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The Great Vampiric Deception
**The Great Vampiric Deception is an urban fantasy Vampire thriller with a heavy romantic subplot. This is NOT a romance.
Vampires exist.
The use, abuse, and discard.
If you are one of the lucky ones to survive a relationship with a vampire but are left feeling broken and desperate, there is help. Hope.
The cohort support group meets every Sunday night at the community centre.
Refreshments included.
Victoria suffered unimaginable horrors and trauma from her four-year relationship with her vampire ex-boyfriend.
She was one of the lucky ones.
Years later, she enjoys a life of solitude and just wants to be left alone in her new mundane, uneventful life. Her quiet routine shatters to pieces when an unexpected guest joins her vampire victim support group, while an unknown danger stalks her from the shadows.
Who is stalking her? Are they connected to her past? Or did her newest member bring more than a century's worth of trauma into her life?
Vampires exist.
The use, abuse, and discard.
If you are one of the lucky ones to survive a relationship with a vampire but are left feeling broken and desperate, there is help. Hope.
The cohort support group meets every Sunday night at the community centre.
Refreshments included.
Victoria suffered unimaginable horrors and trauma from her four-year relationship with her vampire ex-boyfriend.
She was one of the lucky ones.
Years later, she enjoys a life of solitude and just wants to be left alone in her new mundane, uneventful life. Her quiet routine shatters to pieces when an unexpected guest joins her vampire victim support group, while an unknown danger stalks her from the shadows.
Who is stalking her? Are they connected to her past? Or did her newest member bring more than a century's worth of trauma into her life?
382 pages, Paperback
Published November 16, 2023
7 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Jolene Gettler
5 books53 followers“ If it's real for me, do I have to prove it to you?”
- Greg Graffin
Jolene Gettler is currently a stay-at-home mother, residing in Ontario Canada. An avid daydreamer, she has recently decided to take her head out of the clouds and put her ideas and scenarios in writing.
Dark fantasy is her favourite genre to get lost in. When she is not reading or writing, she is listening to music, or obsessing over her dog.
“Destined For A Life Unknown” is her debut novel, available now.
- Greg Graffin
Jolene Gettler is currently a stay-at-home mother, residing in Ontario Canada. An avid daydreamer, she has recently decided to take her head out of the clouds and put her ideas and scenarios in writing.
Dark fantasy is her favourite genre to get lost in. When she is not reading or writing, she is listening to music, or obsessing over her dog.
“Destined For A Life Unknown” is her debut novel, available now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
December 6, 2023
I........ well, to be honest, I don't know what to say
I am unwell
I am shattered
I have no words or, more precisely, the correct words to describe how utterly beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time, this book is it.
It took me by surprise
If you are looking for a book that will hit you in your face, pull out your heart, tear it out into a million pieces, then this book is for you
Don't be fooled by the title
yes, there are vampires
but it is not about vampires
what is this book about?
it is about Vampires luring innocent people to suck their blood and life
what is this book not about?
it is not about Vampires luring innocent people to suck their blood and life
and that ending!!!!
whatttttt
confused? I don't know what to write so to not spoil
but if you were ever in an abusive relationship or know someone who was, read this book
I am unwell
I am shattered
I have no words or, more precisely, the correct words to describe how utterly beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time, this book is it.
It took me by surprise
If you are looking for a book that will hit you in your face, pull out your heart, tear it out into a million pieces, then this book is for you
Don't be fooled by the title
yes, there are vampires
but it is not about vampires
what is this book about?
it is about Vampires luring innocent people to suck their blood and life
what is this book not about?
it is not about Vampires luring innocent people to suck their blood and life
and that ending!!!!
whatttttt
confused? I don't know what to write so to not spoil
but if you were ever in an abusive relationship or know someone who was, read this book
November 17, 2023
I am unwell…
Simple words could never do this book justice. It is heartbreaking, and hilarious, emotional and tense.. I’m going to need a support group to pull myself out of the post reading haze..
Our story finds Victoria who has been abused and broken by an ex boyfriend who is a Vampire… but much like fight club .. first rule of dating a vampire is You don’t talk about dating a vampire.. if you survive it that is.. so of course she starts a support group for survivors.. Everything is going according to plan .. that is until Grayson joins the group..
Mic drop… Grayson is a vampire, who comes equipped with his own story of hurts . Did I mention Victoria has a stalker?? Brace yourself for a wild ride that will stretch you in the best and worst ways.. sponsored by EMOTIONAL TRAUMA -Allegedly!
Y’all this is not your Twilight spinoff.. you will not find The Cullens hidden in the pages of this story.. what you will find:
Incredible character work, out of this world banter, a storyline with flashbacks that is easy to follow , beautiful and tragic imagery, and a book family that you will love ❤️. You will scream.. You will cry.. you will be hooked in the prologue and guaranteed you will question who hurt the author before you are done, but WHAT A RIDE!!
This is 15/10 read for me. Highly Recommend
Simple words could never do this book justice. It is heartbreaking, and hilarious, emotional and tense.. I’m going to need a support group to pull myself out of the post reading haze..
Our story finds Victoria who has been abused and broken by an ex boyfriend who is a Vampire… but much like fight club .. first rule of dating a vampire is You don’t talk about dating a vampire.. if you survive it that is.. so of course she starts a support group for survivors.. Everything is going according to plan .. that is until Grayson joins the group..
Mic drop… Grayson is a vampire, who comes equipped with his own story of hurts . Did I mention Victoria has a stalker?? Brace yourself for a wild ride that will stretch you in the best and worst ways.. sponsored by EMOTIONAL TRAUMA -Allegedly!
Y’all this is not your Twilight spinoff.. you will not find The Cullens hidden in the pages of this story.. what you will find:
Incredible character work, out of this world banter, a storyline with flashbacks that is easy to follow , beautiful and tragic imagery, and a book family that you will love ❤️. You will scream.. You will cry.. you will be hooked in the prologue and guaranteed you will question who hurt the author before you are done, but WHAT A RIDE!!
This is 15/10 read for me. Highly Recommend
November 16, 2023
Expertly done. Wonderfully compelling. Beautifully told.
I consumed this in a day and now don't know what to do with myself.
I really loved the modern vampire tale and how they have infiltrated our society but man, I loved Victora and her little support group. I like the aspect of her constant routine and her recovery was so real that it hit me hard.
And BOY WAS GRAYSON HOT HOT HOT. But also with his own troubles and I love how they spoke openly about the stuff they struggle with. Beautiful.
But THE ENDING! I shouted so loudly. I did not see it coming but when it did, it all made complete sense.
A brilliantly woven tale about recovery with added vampires! This is not a romance... this so so so so much more.
Can't wait for more of this world!!!
I consumed this in a day and now don't know what to do with myself.
