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Vampire's Mate #4
Johann
Alexei is lost. On the run from his criminal family, hiding out in Hyde Park, he has no idea what the point or purpose of his life is anymore. Until he’s served coffee by a strange young man, one whom Alexei can’t get out of this head. And when Alexei realizes his favorite barista isn’t quite human after all, his obsession only deepens. Can he use this new knowledge to get even closer to the sweet, strange vampire of his dreams?
Jay is lonely. He has his friends (so nice!) and his job at the coffee shop (so fun!) but he knows he doesn’t really belong in Hyde Park, not for keeps. And yet, he can’t help wanting to pretend, especially with his new favorite regular, a handsome human who smells divine and watches Jay like he really matters. Alexei might just be the nicest thing to happen to Jay since he can remember, even more so when the human generously offers himself up for dinner.
But Jay’s past is complicated, and certain promises have been made. Can he and Alexei weather the storm that tracks him down, or will Jay’s new life be taken away from him before it can really begin?
Johann is a heated, fated-mates MM paranormal romance with an HEA and no cliffhanger. It contains a sweet, cinnamon roll vampire and the stoic, obsessed human who will do anything to stay by his side. It also contains steamy scenes between two men, and the moderate violence (and mentions of blood) that one might expect from a vampire romance. While each book focuses on a different couple, the series is best enjoyed in order.
Jay is lonely. He has his friends (so nice!) and his job at the coffee shop (so fun!) but he knows he doesn’t really belong in Hyde Park, not for keeps. And yet, he can’t help wanting to pretend, especially with his new favorite regular, a handsome human who smells divine and watches Jay like he really matters. Alexei might just be the nicest thing to happen to Jay since he can remember, even more so when the human generously offers himself up for dinner.
But Jay’s past is complicated, and certain promises have been made. Can he and Alexei weather the storm that tracks him down, or will Jay’s new life be taken away from him before it can really begin?
Johann is a heated, fated-mates MM paranormal romance with an HEA and no cliffhanger. It contains a sweet, cinnamon roll vampire and the stoic, obsessed human who will do anything to stay by his side. It also contains steamy scenes between two men, and the moderate violence (and mentions of blood) that one might expect from a vampire romance. While each book focuses on a different couple, the series is best enjoyed in order.
Audible Audio
First published February 9, 2023
346 people are currently reading
1611 people want to read
About the author
Grae Bryan
23 books1,155 followersGrae Bryan has been reading romance since she was far too young to know any better. Her love for love stories spans all genres, and while her current series is of the paranormal variety, she knows she’ll be exploring other worlds further down the line.
She lives in Arizona with her husband, who graciously shares space with all the imaginary men in her head. When not writing, she can generally be found reading more than is healthy, walking her monster-dog, or cuddling her demon-cat. She loves anything and everything gothic, strange, lovely, or cozy.
She lives in Arizona with her husband, who graciously shares space with all the imaginary men in her head. When not writing, she can generally be found reading more than is healthy, walking her monster-dog, or cuddling her demon-cat. She loves anything and everything gothic, strange, lovely, or cozy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 626 reviews
April 11, 2025
I have read a lot of books with the fated mate trope. But it usually takes me at least halfway through the book before I’m convinced they’re actually fated mates.
Not with this one!! It barely took anything. Alexie and Jay are absolutely perfect, they mold together like two pieces of clay. The first real date they had was Alexie teaching Jay how to make pancakes. And in Jay's past he learned that it wasn’t ok to be messy but Alexie told him that if there wasn’t a little bit of a mess then he wasn’t doing it properly. And then he showed Jay that it was ok to be messy by tearing apart his bedroom and piling all the blankets and pillows onto the floor to make a kind of fort/nest. Everything was just so simple with them.
Jay is a very open character, unique and odd. He tells things how they are. If he wants to compliment someone (even if it’s a little weird) he’ll say it anyway. He’s the kind of person who feels happinesses at the smallest things. He doesn’t like to be lonely and he loves affection of any kind. All throughout his life he wanted a person just for him, who stayed by his side, who liked to cuddle, make pancakes and snow angels. That person became Alexie, who matched Jay every step of their relationship. They are the sweetest!! I’m honestly surprised this book didn’t give me a sweet tooth. I have to give it five stars. Jay is just too precious and I had a lot of fun being able to see how he views the world.
Not with this one!! It barely took anything. Alexie and Jay are absolutely perfect, they mold together like two pieces of clay. The first real date they had was Alexie teaching Jay how to make pancakes. And in Jay's past he learned that it wasn’t ok to be messy but Alexie told him that if there wasn’t a little bit of a mess then he wasn’t doing it properly. And then he showed Jay that it was ok to be messy by tearing apart his bedroom and piling all the blankets and pillows onto the floor to make a kind of fort/nest. Everything was just so simple with them.
Jay is a very open character, unique and odd. He tells things how they are. If he wants to compliment someone (even if it’s a little weird) he’ll say it anyway. He’s the kind of person who feels happinesses at the smallest things. He doesn’t like to be lonely and he loves affection of any kind. All throughout his life he wanted a person just for him, who stayed by his side, who liked to cuddle, make pancakes and snow angels. That person became Alexie, who matched Jay every step of their relationship. They are the sweetest!! I’m honestly surprised this book didn’t give me a sweet tooth. I have to give it five stars. Jay is just too precious and I had a lot of fun being able to see how he views the world.
January 17, 2024
*4.5* I might have gotten a cavity from all of the sweetness in this story. Don’t care, was a little bit of sunshine and innocence I needed after reading some darker stories.
✔️Fated mates
✔️MM/Gay love story
✔️Childlike vampire
✔️Virgin hero
✔️Only has eyes for you
✔️Found family
✔️HEA, no cliffhanger
✔️Works as a standalone
✔️Fated mates
✔️MM/Gay love story
✔️Childlike vampire
✔️Virgin hero
✔️Only has eyes for you
✔️Found family
✔️HEA, no cliffhanger
✔️Works as a standalone
February 13, 2023
I love this vampire series, and Johann was all the things:
- Adorable but terribly insecure vamp meets the disillusioned son of a Russian mobster
- Possessive, passionate love (at first sight, but that goes without saying)
- Plenty of sexy action (blood and other fluids included)
- Fated mates/forever HEA (but of course)
- Found family (with plenty of fun interactions between the MCs and the couples from the first two books)
- Kittens, camping, cozy baths, and casual messiness (because Vee really fucked with Jay's head)
My one complaint is the somewhat anti-climatic ending. I was waiting for danger on two fronts: Jay's former den wanting him back and Alexei's older brother seeking revenge.
I anticipated some action/suspense, but instead of a BANG, we get a whimper.
I also think the Wolfe/Dr. Monroe complication could have waited until book 5. It was unnecessarily distracting.
- Adorable but terribly insecure vamp meets the disillusioned son of a Russian mobster
- Possessive, passionate love (at first sight, but that goes without saying)
- Plenty of sexy action (blood and other fluids included)
- Fated mates/forever HEA (but of course)
- Found family (with plenty of fun interactions between the MCs and the couples from the first two books)
- Kittens, camping, cozy baths, and casual messiness (because Vee really fucked with Jay's head)
My one complaint is the somewhat anti-climatic ending. I was waiting for danger on two fronts: Jay's former den wanting him back and Alexei's older brother seeking revenge.
I anticipated some action/suspense, but instead of a BANG, we get a whimper.
I also think the Wolfe/Dr. Monroe complication could have waited until book 5. It was unnecessarily distracting.
January 22, 2023
I was about to take a test when I requested an ARC for this book. I was literally in one of my classes trying to login to the testing website when an email popped up on my computer. “An ARC for Johann is available for review!” Cue the record scratch in my brain. I audibly gasped out loud when I saw it. Who needed to take a test? Not me. I changed directions then. I closed out of my testing platform and went straight to Gay Romance Reviews and requested an ARC. I then took my test and waited for ARC approval. I also got a good score on my test. :D
My sweet, sweet Jaybird. I cannot stress how much I absolutely loved being in his head while reading this book. He’s so cute and adorable and happy and sweet and kind and pure and perfect and GAH. Jay is the type of person to compliment the sky for being so blue that day or to ask how it was feeling if it was cloudy. The type of man that would paint every wall in his house yellow because it’s a happy color. And our sweet Jay wanted to share his happiness with someone just for him. He was just so lonely and wanted to be loved and cuddled, and then our man Alexei walked in. Hot damn.
