This was my first Rachel Harrison book, but it will not be my last. What started out as a best friends girls getaway, ends in horror. This is the story of Sloane and Naomi, best friends since school. The ladies are invited to a party, things go bonkers from there.  The story is a love and loss, highs and lows. The ladies get into some precarious situations. Love conquers all or does it? A fun darkly spooky adventure.

4 Stars

Here’s one to add to your spooky season TBR!
A supernatural thriller that is fun and bingeable. Mainly surrounding the female friendship of Sloane and Naomi when they go away together for a weekend and things take a deadly turn…🧛‍♀️🩸
Lots of blood, drama, thrills and witty humor.
This is not your typical vampire story and I loveeee it.

Are you ready for a wild, bloodthirsty adventure filled with friendship, surprises, and lots of blood-sucking? If so, this book is definitely the one for you. For all my fellow vampire lovers, I'm happy to report that not only does Harrison take a familiar trope and make it her own, but she also makes it a whole hell of a lot of fun. This is one wild ride from start to finish.

This time around, we follow Sloane Parker, a 30-something-year-old woman who feels stuck in a rut as she approaches another birthday. Things aren't great at home, but Sloane's life is comfortable, and she is willing to ignore things wrong in her marriage to keep the peace - even if she's not happy about it. But when her husband surprises her with a fully paid weekend getaway with her rebellious best friend, Naomi, things take a turn for the unexpected. What starts as a quaint girls' weekend at a beautiful, upscale resort soon spirals into a night of chaos when Naomi decides to shake things up by accepting an invitation to a party from a mysterious stranger she meets at a bar.

What follows is a night of seduction, passion, and ultimately, a near-death experience that changes both women forever - literally. As Sloane and Naomi navigate the aftermath of their fateful evening, they find themselves confronted with a series of choices that will change their lives in ways they never could have imagined.

Harrison's writing is sharp, witty, and unapologetic. She weaves a narrative that is equal parts heart-pounding thriller and introspective drama, keeping readers on the edge of their seats while delving deep into the complexities of adulthood, friendships, betrayal, and self-acceptance.

One of the things that makes this book work so well is the layered relationship between our two leading women. Sloane and Naomi's bond is at the heart of the story, and it's nice to see two women taking center stage in a genre often dominated by male protagonists. Their dynamic is raw, honest, and relatable, making their journey all the more compelling. Typically, females take a supporting role in vampire stories, and they end up being seduced by and then at the mercy of the male vampire. While this story teeters on that familiar trope, Sloane and Naomi aren't easily pulled into it. Sloane especially resists the pull, and I loved exploring her backstory and why she was so hesitant to fall into the open arms of her fangy male wannabe savior.

One complaint I had was that the group of vampires that the two women befriend and then attempt to leave behind were fun but felt a little too cliche. Harrison does a great job of putting her own spin on this familiar genre in several ways, but I felt this is where the novel could have used a little polishing. I felt like I'd already met them, and they didn't bring many surprises. I especially thought Henry was dull, a little too brooding and predictable. If I had been Sloane, I would have been really bummed that this was the best I could do when it came to finding a fangy boy toy. That said, I did appreciate the different forms of vampirism introduced in the novel, with the older woman in the abandoned town being especially creepy. My only other complaint was the abrupt and overly tidy ending. I liked it, but I felt something was missing.

If you're a fan of Harrison's past work, you'll definitely want to get your hands on this one. I found it to be a thrilling, fast-paced read that left me wanting more, even though the ending felt a little abrupt and too tidy. That wasn't enough to ruin the read, though, and I would highly recommend adding this one to your fall TBR.

This review really hurts my heart to write, but this book did not work for me whatsoever. Rachel Harrison is my favorite author and I love her dearly but she missed so many opportunities with this book. This felt like the day to day adventures of two best friends who turn into vampires, but the “day to day” was largely the same situation over and over.

Vampires also don’t follow the typical lore (these vampires can go out in the sun a little bit and they can also apparently die if they lose too much of their own blood). Meanwhile, at the beginning of the book there’s a vampire that the main character stabs a million times and he doesn’t die. The lore in this book was not cohesive and it contradicted itself.

