It's been awhile since I read a vampire/werewolf book (despite the HUNDREDS that are now available in YA!), so I picked up Tantalize by Cynthia Smith. I picked this up at the public library, though, in audio form (we have it in paperback in our IMC). Quince is a high school girl who has had to deal with some upsetting/unusual circumstances. Upsetting that her parents died unexpectedly, leaving their restaurant to her and her uncle, and unusual in that she has learned her best friend, Kieran, is a werewolf. But werewolves in Quince's community aren't unheard of--more like shunned citizens that terrifying beasts. As Quince and her uncle plan to re-open their restaurant, their head chef is murdered, supposedly by a werewolf. So in the midst of mourning her friend, continuing with the restaurant re-opening, and suspecting Kieran as part of the crime scene, Quince is overwhelmed. And when a new chef comes in to save the day, can Quince truly trust that he has her best interest at heart?
This book was...eh. First, the back of the book gave away way too much information, so I pretty much knew the murderer before I even started reading (or listening!). Second, I just did not connect with Quince at all. I found her to be unemotional in the midst of everything happening in her life--I mean, really, if your good friend was murdered in your kitchen, would you still re-open the restaurant on schedule? She doesn't seem to deal with one issue before moving on to another. And there is quite a bit of underage drinking (provided by adults!) and skipping school that had my suspicions raised.
This book is the first in a coming series, but I won't be reading any of the rest. A below-average read for me, although I enjoyed changing up my reading habits a bit by listening to it on CD.
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