As an old fan of the Brotherhood, I must say that each new chapter was a “wow after wow”! There were moments when I had to stop reading to catch my breath; I spent 90% of this reading holding my breath.

I think this was the book in the Brotherhood that captured my attention more than any in a long time. The anticipation of what would happen next kept me awake on some nights until the early hours of the morning.

Understanding that the children of the original brothers were adults and could form their own alliances was incredible to see. I must confess that I was very surprised by Lyric; she was not just a superficial beauty but proved to be much more than a pretty face. I want to make it clear that this woman is amazing! Hahaha What can I say about Devlin... I think he is living proof that you don’t have to be like your parents. He has a character that, when you discover who he really is, makes you stop and think that he is literally a light in the darkness.

And, amidst the main couple's story, we follow so many other characters going through situations that make your heart stop for a few seconds. LW made me want to hit him a few times during the book. As the reading progressed, I began to understand a bit of the reason for all his anger; when it's his turn to tell his story, maybe, just maybe, I’ll find him adorable... but, being the child of whom he is, I seriously doubt it.

Rhamp is a very protective brother, I can guarantee that! He and Lyric are very close; they go through a misunderstanding during the book, but the love between brothers overcomes any obstacle.

Reuniting with Lash left me incredibly angry. I have never liked him... I think no one really does, right? Now, there is a character I can say has changed a lot, really a lot, since she was introduced to us many books ago; once again, true love transforms... you need to read to find out who it is!

But don’t worry, we also reunited with our beloved brothers. Rhage is still Rhage, but now he has a bit of a psychologist side. Vishous is showing a side I never imagined he would be in. Wrath barely came back and is already having to deal with some jerk.

Not everything is perfect in this book, and I had an immense urge to cry at certain parts; I felt the pain of certain characters and was so proud of them for being strong during the situations they faced.

In the middle of the reading, I already had a thousand theories in my head, and with one sentence I read, I realized I was right about one of them! In the end, I kept saying “oh my God” or “that Ward wants to give me a heart attack.” The last chapters were both a relief and a sadness; I wanted to forget everything just to be able to read it again.

4 stars, maybe 3.5
As someone who’s been reading these books for 15 years, I don’t know if I’m the most reliable person to write a review.
Thinking about it objectively, it’s not the best book I’ve ever read, not even the best in the entire series. It’s definitely necessary to read the other books first—not just because of spoilers, but because all that information is needed to fully enjoy this one.
The book itself is very well written, like all of this author’s works. The pacing and suspense of the story are handled really well. Although, if you don’t like fast romances, you’d better not even try to read it (or probably anything in this series).
Although it’s not ideal, if the 23 books (I think) in the series feel overwhelming, I’d at least start with the previous one, since it kind of “reset” the series. But I wouldn’t really recommend doing that, because you’d be missing a lot of information.
As for the characters, I liked both protagonists, but they didn’t really stand out for me. They’re fine, nothing more; I actually enjoyed their relationships with the rest of the characters more than the romance between them.
I found the side characters more appealing—potential couples for the next books (I really do love a forbidden romance). And I love continuing to see glimpses of the everyday lives of the characters who started the series.
In short, is it a good book? Yes. Did it change my life? No. But it is necessary for the overall plot of the series, so I wouldn’t skip it either.

5 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“You know, if I weren't happily mated to you song-”
“Now, wait just a minute…
“-I’d marry this lasagna.”

Lover Forbidden is the TWENTY-THIRD instalment in the adult paranormal romance series, Black Dagger Brotherhood. This is what I would consider part of the next generation as the main story follows the children of the characters from the previous books though we still see them all hanging around. I do recommend reading this series in order or looking up the Cliff Notes as there is lore and history relevant in this story. Written in multi third person POV the story predominantly follows Lyric, the daughter of brother Quinn, and Dev when Lyric narrowly escapes death thanks to the help of a stranger. Now determined to live her life fully she cannot help but feel a draw towards Dev, the stranger who saved her, but secrets keep them apart...secrets that may forever change the war between the Lessers and the Black Dagger Brotherhood.

I am absolutely loving this new generation! They are infusing so much nostalgia but also freshness to this series!

