**I received this book as an ARC on Netgalley**

Twenty books in, and J.R. Ward does not fail to deliver! Lover Arisen is another in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and Ward draws you into her unique world once more. The characters are flawed, but in a way that resonates with you as the reader, making the likable, and quick to turn the pages to know more. The world is rich, the characters dynamic, and the plot line full of twists that had me unable to put the book down.

If you’re a fan of morally grey characters, an action-packed plot, and paranormal brings, this book is for you! The world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood is complex with many characters so it’s best read in order.

For full disclosure, I’ve only read the first two or three books and was able to keep up, but feel I missed some key pieces from previous stories. The beginning of the book contained key words that will help with understanding the world,

I loved Erica and how bad-ass she is! She’s been through a lot and despite this, was able to move on to find love. Balthazar is self-proclaimed criminal with a conscious. The irony of his female being a homicide detective is not lost on him either.

The ending is a happy for now with enough left unanswered for a nice segue into another book. I’m hoping we see more of Lassiter and Rahvyn and to see them come to terms with the decisions they made. Great addition to the series!

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advanced copy!

The 20th BDB book is everything you expect and desire in one of the best selling series to ever exist in the book world! Dark, sexy, humorous, heart wrenching with unbelievable twists and turns that never cease to drop your jaw, Lover Arisen is certainly one of the most exhilarating reads of 2022!

Balthazar is for sure, one of my favorite heroes from BDB. He is fierce, protective, sexy, smart and a heck of a fighter. And Erika couldn't be a more perfect fit for him. Their story is captivating and a heck of a thrill ride full of danger and secrets being revealed and surprises that leave a reader begging for more. I couldn't read fast enough! J.R. Ward has been a favorite author of mine for years. The BDB series is one of the most unforgettable series and the one I can't imagine ever missing out on. The world gets more complex with every new book that comes out and there is never a dull moment. Every emotion comes to the surface and I want to feel them all again and again. Balthazar and Erika's story is like a drug I can't live without. One of the best stories ever!
Lover Arisen gets a FIVE JAW DROPPING AND ENTICING STARS! A MUST OWN THIS SECOND READ!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. I have loved this series and the first ten books are really great. But the books take a dive after that and this book is no exception.

Apparently Lash is back thanks to this Demon who is determined to find a man who loves her and she uses a spell from a dangerous book to bring Lash back to life.

The main couple are thrown together after this demon tried to kill them and they fall in love really quickly despite not really having a lot in common. And there’s not a lot of backstory with the main dude.

Lassiter is the new Scribe Virgin and this other girl he’s in love with who has even more power than he does and she leaves because she can somehow travel in time/space it’s very weird.

Anyway there’s just a lot going on in this book and it doesn’t all work. And honestly this story is way too expanded.

J.R. Ward has done it again, I've been reading brotherhood novels for as long as I can remember and this one is right up there with some of my favorites. As they always are this was written with depth and care for not only our main characters but for all of the brothers, their mates, and the people of Caldwell.

Dark, steamy, sensual, this one has everything, love, hate, joy, loss, I always enjoy the contrast between our vampires and the mortal world, seeing the way people react when they realize those things that go bump in the night might just be real, it's fascinating to read Erikas reactions to the things that are revealed and I for one think she's now in my top three female characters in this series.

As bad as Devina is, I mean she is a demon after all I still wanted her to find her happy ending. I think that's what I love about the brotherhood books so much and this one in particular, even the lost, weary, and downright bad have the right to and the hope for love and a chance at redemption.

Balthazar is what we've come to expect from J.R. Ward, strong, dark, erotic, let's just say I'm a fan. His future and Erickas may be a tad up in the air, but Lassiter and Rahvyn, their story almost broke me, so many moments of pain, I will never look at violets the same way again.

The ending of this one I wasn't ready for it and I'm still reeling... I think I'm going to have to read this book again, and again and again.

If I could give this book six stars I would. Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so be prepared.

Believe it or not, I was given an ARC for this book via ATTL. But, guess what? They finally sent me the correct one, and if you are an avid fan of this series, you will not want to miss this book. Are there parts I loved? For sure! I love Devina and her Hermes/Birkin addiction. And I looked this particular purse up, and oh my goodness!

