I just love this series so much and Phantom Kiss was no exception. I adore Merit and Ethan, and even though I'm not a huge fan of novellas, this one was just perfect. It filled in that gap between books 12 and 13, and gave us a look into their personal lives a bit more.

Despite the shorter length, Phantom Kiss wasn't lacking in any way. The characters have already been established in previous books so more time could be spent on creating a fun, fast-paced story which is what I've grown used to with Neill's work. 

I wouldn't say that this is a must-read if you're trying to get the complete series picture but it's definitely fun and if you love the Chicagoland Vampire books as much as I do, you won't want to miss out on it.

A must read for lovers of the Chicagoland Vampires Series! Very enjoyable novella like always makes you want more!

Phantom Kiss is Chloe Neill’s latest foray into the Chicagoland Vampires world. For soon, sadly, this series will be coming to an end! Phantom Kiss is a short novella that lets us see the gang once more before the big hurrah and this time they are dealing with a ghost who very well might be tied to Al Capone!

When Ethan and Merit are called to the scene at a graveyard they find a grave that has been tamped with. A massive one and trying to figure out who the body belongs to will be a trying task indeed. It’s not until they go back to the house that they realized they have an even bigger problem. There’s a nasty spirit taking residence in the house and he’s starting to attack the vampires there. Now it’s personal. Ethan and Merit will do everything possible to rid themselves of this spirit in order to protect their family.

This was a short and enjoyable little story! Honestly, I’m always up for a little more Ethan and Merit time! I loved seeing that Merit’s snark still runs strong despite how far the series has come. Ethan is still swoonworthy, Mallory is still the ultimate BFF and Catcher is his usually snarky self but when he’s with Mallory he’s like putty in her hands!

Needless to say that this story is one for fans to read! As far as I can tell, I don’t think there’s anything in here that you’ll need to know before reading the final book come April. But as always, I would recommend it for the sheer fun and enjoyment of another Ethan and Merit adventure!



Overall Rating 5/5 stars

CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES is one of Rabid Read's creator's series, but I mistakenly thought I'd have a shot at reviewing this novella. Alas, tenure prevailed. I apologize for the inconvenience.

First line: “There is no torture so sweet, no punishment so sublime, as the couple’s wedding shower.”

Summary: This brief novella bridges the gap between books 12 and 13 (obviously, I know), and does it well. It’s really fun to see Ethan at his wedding shower at Merit’s family’s home. Luckily (for Ethan and Merit it seems), Chicago experiences another supernatural wingding, this time in the city’s cemeteries. There are ghosts!

Highlights: It’s fun to get a snapshot of information that is not included in the books. I like getting to know Annabelle, the necromancer.

Lowlights (or what could have been better): Well, maybe it could have been a little longer so I could have more Ethan and Merit?

FYI: Read it to have a little fun before reading the final book in the series.

With the conclusion of the Chicagoland Vampires coming upon us so quickly, this little dip into Merit and Ethan’s life was welcome for me.

This takes place not long after Midnight Marked and everyone is still trying to settle after that fight, when this new conflict comes up involving something the gang didn’t think was possible. Someone is playing in the cemeteries and bringing about some new enemies to play.

I was amazed at how much power these enemies had. Merit and Ethan work with the team to try and research who they are actually dealing with and how to stop the magic from getting any deeper. The magic is different from what we have seen and it is interesting to see how the plan comes together to deal with it. I love how paranormal shows are portrayed! I got a good laugh from it.

Phantom Kiss managed to include pretty much all of our main characters and I loved seeing them. We do get to see Ethan and Merit do what they do best, and even some of their relationship outside of the action. These two work and play so well together!

I thoroughly enjoyed Phantom Kiss and the distraction it gave us while we wait for Blade Bound. We get things that are different from our usual conflicts so this could definitely be read as a standalone. Who would want to do that though? You have to read the whole series! Just my opinion though ;).

Classic Neill, clever story line, I read it in one sitting.

PHANTOM KISS is the last novella set in the Chicagoland Vampires world. Because of this, I was really expecting something soft and sweet, a beginning to the end so to speak. However, Chloe Neill doesn’t just take the sweet route with this story. She actually gives readers a mystery that is unique and highly interesting. I have a lot of respect for authors who provide a solid storyline in novellas like Chloe Neill does, and this one is a great one.

It looks like something is stirring the cemetery and Merit and Ethan suspect that a specter might be on the loose. Although this story is less than a 100 pages, it still packed everything I love about this series into the tight word count. There’s great banter between all of the characters. There’s a good amount of romance between Merit and Ethan, and the mystery subplot stands alone very well, making for a very well-thought-out story.

