Love Bites: Sassy, Smart, Self-Hating and Supernatural: The Reluctant Vampire Slayer

Eternity College Chronicles #4

by Lauretta Hignett

I wouldn't call myself a control freak. I'm more of a control enthusiast. A control aficionado, if you will. I am quite dedicated to maintaining control over my environment, and I'm not going to apologize for that.

I have a life plan, and nothing will push me off the path to greatness. I'm going to get my PhD, get full custody of my baby brother, build a version of an Iron Man suit, and make the world a better place.

And sure, in the past couple of months, I've been teetering on the edge of losing control of myself. I've got a grip now, I promise. My hunger is taken care of, my heightened vampire senses are reined in, my murderous urges are under control. But, as God as my witness, I will have control over my environment.

But there's one thing I've never really been able to get full control over, and that thing has just appeared out of nowhere, ready to mess up everything.

My mother.

Love Bites is book Four in the Eternity College Chronicles, a fun new supernatural comedy and urban fantasy series that’s a little bit Buffy The Vampire Slayer, a little bit Wednesday, and a whole lot of Big Bang Theory.

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2026

About the author

A raving fangirl for all things paranormal, supernatural, supernormal and fantastical, Lauretta writes fun Urban Fantasy, PNR and Superhero adventures with a dash of sweet romance and humour.

She's a massive fan of Young and New Adult fiction, loves a plot twist, hates cliffhangers, and always keeps her readers on their toes.

When she's not writing, Lauretta enjoys fad diets, sunshine, her two little children, weird craft projects and massive amounts of dark chocolate

Reviews

[Andi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This is my least favorite series from this author, and I’m not sure why I continue reading it. LOVE BITES provides more of the same—Marie and her gang hunting demons, and Marie going through constant emotional turmoil. New to this installment is the introduction of Marie’s malevolent and narcissistic (human) mother, Deborah.

At least the story was a quick read, although I did skim a bit.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received from Lauretta Hignett in exchange for honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

⚡BLURB⚡
I wouldn't call myself a control freak. I'm more of a control enthusiast. A control aficionado, if you will. I am quite dedicated to maintaining control over my environment, and I'm not going to apologize for that.

I have a life plan, and nothing will push me off the path to greatness. I'm going to get my PhD, get full custody of my baby brother, build a version of an Iron Man suit, and make the world a better place.

And sure, in the past couple of months, I've been teetering on the edge of losing control of myself. I've got a grip now, I promise. My hunger is taken care of, my heightened vampire senses are reined in, my murderous urges are under control. But, as God as my witness, I will have control over my environment.

But there's one thing I've never really been able to get full control over, and that thing has just appeared out of nowhere, ready to mess up everything.

My mother.

⚡ REVIEW⚡

I am a huge fan of Lauretta's storytelling. Her comedic style leads to urban fantasy/supernatural stories which will make you snort with laughter even whilst the characters are in peril. The Eternity College Chronicles are her funniest works so far, and this instalment had me laughing out loud so many times.

Marie Shipton (Moonlight on Peaches to her mother 😂) is a truly unique character that you can't help but love. Think Sheldon Cooper levels of intelligence (and awareness of that intelligence), mixed with the darkness of Wednesday Addams, and Buffy levels of needing to save everyone from the Blood Witch on campus, and you've got Marie. She is so hyper aware of her presumed superiority, and in this book there is a lot of focus on her need for control. There is no escaping it - Marie is a total control freak (or in her words, a control supremacist!). Other than her little brother Ackie, she's never cared about anyone else in her life, but now finds herself with friends in the "Scooby gang", and has an absolute need to protect them all. Whilst trying to deal with the Blood Witch, and preventing Ronan from vanishing her demon boyfriend Arin/Arynathor, she faces another huge issue - her Mother has been made aware of her location. Deborah is honestly the most awful human, and is determined to make Marie's life a misery. Ronan takes one for the team, as an attractive male, and tries to keep her distracted whilst Marie, along with the others, works on the Blood Witch issue. The theme of control pops up so many times, and Marie is forced to confront something several times that she never has before - that she is wrong about something.

