Dark Lover

I lost sleep reading this book. Lying in bed, I told myself, “Just one more chapter.” The next thing I knew, it was morning, and I could hear the garbage truck in the distance. Did I put the book down and get my day started, or make sure the trashcans were put out the previous night? Of course not! I was engrossed. I needed more, and I needed to know everything! I needed to know what would happen to the main character and how the Black Dagger Brotherhood worked.

At the time, this book was like nothing else I’d read… show more.

Jr Ward is an amazing author. She was one of the reasons why I decided to start my vampire series. You got to read this series it will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

Why? Vampires of course! I was looking for a series that wasn't the same traditional story and I found it in this series.

I felt passion when reading this book. You could tell the author put a lot of hard work into this series and it helped me by showing me it’s okay to switch up the rules on a story told a hundred times… show more.

Be forewarned, I think of this particular series as vampire popcorn. A group of warriors—some “real” brothers and others chosen brothers—caught in a lifelong war with a group that wants to obliterate their kind. The thing is, J. R. Ward started out as a romance writer, and these, as war-ry as they are, are really about each brother finding his mate and bonding with her. I read them all in a row, and the immersion was delectable. Loyalty—genuine loyalty, on all levels: body, heart, mind, spirit—wins my heart any- and every time. Besides that, her writing is a true… show more.

JR Ward has this way with her storytelling. She combines clever dialogue with hilariously funny one-liners. Each character has their own tragic background, and you spend a good portion of the book wanting to hug them. Once you read Dark Lover, I guarantee you'll want to finish the entire series.

I make no apologies for being a serial series reader and this one makes every one of my top ten must-read lists. You want action? Read this. Intrigue? Done. Vamps with questionable morals and snarky attitudes? All here. Romance? Definitely. Escapism? J.R. Ward is a queen of storytelling with a flair for walking on the darker side without crossing over. The Black Dagger Brotherhood series is my top recommendation for anyone seeking to dip their toes in the paranormal romance genre.

What is paranormal romance without hot vampires? Only these aren’t the usual sort. This team of “brothers” is honor-bound to protect their people and their king from an evil presence wreaking havoc in upstate NY. I love this series because the world building is incredible, the romance is very steamy, and the relationships between the so-called brothers is sometimes laugh-inducing, sometimes heartbreaking. I particularly love character backstories on the darker side, and this series certainly fits the bill.

Honestly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this one. I don’t think any other vampire romance in the world grips its readers the way the Black Dagger Brotherhood series does. Yes, it’s a romance, but you won’t find any sugary sweetness or melodrama here. These characters are deep, flawed, and intoxicating in a way that always has me ripping through the pages, reading as fast as I can. The relationships are mature and complicated. There’s death and loss, children and family, toxic backstories, trauma…not all of them get a happy ending. Keep the tissues close. You have been… show more.