When Night Falls

Born in Blood Duet #1

by AJ Nicole

I had dreamt of the day that I could make them all feel just as small as they’ve made me feel.
But I never thought I’d actually have the chance...
until I met him.

He said he could help me.
He told me he saw power in me.
I fell for it… fell for him.

But he lied. Just like the rest of them did.
He used me for his own good.
Masked my darkness with a bloodlust I couldn’t control.

But I craved it. I envied it.
He made me stronger for it.
And not even my beloved King stood a chance.

You see, he may be the most powerful, murderous night stalker the world has ever known, but didn't
they ever tell him?
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned?

Till death do us part, my love.

Genres: Dark Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Dark Fantasy

484 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2024

About the author

AJ Nicole is a #1 Best Selling indie author who creates emotional, passionate, and tempting romance stories of many variations including sports romance, contemporary romance, dark romance, paranormal romance, and young adult romance.
She resides in Colorado with her family and writes best when the rest of the world is asleep.

For more, follow her on her socials: @booksbyajnicole
or visit her website:
www.booksbyajnicole.com

Reviews

[InkyandBookish [Brit] · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3.5/5

HELLO?!?! 😍😍😍

Does it make me a monster to stare at my father's coffin and think to myself, I'm glad that asshole is dead?

Where did this book hook me? Right there. First sentence. (If you have daddy issues proceed with some caution, but man did I feel some DEEP satisfaction with how that relationship unfolded.) Before I go off on a tangent let me reign myself in.

Calling all vampire girlies 🗣️- TWILIGHT, VAMPIRE DIARIES, ORIGINALS, or TRUE BLOOD this is what you’ve been waiting for.

🩸Slow Burn 🔥
🩸Fated Mates
🩸STELLAAA (iykyk)
🩸Dark Themes
🩸All the bite play
🩸Virgin FMC
🩸The Blo.od Play you’ve been asking yourself about since you read your very first vampire romance. Yeah..that one 👀
🩸check the rest of your triggers pls..and drink your water you probably suck it like me.

👹<-that’s me yelling to this next part to you…

👹👹👹ITS EVERYTHING WE LOVE👹👹👹

What I wasn’t prepared for was that ending. WOW. WOOOWWW. I DID NOT EVEN KNOW THERE WAS GOING TO BE TWISTS 😭😩 I’ll never recover. I need the next one now. Actually…gimmie 14 of em’ right now.

Go read it. Now.

Kloveyoubye <3
@inkyandbookish on all platforms
* Thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy*

[Marissa.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when revenge is more important than love?
Will you regret it or will it be your downfall…

Lucynda lived a loveless life after her mother left her as a young child. Constantly ridiculed and beaten by the person who should have loved her the most. One day things go to far and her world is completely shattered, little does she know she has a dark shadow who saves her but also needs her in order to exact his revenge.

After Rivians father finds his soul tie, his mother is cast aside and forced to never remember the child she’s left behind. Little does everyone know that’s the start of their demise. Rivians desire for revenge has left his heart closed off to love, but will letting it in be his downfall. All his carefully laid plans may mean nothing after his biggest betrayal of them all. He may burn down the world for her, but she may burn his whole world to the ground for herself.

This was such an amazing read, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! The plot twists, the throne scene *hot*, the revenge plot. If you’re looking for a book that will keep you up until 3am because you have to know what happens next, look no further! This is a slow burn with so much tension and angst, touch her and di€, who did this to, strong FMC, every trope you could possibly need/want!

This book not end with a hea, it leaves on a massive cliffhanger but luckily book 2 is coming soon! Thanks for not making us wait forever AJ Nicole! Also how dare you make me love Stella and then squash her!

Thank you so much to AJ Nicole for allowing me the honor of reading this before release!

