TL/DR: Did you read the summary? Great! Do you like the tropes? Awesome! Do you want to read a story that weaves all of that together with amazing characters in a contemporary world in a way that, to me at least, was unique and gave me all the feels? Then, it is my opinion to get the book. You just might not be able to put it down.

Ok, hopefully you have read the synopsis from wherever you buy your books, so I’m not going to waste your time by summarizing it all over again.

What I will tell you is I read a lot of books. I love a good “fated mates” story. This one happens to be with vampires. Awesome! What I wasn’t prepared for was starting this book and not being able to put it down.

I had not read any books by this author before but you best believe I hit the follow author button after reading this story.

She takes these tropes, weaves them together and creates a story of not only these two characters, FMC, Reese, who grew up in foster care, finds a father figure in her high school math teacher and is always her most authentic self, even when she leaps before she looks. She also gives us Beau, the MMC, who is the polar opposite of Reese. Stoic, rigid and has a stick, well never mind.

Watching them come together sent me through a rollercoaster of emotions. This is the book that will have you yelling at the characters one minute, feeling all the feels the next, your heart will flutter and yes your toes will curl.

Oh, and don’t forget about Beau’s family. They are dealing with a family tragedy at the same time one of their son’s has found his mate. (Beau’s lack of explaining, well pretty much what any of that is, is well classic Beau and one of their reasons I couldn’t put this book down). His family is also amazing, and wonderful and frustrating and will protect their own, fiercely. I loved them all!

As if that alone isn’t enough, there is also another arc playing out, linked to the family’s tragedy. Oh, and another brother seems to have found his mate too, but she is not too happy about it.

I am so looking forward to book 2. I would like to thank the author, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for a copy of this book. My review is voluntary and as always, all opinions are my own. Happy reading!

˗ˏˋ 5 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .

well this was as addictive as zodiac academy. it ATE and left no crumbs. it was super fast paced and had me hooked since the first page.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧• beau
he was an absolute dickhead since page 1 but he got better as the story progressed, i swear. he was so grumpy lmao. loved his character development and when he reese became his entire world. *chef's kiss*

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧• reese
super quirky and funny. i loved her so much. she was exceptionally sarcastic and weird times. i saw a lot of her in me and related to her a lot.

this was a great enemies-to-lovers book, or should i say disgust-to-lovers? i definitely loved the banter between the characters so much. also loved beau's family too!!

with that being said, i cant wait to read book 2 when it comes out in the summer.

⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶

₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
havent read any vampire romance after zodiac academy back in jan. definitely hoping this'll scratch my vampire romance itch lol

I will accept absolutely ZERO criticism on this book. I loved it so much. I can't think of a single criticism. I read it in one sitting and had the absolute best time. Vampire romances are so easy to mess up, this was perfect. And thank god bc my life was incomplete with this book.

I am so excited for the next book with Ambrose and Lucy!! BUT I am lowkey kinda sad every book isnt just going to be about Beau and Reese tho.

WHEN I SAY I DEVOURED THIS BOOK—I'm not exaggerating. I was teary eyed within the first chapter. I read it in less than a day, ignoring deadlines, laundry, and basic adult responsibilities because I had to know what happened next. “Vein & Vow” has everything I love in a paranormal romance: brooding vampires, undeniable fated-mate tension, and fast paced character-driven drama that had my heart racing.

The main male character is the epitome of the grumpy a*shole. The chemistry and spice was on point. I wouldn't say enemies to lovers...but there was enough disgust to make it work. It’s steamy, intense, and gives full-on JR Ward/Black Dagger Brotherhood vibes, which is basically my catnip.

Was it full of tropes? Absolutely. But they were the kind of tropes that feel like comfort food: familiar, delicious, and done so well. The pacing was tight, the emotional stakes were high, and the characters felt layered and real. Loved the banter and the plot(s). Can't wait for book 2!

