Thirsty by Lucy Lehane Summary, Characters and Themes

Thirsty by Lucy Lehane is a darkly humorous and unconventional romance set in a world where supernatural beings like vampires, werewolves, and druids exist alongside humans. The story follows Charlie Wever, a struggling advice columnist, and his unlikely and complex relationship with Lorenzo, a centuries-old vampire.

As Charlie works to salvage his career and write engaging content for his column, he finds himself caught in a whirlwind of supernatural events and emotions, navigating his attraction to Lorenzo and confronting his past mistakes. With themes of identity, redemption, and the search for belonging, Thirsty is a tale of personal growth, love, and the messy complexities of life.

Summary

Charlie Wever’s career as a writer for an advice column, “Wise Old Crone,” is spiraling downward. His once-popular column is now a struggle to sustain, and his editor, Ava, keeps pushing him to write sensational pieces about the supernatural, a topic that Charlie knows little about.

His financial difficulties, combined with writer’s block, leave him feeling stuck and desperate. Charlie’s attempts to regain some creative control are constantly thwarted by the online media company, which has shifted to a pay-per-click model, making it harder for him to even pay his bills.

Amid this chaos, Charlie runs into Lorenzo, a brooding and mysterious figure from his past. Lorenzo was once involved with Charlie’s close friend Olivia, but their relationship ended poorly, and Charlie had advised Olivia to break up with him.

To his surprise, Charlie discovers that Lorenzo is not just a former boyfriend but a vampire, a realization that stirs up old feelings of guilt. Lorenzo, who has lived as a vampire since 1809, is far from happy to see Charlie, but reluctantly agrees to help him with his column in exchange for some favors.

This sets in motion a strange and complicated dynamic between the two men.

As Charlie runs errands for Lorenzo, like helping with plumbing and dry cleaning, he becomes increasingly curious about the supernatural world and begins to press Lorenzo for more information about vampire life. Lorenzo, however, remains distant and reluctant to share his knowledge, though he does give Charlie glimpses into his long and storied past, including his time as a pirate in the 1800s.

Charlie, intrigued and increasingly attracted to Lorenzo, pushes for deeper answers, though Lorenzo’s resentment toward him for his past interference in his relationship with Olivia still lingers.

Over time, their interactions grow more personal, and Charlie’s column shifts from being a source of stress to a form of inspiration, although not in the way he expected. As he learns more about the supernatural beings around him, including attending a werewolf party and meeting various other creatures, Charlie’s connection with Lorenzo deepens.

Despite their antagonistic beginnings, the two begin to form a bond, and Charlie even apologizes for his role in Olivia and Lorenzo’s breakup. However, their relationship remains complicated, with both men struggling with their emotions and past mistakes.

Lorenzo, still angry at Charlie for his past actions, tries to get revenge by invading Charlie’s dreams. He uses his vampire abilities to enter Charlie’s nightmares and terrify him, but the encounter backfires when Charlie, instead of being scared, presses into the vampire, turning their tension into desire.

This unexpected development shifts their dynamic, and the two begin to grow closer, even as they continue to navigate their personal issues.

Charlie’s efforts to write about the supernatural world become more entwined with his personal life. As his relationship with Lorenzo evolves, his columns grow more genuine and insightful.

He continues to meet other supernatural beings, such as druids, werewolves, and unicorns, each encounter adding new layers to his understanding of this hidden world. One of these encounters, at a palm-reading session with a medium, reveals the depth of the supernatural community and the complex dynamics at play.

Lorenzo’s reluctance to open up about his past is slowly chipped away as Charlie persists, even as both of them try to maintain a sense of control over their growing attraction.

The tension between Charlie and Lorenzo escalates when they attend a lavish werewolf wedding together. The event takes a dark turn when the bride runs off with another wolf, and the situation quickly devolves into chaos.

As werewolves begin to shift into their wolf forms, Charlie and Lorenzo are forced to flee into the woods, with the violence of the full moon driving the creatures into a frenzy. During their escape, they are attacked, and the resulting crash leaves them trapped in a wrecked car.

In the aftermath of the crash, Charlie and Lorenzo share a passionate encounter, which further complicates their relationship. Though the experience leaves them both shaken, it marks a turning point in their connection.

In the following days, the strain between them becomes evident, especially when Charlie’s career as the “Wise Old Crone” columnist takes off, bringing him both success and guilt. His editor, Ava, encourages him to continue exploiting his new knowledge of the supernatural, but Charlie begins to feel that he is betraying his relationship with Lorenzo.

Meanwhile, Lorenzo grapples with his own feelings for Charlie, unsure of how to navigate the intensity of their bond.

