Reviewed by Ami
Title: Showers, Flowers, and Fangs
Author: Aidan Wayne
Heroes: Darren & Vlad
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 190 pages
Publisher: Harmony Ink Press
Release Date: December 11, 2018
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Darren’s a pretty normal teenager: high school, exams, hanging out with friends, puberty. The whole half-fae thing adds some complications and being a trans guy makes his life a little more difficult, but he can’t complain. That is, until a newly turned vampire moves in with the witch down the street. Vlad, surly and standoffish, doesn’t seem to like Darren very much, so Darren is content to give him a wide berth—at first. As they grow closer, Darren realizes Vlad is having a hard time adjusting to his newfound vampirism, and since Darren knows how it feels to be uncomfortable in your own skin, he thinks he can help. While it turns out Vlad is pretty great, his problems are deeper than Darren realizes, and more dangerous.
Despite the dangers, feelings begin developing between the two young men.
Darren just hopes he’s not in over his head.
Review:
Darren is a half-human, half-fae transgender teen … and when we first meet him on the first page, Darren is suffering from menstruation cramps. PS: I don’t know why, but I really love that the author adds this scene to the book! Anyway, Darren then meets this newly turned vampire, Vlad the Vampire (he’s from Ukraine!), who’s also a newcomer in town. Their first meeting is not exactly meet-cute (Darren thinks Vlad is sniffing him, which is RUDE! *laugh*) but then Darren befriends Vlad, because he seems lonely, this vampire.
This is a delightful and wonderful read!! I LOVED Darren so much!! I loved his positivity. I loved the way Darren approached Vlad, and slowly coaxed this vampire out of his shell. I loved how their friendship bloomed. I loved how Darren sometimes acting a bit dramatic – yes, he’s a teenager after all! – when he thinks he hurts Vlad or when he thinks Vlad is being sad.
I think I spent reading this book with a lot of smile to my face because Darren is just ADORABLE and his moments with Vlad were super cute!
There’s a slight mystery behind Vlad elusiveness, on why he seemed to want to keep himself secret from people, and I thought it added to a fun time near the end. Especially because it also showed a new aspect of Darren’s power as half-human half-fae.
I love Aidan Wayne’s stories that I have read so far – and this one is another winner for me.
PS: This falls into low-steam category of Young Adult book; only couple of kisses…
Overall Impression: I really liked it
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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