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Bite Me
Emma Osborne is determined to make her mark at Doxlothia University—home to the most elite vampire and werewolf communities. She dreams of joining the culinary club, and culinary prodigy, Dacre Everhart, seems to be the only thing standing in her way. As she and her sisters make themselves known on campus, their blood is drawing new, unwelcome attention.
Everything in Dacre Everhart’s life is exactly how it should be. He’s well on his way to becoming the heir his family desires until he discovers a troubling He is scent-matched to Emma, the stubbornly optimistic baker he can’t seem to escape. The journey to the top is hard-won, and it’s even harder when the opposition is biologically attractive.
In a world that wants to tear them apart, who will rise above the secrets and lies for a chance at sweet success? Or will their greatest craving turn out to be each other?
Bite Me is a new adult paranormal romance and the second installment in a series of interconnected standalones set in a new world where werewolves, vampires, and humans coexist peacefully…most of the time.
Everything in Dacre Everhart’s life is exactly how it should be. He’s well on his way to becoming the heir his family desires until he discovers a troubling He is scent-matched to Emma, the stubbornly optimistic baker he can’t seem to escape. The journey to the top is hard-won, and it’s even harder when the opposition is biologically attractive.
In a world that wants to tear them apart, who will rise above the secrets and lies for a chance at sweet success? Or will their greatest craving turn out to be each other?
Bite Me is a new adult paranormal romance and the second installment in a series of interconnected standalones set in a new world where werewolves, vampires, and humans coexist peacefully…most of the time.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2026
About the author
S.L. Cokeley
9 books681 followersSamantha Cokeley was raised in a small town in Oklahoma. Growing up, she always had an active imagination and an interest in crafting stories. She developed a love for writing after college when she discovered anime and fan fiction. If she isn’t spending time painting colorful sea creatures, you can find her with family, including her pug named Kylo. The This Blood that Binds Us series ends this year. But you can expect many more stories with vampires, heartwarming found family, and fluff to come.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 9, 2026
3.5 rounded up!
Thank you to S. L. Cokeley for the ARC!
After reading the first book, I was excited to see what was next for Olivia’s sisters. This book followed the push and pull of Darce and Emma who have a supernatural tie to each other. I liked both the characters and their overall dynamics, but I do think the romance was bit too instalovey. Also I feel like their scenes together felt very repetitive. I did like the book overall, I just think the middle lagged a bit. The ending did make up for it and I am excited for Nash and Eva’s story!
Thank you to S. L. Cokeley for the ARC!
After reading the first book, I was excited to see what was next for Olivia’s sisters. This book followed the push and pull of Darce and Emma who have a supernatural tie to each other. I liked both the characters and their overall dynamics, but I do think the romance was bit too instalovey. Also I feel like their scenes together felt very repetitive. I did like the book overall, I just think the middle lagged a bit. The ending did make up for it and I am excited for Nash and Eva’s story!
August 12, 2026
4.5!!!!
This was so good. I loved the chemistry, the banter, the atmosphere. It was sweet but full of tension and I just love this world.
This was so good. I loved the chemistry, the banter, the atmosphere. It was sweet but full of tension and I just love this world.
July 19, 2026
So happy to be back in this world! I absolutely love Emma, she’s just the cutest with her glitter and her sunshiny personality. She was a great contrast to moody and broody Dacre. The vampire x human and scent-match aspects were so good. The tension and yearning while Dacre tries and fails to push her away. The spice with biting 🔥🩸 I especially appreciated learning more about Dacre and was surprised by how heartbreaking his backstory was.
I absolutely loved seeing Parker and Olivia again, they’ll forever be my faves. I also love that there’s always a bit of mystery in these books. The reveals in this one were good, although I would have liked them to have been expanded upon a bit more. The Nash chapter at the end has me so excited for the next book!
A big thank you to the author for the ARC!
I absolutely loved seeing Parker and Olivia again, they’ll forever be my faves. I also love that there’s always a bit of mystery in these books. The reveals in this one were good, although I would have liked them to have been expanded upon a bit more. The Nash chapter at the end has me so excited for the next book!
A big thank you to the author for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.25⭐️/ 3-4🌶️
*Thank you to S.L. Cokeley for this ARC, I greatly appreciate it.
Oooo this series just keeps getting better! I fell in love with Olivia and Parker in the first book, and with the way that book gave little hints about, Emma and Dacre, I was more than excited to read this book! Emma and Dacre’s dynamic was a bit of opposites attract in how Emma was a glittery, outgoing baking aficionado, whereas Dacre was all business and maintaining his composure at all times. Getting to see Dacre and Emma’s relationship evolve from snarky comments and dislike to genuine love and respect was really great.
With Emma and Dacre initially not liking each other and having to work together in the culinary club, I wasn’t sure how their relationship was going to happen, but S.L. Cokeley did an amazing job weaving together the perfect way to bring Emma and Dacre as one. As much as I enjoyed the tension and occasional snark between Dacre and Emma, it was the softer, tender moments they shared that really hooked me in. Dacre was known as someone who came from a powerful, rich family, and didn’t succumb to anyone’s whims. With Emma entering the picture, she changed Dacre’s world in a lot of ways, but for starters, Emma being Dacre’s scent match. The more I read, the more I got to see how despite Dacre’s initial attitude towards Emma was his way of trying to protect, although sometimes it kind of backfired on him. Seeing a strong individual like Dacre fall for Emma was soooo good especially how he quite literally lost himself a couple of times wanting to taste her blood, have her all to himself, and wanting to protect her from everything. Dacre was once a stoic person, but by finding Emma, he found true happiness and love that was genuine.
Emma was always on the lookout for exciting new adventures, and hoping for the day she’d be able to join the culinary club to help advance in her career as a chef. The thing I liked about Emma was her outgoing personality and how she wasn’t deterred by Dacre’s behavior towards her. Even with the hazing, and constantly having to redo all her cooking, at the end of it, Emma managed to push through and kept going in the culinary club. Emma was a strong person in her own right, and as much as she glittered and shined, she still dealt with grief and trying to find her place. I think this story did a good job showing the difficulties Emma faced, as well as showing how she was independent and determined when she set her mind to something. I also loved seeing Emma finally find someone who cared for her even when it seemed dire, Dacre was still that someone who loved her very much, and would do anything to protect her. Emma grew over the course of this book into a woman who knew what she wanted, and was willing to do anything to save those closest to her. Overall, I really adored Emma and she was lovable from the start.
The great thing this book also did was incorporating an overarching plot line that continued to bring up small details that really highlighted the mystery behind Dacre’s family. As much as Dacre and his family were known for being powerful, not everything was as it seemed. Dacre’s grandfather gave me suspicious vibes, and I didn’t trust him AT ALL! Best believe I didn’t like seeing Dacre’s grandfather trying to push Emma into the Donor gala at all! Nope! Shady man! Ahem, as I was saying, there was more to Dacre’s family with how it was actually run, and the mysterious aspects to it that raised questions. In terms of plot, it was good and fit perfectly well into the story.
Overall, this was another great book by S.L. Cokeley! My obsession with S.L. Cokeley started with the first book in this series, and now it has evolved into falling in love with more of her characters. I really enjoyed the way this story played out from Dacre and Emma being scent matches, overcoming the obstacles they faced, and getting their happy ending together! I also loved getting to see Olivia and Parker again (love those two!) and a bit more of the different houses at Doxlothia University. Safe to say I’m excited to continue onto the next book when it comes out! With the little tidbit we got towards the end of this book, (gasp) OMG I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS AND THEORIES AS TO WHO AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN BOOK THREE!!!! Great book, loved everything and everyone in this book! Highly recommend!
*Thank you to S.L. Cokeley for this ARC, I greatly appreciate it.
Oooo this series just keeps getting better! I fell in love with Olivia and Parker in the first book, and with the way that book gave little hints about, Emma and Dacre, I was more than excited to read this book! Emma and Dacre’s dynamic was a bit of opposites attract in how Emma was a glittery, outgoing baking aficionado, whereas Dacre was all business and maintaining his composure at all times. Getting to see Dacre and Emma’s relationship evolve from snarky comments and dislike to genuine love and respect was really great.
With Emma and Dacre initially not liking each other and having to work together in the culinary club, I wasn’t sure how their relationship was going to happen, but S.L. Cokeley did an amazing job weaving together the perfect way to bring Emma and Dacre as one. As much as I enjoyed the tension and occasional snark between Dacre and Emma, it was the softer, tender moments they shared that really hooked me in. Dacre was known as someone who came from a powerful, rich family, and didn’t succumb to anyone’s whims. With Emma entering the picture, she changed Dacre’s world in a lot of ways, but for starters, Emma being Dacre’s scent match. The more I read, the more I got to see how despite Dacre’s initial attitude towards Emma was his way of trying to protect, although sometimes it kind of backfired on him. Seeing a strong individual like Dacre fall for Emma was soooo good especially how he quite literally lost himself a couple of times wanting to taste her blood, have her all to himself, and wanting to protect her from everything. Dacre was once a stoic person, but by finding Emma, he found true happiness and love that was genuine.
Emma was always on the lookout for exciting new adventures, and hoping for the day she’d be able to join the culinary club to help advance in her career as a chef. The thing I liked about Emma was her outgoing personality and how she wasn’t deterred by Dacre’s behavior towards her. Even with the hazing, and constantly having to redo all her cooking, at the end of it, Emma managed to push through and kept going in the culinary club. Emma was a strong person in her own right, and as much as she glittered and shined, she still dealt with grief and trying to find her place. I think this story did a good job showing the difficulties Emma faced, as well as showing how she was independent and determined when she set her mind to something. I also loved seeing Emma finally find someone who cared for her even when it seemed dire, Dacre was still that someone who loved her very much, and would do anything to protect her. Emma grew over the course of this book into a woman who knew what she wanted, and was willing to do anything to save those closest to her. Overall, I really adored Emma and she was lovable from the start.
The great thing this book also did was incorporating an overarching plot line that continued to bring up small details that really highlighted the mystery behind Dacre’s family. As much as Dacre and his family were known for being powerful, not everything was as it seemed. Dacre’s grandfather gave me suspicious vibes, and I didn’t trust him AT ALL! Best believe I didn’t like seeing Dacre’s grandfather trying to push Emma into the Donor gala at all! Nope! Shady man! Ahem, as I was saying, there was more to Dacre’s family with how it was actually run, and the mysterious aspects to it that raised questions. In terms of plot, it was good and fit perfectly well into the story.
Overall, this was another great book by S.L. Cokeley! My obsession with S.L. Cokeley started with the first book in this series, and now it has evolved into falling in love with more of her characters. I really enjoyed the way this story played out from Dacre and Emma being scent matches, overcoming the obstacles they faced, and getting their happy ending together! I also loved getting to see Olivia and Parker again (love those two!) and a bit more of the different houses at Doxlothia University. Safe to say I’m excited to continue onto the next book when it comes out! With the little tidbit we got towards the end of this book, (gasp) OMG I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS AND THEORIES AS TO WHO AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN BOOK THREE!!!! Great book, loved everything and everyone in this book! Highly recommend!
