3.5stars-VAMPIRES NEVER SAY DIE is the second instalment in Gloria Duke’s contemporary, adult SLAYING IT paranormal, romance series. This is twenty-four year old, bartender/Slayer/ struggling actor Carrie Adams, and bartender/musician Nick Stokes’ story line. VAMPIRES NEVER SAY DIE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person perspective (Carrie Adams) VAMPIRES NEVER SAY DIE focuses on the relationship between Carrie Adams and Nick Stokes. Carrie Adams and Nick Stokes are co-workers but have never gotten along but things go from bad to worse when, one morning, Carrie Adams wakes up, jacked with new muscles and supernatural powers, and her target is our hero Nick Stokes. Nick is a recently turned vampire and his presence has turned Carrie into a vampire slayer, a slayer who wants nothing to do with killing our story line hero. What ensues is the building but tempestuous relationship between Nick and Carrie, and the potential fall-out when Carrie meets another Slayer who is determined to take down the man with whom Carrie is falling in love.

The world building focuses on the vampire/ slayer relationship; Carrie’s overwhelming need to kill that which she doesn’t understand, issues of body image and Hollywood’s expectations, and Nick’s need to prove not all vampires are evil or dark.

The relationship between Carrie and Nick is an enemies to frenemies to lovers in which Carrie is battling that which comes naturally, and Nick struggles to keep his vampire in check. Working side by side proves easier as time passes by but someone else is targeting our story line couple. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.

We are introduced to Carrie’s friends Liv and Heather, slayer Jenn Muldoon, as well as Nick’s bandmates and fellow vampires Quentin and Zach.

VAMPIRES NEVER SAY DIE is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, vampires and slayers, acceptance and love. The premise is entertaining but dry -touted as a rom-com, the laughable moments were missing. The characters are energetic ; the romance is tepid, I didn’t feel the palpable sexual attraction.

On a side note, I am not a fan of the cover, just no.

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Cute and quick read about slaying your own personal demons. When Carrie’s coworker Nick becomes a vampire, his transition comes with a hitch—a slayer is created too. Carrie, an aspiring actress with a lack of confidence, wakes up with the ability and the desire to kill Nick, and has a lot of feelings to sort out, including whatever she feels for her attractive coworker.

This was simply amazing? I truly didn't expect to love this so much when I picked it up, on the basis that romance books aren't usually my thing, but boy was I wrong.

This is a workplace romance that takes a unique twist on the enemies to lovers trope between Carrie, aspiring Hollywood actress and newly-turned vampire slayer, and Nick, musician and newly-turned vampire. The romance felt actually real, with Carrie and Nick having good character development.

This was super entertaining and so much fun!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

📖Genre: Contemporary Romance
✨ Stars: 4/5
✨ Spice: 3/5

✨ Review:

I am a sucker for a vampire romance (pun fully intended) and I was so excited when I saw that I had the chance to read Vampires Never Say Die, and the best part was? This wasn’t just your traditional vampire romance, but a much more deeper look at self love, putting yourself first, and body positivity in a way that I have not seen done often.

Vampires Never Say Die has all of my favorite things, amazing characters, a good enemies to lovers, vampires, and amazing friendships. The pacing felt a bit rushed at the end, and I was not the biggest fan of how the main conflict was resolved, but for the vast majority of the book, I was completely on board and would absolutely recommend this to anyone who needs a good vampire read with a healthy dose of self love messaging.

This one was cute - I liked the first book better, but it was definitely a really enjoyable read!

It’s light paranormal, hint of Buffy, a confused new slayer meets her vampire foe and has to figure out her new lifestyle and if she’s actually supposed to end the enemy and defend the world from his kind, or if she actually likes and wants him and she’s actually in an enemies to lovers situation, or if he’s using vampire charms to keep himself safe from the slayer…

A quick and easy, fun and very light vampire romance read. Definitely opposite of most dark and heavy and angsty vampire romances out there (think a steamy twilight, but actually good)! I think most everyone out there is going to really have a good time reading this one.

I listened to the audio, which is narrated by Fiona Arrington, a voice new to me (I still am amazed, after all these years, when I come across an unfamiliar narrator), who did a fantastic job.

I received an advance read and listen copy from NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca and Dreamscape Media, and this is my honest feedback.

This is the second book in the “series” and I liked this one even more than the first! Both books have been about vampires and vampire slayers in the same universe, but not the same characters. This book was about the FMC who is unknowingly turned into a vampire slayer when her nemesis (MMC) is turned into a vampire…apparently that’s a whole thing. This takes enemies to lovers to a whole new level. This was an easy, fun read! I loved the side characters too!

