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Javier Coven #1
Once Bitten
Dante
For over three hundred years, I’ve waited for Fate to deliver my soulmate; the person I’d love for the rest of my life; the one I was destined to protect, to treasure and to cherish. The one to complete me.
I never expected to find him dancing like an angel in my nightclub. The moment my eyes gazed upon his beauty, my heart was gone. The most mesmerizing thing about him were his eyes; he had the biggest, roundest doe eyes I’d ever seen. They were an enchanting shade of blue; the exact color of the Mediterranean Sea. When I looked into those eyes, I was home.
The problem? Ben is human and knows nothing of vampires or our culture. His anxious nature and pure heart give me pause in divulging my true identity. Will he believe what I have to tell him? Can he ever accept what I’ve done; what I need to do? Can someone so sweet and innocent ever see me as anything but a monster?
Time is running out for me to claim my mate as I grow weaker every day. If he does accept me, can I keep him safe from the dangers that lurk around every corner?
Ben
The nightclub really isn’t my scene. I’m more of a book reading, star gazing nerd at heart. However, I allow my best friend to drag me out one night (at nine o’clock, I might add!) because I can’t resist his puppy dog expression and he knows it.
There, I find the sexiest man I’ve ever seen; tall, strong, and with a sultry Spanish accent that turns my insides to goo. We hit it off immediately, but I’m worried; how can this wealthy, powerful man be attracted to boring little me?
The most exciting thing about me is that I know how to ballroom dance, and that’s only because I took lessons with my grandma! I’ve got no experience with men, my best friend refers to me as “Papaw” because again, I’m boring, and a hundred different worries are always battling in my mind.
Can Dante accept me as I am and maybe bring a little excitement into my life?
*This M/M paranormal romance is for readers 18 and up! It has no cliffhangers or cheating and a very happy HEA. It contains a sexy Spaniard vampire, his anxious little love and a hilarious (if not insufferable) best friend. Look out for lurking dangers, heartwarming moments and steamy scenes!
**Author’s note: Thank you for your interest in my book! This paranormal romance features my take on some seriously sexy vampires. They share many attributes of vampires found in other fictional works, but not all. This book contains dark elements, fated mates, sweet moments and lots of laughs. My stories tend to be low angst because it hurts my heart; I like getting to the good stuff and live for fluff. If “instalove” isn’t your thing, my books may not be for you. I want my readers to finish my books with a smile on their face and a fierce case of the warm and fuzzies. Laughter is guaranteed, and each read delivers its own type of drama. Thanks again for taking a look and happy reading!
For over three hundred years, I’ve waited for Fate to deliver my soulmate; the person I’d love for the rest of my life; the one I was destined to protect, to treasure and to cherish. The one to complete me.
I never expected to find him dancing like an angel in my nightclub. The moment my eyes gazed upon his beauty, my heart was gone. The most mesmerizing thing about him were his eyes; he had the biggest, roundest doe eyes I’d ever seen. They were an enchanting shade of blue; the exact color of the Mediterranean Sea. When I looked into those eyes, I was home.
The problem? Ben is human and knows nothing of vampires or our culture. His anxious nature and pure heart give me pause in divulging my true identity. Will he believe what I have to tell him? Can he ever accept what I’ve done; what I need to do? Can someone so sweet and innocent ever see me as anything but a monster?
Time is running out for me to claim my mate as I grow weaker every day. If he does accept me, can I keep him safe from the dangers that lurk around every corner?
Ben
The nightclub really isn’t my scene. I’m more of a book reading, star gazing nerd at heart. However, I allow my best friend to drag me out one night (at nine o’clock, I might add!) because I can’t resist his puppy dog expression and he knows it.
There, I find the sexiest man I’ve ever seen; tall, strong, and with a sultry Spanish accent that turns my insides to goo. We hit it off immediately, but I’m worried; how can this wealthy, powerful man be attracted to boring little me?
The most exciting thing about me is that I know how to ballroom dance, and that’s only because I took lessons with my grandma! I’ve got no experience with men, my best friend refers to me as “Papaw” because again, I’m boring, and a hundred different worries are always battling in my mind.
Can Dante accept me as I am and maybe bring a little excitement into my life?
*This M/M paranormal romance is for readers 18 and up! It has no cliffhangers or cheating and a very happy HEA. It contains a sexy Spaniard vampire, his anxious little love and a hilarious (if not insufferable) best friend. Look out for lurking dangers, heartwarming moments and steamy scenes!
**Author’s note: Thank you for your interest in my book! This paranormal romance features my take on some seriously sexy vampires. They share many attributes of vampires found in other fictional works, but not all. This book contains dark elements, fated mates, sweet moments and lots of laughs. My stories tend to be low angst because it hurts my heart; I like getting to the good stuff and live for fluff. If “instalove” isn’t your thing, my books may not be for you. I want my readers to finish my books with a smile on their face and a fierce case of the warm and fuzzies. Laughter is guaranteed, and each read delivers its own type of drama. Thanks again for taking a look and happy reading!
