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Paranormal Literary Society #1

The Vampire's Masquerade

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Life’s a pain when your boss is a vampire…

I'm just a regular girl—I graduated from college, I go to work every day at my dad's publishing company, and I like to write books with my three best friends in my spare time. All in all, it's a pretty good routine.

Except for the part where I get terrorized by vampires.

Add in some brain-bending, an annoyingly smug vamp, and a run-in with a member of society royalty and you've got the recipe for "Nora's Twisted Version of Reality". All I want is to publish my book and work up the nerve to ask out my crush, is that really so much to ask?

But hey, why not throw in the Father of all Evil, instead? What's life without an impending apocalypse, after all?

The Paranormal Literary Society series comprises four interconnected romances, each inspired by a classic fairy tale and with its own happily ever after. It features relatable, complex male & female leads; dual points of view; a cast of human and supernatural characters; sweet, slow-burn romance; and generous helpings of humor and adventure. The series includes an overarching plot and should be read in order.

For fans of K. M. Shea, J.M. Stengl, and Shari L. Tapscott!

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2023

210 people are currently reading
269 people want to read

About the author

Nellie Peters

17 books23 followers

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5 stars
92 (31%)
4 stars
100 (34%)
3 stars
56 (19%)
2 stars
30 (10%)
1 star
10 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Michaela | Reading in the Heartland.
3,684 reviews68 followers
October 28, 2025
This book is not what I was expecting, but it was an interesting ride. Our heroine Nora, a human, works for a female vampire who took over the publishing company after Nora’s dad died. This vampire boss is abusive. Enter our hero Cal, who is also a human, not a vampire. Nora has a group of female friends who are like family to her and Cal has a hidden identity. This book is filled with paranormal characters. It was an interesting read that kept me guessing and I was definitely surprised by some developments. This book doesn’t exactly end on a cliffhanger but I am anxiously anticipating when I will be able to get the rest of the series off my wishlist and into my hands. The romance is just kisses, intimacy level 2. Though, one of Nora’s friends is writing a steamy romance book, things aren’t explicitly on the page for us.
Profile Image for Lise.
160 reviews
August 20, 2024
This is my very favorite type of book, full of fun banter and a real gentleman MMC. Nora got on my nerves a bit being afraid of everything and blushing so much, but she has a backbone when it counts. I enjoyed the character development and AJ was absolutely delightful! Even Charna was fun. Looking forward to reading the next installment!

I received a complimentary copy of this book.
782 reviews2 followers
May 13, 2024
Excellent vampire story

This was a good vampire story. Loved the characters they came to life as you read. Close friends and lovers. The story was original and well written.
Profile Image for Reah N..
502 reviews19 followers
January 1, 2025
I was just... confused. The entire novel I spent trying to understand what was happening. I actually stopped at one point to check if there was a previous novel that I missed in the series. Because characters and places and previous events were constantly referenced as if I knew what they were. (Spoiler: there wasn't a sequel. And I'm still not sure what they were all referring to.)

Interesting, clean, magical realism. This was an exciting vampire story that read more like a teen love story without enough development. And, unfortunately, I didn't understand half the details.

In two words? This was a weird and confusing read.

Alternatives:
Traitor's Masque (Andari Chronicles #1) by Kenley Davidson Deathmark by Kate Stradling The Lies of Vampires and Slayers (Magic on Main Street, #1) by K.M. Shea

Content:
Romance: flirting, heated kisses, very revealing dresses. Once Nora was asked if men are her "bedmates".
Religion: people worshiped an important vampire sleeping for decades.
Violence: nongraphic danger. Nora's old boss was physically and emotionally abusive.
Profile Image for Erin Talbert.
55 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2024
I didn't find any of the characters really all that likeable at all, except for AJ. Nora did so much freaking SQUEAKING and every time she squeaked or squealed or giggled or what have you, I got pretty annoyed. The plot twist of Alden being AJ was pretty obvious and as soon as the vampire said his name was AJ, I was like, oh cool, it's Alden, but then I was bummed, because I wanted some sort of love triangle. The whole idea of 4 humans taking down an entire vampire coven was laughable, and then the fact that the "Original Vampire" who was supposed to be terrifying and terrible was just completely mullified by a human who is kinda in love made me knock this down to 1 star. There were no stakes and her mood after her boyfriend was possessed by a vampire shifted so much from worried to "okie dokie" and it seemed so unrealistic. I did not like this book and will not be reading more in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lynn.
90 reviews1 follower
September 2, 2024
Just seemed all over the place and the ending was super weird. I know the main arc is through the whole story, but it felt pushed and not explained well. I will be finishing the series, because I enjoyed the characters and I got to know how it finishes.
Profile Image for Kara.
236 reviews
April 1, 2024
It was alright, though I feel like the end was wrapped up really quickly with a slapped on resolution that isn't really one.
1 review
July 19, 2024
So Slowwwww!

