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Kingdom of Immortal Lovers #1
House of Crimson Hearts
Once upon a time, a vampire corrupted a hunter.
Octavia Beaumont, one of the original three vampires, is determined to run the city.
Red, an expert hunter, is hell-bent on getting revenge on the vampire that turned her sister.
When deadly trials for the heir of the city begin, Red and Octavia are forced to work together.
Octavia wants a crown.
Red wants blood.
But there’s only one first place.
To win, they’re going to have to trust each other. But teamwork is not easy when their past is filled with betrayal…
A betrayal Red can’t remember.
Someone is lying.
Someone has a secret.
Everyone has a hidden agenda.
The last thing Red and Octavia want to do is fall in love… But hearts remember, even when the mind doesn’t.
To win the trials and get revenge…
They must reveal a truth that will shatter their souls.
Remember a past that will break their hearts.
And fight a war that will change the face of the city forever.
Three tasks. Three choices. Three sacrifices.
All of them have a cruel price. The question is, are they willing to pay it?
This is a very steamy lesbian vampire romance with a sprinkling of enemies to lovers and second chance romance, royals, multiple POV and timelines, bratty bedroom vampires, exhibitionism, and more. Please check author website or look inside for the trigger warnings. 18+ only.
Octavia Beaumont, one of the original three vampires, is determined to run the city.
Red, an expert hunter, is hell-bent on getting revenge on the vampire that turned her sister.
When deadly trials for the heir of the city begin, Red and Octavia are forced to work together.
Octavia wants a crown.
Red wants blood.
But there’s only one first place.
To win, they’re going to have to trust each other. But teamwork is not easy when their past is filled with betrayal…
A betrayal Red can’t remember.
Someone is lying.
Someone has a secret.
Everyone has a hidden agenda.
The last thing Red and Octavia want to do is fall in love… But hearts remember, even when the mind doesn’t.
To win the trials and get revenge…
They must reveal a truth that will shatter their souls.
Remember a past that will break their hearts.
And fight a war that will change the face of the city forever.
Three tasks. Three choices. Three sacrifices.
All of them have a cruel price. The question is, are they willing to pay it?
This is a very steamy lesbian vampire romance with a sprinkling of enemies to lovers and second chance romance, royals, multiple POV and timelines, bratty bedroom vampires, exhibitionism, and more. Please check author website or look inside for the trigger warnings. 18+ only.
430 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2024
1587 people are currently reading
20583 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Roe
15 books1,851 followersRuby Roe writes lesbian fantasy romance. She loves a bit of magic with her smut and will read anything as long as the characters get down and dirty. When she isn’t writing, she’s beasting herself at the gym or wandering the world on her next adventure. She lives in England with her wife, son, and two devious Ragdoll cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 951 reviews
January 4, 2025
This was my first foray into both romantasy as a genre in general and Ruby Roe's work and...it's not looking good for me. This was the January pick for the sapphic book club I am in and it came with very high praise from multiple members who had read it before, so although it was not the book I voted for (justice for Afterlove!) I was pretty excited to read it. However, this turned out to be one of the worst books I have read in a long time.
The book did not get off to a good start with the dedication which reads "To all the girls who wished Damon Salvatore had boobs… This one is for you". I wish I was joking but unfortunately this book was eyeroll after eyeroll. Following that is a map of the city that the book takes place in which is divided into separate sectors that I was really excited to learn more about, but that is about where the world building ended. In general this seems to be set in a kind of old-timey world where horses and carriages are the main (or only?) form of transport and guards use swords. But at the same time there are also jacuzzies, techno music and vibrating strapless strap-ons? The inconsistencies continue throughout - one of the main characters' sisters works in the church and multiple characters use (endlessly cringey) phrases including "Mother of Blood" and "For Blood's sake", but at other times "Oh my Gods". What is the truth? Furthermore, near the start of the book it is established that dhampirs used to thrive in the world but their power faded them into obscurity when vampires were created. Now, I had to look up what a dhampir was while reading because I had never heard of them, but as I found out, and as is also mentioned late on in the book, dhampirs are half vampire. So how can they exist before vampires exist? There was also no explanation as to why everyone gets horny while drinking blood. I would have thought drinking vampire blood would have made a human more powerful, rather than wanting to constantly have sex while they are on a deadline.
The sheer lack of, or conflicting, world building was not the only terrible part of the book. One of the worst crimes was the God-awful writing. From the very first page you could tell the author was trying to write very purplish, would-be-big-on-2015-Tumblr prose by looking every second word up in a thesaurus. This alone I could excuse had other aspects of the book been good, but this was made worse by the fact that the word "claret" is used about a million times throughout the book as if it is the only synonym for "red" to exist. This is also joined by the exclusive use of the word "pussy" and the fact that Olivia (or should I say Olivia-fucking-Beaumont as for the first half of the book that is all she is referred to as) smells of oud and winter winds as if that is a genuine scent. The writing is also horrible in the sex scenes, rendering them increasingly eyeroll-worthy. Here is a list of some of the worst contenders: "...what I can only describe as blue balls, only that sounds like the patriarchy. So blue ovaries? Blue pussy? gross."; "Your clit is mine"; Spread your legs princess...I said spread. Your. Legs."; "Hard nub". There was also blood "pissing" out of people on several occasions and the fact that before around 70-80% of sex scenes was Red stabbing Octavia, it just kept on happening.
