Book Review | So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison

Sloane is dreading her birthday. She doesn’t need reminders about getting older, or how her life is not exciting anymore. Her husband comes up with a weekend getaway plan – but not with him. Instead, he arranges for Sloane to spend the trip with her longtime best friend, the wild, freewheeling Naomi. Sloane expects a chill vacation of wine tastings and gossiping. But when they arrive at the cottage, Naomi has other ideas. She orchestrates a wild night out with a group of mysterious strangers, which takes a horrifying turn. Their lives end up changed — forever.

We gift each other the freedom to gnash our teeth, to growl and gnaw, behave badly, be terrible, because we’ll love each other through it and no one else will. Because this ugliness is not permitted anywhere else. At least not without consequence.

So Thirsty is a fun, sexy take on vampire horror! I’ve been reading bleak horror books recently so this was a refreshing change, with its elements of comedy and romance. The vampires in this book are not just creepy, they’re seductive too. They are enticing to our protagonist, Sloane, who is used to being practical and living her life the way she thought she is supposed to. I thought the narrative nails the voice of a woman in her thirties who is afraid to change but finds herself being lured by something new. Her fears of ageing, combined with the realisation that her husband isn’t the man she thought he was, causes her to reassess her life. Her friend Naomi is more open, but both of them have more in common than they realise.

The author has written some great female friendships in her previous books, such as The Return and Cackle, and this is no different. Sloane and Naomi’s friendship can be turbulent and rocky, yet also sincere and loving. They know each other’s history which is both confining because they know each other too well, and liberating because they know neither will judge the other. Being besties means sometimes you get angry with each other, but there’s always love there. The story takes place over a few days, showcasing the shocking incidents that Sloane and Naomi get involved in and how they deal with their dangerous new friends. The writing is addictive; I finished this book in two sittings! While the plot is pretty straightforward and I would have loved more conflict, there is enough blood and action to keep me entertained.

There’s a strong thread of desire and craving here, in various forms. When faced with temptation, Sloane has to ask herself whether she is brave enough to go after what she wants and whether the risk is worth it. It’s a question that would be relevant to many readers, particularly women who have been told all their lives to act and behave a certain way. What would you do to be happy?

Tantalizing and reflective, So Thirsty will get your horror-loving blood pumping in the best ways.

I received a copy from the publisher for review purposes.

About the author: Rachel Harrison

Photo by Katelyn Greer