She's a vampire hunter who wants nothing more than to get rid of them and he's the newly turned vampire who wants nothing to do with being a vampire but looking for a way to get revenge against the vampire who not only turned him but killed his family... when their path's cross an unlikely alliance begins (and they're pretending to be engaged) and an even unlikelier romance begins to bloom. Carolina Fuentes is from a family of vampire hunters and is determined to be one herself... except all her father is concerned about is getting her married, especially to someone he picks and someone who will take the dagger from her hands. Determined to prove that she is capable, Carolina is determined to find a vampire to kill... except the handsome vampire she runs into is nothing like what she expects. Cue, Lalo Villalobos, someone who was turned into a vampire and is determined to get rid of the curse. When he meets Carolina he can't help but be attracted to her despite the fact that she could drive a dagger through his heart at any second. Carolina and Lalo share a common enemy and decide to work together to find the vampire and wipe it out... but that means they'll have to find a way to trick her family into thinking he is her fiance... yet they've begun to fall for one another despite their differences. Can Lalo and Carolina cure Lalo and stop the vampires before it's too late and can their romance actually survive? This was such a fun vampire romance read, I loved the dynamic between Lalo and Carolina. I adored the romance that builds and how Carolina is the tougher one while Lalo is the softer one. The vampire storyline was really fun and absolutely one i would recommend for anyone looking for a unique vampy read with romance!

Release Date: December 17,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's | Joy Revolution for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to Random House Children's for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I love a good vampire book, I really do, but this one's pacing just took me out of the story completely. I really tried to root for the characters, even stay engaged with the plot, but I just felt like something was off and not in the eery and spooky way, I still can't put my finger on it to be honest, but it was like the characters and the plot and just all the circumstances were taking turns being incredibly flat.

i am so sorry to say i did not enjoy this as much as i expeceted to. this could be the slump talking as well, as personal matters have really burned me out but i was struggling to connect with our main characters. while i fully knew this was a YA going in, i will admit it read young for the language and the dialogue took me out of the story occassionally. i will save my review for netgalley and will not be posting a public one. thank you for the arc!

Carolina Fuentes has spent her life trying to prove to her father that she is a capable woman made for more than marriage. She wants to hunt with the rest of the men in her family. When her Abuelo ends up killed by a Sediento she becomes even more determined to prove her worth.

Lalo Villalobos watched his parents being murdered by a Vampire but when he goes to the authorities he is laughed at and mocked. He knows what he saw and will find justice for his parents. in his hunt for that justicehe comes face to face with Maricella the woman who killed his parents and now will kill and turn him. After his worst nightmare comes to life he takes his sister Fernanda and flees to a town where he believes the first vampiro was made. If he can destroy the first vampiro then he can ri the world of this curse. He doesn't expect to find himself in a confusing and twisted lie with Carolina Fuentes the daughter of the towns best known vampiro hunters.

Thrown together against all odds Lalo and Carolina realize they are of more use to eachother alive and strike an uncertain deal to help one another find as much as they can about the first vampiro to be made.

You have to be careful digging into the past because sometimes you dig things up that turn everything you have ever known on its head. We all have secrets, things we would rather have left in the dark but sometimes you have to bring it to the light of day even if it could ruin all that you hold dear.


#ACruelThirst by #AngelaMontoya is a great novel that I strongly recommened those of you who enjoy books about vmapires to give a chance. I don't even care for vampires but I loved this book.

I want to thank #Netgalley for the chance to read #ACruelThirst by #AngelaMontoya in return for a fair and honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Joy Revolution, and Angela Montoya for an ARC of A Cruel Thirst! All opinions are my own.

4.5 rounded up. This was such a fun take on the vampire/vampire hunter story, with really engaging lore tied into legend. The MCs, Carolina and Lalo, couldn’t be more different, but their differences just made them better suited for the rough edges of one another. And while the lore of the vampiro generally followed traditional “lore” about the creatures, I thought the author’s interpretations and changes were really interesting and brought a new dimension to the story!

A Cruel Thirst is out now, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys vampire stories, young love, and legends!

POV: dual third person

You can expect: bookworm MMC, vampire hunter FMC, reluctant vampire MMC, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake engagement, opposites attract, solving a mystery, family, he falls first.

Rep: Latinx MCs, grief, queer side characters, ND-coded MMC

Spice: 1/5

CW: violence, death of a family member

Carolina (our FMC) is such a badass! And the romance between Carolina (our vampire hunter) and Lalo (our vampire) is downright swoony! Both are committed to protecting their families!

Highlights: fake engagement, forbidden love, witty banter, vampires, Mexican folklore, family-centered, HEA

I highly recommend this historical romantasy.

A beautiful story woven heavily with mexican lore and mythology. I love that we get a vampire huntress and a vampire working together. We typically get vampire hunter and vampiress, so to see this swap was refreshing. I loved the dynamic between Lalo and Carolina. I also absolutely adore that Lalo is completely terrified for nearly the entire book of just about everything, including himself. I think the only thing holding me back from giving this a full 5 stars is that the relationship between Lalo and Carolina felt a tad rushed and jagged. Other than that, the story was great and I would recommend this book to anyone who has a love for a good vampire tale.