I really loved the modern vampire tale and how they have infiltrated our society but man, I loved Victora and her little support group. I like the aspect of her constant routine and her recovery was so real that it hit me hard.
And BOY WAS GRAYSON HOT HOT HOT. But also with his own troubles and I love how they spoke openly about the stuff they struggle with. Beautiful.
But THE ENDING! I shouted so loudly. I did not see it coming but when it did, it all made complete sense.
A brilliantly woven tale about recovery with added vampires! This is not a romance... this so so so so much more.
Can't wait for more of this world!!!
October 22, 2023
JOLENE JOLENE JOLEENNEE WHYD YOU TAKE ME MAN!
Jokes aside, the writing was chef's kiss. I devoured this book today and suffering a bit of a reading hangover. After a certain chapter, I jumped up screaming. Iykyk. Like whyyyyyyy 😭
I had to put the ebook down and take a moment to absorb it, hoping that when i returned, it was imagined. To my dismay, twas not.
Captivating story, and I loved the modern vampire story of society. Made me think that if vampires did exist, people like Victoria would be out there. lol makes me wonder 🤔
What a story, absolutely loved.
Jokes aside, the writing was chef's kiss. I devoured this book today and suffering a bit of a reading hangover. After a certain chapter, I jumped up screaming. Iykyk. Like whyyyyyyy 😭
I had to put the ebook down and take a moment to absorb it, hoping that when i returned, it was imagined. To my dismay, twas not.
Captivating story, and I loved the modern vampire story of society. Made me think that if vampires did exist, people like Victoria would be out there. lol makes me wonder 🤔
What a story, absolutely loved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2024
Let me start of by saying.... WTF!! THE ENDING!!
This book isn't your normal vampire book, I loved how the vampires weren't romanticized like they normally are. I was intrigued! I also loved that smut wasn't the "main" topic of the book.
I also loved the ads in between they were a fun addition to the book.
the ptsd from the characters and how they dealt with it was very well portrayed
grayson was an absolute dream, he was hot and protective.
While Victoria was a strong woman who could take care of herself.
The writing style was amazing, but there were things repeated a couple of times where it was not necessary.
This book really surprised me and I enjoyed it a lot!!
This book isn't your normal vampire book, I loved how the vampires weren't romanticized like they normally are. I was intrigued! I also loved that smut wasn't the "main" topic of the book.
I also loved the ads in between they were a fun addition to the book.
the ptsd from the characters and how they dealt with it was very well portrayed
grayson was an absolute dream, he was hot and protective.
While Victoria was a strong woman who could take care of herself.
The writing style was amazing, but there were things repeated a couple of times where it was not necessary.
This book really surprised me and I enjoyed it a lot!!
December 6, 2023
Fresh, captivating, enthralling!
Even if you're into vampire books, you won't have read anything like this before. But be warned, not suitable for the faint hearted or under 18s 🫣
Even if you're into vampire books, you won't have read anything like this before. But be warned, not suitable for the faint hearted or under 18s 🫣
November 9, 2023
** Spoilers** I do love this book but here is basically a mini rant about Victoria.
The MFC was extremely hot and cold towards the MMC the ENTIRE time. He was such a sweet and lovable character who, despite being what Victoria hated the most, tried so dang hard to show her that he was more than a vamp. He tried so hard and she just constantly threw tantrums..which in the end made me realize she was extremely immature and her killing Grayson pissed me oooooff. HE DESERVED BETTER. He was shit on by the woman who turned him and then here comes Victoria. I had so much love for her in the beginning because she seemed to be just a broken character trying to start a new life and help others. But she emotionally manipulated him in my opinion. He did say some things that could have been red flags like asking why she swore so much and asked if she would stop and when she explained why she swore he dropped it.. that was one of her main reasons for killing him. YOU WERE TRYING TO CHANGE HER GRAYSON JEEZ. insert eye roll here.
The MFC was extremely hot and cold towards the MMC the ENTIRE time. He was such a sweet and lovable character who, despite being what Victoria hated the most, tried so dang hard to show her that he was more than a vamp. He tried so hard and she just constantly threw tantrums..which in the end made me realize she was extremely immature and her killing Grayson pissed me oooooff. HE DESERVED BETTER. He was shit on by the woman who turned him and then here comes Victoria. I had so much love for her in the beginning because she seemed to be just a broken character trying to start a new life and help others. But she emotionally manipulated him in my opinion. He did say some things that could have been red flags like asking why she swore so much and asked if she would stop and when she explained why she swore he dropped it.. that was one of her main reasons for killing him. YOU WERE TRYING TO CHANGE HER GRAYSON JEEZ. insert eye roll here.
October 26, 2023
Ahhhh, NO, I wasn't mentally prepared for this, OMG
This book was incredible, fantastic writing, and storytelling. Wonderful world building and character development.
I loved grayson (prince charming). I wanted to keep him. He was lovable and caring. The side characters were great, and there were wonderful friendships between them.
I loved the bond that was forming between Victoria and Grayson, which was heartwarming and emotional.
This book was pulling on so many of my warm, fussy emotions. There was group therapy, book clubs, stalkers and lots of love and friendships forming, I was all cosy in my little love nest.
AND THEN.....
NO, I was not prepared at all....
This book was incredible, fantastic writing, and storytelling. Wonderful world building and character development.
I loved grayson (prince charming). I wanted to keep him. He was lovable and caring. The side characters were great, and there were wonderful friendships between them.
I loved the bond that was forming between Victoria and Grayson, which was heartwarming and emotional.
This book was pulling on so many of my warm, fussy emotions. There was group therapy, book clubs, stalkers and lots of love and friendships forming, I was all cosy in my little love nest.
AND THEN.....
NO, I was not prepared at all....
October 22, 2023
Thank you to the author, Jolene Gettler, for this ARC to read. This is my honest opinion of this book.
I loved it! It kept me engaged from the first paragraph to the surprising ending. If you like books about vampires and survival, this book is for you. Read it please, you won’t regret it. I now have a new favorite author.
I loved it! It kept me engaged from the first paragraph to the surprising ending. If you like books about vampires and survival, this book is for you. Read it please, you won’t regret it. I now have a new favorite author.
December 16, 2023
Honestly, I'm just mad I wasted a whole afternoon on this book. The 1st chapter hooked me enough to buy the book but the whole writing style changed and the story was bland but I kept hoping it would pick up but then ending just was completely out of left field and not in a good way and just left super annoyed.
October 25, 2024
It’s going to be hard to describe how much I loved this audiobook
What I loved
🖤Victoria’s story + the sense that she’s always two seconds away from losing her shit
🖤Grayson (just… all of him)
🖤The unique storyline
🖤The narration
🖤The humor (yes, there are a lot of humorous parts lol)
🖤The mystery
🖤The thrill
🖤The spice
🖤The absolutely jaw-dropping plot twist!
