by J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #4
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rating:
Heat Level:
Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world—to engage in the turf war with the lessers. He's got nothing to lose. His heart belongs to a female vampire, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. If he can't have Marissa, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers...
Fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he's found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back. But even her love may not be enough to save him...
Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward is the fourth book in the paranormal romance series the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Each time I open one of these books, I quickly become lost in its characters and world. While Lover Revealed had a calmer tone to it, Ward still packed plenty of punch.
For those unfamiliar with the Black Dagger Brotherhood world vampires live unknown amongst humans. Within the vampire race, the Brotherhood are sworn to protect humans and vampires from the Omega and his group of vampires known as the Lessers. Few people know about the vampires, and ex-homicide detective Butch O’Neal is one of them. In fact, he lives with them. Butch has been in love with Marissa, a vampire aristocrat since almost the beginning, but interference and miscommunication have kept them apart. In Lover Revealed we finally get their story.
Ward once again gives us multiple perspectives from those of the Lessers, Butch, Marissa, John a deaf young man born with the mark, and from others in the brotherhood. While the heart of the story is the romance, we still get plenty of plot advancement in their fight against evil. The Omega is searching for the “one of prophecy” and causes some series problems for Butch and the brothers. We get to know Vishous better, and I wanted to give this dark vampire a hug. Despite his internal struggles, he is there for Butch making him a stand-up guy even if at times he made me shiver. I am looking forward to his story.
Both Marissa and Butch transform, as we witness growth, acceptance and discovery for both. Marissa comes into her own with a little help from the King and Queen. Butch who struggles with alcohol and a sense of not belonging finally puts down some roots. Their romance and developments provided plenty of emotions as I read. Which included anger, fear, laughter and a few swoons. I did want to slap them both on the back of the head a time or two, but friends intervened.
Lover Revealed was another stellar edition to the series, and I had fun being back in their midst. I look forward to devouring Lover Unbound, the next book in the series.
Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward was another exciting edition of the Black Dagger Brotherhood Share on X
Lorna
Love, love, love Butch! I think you show great restraint in not reading these back to back! When I first started this series, I read seven or eight of them back to back, I was so hooked. Course I wasn’t reviewing back then so I had the time. I completely understand why you aren’t reading them back to back. Hope you continue to enjoy these!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, I wish I could read back to back. Years ago I did that and burned out. I found I was reading too rapidly especially in a series with an overall ARC. Now I restrain and try to wait a few weeks in between.
Melanie Simmons
I love the early books in this series. I’ve gotten a little burnt out lately. Maybe I need to do a relisten to these early books. So glad you’re enjoying the series.
kimbacaffeinate
Once I get through the original brothers I will take a break for a bit.
blodeuedd
Enjoy the next one too
kimbacaffeinate
Glad to hear that!
Cyn
Glad to see the series is still going strong! The romance definitely sounds like it’s worth investing in. Great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
I am having fun with them. Thanks Cyn
RO
Whew! You’re going way back, girl! The first time I tried to read this series, despite the raving reviews, I couldn’t get into it. Then one day, nothing was worth reading in the library, so I picked up the first book, only to go crazy catching up with everything she ever wrote. Eventually I went through withdrawal waiting for the next one. These are characters I’d definitely want to hang out with for sure, and I loved your review. Hugs…
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I have about 4 series with oodles of editions I am working on..lol
Bookworm Brandee
You know, I thought I’d read this one but now I’m thinking I didn’t. Hmm. I do like this series – Zsadist’s story was my favorite but since I apparently only got to it, that may change once I read further. 😉 I’m happy you enjoyed Butch and Marissa’s story – I like that they do so much growing…self-discovery stories are a favorite. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I loved Z.
The Bibliophile Babe
I really need to get back into this series!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do 🙂
Lover Of Romance
oh I just love Butch and Melissa…such a wonderful couple. And the character growth is amazing. Isn’t this series great? The earlier books here are my favorites to read.
kimbacaffeinate
So far I am loving the series 🙂 All the feels!!
Katherine
Ward is an author I’d never heard of until I started blogging but the books have all ended up on my radar! I especially want to try the Bourbon Kings series though this looks interesting too.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I think you would love those. These are darker with strong alphas and lots of heat. Both series are very different.
Angela Adams
Kind of reminds me of the old Gothic series, Dark Shadows.
kimbacaffeinate
Nice. I will look it up.
Sophia Rose
I got frustrated with pair, but mostly because I just wanted them to get it figured out. Love Butch and the twists in his story. Yeah, think you’ll find more Vishous interesting. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, right. Communications!
Melissa (Books and Things)
I never expected to enjoy this series as much as I did and now I’m so behind on them. I might actually have to do some rereads before I get back into them. So glad you are enjoying it too!
kimbacaffeinate
Glad to hear you like the series Melissa 🙂
Lampshade Reader
Would you say it was a gritty story? I love vampire romances with grit to them. This sounds interesting. 🙂 ~Aleen
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, these are dark and gritty Aleen another good one is Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark
Mary Kirkland
Love this series, I’m just behind a few books right now.
kimbacaffeinate
So you kept going after the first batch? I keep hearing folks stopped or didn’t like them.
Tyler H Jolley
I haven’t started this series, but it sounds like a lot of people enjoy it.
kimbacaffeinate
Yep, which is how I ended up here 🙂
Rowena
Man, it’s been ages since I picked up a book from this series. Lost interest in it but man does your review make me want to pick it up again. Great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe…
Angela
Thank you for the review. It was nice to revisit Butch & Marissa. I love the early books with the original brothers.
kimbacaffeinate
I am enjoying the series thus far. Nervous about later books, but I will stop when needed.
Melissa
One of the women in my book club has been trying to get me to start this series. Looks so good.
kimbacaffeinate
I am working my way through several paranormal and older popular series.
AngelErin
Great review! I LOVED this one. Of course I can say that about all of them haha. I’m glad you’re enjoying the series and I hope you love the next one as well when you get to it. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
I am waiting on Christmas Amazon gift cards *fingers crossed* and then it shall be mine 🙂
sherry fundin
Always nice to visit ‘friends’. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed 🙂
kindlemom1
Glad you are still liking these, I’ve heard they are pretty good until the double digits and then they start to falter.
kimbacaffeinate
I will read to my interest wanes 🙂
Debbie Haupt
One of my faves, Butch is. Thanks Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, I was happy to get his story 🙂
Melliane
each time I see a review about this series I remember that I have the 4 first books in french for years and that I still need to get into them *sigh*
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, I have books/series like that in my TBR pile too. You are not alone my friend.