What do you think?
Rate this book
Light in the Dark #3
Bloom in Darkness
In the small New England town of Antler Pointe, Delaney Warner is finally living his dreams. He’s in his last year of college for his teaching degree, he has a brand new pack that is so much better than his last, and he’s got more friends than he ever imagined. After his tragic upbringing, Delaney is now determined to try new things and thrive. So, when his roommate suggests he attend a metal show downtown, he dresses up and wiggles on over. If there’s one thing Delaney has found, it’s that life is full of surprises, and when the lead singer of the Concrete Executioners calls him beautiful and buys him a drink, he may have found the best surprise of them all!
Tyler Lee has the weight of his family’s hopes on his shoulders. After moving away from Antler Pointe in the seventies, he returns as a jaded vampire and takes over his family’s funeral home so that his elderly parents can finally retire. Now back in the town his younger self was so determined to escape, he’s mentoring his nephew, managing his brother’s recovery, and counting down the days until he can live for himself again. That is, until he sees a sweet boy with golden hair and pure soul through the crowd and can’t resist spending a night with him.
One night turns into more, and Delaney and Tyler form a bond that feels a little too much like fate. Even still, Tyler worries that his darkness is too much for his boy, and Delaney’s past threatens to rip them apart.
Bloom in Darkness is a standalone novel featuring characters from the A Light in the Dark series. Prior knowledge from Scars of the Sun (ALD#2) is recommended.
Tyler Lee has the weight of his family’s hopes on his shoulders. After moving away from Antler Pointe in the seventies, he returns as a jaded vampire and takes over his family’s funeral home so that his elderly parents can finally retire. Now back in the town his younger self was so determined to escape, he’s mentoring his nephew, managing his brother’s recovery, and counting down the days until he can live for himself again. That is, until he sees a sweet boy with golden hair and pure soul through the crowd and can’t resist spending a night with him.
One night turns into more, and Delaney and Tyler form a bond that feels a little too much like fate. Even still, Tyler worries that his darkness is too much for his boy, and Delaney’s past threatens to rip them apart.
Bloom in Darkness is a standalone novel featuring characters from the A Light in the Dark series. Prior knowledge from Scars of the Sun (ALD#2) is recommended.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2024
15 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Noelle Upton
11 books63 followersNoelle Upton is an indie author and lover of fantasy, romance, and dark tales. When she's not writing or reading, Noelle enjoys dancing, chatting with friends over good food, and laughing with her husband. Her two series, Twin Blades and A Light in the Dark, are ongoing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 8, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
“𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙚 ‘𝙎𝙞𝙧’ 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙤𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩. 𝙉𝙤𝙬, 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙡.”
We got a little taste of Delaney and Tyler’s relationship during Scars of the Sun, and I immediately wanted to know more. Thankfully, @noelleuptonauthor was more than happy to oblige.
Delaney is the sweetest himbo to ever exist. He’s so earnest and kind; just the biggest golden retriever. Tyler is a short king who knows what he wants, but is often afraid to really take it as he is a secret cinnamon roll. This combo makes for the sweetest, hottest, angstiest duo to ever exist. Your honor, I love them.
This was a delightfully sweet and spicy novella, and I enjoyed getting to return to Antler Pointe again and see old friends. Is it too soon for a reread already orrr..?
𝙄’𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚. 𝙏𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙞𝙢.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
“𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙚 ‘𝙎𝙞𝙧’ 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙤𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩. 𝙉𝙤𝙬, 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙡.”
We got a little taste of Delaney and Tyler’s relationship during Scars of the Sun, and I immediately wanted to know more. Thankfully, @noelleuptonauthor was more than happy to oblige.
Delaney is the sweetest himbo to ever exist. He’s so earnest and kind; just the biggest golden retriever. Tyler is a short king who knows what he wants, but is often afraid to really take it as he is a secret cinnamon roll. This combo makes for the sweetest, hottest, angstiest duo to ever exist. Your honor, I love them.
This was a delightfully sweet and spicy novella, and I enjoyed getting to return to Antler Pointe again and see old friends. Is it too soon for a reread already orrr..?
𝙄’𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚. 𝙏𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙞𝙢.
right-book-wrong-time
November 29, 2025Soft DNF: you really do HAVE to have read the previous book (which is unfortunately MF) to understand what happens between chapter 1 and chapter 2, because it's completely glossed over - we go from our MCs having a one night stand to not talking - and although there are a couple of hints about what happened and for all I know it is explained more later, it is SO jarring that I just felt completely lost and had to put the book down.
