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Night School #1
My Italian Vampire
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
March 3, 2026
Paranormal is so back, baby!!!!
May 7, 2026
Probably closer to a 4.5.
This book is out now! If you need a vampire romance with an Italian vampire look no further than this book here!
It had been TOO LONG since my last vampire book and now I need more!!
Thank you to B. C. Dolce for the opportunity to read this book early.
Written in two povs and this was a very fun time! It is always fun to see what vampire twist an author will have and this book was no exception. This is also the first in a series that I will be reading the rest of!
This book is out now! If you need a vampire romance with an Italian vampire look no further than this book here!
It had been TOO LONG since my last vampire book and now I need more!!
Thank you to B. C. Dolce for the opportunity to read this book early.
Written in two povs and this was a very fun time! It is always fun to see what vampire twist an author will have and this book was no exception. This is also the first in a series that I will be reading the rest of!
February 17, 2026
ORFEO. WHERE ART THOU ORFEO?!?
chefs kiss to this book cause i am obsessed. i had such a fun time with Diantha & Orfeo. their banter and chemistry was amazing. i giggled and swooned and was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how the story unfolded. l can’t wait to read more from B.C. Dolce and continue this series.
chefs kiss to this book cause i am obsessed. i had such a fun time with Diantha & Orfeo. their banter and chemistry was amazing. i giggled and swooned and was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how the story unfolded. l can’t wait to read more from B.C. Dolce and continue this series.
February 17, 2026
This would kill as a movie. The plot was fast paced and the characters are super easy to love. However, I could tell the author knows way more about this world than me (bc, ya know, she created it) bc I was often confused. I needed more explanations about plans, abilities, and character dynamics. But I still had a really fun time! The last 25% especially was really strong and I liked seeing where book 2 will take us.
February 24, 2026
My Italian Vampire is, in a word, delectable! I gobbled it up and am desperate for the next book in the series.
If you're looking for a book in the paranormal romance genre that doesn't take itself too seriously (complimentary!), features a soft, tender, down bad vampire and a fierce, but guarded, main character - My Italian Vampire should be your next read! It's funny in the most subtle of ways (Mythical Holes, anyone??), well paced, and full of characters that are easy to root both for AND against. The world and magic system are both well developed, but not overwhelming, and the spice is sexy as hell. (For those who have read BC's other books, this one is spicier!)
All this to say: I loved Orfeo and Diantha, and I really think you will, too!
If you're looking for a book in the paranormal romance genre that doesn't take itself too seriously (complimentary!), features a soft, tender, down bad vampire and a fierce, but guarded, main character - My Italian Vampire should be your next read! It's funny in the most subtle of ways (Mythical Holes, anyone??), well paced, and full of characters that are easy to root both for AND against. The world and magic system are both well developed, but not overwhelming, and the spice is sexy as hell. (For those who have read BC's other books, this one is spicier!)
All this to say: I loved Orfeo and Diantha, and I really think you will, too!
February 19, 2026
Title: My Italian Vampire: A Paranormal Dark Academia Romance
Author: B.C. Dolce
Synopsis: She's lived her whole life in the shadows of her mother's secrets.
When Diantha Moro starts the last semester of her master's program at University of Echidna, she only has one thing on her getting into the catacombs underneath campus so she can finally break the curse that's keeping her mother trapped in the realm between life and death. With little time for anything else, she keeps most people at arm's length. Until the first night of her Medieval Relics lecture, when a beautiful stranger walks through the door...several minutes late.
He's not like other vampires. He's worse.
Orfeo DiPaolo is an Italian vampire. Yes, it's important to know he's Italian. Unlike other vamps, he can touch garlic. He can also wear a crucifix and instead of being extremely cold, his skin is always pleasantly, deliciously hot. And Orfeo, against all odds, can still feel love. It's his Achilles’ heel and the reason he's trapped under the thumb of a moronic demon crime boss, working off a blood debt. His life passes in a never-ending carousel of violence, university classes, beautiful women, and unfulfilling sex. That is, until he meets the enigmatic Diantha.
As the sleepy town of Echidna becomes colonized by evil supernatural forces, Diantha and Orfeo realize they're the only two that can stop them before its too late. But neither Diantha nor Orfeo are very good at group projects. Especially once they realize there's something more powerful than demons, vampires, and family curses between them. Something so powerful, it might just change their lives forever.
Now, her destiny is undeniable. His surrender is her strength.
Review: Wow! It’s been a while since I’ve read a vampire book and it was a fun time! Can I say I loved that there was Greek mythology in it as well! It was well done and I was here for it! Diantha and Orfeo have great chemistry and I couldn’t get enough of it! I’m excited for book 2!
Thank you so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
Author: B.C. Dolce
Synopsis: She's lived her whole life in the shadows of her mother's secrets.
When Diantha Moro starts the last semester of her master's program at University of Echidna, she only has one thing on her getting into the catacombs underneath campus so she can finally break the curse that's keeping her mother trapped in the realm between life and death. With little time for anything else, she keeps most people at arm's length. Until the first night of her Medieval Relics lecture, when a beautiful stranger walks through the door...several minutes late.
