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Lover at Last
(Black Dagger Brotherhood #11)
by
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 an
...more
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Hardcover, First Edition, 608 pages
Published
March 26th 2013
by NAL
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Start your review of Lover at Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #11)

Kudos for doing an m/m story line in a mainstream series.
A big fucking F for execution.
Short version:
Qhuin and Blay got a corny story and playedsecond third fourth fiddle in their own book.
Longer version: (mild spoilers)
Well, where do I begin? This book was a huge disappointment. Granted: I've been invested in Qhuinn and Blay for such a long time that only something close to perfection would have satisfied me fully. But come on! This? With all the build up, with that premise, with all the ...more
A big fucking F for execution.
Short version:
Qhuin and Blay got a corny story and played
Longer version: (mild spoilers)
Well, where do I begin? This book was a huge disappointment. Granted: I've been invested in Qhuinn and Blay for such a long time that only something close to perfection would have satisfied me fully. But come on! This? With all the build up, with that premise, with all the ...more

Apr 03, 2012
Valkyrie ✨
rated it
did not like it
Recommends it for:
people with low expectations, newbies in m/m, masochist qhuay shippers,
Shelves:
to-read-mm,
books-2013
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS, YO.
I have waited six years to write this review. And in my mind, this was never the kind of review I imagined I'd post.
QHUAY RELATIONSHIP

The thing is that Qhuinn and Blay were pretty much ready to be together many books ago. JRW just kept coming up with plot devices and excuses to keep them apart. And the same happened in this book. They could have gotten together right when Qhuinn begged Blay to have sex with him.
Instead, Blay lied through the whole book about Sa ...more
I have waited six years to write this review. And in my mind, this was never the kind of review I imagined I'd post.
QHUAY RELATIONSHIP

The thing is that Qhuinn and Blay were pretty much ready to be together many books ago. JRW just kept coming up with plot devices and excuses to keep them apart. And the same happened in this book. They could have gotten together right when Qhuinn begged Blay to have sex with him.
Instead, Blay lied through the whole book about Sa ...more

Excellent… a game changer in the m-m genre and J.R. Ward delivered.

I love J.R. Ward and this series is mouth wateringly delicious, and like so many others I sit impatiently awaiting each next instalment, running scenarios and pairings through my head, trying to anticipate where she will take us next… and as an m-m reader, I was desperate for her to get this one right…
As usual we not only have the main story, Ms Ward also gives us side-plots, flipping back and forth between them all, leaving th ...more

I love J.R. Ward and this series is mouth wateringly delicious, and like so many others I sit impatiently awaiting each next instalment, running scenarios and pairings through my head, trying to anticipate where she will take us next… and as an m-m reader, I was desperate for her to get this one right…
As usual we not only have the main story, Ms Ward also gives us side-plots, flipping back and forth between them all, leaving th ...more

** This review contains some spoilers **
Halle-fuckin'-lujah!!! I've died and gone to heaven!
--------------------
20 March 2013
I waited four years for this book. I discovered the series a little after Lover Avenged (book 7) came out. The Vutch ship had sailed and gloriously sunk, with the BDB world principles and rules uncompromised, with hearts returning to their place in many fans' chests ("What do you mean they're gay for each other! Ew!"), and Vutch shippers left to stew in their own juices.
Bu ...more
Halle-fuckin'-lujah!!! I've died and gone to heaven!
--------------------
20 March 2013
I waited four years for this book. I discovered the series a little after Lover Avenged (book 7) came out. The Vutch ship had sailed and gloriously sunk, with the BDB world principles and rules uncompromised, with hearts returning to their place in many fans' chests ("What do you mean they're gay for each other! Ew!"), and Vutch shippers left to stew in their own juices.
Bu ...more

Joy
Happiness
Contentment
Also...
Yep, I liked it. The Qhuinn and Blay moments were touching, emotional, fulfilling, and oh yeah, scorching HOT. The first sex scene was so surreal, I thought I was reading fanfic for a second. I had to pause and collect myself. It's really happening!!!
Okay, so it wasn't perfect. There are certainly things wrong with this book (gay men CAN have sex in positions other than doggy style), but the reason I counted down the days to this release - all the th ...more

Happiness

Contentment

Also...

