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The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends
Heartstopper meets Buffy in this queer paranormal rom-com where a college sophomore must survive becoming a vampire—and the cute boy who discovers his secret.
It’s only natural nineteen-year-old Brennan’s life would be upended by something as ridiculous and unexpected as turning into a vampire. But if there’s one thing Brennan can do, it’s pretend everything’s fine when he’s close to losing his mind. Brennan is nineteen and just clawed his way back to Sturbridge University after recovering from a suicide attempt, and this is not the new life he was hoping for.
Brennan’s newly bloodthirsty existence gets way more complicated when Cole, the super cute librarian and everyone’s campus crush, stumbles on Brennan drinking from a stolen blood bag. Luckily, adorable Cole is happy to keep Brennan’s secret, and even seems to maybe like him? Navigating a new relationship is hard enough without the added struggles of vampire puberty, an eclectic clan of self-proclaimed “good” vampires, and growing feelings for the one person who makes Brennan feel normal. With swirling rumors of a missing student and a rise in strange “animal attacks” near campus, Brennan must uncover the secrets of the clan and figure out how to balance vampirism and humanity, or risk losing the first real friends he’s ever had.
Filled with humor and heart, The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood & Boyfriends has a gentle bite.
It’s only natural nineteen-year-old Brennan’s life would be upended by something as ridiculous and unexpected as turning into a vampire. But if there’s one thing Brennan can do, it’s pretend everything’s fine when he’s close to losing his mind. Brennan is nineteen and just clawed his way back to Sturbridge University after recovering from a suicide attempt, and this is not the new life he was hoping for.
Brennan’s newly bloodthirsty existence gets way more complicated when Cole, the super cute librarian and everyone’s campus crush, stumbles on Brennan drinking from a stolen blood bag. Luckily, adorable Cole is happy to keep Brennan’s secret, and even seems to maybe like him? Navigating a new relationship is hard enough without the added struggles of vampire puberty, an eclectic clan of self-proclaimed “good” vampires, and growing feelings for the one person who makes Brennan feel normal. With swirling rumors of a missing student and a rise in strange “animal attacks” near campus, Brennan must uncover the secrets of the clan and figure out how to balance vampirism and humanity, or risk losing the first real friends he’s ever had.
Filled with humor and heart, The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood & Boyfriends has a gentle bite.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 26, 2025
152 people are currently reading
28466 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 645 reviews
March 7, 2026
"For plausible deniability purposes, everything contained in this journal is hypothetical, theoretical, and/or fictional."Brennan Brooks was (note the emphasis on 'was') a semi-normal vegetarian college student last semester...but this semester? Let's just say his tastes have changed.
Aka, he woke up as a vampire. And not the sparkly kind.
"How manyfuckingwoodland creatures do I have to kill to stop being sogoddamthirsty?"
As Brennan tries to balance his newfound thirst, possible immortality, and seriously sick strength...he also needs to get to classes, distract his mom from worrying, and maybe (maybe) talk to the cute guy?
Oh crap. Well, Brennan can't dwell on that long cause there's even more being added to his plate. Turns out there might just be a secret society of vampires and (of course) something horrifically sinister lurking just beneath the surface.
"I-You-" Cole stammered, then settled on, "Fangs?"
Hopefully this newly turned vampire can figure it all out in time to save the world. (Fingers crossed).
I know I'm aging myself, but I was there for the height of the twilight mania - and the whole "How long have you been seventeen?" "A while." was truly iconic.
"Because yeah, of course he had a plan.
It might even work."
But something I always wondered, how would it have played out if Edward had answered the seventeen question with, "oh, about a few months?"
Luckily, we have The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends to play out that scenario.
Something I absolutely loved about this book was how Brennan approached vampirism - through dedicated research, meticulous notes, and firsthand research.
I know this is an odd thing to pick up but so many books just have the characters accept vampires on a surface level and call it good but then there's Brennan studying for days (and nights) in the library to figure this stuff out.
I also really, really liked Cole - both as a love interest and as a human figuring out about a secret world. The two of them had a bit of a slow burn but in the best way.
I think the mystery aspect worked fairly well and overall, I think this was a solid debut novel. I cannot wait for the next book by Jamie D'Amato
"If you don't respect the Twilight saga, you don't deserve it."
August 24, 2025
First off, the cover on this book is awesome! The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends is a YA Queer paranormal romance that readers may want to take a bite out of very soon! It gets off to a slow start and if you follow my reviews, you know how I feel about slow....
Brennan is a nineteen-year-old young man who has not had an easy go of it lately. He is back at school after surviving a suicide attempt and finds himself turned into a vampire! Plus, his mother is pretty much doing her own things and not too present as he navigates his life. One positive thing in his life is Cole, the super handsome librarian who just happens to catch Brennan sipping blood from a blood bag! So once that cat is out of the bag, Brennan struggles to fit in, find balance, get answers as to how he was turned, is baffled by the rumors of a missing student and recent animal attacks.
This is a YA book, and it felt very YA to me - which is a good thing. It stays in its lane and isn't trying to be something it is not. This book is not scary, there is some violence, but it is not going to keep you up at night, checking under your bed, in the shower, or behind the curtain. What this book will do is entertain and have readers hoping along with Brennan and Cole for some answers as Brennan adjusts to his new reality.
This book does deal with some serious issues such as mental health, suicide attempt, sexuality, identity, and acceptance. While it does touch on some heavy subjects this book also has some light, fun, angsty, and entertaining moments.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Brennan is a nineteen-year-old young man who has not had an easy go of it lately. He is back at school after surviving a suicide attempt and finds himself turned into a vampire! Plus, his mother is pretty much doing her own things and not too present as he navigates his life. One positive thing in his life is Cole, the super handsome librarian who just happens to catch Brennan sipping blood from a blood bag! So once that cat is out of the bag, Brennan struggles to fit in, find balance, get answers as to how he was turned, is baffled by the rumors of a missing student and recent animal attacks.
This is a YA book, and it felt very YA to me - which is a good thing. It stays in its lane and isn't trying to be something it is not. This book is not scary, there is some violence, but it is not going to keep you up at night, checking under your bed, in the shower, or behind the curtain. What this book will do is entertain and have readers hoping along with Brennan and Cole for some answers as Brennan adjusts to his new reality.
This book does deal with some serious issues such as mental health, suicide attempt, sexuality, identity, and acceptance. While it does touch on some heavy subjects this book also has some light, fun, angsty, and entertaining moments.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
March 19, 2026
**4.5-stars**
The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends follows 19-year old college freshman, Brennan, after he is suddenly turned into a vampire.
Navigating life as a new vampire comes with challenges, especially considering all the other things going on in his life, like school, family stuff, mental health and dating.
He has though, by default, also become part of a secret society filled with other local vamps, so at least he's not alone. Also, it is helpful a little as far as learning how to survive as a young vampire, even though the sheer number of informational pamphlets is at times overwhelming.
Returning to university after recovering from a suicide attempt was tough. Brennan was hoping for a fresh start, but this wasn't exactly what he was thinking. Even though his mind may be spinning a lot of the time, Brennan is determined to make it work. He can do this.
