Graveyard Shift

by Melanie Davies

A Modern Van Helsing retelling.

Sometimes family secrets should stay buried...

Hayley Van Helsing, a twenty something vampire hunter, has always known her destiny was to become the leader of the Van Helsing dynasty, a clan made of supernatural hunters but she has always wondered if her life was meant for a different path, wishing for a normal human mundane life.

That is until she meets Darius, a tall dark mysterious man with piercing blue eyes, in a graveyard one night and unbeknown to her, he's not just your average guy.

And he's about to take her on an adventure that will make her question everything.

GRAVEYARD SHIFT is the thrilling first instalment in a steamy upper NA paranormal vampire romance series. If you like enemies-to-lovers, LGBTQ, touch her and die, a tough female heroine, and a sexy morally grey antihero, this book is for you. Get ready for a fresh take on vampires, werewolves, and witches!

*This book is part of a series and ends in a cliffhanger. Best suited for ages 18+ due to sexual situations.

Triggers include:
Death of parents, mentions of suicide, criminal activities, gun violence, blood (minor), drugs & drinking, PTSD, general violence, smoking.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Ebooks, Vampires

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 28, 2023

About the author

Melanie Davies began writing when she was in her early teens, starting off first in vampire role play forums, she began to learn her voice and teach herself how to write creatively.

She looks forward to bringing more fictional worlds and characters to you.
Writing has always been a dream of hers and one she is excited to achieve.

Be sure to follow her on social media to keep up to date with her future books.

Reviews

[💕📚Cassie📚💕 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️listen - spice 4.0🌶️

Omg you guys I’m obsessed! Graveyard Shift - Midnight Stakes Book One by

It’s amazing I repeat amazing!! I loved every second of it from start to end I didn’t want it to end but as the saying goes all good things must come to an end. BUT that means we get book two! I can’t wait for it.

I’m gonna try my best to keep this short lol

Hayley is one of my favorite FMCs she’s someone you wanna get to know more about and see where the story goes with her and why. The moment the MMC popped up I knew I would love him. I say popping cause he seriously did lol. The more Hayley experiences things you get to see things from her eyes and how she navigates with choices. Each chapter became more very interesting

If you love anything supernatural with vibes like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, vampire Diaries, underworld, and other movies/shows in this area then you’ll love this

It’s fast-paced and gives you everything you’re looking for from banter to laughter to mystery with a few other things. This book was a whole vibe the narrator is top tier in my opinion Maxine truly
Brought the characters to life for this one as she does with any book i heard her narrator

Thank you to blue nose audio and the author for allowing me to be part of this ALC.

my honest review for graveyard shift I’m in love with this series 😍

[Rianna Sankarpersad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpectedly Amazing!! Loved it!

Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Banter ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶🌶

Couldn't put it down, read in one sitting!

[Emmy P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a for the vibes ALC, and I had a great time.

All your classic vampy clichés wrapped up in a magical little world full of wolfy energy, a conundrum or two, and family chaos. Quick, sweet read. I have no notes, tbf. Melanie came to slay, catch me looking for book two with that 'you are mine' energy. Swoon.

[xXTomeRaiderXx · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

This was my first book by Melanie Davies book… and I am officially a fan!

Maxine Mitchell Okay, first of all… SHE ATE. This narrator brought this dark, bloody, banter-filled world to life so vividly, I swear I could smell the leather and danger. And don’t even get me started on the MMC’s voice 😮‍💨. I was clutching my figurative pearls like an unprepared Victorian widow. Then there’s her portrayal of the FMC, her inner monologue had me nodding along like, “Felt that, queen 👏 say it again for the monsters in the back.” As far as overall sound and quality goes… this is a Blue Nose Audio production, need I say more? 👏

Book one: Graveyard Shift of the Midnight Stakes series, had me fighting off full-body Buffy the Vampire Slayer flashbacks in the best possible way. I’m talking WB-era, green dancing frog nostalgia. Remember staying up too late to catch those vampire brawls and broody stares? Yeah, now imagine that— but grown-up, grittier, steam-on-full-blast-powering-an-entire-railroad-line, and with a romance that will make your soul and your underwear combust (I recommend laying down some newspaper before starting this journey). We’re serving Spike & Buffy vibes on a silver (not wooden) platter, with eternal-life-level angst and tension you could cut with a dagger (preferably dipped in venom or something equally dramatic).