Lyric is a character I fondly remember as a baby and to see her having grown into this strong female is so much fun. She has become a bit disillusioned by her work and I loved seeing her fight for a new purpose, especially given how protective her twin and fathers are. She is curious and won't back down aids her throughout.

Dev is our mysterious character who draws Lyric's eye. I liked how hard he falls for her and his need to do right by her. He has a doozy of a secret and he fights it with every fibre of his being. His first appearance on page really captures his character and as the story progresses we see him truly shaped by a love he cannot control. I love seeing a man fall to his knees XD

“I need to feel alive, and you make me that way because its magic when you touch me.”

In terms of spice I would place this novel at 2.5 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. There are approximately 5 spicy scenes in this book with the first appearing around the 52% mark. The spice is romantic and detailed with control and dominance playing a role. I liked how the spice changed incrementally as the characters let down their guard or let go of their secrets. Lyric and Dev are connected and watching them try to find a place for themselves while fearing if it could be was filled with a level of pining I always love in my books. When they fell, it was all I needed!

The story itself is layered with Lyric and Dev's journey being the focus but with so much more going on around LW, Shuli, the Lessers, and additional villainous characters. I enjoyed the flitting between POV as it helps gives us a bigger picture of the world, both good and bad. I loved seeing our main characters fight for a new future and their relationship growing but the twists and turns that came from other POVs had me gasping at times. We get action to help shake things up but also loss that Lyric and her family must prepare for. I teared up at one point as the family felt so real for me. That said, the banter and teasing of the brothers is still at the core of this book. Dev's story had some reveals that I LOVED so much and loved how they fell into place. LW is just as angsty as his dad but there is this level of tortured male vampire with a dollop of pining that has me itching for his book. The climax of the book went places I was not expecting but the drama is always top tier. There are some traditional elements but everything comes together in the most satisfying way.

Overall, this is why I still love JR Ward after 15+ years and I am so excited for what further is in store!

Thank you to the author and Gallery Books for this arc!

The next instalment (#23!!!) in the BDB universe! And what a ride it was! It has been a while but I absolutely loved going back into a world of broody vampires, loyalty, secrets and love.

The Queen has done it again with Dev and Lyric' story, it was absolutely captivating amd had me second guessing myself! I am already anticipating the next book in this long running series for and hoping it's the one I want!

There’s nothing like jumping into a 23-book series for the first time—but I’m so glad I did! JR Ward has been on my TBR for months, and when the chance came up to read Lover Forbidden, I couldn’t resist. With no time to catch up on 22 previous books, I just dove straight in.

One of the perks of reviewing is testing whether a book stands alone. In this case, I’d say yes and no. Ward does a great job grounding the reader with enough context to follow along, but there’s also a ton of backstory that would have made the experience richer. Her books clearly build on one another rather than reading like standalones.

That said, I’m glad I started here. It hooked me enough that I now want to go back to the beginning before book 24 releases. The vibe reminded me of the paranormal books of the early 2000s, fitting since the series started in 2005, but also fresh and modern for 2025. Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel energy with an updated edge. It spoke right to my Gen X heart.

I was fortunate to receive a complimentary copy from Gallery Books via their influencer program, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.

⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.

Lover Forbidden is a continuation of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and a fun, sexy, paranormal romance. As someone who hasn’t read all the other books, I was a bit confused at times by the lack of context I was given. This is written in third person, which allows the book to jump to different POVs and I sometimes struggled to follow what was happening and who was involved. But overall this was an easy and enjoyable read, especially once I got into the storyline. All the characters are so quirky and entertaining, even when they’re navigating war, danger, drama, and grief. I enjoyed all the relationship dynamics in this book, especially the strong family bonds and blooming romances. I think this will be perfect for someone who has loved previous Black Dagger Brotherhood books and I enjoyed entering this world!

**𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘** 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒚 𝑱. 𝑹. 𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒅 (𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑫𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 #23)

Release Date: September 9, 2025

4.5⭐️4🌶

Of course, I'm completed and utterly sucked back into the Black Dagger Brotherhood World again! Why are you surprised? With all the dark broody overly-protective vampire males...I'm just a girl.

Lyric, daughter of Quinn, Blaylock, and Xcor, has been modeling/influencing and is drop dead gorgeous. Of course more than one young male has had their eye on her for more than a few years. Including, but not limited to, Allhan, V's adopted son, and Shuli, best friend to her twin brother Rhamp.

