Always

by Staci Hayes

Only a vampire can love you forever…

My name is Penny Bunkle, and I work in the family business – Vampire Hunting. Unfortunately, I’m not very good at it. I’m assigned the routine stuff like observation and note-taking.

Occasionally, during my patrols or stakeouts, I run into Gryph, a sex bomb, a two-hundred-year-old vampire with Nordic cheekbones. As of late, we’ve been coming more prepared with our witty repartee than weapons. In fact, the whole thing is starting to feel…flirty. Which just cannot happen! Or can it?

When flirty leads to feelings and feelings lead to flames, I’m no longer sure who the enemy is.

Can a vampire and a Hunter ever find love together? Will betrayal, blackmail, and jealousy tear us apart? Or will we be together…Always?

153 pages, Paperback

Published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Always" is a captivating paranormal romance that dives into the complexities of forbidden love between a vampire hunter and her supposed enemy. The story revolves around Penny Bunkle, a dedicated yet struggling vampire hunter, who finds herself caught in a web of unexpected emotions and dangerous attractions.

Penny's life takes an intriguing turn when her routine assignments bring her face-to-face with Gryph, a strikingly handsome, two-hundred-year-old vampire with irresistible Nordic features. Their encounters, initially marked by sharp banter and witty repartee, soon evolve into something deeper and undeniably flirty, challenging everything Penny has ever known about her role as a hunter.

The chemistry between Penny and Gryph is palpable, and their evolving relationship is both thrilling and heartwarming. As Penny navigates her growing feelings, the novel deftly explores the tension between duty and desire, loyalty and love. The stakes are raised as betrayal, blackmail, and jealousy threaten to tear them apart, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

One of the standout elements of "Always" is the well-crafted characters. Penny is relatable in her struggles and endearing in her determination, while Gryph is the epitome of a brooding yet charming vampire. Their dynamic is electric, making their romance feel both inevitable and exhilarating.

The book's pacing is excellent, balancing action-packed vampire hunting scenes with intimate moments of connection and discovery. The author’s writing style is engaging and immersive, making it easy to get lost in Penny and Gryph’s world.

"Always" is a must-read for fans of paranormal romance, especially those who enjoy a good enemies-to-lovers trope. It’s a story that explores the boundaries of love and loyalty, and whether two seemingly incompatible souls can truly be together forever. With its blend of romance, action, and suspense, this novel promises to keep you hooked from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqualine Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very loving story. I really enjoyed it. The main characters name is Penny and she is a vampire slayer. She comes from a whole line of vampire slayers. She’s always complaining that she doesn’t have a cool nickname like death killer or Buffy. She’s just penny buckle. She has a really good friend and his name is Gryph and he just happens to be a vampire that’s over 200 years old.
They both like each other, but keep it to themselves until later on when they can’t deny their attraction to each other, especially after she tells them her deep dark secret on her birthday that she’s 32 years old and still a virgin. You know what that leads to he’s been her friend for a long time after herself so of course he’s thinking he wants to be her first and she’s thinking she wants him to be read the story to find out more about these two and find out what happens. It’s a definite Turner and he won’t stop till you reached Dan and you still want the store to keep going. It is a must read. I really enjoyed it and I would recommend it to everyone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penny, the female human vampire hunter lead, is mediocre at her job so she’s only ever chasing newly turned vampires, which is a bit of a disappointment to her successful parents. Gryph, the male vampire lead, is known to the hunter community but perceived a harmless loner. He’s also very attractive and Penny enjoys the scenery whenever he’s present.

Then Gryph offers Penny something more personal…

This short story is female lead POV, and a funny, fast paced, acquaintances to lovers, vampire/hunter romance. I enjoyed the humour woven throughout the story. I enjoyed Penny’s realisation that she might want more from Gryph and that he might be willing to give it to her. I enjoyed the resolution. The story was a simple, fun escape - perfect bedtime reading.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny is a vampire hunter from a long line of hunters. Her parents are considered the best. She is on duty at a graveyard where one of then is suppose to be coming back. There she meets her nemesis.
Gryph has known Penny for a while. They are adversaries. He loves to flirt with her and just basically push her buttons.
On her birthday she wanders outside when Gryph shows up. He picks on her as usual until she starts to cry and reveals a secret she has kept from everyone. Then he leaves when her mother comes looking for her. The next time she's out he shows up. Oh dear things are getting very complicated. He calls her his woman. Can a vampire find happiness with a vampire hunter?
This is the cutest story I've ever read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katherine Gate · Rating 5 out of 5]

So there are some really great elements to this book! I love the voice of the main character, the story gets you stucked in almost immediately.

The characters are likable, the plot is actually really thought out and well executed. It was an easy book to want to read.

Here is my not so like list. It could use some more meat to the story. I feel like so many excellent characters were barely skimmed over. The fact there is just as much spice as there is plot is not my favorite. The end was abrupt. Saying this is, is it’s my own personal likes which is why I didn’t take stars from it. The actual writing was really really good.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Visionary Impart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always is a fun, flirty, and irresistibly charming paranormal romance that puts a fresh twist on the classic vampire–hunter rivalry. Penny Bunkle is a wonderfully relatable heroine witty, self-aware, and far more endearing than she gives herself credit for and her chemistry with Gryph is electric. The banter sparkles, the romance burns slow and sweet, and the tension between duty and desire keeps the pages turning. Staci Hayes blends humor, heart, and supernatural intrigue beautifully, creating a story that’s as entertaining as it is romantic. This is a delightful read that proves love can be eternal…even when it breaks all the rules.

[Charlene (pageandplace) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short story about star crossed lovers- a vampire and a vampire hunter. They’re fated to be enemies but there is a reason Penny has never ended Gryph.

If you could find your always… what wouldn’t you do for them? This was a story that I wish were longer so the characters could develop more and we could spend more time with them. Enjoy the HEA read!

Thank you to the author, Staci Hayes, and Booksprout for the opportunity to read this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always by Staci Hayes is a good, and enjoyable fantasy vampire hunters supernatural forbidden love vampire paranormal romance read. The story has a good entertaining world building story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. This story is an entertaining funny fast paced star crossed lovers romance read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lunch read. This is Penny and Gryph’s story. Penny is a vampire hunter, not a very good one at that. Gryph is a vampire hundreds of years old. What is it between them that they have not killed each other yet? He shows up everywhere. Then there are her parents that want her to find someone, because she is 30. She tries to date but they all suck or do they?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny is a vampire hunter and not a very good one at that who comes from a long line of vampire hunters. Gryph Is a 200 year old vampire who also happens to be Penny’s friend. They have great chemistry but have never acted on it but that all changes on her birthday. Let’s just say things heat up between them in this captivating, exciting and fun read. It’s a wonderful paranormal enemy to lovers romance.

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars - The story was cute and there were some funny moments between the main characters. I wish more time was spent on developing the relationship and addressing how their relationship was going to work at the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carinkla · Rating 5 out of 5]

 really loved this story. I am fan of buffy the vampire slayer and this certainly had vibes like that. Only less harsh, more romantic and a more relatable and more human main character. I really liked her, flawed but still brave. The story also made me smile fondly from time to when she started to discover herself. For me it really was a pageturner and the end came much too soon.

[Skye Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the plot, but there’s very little chemistry, it was fast-forwarded for my taste. So I’m sorry but I didn’t really enjoy reading the book. I still think this book can have a lot of attention. Overall I wish you all happy reading, this book can very well be your new favourite.😊🤍.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is great I enjoyed reading this novel it is a very well written the author did a great job with this novel it is a very well written page turner this is a great story to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny Bunkle a Vampire Hunter and vampire Gryph's short story is well written with a very good storyline and characters. I enjoyed seeing them get their happy ending. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lala · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a hilarious book to read especially in the context that I was given it! It is a super light read that is predictable and has lots of specific product mentions which I found funny. All in all entertaining

[Leslie Twitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always is a great supernatural read. Penny a vampire hunter finds herself in a weird situation. Gryph, a vampire crosses paths with Penny. What will happen? Read to find out.