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Mortar & Pestle
Revamped
Vampire Dante Allegretti hates his sucky life. Born into a family of energy siphoners, he’s desperate to reinvent himself as a fun-loving normal guy rather than a crowdsourcing parasite. To stop the draining urges, Dante resorts to grinding alternative meds in an ancient Mortar & Pestle, not knowing it contains magical properties.
Enter wisecracking thirty-year-old Sophie Arley, who lives with her clingy parents. Working three jobs and craving independence, she’s come back strong after a breakdown crashed her cozy world. So when the weird, hot guy she just met-cute asks Sophie to the movies, she agrees.
Sophie won’t spoil their magical connection by mentioning her heartbreak. And Dante dreads telling Sophie about his dark side. Will the power from the Mortar & Pestle guide them to their happily ever after despite the secrets and lies?
Enter wisecracking thirty-year-old Sophie Arley, who lives with her clingy parents. Working three jobs and craving independence, she’s come back strong after a breakdown crashed her cozy world. So when the weird, hot guy she just met-cute asks Sophie to the movies, she agrees.
Sophie won’t spoil their magical connection by mentioning her heartbreak. And Dante dreads telling Sophie about his dark side. Will the power from the Mortar & Pestle guide them to their happily ever after despite the secrets and lies?
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2023
12 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Goldberg
6 books485 followersShirley Goldberg is a writer, novelist, and former ESL and French teacher who’s lived in Paris, Crete, and Casablanca. She writes about men and women of a certain age starting their lives and loves over. Her new books Hot Greek Summer and Wrong Wrong Right are coming March and May 2026.
Middle Ageish, Eat Your Heart Out, and A Little Bit of Lust are all part of the Starting Over trilogy. They're humorous/romantic women's romantic fiction with a dash of rom com for readers who enjoy the mature hero and heroine. And "mature" is not a synonym for stodgy. As Sunny Chanel says, "I'm middle-aged, not dead." https://www.amazon.com/Shirley-Goldbe...
But wait, there's more! Middle Ageish, Shirley's take on starting over and dating in your middle ages has been revised and has a new cover––grab it everywhere.
Shirley's friends like to guess which stories from the novel are true.
Shirley's website http://shirleygoldberg.com offers a humorous look at living single, cultivating men friends and dating later in life. .
Tune in and get ideas for your next read and links to book freebies and deals in Shirley's newsletter. Grab 'em whilst they're hot!
Shirley's characters believe you should never leave home without your sense of humor and she agrees.
Middle Ageish, Eat Your Heart Out, and A Little Bit of Lust are all part of the Starting Over trilogy. They're humorous/romantic women's romantic fiction with a dash of rom com for readers who enjoy the mature hero and heroine. And "mature" is not a synonym for stodgy. As Sunny Chanel says, "I'm middle-aged, not dead." https://www.amazon.com/Shirley-Goldbe...
But wait, there's more! Middle Ageish, Shirley's take on starting over and dating in your middle ages has been revised and has a new cover––grab it everywhere.
Shirley's friends like to guess which stories from the novel are true.
Shirley's website http://shirleygoldberg.com offers a humorous look at living single, cultivating men friends and dating later in life. .
Tune in and get ideas for your next read and links to book freebies and deals in Shirley's newsletter. Grab 'em whilst they're hot!
Shirley's characters believe you should never leave home without your sense of humor and she agrees.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 22, 2023
I wanted to try and read some romance and I'm glad I picked this one up. Although, I'm not so fan of the love-at-first-sight troupe, I enjoyed the development of the characters here and the fact that we could get two different POVs made it so enjoyable. This was also my first time reading about Energy Vampires so everything was a big surprise for me.
This is the 7th book from the Mortal & Pestle series; however, all of the books can be read as standalones. I appreciated how fast-paced and easy it was to read. Dante's personality kept me hooked since he was so sensitive and struggled with that social anxiety.
This is about an energy vampire trying out a food diet since he doesn't want to feed on humans (Foodies) anymore. He had just recently started his new way of life when he met Sophie, a very smart and strong woman. Their encounter takes place in a contemporary Florida where you can get to know a couple of different restaurants that'll make you crave for some of the things in their menus.
Don't you dare reading this with an empty stomach. Almost all the time food and wine are mentioned here. I had to make a stop to buy a desert and keep reading about the food options Dante was trying.
Dante: "The past few days on my new diet, I'd ordered Chinese: egg drop soup, vegetable dumplings, Mongolian beef, and noodles."
Besides the fact that we have an EV here, both main characters were pretty real and you could easily get in their shoes. All of the side characters were amazing. Dante's family was really complex and annoying and their scenes got me on my nerves.
Sophie's family was the total opposite. A beautiful lovely family who liked to cook like everyday was a holiday. They enjoyed their time together and were so happy to be playing board games with anybody.
There was one chapter about a dinner with Sophie's family, I gotta say, that was the best in the whole book. It made want to be there eating all the turkey and playing any type of game with them. Grandma was the best of this combo. So straightforward, so wise and lovely.
Groucho and Jack were there to help Dante with everything. He knew that if he died, Jack his dog would be alone, so he was a booster for his emotions. And Groucho was the mentor for his new lifestyle since he had revamped a long time ago. He suggested Dante which Doctor and herbalist he should be seeing.
There were some things about the plot that didn't get me so convinced: Dante was drinking alcohol for the first time and was begining to feel dizzy but a moment later, it was all fogotten.
There was a warning about drinking alcohol that Dante didn't care and later on he got his payback. But in that part we are left with a few questions that were unsolved and up to our own interpretation.
It could have had a bit more of editing since there were 3 or 4 times a dialogue didn't have a " at the beginning and a chapter didn't have the POV defined. It was a bit messy to read on the Kindle but overall it could be enjoyed.
I want to end this review with a phrase the author used on the Acknowledgments: "Here's to embracing the weird but good in everyone."
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems Books and am voluntarily leaving a review
This is the 7th book from the Mortal & Pestle series; however, all of the books can be read as standalones. I appreciated how fast-paced and easy it was to read. Dante's personality kept me hooked since he was so sensitive and struggled with that social anxiety.
This is about an energy vampire trying out a food diet since he doesn't want to feed on humans (Foodies) anymore. He had just recently started his new way of life when he met Sophie, a very smart and strong woman. Their encounter takes place in a contemporary Florida where you can get to know a couple of different restaurants that'll make you crave for some of the things in their menus.
Don't you dare reading this with an empty stomach. Almost all the time food and wine are mentioned here. I had to make a stop to buy a desert and keep reading about the food options Dante was trying.
Dante: "The past few days on my new diet, I'd ordered Chinese: egg drop soup, vegetable dumplings, Mongolian beef, and noodles."
Besides the fact that we have an EV here, both main characters were pretty real and you could easily get in their shoes. All of the side characters were amazing. Dante's family was really complex and annoying and their scenes got me on my nerves.
Sophie's family was the total opposite. A beautiful lovely family who liked to cook like everyday was a holiday. They enjoyed their time together and were so happy to be playing board games with anybody.
There was one chapter about a dinner with Sophie's family, I gotta say, that was the best in the whole book. It made want to be there eating all the turkey and playing any type of game with them. Grandma was the best of this combo. So straightforward, so wise and lovely.
Groucho and Jack were there to help Dante with everything. He knew that if he died, Jack his dog would be alone, so he was a booster for his emotions. And Groucho was the mentor for his new lifestyle since he had revamped a long time ago. He suggested Dante which Doctor and herbalist he should be seeing.
There were some things about the plot that didn't get me so convinced: Dante was drinking alcohol for the first time and was begining to feel dizzy but a moment later, it was all fogotten.
There was a warning about drinking alcohol that Dante didn't care and later on he got his payback. But in that part we are left with a few questions that were unsolved and up to our own interpretation.
It could have had a bit more of editing since there were 3 or 4 times a dialogue didn't have a " at the beginning and a chapter didn't have the POV defined. It was a bit messy to read on the Kindle but overall it could be enjoyed.
I want to end this review with a phrase the author used on the Acknowledgments: "Here's to embracing the weird but good in everyone."
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems Books and am voluntarily leaving a review
Read
February 10, 2023An energy vampire hungry for love meets the wisecracking woman of his parents’ nightmares.
Energy vampire Dante Allegretti hates his sucky life. Born into a family of aggressive life-force vampires, he’s desperate to reinvent himself as a fun-loving normal guy and not a crowdsourcing parasite. To stop the draining urges, Dante resorts to popping alternative meds ground in an ancient mortar & pestle, not knowing it contains magical properties.
Enter wisecracking thirty-year-old Sophie Arley, who lives with her parents. Working three jobs and craving independence, she’s come back strong after a breakdown crashed her cozy world. So, when the sort of weird, hot guy she just met-cute asks Sophie to the movies, she agrees.