Enemies to allies to lovers? ✅
Deliciously forbidden? ✅✅
Banter so sharp it could kill a lesser vampire? ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅
And yes, my new vamp boyfriend Darius has officially joined the ranks of fictional obsessions I am emotionally unavailable because of. 😮‍💨🔥

No high school drama here; this is full-grown, full-throttle, full-body heat. The romantic scenes? Definitely NOT WB-approved. Let’s just say if Buffy had scenes like this, the FCC would’ve had a meltdown. You’ll be blushing, gasping, and maybe barking “no way” to yourself at 2AM. It’s that kind of read.

If you’re a fan of Van Helsing, Underworld, or anything where monsters look like models and talk like sin, you need this book.

Book rec-wise, if you’re into:
*Deals with Demons by Stacia Stark? Yep, this one.
*Crescent City but want less fluff (sweetness) and more fangs? It’s here.
*Kel Carpenter’s morally gray chaos and cryptid hotties? Grab this book now.

I’m ready for book two of the Midnight Stakes series, Taken to the Grave, like a vampire at sunrise: dramatic, desperate, and a little dangerous. Because Darius? That man has officially earned his place in my vampire boyfriend hall of fame. 😮‍💨🖤🩸


Thank you so much to the author and Blue Nose Audio for a copy of this audiobook, which allowed me to post this honest review of my experience.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
🎧: Graveyard Shift (Midnight Stakes, Book 1)
🎙️: Maxine Mitchell @narratormaxine

Hayley Van Helsing hails from a distinguished line of supernatural hunters and is jaded by the sudden responsibility of leading the clan. A chance encounter with a handsome stranger unleashes secrets that shatter her world.

With the growing threat of danger and discord around her, Hayley must decide who to trust and how to move forward.

Tropes:
⚔️Slayer FMC
🩶Morally grey MCs
🏍️One motorcycle
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Found family
🚫Touch her & 💀
🫥Hidden identifies
🗣️Banter
💫Magic & bonds
🌶️: open door

The narrator instantly drew me into this story and world, delivering dynamic performances for each character.
This story spoke to my undying love for Underworld and Buffy the Vampire Slayer! I was living for the banter and loved the sizzling tension between Hayley and Darius and Hayley’s deep-rooted friendship with Jackson.

Hayley is such a BA FMC but feels so lost as she reconciles all she’s learned with everything she once believed. With Darius’s help, they race to uncover the plots against her. And she can’t seem to outrun the undeniable connection they share.

Graveyard Shift is a gripping, fast-faced, high-stakes twist on Van Helsing and vampire lore!

Huge thanks to the author and Blue Nose Audio for the listening copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Kaely Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review

When I heard the dedication for this book, I knew I was going to love it! Being a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, I was ready to dive in. And I was not disappointed. 


Hayley Van Helsing comes from a chosen bloodline to help keep the paranormal creatures from harming humans. She stepped into her role as leader much sooner than she wanted after her parents were killed in a battle to keep the vampires at bay. So when someone mysterious begins popping up around her, and things happen to her and the group of crusaders that she leads, she suspects the stranger that she can't shake. But what she finds is more questions, betrayals, and answers that she may not like. 


Hayley absolutely reminds me of Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She's tough, she's fierce and she's fiercly protective of her friends and those she cares about. This story was fast paced and kept me hooked until the end, and that ending left me wanting more! I'm hoping the second book will be out in audio soon because I'm ready to see how this story continues. This story gave me the break I needed from dark romance and was so refreshing from the typical fantasy and paranormal books that I'm used to. 


Then there's the performance of Maxine Mitchell. She is so talented and really brought all of the characters to life. As a single narration, she played each character so that you knew the difference between them all, which cannot be easy to accomplish! She's one of my favorite narrators and I could listen to her all day long! 


Overall, I loved this story and the narration and cannot wait for the next book in this series! 


Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Spice 🌶️🌶️

[Janine Birt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more...

The world that this story set up makes me crave more stories set here. I want more of Haley & Darius, I want more of the supernatural hunter training facility, I want more of Haley's friends...

I enjoyed the way we were introduced to the lore of this world, it wasn't a big dump but it wasn't secreted and exposed in crumbs either. The balance was maintained well and was presented as our experienced FMC sharing knowledge with the future hunters being trained. It didn't feel forced to me, it was exactly what I would expect from the pilot of a TV show. That's what this felt like to me, the establishing primer for a larger world to explore beyond this first story.

We were introduced to our FMC Haley, learned of her family, her purpose, her mission and her view of the world. Then we were introduced to someone that turned everything she knew upside down, and while this specific story ended with a resolution, there were so many open ended possibilities that I'm excited to see where we go from here. I want more...

The audiobook was performed by Maxine Mitchell as a solo narration. I love Maxine's voice, she's so good at bringing stories to life and this one just swept me away. I could close my eyes and see it like a TV show behind my eyelids. All the characters were well defined, the emotional range was there from frustration and confusion to anger and grief and the inner battle of should I/shouldn't I trust him. It was really well done.

I requested and was provided with a copy of the audiobook. These are my honest opinions.

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graveyard Shift by Melanie Davis is book one in Midnight Stakes series.
If you grew up up on Buffy, Constantine, VanHelsing, Underworld, Queen of the damned and later on you were drawn into Vampire Diaries, The Original, well this book is for you !
There is so much nostalgia that this book has brought on. I loved the subject, the plot and the characters. There is a few things I wish was a bit longer, less fast paced and to be more involved into the characters development.
The connection to the FMC and MMC is so beautiful and very unique Darius and Haley are so opposites and so similar. The lore that we learn in book one I believe will expend in the next books and give us an amazing plot. Here family, his family and more.
The audiobook: performed by Maxine Mitchell as a solo narration, provides us with the amazing depth of her vocal performance and she is a Queen! Her emotional range is off the charts.
Thank you Blue Nose for producing another amazing book and providing me with a copy of it.
This is my honest review and I will fully recommend it.

[Heathers Lit Voyage · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kicks off a fast-paced paranormal romance series that blends action, danger, and a slow-burn connection. We follow Hayley VanHelsing as she steps into a high-stakes role fighting vampires, witches, and wolves. There’s a full story arc here, but it’s clearly the beginning of something bigger, so I’d recommend reading in order.

I listened on audio, and Maxine Mitchell is a standout. Her narration is smooth and expressive, with just the right emotional tone. She gives each character a distinct voice without it feeling overdone. Honestly, her performance is one of the reasons I stayed so immersed in the story. If you're an audiobook fan, this one is worth it for the narration alone.

Melanie Davies brings together some of the classic paranormal elements I love with a strong female lead and solid worldbuilding. The ending definitely left me curious to see where things go next.

🩸 Paranormal vibes
🎧 Fantastic narration
📖 Strong setup for the series
💥 Lots of action with a hint of romance

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who grew up on Buddy and Angel, and later on Vampire Diaries. This book was such a nostalgic book for me. I enjoy the witty banter of the two main character. You meet Hayley Van Helsing who is called to wipe out vampires and werewolves. We follow her as she was recently appointed head of the clan after her parents die. After a string of attacks that are out of the ordinary and a new stranger that we don’t know much about, Hayley is faced with issues of trust, following instincts, and a horrid white outfit! About halfway through I audibly gasped. I love when I don’t see something coming! Great set up for the series as well. Mild spice, 2 scenes. Overall a great book, and will check out book 2 when it comes out.

