Rachel Harrison is perfection. This was such a great read and a wonderful addition to her shelf of work. This will be a great cooler weather read. It definitely put me in mind of underworld and the early 2000s obsession with vampires. It was a really fresh take on a vampire story. Did I like Sloan? I'm still not sure but she rang true. I finished this book in two short days and already want to know, when is the next Rachel Harrison book coming out (she says before this one even officially publishes)?

Rachel Harrison's portrayal of strong, fierce women in her work is absolutely captivating. Her characters are so vivid and well-drawn that I can't help but imagine meeting them in person and rooting for them with all my heart.

The book is an intense and engaging read, featuring a perfect blend of intense, chilling moments juxtaposed with flashes of wit and daring that truly make it a rollercoaster of an adventure.

That being said, I was somewhat disappointed by the lack of retribution for a specific character. I had been hoping for a dramatic confrontation, something like a triumphant "HONEY, I’M HOME" moment from the main character, but sadly, it never materialized.

Nevertheless, the book was outstanding overall, and I'm eagerly awaiting Rachel Harrison's next literary endeavor!

Let me start by saying, I did enjoy it AFTER 50%. The first half is so so slow and I couldn’t really connect with either FMC. Also, the vampires just sort of show up and we are thrown into a big orgy with all kinds of things happening. There were several scenes I really enjoyed, but overall it was just missing something for me! Most Rachel Harrison books are cozy and creepy. This one was different in the sense that there was quite a bit more sex (which I don’t have a problem with) and a whole lot more blood (also don’t have a problem with) it’s just not what I’m used to in a Harrison book! Still recommend for Rachel Harrison fans! If you want a vampire blood bath… read this 😘

This is an interesting new take on the vampire novel, and an entertaining look at what can happen after a woman decides that she’s done passively watching her life slip by. I’ve loved everything Rachel Harrison has written so far– her writing is packed with the kind of dry humor that I really enjoy, as well as explorations of what it means to be alive in the world today as seen through the perspective of someone you might call a “monster.”

Sloane and Naomi are seemingly unlikely best friends: Sloane (after an out-of-control stint in college) always chooses safety over enjoying herself, while Naomi seeks out as much fun as possible, thinking never of the consequences but only of feeling good. Though there is some fun romance in this story, I loved seeing how Sloane and Naomi’s friendship was challenged and ultimately deepened after their fateful night partying. I also really appreciate that Harrison centers women in their late 20s-30s.

Harrison masterfully crafts these creature features that showcase supernatural horror alongside the everyday horrors that women experience, which she makes all the more relatable by showing us that the most important relationship we have is with ourselves, and that sometimes it’s good to be bad (or even kind of evil).

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the eARC!

Content Warnings: Physical Assault/Murder, Revenge Porn, Gore (Blood, Wounds, Cannibalism)

I know vampire fans may come to a book looking for different things, so I want to set up what this book is not. If you are looking for heavy fantasy world building, a tale of old vampires with rich histories, or a primarily romantic/spicy vampire book, then this book is not going to scratch the itch. That's not to say that there is no world building, no old vampires, or no romance -- but they are not the main areas of interest in the book.

This book, instead, is a tale of how Sloane (our first person MC) and her friend Naomi get turned into vampires, with heavy character introspection of their recent former lives and adjusting to the change. Whether you enjoy this book or not will depend a lot on how you feel about Sloane and Naomi. I found both women excellently fleshed out and filled with both endearing and frustrating traits -- in short, very real. Sloane's life pre-vampirism was what made her the titular So Thirsty mentally as much as vampirism later made her physically thirsty. Seeing her come to this realization, and how her friendship with Naomi reflects it, is really the heart of the book, and I was there for it.

I liked this book and how it used vampirism as a vehicle to explore ennui, depression, anxiety, female friendship, and living life to the fullest. I didn't know what to expect from Harrison's work as a first time reader, but this was a fantastic introduction.

I recently finished reading "So Thirsty" by Rachel Harrison and it was absolutely fantastic! The book exceeded all of my expectations. The eerie atmosphere and storyline were perfectly executed, and I found myself loving every moment of it. I can't wait for its official release on September 9th, and once it's out, I'll definitely be adding it to my collection to proudly display on my shelf!

i just don’t think this author is for me, like this book was fine but for some reason i just expected more from it. how many times is the author going to write about female friendships like we get it! i’ve only read two books by her but both focus on the same thing? it seems like it’s the same but just with different paranormal creatures. at least start making these girls sapphic or something idk!

Reading Rachel Harrison is like watching a campy horror movie! Super fun and enjoyable, potentially perfect for fans of Twilight, with some good commentary about seizing the moment and close female friendships.

ARC 📖 Review: So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(3.5 stars)

Pub Date: 9/10/24

I loved the friendship between Naomi and Sloane in this one, they were so relatable! The vampire vibes were on point but I felt I needed more of a horror aspect or a twist. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a fast paced vampire story with a sprinkle of romance!

🧛‍♀️🧛🩸🩸

Sloane’s husband surprises her with a birthday weekend getaway—not with him, but with her longtime best friend and troublemaker Naomi. Sloane anticipates a weekend of wine tastings and cozy robes and strategic avoidance of issues she’d rather not confront, like her husband’s repeated infidelity. But when they arrive at their rental cottage, it becomes clear Naomi has something else in mind. She wants Sloane to stop letting things happen to her, for Sloane to really live.

I went into this book with an open mind, hoping for an engaging story, but unfortunately, it fell a bit flat for me. The main character, Sloane, was particularly frustrating and annoyed me until the very end. Her decisions and personality traits made it difficult to connect with her or root for her journey.

One of the major issues I had was the “chosen one but can’t accept their fate till the very end” trope. It felt like it wasted precious time and added unnecessary frustration to the story. This trope often drags the plot and makes the protagonist’s journey feel more tedious than compelling.

On the other hand, Henry was a breath of fresh air. He was the only character who truly captured my heart throughout the entire story. Henry’s presence was a saving grace, making the book somewhat enjoyable. Plus, let’s be honest, Henry is Daddy.

I didn’t fully love this book until the very end, when some of the plot threads finally came together. Overall, while the book had potential, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

However, I still recommend everyone to read the book as the ending had me hooked. I really hope there’s a second part to it.

I finished this because I had a review copy but I didn’t really like either of the main characters so I really wasn’t very invested in what happened to them.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for this advanced copy of So Thirsty. I was really excited to read it because I love vampire stories but this felt a little flat for me. On one end, I really loved the growth and evolution of Sloane. I think she finds her voice and new self in a beautiful way. On the other hand, I kept waiting for something major to happen. There were elements of action even in the ending but it didn't engage me the way I would have hoped. There was something about the book that didn't feel very cohesive or exciting.
I think the book will definitely be enjoyed by people but it just wasn't for me. I think it focuses more on Sloane as a woman and friend rather than the story of vampires

Thanks to the publisher for the DRC!

This was an entertaining read and while I expected it to be a bit more horror, I did appreciate the darker elements in it. It starts off slower, but I flew through the second half of the book in one sitting wanting to know what would happen. Fans of the author’s previous books will no doubt enjoy this one too. I’d also recommend it to anyone looking for a friendship drama with some horror elements.

The MC Sloane wasn’t my fav, she was frustratingly stubborn, made terrible choices and her self pity, guilt and anger was a lot to deal with for an entire book. Naomi is selfish and catty and the two of them didn’t feel like the best of friends - there’s a lot of petty bickering between them and their friendship had toxic elements.

The author chose to focus to on the two MCs, but I’d have loved to know more about the vampires stories. There is a lot of drawn out internal thought and self loathing from Sloane and an insta-love romance that didn’t add much to the story for me. The ending felt lightening fast and left me confused with the vagueness of it and the epilogue.

Rated a 3.5 rounded up

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and as a huge fan of Rachel Harrison's books, this did not disappoint! She is the queen of horror--if she writes it, I'll read it. Although I've read her other novels and I knew this was going to be great, she somehow still blows me away every time. This was so faced-paced, the characters were well developed, and the plot had me hooked and unable to put down from the very beginning. I loved the thematic elements around female friendships and the changes (on a personal and social level) that come with aging. Harrison is able to weave in topics around depression and strained relationships in a way that adds so much to the story but still allows for an overall light(er)-hearted feel.

So Thirsty centers around two friends who after a wild night out, must come to terms with their new lives as vampires--each handling the transition very differently. I really liked that this story focused around the characters transitioning into their new vampire life, as many vampire novels begin after this has already happened--it was a great way to spin a fresh take on a familiar topic. Harrison also seamlessly incorporates some of the struggles that an individual might be faced with after a dramatic life event, which is a feeling I think a lot of people can relate to. With such an atmospheric, gothic feel, So Thirsty is a must read for anyone looking for a spooky read.

Thank you so much to the Berkley and to NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 bloody stars!🩸⭐️

Rachel Harrison has quickly become one of my favorite authors, and this book just makes me love her more!

Yes, So Thirsty is vampire novel, but it’s also a story about a woman figuring out what it means to live and love. It’s about lifelong friendships and having a second coming-of-age in your late thirties. It’s gruesome and bloody and heartwarming and heartbreaking.

