be a suicide is looking more like a murder and it's safe to say his death is no big loss to his family.

THE ANGELS' SHARE is certainly a must-read in my opinion and if you love day-time drama, dysfunctional families, family drama or just a good old mystery then look no further, your fix is here!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

As I finished Bourbon Kings, book one of this series, (my review HERE) I had so many questions. There were so many characters that I wanted to know more about. When I picked up The Angel’s Share I was hoping and praying that this would be Edward’s time to share his story. While there was a lot about Edward there was also a lot about the other characters that I had grown to care about. Lane and Lizzie were able to have their relationship grow, Gin is still being interesting, and Max is still mysterious.

J.R. Ward has such a way with words that I didn’t always realize how long I had read. I sat down to read a chapter or two and ended up reading for over an hour because I was so into the story. The descriptions of the characters made them seem so realistic to me that I was in the rooms they were in, I was invested in the issues they were dealing with, and I was hoping for happy endings for them all. I am not sure that I have ever seen a more dysfunctional family yet they are a family I would love to be a part of.

The Bourbon Kings Series is phenomenal. I am already pulled into this series and anxious for the next book to be released. The Bradford family is wonderful, the southern setting is breathtaking, and the story is magnificent.

Spotlight, Review & Excerpt: THE ANGELS' SHARE: A Bourbon Kings Novel by J.R. Ward [...]
Publication Date: July 26, 2016
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

REVIEW:
I enjoyed The Angels' Share but it was not what I was expecting. There was less romance than the first book, The Bourbon Kings, and I thought The Angels' Share was going to feature Edward and Sutton but it's really a continuation of Lane and Lizzie's love story. We learn more about Edward and I'm not sure if I liked the love triangle he had going on. The POV changes throughout the book to different characters. There is a little but of a cliffhanger ending that left me wanting more. That said the story was riveting and I couldn't put it down. The Bourbon Kings series is captivating and I love all the drama, mystery and suspense. It needs to be read in order so if you haven't read the first book you need to read it before picking up this one. I highly recommend the series, but romance lovers should know that it is not a hot and steamy series like J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It is written by J.R. Ward though, so it will capture and hold your attention.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

I am so disappointed in this book. I was willing to pay more than I felt was fair for it just because I love J.R. Ward's writing but this book was obviously words on paper for money. There could be no other reason for her to write a story that didn't take the characters anywhere but in a circle. There was also far too much political opinion and social commentary in an effort to make sure everything was politically correct. I can get that from real life and prefer not to have it thrown in for good measure when I am reading a story that should take the reader away from all that. I felt it was alienating and unnecessary to the development of the characters and their situations. I probably will end my desire to read any further on this series with Angel's Share.

I was so in love with The Bourbon Kings when I read it last year. It read like a soap opera and I was addicted to the drama and secrets that plagued the Bradford family. I couldn't wait to jump right back into their lives and hopefully get some answers to the mysteries that popped up more and more at the end of book one.

The Bradford family is THE family. They have everything they could ever ask for thanks to their bourbon company. But every family has their secrets and the Bradford's secrets run deep, especially when their father is found dead in the Ohio river. What appeared to be suicide soon turns to murder and everyone is a suspect, especially considering the man had a strained relationship with his own flesh and blood. As Lane tries to save the family business from going under, the four Bradford children are trying to deal with their own demons and accept that what they most desire out of life just isn't what they deserve.

Okay, so as far as the drama goes, this book definitely had it. Unfortunately, the drama was more geared towards the business and less towards the characters and their illicit affairs. There was so much business talk and it was hard to keep my interest because I don't know a lot about business and I don't really care that much about it. I understand that Lane had to make sure that the family wasn't going to go bankrupt, especially since they were all used to being multi-millionaires, but all of the money talk just got to be too much by the end.

All of the Bradford kids still had their serious problems, both with people they loved but couldn't have and with other members of their family. There are a lot of characters in this novel, so it may be hard to keep track of in the beginning, but once the story got going, you saw how all of the characters were hurting and growing and trying to figure out how to just survive their crazy, brutal world. But I was disappointed how we still didn't get anything about Max! He's the only Bradford child who we barely saw anything of and we still only got a glimpse of him in this book. Why is he a character if he's not even going to be in the story or the family's business at all?

Overall, I still enjoyed this second installment in The Bourbon Kings series. There was still a ton of drama, secrecy, and dangerous affairs that I loved in the first book. While the story was a bit too business focused for my taste at times, I still loved seeing these crazy, damaged characters who have no clue how to just be normal people.

I was so looking forward to reading this book! I thought this book was going to be Edward's story with his HEA, while continuing to develop the story for the rest of the characters (was hoping for Samuel T.'s story to be next), but was sadly disappointed. It was like watching an episode of Dallas or Dynasty back in the 80's, but with a small difference... instead of waiting a week for the next episode, you'll have to wait a whole year to see what comes next, or if there's even going to be any kind of resolution. I am just getting tired of reading books that leave you hanging indefinitely, so I will stop pre-ordering my favorite authors' books and wait until they come out to see if they are a whole story within a series, instead a multitude of events crammed together with no end in sight.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Lane Baldwine is still reeling from not only his father’s apparent suicide, but also the dire straits that he left the family business, The Bradford Bourbon Company, in. There are millions of dollars missing, the exact amount is unsure, but Lane has one of his money crunching friends working on finding out on just how big of a hole they’re in. Then his father’s severed finger is found buried on the property and what appeared to be a suicide is now deemed murder. And Lane worries that his brother is responsible.

The only thing going good in Lane’s life, is finally being with the woman he loves, Lizzie King. Things are going great between them and Lane can’t wait to marry her (if he’d be so lucky as to have her to agree), he just has to get his pesky divorce taken care of.

This book picks up where the first installment, The Bourbon Kings, left off. It was a little confusing at first when we were reintroduced to all the Baldwine’s as the book used their ‘real’ names instead of what they are normally called so it took me a little bit to adjust. But it quickly went back to using the names we’re used to.

I was pretty happy to get back into the series. I enjoyed watching the events unfold. But somewhere along the way I lost interest with all the little side stories and found myself kind of bored. I didn’t really care about what was going on with Sutton or at Edward’s ranch.

I was however, interested in Lane and Lizzie. I absolutely love Lane and can never get enough of him. He’s got a lot riding on his shoulders and he just keeps on being forced to take on more and more. But I have no doubt he will do whatever it takes to save his family’s business and provide for those he loves.

And Lane’s sister, Gin, makes it hard to really like her, but I couldn’t help, but be drawn into her story as well. Her new husband, Richard, is the perfect villain that you love to hate, and are expected to loathe. I can’t believe what Gin is willing to put up with in order to have money, especially considering that it doesn’t appear that Richard is willing to spend said money on her. But oh Samuel T …

“My client’s arrived, I can tell the purr of a Porsche anywhere. It’s like the sound of a woman’s orgasm–something you never forget.”

Turning away, he paused at the archway. “Something for you to work toward with her, Richard. Good luck with that, and call me if you need any instruction. I gave her her first one.”

I absolutely love Samuel T. and so badly want him to ride to the rescue. He definitely made strides toward that, but Gin has to be willing to let him save the day. I really think Gin and Samuel T. make this book and I can’t wait to see more of them.

“Because you, my darling, are like poison ivy to me. Even though I know that it will only make things worse, I can’t help but scratch.”

“Oh, the compliments.” She smiled sadly. “You are as debonair as always.”

I was also glad to see Gin start to bridge the gap between her and Amelia and to make strides toward being a true mother. I’m curious of the fallout when Samuel T learns the truth about the girl.

There is definitely a lot going on in this book and I’m anxious to see what happens next.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

PJV Quickie: J.R. Ward can write the hell out of a story. Seriously. She’s taken this awful, horrible family and turned them into tragically sympathetic characters. I didn’t know at the end of the first book if she could pull it off, but she did it. And left me wanting more.

Review:
Before I get started, I need to say that if you’re new to the series and are expecting one of her Black Dagger Brotherhood stories, this isn’t it. The Bourbon Kings series is a fictional look at the lives of a wealthy Kentucky bourbon family, and this family makes daytime soap operas look like super-happy-fun-hour. And I loved it.

In the first book, The Bourbon Kings, we learn about the Baldwine family and their dysfunctional lives and loves. At the end of the book, the patriarch of the family has died, leaving everything in chaos – missing funds, illegitimate children, and shady deals topping the list. We get a sense of the entitlement they’ve been born into, and they’re really just horrible people. But even as I closed the pages of The Bourbon Kings, I wanted more. And The Angels’ Share delivers exactly what I hoped it would.

You know there’s a lot going on when an author includes a list of the main characters at the beginning of a book. And usually that’s a problem with me because I can never keep everyone straight, but luckily, the story was so interesting and each character is so different that I had no trouble keeping up:

The mystery of William Baldwine’s death hangs heavy over each character as the local law enforcement are investigating his possible murder.

Lane and Lizzie are still going strong and trying to muddle through the mess Lane’s father left behind. And every time he thinks he might be getting a handle on things, something else happens. I’m really enjoying Lane’s growth from a spoiled rich kid avoiding reality into a man who is actively trying to save this failing company, but I’m also still frustrated that Lizzie is just a supporting character. I feel like if she was missing from the book it really would’t affect anything. I’m hoping her actions at the end of the book will give her a bigger part in the next installment.

Lane’s brother Edward is back, and while he is more three-dimensional and interesting in The Angels’ Share, I don’t know if that’s going to last. His romance with the competing Bourbon dynasty’s daughter is sweet, but soooo frustrating because neither one seems to be capable of saying “let’s do this” and his story has taken an interesting turn.

We get to meet the elusive, long-lost brother, Max, but again, we are left hanging because we learn absolutely nothing about where he’s been or what he’s been up to.

Gin, the only daughter in the Baldwine family, was very unlikable in The Bourbon Kings, but I think her character arc matches Lane’s for most personal growth. She is one of the characters I’m most looking forward to reading more – she’s in a terrible relationship, has hit rock bottom, and she’s starting to realize that she’s responsible for her own actions. Of course, you can’t read Gin’s story without Samuel T., Lane’s attorney and best friend. Gin and Samuel have this antagonistic relationship that could be beautiful. But probably won’t. But oh gawd I hope it will.

Mack, the master distiller, has a secret that could save Bradford Bourbon, but he’s got to have the supplies available to make the bourbon, which is hard to do when the company is bankrupt.

And, some new characters are introduced that may or may not have a big part in the next book – I can’t decide and Ward keeps me guessing, but I think I like them ?

If it sounds like The Angels’ Share is all over the place, it’s not really. The story line moves forward steadily but jumps around enough to keep the reader’s attention throughout. Ward’s signature over-the-top writing is unmistakable in The Angels’ Share, and the salacious 80’s nighttime soap opera feel is still present. I know a lot of people thought that this would be “Edward’s book” and that’s not what happened here – Lane is still the main focus but Edward does get more page time in The Angels’ Share, if that’s any consolation. I personally like the way the story is being told because I don’t feel like Lane’s story is done yet. I’m looking forward to the next installment in this fantastically excessive series.

