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Guides for Dating Vampires #3
How to Bare Your Neck and Save a Wreck
“I only take what’s owed me, and you, my little swan, owe me blood.”A single kiss from a masked vampire has left Shane with an obsession and a uncover the secrets of the black-market blood trade and find his mystery vampire in the process. But one knock at the wrong door and he could have fangs at his throat instead of lips.Andres is trying to forget his kiss with Shane Crowley by drowning himself in his work as a thief for the blood trade. When his boss seizes an overcurious Shane to drain his blood, though, Andres’s only option is to buy him for every drop he’ll ever produce. This new ownership awakens thoughts of glittering collars—thoughts Andres knows are the desires of a monster.But Andres needs blood to live, and he’s going to have it from Shane, even if that means donning a mask once more and demanding Shane bare his neck during nightly excursions.Soon, Shane feels pulled in all directions, between the strange desires his role as Andres’s part-time blood slave is stirring in him, his investigations into the cycle of injustice that so many fanged citizens face, and a new friend whose mouth seems strangely familiar. Little does he know, every path leads back to the same vampire…Bare Your Neck is the third book in a series of gay paranormal romances with vampires. This book features a hidden identity, cat-and-mouse T4T relationship between a transmasc human and a he/they vampire who engage in light power dynamics, as they learn to express their desires for gilded collars and sensual obedience through healthy role play. While it can be enjoyed as a standalone, this book will contain minor spoilers for prior books in the series.
453 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2024
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881 people want to read
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May 27, 2024It physically pains me, that I feel super undecided for this one.
I think I’m going to leave as my first no rating ever?
I’d like to think that this book just wasn’t for me.
It was very romantic, and I strongly dislike gushy romance.
The pet names were very cute, until they weren’t. 🫠
Because realistically, I think this was the most beautifully written book within this series, but the plot was so incredibly thin, and took way to long to even start plotting, that I found myself preferring to do other activities outside of reading that felt more enjoyable…. Like… doing the dishes…. 🥲🥲🥲
The amount of trembling, shuddering and shivering that Shane was doing became insanely repetitive and like, r u okay Shane? Are you a fucking chihuahua? 🐕
I was bored. I finished it because the writing, and the representation is STUNNING. But I was bored and looking forward to its end ☹️ and I never felt like that in book 1-2.
The spice was really good and new for me, and I AM A WEAK ASS HOE FOR A SITTING ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF A DOOR AND TALKING OUT PROBLEMS. Silly men talking through silly feelings while one is all “you can push me away but I’m going to sit right here until you talk to me”
That was the best scene in this whole book. OOOOOFT.
I have my fingers crossed for a solid book 4 because DN writes really good, entertaining books. And I’m putting this down to me not being into romantic romances 🥹🥰💖
I think I’m going to leave as my first no rating ever?
I’d like to think that this book just wasn’t for me.
It was very romantic, and I strongly dislike gushy romance.
The pet names were very cute, until they weren’t. 🫠
Because realistically, I think this was the most beautifully written book within this series, but the plot was so incredibly thin, and took way to long to even start plotting, that I found myself preferring to do other activities outside of reading that felt more enjoyable…. Like… doing the dishes…. 🥲🥲🥲
The amount of trembling, shuddering and shivering that Shane was doing became insanely repetitive and like, r u okay Shane? Are you a fucking chihuahua? 🐕
I was bored. I finished it because the writing, and the representation is STUNNING. But I was bored and looking forward to its end ☹️ and I never felt like that in book 1-2.
The spice was really good and new for me, and I AM A WEAK ASS HOE FOR A SITTING ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF A DOOR AND TALKING OUT PROBLEMS. Silly men talking through silly feelings while one is all “you can push me away but I’m going to sit right here until you talk to me”
That was the best scene in this whole book. OOOOOFT.
I have my fingers crossed for a solid book 4 because DN writes really good, entertaining books. And I’m putting this down to me not being into romantic romances 🥹🥰💖
May 6, 2025
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
This was pretty entertaining, sweet and hot. I’ve never read this author before but would definitely read more. I always appreciate a good vampire romance, and especially with vampire characters like this. A beautiful nonbinary person who is also very sweet, yet capable of the dark charm you often associate with vampires. Their master/slave role play was so intimate and lovely, and a first time for me. Loved it.
I do believe there’s a bit of an overarching plot going on with this series and this is the only one I’ve read. While it was noticable, it wasn’t a problem per se. I could follow the plot well enough.
Andres’ reaction to learning that Shane is trans was so beautiful. I loved the true acceptance and how they both made sure the other MC was comfortable at all times, even in situations where that was near impossible. You definitely got the feeling that these MCs were meant to be together.
His attention caught on a pair of scars that Shane’s outfit didn’t quite cover; small, light things with a hint of a crook around one of his ribs where a tattooed flower had been inked as though it was splitting from the irregular tissue. Oh. Oh. The thought was small and bright and it settled quickly into a contented warmth. His little swan had searched and found himself, the same way Andres had, and there was a beauty and bond in that Andres could find nowhere else. He was a wonder, a monument to his own godhood. Andres wanted him all the more for it.
I listened to the audiobook and thought the new-to-me narrator, Simon Dornet, did a lovely job with it.
I did wonder how the book seemed so long, but now that I’ve written this review I figured out why, as the book is 455 pages long, lol. It was never boring, but it’s a bit strange how clearly the book felt split into two distinct halves. Not in any bad way, but just a ‘before’ and ‘after’ a major happening kinda thing.
I’m definitely putting this one in the HFN column as there’s no mention of turning Shane into a vampire or how they’ll deal with one MC living forever while the other is human. For all I know that could be solved in a later interconnected book in the series, tho.