What I really liked about this instalment of Marie's story was her being blindsided several times in her quest for absolute control. Harriet plays a big part in this novel before a secret is revealed that changes everything. Her failure to bring Ronan into the picture regarding Arin leaves her feeling terrible about not trusting him when she sees his reaction. Her suspicion of nefarious behaviour falls totally on the wrong person, causing a potential rift between her and one of the Scooby gang. Her Angel is constantly pointing out her flaws, but fails to get through to Marie, who is not one to be swayed from her own beliefs. The sheer number of times she is hit with being wrong in this book, though, make her start to question if she is fallible, which her character desperately needs.

There are three big twists in Love Bites that you're not supposed to see coming, but the final one, unfortunately, I clocked early on, despite Lauretta's very good efforts at encouraging the reader to move on with the story and lose the scent. That's the only reason I couldn't give it a full 5⭐ rating. It was very entertaining seeing Marie finally get hit by the realisation though, and I can't wait to see how the next book progresses. The other twists though, were totally unexpected and I LOVED them! You just don't expect it from those characters, mainly because you have Marie as a narrator and her bias is so strong. The impact of these twists will be felt for some time, both as part of the quest to find the Blood Witch - whose identity we already know - but also for Marie on a very personal level.

Love Bites is paced extremely well, getting it's hooks into you and and keeping you turning the pages, desperate to see Marie's next catastrophe or victory. I feel like the biggest takeaway from this story is that Deborah may not be exactly what Marie assumes her to be. There are little hints sprinkled throughout the book that leave me questioning her origins and her motives, and I am excited to see if I'm right! In the meantime, I will eagerly await the next instalment of Marie's story, which will see her affected by the discovery she has made at the end of this book - and potentially slightly humbled by the mistakes she has made. I say potentially though, because this is Marie after all...

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

[Leigh Brooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell to the yes Marie is back, and the stakes have never been higher (sorry for the bad pun). Seriously, I've literally been counting down the days for this next installment and I wasn't disappointed in least, but then I'm never disappointed by anything Lauretta writes. Ever since I first picked up a book by this author, I have utterly been captivated by her writing, humour and her ability to weave incredible stories that have me going through every single emotion in one book, and those damn curve balls she throws, I can tell you most I never see coming.. Yes Ms Hignett is a master of creating strong, sassy and unhinged characters with flaws, that I love to absolute death, with Marie being the newest one. So you can bet your fangs I adored Marie's newest adventure, and I'm already wishing my time away til the next one.

After winning the Midnight Games in the previous book, Marie and her Scooby Gang (mark two) are still trying to find the Blood Witch and his apprentice, and it starts off with tracking in a swamp. Which needless to say has Marie in a bad mood, along with some envy over galoshers.
But when they discover another demon that's being summoned to be bound to the Blood Witch, Harriet has to make the decision to let it go rather than let it be bound, thus having another demon to worry about. And that's not even the worst thing that happens in one night as Marie's mother Deborah, the biggest enemy she has turns up at the university, who by any definition is evil incarnate. Even Marie's angel on her shoulder and moral compass hates Deborah and that's saying something. Yep Deborah Foxglove Rodriguez Von Strudel Shipton can try the patience of an imaginary angel.

In amongst her growing to do list, worrying about how to navigate babysitting her mother so she doesn't go nuclear, Marie also is on high alert as Raisin Toast Ronan is on the warpath to banish all the demons that have come through so far, which has her in a slight panic over Arin. So with everything that's going on, her need to control everything is, well kinda spinning out of control.

I love the fact that in her own words Marie states she isn't a control freak but a control supremacist. It's her very nature to want to control every variable in her environment due to her crappy upbringing but what I love most about her, she is learning that having people in her life that she loves and cares about, sometimes means she has to let go and can't control everything. Yes she's definitely growing as a person and I've said it before, she's more human as a vampire than she ever was as just a normal girl.

And Marie's friends who once again prove that they not only genuinely love her but have grown themselves. Harriet who I knew would be kickass is definitely miles apart from the girl we met in the first book. Thalan, okay still hasn't faced certain things, but absolutely had me dying at the best clapback to Deborah when first meeting her (it was priceless.) And even my little cinnamon roll Egbert has come out of his shell in ways I wasn't expecting. Then there's the adorable Arin, who le sigh I'm sorry is just perfect in my eyes, but definitely had my heart when he offered to vanquish Deborah. Although I do love Ronan especially his banter with Marie and the fact hes acting like a big brother, I did want to shake him a couple of times through this book but by the end I'd had sort of forgiven him. But that aside I can honestly say I literally adore them all.