THE ANGELS' SHARE, the second installment to J.R. Ward's The Bourbon Kings series, was insanely fun and addictive. Like the first book, lengthy and superfluous passages in The Angels' Share slowed down the pacing, but holy cow did Ward capture my attention with two explosive, crack-like romantic relationships! I simply couldn't look away.

The first book in this series didn't hold my attention at all times, but The Angels' Share had me clamoring for more page time from Edward, Sutton, Gin, and Samuel T. To be completely honest, I read this book purely for these two couples. The past hasn't been kind to either couple. Accidents, pride, and southern stubbornness are near impenetrable barricades to their happiness, and boy does it make for good entertainment.

The action begins right from page one. Lane is left picking up the pieces after his father's death and his family's Bourbon dynasty sinking like the Titanic. With millions of dollars missing and no money left to pay the bills, Lane has to get creative and figure out how to rebuild the business from the ground up. Lane and Lizzie aren't the most interesting characters in the series, so I wasn't as riveted by their side of the story.

My favorite moments were some of the heartbreaking and honest moments between Samuel T and Gin. I really like their dynamic. Their pride prevents them from fessing up to their feelings. I just wanted to shake both of them and tell them to get their heads out of their petunias, but I guess that wouldn't be nearly as fun to watch them do what we want them to do. Those few raw moments where they're completely upfront with each other had my heart in my throat.

My interested waxed and waned throughout, mostly because of the longer narrative passages. I didn't find Land and Lizzie's story to be as compelling, so I was bored at times. But overall, I enjoyed this book.

Audiobook Comments:
I found Alexander Cendese's narration to be quite entertaining with his dramatic delivery. His narration of Gin was the perfect blend of sass and pride. His delivery as a whole was really good and I felt immersed in the story through his narration.

* I received the audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

When it comes to J.R. Ward, and her writing, I keep thinking nothing can be as good as the BDB, but every time I've read one of her books she has proved me wrong. The Angels' Share is no exception.

It has been one year since The Bourbon Kings hit the shelves and one would think it would require a re-read to refresh the memory, bring the family dynamics back into focus, and make the transition into Book 2 a seamless one. Nope, by the end of the first page of Chapter One I was totally immersed, back in Charlemont, KY and the daily lives of the Bradford family. It was as if I had just read the last page of the Bourbon Kings.

Lane and Lizzie, finally where they belong, Miss Aurora handing out her sage advice to her ‘children’ at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, always moving stalwartly forward, in spite of her own mortality. Edward, coming awake, finding a true friend in Shelby Landis, confronting his life at last, and acknowledging his life-long love for Sutton. Gin, trying her damnedest to help save her family and in doing so falls into the clutches of a man who would only use her to avenge his past. She finally confronts Samuel T., and he her, bringing clarity at last to what she truly wants out of life. Will they each find what they seek? Who knows?

I greedily absorbed more knowledge of the family matriarch, Virginia Elizabeth Bradford Baldwine. What brought her to the place she now resides in her battered mind, bits and pieces of the life of the privileged few. Finally, the middle son, Maxwell, makes an appearance bringing more intrigue and unanswered questions into the mix.

Turns out William’s death was not a suicide after all. I am now totally invested in this series and will wait, impatiently, for Book 3. I originally listened to this book on Audible and Alexander Cendase is superb at bringing all these characters to life, and superbly yummy to listen to. That being said, as I wait for Book 3 I’m going to go buy myself a hard copy of this book to re-read and refer back to in the future as the Baldwine’s story unfolds.

If you have not been reading this series, I highly encourage you to go get these first two books and join me in this unforgettable journey into the lives of the Bourbon Kings.

William Baldwine, patriarch of the family that produces Bradford Bourbon, appears to have committed suicide by jumping off a bridge. It has also just come to light that a great deal of money is missing from the company which has been around for over 200 years. The company bears the name Bradford as it was William’s wife’s family that started the company and she inherited it. However at this point, the woman lives in her room in a drug-induced state as she has chosen not to deal with life anymore.

Lane Baldwine is the youngest son of the family which consists of three sons and one daughter. He is currently trying to deal with the aftermath of his father’s death and the question of what has happened to all of the money.

Lizzie has been employed at the estate for years. She is a horticulturist and cares for the famous gardens of the estate. She and Lane have been in love for a long time but they have never been able to be together.

Edward Baldwine is a man who stays inebriated most of the time to deal with his physical limitations and constant pain. These are a result of having been kidnapped, beaten, and ransomed years ago. Edward has spent his life with horses training them to be future Derby champions. He should be the heir apparent but he does not want anything to do with the family.

The Bradford Bourbon’s competition is the Sutton Distillery Corporation run by the Smythe family. Head of the family, Reynolds Smythe, whose health is failing, has just named his daughter, Sutton Smythe, to be the new head of the company.

In the days following William Baldwine’s death, a gruesome discovery has brought in the police and now it appears the man may have been murdered. No one is above suspicion. The rush is on to try to find out what happened to the missing money before word gets out about it that could bring the company crashing down.

The author has picked up where she left off with her first novel, “The Bourbon Kings.” This is an ongoing family saga that will grab the reader and you can’t let go. I do recommend reading the books in order to keep up with the story.

Angels’ Share is the second book in The Bourbon Kings series. Angels’ Share continues the Bradford’s family clan stories. Although this book is hinted to mainly focus on Edward’s story, since Bourbon King focuses mainly on Lizzie and Lane, but that is not the case. Angels’ Share continues Lizzie and Lane’s story most in my opinion, but we definitely get a slow build-up on the other sibling’s stories. A little disappointing, but J.R. Ward knows how to create slow tension and get you hooked.

Lizzie and Lane, I loved them in the first book. I rooted for them in the beginning and so I question how the love story will continue. Will they both face obstacles? Will they break up? Will they forge together as a united front? All of those questions will be answered. Lane is the star of this book. He’s the most responsible and as much as he has to deal with his ex and continue his love for Lizzie, he needs to make sure the family’s business remains afloat. There’s also a question about his father’s death. I would say about 70% of the book is focused on Lane’s struggle to handle the business and the aftermath of the death of his father. This is more suspenseful than romance, but there’s plenty of plot to keep you questioning to the very end.

Edward is the most interesting Bradford in my opinion. There’s something about what he went through because of his father that I find so fascinating. He’s kind of the ugly beast that needs his happy ending. As much as I craved for Edward’s story, I didn’t get a huge chunk of it. Edward continues to indulge in his drinking and continues to care for no one but himself, or so we think. We also get a softer side of Edward which I enjoyed reading. Which lady does he really love? His helper or long time crush?

Gin is the gal you don’t want to like. She’s selfish, spoiled and greedy. I question if she is really real, but then maybe she’s brought up with so much wealth she just doesn’t understand. It’s a struggle to like Gin. I started to sympathize for her in the first book, but as I kept on reading this one, I just got more frustrated and angry with her. But there are reasons to why Gin does what she does and as you read more about her, my feelings change. I’m not sure what to make of Gin’s dynamics, but I’m curious to where it will go.

Overall The Angels’ Share was written differently from the Bourbon Kings. I found it more suspenseful and more focused on Lane’s story on how he handles the family’s company. I’m really anxious for the next book, as I hope J.R. Ward brings the story back to the “romance” of the series.

JR Ward set the stage for this soap opera style Southern saga in The Bourbon Kings where she introduced this vast ensemble surrounding the country's oldest bourbon company. The barbed bonds between the Baldwine siblings and their parents dripped of both wealth and deceit, privilege and venom. Behind the opulent walls of Easterly Estate are secrets, lies, betrayal and infidelity. The Bourbon Kings framed the backdrop of this storyline, illustrating the lavish lifestyle of the elite Baldwine family, but The Angels' Share is a gritty closer look into the state of the family as they're faced with losing everything. In this decadent sequel, Ward thrusts the reader deeper into Lane Baldwine's life, into his romance with Lizzie, into his search for answers after the jaw-dropping ending of The Bourbon Kings. As The Angels' Share evolved, I found myself completely consumed by, not only Lane's evolving romance, his search for answers and his tireless efforts at salvaging the family legacy, but with every character in this book and their side stories. Every single player, every Baldwine sibling, every family friend, every long lost love, every new and old BBC employee has a fully fleshed out personality, a captivating story of their own, and each of them adds depth to an already complex storyline. I continue to be blown away by the manner in which Ward delivers such a richly intricate storyline with such a lengthy cast of characters.

This series is the perfect mix of decadence, sex, murder, romance and scandal and The Angels' Share not only lives up to every expectation I had after devouring The Bourbon Kings, but it surpassed them. This addictive family saga had me turning the pages with vigor. This series reads like a movie, like a television serial that'll have you obsessed. I couldn't wait to see how this story played out but at the same time, I wanted to read it slowly, to savor each page.

The cast of characters in this series is colorful and the secrets and lies that bind them are extraordinarily messy.  Peppered with longing, anger and shocking revelations at every turn, The Angels' Share packs so much within its pages. With its moments of tenderness, humor, heartfelt emotion, edge of your seat suspense, and raw sex appeal, this story is the perfect package. The Angels' Share made me laugh, made my eyes well up with unexpected tears, had me white knuckled as I gripped the pages, dreading what would come next. I did not want this book to end. I was lost in Charlemonte, Kentucky, lost in the Easterly mansion, lost in the wicked web of sex and drama and fragmented relationships and long lost loves.

This is the PERFECT summer read. Curl up in your porch swing with a glass of bourbon-spiked sweet tea and GET LOST in this divine story. Prepare to step into another world with The Bourbon Kings series. A world of southern charm and old money. A world where everyone is polite and well mannered even when they're discussing murder and infidelity, betrayal and bankruptcy. A lavish world of mystery and deceit. A world of longing for loves lost. A world where the rich sip bourbon and marry for financial security. A world where butlers and staff don't make eye contact unless addressed. A world where secrets are revealed as rapidly and unexpectedly as long lost relatives reappear from the woodwork. A world where the grown children of this wickedly wealthy household hold more affection for the cook, Miss Aurora, than their own parents, and where they'd rather eat soul food in the staff quarters than rub shoulders with the elite out on the vast estate lawn. This world is lush and tumultuous and sexy and repugnant and swathed in southern drawls and lies and sweet tea and I. NEVER. WANTED. TO. LEAVE. This is a provocative world, a world JR Ward crafts so superbly, so exquisitely, so thoroughly, I was immersed. I was consumed. I am addicted.

