Welcome to Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast! In this episode, we’re diving into Dark Lover, the first book in J.R. Ward’s iconic Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Whether it’s your first time reading or a nostalgic re-read like for us, this book sets the stage for one of the most beloved vampire romance series ever.

I’m joined by guest reviewer Jen from BooksJenRecs, and together, we’re sharing our thoughts on Wrath, Beth, the Brotherhood dynamics, and everything that makes this book unforgettable. Plus, we’re reflecting on how it holds up today, revisiting our favorite tropes, and teasing what’s coming next with Lover Eternal.

If you love steamy romances, brooding vampires, and fated mates, this episode is for you! And why not join us reading along?

• Why Dark Lover is the perfect mix of romance, action, and found family vibes
• Tropes we loved: Grump-meets-grump, fated mates, protective alpha heroes
• Re-reading reflections: How does it hold up after all these years?
• Sneak peek at Lover Eternal and the next steps in our re-read

• Jen’s recommends books like Dark Lover by J.R. Ward (Substack exclusive): https://www.underthecoverscommunity.com/p/books-to-read-if-you-loved-dark-lover-by-j-r-ward
• Black Dagger Brotherhood Series Guide: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/black-dagger-brotherhood-series-guide/
• J.R. Ward Author Reading Guide: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/a-beginners-guide-to-j-r-ward-reading-order/
• Original Dark Lover Review: https://archive.underthecoversbookblog.com/dark-lover-by-j-r-ward/
• Individual Book Reviews for the Series: https://archive.underthecoversbookblog.com/tag/black-dagger-brotherhood/

Francesca:

• Blog: https://underthecoversbookblog.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/utcbookblog
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UTCBookBlog

Jen:

• Blog: https://whatjenreads.blogspot.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/booksjenrecs
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@booksjenrecs
• Reviews: https://archive.underthecoversbookblog.com/author/jen/

Have thoughts on Dark Lover? Want to share your favorite moments or predictions for the re-read? Drop a comment or connect with us on social media! Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss the next...