When the super cute boy who works at the campus library, Cole, discovers Brennan drinking from a stolen blood bag however, Brennan is forced to open up and reveal his new secret earlier than he would have liked.
Cole seems more than willing to keep Brennan's secret, and it fact, it seems he sort of likes him? Brennan can hardly believe his luck. Everything would be perfect if it wasn't for the pesky vampire thing.
Problems bigger than his own arise when students begin to go missing, and strange 'animal attacks' begin occurring around campus. Brennan, and his new friend group, believe there may be a rouge vampire in their area, and they need to stop them before anyone else comes to harm.
This is a very rough synopsis of this story, because this book is so many things. It's Brennan, a regular guy dealing with life, transitioning to college, struggling to find his identity and path, while also being turned in a vampire and meeting the boy of his dreams.
That's a lot to navigate here, but D'Amato blended everything into this story so absolutely beautifully. I loved getting to know Brennan and his relationship with Cole was sweet, swoony and so compelling.
I also loved the concepts behind the vampire bits. The local guilds, how they got their blood, etc., it was all very creative. I was impressed with how well D'Amato meshed the IRL-stuff with the fantasy/vampire elements.
The story itself was cute and funny. I listened to the audio and Michael Crouch's narration was spot-on for Brennan. Crouch truly brought his character life. He is such a likable MC. I loved his perspective, just how he relayed everything that was going on, it's highly-entertaining.
The banter between Brennan and Cole was fantastic; so witty and charming. But also amongst the side characters, all of the dialogue was well done.
I think for me the only areas where I wasn't totally blown away was some of the vampire bits in the middle area. The beginning was fab, the ending was so, so fun, but it did sort of go off for me just a little bit in the middle. That's the only reason this isn't a full 5-stars. Also, I'm a picky bitch.
Overall, this is the sweetest, softest, swooniest, M/M vampire romance you're going to find. Bonus points for the fact that there's a real plot.
It definitely snuck up on me and sort of stole my heart a bit. Cole and Brennan were just the sweetest. I was swooning for them and the progression of their relationship amidst all the fun vampire content.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. Jamie D'Amato definitely impressed me!!
The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends follows 19-year old college freshman, Brennan, after he is suddenly turned into a vampire.
Navigating life as a new vampire comes with challenges, especially considering all the other things going on in his life, like school, family stuff, mental health and dating.
He has though, by default, also become part of a secret society filled with other local vamps, so at least he's not alone. Also, it is helpful a little as far as learning how to survive as a young vampire, even though the sheer number of informational pamphlets is at times overwhelming.
Returning to university after recovering from a suicide attempt was tough. Brennan was hoping for a fresh start, but this wasn't exactly what he was thinking. Even though his mind may be spinning a lot of the time, Brennan is determined to make it work. He can do this.
When the super cute boy who works at the campus library, Cole, discovers Brennan drinking from a stolen blood bag however, Brennan is forced to open up and reveal his new secret earlier than he would have liked.
Cole seems more than willing to keep Brennan's secret, and it fact, it seems he sort of likes him? Brennan can hardly believe his luck. Everything would be perfect if it wasn't for the pesky vampire thing.
Problems bigger than his own arise when students begin to go missing, and strange 'animal attacks' begin occurring around campus. Brennan, and his new friend group, believe there may be a rouge vampire in their area, and they need to stop them before anyone else comes to harm.
This is a very rough synopsis of this story, because this book is so many things. It's Brennan, a regular guy dealing with life, transitioning to college, struggling to find his identity and path, while also being turned in a vampire and meeting the boy of his dreams.
That's a lot to navigate here, but D'Amato blended everything into this story so absolutely beautifully. I loved getting to know Brennan and his relationship with Cole was sweet, swoony and so compelling.
I also loved the concepts behind the vampire bits. The local guilds, how they got their blood, etc., it was all very creative. I was impressed with how well D'Amato meshed the IRL-stuff with the fantasy/vampire elements.
The story itself was cute and funny. I listened to the audio and Michael Crouch's narration was spot-on for Brennan. Crouch truly brought his character life. He is such a likable MC. I loved his perspective, just how he relayed everything that was going on, it's highly-entertaining.
The banter between Brennan and Cole was fantastic; so witty and charming. But also amongst the side characters, all of the dialogue was well done.
I think for me the only areas where I wasn't totally blown away was some of the vampire bits in the middle area. The beginning was fab, the ending was so, so fun, but it did sort of go off for me just a little bit in the middle. That's the only reason this isn't a full 5-stars. Also, I'm a picky bitch.
Overall, this is the sweetest, softest, swooniest, M/M vampire romance you're going to find. Bonus points for the fact that there's a real plot.
It definitely snuck up on me and sort of stole my heart a bit. Cole and Brennan were just the sweetest. I was swooning for them and the progression of their relationship amidst all the fun vampire content.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. Jamie D'Amato definitely impressed me!!
October 4, 2025
✰ 2.5 stars ✰
I don't think there was a better quote that summed up the premise of the story perfectly. 👍🏻
I only watched Buffy's final season and I've never read Heartstopper. Nor the Twilight saga, which certainly was instrumental in Brennan and Cole's romance. The night I began reading, I was so exhausted, so the lines blurred in my vision and my mind was a little fuzzy with the storyline.
The odds were already stacked against me. 😔
“...if he had to be a vampire, he’d be the best damn vampire this side of the prime meridian.”
But, even pursuing it the next day, I was very bored and --- not annoyed, but not entirely impressed with the paper thin plot and the flimsy way in which the build up even to the potential conflict was squandered in a meandering fashion of reddit excerpts, pamphlet guidelines (which really did not reveal anything new), journal entries, text messages complete with emojis, that one can argue that this is the reality of modernity. But... even the climax was so ridiculously convenient and contrived, to even feel like the plot was taking itself seriously. 🤷🏻♀️
The supporting cast was the typical stereotypes, the villain had no depth; he was a farcical caricature of any vampire who had lived past his expiration date. And I'm not trying to be rude about immortality, but was this actually written with the purpose of being just a fun escape or rather just a latest version of all the vampire stories that have existed already?? 🤨 From the trivial TED talks, to the vampire slayers with their own brand of controlling the narrative - if it was intended to be so nonsensical, under the guise of a more serious backdrop, maybe I would be more forgiving. But, I honestly don't think that was the case.
“I like you, but I’m a vampire. And I want to make sure you really understand that.”
Brennan and Cole, the Cute Library Blanket Guy and the kindest person on the planet did share some cute moments - their flirting was very sweet and soft with some blood-sucking kisses and some actually cheesy confessions, but hey, go big or go home. 🧛🏻😘 I liked how supportive Cole was, how he endeared to Brennan's naivete to his sudden turn (which, honestly, he took in stride a lot easier than I would have expected) with his helpful guide into all things vampire, and how even in the final hour, he had his moment to shine. How tempting Cole's blood and smell made Brennan all hot and bothered, with some delicious drinking that left Brennan with a swoopy feeling in his stomach. 🥰💘
The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends (yes, that is a mouthful) was a campy trip, which deliberately failed to take the darker route, but favored a lighthearted tone that made it difficult to even empathize with the more serious topics the author wished to address. 😮💨 Because of Brennan's own backstory being such a painful one of loneliness and self-destructive, you would think you'd feel something for how woebegone he was, but sadly and most unfortunately I failed to care.
