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4.43 AVERAGE
4.43 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
It has been ages since I’ve had that “book boyfriend” feeling and Spencer has my whole heart.
The atmosphere is just divine. The author captures the harshness of the environment from the weather to its people, yet still manages to bring the cozy small town side of it out. Penny Harbour isn’t perfect but it’s home nonetheless. I loved the chapters in between that showed a flash of life from other townsfolk to further immerse you into the world.
As I said, Spencer has my whole heart. It was such a nice change to not read about some tall, gravely voiced manly man. Spencer is in touch with his feminine side and is also capable of being strong and brutal. It was also nice to read about characters over 30! Spencer and Laurel are emotionally mature and have a healthy communication between them. Their moments feel real and my god did I gobble them up! Not some insta-love craziness, but a relationship born out of need, likeness, trust, and respect for one another.
The atmosphere is just divine. The author captures the harshness of the environment from the weather to its people, yet still manages to bring the cozy small town side of it out. Penny Harbour isn’t perfect but it’s home nonetheless. I loved the chapters in between that showed a flash of life from other townsfolk to further immerse you into the world.
As I said, Spencer has my whole heart. It was such a nice change to not read about some tall, gravely voiced manly man. Spencer is in touch with his feminine side and is also capable of being strong and brutal. It was also nice to read about characters over 30! Spencer and Laurel are emotionally mature and have a healthy communication between them. Their moments feel real and my god did I gobble them up! Not some insta-love craziness, but a relationship born out of need, likeness, trust, and respect for one another.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Blood
Moderate: Death, Homophobia
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Coal Gets in Your Veins is an Adult Paranormal Romance, but it's going to be a book 1 of a series.
I received an eARC for an honest review.
Book Cover: 5* - Ok, are we surprised by the covers from this author? No. As always, CGiYV is just as gorgeous, dark, and mysterious as the previous books from this author's catalogue. I freaking love to see characters on covers, because then I can figure out how they look for fan art lol.
Summary/Tagline: 5* - Just reread it again because I've both beta this story and read an ARC, so I was already going to get it, but just in case: This story is dual PoV with characters battling their own darkness and monsters within, one of them just also happens to be a vampire. No this isn't spoiler, it's right there in the synopsis. Also, make sure to check out the CW for this book before you read to at least prepare for what you're about to read.
Characters: 5* - Like I said in the synopsis section, CGiYV is a dual PoV story with a mysterious 3rd PoV, but I won't say who in case that one is spoiler. We follow Laurel, a woman who feels trapped in a loveless marriage, stuck with a husband who doesn't really love and appreciate her or anything she does. We also follow Spencer, a vampire who's secretly come to a small little town in Canada to just wilt away after loosing people dear to him centuries ago. Spencer is Spike from Buffy and Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3 coded, but he's also so much more than that. He's unapologetically queer, sentimental, and wanting to live, but isn't sure how, until Laurel walks into his life one night.
World Building: 5* - Ok, I think this section is going to be a quick one. The world we're in is our own but if paranormal creatures and deities secretly walk among us. Anything about the hidden side, or creatures of the night stuff, will come from Spencer, but the info is short and quick. It's a side that Spencer was originally going to leave, until something in this town convinces him to go back to it. You'll know what I mean when you read to the end of the book.
Story: 5* - Ok, story stuff. Like I said in characters, both Laurel and Spencer are in a dark place respectively. One is in an abusive relationship while the other was in a deep depression after loosing the loves of his life years ago. Both stuck in their own darkness, neither of them sure what to do until they meet for the first time one night, giving them a sort of reason to not only keep going, but try something one has never tried while the other is trying something new after a very long time. It's a story about healing and trying to fight against the darkness within, and maybe, literal. Like I said, I don't want to accidentally spoil you, so just expect the paranormal is more than just vampires in this small little town.
Over All: 5* - CGiYV is more than just a slow burn romance between a human and a vampire. There's healing in this story, trial and tribulations, patience and frustrations, real monsters and darkness within. I cried alongside Laurel when it came to a husband that didn't care and rooted for Spencer when the memories of his past lovers didn't pull him down a pit he struggled to climb out of. Cat Rector once again gave me a story that both punched in the heart and wrapped it in a warm hug. Wherever this series is going, I can't wait to see it.
I received an eARC for an honest review.
Book Cover: 5* - Ok, are we surprised by the covers from this author? No. As always, CGiYV is just as gorgeous, dark, and mysterious as the previous books from this author's catalogue. I freaking love to see characters on covers, because then I can figure out how they look for fan art lol.
Summary/Tagline: 5* - Just reread it again because I've both beta this story and read an ARC, so I was already going to get it, but just in case: This story is dual PoV with characters battling their own darkness and monsters within, one of them just also happens to be a vampire. No this isn't spoiler, it's right there in the synopsis. Also, make sure to check out the CW for this book before you read to at least prepare for what you're about to read.
Characters: 5* - Like I said in the synopsis section, CGiYV is a dual PoV story with a mysterious 3rd PoV, but I won't say who in case that one is spoiler. We follow Laurel, a woman who feels trapped in a loveless marriage, stuck with a husband who doesn't really love and appreciate her or anything she does. We also follow Spencer, a vampire who's secretly come to a small little town in Canada to just wilt away after loosing people dear to him centuries ago. Spencer is Spike from Buffy and Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3 coded, but he's also so much more than that. He's unapologetically queer, sentimental, and wanting to live, but isn't sure how, until Laurel walks into his life one night.
World Building: 5* - Ok, I think this section is going to be a quick one. The world we're in is our own but if paranormal creatures and deities secretly walk among us. Anything about the hidden side, or creatures of the night stuff, will come from Spencer, but the info is short and quick. It's a side that Spencer was originally going to leave, until something in this town convinces him to go back to it. You'll know what I mean when you read to the end of the book.
Story: 5* - Ok, story stuff. Like I said in characters, both Laurel and Spencer are in a dark place respectively. One is in an abusive relationship while the other was in a deep depression after loosing the loves of his life years ago. Both stuck in their own darkness, neither of them sure what to do until they meet for the first time one night, giving them a sort of reason to not only keep going, but try something one has never tried while the other is trying something new after a very long time. It's a story about healing and trying to fight against the darkness within, and maybe, literal. Like I said, I don't want to accidentally spoil you, so just expect the paranormal is more than just vampires in this small little town.
Over All: 5* - CGiYV is more than just a slow burn romance between a human and a vampire. There's healing in this story, trial and tribulations, patience and frustrations, real monsters and darkness within. I cried alongside Laurel when it came to a husband that didn't care and rooted for Spencer when the memories of his past lovers didn't pull him down a pit he struggled to climb out of. Cat Rector once again gave me a story that both punched in the heart and wrapped it in a warm hug. Wherever this series is going, I can't wait to see it.