Sophie won’t spoil their magical connection by mentioning her heartbreak. And Dante will tell Sophie about his dark side another day. Will the power from the Mortar & Pestle guide them to their happily ever after despite the secrets and lies?
Guess what! Revamped is part of a 7-author series, The Mortar & Pestle coming in March. And we've got a free Prequel. Here's the link: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3vhm7opc1r.
Grab the series on preorder at $0.99 easy-peasy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS42PKHZ
Energy vampire Dante Allegretti hates his sucky life. Born into a family of aggressive life-force vampires, he’s desperate to reinvent himself as a fun-loving normal guy and not a crowdsourcing parasite. To stop the draining urges, Dante resorts to popping alternative meds ground in an ancient mortar & pestle, not knowing it contains magical properties.
Enter wisecracking thirty-year-old Sophie Arley, who lives with her parents. Working three jobs and craving independence, she’s come back strong after a breakdown crashed her cozy world. So, when the sort of weird, hot guy she just met-cute asks Sophie to the movies, she agrees.
Sophie won’t spoil their magical connection by mentioning her heartbreak. And Dante will tell Sophie about his dark side another day. Will the power from the Mortar & Pestle guide them to their happily ever after despite the secrets and lies?
Guess what! Revamped is part of a 7-author series, The Mortar & Pestle coming in March. And we've got a free Prequel. Here's the link: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3vhm7opc1r.
Grab the series on preorder at $0.99 easy-peasy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS42PKHZ
May 18, 2023
I received a copy of this book in order to write an honest review.
I enjoyed the story, but it took a while to get off the ground. I had suspicions about what was happening, but it wasn't confirmed for a while.
I noted at the end of the story that it was part of a series, but I don't seem to see the other books that are in the series, nor do I know what number in the series this is.
I do recommend the book.
I enjoyed the story, but it took a while to get off the ground. I had suspicions about what was happening, but it wasn't confirmed for a while.
I noted at the end of the story that it was part of a series, but I don't seem to see the other books that are in the series, nor do I know what number in the series this is.
I do recommend the book.
March 29, 2023
A vampire comedy? Yes please
I loved this book from the beginning. Dante is an amazing character. I love his determination and willingness to take off the alpha male hat. Sofie is spunky and fun. It's a great story. Go read it!
I loved this book from the beginning. Dante is an amazing character. I love his determination and willingness to take off the alpha male hat. Sofie is spunky and fun. It's a great story. Go read it!
April 3, 2023
I liked the premise of the book. Dante, and Energy Vampire, wants to leave the vampire life behind and become Foodish. Sophie, who has had her own issues, meets Dante, becomes friends, then more. Sophie does eventually find out what Dante is, but it seems like it's no big deal.
The two characters just didn't click for me. I guess I would have liked more interactions and talking between the two characters. Dante came across as very juvenile which is too bad. The mortar and pestle were not really talked about except for a couple of times and I had no idea what the significance of it was.
The two characters just didn't click for me. I guess I would have liked more interactions and talking between the two characters. Dante came across as very juvenile which is too bad. The mortar and pestle were not really talked about except for a couple of times and I had no idea what the significance of it was.
March 21, 2023
Looking for a complete original vampire rom com? Revamped is one of the most unique romantic comedies dealing with vampires I’ve ever read. Yes, it has a socially awkward vampire and a sassy heroine but trust me, you’ve never read anything like Dante and Sophie. Their attraction is immediate, but both are unsure of the other. Between the world-building, character growth, humorous dialogue, family drama, and the awkwardness of dating, Revamped is a breath of fresh air.
Like I always say, it all starts with the world-building. Shirley Goldberg has created a world that is both similar and different. The vampires are energy vampires, that suck energy instead of blood. Lifeforce is lifeforce and makes complete sense. Humans are foodies (love this). So much of Dante’s vampire ways are classic but have a fun twist. The world-building is sublime, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself while reading.
The characters, especially Dante and Sophie, are relatable, fun, and full of emotion. I truly appreciated seeing life through the eyes of Dante as he transitions from energy vampire to foodie. The discomfort these two share is comical yet authentic. Dating can be hard, especially after loss, but also rewarding when you find a connection.
I’ve read all of Shirley Goldberg’s women’s fiction books so this is a new genre for her. Her writing makes everything come alive. Her comedic timing is flawless as is her world-building. I want more paranormal rom coms from this author.