William Baldwine is dead but was his passing a suicide or murder? Lane Baldwine has discovered that his father has almost impoverished the family fortune. Millions of dollars have been transferred but to where remains Lane’s challenge to discover. Meanwhile, the family soap opera-like drama continues. Lane is attempting to divorce his self-centered wife so that he can marry Lizzie, the family horticulturist, the latter relationship the only pure, true evidence of love in this novel replete with sarcasm, hate, lust, greed and so many more dissolute realities.
Edward is the son whose father had him tortured and almost killed years ago. He is now a crippled, broken man living in seclusion and more than content with the family’s present crisis. At times he seems to know more than he should about his father’s demise but his apparent disconnect leads the family to other suspicious connections. The reader also wonders if his relationship with Sutton from a neighboring fortune family, will be cemented or torn apart.
There are opportunities for second chances for Gin and her daughter. Mrs. Baldwyne lies in bed addicted to pain killers and mentally out of it and the reader wonders if this is her final destiny or if there is a chance at something better for her. How is she tied into the disappearance of the family fortune?
There are relationships that look as if they are going somewhere but which then fall apart, leaving the reader flipping the pages to see where these complex patterns merge and cleave apart, always with a surprise factor injected into the ever-changing plot structure.
There’s also a fascinating description of the family’s centerpiece, Kentucky Bourbon, indicating how it’s made (revealing the origin of the novel’s title) and the love and care taken to create this masterpiece that is world-renowned. This then is what built the family fortune and Lane brings us back to its creation and development, leading us to believe he just may be able to restore this mess with his gritty determination.
The Angel’s Share… is gritty, salacious, high-powered fiction that is sure to please readers galore! Riveting romance, crime and contemporary fiction!

After being hooked and utterly consumed by the supremely scandalous and delightfully dramatic first book in the series, The Bourbon Kings, it is safe to say I was waiting with bated breath for this follow-up. I have to, and hate to, admit that I was not as instantly captivated by this book as I was by that first one, but once we get back into the swing of things with the Bradford/Baldwine bourbon barons you can't help but be sucked in once again by this exquisitely enticing story of theft, embezzlement, bribery, blackmail, threats, and murder. Throw in an illegitimate child or two, professions of love, sage advice, a great deal of growing up, and even what appears to be the beginning of a bit of an unconventional love triangle and you have yourself all of the action and intrigue of the first book and even more questions than answers.

While The Angel's Share certainly starts off with a bang as the unthinkable happens right off the bat, it did seem to take a little while to warm up after that as a lot of the trials and tribulations of the last book are rehashed. A quarter of the way in though, things definitely start to take off as debts must be paid, choices must be made, and a murderer and millions of dollars must be found.

All of the Baldwine siblings are accounted for this time around as Maxwell returns to the fold, we see a whole lot more of Edward, Gin focuses on her impending nuptials as well as the return of her daughter Amelia, and Lane is left with quite the mess on his hands. While I was hoping for more on Max, the good news is, he is back and things certainly seem to be shaping up to get pretty sticky for the man with the mysterious past. With the exception of Max, who we haven't heard much from...yet, each of the Baldwines experience a tremendous amount of growth in this book which I absolutely loved. While you may very well have been on the fence about your feelings for each of these complicated, enigmatic characters in the last book, they become more real, even more fascinating, and ever more enthralling the more we learn about them and the more they evolve over the course of the series.

In classic J.R. Ward style, The Angel's Share is complex, smart, angsty, and just suspenseful and sensational enough to keep you perched on the edge of your seat. With masterful writing, gripping dialogue, and secrets upon secrets still left to sort out, The Angel's Share will ,leave you dazed, a little wrung out and a whole lot anxious, and have you sitting up and begging The Warden for more.

The Angels' Share by J.R. Ward
5 Southern Stars

So, if you've read my review of The Bourbon Kings, than you know that this book has a ton of characters and no ONE in this book is singled out. Well, not really. There's still major chaos going on. There's still the crazy Baldwine family and all their crazy ways. And there's still a crisis going on so pull up your big girl panties, get yourself a stiff drink (maybe some bourbon), and sit back and enjoy the ride.

So, Lane is still trying to figure out what's going on with his family and the business, only now there's more s*** added to his plate. William Baldwine (Lane's father) has been found dead, but before he departs this lovely world he leaves a complete and utter conundrum for his family to deal with. Lane certainly has his work cut out for him, but with the help of his lovely Lizzie I think he'll manage. Fingers crossed!

I'm not going to mention all the supporting characters like before. I'm just going to tell you about some of my favorites! Samuel T. is my absolute fave. This guys outer shell tells you he's a ladies man, a player, and a hard-hitting lawyer. His insides tell me he's in love with Gin, but he's too proud to tell her. I loved seeing his softer side in this one even though is was very brief, it was a nice change. Now, Edward Baldwine is still one of my faves and shall remain that way till I draw my last breath. He's loyal to his siblings and friends. He's smart and sexy and just plain old perfect. He does have some "daddy issues" that really should be dealt with, but, eh... I'll take him! One more supporting character that bares mentioning is Gin. She starts this series being the regal spoiled brat that can't even barely drive herself anywhere. She ends this book as someone I'd actually spend time with. I was glad to see the turn around. Must have had something to do with that "secret" talk she had with a certain hottie!

This book is just as good as the first, if not better. I seriously cannot wait to get to the bottom of all these shenanigans. I ate up every darn word and craved more. The pacing is pretty spot on and the writing style...well.. it's JR Ward for godsakes... it rocked! More plot twists and tension will keep you enthralled for hours. I loved this and cannot wait for the next book.

The Angels' Share picks up about three days after the events in The Bourbon Kings and pretty much chronicles the fall out from said events. I'm trying not to spoil anything for anyone that hasn't read the first book, but so much in this book hinges on what went down with the first one that it might be difficult. Suffice it to say, you definitely don't want to pick up book 2 without having read book 1.

Lane is thrust into the position of trying to pick up the family from scandal and bankruptcy. As he digs farther into the family accounts things begin to look bleaker and bleaker for not only the company but the Baldwine-Bradfords as well.

As in the first book, I just couldn't look away from the unfolding story of this family. The Southern edicts, and essentially how carefully everything must be spun in order to find a way out of the mess. Lane certainly has a lot on his plate. But what I loved the most was the pillar of strength that Lane and Lizzie's relationship represents. It was one of the few constants within the story. There are others of course such as Miss Aurora and Lane's friend Jeff, but having that relationship be undeniable and good was essential when much of the cast of characters are devious and more often than not have a "love to hate (or hate to love)" quality about them.

But with that being said, I love the way JR Ward has written this privileged old-money Southern family. Because for every wrong decision and bad move, the moments of kindness, or the times when they do the right thing shine through even greater, and makes me have hope that maybe by the end of the series they can all turn their lives around and find out what truly matters, and hint: it's not money that matters. We start to see them coming to that realization, like Lane when he finally commits to Lizzie, and Ward wrote those moments perfectly.

A highlight of the story, and it's stated in the blurb so this is no spoiler, is the return of elusive brother Maxwell Bradford. Ward keeps his character and his character's motivations still cloaked in mystery which, in turn, keeps me on the edge of my seat for the next book, but many things are implied and / or hinted at that are very interesting indeed.

As with the first book, Ward weaves through the varying twists and turns with ease giving each character enough page time to grow in some way (whether good or bad remains to be seen in some cases). There's not much that jumps out and completely surprises me, and by the end it's pretty certain where things are headed, but you can definitely be sure, with this family, nothing is as it seems on the surface. I expect events from The Angels' Share will lead us nicely into book 3.

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?

Review:

Ugh....Do we have to wait for another year for the next installment??????Why???????

Okay, now that I have ranted. If you do not like high drama, like you get on soap operas, then this is probably not the book or series for you. Nothing is resolved at the end of this book other than Lizzie and Lane are firmly together now. I feel like I cannot say to much about the story line without giving away all the good parts and maybe ruining the story for others. This is truly like Falcon Crest or Dynasty, you never know what will happen, who is hiding things and what bad thing is lurking around the corner. Drama, intrigue, back-stabbing, love, hate and sexiness are all par for the course in this book and series. Because it is an ensemble book there are multiple points of view and everyone gets some book time. This being the second book, you really need to read the first book to get the full effect and because it is a continuing story line. And there is not a nice wrapped up ending, so if that bothers you wait until all the books are out. I thought this book was better than the first one, as I was not familiar with the characters and what book was about. The only thing that makes me sad is that I have a long wait until the next book :(

Fun, drama filled read that you cannot put down!

4Stars

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

J.R. Ward delivers yet another intricate story in this second installment of The Bourbon Kings. The entire story revolves around the Bradford family picking up the pieces following that staggering ending in the previous book. That being said, this book is not a standalone. It is meant to be read as part of the series. And what an amazing series it is!

There were numerous components that captivated my attention. What I appreciated most was the character development. The Bourbon Kings concentrated more on Lane but in The Angel’s Share both Edward and even Gin came to the forefront.

Edward’s character is so much more complex than I expected. Given what his father made him go through in South Africa, I would feel just as resentful and defeated as he felt. I thought that those were the only emotions he was capable of yet we see so much more when in the presence of the love of his life. The apathy diminishes not only when around her but towards the end when he is with his siblings.

My first impression of Gin was that of an insignificant, entitled, and selfish woman. She was one of those women that you loved to hate but again the author surprises us with a complete 180. She is the one that surprised me the most. I never thought she would be redeemable but she is now the one I am rooting for the most.

Lane OMG! If you didn’t love him before, I am sure you will now! I couldn’t believe the extent of his loyalty and devotion. The degree of maturity he demonstrated during the difficult times was astounding. He would literally do anything to save the family from the brink. The relationship between the siblings was strained back then but he in many ways solidified them together.

And while there were multiple questions left unanswered I have to say that I immensely enjoyed the book. I am not at all surprising why the series is slated for its own TV adaptation because the never-ending drama and intrigue that occur in Bradford family is completely engrossing. I can not wait to read more.

liezelsbookblog.net

Oh my, from the first book of this new series of The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward I was hooked. I found the entire premise of a Southern Bourbon Dynasty full of years of privilege and prosperity to have hooked me right from the beginning. But as one read further, one would discover what a completely dysfunctional and screwed up family they were when looked at from behind the scenes of genteel privilege.

THE BOURBON KINGS was the teaser for the series in discovering some horrendous secrets, but book #2 - THE ANGEL’S SHARE showed more of the dysfunction and the strengths which were needed to come back from disaster and start rebuilding a venerable dynasty instead of taking the easy way out and giving up.

At the end of the first book, the patriarch of the family had seemingly committed suicide, but at the beginning of book 2 - it was looking more and more like murder and in this screwed up family everyone was under suspicion!

*** Oh yes, this was another ‘can’t put it down’ read by one of my favorite authors. No paranormal here but simple pure adrenaline rush and a very sensual romance. Not to mention some wonderfully thought out scenario’s and fabulously fleshed out characters. Only one new central character was introduced in book #2 and that was long-lost missing brother Maxwell - who at this point might or might not be a bad guy – only time and more books will tell! And I must say now that I sincerely hope that this will be a long running series, and thrilled I got in on the ground floor with the very first two books!

