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San Nico Slayers #1
Blood on the Boardwalk
Vampire Slayer wasn't an option on career day...
Surf, sand, neon lights, and vampire jokes have been Jenna's life ever since her former best friend, Georgie, spilled her darkest secret to the whole school. A secret that's haunted her since she was little-she was attacked by something inhuman. When she stumbles across blood-drained bodies on the boardwalk and is attacked by a vampire-looking monster, old nightmares come back to haunt her. Now in the crosshairs of an undead serial killer, Jenna's convinced the killer is also Georgie's new boyfriend. Dodging a murderer is easier than talking to her enemy, but when Georgie starts changing in even more monstrous ways, Jenna has to suck it up and work with the person she hates most if she wants any hope of stopping a killer before they both end up dead.
Inspired by The Lost Boys and 90s teen horror novels, Blood on the Boardwalk is a modern day horror comedy perfect for teens (and anyone) looking to dip their toe into the horror genre, and adults looking for the dopamine hit of nostalgic horror easter eggs!
Surf, sand, neon lights, and vampire jokes have been Jenna's life ever since her former best friend, Georgie, spilled her darkest secret to the whole school. A secret that's haunted her since she was little-she was attacked by something inhuman. When she stumbles across blood-drained bodies on the boardwalk and is attacked by a vampire-looking monster, old nightmares come back to haunt her. Now in the crosshairs of an undead serial killer, Jenna's convinced the killer is also Georgie's new boyfriend. Dodging a murderer is easier than talking to her enemy, but when Georgie starts changing in even more monstrous ways, Jenna has to suck it up and work with the person she hates most if she wants any hope of stopping a killer before they both end up dead.
Inspired by The Lost Boys and 90s teen horror novels, Blood on the Boardwalk is a modern day horror comedy perfect for teens (and anyone) looking to dip their toe into the horror genre, and adults looking for the dopamine hit of nostalgic horror easter eggs!
318 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2025
4 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Donna Taylor
2 books16 followersDonna Taylor is an award-winning horror author who looks at all things scary as something comforting. Her first love is young adult horror, the product of years of Fear Street, Nightmare Hall, and more Christopher Pike than she can shake a Ouija board at. When reading one of her books, you are promised something assuredly creepy, a little bit spooky, and may make you laugh at inappropriate times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 10, 2025
❥ My Thoughts & Rating ❥
This young adult horror novel was entertaining! It is character driven, fast paced and easy to read. The opening scene in this book hooked me! The author did a great job at capturing my attention at not only the beginning, but also throughout the book. It definitely gave me nostalgic vibes, which was a bonus for me! This is an entry level horror novel and is good for readers that are interested in getting into the horror genre. It comes with supernatural elements and mysterious vibes. This book has a unique vampire lore and a great plot! It comes with twists and turns I didn’t see coming and intriguing characters! The vivid imagery and atmospheric scenes really stands out in this book! Overall, I rate this a 4 out of 5 stars! This is a series, so we can expect a second book coming out! I am really excited about the second book and will be reading it as well!
❥ Who I think would enjoy this book & Content Warnings ❥
If you like vampires, ghosts, 90’s nostalgia, creatures, bloody bodies along with a game of cat and mouse, you would really enjoy this one! Content warnings include murder, violence, gore, stalking and bullying.
❥ Thank You ❥
Thank you to NetGalley, author Donna Taylor and Spooky Thing Books for this electronic arc of this book in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
❥ Release Date ❥
This book is expected to be published on September 25, 2025!
This young adult horror novel was entertaining! It is character driven, fast paced and easy to read. The opening scene in this book hooked me! The author did a great job at capturing my attention at not only the beginning, but also throughout the book. It definitely gave me nostalgic vibes, which was a bonus for me! This is an entry level horror novel and is good for readers that are interested in getting into the horror genre. It comes with supernatural elements and mysterious vibes. This book has a unique vampire lore and a great plot! It comes with twists and turns I didn’t see coming and intriguing characters! The vivid imagery and atmospheric scenes really stands out in this book! Overall, I rate this a 4 out of 5 stars! This is a series, so we can expect a second book coming out! I am really excited about the second book and will be reading it as well!
❥ Who I think would enjoy this book & Content Warnings ❥
If you like vampires, ghosts, 90’s nostalgia, creatures, bloody bodies along with a game of cat and mouse, you would really enjoy this one! Content warnings include murder, violence, gore, stalking and bullying.
❥ Thank You ❥
Thank you to NetGalley, author Donna Taylor and Spooky Thing Books for this electronic arc of this book in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
❥ Release Date ❥
This book is expected to be published on September 25, 2025!
July 16, 2025
There are definitely The Lost Boys vibes, but the novel still feels modern and unique. It is overall a fun and easy read. However, the characters are not as endearing as the 80's movie, and that makes the non-scary parts feel boring and very repetitive.
There were a few moments in the beginning where I had to double check to make sure I wasn't reading the second book in a series. While everything eventually gets explained, it throws a lot at you in the first couple of chapters, and it feels more like you're missing pages instead of slowly unraveling a mystery.
The scares are very well done. The building tension, imagery, and pacing was excellent. The only exception was the ending, which felt rushed and had a lot of information crammed into a few pages. It does a great job of setting up a sequel, though, which I am eager to read.
There were a few moments in the beginning where I had to double check to make sure I wasn't reading the second book in a series. While everything eventually gets explained, it throws a lot at you in the first couple of chapters, and it feels more like you're missing pages instead of slowly unraveling a mystery.
The scares are very well done. The building tension, imagery, and pacing was excellent. The only exception was the ending, which felt rushed and had a lot of information crammed into a few pages. It does a great job of setting up a sequel, though, which I am eager to read.
December 24, 2025
Blood on the Boardwalk by Donna Taylor is a nostalgic, spooky YA horror‑comedy thriller set in the sun‑soaked but shadowed boardwalk town of San Nico, where surf, neon lights, and terrible secrets collide with vampires and undead serial killings.
The story follows Jenna, a sarcastic seventeen‑year‑old whose life was already marked by trauma after a childhood encounter with something inhuman, a secret her former best friend Georgie once blabbed to the whole school. When Jenna discovers blood‑drained bodies on the boardwalk and is attacked by a vampire‑like monster, her worst nightmares resurface and she finds herself hunted by something undead and relentless. Convinced the killer is tied to Georgie’s creepy new boyfriend, she’s forced to work with her enemy, and confront both teenage drama and monstrous danger, if she hopes to survive.
The book wears its 90s horror influences on its sleeve, drawing clear inspiration from classics like The Lost Boys and bringing that nostalgic, neon‑lit terror into a contemporary YA setting that balances creepy chills with witty banter, teen angst, and self‑aware horror fun. Jenna’s voice feels relatable and lively, and the seaside carnival and boardwalk setting, complete with fog, shadows, and glowing rides at night adds atmospheric tension that made me feel both nostalgic and genuinely creeped out.
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I’m giving Blood on the Boardwalk four stars because it captures that irresistible blend of horror nostalgia and modern YA storytelling with energy, style, and heart. It made me feel the tang of salt air and the thrill of a boardwalk at dusk, care about Jenna’s resilience and reluctant alliances, and laugh (uneasily) at the sharp humor embedded in the scares.
If you love vampires, spooky beach towns, and horror that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering chills, this is a delightfully eerie beginning to a new series.
The story follows Jenna, a sarcastic seventeen‑year‑old whose life was already marked by trauma after a childhood encounter with something inhuman, a secret her former best friend Georgie once blabbed to the whole school. When Jenna discovers blood‑drained bodies on the boardwalk and is attacked by a vampire‑like monster, her worst nightmares resurface and she finds herself hunted by something undead and relentless. Convinced the killer is tied to Georgie’s creepy new boyfriend, she’s forced to work with her enemy, and confront both teenage drama and monstrous danger, if she hopes to survive.