Alexei is running from something. He was laying low in Hyde Park, and he decided he needed to do something other than hole up in his apartment. He went to the coffee shop Jay worked at, and that is when the obsession begin. He couldn’t get the sweet barista out of his head. He would go to the coffee shop everyday just to see him, and the days he didn’t get to, he was all pouty. It was ridiculously cute. Then one night he stumbled upon Jay having a little midnight snack, if you know what I mean. That’s what really got the ball rolling between Jay and Alexei because as far as Alexei was concerned, he should be the only one Jay should get his sustenance from. Here I am swooning over the offering of blood.
I loved them together. Jay was desperate for affection and Alexei was desperate to give it to him. They were perfect. And the spice between them was perfect, too. Our little Jaybird is very inexperienced, so it was sweet to see Alexei lead him. And hot. So very hot.
I’m in love with this series, and I think everyone else should be, too. Each book is a winner. I’m also very super duper excited for the next book. I was so surprised when I found out who the next book is going to be about. Honestly I never expected this author to write this character, so I am really interested to see what her brain comes up with. It’s going to be so good, you have no idea.
My sweet, sweet Jaybird. I cannot stress how much I absolutely loved being in his head while reading this book. He’s so cute and adorable and happy and sweet and kind and pure and perfect and GAH. Jay is the type of person to compliment the sky for being so blue that day or to ask how it was feeling if it was cloudy. The type of man that would paint every wall in his house yellow because it’s a happy color. And our sweet Jay wanted to share his happiness with someone just for him. He was just so lonely and wanted to be loved and cuddled, and then our man Alexei walked in. Hot damn.
Alexei is running from something. He was laying low in Hyde Park, and he decided he needed to do something other than hole up in his apartment. He went to the coffee shop Jay worked at, and that is when the obsession begin. He couldn’t get the sweet barista out of his head. He would go to the coffee shop everyday just to see him, and the days he didn’t get to, he was all pouty. It was ridiculously cute. Then one night he stumbled upon Jay having a little midnight snack, if you know what I mean. That’s what really got the ball rolling between Jay and Alexei because as far as Alexei was concerned, he should be the only one Jay should get his sustenance from. Here I am swooning over the offering of blood.
I loved them together. Jay was desperate for affection and Alexei was desperate to give it to him. They were perfect. And the spice between them was perfect, too. Our little Jaybird is very inexperienced, so it was sweet to see Alexei lead him. And hot. So very hot.
I’m in love with this series, and I think everyone else should be, too. Each book is a winner. I’m also very super duper excited for the next book. I was so surprised when I found out who the next book is going to be about. Honestly I never expected this author to write this character, so I am really interested to see what her brain comes up with. It’s going to be so good, you have no idea.
![Profile Image for Lilly [Hiatus due to School] .](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1663899589i%2F10381707._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
February 12, 2023
Jay may have been codependent, but Alexei was just as bad. He reveled in Jay’s need for him, in their constant physical contact. His beast…hungered…always, for Jay.
Johann!! I fell in love with Jay the moment we met him, and I couldn't wait for his story and for him to find his perfect mate. I adore sunny sweet, optimistic characters, and Jay was just those types that would give you a severe case of cute aggression.
Goodness, his past is quite heartbreaking; learning about it made me understand how he is. He is affection starved, lonely, needy, and has serious self-doubt regarding his place among his friends. My heart broke for him! But Alexi was honestly the perfect mate for him. He was ready to love, indulge, and take him as he was with all of Jay's idiosyncrasies. Ready to shower him with all the affection and meet his every need. Their chemistry was perfect, and I loved that they were codependent and unhealthily attached, opposites, even in size!
What I also love is the found family aspect. Seeing everyone band together to not only reassure jay but make it clear that he is part of their "den" and they are ready to protect and fight for him was touching.
This series has a chokehold on me that I do not understand. I have said it before, but it brings out similar feelings I had as a teenager reading the Twilight series. There is something about it that makes me giddy and smile.
Overall it was another great addition to the series! I seriously can not wait for Wolfe and Dr. Monroe's story~
Johann!! I fell in love with Jay the moment we met him, and I couldn't wait for his story and for him to find his perfect mate. I adore sunny sweet, optimistic characters, and Jay was just those types that would give you a severe case of cute aggression.
Goodness, his past is quite heartbreaking; learning about it made me understand how he is. He is affection starved, lonely, needy, and has serious self-doubt regarding his place among his friends. My heart broke for him! But Alexi was honestly the perfect mate for him. He was ready to love, indulge, and take him as he was with all of Jay's idiosyncrasies. Ready to shower him with all the affection and meet his every need. Their chemistry was perfect, and I loved that they were codependent and unhealthily attached, opposites, even in size!
What I also love is the found family aspect. Seeing everyone band together to not only reassure jay but make it clear that he is part of their "den" and they are ready to protect and fight for him was touching.
This series has a chokehold on me that I do not understand. I have said it before, but it brings out similar feelings I had as a teenager reading the Twilight series. There is something about it that makes me giddy and smile.
Overall it was another great addition to the series! I seriously can not wait for Wolfe and Dr. Monroe's story~
April 19, 2024
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
You’ve heard of 40 Year-Old Virgin. I now present to you: 250 Year-Old Virgin.
When they were alone at home, he would jump onto his tiptoes, wrap his arms around Alexei’s neck, and insist on being carried around the house.
I love Johann with all my heart. It’s the first book I ever read in the series way back, and it’s still my favorite after multiple rereads, and now after listening to the audiobook.
Johann is touch starved, and pretty much everything-else-starved as well, after living for over two centuries as the companion of another (controlling) vampire. He’s the type that stops and looks at the flowers, the stars, the falling snow. He thinks humans are the nicest, and that his friends are the bestest. His love language is every type of love language, twice a day. He and Alexei are pretty disgustingly cute, but I can’t get enough of it. Johann wears cozy, fuzzy, brightly colored clothes that don’t match in the slightest, just because they’re so nice and comfy.
Jay’s tongue darted out, wetting his lips. “You want to, um, show me sex stuff?” Alexei let out a long, slow breath. “Yes. I would very much like to show you sex stuff, if you like.”
I swear his entire character is like a drug to me. So heckin’ cute, I can’t stand it. Alexei is a pretty cold and badass former mobster, but he becomes a puddle of goo at Johann’s feet.
“Jaybird, what have I told you about arriving fashionably late?” “That I’m terrible at it because I’m too eager for everything all the time.” “Exactly,” Soren said, but he gave Jay a kiss on the cheek anyway, which was unexpected and extra nice.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Vampire/human
Fated mates
Cinnamon roll vampire
Petite MC
Virgin MC
Size difference
Lonely MC
Grumpy/sunshine
Former mobster
Praise kink
Touch starved MC
Codependency
Pillow princess
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Blood consumption
Graphic violence
Bad guy side character decapitated (on page)
Trauma from past manipulation and controlling ‘partnership’
Alcohol consumption (four units)
Brief mention of parent death (past, off page)
MC being turned into a vampire against his will (past)
MC killed and turned into a vampire (not by other MC)
Brief mentions of child abandonment
Emotional manipulation by parent (past)
Explicit sexual content
Past abuse (parent)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 35 and 250 (turned at 19)
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 263
There was a little guy at the counter, dressed in a truly hideous sweatshirt, and he was waving at Alexei with surprising gusto.
“But you always smell so sweet. Like one of our vanilla cupcakes. Are you sure you haven’t been baking?” Alexei had never heard such a blatant fucking pickup line in his life. Or so one would think. But that was the thing. The incredible, mind-melting frustration of it all. It wasn’t a pickup line. Jay had said it and then just… skipped away, unbothered and completely unembarrassed by his words. And, to be fair, Alexei had also once overheard Jay compliment his fucking cash register for opening “so smoothly and quietly.” He also greeted every canine guest in the café like visiting royalty, waving and beaming and handing out dog treats like Oprah giving away a free car.
But Jay didn’t seem too impressed with money or prestige, as far as Alexei could tell. He’d seen, just the other day, a suited customer trying to show off his Rolex, and Jay had countered with his own glow-in-the-dark waterproof number, of which he was apparently incredibly proud.
Double entendres and coded messages weren’t quite his things. So he went with saying exactly what he was thinking. “I want to try mouth stuff with you.”
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
You’ve heard of 40 Year-Old Virgin. I now present to you: 250 Year-Old Virgin.
When they were alone at home, he would jump onto his tiptoes, wrap his arms around Alexei’s neck, and insist on being carried around the house.
I love Johann with all my heart. It’s the first book I ever read in the series way back, and it’s still my favorite after multiple rereads, and now after listening to the audiobook.
Johann is touch starved, and pretty much everything-else-starved as well, after living for over two centuries as the companion of another (controlling) vampire. He’s the type that stops and looks at the flowers, the stars, the falling snow. He thinks humans are the nicest, and that his friends are the bestest. His love language is every type of love language, twice a day. He and Alexei are pretty disgustingly cute, but I can’t get enough of it. Johann wears cozy, fuzzy, brightly colored clothes that don’t match in the slightest, just because they’re so nice and comfy.
Jay’s tongue darted out, wetting his lips. “You want to, um, show me sex stuff?” Alexei let out a long, slow breath. “Yes. I would very much like to show you sex stuff, if you like.”
I swear his entire character is like a drug to me. So heckin’ cute, I can’t stand it. Alexei is a pretty cold and badass former mobster, but he becomes a puddle of goo at Johann’s feet.
“Jaybird, what have I told you about arriving fashionably late?” “That I’m terrible at it because I’m too eager for everything all the time.” “Exactly,” Soren said, but he gave Jay a kiss on the cheek anyway, which was unexpected and extra nice.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Vampire/human
Fated mates
Cinnamon roll vampire
Petite MC
Virgin MC
Size difference
Lonely MC
Grumpy/sunshine
Former mobster
Praise kink
Touch starved MC
Codependency
Pillow princess
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Blood consumption
Graphic violence
Bad guy side character decapitated (on page)
Trauma from past manipulation and controlling ‘partnership’
Alcohol consumption (four units)
Brief mention of parent death (past, off page)
MC being turned into a vampire against his will (past)
MC killed and turned into a vampire (not by other MC)
Brief mentions of child abandonment
Emotional manipulation by parent (past)
Explicit sexual content
Past abuse (parent)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 35 and 250 (turned at 19)
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 263
There was a little guy at the counter, dressed in a truly hideous sweatshirt, and he was waving at Alexei with surprising gusto.
“But you always smell so sweet. Like one of our vanilla cupcakes. Are you sure you haven’t been baking?” Alexei had never heard such a blatant fucking pickup line in his life. Or so one would think. But that was the thing. The incredible, mind-melting frustration of it all. It wasn’t a pickup line. Jay had said it and then just… skipped away, unbothered and completely unembarrassed by his words. And, to be fair, Alexei had also once overheard Jay compliment his fucking cash register for opening “so smoothly and quietly.” He also greeted every canine guest in the café like visiting royalty, waving and beaming and handing out dog treats like Oprah giving away a free car.
But Jay didn’t seem too impressed with money or prestige, as far as Alexei could tell. He’d seen, just the other day, a suited customer trying to show off his Rolex, and Jay had countered with his own glow-in-the-dark waterproof number, of which he was apparently incredibly proud.
Double entendres and coded messages weren’t quite his things. So he went with saying exactly what he was thinking. “I want to try mouth stuff with you.”
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
October 18, 2023
I was really looking forward to Jay's book and really Jay was really way more over the top than I expected. I get sheltered, but he really did act like it was his first day on earth. I mean I can see a lot of people disliking this book because of that, but I chose to just go with it. I thought it was funny. Like I just want to spend a day giving random weird compliments and getting so excited about seeing a paw print in the snow and everything else bizarre. It was quite remarkable.
April 25, 2024
ETA: the audio is out and it’s fantastic!! Really so so sweet, getting to listen to this as my reread. I think this book and Colin are my favorites of the series.
I knew this book would be everything, but I still wasn't prepared for how much I would adore Jay - this pure, sweet, touch-starved, still so innocent and hopeful for the world, cutie pie with the worst fashion sense I think I have ever read about lol
Jay is living in Hyde Park with his vampire friends and working as a barista at a local coffee shop. He loves his independence, but is also quite lonely and worried that his place with Danny and Roman and Soren and Gabe is only temporary and them being nice. It's not until he meets Alexei (the nicest human!), that his world truly starts to change and he's able to find his place in the world.
Yall, these two are just everything. I love how perfect they were for each other - how their past and upbringing had been so harsh and cruel, yet with each other they could find love and peace and giving and receiving love and affection. These two were so soft together, I just adored them.
And I also loved getting to see the couples from the previous books! Danny is just still the sweetest, Roman is still smitten, Soren is still sassy and wonderful, and I love how much they all love Jay. Because of how much interaction there is with these other couples, I definitely recommend reading this series in order.
This series continues to knock it out of the park. Book 5 is also already set up very nicely - can't wait to learn more about the couple that will be the featured couple in the next book. (I also wouldn't mind getting back over to Luc's area of the world and those vampire twins??)
Get this author on your radar and get caught up with what is now one of my top mm vampire romance series!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I knew this book would be everything, but I still wasn't prepared for how much I would adore Jay - this pure, sweet, touch-starved, still so innocent and hopeful for the world, cutie pie with the worst fashion sense I think I have ever read about lol
Jay is living in Hyde Park with his vampire friends and working as a barista at a local coffee shop. He loves his independence, but is also quite lonely and worried that his place with Danny and Roman and Soren and Gabe is only temporary and them being nice. It's not until he meets Alexei (the nicest human!), that his world truly starts to change and he's able to find his place in the world.
Yall, these two are just everything. I love how perfect they were for each other - how their past and upbringing had been so harsh and cruel, yet with each other they could find love and peace and giving and receiving love and affection. These two were so soft together, I just adored them.
And I also loved getting to see the couples from the previous books! Danny is just still the sweetest, Roman is still smitten, Soren is still sassy and wonderful, and I love how much they all love Jay. Because of how much interaction there is with these other couples, I definitely recommend reading this series in order.
This series continues to knock it out of the park. Book 5 is also already set up very nicely - can't wait to learn more about the couple that will be the featured couple in the next book. (I also wouldn't mind getting back over to Luc's area of the world and those vampire twins??)
Get this author on your radar and get caught up with what is now one of my top mm vampire romance series!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2023
For me, the mark of a good series is that each time I finish a book in it, it becomes my favourite and this is exactly what's happened here.
I've been dying to get Jay's story ever since the little vampire with the sunshiny outlook on life and a sweetness that makes you want to wrap him in cotton wool even though he's actually super strong and could rip your head off 😄 appeared in book two.
Of course, Jay's cinnamon bun appearance actually hides a vulnerability that stems from his creation, when he was stolen away from his aunt and uncle's farm aged just 19 and without any life experience and moulded into the perfect companion for a much older female vampire.
He's learned to be quiet, do as he's told and never cause any trouble, which means he's lacking a lot of the nuances which come from a less sheltered life.
Which, of course, is why his fated mate just happens to be a Russian mobster on the run from his brother after he deliberately cost him millions by throwing a deal!
What follows is an absolute delight as Alexei discovers he quite likes cuddling when it's Jay he's squished up next to and Jay realises that when Alexei is telling him how good he is and how much he likes the little tasks he does for him, it means he no longer feels like he's a bother.
The praise kink coupled with the sexual exploration, as Jay is a virgin, made this one all ends up hot but with the added depth of there being such a deep emotional connection between them.
It's also quietly sarcastic and snarky as all the others have been which appeals very much to my sense of humour, and it has plenty of action outside of the romance to bring additional interest and, speaking of...
What a way to introduce the main players in book four!
I was not expecting that and the little comment Grae left in the author note at the end had me laughing my head off. I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it yet but I have to say, I'm also dying to find out the answer too!
