Review: Covet by J. R. Ward

Title: Covet

Author: J. R. Ward

ISBN 10: 0451228219

ISBN 13: 9780451228215

About the book (from Goodreads)

Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about-his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charged with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option. Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he's good with that-until fate intervenes in the form of a tough- talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior. But then he meets a woman who will make him question his destiny, his sanity, and his heart-and he has to work with a fallen angel to win her over and redeem his own soul.

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: The Fallen Angels #1
Published: 29 October 2009
Publisher: Signet
Website: J. R. Ward
Excert: Excert

My Review
Jim Heron has returned, having accepted his mission to save the souls of seven people as part of the ultimate battle between good and evil. The age old battle will be decided by the outcomes of the trials these seven face, some one acceptable to both sides, good v evil, had to be appointed to oversee them - that would be Jim.

Jim is a strong character with plenty of flaws. He is ex Black Ops who hoped for a new life working in construction in Caldwell, he certainly gets his new life but it’s not exactly what he had planned. Jim is a fighter who gets on and finds a way to make things happen. I really liked the way he adopted Dog as it showed early on that he was clearly good hearted despite all the bad things he’s done in the past and hints he will do the right thing in the end.

Vin diPietro, like Jim, is a strong character with plenty of flaws but with good heart. When we first meet Vin he seems every inch the cold, calculating business man that nothing but money and appearance matter to. He has Devina who is exactly what he thought he wanted, that is until he locks eyes with Marie-Terese across the floor at The Iron Mask. Right away he recognises that he has been missing something and this must be it. He realises he has everything and nothing at the same time. Vin treats women right, never abusing or cheating on them which makes him a pleasant character, a surprise considering how he seems when we first meet him.

Marie-Terese Boudreau is a woman who has fallen on very rough times and has turned to prostitution to repay all the money she owes as quickly as she can. As we learn more about Marie-Terese it is clear its not the life for her but she won’t wait for a man to come to her aid, she is doing what she had to. Having no faith in men she knows Vin’s heart when he believes her rather than Devina, having tried to ignore what she’d felt since their eyes had locked across the club. Marie-Terese is afraid of her attraction to Vin as he seems like the sort of man her ex husband was, Vin however proves not to be as he first appears.

Vin and Marie-Terese fit together well as a couple with a wonderful respectful simmering love which is clearly very deep and exactly what both have been in need of but had thought they could never find. They both just know its right.

The fallen angels who are sent to aid and teach Jim, Adrian and Eddie, are Harley ridding guys who are as they say more fallen than most, they are not perfect of wholly likeable which is why they are great characters! Devina, however is not at all likeable but I would have liked to see a little more on her story.

Covet is the first book in The Fallen Angels series by J. R. Ward author of the immensely popular Black Dagger Brotherhood series. The book has a similar writing style, so if you did not like the style of BDB you probably won’t like it here either. Fans should watch out for the appearance of Trez being every inch a great guy. You should not, however, expect Covet to be like BDB you are likely to be disappointed if you do. Covet is much less about the romance and more about the trials and tribulations of the character - there is of course though romance there between Vin and Marie-Terese!

I enjoyed Covet and am looking forward to the second Fallen Angels book, Crave.