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There Are No Vampires In This Book
TARYN HAD NEVER BEEN NORMAL.
She wasn't like other girls- not after that night, that thing, took her parents from her. She made it through hospitals, doctors, and therapy by playing by their rules and saying all the things they wanted to hear. But, inside, she held on to the truth.
She knew what she saw.
SHE SPENT HER TEEN YEARS PREPARING IN SECRET
With her two closest friends at her side, she dedicated herself to a mission. She would train and she would hunt. When the time came, she would be ready. No one she loved would be hurt by one of those monsters ever again
But with high school behind them, new found freedom comes with new responsibilities and new problems. Instead of weapons and self defense classes, she now has jobs and bills. The relation-ship with her best friend was suddenly shifting into new, scary territories. How could she take down bad guys if she couldn’t get her own life in order?
AND THEN THERE WAS HIM.
A mysterious stranger who pops up in suspicious places and throws off all sorts of bad vibes. His face now starred in her regular nightmares and plagued her thoughts in the day. Was she overre-acting? Or, was this finally the monster she had been waiting for? As the scars of Taryn’s past rise up to haunt her, she begins to question herself. With her mission faltering and her friendship off kilter, would life ever be the same again?
Would she ever be the same?
She wasn't like other girls- not after that night, that thing, took her parents from her. She made it through hospitals, doctors, and therapy by playing by their rules and saying all the things they wanted to hear. But, inside, she held on to the truth.
She knew what she saw.
SHE SPENT HER TEEN YEARS PREPARING IN SECRET
With her two closest friends at her side, she dedicated herself to a mission. She would train and she would hunt. When the time came, she would be ready. No one she loved would be hurt by one of those monsters ever again
But with high school behind them, new found freedom comes with new responsibilities and new problems. Instead of weapons and self defense classes, she now has jobs and bills. The relation-ship with her best friend was suddenly shifting into new, scary territories. How could she take down bad guys if she couldn’t get her own life in order?
AND THEN THERE WAS HIM.
A mysterious stranger who pops up in suspicious places and throws off all sorts of bad vibes. His face now starred in her regular nightmares and plagued her thoughts in the day. Was she overre-acting? Or, was this finally the monster she had been waiting for? As the scars of Taryn’s past rise up to haunt her, she begins to question herself. With her mission faltering and her friendship off kilter, would life ever be the same again?
Would she ever be the same?
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2015
2 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 6, 2021
I liked the dynamic between the friends, the journal entries from Taryn's past and although I did see the twist coming, it was all pulled together well. It was just a little too slow for my liking and the characters felt more like teenagers rather than people in their early twenties.
December 31, 2015
***** 5 Cranky Stars *****
Review of There Are No Vampires by Megan Bailey
This is an excellent story for young adult readers. It is the story of a girl, now in her twenties, struggling to keep it together after witnessing the death of both her parents when she was young.
Taryn writes journals and the author fills in the gaps seamlessly to develop a compelling tale of real life.
The book grabs you with the journal entries of an angry Taryn, who is mad at her therapist, Madeline, and ends with a resolved Taryn still working with her therapist.
As the title implies, Taryn believes she witnessed her parents being killed by a vampire and when she tells people this truth she is placed in a mental ward. She comes to live with her grandmother, who was not the knitting by the fire type. Taryn tells everyone that there are no vampires and that she is coping just to escape back to a normal life, but secretly, she believes she must rid the world of vampires and prove her mental fitness.
The author does not let Taryn stand alone in her beliefs and quest to prove there are vampires. The author gives her two extremely loyal and foolhardy friends to follow her into all kinds of trouble, including a chase in a graveyard, a bar fight, and a tattoo parlor.
The friends, Aiden and Kenzie, are very protective of her. Together, they set out to solve the mysterious deaths occurring in the area.
The story has twists and turns and this reader was sure of the end, but was blown away be the ending she didn’t see coming at all. It has some violence and a description of getting a tattoo that makes even me, who hates needles and any kind of pain, want one.
The characters were complex and even the silver-eyed guy seems to have a secret that Taryn is desperate to find out.
This is a wonderful story that flowed nicely and did not seem trite or foolish. I was asked to read and review this story for the Book Curmudgeon. It is a story that hooks you in and does not disappoint. Recommended for more mature young readers.
January 1, 2016
READ THE FULL THING HERE:
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/t...
Shortly after this book was released, Maribel bought it for me - because she won a signed copy and I was pouting a bit. Then, when I saw there was a blog tour for it, I HAD to sign us up for it.
I was hooked from the first paragraph. Just look at this fabulousness:
Madeline says I have to write a diary. She gave me this notebook to fill up. It's part of recovery. She says this will help me with my feelings. I told her to shove the book up her ass.
WARNING: This is a page turner. Do not read it if you have plans to do anything that day. Because you'll almost be late to pretty much everything. And then get mean looks while you "sneak around inconspicuously" and try to read it from your phone.
My only complaint is with the formatting. All journal entries and texts are formatted differently. They start on the middle of the page, in italics. Which, for the most part, isn't an issue. Except when it is a long journal entry. It's annoying as fluff to read. Especially because I don't like to read with my glasses, which means I have to make the text large. Thankfully this only occurs during a small percentage.
I found myself getting attached to these characters, to the point that I became emotionally connected to them. This meant I experienced their feelings with them. Publicly. Yes, there are some feels. But that's not even the worst part.
I suffered from second hand embarrassment. It was so bad that I'm pretty sure I died of it and I'm now a ghost. Imagine sitting in the waiting room of a clinic while your kid attends their weekly speech class and you're melted onto a puddle on the floor because you can no longer function as you are just as embarrassed, if not more so, than the main character because of her insolence... that's what happened to me.
Look, I'm going to say it. I really loved this book. It's fantastic. I recommended it to anyone who likes reading books that are good. In fact, start it immediately. I need someone else to suffer this book hangover with me.
You can thank me when you're finished.
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/t...
Shortly after this book was released, Maribel bought it for me - because she won a signed copy and I was pouting a bit. Then, when I saw there was a blog tour for it, I HAD to sign us up for it.
I was hooked from the first paragraph. Just look at this fabulousness:
Madeline says I have to write a diary. She gave me this notebook to fill up. It's part of recovery. She says this will help me with my feelings. I told her to shove the book up her ass.
WARNING: This is a page turner. Do not read it if you have plans to do anything that day. Because you'll almost be late to pretty much everything. And then get mean looks while you "sneak around inconspicuously" and try to read it from your phone.
My only complaint is with the formatting. All journal entries and texts are formatted differently. They start on the middle of the page, in italics. Which, for the most part, isn't an issue. Except when it is a long journal entry. It's annoying as fluff to read. Especially because I don't like to read with my glasses, which means I have to make the text large. Thankfully this only occurs during a small percentage.
I found myself getting attached to these characters, to the point that I became emotionally connected to them. This meant I experienced their feelings with them. Publicly. Yes, there are some feels. But that's not even the worst part.
I suffered from second hand embarrassment. It was so bad that I'm pretty sure I died of it and I'm now a ghost. Imagine sitting in the waiting room of a clinic while your kid attends their weekly speech class and you're melted onto a puddle on the floor because you can no longer function as you are just as embarrassed, if not more so, than the main character because of her insolence... that's what happened to me.
Look, I'm going to say it. I really loved this book. It's fantastic. I recommended it to anyone who likes reading books that are good. In fact, start it immediately. I need someone else to suffer this book hangover with me.
You can thank me when you're finished.
January 13, 2016
I first heard about this book when we had a Teaser Tuesday on the page and Megan Bailey posted one of her teasers. The title alone hooked me and we began harassing, I mean, er, asking Megan about the book. Fast forward to last month in June when she hosted a giveaway for a signed paperback copy. I will admit that if Joood had never tagged me in the comments, I wouldn't have heard about the giveaway and I wouldn't have won. Then she pouted a bit and I bought her an ecopy so I could have someone to read it with me.
The story starts out with Taryn complaining about therapy. That right there should hook anyone into reading further on. Joood is spot on when she says the first paragraph is where it's at:
Madeline says I have to write a diary. She gave me this notebook to fill up. It's part of recovery. She says this will help me with my feelings. I told her to shove the book up her ass.
And that's not the only instance where Taryn shows off her sassy self. But I won't post them all here; that's incentive enough, in my opinion, to get you all to check out this book. Who doesn't love a sassy character? There were many memorable moments where I found myself cackling, tearing up a bit, hiding my face in embarrassment, or even muttering under my breath at Taryn for being so freaking clueless. I mean, come on girl, surely you can't be so blind?
Megan hosted a penance party where she asked for our forgiveness for not informing us about this tour. To help spread the word, I may have made avatars featuring platypires... *shifty eyes* I had waaay too much fun making those.
Anyway, I'm hoping there is some sort of sequel that follows this book, but even if there isn't this is a fantastic book that is great as a standalone. If you're looking for a book that will make you feel a little of everything, I highly recommend picking up this beauty. You're in for a treat if you do (some sort of cookie surely). I give There Are No Vampires In This Book all 5 Platypires!
The story starts out with Taryn complaining about therapy. That right there should hook anyone into reading further on. Joood is spot on when she says the first paragraph is where it's at:
Madeline says I have to write a diary. She gave me this notebook to fill up. It's part of recovery. She says this will help me with my feelings. I told her to shove the book up her ass.
And that's not the only instance where Taryn shows off her sassy self. But I won't post them all here; that's incentive enough, in my opinion, to get you all to check out this book. Who doesn't love a sassy character? There were many memorable moments where I found myself cackling, tearing up a bit, hiding my face in embarrassment, or even muttering under my breath at Taryn for being so freaking clueless. I mean, come on girl, surely you can't be so blind?
Megan hosted a penance party where she asked for our forgiveness for not informing us about this tour. To help spread the word, I may have made avatars featuring platypires... *shifty eyes* I had waaay too much fun making those.
Anyway, I'm hoping there is some sort of sequel that follows this book, but even if there isn't this is a fantastic book that is great as a standalone. If you're looking for a book that will make you feel a little of everything, I highly recommend picking up this beauty. You're in for a treat if you do (some sort of cookie surely). I give There Are No Vampires In This Book all 5 Platypires!
July 1, 2016
I started reading this book without an aid of a blurb or any reviews from people who had read it before me. The story told of a girl called Taryn who had witnessed the death of both of her parents at such a young age and what occurred after that.
Honestly, I am trying to find the right words to describe this book without giving away anything crucial as I would prefer readers to discover the wonders of it and enjoy it as much as I did. Let me tell you about the positives first. I loved the characters. They are so likable and the chemistry between them had been developed really well that it’s easy to fall in love with them. I loved the idea of the journals and how it helped shape the story and linked the past to the present. AND I loved the tattoo scene, it made me want to get one myself!
Most of all, I love Aiden. I am turning sappy in my reviews!