The book is just SO GOOD! When I say jaw-dropping, I’m not even kidding. You will be open-mouthed wondering WTAF. I don’t often message authors after finishing the book but I did this time, I just couldn’t help it 😅
The narration is top tier! I was apprehensive when I learned that the book was from the FMC’s POV and was narrated by a male voice but he pulled it off SO well; and I have never been happier when I got to the point of him narrating Grayson’s voice because O.M.G. 🫠
I HIGHLY recommend this book if you like urban fantasy thriller/mystery with a romantic subplot!
🚨 Definitely check the TW on the author’s website.
What I loved
🖤Victoria’s story + the sense that she’s always two seconds away from losing her shit
🖤Grayson (just… all of him)
🖤The unique storyline
🖤The narration
🖤The humor (yes, there are a lot of humorous parts lol)
🖤The mystery
🖤The thrill
🖤The spice
🖤The absolutely jaw-dropping plot twist!
The book is just SO GOOD! When I say jaw-dropping, I’m not even kidding. You will be open-mouthed wondering WTAF. I don’t often message authors after finishing the book but I did this time, I just couldn’t help it 😅
The narration is top tier! I was apprehensive when I learned that the book was from the FMC’s POV and was narrated by a male voice but he pulled it off SO well; and I have never been happier when I got to the point of him narrating Grayson’s voice because O.M.G. 🫠
I HIGHLY recommend this book if you like urban fantasy thriller/mystery with a romantic subplot!
🚨 Definitely check the TW on the author’s website.
June 18, 2024
What the actual fuck? I'm in a total tailspin right now. This was on my TBR for so long, I can't believe I waited for so long, and now I'm so annoyed I'll never read it again for the first time.
I was reading this book, thinking a twist was coming, waiting and waiting for it, and then hoping what I was expecting wouldn't be what was about to happen.
But boy, when the twist did come, it was so far from what I was thinking I couldn't even begin to comprehend what I was reading.
In some ways, it is so much more heartbreaking 😭
I was reading this book, thinking a twist was coming, waiting and waiting for it, and then hoping what I was expecting wouldn't be what was about to happen.
But boy, when the twist did come, it was so far from what I was thinking I couldn't even begin to comprehend what I was reading.
In some ways, it is so much more heartbreaking 😭
November 2, 2023
****Warning some mild spoilers as I include some of my favourite "out of context" quotes directly from the book but nothing that will give away plot points or ruin the story!****
First thing I have to say is I was supremely lucky to have been a beta reader for this book after the very first draft! I have been impatiently waiting to read the finished product after the story has lived in my head for 6ish months! And I enjoyed it just as much during this read as I did months ago even knowing now what I didn't know then.
I was nervous in the beginning as it had a slow pace about it but it was a deliberate slow that keeps you enthralled from the first chapter!
The first line that had me hooked "Please... let me survive this" was *chefs kiss* perfection.
I enjoyed the world building in how vampires exist in our world and how without making fun, it didn't take its storybuilding overly seriously with excellent lines like "They are their own perfect pickup line."
I loved the inner monolog of the FMC and her inner turmoil while she worked through her thoughts and conflicting feelings.
The slow build and burn between the FMC and MMC was great and kept me wanting more while allowing the characters to develop and grow at their own pace.
Grayson... what can I say about Grayson... he is a dream book boyfriend. The perfect balance of flirty, gentlemanly, boy next door who is serious about consent but is also sexy, strong, assertive with that dangerous element all us spicy book lovers crave.
"I am going to take you against this door, it is up to you to decide which side of the door this happens" 🔥🔥🔥
This book will keep you hoping for more and enrage you to the point of wanting violence against the author but one thing it won't do is disappoint! Highly recommend and will read again.
First thing I have to say is I was supremely lucky to have been a beta reader for this book after the very first draft! I have been impatiently waiting to read the finished product after the story has lived in my head for 6ish months! And I enjoyed it just as much during this read as I did months ago even knowing now what I didn't know then.
I was nervous in the beginning as it had a slow pace about it but it was a deliberate slow that keeps you enthralled from the first chapter!
The first line that had me hooked "Please... let me survive this" was *chefs kiss* perfection.
I enjoyed the world building in how vampires exist in our world and how without making fun, it didn't take its storybuilding overly seriously with excellent lines like "They are their own perfect pickup line."
I loved the inner monolog of the FMC and her inner turmoil while she worked through her thoughts and conflicting feelings.
The slow build and burn between the FMC and MMC was great and kept me wanting more while allowing the characters to develop and grow at their own pace.
Grayson... what can I say about Grayson... he is a dream book boyfriend. The perfect balance of flirty, gentlemanly, boy next door who is serious about consent but is also sexy, strong, assertive with that dangerous element all us spicy book lovers crave.
"I am going to take you against this door, it is up to you to decide which side of the door this happens" 🔥🔥🔥
This book will keep you hoping for more and enrage you to the point of wanting violence against the author but one thing it won't do is disappoint! Highly recommend and will read again.
November 13, 2023
An unexpectedly dark and twisted take on a classic trope, Gettler’s book takes the vampiric love story and turns it on its head. A perfect read for lovers of the Sookie Stackhouse novels and those who grew up reading Twilight, The Great Vampiric Deception takes everything you thought you loved about vampire stories and delivers a fresh, darkly funny and exciting twist. A great second novel by an up and coming indie author!
October 29, 2023
I had the honor of this being my first ever ARC. What a high bar it sets for future books.
I've read a lot of books and it gets harder and harder to surprise me. But this book did surprise me.
It was fun that the Vampires were the bad guys again and not just really strong and sexy arm candy, as seen in a lot of vampire stories recently.
And then imagine cozy settings like a bookclub, a support group for vampire victims/discussion group about anything vampire, including references to modern media vampires. And speaking of media, the way that Victoria communicates to other humans about the discussion group had me laughing, despite some of the more serious issues discussed.
Now enter a new group member, who actually is a vampire with a great insight into vampire culture. And add a stalker to the mix and not everything is what it seems. From "enemies" to bookclub allies to friends to..
Usually I'm not one for the flashbacks because it feels to me like it's disrupting the story, but Jolene Gettler left me wanting to know even more about Victoria's past.
This book was steaming towards a nice four star rating, until the last plot twist that really reeled the five star rating in.
I've read a lot of books and it gets harder and harder to surprise me. But this book did surprise me.
It was fun that the Vampires were the bad guys again and not just really strong and sexy arm candy, as seen in a lot of vampire stories recently.
And then imagine cozy settings like a bookclub, a support group for vampire victims/discussion group about anything vampire, including references to modern media vampires. And speaking of media, the way that Victoria communicates to other humans about the discussion group had me laughing, despite some of the more serious issues discussed.