I was truly surprised that Edward, appearing to be pulling himself together and out of the depths of his despair after his tortuous kidnapping from years ago, whose love for Sutton Smythe was admitted would let her go. Lane and Lizzie’s romance, on the other hand, was such a relief from all the suspense and aggravation of trying to save the Bourbon business from the embezzlement that set the company on very brink of disaster. The action and suspense is definitely palatable and has kept me turning the pages far into the night! This was an absolute pleasure to read and the ANGEL’S SHARE and this series is dynamite! Don’t miss a single book - awesome!

Marilyn Rondeau

The Bourbon Kings Series has absolutely EVERYTHING I love! There is emotion, drama, romance, love, redemption and sacrifice. There is so much to appreciate about the characters and the entire world that J.R. Ward has created. I almost don’t know where to begin. While so much was revealed in Book #2 of the Bourbon Kings Series, there are even more questions left to ponder at the end.

The Angels’ Share picks up directly where The Bourbon Kings left off. The Bradford Baldwines are in a HOT MESS! There was a suicide…or was it murder? And, there’s a whole lot of money that’s no where to be found. Lane and Lizzie are a united front working tirelessly to get to the bottom of the whole mess. Lane’s transformation is one of my favorite parts of this series. Edward, Sutton and Shelby take center stage and the dynamic is so juicy and fulfilling. Gin has herself in quite a mess, but wow do we see a different side of her. And, Samual T. — seriously, I have a whole new outlook on the man. I will read this series for a conclusion to that storyline alone. Maxwell makes his mysterious appearance and Amelia returns to Easterly. The Angel’s Share is full of so many great characters; some from book #1 and some new ones. These nuanced characters make you wonder who is good and who is evil; and sometimes they are a little bit of both.

J.R. Ward has crafted a timeless series that has left me emotionally wrought and thoroughly invested. One of my favorite parts of these books is the unexpected humor and pop culture references that creep up when you’re least expecting it. The phrasing and little “life lessons” hidden in the pages are really remarkable. The next book in the Bourbon Kings Series can not come soon enough for me. If you want an epic tale with deep plot-lines, fascinating characters and idyllic settings, The Bourbon Kings is the series for you. Don’t let anything stop you from jumping into this series. It’s everything!

An advance copy was received in exchange for an honest review. The BFF Book Blog also uses a set of icon ratings. This book received additional ratings for: angst, character development, hero, mind twisting, romance and world creation.

I was fortunate enough to win this book in a Goodread's giveaway. I love J. R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and I wanted to try this series. I purchased and read The Bourbon Kings, the 1st book in the series, and was a bit disappointed (see my earlier review). I am really glad to report that this book fleshed out the characters and the problems they are facing, and I really like Lizzie and Lane a whole lot more after reading this installment. Still have a hard time with the family though, and sure hope this isn't typical of a rich family.

You really have to read the first book before you read this, but they will be worth your while if you enjoy horribly tumultuous relationships and having worlds turned upside down.

Lane finds himself willing to do almost anything to rescue his family's business and home, and at times he feels like he might be turning into his father, a man that he truly hates.

With the rest of the family trying to cope with imminent bankruptcy and each one searching for their own solutions, I began wondering about their sanity and whether they really are worthy of saving.

The story is told very well though, and believe me, you'll find yourself wondering the same thing. If this is the way rich people really are, I'm glad I don't have that kind of money.

This story ends on a bit of a cliff hanger too, and I do hope the series is continued. There are more than a few characters that I would like better explained, and I will continue to read it.

THE ANGEL’S SHARE is the second installment in J.R. Ward’s adult, contemporary, dramatic series focusing on the uber rich Bradford/Baldwine family of Charlemont, Kentucky- a bourbon dynasty family whose beautiful façade hides many dark and dangerous secrets. Although no one particular couple is the star THE ANGEL’S SHARE is an ensemble story line that looks at the aftermath from the apparent suicide of the Baldwine patriarch, and the investigation into millions of dollars in missing money.

Told from several third person points of view including Baldwine/Bradford siblings Lane, Edward and Gin, THE ANGEL’S SHARE focuses on the search for the truth behind the apparent suicide of William Wyatt Baldwine-the CEO of the Bradford Bourbon Company. The resulting death slowly reveals the dark secrets, lies, betrayals and illegitimate heirs of a man beloved by no one, despised by all. Edward, as the eldest son has been broken by his father-destroyed in body and soul by a man with a black heart and a darker soul; Lane is the man who will struggle to keep the family heritage up and running; Gin is a woman who has given up and is willing to risk her life to save her family. Deals will be made, secrets will be revealed, lives will be destroyed in the process. THE ANGEL’S SHARE is not a story of romance but of a family, passionate in their beliefs, who are struggling to gain some semblance of control over their business and their lives.

The Bourbon Kings is a modern day story akin to the 1980s Dallas and Dynasty-the uber rich families, their friends and the hidden secrets locked behind closed doors, addiction and lies. Death is an escape from the mayhem; to love is a struggle met with misunderstanding and betrayal. Once again, romance took a back seat to the family drama and investigation, and to the impending collapse of the bourbon dynasty. J.R. Ward writes an amazing tale of betrayal, struggle and loss for one family whose lives have imploded beneath a mountain of secrets and lies.

WOW! I love love LOVED The Angels’ Share by J.R. Ward! Spectacular writing, as always…enticing storyline that just sucks you right in…and characters that you love to hate, and hate to love. This is QUICKLY becoming a FAVORITE series of mine!

Get ready for the ride of your life as J.R. Ward transports her readers back to Easterly, where the bourbon flows freely and so does the family drama. If you thought the first book in the series was intense, you have NO IDEA! Scandal, deceit, power plays, and drama, THE ANGELS’ SHARE is sure to be a decadent treat for the angst lovers out there. This was just what I’ve come to expect from an author like J.R. Ward – flawless writing, epic and intriguing storylines, and characters you don’t know whether to love or hate. What characters will you root for? Is the enemy of the enemy, really a friend? And the big question…WHO DID IT? Some readers might think that THE ANGELS’ SHARE is all about the oldest Bradford son, Edward…but they would be mistaken. This book is SO MUCH MORE!!! The Bradford family is back and more TORN APART then ever. Nothing is what it seems in Charlemont, Kentucky. Everyone has secrets. Everyone is out for something…or someone. The flow of the story is SO WELL DONE, that your mind will be spinning with all of the possible outcomes. It’s been a while since I’ve read such a remarkable story with such REMARKABLE characters! I will NEVER get enough!

“I take care of my own. I always have.”

OMG! If you only knew what was behind the above quote!!! My heart is breaking all over again. Take the leap, and try something new from J.R. Ward! Start with book one, The Bourbon Kings, and prepare to be sucked into the drama, heartbreak, and lies of the BOURBON KINGS series!

*Gifted copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Angels’ Share is a positively irresistible story filled with Southern charm and high drama. The Bradford family gives you all of fun, sexiness, and scheming that will leave you wanting more. Move over Ewings and Carringtons, there is a new family in making waves!

In the second book in the Bourbon Kings series, J.R. Ward picks up right where we left off in the first book. The Bradford family is trying to pick up the pieces after the passing of the patriarch when it becomes apparent that his death may not have been a suicide. As the story twists and turns, the reader will get more of glimpse into the lives of everyone in the family. Lane, Gin, Edward, and Maxwell along with friends and loved ones will have to deal with the looming financial crisis, the rebuilding of the family business, secrets that are best kept behind closed doors, and murder. What more could you possibly ask for?

To say that I love this series would be an understatement. The scandals, the emotions, and the overall “soapy” quality to the story is downright addictive. The way in which the author mixes together intrigue and high-stakes drama with the emotional and sexy elements of the story is seamless. In these pages, you are entering the world of Kentucky’s elite and boy are you in for a ride!

As soon as I finished the first book in the series, I was patiently waiting for this book to come out. Okay. So maybe it was not so patiently, but I digress. Now, I cannot wait for the next. If you are looking for a completely absorbing story that you will become obsessed with and not be able to put down, this is the series for you. Start with Bourbon Kings and follow it up with Angels’ Share. You will not be sorry.

So…are you ready for taste?

This was fantastic! It’s such an engaging saga full of twists and turns. It's drama filled and emotional with these extremely detailed and complicated characters. Right from the beginning I was pulled in and I had a really hard time putting it down. Awesome read!

There are so many characters and multiple storylines happening, I loved it all. It was really entertaining! I had a ton of questions going in and I now have a million more so I know this story is far from over. It was told from multiple POV's and because of that, the story moved along at a fast paced but I never felt it was rushed. It just kept me excited for more because I couldn't wait to find out what character we were going to hear from next.

It was like everyone came out to play as characters that were introduced in the previous story really get a full voice in this one. It was just really exciting to read, I was on the edge of my seat, I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. And since not all those stories were concluded, sign me up for the next book now! This is night time drama at its best!

I loved seeing the close relationships of the Baldwine family grow and heal. It was nice to see where Lane and Lizzie are now. I really enjoyed all the dynamics of the different relationships between family and friends. For some there is true growth and healing, and owning up to responsibilities to make things right. I absolutely adored Edward in this and loved seeing his changes come about. There was just SO MUCH involved in this overall story. The drama, the turmoil, the tension, but there was love and companion, and emotion. It was engrossing!

The writing was so great. I was fully invested the entire time. I thought there was a nice recap throughout to get a refresher from book one to keep you up to speed. I think there's real depth to the characters that make you really feel for them. There are some awesome dislikable people too. Which seems weird to say but I love a well written bad guy. You know it's good when you scream at your Kindle because of their actions.

Another amazing story in The Bourbon Kings series. Bring on the next one! I need more!

Complimentary copy received for honest review.

The Angels' Share was a stunning read. If you haven't started this series yet, then it's vital that you start with book one (The Bourbon Kings) otherwise you will be totally lost. Now with that said, it's time to gush over this fantastic book. After reading book one, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one and it's no surprise that it kept me just as enthralled. I devoured it and now I'm left with a major book hangover and can't wait for the third book.In this second installment, it's looking like the head of the Bradford family might have been murdered and everyone is a suspect. Edward finally admits how he feels to Sutton but then he has a difficult decision to make as he faces his very uncertain future. And Gin! She wasn't my favorite person at first but she's definitely grown on me. Despite my dislike of her I still felt for her and found myself hoping she manages to get herself out of the horrible situation she's in. The emotions are running high in this book and it was like I was right there with these characters.This is probably considered Edward's book but like the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, there are others' stories going on simultaneously. It's more like an ongoing story for the whole family which is a refreshing take on the whole family saga type of series. J.R. Ward always does a wonderful job with this type of storytelling. It adds so much depth to not just the one book but it creates a seamless story arc for the whole series. The secrets, lies, and drama will keep you on your feet. Book three can't come soon enough! 5 out of 5 stars!!!