However, that first chapter? I loved it. I really want to try and come back to this when I'm feeling more patient because their dynamic is hot as fire.
But a summary in the foreword would have been incredibly helpful.
However, that first chapter? I loved it. I really want to try and come back to this when I'm feeling more patient because their dynamic is hot as fire.
But a summary in the foreword would have been incredibly helpful.
November 25, 2024
Noelle you did it again it was another amazing book. I love this series so much. Thank you for letting me read this ARC. I love how the characters can relate to me with anxiety. Also how there a bit of Dom and spicy in this book was really good.
November 29, 2024
ANOTHER MUST READ BY NOELLE UPTON
I absolutely adored this book and this dynamic. As a supporter of Mrs. Upton, I’ve already devoured “In light of the moon,” “Scars of the Sun” and “Twin Blades” with pleasure. Each unique in their story but similar in the lovely style that is so charmingly Noelle Upton. A “Bloom in Darkness” covers a lot of sensitive topics including: human trafficking, the AIDS Crisis and its negative impacts of the identity of queer men, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and physical abuse. Not all of these topics are explicitly described, but Mrs. Upton doesn’t shy away from them which I appreciate. The main characters, Delaney and Tyler, are characters you’ll fall in love with for different reasons. Both characters went through extreme hardship before meeting each other and coped with these experiences in opposite ways: with Tyler being more pessimistic and reserved and Delaney being more optimistic and extroverted. Their personalities are intricately tied into their dynamic as a submissive and a dominant. And Mrs. Upton delivers on giving us a BDSM dynamic done right. Their dynamic is so beautifully healthy you can’t help but tear up at the way Tyler and Delaney communicate with one another.
I found the story line to be a tad fast, that may be because I wanted there to be more for me to read and I was quite reluctant to let the book go. However, what’s missing in length is definitely made up for in quality. I cannot wait to see what more Mrs. Upton has in store!
This romance is written from the perspective of two queer men and, as a black woman, there may be more critique that I could be missing.
Thank you to Noelle Upton for allowing me to read this book for free as an ARC reader!
I absolutely adored this book and this dynamic. As a supporter of Mrs. Upton, I’ve already devoured “In light of the moon,” “Scars of the Sun” and “Twin Blades” with pleasure. Each unique in their story but similar in the lovely style that is so charmingly Noelle Upton. A “Bloom in Darkness” covers a lot of sensitive topics including: human trafficking, the AIDS Crisis and its negative impacts of the identity of queer men, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and physical abuse. Not all of these topics are explicitly described, but Mrs. Upton doesn’t shy away from them which I appreciate. The main characters, Delaney and Tyler, are characters you’ll fall in love with for different reasons. Both characters went through extreme hardship before meeting each other and coped with these experiences in opposite ways: with Tyler being more pessimistic and reserved and Delaney being more optimistic and extroverted. Their personalities are intricately tied into their dynamic as a submissive and a dominant. And Mrs. Upton delivers on giving us a BDSM dynamic done right. Their dynamic is so beautifully healthy you can’t help but tear up at the way Tyler and Delaney communicate with one another.
I found the story line to be a tad fast, that may be because I wanted there to be more for me to read and I was quite reluctant to let the book go. However, what’s missing in length is definitely made up for in quality. I cannot wait to see what more Mrs. Upton has in store!
This romance is written from the perspective of two queer men and, as a black woman, there may be more critique that I could be missing.
Thank you to Noelle Upton for allowing me to read this book for free as an ARC reader!
December 30, 2024
Noelle, Noelle, Noelle... I have no idea how you do it, but you did it again.
When I first read Scars of the Sun, I never expected to be drawn in by any of the 'side' characters. Yet I found Tyler most intriguing! So when Noelle announced a Tyler + Delaney novella, the scream I scrumpt!
Delany is a delight. His gentle and submissive nature meshes so well with Tyler. He is such a massive golden retriever that I was worried he would be trampled on. But no, no. Tyler is an incredible leader for Delaney, both giving him orders and boundaries, but not being afraid to give him the most tender care.
The fear that both of them have about their relationship and how to move forward, being so incredibly different (non-shifter Wolf + vampire?!); it's heart-wrenching to read their internal struggles and them trying to figure out this unusual pairing.