I did really enjoy how the book explores monopolizing things that people need to survive, controlling the market and making money off it. Both with Shane being diabetic and trying to afford insulin, and with the main plot of blood not being accessible for the vampires in this world. Neat to put a very contemporary problem in a paranormal setting. Neat, yet terribly depressing.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Vampire MC
Paranormal romance
Diabetic MC
Neurodivergent MC
Nonbinary vampire
Cat dads
Touch aversion
Power play
Master/slave role play
Touch-aversion
Fang play
Forced orgasms
Age gap
T4T
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Alcohol consumption
Blood consumption
MC held captive
MC bitten against will (not by MC)
Detailed injections (insulin)
Details of nonconsensual medical experiments (SC)
MC pushing other MC twice (startled)
Explicit sexual content
Past abuse of MC (people taking liberties — grabbing, pulling, placing — because they were small)
MC kidnapped and fed on against will
Severely injured MCs
Death of MCs’ friend/family member (off page)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 25 and 34
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 455
Happy ending: Yes
“Have you never been afraid to want something before?” Shane whispered, still cupping his neck as he leaned closer. Andres’s skin felt as though it caught fire. “Every time I look at you,” he breathed.
“[…] Some people aren’t worthy of certain parts of you, and that doesn’t make you any less yourself.”
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
This was pretty entertaining, sweet and hot. I’ve never read this author before but would definitely read more. I always appreciate a good vampire romance, and especially with vampire characters like this. A beautiful nonbinary person who is also very sweet, yet capable of the dark charm you often associate with vampires. Their master/slave role play was so intimate and lovely, and a first time for me. Loved it.
I do believe there’s a bit of an overarching plot going on with this series and this is the only one I’ve read. While it was noticable, it wasn’t a problem per se. I could follow the plot well enough.
Andres’ reaction to learning that Shane is trans was so beautiful. I loved the true acceptance and how they both made sure the other MC was comfortable at all times, even in situations where that was near impossible. You definitely got the feeling that these MCs were meant to be together.
His attention caught on a pair of scars that Shane’s outfit didn’t quite cover; small, light things with a hint of a crook around one of his ribs where a tattooed flower had been inked as though it was splitting from the irregular tissue. Oh. Oh. The thought was small and bright and it settled quickly into a contented warmth. His little swan had searched and found himself, the same way Andres had, and there was a beauty and bond in that Andres could find nowhere else. He was a wonder, a monument to his own godhood. Andres wanted him all the more for it.
I listened to the audiobook and thought the new-to-me narrator, Simon Dornet, did a lovely job with it.
I did wonder how the book seemed so long, but now that I’ve written this review I figured out why, as the book is 455 pages long, lol. It was never boring, but it’s a bit strange how clearly the book felt split into two distinct halves. Not in any bad way, but just a ‘before’ and ‘after’ a major happening kinda thing.
I’m definitely putting this one in the HFN column as there’s no mention of turning Shane into a vampire or how they’ll deal with one MC living forever while the other is human. For all I know that could be solved in a later interconnected book in the series, tho.
I did really enjoy how the book explores monopolizing things that people need to survive, controlling the market and making money off it. Both with Shane being diabetic and trying to afford insulin, and with the main plot of blood not being accessible for the vampires in this world. Neat to put a very contemporary problem in a paranormal setting. Neat, yet terribly depressing.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Vampire MC
Paranormal romance
Diabetic MC
Neurodivergent MC
Nonbinary vampire
Cat dads
Touch aversion
Power play
Master/slave role play
Touch-aversion
Fang play
Forced orgasms
Age gap
T4T
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Alcohol consumption
Blood consumption
MC held captive
MC bitten against will (not by MC)
Detailed injections (insulin)
Details of nonconsensual medical experiments (SC)
MC pushing other MC twice (startled)
Explicit sexual content
Past abuse of MC (people taking liberties — grabbing, pulling, placing — because they were small)
MC kidnapped and fed on against will
Severely injured MCs
Death of MCs’ friend/family member (off page)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 25 and 34
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 455
Happy ending: Yes
“Have you never been afraid to want something before?” Shane whispered, still cupping his neck as he leaned closer. Andres’s skin felt as though it caught fire. “Every time I look at you,” he breathed.
“[…] Some people aren’t worthy of certain parts of you, and that doesn’t make you any less yourself.”
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
November 16, 2024
Probably my favorite in this series!
I'm always here for a T4T romance, and agree with the 'cat and mouse' description of how this was marketed. There's a bit of hidden identity, sub/dom dynamics, as well as the plot of the medical industry in the background same as the past books in this series. Also appreciate how Bryn includes various disability rep into their stories - one MC is diabetic and I love seeing that rep too!
Narration was great too!
I'm always here for a T4T romance, and agree with the 'cat and mouse' description of how this was marketed. There's a bit of hidden identity, sub/dom dynamics, as well as the plot of the medical industry in the background same as the past books in this series. Also appreciate how Bryn includes various disability rep into their stories - one MC is diabetic and I love seeing that rep too!
Narration was great too!
April 21, 2025
Rep: trans gay MC with diabetes, enby MC with PTSD and (?) anxiety, achilliean side characters, aroace polyam side character, polyam side characters, Black (trans?) side character
Dear lord, how the situation with Natalie was handled at the end deserves to give the book one star. I searched up the other reviews and I'm actually shocked no one mentions her?? Apparently, I'd have to do it myself.
First, let's talk about the other stuff. The writing was unimaginative and bland. Yes, sure, there were some pretty pieces of prose here and there, but it gives no identity of the characters' POVs or the author themself. It's dual POV but they weren't distinctive enough. It's clear the author tries very hard but while reading I had to force myself to focus because the prose just wasn't catching or holding my attention.
The plot was dull and uninspired. I didn't give a shit about any of it and it was there only to put Shane and Andres in different situations for our amusement. I can imagine this book to be reworked where they just go on dates and not on 'missons' - it would hardly make a difference. The plot was so useless I can't imagine any reader actually caring for it - it's there only to push the MCs' romance. And this comes as a surprise to me because this book is 450 pages. I expected it to either have a lot of sex scenes that takes pages or to have some deeper intrigue going on. Sadly, it's just a case of repetitiveness. Like, it didn't even feel dragged if I'm honest - not really. We circle back to the writing - this is what makes the book long. I feel like the book deserved an editor to mercilessly cut chunks of it.
The characters... our two MCs weren't that bad actually. Out of the writing, plot and character, they were comparably okay. I liked Andres' duality and how he is outside of the role they played. It made them feel more three dimensional.
