Beginner’s Guide to Vampire Romance
Well, here we go!!!!
I’ve never shied away from my obsession with Vampire romances. There’s something about that branch of Paranormal Romance that just calls to me. I know it’s not for everyone, and it can certainly get a little extreme.
I’m here to make your introduction to vampire romance a little bit easier.
YA Romance: Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead
Why you should read it - I’m always a fan of a new take on a concept. In this world vampires are a different species with their own culture hidden from humans. As you might guess, this series follows high school age students at a school. The first book is a great introduction to the world, the characters, and the relationships. The series is 6 books long. I inhaled it as a teenager and I think it still holds. If you’ve watched the movie or TV adaptation, don’t let that fool you. This world is complex and fun as hell. Rose, the real FMC, is strong as hell and sassy in the best way. There is implied intimacy, but nothing explicit.
Fluffy Rom Com Series: Argeneaus Series Lynsay Sands
Why you should read it - Another different take on how vampires are made. They are from Atlantis and have nanobots that turn humans into vampires. This series has 35 books in it right now, and I haven’t been able to stay completely up to date, but I still think it’s worth it. It follows the Argeneaus, a family of vampires, while each of them finds their life mates. In this, the vampires can read and control minds. When you meet the person whose mind you can’t control, that person is your life mate. The books got a little formulaic in both the story and the sex, but there’s something comforting in know what you’re going to get.
Rom Com Stand Alone: My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine
Why you should read it - If you don’t have 35 books in you, but want an adorable rom com, read this! We don’t get deep into the lore of vampires in this book. It’s really about the relationship that builds between the MCs. Frederick has just awoken from a 100 year coma and gets Cassie as a roommate to help him acclimate to modern day Chicago. There’s fun banter, silly moments, and some spice at the end. It warms your heart.
Dark Romance Series: Night Prince Series by Jeaniene Frost
Why you should read it - If you just looked this up, you will see that she has a few series before this. I chose this because I like it better. It does connect to the world of the Night Huntress series, but besides a small throw back, you won’t be missing much. These four books follow one couple, so you really go on the journey of their relationship with them. Is it…the healthiest? Not at times, but they grow together and end up a formidable duo. Also, spicy AF.
Historical Series: London Steampunk by Bec McMaster
Why you should read it - Why shouldn’t there be a steampunk/vampire crossover? She got me with the vampire illness that the nobility have used to grab onto power. There’s class conflict. There’s educated women. There’s educated women. The fascinating steampunk helped me suspend my disbelief when it came to the “historical” part of it. There are other paranormal species in the series, but it starts with vampires so it totally counts.
Plus Sized FMC: Real Vampires Series by Gerry Bartlett
Why you should read it - Not all vampires need to be flawless twigs. This series follows Gloria St. Clair, a bar maid turned on a day where she was a little bit bloated. Something that intrigued me, was her relationship with her on again off again boyfriend, and the vampire who turned her. We don’t get a meet cute with them, they met centuries ago. Not all relationships that can last forever will last forever.
I can’t not mention these: Anita Blake Series by Laurell K. Hamilton & Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward
Why you should read it - Okay, these were some of my first loves. They inspired my love for the niche and while I can complain about them, I will not take criticism. They’ve basically become family.
BDB starts off full of steam. Each book is about a different couple, though later in the series they return to certain couples, and tells the story of how they get together. It’s a dark world, the vampires are at war with a human society determined to extinguish the race. You get a lot of alpha dudes.
Anita Blake has zero steam until book 6. It’s a commitment. This series is my Grey’s Anatomy. I am so invested in these characters that I have pushed through books I will admit…disappointed.
Did I miss your favorite book or series? Let me know in the comments!
*All links are for the first book in the series.