first of all, i’d like to say moran taing for the opportunity to read such a wonderful book! not only that, but a wonderful book WITH wonderful representation of where i live, without being ridiculous. and being able to read gaelic in a modern romance book!?

i adored this story and the characters so much. i laughed, i cried a bit, and i screamed at so many imaginary people. i loved the main characters AND the side characters. even a particular brunette who i very much did not like at the beginning. the character development was wonderful, the romance was beautiful, the details in the setting made me feel as though i was part of the story, and the plot was so deliciously fast paced i didn’t want to put the book down!

did i mention the gaelic?

the way everything intertwined together, the plot points being sewn up and actually making sense with each other was brilliantly done. oh, how i wish i could attend this school. i’m so excited for book two already, i squealed with excitement when i saw it would be continued!

The Book of Blood and Roses is a gripping paranormal romance with rich atmosphere and slow-burn tension. Set in the Scottish Highlands, it blends mystery, magic, and a unique vampire-human dynamic that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
* Vampire X vampire hunter
* Enemies to lovers
* Found family
* Sapphic romance
* Forced proximity
* Quest for answers
* Betrayal

A true enemies to lovers sapphic romance. I genuinely could not see how Rebecca could ever love a vampire in the beginning of the book but the way it happened wasn’t forced. The banter was bantering. The aspects of adventure and mystery really enhanced the book and left me craving more. The character development of Rebecca and Aliz and the growth of their relationship had me kicking my feet! We can’t forget to sprinkle some betrayal and revenge. I cannot wait for the second book in the series!

fell to my knees and screamed at the sky.

the book started feeling a bit on a YA-ish side but TRUST it gets better the more you read it.
the vampire lore was stereotypical with the garlic, silver, mirrors etc. but I loved how those things can't affect a vampire from a different mythology, (also the detail on what happens if they don't feed was pretty interesting and hope it'll be used more in the future just putting it out there)

i don't know if I'm picky with it but the romance felt a bit rushed, the tension and yearning was worth it anyways so IM NOT COMPLAINING, I WOULD'VE BEEN ALL OVER ALIZ ON DAY 3

and then the ending, it was a wholesome get-together and it could work perfectly fine as a standalone but I'll tune in the sequel anyway even if this book isn't out yet!

thank you Netgalley and Del Rey for this eARC!

After an elite vampire academy in Scotland decides to allow human students, Rebecca Charity is sent there to secure the illusive Book of Blood and Roses. The only issue, apart from the fact that she is a vampire hunter? Aliz Astra. Beautiful and a vampire – everything Rebecca wants and hates in the same package.

This book was fabulous. The interplay between the main characters was both witty and tense, and at times it felt like you could cut the tension with a knife. We get to see both Rebecca – as Cassie – and Aliz develop so much throughout the book, and I loved how much they changed.

The setting is deliciously dark, with gothic buildings and ancient tunnels. I was invested in Rebecca from the very beginning, and I adored how she was presented. Aliz took longer for to warm too, but in the end, I loved her too.

Hidden societies, elite class divisions, vampire politics, as well as the budding sapphic love story all combine to make this book a pleasure to read. I loved the use of vampire lore to explain vampire strengths and weaknesses, and I loved the imagery used to describe the campus. Many of the supporting characters all had stories of their own to tell, and I enjoyed learning more about them too.

I am looking forward to book two – even though book one hasn’t been released yet!

I enjoyed this book. It felt very much like a was back in my teens days with that 00s vibe of vampire.
It was easy to read and follow along with. I will be look forward to seeing how this concludes in the next book..

A dark, atmospheric fantasy with a hauntingly beautiful romance at its heart.

The Book of Blood and Roses is a lush, gothic tale that blends dark magic, forbidden secrets, and a slow-burn romance that kept me turning the pages. From the first chapter, I was swept into a shadowy world full of tension and mystery, but it was the emotional pull between the main characters that really stood out.

The romance is layered and complex—full of yearning, distrust, and sparks that build steadily over time. There’s a real sense of danger and vulnerability in their connection, which made every moment between them feel intense and earned. If you love tortured, morally grey characters with chemistry you can feel, this will be right up your alley.

While the pacing slowed a bit in the middle, the romantic tension kept things compelling, and the writing had a lyrical, almost hypnotic quality that matched the moody atmosphere of the story.

Perfect for fans of romantic fantasy with a darker edge—think Beauty and the Beast meets Gideon the Ninth, but with more longing and less gore.

I absolutely loved The Book of Blood and Roses! It’s a sapphic paranormal fantasy where a vampire hunter goes undercover at a vampire university, and honestly, I was hooked from the start. The mystery, the plot twists, and especially the romance between the vampire and the vampire hunter had me fully invested.

The relationships were a highlight for me; layered, emotional, and really well written. The writing style itself was super easy to read and flowed so naturally. It never felt clunky or slow, which made it a really addictive read.

I also really appreciated that while the story left me desperate for the next book, it didn’t end on a frustrating cliffhanger. Enough was wrapped up that I felt satisfied, but there’s still so much more I want to know. Definitely recommend this one if you love paranormal romance with a bit of mystery and bite.

I loved this! I really enjoyed the twists at the end. I have not read a lot of sapphic romance books but I this kept me engaged and wanting more. The main character, a human, goes undercover at a school of vampires. It has dark academia, enemies to lovers, mystery, and tension.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! Who knew sapphic vampire romance would hit so hard? This was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed the campus setting as well

Forbidden romance? Check. Sapphic vampires? Check. Dark academia? Check.
The Book of Blood and Roses pulls you in from page 1, with enough mysteries and romantic tension to keep you reading all night long. Set in a university in Scotland, this book follows Rebecca (pseudonym Cassie) as she completes a vampire hunter quest as an undercover university student. What happens next, is not how she thought the academic year would go.

This book has a lot of things to love! Dark academia, vampires, vampire hunters, banter and suspense! We follow Rebecca as she navigates her way through a vampire academy as a hunter out for revenge. Her assigned mission is to infiltrate the academy in search of the Book of Blood and Roses without revealing her true identity. Along the way she meets unexpected friends,love interest, and adversaries.

As for the writing, I think this book is really well written. The world building isn't overbearing and the story gets started right away. You immediately get immersed into Rebecca's world. The characters are enjoyable and dimensional. My constructive feedback is that I wish I would've had more information on who they were who they were. I wish we were given more background on both Rebecca and Aliz.
This book is definitely a slow burn until it isn't. As we follow Rebecca, she has to overcome her personal vendetta and everything she was taught in order to fall in love. We see her internal conflict over who she was taught to be and who she becomes. I felt like she skirted around her feelings because of her training and past experiences. However, I felt like once she started showing interest in Aliz, the relations between the two escalated quickly.

Overall, this book was an enjoyable read! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC to review!

After both her parents were killed by vampires, Rebecca becomes a vampire hunter to seek revenge. And her biggest mission yet is to infiltrate a vampire university that accepts humans into their program for the first time ever. But things don’t go as planned and Rebecca ends up being tied to a vampire student who just happens to be the most attractive person she has ever seen…

I have conflicting feelings about this book.

I feel like I am not the target audience. Maybe I am not a vampire book girly, maybe I just struggled with the truly forced proximity and emotional abuse for both sides that came with that. It just wasnt for me…

BUT I fully recognize that this book was well written. The plotline was enjoyable, there were twists every now and then that kept things interesting. The love story was form 0 to 100 in what feels like 5 pages (which some people like) and the cast of characters both human and vampire was both interesting and diverse enough to not get them confused.

There will be a book 2 which means that not all storylines are resolved. But I would say resolved enough to be able to move on and not wake up every night until book 2 finally comes out.

The Book of Blood and Roses completely pulled me in with its dark, dreamy vibe and haunting atmosphere. It felt like stepping into a twisted fairytale—gothic, romantic, and full of secrets. The writing is gorgeous and lyrical, and I loved the slow-burn romance at the heart of the story. There’s a real emotional depth here that caught me off guard in the best way.
My only gripe is that the middle dragged a little, and I wished a few parts of the plot had been fleshed out more. But overall, I really enjoyed it. Annie Summerlee has such a captivating voice, and I’m excited to see what she writes next. If you love moody fantasy with strong emotions and a touch of the macabre, this one’s worth checking out.

Dark vibes, tangled loyalties, and a storyline that kept me hooked. Definitely a page turner. There’s blood, there’s action, there’s betrayal and never a dull moment!

Set in a Vampire school in Scotland, vamps and humans are mixing for the first time. Our protagonist is an undercover vampire hunter sent to the school disguised as a student. Her mission is to find The Book of Blood and Roses.

It leans into the modern gothic feel - rich world building, a strong female cast and some spicy scenes for good measure 🌶️🔥

So why not a full 5⭐️? The main character got a little repetitive — constantly reminding us how much she hated vampires and how terrified she was of being discovered. But it didn’t ruin the story for me at all. Still totally worth a read!

Overall a definite worth a read!

i spent this entire book giggling and kicking my feet twirling my hair… aliz and cassie/rebecca you will always be famous 😭😭!!

the romance between a vampire and a vampire hunter who’s out for revenge is sooo scrumptious. there was realistic pacing in how they fell for each other in my opinion, and the circumstance of their relationship was handled very well! it was obvious how much they grew to care for each other, and even in the beginning of their relationship i was getting so giddy over little things like aliz reaching books for cassie hehehe 💖💖

i also think the explanations of the world in this book were done very well and everything was memorable enough that i didn’t have to go back to find information i was finding trouble recalling. the rules for vampires are super interesting and it was a great read!! i found the plot twists and ending to be very satisfying and well done !

all in all, i can’t wait to read book 2 !! 💖

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! <3

The Book of Blood and Roses by Annie Summerlee pulled me in with its gothic vibes, sapphic tension, and a vampire hunter dropped into the last place she wants to be—a vampire academy. It’s moody, dramatic, and just the right amount of messy in all the ways that keep you turning pages.


Tropes List
✅ Enemies to Lovers
✅ Forced Proximity
✅ Vampire x Hunter
✅ Sapphic Romance
✅ Dark Academia Setting
✅ Found Family (Twisted Version)
✅ Power Imbalance
✅ Magical Bond (Familiar Curse)
✅ Forbidden Love
✅ Slow Burn
✅ Touch Her and Die

Rebecca Charity is on a mission fueled by a deep hatred for vampires or 'leeches'. She infiltrates a secretive vampire university in the Scottish Highlands to locate the legendary Book of Blood and Roses and avenge her parents’ deaths. Things quickly get complicated when she’s forced to room with Aliz Astra, a captivating vampire heiress, and is accidentally bound to her by a magical curse. What starts as a tense alliance slowly turns into something far more complicated as they navigate danger, secrets, and their growing feelings for each other. The story balances suspense with emotional

👥 Characters
Rebecca feels grounded and determined, driven by her past and a strong sense of justice. Aliz is enigmatic and graceful, challenging Rebecca’s preconceptions about vampires and adding layers of complexity to their relationship. Their interactions are charged with tension and vulnerability, making their gradual shift from enemies to something more feel believable and compelling. Both characters have room to grow, which made me invested in their journey.depth, weaving in

✍️ Writing/Pacing
The writing does a great job of building a gothic, immersive atmosphere that really suits the dark academia setting. There were moments where the prose felt a bit uneven or the sentence structure a little jarring, but overall it pulled me into the world. The pacing is steady, giving space for character development and slow-burn romance without sacrificing the suspense and action that keep the story moving.
themes of loyalty, trust, and forbidden desire.

🎭 Overview
The Book of Blood and Roses offers a thoughtful blend of supernatural romance and dark academia intrigue. It explores themes of vengeance, identity, and the complicated nature of forbidden love in a way that feels fresh and engaging. While it may not be perfect, it stands out with its strong atmosphere and emotionally charged character dynamics, making it a worthwhile read for fans of the genre.

Who Would Love This Book:
🩸 This is a great pick if you enjoy sapphic slow-burn romances with complex characters set against a dark, moody academic backdrop.
🩸Fans of vampire stories looking for something with a twist—especially those who like enemies-to-lovers dynamics and magical bonds—will likely find this novel appealing.
🩸 If you appreciate layered characters and atmospheric storytelling with a supernatural edge, this one’s worth diving into.

I have just finished ARC reading this book and I am a little disappointed. The yearning, will they won't they romance, was magnificent. I was completely and utterly obsessed with the romance and school life and I really wish that had been the main focus of the plot. Instead the plot was based around vampire hunters vs the vampire council vs the vassals but they were all working together and against each other. It was unfortunately incredibly messy and it didn't flow all that well. There were a lot of moments that just happened to get the plot to a certain point. Now I did read an uncorrected copy so this could well change by release, but due to the storylines or character developments that were purely there to move the plot to where the author wanted it and not to actually add any substance or depth, it felt like a rushed and messy read.

If this book was just about a human vampire romance at a school for vampires it could have been really good. But it just got too complicated for the authors writing style and the readers experience has suffered because of it.

Hmmm, conflicted thoughts!

The premise is superb, and so addictive. It feels perfect for fans of Buffy, First Kill, and other sapphic favourites. I loved the Scottish setting, as someone who's been up there a LOT, it was so fun to read a book set there and I could picture the school buildings and setting so well.

The romance for me just fell flat. I didn't feel convinced by the chemistry at all, as it felt like insta-lust without much development. I could not really tell you why they LIKE each other besides their attraction. The dialogue wasn't my cup of tea either, sadly.

Overall, this is a fun sapphic vamp rom, but I just wanted more oomph.

Paranormal Vampire Fantasy. Blends dark academia, enemy to lovers, slow-burn romance.

When the undercover vampire hunter Rebecca has to share her dorm room with a vampire heiress…

For the first time human students are allowed to enroll in a Scottish vampire university. Rebecca is sent undercover to infiltrate and discover the long lost „Book of Blood and Roses“.

But soon she has to realize that not everything is black or white and must question her own beliefs and motivations.

Was a fun read, the story has a romantic subplot and a few spicy scenes in the last quarter of the book, which could be skipped easily, if you are uncomfortable with them.