This book was incredible! I truly have no words! Angela has a way to just make you lose yourself in the story and the romance. I couldn't put the Kindle down. Lina and Lalo even sound good together! Agh. I'm obsessed. What a great book with vampires.

Listen. I loved Montoya's debut novel, but this follow up really shows that Montoya spent time perfecting the craft. The new lore about vampires is my absolute favorite part of this, connecting the undead to a god of the underworld is genius and really adds something new to the vampire trope. I was swooning for the romance between Lalo, the recently turned vampire, and Carolina, the huntress. Just the whole "she's scary but enticing" thing by Lalo had me kicking my feet. Everything about this novel had me blowing through it to reach the end and see if Lalo and Carolina had a happy ending. I'm excited for Montoya's next book!

From the sweet romance to the incredible banter, sense of family, and hint of mystery, A Cruel Thirst was a thrilling adventure that kept me on my toes as a newly turned vampire and vampire huntress unexpectedly join forces and work together to defeat their common enemy.

I always love a story with vampires and add a dash of romance with great tension and banter, and I’m instantly intrigued. Right away, I adored the character of Lalo. He’s tenderhearted and endearing, and you can’t help but want to cheer him on in his quest. And when he crosses paths with Carolina, sparks FLEW. This story was a great combination of fantasy, romance, and heart.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Carolina is a vampire huntress. Lalo is a newly turned vampiro. They must work together to hunt down a common enemy, vampiros, while falling in love along the way.

A Cruel Thirst started off with a bang and the more I got into the story, the more invested I became in Carolina and Lalo’s relationship. I love a good banter between characters! The name calling is hilarious. Lalo is the monster but calling Carolina, a demon and other names had me laughing! I also enjoyed the Mexican lore and the history that was incorporated through out the story.

Overall, this was a light and fun read. This book put a smile on my face. I am looking forward to reading more from this author!

I loved this even more than this author’s debut!!! From a purely technical standpoint, the cause and effect progression of every scene was executed so beautifully and it resulted in a really enticing and fast-paced narrative that I literally couldn’t put down (I’m writing this review at midnight after just finishing the book).

So, so good! <3

She's a vampire hunter who wants nothing more than to get rid of them and he's the newly turned vampire who wants nothing to do with being a vampire but looking for a way to get revenge against the vampire who not only turned him but killed his family... when their path's cross an unlikely alliance begins (and they're pretending to be engaged) and an even unlikelier romance begins to bloom. Carolina Fuentes is from a family of vampire hunters and is determined to be one herself... except all her father is concerned about is getting her married, especially to someone he picks and someone who will take the dagger from her hands. Determined to prove that she is capable, Carolina is determined to find a vampire to kill... except the handsome vampire she runs into is nothing like what she expects. Cue, Lalo Villalobos, someone who was turned into a vampire and is determined to get rid of the curse. When he meets Carolina he can't help but be attracted to her despite the fact that she could drive a dagger through his heart at any second. Carolina and Lalo share a common enemy and decide to work together to find the vampire and wipe it out... but that means they'll have to find a way to trick her family into thinking he is her fiance... yet they've begun to fall for one another despite their differences. Can Lalo and Carolina cure Lalo and stop the vampires before it's too late and can their romance actually survive? This was such a fun vampire romance read, I loved the dynamic between Lalo and Carolina. I adored the romance that builds and how Carolina is the tougher one while Lalo is the softer one. The vampire storyline was really fun and absolutely one i would recommend for anyone looking for a unique vampy read with romance!

Release Date: December 17,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's | Joy Revolution for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to Random House Children's for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I love a good vampire book, I really do, but this one's pacing just took me out of the story completely. I really tried to root for the characters, even stay engaged with the plot, but I just felt like something was off and not in the eery and spooky way, I still can't put my finger on it to be honest, but it was like the characters and the plot and just all the circumstances were taking turns being incredibly flat.

i am so sorry to say i did not enjoy this as much as i expeceted to. this could be the slump talking as well, as personal matters have really burned me out but i was struggling to connect with our main characters. while i fully knew this was a YA going in, i will admit it read young for the language and the dialogue took me out of the story occassionally. i will save my review for netgalley and will not be posting a public one. thank you for the arc!