Aspiring actress Carrie Adams lives in LA and is frustrated with casting directors who can’t see beyond her pretty, slim exterior to the determined actress inside. When she’s not auditioning, she works at a local bar. Her verbal sparring with attractive bartender Nick Stokes is both entertaining and annoying—but things take a turn for the even more tense when she starts hankering to kill him. Next, she wakes up with a buff bod of muscles and the ability to conjure a sword of fire. In the case of Carrie and Nick, their enemies-to-lovers romance has literally become coworkers-to-mortal enemies! When Nick was turned into a vampire, a person he disliked—in this case Carrie—gets turned into the vampire slayer tasked with killing him.

This vampire romance is quippy, sexy, and fun. I really loved the behind-the-scenes info about Hollywood. Nick and Carrie’s chemistry is built through pitch-perfect banter. I also loved how music played a role in them growing closer. This book is in the same vampire universe as Gloria’s debut, When Life Gives You Vampires, so there’s still the shadowy cabal of vampires out to harm their own.

I appreciated how Gloria put a new spin on the body image commentary of her debut. This time, she focuses on how a change from the status quo—Carrie’s bulk and muscles—is viewed by Hollywood as “wrong.” It reminded me of the ridiculous comments I read a few weeks ago about certain women athletes at the Olympics and their muscular bodies. I love romances that touch on real-life issues amidst the steam and chemistry.

Vampires Never Say Die is book 2 in the “Slaying It” series of body positive supernatural romcoms that I have totally become addicted to. The first book, When Life Gives You Vampires, was a favorite read of 2022. So, I was beyond pumped to read this follow up…

Carrie, bartender and hopeful, but non-working actress, is struggling to survive in Hollywood. One morning she wakes up completely buff and with new found power, both in strength and…..fire. Naturally she calls her besties and they figure out that she’s actually now a vampire slayer. For any elder (I swear to God do not call us geriatric pls) millennials out there- the Buffy vibes are *immaculate*. Turns out, the cute bartender at her work just became a vampire, and the cosmos or whatever force is at work requires balance. Her job is to kill the vampire, but how can she when she’s maybe, kinda, falling for him?!

Ok. So. It’s a solid 3 star read. It has a great set up, a quirky endearing girl-gang, body positivity. A hot vampire bartender. Unfortunately it goes hard with the miscommunication trope which got annoying after a while. Further, while our FMC, Carrie, is written really relatable in the beginning, with her body self consciousness, so, although I’m happy to have seen her grow confident, I felt like the author really was hyper fixated on reminding us that her new “slayer body” was masculine. Specifically masculine. Not just ripped, shredded, toned etc. I think this description really takes away from what the goal was here. The point is supposed to be that a woman’s body comes in many shapes and sizes, so it tripped me up to reference masculinity. 3 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advanced copy, in exchange for my unbiased review!

Vampire’s Never Say Die by Gloria Duke
Slaying It series #2. Paranormal vampire romance. Can be read as a stand-alone. First person, present tense, all from Carrie’s POV.
Carrie Adams wakes up “ripped” one morning and finds she’s now a vampire slayer. Crazy! Turns out an annoying coworker opted to become a vampire and universe rules require balance, thus Carrie’s change. She needs to figure out what this means for her aspiring acting career as well as her growing feelings for the vampire that caused all this.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook copy and an audiobook. The audiobook was performed by Cady Zuckerman who did a really fantastic job with distinct voices for Carrie and Nick, as well as expressing emotions clearly and making the audio eye-catching. Carrie went from timid to confident and that difference can be heard. Nick had a scene where he’s unsure of Carrie and that timid fear is felt in his voice.
The audiobook is great for keeping the listening audience attentive.
I tried various speeds for clarity and comfort and ended up listening at my usual 1.5 which best matches reading and talking experience.

There are potential body image issues that come from auditions for acting jobs that are understandably difficult. Interestingly, she is just as uncomfortable and unsure what to wear when she’s fit. It’s a process for both Carrie and Nick as they go through huge life changes. Without any specific storyline spoilers, both become confident and comfortable in their own skin. That’s powerful.
Paranormal antics, romance and becoming more. I liked this second book in the series much better than the first.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher

🎧 Vampires Never Say Die (Slaying It Book #2)

*I didn't read book 1, but had no issues reading as a standalone *

✍️ By: Gloria Duke-new to me author

🗣️ Narrator: Fiona Aarington voices all characters. The narrator's voice fit the characters with standouts from Carrie and Nick. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along with the E-book and audiobook.

