I look at you and see all the ways a soul

can bruise, and I wish I could sink my hands into your flesh and light lanterns along your spine so you know that there's nothing but light when I see you. ~Shinji Moon 🌙~
I'm really enjoying this series. I like the plot and all of the side characters, even if they are vile, it adds depth and keeps the story interesting. The one thing I'm not enjoying is the whining from the brothers so far. Luke was even worse than Collin. Half way through I wanted to throw cheese at his head. "Would you like some cheese with your WHINE???" Ugh. I'm happy it calmed down a bit but Luke definitely grinded on my nerves. However, even with that mild annoyance I sincerely enjoyed the relationship between Crimson & Luke. I didn't feel like it was an insta love relationship. Crimson loved Luke for a long time before he got turned. I feel like Luke has always felt that way as well but was oblivious to everything going on around him. When they did reconnect it felt real.
I'm nervous to listen to Jared & Silas's story though. When Silas was being forced to drink the animal blood by his sire I felt nauseous and cringed at their realtionship. I can't imagine all the thing Silas was forced to do or how brutally he was treated. I'm happy Nikolai is gone, best part of the book. 😈

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as good as the ebook

The story is always 4-5 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, I’m over the half, 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

My favorite on the series so far...

This book, second in the series, is my favorite so far. Not only because the amazing story Ms Byrde wrote for it about Luke struggling to recover Damian's love, overcoming prejudice, danger and his own fears to do it, but also because the incredible narration and performance Mr Solo made. I am a huge fan of him because his smooth voice, acting skills and how he develops the characters in a book bringing them alive. Cliché, I know but totally true. I can't wait for book 3!

It tastes a little blank...

In Love Bleeds we pick up a little while after the events of book one take place. The dust is still settling after Zenon was destroyed to break Talon free from his control, and life is carrying on for everyone except Lucas. While his brother Collin is busy focusing on his boyfriend and their new baby, Phoenix, Lucas is mourning. He’s grieving the loss of his best friend Damian, the friend who sacrificed himself to save Lucas in Love Bites, and has no idea that Damian has been reborn as a vampire named Crimson.

It’s very important to me that I’m able to connect emotionally with the characters of a novel. The more the author can draw me in, the better my reading experience is and the higher my opinion is on the overall story. Unfortunately, much like the first book of this series, I didn’t feel much of a connection with any of the characters. This is highly unusual for me when it comes to AKB novels. Her Mercy Hills books are probably one of my favorites mpreg series with characters that are beyond developed. So, the characters falling flat is a surprise to me.

There was so much going on with Lucas that I found him a little difficult to wrap my head around. He was this nerdy straight guy who loved to geek out with his friends. Then, once he crosses paths with Crimson, he completely flips the script. I understand that there is some sort of bond between dhampirs and vampires, but the change to their relationship is so sudden it gave me whiplash. First Lucas was squicked out by vampires in general, even his adorable blood-drinking nephew. And then, Damian comes along all vamped out as Crimson, kisses Lucas, and Lucas gets the feels for his long time friend? It’s too sudden for me.

Crimson, aka vampire Damian, is a little more likable. He doesn’t remember his life before he’s a vampire and he wouldn’t even know anything about Lucas had his sire, Nicolai, not made them cross paths. While he was human he harbored an unrequited love for Lucas which Lucas was oblivious to. As a vampire, he’s drawn to Lucas which makes him break away from Nicolai. He starts to remember parts of his human-self including his feelings for his friend. Collin is meddling while Talon is trying to keep everyone safe. Then, once Crimson has to leave with Aldrich to protect everyone from Nicolai, Lucas decides to recklessly take matters into his own hands. There was so much going on and the only part I connected with was Crimson/Damian’s struggles with his feelings about killing one of their friends.

I just―I don’t even know. I really wanted to like this series. It’s been so many years since I’ve read another vampire series aside from this one. But, I just don’t love it. A couple of plot points seem to be recycled from book one. Talon needed to be free of Zenon and Crimson needed to be free of Nicolai. Collin has to awaken his dhampir powers to save Talon and Lucas has to do the same for Crimson. It would have been nice to see a different spin on things plot-wise.

To me, this book was just okay. Since I wasn’t in love with the characters I had a hard time falling into it. I’d say it was a decent read, but nothing spectacular or original, unfortunately. I’ve found that the first book in a new series might not be the best because the author is still trying to get their footing in this new world they’re creating, and because of that I always give the next book a read just to give the author a chance to establish themselves. With Love Bleeds it had the same feel as Love Bites. If the rest of the series is similar to the first two books they’ll be okay reads as well, but nothing more than that for me, sadly.

Ann-Katrin Byrd is an amazing author, so having to say this wasn’t her best work was hard for me. I’m beyond in love with her Mercy Hills series and I’ve enjoyed the Oceanport Omegas as well. I also adore John Solo, the narrator for this series. Together they make a wonderful team that produces amazing, quality work. The Thicker Than Water novels just haven’t hit the spot for me. Though, I have to admit I’m curious about what’s going on with Remy and Aldrich.

I’ll leave off here much as I did with book one. I’d say if enjoyed Love Bites, you’ll more then likely enjoy Love Bleeds. I’d suggest this book to my friends that are into gay vampire romance with the warning that, though this is an enjoyable read, it has a pedestrian 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.

I just love this narrator

I already read the book and now got a chance to listen to the book. I just love how John Solo narrates a book. I've never been disappointed as of yet and don't think I ever will be ;)
I really liked to read/listen to Luke's story. I felt so bad for him when he lost his best friend in the first book of this series. He deserves a happy ending. especially with Crimson/Damian. :)

Great

I think I liked this one even more than book 1. Love our little nerdlet. Just a great well rounded story with teasers for more. Both MCs were fun but I would have liked a little more detail on Damien’s feeling before he was Crimson otherwise a exciting listen with great narration and fun characters.

Amazing!

Luke ❤️ I loved him in the first book and was so looking forward to his story; and it didn’t disappoint. Luke and Crimson were adorable together. This book definitely had a touch of innocence that wasn’t in the first book, but they were both willing to do whatever it took for the other’s safety. You could definitely feel their love on every page, even if it took Luke a while to see it. I’m intrigued by the world, and love that we’re getting to learn it right alongside a lot of the main characters. That sneak preview at the end has me dying waiting for the next one! I did miss the babies we usually get with an AKB story, but with the age of these two MCs it was nice to see them playing it safe. As always, John Solo did a phenomenal job with the narration

Luke will get them all killed

This was a good follow up to book one. We get to learn a little more about the vampires. The only downside is Luke. He reminds me of the kids in disaster movies that does things to get everyone else killed.

Intriguing

This is an intriguing book to listen to, as Luke learns some things about his best friend Damien. Also Crimson has to relearn things. They have some problems to deal with. I like following the chemistry between them as they are drawn together. The narrator is brilliant and really brought the story to life.

Love Bleeds

This is a well written book and the audio was easy to listen to .