REVIEW: Phantom Kiss (Chicagoland Vampires #12.5)

Phantom Kiss (Chicagoland Vampires #12.5), by Chloe Neill
Publish Date: January 17, 2017
Publisher: Intermix
Format: e-ARC, provided by the publisher
Genre: adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) Vampires generally aren’t afraid of things that go bump in the night, but Merit and Ethan are extra jumpy after a recent attack by a dark sorcerer. So when they learn that someone is messing with graves in Chicago’s cemeteries, stealing skulls and snatching souls, they fear that their powerful foe might be back for even more magical vengeance. 

But after a specter begins haunting Cadogan House—and targeting vampires—they realize that they're being taunted by an altogether different sort of monster. A ghoulish villain straight out of the Windy City’s urban legends is on the prowl—and he won’t stop until he’s killed again...

Phantom Kiss is the prelude to the final Chicagoland Vampires novel that Chloe Neill will write. I have to thank her for giving us this extra glimpse into Cadogan House life, because I think I'm already going through withdraw, and I haven't even read Blade Bound (Chicagoland Vampires #13) yet. Every little bit helps, and Phantom Kiss had a little bit of all the parts of this series that make it so awesome for me.

Of course there's a mystery to be solved. There always is, and Ethan and Merit are a well-oiled machine now. They are an impressive team, especially when they join efforts with the Ombuddies - Merit's BFF and witch Mallory, her sorcerer husband Catcher, the tech wiz and tiger shifter Jeff and the leader of the gang, Merit's grandfather. In Phantom Kiss, they also engage the services of necromancer Annabelle since there's a ghost hanging around who is particularly nasty.

In addition to a mini-mystery to solve and a good reason to get the Ombuddies together, there's wedding shenanigans afoot. Merit and Ethan are two months away from their wedding, and Phantom Kiss opens with them attending a bridal shower thrown for them by Merit's mother. Yes - it's as awkward as it sounds. And amusing. And sweet. The way Ethan loves Merit now is so amazing.

And just because Ethan and Merit have been together for awhile, it doesn't mean they've become complacent. They still are smoking hot in between the sheets when they can find a moment between saving Chicago and almost dying. Like, seriously. Hot.

Phantom Kiss was a quick read with so much paranormal goodness in it. And any time I get to spend with one of my most favorite paranormal couples ever is time well spent.