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The shift is getting deep in New Orleans...

Gaston Bellevue has been single for one hundred years. He's a bat-shifting vampire who has amassed a fortune, runs a B and B for supes, and is living his best death in The Big Easy.

When his drunken bat collides with a windshield and he finds himself locked in a cage at an animal sanctuary, death as he knows it is about to turn batshift crazy.

Maeve O'Meara is the last bat shifter left in New Orleans…or so she thinks. When an adorable vampire bat is delivered to the Wings of Love Sanctuary in the middle of the night, she expects to find the creature there the next day. Instead, she finds tall, pale, and handsome Gaston in its place.

Maeve is terrified of vampires, but something about Gaston is so familiar. She can't help but be drawn to the mysterious man.

Until she's charged with a murder he probably committed. Or did he?

Can Gaston get his shift together and prove they're both innocent? Or have his shenanigans finally reached the end…of a stake?

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2023

167 people are currently reading
326 people want to read

About the author

Carrie Pulkinen

65 books797 followers
USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Pulkinen has always been fascinated with things that go bump in the night. Of course, when you grow up next door to a cemetery, the dead (and the undead) are hard to ignore. Pair that with her passion for writing and her love of a good happily-ever-after, and becoming a paranormal romance author seems like the only logical career choice. 

Before she decided to turn her love of the written word into a career, Carrie spent the first part of her professional life as a high school journalism and yearbook teacher. She loves red wine and chocolate, and in her free time, she likes to read, take pictures, and spend time with her family.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Profile Image for Steph.
2,159 reviews304 followers
May 19, 2024
Gaston

“We are joined in our grief and in our need for vengeance ...”
I believe Batshift Crazy is the finale of New Orleans Nocturnes. It sure felt like it could be and there haven't been any installments since. This series has been a cute, quick, fun read. This book's highlight was the inclusion of the characters from previous installments.

As usual, Jane and Ethan (from #1 License to Bite) are by Gaston's side. This time they're wandering the Quarter during Mardi Gras. Gaston is his typical closed-lipped self and not answering their questions about his dour(er) mood. While snacking on tourists, Gaston becomes overly inebriated and, while flying in bat form, smacks into a couple's windshield. Not knowing what else to do for him, they take him to Maeve's Wings of Love bat sanctuary. She returns the next day to find a naked Gaston instead of the wounded bat. As Louisianan's only bat shifter and a longtime vampire hater, she immediately jumps to conclusions believing he's the vampire who murdered her colony.

The downsides to this installment for me: Maeve's I hate him, but he's familiar. I hate vampires, he's a vampire, therefore I hate him, but "damn, he's sexy" got a bit old. And, while I liked both characters separately, I didn't feel the connection (not a strong one, anyway) between them. They did work well together and it's a good thing because murders are occurring in NOLA and these two are at the top of the council's suspect list. The whole NON gang reunites to help them solve the case, take down the bad guy and remember lives long past to find their HEA.

I added a 1/2 star for the overall well-done finale; bringing back all previously introduced characters is always a plus for me when ending a series. Side note: I kept picturing batty Gaston as Adam Sandler's Hotel Transylvania bat form 😆

★★★½
Profile Image for Nnekka Robinson.
298 reviews
July 1, 2025
Was able to listen to this as an audio. This a shifter, monster romcom. With a case of mistaken identity and reincarnation. That happens to take place in Louisiana with a 300- year old vampire
2,549 reviews22 followers
December 6, 2022
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "BATSHIFT CRAZY"
What a great to end this series with the great GASTON'S story you so won't be disappointed so much mystery, humor, steam, intrigue, danger, murder, twists you didn't see coming such an addicting read.
Gaston is a Vampire Bat Shifter who's amassed a fortune he runs a B & B in New Orleans for supernaturals he's living his best death in BIG Easy.
Gaston gets drunk his bat crashes into a windshield & he ends up in a cage at Wings of Love Sanctuary in the middle of the night.
Maeve O'Meara is last Bat Shifter in New Orleans is so she thinks she finds the most adorable Vampire Bat delivered to the sanctuary, next day expecting to see the bat but instead a gorgeous mysterious man that seems do familiar to her she can't help being drawn to him.
Maeve gets charged with a murder she thinks Gaston committed or did he, trying to prove that they didn't commit the murder the shenanigans he's always been up to had it finally done him in.
I definitely recommend to get this delightful humorous story see where Gaston & Maeve take you on their adventure to prove their innocent will they get a HEA you must read this book to see how it all turns out. AWESOME AWESOME READ!!!
Profile Image for Brad Audiobibliophile.
701 reviews38 followers
July 12, 2025
Audiobook review.