Now enter a new group member, who actually is a vampire with a great insight into vampire culture. And add a stalker to the mix and not everything is what it seems. From "enemies" to bookclub allies to friends to..
Usually I'm not one for the flashbacks because it feels to me like it's disrupting the story, but Jolene Gettler left me wanting to know even more about Victoria's past.
This book was steaming towards a nice four star rating, until the last plot twist that really reeled the five star rating in.
October 31, 2023
Vampires exist.
Victoria knows this and though she’s lived through it all herself, she still wants to help others with their struggles. So she sets up a support group.
She is a likeable character, who I felt for from the start.
Then she’s faced with a dilemma of a vampire joining the support group and how can she deal with that, after her horrible past.
She’s faced it & here she is being strong & then she realises she’s being stalked. Danger senses are alert and where can she turn now.
This book is so unusual and from an aspect I’ve never read before.
It’s has, the scare, the dilemma, trauma, touch of romance but heaps of but, but!
Really enjoyed it.
Looking forward to more from this author.
Victoria knows this and though she’s lived through it all herself, she still wants to help others with their struggles. So she sets up a support group.
She is a likeable character, who I felt for from the start.
Then she’s faced with a dilemma of a vampire joining the support group and how can she deal with that, after her horrible past.
She’s faced it & here she is being strong & then she realises she’s being stalked. Danger senses are alert and where can she turn now.
This book is so unusual and from an aspect I’ve never read before.
It’s has, the scare, the dilemma, trauma, touch of romance but heaps of but, but!
Really enjoyed it.
Looking forward to more from this author.
February 7, 2025
Me, reading this book: We're all gonna be safe, and we're all gonna have a great time- 🎶🎶
Me, after finishing this book: WHAT THE JESUS CHRIST WAS THAT 😱
SO. FIRSTLY. What an incredible book, JG really showcases the world she has made, where Vampires are real, and the main character runs a support group for humans who have been abused by them. This leads to an unexpected friendship, with a few bumps along the way (Ethan, Ricky...). The flashbacks really helped to inform the reader of what was going on in the present in Victoria's head, but I definitely fell into the trap of underestimating her PTSD from her experiences.
Grayson was a lovely character, I can picture him in his woodworking shop! Being cooed at by little old ladies 🤣
Definitely a wild ride. I cried. I giggled. I loved it.
Me, after finishing this book: WHAT THE JESUS CHRIST WAS THAT 😱
SO. FIRSTLY. What an incredible book, JG really showcases the world she has made, where Vampires are real, and the main character runs a support group for humans who have been abused by them. This leads to an unexpected friendship, with a few bumps along the way (Ethan, Ricky...). The flashbacks really helped to inform the reader of what was going on in the present in Victoria's head, but I definitely fell into the trap of underestimating her PTSD from her experiences.
Grayson was a lovely character, I can picture him in his woodworking shop! Being cooed at by little old ladies 🤣
Definitely a wild ride. I cried. I giggled. I loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2023
*3.75*
The Great Vampiric Deception is not your typical vampire book, and that is precisely one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much. Vampires are not romanticized; in this book they are, for the most part, still relatively hidden from the human population, and those who do come across them are traumatized and abused, often for years, manipulated into doing a variety of things they do not wish to do. Personally, I prefer the dark, sleezier side of the vampire world than the romanticized one you see in Twilight, so this was much more to my liking.
I really enjoyed the author's writing style and was immediately drawn into Victoria's world. I was honestly horrified at the things she suffered just in the Prologue and was honestly wondering what I was in for, considering the trigger warnings I was given before starting the book. For the most part, the author does not go into graphic detail about any of the abuse so a lot of it is left up to your imagination, and I have a lot of imagination so I don't know how Victoria managed to survive the four years she was with Lucas, her vampire boyfriend. In order to cope with the trauma she experienced, she started a support group to have a safe environment to be able to discuss the traumas they suffered and to be able to cope with life after leaving the vampiric world. Despite the seriousness of the discussions, there was a lot of levity as well, and there were times I was openly chuckling when the group was trying to explain the difference between Interview With a Vampire or Twilight to one of the members who was somewhat clueless about the reality of vampire life. These are the kinds of things that made this book really fun to read, and lightened the seriousness of the subjects/themes present in the book.
The characters were well drawn out and I loved, loved, loved Grayson the most. He was a vampire himself, having survived his own abusive relationship within the vampire world, and joined the suppor group for help having no where to turn for help. Victoria was vehemently against the idea as she is prejudiced again the vampire population in general, but is vetoed by the other members. We now have a this yang/yang effect between the two of them where Victoria is trying to figure out the Grayson's motives and she is trying to decide whether she can ever have a relationship again. The results let to some interesting consequences, one of which entirely broke my heart. It also let to some issues I had with the book.
I've been thinking about this for days, but there are some things in this book that bothered me. First of all, while I understood Victoria's trauma and the abuse she suffered, there were some things in here that really send the wrong message when it comes to manipulation and the start of manipulative behaviours in relationships. Questioning your partner over why they do certain things is not manipulative behaviour, especially if the other partner drops the subject and never brings it up again as they were just asking where the behaviour comes from. Grayson is over 150 years old, did it never occur to Victoria the behaviour he was questioning was something women never did during his time period and he may not be familiar with it? Gosh, my husband and I are always questioning each other. If you are afraid to question you partner, that is emotional abuse. And my biggest beef, which led to the biggest consequence of all, Victoria unable to deal with her own emotions and behaviour, so she does what she does and IT IS JUSTIFIABLE BEHAVIOUR? Never, in my book. It left such a bad taste in my mouth, it spoiled what was to that point, a 5-star read. Was the author trying to show how twisted thinking can be when a person does not deal with trauma? Hard to say, but I am hoping that is what it was.
The Great Vampiric Deception was a well-written novel of the effects and consequences trauma can have on relationships and on life in general. I loved how she described Victoria's daily routine and how a new person can impact established safe routines on a person who is dealing with the after-effects of an abusive relationship. While the author didn't go into graphic detail, there was enough to be able to understand how horrific Victoria's life was when she was with her vampire boyfriend. I thoroughly loved Grayson and the novel did make me think about the themes of abuse, relationships, and consequences. I chose to take it from the viewpoint of someone who is having difficulty dealing with their trauma, and the consequences of that, although I am not quite sure if that is what the author intended.
The Great Vampiric Deception is not your typical vampire book, and that is precisely one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much. Vampires are not romanticized; in this book they are, for the most part, still relatively hidden from the human population, and those who do come across them are traumatized and abused, often for years, manipulated into doing a variety of things they do not wish to do. Personally, I prefer the dark, sleezier side of the vampire world than the romanticized one you see in Twilight, so this was much more to my liking.