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2019
485 people are currently reading
731 people want to read
About the author
Jayda Marx
84 books534 followersI live in rural Ohio with my husband and two sons who drive me nuts, but I love them with all my heart. I enjoy reading and writing romance of all types, but gay romance is my forte and favorite! Twice the sexy men? Yes, please! My books tend to be low angst because it hurts my heart, but they do contain lots of heartfelt moments, steamy scenes and a healthy dose of humor. Thank you to everyone for checking out my page and I hope you enjoy my books. Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
March 23, 2021
Okay, I admit that I wanted to read fluff and low-angst, and this book promised that, but insta-love isn't my usual thing. So, when it also said to expect that because of the fated-mate thing I just decided to go with it for fun.
I have read a LOT of books. A LOT. But, I have honestly never read one as cheesy as this. Ever. I think the Disney people read this book and felt like dirty dirty boys. It made Snow White dancing and singing with woodland creatures look like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre in comparison.
Wow, Disney woke these days. They need to read this book to get things back on track.
This was so outrageously over the top that I actually started to laugh at the ridiculousness...
And so, in that way it was worth it.
Plus, I did laugh at the antics of one of the side characters.
So, either my edible worked better than I thought or this crazy hot mess ended up entertaining me. I guess I'll read that next one.
I have read a LOT of books. A LOT. But, I have honestly never read one as cheesy as this. Ever. I think the Disney people read this book and felt like dirty dirty boys. It made Snow White dancing and singing with woodland creatures look like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre in comparison.
Wow, Disney woke these days. They need to read this book to get things back on track.
This was so outrageously over the top that I actually started to laugh at the ridiculousness...
And so, in that way it was worth it.
Plus, I did laugh at the antics of one of the side characters.
So, either my edible worked better than I thought or this crazy hot mess ended up entertaining me. I guess I'll read that next one.
May 26, 2023
Reread #1: Dec 1-3 Eddie Herrera's moans for Dante are EXQUISITE.
Reread # 2 (May 18-20k
I read this so I wouldn't get tramautized from The Grave Between Us by Tallie
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.
.
.
.
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I don't give two craps how insta lovey this book is, how the writing could do some help, how the many MANY flaws this book has. I don't care because so be it, this book is one of my favorites of this year.
God this book is so.. FULL OF LOVE. Ben and Dante were the definition of deserving and belonging to each other, they made me so giddy and sigh in love. I was in awe of both of them, loved how possessive and growly and protective and fucking LOVING Dante was to Ben. The way Dante cherished Ben bloody warmed my cold dead heart.
And ugk, Ben. It is a deep faulted tragedy that this world doesn't have a Ben Javier in their lives. He was the definition of grace and kindness, of thoughtfulness and respect. He put me in a state of perpetual awe and I stand with them all protecting this precious bean.
Also, Dante reminded me of Daman and Ben reminded me of Gray so 🤡🤡🤡😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩
Love love loveee this book. Can't wait to read book 2, but first? I need to binge stranger thing season 4 volume 2 😌😌😌
Reread # 2 (May 18-20k
I read this so I wouldn't get tramautized from The Grave Between Us by Tallie
.
.
.
.
.
.
“And when I look into your eyes, I feel like I’ve fallen into an ocean of beauty and wonder.”
I don't give two craps how insta lovey this book is, how the writing could do some help, how the many MANY flaws this book has. I don't care because so be it, this book is one of my favorites of this year.
“You are my very life and I will love you always.”
God this book is so.. FULL OF LOVE. Ben and Dante were the definition of deserving and belonging to each other, they made me so giddy and sigh in love. I was in awe of both of them, loved how possessive and growly and protective and fucking LOVING Dante was to Ben. The way Dante cherished Ben bloody warmed my cold dead heart.
“Thank you for loving me and accepting me, and for giving me purpose. And for being proud to show everyone I belong to you.”
And ugk, Ben. It is a deep faulted tragedy that this world doesn't have a Ben Javier in their lives. He was the definition of grace and kindness, of thoughtfulness and respect. He put me in a state of perpetual awe and I stand with them all protecting this precious bean.
Your kindness and thoughtfulness astound me
Also, Dante reminded me of Daman and Ben reminded me of Gray so 🤡🤡🤡😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩
Love love loveee this book. Can't wait to read book 2, but first? I need to binge stranger thing season 4 volume 2 😌😌😌
August 20, 2024
A hard book to review/rate
The thing is - I kinda thought the two main characters were utterly ridiculous. Between Ben who was not a true idiot, but was incredibly childish and written in quite the feminine way, and Dante whose every other sentence was some corny babble, I just couldn't really feel for them. The worst part for me ? The amount of incredibly unnecessary pet names. OMFG, could you not next time ? Mi Amado - fyi - in Spanish, amado is no different than calling someone "honey", so it doesn't need to be capitalized, it's not a proper name. My little love. My Benny, and the death of my patience for them .... osito. WOW. Also, dude, work on that Spanish a little more if you're going to use it. I get it, Dante is supposed to be over 300 yrs old so he'd speak that way because lord forbid he keep up with the times right, but yeah, no, the corny level here was way too high.