Revamped is one of my favorite books this year. Go on and grab your copy. You’ll become a Revamped groupie!
Disclaimer: I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
My Rating: 5++ stars
Reviewed by: Nancy
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
Like I always say, it all starts with the world-building. Shirley Goldberg has created a world that is both similar and different. The vampires are energy vampires, that suck energy instead of blood. Lifeforce is lifeforce and makes complete sense. Humans are foodies (love this). So much of Dante’s vampire ways are classic but have a fun twist. The world-building is sublime, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself while reading.
The characters, especially Dante and Sophie, are relatable, fun, and full of emotion. I truly appreciated seeing life through the eyes of Dante as he transitions from energy vampire to foodie. The discomfort these two share is comical yet authentic. Dating can be hard, especially after loss, but also rewarding when you find a connection.
I’ve read all of Shirley Goldberg’s women’s fiction books so this is a new genre for her. Her writing makes everything come alive. Her comedic timing is flawless as is her world-building. I want more paranormal rom coms from this author.
Revamped is one of my favorite books this year. Go on and grab your copy. You’ll become a Revamped groupie!
Disclaimer: I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
My Rating: 5++ stars
Reviewed by: Nancy
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
March 22, 2023
An energy vampire hungry for love meets the wisecracking woman of his parents’ nightmares.
About the Book:
Vampire Dante Allegretti hates his sucky life. Born into a family of energy siphoners, he’s desperate to reinvent himself as a fun-loving normal guy rather than a crowd-sourcing parasite. To stop the draining urges, Dante resorts to grinding alternative meds in an ancient Mortar & Pestle, not knowing it contains magical properties.
Enter wisecracking thirty-year-old Sophie Arley, who lives with her clingy parents. Working three jobs and craving independence, she’s come back strong after a breakdown crashed her cozy world. So when the weird, hot guy she just met asks her to the movies, she agrees.
Sophie won’t spoil their magical connection by mentioning her heartbreak. And Dante dreads telling Sophie about his dark side. Will the power from the Mortar & Pestle guide them to their happily ever after despite the secrets and lies?
Our Review: This smart, snappy takeoff on the traditional vampire-human romance, is fun and fresh, showcasing the author’s gift for writing conemporary dialogue along with layered emotions. Don’t let the somewhat slow start stop you—once Dante and his ‘unique’ family comes to light, this one is a non-stop adventure. Revamped is a breath of fresh air.
Based on a scale of 1-5, Revamped merits a 5.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
About the Book:
Vampire Dante Allegretti hates his sucky life. Born into a family of energy siphoners, he’s desperate to reinvent himself as a fun-loving normal guy rather than a crowd-sourcing parasite. To stop the draining urges, Dante resorts to grinding alternative meds in an ancient Mortar & Pestle, not knowing it contains magical properties.
Enter wisecracking thirty-year-old Sophie Arley, who lives with her clingy parents. Working three jobs and craving independence, she’s come back strong after a breakdown crashed her cozy world. So when the weird, hot guy she just met asks her to the movies, she agrees.
Sophie won’t spoil their magical connection by mentioning her heartbreak. And Dante dreads telling Sophie about his dark side. Will the power from the Mortar & Pestle guide them to their happily ever after despite the secrets and lies?
Our Review: This smart, snappy takeoff on the traditional vampire-human romance, is fun and fresh, showcasing the author’s gift for writing conemporary dialogue along with layered emotions. Don’t let the somewhat slow start stop you—once Dante and his ‘unique’ family comes to light, this one is a non-stop adventure. Revamped is a breath of fresh air.
Based on a scale of 1-5, Revamped merits a 5.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
July 23, 2023
Can I say a vampire novel is adorable? Because this was hella adorable.
Dante Allegretti is an energy vampire who hates… well, hates being an energy vampire. In his attempt to remove himself from this, he moves away from his family, moves in with his good friend Groucho (another reformed vampire), and does all he can to become a Foodish (non-vampire). He didn’t even really think that much about romance until Sophia Arley crosses his path and everything changes.
Yeah, I thought this book was really frickin’ cute. I loved Dante – who doesn’t want a sexy, somewhat socially awkward vampire who just wants to be ‘normal’? I was charmed by him right from the beginning and I thought Sophie was a great match for him. She’s patient, kind, and just… nice. Their relationship was a bit awkward, but I thought it really worked well. For me, what really did it for me was the cast of characters – Groucho, Jack, Sophie’s family and friends, Dante’s sweet, awkward dad, I even had some sympathy for his mother. I do have to say that my favourite though (apart from Dante), was Sophie’s grandmother – I loved her spitfire personality.
