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The Pureblood Daughter #1
The Pureblood Daughter
A mysterious viscount and a well-kept secret will change Adelina’s life forever.
Adelina Gray is destined to be a spinster; it’s been years since her debut into society, but she’s yet to land a match. Until the rich and powerful Viscount Rosetti sets eyes on her.
The power of his gaze makes her swoon—literally—and when he comes to call on her the following day, she wonders if she hit her head a bit too hard on the ballroom floor. The viscount seems intrigued by her, though she doesn’t know why, and he doesn’t give up his secrets easily.
Despite her father’s fervent disapproval, Adelina allows the viscount to court her secretly, and he leads her down a dark path of mystery, lust, and blood. He unlocks something within her she never knew existed, and now that it's been freed, her life will never be the same.
Dive into this tale of love, mystery, and seduction, where societal expectations clash with newfound desires, and a world of shadows beckons Adelina to explore the long-forgotten truths in her heart.
Bridgerton meets Vampire Knight in this spicy Regency-inspired paranormal romance for readers 18+.
Adelina Gray is destined to be a spinster; it’s been years since her debut into society, but she’s yet to land a match. Until the rich and powerful Viscount Rosetti sets eyes on her.
The power of his gaze makes her swoon—literally—and when he comes to call on her the following day, she wonders if she hit her head a bit too hard on the ballroom floor. The viscount seems intrigued by her, though she doesn’t know why, and he doesn’t give up his secrets easily.
Despite her father’s fervent disapproval, Adelina allows the viscount to court her secretly, and he leads her down a dark path of mystery, lust, and blood. He unlocks something within her she never knew existed, and now that it's been freed, her life will never be the same.
Dive into this tale of love, mystery, and seduction, where societal expectations clash with newfound desires, and a world of shadows beckons Adelina to explore the long-forgotten truths in her heart.
Bridgerton meets Vampire Knight in this spicy Regency-inspired paranormal romance for readers 18+.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2023
About the author
Emberly Wyndham
18 books163 followersHi, I’m Emberly! I write spicy romance and love getting lost in my own fictional worlds.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
January 20, 2024
Picked up this book because it was described as similar to the popular manga series "Vampire Knight". Having finished this book, I can indeed concur that it is very similar to the Vampire Knight series.
Unfortunately, this book fell short for me on multiple aspects. First, the characters fell flat. Both of the protagonists were mellow and impersonable. The dialogue between the characters and the descriptions of their day to day lives bored me to tears.
The romance between the characters was immediate and unbelievable. While "love at first sight" is possible, the author did a poor job of explaining why the characters fell for one another and continued to pursue one another.
Overall, not for me.
Unfortunately, this book fell short for me on multiple aspects. First, the characters fell flat. Both of the protagonists were mellow and impersonable. The dialogue between the characters and the descriptions of their day to day lives bored me to tears.
The romance between the characters was immediate and unbelievable. While "love at first sight" is possible, the author did a poor job of explaining why the characters fell for one another and continued to pursue one another.
Overall, not for me.
August 31, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC!
I honestly wasn’t expecting to enjoy this one as much as I did! The blurb made me think I was getting a pretty typical paranormal romance, but there was so much more to it. I really loved the mix of paranormal fantasy with a little bit of that Regency-era romance feel. It gave the story such a fun and unexpected vibe.
Adelina and Theo were definitely a highlight for me, and I loved watching their story unfold. There’s also just enough mystery and unanswered questions to keep you wanting more. By the end, I had SO many questions about her parents, the Gray, Honora, and what exactly Adelina is getting herself into. 😂
The audiobook was an easy listen and worked really well for this story. It was the perfect shorter read after finishing something longer and heavier.
Overall, a really fun first book with plenty of potential. I’m definitely curious to see where this story goes next!
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC!
I honestly wasn’t expecting to enjoy this one as much as I did! The blurb made me think I was getting a pretty typical paranormal romance, but there was so much more to it. I really loved the mix of paranormal fantasy with a little bit of that Regency-era romance feel. It gave the story such a fun and unexpected vibe.
Adelina and Theo were definitely a highlight for me, and I loved watching their story unfold. There’s also just enough mystery and unanswered questions to keep you wanting more. By the end, I had SO many questions about her parents, the Gray, Honora, and what exactly Adelina is getting herself into. 😂
The audiobook was an easy listen and worked really well for this story. It was the perfect shorter read after finishing something longer and heavier.
Overall, a really fun first book with plenty of potential. I’m definitely curious to see where this story goes next!
August 27, 2026
✔️Bridgerton vibes
✔️Vampires
✔️Fated mates
✔️Yearning
✔️Cosy low stakes
Thank you to NetGalley for gifting me an ALC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was the vampire Bridgerton mix I never knew I needed. It’s a cosy historical romance x fantasy read for 85% and then in the final 15% it becomes a higher stakes Mills and Boone type story and I loved it! Such an easy read. Easy enough to get you out of a slump. I dont know about the physical read but I loved the audio!
✔️Vampires
✔️Fated mates
✔️Yearning
✔️Cosy low stakes
Thank you to NetGalley for gifting me an ALC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was the vampire Bridgerton mix I never knew I needed. It’s a cosy historical romance x fantasy read for 85% and then in the final 15% it becomes a higher stakes Mills and Boone type story and I loved it! Such an easy read. Easy enough to get you out of a slump. I dont know about the physical read but I loved the audio!
October 25, 2023
I really enjoy both paranormal and historical romance, so I have been searching for good combinations of the two. The Pureblood Daughter was a fun example of combining the two genres. I really enjoyed Adelina's story! It was interesting to watch her go from sickly to a strong independent heroine. I also enjoyed the paranormal elements and will be interested to read more books set in Emberly Wyndham's London society. This book was somewhat unusual for a historical romance in that it appears to be the start of a longer series about these characters. While historical romances often have series the main characters usually switch. I felt that in order to do that the rules of regency society were stretched in this book. I think many historical romance readers will be surprised Adelina survived the events of the book with no worry for her reputation. The genre that this book felt the most like to me was actually YA romance. This was partly because of the characters age but also the heavy involvement of parents and pace that the world building at romance progressed at. This book also had themes of self discovery that have a YA feel to them. I recommend this book for fans of paranormal romance who are interested in trying a historical setting and don't mind a bit of a slower paced story that takes place over a series. I'm very interested to see where this series goes!
Thanks to Booksirens and Emberly Wyndham for providing me with an arc of this book so I could write a review. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to Booksirens and Emberly Wyndham for providing me with an arc of this book so I could write a review. All opinions are my own.
October 4, 2023
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I truly am sorry, dearest. If only women ruled the world”
The supernatural mystery/romance I didn’t know I needed.
Not going to lie I’m usually not a huge fan of mc’s who are totally oblivious to what we all can see, like girl ARE YOU BLIND? But somehow Emberly managed to write a mc who could actually pull it off, and I could not help but feel sad for how much she was in denial. I sat waiting for her to accept who she was, and when it finally happened I didn’t know how the story was going to move forward and keep my interest, since the main plot was finished? Or so i thought! More things were about to SMACK me in the face, more secrets were about to unfold and I could not tear my eyes away!
I highly recommend this book to fans of the vampire diaries and fans of victorian vibes! I was given this ARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily
“I truly am sorry, dearest. If only women ruled the world”
The supernatural mystery/romance I didn’t know I needed.
Not going to lie I’m usually not a huge fan of mc’s who are totally oblivious to what we all can see, like girl ARE YOU BLIND? But somehow Emberly managed to write a mc who could actually pull it off, and I could not help but feel sad for how much she was in denial. I sat waiting for her to accept who she was, and when it finally happened I didn’t know how the story was going to move forward and keep my interest, since the main plot was finished? Or so i thought! More things were about to SMACK me in the face, more secrets were about to unfold and I could not tear my eyes away!
I highly recommend this book to fans of the vampire diaries and fans of victorian vibes! I was given this ARC and I am leaving this review voluntarily
October 16, 2023
3.5 ⭐️/5
2.0 🌶️/5
Did someone call for vampires during Halloween month? If so, here you go! Here’s what we get:
• Forbidden romance
• 3rd person limited; present tense
• Fated mates!!
• Secret Identity
• Hidden Paranormal World
• Happy For Now
There’s a second book out in March which is a continuation of this series. I liked this book did not end in a cliffhanger but a HFN, and I do want to see where the series goes next.
