Deviate Me

by Daphne Thorne

Genres: M M Romance, Vampires, Paranormal, Dark Romance, Paranormal Romance, M M M

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2026

About the author

Author of Twisted, Spicy, and Dark Fiction.

Daphne Thorne is an indie author based in Buenos Aires, with a love for everything related to vampires. She writes mainly MM/queer romance with a lot of spice and dark themes, but won't shy away from sweet, heartfelt stories as well. In her books, you will find complex characters that drive the narrative forward and will, hopefully, win your heart over.

Reviews

[Aleja · Rating 5 out of 5]

MMM dark romance | Vampires (urban fantasy) | Stepbrothers | Forbidden romance | Bisexual Awakening | First times | Age gap | Size difference | Love triangle (that’s how it starts, at least) | Knife Play | Pierced MC | Lots of blood | Unhinged MC | Blow jobs

Okay, tengo que decir que todo en este libro fue una grata sorpresa! No me esperaba absolutamente nada de esta historia, entré completamente a ciegas y valió muchísimo la pena!

Tengo que admitir que la larga tensión y la falta de comunicación entre Damien y Killian me estaba poniendo de los nervios hacia el final del libro, pero la historia lo compensó con creces en esos últimos capítulos 🤌🏻🔥. Amé demasiado la relación entre Damien y Jacob, no lo voy a negar 🤭. Sí me gustaría ver más de la conexión entre Damien y Killian; si bien son hermanastros, se conocen de siempre y demás, siento que su relación quedó un poquito de lado. Espero que en la siguiente entrega conozcamos más de ellos y de Jacob como una verdadera relación de tres.

Jacob es, sin dudas, un personaje sumamente intrigante. Muero por conocer más de su historia y ver la dinámica entre los tres desde su perspectiva; siento que nos estamos perdiendo de cosas muy importantes 👀👀🤭🔥.

Definitivamente este libro vale por completo la pena. Para ser un debut, está súper bien escrito y la historia te atrapa desde el primer segundo.

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

Okay, I have to say that everything in this book was such a pleasant surprise! I went into this story completely blind, expecting absolutely nothing, and it was 100% worth it!

I must admit that the long-standing tension and lack of communication between Damien and Killian was driving me crazy toward the end of the book, but the story more than made up for it in those final chapters 🤌🏻🔥. I absolutely loved the dynamic between Damien and Jacob, I won't even deny it 🤭. I do want to see more of the relationship between Damien and Killian, though; even though they are stepbrothers and have known each other forever, I feel like their individual connection got pushed to the side a bit. I hope that in the next installment we get to see more of them, as well as Jacob, functioning as a triad.

Jacob is undoubtedly a highly intriguing character. I’m dying to learn more about his background and see the dynamic between the three of them from his POV—I feel like we’re missing out on some major things 👀👀🤭🔥.

This book is definitely worth the read. For a debut novel, it is beautifully written, and the story hooks you from the very first page.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3.5 stars

Deviate Me is a debut book by Daphne Thorne and drops us into Damien and Killien’s world. They are the best of friends and grew up as stepbrothers. They are now both vampires and life isn’t any easier for them. Their maker left them and they have no idea how to be vampires. When Jacob realizes Damien and Killien are fully on their own, he wants to help, but lines get blurred immediately.

The overall world building was lacking for me. There is no setup of the vampire world at all. What drove the story is the heat between Killien and Damien, and then adding in Jacob. It was rewarding to finally see Damien and Killien finally get together and then have thoughts about how Jacob fits in.

Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so fun, I mean, what isn't to love with vampire step brothers who are into each other and another vampire? If they aren't denying their feelings for each other, they are trying not to go on a rampage out of jealousy. Damien was probably my favorite little vampy brat ever. Overall, this story drops some fun tidbits wile also letting you know that there is darkness in everything and everyone. For this to be a debut for this author, it is a smash. I absolutely recommend for a sassy taboo romance read!

[Sarah-Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to start by thanking the author and The Author Agency for providing me with an advanced copy of this book to read. All thoughts and opinions shared are my own.

This was a debut book and it had me impressed! We dive into this dark paranormal romance by following Damien and Killian, two stepbrothers turned vampires who are trying to live their life and figure out what's expected of them now that their sire has basically abandoned them (I hope we see him in future books because I want his existence to end). These two were so bloody messy and chaotic, they were grappling with confusing emotions, feelings, bisexual awakenings and were really bad at facing the issues and figuring them out. I'm glad they were so bad though because it made for a great read. Especially as they are disasters, who have cravings, bloodlust and an urge for violence as recently turned vampires.

Enter Jacob the hot vampire tattooist/piercer, who is ready to help them now their sire is gone and help them become stronger and better vampires. This man was addictive and hot, and I just loved it every time he showed up in the story because there was a magnetic pull about him. I am intrigued by the plot that was set up and am curious to see where it goes, however I am most excited by the development of the relationships and seeing how they build on what we experienced in this book.