“Cole kept smiling and Brennan would read every trashy vampire novel in the world to keep it that way.”
After reading the Author's Note, I want to be more sympathetic and try to see it from their perspective, but I really did not walk away with that same connection. In an attempt to defy the cliches of the 2000s paranormal romances with a unique spin to it, it still managed to divulge itself in the same trite and predictable chain of actions, with the least impressive and impactful of reactions. 🤦🏻♀️
It's harsh, but true. I do respect the comparison of mental anxiety and suicidal depression with that to the likening's of a vampire, which was an interesting outlook. But, even Brennan coming to terms with his new lease on life with his sudden change in status did not resonate with me. The words were there - the heart was not. 🙅🏻♀️
“Vampires, venomous saliva, depression, angst—they didn’t seem so insurmountable with the brightness of Cole’s smile.”
I don't think there was a better quote that summed up the premise of the story perfectly. 👍🏻
I only watched Buffy's final season and I've never read Heartstopper. Nor the Twilight saga, which certainly was instrumental in Brennan and Cole's romance. The night I began reading, I was so exhausted, so the lines blurred in my vision and my mind was a little fuzzy with the storyline.
The odds were already stacked against me. 😔
“...if he had to be a vampire, he’d be the best damn vampire this side of the prime meridian.”
But, even pursuing it the next day, I was very bored and --- not annoyed, but not entirely impressed with the paper thin plot and the flimsy way in which the build up even to the potential conflict was squandered in a meandering fashion of reddit excerpts, pamphlet guidelines (which really did not reveal anything new), journal entries, text messages complete with emojis, that one can argue that this is the reality of modernity. But... even the climax was so ridiculously convenient and contrived, to even feel like the plot was taking itself seriously. 🤷🏻♀️
The supporting cast was the typical stereotypes, the villain had no depth; he was a farcical caricature of any vampire who had lived past his expiration date. And I'm not trying to be rude about immortality, but was this actually written with the purpose of being just a fun escape or rather just a latest version of all the vampire stories that have existed already?? 🤨 From the trivial TED talks, to the vampire slayers with their own brand of controlling the narrative - if it was intended to be so nonsensical, under the guise of a more serious backdrop, maybe I would be more forgiving. But, I honestly don't think that was the case.
“I like you, but I’m a vampire. And I want to make sure you really understand that.”
Brennan and Cole, the Cute Library Blanket Guy and the kindest person on the planet did share some cute moments - their flirting was very sweet and soft with some blood-sucking kisses and some actually cheesy confessions, but hey, go big or go home. 🧛🏻😘 I liked how supportive Cole was, how he endeared to Brennan's naivete to his sudden turn (which, honestly, he took in stride a lot easier than I would have expected) with his helpful guide into all things vampire, and how even in the final hour, he had his moment to shine. How tempting Cole's blood and smell made Brennan all hot and bothered, with some delicious drinking that left Brennan with a swoopy feeling in his stomach. 🥰💘
The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends (yes, that is a mouthful) was a campy trip, which deliberately failed to take the darker route, but favored a lighthearted tone that made it difficult to even empathize with the more serious topics the author wished to address. 😮💨 Because of Brennan's own backstory being such a painful one of loneliness and self-destructive, you would think you'd feel something for how woebegone he was, but sadly and most unfortunately I failed to care.
“Cole kept smiling and Brennan would read every trashy vampire novel in the world to keep it that way.”
After reading the Author's Note, I want to be more sympathetic and try to see it from their perspective, but I really did not walk away with that same connection. In an attempt to defy the cliches of the 2000s paranormal romances with a unique spin to it, it still managed to divulge itself in the same trite and predictable chain of actions, with the least impressive and impactful of reactions. 🤦🏻♀️
It's harsh, but true. I do respect the comparison of mental anxiety and suicidal depression with that to the likening's of a vampire, which was an interesting outlook. But, even Brennan coming to terms with his new lease on life with his sudden change in status did not resonate with me. The words were there - the heart was not. 🙅🏻♀️
March 30, 2025
THANK YOU SO MUCH NETGALLERY!! i promise all these thoughts r my own and u didn’t fake my happiness, this is ALL REAL <3333
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
⤷ minimal spoilers (quotes + some references)
”it was cole taking care of brennan and brennan taking care of cole. couldn’t that be enough?”
ೃ⁀➷ 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: IF I COULD GIVE THIS A MILLION STARS, I WOULD WITHOUT HESITATION! THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS NOW! it is the cheesiest book on a broody vampire and a hipster librarian and it was ADORBALE! words cannot describe how much i loved this cringy, vampire romcom. ngl i was falling for cole even tho he’s literally gay and it’s literally a whole book abt him being gay…but CAN YOU BLAME ME? i will not tolerate any hate for the beautiful book.
ೃ⁀➷ 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐧:
”because now he had something to lose, something worth protecting something he needed and wanted to fight for.”
IT TOKE ME FOREVER TO FIND THE RIGHT QUOTE FOR HIM BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY GOOD ONES! i’m literally so proud of him for working through all of his mental heath issues and still fighting for what was right (and for cole)! him and cole rn my everything atm bc i love them….but i still have some questions…1. WHAT WILL HAPPEN SINCE HES IMMORTAL AND COLE ISNT? IS HE GONNA BE ALONE FOR ETERNITY WITHOUT COLE? 2. uh…so when cole ages and he doesn’t…WHATS GONNA HAPPEN? 3. will he ever tell his mom? i feel like he should bc i don’t like the thought of him slowing distancing himself from her bc hes a vampire.
ೃ⁀➷ 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐞:
everything i gave you, i wanted to give. id give you more.”
so yes he’s gay. and yes he’s still my book bf. deal with it. GAH THE SUNSHINE X GRUMPY DYNAMICS OF COLE AND BRENNAN WERE PERFECTTTT and cole is so me too, like i don’t do drugs, i don’t work at a library, i don’t have bad parents, im not raised into business, im not dating a vampire, i’m not gay, i’m not a man, BUT HES STILL ME. his quotes were adorable omg.
ೃ⁀➷ 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: i highly recommend reading this book when it comes out on august 25! thanks again netgallery for giving me this INCREDIBLEEEE book! <3
.𖥔 ݁ ˖☾𖤓☽.𖥔 ݁ ˖
ೃ⁀➷ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: i got the arc!! this sounds so cute omg i can’t wait to read it!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
⤷ minimal spoilers (quotes + some references)
”it was cole taking care of brennan and brennan taking care of cole. couldn’t that be enough?”