Now, the negative. I’m an action girl. I wanted to read about gore and death and such things especially if the word “Vampire” was on the title of the book and I kept waiting and waiting for it to happen. Then when it did, BHAM! I was blown away! I did not see that coming! What I thought was a negative even aided to the build-up of the climax in the story, so much so I can’t even call it a negative in the end. Kudos to Ms Bailey for such a creative story.
Trust me, you’ll definitely want to read this book yourself to find out!
Honestly, I am trying to find the right words to describe this book without giving away anything crucial as I would prefer readers to discover the wonders of it and enjoy it as much as I did. Let me tell you about the positives first. I loved the characters. They are so likable and the chemistry between them had been developed really well that it’s easy to fall in love with them. I loved the idea of the journals and how it helped shape the story and linked the past to the present. AND I loved the tattoo scene, it made me want to get one myself!
Most of all, I love Aiden. I am turning sappy in my reviews!
Now, the negative. I’m an action girl. I wanted to read about gore and death and such things especially if the word “Vampire” was on the title of the book and I kept waiting and waiting for it to happen. Then when it did, BHAM! I was blown away! I did not see that coming! What I thought was a negative even aided to the build-up of the climax in the story, so much so I can’t even call it a negative in the end. Kudos to Ms Bailey for such a creative story.
Trust me, you’ll definitely want to read this book yourself to find out!
July 11, 2015
This was such a great book! I loved Taryn, Aiden and Kenzie! These characters were so easy to fall in love with and the story held me spellbound! I can't wait to read more by this author!
November 16, 2015
"I am a product of my past, but I won't let it define me. I will use it to be stronger. So when I am face to face with what made me, I will kick its ass."
I got a copy of this book in exchange for a review and as part of a book-review sort of group/club I am in. One of them was very nice to tell the author I can't afford it so technically, she's the one who got me the copy of this book.
This book is very intriguing. From the cover up to its contents. I have wanted to read this book I found the title contradicting the cover. It makes me wonder whether or not there really are no vampires in this book.
I'd say Megan Bailey did a good job with this book. I feel like the main character was talking to me as I read along. I felt like Taryn was sharing with me a secret she hadn't told anyone before. The best thing about this story was that it makes you think. You keep wondering whether the title will hold true till the end and sometimes, you doubt if the author was telling you the truth with that title. So you think of possibilities of what might happen and what really happened in Taryn's past.
I'm not sure if it will count as a spoiler but as I was reading this, I kept thinking about an episode from BBC's Sherlock. That episode and parts of this book made me think of what ifs and guess possible endings for the book. It made it more exciting for me thinking that way. Probably because it made me felt like Sherlock trying to uncover a mystery. So in a way, reading this book felt like watching a movie and playing detective.
Plot wise the story was unique. I also like how the journal entries were written differently. It made it easy for me to distinguish what I am reading. I also like that there was a hint of romance in it. I was just expecting a little more scene with the grandmother near the end and maybe an explanation or an account of events from to shed some light regarding her parent's death. Although that might be awkward and embarrassing because I know for a fact that I suffered second hand embarrassment with that scene with Aiden.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read for me and I'd definitely like to read another book from this author.
more reviews at: http://versusthewriter.wordpress.com
I got a copy of this book in exchange for a review and as part of a book-review sort of group/club I am in. One of them was very nice to tell the author I can't afford it so technically, she's the one who got me the copy of this book.
This book is very intriguing. From the cover up to its contents. I have wanted to read this book I found the title contradicting the cover. It makes me wonder whether or not there really are no vampires in this book.
I'd say Megan Bailey did a good job with this book. I feel like the main character was talking to me as I read along. I felt like Taryn was sharing with me a secret she hadn't told anyone before. The best thing about this story was that it makes you think. You keep wondering whether the title will hold true till the end and sometimes, you doubt if the author was telling you the truth with that title. So you think of possibilities of what might happen and what really happened in Taryn's past.
I'm not sure if it will count as a spoiler but as I was reading this, I kept thinking about an episode from BBC's Sherlock. That episode and parts of this book made me think of what ifs and guess possible endings for the book. It made it more exciting for me thinking that way. Probably because it made me felt like Sherlock trying to uncover a mystery. So in a way, reading this book felt like watching a movie and playing detective.
Plot wise the story was unique. I also like how the journal entries were written differently. It made it easy for me to distinguish what I am reading. I also like that there was a hint of romance in it. I was just expecting a little more scene with the grandmother near the end and maybe an explanation or an account of events from to shed some light regarding her parent's death. Although that might be awkward and embarrassing because I know for a fact that I suffered second hand embarrassment with that scene with Aiden.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read for me and I'd definitely like to read another book from this author.
more reviews at: http://versusthewriter.wordpress.com
December 31, 2015
https://celebrityreaders.wordpress.co...
This book is a book that our book group decided to read and review. Shout out to https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookb...
This book is a trick. It is meant to make you think there are vampires in this book and there really isn’t. Damn reverse psychology worked! I totally fell for it. It played a little bit of magic on my mind. I started to suspect about halfway through the book that it wasn’t about vampires and I’m actually happy.
This chic really did believe that vampires were real. I believed it; I bought it hook, line and sinker. I was on her side the whole time. I’m still a little upset that I was fooled, I feel like a joke has been played on me.
But for real the characters in the book were really cool, the author wrote it really well. I can’t even believe I bought it, I totally caved and thought this dude was some crazy dude and he was into some kind of occult shit and he wasn’t. She was just bat shit crazy and the thing is…Her friends totally backed her on her bat shit craziness which I think is totally admirable because me as a person I don’t know if I would have went that far honestly.