I really enjoyed this novella but am sad to know that the next one out will be the very last. Until then, I will savoring the experience before we have to say goodbye to our fave Sentinel and her Master.

I cannot believe this series is almost over! This novella is perfect for fans like me, who are just not ready to say goodbye to these awesome characters. It's a very quick read, but in true Chicagoland style, PHANTOM KISS is action packed and a lot of fun from start to finish. There's just something about these characters that keeps me begging for more. This time around a ghost is at the helm of the trouble which made for an interesting read, but it was the extra time spent with Ethan and Merit's relationship that I enjoyed even more. I really enjoy the two of them together, and sometimes the frantic pacing of the main books overshadows their relationship, so it was a definite treat to have more focus on them in this novella. Fans of the series will be more than pleased with this fantastic novella!

The Chicagoland Vampires series is a favorite of mine. If you haven't read them yet, what are you waiting for?! I love the interactions between all of the main characters. Each novella gives a mini mystery to solve and an action packed adventure to journey. This time readers got more Merit and Ethan time with the bonus of their wedding shower. I can't wait for the next book but am a little bummed that it's the conclusion to the series.

I was so excited to read Phantom Kiss I dived into this story as soon as I could and I loved it !. In Phantom Kiss we follow Merit and Ethan .We learn in this story that someone is messing with graves and summoning spirits so we spend this novella trying to find out who did this and of course how to get rid of this spirits that have been summoned . This novella was wonderful ! between dealing with the haunting, the dark sorcery and of course Merit and Ethan romance along ,with there preparation for there wedding there was not a dull moment . Phantom Kiss was sexy ,spooky and enchanting read and I cannot wait get my hands one Blade Bound as soon as I can .If you love all these things in your books your should definitely pick up a copy

Review Scheduled to go live on blog on February 14th
4.5 Stars

I crave stories from the Chicagoland series; I just love Merit and Ethan, and the eclectic crew they have. Phantom Kiss was a great little taste, with an addictive ghost story that had me hooked, and hanging for the last book in the series.

The story starts off with Ethan and Merit attending their wedding shower at Merit's parents home, and on their way home they get a phone call from their friendly necromancer, Annabelle about a disturbed grave. This leads them on a chase looking for missing bones, uncovering who did it and fighting against ghosts.

I love how well the whole group works together, and the faith they have in each other. They faced the ghost issue head on and were determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. I love how Ethan and Merit's love continues to grow; the banter between them, how passionate they are and always look out for one another.

Chloe Neill crafts each story in this series so that a new reader can catch on easily. She describes the scenery, fleshes out the characters and builds the plot to keep me mesmerised. My only complaint... it wasn't long enough! I'll be on edge waiting for more!

Ghosts meet vampires inthis novella. Ethan and Merit use all their resources.

I adore the Chicagoland Vampire series and was super excited to get Phantom Kiss to tide me over until Blade Bound is released in April. Chloe Neill once again delivered an engaging story that pulled me in from the very first page.

I love seeing where each installment in the series takes Merit and Ethan. I loved at the beginning of Phantom Kiss they were going to a couple's wedding shower at Merit's parents home. Merit's mother really does try hard to stay in her daughter's life and I love that she is just as enamored by Ethan as most everyone else.

Merit and Ethan seem to always be the ones in charge of protecting Chicago. Of course when Annabelle calls about the disturbance of the grave in the cemetery, Merit and Ethan not only are the ones to show up, but they are instrumental in getting the disturbance solved. I love that we got to spend time with pretty much the whole crew of favorite characters as they battled the ghoul who is now haunting Cadogen House. While Annabelle is a recent addition to the crew, I've come to love her character every bit as much as other characters.

Phantom Kiss is a novella length book, so it was a super fast read for me. Partly because it was a novella, but mostly because I couldn't put the book down once I started reading. Phantom Kiss was a fun and fast-paced story and only made me more excited for the release of Blade Bound.


Rating: 4.5 Stars (B+)

**Contains spoilers from previous books in the Chicagoland Vampires Series**

Chloe Neill plunges us back into Chicago history with PHANTOM KISS. I don't read a lot of novellas, but I couldn't pass this one up. I'm so sad this series is ending, but so glad to get another little side adventure with Ethan and Merit before the final book.

What a neat little adventure. Merit and Ethan attend their bridal shower and then get called out to the cemetery where they find out a ghost has been set loose. Not much gets solved while they are out, but they quickly find out the ghost followed them home and it's NOT friendly.

