NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In J. R. Ward’s thrilling finale to her 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 … 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 is for certain: Love survives all things. Even murder.
Praise for J. R. Ward’s Bourbon Kings series
“A most sinful indulgence . . . The gorgeous Kentucky backdrop will sweep you away.”—Susan Wiggs
“Breathless fun!”—Lisa Gardner
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Quite the entertaining read this book was. I have previously struggled as I guess I prefer the author’s other work.
This book wrapped up the previous two and offered quite a brilliant conclusion. I feel I need to go back and start over. This story follows a family’s saga, lies and love, success and struggles all intertwined making one great tale.
As always love Ward’s well written and stories, outstanding characters and world building! Not as steamy as BDB, but enough!
Book was informative as to what the devil’s cut is in the whiskey business.
Characters were somewhat true to life as to how the father’s way of life
would have repercussions for heirs.
It’s JR Ward!
Great Writer!
Great Story!
Read all three books!
Too much like everyday life.
Loved this southern gothic series!
I love everything J. R. Ward writes. It was fun seeing what she does with a family saga that wasn’t in the fantasy realm. She managed to make it every bit as compelling and enjoyable. Her characters and their voices always ring true as the situations grow ever more fraught and fantastical. Rollicking fun read.
I’m a fan of JR Ward so I was excited to read this series. I liked the character development even though I had a hard time with the characters themselves, sometimes they just weren’t that likeable. And I felt the end was a little rushed. That being said I still thought it was a very good series and worth reading.
Great ending to this trilogy.
I loved this book! I laughed I cried and I couldn’t put it down. This is book 3 of the Bourbon Kings trilogy and I have read them all. I became totally immersed in the characters and the story line. JR Ward is one of my most favorite writers (especially the Black Dagger Brotherhood series) but I can truthfully say I liked this series just as much. A great escape and a great read!
This is my 3rd he heard book they are very good. I am from Louisville my and these book are written close to there. Kentucky is bourbon country and these books are about bourbon
Devil’s Cut was the last installment of The Bourbon Kings, and up until the last 15% was a solid 4 stars. I think for the first time it felt like things were wrapped up because they needed to be, and just putting a perfect little bow on everything at the end felt forced.
This series is an absolute favorite of mine. I highly recommend reading the series. Well crafted plot with great characters. Fast paced and riveting. Be warned, you may be so enthralled that you call in sick so you can finish the novel.
Love that this author branched out to this series. Had a great time readying this book.
4.25 stars– DEVIL’S CUT is the third and final installment in JR Ward’s dramatic, contemporary, adult THE BOURBON KINGS series focusing on the uber rich Bradford/Baldwine family of Charlemont, Kentucky- a bourbon dynasty whose beautiful façade hides many dark and dangerous secrets. Like the previous installment-The Angel’s Share-Devil’s Cut is an ensemble story line that looks at the aftermath of William Baldwine’s death and the investigation into millions of dollars in missing money. The entire series covers little more than a week in the life of the Baldwine/Bradford family.
Told from several third person points of view DEVIL’S CUT continues to focus on the Bradford/Baldwine family as they struggle to come to terms with the death (murder) of their father- a man despised by both family and employees-and a man who spent the final months of his life wiping out the family fortune. With eldest brother Edward Baldwine confessing to the murder of the family patriarch, Lane Baldwine struggles to keep the Baldwine Bradford Bourbon Company from declaring bankruptcy in the face of a growing list of bank loan defaults. Prodigal son Max returns only to come face to face with the woman he has always loved, and daughter Virginia ‘Gin’ embarks on a dangerous journey with a man she knows will destroy her life.
DEVIL’S CUT follows several paths as each of the Baldwine siblings battles demons from the past. With their ailing mother little more than a shadow of her former self, Max reveals to Lane a long kept family secret that will change the siblings dynamics as a new perspective on past events begins to unfold. A death-bed confession; heartbreaking confessions; and the discovery of a well-timed investment find each of the siblings focusing on a possible future with the man and women they love.
If you are a fan of the author’s Black Dagger Brotherhood you can’t help but notice a few similarities especially as it pertains to some of the individual characteristics, peculiarities and talents of the story line characters. e.g. singing voice of Max vs Zhadist
DEVIL’S CUT is a story of drama, betrayal, heartbreak and revenge. The dysfunctional Baldwine/Bradford family must face the media, the police, and the truth as to the extent of damage one man was willing to inflict upon the people he should have loved. Years of emotional and physical pain have taken their toll. The premise is dramatic, revealing and intense; the characters are broken, rebellious but strong; the romances are fated-five second chances at love, and a future free of trauma and guilt. JR Ward’s amazing THE BOURBON KINGS is an engaging, fascinating and passionate series that will leave you breathless, and wanting more.
Excellent as always
Great series. I was sad knowing the series is complete with Devil’s Cut. The characters felt like family, rich, full and flawed. I shall miss them all.
I loved this book. It was the last in a trilogy. I highly recommend it! The story of a family, with great characters and one you really hated. All the loose ends were tied up in this final book…I only wish there were more. Well written!