Overall, a lovely read and will be looking for the other books in the Mortar & Pestle series! Thank you Voracious Readers and Shirley Goldberg for my copy! I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dante Allegretti is an energy vampire who hates… well, hates being an energy vampire. In his attempt to remove himself from this, he moves away from his family, moves in with his good friend Groucho (another reformed vampire), and does all he can to become a Foodish (non-vampire). He didn’t even really think that much about romance until Sophia Arley crosses his path and everything changes.
Yeah, I thought this book was really frickin’ cute. I loved Dante – who doesn’t want a sexy, somewhat socially awkward vampire who just wants to be ‘normal’? I was charmed by him right from the beginning and I thought Sophie was a great match for him. She’s patient, kind, and just… nice. Their relationship was a bit awkward, but I thought it really worked well. For me, what really did it for me was the cast of characters – Groucho, Jack, Sophie’s family and friends, Dante’s sweet, awkward dad, I even had some sympathy for his mother. I do have to say that my favourite though (apart from Dante), was Sophie’s grandmother – I loved her spitfire personality.
Overall, a lovely read and will be looking for the other books in the Mortar & Pestle series! Thank you Voracious Readers and Shirley Goldberg for my copy! I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 8, 2023
Revamped by Shirley Goldberg is a new twist on the contemporary vampire story. Dante doesn’t suck blood. He doesn’t hide from the sun. He doesn’t sleep in a coffin. He’s an energy vampire, so he sucks the emotional zeal from people…or at least his family does. I loved Goldberg’s portrayal of the vampire turning over a new leaf. Her research into holistic treatments from herbs to crystals shines as Dante navigates his transition to a Foodish.
What’s a Foodish? This is Goldberg’s clever name for humans. If you read her book Eat Your Heart Out, you know Goldberg is a foodie who knows her stuff. In Revamped my mouth watered at the restaurant dates, cooking scenes, and Dante’s love of oranges. The main Foodish in his life is Sophie, whom I adored from page one. A feisty, hard worker with a broken heart, Sophie puts Dante through the wringer as he tries to start their relationship at the same time as his transition to his new “diet.”
Their banter is hilarious, but the situational humor will have you in stitches. I highly recommend this New Age vampire romance to vampire fans looking for something different, rom coms, and foodies.
What’s a Foodish? This is Goldberg’s clever name for humans. If you read her book Eat Your Heart Out, you know Goldberg is a foodie who knows her stuff. In Revamped my mouth watered at the restaurant dates, cooking scenes, and Dante’s love of oranges. The main Foodish in his life is Sophie, whom I adored from page one. A feisty, hard worker with a broken heart, Sophie puts Dante through the wringer as he tries to start their relationship at the same time as his transition to his new “diet.”
Their banter is hilarious, but the situational humor will have you in stitches. I highly recommend this New Age vampire romance to vampire fans looking for something different, rom coms, and foodies.
April 21, 2023
Shirley Goldberg’s newest book Revamped is a cute love story featuring Energy Vampires (EVs). It’s about dealing with secrets, complicated family backgrounds, and falling in love while trying to get your life together.
Like his whole family, Dante is an EV. He wants to get out of the lifestyle and become a normal person, eating food like normal humans instead of draining them.
After a tough break-up, Sophie is trying to get her life back together. When Dante saves her from a horrible date, her life takes a new turn.
Will Dante and Sophie become happy together or will his EV urges ruin their chance at happiness?
The concept of Energy Vampires is new to me, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Shirley Goldberg’s vampires are stronger and faster than normal humans, and they’ve got superior senses. They also like to go to places where humans gather to drain them. Other than that, they seemed pretty human, maybe more like a cult or something. Consequently, the book and the vampires didn’t really feel “paranormal” to me. It was still a very enjoyable sweet romance.
Like his whole family, Dante is an EV. He wants to get out of the lifestyle and become a normal person, eating food like normal humans instead of draining them.
After a tough break-up, Sophie is trying to get her life back together. When Dante saves her from a horrible date, her life takes a new turn.
Will Dante and Sophie become happy together or will his EV urges ruin their chance at happiness?