[Biblio · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new genre from AJ Nicole featuring vampires, revenge, betrayal and all the dark gothic small town vibes. Lucynda has had a very traumatic upbringing. Her story is dark and heart wrenching and builds her up to be a character that is both surprisingly gentle and macabre. Rivian is our dark broody vampire prince who has also had plenty of trauma in his many years of life. This story is full of world building, slow burn and tension that will have you biting your nails. The big twist at the end was both shocking and unique. I am interested to see where this series goes.

*Pre release review

[bri ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending left me gasping! The plot was engaging from start to finish, and the twist caught me completely off guard. AJ did a fantastic job of building suspense and keeping me hooked.

However, I felt that some parts of the story were a bit rushed, and the insta-love element wasn’t quite to my taste. Despite these minor issues, the book was an exhilarating read with a lot of heart. Overall, it's a great book that I would definitely recommend!

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I tell you I didn't see that ending coming, I mean it! 😮

Cliffhanger..& I'm sad about some of it!
STELLA - spider
Vampire/Human
TRAUMA
Revenge
Spice
Fated mates
Gothic small town
Found family
Society
A-hole MMC 😆
Virgin FMC
Bite/🩸 play
Plot twists

I really enjoyed this book! I CAN'T WAIT to see what happens next!

Rivian done messed up! 😅

Thank you for the opportunity! My review is completely voluntary! 🖤

[Casey Alley · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ENDING OMG!!! I received this book to read early, and not going to lie, put it off for a little bit. But it is so good! AJ’s writing flows easily while keeping you entertained and questioning what’s to come. The plot line is so good!

[Karisa Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story line, interesting twists. Curious to see where the author takes it.

[Lindsay Brazil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah! Okay. So I was fortunate enough to read this book early - truly an honor.
Loved the character arc of the female lead. Loved when the male lead was spicy but wanted to knock him upside the head through a majority of the book. The twists at the end just kept coming!

The last 30% of the book was my favorite and got me real hyped for book 2.

Definitely a recommended read.

[Cierra D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I tell you I accidentally made this book my whole personality, I mean it. As a fellow girl who is usually mistaken as the cutesy, demure damsel in distress, I can very much say that I enjoyed the change of pace. Get you a man that hands you a match instead of a hose. Get you a Rivian. The ending felt a bit rushed but it was jam-packed, cliff hanger, pull-you-back-for-more, "when is the next book coming" vibes. Speaking of, when is it, AJ?!?! That is all. In Rivian, we trust.

[Annika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow in one word one. This was truly a dark DARK romance

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I’ve been in a book slump lately. Everything has been boring or disappointing so I was not expecting to love this book but it is SO GOOD. I got to read it early and I was invested from chapter one - it’s mysterious, exciting, spicy, and sweet. Rivian is *chefs kiss* and I love Cyn (I usually find FMC’s annoying).

I read this book so fast and didn’t want it to end but I literally could not wait to see what would happen next. The ending surprised me, none of it was predictable and I CAN NOT WAIT for book two!

[Nishell · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Night Falls offers a refreshing take on dark romance by diving deep into character development and avoiding the usual vampire clichés. The heroine’s journey is especially compelling—she starts out struggling, feeling trapped and powerless, but as the story unfolds, she transforms into a fierce, independent young woman who refuses to let anyone manipulate her. Watching her growth and resilience made her one of my favorite parts of the book.

The main male character, on the other hand, is not easy to like at first. His cold, distant nature makes him difficult to root for, but his character slowly reveals layers that make him more understandable, even sympathetic by the end.

One element that sets this book apart is its unique take on vampire society. Vampires live in communities called “societies” that function almost like packs, each one governed by a King. These societies operate as independent territories but hold alliances and treaties with other societies to maintain order and uphold their laws. This structure adds depth to the world-building and raises the stakes as characters navigate their loyalties within this rigid hierarchy.

One aspect worth noting is the age of the heroine, who is 18. For readers who prefer older main characters in adult (sex) settings (mid-20s or older), this might be a drawback, as the story includes mature content. For those who feel this affects their reading experience, I would rate the book 3.5 stars, since the storyline itself is still engaging and well-developed. However, if the age doesn’t pose an issue, I’d rate it a solid 4 stars and recommend it for its depth, character growth, and fresh take on vampire society.

