Ethan Ambrose just survived a horrific vampire attack...
And all he cares about now is hunting down the monster who killed his best friend. So when a gorgeous woman shows up in the hospital claiming to be part of a secret organization of vampire hunters, he’s more than ready to sign up. It’s a simple plan, really. Stake the vampire, then return to his normal life as a renowned pharmaceutical botanist. Surely he can avoid being distracted by the captivating Tressa long enough to complete his mission.
For three hundred years, Tressa wondered what her mate would be like, but the last thing she expected to find was a grumpy human carrying a serious grudge against her kind. Was it smart to take Ethan home to protect him from the rogue who was still hunting him? Absolutely. Should she have lied and pretended to be human? Absolutely not. But she wasn’t about to play fair when it came to her mate. Surely she could convince him not all vampires were evil.
He wants to hunt a vampire.
She wants him to become one.
As he learns more about her world, Ethan only has one
Don’t Bite the Botanist!
*This is a romance book that contains sexual content and explicit scenes recommended for ages 18+
T. M. Kirk is the author of the fantasy romance Onyx Palace series as well as the paranormal rom-com Don't Bite Me series (vampires) and the sapphic Magical Mishaps series (witches). Originally from Alaska, she is a rolling stone constantly on the move, eternally searching for that perfect place to call home. Currently residing in California with her partner and two fur babies, her days are spent riding her motorcycle, traveling to new places, and creating fantasy and paranormal worlds as a much needed escape from reality.
‘Don’t Bite the Botanist’ is book two in the 'Don’t Bite Me' series which can be read as stand alones. I found this read to have a nice easy flow, I loved the mini graphics within in the book.
Tressa and Ethan are a fabulous pair! Tressa is really protective of Ethan and I found that to be highly admirable. Ethan is very determined and passionate about the people he loves and cares about most. The bond these two have is magnetic and it’s portrayed beautifully.
As a whole, this was a cute and wholesome rom-com with lots of sarcasm and humour involved which made me giggle a lot. I enjoyed the mixture of the supernatural side and lightheartedness of the book, it’s perfect if you are into supernatural reads but are not in the mood for anything hefty! And as you come to realise, I do enjoy my spicy reads, so that was a nice bonus! Add this to your TBR if you love Rom-coms, supernatural and spicy reads.
I did not read the first book, but I really enjoyed this one. The way the vampires function, the “rogues” their weaknesses, it was all interesting. I will definitely check out the next book so I can find out who is “coming”.
What’s it about: Ethan is a pharmaceutical botanist and while working gets attacked by a vampire, his best friend and colleague is killed in the attack and their lab is burned down. Ethan survives but ends up in a coma. Three months later vampire Tressa, who is in the hospital for other vampire business, is halted by a delicious smell (Ethan) and discovers him in a coma and realises he’s her mate. When Ethan wakes up he wants revenge on the vampire who attacked him and killed his best friend so Tressa (who’s now scared to tell him she’s a vampire too) tells him she’s human and a vampire hunter instead and agrees to help him.
Tressa is always trying to look for the positive in things and uses happiness and smiles to hide her own trauma. But she’s strong and patient with Ethan and their chemistry was off the charts. Loved how flirty and forward she was with her feelings for Ethan and didn’t shy away from making the first moves. Ethan was a grumpy pessimist until Tressa pulled him out of his shell and helped him see past his revenge craving.
