This book was wonderful! I kind of wish I saved it to read closer to the halloween/fall season, because the vibes would have been ~perfect~. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this book. From the dedication alone, I knew I was going to enjoy it as I always appreciate an inclusive book. The LGBTQ+ representation was *chefs kiss*. I really appreciated the diversity of characters as well. As a reader and life long student, the fact that a lot of this story takes place in a library made me feel right at home and cozy. And the love story between Cole and Brennan was too cute. My only negative was that the ending felt a little bit rushed. I wish we got to experience more of the Vampire Ball and more of Cole and Brennan after the ball. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will be recommending it!

This book itched a part of my brain I didn’t know needed to be itched.

Loved having everyone in this book be in college and not high school because at least everyone was legal and it didn’t feel icky when they talked about the potential aphrodisiac effects a vampire bite can have.

I’m a sucker for how everyone takes their outlook on vampires. So for vampires to gain power based off how many people they kill or turn was a super interesting and unique take since we saw some vampires who had no powers but were hundreds of years old and others who were younger but had different powers. Also it was unpredictable which powers you’d get.

I also loved the growth Cole and Brennan had together and separate and how they supported each other while also having no idea what either of them was doing

This sickeningly sweet romantic comedy about college and vampires was just the palette cleanser I needed! This character-driven novel features Brennan, an anxious over-achiever in college who is trying to understand who he is now as a newly turned vampire. He teams up with the cute boy who works in the library and comforts stressed out students.

Where this book shines is with its shockingly accurate depictions of mental illness, struggling with the expectations of your parents and how they clash with your own interests, sexuality, and how these things may relate to the fictional affliction that is vampirism. I related to a few of these themes and felt they were introduced with care and genuine intent to help readers who may struggle with some of the same things. These conflicts seemed to be the most fleshed out and the strongest written in the overall story.

If you’re looking for a story that is very lighthearted and silly, then this is absolutely your book. There were some aspects that were laughably unrealistic to the point where they took me out of the story. Character personalities, interactions, and motivations represented more caricatures than those of real people. The conflicts in this book were incredibly predictable, the villains were pretty simple and the resolution ended with a bit of a fizzle. The ending had little build up and still did not give all that satisfying of a final showdown.

That being said- I knew what I was getting into when I started reading this book. It’s funny, light, and silly, perfect for people looking for an uncomplicated character-driven vampire romantic comedy with fun LGBT characters, and accurate mental illness representation. If that’s what you’re looking for, then pick it up on August 26th!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The title The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood and Boyfriends caught my attention immediately. I love a fun, cute, quirky title, especially when the book itself actually leans into it. The little interstitial “guide” bits, along with text exchanges between characters are always a highlight, and helped bring the book’s world to life for me.
While not heavy on the world building, it’s very much a feature, not a bug. I loved that Brennan being clueless about his situation led him to seeking out the lore of vampires, and the contradictory information across various sources over what people consider fictional is prominent across all of them. It felt much more believable than trying to shoehorn this established, universal lore.
The romance is also pretty cute, and I liked how quickly Cole got on board with Brennan’s vampirism, and they bonded over the topic. And while there’s not a ton going on outside the romance arc, it’s fairly engaging, and kept me invested throughout.
My one major nitpick is the usage of the word “librarian” in the book. Cole is also a student, so he might be some sort of shelver or library assistant or other paraprofessional position. But “librarian” is specifically used for someone with an MLIS (or equivalent) degree who specifically works in a Librarian position, which is implausible for an undergrad student, unless they’re significantly older and working on another degree. Of all things in the book, it’s the least consequential thing, but given the way library work is constantly undervalued, especially of late, and boiled down to “just shelving books,” it’s frustrating to see books constantly play into that and overlook the work that librarians do.
Nitpicks aside, this is a fun, if not super memorable, read, and I’d recommend it to readers who want a lighthearted vampire romcom.

4.5 stars

When returning to Sturbridge University after a suicide attempt, the last thing that Brennan expected was to be turned into a vampire. And honestly, it’s the last thing he needed at the moment. After all, he can barely get by as a human, let alone a vampire.

Enter Cole, the cute librarian and resident campus crush. When he accidentally catches Brennan in a vampire moment, Brennan is sure his identity is about to be blown. Instead, it seems like Cole might actually like it back. Now, Brennan has to navigate his new vampire life along with a new relationship.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy of The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood and Boyfriends by Jamie D’Amato. Pitched as Buffy meets Heartstopper, I’d say that’s actually a great description for this book. It was a delight from beginning to end, and it’s kind of fun that vampires are making a comeback.

The characters are absolutely what make this book what it is. Brennan especially. Struggling with depression and anxiety has to be hard enough without adding vampirism to it. He had great chemistry with Cole, and I loved the way that they supported each other throughout. Sure, sometimes it was a little cheesy romantic, but that kind of stuff is perfect in vampire romances.