On the topic of the sex scenes, though they kept happening over and over (though I appreciated the overall variety in what happened) it truly felt like there was no chemistry between the two main characters. Red in particular I felt was flip flopping back and forth with what she felt for Octavia. Throughout it felt like she hated her and (as mentioned above) was trying to stab her whenever possible. But during one of the sex scenes Octavia says that Red will be the death of her and Red just kinda shrugs it off saying something along the lines of nah, probably not, you're immortal. I thought Red's whole shtick was that she is a vampire hunter and not a handful of pages ago was she telling Octavia that soon all that would be left of her was a tattoo on Red's arm signalling that Red had killed her. There was also next to no emotional development between the characters, just sex, so it felt entirely unbelievable.
Finally, and definitely the most egregious of sins committed in this book was the weird incesty feeling between characters, the lack of consent of third parties and something just downright gross. Octavia is a member of the ruling vampire family - emphasis on the word family - and has several "siblings", one of whom is Xavier who is described as very handsome and a bit of a player. Throughout Octavia refers to him as her brother or family, despite there being no blood relation, and once near the end tells Red to stop talking about him in a sexual manner because, blood or not, he is her brother. But multiple times throughout the book the two talk about each other having sex - discussions on the one summer they spent together having flings each and every day, Xavier telling Octavia she looks too good to not be having sex, Xavier telling Octavia about who he is going to be fucking that night, but to name a few - and near the end of the book Octavia watches Xavier having sex and after he tells her that he has also had sex with multiple other people before she saw. And she is not disgusted by seeing her brother having sex in front of her????? Are you kidding me??? There is also a scene where Octavia and Red are in a restaurant and Red is using a vibrator controlled by Octavia (she is also naked from the waist down) and while the waiter is taking their order Octavia is touching Red and Red is orgasming while the waiter is there. This was not hot in the slightest and I couldn't stop thinking about the lack of consent of the waiter throughout the whole scene. Finally, near the end a carriage they are in is attached and multiple people end up dying around the carriage, it is described that disembodied limbs are everywhere, and what happens? Octavia and Red have sex in the middle of it all, including spanking????
All of this combined, plus more I couldn't cohesively fit into this review made this one of the worst books I have read in a while, maybe even ever, and though I am slightly curious about where the plot is heading since literally nothing was wrapped up in this book, you could not pay me to continue on with this series. I wish I could have DNF-ed this book, and I'm nervous about the book club meeting!
The book did not get off to a good start with the dedication which reads "To all the girls who wished Damon Salvatore had boobs… This one is for you". I wish I was joking but unfortunately this book was eyeroll after eyeroll. Following that is a map of the city that the book takes place in which is divided into separate sectors that I was really excited to learn more about, but that is about where the world building ended. In general this seems to be set in a kind of old-timey world where horses and carriages are the main (or only?) form of transport and guards use swords. But at the same time there are also jacuzzies, techno music and vibrating strapless strap-ons? The inconsistencies continue throughout - one of the main characters' sisters works in the church and multiple characters use (endlessly cringey) phrases including "Mother of Blood" and "For Blood's sake", but at other times "Oh my Gods". What is the truth? Furthermore, near the start of the book it is established that dhampirs used to thrive in the world but their power faded them into obscurity when vampires were created. Now, I had to look up what a dhampir was while reading because I had never heard of them, but as I found out, and as is also mentioned late on in the book, dhampirs are half vampire. So how can they exist before vampires exist? There was also no explanation as to why everyone gets horny while drinking blood. I would have thought drinking vampire blood would have made a human more powerful, rather than wanting to constantly have sex while they are on a deadline.
The sheer lack of, or conflicting, world building was not the only terrible part of the book. One of the worst crimes was the God-awful writing. From the very first page you could tell the author was trying to write very purplish, would-be-big-on-2015-Tumblr prose by looking every second word up in a thesaurus. This alone I could excuse had other aspects of the book been good, but this was made worse by the fact that the word "claret" is used about a million times throughout the book as if it is the only synonym for "red" to exist. This is also joined by the exclusive use of the word "pussy" and the fact that Olivia (or should I say Olivia-fucking-Beaumont as for the first half of the book that is all she is referred to as) smells of oud and winter winds as if that is a genuine scent. The writing is also horrible in the sex scenes, rendering them increasingly eyeroll-worthy. Here is a list of some of the worst contenders: "...what I can only describe as blue balls, only that sounds like the patriarchy. So blue ovaries? Blue pussy? gross."; "Your clit is mine"; Spread your legs princess...I said spread. Your. Legs."; "Hard nub". There was also blood "pissing" out of people on several occasions and the fact that before around 70-80% of sex scenes was Red stabbing Octavia, it just kept on happening.