One again I was hit by a frieght train sized curve ball that had my jaw dropping, and if I'm honest screaming what the hell. Coupled with that ending, I'm already desperate for the next book. I can't rate this series enough, or Ms Hignett who time after time charms me with every character she writes. Highly recommend 20/10 😁

[Beba Andric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gads do I adore Marie! I love her spunk, I love her mouth, I love her feistiness, I love her vulnerability, just don't tell her that... I adore how she equates the smell of people around her to yummy food, being a vampire kind of gives her elevated senses, and I decidedly adore that she's a tad... eccentric! But underneath all that bravado is a vulnerability she hides so deeply, one would need a crowbar to pry it loose. Ms Hignett gives us FMCs like no other, they're all slightly unhinged, some more than others, and all are extremely likeable. She cuts through the noise and gives us depth of character like few authors can, especially when it's doused in a healthy dose of humour. Flawed, each one, only adds credibility to the characters, they're perfectly imperfect and I love that!

It's just another day in Marie's life, the fight to banish Demons is gearing up for Marie and her friends, especially as they are being summoned by a blood witch or two. Yes, she, much to her horror, DOES have friends, DOES have people she cares about. Other than her brother Ackie of course. Marie is a no holds kind of person, she doesn't let anyone in, as a rule, but, her, ummm... softness...comes through with this: "All my friends were bastards, making me love them, and making me reluctant to sacrifice them for the greater good." The fight for control is what Marie is all about, with her childhood trauma, it's totally understandable she's a control freak. Marie is also super smart, and super arrogant about it, but that's what's so endearing about her. And then her worst nightmare appears, her mother! The cause of the trauma, the cause of Marie needing to complete her studies and cut her mother out of her life. Forever. Geez is this woman toxic! So much so, the angelic angel who's forever whispering at Marie to be nicer, more tolerant, exclaimed "Okay, you have to get rid of her or else I’m going to punch her myself"

Marie is very special, she doesn't think like a "normal" person, Ms Hignett gives her a special layer of cool, an "out the box" cool. Her declarations of superiority unravel like a plait in a strong wind, as even she comes to admit, she might not know it all. This book showcases a different Marie, still cocky, don't get me wrong, but she's like peeling an onion, each layer exposed brings a fresh tear to my eyes. That's what make the characters so unique. She exploits all the feels, mushes them together and produces the exceptional. The bizarrely likeable personalities go hand in hand with the genuine, the meek, the strong and the confused. The whole array is presented, vividly.

With any of Lauretta's books, I'm always on the edge of my seat. Yes, because it's captivating, fast paced, riveting reading but also because I know that somewhere along the line, Lauretta is going to wack me with a revelation that'll have my jaw drop. I can almost hear a voice in my head going"wait for it, wait for it..." and when it does, my glory, I'm left speechless! This time there were more of the "like what now" moments. Quite brilliantly executed and so very hidden, which really added the gob to the smack! Like the last one almost at the end of the book.... Really an OOOO and HELLS BELLS, if ever there was one. And I know, I just know, all the secrets, all the insecurities, all the uncertainties, are building up to a major crescendo. She builds it up so slyly, I know it's coming, somewhere but she gets me every time! Her penmanship is stunning! She, like her characters, is one of a kind awesome!

[Allie McCormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Bites is the fourth book in the Eternity College Chronicles, a fun urban fantasy series by Lauretta Hignett.

Can I just say, every time I hear Marie's real name, it just cracks me up! I'm pretty sure I wrote that in my review for the last book, but it STILL cracks me up, so I'm saying it again.

The world building is stellar, as is the characterization. Particularly Marie herself. In a series like this, we have more of a chance to see the character arc in action than in a single novel. And in particular, in this 4th book, when Marie is forced to acknowledge she can't protect her friends by controlling them, even while she is still struggling to accept that she HAS friends. It's been a slow progression, and a sometimes painful one, especiallly in this book, but we're getting to SEE the real Marie emerging through all those protective layers.

As for her mother, I literally cringed when Deborah showed up, and even then I didn’t know how bad it was gonna get. She just makes my skin crawl. I mean, even Marie’s shoulder angel wanted to punch her, which made me actually cackle out loud.