If you want a nice vampire romance, then you're in for a shock with this one because there's tension, a whole load of relationship confusion and blurring lines, and did I mention THE TENSION. Like that was so good and kept me enthralled because I loved the dilemmas and the jealousy. It was just everything that I needed.

What to Expect:
🩸 MM/MMM Romance
🩸 Vampires
🩸 Forbidden Relationship- Stepbrothers
🩸 Bisexual Awakening
🩸 Love Triangle
🩸 Size Difference
🩸 Pierced MMC
🩸 Knife Play

Quotes:
🩸 But how the hell do I align my dick and my heart? They're two separate entities, always have been.
🩸 Sometimes, I get reckless. My mentality is to reach out and take whatever I want in life. It's what I've been doing since I became immortal. Okay, maybe I was already doing it before. I don't understand the concept of delayed gratification, really. Maybe I should learn a bit more about that.
🩸'Human parents aren't very different from vampire makers, don't you think? They just toss us into the mess without any guidance. At least where we stand, at the very bottom of the pyramid.'

[ErikaWasReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Killian and Damien are fledgling vampires, abandoned by their maker, trying to manage the changes that come with their transformation. For Killian, this change also includes a bi-awakening and growing feelings for Damien (his stepbrother). When Damien begins a relationship with Jacob, the older vampire who has offered to help them, Killian has to confront his feelings for Damien…and Jacob.

I really loved how Daphne Thorne stayed true to the vampire myth (sexy, very attractive blood drinkers), but added her own touches, like the glowing eyes. Because Killian and Damien are fledgling vampires, it was interesting to see how the transition was amplifying their personalities. Especially the juxtaposition as Killian fought to remain in control while Damien happily leaned into his darker side.

As this is the first book in the series, I really liked that the story was focused on Killian and Damien figuring out who/what they were, especially as their relationships with Jacob change. There was a lot of interesting, larger world stuff introduced at the end of the book, which makes me very excited for the rest of the series. But I really appreciated how Daphne structured the story so that their relationship was the primary conflict of this book.

Deviate Me was a fantastic dark paranormal romance, and I am so looking forward to the next book!

---
I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.

[Chrissy_reads2727 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review!

I want to premise: go into this book knowing that it is the first book in a trilogy. Don't expect them their story to be done after this read!

This is a MMM Paranormal Vampire Romance. The characters are morally black so expect lots of pain 🙂‍↕️ blood 🙂‍↕️ and violence 🙂‍↕️.

This book follows stepbrothers Damien and Killian, newly turned vampires without a maker. They're barely surviving and always up to trouble. Damien is a mischievous and deviant brat 😈 and Damien's always following him cleaning up his messes. The tension between these two is suffocating in a way you just want to shake them and scream JUST TELL HIM YOU LOVE HIM!!! But in the best way possible 😂

Killian's in denial and Damien will do just about anything to make him jealous. It's the messiest book I've read in a while and I LOVE messy!

Enter, Jacob, older vampire who takes them under his wing, just to get under Damien 😜 (and Damien over him). The spice between these two 😮‍💨 They take fighting-as-foreplay to a level I've never experienced before and why did I like it 🫠

Buckle up buttercup, you're in for a wild, bloody ride! 😘

Tropes/Kinks: bloodplay, knifeplay, breathplay, fighting-as-foreplay, yearning/pining, sex w/ non-main characters, bratting, vers MMC's, pierced mmc, love triangle, stepbros, possessive/obsessive, killer MMC's, did I mention blood? 😅

[Nicole Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deviate Me was dark, chaotic, emotionally messy, and incredibly addictive. From the beginning, the story throws you directly into a world filled with forbidden attraction, unstable emotions, vampire hunger, and complicated relationship dynamics that constantly keep the tension high.
What stood out most to me was how layered the emotional dynamic between Killien, Damien, and Jacob becomes throughout the story. The relationships never feel simple or clean, which honestly works perfectly for the darker tone of the book. There’s attraction, jealousy, confusion, possessiveness, vulnerability, and emotional dependency constantly weaving through their interactions, making everything feel emotionally volatile in the best possible way.
Killien’s internal struggle felt especially compelling because he’s trying so hard to resist both his attraction and the darker instincts that come with becoming a vampire. Meanwhile, Damien fully leans into the chaos. He’s impulsive, seductive, emotionally reckless, and impossible not to watch whenever he’s on page. Jacob adds another interesting layer to the dynamic because his connection to both men shifts the emotional balance constantly.
The vampire elements themselves were fun because they heightened every emotion and interaction. The bloodlust, primal instincts, and loss of control blended naturally into the emotional and sexual tension throughout the story. The urban fantasy setting gives enough structure to support the romance without overwhelming the character dynamics.
This definitely leans heavily into darker themes and morally messy relationships, so trigger warnings are important here. Readers looking for emotionally clean romance probably won’t connect with this one, but if you enjoy forbidden dynamics, chaotic attraction, vampire obsession, and emotionally complicated poly relationships, this delivers exactly that.
Overall, this was tense, spicy, emotionally volatile, and very hard to put down.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and the Author agency for this eARC. I had no idea what to expect with this book - but I really enjoyed it! Killian and Damian are newly changed vampires - trying to figure out how to get fed and do their killing. Since their change - Killian has been getting more and more interested in his stepbrother Damian - he just doesn't want to follow through with the feelings. Jacob is the interesting link in this story - and I can't wait for his arc in the next book. He and Damian have a relationship - but Killian also has some interest. Damian is totally unhinged and I loved him. When Killian eventually falls - it's so good! I loved the ending of this book and can't wait to see where this goes.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated reads...and it did NOT disappoint. It was my first ever MMM. Now I can officially say the more M's the BETTER!

