This is the second book I’ve read by Sara Dobie Bauer and it couldn’t be more different from the first one I read. That’s not a bad thing, I mention it only because I’m always a bit surprised – at least at first – when I find an author who writes really different types of books and does each one very well.

I don’t read a lot of vampire books and this one was a bit different from any that I’ve read before. The vampires in this story have no limitations on going out in the sun and when they cry, their tears are made of blood. The other thing is that paranormal creatures live freely among humans.

While parts of this story are really dark and violent, it’s ultimately a romantic love story. Ethan runs into Tris coming out of a coffee shop and he is stunned by his beauty. He begins to follow him, telling himself that he needs to make sure Tris stays safe. Ethan doesn’t do relationships and it freaks him out that he can’t stop thinking about Tris.

Tris had a terrible experience with his ex who used to buy him things to control him; he was made to feel like he was worthless and eventually he was tossed aside for someone younger. When Ethan gives him expensive gifts it brings back bad memories and he refuses to take them.

Ethan and Tris are so hot for each other and the sex scenes are a bit intense in places; Tris likes to be tied up and play a bit rough. But beyond the sex, I felt a real connection between these two. Ethan hates that he can’t forget about Tris but Tris ends up making him a better person. On the flip side, Ethan helps Tris to gain confidence in himself and overcome the emotional damage that his ex did.

I really enjoyed everything about this story. There are quite a few interesting supporting characters that Sara Dobie Bauer created in this world and I wouldn’t mind reading their stories.

Reviews for Sara Dobie Bauer

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I feel an itch on the back of my neck so glance behind me, and indeed, there he is, the blond kid from yesterday. I must have caught him staring, because as soon as I turn to look, he ducks his head and goes back to reading.

I shouldn’t approach him. Granted, he’s stunning. Most vampires would love to get their hands on his bare skin, but I’m not one for picking up humans outside of blood clubs. I’m cautious. Vampires can get in a lot of trouble for biting a human without consent. Like sentenced-to-death trouble. The humans at blood clubs know what they’re getting into. This guy? He looks like a puppy in need of a cuddle. He has no idea what a vampire could do to him.

Maybe some reconnaissance is in order. Just to, you know, make sure he’s all right after yesterday’s altercation.

Or something.

I’m lying to myself. This isn’t a protective detail in Serbia, this is me away from combat too long and bored in New York.

Fuck it.

He sits at one of the heavy wooden tables with the lid off his cup. His hair hangs halfway over his forehead, tilted down over a paperback, but I can still see his mouth, the way he chews his bottom lip, making it pinker, fuller.

I walk right up to his table. I don’t wait for him to look up. I don’t wait for an invitation. I just sit.

He startles at my arrival. His eyes widen and stare at me.

“Who are you?” I ask. I’ve always been really good at openings.

“Uhh.” His forehead wrinkles.

I drum my fingertips on the table. “I’ve never seen you in here before.”

“You saw me yesterday.” He folds the top corner of a page in his paperback: Dracula by Bram Stoker. “You saved my ass yesterday.”

“Before yesterday,” I reply.

He sighs. “A Starbuck’s bought out my favorite coffee shop, so I guess this is now my favorite coffee shop. Buy local.” He scoops his messenger bag off the floor and shoves the book inside.

The kid has one of those runway model faces—gaunt if not so beautiful, sharp and yet soft. Freckles? Zero. Wait, no, he’s got just a smattering that you would only notice close-up … or with well-trained vampiric eyes. He has no shadow of recently shaved facial hair, and that’s no surprise based on the white-blond of his hair. He must moisturize those lips because nobody’s mouth just naturally looks like the perfect mixture of velvet and silk.

He sighs again, louder. “You’re staring at me.”

No, I’m studying him—checking out his vulnerable areas, which are pretty much everywhere considering he’s so thin and fragile-looking.

As for everyone else in the coffee shop, they’re looking at the kid like they want to take him to bed. I catch a girl at the next table over gawking. A big dude with a beard stands in line to our right, his mouth hanging half open as he admires.

“Everyone is staring at you,” I respond.

His pale cheeks burn bright red as he swoops his bag onto his shoulder and stands. “No, that’s …” He shakes his head. “Ha, no.” He doesn’t say goodbye. He even leaves his coffee, half-consumed on the table. He up and abandons me without a word, but I do watch him go—as does half of Inky Grounds.

Once he disappears out into the early October morning, I turn back around and stare at his deserted coffee. Granted, I’m not smooth—I get it—but he didn’t have to run out like that. I just wanted to see that he was safe. Shit, I don’t even know his name.