This book is like if Dracula, Twilight, and Bridgerton were smooshed together and had a baby. I totally enjoyed this book and I would describe it as a Gothic-lite romance that doesn’t take itself too serious. This is a fun vampire read, yeah maybe kind of predictable but also a little camp and has a little flair for the dramatic.
What took me out of the story a lot was that this is a present tense narration in 3rd person limited. It’s a combination I’m not used to reading. An example of what would distract me from the storyline is “She yawns and closes her eyes, and just before she drifts to sleep.” I would prefer either 3rd or 1st person past tense, or even 1st person present.
Recommend if you want a paranormal Regency vampire story with steam and mystery and discovery of self.
Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC. All opinions/thoughts are my own. My review is voluntary.
2.0 🌶️/5
Did someone call for vampires during Halloween month? If so, here you go! Here’s what we get:
• Forbidden romance
• 3rd person limited; present tense
• Fated mates!!
• Secret Identity
• Hidden Paranormal World
• Happy For Now
There’s a second book out in March which is a continuation of this series. I liked this book did not end in a cliffhanger but a HFN, and I do want to see where the series goes next.
This book is like if Dracula, Twilight, and Bridgerton were smooshed together and had a baby. I totally enjoyed this book and I would describe it as a Gothic-lite romance that doesn’t take itself too serious. This is a fun vampire read, yeah maybe kind of predictable but also a little camp and has a little flair for the dramatic.
What took me out of the story a lot was that this is a present tense narration in 3rd person limited. It’s a combination I’m not used to reading. An example of what would distract me from the storyline is “She yawns and closes her eyes, and just before she drifts to sleep.” I would prefer either 3rd or 1st person past tense, or even 1st person present.
Recommend if you want a paranormal Regency vampire story with steam and mystery and discovery of self.
Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC. All opinions/thoughts are my own. My review is voluntary.
October 12, 2023
Title: The Pureblood Daughter
Author: Emberly Wyndham
Date Reviewed: 10/12/2023
Length: 214
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
A mysterious viscount and a well-kept secret will change Adelina’s life forever.
Adelina Gray is destined to be a spinster; it’s been years since her debut into society, but she’s yet to land a match. Until the rich and powerful Viscount Rosetti sets eyes on her.
The power of his gaze makes her swoon—literally—and when he comes to call on her the following day, she wonders if she hit her head a bit too hard on the ballroom floor. The viscount seems intrigued by her, though she doesn’t know why, and he doesn’t give up his secrets easily.
Despite her father’s fervent disapproval, Adelina allows the viscount to court her secretly, and he leads her down a dark path of mystery, lust, and blood. He unlocks something within her she never knew existed, and now that it's been freed, her life will never be the same.
Review:
I was provided a free arc copy of this book by the website Booksirens in return for my honest review. All opinions stated in this review are wholly my own.
I genuinely think this is the first time I’ve read a book where I have seen a female main character with a chronic illness and we see how it actually affects her day to day life. It made me really connect with Adelina as I too am chronically ill. I know this little detail probably won't affect a lot of people but it really helped me get into the headspace of Adelina and it made me really root for her throughout the story.
I felt like the romance between the two main characters was a little rushed but since it is the first book in what I assume is a series I am more than willing to let it slide. The minimal spicy scenes we did have were on fire so I really look forward to seeing how the two of them evolve in the future. Overall, this book was a very good opener for what I hope to be an amazing series and I will be purchasing this book when it is published as well as any subsequent books!
Author: Emberly Wyndham
Date Reviewed: 10/12/2023
Length: 214
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
A mysterious viscount and a well-kept secret will change Adelina’s life forever.
Adelina Gray is destined to be a spinster; it’s been years since her debut into society, but she’s yet to land a match. Until the rich and powerful Viscount Rosetti sets eyes on her.
The power of his gaze makes her swoon—literally—and when he comes to call on her the following day, she wonders if she hit her head a bit too hard on the ballroom floor. The viscount seems intrigued by her, though she doesn’t know why, and he doesn’t give up his secrets easily.
Despite her father’s fervent disapproval, Adelina allows the viscount to court her secretly, and he leads her down a dark path of mystery, lust, and blood. He unlocks something within her she never knew existed, and now that it's been freed, her life will never be the same.
Review:
I was provided a free arc copy of this book by the website Booksirens in return for my honest review. All opinions stated in this review are wholly my own.
I genuinely think this is the first time I’ve read a book where I have seen a female main character with a chronic illness and we see how it actually affects her day to day life. It made me really connect with Adelina as I too am chronically ill. I know this little detail probably won't affect a lot of people but it really helped me get into the headspace of Adelina and it made me really root for her throughout the story.
I felt like the romance between the two main characters was a little rushed but since it is the first book in what I assume is a series I am more than willing to let it slide. The minimal spicy scenes we did have were on fire so I really look forward to seeing how the two of them evolve in the future. Overall, this book was a very good opener for what I hope to be an amazing series and I will be purchasing this book when it is published as well as any subsequent books!
September 26, 2023
*I received an ARC of this book for free via BookSirens and am reviewing voluntarily*
I really enjoyed this! The Pureblood Daughter tells the story of Adelina Gray, a shy young lady facing yet another year on the sidelines of the social season, who is noticed by the mysterious Viscount Rosetti. The blurb reads "Bridgerton meets Vampire Knight" and that is 100% what you're getting here. This is a lovely regency romance with hints of fantasy that get progressively woven in as the story continues. The romance is sweet with just the right amount of steam, and plenty of swoonworthy moments. There's a wider vampire lore which we only just get introduced to in the latter half, setting up what should be a pretty interesting series.
This book is not too long and moves at a fast, gripping pace. I ate it up in just two sittings, despite my one niggle in any book - present tense narration (lol). The book doesn't do anything radically outside the box, but that's not necessarily a bad thing because it makes this a very comfy and enjoyable light read. I'd absolutely recommend and will be picking up the next book!
I really enjoyed this! The Pureblood Daughter tells the story of Adelina Gray, a shy young lady facing yet another year on the sidelines of the social season, who is noticed by the mysterious Viscount Rosetti. The blurb reads "Bridgerton meets Vampire Knight" and that is 100% what you're getting here. This is a lovely regency romance with hints of fantasy that get progressively woven in as the story continues. The romance is sweet with just the right amount of steam, and plenty of swoonworthy moments. There's a wider vampire lore which we only just get introduced to in the latter half, setting up what should be a pretty interesting series.
This book is not too long and moves at a fast, gripping pace. I ate it up in just two sittings, despite my one niggle in any book - present tense narration (lol). The book doesn't do anything radically outside the box, but that's not necessarily a bad thing because it makes this a very comfy and enjoyable light read. I'd absolutely recommend and will be picking up the next book!
October 18, 2023
Happy (belated) release day!!
Disclaimer, I received an ARC copy of this book and I'm leaving a voluntary review. All my opinions are my own.
What called to me from this book was the cover, not going to lie. It's ABSOLUTELY gorgeous, I lover the cover. The blurb was also very intriguing.
I wasn't expecting to like this book so much, but I did. It defenitely looks like Bridgerton, which was great and amazing. The writing was also so lyricall, it's such a strong book for a debut, the research was well done, the language on point and characters well developed.
We follow Adelina, who debuted last year but is still waiting for a gentleman to court her because she has a strange condition. Enter the mysterious Mr. Roseti who lights a passion inside her from the first moment. He's so elusive and everyone thinks Adelina should stay away from him, but she doesn't. I loved their interactions, so sweet and full of longing...
I really enjoyed this book a lot, can't wait for the next one. Thank you to the author and Book Sprout for the ARC. ❤️
Disclaimer, I received an ARC copy of this book and I'm leaving a voluntary review. All my opinions are my own.
What called to me from this book was the cover, not going to lie. It's ABSOLUTELY gorgeous, I lover the cover. The blurb was also very intriguing.
I wasn't expecting to like this book so much, but I did. It defenitely looks like Bridgerton, which was great and amazing. The writing was also so lyricall, it's such a strong book for a debut, the research was well done, the language on point and characters well developed.
We follow Adelina, who debuted last year but is still waiting for a gentleman to court her because she has a strange condition. Enter the mysterious Mr. Roseti who lights a passion inside her from the first moment. He's so elusive and everyone thinks Adelina should stay away from him, but she doesn't. I loved their interactions, so sweet and full of longing...
