This story drops you right into the streets of Sheffield, where Erin — a vampire hunter with fire in her veins — finds her world unraveling as people close to her start turning up dead.

The real hook here is the murder mystery. It’s super well done — just the right mix of creepy and mysterious. Clues unravel alongside the characters, and the killer stays hidden until the end, which kept me flipping pages way past bedtime. Very “just one more chapter” energy.

The writing flows really well and is super readable — kind of addictive, honestly, but the pacing overall is a bit wobbly. The beginning pulls you in right away, the middle slows down with some repetitive scenes, but thankfully, the ending brings the heat back and sets things up for book two in a big way. That said, it sometimes gets bogged down with overly detailed descriptions. Like, do I need to know how many times she goes to a coffee shop to avoid her feelings? Probably not. A little trimming would’ve helped the pace.

The romance didn’t quite land for me either. The connection between Erin and the love interest happens fast — like blink-and-they’re-in-deep fast — and felt a bit forced at times. I wanted more build-up, more tension.

Flaws aside, I had a good time with this one. It’s got a moody atmosphere, a solid mystery, and a main character with plenty of grit. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book to see where Erin’s story goes.

Erin Conrad has the ability to sense and destroy vampires that stalk her city.
The death of her best friend, staged to look like a suicide does not convince Erin. She is now caught between vampires and centuries of history leaving her with an impossible choice.
An enjoyable read but at times had pacing that was out of sync with the plot. Despite that a satisfying read.

The Gloaming has a lot of aspects that make this novel a compelling read. The writing is smooth, the modern take on the vampire genre is intriguing and a few of the twists gave some interesting expositions regarding the centuries of history with some of the characters.

I loved the idea of Erin’s “magic”; however, I did feel like I needed more to fully believe in it. Maybe that will come with book 2; but unfortunately in book 1, she didn’t come across as a reliable narrator at times. I felt at times I had to have a suspension of belief regarding her abilities to take down a vampire. A few of the fight scenes gave me the impression that it was more luck than ability that she could beat an apex predator. There also seemed to be this underlying idea that other characters knew her abilities better than she did; however, no discussions ever truly occurred. Even when there was a comment about her powers increasing, it was more of a statement rather than an occurrence with solid evidence. I needed just a bit more information regarding “what” she was.

The relationship also seemed too abrupt. By 38%, Erin and Nicholas had only interacted a few times; however, they already were indicating deeper feelings towards each other. If it was described as unexplained attraction and pull towards one another, I wouldn’t have felt this concern. However, early on Erin makes a comment that she’d have to kill the only man she’s ever cared for, when the whole story started with her grief over the death of her male best friend.

Another aspect of the plot I struggled with, especially in the middle, was the pacing. Many times I felt these characters had only been interacting for a few weeks; however, the relationship development and comments regarding months had taken place confused me. There also seemed to be a lot of filler content, with over descriptions around mundane tasks, thoughts, and actions. If the middle content of the book was slimmed down a bit, the pacing issue may have been less noticeable.

The author does have an incredibly creative mind and attention to detail with the world she is building. I did love the urban feel of the story with some emphasis on past historical events that contributed to the growth and personalities of the characters. A solid debut novel.

Genuinely loved the way this book was written. It’s been a while since fantasy has felt original but this book does it well. The characters felt real and it was easy to connect to them. I’m happy I got the chance to be an arc reader for this book and I can’t wait to read more from this author. Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity!

This was an amazing read! 5 Stars from me!

Loved the dynamic between the main characters. The sassy vampires are always a win.

The storyline progressed well. I didn’t feel it was rushed and the action was paced great. Really made me fall in love with the characters.

Would highly recommend reading!!

This book sinks its teeth into a familiar genre but brings a refreshing twist. Set against the urban backdrop of Sheffield, the story follows Erin, a vampire hunter whose world is thrown into chaos after a string of personal and brutal murders. The setting adds grit and a grounded realism that contrasts nicely with the supernatural undercurrent.

The core mystery is what truly drives the plot—it’s layered, tense, and unravels gradually alongside the characters' own discoveries. Clues are peppered throughout just enough to keep you guessing without tipping the hand too early. The final reveal is well-executed and worth the wait.

That said, the pacing falters slightly in the middle, where repetition in Erin’s routines slows the momentum. A few scenes feel overly drawn out with unnecessary details about day-to-day movements that don’t always push the plot forward.

The romance, while initially compelling, feels rushed. There's chemistry, sure, but the progression from intrigue to intimacy skips over the slow burn that would have made the connection more believable. Still, their first encounter is a standout moment—full of potential and tension.

What sets this apart is its approach to vampire lore. These creatures aren’t glamorous immortals or cliché villains—they’re something darker, stranger, and more unsettling. Dalton makes it clear early on that this isn’t a romanticized version of vampirism, and that shift works in the book’s favor.

Though not without flaws, this is a gripping, moody mystery with enough bite to keep me hooked. I’m definitely eager to see how the story (and these characters) evolve in the next installment.