On the topic of the sex scenes, though they kept happening over and over (though I appreciated the overall variety in what happened) it truly felt like there was no chemistry between the two main characters. Red in particular I felt was flip flopping back and forth with what she felt for Octavia. Throughout it felt like she hated her and (as mentioned above) was trying to stab her whenever possible. But during one of the sex scenes Octavia says that Red will be the death of her and Red just kinda shrugs it off saying something along the lines of nah, probably not, you're immortal. I thought Red's whole shtick was that she is a vampire hunter and not a handful of pages ago was she telling Octavia that soon all that would be left of her was a tattoo on Red's arm signalling that Red had killed her. There was also next to no emotional development between the characters, just sex, so it felt entirely unbelievable.
Finally, and definitely the most egregious of sins committed in this book was the weird incesty feeling between characters, the lack of consent of third parties and something just downright gross. Octavia is a member of the ruling vampire family - emphasis on the word family - and has several "siblings", one of whom is Xavier who is described as very handsome and a bit of a player. Throughout Octavia refers to him as her brother or family, despite there being no blood relation, and once near the end tells Red to stop talking about him in a sexual manner because, blood or not, he is her brother. But multiple times throughout the book the two talk about each other having sex - discussions on the one summer they spent together having flings each and every day, Xavier telling Octavia she looks too good to not be having sex, Xavier telling Octavia about who he is going to be fucking that night, but to name a few - and near the end of the book Octavia watches Xavier having sex and after he tells her that he has also had sex with multiple other people before she saw. And she is not disgusted by seeing her brother having sex in front of her????? Are you kidding me??? There is also a scene where Octavia and Red are in a restaurant and Red is using a vibrator controlled by Octavia (she is also naked from the waist down) and while the waiter is taking their order Octavia is touching Red and Red is orgasming while the waiter is there. This was not hot in the slightest and I couldn't stop thinking about the lack of consent of the waiter throughout the whole scene. Finally, near the end a carriage they are in is attached and multiple people end up dying around the carriage, it is described that disembodied limbs are everywhere, and what happens? Octavia and Red have sex in the middle of it all, including spanking????
All of this combined, plus more I couldn't cohesively fit into this review made this one of the worst books I have read in a while, maybe even ever, and though I am slightly curious about where the plot is heading since literally nothing was wrapped up in this book, you could not pay me to continue on with this series. I wish I could have DNF-ed this book, and I'm nervous about the book club meeting!
April 19, 2024
I was ready for a steamy enemies to lovers vampire story, but I was not ready for the level of emotion that came with it. Also the cliffhanger, how am I going to wait until September??
January 25, 2025
I don't know where to begin, because I don't know how I was supposed to read this book.
If we go with the assumption that this was meant to be purely erotica, and that this entire book is merely an excuse to get to write elaborate sex scenes, are we then allowed to admit that the rest of it is just bad, and does it make it alright for it to be?
Or, if I'm meant to read this as just a very spicy romantasy and therefore analyse it as such, can I then express that the writing is inconsistent, the setting is vague and bland, the plot is contrived and cliché, and the characters are monotone and the only thing they do is get horny constantly and at the most inappropriate times?
The narrators of the audiobook do an excellent job bringing this book to life, insofar as they both in some measure adopt a very campy style, which felt very appropriate. But I don't think I would have made it through if I was just reading it myself.
I have debated for a long time if I should even write this review. Tearing down the work of a queer indie author does not feel good, at all. But reviews are for readers, and I had a really dreadful time with this book
Pre-review:
Hey so this was the worst thing I ever read
If we go with the assumption that this was meant to be purely erotica, and that this entire book is merely an excuse to get to write elaborate sex scenes, are we then allowed to admit that the rest of it is just bad, and does it make it alright for it to be?
Or, if I'm meant to read this as just a very spicy romantasy and therefore analyse it as such, can I then express that the writing is inconsistent, the setting is vague and bland, the plot is contrived and cliché, and the characters are monotone and the only thing they do is get horny constantly and at the most inappropriate times?
The narrators of the audiobook do an excellent job bringing this book to life, insofar as they both in some measure adopt a very campy style, which felt very appropriate. But I don't think I would have made it through if I was just reading it myself.
I have debated for a long time if I should even write this review. Tearing down the work of a queer indie author does not feel good, at all. But reviews are for readers, and I had a really dreadful time with this book
Pre-review:
Hey so this was the worst thing I ever read
February 4, 2024
Oh my goodness. A story of love, lust, lies, lesbians and soulmates. Vampires and magic and family ties. My heart has been destroyed! I finished the book in two days and it only took that long, because I had to sleep. Definitely recommend. Read. This. Book.
February 26, 2025
4.5
Wow, Ruby Roe has crafted such a rich and immersive world in this book! The world-building and lore are incredibly detailed, and I was completely absorbed—I binged the whole thing in a day. I was especially invested in Red and Octavia’s love story; the will they, won’t they dynamic had me hooked from start to finish. And that ending? Absolutely heartbreaking. I can’t wait to see where their story goes in book two.
I did notice quite a few editing mistakes. That said, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the story, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series!
Wow, Ruby Roe has crafted such a rich and immersive world in this book! The world-building and lore are incredibly detailed, and I was completely absorbed—I binged the whole thing in a day. I was especially invested in Red and Octavia’s love story; the will they, won’t they dynamic had me hooked from start to finish. And that ending? Absolutely heartbreaking. I can’t wait to see where their story goes in book two.