However, Shane... for starters, I liked that the author included diabetes rep. I'm not sure I have read a book with this before and I'm happy the author included that even tho they definitely didn't need to. My problem with his character is that so many lables were slapped on him from the very beginning. He's gay, trans, diabetic and neurodivergent. But despite all of that I don't feel like I know him any better. His neurodivergency is mentioned just twice or thrice but the only indication that something in his life may be related to it is that his apartment is messy. And look, I'm not neurodivergent (as far as I know) so anyone reading this can take my words with grant of salt. Shane mentions that he thinks he knows who he is because he had to do a lot of self reflection regarding his trans and neurodiversity journey. But you know what? I, as a reader, don't know Shane. Like, I can't fully grasp who he is because hardly anything of the said journey is presented to us. The exclusion to this is his transness: I do love the causal trans rep. I wished the same was done about his neurodiversity because as a reader, I have no idea how this shaped his life or made him who he was. Shane was essentially one adjective after another and the author didn't let us feel Shane the same way they did with Andres. They needed to gradually reveal all these element of Shane's character (like they did with Andres' trauma and anxieties) instead of painting us the whole picture of him in the very first chapter. It made Shane's character feel static. We had him 'figured out' by the first two or so chapters and for the rest of the book nothing happened there. He didn't grow, he didn't change. He was just there to tremble and shake when Andres touch him (seriously, is the dude a small dog in winter?). The most movement we see is that both of them get the vague idea that they're kinda into kink.
(Also, ignore that if you disagree but... I feel like these type of journeys are for life. Not necessarily to agonize over the matter constantly - but this is part of who you are and with the relationship you have with yourself. And here it felt like Shane has gotten these journeys well and done - like he 'moved on' from them. Which I don't think it's something that works like that. Especially for someone who is just 25 years old.)
(Another thing: nothing is talked about their families. We have Andres discussing this in vague descriptions but no one is adressed or refered to properly. And I don't remember Shane EVER mentioning any blood relatives. Which to me is just extremely weird and a miss in their characterization, especially Shane's.)
Shane and Andres relationships had to be the only thing that made this book feel worthy to read. Their romance is absolutely central. I liked their romance more in the beginning as it had more tension. Their dynamic was very sensual and I appreciate that. It took them a while to kiss and even more a while to sleep together but the reader doesn't feel it at all. The sensuality absolutely 'compensated' the slow burn.
However, I'm not sure how much I buy their dynamic as master and bloodslave. Like, look, I know this is romance and in romance stories people trust random strangers (with their life) and this trust is rewarded. However, I'm not sure I'll ever believe it, no matter how many times I read it. Shane is, plainly, an idiot for doing certain things and Andres directly tells the reader he wouldn't take Shane's blood if Shane's refuses. The auhor tried incredibly hard to make their whole dynamic healthy and consensual. I dare say, they tried too hard. When we reached the point where both MCs specifically play out pet/master as a roleplay (as it's 'their thing'), it lacks any tension or excitement. I just didn't give much of a fuck to be honest? It was criminally unsatisfying when they finally slept together and honestly? I can't take their kinkiness seriously. They're all just aesthetic clothes, pet names and 'you're mine/I'm yours'. Like, literally nothing kinkier than that doesn't accure except Andres biting Shane and them being extremely into it. But this played a role into their sensuality rather than their kink. After Shane finds out who his vampire is, any real intrigue or tension is lost in their romance for me.
Now, the ending with Natalie that powered me with enough anger to write all of the above.
For romance novels is so fucking typical the moment the two leads meet their other relationships to just stop matter or outright disappear. Their lover is just the MOST important and loved and their fill each other's hearts in ways NO ONE can. Hello amatonormativity, my old friend. Even tho this isn't something surprising in the genre I have NEVER encountered this blatant and disgusting lack of care for anything else but to get in each other's pants as soon as possible. Because, honestly, what the actual fuck. The author's decision how to handle that makes me sick.
Overall, very unsatisfying and disappointing read. I added it to my tbr this month with the idea it'd be a nice distraction, something fun among more heavy reads but I never expected to write a review like this. The only reason I give it two and not one star is because I don't hate the book and to certain extend I enjoyed parts of it (mainly in the beginning). I feel incredibly let down, not because it wasn't what I expected it to be but because what it actually was is just bad performance of idea that could be something good in the right hands.
(P.S. Something I was put off by in the beginning is that Shane says "his body was made for needles". I kept thinking about it during the whole book and I just felt more and more uncomfortable. It's all my personal bias but I really hate this line is included.)
Dear lord, how the situation with Natalie was handled at the end deserves to give the book one star. I searched up the other reviews and I'm actually shocked no one mentions her?? Apparently, I'd have to do it myself.
First, let's talk about the other stuff. The writing was unimaginative and bland. Yes, sure, there were some pretty pieces of prose here and there, but it gives no identity of the characters' POVs or the author themself. It's dual POV but they weren't distinctive enough. It's clear the author tries very hard but while reading I had to force myself to focus because the prose just wasn't catching or holding my attention.
The plot was dull and uninspired. I didn't give a shit about any of it and it was there only to put Shane and Andres in different situations for our amusement. I can imagine this book to be reworked where they just go on dates and not on 'missons' - it would hardly make a difference. The plot was so useless I can't imagine any reader actually caring for it - it's there only to push the MCs' romance. And this comes as a surprise to me because this book is 450 pages. I expected it to either have a lot of sex scenes that takes pages or to have some deeper intrigue going on. Sadly, it's just a case of repetitiveness. Like, it didn't even feel dragged if I'm honest - not really. We circle back to the writing - this is what makes the book long. I feel like the book deserved an editor to mercilessly cut chunks of it.
The characters... our two MCs weren't that bad actually. Out of the writing, plot and character, they were comparably okay. I liked Andres' duality and how he is outside of the role they played. It made them feel more three dimensional.