On the flip side, this is one of the most healthy depictions of a BDSM lifestyle I've ever seen, and I am so grateful to Noelle for this. The description of aftercare is essential and a welcome addition to the story. Showing a truly caring Dom and a wonderfully bratty submissive... I will always ask for more of these two dynamos.
Thank you so much to Noelle for the eARC of this novella!
When I first read Scars of the Sun, I never expected to be drawn in by any of the 'side' characters. Yet I found Tyler most intriguing! So when Noelle announced a Tyler + Delaney novella, the scream I scrumpt!
Delany is a delight. His gentle and submissive nature meshes so well with Tyler. He is such a massive golden retriever that I was worried he would be trampled on. But no, no. Tyler is an incredible leader for Delaney, both giving him orders and boundaries, but not being afraid to give him the most tender care.
The fear that both of them have about their relationship and how to move forward, being so incredibly different (non-shifter Wolf + vampire?!); it's heart-wrenching to read their internal struggles and them trying to figure out this unusual pairing.
On the flip side, this is one of the most healthy depictions of a BDSM lifestyle I've ever seen, and I am so grateful to Noelle for this. The description of aftercare is essential and a welcome addition to the story. Showing a truly caring Dom and a wonderfully bratty submissive... I will always ask for more of these two dynamos.
Thank you so much to Noelle for the eARC of this novella!
December 10, 2024
"What we have is new for me, and I don't take it lightly. We will be honest with each other because it's important to build trust. And if you are mine you are mine."
Noelle Upton does paranormal romance right! It was so nice to return to Antler Pointe and get more of the story of two characters we have seen before. I was already curious about Delaney and Tyler from Scars of the Sun. Delaney is just the sweetest. He struggles with anxiety and past traumas throughout the book. These topics are not to be taken lightly and Noelle's books provide great mental health rep. Tyler is our resident grumpy vampire who underneath everything has a heart of gold. He is very much a "touch him and die" kind of guy. They balance each other out perfectly. While their relationship is different from what I'm used to reading, it is very much consensual and fitting for them. This book also dives into the Aids/HIV crisis-something that needs to be talked about. True to Noelle's style it is 🔥🔥🔥. I love this series and can't wait for the next book! It is an honor to be part of the Upton Coven.
Noelle Upton does paranormal romance right! It was so nice to return to Antler Pointe and get more of the story of two characters we have seen before. I was already curious about Delaney and Tyler from Scars of the Sun. Delaney is just the sweetest. He struggles with anxiety and past traumas throughout the book. These topics are not to be taken lightly and Noelle's books provide great mental health rep. Tyler is our resident grumpy vampire who underneath everything has a heart of gold. He is very much a "touch him and die" kind of guy. They balance each other out perfectly. While their relationship is different from what I'm used to reading, it is very much consensual and fitting for them. This book also dives into the Aids/HIV crisis-something that needs to be talked about. True to Noelle's style it is 🔥🔥🔥. I love this series and can't wait for the next book! It is an honor to be part of the Upton Coven.
May 30, 2025
🥀bloom in darkness 🥀
This novella owns me. Delaney Warner, you sweet golden retriever of a man, how dare you make me laugh and cry in the same scene 🥹 And Tyler? Sirrrr. You grumpy, brooding, fanged menace with a gooey cinnamon roll centre i never had a chanceee
The angst, heat, softness andddd fangs.
This story is like if a metal concert and a cozy autumn (fall) hug had a baby and that baby wore eyeliner and whispered, kneel 😩🖤
Delaney and Tyler are a pairing that should not work and yetttt they devour. There’s found family, vampire drama, emotional healing, and just enough spice to melt your brain but not your heart 🩷
Also. Roommates to lovers, Fated vibes, Second chance at living, it eatssss
🍁 small town
🧛🏻♂️ vampire love interest
🎸 grumpy x sunshine
👨🏫 college student x vampire funeral director (i mean come ON)
🥹 cinnamon roll himbo
🏡 found family
💀 emotional healing
🧣 tragic pasts & hopeful futures
🌶️ spicy but tender
This series makes me feel seen and feral all at once. 10/10 would let Delaney call me beautiful and melt into a pile of leaves 🥺🍂
This novella owns me. Delaney Warner, you sweet golden retriever of a man, how dare you make me laugh and cry in the same scene 🥹 And Tyler? Sirrrr. You grumpy, brooding, fanged menace with a gooey cinnamon roll centre i never had a chanceee
The angst, heat, softness andddd fangs.
