A Delicious Descent

Monsters & Mayhem

by Amanda Meuwissen

Dracula retold, with Jonathan as the object of the legendary vampire’s obsession.

Engaged to his dear friend Mina, Jonathan Harker jumps at the chance to delay their wedding by accepting an assignment in far-off Transylvania. Jonathan loves Mina but not in the way a man should love a wife, for his true passion lies with the company of men, an illicit craving he can never indulge.

Upon arriving in Transylvania to help the elusive Count Dracula purchase an estate in London, Jonathan makes some surprising if tantalizing discoveries. It seems his mysterious client has similar proclivities and encourages his male servants to explore their forbidden desires, all the while tempting Jonathan to partake.

Carnal pleasure isn’t the only surprise awaiting him, however, as Dracula’s secrets are far deadlier than Jonathan ever imagined, and as alluring as his new master’s touch.

A Delicious Descent is an MM horror retelling of Dracula, as part of the collaboration Monsters & Mayhem: An MM Horror Collection, adapting some of your favorite classic horror stories with an MM romance twist. Contains MM with sharing, MMM, and brief FF.

Genres: M M Romance, Vampires, Horror, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Historical

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2022

About the author

Amanda Meuwissen is a queer author with a primary focus on M/M fiction and romance. As the author of LGBTQ+ Fantasy #1 Best Seller, Coming Up for Air, LGBTQ+ Horror #1 Best Seller and #1 New Release, A Delicious Descent, and several other titles through various publishers, Amanda regularly attends local comic conventions for fun and to meet with fans, where she will often be seen in costume as one of her favorite fictional characters. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, John, and their cat, Helga.

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reads seems to have eaten up my review for this unfortunately. Nog my favorite but really liked it.

[Megan [At The Cottage]]

MM Romance
Dracula Retelling



I have absolutely no idea what to say about this book except that it made me sleep better than I have in ages. Anytime I picked this book up, I fell asleep, no lie. I have a “cured my insomnia” shelf but I’m thinking I should have a rating system for these books as well because this was chef’s kiss. 😘 I’m a night owl by nature but also an insomniac because I have chronic nerve pain. This book was like someone injecting the best sleep/pain medication into my veins but I actually think I slept too much because now I almost feel nocturnal and it’s ruining my ability to sleep just in a different way. Sigh 😔

I somehow was able to read all of this but I’m not sure I retained much due to only being able to read 10 min at a time before passing out. I can’t say this was a terrible book despite the sleeping but obviously I didn’t find it titillating either. The greatest part about this book besides me sleeping soundly and it ending was that almost everyone became part of this big gay vampire harem. It was all inclusive and full of love and friendship and I liked the dynamics.

Obviously it’s not fair for me to rate this book due to being asleep for most of it but I think I might keep this in my ku library and read it at night before bed instead of taking sleeping pills. I wish I were joking. 🤣

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the minute I stepped into the castle with Jonathan I was ‘on’. Everything was crystal clear told, the atmosphere, the language they speak, the forbidden feelings, all was palpable and perfectly placed into this tale.
The retelling was (for me) better than the original (sorry no sorry)
It was super sexy, romantic, and delicious.
Give it to the author to tell this story, bloody awesomely done!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was beautifully written, but is almost stronger as a tale of self- acceptance and found family than romance. The romance was sensual and sweet, if a bit fast. There is a spoiler reason for the sudden connection that gave it depth, and was actually quite lovely, but I wish the development was a bit more seamless. There isn't much horror here, with the only true villain the judgements of society, though I suppose that is much truer to life. The ways in which these judgments, both internal and external, were addressed were by far the most meaningful part of this novel. I also very much loved the ending, as it was filled with so much joy.

[ML · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

Jonathan was a bit of an annoying character. Very passive aggressive. Dracula should have found another companion,tbh. Lucian and Alexander were Dracula’s faithful minions and very hot together.

67% in and the author is trying to shoe horn in all these characters in the last hour of the book. It is VERY odd. Van Helsing, really?!? The book took a seriously boring turn. Had to skim. What a waste of a potentially hot Dracula story. Ugh 😑

The end was good but the getting there was not what I was hoping for. This is the second vampire book I’ve read this week that has been missing alot of sexiness. This was just meh. So much potential too! I’ve read all the books in this series and this was my least favorite. Meh.

