✨ New York Times Bestselling Author S.J. Tilly ✨ Brings us a brand new series where the men are still possessive. The women are still curvy. There's just a bit of a twist... and a bite.
VOLIK - Bonded Souls Book One
Forget what you think you know. Forget the fairy tales and lore of old. Vampires are real. And for the past seventy years, they’ve walked openly among us. They’re bigger and stronger than humans, with black eyes, horns, and powers that shouldn’t be possible. Volik is one of these vampires. Living in the small town of Hemlock Hills, he spends his days locked in his office at Stalden University. Wasting time. Waiting. Until Nix, the new journalism professor, arrives … and changes everything. This is the story about the day they met. What happened after. And how their bond started a sequence of events that changed the world.
NIX It’s my first day as a substitute professor. I’m in a new city, with new coworkers, and all I want to do is keep my head down. And maybe catch a glimpse of Volik. I’ve read everything there is to read about vampires. The good and the scary. But I have all semester to sneak a look, so I focus my attention on the clock. Because in three minutes, I turn thirty. But when the moment strikes, an invisible force slams into me. Weight swells inside my chest, and heat roars through my veins.
VOLIK I pause, feeling a shift in the air, telling me something is about to happen. Then the clock ticks. And my world tilts. The power inside me pulses. The building shakes around me. And I grow. I get bigger. Taller. Stronger. Thicker. My fangs lengthen. Sharpen. And I smile. Because the moment I have waited centuries for has finally arrived. The other half of my soul… She is here.
NIX Screams echo down the hallway while people flee. Impossibly heavy footsteps shake the ground. But I don’t run. I can’t. The pull in my chest won’t allow it. Then the giant vampire I’ve been daydreaming about ducks through the doorway. And when he calls me his Mate, I do the opposite of run. I reach for him.
S.J. Tilly lives in Minnesota with her husband and their herd of boxers. She spends an unhealthy amount of time with her face buried in books, reading and writing. If she’s not nose deep in text, or harassing her dogs, she’s probably playing with her plants, pretending she knows how to garden.
You can find her stumbling around on Instagram @sjtillyauthor
Volik is going to be a vampire romance?? From the author of my favorite mafia romance series?? S.J. Tilly herself???? Be still my heart 😩 I need this book more than AIR!!
Nyx is a journalist starting a new career as a substitute professor on a college campus. On her first day, she feels a strong pull when a notorious vampire walks by the office, but having never interacted with one before, she tells herself it must just be a vampire thing. That night, she notices strange things happening when she gets home, and the following day, the minute the clock changes on her 30th birthday, she is pulled from her classroom, directly into the vampire’s arms, where he declares her to be his mate. Suddenly Nyx is thrown into a world she never imagined, and learning more about vampires and their lore, but nothing is stronger than the instant connection she feels with the creature she can’t imagine living without.
Volik is a centuries old vampire who has been living a solitary life, working on campus, when he gets a strange feeling, but the moment Nyx comes into his line of sight, he knows she is the one he’s been waiting for all these years. The moment he has her in his arms, he knows he will never let her go, and if anyone tries to threaten her, he will eliminate them without a second thought.
I received an early copy of this book from the author and I absolutely loved it! In true SJ Tilly fashion, she gave us a grump turned cinnamon roll MMC and a fierce, plus sized FMC who was just waiting for a man to make her his queen. I loved how independent Nyx was even before she met Volik, and rather than be intimidated by him, he just helped her become even stronger. He may have come off as cold and unfeeling, but in reality he was simply a lonely creature who came alive once he met his one and only. The author was able to incorporate these Alternates into modern society, while rewriting history a bit to make them the stars of the show. I always enjoy seeing author’s takes on vampire lore, and this one was done seamlessly. While Nyx and Volik may have been fated to be together, the love and mutual respect they share definitely make them couple goals, and I can’t wait to read the next book.
I’ve read and loved most of your books, so it’s always exciting to see a new release from you. Vampire stories are just a bit hard for me personally because of the blood content, so I might have to sit this one out, but I’ll definitely still be cheering you on and can’t wait for future books, especially anything werewolf-related!
Okay, Volik by SJ Tilly — an alternate Tilly-verse novel about otherworldly beings, and fated mates.
First off: if SJ writes it, I devour it.
I should disclose that I received an early copy as part of her team, but my opinions are entirely my own and do not reflect SJ or her team. And with that said? This was a five-star read for me. Truly, there is nothing she could write that wouldn’t be five stars in my opinion.
Now let’s start with the chapter setup: perfection.