And now we have THREE demons (that we know of) living at the college: 1) The cat, Caligula (who doesn't seem evil to me, except for harrassing Marie, everyone else doesn't have a problem with him), 2) Arin the Demon of Unwelcoming, and... 3) oh! Wait! I can't tell you, because mwahahaha you have to read the book!

Then there is the vampire mistress. At this point we don't know who she is, although I'm 99.998% sure I know who it is (I'm not saying, but prepared for a "toldja so!" dance with the next book review), and it's not good. At least... I didn't think it was good, until we actually see her in conversation with the apprentice, and she seems to be speaking kindly to her. So now, I'm conflicted. I mean. I still think it's her, but I'm not so sure she's evil, like I was in the previous books. So, IS there a possible... um, right, nope, can't say. 'cause I might be wrong, but if I'm right it'd be spoilers, so nahhh.

So okay, as far as (I can't tell), I just have to say, WOW! I did NOT see that coming!!! At least... through 3 whole books I didn't see it coming, but as soon as Deborah showed up, I saw it coming, and I clued in before Marie did, and WOW!!! I did NOT see that coming! But it totally makes sense.

And I also have to just say, I freaking LOVE when an author springs a "I did NOT see that coming!" on me! And she did it not once, not twice, but THREE times in this book! Yay, Lauretta!!!

To wrap things up, this book was an absolute DELIGHT, from cover to cover. I looove unexpected plot twists! Sooo many here! I can't tell you because (spoilers!), but there were several, and each one earned a delighted squeal from me!

[Sarah Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie and her friends (how weird for Marie to say) are still looking for the Blood Witch and his apprentice. When they close in on a demon about to be bound by the blood witch, Harriet is forced to let it go rather than being bound. With another demon on the loose, Marie is worried about Arin even more with Ronan insistent on banishing them all. And as if tracking down a blood witch wasn't enough, now Marie has to face her greatest enemy - her mother, Deborah. Blowing into town like hippie hurricane, Deborah is now actively trying to make Marie's life hell. Marie must come up with a plan to babysit her mother and track the witch while keeping control of, well, everything.
Oh Marie! Marie is one of my favorite characters ever (I say that every time Lauretta has a new MC)! She is a total control freak and know-it-all to boot. She can't imagine a world where she is wrong, but reality definitely smacks her in the face in this book. Marie is definitely learning that being alone isn't always better and that maybe, just maybe she may not have all the answers all the time. I loved some of the times she was absolutely blindsided in this book. After meeting Deborah, I am also left wondering if there isn't something supernatural about her as well. She does have a strange effect on people, even Ronan.
This was another fast paced, hilarious story from Lauretta. There is always something going on, whether it's chasing demons, vampires or witches or just fending off emotional attacks from Deborah. One of my favorite parts of this book though was Marie finally taking a better look at herself to see that she really isn't always right. She is growing as a person, even if she isn't technically one. As usual, the twist at the very end has me wanting the next book already - esp since we all know who the blood witch is while Marie doesn't yet!

[Brooke F · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Love Bites, the fourth book in the Eternity College series, Marie is finally starting to come to terms with the fact that she has actual friends , people she genuinely cares about for perhaps the first time in her life(other than her brother Ackie of course) . Naturally, this leads to some intensely emotional moments… and some extremely murderous thoughts.

For someone who has only ever relied on herself and who struggles with serious control issues, Marie is being forced to face the uncomfortable reality that she doesn’t always have the answers and can only control so much in her quest to protect the people who now mean so much to her. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but one that helps her grow, especially with the guidance of her ever present angel on her shoulder (thankfully, because someone definitely needs to keep her in check!). I can’t wait to learn more about the angel and where she came from.

While continuing the search for the blood witch and dealing with the ongoing arrival of demons, poor Marie also has to face her worst nightmare, a visit from her so called mother, Deborah. Honestly, she may be even worse than the blood witch. Thankfully, Ronan steps in and takes Deborah off Marie’s hands so she can focus on the countless other problems demanding her attention.

