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Bonded Souls #1
Volik
Forget what you think you know. Forget the fairy tales and lore of old. Vampires are real. And for the past seventy years, they’ve walked openly among us. They’re bigger and stronger than humans, with black eyes, horns, and powers that shouldn’t be possible.
Volik is one of these vampires. Living in the small town of Hemlock Hills, he spends his days locked in his office at Stalden University. Wasting time. Waiting. Until Nix, the new journalism professor, arrives … and changes everything.
This is the story about the day they met. What happened after. And how their bond started a sequence of events that changed the world.
NIX
It’s my first day as a substitute professor. I’m in a new city, with new coworkers, and all I want to do is keep my head down. And maybe catch a glimpse of Volik.
I’ve read everything there is to read about vampires. The good and the scary. But I have all semester to sneak a look, so I focus my attention on the clock. Because in three minutes, I turn thirty.
But when the moment strikes, an invisible force slams into me. Weight swells inside my chest, and heat roars through my veins.
VOLIK
I pause, feeling a shift in the air, telling me something is about to happen. Then the clock ticks. And my world tilts.
The power inside me pulses. The building shakes around me. And I grow. I get bigger. Taller. Stronger. Thicker. My fangs lengthen. Sharpen. And I smile. Because the moment I have waited centuries for has finally arrived. The other half of my soul… She is here.
NIX
Screams echo down the hallway while people flee. Impossibly heavy footsteps shake the ground. But I don’t run. I can’t. The pull in my chest won’t allow it. Then the giant vampire I’ve been daydreaming about ducks through the doorway. And when he calls me his Mate, I do the opposite of run.
I reach for him.
Volik is one of these vampires. Living in the small town of Hemlock Hills, he spends his days locked in his office at Stalden University. Wasting time. Waiting. Until Nix, the new journalism professor, arrives … and changes everything.
This is the story about the day they met. What happened after. And how their bond started a sequence of events that changed the world.
NIX
It’s my first day as a substitute professor. I’m in a new city, with new coworkers, and all I want to do is keep my head down. And maybe catch a glimpse of Volik.
I’ve read everything there is to read about vampires. The good and the scary. But I have all semester to sneak a look, so I focus my attention on the clock. Because in three minutes, I turn thirty.
But when the moment strikes, an invisible force slams into me. Weight swells inside my chest, and heat roars through my veins.
VOLIK
I pause, feeling a shift in the air, telling me something is about to happen. Then the clock ticks. And my world tilts.
The power inside me pulses. The building shakes around me. And I grow. I get bigger. Taller. Stronger. Thicker. My fangs lengthen. Sharpen. And I smile. Because the moment I have waited centuries for has finally arrived. The other half of my soul… She is here.
NIX
Screams echo down the hallway while people flee. Impossibly heavy footsteps shake the ground. But I don’t run. I can’t. The pull in my chest won’t allow it. Then the giant vampire I’ve been daydreaming about ducks through the doorway. And when he calls me his Mate, I do the opposite of run.
I reach for him.
Audible Audio
Published June 11, 2026
About the author
S.J. Tilly
39 books12.5k followersS.J. Tilly lives in Minnesota with her husband and their herd of boxers. She spends an unhealthy amount of time with her face buried in books, reading and writing. If she’s not nose deep in text, or harassing her dogs, she’s probably playing with her plants, pretending she knows how to garden.
You can find her stumbling around on Instagram @sjtillyauthor
https://www.amazon.com/S.J.-Tilly/e/B...
You can find her stumbling around on Instagram @sjtillyauthor
https://www.amazon.com/S.J.-Tilly/e/B...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,388 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Who wrote this?! It sure wasn’t S.J. Tilly! It felt like reading a first draft of a paranormal romance…cringy & insta-love driven!
🌲🌲 ✨🧛🏻♥️👩🏽✨ 🌲🌲
The minute Nix turns 30 the ground shakes and a ginormous vampire lunges for her. When I tell you thisman vampire literally bursts through his clothes with the surge of power & lust for his MATE ♥️✨ human-vampire matings are not at all common! With the precarious relationship between the two species Nix & Volik navigate their newfound love with abundance of desire and surprising discoveries!
I’m SO INCREDIBLY SAD to say that this was the worst book I’ve read by SJ Tilly. The steroidal insta love made interactions between Nix & Volik cringy but worst of all…there was no development in their romance 💔 The first few chapters felt so rushed their storyline just had now where else to go after that. The plot was iffy at best!
Things that made me side-eye:
👀 when she says his dick tastes like ice cream *girl I’m dying*
✨ he constantly speaks in the ‘old language’, which is Latin…but also Russian
👀 BJ with FANGSSS *well…kind of down for that actually*
I did enjoy the different take on vampire abilities and unexplored human-vampire matings! I felt like there was good elements to the story but the characters were too insta-love driven 💔 The storyline was overshadowed by the fast love to a point where all the other plot lines felt disjointed and felt just tacked on.
urban paranormal romance
curvy fmc
size difference
protective mmc
(magical) age gap but she’s 30
touch her and die
fated mates
found family
HEA
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
🌲🌲 ✨🧛🏻♥️👩🏽✨ 🌲🌲
The minute Nix turns 30 the ground shakes and a ginormous vampire lunges for her. When I tell you this
I’m SO INCREDIBLY SAD to say that this was the worst book I’ve read by SJ Tilly. The steroidal insta love made interactions between Nix & Volik cringy but worst of all…there was no development in their romance 💔 The first few chapters felt so rushed their storyline just had now where else to go after that. The plot was iffy at best!
Things that made me side-eye:
👀 when she says his dick tastes like ice cream *girl I’m dying*
✨ he constantly speaks in the ‘old language’, which is Latin…but also Russian
👀 BJ with FANGSSS *well…kind of down for that actually*
I did enjoy the different take on vampire abilities and unexplored human-vampire matings! I felt like there was good elements to the story but the characters were too insta-love driven 💔 The storyline was overshadowed by the fast love to a point where all the other plot lines felt disjointed and felt just tacked on.
urban paranormal romance
curvy fmc
size difference
protective mmc
(magical) age gap but she’s 30
touch her and die
fated mates
found family
HEA
Thank you so much to the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 12, 2026
3 ⭐🎧
Every buzzword in the blurb was working overtime.
Horned vampire professor? Fated mates? Centuries of yearning? A giant emotionally available MMC who looks like he could bench press a small car?
This should have been my Roman Empire.
Instead, I spent most of the book staring into the middle distance wondering when the plot was going to remember it existed.
What worked for me
(aka: the reasons this didn't end up as a 2-star tantrum)
Sir, why are you so husband-shaped?
I am nothing if not consistent.
Give me a gruff, quietly devoted vampire MMC whose entire personality revolves around acts of service and I will immediately become a willing participant in my own manipulation.
Volik buys breakfast. Volik likes hugs. Volik worries when Nix is sad. Volik wants annual birthday desserts. Volik would happily flatten mountains, buildings and the occasional classroom if it meant protecting his mate.
He's possessive without being controlling, patient when he absolutely doesn't have to be and somehow manages to be both terrifying and incredibly soft.
The man had me kicking my feet every time he said "Da" or "Ma Fleur".
Excuse me, that's adorable
For all my complaints, I genuinely believed Volik's devotion.
There are so many little domestic moments that worked for me far more than the explosive, heart-stopping, earth-shaking, glass-shattering, thunder-inducing soulmate attraction ever did. The quieter scenes are where this book shines, letting the relationship breathe without relying purely on physical chemistry.
Audio saved the vibes
I'm convinced this audiobook gained at least half a star from narration alone.
Volik doesn't use contractions, which on the page reads strangely formal and repetitive. Sean Masters somehow transforms that into ancient, gentle, endlessly reassuring giant vampire energy.
Every time he said "Da" my critical thinking skills packed up and went home.
Where it lost me
(aka: me yelling "SHOW ME" into the void)
Less talking, more magic
This book feels like it spends the first 80% setting up a much more interesting book. There are portals. Shifters. Druids. Fairies. Ancient Alt politics. Hidden magical history.
Amazing.
Now please put them on the page.
Instead, almost every fascinating piece of worldbuilding is explained through conversations rather than experienced alongside the characters. Every time I got excited about the fantasy elements, someone would stop and give me a lecture instead.
By the end I was begging for someone to simply kick open a portal or accidentally release a fairy instead of explaining how portals and fairies work.
Then the final act suddenly remembered it was a fantasy romance and immediately became the most engaging part of the book - which only made me wish we'd gotten there much sooner.