Yep, I liked it. The Qhuinn and Blay moments were touching, emotional, fulfilling, and oh yeah, scorching HOT. The first sex scene was so surreal, I thought I was reading fanfic for a second. I had to pause and collect myself. It's really happening!!!
Okay, so it wasn't perfect. There are certainly things wrong with this book (gay men CAN have sex in positions other than doggy style), but the reason I counted down the days to this release - all the th ...more

i've never rubbed my face this many times while reading a book. ever. like ever. and ive read some stuff that's made me want to end it all lately. also this was one of the first reviews where i actually considered using gifs, but i'll spare you.
short: this should have been called "There's very little meat in these gym mats." or "There's very little Blay in this paranormal romance which by all rights should be 50% Blay."
long: okay here goes. i did not like this book, at all. i'll tell you the bi ...more
short: this should have been called "There's very little meat in these gym mats." or "There's very little Blay in this paranormal romance which by all rights should be 50% Blay."
long: okay here goes. i did not like this book, at all. i'll tell you the bi ...more

4.5 stars
Picking up a new BDB book is like coming back home to old friends. You can’t help but smile at the familiar faces. Like everyone else, I’ve been dying for this book and knew that Ward would be facing her biggest challenge yet. Blay and Qhuinn are the Brotherhood’s most beloved members so she needed to give fans a book that would satisfy the crazy fantasies that readers have been conjuring up in their minds since LOVER ENSHRINED. I thought Ward reached a good balance and excelled with LO ...more
Picking up a new BDB book is like coming back home to old friends. You can’t help but smile at the familiar faces. Like everyone else, I’ve been dying for this book and knew that Ward would be facing her biggest challenge yet. Blay and Qhuinn are the Brotherhood’s most beloved members so she needed to give fans a book that would satisfy the crazy fantasies that readers have been conjuring up in their minds since LOVER ENSHRINED. I thought Ward reached a good balance and excelled with LO ...more

4 Finding Yourself Stars
Spoilers
First 2014
Reread 4/11/2017
"I'm sorry I've wasted so much time - and if you don't want to be with me, I get it. I'll back off - I'll live with the consequences. But for the love of God, if there's a chance - for whatever reason on your side - revenge, curiosity...hell, even if you'll let me fuck you just once and never, ever again, for the sole reason of driving a stake through my heart? I'll take it. I'll take you...any way I can get you."-Qhuinn
Lover at Last ...more

Spoilers
First 2014
Reread 4/11/2017
"I'm sorry I've wasted so much time - and if you don't want to be with me, I get it. I'll back off - I'll live with the consequences. But for the love of God, if there's a chance - for whatever reason on your side - revenge, curiosity...hell, even if you'll let me fuck you just once and never, ever again, for the sole reason of driving a stake through my heart? I'll take it. I'll take you...any way I can get you."-Qhuinn
Lover at Last ...more

This is one of my all time favorite books from the bdb series!!! I wanted these two to get their happily ever after for so long. This was my first m/m romance and I adored everything about it. When sex and love is from a male point of view its so raw and primal and I love that. All these years these two kept what they felt locked up and they each just went thru the motions hoping that it would go away,but all it did was build and once they both stopped fighting it the passion was glorious!!! JR
...more

Jun 03, 2012
Blacky *Romance Addict*
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
he-is-mine,
read-m-m,
read-paranormal,
review,
sub-genre-edit,
read-2014,
read-2013,
4-stars-for-enjoyment
*full review posted*
*this will be spoilerish*

Qhuinn watched from a vast distance as his own hand reached out and touched Blay’s face, the fingertips running over the five o’clock shadow. “I’m sorry.”
Oh, God, to touch him. To feel the warmth of his skin, to inhale his clean, masculine scent.
“I’m sorry.”
I am a very big fan of the series, and I'm incredibly happy these two guys got their happy end, they really deserved it after all these years <3
That said, this could have been better. N ...more

*swoon* *panting* *drooling* *faints* My heart is still pounding!
I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!! Zsadist is and will always be my #1...Vishous, Rehvenge and now Xcor have a special place in my heart but Qhuinn/Blay are my favorite couple...The wait was soooooooooo worth it...I want more!
LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!
***********************************************************************
Not a novella but a full length novel...YESSSSSSSSSSSSS! FINALLY!!!!!!!!OMGoddess I CAN'T BLOODY WAIT! Hurry ...more

I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!! Zsadist is and will always be my #1...Vishous, Rehvenge and now Xcor have a special place in my heart but Qhuinn/Blay are my favorite couple...The wait was soooooooooo worth it...I want more!


LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!