My only issue is that I wanted MORE. I don’t think this author does sequels, but I would 100% sign up for a part two of this tale. This book might not be for every longtime reader of vampire fiction, but it worked for me!

Full review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6211337314

A little preview to spooky season, So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison, brings a delightful new twist to the term friends forever.

Reluctant to go on this birthday trip, Sloane reconnects with her best friend Naomi as their lives take a turn neither expected. The women bond together as they decide to take a bite out of life.

Click here to check out the book today.

Sloane and Naomi are taking a girls trip but they go to a party that turns out to be wilder than either of them expected. It takes a turn and changes their lives literally forever.

While this is a vampire story, it is a story of friendship at heart. While Sloane and Naomi have their differences and can argue, they are best friends and that shows through the entire story. I loved all the characters introduced and how there were “good” and “not so good” vampires. It was a little creepy but it was more romantic. I feel like there was so much more this book could have had in it, such as all the vampires’ histories, but there’s only so much you can fit in so many pages.

“Maybe the world makes you callous. The longer you live, the less you care. I wonder if that’s a good thing, or if it’s tragic. I wonder if it’s possible to ever know for sure.”

So Thirsty comes out 9/10.

Fun and feminist, this is part BFF road trip and part new vampire frenzy. The characters are thinly drawn and a bit stereotypical, and I felt zero attraction between the main love interests, but the action and overall idea are solid. The different types of "vampires" are interesting, but to avoid spoilers, I won't go into them.

I'd recommend this to readers who enjoy lighter vampire stories (although there is violence and gore) rather than those who prefer dark, brooding/philosophical, and historically situated vampire tales.

After Black Sheep and now So Thirsty, I am a certifiable Rachel Harrison fan.

Sloane and Naomi have a complicated, deep best friendship. Their bond has lasted across time and distance—even as suburban monotony, marital resentment, and aging-related sorrows drain Sloane, and Noami gallivants around Europe working for her boyfriend's band, with an unabashedly cool style and devil-may-care attitude. It's the kind of friendship where you know each other intimately, maybe even better than you know yourself. The kind of friendship you'd kill for.

Naomi decides to do Sloane a favor by shaking up her birthday. A wild and vampy time ensues. If you're anything like me, you might find part of yourself wishing you were one of them. Even though I was bummed to say goodbye to these characters, the ending hit me in the feelings in the most exhilarating way. Ugh, who wouldn't want a friendship like that? It's so good! Lots of immaculate "good for her" vibes.

**3 out of 5 stars**

*An Entertaining but Familiar Paranormal Tale*

Rachel Harrison's *So Thirsty* is a fast-paced, entertaining read that blends elements of horror and paranormal romance with themes of female friendship and self-discovery. However, while the novel has its engaging moments, it ultimately feels somewhat familiar and doesn't quite break new ground in the genre.

The story centers on Sloane Parker, a woman stuck in a stagnant marriage and an uninspiring life, who embarks on a weekend getaway with her longtime best friend, Naomi. The two women, who have taken very different paths in life, are hoping to reconnect, but their retreat takes a dark and unexpected turn when they get involved in a party with some mysterious strangers. What begins as a night out spirals into a life-altering event as the women find themselves entangled in a world of vampires and the supernatural.

Harrison excels at exploring the dynamics of female friendship, particularly how relationships evolve over time. Sloane and Naomi's contrasting lifestyles—one rooted in stability and the other in chaos—create a compelling tension that drives much of the narrative. However, the characters themselves sometimes feel more like archetypes than fully realized individuals, and their struggles, while relatable, are portrayed in ways that can feel predictable.

The vampire element adds a layer of intrigue, but it is also where the novel falls a bit short. The supernatural aspects of the story, including the introduction of a romantic subplot with a vampire, feel somewhat underdeveloped and rushed. The vampires themselves don’t bring anything particularly new to the lore, and the paranormal romance that unfolds is reminiscent of many others in the genre, lacking the depth that might have made it more impactful.

That said, *So Thirsty* is an enjoyable read, particularly for fans of Harrison's previous works or those who appreciate horror centered on the female experience. The novel's exploration of identity, change, and the consequences of our choices are thought-provoking, even if the execution doesn’t always live up to its potential.

In summary, *So Thirsty* is a solid, if not standout, addition to Rachel Harrison’s bibliography. It offers an entertaining escape with some interesting themes, but it may leave readers wishing for a bit more originality and depth. If you're a fan of paranormal romance and horror with a focus on female relationships, this book is worth a read, though it might not linger with you long after the final page.