(reviewed on Amazon and B&N but not showing yet)

So....this was a really great book going to have to put this author down in my keep up with list such a great read this book had the right amount of everything really it worth the read fir sure

Firstly, I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book. Unfortunately, this was a DNF at 40%. I was trying to push through after seeing so many good reviews, but wasn’t enjoying it. This book follows Beau, a vampire, and Reese, a human, after figuring out they have a mating bond. Beau needs this mating bond, and it’s also his second chance at finding his true love. While Reese doesn’t believe in any of this, she just wants a simple life with her job, her friends, and no drama. When reading the synopsis, I was so intrigued because I love an enemies-to-lovers and I love vampires, but upon reading it, I wasn’t enjoying it. The main characters had insta love, and they were already sleeping together within the first three chapters. It was very quick to get to the actual mating bond, but they kept going back and forth with eachother, whether they liked eachother or not. Overall, I think that this book just wasn’t for me. Thank you again to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

this was fun! i wish it wasn't so fast paced and wish it was longer but looking forward to the rest of the series!!

Enemies-to-lovers? Or is Beau just an ass?

Overall, the plot is engaging, the characters are well-written, and the plot is clever, but Beau is such a raging prick that it ruins the whole experience. Over and over he prioritizes his feelings, ignores the way his actions impact Reese until after she's breaking down, and refuses to have an adult conversation about it. And Reese, once a vibrant, takes-no-shit, woman, slowly turns into a mate that makes excuses for Beau in her internal monologue before he even thinks about making a (shitty) apology. Beau is every woman's awful boyfriend, and I spent the whole book screaming at her to snap out of it.

*Thanks to Books Go Social & Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This is for all the Twilight fans! A grumpy vampire & an unconventional girl fall in love in the midst of attacks on the family. This paranormal romance had all the enemies to lovers charm & angst!

I did feel like the ending was very abrupt, but it will hopefully lead well into the next book in the series!

Was enjoyable. I really like faded mates. And there aren’t too many fated mate vampire romances. The thing I really enjoyed was the fact that they didn’t like each other at all. Those characters are and it’s a great start to a new series. I do feel like it needs a little more editing and some parts did feel very rushed, but all I know was a solid read.

This book surprised me in the best way. I picked it up expecting a typical fated mates paranormal romance, but what I got was so much more—raw emotion, heavy grief, complicated loyalty, and the kind of love that doesn’t come easy.

Jacquelyn creates a world full of supernatural politics and hidden power structures, but she keeps the focus on the characters and their pain. And that’s what really pulled me in—the emotional depth. The main characters aren’t just fighting fate; they’re fighting everything they’ve been taught, everything they’ve lost, and everything they think they’re supposed to be. It made their story feel personal and real, even in this magical world.

That said, this book is heavy. There are moments of longing, deep internal conflict, and moral ambiguity. If you’re looking for a light, fluffy read—this isn’t it. There are parts that slowed down a bit too much, especially with long introspective moments. At times, I felt stuck in the character’s heads for too long when I just wanted the plot to move. But honestly? I didn’t mind too much, because the emotional payoff was worth it.

Also, I appreciated that Jacquelyn didn’t shy away from the messiness of fate and love. The “mate bond” doesn’t magically fix everything—it complicates things, especially when trauma and history get in the way. And while some readers might struggle with a few of the choices the characters make, I loved that nothing felt too easy or neat. These characters had to earn their happiness.

If you’re into:
• Intense emotional journeys
• Slow burn, high-stakes romance
• Messy, flawed characters
• And a paranormal world that feels both dangerous and intimate…

…then I definitely recommend Vein & Vow. It gave me all the feels, made me think, and left me wanting more from this world.

4.5/5 stars—and I’m still emotionally recovering.

If I see fated mates, I MUST read it.
First of all, there were a few things I didn't enjoy about this book. Most importantly, the book definitely needs more editing (especially grammar and structure). When it comes to the story, it was fast-paced and didn't drag on, but I feel like we could have used a lot more build-up to the romance. All that said, the vibes were immaculate, so I will probably read the second book.
Was this a literary masterpiece? No.
But was it a damn good time? Absolutely.

3.5/5 ⭐ Fast-paced romance with a murderous twist

"𝙔𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙..."