I love a tattooed and pierced bad boy MC who is sassy and bratty and has great banter.

If dark paranormal romance calls your name you will LOVE this book.

I was a bit concerned because like I said this was my first MMM and I was concerned about how the author would write the intricate details of those 3 relationships as a unit. In my opinion she knocked it out of the park!

I LOVE love and this vampire triangle made my heart happy!

[Shannai · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

I had an absolute blast with this, I need book 2 noooww!! Dystopian vampire MM(M) romance, I was so intrigued when I stumbled on this sign up and it really didn’t disappoint!!

I thought the characters were great, and had a great dynamic and they all really worked together, I can’t wait to see more of their relationship expand and explored more in the next book, and what lies ahead for the trio.

Thank you kindly to The Author Agency for the e-ARC of Deviate Me in exchange for an honest review.

[Vanessa V · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

DNF at 33%

I enjoy MM romance and I love vampires, so when I came across this book, I was immediately intrigued.

Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with the main characters at all. The only character I remotely liked was Killien.

I think writing an MMM relationship is a tricky balancing act. The development of the relationship between all three characters needs to feel natural and believable. Unfortunately, the way it was handled here just didn’t work for me.

To me, it would have made more sense if Damien and Killien had gotten together first. Instead, there was a complete lack of communication, and triggering jealousy seemed to be used as a substitute for actually addressing issues. The first sex scene between Damien and Jacob was the point where I decided to DNF.

Damien was portrayed as a brat, but his dialogue and the way he handled situations came across as too immature for my taste.

Overall, the characters felt a little flat, and I would have liked more insight into the vampire world and its lore.

Sadly, this one wasn’t for me.

Giving the book a neutral rating because I only read about a third of it and don’t feel I read enough of the story to fairly judge it as a whole

[Susan (Purplegalaxyreads94) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to thank the lovely Daphne Thorne and The Author Agency for the gifted eARC of Deviate Me to read and provide my honest, spoiler free review!

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

My Thoughts:
Deviate Me took up the majority of my day today and honestly, I’m not mad about that! This book sucked me in from the very beginning and I already know I want to see how this story continues in the near future.

In this story, we follow Damien and Killi who are “brothers” but they aren’t like normal humans. They are in fact, vampires. Vampires who were turned by the same maker and have been living life on their own without a clue on how vampires should truly be navigating life. While battling their normal cravings and the obvious features that come out while feeding, they truly are taken under the wings of Jacob, a vampire who knew their maker and plans on helping them to the best of his ability. However, what he suggests is something they never thought was real..and that was to feed off of other vampires to keep their strength.

That is just the tip of the iceberg with what this story is about and what it all entails. Let me just tell you that the tension between Kill and Damien was so thick that I found myself begging for the two of them to just talk it out and realize their feelings for one another. Even though I understood why there were hesitations, you could clearly see that they both just wanted each other. I felt like Jacob was an interesting mix to the group and seeing how he wanted to help them both yet struggled to keep them both under control just eluded to the fact that these two would be brats for him and honestly…I can tell Jacob will have his hands full with them both and I’m here for it!

There are other moments that happen in the book that definitely tugged on my heartstrings and I loved seeing the protectiveness that Damien has when it comes to his Killi. Even though Killi is older, there is just something about the younger “brother” wanting to protect him that made me love their little found family group so much more. With how this first installment ended, I just know I’m going to be waiting patiently to see how it continues and what all happens for these three characters as time goes on.