The concept of Energy Vampires is new to me, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Shirley Goldberg’s vampires are stronger and faster than normal humans, and they’ve got superior senses. They also like to go to places where humans gather to drain them. Other than that, they seemed pretty human, maybe more like a cult or something. Consequently, the book and the vampires didn’t really feel “paranormal” to me. It was still a very enjoyable sweet romance.
April 10, 2023
Revamped is a refreshing read interjected with moments of humour, romance and complicated family dynamics. I appreciated the combination of a grumpy/miserable/adaptable vampire with a sassy female protagonist. Shirley Goldberg successfully created an immersive world, and I liked the concept of an energy vampire and the foodies (humans). Dante is a good character, relatable, socially awkward and old-fashioned, a breath of fresh air. The instant connection and chemistry with fiery Sophie were well captured with excellent banter and flirtation. How they take care of each other amidst their families was endearing. However, specific phrases seemed outdated and borderline juvenile for characters in their thirties which hampered my reading experience. Look no further if you're looking for banter, romance, great characters and creative world-building. I received an advance review copy from BookSirens. This honest review is left voluntarily.
April 26, 2023
What is an energy vampire? Instead of living off human blood, they suck your energy. What a great analogy to the humans in our life who do drain our spirits! What a cool concept for a vampire story. There are no fated mates (though with a magical mortar and pestle, they are kind of destined for each other...), no bloodsucking, no coffins, no dark covens (though Dante's mom is a piece of work!) or whatever else modern vamps do. Instead you've got socially awkward, but kind and old-fashioned Dante, who meets a Sophie, a gal down on her luck, with some baggage. They are a cute pair, a bit awkward, with a bit of subtle comedy worked in. I found the theme in this book to be more about family - Dante's family is not accepting of his new choice to live off food, not energy, and his mother is well, you'll see. Sophie's family is endearing. It was an enjoyable read with just a hint of paranormal thrown in.
March 1, 2023
I’m familiar with Ms. Goldberg’s smart, sassy, contemporary romances. So I was surprised to see her on this series list as a paranormal. And then an ‘energy’ vampire? After reading this book in one sitting, I thought she is no one-genre author.
The story is fun and laugh out loud, and yet there is a poignancy that makes you want to hug the main characters.
Sophie is someone you want to be friends with. She’s smart and sassy and struggling to get her groove back after a devastating betrayal by someone she loved.
Dante is determined not to follow the family way and wants to lead his own life, but family is important.
I love the family dynamics on both sides and encourage you to give up any preconceived notions of vampire stories. This one is pleasantly different from the usual blood-sucking trope.
The story is fun and laugh out loud, and yet there is a poignancy that makes you want to hug the main characters.
Sophie is someone you want to be friends with. She’s smart and sassy and struggling to get her groove back after a devastating betrayal by someone she loved.
Dante is determined not to follow the family way and wants to lead his own life, but family is important.
I love the family dynamics on both sides and encourage you to give up any preconceived notions of vampire stories. This one is pleasantly different from the usual blood-sucking trope.
April 3, 2023
I’ve enjoyed all the books in the Mortar and Pestle series and after every read I think ‘This is my favourite!’ This book is going to be hard to top though. I love the premise and the supernatural element to it.
I am a character junkie with books and the characters in this are what make it such fun to read. I love their peculiarities and whims. I love their interactions and could read an entire book just about Sophie’s grandmother, she’s a riot!
I don’t want to spoil the book for readers but Dante and Sophie are great and I am sure I will be rereading the book before too long. I’d love to see more of the characters in the book, maybe they will appear in a different collaborative series as they would be a lot of fun to revisit.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am a character junkie with books and the characters in this are what make it such fun to read. I love their peculiarities and whims. I love their interactions and could read an entire book just about Sophie’s grandmother, she’s a riot!
I don’t want to spoil the book for readers but Dante and Sophie are great and I am sure I will be rereading the book before too long. I’d love to see more of the characters in the book, maybe they will appear in a different collaborative series as they would be a lot of fun to revisit.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 25, 2024
A cute low angst insta-love kinda story between an energy vampire, trying to change his ways, and a foodish/human, trying to get back on her feet after a bad breakup.
The book is part of a series that seems to have something to do with a specific mortar & pestle. It was mentioned maybe 3 times, but was never really more than an afterthought in the story.
I wasn't able to really connect with Dante or Sophie either. I just didn't feel the development that they (more Dante than Sophie) were going through and some of their interactions were too childish for me ("kissy face").
