DNF i'm so sorry, i just can't. i was excited to read it because i love a cheesy paranormal romance but it's just too drawn out and boring

I haven’t read a good horror romance in awhile so I was very excited to sink my teeth into this story about a serial killer who falls for a vampire.

The best thing I can say about this book is that it is an easy read. I was able to finish it in a couple days. The story is written in first person pov. It reads like a stream of consciousness. Unfortunately, it is very long winded, redundant, and repetitive. Many paragraphs I was able to skim through since they were a rehash of ones that came before. I get the sense that the author comes from a poetry background. There is a lot of alliteration and purple prose. These can be great elements in poetry but they can bloat an otherwise interesting story.

I got particularly annoyed with the constant references to the winking moon. The visual it conjured did not fit the tone. The references to the moon quickly became tired. The book is only 261 pages and there are 75 references to the moon in this story.

It was also very hard to suspend disbelief at how many times variations of the song “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” were played. I can’t remember the last time I heard that song but it appears 13 times in this relatively short novel. That’s perposterous.

Other things that stood out as ridiculous were just how many people responded to the “Partner Wanted” poster. There were at least 5 that I can remember. Seemed farfetched. Or how in another scene the killer is able to pull is handcuffed arms from behind his back and over his head without breaking any bones.

I could not get over how awful the main character is. He sees himself as a Dexter type who only kills evil people but his definition of “evil” extends to a girlfriend that cheated on him and people that annoy him at the bar. He also frequently uses the words “cunt” and “bitch” to refer to women. He’s extremely high on himself and has no redeeming qualities, begging the reader to wonder why anyone would be interested in this guy.

This is marketed on Netgalley as a “dark rom-com” but it is neither romantic or funny. I never wanted these characters to end up together.

I won’t spoil the ending but I will say that was the most satisfying part of the novel. It left me pondering the metaphors and themes of the novel after I closed the book. While I think this would have worked better as a short-story it wasn’t terrible.

If you are looking for a vampire romantic comedy, this is not the book for you. Check out “You Suck: A Love Story” by Christopher Moore instead. However, if you are looking for something like Joe Goldberg from Caroline Kepnes’s “You” meets a vampire, you might enjoy this.

** Thank you to Black Rose for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review **

rating: 2.3 / 5 stars

To be honest, I really wanted to like this book. Everything about the premise seemed awesome to me - someone who loves vampires and loves Dexter. But, it all fell a bit flat for me. I didn't find Timothy all that relatable and his narration style was a little weird. Their romance was weirdly run of the mill despite being what it was. The vampire aspect wasn't my favorite either.

Overall, it wasn't terrible but it wasn't my favorite book. It took me soooo long to finish it and review it because I just kept losing interest. This may be for you though, so check it out if you want!

Happy reading!!

Timothy is a serial killer. Lynnette is a vampire-nurse. Together, maybe they are the missing pieces of each others' lives.

This book was listed as a "dark rom-com". I call bulls*^t. The only thing dark about this book is that someone is killing folks. And to be honest, the killings were pretty mild at that. So, zero trigger warnings needed on that front. The book is not funny. Like. At all. Where is the "com" I was promised? Timothy is a more dull version of Lestat from the Anne Rice vampire books. His monologues are a snooze-inducing whine-fest. "Oh poor pitiful me. I'm such a lonely serial killer. If only I could find a friend or a dignified way to die." Waaah. The story would have been more interesting if he had actually walked out into traffic. At least then the bitching and moaning would be over. Lynnette doesn't actually come into the picture until about 35% into the book and she is almost interesting to read. However, their conversations are so vanilla and dull that I was just bored. There was zero "rom" in this thing as well. And you say, "maybe it's a slow burn". If it is a slow burn, it is moving at a glacial pace. The conversations are like, "so you won't kill me, right? I would be disappointed." "Of course not. I have wanted a friend." "I can be that friend." "You wanna be my friend?" "Yes." "I'm glad." And on and on and on. How does an idea this freaking good get pulverized into this heap of garbage? The idea made me so excited to pick this up and the droning on and on about feelings and nothing made me throw it across the room.

Thank you to Black Rose Writing and NetGalley for the ARC.

This one had a good horror/romcom premise but I just could not get into the characters and writing. Great ideas though.

2/5 ⭐️

The premise of Bloodwork was an enticing one — a serial killer in search of a partner.. who better than a vampire nurse?

A shame the writing didn’t match up with the promising plot.

The main character was extremely bland and unlikeable. He’s a serial killer, so that was probably the point, but he could still be somewhat charming or have a pinch of personality.

The writing was very convoluted, redundant and way too descriptive. It took the dude three whole paragraphs to take off a pair of cuffs.

The dialogues followed the same style of repetitiveness, which made it much harder to follow along, thus pulling me out of the flow even more.

Melissa Demirel's novel, Bloodwork, presents a captivating tale of two deeply flawed individuals who form an unlikely bond, exploring the complexities of loneliness, desire, and the nature of good and evil. Timothy, a serial killer, grapples with the contradictions of his nature, recognizing his inherent cruelty while yearning for companionship. Lynnette, a vampire and nurse, struggles with her dual identities, navigating the tension between her compassionate nature and her predatory instincts. When they meet, an unexpected connection sparks, fueled by their mutual isolation and the recognition of their own dark potential. As they engage in "a few kinds of bloodwork at once," they bring out the best and worst in each other, blurring the lines between predator and prey. Demirel deftly paints Timothy's loneliness as a palpable force, casting him as a victim of his own desires. Meanwhile, Lynnette's struggle with her innate violence adds a layer of complexity to her character, making her more than just a bloodthirsty monster. The "little deal" the two outcasts strike offers them a semblance of happiness and fulfillment, yet the precarious nature of their relationship hangs heavy in the air. The constant threat of betrayal and the ever-present potential for violence create a palpable tension throughout the narrative. Bloodwork is a dark and disturbing tale that delves into the depths of human nature, exploring the paradoxes of good and evil, loneliness and connection. Demirel's vivid imagery and nuanced characterization make this a truly immersive and thought-provoking read. As the story unfolds, the reader is left grappling with the question: When the lines between predator and prey become blurred, who truly emerges as the monster?

