Review: The Beloved by J.R. Ward

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Ok listen. I was so freaking worried after the ending of Lassiter. I had no idea how JRW was going to be able to move this series along. Let’s be real, we were DEVASTATED and shocked and basically left in a fog. 

BUT SHE DID IT. 

BRILLIANTLY. 

I remember always hearing that the BDB kids will get books but I often wondered how that transition would work. I had faith in her that she would figure it out, but I couldn’t wrap my head around it until I read Lassiter. And I love that she did that to us because now this book brought all the old feelings back.

The Beloved was almost like reading about the OG brothers. I loved all their interactions. Seeing LW, Bitty and Nalla all grown up was the best. This new group of friends brought back all the feels. 

The last 30 years haven’t been smooth for anyone. While most people don’t realize what happened, the children can sense the difference. And some of them did struggle a bit but I’m so happy things are starting to move forward.

I loved watching Nate and Nalla come together. Even though they’re technically 30+ it was still a young love type of relationship and it made my heart all a flutter. I found myself reading their parts slower so I could bask in their happiness. 

I look forward to the next book and who it could be about…

~Melpomene

Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/3vAX2eo

Review: Darius by J.R. Ward

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As with all JRW books, you think you know what’s going to happen, but then she adds a little magic to the story and then shocks the crud out of you.

Without any spoilers I will say that I like the direction she chose to go with this book. The cameos sprinkled throughout had me smiling. Anne was one strong woman and she had to make some very hard decisions that I’m not sure many would be able to do.

Seeing inside Darius’s head, before the BDB stories we know, was wild. The brothers were the same, and yet different. It makes me wanna reread all the books again.

I finished this story with tears falling down my cheeks. But to be honest, I spent the last 50% of the book reading through glistening eyes. I knew what was coming and my heart wasn’t ready. Man, you’re really never ready for a story like this.

The epilogue just about did me in. No matter how many times I’ve seen people talk about it, reading it for myself was a whole new experience. Emotions all over the place. 🥴

I realize this is technically a .5 in the series but I highly recommend you wait to read it til after you’re all caught up. There are some spoilers in that epilogue and I’d hate for anyone to miss out on all those emotions.

~Melpomene

Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/45KUQxB

Review: Lassiter by J.R. Ward

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Ok. There will be zero spoilers here. 

Let’s start out by saying us readers have been wanting and waiting for this book for over a decade. Ever since we were first introduced to Lassiter, when he brought back Tohr, we knew there would need to be someone extra special to tame this angel. 

After his positively heartbreaking storyline in the previous book, Lover Arisen, I knew this book was going to tug a bit at our hearts. 

I was soooooo right. 

There was quite a bit happening in this story. We have the devious duo, Lash and Devina, whose story I could honestly do without. There was so much going on with these two. I was here for Lassiter and I cringed when I had to read about their “love”. But they’re a necessary evil that will bring upon the next group of books I’m sure. I still have a few questions about them so I’m hoping we get those answers within the next few books.

We have Rahvyn, who was going through an adjustment to this world. I’m still not sure what she is. But I’m assuming one more vampire with special powers, like V and Payne. She reminded me of Autumn a bit. She’s got a lot to learn about this world but luckily she has lots of people around to help her. I love her for Lassiter. She was definitely the right fit for that Angel. 

And of course we have Lassiter. He’s been slowly changing over the past few books, more serious and less flamboyant. But there was a definite shift with this book. Honestly, after the happenings in Lover Arisen, I would be shocked if there wasn’t. He wasn’t forced to go to Davina but it was no less traumatic for him. So he was marked on the inside and he needed help with healing and seeing himself the way others did. 

That’s just a pinch of what’s going on. So many things. But spoilers…

By the time I finished this book my heart was a twisted puddle on the floor. There were quite a few heart stopping moments and I needed to deep breathe through, and so will you. I like the direction she’s taking us in but I sure wasn’t ready for that journey. Ward knew what she was doing in this story. Whew! 

Side note: I finished typing my review before JRW’s Cinci signing so I’m hoping we get a title for the next one and I’m hoping it’ll make the BDB peeps lose their collective minds. 

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/3mxZH3U

Review: The Viper by JR Ward

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“What we had was precious and important, and it was every bit the resurrection I needed. You were never an illusion to me. You were always real.”

Holy cow! I was so not expecting Kane’s story to be like this. Talk about deceit!  But also Nadia’s story was just as horrific, just more physical.  These two somehow found each other at the most perfect time. It may have started out as patient/healer but it grew to be way more.  

Watching these two uncover the truths around them and slowly grow closer, was fun. A crazy, insane roller coaster, but fun. They were meant for each other.

I’ll admit I wasn’t sure if I was going to like hearing about the prison but the more new characters we get introduced to I’m becoming more and more intrigued. I’m hoping for Apex’s story soon. And of course I love when we see glimpses of our OG Brothers and Sisters. Makes me super excited to see what the next BDB will unfold.

If you haven’t tried this spin off series yet, I definitely want to encourage you to start. You can thank me later.

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/3LzBJgw

Review: Making the Match

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Now there’s two sides to every story. We heard from Genny’s side now we get Tom’s side. But Tom’s side also has a twist. Someone from his past has popped up and the universe wants her to stay. 

Rika met Tom many moons ago but it was wasn’t the right time for them. Now it is. Although there’s a few bumps in the road they’re both ready to walk them together. 

I’m pleasantly surprised I enjoyed this book. I’ll admit I wasn’t too excited to read about Tom’s story. Let’s be real, he had his chance for a love story. I don’t wanna rehash his mistakes. I wanted to read about the kids. 