August 11, 2026
“Good. Keep hating me. Because I don’t know what happens when you don’t.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶.5
What you’ll find in this book:
• Hate to Love
• Supernatural University
• Vampire x Human
• Biting
• Elite Culinary Club
• Scent Matches
• Paranormal Romance
Eeeeeeeeee this book was sooooo dang good. I haven’t read a S. L. Cokeley book that hasn’t perfectly blended together the paranormal with emotions that tug perpetually on my heart strings. This book kept me up into the wee hours of the morning, I just didn’t want to stop, I wanted more of Dacre and Emma trying to convince themselves that they hate one another, while being inexplicably drawn together. I could not get enough, this story was so delicious and powerful with a romance that feels impossible but is so satisfying. The yearning is next level, the banter and teasing kept me on the edge of my seat and the emotions kept me tethered to the story unable to look away.
Emma is a ray of sunshine, trying to be positive and look on the brightside of everything she comes up against. There is also this fiery side of her that I loved, and Dacre does too, he brings this fighter out of her and I loved to see it, as well as this there is a vulnerable aspect of Emma's personality; a girl that misses her mum and craves that connection. Dacre is cold and aloof on the outside, but beneath the surface he is someone that deeply cares and is willing to do anything for the people that he loves. He keeps everyone at arms length to stop them getting hurt, but this does not go to plan when it comes to Emma, he falls first and hard and I could not get enough. I am the biggest fan of their dynamic how passionate their hate for eachother is to begin with and how this transforms is time goes on and they can't stay away from one another. Their story was so incredibly well written that I felt each emotion like it was leaking out through the pages.
I love that the Doxlothia University series will consist of three interconnected standalones allowing you to dive in wherever you decide to begin but that reading them in order provides you will the gratification a world and characters that feels familiar. Doxlothia University still remains a big part of this story meaning we get to explore more of the academic side of this world that S. L. Cokeley has created and I gobbled it up. However, there is no mistaking that the main focus of this story is Emma and Dante, with their love of baking and cooking providing with some heated moments alongside those that are sweeter and softer.
The journey to happiness for these two isn’t without it’s hurdles, and it’s these that allow the story to ebb and flow with the continued shaping and shifting of the relationship between Dacre and Emma. We learn more about these character’s as they do about one another and this fit perfectly with the dual POV. I don’t feel like my review is doing this book enough justice but I cannot recommend it enough, combing the best parts of a romance story with the paranormal. With the little teaser for the next atandalone in the series at the end, I am so very excited to get my hands on it.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an e-ARC to read and review early.
Author: S. L. Cokeley
Series: Doxlothia University Standalone Series
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: August 11th, 2026
Pages: 380
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶.5
What you’ll find in this book:
• Hate to Love
• Supernatural University
• Vampire x Human
• Biting
• Elite Culinary Club
• Scent Matches
• Paranormal Romance
Eeeeeeeeee this book was sooooo dang good. I haven’t read a S. L. Cokeley book that hasn’t perfectly blended together the paranormal with emotions that tug perpetually on my heart strings. This book kept me up into the wee hours of the morning, I just didn’t want to stop, I wanted more of Dacre and Emma trying to convince themselves that they hate one another, while being inexplicably drawn together. I could not get enough, this story was so delicious and powerful with a romance that feels impossible but is so satisfying. The yearning is next level, the banter and teasing kept me on the edge of my seat and the emotions kept me tethered to the story unable to look away.
Emma is a ray of sunshine, trying to be positive and look on the brightside of everything she comes up against. There is also this fiery side of her that I loved, and Dacre does too, he brings this fighter out of her and I loved to see it, as well as this there is a vulnerable aspect of Emma's personality; a girl that misses her mum and craves that connection. Dacre is cold and aloof on the outside, but beneath the surface he is someone that deeply cares and is willing to do anything for the people that he loves. He keeps everyone at arms length to stop them getting hurt, but this does not go to plan when it comes to Emma, he falls first and hard and I could not get enough. I am the biggest fan of their dynamic how passionate their hate for eachother is to begin with and how this transforms is time goes on and they can't stay away from one another. Their story was so incredibly well written that I felt each emotion like it was leaking out through the pages.
I love that the Doxlothia University series will consist of three interconnected standalones allowing you to dive in wherever you decide to begin but that reading them in order provides you will the gratification a world and characters that feels familiar. Doxlothia University still remains a big part of this story meaning we get to explore more of the academic side of this world that S. L. Cokeley has created and I gobbled it up. However, there is no mistaking that the main focus of this story is Emma and Dante, with their love of baking and cooking providing with some heated moments alongside those that are sweeter and softer.
The journey to happiness for these two isn’t without it’s hurdles, and it’s these that allow the story to ebb and flow with the continued shaping and shifting of the relationship between Dacre and Emma. We learn more about these character’s as they do about one another and this fit perfectly with the dual POV. I don’t feel like my review is doing this book enough justice but I cannot recommend it enough, combing the best parts of a romance story with the paranormal. With the little teaser for the next atandalone in the series at the end, I am so very excited to get my hands on it.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an e-ARC to read and review early.
Author: S. L. Cokeley
Series: Doxlothia University Standalone Series
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: August 11th, 2026
Pages: 380
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay people, let’s do this! This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, so you have no idea how excited I was when I got the email saying I received an ARC and wouldn’t have to wait until August. Thank you so much for choosing me!! 💙
I’ve been excited for this book ever since it was announced. The first one is one of my favorite books, so my expectations for this sequel were definitely high.
❗️Some spoilers ahead❗️
💙Slow burn
🩵Hate to love
💙Grumpy x Sunshine
🩵Vampire x Human
💙Scent matches
🩵Some sexy time 🌶️🌶️
💙And did I mention… one bed? 😏
Emma is definitely the most cheerful out of all the sisters, but she’s also extremely stubborn — or, as her father would say, impulsive. And honestly, that follows her throughout the whole story. But I could actually relate to some of her thoughts since I’m also the youngest of three sisters.
Dacre, on the other hand, is definitely not sunshine and rainbows. I know the author compared him to Zuko, and honestly… I see it. But he also has this softer and caring side, especially when it comes to Emma. 🥺 And let’s be real — everyone wants someone who has a soft spot only for them while acting cold toward everyone else. In some ways, he also reminded me of Damon from The Vampire Diaries.
These two had SO much chemistry. And I’m not exactly a patient person — I keep realizing that slow burn is sometimes too slow for me — so I desperately wanted them to finally kiss. Or for him to finally bite her. Especially during the scene where Dacre was feeding from another girl while staring at Emma from across the room… 🥵 yeah, drunk vampire Dacre did things to me.
They kept pulling toward each other like magnets while constantly trying to resist it. Very much “I’m obsessed with her… no I’m not obsessed with her.”
I also really liked the culinary club idea. Maybe I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much before watching The Bear, but I do love a teacher x student dynamic. Although honestly, I probably would’ve kicked Dacre at least once a day in that kitchen.
One thing that bothered me a little was how repetitive some parts became. Dacre constantly tried to distance himself and acted like an idiot toward Emma, but never for very long — and after a few chapters of that repeating over and over, I just wanted him to stop already.
I absolutely loved every moment Parker and Olivia appeared. They’re still my favorites, so anytime one of them showed up, I wished the scenes were even longer.
I also really liked the plot overall. My only issue is that, just like in the first book, everything starts happening super fast near the end. I honestly wish the ending had been longer and more developed. Or maybe one extra chapter showing them actually happy together after everything instead of just a few pages before jumping into an epilogue that wasn’t even about them. BUT that epilogue made me ridiculously excited for Evangeline and Nash!! 🩷
So overall: the book definitely didn’t disappoint me. The characters had chemistry, the plot was entertaining, and even though Emma and Dacre had fewer spicy scenes than Parker and Olivia, they were still just as sexy. My only real issue was the rushed ending and the repetition in some scenes.
(And also… this blue cover is gorgeous)
I’ve been excited for this book ever since it was announced. The first one is one of my favorite books, so my expectations for this sequel were definitely high.
❗️Some spoilers ahead❗️
💙Slow burn
🩵Hate to love
💙Grumpy x Sunshine
🩵Vampire x Human
💙Scent matches
🩵Some sexy time 🌶️🌶️
💙And did I mention… one bed? 😏
Emma is definitely the most cheerful out of all the sisters, but she’s also extremely stubborn — or, as her father would say, impulsive. And honestly, that follows her throughout the whole story. But I could actually relate to some of her thoughts since I’m also the youngest of three sisters.
Dacre, on the other hand, is definitely not sunshine and rainbows. I know the author compared him to Zuko, and honestly… I see it. But he also has this softer and caring side, especially when it comes to Emma. 🥺 And let’s be real — everyone wants someone who has a soft spot only for them while acting cold toward everyone else. In some ways, he also reminded me of Damon from The Vampire Diaries.
These two had SO much chemistry. And I’m not exactly a patient person — I keep realizing that slow burn is sometimes too slow for me — so I desperately wanted them to finally kiss. Or for him to finally bite her. Especially during the scene where Dacre was feeding from another girl while staring at Emma from across the room… 🥵 yeah, drunk vampire Dacre did things to me.
They kept pulling toward each other like magnets while constantly trying to resist it. Very much “I’m obsessed with her… no I’m not obsessed with her.”
I also really liked the culinary club idea. Maybe I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much before watching The Bear, but I do love a teacher x student dynamic. Although honestly, I probably would’ve kicked Dacre at least once a day in that kitchen.
One thing that bothered me a little was how repetitive some parts became. Dacre constantly tried to distance himself and acted like an idiot toward Emma, but never for very long — and after a few chapters of that repeating over and over, I just wanted him to stop already.
I absolutely loved every moment Parker and Olivia appeared. They’re still my favorites, so anytime one of them showed up, I wished the scenes were even longer.
I also really liked the plot overall. My only issue is that, just like in the first book, everything starts happening super fast near the end. I honestly wish the ending had been longer and more developed. Or maybe one extra chapter showing them actually happy together after everything instead of just a few pages before jumping into an epilogue that wasn’t even about them. BUT that epilogue made me ridiculously excited for Evangeline and Nash!! 🩷
So overall: the book definitely didn’t disappoint me. The characters had chemistry, the plot was entertaining, and even though Emma and Dacre had fewer spicy scenes than Parker and Olivia, they were still just as sexy. My only real issue was the rushed ending and the repetition in some scenes.
(And also… this blue cover is gorgeous)
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ARC REVIEW✨
‼️CONTAINS SPOILERS‼️
Rounded up from 3.75 to a 4
I was soooooo excited to be granted an arc of Bite Me! I remember really enjoying Just One Bite so I’ve been anticipating this one for a while now! It’s was overall a wonderful book.
Setting:
Just as magical as in the first book. I love the setup and description of Doxlothia as a huge magical college. Similar to Hogwarts with different houses but more whimsy and conforming.
