Lover Mine (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #8)

by J. R. Ward

[Angie]

Lash is a super sick bastard! I didn't think I could hate him more, but what he's doing to Xhex is beyond wrong. His depravity is totally interesting though, and while I hate what he does, I'm always eager to see what twisted scheme he comes up with next. His plot this time around it much better than it has been, since he's done whining about being broke, and has focused his attentions on more...brutal tasks. Plus there's the issue of needing a female lesser to feed from when daddy-dearest only approves of male members...

Anyway...Oh, John Matthew, how I love thee! While he appeared to hit rock bottom in the previous book, he's now back in action and 100% focused. He has to get Xhex back or die trying, or avenge her in the case that she is no longer among the living (which of course she is). We've watched him long for her through several books already, and it's about time they get together. For real this time. None of this cold, emotionless none-sense that they've been up to!

And speaking of couples we've observed for multiple books, Quinn and Blay. Those two are driving me mad! My heart is breaking for Blay, and I want to punch Quinn in his nuts. How can he be so thoughtless?! All of their scenes together are positively heartbreaking and full of emotion, even though neither of them will talk about it. They're both utilizing the ignore and hurt strategy. Quinn with his random sex partners, and Blay with his cigarettes. It also killed me how sweet Quinn was with Layla, despite being in Blay's room, with Blay present and knowing how he feels about him! Dang, I have a feeling that when these two finally get together the pages will spontaneously combust!

The one new plot that we get in Love Mine that I wasn't really into was the Paranormal Investigators. They only got a handful of chapters, and they seemed extremely random. I couldn't see how it fit into the larger picture, other than anyone with a strong interest in the paranormal could seriously spell trouble for the vampires. But the ending brings yet another shocking revelation.

This book also includes some excerpts from Darius' diary. The entries focus on a mystery surrounding the disappearance of a glymera female in the 1600s. It was nice to see some of the brothers as young men, but again, it just felt like random scenes stuck in without a real connection to the rest of the book until we got enough hints to understand who the story was truly about. I thought this was a nice way to get one character's past.

Lover Mine is another great addition to the series. It's focus on vengeance and healing was exciting, suspenseful, heartbreaking and beautiful. We also get a lot more of the romance than the previous two books, but this one is also quite a bit longer.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.