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katkinslee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I really liked Cas but I struggled with Ophelia, she was just a difficult character to vibe with since she was so hot and cold.
I really enjoyed their ending though and how strong their bond became.
I didn't really like the amount of miscommunication that occurred throughout the book either.
I really enjoyed their ending though and how strong their bond became.
I didn't really like the amount of miscommunication that occurred throughout the book either.
farenwell's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
booktrovert_reads_romance's review against another edition
5.0
It's a little bit frenemies to lovers, slow burn but in the best kind of teasing way, with just enough back story to keep you from having a ton of questions, and he's a vampire so of course there is biting.
I remember reading Nora's Kraken and thinking about how I'd love to read a book about Casimir. It would by such an UNDERSTATEMENT saying that Leigh's story telling did not disappoint. In general miscommunication is usually my least favorite "trope" to read. I find myself mentally yelling at characters and just in general getting frustrated, BUT Leigh managed to write this in a way that I wasn't mentally yelling...I was refusing to put the book down because I had to see the end of their journey immediately.
Now that I've reached the end I can't wait to see what comes next from Leigh....maybe we'll see some people again....Martin? Serra? Phillipe?
I remember reading Nora's Kraken and thinking about how I'd love to read a book about Casimir. It would by such an UNDERSTATEMENT saying that Leigh's story telling did not disappoint. In general miscommunication is usually my least favorite "trope" to read. I find myself mentally yelling at characters and just in general getting frustrated, BUT Leigh managed to write this in a way that I wasn't mentally yelling...I was refusing to put the book down because I had to see the end of their journey immediately.
Now that I've reached the end I can't wait to see what comes next from Leigh....maybe we'll see some people again....Martin? Serra? Phillipe?
eshall's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ashiedinosaur's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
scribsbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
smoothunicorn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think I can definitely say that this was my favorite of the Monster Relations Bureau series so far! Which surprised me because I don’t love vampire romances, but Casimir was a glorious exception. He was just lovely - charming, sure, but also mature and reasonable and self-aware in a really gorgeous way. He had a heaping helping of self-doubt that was super endearing, but it never, ever crossed the line into dramatics. His inner pain felt as old as he was, which was a pretty remarkable feat for Miller to pull off.
Ophelia was a little more “by the book” for an FMC, dealing with some pretty standard doubts and fears. She aaallllmost bordered on stupid levels of risk-taking, but luckily never so far in that direction that it made her hard to root for.
The actual investigation plot was kind of a let down, similar to Kenna’s Dragon, but honestly the vibe between Ophelia and Cas more than made up for that. I do wish they had done more in the actual investigation they were supposed to be doing - if they’d had like one clue that nobody else had, or they were the ones to put the final pieces together, that would have been pretty cool. As it was, they were just kind of there, being super not-sneaky with their aggressive questioning and their two whole leads lol.
But look, I won’t harp on it. Another reviewer said this was a “very grounded second chance romance” and I couldn’t agree more. The growth both characters (including the 400-year-old vampire) had done in the seven years since their first flirtations was evident and thoughtful. Both of them had, to an extent, done the work - or had at least had enough distance to view the situation through older and wiser eyes - which made the reunion feel extremely well-earned.
And the spice? Holy hell. As someone who, as mentioned, isn’t desperate for vampire romance, I will say this probably had one of the hottest biting scenes I’ve ever read. The desperation and the yearning and UGH it was so good.
So yeah, four stars for this, and if she chooses to continue the series, I’ll choose to continue reading them.
Ophelia was a little more “by the book” for an FMC, dealing with some pretty standard doubts and fears. She aaallllmost bordered on stupid levels of risk-taking, but luckily never so far in that direction that it made her hard to root for.
The actual investigation plot was kind of a let down, similar to Kenna’s Dragon, but honestly the vibe between Ophelia and Cas more than made up for that. I do wish they had done more in the actual investigation they were supposed to be doing - if they’d had like one clue that nobody else had, or they were the ones to put the final pieces together, that would have been pretty cool. As it was, they were just kind of there, being super not-sneaky with their aggressive questioning and their two whole leads lol.
But look, I won’t harp on it. Another reviewer said this was a “very grounded second chance romance” and I couldn’t agree more. The growth both characters (including the 400-year-old vampire) had done in the seven years since their first flirtations was evident and thoughtful. Both of them had, to an extent, done the work - or had at least had enough distance to view the situation through older and wiser eyes - which made the reunion feel extremely well-earned.
And the spice? Holy hell. As someone who, as mentioned, isn’t desperate for vampire romance, I will say this probably had one of the hottest biting scenes I’ve ever read. The desperation and the yearning and UGH it was so good.
So yeah, four stars for this, and if she chooses to continue the series, I’ll choose to continue reading them.
annettegoodwin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
spicemustflo's review
4.0
A vampire and a human with a painful past find themselves working together to solve a case—and navigating their complicated, growing feelings for each other. As a huge fan of the first two books in the Monster Relations Bureau series, I couldn't wait to dive into the third installment, and Leigh Miller did not disappoint.
I loved the setup: from Ophelia’s family history and how it drives her, to Casimir’s own struggles with his past and how he perceives himself. Their stories intertwine so well on so many levels. I especially appreciated that Ophelia is a slightly older FMC—strong, confident, yet still growing and healing. And Casimir? Utterly charming with that secret heart of gold I always fall for. Vampires aren’t usually my thing, but I loved him. Plus, the spice! Some amazing fang action in there with those pain/pleasure bites we know and love.
This felt like a mature, grounded take on a second-chance romance, and it totally captivated me. The case they’re working on wasn’t as gripping as I’d hoped, but honestly, the chemistry between the two helped make up for it. I barely noticed the rest of the plot! Can’t wait for more books in the series.
I loved the setup: from Ophelia’s family history and how it drives her, to Casimir’s own struggles with his past and how he perceives himself. Their stories intertwine so well on so many levels. I especially appreciated that Ophelia is a slightly older FMC—strong, confident, yet still growing and healing. And Casimir? Utterly charming with that secret heart of gold I always fall for. Vampires aren’t usually my thing, but I loved him. Plus, the spice! Some amazing fang action in there with those pain/pleasure bites we know and love.
This felt like a mature, grounded take on a second-chance romance, and it totally captivated me. The case they’re working on wasn’t as gripping as I’d hoped, but honestly, the chemistry between the two helped make up for it. I barely noticed the rest of the plot! Can’t wait for more books in the series.
state_of_kateness's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5