"Let this take its proper course,
and trust that the outcome is predetermined and as it should be."
and trust that the outcome is predetermined and as it should be."
--JR Ward, The Angel's Share
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Publisher: NAL
Pages: 432
Publication Date: July 26th, 2016
Source: ARC provided by publisher
Previous Books in Series: The Bourbon Kings
Find on: Goodreads | Amazon
My Thoughts
The Belle
When this showed up on my doorstep, I flipped shit. We all know JR Ward is an all-time favorite author and her newest series The Bourbon Kings is a definite different direction from her previous series but no less amazing. Sidenote: I just have to say how much I love the title, the meaning of it, and everything it represents.Ok, review time. Lemme try and break this down...
The Characters
Listen, many might disagree with me but I have to say that almost none of these characters are likeable. That might sound like a negative but stay with me. I love unlikeable characters. Seriously love them. Because they don't give any fucks and they make no apologies for who they are. The Bradford family is this to a T. But what is so amazing how Ward's writing is even if they aren't the poster children for morality and decision-making, you can't help but root for them. Or care immensely what happens to them. But you do. I do. I care so incredibly much about this family and they never cease to surprise me in journey.
While Lane is a big focal point of the story and how he's trying to keep his family and company afloat, I won't lie, it was the side stories that really kept me reading. Edward continues to be my personal focus and my heart bleeds for him. I want him to find peace and hope and a way to...be himself. I don't want to say move on because what happened to him isn't something you can just forget. But I want him to listen to his Momma and accept his circumstances and rise above. He is hands down my favorite character. I did love to see Lane really take the reins and steer his family away from ruin, though. Well done, Lane. Love where you're going with this.
Another characters that shocked me was Gin. Oh, Gin. Girl, you a damn mess. There are moments I just wanted her to fail because her entitlement turns me off...but she surprised me. She stole my heart a little bit and I cannot wait to see where this story takes her. I loved the direction and her choices in this book so, so, so much. Of anybody's story, her arc is what I am most excited to see what happens...with hope of some major changes and revelations.
The Setting
The deep south of Kentucky is as twisted as it is charming. I loved reading about the houses and gardens and location as much as I wanted to cringe with disappointment that people can have such warped views of the world and other people. As perversely fascinating as it is, I can't help but hope these opinions and viewpoints are not the norm of the people who actually live there.
The Plot
The Bradford Company is a hot mess and Lane is doing his best to keep it from ruination. My one 'Beast' would be I felt like the first 50% was Lane having the same conversation over...and over...and over...and over again. It felt a bit like we were going in circles and not really moving forward. The last 50% did a direction change and we started moving again. The end is moderately shocking. I didn't want that ending to happen but I'm not completely surprised it went down...ok, maybe I was pretty surprised. I just don't know what to think and I need the next book right now!!!!
Find on: Goodreads | Amazon
My Thoughts
The Belle
When this showed up on my doorstep, I flipped shit. We all know JR Ward is an all-time favorite author and her newest series The Bourbon Kings is a definite different direction from her previous series but no less amazing. Sidenote: I just have to say how much I love the title, the meaning of it, and everything it represents.Ok, review time. Lemme try and break this down...
The Characters
Listen, many might disagree with me but I have to say that almost none of these characters are likeable. That might sound like a negative but stay with me. I love unlikeable characters. Seriously love them. Because they don't give any fucks and they make no apologies for who they are. The Bradford family is this to a T. But what is so amazing how Ward's writing is even if they aren't the poster children for morality and decision-making, you can't help but root for them. Or care immensely what happens to them. But you do. I do. I care so incredibly much about this family and they never cease to surprise me in journey.
While Lane is a big focal point of the story and how he's trying to keep his family and company afloat, I won't lie, it was the side stories that really kept me reading. Edward continues to be my personal focus and my heart bleeds for him. I want him to find peace and hope and a way to...be himself. I don't want to say move on because what happened to him isn't something you can just forget. But I want him to listen to his Momma and accept his circumstances and rise above. He is hands down my favorite character. I did love to see Lane really take the reins and steer his family away from ruin, though. Well done, Lane. Love where you're going with this.
Another characters that shocked me was Gin. Oh, Gin. Girl, you a damn mess. There are moments I just wanted her to fail because her entitlement turns me off...but she surprised me. She stole my heart a little bit and I cannot wait to see where this story takes her. I loved the direction and her choices in this book so, so, so much. Of anybody's story, her arc is what I am most excited to see what happens...with hope of some major changes and revelations.
The Setting
The deep south of Kentucky is as twisted as it is charming. I loved reading about the houses and gardens and location as much as I wanted to cringe with disappointment that people can have such warped views of the world and other people. As perversely fascinating as it is, I can't help but hope these opinions and viewpoints are not the norm of the people who actually live there.
The Plot
The Bradford Company is a hot mess and Lane is doing his best to keep it from ruination. My one 'Beast' would be I felt like the first 50% was Lane having the same conversation over...and over...and over...and over again. It felt a bit like we were going in circles and not really moving forward. The last 50% did a direction change and we started moving again. The end is moderately shocking. I didn't want that ending to happen but I'm not completely surprised it went down...ok, maybe I was pretty surprised. I just don't know what to think and I need the next book right now!!!!
Backstage Pass
If you love the South, corrupt family dynamic, and bourbon...this book is for you.
If you love the South, corrupt family dynamic, and bourbon...this book is for you.
Honestly, J.R. Ward has magical writing abilities. I always find her stories really addictive and easy to read, in spite of how long they are, and The Angels' Share was no exception. It still had the same sort of soap opera vibe I got from the first book, but I loved seeing what happened next to the Bradford siblings!
ReplyDelete