A revved-up supernatural tale that takes some impressively sharp turns.
A doctor gets caught in a war between vampires and warlocks in this paranormal romance series opener.
Bane rules the Savannah, Georgia–based Vampire Motorcycle Club. He’s more than 300 years old, fiercely protective of those he considers family, and wants the warlocks of an organization called the Chamber out of his territory. A confrontation in Savannah’s National Wildlife Refuge between the two groups reveals that Constantin Durance, a powerful necromancer, is Bane’s true opponent. Bane and his vampire companions Meara Delacourt and Luke Calhoun survive the battle, and days later, Bane learns that his human friend firefighter Hunter Evans has been mortally wounded after saving a child’s life. He uses magic to travel to Savannah General to see Hunter and runs into Dr. Ryan St. Cloud. Bane is fascinated by the fact that she’s not like other humans; to him, her skin strangely glows, and later, it’s revealed that his “Voice” commands don’t work on her. After Bane vanishes with her patient, Ryan goes home, drinks copiously, and assumes she hallucinated the vampire. Then he shows up at her door—but he hasn’t come to claim her just yet. He needs her medical knowledge; Hunter, whom Bane has bitten in order to save his life, isn’t “Turning” properly. Meanwhile, Carter Reynolds, president of the Wolf Pack Motorcycle Club, contends with Sylvie, a warlock working for Constantin. Day opens her new paranormal romance with a scene of impressive vampire action, which includes severed limbs. There’s plenty of sexual tension throughout the narrative; Ryan, who believes herself to be unremarkable, is described, from Bane’s perspective, as having the “most delicious, curvy legs he’d ever hoped to have wrapped around his waist.” Day drops many hints that Ryan’s healing skills and glowing skin have inhuman origins, and readers should expect a fabulous and fitting solution to the mystery. Bane is shown to have empathy for helpless humans in need, which proves that his heart still beats. Day also includes a few amusing genre references along the way, such as naming an Irish Wolfhound Bram Stoker. A final state of domestic bliss presents a strong foundation for a sequel.
A revved-up supernatural tale that takes some impressively sharp turns.Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68281-475-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Review Posted Online: Oct. 7, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.
The sequel to It Ends With Us (2016) shows the aftermath of domestic violence through the eyes of a single mother.
Lily Bloom is still running a flower shop; her abusive ex-husband, Ryle Kincaid, is still a surgeon. But now they’re co-parenting a daughter, Emerson, who's almost a year old. Lily won’t send Emerson to her father’s house overnight until she’s old enough to talk—“So she can tell me if something happens”—but she doesn’t want to fight for full custody lest it become an expensive legal drama or, worse, a physical fight. When Lily runs into Atlas Corrigan, a childhood friend who also came from an abusive family, she hopes their friendship can blossom into love. (For new readers, their history unfolds in heartfelt diary entries that Lily addresses to Finding Nemo star Ellen DeGeneres as she considers how Atlas was a calming presence during her turbulent childhood.) Atlas, who is single and running a restaurant, feels the same way. But even though she’s divorced, Lily isn’t exactly free. Behind Ryle’s veneer of civility are his jealousy and resentment. Lily has to plan her dates carefully to avoid a confrontation. Meanwhile, Atlas’ mother returns with shocking news. In between, Lily and Atlas steal away for romantic moments that are even sweeter for their authenticity as Lily struggles with child care, breastfeeding, and running a business while trying to find time for herself.
Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-668-00122-6
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Atria
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.
A recently dumped librarian finds herself fake dating her polar opposite.
When Daphne Vincent’s fiance, Peter, dumps her, she’s shocked—but the worst part is that he’s leaving her for his gorgeous best friend, Petra, the woman he’d always told Daphne not to worry about. Now Daphne has to move out of Peter’s home and restart her life in the small Michigan town where she’d moved to be with him. Salvation comes in the form of Miles Nowak, Petra’s ex—he has a tiny spare room in his apartment, and he understands what it’s like to wallow in heartbreak. Daphne feels lucky to have her dream job as a children’s librarian, but other than that, she feels adrift and friendless in Waning Bay—and then she and Miles get invitations to Peter and Petra’s wedding. In a momentary lapse of judgment, Daphne not only says she’ll attend the wedding, but tells Peter she’s dating Miles. It would be the perfect way to show Peter and Petra that they’ve moved on…if only it were true. In the grand tradition of fake-dating romances, Daphne and Miles pretend to be in love, getting to know each other while having various adventures and misadventures. Daphne quickly learns that although she’d dismissed Miles as a pothead with a lack of direction, he’s actually a good time—and a loyal friend. But Daphne knows she needs to get out of Waning Bay, so this fake relationship can’t lead anywhere…can it? Reliable bestseller Henry has written another surefire hit that manages to be dramatic, sexy, and fun. Miles and Daphne have chemistry that leaps off the page, and their will-they-or-won’t-they energy propels the story to its satisfying conclusion. Daphne is an immensely likable character, one whose past realistically informs her current relationships. The world of Waning Bay is charmingly quirky, and Daphne’s co-workers at the library are endearing. As always, Henry’s biggest strength is the sharp, often hilarious dialogue that makes the story a joy to read.
Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.Pub Date: April 23, 2024
ISBN: 9780593441282
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
PERSPECTIVES
BOOK TO SCREEN
SEEN & HEARD
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
