Friday Night Bites – Chloe Neill (Book #2 in Chicagoland Vampires Series)
October 6, 2009
Urban Fantasy
368 pages, paperback
NAL Trade
Book was purchased by me
Merit is officially leaving her old life behind and moving her vampire self into Cadogan House, one of three vampire houses in Chicago. She has been named Sentinel, head security and must be sure to keep the head of the house, Ethan Sullivan safe. Merit and Ethan have a decidedly lust-hate relationship. While they each find the other attractive, their mere stubbornness and pride keep them very far apart. Morgan, head of the rival Navarre house also finds himself wooing Merit. At the end of Some Girls Bite, Ethan set up Morgan and Merit to court each other, hoping for an alliance between houses. But Ethan doesn’t necessarily like the fact that Merit has intentions for another vampire.
There are several problems facing Cadogan House and the vampire community in general. One, there are raves occurring, by rogues or members of one of the houses it is unknown, but they need to be stopped. While Cadogan House still allows its members to drink from humans, if word got out that mass feedings were taking place, the shaky confidence the humans have towards the vampire community would be crushed. Much to Merit’s dismay Ethan proposes Merit builds her relationship with her family again, hoping those connections will be useful in their investigations.
Even more scarier, Celina, former head of Navarre House and organizer of human murders in Some Girls Bite has been released from prison and Merit and gang can only assume she is on her way back for revenge. To top everything off, Gabriel Keene, head of North American werewolves is on his way to Chicago, and vampire and werewolf relations are shaky, at best.
Being a second book in the series, you always hope it will live up to those high expectations and still have that special feeling like the first and Friday Night Bites definitely delivers. Although Merit has reconciled to being a vampire, she is still having issues. Her vampire is almost a separate entity, and she is scared to death of the consequences. She is constantly trying to keep her under control and is afraid to let anyone know what is going on inside her. She also has this huge responsibility of being Sentinel, all the while trying to fit in with her other vampire friends. She has a lot on her shoulders, and this book delves into Merit’s struggle to balance everything.
The hot love triangle that was started in Some Girls Bites goes into full swing in this book. I was kind of put off by Morgan, head of Navarre House in the first book. But here, Chloe Neill gives him a heart, and feelings, and I honestly was torn. I am a HUGE Ethan fan, but Morgan needs some love too! The romantic tension is just bursting at the seams, and I loved it. Ethan and Merit are so funny together. I think deep, deep, deeeeeeeep down there is mutual adoration, but they are no where near ready to bring it up yet. That doesn’t mean they don’t pay attention to each other:
His expression showed a kind of vague male interest, as if he hadn’t yet recognized exactly whom he was checking out. Given the change from sweaty, post work-out Merit to pre-date Merit, not surprising that he didn’t recognize me.But as we passed, when he realized it was me, his eye widened. And there was an incredibly satisfying hitch in his step.I bit back a smile and kept walking. As I strolled through the first floor and out the front door, I probably looked unconcerned.But I knew I’d always remember that little hitch.
I am still loving Catcher, Mallory’s boyfriend and Merit’s trainer. I love how gruff and intense he can be yet so loving towards Mallory. Lindsey, another guard at Cadogan House steps in with the witty one liners now that Merit is not Mallory’s roommate anymore. Lindsey and Luc, another guard, have a little romantic tension going on of their own.
I loved the ending – I wish I could spout out spoilery details but I will behave. The romantic tension and laughter this series provides has secured itself on my keeper shelf. And I must say, while adore Merit and Ethan, the group of supporting characters are really superb and one of the best things about this series. Now that there are two books out, I can absolutely say this is one of my favorite series.
Rating: Five Stars
This series includes:
Some Girls Bite
Friday Night Bites
Twice Bitten – July 2010
Hard Bitten – TBA
Chloe Neill’s website.
*jumps up & down and claps hands* 5 Stars!! Oh, I can't wait until my schedule clears up so I can read this book.
Sounds great Mandi and I'm glad it lived up to your expectations!! I have this series on my list thanks to you!
Donna – you have to read this! We need to talk! ;)
Lea – Can't wait to hear your thoughts!!
I am with Donna…schedule, be gone of responsibilities and appointment so I can give a few new authors my time!! I am so happy I won me the first book at your place Mandi :D This review is just another urgent reminder I need to READ Chloe Neill!!!!
Mandi – This does sound interesting. Question for you: Is this YA?
Leontine – I know – too many books!
Jill – No, this is not YA. Depending on your definition of YA, the protagonists are adults. There are also hot love scenes – not explicit though..so I guess it could be read by a younger person. My oldest is five and it is hard to remember what teens read ;)
Mandi – Thanks so much for the thoughtful review. I'm so glad you enjoyed FNB!!
Best,
Chloe
Mandi,
Great review. :) I'm looking forward to this one.
M
I really enjoyed this one too. I loved the supporting characters and can't wait for the next book.
I just picked up the first one in this series so excited to start it!
I cannot wait to get started on this series. It sounds made of awesome. Thanks for the stellar review, Mandi!
Hi Mandi,
Sure sounds like a good read. I do wanna try her books, they sound fun, and good :D
Hmm… I'm a little wary, but I have ordered this book. I admit, I'm more looking forward to the minor relationships between Catcher & Mallory, Lindsey & Luc than Merit's love triangle. But 2nd books are normally a little better than the 1st, because the world and characters have been established.
I will read it with an open mind :)
Danielle – You definitely get some good stuff from the minor characters…AND I can't give away spoilers but there are some good things for Merit.
Great Review. Then I read this comment "There are also hot love scenes " and wanted to buy this book immediately. God I'm such a pushover when it comes to words like "hot" love scenes.
Mandi:
Great review! I was anxiously awaiting this book and I was not disappointed. I cannot wait to read what happens next. Ummmmm, how long until the next book in this series?
Christina