There is so much happening in this book twists, mistaken assumptions, new players, and blossoming love stories , that it keeps you hooked from beginning to end. As always, Marie remains a fascinating character, and watching her continued growth and development is incredibly rewarding. After that revelation at the end, her next chapter is shaping up to be every bit as chaotic, emotional, and compelling as ever.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, let’s talk about Marie. She is (in my opinion) the most unhinged FMC of all those in this universe. In fact, much as I miss Dwayne, I don’t think there is room for another big ego, because Marie’s is pretty much off the charts. She is crazy bossy and controlling, (except that, more and more, we realise that this comes from a place of love, even though Marie doesn’t really understand this) certain that’s she always right (except, when those doubts creep in and she fears for her friends) and convinced that she is the smartest brain of the bunch (except sometimes, her friends might actually steer her in a new direction, that works better). Hmmm…maybe those annoying traits are not so annoying after all? Marie is understanding more and more that she cares deeply about her found family of friends…and that maybe they really care about her too!

There is a lot going on in this book and a good bit of it will make you wonder if all is as you first thought. Ronan wants all the demons banished, Marie wants the vampire mistress destroyed, and everyone wants the blood witch stopped. On top of all of this, Deborah, Marie’s mother arrives…and boy, does that set the cat among the pigeons!

Keeping this spoiler free, means all I can really say is, there are lots of revelations, increased understanding among the group, and lots of tempting tidbits and hints, to keep our reader minds busy, trying to work out just how mind blowing it’s going to be, when all of these threads pull together!

[Roberta Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ferocious! Fierce!! Funny!!! Marie (Moonbeam On Peaches) Shipton doesn't think she is a control freak. She is dedicated to maintaining complete dominion over her surroundings and everyone in her sphere of influence. Her life plan is to get her PhD, sole custody of Ackie, her little brother, and complete her version of an Iron Man suit. She just wants to take care of Ackie and save the world!! Her desire for blood is managed now, through weekly deliveries; her enhanced vampire perceptions are curbed, and the homicidal compulsions are under control. Arin, her easy-on-the-eyes exchange-student boyfriend, makes her Bloody Maries! Her crew of friends, AKA the Scooby Doo Gang, including Arin, Ronan, Harriet, Thalan, and the sweetest, oblivious human, Egbert Pomeranian, are still fighting to dispel the demons and banish the Bloodwitch. They discover there is also a Mistress and an apprentice they have to locate. Finally, Marie is becoming relaxed and realizing that friends are an advantage in life.
Still, there is one thing she cannot control:
Deborah Foxglove Rodriguez Von Strudel Shipton: Marie's narcissist mother arrives at Eternity College!! Can Marie protect her friends from her mother's grandiose self-importance, lack of empathy, constant need for attention, entitlement, and general horridness?? Ms Hignett again creates an amazing, delightful, fierce world, balancing drollness, dismay, and distress simultaneously!! 5 stupendous stars!

[Tracey Tonkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Loved it!” I could just say that, and if you imagined I screamed it with gusto and deep emotion, that would be enough for this review 😂. Ok I probably need to say more, this series (like all Lauretta’s works) just gets better and better with every book. I love Marie, the crew surrounding her is just perfect as found family and fellow crusaders to save the world, and the way they are growing together is teaching Marie a thing or to - a bitter pill for someone who thinks they know and control it all 🥴, but she is expanding her knowledge of communication on this journey.

This book was my favourite yet, with a shock arrival early on - no spoilers, go read it. This person added another hurdle while trying to find the blood witch and deal with the vampires - oh so much goes on and I just want to tell you, but I won’t, because if you are this far into the series you already know how good it is and will be hanging to read it anyway 😉

The new budding relationships, old problematic ones, surprise pairings and some reality checks on who some people really are… it will stop you from putting it down and cease all plans you had until you finish it. With the usual great flow, pacing and writing style I already know to expect, another engaging, awesome read. I literally can barely wait for the next book, I already know it is going to be amazing

[Susan1566 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie and her friends are still searching for the blood witch but there are more problems than that – Marie’s mother is in town. What a piece of work, no wonder Marie has problems.
Marie is torn between keeping things to herself or letting her friends know what they should. That’s one of the things I don’t like about her – she thinks she’s smarter than everyone else and therefore knows best. She may be smart but at the same time she’s too self-absorbed at times to be smart about people.
This book is interesting, the characters are great, there is humour and of course a bit of mystery. There are surprises and suspense.
I’ve got to admit that Marie is growing on me – she’s becoming more personable. As she becomes more inclined to admit she’s not perfect about everything and everything is not under her control, she gets much likable.
But this is definitely a book and series that I would recommend.

