Review: Devil's Cut by J.R. Ward

Devil's Cut (Bourbon Kings #3) by J.R. Ward

Publication Date: August 1st by Ballantine Books

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

In #1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward’s thrilling finale of the Bourbon Kings series, the Bradford family dynasty teeters on the edge of collapse after the murder of their patriarch—and a shocking arrest.

At first, the death of William Baldwine, the head of the Bradford family, was ruled a suicide. But then his eldest son and sworn enemy, Edward, came forward and confessed to what was, in fact, a murder. Now in police custody, Edward mourns not the disintegration of his family or his loss of freedom . . . but the woman he left behind. His love, Sutton Smythe, is the only person he has ever truly cared about, but as she is the CEO of the Bradford Bourbon Company’s biggest competitor, any relationship between them is impossible. And then there’s the reality of the jail time that Edward is facing.

Lane Baldwine was supposed to remain in his role of playboy, forever in his big brother Edward’s shadow. Instead he has become the new head of the family and the company. Convinced that Edward is covering for someone else, Lane and his true love, Lizzie King, go on the trail of a killer—only to discover a secret that is as devastating as it is game-changing.

As Lane rushes to discover the truth, and Sutton finds herself irresistibly drawn to Edward in spite of his circumstances, the lives of everyone at Easterly will never be the same again. For some, this is good; for others, it could be a tragedy beyond imagining. Only one thing’s for certain: Love survives all things. Even murder.

*****Spoilers ahead if you haven’t read the previous Bourbon Kings books.*****

Devil’s Cut was the perfect ending to J.R. Ward’s Bourbon Kings series. I loved how everything turned out for all couples, and the overall mystery of who killed William Baldwine.  

Lizzie and Lane are the heart and very center of the story, and I was pleased they faced all the problems as a united couple.  They had a personal issue that stirred up a little uncertainty between them, but nothing too worrisome.

I wasn’t really thrilled with Gin in the first book; she had so much opportunity with the wealth and privilege she grew up in and yet didn’t take responsibility or initiative in her own life.  By the second book Gin started making some positive changes, maturing, and I started to like her.  No longer was she just thinking of herself, or shallow vanities, her daughter become her priority, and she was finally willing to face the music with her past mistakes.  I really hoped for a HEA for her and Samuel T, but there was some danger due to her unfortunate marriage to Richard Pford in this installment, and I worried for Gin’s safety.  Gin and Samuel T’s storyline was the most exciting of the three couples to me.

With Edward in jail for the murder of his father, William, a future with Sutton seems impossible.  But I had faith J.R. Ward wouldn’t leave us hanging.  I really liked Sutton’s assertiveness, which is exactly what Edward needed. 

J.R. Ward’s love of the 80’s soap opera, Dynasty, inspired her to write this riveting trilogy.  Devil’s Cut was addictive, each chapter sort of ending in a little mini cliffhanger/hook so you want to keep reading to find out what happens.  Very reminiscent of Sandra Brown’s writing, or a TV commercial break during Dynasty.  I’ve enjoyed Ms. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, but this series was a fun departure from what I’m used to with her.

4 Suns

About the Author

J. R. Ward is the author of more than thirty previous novels, including those in her #1 NYT bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series. She lives in the South with her family.

Connect with J.R. Ward:
Facebook: J.R.WardAuthor • Twitter: @JRWard1 • Instagram: jrwardauthor • Website: jrward.com