This is a super fast, super fun read that is perfect for reading in between heavier books. It's nothing that is going to stick with me and I don't think I'll read it again but it's a great romcom!

Excellent book, loved it! Looking forward to more from this author! Apologies for the lateness of my review

Carrie wakes up one day with the physique of a bodybuilder and a strong desire to kill her annoying co-worker Nick. It turns out, Nick has recently become a vampire and she has turned into his slayer. They have to team together to figure this out and find a way back to normal life, but they also form an attraction in the process.
This is a fun and fast-paced read perfect for spooky season. With fun paranormal antics, entertaining banter, and an amazing cast of side characters, this book was a cute light-hearted read!
The audiobook narrated by Fiona Aarington made for a very fun listen. I loved listening to Fiona’s voice and she really brought the characters to life!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advance copies.

4.5/5

This was a really cute enemies to lovers romance between a vampire and a vampire slayer. It was so much fun and a little silly, but I really enjoyed both the story and the characters and it was a super quick read!

I did a hybrid read (audio and ebook) and I absolutely loved the narrator!

This is the 2nd book I have read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed both of them and can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.

Although this is the second book in the series, it’s stands completely alone, so you do not need to have read When Live Gives You Vampires before reading Vampires Never Say Die.

Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for a review.

Vampires Never Say Die is available now.

CW: Both of these books deal a lot with body image so please keep that in mind if you plan to read either of them!

Vampires never say die is a paranormal vampire romance, stand alone in a series. It’s a first person present tense all from carries pov. It’s a funny light hearted romcom!! It’s perfect as a quick read when you’re in a slump and need a pick me up!! It’s a funny , silly supernatural romance where the vampire and the vampire hunter get involved. HE FALLS FIRST!!

Heat Factor: It’s medium heat but somehow that heat involves some situationally appropriate BDSM

Character Chemistry: She wants to kill him but she doesn’t WANT to want to kill him, and it works

Plot: In this quirky vampire romance, Carrie is turned into a vampire slayer (surprise!) because the guy she bartends with turns into a vampire–only she the way in which she thinks she’d like to slay him changes in kind of a major way

Overall: It’s packed with personality and it is actually pretty cute/funny.

So Carrie is an aspiring actress working as a bartender in LA and desperate for her big break–but she’s also somewhat shackled by her insecurities and people-pleasing tendencies (which, let me tell you, come from a very obvious and valid place, cough CRAPPY FAMILY cough, cough). One night, she looks at her co-worker who drives her bananas and the way he drives her bananas makes her extremely hot (like she’s ill, not in her pants) and when she wakes up the next day she’s an absolutely ripped vampire slayer.

Basically, when Nick the bartender decided to willingly turn into a vampire, part of the deal is that sometimes nature just makes that vampire’s “enemy” into a vampire slayer without their knowledge or willingness to participate. Not always…but sometimes.

Unfortunately for Nick and Carrie, Nick doesn’t want to be turned into a pile of ash and while he does irritate the heck out of Carrie, she doesn’t want to be the one to kill him. So Nick and Carrie decide to work together in order to “train” her to withstand her vampire slayer urges, to both protect Nick and to prevent the vampire bigwigs from killing Carrie. Meanwhile, Carrie is discovering she doesn’t actually have a lot to lose when it comes to living her life the way she wants to and advocating for herself, so she’s suddenly making bold choices she’s never felt capable of making before. It’s almost like constantly pushing herself to the point of losing control and incinerating Nick makes her realize she’s capable of taking bigger risks than she thought she was.

I have to admit, although the positive messaging in this book was sweeter than a grocery store birthday cake, I liked it. Nick is, of course, secretly incredibly squishy and just looking for home in the right person. It’s satisfying to watch Carrie come out of her shell. The premise was fresh and incredibly fun–I even let out a few audible laugh-like snorts. It was a pretty good time! And listen, I’ve never experienced a BDSM scene where I thought to myself, “respectfully, this was the safest and most rational way for them to get down” but alas, you review romance novels long enough and there’s a first time for everything.

