As with the first book, take heed to the trigger warnings. Trigger warnings are in place for a reason so pay attention.

This is the second book in a series. The world is a futuristic dystopian world where things are flipped - Vampires rule the world and humans are slaves to the vampires. And yes this sets the stage for some not so nice situations. This is, after all, a dark vampire series with lots at stake. The characters make this series. They both have great character arcs and are easily relatable. I think that the way this series unfolds does a lot to keep the reader's attention and the desire to complete the series.

I am looking forward to the next book .

Ok, full disclosure, I was not aware this was a second book in a series so I was a little bit confused at some points. So I highly recommend reading book one first. Aside from that I enjoyed this story. It is dark and very heavy on the sex. Some of the plot points weakened a bit for me towards the middle of the book but overall, if you like a book heavy on sex and smut with a hint of danger, this book is for you! Because I am invested already, I will be making time to read book 1. Maybe my overall opinion of this book will change after reading book 1 and I do plan on reading the next book in the series that is slated to drop Janurary 2026.

I was sucked in from page 1. I do suggest reading book one for everything to make sense, this is the second book! This book is everything you expect and more. It went beyond my expectations, and the relationship between them is FASCINATING. The world is complex and it takes a spin. If you love dark romance, vampires, spice and everything NOT so nice I highly recommend! Please make sure you read the trigger warnings :).

I can NOT believe I have to wait till Jan 2026 for the last book of the trilogy after that cliffhanger! 😫
Absolutely loved this book! I thought it was much less violent than book 1, though it still had violence in it.
I loved seeing Aden heal a bit through Ellie's acceptance, love, and forgiveness. This book was full of vampire politics and conspiracies with a bit of slightly-complicated post-apocalyptic science behind vampirism. Add in the decent amount of smut and it was perfectly balanced ;)
I don't often appreciate when books have additional perspectives to the MC's, but because this is in third person, it works well and I thought it was very smooth.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author!

Thank you NetGalley for this Arc!

This second book lost the plot for me. It was just sex, sex, yelling, sex, Ellie being delusional, sex, Aden finding out new things about his parents, sex, random side mission that leads no where, sex, sex, sex, sex,cliff hanger. I couldn’t wait to be done with this. I had so many questions from the first book and instead of getting hints or answers I got more questions. In this book Aden continued to be a spoiled brat, Ellie continued to lose her fight and aggression and the plot never felt like it was advancing.

The concept of this story is so interesting, but I just think, like the first book, it needed to be shortened. A lot of the fluff could’ve been taken out and kept the reader hooked for the entire book.

This story blends supernatural intrigue with emotional depth as Aden and Ellie confront old memories, political power struggles, and their own inner demons. Huntley excels at crafting a vividly atmospheric world with strong character growth, especially in Ellie’s transformation into a fierce heroine and Aden’s shift from brooding loner to protective partner. The romance is mature and compelling, with just the right amount of heat, while the plot offers suspense, danger, and enough twists to keep readers engaged. Fans of vampire romance will find a lot to love in this steamy, emotionally charged novel.

The world-building is excellent and we learn more about the history of all the characters and science behind their world.

Ellie and Aden are such a fun couple. It's fun to see her turn into a strong fmc from where she was at the beginning. Their story is full of emotions and surprises. His character growth is very prominent as well as he changes from this dark, brooding, pissed at the world Vampire to this protective, loving, burn the world down, loving and caring man.

Well written, easy to follow, keep me entertained. The spice was spicing but never vulgar or took away from the story. This book gave me all the major feels.

Ellie and Aden return only to pick up where they left off. This second part of the story I was impressed with. I did see that the writing has changed some to attract the interest of the adult age range. The story seems more believable even though it’s a fantasy. The sub-story help to make the book to be more believable as well as the help from the romance department. And the romance from Aden and Ellie has matured on every level that they deserve an A plus. That is until one certain part and I shook my head. Well any way. I would have like to have seen more battles between the two different vampire realms. Just to add more action and excitement. The characters are all brilliant. The plot is believable. There are more rough edges to smooth out with this writer. I hope that they will get there as a talented writer.

