This book had a different kind of vampire, more zombie vampire, with new lore to go with it. Ms. Ryan walks us through along with the youngest Evans some of the rules of the undead.
I loved the concept of a female run funeral parlor where generations of women work together and fight the walking dead together. While the ending felt somewhat rushed to tie it together. I still want to know more about the Evans women.
The perspective shifts in this book with each chapter changing narrator makes the audio version harder to love. Since the shifts are read by the same person and they are male and female characters of various ages you could almost hear her struggle to create different voices for each one. It would have been easier on the narrator as a duet, where she would only have to create half the voices.

I went into this book blind and I was pleasantly surprised by it! This is a step out of my usual genre but I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the audiobook as well.
Bless Your Heart follows 4 generations of Evans women, in small town Texas in 1999 who run the local funeral parlor, but all is not as it seems in their little town. The author does a great job at making these characters have their own voice but also slightly overlapping their personalities the way that their close-knit family situation would lend to. I loved the banter between each of the women and that we have POVs from each of them as well as other characters throughout the story to keep it moving at a fast pace. This was well written and hit all the points it needed to. There's gore and horror themes as well as mystery, but layered with comic relief which I loved. The small details about the characters personalities and quirks along with the time period it's set in made it so easy to connect to the story, setting and characters. This is not your typical vampire book which I LOVED and the way the author layered the reveals and information throughout was done really well and kept me on the edge of my seat. The audio narration was done impeccably well with different accents and personality for each of the 4 MCs.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC

Bʅҽʂʂ Yσυɾ Hҽαɾƚ by Lindy Ryan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bless your heart is a blend of cozy mystery and horror with a little bit of comedy thrown into the mix, and let me tell you, I’m here for it!!

I definitely think that the “southern charm with a bite” comment in the blurb for this book hits the nail on the head!! Vampires in the great stare of Texas… how can you go wrong? The humor Lindy Ryan threw in made this a pleasant and light hearted read breaking away from the blood-guts-and-gore slasher style that horror has become lately. It was a much appreciated reprieve.

I’ll be checking out book 2 in the series soon!!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

#netgalley #blessyourheart #audioarc #arc #audiobooks #horror #vampires #familysecrets #vampirelore #giftedcopy #booksandhappy #bookreview #honestreview #humor

This is not my kind of book, but it certainly could be for some. I did like the narrator, who kept me listening longer even though I didn’t care for the story.

This book was a wonderful departure from the real world, and I now need more books about the Evans women! I usually don't read series books, but I'm making an exception for this one. Lindy Ryan writes great characters with just enough detail to make them real, but not too many things that overwhelm the reader. The Evans family is a lot like so many women I knew growing up - but without the ability to put the undead to rest. Set in a funeral home in Southeast Texas in the late 90s, the story begins with what seems like a normal process of tending to the deceased but soon escalates when the dead turn out to rise, becoming a cross between a zombie and a vampire. It keeps happening, and soon it is plain that the Evans women have something to do with this. Ryan could easily have written this as horror, but she inserts humor and characteristics that leave the reader amused and comforted by the fact that these women have things under control. Or do they? And will the younger generation of the family make the same mistakes as her predecessors?

Extra credit to the audiobook narrator, Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. She does a wonderful job with the accents and even the vocal tics of each character. Can't wait to hear more of her stuff.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the review copy!

I really enjoyed this book! It was the perfect combination of light horror, family drama, humor, and suspense. The characters were unique and I loved the familial bonds.

Thank you to @Macmillan.Audio for the arc of this funny, fast-paced, vampire, rise of the living dead novel. I loved the setting of a mortuary that knows exactly what to do when the dead aren't fully dead. The characters were well written and enjoyable to read about. I liked the different perspectives and hearing so many sides to the same story.

Charming and creepy. I loved the narration and the story. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

A Multiple POV thriller mystery that has layered family dynamics? Sign me up! At times, it was hard to keep track of each character and remember their different connections and back story but I think that can be the case with many multiple POV storylines. I really think the narrator did a great job and really elevated the book with the way she read the book..

Thanks to #NetGalley for the chance to read (listen!) and review! An exciting debut to a new town of characters you will love. For fans of True Blood and the Evil Dead, with a little hint of southern comfort. Spooky, funny, and all around charming. I'll be keeping my eye on Lindy Ryan!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A Sassy, Supernatural Southern Delight


Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan is a fun, fast-paced paranormal mystery with a Southern gothic twist and a whole lot of heart. Set in a small town full of secrets and sass, this book had me hooked from the first page with its blend of humor, magic, and mystery.


The characters are the real stars here—quirky, bold, and full of charm. I especially enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters and the strong sense of community (even when that community is dealing with curses and spirits). The supernatural elements are creative without being overwhelming, and the plot kept things moving with just the right balance of suspense and whimsy.


My only minor critique is that a few parts felt a bit rushed, and I would have loved just a bit more depth in certain character arcs. But overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read that left me eager for more from this series—and this author.


I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily. If you’re a fan of small-town mysteries with a magical twist and a generous helping of Southern flair, Bless Your Heart is definitely worth checking out!

A story about the family of Evans women who run the local funeral parlor…but help with the rising dead! Southern comedy meets walking dead/vampire (Sookie Stackhouse) in this horror comedy. The story was interesting and funny at times. This story was not the best book I’ve read, but not the worst. It kept me interested and wanting to know what happens next. I am from the South and I love a good Southern comedy story. I loved all the ‘Southern-isms’ in the story. I laughed at some of the saying. Well done to the author. My favorite was was “she’s chewing my a** like grade A beef!” I laughed out loud at that part. The narratives and the narration style was perfect for this book. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

Fantastic premise: four generations of women run a funeral parlor, keeping the town safe from undead in secret. I will probably read the second because I think the world building in interesting and I like that the author doesn’t pull (many) punches.

One point of praise—a lot of people (especially not from the South) have it in their head that “bless your heart” is always sarcastic. It’s not, if it was it wouldn’t be a useful phrase. It can be, but it’s often used genuinely to express pity or mean “I’m touched! You didn’t have to do all that!” etc etc. If it was always obviously backhanded we wouldn’t be able to get away with saying it. This book nails that!

It’s set in the 90s, and makes references to events that would be been relevant to their lives, like Columbine. I understand that is helps build the atmosphere and perspective for why people don’t trust one of the characters, but in practice I felt like it wasn’t particularly effective or necessary. Being set in the 90s didn’t make the story any more or less interesting to me.

Spoilers below:
Is this family the only one in the world fighting the undead? Is it just their town affected by the restless dead? Why have none of them written a guide yet? Is magick real or was Crane just lucky? Maybe we’ll find out more in book two!

Really enjoyed the story and narrator. It was an interesting concept and the southern charm was such a nice touch. Would like to read more from the author in the future.

Stunning cover and fantastic narration, but the story itself just wasn't my favorite.

EDIT:
After listening to the story again, it definitely grew on me. I honestly love the Evans women.

Interesting take on the old vampire lore. A family of women, not strigoi hunters per se but definitely theaters of the undead. Their funeral parlor is home to the ghouls' end and the only thing preventing them from tearing the whole town limb from limb...and turning them into the parasites as well. The Evans women are the thing shield between the world and the Undead but they have deadly secrets even from each other

This was my first time reading a book from Lindy Ryan and it was absolutely fun! Bless Your Heart is an absolute gem, a Southern Gothic romp packed with horror, heart, and hilarity. At the center of it all are the Evans women, who are nothing short of a delight. They’re sharp-tongued, fiercely loyal, and totally unapologetic about their witchy ways. But it’s Great-Grandmother Ducey who absolutely steals the show. She’s tough as nails, wise in that wonderfully unfiltered elder way, and has more sass in her pinky finger than most people have in their whole body. Honestly, I’d read a whole spinoff just about her.

The story mixes scares and snark effortlessly. One minute you’re shivering from a ghoul attack, the next you’re laughing out loud at a perfectly timed one-liner or sarcastic spell. Speaking of ghouls, Ryan gives them a fresh twist that feels original and creepy in all the best ways. They’re not your garden-variety undead; there’s a lore here that’s genuinely cool and elevates the horror.

What makes this book really work is the sense of family and love that grounds all the supernatural chaos. The Evans women might fight monsters, but they do it together—and with style. It’s spooky, it’s funny, and it’s got heart. Highly recommend, especially for fans of Grady Hendrix.

I strongly recommend diving into this one as an audiobook—the narrator doesn’t just read the story, she brings it to life. Every character leaps off the page (or speaker), from Ducey’s razor-sharp wit to the eerie growl of the ghouls. It’s an electrifying performance that pulls you straight into the heart of the chaos. You won’t just listen—you’ll live it.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I have absolutely had a blast listening to this book. It gives spooky fun with the writing style of Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse. Narrator did a fantastic job!

I am not sure why I pick up this book because it is categorized as mystery/horror and horror is usually a genre I stay far far away from. However, I am so glad this novel up because it was so much fun, which seems unusual for a book about three sisters running a funeral home, but it is true!

The Evans sisters were leading a typical life until mysterious events one night forces them to secretly control a vampire invasion in their town. This book with its small southern town setting and inter-personal relationships between the sisters and their extended family gives the book the tone of a cozy mystery minus the tea and cats you normally see. While some horror elements are present in the book, the book does not dwell in them which makes it more approachable for readers of other genres.

I would give this book 4 stars and would read the next book in the series by Lindy Ryan, Another Fine Mess which is out now.

I will post reviews on post this review on Goodreads, Bookbub, Amazon & Barnes & Noble.

Sure! Here’s an “okay” (moderately positive but balanced) book review for Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan:

⸻

Book Review: Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 out of 5 stars)

Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan is a quirky blend of Southern charm, supernatural suspense, and dark humor. It has a fun, unique premise—a coven of sassy Southern witches dealing with ghosts, family secrets, and small-town drama—and when it hits its stride, it’s thoroughly entertaining.

The characters, especially the matriarchal women, are vibrant and full of personality. Their banter and bonds are some of the book’s strongest elements. The Southern gothic atmosphere is richly drawn and gives the story a distinct flavor that sets it apart from your typical paranormal mystery.

That said, the pacing felt uneven at times. Some plot points took a while to develop, and a few twists didn’t land as powerfully as they could have. The book juggles a lot—comedy, horror, heartfelt moments—which occasionally made the tone feel a bit all over the place.

Still, if you’re in the mood for something different—a little spooky, a little sassy, and full of Southern flair—Bless Your Heart is worth checking out. It may not be perfect, but it has a lot of heart and a voice all its own.