The Vampire in My Basement

by K.C. De la Rosa

Haley Anderson is ready to make a change in her life--a big one. With nothing but her old truck, her new house, and her parakeet Brenda, she’s ready to start over in New York.

But what she doesn’t anticipate is her new house coming with a vampire doctor named Vasile who has been asleep in its basement for two hundred years. And when she’s faced with the task of getting him acclimated to today’s world and getting him home to Romania, her new life suddenly becomes more than she bargained for.

Starting over was supposed to be simple. Falling in love with a vampire wasn’t a part of the plan.

143 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2026

About the author

KC De la Rosa (he/him) is an author of alien and monster romance that is always queer and sometimes spicy. Sometimes he writes messy rom-com level romances, sometimes he writes high-octane sci-fi romances about bounty hunters. But you can always count on there being a happily ever after. He lives in Georgia with his author spouse and two dogs, Chai and Milkshake.

Reviews

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has lots of fluffy vibes and a very impulsive FMC, which I’m a fan of. Some of the plot holes took me out of the story. Like, how did she get him a flight to Romania without him having any ID? How did he not need a shower after being in a box for 200 years?

Spice: 2/5

Triggers: gender dysphoria, mention of transphobia, blood, drug use (weed and past laudanum use)

[Lady Grimm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, cute, and sweet

This novella was really cute-- the vampire lore in it breaks a lot of the conventional "rules" and doesnt fully define them, because it is a short book, but the reader gets enough to go with the flow.
Obviously very fast burn, it had some spice, and overall it was a really fun story with sweet characters ❤️

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, a short and sweet fluffy romance is all a girl needs to get going on her TBR again. Even better as a monster romance with a good lil spicy scene in there.

[Dalegendaryreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

"There was a dead guy in a box in her basement."

Haley moved to New York and bought a house, however she found out that there's a vampire in her basement. Vasile's been asleep for two centuries, and wanted to go home to pursue a career in medicine.

Very short, fun and quirky. My first time to read a trans vampire so I love that representation.

Read this for my bedtime read, and it was very straight forward. Literally the premise is on the title itself.

Haley was a very quirky girl who's easy going and took everything in stride when she discovered Vasile. They spent an entire day or two together and got to know each other.

It was fine, it was fun and had good vibes.

[Zarlina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read! Light and easy and exactly what I needed after some quite heavy books lately. I instantly fell in love with both of the main characters (and Brenda, of course) and while I'm normally not much for the whole insta-love trope, it worked so well for them.

I loved this. Only downside was that maybe some things didn't fully make sense, but hey, it's fiction. Not everything needs to be by the book. I mean, it's got a vampire in it, so who cares if it's not 100% realistic. Fantastic trans rep as well. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a light read that will make them laugh while also falling in love with a hot vampire and a crazy but delightful human.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah this was so cute and adorable and funny! Just what I needed to cheer up! If you're feeling down, you should read this to just get a good bubbly laugh.

It makes you laugh but also sigh with... I don't know what to say, but it made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. The characters were funny (there are birbs) and while I was like "oh my goood" a lot I wouldn't have it any other way. It was so much fun!

Also made me scream a little at my kindle and be like COME ON PEOPLE but in the end, it was just what I needed. It's adorable and sweet, and trans rep is BEAUTIFUL. I adored that!

[Quin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful from start to finish. Genuinely made me tear up at times. The characters feel so real, the plot is fun & exciting, and I loved everyone sosososo much. Haley & Rhea feel so much like me & my bestie. Vasile will haunt me; he is everything. And Haley being the thirstier of the two gives me life (pun fully intended). It’s so light and breezy, super quick read. Took me about a day.
I will be forcing everyone I know to read this

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found through Skye Kilaen’s newsletter. I enjoyed the premise a lot but the relationship development happens so quickly. It was a fast read yet I also wanted it to be longer. The blessing and the curse of novellas I suppose. And some of the logistics and practicalities didn’t necessarily make sense. But never have I ever read a trans vampire before so that was fun. Would be open to reading more from the author.

[V.R. Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the cutest novellas I have read in recent years. Haley is relatable, and Vasile is a sweetheart. But the stand out character? Brenda, obviously.

This story is joy in a little bubble. It has everything: angst, spice, and pure fluff. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and that just makes it so fun to read!

K.C. De la Rosa has once again proven his place on my auto read list!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Reader*** aww this was short and very sweet, I loved both of them. Everyone was VERY chill with the situation they were dropped in which I hilarious but it warmed my little icy queer heart 😋

I love Haley and Vasile, I hope we can get more of them but also I’ll be here in the background cheering them on! 📣📣

[Eel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet

This story is full of humor and reverse gender norms. When a vampire wakes up in a basement, he has to rely on the first human he sees to acclimate to the time period (and to buy him tacos). The story takes place mostly in one day, which my insta love heart adores. Very sweet dynamics between them.

[Samantha Koostra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! It was so funny and sweet and seriously put me in the mood for some horchata 😆 I love the bond that Haley and Vasile form, it was so fun to read with just the right amount of spice. I love that this story goes against the norm. Not your average vampire love story, but I think its all the better for it. A great little novella all around

[ReadswithGroot · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who has daydreamed about being a vampire's personal juice box. And for the trans mascs who couldn't tell if they wanted Edward Cullen or wanted to be him. Sometimes it's both.

It was fun, short and a sexy read with some great trans masc representation.

Just don't take it seriously and enjoy the ride!