Death and Sweet Temptations—A Paranormal Urban Fantasy with Bite

I was drawn to Death and Sweet Temptations by Kristen Coar the moment I saw the cover. Sometimes, you just pick up a book on vibes alone, and this was one of those times. This was also my first read from this author, and I got it as part of the Stuff Your Kindle Day Fantasy Edition.

What I Loved

This book kicks off the Alex Bain series, introducing us to Alex Bain, a half-vampire, half-human powerhouse who spends her days as a corporate executive and her nights hunting paranormal threats in modern-day Chicago. Alex is a fantastic protagonist, strong, strategic, and intensely logical, which plays well against the more emotionally driven Lucas, a mysterious consultant who quickly becomes entangled in her world.

The pacing of the book took a bit to pick up for me. The first part leans heavily into world-building and character development, but once past that, the story took off, and I found myself flying through the rest. The blend of corporate politics, vampire lore, and urban fantasy action made for an entertaining mix.

One of my favorite quirks of this book was Argo, Alex’s talking corgi, who not only speaks but also cooks—and quite impressively, too. Every time a character questioned how exactly a dog could whip up gourmet meals, it added a fun, lighthearted touch to the story. Alex’s found family, particularly her friendship with Sergeant Isabella “Izzie” Bliss, was another favorite aspect. Their bond was strong, protective, and full of mutual respect.

The balance between intensity and humor was well executed. The tension of Alex’s double life, mixed with humor breaks (thanks largely to Argo’s sass), made for a refreshing read. If you’re into strong FMCs, morally gray characters, and urban fantasy with a paranormal romance twist, this book will be right up your alley.

What Didn’t Resonate With Me

While I liked Lucas as a character—his tortured hero vibes were compelling—I didn’t fully buy into his romance with Alex. Their chemistry was there, but there weren’t enough interactions between them to make their relationship feel as deep and earned as I would have liked. A slower burn would have made their connection much more satisfying.

The writing style was another aspect that took some getting used to. It leans heavily into description, with flowery language and an abundance of adjectives. While this helps create a vivid world, it also made it harder for me to get into the rhythm of the writing early on. That said, once I adjusted, I enjoyed the overall storytelling.

Themes & Tropes

🏢 Office romance tension

🧛‍♀️ Vampire huntress

🔥 Touch her and die

👫 Found family

✨ Magic

❤️ Paranormal romance

😈 Morally gray characters

🕵️‍♂️ Murder mystery

🔮 Mysterious prophecy

Final Thoughts

While Death and Sweet Temptations had a slow start, it was ultimately a solid urban fantasy with a mix of action, intrigue, and supernatural elements. If you love stories with vampire huntresses, touch-her-and-die protectiveness, and a talking corgi with top-tier culinary skills, this is a book worth checking out. Fans of Buffy and Blade will find a lot to enjoy here!