Devina is the evil you'd love to be friends with, well that is, if you like to eat human hearts! Devina really defines the fact that this book is more like a horror novel than a romance.

And guess who appears to be back? Oh really? Did you actually think I would spoil this by telling you? Go get the book, for goodness sake.

Oh, there are many, many things going on in this book with so many different people, but it was all easy to keep up with, so much angst:

1) Rahvyn -is she more powerful than The Scribe Virgin? Will she stay? Will she leave? Will she be the 'light' or will she change to the dark?

2)Lassiter - He needs some loving right this very minute! Poor Lassiter.

3)Nate-I don't know what to feel about him. He feels just too young to have a storyline/love of his own right now.

4) Just what is going to happen now that this, ahem, new guy showed up? Will it be the same old same old villains or will we be treated to something even eviler than we have seen to date?



Do I recommend you read the whole series just to read this book? Well, you should, but I found it easy to follow along. There is enough back story to get you through.

Something I'm not so happy with is the sex was just meh. It's almost like Ms. Ward has a formula and copies and pastes it into each book, only changing the names and locations. But, of course, that could just be me, and the fact that I reread all these books in one fell sweep. There was just nothing there to excite me.

Oh, I am leaving out some crucial bits, but you'll have to read the book to find out for yourself, as I said previously!

*ARC Supplied by Simon and Schuster/Gallery Books, NetGalley, and the author J.R. Ward. My thanks.

I always admire Ward's ability to take a well established series is a completely new direction. She continues to give reader's the romance we've come to expect but also great twists and turns and a villain unlike any other in Devina. She may be evil incarnate, but she's hilarious.

OMG this book! Ward is amazing. Definitely read the prior book before this one.
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this story was simply put – amazing. There is no other author like Ward.

She manages to keep you surprised at every turn. Lover Arisen is dark, raw, and shocking at times. It is tough to read about Angels and Evil in the same book, fighting for the ultimate prize. The deep connections between characters are intense and in some ways calming, knowing that someone will be there for you.

The simmering heat between Baltz and Erika is slow to grow but yet it is an immediate and strong connection that built in intensity throughout the story. Sexy and hot; these two are definitely fire.

The ending is so heartbreaking and sets up the next book. Can I wait months again for the continuation? Dang it! Do not miss Lover Arisen! So damn good!

After finishing this book I want to pull a Devina and stamp my foot and pout and do something evil in order to get my hands on the next book.

But let's get to the review first, shall we?

This is book 20 in a lengthy series that is still going strong, so yes, you need to read the earlier books to really enjoy this one. Things are recapped, and you could probably follow along okay, but you would not get the full enjoyment from the reveals that take place or understand the significance of some of the events.

I really liked both Balthazar and Erika. They were a great match - the thief and the detective. They were both smart, strong characters and, after a few memory wipes were undone, were honest with each other. No annoying lack of communication or stupid misunderstandings.

The story was well paced and flowed well, from one character point of view to another, wrapping everything in a nice, tight story. The side plots and other events that took place have me hooked for the next book. My mouth dropped open when a blast from the past made an appearance. No, I will not get into that more, just know you will be dumbstruck for a few moments once this person is revealed.

Lassiter, oh Lassiter. My man, you are so much more than you let on. I loved getting inside your head a bit and can't wait for your book.

We got to see some of the brothers, of course, with V having a slightly bigger role than most. One thing I noticed that was lacking was humor. Usually there's a few fun scenes with the brothers that will make you chuckle, but other than Rhage talking about some favorite foods this book had a mostly serious tone.

This was a pivotal book shifting the brotherhood against a new threat. No telling where this crazy train of goodness is going next. I just know that I will be there until the very end.

Another wonderful read by J. R. Ward. Although her storylines and characters are always so closely related, she spins them all in a different light. Always looking forward to her next release.

Alrighty folks, this review is going to be all over the place so bear with me. Here are my initial thoughts from the first 30% of Lover Arisen.

Incredible. I mean, really freaking great! It feels like Ward’s original storytelling from the first three books in the series. It’s back to being meater, grittier, chaos in leather that comes with a new sense of mystery and engagement. I’m inspired to reread Dark Lover again from this experience. She's got me googling Birkin bags!

It's a punch you in the face, action-filled plot with a story-driven rhythm that makes me crave more. I mean really guys, I can’t get over how good this is.

Here are my immediate thoughts once I finished...

I was standing in my shower not even 30 minutes after finishing Lover Arisen trying to get my thoughts together. To figure out exactly what I wanted to say and then like a burst of sublime sunshine I figured... why don’t I just say that? Lover Arisen has left me standing in the shower trying to make sense of all the interconnecting relationships Lover Arisen has. I am trying to wash away this feeling of sadness I have for a beloved character. I feel heartbroken and a little confused and concerned about what’s to come where they are concerned. But I know this is just a setup for an epic love story later on. I just hope it’s sooner rather than later. Having said that, the main coupling and storyline of Lover Arisen is straight up my alley. It’s the mystery, the cat and mouse, the sleuthing, and the gritty street-pounding sidewalks of Caldwell that I have truly missed from the very first book in the series. It was like breathing that mystery and mayhem all over again. But yet having that familiarity of being a series-long lover of all things Black Dagger Brotherhood. I don’t know, I feel like I’m rambling, but that’s what a good book does. It mixed up my emotions and has thrown me back into a different space and time. I have these heartfelt emotional responses to things in the past books yet it's all right here in front of me on the page. Just an all-new form.

I simply love the direction the series is going into. I feel like it wandered a bit in the past but now we are packed in a mack truck and we’re hurtling down this highway. I feel the need to grab onto something because I just know it’s going to rip out my heart in the best possible way. I didn’t laugh as much as I normally do with Wards books. I kept getting this nervous gut-wrenching feeling, my breath would falter, and my eyes would tear up. I kept getting heart palpitations and all I could think was... fuck... this is good.


5 Stars! Let the count down for the next book begin.
~Tanja

Twenty books in and the Black Dagger Brotherhood series is still going strong!
The plot this time around was so good! It set up a lot of characters and plot points that should be really interesting to see how they play out in future books.
Erika and Balthazar's romance reminded me a bit of Mary and Rhage's. It was so sweet and lovely. I melted whenever they were around each other!
Plus this one brings back a certain character that will leave many fans very happy.
I will like to point out that I would not recommend reading this as a standalone. There's an overarching storyline in each Brothers book, that going in completely blind might leave the reader confused.

I have been a huge fan of J.R. Ward and The Black Dagger Brotherhood for many years, so much so that I was thinking of rereading the series. That is until I realized that I was many books behind and that this was in theory book #20. I did feel a little lost through some of it, but was still able to piece together what was going on.

Balthazar is on the hunt for the Book of Spells - he has to find a way to keep Devina (the demon that possesses him) out of his body, once and for all. He never anticipates that his heart will be taken by a woman, especially one who is human...and a homicide detective to boot.

This book reminded me why I love this author so much. I will certainly be adding the series to my TBR list and will have to re-read the ones I already have...I do remember loving all of the brother but always had a soft spot in my heart for Wrath.

“Just like Robin Hood.”

The Brothers are back and this time Balthazar and Detective Erika Saunders are front and center.

“True virtue doesn’t come with an asterisk.” “And thieves can have morals—hey, is this our first fight?”

He erased her memories but she still sees him in her dreams. He’s a thief and she’s a cop.

“No, I’m telling you that I stole from a rich a$$h@!!who cheated on his wife and treated her like a piece of art he could acquire and then hang up and forget about.

The demon Devina will not leave him alone. He doesn’t want to involve Erika so he keeps pushing her away.

The next bullet in the chamber had Balz’s name on it, not Harry McHappyHusbandandFather over there with his recycling and his sciatica and his two weeks of vacation a year.

As with all recent Ward books there are multiple plots and boy am I excited that Lassiter is finally getting his own HEA in the next book. We get hints in this one.