Now the guy I can understand cause when you are in love you do crazy things. But the girl best friend, I’m like holy shit these people were there for her when no one else was. Even though they did some shady shit because they knew she was delusional. But they still were there and they continued to be there and allow her to have her own realization that there are no such things as vampires. That was very cool in my eyes. I’m going have to look this author up and see what other books she has because she totally got me.
This book is a book that our book group decided to read and review. Shout out to https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookb...
This book is a trick. It is meant to make you think there are vampires in this book and there really isn’t. Damn reverse psychology worked! I totally fell for it. It played a little bit of magic on my mind. I started to suspect about halfway through the book that it wasn’t about vampires and I’m actually happy.
This chic really did believe that vampires were real. I believed it; I bought it hook, line and sinker. I was on her side the whole time. I’m still a little upset that I was fooled, I feel like a joke has been played on me.
But for real the characters in the book were really cool, the author wrote it really well. I can’t even believe I bought it, I totally caved and thought this dude was some crazy dude and he was into some kind of occult shit and he wasn’t. She was just bat shit crazy and the thing is…Her friends totally backed her on her bat shit craziness which I think is totally admirable because me as a person I don’t know if I would have went that far honestly.
Now the guy I can understand cause when you are in love you do crazy things. But the girl best friend, I’m like holy shit these people were there for her when no one else was. Even though they did some shady shit because they knew she was delusional. But they still were there and they continued to be there and allow her to have her own realization that there are no such things as vampires. That was very cool in my eyes. I’m going have to look this author up and see what other books she has because she totally got me.
August 10, 2015
There Are No Vampires in This Book by Megan Bailey is absolutely fantastic. I am so glad that Joooood convinced me to take a chance on this book. I stayed up last night to finish this amazing book. I loved Taryn’s attitude. From the start of the book that is what grabbed my attention and did not let go until I finished the book. Kudos to the author for creating a strong female character.
The plot flowed easily. There were a couple of laugh out loud moments, and there were several moments where I had to put the book down because I was being a baby. I grew attached to Taryn, Kenzie, and Aiden. I loved how their friendship didn’t change and that they were legit there for Taryn.
I loved the dialogue and I really enjoyed the suspenseful moments that made me want to put down the book and hide under the covers. This book pulled me out of the book rut I was in. So on the off chance that you read this review Megan Bailey, you have gained a fan in me.
Yes, I will recommend this book to anyone and everyone who loves to read. So my dear friends, consider yourself warned ahead of time. I give this story 5/5 Platypires.
The plot flowed easily. There were a couple of laugh out loud moments, and there were several moments where I had to put the book down because I was being a baby. I grew attached to Taryn, Kenzie, and Aiden. I loved how their friendship didn’t change and that they were legit there for Taryn.
I loved the dialogue and I really enjoyed the suspenseful moments that made me want to put down the book and hide under the covers. This book pulled me out of the book rut I was in. So on the off chance that you read this review Megan Bailey, you have gained a fan in me.
Yes, I will recommend this book to anyone and everyone who loves to read. So my dear friends, consider yourself warned ahead of time. I give this story 5/5 Platypires.
Want to read
July 28, 2015Seriously, I can't wait to read this one!
November 16, 2015
This is a book that was recommended by another blogger, and that was chosen by a group of us lovely blogger-people to read together. (You can find their reviews linked at the bottom!) I loved the idea of reading a book together and all posting a review. It’s even better when the book that is picked out is a good one!
What I Loved: I loved that this book wasn’t exactly predictable. I’ve been reading so many books lately that are lovely and wonderful but from the beginning you kind of know where it is going to go. It’s not that books like that are bad. In fact, I find sanctuary in those easy read kind of books at times, but I love it when one jumps out at you and keeps you guessing. I enjoy that it keeps my mind active, ‘what’s going to happen – perhaps this or that.’ This was true all the way up until the last chapters of the book, I was pretty sure I knew what was going to happen – and still yet there was that lingering thought that the author could throw me for a loop.
I loved the friendship bond in this book, and let me tell you it was quite a bond. The three of them were actually quite different people, but their dynamic worked so well. I loved the idea of just hanging out at home eating pizza and being goofy – is that even acceptable anymore? It seems like people always have to be doing something!
Not So Much: At first I had a hard time switching from first person journal entries to third person story – I got over it pretty quickly, but it sometimes had me thinking, ‘wait what?” or “why is she referring to herself…oh that’s right…” While I DID get over it – there is a part of me that wishes that it would have been told in first person, because there were questions regarding her parent's death that I wanted answered as a third person perspective that in first person perspective would have been easier for me to let go.
The Verdict: I really, really enjoyed this book. There was sufficient action, and mystery. There was the internal battle without having the sullen or moody vibe about it. I loved Taryn and her desire to do what she thought was right, as well as facing her fears. At the end of the book she said something about how the new her faced her fears, but I felt like she was doing that all along. This book is clean, and I’m not 100% sure if it’s because I was engrossed in the story and forgot to pay attention, or because there just wasn’t any – but I don’t even recall there being any cussing. There is alcohol – but the book is NA, and I recommend it for such. I do look forward to reading more from author Megan Bailey, as I enjoyed the adventure she took me on.
Find me at: www.iloves2read.blogspot.com
What I Loved: I loved that this book wasn’t exactly predictable. I’ve been reading so many books lately that are lovely and wonderful but from the beginning you kind of know where it is going to go. It’s not that books like that are bad. In fact, I find sanctuary in those easy read kind of books at times, but I love it when one jumps out at you and keeps you guessing. I enjoy that it keeps my mind active, ‘what’s going to happen – perhaps this or that.’ This was true all the way up until the last chapters of the book, I was pretty sure I knew what was going to happen – and still yet there was that lingering thought that the author could throw me for a loop.
