Reading Rate: ****
Romance: ***
What I liked:
- Even though this book is a part of a series you can read as a stand alone and not feel lost
- The book had a very good setup and I was really excited for the Police mystery element
What I struggled with:
- It seemed like so much time was put into building out the characters and the mystery set up but then the book was just rushed to completion in the last 20 mins. All of the pieces just fell together without any real climax or action needed from the characters.
I really think this could have been a great book but their story was just cut short. There was so much potential for a good angsty romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for a copy of Meant to Be Immortal in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved the characters and the storyline development of this book. It was absolutely one of my favorites so far and I can't wait to delve in to the next one that this author writes. The storyline was simple, enjoyable, and entertaining.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book....whew. I'm not sure where to start. Let me preface with the fact that I was a big fan of the Argeneau series about ten years or so ago. I was for sure too young to have been reading them but they were exactly what I wanted right after my peak Twilight phase and I devoured and all vampire romances. These books were such a different take on a typical vampire trope and thought it was fun and interesting and steamy.

Fast forward ten years and I haven't read any of this series in a long time, but I still have a lot of nostalgia associated with it because I enjoyed them so much. So I'm still not sure if my different feelings about this book compared to the rest of the series are due to my growing up, or because the quality really has declined as the series went on, and I also don't think I really want to find out.

Mac and CJ as characters were...underwhelming. I was so interested in Mac being a nerdy scientist, but that was not really a factor in his character at all. His entire character was "ooh she's my life mate and I need to claim her", to the exclusion of anything else. Honestly, his thoughts and his family's recommendations were all geared toward the best way to manipulate CJ into spending more time with him and liking him back, regardless of the things that have happened in her history or reasons for being hesitant about a relationship.

And CJ herself...I was so interested in her backstory and history, but I think they could have spent a lot more time helping her work through a lot of that. Instead, a particular issue (for lack of a better word that could give away what it is) that she had for not wanting to be in a relationship (I won't go into specifics because spoilers) was thrown out the window simply because Mac lied to her and said that he shared that "issue". And when she found out about that and what he and his family all really are.....there was no adjustment period. She just shrugged it off and went immediately to "taking care of her man". And on top of that, (I don't think this is a spoiler because it's an inevitable discussion at the end of all of these books but if you don't like anything remotely spoiler-y, stop reading) when the discussion of her being turned came up at the very end, her resistance to the idea was similarly thrown out a window simply because "she didn't want to do anything to make Mac sad." Are you kidding me? Like that wouldn't be a major life altering decision that you need more than 5 seconds to decide on for a guy that you've known for three weeks?

I just....yeah. I didn't hate this, and I managed to read it as what it was supposed to be: an easy, light hearted (?) vampire romance. But I think I'm done with this series in the future, and probably won't be re-reading the older ones to try and preserve some of the nostalgia I still have for them. I gave this a 3 stars, but that feels generous and it probably was more like a 2.5, realistically.

Are you ready to fantasize about a hot, nerdy immortal (aka Vampire)? Well, Mac Argeneau just might be the book boyfriend for you. Mac is a hematologist doing research on blood for Immortals. Totally makes sense. If you have kept up with the previous 31 books in this series, you will know that the family trees are huge and intertwined. Mac is one of Basil’s 23 children and he has been on his own for a very long time. Sands does not disappoint on the bedroom scenes, but I would say that this was a bit more of a slow burn because Mac was trying to woo CJ and not just surprise her with the whole Life Mate story. I mean, wooing is super romantic. It gets even better when the rest of the family steps in to “help”. Readers will recognize some of the family members from previous books, but you could jump right in without knowing all the details from their backstories. They are funny and determined so a few of the scenes will make you laugh out loud as they try to help with the wooing.

I think you will like CJ’s character. She is a former police officer who is now an investigator of the police. She does the detective work when there is a complaint against a police officer. Because of that, she is not very well liked by the officer or the department she is investigating. However, she is called in to investigate a local arson case because that particular small town does not have enough police to take care of it. It just so happens that it’s Mac’s house that caught on fire. He had just moved in and he barely escaped. In fact, it would have been impossible for a human to escape such a devastating fire. So, now she has two investigations to conduct in the same small town.

