*WARNING: This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning upon reading this review*

Blood Heir is a story that showcases the second chance romance of a pairing we have all been waiting on since the beginning of the Kate Daniels series. I was joined in reading this with "Angie Elle" my buddy reader for this one.

I honestly didn't know what to expect from this one here, and to be honest Julie isn't a character I have always loved. I always suspected she and Derek would have their story written and was pleased to see that they are the romantic focus in the story although the book isn't focused solely on their connection, the romance is slow building and does take a bit of a back seat to the story line (which is the norm for the book connected to this series) I was delighted to be able to grab this one in audio format, I just adore the narrator that this author duo team chooses, she is perfection is portraying the characters so well.

We are blessed in seeing so many of our old favorites and even though the circumstances aren't the best with Julie having a new identity and hiding herself from all those that she considers family, we still get to see some of the characters we have missed since the ending of the Kate Daniels series. I really like the progression of the time frame that we find ourselves in. We have skipped ahead and I loved seeing Julie being so much more mature. She is similar to Kate in some respects, but she is definitely her own unique individual. I really loved seeing her growth and magic and her drive to save Kate.

The romance that we see between Derek and Julie (which is what I was looking forward to the most) was VERY SLOW but the chemistry was powerful. We see such a beautiful bond between these two. We don't get a ton of interaction in their romance, because there is the world building plot that is the primary focus of the story. But we do see how much these two have a magical connection to each other. And in Derek we see many changes as well, I would love to see his story unfold in future books and see what brought about those changes in him. When we get the unveiling of secrets at the end there, WHEW, was I ever caught up in the moment there. Especially in realizing that Derek knew ALL along who she really was. But I wasn't too surprised by it to be honest, I was so disappointed in Derek in not knowing who she truly was so it made me happy to see that he would stand by her even when she hurts him. All I will say is these two (just like Kate and Curran) seriously need to learn to honestly and openly communicate. Maybe they will learn faster than K&C.

I am very curious to see where this series will go and seeing the danger that Julie is in here, but also fascinated in the danger set up and the world building that this author team has done such a supreme job with.

Overall I found this book to be a stunning display of magical urban fantasy, a friends to lovers reconnecting after years of separation and a powerhouse of a read that will stun the reader with sensations of thrills and angst.