This is an Amazon Origional collection, I will be going through them one by one. There will be a short synapsis, but mostly review.
Title: Hot for Slayer
Author: Ali Hazelwood narrated by Nina Yndis and Maxim Reston
Length: 94 pages/ 2 hrs, 42 mins
For centuries Aethelthryth has been chased down by Lazlo Enyedi, the vampire hunter charged with taking out her bloodline. Her nemesis… the bane of her existence… if only he weren’t so hot. So when he hurts himself and gets amnesia while protecting her, she’s at a loss. Even more so by the fact that he won’t leave her side. So what’s a girl to do? Mess with him, of course.
Making up stories about his job and their shared past, she is having way too much fun with this; and, honestly who could blame her? The two, even as enemies, had a chemistry that I found charming. Their banter had me rolling. And the way he constantly wanted to be with her after he got hurt was weirdly sweet. Honestly, I loved Lazlo. Ethel (Aethelthryth) was fantastic- charming and sarcastic, with her own code for right and wrong. Seeing them navigate their circumstances together was delightful. There’s some violence, cursing and sexual content (while only one encounter I would say a spice level of five out of ten peppers). I would say all of these are geared towards new adults and above.
Title: Beautiful Nightmare
Author: Katee Robert, narrated by Andi Eloise
Length: 1 hr, 27 mins; 52 pages
Gemma is on her last chance. She’s been through three trainers and she’s no where near competent as a sleep paralysis demon. Tonight is supposed to be her first solo run, Ralph needs results. It should be fine, right? Except her victem is more captivated than terrified.
Caleb, a romantic who believes in all things supernatural, finds her alluring. In one steamy night, unexpected feelings bloom, and now Gemma has a decision on her hands- choose her demonic duties and remain a demon… or choose the human she can’t stop thinking about and be disappeared.
I found this one charming. Gemma is such a great character and I found Caleb awkwardly adorable. I loved that he wanted to talk to her so badly, that he worried about her and how her… job… was going. The two were just adorable. Without going into spoiler territory I will say this one had the most adorable twist for me. As far as adult content goes, there’s quite a bit for as small as this story is. It’s not the most explicit, but it is most definitely spicy- four out of ten peppers. There are several forms in play for the… play.
Title: Falling
Author: Chistina Lauren marrated by Marli Watson and Nicholas Bolton
Length: 1 hour, 39 mins
Cat is going to break up with her boyfriend. She’s decided. Not even mad… especially when she meets Brigan. He is beyond handsome and charismatic. She feels drawn to him like no one else.
Brigan is cursed. For nine centuries he has obsessed everyone he meets, and then forgets him. Desire, but no lasting relationship- no commitment, no emotional bond, unless someone can look past his the compulsion and glamour to see him. The real him. It’s been so long that he doesn’t believe it will ever happen… but this girl- the one he can’t control- just might be the answer.
I liked this one. Cat is an interesting character, she’s smart and funny. I loved how she interacted with Brigan. The chemistry was good, the premise was interesting, and the execution was amazing. There is a large amount of sexual content and some language. I would say a spice level of four out of ten peppers.
Title: Space Vampire
Author: Ruby Dixon, narrated by Beth Roeg and Ryan West
Length: 1 hour, 50 mins
Dana, the overlooked human pet of an alien scientist, and Vlad, a genetically engineered vampire with a taste for more than just blood, find themselves unexpectedly alone on a deserted space station. As they plot their escape, they’ll have to navigate cramped quarters, steamy encounters, and the growing realization that they might be each other’s perfect match. But with their captors in hot pursuit, will their budding romance survive the vast emptiness of space?
So, I kind of loved this fucked up duo. Dana uses sarcasm to cope with trauma and Vlad…. well, he may not understand what he is exactly but he knows why he was made. And yet, when the two connect it is fascinating. The way her brain works- his reaction to her every move. I loved that it was nearly immediately them against the world even when it because obvious one of them leaving the other would be an easier option. The chemistry was definitely a hit here. There is a lot of sexual content, and language. There is obviously interspecies sex. Trigger warning: talk of degredation and imprisonment.
Title: My Boyfriends are all Monsters
Author: Kimberly Lemming narrated by Sean Crisden and Aure Nash
Length: 1 hour, 26 mins
Lucy Sawyer’s wish for true love lands her in an enchanted town where the men are supernatural, the chemistry is off the charts, and everyone wants to date her. But they say that things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon Lucy may need to decide if she’s willing to pay the cost of her happily ever after.
For such a short story there is so much to unpack here. One: the whole scenario is crazy- Lucy knows it and so does her friends group (seriously, this is the kind of friends group we all need). And yet…. lol there are so freaking many “hear me out” moments that it’s insane. What’s a girl to do when an ancient entity wants to create a world- a life- taylored specially for you? Lucy knows, and so does most of #booktalk. She goes from being creeped out when she realizes all her suitors are the same being to making multiple partner sex requests. In less than a paragraph. Love that for her. Seriously, she reacts exactly like I would imagine at least half of the reading community would. To quote:
(Upon discovering one of the reasons he used multiple bodies was that the vessels weren’t big enough to house him; Lucy is talking, this is His chapter)
‘”You don’t care what form you take so long as it’s big enough to fit you?”
I nod.
Lucy dotted the wetness from her eyes with her sleeve. “Does that mean you could turn into something crazy like a kraken shifter if I asked?”
(Moving forward).
“Let’s say I could get on board with this. Will I be trapped on this mountain forever, or could I leave and come back?” ‘
While an important question (both of them)… this is what concerns us? One of my favorite things though, when he offers to take another shape she did #booktok proud:
‘”Let me snag the Kindle from my bag. I’m sure I could pick out a few more.”‘
‘Let the record show that when Lucy Sawyer was presented with a gift from a literal god, I did not squander it.’
Lord, is there anyone that would not be completely entertained by this girl? I love her. Now, I will say I thought this one was spicier than the others. Seven out of ten peppers. There will be scenes with multiple partners and non-human… parts.
Title: Spicy Little Curses
Author: J. T. Geissinger, narrated by Vanessa Moyen and Troy Duran
Length: 2 hours 7 mins
Petra is skeptical when it comes to the French Quarter’s creepy urban legends. Until she meets Dax Rousseau, the proprietor of the House of Ink and Blood. The eldritch markings on his flesh tell more than the tale of a doomed bloodline. They come slitheringly alive. And the nearer Petra gets to the maddeningly sexy Dax, the closer she is to being the next victim of his ancient family curse.
I liked Petra. The Paranormal reporter that does not believe in the paranormal? She is obstinate, hilarious and honestly pretty fearless. Watching her go through the motions of belief, acceptance and then fix-it mode was amazing. Dax was also a great character. He’s grumpy and protective but also an absolute cinnamon roll. The two had good chemistry and their conversations had me rolling. While this was possibly my least favorite of the collection, I still loved it. There was a semi explicit sex scene. Level three spice.
As a whole, this collection was a four star read for me. I had a great time!
Happy Reading,
Gwen