This story is like if a metal concert and a cozy autumn (fall) hug had a baby and that baby wore eyeliner and whispered, kneel 😩🖤
Delaney and Tyler are a pairing that should not work and yetttt they devour. There’s found family, vampire drama, emotional healing, and just enough spice to melt your brain but not your heart 🩷
Also. Roommates to lovers, Fated vibes, Second chance at living, it eatssss
🍁 small town
🧛🏻♂️ vampire love interest
🎸 grumpy x sunshine
👨🏫 college student x vampire funeral director (i mean come ON)
🥹 cinnamon roll himbo
🏡 found family
💀 emotional healing
🧣 tragic pasts & hopeful futures
🌶️ spicy but tender
This series makes me feel seen and feral all at once. 10/10 would let Delaney call me beautiful and melt into a pile of leaves 🥺🍂
November 28, 2024
I was thrilled to receive an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book, especially after devouring the first two in the series. Once again, Noelle delivers a story brimming with emotion, depth, and the kind of character relationships that stay with you long after the final page.
Reading this book felt like watching someone take a deep, steadying breath after being underwater for too long—a tender and restorative experience. Delaney’s struggles with anxiety are written with such authenticity and care, making his journey deeply relatable. The soothing, grounding nature of his relationship with Tyler is beautifully portrayed, creating a balance between heartfelt vulnerability and steamy connection.
If you’re looking for a story that masterfully weaves spice, emotional resonance, and the idea of finding a sense of home in another person, this is the perfect read. Highly recommend for fans of romance that’s as healing as it is passionate!
Reading this book felt like watching someone take a deep, steadying breath after being underwater for too long—a tender and restorative experience. Delaney’s struggles with anxiety are written with such authenticity and care, making his journey deeply relatable. The soothing, grounding nature of his relationship with Tyler is beautifully portrayed, creating a balance between heartfelt vulnerability and steamy connection.
If you’re looking for a story that masterfully weaves spice, emotional resonance, and the idea of finding a sense of home in another person, this is the perfect read. Highly recommend for fans of romance that’s as healing as it is passionate!
December 5, 2024
Oh my goodness!!! I didn’t know that I needed this story in my life! Both characters are the best friends of the main characters from Scars of the Sun. Delaney is all sunshine and adorableness while Tyler is broody and a rocker. They have a little thing in SotS and this is the “rest of the story”. Noelle’s characters once again step off the page and into our life. They a real with faults (not many), problems (more than enough) trauma (let me hurt someone for messing with our boy) and you love them just the same. It isn’t an easy path for them but they make it work and make hard decisions and even if moment your thing I would encourage you to read this story. You can skip the sexy times - but this is a story you need in your life. Noelle’s writing is again flawless. And the voice given to these characters timeless.
November 24, 2024
4.5/5 stars
After binge-reading the first two books in the series, I couldn't pass the opportunity of getting the ARC and reading it before it's official release!
I really didn't expect to shed a tear or two, but Delaney's anxiety and need to please everybody just hit me hard every time. That sweet sweet boy had my heart from the first second we met him in the SotS, and it grew with every page of this book <3 I'm usually wary of Dom-Sub relationships, but this was done so nicely and I'm a sucker for a good aftercare which made this a perfect combination of BDSM and sweet love between the main characters.
Can't wait for upcoming books in the series (maybe Xiomara's story?!).
Huge thanks to author for the ARC!
After binge-reading the first two books in the series, I couldn't pass the opportunity of getting the ARC and reading it before it's official release!
I really didn't expect to shed a tear or two, but Delaney's anxiety and need to please everybody just hit me hard every time. That sweet sweet boy had my heart from the first second we met him in the SotS, and it grew with every page of this book <3 I'm usually wary of Dom-Sub relationships, but this was done so nicely and I'm a sucker for a good aftercare which made this a perfect combination of BDSM and sweet love between the main characters.
Can't wait for upcoming books in the series (maybe Xiomara's story?!).
Huge thanks to author for the ARC!
December 1, 2024
"𝑰’𝒅 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝑰 𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔. 𝑰’𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒕’𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏."
Noelle Upton never disappoints me. This novella was such a treat! It was an easy read with a focus on some deep issues (anxiety, fear, sexual trauma, etc).
Delaney has a lot of trauma. He's so sweet and emotional, but so scared. It's endearing that Tyler is this scary, grumpy vampire that makes him feel safe. I loved that Tyler helped him work through some issues and did it in a way that was consensual, safe, and never made him feel less than. They found love and home in each other, and I loved that for them.