#ARC kindly received from the author via GRR, I am voluntarily leaving a review
I've been dying to get Jay's story ever since the little vampire with the sunshiny outlook on life and a sweetness that makes you want to wrap him in cotton wool even though he's actually super strong and could rip your head off 😄 appeared in book two.
Of course, Jay's cinnamon bun appearance actually hides a vulnerability that stems from his creation, when he was stolen away from his aunt and uncle's farm aged just 19 and without any life experience and moulded into the perfect companion for a much older female vampire.
He's learned to be quiet, do as he's told and never cause any trouble, which means he's lacking a lot of the nuances which come from a less sheltered life.
Which, of course, is why his fated mate just happens to be a Russian mobster on the run from his brother after he deliberately cost him millions by throwing a deal!
What follows is an absolute delight as Alexei discovers he quite likes cuddling when it's Jay he's squished up next to and Jay realises that when Alexei is telling him how good he is and how much he likes the little tasks he does for him, it means he no longer feels like he's a bother.
The praise kink coupled with the sexual exploration, as Jay is a virgin, made this one all ends up hot but with the added depth of there being such a deep emotional connection between them.
It's also quietly sarcastic and snarky as all the others have been which appeals very much to my sense of humour, and it has plenty of action outside of the romance to bring additional interest and, speaking of...
What a way to introduce the main players in book four!
I was not expecting that and the little comment Grae left in the author note at the end had me laughing my head off. I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it yet but I have to say, I'm also dying to find out the answer too!
#ARC kindly received from the author via GRR, I am voluntarily leaving a review
March 2, 2024
4 Stars
Sweet and sexy, Johann is a very welcomed addition to this amusing M/M urban fantasy series, about ancient vampires and their destined, very human mates.
Where the first three books had broody, tortured, formidable, and definitely morally grey vampires as the central leads, this sequel provided a much appreciated gear change, in the form of cute-as-a-button, sunshine-personified Johann (or Jay to his friends).
Jay is short in stature but big in personality and kindness. His past is as clouded as his vampy friends, but he was exceedingly sheltered for many centuries, living a very unconventional vampire life, now free to soak up all life has to offer for the first time, finding joy in his small-town job as a barista and being close to his new friends.
Meeting new people is always a blast for Jay, who gets very lonely if left to his own devices, but his eternal life changes once more when he falls for new coffee shop regular, Alexei, who has a secret, dangerous past he’s running from.
It doesn’t take Alexei and Jay long to connect on a deeper level (yay, MATES!) and to get quickly entrenched in each others lives and the complicated pasts they’re both trying hard to avoid. Realising, with the support of Jay’s friends, that they’re stronger together than apart, and that fated love is most definitely something worth fighting for.
I adored Jay so much. He was fun to watch as a side character in the earlier books, but he was such a breath of fresh air as an immortal lead character, golden retriever personified. Cute is the word that comes to mind. And funny. His innocence and eternal optimism and kindness really made him shine, reminding me a lot of Gray, the amusing narcoleptic warrior angel from Jaclyn Osborn’s Sons of the Fallen series. If you’ve read those books, you have an instant and memorable idea of the kind of sunshiney character I speak of here.
The opposites dynamic between Jay and his big and broody Alexei were perfect, providing a nice contrast between characters and offering up heaps of good moments, not only between the couple at hand, but between Alexei and all of Jay’s friends. The group scenes, in particular, were some of my favourite moments here, reminding me again how much I enjoy this series for its growing cast of immortal male characters.
The romance maybe wasn’t the strongest of the series, to date, but it was lovely as is. I especially loved Jay’s sexual awakening and the vigor with which he put his whole heart (and body) into being with Alexei. Add to that, Alexei’s adoration for Jay was very alpha male protective and possessive, even though he was the human and Jay was the centuries old vampire. It was a fun dynamic and I was here for it.
I also love the introduction of new character Wolfgang, who burst onto the scene—stealing ALL the scenes—with his unhinged and deadly psychopathic charisma, that has left me excited and eager to read the next book!
Sweet and sexy, Johann is a very welcomed addition to this amusing M/M urban fantasy series, about ancient vampires and their destined, very human mates.
Where the first three books had broody, tortured, formidable, and definitely morally grey vampires as the central leads, this sequel provided a much appreciated gear change, in the form of cute-as-a-button, sunshine-personified Johann (or Jay to his friends).
Jay is short in stature but big in personality and kindness. His past is as clouded as his vampy friends, but he was exceedingly sheltered for many centuries, living a very unconventional vampire life, now free to soak up all life has to offer for the first time, finding joy in his small-town job as a barista and being close to his new friends.
Meeting new people is always a blast for Jay, who gets very lonely if left to his own devices, but his eternal life changes once more when he falls for new coffee shop regular, Alexei, who has a secret, dangerous past he’s running from.
It doesn’t take Alexei and Jay long to connect on a deeper level (yay, MATES!) and to get quickly entrenched in each others lives and the complicated pasts they’re both trying hard to avoid. Realising, with the support of Jay’s friends, that they’re stronger together than apart, and that fated love is most definitely something worth fighting for.
I adored Jay so much. He was fun to watch as a side character in the earlier books, but he was such a breath of fresh air as an immortal lead character, golden retriever personified. Cute is the word that comes to mind. And funny. His innocence and eternal optimism and kindness really made him shine, reminding me a lot of Gray, the amusing narcoleptic warrior angel from Jaclyn Osborn’s Sons of the Fallen series. If you’ve read those books, you have an instant and memorable idea of the kind of sunshiney character I speak of here.
The opposites dynamic between Jay and his big and broody Alexei were perfect, providing a nice contrast between characters and offering up heaps of good moments, not only between the couple at hand, but between Alexei and all of Jay’s friends. The group scenes, in particular, were some of my favourite moments here, reminding me again how much I enjoy this series for its growing cast of immortal male characters.
The romance maybe wasn’t the strongest of the series, to date, but it was lovely as is. I especially loved Jay’s sexual awakening and the vigor with which he put his whole heart (and body) into being with Alexei. Add to that, Alexei’s adoration for Jay was very alpha male protective and possessive, even though he was the human and Jay was the centuries old vampire. It was a fun dynamic and I was here for it.
I also love the introduction of new character Wolfgang, who burst onto the scene—stealing ALL the scenes—with his unhinged and deadly psychopathic charisma, that has left me excited and eager to read the next book!
May 31, 2023
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.***
Johann aka our sweet, precious Jay's story is finally here. He is the sweetest, most loving, touch-deprived vampire to ever exist. I loved getting to see inside his head, he has such optimism and hope regardless of his challenging past. I loved getting to see his dynamic with the other vamps and how perfectly he fits with their family.
Jay's story is mostly low angst as he navigates for the first time living away from his den and trying to find his way in this world. While working as a barista he meets a customer, Alexei who he immediately connects with. Their chemistry is evident the first moment they see each other and of course, begins a sweet romance that isn't without some hurdles.
Alexei and Jay are the perfect complements to one another, making for one sweet, adorable, and moving romance. I also loved getting to see everyone else, which is always such a treat.
I am also very intrigued by the newest vamp addition to this group. Wolfe is quite a character and how he wormed his way into this group is intriguing, cannot wait for his story with his mate!!!!
Johann aka our sweet, precious Jay's story is finally here. He is the sweetest, most loving, touch-deprived vampire to ever exist. I loved getting to see inside his head, he has such optimism and hope regardless of his challenging past. I loved getting to see his dynamic with the other vamps and how perfectly he fits with their family.
Jay's story is mostly low angst as he navigates for the first time living away from his den and trying to find his way in this world. While working as a barista he meets a customer, Alexei who he immediately connects with. Their chemistry is evident the first moment they see each other and of course, begins a sweet romance that isn't without some hurdles.
Alexei and Jay are the perfect complements to one another, making for one sweet, adorable, and moving romance. I also loved getting to see everyone else, which is always such a treat.
I am also very intrigued by the newest vamp addition to this group. Wolfe is quite a character and how he wormed his way into this group is intriguing, cannot wait for his story with his mate!!!!
August 29, 2025
4.5 stars ...