I really enjoyed this book a lot, can't wait for the next one. Thank you to the author and Book Sprout for the ARC. ❤️
October 31, 2023
I am surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I have never heard of this author or this title before. The blurb seemed interesting enough, so I downloaded it. I figured it was going to be another typical paranormal romance. What I got was so much more! Not only is it paranormal, but it's a dash of the regency romances I love so much. It blended together beautifully! I needed something shorter and easier to read after the ending of my last book and the length of the book before that. Pureblood daughter fit the bill in all ways! I really hope there will be a second because I desperately need more of Adelina's and Theo's story. I want to know why her parents were killed, how the grays fit into all this, who really is Honora, and how she steps into this crazy world! So many questions, but great first book.
October 30, 2023
Wonderful first book. Adelina has been sickly all during growing up. She meets Viscount Theodore Rosetti when at a gala and he soon has strange requests that he asks Adelina to do. Adelina can hear Theodore in her head and she doesn't understand how that can be. Her fathers refusal to allow Theodore to court her, has Adelina questioning what is happening with herself and sends her to Theordore for answers. The chemistry is sweet between the two as they explore who Adelina's parents were and where their relationship will be going. I am looking forward to the next book to find out what becomes of Nadia and Theodore.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 22, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to RBMedia, Tantor Audio, NetGalley, and Emberly Wyndham for this ALC!
As soon as I read this was a Bridgerton meets vampires and a historical romance I KNEW I wanted to read it! This concept was unique and Antonia Thowdey brought all of our characters to life in this one!
I do wish there was a bit more background in the beginning with Adeline and Viscount Rosetti. I don’t feel that we knew much about the Viscount, even towards the end of this first book. This story did pull me in and I will be checking out book number two and three as well!
Overall, if you are looking for a unique plot, with vampires, romance, and historical romance this is the one for you!!
Thank you to RBMedia, Tantor Audio, NetGalley, and Emberly Wyndham for this ALC!
As soon as I read this was a Bridgerton meets vampires and a historical romance I KNEW I wanted to read it! This concept was unique and Antonia Thowdey brought all of our characters to life in this one!
I do wish there was a bit more background in the beginning with Adeline and Viscount Rosetti. I don’t feel that we knew much about the Viscount, even towards the end of this first book. This story did pull me in and I will be checking out book number two and three as well!
Overall, if you are looking for a unique plot, with vampires, romance, and historical romance this is the one for you!!
October 19, 2023
Miss Adelina Gray is the beautiful but sickly daughter of Baron Gray. Due to her delicate constitution she sees herself as an artistic wallflower. But then she meets a gorgeous man who can mindspeak to her and leads her to question everything about the way she was raised and who she really is. Adelina’s path to enlightenment takes some unexpected twists and turns. This paranormal adventure story is captivating even as Adelina struggles to come to grips with some hard truths. I thank the author for an advance review copy and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
October 27, 2023
I’ve always loved a good vampire romance and this book did not disappoint one bit! So so romantic and swoon worthy in addition to perfect regency vibes.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 13, 2024
loveddd
I loved this book! It was an easy read with spice, plot and I loved the regency vibes. I’m excited to follow her story as she finds herself!
I loved this book! It was an easy read with spice, plot and I loved the regency vibes. I’m excited to follow her story as she finds herself!
October 18, 2023
The Pureblood Daughter was a good book. Promenading with Viscounts and discovering there is more to your past then you thought. I read it cover to cover in one sitting. If you like sexy vampire romances paired with classic bridgerton style romance, you have found the one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2023
Paranormal, Bodice Ripper and Mystery in One
Impressively tight plot, delightful Regency inspired elements and a fated romance with a heroine with a lot to learn about who she really is, it’s an entertaining read that had me up until midnight! I wish there could have been more romantic tension before committing to the pairing, but will definitely keep my eye out for the second book!
Impressively tight plot, delightful Regency inspired elements and a fated romance with a heroine with a lot to learn about who she really is, it’s an entertaining read that had me up until midnight! I wish there could have been more romantic tension before committing to the pairing, but will definitely keep my eye out for the second book!
March 2, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was such a quick read that I'm sad I read it so quickly and can't wait to read it again!
I would agree, this is definitely Bridgerton meets Vampire Knight, minus the school, of course! So, of course, I needed to read this book.
And I loved every moment of it!
Adelina is torn between her weak constitution, her demanding parents, and trying to have a successful season, making it through one dance without seeming a failure.
Until she literally falls for Theodore Rosetti, and her life is thrown into a whirlwind of change. And what a whirlwind it is!
I personally enjoyed all the tension between Adelina and Theodore and when they finally come together, its just the right amount of spice to the story without being over the top, like others in this genre seem to be.
All of the characters are so life like and realistic that they seemed like real people to me, I can't wait to learn more about each and every one of them.
It was such an amazing story. It told just enough to leave me content with the ending, but then again, it told me just enough to make me wish for the second book to be out soon!
I can't wait to read the other books in the series! I'm completely hooked!
This story is 5 out of 5 for me! I just wish I could give it more!
This book was such a quick read that I'm sad I read it so quickly and can't wait to read it again!
I would agree, this is definitely Bridgerton meets Vampire Knight, minus the school, of course! So, of course, I needed to read this book.
And I loved every moment of it!
Adelina is torn between her weak constitution, her demanding parents, and trying to have a successful season, making it through one dance without seeming a failure.
Until she literally falls for Theodore Rosetti, and her life is thrown into a whirlwind of change. And what a whirlwind it is!
I personally enjoyed all the tension between Adelina and Theodore and when they finally come together, its just the right amount of spice to the story without being over the top, like others in this genre seem to be.
All of the characters are so life like and realistic that they seemed like real people to me, I can't wait to learn more about each and every one of them.
It was such an amazing story. It told just enough to leave me content with the ending, but then again, it told me just enough to make me wish for the second book to be out soon!
I can't wait to read the other books in the series! I'm completely hooked!
This story is 5 out of 5 for me! I just wish I could give it more!
August 28, 2026
Absolutely solid start / middle / end — I’ll read the next one
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Media for the advanced listening copy of The Pureblood Daughter in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️ 4/5
🌶️ 3.5/5
🎧 3.5/5
“Bridgerton meets vampires” is actually a pretty accurate description of this one. 😂
The Pureblood Daughter blends historical society romance, vampires, forbidden attraction, dark family secrets, and a heroine slowly discovering that almost everything she has been taught about herself is wrong.
Adelina has spent her entire life believing she is sick. Her health has shaped what she thinks she can do, what kind of future she can have, and even whether marriage and a family are realistic possibilities for her. What I especially appreciated was how the supernatural explanation for her illness was handled. Learning the truth doesn’t erase what she experienced. She was suffering. Her body wasn’t failing her—it was being deliberately deprived of what it needed.
That makes her eventual awakening about so much more than discovering she’s a vampire. It’s about reclaiming her body, her history, her desires, her name, and ultimately her ability to choose her own life.
And Theodore? The restraint. 👏
There’s an obvious power imbalance at the beginning: he knows far more about what’s happening than Adelina does, while she’s sheltered, inexperienced, and physically weak. But I loved that his attraction to her was consistently paired with care. He wants her, but he also pays attention to her limits, worries about hurting her, and lets her drive her own sexual exploration.
The fated-bond element worked for me for the same reason. The bond doesn’t do the relationship-building for them. Adelina and Theodore clearly like each other, develop genuine intimacy, and repeatedly choose each other. The supernatural connection enhances the romance instead of replacing it.
I also really liked how much the various pieces of the story connected. The mysterious illness, tonic, vampire mythology, Adelina’s family, her father’s control, the romance, and her growing agency all feed into the same central story rather than feeling like separate tropes stacked together.
And those family reveals get DARK. 👀
Despite being the first book in a trilogy, this also ends exactly where I want a Book 1 to end: this story feels complete, but the larger story doesn’t. I got a satisfying payoff without feeling like somebody ripped the last chapter out to force me into Book 2—and I absolutely want Book 2.
The historical/paranormal style isn’t completely my personal sweet spot, which is what kept this at a solid 4 stars rather than pushing higher, but it delivered what it promised and did it well.
🎧 Audiobook
Antonia Thowdey gives a solid solo performance, and I had no trouble following the characters, romance, or supernatural elements. I landed around 3.5 stars for the audio.
That said, I would have loved duet narration for this one. Theodore and Adelina’s secret courtship, telepathic connection, tension, and increasingly intimate relationship feel tailor-made for two performers. The solo works; duet could have made it significantly more immersive.