The book wears its 90s horror influences on its sleeve, drawing clear inspiration from classics like The Lost Boys and bringing that nostalgic, neon‑lit terror into a contemporary YA setting that balances creepy chills with witty banter, teen angst, and self‑aware horror fun. Jenna’s voice feels relatable and lively, and the seaside carnival and boardwalk setting, complete with fog, shadows, and glowing rides at night adds atmospheric tension that made me feel both nostalgic and genuinely creeped out.
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I’m giving Blood on the Boardwalk four stars because it captures that irresistible blend of horror nostalgia and modern YA storytelling with energy, style, and heart. It made me feel the tang of salt air and the thrill of a boardwalk at dusk, care about Jenna’s resilience and reluctant alliances, and laugh (uneasily) at the sharp humor embedded in the scares.
If you love vampires, spooky beach towns, and horror that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering chills, this is a delightfully eerie beginning to a new series.
June 17, 2025
I'm not going to lie, with a synopsis like this one, this book had a lot to live up to. I am a huge Lost Boys fan. What childhood wasn't ruined by nightmares of vampires after watching this much-loved, cheesy, gore-filled film?
I can happily say this lived up to that synopsis. This story, from the very first gruesome chapter, pulled me right in and made me smile because I knew I was in for a treat. And while this most definitely isn't a Lost Boys knockoff or imitation, it does have very subtle and sometimes, not so subtle notes of the original. I absolutely loved this and maybe even more so because while reading this on vacation, I too was at the coast, and it made it that much better because of it. I am so excited that this is going to be a series, and I loved the teaser for book two at the end. I, for one, can not wait for it to hit shelves.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I can happily say this lived up to that synopsis. This story, from the very first gruesome chapter, pulled me right in and made me smile because I knew I was in for a treat. And while this most definitely isn't a Lost Boys knockoff or imitation, it does have very subtle and sometimes, not so subtle notes of the original. I absolutely loved this and maybe even more so because while reading this on vacation, I too was at the coast, and it made it that much better because of it. I am so excited that this is going to be a series, and I loved the teaser for book two at the end. I, for one, can not wait for it to hit shelves.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
July 13, 2025
Thank you to Spooky Thing Books, NetGalley, and Donna Taylor for providing me with an eARC of Blood on the Boardwalk by Donna Taylor! I read this for free in exchange for my honest review, before its release.
This book hooked its claws into me and lured me in from the start, and I’m so glad I read it in July because it is giving spooky SummerWeen vibes!
If you’re into vampires and nostalgic 90s horror, you will love this. It reminds me of a slightly grown-up Goosebumps, but it's perfect for young adults and teenagers. The Lost Boys core 100%!
I gave it 4 stars because I did thoroughly enjoy it, but I wish there was a little more! No fear, though, because we are not done! I’m stoked for the second book and will definitely be devouring it.
This book is scheduled for publication on Thursday, September 25, 2025. Go get yourself a copy - I know I will!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book hooked its claws into me and lured me in from the start, and I’m so glad I read it in July because it is giving spooky SummerWeen vibes!
If you’re into vampires and nostalgic 90s horror, you will love this. It reminds me of a slightly grown-up Goosebumps, but it's perfect for young adults and teenagers. The Lost Boys core 100%!
I gave it 4 stars because I did thoroughly enjoy it, but I wish there was a little more! No fear, though, because we are not done! I’m stoked for the second book and will definitely be devouring it.
This book is scheduled for publication on Thursday, September 25, 2025. Go get yourself a copy - I know I will!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 15, 2025
NOTE: I received a free ARC of this novel from the author via StoryOrigin. Rest assured, this had no impact on my thoughts. Some details may be different in the final version.
Gotta admit. I didn't really know what to expect going into this other than "Oh, that looks cool."
(Vampire Slayer wasn't an option on career day...
Surf, sand, neon lights, and vampire jokes have been Jenna's life ever since her former best friend, Georgie, spilled her darkest secret to the whole school. A secret that's haunted her since she was little-she was attacked by something inhuman. When she stumbles across blood-drained bodies on the boardwalk and is attacked by a vampire-looking monster, old nightmares come back to haunt her. Now in the crosshairs of an undead serial killer, Jenna's convinced the killer is also Georgie's new boyfriend. Dodging a murderer is easier than talking to her enemy, but when Georgie starts changing in even more monstrous ways, Jenna has to suck it up and work with the person she hates most if she wants any hope of stopping a killer before they both end up dead.
Inspired by The Lost Boys and 90s teen horror novels, Blood on the Boardwalk is a modern day horror comedy perfect for teens (and anyone) looking to dip their toe into the horror genre, and adults looking for the dopamine hit of nostaglic horror easter eggs!) ~ Blurb from Goodreads
I loved the opening chapter. It might be taking place in the early morning, but from the abundance of fog to the near-absence of familiar smells to the fact that there's no one around to help, it does a wonderful job establishing the atmosphere of the boardwalk and building tension, which in turn, makes the scene where Jenna witnesses some corpses flying around the carousel building all the more effective. I also think it's paced pretty well and doesn't give away too much on what's really going on.
The scene in was awesome.
I really enjoyed the side characters. I think some of my favorites were Conner, Georgie, and . Conner may come off as a bit of an immature jerk, but he is legitimately supportive of Jenna and when shit gets serious, he gets serious. On the surface, Georgie is just the alpha bitch who used to be best friends with the main character and not much else. However, she's a girl who
I found this novel's take on vampire lore to be interesting. According to this novel, when a vampire bites someone, the victim and the vampire become psychically linked and the vampire (as well as whoever the vampire bites) even has the power to influence someone's dreams. I love this. Not only is this a fairly unique quirk among the vampire stories I've been exposed to, but given that vampires tend to be creatures of the night, it really fits.
However, I was very disappointed by how underutilized Jenna's supernatural ability was. So Jenna has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. Despite this, she doesn't really use it all that much, even though it would've absolutely been useful to get information about Mark or rally nearby ghosts to help her in a fight. While Jenna does talk to maybe one or two ghosts who have a connection to , these are the only ghosts she does this with and even then, she really doesn't get a whole lot out of them. As a result, her ability comes off as a cheap gimmick that could honestly be cut and have very little impact on anything. Now, to be fair, this is the first entry of a series, so it's very possible that her ability may be utilized a lot more in later entries.
There were so many errors in this novel, it's not even funny. To keep this under an eon long, I will be listing just a few examples. So in chapter ten, the word "of" should be placed between "middle" and "it" in this sentence: "The road is empty, so I ride straight down the middle it." In chapter twelve, there's this, "Mel and I load up on things like peanut butter cup pieces and sprinkles, and then go sit at the far end of the counter, as away from Georgie and her group as possible." Shouldn't it be "as far away from Georgie and her group as possible"? In chapter fifteen, there's this, "Mel leans forward Connor gets this look of dawning comprehension on his face and rests a hand on my arm." I feel like this was meant to be two separate sentences, but ended up getting merged into one and as a result, it just comes off as awkward and confusing. Speaking of awkward, In chapter twenty-eight, there's this sentence: "Bullying sucks, but its repayment is not the bully getting tortured to death by a psychotic killer." I think it would've flowed a lot better if it were written as something like: "Bullying sucks, but the bully getting tortured to death by a psychotic killer is in no way the right punishment for it." Oh and I cannot count the amount of times when the starting quotation marks and ending quotation marks were in the wrong order. Now, I understand that this is an ARC and it's not too unusual to see errors in ARCs. However, the sheer amount of errors found in this ARC was just ridiculous and distracting. While this isn't the worst I've seen in this department, I genuinely believe that one or two more rounds of editing would've been helpful.
Overall, Blood on The Boardwalk was a novel that definitely delivered on the horror, the fun, and the creativity and I'm genuinely looking forward to the next installment.
Overall Grade: B
Gotta admit. I didn't really know what to expect going into this other than "Oh, that looks cool."