T.M. Kirk has a way of writing where you get the perfect rom-com vibes but also deeper emotional moments where it really pulls at your heartstrings 🥹🥺
Loved that we got to see some of Saiden & Cora in this one 😍 (they are the MC’s in book 1 of the series - Don’t Bite the Director. While you can read this one as a stand-alone I would recommend reading the 1st book before so you’re more aware of all the side characters and world building) also book 1 is such a good read you won’t regret it! 🫶🏻
Thank you T.M. Kirk for the arc I had a lovely time reading it and look forward to finding out who the next book in the series is about 👀👀
I just enjoy this author's work!! This book was amazing. A fresh and addictive vampire romance-com filled with humor, tension, betrayal, and so much conflicted emotion (you’d think a 300-year-old vampire would know how to control her feelings… but she’s just like a blushing teenage girl facing her crush!!!). Ethan, a brilliant and driven pharmaceutical botanist, is set on avenging his best friend’s death and hunting down the vampire responsible (he believes all vampires are bad!), until Tressa enters his life and turns everything upside down. Tressa is strong, patient, and has waited centuries for her mate, only to find him right in the middle of her world of secrets and danger. Their chemistry was incredible, smart, intense, and full of banter, and their connection felt both fated and emotional. The found family aspect, along with the balance between good and rogue vampires, witches, and a world full of secrets, added real depth to the story. He fought his feelings for her so hard… and that ice cream scene was especially hoooootttt. This book blends light rom-com vibes with heavier emotional moments, especially when truths are revealed and trust is broken. It’s fast-paced, engaging, and impossible to put down. A 5-star read for me, and I can’t wait to see where this universe goes next!
Spice Level: 2/5 about 3 scenes, mild descriptions.
This found family is moody yet lovable. My figures are crossed for which character book 3 will be about! This book builds on the previous one, we get more of an inside look at the family, and about vampires.
Ethan and Tressa have wonderful chemistry. While Tressa's choices got her in a lot of hot water, I can't say that I would have acted any different if I were in the situation. Sometimes there just isn't a right way to say surprise! Ethan is written so well, smart, calculated people always end up making rash choices in the heat of emotion they didn't realize they had.
The bigger universe intrigue is also a nice addition to this installment. I look forward to learning more about world build in future books, and hope that Ethan decides to keep in contact with his moms friend. There's nothing wrong with having more friends right?
The ending wraps up nicely, giving us answers to all the loose threads that are created, but also leaving me wanting more in the universe.
You'll love this series if you enjoy vampires but are looking for a new spin on the idea. Plus romance!
Thank you to the author and Naughty Nook PR for a copy of this read!
As I thoroughly enjoyed book one of this series, I'd been looking forward to reading this, and it definitely did not disappoint.
Our human this time around is Ethan, a pharmaceutical botanist, who ends up in a coma following a vampire attack on the lab he was working in. Sadly he lost his lab partner, and the place went up in flames.
Three months later our vampire, Tressa, is in the hospital helping another vampire attack victim, where she discovers Ethan lying comatose. The mate bond kicks in, and wakes him up, although he doesn't know why he's drawn to this mysterious woman.
Unfortunately the vampire who attacked Ethan is still at large, and so Ethan is pulled into a world he never knew existed.
I loved the growing relationship between Ethan and Tressa, with all its ups and downs. There were times where I just wanted to give each of them a great big hug. And it was so nice to see Cora and Saiden again, who were the main characters of book one.
This story had all the things I enjoy from a chill vampire romance, with yearning, drama, and some spicy fun times. There's also a car called Selene.
I received an ARC of this ebook from the author, and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.
I absolutely fell in love reading Tressa and Ethan’s story.
A paranormal romance-com with spice, great witty banter between the characters and most of all a story of waiting nearly 300 years for your mate 💕
It was fate that bought Tressa to her mate Ethan who’s survived a vampire attack. She felt a pull towards him and now that she has found him she will keep him safe. The only issue is that she can’t tell him what she truly is, afraid that he’ll reject her.
All Ethan wants to do is get revenge on the vampire who harmed him and when he meets Tressa he couldn’t understand why she was having an affect on him and why she offers to help him.
And as the story builds, their relationship grows and difficult decisions are made and Ethan begins to realise that Tressa is someone to live for and that revenge isn’t everything💕
He’s falling for her, just a much as she is falling for him, he’s it for her and she would gladly spend eternity with him.
This was beautiful story the tension, the danger, the heat between Tressa and Ethan 🔥🔥 but I also love that the heart of the story is family and how Tressa’s family was there for both of them as they navigated their relationship.
Don’t Bite the Botanist was a fun paranormal romance. I really liked Tessa and Ethan as a couple. Their chemistry felt real, and I enjoyed following Ethan as he sought revenge against the vampire who killed his friend. At the same time, Tessa struggled with telling Ethan that she is one of the “monsters” he hates and that he is her mate. Even though they were mates, this book didn’t give off insta-love vibes, which I appreciated. I also enjoyed the found-family trope. There were many interesting side characters, and the author made me want to learn more about them. I am curious about who the main characters will be in the next book in this series.