I personally rate this at 3.5 because I do have an issue with the age of the main female character. However, Goodreads does not allow me to give a 0.5 star rating, so I have rounded it up to a 4.

[ash[hearts]angst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhh! Where do I even start?!

I was blessed to read this book early and I was not disappointed!

First of all, I absolutely loved this world and the society of humans and vampires. It was a different take than what we are typically used to, and I found it incredibly refreshing and added to the intrigue of the overall plot. I could vividly picture the towns and the places and the writing made the overall feel of the book come alive.


The MMC and FMC are both described so well and we really get a true honest insight into their thoughts and the decisions they make. It makes it hard to decipher good from wrong because we are able to empathize with them and the reasons for their decisions. It’s hard for me to tell who the protagonist is, that’s how good their characters are written.

The relationship between the two was so push and pull but it really added to the story and the underlying themes of the book.

NOW THE SPICE?! A beautiful slow burn baby but Very much yes. 🌶️🌶️’s all the way. *check your triggers*

This is the first book and it’s definitely set up to lead us into the second book and I am so excited to find out more about the twist and turns!! Absolutely loved this and will recommend for fantasy/vampire readers. 🤍🤍🤍

**I will say that it took me a good 5 chapters to really get into the book. I do think a little bit could’ve been shaved off in the beginning HOWEVER when it picked up, it picked up. That’s the reason I didn’t give it 5 stars**

[Katie Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok first off: an instrumental playlist for the book !!!! Bless you girl.
Anyways, what a wild ending I don’t even know how to form thoughts after that. I have to admit I didn’t feel too connected to the characters for a lot of the middle of the book and was confused about some of the world building but I absolutely loved the beginning and end of this book. I think the author meant for the characters to be confusing because of the secrets they are hiding from the readers, though, so applause to AJ Nicole for that because it worked. I am very excited for the next book after that ending because what ????

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild ride! Everything has been filled with vampires the past few days. I really don't know what to say about this book. There are a couple of ideas that were rolling around in my thoughts. One is still a potential, but the other came to fruiton.

The book starts out with trigger warnings and a um, glossary of sorts. If you have triggers, then you really should take the warnings into consideration before diving into this book.

[Kimberley Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark gothic small town vibe, with Vampires. Slow burn. Fated mates. Bote play. Virgin fmc. Blood play.

Incredibly fast paced, the plot had me hooked from the first line. This book has made me want to go on a vampire book binge!
Lucynda has a very traumatic, dark past. Rivian, the brooding vampire prince mmc has had his share of trauma over his many years of life

A big twist at the end which was shocking and has me interested to see whats next!

[Lauren Wehling · Rating 3 out of 5]

DANG! This started so good and I was so happy to be back in fantasy land. Then the characters emotions gave me whiplash and the story didn’t feel cohesive anymore.

Outside of the story line- the kindle version of this book was HORRENDOUS. I am the most illiterate reader there is, but this was so unedited it almost ruined the book. Grammar issues, misspelling, wrong punctuation, quotation marks unfinished, etc….

[Celeste M · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ rounded up!!

UMMMMM I need the next book RN💳💳💳💳

Lemme tell you, I was CRAVING a sexy vampire book and this DELIVERED. I *devoured* this! There’s a throne scene, blood play, mystery, and betrayal🤭 The vibes of this make it the PERFECT addition to your Fall/Spooky Szn TBR. Besties imma need yall to grab this one, okay? Do yourselves the favor and READ THIS!🥀🩸🖤

[Becca Stroiney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pre release review: This book was so yummy 🤭 the dedication says it all.

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book helped me get out of a reading slump. The emotions had me gripped and you honestly can understand how the characters are feeling. Really can't wait to read book 2

[nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

That ending!!! What the f!!!