This series just keeps gettin' better and better as it goes along. I freakin' L❤️VE Jay (Johann). Started as a strong 4-star series but now, easily, up to 5 stars ... with more to come. The best aspect, for me, is the building, book by book, of the "found family" ... as with the Davidson King books/series, for example. That's a trope I absolutely get wet over and it's done so well here. Go ahead, check it out!
Soren interjected, a broad grin on his face. “We’d kill anyone who tried to take Jay without his consent. The last person who tried to kidnap one of our family is now a pile of ash in the forest.”
Alexei felt a strong surge of surprised joy coming from Jay at that word family and Jay’s implied inclusion in it. He hadn’t known before just how important he was to these friends he’d found a home with until that home was threatened.
*****
You’re ours, Jay. You and your big Russian. There’s not a day goes by I’m not happy you came here, even if I didn’t know what I was doing when I invited you. And most days, I still feel guilty for leaving you in that place for as long as I did. And I’m looking forward to the future, when I don’t have to think about any of it, and it’s just an accepted truth that we have one another’s backs for the rest of time.
This series just keeps gettin' better and better as it goes along. I freakin' L❤️VE Jay (Johann). Started as a strong 4-star series but now, easily, up to 5 stars ... with more to come. The best aspect, for me, is the building, book by book, of the "found family" ... as with the Davidson King books/series, for example. That's a trope I absolutely get wet over and it's done so well here. Go ahead, check it out!
Soren interjected, a broad grin on his face. “We’d kill anyone who tried to take Jay without his consent. The last person who tried to kidnap one of our family is now a pile of ash in the forest.”
Alexei felt a strong surge of surprised joy coming from Jay at that word family and Jay’s implied inclusion in it. He hadn’t known before just how important he was to these friends he’d found a home with until that home was threatened.
*****
You’re ours, Jay. You and your big Russian. There’s not a day goes by I’m not happy you came here, even if I didn’t know what I was doing when I invited you. And most days, I still feel guilty for leaving you in that place for as long as I did. And I’m looking forward to the future, when I don’t have to think about any of it, and it’s just an accepted truth that we have one another’s backs for the rest of time.
March 19, 2024
Johann has been through a lot in his vampiric life, so I was so happy for him to get his own book and a HEA.
Alexei constantly going to the coffee shop to see Jay was the definition of adorable. And his confusion as to whether Jay was in to him, or just being his usual friendly self was so funny.
Jay and Alexei were great together. Jay is affection starved from having spent the majority of his vampire life in an abusive den. Now free he still struggles to break out of the mould the put him in. Alexei has recently left his mafia family behind and is on the run from them. One his own in they small town, he is instantly drawn to Jay. He wants to take care of him. Just fated mate things.
The only thing that stopped this from being a 5 star, is that the ending dragged a little. There was no big third act conflict just a few little ones; I kept thinking the end was coming but there was something else. If it was a little bit shorter it would have been perfect.
Vampire's Mate Series
Book 1: Roman - 4 Stars
Book 2: Soren - 4 Stars
Book 3: Lucien - 5 Stars
Book 4: Johann 4 Stars
Book 5: Wolfgang 4 Stars
Book 5.5: Cassian 4.5 Stars
Book 6: Colin 4 Stars
Alexei constantly going to the coffee shop to see Jay was the definition of adorable. And his confusion as to whether Jay was in to him, or just being his usual friendly self was so funny.
What was Alexei hoping to accomplish even? Slow seduction via increasingly complicated coffee orders?
Jay and Alexei were great together. Jay is affection starved from having spent the majority of his vampire life in an abusive den. Now free he still struggles to break out of the mould the put him in. Alexei has recently left his mafia family behind and is on the run from them. One his own in they small town, he is instantly drawn to Jay. He wants to take care of him. Just fated mate things.
The only thing that stopped this from being a 5 star, is that the ending dragged a little. There was no big third act conflict just a few little ones; I kept thinking the end was coming but there was something else. If it was a little bit shorter it would have been perfect.
Vampire's Mate Series
Book 1: Roman - 4 Stars
Book 2: Soren - 4 Stars
Book 3: Lucien - 5 Stars
Book 4: Johann 4 Stars
Book 5: Wolfgang 4 Stars
Book 5.5: Cassian 4.5 Stars
Book 6: Colin 4 Stars
February 17, 2023
Again, completely different than the books before. And absolutely adorable.
Johann/Jay if a very different character than the others, we already knew that before. What’s new is that we get inside his head now, and get to understand why he is the way he is. And it’s not as easy as it seems at first sight: he might not have been physically abused in that terrible den he spent most of his life, but he’s been repressed and groomed in every other way, afraid to disappoint or not live up to others expectations, afraid to be left alone. Yet there’s so much love and true, messy joy inside of him, it’s impossible to NOT love him.
And who would be the most unlikely counterpart? Exactly, a Russian mobster on the run. Alexei. Who’s totally enthralled by the tiny barista he stumbles upon in this city.
I totally understand that this pairing isn’t for everybody, you either love them or roll your eyes so hard that you’ll get a headache.
I’m one of the former ones, and I let myself be captured in Jay‘s spell. Again: not perfect, the „baddie drama“ isn’t really fleshed out, but the relationship itself as well as the cameos by previous couples made me rate it (again) with 4 stars.
Johann/Jay if a very different character than the others, we already knew that before. What’s new is that we get inside his head now, and get to understand why he is the way he is. And it’s not as easy as it seems at first sight: he might not have been physically abused in that terrible den he spent most of his life, but he’s been repressed and groomed in every other way, afraid to disappoint or not live up to others expectations, afraid to be left alone. Yet there’s so much love and true, messy joy inside of him, it’s impossible to NOT love him.
And who would be the most unlikely counterpart? Exactly, a Russian mobster on the run. Alexei. Who’s totally enthralled by the tiny barista he stumbles upon in this city.
I totally understand that this pairing isn’t for everybody, you either love them or roll your eyes so hard that you’ll get a headache.
I’m one of the former ones, and I let myself be captured in Jay‘s spell. Again: not perfect, the „baddie drama“ isn’t really fleshed out, but the relationship itself as well as the cameos by previous couples made me rate it (again) with 4 stars.
February 13, 2023
Ridiculously cute! Jay and Alexei are my favourite couple in this series, even if I do prefer Soren's way of thinking - I could never be as nice and forgiving as Jay 😂
January 21, 2023
This book has no “there” there. It follows the same basic formula as all of the other books in the series, but this time, does nothing to flesh them out.
Alexei has no personality and barely any background. The author’s note at the end says the author had trouble making any existing characters work as Jay’s partner so she wrote someone new for him, and it shows, because Alexei’s sole personality trait is “obsessed with Jay.” We know he comes from a mafia family (of course) that was mean to him and never loved him (of course), and he’s only ever had casual sex before (of course), so he ran away from all that to start over but doesn’t know if his past will catch up to him (of course). How does any of that affect him on a deeper level? What might it mean for his relationship with Jay? How afraid does he need to be that they’ll find him and what might happen if they do? Who knows, who cares—the book certainly doesn’t. The only reason any of these details exist in Alexei’s backstory is to make his feelings for Jay special and noteworthy, almost like his love for Jay is so mundane and normal that the only way to make it seem special is to have Jay’s partner be someone who has never been in love before or even tried. I didn’t care about Alexei at all and his relationship with Jay felt completely superficial to me. At one point, we learn that Alexei believes the mate bond means he was literally created for the sole purpose of loving Jay, which I don’t think was supposed to be metatextual self-deprecation by the author but certainly read that way.
The mate bond also does 100% of the work in establishing why these two feel so strongly about each other. The other books sort of had a problem with this but at least tried to show what they had going for them beyond surface-level attraction and enjoying spending time with each other. “Unlike everyone else, he doesn’t laugh at me all the time” isn’t the basis for a solid relationship, and “he’s so precious and cute” doesn’t explain why you’d want a centuries-long commitment after dating for one day.