One thing that sat with me was Carrie’s physical transformation. In the beginning, she’s very insecure, weighs herself daily, and purposefully curates a thin, actress body. It’s not harped on and it’s incredibly obvious that’s a viewpoint that’s poised to shift with Carrie as the plot develops. I could see other people not enjoying the experience of that part, but honestly I like books where characters are evolving messes and that’s a hill I’ll happily expire upon. I was hoping Carrie would really lean into her muscular physique, and she kind of does? But the way she does it is through buying more flattering, disguising clothing. I think I would have preferred it if she’d just rocked it. However, I think because of the way that plot point is wrapped up, it would have been a plot hole to have her physique making extreme changes without explaining how she kept that under the radar. So while I get it plot-wise…I really wanted her to lean more into both her newfound physical AND emotional strength.

All in all, it was exactly what I wanted this Halloween season–well-written scenes, heart-squeezing longing, and a mega feel-good ending.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report

This book is a super cute rom-com that just happens to have a vampire and a slayer. Best part about this book is that the vampire falls first. As book #2 in the Slaying It series it can still be read as a standalone. The characters are easy to read and understand. There is some spice but it’s not over the top and in your face. There were a lot of moments where I was yelling at the characters that they were stupid. Overall I loved it! 4 stars

Vampires Never Say Die by Gloria Duke is a thrilling and imaginative addition to the paranormal romance genre. Duke masterfully blends elements of suspense, humor, and romance, creating a captivating story that kept me eagerly turning the pages from start to finish.

The plot centers around a world where vampires are not just creatures of the night but complex beings navigating their own challenges and desires. The characters are well-developed, each with unique backstories that add depth and intrigue to the narrative. The protagonist, in particular, is relatable and endearing, grappling with the complexities of love and identity while facing the realities of being a vampire in a world that often misunderstands them.

Duke's writing is engaging and vivid, bringing the supernatural elements to life in a way that feels fresh and exciting. The witty dialogue and sharp banter between characters provide a perfect balance to the darker themes, making the story not only thrilling but also fun. The romance is steamy and well-paced, with plenty of tension that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Overall, Vampires Never Say Die is a delightful and captivating read for fans of paranormal romance and fantasy. Gloria Duke has crafted a story that combines adventure, romance, and humor, making it a standout in the genre.

A heartfelt thank you to Gloria Duke, NetGalley, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I remember being obsessed with Buffy TVS in high school. This read brought back all those awesome memories and more.

Gloria Duke is killing it with her second book in this series. I definitely get more enjoyment from the FMC's journey than the overall romance. But that does not diminish the overall blast I had reading this paranormal story.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Carrie is an aspiring actress in LA, always that the mercy of casting directors, who love to judge how she looks. Things get worse when one night Carrie goes from hating her slacking coworker Nick to wanting to kill him. Turns out Nick is a vampire and she is now his slayer. Not only does Carrie now have super human strength and some magically qualities, she has also gained a bodybuilder physique. Nick swears he can help her calm her killer instincts but with there forced bond, will Carrie also discover some deeper emotions?

If you like these, you'll like this book:
-Vampires
-Mortal Enemies-to-lovers
-Forced Proximity
-First person POV (Carrie)
-Rom-Com
-Minor spice

This is the second book in the Slaying It series but it can be read as a standalone. I have not read the first book and found that it did not impede on my understanding of the book.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review <3

This is such a fun different take on a paranormal romance. Nick and Carrie work together at a bar while Carrie is trying to jumpstart her acting career. Somehow Nick is now a vampire and Carrie has become his slayer. It was so much fun seeing Carrie‘s thrown into the supernatural world while she’s battling this connection that she has with Nick that’s not going to work because she is now a slayer. I love all of the characters and this world both fascinating and the characters are hysterically. Funny it’s a fun book from start to finish.

A quick, cute, easy read about slaying your own demons. Loved the premise that a new slayer emerges each time a new vamp is created. Unfortunately, the execution wasn't as enthralling as I hoped.

I loved the premise of this book! Whenever a new vampire is created, a new vampire slayer is created too. The slayer must be someone the vampire can’t stand, and they get no choice in the matter. Nick is a bartender and plays in a band, and Carrie is his coworker, trying to break into acting.
One morning, she wakes up in her body but different - she’s seriously ripped and none of her clothes fit anymore! She and Nick figure out what happened, but now she’s got another problem, she wants to kill him while she’s falling for him! Can a vampire and his designated slayer find their own HEA?

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

2.5

The story was fine. I didn’t find myself invested in any of the characters and I thought the romance was rushed and underdeveloped.

I didn’t love the first book but was willing to give the author a second chance. I don’t think I’ll be giving her a third one.

