Published by Ballantine Books
Released on March 13, 2018
Pages: 145
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
The Delight
Oh, the feels! I had little idea what I was getting into when I started reading. It’s a BDB story so of course I’m reading it was all that went through my cranium. Oh, and well also how the story fit into the world of the series. But yes, sigh… I was not prepared to fall in love and fall into tears and feel so deeply satisfied from just one novella. Silly me…
Review
So, yes, Dearest Ivie is a novella that falls between books fifteen and sixteen in the Black Dagger Brotherhood ‘verse. It stands alone just fine for those wondering or for those who might not think they can read it until they get that far in the series. Or hey, feel free even if you gave up on catching up in the series because, its worth it.
The story is of a commoner, Ivie, encountering aristocratic Silas. They do the stranger from across the room and the chemistry is understated, but oh so there. Poor Ivie is bowled over. She wants to send Silas on his way, but she’s no coward and she wants to see where things go. Silas is honest and assures her that there is an expiration date though he, too, is enchanted and wishes things were different.
This is sweet and has that special spark as this mismatched pair of lonely people connect on all levels while spending time together. Sexual tension is there, but waits just that extra bit for other connections to be made, too.
Ivie narrates the story which makes Silas somewhat mysterious to the reader- which is a good thing. Though, foreshadowing- or maybe it was just my intuition- hinted at what was really going on that Ivie didn’t pick up on. Ivie is vivacious, blunt, kind, and passionate. She’s a nurse at Havers’ clinic and she’s good, but not exceptional. Silas is attracted to how she makes him come alive, but Ivie feels the same. Their first test comes when Silas meets the down home crew that Ivie calls family including her rough, huge tatted out biker of a dad who is her oak.
I know the story has been out for some time, but I don’t feel like giving up the goods. I want other readers to go in with only their own expectations at work just like me. Now, that said, I will do you a solid and suggest for tender-hearted folk to have tissues handy.
This was a wonderful side story in the series and showcases the best of the series world and the writer’s ability all in a quick read, heartwarming vampire romance story.
Challenges
Romance Roundabout #158 PNR
New Release #81
Recommendations
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I loved it too! So happy you did too
I was curious how it would fit into the overall story and then got all caught up in this swoony love affair. I’m guessing that his long lost brother might play a role later b/c I noticed she was careful about not revealing the brother’s name. But, I don’t care. Loved Silas and Ivie’s story just fine by itself. 🙂
I love the covers for her books and the books are always so good.
They do really make some great covers. I think The Beast is my favorite cover. And yes, this was soooo good even for a shorty. 🙂
I loved this book. After all the tombs she has written in this series, it was amazing to get back to simplicity of a story that evokes emotion. Sometimes she just bogs a story down so much, you lose any hope of getting anywhere. This one hit me hard.
Oh yes, her regular books are huginormous. Oh man, I gulped and then cried for this one.
Oh a novella?…hmmmm. I may to check this one out. Been a while since I read Ms. Ward.
Yes, its not one of her huginormous ones. It’s standalone so you’d probably do okay, Sharonda. 🙂