Awesome, highly recommended. Vampires, modern day story. Packed with strong female characters, action and plot twists. Thank you to the author and looking forward to the sequel. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

3.75 🌟 - Thank you to Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I found Erin to be really fascinating & I enjoyed her badassness as a Vampire Hunter. Her and Nicholas were very cute together. I liked how dark and mysterious the setting was, but I was confused on the time period. It was like a Victorian style storyline set in the modern day and in Sheffield, which I personally didn't like the unrealisticness of it. I would have preferred for it to have been set in a fictional place

Really enjoyable slow paced book, if not for the overall theme you could almost describe as a cosy read. Really enjoyed the authors writing.
Interesting characters, good mystery to the plot and it felt like the mail female lead Erin was able to think past her preconceived notions.

Author creates a great atmosphere at the start of the book and the ongoing murders leave a few breadcrumbs when combined with Tom's research. Like other have mentioned would have loved more of Jon, in order to feel the loss - even if this had been flashbacks or shared memories discussed with others, due to his murder happening at the start of the book without knowing him it didn't hit super hard. Would say the same for a certain redhead that also ends up as a victim.

The romance was quite interesting, I wouldn't describe it as cookie cutter but I struggle to define it. In my opinion it worked, Nicolas was a good lead with quite a challenging past.

Was slightly disappointed with the very end. But would still be keen to see where this goes.

3.5

Erin is a vampire hunter whose friends start to turn up dead. This leads to strange connections with two very old vampires, and a mystery that looks to the past.

Okay I did genuinely enjoy this book. Started off a lil bit slow but once I was in, it zoomed past, I couldn’t put it down. Erin is a likeable character, Tom is okay enough, I wish we go to know Jon (he sounded great). I know I’ve seen people not be too keen on the “insta-love”, and while they do fall for each other pretty quick the actual movement of their relationship is slow enough that I don’t think I was like “wow slow down you’ve known each other a week” . I actually really liked them together. Nicholas gave me good vibes and a burr is always good.

When it comes to my issues with this book there’s a few. Firstly I was very confused at the start. I feel like it jumped so quickly between Tom and Erin discussing Jon in Edinburgh to him being dead that I actually went back to see if I’d missed where that had happened. I also feel like for a decades long vampire hunter she wasn’t very observant. She keeps having questions or being unsure if something was right and then just go “but I put it out of my mind”, like why. And finally, something that I hate in a lot of books, is the whole situation of “oh we have been threatened, kidnapped, friends murdered, but I want to go a walk myself in the dark”. WHY DID THEY KEEP LEAVING EACH OTHER ALONE WITH A MURDERER AFTER THEM.

Anyway, I will definitely be reading the next one. I am very curious to what is going to happen and if there’s a bigger plot at play. Also there’s some not so good-uns that I want to see harmed. I would say a good start to a series, but I do hope it picks up in characters depth.

🩷 Book Review 🩷
📚 The Gloaming
💫💫💫

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a different take on the usual vampire romances I read and I actually enjoyed it. The author made it clear from the beginning that this not your usual romance as well and I enjoyed the dynamic of our FMC and MMC.

I did have an issue with some aspects of the plot, mainly that there was holes and revelations that did not hit the mark.

Overall, I liked the book and will be reading the next.

I felt a bit misguided by the recommended similarities of Anne Rice and Leigh Bardugo as this didn't stand out to me in The Gloaming (apart from having similar vampire plotlines). The first half felt quite slow but the plot picks up speed in the murder mystery vibe as the story progresses. I enjoyed Erin's perspective but didn't feel much of anything towards Adam.

There’s no shortage of vampire stories out there—but The Gloaming earns its place with characters you’ll keep thinking about long after you close the book. It blends supernatural mystery with emotional depth, delivering a story that feels both fast-paced and emotionally grounded. If you're a fan of The Vampire Chronicles or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this one's for you.

At the heart of the story is Erin, a vampire hunter who’s reeling from the loss of her best friend under suspicious circumstances. Her search for answers leads her to cross paths with ancient vampires Nicholas and Izzie, and the brooding but intriguing Adam. What follows is a murder investigation tangled up in forbidden attraction, long-held secrets, and plenty of tension—especially between Erin and Nicholas, whose connection is immediate and complex.

Erin shines as a lead character. She's strong and skilled, but also compassionate—someone who’s clearly fighting not just the enemy, but her own internal conflicts. I appreciated her vulnerability just as much as her determination. Nicholas, on the other hand, adds an interesting layer with his quiet protectiveness and complicated loyalties. Their chemistry never felt forced, which made their dynamic all the more compelling.

One of the things I loved most about The Gloaming is how it balances action and emotion. There’s plenty of suspense, and yet the book never loses sight of its characters’ emotional arcs. That said, I did feel the villain’s reveal was a bit rushed, and some side characters—like Tom and Jon—could’ve used a bit more backstory to really flesh out their role in Erin’s life. A few scenes left me wondering if I’d missed a previous book.

Still, these are small bumps in an otherwise gripping story. The ending had just enough payoff while still leaving me hungry for more. I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel.

Final Thoughts:
The Gloaming is a strong start to a series with a lot of promise—romantic, mysterious, and just the right amount of dark. It’s a great read for fans of supernatural thrillers with emotionally rich characters. Don’t be surprised if you finish it in one sitting.

The Gloaming is an enthralling story that will capture and enrapture you from start to finish. A twisting gothic romance with vampire lore and fantasy woven together to set your heart racing, Erin and Dalton are end-game superb. The chemistry between these two is a slow-burn build-up that rises throughout the story in the most enticing way. A fascinating must-read for all in search of a deeply-moving romantasy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Jamie Dalton for the ARC of The Gloaming.

I appreciate the chance to give an honest review. This book honestly had a strong start with such a dreamy, weirdly eerie feel. Right away it felt like slipping into a half-forgotten memory or one of those dreams that lingers a little too long. It’s about grief 😞 and longing and holding on to something that's fading, and I really liked the way the characters reflected that emotionally. There’s a softness to the way things unfold here, but also some really sharp edges you don’t always see coming.The characters were interesting and layered, especially the main one ( I try not to name drop to much) , I found myself liking them even when I didn’t fully understand them, which is rare for me. there’s a kind of sadness wrapped in every choice they make. And the world building? lowkey stunning. It’s subtle but rich, like it was painted with shadows instead of bold lines. I liked how it didn’t rush to explain every detail but still felt complete. The magic felt more emotional than technical, and it worked for this type of story which tells alot about the Jamie Dalton, they know how to write ❤️❤️❤️
If I had to take off a star for anything, I’d say it’s that some parts felt a little too floaty. I love a lyrical vibe but sometimes it leaned so heavily into being poetic that it got a little muddy, if that makes sense? Like I wanted more solid ground in a few spots. Just something to hold on to while everything else swirled around. I def reread a few parts just to catch what was being said beneath the flowy language.BUT BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH AN AMAZING READ IT STILL STANDS AT 5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
So 5 stars from me. The Gloaming felt like it was written with a quiet ache that sticks around after you finish. It’s haunting but soft. Not a fast-paced fantasy, but something deeper and more personal. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a story that feels more like a slow dive into a memory than a plot-driven race. Emotional, atmospheric, and beautifully sad.I WANT MOREEEEEE 😭😭

✨ARC Review✨

The Gloaming by Jamie Dalton

What’s not to like about vampire stories?

After finishing The Gloaming, I am still thinking about it. Erin, Nicholas, Izzie, Adam, and Tom will be my companions as I silently wonder when I will get to read the sequel. This book is a fun read! If you like The Vampire Chronicles or Buffy - I highly recommend The Gloaming.

Erin - a vampire hunter - lost one of her best friends under suspicious circumstances. It is up to her and her other friend Tom to discover what happened. During the investigation, they meet Nicholas and Izzie, two ancient vampires. They also meet Adam, a mutual acquaintance of Nick and Izzie. Tension arise between Nick and Erin as they’re attracted to each other from the start. How will their bond affect the murder investigation? Who is perpetrating all the killings?

I loved Erin as the FMC. She is strong, loyal, and dedicated to her mission. However, her dedication does not make her less empathetic towards others even her sworn enemies. Throughout the story, we see her vulnerability and development. I like reading about flawed MCs and their ability to overcome obstacles.

Nicholas as the MMC is interesting. He has an undeniable bond with Erin, and a strange friendship with Izzie. His overprotectiveness gave softness to Erin’s character.

If anything, I wish we had more time getting to know the villain in the story. The introduction of the villain seemed rushed and the resolution a little anticlimactic. Still, I was guessing majority of the book who the murdered was. I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong.

I also wished that some of the other characters were developed more in terms of the backstory. There were instances when I wondered if the book is a sequel because it seemed that characters like Jon and Tom did not have enough backstory. The narrative that focused on them did not explain a lot their closeness to Erin.

Overall, the story was great. It’s a great combination of suspense, thriller, action, and romance. I can’t wait to read the sequel which will be released next year.

this book surprised me quite a lot! initially i thought i wasn’t going to like it, but it ended up being a super fun murder mystery type vibe with some really cool lore and character relationships!

- the pacing was really slow at first, i felt, but the gradual build up and hints dotted here and there led way to actually quite a fast paced ending which i really enjoyed.
- i loved the setting of this book, took me right back to home in the uk & i really loved how the accents in the characters were written.
- i really enjoyed the relationships between side characters, ie izzy/nicholas/sdam, and how the dynamic worked and changed over the books. i also loved tom, and how his depiction of grief and struggles felt authentic

- i would have liked the fmc & mmc to have developed their relationship further instead of the “insta love” trope, but im hoping that’s going to be explained WHY it happened in the second book? it does feel like there’s more to the story. similarly, the fmc’s ability isn’t really consistent throughout the book & not explained super well. again, hoping that will be elaborated on in the second book


overall a fun blend between gothic & urban fantasy, i really enjoyed!

Erin runs a coffee shop in Sheffield by day, but when night falls, she’s a vânător: a vampire hunter. After a string of deaths, several of which involved people close to her, she becomes suspicious. She believes there's more going on than the official reports suggest. She starts to investigate further with her friend Tom and is pulled into a feud between ancient vampires that runs far deeper than she expected.

I really liked the premise, the contrast between the ordinary and the supernatural is always a draw for me. There are some great characters. I hope the next book explores their backstories more as there’s definitely more to uncover.

The pacing was a bit uneven for me; it starts strong but slows down in the middle. That said, things ramp up again toward the end, and the final chapters had me hooked. It ends on a cliffhanger, so curious to see where this series goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.

The murder mystery ended up being the main draw in this book for me. I must say that I needed to adjust my expectations along the way, though. It became clear to me that this is not the type of mystery where the reader tries to figure out the clues because it's not the reader who has the necessary information to do so but another character. I like both being surprised in a I-could-have-figured-this-out-because-there-was-clever-foreshadowing way and feeling satisfaction when I do happen to figure things out slightly ahead of time of the characters. This kind of surprise/satisfaction wasn't present here, but it was still an engaging experience that kept me reading. There could have been more urgency to find the killer, though.
I thought we would get more of the vampire hunter/vampire dynamic, a deep-dive into the inner conflict especially with growing feelings involved, but it was pretty surface level. Stronger character motivation would have helped with that. Why does Erin hunt vampires apart from happening to have hunter "powers"? I don't think I got enough of an impression of what being a vampire hunter means in that version of our world. Part of it might be explored in the sequel, but I needed more in this first book.
There was some interesting vampire lore to discover here.
Apart from Erin, the characters felt quite flat to me, and even Erin herself could have been developed more. We get to know very little about Erin's friends that are killed early on. It would have helped me to form a closer connection to Erin, to understand her connection to these people. I think the impact would have been greater had we been shown those friendships more. I did like the Erin and Tom friendship the most, probably because that's what we're first introduced to and shown. I wish we could have seen more of it.
Relationship-building friendship- and romance-wise was pretty much non-existent. I didn't find it believable how quickly Erin trusted some of the vampires and called them friends. The romance relied too much on sexual tension and a prophecy-type of fated mates situation that acted as a stand-in for relationship development. The characters weren't interacting enough to get to know each other. I think this is both personal preference on my part and lack of relationship-building. If you're fine with only physical attraction meets insta-love due to a prophecy, you'll probably love this. Personally, I need some actual getting-to-know-each-other and emotional built-up.
The writing itself was easy to read and I liked the eerie sort of atmosphere.
I did get some vague Deborah Harkness vibes here and there but no Leigh Bardugo ones. I'm not sure I would recommend this to someone who really liked Hakness's books, though. I haven't read Anne Rice, so I can't comment on that.
Overall, this wasn't for me, and I probably won't continue the series.

Characters: 4/10 x4 (Mediocre)
Relationships: 3/10 x4 (Bad)
Atmosphere/Vibes: 7/10 (Good)
World-building/Setting: 4/10 x2 (Mediocre)
Writing: 7/10 x4 (Good)
Plot/Pacing: 4/10 x3 (Mediocre)
Enjoyment: 4/10 x5 (Mediocre)
Total: ~4.48 = 2.25*

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed The Gloaming! The first half of the book was kind of slow for me, but it did pick up in the second half. There was alot of depth to all the characters and the end of the book left me wanting more!

Wow. Just... wow. Jamie Dalton's "The Gloaming" is the vampire tale I never knew I needed and that completely captivated me. Initially, I admit the pacing felt deliberate, almost a whisper in the shadows. But trust me when I say this is intentional brilliance. This slow, methodical build is the very foundation upon which Dalton constructs an atmosphere so thick you can practically taste it. It's the quiet before the storm, the subtle stirring of something ancient and powerful.
And speaking of power, prepare to be utterly consumed by the slow-burn romance between Erin and her undeniably sexy, sultry vamp. The chemistry between these two is palpable, a simmering tension that crackles off the page. Dalton masterfully weaves their connection, allowing it to unfold with an intensity that left me breathless. Every stolen glance, every whispered word, felt charged with an electric energy. And for those who enjoy a little heat, be warned: there's one scene in particular that earns a solid 🌶️🌶️.5 rating!
But "The Gloaming" is more than just a captivating romance (and that one particularly spicy scene!). Dalton's world-building is nothing short of phenomenal. The intricate details and rich history woven into the narrative make it incredibly easy to lose yourself within its shadowy depths. The characters are equally well-crafted, each one feeling distinct and alive. I had no trouble at all picturing myself navigating this fascinating world alongside them.
I'm kicking myself for not having discovered Jamie Dalton's writing before now! "The Gloaming" has instantly made me a devoted fan. The anticipation for "The Vanator," the second book in the Blood of the Revenants series slated for 2026, is already building to a fever pitch. If you crave a meticulously crafted world, characters that leap off the page, a romance that simmers and occasionally ignites, then you absolutely NEED to pick up "The Gloaming." This ARC has left me utterly spellbound, and I have no doubt it will do the same for you. Five out of five stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tagging the amazing folks at publisher and NetGalley! #Netgalley #TheGloaming #JamieDalton #generalfictionadult #romance #fantasy #indieauthor


***I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoyed reading this book and the aspect of Erin being a vampire hunter and the love interest, Nicholas, being a vampire.
The pacing was slow and I wanted to know more about Erin as she’s a vampire hunter but with special abilities, what is she? When did she get her abilities? Also Adam, what exactly is he? Human but immortal. I just needed a little more context. The friendship between Erin and Tom was special. The ups and downs. How they overcame them. Also, Nicholas made me fall in love with his character. He would’ve literally burned the world down for Erin. Overall it was a 4 star read for me as I couldn’t put it down and pretty sure I read it within a day.


Thank you NetGalley, Jamie, & Victoria Editing for the advanced reader copy of The Gloaming.

A darkly captivating story that weaves ancient rivalries, forbidden desires and the dance between hunter and hunted. A dance that grows ever more deadly with every victim. A dangerous game unfolds where old grudges dictate the rules and revelations unfold with each step of the dance. Mystery woven between the pages, vampiric folklore bleeds from within and the pain felt ever real.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧

I really wanted to enjoy this but the writing style isn't for me and the was a slog for me to get through.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me an ARC via NetGalley!!

To very briefly summarise this book, it’s about vampires, a vampire hunter, and her journey of investigating various murders, some of which are her friends.
I really enjoyed the writing style - it was very ‘British’ and genuine in that aspect, and the whole vampire style is a unique twist - it isn’t just another ‘generic vampire story’.
The pacing was slow and this made it hard to follow at times, and I would have loved some more world building and further context to characters. The FMC is a vampire hunter and I wanted to know more about her - how did she get into this? What’s her past like? Etc etc
This then made it hard to connect with her as a character as she didn’t appear to be very complex or ‘human’ I guess the term would be. It can also be confusing to differentiate between different characters, and who is who at times.
Overall it was an enjoyable book, but maybe isn’t my style, but I know a lot of people will enjoy this!!

Rating: 3/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

This was a very enjoyable book, It was atmospheric with an interesting plot and lots of twists and turns!

I really enjoyed how this book was set in Sheffield, which I feel like is not often a setting for books. Also appreciated the atmospheric snowy cold wintry field which really enhanced this dark vampire feeling of the book. I also liked that Nicholas had an Edinburgh accent which was written as such, again not something I’ve often seen in books and it really brought me into the book a lot more.

One thing I struggled with was the Insta love between Nicholas and Erin. There was no tension or building of the relationship, it felt like an instant attraction with little explanation. I suspect it will be developed on in the next book. But it wasn’t my favourite part of the book.


Erin’s ability was also not really explained. We know she’s a vampire Hunter who has special abilities to be able to track vampires. However, we weren’t told until later on how this happened we still don’t know why (again I expect this will be developed in the next book). This was challenging as it didn’t feel consistent across the book. Her abilities seem to only be affected by certain vampires not all. Another thing that bothered me was that we are told Erin has killed many vampires; however, in this book every vampire that she hunts she gets seriously hurt, just felt like a bit of a plot hole.

In general, I really enjoyed the story. I loved the history around Nicholas and Izzy. I enjoyed the tension between Erin and Tom’s relationship. I appreciated understanding Tom’s struggle in trusting the vampires (the complete opposite of what he has been taught his whole life). I would recommend this book for people who like contemporary fantasies, and love a good vampire romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC of this book!