[patrícia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have crossed oceans of time to read this retelling 🖤

This was probably the most anticipated book of the series for me, because Dracula! And everyone is gay! What more can we ask for right? And for sure these vampires don’t sparkle and that works for me 🤌

I loved the story, the way all the characters were introduced, build and were adapted to the original story. The conflict between society acceptance and love it’s very actual and sad! Love should conquer all 🫠

Absolutely love everything in Transylvania the ambience of the castle, the discovery, their interactions 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 and the of course the sexy times! Finally Jonathan get some action !!!!!! But sometimes Jonathan was a bit crying baby but I forgive him because sexy vampires everywhere and his lust just blocked his brain!

The story follows it’s course to London, separated. We meet Mina and Lucy, Jack, Renfield and Van Helsing ( fun fact my auto correct just changed Van Helsing for Van Helping 😅and he kind of does in the end right?)

Jonathan makes it’s peace with who he really is, and with Dracula and the gang, with the addition of Renfield the English who was promised to Alexander and Lucian. The happy ending is near but that would leave the girls out, soooooo why don’t get in the bunch? And everyone is a vampire and gay! Perfect solution ❤️ The End

The sex scenes were hot and sexy, but at some point all that watching each other was a little weird, i would love to read some alone time between Ivan aka Jonathan and Draco aka Dracula 🖤

In the end love prevails 🙏

[Janet Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Delicious Descent is the retelling of Dracula in the multi author series Monsters & Mayhem. Jonathan escapes to Transylvania to help the Count close his estate to move to London. He’s engaged to Mina, but doesn’t love her like the way a man loves a woman. There he learns all his carnal desires and acts on them. I freakin loved this book!! Seriously dark, gritty and perfect!!! This author always knows how to hit all my buttons when reading one of her books. Smutty and romantic! Overall, a fantastic addition to the Monsters & Mayhem series. Well written with addicting pacing. Highly recommend.

[Tosha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a spectacular MM (MMMM) Dracula retelling! I would not say it was scary (and that perhaps was my only disappointment if there was any) but the story was absolutely wonderful, surprising found family that I loved and this book was absolutely hot as a Dracula retelling should be. I would read this again!

[Samawia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a vampire class last semester in which we read Dracula….and this is the PERFECT follow up to that!! I always felt like Dracula and Jonathan had chemistry as well as Lucy and Mina!! There’s also some other characters that are and are not familiar in this wonderful retelling that are part of the chemistry but also their own thing! Overall, if you’ve read Dracula, I HIGHLY recommend this as it actually does follow the real story, but with some major adjustments to make it a romance. Unlike some of the other books in this series, this book actually takes place in the same time as the original Dracula tale, and is probably one of the closest to it’s original, and that is what makes the twists so surprising! Wonderfully written!

[Holly Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
From the moment I read the blurb, I knew I had to read this. I'm a long term Jonathan Harker/Dracula shipper ( basically, ever since I read the original novel) so this was... This was a dream come true.
Then actually reading it... *Chef's kiss*. Even better, more romantic, smuttier and sexier than I had hoped. It's delicious, inclusive romance that celebrates that Love is Love and it hits hard on my favourite trope, Found Family.
I don't want to give anymore than that away, because if you like M/M romance and vampires you need to read this for yourself.
So good!!!

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really sure how to word how I felt about this. I enjoyed this, thought the romance and relationships were beautiful, only....this felt....rushed. And, a complaint I had with quite a few books in this series was in this as well: the horror part of this was lacking. I understand, as they were retelling an older horror story that, if trying to stay on point with it, it might not be as scary as I was hoping. So, I understand, but, I just think this was more focused on the romance aspect than the horror instead of trying for a happy balance.

[SFBookReviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Delicious Descent is a fantastic MM (MMMM) retelling of Dracula. It is part of the Monsters & Mayhem series but can be read as a standalone. Amanda Meuwissen has a good writing style, and really gave her all to the story. The book was hot and really great writing. Overall an excellent read. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[purely.romantic · Rating 5 out of 5]

CW’s and CN’s at the end

Amanda Meuwissen’s contribution to the multi-author Monsters and Mayhem Classic Horror Retellings series, focuses on perhaps one of the most famous creepy supernatural characters: Dracula himself. Even though I haven’t read the original (I know, I know, bad 19th centuryist!), I know enough to thoroughly enjoy Amanda’s take on this and to see the nods to the original as well as the fascinating ways the horror story has been infused with elements of a romance.

We meet Jonathan Harker, a solicitor, on his way to Count Dracula’s castle in Transylvania to finalize the sale of an estate in London. Though given vague ominous warnings about his destination, when Jonathan meets the Count he is taken with this man who is cultured, elegant and so very handsome. Cleverly incorporating important moments from the original novel, this retelling focuses on Jonathan’s self-exploration as he battles some inner demons as well as friends turned foes to finally admit his love for Dracula (and his companions Lucian and Alexander) and fully commit to living as his true self.