I loved the friendship bond in this book, and let me tell you it was quite a bond. The three of them were actually quite different people, but their dynamic worked so well. I loved the idea of just hanging out at home eating pizza and being goofy – is that even acceptable anymore? It seems like people always have to be doing something!
Not So Much: At first I had a hard time switching from first person journal entries to third person story – I got over it pretty quickly, but it sometimes had me thinking, ‘wait what?” or “why is she referring to herself…oh that’s right…” While I DID get over it – there is a part of me that wishes that it would have been told in first person, because there were questions regarding her parent's death that I wanted answered as a third person perspective that in first person perspective would have been easier for me to let go.
The Verdict: I really, really enjoyed this book. There was sufficient action, and mystery. There was the internal battle without having the sullen or moody vibe about it. I loved Taryn and her desire to do what she thought was right, as well as facing her fears. At the end of the book she said something about how the new her faced her fears, but I felt like she was doing that all along. This book is clean, and I’m not 100% sure if it’s because I was engrossed in the story and forgot to pay attention, or because there just wasn’t any – but I don’t even recall there being any cussing. There is alcohol – but the book is NA, and I recommend it for such. I do look forward to reading more from author Megan Bailey, as I enjoyed the adventure she took me on.
Find me at: www.iloves2read.blogspot.com
August 12, 2015
***I own a copy of this book. All thoughts are 100% my own!*
This book has a writing style that I’m not used to. It’s not the POV. It’s the fact that in this book, the journal used acts as a character as well. Telling parts of the story that Taryn cannot bring herself to tell. That is different for me and in this case it REALLY serves the purpose rather well. We get Taryn’s past, her monologues and just in general the place of where her head is much of the time without the character doing that for us. So when the character might act very oddly or seemingly out of character, the journal helps us understand. That being said, this book is at many times funny, sad, irritating, sweet and overall good.
Taryn had a HORRIBLE trauma in her past. Throughout all the years between then and now, she’s had three constants in her life. Her gramma and her two besties, Kenzie and Aiden. With her gramma moving down to Florida to retire, it’s up to her besties to try to keep Taryn’s feet on the ground. And sometimes that’s a lot harder to do than you think.
My heart broke for Taryn. To have went through what she did was horrible. And the fact that her perception of things might be a little skewed for it, is the grossest of understatements. And to say that Kenzie with her sweetness and Aiden with his goofiness are merely best friends are also gross understatement. These three LOVE one another in a way that is rarely seen outside of family. SHOOT, let’s be honest here. It’s rare even IN families.
Now, here’s the thing. This is a story about Taryn and dealing with the issues from the past with the help of her loved ones. Even in the unusual way that they do it. There IS a wee bit of romance there, but it’s only touched upon and not truly explored. So if you’re looking for a YA romance..this isn’t really the book for you. If you’re looking for a YA book with romance IN it, then read on.
Ms. Bailey writes a good tale. And to be honest, the title cracks me up! I LOVE it because anyone that knows me, knows how I feel about most modern vampire books. They tend to get a SOLID eye roll from me, even though I’ll read them because SHOOT I might get surprised! And I didn’t know whether or not to expect Vampires IN this book. I will let you do that discovery on your own. I will say the title is hilarious and definitely enough alone to pique my curiosity. Forget reading the blurb. So would I recommend this book. Yes, I would. This is good for all ages.
This book has a writing style that I’m not used to. It’s not the POV. It’s the fact that in this book, the journal used acts as a character as well. Telling parts of the story that Taryn cannot bring herself to tell. That is different for me and in this case it REALLY serves the purpose rather well. We get Taryn’s past, her monologues and just in general the place of where her head is much of the time without the character doing that for us. So when the character might act very oddly or seemingly out of character, the journal helps us understand. That being said, this book is at many times funny, sad, irritating, sweet and overall good.
Taryn had a HORRIBLE trauma in her past. Throughout all the years between then and now, she’s had three constants in her life. Her gramma and her two besties, Kenzie and Aiden. With her gramma moving down to Florida to retire, it’s up to her besties to try to keep Taryn’s feet on the ground. And sometimes that’s a lot harder to do than you think.
My heart broke for Taryn. To have went through what she did was horrible. And the fact that her perception of things might be a little skewed for it, is the grossest of understatements. And to say that Kenzie with her sweetness and Aiden with his goofiness are merely best friends are also gross understatement. These three LOVE one another in a way that is rarely seen outside of family. SHOOT, let’s be honest here. It’s rare even IN families.
Now, here’s the thing. This is a story about Taryn and dealing with the issues from the past with the help of her loved ones. Even in the unusual way that they do it. There IS a wee bit of romance there, but it’s only touched upon and not truly explored. So if you’re looking for a YA romance..this isn’t really the book for you. If you’re looking for a YA book with romance IN it, then read on.
Ms. Bailey writes a good tale. And to be honest, the title cracks me up! I LOVE it because anyone that knows me, knows how I feel about most modern vampire books. They tend to get a SOLID eye roll from me, even though I’ll read them because SHOOT I might get surprised! And I didn’t know whether or not to expect Vampires IN this book. I will let you do that discovery on your own. I will say the title is hilarious and definitely enough alone to pique my curiosity. Forget reading the blurb. So would I recommend this book. Yes, I would. This is good for all ages.