I really enjoyed the author's writing style and was immediately drawn into Victoria's world. I was honestly horrified at the things she suffered just in the Prologue and was honestly wondering what I was in for, considering the trigger warnings I was given before starting the book. For the most part, the author does not go into graphic detail about any of the abuse so a lot of it is left up to your imagination, and I have a lot of imagination so I don't know how Victoria managed to survive the four years she was with Lucas, her vampire boyfriend. In order to cope with the trauma she experienced, she started a support group to have a safe environment to be able to discuss the traumas they suffered and to be able to cope with life after leaving the vampiric world. Despite the seriousness of the discussions, there was a lot of levity as well, and there were times I was openly chuckling when the group was trying to explain the difference between Interview With a Vampire or Twilight to one of the members who was somewhat clueless about the reality of vampire life. These are the kinds of things that made this book really fun to read, and lightened the seriousness of the subjects/themes present in the book.
The characters were well drawn out and I loved, loved, loved Grayson the most. He was a vampire himself, having survived his own abusive relationship within the vampire world, and joined the suppor group for help having no where to turn for help. Victoria was vehemently against the idea as she is prejudiced again the vampire population in general, but is vetoed by the other members. We now have a this yang/yang effect between the two of them where Victoria is trying to figure out the Grayson's motives and she is trying to decide whether she can ever have a relationship again. The results let to some interesting consequences, one of which entirely broke my heart. It also let to some issues I had with the book.
I've been thinking about this for days, but there are some things in this book that bothered me. First of all, while I understood Victoria's trauma and the abuse she suffered, there were some things in here that really send the wrong message when it comes to manipulation and the start of manipulative behaviours in relationships. Questioning your partner over why they do certain things is not manipulative behaviour, especially if the other partner drops the subject and never brings it up again as they were just asking where the behaviour comes from. Grayson is over 150 years old, did it never occur to Victoria the behaviour he was questioning was something women never did during his time period and he may not be familiar with it? Gosh, my husband and I are always questioning each other. If you are afraid to question you partner, that is emotional abuse. And my biggest beef, which led to the biggest consequence of all, Victoria unable to deal with her own emotions and behaviour, so she does what she does and IT IS JUSTIFIABLE BEHAVIOUR? Never, in my book. It left such a bad taste in my mouth, it spoiled what was to that point, a 5-star read. Was the author trying to show how twisted thinking can be when a person does not deal with trauma? Hard to say, but I am hoping that is what it was.
The Great Vampiric Deception was a well-written novel of the effects and consequences trauma can have on relationships and on life in general. I loved how she described Victoria's daily routine and how a new person can impact established safe routines on a person who is dealing with the after-effects of an abusive relationship. While the author didn't go into graphic detail, there was enough to be able to understand how horrific Victoria's life was when she was with her vampire boyfriend. I thoroughly loved Grayson and the novel did make me think about the themes of abuse, relationships, and consequences. I chose to take it from the viewpoint of someone who is having difficulty dealing with their trauma, and the consequences of that, although I am not quite sure if that is what the author intended.
October 28, 2025
The Great Vampiric Deception by Jolene Gettler
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️
Paranormal (Vampires) • Trauma • AA-Type Meetings • Drugs • Non-Consent Trauma • Therapy • Manipulation • Trafficking • 382 pages • 🎧 9h05
Lately, I’ve been less into vampire books, most lean heavily into fantasy or romantasy, and that’s been a bit of a struggle for me recently. But while chatting with narrator Brandon Francis, I asked for a recommendation from one of his solo narrations. He mentioned this one and instantly sold me when he said:
“It’s not a romance, but you’ll fall in love and hate that you did. The ending will live rent-free in your head and make you reevaluate everything with a satisfied smirk on your face.”
Not a romance, but I’ll "fall in love"? A "satisfied smirk" at the end? How could I resist that kind of tease? Needless to say, I dove right in and I’m so glad I did.
Brandon’s solo narration was absolutely captivating (as always), but what really hooked me was the story itself. It’s so well written and refreshingly different from your typical vampire tale. It hits in a way that almost makes you believe vampires could actually be hidden among us. There’s no sparkling or bloodsucking here, so don’t expect that. Instead, you’ll find a story woven with suspense, manipulation, and intrigue.
The plot centers around two weekly meetings: a 'book club' and an 'AA-style support group' for human survivors who were abandoned by their vampires. The book club scenes were especially fun. Titles are never mentioned outright, but if you’re well-read, you’ll easily catch the clever literary hints sprinkled throughout.
This story is tricky to describe as it’s mysterious, suspenseful, and psychological without fitting neatly into any one category. I found myself questioning everything, second-guessing each move, and changing my theories constantly. Not because of confusion, but because the writing INVITES you to wonder if, just like the FMC, your emotions are being manipulated or if you’re finally free to love whoever you choose.
I highly, highly (double use here so you know I mean it) recommend this book. In fact, I think it would make an excellent book club or buddy read as there’s just so much to unpack and discuss. And yes, I’ve already added Jolene Gettler’s other works to my TBR.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️
Paranormal (Vampires) • Trauma • AA-Type Meetings • Drugs • Non-Consent Trauma • Therapy • Manipulation • Trafficking • 382 pages • 🎧 9h05
Lately, I’ve been less into vampire books, most lean heavily into fantasy or romantasy, and that’s been a bit of a struggle for me recently. But while chatting with narrator Brandon Francis, I asked for a recommendation from one of his solo narrations. He mentioned this one and instantly sold me when he said:
“It’s not a romance, but you’ll fall in love and hate that you did. The ending will live rent-free in your head and make you reevaluate everything with a satisfied smirk on your face.”
Not a romance, but I’ll "fall in love"? A "satisfied smirk" at the end? How could I resist that kind of tease? Needless to say, I dove right in and I’m so glad I did.
Brandon’s solo narration was absolutely captivating (as always), but what really hooked me was the story itself. It’s so well written and refreshingly different from your typical vampire tale. It hits in a way that almost makes you believe vampires could actually be hidden among us. There’s no sparkling or bloodsucking here, so don’t expect that. Instead, you’ll find a story woven with suspense, manipulation, and intrigue.
The plot centers around two weekly meetings: a 'book club' and an 'AA-style support group' for human survivors who were abandoned by their vampires. The book club scenes were especially fun. Titles are never mentioned outright, but if you’re well-read, you’ll easily catch the clever literary hints sprinkled throughout.
This story is tricky to describe as it’s mysterious, suspenseful, and psychological without fitting neatly into any one category. I found myself questioning everything, second-guessing each move, and changing my theories constantly. Not because of confusion, but because the writing INVITES you to wonder if, just like the FMC, your emotions are being manipulated or if you’re finally free to love whoever you choose.
I highly, highly (double use here so you know I mean it) recommend this book. In fact, I think it would make an excellent book club or buddy read as there’s just so much to unpack and discuss. And yes, I’ve already added Jolene Gettler’s other works to my TBR.