The way the book treats Jay is infuriating. We see immediately in his POV that he has a complex inner life and that his literal, earnest way of interacting with the world misleads people into thinking he’s child-like on the inside. The main thing he likes about Alexei is that Alexei actually listens to him and takes him seriously. Yet Alexei and the narrative itself constantly undermine this, taking every available opportunity to mention how cute, precious, innocent, alien, too-good-for-this-world, ridiculous, and unintentionally hilarious Jay is. It’s patronizing and gross. Constantly othering people is still bad even if you’re doing it through “positive” statements. Someone being literal and earnest doesn’t make them an alien. It’s clear the author has never experienced this herself or thought about what it would be like to be subjected to this treatment from everyone you care about, because it’s dehumanizing and alienating, not kind or affirming. Don’t talk about people this way, it sucks.
The appearance of a villain whose presence in the story is the catalyst for turning the human partner into a vampire was boring and completely predictable. And sadly, Grae Bryan has decided to embrace the Onley James style “psychopath” as her next MC, nevermind that “being a psychopath means you can’t feel love!!!!!” is an invention of pop culture and pop psychology (and sucks for a whole host of other reasons I won’t go into here). I don’t read books with the “psychopath” trope so I won’t be reading book 5, and will be skipping any further books in the series unless there are signs the author is going to stop slapping characters into the same exact formula in every book.
I received an ARC in exchange for my review.
Alexei has no personality and barely any background. The author’s note at the end says the author had trouble making any existing characters work as Jay’s partner so she wrote someone new for him, and it shows, because Alexei’s sole personality trait is “obsessed with Jay.” We know he comes from a mafia family (of course) that was mean to him and never loved him (of course), and he’s only ever had casual sex before (of course), so he ran away from all that to start over but doesn’t know if his past will catch up to him (of course). How does any of that affect him on a deeper level? What might it mean for his relationship with Jay? How afraid does he need to be that they’ll find him and what might happen if they do? Who knows, who cares—the book certainly doesn’t. The only reason any of these details exist in Alexei’s backstory is to make his feelings for Jay special and noteworthy, almost like his love for Jay is so mundane and normal that the only way to make it seem special is to have Jay’s partner be someone who has never been in love before or even tried. I didn’t care about Alexei at all and his relationship with Jay felt completely superficial to me. At one point, we learn that Alexei believes the mate bond means he was literally created for the sole purpose of loving Jay, which I don’t think was supposed to be metatextual self-deprecation by the author but certainly read that way.
The mate bond also does 100% of the work in establishing why these two feel so strongly about each other. The other books sort of had a problem with this but at least tried to show what they had going for them beyond surface-level attraction and enjoying spending time with each other. “Unlike everyone else, he doesn’t laugh at me all the time” isn’t the basis for a solid relationship, and “he’s so precious and cute” doesn’t explain why you’d want a centuries-long commitment after dating for one day.
The way the book treats Jay is infuriating. We see immediately in his POV that he has a complex inner life and that his literal, earnest way of interacting with the world misleads people into thinking he’s child-like on the inside. The main thing he likes about Alexei is that Alexei actually listens to him and takes him seriously. Yet Alexei and the narrative itself constantly undermine this, taking every available opportunity to mention how cute, precious, innocent, alien, too-good-for-this-world, ridiculous, and unintentionally hilarious Jay is. It’s patronizing and gross. Constantly othering people is still bad even if you’re doing it through “positive” statements. Someone being literal and earnest doesn’t make them an alien. It’s clear the author has never experienced this herself or thought about what it would be like to be subjected to this treatment from everyone you care about, because it’s dehumanizing and alienating, not kind or affirming. Don’t talk about people this way, it sucks.
The appearance of a villain whose presence in the story is the catalyst for turning the human partner into a vampire was boring and completely predictable. And sadly, Grae Bryan has decided to embrace the Onley James style “psychopath” as her next MC, nevermind that “being a psychopath means you can’t feel love!!!!!” is an invention of pop culture and pop psychology (and sucks for a whole host of other reasons I won’t go into here). I don’t read books with the “psychopath” trope so I won’t be reading book 5, and will be skipping any further books in the series unless there are signs the author is going to stop slapping characters into the same exact formula in every book.
I received an ARC in exchange for my review.
June 29, 2025
Dnf @80%
An impressive waste of ink and TIMEEEEEE .
Johann felt like a recycled copy of Book 2 and I hated that one . The moment I started noticing the similarities, I knew this wasn’t going to work. It felt like déjà vu in the worst possible way. I didn’t enjoy it the first time, soooooo why would I willingly go through it all over again?.I simply wouldn’t.
I went in with so much excitement and high hopes bc I loved Johann and i was genuinely looking forward to his story. But this book just didn’t deliver, and I found myself begging for it to be over. That’s always a red flag for me , when I'm actively counting the pages left, I know I’m not having a good time.
To make things worse, the emotional confessions and love declarations? Eye-roll material. Painfully cheesy and not in a good way. I was so uninterested I felt nothing. I just wanted it to be over.
So yeah… this book wasn’t for me. It was a major disappointment, and I’m still mad about it
An impressive waste of ink and TIMEEEEEE .
Johann felt like a recycled copy of Book 2 and I hated that one . The moment I started noticing the similarities, I knew this wasn’t going to work. It felt like déjà vu in the worst possible way. I didn’t enjoy it the first time, soooooo why would I willingly go through it all over again?.I simply wouldn’t.
I went in with so much excitement and high hopes bc I loved Johann and i was genuinely looking forward to his story. But this book just didn’t deliver, and I found myself begging for it to be over. That’s always a red flag for me , when I'm actively counting the pages left, I know I’m not having a good time.
To make things worse, the emotional confessions and love declarations? Eye-roll material. Painfully cheesy and not in a good way. I was so uninterested I felt nothing. I just wanted it to be over.
So yeah… this book wasn’t for me. It was a major disappointment, and I’m still mad about it
February 14, 2023
What a disappointment. I really thought I was going to love this and that just did not happen. Of the four stories so far, this was my least favorite. It didn't have the same emotional intensity or excitement of the previous stories.
Jay. There's a big difference between being sheltered and inexperienced and acting or thinking like a child. I understand that Jay was sheltered during the two centuries he was with Veronique, but that doesn't explain his childlike behavior. He was 19 when he was turned, not 12, so a lot of his internal thoughts and behaviors didn't make sense to me. It actually started to irk me more and more as the story progressed.
*There was a part toward the end where something terrible happened to Alexei and Jay was the angriest he'd been since he was first introduced. His angry speech literally ended with “No more— No more meanies” 🫤 and, well... come on. Really?
Alexei. I really liked Alexei, but had a hard time getting a feel for who he was beyond being on the run from his family and being obsessed with Jay. His character was surprisingly superficial, and I think he's the least developed MC from this series so far. Since this is a story dealing with fated mates, I didn't mind his instant connection to Jay, but their relationship lacked the needy passion that I witnessed with the other couples. Why wasn't Jay's "beastie" as demanding for their mate as the inner beasts for the other vampires? Jay's character was just a little too easy going for me.
Aa a whole the story just felt uneventful and I had a hard time staying invested. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't like it either. I consider books two and three personal favorites so I must admit I'm pretty disappointed. 2.5 stars 🫣 Sorry guys. I'm glad most of you loved it! 💕
Jay. There's a big difference between being sheltered and inexperienced and acting or thinking like a child. I understand that Jay was sheltered during the two centuries he was with Veronique, but that doesn't explain his childlike behavior. He was 19 when he was turned, not 12, so a lot of his internal thoughts and behaviors didn't make sense to me. It actually started to irk me more and more as the story progressed.
*There was a part toward the end where something terrible happened to Alexei and Jay was the angriest he'd been since he was first introduced. His angry speech literally ended with “No more— No more meanies” 🫤 and, well... come on. Really?
Alexei. I really liked Alexei, but had a hard time getting a feel for who he was beyond being on the run from his family and being obsessed with Jay. His character was surprisingly superficial, and I think he's the least developed MC from this series so far. Since this is a story dealing with fated mates, I didn't mind his instant connection to Jay, but their relationship lacked the needy passion that I witnessed with the other couples. Why wasn't Jay's "beastie" as demanding for their mate as the inner beasts for the other vampires? Jay's character was just a little too easy going for me.