This was a very slow read and some parts just didn’t make sense. This book almost became a DNF. I also wish the ended had more
Profile Image for Lisa Rector.
Author 37 books59 followers
May 4, 2025
This review is full of spoilers. Don’t read it if you don’t want to ruin the ending.

I liked this book up until 83% of the way through. I was confused why the story was called the vampire’s masquerade until there actually was a masquerade in the last quarter of the book. But the whole time I’m thinking, maybe it’s just a mask the vampire is wearing. He’s just trying to fool everyone. I kept wondering if AJ was Miroslav in disguise. This whole plot felt like a mess. And I also thought it felt like a cozy paranormal novel. I also did not like Caliban. Why was his character so stiff if he wasn’t an ancient vampire? Which, I totally thought it was gonna turn out that he was Miroslav, without the host inhabiting his body. I did not feel the chemistry between Cal and Nora. Especially when Miroslav was instantly connected to Nora at the end. That just made no sense. And why weren’t people at the masquerade outraged that this archaic vampire was suddenly inhabiting Cal’s body? Absolutely ridiculous. Nora just seemed cool with it. And Cal‘s mother didn’t seem that distraught either. The last 13% of the novel just fell apart, and it felt anti-climatic, and so Scooby Doo. And Lorilai’s little beating up of Nora at the end just felt stupid and contrived so that Nora could be given Miroslav’s blood and then they got a mind bond. Ugh. I really thought this book was gonna break my streak of bad books. There was the most chemistry between Alden and Nora than anybody else. And I really thought that Alden was going to be the love interest since we meet him in the elevator with Nora in the beginning. Ugh. I think the book needs a new cover too, something more cozy paranormal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sara.
439 reviews12 followers
September 30, 2024
This book is so cute! Although the other cover is cooler, this one with the dress looks generic and soulless. I fell in love with Nora and Cal, and it took me an embarrassingly long time to realize this story is loosely based on Cinderella. Cal is such a soft boi and so so sweet, and Nora is beautifully and silently strong and kind. I found that I related to Nora's inability to communicate and inclination to internalize everything (takes one to know one, and all that jazz). I love Nora's friends and their unwavering support. I was a little confused at first about who the love interest is supposed to be, because we get Miroslav's POV before Cal's. However, there is not a love triangle, for which I am grateful.

I guessed fairly early that , so I thought it was cool when those events didn't unfold exactly how I thought they would. The worldbuilding is so fun, and I like the series' structure of connected stories with different MCs. This story is a fun, cozy read which perfectly fits the very particular niche of "sweet paranormal romance with a MC older than college-age that is also clean." I can't wait to read Lina's story next.
Profile Image for Kiana.
379 reviews2 followers
December 31, 2024
🧛The Paranormal Literary Society🧟‍♀️ by #NelliePeters is an urban fantasy that changes your view of the world.

I stumbled on this series, and I loved it. I’m all over a story when an author creates an alternate reality to our present one. Imagine, if your boss was a vampire, your fast-food employees were zombies, and werewolves were your friends. Now take that a step further, and actually put yourself in a situation where you have to stop these creatures from taking over the world entirely. Flying dragons in the sky? Shapeshifters as friends? Who would trust? Could you even trust yourself?

I loved each and every one of these books with their flare. Though they are all stand alone books that focused on a specific couple, their stories are interconnected. From the Vampire’s Masquerade focus on vampires, the Lycanthrope’s Exile with werewolves, the Apparitions Rebirth with ghosts, the shapeshifters deception about other shapeshifts in the world, and the Werewolves weddings wrapping up the stories nicely. I bet that last sentence was quite redundant as the title say it all!