Characters:
The main characters of this book were the ones I was most excited for! I really liked them as a couple and their individual struggles and growths. They fit well together and had some great banter.
- Even the smaller side characters like Zant were fun to read and experience
- I loved the epilogue where we got to read from Nash’s POV! I’m so excited for Once Bitten!!! 🐺 🎀
Pacing:
I struggled pretty bad with the pacing. Sometimes the books felt incredibly slow and nothing was happening, and other times I felt like 5 different conversations were happening with 4 different people. Also a few scenes changed with little to no transition (in my opinion) and I had to go back and reread the page to understand what was happening.
Example for pacing: they admit they never hated each other and then IMMEDIATELY admitted they loved each other. It just felt a bit forced/predictable
Plot:
The plot and different types of scenes were super fun to read and immerse myself in! I loved all the culinary parts and getting to see what they loved. My only note is that towards the end I got kinda overwhelmed. The ending seemed way more intense compared to the first like 70% of the book. His grandfather was clearly evil but some of the plot and scenes felt a little thrown together.
Example: Dacre doesn’t like his grandpa in the beginning cause he’s a control freak and a bit narcissistic. Jump to 80% in and Dacre has been kidnapped, tortured in a room for 5 days, and has to escape to find help cause his grandpa basically blackmailed his girlfriend into being a contract bride. Like….ok I guess 😭. Maybe if the pacing was a bit smoother I’d be ok with it more.
Trope:
If I was only allowed one note to give on this book it would be the fact that they don’t actually hate each other. I assumed that the trope “they are scent matches and hate each other” meant enemies to lovers adjacent but not once did I think either of them didn’t actually like each other and or wanted to be together. Obviously in the end he admits that he never hated her but to have this be one of the main tropes just feels like a reach. At most it was annoying classmates to lovers. When Emma kept asking him why he hated her I was genuinely confused. He acts like a douche to everyone so I felt like she was just another person to him if anything. Their “fighting” was just banter and I would just think they were flirting the whole time. It’s not a huge deal but I kept thinking about it as I read 😭
Seriously though I was so happy I got to read this book and I really enjoyed it! I projected it onto my tv and would snack and binge it at the end of my day! Super stoked to have been fortunate enough to get an ARC and I’m super excited for Once Bitten 💗
‼️CONTAINS SPOILERS‼️
Rounded up from 3.75 to a 4
I was soooooo excited to be granted an arc of Bite Me! I remember really enjoying Just One Bite so I’ve been anticipating this one for a while now! It’s was overall a wonderful book.
Setting:
Just as magical as in the first book. I love the setup and description of Doxlothia as a huge magical college. Similar to Hogwarts with different houses but more whimsy and conforming.
Characters:
The main characters of this book were the ones I was most excited for! I really liked them as a couple and their individual struggles and growths. They fit well together and had some great banter.
- Even the smaller side characters like Zant were fun to read and experience
- I loved the epilogue where we got to read from Nash’s POV! I’m so excited for Once Bitten!!! 🐺 🎀
Pacing:
I struggled pretty bad with the pacing. Sometimes the books felt incredibly slow and nothing was happening, and other times I felt like 5 different conversations were happening with 4 different people. Also a few scenes changed with little to no transition (in my opinion) and I had to go back and reread the page to understand what was happening.
Example for pacing: they admit they never hated each other and then IMMEDIATELY admitted they loved each other. It just felt a bit forced/predictable
Plot:
The plot and different types of scenes were super fun to read and immerse myself in! I loved all the culinary parts and getting to see what they loved. My only note is that towards the end I got kinda overwhelmed. The ending seemed way more intense compared to the first like 70% of the book. His grandfather was clearly evil but some of the plot and scenes felt a little thrown together.
Example: Dacre doesn’t like his grandpa in the beginning cause he’s a control freak and a bit narcissistic. Jump to 80% in and Dacre has been kidnapped, tortured in a room for 5 days, and has to escape to find help cause his grandpa basically blackmailed his girlfriend into being a contract bride. Like….ok I guess 😭. Maybe if the pacing was a bit smoother I’d be ok with it more.
Trope:
If I was only allowed one note to give on this book it would be the fact that they don’t actually hate each other. I assumed that the trope “they are scent matches and hate each other” meant enemies to lovers adjacent but not once did I think either of them didn’t actually like each other and or wanted to be together. Obviously in the end he admits that he never hated her but to have this be one of the main tropes just feels like a reach. At most it was annoying classmates to lovers. When Emma kept asking him why he hated her I was genuinely confused. He acts like a douche to everyone so I felt like she was just another person to him if anything. Their “fighting” was just banter and I would just think they were flirting the whole time. It’s not a huge deal but I kept thinking about it as I read 😭
Seriously though I was so happy I got to read this book and I really enjoyed it! I projected it onto my tv and would snack and binge it at the end of my day! Super stoked to have been fortunate enough to get an ARC and I’m super excited for Once Bitten 💗
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
👩🍳Fantasy romance - PNR
🩸Vampire x human
👩🍳Hate to love
🩸Supernatural university
👩🍳Grumpy x sunshine
🩸Omegaverse(ish)
👩🍳Biting and banter
🩸Scentmatches
👩🍳Elite culinary club
🩸One bed
👩🍳Interconnected standalone
🩸Dual POV
♥️♥️Thank you so much to S.L Cokeley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own♥️♥️
Emma can’t understand why Dacre Everhart hates her so much that he blocks every single way for her to join the culinary club he leads. Undeterred and determined to achieve her dream of becoming a famous chef, she decides to meet any condition required...even if it means becoming a blood source for Dacre.
I had so much fun reading this! it was such a sweet, fun, and engaging read. as someone who loves dramas like Maxton Hall, especially dynamics like those between James and Ruby, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book!🥰 the push and pull between Dacre and Emma was delightful to follow. Dacre is the perfect dark, brooding male lead who is completely obsessed with Emma—and he makes no secret of the fact that he stalks and obsesses over her. from the moment he realizes Emma is his scent-match, he struggles to stay away from her, even though doing so would protect her, because his life as an Everhart is filled with political intrigue. the situation with his grandfather is so complicated that it even drove his own sister to run away from home. sooo we also got a looot of yearning here!😆
Emma is cheerful, and very enthusiastic about achieving her dreams... she is instantly likable, hardworking, and determined to achieve her dream of joining the culinary club and becoming a famous chef. she remains undeterred by Dacre’s harsh treatment, even though she is sometimes confused by his behavior. one moment he can be incredibly sweet, and the next he is icy and infuriating. their dynamic was so much fun to watch!😆 the tension between Dacre and Emma were absolutely electric. I loved watching their relationship develop, their push and pull kept me completely invested in their story🥰
Overall I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one in the series!😆 this is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. it does feature characters from the first book though, so I highly recommend reading the first book as well for an even more enjoyable experience!✨
🩸Vampire x human
👩🍳Hate to love
🩸Supernatural university
👩🍳Grumpy x sunshine
🩸Omegaverse(ish)
👩🍳Biting and banter
🩸Scentmatches
👩🍳Elite culinary club
🩸One bed
👩🍳Interconnected standalone
🩸Dual POV
♥️♥️Thank you so much to S.L Cokeley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own♥️♥️
Stay away from me because I can't stay away from you
Emma can’t understand why Dacre Everhart hates her so much that he blocks every single way for her to join the culinary club he leads. Undeterred and determined to achieve her dream of becoming a famous chef, she decides to meet any condition required...even if it means becoming a blood source for Dacre.
"For someone who hates me so much, you spend a lot of time thinking about me."
"I do."
My heart responds to his admission.
"I want you to be my source."
I had so much fun reading this! it was such a sweet, fun, and engaging read. as someone who loves dramas like Maxton Hall, especially dynamics like those between James and Ruby, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book!🥰 the push and pull between Dacre and Emma was delightful to follow. Dacre is the perfect dark, brooding male lead who is completely obsessed with Emma—and he makes no secret of the fact that he stalks and obsesses over her. from the moment he realizes Emma is his scent-match, he struggles to stay away from her, even though doing so would protect her, because his life as an Everhart is filled with political intrigue. the situation with his grandfather is so complicated that it even drove his own sister to run away from home. sooo we also got a looot of yearning here!😆
"What is it about me that vexes you so much that you like to torture me? I just want to help you. I want to understand you, and you won't let me. I've never met someone this infuriating."
Because I'm obsessed with you.
Because I can't stop.
I can't stay away from you.
Emma is cheerful, and very enthusiastic about achieving her dreams... she is instantly likable, hardworking, and determined to achieve her dream of joining the culinary club and becoming a famous chef. she remains undeterred by Dacre’s harsh treatment, even though she is sometimes confused by his behavior. one moment he can be incredibly sweet, and the next he is icy and infuriating. their dynamic was so much fun to watch!😆 the tension between Dacre and Emma were absolutely electric. I loved watching their relationship develop, their push and pull kept me completely invested in their story🥰
Overall I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one in the series!😆 this is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. it does feature characters from the first book though, so I highly recommend reading the first book as well for an even more enjoyable experience!✨
August 10, 2026
Thank you to the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: 3.5 rounded up to 4
This was such a fun and cozy read.
This is the second book in this interconnected series, and the author said that you can join in anytime and read the books out of order. I absolutely agree. I didn't feel like I was missing any information, if anything, it made me even more excited to read the first book and fully immerse myself in this world.
Okay, where should I even start? I felt like I've read everything when it comes to vampires and werewolves, but no, I haven't read about a vampire and werewolf elite school (where they sort of get along???) and where there is a culinary club, and the MCs are put in each other's paths because of their love for baking and cooking. Scent-matches are also new to me, and I felt like that was so interesting and a fun twist to it. This was entertaining, to say the least!
My personal opinion is that this is a quick and fun read. Most of the time, it's fast paced. Some parts of the book I would have liked to linger on a bit, just to get the maximum feel of it. Like the ending was happening super fast.
Dacre's and Emma's dynamic and tension were great. They went from, I don't know, dislike/annoyance/confusion to intrigue, to taunting and mockery, to affection and then full devotion. I wouldn't say that is was hate, even if Dacre tried to hate her to stay away. So that part, and the yearning and love, was really, really, really good. Therefore I would have liked a bit more of them in the end. Just to, like, land and be in the moment a bit.
I adored the Dacre and Emma together. A brooding, tattooed vampire chef? SOLD. A human sunshine FMC that literally spreads glitter wherever she goes? YES. Together, they're absolutely amazing.
Also, there was a sense of mystery woven into the plot. Like with Dacre's family and the whole Donor gala, and I really liked that. At times, I just wanted more, like with Dacre's mother and father. I felt like we got a tiny bit, and an understanding of a lot, but my problem is that I want more. But I also get that this book wasn't the place for that.
There are also heavier topics, like grief, sprinkled into this story, from both the MMC and FMC in a sense.I think it added another layer of depth and emotion to the book.
Would recommend this book to everyone who wants a little different take on the werewolf/vampire scene. It was a great and funny read.
Rating: 3.5 rounded up to 4
This was such a fun and cozy read.