The Gloaming is bringing vampires back! Absolutely loved the vibes throughout this book, its early 2000 vampires, think Buffy. The characters are morally grey and likeable. Erin is the FMC who is a badass vampire hunter, she’s full of fire and desire. I enjoyed the murder mystery element to the plot and the unraveling of prejudice towards vampires. The centuries worth of backstories are only just unfolding and I think there is plenty more to come from these characters. The lurking of danger created a spooky atmosphere that you need in a good vampire novel. A fun read that’s nostalgic and exciting. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

Thank you to the author Jamie and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book as an arc.
As soon as I heard that it was reminiscent to Buffy the Vampire Slayer I had to read it.
I have always love paranormal romance books and Buffy was my favourite tv show when I was younger.
This book didn't disappoint.
I found that I couldn't put this book down and got through it fairly quickly.
Based in Sheffield, the main character Erin is a vampire hunter and she finds her life thrown into a spiral by murders of people close to her.
Murder mystery, vampires, vampire hunter, romance what more could you want.
I cant wait to see where Jamie takes us in the next book.

Every now and again I find a lovely indie gem on Netgalley. I had picked up the book based on it's pretty cover thinking I was going to get a romantasy. This was definitely not that. It's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, mixed with a little Crescent City, Anne Rice Urban Fantasy. The city setting felt gothic and the sorry was mysterious and dark.

Erin is a vampire hunter by night and coffee shop co-owner by day. Jolt is owned in part with her two besties, Jon and Tom. After the apparent suicide of their friend Jon, Erin and Tom are in disbelief. Neither of them really think he committed suicide. So Erin goes hunting and finds out that two older serial killer vamps are in her city.

🧛🏻❤️What I loved:
- at 29 Erin was an older FMC.
- the vibes felt like Buffy and Angel
- the vamp history, how they are made, how they differ with age
- I liked the murder mystery twists and turns and historical plotlines. The writing felt right for a first book.
- Adam! What is he?!

🦇✨What I felt needed work:
I really didn't feel the pull of initial chemistry between the love interests. I need more reasoning behind the attraction other than he was good looking. I didn't understand the fable of the redhead? That went over my head. And the pacing reallllly dragged towards the end. Though this started strong, I'm curious to know what happens in the next book!

"She stood in the gloaming with no outward appearance of distress, at ease in the half-light that was not quite the day but not quite the night. I’d read about older vamps with a stronger tolerance for sunlight, but I’d fiercely hoped it was a rumour. Unfortunately, it seemed Isabel Wyatt was determined to dampen that optimism and presumably impress upon me exactly how strong she was."

this was not a bad read by any means, it just didn’t pull me in as much as I hoped. I am not the target audience for this type of book.

The concept was interesting! Very Buffy the vampire slayer inspired with vampires, a bit of romance and a murder mystery. All the characters were great and I loved the FMC. It intrigued me to a point but I wasn’t desperate to find out more as I was reading.

The romance left a lot to be desired for me too. It was insta-love/lust and I didn’t feel there was enough development in the relationship.

This book was written well and the concept is good, it just didn’t capture my attention and that’s entirely a personal preference!

Thank you to NetGalley and Jamie Dalton for the chance to read an early copy!

Wow, this one was so good. I'm such a sucker for vampires, and this one sank its teeth in deep. Gothic romance meets urban fantasy with a slow burn that made my Buffy-loving heart extra happy. The chemistry between the characters was amazing. The world building was great. Definitely recommend.

Another story that was eerie but should have been released in those months. I loved the writing but it felt flat towards the end.

The Gloaming is a strong paranormal debut that mixes mystery, danger, and the supernatural. It follows Erin, a vampire hunter, as she investigates the murders of people close to her. The story is tense and full of twists, with solid world-building and a dark, moody vibe. Some parts slow down with repetitive scenes, and the romance feels a bit rushed, but overall, it’s an addictive and atmospheric read—perfect for fans of dark fantasy and supernatural thrillers.

If I'm honest this book wasn't for me. When I think back over the characters, a vampire hunter that heals at an unhuman rate, vampires, an old guy that's younger but not a vampire, coffee, this should have had me on the edge of my seat more. Something didn't quote hit right. I could have been main character who gets no sleep but still functions, straight away this had me skeptical, yes it's a story and is clearly not true as it has vampires but that prevented me from connecting with the character the same. It also did feel quite slow, every step was explained instead of skipping over the more mundane things. This was a pleasant book to read, and a great story it just takes a while longer.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for giving me an eARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! It was such an interesting and new take on vampires for me. Very refreshing. The writing is great, the storyline is very intriguing, and the characters have so much depth!

Some plot points and twists in the story were a little obvious, but even so, I loved it!

I look forward to reading the next book when it comes out!!

Actual Rating: 4.5/5 stars

This book was such a fun read. From the very beginning, the vibes were giving me Buffy, and I really enjoyed that. Just a (mostly) regular lady hunting vampires. And of course there is a hot mysterious vampire dude because what is a vampire hunter story without one. Regardless of the similarities, I did not feel like it borrows too much, it felt unique and fun and stands well on its own merits.