Carolina Fuentes has spent her life trying to prove to her father that she is a capable woman made for more than marriage. She wants to hunt with the rest of the men in her family. When her Abuelo ends up killed by a Sediento she becomes even more determined to prove her worth.

Lalo Villalobos watched his parents being murdered by a Vampire but when he goes to the authorities he is laughed at and mocked. He knows what he saw and will find justice for his parents. in his hunt for that justicehe comes face to face with Maricella the woman who killed his parents and now will kill and turn him. After his worst nightmare comes to life he takes his sister Fernanda and flees to a town where he believes the first vampiro was made. If he can destroy the first vampiro then he can ri the world of this curse. He doesn't expect to find himself in a confusing and twisted lie with Carolina Fuentes the daughter of the towns best known vampiro hunters.

Thrown together against all odds Lalo and Carolina realize they are of more use to eachother alive and strike an uncertain deal to help one another find as much as they can about the first vampiro to be made.

You have to be careful digging into the past because sometimes you dig things up that turn everything you have ever known on its head. We all have secrets, things we would rather have left in the dark but sometimes you have to bring it to the light of day even if it could ruin all that you hold dear.


#ACruelThirst by #AngelaMontoya is a great novel that I strongly recommened those of you who enjoy books about vmapires to give a chance. I don't even care for vampires but I loved this book.

I want to thank #Netgalley for the chance to read #ACruelThirst by #AngelaMontoya in return for a fair and honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Joy Revolution, and Angela Montoya for an ARC of A Cruel Thirst! All opinions are my own.

4.5 rounded up. This was such a fun take on the vampire/vampire hunter story, with really engaging lore tied into legend. The MCs, Carolina and Lalo, couldn’t be more different, but their differences just made them better suited for the rough edges of one another. And while the lore of the vampiro generally followed traditional “lore” about the creatures, I thought the author’s interpretations and changes were really interesting and brought a new dimension to the story!

A Cruel Thirst is out now, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys vampire stories, young love, and legends!

POV: dual third person

You can expect: bookworm MMC, vampire hunter FMC, reluctant vampire MMC, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake engagement, opposites attract, solving a mystery, family, he falls first.

Rep: Latinx MCs, grief, queer side characters, ND-coded MMC

Spice: 1/5

CW: violence, death of a family member

Carolina (our FMC) is such a badass! And the romance between Carolina (our vampire hunter) and Lalo (our vampire) is downright swoony! Both are committed to protecting their families!

Highlights: fake engagement, forbidden love, witty banter, vampires, Mexican folklore, family-centered, HEA

I highly recommend this historical romantasy.

A beautiful story woven heavily with mexican lore and mythology. I love that we get a vampire huntress and a vampire working together. We typically get vampire hunter and vampiress, so to see this swap was refreshing. I loved the dynamic between Lalo and Carolina. I also absolutely adore that Lalo is completely terrified for nearly the entire book of just about everything, including himself. I think the only thing holding me back from giving this a full 5 stars is that the relationship between Lalo and Carolina felt a tad rushed and jagged. Other than that, the story was great and I would recommend this book to anyone who has a love for a good vampire tale.

I loved this book - the adventure, tropes, romance were all fantastic. There is beautiful and atmospheric writing, and I really enjoyed the lore (which is something I didn’t know a lot about). It’s one that my mature students will really enjoy.

I loved this idea for vampire lore and myths! Anytime things are twisted on their heads and changed around, I rather enjoy it. This allowed for vampirism to be a curse not made out of greed or out of a thirst for power, but out of grief. What wouldn't we do for the people we love and to keep them at our side longer? What wouldn't we fight against to save those we love and be there for them as well? I greatly enjoyed this book and hope to add it to my collection of physical copies as well.

