Review: Johann by Grae Bryan
SYNOPSIS:
Alexei is lost. On the run from his criminal family, hiding out in Hyde Park, he has no idea what the point or purpose of his life is anymore. Until he’s served coffee by a strange young man, one whom Alexei can’t get out of this head. And when Alexei realizes his favorite barista isn’t quite human after all, his obsession only deepens. Can he use this new knowledge to get even closer to the sweet, strange vampire of his dreams?
Jay is lonely. He has his friends (so nice!) and his job at the coffee shop (so fun!) but he knows he doesn’t really belong in Hyde Park, not for keeps. And yet, he can’t help wanting to pretend, especially with his new favorite regular, a handsome human who smells divine and watches Jay like he really matters. Alexei might just be the nicest thing to happen to Jay since he can remember, even more so when the human generously offers himself up for dinner.
But Jay’s past is complicated, and certain promises have been made. Can he and Alexei weather the storm that tracks him down, or will Jay’s new life be taken away from him before it can really begin?
REVIEW:
I was positively delighted when I saw Jay (Johann) was the next book in what is quickly becoming one of my favorite vampire series. The quirky, cute man captured my heart the minute I met him and now I get to see him get a happily-ever-after and he did not disappoint!
In many ways, Jay is a teenager leaving home for the first time. After everything fell apart in his den and he left, he navigates friendships, humans, a job, renting an apartment, and essentially learning to take care of himself. I loved that he was the perfect balance of naïve and 200+ year old vampire. It is an adore combination that had me endeared to him. Then there is Jay’s counterpart, Alexei who was exactly what I had envisioned for Jay. Alexei is the rough, abrasive character to balance out Jay’s softness. Together they are desire and perfection.
The chemistry between Jay and Alexei is off the charts. While Jay might be inexperienced, he is a man who knows what he wants, albeit an adorably shy one at that. The intimacy was sexy, sweet, and just had me swooning. The rag-tag team of vampire friends is also back and added some much needed support which had me grinning from ear-to-ear.
About 60% in there is a massive plot twist that had my jaw on the floor and left me reeling. And with that plot twist we meet Wolfe who has me feeling a little trepidatious. I am a little hesitant about him as he clearly cannot be trust and I am not even sure we can count him as an addition since he wasn’t exactly wanted. But Wolfe seemed intriguing but his ‘mate’ had me instantly off-put but I will try to keep an open mind when I dive into the next installment.
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