I really enjoyed these stories and the way they transformed the world around me
Profile Image for Tristan RowLee.
114 reviews5 followers
February 21, 2024
This book was not at all what I expected - but I was drawn in to the story. In this version of reality, paranormal creatures came out to the humans about 7 years ago, but mostly the vampires have adapted - err, taken over.
Nora and three of her friends - all humans - are just trying to survive their own complicated daily lives.
This book centers around Nora, who has small goals and is working hard to accomplish them. At least, until she befriends a vampire, a handsome human, and they discover a plot to reawaked the original vampire - who really isn't a friendly guy. Along with her other friends, they set out to stop things, and nothing goes quite like they expected.
This was a clean romance with a lot of story and plot that kept me hooked.
13 reviews
March 7, 2024
This book was a nice clean read with an interesting plot line. I gave it 3 stars mainly because I wasn’t a big fan of Nora or Cal. While Cal is a perfect gentleman, he’s a bit too much of a gentleman. He talked so proper at times that it was a little awkward and eye rolling. All things considered, I’m not sure exactly what Nora really brought to the table besides a boss that abused her & falling for the prince. I think her friends all had more sense and contributed more to the problems/solutions than she did. With that said I will probably read the next book in the series, hoping the main characters have a little more depth. This wasn’t my favorite Cinderella retelling but it was a cute clean read overall.
Profile Image for Kreela.
656 reviews22 followers
December 28, 2024
DNF. I wanted to like this.
✔️ Lovely Cover
✔️ Interesting Title
✔️ Interesting start to an office romance….oh, wait, office romance?

I thought there would be a dance, a masquerade ball, maybe a Cinderella retelling. The first part was written in an engaging manner, and I could see the poor human girl just trying to do her job despite her demotion in favor of an controlling vampire.

But the girls writing club seemed so typical girl-pop, and the boyfriend, Cal, was so golden retriever I slowly just got bored. While Cal was counting spots on the wall, I realized that I was craving drama or action.

Rereading the blurb tells me I missed the ‘cozy romance’. This is a PNR for someone else.
160 reviews2 followers
October 14, 2023
Wow

The story really took me by surprise I thought it would be a run of the meal Trope story. Obviously I was terribly wrong and I'm very impressed. I don't want to give too much away so I'll move on from that. The love story is sweet and clean and there are no curse words. Cal and Nora are certainly relatable we get the most backstory on Nora of course, but it worked with the story. I do wish we'd had a bit more backstory with the villain, but that felt like the author may have left it open-ended for a purpose. This is a series after all. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves a clean paranormal or fantasy Romance. I'm excited to see what else Peters will write.
386 reviews14 followers
October 29, 2023
light hearted, fast moving, and sweet

This was good! I really liked the style of writing - indeed relatively similar to the authors mentioned in the book description - and the plot was very interesting. It was light hearted, humorous (though I would not call it FUNNY; I think it's better to go in not expecting to laugh out loud), and well-thought out. I thought the ending was just slightly rushed and debated docking a star, but honestly I really liked the writing style so much. Many indie authors just don't present the solid grasp of grammar and syntax that you really need if you don't have a great editor. 4.5 stars, and I look forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Nikki.
734 reviews7 followers
November 22, 2023
The Vampire’s Masquerade (Paranormal Literary Society book 1) by Nellie Peters is a 4 ⭐️ read.
Nora is a budding author along with her group of three friends, they meet up and help each other with their stories, Nora also works at her late father’s publishing company that is now run by Vampires. Vampires are out in the open and everyone knows about them but it doesn’t mean they can be trusted especially the one who is Nora’s boss.
There was a lot to this story and the excitement happened at the end but that didn’t mean the pages didn’t turn themselves, I really enjoyed this story and all the characters were really memorable, I would recommend reading it.
Profile Image for Katie O.
39 reviews1 follower
October 2, 2024
This was definitely and interesting story about humans and paranormals out in the open. It was interesting to read about how the humans were taught about the vampires and where/who they came from.
Also, I am trying to understand Cal a bit more. I need another book.
I was surprised about the sort of struggle in Cal, it seemed like he had not dated before. Honestly, I thought the lawyer would fall in love with Nora.
The "relationship" between Nora and Loralai was crazy. Like we would have gone to blows.
I enjoyed this book very much. I am a first time reader of this author and I can't wait to read the other books!!
Profile Image for Constance Lopez.
Author 14 books147 followers
September 20, 2023
Sweet, fun UF

The blurb made me pick this up. And I'm so glad I did! It was a charming, sweet UF romance with the most wholesome MMC. I loved all the characters--especially Alden and Lina. I can't wait to read their books(I hope they get books!).