[Gale MR · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting debut with potential!
I was literally torn between putting it down halfway through and reading it to the end.
When I first picked up the book, I fell in love with the concept. It was truly promising, and giving small independent authors a chance is a top priority for me. But unfortunately, it turned out to be a big disappointment. /for now/
The world-building had interesting threads, but it was never fully developed. The action and tension were in full swing from the very beginning, which was great.
Two stepbrothers roaming and surviving the world alone, on their own, are turned into vampires and left by their maker to fend for themselves. Awesome! Killien and Damien have such a strong, unbreakable bond, but they’re stuck in a cycle of unresolved feelings toward each other. There were clues as big as the Eiffel Tower showing how much their relationship had changed and that their feelings were no longer brotherly. But instead of exploring this new development as mature adults and communicating openly, I, as a reader, was stuck in a torturous, repetitive loop, mainly from Killien’s perspective, about how impossible such a relationship is and that its potential is doomed because they are step-brothers. But! In fact, they are no longer human and will live forever in a completely new world. Their ties to humanity are severed and their nature changed irrevocably. A world the author failed to tell us about. And in the crossfire of the inability to face their feelings is trapped a third person as a simple instrument to ignite jealousy. How convenient! In these times of great uncertainty, while Killien and Damien are struggling to adjust, adapt, and control their thirst for blood, another vampire gives them the support and knowledge they need. I liked Jacob much more than the other two characters. He was just an useful third wheel, a means to an end, which saddened me. He didn’t deserve to be treated like trash while the two stepbrothers navigated their complex new reality and their inability to express and act on their feelings.
As I said, I liked the concept of the story, and the blood, violence, and murders left in the wake of the two baby vampires gave the book sharp, dark undertones that were very welcome in my reading nook. The knife play and the steamy scenes between Damien and Killien were also captivating.
The last 20% or so of the book were actually what would have made the story incredible if it had happened from the very beginning.
It may sound like a negative review, but that is not my intention. The next installment could actually be truly wonderful if the author decides to expand on the elements that were missing from the world-building. And Jacob—Damien and Killian have a lot to atone for and grow personally before a triad is even possible.

[Barbara Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC 📖 review
MC’s: Killien, Damien, Jacob

5/5 ⭐️Overall
5/5 🌶️ Spice

This book was 🔥.

I mean, when I pick up a paranormal romance, I already expect the spice level to be turned all the way up — and this is specifically an urban vampire fantasy, so naturally, there’s a lot of heat.

First, the world-building was awesome. The subtle twists on vampire mythology were really well done and brought something fresh to the story. They never felt gimmicky; everything felt intentional.

The story follows stepbrothers - basically lost boys out of Salt Lake City, raised by drug-addicted parents. That setup alone is messy enough but add to it they are also feral teenaged vampires & the story becomes the wildest ride. There’s an unrequited-love thread complicated by a strong morality complex for 1 MC and while not tied to organized religion, it’s still very reflective of the culture of SLC.

Then tattoo artist Jacob enters the picture making the chemistry even tenser. Honestly, without the slow burn aspect of this story, my Kindle probably would’ve caught fire.

Beyond the MMM romance itself, there’s also an underworld/crime element woven into the story that clearly sets up future books, and I fully plan on reading every single one of them.
I genuinely can’t believe this is a debut novel. Huge congratulations to the author — it was incredible.

Why you will love this book:
🔥MMM dark romance
🔥Vampires (urban fantasy)
🔥Stepbrothers (forbidden relationship)
🔥Bisexual Awakening
🔥First times
🔥Age gap relationship
🔥Size difference
🔥Love triangle (that’s how it starts, at least) 
🔥Knife Play
🔥Pierced MC (🍆)
🔥Lots of blood
🔥Unhinged MC
🔥Bisexual erotica (includes a brief MFM scene)

Please note, I did receive this advanced copy ahead of publication; I am writing this honest review voluntarily and appreciate the opportunity provided by the author to review this book @theauthor.agency @daphne.thorne.author.

[Jocelyn Delarosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Rating:⭐ 4.75/5
Spice Rating:🌶️ 4/5

I had such a hard time putting this down because the tension in this book is absolutely insane, and it has some of my absolute fave tropes right now! Damien and Killian are messy, obsessive, chaotic, and so clearly gone for each other from the start, but the constant denial, jealousy, and emotional confusion had me completely locked in. Their push and pull made it really easy to not feel too "insta lust" where I was pulled out, which I really enjoyed! Add Jacob into the mix, and everything somehow gets even more unhinged in the best way possible lol. The relationship dynamics were honestly my favorite part because I genuinely never knew where things were going next, and I loved every second of it! Give me messy any day.

I also really enjoyed the vampire lore and darker atmosphere throughout the story. The bloodlust, violence, underground vampire world, and constant feeling that these boys were barely holding themselves together made everything feel intense the entire time. Damien especially was such a disaster of a character in a way that made him impossible not to love, while Killian’s struggle with his feelings and identity added so much emotional tension underneath all the chaos.

And the spice? Yeah...Daphne Thorne absolutely understood the assignment and I was HERE for it. The chemistry in this book is ridiculous, and the mix of possessiveness, brats, bloodplay, and fighting-as-foreplay just works. But even with all the spice, the emotional yearning still stood out just as much and was not overshadowed, which made everything hit even harder.

Overall, this was dark, addictive, emotional, violent, and very entertaining. If you love morally gray vampires, messy relationship dynamics, obsessive tension, and paranormal romance that fully commits to the chaos, you need this immediately!

