REVIEW: Love Bites by Lauretta Hignett

Love Bites is the fourth book in the Eternity College Chronicles, a fun urban fantasy series by Lauretta Hignett.

Can I just say, every time I hear Marie's real name, it just cracks me up! I'm pretty sure I wrote that in my review for the last book, but it STILL cracks me up, so I'm saying it again.

The world building is stellar, as is the characterization. Particularly Marie herself. In a series like this, we have more of a chance to see the character arc in action than in a single novel. And in particular, in this 4th book, when Marie is forced to acknowledge she can't protect her friends by controlling them, even while she is still struggling to accept that she HAS friends. It's been a slow progression, and a sometimes painful one, especiallly in this book, but we're getting to SEE the real Marie emerging through all those protective layers.

As for her mother, I literally cringed when Deborah showed up, and even then I didn’t know how bad it was gonna get. She just makes my skin crawl. I mean, even Marie’s shoulder angel wanted to punch her, which made me actually cackle out loud.

And now we have THREE demons (that we know of) living at the college: 1) The cat, Caligula (who doesn't seem evil to me, except for harrassing Marie, everyone else doesn't have a problem with him), 2) Arin the Demon of Unwelcoming, and... 3) oh! Wait! I can't tell you, because mwahahaha you have to read the book!

Then there is the vampire mistress. At this point we don't know who she is, although I'm 99.998% sure I know who it is (I'm not saying, but prepared for a "toldja so!" dance with the next book review), and it's not good. At least... I didn't think it was good, until we actually see her in conversation with the apprentice, and she seems to be speaking kindly to her. So now, I'm conflicted. I mean. I still think it's her, but I'm not so sure she's evil, like I was in the previous books. So, IS there a possible... um, right, nope, can't say. 'cause I might be wrong, but if I'm right it'd be spoilers, so nahhh.

So okay, as far as (I can't tell), I just have to say, WOW! I did NOT see that coming!!! At least... through 3 whole books I didn't see it coming, but as soon as Deborah showed up, I saw it coming, and I clued in before Marie did, and WOW!!! I did NOT see that coming! But it totally makes sense.

And I also have to just say, I freaking LOVE when an author springs a "I did NOT see that coming!" on me! And she did it not once, not twice, but THREE times in this book! Yay, Lauretta!!!

To wrap things up, this book was an absolute DELIGHT, from cover to cover. I looove unexpected plot twists! Sooo many here! I can't tell you because (spoilers!), but there were several, and each one earned a delighted squeal from me!