👀 For My Fellow Cover Judgers…
The cover leans heavily Gothic/paranormal, but the actual book feels closer to historical fiction/historical romance than I expected from the cover alone.
The balls, courtship expectations, titles, reputation, paternal authority, social restrictions, and period setting aren’t just vampire-story wallpaper. The historical framework genuinely shapes Adelina’s choices and the romance.
So if you like your vampires with a substantial dose of historical society drama, this may be especially up your alley.
🎯 Who Should Listen?
I’d recommend this for readers who enjoy historical romance with genuine paranormal worldbuilding, sheltered heroines finding their agency, powerful-but-restrained MMCs, fated bonds that still leave room for choice, family secrets, vampire lore, moderate open-door spice, and series starters that actually give Book 1 a satisfying ending.
Mission accomplished: I’m continuing the trilogy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Media for the advanced listening copy of The Pureblood Daughter in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️ 4/5
🌶️ 3.5/5
🎧 3.5/5
“Bridgerton meets vampires” is actually a pretty accurate description of this one. 😂
The Pureblood Daughter blends historical society romance, vampires, forbidden attraction, dark family secrets, and a heroine slowly discovering that almost everything she has been taught about herself is wrong.
Adelina has spent her entire life believing she is sick. Her health has shaped what she thinks she can do, what kind of future she can have, and even whether marriage and a family are realistic possibilities for her. What I especially appreciated was how the supernatural explanation for her illness was handled. Learning the truth doesn’t erase what she experienced. She was suffering. Her body wasn’t failing her—it was being deliberately deprived of what it needed.
That makes her eventual awakening about so much more than discovering she’s a vampire. It’s about reclaiming her body, her history, her desires, her name, and ultimately her ability to choose her own life.
And Theodore? The restraint. 👏
There’s an obvious power imbalance at the beginning: he knows far more about what’s happening than Adelina does, while she’s sheltered, inexperienced, and physically weak. But I loved that his attraction to her was consistently paired with care. He wants her, but he also pays attention to her limits, worries about hurting her, and lets her drive her own sexual exploration.
The fated-bond element worked for me for the same reason. The bond doesn’t do the relationship-building for them. Adelina and Theodore clearly like each other, develop genuine intimacy, and repeatedly choose each other. The supernatural connection enhances the romance instead of replacing it.
I also really liked how much the various pieces of the story connected. The mysterious illness, tonic, vampire mythology, Adelina’s family, her father’s control, the romance, and her growing agency all feed into the same central story rather than feeling like separate tropes stacked together.
And those family reveals get DARK. 👀
Despite being the first book in a trilogy, this also ends exactly where I want a Book 1 to end: this story feels complete, but the larger story doesn’t. I got a satisfying payoff without feeling like somebody ripped the last chapter out to force me into Book 2—and I absolutely want Book 2.
The historical/paranormal style isn’t completely my personal sweet spot, which is what kept this at a solid 4 stars rather than pushing higher, but it delivered what it promised and did it well.
🎧 Audiobook
Antonia Thowdey gives a solid solo performance, and I had no trouble following the characters, romance, or supernatural elements. I landed around 3.5 stars for the audio.
That said, I would have loved duet narration for this one. Theodore and Adelina’s secret courtship, telepathic connection, tension, and increasingly intimate relationship feel tailor-made for two performers. The solo works; duet could have made it significantly more immersive.
👀 For My Fellow Cover Judgers…
The cover leans heavily Gothic/paranormal, but the actual book feels closer to historical fiction/historical romance than I expected from the cover alone.
The balls, courtship expectations, titles, reputation, paternal authority, social restrictions, and period setting aren’t just vampire-story wallpaper. The historical framework genuinely shapes Adelina’s choices and the romance.
So if you like your vampires with a substantial dose of historical society drama, this may be especially up your alley.
🎯 Who Should Listen?
I’d recommend this for readers who enjoy historical romance with genuine paranormal worldbuilding, sheltered heroines finding their agency, powerful-but-restrained MMCs, fated bonds that still leave room for choice, family secrets, vampire lore, moderate open-door spice, and series starters that actually give Book 1 a satisfying ending.
Mission accomplished: I’m continuing the trilogy.
August 31, 2026
A regency romance featuring a sickly girl, the charming man she falls for, and a secret society of vampires.
Adelina Gray has been afflicted by a mysterious illness since the day she was born. This causes her bouts of dizziness and a generally delicate constitution. Adelina has never had a suitor before, which is why she is shocked when Viscount Rosetti begins to take interest in her. For some reason, Lord Gray seems to despise the lad and takes great lengths to keep Adelina and Viscount Rosetti away from one another. When dark secrets come to light, Adelina must reconsider her entire life and decide what she truly wants.
I have been following Wyndham for a while now, but this is the first book of hers I’ve had the opportunity to check out. I do like vampires in my fantasy, so I figured I’d give this one a shot. I honestly was originally under the impression that this one was about pirates for some reason, but upon a second look, I discovered it was about vampires. Thank you so much to Emberly Wyndham, Tantor Media, and NetGalley for the ALC of this one.
I found the beginning of this one to be quite fun. Adelina is a young lady who fears becoming a spinster due to the illness that plagues her everyday life. I thought that the regency vibes of this one were really fun, especially because Adelina isn’t a typical maiden. Despite debuting years ago, she’s never been courted and she spends most of her time alone trying to fill the hours with meaningful activities such as painting. It’s hard not to feel bad for Adelina a tad, as her circumstances are less than optimal.
Things begin to change when she meets Viscount Rosetti. For some reason Adelina can’t fathom, he seems to take a great interest in her. This causes Adelina to strive for more. She starts to find more excuses to leave the house so that she has the chance to run into him. She’s confused when her father tries to keep her away from such an eligible bachelor, so this only causes her to stray from being the good girl she’s always been. Adelina begins to sneak around behind her parents’ back in the hopes of claiming the viscount’s heart.
I was honestly shocked that I grew bored by the fantastical vampire parts of this story. I think this is mainly due to wanting more. The fact that all the mystery in this book leads to learning about vampirism really didn’t do much for me as it’s quite obvious that this book is about vampires from the get-go. I get that one needs to inform the readers that this book is a paranormal regency romance rather than just a regency romance, but it takes away all the urgency as well as the shock factor.
Towards the end of this book, some juicy lore is revealed that has me hopeful that the next books in this series would hold my attention more. Now that the not-so-secret secrets have been revealed, I feel the next book really has a chance to flourish. I wouldn’t be opposed to finding out what happens, though the rest of this series won’t be priority reads either.
Overall, “The Pureblood Daughter” is a fluffy regency romance with a healthy serving of paranormal activity. I had fun following Adelina’s day to day life, though I wasn’t overly sold on her relationship with Viscount Rosetti. The vampire lore dump has me intrigued about the second book, but I feel this book lacked any sense of urgency due to the fact the entire mystery surrounded characters being vampires (which was obvious from the get-go). I’m happy that I finally had the chance to try out one of Wyndham’s books even if this one wasn’t exactly a hit for me.
Audiobook Note: This one is narrated by Antonia Thowdey. I always love listening to regency romances on audio, because the narrators usually have the prettiest accents. This was certainly the case with Thowdey. They did an amazing job at bringing this story to life and their voice is so beautiful. Their voice alone is enough to convince me to keep listening to this series on audio if presented the chance.
Adelina Gray has been afflicted by a mysterious illness since the day she was born. This causes her bouts of dizziness and a generally delicate constitution. Adelina has never had a suitor before, which is why she is shocked when Viscount Rosetti begins to take interest in her. For some reason, Lord Gray seems to despise the lad and takes great lengths to keep Adelina and Viscount Rosetti away from one another. When dark secrets come to light, Adelina must reconsider her entire life and decide what she truly wants.
I have been following Wyndham for a while now, but this is the first book of hers I’ve had the opportunity to check out. I do like vampires in my fantasy, so I figured I’d give this one a shot. I honestly was originally under the impression that this one was about pirates for some reason, but upon a second look, I discovered it was about vampires. Thank you so much to Emberly Wyndham, Tantor Media, and NetGalley for the ALC of this one.
I found the beginning of this one to be quite fun. Adelina is a young lady who fears becoming a spinster due to the illness that plagues her everyday life. I thought that the regency vibes of this one were really fun, especially because Adelina isn’t a typical maiden. Despite debuting years ago, she’s never been courted and she spends most of her time alone trying to fill the hours with meaningful activities such as painting. It’s hard not to feel bad for Adelina a tad, as her circumstances are less than optimal.