Now, that being said, why did I give it 3 stars? One word. Sam, but then I thought about it more and had to change my rating. I thought he was the best, maybe as a solo character he would come off as annoying, but in the midst of this book, I found that I needed him, his humor, his relationship with Ben, his pervy-ness, his unabashed sluttiness. He owned that shit and was proud LOL I loved the way he antagonized Dante with a laugh. This whole book was just fluff, no substance, no real character development, eh.
The thing is - I kinda thought the two main characters were utterly ridiculous. Between Ben who was not a true idiot, but was incredibly childish and written in quite the feminine way, and Dante whose every other sentence was some corny babble, I just couldn't really feel for them. The worst part for me ? The amount of incredibly unnecessary pet names. OMFG, could you not next time ? Mi Amado - fyi - in Spanish, amado is no different than calling someone "honey", so it doesn't need to be capitalized, it's not a proper name. My little love. My Benny, and the death of my patience for them .... osito. WOW. Also, dude, work on that Spanish a little more if you're going to use it. I get it, Dante is supposed to be over 300 yrs old so he'd speak that way because lord forbid he keep up with the times right, but yeah, no, the corny level here was way too high.
Now, that being said, why did I give it 3 stars? One word. Sam, but then I thought about it more and had to change my rating. I thought he was the best, maybe as a solo character he would come off as annoying, but in the midst of this book, I found that I needed him, his humor, his relationship with Ben, his pervy-ness, his unabashed sluttiness. He owned that shit and was proud LOL I loved the way he antagonized Dante with a laugh. This whole book was just fluff, no substance, no real character development, eh.
September 4, 2019
Dnfing at 49% and that was a push.
I HATE Dnfing because no matter how bad I think a book is I like to stick it out till the end so my judgement is fair. But I honestly just can’t. It’s waaayyyyyy too insta love, sunshine and candy floss, will you marry me even though I’ve known you for seconds....for me. Some people might love it! I’m just not one of em’ soz!
I HATE Dnfing because no matter how bad I think a book is I like to stick it out till the end so my judgement is fair. But I honestly just can’t. It’s waaayyyyyy too insta love, sunshine and candy floss, will you marry me even though I’ve known you for seconds....for me. Some people might love it! I’m just not one of em’ soz!
August 28, 2022
DNF 67%
that was boring as fuck
that was boring as fuck
May 20, 2020
(Instead of DNF-ing this like a sane person, I soldiered through it just because I wanted the authority to rant.)
The insta-love the author warns about is - quite unexpectedly - not what bothered me the most.
It pales in comparison to:
* No plot. I repeat. NO PLOT. 350 pages. AND. NO. PLOT!!!!
(Well, I guess there is an excuse for a plot that could maybe fill 40 pages if one used a very big font...)
* Endless and irrelevant descriptions of interiors and clothing; sporadic - but still very much irrelevant - descriptions of food
* Excruciatingly detailed and impossibly long descriptions of two (T W O !) shopping trips - again, irrelevant; also mentioned here because last time I checked torture was illegal
* Reminding the reader how ridiculously wealthy the vampire MC is as often as possible - at least every five pages I think - because otherwise we'll forget and the world will end
* The constant housewife/trophy wife fantasy vibe
* The I'm-not-like-other-girls trope transformed into I'm-not-like-other-boys trope with no modification except for gender of the MC
* Contrasting the virgin MC with his slutty friend to show how much better the MC is because he's not slutty (admitted, it's not as cringingly bad in the second half)
* All the vamps, Dante included, treating Ben like a cute but slightly retarded pet
* Ben acting like a cute but slightly retarded pet
* The villain's reveal is a cliche to end all clichés: a two-page-long infodump monologue in the middle of a fight. Don't even get me started...
And, finally:
* Fluff? What fluff!? I was promised fluff!
(Well. Maybe my definition of fluff differs. Is telling your partner how pretty/handsome they are and/or how much you love them every other line with minimal changes in the wording called fluff now...? Or is it maybe buying your boyfriend stuff, and then said boyfriend squeling "wow, you're so wealthy"? I'm confused...)
(Okay, fine. There was fluff. Only the parts between the fluff were miniscule, and a lot of parts of the fluff were cringy and/or repetitive. So.)
(Also, if my eyes never fall on the phrase "fuzzy balls" ever again it'll be too soon.)
(Also-also, I wasn't aware using the expression "to snap out of stupor" in a sexual context was, like, legal. Huh.)
The insta-love the author warns about is - quite unexpectedly - not what bothered me the most.
It pales in comparison to:
* No plot. I repeat. NO PLOT. 350 pages. AND. NO. PLOT!!!!
(Well, I guess there is an excuse for a plot that could maybe fill 40 pages if one used a very big font...)
