Belle Morte will go down as one of my favorite reads of the year. Not only was the storyline unique and intriguing but the writing was beautiful. There's few words to convey the way I feel about this book but I will start by saying BUY THIS BOOK and Please, please give us more by this author. Thank you for allowing us a peek into this world.

i loved it! I was truly intrigued by the synopsis & hurriedly started reading as soon as I was granted an eCopy🤎 I have not read any sci fi books atm but Belle Morte was soooo good! As a young girl, I grown up loving Twilight so I decided to give this one a try because it has vampires in it👀 and I loved it! Thanks again for the arc✨

The premise for this novel was extremely intriguing and I loved the cover. Unfortunately, the writing was more campy than I had anticipated, and I had a harder time staying focused on the story line. The dual point of view was one of my more favorites aspects to the novel. I did feel like once the reveal happened, I had a harder time staying invested in the rest of the novel. The cliffhanger at the end will keep me looking out for the sequel, and I am curious to see what happens next.

I hate to but I had to DNF this at 51%. I am a big fan of vampire stories so when I read the synopsis for Belle Morte I really thought that I was going to love it. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

I was intrigued by the house and the donor system but as far as the main plot, it fell flat for me. No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t get invested. I didn’t care for the main character. We didn’t really learn anything about her except for the fact that she was on a mission to find her sister. She also constantly shamed herself for having a good time while in the house. I understand the guilt she was feeling but it was repetitive.

The romance was a bit too instalove for my taste. There was nothing that drew me in and made me want to root for the two. I did really like the love interest and I found his backstory to be interesting. I wish there would have been more sections from his POV!

This just wasn’t the right book for me and I am so bummed out about it. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read an early copy.

4/5 for Belle Morte by Bella Higgin

I have read this book while it was on Wattpad. I am still surprised at how good it is! The story was well structured and developed. No part felt too rushed. My favorite part was the romance though. As the first book in a series, I enjoyed the romance wasn't rushed. The predicted couple really get to know each other, instead of just getting thrown in. This development is refreshing in a book, because many books just skip the getting-to-know each other phase.

This was interesting, but didn’t have me in a chokehold.

My biggest issue was that it took a long time to get into and even then, it didn’t pick up for me. The world building and character development were there, but I felt detached from the story. It could be that nothing surprised me. I predicted everything so it was more like going through the motions. But, the writing style was good. Everything was detailed and well written.

I sort of liked the main character. I liked the passion, determination, and fire she had. I think it was just the fact that she was young and in certain moments it was obvious and not in a positive way. I struggle to read YA novels as I get older for this reason, so take that with a grain of salt if you’re someone who does like YA novels. Compared to other younger heroines, I liked Renie a lot more. What I didn’t like was how contradictory she was on her stance about vampires. There’s a ton of back and forth on that front.

However, it had some funny moments and a little bit of tension and steam. I liked the side characters as well. Renie had some great friends in Jason and Roux. Overall, I’m interested in the second sequel, but I’m not sure I’d pick it up if it’s as slow going.

DNF at 45%

I really tried to give this story a shot, but it just didn't work. I started guessing the entire plot by the 30% mark and was proven right (as far as i know). The typical YA/Wattpad tropes also didn't help.

I'm really missing depth to the story. I was more interested in the lifestyle of the donors than the actual plot.
The character work was very surface level, Renie didn't have ANY other character trait than wanting to find her sister. I also do not like Higgins writing style and I think it could use some work, some big action moments had no tension at all.
I do like the dual POV and the quick changes between it.

I would just recommend this book if you like insta-lovey, paranormal romances with a predictable plot.

This book was such an interesting take on vampire fiction- I've been loving anything with vampires in it lately (they're making a comeback!) and this was no exception! I found the story progressed almost a little too quickly at times (I wanted a bit more backstory and development for some things) but hopefully that comes in the next book. This kept me on my toes and I really enjoyed the ending! Can't wait for more!

The premise of this book is what initially had me interested. The twist on vampires not being a secret to the world, but actually being celebrities was different and unique. Without spoiling anything, I enjoyed the book overall. The characters were interesting enough to keep me reading. 3.5/5 stars for me. The world building wasn’t as in depth as I would’ve loved but it was definitely a fun read!

DNF

I hate doing this but this book just wasn't for me. I was drawn in by the premise of vampires because I'm obsessed but I just could not get into this story. The writing was awkward and the storyline didn't keep me interested.

There are always books that I regret reading. This is one that I regret reading before the rest of the books have been published.