He's not like other vampires. He's worse.
Orfeo DiPaolo is an Italian vampire. Yes, it's important to know he's Italian. Unlike other vamps, he can touch garlic. He can also wear a crucifix and instead of being extremely cold, his skin is always pleasantly, deliciously hot. And Orfeo, against all odds, can still feel love. It's his Achilles’ heel and the reason he's trapped under the thumb of a moronic demon crime boss, working off a blood debt. His life passes in a never-ending carousel of violence, university classes, beautiful women, and unfulfilling sex. That is, until he meets the enigmatic Diantha.
As the sleepy town of Echidna becomes colonized by evil supernatural forces, Diantha and Orfeo realize they're the only two that can stop them before its too late. But neither Diantha nor Orfeo are very good at group projects. Especially once they realize there's something more powerful than demons, vampires, and family curses between them. Something so powerful, it might just change their lives forever.
Now, her destiny is undeniable. His surrender is her strength.
Review: Wow! It’s been a while since I’ve read a vampire book and it was a fun time! Can I say I loved that there was Greek mythology in it as well! It was well done and I was here for it! Diantha and Orfeo have great chemistry and I couldn’t get enough of it! I’m excited for book 2!
Thank you so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
March 23, 2026
Two things can be true at once:
1. I love Betty. She is hilarious. Her humor is my kind of humor. I have loved everything she’s written.
2. I wanted more from this book. It would have benefitted from about 50% more pages and diving deep into the character arcs a bit. There were uncomfortable jumps in this that felt like there wasn’t enough meat to get us to that next point.
I think by wanting more here, that tells you how interesting this book is! That’s not a bad thing. If it ever gets picked up trad, that would be an opportunity to expand for sure. Have another pass through and fix some of the minor details like typos and moments where characters leave cellphones behind but then use that cellphone as a flashlight. Stuff that another editor would absolutely grab and point out, sometimes that stuff tends to slip through depending on who is rereading on an indie level. It’s not a reason for me to not recommend this book. It’s just something to point out for future releases.
Betty knows how to write a man but also spice. That’s never the complaint. I just wanted to keep living in this world a bit longer with a few more explanations and developments. But I will be buying the next one and am excited for it.
1. I love Betty. She is hilarious. Her humor is my kind of humor. I have loved everything she’s written.
2. I wanted more from this book. It would have benefitted from about 50% more pages and diving deep into the character arcs a bit. There were uncomfortable jumps in this that felt like there wasn’t enough meat to get us to that next point.
I think by wanting more here, that tells you how interesting this book is! That’s not a bad thing. If it ever gets picked up trad, that would be an opportunity to expand for sure. Have another pass through and fix some of the minor details like typos and moments where characters leave cellphones behind but then use that cellphone as a flashlight. Stuff that another editor would absolutely grab and point out, sometimes that stuff tends to slip through depending on who is rereading on an indie level. It’s not a reason for me to not recommend this book. It’s just something to point out for future releases.
Betty knows how to write a man but also spice. That’s never the complaint. I just wanted to keep living in this world a bit longer with a few more explanations and developments. But I will be buying the next one and am excited for it.
March 5, 2026
I was bored
March 4, 2026
I am a vampire girlie, you give me a romance book with a vampire I am reading it. I may have a problem. I felt like I should have liked this book more than I did. The plot and writing was great but I didn’t find myself connected to the characters. I feel like a reread of this later may change my view but if you like vampires and found power and strong FMCs give this book a try.
February 19, 2026
4.5 stars!
What an absolute blast this book turned out to be. It was bright, playful, and packed with so much heart that I found myself smiling the entire time. This was my first time reading anything by Betty, and it definitely will not be my last.
I picked it up because the cover completely caught my eye, which feels very on brand for me, but the story is what kept me hooked. Once I started, there was no putting it down. If you love the supernatural sass of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the vampire drama of True Blood, this delivers that same addictive energy with a layer of Greek mythology woven through it.
Diantha, our night school, attending heroine, is an absolute force. She is sharp, capable, and unapologetically powerful, and I adored watching her step fully into who she is. Then there is Orfeo, the Italian vampire who is equal parts charming and conflicted. He is funny, unexpectedly tender, and desperately trying to cling to whatever pieces of his humanity he has left. Their dynamic? So good.
The world building is rich without ever feeling overwhelming.
The lore unfolds in a way that feels natural and immersive, and I never felt lost. Instead, I felt completely swept up in it and honestly did not want it to end.
This story was sexy, magical, and wildly entertaining. It reminded me exactly why I love sinking into supernatural romances like this. And now I am impatiently waiting for book two because I need more of this world immediately.
What an absolute blast this book turned out to be. It was bright, playful, and packed with so much heart that I found myself smiling the entire time. This was my first time reading anything by Betty, and it definitely will not be my last.
I picked it up because the cover completely caught my eye, which feels very on brand for me, but the story is what kept me hooked. Once I started, there was no putting it down. If you love the supernatural sass of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the vampire drama of True Blood, this delivers that same addictive energy with a layer of Greek mythology woven through it.