The concept of vampires in this book also felt fresh and new. The pamphelts were hilarious, along with Nellie and Sunny. The whole vampire clan adds humor to the story, in addition to creating one of the main conflicts. It’s kind of fun to imagine that clans like this could actually exist.

My only complaint is that the ending, after the climax, felt a little rushed. I just wanted a little more plot at the end. I would love to read more about Cole, Brennan, their friends, and their little vampire adventures.

All in all, if you’re looking for a vampire story that’s a good time but doesn’t shy away from difficult concpets, definitely pick this one up at the end of August!

The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood & Boyfriends by Jamie D'Amato is a delightfully charming blend of paranormal romance, humor, and coming-of-age drama that refreshingly explores the complexities of identity, friendship, and newfound love.

At the heart of the story is Brennan, whose transformation into a vampire is the latest complication in a life already fraught with challenges. Brennan’s witty, authentic voice provides both humor and emotional depth as he grapples with vampirism, mental health recovery, and college life. D'Amato sensitively tackles these serious themes, balancing them with a lighthearted tone that keeps the story engaging and approachable.

The budding romance between Brennan and the irresistibly sweet librarian Cole is portrayed with warmth and sincerity, adding emotional resonance to the narrative. Their interactions are genuinely endearing, making their journey both relatable and enjoyable. The quirky ensemble of “good” vampires surrounding Brennan further enriches the novel with humor and camaraderie, offering readers a vibrant cast of characters to root for.

While the mystery subplot involving missing students and suspicious animal attacks adds an intriguing layer of suspense, it occasionally takes a backseat to the personal dramas and relationships at play. Nevertheless, D'Amato skillfully intertwines these elements, creating a cohesive and entertaining story.

Overall, The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood & Boyfriends delivers a heartwarming, humorous tale with just enough supernatural edge. It's an engaging read for anyone seeking a fun, thoughtful, and gently biting adventure.

I had so much fun with this book! It’s quirky, heartfelt, and delightfully self-aware. While the plot had its predictable moments, the charm of the story and the strength of the characters more than made up for it.

Brennan is such a lovable, vulnerable narrator, and I really appreciated how his struggles with mental health were woven into the story in a respectful and thoughtful way without making the book overly heavy. His “vampire puberty” arc had me smiling, and his dynamic with Cole was completely adorable. I couldn’t get enough of the slow-burn, respectful, and healthy romance between them. It was full of sweet moments, great communication, and just the right amount of awkward charm.

The found family element warmed my heart. I loved how each side character had their own distinct personality, making the “good” vampire clan feel real and layered. The blend of journal entries and text messages added a fun, modern touch to the storytelling, and yes—those Twilight references were perfection.

This book strikes a lovely balance between humor, heart, and fantasy. It’s easy to read, easy to love, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to anyone who wants a fresh, emotionally honest, and entertaining paranormal rom-com.

My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Wednesday Books for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

I’ll start this by saying while this is labeled young adult, the characters are in their twenties and attending college. There’s a lot of drinking and smoking weed as well as having sex, so I wouldn’t recommend this for younger audiences until you’re cool with all that. Also, the author apologized for the HP reference and had said they will take it out when the book is published. Honestly, it’s such a small reference it’s barely there. There’s a LOT of Twilight references so if you’re a fan you’ll be happy.

I love a good sappy vampire romance, and this delivered. Brennan is someone I related to heavily. There’s a lot of talk in this book about mental health issues and thoughts of self harm. Imagine you are severely depressed and unsure with yourself and you are turned into a vampire who can never die. That sounds like a personal Hell so I understand Brennan’s thought process with his turning. Cole was also so cute! I loved him. He was a great person all around. Ready to help everyone and wanting to make the most of everything. The romance between Brennan and Cole got real and so sweet and genuine. I loved seeing them flirt and dance around each other. Mari and Tony seemed very solid as well. I’m glad that whole group had each other.

It’s easy here to point fingers and say who’s good and who’s bad I think this is one of those stories when it’s complicated, however. This shows how easy it is to hurt and hurt others in turn. I really enjoyed how this was delving into the ways that people can be both good and bad in their ideas.

This book was super fun and I’m looking forward to more from this author!!

What a fun romp about the true problems of vampires - hey, they need sustenance and love just like the living. But they’re not all evil, believe it or not! I loved the development of the main relationship and the side relationships. I thought the twist on the vampire/human trope was really well-done and I really liked the movement of the story from the romantic relationship to the friend relationships and back again, all leading to the intense “monsters ball” scene and the denouement. I thought it was exciting and fun and well-done, although I saw the evil coming. ☺️ A strong YA/new adult novel about a reluctant and actually not-evil vampire and his quest for blood that he doesn’t have to kill for and a boyfriend he can have even though he’s unalive. Highly recommend, especially if you like vampire books!

This is a super adorable vampire romance. I loved all the silly Twilight jokes and the journal entries showing Brennan trying to figure his life out.

This is lighthearted and sweet romance but it does deal with depression, past suicidal ideation and trash family members. Most of this book was abolsutely hilarious to me. I do think possibly this book would not age well due to the amount of millennial humor.

For fans of found family, humor, and a sweet or grumpy/sunshine romance.

The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends by Jamie D'Amato was a fun and charming read that kept me smiling throughout. I loved the fresh take on vampire stories, mixing humor with relatable teen drama. The characters felt real, and the romance was sweet without being cliché. It’s a lighthearted book that’s perfect when you want something entertaining and easy to dive into.

College student Brennan wakes up one day as a vampire, with no recollection of how he was turned. As his tries to navigate his new needs, he’s caught in the act by the cute, friendly student, Cole, who works in the library.

Brennan is eventually assigned some mentors of a sort, as Brennan and Cole get closer and start a swoony romantic entanglement. It’s such a sweet story and the two boys are very respectful and supportive of one another’s mental health.

This book reminded me more of iZombie than Buffy, as indicated in the publisher blurb. Also, Cole is not a librarian a la Giles, but is just a student worker.

Great audio narration.

Representation: achillean main couple, maybe sapphic side couple?

Summary:
Brennan, a college sophomore, is just starting to get his life back under control after his freshman year suicide attempt when he wakes one morning to discover he's been turned into a vampire after being hit by a car. Now Brennan is juggling his new blood thirsty urges at the same time as he meets Cole, the cute librarian, who he maybe likes and who maybe likes him back. Together, they try and work out what it means to be a vampire, who they can trust, and most importantly, how to be boyfriends.

Review:
For me personally, this book was novel because I have never read a book about a vampire with suicidal tendencies before. It was really interesting to see how Brennan dealt with his thought patterns while also grappling with his new immortality, which are more or less at odds with one another. As an anxious person myself, I also loved reading all his lists and note-taking as he attempted to make sense of his new world. I also really enjoyed all the side characters, and the peek into what vampire culture was in this book was really interesting: I especially loved how it acknowledged that everyone would have different needs or wants. I am rating this book 4 stars however for 2 reasons: the first is that I felt that Brennan was almost purposefully trusting unworthy people and distrusting people who were trustworthy. By the end of the book, it came off as a bit of a "I can do everything myself so I am purposefully doing the opposite of what you say" kind of teenage pout. The other is that the book tried very hard to grapple with the concept of immortality and never dying while not once even doing a side glance at the essential problem of a vampire-human romance: one of them is going to die. The whole time I read this book, Brennan was thinking about his death but never Cole's, which kind of put me out of the romance.

This book felt a little cheesy, especially during the middle. Towards the end it get better for me. I know it's a YA book, but it felt like a lot of texting format communication. If you like queer rep and vampires I'd recommend,

I highly recommend this book for the spooky season. Angst, romance, almost mass murder, and vampires? What more could you need?

A surprisingly tender story of a depressed college student-turned-vampire, The Good Vampire's Good to Blood & Boyfriends is a winner from debut author Jamie D'Amato.

*Note: I gave this a solid 4-star review. Normally a HP reference in a queer book in the year of our lord and savior Dolly Parton, 2025, would have me knocking AT LEAST a star off, but author D'Amato has very quickly and skillfully answered the critiques with a heartfelt apology on Instagram and a promise to make edits in all future editions of the book. This is how you turn me from an interested reading into a fan.

Brennan has... had a year. He's just barely managed to hold his life together following a suicide attempt his freshman year of college at Sturbridge University in Boston, when on another one of the darkest nights of his life he was hit by a car and... turned into a vampire? Now he's stuck navigating life as a depressed college sophomore who happens to be depressed AND vampiric without knowing any of the rules for his new existence. Good thing he has Cole, the attractive college librarian who just so happens to stumble upon his secret during an embarrassing attempt at breaking into the college blood drive's stash overnight - and who definitely has a thing for vampires. Because Brennan will need all the help he can get as he figures out his new life and the increasing number of "animal attacks" that seem to be occurring around campus.

So I definitely went into this expecting something much more lighthearted and cozy than I got, and I'm not complaining about that at all. In case the summary doesn't warn sufficiently, this book deals HEAVILY with topics of suicide and suicidal ideation. Brennan, our lead character, is depressed. He has actively attempted suicide in the past and ponders it as a solution more than once throughout the course of the book. It's a heavy book, and a heavy topic, but D'Amata handles it deftly. In fact, I was impressed to see how the author handled a character like this suddenly being faced with their own immortality without ever being cured of that depression. At one point, Brennan has a significant crisis because one of the ways he soothed himself in his darkest moments was with the idea that he would die one day and be able to fade into oblivion - a possibility that was taken from him the moment he's turned into a vampire. This is a perspective of vampirism that I haven't seen handled in vampire books before, and I enjoyed how D'Amato managed to do it. It's heavy, and certainly not for anyone who might be triggered by the topic, but certainly well-handled.

Overall, this is just a well-written, unique take on what could have been a generic vampire book. I don't know that I necessarily would have labeled it as "young adult" since it's set in college with two nineteen-year old characters. But I'm excited to see what Jamie D'Amato comes up with next, because this was an amazingly strong debut!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I thought this book had such a fun premise but I wasn't a big fan of how this was written in third person. Most contemporary YA books are written from first person and I found that the third-person writing made it sound quite passive and it made it difficult for me to connect with the characters. I also felt like I was being carried through this story rather then being immersed. The writing is also quite narrative in how it's written and you really can see all of his internal thoughts. However, I thought the humor was on-point and I found myself laughing at some of the one-liners.

I did think that the book started quite suddenly as it starts right after a big event (Brennan getting turned into a vampire and having already come to terms with it and after a suicide attempt) and I wish it would've started before he got turned into a vampire to show a contrast in his human vs vampire life. The book requires you to slowly pierce back together how and when he turns into a vampire which was a little annoying although I might just be impatient.

Cole and Brennan's relationship was giving insta-love and seems to be a little to cutesy and edgy to be realistic. There's nothing wrong with unrealistic romance and I knew there would be romance going into this, but I expected the romance to read more like a side-plot that's typical of YA rather then reading as a straight romance novel.

There was also a lot of references to pop culture like Twilight, Becky Albertalli, and Percy Jackson which I found to be a hit-or-miss. Having frequent references definitely does date the book, in my opinion. I also believe that readers will either really enjoy such references or be irritated by them if they don't know them.

A lot of characters introduced rather suddenly and I had trouble remembering who they all were. The mental health aspects felt like a footnote in the book as it wasn't really brought up besides being occasionally referenced (twilight was referenced more) and I really thought it would have a bigger presence.

I also thought it was annoying how all the rules of vampirism (can they go out in the sun? are they immortal?) was veryyyy slowly explained and I thought it was unrealistic that the main character wasn't more interested in vampirism and wasn't asking obvious questions until much later in the book. Some of the takes on vampirism were interesting but were revealed very late in the book in which they couldn't contribute to the plot. I wish there was more world-building of vampire society. I wanted to know what the other groups of vampires were like and how they worked.

I did like that each chapter started out with text conversations, journal entries, pamphlets, or news stories and I thought that was the most interesting part of the book and the only time I could really feel a personality from any of the characters.

Altogether, I felt like nothing really happened in this book. Brennan has had so many things happen to him but all those interesting events were off-page so in this, he's just kind of living life. It took a long time for the major conflict to develop and it ended rather anticlimactically.

This story was the perfect blend of laugh out loud hilarious, swoon worthy heartfeltness, and successfully executed pop culture references that I had a blast reading. Cole and Brennan were so sweet with one another that I could not stop giggling and want to just wrap them up in a million hugs. I love the emphasis on mental health in the story. Seeing how Brennan is trying to work through his depression after his attempt last year as well as finding a empathetic partner in Cole, who has his own experiences with challenges showing that despite someone's cheery demeanor you never know what they are going through.

Thank you Macmillian audio and NetGalley for an ARC of The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood & Boyfriends!

Brennan’s journey from barely surviving to full on vampire chaos was emotional, messy, and surprisingly heartwarming. His struggle with mental health felt real, and adding vampire drama on top of that? Bold move, and it actually works. The romance with Cole is sweet, awkward, and gave me a lot of those YA butterflies.

There’s a good balance of humor and depth, though at times the plot felt a little busy animal attacks, blood bags, ancient vampire clans, oh my but it kept the pace snappy. Some of the vampire politics got a little murky, and a few characters felt like they were just there to move things along, but it didn’t ruin the experience.

Overall, this was a queer paranormal rom-com that wasn’t afraid to get a little dark while still being tender and fun. I’d totally read the sequel, especially if Cole and Brennan get even cuter (or messier).

This has got to be one of the cutest vampire books I've ever read. I just cozied up and got to reading and it just felt good. Even with some hard hitting topics in the book, the way it was written made it much easier to read about. I felt connected to Brennan and just wanted him to value himself and have him see himself the way others due.
The slow build romance was adorable and I wouldn't have it any other way than the way it played out. The side characters were all fascinating.

Just one thing. Can we know more about Rosie?!