JR Ward - Lover at Last

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.

Comment: This is one of those series I can’t wait to get my hands on. I know many people stopped seeing this as a romantic series but I’m one of those who don’t mind the path the series has taken. It’s still a special thrill to open the package and see a book of the BDB inside and letting out a giggle that doesn’t happen anywhere else in my year. Still special, for sure…

This is the story of Qhuinn and Blay, after years of knowing them and wanting them to be happy – whether together or with someone else – and in particular five years since they kissed for the first time. Five years waiting for a romance to happen, with so many heartbreaking moments in the books in between. It was a ride, no doubt about it.

But the book isn’t only about them, it also shows some progress with other characters in the world and how we get to see their lives a bit and wonder what might happen, or should I say, how it will happen.

II know many people disliked the on going subjects with so many fronts, five to be exact. There are five sub plots going on in this book and I get why some people feel there’s no focus in neither. However, I love this feel of things happening. Yes, I agree the focus should have been bigger in Q and Blay, but I wasn’t out off by the other sub plots. In fact, the only thing I’d put aside completely is the lesser parts because they aren’t doing anything there. We could still know about their plans through other character’s eyes, because for me, the lesser parts are boring and I admit I don’t pay much attention to them.

I think the other sub plots other than the main one aren’t there just to fill space or to set up new paths. It’s there to make the reader feel part of the books, to make real the idea there’s life happening everywhere and how what happens one place can influence others. For me, it’s curious and I like to see them all. This book leaves the possibility for many new stories to happen and for, I’m glad, because I have hope the series won’t stop. I really wish the author could write faster, because waiting one year can very hard, even when knowing a clue here and there.

About Q and Blay…not only should they had a bigger amount of air time, as they also should have talked more about their problems before the gorgeous final scene..it was soooo beautiful… so romantic, yes… I’m still smiling! But I don’t think we’ve seen them talk enough about what made them apart and how they really solved it…for a good part of the book they didn’t connect emotionally and in the very last part of the book they make up and Q admits things at last. I think it was a bit rushed. Not bad, just…not perfect. Another note about them, some people were afraid of the sex scenes, as the series has many readers who don’t like m/m romances but the way I saw it, it wasn’t that explicit. The author has said she didn’t edit anything about their sex scenes but to me, she must have, even if unconsciously, because there’s really not much detail about the more raw things like penetration and all that. I think it was well done because I don’t think it shocked anyone, but I also believe she could have added up more elements, even if the ones there are well written.

I haven’t read any negative reviews, just glimpsed at some comments here and there…but I get why some people are unhappy. This is just my opinion too, and while I can’t change their minds about it, I also can’t help but feeling mostly wonderful about having another BDB book and by the innumerable account of feelings it allowed me to live while reading it, so…what works for one, might not for others, but for me…this still does.