Real rating: 3.5 stars 
 Lawd have mercy, The Bourbon Kings was such a delicious novel! 
 But first, a story. 
 Back in April, I drove with my friend Jeremy to Colorado to help him move and get situated in his new digs. It was a long, long, LONG drive, but it meant we got to motor through the rolling hills of Kentucky, resplendent with its signature blue grass, perfectly manicured pastures and - yes - bourbon distilleries. We couldn't very well ride through Bourbon Country without stopping at a local distillery, now could we? I feel like that violates some kind of road trip rule. 
 Kentucky was beautiful and I spent a large part of that drive wondering how that other half - the wealthy, horse-breedin', bourbon-making half - lived. Who was behind those ornate iron gates and herds of race horses? 
 When The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward was announced, it looked divine. I had to have it. 
 Folks, it does not (really) disappoint. 
 What I Liked About The Bourbon Kings 
 Juicy, juicy characterization! 
 What did I like about The Bourbon Kings? All the juicy characters, of course! So many things happen behind closed doors, so many things are whispered behind hands and just about every character was ruthless. Ward was very good at making you hate some characters and making you love others. This is where it really felt like a season of Downton Abbey for me. In fact, I drew several parallels to Downton Abbey, but more on that in a bit. Since the story follows both family and staff, it was easy to become engrossed in their individual stories, which Ward expertly weaved together to create a whole lot of drama. 
 I was pretty invested in the stories about the Bradford children. Tulane, the prodigal son who returns home to see his "mother" before she dies; Edward, the former heir to the entire estate-turned horse breeder/professional avoider/drunk; Gin, the baby of the siblings, who is completely inept at caring for herself, but also cunning enough to play her games with people. Parts of me felt bad for all of them, while other parts of me figured that karma is a real bitch sometimes. 
 Let's talk about the setting of The Bourbon Kings 
 It's lush and beautiful, and Ward compromises nothing when describing the Easterly Estate, with it's many rooms, decadent parlor and dining room, and just plain flashy, old money lifestyle. I pictured it as a modern-day castle much akin to the setting of Downton Abbey (only with a less depressing backdrop - you know, all that fog and grey clouds that perpetuate throughout the U.K...). This is a family that is proud to be from old money, who looks down on their other wealthy counterparts who might have only come into their fortune within the last 100 years or so. 
 Ward illustrates the landscape with incredible brilliance, bringing to life the blue-green blades of grass and the sprawling pastures that go on for as far as the eye can see. Derby Day? Check. She captures the madness that is preparing for the Derby, including the schmooze-fests that accompany such an event. 
 The Meh 
 The plot was just okay. 
 Instead of focusing on a single protagonist, The Bourbon Kings follows the entire Bradford family dynasty through the trials and tribulations that "sort of" begin with a flight back home for Tulane, one of three sons in the Bradford family ("sort of" because their problems go back much further than the start of this novel). His return to the estate after a more than two-year hiatus from his family spawns feuding, unpleasant memories and other conflict that only escalates to untimely circumstances and revelations. And while I didn't not like the plot, it did always felt a little convoluted, because it's told in third-person and follows so many members of the family and staff. Basically, it's a soap opera in a book. And while not a bad thing, it's also not my favorite method of story-telling. 
 I was never really invested in the Tulane/Lizzie storyline. 
 This first installment of The Bourbon Kings is supposed to focus on the Tulane/Lizzie storyline. And while it does open and close with them, much of the book was spent with the other characters, I assume, to set up the next few books in the series. I didn't mind this too much, but I would have liked more time with the main characters in this particular story. As it stands, I find them a little forgettable. The characters I'm really interested in are Edward, Gin and their father, in no particular order. 
 But overall, The Bourbon Kings was an intriguing story. 
 While that many storylines isn't my favorite way to read a story, it also did just kind of work for this one. Yes, I totally realize I just contradicted myself! I just don't know if there is a better way to start a story like this. But truly, The Bourbon Kings is a sum of all its parts, and readers will consume those parts with guilty pleasure. 
 Narrator 4-1-1 
 Alexander Cendese was a decent narrator. I could sometimes tell that his southern accent wasn't natural, but a part of that comes from growing up with and around a southern accent, so I can spot a fake from a mile away. His pacing was good, but his drawls sounded forced and unnatural. I'm still not a fan of men narrating women's voices, but that's not his fault. In short, I'd listen to him again. 
 Hey! Wanna listen to a snippet of The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward? Click play below! 
 This book may have been provided in exchange for an honest review, and therefore will be noted on the original post.