📃 Page Count: 287

🏃🏾‍♀️Run Time: 8:19

🗓️ Publication Date: 8-20-24 | Read: 8-18-24

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casblanca, and Dreamscape Media for this ARC and ALC ❤️! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Genre: Paranormal Romance

🌏Setting: LA

Tropes:
❤️vampires vs. vampire slayers
❤️workplace romance
❤️body image
❤️typecasting in Hollywood
❤️3rd act break-up

POV: single, 1st person

🦸🏽‍♀️Heroine: Carrie Adams-24, a bartender and actress looking for her big break. Discovers she's a vampire slayer filled with anger.

🦸🏽‍♂️Hero: Nick Stokes-a bartender and musician, works at Pete's with Carrie. He's also a recently turned vampire.

🎭Side cast: Liv-Carrie's roommate and BFF; Heather-Carrie's BFF; Quentin and Zack-Nick's bandmates in Dracula's Army, both vampires; Arlo: vampire politician; Jenn-a slayer


🤔My Thoughts: I definitely got Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes from Carrie and Nick. Carrie had some body image issues, especially being an actress, but becoming a slayer gave her confidence along with Nick's acceptance. Carrie did a lot to prove she meant Nick and his friends no harm, but her association with Jenn, another slayer, caused some problems. I loved Quentin and Arlo and can't wait to see if they will have stories too!

Range of emotions: 😬🤔🙄
🌶️: Spice 3/5
🎧: Narration 4 /5
😭: Emotion 3/5
❤️: Couple 4/5
⭐: Rating 4/5

I was immediately sold by this book and it was cute, exciting and supernatural - all elements that had me hooked!

A fun and funny paranormal romance featuring a bartender slash wannabe actress who is turned into a vampire slayer when her frenemy, Nick becomes a vampire. Part Buffy the vampire slayer with a dash of enemies to lovers, this was an unexpectedly delightful story that tackles body image issues, toxic parental relationships and people pleasing. Spicy and heartfelt and good on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I missed Buffy so Vampire Slayers are only a term to me. Not anymore. Duke has written a very entertaining paranormal romance between Carrie and Nick who must cope with their divergent roles even as they fall hard for one another. Who knew? Thanks to Netgalley for the arC. This is chuckle worthy fun.

Who knew vampire romance can be so much fun? Vampires Never Say Die by Gloria Duke was so entertaining and witty and adorable with some strong heartaching moments too. What happens when a vampire is created from a human? The universe turns his enemy into a vampire slayer! Only..Carrie never thought herself to be that kind of enemy to her irritating coworker Nick. This story is about finding love in an awkward and unexpected situation!

Carrie has the dream of becoming a successful actor and bartender is just her temporary job. She is struggling hard against her rich, snobby and judgmental family. It's a big shock when she wakes up with a super muscled body. The appearance is very important for her career. And it's not only the appearance. She suddenly finds herself in possession of some superhuman powers like a fire sword. She is lost and confused and distraught. The puzzle is solved by her very charming, annoyingly sexy and ridiculously cute coworker Nick. Nick was just turned into a vampire and due to their animosity at work, she was turned into a vampire slayer. Now she has to control the urge to kill him else her secret will be revealed and she will be hunted by other vampires. Nick wants to help her but things get complicated due to their insane chemistry.

Carrie is an awesome character. She could have followed her family's path and live a cozy life. But she wants to follow her dreams. She is witty and sassy and determined. She was off balance with the sudden changes but she fought bravely to get the control back. She has a big heart. She didn't like Nick's womanizer ways and may be a little bit of jealousy played a role. But when Nick offered to help her in the crisis, risking his own life, she slowly realises that he is a good guy actually. Now he is a real charmer. He is also a musician. He is a bit arrogant and c0cky and whole lot of sexy. He was very protective of Carrie even when it was putting his own life at jeopardy. It was an entertaining journey specially with Carrie's colorful best friends. I feel the vampire slayer part opened a suppressed side in Carrie. She became stronger and bolder. She became more assertive. She really went for what she wanted. It was touch and go for a moment as Carrie almost got taken out by the vampires but she proved that she isn't here to just kill vampires indiscriminately. Nick and Carrie's enemies to lovers transition was beautiful. It was full of banter and fun and scorching hot chemistry. The ending was beautiful.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

If you are looking for a nice supernatural rom-com, you should definitely give this book a try! I haven't read the first one in this series, but i didn't matter (or i hope so).


Carrie is an inspiring actress. She also works in a bar. Just like you and me, you know?
But then, one night, she changes into a vampire slayer. like a freaking marvel/dc movie. which is weird. what is even weirder, her co-worker (who she despises) is now a hot vampire! (well, he was hot guy before, but now he is a hot-cold-guy) and her destiny is to slay him. like not in bed (but maybe?).
The only thing is... what if there is more to this world than just vampires beeing bad bloodsuckers and slayers being the good ones who could bring peace to this world?