[Alexis R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished Graveyard Shift by Melanie Davies, a paranormal vampire romance series with a snarky female vampire hunter, Hayley Van Helsing, leader of the Van Helsing dynasty . She is strong, snarky and doesn't want to lead but was thrown into the role after the death of her parents. She meets Darius, mysterious hottie, while her whole world seems under attack. This was a fun read, I adore a world that includes vampires, werewolves and witches. A Short read, this was a good intro into this vampire hunter world and I'm anxious for book 2. The audio was narrated by @narratormaxine and she voiced all the characters, FMC Hayley was smart and strong and her voice for Darius was so good as well. Some tropes include enemies to lovers, touch her and die and a tough female heroine.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My buffy loving heart loved this!!

This was action-packed and full of drama and honestly felt like I was all of my favourite PNR shows mixed into one!!!

Hayley is badass vampire Hunter, and she is strong and determined and doesn't need anyone help. When she does need help tho in comes Darius, who is cocky and mysterious.

This is a slow burn but so worth it because 🔥🔥🔥

Maxine Mitchell narrates this SOLO, and this just reminds me why she is my favourite the way she gave different voices to each character and you knew exactly who each character was. Her male voice as Darius made me have goosebumps it was so HOT!! I love that this was done in solo narration!!

[Diana Lessig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally don't read this genre, but decided to give it a chance since I would be listening instead of reading if that makes sense. Graveyard shifts I give 5 stars, it kept my attention, kept me guessing, kept me wanting more. Hailey and Darious is so end game I think and I hope there is more to this story line because I definitely need it. By the end of the book I was hooked and was like what that is it, it can't be, I have so many questions lol. Great work 👏 to everyone involved in this ALC audiobook

[Katelynn Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a slow start in my opinion but it quickly picked up and could not put it down! I’m not one to really read about vampires, werewolves and witches, but this book definitely caught my attention and I generally enjoyed reading it.

[Alison Galloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first want to thank The Bibliophilic World and the author for proving me with a digital copy of this book for an honest review.

I loved this story and I can’t wait to read the rest in this series. Witches, werewolves, vampires, hybrids, magic, betrayal, and fated mates. Do I need to say more?

Plenty of action, background story, and romance.

I’d give it 2.5 out of 5 peppers for spiciness.

[Lindsey Roeske · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Hayley is a great character and I’m excited to see her develop throughout the series. I’m also interested to see the connections in the Van Helsing lore in the next book.

[justreads0 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good I couldn’t put it down. I was sucked into the story and left intrigued to see what would happen next. I listened to the audio and Maxine Mitchell really delivered and brought the characters to life

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

ALC REVIEW
📚🌟🌟
🎧🌟🌟🌟🌟


I love reading about the paranormal, witches, and vampires werewolves, but this is not for me.

I was expecting more with this book,
more vampires, werewolves, witches, something, but it lacked all. if I was just reading, I'd would of dnf this around 40% thanks to the audio i continued on. But I did zone out.

To compare this to 'if you like buffy,' the vampire slayers the vampire diaries'
Don't be fooled it's not.

The twist a few chapters b4 the end was predictable

The blurb/description of the book was very misleading.

Touch her and die ❌️
Morally grey antihero ❌️
Tough Fmc ✔️
Enemies-to-lovers ✔️
Ends in a Cliffhanger ❌️

[Erin Trump · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an epic story! I love the twist on the Van Helsing story. Hailey is a total badass. I love the world, the magic, the creatures & lore.
There was action, chaos, spells, found family, soul mates, betrayal & so much more.
I can’t wait to read more of Hailey’s adventures.