The relationship peaked before it had room to grow
I completely understand that this is fated mates.
I signed up for fated mates.
But the soulmate bond creates such an explosive beginning that the relationship reaches maximum intensity almost immediately. The physical attraction, emotional certainty and lifelong devotion are established so early that there isn't much room left for tension or progression.
When the love confession finally arrives, it feels like confirming something we already knew rather than arriving somewhere new.
Nix and the Case of the Endless Tears
I lost count of the number of times Nix was on the verge of tears or actively crying.
Sometimes it absolutely worked.
Sometimes it became unintentionally hilarious.
It got to the point where Volik developed supernatural pre-cry detection.
Volik: "Do not cry"
Nix: "I'm not"
Reader: "...she absolutely i."
Every. Single. Time.
Why does everyone have a POV?
Almost every side character - and even random one-off characters - gets a chapter.
Instead of building momentum, the constant perspective changes made the story feel even longer and more fragmented.
Final Thoughts
This is probably my biggest "I wanted to love this" read of the year.
This had all the ingredients to become a new obsession: a giant horned vampire professor, fated mates, fascinating supernatural lore, an elite caretaker MMC, portal magic and a hidden magical society. On paper, it felt like it had been custom-built for my reading preferences. Unfortunately, while the premise completely had me, the execution never quite came together in the way I wanted it to.
Ironically, the last quarter of the book finally delivered the fantasy adventure and stakes I'd been waiting for the entire time which only proved the plot had been capable of plotting all along.
Final Verdict
3 ⭐️ - I survived on Volik, vibes and blind optimism.
Sean Masters, thank you for your service. Volik, I'll miss you. Henry, give me your book instead.
Tropes and Vibes:
• Giant horned vampire MMC
• Fated mates / bonded souls
• Elite caretaker hero
• Domestic soulmate energy
• Acts of service & birthday desserts
• Professor x professor
• Portal magic
• Shifters, druids & hidden magical society
• FMC perpetually on the verge of tears
• Duet audiobook supremacy
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Pre-read: One of my most anticipated reads + horned vampire professor + fated mates + centuries of yearning.
The early reviews are mixed but I'm choosing delusion and hoping for the best. Thoughts and prayers appreciated 🤞🏻🎧✨️
Every buzzword in the blurb was working overtime.
Horned vampire professor? Fated mates? Centuries of yearning? A giant emotionally available MMC who looks like he could bench press a small car?
This should have been my Roman Empire.
Instead, I spent most of the book staring into the middle distance wondering when the plot was going to remember it existed.
What worked for me
(aka: the reasons this didn't end up as a 2-star tantrum)
Sir, why are you so husband-shaped?
I am nothing if not consistent.
Give me a gruff, quietly devoted vampire MMC whose entire personality revolves around acts of service and I will immediately become a willing participant in my own manipulation.
Volik buys breakfast. Volik likes hugs. Volik worries when Nix is sad. Volik wants annual birthday desserts. Volik would happily flatten mountains, buildings and the occasional classroom if it meant protecting his mate.
He's possessive without being controlling, patient when he absolutely doesn't have to be and somehow manages to be both terrifying and incredibly soft.
The man had me kicking my feet every time he said "Da" or "Ma Fleur".
Excuse me, that's adorable
For all my complaints, I genuinely believed Volik's devotion.
There are so many little domestic moments that worked for me far more than the explosive, heart-stopping, earth-shaking, glass-shattering, thunder-inducing soulmate attraction ever did. The quieter scenes are where this book shines, letting the relationship breathe without relying purely on physical chemistry.
Audio saved the vibes
I'm convinced this audiobook gained at least half a star from narration alone.
Volik doesn't use contractions, which on the page reads strangely formal and repetitive. Sean Masters somehow transforms that into ancient, gentle, endlessly reassuring giant vampire energy.
Every time he said "Da" my critical thinking skills packed up and went home.
Where it lost me
(aka: me yelling "SHOW ME" into the void)
Less talking, more magic
This book feels like it spends the first 80% setting up a much more interesting book. There are portals. Shifters. Druids. Fairies. Ancient Alt politics. Hidden magical history.
Amazing.
Now please put them on the page.
Instead, almost every fascinating piece of worldbuilding is explained through conversations rather than experienced alongside the characters. Every time I got excited about the fantasy elements, someone would stop and give me a lecture instead.
By the end I was begging for someone to simply kick open a portal or accidentally release a fairy instead of explaining how portals and fairies work.
Then the final act suddenly remembered it was a fantasy romance and immediately became the most engaging part of the book - which only made me wish we'd gotten there much sooner.
The relationship peaked before it had room to grow
I completely understand that this is fated mates.
I signed up for fated mates.
But the soulmate bond creates such an explosive beginning that the relationship reaches maximum intensity almost immediately. The physical attraction, emotional certainty and lifelong devotion are established so early that there isn't much room left for tension or progression.
When the love confession finally arrives, it feels like confirming something we already knew rather than arriving somewhere new.
Nix and the Case of the Endless Tears
I lost count of the number of times Nix was on the verge of tears or actively crying.
Sometimes it absolutely worked.
Sometimes it became unintentionally hilarious.
It got to the point where Volik developed supernatural pre-cry detection.
Volik: "Do not cry"
Nix: "I'm not"
Reader: "...she absolutely i."
Every. Single. Time.
Why does everyone have a POV?
Almost every side character - and even random one-off characters - gets a chapter.
Instead of building momentum, the constant perspective changes made the story feel even longer and more fragmented.
Final Thoughts
This is probably my biggest "I wanted to love this" read of the year.
This had all the ingredients to become a new obsession: a giant horned vampire professor, fated mates, fascinating supernatural lore, an elite caretaker MMC, portal magic and a hidden magical society. On paper, it felt like it had been custom-built for my reading preferences. Unfortunately, while the premise completely had me, the execution never quite came together in the way I wanted it to.
Ironically, the last quarter of the book finally delivered the fantasy adventure and stakes I'd been waiting for the entire time which only proved the plot had been capable of plotting all along.
Final Verdict
3 ⭐️ - I survived on Volik, vibes and blind optimism.
Sean Masters, thank you for your service. Volik, I'll miss you. Henry, give me your book instead.
Tropes and Vibes:
• Giant horned vampire MMC
• Fated mates / bonded souls
• Elite caretaker hero
• Domestic soulmate energy
• Acts of service & birthday desserts
• Professor x professor
• Portal magic
• Shifters, druids & hidden magical society
• FMC perpetually on the verge of tears
• Duet audiobook supremacy
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Pre-read: One of my most anticipated reads + horned vampire professor + fated mates + centuries of yearning.
The early reviews are mixed but I'm choosing delusion and hoping for the best. Thoughts and prayers appreciated 🤞🏻🎧✨️
January 3, 2026
Not my favorite S.J. Tilly book, but still a fun read. I also have the feeling this series is going to get even better once Ms. Tilly gets into her romantasy groove, so I'm definitely going to be reading the next books!!
I saw some reviews that didn't love the insta-love trope here. But you know what? I've read about 45 enemies-to-lovers books back to back, so I actually love a good insta-love moment. There's something so romantic about that instant connection and that's IT for both of them.
However, I do agree that it made the relationship development feel surface level. I was very happy with the lack of relationship drama, but then I wish the plot and action/drama outside of the relationship were stronger. It felt like the "bad guy" just popped up out of nowhere at 80% with the sole purpose of creating a dramatic plot point.
I saw some reviews that didn't love the insta-love trope here. But you know what? I've read about 45 enemies-to-lovers books back to back, so I actually love a good insta-love moment. There's something so romantic about that instant connection and that's IT for both of them.
However, I do agree that it made the relationship development feel surface level. I was very happy with the lack of relationship drama, but then I wish the plot and action/drama outside of the relationship were stronger. It felt like the "bad guy" just popped up out of nowhere at 80% with the sole purpose of creating a dramatic plot point.
June 7, 2026
i have nothing nice to say
this pains me as i LOVE SJs books
this pains me as i LOVE SJs books
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Just before her thirtieth birthday, Nix Novak moves to the small town of Hemlock Hills to take a position as the substitute journalism professor at Stalden University.
Every year, Nix waits for the exact moment of her birth before indulging in her first bite of celebratory cake. This year, as the clock ticks over to 12:07, she’s hit with a jolt of blazing heat and an intense pull to Volik Vadas, the infamous vampire professor.
What follows is a chain reaction set in motion by their bond, one that begins to change the world with other alts outting themselves in the name of friendship and loyalty.
The characters are classic S.J. Tilly with a curvy FMC and an oh-so-obsessed MMC. Volik is absolutely feral for his Mea Unica, and his level of obsession is exactly why I keep coming back to Tilly’s books.
As much as I enjoy deep world-building in paranormal and fantasy romance, I have to say that I really enjoyed being dropped right into the Tilly-verse, letting the romance take center stage. The world unfolds naturally without bogging down the story, making it easy to stay invested in Nix and Volik from the start. The multiple POVs kept the alternating chapters fresh and gave the story a unique feel. And now I desperately need Vameer’s story because I have questions and need to know where that man has been.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: 📱
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Action, New Adult, Paranormal/Fantasy
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Multiple | Present}
Emotions: 🤭🥵🫠😳😍
Darkness: 🖤
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨ Tropes: Age Gap (253), Fated Mate, Heroine in Danger, Instalove/Insta-Obsession
💫 Microtropes: Boy Obsessed, Caretaker/Protective MMC, Caveman/Bridal Carry, Curvy Woman, Good Girl > Dark Queen, Growly, Pet Name (Mea Unica), Sensitive Horns, Size Difference, Virgin FMC, “Who Hurt You?”
🔆 Character: Professor, Vampire
💋 Kinks: Angel Wings, Biting/Marking, 🩸 Play, Finger Licking Good
🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a
🚩 Red Flags: Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive, MINE!, Touch-Her-and-💀
⛔️ Safety Squad: Kidnapping/Captive (Not by MMC), Unaliving, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page and in the past and/or present. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📍 Setting: College Campus + Small Town, Michigan 🇺🇸
📣 Type: Volik is the first book in the Bonded Souls series of interconnected standalones.
⚠️ Warning: This sweet and steamy read will leave your panties damp and your cheeks flushed.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Every year, Nix waits for the exact moment of her birth before indulging in her first bite of celebratory cake. This year, as the clock ticks over to 12:07, she’s hit with a jolt of blazing heat and an intense pull to Volik Vadas, the infamous vampire professor.
What follows is a chain reaction set in motion by their bond, one that begins to change the world with other alts outting themselves in the name of friendship and loyalty.
The characters are classic S.J. Tilly with a curvy FMC and an oh-so-obsessed MMC. Volik is absolutely feral for his Mea Unica, and his level of obsession is exactly why I keep coming back to Tilly’s books.
As much as I enjoy deep world-building in paranormal and fantasy romance, I have to say that I really enjoyed being dropped right into the Tilly-verse, letting the romance take center stage. The world unfolds naturally without bogging down the story, making it easy to stay invested in Nix and Volik from the start. The multiple POVs kept the alternating chapters fresh and gave the story a unique feel. And now I desperately need Vameer’s story because I have questions and need to know where that man has been.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: 📱
🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Action, New Adult, Paranormal/Fantasy
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Multiple | Present}
Emotions: 🤭🥵🫠😳😍
Darkness: 🖤
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨ Tropes: Age Gap (253), Fated Mate, Heroine in Danger, Instalove/Insta-Obsession
💫 Microtropes: Boy Obsessed, Caretaker/Protective MMC, Caveman/Bridal Carry, Curvy Woman, Good Girl > Dark Queen, Growly, Pet Name (Mea Unica), Sensitive Horns, Size Difference, Virgin FMC, “Who Hurt You?”
🔆 Character: Professor, Vampire
💋 Kinks: Angel Wings, Biting/Marking, 🩸 Play, Finger Licking Good
🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a
🚩 Red Flags: Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive, MINE!, Touch-Her-and-💀
⛔️ Safety Squad: Kidnapping/Captive (Not by MMC), Unaliving, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page and in the past and/or present. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📍 Setting: College Campus + Small Town, Michigan 🇺🇸
📣 Type: Volik is the first book in the Bonded Souls series of interconnected standalones.
⚠️ Warning: This sweet and steamy read will leave your panties damp and your cheeks flushed.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
August 29, 2026
A Giant Vampire, a Human Professor, and Instant Chaos
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💛💚🖤
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋🙂😁😍
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Duet Narration
Character Backgrounds and Plot Summary
I went into Volik expecting a dark, possessive vampire romance, and S.J. Tilly definitely delivered the possessive vampire part, but the world itself surprised me too. In this story, vampires are not hiding in the shadows. They have been openly living alongside humans for decades, and Volik is one of the most powerful among them. Despite being nearly three hundred years old, he spends his days at Stalden University in Hemlock Hills, mostly isolated in his office and seemingly waiting for something he cannot quite name.
Nix Novak arrives at the university as a substitute journalism professor just as she is about to turn thirty. She is fascinated by vampires and has already developed a particular curiosity about the mysterious Volik, but she has no idea that her birthday is about to change her entire life.
The moment the clock reaches the exact time of her birth, everything goes completely sideways. Nix is hit with an overwhelming physical sensation, while Volik feels his own power erupt. The building literally shakes as he transforms, becoming even larger and more powerful, and then he follows the pull directly to her. I loved the absurdly dramatic image of terrified people fleeing through the university while Nix does the exact opposite. When this enormous vampire comes through the doorway and calls her his mate, she reaches for him.
From there, the story follows Nix and Volik as they try to understand their unprecedented bond and what it means for both humans and vampires. Their relationship also sets larger events into motion, bringing other supernatural beings, old grudges, and dangers surrounding Volik’s family into the picture.
Highlights and Limitations
The strongest part of this book for me was absolutely Volik and Nix together. Their relationship is instant and intense, so readers who need a long, slow build before a couple gets together may struggle. Personally, though, I thought the sheer ridiculousness of the initial mate connection was part of the fun. The ground shaking, Volik’s power exploding, and everyone else panicking while these two are basically drawn together like magnets gave the beginning a wonderfully over-the-top paranormal romance energy.
Volik is intensely possessive and protective, but what I enjoyed most was that he is not emotionally distant with Nix. He actively wants to know what she is thinking and feeling. Nix also does not spend the entire book being dragged along by events. Her curiosity and willingness to ask questions make her feel like an active participant in discovering this strange new reality.
I also really enjoyed Tilly’s different approach to vampire lore. The physical changes Volik experiences when he finds his mate and the idea that a human-vampire bond could have much larger consequences gave the story a fresh angle. I also liked the fact that vampires are born not made like in the lore by drinking vampire blood. Though some things were a bit unbelievable, especially that the Vampires have all black eyes like the demons from Supernatural, and the horns, it is hard to believe they could remain hidden for so long before they came out to humans. Plus, the fact that they knew almost nothing about what would happen when a human was the fated mate of a vampire. Though I did like the results.
My biggest limitation was the external villain storyline. The romance is given so much page time that the danger involving Morell felt comparatively underdeveloped to me. The conflict eventually escalates into a kidnapping and a major confrontation, but I wished the villain had been developed more consistently beforehand. I also wanted a little more time spent exploring the emotional side of Nix and Volik’s relationship beyond the immediate certainty of the bond. I believed that they were devoted to each other, but I would have enjoyed seeing more of them discovering each other outside the supernatural pull.
Narration
The audiobook narration was a major strength for me. Having Chloe Ryan, Sean Masters, and Samantha Brentmoor involved gave the story a lot of energy and helped keep such a long book moving.
Sean Masters was especially effective as Volik. He captured that larger-than-life, ancient, possessive vampire quality without making Volik sound cartoonish. Volik can be intense and completely unhinged when it comes to protecting Nix, so the narrator had to sell some very dramatic moments, and I thought he did.
Chloe Ryan gave Nix the right balance of curiosity, humor, and emotional openness. Nix is dealing with an impossible situation, but she does not come across as constantly helpless or overwhelmed. The narration helped reinforce her personality and made her feel like a genuine match for someone as overwhelming as Volik.
Samantha Brentmoor also added variety to the overall production and helped make the supporting characters and expanding world feel more distinct. With so many short chapters and shifting perspectives, the multiple narrators kept the audiobook from becoming monotonous.
Final Opinion
Overall, Volik was a wild, spicy, unapologetically over-the-top paranormal romance. The relationship moves at lightning speed because this is very much a true fated-mates story, so I would not recommend it to readers looking for slow-burn tension or a long courtship. But if you enjoy an obsessed vampire who has waited centuries for his person and then completely loses his mind when she finally appears, this book delivers exactly that.
For me, the romance worked better than the suspense plot, and I definitely wished the villain storyline had received more development. Still, Volik and Nix were entertaining enough that I stayed invested. I particularly liked that their bond did not turn into endless manufactured misunderstandings or a frustrating third-act breakup.
The university setting, the openly supernatural world, Volik’s dramatic transformation when he finds Nix, and the larger mysteries surrounding the other paranormal characters all made me curious about where the Bonded Souls series is going next. Volik may be a little chaotic, but honestly, that was part of its charm. I had fun with this giant, possessive vampire and the human woman who saw him coming and reached for him anyway.
I can’t wait for the next book, Vameer, who is Volik’s brother and has a completely different story. I also would love to see a book about Dread the Druid.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💛💚🖤
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋🙂😁😍
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Duet Narration
Character Backgrounds and Plot Summary
I went into Volik expecting a dark, possessive vampire romance, and S.J. Tilly definitely delivered the possessive vampire part, but the world itself surprised me too. In this story, vampires are not hiding in the shadows. They have been openly living alongside humans for decades, and Volik is one of the most powerful among them. Despite being nearly three hundred years old, he spends his days at Stalden University in Hemlock Hills, mostly isolated in his office and seemingly waiting for something he cannot quite name.
Nix Novak arrives at the university as a substitute journalism professor just as she is about to turn thirty. She is fascinated by vampires and has already developed a particular curiosity about the mysterious Volik, but she has no idea that her birthday is about to change her entire life.
The moment the clock reaches the exact time of her birth, everything goes completely sideways. Nix is hit with an overwhelming physical sensation, while Volik feels his own power erupt. The building literally shakes as he transforms, becoming even larger and more powerful, and then he follows the pull directly to her. I loved the absurdly dramatic image of terrified people fleeing through the university while Nix does the exact opposite. When this enormous vampire comes through the doorway and calls her his mate, she reaches for him.
From there, the story follows Nix and Volik as they try to understand their unprecedented bond and what it means for both humans and vampires. Their relationship also sets larger events into motion, bringing other supernatural beings, old grudges, and dangers surrounding Volik’s family into the picture.
Highlights and Limitations
The strongest part of this book for me was absolutely Volik and Nix together. Their relationship is instant and intense, so readers who need a long, slow build before a couple gets together may struggle. Personally, though, I thought the sheer ridiculousness of the initial mate connection was part of the fun. The ground shaking, Volik’s power exploding, and everyone else panicking while these two are basically drawn together like magnets gave the beginning a wonderfully over-the-top paranormal romance energy.
Volik is intensely possessive and protective, but what I enjoyed most was that he is not emotionally distant with Nix. He actively wants to know what she is thinking and feeling. Nix also does not spend the entire book being dragged along by events. Her curiosity and willingness to ask questions make her feel like an active participant in discovering this strange new reality.
I also really enjoyed Tilly’s different approach to vampire lore. The physical changes Volik experiences when he finds his mate and the idea that a human-vampire bond could have much larger consequences gave the story a fresh angle. I also liked the fact that vampires are born not made like in the lore by drinking vampire blood. Though some things were a bit unbelievable, especially that the Vampires have all black eyes like the demons from Supernatural, and the horns, it is hard to believe they could remain hidden for so long before they came out to humans. Plus, the fact that they knew almost nothing about what would happen when a human was the fated mate of a vampire. Though I did like the results.
My biggest limitation was the external villain storyline. The romance is given so much page time that the danger involving Morell felt comparatively underdeveloped to me. The conflict eventually escalates into a kidnapping and a major confrontation, but I wished the villain had been developed more consistently beforehand. I also wanted a little more time spent exploring the emotional side of Nix and Volik’s relationship beyond the immediate certainty of the bond. I believed that they were devoted to each other, but I would have enjoyed seeing more of them discovering each other outside the supernatural pull.
Narration
The audiobook narration was a major strength for me. Having Chloe Ryan, Sean Masters, and Samantha Brentmoor involved gave the story a lot of energy and helped keep such a long book moving.
Sean Masters was especially effective as Volik. He captured that larger-than-life, ancient, possessive vampire quality without making Volik sound cartoonish. Volik can be intense and completely unhinged when it comes to protecting Nix, so the narrator had to sell some very dramatic moments, and I thought he did.
Chloe Ryan gave Nix the right balance of curiosity, humor, and emotional openness. Nix is dealing with an impossible situation, but she does not come across as constantly helpless or overwhelmed. The narration helped reinforce her personality and made her feel like a genuine match for someone as overwhelming as Volik.
Samantha Brentmoor also added variety to the overall production and helped make the supporting characters and expanding world feel more distinct. With so many short chapters and shifting perspectives, the multiple narrators kept the audiobook from becoming monotonous.
Final Opinion
Overall, Volik was a wild, spicy, unapologetically over-the-top paranormal romance. The relationship moves at lightning speed because this is very much a true fated-mates story, so I would not recommend it to readers looking for slow-burn tension or a long courtship. But if you enjoy an obsessed vampire who has waited centuries for his person and then completely loses his mind when she finally appears, this book delivers exactly that.
For me, the romance worked better than the suspense plot, and I definitely wished the villain storyline had received more development. Still, Volik and Nix were entertaining enough that I stayed invested. I particularly liked that their bond did not turn into endless manufactured misunderstandings or a frustrating third-act breakup.
The university setting, the openly supernatural world, Volik’s dramatic transformation when he finds Nix, and the larger mysteries surrounding the other paranormal characters all made me curious about where the Bonded Souls series is going next. Volik may be a little chaotic, but honestly, that was part of its charm. I had fun with this giant, possessive vampire and the human woman who saw him coming and reached for him anyway.
I can’t wait for the next book, Vameer, who is Volik’s brother and has a completely different story. I also would love to see a book about Dread the Druid.
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June 12, 2026
Oh boy this is just...astonishingly bad in so many different aspects. Too many chapters created a super choppy narrative and the whole book is so cringe. No emotional intimacy, no angst, no suspense, very 2D characters...hard pass on this. This is one of those books where its okay to judge a book by its cover and read literally anything else.
June 14, 2026
I was looking forward to this. I really was. And even though the word 'core' makes my eye twitch when she uses it every other chapter, I thought I could power through. Boy, was I wrong.
I like the premise. He's a vampire, but not like how we know vampires. He doesn't sparkle, so I went in open-minded. I made it 25% through, and I just got bored. I normally burst through SJ books in an afternoon, but I couldn't this time.
And I think I can narrow down as to why - too much focus on smut. She wanted to get straight to it. Now, I love my smut. I love dicks flying everywhere. But what I need in order to enjoy those flying dicks is a connection. I mean the main characters need to be connected. By using 'instalove', the connection was just very 2 dimensional. There was no angst. No buildup. No waiting. It was just *bam! 2ft dick coming at you.*
All of her other books had that buildup. Not just straight up plowing, but a bit of 'get to know you' time so we could feel connected to the characters before they got Jiggy with it.
Even in Dom, they had sex in the airport not 7 hours after they met, but we saw the lead up to it. Dom letting his guard down. Them.getring to know each other.
With *instalove*, it's just 'yeah, no. They love each other. He'd gut a bitch for looking sideways at her. His dick is dicking.' There's no layers. No moments that made me smile when reading. No funny one liners that got a giggle out of me.
I have no idea where the story is going, or even where it could go. But what's worse, I don't have it in me to see it through and find out. I just don't care that this latin/ Russian vampire dude who smells like a stick of gum found his 'the one'. And that's sad.
I like the premise. He's a vampire, but not like how we know vampires. He doesn't sparkle, so I went in open-minded. I made it 25% through, and I just got bored. I normally burst through SJ books in an afternoon, but I couldn't this time.
And I think I can narrow down as to why - too much focus on smut. She wanted to get straight to it. Now, I love my smut. I love dicks flying everywhere. But what I need in order to enjoy those flying dicks is a connection. I mean the main characters need to be connected. By using 'instalove', the connection was just very 2 dimensional. There was no angst. No buildup. No waiting. It was just *bam! 2ft dick coming at you.*
All of her other books had that buildup. Not just straight up plowing, but a bit of 'get to know you' time so we could feel connected to the characters before they got Jiggy with it.
Even in Dom, they had sex in the airport not 7 hours after they met, but we saw the lead up to it. Dom letting his guard down. Them.getring to know each other.
With *instalove*, it's just 'yeah, no. They love each other. He'd gut a bitch for looking sideways at her. His dick is dicking.' There's no layers. No moments that made me smile when reading. No funny one liners that got a giggle out of me.
I have no idea where the story is going, or even where it could go. But what's worse, I don't have it in me to see it through and find out. I just don't care that this latin/ Russian vampire dude who smells like a stick of gum found his 'the one'. And that's sad.
Did Not Finish
June 1, 2026This isn’t a vampire romance - this is a monster romance. And it wasn’t for me. And that’s ok - because I know many will eat it up.
DNF at 20%.
DNF at 20%.
June 13, 2026
Another book where there's a creepy obsession with the FMC being a virgin. I got 2 chapters in before it was bought up that she was a 31 year old virgin. You barely get into who the character is before finding out - like she's a journalism teacher, she's a fat woman who has self-confidence issues and then boom..31 year old virgin. I'm not sure who this book is supposed to be read by, but it gives men. Like, oh, the men folk won't like this book unless the fmc is an untouched virgin. It's creepy! I get that some characters will be virgins because they are young, like 18-22. I'm like, yeah, I suppose that's believable. 31 years old is giving christian propaganda of "You have to wait until you find 'The One', otherwise, you are spoiled milk that no one wants.". I've read many books, over 900, in all sorts of genres, and the virgin through line is overplayed in every genre. It gives nothing to improve the story or the character. If a character is celibate, sure, that's believable and common but a virgin??? Ugh. It's super disappointing, and I am going to unfollow the author. Im over this trope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2026
Y’all are LYING
June 13, 2026
This is what I get for reading a book just because of the author.
I love paranormal romance. Half my read list is paranormal, or fantasy, but this was...
This was a book.
S.J. Tilly's books are pretty notorious for being character-driven. There's no defined plot, just characters' goals and growth that hook you through the book. This was just ridiculous.
The characters weren't developed at all: Nix was flat, and her backstory felt inserted and awkward, while Volik was just a caricature. They had sex almost immediately, but they had zero chemistry AT ALL.
The weird things inserted to prove their mating bond were so out of place and unbelievable. Why can't she unpack?
Because of the mating bond. Why can't she stop being so horny? Because of the mating bond. Why is she turning into a vampire, too? Because of the mating bond.
This book said so many things with no explanation; it was obvious this was the author's first paranormal.
One thing that really pissed me off: Volik calling Nix things in multiple different languages without acknowledging that. I was like:
You Russian?
French?
I'm not the U.S. Census, buddy, but I'mma need a country of origin.
Then they were like,
"Oh, haha, he just knows so many, he can't decide!"
Fuck that.
It would be way more impactful if the author stopped using random nicknames she liked in different languages and just stuck with one. It builds the character and lessens confusion.
The whole book had no real point. There was nothing keeping Nix and Volik apart. Entirely instalove, and after that, they just...were happy?
Yeah, I'm not.
83% through (I checked), the plot finally picked up. Problem was, now there's too much plot.
Volik's brother, the villain who was literally introduced then with no prior foreshadowing just to give this book a point, the druids, the government, the war--
WAY TOO MUCH!!!
All that vampire magic thrown in for good measure?
PLEASE, MAKE IT STOP.
The magic made no sense, and it's obvious that everyone who thought it was so creative has never read a fantasy book. There were no limits, no pre-set rules, so the author could just keep adding to what Volik and Nix could do whenever the plot needed it. I don't know about you, but to me, it was lazy and annoying.
This book was a drag, which was really surprising for a Tilly book. For her next book, I think she needs to ditch the insta love, make rules on the magic, cut out about 200 unnecessary pages, and set the plot from the start so she doesn't discover it with us when the book is literally almost over.
Also?
The sex scenes weren't even that good.
This felt like a first draft: hundreds of pages too long, spelling mistakes, inconsistencies, and ridiculous ideas that occur at the moment for the author, too, and zero character development.
Would not recommend, and I don't know what pot these other readers were smoking to all give it fives, but apparently I need some because this book truly sucked.
I love paranormal romance. Half my read list is paranormal, or fantasy, but this was...
This was a book.
S.J. Tilly's books are pretty notorious for being character-driven. There's no defined plot, just characters' goals and growth that hook you through the book. This was just ridiculous.
The characters weren't developed at all: Nix was flat, and her backstory felt inserted and awkward, while Volik was just a caricature. They had sex almost immediately, but they had zero chemistry AT ALL.
The weird things inserted to prove their mating bond were so out of place and unbelievable. Why can't she unpack?
Because of the mating bond. Why can't she stop being so horny? Because of the mating bond. Why is she turning into a vampire, too? Because of the mating bond.
This book said so many things with no explanation; it was obvious this was the author's first paranormal.
One thing that really pissed me off: Volik calling Nix things in multiple different languages without acknowledging that. I was like:
You Russian?
French?
I'm not the U.S. Census, buddy, but I'mma need a country of origin.
Then they were like,
"Oh, haha, he just knows so many, he can't decide!"
Fuck that.
It would be way more impactful if the author stopped using random nicknames she liked in different languages and just stuck with one. It builds the character and lessens confusion.
The whole book had no real point. There was nothing keeping Nix and Volik apart. Entirely instalove, and after that, they just...were happy?
Yeah, I'm not.
83% through (I checked), the plot finally picked up. Problem was, now there's too much plot.
Volik's brother, the villain who was literally introduced then with no prior foreshadowing just to give this book a point, the druids, the government, the war--
WAY TOO MUCH!!!
All that vampire magic thrown in for good measure?
PLEASE, MAKE IT STOP.
The magic made no sense, and it's obvious that everyone who thought it was so creative has never read a fantasy book. There were no limits, no pre-set rules, so the author could just keep adding to what Volik and Nix could do whenever the plot needed it. I don't know about you, but to me, it was lazy and annoying.
This book was a drag, which was really surprising for a Tilly book. For her next book, I think she needs to ditch the insta love, make rules on the magic, cut out about 200 unnecessary pages, and set the plot from the start so she doesn't discover it with us when the book is literally almost over.
Also?
The sex scenes weren't even that good.
This felt like a first draft: hundreds of pages too long, spelling mistakes, inconsistencies, and ridiculous ideas that occur at the moment for the author, too, and zero character development.
Would not recommend, and I don't know what pot these other readers were smoking to all give it fives, but apparently I need some because this book truly sucked.
June 18, 2026
Okay, look, I’m a fated mate gal. And I got the audiobook because Sean Masters. Totally down for that type of story but this? This is not that. This is a fever dream wattpad fic with, basically, no plot and a convoluted world building that has no payoff.
Spoilers below:
.
.
.
.
The entire book takes place in about a week. The OTP meet, bone and then keep boning. After their first time (and hers because she’s a 30 year old virgin who threw up whenever she tried to have sex in the past because she was destined for HIM)- she tells him she needs some space but there’s no internal monologue and it jumps to the next day where she’s basically cool with vampire d!€¥. Her use of the word “gravito” (his magic) every other sentence grates on you FAST.
She’s got a cherry flavored vajay-jay and he tastes like minty toothpaste. 🤢
And there are waaaay too many chapters that are literally 1 sentence. Like…it’s just weird?
It’s totally tropey- which I can get on board with- but this is an obvious villain set up to hurt her to make him turn into a protective vampire who has to rescue the damsel. Even though she’s basically a vampire herself she’s completely helpless.
Please don’t bother with this. This was a writing experiment gone very, very wrong.
Spoilers below:
.
.
.
.
The entire book takes place in about a week. The OTP meet, bone and then keep boning. After their first time (and hers because she’s a 30 year old virgin who threw up whenever she tried to have sex in the past because she was destined for HIM)- she tells him she needs some space but there’s no internal monologue and it jumps to the next day where she’s basically cool with vampire d!€¥. Her use of the word “gravito” (his magic) every other sentence grates on you FAST.
She’s got a cherry flavored vajay-jay and he tastes like minty toothpaste. 🤢
And there are waaaay too many chapters that are literally 1 sentence. Like…it’s just weird?
It’s totally tropey- which I can get on board with- but this is an obvious villain set up to hurt her to make him turn into a protective vampire who has to rescue the damsel. Even though she’s basically a vampire herself she’s completely helpless.
Please don’t bother with this. This was a writing experiment gone very, very wrong.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2026
SJ Tilly I love you but wtf is this 😭
DNF @21%
DNF @21%
June 20, 2026
3,2 ᯓ☆ || Girl, el tipo es un vampiro que RONRONEA para tranquilizar a su mate. Muy romántico, si me lo preguntas ☝️
Fuera de broma (que no es broma jskajs), sí me gustó la historia. ¿Estoy siendo un poco influenciada porque es de mis autoras favoritas? Puede ser, pero siento que para ser el primer libro de una serie está bien. Directo, muy divertido y sencillo de leer 🙏
Ojo, no sucede mucho más allá del romance entre los protagonistas y el conflicto final que, debo destacar, estuvo entretenido. Cuando yo creí que se había terminado el problema ¡zas! Viene y sucede algo más 🥴
Sobre el romance. Es lindo, muy cute. Volik es super servicial, atento y devoto con Nix, la prota, desde el segundo 1. Ella también me gustó, era periodista y su naturaleza curiosa me daba justo las respuestas que buscaba sin abrumarme con la info (y él le contestaba todo siempre super paciente y divertido por su emoción al indagar). Eso sí, al principio se van a sentir un tanto freneticos porque aquí lo de la conexión entre ambos es literal. El destino literalmente los empuja en la dirección del otro jsjs. Ya después se calman y proceden a conocerse.
Creo que las escenas familiares, las de la manada y el druida fueron mis favoritas 🤭 (CHICXS, AQUÍ HAY VAMPIROS, CAMBIAFORMAS DE MUCHOS TIPOS (lobos, águilas, osos), MUCHA MAGIA Y DRUIDAS (quedé especialmente fascinada con estos últimos 🫦) 🗣️🗣️🗣️).
Si bien, no hay nada que no se haya dicho de los vampiros ya, pero a mí parecer la autora se toma muchas molestias en darle vuelta a esa mismas cosas y mostrarte nuevas a cambio (por ejemplo, el ronroneo jskajs). Siento que Tilly sí se esforzó en crear este nuevo mundo que tiene mucha que dar y espero en los siguientes libros de la serie nos siga contando más info sobre este mundo contemporáneo (sí, los humanos saben de los vampiros).
EL FINAL AAAHHHHH me gustó mucho que Tilly nos diera un vistazo de la siguiente pareja, la vdd si me emociona.
Como dije, no pasa mucho, pero creo que si ya conoces la escritura de la autora y estás acostubradx a como desarrolla sus historias, posiblemente pueda gustarte ✨
Si lo empiezan y no están seguras, les recomiendo que se lo tomen con humor y se la pasarán increíble JSKAJKSA (eso hice en algunas escenas, además de que hay otras que sí son genuinamente graciosas).
Fuera de broma (que no es broma jskajs), sí me gustó la historia. ¿Estoy siendo un poco influenciada porque es de mis autoras favoritas? Puede ser, pero siento que para ser el primer libro de una serie está bien. Directo, muy divertido y sencillo de leer 🙏
Ojo, no sucede mucho más allá del romance entre los protagonistas y el conflicto final que, debo destacar, estuvo entretenido. Cuando yo creí que se había terminado el problema ¡zas! Viene y sucede algo más 🥴
Sobre el romance. Es lindo, muy cute. Volik es super servicial, atento y devoto con Nix, la prota, desde el segundo 1. Ella también me gustó, era periodista y su naturaleza curiosa me daba justo las respuestas que buscaba sin abrumarme con la info (y él le contestaba todo siempre super paciente y divertido por su emoción al indagar). Eso sí, al principio se van a sentir un tanto freneticos porque aquí lo de la conexión entre ambos es literal. El destino literalmente los empuja en la dirección del otro jsjs. Ya después se calman y proceden a conocerse.
Creo que las escenas familiares, las de la manada y el druida fueron mis favoritas 🤭 (CHICXS, AQUÍ HAY VAMPIROS, CAMBIAFORMAS DE MUCHOS TIPOS (lobos, águilas, osos), MUCHA MAGIA Y DRUIDAS (quedé especialmente fascinada con estos últimos 🫦) 🗣️🗣️🗣️).
Si bien, no hay nada que no se haya dicho de los vampiros ya, pero a mí parecer la autora se toma muchas molestias en darle vuelta a esa mismas cosas y mostrarte nuevas a cambio (por ejemplo, el ronroneo jskajs). Siento que Tilly sí se esforzó en crear este nuevo mundo que tiene mucha que dar y espero en los siguientes libros de la serie nos siga contando más info sobre este mundo contemporáneo (sí, los humanos saben de los vampiros).
EL FINAL AAAHHHHH me gustó mucho que Tilly nos diera un vistazo de la siguiente pareja, la vdd si me emociona.
Como dije, no pasa mucho, pero creo que si ya conoces la escritura de la autora y estás acostubradx a como desarrolla sus historias, posiblemente pueda gustarte ✨
Si lo empiezan y no están seguras, les recomiendo que se lo tomen con humor y se la pasarán increíble JSKAJKSA (eso hice en algunas escenas, además de que hay otras que sí son genuinamente graciosas).
June 25, 2026
I love vampires and idk if this one was a me thing but I did struggle with this one. Maybe around 50ish percent. But I wanted to finish it because I did enjoy the couple.
We have Nix who is filling in as a sub where the mysterious Volik "teaches" and other supernatural teaches undercover? "The dean". It takes a day and Volik finds his mate when Nix bday happens. Unlocking this find your mate which is wired at 30?? She's also a virgin. I don't mind that but Volik should've been a virgin to if we talking about mates.
But anyways they have a tiny push/pull learning about this well more Nix she did feel guilty pushing him away he didn't really do anything bad. Then boom all is right and they are in love i kinda wanted them to struggle alittle in that to find a balance. Then this is where I was struggling. The bad guy and then her family sorta coming in and not.
Felt she never really got that closure. She was just happy Volik was by her side and pushed her mom out the classroom.
🤣
I was also meh with the side chapters of randoms beside one the bad guys pov.
Beside that. Pretty much okay.
No ow/om drama, no cheating, slight secondary characters, drama, Sexy times, virgin gal no manwhore
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶.5
Slowinsta
30FMC/idkMMC
Vampirexhuman
Praise kink
Size Difference
Bj? Fangs
Found family
Murderish
No condom
Hea
Epilogue
We have Nix who is filling in as a sub where the mysterious Volik "teaches" and other supernatural teaches undercover? "The dean". It takes a day and Volik finds his mate when Nix bday happens. Unlocking this find your mate which is wired at 30?? She's also a virgin. I don't mind that but Volik should've been a virgin to if we talking about mates.
But anyways they have a tiny push/pull learning about this well more Nix she did feel guilty pushing him away he didn't really do anything bad. Then boom all is right and they are in love i kinda wanted them to struggle alittle in that to find a balance. Then this is where I was struggling. The bad guy and then her family sorta coming in and not.
Felt she never really got that closure. She was just happy Volik was by her side and pushed her mom out the classroom.
🤣
I was also meh with the side chapters of randoms beside one the bad guys pov.
Beside that. Pretty much okay.
No ow/om drama, no cheating, slight secondary characters, drama, Sexy times, virgin gal no manwhore
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶.5
Slowinsta
30FMC/idkMMC
Vampirexhuman
Praise kink
Size Difference
Bj? Fangs
Found family
Murderish
No condom
Hea
Epilogue
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.25⭐️
3.5🌶️
🔥Vampire Romance
🔥Paranormal Romance
🔥Fated Mates
🔥Plus Size FMC
🔥Age Gap
🔥Size Differences
🔥Dual First Person POV
Nix just moved on a whim to Hemlock Hills to take a substitute journalism professor position. When she heard about the opening, she had this overwhleming feeling that she had to take it. Volik is a famous centeruies old vampire who works at Stalden University. Nix has a tradition of eating a cupcake at the exact moment she was born. But this year on her 30th, everything changes. She feels a sudden & blazing heat. Volik suddenly feels the change as his gravito grows & smells the most intoxicating scent of orchids. He knows what this means, he’s found his mate. When he bursts through the doors of her building Nix is ovwewhelmed with a jolt of heat & an undeniable magnetic connection towards the infamous vampire. Volik has been living a solitary life hoping he would find his mate. So when he finds Nix, he is immediately obsessed & fiercely protective. Their connection & love for each other helps them heal from their pasts. The banter is fun & the spice is scortching hot. Volik may be a vampire, over seven tall, with horns & fangs, but he’s a big ol’ softie for Nix. The pet names he has for her…swoon. The fated mates instant connection has been taken to another level with unique twists on vampier lore. The world building wasn’t overwhelming & unfolds throughout the book. This is action packed with a unique spin on vampire lore that kept me hooked from the start & craving more.
🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.
Plot: 4
Engaging: 4
Character: 5
Thank you SJ Tilly for the gifted advanced copy.
📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
A Few Favorite Quotes:
“Careful, Mea Unica. You can go to work, or you can take my d! €k. We do not have time for both.”
“We have known each other our whole lives. We just do not remember.”
“I’d like to treat my old family how they treated me.” Volik nods. “We split them in half.” I laugh as I shake my head. “I meant that I want to forget they exist.”
“When the time is right, I will give her my love through words. But I know she already knows.”
“I don’t want to be your weakness.”
“Nyet.” I shake my head. “You are never that. You are my strength. My mate. You are my heartbeat, Nixy.”
“I could not live in a world where you are gone. You are mine. And I am yours. And we are meant to be together forever. Wherever that is.”
“Whether it’s fate. Or the bond. Or inevitable for a thousand other reasons. I don’t know or care. I just love you.”
“What are you?”
“I am a vampire’s mate,” I hiss. “And you threatened what’s mine.”
3.5🌶️
🔥Vampire Romance
🔥Paranormal Romance
🔥Fated Mates
🔥Plus Size FMC
🔥Age Gap
🔥Size Differences
🔥Dual First Person POV
Nix just moved on a whim to Hemlock Hills to take a substitute journalism professor position. When she heard about the opening, she had this overwhleming feeling that she had to take it. Volik is a famous centeruies old vampire who works at Stalden University. Nix has a tradition of eating a cupcake at the exact moment she was born. But this year on her 30th, everything changes. She feels a sudden & blazing heat. Volik suddenly feels the change as his gravito grows & smells the most intoxicating scent of orchids. He knows what this means, he’s found his mate. When he bursts through the doors of her building Nix is ovwewhelmed with a jolt of heat & an undeniable magnetic connection towards the infamous vampire. Volik has been living a solitary life hoping he would find his mate. So when he finds Nix, he is immediately obsessed & fiercely protective. Their connection & love for each other helps them heal from their pasts. The banter is fun & the spice is scortching hot. Volik may be a vampire, over seven tall, with horns & fangs, but he’s a big ol’ softie for Nix. The pet names he has for her…swoon. The fated mates instant connection has been taken to another level with unique twists on vampier lore. The world building wasn’t overwhelming & unfolds throughout the book. This is action packed with a unique spin on vampire lore that kept me hooked from the start & craving more.
🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.
Plot: 4
Engaging: 4
Character: 5
Thank you SJ Tilly for the gifted advanced copy.
📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
A Few Favorite Quotes:
“Careful, Mea Unica. You can go to work, or you can take my d! €k. We do not have time for both.”
“We have known each other our whole lives. We just do not remember.”
“I’d like to treat my old family how they treated me.” Volik nods. “We split them in half.” I laugh as I shake my head. “I meant that I want to forget they exist.”
“When the time is right, I will give her my love through words. But I know she already knows.”
“I don’t want to be your weakness.”
“Nyet.” I shake my head. “You are never that. You are my strength. My mate. You are my heartbeat, Nixy.”
“I could not live in a world where you are gone. You are mine. And I am yours. And we are meant to be together forever. Wherever that is.”
“Whether it’s fate. Or the bond. Or inevitable for a thousand other reasons. I don’t know or care. I just love you.”
“What are you?”
“I am a vampire’s mate,” I hiss. “And you threatened what’s mine.”
Did Not Finish
June 3, 2026DNF 23%. Read like a bad Wattpad story
June 16, 2026
DNF at 78%. I was bored. Show me, don't tell me! This book feels like something S.J. Tilly started writing before any of her other books then pulled the draft out to publish it today.
June 19, 2026
girlllll idk what I just read
June 14, 2026
One of my all time favorite writers. I’ll re-read any book in the alliance series any time any day.
This wasn’t bad, but it was remarkably light on details, and plot.
Thr last few years, SJ Tilly has developed this very specific writing style that is like lines at a time instead of chapters. It’s fragmented and a bit vague where she used to be detailed and specific and writing in full paragraphs. It’s borderline lazy?
I miss her old writing style. I’m sure the pressure to publish several books a year is to blame here. It’s happening to all my favorite authors. It’s 3 similar books a year instead of one really good one.
This wasn’t bad, but it was remarkably light on details, and plot.
Thr last few years, SJ Tilly has developed this very specific writing style that is like lines at a time instead of chapters. It’s fragmented and a bit vague where she used to be detailed and specific and writing in full paragraphs. It’s borderline lazy?
I miss her old writing style. I’m sure the pressure to publish several books a year is to blame here. It’s happening to all my favorite authors. It’s 3 similar books a year instead of one really good one.
June 20, 2026
It’s so weird that this amazing bonding happened and then they’re immediately both just like “back to work in the college then?” The very next morning like…. He’s a scary powerful vampire why is there not more important or exciting things you could be both doing rather than making out in front of her classroom door…. It’s slightly boring af.
August 8, 2026
Loved every second of this read!!!!
KU Read on Kindle
538 Pages
Bonded Souls, Book 1
Paranormal Romance
Vampire x Human
Fated Mates
Oversized MMC
Curvy FMC
Virgin FMC
Touch her & D!£
That was so unexpectedly good. I knew I was gonna enjoy it (I love an SJ. Tilly book) but that was awesome. I love it when a book unique and its world build is different from anything I've read before. I have devoured this book despite having a busy couple of days, I couldn't put it down and I am so looking forward to the next one.
Volik is the most powerful vampire of his time and when he finds his fated mate, Nix, his power grows even more. But the world is a dangerous place for a human mated to a vampire as Nix and Volik are about to find out...
KU Read on Kindle
538 Pages
Bonded Souls, Book 1
Paranormal Romance
Vampire x Human
Fated Mates
Oversized MMC
Curvy FMC
Virgin FMC
Touch her & D!£
That was so unexpectedly good. I knew I was gonna enjoy it (I love an SJ. Tilly book) but that was awesome. I love it when a book unique and its world build is different from anything I've read before. I have devoured this book despite having a busy couple of days, I couldn't put it down and I am so looking forward to the next one.
Volik is the most powerful vampire of his time and when he finds his fated mate, Nix, his power grows even more. But the world is a dangerous place for a human mated to a vampire as Nix and Volik are about to find out...
June 7, 2026
Okay I KNEW I WAS GOING TO LOVE THIS BUT LIKE I DIDN’T KNOW HOW MUCH.
Reading the Alliance series showed me SJ Tilly had a particular story telling style that my ADHD brain just really loves and Volik followed that style while being a completely different setting and I am obsessed.
I’ve always been a vampire girl and I really enjoy the different spin on the old lore, I also very much enjoy that Volik has been Tilly-fied 😛 making him unhinged and obsessed with his freaky mate.
And Nix! My girl! Shes equal parts question everything and just go with it and I love her for that.
If you’re into paranormal that is a little more modern with all kinds of fun lore and obsessive vampires, this is the book for you. I am super pumped for book 2!
Thank you to SJ Tilly & The Smuthood for allowing me to get my eyes on this early!
Reading the Alliance series showed me SJ Tilly had a particular story telling style that my ADHD brain just really loves and Volik followed that style while being a completely different setting and I am obsessed.
I’ve always been a vampire girl and I really enjoy the different spin on the old lore, I also very much enjoy that Volik has been Tilly-fied 😛 making him unhinged and obsessed with his freaky mate.
And Nix! My girl! Shes equal parts question everything and just go with it and I love her for that.
If you’re into paranormal that is a little more modern with all kinds of fun lore and obsessive vampires, this is the book for you. I am super pumped for book 2!
Thank you to SJ Tilly & The Smuthood for allowing me to get my eyes on this early!
June 13, 2026
*** UPDATE ***
I finished the book...but barely. The narrators were excellent! Like, who doesn't love Chloe Ryan and Sean Masters???
The story, though? It fell flat for me. Like...flatter than Kansas flat. The POVs were ALL over the place. It felt like every time someone might have had a thought in a scene...a new chapter started with that thought...just to go back to the original POV. This didn't work.
I'm REALLY sad that I didn't at least like, let alone tolerate, this book. If you've never read a book by S.J. Tilly, PLEASE do not judge her other books by this one. Go read The Alliance series! She did an amazing job with those.
Unfortunately, I will not continue with the Bonded Souls series. If you loved this...I'm happy for you. Reading is subjective; however, this wasn't for me.
***
Let me preface this by saying, I LOVED the Alliance series...Hans was my absolute favorite. Volik, though? I'm on Chapter 53...and I hate to say this...but I'm struggling.
I'm trying to finish...unfortunately, right now I only want to DNF. This makes me so sad because I had such high hopes for this book.
I finished the book...but barely. The narrators were excellent! Like, who doesn't love Chloe Ryan and Sean Masters???
The story, though? It fell flat for me. Like...flatter than Kansas flat. The POVs were ALL over the place. It felt like every time someone might have had a thought in a scene...a new chapter started with that thought...just to go back to the original POV. This didn't work.
I'm REALLY sad that I didn't at least like, let alone tolerate, this book. If you've never read a book by S.J. Tilly, PLEASE do not judge her other books by this one. Go read The Alliance series! She did an amazing job with those.
Unfortunately, I will not continue with the Bonded Souls series. If you loved this...I'm happy for you. Reading is subjective; however, this wasn't for me.
***
Let me preface this by saying, I LOVED the Alliance series...Hans was my absolute favorite. Volik, though? I'm on Chapter 53...and I hate to say this...but I'm struggling.
I'm trying to finish...unfortunately, right now I only want to DNF. This makes me so sad because I had such high hopes for this book.
June 14, 2026
DNF at 25 %.
Hard pass. The premise absolutely did NOT deliver.
Hard pass. The premise absolutely did NOT deliver.
June 23, 2026
4.5. Rated R. Contemporary Vampire Romance
Volik was 280 yo before he found his fated mate. This is their journey.
I could hardly put this book down. So intriguing.
Great story. Great characters.
This author went into many details about vampires. Debunking many old beliefs. How the government lies. Her view in this book was fascinating. I choose to believe it. 😜For the book.
This is a standalone but the next book (Sept ‘26) about his brother I will be anxiously awaiting.
Highly recommend if you enjoy vampires. Excellent. 🥰
Volik was 280 yo before he found his fated mate. This is their journey.
I could hardly put this book down. So intriguing.
Great story. Great characters.
This author went into many details about vampires. Debunking many old beliefs. How the government lies. Her view in this book was fascinating. I choose to believe it. 😜For the book.
This is a standalone but the next book (Sept ‘26) about his brother I will be anxiously awaiting.
Highly recommend if you enjoy vampires. Excellent. 🥰
June 13, 2026
This book was so much fun! It’s over the top, banana pants insta love with vampires! I would give the first 50 % seven stars if I could. I love the way they met, how the ground actually shook, how they both couldn’t contain themselves…. It’s just fun!
If you’re looking for anything with any semblance of reality this isn’t for you. But, if you love insta fated mates who actually like each other, some crazy vampire antics, and a badass heroine… this is it!
Volik 🧛♂️ Nix
Nix is drawn by fate to work at the same university as Volik. She knows of him, is aware of vampires, but doesn’t realize that she’s his fated mate. It’s the story of them making this realization, getting together, and then dealing w some batshit vampire who holds a grievance against Volik.
There’s humor, some special vamp power called ‘gravita’, werewolves, druids, portals, and some light world building.
This is how fated mates should be written - as though they’re fated for a reason. Meaning, that they are truly each other’s perfect match. That is this couple. ❤️❤️
❤️No third act breakup
🗣️All the communication. This was actually really sweet - he would actively ask her what was wrong and she would be honest. I know, what a concept!
🧛♂️Vampire and human; she’s an interim journalism professor at the University. - two emotionally mature, smart people. She’s curious and he loves it.
💪🏼No power imbalance even w his insane physical attributes
🏡He had a brother who’s disappeared and some family that lives far away. She’s estranged from her family.
🫣No OM/OW - She’s a virgin. She tried and had opportunities, but she literally got sick anytime she came close to being with another person. Apparently, the fates wouldn’t let her be w anyone else. He was with someone 80 yrs ago (and feels guilty about it).
🌶️Spice - This two are IT for each other. Open door; starts early and continues throughout
👥Dual POV; HEA. They will both live forever unless one of them is killed. If one dies, the other dies, too.
I’m a huge SJ Tilly fan, so I love the random interspersed shorter chapters, and the chapters from various random people in the story. It’s fun and it feels like she had fun writing it.
Favorite bits:
- Whenever Nix would tease Volik about his formal speech or Russian words -“da”, “nyet”.
- the way he hulked up when he realized he found his mate
- the way she grew fangs and her eyes turned black and she LOVED IT. lol.
- How his house is basically underground
-The horns and how he goes crazy when she rubs it. Lol His black eyes and how she’s the only one who can tell where he’s looking
- The way he insisted on making furniture that fit her
- all his superpowers - the gravita, being able to move her towards him, the fire power
- her enhanced abilities (which I won’t give away)
PS - I can already imagine the negative reviews and I likely wouldn’t argue with them. It’s purely a matter of preference and maybe mood. I was in the mood for SJ Tilly and THIS book. ❤️🧛♂️😁
PPS - (The only thing I didn’t really love was when the gravita became sentient at the end and participated in the sex stuff. That gave me the ick. Lol)
If you’re looking for anything with any semblance of reality this isn’t for you. But, if you love insta fated mates who actually like each other, some crazy vampire antics, and a badass heroine… this is it!
Volik 🧛♂️ Nix
Nix is drawn by fate to work at the same university as Volik. She knows of him, is aware of vampires, but doesn’t realize that she’s his fated mate. It’s the story of them making this realization, getting together, and then dealing w some batshit vampire who holds a grievance against Volik.
There’s humor, some special vamp power called ‘gravita’, werewolves, druids, portals, and some light world building.
This is how fated mates should be written - as though they’re fated for a reason. Meaning, that they are truly each other’s perfect match. That is this couple. ❤️❤️
❤️No third act breakup
🗣️All the communication. This was actually really sweet - he would actively ask her what was wrong and she would be honest. I know, what a concept!
🧛♂️Vampire and human; she’s an interim journalism professor at the University. - two emotionally mature, smart people. She’s curious and he loves it.
💪🏼No power imbalance even w his insane physical attributes
🏡He had a brother who’s disappeared and some family that lives far away. She’s estranged from her family.
🫣No OM/OW - She’s a virgin. She tried and had opportunities, but she literally got sick anytime she came close to being with another person. Apparently, the fates wouldn’t let her be w anyone else. He was with someone 80 yrs ago (and feels guilty about it).
🌶️Spice - This two are IT for each other. Open door; starts early and continues throughout
👥Dual POV; HEA. They will both live forever unless one of them is killed. If one dies, the other dies, too.
I’m a huge SJ Tilly fan, so I love the random interspersed shorter chapters, and the chapters from various random people in the story. It’s fun and it feels like she had fun writing it.
Favorite bits:
- Whenever Nix would tease Volik about his formal speech or Russian words -“da”, “nyet”.
- the way he hulked up when he realized he found his mate
- the way she grew fangs and her eyes turned black and she LOVED IT. lol.
- How his house is basically underground
-The horns and how he goes crazy when she rubs it. Lol His black eyes and how she’s the only one who can tell where he’s looking
- The way he insisted on making furniture that fit her
- all his superpowers - the gravita, being able to move her towards him, the fire power
- her enhanced abilities (which I won’t give away)
PS - I can already imagine the negative reviews and I likely wouldn’t argue with them. It’s purely a matter of preference and maybe mood. I was in the mood for SJ Tilly and THIS book. ❤️🧛♂️😁
PPS - (The only thing I didn’t really love was when the gravita became sentient at the end and participated in the sex stuff. That gave me the ick. Lol)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2026
I WAS FORCED TO READ THIS FOR BOOKCLUB
Sorry had to start my review with you knowing this because… how EMBARRASSING is this cover? The story was equally as bad. 0 stars feels right but also rude.
Sorry had to start my review with you knowing this because… how EMBARRASSING is this cover? The story was equally as bad. 0 stars feels right but also rude.
June 16, 2026
Now I’m actually sad to write this because usually I love me SJ Tilly books, but this was just………. Horrible to be quite frank. The Insta love was too much for me. No substance between the characters no background no angst, no yearning just straight to it and it just got boring for me like it’s just like a really bad wattpad story and I’m actually really upset because I was really looking forward to reading this book because I love this author a lot and whatever she writes. Usually she does have Insta love in her books but there’s always like a plot or substance. Something to connect us to the characters this book lacked that and I’m honestly so upset that I had to DNF it at 27%. I just couldn’t do it anymore.
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