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Vampires Are Back: Dark, Funny & YA Recs

Vampires Are Back: Dark, Funny & YA Recs

What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show · Laura R Yamin

October 16, 202529m 0sExplicit

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Show Notes

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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 Mentioned


A 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 ✅


⏱️ Time Stamps (topics)

[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


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