* Endless and irrelevant descriptions of interiors and clothing; sporadic - but still very much irrelevant - descriptions of food
* Excruciatingly detailed and impossibly long descriptions of two (T W O !) shopping trips - again, irrelevant; also mentioned here because last time I checked torture was illegal
* Reminding the reader how ridiculously wealthy the vampire MC is as often as possible - at least every five pages I think - because otherwise we'll forget and the world will end
* The constant housewife/trophy wife fantasy vibe
* The I'm-not-like-other-girls trope transformed into I'm-not-like-other-boys trope with no modification except for gender of the MC
* Contrasting the virgin MC with his slutty friend to show how much better the MC is because he's not slutty (admitted, it's not as cringingly bad in the second half)
* All the vamps, Dante included, treating Ben like a cute but slightly retarded pet
* Ben acting like a cute but slightly retarded pet
* The villain's reveal is a cliche to end all clichés: a two-page-long infodump monologue in the middle of a fight. Don't even get me started...
And, finally:
* Fluff? What fluff!? I was promised fluff!
(Well. Maybe my definition of fluff differs. Is telling your partner how pretty/handsome they are and/or how much you love them every other line with minimal changes in the wording called fluff now...? Or is it maybe buying your boyfriend stuff, and then said boyfriend squeling "wow, you're so wealthy"? I'm confused...)
(Okay, fine. There was fluff. Only the parts between the fluff were miniscule, and a lot of parts of the fluff were cringy and/or repetitive. So.)
(Also, if my eyes never fall on the phrase "fuzzy balls" ever again it'll be too soon.)
(Also-also, I wasn't aware using the expression "to snap out of stupor" in a sexual context was, like, legal. Huh.)
December 7, 2022
2.5-3 stars
Well that was straight cheese and corn lol 😂 I knew it was instalove but wow this was instalove to the extreme hahaha!
I felt like Sam was the only sane character in this (which is saying a lot) haha he was literally saying all the things I was thinking when Ben and Dante were being cheesy hahaha those moments made me laugh out loud haha
Also called the bad guy from the beginning but still the end fight scene was pretty entertaining!
Not sure I will continue but this was a little too much insta love for my tastes..yes I knew Jayda Marx loves to have a quick love at first sight situation, but this felt like it was too quick haha! I did like her “Secret Desires” series haha but this series might be too cheesy for me.
Well that was straight cheese and corn lol 😂 I knew it was instalove but wow this was instalove to the extreme hahaha!
I felt like Sam was the only sane character in this (which is saying a lot) haha he was literally saying all the things I was thinking when Ben and Dante were being cheesy hahaha those moments made me laugh out loud haha
Also called the bad guy from the beginning but still the end fight scene was pretty entertaining!
Not sure I will continue but this was a little too much insta love for my tastes..yes I knew Jayda Marx loves to have a quick love at first sight situation, but this felt like it was too quick haha! I did like her “Secret Desires” series haha but this series might be too cheesy for me.
February 27, 2024
ZERO stressy depressy feelings. Giggling and Googly eyes the entire time. it's cheesy, lil bit spicy, fun, 100% stupid, but it made me happy asf. 10/10 bring on Bastian
February 11, 2020
Here we have sweet Ben who's more comfortable in a baggy sweater roaming a bookstore than he is in the club his friend, Sam, drags him to. Who knew he'd meet the love of his life who also happens to be the head of the local vampire coven.
I have been enjoying Jayda Marx's books. They're sweet and low-angst. There's a lot of loving and gushy cheesiness with a tad bit of drama but it's just what I need at the moment. I do think they're a little too long. This one could have been cut down 30-40 pages and still have been fine.
I have to say, I'm not sure if I hate Sam or love him. I haven't figured him out yet and I'm honestly not sure I want to read his book. We shall see though. Maybe the author will pull through and push me to the love side.
I have been enjoying Jayda Marx's books. They're sweet and low-angst. There's a lot of loving and gushy cheesiness with a tad bit of drama but it's just what I need at the moment. I do think they're a little too long. This one could have been cut down 30-40 pages and still have been fine.
I have to say, I'm not sure if I hate Sam or love him. I haven't figured him out yet and I'm honestly not sure I want to read his book. We shall see though. Maybe the author will pull through and push me to the love side.
September 6, 2023
This was so damn cheesy and sweet it almost made me gag but for some reason I really like it???? I don’t know why but I did. I guess the book was there at the right time haha.
But I’m not sure if I’ll read the other books from this series😅
3,5⭐️
But I’m not sure if I’ll read the other books from this series😅
3,5⭐️
July 13, 2022
This book was so fluffy and sweet! 🤤😍
I loved Dante and Ben (especially Dante). It was so sweet and touching and sweet and fun.
If you're in the mood for something like this and just need something light, this book will definitely deliver. Also, who doesn't love sexy vampires!? 👀
And ahhh the possesiveness, the reading of books, the sweet gestures, the stargazing 🤤🤌
I loved Dante and Ben (especially Dante). It was so sweet and touching and sweet and fun.