Aa a whole the story just felt uneventful and I had a hard time staying invested. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't like it either. I consider books two and three personal favorites so I must admit I'm pretty disappointed. 2.5 stars 🫣 Sorry guys. I'm glad most of you loved it! 💕
March 3, 2023
“The world was just as dull and gray as it had ever been, just without the bright splashes of blood to color in it in violence.”
En serio que alegría ha sido poder por fin leer esta cuarta parte. Le tenía demasiadas ganas desde que apareció por primera vez su personaje. Ha sido como un rayo de sol para mi últimamente mente nublada. Me lo he leído en menos de dos telediarios, pero ha merecido la pena puesto que me ha dejado con muy buen sabor de boca. Me ha gustado tanto como el primer libro, eso sí la portada no hace ni siquiera justifica al personaje. Por estos motivos le subo a una tercera estrella porque puedo y no quiero ser objetiva ahora mismo.
“I’m very happy with you too, kotyonok”.
En serio que alegría ha sido poder por fin leer esta cuarta parte. Le tenía demasiadas ganas desde que apareció por primera vez su personaje. Ha sido como un rayo de sol para mi últimamente mente nublada. Me lo he leído en menos de dos telediarios, pero ha merecido la pena puesto que me ha dejado con muy buen sabor de boca. Me ha gustado tanto como el primer libro, eso sí la portada no hace ni siquiera justifica al personaje. Por estos motivos le subo a una tercera estrella porque puedo y no quiero ser objetiva ahora mismo.
“I’m very happy with you too, kotyonok”.
June 5, 2025
Im really torn on this one!
I looooved Jay in the past books but I really wanted more from his story, maybe it was my own selfish anticipation? The book was sugary and sweet but needed more conflict to balance it out. There was minor conflict with Wolf but compared to the last books there was no major action?
Alexei kinda bugged me. I love a mafia man as much as the next person but the insta love was too much. I know he is running away from his family business but how does someone raised in "the business" just instantly become a love sick "I was born to be with you" kinda guy? I understand they are fated mates but it was just lacking some complexity to me? Maybe my b for comparing this to other mafia romances.
Rant aside its a solid read and has its fun little moments.
I looooved Jay in the past books but I really wanted more from his story, maybe it was my own selfish anticipation? The book was sugary and sweet but needed more conflict to balance it out. There was minor conflict with Wolf but compared to the last books there was no major action?
Alexei kinda bugged me. I love a mafia man as much as the next person but the insta love was too much. I know he is running away from his family business but how does someone raised in "the business" just instantly become a love sick "I was born to be with you" kinda guy? I understand they are fated mates but it was just lacking some complexity to me? Maybe my b for comparing this to other mafia romances.
Rant aside its a solid read and has its fun little moments.
June 10, 2025
i need this series to never end.
gimme all the soft possessive fated mates endlessly.
i’d really been looking forward to Jay’s book and i wasn’t disappointed in the least.
also what’s with all Russian characters calling their partners kitten hahah and why do i love it so much
gimme all the soft possessive fated mates endlessly.
i’d really been looking forward to Jay’s book and i wasn’t disappointed in the least.
also what’s with all Russian characters calling their partners kitten hahah and why do i love it so much
March 2, 2023
✰ 4 stars ✰
“I didn’t have a real childhood. Your adulthood was stolen from you. Do you think together you and I could make one complete person?”
As per the norm with my reading habits, I haven't yet read the previous books in the Vampire's Mate series, but I decided to take a shot with Johann to get the scope on the plot and writing style. And, I found that I enjoyed it a little bit more than what I had been expecting.
Jay/Johann is such a precious adorable cinnamon roll - I adored how protective his found family was of him, and still took into account all his thoughts and feelings. I loved how sure he was with his own beliefs and his desire to learn more about the human race. His past was so painful - he's been sheltered for so long, and to see him want to break free of those constraints and enjoy all of humanity's perks made my heart ache for him, in the most endearing and lovable way. He was a vampire with the purest and kindest of hearts, and I loved how he still cared enough to voice his opinions on everything - not once shying from what he stood by as right or wrong. ✨✨
There wasn't anything really charismatic or charming about Alexei as a character, that made me charmed by him. But, the tender devotion and absolute - albeit a bit possessive - adoration he had for Jay was such a treat. He was an experienced lover and he didn't hesitate to shower him with all the love that he craved - be it primal filthy actions or gentle caring affection. The love languages dialogue had me melt into a puddle -
“I guess I have. Is that horribly greedy of me?”
“Maybe, but I don’t mind. You’re hungry for affection; I’m hungry to give it to you.”
Sometimes a relationship between two very different people doesn't make sense, but when you see how much they are better, because they are with each other you can't help but root for them and hope that they get their very much deserved HEA. 🤍🤍🤍
The moments with Johann's family were also some of my absolute favorite - their reactions and participation in Jay's life were so sweet and considerate, my heart was just afloat with happiness. And Soren - I am very much intrigued by his character and will definitely be checking out his own story!
All in all, it wasn't a perfect book, the plot was a little bit all over the place and I didn't really buy into Wolfe's volatile behavior or how quickly Alexei's familial issues were resolved, but it was an enjoyable read, for sure. And sometimes you just need a little levity and spice in your reading material, and this definitely provided it for me❣ 💜🥰
“I didn’t have a real childhood. Your adulthood was stolen from you. Do you think together you and I could make one complete person?”
As per the norm with my reading habits, I haven't yet read the previous books in the Vampire's Mate series, but I decided to take a shot with Johann to get the scope on the plot and writing style. And, I found that I enjoyed it a little bit more than what I had been expecting.
Jay/Johann is such a precious adorable cinnamon roll - I adored how protective his found family was of him, and still took into account all his thoughts and feelings. I loved how sure he was with his own beliefs and his desire to learn more about the human race. His past was so painful - he's been sheltered for so long, and to see him want to break free of those constraints and enjoy all of humanity's perks made my heart ache for him, in the most endearing and lovable way. He was a vampire with the purest and kindest of hearts, and I loved how he still cared enough to voice his opinions on everything - not once shying from what he stood by as right or wrong. ✨✨
There wasn't anything really charismatic or charming about Alexei as a character, that made me charmed by him. But, the tender devotion and absolute - albeit a bit possessive - adoration he had for Jay was such a treat. He was an experienced lover and he didn't hesitate to shower him with all the love that he craved - be it primal filthy actions or gentle caring affection. The love languages dialogue had me melt into a puddle -
“I guess I have. Is that horribly greedy of me?”
“Maybe, but I don’t mind. You’re hungry for affection; I’m hungry to give it to you.”
Sometimes a relationship between two very different people doesn't make sense, but when you see how much they are better, because they are with each other you can't help but root for them and hope that they get their very much deserved HEA. 🤍🤍🤍
The moments with Johann's family were also some of my absolute favorite - their reactions and participation in Jay's life were so sweet and considerate, my heart was just afloat with happiness. And Soren - I am very much intrigued by his character and will definitely be checking out his own story!
All in all, it wasn't a perfect book, the plot was a little bit all over the place and I didn't really buy into Wolfe's volatile behavior or how quickly Alexei's familial issues were resolved, but it was an enjoyable read, for sure. And sometimes you just need a little levity and spice in your reading material, and this definitely provided it for me❣ 💜🥰
September 4, 2025
Excellent story!
I knew I’d love Johann/Jay’s story and I did! This is a fun series with an amazing cast of characters! 4.5 stars rounded up to 5!!
I knew I’d love Johann/Jay’s story and I did! This is a fun series with an amazing cast of characters! 4.5 stars rounded up to 5!!
April 14, 2024
Jay es feliz de trabajar en esa cafetería. Es feliz de estar rodeado de humanos. Es feliz de tener amigos, familia. Pero cuando esta en casa, se siente solo, extraña la compañía de Vee. Pero un día entra en la cafetería el hombre de sus sueños, su "pareja predestinada", y no puede creer su suerte, si solo su "besti" no estuviera tan inclinado a convertirlo, si solo no tuviera que regresar al aquelarre para primavera. Pero no quiere quitarle la "vida" a su "pareja predestina", no quiere darle su maldición. Podrá alejarse de él después de conocerlo? Podrá ser feliz si él es feliz? Los vampiros de su antiguo aquelarre querrán vengarse de él?
