I love J.R. ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series so ofcourse I have to give this one a listen . I did enjoy this story very much but I just wasn’t a fan of the narrator .

THE STORY OF SON by J.R. Ward
I first read this short novella several years ago in the anthology "Dead After Dark" which led me straight into JR Ward's world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. This story is now being released as an audio. Jim Frangione is the narrator once again for Ms. Ward and he does an excellent job with it.
A high powered lawyer and a vampire are an unlikely combination and their story is all consuming. The storyline is awesome, Claire and Michael are great characters, and it brings all the emotion you could ask for. It would be nice to have a new updated version of this story expanded into the BDB world. This is 5 stars.

This is a novella. I really liked it a lot. A new twist to vampires. I’m a big fan of vampire books. I really loved it. The vampire and his captive have a very steamy relationship. Without giving it away I just like the whole idea of the story. was conveyed very well A big thank you to NetGalleyShelf and the publisher for allowing me to read this excellent book

The Story of Son by J.R. Ward was originally published in an anthology, Dead After Dark, that I read years ago and remember loving. When I saw it was available on NetGalley on audio and read by BDB rockstar narrator Jim Frangione I had to have it! As I listened to it I remembered why I loved this novella - Michael is the perfect damaged, Alpha, protective but hidden vampire ever. Like ever!

Claire is an intense motivated lawyer who has inherited an elderly trust/wills client in Caldwell, NY (yes, BDB fans, that Caldwell). When she goes to the clients house over a long weekend, the insanely strong butler knocks her out, locking her in an underground cell with a vampire that Claire names Michael. Michael and Claire have amazing chemistry and she is outraged that he is trapped in the cell. Can they build a life outside the cell walls?

While this is short and steamy, the characters are so well done. I wanted to just wrap Micheal up and take him away from that terrible place. I loved their insta-love, the depth of Michael’s feelings for Claire and the epilogue is just perfection. You don’t have to be caught on the BDB world or even have read a BDB book to enjoy this one, I promise! But I have my fingers crossed that these two will make an appearance in the BDB world eventually!

Thank you to the publisher (Macmillan Audio) and NetGalley for an ALC. All thoughts are my own. The Story of Son has a publish date of October 11, 2022.

Oh JR Ward! How I've loved your books forever! I even love the spin off and novellas and this is no different. Jim also does a great job reading Ward's books. Thanks for the chance to read it.

Solid novella. Interesting to see a different side of the world that is separate from the black dagger brotherhood. I would be interested is discovering more of this side of her vampire world.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of the audible version of this story for an honest review.
J.R. Ward has been on my TBR for a while now so I was really happy to get approved for this book as it gave me an excuse to move this author up on my list. It took a minute to get into the story, the narrator and story started off a bit rushed at the beginning but it didn't take long for it to even out. I enjoyed the story and loved the characters.

I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. It was awesome to read a story set in that world. I just loved Michael and Claire. She is the strong woman and he is the gentle beast. Their romance was sweet and the spice was perfect. If you love the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, you should definitely read this. Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a nice surprise find. Thank you to netgalley, publisher, author for giving me this opportunity. I’ve read a lot of the BDB books and loved them, except for one. I hope these characters are in future books. I need to catch up with the different series. This was a wonderful story. Parts of it did get on my nerves, along with Michael. He acted like a 4 year old. Of course, psychologically, I guess a person would if they were locked away alone since age of 12. But he can read minds and has powers so he isn’t too ignorant. Claire was ok but she reminds me of Jane in the BDB. That killed it because I despise Jane. Claire wasn’t that bad though. But I wish the part about her feeling like a man in a woman’s body would’ve been left out. I know she meant she was independent and strong but it got a little much in the analogy. I have to give it credit, for a short book, this is really well written. It’s hard to have a good book that’s short. There’s a lot packed into it but I really wish we had a story on Fletcher and that there would’ve been more interaction with Ms Leads after all was said and done. I almost felt like she was looking for someone to bond with her son. Michael was hot. Whew.

If you like audiobooks, this one is perfect. I absolutely love the narrator. I’ve listened to other books narrated by him. I wish he would call me up on the phone and read to me, even if it was a grocery list. He’s so dreamy.

This was originally published in an anthology.

Claire is a high-powered lawyer for a prestigious firm. She is meeting with a client to modify a will. The client is an old woman who is so insistent Claire meet with her son and gives her "tea"...

When Claire awakens, she meets the son, who tries to calm her and informs her she will be with him for 3 days, but that he will not harm her. However, he had to feed and she was to be his source.

Son (renamed "Michael" by Claire) has had no human interaction, save his infrequent meals.

Although conflicted, Claire and Michael are attracted to each other. Can she resist him?

Claire Stroughton is a lawyer who has inherited her father's law firm and his clients. One of Claire's clients is Ms. Leads, which when I listened to the audio version it came across as "misleads", which I thought was a very appropriate play on words. Ms. Leads is elderly and asks Claire to come to her estate to finalize her will, when Clair arrives and finishes the paperwork, Ms. Leads offers her some tea. Once Claire finishes her tea, she begins to feel a little funny, when Claire wakes up she is introduced to Ms. Leads' son, Son aka Michael, and her life will forever be changed.

This novella is not a part of the BDD, but it is set in the same world. Jim Frangione continues to be the voice of the vampire world and as always, does an amazing job. I really enjoyed this novella and although I know they are supposed to be short, I would love to read more about Claire and her future with Michael.

The Son
Overall 2.75
Spice 5

• SPICY book (NOT book with spice)
• Forced Proximity
• Insta Love
• Pregnancy Trope
• Jim Can Read the Phone Book to Me
• Novella
• Not part of the BDB series

I think this book may just not have aged well. I didn’t appreciate the FMC character arc. Her “growth” doesn’t seem to stem from anything other than biological needs. The romance was lacking at best. This novella was originally published in an anthology, therefore, it makes sense that this is essentially a SPICE book set in the world of BDB but not a book with spice. Hence, the plot really wasn’t necessary. If you remove that from the equation this is great. So go in with that intention and you’ll be thrilled.
Also, Jim can read the encyclopedia to me and I’d be happy. Actually Jim you should do that! PLEASE!

I had no idea that JR Ward wrote this novella set in the BDB world! (it is not a BDB series book, but is set in Caldwell) I don't usually read them on audio, but this story was fast paced, steamy and surprisingly heartwarming. It was the perfect listen coming back from the airport and left me looking for a little bit more. I loved it.

Plot 4/5 | Characters 3.5/5 | Romance 1/5 | Smut 4/5

Another JR Ward book, different and yet the same. J.R. Ward seems to be one of those authors that you know exactly what to expect, broody sexy vampire men, descriptive details and excellent writing, chignon hair styles for the women, instant love and lots and lot of sexy time. This novella stays very much within that recipe that JR Ward is so well loved for.

Michael is definitely holy hotness but he did feel very much like a damaged child which was awkward at times. I really REALLY liked Claire until her identity crisis. First she didn't need to man or kids to feel like an empowered kick ass woman. Then she felt like a man in a woman body and finally, she was just happy to be a mom. There seems to be a lack of acknowledgement that you can be a kick ass lawyer AND enjoy being a mom, this isn't the 50's, you can have it all. But I digress... it was just a little confusing. Only other thing I noticed that was a little off-putting was when Michael called Clair his hero and she responded by saying "...and you are my Son." Nope. Nope. NOPE.

So would I recommend this book? If you like JR Ward, PNR, vampires, HEAs, smut and velvet beds, this is the book for you- with the caveat, that if you have never read JR Ward before, I would not start with this novella. Start with the Black Dagger Brotherhood. It might give more context to this novella.

The audiobook was 5/5 of course because it was narrated by Jim Frangione. SOOO good!

I listened to an ARC audiobook of this novella courtesy of Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion

Oh, and I definitely won't be able to sleep tonight thinking of a creepy butler and "Mother" * shudders*

Quick Summary: Dark, disturbing, and sensual

My Review: The Story of Son by J.R. Ward was an unexpected thrill ride. I was completely pulled into this disturbing tale.

In this short work of fiction, we meet Son and Claire. Son, aka Michael, was held in captivity by those who were meant to protect him. Claire was the tough as nails lawyer who was kidnapped and forced to feed him.

Though frightened and abandoned in the dark, Claire grew to crave the breathtaking stranger. Likewise, Michael grew to desire her in every way.

When the time came for the two to separate, they realized that they shared a passionate connection that neither wanted to end.

Would Michael allow her to stay with him?

Would she follow through on her vow to free him?

My Final Say: This book could have kept going, in my opinion. I was left with so many questions. Readers who love sensitive male leads will adore Michael. He makes you want to wrap him up and protect him from all harms.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to an audio ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

There is a reason I love J.R. Ward books and this is a perfect example.

Dark, delicious, and deeply sinful this is a story of love, of realizing how wrong a life you're comfortable in can be when you find your other half.

Even with characters we know nothing about there's a magic to these stories that make you feel like they're right there with you, that these are more than just characters on a page.

Claire and Son/Michael had a non-conventional meeting to say the least but as we all know in the world of Caldwell those who deserve a happy ending get one, those who don't well we don't talk about them do we.

As usual our narrator is fantastic, with a full range of character voices Jim Frangione brings life to these characters and gives them depth and personality.

I love this book and hope that we find Michael, Claire, and the little ones finding their way to the brotherhood soon.

A fun and sexy short story that has vampires and true love in it.
I really enjoyed it and it definitely wasn't quite what I expected, but it certainly was a fun story.
The main character is a career driven high powered attorney who meets a reclusive vampire and they fall in love.
I'm not going to spoil the ending for you, but it's sweet and I loved it.

A sweet story by Black Dagger Brotherhood's J.R. Ward. Although this story takes place in that realm, it does not in any way tie into any Black Dagger Brotherhood. arc. So if you read this novella, don't look for your favorite dark heroes.
A human lawyer is kidnapped and held hostage for 3 days so that she can feed her blood to a vampire that has been in the basement of his mother's home for 56 years. An odd premise to be sure and of course they end up falling in love, etc. After all the drama, they even build a life together. If you love J.R. Ward's vampire world, you love this short story.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this audio e-arc.*

The Story of Son
by J.R. Ward
A beautiful lawyer, finds a mystery in the home of an old client of her father. She changes her life with a choice to follow a love. the voice of audio book adds darkness to the story.

Sweet yet naughty.

Strong determined female & imprisoned, tall, dark & smolderingly handsome, virgin vampire.

I enjoyed that there was a “9 years later” epilogue. It was a novella with some punch. Just enough mystery for you to fill in the gaps.

Claire & Michael made a good couple & story. Even a little humor!

I was going to take off a fraction of a star because it was so short but upon reflection it was the perfect length.

Available 10/11/2022