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 🌶️
_______

I absolutely devoured every chapter of this book. I wasn’t a fantasy reader until I read this book, and now I just need more vampire reads in my life.🤩 Were you a big fan of The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, The Originals, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or Angel? Then this book is perfect for you! Also can’t forget about the strong, badass, & independent fmc!! It was fast paced and just packed & packed with magic & action. There are several plot twist you wouldn’t see coming, & I absolutely love finding books where you don’t know what’s coming next; it makes the read much more thrilling & exciting. I loved the tension between Hayley & Darius. I loved the friendship between Hayley & Jackson. I didn’t really like Eric’s character that much from the beginning to the end. But I truly fell in love with Hayley’s story & I cannot wait until book 2 gets released to follow Jackson’s story. Although I do hope it involves Darius & Hayley’s story as well, which I’m sure it will. Jackson is Hayley’s quirky best friend. I loved this book. And I’m honored to have it be my first arc read. ❤️
_______

🥵touch her and I’ll kill you
⚔️bad ass FMC / tough female heroine
🪄magic/witches
😱cliffhanger ending
🤞soulmates
🙄enemies to lovers
🐺werewolves
🧛‍♀️vampires
💉modern Van Helsing retelling

[BooklovingLou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another 5 star book from Melanie Davies

Graveyard Shift is the first book in the Midnight Stakes series.

Haley Van Helsing, a vampire hunter, has been thrown into a Leader position in a clan of supernatural hunters after both her parents were killed during a mission.

She is still coming to grips with her role as leader when her worlds shifts one night in a graveyard when she meets the mysterious Darius. Little does Haley know Darius is about to take her on an adventure with twists, turns and secrets revealed.

From the first page I fell in love with Haley. She is a nonsense taking, strong and independent woman who knows what she wants. Despite her being a Van Helsing and expected to live up to the name she has also wondered what living a normal human life would be like.

Her best friend Jackson is a master witch within the clan and the banter between them just made me smile so much. I need more of Jackson in the next books.

This book has:

🌟Enemies to lovers
🌟Touch her and you dies
🌟Tough FMC
🌟Morally grey antihero
🌟Vampire
🌟Werewolves
🌟Witches
🌟Supernatural hunters
🌟Spicy moments 🥵
🌟Betrayal
🌟Cliffhanger ending that makes you want more

100% recommend if you like NA paranormal romance books

[Missy Cetnar · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get past the first couple pages

Saw this book in a Facebook group. It sounded interesting so picked it up. The second paragraph had a grammar error (upholstered instead of unholstered). The first couple pages had so many run-on sentences, that I couldn't continue. I don't know if this author is self-published or not. I'd so, she needs to find some people to help with editing. If not, she needs a new publisher.

[Kristin O'donoghue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.75 (no decimals on GR so rounded up)

I was very excited to receive an ARC of Graveyard Shift, Melanie Davies' first book in her Midnight Stake series. As a fan of all things Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Vampire Diaries, it has been a while since I dove into a book that had plenty of vampires and other paranormal world building. Graveyard shift delivers on all of that and more!

From the beginning of chapter 1, this book is packed with action as we meet Hayley Van Helsing, the reluctant leader of the Van Helsing clan. Hayley is everything you want in a main character and vampire slayer--she's tough, sharp, takes no prisoners and goes after what she wants without asking for permission. However, the transition from fierce warrior to leader is one that Hayley was not looking to make until tragedy struck and now it is up to her to protect her chosen family and the city, she calls home from supernatural beings of many varieties. It was interesting to read how Hayley struggles with the darker parts of herself that come along with the powers she wields –every blessing can be a curse in its own way.

Given how heavy the Van Helsing legacy weighs on Hayley, I really appreciated the comedic relief introduced in the form of Jackson, Hayley's best friend and a powerful witch in his own right. The strong bond between these two best friends and their determination to never give up on each other was heartwarming. I also loved Jackson’s fearless ability to call Hayley out when she needed it, exactly what any vampire slayer needs in her second in command.

As the vampire and werewolf attacks increase and hit closer to home, Hayley soon meets Darius, a brooding and mysterious man, whose origins are unknown and whose powers trigger Hayley’s supernatural ‘spidey’ sense. Hayley cannot fight the draw that she feels towards Darius as the two flirt, fight and Hayley is forced to question some of the fundamental truths she has been raised to follow. However, as the death toll rises and the Van Helsing enemies reveal themselves to be much closer to home than expected, Hayley must decide if she’s willing to listen to her heart and put her trust in someone whom very may well turn out to be the enemy she has been raised to hate and hunt.