***********************************************************************
Not a novella but a full length novel...YESSSSSSSSSSSSS! FINALLY!!!!!!!!OMGoddess I CAN'T BLOODY WAIT! Hurry ...more


3 stars? 4 stars? I might be flip-flopping on this rating at least once or twice over the next few days. I actually had an easier time rewarding 4 stars to the previous books because my expectations weren't that high to begin with, and I felt like I'd been given more than what I was expecting. In the case of Lover at Last, I think the bar might have been set too high with all of the anticipation to see this relationship finally happen. I'm tempted to stay at 3 stars just for the mention of Ed Ha ...more


I waited over four years and was tortured through four books of angst, just to get a Novella disguised as a Novel. That's right!! And I'm Pissed about it! I am gonna be in the minority with this review. Everyone is swooning over Qhuinn and Blay getting their HEA, but I feel that the Warden robbed, swindled, hoodwinked, and cheated us and Quay out of that HEA. There were so many unrelated stories going on, that I found myself hoping for quality time with "Quay". But what I got was a whole lotta t ...more

5 AT LAST stars!!!

It’s no secret that I am a little obsessed with the BDB. Ever since I’ve started reading this series, I’ve been hooked. Although Vishous is my favorite brother, Qhuinn has always been a close second. There is just something about him I love. That being said, I have been SO EXCITED to read Lover At Last. This is the book that got me to start BDB in the first place. It was blowing up my newsfeed and I thought- PNR- m/m? YES! I have to read this series. I really feel its only ...more

4+ FINALLY Stars
The story, we have all been waiting for. The book that we were raving about for a whole year and my personal initiation in the M/M genre. (details below)
Ladies and Gentlemen... (or Gentlemale if you part of the glymera)

Love. The difference between someone “loving” somebody 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.
Qhuinn is really the son of no one.

Rejected by his own family, without bloodline and ...more
The story, we have all been waiting for. The book that we were raving about for a whole year and my personal initiation in the M/M genre. (details below)
Ladies and Gentlemen... (or Gentlemale if you part of the glymera)

Love. The difference between someone “loving” somebody 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.
Qhuinn is really the son of no one.

Rejected by his own family, without bloodline and ...more

I asked Goodreads readers, fans of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and most especially fans of Qhuay (Qhuinn & Blay) for their thoughts on the book. They were allowed 5 words each. Here's what they had to say:

********************************************************
*spoiler-free review*
“Because I was, and I remain, utterly and completely and totally…in love with you.”
I am a fan’ish of the BDB series. I’ve liked the books in varying degrees throughout. I’ve also hated and been massive ...more

Apr 02, 2012
Danielle The Book Huntress (Back to the Books)
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
BDB fans, PNR/UFR fans
*Disclaimer*--I have endeavored to make this spoiler-free, but beware anyway.
It’s been a long time coming, but readers of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series finally get to see the culmination of the romantic entanglement between Qhuinn and Blay. While I wouldn’t have called myself Team Qhuay, I had hopes that their love story would be satisfying, and I can gladly say that it was! I am very much in love with this series, and each year, I look forward to reuniting with the Brothers and their love ...more
It’s been a long time coming, but readers of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series finally get to see the culmination of the romantic entanglement between Qhuinn and Blay. While I wouldn’t have called myself Team Qhuay, I had hopes that their love story would be satisfying, and I can gladly say that it was! I am very much in love with this series, and each year, I look forward to reuniting with the Brothers and their love ...more

"Even if he got shanked, even if his precious little ego and his dumb-ass little heart got shattered into a million pieces, it was time to stop the bullshit.
It was time to be a male.
As Blay started to straighten, like a message had been received, Qhuinn thought, That's right, buddy.
Our future has come." -Lover Reborn
♥♥♥♥♥
BRING ON THE QHUAY LOVIN', WARDEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm SO ready.
♥♥♥♥♥
OMG, IT'S PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those eyes! That title! Why isn't this in my hands right now?!
♥♥♥♥♥
FROM THE ...more
It was time to be a male.
As Blay started to straighten, like a message had been received, Qhuinn thought, That's right, buddy.
Our future has come." -Lover Reborn
♥♥♥♥♥
BRING ON THE QHUAY LOVIN', WARDEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm SO ready.
♥♥♥♥♥
OMG, IT'S PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Those eyes! That title! Why isn't this in my hands right now?!
♥♥♥♥♥
FROM THE ...more

