Let's Talk Books

A sweet, not overly spicy paranormal romance for vampire lovers everywhere.

Charlie is an agony aunt. Well, actually, he’s a gay 20-something with an uncanny ability to give excellent advice, which has recently started failing him. Wise Old Crone’s sudden down-turn in quality is in no small part thanks to the new click-driven model which has left him with no savings, no motivation, and no way to stay in New York. Charlie sub-lets his flat and heads home to Brookville, a vibrant, southern small town, where he promptly runs into the answer to his prayers. Lorenzo, the (apparently vampire) ex-bf of a uni chum Charlie hasn’t spoken to in years. His column is saved! Right? Only Lorenzo blames Charlie for that old break-up, after all, Charlie’s advice had prompted Olivia to leave him: this is a meddlesome, catty, cruel man. The last thing Lorenzo wants to do is help Charlie, even if he is unfairly attractive. As something hot and meaningful begins to grow between them, the two men must contend with the ways they are each dishonest, the secrets they keep, and the issues which predate this new and exciting intimacy.

Thirsty is an unusual little book. On the surface it is a classic kind of romcom, and in many ways it was exactly what I was expecting it to be, an easy, spooky, fun read, but there were weaknesses here which can’t be ignored. Unlike other books with some of these issues, I did find Thirsty genuinely engaging, I read it quickly, and largely enjoyed myself. Unfortunately, it must be said, the plot was weak, holey and reliant on long passages of the two chatting in bed, or a skipping over of banter / dialogue for the mention of what was discussed instead. Whilst I enjoyed the whistle-stop tour of supernatural beings, in this simplest terms, not much happens in this book.

3 stars.