We already know most of the characters in PHANTOM KISS and although we do learn a few new things about some of them, I would like to mention some other characters. I really enjoy Annabelle's character and although we did meet her in a past book, I wish we would have gotten to know her earlier in the series. She fits well into the world and I would have loved to have more adventures with her. Another newcomer is introduced in PHANTOM KISS, but it's actually a group of ghost hunters that call themselves the Chicago Paranormal Action Network. They were interesting and a bit crazy.

I'm glad I read PHANTOM KISS before jumping into the final book BLADE BOUND. It's time for the wedding and I can't wait see how it plays out! So sad to see the Chicagoland Vampires series go, but excited to see how it ends.

I gave it 5/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Phantom Kiss by Chloe Neill
Series: Chicagoland Vampires, #12.5
Urban Fantasy Romance
January 17, 2017
Orion Books

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “I’m obedient when it counts.”

Chloe Neill takes pity on her faithful fans and gifts us a small adventure with Merit and Ethan before the final farewell novel, Blade Bound, releases. This novella isn’t necessary to the advancement of the series and can be read as one’s leisure. Fans will remember in Midnight Marked, Ethan and Merit found themselves tested by a pair of enemies.vPhantom Kiss picks up approximately two months later. Merit and Ethan have discovered one of those enemies has escaped and is now in the wind and they are on the final countdown to their wedding. When Annabelle Shaw, a necromancer they met and worked with earlier, contacts them that she has discovered a disturbed grave, Merit and Ethan fear the worse.

The story opens to Merit and Ethan arriving at Merit’s parents home for their wedding shower. A lighted hearted scene turns serious when it is revealed that some of Merit’s family is not one hundred percent on board with her new life and wedding. Will Merit and Ethan have family issues on their wedding day?

Oh, I almost guarantee it.

The action kicks into high gear as the Cadogan House finds itself teaming up with the Ombudsman’s office and the rest of the gang to investigate the mystery behind who disturbed the grave and why. Supernatural hijinks, some ambitious ghost hunters, and a walk back through Chicago’s turbulent history offers fans the intrigue, suspense, and of course the humor they’ve come to appreciate from the series. Fast pacing, witty narrative, and a strong well plotted storyline makes this novella well worth the cost. Fans will enjoy spending a little time with their favorite couples and the small peek into Blade Bound offered at the end.

Though I’m sad to see Neill ending her Chicagoland Vampires series, I am more than ready to read the last book see just how she has chosen to bring this series home.

Grade: B

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review. Love Merit and Ethan this was an amazing short read novella. Can't wait to read more of their adventures and mystery to uncover.

Chloe Neill’s Phantom Kiss is a spook-tacular addition to the Chicagoland Vampires Series. Merit and Ethan discover a grave robbery and accidentally bring the ghost home with them to Cadogan House. The spirit is not friendly and attacks the vampires. They need to uncover who is robbing the graves, while figuring out how to get rid of their ghost. This contemporary Urban Fantasy takes place in Chicago.

I love that this story starts out at Merit’s and Ethan’s wedding shower. Merit’s dealings with her human family are always interesting. I found the gifts they received amusing. On their way home from the shower, they receive a call from necromancer, Annabelle Shaw, about a grave robbery and stop to investigate. This short story is full of non-stop action and interesting twists. Thankfully, the couple is resourceful and have some powerful friends.

Being a Chicagoan, I love this series. Chloe Neill does an amazing job of including Chicago history and landmarks in her stories; not to mention, listing all the best places to eat, yum Superdawg and Giordano’s. Chloe Neill’s character development and plot are continually exceptional. Chicagoland Vampires continues to be one of my favorite Urban Fantasy Series. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

***4 ‘The fun never ends’ Stars***

After the heaviness of Midnight Marked, Phantom Kiss was a nice change of pace to remind us all just how much fun Methan and the gang are when they aren’t faced with a life or death situation and to get us ready for Blade Bound, the final book in the Chicagoland Vampires series.

In Phantom Kiss the gang all gather to do a little ghostbusting of their own as a Phantom is released and causes a little havoc at Cadogan House. The storyline was simple and fun and I loved that we got to hang out with Annabelle, the necromancer, again because the woman fits right in with this motley crew. As much as I love Methan, Luc was the winner in this one with his enthusiasm for the hunt.

If you haven’t read at least the last two books in the series you may feel a little lost as it comes on the heels of some pretty major upheaval that just occurred, but it doesn’t push any major storylines forward and only gives a hint as to what could be coming in the next. Either way it’s a fun, short glimpse into this crazy ensemble cast of characters and the world they live in.