May 20, 2016
I have been stalking Alisha’s reading list for a few months now. Seriously I have a problem and I blame it all on Goodreads. Especially when it keeps me updated on her current reads. So anyways, I saw that she was reading this awhile ago. I was interested but didn’t say anything. Then I was snooping around on Deje Revu and saw that you could request books to read and review. Guess what! This book was on the list, so I submitted a form to read it. Then that leads me to getting an email last night receiving the book. I immediately stopped reading the book I was on and started this one.
Don’t let the title fool you “There Are No Vampires In This Book”.
I didn’t listen to the title and assumed this book had vampires in it. I’m stubborn that way and always try to reading between the lines. Before you ask. No, I did not read anyone else’s reviews on this book. (Actually I almost never read book reviews).
I loved the characters in this book, mainly how her friends were so supportive and were always there for Taryn. I may have a small crush on Aiden he was so funny!
This book had me guessing the entire time, had no clue where the author was going with the plot. But you could say I was not expecting it. Definitely a great read! I didn’t even see editing errors, which is a blessing in itself.
So get this book, read and devour it in one sitting like I did.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Don’t let the title fool you “There Are No Vampires In This Book”.
I didn’t listen to the title and assumed this book had vampires in it. I’m stubborn that way and always try to reading between the lines. Before you ask. No, I did not read anyone else’s reviews on this book. (Actually I almost never read book reviews).
I loved the characters in this book, mainly how her friends were so supportive and were always there for Taryn. I may have a small crush on Aiden he was so funny!
This book had me guessing the entire time, had no clue where the author was going with the plot. But you could say I was not expecting it. Definitely a great read! I didn’t even see editing errors, which is a blessing in itself.
So get this book, read and devour it in one sitting like I did.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2025
Megan Bailey's "There are No Vampires in this Book" is an absolute triumph of clever storytelling and suspense. The title itself is a brilliant hook, immediately drawing you in with its playful and contradictory premise. And let me tell you, this book delivers on every level. From the very first chapter to the stunning conclusion, I was completely enthralled. This is a genuine page-turner that you will not want to put down.
The genius of this novel lies in how it masterfully plays with the tropes of the vampire genre. It subverts expectations at every turn while still delivering the dark, atmospheric, and thrilling experience that fans of vampire fiction crave. The world is richly detailed, the characters are complex and compelling, and the plot is packed with twists that keep you guessing.
If you enjoy vampire stories, you will absolutely love this one, even though, as the title cheekily insists, "there are no vampires in this book." It captures the essence of what makes the genre so appealing—the mystery, the danger, the forbidden allure—and reimagines it in a fresh and exciting way. It's a fantastic, inventive, and utterly addictive read. A clear 5-star recommendation!
The genius of this novel lies in how it masterfully plays with the tropes of the vampire genre. It subverts expectations at every turn while still delivering the dark, atmospheric, and thrilling experience that fans of vampire fiction crave. The world is richly detailed, the characters are complex and compelling, and the plot is packed with twists that keep you guessing.
If you enjoy vampire stories, you will absolutely love this one, even though, as the title cheekily insists, "there are no vampires in this book." It captures the essence of what makes the genre so appealing—the mystery, the danger, the forbidden allure—and reimagines it in a fresh and exciting way. It's a fantastic, inventive, and utterly addictive read. A clear 5-star recommendation!
August 8, 2015
This is one of those books that I really can't say a lot without giving something away. This makes it really hard to review. I CAN tell you that you should read this book. Don't judge it by the cover or title, just read it. I can also tell you that I seriously thought about quitting this book a few times and then Megan's writing slapped me upside the head and said "I don't hardly think so"
I can't really put it into words but it was one of those fantastic and rare moments in reading where I thought I hated it. I thought it was boring. I thought it wasn't worth finishing...and then one paragraph made it the best book I've read in months.That's part of the beauty in reading. You get whisked away to new and exciting places. You get wrapped up and shocked. There are twists and turns and things you never saw coming. This book is a brilliant example of that.
I love an author that can wow me. I love an author that can lead me through 80% of the book believing I'm bored and then in a only a few sentences prove me wrong. That shows true talent, and I believe wholeheartedly that Megan Bailey has it.
I can't really put it into words but it was one of those fantastic and rare moments in reading where I thought I hated it. I thought it was boring. I thought it wasn't worth finishing...and then one paragraph made it the best book I've read in months.That's part of the beauty in reading. You get whisked away to new and exciting places. You get wrapped up and shocked. There are twists and turns and things you never saw coming. This book is a brilliant example of that.
I love an author that can wow me. I love an author that can lead me through 80% of the book believing I'm bored and then in a only a few sentences prove me wrong. That shows true talent, and I believe wholeheartedly that Megan Bailey has it.
October 23, 2015
There are no vampires in this book is one I will certainly share with my high school students. This book centers around a young woman coming to grips with the trauma of her past. You get glimpses into her past via her journal. You also get glimpse into her current thoughts through the journal. The rest of the story is told in 3rd person. Tarryn is such a relatable character; she has had a tough past, and did what I think most people do to cope. She pretended to be what everyone wanted so they would get off her back. She has 2 amazing friends who support her through her crazy ideas and they are the only people she doesn't hide her real thoughts from. Its a much deeper emotional book than I expected but I think high school students will really enjoy Tarryn's honesty and her desire to hold on to the idea that she feels her parents were killed by a vampire (I mean, hello, most of my students have entires zombie apocalypse plans! They will totally relate to a girl who thinks her parents will killed by a vampire!). Its a fairly short read as well. If you like YA/NA with some depth, this is a great book to pick up!