The mystery that started in the beginning, a lost a desperate mystery for Renie, kept me going until the answers were revealed. As answers are revealed, more questions come up that desperately need answers. The plot seemed typical, and while I predicted most, I still can’t wait to read the second book. If anything, just to figure out the fate of June.

This review is after reading the arc received through NetGalley.

To start with what was so lovable about this book: the potential for the world building around the vampires was exciting! Typically, vampires are portrayed as creatures to be feared, and hidden away. This goes against everything Twilight taught me by making vampires celebrities and loved by humans. It made the book exciting enough to finish.

Now for why I’m giving it two stars: the writing fell flat and I wasn’t very drawn in by any characters or plot line. Sometimes the romance is enough to take me through, but the instalove between the MC and LI bored me. It was hard to understand the immediate motivation to save her sister that disappeared as we didn’t get to understand their bond until later into the book. There’s a lot of potential in the tropes set up as Renie *hates* vampires because she’s not like every other girl. And yet finds herself drawn to the most mysterious and loved vampire, Edmund.

I think this book is going to be great for younger teen readers, and readers wanting new takes on the traditional paranormal romance.

Thank you to netgalley and Wattpad books for the e arc!

Renie was invited to be a donor at belle morte a house full of vampire to find her sister, who went missing 5 months prior.
I did enjoy this book for the most part. I also liked the vampire being celebrities and found it really interesting and different. I also enjoy how renie hated the vampires and tried to hate them as long as possible. It felt really realistic. I also really like the forbidden Romance trope! While I did enjoy some of it, I did feel a lack of connection to the characters. I just didn’t find myself relating to the main character. I also didn’t quite believe Edmond falling for renie so quickly. I generally don’t like the instalove trope

I think this book will be a hit with teen readers. For me as a middle aged person it skewed fairly young in characters and dialogue if not in plot. The central story of one sister trying to find what happened to her missing sister in a house of vampires is an intriguing one but I found myself pulled out of the story often with the sort of over the top dramatic dialogue and reactions. I will definitely keep this in mind for our teen readers who are missing the golden age of teen vampire romance.

Despite only giving this 3 stars, I actually quite enjoyed this! When I got this ARC and saw that it was originally a Wattpad novel, I expected this to read like fanfiction, and I wasn't disappointed in that area.
I breezed through this, but there was honestly nothing groundbreaking and I saw most of the plot twists coming from a mile away. Even that ending wasn't a big shocker to me.
I liked the whole Vampire celebrities residing in a gated house hiring blood donors concept, but I didn't love the execution nor the (surprise, surprise) insta-love.
Renie and Edmond were an okay pair, despite Renie being TSTL sometimes and Edmond having multiple personality disorder, so my favorite character had to be Roux!

However, with the way this ended in a semi-cliffhanger, I am quite curious if there will be a sequel, because I feel like the story has potential!

Thank you to NetGalley and wattpad books for allowing me to obtain an arc in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone.


I liked this one! A little cheesy- but I believe this is targeted towards a YA/NA leading audience so the cheese amount worked. While vampires being out in the open isn’t something new in the paranormal realm, it is for this sub genre I think. I can see this one being on the paranormal/ya romance tiktok-booktok trends. The ending was (predictable) but led to a great cliffhanger for the next book(s) in the series and makes me look forward to it.

Another case of being lured by the cover, and staying for the characters!!! This book was so good!!

What I liked about the book:
1. As reality shows are kinda my guilty pleasure (don't you judge me!), I really liked the idea of a vampire celebrity house that would bring regular people in to be donors. That is a super interesting concept, and I loved how it wasn't a large part of the plot where they had to mind how they were in front of cameras a lot. I feel that could have gotten convoluted really fast, and we were spared from that.

2. Short, dual POV chapters!!! This is my crack!!!

3. I love that there are mystery components, swoony moments, action-packed scenes, and unadulterated happiness even in the lowest of times. This book is definitely one hell of a paranormal rollercoaster. Those last couple chapters were something else!!!

4. The characters:

Renie - I honestly did not think I would like Renie as much as I did. This girl is stubborn as sh*t and I'm here for it! Especially at the end of the book in some of the final scenes, she really just drives right into the chaos, but then still has realistic thoughts about why she's even doing it. I very much relate to this as a stubborn person who acts before she thinks a lot.

Edmond - Hot vampire dude who speaks French, loves to read, and is willing to throw down and be punished to save his girl? Ummmmm yes please! I don't know what it is, but the idea of a good looking man calling me terms of endearment in a foreign language does something otherworldly to me.