However, despite nearly all of the unmated vampire males lusting after her, Lyric has been bewitched by a human male, Devlin, with over-the-top strength and work ethic, who hopped off his construction worker job to save her life from a billboard that had been cut loose in the wind.

L. W. aka Little Wrath aka son of Wrath Senior has been having an extremely difficult time since the "return" of his father. He hasn't had a father for over 33 years, and now, all of the sudden, he's expected to stop grieving and just let him back in like nothing ever happened? Nah, he's not having it. He's just as balls-to-the-wall stubborn as his father, and Wrath senior is fumbling to find a way to get through to him and reconnect with his son.

Needless to say, I'm still completely hooked to this series, and I dearly dearly hope that the next book is L.W.'s book. But if it's Shuli's book, I won't complain.

Themes/Tropes:

🍁Vampires/Humans/Zombies
🍁Forbidden Love
🍁Fated mates
🍁Ancient battle between vampires and lessers
🍁Holding a candle for someone
🍁Overly protective males
🍁Dark and broody males

TW:

✨Language
✨Violence
✨Dismemberment
✨Sexual Content
✨Previous Child Abuse

A HUGE thank you to @jrwardauthor and @netgalley for this advanced reader's copy. I really feel like I've "made it" as a book reviewer when I get an ARC from The Warden herself!

4.5 stars
Ah, to be back in the world of Black Dagger Brotherhood! I've been a fan since the very beginning! This time we have Lyric's story, she the daughter of Qhuinn, Blay, Layla, and Xcor...talk about a family tree! So Lyric is an influencer who finds herself in trouble and rescued by construction worker, Dev. Of course Dev is way more than that, but I won't be giving that away! As they begin to fall in love we get continuing stories of LW(who also has a secret), the plot against Wraith, Allhen's transition to just name a few! Once I got started with this one I couldn't stop!

This story was action packed from start to finish, and I loved how many different creatures we got to meet along the way. It’s written in third person( my favorite) because it lets you really dive into the minds of the characters and understand them on a deeper level. By the end, I wasn’t ready to leave this world behind, so I’ll be going back to the very beginning to start from book one. I definitely need more of this world!

I have always loved everything by JR Ward! The Black Dagger Brotherhood was my first ever vampire romance and the fact that the series is still going makes me so happy!

Opening a BDB book feels like coming home, this was the first big PNR series I read and I'm always so happy to come back to this world.

I really enjoyed Lyric's story and her growth into being her own person and figuring out what she wants for herself rather than the facade she's built. her character growth was one of the things I loved most in this read. She's so relatable as a woman trying to figure out her life while also dealing with her growing attraction to Dev. And Dev is the perfect conflicted MMC who feels the attraction but is dealing with his own issues. And of course it wouldn't be a J.R. Ward book without all that tension building to a spicy payoff!

And all this happens against the backdrop of the ongoing war with the Lessers and betrayal in the vampire ranks. We get to check in with so many beloved characters while following Lyric and Dev's story!

I love the BDB world so much and this latest book is another great ride in the world of my favourite vampires!

In 2013, I picked up the first book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Dark Lover. The first six books in the series specifically hold a very special place in my book-loving heart. Since those first six books, JR Ward has expanded her series, adding a collection and supporting cast of characters that feel like family.

Now, a new generation is taking the lead. Lover Forbidden has breached the past and the present. Something about it feels reminiscent of those first six books with the camaraderie and the getting-to-know-you’s. It’s like a fresh new series, but with the comfort and guiding hands of those who have taken up the mantle before them, giving them a soft space to land.

I’m gonna let this emotion be my review. Simply because there is so much happening, and I don’t want to spoil a first reading experience for anyone. Especially the hard-core fans. You're gonna be blown away.

For book number 23 in the series, J.R. Ward proves she knows what she’s doing. 🤯 Lover Forbidden was a lot of fun with plenty of angst, family drama, and some great cameos from familiar faces. I especially enjoyed seeing Lyric’s growth, though I wanted a bit more time on the page with her and Dev together.

There was a lot happening all at once, which sometimes made the story feel a little crowded, but the spice was 🔥 and the ride was entertaining. Longtime fans will definitely enjoy this one.