This is the second book in this interconnected series, and the author said that you can join in anytime and read the books out of order. I absolutely agree. I didn't feel like I was missing any information, if anything, it made me even more excited to read the first book and fully immerse myself in this world.
Okay, where should I even start? I felt like I've read everything when it comes to vampires and werewolves, but no, I haven't read about a vampire and werewolf elite school (where they sort of get along???) and where there is a culinary club, and the MCs are put in each other's paths because of their love for baking and cooking. Scent-matches are also new to me, and I felt like that was so interesting and a fun twist to it. This was entertaining, to say the least!
My personal opinion is that this is a quick and fun read. Most of the time, it's fast paced. Some parts of the book I would have liked to linger on a bit, just to get the maximum feel of it. Like the ending was happening super fast.
Dacre's and Emma's dynamic and tension were great. They went from, I don't know, dislike/annoyance/confusion to intrigue, to taunting and mockery, to affection and then full devotion. I wouldn't say that is was hate, even if Dacre tried to hate her to stay away. So that part, and the yearning and love, was really, really, really good. Therefore I would have liked a bit more of them in the end. Just to, like, land and be in the moment a bit.
I adored the Dacre and Emma together. A brooding, tattooed vampire chef? SOLD. A human sunshine FMC that literally spreads glitter wherever she goes? YES. Together, they're absolutely amazing.
Also, there was a sense of mystery woven into the plot. Like with Dacre's family and the whole Donor gala, and I really liked that. At times, I just wanted more, like with Dacre's mother and father. I felt like we got a tiny bit, and an understanding of a lot, but my problem is that I want more. But I also get that this book wasn't the place for that.
There are also heavier topics, like grief, sprinkled into this story, from both the MMC and FMC in a sense.I think it added another layer of depth and emotion to the book.
Would recommend this book to everyone who wants a little different take on the werewolf/vampire scene. It was a great and funny read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.75 rounded to 4⭐️
Advance copy review received from the Author.
It’s so fun to be back in Doxlothia where the drama never stops! This time with Dacre and Emma. I’ve been looking forward to reading this one after Just one bite.
The fated mate trope is one I’m always a sucker for. Emma and Dacre are scent matches, it’s kind of the concept of a werewolf mate but not similar or as intense because Dacre is a vampire.
Dacre!! This vampire is hot hot hot. He’s tatted and an incredible chef too what more can you ask for 😚 Dacre surprised me in the best way, I thought he’d be more grumpy, but he’s so soft to Emma especially when he came to terms with his feelings for her. Plus he thinks he wasn’t loved as his family is not like Emma’s - sunshine and supportive. (a yes to those who loves their sad mmcs, aka me) Emma is soft and sweet, between her sisters she’s the one with most sunshine personality and I think I like her a little more than Olivia.
The pacing of Emma and Dacre’s relationship going from dislike, tolerating each other, taunts and mockery to care, affection and love was good imo! Their dynamic was one I enjoyed. I got to know more about them both as individuals, especially more about the secretive Everhart family. I really enjoyed the taunts between Emma and dacre, you could feel the tension between them. But the unexpected soft moments are my favorites 🫶🏻
The cameos and interactions of Parker are one of my faves too!! (I loved Parker so much so it made me squeal whenever he came up 🤭) One thing I do wish was that the ending wasn’t as rushed and there was more context... i wanted more of what Dacre felt with everything regarding his grandfather, it felt to me like there wasn’t a processing for him and me the reader and we were just hurried along to the end with everything feeling like it was just swept quickly under the rug. I wanted to have more of Dacre and Emma. I felt as if we’ve only scratched the surface for their romance.
I did enjoyed the book! It has its mix of drama and slow burn romance. I’d recommend it if you want a fast read paranormal romance with an academy setting and some drama.
The little snippet of Evangeline and Nash at the end omg!! I’m just full of questions and can’t wait for Once Bitten!!!
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙎.𝙇. 𝘾𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚-𝙖𝙧𝙘!!💗
Advance copy review received from the Author.
It’s so fun to be back in Doxlothia where the drama never stops! This time with Dacre and Emma. I’ve been looking forward to reading this one after Just one bite.
The fated mate trope is one I’m always a sucker for. Emma and Dacre are scent matches, it’s kind of the concept of a werewolf mate but not similar or as intense because Dacre is a vampire.
Dacre!! This vampire is hot hot hot. He’s tatted and an incredible chef too what more can you ask for 😚 Dacre surprised me in the best way, I thought he’d be more grumpy, but he’s so soft to Emma especially when he came to terms with his feelings for her. Plus he thinks he wasn’t loved as his family is not like Emma’s - sunshine and supportive. (a yes to those who loves their sad mmcs, aka me) Emma is soft and sweet, between her sisters she’s the one with most sunshine personality and I think I like her a little more than Olivia.
The pacing of Emma and Dacre’s relationship going from dislike, tolerating each other, taunts and mockery to care, affection and love was good imo! Their dynamic was one I enjoyed. I got to know more about them both as individuals, especially more about the secretive Everhart family. I really enjoyed the taunts between Emma and dacre, you could feel the tension between them. But the unexpected soft moments are my favorites 🫶🏻
The cameos and interactions of Parker are one of my faves too!! (I loved Parker so much so it made me squeal whenever he came up 🤭) One thing I do wish was that the ending wasn’t as rushed and there was more context... i wanted more of what Dacre felt with everything regarding his grandfather, it felt to me like there wasn’t a processing for him and me the reader and we were just hurried along to the end with everything feeling like it was just swept quickly under the rug. I wanted to have more of Dacre and Emma. I felt as if we’ve only scratched the surface for their romance.
I did enjoyed the book! It has its mix of drama and slow burn romance. I’d recommend it if you want a fast read paranormal romance with an academy setting and some drama.
The little snippet of Evangeline and Nash at the end omg!! I’m just full of questions and can’t wait for Once Bitten!!!
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙎.𝙇. 𝘾𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚-𝙖𝙧𝙘!!💗
August 11, 2026
Thank you to S.L. Cokeley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Bite Me follows after Just One Bite where the reader gets a chance to meet Emma, Olivia's youngest sister, and her academic rival, Dacre. With vampires, heats, and scent-matches, how could you say no? And if you haven't read the first Doxlothia book, you're perfectly fine and you can read this book on its own!
I was interested in getting to see another side of the Osborne sisters, the trio of girls with sweet blood attending the interspecies university Doxlothia. This one also focuses more on the Donor Program mentioned in the books, not to mention the sense of mysterious work behind the scenes. At its forefront, Bite Me takes along for the maybe rivals to actual lovers of Emma and Dacre but beneath it all, more background pieces felt like they fell into place.
For the characters, I like Dacre but I occasionally struggled with Emma. While I sometimes found her inability to not stop pushing annoying during certain scenes, she definitely is a character with a lot of determination. She's ambitious and works to meet her ambition without letting anything stop her, including the attempts to dissuade her from Dacre. Dacre, who is struggling himself with Emma, who can't seem to stay away. He's a bit of an inner enigma and they both want to hate each other...but maybe hate isn't exactly what either one of them truly feel 🤭 The spice in the book is less than book 1 if you're interested in a book with a little spice but still spicy as well.
As for the plot and pacing, I struggled with this as well. The book has mysterious plots in the background at play however the main pieces to that plot aren't revealed and solved until near the end of the book after vague little clues are left. It felt like there needed to be a little more time with the relationship focus spread more across the book and the mystery also stretched out with a hint more clarity. Otherwise the writing flowed and the characters worked to get their HEA, fighting the pulling forces and dealing with those who threatened who they loved. I enjoyed reading the next installment for the Doxlothia University series.
Rating: 3.75 stars
Bite Me follows after Just One Bite where the reader gets a chance to meet Emma, Olivia's youngest sister, and her academic rival, Dacre. With vampires, heats, and scent-matches, how could you say no? And if you haven't read the first Doxlothia book, you're perfectly fine and you can read this book on its own!
I was interested in getting to see another side of the Osborne sisters, the trio of girls with sweet blood attending the interspecies university Doxlothia. This one also focuses more on the Donor Program mentioned in the books, not to mention the sense of mysterious work behind the scenes. At its forefront, Bite Me takes along for the maybe rivals to actual lovers of Emma and Dacre but beneath it all, more background pieces felt like they fell into place.
For the characters, I like Dacre but I occasionally struggled with Emma. While I sometimes found her inability to not stop pushing annoying during certain scenes, she definitely is a character with a lot of determination. She's ambitious and works to meet her ambition without letting anything stop her, including the attempts to dissuade her from Dacre. Dacre, who is struggling himself with Emma, who can't seem to stay away. He's a bit of an inner enigma and they both want to hate each other...but maybe hate isn't exactly what either one of them truly feel 🤭 The spice in the book is less than book 1 if you're interested in a book with a little spice but still spicy as well.
As for the plot and pacing, I struggled with this as well. The book has mysterious plots in the background at play however the main pieces to that plot aren't revealed and solved until near the end of the book after vague little clues are left. It felt like there needed to be a little more time with the relationship focus spread more across the book and the mystery also stretched out with a hint more clarity. Otherwise the writing flowed and the characters worked to get their HEA, fighting the pulling forces and dealing with those who threatened who they loved. I enjoyed reading the next installment for the Doxlothia University series.
Rating: 3.75 stars
August 11, 2026
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I want to give a huge thank you to S. L. Cokeley for this opportunity. I am beyond grateful!
Genre: paranormal romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶️🌶️
Trigger warnings: Alcohol, Animal death (for cooking purposes), Anxiety, Assault, Bullying, Death, Depression, Drugs that are potions, Harassment, Kidnapping, Manipulation, Torture, Violence, Grief/loss, Misunderstandings, Hazing
Tropes:
🩵Hate to love
💙vampire/human
🩵omegaverse-ish
💙supernatural university
🩵biting
💙elite culinary club
This book made me feel:
I was so absolutely excited to receive this book. I’ve read so many outstanding books this year and I’m so happy to have finally gotten to read another anticipated release! This exceeded my expectations for sure.
We enter back into the Doxlothia world technically after the events of book 1, Just One Bite, but there is plenty of introduction to the world and characters that you wouldn’t have to have read book 1 first, but it definitely helps. We follow Emma, a human with enticing blood, and Dacre, a vampire, who are “enemies”. Emma believes that Dacre hates her, while Dacre is really hiding a secret about the two of them. I loved the tension between them.
There’s quite a bit of grief shown from Emma. She’s outwardly sunshine-y and glittery but she still celebrates her moms birthday even though she died. She tries to keep her memory alive, but doesn’t push that on her sisters. She is strong and a bit impulsive but goes for what she wants. While Dacre has grown up under his grandfather's care and strict expectations. That is where Emma comes in and “ruins” everything.
This universe is honestly so interesting to me too. One of the parts that really intrigued me but we didn’t get to see much of in the first book was the blood donation program. In this book we get to see a bit of the program just as I was hoping to. I truly think this world is so fleshed out while remaining very approachable and it feels so nostalgic!
