Lover at Last

A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood

By: J. R. Ward

Narrated by: Jim Frangione

Length: 22 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

The hottest collection of studs in romance” (New York Times best-selling author Angela Knight) returns as J. R. Ward brings together two of the most beloved people in the Black Dagger Brotherhood world - at last...

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has found an identity as a brutal fighter 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 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: It seems Qhuinn has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young. It’s hard for Blay to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. And Qhuinn needs to come to terms with some dark things before he can move forward...

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 learns the true meaning of courage, and two hearts meant to be together finally become one.

©2013 J. R. Ward (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“J.R. Ward's unique band of brothers is to die for. I love this series!” (New York Times best-selling author Suzanne Brockmann)

“Utterly absorbing and deliciously erotic.... The Brotherhood is the hottest collection of studs in romance. I can’t wait for the next one!” (New York Times best-selling author Angela Knight)

Lover at Last: Qhuinn and Blay's Story!

Where does Lover at Last rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love this series read by Jim Frangione, he does an awesome job with all these books. so this book ranks in the top 10% of books I have listened to!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love Qhuinn, and the way he has to realize what he truly wants out of his life and how he needs to go about getting it.

What does Jim Frangione bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

By listening to this book it made it seem more like I was there, because I had to concentrate and really listen, thus forming a relationship of sorts to the content of the book and Jim's reading of it.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me feel happy and it made me feel so sad at times. I felt the pain both Blay and Qhuinn were feeling and felt frustrated with the characters at times!

Any additional comments?

This book was a great addition to the series and I really liked it!

Great Book

I had been waiting on this book and I must say I liked the book; however, I expected more of a storyline for Qhuinn/Blay. Ultimately, I was happy that Qhuinn and Blay finally got together but I felt that the issues with Saxton, Lailah and Qhuinn/Blay egos made their love story boring at some point. Aside from that, I enjoyed the book and hope there are more books to come for the Black Daggar Brotherhood series.

Best so far

I am speechless. I don’t normally leave reviews, on or for anything. However, this book was one of the best listens thus far. The story line was chaotic with more twists than any of the books so far. The emotions I felt were so visceral during the last half. Amazing! I cried, laughed, screamed and jumped. Wonderfully written and the narration was perfect.

A love story that transcends all boundaries, true?

I am speechless after reading this book! I've waited so long for Quinn and Blay's story and this one did not disappoint! I could go on and on but I can't say anymore then all the other positive reviewers. This was such a beautiful love story that just transcends all boundaries...it was perfection on paper. I'm so relieved that JR Ward took a chance on the subject matter and gave the fans what they wanted for so long.

This is why she is the master and I am happy to be the follower.

This book is amazing and so worth the time, money, credits,etc.

Good story, but Not Her Best

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Of course, I would recommmend this to a friend. The BDB story is so much more than just one book in the series. While, yes, the primary focus of LAL is Blaylock and Quhinn, there is so much more going on than just a gay male romance novel. Yes, it is a gay male romance novel. If you are not comfortable with M/M love stories, than this likely isn't for you.
What JR Ward excels at in this story, is character! She has an undeniable talent for making her characters sympathetic and believable. The story weaves multiple points of view and characters from previous stories.
If you read and love the BDB stories, there is much in this book that moves the story along. minor characters in this book are developed and we see more of the Shadows and other vampires outside the Brotherhood. The BDB world is definitely expanding to create more content for future novels. (yippee)

What about Jim Frangione’s performance did you like?

Jim Frangione IS the voice of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. I cannot even read the printed book without hearing his voice in my head as Rhage or Butch. He does an excellent job of differentiating the characters.

Do you think Lover at Last needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

LAL Will have a follow-up book DUH! The secondary storylines (Assail and Tres) leave off in the middle! The next book will likely be about one of these males.

Any additional comments?

LAL is a love story, and if you are a reader of the BDB series, then you know that JR Ward writes like a man, especially when writing from a male point of view. You also know that her male characters are dominant, instinctual, animalistic, aggressive, physical, fierce fighters. You also know that her characters express their emotions physically and her writing is VERY descriptive in intimate situations. She does not back away from Blay and Quhinn because they are male. She gives as much attention to our boys as she did to any of the previous couples.

More please!!!!

I feel like I have been waiting for 10 years for this book, but it was worth the wait! What can I say, in truth I didn't know how JR was going to pull off a tasteful love affair between two men that has spanned both their life times, but it was done properly and wonderfully!

I especially liked the side stories, we hear more about Layla and Score, and we got to know some of our favorites a bit better. There are multiple loose ends and side stories which makes me feel like I am going to be staking JR wards website for news of what's next? Will it be Score/Layla, or perhaps the shadows Tres and Iam will get their own book, and the new players can't be overlooked either especially with one of their fates still up in the air.

PLEASE WRITE FAST JR!!!!

Pretty Good

This one had a few to many story lines. I found myself dong some fast forwarding. This one does give you the Quinn and Blah story we have all been waiting for.

BEST Narrator, set-ups for future story-lines

First of all, the Narrator is the best in the business!!! Jim Frangione IS the BDB!!! Once you hear his beautiful baritone voice, each and every Brother imprints into your mind and is always with you when you read/listen. I own all the audiobooks as well as the Kindle e-books.

I loved the boo, immediately falling in love with the many stories, new characters and budding relationships within this book. Being a hardcore BDB fan, and having said that, the explicit gay M on M sex was a little too much for this "meaty-irish-catholic" girl. I knew it would be such and I read at my own choice. This is just a warning to those who might be offended, which I wasn't, but even for me, it was a bit too,too.

To sum up the high recommendation to any new BDB recruit....Read all 12 books in sequential order or the stories will mean nothing to you. BDB fans read ALL the books MANY times over. I believe this book also will be a "multiple-read/listen" for BDB lovers.

Looking forward to installment 13. Must we wait a year???

Love Love this book can't wait for the next one !!

Where does Lover at Last rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Great story, made me happy made me cry, me me say ah!! but to finally see the characters come together

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Please!! I downloaded before the upload was finish and was done in how many hours was the books. Yah!! one sitting. :)

Any additional comments?

Love the series have also read all the books in this series.

My favorite so far

This is my favorite of all the books in this series. Maybe because it focused more on the families and background of Quinn.