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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: 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: Chasing Serenity by Kristen Ashley

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Chloe Pierce was taught to take care of everyone. The problem with that was there was no one to care for her. Now that her go-to person is gone, she’s left floundering. She’s made rash decisions, and is a bit over the top, but that’s her. She needs someone who understands that and will help her realize that she doesn’t need to be watcher but the watched.


Opposites attract they say. Well, you can’t get any more opposite than Judge Oakley and Chloe Pierce. From the first moment he sees Chloe surrounded by boxes and boxes of boots, running his workers all around, he knew she was gonna be trouble. Technically he was right, but just not in the way he thought.


These two were a blast to watch. As with all Kristen Ashley books, there’s a fair amount of drama and emotions swirling around. I mean heck, from the first moment she arrived on scene, in After the Climb, you knew she was spitfire with more going on inside than she was revealing. I truly look forward to reading more about all of them.

~Melpomene

Grab a copy here: https://amzn.to/3DY2wij

Review: The Slow March of Light by Heather B. Moore

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It’s been so long since I’ve read a book that stressed me out this much, at the same time tugging at my heartstrings. Reading a book based on real people and real events has a way of doing that.


This book was a story of survival and friendship. I’m glad I didn’t Google Bob Inama before I read this. I probably would’ve been crying the entire time. Between the beatings he received in the jail, and not knowing if today is your last day on this world, I’m surprised I made it through. He is definitely one of the strongest people I’ve ever read about.


I know Luisa Voight wasn’t a real person, but based on real people almost hits harder. There were people who cared so much that they’d risk their own lives in order to smuggle others out. Those were true heroes.


It was a long and brutal ordeal but Bob held tight to his faith, when all other things let him down, and somehow got through this and found his way home.


From the moment I started this book I couldn’t put it down. I was riveted by the landscape and the realness of the story. I mean, it WAS real, but you know what I mean. And I pretty much read the last few chapters with tears in my eyes. These are the type of books I crave. I’m so happy I took a chance on this.

-Melpomene

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

Review: Claimed by J.R. Ward

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Ok. The wolven. Since I have the memory of a gnat, I vaguely remember them being mentioned in a past BDB book once. But since then I’ve seen lots of people ask about them. So here’s the book they’ve been waiting for.


I won’t say any spoilers. I will say this doesn’t have a BDB feel, and yet it does. I’ll admit it took a few chapters to get sucked in but then I couldn’t read fast enough.


There’s a few mystical parts that had me scratching my head but somehow I get it. I really shouldn’t be surprised, since this series is a spin off of a vampire one. But it makes sense now.


This book is mostly about Lydia, so I’m still thinking she should’ve been on the cover. 😉 Her journey is one I’m curious to keep reading about. This isn’t the end of her and Daniel’s story. Usually the books are interconnected standalones but not this one. So this was an interesting introduction but I definitely need more and I look forward to reading the next book, Forever, in the hopes that it closes all the gaps and answers all the questions.

In true Warden fashion, there’s a BDB side to this story and I’m happy to say it was about someone I love. And there’s some things happening with them that we need to keep an eye out for. I can’t wait!

~Melpomene

Buy a copy here: https://amzn.to/2UNncYW