Duchess Nicole's Reviews > Lover at Last

”Courage.
He thought he'd had all he needed – that the way he'd grown up had made him tougher and stronger than anyone else. That the way he did his job, running into burning buildings or jumping into the captain's seats of busted – up aircraft, proved it. That how he lived his life, essentially apart, meant he was strong. Meant he was safe.
The true meaning of courage was still waiting for him, however...”

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I think it's safe to say that this is not only one of the most anticipated books of the year, but one of the most anticipated books of this series to date...and that's saying a lot. Because every BDB book is so wildly popular, it's not even funny. I've already skimmed a few reviews and I now feel like defending my beloved Blay and Quinn...both to the avid readers of male/male romance and to those who may not approve. For those that didn't think the sex was descriptive enough:

Let me make a prediction here!!!!!!! (Duchess summons up her crystal ball)

---------------------------J.R. Ward's Lover at Last will do for the male/male romance subgenre what Stephanie Meyer's Twilight did for paranormal romance.--------------------------------

That is to say...it's gonna blow that sh*t UP, and you should be excited that Ward took such a huge chance on her avid following of readers, and their love for this couple. She just made them the star in a major mainstream fiction series, one of the most popular Paranormal Romance series of ALL TIME. Just guess what bags of fun she's opening up. I know this reader was pretty much a m/m virgin. To date, the only author I've read that has written a gay romance was Suzanne Brockmann in her Troubleshooters series, and even while that series is pretty popular, she didn't get as down and dirty as Ward did here.

As for those who don't approve, let's hope you just don't read the dang book. Because it's not like you don't know what it contains, mnkay?!

Okay, my little ole opinion on this book...

Blay and Qhuinn...
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”You know, I don't think I ever thanked you, “Qhuinn murmured. As Blay's baby blues shot over, he wanted to look away – the eye contact was almost too much....
“For what?” Blay asked.
“For driving us home...” He heaved a great breath in and let it out slowly. “And for sitting out here with me all might long. For going to Payne and getting her to help. For backing me up on the field, and during training. Also, for all those beers and video games. The chips and the M&M's. The clothes I borrowed. The floor I slept on when I stayed over. Thanks for letting me hug your mom and talk with your dad. Thank you...for the ten thousand kind things you've done.”

Ah, my beautiful, broken boys! I've cried so many times and ached along with them in all of their many trials. They've been best friends for years, playing the field when they each went through their transitions, supporting each other in their training, but most importantly, they have been such stalwart, loyal companions. Which made it all the more heartbreaking to see their relationship deteriorate over the last couple of books, with Blay pining for what he thinks he can't have and turning to Saxton...and Qhuinn denying, denying, denying...

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You've just got to hurt for them both. I mean, I know everyone was taking up for Blay and his unrequited love.

”Qhuinn was a fucking curse to him, he really was...”

It's hard not to feel so bad for the guy, especially when you know that he and Qhuinn are simply meant to be!! But he looked as if he was moving on, rejected by the one he really wants and resigned to a relationship with someone else. All the while, he's even more tortured than if he'd have just stayed alone! I also feel bad for Saxton here...he really got the short end of the straw, all the while knowing that Blay's actually in love with Qhuinn.

And Qhuinn, the literally tortured, abandoned new fighter...I wanted to resurrect his parents just so they could die a slower death...or at least to force them to see the wonderful man that Qhuinn became not because of their lousy parenting- but in spite of it!!! They officially get the worst parents of the century award and earn my undying disgust all over again.

So Qhuinn still doesn't feel comfortable with his feelings for Blay. The man doesn't WANT to be gay. He sees it as yet another thing that would have lessened him in the judgmental glymera's eyes. And he can't get past that, he just can't. So this book is still him dealing with his past demons, but also dealing with a past that comes back to haunt him...there are some big surprises in store for Qhuinn...hold on to your seats!!!! It's a doozie!!!

Qhuinn and Layla:
We all know what happened in the last book with Layla going through her needing...and Qhuinn came along and saved the day. This situation is also painful (aren't they all?) in that both of these people have been abandoned to fate. Layla, a sacred Chosen now tossed into a world in which she doesn't understand, and Qhuinn...no family, barely anyone he can call a friend, so lonely, so confused.

Now Layla must deal with the results of their coupling, and the pain and fear that comes with being a female vampire trying to have a baby. And Qhuinn must deal with the realities of maybe becoming a father, while still getting his own life straight in his head.

Layla and Xcor:
I've got to say, insta-love is only done right in Paranormal Romance. The instant connection that these two found in Lover Reborn was palpable, and so horribly out of place that it actually fit!!! Layla, the epitome of innocence and beauty and virtue...and Xcor, the brotherhood's enemy, attempted murderer of Wrath, horribly scarred both inside and out. What a pair! But once again, you just can't help but root for them to find a way!!

”Oh, his Chosen...he had never known such grace existed, and moreover, he could not have e'er surmised that he would be touched so completely by that which was antithetical to him. She was his opposite, kind and giving when he was brutal and unforgiving, beautiful to his ugliness, ethereal to his filth.
And she had marked him. Sur as if she had struck him and left a scar deep within his flesh, he was wounded and weakened by her.”

I sure do have a soft spot for Xcor, considering his past...but he is growing so much as a character, overcoming two hundred plus years of evil within himself. His fascination with Layla only jump started his heart, I think. And I can't wait to see him develop as a person. This was one of his scenes, and it just cracked me up! This is soooo Xcor...he's walking through a house that he and his men have rented.

”On the second floor, he refused to look into the bedrooms The pink of the one in front burned his eyes, and the sea foam green of the other was another assault on the senses as well. And there was no relief to be had as he walked into the master bedroom. Flowered wallpapaer, everywhere. Even on the bed, and across the windows, and all over that chair in the corner.
At least his combat boots crushed the thick carpet, leaving tread prints like bruises on his way to the bath.”

Assail and Sola:
We met Assail, the murdering drug dealer, in the last book, but his supposed love interest, Sola, shows up here. These two play one hot and sexy game of cat and mouse! Although their relationship ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, I'm really excited to see where this goes.

I have a couple of little complaints:
1 – The shellans are almost nonexistent after their book is over. While the men remain in the series, if somewhat in the background, the women basically cease to exist. Occasionally, we get a shot of Doc Jane or Payne, but I want more interaction with the members of the household. I don't WANT to forget them.
2 – Blay and Quinn really don't get a lot of face-time...which means when they ARE talking, its so full of angst and misunderstandings, they get almost no moments of levity or peace. Which, I have to say, was really discouraging.
3 – The ending was rush, rush, rush...and that grump is so overused, but it's true. I kept watching my page numbers, wondering how she could possibly wrap up all that she needs to in twenty..ten...five pages. Answer? She didn't. Meh.

All in all, I was once again impressed as all get out with Ward. She has magical fingers, such a way of making me care so deeply for this band of brothers, their shellans, and even the evil guys! What other series have you read in which half of the villains end up being putty in their woman's hands? Gotta love that blurry good/evil line!!!!!!!!

The SEX....I know everyone is curious about the sex. And I just want to say that it was...thoroughly satisfying. At times, it was blow the top of your head off, break the bed, rough and raw, but there were also moments of sensual, erotic closeness between this couple. There was a comfort level there with these two that rarely exists between new lovers, because they already know and love each other. The sex wasn't horribly descriptive, but it was still erotic...the sheer fact that it was somewhat taboo, and that no one was supposed to know...not to mention a tiny bit of voyeurism and keep-the-lights-off sneak attacks...Totally HOT!!!!!
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I know that there is a lot going on in this book...true Ward style, every other scene is about a new couple, and it once again takes away somewhat from the storyline. However, with these new characters entering into the series, I'm actually really seeing major potential for the future of the BDB. With the way that Ward molds her men into exactly what she wants them to be, the possibilities are limitless! Oh, and there is a LOT of Wrath in here...for sure, Wrath lovers will get a nice big dose of the King!
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Couple of fave quotes:
**“The difference between someone “loving” someone versus being “in love” was a curb to the Grand Canyon. The head of a pin to the entire Midwest. An exhale to a hurricane...”
**”I'll beg for it.” More with the caress of those devastating lips. “If that's what it takes. I don't give a fuck, I'll beg...”