“You've always had me ... and my heart. My soul. Everything. I wish it hadn't taken this long for me to man up.”
I'd been waiting for this book since I started reading Dark Lover. Qhuinn and Blay are my main ship, I shipped them so hard even when I gave up on them. I just wanted to shake Qhuinn and knocked some sense into him. I pitited Blay for loving his best friend, and I thought that they being together were impossible, Is it plausible for them to see each other in the same light and kno ...more

Qhuinn and Blaylock
You need to be patient with me because this is my favorite book from BDB (and I have to admit that it has the most suitable title), so I have included many many quotes in this review and many many spoilers.
While Layla and Saxton were playing the role of third wheel, Qhuinn and Blay were trying to grow up and come in terms with their true feelings . Mostly Quinn actually. Because Blay knew that he is in love with Quinn since they hang out at Blay’s parents’ house, playing Xbox, ...more
You need to be patient with me because this is my favorite book from BDB (and I have to admit that it has the most suitable title), so I have included many many quotes in this review and many many spoilers.
While Layla and Saxton were playing the role of third wheel, Qhuinn and Blay were trying to grow up and come in terms with their true feelings . Mostly Quinn actually. Because Blay knew that he is in love with Quinn since they hang out at Blay’s parents’ house, playing Xbox, ...more

Second re-read: 24.08.2019
I love Qhuinn and Blay. They just pull at my heartstrings. They are perfect for each other, and all that wasted time breaks my heart. Overall, Q & B are one of my favorite couples. Also, I absolutely love Wrath. I can't tell who I love the most; Qhuinn or Wrath. I can't choose.

Re-read: 14.01.2017
Though I cannot really consider this a re-read considering I only re-read Blay and Qhuinn, and Wrath's parts of the book. I mean, jesus! I love them two! I ship them so ...more
I love Qhuinn and Blay. They just pull at my heartstrings. They are perfect for each other, and all that wasted time breaks my heart. Overall, Q & B are one of my favorite couples. Also, I absolutely love Wrath. I can't tell who I love the most; Qhuinn or Wrath. I can't choose.

Re-read: 14.01.2017
Though I cannot really consider this a re-read considering I only re-read Blay and Qhuinn, and Wrath's parts of the book. I mean, jesus! I love them two! I ship them so ...more

FIVE AT LAST STARS.
“You've always had me ... and my heart. My soul. Everything. I wish it hadn't taken this long for me to man up.”

April 28th 2013 was the date I started my brotherhood journey and here I am three months down the line and finally up to date with the black dagger brotherhood series and what a journey it has been. I've said this before but it has to be said again I never thought I would be so caught up in a series about vampire warriors and their love, pain, war and lives. Lov ...more
“You've always had me ... and my heart. My soul. Everything. I wish it hadn't taken this long for me to man up.”

April 28th 2013 was the date I started my brotherhood journey and here I am three months down the line and finally up to date with the black dagger brotherhood series and what a journey it has been. I've said this before but it has to be said again I never thought I would be so caught up in a series about vampire warriors and their love, pain, war and lives. Lov ...more

One of the things about JR Ward is you can pretty much tell when she likes a character because they're everywhere you look. This can be great when it's a character you like because they'll pop up in books outside of their own, even in scenes that would be better served by someone else because it's obvious Ward just wants to write them. It's also pretty awful when it's one you don't.
*waves at Doc Jane*.
However, on the flip side when Ward doesn't feel a character too much they tend to get lost in ...more
*waves at Doc Jane*.
However, on the flip side when Ward doesn't feel a character too much they tend to get lost in ...more

Apr 02, 2012
Lisa Arbitrary - AttentionIsArbitrary M/M Blog
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
m/m romance readers who enjoy pnr
~ ~ ~
***Winner Goodreads Best Romance 2013 - 24,333 votes
Freaking Fantastic Win for Male/Male Romance!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Male/Male Romance in the Mainstream...at Last
Well, I'm a happy, puddly, messy romantic sap. That's all there is to it. This book was everything that I asked for and even a little more.
--Was there a lot of fan pandering? (view spoiler) . I don't even mind a little bit.
--Were there a few easy paths taken? (view spoiler) I just breeze ...more
***Winner Goodreads Best Romance 2013 - 24,333 votes
Freaking Fantastic Win for Male/Male Romance!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Male/Male Romance in the Mainstream...at Last
Well, I'm a happy, puddly, messy romantic sap. That's all there is to it. This book was everything that I asked for and even a little more.
--Was there a lot of fan pandering? (view spoiler) . I don't even mind a little bit.
--Were there a few easy paths taken? (view spoiler) I just breeze ...more