Noelle Upton never disappoints me. This novella was such a treat! It was an easy read with a focus on some deep issues (anxiety, fear, sexual trauma, etc).
Delaney has a lot of trauma. He's so sweet and emotional, but so scared. It's endearing that Tyler is this scary, grumpy vampire that makes him feel safe. I loved that Tyler helped him work through some issues and did it in a way that was consensual, safe, and never made him feel less than. They found love and home in each other, and I loved that for them.
December 1, 2024
I loved experiencing Tyler and Delaney’s love story. Delany has been through a lot and there was times I felt his inner monologue was a tad child like but I feel like the dynamic with Tyler was exactly what he needed to heal parts of his mental health. I’m not used to reading bdsm dynamics 247 and I don’t think the daddy thing in front of everyone is for me personally, but I felt Noelle wrote their relationship beautifully. I really did love Tyler, I knew deep down he was a softie that just needed it coasting out of him! Delaney was a sweet angel baby boy who must be protected at all costs!
The spice was absolutely fantastic and so request, the variety? The aftercare? Simply perfection!!!
I love Noelle’s writing thank you again for the arc ♥️
The spice was absolutely fantastic and so request, the variety? The aftercare? Simply perfection!!!
I love Noelle’s writing thank you again for the arc ♥️
November 25, 2024
"You smell like the best part of summer."
Thank you so much for this ARC 🥹
I was so excited when Noelle announced that we would get Tyler and Delaney's story because I'm a sucker for vampires, but I wanted to know more about these two after what went down in "Scars of the Sun". I really liked that they're polar opposites and that we get to see how their relationship dynamics work out as they learn each other. It was short, hot, and cute 🥹🖤
🖤 MM Romance
🖤 Dom/Sub
🖤 Korean MMC
🖤 Daddy Kink
🖤 Shibari
🖤 Black Cat x Golden Retriever
🖤 Paranormal Romance
🖤 Vampire MMC
Thank you so much for this ARC 🥹
I was so excited when Noelle announced that we would get Tyler and Delaney's story because I'm a sucker for vampires, but I wanted to know more about these two after what went down in "Scars of the Sun". I really liked that they're polar opposites and that we get to see how their relationship dynamics work out as they learn each other. It was short, hot, and cute 🥹🖤
🖤 MM Romance
🖤 Dom/Sub
🖤 Korean MMC
🖤 Daddy Kink
🖤 Shibari
🖤 Black Cat x Golden Retriever
🖤 Paranormal Romance
🖤 Vampire MMC
May 15, 2025
Sigh I was looking forward to this one.
So on one hand I love the characters and the world. But the 24/7 sub/dom play made me cringe. Especially them calling each other Daddy and my boy around the children and family members. It was a bit too much for me I would have preferred it to only be at certain times reading it in every single environment was weird.
But I persisted. 😀
So on one hand I love the characters and the world. But the 24/7 sub/dom play made me cringe. Especially them calling each other Daddy and my boy around the children and family members. It was a bit too much for me I would have preferred it to only be at certain times reading it in every single environment was weird.
But I persisted. 😀
September 8, 2025
Small town/ second chance/ paranormal/ vampire/ shifter/ age gap/ BDSM/ DdLb/ MM/ grumpy/sunshine/HEA
Trigger warning: violence/ murder/ substance abuse(not MCs)/ verbal abuse/ SA/ mention of trafficking/ PTSD/ death of a loved one
This was ok and pretty spicy but I felt like it was missing something
Trigger warning: violence/ murder/ substance abuse(not MCs)/ verbal abuse/ SA/ mention of trafficking/ PTSD/ death of a loved one
This was ok and pretty spicy but I felt like it was missing something
December 3, 2024
Another fantastic book! This is the third book I’ve read by this author and I’ve loved them all. The relationship between the MMC’s makes you feel all sorts of emotions. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
December 4, 2024
Oh goodness I love these boys with my whole heart.
December 5, 2024
Calling this an erotica (as it's categorized in Kindle) is a huge stretch, but it's still a cute romance. Spice level was maybe 2.5/5 🌶️ for me.
October 25, 2025
Solid Story
I really enjoyed the light in the dark series overall. I appreciate the characters. But the over use of the word daddy in this book made me cringe.
I really enjoyed the light in the dark series overall. I appreciate the characters. But the over use of the word daddy in this book made me cringe.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews