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Miami Bites

Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26
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When the kitchen heats up, so does the undead drama.

Meet Amelia Garcia, a sizzling chef in sunny South Florida whose life takes a hilarious turn when she joins the ranks of the undead as a vampire. Suddenly allergic to garlic and basking in Miami’s eternal sunshine, Amy must juggle her up and coming culinary career at a top Miami restaurant with the bloodthirsty demands of her new existence.

Enter Nick Reyes, Miami's suave vampire delegate and Amy's sire. Despite her aversion to romance, the supernatural realm insists that they're meant to be, turning her quiet world into a melodramatic telenovela… on steroids.

With coven election looming and ancient vampire laws threatening to derail her new life, Amy grapples with her craving for more than just culinary triumphs. Can she possibly reconcile her independent spirit with the clingy nature of a bond and a destiny she never asked for? And will she ever sauté again without worrying about a garlic-induced catastrophe?

Dive into a world where blood banks aren't buffets, vampire tabloids are a thing, and finding your soulmate might just be the most complicated ingredient of all.

228 pages, ebook

Expected publication May 26, 2026

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About the author

Ida Duque

17 books23 followers
Ida Duque writes sweary, sweet with heat, romantic comedies and paranormal romantic comedies with a Miami flair. Actually, if she’s being honest, it’s more like loud, crazy Miami-infused romcom with bad words. Her books feature smart sassy women who love life, family and each other while hoping to find true love. Also, there’s kissing…lots of kissing and fun times in the bedroom… without an anatomy lesson.

By day, Ida is a Higher Education professional writing under a pen name, mostly because college students are not impressed by "kissing books," and she still needs them to respect her and listen to her so that she can help them graduate. She loves her students and working on campus and there’s nothing else in the world she’d rather do, but she also loves writing stories and entertaining, not to mention, her muse is very vocal (and significantly less interested in financial aid paperwork.) A pen name seemed like a good compromise. 

A native of a beautiful island in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic, these days Ida lives in South Florida with her husband and two teens, one of whose future plans include becoming “the boss of Miami.” Seriously. Ida’s loving every minute of raising her but will welcome parenting tips on dealing with aspiring dictators. There were no playgroups or social activities in their area for fiercely independent teens who are also interested in political machinations and autocracy. Luckily, the mini dictator has found dance and her plans for takeover are on hold for now; her parents couldn't be happier!

To connect with Ida, visit her on the web at https://www.idaduque.com. She's on Facebook (almost daily) at https://www.facebook.com/authoridaduque, she's mostly replaced her Twitter addiction with Threads and can be found at www.theads.com/@authoridaduque! and finally, find her on Instagram (for the pretty pictures) as she's an amateur photographer. She's at @idaduquewrites

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5 stars
6 (27%)
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12 (54%)
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4 (18%)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Rosi Colmenares.
206 reviews5 followers
May 16, 2026
For fans of:
Paranormal romance
Fated mates
It’s always been you
Human turned vampire
Latinx representation
Miami setting

How would you feel if one day you woke up and suddenly you’re a vampire? No beach days, no garlic, no Miami sunshine, but apparently you now have a soulmate you never asked for.

This is Miami Bites by Ida Duque and honestly I had such a fun time with it.

The concept itself is so unique. A Latina chef in Miami suddenly having to navigate becoming a vampire while still trying to maintain her career and independence? I was immediately invested.

Nick and Amy’s relationship was definitely my favorite part. Their connection felt emotional and genuine, and I loved seeing their growth throughout the story. Nick guiding Amy through this huge life change without taking away her autonomy made me love him even more. I also really appreciated how much depth both characters had. Their insecurities, jealousy, fears, and emotional struggles made them feel very real. Their bond developed in a way that felt natural and intimate.

And somehow this book balances emotional moments with humor really well. The telenovela energy, the vampire drama, the Miami setting… it all worked for me. I even texted my best friend while reading: “I feel like I’m watching a movie.” That’s exactly how it felt. I could picture every scene so clearly in my head.

Also “El Colmillo” being the vampire gossip newspaper was hilarious.

And the quotes??? So good. Here are some of my favorites:

“As he takes another drink, it occurs to me, maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t be that bad to spend eternity with him.”

Amy… that was the moment you and me both fell for him.

“This soulmate thing is unexpectedly turning both into happiness and a sense of balance and belonging I never knew I needed. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I realize it’s happening: I’m falling for him.”

Amy baby you’ve BEEN falling 😭

“I realize one thousand years might not be enough to explore her body.”

Nick??? Sir??? Excuse me while I melt.

“Her soul pulls mine, and for the first time in my life, I’m sharing the same wavelength with somebody else.”

This man was making me lose my mind every few chapters.

Overall this was emotional, funny, romantic, and ridiculously entertaining.
Profile Image for Pattie Fore.
233 reviews3 followers
May 10, 2026
First and foremost, thank you to Ida Duque for the opportunity to read this free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Miami Bites had such a cute, fun premise, and felt delightfully campy in the best way. It gave me a little bit of The Southern Vampire Mysteries meets Twilight energy, think Sookie Stackhouse with a splash of Bella Swan. I really enjoyed the mix of paranormal creatures, supernatural societies, and the overall playful vibe of the story. It definitely leans into that paranormal romcom feel and doesn’t take itself too seriously, which made it a quick and entertaining read.

That said, I did have a few struggles. Amy seemed to adapt to becoming a vampire very quickly, almost too quickly for my liking. I wanted a little more internal conflict, fear, or resistance before she fully embraced not only her new reality, but also the fated mates aspect. Early on, she gives us that “I’m a lone wolf, I make my own destiny” energy, and I was ready for that fight, but it felt pretty short lived. I would’ve loved to see that independence challenged a bit more before she gave in so easily.

I also found the overall plot a little thin at times. While the romance and campy charm carried the story, the plot itself felt somewhat flimsy, and I’ll admit the word “soulmate” may have appeared a few hundred times more than necessary 😅

Overall though, Miami Bites was a cute, campy, and easy paranormal romance that I flew through. If you’re looking for something fun, flirty, and supernatural without taking itself too seriously, this may be worth adding to your TBR.
1 review
May 13, 2026
I loved this book so much! I can’t wait for the others
Profile Image for Michelle Morfa.
23 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2026
I received this as an ARC and OMG!!!! I loved it!! It was so fun! A love letter to Miami! I’m obsessed! Such a fun, funny and cute read!!!
Profile Image for Tanya.
900 reviews18 followers
May 16, 2026
Amy is a chef at a highly rated Miami restaurant with dreams of becoming so much more, but one night completely changes the direction of her life.

Nick is… debatable at first 😅 He absolutely gives off red flag energy in the beginning, but there’s something about him that slowly grows on you. He’s confident, intense, and according to Amy, smells way too good for her own sanity. Of course, he’s also the reason her entire world suddenly opens up in ways she never expected.

What starts as a bad situation quickly turns into Amy discovering a hidden supernatural world connected much closer to her life than she ever realized. I loved how this story blended paranormal elements into such a grounded human experience. Amy’s narration and pop culture references genuinely made me laugh, and the writing pulled me in fast.

The sense of community in this book really stands out. The friendships, family dynamics, and the tension between Nick and Eddie especially make the world feel lived in and layered. I also appreciated that the Spanish dialogue was translated naturally throughout the story. It made the conversations flow without taking away from the atmosphere.

One of my favorite things was watching Amy slowly find her place within this new world. The forced proximity between her and Nick is very much a slow simmer instead of instant love, which worked really well for their dynamic. Nick clearly has more depth than he initially lets on, and I loved slowly peeling back those layers as the story progressed.

What surprised me most was how peaceful this supernatural community feels compared to many paranormal romances. Instead of constant war, violence, or nonstop chaos, there’s more focus on relationships, belonging, and daily life within the community. The story still has all the paranormal tropes readers love, but it approaches them in a softer, more grounded way.

The soulmate/fated mate elements are woven into the story really well, but I appreciated that the relationship itself still takes work. There’s attraction and connection, but also hesitation, trust issues, and emotional growth. Amy struggles with how much her life is changing, especially when it comes to Nick, while still trying to hold onto her independence and passion for cooking.

The romance gets steamy at times, but what really hooked me were their interactions and emotional connection. Nick definitely gives “falls first” energy, while Amy questions everything around her and tries to make sense of this entirely new reality.

The middle of the story does lean more political than I expected, with elections, leadership responsibilities, and operational details within the vampire community. While those parts weren’t always my personal favorite, they do help balance Nick’s role in the supernatural world with Amy’s very human ambitions and goals.

By the end, the story shifts more toward suspense, and I was flying through pages trying to see how everything would come together. The ending feels sweet, emotional, and satisfying without losing the imperfections that make the relationship feel believable.

Overall, this vampire romance feels different from many others in the genre. Yes, it has the tropes readers want, but the relationship develops through trust, growth, and genuine connection rather than instant love. The bond may bring them together, but the love they build feels earned and completely their own.

I really enjoyed the mature characters, the sense of found family, the cozy food-centered atmosphere, and the balance between warmth, tension, and romance. This is one of those stories that feels comforting while still delivering emotional moments and paranormal intrigue.
Profile Image for VeroniCanRead.
464 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 21, 2026
3.5 ⭐ ARC Review - A sexy vampire romcom with fated mates where he falls first and she fights it, he’s jealous and protective, and a little bit of action.

🧛‍♀️ For Fans of:
- paranormal romcom
- cozy vampire romcom
- soulmates
- new vampire
- he falls first and hard
- jealous and protective MMC
- independent FMC
- Latinx vampires
- bedroom banter
- action scenes
- forced proximity
- first person POV
- dual POV

✏️ Spoiler-Free ARC Review
FIRST let me say that this book’s MMC just wasn’t for me. If you read the list above and he’s your type, then this is easily a 4 star book!

Miami-living, sun-loving, independent, Latina chef Amy has just been turned into a vampire and finds herself mated to Nick a vampire in local politics.

I loved Amy’s independence and how she tries to stick to it, even exploring where she is mentally to figure out how she feels about it all. She felt very relatable!

Also I enjoyed that the Latinx culture references and Spanish language that are always explained and translated so it feels inclusive and inviting without feeling like they’re over-explained.

While it really is a good book with fated mates, her fighting it then falling for him, and some cute action scenes, this just wasn’t the book for me.

From the first few chapters, I wanted to love it for the comedy, the friendships, the sudden “I’m a vampire?!” vibes but I feel like none of it was really explored as deeply as I would’ve wanted. I’m also not into super protective and jealous men, so I just didn’t love Nick, making it hard for me to enjoy this book as a whole.


🖤 Thank you to author Ida Duque for the digital advanced reader copy (ARC).
As always, my reviews are honest, my own, and voluntary!

📚 Book: Miami Bites by Ida Duque
📅 Release Date: May 26, 2026
⭐ Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Profile Image for Laura R.
1,295 reviews20 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 15, 2026
I would like to thank the author for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

After a night out with her friend, Amelia wakes up feeling… off. And with a sudden allergy to garlic. But she’s determined to power through it since her job as a chef in Miami makes it hard for her to avoid it. And then she learns she’s a vampire. Having accidentally been turned, Amy suddenly finds herself as part of a community of supernatural creatures… and Nick – suave vampire, sire, and soulmate. Amy will have to figure out what’s more important to her: the life she already had, or the life she could have.

I really enjoyed this! So we are thrown right into things with the night things went down already having happened the night before, so as Amy learns what happened (since she doesn’t remember), so do we. And I have to say, I appreciated that so much more. I liked the world of the supernatural here, and the way that they all mingle. I enjoyed the romance between Amy and Nick and liked the fact that he never once pushed her to do something or to accept him. I wish we had some spicy spicy spice as that’s honestly what I felt like I was owed after how long it took for her to accept him… but that’s just a personal preference. I very much enjoyed this and the world building, and I’m excited to see where things end up going from here in the series.
Profile Image for Cindy.
91 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 22, 2026
Thank you so much to Ida Duque for sending me this ARC 💜
ARC REVIEW — Miami Bites ✨

This story follows Chef Amelia “Amy,” an independent and strong woman working alongside her best friend Isa and her boss, Chef Theo. But after one wild night out filled with drinks and chaos, Amy suddenly starts reacting badly to garlic at work… 🧄

Well, things take an unexpected turn when the handsome Nick appears at her door with life-changing news: Amy is now a vampire ...

What I loved most about this story was the flavor and cultural richness woven throughout the book. The Hispanic representation felt natural and vibrant, and the Spanglish was absolutely on point ✨🌴

Beyond the romance, this Miami is filled with humans, witches, shifters, and vampire delegates all trying to coexist in balance, which made the world feel so fun and alive. Watching Amy navigate her new reality while also fighting her growing feelings for swoony Nick kept me fully entertained.

This was such a quick and enjoyable read filled with humor, chaos, paranormal fun, and strong Miami vibes ☕🌺🦇

If you love vampires and want a story infused with Latin culture, humor, and magical Miami energy, this one is definitely for you!
1,412 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 4, 2026
After what seems to be a little mistake, Amy finds out she has become a vampire. But she doesn’t want to believe it. All she knows about vampires is from books and movies – they drink blood and live in the night. Boy, does she have some things to learn.
These vampires do drink blook but from blood banks, they also eat regular food, a regular society, live in a gated community, are friends with shifters and have soulmates.
It’s the soulmates that she has the problem with; she doesn’t believe and wants her independence. Nick, her sire, is working on changing her attitude.
Amy was pretty annoying at times, with her determination to be independent without learning anything. Too stubborn for her own good.
This book is about her adapting to the vampire life, and all the things that go along with it.
It is an easy reading, enjoyable book with some spice and humour
It’s not my normal type of read but I’m pretty sure when the next book comes out about the Miami vampires I will read it.
26 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 4, 2026
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Miami Bites and let me just tell you, it completely wrecked my productivity completely. I started this in the morning and literally didn't stop until I finished the last page. I’m talking zero chores done and I definitely forgot to eat lol. It was just that goooood.

This was my first time ever reading a vampire romance and I think it's safe to say that I have a new favorite, if they are all this addictive, I’ve been missing out 100%.

The connection between Amelia and Nick? EVERYTHINGG. Their chemistry was so intense and they’re definitely one of my favorite couples I’ve read this year. I’m still thinking about them, and I want mooore of their story

If you want a book that you’ll want to devour in one day, this is it. 10/10 would recommend (just don’t plan on getting anything else done once you start it).
Profile Image for Kiki.
227 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 7, 2026
Thank you to Ida Duque for the e-ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily of my own choice.

This was a cute read, and a quick one. I like that it flirts a bunch of magical beings in one city, and how there is a secret society that keeps the order between them all. I think Amy and Nick were cute together, they had fun banter. I do think Amy took the news of being a vampire way too easy, I would've lost my mind. I also would not have trusted Nick so easily either. But this is fiction, and in fiction we swoon over the charming and handsome MMC! All in all, this wasn't a masterpiece, but it was a fun read and I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Melissa.
323 reviews16 followers
May 19, 2026
Such a fun and addictive vampire romance! I was hooked with the comedy from page one. I found FMC Amy to be so relatable. She is such a strong woman who knows what she wants and is determined to stick with it! Her humor was perfect and made the story for me! Nick was such a perfect MMC. Falls first AND you’re mine?! 🫠 So fun! I can’t wait for the next book in the series to see where the story goes! 🩸👩🏽‍🍳💜
P. S. I am so happy, baby girl, finally read that vampire manual 🤣
Profile Image for Michelle Garcia.
1 review
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 17, 2026
Who doesn’t love a he-falls-first romance? Miami Bites was such a cute and sweet paranormal romance with so many moments that genuinely made me LOL. The concept of a professional vampire chef who’s allergic to garlic is hilarious, and I absolutely loved Nick as this James Bond-esque vampire. Overall, this was such a fun, quick read and I can’t wait for the sequels! 😍
Profile Image for Kayla.
70 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 6, 2026
This is cute Paranormal Romance. With Vampires and Shifters. The build between the Fmc and the Mmc was good. Love the banter. I did how ever felt it kinda lost it's plot and my attention at times. This is very much a typical Rom Com to me. Thank you for letting me be an ARC for your book
Profile Image for RogueMarina.
203 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 19, 2026
I enjoyed the relatable FMC, loved the representation and just overall enjoyed the supernatural community that was built into the story. I definitely loved the Buffy references and liked how the story/plot progressed.
Profile Image for The Weaver.
62 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 11, 2026
I want to say a big thank you to the author for giving me this book as an ARC. I really enjoyed the vampire story. It felt like a cozy supernatural read for me and I want more. 🖤
Profile Image for Mena and Books.
47 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 13, 2026
Vampires in miami! That’s all. I loved this book so much
Profile Image for Joslyn Rosado.
165 reviews3 followers
May 21, 2026
This was a really fun read!! Thank you to the author for the eARC. What happens when a Miami Beach chef turns into a vampire and becomes allergic to garlic?? This book is what happens. It’s funny, sexy, and definitely very Miami. I love vampire books and this was a fun take and I’m excited to read about the other supernatural creatures in the next books!!
Profile Image for StylesPlenty.
291 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 14, 2026
Chef Amelia Garcia learns to cook without a key item.
We also have Nick Reyes who will show us what is the meaning of telenovela because he brings the drama.
This book has action, adventure, humor, focus on family and community, a story you have been waiting for.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews