Another creepy, good, funny book from one of my favorite authors. How do you write a book that makes the reader love and feel empathy for vampires? Rachel Harrison knows!

Rachel Harrison has become an auto-read author for me and this one did 👏 not 👏 disappoint👏!!! Her brand of horror is so fun and campy while simultaneously being loudly feminist. I loved all the jersey girl references and found something oddly nostalgic in this vampire novel. The perfect kickoff to spooky season reads! Thank you to both NetGalley and Libro.fm for the ARC/ALC!!!

So Thirsty was a different foray into vampires, and I won't lie, it left me wanting more. I felt like the start of the story had so much potential, but there were parts that felt rushed, or not fully formed in terms of the plot. And while I'm not squeamish when it comes to horror stories, for some reason, I found myself a bit queasy at a few parts. The ending was good, and made up for the story, but this was one that I felt like so much more could have been done with the plot.

Overall, it was good. It kept my attention, I didn't want to give up on it, and thought the ending tied the story together.

Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
3.5/5 stars

Nonstop fun. Sloane is surprised with a getaway for her birthday by her husband and best friend Naomi. The twist - it’s just for her and Naomi (which triggers Sloane’s misgivings about her husband cheating). When they arrive at their rental, she realizes this isn’t going to be a cozy weekend, but rather a bacchanal that Naomi orchestrates with attractive yet odd strangers. The weekend turns out to be life altering for them both. But how? I could not put this down, a fast and fun read. The only downfall was I never got too invested in Sloane or Naomi and I can’t exactly pinpoint why that is.

Such a great Vampire book! Loved the themes of friendship and found family as well as aging as a woman. This was a quick read for me and I loved how fast paced it was. I will for sure be recommending to my horror readers this spooky season. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read.

Thanks NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this arc

2/5 stars

This started out pretty good, with the friendship between Sloane and Naomi being the highlight of the book, but oh man did it go downhill. I ended up hating these characters, the romance, the lack of plot, the decline in Sloane and Naomi's friendships and honestly personalities after the party, this was just so not for me.

So Thirsty was a quick fast paced read that was wild from beginning to end. We have two friends that are getting together for a weekend getaway/girls trip and while on this trip they encounter some strangers and after that it's a wild ride.

I loved the concept of this book, the characters (even though they did annoy me quite a bit), and the female friendships we see. This was a bit far fetched and was off the wall crazy but I went into it knowing that and I just had a lot of fun reading it.

I don't want to dive to deep into this book because you should go into it blind. I really did find this super enjoyable! It would be the perfect spooky book for spooky season!

From the queen of chick-lit horror, So Thirsty was one of my most anticipated releases this fall, but compared to her previous novels, it didn’t quite reach the heights of, say, Black Sheep or Such Sharp Teeth. Still, I’m firmly of the mind that it’s impossible for an author like Rachel Harrison to write a bad book. While this one was not her strongest, it nonetheless delivered an enjoyable read.

The story follows Sloane Parker, a thirty-something food industry manager who is facing the dreaded prospect of another birthday feeling lost, sad, and unfulfilled. Her husband Joel’s idea of a celebration is to send her off with her best friend Naomi to a posh resort in the Finger Lakes, ostensibly for a girls’ weekend of wine tasting and spa treatments. But Sloane knows the truth. She suspects that Joel is having an affair, and that the trip was his way to get her out of the picture. After all, she’s caught him cheating before.

Perhaps sensing Sloane’s distress, Naomi attempts to play the part of supportive BFF, though the two women are polar opposites, and have been since they first met in junior high. Sloane, having had a negative experience in college, prefers to play it safe, choosing stability and caution over risk and uncertainty. Meanwhile, Naomi has always been the wild one, the social butterfly, world traveler, and party girl. Her idea of a good time is to be as unpredictable as possible, and she’s determined to bring Sloane out of her funk.

Despite Sloane’s protestations, Naomi accepts an invitation from a handsome stranger she met at the bar to attend a posh shindig at a glitzy mansion with a group of his friends. However, their hosts turn out to be vampires, and when a fatal mishap occurs, Sloane and Naomi must agree to become vampires themselves. Sloane gradually finds herself drawn to Henry, the enigmatic leader of the group, who, despite being an undead immortal, introduces her to a whole new perspective on living.

Rachel Harrison is no stranger to writing about the paranormal and her stories often feature supernatural creatures, so it’s no surprise that she has chosen to explore the world of vampires in her latest novel. But given her track record of taking familiar ideas and doing fresh new things with them, I was a little disappointed with how frequently So Thirsty seemed to fall back on well-trodden territory when it comes to vampires, such as the moody, broody love interest or the fact that the lore surrounding them doesn’t quite break new ground. The romance aspect also leans heavily on established tropes, which, while enjoyable, feels somewhat predictable for the author.

One of the key themes of the book, like in so many of Harrison’s novels, is also the idea of female friendship. However, Sloane and Naomi’s relationship sometimes rubbed me the wrong way, with an undercurrent of toxicity that made it less appealing. As a result, the bond between them didn’t feel as authentic as the emotionally rewarding friendships featured in the author’s previous works, lacking the sympathetic, meaningful, and touching qualities I’ve come to expect, nor did it give off the same warmth.

That said, what really resonated with me was Sloane’s character, even though many of her internal struggles were heavily overplayed to the point of feeling corny or clichéd. Still, there’s no denying that many of her worries and insecurities reflect some of the quiet battles that average people face daily. It made her a relatable and endearing protagonist, and so it was also incredibly easy to fall right into the story.

At the end of the day, while So Thirsty isn’t making it onto my list of favorite Rachel Harrison novels, that doesn’t make it a bad book or unworthy of picking up. It’s still a great read if you’re a fan of the author’s work, especially if you’re in the mood for a vampire story that offers a solid dose of her signature style.

So Thirsty was some of the most fun I have had reading all year. This book is the PERFECT combination of mystery, vampire drama and absolute hilarity. Genuinely, brilliantly unique and just so freaking fun.

I love a good vampire story and I love that this one is different from anything else I've read, possibly ever. We are talking pure, exceptional entertainment flying off the page, with really, really fun and complicated characters, a ton of action and a little romance thrown in for good measure.

Sloane is such a fun character to read - struggling with the mediocrity of her life, facing another birthday and terrified to make any changes before her entire world is systematically flipped on its head. I loved watching her navigate the drama of the entire situation, and you are rooting for her to come out on top - or as on top as one can when one has become accidentally immortal.

No spoilers for this book, but it is perfect for spooky season. Friendship, adventure, drama and twists galore, who could ask for anything more.

Many thanks to the publisher for my copy!

I really enjoyed So Thirsty, and I found it to be more emotionally provocative than I assumed it would be, which is always a win for me. We first meet Sloane as she is celebrating her birthday, though I use the term "celebrating" loosely. In fact, she's kind of annoyed with the whole thing, since it is a reminder that she is getting older and feels woefully unfulfilled. Instead of spending the occasion with her shitty husband, she is whisked away to a resort for the weekend with bestie Naomi. At first I was kind of annoyed with Sloane- like okay, your husband is trash, and your best friend is here, let's just rid ourselves of this man and move along!

But the truth, dear reader, is that I have always been a Sloane. And she annoyed me in the same way I annoy me. By being too afraid to risk discomfort, she is stuck in this loveless marriage (been there, done that, have the t-shirt), and just figures that since she's not like, being physically assaulted, she should just keep on keeping on. Incidentally, my best friends were also always Naomi. In fact, she reminded me so much of my best friends, both my high school bestie and my college bestie (shout out to Britney and Lauren!) that I became completely invested in this story for this friendship dynamic alone.