However, Shane... for starters, I liked that the author included diabetes rep. I'm not sure I have read a book with this before and I'm happy the author included that even tho they definitely didn't need to. My problem with his character is that so many lables were slapped on him from the very beginning. He's gay, trans, diabetic and neurodivergent. But despite all of that I don't feel like I know him any better. His neurodivergency is mentioned just twice or thrice but the only indication that something in his life may be related to it is that his apartment is messy. And look, I'm not neurodivergent (as far as I know) so anyone reading this can take my words with grant of salt. Shane mentions that he thinks he knows who he is because he had to do a lot of self reflection regarding his trans and neurodiversity journey. But you know what? I, as a reader, don't know Shane. Like, I can't fully grasp who he is because hardly anything of the said journey is presented to us. The exclusion to this is his transness: I do love the causal trans rep. I wished the same was done about his neurodiversity because as a reader, I have no idea how this shaped his life or made him who he was. Shane was essentially one adjective after another and the author didn't let us feel Shane the same way they did with Andres. They needed to gradually reveal all these element of Shane's character (like they did with Andres' trauma and anxieties) instead of painting us the whole picture of him in the very first chapter. It made Shane's character feel static. We had him 'figured out' by the first two or so chapters and for the rest of the book nothing happened there. He didn't grow, he didn't change. He was just there to tremble and shake when Andres touch him (seriously, is the dude a small dog in winter?). The most movement we see is that both of them get the vague idea that they're kinda into kink.
(Also, ignore that if you disagree but... I feel like these type of journeys are for life. Not necessarily to agonize over the matter constantly - but this is part of who you are and with the relationship you have with yourself. And here it felt like Shane has gotten these journeys well and done - like he 'moved on' from them. Which I don't think it's something that works like that. Especially for someone who is just 25 years old.)
(Another thing: nothing is talked about their families. We have Andres discussing this in vague descriptions but no one is adressed or refered to properly. And I don't remember Shane EVER mentioning any blood relatives. Which to me is just extremely weird and a miss in their characterization, especially Shane's.)
Shane and Andres relationships had to be the only thing that made this book feel worthy to read. Their romance is absolutely central. I liked their romance more in the beginning as it had more tension. Their dynamic was very sensual and I appreciate that. It took them a while to kiss and even more a while to sleep together but the reader doesn't feel it at all. The sensuality absolutely 'compensated' the slow burn.
However, I'm not sure how much I buy their dynamic as master and bloodslave. Like, look, I know this is romance and in romance stories people trust random strangers (with their life) and this trust is rewarded. However, I'm not sure I'll ever believe it, no matter how many times I read it. Shane is, plainly, an idiot for doing certain things and Andres directly tells the reader he wouldn't take Shane's blood if Shane's refuses. The auhor tried incredibly hard to make their whole dynamic healthy and consensual. I dare say, they tried too hard. When we reached the point where both MCs specifically play out pet/master as a roleplay (as it's 'their thing'), it lacks any tension or excitement. I just didn't give much of a fuck to be honest? It was criminally unsatisfying when they finally slept together and honestly? I can't take their kinkiness seriously. They're all just aesthetic clothes, pet names and 'you're mine/I'm yours'. Like, literally nothing kinkier than that doesn't accure except Andres biting Shane and them being extremely into it. But this played a role into their sensuality rather than their kink. After Shane finds out who his vampire is, any real intrigue or tension is lost in their romance for me.
Now, the ending with Natalie that powered me with enough anger to write all of the above.
For romance novels is so fucking typical the moment the two leads meet their other relationships to just stop matter or outright disappear. Their lover is just the MOST important and loved and their fill each other's hearts in ways NO ONE can. Hello amatonormativity, my old friend. Even tho this isn't something surprising in the genre I have NEVER encountered this blatant and disgusting lack of care for anything else but to get in each other's pants as soon as possible. Because, honestly, what the actual fuck. The author's decision how to handle that makes me sick.
Overall, very unsatisfying and disappointing read. I added it to my tbr this month with the idea it'd be a nice distraction, something fun among more heavy reads but I never expected to write a review like this. The only reason I give it two and not one star is because I don't hate the book and to certain extend I enjoyed parts of it (mainly in the beginning). I feel incredibly let down, not because it wasn't what I expected it to be but because what it actually was is just bad performance of idea that could be something good in the right hands.
(P.S. Something I was put off by in the beginning is that Shane says "his body was made for needles". I kept thinking about it during the whole book and I just felt more and more uncomfortable. It's all my personal bias but I really hate this line is included.)
Read
September 29, 2024DNF @ 50%
sooooo, clearly these books are pretty formulaic because this was kind of a copy & paste of book two which was a copy & paste of book one.
i'm just really bored and there's no reason for this book to be 12 hours long.
sooooo, clearly these books are pretty formulaic because this was kind of a copy & paste of book two which was a copy & paste of book one.
i'm just really bored and there's no reason for this book to be 12 hours long.
March 8, 2025
This book was such a nice end to a fun series 😭 and we love a story with such positive trans and nb rep🏳️⚧️
February 1, 2025
As much as I love the other works in this series so far, this one did NOT do it for me. I didn't enjoy following these characters all that much, they feel a lot less fleshed out and interesting than the previous installments couples. Also I'm not a huge fan of kinky books and I loathe role-playing and pet names. Sorry that I don't wanna hear someone who pays taxes and can rent a car being called a little pet 🤷♀️🤷♀️. I don't necessarily think this one added to the overall plot of the series besides at the end. I do honestly think the societal impact of vampires that this series is really interesting and I want to see more of that. Hate when my plot gets sidetracked with porn. Overall I'm just gonna chalk my rating up to how much I didn't really care for Andres and Shane as main characters. I think they'll be fine to see again as side characters but I cannot go through their brains again. 2.5🌟
January 3, 2025
“If Edward broke in to Bella’s room to deep clean it instead of watch her sleep”-D.N.Bryn
So here’s the review:
🏳️⚧️We love trans and nonbinary rep !! 🏳️⚧️(we love Andes and He/they vampires !!)