I loved this book - the adventure, tropes, romance were all fantastic. There is beautiful and atmospheric writing, and I really enjoyed the lore (which is something I didn’t know a lot about). It’s one that my mature students will really enjoy.

I loved this idea for vampire lore and myths! Anytime things are twisted on their heads and changed around, I rather enjoy it. This allowed for vampirism to be a curse not made out of greed or out of a thirst for power, but out of grief. What wouldn't we do for the people we love and to keep them at our side longer? What wouldn't we fight against to save those we love and be there for them as well? I greatly enjoyed this book and hope to add it to my collection of physical copies as well.

A vampiro and a vampiro hunter, what could go wrong?
*I love this story so much! Everything moved at a fast pace and the antics these two got up to had me dying! From their first meeting, both Lalo and Carolina were fighting to see the other's perspective.
This story focuses on a young man who is tormented by the murder of his parents at the hands of vampiros, unfortunately when he discovers them he finds himself turned into one as punishment. To seek answers he goes into a Pueblo where they are experienced with vampiros and Lalo finds himself entangled with the main vampiro hunters daughter.
Carolina just wants to prove that she is just as good a vampiro hunter as anyone else, but when she fails to kill a vampiro and finds herself stuck in a fake engagement well, she needs to survive.
This story is perfect for those of enemies to lovers, vampires, and family over everything. The action continues until the end and it demonstrates how the power of love leads people to make difficult choices for the sake of their happiness.

*Thank you NetGalley for an early e-copy.*

#ACruelThirst #ARCReview 🩸🥀✨

Thank you Angela Montoya, NetGalley, and Random House Children’s/ Joy Revolution for the opportunity!

Two unexpected parties (Vampiro & Vampire Huntress) working together to fight a common enemy. Immediately sign me up. What a captivating read from start to finish. Ahhhh I absolutely loved this book. I felt like I went through an emotional journey, varying in intensity (laughing and tears may have been involved). This book was fast paced with an enticing plot line. There were some moments towards the later end of the book where I felt the pacing was a bit slower, but Seriously there was never a moment where I was bored. With a power house FMC and a cinnamon role MMC who could be. The banter between both characters held my attention and the tender moments (glances and yearning) made my heart swirl.

Lalo, our funny, clumsy, gags at the sight of blood vampiro. He made me smile with his inner monologue and his unwavering admiration for Lina. Carolina our headstrong, determined, fierce, loves to throw punches and daggers Vampiro Hunter. I loved seeing her progression throughout the story and always holding her confidence for what she believed in while standing up for herself. Both MCs are the definition of all in for the ones they love and it was warm to read. With a blend of Romance, latine lore, suspense, and fast paced adventure, this is a book you don’t want to miss.


What to expect:
🩸Forced proximity
✨Fake engagement
🩸Vampire/vampire hunter
✨Powerful FMC
🩸Cinnamon role MMC
✨Banter, daggers, and punches
🩸Touch him/her and die
✨Exploration of Family dynamics
🩸Dual POV
✨Latine Romance and vampire lore
🩸YA Fantasy Standalone

This book was a total cover want and it was so worth it!!!! Loved the story, loved the characters and the romance was perfection! Love the take on vampires, all the lore behind it had me hooked. Such an amazing book!

A Cruel Thirst:⁣
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Thank you @getunderlined @prhaudio #PRHAudioPartner for my gifted copies! ⁣
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I mean, we all know Angela Montoya is one of my absolute favorites. I’ve met her twice, which is basically more times than I’ve seen my family so ya know, definitely a fan in a non creepy way. So of course I’m going to hoot and holler about A Cruel Thirst. ⁣
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Carolina is not about to be some betrothed timid woman who obeys a man’s every word. She’s gonna make her abuelo proud and avenge his death. Minor probs here, his name is Eduardo (Lalo). Lalo is turned into sediento. He’s like “bet. I will not let this overcome me. Let’s find its origin and figure a way to reverse this bad boy” needless to say, we get some hilarity of vampire x vampire hunter, major Aladdin vibes “they’re after you?!” and a really great adventure on finding the truth. ⁣
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I liked the audio. It wasn’t 10/10 amazing but that’s because I wanted the banter and snark to hit a bit better. I still would listen to it as a recommendation because I do think it reads well.⁣
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Overall, another smash hit for Angela Montoya that’s out today. Go ahead and get your vampire on.

This book was everything I was expecting and more. I don't know how to properly explain it but it had almost all the qualities I like in books the yearning, the enemies to allies to lovers, banter. It honestly was a great read, ten out ten would recommend.

Absolutely stunning. I’ll admit, I don’t read a ton of books based in Mexican lore, and I absolutely loved this foray into new territory. Vampire x vampire hunter is a top tier trope, and I absolutely ate this one up. The banter was perfection, the characters were hilarious, and I had an all around amazing time with this book. Cannot wait for more from Montoya!