It’s very classic SJ fashion, but broken into different “tales” throughout vampire folklore, which made the reading experience feel unique and immersive.
I also want to point out that these beings have had injustices thrust upon them, yet still choose to believe there are good humans out there. And honestly, that ties into something SJ always talks about: keep asking questions, demand answers, fight for what you believe in. If you follow SJ, you know that’s such a huge part of her platform, so it makes sense that those themes are woven throughout her books.
Can we also talk about Volik using proper English? Because yes. Perfection. And let me tell you right now: I cannot wait for the audiobook because I need this man in my ears.
I loved getting to experience how their bond becomes absolutely soul-bursting. I adored Nix asking question after question and Volik answering every single one without annoyance, but with patience and care. I especially enjoyed the scenes in her classroom.
Learning about this different world - and how so many species coexist in harmony, while still being vulnerable to one bad apple disrupting everything - was so fun and entertaining.
And the reporter scenes? Incredible. The questions, Volik’s responses, and the fact that he answers in a way that will probably ruin his life? Peak entertainment. Though, in Volik’s defense, the reporter was definitely trying to ruin his life too.
Also: I love the dean.
Jenny? Obsessed. Her absolute “screw it” attitude and willingness to tell Nix to follow her heart made me love her even more.
The horns? Literal perfection.
Volik’s internal dialogue? My favorite.
And please know: it would not be an SJ book unless our MMC was absolutely feral-level obsessed with the FMC. Guess what? He is. And we freaking love that.
We get to experience different worlds throughout this story, and it was fun, entertaining, immersive, and honestly just such a good time.
Now, I know SJ probably has approximately 27 projects lined up through 2030, so I have no idea when book two will happen - but I already know it’s going to be incredible.
So if you love vampire tales, humans getting to ask vampires the exact questions you also want answered, a vampire who is absolutely obsessed with his mate and would burn the world down for her, and a love story for the ages set in an alternate universe? This one is for you.
Five stars, SJ.
And please note: the audiobook (which hasn’t released yet) is already destined to be five stars in my heart. My queen Chloe Ryan takes on Nix, Sean Masters voices Volik, and we also get an appearance by Samantha Brentmoor. It releases June 11, 2026, and is available for preorder now.
Anything SJ writes I’m going to read, hands down. This book was in a different Tilly-verse where there’s vampires and fated mates, and her first crack at it, I wanted to know all the things. All the folklore, what other alt beings there were and all the why’s! Also, it was based in Michigan, I was so happy for this.
This story follows Nix and Volik, who find out they are mates. The way the whole mate thing was their entire being, I was obsessed with that. My person and I are our entire whole, say less! I’m here for it.
Volik made me chuckle so many times during this. Every squirrel he scared, I was cackling. For being such a huge, scary vampire, he was such a softie with Nix and I at that up. All the forehead kisses, swoon. All the times he held his hand over his heart to feel their heartbeat, swoon. I love a big boi though and the way he’s described and picks her up, places her on his forearm like nothing, SWOON.
Nix also had some sass to her that I really appreciated because it seemed no one messed with Volik and this woman is mocking him and poking at his chest, he just still has hearts in his eyes. She was strong in this book and didn’t shy away from Volik and his world. Nix deserved how protective and obsessed Volik was with her.
This book was fast paced and a different look at fated mates/vampires and I enjoyed it. I am so ready for book 2 in this series!!!
Thank you to SJ Tilly for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: 🩸Oversized vampire 🖤Sensitive horns 🩸Plus size heroine 🖤Fated mates 🩸Sharp fangs and love bites 🖤He can scent her across the city 🩸Alternate Tilly verse
Oh my gods. I don't think I am articulate enough to communicate just how much a freaking loved Volik. I've read all of (as I call her) Miss Tilly's books and I'll be honest I was little apprehensive going in! I wasn't sure what to expect with this new type of genre from her but holy moly I was a fool to be nervous! Absolutely fantastic!
A new type of vampire was exactly what I needed and this was just so creative and imaginative and, again, I just don't have the words!
I don't want to spoil anything for anyone because going in blind was exactly what was needed for this but just go and read it!
In my household the highest compliment one can give is "a lil forehead kiss" and honestly I hope Miss Tilly is getting all the forehead kisses from Mr Tilly for this one because not only is it a spicy wonderland that has given me a new appreciation for horns, but it is a wonderful social commentary on the press and that was so impactful to read. I grew up reading hunger games, divergent and other novels that spoke up and out about the major issues and this gives me faith in humanity 💜
But yes, to end - go read this gorgeous book, get your lil freak on and listen to the inner message as well as enjoy this epic read! The next one can't come out soon enough 😍
I loved this book. I’m not really sure what I was expecting when I read this but this definitely had me hooked in from the very beginning.
Volik is a very old vampire that has been going about his life until he feels this strange pull. This strange feeling like something is missing. And he quickly realizes that it’s because he has found his mate & was just waiting for the right time for her.
Nix has just started a new job as a substitute professor at a university when she also starts getting this tugging sensation. She is just a mere human & has no idea why she would be feeling this way.
That is until she meets Volik. And it’s instantaneous. The immense feeling of rightness between them just eases all of the strange feelings.
I absolutely loved that they were both equally as unit the other. Well Nix took a second but it’s understandable.
But the scenes between them & him cherishing her were amazing. And I loved the twist with her & the changes that happen since they mated.
That ending definitely left me very excited to see what happens next. I have a feeling it’s going to be just as intense & equally as hot.
Volik is…. perfect. Hot. Protective. Strong. Obsessed with Nix. The way every MMC should be about their FMC. I am in love with their dynamic and how he immediately starts to take care of her and love her from the second they meet. What I loved about this book is that it is a universe where vampires are real in a normal life setting. It makes the book so interesting to imagine what it would be like if WE had vampires among us. In my opinion, this book was perfect as my return to vampire books. Volik is everything I need in a vampire MMC. Fiercely loyal, honest, and devoted. Nix was so cute I just loved how she was emotional (like me). She has been through so much in her 30 years and I just know Volik will take care of her forever more. Volik and Nix have such good chemistry. Volik answers every question Nix has. Holds her through hard times.
Overall, this book was an absolute 5 star ARC. If you are looking for a fast paced, alternate world, you will need to pick up this book on June 11th.
If you love the following then this could be the book for you: - giant men with paranormal powers - insta love and mild obsession - fated mates -wolf shifters -people confronting their childhood trauma -curvy fmc’s -found family vibes
Then this could be your next read.
My favourite part was how the FMC became empowered toward the end and rescued herself. I also liked how the others came together in Volik’s time of need and bandied together.
My favourite side character:
Uncle Fio- a loveable, slightly waffy character who gives us all the sound family feels.
This is a heavy spice, minor world building mash up with a giant vampire, if that sounds like your cup of tea, I hope you enjoy!
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This vampire fated mates book was absolutely delicious. It had the age gap, curvy FMC, and just the perfect amount of paranormal without feeling too overwhelming if you’re someone just dipping your toes into fantasy/paranormal romance. I’ve loved everything by S.J. Tilly and this was no different. Honestly for her first paranormal book, she absolutely crushed it. Every part of this kept me hooked and wanting to keep reading, and once I got the ARC I stayed up all night and read the whole thing in one sitting. I loved Volik the entire book, but I really think Nix might be one of my favorite characters. She had so much depth to her and was written so well. I’m already dying for book 2.
It's official folks, between Nero and now Volik, SJ Tilly has made balconies the new must have for single women around the world. But really, Volik was such a refreshing new take on vampire lore that I found myself ooo'ing and ah'ing with each new reveal. Seriously, the plot itself felt like a slow burn that began to ignite into a crazy firestorm of perfection and chaos as we neared the end of the first book. I can't wait to read book 2 which is the same world but I believe a different couple with an ongoing overarching plot.
SJ Tilly's first venture into the world of paranormal romance writing was most definitely a success!
An Alternate Tilly-Verse where there is vampires, shapeshifters, & droids. I will say I don't read romantasy novels this was my first & I loved it. Anything Miss Tilly writes I will read.
This story follows fated mates Volik who is a vampire working at a college campus & Nix who is human and is starting as a substitute at the same college.
Thrown into a world she knew little about, Nyx is swept up in the secrets of vampires and their lore. But above all, it’s the undeniable, instant bond she forms with a creature she cannot imagine living without that changes everything.
This story captures you and gives you all the feels.
VOLIK, book 1 in the new Bonded Souls series by SJ Tilly @sjtillyauthor. SJ is a favorite author of mine.
Whelp! SJ did it again. This was an amazing book about Volik & Nix! The feelings!!! Tropes: Contemporary, Paranormal (Vampire/Human), Male/Female, Plus Size FMC, Fated Mates, Outside Angst, HFN & A Cliffhanger!
It's a new world for S.J. Tilly, but it's the same writing style, the same obsessed men, the same relatable women, and the same type of story we love to read.
Nix and Volik are fated mates, so this moves fast, and I am here for it! I love the pull these two had for each other and Volik is a next-level, over-the-top protective partner.