If you're in the mood for something like this and just need something light, this book will definitely deliver. Also, who doesn't love sexy vampires!? 👀
And ahhh the possesiveness, the reading of books, the sweet gestures, the stargazing 🤤🤌
September 23, 2021
Ben siempre ha sonado con su principe azul, aquel que describen los libros, que lo ponga primero, lo protega y le ame con locura, y no espera encontrarlo en el club nocturno donde su amigo Sam lo arrastro esa noche, pero ahi estaba, el hombre perfecto, ahora tiene miedo no ser lo suficientemente bueno para el.
Dante tiene mas de 300 anos esperando a que "Faith" le traiga su alma gemela, y cuando esa noche en el club nocturno del edificio del Clan lo siente y lo ve, no puede ser mas feliz por el hombre con el que esta emparejado. Pero es humano y no conoce nada sobre su mundo, y el solo tiene 3 dias para convencerlo a que lo deje alimentarse de el, porque si no morira de hambre.
Ben y Dante sienten que encontraron a la pareja perfecta, ahora solo les queda sobrevivir al descubrimiento de Ben de la naturaleza Vampira de su amado y su mejor amigo, mientran intentar evitar que el lider de un Clan enemigo los destruya.
Este libro es todo lo que se espera de el, insta-love, dulce, sin drama, vampiros guapos y con dinero, todos felices para siempre. El autor en la nota inicial del libro lo advierte, que el libro no tiene mayor profundidad que hacerte sonreir con las dulzuras de los dialogos, o reir con las locuras de algunos de los personajes.
Me gusto mucho el universo, el tipo de criaturas que son estos vampiros y como puden mezclarse tan bien con los humanos, sus habilidades son las clasicas de los vampiros, con algunas pocas excepciones. En cuanto a los personajes, los protas son bastantes simples, basicos diria yo, pero los secundarios son mas misteriosos, me interesa saber como van a actuar los otros cuando consigan su alma gemela. Tambien me gustaria saber un poco mas de la organizacion de la raza, y su division en Coven, ademas como el Rey se las arregla para "mandar" a todos los vampiros desde Europa.
Resulta interesante y voy a darle una oportunidad a esta serie, espero que siga siendo tan entretenida como este primer libro.
Dante tiene mas de 300 anos esperando a que "Faith" le traiga su alma gemela, y cuando esa noche en el club nocturno del edificio del Clan lo siente y lo ve, no puede ser mas feliz por el hombre con el que esta emparejado. Pero es humano y no conoce nada sobre su mundo, y el solo tiene 3 dias para convencerlo a que lo deje alimentarse de el, porque si no morira de hambre.
Ben y Dante sienten que encontraron a la pareja perfecta, ahora solo les queda sobrevivir al descubrimiento de Ben de la naturaleza Vampira de su amado y su mejor amigo, mientran intentar evitar que el lider de un Clan enemigo los destruya.
Este libro es todo lo que se espera de el, insta-love, dulce, sin drama, vampiros guapos y con dinero, todos felices para siempre. El autor en la nota inicial del libro lo advierte, que el libro no tiene mayor profundidad que hacerte sonreir con las dulzuras de los dialogos, o reir con las locuras de algunos de los personajes.
Me gusto mucho el universo, el tipo de criaturas que son estos vampiros y como puden mezclarse tan bien con los humanos, sus habilidades son las clasicas de los vampiros, con algunas pocas excepciones. En cuanto a los personajes, los protas son bastantes simples, basicos diria yo, pero los secundarios son mas misteriosos, me interesa saber como van a actuar los otros cuando consigan su alma gemela. Tambien me gustaria saber un poco mas de la organizacion de la raza, y su division en Coven, ademas como el Rey se las arregla para "mandar" a todos los vampiros desde Europa.
Resulta interesante y voy a darle una oportunidad a esta serie, espero que siga siendo tan entretenida como este primer libro.
February 10, 2022
DNF @ 23%
This book was so bad that under a certain light it could almost be considered good, but it's as far from what I wanted to read as it could possibly get.
It was mildly entertaining at first, but the romance quickly began to give me genuine second-hand embarrassment for how cringy and over-the-top it was, and there were so many things grating on my neves that I simply decided to DNF it before my brain exploded. To name a few, the writing style was truly atrocious, the characters were ridiculous in the way they acted and one of the things that I just couldn't get over was how skewed the romantic dynamic was; I admit that for me vampire/vampire will always beat vampire/human, but I especially cannot stand it when the human is depicted as a frail and delicate thing totally incapable of taking care of themselves and just swooning when the first big, strong man shows interest in them. I know it was supposed to be a cute, drama-free story but honestly I just found it sappy, tooth-rotting and overall not enjoyable.
I'm sure there are other questionable vampire love stories out there that contain some elements I might be able to enjoy – and I do plan to explore this genre with hopes of finding hidden gems –, but unfortunately this one didn't have a single thing worthy of merit for me.
This book was so bad that under a certain light it could almost be considered good, but it's as far from what I wanted to read as it could possibly get.