But alas, that’s not what we got. 

Now that this bit of drama is done I look forward to reading about the children. The next book should be interesting.

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/3DETk4K

Review: Darius by J.R. Ward(audio original)

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Ok, let’s be real here. We know how Darius’s story ends. We knew this story was going to hurt. But we still wanted it.

I am so very thankful to receive an ARC of this book. As with all JRW books, you think you know what’s going to happen, but then she adds a little magic to the story and then shocks the crud out of you. I’m glad I didn’t have to worry about someone ruining that for me.

Without any spoilers I will say that I like the direction she chose to go with this book. The cameos sprinkled throughout had me smiling. Anne was one strong woman and she had to make some very hard decisions that I’m not sure many would be able to do.

Seeing inside Darius’s head, before the BDB stories we know, was wild. The brothers were the same, and yet different. It makes me wanna reread all the books again.

I finished this story with tears falling down my cheeks. But to be honest, I spent the last 50% of the book reading through glistening eyes. I knew what was coming and my heart wasn’t ready. Man, you’re really never ready for a story like this.

~Melpomene

Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/3MjpMKU

Review: Gossamer in the Darkness by Kristen Ashley

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I am so happy I did a Fantasyland reread last year and finally read the Rising series as well. I was primed for this book. 

The thing about the 1,001 Dark Nights is that you don’t NEED to read any other series. You can dive right in and experience this new story without feeling like to missed anything. But as with all Kristen Ashley books, I will say that I HIGHLY recommend you read the series when you get a chance. The Fantasyland series is so transporting and fantastical. It’ll make you wish that there was an parallel universe that you could transport to. 

Maxine was brought to this world and forced to make a Marquess fall in love with her. But she can’t tell him who she really is. But of course things don’t always work the way they’re supposed to. She thought her plan was simple. But then she met the man and everything changed. 

I enjoyed this story very much. Short and sweet and sexy. I love the cameos and new characters. I truly hope we get a few more stories from this world. There’s a couple of people that I’d like to see find their HEAs.

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/3L439tU

Preview: Lover Arisen by J.R. Ward

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Ok. Can I just say that the Black Dagger Brotherhood series is one of my favorites? I was late to the party but better late than never, right? I discovered the BDB series back in 2012, with Lover Reborn. Up until 2020 I would reread the entire series before the newest book, I loved it that much. But these past few years have been rough so I didn’t have the headspace to do that. But you better believe I read each new book when it comes out, even if I need to flip the previous book to refresh my memory.

In Lover Arisen I didn’t need to refresh. I have been waiting for this one! I wanted to know about Erika and Balthazar since we first saw her. I’m intrigued with how the human police force explains all these weird happenings. We would see Butch’s ex partner from time to time, so we knew a little, but not from someone who has experienced the full force of the memory swipe and sort of knows it. That definitely messes with her as she’s tries to put the pieces together.

I had fun watching her and Balz. Their HEA was a little bit different than the past ones but I’m sure the Warden has a plan I’m just not seeing. I am happy they managed to figure out their differences and fall in love though. I’ll admit I was worried for a minute there. They obviously come from opposite sides of the law so that made things difficult to say the least.

Now I know this book wasn’t about Lassiter but I have a lot of feelings here. Some good obviously, because I love him, but there’s a great big negative that is going to bother me for quite a while. I won’t spoil it but I’m rather upset at this turn of events. I know I need to trust the author, but dang, this is hard.

And of course Davina was here as well, to cause mayhem, which she does so well. I was a bit shocked at the way her quest is working out. I didn’t see it going in that direction. But you better believe I will read the next book to see what happens there.

Speaking of the next book… I CANNOT WAIT. I’m thinking this may require a complete series reread so get the full experience.

~Melpomene 

Release day: April 5, 2022

Grab Lover Arisen here: https://amzn.to/3uvXtls

Review: Running Wild by K.A. Tucker

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Marie’s story!!!

Now, I’ll admit, I wasn’t her biggest fan when this series first started. But I also wasn’t in her head. I didn’t hate her but I just didn’t like her.

And now I do.

There is so much more to Marie than what we get from anyone else. She has hopes and dreams like we all do. She thought she was on the path to having them…and then Calla showed up. Now she’s trying to create a new one, while attempting to heal her heart.

And in walks Tyler.

Marie and Tyler’s story was fun to watch unfold. They sure didn’t make anything easy for one another but they eventually got their heads on straight by the end. This was a sweet friends to lovers romance that is a perfect addition to the Wild series. And now I wanna start it all over from the beginning.

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/32z2pMz

Start from the beginning:

The Simple Wild: https://amzn.to/3G3qtoc

Wild at Heart: https://amzn.to/3fWd9aK

Forever Wild: https://amzn.to/3qZxlyU

Preview: The Iron Sword by Julie Kagawa

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Release day: February 1, 2022

What an exciting addition to this series!

While I’m happy we get Ash’s POV this time around, I do miss being in Puck’s head. He’s always so fun. And I was hoping for more romance, if I’m being honest. But alas…

While trying to find Kirian the gang discovers that faery isn’t what they thought it was. The past found a way of sneaking up and changing everything they ever knew. Definitely didn’t see that coming. But I’m hoping for good things in the next one.

If you’re looking for an adventurous YA series, then this is right up your alley. And when I say YA I mean Y-A. There’s no sexy times or uncomfortable violence to worry about. But I love these characters, so I can deal. 🤪

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/3rvYHMa