Book 1 in Black Dagger Brotherhood
Dark Lover
by J.R. Ward
A brotherhood of vampire warriors in leather and the half-vampire journalist they have to protect.
- Spice
- 4/5
- Burn
- Fast
- Pages
- ~400
- Ending
- HEA
How spicy is Dark Lover?
Dark Lover is a 4 out of 5 on our spice scale: spicy (explicit). Explicit, detailed scenes and several of them. The famous "perfect 4": real plot, real smut. Spice starts around the middle.
- Steam: Explicit open door
- Burn: Fast burn
- When: Spice starts around the middle
- Pairing: One man, one woman
- POV: Multiple POVs
- Ending: Happily ever after
Tropes & tags
Content warnings
Some readers like to go in blind, so these stay hidden until you tap.
Show 2 content warnings
- Graphic violence
- Death of a loved one
Our editorial notes, which may be incomplete. If something is a hard limit for you, check the author's own content notes too.
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Spice 2 out of 5, SimmerDark Lover: quick answers
How spicy is Dark Lover?
Dark Lover is a 4 out of 5 on our spice scale: spicy (explicit). Explicit, detailed scenes and several of them. The famous "perfect 4": real plot, real smut. Spice starts around the middle.
Is Dark Lover a standalone?
No. Dark Lover is book 1 in Black Dagger Brotherhood. It is the place to start. The series is still ongoing.
What tropes are in Dark Lover?
Dark Lover features vampires, alpha hero, possessive mmc, found family. It is a fast burn M/F romance that ends with a happily ever after.
Does Dark Lover have content warnings?
Our notes for Dark Lover include: graphic violence, death of a loved one. This list may not be complete; check the author's own content notes if anything is a hard limit for you.
What should I read after Dark Lover?
If you loved Dark Lover, try A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole, Bride by Ali Hazelwood, A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair. They share its vampires and alpha hero energy at a similar spice level.