Even though this is the second book in the series, each book can be read as a standalone. The author does a great job recapping the first book and its characters. I liked this one so much that I want to go back and read the first book now. If you like fun paranormal romance, I definitely recommend giving this one a try.
Thank you to T.M. Kirk for giving me the opportunity to review Don't Bite the Botanist. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ethan and Tressa were a fun read! Even from the first chapter, I knew this was going to be a great addition to the series. Right from the get go we're already thrust into some suspense and the revelation that Tressa has found her mate, but of course, the path to immortal love doesn't come easy, right?
Tressa quickly became one of my favorite characters in book one, and I'm happy to know more about her backstory. I felt for her a lot while reading this book.
Ethan wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but I enjoyed his enthusiasm and passion for his research, even if he made me wish Tressa would actually bite him on that rose tattoo a few times. The analytical mindset of everything being black and white eventually fades and when his more playful side came out, I felt like he finally truly embraced himself. I also adore the nickname he gave Tressa, too.
I am looking forward to the next one! I have my eye on the over caffinated hacker, and I'm hoping for his story soon! Xoxo
This is my honest review of Don’t Bite the Botanist
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Tressa and Ethan forever!
I found him as such a funny super serious MMC who tries to reason logically about everything, while admitting that the supernatural exists! My husband is also an analytical scientist and would totally be doing the same!
Tressa is a loveable FMC who honestly has a kind heart, for a vampire! She is totally obsessed with keeping him safe from the vampire that just keeps trying to kill him. Doing all this, while hiding the fact that she too is a vampire.
The friendship dynamic with her “family” is also really nice. This is giving me Underworld Vibes to be honest and I loved it!
This was such a fun read that reads very well and fast that I just could not put it down. Please read this for a fun vampire book with lots of laughter and a dash of spice!
What could possibly go wrong when you lie to your fated mate about being a vampire? Well, Tressa gets to test that theory on Ethan, who is one very traumatized anti-vamp human. These two had such electric chemistry (and a real knack for making bad life choices).
I loved watching their romance unfold, and the spice scenes were incredibly hot. Both characters had a lot of baggage to unpack, but they get there eventually! I zipped through this. It kept my attention the whole time as I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen with Tressa and Ethan when the truths finally came out.
Really, the victim in all of this was poor Saiden, who kept getting his car stolen. Also, I definitely hope more books are coming. We need to know what happened to Derrik and Bay!
Thank you to the author for the ARC copy! Highly recommend Don't Bite the Botanist.
“He’s my mate. He’s incredible. He’s… still screaming.”
TM Kirk nailed the balance between humor, paranormal chaos, spice, and emotional depth in Don’t Bite the Botanist. From the very beginning, this book had me hooked with its fast pace, hilarious moments, and impossible-to-put-down energy.
Tress and Ethan’s chemistry carried this story. Their connection felt genuine, layered, and full of tension, sweetness, and heat. And while there was betrayal woven into the story, I understood the reasoning behind it. Honestly? I can’t even say I would’ve made a different choice in that situation, which made the conflict hit so much harder.
And the found family? PERFECTION. Every interaction added warmth, humor, and heart to the story and made the world feel so alive.
This series keeps getting better and I already need the next book in the Don’t Bite Me series.
I really liked how quickly I got pulled into the dynamic between them. It’s that classic “they should absolutely not be this drawn to each other” energy, which makes everything way more entertaining.
I also enjoyed how both of them feel really layered in their own ways. Neither of them is just one thing, and that made their interactions feel a lot more interesting to follow.
And honestly the whole vibe is just really easy to get into. It’s playful, tense, and has that constant push-and-pull that keeps you turning pages without thinking too hard about it.
