Cover Image: After the Bite

After the Bite

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Every one of Lynsay Sand's books is a delightful read. We reconnect with Valerian who has finally gotten the chance to meet his life mate. It is passionate enough with still having a plot. You really want to learn what is going to happen to the characters and their lives. I'm excited to read the next one in the series!

Was this review helpful?

Wow! I really love this one, especially compared to the previous book this one is much better.

However, as someone who has read every book in this series multiple times I've got to say I do not think this is a good "starter" into the series. There are WAY too many old characters coming back that may seem a bit overwhelming to new readers, please do not start with this book. You may get a grasp on it anyways but I feel like this book just scratches the surface for new readers and isn't as detailed as you may need it, not to mention the story about how "Vampires/Immortals" come to be is particularly scattered in this book. I believe Lynsay tends to write out a few bits of info every book to help readers get started at any point in the series, but due to the sheer amount of Immortals brought back I truly do not think this is a beginner book for the series.

Though we have seen similar stories before in terms of single parent, I will say I was a bit disappointed in some cases involving interaction with the kid. In previous cases of this we had seen the immortals interact with the children of their life mates in a better way, while it's super cute he sings some songs with her I feel we missed out on them interacting together as a "family" overall.

The books pacing is...What I've come to expect at this point, I'm not quite sure why everything was resolved in the final chapter as opposed to more split up. I feel like we should get an extra chapter in this one, a "prolog" if you will, similar to what happened with Leigh & Lucian. I really miss learning what the "aftermath" of everything is. This one felt great paced but about halfway through I could tell this was going to be a "everything happens at the end" one yet again. I find it extremely disappointing and unfufilling as a reader to not know what happens next. There were decisions to be made, are they splitting their time between Canada and Scotland? What's going to happen? I'd love to see how Mia feels about Vale become her new father, would it bother Natalie if she called him dad? She mentions in the book she wants a father figure for Mia but not much else. Will this be another case of "Jake Colson" where when she grows up she will feel alienated from her family after so many lies? Or will it be a case of Livy? Though Livy was turned in her book due to a tragic accident. I feel like a lot of questions are left unanswered, obviously the ones about Mia's future are a bit more vague at the moment anyways because she's three, however I'd love to see Mia exploring Vales castle in Scotland, I want to see Mia and Natalie meeting their new huge family, I want more interactions.

My 4 star rating is simply because I feel the book ended too soon and we could use a prologue of them meeting his family in scotland or something.

Was this review helpful?

I loved the storyline in this book. I was immediately reminded of "Hungry for you", another Argeneau vampire novel. But kept reading because I love these books. Always funny and fast paced to keep the reader interested. Natalie is a workaholic and not looking for a relationship and just trying to put her life back together. Valerian is just trying to enjoy some time to himself. As usual I want the story to continue into an epilogue to get an actual conversation between Sheila and Natalie to close the story.

Was this review helpful?

A vampire love story! I love romance novels and love vampires, so when NetGalley offered this one for free in return for my honest review, I said ohh yes, and requested a copy. I was so excited to be granted a copy! An excellent read!

There are a 35 books in this series and this one can be read alone, but you are going to want to read all 34 if the remaining books after reading this one.

Was this review helpful?

Vampire hotties - strong determined females - a murderer on the loose - finding the true mate - and secrets everywhere! A unique take on the vampire theme, this series delivers on romance and action. Can easily read as stand=alone, and you'll want to read more of them!

Was this review helpful?

Good story. Love revisiting with old characters and meeting new ones. I liked this couple. Great heat level. Interesting twist on the plot.

Was this review helpful?

The Argeneau's are back. I loved the book. This is the 35th book in the series and this is Valerian and Natalie's story. Natalie owns a golf course and is a struggling widow with a 3 year daughter and a huge bear of a dog. She is still dealing with the tragedy of the death of her parents, husband and young son and has no time for romance. Valerian has been around for centuries and is one of the enforcers. He plays golf everyday at sunset at Natalie's course. Natalie has never meet him and when he comes in one night after his golf cart runs out of gas the sparks fly. But Valerian thinks a serial killer may be after Natalie and calls for backup. A ton of Argeneau's descend to help. Chaos ensue and makes for a wild ride Argeneau style.

I really enjoyed the book. Highly recommend. You can read as a stand alone.

Received this book from Netgalley for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

another winner with Valerian and Nicoles story. The twist at the end I didn't see coming but it did not detract. Good to see others from previous stories as well. Who knew vampires liked to play golf?

Was this review helpful?

I'm a long-time fan of the series, and so I was super excited to read this one. I was not disappointed. Lynsay Sands never fails to write a book that I want to devour in one sitting, and her writing always manages to make me laugh out loud at least a few times.

I loved Valerian. Reading about the older immortals is always more enjoyable because their sense of humor tends to be more dry and enjoyable to me. Along with that, the story was a good break after so many of the last books involving Dressler. It was a great read.

Was this review helpful?

It took me a while to get into this one. I haven’t read any of the others so that is probably why. Overall, It took some time to like the characters. It was an enjoyable read.

Was this review helpful?

After losing her parents, husband and little boy, Natalie takes her little girl and goes to run the golf club her parents owned. She is a chef but does most everything to save money for renovations. She has a skeleton crew but is working herself to death. Valerian is an immortal and loves to golf. He has been golfing there for months but has never came in the clubhouse. When his golf cart runs out of gas, he has to go to the clubhouse. As soon as he meets Natalie, he can’t read her mind or control her which means she’s his life mate. When it looks like a serial killer is after her, Valerian calls his boss and gets more man power down there. Trying to keep Natalie and her daughter Mia safe, also trying to figure out how to tell Natalie about him.

I loved this story. It really had me at the edge of my seat. I was totally shocked. A cute little girl, a big bear of a dog, and a woman who believes her “guydar” is way off, has been burnt by men and decides to just work to get the clubhouse up to what she wants.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *

Was this review helpful?

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of AFTER THE BITE (Book 35 of the Argeneau vampire romance series) by Lynsay Sands. I liked it. I recommend the book to fans of the series. I recommend the series to fans of humorous vampire romances and mysteries.

#AftertheBite #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

Valerian has been alone for a long time. He's had a lot of different careers in his life - which began in 1790 - but for the last few decades has been working as an Enforcer. He recently bought a farm outside of Toronto and spends his free time golfing at the nearby golf course. He tees off around sunset - and only really talks to the older man who handles the golf carts. As a result, he's never encountered Natalie, the owner. Natalie inherited the golf course after the tragic loss of her parents, son, and husband in a car crash. She was left pregnant and alone to pick up the pieces. Now with a three year old daughter she's raising on her own and a job that she works more than 12 hours a day - she is run down but still dreaming of bigger plans.

When a danger shows up in her life around the same time Valerian realizes she is a possible life mate for him - the entire extended family of immortals descends on her golf course to keep her safe. Even with the speed at which their relationship develops - it still felt natural and well-paced. I always forget the timeline of the relationships when I read these books - it always feels so well crafted. And although this series is 35 books in - you actually totally could start with this one. The books always do a good job of introducing the world in a way that allows new readers in. I will say - you will love the jokes and understand some of the key characters more if you've read other books in the series - but you could start here. Just keep in mind you'll be bingeing the rest of the series right after - so clear your schedule.

I received this as an ARC via NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Was this review helpful?