I did notice quite a few editing mistakes. That said, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the story, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series!
Read
May 27, 2024DNF at 82 pages - this was fucking AWFUL. I literally had to ask amazon for my money back because of how horrendously this was written.
She used the words ‘bestie’and ‘knickers’ no less than three times in under 100 pages. I had to go.
Not to be rude, but if this is the standard of current publishing….i dread to think what’s around the corner. I’ve read better fanfiction for free.
I wanted so badly to like it because it’s literally a wlw vampire book, which should be everything that I love - but I simply have never read worse prose in my life.🫶
She used the words ‘bestie’and ‘knickers’ no less than three times in under 100 pages. I had to go.
Not to be rude, but if this is the standard of current publishing….i dread to think what’s around the corner. I’ve read better fanfiction for free.
I wanted so badly to like it because it’s literally a wlw vampire book, which should be everything that I love - but I simply have never read worse prose in my life.🫶
February 4, 2024
***No Spoilers***
Enemies to lovers and angry $ex to making love. Ruby Roe does it again writing a story you will want to drown yourself in and not come back from. House of Crimson Hearts tells the story of Octavia and Red along with their complicated history, a competition between the most powerful people in the city, and complicated family dynamics.
I absolutely loved this book. It’s spicy, it’s adventurous, it leaves you on the edge of your seat. It’s the perfect blend of incredible story telling and spicy content. It gives lesbian spice in a way that is written for the queer community and not anyone else.
We need to protect Ruby Roe at all cost so we keep getting more and more of her amazing books!
Enemies to lovers and angry $ex to making love. Ruby Roe does it again writing a story you will want to drown yourself in and not come back from. House of Crimson Hearts tells the story of Octavia and Red along with their complicated history, a competition between the most powerful people in the city, and complicated family dynamics.
I absolutely loved this book. It’s spicy, it’s adventurous, it leaves you on the edge of your seat. It’s the perfect blend of incredible story telling and spicy content. It gives lesbian spice in a way that is written for the queer community and not anyone else.
We need to protect Ruby Roe at all cost so we keep getting more and more of her amazing books!
December 30, 2024
This was like reading some crusty porn fanfic written by a teenager. I am so dissapointed it is AWFUL. I had to suspend my disbelief everytime the characters interacted like they were transported from some crusty teenage fantasy. There is literally a sentence “arousal in my knickers”. GOD HELP US. All the sex scenes were over fetishised and made me offended as a lesbian. I wish I could erase this book from my mind and pretend I haven’t read the words “arousal in my knickers” and “pussy pulsing” every 5 minutes.
P.S. they bang after literally 20 pages so enemies to lovers lasted approx 23 seconds including bad expo.
Just go watch porn and give this a miss.
P.S. they bang after literally 20 pages so enemies to lovers lasted approx 23 seconds including bad expo.
Just go watch porn and give this a miss.
October 6, 2024
I hate to DNF anything but the writing is just So Bad and I can’t take it anymore
July 9, 2024
hey so this was actually the worst thing i've ever read btw
February 6, 2024
KILLING EVE MEETS VAMPIRE DIARIES/TWILIGHT 🤭
How many times will I give Sacha’s books a 5⭐️?
Honestly I’m so torn about writing a review right now because THAT ENDING HAS LEFT ME WITH MANY THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS THAT I NEED TO PROCESS 😭.
First off, holy mother of blood the smut in this book was *chefs kiss*.
The characters in this book are so well written and Octavia and Red (+Xavier ofc) are the most loveable characters. Broodmire, I love you tiny man. Dhalia you are not welcome in this club xoxo
Every book Sacha (Ruby) brings out is a masterpiece. Genuinely cannot explain the love I have for these books.
If you’re into smutty, sapphic, vampire, fantasy books then read this god damn book. It’s the first in a trilogy which makes me feel A LOT better about the ending 😂.
This book is heartbreaking, beautiful, sexy and incredibly fun to read. And I know that the next books will be just as good, if not better!
*P.s justice for C+E 🥹*
P.p.s chapter 16 💀🤭😉
How many times will I give Sacha’s books a 5⭐️?
Honestly I’m so torn about writing a review right now because THAT ENDING HAS LEFT ME WITH MANY THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS THAT I NEED TO PROCESS 😭.
First off, holy mother of blood the smut in this book was *chefs kiss*.
The characters in this book are so well written and Octavia and Red (+Xavier ofc) are the most loveable characters. Broodmire, I love you tiny man. Dhalia you are not welcome in this club xoxo
Every book Sacha (Ruby) brings out is a masterpiece. Genuinely cannot explain the love I have for these books.
If you’re into smutty, sapphic, vampire, fantasy books then read this god damn book. It’s the first in a trilogy which makes me feel A LOT better about the ending 😂.
This book is heartbreaking, beautiful, sexy and incredibly fun to read. And I know that the next books will be just as good, if not better!
*P.s justice for C+E 🥹*
P.p.s chapter 16 💀🤭😉
January 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
absolutely chaotic in the best ways & way more emotional than i was expecting. did i cry at the end? yes. did i immediately go buy the second book? yes.
absolutely chaotic in the best ways & way more emotional than i was expecting. did i cry at the end? yes. did i immediately go buy the second book? yes.
