New Review….Lover at Last by J.R. Ward

I am honored to have enlisted the help of my dear friend, Selene, for this review. We originally met, years ago, from our mutual love of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and have become closer than I could have ever imagined. I am so lucky to have her in my life as a friend and now, as a guest reviewer. If you, like me, are as big a fan of the Brotherhood, I know you will enjoy this review as much as have. Thank you, Selene….I heart you big time sistermine! *mild spoiler below*

Synopsis:

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another….
Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions… but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together… finally become one.

Selene’s Review:

Amazing.

UH-MAZING!!!!!!!!

It’s been a really long time since I’ve read a book twice in succession and it is no surprise that it was this one. Lover At Last delivered far beyond its promises. Everything a novel requires to make it a complete success was present here – drama, comedy, action, and, above all, romance. It was extremely rare that my attention ever strayed from the story while reading J.R. Ward’s latest and, in my opinion, one of the greatest.

Blaylock and Qhuinn, the main characters, have been tip-toeing around their feelings for each other for some years now. This has led the audience to much heartbreak and an overwhelming feeling of frustration, something that’s all too familiar to this pair… up until now.

The scorch factor between these two was off the charts! And that was before they started their physical relationship. Their history of repressed feelings created such a thick atmosphere around them – a feeling that the reader will unequivocally share. But that first time when they came together… WOW. Ward did such a good job with their first love scene. It was exactly how you would expect two very male characters with a long history, tremendous attraction, and even stronger love for each other to come together; it was hot, sweet, and incredibly touching. It became very clear towards the end of this book that the only thing keeping them apart was Qhuinn’s dishonesty and shame with himself. It took Blay to show him that in order for them to finally come together. As far as the proposal scene goes, I simply have no words. There was crying involved. Very ugly, went through a whole box of Kleenex, swelling of the eyes for days kind of crying. But they were definitely happy tears! The ending could not have been more perfect for the couple. And the feeding scene with Selena? FORGET IT. That sequence has been bookmarked many times over by yours truly.

Other stories were continued and new characters introduced in Lover At Last. And in traditional J.R. Ward-style, they raised many more questions and peaked quite a bit of interest. The Shadow brothers Trez and iAm are now living at the Brotherhood compound. And with Trez’s growing attraction to the Chosen Selena and the little problem of him already being promised to another, it should provide a great story in the future. Xcor and Layla’s story continues and it makes me wonder how and if these two will ever be together. Such a sad situation for them. And lastly, there is Assail and his love interest Sola (Marisol). These two are already lighting up the pages with their heat and I’m very much looking forward to their story.

Overall, the book was everything I wanted. The only thing I thought was missing was the interaction between Blay and Qhuinn and John Matthew. I may be a little biased as John is my favorite character of the series, but these three have been as tight as friends get since they were all introduced and I would have like to see his reaction to his two best friends finally getting together and Qhuinn being inducted into the Brotherhood (which was also a scene that caused some ugly crying). Perhaps the author will have more of this in the future. One can only hope!

Five Loves