I loved what Amanda has done with this retelling and particularly how it marries some of the best parts of classic horror stories and nineteenth-century Gothic storytelling with modern romance elements. The creepy atmosphere, the superstition and the fear of the unknown as well as the ever-present battle between legend and science are all some of my favourite hallmarks of Gothic horror and this added such texture to the story. Jonathan’s introspectiveness and his constant inner battle over what is right and wrong and how to reconcile his own wants was also reminiscent of a good nineteenth-century protagonist and I’m so impressed with how the tone of the book weaves the period-specific styles with the emotional exploration that we all love in any romance. Finally, the novel is also deeply, deeply spicy infusing the story with the combination of sexy but scary that is central to the origins of vampire lore and romance.

With familiar characters from the original, *Delicious Descent* is emotional, atmospheric, very sexy and a wonderful 5-star homage to *Dracula*!

CW’s: Period-specific homophobia including some internalized homophobia; scenes in a nineteenth-century mental institution including straight jackets; some violence and murder typical of a vampire story.

CN’s: Please note that this is a vampire romance that includes biting and drinking of blood including in sexual situations. This is high heat with on-page sex scenes between two characters, as well as scenes where established couples/partners all have sex with each other (think of it as a very sexy puppy pile) in MM and MMM scenes. There are also two minor scenes of FF interactions.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were two things I didn't realize when I got this book for free from Bookbub.

The first thing is that I have read a book by Meuwissen before about the mafia and a mermen and it was pretty good for what it was.

The second thing is that this is the tenth installment in a series about monster boinking where the author has rewritten famous stories with a gay(er?) romance slant.

I'll admit I've never read Dracula and the extent of my knowledge of it comes mainly from Dracula: Dead and Loving it and something I read on Tumblr about how a cowboy with an amazing mustache saves the day.

So having said that, this was a fun read. Since this is originally a horror story and the "bad guys" are technically the good guys in this retelling, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I use the quotes because, y'know, these are still vampires that kill people to feed on and Renfield is still a weirdo that eats bugs. The whole vibe of their coven (den, brood? what's the collective for vampires?) is that they're bad boys. It felt very much like an after school special. Oh no, Johnathan is falling in with the wrong gang and they are partying hard and doing PDA and you know eventually he's going to get an STD or *gasp* try a cigarette!! I kept seeing all the red flags of the relationship and I never really trusted Dracula.

So I was pleasantly surprised at the ending. Having said that, I would have ended it by so we learn at some point in the story that Dracula was "cursed" with vampirism because his lover (that was Johnathan in a past life) died in a dramatic fashion. It would have made more sense if after he and Jonathan professed their love to each other (or when they finally did the penetrative "deed") that the curse was broken and all the vampires turned back into humans. Especially since the whole story was written like a huge cock tease for Johnathan where he was waiting for Dracula to seduce him.

Anyway, I'm definitely not reading the next one because it can't possibly be as funny as the way I'm picturing it in my head. Meuwissen writes decently but her plots tend to be waiting around for a thing to happen. In this one, it was waiting on movers to get things packed and then for Johnathan to become a vampire so he can do some good fang boning. If you're super into monster-loving, though, you should definitely check out the series.

[Sif Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple of my favorite things in 'A Delicious Descent' were the exceptional characters, all of the vampirical lore, the interactions between the characters, their almost familial sort of camaraderie, the memory transference from drinking another's blood, and best of all LESBIANS. (Yes, Mina and Lucy were my favorite pair in this, and yes, I am aware of my bias. HAHA)
My favorite scene in the entire story was the time when Dracula and Johnathan sparred with swords instead of packing up like they were supposed to. I didn't know about the foreshadowing it would represent later in the story, but initially, it made me chuckle thinking how it was such a stereotypical manly thing that men do to bond or in this case flirt.
I do however wish there was more build-up between Dracula and Johnathan before things became physical but only because I personally like a good slow burn, and while my personal preference tends to be towards more monogamous coupling, the exploration of polyamory was intriguing and fit quite nicely into the story for the type of freedom it expresses. This story is one steamy romp fest from start to finish with crucial plot elements sprinkled about just to keep things thrilling. If you’re looking for something racy, the eroticism is on a whole new level, very exciting and intense - I guarantee, you won't be disappointed.