November 16, 2015
The blogger group I’m in decided on this book for our book of the month. I enjoyed this book. The characters were silly and immature, but they were just entering adulthood. I found myself laughing more than a few times; the character’s bickering between each other was uber cute. I loved the story line. Taryn had faced a horrible tragedy; It made her different, but nothing her best friends couldn’t handle. It was well written and easy to follow. (Also, very well edited!) I was unsure where the book would go a few times, and I liked the ending. It just felt a bit rushed in the final 15ish%. I didn’t like that there was a lot of buildup and an immediate end. Would I read another book by Megan Bailey? absolutely! Did I love 90% of the book? YES! I just don’t think the speed of the ending was for me. Based on reviews I believe I’m the minority here. If this is the deciding vote for you to buy this book, I would say go for it! I loved most of it. I just wish the ending would have been expanded a little. 3/5 stars
Read my review here: http://thebohemianhousewife.com/there...
Read my review here: http://thebohemianhousewife.com/there...
August 3, 2015
***Bigger review to come***
4.5 stars
This book contradicts a lot of my 'don'ts' and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's YA, it's a little bit paranormal - two genres I don't run to grab, but this one is full of snappy dialogue, mystery, and two of my favourite supporting characters of all time (Kenzie and Aiden).
Taryn, our main character, witnessed the horrible deaths of her parents as a youngster, believing they were killed by a vampire. As a result, she has spent years having her sanity questioned and fighting for normalcy.
Putting her life on hold for revenge, Taryn embarks on a vampire hunt, trying to get to the bottom of what happened to her parents.
If you like YA, paranormal, or have teenagers looking for a read, grab this book.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
4.5 stars
This book contradicts a lot of my 'don'ts' and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's YA, it's a little bit paranormal - two genres I don't run to grab, but this one is full of snappy dialogue, mystery, and two of my favourite supporting characters of all time (Kenzie and Aiden).
Taryn, our main character, witnessed the horrible deaths of her parents as a youngster, believing they were killed by a vampire. As a result, she has spent years having her sanity questioned and fighting for normalcy.
Putting her life on hold for revenge, Taryn embarks on a vampire hunt, trying to get to the bottom of what happened to her parents.
If you like YA, paranormal, or have teenagers looking for a read, grab this book.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
July 27, 2015
There are vampires on this book? That I won't tell.
What I can tell you is that this book is just plain extraordinary. Beautifully written, with an engaging plot, witty dialogues and fascinating characters, the author introduces us into a story full of twists and turns, friendship, hardship, relationship, and a lot of other ships.
As soon as you start reading, it has a powerful and irresistible effect on you, it makes you turn page after page without hesitation, and towards the end there's a major turn that left me breathless.
That's it, do you want to know more? Grab your copy!!
Highly recommended!!
*I received a Free Copy in exchange for an Honest Review*
What I can tell you is that this book is just plain extraordinary. Beautifully written, with an engaging plot, witty dialogues and fascinating characters, the author introduces us into a story full of twists and turns, friendship, hardship, relationship, and a lot of other ships.
As soon as you start reading, it has a powerful and irresistible effect on you, it makes you turn page after page without hesitation, and towards the end there's a major turn that left me breathless.
That's it, do you want to know more? Grab your copy!!
Highly recommended!!
*I received a Free Copy in exchange for an Honest Review*
July 28, 2015
This was definitely not what I was expecting but with that being said, I enjoyed it quite a lot. I tend to figure books out very quickly but this one kept me on my toes for a bit and I appreciated that. Aiden made it for me, I was in love with him from the first mention of his name! I'd definitely recommend this book to others and would read it again. Nice, pleasant read. I will be looking into other books by this author.
October 7, 2015
Great read
This was an awesome story. Definitely took me on a trip. Taryn is a brave girl with amazing supportive friends. I highly recommend it.
This was an awesome story. Definitely took me on a trip. Taryn is a brave girl with amazing supportive friends. I highly recommend it.
September 25, 2017
'Tis the season for creepy reads! The cover and title of this book immediately drew me in, and I devoured this novel in just a few hours. There Are No Vampires in This Book by Megan Bailey follows twenty-something Taryn and her two friends Aiden and Kenzie. Taryn's life is anything but normal after she witnessed her parents being brutally killed by a vampire at a young age.
Now, Taryn is dead-set on getting revenge. After pretending to get over the incident to resume a normal life, she spends all her spare time preparing: working out, doing graveyard sweeps, etc. to be ready for the day she finally meets her parents' killer, and she insists on dragging her two best friends along for the ride.
Upon finding who she believes to be the guilty vampire, Taryn drags her friends through a series of adventures as they stalk his every move, from a bar fight to an impromptu tattoo session, until she finally has the opportunity to get revenge for her parents' death. Here, with Taryn about to kill who she has prepared to face her whole life, the story comes to a head and a very unexpected ending.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read with a great plot. My biggest complaint is that it wasn't longer! I wanted more of Taryn, Aiden, and Kenzie. I also think it ended too quickly, with Taryn being more accepting of the truth than I think was realistic. Overall I definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a fast, fun fall read!
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Thanks to the author, Megan Bailey, for sending me a copy of this great story to review!
Now, Taryn is dead-set on getting revenge. After pretending to get over the incident to resume a normal life, she spends all her spare time preparing: working out, doing graveyard sweeps, etc. to be ready for the day she finally meets her parents' killer, and she insists on dragging her two best friends along for the ride.