I enjoyed this fast-paced read and if anything, I only wish we’d had a little more time to spend with some of the incredible reveals that happen in the last few chapters. I would definitely like to know more about Darius’ origin and I look forward to reading Book 2 in the series that will follow Jackson, who I think will definitely have an interesting story of his own.

All in all, if you want to read a book that takes you on an entertaining supernatural journey with a strong, female hero who will not apologize for who she is and will fight for the love she wants, then definitely give Graveyard Shift a read!

[Razzle Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

📚BOOK REVIEW📚

Graveyard Shift by Melanie Davies

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️/3
Genres: paranormal romance
Tropes: fated mates, morally gray characters, vampires/werewolves/witches, enemies to lovers, deceased parents

After her parents passed, Hayley Van Helsing became the leader of the Van Helsing Dynasty (a clan made of supernatural hunters tasked with removing werewolves and vampires from the world).

During a hunt one night, she meets a mysterious and handsome stranger in a graveyard. When people at the Dynasty keep getting attacked, and the mysterious stranger keeps showing up, she begins to think the two are connected.

After confronting him, she discovers that they are connected in ways she can’t even explain. She will have to trust him in order to confront the sinister forces at play.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This was an interesting read. It was definitely a very quick book. I’m a sucker for a strong FMC so I definitely felt a connection with Hayley. The plot was also very interesting and captivating, I enjoyed the unique take on paranormal romance.

Personally, I felt it was TOO short. I would have loved to see more world building and Hayley’s background, as well as the building of the relationships in the story. Especially since this is meant to be a multi-book series. The mechanics of peoples magic is unclear, like what kind of powers people have (and also why everyone’s is different). The lore about Elizabeth Gray’s creation of the Van Helsing Dynasty was also done super fast, considering how important that event was to the story. I definitely have quite a few questions still.

Additionally, the characters felt kind one dimensional. There were situations where a normal person would have shown more emotion (can’t say more without creating spoilers) and the characters barely reacted. The aspect of good guys-bad guys was very black and white as well, I would have liked to see a little gray area.

Normally I don’t like to comment on this, but it happened enough that it was making the story hard to read in some spots, and affected the flow of the book for me. I feel like this book could use another pass through editing. Mainly, there were a lot of run on sentences. The typos/grammatical errors were present but didn’t affect my reading ability the way some of the sentence structure did.

Overall, this was an interesting read. It definitely started picking up even more in the second half of the book, so I could see this becoming a pretty good series.

Thank you to the author for a copy of this to read ✨

[Nicole (book_drake on IG) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Thrilling Ride Through Shadows and Secrets -

Graveyard Shift by Melanie Davies

Melanie Davies weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of supernatural intrigue, family secrets, and personal destiny in her latest novel, "Graveyard Shift". From the very first page, you are plunged into a world where the line between the mundane and the magical blurs, leaving them hungry for every twist and turn.

At the heart of this tale is Hayley Van Helsing, a protagonist who effortlessly embodies strength, complexity, and the universal yearning for normalcy. Raised in the shadow of her family's legacy as supernatural hunters, Hayley grapples with the weight of her destiny to lead the Van Helsing dynasty. However, her heart longs for a life untethered from the graveyards and the creatures that haunt them.

Davies paints a vivid portrait of a world teeming with vampires, werewolves, witches, and an array of enthralling supernatural beings. The rich lore and intricate world-building are a testament to the author's meticulous attention to detail. From the cobblestone streets to the moonlit forests, every setting pulses with life and foreboding.