Diantha, our night school, attending heroine, is an absolute force. She is sharp, capable, and unapologetically powerful, and I adored watching her step fully into who she is. Then there is Orfeo, the Italian vampire who is equal parts charming and conflicted. He is funny, unexpectedly tender, and desperately trying to cling to whatever pieces of his humanity he has left. Their dynamic? So good.
The world building is rich without ever feeling overwhelming.
The lore unfolds in a way that feels natural and immersive, and I never felt lost. Instead, I felt completely swept up in it and honestly did not want it to end.
This story was sexy, magical, and wildly entertaining. It reminded me exactly why I love sinking into supernatural romances like this. And now I am impatiently waiting for book two because I need more of this world immediately.
February 17, 2026
A vampire romance with demons, witches, and Greek gods?! Such a campy mix and I was 100% here for it.
📖: Diantha only wants to finish her masters and gain access to the catacombs underneath the college to help free her mother from the realm she’s trapped in. But then Orfeo walks into her night class and changes everything. Orfeo is a vampire and he needs Diantha’s help because there are other supernatural forces at work trying to destroy them.
💭: Author Betty Corrello (yes, 32 Days in May) is writing to us under the name B.C. Dolce to bring us this new campy mix of fantasy and dark academia. It was lighthearted enough to easily fall right into the fantasy world but detailed enough to keep you hooked. The romance pops off fast but he’s an Italian vampire so of course he falls fast and hard!! Overall, a very fun read and while there is a book 2 coming (duology) this one ends relatively wrapped up.
Here for more Italian vampires in books 🙂↕️
Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
📖: Diantha only wants to finish her masters and gain access to the catacombs underneath the college to help free her mother from the realm she’s trapped in. But then Orfeo walks into her night class and changes everything. Orfeo is a vampire and he needs Diantha’s help because there are other supernatural forces at work trying to destroy them.
💭: Author Betty Corrello (yes, 32 Days in May) is writing to us under the name B.C. Dolce to bring us this new campy mix of fantasy and dark academia. It was lighthearted enough to easily fall right into the fantasy world but detailed enough to keep you hooked. The romance pops off fast but he’s an Italian vampire so of course he falls fast and hard!! Overall, a very fun read and while there is a book 2 coming (duology) this one ends relatively wrapped up.
Here for more Italian vampires in books 🙂↕️
Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2026
So, I'm terribly late on finishing this book and leaving a review. Now that I have finished, I'll gladly say that this was perhaps one of the more interesting books that I've read over the past few months! It took everything I possibly imagined about a vampire-centric book and just kind of threw it in the trash (in a good way). It genuinely humanized everyone (which I understand is a terrible way to phrase it, given the title) in a way that made them feel like keeping up with some friends and their adventures. Some of the pacing was sped up more than others, and I wish that the last few chapters had been spaced a lot more slowly, but that's totally okay! Overall, definitely a solid read and one I wouldn't mind reading again.
March 27, 2026
I’m not sure if this book exactly knew what it wanted to be. Starting out with vampires then moving into demons and magic and ending with Greek mythology, it was a bit all over the place. There were times the world building and magic were a bit fuzzy and hard to understand. If this is going to be a series, i do wish this first book explained more about the vampires and magic and left us with a bit more mystery for the next book.
The romance aspects of the book are there! I loved the two main characters. Everything around them just seemed jumbled at times.
The romance aspects of the book are there! I loved the two main characters. Everything around them just seemed jumbled at times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2026
4.25 stars!!
this was honestly just the escape i needed! magic, demons, a mysterious college + an italian vampire who is too hot for his own good???? perfect.
such a fun book! i genuinely had a great time with diantha & ortheo. i love how their relationship developed and how perfect they are for each other. the humor in this book was great!! had me laughing out loud.
thank you so much for the arc! this is my honest review.
this was honestly just the escape i needed! magic, demons, a mysterious college + an italian vampire who is too hot for his own good???? perfect.
such a fun book! i genuinely had a great time with diantha & ortheo. i love how their relationship developed and how perfect they are for each other. the humor in this book was great!! had me laughing out loud.
thank you so much for the arc! this is my honest review.
February 24, 2026
4.5 rounded down because i ATE it up but it just felt like something was missing…
March 9, 2026
This book is a ROMP. It’s wild and campy and full of Betty’s signature wit. It’s also layered and intimate and so utterly hot. I don’t really read paranormal romance, but somehow this one did it for me. I will go wherever Betty takes me, for the rest of time.
Also worth noting that this book inspired me to cook spaghetti aglio e olio and that’s a first for me, so basically Betty is magic.
Also worth noting that this book inspired me to cook spaghetti aglio e olio and that’s a first for me, so basically Betty is magic.