[melissa thompson, · Rating 5 out of 5]

After winning the game Marie is ready to concentrate on locating the blood witch that is trying to open hell. Her and her friends finally got a ping from the trespassing spell. They find the blood witch but it was too late the witch ran away after summoning a demon. The next day the biggest evil ever came to town, Marie's awful mother showed up to drag her home. Ronan taking one for the team played babysitter to her so the rest could concentrate on finding the new demon and the blood witch. The closer they get to finding the witch the more dangerous it gets. Her shoulder angel kept harassing her to be honest with her friends which is more terrifying than any demon! After being kidnapped she decides the angel is right and she tells Ronan the truth about Arin and complicates everything. Marie and her friends are going to have to work together to stop the blood witch and save the town. Marie is finding out sometimes love bites!

[Jillian K · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s official. Hands down Lauretta Hignett is my all time favorite author.

This book is truly amazing. It’s laugh out loud funny, but also emotional and multifaceted. The characters and their relationships are deeply developed and so lovely to read.

This book in particular really affected me deeply. There are themes of mental health, that hit very close to home. Lauretta truly captures what a malevolent narcissist with NPD/Borderline is truly like. She also captures the relationship an NPD/Borderline mom is like with her scapegoat eldest and only daughter, and how it truly affects the Anxiety/OCD daughter/scapegoat. I have to imagine the author is drawing on personal knowledge to have hit the head on the nail so well and so close.

This may sound strange, but reading this book was very healing for me. I’m genuinely so impressed with Lauretta and Love Bites. Highly recommend this author, this series, and this book!

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is every new book from Lauretta Hignett even better than the previous one?! This series is bananapants fun and I can't stop reading this world.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Everything is just amazing. ✨ The storytelling, the characters, the world building. The plot, the pacing. The comeuppance. The denials. The twists and turns. I devoured this book! 🐉

Marie is such a great main character, and I love how this story is unfolding. 👀 🍿 So many great secondary cast members that try to steal the show, and I will never get tired of the easter eggs.

STOP READING REVIEWS AND GO READ THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW! Like seriously. Just go read it because if you've got this far into Marie's head, you will be in for another treat. And if you haven't read the first three parts of Marie's story...what are you even doing here?

✨ Review of advance copy received from Author ✨

[Ruth Cumberbatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seem to remember that my review for the last book in this series was “WOW”. That means that this book rates even greater WOW! I have loved this series from the first book, but unbelievably they just seem to get better, and funnier. 

Marie never seems to get time to take a break. In between trying to find the blood witch, looking out for demons (in more ways than one), now she has to deal with her toxic mother who has turned up, demanding that Marie should leave Eternity College and return home with her.

Favorite sentence: I nearly fell off my chair laughing at “The great cosmic serpent Rush Limbaugh would rise from the black bog, open his gaping maw and poison the sky.”

I received an ARC which in no way affected this review.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am just so darned excited when I get another book by this author because her books really hit that sweet spot for me in my favorite type of book and genres. We are at the fourth book with Marie, and boy is she going through some introspections. LOL! She’s got a lot of growing pains, but her friends are there for her. We do learn something at the end of this book I should have seen coming sooner than this book, but I didn’t. Love that. Add in all the Marie snark, great writing, captivating friends, and non-stop action, this is a great time like all this author’s book. Next, please! Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise

Marie and her friends are trying to figure out who the Dark witch's apprentice is in hopes it will help them figure out how to stop him. While they are working on that a bigger problem pops up, that just happens to be Marie's mother. I love Marie's character, she is so messed up, and the others are also a lot of fun. The situations they get into and then have to figure out really keep the books going and I am patiently waiting for the next book in the series. I can't wait to see where they end up next and what they do to try and get rid of the bad guys and get everything back to normal at Eternity College.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie is such a perfectly frustrating lead, and I mean that as a compliment. She is likable and unlikable at the same time: brilliant, controlling, snarky, self-hating, emotionally constipated, and somehow still impossible not to root for. I loved watching her try to keep every piece of her life locked down while vampirism, family drama, and her mother stomp straight through her carefully organized plans. The humor is sharp, the chaos is delicious, and Marie’s overthinking little control-freak brain is honestly half the entertainment. I tore through this one and loved every messy, supernatural minute.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Stop being dramatic and just focus, Marie!”

When is Marie ever *not* dramatic? 🤔

Some authors lightly sprinkle cute humour throughout their books…

…Lauretta liberally garnishes with dark humour laced with sarcasm.