It was mildly entertaining at first, but the romance quickly began to give me genuine second-hand embarrassment for how cringy and over-the-top it was, and there were so many things grating on my neves that I simply decided to DNF it before my brain exploded. To name a few, the writing style was truly atrocious, the characters were ridiculous in the way they acted and one of the things that I just couldn't get over was how skewed the romantic dynamic was; I admit that for me vampire/vampire will always beat vampire/human, but I especially cannot stand it when the human is depicted as a frail and delicate thing totally incapable of taking care of themselves and just swooning when the first big, strong man shows interest in them. I know it was supposed to be a cute, drama-free story but honestly I just found it sappy, tooth-rotting and overall not enjoyable.
I'm sure there are other questionable vampire love stories out there that contain some elements I might be able to enjoy – and I do plan to explore this genre with hopes of finding hidden gems –, but unfortunately this one didn't have a single thing worthy of merit for me.
September 3, 2019
4.25 stars
First and foremost, I would like to Thank Theresa for this book recommendation.
I enjoyed the world that Ms. Marx's has created. Dante and Ben are a great couple. I especially enjoyed when Dante and Ben bonded and the three golden strands extended, one for the mind, one from the heart and then one from the soul. That wasn't something that I have read before in a "fated mates" novel.
I'm also looking forward to the next book in this series. If I can guess we will have three more to round out the people who are in this couples inner circle. Bastian, Sam, and Dimitri.
First and foremost, I would like to Thank Theresa for this book recommendation.
I enjoyed the world that Ms. Marx's has created. Dante and Ben are a great couple. I especially enjoyed when Dante and Ben bonded and the three golden strands extended, one for the mind, one from the heart and then one from the soul. That wasn't something that I have read before in a "fated mates" novel.
I'm also looking forward to the next book in this series. If I can guess we will have three more to round out the people who are in this couples inner circle. Bastian, Sam, and Dimitri.
March 21, 2025
I can’t believe this book only gets 4 stars!!! It’s AMAZZZZZZZZZING!!! I loved it. The love. The loyalty. The everything!! I cannot get enough of Jayda Marx’s books, her stories are amazing.
Second time reading it and it’s just as amazing as I remember it to be.
Second time reading it and it’s just as amazing as I remember it to be.
March 23, 2020
LMAO @everything.
This is too much. It was so bad it was funny.
This is too much. It was so bad it was funny.
September 14, 2023
**3.5 stars**
You either kinda love or kinda hate stories like this.
✔️ soulmates
✔️ insta-love (very cheesy and insta)
✔️ a bit of action
✔️ funny side characters (those were real good)
I must say I liked this one. As much as this whole insta thing Jayda has going on is not really my cup of tea, I sometimes stumble across a book that is tolerable for me. This one in particular was a book I really enjoyed.
I most definitely got a sweetness overdose from this though but that was to be expected.
You either kinda love or kinda hate stories like this.
✔️ soulmates
✔️ insta-love (very cheesy and insta)
✔️ a bit of action
✔️ funny side characters (those were real good)
I must say I liked this one. As much as this whole insta thing Jayda has going on is not really my cup of tea, I sometimes stumble across a book that is tolerable for me. This one in particular was a book I really enjoyed.
I most definitely got a sweetness overdose from this though but that was to be expected.
January 5, 2023
Es war echt gut. Ich habe sofort gemerkt, dass es mehr Seiten hat und viele Kleinigkeiten mehr Aufmerksamkeit bekommen haben. Manche Plots waren vllt. etwas kitschig, aber ich habe es geliebt, dass es nicht so viel unnötiges Drama gab. Dante und Benny waren einfach soo niedlich. 😍
Ahh und Sam. Ich liebe ihn einfach. Seine Mates tun mir etwas leid, die ihn bekommen werden oder auch nicht... 😂😂😂
Ahh und Sam. Ich liebe ihn einfach. Seine Mates tun mir etwas leid, die ihn bekommen werden oder auch nicht... 😂😂😂
January 22, 2023
Książka 1 gwiazdka
Ale Sam rozśmieszył mnie do łez , więc niech będą 3!!
Ale Sam rozśmieszył mnie do łez , więc niech będą 3!!
October 13, 2019
2.5 Stars**
Oh, boy. I think a part of me enjoyed this book, but there were so many problems with it. The characters were...underdeveloped, to put it lightly. Ben acted like an 11-year-old. The cheesiness was over-the-top. There was no real reason for them to have feelings for each other other than that it was "fate". Their relationship did not grow. I usually love insta-love between soulmates, but this was way too much. Becoming boyfriends within a couple of hours? When previously, Ben had been the type of character to always reject people's advancements on him? Getting engaged after less than a week?! The love didn't feel real, it was all superficial. There was no real development in their relationship. It would have been extremely cute if I could have been able to feel there was a genuine connection between them.
The author also made a lot of writing mistakes and really needed an editor or two. For example, they once wrote that Ben had "crocodile tears". They used this phrase to showcase how much he was crying, but that is not what the phrase "crocodile tears" means. Crocodile tears refer to fake tears. This book could have been so much better if the author had gotten someone to help them work out the plentiful kinks in their writing.