The tension finally reaches its peak when Charlie inadvertently betrays Lorenzo by revealing too much about their relationship in a column, which leads to a confrontation. Lorenzo, hurt and angry, withdraws from Charlie, leaving him to reflect on the consequences of his actions.

Charlie, feeling the weight of his mistakes, reaches out to his father for support, and for the first time, they have an honest conversation about their strained relationship.

After some time apart, both Charlie and Lorenzo come to terms with their feelings. Charlie, in an attempt to make amends, restructures his column into a community-driven platform, “The Lupine,” which is inspired by the supernatural group that Lorenzo has cultivated.

This new column allows Charlie to take responsibility for his past mistakes and forge a new path with Lorenzo. As the two men reconcile, their relationship becomes deeper, and they find peace in each other’s company.

The story concludes with Charlie and Lorenzo embarking on a new chapter together, both professionally and personally. Their bond, now strengthened by their shared experiences and mutual understanding, leads them to Italy for a vacation, where they reflect on the journey that has brought them closer.

The final moments of the book highlight the enduring nature of their love and the transformative power of connection, both human and supernatural.

Characters

Charlie Wever

Charlie Wever, the protagonist of Thirsty, is a writer struggling with both his career and personal life. His career has faltered as his advice column, once popular, is now barely covering his rent.

The pressure from his editor, Ava, to produce sensationalist content on supernatural topics, despite his lack of experience with them, adds to his sense of frustration. Charlie is characterized by his deep self-doubt and a growing sense of guilt over past actions, particularly his role in the breakup of his friend Olivia and Lorenzo.

His curiosity about the supernatural world, especially vampires, leads him to engage with Lorenzo, which ultimately sparks a journey of personal and professional transformation. Throughout the story, Charlie evolves from a man trying to reignite his career to someone deeply involved in a world beyond his understanding.

His growing attraction to Lorenzo is complicated by his feelings of guilt, ambition, and the discovery of his own vulnerabilities. The way Charlie balances his professional aspirations with his personal connections and the secrets he keeps—such as his anonymous column—provides depth to his character.

As his relationship with Lorenzo deepens, Charlie undergoes a transformation, gaining more confidence in himself and his ability to navigate the supernatural world while coming to terms with his past mistakes.

Lorenzo

Lorenzo is a vampire with a complicated history, both with Charlie and with his own past. Living as a vampire since 1809, he carries with him centuries of experience, including his time as a pirate in the early 1800s.

His initial coldness and reluctance to engage with Charlie stem from a deep-seated anger over the advice Charlie gave Olivia years ago. Lorenzo is driven by a need for revenge and is initially reluctant to share any details about his life, particularly his experiences as a vampire.

However, as Charlie pushes him for more information and they spend more time together, Lorenzo’s icy exterior begins to crack. While he still holds grudges, he also finds himself drawn to Charlie, particularly as the two begin to navigate their shared history and developing relationship.

Lorenzo is a character torn between his desire for retribution and his growing feelings for Charlie, which complicates his plans. As the story progresses, Lorenzo reveals his vulnerabilities, especially his struggles with loneliness and his reluctance to bite Charlie, which he sees as an intimate act tied to deep emotional bonds.

His transformation from a vengeful figure to a man capable of genuine affection and connection forms the emotional core of the narrative.

Ava

Ava is Charlie’s editor at the online media company that owns his advice column, “Wise Old Crone.” She is pragmatic, ambitious, and often pushes Charlie to produce more sensational content to attract attention and drive traffic. Ava’s constant pressure for Charlie to write about supernatural topics, such as vampires and werewolves, reflects the changing landscape of media where clickbait often trumps quality content.

She plays a somewhat antagonistic role, encouraging Charlie to betray his authentic voice in favor of more marketable writing. Despite her sometimes cold approach, Ava serves as a catalyst for Charlie’s eventual self-realization and shift toward a more meaningful career path.

Her role in the story is largely as an external force that forces Charlie to confront his professional failures and identity, although she remains a secondary character in comparison to Charlie and Lorenzo.

Maggie

Maggie is a supportive and practical figure in Charlie’s life. As a roommate to Lorenzo and an acquaintance of Charlie, Maggie provides much-needed guidance throughout the narrative.

She acts as a stabilizing force, offering advice and sometimes helping to mediate the tension between Charlie and Lorenzo. Her role in the story is more subtle than some of the others, but she serves as an anchor for Lorenzo during his darker moments.

Maggie’s understanding and patience also play a key role in helping both men navigate their relationship complexities. She is a grounding presence in the supernatural world that Charlie is slowly immersing himself in, and her actions help guide Charlie toward the more self-aware and less exploitative version of himself that he ultimately becomes.