3.5/5, rounded to 4 stars.

First off, I want to say that the world building was very interesting. There were little details throughout the story and between the chapters that brought out more of the world, those the connection to the wider story seemed to be lost at times. The mythos of the vampires was different from the usual and tied to one of the major characters of the story, which was interesting and different to see. In terms of characters, both Carolina and Lalo have distinct personalities and come together well and are cute together when they are on the page, while also interacting with the wider cast of characters.

However, the story was rather slow and difficult to get into at first, while Lalo was going through a horrible event, it was still hard to connect to him and his current issues. The story got better when Carolina showed up on the page, and it can easily be said she is the stronger character and personality of the two – which, made the first part of the story, when they were having tension a little hard to believe. Though, I will admit that Lalo being a scholar and doing so much research did move the story forward, especially when Carolina would not believe the truth of the family.
In terms of the story, it was very straightforward -- for Lalo, it was avenging his family and destroying the vampire that had turned him, Marcela; for Lina, it was to protect her family and prove herself to her father as potential vampire hunter.

It should be action-packed and straightforward, but the added plotlines and characters getting in the way of the two felt repetitive after awhile and took from the dangers that were being presented throughout the book until the end when Lina and Lalo move forward to face the danger themselves. By the end, with all the extra plot and revelations of what the vampires truly were, I was surprised with the added action but also let down a bit with how everything was revealed to be connected, though Lina and Lalo got their happy ending.

Overall, this was a middle of the road book with interesting characters and plots here and there, dragged down by the added plotlines and lack of action until the very end

YA Fantasy (is this my first Romantasy??)
•vampire x huntress
•set in Mexico
•slow burn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

OBSESSED with Lalo and Carolina. This book was so funny, cute thrilling! You have to read how sweet Lalo is because he’s so adorable and just so kind and respectful and as @lit.chicana said a pan dulce. ❤️

Carolina has spent her life wanting to step away from societal norms and hunt. Of course her family is against this so when she runs into Lalo, she is determined to murder the vampire until she gets to know the real him. Both characters will do what it takes to save the ones they love. I didn’t even realize this was YA. It was just so perfect.

Pub day: 12/17/2024
Thank you @hearourvoicestours for the E-Arc.

✨🩸✨ A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya ✨🩸✨

The second I saw the STUNNING cover for A Cruel Thirst I knew I had to read it IMMEDIATELY! As someone who has watched the entirety of the Buffy universe series more times than I can count - I will eat up the Vampire Hunter x Vampire trope every single time!

A Cruel Thirst had everything I love in a Vampire novel and more!

✨ Enemies to Lovers
🩸 Brooding Sad Boy Vampire
✨ Badass Vampire Hunter
🩸 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Vibes
✨ Mexican Folklore
🩸 Unique Vampire Mythology
✨ YA Fantasy
🩸 Epic Battles
✨ Zorro Subplot

This was my first time reading a book by Angela Montoya and it 100% will NOT be my last! I loved A Cruel Thirst so much and immediately put a hold for Sinner’s Isle at my local library!

🗓️ A Cruel Thirst hits shelves 12.17.2024

BRB going to go binge watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer! 📺

Thank you so much TBR and Beyond Tours for sending a copy my way!

Carolina Fuentes comes from a long line of vampire hunters and she is determined to prove herself an even better fighter than her brothers. Lalo Villalobos was meant to take over his parent’s business but in an attempt to avenge the death of his parents he is now a vampire and on the search for a cure. Both Carolina and Lalo must work together, despite the odds, to look for the first vampire as they believe he is the key to bring all sedientos to an end.
This story has it all, a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers story, while also featuring two main characters who will go to all lengths to protect their family and the people they love. Rich with Mexican culture and lore, A Cruel Thirst captivates its audience.
Carolina and Lalo have such a great banter between them, that makes you root for them. Carolina, a brave and confident woman, is a great contrast to Lalo, who is awkward and anxious. The two seem like a great match and reading their journey from the beginning to end is a treat.
I had so much fun reading this book and recommend it if you are looking for a fantasy book that has it all. Read if you like:
- vampire x vampire hunter
- slow burn romance
- enemies to lovers
- fake engagement

Angela has done it again. If she isn’t in your romantasy favorites I don’t know what you’re doing.

Carolina and Lalo burned so bright and so hot and I need an extended epilogue asap. One of the best things that can come from an enemies to lovers is that once they are together they’re essences don’t change. Carolina remained as stubborn and fearless and fierce and Lalo stayed the most lovestruck, protective, and loyal partner and brother.

I knew A Cruel Thirst would have an HEA but ooh Angela made sure we were stresssssed first. Heart in my throat for most do the book kind of stressed, couldn’t stop reading.

Yes this was a romance but the role that family and ancestors play should not be diminished. We can carry their burdens, consciously or not, but we also must carry their love and hope for us.