February 17, 2026
2.5 rounded up i’m so sorry betty
February 17, 2026
All Twilight & TVD fans need to read this book! It’s an incredibly fast-paced, mature story about vampires, demons and goddesses with references of Greek Mythology. It takes place during the winter in Pennsylvania and BC Dolce accurately depicted the gray, boring & cold winters that hit the northeast. Diantha & Orfeo’s chemistry was blinding hot and the spice mixed with the paranormal aspects of them both was so so good. If you liked the spice in other vampire romances, you’ll be a fan of this too. I was slightly confused during parts of the book and wanted more information on the different creatures & their abilities. There was also a hierarchy between them all that I didn’t quite understand. This book ends in a unique way and sets us up for book 2, which I’m excited to read!
February 18, 2026
This was a solid 3.5 stars for me. I was very excited to get into this one, and I think the only reason it wasn't a higher score was because I wanted more. This felt like a novella with the length, and if it had been a full length novel I think we would have gotten more depth and development from these two. The pacing was just a little off. Things felt a little rushed in my opinion. With all of the being said, I enjoyed this one. It gave me Buffy vibes butnot with a demon hunter. I liked Diantha and Orfeo. You could feel the connection between the two of them from the get go. I mean who wouldn't be attracted to an Italian who is looking at you like he wants to eat you (in the best way). I liked the magic system if you will and that these two had to go on little journeys of their own to get to where they wanted/needed to be. I liked the setting- at a university that happened to be a crossroads for multiple *worlds.* I also liked that once Orfeo and Diantha got on the same page, they were basically unstoppable.
Diantha has finally found herself in the place her mom said she would be- at university. Why she is here besides learning she doesn't know. Until she sees him- Orfeo. The beautiful Italian man that she can't stop thinking about. Until she learns he is a vampire. Then she has to grapple with how she is feeling. Because he makes her feel. She comes clean with him about her magic and what she knows about her past and realizes that they are more connected than they could have ever thought. But when Orfeo asks her to make moves that she isn't ready to, she takes some space. She needs to get there on her own. Is she ready to do something so drastic for someone she doesn't know? Even knowing how much it could help him? Does she want to get dragged into the middle of the vampire/demon politics of it all. She decides that yes. She needs to do this as long as Orfeo is by her side. Because the more she digs the more she realizes that there are larger schemes at play here. She learns she is more powerful than she ever thought she could be and that power will help rid the world of these vampires. She also realizes she doesn't want to do life without Orfeo which she will tell him once they all get out of this battle together.
Orfeo has understood the sacrifices he has made that have gotten him into this mess he is in. And though he isn't happy with them, it is what it is. But then he meets Diantha and everything changes. He is attracted to her unlike anyone before her. She is powerful. She challenges him in a way that he likes. And then he realizes that she could help him through this mess. There is something about her that makes him think she is just more. But she turns him down. She doesn't want to get into the middle of all of this mess. So he leaves it alone and decides he will live with this decision once again. But then she changes her mind. She agrees to help him. And he realizes that he will do anything for her. She is his queen. She is his everything. He will do everything in his power to support her and make sure she is successful. Even sacrifice himself for her.
I am wondering if this is the start of a series- does anyone know? It ended on a *clean* note but there is a lot of potential here for more. Again I enjoyed this one and recommend it if you are wanting a pretty fast paced dark academia. I just wanted more.
Thank you to Betty for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Diantha has finally found herself in the place her mom said she would be- at university. Why she is here besides learning she doesn't know. Until she sees him- Orfeo. The beautiful Italian man that she can't stop thinking about. Until she learns he is a vampire. Then she has to grapple with how she is feeling. Because he makes her feel. She comes clean with him about her magic and what she knows about her past and realizes that they are more connected than they could have ever thought. But when Orfeo asks her to make moves that she isn't ready to, she takes some space. She needs to get there on her own. Is she ready to do something so drastic for someone she doesn't know? Even knowing how much it could help him? Does she want to get dragged into the middle of the vampire/demon politics of it all. She decides that yes. She needs to do this as long as Orfeo is by her side. Because the more she digs the more she realizes that there are larger schemes at play here. She learns she is more powerful than she ever thought she could be and that power will help rid the world of these vampires. She also realizes she doesn't want to do life without Orfeo which she will tell him once they all get out of this battle together.
Orfeo has understood the sacrifices he has made that have gotten him into this mess he is in. And though he isn't happy with them, it is what it is. But then he meets Diantha and everything changes. He is attracted to her unlike anyone before her. She is powerful. She challenges him in a way that he likes. And then he realizes that she could help him through this mess. There is something about her that makes him think she is just more. But she turns him down. She doesn't want to get into the middle of all of this mess. So he leaves it alone and decides he will live with this decision once again. But then she changes her mind. She agrees to help him. And he realizes that he will do anything for her. She is his queen. She is his everything. He will do everything in his power to support her and make sure she is successful. Even sacrifice himself for her.
I am wondering if this is the start of a series- does anyone know? It ended on a *clean* note but there is a lot of potential here for more. Again I enjoyed this one and recommend it if you are wanting a pretty fast paced dark academia. I just wanted more.
Thank you to Betty for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 17, 2026
3.5 / 5 Stars
I love this author’s contemporary romances and I jumped at the chance to read her new paranormal romance, so full transparency, I would follow her to the moon and back.