I LOVED THAT THEY (as in the other main characters) ALL TURNED UP LIKE it had the same vibes if the muppets film when “they get the gang back together “. Like they all turned up . And I realised that Andres is the one who spoke to Clem in book two at the end about a “situationship” AND Shane is the journalist who spoke to Vince in the first book about media and how memes effect prejudice against vampires . Like yayayaya . It made me so Happy that by the end they were like a found family (may or may not have had a little cry)
Out of all of the relationship ending conflicts this is one I swear ended in record time like wow that was cleared up quickly, whihc I appreciate cause I can’t deal with the emotions turmoil .
Not to disrespect the dead but FUCK MAUL and by the end I quite liked Natalie and their like martyr (supposed) death (they haven’t show the body and no one’s sure where she is sooo could be alive )
OMFG I PREDICTED LIKE NON OF THE PLOT TWOST LIKE WHAT DO YOU MEANN SHANES MATE NATALIE IS ALSO ANDRES COUSIN LIKE I WAS GOBSMACKED !!
Tbh I always find it satisfying the fact that Shane had a crush on two Separate people who turned out to be both Andres BUT I totally get the whole “he tricked Me” a very valid response . And it wasn’t like an accident betrayal of trust like Andres was thinking constantly about how it’s wrong sooo I liked this one more then then 1st and 2nds conflicts which felt to have better intentions behind then or feel genuinely and clearly guilty thought out.
I was kinda in so much shock from it all falling down I couldn’t really comput the theme of police brutality that was brought up . Then they straight after brought up a genuine heartbreaking tragic backstory like …Nahh.
I did read the content warning before hand but I brushed off he warning of PTSD since I genuine thought it didn’t effect me, I was wrong I sobbed and bawled like a baby for so fucking long to a point where I was juts hiccuping . Also Andres was more C-PTSD is your gonna nit pick .
Tbh mascarade balls always give phantom fo he opera like the vibes at the beginning very phantom of the opera (as stated by the parasite in my head many times about Andres lmao)
Also loved the continued motif of Cygnus and the tragic myth behind that and the ending damnnn it was dramatic , like I could imagine it all playing out !
So far I think it mayyy be the best of the series so far HOWEVER the confusion due to the lack of explaining around their first meeting , like I wanted to read the short story which explained it but I had to pay for it so I didn’t , but I felt like if I did it would make more sense and I’d be less unsure on parts and their like dynamic would be easier to understand if that short story was like a prologue OR one of the free short story’s taht come in the newsletter .
But that juts me being fussy and trying to find flaws so all in all good book :)
P.S again thank you D.N.Bryn for making this :)
PP.S. Love Andre’s I juts wanted to give him a hug . Also I feel like their the kind of person to smell really good -don’t ask why it’s the put together vibes and how he makes their own clothes . Just the vibes.
So here’s the review:
🏳️⚧️We love trans and nonbinary rep !! 🏳️⚧️(we love Andes and He/they vampires !!)
I LOVED THAT THEY (as in the other main characters) ALL TURNED UP LIKE it had the same vibes if the muppets film when “they get the gang back together “. Like they all turned up . And I realised that Andres is the one who spoke to Clem in book two at the end about a “situationship” AND Shane is the journalist who spoke to Vince in the first book about media and how memes effect prejudice against vampires . Like yayayaya . It made me so Happy that by the end they were like a found family (may or may not have had a little cry)
Out of all of the relationship ending conflicts this is one I swear ended in record time like wow that was cleared up quickly, whihc I appreciate cause I can’t deal with the emotions turmoil .
Not to disrespect the dead but FUCK MAUL and by the end I quite liked Natalie and their like martyr (supposed) death (they haven’t show the body and no one’s sure where she is sooo could be alive )
OMFG I PREDICTED LIKE NON OF THE PLOT TWOST LIKE WHAT DO YOU MEANN SHANES MATE NATALIE IS ALSO ANDRES COUSIN LIKE I WAS GOBSMACKED !!
Tbh I always find it satisfying the fact that Shane had a crush on two Separate people who turned out to be both Andres BUT I totally get the whole “he tricked Me” a very valid response . And it wasn’t like an accident betrayal of trust like Andres was thinking constantly about how it’s wrong sooo I liked this one more then then 1st and 2nds conflicts which felt to have better intentions behind then or feel genuinely and clearly guilty thought out.
I was kinda in so much shock from it all falling down I couldn’t really comput the theme of police brutality that was brought up . Then they straight after brought up a genuine heartbreaking tragic backstory like …Nahh.
I did read the content warning before hand but I brushed off he warning of PTSD since I genuine thought it didn’t effect me, I was wrong I sobbed and bawled like a baby for so fucking long to a point where I was juts hiccuping . Also Andres was more C-PTSD is your gonna nit pick .
Tbh mascarade balls always give phantom fo he opera like the vibes at the beginning very phantom of the opera (as stated by the parasite in my head many times about Andres lmao)
Also loved the continued motif of Cygnus and the tragic myth behind that and the ending damnnn it was dramatic , like I could imagine it all playing out !
So far I think it mayyy be the best of the series so far HOWEVER the confusion due to the lack of explaining around their first meeting , like I wanted to read the short story which explained it but I had to pay for it so I didn’t , but I felt like if I did it would make more sense and I’d be less unsure on parts and their like dynamic would be easier to understand if that short story was like a prologue OR one of the free short story’s taht come in the newsletter .
But that juts me being fussy and trying to find flaws so all in all good book :)
P.S again thank you D.N.Bryn for making this :)
PP.S. Love Andre’s I juts wanted to give him a hug . Also I feel like their the kind of person to smell really good -don’t ask why it’s the put together vibes and how he makes their own clothes . Just the vibes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2025
I really enjoyed the intense emotions and PTSD rep in this book. Andres had involuntary reactions that hurt his partner and a lot of denial about how bad his past was. As someone who has PTSD, it was super authentic to my experience. I also enjoyed the meaningful relationship they built with Shane after a rather questionable beginning. They learned, slowly, to connect with their emotions. Shane had all the ND stuff going on and I thought the diabetes was handled well. It brought a complexity to the relationship. The plot occasionally dragged and I thought the “finding out the truth” moment should have come with more groveling and less immediate acceptance. But Shane was just generally a sweet person so it wasn’t shocking.