Now. My aforementioned besties never took me to a vampire lair for a sketchy night out, but I feel like they would have? And I mean that in the most loving way possible- they were, like Naomi, just up for more adventures than I was. Thing is, much like Sloane, deep down, I envied them for that. So Sloane is torn- her rational, "play it safe" part wants to go back to the resort and have a bubble bath. But the part of her yearning for more stays. And even though all hell breaks loose, I love that for Sloane! Okay, maybe it did not turn out as she expected, but it sure wasn't boring! And now, Sloane has to actually, you know, live her life, instead of her life happening as she passively sits by.

Even if you don't see yourself in the pages of this story like I did, it's still an epic ride! I loved the vampire storyline, it brings such a great contemporary twist on the genre. I also loved the relationships in the story, they were hands down the best part for me. Plus, it is just a quick and immersive read in general. This was my first Rachel Harrison novel, but I assure you it shan't be my last!

Bottom Line: While it initially drew me in because I saw myself in the character of Sloane, it kept me hooked with some vampire shenanigans, self-discovery, and great relationships!

When Sloane’s husband plans a birthday weekend for her and her friend Naomi, Sloane can’t help but wonder why he wants her out of the house. She goes expecting a weekend of wine, chatting, and fun, but when Naomi plans a wild night out, this go a bit…well…dark. Now the two girls must find a way to deal with their new life circumstances…

Rachel Harrison knows how to write a great kind of crazy story, and this one was no different! I agreed with Naomi so much that Sloane needed to start living for herself…but the way they ended up going about it was slightly nuts! I so enjoyed following along as the two tried to make their own way in the world with their new situation! Vampire books seem to be hitting hard this year, and I truly enjoyed this one!

Thank you to @berkleypub for my gifted copy of this book!

Rachel Harrison has done it again - her usual biting charm is on display here! While her characters are almost always complex and hard to love, they are real - and that's why I love them. Sloane and Naomi were no exception, and I thought their dynamic rang so true that it made me uncomfortable at times. But....that's what made this such a propulsive read - who hasn't had a complex friendship that can be a bit murky at times, but you'd still do anything for them? The vampire aspects left a bit to be desired - I wanted more explanation behind the group the women end up with, as well as more background as to how vampires work in the novel's world. Still, I breezed through this one and will recommend - even though I wanted a bit more out of the paranormal/horror aspects, I still greatly enjoyed it!

Man I really wanted to like this. I enjoyed Harrison's previous books a ton but sadly not this one. It was just so.....I don't have a word for it. I didn't enjoy the main characters, Sloane & Naomi. I honestly really didn't like Naomi, she was selfish and never owned up to it. I Just didn't like this...and that's all.

So much has been done in the supernatural vampire genre. Rachel Harrison has a gift for blending the litfic dreamy-ness and the cold sweat of horror.
Sloane and Naomi are best friends. You get a peek into how lost they both are separately, but how found they are together; once impulsive Nay leads them into a situation they can't reverse out of. I sympathize (but not empathize subjectively) with Sloane's need for control. It's a loose flowing story, generally unserious but seriously fun. By the time you get to the meat (pun intended) the story is over. And honestly, I'm not mad about it. Thank you Rachel Harrison, Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Berkley, for an ARC of this book.

I love Rachel Harrison's books, but this one was a big miss for me. As with Harrison's previous books, she intertwined horror with real world commentary on women and their roles/ identities. This book had a lot of potential, but really missed the mark. Harrison was trying to go into too many directions and cover too many storylines which left everything incomplete. Honestly, she should have cut the romance storyline as it added nothing of value and cheapened the story to that of a Twilight knock off (an ancient vampire falls in love with a boring, plain girl cause she's "interesting." ::insert eye roll::) We never understand the main character, Sloane. She insists she's a practical, passive personality, but she takes it upon herself to make all the decisions which are unwise and impractical. The final issue I have stems from the friendship between Sloane and Naomi which happens to be the other main storyline of the novel. As a reader, I never felt a true connection between them. They seemed like they were only friends because of a shared childhood history. They have wildly different personalities and values, and they never communicated with one another on a deep level. When either one would try to broach an emotional subject, the other one would brush it off. By the end of the novel, their friendship didn't change in any meaningful way.

