As the vampire warriors defend their race against their slayers, one male’s loyalty to the Black Dagger Brotherhood will be tested in this breathtaking novel in J. R. Ward’s #1 New York Times bestselling paranormal romance series. Caldwell, New York, has long been the battleground for the vampires and their enemies. It’s also where Rehvenge has staked out his turf as a drug lord and … as a drug lord and owner of a notorious nightclub that caters to the rich and heavily armed. His dangerous reputation is exactly why he’s approached to kill the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood—Wrath, the Blind King.
Rehvenge is used to living in the shadows and keeping his distance from the Brotherhood. As a symphath, his identity is a deadly secret—the revelation of which will result in his banishment. But as Rehvenge is pulled into plots both within and outside of the Brotherhood, he turns to the only source of light in his darkening world. Ehlena is a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him—and the only thing standing between Rehvenge and eternal destruction…
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I love me some Rehvenge! He’s the baddest of the bad boys but doesn’t believe he deserves love.
Rehvenge, a sympath drug lord who owns a nightclub that the Brotherhood frequent, is approached to kill Wrath, the Blind King of the Brotherhood. As Rehvenge contemplates what he’s going to do he meets Elhena, a nurse at Havers clinic. She is sweet and innocent and has Rehvenge smitten, but he must keep that he’s a sympath a secret or he will be banished to a colony for sympaths.
I really like how each book in this series centers on one character. Getting to know Rehvenge and his life made me think very differently about him. He wants so much to be a part of the vampire world and dislikes being a sympath. The way he treats Elhena is truly heartwarming and not something you would have thought him capable of. Especially not with his destructive past.
John Matthews and Xhex are back and you can feel the attraction growing between the two. It almost gets annoying watching them avoid each other.
Wrath’s eye get worse, but he gets the best surprise to help him navigate. Something I did not expect. Also, Wrath has found a outlet for his frustrations and I’m looking forward to learning more about that. As usual, and expected, all the Brothers are back with their snide comments to each other and back and forth banter. Always a delight!
In another all but obvious way my to be read list shows that I, Melanie and AJ (the Sassy Scribes) read different stuff. Melanie read a funny, laugh-out-loud story, AJ read suspense, and I read Lover Avenged a sizzling, dark romance. This is book seven in the Black Dagger Brotherhood novels by J.R. Ward.
I believe Rehvenge is the one person who has the most to lose and the most to gain out of all the stories and he is not of the Brotherhood. He hides a devastating secret not only from his family, but also from two different races, to protect the ones he loves.
In this story, one compassionate nurse with problems of her own breaches his defenses and makes him long for a life he’s sure he can never have. Ehlena’s goodness brings him light. Their journey is filled with pain, anger, uncertainty, noble actions, and love.
J.R. Ward’s novels are among the best I’ve ever read (IMHO). The undead heroes are to die for and the heroines are strong in their own right. The sex scenes are incredible as well with a mixture of passion, desire and kinky. (Where’s my fan!)
I give this one a 10 on the McBride Moxy Meter.
This series is spectacular!
Love the Black Dagger Brotherhood series
These two seriously worked well together. A perfect fit for our favorite dealer and pimp. I just adored how completely different Rhev’s choice of mate was from his lifestyle and I think he needed someone exactly like that. Great, sexy read!
Lover Avenged is the 7th book in the BDB series and it was a good read with tons going on. I’m going to keep this review short and sweet so I can get to my John Matthews’ book right away. Rehvenge and Ehlena were both cute and likable. I loved how playful, vulnerable, and tender Rehv was with Ehlena. Ehlena was sweet but she did make me angry for a bit when she didn’t stand by her man. I get that he lied to her and she was hurt but it took her a whole month to come around. A month was too long. Rehv and Ehlena’s relationship was a slow burn but had a nice build up as they spend time together but didn’t have a ton of sex because of Rehv’s sympath side.
I have to say that sympath stuff was interesting but not very detailed, so I was left with some question. There was too much Lash and the Lessers crap in this book. I didn’t give one rat’s butt about them. I was bored everything time they were on the pages. I took a star off my rating for the overabundance of Lash/Lessers. We readers got our first taste of Payne and I’m loving her. I loved Wrath and Beth in this book. Poor Wrath went fully blind and the way it was handled was both heartbreaking and beautiful. Tohr was back and trying to slowly piece his life back together. I was really upset with Tohr and the way he was with John Matthew for half this book. He was just so closed off and it ripped JM’s heart out. Lassiter was great. I loved all the funny interactions between Lassiter and all the brothers. John Matthew really hit rock bottom in this book. Not that I don’t totally understand where he was coming from but it was sad to read especially the parts with him and Xhex. I really loved getting to know Xhex more in this book. My heart broke for both her and JM. And OMG when Xhex was taken by Lash I was flipping. I know my John Matthew will get his woman back but I hate Lash. Overall a great read that needed less Lash.
This is my second time reading Lover Avenged and it’s still one of my favorites in the series.
I love Rehvenge and Ehlena. These two are perfect together because they both are dealing with their own family issues, but they are both strong about it. They also have sacrificed so much in their lives and definitely need a happily ever after. J.R. Ward thought doesn’t give it to them right away. They both are stubborn, especially when it comes to what they are dealing with. Rehv will give up everything to keep his family safe and away from his second life he lives. He will even protect someone he hardly knows, especially after she sacrificed her job to save him.
Ehlena is just as stubborn as Rehv because she’ll do anything for her father, even give up being with someone to take care of him. Her happiness has never been in the front of mind until she starts having feelings for Rehv. Although, Rehv is full of secrets that she may not be able to handle.
J.R. Ward definitely kept my head spinning with Rehv and Ehlena. Those two definitely have some steamy moments, but they also had some really hurtful moments together. My emotions were everywhere with them, but they never gave up on each other. Then there’s the other characters in the story. Xhex and John and even Beth and Wrath. Poor Wrath! Poor Beth too! I also felt sorry for John because he’s falling for Xhex, but Xhex is being difficult. She’s not sure what to think about John and her. There’s also the issue of her protecting Rehv. He gives up so much to protect everyone, especially her.
Overall, this is another favorite in the BDB series. I give it 5 and highly recommend it readers out there that love the BDB series. Fair warning though Rehv is one of my book boyfriends. I love him!
Now, to find sometime to read Lover Mine for the second time. It’s been such a long time since I picked up a book to read due to my day job being intense, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Such a complicated storyline! Loved It Tremendously!
Reading this book, I couldn’t imagine how Ward could possibly resolve all she’d stirred up with this next round of drama involving the Brotherhood. I was riveted but not surprised that she achieved such an array of resolutions so spectacularly.
For a while there, I was concerned about what type of love story Ehlena and Rehvenge could possibly have in the midst of all that was going on around them. Again, Ward handled this beautifully!
“Avenged” was definitely not what I expected and Rehv’s and Ehlena’s involvement was at times more sweet than steamy. Still, I found it quite refreshing. Never fear, Ward undoubtedly brings the steam and not just with the love story. The entire novel positively sizzles! You won’t be disappointed.
It took me much longer to read this book than the others so far. Part of that was that some parts were harder for me to get into, but part was just a lack of reading time. I did like the book, though it wasn’t my favorite of the series. I ended up liking Rhevenge much more than I did in the beginning and even feeling bad for him in parts. I like where everything with him ended up. I am very concerned for what’s next for John Matthew and Xhex though.