The Angels' Share is the second installment in J.R. Ward's adult contemporary series titled The Bourbon Kings. This modern-day Downton Abbey is an entertaining soap opera full of suspicion, drama, finance manipulation, and romance. I was slowly sucked in to this ongoing story in the first book The Bourbon Kings but this second book didn't manage to keep my interest quite as much. There were a few new events/revelations to keep the storyline moving (very slightly) forward but overall, I felt that The Angels' Share was borderline filler. A lot of content appears to be devoted to the ever-changing dynamics of family and romantic relationships in this installment so maybe that's why it felt a little standstill-ish to me. Regardless, if you enjoyed the first book, continue on to this one. For readers who plan to complete the series, this addition shouldn't be skipped. Enjoy!

Note: It has been a year since I read The Bourbon Kings and I felt lost at the beginning. The storyline picks up where it left off with minimal reminders. Being a reader who enjoys devouring completed series in a back-to-back style, the lack of redundant backstory will certainly be a blessing to some lucky reader in the future, but I personally needed some reminding. I recommend skimming over The Bourbon Kings again, viewing your kindle highlights/notes, or reading some reviews with generous spoilers to refresh your memory beforehand. Just a thought :)

This review was written by Marie for a guest review post on Ever After Book Reviews blog:

5 Stars

Scandal. Family drama. Juicy secrets. Sex (and hot sex at that!). This book has it all! The return to Easterly didn’t disappoint in The Angels’ Share. The return of so many favorite characters, coupled with the “Dallas-esque” setting, makes this series addicting, exciting, and so much fun!

As a fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, I can tell you that the familiar writing style of Ms. Ward brings to life a wonderful world of intrigue and class. Her strong, yet flawed, characters add layers of depth to an already complex and beautifully built storyline. And, as always, they bring their perfect comedic timing to the best situations.

I have enjoyed getting to know the Bradford family and absolutely cannot wait to find out what addictive drama is in store the next go round!

***I read and reviewed a hardcover copy of the book gifted to the blog, from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***

THE ANGEL'S SHARE by Jr Ward what an amazing read.

That I loved most about this book is it is very outside of what we are used to reading by Jr Ward, there are no vampires, no shadows, only real people, and who doesn't love a good southern book and throw in some bourbon and we have one fantastic book.

This is the second book in the series and picks up right where book one left off, with the patriarch of the family just having killed himself. The twists and turns that the story takes is enough to leave your head spinning and trying to remember whom is with whom and who wants to be with who, by the end of the book I think there is only one couple who is matched with the one they want to be with for the rest of time. The Bradford family will make you laugh, they will make you shake your head with the things they try and some of them will even make you shine with pride with the turn they make.

This book really focuses on Lane trying to pull the company out of the financial ruin that his father has left the company and family, and trying to figure out if his father really killed himself, or is there more to that story.

THE ANGEL'S SHARE by JR Ward is the second book in the series, and book one must be read before book two and with the way that this book ended I have a felling that there is one more book left in store for the Bradford family as many things are left unfinished. I would give THE ANGEL'S SHARE 4/5 bourbon bottles.

Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon and Alpha

**6 Stars**

THE ANGELS' SHARE delivers an even juicier, meatier, and more unputdownable addition to The Bourbon Kings series with this second installment. The stakes are higher, the secrets are darker, and the South is more vivid. It may have been a year since the prior book, but these characters never left us, and the way that Ms. Ward jumps us right back in doesn't allow us to forget.

The story unfolds and twists perfectly from person to person: Lane and Lizzie, their love deepening and surviving hurdle after hurdle; Gin, who is becoming more human of a character with everything she suffers through; Edward...the mangled, roughened man who will always hold a soft place in my heart; and the missing Bradford with his reappearance. The Bradford's are back, with a vengeance, in more ways than one.

JR Ward created another beautiful, full-of-life story that enraptures and builds quickly. She, and I'm not surprised because she does it so well, writes the story with a steady build that suddenly reveals things that were unexpected, un-guessable, and it makes the story so much more enjoyable with not being able to know when bombs are going to be dropped. The last book was a Southern bombshell with hidden secrets and dark shadows, but this one? This one surpasses it in every way. This rich, cultured family is shrouded by their bourbon and money, but the secrets don't stay secrets forever. THE ANGELS' SHARE shines in every way possible, and this is one series not to be missed.

The story unfolds in the rolling hills of Kentucky where tradition doesn’t just live – it was born there and the roots run deep. Society has rules. For decades the Bradfords have not just lived by those rules, they created many of them. So as things begin to unravel, the drama is rich, multifaceted, and its everywhere. There’s no escaping it. This plot, in fact, runs, just as fast and deep as those traditions. It’s fast paced and honestly, there are moments you might really feel for Lane because there is little to no time to catch your breath before the next revelation comes along.

J.R. Ward had created a wonderfully flawed, rich, obnoxious family with just enough long-suffering characters that you can’t truly hate them. As much as you may dislike Ginny, Edward, Maxell or even Lane, there are moments that you cheer just as much for them.

The mystery is twisty, exciting and surprising even if you did pick out the culprit early on. The reveal is just surprising enough to still make you shake your head.

I loved this second book in the Bourbon Kings series. I have no idea if there are more books planned, but if there are, count me in. This series is exactly what a guilty summer pleasure read should be!

(spoilers found in middle of review)

The Angels' Share

New York Times Bestselling author, J.R. Ward, continues her Bourbon Kings saga in The Angels' Share, where we further embrace the drama, greed and excesses of this fabulously wealthy Kentucky family.

I was one of the lucky winners of the Goodreads 'Giveaways' and received a free copy of The Angels' Share through them and Penguin Random House. I LOVE J.R. Ward's writing style and can never get enough of her books. Combine that with my love of bourbon and that I actually live in Kentucky, not far from where much of this plot takes place, and you get a very excited and satisfied fan. Thank you so much for this book. I only wish I was able to read this sooner.

I often describe the Bourbon Kings series as (the soap opera) Dallas meets the bourbon gods of Kentucky; the Texas oil empire saga but in Kentucky and over bourbon. J.R. Ward does a wonderful job pulling her readers into her stories. Her alternating points of views is something I have always enjoyed about her, no matter her series. She adds additional layers of enjoyment for her regional readers by including accurate descriptions of bourbon distillation, weather or local sentiments towards things like basketball rivals or the love of our Graeters Ice Cream, for example. This story embodies a great combination of elements that allow for a marvelous plot and I can't recommend it enough.

(Spoiler time:) In The Angels' Share, we begin by learning that the atrocious patriarch, William Bradford, has died from an apparent suicide. Lane, or Tulane (awesome name choices, btw) is the only child that is making an effort to save the company. He falls into the Ohio river while trying to understand why his father might kill himself, only to shortly discover later that it might not have been a suicide at all: His father's finger, and ring, were unearthed in a garden bed. He also finds out his father had cancer. The confusion continues when he and his friend Jeff uncover an embezzlement taking place; the company has lost an incredibly large amount of money and is facing aggressive debtors. A loan from Sutton, a friend from another wealthy distilling family, only delays the inevitable temporarily. The family struggles to maintain a semblance of dignity despite the police breathing down their necks. The reading of the will tells us the eldest Bradford son, Edward, was not included, yet an illegitimate son was. Lane begins to take the reigns of the company by bribing not only the board of trustees but by asking Jeff to stay and take over as CEO. A poorly attended visitation did allow the readers to finally be introduced to the youngest son, Maxwell. The only daughter and spoiled debutant, Gin (or Virginia), decides to marry the awful (but wealthy) Richard in order to secure a future for her and her daughter, Amelia, who she is desperately trying to make amends with. Amelia's father, unbeknownst to Amelia or him, is Samuel. The love and tension between Gin and Samuel unravel enough for Samuel to confess his feelings to her, but to no avail. Edward's story continues as his relationships change with Shelby and Sutton both. Lane secures grains for his master distiller, Mack, by winning a huge poker game. Mrs. Aurora, who is essentially the only mother-figure these siblings have ever known, is found in a coma due to the progression of her cancer. The story comes to a close as we learn the details behind Edward's confession to the murdering of their father.

Edward's story arc is strongly pulling the readers along for this ride. Did he really do it? Why? If not, who is he covering for? Was Max involved? Will his love for Sutton ever become realized? Will he ever be happy? I'm also extremely interested in the story line between Gin and Samuel - they are meant to be and I can't wait to read about it. Will Samuel learn about Amelia? Will Richard get his due? What will happen to the company? To the family and it's estate? Can Lane save it? Will Mrs. Aurora pull out of this coma?

Such fun. Thank you again for the opportunity to review this book. I give it a five out of five for sure. Drama, murder, wealth, love, bourbon and Kentucky. Perfection.

I usually do not write reviews, but after i saw a few of the bad one's, i felt the need to speak up. I LOVE J R WARD !!! i LOVE everything she writes.....i may not like a lot of the content, but i feel that the characters speak to her in their own way. I, for one , enjoyed The Angel's Share. I didn't have any pre-conceived notions of some big romance with Edward and Sutton. Of course i love a tortured male lead , and Edward totally fit the bill, but i do think that allowing us to see his mind-set , and clue us in on how he thinks was paramount to the cadence of the story . I think that the first thing , was to secure the family situation, and i believe she did that . I DO wish there was more "written" smoking hot sex scenes , instead of leaving it up to our imagination , because , let's face it , that is usually WHY we read these novels, but , in a round about kind of way, i enjoyed that .Sometimes, less is more . I am looking forward to the next installment of the series.Of course the Warden has left a slew of bits and pieces that do not add up, so i can't wait to see who the Real killer is , and how the BFB will move forward.

I enjoyed the first book. I could totally see the book becoming a television series. It played so well in my head. I was very excited for book 2. Yep season 2 is mapped out. This is totally Dallas meets Kentucky Bourbon money. JR Ward is always so great with words. She paints such beautiful pictures. Living in Louisville helps since it's the model for Charlemonte.
The problems in this book just appear to be growing. It is nice to see Lane and Lizzie weathering this storm so well together. They are puzzle pieces that seem to really fit perfectly. Watching Edward do what he can to protect his siblings and love Sutton the only way he thinks he can. The stories of the life growing up at Easterly pull at your heart strings as you see what Edward has done to pull away knowing how much they counted on him.
I can't wait for book 3. I hope the picture she paints remains as beautiful and we continue to meet many more amazing characters. BTW "The Grain God" has to be one of my favorite characters. He's one of the most down to earth billionaires I've read about. I put money there are more like him in real life.

Gahhh! This series is everything. It just gets into your head and doesn't let go. I found myself hoping they were not doing anything while I was away and unable to read. This book was phenomenal. I'm going to review this like I did The Beast with bullet points LOL. I'm just trying to not spoil it by gushing over it.