(Vampire Slayer wasn't an option on career day...
Surf, sand, neon lights, and vampire jokes have been Jenna's life ever since her former best friend, Georgie, spilled her darkest secret to the whole school. A secret that's haunted her since she was little-she was attacked by something inhuman. When she stumbles across blood-drained bodies on the boardwalk and is attacked by a vampire-looking monster, old nightmares come back to haunt her. Now in the crosshairs of an undead serial killer, Jenna's convinced the killer is also Georgie's new boyfriend. Dodging a murderer is easier than talking to her enemy, but when Georgie starts changing in even more monstrous ways, Jenna has to suck it up and work with the person she hates most if she wants any hope of stopping a killer before they both end up dead.
Inspired by The Lost Boys and 90s teen horror novels, Blood on the Boardwalk is a modern day horror comedy perfect for teens (and anyone) looking to dip their toe into the horror genre, and adults looking for the dopamine hit of nostaglic horror easter eggs!) ~ Blurb from Goodreads
I loved the opening chapter. It might be taking place in the early morning, but from the abundance of fog to the near-absence of familiar smells to the fact that there's no one around to help, it does a wonderful job establishing the atmosphere of the boardwalk and building tension, which in turn, makes the scene where Jenna witnesses some corpses flying around the carousel building all the more effective. I also think it's paced pretty well and doesn't give away too much on what's really going on.
The scene in was awesome.
I really enjoyed the side characters. I think some of my favorites were Conner, Georgie, and . Conner may come off as a bit of an immature jerk, but he is legitimately supportive of Jenna and when shit gets serious, he gets serious. On the surface, Georgie is just the alpha bitch who used to be best friends with the main character and not much else. However, she's a girl who
I found this novel's take on vampire lore to be interesting. According to this novel, when a vampire bites someone, the victim and the vampire become psychically linked and the vampire (as well as whoever the vampire bites) even has the power to influence someone's dreams. I love this. Not only is this a fairly unique quirk among the vampire stories I've been exposed to, but given that vampires tend to be creatures of the night, it really fits.
However, I was very disappointed by how underutilized Jenna's supernatural ability was. So Jenna has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. Despite this, she doesn't really use it all that much, even though it would've absolutely been useful to get information about Mark or rally nearby ghosts to help her in a fight. While Jenna does talk to maybe one or two ghosts who have a connection to , these are the only ghosts she does this with and even then, she really doesn't get a whole lot out of them. As a result, her ability comes off as a cheap gimmick that could honestly be cut and have very little impact on anything. Now, to be fair, this is the first entry of a series, so it's very possible that her ability may be utilized a lot more in later entries.
There were so many errors in this novel, it's not even funny. To keep this under an eon long, I will be listing just a few examples. So in chapter ten, the word "of" should be placed between "middle" and "it" in this sentence: "The road is empty, so I ride straight down the middle it." In chapter twelve, there's this, "Mel and I load up on things like peanut butter cup pieces and sprinkles, and then go sit at the far end of the counter, as away from Georgie and her group as possible." Shouldn't it be "as far away from Georgie and her group as possible"? In chapter fifteen, there's this, "Mel leans forward Connor gets this look of dawning comprehension on his face and rests a hand on my arm." I feel like this was meant to be two separate sentences, but ended up getting merged into one and as a result, it just comes off as awkward and confusing. Speaking of awkward, In chapter twenty-eight, there's this sentence: "Bullying sucks, but its repayment is not the bully getting tortured to death by a psychotic killer." I think it would've flowed a lot better if it were written as something like: "Bullying sucks, but the bully getting tortured to death by a psychotic killer is in no way the right punishment for it." Oh and I cannot count the amount of times when the starting quotation marks and ending quotation marks were in the wrong order. Now, I understand that this is an ARC and it's not too unusual to see errors in ARCs. However, the sheer amount of errors found in this ARC was just ridiculous and distracting. While this isn't the worst I've seen in this department, I genuinely believe that one or two more rounds of editing would've been helpful.
Overall, Blood on The Boardwalk was a novel that definitely delivered on the horror, the fun, and the creativity and I'm genuinely looking forward to the next installment.
Overall Grade: B
April 16, 2025
I love that YA horror is having a moment, right now. And I’m equally loving that this book is the start of a series bc I want more!
The nods to The Lost Boys had me feeling nostalgic and I loved the setting. Something about boardwalks are creepy, anyway. How they are a completely different place once the sun sets. Perfect for creatures of the night.
Once this story got rolling, it was a ton of fun. Just enough gore to satisfy the elder horror lovers but still fun and fresh for the younger generations. I thought the author did a fabulous job with the dialogue, which isn’t always easy when the main characters are teenagers.
Can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you to the author for the ARC
The nods to The Lost Boys had me feeling nostalgic and I loved the setting. Something about boardwalks are creepy, anyway. How they are a completely different place once the sun sets. Perfect for creatures of the night.
Once this story got rolling, it was a ton of fun. Just enough gore to satisfy the elder horror lovers but still fun and fresh for the younger generations. I thought the author did a fabulous job with the dialogue, which isn’t always easy when the main characters are teenagers.
Can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you to the author for the ARC
June 14, 2025
I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me a read.
I think there is something there, but goodness this book needs some depth.
It was just a lot of 'events', no real character development or downtime. I mean, I guess it's hard to write that when the plot takes place in the span of three or four days. I just feel like you got an interesting bunch of characters that remind one of Buffy / Supernatural / Lost Boys, other teen supernatural shows growing up, but there is just no connecting pieces.
I feel that for book two we need some depth, the characters need to be more relaxed and we get to know them outside of them being stand ins for the type of characters in such situations. The parts that were the best and probably the strongest described was how she would / could see ghosts. Otherwise, her acceptance of vampires and ghouls was pretty quick.
Our mystery man / vampire possible love interest was cool, but I felt he was more or less an 'insert Angel character here' then an actual character in the story.
Overall, it's fun for teens but it needs more.
I think there is something there, but goodness this book needs some depth.
It was just a lot of 'events', no real character development or downtime. I mean, I guess it's hard to write that when the plot takes place in the span of three or four days. I just feel like you got an interesting bunch of characters that remind one of Buffy / Supernatural / Lost Boys, other teen supernatural shows growing up, but there is just no connecting pieces.
I feel that for book two we need some depth, the characters need to be more relaxed and we get to know them outside of them being stand ins for the type of characters in such situations. The parts that were the best and probably the strongest described was how she would / could see ghosts. Otherwise, her acceptance of vampires and ghouls was pretty quick.
Our mystery man / vampire possible love interest was cool, but I felt he was more or less an 'insert Angel character here' then an actual character in the story.
Overall, it's fun for teens but it needs more.
July 25, 2025
Okay, the beginning of this book?? That carousel ride scene is going to live in my head rent-free! It was creepy in the best way and totally set the tone for the rest of the story.
I really enjoyed this one—it was such a fun ride! Perfect for anyone who loves spooky boardwalk settings, creepy carnival vibes, and just the right amount of suspense. I'm definitely adding this to my list of favorite summerween reads. If you're building a spooky TBR, this one needs to be on it!
I really enjoyed this one—it was such a fun ride! Perfect for anyone who loves spooky boardwalk settings, creepy carnival vibes, and just the right amount of suspense. I'm definitely adding this to my list of favorite summerween reads. If you're building a spooky TBR, this one needs to be on it!
November 26, 2025
This was a fairly cozy YA read with moments of gore.
I will admit, that I wanted more action on the Boardwalk for a bit of a carnival feel, but I think this will appeal to fans of Buffy. While it doesn't bring anything entirely new to the genre, it was a fun time, and sets up readers for a series with a world that holds more than just vampires.
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for my review.
I will admit, that I wanted more action on the Boardwalk for a bit of a carnival feel, but I think this will appeal to fans of Buffy. While it doesn't bring anything entirely new to the genre, it was a fun time, and sets up readers for a series with a world that holds more than just vampires.
