Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Tantalize itself means to torment or tease with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable or withheld. I personally cannot think of a better word to describe this dark fantasy!
Quince Morris lives in world that is a little different from our own. Not much different really, just this small thing about werewolves and vampires being real! But Quince isn’t worried about that, her best friend Kieren happens to be a hybrid-werewolf. Not only is he her best friend she wishes they were more, but the fear of his "monster within" keeps him from returning her affection.
Quince doesn’t have much. Her parents have passed away leaving her in the care of her Uncle Davidson, and her prized possession her families restaurant. Within weeks of the reopening of the now vampire-themed restaurant, all chaos breaks loose. The restaurants chef and friend Vaggio is murdered, werewolf style. Quince must now turn the new chef Bradley into Sanguini’s prominent vampire , and deal with the fact that Kieren is leaving her to join a wolf pack.
As Quince becomes closer with Brad she grows farther apart from Kieren. And begins to suspect that Kieren has some involvement in Vaggio’s death. But once Quince finally realizes who the real Brad is, it may be to late to save herself or Kieren
This story "tantalized" me until the end, even after the story was over! I was captivated by Quince and Kieren’s love story, as well as the ongoing mystery of Vaggio’s true killer. I was totally thrown for a loop! I never saw the ending coming, it was totally more engrossed in the plot that I suspected! I really hope there is a sequel.