[Kayla.bookish26 · Rating 4 out of 5]

🩸Deviate Me - Daphne Thorne🩸

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
🩸MMM Dark Romance
🩸Paranormal Romance
🩸Vampires / Urban Fantasy
🩸Stepbrothers / Forbidden Relationship
🩸Bisexual Awakening
🩸First Times
🩸Age Gap Relationship
🩸Love Triangle, at least that’s how it starts
🩸Poly Relationship
🩸Size Difference
🩸Knife Play
🩸Pierced MMC
🩸Lots of Blood
🩸Unhinged MC
🩸Bisexual Erotica, including a brief MFM scene

Deviate Me by Daphne Thorne is her debut book, and I went into it completely blind, which honestly made the experience even better. This is a dark, messy, paranormal vampire romance following Damien and Killian, stepbrothers and newly turned vampires who have been abandoned by their maker and left to figure everything out on their own.

They have no clue how to navigate life as vampires. They are barely getting by while fighting cravings, bloodlust, violence, and all the dangerous urges that come with being newly turned.

And let me just say… this book is messy, and I loved every second of it. The push and pull between Killian and Damien, the slow-burn tension, and the forbidden energy were done so well. Then Jacob enters the story, the vampire who is supposed to help them, while absolutely helping himself too. 🥵 His dynamic with them was addictive, and I cannot wait to see where this relationship goes in the next installment.

This book was dark, emotional, chaotic, and full of the kind of tension I eat up every single time. These characters are not soft or sweet. They are damaged, dangerous, and completely addictive. I loved the darker paranormal edge mixed with the messy relationships and morally black energy.

Deviate Me gives off unhinged, obsessive, bite me and ruin me vibes and honestly, I was here for every filthy wicked second 🫠🥵🩸🖤😏

I would like to thank Daphne Thorne and The Author Agency for the early eARC. Fantastic debut!🖤

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It’s us against the world. Always."

Killian has been protecting Damien from everything since they were kids. Now they are vampires without their maker and once again just relying on each other to survive. However, Jacob has taken notice and wants to help but things get complicated.

Killian is straight but has been listing after Damien and it has him very confused. He shouldn't want his step-brother and it is messing with his head. When they both feed from Jacob it makes things even worse. Killian's struggle was heartbreaking but honestly could have been solved with some good old fashioned communication.

Damien has always been gay but being a vampire he has experimented with women and doesn't hate it. Unfortunately there is only one man he really wants and he's afraid of being rejected. He ends up hooking up with Jacob and their scenes are spicy, dirty, and bloody.

The blood and pain play between Damien and Jacob was so freaking hot. Knowing you don't have to be easy really ranks up the excitement. Very messy business but worth it.

I did get tired of the pining between the two step-brothers after a while though. It did get repetitive and one of them just needed to open a conversation or just make a move. Once they finally did it was like well finally.

The whole thing with Owen felt odd and incomplete but I am assuming it is leading to more in the next book. I mean there is no way that just goes away.

I also really loved the scenes with all three men and I really wanted more of them. The three of them are good together but I assume we will need more background before anything permanent happens.

I'm definitely intrigued by the story and other than the repetitive nature of the book I think it is a good debut and I'm excited to see what happens next.

[Anisha Choudhury | A Literary Autopsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Deviate Me from the author.

Deviate Me by Daphne Thorne is an underrated winner in the urban fantasy space. It delivers a dark, intricate narrative that doesn't pull punches when it comes to abandonment, violence, and the messy reality of new-vampire life.

After being turned and promptly abandoned by their maker, stepbrothers Killien and Damien are left to navigate their new, primal vampire existences together. Killien is doing his best to stay in denial about his feelings for Damien, while Damien—reckless and impulsive—is playing a dangerous game, using the allure of their friend Jacob to push his own boundaries.

The dynamic between these three is the core of the book. Killien is an incredibly sympathetic protagonist; his struggle to protect his "bratty" stepbrother while fighting his own forbidden instincts is compelling.

Damien is a character who desperately needs therapy, but in this world, he finds other, darker ways to cope with his demons.

Credit is due to Jacob, who serves as the essential emotional and practical anchor for the trio when their own family—and their maker—fail them.

The author has crafted a story that is as bloody and violent as it is intimate. The MMM dynamic is handled with great complexity, especially regarding the forbidden elements and the bisexual awakening involved.

If you are looking for an MMM dark romance that balances blood, spice, and forbidden romance tension, Deviate Me is a brilliant start to the Tangled in Blood Ties series. It ends on a Happy For Now (HFN) note that leaves the door wide open for future developments, and I am already impatient to see how this tangled, bloody relationship evolves.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was honestly such a wild ride in the best way possible. The tension, the relationships, the vampire lore, and the emotional confusion between all three MMCs had me completely invested from the start.

I went into this expecting a dark vampire romance and that’s exactly what I got — but the relationship dynamics between Damien, Killian, and Jacob were what really kept me hooked.