🌶️🌶️

[Anna fully.booked_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED the vampire vibes of this book! It was spicy, dark, mysterious. And it left me with my jaw open like “WHAT!?” Can’t wait for book2!

[alexis zamlich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love everything aj writes. ❤️ in this book you will get revenge, cliff hangers, age gap, fated mates and love it. I absolutely cannot wait for book 2, when day breaks.

[Mariah&#x1f4d5;&#x1f5a4; · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tension, spice, plot, characters, and vampires… say less it’s all there! Also a perfect read for fall vibes. I need book 2 immediately!!! This was such a great book that I put aside my most anticipated read for the YEAR because I was so hooked into this one 🤯 AJ created a masterpiece with this one!

[leena.reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for allowing me access to this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

« I won’t hurt you, but I won’t hide the fact that I do crave the way you say my name, Lucynda. »

Rating: 2 ⭐️ DNF 35%
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: ARC Ebook
Pages: 495
Spice: - 🌶️
POV: Double POV
S/S: Born in Blood Duet #1
Check trigger warnings for any book.

I’m so sad that I could not fully enjoy this book, as I was so excited to receive the arc and intrigued by the plot. To anyone reading this review, give the book a shot, as it might be perfect for you!

It falls into me not connecting with the writing style. The plot is interesting, the characters intrigue me, and the vibes and moodiness are there. But I’m forcing myself to read it and I’m skimming through so many paragraphs that it’s unjust to the book.

So I’m dnf’ing it 35% into it. I really gave it a shot, and tried to push through but it wouldn’t be fair for me to continue this book while forcing myself to read it. I’m giving it a 2-star rating as I think it’s a good book for anyone else, just not a match for me.

Leena - Leena.reader review - @leena.reader on tiktok and instagram

[Lupey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts quite sad, to be honest. It's like a much more intense version of Cinderella, with the father playing a significant role. Lucynda eventually finds her "Prince Charming," who turns out to be both charming and brutal, seeking his revenge.

I have zero complaints about this book and encourage anyone who loves supernatural romances with Damsel in distress who becomes a badass FMC to read this book! In the end, you'll get a twist I did not see coming at all but made me so excited for part two of this duet!

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where do I begin…
There are spoilers so do not read this if you don’t want to know what happens at the end of the book.
This is my opinion, and I encourage everyone to read this book if you think you might like it. Others have given this 4 or 5 stars and that’s great.
I give this a generous 2 stars.
First let me say what I liked about this book. The beginning had me hooked. I really liked the MFC life story and the trauma she endured. Gave me Cinderella vibes but still, not bad.
Then I noticed the writing needed editing. I re-read a few sentences/paragraphs because it just seemed off. I was getting the vibe/feel she was going for but it just wasn’t executed well. With it starting out so strongly it took me back a bit, and it just keeps getting worse. Maybe that’s her “writing style” but if I have to stop reading because what I just read gave me the cringe? No, and it was the whole book after like chapter 10 or something. And like I said was invested so I had to finish.
I didn’t like that the vampire(Rivian) said he was “technically” 18, eleven or twelve years ago making him only 31 or 32 ( I forgot the numbers exactly and I didn’t feel like looking for it) First of all, I like my vampires to be over 100 years old, otherwise you are just a young man to me, and a young man he was. Or should I say man child. There were parts in the book that his lack of life experience (especially in being a leader) showed. Not sure that was meant to come across, but it did.
I also didn’t like how he was so back and forth/ wishy-washy/ and condescending with his feelings towards the MFC. AND he was an asshole. There was a parts where he was there to answer questions, and then literally told her, “I don’t have to explain my self to you”. Bro she just asked a question. You are the one getting all pissy. I felt like he didn’t make any sense on how he reacted towards her. It was confusing and irritating.
It took me a while to figure out this was, I’m denying my feelings for her, but I really love her, but I cannot love her because I have evil plan vibes. I was under the impression it was an Obsession/touch her and die that I have come accustomed too. To men giving the world to the women they are in love with. So that was disappointing. And you can argue, oh but someone said something bad about her and he attacked that person. He killed her dad for her. No, it’s not the same because he was an ass to her and used her.
All the characters were melodramatic and shared the same personality. They talked the same to where I did not get a feel for any range of personality. Finishing the book was hard until I thought of it as a Novela. Then reading it makes sense.
It also gave a teen wrote this because of the cursing, dramatics, and the feel of writing how awesome and cool you are. Like they did something so fast in a half of a blink of an eye or saying things like “My inner badassery” (that was in the book. These things could work if written in better context. Again… desperate need of editing)
If I was a teenager or in my early 20s and didn’t read a lot I’d probably like this book.
The ending was… Meh. I figured out what he was doing, and it was anticlimactic. The MMC keep talking about his plans, his revenge plans, he needs to stick to his plans the whole time and it was to trap his stepmom and kill her. Oh, and he married her daughter (the MFC) to see if that would lure her out. It didn’t so what was the point. (Because he was obsessed with her? Sure) There was someone else in the background plotting something behind the MMCs back and that was never addressed. Maybe in the next book? Who knows.

