Reviews with content warning for Medical content - How To Bite Your Neighbor & Win A Wager

Vincent has been sneaking into Wesley's house to bite him at night because his blood tastes so good he can't stay away. Wesley needs a vampire to hand in to a shady pharmaceutical company which experiments on vampires. Wesley wants the access to get information about his mother's disappearance after she signed up for one of the drug trials, but as he gets to know Vincent he starts seeing him as a person rather than just a means to an end. Vincent doesn't trust Wesley enough to confide that he's sleeping rough, hounded by someone who hates him for being a vampire and starts spreading that information to make his life impossible. The vampire hunters who work for the pharmaceutical company use classist tactics to make it impossible for vampires to live stable lives, then further take advantage of the precarity caused by being unhoused and unemployed to further the fear of vampires due to their diet.

HOW TO BITE YOUR NEIGHBOR AND WIN A WAGER has a self-contained and very satisfying story, featuring a slow exploration of the boundaries between "liking someone who is a vampire" and having a vampire fetish. The romance builds slowly, held back for a while by mutual distrust and fascination which eventually turns into passion. I get very stressed out by stories where at least one of the characters in a relationship is lying, but this was handled in a way that meant I was able to finish the story without being too stressed to keep reading. I like a lot of things about how this was handled, from the worldbuilding sneaking in info about how vampires have existed for hundreds of years (or longer), to Wesley's long-distance best friend who can provide emotional support but can't solve the logistical problems. A lot of excellent storytelling decisions were involved, and I had a great time reading this.

I'm pretty sure one of the minor characters is the protagonist of the next book, but even if I'm wrong, there are some pretty big things that Vincent and Wesley weren't able to handle which could be addressed in future books. I'm looking forward to the next one!

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melonmachinery's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

At first the story is fun, very reminiscent of things you'd find on Quizilla and Wattpad (for the younger generation) in an endearing way, but once the middle school nostalgia wears off mid to 3/4 of the way through the story is rushed, flat, uncomfortable in its dealings with both real and fantasy racism, and the resolution is just sloppy.

The characters are all 1 dimensional. Wesley is Mexican American and you can tell because he says Sí-Yes when he's rushed. Vincent's line about not wanting to exist if it harms others fell flat in its delivery and how it changed Wes's opinions instantly. The real world internet references and usage is so incessant, the characters must have gotten their education at Tumblr University. The romance is rushed, which I did expect since most romance novels do, loving the "insta-love" plotline. The entire moment on top of the mausoleum roof was embarassing. You just wanted to shake the characters and ask why they suddenly are so relaxed about being chased by bad guys they can get each other hard in the cemetary. Wes's vampire kink tended to be embarrassing at best and uncomfortable at worst given the in world context of vampires and what he specifically wanted to do. Vincent is supposed to be sexy and predatory in these moments but most of them made me laugh.

The whole thing with the pharmaceutical company and dead mom was trying to take on something large but failing to deliver, which is also how the story ended for Wes and Vincent. I didn't particular care for Wes's struggles about the revelation of his mom's death since he seemed very blasé himself about selling all her items and changing things once it was confirmed. Their choice to leave the company be and take care of themselves because they wouldn't get support since the government doesn't see vampires as people with rights in particular was discomforting in ways hard to describe.

I could go on. It was an easy read, but not in a good way. Wouldn't recommend this to anyone but wouldn't actively stop people from reading it. Hopefully the author will grow in time.

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readingwithtemperance's review

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emotional funny tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

I liked that the author spun a twist on the typical vampire story. Where in this world vampires are known about but ostracized by society. And not the monsters that humans deem them to be at all. Definely darker than I originally anticipated, but still had some sweet moments. I didn't like that the corporation didn't really have any consequences to the atrocities they committed. And it definitely felt the characters were moving a bit too fast at the end. Personally I wanted more rage from Wesley. But this was fast paced, well written, and very enjoyable! I'll probably pick up the sequel.

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bootsmom3's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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manrod809's review

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emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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lizardgod's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Spoiler free review.

Who would like this book?
People who like quick/light reads, non-extensive lore/backstory, tragic vampires, and lightly dark MLM romance with dubious consent (somno and prey).

What I liked:
- The Dynamics.
- HTBYN&WAW makes itself out to be a dark romance and I can recommend it on the basis of that fact towards people just starting in the genre due to the main characters being so dynamic. For a dark romance styled novel, the dynamic between the two love interests, Vincent and Wesley, is actually quite endearing. They play bicker as a friendship with a budding relationship flirty quip mixed in. Apart from obvious power indifferences, they do seem to genuinely care for each other. Kendall and Wesley's friendship is endearing to the extent that it feels realistic, Kendall is there for Wesley acting as a soundboard to what is happening in his life and poking fun at him for his sexual encounters...or rather lack of them. Individually, Bryn made me feel certain ways towards the characters and I really enjoyed being challenged in how I felt about each one. Initially, I felt conflicted about Wesley using Vincent, yet as I read further and put some thought into it, I began to despise Vincent rather than feeling bad for him. Vincent was a predator with a sad story, nothing more, only thinking and moping about himself for much (arguably for the entirety) of the story. I wish Bryn had gone into more of Kendall's character, but I will get to that more later. My favorite character was Wesley, however I felt so terrible for him, his attraction towards Vincent is categorized of a victim in a power dominated relationship. Wes is still recovering from the grief of his deceased mother, is assaulted in his sleep, and the assaulter (Vincent) constantly pulls the 'I'm just a burden' card to reel him back in. He is also incredibly relatable with how he responds to his grief, people around him, and situations around him. His habit of accepting all wagers/bets is touching and enforces the dynamic attributes Bryn has provided for the characters. For example after sending a business e-mail Wes thinks:

Was that too many exclamation points? Too pushy? Too weak? Wesley closed his eyes and hit send. pg. 67

- The Pacing.
- I really enjoyed the plot's pacing, not slow but not speedy either. The plot is a simple rendition of loved one dead due to evil corporation, close loved one seeks revenge, close loved one uses person to help with revenge, wait a second I fell in love with them, oh no they found out my plan that I scrapped, make up after crying together, and then burn the corporation down. It's been done a lot, but often the author makes the plot drain on and on or other times half the events happen in the same chapter. Bryn drags it out long enough for the reader to give a damn about the characters but stops it right before it becomes bland. Could Bryn have put some more lore and dimension into the relationships? Yes, but it would come at the cost of spiraling away from the meat of the story. I love reading books I can pick up and put down within a day or two with a story that feels wrapped up, loose ends tucked away, and Bryn has done so.

What I didn't like:

- Kendall.
- Kendall being lesbian is only brought up for the sake of either a joke at her expense or to create a turning point in the narrative. The first two times Vincent mentions Kendall, he states her to be the "annoying lesbian" that Wesley talks to. The other times it's brought up is when she makes comments about Wes' sex life/relationship advice and when Wes has to pick up something for her girlfriend so that the store clerk can make Wes think about the current events. MLM books should still be able to pass the Bechdel test, yet Kendall's existence was purely to push the male lead's narrative. Nearly every interaction included her sexuality and acted as a soundboard to Wes, nothing more. She could have been replaced with literally anything else, making her existence ultimately useless. I really wish she would have been better defined since her and Wes's dynamic, as I aforementioned, was really sweet and realistic overall.

-Vincent/Dark Romance.
- I knew this was a dark romance, yet his actions were treated as if he just stole a soda from the convenience store. Wesley mentions throughout about half the book, just how fucked up Vincent's actions and intentions were. Vincent draws the line at being a burden through showering, eating, and existing at Wesley's house with consent, yet he deems it perfectly fine to assault people in their sleep. It's ok though because Vincent is a sad, emo, homeless, depressed, vampire that shouldn't even exist if all he does is hurt people right? No. His faults aren't ever addressed in the book as genuine concerns and treated more as a kink than a breech of consent. When you're reading a dark romance, it makes a point to deem the dark aspects as such, but HTBYN&WAW instead makes it seem like a slight character flaw to further a more 'fluff' reading. Furthermore, whenever he assaults someone, he makes it a point to lament about how his life is so horrible, no real remorse for the person he assaulted. I can honestly recommend it for people who getting started in dark romance, but if you have an issue with abuse being described as edgy fluff, you're not going to like this book. The dark romance feels added just to have an edgy appeal for a wider audience. My last points to Vincent himself, is that there was no need for the

self-harm and borderline gangrape

addition to his lore. It progressed nothing nor did it add anything beside a manipulation point for Wesley.

- Diversity.
- I don't know if Bryn themself is of Mexican descent, but I personally found the representation to be abhorrent. Wesley and his mother being Mexican serves no purpose whatsoever. Wesley breaks out in Spanish twice, which would make sense if he was under great stress, but it was just twice. There are multiple times where he is obviously highly stressed out, yet he speaks in fluent English. The only words he mistakes by the way, is yes/si and please/por favor. Wes never says anything else in Spanish. But what about this line?

Once he started babbling at Vincent in Spanish it was time to launch himself into the sun. pg. 109

Doesn't that mean he's just embarrassed by it? Maybe, but Bryn never iterates this ever again. Wes mentions Dia de los Muertos and being a spicy household, making him being Mexican pointless. Wes's mom also is so stereotypical it hurts to read; she delivers sopes to Vincent's family just because, she's Catholic, reads romance novels, and she has a Mexican accent. Most of the time she's mentioned, her race is brought up (or Wesley's tragic backstory which goes back to the Bechdel test point). Inclusivity and diversity are key aspects to enjoying stories, but if you're going to put them in there, commit to the part. Is she Wesley's mom who happens to be Mexican or is a Mexican mom who happens to be Wesley's mom? Kendall's sexuality could go here too but I already elaborated on that. Two other minor details that scream forced diversity is a comment from Kendall on dating books being written by authors that are "all straight and white" and a clerk's neutral pronoun reference to Wesley's lover which is immediately drawn attention to. I enjoy inclusivity in books but Bryn doesn't have to essentially highlight they are being inclusive for a metaphorical gold star for it.

- Other Points.
- These points are just random extras I had. The sexual content is deserving of a M rating on AO3, so if you're here for spice, you'll be disappointed. Any sexual references feel like two virgin high schoolers flirting over anything that could be misconstrued as an innuendo and if the sexual content was left out, the story would probably benefit as it felt forced. Werewolves exist for one line for some reason? It's mentioned once that they exist without leading anywhere. A stranger helps Vincent twice within about 20 pages of events and they are never mentioned again? Bryn named the random vampire staying with them later, but never named the stranger, the assistant, or the friend Wes stays with. A lot of details are mentioned, just for it to have no impact on the story yet details that should've been added, aren't. The ending is very predictable especially his mom's outcome. Wesley's "blackmail" is deemed useless by him, but he uses it as leverage? That didn't make any sense. Vincent and Wesley's relationship happened out of nowhere and seemed rushed by the ending.

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massivegreen's review against another edition

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funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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