At first, this felt like it was going to be a love triangle, so I genuinely had no idea where the relationships were headed. Whether it would stay a triangle, become a couple situation, or eventually turn into a full trouple dynamic kept me reading because I needed to know how everything would unfold.

Killian and Damien being abandoned by their maker while trying to navigate what it means to suddenly become vampires added so much emotional tension to the story. They’re not just dealing with the supernatural side of things, but also figuring out who they are as people while their feelings become more complicated.

The tension between Damien and Killian was SO good. You could feel it building the entire time. And Damien’s dynamic with Jacob was equally addictive to read because Jacob brought a completely different energy into the relationship dynamic.

Killian’s bi-awakening and his growing feelings throughout the book were handled in a way that kept the emotional side of the story really engaging alongside the darker vampire elements.

This was one of those books where I completely forgot the world around me while reading because I was so sucked into the story and the relationships.

And knowing this is only book one? Yeah… I absolutely need the next book immediately.

⭐️ Overall Rating: 4.25/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 4/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 3.5/5

[Lilwisptalks · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

This was a really fun story.

However, I wanted to bat Damien and Killien with a communication stick. My god, those two went back and forth trying to hide how they felt for each other. I understand why they did it but I seriously wanted to scream throughout this entire freakin story.

I understand their desire not to upset their dynamic or to hurt the other but the way they would steal glances at each other and do nothing about it. Oh, I was sooo unbelievably frustrated with them.

The jealousy both of them felt when the other one showed interest in someone that wasn’t them had me giggling at some parts. Watching just how much they were restraining their reactions and desires was painful to read but it was so worth it toward the end.

It’s definitely a slow burn story, something I honestly tend to stay away from but books like this one make me appreciate them so much more. Yes, as frustrated as I was with these characters, there was reasons behind them.

Damien and Killien are a duo that I can’t wait to see more of as the series continues. As well as the chemistry Damien had with Jacob. He was such an interesting character. Unlike the other two we don’t really find out a lot about him and I’m so intrigued to find out more about him.

There was a certain side character that from the moment they were introduced I didn’t like and the way karma hit them was beautiful but that also opened up a door that I didn’t realise was locked. The little information that was revealed of what possibly could happen in the rest of the series was exciting to read.

[Mimi Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unexpected discovery! I haven’t read a lot of vampire books before even though I LOVE blood suckers. Then I stumbled upon Deviate Me’s yummy cover and tropes and was so intrigued that I needed to give it a try and I have zero regrets!!
When I say it’s exactly what I look for in a vampire based story, it’s not an exaggeration. The lore feels unique, their powers, the turning and feeding are not what you see usually.
I was most fascinated by the main characters!
The morally conflicted relation between Damien and Killien, who are stepbrothers unfolds right away and slowly at the same time. You immediately realize that there is more to their past than you’d expect. They became this close because they share a tough painful past.
You will get trauma, first times, found family, a lot of self reflection and questions about change.
There is an omnipresent obsessive desire made even stronger after they turned. And then there is Jacob who becomes a mentor and unleashes new feelings and emotions in them both!
The tension between the characters is absolutely delicious🥵 It feels like you are witnessing EVERYTHING in the same room as the protagonists, it almost had me blushing and yelping 🫣 The steam is burning hot, the banter, the dialogues, the feelings shared are top tier to me.

I will DEFINITELY add Deviate Me and Daphne Thorne to my MM favourites and will look forward to the next book!!
Thank you for giving me such tempting vampires, I feel honored to finally have a book that fits my particular taste. 😏🔥

Thank you for the ARC opportunity Daphne Thorne and The Author Agency, I had such a great time!

[Ally Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I am not the same person I was before I read this book

okay. OKAY. I need everyone to stop what they're doing and read Deviate Me right now. I picked this up not knowing what I was getting into and I have been emotionally compromised ever since.

The characters. KILLIEN. My repressed ginger angel who is fighting himself SO HARD and losing so spectacularly. And DAMIEN — pierced, chaotic, absolutely feral, and somehow the most loveable disaster to ever disaster. And then JACOB walks in with his tattoos and his emotional intelligence and his vampire blood and suddenly everything is SO MUCH WORSE (better). These three men broke my brain.

"He's just so pure and untouched. I want to corrupt him." — Damien, casually committing crimes against my heart 💀

"I no longer know where I stand." — Killien, same bestie. SAME.

"What if I want it to get weird?" — I audibly gasped. In public.

The tropes: stepbrothers-to-lovers 🚨 | MMM slow burn (book 1 of 3!!) | morally grey vampires | forbidden desire | forced proximity | jealousy spiral | touch-starved | found family chaos | denial arc so painful it's basically a sport

The dual POV is PERFECTION. Damien's chapters are chaotic and sharp and funny. Killien's chapters made me want to lie on the floor. The vampire lore is fresh, the tension is UNREAL, and Daphne Thorne writes slow burn like she personally wants to see us suffer. Respectfully. Please continue.

