Taste Me by Tamara Hogan
(Underbelly Chronicles #1)
Sourcebooks Casablanca (March 2011)
Paperback, 370 pages
Paranormal Romance
Ok, let’s get the negatives out of the way shall we…
Firstly, those of you who read my reviews regularly will know I have a huge disliking, a pet peeve if you will, with the the term/genre ‘urban fantasy’ being used willy-nilly. This book is so obviously a paranormal romance, in every sense, and I’m sure you guys can tell too just by reading the blurb – so why-o-why do publishers keep mixing up genres, it’s very, very annoying.
Secondly, there are far too many characters thrown at the reader, especially in the first two chapters. It was quite difficult to remember them all and I had to keep referring back over what I had read to remind myself who was who. There’s one page which is practically just a list of characters..
Thirdly, the main male character is Lukas and I liked him very much, but his repetitive action of shoving his fingers through his hair became increasingly annoying – in fact it drove me nuts! It was as if the author was showing the reader how many ways she could re-write the same action.
Lukas wearily speared his hands through his still-damp hair.
Lukas slouched back against the back of the couch and swiped his hands through his hair.
Even the tug of his hand through his own hair felt hyper-charged against the nerve endings in his scalp.
Lukas dragged his free hand through his hair, and took a slug of coffee.
Lukas leaned back in his desk chair jamming his hands in his hair.
And when it seems all the ways for Lukas to rake his hands through his hair were used up, other characters started to shove their hands through his hair instead!
Scarlett threaded her fingers through his hair, tugging his head so he had to look her in the eye.
Scarlett threaded her fingers through his hair again and kissed him, blinking back tears of relief.
I think you get my point.
My last little niggle is there’s not really that much depth to the paranormal element. Most of the time Taste Me read more like a contemporary romance, but instead of someone introducing themselves as say a banker, they are a werewolf or a vampire, but that’s as far as the paranormal aspect goes. There’s no blood sucking or even a show of fang, no werewolves changing form, no discussion about the supernatural world – although there is a little otherworldly action with regards to the mystery plot of the novel, but just not enough for my taste.
I realise that this is a debut novel, which is probably why there are quite a few wrinkles (or it’s down to the editing), but despite its flaws and annoyances, Taste Me is a pretty fun read, which brings me onto the positives…
Taste Me is a sexy read with likable, interesting characters. The author captures the electric atmosphere of a rock concert really well and combined it with the supernatural sexual edge of an incubus and siren, making it even more exciting.
There’s some good emotional turmoil for Scarlett and Lukas, as well as for some of the other main(ish) characters, which gave them depth enabling me to connect with them and their lives. Ms Hogan wasn’t frightened to be a little unpredictable too and killed off one of the characters I expected to be around throughout the novel, which surprised me and made Taste Me a refreshing change as I so often suspect outcomes pretty early on and it added to my enjoyment of the book and to the fun factor.
VERDICT:
Overall I did enjoy this book, it was entertaining and kept me engaged – on one occasion I literally couldn’t put it down, but there is quite a bit wrong with it too. Having said that, I do see promise in this debut author and would definitely check out the second instalment in this series to see where the characters are going. However, if you’re wanting an urban fantasy, then this might not be the book you’re looking for, but if you’re looking for a highly, sexually, charged romance with a bit of a paranormal edge, then look no further.
RATING: 
TAMARA HOGAN ONLINE
Website | Goodreads | Twitter
BOOKS IN SERIES ORDER
- Taste Me
- Chase Me
BUY YOUR COPY
6 Comments
That sounds to be a sexy book!
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LOL at the hair thing! XD But yeah, I just recently found out the difference between Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.
Great review, but now I feel that if I do pick it up, I'll remember the annoying hair shoving re-write and crack up. XD
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Fab review is really made me smile
I agree with you on the whole urban fantasy / paranormal romance thing. They're very different things and I wish publishers would understand that.
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Kudos to you for finishing it! I couldn't finish this one. I think b.c I kept expecting it to be a pnr, and they didn't really even come in contact with each other till half way through the book, and by that time I just didn't care.
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Okay I have to say that hair part is really funny. I do get confused with paranormal romance and urban fantasy sometimes because publishers say something is urban fantasy and then I read it and its very much not… So I agree with you. Great Review!
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Free Hosting – It is a sexy book, so be warned LOL
Dazzling Mage – Hehe, I must admit the hair thing bugged me no end lol but although there are quite a few issues with the writing it was a fun read all the same.
Laura – Miss marketing books is a big pet peeve of mine. I go into Waterstones and they have authors such as Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan in the 'Horror' section. Just stupid. Ah well…
Buckeye Girl – I thought it was very much PNR – although the actual sex part didn't come into play until a little way in there was still a huge amount of sexual innuendo, sexual chemistry and every other way to talk about sex and how much the characters wanted it. That's why it's definitely not an UF as the romance was the biggest part of the story.
Kristen – It really bothers me when I think I'm all set up for a dark urban fantasy but what I actually get is a paranormal romance! I like PNR but I have to be in the right mood for it lol
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