What sets "Graveyard Shift" apart is the skillful exploration of family dynamics and the repercussions of hidden truths. Davies expertly peels back the layers of the Van Helsing clan, revealing secrets that have festered for generations. The tension and revelations are expertly paced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Hayley's journey is nothing short of an odyssey, fraught with internal and external conflicts. As she grapples with her desires for a "normal" life, her evolution from a reluctant heir to a formidable leader is a marvel to witness. Her character is a breath of fresh air in a genre sometimes prone to stereotypes. She's not just a badass, but a three-dimensional individual whose vulnerabilities and strengths are equally compelling.

The inclusion of spicy moments adds an extra layer of authenticity to the story. These intimate scenes are tastefully written and serve to deepen the connection between characters. They are a testament to the author's ability to balance sensuality with storytelling.

"Graveyard Shift" is a symphony of suspense and emotion, and Melanie Davies orchestrates it with masterful precision. Fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance will find themselves utterly captivated by this book. It's a roller-coaster of a read, leaving readers eagerly anticipating what Davies has in store for us next.

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific Story & Narration🎧 Fascinating & Gripping!

Graveyard Shift
Midnight Stakes Series
By: Melanie Davies
Narrated by: Maxine Mitchell

Melanie Davies pens a fascinating story, a modern Van Helsing retelling with her own unique spin on the story. The lead character, Hayley Van Helsing, a descendent of the original monster hunter, and the current leader of the Van Helsing Dynasty, supernatural beings who train to hunt the monsters plaguing society, the vampires, wolf shifters and more paranormal beings. She always knew what her destiny was, but she thought her parents would be around a long time before she was to take over. Unfortunately, they perished in a hunt gone bad, and bad things continue to happen around her, including threats to her and the dynasty. With her trusted by her side, her close friend Jackson and Eric, she investigates all the paranormal activity around them. Then a mysterious man, Darius, makes appearances in her life, as if he was following her. We learn he enters her life for a reason, one she has trouble deciphering at first, but all the pieces fall into place and they get their answers, including who betrayed them and why. This is a fast-moving story with drama is non-stop and there is action, angst, mystery, thrilling and suspenseful moments, heartfelt emotions and steamy romance. The writing, plot and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. Melanie Davies, thank you for this fantastic story and wild ride.

🎧📚🎧 Maxine Mitchell is a superbly talented voice artist, and she did an incredible job covering the roles of all the characters, giving each their own distinct voice, making it easy to follow along and tell who is who. She did an amazing job voicing and portraying both the male and female characters, showcasing each personality with believable conviction, including Hayley’s fierceness, Darius’ swoon worthy charm and Jackson’s dedicated and loyal friendship. She sets the right tone for the story, captures all the characters’ emotions and has you feeling them all. Mitchell is an entertaining storyteller and her performance elevates the already amazing story to another level. Thanks for another amazing listen, it is always a pleasure to listen to your books.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ Graveyard Shift by Melanie Davies - ARC Review ✨

🤍Badass FMC
💙Vampires
🤍Fated Mates
💙Witches
🤍Werewolves

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶

Hayley Van Helsing is fiercely independent. She relies on her quick wit and reflexes to get out of the increasingly precarious situations that she finds herself in. Vampires and werewolves are out in increasingly large numbers. Hayley's friends Eric, a fellow supernatural hunter and Jackson, a witch, try to help her navigate the increasing pressure to step up and be the leader that she needs to be with the threats becoming more prominent, but when a handsome stranger enters her life, everyone is on high alert. He claims to be there to help her, but no one trusts him, least of all her. Until she discovers that they are connected in ways that she never knew were possible, and she realizes that she may need his help after all.

I loved the premise of this book, and it's definitely giving Van Helsing meets Buffy vibes which I totally dig. This book is perfect for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It was a very quick read. I felt like I flew through it which I didn't mind, but I think it had some room for more world building and character development (which may come in future books). Delving into Hayley's past a bit more would have helped me connect to her character sooner, and I think that's an important aspect for MCs to be relatable. The spice was pretty mild, more plot-driven than anything else. There were several plot twists that I didn't see coming, and I found that enjoyable. I always like a good "Wait. What did I just read?!" moment while reading. lol Overall, it was an interesting read. It started off a little rough for me, but I think it ironed out into a decent book with really great potential for a series.

