Book Review: Echoes

It’s been a while since I’ve read a paranormal romance centered around vampires. However, I used to be a big fan of the Sookie Stackhouse books, before HBO ruined them with “True Blood,” so when I had a chance to get an ARC  of Echoes from the author, I took it.

Echoes was one of those books where I sat down, the cat jumped on my lap, and then I read the whole book in one night.

I really liked that both of the love interests were 1,000 year-old  vampires as opposed to the cliche young human paired with an old vampire.

They author did a great job distinguishing the voices of the two characters and crafting their personalities. They were different but compatible. They both had complex backstories which were expertly woven into the narrative with details being revealed at just the right time.

Still, I couldn’t help but feel the opening was a little contrived. However, I’m not sure there is a way it could feel less so. There was no deception or misdirection at least. You knew right away who was playing what role in the book.

I think there was something that was supposed to come across as a twist, but the way it was set up in the beginning made the big reveal no surprise.  Thankfully, I don’t like surprises.

My only other issue was with the end. I like happy ever after and happy for now, but this one was a little too neat and tidy. I kept waiting for the “but” and it never came, not even in the epilogue, which seemed like it was there to make sure readers knew this was a 100% happy ending with no loose ends.

Overall, it was a great read. It was cute. It balanced plot tropes and original, complex characters. It was predictable in a good way. Even though I had a good idea of how it was going to end from early in the book, I still couldn’t put it down.