I love the Argeneau world and I keep coming back to read all the new releases. I enjoy the author's style of writing and the humor sprinkled throughout the books. I also love the sexy scenes and the great chemistry that all the couples have. Nothing better than a happy ending! I highly recommend this series, especially if you want to escape into a bit of fantasy set in the real world. I just read somewhere else today about a STEM romance and I sort of laughed at that term. However, I think I would consider having a lab and being a hematologist fits right into the Science and Technology part of the acronym, so maybe we label this a paranormal STEM romance???

Book Info
Paperback, 400 pages
Expected publication: April 27th 2021 by Avon
ISBN 0062956396 (ISBN13: 9780062956392)
Edition Language English
Series Argeneau #32
Other Editions (5)
Source:Netgalley EARC
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BOOK BLURB

In the newest Argeneau novel from New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands, an immortal barely escapes a raging fire only to kindle a sizzling passion with his potential life mate.


Mac Argeneau knows all too well: immortals can be killed. Not with holy water or silver crosses, but by decapitation or being set on fire. So when Mac’s house bursts into flames—with him inside—he’s sure it was no accident. But who would want to kill a scientist specializing in hematology? There is a silver lining: a blonde investigator appears on the scene and sparks feelings in him that have been dormant for centuries.


CJ Cummings is in town on a special investigation, but she’s been waylaid by the local police to deal with this arson case. The biggest mystery is how this sexy scientist with silvery blue eyes has emerged from a blazing inferno without a burn mark on him. He’s clearly hiding something. Sure, she’d love to see him without his lab coat, but she’s got a job to do—despite his insistence that he needs a bodyguard and...he wants her.


But when a second attempt on their lives puts CJ in harm’s way, it’s Mac who will do anything to safeguard the woman who’s destined to be his life mate.

My Thoughts

Read so fast as it was too much fun to put down!

Love this series and 32 books in still enjoying it.

CJ and Mac’s romance was a bit different than other life mate pairings, in very good ways.

The Argeneau book series has long been a go to read for me, the humor is superb, the characters are likable and memorable, all in all the romance pairings work very nicely as well.

With this book it was all about getting back into a rhythm that has long been established by the previous books, a rhythm for me which means action first then meddling by the others in the family.

While this was by no means light writing throughout the serious parts were balanced well with expected humor and mystery as well.

What starts out for CJ as part of her job, thanks to Mac, becomes instead a way to renew her hope for a better future and a life she wants rather than one she endures.

[EArc from Netgalley]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book given to me via NetGalley. Meant To Be Immortal is the 32nd book in the Argeneau series by Lynsay Sands. There was humor and omg the heat in this book! I devoured it in less then 10 hrs. went to work bleary eyed because of Mrs. Sands, but it was worth it. Don't hesitate get this book!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC to review.

Honestly, if I had read the other books, I feel like I would have been able to connect more with what was happening in the story. Instead, I was confused. The book itself had all the right ticks, action, mystery, and, of course, romance, but I just couldn't get into it. I will consider coming back and re-reading once I can get into the other books in the series.

For now, it just wasn't for me.

I enjoyed reading this book since it pretty much started off with a bang. Mac and CJ were not your usual couple for this series, she went far out of her way to try to get him to leave her alone but that would have ruined a good story. She is at the same town as him quite by accident (or fate) investigating reports of a cop abusing his authority. The thing is you really get into this story and then it was like she got tired of writing and the solution to the mystery was pretty anti-climatic and the romance that he was working on never really got off the ground. All things considered I did stay up late reading it but was a bit disappointed in the ending since it felt kind of rushed but i will keep reading about these folks so I am far from being tired of them but she needs to put a bit more effort, I sure do miss those first 10 books or so that got me hooked on this series.

Meant To Be Immortal is the 32nd book in the Argeneau series by Lynsay Sands. For anyone who's read any of the books in this series, the plot outline will be familiar: immortal meets life mate, immortal has to woo life mate, trouble ensues and brings the two closer together, immortal and life mate end up blissfully together. And don't forget some hot bedroom scenes that will keep readers coming back for more.

