***Second Read November 2014*** As promised, I'm not re-reviewing all of the books because that seems like far too much work for what's meant to be a lazy and enjoyable series re-read. However, this book needed me to expand on some thoughts. There are series spoilers up through book 10, so please don't read this review if you aren't looking to be spoiled. 
 Why did I decide to add an additional note to this book in particular? Well, the reason is this : I'm doing it for the disgruntled BDB fans. You know who you are. You're the ones who are not thrilled with the series direction, or feel like the series is getting milked to death beyond where it needed to go. 
 I understand. I really do. Trust me. I've been in a few discussions with people, offering up some of the same concerns. 
 Yet, something clicked for me while doing this re-read. The series hasn't really changed in the way that people might think. Yes, there are tons of extra character (side) stories that weren't there in the original books - BUT when you really think about it, the space that's being taken up for Xcor, Assail, the Shades, etc. etc. etc. was, in fact, space that was occupied in the past by all of the lesser and Omega crap that a lot of us wanted to skim. At least, this way, the filler material actually has more interest and merit. 
 The main character love stories might seem to be pushed out in favor of the side stories, but are they really? I've noticed on my re-read that no, this might not be the case. The books are just a little bit longer than they were before, so the extra pages are being used on side stories, which makes the main love story seem shorter, even though it really isn't. 
 If you look at it from that perspective, the series has gotten better, not worse. There's less filler on the lesser front, and more new characters to love. Going back and reading Xcor's battle for supremacy made me fall in love with him all over again. He is truly the "beast" in the Beauty and the Beast story. 
 Some of my complaints with Lover Reborn from my first read faded this time around. One of my biggest issues was feeling like Autumn and Tohr needed more of a spark - that it sucked not having him bond with Autumn in the way that he did with Wellsie - almost as if he would never love her the same. 
 But I didn't get that this time. In fact, I noticed things about their relationship that I didn't notice at all on my first read. I remember feeling sort of cold to their relationship before, and this time, I had tears in my eyes when I read : he'd never felt closer to anyone. Even his Wellsie. 
 HOW did I miss that before? Before, it almost seemed like Tohr and Autumn had this "consolation prize" relationship going on. This time, I saw them slowly fall in love into something deeper than a physical attraction (which I think I'd been looking for the first time around, which is why I was missing the MINE bonding shit). 
 Oh, and there was a mention (sorry, I didn't highlight it for reference) of Tohr throwing out a male scent at some point. Maybe it was just a scent of arousal and not a bonding scent, but when I read it this time, it did strike me as a possessive scent. So even if it wasn't a "bonding" scent, he did/does have the capability to WANT to protect and coddle his female. 
 And the scene where he fed her was beautiful. I feel like an idiot for really not seeing these things the first time around. 
 So there we have it. I would encourage those who have grown weary of the series to consider doing a re-read. It's really made me appreciate the books even more this time around. All of the cheesy and annoying things that I've never liked about the series have somehow become amusing and nostalgic in a way because it is like revisiting an old friend - when you miss someone, you start to realize that the bothersome things aren't worth worrying about. 
 ***Original Review March 2012*** 3.5 stars. I didn't realize how much I'd longed for Ward's guilty-pleasure goodness until I picked up Lover Reborn. It was like taking a shot of adrenaline to my reading mojo. Thank goodness everyone knows these books have a HEA for the main characters (that's happily ever after for those not familiar with the term), so I won't be spoiling anything by putting (for the first time ever!) the last sentence of a book into my review : 
 On that note, he kissed his female...and bit into his Big Mac. 
 YES. I missed my boys. 
 I am one of the rare few who appreciates the latter books more than the former ones in this series. Even though Rhage and Z (books 2 and 3) will continue to remain some of my favorite "love stories," I am much more content with the transition of the series from straight PNR into a PNR/UF hybrid. One of the best features of this expanding world is how the lives of all of the Brotherhood have become intertwined. They live together, fight together, and share their struggles with one another. BDB now has more to offer because of its expanding to become something other than just a set of basic alpha-male love stories. It's too bad that those who were put off by the extreme cheesy testosterone of the first installment (probably the weakest in the series outside of Phury's book) never got to see the series hit a good stride. 
 Did I say I missed my boys already? I did? Well, here's some more reasons why : 
 "I'll teach the fucker to read," V muttered. "By cramming the Library of Congress up his ass." 
 "Scotch? Gin? Bourbon?" the angel asked. "I'm having an Orgasm." 
 Tohr rubbed his face. "Can you never say that word around me when you're buck-ass nekkid?" 
 That set off a round of, "Orgaaaaaasmmmm, orgaaaaaaasmmm," to the tune of Beethoven's Fifth. 
 "Aha!" Lassiter pointed at the boob tube. "You motherfucker! I knew you were the father!" 
 Tohr fought the urge to slap some sense into the son of a bitch. His future was at stake, and this dumb-ass was worried about Maury's paternity tests? "Are you kidding me?" 
 "No, I'm damn serious. Bastard has three kids by three sisters - what kind of a man is that?" 
 Mild spoilers ahead for those who haven't read the book yet. 
 High Points : 
 1. Lassiter - snarky angel who watches Maury = good stuff 
 2. Offbeat humor - one of Ward's strengths as a writer 
 3. Layla/Xcor/Throe - picture me with a raised eyebrow 
 4. Tohr - not as much to say here but I'm glad he got a chance to heal 
 Low Points : 
 1. Pop culture references - there are still an over-abundance of these. I was starting to wonder if Ward was getting sponsored by all the brands, music, and items she mentioned. This is the stuff that dates the books. I'm letting Maury slide though because that was too perfect. 
 2. Tohr and No'One/Autumn's reunion. It was pretty yawn worthy. I'm a bit annoyed that (view spoiler)[he couldn't have had his MINE moment with her. I guess it's not the same when there's no bonding scent? (hide spoiler)] 
 3. John and Xhex - their drama dragged on for far too long. 
 4. Sexy time - (view spoiler)[when it was good, it was good. When I thought it was needed, it wasn't happening. (hide spoiler)]