How fun it was reading this book! Vampires never say die is a compelling supernatural-rom-com with Buffy vibes. It centers on a actress-wannabe who discovers herself with a new body, a new power and a new life. She become a vampire slayer when her enemy/rival become a vampire. Are they really enemies or the tension hides somenthing? Do they hate each other or are they afraid of what they really feel? Vampires never say die is funny and - more important for me - it tells a story with vampires that are actually vampires: they drink blood, they can't stand the sunlight ect... Really recommended.

If a book has supernatural themes you can count me in and this read meets that criteria.
It was a light fluffy read with brushed on some important themes that are included including body shaming and discussing parental loss.

The relationship between Carrie, Live and Heather is the most special, I personally love strong adult female relationships being represented. This doesn't mean that Nick was not the cutest MMC and his furry little bestie Eddie.

Though it was a fun and fluffy read there were some main unresolved storylines in the book that made it feel incomplete in a way and that the ending was slightly rushed. But i would definitely read another book in this series as it was very enjoyable.

3.5stars-VAMPIRES NEVER SAY DIE is the second instalment in Gloria Duke’s contemporary, adult SLAYING IT paranormal, romance series. This is twenty-four year old, bartender/Slayer/ struggling actor Carrie Adams, and bartender/musician Nick Stokes’ story line. VAMPIRES NEVER SAY DIE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person perspective (Carrie Adams) VAMPIRES NEVER SAY DIE focuses on the relationship between Carrie Adams and Nick Stokes. Carrie Adams and Nick Stokes are co-workers but have never gotten along but things go from bad to worse when, one morning, Carrie Adams wakes up, jacked with new muscles and supernatural powers, and her target is our hero Nick Stokes. Nick is a recently turned vampire and his presence has turned Carrie into a vampire slayer, a slayer who wants nothing to do with killing our story line hero. What ensues is the building but tempestuous relationship between Nick and Carrie, and the potential fall-out when Carrie meets another Slayer who is determined to take down the man with whom Carrie is falling in love.

The world building focuses on the vampire/ slayer relationship; Carrie’s overwhelming need to kill that which she doesn’t understand, issues of body image and Hollywood’s expectations, and Nick’s need to prove not all vampires are evil or dark.

The relationship between Carrie and Nick is an enemies to frenemies to lovers in which Carrie is battling that which comes naturally, and Nick struggles to keep his vampire in check. Working side by side proves easier as time passes by but someone else is targeting our story line couple. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

We are introduced to Carrie’s friends Liv and Heather, slayer Jenn Muldoon, as well as Nick’s bandmates and fellow vampires Quentin and Zach.

VAMPIRES NEVER SAY DIE is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, vampires and slayers, acceptance and love. The premise is entertaining but dry -touted as a rom-com, the laughable moments were missing. The characters are energetic ; the romance is tepid, I didn’t feel the palpable sexual attraction.

On a side note, I am not a fan of the cover, just no.

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Cute and quick read about slaying your own personal demons. When Carrie’s coworker Nick becomes a vampire, his transition comes with a hitch—a slayer is created too. Carrie, an aspiring actress with a lack of confidence, wakes up with the ability and the desire to kill Nick, and has a lot of feelings to sort out, including whatever she feels for her attractive coworker.

This was simply amazing? I truly didn't expect to love this so much when I picked it up, on the basis that romance books aren't usually my thing, but boy was I wrong.

This is a workplace romance that takes a unique twist on the enemies to lovers trope between Carrie, aspiring Hollywood actress and newly-turned vampire slayer, and Nick, musician and newly-turned vampire. The romance felt actually real, with Carrie and Nick having good character development.

This was super entertaining and so much fun!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

📖Genre: Contemporary Romance
✨ Stars: 4/5
✨ Spice: 3/5

✨ Review:

I am a sucker for a vampire romance (pun fully intended) and I was so excited when I saw that I had the chance to read Vampires Never Say Die, and the best part was? This wasn’t just your traditional vampire romance, but a much more deeper look at self love, putting yourself first, and body positivity in a way that I have not seen done often.

Vampires Never Say Die has all of my favorite things, amazing characters, a good enemies to lovers, vampires, and amazing friendships. The pacing felt a bit rushed at the end, and I was not the biggest fan of how the main conflict was resolved, but for the vast majority of the book, I was completely on board and would absolutely recommend this to anyone who needs a good vampire read with a healthy dose of self love messaging.