January 12, 2024
Review at 100 percent read book: The ending is indeed well done, as the other reviews point out. I would have given it 5 stars based on that, but my review below reminded me that the beginning is a slog.
Some thoughts:
The tagline "vampire abuse victim creates a support group" wasn't what sold this to me, but the promise of a good ending. So, overall the theme of a support group was meh. Victoria as a victim that heals was very well done. I don't support her final decisions, but I could see from the buildup to these decisions.
I felt like the world of a book is realistic in the universes featuring vampires, e.g. J. Frost's books - among the multitudes of vampires there are going to be some bad guys, leaving a trail of victims that could create a support group.
One of the things revealed early in the book is that Victoria recruits people for her groups through ads. Ads are a way to pad the budget for a business that needs it, I don't see why dark web sites featuring kink clubs are going to need ads to lower their webhosting costs. That being said, the ads featured throughout the book were a cute touch.
Another inconsistency: Why did nobody from Lucas' gang ask Victoria about Lucas? How come "he just let her go"? It is heavily implied that the only way out of a relationship is death, so just letting her out alive is very suspicious. Why didn't Sebastian ask her ?
----
I am still reading this book. I am at about 30 percent.
My thoughts are the following:
- There is this desire in the reader to be taken on a journey, where the nice stuff is shown and the reader does not need to be told about it. This book is written in third person and until now it is all tell, no show. There is a lot of talking about how Victoria goes through her day, but few situations. This kind of creates the expectation of when is the plot going to start, but I feel like it has started a bit.
- I went ahead and read the ending, because people mentioned that it is significant in the reviews. This is just the way I am, I also like to bite off both ends of a croissant first to get to the tasty bit immediately. Now my expectations went up, because I want to see how the ending actually arrives.
- Up until now, this is a 3 star book and I would have abandoned it if I hadn't paid for it.
Some thoughts:
The tagline "vampire abuse victim creates a support group" wasn't what sold this to me, but the promise of a good ending. So, overall the theme of a support group was meh. Victoria as a victim that heals was very well done. I don't support her final decisions, but I could see from the buildup to these decisions.
I felt like the world of a book is realistic in the universes featuring vampires, e.g. J. Frost's books - among the multitudes of vampires there are going to be some bad guys, leaving a trail of victims that could create a support group.
One of the things revealed early in the book is that Victoria recruits people for her groups through ads. Ads are a way to pad the budget for a business that needs it, I don't see why dark web sites featuring kink clubs are going to need ads to lower their webhosting costs. That being said, the ads featured throughout the book were a cute touch.
Another inconsistency: Why did nobody from Lucas' gang ask Victoria about Lucas? How come "he just let her go"? It is heavily implied that the only way out of a relationship is death, so just letting her out alive is very suspicious. Why didn't Sebastian ask her ?
----
I am still reading this book. I am at about 30 percent.
My thoughts are the following:
- There is this desire in the reader to be taken on a journey, where the nice stuff is shown and the reader does not need to be told about it. This book is written in third person and until now it is all tell, no show. There is a lot of talking about how Victoria goes through her day, but few situations. This kind of creates the expectation of when is the plot going to start, but I feel like it has started a bit.
- I went ahead and read the ending, because people mentioned that it is significant in the reviews. This is just the way I am, I also like to bite off both ends of a croissant first to get to the tasty bit immediately. Now my expectations went up, because I want to see how the ending actually arrives.
- Up until now, this is a 3 star book and I would have abandoned it if I hadn't paid for it.
March 10, 2024
Oh my god this book! Just rip my heart out why don't you?! (There's a reason every reviewer is having this reaction!) This book reads like a romance, but it is NOT!
Victoria is trying to have as mundane a life as possible. On Monday she goes to the gym on her lunch break, Tuesdays are for therapy after work, Wednesday is a self-defense class with her co-workers, Thursdays she goes to a book club, Friday she goes back to the gym, Saturday is for Shopping and chores, and Sunday? Sunday is for relaxing, reading, and the survivors of vampire relationships support group she runs at the community center.
The four years Victoria spent with her vampire ex were truly horrible, and she dedicates her time to discreetly finding other vampire survivors for the support group. Her group is an eclectic mix of people and they accept everyone, but that almost changes when Grayson walks in the door to join the group.
Grayson is tall, breathtakingly good looking, charming, and strong. He's a fellow vampire relationship survivor and was forced to do horrible things when he was with his ex. He's also a vampire.
Victoria's knee-jerk reaction is to reject Grayson, but the group overrides her. It is everyone's group, after all. Victoria is not happy about having one of the things she hates most invading her space. Especially when he keeps popping up during her other daily activities.
Except he isn't the only one who begins popping up everywhere as she tries to live her life. Now Victoria has a vampire and a stalker to have to deal with, and she has to try to figure out if this new problem is connected to her past, or the handsome vampire she can't get out of her head.
This book has a bunch of trigger warnings, but it also has witty banter, on-page spice, and a relatable female main character who's just trying to rebuild her life. It was so well written and entertaining, but the ending might have you curled up on your bed for a while after. The Great Vampiric Deception is going on my list of favorite vampire books. I HIGHLY recommend this book!
Victoria is trying to have as mundane a life as possible. On Monday she goes to the gym on her lunch break, Tuesdays are for therapy after work, Wednesday is a self-defense class with her co-workers, Thursdays she goes to a book club, Friday she goes back to the gym, Saturday is for Shopping and chores, and Sunday? Sunday is for relaxing, reading, and the survivors of vampire relationships support group she runs at the community center.
The four years Victoria spent with her vampire ex were truly horrible, and she dedicates her time to discreetly finding other vampire survivors for the support group. Her group is an eclectic mix of people and they accept everyone, but that almost changes when Grayson walks in the door to join the group.
Grayson is tall, breathtakingly good looking, charming, and strong. He's a fellow vampire relationship survivor and was forced to do horrible things when he was with his ex. He's also a vampire.
Victoria's knee-jerk reaction is to reject Grayson, but the group overrides her. It is everyone's group, after all. Victoria is not happy about having one of the things she hates most invading her space. Especially when he keeps popping up during her other daily activities.
Except he isn't the only one who begins popping up everywhere as she tries to live her life. Now Victoria has a vampire and a stalker to have to deal with, and she has to try to figure out if this new problem is connected to her past, or the handsome vampire she can't get out of her head.
This book has a bunch of trigger warnings, but it also has witty banter, on-page spice, and a relatable female main character who's just trying to rebuild her life. It was so well written and entertaining, but the ending might have you curled up on your bed for a while after. The Great Vampiric Deception is going on my list of favorite vampire books. I HIGHLY recommend this book!
September 28, 2023
Thanks to the author for allowing me to read her work in advance! Here's my honest review.