♥♥♥ QHUINN & BLAY!!! ♥♥♥
Our beloved boys are FINALLY getting their story, and they are getting it the true and proper way...in a full-blown BDB world-building hardback NOVEL!!! Thank you Ward and Penguin for doing right by them and all of us Qhuay loving readers!!!
Roll on March 2013!!!!!!
♥♥♥ LOVER AT LAST!!! ♥♥♥
LOVE the title, and LOVE the cover!!! It's getting closer and closer! Can't frickin' wait!! ...more
Our beloved boys are FINALLY getting their story, and they are getting it the true and proper way...in a full-blown BDB world-building hardback NOVEL!!! Thank you Ward and Penguin for doing right by them and all of us Qhuay loving readers!!!
Roll on March 2013!!!!!!
♥♥♥ LOVER AT LAST!!! ♥♥♥
LOVE the title, and LOVE the cover!!! It's getting closer and closer! Can't frickin' wait!! ...more

4 ½ stars – Vampire/Paranormal/Urban Fantasy M/M romance
Thoughts Before Reading
Qhuay, YAY!!!! Qhuay happy dance!! *swoons* Qhuay happy dance!! *faints*
Somebody better have some smelling salts and the crash cart defibrillator paddles ready!!!!
Thoughts Before Reading
Qhuay, YAY!!!! Qhuay happy dance!! *swoons* Qhuay happy dance!! *faints*
Somebody better have some smelling salts and the crash cart defibrillator paddles ready!!!!

Genre: MM Paranormal Romance
Type: Book 11 of Black Dagger Brotherhood
POV: Third Person
Rating:


From a young age Qhuinn had been an outcast. Denounced by his own family, all he ever wanted was to belong. Being a fighter for the Brotherhood helped, but a rift with his onced best friend was killing him inside.
After years of pining after his best friend, Blaylock finally moved on. But deep down inside he knew no one else could fill the void in his heart. How could he risk his own heart when Qhuinn h ...more
Type: Book 11 of Black Dagger Brotherhood
POV: Third Person
Rating:


From a young age Qhuinn had been an outcast. Denounced by his own family, all he ever wanted was to belong. Being a fighter for the Brotherhood helped, but a rift with his onced best friend was killing him inside.
After years of pining after his best friend, Blaylock finally moved on. But deep down inside he knew no one else could fill the void in his heart. How could he risk his own heart when Qhuinn h ...more

~~
No one got forever. And it was a fucking crime to waste what you were given.
Lover Reborn
The book isn't perfect (flawless books don't exist) or even close to it, but my expectations were satisfied. Rated on its merit, it would be 4 stars. BUT as it makes a major breaktrough in mainstream fiction, and that is a BIG DEAL, my rating will be 5 stars.
Also:
*I've been waiting for this since LM.
*It got me into m/m, for which it deserves another star.
That doesn't say I'm happy with all of it. The (too) ...more
No one got forever. And it was a fucking crime to waste what you were given.
Lover Reborn
The book isn't perfect (flawless books don't exist) or even close to it, but my expectations were satisfied. Rated on its merit, it would be 4 stars. BUT as it makes a major breaktrough in mainstream fiction, and that is a BIG DEAL, my rating will be 5 stars.
Also:
*I've been waiting for this since LM.
*It got me into m/m, for which it deserves another star.
That doesn't say I'm happy with all of it. The (too) ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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J. R. Ward (BLACK...: Lover At Last **SPOILERS** | 8038 | 2782 | May 02, 2020 11:23AM | |
Interracial and A...: Black Dagger Brotherhood Series | 57 | 314 | Jul 18, 2019 02:04PM | |
xxxQhuayLoversxxx: Introductions | 14 | 67 | Sep 14, 2016 11:06PM | |
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Romance - Mob puts a hit on a male vampire using a female assassin [s] | 11 | 151 | May 13, 2016 07:42AM |
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“You've always had me ... and my heart. My soul. Everything. I wish it hadn't taken this long for me to man up.”
—
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“You are perfect the way you are." Blay's voice was strong. "There is nothing wrong with who and what you have always been. I'm proud of you. And I love you. Now ... and always."
Qhuinn's vision got wavy. Hard-core.
"I'm proud of you. And I love you," Blay repeated. "Always. Forget about your old family ... you have me now. I am your family.”
—
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More quotes…
Qhuinn's vision got wavy. Hard-core.
"I'm proud of you. And I love you," Blay repeated. "Always. Forget about your old family ... you have me now. I am your family.”