Now, I know I thought I was done with holiday romances considering we’re reaching the end of the winter holiday season. Then, I came across Winter Bloodlust by Miranda Thorn, and how could I say no to reading a short winter romance featuring a billionaire romance? It ticked almost every one of my boxes (if only Nick secretly played hockey on the side.) All that said, it was a nice and entertaining read that fell short of a higher rating ONLY due to its short length.
This is my first introduction to the Bloodstone Institute, and I was so intrigued. There is obviously a much larger world in place than what we see in this short romance. Holly belongs to the Bloodstone Institute, an order that hunts supernaturals/vampires. She didn’t choose this life but it is the only one she’s ever had. She’s sent to infiltrate Nick, a wealthy vampire CEO, with intents to killing him. This is despite the fact that she’s just an administrative assistant, never trained in subterfuge or murder. Nick obviously knows what she’s up to and is curious and infatuated. Despite the story being so incredibly short, we get hints that Holly and Nick have been avoiding their attraction for some time and we just happen to be lucky enough to get into the story the moment it overflows.
I really enjoyed the characters and the world, which is why I’m sad I couldn’t give Winter Bloodlust a higher rating. There was just so much information hinted at that I was left unsatisfied. This was such a tantalizing peek that left me wanting so much more. I would have LOVED for this to be a full 300 page novel; there was plenty of story there. It felt like a tease, and I get it considering it looks like the first official Bloodstone Institute book comes out in 2024, but I still would rather have had a full and complete short story that gave ‘everything’ than one that gave hints to what can be.
Winter Bloodlust by Miranda Thorn is an exciting short romance that holds promises of greater things to come. I would definitely recommend this, but possibly closer to the release date of Secret Bloodlust.