Things begin to change when she meets Viscount Rosetti. For some reason Adelina can’t fathom, he seems to take a great interest in her. This causes Adelina to strive for more. She starts to find more excuses to leave the house so that she has the chance to run into him. She’s confused when her father tries to keep her away from such an eligible bachelor, so this only causes her to stray from being the good girl she’s always been. Adelina begins to sneak around behind her parents’ back in the hopes of claiming the viscount’s heart.
I was honestly shocked that I grew bored by the fantastical vampire parts of this story. I think this is mainly due to wanting more. The fact that all the mystery in this book leads to learning about vampirism really didn’t do much for me as it’s quite obvious that this book is about vampires from the get-go. I get that one needs to inform the readers that this book is a paranormal regency romance rather than just a regency romance, but it takes away all the urgency as well as the shock factor.
Towards the end of this book, some juicy lore is revealed that has me hopeful that the next books in this series would hold my attention more. Now that the not-so-secret secrets have been revealed, I feel the next book really has a chance to flourish. I wouldn’t be opposed to finding out what happens, though the rest of this series won’t be priority reads either.
Overall, “The Pureblood Daughter” is a fluffy regency romance with a healthy serving of paranormal activity. I had fun following Adelina’s day to day life, though I wasn’t overly sold on her relationship with Viscount Rosetti. The vampire lore dump has me intrigued about the second book, but I feel this book lacked any sense of urgency due to the fact the entire mystery surrounded characters being vampires (which was obvious from the get-go). I’m happy that I finally had the chance to try out one of Wyndham’s books even if this one wasn’t exactly a hit for me.
Audiobook Note: This one is narrated by Antonia Thowdey. I always love listening to regency romances on audio, because the narrators usually have the prettiest accents. This was certainly the case with Thowdey. They did an amazing job at bringing this story to life and their voice is so beautiful. Their voice alone is enough to convince me to keep listening to this series on audio if presented the chance.
November 20, 2023
Title: The Pureblood Daughter
Author: Emberly Wyndham
Rating: 5/5
Spoiler-Free Summary:
Adelina Gray, suffering from an enduring illness, struggles to find a suitable match. However, her luck takes a turn when she encounters Viscount Rosetti at a ball, setting in motion a tale of self-discovery.
Review:
I love regency romances AND supernatural/fantasy fiction, so I was instantly drawn in by the blurb of this book, and it definitely didn't disappoint!
Until recently, I can't remember ever reading a novel in present tense, and in the last month I have encountered three of them. I'm not sure whether this means they're becoming more prevalent, whether I've just never noticed it before or whether it's just been pure co-incidence. The first book I started with present tense, I couldn't get through - the tense combined with the poor writing resulted in a DNF after one chapter. The second book with present tense I endured, because I wanted to see where the story ended up, but I never really enjoyed reading it, and mainly speed-read my way through. The Pureblood Daughter was the third book with present tense, and although it will never be my preferred choice, I did get past it, and I even gave it 5 stars. Why? Because the story seamlessly blends regency romance with supernatural elements, the development of the main female character is realistic and the breadcrumb trail of future plotlines is expertly laid.
I did race through this book, and I probably would have completed it in one sitting if I hadn't started reading it so late, but by the end of Chapter 6 I was hooked and had to force myself to go to bed. That's the sign of a good story! The regency romance elements of the story were strong from the start, and I was invested in the main character. By the end of Chapter 6, the supernatural elements of the story had started to come into play, and they complimented the regency romance elements really nicely. Rather than feeling forced, the fusion of these two genres enhanced the narrative, especially considering the passionate love affairs typical of regency romance.
I loved the development of Adelina's character throughout the book, and without going into any spoilers, I liked that she quickly began to take charge of herself, and went after what she wanted, while still making decisions that seemed true to who she was at the start of the story. It wasn't like she became a completely different person, and she didn't become bogged down in shame or self-loathing, both of which were refreshing to see.
While the book wasn't very long, it was really well paced and didn't have any fluff or filler which I really appreciated. Had the second book already been released, I would have launched straight into it, since The Pureblood Daughter definitely left me wanting more. There are hints of upcoming storylines weaved into this one, which are really promising and I think there's a lot more to learn about the world in the next book.
In summary, The Pureblood Daughter offers a compelling narrative, strong character development, and a seamless blend of genres. Despite my initial apprehensions about present tense, this book not only held my attention but left me more than ready for the next instalment. Roll on March 2024! A recommended read for fans of regency romance and the supernatural alike!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from BookSirens, but this is my voluntary and honest review.
Author: Emberly Wyndham
Rating: 5/5
Spoiler-Free Summary:
Adelina Gray, suffering from an enduring illness, struggles to find a suitable match. However, her luck takes a turn when she encounters Viscount Rosetti at a ball, setting in motion a tale of self-discovery.
Review:
I love regency romances AND supernatural/fantasy fiction, so I was instantly drawn in by the blurb of this book, and it definitely didn't disappoint!
Until recently, I can't remember ever reading a novel in present tense, and in the last month I have encountered three of them. I'm not sure whether this means they're becoming more prevalent, whether I've just never noticed it before or whether it's just been pure co-incidence. The first book I started with present tense, I couldn't get through - the tense combined with the poor writing resulted in a DNF after one chapter. The second book with present tense I endured, because I wanted to see where the story ended up, but I never really enjoyed reading it, and mainly speed-read my way through. The Pureblood Daughter was the third book with present tense, and although it will never be my preferred choice, I did get past it, and I even gave it 5 stars. Why? Because the story seamlessly blends regency romance with supernatural elements, the development of the main female character is realistic and the breadcrumb trail of future plotlines is expertly laid.
I did race through this book, and I probably would have completed it in one sitting if I hadn't started reading it so late, but by the end of Chapter 6 I was hooked and had to force myself to go to bed. That's the sign of a good story! The regency romance elements of the story were strong from the start, and I was invested in the main character. By the end of Chapter 6, the supernatural elements of the story had started to come into play, and they complimented the regency romance elements really nicely. Rather than feeling forced, the fusion of these two genres enhanced the narrative, especially considering the passionate love affairs typical of regency romance.
I loved the development of Adelina's character throughout the book, and without going into any spoilers, I liked that she quickly began to take charge of herself, and went after what she wanted, while still making decisions that seemed true to who she was at the start of the story. It wasn't like she became a completely different person, and she didn't become bogged down in shame or self-loathing, both of which were refreshing to see.
While the book wasn't very long, it was really well paced and didn't have any fluff or filler which I really appreciated. Had the second book already been released, I would have launched straight into it, since The Pureblood Daughter definitely left me wanting more. There are hints of upcoming storylines weaved into this one, which are really promising and I think there's a lot more to learn about the world in the next book.
In summary, The Pureblood Daughter offers a compelling narrative, strong character development, and a seamless blend of genres. Despite my initial apprehensions about present tense, this book not only held my attention but left me more than ready for the next instalment. Roll on March 2024! A recommended read for fans of regency romance and the supernatural alike!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from BookSirens, but this is my voluntary and honest review.
June 7, 2026
1.5 ⭑ - Meh
SPOILERS AHEAD
This book had a lot of potential, and it contained a lot of tropes that I typically enjoy, but unfortunately, the execution was not it.
Was the plot unique? No, but that wasn't even one of the issues I had with the story. The writing was repetitive. Every time the ML looked at the FM, her only reaction was feeling warmth in her chest/stomach and wetness between her legs, while his reaction to seeing her was always his gaze softening from cold to tender. That was the entire spectrum of their emotions. The insta-love didn't help much on that front.
While I am all for fated soulmates (I love it), and it's nice not to have all the conflict stem from one or both parties insisting that ‘even though fate says we should be together, we can't because of x and y’, followed by a lot of unnecessary angst, it's still important to see the relationship develop gradually as they earn each other’s trust beyond the initial starting point of superficial mutual attraction that drew them together to begin with.
For example, take into account the forbidden element of her adoptive father standing in the way of their union. There was so much room for tension and growth, and so much more drama could have been drawn out from the entire aspect of the hunters and her being unknowingly raised by one, but they got reduced to a random unnamed man attacking in the middle of the night. I don't know, as much as I enjoy mutual attraction without inner turmoil of ‘we can’t be together’, I just couldn't fully buy into their romance.