ೃ⁀➷ 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: IF I COULD GIVE THIS A MILLION STARS, I WOULD WITHOUT HESITATION! THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS NOW! it is the cheesiest book on a broody vampire and a hipster librarian and it was ADORBALE! words cannot describe how much i loved this cringy, vampire romcom. ngl i was falling for cole even tho he’s literally gay and it’s literally a whole book abt him being gay…but CAN YOU BLAME ME? i will not tolerate any hate for the beautiful book.
ೃ⁀➷ 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐧:
”because now he had something to lose, something worth protecting something he needed and wanted to fight for.”
IT TOKE ME FOREVER TO FIND THE RIGHT QUOTE FOR HIM BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY GOOD ONES! i’m literally so proud of him for working through all of his mental heath issues and still fighting for what was right (and for cole)! him and cole rn my everything atm bc i love them….but i still have some questions…1. WHAT WILL HAPPEN SINCE HES IMMORTAL AND COLE ISNT? IS HE GONNA BE ALONE FOR ETERNITY WITHOUT COLE? 2. uh…so when cole ages and he doesn’t…WHATS GONNA HAPPEN? 3. will he ever tell his mom? i feel like he should bc i don’t like the thought of him slowing distancing himself from her bc hes a vampire.
ೃ⁀➷ 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐞:
everything i gave you, i wanted to give. id give you more.”
so yes he’s gay. and yes he’s still my book bf. deal with it. GAH THE SUNSHINE X GRUMPY DYNAMICS OF COLE AND BRENNAN WERE PERFECTTTT and cole is so me too, like i don’t do drugs, i don’t work at a library, i don’t have bad parents, im not raised into business, im not dating a vampire, i’m not gay, i’m not a man, BUT HES STILL ME. his quotes were adorable omg.
ೃ⁀➷ 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: i highly recommend reading this book when it comes out on august 25! thanks again netgallery for giving me this INCREDIBLEEEE book! <3
.𖥔 ݁ ˖☾𖤓☽.𖥔 ݁ ˖
ೃ⁀➷ 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: i got the arc!! this sounds so cute omg i can’t wait to read it!
July 30, 2025
The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood & Boyfriends
by Jamie D'Amato
YA Fantasy Cozy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Aug 26, 2025
St. Martin's Press
Ages: 16+
For Brennan, a depressed young man, college added to his emotional struggles, and he made an attempt the previous year. But this year, being turned into a vampire added to his emotional state, trying to still pretend everything is alright when actually he's starting to spiral. This is made worse by the rumor that a student had disappeared around the same time Brennan was turned.
Adding to his struggles is the cute librarian Cole, who everyone seems to like. But when Cole catches him drinking from a stolen blood bag, Cole is willing to keep the secret, and he starts hanging out with Brennan.
Between school work and his new friendship(s), Brennan tries to figure out which legend, if any, are true about vampires. Then, being contacted by a clan of 'good' vampires helps with his thirst and gives him a connection in understanding what being a vampire is and isn't.
But not all vampires are good, and the rise of 'animal attacks' seems as if someone is no longer being a good vampire.
The story picks up after the fact, and Brennan is 'researching' vampires, and while it's a cozy story, it also deals with the struggles of teenagers who are dealing with depression. I know it is real, I've had, and still deal with those thoughts, but mentioning an 'attempt' raised the age level. I was going to go for fourteen, but upped it to sixteen, but I still wonder if maybe it should be eighteen because of it being mentioned multiple times. And that is the only reason why I have upped the age so high. This could be a good book for mature YA readers or those who are struggling to read in a group and discuss it.
This is a romance, but it's clean, kept behind closed doors. One knows what happens, but there are no details other than kissing and the challenge of doing it with fangs. Although there is a 'consent' situation brought up by the 'mesmer' vampire spit can cause.
There is a little violence, but not graphic. A few funnies, especially with the referrals to a certain popular vampire book/movie series, along with a few others. There wasn't a lot of action until the end; this story was mostly about finding oneself and taking the chance on others.
Good story, the cover is bright and welcoming, and while the title somewhat matches the story, it made me expect it to be funnier than it is.
3 Stars
by Jamie D'Amato
YA Fantasy Cozy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Aug 26, 2025
St. Martin's Press
Ages: 16+
For Brennan, a depressed young man, college added to his emotional struggles, and he made an attempt the previous year. But this year, being turned into a vampire added to his emotional state, trying to still pretend everything is alright when actually he's starting to spiral. This is made worse by the rumor that a student had disappeared around the same time Brennan was turned.
Adding to his struggles is the cute librarian Cole, who everyone seems to like. But when Cole catches him drinking from a stolen blood bag, Cole is willing to keep the secret, and he starts hanging out with Brennan.
Between school work and his new friendship(s), Brennan tries to figure out which legend, if any, are true about vampires. Then, being contacted by a clan of 'good' vampires helps with his thirst and gives him a connection in understanding what being a vampire is and isn't.
But not all vampires are good, and the rise of 'animal attacks' seems as if someone is no longer being a good vampire.
The story picks up after the fact, and Brennan is 'researching' vampires, and while it's a cozy story, it also deals with the struggles of teenagers who are dealing with depression. I know it is real, I've had, and still deal with those thoughts, but mentioning an 'attempt' raised the age level. I was going to go for fourteen, but upped it to sixteen, but I still wonder if maybe it should be eighteen because of it being mentioned multiple times. And that is the only reason why I have upped the age so high. This could be a good book for mature YA readers or those who are struggling to read in a group and discuss it.
This is a romance, but it's clean, kept behind closed doors. One knows what happens, but there are no details other than kissing and the challenge of doing it with fangs. Although there is a 'consent' situation brought up by the 'mesmer' vampire spit can cause.
There is a little violence, but not graphic. A few funnies, especially with the referrals to a certain popular vampire book/movie series, along with a few others. There wasn't a lot of action until the end; this story was mostly about finding oneself and taking the chance on others.
Good story, the cover is bright and welcoming, and while the title somewhat matches the story, it made me expect it to be funnier than it is.
3 Stars
July 24, 2025
This book is, in a word, charming. But if you need more, it's also sweet, cute, funny, delightful, and riveting. 2025 cannot come fast enough for the rest of y'all to read this!
September 1, 2025
this was a fun book with vampires and a cute gay couple. also, a lot of weed for some reason.
May 28, 2025
This wasn't my cup of tea. Characters are flat and lack the depth. It's no for me.
February 28, 2025
Really funny story about college student and newly turned vampire Brennan who has to try to piece together how he went from going on a walk to waking up undead while also trying to work out how to do this whole vampire thing.
The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends is mostly lighthearted and has a very sweet romance, though it does deal with more serious issues like depression, past suicidal ideation, and shitty parents.
I found most of the book hilarious but I do wonder if all the jokes will land with other age groups (I'm a millennial), and also whether they'll be funny in a few years.
The big Plot felt somewhat forced, and the ending was kind of underwhelming, but mostly I had a great time reading this book!
Great found family, humor, funny diary entries, and sweet grumpy/sunshine romance.