Though this wasn't Harrison's finest work, I would urge you to read her previous works as she is a stellar writer with fresh, interesting ideas.

Thank you for the free book @berkleypub!!#penguinrandomhousepartner #berkleyIG #BerkleyBookstagram. Thank you for the free audiobook @prhaudio!!

Okay Twilight and Vampire Diaries babies, you have to add this to your TBRs! It comes out next Tuesday!!!

This also reminds me of The Change when it comes to girl power vibes but instead of witches, here we have vampires! So definitely recommend this to everyone who loved The Change by Kirsten Miller!

I was so excited to start this one because it’s my first read by this author and Ive always been curious about her books! Especially since my bestie @bookstagrambykate loved her Black Sheep so much!

I started this off on audio and the narrator was amazing! It was so easy to follow and I flew through the first chapters quickly!!

It starts off with our female lead being gifted by her husband a vacation with her best friend. Somehow they ended up meeting a group of strange people and then their lives had never been the same after that. That’s all I have to say about the plot. It’s very fast paced and bingeable so you can even go in blind with this!

It did take me a short time to finish this and I loved how fast paced this is and very reminiscent of my Twilight days 😂 That being said, there were some scenes in this book that are just not for me and made me feel uncomfortable while reading it 😂 I wont disclose it here for fear of spoilers but you can definitely DM me about it if you’re curious.

Horror • Paranormal • Chick Lit • Romance
Pub Date • 10 September 2024

Thank you @prhaudio and @berkleypub for the free digital and audio review copies. #prhaudiopartner #berkleypartner

This was reminiscent of a modern day Thelma and Louise with paranormal elements.

I went in pretty blind and think you should too. What I do think you should know is that this is fundamentally a story about two besties and their lifelong friendship. Sloane and Naomi are ride or die for life, despite being opposites in everything from personality to demeanor to wardrobe.

The first third of the book I truly thought this was a chick lit feel good novel, which mystified me because of the cover. ...and then the rest of the genres start hitting right as I was having that thought.

🎧 I really enjoyed the narration on audio done by Brittany Pressley. She does a great set of accents from Eastern European to British to French to good 'ole American Valley girl.

🩸This is very mild horror (I didn't find it that horrifying) and of course in a nod to the cover, there be vamps, along with a romance subplot.

The more I sit with this one, the more I appreciate it. Many deeper topics are covered, but in an entertaining and accessible way. Learning about self love, being comfortable in one's own skin, forgiving yourself for mistakes, and being unapologetic for those who can't see your worth.

“It’s because I made a choice. I committed to the life I built with him, a life I like just fine. That’s familiar. That’s comfortable. I fear losing it if I lose him. I fear the unknown.”

Well if that quote didn’t speak volumes for me from my past. This was also the only memorable quote that spoke to me.

I struggled with really truly loving this book as others have. I see so many people loved it, and I love that for you all. But it was just meh. I didn’t hate it, but didn’t love it. I’m just meh. The MC was annoying, the side charters were annoying, and it honestly just felt too rushed to me. I liked the idea of it, but i wish I could have just felt more from it.

I’m def going to give this author another try though because i have other books by her.

Sloane and her high school best friend, Naomi, are sent on a birthday getaway -via a gift from Sloane’s husband. Sloane and Naomi are opposites — Naomi is a wild child full of passion and adventure. Sloane prefers quiet nights and doesn’t like to take chances.

Against her better judgment, Sloane and Naomi go to a party being held at a local mansion by a mysterious and alluring rich guy. The night turns into a wild and horrifying night that changes both of their lives forever.

☁️☁️☁️ɱყ ɬɧơųɠɧɬʂ☁️☁️☁️

Very fast-paced and short! A true Rachel Harrison read that had me stuck like glue! Supernatural HORROR with a bit of lovely gore! Loved it!

Entertaining and yet very sad as Sloane has to find out/remember who she is. A fantastic reminder that life is messy and dangerous, but playing it safe is no life. Pure reading candy.