Carrie Pulkinen’s New Orleans Nocturnes continues with a bang—or rather, a bat-shaped crash. Batshift Crazy follows Gaston Bellevue, a bat-shifting vampire whose drunken antics land him in a cage at an animal sanctuary. Maeve O'Meara, the last bat shifter in New Orleans, is terrified of vampires… until she comes face-to-face with one who feels strangely familiar.

Gaston’s chaotic charm and metaphor-mangling tendencies steal the spotlight, serving up laugh-out-loud absurdity wrapped in tender romance and spicy interludes. Carrie Pulkinen masterfully balances humour and heart, creating a world where every character feels like an old friend and each new installment is like a long-awaited reunion.

Hollie Jackson’s narration is pitch-perfect, capturing Gaston’s lovable madness and Maeve’s wary strength with just the right blend of emotion and comedic timing. Her performance turns every quirky moment into a vivid experience, making the audiobook thoroughly engaging from start to finish.

Ideal for fans of paranormal romantic comedies filled with vampires, demons, and sizzling chemistry, Batshift Crazy is a gloriously witty and unexpectedly touching ride through the supernatural side of New Orleans.
Profile Image for Darla Taylor.
1,853 reviews
November 22, 2022
Gaston Bellevue is a bat shifting vampire who's amassed a fortune and runs a Bed and Breakfast for supernaturals in New Orleans. When his bat collides with a windshield while Gaston is drunk, he's taken to a bat sanctuary where he wakes up in a cage.
Maeve O'Meara believes that she's the last vampire bat shifter in New Orleans, so she's surprised when the vampire bat she took in winds up being a man. One who's a vampire. Maeve is terrified of vampires, but there's something about Gaston that calls to her. Soon, both of them are in trouble when a vampire is murdered. Can they work together to find a killer?

I've really enjoyed this series and this book is no exception. This well-written book was a quick, fun read with wonderful characters. I was drawn into the enchanting story and kept hooked from beginning to end. Past meets present in this tale as Gaston and Maeve work through prior traumas. I loved them as a couple. The mystery was intriguing and a joy to solve. I highly recommend both book and series which I believe is best read in order.
237 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2023
At last Gaston gets true love. This has been a long time coming but so worth waiting for and whilst I have LOVED the whole series and characters this is my favourite. After feasting on various very drunk and drugged up humans while flying on his way home he crashes into a car. The humans think he is a bat and take him to a sanctuary where Maeve, a bat shifter works the night shift. After checking him over she locks him in a cage to sleep off his concussion. She quickly learns that he is a vampire when he kicks his way out of the cage the next night. However things get complicated when Gaston is charge with the murder of one of the top vampires. As the story progresses, Gaston is cleared but Maeve is then charged. Then a blast from the past that Gaston did not wish to see ever again has reappeared in Orleans and he is after Maeve. This is a funny, well written great story where all the characters from the previous six books rise to help their friend Gaston and his new found love Maeve. Absolutely Brilliant - a great finale to the series. Thank you so much Carrie.
Profile Image for Booklover Judy Lynn.
1,645 reviews30 followers
June 13, 2025
Batshift Crazy (New Orleans Nocturnes #7) by Carrie Pulkinen
#Paranormal #FatedMates #Vampire #Shifter
Written in third person from an alternating dual POV, this can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Gaston, the oldest vampire in the Orleans parish, finally gets his HEA in this laugh out loud novel. I have loved his gentlemanly ways, his failure to get modern idioms correct, and his aged wisdom from the very first book in this series. Reading as he falls hard for his soulmate (again) was a beautiful thing. Maeve believes she is the last bat shifter in New Orleans, until Gaston shows up at her bat sanctuary. I adored her feisty spirit. She is a good heart who embraced the changes that enter her life with Gaston with only a little effort. I loved their chemistry and the spicy times between them.
This was a laugh-out-loud read with hot times and a suspenseful plot mixed in. It was wonderful to see characters from previous books play a role in Maeve and Gaston’s forever. I forgot how much I adored this series. This was a wonderful addition.
Profile Image for J.
4,075 reviews21 followers
June 26, 2025
This is book 7 in Carrie Pulkinen's New Orleans Nocturnes series, and I have to say this is one of my favorite paranormal series'. While this can be read / listened to as a standalone, I think this series is best when read / listened in series order. Pulkinen's characters, the sayins and mis-sayings as well as all the trouble they find themselves in is just delightful and this book was no exception. I found myself giggling time and time again at Gaston's mis use of modern sayings. I also adore the balance of adventure, danger and romance - both sweet and steamy thats delivered in these reads. The narration was perfect and allows our characters to come to life and delivers a smooth flowing and captivating storyline. Vampires, witches, shifters and more, round out a moxie cast of characters that you won't be able to resist. I so love this series and I hope there is more to come!

