Life as an elite vampire doesn’t agree with Haruka, especially in a society where vampires only feed from each other and feeding from a human is considered a sin. He left Japan and relocated to England, where he hoped for a better, calmer life.
When his presence at an official mating ceremony is requested, he begrudgingly leaves his home to search for a second elite vampire who is rumoured to live in the UK. The both of them have been chosen to officiate the ceremony, but Haruka’s peer has ignored his duties so far. Haruka finds the vampire in a place he wouldn’t have expected him in and just like that, their influence on each other change everything.
Lore and Lust is pitched as “the slow burn vampire romance you didn’t know you needed…” and I cannot agree more with that sentiment. I was immediately sucked into the world of vampires and loved reading about the hierarchies and inner workings of the community. The worldbuilding in this one is absolutely fantastic and it comes with all of the creepy old people in old castles that we love to hate about vampire media. Additionally, not only do we get to experience vampire culture in Great Britain, but we are also taken on a journey to Japan and Italy, where the rules are identical, yet have distinctions from each other.
It was quite interesting to read about a society where vampires feed off each other instead of humans and where feeding is considered a great deal of intimacy and trust. I loved getting to know the different characters and their approaches to feeding in a society where status and mating are on top of the priority list, especially characters who have no interest in one or the other or either. Of course, there is more complexity to them than just being a vampire, which makes for even more interesting characters.
This book is swoonworthy, it’s dramatic, it’s exciting, and I will promise you that you will finish the last page with at least one new book-boyfriend. Lore and Lust is an absolute joy to read and is perfect for curling up with on a rainy day. Lore and Lust is only the first instalment in a series and I cannot stress enough how excited I am for volume two.
Lore and Lust is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
The slow burn vampire romance you didn’t know you needed…
Haruka Hirano is alive, but not quite living. Surviving but not thriving. As an elite purebred vampire in the twenty-first century, he is broken. Content in his subpar existence.
He is done with life. But life is not finished with him.
When he receives a formal request to oversee an antiquated vampire ritual at Hertsmonceux Castle, Haruka grudgingly leaves his home to meet another purebred. The vampire is not what he expects. Truly, he is unlike any vampire Haruka has ever encountered: cautious, innocent and with the warmth and gravitational pull of the sun.
Lore and Lust is an exploration of cultures, contemporary society and romance. It puts a whimsical spin on traditional vampire lore, while also creating a vivid new world where love is love. No questions asked.