And also, the entire hunter aspect didn't feel as much of a looming threat as it should have. I thought her father would at least force the tonic down her throat when she refused to drink it but no, he just locked her in her room and still had the maids attend and feed her. If you're not prepared to do the bare minimum you're not a threat I'm going to take seriously. This man just had anger issues and liked shouting.
Because of all this, the characters came across as stale and very one-dimensional. Adelina's relationships with both her father and Rose were cut off so easily, and we barely got any exploration of the internal turmoil that comes from loving people while also hating them. Adelina seemed to flip a switch from love to hate as quickly as snapping your fingers, without any real depth being added to those conflicting emotions. And the way she stormed into her old house to confront her adoptive father about his past with her biological parents was so... unsatisfying.
The ending was also a bit abrupt and anticlimactic. Maybe it needed a strong cliffhanger, or at least a more impactful resolution. It felt strange because no major issue was actually resolved, especially when the central conflict seemed to be the tension between Adelina and her adoptive father.
And the world-building? At first, I thought this was a completely fictional world, but then there were repeated mentions of European countries when referring to the origins of certain objects or languages being spoken. There wasn't really any clarification about how that fit into the setting, so I ended up feeling a bit confused about the overall context.
Anyway, I didn’t rate it 1 ⭑ - Not for me because if I extract the themes and tropes of this book, it was made for me, but it was executed in such an unsatisfying way that I can’t give it anything higher than 1.5 ⭑ - Meh.
SPOILERS AHEAD
This book had a lot of potential, and it contained a lot of tropes that I typically enjoy, but unfortunately, the execution was not it.
Was the plot unique? No, but that wasn't even one of the issues I had with the story. The writing was repetitive. Every time the ML looked at the FM, her only reaction was feeling warmth in her chest/stomach and wetness between her legs, while his reaction to seeing her was always his gaze softening from cold to tender. That was the entire spectrum of their emotions. The insta-love didn't help much on that front.
While I am all for fated soulmates (I love it), and it's nice not to have all the conflict stem from one or both parties insisting that ‘even though fate says we should be together, we can't because of x and y’, followed by a lot of unnecessary angst, it's still important to see the relationship develop gradually as they earn each other’s trust beyond the initial starting point of superficial mutual attraction that drew them together to begin with.
For example, take into account the forbidden element of her adoptive father standing in the way of their union. There was so much room for tension and growth, and so much more drama could have been drawn out from the entire aspect of the hunters and her being unknowingly raised by one, but they got reduced to a random unnamed man attacking in the middle of the night. I don't know, as much as I enjoy mutual attraction without inner turmoil of ‘we can’t be together’, I just couldn't fully buy into their romance.
And also, the entire hunter aspect didn't feel as much of a looming threat as it should have. I thought her father would at least force the tonic down her throat when she refused to drink it but no, he just locked her in her room and still had the maids attend and feed her. If you're not prepared to do the bare minimum you're not a threat I'm going to take seriously. This man just had anger issues and liked shouting.
Because of all this, the characters came across as stale and very one-dimensional. Adelina's relationships with both her father and Rose were cut off so easily, and we barely got any exploration of the internal turmoil that comes from loving people while also hating them. Adelina seemed to flip a switch from love to hate as quickly as snapping your fingers, without any real depth being added to those conflicting emotions. And the way she stormed into her old house to confront her adoptive father about his past with her biological parents was so... unsatisfying.
The ending was also a bit abrupt and anticlimactic. Maybe it needed a strong cliffhanger, or at least a more impactful resolution. It felt strange because no major issue was actually resolved, especially when the central conflict seemed to be the tension between Adelina and her adoptive father.
And the world-building? At first, I thought this was a completely fictional world, but then there were repeated mentions of European countries when referring to the origins of certain objects or languages being spoken. There wasn't really any clarification about how that fit into the setting, so I ended up feeling a bit confused about the overall context.
Anyway, I didn’t rate it 1 ⭑ - Not for me because if I extract the themes and tropes of this book, it was made for me, but it was executed in such an unsatisfying way that I can’t give it anything higher than 1.5 ⭑ - Meh.
September 11, 2026
Historical romance meets vampires with Bridgerton-ish vibes? Okay, you have my attention.
Adalina has spent her life sheltered because of her sickly constitution. She’s basically accepted that marriage and a family aren’t in the cards for her until she meets Viscount Theodore Rosetti. And that’s where things get interesting.
What I really loved was watching Adalina change. She starts as this demure, controlled woman who has spent her life being protected and limited by what everyone believes she can handle. Then little by little, we get to watch something else wake up in her. Her confidence, her desires, and some rather important truths about who she actually is.
Give me a wallflower finding her teeth.
Theo and Adalina’s relationship develops right alongside her transformation, and I loved the forbidden element between them. He falls first, there’s fated mates energy, hidden lineage, awakening desires, and just enough spice without it overtaking the story.
The paranormal and historical elements also blended together really well. It gave me the manners, aristocracy, gowns, and societal expectations of a Regency romance, then casually tossed vampires and supernatural secrets into the middle of it. Yes. More of that, please.
And I have to talk about the audio because Antonia Thouday absolutely elevated this for me. Her narration was incredibly engaging, and her accent added so much to the historical atmosphere. Even with a single narrator, I stayed completely engrossed in the performance for the entire seven hours.
By the end, Adalina felt like an entirely different woman from the one we met at the beginning, but the progression felt earned. That character development was easily one of my favorite parts.
My biggest complaint? I need more.
More Adalina. More Theo. More of this world. More answers. Just book two, please.
If you like vampire romance, hidden lineage, fated mates, forbidden aristocratic romance, wallflower FMCs finding their power, and Regency vibes with a paranormal bite, this is absolutely one to check out.
Huge thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio, RBmedia, and Emberly Wyndham for the complimentary ALC. All thoughts are completely my own.
Adalina has spent her life sheltered because of her sickly constitution. She’s basically accepted that marriage and a family aren’t in the cards for her until she meets Viscount Theodore Rosetti. And that’s where things get interesting.
What I really loved was watching Adalina change. She starts as this demure, controlled woman who has spent her life being protected and limited by what everyone believes she can handle. Then little by little, we get to watch something else wake up in her. Her confidence, her desires, and some rather important truths about who she actually is.
Give me a wallflower finding her teeth.
Theo and Adalina’s relationship develops right alongside her transformation, and I loved the forbidden element between them. He falls first, there’s fated mates energy, hidden lineage, awakening desires, and just enough spice without it overtaking the story.
The paranormal and historical elements also blended together really well. It gave me the manners, aristocracy, gowns, and societal expectations of a Regency romance, then casually tossed vampires and supernatural secrets into the middle of it. Yes. More of that, please.
And I have to talk about the audio because Antonia Thouday absolutely elevated this for me. Her narration was incredibly engaging, and her accent added so much to the historical atmosphere. Even with a single narrator, I stayed completely engrossed in the performance for the entire seven hours.
By the end, Adalina felt like an entirely different woman from the one we met at the beginning, but the progression felt earned. That character development was easily one of my favorite parts.
My biggest complaint? I need more.
More Adalina. More Theo. More of this world. More answers. Just book two, please.
If you like vampire romance, hidden lineage, fated mates, forbidden aristocratic romance, wallflower FMCs finding their power, and Regency vibes with a paranormal bite, this is absolutely one to check out.
Huge thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio, RBmedia, and Emberly Wyndham for the complimentary ALC. All thoughts are completely my own.
August 24, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC!
The Pureblood Daughter review - 3⭐️ 2🌶️ 4.5🎧
A historical romance with fantasy elements that is basically Bridgerton meets vampires! Set in the Regency era, this gave me so many Vampire Diaries flashback vibes with a distinctly Y2K vampire-core feel that I personally loved.
Adelina, our FMC, has always been unwell and relies on a daily tonic to manage her mysterious illness. When she attends a ball and catches the attention of a handsome and mysterious viscount, things begin to unravel, and I really enjoyed the nostalgic gothic atmosphere.
I really liked Adelina and found her easy to root for. I also loved the mystery surrounding her identity and the secrets being kept from her. There are some really interesting ideas here, and I think the story has a lot of potential, especially with the vampire lore and the enemies-between-families setup.
