This is another great story by Jennifer Harlow. I love each character that she creates in her stories. The ending to this is not what I thought, but I still loved it. It is nice to see a different side to Oliver. I can't wait to start reading the other stories in this series. I hope that the books stay with there being an actual story in each one and they don't turn into a series where the main character is more concerned about which man she wants to be with. I like the fact that this series, so far, has a main story and that the love story is only a small part of the whole book. ( )

Beatrice is settling into her role on the F.R.E.A.K.S team in this sequel. Will, the werewolf, is off on a vacation and she misses him even though she is unsure what they are feeling for each other. She is reluctantly participating on a mission with Oliver, the sexy vamp who constantly flirts with her and who alternates between making her heart race and disgusts her. Searching for a cabal of vamps who are freely killing people also puts her in between Oliver and a former friend. What's a girl to do when she is torn by her feelings? Kill a few bad guys!! ( )

2-1/2

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book got off to a rather slow start. But in full confession mode, I had not read the first book in the series, so I do not know if that would have made a difference in the pacing if I had.

I have been reading a lot of young adult and dystopian fiction lately, so this was very definitely in a different category altogether. I think it is more a paranormal romance, with some more mature themes than young adult.

I rather disliked Oliver in the beginning, but toward the end he kind of grew on me a bit. Though, he does remind me of Eric from True Blood quite a bit.

Here's the thing, though. I usually try to ignore editing when it is an ARC I am reading. With this one, though, it was really, really difficult. Some of the lack of editing was extremely distracting. The flow of the narrative was a bit awkward. It read more like a novel outline, and felt like there were chunks missing.

There were a lot of similarities to True Blood. This could have worked in the book's favor but I just didn't feel like It was done well enough. The whole lord and lady thing was awful similar to the King and Queen thing in True Blood.

It really just felt like it took a long time to get to the meat of the story, and then when you finally get into it, toward the last 15% or so of the book, the action felt extremely rushed.

The book had a lot of potential but it just felt like it fell short of that for me.

I will very likely read the rest of the series in the hopes that it improves. I really wanted to love it, but it was just okay for me. ( )

2-1/2

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book got off to a rather slow start. But in full confession mode, I had not read the first book in the series, so I do not know if that would have made a difference in the pacing if I had.

I have been reading a lot of young adult and dystopian fiction lately, so this was very definitely in a different category altogether. I think it is more a paranormal romance, with some more mature themes than young adult.

I rather disliked Oliver in the beginning, but toward the end he kind of grew on me a bit. Though, he does remind me of Eric from True Blood quite a bit.

Here's the thing, though. I usually try to ignore editing when it is an ARC I am reading. With this one, though, it was really, really difficult. Some of the lack of editing was extremely distracting. The flow of the narrative was a bit awkward. It read more like a novel outline, and felt like there were chunks missing.

There were a lot of similarities to True Blood. This could have worked in the book's favor but I just didn't feel like It was done well enough. The whole lord and lady thing was awful similar to the King and Queen thing in True Blood.

It really just felt like it took a long time to get to the meat of the story, and then when you finally get into it, toward the last 15% or so of the book, the action felt extremely rushed.

The book had a lot of potential but it just felt like it fell short of that for me.

I will very likely read the rest of the series in the hopes that it improves. I really wanted to love it, but it was just okay for me. ( )

I'm very glad I looked past the somewhat odd titles and the kitsch cover art of these books, because they are a lot of fun! To Catch a Vampire has great characters and a fantastic plot, although it's hard to call it a mystery because it's pretty clear from the start who they are after. I enjoyed seeing the deeper interplay between Bea and Oliver that was only hinted at in the first book. I'm still cheering for Will, but I'm enjoying the flirtation with Oliver.

While there's a bit of humor throughout the book it has a bit of serious heart-tugging going on as well. I think Ms. Harlow handles it well, it never feels over-the-top or maudlin, but I found myself honestly feeling for the characters and what happens to them.

While I just don't even know what to say about the covers, I will gladly look forward to future stories in this series, no matter what is on the front. :) ( )