We did not get a ton of sister content, which is okay, because we were either with the Culinary Club or with Dacre mostly. And the culinary club truly felt so reminiscent of Hell’s Kitchen and Chopped, which were both shows I grew up watching all the time! It was a lot of fun to read because I’ve never read a cooking focused book, but all the competition aspects made it super fast-paced and even more enjoyable.
Favorite Character:
I really like both of our main characters. Emma of course, but Dacre did grow on me. I was not expecting to like him as much as I did by the end because he was portrayed so meanly in the first book, but he truly did redeem himself by the end of the book. And don’t get me started on the fact that him being a vampire makes him even more attuned to her menstrual cycle so he knows when she is ovulating! Emma is such an easily relatable character too. I love when I can see myself in the characters I read about and Emma definitely met that mark.
Favorite quote:
For those with glitter in their veins. Never let anyone dull your sparkle and always remember, it's okay to change your mind.
Why does everyone keep telling me that? Is it a foreign concept that I, an adult, can make my own decisions and deal with the consequences?
“Come.” He motions to his lap, widening his stance for me to sit on his leg.
“You can’t be serious.”
“My lap is better than the floor.” 😱🫠
“If you walk out of here right now, I will not let you forget it. You think it’s bad now, but I will pester you every single day for the rest of the semester because you are better than this. Leaving means you are failing your teammates and you’re failing yourself.”
It’s nearly impossible to get her frustrated unless she’s doubting herself, and that doesn’t work for me.
my limbs feel heavier, enough that I imagine sinking to the floor in front of her and resting my head in her lap.
“You like being praised?” I ask, leaning against the countertop to get closer to her, anything to gain a few extra inches.
“I . . .” She has no idea how to answer that question because the answer is undoubtedly yes.
“That’s a yes.”
She licks the soda off her bottom lip. “What are you doing?”
“Looking at you.”
Fame doesn’t look like my childhood fantasies. It’s intrusive and all consuming
“Are you going to come on my fingers while I drink from you?” 🥵
There’s a tinge of red on her neck.
“You should let me help patch you up.”
She touches the wound. “I don’t need your help.”
“Your other option is that I put you over my shoulder and drop you at the nurse’s office, where there will definitely be questions.”
“You know . . . For a hopeless romantic, you’re really dense when it comes to your own love life.”
Genre: paranormal romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶️🌶️
Trigger warnings: Alcohol, Animal death (for cooking purposes), Anxiety, Assault, Bullying, Death, Depression, Drugs that are potions, Harassment, Kidnapping, Manipulation, Torture, Violence, Grief/loss, Misunderstandings, Hazing
Tropes:
🩵Hate to love
💙vampire/human
🩵omegaverse-ish
💙supernatural university
🩵biting
💙elite culinary club
This book made me feel:
I was so absolutely excited to receive this book. I’ve read so many outstanding books this year and I’m so happy to have finally gotten to read another anticipated release! This exceeded my expectations for sure.
We enter back into the Doxlothia world technically after the events of book 1, Just One Bite, but there is plenty of introduction to the world and characters that you wouldn’t have to have read book 1 first, but it definitely helps. We follow Emma, a human with enticing blood, and Dacre, a vampire, who are “enemies”. Emma believes that Dacre hates her, while Dacre is really hiding a secret about the two of them. I loved the tension between them.
There’s quite a bit of grief shown from Emma. She’s outwardly sunshine-y and glittery but she still celebrates her moms birthday even though she died. She tries to keep her memory alive, but doesn’t push that on her sisters. She is strong and a bit impulsive but goes for what she wants. While Dacre has grown up under his grandfather's care and strict expectations. That is where Emma comes in and “ruins” everything.
This universe is honestly so interesting to me too. One of the parts that really intrigued me but we didn’t get to see much of in the first book was the blood donation program. In this book we get to see a bit of the program just as I was hoping to. I truly think this world is so fleshed out while remaining very approachable and it feels so nostalgic!
We did not get a ton of sister content, which is okay, because we were either with the Culinary Club or with Dacre mostly. And the culinary club truly felt so reminiscent of Hell’s Kitchen and Chopped, which were both shows I grew up watching all the time! It was a lot of fun to read because I’ve never read a cooking focused book, but all the competition aspects made it super fast-paced and even more enjoyable.
Favorite Character:
I really like both of our main characters. Emma of course, but Dacre did grow on me. I was not expecting to like him as much as I did by the end because he was portrayed so meanly in the first book, but he truly did redeem himself by the end of the book. And don’t get me started on the fact that him being a vampire makes him even more attuned to her menstrual cycle so he knows when she is ovulating! Emma is such an easily relatable character too. I love when I can see myself in the characters I read about and Emma definitely met that mark.
Favorite quote:
For those with glitter in their veins. Never let anyone dull your sparkle and always remember, it's okay to change your mind.
Why does everyone keep telling me that? Is it a foreign concept that I, an adult, can make my own decisions and deal with the consequences?
“Come.” He motions to his lap, widening his stance for me to sit on his leg.
“You can’t be serious.”
“My lap is better than the floor.” 😱🫠
“If you walk out of here right now, I will not let you forget it. You think it’s bad now, but I will pester you every single day for the rest of the semester because you are better than this. Leaving means you are failing your teammates and you’re failing yourself.”
It’s nearly impossible to get her frustrated unless she’s doubting herself, and that doesn’t work for me.
my limbs feel heavier, enough that I imagine sinking to the floor in front of her and resting my head in her lap.
“You like being praised?” I ask, leaning against the countertop to get closer to her, anything to gain a few extra inches.
“I . . .” She has no idea how to answer that question because the answer is undoubtedly yes.
“That’s a yes.”
She licks the soda off her bottom lip. “What are you doing?”
“Looking at you.”
Fame doesn’t look like my childhood fantasies. It’s intrusive and all consuming
“Are you going to come on my fingers while I drink from you?” 🥵
There’s a tinge of red on her neck.
“You should let me help patch you up.”
She touches the wound. “I don’t need your help.”
“Your other option is that I put you over my shoulder and drop you at the nurse’s office, where there will definitely be questions.”
“You know . . . For a hopeless romantic, you’re really dense when it comes to your own love life.”
August 9, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️
Amazing… from start to finish this book was an absolutely amazing read that I couldn’t put down… and when I was forced to put it down I found myself so wrapped up in these characters that I was just thinking about what was possibly going to happen next! Just One Bite was such an amazing start to this series that I truly couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen with Osbourne sisters… and OMG I fell in love with this series all over again thanks to Dacre and Emma! I mean right off the bat Emma is sunshine, and whimsy personified! But she’s also determined… she’s determined to get into the culinary club as exclusive as it may be no matter what the obstacles because her love for cooking is what drives her. And Dacre, a brooding man who has lived what seems a privileged life but has more strings attached to him than anyone, maybe even more than his own self can see, does everything he can to be an obstacle for Emma. And while sparks of the enemy variety are flying between them there’s a few romantic sparks kicking up as well. Romantic sparks that both are choosing to ignore… at least until they can’t anymore. But boy oh boy when those romantic sparks turn into a blaze… they’re impossible to ignore and will have you absolutely swooning over these characters! And if all of that isn’t enough then the secrets, mysteries and shady deals going on in the background will definitely keep you flipping pages just to see what’s going to happen next! Honestly, if you’re looking for an enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, vampire/human romance, with so much banter, swoon-worthy moments, a unique take on Fated Mates, mysteries that’ll keep you guessing and a happily ever after that leads into an epilogue that’ll have you wishing book three was ready to read then I highly recommend grabbing a copy of Bite Me and the entire Doxlothia series today!
Thank you so much to the author for the chance to ARC review this book!!
Spice:🌶️🌶️
Amazing… from start to finish this book was an absolutely amazing read that I couldn’t put down… and when I was forced to put it down I found myself so wrapped up in these characters that I was just thinking about what was possibly going to happen next! Just One Bite was such an amazing start to this series that I truly couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen with Osbourne sisters… and OMG I fell in love with this series all over again thanks to Dacre and Emma! I mean right off the bat Emma is sunshine, and whimsy personified! But she’s also determined… she’s determined to get into the culinary club as exclusive as it may be no matter what the obstacles because her love for cooking is what drives her. And Dacre, a brooding man who has lived what seems a privileged life but has more strings attached to him than anyone, maybe even more than his own self can see, does everything he can to be an obstacle for Emma. And while sparks of the enemy variety are flying between them there’s a few romantic sparks kicking up as well. Romantic sparks that both are choosing to ignore… at least until they can’t anymore. But boy oh boy when those romantic sparks turn into a blaze… they’re impossible to ignore and will have you absolutely swooning over these characters! And if all of that isn’t enough then the secrets, mysteries and shady deals going on in the background will definitely keep you flipping pages just to see what’s going to happen next! Honestly, if you’re looking for an enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, vampire/human romance, with so much banter, swoon-worthy moments, a unique take on Fated Mates, mysteries that’ll keep you guessing and a happily ever after that leads into an epilogue that’ll have you wishing book three was ready to read then I highly recommend grabbing a copy of Bite Me and the entire Doxlothia series today!
Thank you so much to the author for the chance to ARC review this book!!
Review of advance copy
I received this book from a friend from villains and vixens and yes I did read a special edition ( the horror!) fear not! I did not dog ear, nor wrinkle, nor fold and did not even consider reading around water
Mild spoilers for the beginning but no major plot twists, didn’t want to mark as a hard spoiler which I reserve for ending is mentioned
This story follows Dacre and Emma in their rivals/ enemies to lovers story. I say rivals though we all know Dacre owns the culinary club 😏 the story is very soon after the events of book one, though if you’ve forgotten some details, don’t worry! It doesn’t impact the story and you’re given a crash course reminder.
They’re scent matches, though Dacre is the only one who knows at first. Hearing his inner mini breakdown every time Emma is around compared to his outer composure was great! Poor Emma had no clue in the beginning much like Olivia, though Emma keeps noticing how good he smells and takes a fabric napkin from his house-mansion because it smells like him.
I’m always a sucker ( haha) for banter and any mate/ scent match story. I like that we still see Parker being his golden retriever self and over protective of Olivia , Emma and Ev. Darien and Zant also reappear which I love when we get to have side characters come back and not be forgotten when we move on to a new couple.
( would like a Darien’s files mini book!)
First bite doesn’t happen until about the mid point but there are several almost-bites
Safety squad 🚨
Not sure if it counts but just in case. Dacre feeds from an unnamed woman in the beginning while making eye contact with Emma because Emma has riled him up so much
There is an arranged marriage component to the plot and Dacre does have an arranged fiancé near the end, but he doesn’t want the marriage. Marriage was for business and never happens
Mild spoilers for the beginning but no major plot twists, didn’t want to mark as a hard spoiler which I reserve for ending is mentioned
This story follows Dacre and Emma in their rivals/ enemies to lovers story. I say rivals though we all know Dacre owns the culinary club 😏 the story is very soon after the events of book one, though if you’ve forgotten some details, don’t worry! It doesn’t impact the story and you’re given a crash course reminder.
They’re scent matches, though Dacre is the only one who knows at first. Hearing his inner mini breakdown every time Emma is around compared to his outer composure was great! Poor Emma had no clue in the beginning much like Olivia, though Emma keeps noticing how good he smells and takes a fabric napkin from his house-mansion because it smells like him.
I’m always a sucker ( haha) for banter and any mate/ scent match story. I like that we still see Parker being his golden retriever self and over protective of Olivia , Emma and Ev. Darien and Zant also reappear which I love when we get to have side characters come back and not be forgotten when we move on to a new couple.
( would like a Darien’s files mini book!)
First bite doesn’t happen until about the mid point but there are several almost-bites
Safety squad 🚨
Not sure if it counts but just in case. Dacre feeds from an unnamed woman in the beginning while making eye contact with Emma because Emma has riled him up so much
There is an arranged marriage component to the plot and Dacre does have an arranged fiancé near the end, but he doesn’t want the marriage. Marriage was for business and never happens
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐️ read! Shout out to @author_s.l.cokeleywritesbooks for letting me apart of her ARC team and getting to read the second book in her Doxlothia University series! After reading book one i have been FERAL for Emma and Dacres story! This is one of my top anticipated reads this summer and when i got notification that i was selected for the arc i could have CRIED! I mean who doesn’t love a Harry Potter coded, dark academia series that’s just riddled with humans, vamps, weres and the hybrids in between?! Not to mention true mates. Scent matches and enough yearning to make your knees weak? And let me tell you, Mr. Dacre is NOTHING if not the king of yearning! His overall obsession with Emma throughout this book is 🤤 the way he follows, learns and makes it his problem to know everything about her without her knowing is so good! But don’t worry, Emma being the people pleaser she is can’t understand why no matter what personality she choose to show him he still loathes her. A girl passionate with cooking and wanting to get into the exclusive culinary club, she strikes a deal with the one man she didn’t think would show interest. But is the deal worth sacrificing your blood for? I loved the mystery in this book causing these characters to become closer, their a one bed trope which admittedly gets me everytime and and ending that makes you heart melt!! I promise on August 11th you’re not going to want to miss this! Now the trilogy of the Osborne sisters that series will be CAN be read as a standalone but as someone who read the first book Just one Bite i will say i think it only improved and fed into this story and helps with characters! So i highly recommend reading book one first! Which is conveniently on KU! #bookish #bookworm #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #readingcommunity
Review of advance copy received from Author
WOW, this book was exactly what I needed!! 💙 Shout out to S. L. Cokeley for allowing me to read Bite Me before release day. I'm genuinely obsessed with all her books, especially her Doxlothia University series. I adored Olivia and Parker's story in Just One Bite, and I loved Dacre and Emma's romance in Bite Me just as much!
The yearning between Dacre and Emma had me smiling and blushing like a fool. Cokeley is known for writing golden retriever MMCs, but I think she nailed Dacre, who's far more reserved and has a "hate to love" relationship with Emma for a good portion of the book. Seeing him regain his passion for cooking—and for living life to the fullest—was beyond heartwarming. I love romances where the MMC has felt numb for years but suddenly feels everything once he meets the FMC.
And don't get me started on Emma! She's so stubborn and unashamed of who she is; it's honestly inspiring. She doesn't let anyone get in the way of her dreams. One of my favorite parts of Bite Me is when she reveals why she loves glitter so much 🥹 (iykyk).
As for the plot, it was the perfect blend of spice and banter, and there were quite a few tenderly vulnerable moments. I wish I could say more, but since this book hasn't released yet, I don't want to risk spoiling anything. (Although I will say my favorite scene in the whole book is when Emma and Dacre bake a certain birthday cake ❤️🩹).
All in all, I give this book five stars! (I do think I liked Just One Bite a tiny bit more though 🫣). And I'm now DYING to read Once Bitten after that epilogue! I'm already calling it: Nash and Evangeline's story is going to be my favorite 💖
The yearning between Dacre and Emma had me smiling and blushing like a fool. Cokeley is known for writing golden retriever MMCs, but I think she nailed Dacre, who's far more reserved and has a "hate to love" relationship with Emma for a good portion of the book. Seeing him regain his passion for cooking—and for living life to the fullest—was beyond heartwarming. I love romances where the MMC has felt numb for years but suddenly feels everything once he meets the FMC.
And don't get me started on Emma! She's so stubborn and unashamed of who she is; it's honestly inspiring. She doesn't let anyone get in the way of her dreams. One of my favorite parts of Bite Me is when she reveals why she loves glitter so much 🥹 (iykyk).
As for the plot, it was the perfect blend of spice and banter, and there were quite a few tenderly vulnerable moments. I wish I could say more, but since this book hasn't released yet, I don't want to risk spoiling anything. (Although I will say my favorite scene in the whole book is when Emma and Dacre bake a certain birthday cake ❤️🩹).
All in all, I give this book five stars! (I do think I liked Just One Bite a tiny bit more though 🫣). And I'm now DYING to read Once Bitten after that epilogue! I'm already calling it: Nash and Evangeline's story is going to be my favorite 💖
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲, 𝐈’𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭.
I am so glad to be back in Doxlothia and this time with Emma and Dacre but I fear that I consumed this one a little too fast. This book gave so much warm and fluffy energy I couldn't help smiling so hard the entire time.
The idea of them being scent matches was such an interesting concept to read since Dacre is a vampire and I didn't know what to expect from it. Lo and behold, there was so much yearning and overthinking on Dacre's part while Emma waltzed around confused. It was kind of like watching a cat curl up on someone who's deathly allergic.
𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐄𝐦? 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩?
These two characters are built so well, all the depth from the hurt they've experienced and how they plan to push through it was so inspiring. Emma being the youngest out of the sisters wanted something to call her own and will stop at no cost to achieve that - even if that force is an aggravatingly hot and talented culinary prodigy set in keeping her away. Dacre is stuck between duty and desire. Wanting to free himself from the duty he's lost passion in but risking those that matter to him the most. They sort of find what they need from each other like a puzzle.
I enjoyed their push and pull so much as well as learning more about the characters through random lore (like is something i won't ever get over). Aghh i loved this book and them so much.
I am so glad to be back in Doxlothia and this time with Emma and Dacre but I fear that I consumed this one a little too fast. This book gave so much warm and fluffy energy I couldn't help smiling so hard the entire time.
The idea of them being scent matches was such an interesting concept to read since Dacre is a vampire and I didn't know what to expect from it. Lo and behold, there was so much yearning and overthinking on Dacre's part while Emma waltzed around confused. It was kind of like watching a cat curl up on someone who's deathly allergic.
𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐄𝐦? 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩?
These two characters are built so well, all the depth from the hurt they've experienced and how they plan to push through it was so inspiring. Emma being the youngest out of the sisters wanted something to call her own and will stop at no cost to achieve that - even if that force is an aggravatingly hot and talented culinary prodigy set in keeping her away. Dacre is stuck between duty and desire. Wanting to free himself from the duty he's lost passion in but risking those that matter to him the most. They sort of find what they need from each other like a puzzle.
I enjoyed their push and pull so much as well as learning more about the characters through random lore (like is something i won't ever get over). Aghh i loved this book and them so much.
August 11, 2026
Book Review Arc - Bite Me By S.L. Cokeley
Genre - Urban Fantasy Romance
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.25/5)
Spice - 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)
Vibes -
We’re back at Doxlothia University, with Emma Osborne, wanting to join the Vulinary Club only to be continuously shut down by
Dacre Everhart, Student Council and Head of the Club. Dacre knows Emma is his Scent- Match and has been pushing her away from day one. But because of last books situation with Olivia her sister and Parker being scent matches, Emma has more Social standing and protection. Not to mention Dacre’s Evil Grandfather who wants to use the culinary club to trap Emma into blood donation since the Osborne sisters have rare blood. Dacre who can’t help but fall for Emma while also trying to protect her from everyone and himself. Emma can’t help but be drawn to the true Dacre not the image he put on for the world but his true self who he only shows to her. This books offers some great romance moments where Emma and Dacre are determined not to fall in love until the twist of them finally realising they’re ment to be, after a few altercations and a knife in the back we get the beautiful HEA, that leaves us wanting more of their future love story. If you liked the first book in the series I would recommend this books with Emma and Dacre, it’s so fun moment mixed with a mutual love of cooking and baking, yes Chef and some deep moments of realising your worthy of love.
Genre - Urban Fantasy Romance
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.25/5)
Spice - 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)
Vibes -
We’re back at Doxlothia University, with Emma Osborne, wanting to join the Vulinary Club only to be continuously shut down by
Dacre Everhart, Student Council and Head of the Club. Dacre knows Emma is his Scent- Match and has been pushing her away from day one. But because of last books situation with Olivia her sister and Parker being scent matches, Emma has more Social standing and protection. Not to mention Dacre’s Evil Grandfather who wants to use the culinary club to trap Emma into blood donation since the Osborne sisters have rare blood. Dacre who can’t help but fall for Emma while also trying to protect her from everyone and himself. Emma can’t help but be drawn to the true Dacre not the image he put on for the world but his true self who he only shows to her. This books offers some great romance moments where Emma and Dacre are determined not to fall in love until the twist of them finally realising they’re ment to be, after a few altercations and a knife in the back we get the beautiful HEA, that leaves us wanting more of their future love story. If you liked the first book in the series I would recommend this books with Emma and Dacre, it’s so fun moment mixed with a mutual love of cooking and baking, yes Chef and some deep moments of realising your worthy of love.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Do you ever have a book you start reading and literally are unable to put down? Well, this was definitely one of those books for me! I got off a 12-hour shift and stayed up until 6 in the morning falling in love with Dacre and Emma. Do you love broody and guarded MMC with a layered past and who aren't afraid to worship their women? What about a FMC who allows herself the vulnerability to follow her dreams and has the personality to keep the MMC on his toes? Oh the way that I absolutely devoured this story! Like ok, I know it's set in a supernatural university, but these characters are so real feeling. They struggle with their feelings, both romantically and to fit into a society that doesn't always accept them. The story progressed so organically that you actually get the opportunity to watch their feelings develop. The amount of yearning is absolute perfection, and the way she worked an "Eyes on Me" line solidified my need to own every edition of this book that comes out! If these tropes sound interesting to you, give Bite Me a chance and enjoy the latest addition to the Doxlothia University Series.
🎂Supernatural university
🩸Human/vampire
🎂Scent obsessed but fight it
🩸One bed
🎂Coaching through heat/biting
🩸Mine
Thank you so much to the author for this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
🎂Supernatural university
🩸Human/vampire
🎂Scent obsessed but fight it
🩸One bed
🎂Coaching through heat/biting
🩸Mine
Thank you so much to the author for this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I didn’t want it to end!!! I’ve been waiting since February to read this book, so when I received an ARC from the author, my heart exploded with joy and happiness! I’ve been yearning for this book almost as much as Dacre yearns for Emma👀👀
This book admittedly gave me a bit more anxiety in comparison to “Just One Bite,” the first book in this standalone series. Whereas in the first book, the danger keeps coming and it is emphasized, in this book the danger is more so lurking. Kind of like a train wreck you can see coming from a mile away. Towards the end I got scared to finish reading as I knew the plot was thickening and would lead to more trouble for our MC’s and also simply because I knew I’d be devastated to have finished it. This was a 5/5 star read for me. As a Patreon member I am PRAYING we get bonus scenes of this couple. Parker and Olivia were the appetizer, this was the main course and I cannot wait for dessert in the form of the final and third book in this series🍭🧁🍰! Thank you to the author for honoring me with my first and only ever ARC. This moment will be cherished and so will this book when I buy the physical copy💖💖
Containing:
🧁Elite culinary club
🩸VampireXHuman
🏫Supernatural Academy
🩸Scent Matches
🍰Omegaverse-ish
🩸Biting and Heat
🧁Enemies to lovers
This book admittedly gave me a bit more anxiety in comparison to “Just One Bite,” the first book in this standalone series. Whereas in the first book, the danger keeps coming and it is emphasized, in this book the danger is more so lurking. Kind of like a train wreck you can see coming from a mile away. Towards the end I got scared to finish reading as I knew the plot was thickening and would lead to more trouble for our MC’s and also simply because I knew I’d be devastated to have finished it. This was a 5/5 star read for me. As a Patreon member I am PRAYING we get bonus scenes of this couple. Parker and Olivia were the appetizer, this was the main course and I cannot wait for dessert in the form of the final and third book in this series🍭🧁🍰! Thank you to the author for honoring me with my first and only ever ARC. This moment will be cherished and so will this book when I buy the physical copy💖💖
Containing:
🧁Elite culinary club
🩸VampireXHuman
🏫Supernatural Academy
🩸Scent Matches
🍰Omegaverse-ish
🩸Biting and Heat
🧁Enemies to lovers
Review of advance copy received from Author
DOXLOTHIA ACADEMY IS BACK IN SESSIONNNNNN
this book was so fun and fluffy but also took me by surprise and had some hard hitting moments that i loved 😭. emma and dacre are “scent matched” (kinda like mates but less intense bc dacre is a vampire, not a werewolf) and although dacre does everything in his power to come off as cold to emma for her protection, her blood literally calls to him. emma, a literal ray of sunshine human, doesn’t understand dacre’s cold demeanor towards her… or why she’s obsessed with his cologne. (girl its his blood)
when dacre’s “legacy obsessed” grandfather gets involved wanted emma to participate in a blood auction for desirable blood, dacre must decide between the father figure he’s never defied and his scent match who he thinks is better off without him.
dacre is soooo traumatized privileged anthony bridgerton coded boy I CANNOTTTT. and that makes the moments where he’s soft even better. GIVE MY BOY A HUG RIGHT NOW😭
i loved how unique emma and dacre’s story felt in contrast olivia and parker’s (my precious babies). these books are connected chronologically but do stand alone as individual romance books! Bite Me was everything i needed in a bingeable paranormal romance & SL Cokeley is one of my go to’s for books I know I’ll love!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book…
I have no words. I’m still not over this book and it’s been tattooed on my brain. This book ruined me. Put me back together. Mended me. LOVED me.
Em and Dacre took me to a whole different place that I didn’t know existed. You know when they say eyes say more than words?
Well, now you do. Dacre’s longing gaze, his words not matching is heart no matter how hard he tries and the way he just scoops her up whenever he feels like being close to her is never enough for him. I just loved the way they hated each other and yet, wanted each other more than anything. This wasn’t just about being scent-matched, no. Even before she knew, even before HE could understand, he was already down on his knees.
I love my man who so desperately tries to keep himself at bay but his entire body refuses.
I love how he reacts to her tiny little movements, the glitter all over her and her heart so colorful, it could paint the sky.
They are beautiful and cute. Feeling sick because your person is two inches too far from you is a love language I can’t even begin to describe.
This entire book has been written with one purpose; to steal a reader’s heart with warmth. I laughed, I gasped, I cried.
And I’m not okay. S.L.Cokeley said, “let’s write a book” and she DELIVERED. And now I need more 😭🤍
I have no words. I’m still not over this book and it’s been tattooed on my brain. This book ruined me. Put me back together. Mended me. LOVED me.
Em and Dacre took me to a whole different place that I didn’t know existed. You know when they say eyes say more than words?
Well, now you do. Dacre’s longing gaze, his words not matching is heart no matter how hard he tries and the way he just scoops her up whenever he feels like being close to her is never enough for him. I just loved the way they hated each other and yet, wanted each other more than anything. This wasn’t just about being scent-matched, no. Even before she knew, even before HE could understand, he was already down on his knees.
I love my man who so desperately tries to keep himself at bay but his entire body refuses.
I love how he reacts to her tiny little movements, the glitter all over her and her heart so colorful, it could paint the sky.
They are beautiful and cute. Feeling sick because your person is two inches too far from you is a love language I can’t even begin to describe.
This entire book has been written with one purpose; to steal a reader’s heart with warmth. I laughed, I gasped, I cried.
And I’m not okay. S.L.Cokeley said, “let’s write a book” and she DELIVERED. And now I need more 😭🤍
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to much to S.L. Cokeley for an Arc of this!
Immediate yes! Immediate recommend! The way I absolutely devoured this story and fell head over heels in love with this couple.
Emma Osborne’s dream is to join the culinary club at Doxlothia University, and culinary prodigy, Dacre Everhart, seems to be the only thing standing in her way of getting in. He proposes a deal, one he is sure that she will say no to but how much does Emma want to be in the culinary club, is it enough to become his source?
Human x Vampire. Sent matches but hate each other. “Yes Chef” and “Eyes on me” moments. Biting and heats. The yearning. Him cooking for her when he doesn't cook for anyone. Ugh I wanna reread this already and I just finished it.
Bite Me is book 2 in this interconnected standalone series.
Do I already own book 1? Yes.
Will it be read probably immediately now based on how much I absolutely loved this one? Also yes.
Is S.L. Cokeley cementing her place as an auto read / auto buy author now? 1000% yes.
What you can expect:
🧁elite culinary club
🩸vampire/human
🏫supernatural university
🩸they’re scent-matches and hate each other
🍰omegaverse-ish
💫biting and heats
Immediate yes! Immediate recommend! The way I absolutely devoured this story and fell head over heels in love with this couple.
Emma Osborne’s dream is to join the culinary club at Doxlothia University, and culinary prodigy, Dacre Everhart, seems to be the only thing standing in her way of getting in. He proposes a deal, one he is sure that she will say no to but how much does Emma want to be in the culinary club, is it enough to become his source?
Human x Vampire. Sent matches but hate each other. “Yes Chef” and “Eyes on me” moments. Biting and heats. The yearning. Him cooking for her when he doesn't cook for anyone. Ugh I wanna reread this already and I just finished it.
Bite Me is book 2 in this interconnected standalone series.
Do I already own book 1? Yes.
Will it be read probably immediately now based on how much I absolutely loved this one? Also yes.
Is S.L. Cokeley cementing her place as an auto read / auto buy author now? 1000% yes.
What you can expect:
🧁elite culinary club
🩸vampire/human
🏫supernatural university
🩸they’re scent-matches and hate each other
🍰omegaverse-ish
💫biting and heats
August 12, 2026
Overall, I would give the book 4.5 stars out of 5, but I'm rounding up since Goodreads doesn't do half stars. I felt that it was a little slow to start, but it quickly built tension and suspense, grabbing my attention and keeping it. I enjoyed the writing, and I felt that the characters were well-written and that the plot was intriguing.
This book is the second of three surrounding the Osborne sisters and Doxlothia University. It is an interconnected standalone, so it is not necessary to read the first book in the series in order to enjoy the story. Personally, I would recommend first reading Just One Bite before this to get the full background.
Regarding this story, specifically, I think that Emma's character has grown from Just One Bite, and her thoughts and motivations are more understandable throughout this book. (Though, I agree with Dacre that she needs to be less impulsive lol). Dacre was an incredibly interesting character to me, and I'm excited to see how he evolves as a background character in the next book just as Olivia and Parker differed once they were viewed through the eyes of other characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a good and spicy vampire romance, or to someone that enjoys cooking romances.
This book is the second of three surrounding the Osborne sisters and Doxlothia University. It is an interconnected standalone, so it is not necessary to read the first book in the series in order to enjoy the story. Personally, I would recommend first reading Just One Bite before this to get the full background.
Regarding this story, specifically, I think that Emma's character has grown from Just One Bite, and her thoughts and motivations are more understandable throughout this book. (Though, I agree with Dacre that she needs to be less impulsive lol). Dacre was an incredibly interesting character to me, and I'm excited to see how he evolves as a background character in the next book just as Olivia and Parker differed once they were viewed through the eyes of other characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a good and spicy vampire romance, or to someone that enjoys cooking romances.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🧁Title: Bite Me
🍓Vibe Check: Culinary Club, Vampires, Family Politics
✨Genre: Romance
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
🧁My Thoughts:
One of my most anticipated reads of this year!
I adore this author, so I was head over heels when I landed an ARC spot. And I can easily say that hasn’t changed after reading this book! While it wasn’t quite a five star read for me, it was a STELLAR read. My only nit pick is how often Dacre’s chapters earlier on end. They seem to nearly all end with the same premise, which is how much he has to stay away from Emma. I love pining but I wanted to see some more variation! However, outside of that! Everything else was STELLAR! The details about how cutthroat the Culinary track is, the side characters within this book, the emotions, the family ties and politics. I ate it all right up.
The spice was pretty stellar too.
🍓Standout Elements:
Trust Fund boy
“I awake to the smell of pancakes.”
Cooking prodigy vampire x human girl who loves to bake
✨Final Thoughts:
If you’re into cooking, vampires, academic settings, and rivals to lovers… PICK THIS UP the moment it’s out.
🍓Vibe Check: Culinary Club, Vampires, Family Politics
✨Genre: Romance
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
🧁My Thoughts:
One of my most anticipated reads of this year!
I adore this author, so I was head over heels when I landed an ARC spot. And I can easily say that hasn’t changed after reading this book! While it wasn’t quite a five star read for me, it was a STELLAR read. My only nit pick is how often Dacre’s chapters earlier on end. They seem to nearly all end with the same premise, which is how much he has to stay away from Emma. I love pining but I wanted to see some more variation! However, outside of that! Everything else was STELLAR! The details about how cutthroat the Culinary track is, the side characters within this book, the emotions, the family ties and politics. I ate it all right up.
The spice was pretty stellar too.
🍓Standout Elements:
Trust Fund boy
“I awake to the smell of pancakes.”
Cooking prodigy vampire x human girl who loves to bake
✨Final Thoughts:
If you’re into cooking, vampires, academic settings, and rivals to lovers… PICK THIS UP the moment it’s out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
The way I loveddd being back in the Doxlothia universe!
Dacre Everhart is a downnn bad vampire. Emma Osborne is human with one of the most wanted bloodlines- these two had undeniable chemistry, all the angst, and a slow burn for dayyys!
Dacre in the beginning, tried his best to stay away from her- even though he’d always wanted her- to keep her safe and away from his world. His back story, as well as Emma’s, were super sad, but it was nice to get more from both. The grumpy x sunshine trope was on point with this one!!
I love that we got to catch up with Parker & Olivia and of course got rewarded at the end with the sweetest taste of what’s to come with Nash & Evangeline.
This is the second book in the Doxlothia University series, but all can be read as standalones. A series that follows the Osborne sisters & their “𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠”
As always, I’ll leave you with my favourite quotes ￬￬
You don’t know what you’re asking for.
𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰. 𝘓𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 . . .
𝓑𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓶𝓮.
How does it feel then, thief? To be told what to do?
I can’t tolerate the thought of anyone else in Vviveren tasting what’s meant for me.
Because I’m obsessed with you. Because I can’t stop.
𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
Tell me to stop right now. Because I’m not going to, unless you say something.
I need her to crave what I’m doing so she’ll let me do it again and again.
𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.
The moment I spotted you, I knew you were going to change everything. Then I smelled you, and it was as if my atoms rearranged. I convinced myself I could stay away from you if I just . . . hated you.
Can I taste you now?
𝘠𝘦𝘴 . . .
Everything else falls away when our skin touches.
The way I loveddd being back in the Doxlothia universe!
Dacre Everhart is a downnn bad vampire. Emma Osborne is human with one of the most wanted bloodlines- these two had undeniable chemistry, all the angst, and a slow burn for dayyys!
Dacre in the beginning, tried his best to stay away from her- even though he’d always wanted her- to keep her safe and away from his world. His back story, as well as Emma’s, were super sad, but it was nice to get more from both. The grumpy x sunshine trope was on point with this one!!
I love that we got to catch up with Parker & Olivia and of course got rewarded at the end with the sweetest taste of what’s to come with Nash & Evangeline.
This is the second book in the Doxlothia University series, but all can be read as standalones. A series that follows the Osborne sisters & their “𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠”
As always, I’ll leave you with my favourite quotes ￬￬
You don’t know what you’re asking for.
𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰. 𝘓𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 . . .
𝓑𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓶𝓮.
How does it feel then, thief? To be told what to do?
I can’t tolerate the thought of anyone else in Vviveren tasting what’s meant for me.
Because I’m obsessed with you. Because I can’t stop.
𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
Tell me to stop right now. Because I’m not going to, unless you say something.
I need her to crave what I’m doing so she’ll let me do it again and again.
𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.
The moment I spotted you, I knew you were going to change everything. Then I smelled you, and it was as if my atoms rearranged. I convinced myself I could stay away from you if I just . . . hated you.
Can I taste you now?
𝘠𝘦𝘴 . . .
Everything else falls away when our skin touches.
Review of advance copy received from Author
AHHHHH!! This was my most anticipated book of the year, and I’m so fricking happy that I got an ARC for it. If people say manifesting doesn’t work, they’re liars, guys.
Emma and Dacre! Where do I even start? First of all, this entire book was so deliciously amazing that I genuinely had to put myself in time-out and stop reading because I realised that if I continued, I’d literally finish it within a couple of hours. I don’t think I’ve ever zoomed through a book that quickly.
Their chemistry was absolutely electric. I really loved the push and pull between them. I feel like, a lot of the time, when a couple goes from enemies to lovers, there isn’t actually enough enemies or angst for me, but here? I WAS FED! I loved the angsty moments between Emma and Dacre and the fact that they genuinely had no filter with each other. Every time Emma got annoyed with Dacre, I was kicking my feet and giggling because I was enjoying their dynamic so fricking much.
Now, Dacre. At first, I didn’t know how to feel about him. He was broody, mysterious and, actually? Blatantly rude. But I very quickly learnt that I need to hire an Etsy witch to spawn me my husband because OH MY GOD. When he fell for Emma, he fell HARD. It was so interesting getting to read his internal battle between his feelings for Emma, his duties to his family, and his desperation to protect her. I could genuinely feel his struggle, and the more I learnt about him and his family, the more my heart broke for him. There were multiple moments where I found myself getting choked up because he didn’t deserve anything he was put through.
I think his emotions and that internal conflict were written so incredibly well. I felt like I was right there with him, genuinely crying, laughing and experiencing everything in between. I feel like I really connected with this story. Now, I can’t tell if that’s because I love a good vampire MMC or because I’m crushing on Dacre (all roads lead to the same place), but this book was just so addictive. I absolutely devoured it. And I fear Parker… has been dethroned. Which is a SHOCKER because I’ve loved that man for quite a while. So, if that tells you anything, it’s that this book was FRICKING AMAZING.
I genuinely think I’m going to reread it because I miss everything already, and there’s one particular scene that I desperately need to relive because it keeps replaying in my head. All I’ll say is: auction. I hope you guys come back to this review once you’ve read it and know what the heck I’m talking about, because it’s been weeks since I finished this book and I’m STILL fantasising about that scene.
And now for my final note…
I need Once Bitten yesterday.
Emma and Dacre! Where do I even start? First of all, this entire book was so deliciously amazing that I genuinely had to put myself in time-out and stop reading because I realised that if I continued, I’d literally finish it within a couple of hours. I don’t think I’ve ever zoomed through a book that quickly.
Their chemistry was absolutely electric. I really loved the push and pull between them. I feel like, a lot of the time, when a couple goes from enemies to lovers, there isn’t actually enough enemies or angst for me, but here? I WAS FED! I loved the angsty moments between Emma and Dacre and the fact that they genuinely had no filter with each other. Every time Emma got annoyed with Dacre, I was kicking my feet and giggling because I was enjoying their dynamic so fricking much.
Now, Dacre. At first, I didn’t know how to feel about him. He was broody, mysterious and, actually? Blatantly rude. But I very quickly learnt that I need to hire an Etsy witch to spawn me my husband because OH MY GOD. When he fell for Emma, he fell HARD. It was so interesting getting to read his internal battle between his feelings for Emma, his duties to his family, and his desperation to protect her. I could genuinely feel his struggle, and the more I learnt about him and his family, the more my heart broke for him. There were multiple moments where I found myself getting choked up because he didn’t deserve anything he was put through.
I think his emotions and that internal conflict were written so incredibly well. I felt like I was right there with him, genuinely crying, laughing and experiencing everything in between. I feel like I really connected with this story. Now, I can’t tell if that’s because I love a good vampire MMC or because I’m crushing on Dacre (all roads lead to the same place), but this book was just so addictive. I absolutely devoured it. And I fear Parker… has been dethroned. Which is a SHOCKER because I’ve loved that man for quite a while. So, if that tells you anything, it’s that this book was FRICKING AMAZING.
I genuinely think I’m going to reread it because I miss everything already, and there’s one particular scene that I desperately need to relive because it keeps replaying in my head. All I’ll say is: auction. I hope you guys come back to this review once you’ve read it and know what the heck I’m talking about, because it’s been weeks since I finished this book and I’m STILL fantasising about that scene.
And now for my final note…
I need Once Bitten yesterday.
August 11, 2026
I was so happy to dive back into Doxlothia Academy, this time with Emma and Dacre. Emma is such a fun and glittery character. Dacre is her polar opposite in almost every way, he is serious, brooding and always composed. I really enjoyed how their relationship evolved throughout the book. The tension between them was *chef's kiss* and I really enjoyed the push and pull that there was between them. I really enjoyed the teacher x student dynamic, given that they were both in the culinary club. There is some mystery surrounding Dacre's family, as we don't really know the full story. As the book progresses and we learn more you can't help but just want to protect Dacre from them. I also really enjoyed seeing the dynamic between Emma and her father and grief journey that Emma has gone through. It felt very different from Olivia's journey and I really appreciated that. We of course got little snippets of Olivia, Parker and Evangeline, which will always make me happy. The ending of this book definitely has me excited for Evangeline's story and November cannot come soon enough!
Thank you SL Cokeley for an ARC!
Thank you SL Cokeley for an ARC!
July 8, 2026
Thank you so much to SL Cokeley and her team for providing me with an ARC for an honest review!
I love SL Cokeley's story telling. She has such a way of making stories fun and fast with meaningful romance and adventure and Bite Me is no different.
We are back at Doxlothia but this time following Emma and Dacre. I loved the cooking/pastry elements, I feel like a kitchen always brings up the heat. Dacre's yearning and protection around Emma was just *chef's kiss* (pun INTENDED).
Emma's sparkle and brightness she brings to this universe was really refreshing, I appreciate how her character is smart, cunning and driven while staying kind.
Seeing how Emma and Dacre's relationship built up and added to the story line felt really natural and I loved the pace of the story too.
Loved the second installment of the series and I can't wait for the 3rd installment in November!
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
I love SL Cokeley's story telling. She has such a way of making stories fun and fast with meaningful romance and adventure and Bite Me is no different.
We are back at Doxlothia but this time following Emma and Dacre. I loved the cooking/pastry elements, I feel like a kitchen always brings up the heat. Dacre's yearning and protection around Emma was just *chef's kiss* (pun INTENDED).
Emma's sparkle and brightness she brings to this universe was really refreshing, I appreciate how her character is smart, cunning and driven while staying kind.
Seeing how Emma and Dacre's relationship built up and added to the story line felt really natural and I loved the pace of the story too.
Loved the second installment of the series and I can't wait for the 3rd installment in November!
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
August 12, 2026
This series keeps getting better and better. The chemistry between our main characters was chef’s kiss. I am a sucker for fated match stories. Scent has a big role in this world, and I love how each scent is intoxicating to the other.
Emma’s wants to cook and bake, and she will do anything to make it happen, even making deals with her enemy, Dacre. I really loved that as the story progressed, you could see how protective Dacre is of Emma and, at the same time, Emma is slowly figuring out who he truly is. The way Dacre did everything in his power to keep Emma within arm's reach, but nothing seemed to work.
Their bickering evolves into understanding. Every time Dacre’s grandfather was in the scene, I wish I could go in the story and drop-kick him. It ended beautifully! I am truly cheering for Dacre’s dream to come true along with Emma’s. Maybe we will get to see it in a future epilogue.
The epilogue was a true tease. I cannot wait for the third book to explore more about Nash and Evangeline’s story.
Emma’s wants to cook and bake, and she will do anything to make it happen, even making deals with her enemy, Dacre. I really loved that as the story progressed, you could see how protective Dacre is of Emma and, at the same time, Emma is slowly figuring out who he truly is. The way Dacre did everything in his power to keep Emma within arm's reach, but nothing seemed to work.
Their bickering evolves into understanding. Every time Dacre’s grandfather was in the scene, I wish I could go in the story and drop-kick him. It ended beautifully! I am truly cheering for Dacre’s dream to come true along with Emma’s. Maybe we will get to see it in a future epilogue.
The epilogue was a true tease. I cannot wait for the third book to explore more about Nash and Evangeline’s story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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