My biggest issue was that some of these ideas felt a little underdeveloped or rushed. There were several elements that I would have loved to see explored in more depth, as I think they could have added so much more impact to the story and characters. The spice was also a little too fast for me. We don't know that much about the MMC before things suddenly become spicy, which felt a little jarring considering how innocent and unwell Adelina initially seemed. There was also a moment involving her blood that raised questions for me, but I wanted Adelina to question it more herself!
The narration was fantastic, though! It's single narration, but that didn't affect my enjoyment at all. The narrator had a really natural English accent and did the other accents beautifully without any distracting or overly theatrical character voices. I especially appreciated that she didn't try to force a deeper "male" voice for the MMC.
Overall, I really enjoyed the nostalgic Y2K vampire-core atmosphere and Regency setting. While I do wish some of the plot and character elements had been fleshed out more, I think there's a lot of potential here for readers who love historical romance with a supernatural twist!
Thank you Emberly Wyndham & Tantor Media for a copy of this audiobook ♥️
The Pureblood Daughter review - 3⭐️ 2🌶️ 4.5🎧
A historical romance with fantasy elements that is basically Bridgerton meets vampires! Set in the Regency era, this gave me so many Vampire Diaries flashback vibes with a distinctly Y2K vampire-core feel that I personally loved.
Adelina, our FMC, has always been unwell and relies on a daily tonic to manage her mysterious illness. When she attends a ball and catches the attention of a handsome and mysterious viscount, things begin to unravel, and I really enjoyed the nostalgic gothic atmosphere.
I really liked Adelina and found her easy to root for. I also loved the mystery surrounding her identity and the secrets being kept from her. There are some really interesting ideas here, and I think the story has a lot of potential, especially with the vampire lore and the enemies-between-families setup.
My biggest issue was that some of these ideas felt a little underdeveloped or rushed. There were several elements that I would have loved to see explored in more depth, as I think they could have added so much more impact to the story and characters. The spice was also a little too fast for me. We don't know that much about the MMC before things suddenly become spicy, which felt a little jarring considering how innocent and unwell Adelina initially seemed. There was also a moment involving her blood that raised questions for me, but I wanted Adelina to question it more herself!
The narration was fantastic, though! It's single narration, but that didn't affect my enjoyment at all. The narrator had a really natural English accent and did the other accents beautifully without any distracting or overly theatrical character voices. I especially appreciated that she didn't try to force a deeper "male" voice for the MMC.
Overall, I really enjoyed the nostalgic Y2K vampire-core atmosphere and Regency setting. While I do wish some of the plot and character elements had been fleshed out more, I think there's a lot of potential here for readers who love historical romance with a supernatural twist!
Thank you Emberly Wyndham & Tantor Media for a copy of this audiobook ♥️
August 25, 2026
Bridgerton x The Vampire Diaries?! Say less.
I had this as an ALC and the narrator was absolutely brilliant. She had such a relaxing, clear voice and made this ridiculously easy to listen to, especially while driving. I could follow everything perfectly and I thought her narration really suited the historical/gothic atmosphere of the story.
The first half had me SO intrigued. Our FMC has spent years suffering from a mysterious illness, relying on a tonic prescribed by a doctor who I immediately decided was suspicious. Then the mysterious Viscount appears and starts making her question everything she has been told.
Suddenly she’s smelling ingredients like garlic and hawthorn, colours are brighter, food tastes different and she’s absolutely STARVING. At this point I was basically shouting, GIRL, DO YOU JUST NEED SOME BLOOD?!
I loved trying to work everything out alongside her. Her family clearly knows more than they’re telling her, there’s something questionable about the necklace she’s wearing, the Viscount’s family is apparently Public Enemy Number One and I trusted approximately nobody.
Also, her mother’s horror at the possibility that she might be pregnant absolutely sent me. Daughter potentially turning into a vampire? Fine. Daughter with child? SCANDAL. I love this era!
Unfortunately, I don’t think the second half quite lived up to the potential of the first. Everything suddenly seemed to move incredibly quickly, particularly the romance. We went from this lovely tension and barely being able to touch each other to their physical relationship progressing incredibly fast and it didn’t completely work for me. I wanted more time with them and more answers to all those questions the first half had made me desperate to solve.
This is the first part of a three-book story though, and there is definitely enough here to make me want to continue and find out what happens next.
The story was a little rushed towards the end for me, but the audiobook narration? Absolutely fantastic.
I had this as an ALC and the narrator was absolutely brilliant. She had such a relaxing, clear voice and made this ridiculously easy to listen to, especially while driving. I could follow everything perfectly and I thought her narration really suited the historical/gothic atmosphere of the story.
The first half had me SO intrigued. Our FMC has spent years suffering from a mysterious illness, relying on a tonic prescribed by a doctor who I immediately decided was suspicious. Then the mysterious Viscount appears and starts making her question everything she has been told.
Suddenly she’s smelling ingredients like garlic and hawthorn, colours are brighter, food tastes different and she’s absolutely STARVING. At this point I was basically shouting, GIRL, DO YOU JUST NEED SOME BLOOD?!
I loved trying to work everything out alongside her. Her family clearly knows more than they’re telling her, there’s something questionable about the necklace she’s wearing, the Viscount’s family is apparently Public Enemy Number One and I trusted approximately nobody.
Also, her mother’s horror at the possibility that she might be pregnant absolutely sent me. Daughter potentially turning into a vampire? Fine. Daughter with child? SCANDAL. I love this era!
Unfortunately, I don’t think the second half quite lived up to the potential of the first. Everything suddenly seemed to move incredibly quickly, particularly the romance. We went from this lovely tension and barely being able to touch each other to their physical relationship progressing incredibly fast and it didn’t completely work for me. I wanted more time with them and more answers to all those questions the first half had made me desperate to solve.
This is the first part of a three-book story though, and there is definitely enough here to make me want to continue and find out what happens next.
The story was a little rushed towards the end for me, but the audiobook narration? Absolutely fantastic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Narration: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 5/10
I don't usually reach for historical romance, but apparently all you have to do is add vampires and suddenly I'm your girl. 😂 I absolutely devoured The Pureblood Daughter—I finished the entire audiobook in less than 24 hours!
I've seen some readers call the romance insta-love, and I have to disagree. Insta-attraction? Absolutely. But I thought the actual feelings developed pretty naturally considering the circumstances. And Viscount Rosetti? The man was a perfect gentleman...until he wasn't. 😉
I really enjoyed Adelina, but one of my favorite parts of her story was actually her relationship with her adoptive mother. Their relationship ended up being much more touching than I expected, especially toward the end.
The biggest thing holding this back from five stars was that I wanted more. The book could have easily been longer, particularly because there were places where the vampire lore and worldbuilding could have been expanded. We're only beginning to scratch the surface of this world by the end, and I would have loved a little more time to dig into it. That said, I'm absolutely looking forward to the next book because I want to see where the relationship—and the vampire lore—goes from here.
Also, can we talk about that cover?! Gorgeous.
And the audiobook! Harrie Dobby was superb. Her accent was lovely, her voice was incredibly easy to listen to, and she fit the atmosphere of the story perfectly. I could—and would—listen to her all day. An easy five stars for the narration.
If historical romance normally isn't your thing but vampires, secret identities, forbidden attraction, and mysterious gentlemen definitely are, this might be the gateway historical romance for you. Apparently it was for me. 😂
ARC Disclosure: I received an advance listening copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Narration: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 5/10
I don't usually reach for historical romance, but apparently all you have to do is add vampires and suddenly I'm your girl. 😂 I absolutely devoured The Pureblood Daughter—I finished the entire audiobook in less than 24 hours!
I've seen some readers call the romance insta-love, and I have to disagree. Insta-attraction? Absolutely. But I thought the actual feelings developed pretty naturally considering the circumstances. And Viscount Rosetti? The man was a perfect gentleman...until he wasn't. 😉
I really enjoyed Adelina, but one of my favorite parts of her story was actually her relationship with her adoptive mother. Their relationship ended up being much more touching than I expected, especially toward the end.
The biggest thing holding this back from five stars was that I wanted more. The book could have easily been longer, particularly because there were places where the vampire lore and worldbuilding could have been expanded. We're only beginning to scratch the surface of this world by the end, and I would have loved a little more time to dig into it. That said, I'm absolutely looking forward to the next book because I want to see where the relationship—and the vampire lore—goes from here.
Also, can we talk about that cover?! Gorgeous.
And the audiobook! Harrie Dobby was superb. Her accent was lovely, her voice was incredibly easy to listen to, and she fit the atmosphere of the story perfectly. I could—and would—listen to her all day. An easy five stars for the narration.