Isolde

Isolde is one of Lorenzo’s roommates and a unicorn in human form. Her enigmatic and slightly unsettling presence adds a layer of mystery to the story.

She often speaks in cryptic phrases and has an air of purity that contrasts with the darker, more chaotic elements of the supernatural world. Isolde’s role in the narrative is relatively brief, but she provides an interesting counterpoint to Charlie’s more grounded nature.

Her interactions with Charlie, especially her comment about him being “unchaste,” challenge Charlie’s understanding of the supernatural world and the dynamics between its inhabitants. Isolde’s mystical and ethereal qualities highlight the otherworldliness of the beings Charlie encounters, and her unique perspective on purity serves to heighten the tension and curiosity that drives the plot.

Rachel

Rachel is another of Lorenzo’s roommates, and her interactions with both Charlie and the other supernatural beings add complexity to the dynamics within the apartment. Her character is defined by her relationship with Isolde and her occasional emotional outbursts.

Rachel’s interactions with Isolde, particularly during a tense confrontation, demonstrate her vulnerability and the ways in which supernatural beings often struggle with their emotional and relational issues. Her outbursts, including the one in which she sheds ectoplasmic residue, provide a glimpse into the emotional volatility that some supernatural creatures experience.

Rachel’s arc is closely tied to the broader theme of isolation and the desire for connection that runs through the story, as she seeks comfort and stability amidst the tumultuous world of supernatural beings.

Sal

Sal is the bartender at a supernatural bar, and he adds a layer of danger and intrigue to the narrative. His brief appearance at the bar, where he reveals his true, inhuman form, introduces Charlie to the more sinister aspects of the supernatural world.

Sal’s warning to Lorenzo about bringing humans into the world of supernatural beings highlights the precarious nature of Charlie’s involvement with Lorenzo. Although Sal’s role in the story is small, his interaction with Charlie foreshadows the risks and dangers that Charlie faces as he delves deeper into the supernatural world.

Sal’s presence serves as a reminder of the inherent danger of interacting with beings who exist beyond the ordinary human realm, especially as Charlie’s curiosity and involvement with Lorenzo intensify.

Dylan and Jude

Dylan and Jude represent the diversity within the supernatural community that Charlie becomes increasingly immersed in. Dylan, a druid, introduces Charlie to the complexities of magical insurance and potion-making, while Jude’s initiation ceremony and magic demonstrate the deeper, more profound connections between nature and magic.

Both characters contribute to the world-building of Thirsty, showing Charlie that the supernatural world is not only full of vampires and werewolves but also magical beings who have their own set of rules and customs. These encounters expand Charlie’s understanding of the supernatural, enriching his personal growth as he learns more about the beings he writes about and interacts with.

Themes

Supernatural vs. Human Experience

The theme of the supernatural intersecting with human experiences is one of the most prominent in Thirsty. The story primarily revolves around the relationship between Charlie and Lorenzo, a vampire, where the supernatural becomes a key part of their emotional and personal journeys.

Charlie begins the story firmly grounded in the mundane reality of his failing career as a writer, only to find himself increasingly entwined with a world he had previously only written about. The supernatural world, initially seen through the lens of his column, becomes a living, breathing entity that he must navigate.

This shift is not only literal, as Charlie begins to interact with vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural beings, but also metaphorical. Charlie’s initial distance from the supernatural reflects his emotional detachment from his life and career.

His growing involvement with Lorenzo and the vampire world forces Charlie to confront deeper aspects of himself, from his guilt over past decisions to his evolving feelings of attraction and longing. Lorenzo, on the other hand, is a figure caught between two worlds—one human, one supernatural.

His centuries-long existence as a vampire makes him wary of human relationships, and his connection with Charlie challenges his preconceived notions about intimacy and vulnerability. Through their interactions, the novel explores how the supernatural and human emotions blend, complicating their desires, fears, and ultimately, their connection.

The supernatural world is no longer a backdrop but an essential part of their evolving relationship, pushing both characters to confront the complexities of love, identity, and belonging.

Redemption and Forgiveness

The theme of redemption is central to the growth of the characters, particularly Charlie and Lorenzo. At the heart of this theme is the idea of confronting one’s past and making amends, not just to others but to oneself.

Charlie’s journey is marked by a series of mistakes—his misguided advice to Olivia years ago, his exploitation of supernatural beings for his column, and his failure to communicate his true feelings to Lorenzo. His initial struggle in the story is not only with his career but with the guilt that stems from his past actions.

As his relationship with Lorenzo develops, Charlie begins to confront his mistakes, realizing that he must make things right. His decision to end the “Wise Old Crone” column and transform it into something more meaningful—“The Lupine”—is an act of redemption, as he seeks to atone for the way he has exploited others.

For Lorenzo, the theme of redemption plays out through his complicated feelings toward Charlie. Initially, he seeks revenge for the harm Charlie caused in his past relationship with Olivia, but over time, he sees that Charlie’s remorse is genuine.

Lorenzo’s own process of forgiveness is slower, reflecting the centuries of emotional baggage he carries as a vampire. However, through their shared experiences, he comes to accept that forgiveness is not only about letting go of the past but also about embracing the potential for growth in the present.

The redemption arc for both characters is intertwined with their deepening emotional connection, as each is given the opportunity to heal from their past traumas and move toward a future together.

Identity and Self-Discovery

Thirsty explores the theme of identity and the journey toward self-discovery, especially as both Charlie and Lorenzo grapple with who they are in relation to each other and the world around them. Charlie’s search for meaning and purpose is initially rooted in his career struggles and his disconnection from the world of writing.

However, his interactions with Lorenzo force him to confront deeper questions about his own identity—his past, his desires, and his connection to the supernatural. As Charlie spends more time with Lorenzo, he is forced to reexamine his own role in the world, his views on relationships, and his growing feelings for the vampire.

His professional identity as a writer becomes secondary to his personal growth, and through his relationship with Lorenzo, Charlie learns to embrace both the human and supernatural aspects of his life. Lorenzo, as a centuries-old vampire, is a character defined by his immortality and the emotional walls he has built over time.

His identity has been shaped by countless relationships, betrayals, and losses, and he has long distanced himself from human connections to protect himself. His journey of self-discovery is intertwined with his evolving relationship with Charlie.

At first, he sees Charlie as a mere pawn in his revenge scheme, but as they spend more time together, Lorenzo begins to question his own feelings and the possibility of love and vulnerability. His struggle to reconcile his identity as a vampire with his growing affection for Charlie represents the broader theme of self-acceptance.

Ultimately, both characters discover that their identities are not fixed but fluid, shaped by their experiences, choices, and the connections they make with others.

Love and Intimacy

The theme of love and intimacy is explored through the slow-burning and complex relationship between Charlie and Lorenzo. Their connection is not immediate or easy but develops over time, with both characters initially resisting their feelings for different reasons.

For Charlie, his growing affection for Lorenzo is intertwined with his fascination with the supernatural, and his feelings are complicated by guilt and shame over his past actions. For Lorenzo, love is a concept he has long abandoned, seeing it as something too dangerous for a vampire who has lived for centuries.

His relationship with Charlie challenges his perceptions of love and intimacy, as their bond evolves from one of revenge and manipulation to something deeper and more genuine. The physical intimacy between the two is fraught with tension, as they each struggle with their desires and fears.

Lorenzo’s eventual decision to bite Charlie—an act of profound intimacy for vampires—marks a turning point in their relationship, symbolizing not just the consummation of their physical connection but the beginning of a deeper emotional bond. The novel also explores the idea of intimacy beyond physical touch, as both characters open up emotionally, sharing their fears, regrets, and dreams.

Their connection becomes a source of healing and transformation, allowing both to confront their pasts and embrace their future together. In this way, love and intimacy in Thirsty are portrayed as both transformative and redemptive, providing the characters with the opportunity to heal and grow together.

Betrayal and Trust

Betrayal and trust are recurring themes in Thirsty, particularly in the relationship between Charlie and Lorenzo. At the start of their interactions, betrayal is a significant motivator for Lorenzo, who harbors deep resentment toward Charlie for his role in Olivia’s breakup.

This sense of betrayal is initially one-sided, with Lorenzo seeking revenge on Charlie for a perceived wrong. However, as the story progresses, betrayal becomes more complicated, as Charlie’s hidden identity as the “Wise Old Crone” column writer comes to light.

The revelation that Charlie has been writing about their private interactions without Lorenzo’s knowledge feels like a betrayal to Lorenzo, deepening the rift between them. For Charlie, the act of writing about their relationship in a sensationalized manner is an attempt to reconcile his own professional failures, but it also reflects his internal conflict and fear of fully embracing the truth of his emotions.

The theme of trust emerges as both characters navigate their feelings for each other and their past mistakes. As their relationship develops, trust becomes a key component of their evolving bond.

Charlie must learn to trust Lorenzo despite his dark past, and Lorenzo must learn to trust Charlie, accepting that not all humans are out to exploit or harm him. The eventual reconciliation between the two is built on a foundation of trust, as they both acknowledge their past betrayals and choose to move forward together.

This theme underscores the complexity of relationships, where trust is fragile, but with effort and understanding, it can be rebuilt.