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for providing this arc.

Honestly I've been looking for more Dark romantic comedies for ages and this hit the spot.

We follow a serial killer and a nurse vampire. This is literally such a fun concept.

While the writing is a little clunky in areas it was still such a good read.

Thank you for this arc, however this was not for me. I was interested in the dark rom-com genre presented, but it just would not pull me in. I am hopeful that this will be a great read for someone, but it is not my speed!

Bloodwork by Melissa Demirel comes out on February 22, but I was lucky to receive an ARC from NetGalley.

The story beckons you into a realm where dark romance meets the macabre, promising a gripping tale of love between a serial killer and a vampire. The initial allure of the cover and the intriguing premise gripped my attention from the start.
The narrative unfolds with Timothy, a loner who enacts his own brand of justice by targeting those he deems unworthy of life. Opposite him is Lynnette, a vampire seeking sustenance and drawn into Timothy’s peculiar invitation. Their relationship hinges on a precarious trust, the kind that holds the threat of mortality.

Envisioning a blend of Pam from Southern Vampire Mysteries and Dexter, I anticipated a captivating journey. However, the narrative primarily unfolds through Timothy’s internal monologue, leaving me craving a more dynamic exploration of his struggles and interactions. At the same time, he’s a shy serial killer and doesn’t really interact much with others, putting the author in a difficult spot.

Bloodwork’s storyline is woven with grisly murders, each described with unsettling detail. Timothy’s moral compass, guided by fleeting interactions, sets the stage for a dark exploration of justice. Lynnette follows his rules, but there’s tension between them, showing how their relationship is getting complicated.

Within the chaos of bloodshed, a delicate romance emerges — a fragile beacon amid the darkness. The narrative skillfully tests this connection against the backdrop of shared secrets and conflicting desires, showcasing the intricate dance between love and darkness.

Read more at https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews/bloodwork-by-melissa-demirel-a-dark-and-unexpected-romance

I unfortunately had to DNF this book. I tried my best to power through, but ultimately the writing style was just not for me. I will say, this book has great potential and premise. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Thank you to Black Rose Writing and NetGalley for offering me a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A serial killer and a vampire nurse teaming up to tag-team the streets and remove them of the ‘bad guys’? What’s not to love?

Unfortunately, while the idea was great, the execution was a little lacklustre, with the first 25% of the book being extremely slow and difficult to engage with. This may have been intentional as Timothy, the protagonist, is very awkward, uncomfortable and has no social skills. If Demirel has written the time in which he is alone to mimic this then she does a good job but that does not make for an enjoyable reading experience.

Ultimately, the character of Lynette is let down by just about everything else in the novel and there are quite a few tricks missed in the story which could have really elevated this book.

Had Lynette been the protagonist, I feel that I, personally, would have enjoyed the story far more.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for sending me a copy of this digital ARC just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Timothy is a lonely serial killer, looking for a partner who will understand him. Lynn is a nurse first and a vampire second, under constant turmoil with her human values and her vampiric nature. Are they soulmates or will their dark pasts will threaten their partnership?

If you’re looking for something short and sweet for Valentine’s Day, then I recommend this one! It was a strange combination of insta-love and slow burn that kept me interested. It was a little bloody for a traditional romance, but it had a lot of cute interactions that sweetened it up. There was also some spice, which was exactly what you’d expect from an unconventional pairing like Timothy and Lynn.

The feedback that I have is that it does get slower paced in the middle. The intention was to build their relationship and make you feel how much time has passed, but it becomes a bit tedious hearing about the same thing on different days.

Overall, this book was a slow burn romance, perfect for people who want to explore an unusual concept like a vampire nurse and a serial killer who take out bad people together. If this fun read is something you’d be interested in, Bloodwork comes out on February 22nd!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for a copy of this arc!

Bloodwork is rom-com that follows two characters who are very unlikely to fall in love. Why is that? Well, one character is a serial killer and the other is a vampire. Think of this as the show Dexter meets paranormal world.

Definitely worth the read.

This was an alright read. Something a little different. I'm not really sure how I feel about it as a whole. But I enjoyed it anyway.

Thank you, Melissa Demirel and NetGalley, for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!

This was definitely worth the read. Though I'm not sure if I'd read it again. A vampire and a killer? Could that be a more perfect match, or could it be hell on earth? This is definitely more a love story than a gore filled kind. Is there death? Yes, there certainly is, and there's plenty of blood. This is not for those searching for a dark, gore filled romance. This is definitely more romance of the minds and finding soul mates of a certain kind.

Reading this, I only have one complaint, and it's that the chapters were so long. Even so, I did enjoy getting to know both characters deeply both through their thoughts and how they killed. This book was different from what I've read this year: besides the fact that it's romance. It was real. Plus, you're experiencing emotions anyone could feel and then.... some not so much.

A vampire and a human killer. A perfect match? Or a disaster waiting to happen. Even if you're lonely, a simple choice can change your life forever, and a single meeting can do so much more. What do you think? Read and see what happens. Above all else, if you need a shoulder, put your head on my shoulderrrrr~