In Meant To Be Immortal, readers meet Macon Argeneau, or Mac for short. Mac is a hematologist and brother of Katricia, making him one of Basil's 23 children that we learn about in Immortal Who Loved Me. When someone sets fire to Mac's house, CJ is asked by local police to step in and help investigate. There, at the scene of the crime, Mac realizes that CJ is his life mate and spends the rest of the novel learning about CJ's past and wooing her so they can both have their happily ever after.

As with every Argeneau novel, I was quickly interested and invested in the main couple's story. I knew they would end up together, but I just couldn't put the book down until I saw them through their trials and saw CJ accept Mac as her life mate. Sands' writing always grabs me; it's easy to get swept away into her story. Meant To Be Immortal also brings back some fan favorites from previous novels, simultaneously expanding this world that Sands has built and adding to previous character's stories while introducing the reader to Mac and CJ.

Meant To Be Immortal is another wonderful addition to the Argeneau series, and I can't wait for the next book!

A huge thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley for the chance to read Meant To Be Immortal in advance of its release date.

An enjoyable but not amazing addition to the Argenau series. It contains the heat and humor that one expects with the series but falls short on plot. One of the main plot points concludes but feels unresolved and the book's conclusion is a bit abrupt. This book can be read as a stand alone but would not be the best choice as an introduction to the series.

This was a fun story that was different from her usual trope of insta love. I liked that he actually wooed her and made the effort rather than simply saying we are meant to be together for nano reasons.

This book was so entertaining. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and was involved until the end. The characters were complex and interesting. I found the story to be well paced and engrossing throughout the whole book. I was invested in the couple throughout the book and felt all the emotions through both the highs and lows of the story. If you want an entertaining and well written book this is it for you.

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!! This series is always such a delight. In this installment CJ gets her immortal. We met CJ earlier in the series and I thought she’d been forgotten about but Ms. Sands never disappoints. This story is a little heavier than some from the past but is offset with humor and steamy sex. We catch up with several characters from the past but this can be read standalone.

Review: This is the 32nd book in the Argeneau series and focuses on Mac (Macon) Argeneau and CJ Cummings, who's in town investigating a complaint against a police officer. CJ is immediately asked to assist with a local arson case since all officers are out on calls, where she meets Mac. Mac barely escapes from a house fire, just hours after he moves in. While he's immortal, a fire is one of the few ways they can be killed.

Mac realizes CJ is his life mate immediately, but she's very guarded. So much so that Mac makes a plea for her to keep him safe from his would-be murderer by acting as his personal bodyguard. Several of the Argeneau family make their way to town to "help" Mac win CJ's heart. While these are favorite characters, you do not need to have read all of the previous books to enjoy this one!

Note: I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is my own.

**I received the this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**


I quite enjoyed this slow-burn vampire romance. Mac and CJ built a relationship before they acted upon their attraction for each other, which I liked. I would definitely not consider this romance novel an insta-love story. They first mutually respected each other before they fell in love (but it does get quite steamy toward the end!).


I also enjoyed the whole “big family” aura surrounding this book. I came to realize—as more and more vampire characters popped up—that other books had been written about these other vampires first. But I quite enjoyed the colorful cast and the protectiveness and love this clan of vampires felt for each other. I did not realize this was #32 in a series. Even though this book was one in a series, though, it can be read as a standalone, as I understood everything clearly.


I felt as though the actual plot of the book was a bit slow, but I didn’t mind it too much. I don’t much like romances with mysteries thrown in and much prefer a mystery with a bit of romance. I feel as though the latter does a far better job at developing the plot and the romance than the former, simply because romance authors haven’t dealt in the medium of mystery all that much, and can’t always pull it off. But this is simply my personal opinion.