It was a cute read, but it never really picked up in my opinion. It was very anticlimactic and the story just didn't feel like it was going anywhere for me.
The book is part of a series that seems to have something to do with a specific mortar & pestle. It was mentioned maybe 3 times, but was never really more than an afterthought in the story.
I wasn't able to really connect with Dante or Sophie either. I just didn't feel the development that they (more Dante than Sophie) were going through and some of their interactions were too childish for me ("kissy face").
It was a cute read, but it never really picked up in my opinion. It was very anticlimactic and the story just didn't feel like it was going anywhere for me.
March 5, 2023
This is a vampire book, but different. These suck energy, not blood. Sophie meets Dante, who is a reformed energy vampire because apparently that can be done. It’s a process though. In the beginning, Dante is keeping this secret from Sophie, scared she’ll run for the hills. Dante’s family, particularly Mom, don’t understand his choice. Sophie’s family love him. Grandma is a firecracker. I love a feisty grandma. This was a really good story. It’s got romance, some humor and a different sort of paranormal. I like the characters. I’ll be looking for more by this author. Full disclosure, I received this book for free in exchange for a fair review.
May 4, 2023
Not what i expected in the slightest and yet i loved it.
There's no brooding Edward Cullen's and No kill first ask questions later Damon Salvatore. But what there is, is a surprisingly well paced Vampire Rom/com.
My first time reading a book by the author but i will definitely be off to read the other books within this series.
Should come with a trigger warning of will need to devour all food in sight with the food talk that accompanies Dante's journey. Mouth watering.
I love the unusual and yet relatable nature of the characters and their relationship.
One thing i loved about the story it was so easily moulded to a life situation and the vampire and Foodies could quite literally be metaphors for so many life events with the lack of approval from family and others and the pressure to fit in and yet be your own true self.
Some great messages hidden away like little gems within the story.
Great read thank you both Shirley & Booksirens
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
There's no brooding Edward Cullen's and No kill first ask questions later Damon Salvatore. But what there is, is a surprisingly well paced Vampire Rom/com.
My first time reading a book by the author but i will definitely be off to read the other books within this series.
Should come with a trigger warning of will need to devour all food in sight with the food talk that accompanies Dante's journey. Mouth watering.
I love the unusual and yet relatable nature of the characters and their relationship.
One thing i loved about the story it was so easily moulded to a life situation and the vampire and Foodies could quite literally be metaphors for so many life events with the lack of approval from family and others and the pressure to fit in and yet be your own true self.
Some great messages hidden away like little gems within the story.
Great read thank you both Shirley & Booksirens
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 20, 2023
I didn’t really get the point of the mortar and pestle. The rest of the story is ok but I never really got a feel for the characters. They seemed oddly childish for their age and Dante’s clueless nature didn’t make a lot of sense. I just never really connected with the story, but others might and the energy vampire was an interesting take.
I received a free copy for review. My opinion is purely my own.
I received a free copy for review. My opinion is purely my own.
March 17, 2023
Best one from this series so far. It's catching, cute, and a definite page turner. I wanted it to keep going. Some parts had a bit of a twilight hint, but unlike twilight I LOVED this one. The writing was wonderful, characters were fun (I felt Sophie could have used a little more splash of personality but she was still great!).
May 25, 2023
this was a great concept in the Mortar & Pestle series, it worked with the rest of the series and the characters were what I was hoping for. I was enjoying the way the story was told and am excited for more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 18, 2023
Dnf at 50% really was not enjoying. Needed alot of work. Characters were pretty flat. The main duo didn't have great chemistry. The Grammer and formatting mistakes. I think the concept could have been alright with alot more work done to it.
April 9, 2023
Boring
This is just regular people who meet and hit it off story. I'm not going to lie I only read half of it. It was sickeningly normal as in this is how that nice couple who live next door got together. Boring.
This is just regular people who meet and hit it off story. I'm not going to lie I only read half of it. It was sickeningly normal as in this is how that nice couple who live next door got together. Boring.
March 27, 2023
This is a quirky book. Definitely the first I have seen like it with that concept. It was an easy read.
May 29, 2023
Bloody Good
Delightful romp thru a coming-of-age 200-year-old teen vamp. (Age approx.) Lots of smiles on my face reading through this unusual take on vampires.
Delightful romp thru a coming-of-age 200-year-old teen vamp. (Age approx.) Lots of smiles on my face reading through this unusual take on vampires.
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