J.R. Ward’s Lover Forbidden is the latest Black Dagger Brotherhood saga to storm into our hearts with fangs bared and plot threads flailing. Thank you to Gallery Books for my gifted ARC of this blood-soaked soap opera masquerading as a paranormal romance.

We’re now at Book 23, which means we’re officially deep enough into this universe that reading one of these without a flowchart and family tree feels like a form of self-sabotage. But here I am, willingly plunging back into Caldwell’s eternal night, where the leather is tight, the names are tighter, and everyone’s got a traumatic backstory and a supernatural calling. This time, it’s Lyric—Qhuinn and Blay’s influencer daughter with an identity crisis and a flair for near-death experiences—taking center stage.

And listen. I wanted to root for her. Truly. But she starts the book trying to shake off the emptiness of her glamorous but shallow existence, and by chapter three she’s already hot on the trail of a mysterious, brooding vampire who saved her life. Enter Devlin: a walking, talking billboard for vampire existential dread. The man is practically allergic to eye contact and vulnerability, so obviously he’s The One. Their chemistry is like two wires sparking in a puddle—electric, dangerous, and bound to short-circuit at any moment.

Ward wastes no time throwing them together, because why let tension build when we can just smash the angst button repeatedly? There’s something magnetic about their connection, yes—but it’s also suspiciously fast-tracked, like a relationship on double speed. They exchange a handful of cryptic conversations, a couple of smoldering looks, and suddenly they’re soul-bound warriors of destiny. Slow burn? Never heard of her.

The real kicker? Devlin’s secret. And I won’t spoil it here, but let’s just say it’s the kind of twist that tries really hard to land like a bombshell but feels more like a narrative shrug by the time we finally get it. The problem isn’t the reveal—it’s the delay. We spend so much of the book waiting for something to happen that when it finally does, it’s already dragging its metaphorical coffin behind it. And by then, we’re already neck-deep in three or four subplots involving throne usurpers, hidden lineages, war updates, and BDB alumni cameos.

And oh yes, the cameos. If you’re here for Wrath sightings, family drama, or just to check in on your favorite shellans, there are crumbs scattered throughout like a vampire-themed Easter egg hunt. And while I appreciated every one of those nostalgic little nuggets, they also underscored how little time we get with the actual main couple. Once again, the romance thread feels like a casualty of Ward’s inability to write a streamlined novel. It’s not a book—it’s a vampire soap opera with a constantly rotating cast and plotlines that never, ever fully resolve. I mean, are we at war or not? Is the throne stable or not? Is this a love story or just the setup for five more spinoffs?

Still, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t eat it up. There’s something undeniably addictive about the BDB universe, even when it spirals into chaos. Lyric, for all her “finding herself” energy, ends up showing genuine growth by the end. She stops being a tragic hashtag in heels and starts becoming something more—maybe even a fighter. And Devlin, when he finally stops brooding long enough to speak in full sentences, gives us glimpses of something deeper. Something wounded, complicated, and worth rooting for. It’s just buried under a mountain of withheld information and narrative misdirection.

And look, I get it. Ward is building a next-gen saga. She’s setting up the chessboard for whatever endgame she’s brewing, and sometimes that means the love story becomes more of a stepping stone than a climax. But it’s a shame, because there was potential here. If the story had been allowed to breathe—if Devlin’s reveal came sooner, if Lyric had more space to explore her role beyond romance—we could’ve had something great. Instead, we got something fine. Entertaining, dramatic, emotionally spiky—but not the BDB peak I hoped for.

Favorite quote? “Sometimes you don’t choose your purpose. It finds you—bloody, broken, and inconvenient as hell.” Which, honestly, could be the tagline for this entire damn series.

My rating: ★★★☆☆. Not terrible. Not transcendent. Just trapped somewhere between a guilty pleasure and a narrative fever dream.

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I've been a long time fan of JR Ward and I am loving the second generation books. Lyric's story was just what we needed! I am loving the time jump and seeing all the babies be adults now yet still seeing the OG characters that I've loved for so long. I loved this one and I've already ordered a physical copy for my bookshelf!

The Warden has done it again. What a story. I have been addicted to this world for over 15 years, and Lover Forbidden only adds to the obsession. I can’t wait for everyone to be able to read this one.