Thanks to Wednesday Books for the ARC. The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends is out August 26
The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends is mostly lighthearted and has a very sweet romance, though it does deal with more serious issues like depression, past suicidal ideation, and shitty parents.
I found most of the book hilarious but I do wonder if all the jokes will land with other age groups (I'm a millennial), and also whether they'll be funny in a few years.
The big Plot felt somewhat forced, and the ending was kind of underwhelming, but mostly I had a great time reading this book!
Great found family, humor, funny diary entries, and sweet grumpy/sunshine romance.
Thanks to Wednesday Books for the ARC. The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends is out August 26
October 28, 2025
3.5 stars
July 29, 2025
This was stellar.
It is giving me major twilight flashbacks but make it MM romance. What’s not to love?
5 stars!
Brennan is a college student who has recently become a vampire. He is now forced to figure out what that means for him, and how he can survive without hurting humans.
Enter Cole, another student at the same school, who accidently discovers Brennan’s secret, and quickly becomes dedicated to helping him adapt to his new immortal life.
The two boys must learn how to successfully have a vampire x human relationship… and figure out how to potentially save the world from a massive vampire uprising.
Really, this kind of story is my jam.
I eat up a good vampire romance, and I have to say-THIS is a good vampire romance.
Brennan and Cole’s relationship? Talk about adorable.
The pressing desire to take care of each other? To support each other? Dreamy.
I love that at no point in this story was Cole afraid of Brennan. Instant trust and connection, I love.
Just good vibes all around.
The amount of twilight mentions here, I was so into it.
This story also notes queer authors like Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera. I love to see authors supporting other authors!
I also have to talk about the fact that there are different vampire societies/clubs/clans in this story.
Basically vampires get to decide what “kind” of vampire they want to be, and join the group that best fits them.
I thought this was such a fun idea. Very high school clique vibes.
Important mention:
This story discusses mental health/suicide attempts.
I did not personally think it was too heavy, and it was balanced out very well by the light-heartedness of the rest of the book, but I know some readers may be a bit more sensitive toward these topics.
Just something to know before you start reading!
Overall, very lovely read! I think a ton of people would love reading this as much as I did!
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s press | Wednesday Books and author Jamie D’Amato for providing me with the eARC of “The Good Vampires Guide to Blood and Boyfriends”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: August 26th, 2025
It is giving me major twilight flashbacks but make it MM romance. What’s not to love?
5 stars!
Brennan is a college student who has recently become a vampire. He is now forced to figure out what that means for him, and how he can survive without hurting humans.
Enter Cole, another student at the same school, who accidently discovers Brennan’s secret, and quickly becomes dedicated to helping him adapt to his new immortal life.
The two boys must learn how to successfully have a vampire x human relationship… and figure out how to potentially save the world from a massive vampire uprising.
Really, this kind of story is my jam.
I eat up a good vampire romance, and I have to say-THIS is a good vampire romance.
Brennan and Cole’s relationship? Talk about adorable.
The pressing desire to take care of each other? To support each other? Dreamy.
I love that at no point in this story was Cole afraid of Brennan. Instant trust and connection, I love.
Just good vibes all around.
The amount of twilight mentions here, I was so into it.
This story also notes queer authors like Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera. I love to see authors supporting other authors!
I also have to talk about the fact that there are different vampire societies/clubs/clans in this story.
Basically vampires get to decide what “kind” of vampire they want to be, and join the group that best fits them.
I thought this was such a fun idea. Very high school clique vibes.
Important mention:
This story discusses mental health/suicide attempts.
I did not personally think it was too heavy, and it was balanced out very well by the light-heartedness of the rest of the book, but I know some readers may be a bit more sensitive toward these topics.
Just something to know before you start reading!
Overall, very lovely read! I think a ton of people would love reading this as much as I did!
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s press | Wednesday Books and author Jamie D’Amato for providing me with the eARC of “The Good Vampires Guide to Blood and Boyfriends”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: August 26th, 2025
March 14, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5
The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood and Boyfriends had SUCH a fun premise, and I was really hoping to love it more than I did. 🧛♂️💔 Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed the characters and the love story, but something about it just didn’t fully click for me. Maybe it was the pacing? Or maybe I just wasn’t vibing with the writing style as much as I hoped. 🤷♀️
First off, the MC was super relatable in that awkward, nerdy way and I loved the idea of a vampire trying to navigate normal teenage life (while ya know dealing with the whole blood drinking thing 🩸). The romance was cute if a little predictable but I’m a sucker for an adorable love story, so I still ate it up. 😍💞
That being said… I just never felt fully invested? Like, I wanted to be OBSESSED but instead I was kinda just there reading it, having a good time but not feeling super emotionally connected. 😬 I also felt like some of the humor was hit or miss, sometimes it was hilarious, and other times it felt like it was trying too hard.
Overall this book was fun, cute, and had some solid moments! 🦇📖 If you’re looking for a lighthearted vampire rom com with a sweet love story then it’s worth checking out! Just don’t go in expecting a deep, life changing read. 😂
Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review! 💕
The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood and Boyfriends had SUCH a fun premise, and I was really hoping to love it more than I did. 🧛♂️💔 Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed the characters and the love story, but something about it just didn’t fully click for me. Maybe it was the pacing? Or maybe I just wasn’t vibing with the writing style as much as I hoped. 🤷♀️
First off, the MC was super relatable in that awkward, nerdy way and I loved the idea of a vampire trying to navigate normal teenage life (while ya know dealing with the whole blood drinking thing 🩸). The romance was cute if a little predictable but I’m a sucker for an adorable love story, so I still ate it up. 😍💞
That being said… I just never felt fully invested? Like, I wanted to be OBSESSED but instead I was kinda just there reading it, having a good time but not feeling super emotionally connected. 😬 I also felt like some of the humor was hit or miss, sometimes it was hilarious, and other times it felt like it was trying too hard.
Overall this book was fun, cute, and had some solid moments! 🦇📖 If you’re looking for a lighthearted vampire rom com with a sweet love story then it’s worth checking out! Just don’t go in expecting a deep, life changing read. 😂
Thank you to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review! 💕
August 31, 2025
2025 reads: 235/300
i received a complimentary audio copy from the publisher as part of their influencer program. i am voluntarily leaving this review.
content warnings: suicide attempt, depression, panic attacks, homophobia, drug & alcohol use
after surviving a suicide attempt, college sophomore brennan is left struggling to cope with his newly-developed vampirism on his own. to complicate manners, cole, the librarian everyone (including brennan) is crushing on, catches him drinking from a stolen blood bag. luckily, cole is eager to help brennan keep his secret and learn how to be a vampire. when brennan finally meets other vampires, though, he wonders if balancing vampirism and humanity will be harder than he anticipated.
this was the (mostly) fun kind of vampire book. i loved the chapter titles, and despite normally hating them, i thought the pop culture references were actually pretty funny and fitting. these funnier aspects were, in my opinion, well-balanced with the heavier parts of this book, specifically the explorations of losing one’s humanity, struggling with depression and immortality, and making regrettable choices, to name a few. i listened to the audiobook, narrated by michael crouch, and i thought his voice suited brennan’s personality well. i highly recommend this book to YA readers who love vampires.