May 8, 2025
3.5/5 stars
November 21, 2024
Thank god that’s over. I would have DNF but I literally cannot do that with any book. It was very cringe, and even the smut got boring and repetitive. I was so excited because I love vampires/romance/WLW but this was woeful. That’s all🥲
January 21, 2025
4.25⭐️ Finally, a vampire story for the sapphics! And oh my gosh, this story embodies the essence of vampirism - a complex interplay of eroticism, desire, tragedy, craving, fear, beauty, mystery, violence, romance, and of course, unrelenting longing. House of Crimson Hearts starts “smut heavy” and I was initially a little concerned there wouldn’t be enough substance to hold my attention, but I didn’t need to worry, this has it all.
For me vampires have always been alluring, but no story has “hit the spot” (so to speak) like this, which isn’t exactly a surprise given how “straight” they often are, and this one is so very very queer - on behalf of the sapphics, thank you Ruby Roe! Bring on House of Crimson Kisses!
For me vampires have always been alluring, but no story has “hit the spot” (so to speak) like this, which isn’t exactly a surprise given how “straight” they often are, and this one is so very very queer - on behalf of the sapphics, thank you Ruby Roe! Bring on House of Crimson Kisses!
February 22, 2024
Ugh, what can I say about this book other than read it! Ruby writes an amazingly fast-paced, hot, and steamy enemies-to-lovers tale between Octavia and Red with awesome side characters you can't help but love. Also, did I mention it had hot vampires and hunters!
This book put me through it, and I can't wait for the next one! I would like to thank Ruby Roe for letting me be a part of the street team and receive an early arc of this book for review.
This book put me through it, and I can't wait for the next one! I would like to thank Ruby Roe for letting me be a part of the street team and receive an early arc of this book for review.
February 9, 2025
This book is 85% sex, which does not leave any room for character development or even a good plot to be developed. The writing is so garbage and if I read the word “knickers” one more time I might scream. Despite everything that made me angry, I was entertained sometimes, I can’t lie
Maybe I’ll read the second one because of the good reviews ?? But this one also had good reviews idk who to trust
Maybe I’ll read the second one because of the good reviews ?? But this one also had good reviews idk who to trust
January 30, 2025
I LOVED this audiobook and was completely captivated by the characters and their stories!
For those who haven’t read Ruby Roe’s work yet, she writes erotic fantasy love stories/romances. They are brilliantly written and absolutely delicious. I listened to her Girl Games series and knew immediately I was going to dive into her Kingdom of Immortal Lovers books as soon as I could!
I mean, who can resist a love story between a vampire and a vampire hunter??
Podium Audio uses fabulous narrators for Roe’s works. A large part of why I loved this book so much is due to the outstanding narration by Allie Rose and Anais Inara Chase. I don’t know which of them performs the character of Octavia, but I’m utterly enchanted by her!
This is one of those books that you yell, “WHAT!?!” when it’s over. I’m dying to know what happens next!
If you don’t like explicit sex, these books are not for you. But if you appreciate lots of spice, this is about as hot as they come!
For those who haven’t read Ruby Roe’s work yet, she writes erotic fantasy love stories/romances. They are brilliantly written and absolutely delicious. I listened to her Girl Games series and knew immediately I was going to dive into her Kingdom of Immortal Lovers books as soon as I could!
I mean, who can resist a love story between a vampire and a vampire hunter??
Podium Audio uses fabulous narrators for Roe’s works. A large part of why I loved this book so much is due to the outstanding narration by Allie Rose and Anais Inara Chase. I don’t know which of them performs the character of Octavia, but I’m utterly enchanted by her!
This is one of those books that you yell, “WHAT!?!” when it’s over. I’m dying to know what happens next!
If you don’t like explicit sex, these books are not for you. But if you appreciate lots of spice, this is about as hot as they come!
January 20, 2025
i never want to see the word pussy again in my life
May 12, 2025
Genuinely had the worst time reading this thank you 😌
March 6, 2024
THIS BOOK. OMG. I NEED TO PROCESS. Okay, well days later, I'm still reeling from this book. Ruby Roe knocked it out of the park with this one. "A Steamy Vampire Fantasy Romance Novel" - jeeeez - what an understatement. I'm so just... stupified by this book.
Okay okay okay - Let's get to it. Vampires, Vampire Hunters, Witches, Magic, a QUEST- all the things. This is a beautifully fast-paced, brilliantly written dark fantasy novel. It's the PERFECT blend of sapphic steam, suspense, adventure, and mystery. I loved watching these flawed, morally gray characters, incredibly sexy characters dance the line between love and hate. Roe has an incredible talent for writing characters that are so multifaceted and layered, that you can't stop thinking about them.
This is a multiple-POV story with a dual timeline. For most of this book, we follow Octavia and Red as they fight and f*ck each other around Sangui City. Octavia is a born vampire and Red is a fierce vampire hunter with a vendetta against Octavia herself. Threads of the book follow Cordelia, one of the oldest vampires and Octavia's mother. These glimpses into the past are building something epic, I can feel it. When Cordelia announces there's a threat to the city, alliances are formed with those who were once enemies, and challenges are set forth to aid in the protection of the city. This thrusts our two rivals onto the same team. Octavia and Red are now forced to work together, leading to so many erotic encounters, I can't even pick a favorite. The tension and chemistry between these two are delicious. The connection they share is white-hot.
Secondary to the story of Red and Octavia, we get glimpses of Cordelia's past. I adore a good villain origin story and Cordelia remains a mystery to me but I'm sooooo intrigued about her past and what made her the way she is.
Roe did an amazing job weaving an intense story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, packed with emotional upheaval, adventure, and eroticism throughout this book. It was simply flawless.
This book ends on a cliffhanger and I'll just be real - I'm not okay. I need the next part of this story like I need my cat to love me. I'm desperate.
It took everything in me to pace this book and not finish it in 24 hours. I wanted so much for this book to last forever.
Okay okay okay - Let's get to it. Vampires, Vampire Hunters, Witches, Magic, a QUEST- all the things. This is a beautifully fast-paced, brilliantly written dark fantasy novel. It's the PERFECT blend of sapphic steam, suspense, adventure, and mystery. I loved watching these flawed, morally gray characters, incredibly sexy characters dance the line between love and hate. Roe has an incredible talent for writing characters that are so multifaceted and layered, that you can't stop thinking about them.
This is a multiple-POV story with a dual timeline. For most of this book, we follow Octavia and Red as they fight and f*ck each other around Sangui City. Octavia is a born vampire and Red is a fierce vampire hunter with a vendetta against Octavia herself. Threads of the book follow Cordelia, one of the oldest vampires and Octavia's mother. These glimpses into the past are building something epic, I can feel it. When Cordelia announces there's a threat to the city, alliances are formed with those who were once enemies, and challenges are set forth to aid in the protection of the city. This thrusts our two rivals onto the same team. Octavia and Red are now forced to work together, leading to so many erotic encounters, I can't even pick a favorite. The tension and chemistry between these two are delicious. The connection they share is white-hot.
Secondary to the story of Red and Octavia, we get glimpses of Cordelia's past. I adore a good villain origin story and Cordelia remains a mystery to me but I'm sooooo intrigued about her past and what made her the way she is.
Roe did an amazing job weaving an intense story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, packed with emotional upheaval, adventure, and eroticism throughout this book. It was simply flawless.
This book ends on a cliffhanger and I'll just be real - I'm not okay. I need the next part of this story like I need my cat to love me. I'm desperate.
It took everything in me to pace this book and not finish it in 24 hours. I wanted so much for this book to last forever.
February 4, 2024
This book was made for every single one of us that wished Twilight had more guts (and gays) and that Killing Eve had been about a vampire!
It’s a rollercoaster from start to finish and you can’t help but want to be part of THOSE scenes and tap into your inner voyeur! Or better yet, try and decide which character you’d want to be in those scenes! The spice is off the chart! So be warned, you will need a cold shower. This is literally every sapphic vampire lovers wet dream!
But what I always love about this author, and in this book specifically, is her way of being able to perfectly find the balance between absolute filth (in the best way) and the most tender, heart wrenching moments where you read on with baited breath just so eager for the protagonist or even just for love to win.
The author has created every character in such a way that it draws you in and makes you want their story to become a book too.
But it has to be said that Octavia is the perfect protagonist. And I now need my own tall vampire to throw me around and make me beg!
The absolute soul crushing loneliness and want for love that you feel from Octavia is so palpable and relatable and heartbreaking that you just want her to win.
An absolute masterpiece from the dedication (which was both funny and perfection) to the final word.
My advice for this book, bring the tissues, you’ll need them for many, many reasons (especially chapter 16)🥵🥵
It’s a rollercoaster from start to finish and you can’t help but want to be part of THOSE scenes and tap into your inner voyeur! Or better yet, try and decide which character you’d want to be in those scenes! The spice is off the chart! So be warned, you will need a cold shower. This is literally every sapphic vampire lovers wet dream!
But what I always love about this author, and in this book specifically, is her way of being able to perfectly find the balance between absolute filth (in the best way) and the most tender, heart wrenching moments where you read on with baited breath just so eager for the protagonist or even just for love to win.
The author has created every character in such a way that it draws you in and makes you want their story to become a book too.
But it has to be said that Octavia is the perfect protagonist. And I now need my own tall vampire to throw me around and make me beg!
The absolute soul crushing loneliness and want for love that you feel from Octavia is so palpable and relatable and heartbreaking that you just want her to win.
An absolute masterpiece from the dedication (which was both funny and perfection) to the final word.
My advice for this book, bring the tissues, you’ll need them for many, many reasons (especially chapter 16)🥵🥵
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ ok i think i need to officially retire the dark romances they are simply not for me! i love reading about lesbians but still not my kind of book
April 15, 2024
This is a SPICY sapphic vampire x hunter masterpiece! The plot was intriguing and all parts of the story kept me engaged, the POVs and the part that were set one thousand years ago. The character development and tension was really well done. The spice 4.5🌶️🤤 delicious! The ending has me torn apart and I need the sequel!! READ THIS BOOK!!!
