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Troubled Bodies

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We can be monsters together.

Curiosity has led Payne down a path of experimentation filled with corpses, connections to the underground–and a dead partner. When he finds Blaze, broken and lifeless, on a crime cleanup scene, Payne’s knowledge of anatomy and his created serums assist in bringing Blaze back to life…

The only hitch in this plan? They come back different.

Together, Payne and Blaze must navigate their new life, filled with a ravaging hunger for fresh meat and opioids, while keeping their urges secret from a powerful don.

And things get even more complicated when they find themselves entangled with a third unexpected person who has more to give than financial freedom.

Care to take a bite?


Troubled Bodies is a tale of obsession, of devotion and addiction, of care and primal urges - and, above all, of love.

ebook

Published June 2, 2026

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About the author

Jake Vanguard

13 books33 followers
Jake Vanguard (they/them) is an indie author of queer dark fantasy, science fantasy, horror, and a slice of erotica. In their stories, they love exploring queerness and contradictions, love and connections, family and friendship.
The first two books of the Deity Chronicles trilogy – FIRST SNOW and FIRST ROSE – are available now, as well as the paranormal series Angelverse – HIGANBANA and KINTSUGI – with more to come.
REMNANTS OF RELICS is their first curated anthology, a product of love and community, about the struggles and joys one works with when losing or gaining a new part of themselves.

When not writing, they love gaming and cuddling their kitties.

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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for ✨.
48 reviews
June 15, 2026
✨ review ✨

💀 Troubled Bodies by Jake Vanguard 💀

“We might be some troubled bodies, but at least we’re together.”

first of all, WOW. this is my first ever horromance (or any type of horror, honestly) and i thoroughly enjoyed it. loved it even. this novella exceeded my expectations in every way. i ate it up (pun intended). though this book has a lot of violence and gore, the love and devotion really shines as well.

we first meet Payne, who, from the outside may seem like he’s a regular crime scene cleaner.. but once we get to really know him, we realize that there’s something darker about the things he does.
when Payne is on a job and finds his love, Blaze, unalived.. he’s determined to bring them back. once he succeeds, Blaze is the same in many ways.. but also different in a much darker sense.

i have such a soft spot for Blaze. they are so lost, desperate to know their purpose while also battling addiction. in the end, i believe they got what they were looking for, at least for the time being.

Payne gave me mad scientist vibes, but in a good way. a cool, calm, and collected way. the way he loves Blaze is just wonderful, willing to do whatever he can for them.

i wasn’t too sure about Alexei at first, didn’t know if we could trust him, but ultimately i came to like him. he was a fun addition and i enjoyed the fact that this big mafia man was submissive in the bedroom, going against stereotypes!!

all i all, this was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read and a bloody good time 🤍

‼️ CHECK CONTENT WARNINGS ‼️

some tidbits:
💀 Frankenstein vibes
🩸 eating each other (literally) as a love language
💀 rat friends 🐀
🩸 nonbinary rep
💀 2 + 1 ‎ = 3 😉
Profile Image for Talli Morgan.
Author 14 books68 followers
Read
April 14, 2026
I received an early copy of this book for the purpose of writing a blurb. Many thanks to Jake Vanguard for the ARC!

TROUBLED BODIES is a delicious slice of horror-romance that is equal parts gruesome and wholesome. There is no doubt of Payne and Blaze’s devotion to each other, and by the end you’ll be surprisingly chill with the cannibalism. If you like your romances obsessive and a little bit feral, you don’t want to miss this novella.
Profile Image for J.M. Rose.
Author 3 books32 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 13, 2026
Queer to the core, Trouble Bodies is an unapologetically dark and gory cannibalistic tale that masterfully blends horror and romance through beautifully crafted prose at a page-turning pace, with characters that jump off the page and a riveting plot that doesn't let you go until you've finished.

Perfect for readers who enjoy the dark, gothic exploration of Creator x Creation in Frankenstein and the cannibalism and romantic tension in Hannibal, but who also have a deep yearning for a tale in which creator and creation meet each other in the middle and explore the monstrous together. Plus, of course, QUEERNESS all around.

Troubled Bodies had me hooked from the very first page.

The dual POV setup was something I enjoyed immensely, with both Payne and Blaze having distinct voices that were identifiable and attractive in their own ways, while giving readers insight into realities and feelings the other character did not yet have. It was an incredible experience to watch them figure each other out in this whirlwind novella.

The introduction of a third character and the exploration of polyamory in the context of a consensual, secure and loving partnership was very well-done and added an element of extra spice that served the story well, both in terms of character development and in terms of moving the plot forward.

Speaking of which, the spice was exquisite. I enjoyed every intimate moment between these characters as much as I enjoyed the tender love and care Payne shows when handling Blaze. I also really liked the way stereotypes were subverted in the portrayal of Alexei, ridding the story of the usual narrative of dominating mafia boss. The way that's turned on its head makes for a more nuanced character development that makes Alexei feel especially human and sympathetic to the reader. The glimpse we get into his backstory made me fall in love with him forever.

