I loved this book. LOVED IT. When I first started reading, I didn’t like it because the sentences seemed choppy. Then I got into the groove of her prose and I was totally and utterly sucked in. Sunshine’s world is not what it first seems. It’s much more dark and twisted than she first let’s on. I love the way the author slowly let’s you in on what’s going on, revealing little bits at a time. This is not just a story about a normal woman who gets kidnapped by vampires. You learn about her world, while she learns her true strength.

There are hot, mysterious vampires, there are bland people, there are highly abnormal people who seem normal, and there are deadly, nasty vampires who are terrifying and insidious. There is baking and all the comfort and security that come with working dough and creating warm delights. Sunshine mulls over cinnamon roll dough- the smell of it, the feel of it in her hand, and suddenly she needs to take up a weapon because a vampire has strayed into their protected little world. It’s fast and bloody, then slow and mysterious again. Where else can you combine the romance of baking with kicking some vampire ass?

You will want to read all night. During the day you will have the urge to find a sunny spot and absorb as much warmth as you can. Then when it is all over, you will search for more, only to find the author’s other books are fairy tales, which, after the being caught up in the deadly, wicked, bloody warm donut of Sunshine’s world, will sound completely unsatisfying. Alas, you will be yet another fan, moaning on the internet about the lack of a sequel and wondering if enough time has elapsed before you can start reading it again.

This is THE ONE that started it all. The quintessential vampire book. The touchstone for most readers of the paranormal. Do you love it? Did you sneak in to book release parties at midnight behind all the swooning teens hoping you wouldn't be spotted by other PTA parents? Or do you hate it? Did you gag at the corny dialog and roll your eyes repeatedly at the damsel in distress?

I fell somewhere in the middle. I like the idea of the mysterious family living amongst their prey. I liked the struggle, the need to fit in, the fascination Bella has with them. But her need to be rescued all. the. time? Not so much.

I didn't like the writing much, but I will admit, it gets better as the series goes on. I can see why people stop reading after the first book, wholly unimpressed by the phenomenon. But that would be a shame, because the story becomes much more worth the effort as it continues on into the other books.

Also? I am a sucker for packaging. These books have brilliant covers. I love them and would read them for those alone. (the original covers- not the photos taken from the movie like they have now) Before I knew what they were, I would stop and pet the cover with the tulip on the front. Finding out there were vampires behind those covers? Well that just made my day.