This was an enjoyable, quick read with a sweet romance and lots of fun side characters! Tressa and Ethan were cute together, and I loved their banter and their protectiveness over one another. I’m not a huge fan of the miscommunication and fated mates tropes, so those were a little difficult to get past, but Tressa and Ethan’s sweetness helped balance it out for me. I’ll need to go back and read the previous book in the series so I can get Cora and Saiden’s story too! Thank you to the author for an advanced copy!
This book is so fun. I absolutely love the storyline of Tressa keeping secrets from Ethan but all in the hopes that he won’t HATE her kind. Ethan’s struggling with the whole vampires are real thing is honestly so relatable. I love his battle between all the changes that take place in his life. I also loved seeing him transition back to his nerdy self who is head over heels for Tressa just as he was meant to be but also how he comes into his own.
I loved this second book in the series! Tressa is fun, exciting and strong. Ethan is a hot botanist who wakes up from a coma! I enjoyed seeing Saiden from the first book again and the journey Tressa and Ethan have to take to find their way, and then having to fend off and escape and also fight a scary vampire who’s really old! It’s funny, exciting, spicy and fast-paced! A great book for a good time!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A paranormal romance, full of vampires, banter and spice. Found family kinship is a strong focus alongside the fated mates romance and rogue vampire tension. 'Dr Rose' wasn't bland, boring or dorky!🔥
🥀 Fated mates 🪴 Vampire & human botanist 🌷 Found family ☘️ Banter 🌹 Spicy 🌵 Ice cream play!
In have only one complaint, I wish there was more spice. The book was amazing otherwise. Very well written. Got to love the broken trust/betrayal trop. It was beautiful to watch the trust be gained back. The mc's if course are perfect for each other. I look forward to the next book, I just hope there's more spice in it.
Ethan and Tressa's love story was such a delight to read. I love how they both somehow ended up having nicknames of flowers. The apple juice bit with Renata made me chuckle for some reason. That was very creative, you will have to read the book to know what I am referring to. This is definitely a book you should pick up and read, its a must.
The mix of vampire lore, found family, and romance made it super engaging (read it one day—fun read!) and the tension was great too! Tressa and Ethan’s chemistry definitely kept me invested. Excited to see where the series goes next!
I absolutely loved being back with these characters. This sequel was such a fun continuation and expansion of the world. If you love a quick read with fun characters and great banter than this is the paranormal fantasy series for you! I’ll definitely be continuing on!
Vampire cozy fantasy, ummmmm...yes, please! This was a great, quick story with fantastic characters. Cute romance and lots of laugh out loud moments, too! Second book in this series, but first read for me... I'll definitely be going back to read the first book!!
This was such a fun and quick read. I fell in love with Tessa and Ethan! The banter was on point I'd give the spice 2 but the story had me in a vice! I was very lucky to get an ARC for this book.
Revenge, hidden truths, and a mate. All tangled into one. She falls first and he is left trying to make sense of everything. This is amazing, I was hooked from the start with the story line. The connection between them couldn’t be stopped and oh it’s good!!!
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
My Honest Review of Don't Bite the Botanist, ARC Reader Review
This was sooooo fun, I enjoyed this sooo much where it gave me so much nostalgia when I had first started reading supernatural romance books. I loved Tressa how she tried to keep Ethan safe but also try not to reveal that she was a vamp after his HORRIFIC experience with his first vamp. Ethan's is such a dork, loved how he was like I only believe what I see, but in the next was like lets kill some vampires. Do I agree with how Tressa kept her secret from Ethan, yes I do, because he went through something horrible, and I would want him to get to know me first and not just go based on what I am. Now the one thing I do not agree with is sleeping with him without telling him, thats a NO NO, especially since they got caught by the bad Vamp. I am really enjoying this series from what I got from this book and will love to get the first, and keep an eye out for the rest when they are published they can be added to my other vamp series.
I did end up zooming through it in two (dang responsibilities). It's fast paced and fun. The universe is refreshing and I'm in love with the cadre and the whole found family dynamic. Tressa was my favorite, I think she was exactly what Ethan needed after his attack to help recover and change his perception of vampires.
If you love vampire romances and rom coms, read this. And if you haven't read Don't Bite the Director, that's fine, you can start here (but, I'd recommend that one, too).
Thank you to Naughty Nook and the author for and ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.