This book was given to me for free at my request thanks to StoryOrigin and I voluntarily provided this review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read.
448 reviews3 followers
October 3, 2025
This book was a silly, fun, and easy read (or in my case, listen). I picked up the audiobook, and the narrator was both funny and fabulous, her delivery really brought out the humor in Gaston’s batshifting misadventures.

The premise is quirky and lighthearted: a bat-shifting vampire who somehow ends up in an animal sanctuary cage? Definitely entertaining. I laughed at the ridiculous moments and appreciated the New Orleans vibe.

That said, it didn’t completely hit the mark for me. The romance felt a little thin, and the plot moved quickly without giving me much time to connect with Maeve. Still, as a paranormal rom-com with lots of supernatural silliness, it hit the spot for something light and amusing.

If you’re looking for an easy listen with a dash of humor and a fabulous narration, this one fits the bill, even if it’s not a new favorite.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,268 reviews5 followers
November 27, 2022
Carrie Pulkinen delivers an amazingly funny, sweet and sexy closing to the New Orleans Nocturnes series with Batshift Crazy. While this series is better enjoyed when read in series order, this read can basically be read as stand-alone. But trust me when I tell you... Read The Series (you can thank me later)! In this final read of the series we get Gaston's story. We get to solve the final mystery and belly laugh our way into saying goodbye to amazing characters and the comfortable world they invite you into. Five stars because I can't give more and a recommendation for entertainment that is so worth your time! Looking forward to what comes next from this talented author!

This honest and voluntary review was made possible by reading a copy through Booksprout.
Profile Image for Amanda.
734 reviews9 followers
April 5, 2023
I loved this story. Poor Gaston, he gets drunk and his bat crashes into a windshield & ends up in a cage at Wings of Love Sanctuary in the middle of the night. Maeve is very surprised to find out he is a man, the only problem is he is a vampire and she is scared of vampires. This part of the relationship was cute, she had to get other that because she was drawn to him. However, it was not easy for them, they had to work together because she is accused of murder. This was a quick fun read with fun characters. The plot was very engaging with a good mystery. I highly recommend you read this book. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for TenshiMari.
538 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2024
After the utter perfection that was the previous book, I was afraid this book wouldn't be able to beat it, and I was right. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but insta-love or "soulmates" (Looking at you, every fae mating bond ever) is my most hated trope in romance books, and this book was insta-love from the start. However, despite that, it was really enjoyable, and the overarching plot was fantastic. I loved seeing everyone unite their strengths for a common cause. I'm dropping one star for the insta-love though. I do want to read more books by this author if they're as enjoyable as this series has been.
Profile Image for #ByFelicia.
551 reviews9 followers
November 29, 2022
300+ years is a long time but I’m over the crescent moon that Gaston finally got an HEA!!! While I love the whole gang, Gaston has been my absolute favorite of this series.

Blinder by her childhood trauma, vamps are a hard no for Maeve. So she definitely has her work cut out for her when she’s accused of murdering one. But I adore the way Gaston was ever so patient and fiercely protective of her anyway while he broke through the walls around her heart. Add on that she’s a bat shifter too and watch as they fly off into the sunset of eternal happiness!
Profile Image for Frances.
228 reviews1 follower
September 18, 2024
Have you ever been waiting for a characters story for so long you can't stand it?

Then when you finally get it, it's even better than you expected?!?

That was Batshift Crazy for me.

I could not wait until we finally got Gaston's story, when I did it was mind blowing!
We getting find out about Gaston's past, about Mauve's bat sanctuary, and even more about the vampire coven.

The story is fast paced, funny and full of adventure. I highly recommend this book!!!


I love that the series came full circle!
804 reviews4 followers
February 28, 2025
This is a great addition to theNew Orleans Nocturnes series. I have enjoyed every book in the series so far and look forward to more in the future.

This story follows Gaston, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans, who has the ability to shift into a bat (actually very rare in this world). Gaston is trapped at a bat sanctuary for a short time and meets a shift whose animal is a bat. He believes she is his lost love reincarnated.

