Where Winter Finds You: A Caldwell Christmas (The Black Dagger Brotherhood series)

For all you lovers of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series this did not disappoint. This book was a little slow to grab me at first but hang in there, it all comes together. This is the story of Trez, depressed and suicidal after losing Selena. He truly is a lost male going through the motions of life when he meets Therese. A very interesting concept with this story but in true JR Ward fashion, a great read. She just has a way of getting you invested in each and every character. I can’t see Caldwell, I can smell Caldwell….her descriptions put you right there with the characters. Another great read but I’m a sucker for this series.

I always love coming back to the Black Dagger Brotherhood world. I am a huge fan of long series because I fall in love with the characters and never want to leave their world. The BDB men go through some tragic stuff, and sometimes their HEA dies. When Trez lost Selena, his whole world fell apart and he found himself wanting to give up on life altogether. Luckily, Fate had other plans and Therese walked into his life. It didn't hurt that she was the spitting image of Selena (and then some). I loved how this story came together. The author did an amazing job sharing Trez's struggle with Therese/Selena. Without giving away too much (because I hate spoilers), I loved how Tohrment played a role in saving him, given Tohr's own experience with losing his shellan. That moment brought tears to my eyes. Can you read this as a standalone story? Sure, but you won't have the vested love, interest, and understanding of all the characters. But even without that understanding, I still think it's a story you will enjoy. :-)

Trez gets his happy ending. A very quick but good read. Trez and iAm are a favorite. Can't wait for more.

I really enjoy this series, even though it seems to be never ending. Each book centers around one of the main characters in the Black Dagger Brotherhood (or sometimes one of their surroundings characters), but the main story that we get to follow through all the books is the re thread keeping them all together. The war between the BDB and the lessers is riveting, and the politics and history of this vampire world are very well written. This book centers on Trez, and it is very sweet and sad. While I think it adds both depth and realism to the series that not all of the lovers get a happy ending, I still hated when Trez lost his mate in a previous books. I think this book makes me forgive a little of that, as it is very cathartic, romantic and spicy.

Great book. Great price. Love the Black Dagger Brotherhood series!

I was entranced by the first chapter -- and that wasn't even about the main characters! JR Ward weaves a snowy Christmas near fatal accident and didn't even name names! But you just knew who the "Angel" was that saved this mortal from being wiped out by a semi! Yay Lassiter! OK -- this book is for the BDB (Black Dagger Brotherhood #17.5) faithful, for sure. It is Trez's second chance (reincarnated) love story. I know everyone is droning on about the "reincarnation" -- blah, blah, blah. Don't care -- I adored this story! Therese was introduced to us a book or two ago as a new waitress at iAm's restaurant. She looks like Selena (Trez's love lost to a tragic disease in The Shadows -- BDB book #13) but she isn't actually Selena/or could be? In any event, she has dreams of Trez -- maybe Selena's thoughts....-- and he keeps popping into the restaurant to see her. She has run away from her hometown in Michigan (Ms Ward even gives a shout out to my Spartan's Tom Izzo) when she finds out she's adopted. Trez is absolutely heart sick, ready to end it all, devastated from his Selena lost. He seems relegated to misery -- then he meets this "familiar" female and is swept away with a whirlwind (this is a novella peeps) romance. Is his grief throwing him a delusion or is she the real thing? It's is a paranormal romance so you never know -- JR Ward wraps this up with her signature wit and throws in a few of the other Brothers (and Bitty) with some spoiler tidbits for future reference/past wrap up. This Cadwell Chrismas card is a super quick read and a little "sweeter" than Ward's usual drama/angst to give Trez and Therese their HEA. The teaser for Ward's upcoming Sinner BDB #18) book is more Butch/Vishous than Jo/Syn but with a few new twists.

Where Winter Finds You is book #17.5 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. (Yes! 17.5!) I think you might be able to get away with reading this as a standalone but truly, this is an awesome vampire series so I definitely recommend starting at the beginning! We first met Trez and his brother iAm in book 13, The Shadows. They're similar to vampires but actually come from the s’Hisbe tribe. Trez is a widow, still very much in grief over his mate but when he sees Therese for the first time, he can't help but notice the uncanny resemblance to his late female. Is this Trez's mate reincarnated or is he destined to live the rest of his days in sorrow? I can't even tell you how very glad I was to read about Trez's happy ever after! After reading his story in book 13, I was left feeling kind of jilted and unresolved. I mean, this is a paranormal romance, I need an HEA!! This entire story belongs to Trez and Therese without a lot of other storylines and for once, I totally enjoyed it because I felt like they absolutely deserved to find happiness. My heart was already broken for Trez and for iAm as well, in a way, since he had to watch his brother suffer so badly. As a widow myself, I couldn't help but think of how wonderful it would be to have my husband back... I'd be remiss not to mention one of my favorite characters, ever...Lassiter, the Angel. Adore that guy!! This is a fabulous love story with a lot of holiday goodness. Told from dual POVs with a sweet ever after. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

Loved the book!

Ok, so brace yourself because this is going to be a long review! I have mixed feelings about this one. I could feel some major loopholes in the story. Those loopholes are going to equally reflect in the BDB world too. I'm a die-hard BDB fan. Every new release fills me with anticipation for something new and exciting. But I was left anti-climaxed at this one. This feels like Anu Malik trying to be A.R.Rehman. Few questions: 1) Couldn't Therese had her own identity? 2) Why does this book look like a forced attempt to give Trez his HEA? 3) Why did Lassiter have to tell everyone the secret of Selena/ Therese at the end? 4) Why couldn't the same be done for John? 5) Why aren't Wellsie and her son being given some re-incarnation story? 6) Is it necessary to re-incarnate every character whom you've killed in the first instance? 7) Couldn't some other plot be given to Trez for his HEA? 8) Why kill the characters in the beginning when you are going to re-incarnate them all the same? It breaks my heart to write this 'cold-bucket' review. I'm truly disheartened. Not recommended. This is shabby and a disoriented ending for one of my favourite character. I hope the same is not being done to others. What really irks me is that Therese is not just the re-incarnation, but she equally has Selena's face too? How much sticking sweet do you want the story to be? These words are endlessly repeated in the entire book "re-incarnated" "love" "loss". And don't get me talking on the glaring punctuation, grammatical errors and silly typos reflected in so many areas. Seriously, is this some sort of joke? I have never given such kind of review for any book and something as divine as BDB getting it is a serious crash and burn offence. But I can't help it. That starting just made me roll my eyes because it was not needed. In the end, my only question is...WHY?

Acompanhamos o interessante encontro de Trez com Therese, que parece ser a reencarnação de Selena, pois além da semelhança física impressionante, muitas de suas atitudes e pensamentos também remetem à Escolhida, mesmo com os improváveis trinta anos que separam o nascimento (anterior) da garçonete, da morte de Selena. Essa situação foi tratada de maneira bastante sensível, respeitando o ponto de vista das duas personagens. O drama suscitado pela descoberta da adoção também foi tratado com bastante cuidado e perspicácia, respeitando a perspectiva das partes envolvidas. É uma história emocionante, com cenas divertidas, graças ao Lassiter, que considero uma personagem muito injustiçada pelas outras e nos volumes anteriores, pois não recebe os devidos créditos por suas boas ações, e espero que isso seja corrigido, de preferência, num livro que ele protagonize. O que senti falta é da menção e da continuidade das outras tramas que já foram abordadas: há algum tempo não sabemos do Lucha, de Assail e da Sola (ele não é considerado um importante aliado à causa da Irmandade?), de Sarah, que, pela natureza de seu trabalho de pesquisa, poderia ter desempenhado um papel importante na recuperação da Therese, da vilã que conseguiu envolver e ludibriar o Troe, dos recrutas, enfim, essas ausências me incomodam. Esse "inverno" foi um bom desfecho para o nosso querido sombra, com gosto de recomeço!

I’ve been desperately reading the Black Dagger series in order over the last few months ready for the release of this one, and the hardback as my Christmas present. In book 13, Trez tragically loses his beloved Selena. He is distraught and suicidal, until lookalike Therese begins working at his brother iAm’s restaurant - Sal’s. Trez is convinced she’s his love reincarnated, but as he gets to know her, he becomes less sure. This is such a powerful and romantic book, that shows award isn’t afraid to touch on grief, addiction, depression or mistakes. I really like the fact that in each book, award continues the overall story arc, including other characters, whilst dealing with difficult issues. The characters also face genuine danger, and were not always sure we’ll get our HEA, but it’s wintery, snowy setting, this book is perfect, magical and deeply satisfying.

sehr weihnachtlich, kurze aber schöne Geschichte wo wieder bewiesen wird das jeder ein Happy End verdient. Sehr unvorhersehbar und überraschend

This is Trez's srtory, is all I thought it was going to be, cried like crazy, loved it. C. C.