I am pretty sure Edward will be the death of me. I love his character and really really want a HEA for him. He's kinda my favorite.
Max.....I need to know more and I want more
Lane. You are a stellar dude and I am so rooting for you and everything you have planned.
If Gin and Samuel could sit the hell down and have a REAL conversation that would be great. I need these two together. Like now.
Lizzie <3
Dear Sutton...Don't give up! Love Heather
Miss Aurora <3
Edwin. I'm not sure about you yet but I am intrigued.
Chantal....BYE FELICIA
I am soooo going to be suffering till next summer and hopefully the next book in this series. The Bourbon series is addicting and heartbreaking all in one. I can't wait for more.

In my review of the first book in this series, The Bourbon Kings, I said, if the old school drama sagas Dallas and Dynasty got married and had a baby, it would be named The Bourbon Kings.

That's still true.

Honestly, I don't know even know what it is about this story and these characters that sucked me in from the first page and refused to let me go, and I don't care. All I know is, I could.not.stop turning the pages.

I loved the multiple POVs, the ships, the crazy drama and the plot-twists. Lane and Lizzie may be the main couple, but they're not the only couple. Edward and Sutton are my ship. They're the ones I want SO DESPERATELY to get a happy ending. Even Samuel T. and Gin--who stress me out like crazy and I can't decide if I want to hug them or smack them, maybe both---grew on me.

When I reached the end, I sent Erin (Publicist at Berkley/Penguin), an email that said, Please tell me there is one more book, I NEED THERE TO BE ONE MORE BOOK OMG! Because I am a professional.

The Angels' Share is not to be missed!

JR Ward is one of those authors that I will always trust to give me a great read. Like her BDB series this Bourbon King is one continuous story. This book picks up right after the events of the last book. Lane is trying to deal with his father's death and betrayal. They whole family is dealing with having no real money to speak of. Which is quite the shock for these people that grew up with old money. Each of the siblings have major developments in this story. I absolutely love that you don't just get glimpses of the other characters in these books, but you get completely into their heads. While Lane may be the main focus of both books so far, His other siblings Edward and Gin have quite the life dramas as well. I think this series is going to be like the liquor it is named after, It will just get better with age. I can't wait to see where JR takes us with this family, and what new dramas the next installment will bring us.

Review copy provided for an honest review.

If you loved last summer’s hit The Bourbon Kings I think you’ll love The Angels' Share just as much. It continues the saga of the Bradford family – brothers Edward, Lane and Max and sister Gin. Each sibling has his/her own personal drama in addition to the larger drama of their father’s death. Was it suicide or something else?

This family is the definition of dysfunction yet blood will always be thicker than water. Even if begrudgingly, family loyalty is a certainty with the Bradford siblings. Lane exemplifies that loyalty and rises to lead the family in the darkest of days.

Filled with colorful supporting characters, The Angels' Share is a fast-paced and entertaining novel that I think makes the best kind of beach read. At times it seemed overly dramatic (think night-time soaps from the 80s) and I enjoyed it all. I can’t wait for the next book! *I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I think most of the negative reviews of this book come from newer readers who are not used to story arcs. They want it all wrapped up in one sitting and moving on to the next.

Not so with this and I love it.

This trilogy reminds me of something along the lines of a Greek play....think Oedipus. The underlying mystery is the death of the father, the family is broken and how will they recover and with whom leading it.

No there are not steamy sex scenes, there is dialogue and mystery. Problems are not solved in a page over the course of a day. Kind of like real life. There are deeply hurt feelings, betrayals, confusion.....the actions that caused these feelings and the feelings themselves are not swept under a rug and glossed over, they are fleshed out and put to light.

While there is romance and couple development, that is NOT the primary focus of the story.

If you want sex and solved in a day....this is not the series for you.

If you want intrigue and actually want to engage your brain in a story, then The Bourbon Kings is going to be up your alley.

4 stars. The Angels' Share is the second book in the Bourbon Kings series. It helps you understand the setting and the main characters if you have read the first book. But this book can be read as a standalone. There is some violence and sex so 18+.

The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that info here. JR Ward does a good job of describing the characters and setting and bringing new readers up to speed with what happened in the first book. You easily get caught up in the emotions of the characters and story. There are plenty twists and turns and surprises in the book. I really enjoyed this book.

This book was a little harder for me to get into than the last, but that's not to say that I enjoyed it any less than the last. I wanted Lane to not be a jerk but every page I read he was turning into his father and that didn't sit well with me. BUt the elusive Max from the first book made up for alllll of that. reading this book i'm thrown back into the days where I sat with my grandmother and watch her soap opera on T.V, I loved that we get to follow each member of the family, save for Little V.E and even member not of the family but close to them. BTW, I haaaaate the way J.R. Ward leaves us thirsting for MORE at the end of these books....she waits until the 99% mark and drops the BOMB! I'm really excited to read the next installment which I think will be crazier and more heart breaking than this.

Wow. So this sequel to The Bourbon Kings started out a bit slow but once it got going (after 15%) boy was I hooked.

Lane is pulling favors and doing everything he can to save his family from bankruptcy after finding out how bad his father left things when he died. He really stepped up to the plate. Meanwhile the rest of his family isn't making things easy for him.

Ward is gifted when it comes to multiple povs and giving us multiple couples to root for. We were left hanging with two sad scenarios, we'll have to wait and see how they play out. But Ward also gave us hope.

The Angels' Share was an excellent sequel. I'm looking forward to more. Well done!

*Purchased through Audible*

And so things start to crumble. Secrets are bound to destroy this family and their fortune. The second book in this series starts out right where the first book left off...

Drama. Secrets. Drama. It seems never-ending with this cast of characters. From all of the drama and secrets, we see some characters grow and evolve. Above their upbringing, the characters are becoming more and more grounded. They will do anything to keep their family's legacy going. But with all of the secrets, it might seem impossible.

Everything from the first book literally hits the fan. Everything is a-muck in this book. I couldn't put it down. With my heart racing and mind reeling, I had no idea where Ward was going to take me in this book!

I really wasn't expecting much of this book - second books in trilogies are usually the worst. I've read a lot of this author's work, though, and I decided to go ahead and read it, just to be ready for the next book. To my surprise, it was really good, better even than the first. Instead of focusing the story on the next family member, the author chose to continue cover the primary characters from the first book and this was a good choice. There was plenty of room for growth in these characters and I enjoyed following more of their story.

I'm looking for ward tot he next book, but I really enjoyed reading this one.

This series makes me insane...in a good way. It is very reminiscent of Dallas, Dynasty, and Knots Landing. I get very caught up with a lot of these characters. Some I want to hug, others I want to slap upside the head and tell them to get it together! Still some, need both.
I love Ward's writing style that she brings to all her books. Her sarcasm and quiet humor has me chuckle through what should be tense moments. This series, due to the elite status of the characters, has a different phraseology to it than her BDB series. It has certainly expanded my vocabulary base. Which is a main reason to read. So hats off to Ms Ward for that.

I enjoyed the first book this series in an indulgent night-time soap sort of way. And I had even higher hopes for this second installment. After all, I love a good scarred, tortured hero, and Edward definitely fits the bill. In The Bourbon Kings, JR Ward clearly set up the romance between him and Sutton, the daughter of the rival distillery. Or did she?

I think one of my big problems with this book was its total failure to meet my expectations. Maybe that’s my fault. Perhaps I should not have assumed this was Edward’s book. Heck, maybe I shouldn’t have assumed that there would be a romance in each book. Because (SPOILER ALERT) there’s not. Edward is not the hero of this book at all. It’s still largely from his brother Lane’s POV. And what time we did spend with Edward frustrated me utterly. Because he seemed to be getting involved with two woman. He’s kissing and snuggling with one, having sex with another, and I just don’t want to read that.

I’m trying to be fair and judge the story not for what I thought it was supposed to be, but rather for what it really was. But based on the first book and based on the fact that JR Ward is the author, I think most people are going to expect the same things I did. They will be disappointed too.

What this book does do is focus on the death of the Bradford family patriarch and the mess he left behind. He bankrupted the company. He sired illegitimate children. He destroyed Edward. And pretty much no one mourns his death. But the family and the business must go on. The book follows Lane as he steps up in his growing role as head of the family, as he tries to track the money, and as he figures out how to save everyone he loves –and the Bradford legacy—from ruin.

We do get to spend some time with his siblings. The prodigal son Max returns, but it’s barely a cameo. As I mentioned, Edward gets some page time, but he left me frustrated and confused. And Gin returns to both fascinate and repulse me with her overwhelmingly self-destructive behaviors. I essentially liked no one.

I was interested in the story, because Ward can reel me in. But this is twice now she has let me down and left me wholly dissatisfied with one of her books. (Let’s not even talk about that BDB debacle.) I expect certain basic things from a romance author, not the least of which is romance… at least somewhere in there. It doesn’t have to be the A-plot. But it should be somewhere. Here, it’s just not.

J.R. Ward, known for her suspense and romance, picks up at the beguiling place where we left off in her last book in her latest series, The Bourbon Kings. At the end of first book, we see the demise of a patriarch that seems all too suspect but the reader is content with knowing that the middle son of the legacy family, the Bradfords, has overcome a tumultuous past to step up to the plate and start acting worthy of that legacy. With his love life headed in the right direction, his abusive father now out of his family’s life, and his ‘momma’ feeling and acting like her old self; we can expect a happy ending, right? Wrong.
In The Angel’s Share, Southern charm and extravagance, sprawling estates, and of course bourbon, are front and center in another mystery that doesn’t disappoint. In this second series installment we see Lane Bradford is faced once again with even more dilemmas in this seducing summer read as his father’s death looks quite suspect after an estate worker finds a body part buried on the family grounds. This seemingly richer than rich Kentucky family has not only made a fortune in the Bourbon industry, but also made many enemies, both within their estate and outside of it and death seems to lie in wait amidst estate grounds. The Bradfords are the classiest of Kentucky’s elite, but beneath the façade are a great deal of secrets and now, the middle of siblings, and reformed-wild-child Lane has to admit to and face some of his greatest fears and the family’s worst secrets because he is the only one willing to do so. When facing the dysfunctionality that he had been trying to suppress for so long, he and his spoiled siblings come to terms with hidden secrets, possible murders, and the fact that they are possibly in ruins despite all the fancy clothes, cars, and staff waiting on them hand and foot.
Money can’t buy you a functional family and from the looks of things in The Angel’s Share, the Bradfords will soon be out of money as well. The cast of characters is straight out of a naughty Southern dream: from the spoiled sister Virginia, who uses her sexual appeal because of daddy issues and has a very big secret that might just rip her world up even more, to the estranged brother Edward, whose tragic past—all due to the grudge his father held against him—left him a shadow of who he once was; to Lane, a playboy who found love and lost it because of his reputation and that of his family and found it again because of his tenacity and need for love requited; and finally the youngest brother, Max, whose appearance after years missing seems suspicious.
This new installment of The Bourbon Kings series has even more exciting characters, surprises, and of course, tons of steamy situations to keep you tied to a world of exuberance, dysfunction, and excitement. J.R. Ward again creates a world of wealth and glamour with impeccably written scenes and wonderfully flawed characters. I am eagerly awaiting the next novel.