This book was thought provoking and had me in my feels. It was fast paced enough to where I didn’t lose interest.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this eCopy to review

Atonement by V.E. Huntley is the second instalment in the BloodStone Legacy series, and it continues the dark, seductive tale of Aden and Ellie. The story picks up with Aden, a vampire who has spent three centuries drowning in guilt for murdering his wife on their wedding night. He discovers that her soul has been reborn in Ellie, a woman who awakens both his deepest love and darkest fears.

The plot is filled with passion, danger, and political intrigue as Aden and Ellie navigate their tumultuous reunion. Their love is powerful enough to transcend both death and time, but it comes with a heavy price. As they lose themselves in their newfound passion, they awaken forgotten memories and face sinister forces determined to destroy their happiness. Aden is willing to burn the vampire world to the ground to keep Ellie safe, but every ancient law he breaks and every powerful enemy he makes raises the stakes.

Atonement explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the transformative power of love. Huntley masterfully portrays Aden's internal struggles and the tension between his past and present. The narrative is filled with suspense, keeping the reader on edge as Aden and Ellie confront their demons.

Huntley's writing is engaging and evocative, drawing the reader into the dark and twisted world of vampires with vivid descriptions and a strong sense of place. Atonement is a captivating and steamy novel that offers a fresh perspective on the vampire romance genre. Fans of dark, passionate stories will find much to enjoy in this book.

Holy smokes was this book good. Matthias, the ruler of the Vampires is becoming more and more ruthless and more and more cruel. Aden and his family, are coming to grips with the misdeeds of Matthias, and are trying to operate as leaders of their territory while keeping their principles and not alienating the Vampire leader. All while Adam and Ellie grow closer and closer (dare I say, become nymphomaniacs) despite her being human and him being a Vampire. Both the tensions and the stakes (see what I did there?) are higher. I’m just angry the next book doesn’t come out for MONTHS!

Holy cliffhanger, Batman. I have been waiting to get my hands on this book since I finished the first. I have truly enjoyed the plot and characters. This one isn’t as fast paced as the first, but maybe it’s because of the gratuitous sex this one is giving. 😂 I mean, what’s a vampire book without blood and lust?! Here for it. I am completely sucked in to Ellie’s world. I love the way she has been interacting with Bloodstone/Keeley and am curious to see how that aspect of the story plays out as well. Can’t wait for book 3.

V.E. Huntley's Atonement is a beautifully crafted and emotionally rich novel that captivated me from the very first page. Huntley's writing is both lyrical and deeply moving, drawing the reader into a world of complex emotions, deep regrets, and the powerful search for redemption.

The characters are incredibly well-developed, each one layered with realistic flaws and relatable struggles. Their journeys are portrayed with such honesty that it’s impossible not to feel deeply invested in their outcomes. Huntley has a rare talent for exploring the intricate bonds between love, guilt, and forgiveness, all while maintaining a gripping pace that kept me turning the pages late into the night.

What sets Atonement apart is the profound emotional resonance it carries. Huntley doesn’t just tell a story — she makes you feel every moment of it. The themes are handled with sensitivity and depth, making this a truly unforgettable read.

Atonement is a powerful reminder that healing is possible even after the deepest wounds, and that hope can be found even in the most unexpected places. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking, heartfelt fiction.

V.E. Huntley is clearly a remarkable storyteller, and I can’t wait to read more of her work.

The second book in the BloodStone legacy will suck you right back into Aden and Ellie’s world with its fast paced and intriguing storyline about a love that even death cannot stop. This book was very fast-paced and enjoyable and not only do you develop a love for the main characters, you also fall for the side characters as their roles in Aden and Ellie’s story is explored more. This steamy and gripping story set in a dystopian world was such a good read and I could not put it down! The cliffhanger at the end of the book has me on the edge of my seat for the next book!

Atonement is a steamy, gripping and thrilling read that follows on from “Damnation” (book 1 in The BloodStone Legacy series)
V.E Huntley has done an amazing job with this series, her world building and character development peaked my interest very early on in the series. Ellie and Aden’s story is spicy, beautiful, broody and full of lust.
V.E Huntley has done a fantastic job in building up anticipation for book 3, the plot twist at the end of the book had me gripping my seat- I love books that end on a cliff hanger and leave you wanting more.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.