Title: Lover Mine (Black Dagger Brotherhood, book
Author: J.R. Ward
Release: April 27th, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: 3.5 Stars

I have to start this review by stating that I debated whether I wanted to give this a 3.5 star rating or 4 star. Part of me says 4 stars because I think some of my issues with the book are due to my own little reading funk, but the more I think about it, the more I am comfortable with the 3.5 star rating.

Lover Mine is the eagerly waited for book featuring John Matthew (who is not yet a “Brother”) and Xhex, a sympath assassin who worked for Rehvenge from Lover Avenged. At the end of the last book Xhex is captured by the Omega’s son and former potential Brother, Lash. Lover Mine concentrates on John Matthew’s efforts to get her back and what happens after he does.

As has been the trend with the last couple of Black Dagger Brotherhood books, the main hero and heroine’s story is not the only one featured. In Lover Mine we also get a much more indepth look at the relationship between Quinn and Blay. Their story and interactions take up quite a bit of page space and were the most interesting part of this book for me. On top of that, we also get a subplot featuring Payne and No’One, as well as an oddly placed subplot about a reality show being filmed at an old mansion.

What I loved about Lover Mine? I felt that John Matthew and Xhex were true to their characters and the intimate scenes were HOT. John seems mighty capable at ripping a shirt or two and if it were me, I wouldn’t be complaining. Yet even with all their passion, in my opinion, Blay and Quinn stole this book. The tension, emotion, and suspense of their relationship was overwhelming and I found myself looking forward to their scenes and skipping parts of the book to make them come faster.

What didn’t work for me…. sigh, it’s hard to put a finger on. For John and Xhex there was just too much emotional angst in the story line, not enough action. They are both kick ass warriors, I wanted more physical action in the story and found the emotional turmoil within each of them to drag on and on. It took me a full 4 days to read this book and that is the longest I have ever spent on a BDB book, it just dragged for me.

The issue with John and sign language seemed to be too easily solved as well – he teaches her the letters of the alphabet and all of a sudden she can interpret entire paragraphs in what seems like no time at all? So he is signing each word letter by letter instead of using the actual signs for things? That’s impressive but entirely unrealistic in my opinion. On top of that, the subplot with the reality show filming was just weird. It ruined the pacing of the book and kept me from fully sinking into the story line.

Now my biggest problem? The GIGANTIC FREAKING PLOT HOLE! Exactly when did John Matthew and the Brothers find out that Lash was the Omega’s son? Was there a short story or novella that gave this away or were readers just deprived of this realization? When Xhex is taken at the end of Lover Avenged John Mathew mentions that Lash must have hooked up with the Omega somehow, yet he clearly does not know he is his son. Yet somehow in Lover Mine it seems that this is common knowledge?

For me, Lover Mine, was a tiny bit of a disappointment but I am willing to admit I may have had high expectations. This installment in the Brotherhood series was a good read, just not without it’s problems.

FTC Disclaimer: Book was purchased by me