[Trish Skywalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark and twisted romance from the amazing Amanda Meuwissen!
Jonathan Harker is engaged to the beautiful Mina, but he knows he doesn’t love her as he should. He’s never loved a woman that way, and he knows he never will. He jumps at the chance to travel to Transylvania to assist a count in closing out his estate before moving to London, thus postponing his marriage. But he never expected to find what he does…
Jonathan is first introduced to two beautiful men, Lucien and Alexander, the count’s valets. Then the stunning Count himself. Jonathan realizes there is something quite different about Dracula and his servants, but he doesn’t quite know what it is.
These men confirm for Jonathan not only that he truly desires men, but he also desires these supernatural creatures, especially the handsome count.
Jonathan doesn’t think he can leave, or that he can go through with his wedding. When he falls extremely ill, Jonathan knows that his life is changing forever.
Besides this being an exciting and dark romance, it’s also a poignant look at old time views on love and marriage, and who the true monsters were at the time.
An excellent addition to the Monsters & Mayhem series!!

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a rollercoaster. Seriously.
Was it good? Was it bad? It was neither of those. It was… okay.

It went over the rails as soon as it hit 50% and it continued to be messy up until the last 10%

This is not dark, by the way. It doesn’t even have an ounce of dark.

Hell, I think I prefer to read a book between Mina and Lucy. Lucy along is wild enough to make a book interesting and funny.

Jonathan and Dracula are both too serious and bland as main characters.

I had high expectations from this book. I wanted it to be dark. I wanted dark Dracula, toying and obsessing over Jonathan. Jonathan fighting Dracula’s mind fuckery. Instead I got boring, kind Dracula and Bottom!Jonathan.



PS: I hated the whole “Jonathan was a past lover of Dracula known as Ivan” because it helped to gloss over their insta-love. I hate the same thing with the OG Dracula with him and Mina.

[Queen I of Book Whore. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wish i could quickly give up on a book the same way i do a health diet. This book is like a celery stick....bland,tasteless and boring.

[Aimora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reimagining of Dracula is more traditional than some of the others in this series, and not quite as dark. I enjoyed it. It's been many years since I've read the original. Unfortunately for me, I've seen the movie several times over the years and kept seeing Keanu and other actors as the book characters.

[REBECCA FRANK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

[RjS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, sexy romp. ‘Dracula’ is just perfect for this alternative take which is delivered with considerable panache. I also loved the inclusive ‘found family’ aspect.

[Allisen Olmstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the better books I have read in this series. It makes mention of several moments in the original book, but the story is fresh. It was hard to put down.

[rzells · Rating 2 out of 5]

mixed feelings

Lots of beautiful meaningful passages. But not as dark as I thought based off the premise. I was happy at ending though. Lucy and Dracula were my fav characters

[☁️ sophie ·˚ ༘ ꒱ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Cheryl_cajun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for arc read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Myth and mysterious, Old superstitions mixed with bits of truth for the time leading to a collaboration that brings to life such a lovely retelling to the characters grip you right when open the pages, as Jonathan is marvelling over the country side of Transylvania and the hidden temptation of wondrous offered.  Like calls to like even in the darkness of night. Jonathan, along with his London crew is about to find out that there is declaration difference of just what makes a human or monster?  After all the torment of treatment laid on Renfield should be a testament.
  Ha,  it wasn't wine that Alexander has give, it was a truth serum, that the poor unsuspecting Jonathan drunk!  Once the truth is learned, Jonathan is filled to the brim with questions..why him, was he damned after all? Did they ask to much of the young man, or was he made for this? After just a taste of the desires brewing, Jonathan is fighting an inner raging turmoil of jealousy over the Count, Alexander and the playful Lucian. Landing back home in England Jonathan has summons his old professor in his shaken haste.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting take, but a few too many characters diluted the narrative for me. I also thought The bit about Jonathan being (redacted) was a bit of a cop out. I thought it would have made a much better story without that shortcut.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this spin on Dracula. It was well-written and the characters were well-developed.

I would give it five stars if it wasn't for two things. Ivan's presence which I didn't think was necessary. And the ending with Mina, Lucy, etc felt rushed.

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

old post reposted


My 2024 Reading Challenge for the month of February will be Beat The Backlog work (digital and print books). I'm going to start with the Monsters & Mayhem series (a mm collection of classic horror adaptations with a romantic twist). The tenth book is "A Delicious Descent" by Amanda Meuwissen; it's a Dracula retelling.
["Dracula retold, with Jonathan as the object of the legendary vampire’s obsession.

Engaged to his dear friend Mina, Jonathan Harker jumps at the chance to delay their wedding by accepting an assignment in far-off Transylvania. Jonathan loves Mina but not in the way a man should love a wife, for his true passion lies with the company of men, an illicit craving he can never indulge.

Upon arriving in Transylvania to help the elusive Count Dracula purchase an estate in London, Jonathan makes some surprising if tantalizing discoveries. It seems his mysterious client has similar proclivities and encourages his male servants to explore their forbidden desires, all the while tempting Jonathan to partake.

Carnal pleasure isn’t the only surprise awaiting him, however, as Dracula’s secrets are far deadlier than Jonathan ever imagined, and as alluring as his new master’s touch."]

This one was a little more complicated. Well, a lot more complicated. Secrets, servants, more secrets. Spice, sweetness. Depravity, desperation. Confessions, confusion. Friends, foes. Homes, happily ever afters. Let's just say, with every disadvantage, with every uncertainty, there were three times the benefits. It was hard, for Jonathan to chose the unknown, the feared, the darkness, but maybe, the darkness was what let him out of his own shadows and into the light, into his happiness.

Trigger Warnings: typical vampire violence, period-specific homophobia, and more

#adeliciousdescent #amandameuwissen

#lightnightborn #indarknessanddank #deathsbloom #beautifuladam #heartslost #nightsmelody #hisdarkestdesires #onedge #hollowoath #mmscrooge #monstersandmayhem #monstersandhayhemseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this retelling immenseley!!!!

I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, and to be honest, I was a tad apprehensive.

I’ve been on a book slump the last couple of months, everything has just been feeling bland and repetitive, so I didn’t have high hopes going into this.

I am glad to have been proven wrong, I really truly enjoyed this, including the more annoying bits.

Jonathan was literally THE PERFECT damsel-in-distress, starting with the opening scene leading up to the castle doors!



“… Jonathan’s knees buckled, and he fought to keep from succumbing to a swoon in a place where he could not dare show weakness.”


He got a tad annoying, and the soapbox was a little ott, but I chose to take it for what it was and just enjoyed the ride.

I liked Dracula too, and really liked Lucien, Alexander and even Mina.

I liked the writing style and pace, nothing outright bothered me. The speed, for what Jonathan was meant to be doing and given everything that had happened and how it was explained, felt ok for me.

The ending was a tad… 🙄🙄🙄 but given who Jonathan was as a person and by extension who Dracula was with him, I guess it works. 🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️

Overall, I enjoyed it.

[Alix Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un grand merci à l’auteure pour cet ARC et sa confiance.

Délicieuse réécriture MM (with light sharing) de Dracula.🔥🩸🧛‍♂️
Jonathan, trop heureux de retarder son mariage imminent avec son amie Mina, accepte de se rendre en Transylvanie auprès du comte Dracula en vue d’organiser le séjour à Londres de celui-ci.

Dans cette ambiance gothique (que j’ai absolument adoré), au cœur de la nuit et entouré de mythiques locaux tout à fait effrayants, Jonathan trouve plus déroutant encore que les étrangetés de son hôte. Il découvre un lieu sans tabou ni barrière moral où il est libre d’aimer sans crainte pour la première fois de sa vie.

Jonathan est aux prises avec la moralité de son époque le pressant de repousser les désirs de son corps et les sentiments de son cœur mais ne peut s’empêcher d’être séduit par le comte et la liberté sans peur ni remords dont il jouit.

Mais bien que Dracula se dise prêt à satisfaire les désires de Jonathan, il ne compte pas pour autant les lui livrer si facilement. Il est tout en contactes fugaces et alléchantes propositions mais oblige Jonathan à initié tout ce qu’il voudra de lui. Le forçant à sortir de sa zone de confort et à se dresser pour ce qu’il veut vraiment.

Jonathan tombe rapidement et profondément amoureux de Dracula, ne pouvant empêcher le sentiment brûlant au creux de ses tripes qu’il est lié à lui.
J’ai beaucoup aimé que toute l’action ne se déroule pas à huis clos et qu’on découvre leur vie en Angleterre.

Et j’ai été en adoration devant Alexander et Lucian, et leur surnom son vraiment trop gnon’ "my midnight, my sunset"🥹🥰 (mon minuit, mon coucher de soleil). Et Renfield… RENFIELD!!!!!😭🤌✨♥️
La réécriture des personnages est vraiment parfaite et l’auteure a enfin donné à ce grand classique la fin heureuse qu’il méritait.

TW: rétention (not kinky), abus médicaux.