i received a complimentary audio copy from the publisher as part of their influencer program. i am voluntarily leaving this review.
content warnings: suicide attempt, depression, panic attacks, homophobia, drug & alcohol use
after surviving a suicide attempt, college sophomore brennan is left struggling to cope with his newly-developed vampirism on his own. to complicate manners, cole, the librarian everyone (including brennan) is crushing on, catches him drinking from a stolen blood bag. luckily, cole is eager to help brennan keep his secret and learn how to be a vampire. when brennan finally meets other vampires, though, he wonders if balancing vampirism and humanity will be harder than he anticipated.
this was the (mostly) fun kind of vampire book. i loved the chapter titles, and despite normally hating them, i thought the pop culture references were actually pretty funny and fitting. these funnier aspects were, in my opinion, well-balanced with the heavier parts of this book, specifically the explorations of losing one’s humanity, struggling with depression and immortality, and making regrettable choices, to name a few. i listened to the audiobook, narrated by michael crouch, and i thought his voice suited brennan’s personality well. i highly recommend this book to YA readers who love vampires.
October 29, 2025
Some low stakes relationship drama, some high stakes vampire drama, but never anything too extreme or action-packed. It was mostly a chill book about normal life stuff and teens trying to figure things out, with the additional struggle of the MC trying to figure out how to balance his vampire life with his human one. But don’t worry, it’s not all serious, there are plenty of lighthearted moments too.
The characters were likeable (mostly). The romance and friendships were sweet.
The audiobook narration by Michael Crouch was great. It sounded natural. Characters had slightly different voices or accents. And his voice suited the main character well.
I guess I don’t have a lot to say about this book, but I enjoyed it!
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2025 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes pretty chill books without a lot of action, YA romance, and vampires.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
The characters were likeable (mostly). The romance and friendships were sweet.
The audiobook narration by Michael Crouch was great. It sounded natural. Characters had slightly different voices or accents. And his voice suited the main character well.
I guess I don’t have a lot to say about this book, but I enjoyed it!
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2025 // Format: Audiobook*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes pretty chill books without a lot of action, YA romance, and vampires.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
August 23, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Peeps, I REALLY liked this one. At first, I just thought this was going to be one of those cute rom-coms where two college guys- Brennan, a vampire, and Cole, the cute librarian hook up and fall in love. But it was so much more. Because weird things are happening in and around the campus, and it is going to take Brennan, Cole and their human friends to help a gang of vampires solve the mystery.
Third-person perspective, short, punchy chapters, great characterization, and coping with being a vampire in the 21st century were all the ingredients I needed to keep me hooked. The spice is really low on this one, and so I do think it would be okay for high schoolers to read.
Expected Publication Date 26/08/25
Goodreads Review Date 23/08/25
Peeps, I REALLY liked this one. At first, I just thought this was going to be one of those cute rom-coms where two college guys- Brennan, a vampire, and Cole, the cute librarian hook up and fall in love. But it was so much more. Because weird things are happening in and around the campus, and it is going to take Brennan, Cole and their human friends to help a gang of vampires solve the mystery.
Third-person perspective, short, punchy chapters, great characterization, and coping with being a vampire in the 21st century were all the ingredients I needed to keep me hooked. The spice is really low on this one, and so I do think it would be okay for high schoolers to read.
Expected Publication Date 26/08/25
Goodreads Review Date 23/08/25
June 17, 2025
this arc was kindly sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review <3
well we done knew id love this especially because it was weirdly cozy considering it's a book about vampires lol. I had a great time with this one. I really enjoyed following Brennans story and the found family he gets along the way. I feel like this progressed at the exact right pace and I couldn't put it down. would recommend for fans of f.t lukens, it was pretty similar to how they write their paranormal queer books. live, love, vampires
well we done knew id love this especially because it was weirdly cozy considering it's a book about vampires lol. I had a great time with this one. I really enjoyed following Brennans story and the found family he gets along the way. I feel like this progressed at the exact right pace and I couldn't put it down. would recommend for fans of f.t lukens, it was pretty similar to how they write their paranormal queer books. live, love, vampires
April 18, 2025
4.5
the target audience (me) has been reached
the target audience (me) has been reached
August 26, 2025
2.75. Brennan, a 19 year old student, has his entire life disrupted when he turns into a vampire. This is the last thing he needs after suffering from mental health issues! He’s caught drinking a blood bag by Cole, the super cute librarian. Cole wants to keep his secret and get to know him. They navigate their friendship around Brennan’s need to find out exactly what happened to him while also solving a mystery.
This cover is so cute!! I really loved Brennan and Cole’s developing relationship, I stuck around just for that. That being said the rest of the story left me wanting so much more. I was incredibly bored at certain parts then would get roped in again only to find myself bored once more. Had this been an eyeball book and not an audio, I’m sad to say I would have dnf’d. The most interesting parts seemed to come and go so quickly I wish they’d been woven into the story at a better pace. Really loved the idea and characters!
Coming back to add: The first TS reference had me side eyeing. Then multiple after? ENOUGH. I don’t even mind pop culture references really, but every single romance book mentioning TS is making me lose my mind. There has to be another singer y’all like? It’s in almost every romance arc I read lately so - 1 star just for that
The narrator did an amazing job! He portrayed the characters so well and was completely engaging.
Thank you so much Jamie D’Amato and Macmillan Audio for providing this free ALC. This is my honest review. Happy pub day!
This cover is so cute!! I really loved Brennan and Cole’s developing relationship, I stuck around just for that. That being said the rest of the story left me wanting so much more. I was incredibly bored at certain parts then would get roped in again only to find myself bored once more. Had this been an eyeball book and not an audio, I’m sad to say I would have dnf’d. The most interesting parts seemed to come and go so quickly I wish they’d been woven into the story at a better pace. Really loved the idea and characters!
Coming back to add: The first TS reference had me side eyeing. Then multiple after? ENOUGH. I don’t even mind pop culture references really, but every single romance book mentioning TS is making me lose my mind. There has to be another singer y’all like? It’s in almost every romance arc I read lately so - 1 star just for that
The narrator did an amazing job! He portrayed the characters so well and was completely engaging.
Thank you so much Jamie D’Amato and Macmillan Audio for providing this free ALC. This is my honest review. Happy pub day!
March 7, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC!
I really adored this book. It’s sweet, lighthearted, and funny, and just overall enjoyable. Honestly, more than anything, it reminds me of queer fanfics I read as a teen (I’m cultured) but done well and with good character development. It’s great that we now have this kind of rep in traditionally published books.
The premise is simple: Brennan, a college kid struggling with anxiety and depression, has recently been turned into a vampire and is trying to balance his new thirst for blood with his thirst (hah) for the cute librarian he has a giant crush on. These two are compelling right from the start. Brennan’s depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation are done really well (I would know, this is my wheelhouse) and Cole is very believable as a young southern gay man with difficult parents. I also really liked that Brennan is clearly stated to be bisexual; always nice to see.
Their relationship is really the point here. There’s some other plot going on with evil vampire shenanigans, which is all quite predictable and uninteresting, but it’s in the background and I don’t think people are picking this book up for the vampire mystery. This is a YA romance at its core. There are a few rushed scenes and realistically, the supporting characters could freak out a little more at finding out vampires are real, but otherwise you’re getting exactly what you signed up for here: cute queer boys falling in love.
The one real complaint I have is the constant references to pop culture items, for two reasons. Firstly, yes, we know Stephenie Meyer and Rupi Kaur are not good writers — they’re popular for their accessibility, not their literary talent. But it feels a bit much for an author to just have their characters talk trash about another contemporary author’s books. Secondly, do teens these days even read Twilight?? I wonder how relevant some of these references are, because they talk a lot about the high school Twilight craze, but that craze was when I (a millennial) was in high school. It made this feel dated, so I wonder how younger readers will find it.
But overall, if you’re in the mood for a sweet, quick-paced, queer college romance, you’re gonna enjoy this!
I really adored this book. It’s sweet, lighthearted, and funny, and just overall enjoyable. Honestly, more than anything, it reminds me of queer fanfics I read as a teen (I’m cultured) but done well and with good character development. It’s great that we now have this kind of rep in traditionally published books.
The premise is simple: Brennan, a college kid struggling with anxiety and depression, has recently been turned into a vampire and is trying to balance his new thirst for blood with his thirst (hah) for the cute librarian he has a giant crush on. These two are compelling right from the start. Brennan’s depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation are done really well (I would know, this is my wheelhouse) and Cole is very believable as a young southern gay man with difficult parents. I also really liked that Brennan is clearly stated to be bisexual; always nice to see.
Their relationship is really the point here. There’s some other plot going on with evil vampire shenanigans, which is all quite predictable and uninteresting, but it’s in the background and I don’t think people are picking this book up for the vampire mystery. This is a YA romance at its core. There are a few rushed scenes and realistically, the supporting characters could freak out a little more at finding out vampires are real, but otherwise you’re getting exactly what you signed up for here: cute queer boys falling in love.
The one real complaint I have is the constant references to pop culture items, for two reasons. Firstly, yes, we know Stephenie Meyer and Rupi Kaur are not good writers — they’re popular for their accessibility, not their literary talent. But it feels a bit much for an author to just have their characters talk trash about another contemporary author’s books. Secondly, do teens these days even read Twilight?? I wonder how relevant some of these references are, because they talk a lot about the high school Twilight craze, but that craze was when I (a millennial) was in high school. It made this feel dated, so I wonder how younger readers will find it.
But overall, if you’re in the mood for a sweet, quick-paced, queer college romance, you’re gonna enjoy this!
d-n-f
September 8, 2025dnf @ 50%
I'm too old y'all (also the taylor swift refs did me in)
I'm too old y'all (also the taylor swift refs did me in)
February 22, 2026
I think this book was hilarious especially given all the Twilight jokes when it came to vampirism and being in love with a library worker! The pacing of this book and some of the young adult angst was a little rough, but overall I thought Brennan and Cole were such a wonderful team together and I loved their chemistry! I also loved the found family aspect of this book too!
September 12, 2025
Thank you @wednesdaybooks for the advanced copy to review!
The amount of time I spent trying to narrow down quotes to share… I had to skip so many of my favorites. Tony’s text messages are special mentions along with Mari’s sass, Sunny and Nellie’s advice, and Cole and Brennan’s entire cute relationships. (The groveling!???? The kissing!??? The sweetness?? The coffee!?? The LIBRARY!?) I love them.
This debut from @jimjomjamie is great. This book made me belly laugh out loud nearly the entire time I read it. It also made me tear up. Brennan is SO incredibly relatable to me it’s actually kind of scary??? Minus the whole vampire thing. But his anxiety and panic attacks and depression and his past suicidal thoughts he reconciles with after becoming immortal - wow. A lot to unpack here.
Brennan and Cole’s banter was hysterical and I’d read so many more books of them getting into shenanigans with Tony and Mari.
I really appreciated the friendships in this book and how strong they were. The group chat was amazing.
The climax of this book was just so good and funny yet incredibly heartfelt and lovely??? It’s too much y’all. I hear the audio is fantastic so I’ll probably have to reread that….
In conclusion, Cole and Brennan forever.
*Full disclosure there was a passing reference for a certain series (didn’t call out the series by name) but Jamie has addressed and apologized for. In the book I could also see where it’s easy to miss as it was within literary references from childhood but again it did not name the series.*
The amount of time I spent trying to narrow down quotes to share… I had to skip so many of my favorites. Tony’s text messages are special mentions along with Mari’s sass, Sunny and Nellie’s advice, and Cole and Brennan’s entire cute relationships. (The groveling!???? The kissing!??? The sweetness?? The coffee!?? The LIBRARY!?) I love them.
This debut from @jimjomjamie is great. This book made me belly laugh out loud nearly the entire time I read it. It also made me tear up. Brennan is SO incredibly relatable to me it’s actually kind of scary??? Minus the whole vampire thing. But his anxiety and panic attacks and depression and his past suicidal thoughts he reconciles with after becoming immortal - wow. A lot to unpack here.
Brennan and Cole’s banter was hysterical and I’d read so many more books of them getting into shenanigans with Tony and Mari.
I really appreciated the friendships in this book and how strong they were. The group chat was amazing.
The climax of this book was just so good and funny yet incredibly heartfelt and lovely??? It’s too much y’all. I hear the audio is fantastic so I’ll probably have to reread that….
In conclusion, Cole and Brennan forever.
*Full disclosure there was a passing reference for a certain series (didn’t call out the series by name) but Jamie has addressed and apologized for. In the book I could also see where it’s easy to miss as it was within literary references from childhood but again it did not name the series.*
August 31, 2025
This book surprised me in all the best ways. On the surface, it’s a paranormal rom-com about a newly turned vampire trying to navigate college, bloodlust, and crushes—but at its heart, it's a thoughtful story about identity, vulnerability, and learning to choose your own path, fangs and all.
Brennan, a college student turned vampire overnight, is thrown into a life he never asked for. His awkward, heartfelt attempts to figure out vampirism (without harming anyone) are both funny and touching. When Cole stumbles into Brennan’s secret and decides to help him, their relationship grows into something genuinely warm, supportive, and refreshingly drama-free. Their connection has that sweet grumpy/sunshine vibe, and it’s honestly a delight to watch unfold.
Despite its supernatural premise, the story doesn’t shy away from real-life struggles—mental health, queerness, and complicated family dynamics all have their place here. These themes are handled with care and nuance, never weighing the story down, but grounding it in emotional honesty.
The humor hits often (especially if you love sarcastic diary entries and pop culture nods), though some jokes might land better depending on your age bracket. Still, the voice is consistent and charming throughout. The plot occasionally takes a backseat to character development and cozy moments, but I didn’t mind—it made the bigger moments feel more personal.
