Second Rite

Filthy Rich Vampires #2

by Geneva Lee, Stella Hunter (Narrator), Teddy Hamilton (Narrator)

He wore darkness with such graceful ease . . .

Thea Melbourne has a broken heart. A month after her world turned upside down, she's struggling to return to the life she left behind. Her mother is in a coma, she's selling off designer gowns to pay the bills, and her roommates seem to think she's made of glass. But when the vampire who broke her heart shows up at the hospital, she learns a devastating secret.

To save the love of his life, Julian pushed her away. Now he has to live with the pain and regret or find someone to put him out of his misery. When it becomes clear that Thea is still in danger, he has a choice to make. He can stay away like the Council demands or risk everything, including their lives, to win her back.

Convincing her means facing his own dark secrets and resisting the temptation to claim her as his mate once and for all. But Thea isn't going to make that easy for him.

Contains mature themes.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Vampires, Audiobook, Paranormal, Romantasy, Paranormal Romance

13 pages, Audible Audio

First published October 4, 2022

About the author

Geneva Lee is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of over thirty novels. Her bestselling Royals Saga has sold nearly four million copies worldwide. She's shamelessly addicted to recovering alpha males, headstrong heroines, and drop-your-jaw plot twists. People Magazine calls Geneva's books "convincing with fluid writing that's full of drama." When she isn't writing or reading, you might find her on another adventure with her real-life hero and their three kids.

Reviews

[✨Julie✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

✩ 2 stars ✩

What to Expect:
➼ Mate Bond
➼ Touch Her & Die
➼ Secrets
➼ Forbidden Love
➼ New Paranormal Beings Introduced
➼ Dual POV

I was trying hard not to take this series too seriously, but my issues with this one have really stacked up. They’re pretty obnoxious now that they’re together, but the biggest issue with these books is that literally any vampire could make her forget him and the entire existence of vampires with a few words. There’s so much drama surrounding them being together and the fact that someone could so easily erase their relationship makes it hard to take any of the events that ensue in place of that simple “fix” for those who oppose them laughable.

Beyond that, Thea is just kind of an idiot. She invites trouble without any concern for her well being despite the fact that the other Vampires could end her in an instant. They both keep insisting that she can fight her own battles, but news flash girly, you CAN’T (at least as far as we know up to this point). She’s also just really slow on the uptake. She was clueless that both her mother and his had an idea of what she was despite the obvious things they said to her. And how could she not realize that she would be expected to bear him an heir when they have talked extensively about the purpose of this whole marriage season. Not only that, but if the council is really so worried about the bloodlines, why aren’t the pure-bloods also expected to continue procreating together?

Now that we’re getting an idea of what she is, I have to wonder how her mother could have ever really hoped to hide her. Wouldn’t she have figured it out if she had a boyfriend no matter who it was? Her mom went to those extremes and then just disappeared without giving her any answers? Seems pretty unrealistic to me when her previous choices were so clearly made out of love.

I can’t even imagine what the 3rd rite will be or what else the council will throw at them. I’m obviously going to keep reading, but I’m so bummed by how thoroughly this one suffered from second book syndrome.

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

Pre-read: No wait on Libby?? How lucky am I?! 🤗

[Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of action and answered questions!



The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🖤💙❤️💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 🙂🥰😎🤩
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration

The Hero: Julian Rousseaux - He is a pureblood vampire from the wealthiest and oldest vampire family. Basically, he is vampire royalty. Due to low birth rates and the fact that pureblood vampires are incredibly old, and hate each other after knowing each other for so long, they have an agreement with witches, since both of their magic has waned throughout the centuries, they can use each others magic in a way that they breed pureblood vampire children and witches get a long life instead of a human lifespan. As the eldest Rousseaux, it is Julians time this season to find a wife. Instead, he found a mate, something that was thought to be a myth. However, his mate, is Thea, and she is human. It is against vampire law to marry her.

The heroine: Thea Melbourne - she is a cellist and when she first met Julian, she was finishing college for music, and she had a job playing cello in a quartet. She gave that all up to travel the world with Julian and be his pretend girlfriend. In exchange he was going to pay her student loans and her mother’s hospital bills, for her cancer treatments. Thea realized that she is in love with Julian and had hoped they could find a way to be together, though she now knows that is impossible.

The Story: This book started out with Thea and Julian apart. Julian is distraught at losing Thea even though he was the one to kick her to the curb. Julian also saw his twin sister Camilla at the opera when the elite vampires were attacked by other vampires who wanted change. Though he wasn’t quite sure whether he saw her. What he didn’t know was that Camilla was out to get his entire family including Julian. When Julian thought she died, he had wanted to die as well. However, Camilla didn’t share his feelings. She was angry and out for vengeance against everyone and she wanted Julian to lead her to Thea as well.

I really enjoyed the first book, and this book was nearly as good. It had more action and more happened in this book than in the first. Also, we finally got some answers to questions brought up in the first book. The one thing I disliked about this series so far is the fact that when someone finds out something new, they don’t ask the questions I would ask. Well, they do, but only when it is too late and the people that could have answered the questions are no longer there or not willing to be forthcoming.

This audiobook is in dual points of view and narrated in dual narration. Stella Hunter and Teddy Hamilton did the narration. They are two of my favorite narrators. Stella hunter has a great voice and never sounds like she is reading. Teddy hamilton has a deep, gravelly voice and is also very natural sounding. They do a terrific job.

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[Lolina ⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 days left until the next book comes out, and I genuinely can't wait 😭.

I think I liked this book a lot more than I did the first time around- however in terms of being the second book in the series, I still think that the first was better. It's a fast-paced series with a constantly changing storyline, but it just works. I'm really looking forward to the next one 🫡

---
🤩 About to have a mental breakdown bc the third book isn't out yet and doesn't even have a release date 🤩

This book definitely got off to a rough start for me. I'm not a big fan of separation and thought that there wasn't really enough communication/ groveling at the start- and it annoyed me at the time.

I'm just so used to second books not living up to the first, and the fact that I didn't immediately love it stressed me out so bad 😭😭.

However, that's not to say that I didn't enjoy this- after a certain point, I just fell back in love with the storyline and characters. I'm honestly unhealthily invested in how this story turns out. The book progressed in a way I wasn't necessarily expecting, but I'm just rolling with it 😭.

There were definitely some questionable plot twists that I'm still trying to form an opinion on, and some frustrating repetition (in terms of thought processes), that did sort of get to me.

However all in all, although I did end up preferring the first, I still really enjoyed this. It did take me a while to get into it, but once I did I really couldn't stop. (Julian I love u 😭💞💍).

No, but the way that now looking back on it, I absolutely love these characters and series. It wasn't perfect but I'm so invested. I know the reading slump after this one is gonna hurt 💀.

Ok bye- I'm trying to stay calm and happy and positive but the way the next book comes out next year has me questioning life- I am not doing ok rn 🙃🔫.

[Hilda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually I’m mad at these types of books that feel like one giant book split up in pieces, but I guess since it’s all out, I don’t care. And I’m living for the drama. I’m so curious to see what happens.

Just fyi, don’t expect much. If you have low expectations this series is great. It’s just fun and full of vampire and witch drama. So much drama.

[Tasha Metzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah man. Why can’t a 900 year old vamp come find me and claim me 😂💀

[༚˳⁺✧˚Jennifer ˚✧⁺˳༚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good one, RTC

[Adama · Rating 3 out of 5]

My humble thoughts


- Cringe
- Didn’t think to tell Thea that her mom is 100% dying
- Straight up liar
- Did I mention this book is cringe especially the club scene like be so for REALL RIGHT NOW
- “Stop I need to handle this 🥹🥹”
- Biggest pick me girl ever
- cringe.
- Growls 🤮🤮🤮🤮
- Dominic is a bottom we know this !!!!
- The yelling makes my head hurt like I’m aware this is a book but Sabine had me irritated
- I hated how Julien took it upon himself to point out that used to duck a lot of women but now that’s he’s with Thea he doesn’t anymore?!? Like great job dude the bare minimum but also he directly contradicts himself because Rhea essentially asked him if he fucked a lot of women and he was like no I didn’t duck everything that breathes or whatever. Like dude is so stupid
- Thea is kind of stupid
- Why is my girl Olivia being pointed as the villain when she’s literally the only rational thinker here. I hate the portrayal of people in their 20’s because we’re stupid but not that f’ing stupid.
- Sec every two seconds this girl is def ending up preggggooooo
- Thea reminds me of a feral Victorian child LMAOO
- So stupidddd I don’t get how Camila can give a very convincing story and they turn around do exactly what they shouldn’t I hate this couple so much it should be illegal
- When will this girl learn that men ain’t shiii
- I don’t like Jacqueline she truly serves no purpose
- How can she be feminist and also my misogynistic
- Thea has no backbone she will literally sit there and let people insult her TO HER FACE and not bat an eye. Julien is more pissed then she is
- If I ever see the words “mouth dropped” I will kill someone.
- “Pet” …that’s all I’m going to say.
- I truly don’t understand how julien could think all his mothers actions were out of love
- DHAMPIR DHAMPIR COPYCAT COPYCAT

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the extreme annoyances that plagued me in the first book of this trilogy are worked out (and very nicely) in this story. With that, it turned into quite an addicting read! Dealing with both the vampire council and Julian’s family (oh my gosh, his evil mother!) was some can’t-put-down reading!

The downside? Dumbest cliffhanger ending in the history of cliffhanger endings! Could we get any more cliché? AND, it truly comes out of absolutely nowhere… seriously. Everything is going well - we are happy, yet super invested in what comes next in the story (knowing it will be in the next book) then in the last sentence, the author somehow feels a deep need to throw us off the silliest cliff imaginable… Uh… why? Dumb, dumb, super dumb.

Still, I enjoyed the rest of the book enough to just roll my eyes and jump into the next installment (luckily, it’s already out so bingeing and ignoring that last bit of stupid stuff is easy).

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, the mysteries of the reading life! I borrowed the first book in this series from the public library and enjoyed it, but they didn't have subsequent volumes. They also turned down my request that they purchase this book. So I ordered this one from a bookstore in town back in the summer and was a bit whiney about it. What should happen next, but I get a notification via Libby that it's available through that platform as an audiobook. I should have been more patient. (Unusually, I can access it on Libby, but not through my library catalogue.)

This isn’t a bad book--it's very much a continuation from book one. Julian is still trying to run Thea's life and she's still trying to pry all the secrets out of him. But they have determined that they are Mates and that they will stand up to the Vampire Council together. Cue Olivia Newton-John singing Hopelessly Devoted. Julian has never been able to compel Thea and now we learn the possible reason for that. The couple unknowingly undergo the Second Rite necessary before they can wed with the Council's approval (if not Julian's mother's). The remaining number of Rites are unclear, but there are two more books, so I'm guessing two.

Here's my thing: book one was very much a screwball comedy. This one, not so much. Julian's jackassery is more pronounced and Thea's predictable problems with her mother and university friends are tiresome. Julian's family issues are suitably threatening. It was nice to figure out that Thea does have some magic of her own to help her cope with all the cranky vampires and witches.

Libby has volume 3 as an audiobook and I have no doubt that I will borrow it soon. I'm halfway through this soap opera and I might as well keep going. But I will wait MUCH longer before buying the final volume.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really not into vampire books but this has been good since I started the first one.
The second one ends on a cliffhanger but one I didnt see coming and shocked me can not wait for the 3rd one.
It's a really good series

[Madison H. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is like 2.5 stars MAYBE. Lacking in twilight references.

Ugh, between the overuse of the term mate, the idea that you absolutely MUST procreate, and the fact that Thea couldn't just be human she also had to be a magical being... I dunno, that last plot point seemed like something a middle schooler would write into a fanfic.

I got tired of the tell, don't show and the fact that this relationship went from broken up, engaged and breeding (ew) in like two weeks. Pretty sure less than two months since they met.

I realized I forgot completely what Thea and Julian are supposed to look like. Is Julian a blonde with long vampire locks? Is Thea a red head? What are descriptive details and why were they completely missing.

Will I read the third book? Well the reviews don't look great, so I kind of want to watch the car crash happen. But I also want to revive my love for reading, so...

[Cassandra 🍁☕️📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Julian and Thea. I enjoy their banter too.

[BOOKLOVER_81 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a vamp girl deep in my bones, and this book made my dead black heart sing.

Julian and Thea are the total end game. They went through a lot of crap in such a short time, but they fell for each other fast and hard. They still have some hurdles with family and outside influences, but also stand up for each other as a couple.

The characters were executed so well. To the point we’re I also felt like I could see what they look like and feel what they were feeling.

The plot has its twist and turns that make me wonder where it will go next. FYI: The Council need to get over themselves..

This book gave me all the feels, happy, sad, angry, confused , love, LUST, and the creeps at time.

"I wanted 900 years for my life to begin. I waited 900 years, for you" - Julian 😩😍😍😍


Can’t wait to move into book 3!
Libby listen 🎶

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 ⭐️

This series is turning out to be a relatively easy read.. but at what cost? 🫠

The pacing was all over the place, for starters - Thea & Julian made up incredibly quickly and I soon started to feel like I was on a very bad rollercoaster ride. They went from having alllll kinds of issues with him taking her virginity, to banging it out pretty much constantly in the space of a few pages. Sadly, they remained insufferable for the duration of the book 🥲

The dialogue was teeth-clenchingly cringeworthy and the whole book read like a shitty Twilight fan fiction. I’m the first to admit that I’m a smut lover but this was all-round BADDDDD.

The most annoying part for me, is that the plot is actually pretty decent. I’d love to hear more about the various conflicts and impending war; but the Shagathon 5000™️ between Thea & Julian apparently takes precedent.

Let the record state that I will only be finishing this series because I’ve already bought the last 2 books ✌🏼

[Mayra’s BookVerse · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
I had high expectations for book two but was a bit disappointed. There was some plot development but the majority of the book focused on the two main characters and how much they’re obsessed with each other. With the mating bond a huge topic and main source of their conflict with others, there was a lot of time spent reinforcing their bond. A lot more spice than I think was really necessary. The last 15 percent saved the story for me. I’ll continue on to book 3.

[Jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

Drinking game: take a drink every time someone says “mate.” Actually maybe don’t because you’ll die within the first 100 pages
Idk why I suffered through this tbh, it was so so bad. Someone get this man to an ENT doctor because there is no way he hasn’t done some damage to his larynx with all that growling wtf

[starryeyedjen · Rating 1 out of 5]

WITAF was that ending? I will not be falling for that and find myself unwilling to continue this series. Not that I expected much from it to begin with, but sheesh...

[Mandy (Bookishlove85) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is only getting better! I’m really loving it. Julian and Thea = 🥹🫠😍🥰 It’s gonna kill me to wait for the fourth book in audio lol. Onto book 3 now.

[Anayah · Rating 4 out of 5]

aaaaaaaaaaaaand on to the next book, immediately.

[Anastasia ｼ · Rating 4 out of 5]

╭ ✦ •
│ ⊹ 𝟹.𝟻 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚞𝚙 ⊹
╰ ✦ •

“I chose you, not just in that moment but for every lifetime. I chose you for eternity—and I will choose you every time.”

Honestly, kinda enjoying the story, but I feel like there's a lot of unnecessary filler and some things are just cringy?

And although I did spoil myself…. while flipping through the pages and found out what she is... other things were predictable that her father is a vampire? or possible vampire (it's not confirmed but THE FANGS?! HELLO?? + she's probably pregnant already

I'm interested in knowing what happens in the third book though.

────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────

⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹

❥Mate Bond
❥ Touch Her & Die
❥Secrets
❥Forbidden Love
❥New Paranormal Beings Introduced
❥Dual POV

_________________________________

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[Reading With Ghosty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great follow up to the first book! This one starts off one month after Thea goes back home. Of course Julian and Thea find their way back to eachother and make up. We finally get home run spice and to be expected it was pretty good. Some thoughts:
*The whole controversy/denying of their marriage reminds me a lot of Katee Robert's "Neon Gods".
*Julian's sister showing up is an interesting layer to the drama.
*Thank god Thea is starting to get more assertive.
*Thea's is she "magical" or not arc kind of feels like a cop out to me. It reminds me too much of Sookie Stackhouse being a fairy. (And not in the best way. I absolutely love the Sookie series though.)
*The ending was very sweet...until it wasn't.
*Excited to see how the third book picks up and the new drama to unfold.

Would definitely recommend.

[Book Keeper · Rating 1 out of 5]

As I feared, me liking the first book was a fluke. I have no idea what happened except that everything annoyed me and it was drug out sooooo long.

I will try not to rant [again]; however, I WILL say: Thea does not act like someone who was DESCRIBED as someone that could take care of herself.

She cries as the drop of a hat. (I can't take this teenage-hormonal attitude) Not to mention both her and Julian do not have a lick of sense, between them. It was like watching a train wreck. 🫣

And with that, I'm out!

[Diana R. Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

Great follow up to the first! Now I can’t wait for the third!! I literally read this in a day because it was so good!

[Gry ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

°. *࿐pre-read:

ooops, I quite literally forgot to update but I am kinda eating this up ngl

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow was this book a page turner and sooo much better than the first book.

So much goes on in the second installment.
Thea and Julian's relationship intensifies and it's just a matter of time before they seal their fate.
Or until the council catch up with them!

Again there is a LOT of sex scenes, as you become to expect from vampire books.

There's so many intriguing juicy twists, revelations and turns in this book it really was hard to put down!

That's all I'm going to say, except if you are a big fan of vamps then give this series a try. I don't think you will be disappointed!
I'm off to sink my teeth into the third installment!

[Langleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yikes. For starters, there was not a single chapter in which they did not talk about Thea’s virginity. Which was wild. The plot of this book was so boring. Basically Thea fell in love with a guy who was hot and bought her everything she wanted and had only known for a month. And everyone in the entire world did not want them together. The very end felt like the author was just throwing a bunch of random “plot twists” our way?? Like Thea being a siren/vampire hybrid? It was lame. 4/10

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cliff hanger ending!! Gah! But despite that I did enjoy more Thea and Julian and getting to know more about each of their families' back stories. Lots of family drama, vampire council demands and forbidden love shenanigans but the two did finally consumate their relationship. Good on audio and perfect for adult fans of the Twilight series.

Steam level: very open door

[Steph's Romance Book Talk · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars / 3.5 Steam Fans

Okay, we start a few months after the first book with twists and turns. This section of the series kept twisting until the very end when it jumped off the cliff. Running to grab the next book because I am enjoying all the paranormal romance drama.

Warning: The ebook is different than the audiobook! I am a little worried that I missed something by not reading the ebook. As I read the ending of the ebook Thea's character felt different than the way Stella Hunter gave her life in the audiobook. I hope this doesn't change how I feel about books 3 and 4 because I have to read the ebooks for the rest of the series. I now understand some of the reviews.

Video review available in Week 2: Jan 7 – Jan 13, 2024, weekly book reviews on Steph's Romance Book Talk (https://www.youtube.com/@stephsromanc...)

[Zen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Well, Julian and Thea were tested in the second rite and we are pretty sure we now know what Thea is. I'm looking forward to seeing what changes as old spells, customs, and glamours come to light.

[Eilidhs World · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEN I SAY I LOVE THIS SERIES I MEAN I LOVE IT! 😍

This is the second book of the series and I have bought the whole series as the first two were soo good!!

Julien & Thea I absolutely adore you, the love, compassion and bond you guys have is the best. I love the storyline there has been a lot of time and thought gone into the plot and the characters are strong. I read this book in one sitting it was that good, they are soo addictive and compelling and I will be recommending this series for the rest of my life

FILTHY RICH VAMPIRE NEEDS TO BECOME A NETFLIX SERIES AND FAST 💨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️