This book is also very well written. The dialogue flows naturally, the scenes move from one to the next without feeling abrupt or disjointed, and no one is making dumb decisions for the sake of plot. It’s refreshing to read a main character who actually self-reflects and thinks things through instead of immediately abandoning her beliefs because some cutie comes along. I will say the romance was a little rushed, but it still flowed naturally enough given the length of the book.

I flew through this book. The pacing is great, the banter is great, and the whole story felt exciting. I would also like to say there is a chance this book is just an ad for Doc Martens and if it is, I’m not even mad.

Even though I hate when books end on a cliffhanger, I had such a good time with this book and I am absolutely looking forward to the sequel. I would definitely purchase a finished copy and keep reading this series. If you’re feeling nostalgic for Buffy and want a book you can’t put down, this is the one for you.

I am deeply grateful to NetGalley and Jamie Dalton for this opportunity to read a digital ARC and provide my honest review.

as someone who’s entirely too vampirepilled, i really enjoyed this. a vampire murder mystery isn’t something i’ve read a lot or ever before and it was such a unique plot. it’s well thought out, nicely paced, and kept me hooked the whole time even though it’s a little long.

the world building is so rich and detailed, so so immersive. you can tell the author really put a lot of love into crafting this universe. the characters overall felt a bit bland, but erin carried this as the FMC. she’s strong, loyal, and focused on doing what needs to be done, but still shows these really vulnerable moments that made me root for her.

the romance was not really my favorite part, i’m not the biggest fan of instant love, and this one developed so quickly that it didn’t feel as organic, it lost me a bit there. but the smut? 9/10.

and that ending… yeah, i need more, as soon as possible. definitely continuing this series and super excited to see where it goes next.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC — opinions expressed in this review are my own

Come for the vampire-hunting barista, stay for the slow-burn secrets, simmering chemistry, and shadowy lore.

The Gloaming is a dark, addictive urban fantasy with sharp edges and a slow, smouldering heat. Erin Conrad is a vânător—part hunter, part torchbearer—burning with a power that keeps her city’s vampire menace at bay. But when her best friend turns up dead in a suspicious copycat killing, Erin’s already fractured world begins to splinter.

What follows is a richly layered blend of supernatural mystery, emotional reckoning, and slow-burn romance. Dalton has a gift for atmospheric storytelling, weaving together blood-soaked history, visceral action, and intimate character beats with a voice that’s fresh, fierce, and just a little bit haunted. The dialogue is sharp and modern, the pacing tight, and the emotional undercurrent—especially Erin’s internal war between vengeance and vulnerability—hits the mark.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A fierce debut that balances myth, mystery, and emotion with style. Fans of A Discovery of Witches and Leigh Bardugo will find much to love in the dark corners of The Gloaming. Book two can’t come soon enough.

I was able to get this ARC through NetGalley.


Erin spends her days as a barista in Jolt the coffee shop she owns with her two best friends Jon and Tom. But she also is a vânător, a vampire hunter. After one of her friends ends up dead she knows there is more to the story than just a suicide.

As more people in Erin’s life end up dying, the trail leads her to two ancient vampires. Leaving nothing but death and destruction in their wake. During her search for answers Erin meets Isabel and Nicolas both old vampires. Could these be the vampires causing all the deaths? Can she trust them and also their friend Adam?

With the reluctant help from Tom(he doesn’t trust the 3 newcomers). Erin dives deeper into the world of ancient vampires and immortal beings. Who can she trust? How many other deaths will happen before Erin can get to the bottom?

This book reels you in with all the drama, suspense and action. Throw in a love story and you won’t be able to put this down. The ending leaves me hungry for more. I cannot wait to see what else unfolds in the next installment!

3.5⭐️ There were many elements to this book that I really enjoyed but it just felt lacking in places. However, it was an enjoyable read.

Firstly the story is really good. I enjoyed the plot, and nothing pleases me more than a vampire murder mystery. The use of the vampires ages and how the mystery allows us to explore their pasts that spans centuries is really well woven in. I liked all the twists and turns and how everyone isn't quite what they seem.

I LOVED that this is set in Sheffield and that they visit Whitby for a day trip. Call me biased but I love a fantasy / romantasy set in England.

I liked the characters and really liked the dynamic between them all and how they found an unlikely friendship amongst one another. The FMC Erin is great and I am really interested to see if we find out more about her abilities and where they come from.

I enjoyed the banter. Adam really brings the laughs in this book.

The pacing was ok, but I did find my interest waning at points.

Now what I found lacking was any connection to the MMC - Nicholas. I don't know what it was but I felt no chemistry between him and Erin. Tension was definitely lacking and whilst insta-love isn't usually an issue for me, it definitely impacted how I felt about these two. I just wasn't buying it. I was secretly hoping she'd have a change of heart and end up with Adam. I can't put my finger on it but I just could not connect with Nicholas at all. He gave me the ick a bit if I'm honest!

I am interested to see where this series goes, for sure, the ending leaves things open to so many possibilities!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the arc. Thai is my honest review of the book!