Rating: 3🌈
I picked up this story because the characters of Jay and Alexei appeared in Wrecking Havoc, the first book in a sequel series about the Koslov brothers (one of which is Alexei). Alexei had found his mate and his part in that story and his family dynamics had me curious as to what happened beforehand.
I have to admit I didn’t enjoy this nearly as much as I did Wrecking Havoc. I find those themes and characters just more interesting in a number of ways. Also, I jumped into the middle of the series here so I missed a lot of the other characters stories and world building. That’s on me.
However, it was the character of Johann/Jay that I had the hardest time connecting to as well as what felt like an under developed romance.
Jay, a tiny vampire who , while 200 years in age, led a life after turning that was basically that of a well trained, beautifully clothed pet of a much older vampire. She treated him well when he did as told, she left him alone and isolated when he didn’t. Circumstances made it necessary for him to escape with some other, less well treated, vampires from the den. Those are the previous novels.
The book or books pick up after their escape from this den to the settlement in Hyde Park where he meets Alexei Koslov, middle son of the American Russian mob family,who is also on the run.
That’s the basics.
Jay is more a 2 dimensional character with potential here. He’s cute, flirty, naive and shy. He’s also treated like a child, who happens to be over 200 years old, clearly traumatized but it’s never stated. There’s potential for development in his history. Definitely in the growth around how Jay is as an actual vampire, which is never much explored outside of the sexual aspects. And that’s why his relationship with Alexei comes up lacking. He’s childlike but without much depth.
Alexei is a man on the run, who immediately becomes obsessed with Jay. Obsession or mate bond? It’s supposed to be mate bond, it’s later stated as such. But again it’s not explained or understood by either of them. The rest of the family just gives each other “looks “ to imply they know. Alexei always feels like the stronger personality even though he’s a human. He’s got a “presence “ missing from his vampire mate.
And that brings me to my last issues.
It revolves around two elements, one character who arrives later in the novel as an introduction to his story (the next book) and non consensual acts. These are important scenes and moments but the author and characters give them an almost flippant treatment.
The ramifications of this new character’s actions are emotionally and physically traumatic and life changing. But how does the author have the characters handle this? With nothing more than an apology, a perceived stamp of a foot. Yes, that’s the aftermath, still it’s basically, a tut tut. Over something hugely significant and morally wrong.
It was enough to disconnect me from the book, characters, and the series.
So while it was fun to see some of the many conversations and a few of the scenes mentioned, by way of conversation, play out here. I enjoyed this the most. Turns out I’m sticking with the second series. Different characters, themes, and honestly, adore those demons!
Vampire’s Mate:
◦ Roman #1
◦ Soran #2
◦ Lucian #3
✓ Johann #4 (Jay and Alexei Koslov from here, Demon Bound 🔷)
◦ Wolfgang #5
◦ Colin #6
Demon Bound- sequel series:
✓ Wrecking Havoc #1 – Sascha and Kai
Buy link:
Johann (Vampire’s Mate Book 4)
Blurb:
Alexei is lost. On the run from his criminal family, hiding out in Hyde Park, he has no idea what the point or purpose of his life is anymore. Until he’s served coffee by a strange young man, one whom Alexei can’t get out of his head. And when Alexei realizes his favorite barista isn’t quite human after all, his obsession only deepens. Can he use this new knowledge to get even closer to the sweet, strange vampire of his dreams?
Jay is lonely. He has his friends (so nice!) and his job at the coffee shop (so fun!) but he knows he doesn’t really belong in Hyde Park, not for keeps. And yet, he can’t help wanting to pretend, especially with his new favorite regular, a handsome human who smells divine and watches Jay like he really matters. Alexei might just be the nicest thing to happen to Jay since he can remember, even more so when the human generously offers himself up for dinner.
But Jay’s past is complicated, and certain promises have been made. Can he and Alexei weather the storm that tracks him down, or will Jay’s new life be taken away from him before it can really begin?
Johann is a heated, fated-mates MM paranormal romance with an HEA and no cliffhanger. It contains a sweet, cinnamon roll vampire and the stoic, obsessed human who will do anything to stay by his side. It also contains steamy scenes between two men, and the moderate violence (and mentions of blood) that one might expect from a vampire romance. While each book focuses on a different couple, the series is best enjoyed in order.
• Publisher: (February 9, 2023)
• Publication date: February 9, 2023
• Language: English
• Print length: 245 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 