(spoilers found in middle of review)

The Angels' Share

New York Times Bestselling author, J.R. Ward, continues her Bourbon Kings saga in The Angels' Share, where we further embrace the drama, greed and excesses of this fabulously wealthy Kentucky family.

I was one of the lucky winners of the Goodreads 'Giveaways' and received a free copy of The Angels' Share through them and Penguin Random House. I LOVE J.R. Ward's writing style and can never get enough of her books. Combine that with my love of bourbon and that I actually live in Kentucky, not far from where much of this plot takes place, and you get a very excited and satisfied fan. Thank you so much for this book. I only wish I was able to read this sooner.

I often describe the Bourbon Kings series as (the soap opera) Dallas meets the bourbon gods of Kentucky; the Texas oil empire saga but in Kentucky and over bourbon. J.R. Ward does a wonderful job pulling her readers into her stories. Her alternating points of views is something I have always enjoyed about her, no matter her series. She adds additional layers of enjoyment for her regional readers by including accurate descriptions of bourbon distillation, weather or local sentiments towards things like basketball rivals or the love of our Graeters Ice Cream, for example. This story embodies a great combination of elements that allow for a marvelous plot and I can't recommend it enough.

(Spoiler time:) In The Angels' Share, we begin by learning that the atrocious patriarch, William Bradford, has died from an apparent suicide. Lane, or Tulane (awesome name choices, btw) is the only child that is making an effort to save the company. He falls into the Ohio river while trying to understand why his father might kill himself, only to shortly discover later that it might not have been a suicide at all: His father's finger, and ring, were unearthed in a garden bed. He also finds out his father had cancer. The confusion continues when he and his friend Jeff uncover an embezzlement taking place; the company has lost an incredibly large amount of money and is facing aggressive debtors. A loan from Sutton, a friend from another wealthy distilling family, only delays the inevitable temporarily. The family struggles to maintain a semblance of dignity despite the police breathing down their necks. The reading of the will tells us the eldest Bradford son, Edward, was not included, yet an illegitimate son was. Lane begins to take the reigns of the company by bribing not only the board of trustees but by asking Jeff to stay and take over as CEO. A poorly attended visitation did allow the readers to finally be introduced to the youngest son, Maxwell. The only daughter and spoiled debutant, Gin (or Virginia), decides to marry the awful (but wealthy) Richard in order to secure a future for her and her daughter, Amelia, who she is desperately trying to make amends with. Amelia's father, unbeknownst to Amelia or him, is Samuel. The love and tension between Gin and Samuel unravel enough for Samuel to confess his feelings to her, but to no avail. Edward's story continues as his relationships change with Shelby and Sutton both. Lane secures grains for his master distiller, Mack, by winning a huge poker game. Mrs. Aurora, who is essentially the only mother-figure these siblings have ever known, is found in a coma due to the progression of her cancer. The story comes to a close as we learn the details behind Edward's confession to the murdering of their father.

Edward's story arc is strongly pulling the readers along for this ride. Did he really do it? Why? If not, who is he covering for? Was Max involved? Will his love for Sutton ever become realized? Will he ever be happy? I'm also extremely interested in the story line between Gin and Samuel - they are meant to be and I can't wait to read about it. Will Samuel learn about Amelia? Will Richard get his due? What will happen to the company? To the family and it's estate? Can Lane save it? Will Mrs. Aurora pull out of this coma?

Such fun. Thank you again for the opportunity to review this book. I give it a five out of five for sure. Drama, murder, wealth, love, bourbon and Kentucky. Perfection.

I usually do not write reviews, but after i saw a few of the bad one's, i felt the need to speak up. I LOVE J R WARD !!! i LOVE everything she writes.....i may not like a lot of the content, but i feel that the characters speak to her in their own way. I, for one , enjoyed The Angel's Share. I didn't have any pre-conceived notions of some big romance with Edward and Sutton. Of course i love a tortured male lead , and Edward totally fit the bill, but i do think that allowing us to see his mind-set , and clue us in on how he thinks was paramount to the cadence of the story . I think that the first thing , was to secure the family situation, and i believe she did that . I DO wish there was more "written" smoking hot sex scenes , instead of leaving it up to our imagination , because , let's face it , that is usually WHY we read these novels, but , in a round about kind of way, i enjoyed that .Sometimes, less is more . I am looking forward to the next installment of the series.Of course the Warden has left a slew of bits and pieces that do not add up, so i can't wait to see who the Real killer is , and how the BFB will move forward.

I enjoyed the first book. I could totally see the book becoming a television series. It played so well in my head. I was very excited for book 2. Yep season 2 is mapped out. This is totally Dallas meets Kentucky Bourbon money. JR Ward is always so great with words. She paints such beautiful pictures. Living in Louisville helps since it's the model for Charlemonte.
The problems in this book just appear to be growing. It is nice to see Lane and Lizzie weathering this storm so well together. They are puzzle pieces that seem to really fit perfectly. Watching Edward do what he can to protect his siblings and love Sutton the only way he thinks he can. The stories of the life growing up at Easterly pull at your heart strings as you see what Edward has done to pull away knowing how much they counted on him.
I can't wait for book 3. I hope the picture she paints remains as beautiful and we continue to meet many more amazing characters. BTW "The Grain God" has to be one of my favorite characters. He's one of the most down to earth billionaires I've read about. I put money there are more like him in real life.

Gahhh! This series is everything. It just gets into your head and doesn't let go. I found myself hoping they were not doing anything while I was away and unable to read. This book was phenomenal. I'm going to review this like I did The Beast with bullet points LOL. I'm just trying to not spoil it by gushing over it.

I am pretty sure Edward will be the death of me. I love his character and really really want a HEA for him. He's kinda my favorite.
Max.....I need to know more and I want more
Lane. You are a stellar dude and I am so rooting for you and everything you have planned.
If Gin and Samuel could sit the hell down and have a REAL conversation that would be great. I need these two together. Like now.
Lizzie <3
Dear Sutton...Don't give up! Love Heather
Miss Aurora <3
Edwin. I'm not sure about you yet but I am intrigued.
Chantal....BYE FELICIA
I am soooo going to be suffering till next summer and hopefully the next book in this series. The Bourbon series is addicting and heartbreaking all in one. I can't wait for more.

In my review of the first book in this series, The Bourbon Kings, I said, if the old school drama sagas Dallas and Dynasty got married and had a baby, it would be named The Bourbon Kings.

That's still true.

Honestly, I don't know even know what it is about this story and these characters that sucked me in from the first page and refused to let me go, and I don't care. All I know is, I could.not.stop turning the pages.

I loved the multiple POVs, the ships, the crazy drama and the plot-twists. Lane and Lizzie may be the main couple, but they're not the only couple. Edward and Sutton are my ship. They're the ones I want SO DESPERATELY to get a happy ending. Even Samuel T. and Gin--who stress me out like crazy and I can't decide if I want to hug them or smack them, maybe both---grew on me.

When I reached the end, I sent Erin (Publicist at Berkley/Penguin), an email that said, Please tell me there is one more book, I NEED THERE TO BE ONE MORE BOOK OMG! Because I am a professional.

The Angels' Share is not to be missed!

JR Ward is one of those authors that I will always trust to give me a great read. Like her BDB series this Bourbon King is one continuous story. This book picks up right after the events of the last book. Lane is trying to deal with his father's death and betrayal. They whole family is dealing with having no real money to speak of. Which is quite the shock for these people that grew up with old money. Each of the siblings have major developments in this story. I absolutely love that you don't just get glimpses of the other characters in these books, but you get completely into their heads. While Lane may be the main focus of both books so far, His other siblings Edward and Gin have quite the life dramas as well. I think this series is going to be like the liquor it is named after, It will just get better with age. I can't wait to see where JR takes us with this family, and what new dramas the next installment will bring us.

Review copy provided for an honest review.

If you loved last summer’s hit The Bourbon Kings I think you’ll love The Angels' Share just as much. It continues the saga of the Bradford family – brothers Edward, Lane and Max and sister Gin. Each sibling has his/her own personal drama in addition to the larger drama of their father’s death. Was it suicide or something else?

This family is the definition of dysfunction yet blood will always be thicker than water. Even if begrudgingly, family loyalty is a certainty with the Bradford siblings. Lane exemplifies that loyalty and rises to lead the family in the darkest of days.

Filled with colorful supporting characters, The Angels' Share is a fast-paced and entertaining novel that I think makes the best kind of beach read. At times it seemed overly dramatic (think night-time soaps from the 80s) and I enjoyed it all. I can’t wait for the next book! *I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I think most of the negative reviews of this book come from newer readers who are not used to story arcs. They want it all wrapped up in one sitting and moving on to the next.

Not so with this and I love it.

This trilogy reminds me of something along the lines of a Greek play....think Oedipus. The underlying mystery is the death of the father, the family is broken and how will they recover and with whom leading it.

No there are not steamy sex scenes, there is dialogue and mystery. Problems are not solved in a page over the course of a day. Kind of like real life. There are deeply hurt feelings, betrayals, confusion.....the actions that caused these feelings and the feelings themselves are not swept under a rug and glossed over, they are fleshed out and put to light.

While there is romance and couple development, that is NOT the primary focus of the story.

If you want sex and solved in a day....this is not the series for you.

If you want intrigue and actually want to engage your brain in a story, then The Bourbon Kings is going to be up your alley.

4 stars. The Angels' Share is the second book in the Bourbon Kings series. It helps you understand the setting and the main characters if you have read the first book. But this book can be read as a standalone. There is some violence and sex so 18+.

The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that info here. JR Ward does a good job of describing the characters and setting and bringing new readers up to speed with what happened in the first book. You easily get caught up in the emotions of the characters and story. There are plenty twists and turns and surprises in the book. I really enjoyed this book.

This book was a little harder for me to get into than the last, but that's not to say that I enjoyed it any less than the last. I wanted Lane to not be a jerk but every page I read he was turning into his father and that didn't sit well with me. BUt the elusive Max from the first book made up for alllll of that. reading this book i'm thrown back into the days where I sat with my grandmother and watch her soap opera on T.V, I loved that we get to follow each member of the family, save for Little V.E and even member not of the family but close to them. BTW, I haaaaate the way J.R. Ward leaves us thirsting for MORE at the end of these books....she waits until the 99% mark and drops the BOMB! I'm really excited to read the next installment which I think will be crazier and more heart breaking than this.

Wow. So this sequel to The Bourbon Kings started out a bit slow but once it got going (after 15%) boy was I hooked.

Lane is pulling favors and doing everything he can to save his family from bankruptcy after finding out how bad his father left things when he died. He really stepped up to the plate. Meanwhile the rest of his family isn't making things easy for him.

Ward is gifted when it comes to multiple povs and giving us multiple couples to root for. We were left hanging with two sad scenarios, we'll have to wait and see how they play out. But Ward also gave us hope.

The Angels' Share was an excellent sequel. I'm looking forward to more. Well done!