This is a book for anyone who wants queer joy, found family, and vampire lore with a side of emotional growth. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it doesn’t need to—it just tells a good, heartfelt story with sincerity and a lot of bite.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books for the early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Brennan, a college student turned vampire overnight, is thrown into a life he never asked for. His awkward, heartfelt attempts to figure out vampirism (without harming anyone) are both funny and touching. When Cole stumbles into Brennan’s secret and decides to help him, their relationship grows into something genuinely warm, supportive, and refreshingly drama-free. Their connection has that sweet grumpy/sunshine vibe, and it’s honestly a delight to watch unfold.
Despite its supernatural premise, the story doesn’t shy away from real-life struggles—mental health, queerness, and complicated family dynamics all have their place here. These themes are handled with care and nuance, never weighing the story down, but grounding it in emotional honesty.
The humor hits often (especially if you love sarcastic diary entries and pop culture nods), though some jokes might land better depending on your age bracket. Still, the voice is consistent and charming throughout. The plot occasionally takes a backseat to character development and cozy moments, but I didn’t mind—it made the bigger moments feel more personal.
This is a book for anyone who wants queer joy, found family, and vampire lore with a side of emotional growth. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it doesn’t need to—it just tells a good, heartfelt story with sincerity and a lot of bite.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books for the early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 31, 2024
*I received an arc of this novel in exchange for a review via NetGalley. Thank you to the publishers for this opportunity*
Brennan is an absolute mess
Anxiety ridden
Depressed
And a vampire
The other two have been constants in his life but the vampire is pretty new.
When Brennan is hit by a car he was supposed to die, but instead he was turned into a vampire. He now has to survive and figure out the whole vampire thing. When he’s doing research however, he talks to Cole, a boy who works at the library who saved him from a mental breakdown early in Brennan’s college experience. Now on top of the whole vampire thing he has a crush.
This novel was absolutely adorable. Cole as a character was definitely my favorite but the cast overall was very fun. Sunny and Nellie were very cute and I like the idea of have “urban” or more modern covens or packs. I wish there was more development of the “vampire world” and Brennan’s interactions with them however I understand that this book would be much longer. I would definitely be interested in a sequel of this (maybe featuring Dom’s persepctive👀) but I also enjoy the idea of this being a standalone that doesn’t answer everything. It’s cute, it’s fun and pretty well written overall. I definitely recommend picking this one up when it releases!
Brennan is an absolute mess
Anxiety ridden
Depressed
And a vampire
The other two have been constants in his life but the vampire is pretty new.
When Brennan is hit by a car he was supposed to die, but instead he was turned into a vampire. He now has to survive and figure out the whole vampire thing. When he’s doing research however, he talks to Cole, a boy who works at the library who saved him from a mental breakdown early in Brennan’s college experience. Now on top of the whole vampire thing he has a crush.
This novel was absolutely adorable. Cole as a character was definitely my favorite but the cast overall was very fun. Sunny and Nellie were very cute and I like the idea of have “urban” or more modern covens or packs. I wish there was more development of the “vampire world” and Brennan’s interactions with them however I understand that this book would be much longer. I would definitely be interested in a sequel of this (maybe featuring Dom’s persepctive👀) but I also enjoy the idea of this being a standalone that doesn’t answer everything. It’s cute, it’s fun and pretty well written overall. I definitely recommend picking this one up when it releases!
August 24, 2025
This was pretty good.
The story was interesting and the characters were fun, but I wanted more.
More queer scenes, more vampire lore, more giggles.
Just more of everything, it felt pretty rushed through most of the novel.
Thank you Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for my ALC.
The story was interesting and the characters were fun, but I wanted more.
More queer scenes, more vampire lore, more giggles.
Just more of everything, it felt pretty rushed through most of the novel.
Thank you Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for my ALC.
July 20, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martins Press for a complimentary early release copy of The Good Vampires Guide to Blood & Boyfriends by Jamie D’Amato.
This has to be one of my favorite reads of 2025! I loved The Good Vampires Guide to Blood & Boyfriends. I fell in love with these characters immediately, Brennan and Cole are the cutest, I was routing for them since page one! It did take me a little to come around to Mari and Tony but once I did I equally loved them just as much as our main couple. This story is a slow burn romance but the tension and flirty teasing between Brennan and Cole is well worth it. They have so many cute and funny scenes together!
The plot of the story kind of comes off as low stakes/cozy to me but I throughly enjoyed it. I found the vampire stuff interesting and loved learning more about how the vampires operated in this world! The story isn’t just about vampires, friendships, or romance though it’s about self acceptance, that it’s okay to be vulnerable, and that you need to do what’s right for you. I enjoyed the messaging, I thought it was written in a nice thoughtful way. I could definitely sympathize with these characters and it was heart warming to see them all come together.
This has to be one of my favorite reads of 2025! I loved The Good Vampires Guide to Blood & Boyfriends. I fell in love with these characters immediately, Brennan and Cole are the cutest, I was routing for them since page one! It did take me a little to come around to Mari and Tony but once I did I equally loved them just as much as our main couple. This story is a slow burn romance but the tension and flirty teasing between Brennan and Cole is well worth it. They have so many cute and funny scenes together!
The plot of the story kind of comes off as low stakes/cozy to me but I throughly enjoyed it. I found the vampire stuff interesting and loved learning more about how the vampires operated in this world! The story isn’t just about vampires, friendships, or romance though it’s about self acceptance, that it’s okay to be vulnerable, and that you need to do what’s right for you. I enjoyed the messaging, I thought it was written in a nice thoughtful way. I could definitely sympathize with these characters and it was heart warming to see them all come together.
November 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. However, if you’re depressed and/or anxious and/or in the process of transitioning from one medication to another (my case) - be aware, sometimes this book hits too close to home.
August 22, 2025
This was a cute, fun and somewhat cozy vampire book! It definitely read more new adult than YA though. The storyline was fun, but was slow in certain parts. This is a fun fall read!
August 27, 2025
Thank you @wednesdaybooks for the gifted book. Also big thanks to @macmillan.audio for the complementary audiobook. It’s always nice to go back and forth between both formats.
First of all how is this a debut? This book was a 10/10 in my eyes. I absolutely adored this book. As a millennial, I really appreciate all the Twilight references. It made my soul happy.
The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood and Boyfriends is a lighthearted (mostly) romcom about two Queer boys falling in love. While it is funny and cute, this book also covers topics like suicidal ideation and depression. The author covered those topics so well.
I’m a sucker 🤪 for vampire books and this one definitely made my favorites list. I highly recommend it if you enjoy Queer stories with some fantasy mixed in.
First of all how is this a debut? This book was a 10/10 in my eyes. I absolutely adored this book. As a millennial, I really appreciate all the Twilight references. It made my soul happy.
The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood and Boyfriends is a lighthearted (mostly) romcom about two Queer boys falling in love. While it is funny and cute, this book also covers topics like suicidal ideation and depression. The author covered those topics so well.
I’m a sucker 🤪 for vampire books and this one definitely made my favorites list. I highly recommend it if you enjoy Queer stories with some fantasy mixed in.
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