This book took the idea of vampires and turned it on its head. Mediterranean Vampires aren’t like your Twilight Vampires. They eat garlic (duh, he’s Italian). They go out in the sunlight. They don’t need to be invited in. They are hot and passionate (so that remains the same).
I loved that the book explored a complicated mother-daughter relationship. Diantha and her mother have a lot of complicated history made only more complicated by the fact that her mother is stuck in a liminal space and Diantha is trying to get her out.
The book is very fast paced which was a nice change of pace (don’t come for me, I am tired and words are not wording today) from my usual slow burns and slower plots. Diantha finds out that Orfeo is a vampire in the first few chapters, so it is not a secret for long and things pick up and haul butt from there.
That being said, I sometimes felt in over my head with the mix of paranormal creatures and Greek mythology and how fast things moved. It felt like a fast ride and I was just holding on and vibing. Sometimes it felt like new information about the paranormal was being revealed even in the late third act. And I didn’t always understand why Diantha was so trusting of everyone around her (they are demons, babe. Aren’t they bad? Maybe it’s complicated?)
I think if you are a fan of this author or if you are looking for a new spin on paranormal romances, you may enjoy this. Be ready to move quickly.
You will probably like this book if you like:
🧛♂️ Paranormal romance with a hot Italian vampire
🧛♂️ First in a duology
🧛♂️ Fated mates
🧛♂️ Mixed with Greek mythology
I love this author’s contemporary romances and I jumped at the chance to read her new paranormal romance, so full transparency, I would follow her to the moon and back.
This book took the idea of vampires and turned it on its head. Mediterranean Vampires aren’t like your Twilight Vampires. They eat garlic (duh, he’s Italian). They go out in the sunlight. They don’t need to be invited in. They are hot and passionate (so that remains the same).
I loved that the book explored a complicated mother-daughter relationship. Diantha and her mother have a lot of complicated history made only more complicated by the fact that her mother is stuck in a liminal space and Diantha is trying to get her out.
The book is very fast paced which was a nice change of pace (don’t come for me, I am tired and words are not wording today) from my usual slow burns and slower plots. Diantha finds out that Orfeo is a vampire in the first few chapters, so it is not a secret for long and things pick up and haul butt from there.
That being said, I sometimes felt in over my head with the mix of paranormal creatures and Greek mythology and how fast things moved. It felt like a fast ride and I was just holding on and vibing. Sometimes it felt like new information about the paranormal was being revealed even in the late third act. And I didn’t always understand why Diantha was so trusting of everyone around her (they are demons, babe. Aren’t they bad? Maybe it’s complicated?)
I think if you are a fan of this author or if you are looking for a new spin on paranormal romances, you may enjoy this. Be ready to move quickly.
You will probably like this book if you like:
🧛♂️ Paranormal romance with a hot Italian vampire
🧛♂️ First in a duology
🧛♂️ Fated mates
🧛♂️ Mixed with Greek mythology
April 11, 2026
I dont know what to rate it honestly. It was so slow until i reached the 50% mark, then it was too abrupt I feel like it was rushed and i barely understood what is going on. Im not gonna lie there were some major shockers and it was funny, but like I expected so much more. Plus I get how much Orfeo loves her but like some things he does were so questionable. I feel like halfway through the book after the plot twist, they kinda lost their connection.
The plot is good ngl, 2 stars is too low and 3 stars is good, I give the author credit she did rly well on some scenes but like the flow of ideas i got confused honestly. There is not building of relationships no connections, it just feels flat no character development nothing. Like i felt no connection with the characters.
I wish they could have handled their issues in a more mature way its like they fight and then come back together when something happens to Diantha and IDK how i feel about that. Then when they said they r mates, like girl why did u throw that into the mix at the end, it did not really make sense, their chemistry was not chemistrying after the 50% mark.
And like there was so much to uncover about her dad, Hades, but nothing was said after they killed Alfo. Im so confused, not like in a way of a good cliffhanger, but in a way of idk what happened and there are no clear answers and everything is jumbled, I'm a bit disappointed I expected so much more.😓
The plot is good ngl, 2 stars is too low and 3 stars is good, I give the author credit she did rly well on some scenes but like the flow of ideas i got confused honestly. There is not building of relationships no connections, it just feels flat no character development nothing. Like i felt no connection with the characters.
I wish they could have handled their issues in a more mature way its like they fight and then come back together when something happens to Diantha and IDK how i feel about that. Then when they said they r mates, like girl why did u throw that into the mix at the end, it did not really make sense, their chemistry was not chemistrying after the 50% mark.
And like there was so much to uncover about her dad, Hades, but nothing was said after they killed Alfo. Im so confused, not like in a way of a good cliffhanger, but in a way of idk what happened and there are no clear answers and everything is jumbled, I'm a bit disappointed I expected so much more.😓
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2026
i really wanted to love this book bc i’ve been looking for a good vampire romance and sadly this wasn’t it 🥲
it had a lot of potential in the beginning - loved the night school vibe, the initial convos between the love interests when she discovers he’s a vampire - but there was something off about the pacing that made the rest of this book a slog to get through. i feel like throughout the course of the book, not that much actually happened
i also felt like most of the characters were pretty flat and i knew surface level things about them, but i had a hard time connecting with any of them and feeling like they were real people with personalities (and some of the dialogue was cringey 😭) and then the traits i did learn about orfeo kinda made me dislike him - his supposed best friend makes some weird comments about sharing diantha, he seems like a pick-me saying he doesn’t like thin women because he’s worried they’re not eating enough, etc
the author’s writing style itself is pretty good and there’s some beautiful language, but i think the plot and depth of the characters were lacking. the characters’ motives change randomly (diantha can’t bear the thought of killing someone and then she’s ok with it) and there were plot holes (why is she discovering her blood is gold now, has she never seen her blood before??)
2.5/5
it had a lot of potential in the beginning - loved the night school vibe, the initial convos between the love interests when she discovers he’s a vampire - but there was something off about the pacing that made the rest of this book a slog to get through. i feel like throughout the course of the book, not that much actually happened
i also felt like most of the characters were pretty flat and i knew surface level things about them, but i had a hard time connecting with any of them and feeling like they were real people with personalities (and some of the dialogue was cringey 😭) and then the traits i did learn about orfeo kinda made me dislike him - his supposed best friend makes some weird comments about sharing diantha, he seems like a pick-me saying he doesn’t like thin women because he’s worried they’re not eating enough, etc
the author’s writing style itself is pretty good and there’s some beautiful language, but i think the plot and depth of the characters were lacking. the characters’ motives change randomly (diantha can’t bear the thought of killing someone and then she’s ok with it) and there were plot holes (why is she discovering her blood is gold now, has she never seen her blood before??)
2.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2026
Firstly, thank you so much to B.C. Dolce & Lavender Public Relations for the chance to read this book early!
3.5 rounded up
When I tell you that I need to find myself an Orfeo YESTERDAY I mean it! 🥵 The romance between him and Diantha is truly beautiful, and the ~private~ scenes…let me go get a fan real quick.
While I really enjoyed this book and found myself quickly turning the pages to continue the story, I do wish there had been just a bit more build up and explanation. I wanted to know more about the University of Echidna and how it came to be such a source of paranormal activity, and would have liked a little more explanation about Diantha’s powers. The second half of the book is explosive, but I felt the climax was a bit rushed and I would have loved to have some extra scenes in the battle between Orfeo/Alfo/Diantha. It felt like it went 0 to 100 with their plan and banishing Alfo. While I understand it was her destiny to become a goddess, her suddenly having goddess powers simply because she felt Orfeo become injured felt like a *little bit* of cop out. Despite my small complaints, I had such a fun time reading this book and will absolutely read the second one (if Evie isn’t okay we ride at dawn!!)
3.5 rounded up
When I tell you that I need to find myself an Orfeo YESTERDAY I mean it! 🥵 The romance between him and Diantha is truly beautiful, and the ~private~ scenes…let me go get a fan real quick.
While I really enjoyed this book and found myself quickly turning the pages to continue the story, I do wish there had been just a bit more build up and explanation. I wanted to know more about the University of Echidna and how it came to be such a source of paranormal activity, and would have liked a little more explanation about Diantha’s powers. The second half of the book is explosive, but I felt the climax was a bit rushed and I would have loved to have some extra scenes in the battle between Orfeo/Alfo/Diantha. It felt like it went 0 to 100 with their plan and banishing Alfo. While I understand it was her destiny to become a goddess, her suddenly having goddess powers simply because she felt Orfeo become injured felt like a *little bit* of cop out. Despite my small complaints, I had such a fun time reading this book and will absolutely read the second one (if Evie isn’t okay we ride at dawn!!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2026
Sexy vampire romance
This was a paranormal romance with a quirkiness to it that I enjoyed! Diantha and Orfeo meet one clandestined day when he stumbles in late to her night school class. She's instantly intrigued by the witty Italian accented student, and he appears to be equally intrigued by her.
He's a vampire, and she's...well, he's not quite sure what she is. She really doesn't know what she is either, other than the daughter of a witch. But she's on a mission to save her mother from a stranger dominion she's stuck in, and she's kind of flying blind. Orfeo, thankfully, knows a thing or two about strange things. Their alliance is interesting because all he really knows about her is that she attracts demons and seems a little aloof about it all.
I liked certain things about this book, the main thing being the raw passion that builds between them. I loved seeing their connection grow and blossom into something beautiful, real, and heartbreakingly delicate. As mighty as these two seem, there is real threat among them that could lead to the demise of their loved ones and themselves.
I that this book even on a good HFN note, and I'm hopeful we'll get more from this book world.
This was a paranormal romance with a quirkiness to it that I enjoyed! Diantha and Orfeo meet one clandestined day when he stumbles in late to her night school class. She's instantly intrigued by the witty Italian accented student, and he appears to be equally intrigued by her.
He's a vampire, and she's...well, he's not quite sure what she is. She really doesn't know what she is either, other than the daughter of a witch. But she's on a mission to save her mother from a stranger dominion she's stuck in, and she's kind of flying blind. Orfeo, thankfully, knows a thing or two about strange things. Their alliance is interesting because all he really knows about her is that she attracts demons and seems a little aloof about it all.
I liked certain things about this book, the main thing being the raw passion that builds between them. I loved seeing their connection grow and blossom into something beautiful, real, and heartbreakingly delicate. As mighty as these two seem, there is real threat among them that could lead to the demise of their loved ones and themselves.
I that this book even on a good HFN note, and I'm hopeful we'll get more from this book world.
February 17, 2026
Diantha has lived her whole life in the shadows of her mother's secrets and when she started the last semester of her master's program, she only has one thing on her mind - getting into the catacombs underneath campus so she can finally break the curse that's keeping her mother trapped in the realm between life and death. What she doesn't need is this beautiful vampire in her class being a distraction!
As their town becomes overrun by evil supernatural forces, Diantha and Orfeo realize they're the only two that can stop them before it's too late.
This was such a fun paranormal read! A mix of dark academia, supernatural forces, mythology, and romance was the perfect concoction for this story. Diantha and Orfeo had CHEMISTRY and I loved that he wasn't like other vampires, mhmmmm. The build up to the big conflict had great pacing and then Dolce really packed some big punches in a short amount of time, keeping me on the edge of my seat. The ending is definitely left open for more to come, and I'm ready for it in book two!!
You should preorder if you're interested in:
- Vampires (duh)!
- Family Curses!
- Greek Mythology!
- Fated Mates!
As their town becomes overrun by evil supernatural forces, Diantha and Orfeo realize they're the only two that can stop them before it's too late.
This was such a fun paranormal read! A mix of dark academia, supernatural forces, mythology, and romance was the perfect concoction for this story. Diantha and Orfeo had CHEMISTRY and I loved that he wasn't like other vampires, mhmmmm. The build up to the big conflict had great pacing and then Dolce really packed some big punches in a short amount of time, keeping me on the edge of my seat. The ending is definitely left open for more to come, and I'm ready for it in book two!!
You should preorder if you're interested in:
- Vampires (duh)!
- Family Curses!
- Greek Mythology!
- Fated Mates!
March 29, 2026
Full disclosure: I DNF’d at 50%.
This was disappointing because I kept forcing myself to continue, thinking that with the rating and the number of pages that it would be a fun or easy read, hoping that it would be both. I gave up at the halfway mark because by that point I still didn’t care about a person, a storyline, or potential spice—and I was halfway through a book that’s not even 300 pages long!
Again, full disclosure, I only read the first half: This felt like a “what if that super hot guy that asked me for a pen one time was secretly a vampire and totally obsessed with me” lucid dream/wish fulfilment met “good thing I’m unknowingly the most special person ever” (because her blood/scent/magic is so super special she could captivate an immortal, but also because she’s been studying the occult so she's super cool). I liked that the book had the awareness to make Twilight jokes, but it felt like I was reading someone's personal fantasy so I couldn't get into it.
The book isn’t poorly written, and it feels like the author has a good foundation for the world of magic and whatnot. I’d give her another try.
This was disappointing because I kept forcing myself to continue, thinking that with the rating and the number of pages that it would be a fun or easy read, hoping that it would be both. I gave up at the halfway mark because by that point I still didn’t care about a person, a storyline, or potential spice—and I was halfway through a book that’s not even 300 pages long!
Again, full disclosure, I only read the first half: This felt like a “what if that super hot guy that asked me for a pen one time was secretly a vampire and totally obsessed with me” lucid dream/wish fulfilment met “good thing I’m unknowingly the most special person ever” (because her blood/scent/magic is so super special she could captivate an immortal, but also because she’s been studying the occult so she's super cool). I liked that the book had the awareness to make Twilight jokes, but it felt like I was reading someone's personal fantasy so I couldn't get into it.
The book isn’t poorly written, and it feels like the author has a good foundation for the world of magic and whatnot. I’d give her another try.
February 17, 2026
Thank you so much to Betty Corrello for the ARC!
✨️Dark Academia
✨️Dual POV
✨️Family Curse
✨️Greek Mythology
✨️Fated Mates
✨️I had a lot of fun with this one! Diantha is a night school student with powers she doesn't quite understand. She's a badass and I just love her so much. Orfeo, the Italian vampire is sweet, funny and probably cares too much about humans. Together, they are so much fun, hot and ready to take down some demons.
This book is full of everything I love about the genre - vampire lore, demons, magic, surprise greek mythology, all with Betty Corrello's signature brand of humor!
The world building and lore was done so well and easy for me to understand and left me wanting more. So it's a good thing MIV is book one in a duology! I am so excited to read more from this universe!
I would recommend this to anyone that grew up watching Buffy The Vampire Slayer when you were way too young, like me. Fans of True Blood and Twilight would also enjoy this! I found this to be a quick read and I really enjoyed it!
✨️Dark Academia
✨️Dual POV
✨️Family Curse
✨️Greek Mythology
✨️Fated Mates
✨️I had a lot of fun with this one! Diantha is a night school student with powers she doesn't quite understand. She's a badass and I just love her so much. Orfeo, the Italian vampire is sweet, funny and probably cares too much about humans. Together, they are so much fun, hot and ready to take down some demons.
This book is full of everything I love about the genre - vampire lore, demons, magic, surprise greek mythology, all with Betty Corrello's signature brand of humor!
The world building and lore was done so well and easy for me to understand and left me wanting more. So it's a good thing MIV is book one in a duology! I am so excited to read more from this universe!
I would recommend this to anyone that grew up watching Buffy The Vampire Slayer when you were way too young, like me. Fans of True Blood and Twilight would also enjoy this! I found this to be a quick read and I really enjoyed it!
February 17, 2026
You read about Mediterranean vampires and next thing you know, you are on AO3 looking for more Mediterranean vampire stories. True story.
Once I reached about 40% of the book, I was so hooked on the storyline that I lost all sense of time and just KEPT reading until 1am. The plot really ramps up at a perfect pace and I never could guess what was coming down the line. I really enjoyed the incorporation of Greek mythology in this as someone who enjoys reading books with Greek mythology! Also, one dream is my new favorite trope now??? Those were some of my favorite moments from the book HANDS DOWN!
Oh to be down bad as Orfeo! I mean sexy aside (because that's a given), he was moody and such a softie. I enjoyed the interaction between Diantha and Orfeo so much from the banter to the yearning. Also the HOT SCENES? I WAS SWEATING OVER HERE. I can't wait to see what else comes next in this series!
Thank you to B.C. Dolce for an early copy of this one!
Once I reached about 40% of the book, I was so hooked on the storyline that I lost all sense of time and just KEPT reading until 1am. The plot really ramps up at a perfect pace and I never could guess what was coming down the line. I really enjoyed the incorporation of Greek mythology in this as someone who enjoys reading books with Greek mythology! Also, one dream is my new favorite trope now??? Those were some of my favorite moments from the book HANDS DOWN!
Oh to be down bad as Orfeo! I mean sexy aside (because that's a given), he was moody and such a softie. I enjoyed the interaction between Diantha and Orfeo so much from the banter to the yearning. Also the HOT SCENES? I WAS SWEATING OVER HERE. I can't wait to see what else comes next in this series!
Thank you to B.C. Dolce for an early copy of this one!
March 31, 2026
My Italian Vampire is unputdownable. I am absolutely desperate for the second book in the series because that ending was spectacular!!!
What I loved most about this book is that it touches on the paranormal genre, but not to the point where it becomes the focus; that remains on the love story between Orfeo and Diantha. And oh my god--Orfeo is a man of yearning and I'm here for it.
I felt the development of the story was well-paced and the magical system in which the book takes place was perfectly laid out as not to leave readers confused. The side characters ended up being some of my favorite characters as they were a bit satirical at times and had me laughing.
I'm eager to see where book two takes us, but in the meantime, I can't wait for more people to read My Italian Vampire. Thank you B.C. for the e-ARC!
What I loved most about this book is that it touches on the paranormal genre, but not to the point where it becomes the focus; that remains on the love story between Orfeo and Diantha. And oh my god--Orfeo is a man of yearning and I'm here for it.
I felt the development of the story was well-paced and the magical system in which the book takes place was perfectly laid out as not to leave readers confused. The side characters ended up being some of my favorite characters as they were a bit satirical at times and had me laughing.
I'm eager to see where book two takes us, but in the meantime, I can't wait for more people to read My Italian Vampire. Thank you B.C. for the e-ARC!
April 12, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book was pure vampire camp in the absolute BEST way! It had everything I'm looking for in a paranormal romance: fast-paced, interesting world building and of course, SPICE. The book was on the shorter side (under 300 pages), but I was so impressed by how much the author managed fit in, without sacrificing plot or making it feel rushed.
And can we talk about how much fun the idea of an Italian vampire (with their own lore— immune to garlic, obviously!) is? I really enjoyed the world building here and how the author intentionally played with/inverted paranormal tropes.
Diantha and Orfeo had such amazing chemistry! I loved the spice and how their relationship grew.
Honestly, Betty/BC Dolce's writing is just so fun and fresh! I love seeing her branch into a new genre— she's quickly become an auto-buy author for me!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book was pure vampire camp in the absolute BEST way! It had everything I'm looking for in a paranormal romance: fast-paced, interesting world building and of course, SPICE. The book was on the shorter side (under 300 pages), but I was so impressed by how much the author managed fit in, without sacrificing plot or making it feel rushed.
And can we talk about how much fun the idea of an Italian vampire (with their own lore— immune to garlic, obviously!) is? I really enjoyed the world building here and how the author intentionally played with/inverted paranormal tropes.
Diantha and Orfeo had such amazing chemistry! I loved the spice and how their relationship grew.
Honestly, Betty/BC Dolce's writing is just so fun and fresh! I love seeing her branch into a new genre— she's quickly become an auto-buy author for me!
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