*Purchased through Audible*

And so things start to crumble. Secrets are bound to destroy this family and their fortune. The second book in this series starts out right where the first book left off...

Drama. Secrets. Drama. It seems never-ending with this cast of characters. From all of the drama and secrets, we see some characters grow and evolve. Above their upbringing, the characters are becoming more and more grounded. They will do anything to keep their family's legacy going. But with all of the secrets, it might seem impossible.

Everything from the first book literally hits the fan. Everything is a-muck in this book. I couldn't put it down. With my heart racing and mind reeling, I had no idea where Ward was going to take me in this book!

I really wasn't expecting much of this book - second books in trilogies are usually the worst. I've read a lot of this author's work, though, and I decided to go ahead and read it, just to be ready for the next book. To my surprise, it was really good, better even than the first. Instead of focusing the story on the next family member, the author chose to continue cover the primary characters from the first book and this was a good choice. There was plenty of room for growth in these characters and I enjoyed following more of their story.

I'm looking for ward tot he next book, but I really enjoyed reading this one.

This series makes me insane...in a good way. It is very reminiscent of Dallas, Dynasty, and Knots Landing. I get very caught up with a lot of these characters. Some I want to hug, others I want to slap upside the head and tell them to get it together! Still some, need both.
I love Ward's writing style that she brings to all her books. Her sarcasm and quiet humor has me chuckle through what should be tense moments. This series, due to the elite status of the characters, has a different phraseology to it than her BDB series. It has certainly expanded my vocabulary base. Which is a main reason to read. So hats off to Ms Ward for that.

I enjoyed the first book this series in an indulgent night-time soap sort of way. And I had even higher hopes for this second installment. After all, I love a good scarred, tortured hero, and Edward definitely fits the bill. In The Bourbon Kings, JR Ward clearly set up the romance between him and Sutton, the daughter of the rival distillery. Or did she?

I think one of my big problems with this book was its total failure to meet my expectations. Maybe that’s my fault. Perhaps I should not have assumed this was Edward’s book. Heck, maybe I shouldn’t have assumed that there would be a romance in each book. Because (SPOILER ALERT) there’s not. Edward is not the hero of this book at all. It’s still largely from his brother Lane’s POV. And what time we did spend with Edward frustrated me utterly. Because he seemed to be getting involved with two woman. He’s kissing and snuggling with one, having sex with another, and I just don’t want to read that.

I’m trying to be fair and judge the story not for what I thought it was supposed to be, but rather for what it really was. But based on the first book and based on the fact that JR Ward is the author, I think most people are going to expect the same things I did. They will be disappointed too.

What this book does do is focus on the death of the Bradford family patriarch and the mess he left behind. He bankrupted the company. He sired illegitimate children. He destroyed Edward. And pretty much no one mourns his death. But the family and the business must go on. The book follows Lane as he steps up in his growing role as head of the family, as he tries to track the money, and as he figures out how to save everyone he loves –and the Bradford legacy—from ruin.

We do get to spend some time with his siblings. The prodigal son Max returns, but it’s barely a cameo. As I mentioned, Edward gets some page time, but he left me frustrated and confused. And Gin returns to both fascinate and repulse me with her overwhelmingly self-destructive behaviors. I essentially liked no one.

I was interested in the story, because Ward can reel me in. But this is twice now she has let me down and left me wholly dissatisfied with one of her books. (Let’s not even talk about that BDB debacle.) I expect certain basic things from a romance author, not the least of which is romance… at least somewhere in there. It doesn’t have to be the A-plot. But it should be somewhere. Here, it’s just not.

J.R. Ward, known for her suspense and romance, picks up at the beguiling place where we left off in her last book in her latest series, The Bourbon Kings. At the end of first book, we see the demise of a patriarch that seems all too suspect but the reader is content with knowing that the middle son of the legacy family, the Bradfords, has overcome a tumultuous past to step up to the plate and start acting worthy of that legacy. With his love life headed in the right direction, his abusive father now out of his family’s life, and his ‘momma’ feeling and acting like her old self; we can expect a happy ending, right? Wrong.
In The Angel’s Share, Southern charm and extravagance, sprawling estates, and of course bourbon, are front and center in another mystery that doesn’t disappoint. In this second series installment we see Lane Bradford is faced once again with even more dilemmas in this seducing summer read as his father’s death looks quite suspect after an estate worker finds a body part buried on the family grounds. This seemingly richer than rich Kentucky family has not only made a fortune in the Bourbon industry, but also made many enemies, both within their estate and outside of it and death seems to lie in wait amidst estate grounds. The Bradfords are the classiest of Kentucky’s elite, but beneath the façade are a great deal of secrets and now, the middle of siblings, and reformed-wild-child Lane has to admit to and face some of his greatest fears and the family’s worst secrets because he is the only one willing to do so. When facing the dysfunctionality that he had been trying to suppress for so long, he and his spoiled siblings come to terms with hidden secrets, possible murders, and the fact that they are possibly in ruins despite all the fancy clothes, cars, and staff waiting on them hand and foot.
Money can’t buy you a functional family and from the looks of things in The Angel’s Share, the Bradfords will soon be out of money as well. The cast of characters is straight out of a naughty Southern dream: from the spoiled sister Virginia, who uses her sexual appeal because of daddy issues and has a very big secret that might just rip her world up even more, to the estranged brother Edward, whose tragic past—all due to the grudge his father held against him—left him a shadow of who he once was; to Lane, a playboy who found love and lost it because of his reputation and that of his family and found it again because of his tenacity and need for love requited; and finally the youngest brother, Max, whose appearance after years missing seems suspicious.
This new installment of The Bourbon Kings series has even more exciting characters, surprises, and of course, tons of steamy situations to keep you tied to a world of exuberance, dysfunction, and excitement. J.R. Ward again creates a world of wealth and glamour with impeccably written scenes and wonderfully flawed characters. I am eagerly awaiting the next novel.

The word of the hour is disappointed.

I enjoyed the soap opera-esque feel that Bourbon Kings had...the drama was everywhere. A big chunk of the book focused on the romance and that drew you in because the surrounding drama drug the characters together cementing them against the world, so to speak. There really isn't any romance in The Angels' Share... I had high hopes that Edward was going to get to tell his side of the story, but really Lane was still the star of the show. The parts where Edward got his time were less than satisfactory. I love a good damaged hero, but he didn't get enough page time to make me love him.

I truly struggled reading this one, which is horrifying for me because Ward has one of my all-time favorite series under her belt, BDB. I found the pacing of this book slow, sometimes to the point of being tedious. There are so many different characters and it feels like every single one of them has their own point of view. Just when I would get settled into one person's head I'd be shifted to someone else, then again, and again, then finally back... made me lose those ever-important connections a reader gets to a character.

Now, I'm going to go ahead and contradict myself a bit -- it's my prerogative -- the storyline is amazing, the twists and turns, each piece of the puzzle and how the characters are all intertwined, all of that is there. The execution is where the failure comes and unfortunately that's a huge issue for me. Frustrating because I can see the greatness, it just didn't translate.

ARC Review by Miranda at Mommy's a Book Whore.

The second book in this series seemed to be about as good as the first. I started this series based on who wrote it, of course now I have to finish to have the full story. For those who have read JR before, this book is nothing like her others. The story is somewhat intriguing but not as interesting as I hoped. Basically, I'm a little OCD, so I need to know the ending, therefore I will have to read the next book. This is just me though.

I finished The Angels' Share--and the first book, The Bourbon Kings--but I'm not in love with this series. Lots of telling (and repetition of the telling), some very unpleasant characters, but not yet an obvious villain, except the dead patriarch. The plot twist in this one didn't surprise me, but I'll be interested to see where JR goes with the next one, cause it seems far from over. So, interesting but not enthralling--which is why, so far, this series is a library borrow, not a purchase.

Well crafted and full of vibrant characters The Angels' Share continues the story of the Bradford family troubles. Lizzy and Lane are finally together, but the drama of Lane's family and the failing business keep him busy. Gin must deal with the consequences of her marriage to Pford, Edward comes to gripes with his love for Sutton, and the long lost son Max returns to the fold. Full of mystery, love, and intrigue I can't wait to see what happens in book 3, Ward better be writing a book 3!

This isn't your typical series with one relationship being addressed per book. In this series, book one set up a bunch of unanswered questions and unresolved relationships. Some questions have been answered in this book, but more have been posed as well. I can't wait for this next one!

I love the first book and couldn't wait to start Angel's Share. This author doesn't disappoint. It is the first of her series that I've read and I really enjoyed these very complex characters. If there is a next book I'll be happy but if not I'm satisfied.

I thoroughly enjoyed JR Ward's second installment of the Bourbon Kings. This story is filled with it all: intrigue, suspense, drama, sex, money, greed and on and on....

JR Ward never disappoints me.

An interesting read, enough that I plan on finishing the series by supporting/visiting my local library. Not a book or series I will be buying and I don't think I will be adding it to my library. Next book 'Angels Share'.

There are many words longer than 15-17 characters long. As much as I hate...hate trilogy's, I'm reading the last book next. Even if I'm guessing the correct ending, it's that good of a book! Take your time to enjoy the read. Find a dictionary if you must but, don't just skip the bigger words. They give the book flavor.

I love JR Ward but this book is not for me. I really didn't care for the first book but because of my love of Ward I have this series another shot. For one the books are way to expensive. The characters are boring and honestly I really don't care about them at all. I just can't get into this series. This will be the last book in this series I will spend any money on.

A very successful multi generational, family owned, bourbon company finds itself near backruptcy when the head of the company is thought to have committed suicide. The youngest son, who has never been involved with the company, has to take the realm. The secrets he uncovers makes a very interesting and unusual plot.

An interesting read, enough that I plan on finishing the series by supporting/visiting my local library. Not a book or series I will be buying and I don't think I will be adding it to my library. Next book 'Angels Share'.

There are many words longer than 15-17 characters long. As much as I hate...hate trilogy's, I'm reading the last book next. Even if I'm guessing the correct ending, it's that good of a book! Take your time to enjoy the read. Find a dictionary if you must but, don't just skip the bigger words. They give the book flavor.

I love JR Ward but this book is not for me. I really didn't care for the first book but because of my love of Ward I have this series another shot. For one the books are way to expensive. The characters are boring and honestly I really don't care about them at all. I just can't get into this series. This will be the last book in this series I will spend any money on.

A very successful multi generational, family owned, bourbon company finds itself near backruptcy when the head of the company is thought to have committed suicide. The youngest son, who has never been involved with the company, has to take the realm. The secrets he uncovers makes a very interesting and unusual plot.

OMG I can't even begin to describe how amazing this book was! I thought the first in the series was good but this took it to a whole new level! So much suspense and excitement and sassy southern mess I LOVE it! I cannot wait for the next installment

Disappointed. The first one was fabulous. This seemed rushed and predictable. Any twists were not surprising and only seemed to hasten to the end. If there will be a 3rd book I can't see any more character development because they all fell flat.