[Ashley Beasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I’d give 3.5 ⭐️
The very first paragraph immediately grabs your attention by already talking about late nights and kills. The whole first chapter gives a lot of backstory and insight to who Hayley (FMC, stubborn,independent, strong willed) and her family is, how she grew up and some semblance of the way she thinks. Jackson (her best friend and 2nd in command) insists she goes to a council meeting that is at a school/academy. The more we learn about the school the more it gives me Vampire Academy/Hogwarts/Salvatore school vibes. I really liked Eric in the beginning but wtf with the balcony scene, he had me so mad, it was all hot and steamy then he just like 180 flipped into jerksville and he just gets worse from that point on. From here the book goes by so fast from one situation to the next. The timeline is a little hard to keep up with. Eric is not the guy we thought he was. Hayley and Darius seem to go from zero to 100 in the matter of a few days. I love their banter but they both seem extremely immature for how old they supposedly are which is a bit upsetting and a lot of the situations between them are a bit awkward. I love the story and the characters and so much happens in such a short amount of time. Some things were given so much detail and some weren’t given nearly enough. I did enjoy this story and would definitely say it’s worth a read but definitely more of a YA read so a bit on the immature part. It also ends very abruptly. There isn’t a cliffhanger exactly but it just ends so fast it feels like there should have been more. This is a Van Helsing retelling and I think she did a pretty decent job of it.

[°. Stefana ☆ taylor's version ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

°.• 4,5 ☆

If you know me until now, you already know that my obsession is books with vampires, werewolves and witches because when I was little, that's all I read. So, every time I read something that contains these supernatural creatures, I simply remember my childhood. And although books of this kind are becoming more and more cliché because the subject is already turned upside down and rewritten, I don't think there is any book with vampires or werewolves that will disappoint me.

And this book did not disappoint me.

The book surprised me at certain moments, I expected some things and others I didn't. Once you keep reading this kind of books, it's hard not to realize what will happen next. This being one of the small reasons why I didn't give it 5 stars.

The main female character, Hayley, annoyed me throughout the book. Although she is a strong character who can take care of herself, her burning desire to have a normal life and the fact that she refuses any form of help, it made me very angry. Because in the end, she still would have had to trust someone and let herself be helped.

Darius seemed interesting to me, but I wouldn't have thought it was what it is. But it was surprising. So I liked him. I won't give many details because I won't give you spoilers.

But Eric annoyed me more than Hayley and if it was after me, I would have killed him from the first page if I could.

But with all that, the book was great, easy to read, and I really enjoyed it. If I were to associate it with another series of vampire books, then The Vampire Academy would be for sure!

[Jenny Talbot · Rating 3 out of 5]

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

Performance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a captivating solo performance this was to listen to. Maxine Mitchell performs this PNR romance with power, no co-narrator necessary.

Melanie Davies is a new-to-me author. I knew I was in for such an adventure with this one, as the premise is based on a vampire hunter (think Buffy). Hayley comes from a powerful family (her parents are deceased) and she is now in charge of the clan. This world involves witches, vampires, werewolves and the like…all voiced impeccably by Maxine. I even caught a few lines of a character with a German accent, making me want to go down a rabbit hole of “gimme all the accented Maxine recs”.

I’m not surprised that this story felt so fully formed because Maxine is a distinctive storyteller. She has a natural ability to find the precise voice for each character and to build deeper meaning and depth within the story. I really enjoy Maxine’s pacing, inflection and pausing as she performs. It is effortless to listen to her perform the story of a woman wrestling with her predetermined destiny.

I love the energy Melanie has written between Hayley and Darius, the mysterious man Hayley meets in the graveyard. Unbeknownst to Hayley, Darius is in her path for a multitude of reasons as she tries to unravel the truths and secrets about her world. There’s mystery & suspense, some slow burning sexual tension, and a love story all in this RavenBlack world.