Just a little bit tasty...

Collin and his adopted siblings were raised by a man who focused on educating his children in all things vampire, specifically how to protect themselves from creatures of the night intent on hunting them. They grew up hearing their father carry on about vampires as if they really existed, and, despite being told they were real, the kids thought their adoptive dad was a little crazy pants. That is until Collin is confronted by a werewolf while leaving a nightclub and has to be saved by a vampire named Talon, making him realize that maybe dear old dad hadn’t been so crazy after all.

The characters were pretty good and I did like them, but some of them fell flat for me. Collin came across as the most developed. He was a plucky individual that harbored some serious emotional trauma. He truly suffered from the devastating events of his childhood that left him orphaned. Talon, on the other hand, seemed a little less fleshed out. Memories of his past were lost once he was transformed into a vampire, so the little flashes of his past were all we really know about who he was before death. We learn that he’s pretty much a puppet for his sire, unable to defy direct orders that are given to him. That alone really made me feel for Talon because he literally lost his human life and became a glorified slave for his sire, Zenon. Aside from Lucas, Aldrich, and maybe Remy, I wasn’t overly interested in any of the secondary characters which was a real shame.

For the plot, I did love that the main characters were so drawn to each other. Despite having to go their separate ways to protect Collin, they wound up coming together again as if they were destined to be together. Some of the other reviewers made comments about this book having an ‘instalove’ aspect, but I didn’t get that feeling at all. Yes, the characters came together and seemed to be drawn to one another, but there were no shmoopy declarations of love right away. Saying that I do think the development of their relationship could have used some more on-page time because I love seeing the growth of a couple.

The bits of humor laced throughout this book was fantastic! It was especially funny seeing Collin lose his everloving mind about the fact that he was pregnant. I found myself giggling at some of the things he popped off with. It was refreshing seeing a book about vampires that wasn’t all dark doom and gloom. It made this book a nice balance between being all sunshine or rainy days.

The overall plot was just alright for me. Being a huge fan of AKB, I am used to her producing fantastic storylines for her other series, but this book wasn’t as good as her other work. There was intrigue, attraction, love, conflict, resolution, a brand new baby, and a HEA. That’s a perfect recipe for a happy listener when it comes to me, so I’m not sure why I wasn’t in love with this book more.

Ann-Katrin Byrd and John Solo are usually a match made in heaven when it comes to producing fantastic books. Until now, I’ve loved every single book that John has narrated for Ann because they make such a good team. Ann is a wonderfully engaging author who draws me into her fictional creations, and John brings those fictional creations to life with his captivating narrations. Between the two of them, I find myself utterly fascinated by so many characters and places that stick with me long after I’ve finished the story. Unfortunately, Love Bites just didn’t live up to my expectations for the dynamic duo that is AKB and John Solo. The book was good and John was great, as always, but I wasn’t in love.

I would recommend this book to my friends that are into gay vampire romance with a heads up that it’s an enjoyable read with a conventional plot. Those familiar with AKB might not be as impressed if they go into this book expecting an earth-shattering story like that of her Mercy Hills series. I would advise anyone reading this book to go into it with an open mind. It’s not a bad read at all, and it’s a nice way to spend an afternoon.

1 person found this helpful

weird but enjoyable

the storyline became stranger as it got further into the book. I can't say I didn't enjoy it but just be prepared for it to get weird. the narrator was also very good

a thrilling love story

I enjoyed the story a lot I couldn't stop listening I really enjoyed it :). the only issue I have is that while the narrator wasn't bad by any means, he's actually very good iv listen to others read by him, but I found that his more softer tone was a little odd to what he was speaking about; just a little disjointed but once I got use to it it was fine just something to note.

There comes a time for every vampire

When the idea of eternity becomes unbearable. Living in the Shadows, feeding in the darkness with only your own company to keep rotts into a solitary hollow existence. Immortality seems like a good idea until you realize that you are going to spend it... Alone. ~Unknown~

This quote resonated for me because I felt like this was how Talon lived most of his Vampire life while serving Zenon. It's like he was just drifting without a real purpose and I felt the loneliness. Then Collin crashes into his life and lots of it flips for him. I really loved the relationship between Talon & Collin. I don't want to give any spoilers away but there was a lot of interesting things going on while we are learning more and more about Collin and his families past. I really loved this book. There was only a couple of times that I felt like Collin was whiny and melodramatic, John Solo nailed his voice when he was acting childish, which made the situations better. I don't know if I could have dealt with Collin in my head alone if I was reading this book. So thank you John Solo for the moral support when crafting all of the voices. You killed it!! 💝

Just what I come to expect from Ms AKB!

Excellent!!

Thoroughly enjoyed - Just what I come to expect from Ms AKB.

Always enjoy her books 😊

Can’t wait to start the next instalment and hope that like the ‘Mercy Hills series, there will be plenty more audiobooks to come 😊

Love Bites

A very well written book . Narration fits the characters and made good listening, very enjoyable.

A vampire and a human!

Love comes in many shapes, for Collin is an alluring vampire. His memories haunt him so he makes a deal with said vamp. I like the world building, the group of adoptees Collin is a part of. They live in a world of magic they are unaware of also. There is a slow burn for the MCs, a bit of angst, a skeleton on a sofa, and lots of love. Great paranormal story!

as good as the ebook

The story is always full stars, because if I wouldn't like the story as ebook, I wouldn't listen to the audiobook. I can't listen to an audiobook without knowing the book, that's not possible for me.

The performance from the narrator is also very important for me. I can't listen to a lot, because my English as a non-native-speaker isn't so perfect to follow a whole story over hours, when the narrator speaks too fast or too sloppy. Normally I have to SEE the person, who is talking to me in English. It took me a little bit, to come into the narrator, but at the end, it worked. I only have to take a few breaks between. I'm just not yet finish with the book, but I listen enough to give a review.

PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings:

5* - very very good
it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often re-listening
it's like an A

3* - it's more then a one-time-listening.
it's like a B

Instalove, fated mates

Great start to a new series.
Plenty of snarky banter, humor and action.
New twist on the vampire world, great characters and world building.
John Solo did an amazing job narrating, he kept me engaged throughout.

A good story and narration that suck you in!

A new vampire series that sucks you in (in a good way) :)
Collin is a snarky, slightly bratty young man that happens to meet a vampire (Talon) at a bar. Both men were fun to read/listen to. ... especially when Collin would push Talon's buttons. Their story is very interesting and I'm looking forward to reading more about these 2 (their story ends as a HFN, but is complete on its own), and the newly created vampire who may already be known to Collin and his family.
John Solo is excellent as Collin, Talon and Aldritch. Actually, he does a great job with all the characters, but he really captured the tone of these 3 - snark (Collin); stoicism (Talon) and puckish-like tendencies (Aldritch).
Great way to enjoy this book!