Where are my Twilight girlies at? Because Vein and Vow definitely brings back those nostalgic vibes — just a tad steamier. Think fated mates, supernatural tension, and reluctant imprinting… and 𝘯𝘰𝘵 in the innocent Jacob-Renesmee kind of way 😳

The brotherhood and deep family bond were the emotional highlight of the story, and I appreciated the twist on the fated mates trope — it brought a fresh touch to something familiar.

The pacing is lighting fast, which some readers might love. Personally, I prefer a slower build to really connect with the characters. That said, the side characters were intriguing, and I like that (I think?) the next book will follow a different sibling while continuing the overarching plot. A great setup for expanding the world.

The story leans heavily into romance, which is fun, but I was hoping for a stronger balance with the suspense. It opens with a murder mystery (the MMC’s brother’s death) — a plotline I was so ready for — but that thread sort of fades to the background a bit. I’m hoping book two will bring more action and mystery to the forefront.

Still, there’s definitely potential here, and I’m curious to see how the story — and the characters — evolve in the sequel! ❤

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀𝗚𝗼𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!

I read this in one sitting and now my brain is just ✨fated mates + morally grey chaos✨

This was an ARC from NetGalley (thank you!) and I honestly had a great time.

Is Vein & Vow the most polished, literary thing I’ve ever read?
No.
Did I inhale it and enjoy every second?
Absolutely.

What you’re getting into:

- Fast pacing that might usually overwhelm me, but worked perfectly for this story
- Witty, sharp dialogue that made me smile more times than I’d like to admit
- Fated mates- A good mix of drama, tension, and “what the hell just happened” moments

Critique corner:
It definitely needs another round of edits — grammar and structure slipped here and there — but the energy? Immaculate. The vibes carried.

Final thoughts:
It’s messy, addictive, a little unhinged, and I want more. The sequel is already on my mental TBR and I’ll be first in line. If you're into chaotic fantasy romance with sizzling tension and iconic tropes, this one's for you.

I will say, the author did a very good job with the theme. Throughout most of this, it’s not love. It’s attachment that’s a step away from toxic because it’s not wanted. She wrote the ass hole lead, Beau perfectly. Lying to his mate, pretending for her and his own benefit because he has no choice. That aspect of the story moved this from two to three stars. It was ripe with promise THEN that concept was fixed with some tears and a conversation and I was so disappointed. So back down it went. The vampire lore and childhood/how the vampires grew up is great and the most interesting part of this story. The queer representation is also nice.

I’m going to rant.

I’m really tired of this brand of enemies-lovers byline on everything in bold print for the past three years. As if that isn’t a necessary plot point in a story of two people getting to know each other. Mistrust—hostility if the person is rude— is actually normal for strangers hanging around each other. It is ONE in a SERIES of MANY ideas/plot points, not the only plot point, in a Romance. This one idea/plot point being used to death creates undeveloped/weak love and characters. Case in point, the pair are put in two situations where it is suddenly proven that they’re good people because one person won’t let the other die or suffer. And so the basis of the love is basic human decency. The asshole hasn’t changed. Beau just buried his attitude for her. That’s fine but don’t tell me that is character growth. It’s not.

That brings me to my second point, Reese is pretty much called a mouthy hard ass throughout. That was weird to me. She seemed pretty well adjusted and sensible esp. considering her upbringing . It was as if to say if she’s not meek, sweet, accommodating and short of a doll she must be the complete opposite as if personality is a coin, you can only be two things. I get that is what Beau wanted when he first met her and why he was disappointed but the tone of the story says the author believes her actions to be one of someone who is an obnoxious asshole too which I disagreed with.

Anyway

Spunky girl meets asshole. Relationship (problem-fix problem-fix on a loop, I’m not even exaggerating). The end.
I’m not knocking it but you have and I have read this story before. It’s fine.


*Thank you N. Jacquelyn and BooksGoSocial for the, Vein & Vow: An Enemies to Lovers Vampire Romance ARC. My opinions are my own.

Reese Matthews and Beau Boucher are not what I expected, but they were exactly what I needed.

