Lover Unbound by J. R. Ward

Title: Lover Unbound
Author: J.R. Ward
Publisher: Signet
ISBN: 978-0-451-2235-0
Pages: 502
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #5
Type: Adult Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

Vishous is the most ruthless and brilliant of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, but a single mistake leaves him bleeding from a gunshot wound alone in an alley. That mistake leads him to Dr Jane Whitcomb's trauma surgery and after she saves his life, V can't seem to make himself let her go. As Jane is drawn into the world of the Brotherhood, she is forced to deal not only with her tragic past but also with the horrors V was subjected to as a child in his father's brutal war camp. But V is not who he thought he was and just as he discovers a future he craves, he is confronted with a future he must fulfill.

This is the fifth book in the awesome Black Dagger Brotherhood series (after Dark Lover, Lover Eternal, Lover Awakened and Lover Revealed) and one I was a little nervous of reading. I didn't enjoy the previous book as much as the others and I'd seen very mixed reviews of this so I was surprised to enjoy it as much as I did.

I've liked V since the first book and I've been wondering over the last few books how he'd manage to get a shellan when he obviously has feelings for Butch. Since Butch got his happy ending in the previous novel, V's been left in a sort of limbo knowing he can't have the guy he wants but not expecting any woman to fill that role in his life. That is, until Jane ends up in his life.

As with the other BDB books, the focus isn't purely on the romance between the lead characters. V and Jane both have complex backstories, V's more so with some mindblowing twists I didn't see coming and some truly heartbreaking scenes. The Lessers take a smaller role than previously but the gap is filled by more about the Scribe Virgin and the religious side of the vampire society. John's story also continues and seeds are sown for his book (Lover Mine the 8th in the series).

The ending is cleverly done, giving V and Jane a satisfying and unexpected ending while also managing to create a brilliant lead into the next book. Phury's backstory is given a little more depth, and his heroine Cormia is introduced. It works as a great tease and really makes me want to get started on their book. The author even manages to introduce the main characters of the ninth book Lover Unleashed.

All in all, this was a great read and I can't wait to get stuck into Lover Enshrined.

Plot: 10/10
Characters: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Cover: 9/10

Overall: 48/50