Despite that this book was filled with many mistakes, I still found myself enjoying it in some way. It was somewhat addicting, I guess. But as it is, I would not recommend it - most of it made me cringe.
Oh, boy. I think a part of me enjoyed this book, but there were so many problems with it. The characters were...underdeveloped, to put it lightly. Ben acted like an 11-year-old. The cheesiness was over-the-top. There was no real reason for them to have feelings for each other other than that it was "fate". Their relationship did not grow. I usually love insta-love between soulmates, but this was way too much. Becoming boyfriends within a couple of hours? When previously, Ben had been the type of character to always reject people's advancements on him? Getting engaged after less than a week?! The love didn't feel real, it was all superficial. There was no real development in their relationship. It would have been extremely cute if I could have been able to feel there was a genuine connection between them.
The author also made a lot of writing mistakes and really needed an editor or two. For example, they once wrote that Ben had "crocodile tears". They used this phrase to showcase how much he was crying, but that is not what the phrase "crocodile tears" means. Crocodile tears refer to fake tears. This book could have been so much better if the author had gotten someone to help them work out the plentiful kinks in their writing.
Despite that this book was filled with many mistakes, I still found myself enjoying it in some way. It was somewhat addicting, I guess. But as it is, I would not recommend it - most of it made me cringe.
September 19, 2019
Había hace muchos años un programa en la televisión española en el que el presentador sacaba tarjetas con un regalo, leía la mitad y el concursante decidía si lo quería o no. Hacia la mitad de la tarjeta les decía "Y hasta aquí puedo leer...!"
Así me quedé yo con éste libro. DNF al 70% porque "hasta ahí pude leer..!". No sé cómo describirlo, inconsistente y banal la historia, infantiles los protagonista y los diálogos y aburrido en su totalidad.
Y para acabar de rematarla, las expresiones en castellano "de llorar" (quien en su sano juicio llama a su pareja "amado" en estos tiempos?? , aquello parecían las cantigas de Alfonso X El Sabio)
Así me quedé yo con éste libro. DNF al 70% porque "hasta ahí pude leer..!". No sé cómo describirlo, inconsistente y banal la historia, infantiles los protagonista y los diálogos y aburrido en su totalidad.
Y para acabar de rematarla, las expresiones en castellano "de llorar" (quien en su sano juicio llama a su pareja "amado" en estos tiempos?? , aquello parecían las cantigas de Alfonso X El Sabio)
October 5, 2019
Interesting
Stumbled on this book making it my first one by the author. It was an Insta-love story. It had a combination of several factors. It had suspense, mystery, assassination attempts, it was funny and mushy. The characters were okay. Ben appeared a bit immature At times but he was also young. It was easy enough to read.
Stumbled on this book making it my first one by the author. It was an Insta-love story. It had a combination of several factors. It had suspense, mystery, assassination attempts, it was funny and mushy. The characters were okay. Ben appeared a bit immature At times but he was also young. It was easy enough to read.
July 17, 2022
1 Star.
Did not enjoy it.
Did not enjoy it.
December 21, 2021
3.5/5
Tropes and Elements:
- Age gap (supernatural)
- Vampires
- Fated mates
- Instalove and instalust
- Virgin MC
This one was… interesting. I’ve read a fair amount of Jayda’s books and this one is older than some of her newer stuff and I can see some changes and shifts she has made as a writer - not good or bad, just different. For me, this book was darker towards the end conflict than I expected. Not only does she detail some grotesque scenes throughout but she has a rather violent scene happen to one of the MCs that I wasn’t expecting.
Ben is cute but this is the second book I’ve read by her that has the “gets drunk after one drink immediately” trope which just isn’t my favorite. I know her books aren’t ‘realistic’ but it makes it feel cringey. Also, I expected his love for dance to become more important and it did not. I liked his relationship with Sam - and I like his Sam was casually promiscuous and not shamed for it.
Dante was the swoony old-fashioned vampire prince who likes books. I found him sweet and enjoyed the Spanish used throughout, though I do find it funny a vampire coven led by the prince would settle in Ohio of all places. Seems a little not-vampirey. And I'm 99% sure that Spanish is google translated, so it is probably very stiff, formal, and might even have mistakes.
The lore around vampires and their mates is interesting though kind of strange. I guess because some of them are not typical, but it felt very random if it makes sense? I’ve always said I’m not really sure why Marx writes paranormal but hey, she seems to be having fun and I was along for the ride.
I found the sorta kinky scenes around exhibitionist sex or openness around sexuality kind of hilarious.
Tropes and Elements:
- Age gap (supernatural)
- Vampires
- Fated mates
- Instalove and instalust
- Virgin MC
This one was… interesting. I’ve read a fair amount of Jayda’s books and this one is older than some of her newer stuff and I can see some changes and shifts she has made as a writer - not good or bad, just different. For me, this book was darker towards the end conflict than I expected. Not only does she detail some grotesque scenes throughout but she has a rather violent scene happen to one of the MCs that I wasn’t expecting.