A vampiro and a vampiro hunter, what could go wrong?
*I love this story so much! Everything moved at a fast pace and the antics these two got up to had me dying! From their first meeting, both Lalo and Carolina were fighting to see the other's perspective.
This story focuses on a young man who is tormented by the murder of his parents at the hands of vampiros, unfortunately when he discovers them he finds himself turned into one as punishment. To seek answers he goes into a Pueblo where they are experienced with vampiros and Lalo finds himself entangled with the main vampiro hunters daughter.
Carolina just wants to prove that she is just as good a vampiro hunter as anyone else, but when she fails to kill a vampiro and finds herself stuck in a fake engagement well, she needs to survive.
This story is perfect for those of enemies to lovers, vampires, and family over everything. The action continues until the end and it demonstrates how the power of love leads people to make difficult choices for the sake of their happiness.

*Thank you NetGalley for an early e-copy.*

#ACruelThirst #ARCReview 🩸🥀✨

Thank you Angela Montoya, NetGalley, and Random House Children’s/ Joy Revolution for the opportunity!

Two unexpected parties (Vampiro & Vampire Huntress) working together to fight a common enemy. Immediately sign me up. What a captivating read from start to finish. Ahhhh I absolutely loved this book. I felt like I went through an emotional journey, varying in intensity (laughing and tears may have been involved). This book was fast paced with an enticing plot line. There were some moments towards the later end of the book where I felt the pacing was a bit slower, but Seriously there was never a moment where I was bored. With a power house FMC and a cinnamon role MMC who could be. The banter between both characters held my attention and the tender moments (glances and yearning) made my heart swirl.

Lalo, our funny, clumsy, gags at the sight of blood vampiro. He made me smile with his inner monologue and his unwavering admiration for Lina. Carolina our headstrong, determined, fierce, loves to throw punches and daggers Vampiro Hunter. I loved seeing her progression throughout the story and always holding her confidence for what she believed in while standing up for herself. Both MCs are the definition of all in for the ones they love and it was warm to read. With a blend of Romance, latine lore, suspense, and fast paced adventure, this is a book you don’t want to miss.


What to expect:
🩸Forced proximity
✨Fake engagement
🩸Vampire/vampire hunter
✨Powerful FMC
🩸Cinnamon role MMC
✨Banter, daggers, and punches
🩸Touch him/her and die
✨Exploration of Family dynamics
🩸Dual POV
✨Latine Romance and vampire lore
🩸YA Fantasy Standalone

This book was a total cover want and it was so worth it!!!! Loved the story, loved the characters and the romance was perfection! Love the take on vampires, all the lore behind it had me hooked. Such an amazing book!

A Cruel Thirst:⁣
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Thank you @getunderlined @prhaudio #PRHAudioPartner for my gifted copies! ⁣
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I mean, we all know Angela Montoya is one of my absolute favorites. I’ve met her twice, which is basically more times than I’ve seen my family so ya know, definitely a fan in a non creepy way. So of course I’m going to hoot and holler about A Cruel Thirst. ⁣
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Carolina is not about to be some betrothed timid woman who obeys a man’s every word. She’s gonna make her abuelo proud and avenge his death. Minor probs here, his name is Eduardo (Lalo). Lalo is turned into sediento. He’s like “bet. I will not let this overcome me. Let’s find its origin and figure a way to reverse this bad boy” needless to say, we get some hilarity of vampire x vampire hunter, major Aladdin vibes “they’re after you?!” and a really great adventure on finding the truth. ⁣
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I liked the audio. It wasn’t 10/10 amazing but that’s because I wanted the banter and snark to hit a bit better. I still would listen to it as a recommendation because I do think it reads well.⁣
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Overall, another smash hit for Angela Montoya that’s out today. Go ahead and get your vampire on.

This book was everything I was expecting and more. I don't know how to properly explain it but it had almost all the qualities I like in books the yearning, the enemies to allies to lovers, banter. It honestly was a great read, ten out ten would recommend.

Absolutely stunning. I’ll admit, I don’t read a ton of books based in Mexican lore, and I absolutely loved this foray into new territory. Vampire x vampire hunter is a top tier trope, and I absolutely ate this one up. The banter was perfection, the characters were hilarious, and I had an all around amazing time with this book. Cannot wait for more from Montoya!