Indie Book of the Week: Johnny Doesn't Drink Champagne by Cody Young

Okay, I know what you are thinking because honestly, I was thinking it too when I first saw the title of this book. You are thinking, what? What an unusual title for a book. In fact, you probably don't even know what to think...right?

Well rest assured, this book was fabulous, kind of crazy title and all.

Although admit it, you like the cover because it too is sort of strange and draws you in. It makes you want to pick it up and read it. 

I know if I was in a bookstore and was walking down the isle and saw it, I would definitely stop and pick it up and flip through it and I know once I read the synopsis I would have snatched it up.


I mean, a vampire, a time machine of sorts and star crossed lovers? You betcha!

So without further ado, the synopsis taken from goodreads:

So what? I’m seventeen and he’s twenty-one. That’s okay… isn’t it? He drives a Lamborghini. He was born in 1462. Uh-oh. He seeks revenge, but there is one person standing in his way. Me.

On a high school trip to London, Madison Lambourne meets seductive stranger Johnny De Vere, who believes he knows her already, and is torn between love and revenge. Eager to learn more about this beautiful, lonely young man, Madison agrees to go with him to a re-enactment at the Tower of London. Dressed as a highborn medieval lady in a black velvet gown, she accidentally slips through a doorway that leads to the past. Knowing she will not last long on the streets of medieval London, Johnny must follow her… with devastating consequences for them both. A wild time-travel adventure full of love, lies, mystery and betrayal.

My Review:


This is the first book by Cody Young that I have ever read and I can say for a fact, it won't be the last.

I was completely caught up in this story from the very first chapter.

Two of my most favorite loves (for those of you that don't know) is historical fiction and paranormal.....well, paranormal anything really, YA, urban fantasy, adult, you name it.


So this book was right up my alley and I was pretty sure I would like it.


I didn't anticipate how much I would enjoy it however. It was very well written and had enough romance and action to keep me reading, in fact, I think I finished this book in about a day or so.


This really isn't your typical vampire romance, in fact I don't think for the most part, there is even any real drinking of blood involved or biting of necks (okay, maybe a little bit, but surprisingly, not on the heroine).


There is the instant attraction thing going on but it isn't cheesy and it isn't over played, in fact Madison stays very independent throughout this story and I love that about her. She doesn't let her feelings for Johnny get in the way of what she needs to do to set history right. To right some very bad wrongs.


I love that while she wasn't always the smartest, she was brave and did do what was right while still being true to her heart.


I mean, if you could change history for the better, would you? Would you risk your life for another?

Would you right the wrongs of the past if you could? What if it was at the risk of losing someone that you love?


Not such easy questions to answer are they? 


Overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone that just wants a good paranormal read that is different from some of the others out there right now.
I would rate this book a solid 4 Stars out of 5.