The Vampire's Ballerina

by Allie Carstens

Principal ballerina Imogen Van der Berg has everything she’s dreamed of since she was a little beautiful costumes, adoring fans, and a life in the spotlight. Even with all that, there’s still something missing in her life, something she’s not sure she deserves—love. And not just any kind of love. Imogen yearns for a deep, true love that will echo through the ages. But Peter—the vampire her heart longs for—is also her boss.

A vampire needs human blood to survive, unless they find their soulmate. Peter has known Imogen belongs to him since the day they met. In order to mark her as his mate, he must change her into a vampire too, forcing her into hiding until she’s adjusted to her new abilities. But can he ask her to give up her life and her career to spend the rest of her days with him?

A passion-filled rehearsal leads to a kiss, and they both find they can no longer stay away from each other. Now, Imogen faces a humanity or eternity.

Genres: Vampires

139 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2026

Reviews

[Morgan | bookish_morgano]

4.5 ⭐️

This sweet, spicy novella should be read after Book 2 of Crescent Lake where we get insight into our lovely Peter and Imogen.

I read this in one sitting and had an absolute blast.

Add to your TBR if you like:
- vampire x human
- fated mates
- dance director x primary ballerina
- it’s always been you
- light blood play

Thank you Allie for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Samantha Steel]

𝓘 𝓭𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓘 𝓭𝓲𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓼𝓾𝓭𝓭𝓮𝓷 𝓰𝓲𝓯𝓽. 𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝓘 𝓭𝓸𝓷’𝓽 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓲𝓽 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓵𝓪𝓼𝓽. 𝓑𝓾𝓽 𝓘’𝓶 𝓰𝓸𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓪𝓿𝓸𝓻 𝓲𝓽 𝔀𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓮 𝓘 𝓬𝓪𝓷. 𝓘 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓮𝓷𝓳𝓸𝔂 𝓶𝔂 𝓼𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓫𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓪, 𝓷𝓸 𝓶𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝓶𝓾𝓬𝓱 𝓲𝓽 𝓶𝓪𝔂 𝓻𝓾𝓲𝓷 𝓶𝓮 𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓻.

This is just as sweet as the first book in this novella series and if you want a fluffy vampire romance, you will love it! In this book we have Peter, a vampire and Imogen, a human. She comes across as a bit of a selfish person, but she's hiding some insecurities which Peter snuffs out being the amazing vampire and chosen he is.

It took me a little while to work out who Imogen was, its been quite sometime since I read The Alpha's Pen Pal and couldn't recall her, it's not need as this is a standalone in this novella series but my brain needed to know the placement or where she's from given the mention of the other characters.

It was a fast paced, sugary sweet novella that I swooned over, no horrors or much blood over here.

Cute, sweet and sensitive vampires are making a comeback with this novella, and I am a girl over here swooning about being turned 😍

[Michelle Houghton]

This novella from Allie Carstens shares a side story from one of the recurring characters in her Crescent Lake series. Although all of the books in the series are standalone they read better when read together as the cast is tightly interwoven between the stories. This story actually takes place in the middle of the primary series. And is devoted to one of the significant secondary characters. It is a very beautiful paranormal romance with open door intimacy. I do love that two souls that that have been so very lonely see clearly to each other. A story of what finding your “one” is worth, and what it can complete within you.

[XenyMarie]

“I will love you for all of my endless days.”

I love Immy and Peter so much!

I really enjoyed the way that they both tried to fight their feelings and connection, but I love even more how they found in each other that eternal kind of love that is meant for you and no one else.

For a short novella, this story is packed with so many feelings and emotions. And even though Immy and Peter get their forever love, there's one specific part in the epilogue that is bittersweet and had me all up in my feels.

Quote: “She is everything. She is the end and the beginning. She makes this eternal existence bearable—no—more than bearable. She makes me feel alive again.”

[Megan Colon]

I love novellas because they are short and sweet. This one took the cake for me. We first meet Imogen and Peter in the Alpha’s Penpal then later on we see them again in the Beta’s Blind date. And we all wanted to know what happened between them. This answers all our questions and some. I love how they opened up to one another and showed that love doesn’t have a timeline. Their journey was one we needed but the ended had me in tears. I love Imogen. She is more than what she allowed herself to be. And Peter is hot. Vampires are my thing and he dances. Yup bite me. Just another great piece of writing by Allie.

[Danita Beukes]

This is such a sweet and spicy Novella, I love my vampire romance and this one is really one for you tbr.

We meet Imogen, she has lots of insecurities and Peter is a sensitive vampire that lets Imogen have her own choices regarding their future.

The ending will put a smile on your face!

This novella should be read after book 2 of Crescent lake (personally I'm only reading book 2 now after finishing this novella, and I wish I started sooner with this series).

[Kelly - Kelly's Book Blog]

4.25 Stars

I absolutely LOVED this Crescent Lake Novella! He's the vampire and she is the ballerina and the chemistry between them is smoking hot!

Not only do you get a spicy paranormal / vampire romance novella but you get to see some of the past Crescent Lake characters which is amazing and so fun. It felt so good to be back in this world.

Buckle up because this spicy novella takes you for a ride and will give you all the feels! So good!

[LaDambaLaika]

Can a ballerina and a very old vampire put their fears aside and live happily ever after together? If you like the author and her books as much as I do, then you won't be disappointed.  It grabs you right from the first chapter, and it's funny, intense, and sexy.
And you know what folks, i cant wait for the next book or novella of this Series to drop.

[Amanda]

This was a fun little steamy read. I enjoyed Peter and Imogen's relationship, you could tell it deepened and expanded in each time jump. I also loved how careful he was with her so that she could make her own decision regarding their future. And that Epilogue brought tears to my eyes! I can't wait for the next book!

[Krystle]

What they deserve

I absolutely loved getting to know Imogen and Peter in this novella because they were such unknowns in the main CLS novels. I mean, I couldn't stand Imogen when we first met her, but to see her similarities with Haven? My heart goes out to her, and I'm so glad that she has Peter and her friends. I was also happy to see that Peter has his chance at happiness.

[Tabitha Jo]

eARC Review
A Crescent Lake Novella by Allie Carstens
3.5 stars
This short novella followed Imogen and Peter. I liked this book but I wanted more. This is the first book I have read in this series, and I think that may be part of why it felt like we didn't get enough time with these characters.
The characters had great chemistry and the spice was perfection. The story just felt rushed to me.

[Cheyanne Davidson]

ARC REVIEW:

I loved getting to see Imogen and Peter’s love story unfold. It was the perfect little novella filling in the how and when we say from the main story line. It was just a feel good read, and the ending gave me chills and put a smile on my face.

[Kelsi]

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

If you’re looking for a sweet, spicy, and romantic novella featuring a vampire who quickly falls for a human ballerina where they both have a few obstacles to get over before their love can truly bloom then Vampires Ballerina is a must for your TBR!

[Reading.With.Janet]

It's been a minute since I read a vampire romance and I devoured this one. We meet Imogen a human and Peter a vampire. Imogen has insecurities and Peter is a sensitive vampire. I like that he let's Imogen make her own decisions regarding their future. I loved the ending this is a must read.

[Giniro]

It's a short and sweet novella in this universe that Allie has made! I love the wolves and it was refreshing to take a break and have Imogen's story with Peter!

The dancing~! (that's all I'm going to say, just kicking my little feet around!!!)

[Yvonne Brune]

Ballerina in her twenties meets her charismatic, at times stoic soulmate Vampire who just so happens to be her boss.

I love their story and originally already read it on ream.

[Esther Cespedes]

ARC Review
I really enjoyed this novella, it made me cry happy tears.
It is open door romance so it’s spicy.

I’m providing this review voluntarily.

[Joanne Kaminski]

Amazing

Love the way this is written and the world building.

Its a lovely story to compliment the cresent lake series!