Rachel gave us much of the same as we have come to expect from her books, messy female friendships, female empowerment, found family, and misogyny. It just felt like a mash-up of the same themes as she always writes with two female characters who were truly unbearable and while her other books had more of a plot at least… this one didn’t.

I can’t even say this was “thoughts not plots” or “vibes not plots” because this book didn’t touch upon the hard-hitting and thought provoking feminist themes her books usually do; this only grazed the surface. The vampire scenes were also so weak. All of the conflict was literally that they were…wait for it… so thirsty. There’s also a love interest who I really enjoyed but again, that part of the story barely went anywhere either.

The ending was disappointing and the story was ultimately pointless. Rachel’s previous novels made me feel seen as a woman and made me want to fight misogyny… this one just didn’t move me the way her other stories have.

Thank you Berkley for the finished copy and Penguin Random House for the audiobook. I adored the audio narrated by Brittany Pressley and if you are going to read this I suggest doing the audiobook. The accents were so fun and she narrated this book in a very entertaining way.

I love how Rachel Harrison's books are always unique which is one of the main reason I'm drawn to her novels. In the past she's written about hauntings, wolves, and witches and now we get vampires! This is such a fun horror novel that really dives into female friendships. It's witty, thrilling, and has a nice hint of romance.

Title: So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison
Publication Date- 09/10/24
Publisher- Berkley Publishing
Overall Rating- 2 out of 5 stars

Review: Review copy given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review: I usually like to start my reviews off on a positive note. So, what I have for you is that if you have liked her previous works, you will like this book. Rachel Harrison stuck to what is familiar to her in terms of pacing, and overall storytelling. There is nothing wrong with that, it just didn’t work for me.

Now to some things I personally struggled with in this book. First, this is a character driven book. It’s the story of a woman who’s husband is cheating on her and she’s trying to figure out who she is in the process. Through doing that, she stumbles into a vampire orgy party and yeah… it goes from there.

There was so much missed potential, in my opinion. We could have seen this woman grow over time, a strong female friendship sustained and just overall growth of the characters. I did not get that from this book. It felt immature and lacked any depth to any of the characters. Sadly, I felt like at the end of the book that I wasted my time reading this.

There were periods throughout that I thought, well this is mildly entertaining. But once I was done and zoomed out, I realized literally nothing of substance happened. Of the events that did happen, they felt disjointed, out of place, and nothing in the story was gained from it.

I know I sound grumpy in this. I just don’t think this author and form of storytelling are for me. Again, if you have liked her work before, you will enjoy this, just add vampires. Speaking of the vampires, there was some information about them but they were honestly not involved as much as I thought they were going to be. I just feel like there was so much missed opportunity here.

Rachel Harrison's So Thirsty is a fresh and invigorating take on the vampire genre, blending horror, humor, and sharp social commentary in a way that feels both timely and timeless. Harrison, known for her clever and genre-bending storytelling, delivers a novel that is equal parts eerie and entertaining, making it a must-read for fans of both horror and dark comedy.

One of the strongest aspects of So Thirsty is its protagonist, a character who is as relatable as she is compelling. Harrison does an excellent job of crafting a modern vampire tale that goes beyond the typical tropes, infusing the story with wit and a unique voice that sets it apart from other works in the genre. The dialogue is snappy and often darkly funny, giving the novel a lively pace that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

The novel's exploration of themes like identity, loneliness, and the thirst for more—whether that be power, love, or simply understanding—adds depth to the narrative. Harrison's vampires are not just bloodthirsty monsters; they are complex beings struggling with their own desires and limitations, making them both terrifying and sympathetic.

While So Thirsty is a highly enjoyable read, it does have a few minor drawbacks. At times, the plot can feel a bit predictable, especially for seasoned horror readers who might see certain twists coming. Additionally, some secondary characters could have been fleshed out more to enhance their impact on the story.

