So, I've never read any JR Ward before, but I received this as an ARC (thank you Netgalley) and it is about bourbon so I thought I'd give it a go. What a soap opera. This tale of a dynasty of Kentucky Bourbon makers was completely salacious, over the top, and honestly sort of fun in a dark, twisty way.

Book One focused mostly on brother Lane (short for Tulane) and his former flame Lizzie the Gardener. They had a hot and steamy romance that was cut short when one of Lane's bimbos told him she was pregnant. After a few years of lies and misunderstandings, Lane is back to visit his "Mama," a saintly cook who is battling cancer and probably not going to be around much longer. Lane and Lizzie can't fight their attraction any longer, but family and some horrible actions by Lane's father threaten everyone's safety-financially and physically.

You're also introduced to a massive cast of characters who I assume will each get their own book in this series. It is a bit distracting and overwhelming and I wanted more details, but again, being saved for additional books. The story did get a bit rape-y, and the sex scenes weren't really too my taste (there were at least two instances of insta-orgasm upon penetration, where it was mutual for both parties involved, yeah right). I will probably read the next installment because I had enough fun, and it took me like a day to get through. Totally a trashy summer read.