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for my review.
September 25, 2025
Blood on the Boardwalk was such a fun read, vampires, ghosts, mysterious deaths?? Count me in! This was a super cozy YA supernatural horror story! I loved all the representation for the characters, a lot of time and dedication was put into each of them so they felt like actual people. The overarching story as well, I’m excited to see where this goes! I can’t wait for the next in the series!!
August 10, 2025
You can find this review and all my others over at Read Book. Repeat
Actual rating of 3.75
Jenna's life has been filled with sun, sand and the neon lights of the boardwalk her entire life. The Vampire jokes are a relatively new addition, courtesy of her former best friend Georgie who spilled Jenna's secret after their friendship fell apart. When Jenna was little, she saw something, a monster, fangs, it's haunted her for her entire life, and now the entire student body knows. So when Jenna stumbles across dead bodies on the boardwalk who have been drained of blood and starts being hunted by an undead serial killer, her nightmares return. Adamant that the serial killer is Georgie's new boyfriend Jenna can't help but try to dig deeper, it appears that dodging her ex-best friend is easier than dodging a murderer. When Georgie begins to change in strange ways Jenna is determined to find out why and put a stop to it, even if it puts her life in the cross hairs.
I was stoked to grab a copy of this, the Lost Boys is my all-time favourite movie, and I'm a big fan of 80s and 90s nostalgia stories. This one nods to both in spades which was great. I loved that the boardwalk was a massive backdrop for this story, it really felt like the perfect read for summerween, I felt like I could smell the sand, the surf and the sun. I also liked that the suspected murderer was a big nod to David, and I couldn't help but picture him whenever that character appeared on the page.
The characters were great, I loved the character of Jenna, navigating the hardships of teenage years while also trying to deal with the name calling and bullying from a former friend, is no mean feat. But throw in trauma from an experience from childhood and a few dead bodies, and you've got one hell of a time happening. I enjoyed the characters of her friends, and I felt like her parents were fantastic support characters as well. I enjoyed the antagonist a lot, though I wish he was a bit more in it, and Georgie's character was written so well. I loved the relationship dynamic between Georgie and Jenna, and I couldn't help but root for them through a massive portion of the story. There were a few other characters that were touched on and I feel like these characters may have more page time as this series progresses, which I assume it will be considering this was book 1. I'm looking forward to getting to see more of some characters, especially the brooding, helpful stranger. I also loved the addition of Jenna's abilities, and I hope we get to see more of this being used in future instalments.
The story itself was good. It really brought the summer vibes, as said above, and again, I loved the setting of the boardwalk. I did find that the pacing was lacking a little bit for me even though there was a strong sense of urgency, and I'm not a hundred percent sure why that was. I'm not sure if it was a me thing? Or potentially a narrative thing. I did find towards the end that certain things were repeated but in different ways, so this could have potentially been the why behind the pacing drop, but it really picked up just over halfway and I was super invested. This wasn't a complex storyline, it was fairly formulaic, but it worked, and it was a fun, nostalgia filled ride.
All in all, this was a great story that really paid homage to my all-time favourite movie EVER, and it really brought the summer vibes. It was a fun story that focuses on staying true to yourself, friendship and how sometimes you don't really know a person. If you're out for a fun YA with horror vibes and great characters, give this one a go.
Actual rating of 3.75
Jenna's life has been filled with sun, sand and the neon lights of the boardwalk her entire life. The Vampire jokes are a relatively new addition, courtesy of her former best friend Georgie who spilled Jenna's secret after their friendship fell apart. When Jenna was little, she saw something, a monster, fangs, it's haunted her for her entire life, and now the entire student body knows. So when Jenna stumbles across dead bodies on the boardwalk who have been drained of blood and starts being hunted by an undead serial killer, her nightmares return. Adamant that the serial killer is Georgie's new boyfriend Jenna can't help but try to dig deeper, it appears that dodging her ex-best friend is easier than dodging a murderer. When Georgie begins to change in strange ways Jenna is determined to find out why and put a stop to it, even if it puts her life in the cross hairs.
I was stoked to grab a copy of this, the Lost Boys is my all-time favourite movie, and I'm a big fan of 80s and 90s nostalgia stories. This one nods to both in spades which was great. I loved that the boardwalk was a massive backdrop for this story, it really felt like the perfect read for summerween, I felt like I could smell the sand, the surf and the sun. I also liked that the suspected murderer was a big nod to David, and I couldn't help but picture him whenever that character appeared on the page.
The characters were great, I loved the character of Jenna, navigating the hardships of teenage years while also trying to deal with the name calling and bullying from a former friend, is no mean feat. But throw in trauma from an experience from childhood and a few dead bodies, and you've got one hell of a time happening. I enjoyed the characters of her friends, and I felt like her parents were fantastic support characters as well. I enjoyed the antagonist a lot, though I wish he was a bit more in it, and Georgie's character was written so well. I loved the relationship dynamic between Georgie and Jenna, and I couldn't help but root for them through a massive portion of the story. There were a few other characters that were touched on and I feel like these characters may have more page time as this series progresses, which I assume it will be considering this was book 1. I'm looking forward to getting to see more of some characters, especially the brooding, helpful stranger. I also loved the addition of Jenna's abilities, and I hope we get to see more of this being used in future instalments.
The story itself was good. It really brought the summer vibes, as said above, and again, I loved the setting of the boardwalk. I did find that the pacing was lacking a little bit for me even though there was a strong sense of urgency, and I'm not a hundred percent sure why that was. I'm not sure if it was a me thing? Or potentially a narrative thing. I did find towards the end that certain things were repeated but in different ways, so this could have potentially been the why behind the pacing drop, but it really picked up just over halfway and I was super invested. This wasn't a complex storyline, it was fairly formulaic, but it worked, and it was a fun, nostalgia filled ride.
All in all, this was a great story that really paid homage to my all-time favourite movie EVER, and it really brought the summer vibes. It was a fun story that focuses on staying true to yourself, friendship and how sometimes you don't really know a person. If you're out for a fun YA with horror vibes and great characters, give this one a go.
June 18, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Listen. Hear me out! I know this was full of oddly formatted sentences and spelling mistakes, but this was such a fun time! Was the entire plot glaringly obvious from the start? Yes. Were certain plot points kind of glossed over or undeveloped? Yes. But it’s fine, it’s not that serious! In fact, it’s unserious! Besides, it’s meant to be a series anyway! So I think it actually works great as an intro to a series because it really showcases the characters in all of their chaos, while setting up an even bigger storyline. I also really loved the setting because there’s not a lot of vampire-beach media out there so it’s unique in that way. I do wish there was more romance in the story besides a sort of throw-in love-interest tease at the end, but I understand why it was written like that as it is only book 1. All in all, this book was very reminiscent of 2010s vampire fanfiction and I really enjoyed the chaos of it all! Sure, it needs to be edited before publication, but that’s not a complicated fix! If this came out when I was in high school I probably would have devoured the entire series on wattpad in a single weekend, so thank you NetGalley for early access to this book!
Listen. Hear me out! I know this was full of oddly formatted sentences and spelling mistakes, but this was such a fun time! Was the entire plot glaringly obvious from the start? Yes. Were certain plot points kind of glossed over or undeveloped? Yes. But it’s fine, it’s not that serious! In fact, it’s unserious! Besides, it’s meant to be a series anyway! So I think it actually works great as an intro to a series because it really showcases the characters in all of their chaos, while setting up an even bigger storyline. I also really loved the setting because there’s not a lot of vampire-beach media out there so it’s unique in that way. I do wish there was more romance in the story besides a sort of throw-in love-interest tease at the end, but I understand why it was written like that as it is only book 1. All in all, this book was very reminiscent of 2010s vampire fanfiction and I really enjoyed the chaos of it all! Sure, it needs to be edited before publication, but that’s not a complicated fix! If this came out when I was in high school I probably would have devoured the entire series on wattpad in a single weekend, so thank you NetGalley for early access to this book!
