I'm reading Hot Blooded by Heather Guerre, which I think will be a straight romance between a vampire and a paid blood donor.
I'm intrigued because this has consensual non-consent which can be super hot if done right, and also somebody on romance.io complained it was too "woke." So you know I'm there for that.
OK, I got to the part that reviewer thought was too woke and, as predicted, I thought it was sweet.
Basically Amos came out to Tessa as bi and she came out to him as pan, although neither of them used those labels.
TBH I really liked that this was a portrayal of bi/pan folks as being open to commitment and not overly promiscuous (there is nothing wrong with being slutty, it just gets old as a bisexual stereotype).
Here's the grumpy reviewer, for everyone's enjoyment
This was a romance between a male vampire and a woman, but I'm hesitant to call it a straight romance because they're both bi/pan. Any respectful insights on this?
Verdict: Amos and Tessa can sit with us sometimes but idk if we're going to have a lot to talk about.
The main themes were consensual non-consent and the parentification of oldest daughters. I liked that we got to see some mutual planning of the CNC and that it was clear both parties were enthusiastically interested. There was a really sweet moment where they both dropped out of scene for a second to kiss and be affectionate and then went right back to it. D'aww!
Tessa's emotionally abusive family was written really well. I didn't like the resolution or find it satisfying, but whatcha gonna do.
I found I was interested in what would happen next but not very invested in the characters or their relationship.