March 22, 2025
2,5 🌟
It feels like this book has been written by 3 different people and only one of them has a slight idea of what they’re doing. The world building has a lot of potential but is just straight up confusing most times. Why are we in a somewhat medieval setting but there are techno clubs and jeans? Why do vampires take underground carriages (kinda cool) when they have super speed and would presumably be much faster on their own?
Some of the smut is also downright cringey to read and becomes repetitive quite fast.
Pretty disappointed with this, given the overall positive reviews 😕
It feels like this book has been written by 3 different people and only one of them has a slight idea of what they’re doing. The world building has a lot of potential but is just straight up confusing most times. Why are we in a somewhat medieval setting but there are techno clubs and jeans? Why do vampires take underground carriages (kinda cool) when they have super speed and would presumably be much faster on their own?
Some of the smut is also downright cringey to read and becomes repetitive quite fast.
Pretty disappointed with this, given the overall positive reviews 😕
April 14, 2024
Was looking forward to this one but it was a bit of a disappointment
December 3, 2024
Die Story war leicht zu lesen und interessant. Aber hat sich so langsam entwickelt weil alle 3 Seiten eine Sex Szene war, zu viel für meinen Geschmack
January 27, 2026
*⋆ ⊹˚☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆ House of Crimson Hearts⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆ ~ 2.0 out of 5 ★
As always, I’m grateful for the author’s time in writing this book. On that note…I’m sorry but what did I just read…like it took me more than a month to get myself to write a review after finishing it.
Age rating: 18+ (I think of that one edit sound about age ratings being wrong with this book - instasmut)
⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆ Genres & Topics ⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆
╚»★ Fantasy
╚»★ Supernatural
╚»★ LGBT+(lesbians - vampire x hunter)
╚»★ Smut. I cannot call this a romance despite the official tags.
⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆ Plot & Thoughts ⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆
Plot? What plot? Do books have a plot? Oh..I guess they do. On the positive note, the writing flow was good and you could tell that the author knew how to write really detailed scenes. On a more important note though…it felt like I was reading like a smut fanfiction written by a teenager who found about a03 a tad too early.
I was expecting a slow burn romance for some reason with enemies to lovers as the main trope. However, the pacing was really off for it to be romantic in any capacity, and I cannot call it a romance in any portion of this book. Every time I thought they would finally do something romantic and have an actual conversation about their feelings or GOD ANYTHING ahem, they would ruin it by going at it every single time - and I say every. single. time.
I held out hope that at least the mystery aspect or other ships in the story would be more bearable and actually romantic, which there was one there that gave off the vibes of forbidden love because of family feuds and a homophobic society. But then once again, this was not the main couple and they barely had any attention given to them in the first book. And as much as I want to know what happens to the couple that had an actually wholesome love story, I’m petrified and traumatized by the amount of smut with the main couple.
⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆ Characters ⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆
╚»★ Verity Banks/ Red ~ Girl. Girl. Girl. What are you doing? I mean yes, vampires are meant to be hot and attractive but where is your dignity? Self respect? Common sense? Any semblance of self restraint? No, yeah I didn't think so. This girly is becoming more tolerable as the book goes on but she lacks basic self awareness.
╚»★ Octavia ~ Okay so I understand that you want your sapphic romance. But Octavia… you’re telling me in the hundred of years you lived you could not find a single kind-hearted masc lesbian? Like seriously??? What makes this girl special, aside from the trope of “I’m not scared of you?” I can assure you if you step foot outside of your territory and go outside of the house, you could probably find someone who does not want to kill you.
╚»★ Cordelia & Eleanor ~ these two were actually quite wholesome, which seemed completely out of place given the rest of the book. They had a sweet slow burn romance, which I absolutely love. Although I wish that their story was explored further and was more complex - though what I want is a separate book of just how their love story unfolded. These two are the only reason I continued reading the book…
╚»★ Octavia’s siblings ~ So.. what is up with her siblings? Like one is a nerdy arrogant gay man, another is a mister worldwide hooker, another is a dyke lesbian with a temper, and another is silent but lethal in her force. Like… are they alright? Their “mom” isn’t great but like once again, where is the self restraint and some poise?
⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆ Music ⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆
╚»★ I See Red by Everybody Loves an Outlaw
╚»★ Play with Fire by Sam Tinnesz, Yacht Money
╚»★ Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo
⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆ Final Thoughts ⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆
No. Just no. I have read and skipped some pages of this book because yes I can get behind smut BUT only if there is a love story and romance first, which then transitions into some spicy scenes. But this one? Timing wasn’t it and honestly, I personally did not like anything about the main couple, it felt like a few tropes I dislike put together into one ship - misunderstanding, lies, angry and taking it out on each other, smut before romance, literal hookup, addiction, not trusting each other paired up with abandonment issues, and like no heartfelt conversations without them getting on top of each other.
As always, I’m grateful for the author’s time in writing this book. On that note…I’m sorry but what did I just read…like it took me more than a month to get myself to write a review after finishing it.
Age rating: 18+ (I think of that one edit sound about age ratings being wrong with this book - instasmut)
⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆ Genres & Topics ⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆
╚»★ Fantasy
╚»★ Supernatural
╚»★ LGBT+(lesbians - vampire x hunter)
╚»★ Smut. I cannot call this a romance despite the official tags.
⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆ Plot & Thoughts ⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆
Plot? What plot? Do books have a plot? Oh..I guess they do. On the positive note, the writing flow was good and you could tell that the author knew how to write really detailed scenes. On a more important note though…it felt like I was reading like a smut fanfiction written by a teenager who found about a03 a tad too early.
I was expecting a slow burn romance for some reason with enemies to lovers as the main trope. However, the pacing was really off for it to be romantic in any capacity, and I cannot call it a romance in any portion of this book. Every time I thought they would finally do something romantic and have an actual conversation about their feelings or GOD ANYTHING ahem, they would ruin it by going at it every single time - and I say every. single. time.
I held out hope that at least the mystery aspect or other ships in the story would be more bearable and actually romantic, which there was one there that gave off the vibes of forbidden love because of family feuds and a homophobic society. But then once again, this was not the main couple and they barely had any attention given to them in the first book. And as much as I want to know what happens to the couple that had an actually wholesome love story, I’m petrified and traumatized by the amount of smut with the main couple.
⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆ Characters ⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆
╚»★ Verity Banks/ Red ~ Girl. Girl. Girl. What are you doing? I mean yes, vampires are meant to be hot and attractive but where is your dignity? Self respect? Common sense? Any semblance of self restraint? No, yeah I didn't think so. This girly is becoming more tolerable as the book goes on but she lacks basic self awareness.
╚»★ Octavia ~ Okay so I understand that you want your sapphic romance. But Octavia… you’re telling me in the hundred of years you lived you could not find a single kind-hearted masc lesbian? Like seriously??? What makes this girl special, aside from the trope of “I’m not scared of you?” I can assure you if you step foot outside of your territory and go outside of the house, you could probably find someone who does not want to kill you.
╚»★ Cordelia & Eleanor ~ these two were actually quite wholesome, which seemed completely out of place given the rest of the book. They had a sweet slow burn romance, which I absolutely love. Although I wish that their story was explored further and was more complex - though what I want is a separate book of just how their love story unfolded. These two are the only reason I continued reading the book…
╚»★ Octavia’s siblings ~ So.. what is up with her siblings? Like one is a nerdy arrogant gay man, another is a mister worldwide hooker, another is a dyke lesbian with a temper, and another is silent but lethal in her force. Like… are they alright? Their “mom” isn’t great but like once again, where is the self restraint and some poise?
⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆ Music ⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆
╚»★ I See Red by Everybody Loves an Outlaw
╚»★ Play with Fire by Sam Tinnesz, Yacht Money
╚»★ Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo
⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆ Final Thoughts ⊹˚₊⊹˚ʚ☕️੭ 𓂃꙳⋆
No. Just no. I have read and skipped some pages of this book because yes I can get behind smut BUT only if there is a love story and romance first, which then transitions into some spicy scenes. But this one? Timing wasn’t it and honestly, I personally did not like anything about the main couple, it felt like a few tropes I dislike put together into one ship - misunderstanding, lies, angry and taking it out on each other, smut before romance, literal hookup, addiction, not trusting each other paired up with abandonment issues, and like no heartfelt conversations without them getting on top of each other.
January 9, 2025
I debated between giving this a 4 or a 5 but ultimately settled on a 4 because, while it was a great read, it had room for improvement. The love story itself was engaging, with great chemistry between the leads, and I enjoyed the exciting action scenes.
I actually appreciated the many (maybe too many) sex scenes. As someone who loves smut, I liked the balance of smut vs. plot. However, there was a time when the sex felt completely out of place—like when Octavia and Red started hooking up in the middle of a trial. They had literally just murdered people (though in self-defense), and somehow that turned them on? LOL.
I didn’t really like the different POVs. I think the story would have been better with just the two main characters’ POVs, and the backstory introduced in a different way.
That said, the ending was kind of sad but left me intrigued and eager to read the second book. Despite the flaws, this story kept me hooked with the interesting plot. And of course, I love a good vampire book. The chemistry between Red and Octavia was so good, and the way their fates kept intertwining made the story great. I’m definitely excited to see where their journey goes in the next installment.
I actually appreciated the many (maybe too many) sex scenes. As someone who loves smut, I liked the balance of smut vs. plot. However, there was a time when the sex felt completely out of place—like when Octavia and Red started hooking up in the middle of a trial. They had literally just murdered people (though in self-defense), and somehow that turned them on? LOL.
I didn’t really like the different POVs. I think the story would have been better with just the two main characters’ POVs, and the backstory introduced in a different way.
That said, the ending was kind of sad but left me intrigued and eager to read the second book. Despite the flaws, this story kept me hooked with the interesting plot. And of course, I love a good vampire book. The chemistry between Red and Octavia was so good, and the way their fates kept intertwining made the story great. I’m definitely excited to see where their journey goes in the next installment.
January 24, 2025
I hate that I didn’t love this, truly. I adore sapphic books, and this seemed like it was right up my alley! But I just didn’t feel the angst and chemistry between Red & Octavia. I also found myself full on wanting to skip chapters just to see if it got better. Idk y’all 😭
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