Vampires Never Say Die is a cute, funny paranormal rom-com with likable characters and an interesting storyline. I loved it because I needed a break from serious, sad books and it was uplifting and made me smile a lot! I enjoyed the character growth from Carrie and her chemistry with Nick was off the charts spicy! And Carrie’s best friends and support circle are just what I’d want my circle to be - empathetic, quirky, forgiving and loving. It is the second in a series, and I’d read the first previously, but honestly I didn’t feel like I had needed to read it beforehand.

𝐀𝐑𝐂: Thank you Netgalley for this opportunity
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️ - I liked that there were vampires…
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 🌶 - If I am being nice
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: August 20, 2024

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Let me first by saying thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this. I love being able to review ARCs because I know not everyone is approved.

I had high hopes for this because who doesn’t love a good vampire book?

When I saw this I was intrigued I was thinking Romeo and Juliet but vampire edition… which it was but there were quite a few things that I wish were better. For example, I wish the 25-year-old MCs were better at talking. Considering that the MMC grew up in the foster care system you would think that he would have a better communication system and that the FMC who was going to be a lawyer would be good with words.

On top of that there were so many plot holes while I was reading and I was just sad… to be a slayer you have to meet some specific requirements and then the FMC specifically states that she doesn’t necessarily meet them so then I'm thinking how is she a slayer.

I was able to listen to this on the audio and while it was nice I wasn't the biggest fine, the person who did it I felt like wasn't able to portray the people very well they were either not very different or majorly different and not how I would have pictured. I think I would have enjoyed reading this more.

This book has:
🌑 Vampire/Slayer
🌑 Actress
🌑 Bartender

Kind og silly, and kind of sweet!
I like action-packed rom-com's :D And the body-positivty was beautiful!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ALC of this novel!

4.5/5 ⭐️
1/5 🌶️
4/5 🎧

This story was giving Buffy and Angel vibes. And as a millennial who grew up watching Buffy, I couldn’t help but picture both of them in these character’s roles. The narrator even sounded a bit like Sarah Michelle Gellar! I do with they’d had a male narrator and done a duet narration, but overall I enjoyed the narrator.

But, the story. THE STORY. It had wit and humor. It romance and parts that made you swoon. It had a bit of spice. It had some action. And it had parts that made me mad (as authors love to do to use poor readers from time to time). While I said it reminded me of Buffy and Angel, let me reiterate that it is nowhere near their story. This started as an enemies to lovers but felt more fated mates by the end. But, I’ll let you decide for yourself!

An easy, fast paced paranormal rom-com. The storyline line fell a little flat at times but that didn't take away from me enjoying it. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a quick read while deciding on what to read next.

The only thing I really didn't like about the book was the cover. The character is rather cheesy. I know this is a rom-com so it's supposed to be lighthearted but this cover is a no for me. Glad I read the first book or else I would have skipped this because of the cover.

Thanks NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a chance to review this audiobook.

This was a fun book, perfect to get you into the spooky season mood.

A modern love story between a vampire and vampire slayer, what could go wrong???

Carrie and Nick are true enemies to lovers!

The banter between the two characters is super fun.

What a fun book!

Nick is one of LA’s newest vampires and Carrie, his coworker at a bar, is now his slayer. Nick and Carrie never got along but now they are suddenly drawn to each other. Nick and Carrie are navigating their new reality all while Carrie is trying to make it as an actor in LA.

This book is a little steamy and doesn’t take itself too seriously. I’m a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so I’m always drawn to a good slayer falls for vampire trope. I think readers that love a little magic in their rom-coms, will enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC copy of the audiobook.

Vampire’s Never Say Die by Gloria Duke
Slaying It series #2. Paranormal vampire romance. Can be read as a stand-alone. First person, present tense, all from Carrie’s POV.
Carrie Adams wakes up “ripped” one morning and finds she’s now a vampire slayer. Crazy! Turns out an annoying coworker opted to become a vampire and universe rules require balance, thus Carrie’s change. She needs to figure out what this means for her aspiring acting career as well as her growing feelings for the vampire that caused all this.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook copy and an audiobook. The audiobook was performed by Cady Zuckerman who did a really fantastic job with distinct voices for Carrie and Nick, as well as expressing emotions clearly and making the audio eye-catching. Carrie went from timid to confident and that difference can be heard. Nick had a scene where he’s unsure of Carrie and that timid fear is felt in his voice.
The audiobook is great for keeping the listening audience attentive.
I tried various speeds for clarity and comfort and ended up listening at my usual 1.5 which best matches reading and talking experience.