The end left me wanting more, but I'm hoping that the future books in the series address some of those open threads.

That being said, I really did love the world, the magic system, and the characters. I will be diving right into the next book!
Profile Image for Christina.
799 reviews33 followers
February 10, 2024
3.5 Stars

This was a very interesting urban fantasy novel, and definitely more unique than others I’ve read before. I liked how everyone knew about paranormals and dealt with them everyday in their work and leisure activities. The characters were fun and quirky, and I enjoyed that the storyline kept taking unexpected twists and turns. Sometimes I found myself really frustrated with what felt like errors, only to be suddenly addressed later in the story. Overall a good read, but enough gaps and missing details to make it less than it could be.
213 reviews
October 7, 2023
Such a wholesome book. Very impressed by the original idea of how vampires and humans interact.
I loved the multiple POVs and how the love interests are slightly awkward. It's very hard to find a book where the different people are also like really different people when you read from their perspective, and this book did a great job! So well-written, love the different language styles the characters used. Loved the plottwists and surprises in the book and really hope to read more soon!
Author 7 books7 followers
February 23, 2024
Fantastic!!

Wow. Just wow.
The Vampire's Masquerade was such a fun book! It sucks you in from the beginning and doesn't let you go. It's so easy to like Nora and root for her, Cal is such a sweetheart, and Alden and all of Nora's friends are just as loveable. Nellie Peters created such a fantastic world, and I can't wait to read more books in the series!
And, best of all, NO swear words and NO bedroom scenes. I'd happily let my teen read this.
Profile Image for Brittany Goodman.
920 reviews127 followers
April 8, 2024
The vampires masquerade

This was a definite twist on vampire mythology. I loved the characters and while Nora and Cal's story seems to be finished-ish, there are a few strings I hope to have tied up soon. Due to some darker themes and mature nuances, I'd recommend this for 16 and up, although the romance itself is clean, there is some definite themes (such as psychological abuse) that I recommend for older teens and adults
Profile Image for Sara Speck.
223 reviews
May 6, 2024
Very interesting point of view on paranormals

I loved this book. It's got close family like friends, drama, romance, and surprises! I'm 36 and I would hand this book off to my 12 year old daughter without a second thought! Right up front you get a different take on paranormals. Vampires, in this book for example, prefer their blood cold and from a bag. Yet it's not based from a vampires point of view nor as a main character really.
Profile Image for Alicia Scarborough.
Author 12 books93 followers
June 8, 2024
interesting twist

Let me be frank, and say that I didn’t see the particular ending coming that this author wrote, but it was good, and satisfied HEA. So, the other thing which was good about this story is that it had the push and pull of the will he or will she get together? Will they kiss, etc etc. Basically, fulfilling the necessary requirements of a romance. Good story and I’m inclined to read the next one now.
Profile Image for Beth.
133 reviews2 followers
April 16, 2025
Didn’t connect

I really don’t like giving independent authors non-glowing reviews, but this book really didn’t connect with me. It felt fragmented and non-sensical, with very stilted language. It had the tone of a middle grade novel. Lots of the world building lore just made no sense at all, and the plot was like a dream where it made sense but it also made absolutely no sense at all. The sidekick characters were fun, but also very side-kicky.
Profile Image for Ami.
2,401 reviews14 followers
April 28, 2025
I was disappointed in the final outcome between the two main characters. Nora acted like a high school student with all of her giggles and blushing while Cal was so gentlemanly I’m surprised they lasted a week. In the meantime, Nora couldn’t commit then when a horrible event occurred she suddenly was in love and totally okay with the outcome! The finish seemed so rushed without any resolution. Definitely not what I expected.

Purchased from Amazon
263 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2025
I loved this book!! It was so entertaining and the characters were really enjoyable.

My biggest gripe with it though was the rushed ending. The ending felt so rushed and not super satisfying. I know there is an over arching plot so I know it wasn’t supposed to fully clear everything up but I still felt confused and a bit bummed that it was rushed.

I’m excited to keep reading though! This is such a fun world!
Profile Image for Megc123.
48 reviews2 followers
February 27, 2024
I wish I could give this 4.5 stars! Very entertaining and I finished in it 2 days!
Couldn’t quite give it 5 stars because I felt like the story didn’t wrap up. (Although maybe that will happen in a future book.) I also didn’t like the abuse of the MC. (Very mild, but still didn’t love that part.)
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

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