I thought this was a good story and read it in no time.
2,180 reviews28 followers
November 29, 2022
In this one we get Gaston's story. He was a huge part of the first book, and I was so excited to read his story. As usual this is boat loads of fun!!! Gaston and Meave are great together and bring us a delightful end to a wonderful series! Great Read! I Loved It!!! No Spoilers!
I received an ARC from the Author and I am Leaving this Totally Honest Review because I Choose to and think this story is Amazing!!!
Profile Image for Debbie Eyre.
5,913 reviews116 followers
December 12, 2022
What a fantastic final book in this incredible series and this time Gaston our bat shifter gets his hea! He runs a B&B for the supernatural and on one drunken night he finds himself locked in a cage at the animal sanctuary. Maeve thinks she’s the only bat shifter left so imagine her surprise when she finds a man instead of a bat in the cage. What ensues is chaos, murder, mystery and suspense in this quick, fun read and it had me howling in places. It was awesome to see these two get together!
567 reviews
May 1, 2023
As funny as the rest of the series have been. Gaston's druken behaviour gets him, current friends and new 'friends' into trouble with the vampire coven. The new friends have no clue what they are getting into as they are totally unaware and frightened. But all is well as we leave the family and friends behind after their antics. I will miss these guys and gals. The author saved the best character to end this series!
Profile Image for Maria.
643 reviews19 followers
December 19, 2022
I'll admit that I got bored, this book was a bit slow and sad, but most of it I liked! Also, I wasn't a big fan of her because she turned on him at the smallest of opportunities more than once before giving him the chance to explain!

Nevere the lest, I'm really hoping that there'll be more of this series, maybe the angel can be next!
3,168 reviews47 followers
May 6, 2023
I loved the narration of Hollie Jackson

Gaston's drunken behaviour gets him, into trouble with the vampire coven. One night he gets drunk and ends up crashing into a car, he is taken to a bat sanctuary . Where he meets Maeve. He behaves very badly and they do not get off to the best of starts. This story is full of humour.
Profile Image for Angie7.
979 reviews6 followers
Read
August 30, 2023
Years in the Waiting

What an awesome finale to the NON series!
Closing?!, maybe. This adventure takes you on a ride to solve a mystery, murder is a foot and two bats are crazy for one another only one can't figure why.
He has loved and lost, but he may have found her again .
Funny, Action, Drama a d great characters.
291 reviews4 followers
January 15, 2024
Excellent Series

Oh what fun this set of books has been! It's always a happy ending when a 200 year old vampire finds his love not once but twice with the same woman reincarnated. This one didn't disappoint and what an excellent group of characters. Sad to see it end but very happy to have read.😁


1,040 reviews
December 1, 2022
Super Fun and Enjoyable Paranormal

I really enjoyed getting to know more about Gaston and seeing him get his HEA with Maeve. Getting to catch up with Ethan, James, Sophie and the rest of the gang was entertaining as well.
Profile Image for Sharon Noble.
2,192 reviews6 followers
December 3, 2022
Loved it!

So glad that Gaston got his own book & we found out more about him. Marvel is a bat shifter, who is scared of Vampires after one kill all of her family, till she meets Gaston & something tells her to trust him!
Profile Image for Wolfwalker93.
105 reviews1 follower
December 27, 2022
I got 30% way through and gave up. I like the humor in it. Carrie always does well with humor. Loved that old characters returned. Just didn't like that a vampire found his old love again like Ethan... and because of that I wasn't really interested to continue... sorry
Profile Image for angela gunstone.
1,857 reviews8 followers
January 9, 2023
Batshift crazy

Absolutely loved this book/series and I couldn't put it down loved the characters and the storyline so it's a well deserved five stars and I would recommend it to everyone else
1,330 reviews10 followers
April 12, 2023
Wow

Finally Gaston's story. I absolutely loved it. And we get to find out why he was always drunk. O think it was a broken heart all these years. I am so happy to see him get hi happily ever after. I am so ready for the next book.
Profile Image for audiobook_chaos.
2,045 reviews38 followers
May 4, 2023
AUDIOBOOK
Love the New Orleans Nocturnes and I couldn’t wait to start Gaston’s book . He’s so funny getting all the metaphors muddled up has always made me laugh and he doesn’t disappoint in this book .
Profile Image for Amber K.
1,237 reviews50 followers
May 12, 2023
I am really loving this series so far!
Super cute, hunky hero and a crazy mix of paranormals, Batshift Crazy was lots of fun to read. Excellent audio narration really fit the story and characters.
Looking forward to more!
Profile Image for Erin Newton.
2,169 reviews7 followers
October 21, 2023
2.5 stars. Ugh. I wanted more fun for Gaston. He’s a great character. Maeve was annoying and fickle. Liked the Olaf character—real piece of shit. Overall a fun quick series to enjoy during the spooky season
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews

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