Blood Bound

Berring College #2

by Kayla Brooks

Breaking my deal with my father would put all of my friends’ lives at risk.

The only way my father–one of the most powerful vampires in the world–would let me go to college and pretend to be a regular guy is if I agreed to play by his keep my distance from the walking blood bags, make nice with the vampire fraternity on campus, and absolutely no more boyfriends. Too bad my roommate Devon is the worst kind of temptation I’ve ever faced.

If my father catches me slipping up, there goes my inheritance, my name, and every bit of freedom I’ve ever enjoyed. I’m not willing to give up everything for Devon, no matter how badly I want a repeat of the night we made the mistake of falling into bed together.

But when a powerful vampire in my fraternity threatens the lives of my friends, I’m the only one in a position to keep everyone safe.

The price of protecting my friends might turn out to be my freedom, or my life.

Blood Bound is a steamy, M/M romance with a happily ever after. It is second in the Berring College series but can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Vampires, Paranormal, Romance, Amazon, M M Romance, Fantasy

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2025

Reviews

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devon, the male made vampire lead, and Marcus, the male born vampire lead, end up in the same dorm as they enter college. Devon has been a vampire less than a year and he’s still not over the trauma that converted him. Additionally, there’s still a lot he simply doesn’t know. Marcus is the heir apparent for one of the college’s vampire founders and has been raised with every material thing he needed and absolutely no love.

The attraction between the two is immediate and intense but Marcus’ father has demanded that he straighten up and take his rightful place, and he’s not above blackmail and coercion to make it happen. As freshman year of college unravels, can Marcus and Devon find a way to be together? And will they make it through unharmed?

This story is dual POV, well written, and an angsty contemporary fantasy college romance. I enjoyed the way both Marcus and Devon had specific skills/traits that they brought to the relationship. I enjoyed Devon’s confidence in his sexuality and his willingness to acknowledge his emotions and wants, and sympathised with his struggles over his vampire dietary requirements. I enjoyed Marcus’ compassion and his determination to make the right choices to care for those he deemed under his protection, and sympathised with the stress of being in the power of a manipulative male. I enjoyed their intimacy and the way it evolved as their relationship did. I enjoyed the integrated secondary characters and the support network that they had. I enjoyed the non-romance plot and its resolution. I am hoping for one more (at least) in this series!

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devon is a newly turned Vampire rooming in college with a born Vampire Marcus whose dad is higher up in the hierarchy. Both are falling for each other but Marcus is under his dad's thumb. This book is told in flashbacks during various intervals and does not flatter Marcus's character. Marcus has to fight his peers, his father and the Vampire counsel to protect his friends, Devon and live free. 3.5 stars. I received a copy of this through BookSirens and this is my voluntary opinion.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!! Loved every minute of this interesting, detailed story. Likeable relatable characters. Just the right amount of secrets and suspense. Storyline was full of twists to keep me glued to the pages. Way batter than five stars.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful vampire story with two hot-as-sin men. I haven't read this author before this story, but I know I will be reading more by Kayla Brooks. The struggle Devon went through after losing the man he had thought he would spend time with was killed. Since Devon had become a vampire, he wanted a fresh start to begin his life, to see what was out there for himself. Stepping one foot forward, he sees what college will bring him. He never thought that things would start on his first day by meeting his hot-as-hell roommate, Marcus. All he wanted to do was get naked and see what they could get into with each other. See, Marcus is also a vampire. To be able to have sex with someone like himself sounds hot as hell. As Devon gets to know Marcus, he sees how hard things will be for him to get Marcus to see that they would be good for each other. Marcus hasn't had the loving parents he had growing up. Working for something that means something is always worth the work.

Marcus was given one year to be a normal person, or should he say pretend to be a normal person? His father said he had a year, but during that year, he had to be normal and ignore who he was. All Marcus wanted was to be free to be who he is. He had a limited time before he was to step forward to be his father's heir. After meeting his new roommate, that might be a little hard. Marcus knows what hoops he must go through with his fellow well-bred vampires on campus. Marcus doesn't want to rock the boat per se, then walks in Deven, his kryptonite.

Wow, I loved, loved this story. I read it in one sitting. I look forward to reading more by Kayla Brooks in the future.

Nicole Harvey

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freshman year is hard enough without navigating vampire politics and new love. Devon and Marcus are opposites who immediately attract. Devon is from a middle class home and was turned a vampire against his will the first time he tried to explore his bi-sexuality. Marcus was born a vampire from a wealthy and connected family. They both are moving through the world with the weights of other people's expectations and a fair amount of guilt coloring everything. But when they come together there is no disputing the heat and potential in their relationship. This is a fast paced story with plenty of steamy bits and a bit of angst. Be prepared for some will-they-won't-they back and forth as the two MCs try to figure themselves out. I was really pulled into the story and the world building. The side characters add a lot to the story, especially Marcus' half-sister. I really enjoyed it and would totally recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Gavin Stephenson-Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making a deal with the devil always has a cost and when the devil is your 500 year old vampire father it really gets complicated. Marcus made a bargain with his father to be allowed to spend his first year of college in the dorms before moving to the vampire fraternity. Marcus wants to be free of his father and his ideas of what a vampire should be. Devon was turned into a vampire after an attack at a gay bar on his 18th birthday. Part of Marcus' deal with his father is no boyfriends but Devon is going to be hard to resist. There's a lot of action as these two navigate around their attraction, their other dorm mates, the fraternity, and Marcus's father. Part of the action revolves around old money, family expectations and traditions against modern reality and moral responsibility. Devon finds himself struggling with feeding and makes some bad choices which brings Marcus to his rescue. Overall a very engaging read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lori Wilen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I am always very strict about reading a series in order. This book can be read as a stand alone without needing to have read the previous book. Thank you to the publisher and author for my ARC of this book via BookSirens. This was a 4 star read for me. I did enjoy the book and of course it appealed to my love of vampire stories. I enjoyed all the main characters and I definitely enjoyed the writing and the conversations. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was that didn't quite resonate with me to make it a 5 star read. I would definitely like to go back and read the previous book and will also read the next in the series. There is nothing in the book that would prevent me from recommending it to those who enjoy college, m/m lgbtq and vampire stories. It is absolutely worth reading. It is a very fast read and kept me reading without totally being obvious. A good book to try.

[Cyd Adger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book! If you are looking for a steamy vampire romance, then you are in the right spot. Devon and Marcus may both be vampires, but their origin stories couldn't be more different. Who would of thought that freshman year in college could be so hard. Between juggling school work, new roommates, and the tiniest bit of freedom, these 2 have a lot to do. And when you mix in the forbidden love aspect, a corrupted sub-society, and innocent naivety, everything is essentially a chaotic mess. Welcome to college, some would say. Welcome to my family others would say.

This is a good long story, that doesn't feel rushed and you're introduced to plenty of characters and personalities. Overall great book with a HEA. Definitely recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Max C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kayla Brooks Blood Bound was so good! I really enjoyed the story as a whole. Lots of angst, Vampires, pining, and of course gay sex.... Marcus and Devon are such a great couple and I was rooting for them the whole time. There are some trigger warnings to take note of, sexual assault, poisoning, blood, assault, date rape, extreme hazing. I'm sure there were some that I missed.... Marcus, the heir of the vampiric family legacy and Devon a newly turned vampire who just wants to go back to living like he used both navigate their freshman year of college, family expectations, the pull of relationships, even soul mates if you believe in that sort of thing as well as a lot of fucked up situations. Give this one a try you won't regret it!!!

I received this as an advanced readers copy for free and I am posting this review voluntarily.

[Virginia Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

College is already tough — applications, deadlines, and never-ending expectations. But for Marcus and Devon, it’s more than just classes. They're trying to find their place on campus while living up to what their families demand from them.

Roommates by chance, the two are worlds apart — one’s hiding the fact that he's a born vampire, and the other is just trying to survive the pressure of being turn vampire in a world that asks too much. But late nights and long talks blur the line between friendship and something deeper.

Between supernatural secrets, emotional scars, and simmering chemistry that threatens to boil over, Marcus and Devon might just find that the hardest part of college isn’t the classes — it’s navigating each other.

Together, they might just overcome it all — one turn at a time.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This MM vampire romance is hot and heavy read. When high born vampire Marcus meets his dorm mates at berring college he doesn’t expect to fall head over heels for his roommate Devon who was turned into a vampire a year ago. Both men find themselves trying to navigate college and lingering desires for each other. As well as getting through their individual traumas, expectations, and personal hurdles they must get through. But along with all the emotional hurdles there’s also sexy steamy scenes. This is a page turner that you won’t want to put down. Note this is book 2 in the Belling college books but it can be read as a standalone which I can attest as I have not read book 1 it is easy to understand.

[Storm In A Teacup · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book totally blindsided me in the best way. I went in expecting your standard college romance with a side of fangs, and instead got suspense, drama, secrets, and enough twists to make my head spin (in a good, not possessed way). It’s a deliciously detailed vampire story that actually brings something new to the table, no sparkling in sight, I promise.

Devon and Marcus? Chef’s kiss. Marcus brings the fiercely protective energy we all secretly (or not so secretly) crave, and Devon balances him out perfectly. Their chemistry? Undeniable. And let’s not forget the roommates, funny, loyal, and exactly the kind of chaotic side characters you want lurking in the background of a vampire drama.

All in all, it was a bloody brilliant read, and I mean that quite literally.

[Lotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun story. I liked the flashbacks, they gave a little extra peek into their backgrounds.

I really liked Marcus's character.

I was a little surprised how little Devon was educated about being a vampire, as it's made clear becoming a vampire is pretty regular there.

It felt a little weird that they never talked about the hazing after the fact.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The cover didn't really fit this book, as they are 18 year-olds, one is a redhead and there were no tattoos mentioned.

[Sara Irons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes you on a whirlwind journey and dumps you out with an awesome HEA.

Devin and Marcus struggle massively in the beginning, neither actually knowing or understanding the other's past. As much as they fight to stay away from each other, life pushes them back together.

The characters are done very well and the world building, although sometimes very dark, is amazing. This is an 18+ MM steamy romance with some trigger warnings, so please read them before beginning.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Deborah Varnado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love paranormal academy reads and Blood Bound by Kayla Brooks was an enjoyable story. It centers around two vampire students, Marcus and Devon who come from different worlds. Marcus is a natural-born vampire from a powerful family and Devon is a newly turned vampire trying to navigate not only the struggles that come with this lifestyle but also his sexuality. Together they face trials that not only strengthen their bond but introduce us to some diverse and unique characters. This was my first experience with this author and I’m looking forward to reading more.

[Nicolle Persoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this turned out better than I expected.

Intrigue, Vampire politics, human trafficking (essentially), bullies of the worst kind and a group of friends I'd love to live with. Of course let us not forget about love (swoon swoon),especially the forbidden kind…

All in all; just read it, you will not be disappointed.

I received an arc and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read the first book but I found that I didn't need to as this book does well on it's own.
Both main characters were great and I was drawn into their story. Devon being a made vampire and Marcus born they had a lot of differences that kept things interesting.

[Simera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcus and Devon are both likable characters. Both have their secrets and trying to get through college, life and past traumas.
Enjoyable read that pulls at your heart and a much earned HEA

[Zeoanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I can say about this story is that it kept me entertained and wondering when the asshole father would get his karma. What a bastard! All in all, the end was true satisfaction.