This is a debut novel and I am FLOORED. Four stars only because book two doesn't exist yet and I have needs.

🚨 For the FULL spoiler review — visit http://lilnerdypageturnerscozycorner.... 🚨

[Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot young men who are newly turned vampires? They are step brothers with a secret passion for each other? And there’s a gorgeous older vampire who is mentoring them after their negligent maker abandoned them? Yes, Yes and Yes!
I ate this book up (no vampire puns intended). The tension between Killien and his step brother Damien is delicious. While Damien has known he was gay since he was 14 and has used his magical goth twink energy to keep them fed by various sugar daddies as they were young runaways, Killien has only started being attracted to men since they were changed 6 months earlier. This bi-awakening and all the yearning, jealousy and tension between the two of them makes for a story that you just can’t put down.
There are a couple of mystery subplots about Vampire hierarchy and a human/vampire trafficking ring that will hopefully see a little more detail in the next book. Could I give you writing critic? I suppose but I really don’t want to. Because this book delivered on the main romance in such a satisfying way and we get the tempting promise that this MM is going to be an MMM but the next book. And did I mention that book is hot? So darn hot. The sex is graffic and has original vampire kinks thrown in. There was a lot of blood play, fighting as foreplay and a long list of other kinks. It was an all around good time.
Definitely check your triggers since this is a dark taboo paranormal romance. But if you are into that, I can’t imagine you will not enjoy this book as much as I did.
Cannot wait for the next book.
Thank you to The Author Agency and author Daphne Thorne for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

[Sarah Poulton-Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging, spicy, character driven MM(M), vampire, urban fantasy romance from debut writer Daphne Thorne.

I loved the forbidden premise of the story and was hooked by the blurb. Recently turned stepbrothers finding their way as vampires. Damien is the bratty younger brother. He has an air of unhinged violence about him but is a marshmallow softie underneath. Killian is the controlled protector experiencing his bisexual awakening. Then there is Jacob, a mentor to both of them as the older, experienced vampire who is surprisingly sweet with an edge to him.

This book writes its own vampire lore. They sleep, they can survive from feeding on each other alone, they can live in the daylight. I didn't really question it. This book creates its own reality and the characters are the driving force. And despite their angsty journey to get together. Their explosive chemistry is worth the other character diversions.

This book had me questioning how I would rate it. Was it perfectly written? Not always. Was it a brilliant debut? Absolutely! Am I fully engaged with these characters and desperate to see how the three way chemistry plays out? Heck yes! So while I could critique Deviate Me, i don't want to, as I loved the story. I loved the three main characters and I will definitely read this author again. So it was a brilliantly spicy 4 star.

Why you will love this book…

🔥MMM dark romance

🔥Vampires (urban fantasy)

🔥Stepbrothers (forbidden relationship)

🔥Bisexual Awakening

🔥First times

🔥Age gap relationship

🔥Size difference

🔥Love triangle (that’s how it starts, at least)

🔥Poly relationship

🔥Knife Play

🔥Pierced MC (🍆)

🔥Lots of blood

🔥Unhinged MC

🔥Bisexual erotica

[Kate Gar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to begin with this book because it completely consumed me from start to finish.

If you're looking for a dark paranormal romance packed with vampires, tension, obsession, and characters who completely take over your brain, then Deviate Me needs to be on your radar immediately.

Daphne Thorne created a world that felt dark, dangerous, and addictive. From the very first page, there was an underlying sense of mystery that kept me turning pages long after I should have gone to bed. Every twist, revelation, and relationship dynamic pulled me deeper into the story.

One of my favorite things about this book was the character relationships. In an MMM romance, balancing multiple relationships can be difficult, but Daphne absolutely nailed it. Each connection felt unique, meaningful, and emotionally compelling, making every interaction matter.

The vampire elements were everything I wanted, dark, seductive, dangerous, and layered with intrigue. The paranormal aspects weren't just there for aesthetics; they strengthened both the plot and the characters.

What really stood out, though, was the atmosphere. The constant tension, hidden motives, and lingering secrets kept me completely hooked. And beneath all the darkness was an emotional core that made me genuinely care about these characters, their struggles, and the bonds they built with one another.

Daphne Thorne delivered a dark, captivating, and impossible to put down read. If you love dark paranormal MM romance, morally gray characters, vampires, and relationship dynamics that keep you invested from beginning to end, I highly recommend picking this one up.
This book had me hooked, obsessed, and immediately wanting more.

[Nicole Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deviate Me is Daphne Thorne’s debut novel and I am obsessed. This is book one in the Tangled in Blood Ties series.

Do you like vampires? Do you like step brother romance? Do you like MMM? If you answered yes to any of those questions, check out Deviate Me.

Damien and Killien are step brothers who left home after being put in one crappy situation after another. They move to Phoenix to start over and that’s exactly what they do. They meet a vampire who turns them into vampires and then suddenly abandons them.

They the have always secretly been in love with each other, but were unsure how to navigate being step brothers and their feelings. Eventually they meet another vampire named Jacob and he takes them under his wing.

