Another fantastic, spooky, feministic novel by Rachel. It gave me Such Sharp Teeth vibes and I mean that as a compliment! I love everything and anything Rachel writes and this is just another one.

I'm so excited to have finally read my first Rachel Harrison book! Overall, this was a fun read (I love anything about vampires) but I think I just needed a little more.

Sloane is a thirty-something woman who is dreading her upcoming birthday. She takes a birthday-weekend getaway trip with her best friend and troublemaker, Naomi. What starts as a relaxing weekend at a cozy cottage quickly turns to something different because of Sloane's wild antics and ideas. Sloane and Naomi find themselves intertwined with a mysterious and odd group of strangers who turn out to be—you guessed it—vampires.

The thing I really enjoyed about this novel is that it is almost more about friendship than it is about vampires. Sloane and Naomi have been friends for ages, and this story really touches on the trials and tribulations friendships may have (especially when you have a run in with a group of attractive vampires). I found this aspect of the book really heartwarming, and I liked learning more about their friendship. What I didn't love about this novel was how the vampire lore was portrayed. I don't want to say too much because of spoilers, but it wasn't my favorite group of vampires that I've read about. I think I had a disconnect somewhere because usually I love vampire characters from the first page that they appear, but this didn't happen for me at all this time. So that was disappointing. This was a fun, quick read, but I needed a little more oomph.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was raised in the era of Twilight so I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for a good vamp novel. This one was INCREDIBLE. I started reading it at 12:30am and finally had to force myself to put it down at 3:30, only to wake up and immediately dive right back in again. I think the problem a lot of vampire novels have is that the vampires take themselves too seriously which can come across cringey but the thing I loved the most about this one is that they were playful. Ilie was truly the star of the show, I think I highlighted every line of his dialogue. He was funny, honest, and sweet—a rarity for a vampire but it was such a breath of fresh air.

My only two critiques is that I wish there had’ve been a tad more smut (I know, I know. Not everything needs smut and too much is a bad thing, but I think this one could’ve used one really good scene where they just go to pound town) and I wish there was more of it. I’m a bonafide sequel hater but if she wanted to make this into a series, I am fully on board. Got my life jacket, junior sailor’s hat, and cooler full of snacks ready to go, captain!

TLDR: Sexy adult Twilight, please make a sequel.

Rachel Harrison's writing had me absolutely hooked from the moment I cracked open this book. As I delved into the world she crafted, I found myself instantly drawn in by her storytelling prowess, her vibrant characters, and her ability to weave intricate plots that kept me turning pages late into the night.

First up, we've got Sloane Parker, your typical gal feeling stuck with her life. She's dreading her birthday like nobody's business, and her hubby's surprise getaway seems like just the ticket to shake things up. But little does she know, this weekend is about to get way more lit than she ever imagined, thanks to her BFF Naomi.

Naomi is the definition of trouble with a capital T, and I am living for it! She's all about living life to the max, and she's determined to drag Sloane along for the ride. From wild nights out to run-ins with mysterious strangers, this getaway takes a turn for the supernatural, and I am here for every spooky moment!

But it's not just about the thrills—this book has major heart too. Sloane and Naomi's friendship? Total goals! They've got each other's backs through thick and thin, and watching them navigate the craziness together is like a warm hug for the soul. And don't even get me started on the hilarious moments, like trying to do makeup without a mirror.

And let's talk about Rachel Harrison's take on vampires. It's like nothing I've ever seen before—equal parts chilling and captivating. The way she weaves the supernatural elements into the story is seriously impressive, and I couldn't get enough of it!

"So Thirsty" is a must-read for anyone who loves a good vampire tale with a side of friendship goals. Rachel Harrison totally nails it, and I can't wait to read more of her works!

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison
@RachelHarrisonsGhost
Pub date: September 10, 2024

I fell in love with Rachel Harrisons writing immediately after reading her first book, The Return. Since then, she’s continued to captivate and delight me with her tales of witches, werewolves, and demons. She’s written another perfect horror story but this time with a little fang appeal.

When Sloane’s husband sets up a weekend trip with her best friend, Naomi, Sloane is apathetic, at best. She’s settled, plain and simple and in the truest meaning of the word. She turns a blind eye to her husbands’ extracurricular activities and instead finds some level of peace in the simplicities of domestic life. Naomi is the polar opposite of Sloane, wild and free, traveling the world with her rockstar boyfriend. A weekend away with Naomi might just be what Sloane needs.

Then, magnetic Naomi meets a handsome stranger at a bar, and Sloane isn’t all that surprised to find themselves invited to the stranger’s lakeside home for a party the next evening. Despite her misgivings, Sloane goes with Naomi and she is, indeed, in for the night of her life.

I’m sure most can guess what comes next but you won’t guess everything! This is so much more than another vampire book! It’s about the fierce love of friendship, it’s about letting go of the past, and about embracing change – even if it means an extreme diet change.

As always, Rachel has captured the pure essence of female friendship and loyalty in this fast-paced swoony romance of a horror.

Believe me when I tell you, this story had a literal chokehold on me. I loved every single word!

My deepest thanks to @BerkleyPub for this gifted DRC!

Sloane gets the chance for a weekend away with her jet-setting best friend, who is finally back from Europe. The best part of being reunited with her best friend, Sloane, is being together with the person who knows her the most, including the ugly things. One night, in an attempt to be more spontaneous - Sloane agrees to go to a party with a mysteriously handsome man Naomi met the night before. That night will change both of them forever...

Reading a book written by Rachel Harrison is like catching up with my best friend. The characters are always beautifully developed, and I miss them once the book is read. I love how the author can take a female friendship and make it something so intricate and better than an actual marriage. The ups and downs of friendship with new (bloody) issues, learning how to love and forgive yourself in a new world. Somehow Harrison is capable of making me want to become a vampire.

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Rachel Harrison for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

Rachel Harrison does it again and this time with vampires ! Sloane is living an ordinary life with her cheating husband wen he pays for her and best friend to spend weekend together for her birthday . . Naomi arranges off or them to have a wild night out that changes their lives forever and eternity . This is a fresh take in vampires with all the gore included . I Loved this book and loved the realistic friendship of Naomi and Sloane .

Another feminist-themed, paranormal thriller comes from Rachel Harrison: this time, she takes us into the irresistible charm of a bloodthirsty vampire's mysterious, dark universe.

The story revolves around two best friends who are polar opposites but have proved their loyalty to each other for years, despite tragic events that changed the course of their lives and the paths they've chosen. Sloane Parker, who lost control of her life at a young age, takes her wake-up call in a different way by choosing the safe side: a mediocre executive job at a food company and a mediocre husband who keeps cheating on her. Each day she looks at her reflection in the mirror, she realizes something slowly dies inside of her.

Her best friend, Naomi, chose the wild life path, working with the band where her longtime on-and-off lover is the lead singer, traveling around the world, attending parties, doing drugs, and socializing with different carefree people like her. She seems happy with her unpredictable life path, even though she's leashed to her lover financially, which is not a big win.

When Sloane's husband, Joel, arranges a retreat - a weekend getaway for her that she may spend with her best friend Naomi, who will meet her flying from Germany, instead of being thankful, she gets more dreadful. Especially her 36th birthday does not give her enough excitement, and the probable secret agenda of her husband to drag her out of their house rattles her.

But at least she will meet her best friend, whom she hasn't seen for a long time, and she can enjoy pleasant time in the facilities of the retreat. But what she doesn’t know is Naomi’s plans to push her to live a little wild, which results in finding themselves in an ancient mansion with a group of European people who have wild tastes for celebration.

When Sloane decides to leave the place, her meeting with a mysterious, charismatic stranger named Henry, who might be the first person she can confess her life struggles to, turns into something more intimate. But when she starts questioning the real owner of the mansion, things get out of control, something dangerous gets unleashed, which turns their night into a nightmare.

After that eventful night, nothing will stay the same for them. Is it a curse, or is it a life vest to a person who is drowning? What if this change might be a new beginning for their lives if they handle their thirst appropriately? Could they manage to do that?

Overall, this is an entertaining, dark, bleak, fast-paced page-turner and another great paranormal thriller from the author who never disappoints us! I highly recommend it to genre lovers and devoted fans of Rachel Harrison.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this unputdownable horror novel’s digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

There were two big things I loved most about this book: 1) how the vampires had to deal with modern technology/problems and 2) Sloane and Naomi's friendship. The parts where they had to deal with cell phones, security cameras, how to do makeup without being able to see yourself, a car breaking down, etc were very funny and unlike any other vampire media I've interacted with. But my favorite part of this whole story is the aforementioned friendship between the two women. Sloane was willing to do anything to help Naomi, and Naomi- although she was a bit of a party girl- was willing to help Sloane as well. Even when they had fights, they still looked out for each other and made sure the other was safe. I did love the romance between Sloane and Henry, but I think Sloane and Naomi's relationship was even better. They were platonic soulmates! All in all a wonderful book; Rachel Harrison remains a top horror author in my mind.

Thank you Berkley for the ARC!

I have enjoyed all of this author's prior work, so I went into this latest novel with sky high expectations. Things got off to a bit of a slow start, and I had a hard time connecting with the characters. When the story shifted, I quickly became invested in the two women I had been having trouble with and thoroughly enjoyed the remainder of the story which featured a fabulous example of female friendship, a fair share of vampire gore, a surprising amount of spice. This is such a fast paced read it felt like the story was flying by! Harrison once again employs her trademark wit and humor and presents us with a cast of vampires that I wont soon forget. A very enjoyable take on the traditional vampire tale. Harrison has a great gift for turning our classic monsters into contemporary heroes and villains, always blurring the lines with flair. I look forward to recommending this to my library patrons with a thirst for horror.

I've said this before, and will say it again.... Rachel Harrison is absolutely the best author in this genre. In my eyes, she can do no wrong.... abd when you add complicated females and vampires, you end up with one unputdownable, compulsively enjoyable book. At this point I've read Harrison's take on vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches, and even Satan's daughter. I can't imagine what she will write next, but what I CAN say is that her storytelling just gets better and better, so I cannot wait to see what she comes up with. Also, although upon first glance this may not be a book you'd reach for, I'd recommend reconsidering- I read it in two days, even sneaking pages in at my son's soccer game, because it was THAT good.

4 stars

I’ve had a very love/hate w Rachel Harrison from the beginning. This is a love. I loved the characters and the twist on the vampire trope. I loved the female friendship aspect.
This was just all around good. I’m glad I was able to receive this as an arc and I’m so happy I loved it.