Perception is book 2 in a series. I have not read the first book and it has an impact on my impressions of this novel. In the first few pages a lot of names and personalities are thrown in that are difficult to keep track of. Some don't need to be remembered but the first time reader doesn't know who is important. As the book moves along the focus narrows to fewer characters that makes it easier to follow and develop a rapport with them.

The plot is easy enough to follow. One of the members of the vampire group, called a haunt, is caught by the police for not registering with the government. Now the haunt must try to rescue him before he dies under police interrogation. This is complicated by two other vampire groups who are suppose to be Big Bads but didn't seem that relevant to me. Clearly, the first book had more information about them, why they are important and why they are such a threat.

Another plot line dealing with Audra, a blood slave for 2 years but now acting as counselor for a traumatized woman, Molly, connected to a vampire, is very intriguing. She analyzes the vampires while providing help to Molly and tries to manipulate them to better the position of the blood slaves, tenders (blood courtesans) and herself. However, not all the tenders appreciate her actions. Audra's position within the haunt is unique and the vampires have a hard time dealing with her. She is somewhat in a position of authority but she also annoys many of the vampires. Others look at her as more of a romantic potential. She seems to be on edge of being killed or bedded at any moment.

Things get intense later in the book. There are heart-pounding moments and glimpses of a more sophisticated vampire society than is first visible in the haunt. I enjoyed the latter half of the book more than the first. It moved faster, had more action and things came to a head with Audra and some of the vampires. There are plenty of things up in the air to be settled in a later book but it doesn't feel like a cliff-hanger. I'd be interested in reading the next book.

This is book 2 in the series. It can be read as a stand alone, but I floundered in the beginning with learning the world and vampire hierarchy with not reading book 1.

This book was more fantasy/paranormal and less romance which I enjoyed as a change of pace. The action of saving Jagger from the police and the empath abilities of Mickey were good. It kept my interest and was entertaining. The romance was really only the last 2 chapters of the book and it happened quick. Most of the book focused on the group of vampires dealing with each other and the human government as well as other vampire groups.

But there were some things that bothered me. The bloodslaves were people that were kept in cages by the hero vampires, all dirty and they had to fight over food and were used for blood, and even the people “saved” from that didn’t seem to care too much. There seemed to be no reason to keep them like that. Especially when humans are treating you as “less than” and you’re mad about that 🤷🏻‍♀️ Also, you “save” some ladies from the slave thing , wash them up and train them to be vampire call girls. They are apparently ok with this, and I get this a different world, but it’s worth the trigger warning.

Overall though, the characters were interesting and the author used multiple POVs to tell the story, but the parts I noted made this not the book for me.

*** Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Backlit PR and the Wild Rose Press. ***

3.75 stars rounded to 4. The first book in this series (Connection) introduced us to Dominic, the youngest vampire brother. Book 2: Perception follows another brother, Mickey. I strongly recommend to read the first book before jumping into this one, since it explains the society, hierarchy, and habits of the characters. Because of that, I enjoyed this second book way more than the first one.

Pros:

I absolutely love the relationship between the vampire brothers. They are hilarious, and the care and love they have for each other is just palpable. This side of them made me root for them more and more throughout the books (I didn't at the beginning of the first book). I found myself smiling each time they were interacting with each other, and couldn't get enough of their banter. :)

The settings and politics in the plot are intriguing and to the point. It shows the two sides of a coin, and how the two sides are not that different after all. The ultimate goal for Vampires as well as Humans is survival, and behind all the action and romance, this book shows how the world is all about perspective. It leaves you thinking about who would you root for? Both species can be loving and cruel, so who's right?

The pacing is fast, and there is no dull moment. I liked the action (except one time where it was a little hard to imagine the scene). But the author did an excellent job at keeping me guessing and at the edge of my seat.

Cons:

Again, as in the first book (but less in this one), I expected the story to be about Mickey mostly, because of the blurb and how it starts. However, there are a lot of POVs and Mickey's sometimes falls in the shadows, which is unfortunate. Don't get me wrong: I love all the different MCs but just felt a little cheated since they pretty much all get the same amount of time while I thought it will be more about Mickey.

FYI:

There is a lot of cursing. Trigger Warning: although explained and essential to the book premise, some of the descriptions and treatments of Tenders/Courtesans/Bloodslaves can be hard to read. Be prepared to step into a new world with a different set of rules.

A very good read!! I hope we'll get Book 3 soon! I wonder which vampire brother we'll follow next. Nichols?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this eARC in exchange for a copy of this eARC
Unfortunately this book was not for me and I struggled to finish it. I couldn’t connect with the story or the characters. I was looking forward to reading this as I love a good vampire story but for me it did not hit the mark.