I've never written a book before so what do I know.

[Jems Literary Loft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought of a Jem @JemsLiteraryLoft
Born in Blood Duet
Book 1: When Night Falls - By: AJ Nicole

“Don’t believe everything you see in a movie, Lucynda. No, I don’t Sparkle.”

Thoughts of a Jem: AJ Nicole expertly weaves dark themes such as revenge, trauma, and the complicated nature of love and betrayal throughout the novel. Lucynda’s journey from her traumatic past to her complex relationship with Rivian is both exhilarating & healing. The use of blood play and vampiric lore adds a thrilling other worldly aspect to the story. While the reluctant marriage brings a sense of inevitable doom and desire. Secrets and lies are at the heart of the plot, with each character hiding dark truths that could tear them apart.

“Don’t you ever fucking doubt what length I would go to keep you safe, my sweet sin.”

The writing is sultry and suspenseful, with vivid descriptions that bring both the romance and darker elements of the story to life. A slow burn with flashbacks seamlessly integrated to provide depth to Lucynda’s & Rivian’s characters while shedding light to their traumatic past. If you’re a fan of dark romance with vampire royals, betrayal, and secrets, this book will take you on a wild ride & leave you on a cliffhanger. Just wanting more I will have my second course now pretty please AJ.

Born in Blood Duet
Book 1: When Night Falls - Released Sept. 13, 2024
Book 2: When Day Breaks – Coming Soon

FMC & MMC:
•Lucynda: A complex heroine, Lucynda’s traumatic past shapes much of who she is but it does
not define. Her vulnerability shines through as she navigates her new, dangerous relationship
with Rivian.
•Rivian: As the Vampire King, Rivian is a dark, brooding character driven by revenge. His
relationship with Lucynda is complicated as his ulterior motives add a layer of tension and
restraint to their interactions. Despite being tethered to her, his intentions are far from pure,
creating a fascinating dynamic between them.

What I Loved:
•The chemistry between Lucynda and Rivian is electric, with each scene charged with emotional
and physical tension. The Piano Scene Simply Irresistible!
•The dark, gothic small-town tone of the book complements the romance, making the stakes feel
high and the love dangerous.
•Rivian’s complex motivations kept me hooked, wondering how their relationship would evolve.
•Warning: Some readers may find the trauma themes and blood play elements difficult to handle,
as they are intense and graphic at times reading is objective.

Summary:

The story opens with Lucynda at her father’s funeral, immediately drawing us into her tragic and turbulent past. Her father, an abusive figure, left behind emotional scars from his verbal and physical abuse, including an attempted sexual assault. Flashbacks to her traumatic childhood reveal Lucynda’s deep-seated pain, stemming from her father’s cruelty and her mother’s abandonment. Her stepmother and stepsisters only added to her torment.