There are potential body image issues that come from auditions for acting jobs that are understandably difficult. Interestingly, she is just as uncomfortable and unsure what to wear when she’s fit. It’s a process for both Carrie and Nick as they go through huge life changes. Without any specific storyline spoilers, both become confident and comfortable in their own skin. That’s powerful.
Paranormal antics, romance and becoming more. I liked this second book in the series much better than the first.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher

🎧 Vampires Never Say Die (Slaying It Book #2)

✍️ By: Gloria Duke-new to me author

🗣️ Narrator: Fiona Aarington voices all characters. The narrator's voice fit the characters with standouts from Carrie and Nick. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along with the E-book and audiobook.

📃 Page Count: 287

🏃🏾‍♀️Run Time: 8:19

🗓️ Publication Date: 8-20-24 | Read: 8-18-24

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casblanca, and Dreamscape Media for this ARC and ALC ❤️! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Genre: Paranormal Romance

🌏Setting: LA

Tropes:
❤️vampires vs. vampire slayers
❤️workplace romance
❤️body image
❤️typecasting in Hollywood
❤️3rd act break-up

POV: single, 1st person

🦸🏽‍♀️Heroine: Carrie Adams-24, a bartender and actress looking for her big break. Discovers she's a vampire slayer filled with anger.

🦸🏽‍♂️Hero: Nick Stokes-a bartender and musician, works at Pete's with Carrie. He's also a recently turned vampire.

🎭Side cast: Liv-Carrie's roommate and BFF; Heather-Carrie's BFF; Quentin and Zack-Nick's bandmates in Dracula's Army, both vampires; Arlo: vampire politician; Jenn-a slayer


🤔My Thoughts: I definitely got Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes from Carrie and Nick. Carrie had some body image issues, especially being an actress, but becoming a slayer gave her confidence along with Nick's acceptance. Carrie did a lot to prove she meant Nick and his friends no harm, but her association with Jenn, another slayer, caused some problems. I loved Quentin and Arlo and can't wait to see if they will have stories too!

Range of emotions: 😬🤔🙄
🌶️: Spice 3/5
🎧: Narration 4 /5
😭: Emotion 3/5
❤️: Couple 4/5
⭐: Rating 4/5

While this was the second book in Gloria Duke's "Slaying It" series, it's really a standalone book. Maybe it's because I'm a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, but I enjoyed this book more than the first book in the series.

The story is about a newly created vampire and vampire slayer. They are coworkers and they have to figure out how to coexist without killing each other. I liked this plot quite a bit. The characters were interesting and the pacing of the story was good. I also enjoyed the way the story was wrapped up.

And being an audiobook, I really enjoyed the narrator, Fiona Arrington. She did a great job bringing the voices to life.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars
This is a fun, entertaining read. Carrie and Nick are interesting, relatable, intriguing, complex, wounded, strong, entertaining characters. I enjoyed their romance and the path it took to get to their HEA. These two are fun to spend time with. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. I loved the friends and found family aspects of the story. The book is easy to read and get into. I enjoyed being back in this world once again.

I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrator.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A fun and funny paranormal romance featuring a bartender slash wannabe actress who is turned into a vampire slayer when her frenemy, Nick becomes a vampire. Part Buffy the vampire slayer with a dash of enemies to lovers, this was an unexpectedly delightful story that tackles body image issues, toxic parental relationships and people pleasing. Spicy and heartfelt and good on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Overall I found this book to be just ok. I enjoyed the idea that when you turn vampire the person who hates you the most becomes your slayer but besides that the story fell flat.

While I thought the bickering between Nick and Carrie was funny at times I felt that their relationship was forced and rushed. This book would have definitely benefited from giving Nick's point of view of the story to help the plot move along.

I listened to the audiobook and the narration Fiona Aarington was ok nothing super special.

I received an advanced copy of the audiobook for review. This is my own opinion. This book and audiobook will be available 8/20/24.

This is giving modern Buffy, but with a new LI that's not Spike or Angel. (Spuffy 4lyfe!)

I finished the first book in this series (series feels incorrect--they're like stand alones set in the same world) about a month ago, and when I discovered there were more books set in this world, I was really excited. I think I like this one even more than the first?

