The Vampire's Cursed Kiss

Shadowvale, Book 2

By: Kristen Painter

Narrated by: B. J. Harrison

Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Shadowvale isn’t your typical small town America. The sun never shines, the gates decide who enters, magic abounds, and every resident bears some kind of curse.

Vampire Constantin Thibodeaux was cured of his sun "allergy" when he moved to Shadowvale. Now he runs the local bookstore, which is really just a sideline to filling his own library. Books, unlike people, are far more forgiving of his prickly nature. But he doesn’t care if people don’t like him. He is who he is. And he’s happy. Well, he’s content. Okay, he’s…fine.

Sprite and all around party girl Andromeda Merriweather loves her carefree life - or at least she did until her sister cursed her into a magical time out. Thankfully, she’s just been set free by a totally hot, but kind of grumpy vampire. Too bad this handsome grouch now holds the key to her freedom, something she’ll only get if he agrees to abide by the rules of her curse.

Constantin isn’t interested in the terms and conditions Andromeda gives him, until he needs her to be his temporary girlfriend to shut his brother up. Then, Constantin agrees. But what happens after a surprisingly fun evening creates brand new problems for both of them. Sure, two opposites can attract, but will that attraction last? Or are they both too cursed to give love a chance?
 

©2019 Kristen Painter (P)2019 Kristen Painter

Excellent sequel!

I've listened to hundreds of audible books, but never felt compelled to leave a review. But there's a first for everything! I love everything about Kristen Painter's books! I love light-hearted romance with no blatant sexual content and not having to worry about objectionable language ...and the paranormal just adds a little more interest! Once again, I was not disappointed. I listened to this book almost straight! I enjoyed the plot, thought it was realistic to real life (as much as a fantasy book can be), and, as always, loved the narration. After reading some of the less favorable reviews, I wondered if I would enjoy it as much as the others. However, after finishing, I was happy and sad. Happy about the book, and sad that it was ending ...and that there wasn't another sequel immediately awaiting me! Thanks again Kristen!

1st Kristen Painter book I didn't like

May contains spoilers:

I usually love Kristen Painter for a light hearted romance I can listen to with my kids in the room, but some of the themes in this book rubbed me wrong. I don't like the message that women have to sacrifice part of who they are to be loved by a man. I don't like how easily the female MC was willing to forgive her love interest after he was so horrible to her. I don't like that she was so desperate to have his love and forgiveness for a perceived slight that wasn't even really a result of her actions. I'm also not sure why Painter introduced the mysterious book in this story that erases curses or why a guardian of said book would be blabbing to a stranger about it. Why were Andy and Cassy wandering around looking for the book when neither has a curse? So much of this book missed the mark. By the end, I felt like Andy needed an intervention so she didn't marry Constantine.

Pleasantly Surprised

Sometimes I'll read the story summary and think..meh. It doesn't sound all that great. But with Kristen Painter I'm usually in for a pleasant surprise. I have to admit, I've liked most of her books even when the summary of the story sounds boring. This book was one of those I ended up liking. I'm sure part of that has to do with BJ Harrison (the narrator.) He is one of the very talented ones. The whole Shadowvale series is a fun read. The Drama or rifts between characters doesn't drag on and on. The adventures are the same. It keeps moving and resolutions found relatively quickly. It kept my attention and the stories have very happy endings.

Not the best message ever...

I enjoyed the Noctourne Falls and Miss Frost series so I was glad to see this new one. In both the first book and this one, the male love interest fails, becomes suspicious and belligerent at the first sign of trouble. Real emotional betrayal. Even though things get all rosy again, my trust in both Deacon and Constantine is lost. I can't like them ever again.

Not a good formula or message for women in this day and age.

3 Stars

The Vampire’s Cursed Kiss is book 2 in the Shadowvale series. I feel about the same as I did after book 1. The premise is great. The town and world building is great. The magic is really cool. The execution of the story is underwhelming. It was a good book and I enjoyed it, but there was nothing great about it or that sets it apart from other books. I liked the main female character, Andromeda, a Sprite. The main male character is Constantin, a vampire. I found him to be annoyingly damaged and immature. His temper tantrum was obnoxious and over the top. When the big drama happened to pull them apart, Andy should have just left Con entirely after he behaved the way he did. He is wonderful except when he’s not. I’ll give book 3 a try and take it from there. The narrator did a good job. He is easy to listen to.

The way they pronounce Thibodeaux is killing me!!!

Ask a Cajun how you pronounce that name please. The book was good but that part grated on me.

Least Favorite in this Series

Not a fan of Constantin or Andromeda.

Will relisten and see if I change my mind.

If you like sappy, no plot love stories, this is for you

I never realize how much I love a good book until I'm listening to/reading one like this. Simplistic and totally predictable, and the little twists just aren't enough to make it an interesting book. I won't read another Shadowvale book.

Shadowvale #3

I think this was a cute story. I love Shadowvale. Sometimes the characters fall in love so fast it throws me…like oh yeah that happens only yesterday…but time seems relative in Kristen’s stories. I like that. I like how the sisters come together. I wish there was an epilogue in this one that kind of goes over what happens to Andi’s wings. BJ Harrison does a good performance with character voices.

Not Terrible

This wasn't what I've experienced from other Kristen Painter books. I was expecting more. Not terrible though.

enticing and original, romantic and bewitching!

I don't think I have had the pleasure to read a book that's caught my attention so quickly in a very long time. The first book grabbed me within the first two chapters if anything it was within the first two paragraphs. the way the author captures the environments and the characters was top-notch. I have found it very difficult to find cozy mysteries about witchcraft and after a long search I feel I have finally found a series that I cannot wait to read the next release. please keep writing!!!

Entertaining

Liked the book loved the first book better. Book seemed to jump felt l missed a chapter , but when l went back l hadn’t
The story was enjoyable but the last few chapters annoyed me slightly
I have bought the third book so will see how it goes

Brilliant!!

I really enjoyed this book! Constantin and Andromeda were perfect for each other, they made each other a better person!! I look forward to more in this series!

Disappointly heavy handed romance

Tthe romance element is overdone and heavy-handed, overwhelming the rest of the story. This author's works usually strike a far better balance, taking a more subtle approach with the romance element that makes it at least bearable, but seems to have missed that path with this particular story.

As usual, the B. J. Harrison's narration was very good.

Fab, highly recommend!

I absolutely love Kristen Painter's books and this did not disappoint. I've already listened to it and the others in the series multiple times and will continue to do so. B.J.Harrison is also one of my favourite narrators, just brilliant in bringing a book alive!