If historical romance normally isn't your thing but vampires, secret identities, forbidden attraction, and mysterious gentlemen definitely are, this might be the gateway historical romance for you. Apparently it was for me. 😂
ARC Disclosure: I received an advance listening copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley for this ALC. Adelina has been raised in high society by loving adoptive parents. Unfortunately, she has also been sickly, overprotected, and kept close to home. When she attends a ball, she sees Viscount Theodore Rosetti. She is immediately drawn to him even though she doesn't think she stands a chance. When they meet, he too is intrigued. He tells her there is more to her than she realizes and to stop drinking the tonic her parents give her. This confuses Adelina and leads her to start questioning why she is drinking it. When she stops drinking it, she realizes she might not have been as sick as she believed and that her senses are heightened. Adding to her confusion and worries, her father forbids her to see Theodore. Unfortunately it doesn't stop her from seeing Viscount Rosetti and they begin meeting in secret. As secrets are revealed, Adelina learns Theodore is a vampire which excites and terrifies her, She also discovers her sickness and life are full of lies her father told her and that he isn't the great man she thought he was. As the stakes and tension continue to rise, Adelina has to decide if her love for Theo is worth the risk and if she is brave enough to accept her true nature and history. This was an enjoyable audiobook. I really enjoyed Theodore and Adelina's romance. They had a slow burn romance that simmered until it finally erupted in passion. I also liked seeing Adelina slowly piece together the puzzles in her life and transform from a naive, sickly girl to a strong woman who stands up to her father and embraces herself for what she actually is. I thought the narrator did a great job. She had good cadence which kept the story flowing smoothly, brought heart to the characters, and kept me engaged. If you are looking for a shorter audiobook that blends historical romance and paranormal lore to tell an entertaining story, this is a great choice for you.
August 22, 2026
Bridgerton meets vampires in this spicy historical romance. 🧛♀️
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Media for providing me with an ALC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️½☆ (3.5/5 Stars)
I went into The PureBlood Daughter because it sounded interesting, plus I have loved vampire books and movies ever since I was a child.The Bridgerton comparison is actually what made me curious, and I could see where that came from and how they worked with it.
There are the dresses, manners, and expectations of the time that were talked about in this book.
I liked the idea of the story and I really wanted to enjoy it more—I really did—but for me, it took too long to get into something of substance to dig your teeth into.
The historical setting it tried setting up was nice, but the vampire side really didn't bare its fangs until the last few chapters, and that is too late for me.
I want a vampire who is going to act like a gentleman but still feel like a threat, and I never once got that feeling. The vampire side of things was pretty boring for me.
Now, do I see others liking this if they enjoy a really slow buildup with just a tiny bit of vampires? Yes, I do, but unfortunately, I am not one of them.
The romance was probably the part I was the most up and down with, because I didn't feel much was there.
I believe this book could have had a few chapters cut from it and nothing would have been lost.There is definitely spice in this one, but I would say it's not much and very, very mild.
I listened to this as an audiobook and found it easy enough to get through. The narration worked well; the voice was lovely and charming to listen to, which made the story easy to follow while I was listening.
Overall, I enjoyed The PureBlood Daughter a little, but not enough to want to continue with the series when more is written.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Media for providing me with an ALC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️½☆ (3.5/5 Stars)
I went into The PureBlood Daughter because it sounded interesting, plus I have loved vampire books and movies ever since I was a child.The Bridgerton comparison is actually what made me curious, and I could see where that came from and how they worked with it.
There are the dresses, manners, and expectations of the time that were talked about in this book.
I liked the idea of the story and I really wanted to enjoy it more—I really did—but for me, it took too long to get into something of substance to dig your teeth into.
The historical setting it tried setting up was nice, but the vampire side really didn't bare its fangs until the last few chapters, and that is too late for me.
I want a vampire who is going to act like a gentleman but still feel like a threat, and I never once got that feeling. The vampire side of things was pretty boring for me.
Now, do I see others liking this if they enjoy a really slow buildup with just a tiny bit of vampires? Yes, I do, but unfortunately, I am not one of them.
The romance was probably the part I was the most up and down with, because I didn't feel much was there.
I believe this book could have had a few chapters cut from it and nothing would have been lost.There is definitely spice in this one, but I would say it's not much and very, very mild.
I listened to this as an audiobook and found it easy enough to get through. The narration worked well; the voice was lovely and charming to listen to, which made the story easy to follow while I was listening.
Overall, I enjoyed The PureBlood Daughter a little, but not enough to want to continue with the series when more is written.
July 2, 2024
I'd never read anything from this author before and have no idea whether this is the first or 500th book she's written and yet, I still have a new favorite storyteller to stalk online (not in a creepy way though). This author brought Adelina's world to life in my mind with intelligent plot points, natural dialogue, excellent research into the time period, giving you all the feels and immersing you in the world her character's inhabit. As a read, a reel ran in my mind from the author's ability to describe everything from the emotions each character felt to the scents you'd be experiencing if you stood just out of sight and watched the story play out. This may be the most engaging and well written historical paranormal romance novella I've read in the last 10 years. It's truly hard to surprise me into loving a new author (to me, at least) this much, but Ms. Wyndham has managed handily. I plan on downloading the next novella in the series and begin reading it before I even go to sleep tonight and I stayed up until 4 a.m. to finish this one. I simply couldn't put it down until I knew what happened between Miss Gray and her parents and while the ending was a bit tearful and sad, it was also a HPN for Ms. Gray and she's a heroine who deserves every chance at joy. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I'd let my 16 year old read this but due to s*xual situations, I wouldn't let my younger children read it. If you're looking for a fun, quick read full of suspense and mystery with a little family angst and bit between the main characters as well, this is your read of the day.
I'd let my 16 year old read this but due to s*xual situations, I wouldn't let my younger children read it. If you're looking for a fun, quick read full of suspense and mystery with a little family angst and bit between the main characters as well, this is your read of the day.
August 26, 2026
ALC review
This book follows Adelina who is struggling with a mysterious illness. Her condition keeps her from doing many of the other things other young woman do. Everything changes when she attends a ball that is hosted by the Rosetti family. She there meets Theodore. There is an immediate connection between them. With the help of Theodore she finds out that the world she's always known is hiding some pretty enormous secrets.
This book was entertaining, but it didn't have a wow factor for me. A major cause of this was the 3th person POV, I noticed that I didn't liked that for this book.
The whole setting was right, the victorian-era, the balls, the “finding a husband” it fit for this story. The addition of vampires completed that.
The character development for Adelina was fun to watch. She starts off as a weak woman. She decides nothing for herself but ends up as a confident woman who takes matters in her own hands.
The book has a really nice balance of historical atmosphere, romance, vampires, family secrets, and action and the ending definitely made me curious about what happens next.
Audio book review – 5 stars
The book is narrated by Antonia Thowdey. I really enjoyed experiencing this story in audio. The narration brought out the old-fashioned atmosphere of the book particularly well, and the emotional moments between Adelina and Theodore had a nice added intensity when performed aloud. The characters' personalities came through naturally, and the narration made it easy to settle into the story and get swept up in the Victorian setting and supernatural elements. The audio narration elevated the story.
This book follows Adelina who is struggling with a mysterious illness. Her condition keeps her from doing many of the other things other young woman do. Everything changes when she attends a ball that is hosted by the Rosetti family. She there meets Theodore. There is an immediate connection between them. With the help of Theodore she finds out that the world she's always known is hiding some pretty enormous secrets.
This book was entertaining, but it didn't have a wow factor for me. A major cause of this was the 3th person POV, I noticed that I didn't liked that for this book.
The whole setting was right, the victorian-era, the balls, the “finding a husband” it fit for this story. The addition of vampires completed that.
The character development for Adelina was fun to watch. She starts off as a weak woman. She decides nothing for herself but ends up as a confident woman who takes matters in her own hands.
The book has a really nice balance of historical atmosphere, romance, vampires, family secrets, and action and the ending definitely made me curious about what happens next.
Audio book review – 5 stars
The book is narrated by Antonia Thowdey. I really enjoyed experiencing this story in audio. The narration brought out the old-fashioned atmosphere of the book particularly well, and the emotional moments between Adelina and Theodore had a nice added intensity when performed aloud. The characters' personalities came through naturally, and the narration made it easy to settle into the story and get swept up in the Victorian setting and supernatural elements. The audio narration elevated the story.
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