Jacob and Damien enter into a relationship but Killien is always there. He is trying to figure out his feelings for his step brother as well as navigate being a vampire. I loved seeing Killien come into his feelings and allow people in. He is so used to handling things on his own and protecting everyone else, that it’s easy for him to lose himself.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read for me and I didn’t want to put it down. The spice in this book was 🔥🔥🔥. I loved how it went from MM to MMM. It just felt so natural and they all work so well together. I am really excited for the next book in the series and to finally get Jacob’s POV.

Thank you Daphne Thorne for the advance copy !

[Erin Flanegin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way the vampire abilities are described in this book. The glowing eyes, the mind reading, all the little details make the vampires feel genuinely unsettling and addictive in the best way. And the angst between these two? Absolutely delicious. The way they both hide their feelings behind all that tension and jealousy makes every interaction feel so intense. The chemistry is just so good. I originally went into this thinking it would be a fairly typical stepbrother romance with a vampire twist, but I could not have been more wrong. This book feels like it exists in its own completely different universe. The vampire aspect is amazing, but it’s not even the main reason the story feels so unique. Literally nothing plays out the way you expect it to, and every chapter somehow pulls you in deeper. This book has me in an absolute death grip and I never want it to let go.
The characters, the atmosphere, the settings, the tiny details everything is written in a way that keeps you completely hooked. I’m obsessed with the characters, their personalities, and especially their backstories. They all feel layered and interesting in a way that makes it impossible to stop reading. I already cannot wait for book two because I need to see their relationship grow even more, and I desperately need answers about some of the things that happened because I am STILL thinking about them.

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Damian and Killian are stepbrothers. They were turned into vampires at the same time. They both revel in the blood and killing. Their maker leaves them after a short time without teaching them much about their new reality. That’s when they find Jacob, a tattoo artist. An older vampire who becomes enamored with Damian while covering him in piercings.

Killian carries enough angst for several characters. He has always had protective instincts towards Damian but his feeling are evolving into something he can’t accept. Damian is his brother, he shouldn’t want him sexually. But he really, really does. And seeing him with Jacob is tearing him apart.

The new vampire lore blew out every stereotypical fact about vampires that I’ve ever read. Allowing them to be more humanlike and less dwellers of the night.

While the story settles on Damian and Jacob, Killian still figures into their relationship. Killian goes looking for something that can be his. While it’s a given that Damian and Killian will eventually be together it’s also obvious that Jacob will become part of their dynamic.

A few surprises, a lot of blood and gore, and creatures with no conscience made this a dark story. It’s ends on a mild cliffhanger that will be resolved in the next book.

Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.

[Julian Leibach · Rating 3 out of 5]

***ARC Review***

3.5 STARS

“Or maybe, whatever little good lives inside me belongs with him. He’s the only light to my darkness.”

If you are looking for a story that’s never been done before (at least that I know of), then you should read Deviate Me. What an amazing plot, with perfect characters, and real feelings.

The things these two stepbrothers would do for each other knows no bounds. The tension in this book is palpable. Their feelings for each other and others lift off the page with Daphne Thorne’s impeccable writing!

So why is my rating 3.5 stars and not 5? Not because of the book itself, but because of what I learned about myself while reading it: turns out I am NOT a fan of that much on-page gore and blood. I’m all for a little violence, even murder, but for me personally, it needs to happen off-page. This was my first time reading something with so much on-page gore. I am glad I tried it, as I said, AMAZING story. Just turns out the violence, knife play, and murder, are not things I personally enjoy.

Due to my personal rating system of books and how heavily it relies on “would I re-read it”, I give this book 3.5 stars. BUT if you are ready for some blood, then get ready for this to be a 5 Star read for you!!

[Dariia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author

2,5⭐️
It starts funny: two newbie vampires with attitude, abandoned by their creator. I chuckle over that the turning into vamps changed their orientation. But, after like four-five chapters, I get so bored because of all those repetitive thoughts. They love each other, want to fuck each other, okay. But for gods sake, why should I read it 20 times in each chapter? Their life crisis almost affected me, in a bad way 🫠 honestly, I almost dnf-ed it in the middle.

I didn't like Damien most of the book. His toxic childish jealousy (no one can have Killien, but on the other hand, he himself can fuck everybody he wants). He's spoiled, his thoughts are inconsistent: at first he doesn't give a shit about other feelings, then he develops feelings for Jacob, and it's all gone when he remembers that his only true love is Killie. And because of this dumb marry-go-round of thoughts, all spice scenes didn't touch me at all. I read it like an instruction to microwave. At some moment, I really wished to Killien stay with Caleb or just ride away, but he's knee in that shit.

I gave this book a chance just because of threesome. And I can say that I even started to enjoy it after what happened at the Owen's house and when Damien and Kille finally admitted that they were into each other. And threesome was very yummy. Just because of it, I gave additional 0,5 star.