Readers Imbibing Peril Release Day Review: My Ex Is A Vampire

 

 

Genre:

Fantasy Romance, Vampires, Young Adult    

Length: 431 pages

Buy Link:

https://amzn.to/4psQG7N

Publication Date:

October 1, 2025

Book Blurb:

Relationships bite!

Jane Dela Cruz's life is anything but normal. By day, she's your average honor student, the girl next door who's dating the guy on the football team. By night, she hunts vampires with her family. She hates what she's been called to do, the gifts she inherited from her family bloodline. At the same time, she craves revenge and closure for past emotional scars.
Andy Santiago is the new kid in the swanky suburb of Sugar Land, Texas. Haunted by nightmares of red eyes and fangs, he hunts down vampires and attracts his share of trouble along the way. He keeps his life of vampire hunting a secret from his mother and finds himself in hot water when he finds out his new girlfriend is a fangirl for romantic vampires, which only exist in fiction.

When Jane's boyfriend and Andy's girlfriend get taken by the local vampire court and turned into vampires, they have to team up and figure out how to take down their exes. What they don't realize is that they will unravel a darker conspiracy that will change their lives forever. 
 Free use image from Open Clipart Vectors  Ornery Owl's Review
 
Rating: Four out of Five Stars 

“Strength in numbers. Watchmy back!”

The hunt is dangerous, but they’ll do ittogether.

This story should be on your shelf if you enjoyYA urban fantasy with a strong, capable female lead, 
asupportive found-family vibe, and a touch of romance and horror. Itis a page-turner with a fun premise: a vampire watch party thatbecomes a real hunt ina college town with a secret vampire scene.

Janeis by no means a Mary Sue. She is a practical, competent, butflawed heroine with quirky allies (Susi, Mrs. Dela Cruz). She screwsup, learns from her mistakes, and her actions have realconsequences.

Fans of action sequences must not miss thefight scenes in chapters 2 and 4 and during the reveal inthe
 bookstore (Ch. 5).The story has plenty of amusingmoments. I laughed at lines like “You should be more worried aboutyour game. That guy you just hit on is gone.” 


 Therelationships are balanced. Jane and her mom are a solid team. Andyand Susi’s relationship is based on collaborative dynamics ratherthan toxic romance. Andy and Susi are good foils: Andy isearnest, awkwardly brave, and Susi is sharp and competent. Mrs.Dela Cruz is a delight as the competent parent/mentor. Gabby is sweetand energetic and Lenore adds her own special charm. TheVocati/fairy elements and the mom-as-sidekick subplot worknicely too. 

The character voices are mostlydistinct, though Andy and Jane’s banter can blur at times. Overallthe
stakes feel personal and immediate.

The centralconflict is clear: a hunt to find and neutralize the Lieutenant. Theplot progression is logical
and gives a sense of escalation. Thefamily/dojo/fairy twist layers keep thingsinteresting. 

Worldbuilding is a strong point: Vocatiheritage, fairies with real power, and family-run vampirehunting. Settings are vivid: the watch party, the dojo, andthe bookstore cafe allfeel realistic.

The story smoothly blends snarky YA humorwith tense action and a dash of horror. Some scenes 
incorporateboth sit-com coziness and brutal monster fights. The overarching tonefor YA urban fantasy is on target. Some transitions (end ofwatch party to outside fight) jump fast. Slowing them down alittle could provide clarity asto who moves where anddoes what.

Favorite moments:

Jane's mom showingup with escrima sticks.

The dojo introduction and thekamiza shrine moment provides great atmosphere.

The revealthat there are other hunters (Susi & family) broadened the worldin a satisfying way.

Connor’s jealousy occasionally readas possessive rather than protective or simply insecure. Thisrisks 

sliding into toxic relationshipdynamics.


Thestory’s conclusion is satisfying,although I did have a few lingering questions.


Whatare the limits of daylight/indoor vampire activity?

Whatis the Lieutenant’s background? 

Why target indaylight areas (theater, mall)?


In the end, I had areally good time and want to see where the Lieutenant subplotleads.

Teenage me would have been absolutely obsessed withthis story.