So Thirsty is a refreshingly modern vampire novel that brings new blood to the genre. Rachel Harrison’s blend of horror and humor, coupled with her keen insights into human (and vampiric) nature, makes this book a standout. Though it may not break entirely new ground, it delivers an engaging and thought-provoking story that is sure to satisfy fans of horror and dark fantasy alike. This is a book that leaves you thirsty for more from Harrison's imaginative world.

Rachel Harrison is perfection. This was such a great read and a wonderful addition to her shelf of work. This will be a great cooler weather read. It definitely put me in mind of underworld and the early 2000s obsession with vampires. It was a really fresh take on a vampire story. Did I like Sloan? I'm still not sure but she rang true. I finished this book in two short days and already want to know, when is the next Rachel Harrison book coming out (she says before this one even officially publishes)?

Rachel Harrison's portrayal of strong, fierce women in her work is absolutely captivating. Her characters are so vivid and well-drawn that I can't help but imagine meeting them in person and rooting for them with all my heart.

The book is an intense and engaging read, featuring a perfect blend of intense, chilling moments juxtaposed with flashes of wit and daring that truly make it a rollercoaster of an adventure.

That being said, I was somewhat disappointed by the lack of retribution for a specific character. I had been hoping for a dramatic confrontation, something like a triumphant "HONEY, I’M HOME" moment from the main character, but sadly, it never materialized.

Nevertheless, the book was outstanding overall, and I'm eagerly awaiting Rachel Harrison's next literary endeavor!

Let me start by saying, I did enjoy it AFTER 50%. The first half is so so slow and I couldn’t really connect with either FMC. Also, the vampires just sort of show up and we are thrown into a big orgy with all kinds of things happening. There were several scenes I really enjoyed, but overall it was just missing something for me! Most Rachel Harrison books are cozy and creepy. This one was different in the sense that there was quite a bit more sex (which I don’t have a problem with) and a whole lot more blood (also don’t have a problem with) it’s just not what I’m used to in a Harrison book! Still recommend for Rachel Harrison fans! If you want a vampire blood bath… read this 😘

This is an interesting new take on the vampire novel, and an entertaining look at what can happen after a woman decides that she’s done passively watching her life slip by. I’ve loved everything Rachel Harrison has written so far– her writing is packed with the kind of dry humor that I really enjoy, as well as explorations of what it means to be alive in the world today as seen through the perspective of someone you might call a “monster.”

Sloane and Naomi are seemingly unlikely best friends: Sloane (after an out-of-control stint in college) always chooses safety over enjoying herself, while Naomi seeks out as much fun as possible, thinking never of the consequences but only of feeling good. Though there is some fun romance in this story, I loved seeing how Sloane and Naomi’s friendship was challenged and ultimately deepened after their fateful night partying. I also really appreciate that Harrison centers women in their late 20s-30s.

Harrison masterfully crafts these creature features that showcase supernatural horror alongside the everyday horrors that women experience, which she makes all the more relatable by showing us that the most important relationship we have is with ourselves, and that sometimes it’s good to be bad (or even kind of evil).

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the eARC!

Content Warnings: Physical Assault/Murder, Revenge Porn, Gore (Blood, Wounds, Cannibalism)

I know vampire fans may come to a book looking for different things, so I want to set up what this book is not. If you are looking for heavy fantasy world building, a tale of old vampires with rich histories, or a primarily romantic/spicy vampire book, then this book is not going to scratch the itch. That's not to say that there is no world building, no old vampires, or no romance -- but they are not the main areas of interest in the book.

This book, instead, is a tale of how Sloane (our first person MC) and her friend Naomi get turned into vampires, with heavy character introspection of their recent former lives and adjusting to the change. Whether you enjoy this book or not will depend a lot on how you feel about Sloane and Naomi. I found both women excellently fleshed out and filled with both endearing and frustrating traits -- in short, very real. Sloane's life pre-vampirism was what made her the titular So Thirsty mentally as much as vampirism later made her physically thirsty. Seeing her come to this realization, and how her friendship with Naomi reflects it, is really the heart of the book, and I was there for it.

I liked this book and how it used vampirism as a vehicle to explore ennui, depression, anxiety, female friendship, and living life to the fullest. I didn't know what to expect from Harrison's work as a first time reader, but this was a fantastic introduction.

