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This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Bloodsuckers are back, baby. In this episode, Francesca joins Laura to dish on dark, gothic, funny, and YA vampire reads—with a special shout to Kindle Unlimited for budget-friendly bingeing.
You’ll hear why vampires are resurging (thanks, romantasy!), what’s new beyond the Black Dagger era, and exactly where to start if you want broody politics, murder-mystery shenanigans, or campus drama. Plus a quick nonfiction detour for Vampire Diaries superfans.
📚 Books MentionedA Bargain So Bloody by Vasilka Drake — Buy on Amazon | Paranormal Romance, Enemies-to-Allies | KU ✅
Loving a Vampire’s Total Chaos by Aura Hayes — Buy on Amazon | Paranormal Romcom, Murder Mystery | KU ✅
The Serpent’s Bride by Kathryn Ann Kingsley — Buy on Amazon | Gothic PNR, Mafia Politics, Dark Romance | KU ✅
Nocture by Karina Halle — Buy on Amazon | Noir PNR, Historical (1947 LA)
Blood Moon by Britney S. Lewis — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Vamps & Wolves, Campus Mystery
A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Forbidden Allies
The Last Vampire by Romina Garber — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Boarding School, Pride&Prejudice-ish |
I Accidentally Hooked Up with a Vampire by Jessica Cage — Buy on Amazon | PNR Romcom, Found Family | KU ✅
Road Trip with a Vampire by Jenna Levine — Buy on Amazon | Light PNR, Amnesia, Road Trip
Space Vampire by Ruby Dixon — Buy on Amazon | Sci-Fi PNR Novella, Forced Proximity | KU ✅
I Was Feeling Epic (Oral History of The Vampire Diaries) — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook | Audio ✅
Paperback Crush by Gabrielle Moss — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction, ‘80s/’90s Teen Lit |
Your Favorite Scary Movie by Ashley Cullins — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook, Scream Franchise | Audio ✅
Welcome to the O.C. by Josh Schwatz, Stephanie Savage and Alan Sepinwall— Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook, TV Oral History | Audio ✅
[00:00] Intro & why Laura is a vampire-over-werewolf girly
[02:00] Life updates + Francesca’s 2026 Romanceopoly plans
[05:00] Why vampires are resurging (romantasy → PNR pipeline)
[06:30] Rec #1: A Bargain So Bloody (witch x vampire, enemies-to-allies)
[08:30] Rec #2: Loving a Vampire’s Total Chaos (romcom + murder case)
[10:00] Rec #3: The Serpent’s Bride (gothic mafia, morally gray MMC)
[13:00] Kindle Unlimited talk: borrowing limits & trad-to-KU notes
[14:00] Rec #4: Torn (LA noir, Black Dahlia atmosphere)
[16:00] YA lane & who actually reads it
[18:00] Rec #5: Blood Moon (vamps/wolves, campus mystery)
[20:00] Rec #6: Thirst (slayer + newly turned vamp)
[21:00] Rec #7: The Last Vampire (P&P energy, boarding school)
[21:30] Rec #8: I Accidentally Hooked Up with a Vampire (chaotic fun)
[22:30] Rec #9: Road Trip with a Vampire (amnesia + travel)
[23:30] Rec #10: Space Vampire (scared-sexy novella set)
[24:30] Nonfiction: I Was Feeling Epic (TVD oral history)
[26:00] More oral histories: Paperback Crush, Your Favorite Scary Movie, Welcome to the O.C.
[27:30] Where to find Francesca (Under the Covers Book Blog)
[27:50] Outro + blog CTA
Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)
Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next
Subscribe & leave a review!
Mentioned in this episode:
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By Laura R Yamin4
6262 ratings
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Bloodsuckers are back, baby. In this episode, Francesca joins Laura to dish on dark, gothic, funny, and YA vampire reads—with a special shout to Kindle Unlimited for budget-friendly bingeing.
You’ll hear why vampires are resurging (thanks, romantasy!), what’s new beyond the Black Dagger era, and exactly where to start if you want broody politics, murder-mystery shenanigans, or campus drama. Plus a quick nonfiction detour for Vampire Diaries superfans.
📚 Books MentionedA Bargain So Bloody by Vasilka Drake — Buy on Amazon | Paranormal Romance, Enemies-to-Allies | KU ✅
Loving a Vampire’s Total Chaos by Aura Hayes — Buy on Amazon | Paranormal Romcom, Murder Mystery | KU ✅
The Serpent’s Bride by Kathryn Ann Kingsley — Buy on Amazon | Gothic PNR, Mafia Politics, Dark Romance | KU ✅
Nocture by Karina Halle — Buy on Amazon | Noir PNR, Historical (1947 LA)
Blood Moon by Britney S. Lewis — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Vamps & Wolves, Campus Mystery
A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Forbidden Allies
The Last Vampire by Romina Garber — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Boarding School, Pride&Prejudice-ish |
I Accidentally Hooked Up with a Vampire by Jessica Cage — Buy on Amazon | PNR Romcom, Found Family | KU ✅
Road Trip with a Vampire by Jenna Levine — Buy on Amazon | Light PNR, Amnesia, Road Trip
Space Vampire by Ruby Dixon — Buy on Amazon | Sci-Fi PNR Novella, Forced Proximity | KU ✅
I Was Feeling Epic (Oral History of The Vampire Diaries) — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook | Audio ✅
Paperback Crush by Gabrielle Moss — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction, ‘80s/’90s Teen Lit |
Your Favorite Scary Movie by Ashley Cullins — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook, Scream Franchise | Audio ✅
Welcome to the O.C. by Josh Schwatz, Stephanie Savage and Alan Sepinwall— Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook, TV Oral History | Audio ✅
[00:00] Intro & why Laura is a vampire-over-werewolf girly
[02:00] Life updates + Francesca’s 2026 Romanceopoly plans
[05:00] Why vampires are resurging (romantasy → PNR pipeline)
[06:30] Rec #1: A Bargain So Bloody (witch x vampire, enemies-to-allies)
[08:30] Rec #2: Loving a Vampire’s Total Chaos (romcom + murder case)
[10:00] Rec #3: The Serpent’s Bride (gothic mafia, morally gray MMC)
[13:00] Kindle Unlimited talk: borrowing limits & trad-to-KU notes
[14:00] Rec #4: Torn (LA noir, Black Dahlia atmosphere)
[16:00] YA lane & who actually reads it
[18:00] Rec #5: Blood Moon (vamps/wolves, campus mystery)
[20:00] Rec #6: Thirst (slayer + newly turned vamp)
[21:00] Rec #7: The Last Vampire (P&P energy, boarding school)
[21:30] Rec #8: I Accidentally Hooked Up with a Vampire (chaotic fun)
[22:30] Rec #9: Road Trip with a Vampire (amnesia + travel)
[23:30] Rec #10: Space Vampire (scared-sexy novella set)
[24:30] Nonfiction: I Was Feeling Epic (TVD oral history)
[26:00] More oral histories: Paperback Crush, Your Favorite Scary Movie, Welcome to the O.C.
[27:30] Where to find Francesca (Under the Covers Book Blog)
[27:50] Outro + blog CTA
Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)
Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next
Subscribe & leave a review!
Mentioned in this episode:
🎧 Try Audible Today
Audible
Advertise with Us
Do you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.
Advertise With Us

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