Upon finding who she believes to be the guilty vampire, Taryn drags her friends through a series of adventures as they stalk his every move, from a bar fight to an impromptu tattoo session, until she finally has the opportunity to get revenge for her parents' death. Here, with Taryn about to kill who she has prepared to face her whole life, the story comes to a head and a very unexpected ending.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read with a great plot. My biggest complaint is that it wasn't longer! I wanted more of Taryn, Aiden, and Kenzie. I also think it ended too quickly, with Taryn being more accepting of the truth than I think was realistic. Overall I definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a fast, fun fall read!
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Thanks to the author, Megan Bailey, for sending me a copy of this great story to review!
January 26, 2016
This is a young adult read with the content being low to mild-- a kiss scene, detailed tattoo scene, and some alcohol use. In my opinion this story would be just fine for a teen reader.
The title has you guessing and the blurb is intriguing so I had to give it a try.....I really enjoyed it!
The content and story line were serious, yet occasionally the characters were silly and immature, which I think took away from the seriousness and seemed out of character. Having said that, these are young adult characters so even in a serious world I guess there would have to be some nonsensical shenanigans happening.
I loved the story line. Taryn had faced a horrible tragedy; it changed her. Enter her best friends to help her handle everything. It was well written and flowed easily from real life to journal. The editing is commendable for such a new author, it is evident a lot of work went in to finalizing before publishing---which I must say I really appreciate.
The supporting characters were awesome. Taryn really has the best support system for her situation. I have heard talk of a book release with Aiden telling the story from his point of view, which would definitely be interesting to read after reading this one!
Would I purchase and read another book by Megan Bailey? Without a Doubt! This story has me in the mood to read some more YA again.
The title has you guessing and the blurb is intriguing so I had to give it a try.....I really enjoyed it!
The content and story line were serious, yet occasionally the characters were silly and immature, which I think took away from the seriousness and seemed out of character. Having said that, these are young adult characters so even in a serious world I guess there would have to be some nonsensical shenanigans happening.
I loved the story line. Taryn had faced a horrible tragedy; it changed her. Enter her best friends to help her handle everything. It was well written and flowed easily from real life to journal. The editing is commendable for such a new author, it is evident a lot of work went in to finalizing before publishing---which I must say I really appreciate.
The supporting characters were awesome. Taryn really has the best support system for her situation. I have heard talk of a book release with Aiden telling the story from his point of view, which would definitely be interesting to read after reading this one!
Would I purchase and read another book by Megan Bailey? Without a Doubt! This story has me in the mood to read some more YA again.
June 8, 2023
Taryn watched her parents murdered whilst she was still a young girl. She spent the whole summer in therapy trying to deal with what she saw and how she feels. Of course, she can't tell them what really happened, because they don't believe her. After a while, she pretends that she is okay, just so that she can go home. Her friends have always been there for her, and she is beyond thankful for them. But change is a-coming, and Taryn doesn't deal very well with change...
This is an emotion-filled book that shows the deep love that friends can have for each other, and the support that is given without question. Taryn has to face up to her past, as well as shocks in her present and an uncertain future, but throughout Aiden and Kenzie are there for her.
Very well-written, leaving you in no doubt about Taryn's feelings or state of mind. She is witty and sharp, as well as vulnerable. This is a winning combination. With a steady pace building up to the conclusion, this was a great read that I would recommend.
* Verified Purchase on Amazon - August 2015 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 13, 2016
This is an emotion-filled book that shows the deep love that friends can have for each other, and the support that is given without question. Taryn has to face up to her past, as well as shocks in her present and an uncertain future, but throughout Aiden and Kenzie are there for her.
Very well-written, leaving you in no doubt about Taryn's feelings or state of mind. She is witty and sharp, as well as vulnerable. This is a winning combination. With a steady pace building up to the conclusion, this was a great read that I would recommend.
* Verified Purchase on Amazon - August 2015 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 13, 2016
October 29, 2015
Superb Storyline!
This book was so easy to read, I flew through it and devoured the pages with ease!
Taryn is a young woman with a scarred past losing both parent at a young age and she witnessed the moments they were murdered. Unable to process this trauma she is sent to a mental facility to help her deal with this. Taryn finds herself having to go through the motions of what they expect from her and no one is believing what she is telling them and she quickly realises in order to get out she needs to ply their game.
When she is released into the care of her grandmother she is greeted by her best friends Aiden and Kenzie, both support her and back her 100% in her quest to honour her parents.
I loved the dynamic of their three way relationship and the twists and turns were totally unexpected! At the end I was completely drawn in and caught off guard! I honestly thought it would turn out differently!
100% Recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about Love, Trust, Friendship and a little bit of la la crazy!
This book was so easy to read, I flew through it and devoured the pages with ease!
Taryn is a young woman with a scarred past losing both parent at a young age and she witnessed the moments they were murdered. Unable to process this trauma she is sent to a mental facility to help her deal with this. Taryn finds herself having to go through the motions of what they expect from her and no one is believing what she is telling them and she quickly realises in order to get out she needs to ply their game.
When she is released into the care of her grandmother she is greeted by her best friends Aiden and Kenzie, both support her and back her 100% in her quest to honour her parents.
I loved the dynamic of their three way relationship and the twists and turns were totally unexpected! At the end I was completely drawn in and caught off guard! I honestly thought it would turn out differently!
100% Recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about Love, Trust, Friendship and a little bit of la la crazy!
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July 31, 2015My review is on Reviews From the Heart
July 5, 2016
I adored this book - the intrigue was tremendous - and I did not see the ending coming!!!
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