It's rare that I come across a book that I think about for hours, days, if not weeks, after I've finished reading it. 'The Great Vampiric Deception' is one of them.
I'm an avid reader of literature featuring vampires and have been since I was way too young to be reading such books. I like to think of myself as having high standards when it comes down to what type of vampire I want to read about - perhaps I'm a bit of a vampire snob. These creatures of the night to me are like fine wine. There has to be a certain quality and finesse in the writing for me personally to find myself drawn to them. Just having fangs, being hot and drinking blood doesn't impress me much.
Grayson. What a mighty fine 'sunshine' vampire he is, and I fell in love with his personality instantly. Lestat used to be my first book boyfriend and the very first vampire, and now, Grayson joins the ranks of my book boyfriends as the second vampire to do so. Yes, the bar is set incredibly high for any vampire that wishes to join it.
The storytelling in this book is absolutely immaculate. I can't find a single fault with it. The imagery is there, the characters all have their unique, distinct voices. There are some spicy scenes and they're written in such a way that I felt they added something to the plot, rather than just being there for the sake of having spice. I loved the dynamic between Victoria and Grayson, and yes, I enjoyed the romance between them a lot. Grayson had me kicking my feet and giggling on several occasions. I'm 38 years old. I shouldn't be blushing and giggling like that, but it happened, and I'm not even ashamed of admitting it.
'The Great Vampiric Deception' is one of my all-time favourite books, and I can't wait to get my hands on the physical copy!
It's rare that I come across a book that I think about for hours, days, if not weeks, after I've finished reading it. 'The Great Vampiric Deception' is one of them.
I'm an avid reader of literature featuring vampires and have been since I was way too young to be reading such books. I like to think of myself as having high standards when it comes down to what type of vampire I want to read about - perhaps I'm a bit of a vampire snob. These creatures of the night to me are like fine wine. There has to be a certain quality and finesse in the writing for me personally to find myself drawn to them. Just having fangs, being hot and drinking blood doesn't impress me much.
Grayson. What a mighty fine 'sunshine' vampire he is, and I fell in love with his personality instantly. Lestat used to be my first book boyfriend and the very first vampire, and now, Grayson joins the ranks of my book boyfriends as the second vampire to do so. Yes, the bar is set incredibly high for any vampire that wishes to join it.
The storytelling in this book is absolutely immaculate. I can't find a single fault with it. The imagery is there, the characters all have their unique, distinct voices. There are some spicy scenes and they're written in such a way that I felt they added something to the plot, rather than just being there for the sake of having spice. I loved the dynamic between Victoria and Grayson, and yes, I enjoyed the romance between them a lot. Grayson had me kicking my feet and giggling on several occasions. I'm 38 years old. I shouldn't be blushing and giggling like that, but it happened, and I'm not even ashamed of admitting it.
'The Great Vampiric Deception' is one of my all-time favourite books, and I can't wait to get my hands on the physical copy!
March 23, 2024
This is an amazing story with an incredible ending.
Not only was "The Great Vampiric Deception" an engaging and well-paced book, the ending (true to its title) took me completely off-guard. I went on an emotional journey that actually took a few days to process after reading it.
I love that the author wrote this book involving vampires in a way that was different than other popular vampire stories (think, Twilight, the Sookie Stackhouse novels, Vampire Diaries, etc.) This book explored the damage that vampires can do to their victims and didn’t simply romanticize the danger of being around them.
As soon as I started reading, I fell into Victoria’s world and could appreciate the mundane routine she had created for herself after being the victim of an abusive vampire relationship. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a number of characters, and unanswered questions begin to arise. A new member shows up at her vampire victim support group, their presence creating a hiccup in Victoria’s careful routine. Around this same time, someone starts stalking her and creates even more insecurity in her safe little world.
I won’t say too much more about this book to avoid any spoilers, but will say that it was an incredibly well-written story that left me reeling for a few days after finishing it.
If you are interested in vampire novels, this is definitely worth checking out. If you are not a big vampire book reader, but are interested in a unique take on a commonly portrayed dynamic, this book is a must-read. There are some content/trigger warnings in the beginning of this book, so be sure to check those out.
Highly recommend!
Not only was "The Great Vampiric Deception" an engaging and well-paced book, the ending (true to its title) took me completely off-guard. I went on an emotional journey that actually took a few days to process after reading it.
I love that the author wrote this book involving vampires in a way that was different than other popular vampire stories (think, Twilight, the Sookie Stackhouse novels, Vampire Diaries, etc.) This book explored the damage that vampires can do to their victims and didn’t simply romanticize the danger of being around them.
As soon as I started reading, I fell into Victoria’s world and could appreciate the mundane routine she had created for herself after being the victim of an abusive vampire relationship. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a number of characters, and unanswered questions begin to arise. A new member shows up at her vampire victim support group, their presence creating a hiccup in Victoria’s careful routine. Around this same time, someone starts stalking her and creates even more insecurity in her safe little world.
I won’t say too much more about this book to avoid any spoilers, but will say that it was an incredibly well-written story that left me reeling for a few days after finishing it.
If you are interested in vampire novels, this is definitely worth checking out. If you are not a big vampire book reader, but are interested in a unique take on a commonly portrayed dynamic, this book is a must-read. There are some content/trigger warnings in the beginning of this book, so be sure to check those out.
Highly recommend!
November 15, 2023
Okay, seriously, this book just blew my mind! Like, simple words are useless here. This book is everything – heartbreaking, hilarious, emotional, and so freaking tense. I might need a support group to get over this book hangover!
So, we've got Victoria, who's been through the wringer with her vampire ex (cue eyeroll). And, no joke, it's like Fight Club but with vampires - rule number one: you don't talk about dating a vampire unless you survive it. And, of course, she starts a support group for survivors. All going to plan until Grayson, the vampire with his own sob story, shows up. Cue mic drop!
Hold onto your seats because Victoria also has a stalker. Yeah, emotional trauma is the sponsor of this wild ride. Forget about Twilight – no Cullens here. Instead, you get killer character development, banter that's out of this world, an easy-to-follow storyline with flashbacks, and a book family that you'll legit love.
Prepare to scream, cry, and get hooked from the prologue. By the end, you'll be wondering who hurt the author, but damn, what a ride! This is not your average vamp story; it's a crazy emotional journey that you won't shake off easily. Get ready for a story that'll stick with you long after you've finished. 🧛♂️😱📚
So, we've got Victoria, who's been through the wringer with her vampire ex (cue eyeroll). And, no joke, it's like Fight Club but with vampires - rule number one: you don't talk about dating a vampire unless you survive it. And, of course, she starts a support group for survivors. All going to plan until Grayson, the vampire with his own sob story, shows up. Cue mic drop!