Carrie is an actor moonlighting as a bartender, and her coworker Nick is constantly under her skin. When Nick is turned into a vampire, Carrie as his "enemy" is turned into his slayer to keep balance. But Nick's vampire bandmates plan to get rid of Carrie and the threat she poses. Nick suggests they work together to help get her new inner slayer under control, and they closer they work, the more Carrie realizes maybe her feelings were never hate.

I was worried about the way the ending was going to go, with the potential for whole 'woman gives up power for man' thing. I was prepared to be outraged and was pleasantly surprised not to go in that direction. I won't spoil things, but there's even a really good explanation about Carrie's power.

This is a really cute supernatural romance! It definitely has a summery feel with the beach/California setting, so it's a great summer read if you're looking for something different than a romcom!

I also really enjoyed the audiobook narrator.

Thanks to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Gloria Duke for the ALC!

Thank you Netgallery for the ARC audiobook.

This was a fun but unique story with some spice. I really enjoyed the narrator.

This was a single POV from the FMC. The FMC is Carrie Adams is an inspiring actress in LA, working as part-time as a bartender.

She works with aspiring musician Nick Stokes, who she finds hot but a bit of a slacker. After a weird shift with Nick where she gets the overwhelming urge to kill him. After that shift she goes to sleep with a fever and feeling out of sorts only to wake up the next morning with a completely ripped new body and a fire sword!

Turns out Nick has recently become a vampire, and in order to balance this out this has caused Carrie to become a vampire slayer!

To save both their lives they have a truce on how to control their new powers and soon a romance starts to bloom. But can a vampire and vampire slayer overcome their natural instincts as enemies and become lovers?

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5

𝙑𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙖𝙮 𝘿𝙞𝙚 is a funny and light-hearted rom-com that’s perfect for those moments when you need a quick, entertaining read between more intense books. The pace is fast and never drags, keeping you engaged from start to finish, and the story itself is downright hilarious. 😂

Sure, the events unfold quickly, and there were moments where the writing could have been a bit more polished. However, the purpose of this book isn’t to be a literary masterpiece—it’s to show how even a simple, straightforward concept can be incredibly entertaining.

I really liked Nick as a character. He had so much potential, and I couldn’t help but feel that a dual POV would have elevated the story to a solid 4-star read. A deeper dive into Nick’s background and perspective would have added more depth and balance, perhaps cutting down on Carrie’s scenes, like her frequent walks, to make room for more of Nick’s side of the story. 🙈

Overall, Vampires Never Say Die may not break new ground, but it’s a fun, breezy read that delivers exactly what it promises—a good time.

Dreamscape Media production never dissapoints for the audiobook installment of this book! I enjoyed it even more than the paperback. I loved Fiona Aarington voice!!!

𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
🌟
Yea, I think this series isn't for me. I attempted to listen. I read the first book in the series, and it didn't keep my attention. This goes for the second book as well. Just wasn't keeping my attention. If you enjoyed Buffy the vampire slayer, you'll like this book!
The audiobook narrator did a good job, and I enjoyed listening to their voice, but the storyline just wasn't for me.
𝙳𝙽𝙵 @ 30%
𝙽𝚘𝚝 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐
𝙱 𝚄 𝚃 𝚒𝚏 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚏𝚏 𝚘𝚏 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚎 . . . 3🌟
.
I will attempt to re-listen once the audiobook is released
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬:
•Vampires
•Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes
•paranormal vibes
•spooky season
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 Aug.20
-
Thank you, Netgalley, and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I liked this more than the first Slaying It book. There were some parts where an idea wasn't fully followed through, and I wish it had went a little longer to tie some loose ends, but it was very enjoyable.

Vampires, Vampire Slayers, musicians, actors, romance and lots of giggles! A lighthearted rom com turning enemies into lovers to brighten your day. The narration is wonderful and really brings the characters and plot to life. I am really looking forward to more of these characters in the future and definitely have this series on my must listen list! The characters have realistic insecurities that makes them more endearing while the witty dialogue and relationships between the characters is both fun and engaging. This series really does a great job of pushing body positivity while staying fun and flirty to listen to! The supernatural twist is a fun twist that adds a lightheartedness to the story. I'm looking forward to more in the series to see what happens next!

A cozy vampire/slayer romance? Sure give me all of them. This was a fun read, a good palette cleanser perfect for the spooky season.