Este fue, sin duda, la historia más dulce hasta ahora. No hay real drama, solo pequeños problemas que se solucionaron fácilmente. La inocencia de Jay, y la "madurez" de Alexei, unido con el compromiso de el resto de los vampiros del pueblo, hicieron del libro una historia realmente bonita y dulce.
Me gusto especialmente, como Roman y Soren protegían a Jay, como Colin (el jefe de Jay), aunque humano, también se erguía como protector. Como Jay seguía siendo dulce e inocente, inclusive después de todos los horrores que vivió. También me gusto mucho Alexei, su pasado casi no se menciono, y no tuvo gran impacto, con la excepción de lo de la mafia Rusa, que resulto mas divertido que dramático.
En fin, la serie esta entretenida, voy a continuar con ella, esperando que el resto de los libros resulten igual o mejores que este.
Este fue, sin duda, la historia más dulce hasta ahora. No hay real drama, solo pequeños problemas que se solucionaron fácilmente. La inocencia de Jay, y la "madurez" de Alexei, unido con el compromiso de el resto de los vampiros del pueblo, hicieron del libro una historia realmente bonita y dulce.
Me gusto especialmente, como Roman y Soren protegían a Jay, como Colin (el jefe de Jay), aunque humano, también se erguía como protector. Como Jay seguía siendo dulce e inocente, inclusive después de todos los horrores que vivió. También me gusto mucho Alexei, su pasado casi no se menciono, y no tuvo gran impacto, con la excepción de lo de la mafia Rusa, que resulto mas divertido que dramático.
En fin, la serie esta entretenida, voy a continuar con ella, esperando que el resto de los libros resulten igual o mejores que este.
February 13, 2023
4,5 ⭐
Johann is the sweetest, most adorable, sunshine vampire, ever. Alexei is the kindest person as Jay calls him (well, he is kind... only to Jay)
This book was very different than the others. That's one of the things I love the most about Grae Bryan's books. Every book is unique on its own.
Jay and Alexei's story is full of sweet moments, found family, possessive human, baking times and a dash of hurt/comfort. I loved seeing how both of them found each other and gave each other what the other needed.
Johann is the sweetest, most adorable, sunshine vampire, ever. Alexei is the kindest person as Jay calls him (well, he is kind... only to Jay)
This book was very different than the others. That's one of the things I love the most about Grae Bryan's books. Every book is unique on its own.
Jay and Alexei's story is full of sweet moments, found family, possessive human, baking times and a dash of hurt/comfort. I loved seeing how both of them found each other and gave each other what the other needed.
July 13, 2023
This was cute... Almost cute... I don't know, confused but amused. This series is fun, I will not re-read this series, but for a first read only this books are fun. Good for anyone who likes mm fantasy!
March 28, 2025
I think this is my favourite book in this series, Alexei was so obsessed and in love with Jay, like he'd literally do anything for his little vampire. And Jay, of course, was all sunshine & sweetness always trying to take care of the nicest human.
May 8, 2023
5/5 stars
Easiest 5 stars I have given. I just want to protect Jay with my entire being. He is the definition of a cinnamon roll. He was so sweet and considerate towards everyone. The way he and Alexei were together? Fucking adorable.
Easiest 5 stars I have given. I just want to protect Jay with my entire being. He is the definition of a cinnamon roll. He was so sweet and considerate towards everyone. The way he and Alexei were together? Fucking adorable.
February 7, 2023
"I can't breathe without wanting you, kitten."
Star Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual, Third Person
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
Since meeting Jay in Soren, I instantly felt connected to him and couldn't wait for his story, and it did not disappoint! As soon as I saw I could request Johann, I jumped on instantly, hoping I would get the opportunity to read it! It was a sweet, (mostly) low angst book with lovable characters and great cameos from the previous books! The instant connection between Jay and Alexei was obvious and whilst they were complete opposites, they could not be more perfect for one another. Jay is the definition of a cinnamon roll sunshine character to the max, without a mean bone in his body. Alexei on the otherhand is a grump to everyone except Jay, who has the stoic Russian gripped by his heart. The chemistry between them is instantaneous and fiery, starting off with Alexei teaching Jay the ins and outs of intimacy, but of course they can't help letting the feelings for one another, and the draw of their mating, from taking over. As we see them get to know each other, and see the mutual protectiveness and obsession develop, left me feeling all warm and soft on the inside. The only thing I wish was talked about more was Alexei's family scenario, because that has me INTRIGUED!! I can't wait to read the next book and see what's in store for our psychopath!
Read if you like:
❣️ M/M Romance
❣️ Human/Vampire
❣️ 250 Year Old Virgin MC
❣️ Fated Mates
❣️ Praise Kink
❣️ Grumpy/Sunshine
Trigger and Content Warnings: Family neglect, violence, blood, emotional abuse (past), entrapment (past)
Star Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual, Third Person
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
Since meeting Jay in Soren, I instantly felt connected to him and couldn't wait for his story, and it did not disappoint! As soon as I saw I could request Johann, I jumped on instantly, hoping I would get the opportunity to read it! It was a sweet, (mostly) low angst book with lovable characters and great cameos from the previous books! The instant connection between Jay and Alexei was obvious and whilst they were complete opposites, they could not be more perfect for one another. Jay is the definition of a cinnamon roll sunshine character to the max, without a mean bone in his body. Alexei on the otherhand is a grump to everyone except Jay, who has the stoic Russian gripped by his heart. The chemistry between them is instantaneous and fiery, starting off with Alexei teaching Jay the ins and outs of intimacy, but of course they can't help letting the feelings for one another, and the draw of their mating, from taking over. As we see them get to know each other, and see the mutual protectiveness and obsession develop, left me feeling all warm and soft on the inside. The only thing I wish was talked about more was Alexei's family scenario, because that has me INTRIGUED!! I can't wait to read the next book and see what's in store for our psychopath!
Read if you like:
❣️ M/M Romance
❣️ Human/Vampire
❣️ 250 Year Old Virgin MC
❣️ Fated Mates
❣️ Praise Kink
❣️ Grumpy/Sunshine
Trigger and Content Warnings: Family neglect, violence, blood, emotional abuse (past), entrapment (past)
February 8, 2023
jay broke my heart and put it back together.
first of all i would like to say that extremely sunshiny characters give me the urge to vomit. jay? i would go to war for him. i would kill for him. i would die for him.
dramatic? yes, i already knew that, let’s move on.
jay’s past was truly heartbreaking and it made me want to rip all of my hair out. but the fact that he still is so gentle and kind is what absolutely breaks me. i wish i had that kind of strength. and don’t think for a second that he’s dumb, because he will shock you more than once. trust him when he says he’s not stupid.
alexei was brought to this world to adore jay. reformed mobster becomes professional vampire worshipper. as he should.
he gives jay a cute russian nickname i thought my heart would just stop beating after that.
alexei’s obsession is perfect. the way they were literally made for each other.
i feel like there could’ve been a little more action at the end, some asshole vampire death for example. everything settled a little bit nicely, but there were a lot of things that happened.
i am so not ready for the next one, that’s literally my kryptonite i don’t think i’ll survive.
first of all i would like to say that extremely sunshiny characters give me the urge to vomit. jay? i would go to war for him. i would kill for him. i would die for him.
dramatic? yes, i already knew that, let’s move on.
jay’s past was truly heartbreaking and it made me want to rip all of my hair out. but the fact that he still is so gentle and kind is what absolutely breaks me. i wish i had that kind of strength. and don’t think for a second that he’s dumb, because he will shock you more than once. trust him when he says he’s not stupid.
alexei was brought to this world to adore jay. reformed mobster becomes professional vampire worshipper. as he should.
he gives jay a cute russian nickname i thought my heart would just stop beating after that.
alexei’s obsession is perfect. the way they were literally made for each other.
i feel like there could’ve been a little more action at the end, some asshole vampire death for example. everything settled a little bit nicely, but there were a lot of things that happened.
i am so not ready for the next one, that’s literally my kryptonite i don’t think i’ll survive.
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