After inheriting her family’s estate, Lucynda chooses to leave it behind, seeking a fresh start far from the memories that haunt her. She relocates to a quaint town, where she opens a bookstore, hoping to escape her past. However, peace eludes her, as a mysterious secret admirer enters her life, leaving her black roses at her doorstep and later an invitation to a masquerade.

At the masquerade, Lucynda meets Rivian, the Vampire King—her soulmate. But this is no fairytale meeting. Rivian is fueled by revenge, tethered to Lucynda for reasons beyond love. Their relationship is fraught with power struggles, secrets, and intense, steamy encounters that push boundaries in all the right ways. The piano scene, my personal favorite, is both sensuous and charged with emotion, setting the tone for the tumultuous bond they share. Will they become Blood Bound or just Sanguis Maledictum - Blood Cursed?

@JemsLiteraryLoft – All Socials
* Thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy*

[Justina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did not disappoint! When I saw a video about this book on booktok I knew I absolutely had to read it. I do not give 5 star reviews lightly, but this book definitely deserved it. Vampires, overcoming trauma, learning to accept love, revenge, and twists you don't expect... yea definitely a book to read.

It starts out with the backstory of the MFC and I loved that. I wish there was similar for MMC but his story is sprinkled nicely throughout the book. MMC gave me serious "Originals" vibes especially with the black roses and protectiveness. The book overall ties together beautifully. I do wish there was some further explanation for some things like the special terms for the eyes and types of vampires but I'm assuming that will be explained better in book 2. Or at least I'm really hoping so!

I absolutely loved the descriptions throughout the book. The details of the castle and the grounds around it, the way the main street of the town is described... I could easily picture every scene in my head. I do wish there was a bit more back story on the other vamps and why they made the choices they did and what made them who they are. Again, that's something I'm hoping is explained better in book 2.

If you love cliffhangers, then this book is totally for you! She leaves you going "Wait... what?!?!" It's the perfect ending that made me go crazy wanting the next book right now. I'm definitely counting down the days until I can read book 2.

You definitely want to read this book. It will keep you turning page after page and before you know it, hours have gone by and you're still buried in the book. I could not put it down. This work is phenomenal and I can't wait to read more by this talented author! I read this book with my best friend and we were constantly messaging each other back and forth about it. I definitely had a moment or two where I dropped my kindle in a "No way!" Kind of moment. This book was totally worth staying up most of the night to read!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

🩸🖤 ARC Review 🖤🩸

I cannot BELIEVE I got to read this as an ARC!!!! Massive, MASSIVE thank you to AJ Nicole and her team....I have literally JUST finished the book!

🖤 Age-Gap
🩸 Vampires
🖤 STELLA (iykyk)
🩸 Marriage of Convenience
🖤 Grand Piano
🩸 Check. Your. Trigger. Warnings. (your mental health matters)

Okay firstly, as I have JUST finished reading this, let me get this out of my system.....HOLY F'ING S**T!!!!!! I have been doing what can only be described as a "manic happy/wtf/WHY do I have to wait for the second book" dance around the house while getting odd looks from my other half....and my dogs.

Does it make me a monster to stare at my father's coffin and think to myself, I'm glad that asshole is dead?

The way this book is written is SINFULLY amazing! It sucks you in and you literally feel like you are walking around Shadow Creek, side by side with Lucynda. Every detail draws you in, from the description of Shadow Creek as a whole, right down to the smell of Beans and Bloom.

Darkness doesn't have to be a bad thing. It can be beautiful if shown in the light.

Rivian is beautifully dark in all the right ways and his inner struggle is beautifully written, although some times you do just want to slap him round the side of the head....but he's a man, so....go figure!
Lucynda is equally as beautifully broken, all she craves is love and to be seen...and damn do we see her.

I know how it feels to be in love. Carved in the madness and caged by the pain

The whole book had me in a chokehold and AJ.Nicole....ma'am....HOW did you make me feel SO emotional over STELLA?!?!

But the TWIST.....no, no, I'm sorry,I am NOT okay.....utter PERFECTION on pages!!!