Ben is cute but this is the second book I’ve read by her that has the “gets drunk after one drink immediately” trope which just isn’t my favorite. I know her books aren’t ‘realistic’ but it makes it feel cringey. Also, I expected his love for dance to become more important and it did not. I liked his relationship with Sam - and I like his Sam was casually promiscuous and not shamed for it.
Dante was the swoony old-fashioned vampire prince who likes books. I found him sweet and enjoyed the Spanish used throughout, though I do find it funny a vampire coven led by the prince would settle in Ohio of all places. Seems a little not-vampirey. And I'm 99% sure that Spanish is google translated, so it is probably very stiff, formal, and might even have mistakes.
The lore around vampires and their mates is interesting though kind of strange. I guess because some of them are not typical, but it felt very random if it makes sense? I’ve always said I’m not really sure why Marx writes paranormal but hey, she seems to be having fun and I was along for the ride.
I found the sorta kinky scenes around exhibitionist sex or openness around sexuality kind of hilarious.
May 29, 2023
I had high hopes for this one. I love vampire books. And while this wasn't bad, it wasn't good either. I don't care for the instant love trope, but I knew that this was going into it. And honestly, it was written ok. What didn't work for me was the amount of cheesiness throughout the book. Oh my word, it was so bad. I found myself rolling my eyes so much. In fact, a couple of times, I said, "this is ridiculous" out loud.
Ben comes across as this guy who is an introvert, doesn't talk to people and stays to himself. Oh and to top it all off, he's a virgin. But as soon as he meets Dante, he becomes this foul mouth, have to have all the sex, crazed person. So totally unbelievable. It didn't work at all with his character. Sam was starting to get on my nerves as well. But what was with the entire coven hearing everything that went down every time they had sex? Because they would open the door and then all his guards would run off to have sex quick. I mean, come on.
I'm not sure if I need to just hang it up with this author or give another book a try. I'm worried they are all cheesy like this, but maybe this was a one-off. Oh the dilemma...
Ben comes across as this guy who is an introvert, doesn't talk to people and stays to himself. Oh and to top it all off, he's a virgin. But as soon as he meets Dante, he becomes this foul mouth, have to have all the sex, crazed person. So totally unbelievable. It didn't work at all with his character. Sam was starting to get on my nerves as well. But what was with the entire coven hearing everything that went down every time they had sex? Because they would open the door and then all his guards would run off to have sex quick. I mean, come on.
I'm not sure if I need to just hang it up with this author or give another book a try. I'm worried they are all cheesy like this, but maybe this was a one-off. Oh the dilemma...
July 15, 2023
insta love, vampires, soulmates, insurrection. This book has it all. It's a whole lot of cheesy. Sometimes you need a lot of cheese in your life. I did enjoy the story, it was just a little long. Ben was way too innocent, Dante was alpha king, and Sam was the whoring it about type.
July 2, 2022
such a fluffy sweet story. i am a sucker for monsters that turn into the biggest simps ever for their mates. adorable.
February 16, 2020
✮3.5 Stars✮
September 30, 2019
Rating: 4 stars
Despite the fact that this book was far from perfect, I really enjoyed it. I absolutely loved both MCs. Dante and Ben were wonderful together and though they suffered from a major case of insta-love, I bought into their mating all the way. I also loved the side characters. Bastian, Dimitri and Sam were all great characters and added to the story. I think my two biggest complaints were everyone was just too lovey dovey with each other. Everyone in the coven was falling down nice to Ben and it got to be a bit much. And speaking of a bit much, I loved Sam and Ben’s relationship as best friends, but Sam got on my nerves quite a bit. He was just way too over the top. I’m really hoping the author writes his story in the future because I want to see who he ends up with. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward do to reading future installments in the series.
Despite the fact that this book was far from perfect, I really enjoyed it. I absolutely loved both MCs. Dante and Ben were wonderful together and though they suffered from a major case of insta-love, I bought into their mating all the way. I also loved the side characters. Bastian, Dimitri and Sam were all great characters and added to the story. I think my two biggest complaints were everyone was just too lovey dovey with each other. Everyone in the coven was falling down nice to Ben and it got to be a bit much. And speaking of a bit much, I loved Sam and Ben’s relationship as best friends, but Sam got on my nerves quite a bit. He was just way too over the top. I’m really hoping the author writes his story in the future because I want to see who he ends up with. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward do to reading future installments in the series.
September 9, 2022
I don’t usually review books I don’t finish…but this was an absolute snooze fest. It was so boring. The plot was boring. The sex was boring. The “conflict” was boring. The main characters were boring. I was more interested in Sam(LOVED him) and Bastian than the main characters. Insta love isn’t my thing, but I can usually deal with it and even enjoy it with fated mates. But not here. I hate the clueless blushing virgin trope and that was 100 percent Ben. Even Dante got on my nerves. All that flowery romantic stuff he said just made him come off like a cornball. And it annoyed me even more that Ben just ate it every time. They were perfect for each other though, bc they both had half a personality. All in all this just was not for me.
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