**Slight Spoiler** The one thing that I felt did not match the tone of the book was Mac realizing that CJ was his mate. He didn’t seem excited or even surprised, even though he had been waiting for her for literally hundreds of years. Also, CJ's relaxed, unsurprised attitude at finding that she was in the midst of a family of vampires near the end of the book seemed a little out-of-place. Not to a huge degree in my opinion, but slightly. End of Slight Spoiler**


Overall, I quite enjoyed the character development, this crazy family of vampires, and the relationship between Mac and CJ. I would definitely read another installment in this series.


**I received the this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**

I love this series and Lynsay Sands does not disappoint. The plot had the right mix of humor, romance, and suspense.

MEANT TO BE IMMORTAL (Argeneau Book 32) By Lynsay Sands
I always enjoy the Argeneau books, especially when they have several members of the family to interact with. I have read all of the past books and I think the stories are still fresh with tons of life left to explore. This story has Macon or Mac Argeneau almost incinerated in a house fire and CJ Cummings is in town to investigate a problem in the police dept. CJ gets roped into helping with the arson investigation by the sheriff. Mac wants CJ to be his bodyguard since someone tried to burn him up in the house. It also buys him some time to work on CJ since he has realized she is his lifemate. CJ has some serious baggage to overcome. This is a 4 star read.

If you are a fan of this series you will probably enjoy this addition. If you have never picked up one of Ms. Sands 'Immortal' books you will have no problems reading this one as there is plenty of back-story.

The mystery was a bit frustrating and I found the romance to be a bit tepid. No, not the sex. The sex as usual was described quite erotically. Plenty of juices, positions, tastings, etc.

I liked this book but I think it is time for me to step back from this series. I have many of these books that I consider my 'comfort reads' and I think I will stick with re-reading those!

*ARC supplied by the publisher, author, and NetGalley.

Mac Argeneau knows all too well that immortals can be killed, especially by fire. So when his house burst into flames he is sure that it wasn’t an accident and someone is trying to kill him. But who would want to kill a hematology scientist?

As with most of the books in this series, this one can be read as a standalone. Having read the previous books, just means you have a better understanding of the world and the side characters who are Mac’s family members. After 32 books, this is still one of my favorite vampire romance series. Lyndsay Sands does an amazing job at creating wonderful characters and stories in this fictional world with immortals. This series is actually the one that got me hooked on vampire romances when I was a teenager.

Mac Argeneau is a character who we don’t know much about from previous books. He has been briefly mentioned but hasn’t played a big role. I actually really liked Mac. He is one of the older vampires and has really lost touch with the modern world, and how to talk to women. CJ Cummings was a strong woman who has had a rough go when it comes to relationships. There is no instant love with this couple, Mac had to woo CJ and show her he truly cared for her. I adored the slower pace this relationship had, especially when it came to CJ learning about immortals and changing.

Overall, this was a strong addition to the Argeneau series. This was a strong couple who had a great story. Also the return of a few previous characters from the series were great additions to the story. .

Trigger warnings:
- Miscarriage discussed
- STD discussed
- Domestic abuse referenced for a minor side character

I have been reading Lynsay Sands' books for many many years and never in all that time have I read a bad one. Each one is a treasure to me and this one is no different. The Argeneaus are one of my most favorite of all book families. I just love them all. I wish I could live in these books and be apart of them myself. That's one of the things that makes them so good.

Mac Argeneau is sweet, nerdy in all the right ways, and up until now just hasn't found his life mate. Then CJ comes along and they are flung together in the most interesting of circumstances.

And life keeps throwing curveballs at the both of them. With both of their lives threatened they are forced to look after each other. Mutual attraction flares up and though they question it at times, it cannot be denied.

CJ is a nice woman who has had a rough go at life. She is super intelligent, sweet all the way down to her core (though she doesn't like to show it), inquisitive, and is like a Bloodhound in trying to get to the bottom of her investigation. She doesn't give up. I love her tenacity.

What I like about this book is that it shows you that no matter what the circumstances are you can always find the good in them. Even if you have to look hard. Sometimes, things are just meant to be and you either accept that or you walk away.

Fantastic book. I cannot wait to read the next one to see what happens with these two! Great love story all about trust and endurance. Just a really lovely lovely story.

I was given this ARC by NetGalley to read and review. All opinions are my own.