I recently finished reading "So Thirsty" by Rachel Harrison and it was absolutely fantastic! The book exceeded all of my expectations. The eerie atmosphere and storyline were perfectly executed, and I found myself loving every moment of it. I can't wait for its official release on September 9th, and once it's out, I'll definitely be adding it to my collection to proudly display on my shelf!

i just don’t think this author is for me, like this book was fine but for some reason i just expected more from it. how many times is the author going to write about female friendships like we get it! i’ve only read two books by her but both focus on the same thing? it seems like it’s the same but just with different paranormal creatures. at least start making these girls sapphic or something idk!

Reading Rachel Harrison is like watching a campy horror movie! Super fun and enjoyable, potentially perfect for fans of Twilight, with some good commentary about seizing the moment and close female friendships.

ARC 📖 Review: So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(3.5 stars)

Pub Date: 9/10/24

I loved the friendship between Naomi and Sloane in this one, they were so relatable! The vampire vibes were on point but I felt I needed more of a horror aspect or a twist. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a fast paced vampire story with a sprinkle of romance!

🧛‍♀️🧛🩸🩸

Sloane’s husband surprises her with a birthday weekend getaway—not with him, but with her longtime best friend and troublemaker Naomi. Sloane anticipates a weekend of wine tastings and cozy robes and strategic avoidance of issues she’d rather not confront, like her husband’s repeated infidelity. But when they arrive at their rental cottage, it becomes clear Naomi has something else in mind. She wants Sloane to stop letting things happen to her, for Sloane to really live.

I went into this book with an open mind, hoping for an engaging story, but unfortunately, it fell a bit flat for me. The main character, Sloane, was particularly frustrating and annoyed me until the very end. Her decisions and personality traits made it difficult to connect with her or root for her journey.

One of the major issues I had was the “chosen one but can’t accept their fate till the very end” trope. It felt like it wasted precious time and added unnecessary frustration to the story. This trope often drags the plot and makes the protagonist’s journey feel more tedious than compelling.

On the other hand, Henry was a breath of fresh air. He was the only character who truly captured my heart throughout the entire story. Henry’s presence was a saving grace, making the book somewhat enjoyable. Plus, let’s be honest, Henry is Daddy.

I didn’t fully love this book until the very end, when some of the plot threads finally came together. Overall, while the book had potential, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

However, I still recommend everyone to read the book as the ending had me hooked. I really hope there’s a second part to it.

I finished this because I had a review copy but I didn’t really like either of the main characters so I really wasn’t very invested in what happened to them.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for this advanced copy of So Thirsty. I was really excited to read it because I love vampire stories but this felt a little flat for me. On one end, I really loved the growth and evolution of Sloane. I think she finds her voice and new self in a beautiful way. On the other hand, I kept waiting for something major to happen. There were elements of action even in the ending but it didn't engage me the way I would have hoped. There was something about the book that didn't feel very cohesive or exciting.
I think the book will definitely be enjoyed by people but it just wasn't for me. I think it focuses more on Sloane as a woman and friend rather than the story of vampires

Thanks to the publisher for the DRC!

This was an entertaining read and while I expected it to be a bit more horror, I did appreciate the darker elements in it. It starts off slower, but I flew through the second half of the book in one sitting wanting to know what would happen. Fans of the author’s previous books will no doubt enjoy this one too. I’d also recommend it to anyone looking for a friendship drama with some horror elements.

The MC Sloane wasn’t my fav, she was frustratingly stubborn, made terrible choices and her self pity, guilt and anger was a lot to deal with for an entire book. Naomi is selfish and catty and the two of them didn’t feel like the best of friends - there’s a lot of petty bickering between them and their friendship had toxic elements.

The author chose to focus to on the two MCs, but I’d have loved to know more about the vampires stories. There is a lot of drawn out internal thought and self loathing from Sloane and an insta-love romance that didn’t add much to the story for me. The ending felt lightening fast and left me confused with the vagueness of it and the epilogue.

Rated a 3.5 rounded up