Audiobook Review: The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood and Boyfriends by Jamie D’Amato

Jamie D’Amato’s The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood and Boyfriends is a queer paranormal rom-com with plenty of bite. Think awkward crushes, messy vampire puberty, and a romance that’s equal parts tender and hilarious. I picked up the audiobook, narrated by Michael Crouch, and it turned out to be the perfect way to experience Brennan’s story of fangs, feelings, and finding his place in the world. Check out my 5 star review below and pick up this queer paranormal comfort read, out now!

TY to MacMillan audio for the audio ARC, which in no way influenced my review (for real, I already had this book preordered before it had a cover haha).

The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends

by Jamie D'Amato
Narrator: Michael Crouch
Published by: Wednesday Books
on August 26, 2025
Genres: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Paranormal, Young Adult
Bookshop, Amazon
Goodreads

Heartstopper meets Buffy in this queer paranormal rom-com where a college sophomore must survive becoming a vampire—and the cute boy who discovers his secret.

It’s only natural nineteen-year-old Brennan’s life would be upended by something as ridiculous and unexpected as turning into a vampire. But if there’s one thing Brennan can do, it’s pretend everything’s fine when he’s close to losing his mind. Brennan is nineteen and just clawed his way back to Sturbridge University after recovering from a suicide attempt, and this is not the new life he was hoping for.

Brennan’s newly bloodthirsty existence gets way more complicated when Cole, the super cute librarian and everyone’s campus crush, stumbles on Brennan drinking from a stolen blood bag. Luckily, adorable Cole is happy to keep Brennan’s secret, and even seems to maybe like him? Navigating a new relationship is hard enough without the added struggles of vampire puberty, an eclectic clan of self-proclaimed “good” vampires, and growing feelings for the one person who makes Brennan feel normal. With swirling rumors of a missing student and a rise in strange “animal attacks” near campus, Brennan must uncover the secrets of the clan and figure out how to balance vampirism and humanity, or risk losing the first real friends he’s ever had.

Filled with humor and heart, The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood & Boyfriends has a gentle bite.

Review

Queer paranormal rom-coms are absolutely my sweet spot, and The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood and Boyfriends delivered exactly what I wanted: sharp humor, tender romance, and just enough emotional depth to keep me hooked. Plus all of the pop culture references this cringe Millennial could ever wanr

Brennan, a college sophomore trying to rebuild his life after a suicide attempt, suddenly finds himself dealing with a brand-new complication…fangs. Becoming a vampire was not part of the plan, and he’s scrambling to hide it until Cole, the ridiculously cute campus librarian, catches him in the act of swiping a blood bag. Instead of running, Cole offers help (and maybe his heart).

What I loved most is the balance: it’s light and funny without ignoring the heavier parts of Brennan’s story. The relationship between Brennan and Cole is sweet and grounded, built on care and trust rather than fear. Watching them figure each other out felt like a rom-com in the best way, with just the right amount of awkward charm.

The vampire worldbuilding adds a fun twist too, different clans with their own codes of ethics, almost like supernatural campus clubs. It gave the story personality and plenty of room for humor, especially when Brennan realizes just how weird and political the undead can be. The pop culture references sprinkled throughout (yes, even the Twilight ones) felt cheeky and well-placed rather than distracting.

Michael Crouch’s narration is a great match for Brennan’s voice. He brings out the character’s sarcasm and vulnerability in equal measure, making Brennan’s inner monologue feel like a direct confession to the listener. It added a layer of intimacy that worked perfectly for this story.

If you like your vampires with more awkward crushes and found family than brooding menace, The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood and Boyfriends is the read for you!