I particularly enjoyed how the author handled addiction and the way this was incorporated with satiation, how they distinguished between things that should stay forbidden and things that should be indulged. It felt raw, human and real, handled with care - couldn't ask for more.

The idea of crime scene cleaning as the premise of the story was something that instantly caught my attention, and I loved how this theme kept showing up throughout the story, remaining central even as the plot thickened.

One other thing that was personally special to me was the presence of a nonbinary character as an MC and a love interest. We need more of this, and Vanguard is masterful in the representation of diversely queer characters.

Troubled Bodies was tense, addictive and all-consuming. Having read this story twice already, I can't wait to read it again.

Payne, Alexei and Blaze have me in a chokehold. Definitely one for my favourites shelf.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy: horror, queer romance, polyamory, cannibalism, beautiful writing and unforgettable characters.

Five stars is the understatement of the year.
Profile Image for Ivy Bookdragon.
119 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 26, 2026
Jake Vanguard... How DARE you!
... create Payne and leave me like that (craving his loving and caring and otherness)!?

To say Troubled Bodies is everything I hoped for after seeing the synopsis and tropes is an understatement. It has vibes of Hannibal and Frankenstein but is uniquely it's own thing and I would give my literal heart to be in Payne's and Blaze's bubble 🫠

Payne is a modern Frankenstein who's job is crime scene cleaner, which gives him plenty to work with and to feed on...
Blaze has the unfortunate bad luck to be unalived by a mafia boss and the glorious best luck that said mafia boss employs Payne - and that Payne very much loves and adores Blaze. ❤️‍🔥
Things unfold from there and at some point the mafia boss is unalived and a younger one takes over.
So
Meet Alexei, hot, direct, and with two damn good reasons why Payne and Blaze accept him in their little world. Alexei is a firecracker aka he knows what he wants and is not afraid to go for it.

These three work perfectly well together, but the heart of this book are definitely Payne and Blaze. I love these feral babies and will protect them at all costs! And I want a Payne! He may be... eccentric✨️ but he is so damn caring, loving and patient, I will defend his rights and - no, there are no wrongs!
😌✨️🫠

I adore the way Blaze finds their place in the world and I feel scared of and proud of the way they hunt! Keep thriving, baby!
Alexei... you are an amazing surprise that charmed me quickly, the way you get involved and stay without making it difficult is a masterclass.

At the end, the only thing I'm sad about is that this book ends too soon, I could stay in this reality for a whole lot longer!
As it is, Troubled Bodies will be cherished and get a place on my favorites bookshelf 😌✨️🫀

.
Add: Please read the Trigger Warnings, cannibalism and a threesome are not the only things needing a warning here...
Profile Image for ech0reads.
150 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 10, 2026
Thank you to the author for kindly giving me an ARC.

Hannibal meets Frankenstein in this deliciously dark and gloriously gruesome novella about a man's devotion to his lover, determined not to let them die. Payne is a crime scene cleaner and, upon learning about his partners death, he decides to resurrect them. Blaze has come back a little changed though and their newfound hunger is something they need to circumvent together.

The writing style of this felt very unique in the best way. During their pov chapters, Payne will refer to Blaze as 'you' and vice versa. I haven't encountered that a lot in books I've read, so it was a really interesting way to get the reader involved in the narrative from the offset. Obviously, we find out later that Payne isn't using 'you' to refer to the reader, but to talk about his partner. I really liked it as a writing device and it was done really well.

The gore and body horror was enough to set the Frankenstein-esque vibes of the novella, without overdoing it. It was enough for me to go 'eugh that's icky' and keep reading, without it verging into unrealistic territory.

I loved the dynamic between Payne and Blaze. Payne's love for them was so strong that he refused to let Blaze die and continued to give them whatever they needed after. Blaze struggles with feeling monsterous after their resurrection, but they grow into their new identity, and use their newfound hunger for somewhat good (?).
Profile Image for Mireya.
167 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
June 2, 2026
Thanks to the author for the ARC copy of Troubled Bodies! This has not affected my review at all, which are my own thoughts.

Payne has made a career out of experimenting with dead bodies, ending up working for an underground boss cleaning crime scenes, until he finds his partner, Blaze, dead in one such scene. Payne manages to bring Blaze back to life, except, like every past experiment, they come back...different.

Urges for human flesh, far more strength that when Blaze was alive, and their before-dead vices still lingering around: addiction. Together, Blaze and Payne navigate their new normal as things get complicated with Payne's boss and the jobs he offers.

So, I must admit that I expected some more horror and violence than actually where in this book😅 That's not to say that those elements aren't there, of course, but, ultimately, this book is about love and freedom wrapped in terrible working conditions and addiction and navigating how to learn to help your loved ones when they don't even know.

Once that was clear to me, I could change my expectations and I really enjoyed this book. The dynamic between Payne and Blaze, their love and how they would give anything for each other even when their living situation changes so drastically; they never leave the other's side, and the chemistry and emotional connection was so well done... I was rooting for them all along.

Overall, I had a frightful yet hopeful time with this book; my first from the author, but definitely not the least. Not only did they exceed in character dynamics, and making their voices distinct enough, but the ambience/atmosphere was so immersive. They managed to give me goosebumps and keep me on the edge of my seat, wondering if they would make it or not.

So, definitely recommended for horror fans, fans of the author, or just anyone looking for a 'horromance' story with a deep emotional connection between the characters as they navigate massive changes and new dangers in their lives. Hope y'all enjoyed this review, and until the next one! ;)
50 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 14, 2026
Thank you to author Jake Vanguard for giving me the honor to read an arc of their book in exchange for an honest review!
I am very new to the horror genre, so I wasn't sure how this was gonna go for me, but I literally ate this up in one sitting (no pun intended lol).
I loved the story line, the characters, and all of the gory details. My only complaint was the use of the word "you" to refer to either Payne or Blaze depending on whose perspective it was in. I think if the story had only been from Payne's pov and he was like telling the story to Blaze, or the "you" was the reader, it would've made more sense to my brain, but since it wasn't I was often very confused.
If you are new to horror like me or just in general want to read a gay canibal horror with trans rep, I think you would really love this!
Profile Image for June.
241 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 26, 2026
The first thing about this book isn't the violence, or the gore; it's the love. It's being too late to save the one you love and then going "I can fix them anyway."

Payne crafts Blaze's new body with the same care and love that Jake Vanguard puts into their prose. It's beautiful.

Yes, there is gore. There is cannibalism. This is still a Frankenstein story. It's about rebuilding your body and finding your purpose. About becoming a monster (if society will call you one anyway) and finding the person within. About ritualistically consuming the flesh you used to be so that your new life can begin. (And if you can't see the allegory in there, I can't help you.)

Because at the end of the day, this book is about love.


Thank you to the author for trusting me with an ARC!
Profile Image for Obinna Tony-Francis.
122 reviews
June 5, 2026
4.3/5

I received an advance review copy at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Omg, I entirely enjoyed reading this novel. It’s a banger. Also, it’s the second time I’ve read a novel with a similar theme of love and cannibalism, and I totally enjoyed it. I might need to get into this type of literature more!

Impeccable narrative and great control of language. Despite the story beginning with a second-person POV, I hated it at first, but as it progressed, it was so easy to get into it without delay.

Looking for a cute fast-paced queer story for Pride Month (join me!).
Profile Image for Adriana.
53 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 31, 2026
Supporting their rights but more so their wrongs!
A kind of book I don't usually read but
do want more of!
Their story is not typical...at all, but it's better
this way! They have a dinamic that will
defenetly make you rethink some of
your morals but they are what the other needs.
The support, patience and love they share
makes you forget the.... craziness of everything
else!
Profile Image for Reign Pearson.
Author 13 books26 followers
June 3, 2026
Troubled Bodies was a fast yet well-paced, and at its core, tender and brutal love story. The characters were brilliant and well-developed, and their struggles were relatable(well…some of them. I’ve never had to source bodies to feed my partner.) overall a charmingly gory read.
Profile Image for Aiden Messer.
Author 38 books149 followers
Review of advance copy received from Autre
May 7, 2026
Hannibal meets Frankenstein in this weird, feral, obsessive romance. We have love, queerness, cannibalism, a struggle with addiction, some revenge... What else could we ask for?
Profile Image for Cathye Aka OrionReads .
272 reviews14 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 16, 2026
Sex, drugs, and cannibalism!

If you only ever read one Frankenstein inspired story, this needs to be it.

Be sure to check your triggers, because there are a lot!
Profile Image for Amanda.
2,267 reviews99 followers
June 16, 2026
This was such a fun gory little Frankenstein-esque tale that I just devoured (sorry for the word choice here).

From the very first page I was so compeltely hooked. The way Jake wrote this, the tense he chose, all of it just added to such an atmospheric spooky lil tale that was so good and kept me continuously going back for more. I'm sorry for being so vague here, I just truly think everyone needs to read this one blind and just enjoy it as much as I did.

Even with all the gore, and the murder, and the dark dark sides, there was also such a true love story at the center of this one. Payne and Blaze are so in love and intertwined and just beautiful together (even when it's gross).
Profile Image for Chloe.
178 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 26, 2026
No, because I am literally feral for Blaze, Payne and Alexei.

They are just running round unsupervised and chaotic and I am here for every second.

Blazes love and dedication to Payne is beautiful. Payne is such an interesting character. And I am so living for Alexeis straight up honesty (Iykyk).

This was such a great read, it was full of banter, love, emotions and is a thrilling journey.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews