Wow I am so blown away and so honored I was able to read this. It was as if I was there every step of the of the way and getting access to all the inside details. I loved learning the process that went in to creating this show, casting this show, and sustaining this show! There were so many iconic and unforgettable moments in the vampire diaries series and it was amazing to see how they came to be, and the grueling hours it Tok to write and film them! I was shocked by the extensive casting process and the people who were auditioning for each role. Im so glad they settled on who they settled on, after seeing the show (multiple times) they all were cast perfectly. I liked the honesty and transparency the actors had in this book. The shared experience of being away from the crowds and filming in Atlanta and the found family aspect was so heartwarming, because they really just are a big family in TVD. I also appreciated the openness around the struggles socially, occupationally, financially, and mentally that the actors faced and how that made the scenes they were filming that much more powerful! I loved the interview style of writing. It made for an easy read and made me as the reader feel like I was apart of the conversation. This is truly a gem and any fan of TVD will love this. An inside look of all the details and complexities that went into making such an iconic show? YES PLEASE. Dare I say it was epic.... ok on my way to rewatch now.

This book was AMAZING. I took my time reading it because I wanted to savor it. It was so cool as someone obsessed with the show over the years to read these interviews season by season. Watching a tv show like this one, over and over again, you feel like you know the characters; like they're your friends. This book was like visiting old friends and made my heart SO happy. I will be ordering the physical copy the second I have the spare money, because I need it forever! Thank you Samantha Highfill, you did GREAT!

The Vampire Diaries is a show that is very dear to my heart so I was incredibly excited to read this book. What a treat it was! From all the “who might have beens” during the casting (Pedro Pascal was almost cast?Jason Momoa was almost Alaric?!) to creating the magic system and lore to allllllllll the deaths we saw over eight seasons, I Was Feeling Epic is a perfect read for any fan of the show. Written in interview form, you get to hear from the show runners, cast crew and studio executives and see everything that went into making this show and these beloved characters. I really loved reading how close this group of people became and also how much they love and respect the show. It was also great to read about the different ways things could have/should have gone differently in regards to how Bonnie’s character was used at times and also Nina wanting (and deserving) to be paid as much as Paul and Ian. I cried during the chapters that went into the final season and the lasting legacy that TVD leaves. I’m so happy I got to read this early and I think a rewatch is in my future. Also, for the record, TEAM STEFAN.

Thank you to Dutton Books for the gifted copy!

If the author and publisher really wants to sell millions of copies of this book (can't see why they wouldn't), all that is needed is to advertise that this book solves the mystery of what was in Liz Forbes' letter. The burning (no pun intended) question on all our minds ever since that episode aired. And now I know what was in it! No Vampire Diaries book could ever compare. I wasn't even thinking about that when I started the book, since I just figured the writers never actually wrote the letter. It's not the full letter, I guess she didn't get the full letter, or it doesn't exist anymore, but we now can know what was in the letter.

I don't usually (ever) read books about TV shows or movies, but I am so glad I decided to read this one! Definitely would recommend this to any fan of The Vampire Diaries (and already have).

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

This is one of those books where if you're a fan of the show, you're probably going to like the book.

I don't know if there's a ton of brand new information in here since I didn't watch the show until 2018 and wasn't paying any attention to casting or any of the behind the scenes stuff as it was airing. So must of it was new to me.

Also, as a Klaus and Elijah girlie, there definitely needed to be more about the Mikaelsons, and from Daniel Gillies and Joseph Morgan. But it's still five stars from me.