Ysanne - I did not want to like you, but I'm definitely falling for you, you alpha-female. I love the complexity of your character and how you are willing to open up to Renie because you are smart enough to see her value.

Etienne - All I'm going to say is I called it.

Jason - You are hilarious! Definitely the comedic relief in this book. I love that you are pining hard for Gideon, and I really think he is feeling you too. Hopefully we see more come of this in the second book!

Roux - Roux, Roux, Roux, you beautiful little badass. You are bestie goals and literally an angel!!! Daphne and Velma don't need no Fred!!!

Ludovic - I love how you know things can't happen, but you're such a good friend that you don't care about the rules. You seem like a total badass, and you BETTER end up with Roux in the second book!

5. THAT COVER IS GORGEOUS!

Why it didn't get 5 stars:
1. I felt the way the story was told was a little odd. It was dual POV, but Renie's sections were in first person, while Edmond's were in third person. I love the dual POV, I just wish they were both in first person. The consistency nerd in me was inwardly cringing every time it shifted.

2. A bit predictable, but I'm not reading vampire romance because it's groundbreaking...

Thank you NetGalley and Wattpad for the opportunity to read this ARC. The honest opinions above are being given voluntarily.

4 belle stars! Check it out April 5th!

Belle Morte (Bella Higgens) is a new release in the recently reviving vampiric subgenre of paranormal YA fiction. Originally published online at Wattpad to success, it was recently revised and is now being published by Wattpad’s publishing branch. Belle Morte takes place in a world where vampires are celebrities, and reside in revered Houses, such as Belle Morte, where humans can apply to enter. Successful applicants are taken into the House to be donors, who are pampered in the lap of luxury while being required to offer their blood up to any vampire who wants it. The story follows Renie, a new donor who hates vampires and has only applied to investigate her sister, who has gone missing while inside Belle Morte. Renie’s quest is complicated by the connection pulling her toward Edmond, the handsome vampire who knows more than he’s telling about Renie’s missing sister.

Author Higgins has a very casual style of writing that is very straightforward. This makes her writing very accessible and easy to let yourself fall into, but it does mean that her writing has a lot of telling. Whether the reader finds that to be a fault or a virtue is entirely up to personal preference.

Higgins does some interesting things with the way vampires fit into the fabric of this world. (In Higgins’ world, while vampires have been around for centuries if not millennia, they have only been public about their existence for the last few years.) Specifically something that stands out to me is Higgins’ reversal of a problematic pattern in vampiric fiction: the temptation to include vampires that were on the side of the South in the American Civil War. (No, I don’t know why so many major vampire books do it, but Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, and Interview with a Vampire all fall into this trap.) Higgins reverses this. While the story is set in England and the vampiric characters are primarily European, Higgins does mention vampires that were slaves in their human lives. It’s a small detail, but given the genre’s problematic tendency to do the opposite, I appreciated it.

Overall, if you don’t like the vampiric romance subgenre, Belle Morte probably won’t be to your taste. But if you enjoy these kinds of books, then Belle Morte will be a fun read for you.

P.S.
I do feel obliged to mention that the formatting of my digital ARC copy was…horrendous, there’s no way around it. The first letter of the first word of each chapter was on a completely different line than the rest (not larger or stylized) just separate, but a worse offender was that constantly paragraph breaks were missing, which sometimes made it confusing to tell who was talking when dialogue from two different characters was in the same paragraph. I’m operating on the assumption that this was a technical error (either exclusive to my device, or perhaps the book hasn’t gone through formatting yet, or the wrong type of file was sent to my kindle) and that the finished copy will be properly formatted, so I didn’t factor it into my rating.

Human girl tries to solve what happened to her sister by going into a house of vampires and meets a super hot vampire? check. Forbidden romance? check.

I like the idea of this book and the world structure. I think the concept was a cool twist on vampire romances and vampire worlds. H0w ever it did fall a little flat for me. I felt like a lot of detail was missing that could have taken this book to the next level.

I liked how fast paced it was and overall I had fun reading it, I just wish there had been more.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I gave this book a 3/5 stars. I was very excited to read this because I found the idea of vampires being treated as celebrities to be new and exciting.

Things I liked:
- the dual POV
- the main character's best friend, Roux

The things I disliked:
- the main character
- the plot: the book was premised differently, with a focus on her trying to discover what happened to her sister, however I felt that wasn't where the story actually went. Additionally, the mystery was revealed too quickly.
- the timeline of the characters falling for each other: the characters could have had a bit more time to have their feelings developed. It felt very insta love-y
- Edmonds character felt a little flat

Overall, I went into this book excited but unfortunately the book was a little disappointing.