The Vampire Relationship Guide Volume 2: Secrets and Trust by Evelyn LaFont Published: 31st August 2011 Buy: Amazon UK/Amazon US
Goodreads description:
Josie’s come a long way from being an average human chick who just wants to sex-up a vampire. She’s dated, mated, and killed one of the world’s richest vamps and is currently seeing a mysterious, blood-slurping hottie named Walker.
Now, Josie must adjust to the realities of a steady relationship with a vampire, which isn’t all exciting parties, hot sex and moonlit walks. And with a vamp who’s anxious to push their relationship to the next phase as mortality bears down on his human’s fragile body, the pressure for Josie to commit is on.
Can their night-day romance survive leaving Josie’s character and individuality intact, or will the secrets of the supernatural community crush her spirit and her chance at a permanent vampire mate?
My thoughts:
Josie's back with her trademark naive vampire knowledge and sarcastic commentary. I adored the first n in this series and couldn't wait to get my hands on the 2nd. This novella sees Josie and Walker heading to Texas to visit Walker's home, but of course nothing can be that straight forward.
The characters were as funny as always, it was hilarious to hear more about Walker and his dysfunctional afterlife and to read about how Josie adapted to his lifestyle. There were a couple of new characters and a couple of twists I didn't expect which I enjoyed. I love the mythology of this series, LaFont has taken traditional vampire (and were...ooooh) lore and twisted it into something that is new and interesting and given it a scientific explanation which I really like.
The writing was full of satire and adult humour and completely and utterly engrossing. I love LaFont's writing, it never fails to make me laugh and the voice she's given to Josie is so entertaining and believable.
The only thing that sorta let this story down for me was the plot; I felt it suffered slightly from 2nd book syndrome and whilst I enjoyed it and there were things introduced that are clearly going to have more of an impact I couldn't help but feel slightly dissatisfied at the end.
Despite that though this novella series is something I would happily and over-enthusiastically recommend to anyone who loves paranormal adult fiction (and anyone who doesn't, because it's just SO satirical). It's fresh and funny and ridiculously well written, it's the perfect read for when you're having a bit of a bad day.
4/5
Read the first chapter of The Vampire Relationship Guide Volume One here Read the first chapter of The Vampire Relationship Guide Volume Two here
The Vampire Relationship Guide Volume One (Meeting and Mating) By Evelyn LaFont Published: 30th March 2011 Goodreads Page Buy on Amazon UK/Amazon.com
Goodreads Description:
Josie wants what she's never been able to have--sex with a vampire. When she receives an invitation to a party thrown by one of the world's richest vamps, she doesn't stop to question her luck; she just jumps into her favorite stilettos and heads out to the event of a lifetime, secretly hoping that she'll come home with a party favor in the shape of a sexy coffin dweller. But the great undead, much to Josie's chagrin, aren't just pale sexbots with pointy teeth waiting to satisfy her carnal desires--they are dangerous--and sometimes cranky. With a single-minded focus on fulfilling her sole sexual longing, Josie unwittingly entrenches herself in the twisted and sometimes antagonistic world of vampire relationships with no one to guide her, but herself.
My thoughts:
I read half of this little novella last night in the bath. I thought I was going to have to sue Evelyn for the cost of a new kindle, the amount of times I nearly dropped it in the water from laughing so hard. The story follows Josie, who has decided to persue a relationship with out favourite blooksucking fiends who in this universe are out and proud. Josie is hilarious. She's the perfect mix of sarcasm, adorable naivete and humorous commentary. Her comebacks were longwinded, often obscure and occasionally slightly stupid. She's fantastic. Move over Sookie Stackhouse, cause Josie's here to stay and she's funnier, less whiny and a damn site better looking. She does appear to be having an equally eventful stay in the vampire romance camp however.
For a novella there was an impressive amount of world building in this novel. We learnt a lot about LaFont's take on vampire lore,which is imaginative and realistic and obviously well conceived. I loved that we also found out this information through Josie's occasionally tactless and offensive questioning-which removed the need for out and out exposition allowing the story to flow well. I loved how LaFont stayed true to the Anne Rice claim that vampires are all beautiful because why would you turn an ugly person? That made me giggle, me and my boyfriend had a debate about that explanation vs the beauty being a part of vampirism only a few nights ago-I knew he'd appreciate that addition.
There was much more of a storyline than you expect from the synopsis, which was a very pleasant surprise. I loved the development of the plot, Josie ends up with not one but two fit vampires clamouring for her attention. Naturally, one is a complete dick. And not in that sorta charming Jace-like way, he's actually a dick. It's hilarious. I loved Walker's character a lot and I loved how exasperated Josie became with him. She didn't just go alot with his insults because he was hot, and in fact she gave as good as she got. Gregory seemed like your typical vampire really: hot, confident, ridiculously rich.
The writing was hilarious. Straightforward, punchy and laced with satire. This is not a book you can read in public, unless you don't mind the awkward stares that come with laughing on the bus. Overall, this was a perfect lighthearted read for a Sunday night when I was feeling a bit miserable. It exceeded my (not so low) expectations and provided several hours of high quality entertainment.One of the best things about this book is the wide range of people it can appeal too. It almost bridges the gap between chick lit and paranormal romance. Now I'm not a fan of the former, but I loved this, and I've seen people who aren't a fan of the latter who adore it just as much. However this is definitely a book for a more mature audience. I'd've happily read it at 15, I was reading Sookie at that age, but I'm not sure I'd want *my* 15 year old to read it, if I had one.
The only small criticism is the cover. I thought it looked a bit drab at first, and then I read a post where Evelyn highlighted her reasoning behind it-that it was designed to look like an old manual-which I could then see and appreciate. However I still don't think it's eyecatching enough to appeal to a large audience.
5/5
You can read Chapter One of the Vampire Relationship Guide Volume 1 here!
**Don't forget to enter my graduation giveaway here**