This book had so many concepts/tropes I truly enjoyed. Found family, fated mates, enemies to lovers and a damn good amount of spice! Definitely didn’t expect it to be that spicy but that was a surprise I welcomed with open arms.

The found family concept in this book is so beautifully and well written. Everything flowed and felt truly organic. Beau’s bonds with his brother’s, Reese’s relationship to Mr. Miranda and Noah, Rena and Reeses relationship—even the bond of Reese with the Boucher family as a whole felt very genuine and real.

What stuck out to me the most though was Beau’s character development. Though this was not what he was expecting and the conflicted feelings he had in the beginning for Reese were valid, there were parts where I felt he could’ve been more open with her about his past and how serious the mate bond is. Though if he did decide to go that route, we would not have had some of the most vital and important scenes later on, which then lead to me actually having a soft spot for him. Because like Reese says, he grows on you 😊

Reese challenges him in a way that no one else can, and the idea that someone can be made specifically for you gave me goosebumps all over. I absolutely loved that Reese never held back and called Beau out when he was in his head too much or being an ass. Because of her personality, Reese is able to show Beau the deepest parts of himself without even realizing it. Thus, not only pushing Beau to heal and grow, but creating an even deeper bond and trust between the two.

This book overall surprised me in the best of ways and I highly recommend this read to anyone who loves the fated mates trope and enemies to lovers. I can’t wait to read what happens next in book 2!!

**I received this book for free via NetGalley for an honest review.**

Appreciate the opportunity to read. Nice spin on the fated mates trope- vampires! Fair amount of spice and early on in the book. Introduction to other characters that will be in future books. Timing of progression from enemies to lovers seemed a bit rushed, but maybe that was the goal?

This is the first vampire romance I’ve enjoyed in a long time! I have been reading a couple more serious books lately so this was a great change of scenery lol. Reading vampire romance I can say that the background for these was original. I loved the FMC, I related to her a lot being witty, sarcastic and a bit weird. Constantly having to chatter with an attitude especially with the MMC never giving him an inch. The MMC is hard to take for a while, his attitude towards her put me off him. But he gets character development that lets me soften towards him.

The romance was the main plot you could say it moved quickly but it didn’t feel that way to me, it felt just right. Good communication from the FMC which surprised me, giving her a different light in my eyes. Always pushing to solve the problems made her my favorite. We do get spicy scenes, perfect for the story they were not repetitive or out of place. The dialogue hit a spot for me it flowed really well from the characters making a big reason why I enjoyed the book. Even though I expected way more details on the subplot I know more will be revealed in the next book. I am sad that the next book will not focus on the same characters but I will be reading it.

Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial publishing I received a ARC for an honest review !

Thank you NetGalley for this copy. My opinions are honest, and my own.

Rating: 3.5

My initial curiosity was peaked at "enemies to lovers vampire romance" and I didn't read much else of the synopsis before downloading. I ate this book up within 24 hours of downloading and am surprisingly anticipating book 2 more than I thought I would.

I wouldn't necessarily categorize it as enemies to lovers considering how fast paced this book starts out. It seems to be more like an insta love-hate relationship. We basically get all the steamy content and then start to dive more into the actual plot of the book. If you love a snarky FMC and a broody and let's face it asshole MMC then I think you will enjoy this book. It is short and moves at a quick pace which kept me captivated every step of the way.

I really enjoyed having the alternating dual POVs and the banter was fantastic between Beau and Reese, and I actually caught myself laughing quite a few times. I definitely have a lot of unanswered questions after reading this book that I am hoping Nicole continues to build on in the following book. We spent a lot of time on Beau and Reese's relationship for the first half and barely dipped our toes in to the rest of the world and the challenges that await them overseas, so I am excited to see where she takes the next book.

This book was so hooking! I thought it had good world building and I loved the anticipation and the multi-pov.

Vein & Vow is a humorous/ sarcastic, binge-able read. Beau was a little aggravating at first but I love how Reese & Beau’s story turned out and their relationship development was so good!

I couldn’t put this book down- I was entranced while reading it.
I definitely recommend reading it if you like banter, vampires, fated mates, found family, spice, and enemies to lovers!
I really loved this book!!