V makes a appearance as a secondary character. There is also a shocking surprise that is going to change things in future books.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood world just gets more and more interesting. This latest book has a lot of ups and downs. Balthazar is dealing with Devina who has been possessing him. He knows he is inside her and just wants her out. The Brothers and the Bastards think she is gone but Balthazar knows she isn't. And he has been avoiding his home to keep them safe. And to keep her safe. Erika. The detective he can't stop thinking about. Erika knows that there is something going on in Caldwell and the mysterious headaches are the key. But so is the mysterious thief. And when she comes across him again she is going to get answers. Devina is still psycho. Want to punch her in the face several times and she has done some of the worst things ever in this book. Not only bringing back a fellow psycho but the deal she forced on Lassiter... well, I'm glad his book is next. Because he deserves so much after everything he has done. This book especially. Balz and Erika were definitely a great couple. I liked that she was more open to this world and her connection to Balz. Their banter was great and Balz himself is hilarious. I look forward to more of them in future books. This world just keeps getting bigger and the fight is far from over. Really can't wait for the next one!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. I am already a fan of JR Ward and have the whole series of books at home so to see this offered on NetGalley was a dream come true for me. If you are a fan of BDB then this is the moment we have all been waiting for. I could NOT believe "the HMMHMM" was back! (no spoilers ha ha!). and now what will happen since *&^%$# has a partner in crime? OMGosh i cannot wait for the next book! Also, with this ending i felt like I may have missed an official BDB ritual? Also, Balz deserves all the happiness and I am glad he found someone. i cannot even fit all i want to talk about without spoilers but let me say OMG Lassiter! I just want to hug you! ok thats all.

This author can do absolutely no wrong in my opinion. I have loved her writing from the first book I picked up, so many years ago. Each of her books takes me through so many emotions and keeps me wanting more.

The Thief Balthazar, of the Band of Bastards, and one of Caldwell's finest square off in J.R. Ward's latest book in the Black Dagger world entitled, Lover Arisen.

Homicide detective, Erika, suffers from serious headaches, like many of her fellow officers, but she is also having dreams about a mysterious stranger. She sees him in footage from a homicide connected to the murder of a wealthy collector of gruesome objects. Erika has her own demons to deal with when she finally meets Balz and has to fight her attraction to her dream-lover.

Wicked demon Davina, the evil missing spellbook, Lassiter's dramatic love triangle, the powerful and mysterious Rayvn, and the reemergence of a colossal enemy weave together to keep the reader wishing for more of J.R. Ward's world.
Reading Ward's Fallen Angels series helps to understand Davina's demonic motivation.
Read Lover Arisen but don't expect a happy ending for everyone, not in Caldwell.

Right out of the gate, Lover Arisen readers are drawn in, the book almost impossible to put down. There’s A LOT going on and it’s definitely does not qualify as a standalone read. Be prepared for a few surprises and a surprisingly sweet romance between the BoB, Balthazar, and homicide detective, Erika Saunders.

I liked a whole lot of the goings on in Lover Arisen. As mentioned, the romance was sweet and definitely sexy. Both Balthazar and Erika are incredibly likable characters and easy to relate to. Erika, in particular, has a lot going on, most especially working in Caldwell PD’s homicide division. In the past we’ve seen both Butch and Jose Delacruz suffer emotionally due to the horror that their job entails. Throw in a few memory swipes from our favorite vampires and CPD’s homicide detectives are a few brain cells short. I loved that JR Ward addressed this in Lover Arisen. This particular action by the Brothers is the catalyst for this 20th book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

My second favorite thing after the romance is the continued character development of everyone’s favorite fallen angel, Lassiter. It was 2020’s winter book, A Warm Heart in Winter, that finally revealed to me why everyone loved Lassiter so much. I’m not a big fan of over-the-top characters and it was almost impossible for me to see Lassiter’s serious side when he was being so ridiculous. Now, I love this character and the slow revelation into what hides behind his smile.

Lassiter’s evil counterpart, Devina, continues to search for her happiness and true love at everyone else’s expense. Huge surprises follow as her one and only is revealed. This kept me on the edge of my seat, not wanting to put Lover Arisen down for even a second. The secondary story involves Nate, Lassiter, Rahvyn, and a love triangle that is the basis of next year’s release, which features Lassiter and his HEA. Finally, Vishous fronts the list of Brothers that have supporting roles, as do Balthazar’s cousins, Syphon and Syn.

Thank you to Gallery Books for an early copy in exchange for honest feedback.
One star docked for a bit of chaos at the beginning and the rushed ending of Lover Arisen.