Hold onto your seats because Victoria also has a stalker. Yeah, emotional trauma is the sponsor of this wild ride. Forget about Twilight – no Cullens here. Instead, you get killer character development, banter that's out of this world, an easy-to-follow storyline with flashbacks, and a book family that you'll legit love.
Prepare to scream, cry, and get hooked from the prologue. By the end, you'll be wondering who hurt the author, but damn, what a ride! This is not your average vamp story; it's a crazy emotional journey that you won't shake off easily. Get ready for a story that'll stick with you long after you've finished. 🧛♂️😱📚
January 28, 2025
It was the last quarter of the book or so that just flipped this for me. I was enjoying the slow burn a whole lot! The idea of a woman who's come out of a toxic relationship with a vampire to then start having a strong friendship to a vampire who comes to her late night exclusive therapy group for humans who have endured abuse by vampires...is an original one!
Plus he's a Cinnamon Roll! I really loved Grayson, which is why the latter part of the book angered me for what happened to him. It just seemed to come out of left field too. I also wish more of his vampire nature was explored...we never at any time see, hear, learn of how and when he drinks bl00d. We don't learn much about his over 100 years existing other than his one toxic relationship with his maker (whom he was bound to and abused by since she turned him). He was kind of a Louis from Interview With the Vampire but with more humor to him.
Both mmcs want to overcome their trust issues, traumas etc. I appreciated that and led to some good conversations. But it just seemed to lose itself with the story in that last quarter and I was left regretting the read. Shame, because the idea is neat and the first half or so was very good and Grayson is just so sweet. He didn't deserve the FMC.
Plus he's a Cinnamon Roll! I really loved Grayson, which is why the latter part of the book angered me for what happened to him. It just seemed to come out of left field too. I also wish more of his vampire nature was explored...we never at any time see, hear, learn of how and when he drinks bl00d. We don't learn much about his over 100 years existing other than his one toxic relationship with his maker (whom he was bound to and abused by since she turned him). He was kind of a Louis from Interview With the Vampire but with more humor to him.
Both mmcs want to overcome their trust issues, traumas etc. I appreciated that and led to some good conversations. But it just seemed to lose itself with the story in that last quarter and I was left regretting the read. Shame, because the idea is neat and the first half or so was very good and Grayson is just so sweet. He didn't deserve the FMC.
March 19, 2024
This probably shouldn't have been the book for me. I don't like most modern vampire fiction. I don't like most romance novels (though this isn't strictly speaking a romance novel). But there's a lot more going on here than meets the eye.
This is a story about a support group for those who have survived a vampire "romance". Victoria, the head of the group, is one of those survivors, but she's not very good at sharing about her past and she forgot to write in the by-laws that no vampires were allowed.
These both make for excellent fodder for the author. Vampires in this book are, for the most part, evil. But we meet one who seems to be the exception to the rule.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The dark humor, the light moments, the touches of romance, the twists and turns; all of these made for a wonderful journey. And Victoria is one of the most frustrating and interesting protagonists I've run across in a while.
The two things that make this a five star read for me are the fake ads Jolene sprinkles throughout and the ending. The ending is sheer perfection.
This is a story about a support group for those who have survived a vampire "romance". Victoria, the head of the group, is one of those survivors, but she's not very good at sharing about her past and she forgot to write in the by-laws that no vampires were allowed.
These both make for excellent fodder for the author. Vampires in this book are, for the most part, evil. But we meet one who seems to be the exception to the rule.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The dark humor, the light moments, the touches of romance, the twists and turns; all of these made for a wonderful journey. And Victoria is one of the most frustrating and interesting protagonists I've run across in a while.
The two things that make this a five star read for me are the fake ads Jolene sprinkles throughout and the ending. The ending is sheer perfection.
January 7, 2024
Do not read this unless you want spoilers.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
🌶-🌶🌶
Honestly, Victoria is a psychopath.
This was an incredible read, and I devoured it (finally when I sat down to read it) from 10% - 100% in one day. Definitely not your Twilight vampire book...
You'll fall in love with Grayson. You'll feel both the pain from both Victoria and Grayson's trauma. However, the way that Victoria "deals" with hers, had me bouncing off the walls. I nearly threw my kindle a dozen times. She gave me whiplash like you wouldn't believe. This was great writing by the author because I cleared every emotion on the board reading this damn book.
This was not the ending I thought I was going to get. I was halfway right.... in a way.
Ugh... Jolene... I can't call you that bad name because Grayson wouldn't like that...
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
🌶-🌶🌶
Honestly, Victoria is a psychopath.
This was an incredible read, and I devoured it (finally when I sat down to read it) from 10% - 100% in one day. Definitely not your Twilight vampire book...
You'll fall in love with Grayson. You'll feel both the pain from both Victoria and Grayson's trauma. However, the way that Victoria "deals" with hers, had me bouncing off the walls. I nearly threw my kindle a dozen times. She gave me whiplash like you wouldn't believe. This was great writing by the author because I cleared every emotion on the board reading this damn book.
This was not the ending I thought I was going to get. I was halfway right.... in a way.
Ugh... Jolene... I can't call you that bad name because Grayson wouldn't like that...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
December 3, 2024I went into this story with the wrong idea about what I was getting into. I loved 75% of it and felt it had a great arc. The writing was easy to follow, and the characters jumped off the page. My struggle came from the end or "twist" of this book, which, instead of feeling justified, came across as bitter and cold, which turned back all of the character development that had happened in the story. I'm not a reader who has to have a happily ever after or a completed romance to love a story, but I do need a conclusion that satisfies the need for the arc. I know lots of readers will love this story and eat it up. For me, though, the ending completely derailed all of the growth shown in the writing and made me lose all empathy for the characters.
October 23, 2023
Very privileged to be able to read this as an ARC reader and I did throughly enjoy the book. Its not your usual vampire fairytale such as the likes of Twilight. This is the dark side the manipulation and abuse that vampires use on their human counterparts. I did like Grayson in this book who is a vampire as he was abused himself and how his relationship was building with a human victim called Victoria. But I do have to say i was gutted at the ending as I was not expecting it to end that way. But I will be reading this author again as I did enjoy it
November 29, 2023
Victoria was abused by vampires - so was Grayson. But Grayson is a vampire, so when he joins Victoria's support group she's understandably reluctant to be friends...
The author says this book reads like a romance but isn't. She's not lying, lol. It does, however, suck you in, make you think about it when you're not reading, and compel to you finish because you need to see where it ends. Isn't that the definition of a good book? It is for me.
Spike will always be the ultimate vampire for me but Grayson is a happy second!
The author says this book reads like a romance but isn't. She's not lying, lol. It does, however, suck you in, make you think about it when you're not reading, and compel to you finish because you need to see where it ends. Isn't that the definition of a good book? It is for me.
Spike will always be the ultimate vampire for me but Grayson is a happy second!
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