Spice: 2/5
Triggers: violence, death, blood, references to transphobia, past familial abuse, involuntary medical experimentation (off page, side characters), murder, trauma responses, poverty, isolation
Spice: 2/5
Triggers: violence, death, blood, references to transphobia, past familial abuse, involuntary medical experimentation (off page, side characters), murder, trauma responses, poverty, isolation
May 10, 2024
As I think I said in my review of book 2 I can’t put these down which means you should pick this up!
I seriously will never get over the world building and the characters in this series. Everything is treated with such care and kindness, the relationships, the hard topics, everything . The rep and inclusion just makes me love it even more.
Shane and Andres were great characters to read from, I enjoyed their dynamic a lot and what this book had to offer (i was not expecting that scene to be so spicy tho omg!). I loved just everything about this and how a lot of the more difficult topics were handled was so well done!
Also can we talk about the Wes, Vincent, Clem, Justin, Diego, Maddox and Valentine inclusions ahhhhh!! Seeing all of them interact and those characters dynamics and continuation outside of their own stories made my heart sing. Another easy 5*. @author please don’t stop ever you’re amazing.
I seriously will never get over the world building and the characters in this series. Everything is treated with such care and kindness, the relationships, the hard topics, everything . The rep and inclusion just makes me love it even more.
Shane and Andres were great characters to read from, I enjoyed their dynamic a lot and what this book had to offer (i was not expecting that scene to be so spicy tho omg!). I loved just everything about this and how a lot of the more difficult topics were handled was so well done!
Also can we talk about the Wes, Vincent, Clem, Justin, Diego, Maddox and Valentine inclusions ahhhhh!! Seeing all of them interact and those characters dynamics and continuation outside of their own stories made my heart sing. Another easy 5*. @author please don’t stop ever you’re amazing.
May 19, 2024
I really wanted to love this book. I was obsessed with the first two, but this one just felt messy. I found the plot really thin, and the dynamic between the characters repetitive. Aside from the article Shane published near the end, nothing at all afvances woth the Vitalis-Barron plot. It got boring for me very early on, and although we did see some development (both plot and characters) towards the last quarter, by then I just wanted to roll my eyes every time Andres said the words pet or swan. The submissive role playing wasn't for me either, and wasn't nearly as sexy as it should have been. The bad guys were a bit laughable. Overall I'm pretty disappointed, but I pushed through because I'm still hoping the next book picks up. Still a big fan of the series, but counting this one as a miss for me.
December 27, 2024
Y con esta novela yo pensaba que se terminaba esta serie de vampiros... Pero resulta que no, que van a publicarse más. Así que de momento cerramos, pero no mucho. Para mi tranquilidad, como los anteriores, este termina bastante cerrado.
De nuevo tenemos a una pareja nueva de protagonistas: Andres, un vampiro que trabaja en el mercado negro de sangre, y Shane, un chico que intenta ascender en la profesión de reportero publicando un artículo mucho más potente que todo lo que ha escrito hasta el momento.
Parece que sus mundos son totalmente opuestos, pero cuando ambos se conocen se obsesionan el uno con el otro, y lo que empieza como una relación aparentemente bastante tóxica y superficial de primeras, termina echando raíces para algo más profundo.
Honestamente, aún estando bien, fue el libro que menos me gustó de los tres y el único que se me llegó a hacer bola. En algunos puntos lo sentí bastante más empalagoso e intenso que sus predecesores... Pero ya no sé si es culpa del libro o de leerlos demasiado seguidos. De otros géneros puedo leer sin cansarme, pero cuando se trata de romance paranormal, creo que necesito dejar pasar un tiempo entre historia e historia para no cansarme, porque muchos libros inevitablemente terminan repitiendo estructura.
La subtrama de Vitalis-Barron queda bastante bien cerrada, y es el libro en el que más participación hay entre todos los protagonistas de la serie... Así que de lo malo me quedo satisfecha.
El segundo sigue siendo mi favorito con muchísima diferencia, pero tengo que decir que en lineas generales la saga no está nada mal. Cero problemática o tóxica, divertida, trata temas importantes pero sin meterse demasiado en jardines, y los personajes (sin ser tampoco nada extraordinario) están chulos. Es además muy inclusiva, y se esfuerza en introducir personajes diversos (no solo en identidad u orientacion sexual, también con determinadas condiciones, neurodivergencias...). Así que yo por mi parte, a pesar de sus altibajos, sí que la recomiendo.
De nuevo tenemos a una pareja nueva de protagonistas: Andres, un vampiro que trabaja en el mercado negro de sangre, y Shane, un chico que intenta ascender en la profesión de reportero publicando un artículo mucho más potente que todo lo que ha escrito hasta el momento.
Parece que sus mundos son totalmente opuestos, pero cuando ambos se conocen se obsesionan el uno con el otro, y lo que empieza como una relación aparentemente bastante tóxica y superficial de primeras, termina echando raíces para algo más profundo.
Honestamente, aún estando bien, fue el libro que menos me gustó de los tres y el único que se me llegó a hacer bola. En algunos puntos lo sentí bastante más empalagoso e intenso que sus predecesores... Pero ya no sé si es culpa del libro o de leerlos demasiado seguidos. De otros géneros puedo leer sin cansarme, pero cuando se trata de romance paranormal, creo que necesito dejar pasar un tiempo entre historia e historia para no cansarme, porque muchos libros inevitablemente terminan repitiendo estructura.
La subtrama de Vitalis-Barron queda bastante bien cerrada, y es el libro en el que más participación hay entre todos los protagonistas de la serie... Así que de lo malo me quedo satisfecha.
El segundo sigue siendo mi favorito con muchísima diferencia, pero tengo que decir que en lineas generales la saga no está nada mal. Cero problemática o tóxica, divertida, trata temas importantes pero sin meterse demasiado en jardines, y los personajes (sin ser tampoco nada extraordinario) están chulos. Es además muy inclusiva, y se esfuerza en introducir personajes diversos (no solo en identidad u orientacion sexual, también con determinadas condiciones, neurodivergencias...). Así que yo por mi parte, a pesar de sus altibajos, sí que la recomiendo.
November 29, 2024
Eu realmente adorei esta leitura. Assim como nos outros livros da série a combinação de ação, mistério e romance é perfeitamente equilibrada. O romance do Shane e Andres me deixou bem envolvido, adorei as conexões que são mostradas com as outras histórias. Essa série é uma queridinha pra mim...
June 30, 2025
2.5 stars
April 19, 2025
Listened to this on audiobook, narrated by Simon Dornet.
Listen, I'm not kink shaming, I'm just kink asking why.
Despite a rocky start (the meet cute that the protagonists keep referring back to doesn't even occur in the book, but in a separate short story - a miss in my opinion), I actually really did like the two protagonists as individuals, at least in the beginning. I found Shane to be refreshingly grounded and realistic for a romance lead, and I really enjoyed the exploration of Andres's gender identity and how he balances his masculinity and femininity as a nonbinary person.
But unfortunately, their relationship just gave me the ick because there's a light BDSM, vampire master/blood slave dynamic going on - and that's already not really my thing, but they also don't talk about it until pretty far into the book, so even though we have the dual perspective and know they're both kind of into it, we also see how they're both concerned around the safety and consent of the situation. To me, it just felt creepy, not sexy. Then they throw in that there's also a 9 year age gap between the characters, and I just 💀💀💀
Also I'm sorry, but I cannot take seriously a character who wears a masquerade mask just in normal, everyday situations like 💀 what.
Very much not for me - while I really enjoyed the first novel, this is probably where I'll bounce off the series.
Listen, I'm not kink shaming, I'm just kink asking why.
Despite a rocky start (the meet cute that the protagonists keep referring back to doesn't even occur in the book, but in a separate short story - a miss in my opinion), I actually really did like the two protagonists as individuals, at least in the beginning. I found Shane to be refreshingly grounded and realistic for a romance lead, and I really enjoyed the exploration of Andres's gender identity and how he balances his masculinity and femininity as a nonbinary person.
But unfortunately, their relationship just gave me the ick because there's a light BDSM, vampire master/blood slave dynamic going on - and that's already not really my thing, but they also don't talk about it until pretty far into the book, so even though we have the dual perspective and know they're both kind of into it, we also see how they're both concerned around the safety and consent of the situation. To me, it just felt creepy, not sexy. Then they throw in that there's also a 9 year age gap between the characters, and I just 💀💀💀
Also I'm sorry, but I cannot take seriously a character who wears a masquerade mask just in normal, everyday situations like 💀 what.
Very much not for me - while I really enjoyed the first novel, this is probably where I'll bounce off the series.
June 3, 2024
This one felt slower than the other books but in the end still satisfying. I really liked Andres and Shane
September 23, 2024
I love queer trans kinky vampires 😍
Trans human MC, non-binary vampire MC.
So I'm going to say it in my review of that book too but I genuinely think that the little tiny short story his glorious monster should have just been a prologue to this book. I didn't read it until after I finished this book and I think it would have helped. It's essentially a short story of how our two main characters meet and they have this little inside joke/tension that is not developed enough in this book itself because it's introduced in that short story. Having a book that's 2.6 in a series is a little bit extra for me. Just make it a prologue. It's 18 pages long.
Anyway, it's no surprise that I really liked this one. I'm kind of obsessed with this series to be honest. This is a book that you have to read the others first. This is a series. This is not a standalone. Maybe it could be argued that you could read it as a standalone but there is this under lying drama around this company that starts in the first book and continues throughout the series and in my opinion you're not going to fully understand what's happening unless you've read all three books.
This book is like if Captive Prince wasn't vaguely problematic and had vampires.
Trans human MC, non-binary vampire MC.
So I'm going to say it in my review of that book too but I genuinely think that the little tiny short story his glorious monster should have just been a prologue to this book. I didn't read it until after I finished this book and I think it would have helped. It's essentially a short story of how our two main characters meet and they have this little inside joke/tension that is not developed enough in this book itself because it's introduced in that short story. Having a book that's 2.6 in a series is a little bit extra for me. Just make it a prologue. It's 18 pages long.
Anyway, it's no surprise that I really liked this one. I'm kind of obsessed with this series to be honest. This is a book that you have to read the others first. This is a series. This is not a standalone. Maybe it could be argued that you could read it as a standalone but there is this under lying drama around this company that starts in the first book and continues throughout the series and in my opinion you're not going to fully understand what's happening unless you've read all three books.
This book is like if Captive Prince wasn't vaguely problematic and had vampires.
April 10, 2025
I wasn’t sure about this one in the first half or so but it grew on me quickly and by the end I really enjoyed it.
From the beginning, I liked both of the characters. They felt very much like people with their own wants and careers and struggles, and that continued to be true throughout the book. I loved that Shane is diabetic, and it’s not his entire story but it was mentioned in little moments and big ones too, and it honestly felt really intimate to me. Maybe it’s because I’m also disabled, but you can tell that both Bryn themself and Andres in-universe cared about him. His transness, too, was important but not focused on, and that was pretty great. I honestly enjoyed Shane overall, and the way his passion and submission worked very nicely together. Andres’s confidence and career in contrast to their soft insides also really worked for me. I also just love nonbinary rep.
I think there are two things I have trouble with in this book. One is the hidden identity thing, and the amount of time it takes to reveal and then reconcile. It took a long time, but there wasn’t as much groveling as I thought there should have been. I really liked how they grew and learned their relationship and what was healthy for them once the reveal did happen, but I think there should have been a little bit more there.
The one thing is the vitalis-baron plot. It seems never ending, and very little progress is made. I would argue that this one is not actually sustainable as a standalone because nearly every side character has a role in a prior novel. It’s fine for me because I’ve read them all, but it’s pitched as a possible standalone. And honestly I’m kinda tired of the cyclical plot of overthrowing the big bad but not doing it.
Besides that facet, I actually quite liked the plot, and it was paced fine for me. I liked the romance-focused beats, but I also was hanging onto every word during the action climax. I actually think the plot of this one, removed from vitalis baron, was the best thus far—I am a sucker (pun intended) for hurt comfort. And the focus on mental health in here was also really great.
