Lover at Last by J.R. Ward

Blay and Qhuinn's book 



Lover at Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood book 11)

by J.R. Ward

Book Blurb:
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.

I just closed the cover on my long awaited read, Lover at Last. I can't really write a full out review because there was just to much stuff and I am probably the last person who is addicted to this series that has finally read the book. Here are my first impressions, likes and negatives:

1. J.R. Ward seriously needs to do some spin off books because there are waaaaaay to many stories swirling in one book. (and some I couldn't care less to read about *cough* iAM & Trez *cough*

2. J.R. Ward gave Qhuinn and Blay complete justice and this part of Lover at Last was stellar. There was emotion, great conversations and excellent M/M sex. At times it was raunchy & sexy and other times it was touching & soft ( even if no prep or lubrication was required *frowns* ). If the book was only about this long awaited couple, it would have been a solid 5 for me. Plus I totally love Blay's parents.

3. Now regarding Qhuinn & Blay's relationship, why was it so necessary for Qhuinn to determine and state if he was gay or not. Why can't he be bi? Why does it matter that he needed to be defined into one category or another? I don't know but it really annoyed me. 

4. I have no idea what the heck is going on with Xcor and Layla. I mean whaaaaaat?!?! I'm not liking it. I like the new Layla but I get so angry that she is completely stabbing Wrath in the back with her thoughts of Xcor. I need loyalty. I'm not feeling that with her. 

5. Why did Assail get so much page time? (refer back to #1) Regardless, I was totally digging the chemistry between Sola and Assail (even though I have no idea why they are getting any book time) 

6. Looove the King storyline. I love the battles of wits here. They are going to fight with words and laws and I have a serious, full of angst, love/hate relationship with those types of storylines. I find those types of stories really smart and probably a hell of a lot harder to write. It will be odd because the BDB are fighters not scholars so we will see. At least I don't have long to wait for the next book. 

7. Very interesting take on the laws in the vampire world. I love Wrath as king don't get me wrong but really when you think about it, it could be possible that a human (Wrath's offspring) could end up being the future king of vampires and that does seem really wrong to me. So much to take in. 

8. The Lessors are becoming a bit of a yawn. I wanted to skip over those parts although I didn't. I swear. 

9. I don't like the many inconsistencies.  What I mean is how come Z couldn't materialize with his gun shot wound but Blay could?  Why was it that Qhuinn flew the plane for Z when Blay was right there? John Matthew was left unprotected in a very dangerous position.  Of course the story was better because Qhuinn flew the plan but really it should have been Blay. If the glymeria were so freaked out about Qhuinn's different coloured eyes and they are uncomfortable with Wrath's eyesight (and the BDB needs to keep his total eyesite loss a secret) why oh why would anyone even for a moment consider a serious deformity such as Xcor's cleft palate (which has been compared to that of a monster) be fit for a king's position?   

10. The changing POV drove me nutso. I just hated that. Not a fan of that style at all. 

11. I love that Qhuinn is officially a brother but I just don't think he should have been made before John Matthew. It just didn't feel right to me. 

12. The last book had lots of Autumn & Tohr and John Matthew & Xhex. They were barely mentioned in this book. I was super surprised that John Matthew was hardly in Lover at Last at all because the trio have been best friends for so long. I didn't need a full out storyline but a bit more of a mention about Xhex or Autumn at least. It seemed very odd.