Velvet by Temple West Publisher: Swoon Romance on May 12, 2015
Genres: Paranormal, Vampires, Young Adult
Pages: 416
Format: ARC
Source: Blog Tour
Purchase: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
Rating:
First rule of dealing with hot vampire bodyguards? Don't fall in love.
After losing both her parents before age seventeen, aspiring designer Caitlin Holte feels like her whole world has been turned upside down, and that was before the terrifying encounter with a supernatural force. Then, she learns that her hot bad-boy neighbor, Adrian—who might have just saved her life—is actually a half-demon vampire.
Suddenly Caitlin is stuck with a vampire bodyguard who feels that the best way to protect her is to become her pretend boyfriend. Trouble is, Caitlin is starting to fall in love for real, while Adrian can never love a human. Caitlin trusts Adrian to keep her safe from his demon father, but will he be able to protect her heart?
At A Glance
A really good read, but nothing unique.
The Good
It’s so weird because it wasn’t the vampires or romance that appealed to me the most in Velvet. It was the emotional overhaul Caitlin goes through after her mother dies that got me hooked. Seriously, I don’t know why. You guys know me, I hate when books make me sad. But Velvet didn’t make me feel sad, it intrigued me. I think I have a fascination with how certain people deal with death, and Caitlin wasn’t the norm. There was not much crying. She was all about the rebellion. She didn’t grieve, she got mad. Not the most healthy way to deal, but it made for good reading.
The vampire and demon aspect were interesting. I loved Adrian’s family. They were so cold and unemotional. Now that is my kind of vampire. But I also loved how Adrian wasn’t like that. He was kind and warm. He had actual feelings but he had to hide them from vampire society. Adrian’s brother stole the show though. Can someone be both adorable and creepy at the same time? Well, 11 year old Lucian pulled it off. I guess his behavior is to be expected since he lived most his life in Hell, literally.
I liked Caitlin and Adrian together. They had a genuine connection. It seems impossible for them to stay together, but I know they can make it work somehow. I wish there was more resolution at the end (cliffhanger), but I feel like I got enough to want to read the next book.
The Bad
I think I am blind, or dumb. I didn’t even realize how much this story reminded me of Twilight until halfway in, lol. I liked Twilight when I first read it, so ‘the bad’ has nothing to do with that aspect. However, after I finally did notice the good amount of similarities in the two books, I felt disappointed. I wanted something more unique but I didn’t feel like I got that.
There was too much downtime. I don’t like books were characters wait to be attacked. I like progressive characters.
The Snuggly
Caitlin and Adrian were cute together, but sometimes their drama got too much.
Just some kissing, no hanky panky.
Final Thoughts
A good, solid read. Some more originality would have been awesome, but I am still happy I read Velvet. Very recommended.
Quotes
About Temple West
Temple West, debut author of the YA paranormal romance Velvet, is as nerdy in real life as she is on the Twitter. Armed with a very shiny English degree, she spent four months in Oxford holed up at the Radcliffe Camera amongst the hush of ancient books and the rich musk of academia. Returning to Los Angeles, she acquired a concurrent degree in film, mostly as an excuse to write essays about The Princess Bride and Hook. She can sew (poorly), drive stick (please fasten your seatbelt), and mostly lift her feet off the ground while stuttering into first gear on a very small motorcycle. She currently lives in Seattle and is the proud mother to a one-year-old laptop and a vintage Remington typewriter.
Giveaway
Win a finished copy of Velvet by Temple West. Open for US and CAN only. Ends May 22nd.
Blessie (Mischievous Reads)
I’ve kind of “graduated” from the vampire phase, but some books are still amusing. This one sounds nice, although I’m kind of wary on the idea that it’s similar to Twilight. Great review, though.
New follower via Bloglovin! 😀
Jennifer Bielman
I get back into vamps from time to time.
Braine
Death and grief can be a hook for me too. The Twilight comparison is an instant turn off for me though. At least Caitlin doesn’t sound like Bella
Jennifer Bielman
lol, no, she is not like Bella in that way.
Lekeisha
I’ve read similar reviews for this book. And though I enjoyed the Twilight Saga, I have no interest in reading something sort of like it. That’s why I haven’t read any YA vampire stories in the past few years. Hmm, I don’t know yet. I may give it a go.
Jennifer Bielman
I agree, twilight was okay, but I don’t want to read Twilights Mini Me.
kindlemom1
Okay that cover is gorgeous and I do like the sound of this, it isn’t quite your typical sounding vamp read. I don’t love that it wasn’t quite as original as the description leads you to believe that it will be. Still, it didn’t sound like a terrible read.
Great review Jennifer!
Jennifer Bielman
No, not at all. I enjoyed it for the most part, I just found the resemblance to Twilight annoying.
tonyalee
This one is new to me – love the cover – and it does sound pretty good. Sometimes, the best books are the ones that are easy to read and predicable, ya know? Anyway, thanks for sharing and great review!
Jennifer Bielman
I really love this cover too.
andrea heltsley
This book looks awesome! It’s on my goodreads list and in my amazon wishlist. Thanks for reviewing it and hosting the giveaway!
Jennifer Bielman
I hope you love it!
Christy
“Can someone be both adorable and creepy at the same time?”
*points to self* The answer is yes. lol
Jennifer Bielman
hehehehe, I can totally see it.
Benish
I love the cover of this one, it’s something I haven’t seen before. The ending was fantastic as well xD
Jennifer Bielman
Happy you liked it so much.
ailyn
pretty cover, but I wasn’t a fan of twilight. i’ll pass ^^
Jennifer Bielman
The cover is gorg though!
Melliane
It’s difficult when you start to make comparison with some other books. I didn’t know about this one but it sounds nice, it’s been a while since I haven’t read a vampire story like that.
Jennifer Bielman
I think most people will love it despite the similarities.
Brandi Breathes Books
The emotional impact sounds like something that I could get into
Jennifer Bielman
I am so into emo books right now.
Red Iza
I haven’t read Twilight, probably never will, and fell asleep while my daughter watched the movie. But the “reacting to grief” through anger speaks to me… I’ll see if I read it or not, I’m in a phase where I’m tired of YA. Very good review, though, and LOL to Christy’s com !!
Jennifer Bielman
I get that way with YA sometimes too.
Suzi Q, The Book Dame
I thought this booked looked promising when I first saw it and haven’t decided for sure if I am going to read it. I only have a few vampire series that I read since I rarely like them. Great review.
Jennifer Bielman
I feel like its hard to find an amazing vampire book right now.
Holly Calhoun
Great review 🙂 I love the cover. Thanks for the giveaway!!
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks for stopping by.
Samantha Wallace
I can’t wait to read this book, it sounds like a great book to read!! Thanks for the great giveaway!! 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Good luck
sherry fundin
I LOVE that cover. Would grab it for that reason alone, but your review dots the I. Have a super weekend, Jennifer.
Jennifer Bielman
I hope you love it.
Olivia
I actually really want to try this one. First things first that cover is gorgeous. But I am someone who loved Twilight a lot, and then again I also really hate fanfiction or when a book seems too similar to another. So in that case, I am not sure this one is really for me. I’ll have to mull over it some more.
Jennifer Bielman
The over is amazing! I hope you try it out.