July 21, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC to review. The following is my honest review.
This is fun. Dead bodies, carnival rides, and some good ol' fashioned Scooby-Doo detecting.
I think Taylor's book will appeal to new horror readers most but that veterans can find something to love as well. It's billed as having "Lost Boys vibes" and I can see why that parallel was drawn.
If you like vampires and want a fun modern twist, this is the read for you. My only complaint is that I wanted to know the main characters a little better and I wanted to like them a little more. They're fine but I didn't quite feel connected to them for some reason.
Overall, this is a quick fun read that serves some nostalgia while also remaining modern.
This is fun. Dead bodies, carnival rides, and some good ol' fashioned Scooby-Doo detecting.
I think Taylor's book will appeal to new horror readers most but that veterans can find something to love as well. It's billed as having "Lost Boys vibes" and I can see why that parallel was drawn.
If you like vampires and want a fun modern twist, this is the read for you. My only complaint is that I wanted to know the main characters a little better and I wanted to like them a little more. They're fine but I didn't quite feel connected to them for some reason.
Overall, this is a quick fun read that serves some nostalgia while also remaining modern.
July 2, 2025
Okay this book was like if Buffy and The Lost Boys had a baby and I'm not mad at it. It was like reading pure nostalgia. Connor and Jenna had me cackling with laughter with some of the things they would say and I love them, their friendship was brilliant. The mystery of why Jenna was being targeted kept me intrigued and guessing throughout. I definitely need to read the next one, as this book laid the foundations for what looks to be a brilliant spooky supernatural series filled with adventure and slaying.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 23, 2025
Can I do half stars? No? Well, too bad. I’m giving this 4.5 stars, and you can’t stop me.
I don’t think I’ve ever found anything quite like The Lost Boys besides, well, The Lost Boys, but Blood on the Boardwalk comes soooo close. The tension in the narrative is absolutely sublime. Seriously. The entire storyline kept me hooked from beginning to end
And the characters? INCREDIBLE. So well-written and absolutely so realistic (even Georgie in all her… her-ness). I loved the depth to each character, even the big bad.
Honestly, I don’t recommend a whole lot of horror or horror-adjacent, but I happily recommend this.
I don’t think I’ve ever found anything quite like The Lost Boys besides, well, The Lost Boys, but Blood on the Boardwalk comes soooo close. The tension in the narrative is absolutely sublime. Seriously. The entire storyline kept me hooked from beginning to end
And the characters? INCREDIBLE. So well-written and absolutely so realistic (even Georgie in all her… her-ness). I loved the depth to each character, even the big bad.
Honestly, I don’t recommend a whole lot of horror or horror-adjacent, but I happily recommend this.
June 6, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Spooky Things Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Blood on the Boardwalk” is a fast-paced, atmospheric YA horror that explores vampires and ghosts all while having 90s-inspired teen horror vibes into one addictive read. Inspired by “The Lost Boys” and classic horror-comedy, Donna Taylor delivers a creepy, fun ride that will appeal to both new horror fans (mostly younger YA readers) and those nostalgic for the genre’s heyday.
At the center of the story is Jenna, a teen with the rare ability to see and communicate with ghosts; this is a gift that made her a school outcast after her former best friend, Georgie, exposed her trauma is seeing vampire fangs as a child. When Jenna stumbles across blood-drained bodies on the fog-covered boardwalk, she suspects something supernatural is at play. The town may be turning a blind eye to the rising body count (especially among homeless victims), but Jenna knows what she saw. Now caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a vampire serial killer and suspecting Georgie’s new boyfriend may be connected, Jenna must confront old traumas and unlikely allies to survive.
The book’s opening chapters are atmospheric and tense, with the eerie boardwalk setting playing a starring role. The scene where Jenna witnesses corpses levitating through the fog is particularly chilling and immediately sets the tone. Taylor excels at capturing the strange liminality of boardwalks after dark, turning them into the perfect hunting ground for creatures of the night.
The book also shines in its character work. The supporting cast, including Georgie and Conner, the snarky but supportive friend, bring humor, heart, and layered dynamics to the story. Georgie’s personal struggle as a new vampire trying to retain her humanity adds emotional weight, while a mysterious stranger has a playful yet mysterious presence hints at a deeper vampire-hunting world that begs to be explored in future installments.
One of the book’s more unique twists on vampire lore involves psychic links formed through bites, with vampires able to influence dreams—an unsettling and creative addition that adds to the stakes. However, while Jenna’s ghost-seeing ability initially adds intrigue (and a fun ghosts versus vampires angle), it unfortunately fades into the background as the story progresses. I wished this supernatural element had been more integral to solving the mystery or aiding Jenna in her fight.
There are moments of predictable plotting and some info-dumps near the end, but the pacing remains brisk and the action-packed climax delivers satisfying vampire-hunting thrills. The story wraps on a cliffhanger, leaving Jenna with a major decision and several unanswered questions, which sets the stage for future books in what promises to be a fun, nostalgic series.
Overall, “Blood on the Boardwalk” is a strong entry in the current YA horror revival. This book is perfect for fans of supernatural mysteries, reluctant heroes, and eerie coastal settings.
“Blood on the Boardwalk” is a fast-paced, atmospheric YA horror that explores vampires and ghosts all while having 90s-inspired teen horror vibes into one addictive read. Inspired by “The Lost Boys” and classic horror-comedy, Donna Taylor delivers a creepy, fun ride that will appeal to both new horror fans (mostly younger YA readers) and those nostalgic for the genre’s heyday.
At the center of the story is Jenna, a teen with the rare ability to see and communicate with ghosts; this is a gift that made her a school outcast after her former best friend, Georgie, exposed her trauma is seeing vampire fangs as a child. When Jenna stumbles across blood-drained bodies on the fog-covered boardwalk, she suspects something supernatural is at play. The town may be turning a blind eye to the rising body count (especially among homeless victims), but Jenna knows what she saw. Now caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a vampire serial killer and suspecting Georgie’s new boyfriend may be connected, Jenna must confront old traumas and unlikely allies to survive.
The book’s opening chapters are atmospheric and tense, with the eerie boardwalk setting playing a starring role. The scene where Jenna witnesses corpses levitating through the fog is particularly chilling and immediately sets the tone. Taylor excels at capturing the strange liminality of boardwalks after dark, turning them into the perfect hunting ground for creatures of the night.
The book also shines in its character work. The supporting cast, including Georgie and Conner, the snarky but supportive friend, bring humor, heart, and layered dynamics to the story. Georgie’s personal struggle as a new vampire trying to retain her humanity adds emotional weight, while a mysterious stranger has a playful yet mysterious presence hints at a deeper vampire-hunting world that begs to be explored in future installments.
One of the book’s more unique twists on vampire lore involves psychic links formed through bites, with vampires able to influence dreams—an unsettling and creative addition that adds to the stakes. However, while Jenna’s ghost-seeing ability initially adds intrigue (and a fun ghosts versus vampires angle), it unfortunately fades into the background as the story progresses. I wished this supernatural element had been more integral to solving the mystery or aiding Jenna in her fight.
There are moments of predictable plotting and some info-dumps near the end, but the pacing remains brisk and the action-packed climax delivers satisfying vampire-hunting thrills. The story wraps on a cliffhanger, leaving Jenna with a major decision and several unanswered questions, which sets the stage for future books in what promises to be a fun, nostalgic series.
Overall, “Blood on the Boardwalk” is a strong entry in the current YA horror revival. This book is perfect for fans of supernatural mysteries, reluctant heroes, and eerie coastal settings.
July 10, 2025
Thanks to Spooky Thing Books and netgalley for a copy of this Arc!
This book is ya first and horror second. This is not a dig just an observation and unfortunately it made it not quite work for me personally. If you enjoy ya i think it would be a draw.
The horror is effective. We get some very nice moments of the almost possession of vampires where I think Taylor really shines.
The drama of the undead is secondary to the drama of our protagonist discovering herself. I think if I had read this at the age of the main cast I likely would have seen my self in Jenna. We get a lot about how shes weird and has no friends but in a way that comes across as relatable not pick me. We never really get a satisfactory reason why, but isn’t that usually the case with teenagers bullying each-other. Jenna fits the chosen one archetype pretty well and her transformation from loser to hero is pretty enjoyable.
Taylor doesn’t hold any punches and the stakes do feel dire, the danger seems real but a lot of horrible things just kind of get written off as not that big of a deal by many of the characters. A character gets choked to the point she has visible bruises? No call to cps. A characters sister is maybe dying oh well she kinda sucked. It keeps the tone surprisingly light, but didn’t quite work for me. We do get somewhat of an explanation but you do have to suspend some disbelief and expect some bad choices for the sake of the plot that don’t quite feel organic.
the book is not particularly genre defining on the horror side and doesn’t particularly have anything that will make it stand put against the other vampire media. We do get secret societies, one where teenagers team up to save…well maybe not the world but part if it anyway, that do feel very ya in a way that will probably appeal to ya genre fans.
If you liked early seasons of Buffy and like the lost boys and the vampire diaries I think you’d really like this. I’d recommend to young readers who are looking to get in to horror. Fun and campy. Feels very cinematic with vivid imagery and fast paced plotting.
I probably won’t pick up more in the series I would probably tell younger readers or people who are just getting into horror to give it a chance.
This book is ya first and horror second. This is not a dig just an observation and unfortunately it made it not quite work for me personally. If you enjoy ya i think it would be a draw.
The horror is effective. We get some very nice moments of the almost possession of vampires where I think Taylor really shines.
The drama of the undead is secondary to the drama of our protagonist discovering herself. I think if I had read this at the age of the main cast I likely would have seen my self in Jenna. We get a lot about how shes weird and has no friends but in a way that comes across as relatable not pick me. We never really get a satisfactory reason why, but isn’t that usually the case with teenagers bullying each-other. Jenna fits the chosen one archetype pretty well and her transformation from loser to hero is pretty enjoyable.
Taylor doesn’t hold any punches and the stakes do feel dire, the danger seems real but a lot of horrible things just kind of get written off as not that big of a deal by many of the characters. A character gets choked to the point she has visible bruises? No call to cps. A characters sister is maybe dying oh well she kinda sucked. It keeps the tone surprisingly light, but didn’t quite work for me. We do get somewhat of an explanation but you do have to suspend some disbelief and expect some bad choices for the sake of the plot that don’t quite feel organic.
the book is not particularly genre defining on the horror side and doesn’t particularly have anything that will make it stand put against the other vampire media. We do get secret societies, one where teenagers team up to save…well maybe not the world but part if it anyway, that do feel very ya in a way that will probably appeal to ya genre fans.
If you liked early seasons of Buffy and like the lost boys and the vampire diaries I think you’d really like this. I’d recommend to young readers who are looking to get in to horror. Fun and campy. Feels very cinematic with vivid imagery and fast paced plotting.
I probably won’t pick up more in the series I would probably tell younger readers or people who are just getting into horror to give it a chance.
August 30, 2025
Pop, locks, and slays—this ride’s got teeth.
Blood on the Boardwalk rolls up like that surprise late-night carnival you weren’t expecting, with neon glow, salty breeze, and bodies that don’t belong under the carousel. Jenna? Our queen is funny, fearless, and haunted—literally and figuratively. Her drama with Georgie? That heartbreak-turned-homicide tension had me shook!
This book delivers iconic summerween-spook, channeling Buffy, The Lost Boys, and all the best horror-comedy energy you crave. The vibes hit, the setting’s vivid af, and Jenna’s ghost-seeing superpower? It had me craving book #2 and this one isn’t even on the shelves yet!
But let’s keep it candid: pacing stumbles, and we get it—when Jenna keeps repeatin’ details, I was like, “I heard you the first time, queen.” And those typos… I’d definitely suggest it getting a final polish before it’s truly ready. Still, I’m here for it. I’ll give this a solid 4 stars for its wild concept, lovable heroine, and that summerween boardwalk vibe. Just needs a little sabbatical in editing and a touch more empathy in its lens.
Who should read this book ✨ ⬇️
If you grew up watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns, had The Lost Boys poster tacked on your wall, or still low-key swoon when someone says “Beacon Hills”…this one’s calling your name.
It’s giving neon-lit horror with sass, teen drama that’s just messy enough, and a sprinkle of supernatural chaos that keeps you checking shadows at night. Fans of spooky-cute “summerween” vibes, fast-talking heroines, and squads that slay together? Yup, you’ll feel right at home on this boardwalk.
Blood on the Boardwalk rolls up like that surprise late-night carnival you weren’t expecting, with neon glow, salty breeze, and bodies that don’t belong under the carousel. Jenna? Our queen is funny, fearless, and haunted—literally and figuratively. Her drama with Georgie? That heartbreak-turned-homicide tension had me shook!
This book delivers iconic summerween-spook, channeling Buffy, The Lost Boys, and all the best horror-comedy energy you crave. The vibes hit, the setting’s vivid af, and Jenna’s ghost-seeing superpower? It had me craving book #2 and this one isn’t even on the shelves yet!
But let’s keep it candid: pacing stumbles, and we get it—when Jenna keeps repeatin’ details, I was like, “I heard you the first time, queen.” And those typos… I’d definitely suggest it getting a final polish before it’s truly ready. Still, I’m here for it. I’ll give this a solid 4 stars for its wild concept, lovable heroine, and that summerween boardwalk vibe. Just needs a little sabbatical in editing and a touch more empathy in its lens.
Who should read this book ✨ ⬇️
If you grew up watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns, had The Lost Boys poster tacked on your wall, or still low-key swoon when someone says “Beacon Hills”…this one’s calling your name.
It’s giving neon-lit horror with sass, teen drama that’s just messy enough, and a sprinkle of supernatural chaos that keeps you checking shadows at night. Fans of spooky-cute “summerween” vibes, fast-talking heroines, and squads that slay together? Yup, you’ll feel right at home on this boardwalk.
October 24, 2025
Buffy vs The Lost Boys...on Fear Street. Yes, it's that good.
I first came across Donna Taylor when she guested on an episode of the always great Horror/Stories podcast in which she talked about her love for The Lost Boys and the influence it had on her then upcoming book. After listening to that ep I did two things. 1. Pre-ordered Blood on the Boardwalk and 2. Rewatched The Lost Boys (still gold). Mooooooonnnths later, my little pre-order finally turned into a fully-fledged blood-sucking book. Was it worth the wait? You bet your fricking afterlife it was.
Ghosts. Vampires. Murders. Repressed trauma. Shady government agencies. Teen angst! Blood on the Boardwalk has it all and works as a YA novel for young readers or a fun and spooky blast of nostalgia for us not-so-young-readers. The characters are lovable, deep, and genuinely funny and the dialogue between the teens (especially best friends Jenna and Connor) is sharp, smart, and adorable. The author manages to introduce so many tropes, leaning heavily on some in a clearly intentional way while subverting and playing with others in surprising and original ways.
If you're looking for a fast-paced creepy read that brings the fun and the frights, the damned and the drama (so much drama) this is one boardwalk worth checking out. This is the first book in what will become the San Nico Slayers series and after getting a teaser chapter at the end of this book...I can't wait to sink my fangs into the upcoming Book 2: Monsters in the Mountains.
I first came across Donna Taylor when she guested on an episode of the always great Horror/Stories podcast in which she talked about her love for The Lost Boys and the influence it had on her then upcoming book. After listening to that ep I did two things. 1. Pre-ordered Blood on the Boardwalk and 2. Rewatched The Lost Boys (still gold). Mooooooonnnths later, my little pre-order finally turned into a fully-fledged blood-sucking book. Was it worth the wait? You bet your fricking afterlife it was.
Ghosts. Vampires. Murders. Repressed trauma. Shady government agencies. Teen angst! Blood on the Boardwalk has it all and works as a YA novel for young readers or a fun and spooky blast of nostalgia for us not-so-young-readers. The characters are lovable, deep, and genuinely funny and the dialogue between the teens (especially best friends Jenna and Connor) is sharp, smart, and adorable. The author manages to introduce so many tropes, leaning heavily on some in a clearly intentional way while subverting and playing with others in surprising and original ways.
If you're looking for a fast-paced creepy read that brings the fun and the frights, the damned and the drama (so much drama) this is one boardwalk worth checking out. This is the first book in what will become the San Nico Slayers series and after getting a teaser chapter at the end of this book...I can't wait to sink my fangs into the upcoming Book 2: Monsters in the Mountains.
June 13, 2025
Blood on the Boardwalk is a gory, nostalgic YA Horror that feels just like some of my favorite reads from the 90s/00's (LJ Smith or Meg Cabot's Mediator series come to mind). The setting of the rundown, seedy town and touristy boardwalk is fantastic, and the plot is so much fun! The characters are off to a solid start, hopefully with some growth as the series progresses. I really enjoyed so much about this book, and am looking forward to the next one in the series. I do recommend it for any fans of YA Horror, especially 80s and 90s era supernatural fare. However...
I would have considered this a five star read, except for just a couple of issues. Mainly, the fact that so much plot revolves around a maddening and unrealistic lack of communication between everyone in this book. Jenna hides vital information from her parents, Jenna's parents hide vital information from her, Jenna hides vital information from her friends, and her friends hide vital information from her. And all this unnecessary secrecy, for tissue thin reasons, leads to numerous deaths that no one seems too bothered by?! To avoid spoilers I won't say much more, except a lot of people should be fired.
This is related to my second issue, Jenna's special ability that is never explained or addressed. With all of the reveals at the end I was sure she'd bring it up, but no. I'm guessing that it will be used as a plot device for a later book, but hopefully with less runaround.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
I would have considered this a five star read, except for just a couple of issues. Mainly, the fact that so much plot revolves around a maddening and unrealistic lack of communication between everyone in this book. Jenna hides vital information from her parents, Jenna's parents hide vital information from her, Jenna hides vital information from her friends, and her friends hide vital information from her. And all this unnecessary secrecy, for tissue thin reasons, leads to numerous deaths that no one seems too bothered by?! To avoid spoilers I won't say much more, except a lot of people should be fired.
This is related to my second issue, Jenna's special ability that is never explained or addressed. With all of the reveals at the end I was sure she'd bring it up, but no. I'm guessing that it will be used as a plot device for a later book, but hopefully with less runaround.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
June 18, 2025
I’ve actually rated it a 3.75!
I.. am on the fence about this book. On one hand, I liked it because it gives all The Lost Boys meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes. It was a nice walk down memory lane.
But on the other hand, I feel like maybe it was a little young for me?
It’s a bunch of high schoolers enduring the horrors of San Nico, so maybe that’s why I couldn’t really connect with any characters. And also, the beginning felt a bit repetitive with the main female character constantly reminding everyone how she was betrayed by her once best friend. Once or twice would have been fine, but it was nearly constant that we got that reminder of betrayal for the first few chapters.
With that being said, would I recommend it to other readers? Maybe to those who are looking for books for their kids.
Would I read more from the San Nico universe? Yes, because I was getting Angel/Buffy vibes (if Buffy would have been more cautious of the vampire) from Rhami/Jenna and I need to see more of Rhami.
I.. am on the fence about this book. On one hand, I liked it because it gives all The Lost Boys meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes. It was a nice walk down memory lane.
But on the other hand, I feel like maybe it was a little young for me?
It’s a bunch of high schoolers enduring the horrors of San Nico, so maybe that’s why I couldn’t really connect with any characters. And also, the beginning felt a bit repetitive with the main female character constantly reminding everyone how she was betrayed by her once best friend. Once or twice would have been fine, but it was nearly constant that we got that reminder of betrayal for the first few chapters.
With that being said, would I recommend it to other readers? Maybe to those who are looking for books for their kids.
Would I read more from the San Nico universe? Yes, because I was getting Angel/Buffy vibes (if Buffy would have been more cautious of the vampire) from Rhami/Jenna and I need to see more of Rhami.
June 27, 2025
Synopsis:
There’s a gap in Jenna’s childhood memories, but the one thing she does remember is fangs. The vampire jokes have been relentless ever since her former best friend let her secret out so when she stumbles on a shocking crime scene at the boardwalk, Jenna hopes she can remain anonymous when she reports it to the police. Jenna quickly realizes that the crime scene resembles that of a former serial killer... who couldn’t possibly still be alive. As she works with her friends to unearth the truth, she fears that monsters may walk among us.
Review:
“Blood on the Boardwalk” is a fun and easy read and a great beginning to the San Nico Slayers series. The coastal boardwalk setting really drew me in. I felt like I could see the town of San Nico and it made me feel nostalgic for my childhood summers spent at the beach (Twilight books in hand).
I recommend this book for anyone interested in trying out the horror genre or anyone looking to feel some nostalgia; whether that be for summers spent at the beach, or for the resurgence of the vampire phase we definitely all had. 😉🩸
Thank you to NetGalley, Spooky Things Books, and Donna Taylor for a ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
There’s a gap in Jenna’s childhood memories, but the one thing she does remember is fangs. The vampire jokes have been relentless ever since her former best friend let her secret out so when she stumbles on a shocking crime scene at the boardwalk, Jenna hopes she can remain anonymous when she reports it to the police. Jenna quickly realizes that the crime scene resembles that of a former serial killer... who couldn’t possibly still be alive. As she works with her friends to unearth the truth, she fears that monsters may walk among us.
Review:
“Blood on the Boardwalk” is a fun and easy read and a great beginning to the San Nico Slayers series. The coastal boardwalk setting really drew me in. I felt like I could see the town of San Nico and it made me feel nostalgic for my childhood summers spent at the beach (Twilight books in hand).
I recommend this book for anyone interested in trying out the horror genre or anyone looking to feel some nostalgia; whether that be for summers spent at the beach, or for the resurgence of the vampire phase we definitely all had. 😉🩸
Thank you to NetGalley, Spooky Things Books, and Donna Taylor for a ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
August 26, 2025
Donna Taylor delivers a gripping coastal mystery with Blood on the Boardwalk, a thriller that pulls you in with its moody seaside setting and layered secrets.
The story kicks off when a body is discovered beneath the neon glow of the boardwalk, turning what should be a tourist’s haven into a crime scene. The investigation exposes the darker undercurrents of the small community old grudges, hidden affairs, and the kind of secrets that thrive in the shadows. What I really enjoyed is how Taylor slowly peels back each character’s facade; no one is as innocent as they appear.
The pacing is steady, with bursts of tension that keep you on edge. There’s a particularly chilling sequence where the protagonist realizes that the killer might be closer than anyone thought and the confrontation near the abandoned rides had me hooked. While I guessed one twist early, the final reveal still managed to surprise me and tied the threads together in a satisfying way.
The story kicks off when a body is discovered beneath the neon glow of the boardwalk, turning what should be a tourist’s haven into a crime scene. The investigation exposes the darker undercurrents of the small community old grudges, hidden affairs, and the kind of secrets that thrive in the shadows. What I really enjoyed is how Taylor slowly peels back each character’s facade; no one is as innocent as they appear.
The pacing is steady, with bursts of tension that keep you on edge. There’s a particularly chilling sequence where the protagonist realizes that the killer might be closer than anyone thought and the confrontation near the abandoned rides had me hooked. While I guessed one twist early, the final reveal still managed to surprise me and tied the threads together in a satisfying way.
Read
September 24, 2025Blood on the Boardwalk is pure 90s teen horror fun with a sharp edge. Set in the beach town of San Nico, it follows Jenna, a sarcastic seventeen-year-old who would rather be invisible than the center of attention. That plan falls apart when bodies start turning up on the boardwalk, drained of blood, and she realizes something terrifying is stalking the town. Add in her best friend’s sketchy new boyfriend and a string of eerie coincidences, and suddenly Jenna is fighting to stay alive.
This book feels like The Lost Boys crashing into a snarky teen comedy. It’s got vampires, small-town gossip, a creepy carnival vibe, and just enough humor to keep you grinning between the scares. The gore is there, but it never overshadows the fast pace or the witty banter. Jenna makes a great lead, equal parts vulnerable and tough, and the supporting cast keeps the story lively.
Thanks, NetGalley and Spooky Thing Books, for this eArc.
This book feels like The Lost Boys crashing into a snarky teen comedy. It’s got vampires, small-town gossip, a creepy carnival vibe, and just enough humor to keep you grinning between the scares. The gore is there, but it never overshadows the fast pace or the witty banter. Jenna makes a great lead, equal parts vulnerable and tough, and the supporting cast keeps the story lively.
Thanks, NetGalley and Spooky Thing Books, for this eArc.
September 25, 2025
What made me love this book, was how much the descriptions of the park made me think of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk in California. I used to spend a lot of time there as a teenager and young adult; so I could literally picture each landmark in the park. Especially Laffing Sal, the pirate ship, and throwing brass rings while riding on the old carousel. These details all felt nostalgic and like I was there during those intense scenes where these were mentioned.
This story was very engaging, addicting and made me fall in love with vampires. Never thought I would enjoy them as much as I did while reading this. I also enjoyed Jenna's friendship with Connor and Mel, and I was cracking up with their banter and dark humor. I enjoyed how the story came together in the end and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an arc copy, all opinions are my own.
This story was very engaging, addicting and made me fall in love with vampires. Never thought I would enjoy them as much as I did while reading this. I also enjoyed Jenna's friendship with Connor and Mel, and I was cracking up with their banter and dark humor. I enjoyed how the story came together in the end and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an arc copy, all opinions are my own.
September 25, 2025
Just finished this YA horror and it totally gave me nostalgic Fear Street vibes 👻📚. Super quick and easy read—predictable in spots, but it still managed to throw in a few surprises at the end. The gore scenes? They definitely left an impression.
Now, I liked most of the characters… except Connor. 🙄 His whole “I don’t take anything seriously” thing got old fast. Yeah, some of his quips were funny, but a lot of them just felt mean, especially considering he was supposed to be Jenna’s last real friend. Didn’t love the way he treated her.
That said, I’m really looking forward to seeing where this series takes the main crew and whether they can rebuild their friendship after everything. I also hope the next book leans more into Jenna’s ghost-seeing ability—there’s so much potential there! If she does end up joining The Agency, I’d love to see her finally be more open with her parents and friends about her gift. 👻✨
Now, I liked most of the characters… except Connor. 🙄 His whole “I don’t take anything seriously” thing got old fast. Yeah, some of his quips were funny, but a lot of them just felt mean, especially considering he was supposed to be Jenna’s last real friend. Didn’t love the way he treated her.
That said, I’m really looking forward to seeing where this series takes the main crew and whether they can rebuild their friendship after everything. I also hope the next book leans more into Jenna’s ghost-seeing ability—there’s so much potential there! If she does end up joining The Agency, I’d love to see her finally be more open with her parents and friends about her gift. 👻✨
June 27, 2025
“People have spent my entire life telling me there is no monster under my bed. They weren’t wrong. There aren’t any monsters under my bed. They’re everywhere else.”
Jenna can see dead people. Literally. She gets bullied by her old friend, Georgie who doesn’t believe that she had a real life encounter with a vampire when she was little. She is haunted by the ghosts in her town, scared to tell even her best friend, Conner. But secrets in this town never stay secrets for long. Some of the descriptions of the dead bodies had me saying “gross” out loud but I’m also new to the horror genre. You get a surprise pov that will make you get into the mind of the killer... literally.
I'm excited to read more of the San Nico Slayers as it comes out. Thank you to NetGally and Xpresso Book tours for the advance copy!
Jenna can see dead people. Literally. She gets bullied by her old friend, Georgie who doesn’t believe that she had a real life encounter with a vampire when she was little. She is haunted by the ghosts in her town, scared to tell even her best friend, Conner. But secrets in this town never stay secrets for long. Some of the descriptions of the dead bodies had me saying “gross” out loud but I’m also new to the horror genre. You get a surprise pov that will make you get into the mind of the killer... literally.
I'm excited to read more of the San Nico Slayers as it comes out. Thank you to NetGally and Xpresso Book tours for the advance copy!
July 22, 2025
⭐⭐⭐Arc Review⭐⭐⭐
Blood on the boardwalk by Donna Taylor
⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
Vampire slayer wasn't an option on career day..... But I'm Jennas case maybe it should have been. When Jenna discovers bodies drained of blood on the boardwalk it is only the beginning of what's to come.
Jenna out main character come across as likeable and intersting, I found myself wanting to learn more about her as the story progressed on. I loved the way I felt I was experiencing the boardwalk and the authors descriptive ways.
I may have figured out the who's who twist towards the ending but I still enjoyed how I got to the point.
I really enjoyed this one, the perfect YA Vampire book.
I absolutely would read book 2 in the series I cannot wait to see how Jenna story continues.
This is perfect for a ya horror fan who wants a great story plot with relatable characters.
Thank you to Netgalley as always for my ARC
Blood on the boardwalk by Donna Taylor
⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
Vampire slayer wasn't an option on career day..... But I'm Jennas case maybe it should have been. When Jenna discovers bodies drained of blood on the boardwalk it is only the beginning of what's to come.
Jenna out main character come across as likeable and intersting, I found myself wanting to learn more about her as the story progressed on. I loved the way I felt I was experiencing the boardwalk and the authors descriptive ways.
I may have figured out the who's who twist towards the ending but I still enjoyed how I got to the point.
I really enjoyed this one, the perfect YA Vampire book.
I absolutely would read book 2 in the series I cannot wait to see how Jenna story continues.
This is perfect for a ya horror fan who wants a great story plot with relatable characters.
Thank you to Netgalley as always for my ARC
dnfs
September 25, 2025Thank you to netgalley for the arc
There's some kind of irony in the fact that this book would have been so perfect for me in high school - but that opening chapter would have kept me from reading it because i was a big wimp.
While as an adult I have to say this wasn't really For Me, I can appreciate what it was bringing to the table. The characters felt like they had some realistic motivations after seeing how downplayed so many serious events are (a house fire, bodies on a carousel etc) and with no one but our lead really beliving in the super natural there isn't much for them to do but try and solve things themselves. This is well suited to the YA audience and balances the realities of a being a teen in a small town where everyone knows everyones business, and a horror that doesnt go TOO graphic in its descriptions. definitely recommend for YA horror lovers.
There's some kind of irony in the fact that this book would have been so perfect for me in high school - but that opening chapter would have kept me from reading it because i was a big wimp.
While as an adult I have to say this wasn't really For Me, I can appreciate what it was bringing to the table. The characters felt like they had some realistic motivations after seeing how downplayed so many serious events are (a house fire, bodies on a carousel etc) and with no one but our lead really beliving in the super natural there isn't much for them to do but try and solve things themselves. This is well suited to the YA audience and balances the realities of a being a teen in a small town where everyone knows everyones business, and a horror that doesnt go TOO graphic in its descriptions. definitely recommend for YA horror lovers.
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