I really enjoed this. Was it perfect written? no. Was it like the best book i have ever read in my life? also no. But i mostly read books for vibes, not for intelectual reasons. And it was perfect read 'for vibes'. SO if you are like me - check this one out, it won't dissapoint you!

Vampires Never Say Die by Gloria Duke offers a fresh and entertaining twist on the classic vampire versus slayer trope. The novel introduces us to Carrie Adams, an aspiring actress whose life takes an unexpected turn when she is thrust into the supernatural world as the newest Slayer, tasked with eliminating LA’s latest vampire, Nick Stokes. What makes this story stand out is its clever balance of humor, relatable characters, and a plotline that feels both familiar and innovative.

Carrie is a compelling protagonist—serious, disciplined, and focused, yet grappling with the frustrations of an industry that judges her more on appearance than talent. This theme of feeling powerless resonates deeply until her transformation into a Slayer, which flips the script on her circumstances, giving her a newfound physical strength and abilities that are both exhilarating and challenging. The dynamic between Carrie and Nick, the attractive musician-turned-vampire, forms the heart of the story. Their relationship evolves from antagonistic to something more nuanced, with Nick's sad yet endearing backstory adding layers to his character that make him more than just a typical vampire villain.

One of the highlights of the book is the cast of supporting characters, reminiscent of the "Scooby Gang" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Carrie's friends provide comic relief and genuine camaraderie, adding depth and warmth to the narrative. Their interactions often had me laughing out loud, which is a testament to Duke’s sharp and witty writing.

However, the book is not without its flaws. While Carrie’s physical transformation is an interesting plot device, the narrative sometimes becomes overly fixated on her new, hyper-masculine body. The frequent references to her physique can feel repetitive and detract from the story’s momentum. Additionally, the miscommunication trope is used heavily throughout the novel, particularly in Carrie’s interactions with Nick. This often led to frustration, as many conflicts could have been easily resolved with a simple conversation, making certain parts of the story feel unnecessarily prolonged.

I also felt there was a missed opportunity regarding the significance of biting as an intimate act. Early in the story, there’s a mention of how biting in the vampire world is a deeply intimate experience. However, this theme is never fully explored or utilised in Carrie and Nick’s relationship. Given that the book revolves around a vampire and his Slayer, this felt like a missed opportunity!

Despite these drawbacks, Vampires Never Say Die is an engaging read that brings a fresh perspective to vampire lore. It’s funny, with excellent character development and a plotline that, while not without its clichés, offers something new in a genre that can often feel overdone. If you’re a fan of supernatural tales with a side of humour and a touch of romance, this book is definitely worth a read.

Arc provided by NetGalley— release date August 20th, 2024

Vampires Never Say Die paranormal romance involving a vampire and a vampire slayer. This book was fast paced, the plot got started right away. I was never waiting for something to happen, there was no “downtime” where things got boring, however it didn’t feel rushed. I liked how there was no crazy world building. There are just vampires, and that’s that, it was very easy to get into. The characters are also likable, even when they make mistakes they are relatable and not self sabotaging. At no point did I smack my forehead and go “now why did they do that”, their choices seemed like ones a regular person would make.
If you are looking for a quick, easy, steamy, vampire romance for this fall, I think this is a great place to start.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to leave a fair and honest review of this story.

Sometimes I feel like I've read every paranormal contemporary romance plot - but Vampires Never Say Die is truly a standout! I This story follows a woman working as a bartender while she tries to launch her acting career. Meanwhile, her coworker is trying to launch his immortal life as a vampire. Little does he know, she's going to turn into a vampire slayer.

Beyond being a fun contemporary romance. I thought this was a really smart and fresh romance that delved into women's fiction in some important ways. I'd recommend this to lovers of Molly Harper and Celestine Martin. A total delight!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC!

This was a super fun, quick read that surprisingly didn't borrow as much as I was expecting from Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

I really enjoyed the vampire/slayer lore that was created within this book, especially the fact that there was a physical transformation - because come on, someone suddenly getting super strength is going to have some serious muscles! However, I enjoyed all the other aspects of Carrie's life and personality that this transformation brought to the forefront.

Not only is she suddenly a vampire slayer with no idea what that means and the danger that comes with it, but she's also a struggling actor who now looks different, is dealing with family disappointment and expectations while just trying to live her life and potentially fall for someone. I felt it was a real glimpse into how something like suddenly being a warrior against the undead would affect a normal person.

I also really enjoyed the fact that the story was still all about Carrie. The slayer side of her was a separate character and it didn't change who she was. I found her funny and endearing so really loved how this book ended.

If you want an easy-to-read but entertaining book that just happens to have some vampires in it, this is for you.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and lovable. The pacing was perfect and left you wanting to read more. I can't wait to read more by this author!