Bittersweet Blood by Nina Croft

DNF @ 17% 

I have a ridiculous amount of books so rather than forcing myself to finish things I don't enjoy, I'm trying to read to about 15-20% of everything and only finish the things I actually like.

BITTERSWEET BLOOD isn't a bad book. It's just a not-for-me book. The problem is that, as with any vampire novel, I know exactly what I like and don't like, and if the vampire romance doesn't check all my boxes, I'm never going to enjoy it.

Tara has been raised by her aunt but starts to suspect that something isn't right about her history. She goes to a PI to seek out answers but that PI, unbeknownst to her, is actually a vampire... and it turns out that her aunt probably was, too.

I didn't really care for the patriarchal hero-- especially since I think he was supposed to come off as strong and caring and not patriarchal. There's not much in the way of sexual tension: this is book one and the H and h have already kissed twice by 17%. Also, as far as vampire stories go, this one lacks the punch I crave. The summary makes it sound like it's going to be like the manga Black Bird, but it's really not... at least, not in the sample of this that I read.

If you enjoyed the fluffy, throwaway wallpaper paranormals of the mid-2000s, you will enjoy this book. If, however, you like dark and bitey vampires and Gothic storylines, give this a miss.

1.5 to 2 out of 5 stars