Dealing with Marie’s mother and the toxic way she affects people is a very heavy issue.

It’s also, sadly, very much a real life issue.

Lauretta manages to both expose the darkness and add humour to the situation to stop it from being too depressing.

The delicate balance she achieves is impressive.

Love Bites entertains and enthrals. Another book to become lost in.

[Sandy Schleich · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

I really like this series. Marie is such an oddball person, but she is finally learning to trust her friends with her truth. I also love her which friend she is turning out to be a bad ass. I felt bad for Marie and her friends because Marie’s mother came out to the college and she’s such a nut and nobody really knew how to handle her except for Marie. Even some of Maria’s friends were getting sucked into her mother’s lies. Another demon ended up getting summoned and I thought he was very interesting. I will definitely read the next book in the series.

[Chandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie Analyzes It All

For a 17 year old, while she can be a bit naive, Marie is incredibly intelligent. In this book, we see her making mistake after mistake. To me, one of the biggest signs of a smart person with tremendous capacity to do smart things is when they recognize they’re wrong and they adapt.

One thing I love about this book is that despite the main and supporting characters being underage, it’s not the typical YA novel of teenage girl with bad boy who treats her terribly. Those tropes get old.

I can’t wait for the next book.

[Mychael O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Bites, But So Does Peaches

Hey Peaches! I’m back. Did you miss me?
Still a legend in your own mind, aren’t ya? Yet you keep getting it wrong. You were wrong about Petunia being the blood witches apprentice, and I’m pretty sure I know who Salome’s mistress is, but time will tell. BTW sugar, if the blood witches is really your daddy, would that make you a blood witch too? I guess that time will tell. Peaches, you’re an insufferable megalomaniac, and yet I can put your adventures down. More fun from the twisted mind of Lauretta Hignett: you don’t want to miss it!

[Jonathan Van Crumpet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous book from Lauretta in this refreshing and darkly humorous Academy series.

I adore how the characters have developed, and how the mystery unfolds piece by piece. It's so clever how the clues are scattered here and there, just enough to keep the reader guessing.  Although - wow - I honestly did not see THAT one coming! The next book will be interesting in all sorts of ways, and it can't come soon enough for me.

Onwards and upwards for Marie and the Scooby gang

[Traci Otte · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many surprises in this chronicle of Marie's story! Twists! Turns! Friends! Foes! Foes who might or might not be friends! It's pretty crazy up in there, but you wouldn't expect less from a Marie book (or any Lauretta Hignett book). I loved every minute of it, and if you've gotten this far in the series, you will, too!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie is treading new waters with her found family but part of her original one turns up.

While trying to juggle that, she’s trying to figure out who the blood mage is. There’s quite a few surprises and plot twists in this book which makes for an entertaining read. Plus the story touches on quite a few moral points in an interesting way.

Fun and well written as always.

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie and the Scooby gang are in disagreement amongst themselves on whether to banish the demons that are on campus. Marie wants to save her boyfriend Arin. Harriet has her own reasons. It is nice to see Harriet grow in her skills as a witch and her self-confidence. Also, Marie’s mother comes to Eternity which gives readers more insight to Marie’s avoidance of caring for anyone.

[Kate Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 in the Eternity College Chronicles and poor Marie just can’t catch a break. A hilarious but absolutely maddening story for Marie and a massive ‘ah ha’! moment along with lots of twisty little plot lines all forming towards what I imagine will be an epic next book. Wonderful storytelling and characters, mid paced, no spice and very little bad language. Recommend it to everyone!

[Nichole Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow! This series keeps getting better and better! I am really enjoying seeing Marie grow and change a bit of her megalomaniac tendencies. I love the growth in her friendships also and can't wait for the next installment!

[Jo Saxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disappointed

I struggled with this latest book. I found Marie rather annoying for most of the first half.
For me personally, there is too much dialogue, not enough action and lacking in humour.
I adore Lauretta Hignett's books and her whacky humour normally. Marie's series just seems to be missing her usual style.
Fortunately, towards the end it redeemed itself, hence the 4 stars rather than 3.
I hope the next one is better.

[Christina Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly entertaining!

I absolutely love The Eternity College Chronicles series, and book 4 was great. My personal predictions about Marie's biological father proved correct, as did my automation that Bonnie was the apprentice.
I am very excited for the release of book five.