So basically I’d recommend it, but read the summary and trigger warnings. If you aren’t into kink, you’ll hate at least most of this book, but I liked the way it framed and shaped their relationship and personhood.
I’m excited to see where the next one will go, but I think it’ll be hard to beat book 2 for me.
From the beginning, I liked both of the characters. They felt very much like people with their own wants and careers and struggles, and that continued to be true throughout the book. I loved that Shane is diabetic, and it’s not his entire story but it was mentioned in little moments and big ones too, and it honestly felt really intimate to me. Maybe it’s because I’m also disabled, but you can tell that both Bryn themself and Andres in-universe cared about him. His transness, too, was important but not focused on, and that was pretty great. I honestly enjoyed Shane overall, and the way his passion and submission worked very nicely together. Andres’s confidence and career in contrast to their soft insides also really worked for me. I also just love nonbinary rep.
I think there are two things I have trouble with in this book. One is the hidden identity thing, and the amount of time it takes to reveal and then reconcile. It took a long time, but there wasn’t as much groveling as I thought there should have been. I really liked how they grew and learned their relationship and what was healthy for them once the reveal did happen, but I think there should have been a little bit more there.
The one thing is the vitalis-baron plot. It seems never ending, and very little progress is made. I would argue that this one is not actually sustainable as a standalone because nearly every side character has a role in a prior novel. It’s fine for me because I’ve read them all, but it’s pitched as a possible standalone. And honestly I’m kinda tired of the cyclical plot of overthrowing the big bad but not doing it.
Besides that facet, I actually quite liked the plot, and it was paced fine for me. I liked the romance-focused beats, but I also was hanging onto every word during the action climax. I actually think the plot of this one, removed from vitalis baron, was the best thus far—I am a sucker (pun intended) for hurt comfort. And the focus on mental health in here was also really great.
So basically I’d recommend it, but read the summary and trigger warnings. If you aren’t into kink, you’ll hate at least most of this book, but I liked the way it framed and shaped their relationship and personhood.
I’m excited to see where the next one will go, but I think it’ll be hard to beat book 2 for me.
December 24, 2024
⭐️⭐️
❤️
👬 Shane & Andres
Definitivamente no es lo mío...
❤️
👬 Shane & Andres
Definitivamente no es lo mío...
December 27, 2024
This book was fine. I didn't think there was anything majorly wrong with it I kind of just didn't like it as much as the others. I was so excited for this I was literally waiting with bated breath for this to become available on libby and when it did I jumped on that but it was kind of disappointing. I think that I cared about the characters in this a lot less than I did in the other 2 and I just wasn't as attached to them. I also wish that more was happening with Vitalis-Barron. We've now had 3 books of the main characters knowing that they are bad and somehow nothing has happened to stop them or even try and fight there "power" in the community. It just feels like no forward progression is being made. I still have the novellas from this series on hold but I don't know if I'll read any more of the main books in the series if any more are released unless something new happens.
June 21, 2024
Another great book in the Guides for Dating Vampires series. This story, while not my favorite of the series, did keep me coming back for more. It also set up some great groundwork for the next book. Can’t wait to keep reading this series!
April 28, 2025
How to Bare Your Neck had me squirming for all the right reasons. Between high stakes and high heat, I was done for.
I found so much joy in Andres and Shane and how they express their nonbinary and trans identities. From fashion to identity, these two are full of delightful gendermessiness.
These characters swept me up in their sensuality. Whew. The power play is delicious and the spice is mouthwatering. I loved the lifestyle rep as they discover pleasure and community together.
While this is the third book in the series, it's the first I've read. I never felt like I was missing major plot or character details . Honestly, I forgot it wasn't the first book. If this story is representative of the series, I'm very excited to read the others.
Thanks so much to the Indie Ink Awards for the chance to check this book out as a judge. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
I found so much joy in Andres and Shane and how they express their nonbinary and trans identities. From fashion to identity, these two are full of delightful gendermessiness.
These characters swept me up in their sensuality. Whew. The power play is delicious and the spice is mouthwatering. I loved the lifestyle rep as they discover pleasure and community together.
While this is the third book in the series, it's the first I've read. I never felt like I was missing major plot or character details . Honestly, I forgot it wasn't the first book. If this story is representative of the series, I'm very excited to read the others.
Thanks so much to the Indie Ink Awards for the chance to check this book out as a judge. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
June 1, 2024
DN Bryn has done it again! This latest adventure into the Guides to Dating Vampires series features an even deeper look into the world of vampires and shady pharmaceutical companies amidst a background of kink and hidden identities. Watching the protagonists grow alongside each other, learning to heal and how to express their wants and desires was absolutely fantastic.
10/10, highly recommend!
10/10, highly recommend!
Want to read
May 21, 2024WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE HAVE A COVER AND THE BOOK IS ALREADY OUT IT'S BEEN OUT FOR ALMOST A MONTH AND I DIDN'T KNOW HOW DID I NOT KNOW WHEN I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH
July 11, 2024
♡ Submission Play
♡ Hidden Identities
♡ Spicy Queer Vampires
The characters and the atmosphere were amazing. I loved the hidden identities so much, the reveal for them was good too!
Truly lovely. The representation was quite nice to read. It had all the queer vampire vibes as well and it did not disappoint. Plus this is the spiciest book yet in the “Guides for Dating Vampires” and it was written really nicely. Also with a t4t main couple it really made me happy to see that kind of rep.
I also liked getting to see some of the other characters from other books in this series make an appearance in this book. It was so cool to see how the stories take place in the same world but all have different perspectives that add to a unique ambience with each book so far.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (4/5)
Angst Level: 💧💧 (2/5)
POV: Duel, Third Person
Release Date: 28, April 2024
Rep: Non-Binary (Main Character), Trans (Main Character), Diabetes, PTSD
⚠️ Content Warnings:
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Body horror, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate:Child abuse, Medical content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Violence
Minor: Medical content, Chronic illness, and Medical trauma
September 24, 2024
"Change that lasted was often a slow, but steady thing, a constant push forward."
October 17, 2024
This book!!!
March 19, 2025
Read this book forever ago and ig I never added it to Goodreads. It was fine idk
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