Soulmate Cravings Part One: The Reunion

Wow, I absolutely loved this. This is what I'd describe as a sweeping romance despite the grizzly backstory parts. It's not a horrific vampire story it's an epic fantasy story. It's not just about Asher and Cato but also how their romance affected the world around them and how the world around them affected their romance.

I'm not usually a fan of insta-love romances but it was so elegantly done in this one. The author built the backstory enough that I was ready for the reunion and all the insta-love when we got to it. It didn't even feel like insta-love even though it was the first time the human met his vampire.

What I loved about this was the way they loved each other. How Asher led an entire coven. How he built it into a fortress just to be able to protect his soulmate once he found him again. How they were desperate for each other and they were adults about it. Open, honest, communicative. They didn't hold back. Even Cato didn't use his main insecurity as a way to build walls between them even though that's something I see in books so often. They built each other up while they got to know each other.

Aside from the story there was a concept in this that wasn't written or spoken about that I wish the author had touched on. And that was Cato's ethnicity and how it changed possibly? From the names of the characters and the timelines at the beginning of the story and the author's description of Asher being tanned or bronze I assume that Asher and Akakios were both from Ancient Greece or Rome or somewhere in the Mediterranean area. But Akakios was described as pale. So in ancient times Asher and Akakios were the same ethnicity even though their skin tones were so different. But now after two thousand years the location of where the story takes place is completely ambiguous and that leads to question whether Cato is still the same ethnicity as Asher. Because Cato is often described as pale and is identical to his ancestors but is he still the same ethnicity as Asher now or have they moved and that's no longer the case?

I love that the author left things up for the reader to imagine the characters. That they only gave a handful of random features and the overall aesthetics of the characters but left most of their features and even their ethnicities up for the reader's imaginations. It let me envision their world and its inhabitants the way that I wanted to but without locations I feel like there could have been some cool bonus features like the one above that could have been amplified.

There was also some repetition. It's like the author used the same piece of information to showcase the way a character feels or to amplify their relationship to Cato but it's also still the same information that's being repeated. There was a couple times where I took the information that was necessary and then skimmed for a minute through the rest of that conversation. Not often, but enough.

Overall it's not a perfect story but it's a well-deserved 4.5 stars for me. It's definitely a book I will re-read probably countless times because there's so much that I think it'll be one of those reads where I'll pull something new out of it each time I read it. I loved the characters. I love how the author made really strong female characters in this. There are some really powerful seers and the only character that can come close to comparing to the coven leader's skills is a woman. I loved the swoony moments and even though there were some really harsh, gruesome parts to this it was so enjoyable. Such a worthy read and a new author to follow.

I received a free copy of this book from Booksprout and these are my honest thoughts and opinions of the book.

What a world!!!! I am in love with this world. This book had great world development, and an amazing plot. How long would you wait for your soulmate? And what happens when you finally find them again? I’m not really good with books that have flash backs but this book did it really nicely. I liked how the flash backs were different chapters that added to the overall plot and emotions of the story. Cato and Asher a beautiful together. Their love truly transcends time. I love getting to know the coven members that have stood by Asher this entire time.

That being said I couldn’t give this a five star cause omg the length of the book. And not because of how long it was, I LOVE long books. It’s because this didn’t have to be that long. Two times is enough to tell us what Catos fears are surrounding Asher’s love. We didn’t need to hear it in great length from not just Cato but from Kellen. That was just the biggest issue. It wasn’t that it was written in third person, that doesn’t bother me it was the fact that we were told the exact same information in great detail over and over and over again so much so that I had to scan a few things. Like we get it. And lack of diversity. There’s no excuse for that. Black, brown and other POV exist in fantasy worlds unless your fantasy world is racist. I’m hoping not to be Tim Burtoned in the next book.

Overall, good. The characters, the world was very intricate. Personally, there were some things that just felt like it kept going over and over. and it didn't need to be repeated. BUT I enjoyed it. It has a lot of good stuff. So much to keep you reading and not wanting to put it down.

Soulmate stories will always hit different (or is it the same?). Add to that vampire soulmate stories. Love this so much. Will always love reading everything so detailed from you. And excited to see the (changed) dynamics between the vampire and his human.

My first book by Kandyce and so impressed! It had everything I wanted! Such a thrilling journey! I think this has to be one of the best vampire stories I have read! Cato and Asher are true soulmates! So looking forward to part two, I desperately need to know what happens next!

I love soulmate and vampire stories and so it is rolled into one book. When you start reading this you won't want to pause or put it down . It's thrilling and romantic and lots of action too. Love it

Soulmate Cravings: Part One: The Reunion by Kandyce Marie is a rollercoaster of love, loss, and redemption that kept me hooked from start to finish. Asher and Cato's journey is both haunting and beautiful, with their love defying centuries of pain and betrayal. The reincarnation twist adds depth, and the blend of heavy angst and tender fluff tugs at the heartstrings. Asher’s devotion and Cato’s resilience make their connection unforgettable. With sizzling chemistry, dark fantasy elements, and high stakes, this is a must-read for fans of fated mates and vampire romance. It’s intense, emotional, and totally worth the ride.