Review: Dearest Ivie by J.R. Ward

Title: Dearest Ivie

Author: J.R. Ward

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #15.5

5 stars – I loved it!

This book was so good and so emotional! Ward really knows how to write emotions and make you feel everything.

Ivie never expects to be approached by a vampire in a crowded cigar bar for humans. Silas is handsome, flirtatious, and clearly part of the glymeria, but Ivie can’t stop thinking about him. Ivie quickly surrenders to her desire for Silas and their relationship really heats up. Unfortunately, Silas reveals that it cannot last because he will be leaving soon.

I loved this book. Ivie is everything I love in a heroine. She was strong, a hard worker, and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. I just loved how blunt she was and that she never beat around the bush. She was always direct, even when it came to death.

“Death can be a release and a relief for the person, and that is a blessing. The thing is, a lot of times, it is work to die. It requires physical and emotional effort. What sucks is that for most, particularly if they’re dying out of sequence, it’s a job they don’t want. It’s about loss of control, loss of function, loss of identity and independence…loss of choice and decision, of family and friends. But if you can let go of all that, what comes with it is freedom. A soaring freedom, the soul released from its temporary prison of mortality.” – Ivie

I also really loved Ivie’s family. She had a large family that truly cared about her and supported her through everything. I especially loved her burly, tattooed father, Hirah. He was such a great father and was always there for her, even if he couldn’t fix the problem.

Silas is part of the glymera but he doesn’t act like them. I really loved him. He was everything I want in a hero. He knows it’s the end for him but he continues to push himself just so he can have some happiness. I just love how caring and sweet he is with Ivie. He really loves her and would do anything for her, even let her go.

“Please don’t forget me. I know I’m probably supposed to tell you to move on with your life and dwell on this little slice of time we’ve been given…but just…take me in your heart wherever you go. It will be the life I wished I’d lived, by your side, enjoying the gift of time and health with you.” – Silas

I loved these two’s relationship. It was quick, steamy, and heart wrenching. It made me feel everything, which is one of the reasons why I love Ward’s books so much. She really can make you feel every emotion about her characters. I love that even though Ivie knew there wasn’t really a chance she didn’t give up on trying to save Silas’s life. She truly is a strong and courageous female.

“I love you, Ivie. I really do. And if dying is what I have to do to deserve you, all I can say is, my life for knowing you is a bargain I’d pick every time. I’m just…sorry about how this is going to end.” – Silas

Overall, I loved that we are getting novella’s featuring new characters in the BDB world. I love the brothers but it is nice to see how other people live in this world. I was also so happy to see Ruhn pop up in this book! I really hope Ivie and Silas pop up in future books because I want more of them.

Goodreads / Amazon

Previous books in the Black Dagger World: