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!!

Vein & Vow | Nicole Jacquelyn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/9.14

Wow. I finished Vein & Vow in a matter of hours and I can tell this is one I’ll have stick in my head for a while. A fast paced, steamy, fated mates, vampire romance with a possessive MMC, a quick-witted FMC, a family I want to be a part of, and an unmatched best friend — what more could I ask for?

My only negatives are that it ended too soon, I do think we could have gotten deeper and seen more in Beau and Reese’s relationship, and that the second book switches to one of the other Boucher brothers. But I will happily read about Ambrose come August! (And cross my fingers and hope Nicole will have another book coming for Reese and one of my new favorite book boyfriends, Beau.)

Vein & Vow pulled me right in and really hit me in the feels. I felt Reese’s pain right along with her and laughed out loud out some of her banter. There were moments I hated Beau, but still knew deep down I’d end up loving him. And despite some ups and downs I was not disappointed!

There were unique twists in the fated mates trope and the vampire world and while modern day fantasies aren’t typically my favorite, it worked really well here and I loved it. Some hints of Twilight-esque vibes but done in the perfect way. I highly recommend you pick Vein & Vow up, the Bouchers series is going to be one to look out for!

Here’s my CAWPILE review breakdown for Vein & Vow. Thank you so much to BooksGoSocial, Nicole Jacquelyn, and NetGalley for the eARC!

Characters: 10
Atmosphere: 9
Writing: 9
Plot: 8
Intrigue: 9
Logic/relationships: 9
Enjoyment: 10

Average: 9.14/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received this book for free via NetGallery for an honest review. Here is my opinion:

3.5 stars.

This book had me at "Enemies to lovers vampire romance."

In the beginning, I was irritated with both of the main characters because they did not communicate at all about the vampire mating process or, well, about anything. I really like a slow burn, so I would have liked to see more of them wrestling with accepting the mating and all that before cementing the bond.

One of the things I like best about this book was that I felt like there wasn't a lack of action. which made the book go by really fast. I felt the ending wrapped up way too fast for my liking, but I guess that means I will have to read book 2.

Overall, this gave me serious twilight vibes, but as a twilight girlie, I am not mad about it.

I really enjoyed this book! This was the ultimate nostalgia read for me, took me straight back to those teenage years when I'd stay up until ungodly hours devouring paranormal romance when I should've been doing homework.

Let's talk about our main characters: Reese is the mouthy badass heroine we all need in our lives. She doesn't take Beau's shit and has no problem telling him exactly where he can shove his broody vampire attitude. And Beau? Grade A asshole who you somehow still fall completely in love with.

The tension between these two is EVERYTHING. The whole "we're fated mates but can't stand each other" dynamic creates the kind of delicious angst that had me flipping pages like a woman possessed. And when that asshole hero finally has to grovel? chef's kiss

I absolutely adore the fated mates trope, and this book reminded me exactly why. There's something so satisfying about two people fighting against an inevitable connection, especially when one of them is a centuries-old vampire who thought he knew exactly who his mate should be. The forced proximity situations had me mentally screaming.

Fair warning: this ends on a cliffhanger that had me freaking shook. I literally cannot wait for the next book. Like, can I have it now, please? Yesterday?

4 nostalgic stars!

**Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review**

I haven’t cried while reading a book in a long ass time. That alone makes it worth five stars for me.

Both of our MCs have trauma. So. Much. Trauma. They’re meant for each other and the yearning is so good😭 The found family is amazing, the dynamics are amazing. I feel like it’s rare that you have actual families that love each other on these books. Kinda gives Twilight vibes, but for grown ups lol. I also caught a South Park reference but I don’t know if that was intentional😂

I am most definitely looking forward to book two in August.

As a high schooler who stayed up late reading Twilight and watching The Vampire Diaries, I will never pass up a chance to read a good vampire novel, and Vein & Vow did not disappoint. Vein & Vow follows the love story of Reese Matthew’s and Beaumont Boucher. Reese Matthew’s simple life of working at a blood bank for vampires, and hanging out with her friends, turns upside down when one day handsome vampire Beaumont Boucher walks into her job. Beau has been waiting to find his mate again after waiting for a century. To his surprise, his mate is Reese. Reese is the opposite of his previous mate, shes stubborn and sarcastic. This book did a good job of blending together supernatural romance and action. I enjoyed that this novel was told from both Reese’s and Beau’s perspective
,because you were able to read them going from enemies to lovers. Their banter and spice between them is top notch. I loved how this novel spent the time to develop the vampire lore, because of it, I can wait to read the next book in the series. This book was a quick read, that grappled my attention from the start and kept it! Thanks NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had a great mix of action, steamy scenes, and just the right amount of angst. I really liked the characters—especially the Bouchers brothers—and the world had a lot of interesting elements.

But I had a few issues. Honestly, the whole thing just felt a bit rushed. I usually love a fast-paced romance, and I’m all for insta-love and fated mates when it’s done right. But in this case, I think the story could’ve used a bit more breathing room—especially to introduce the other characters and set up the bigger plot.

And as much as I enjoyed Beaumont and Reese’s chemistry, I wasn’t totally sold on their relationship. The misunderstandings between them were a big deal, but the way they resolved everything felt too quick. Suddenly they’re all lovey-dovey again, and it just didn’t feel earned.

The world-building, particularly around the vampires, was a little confusing. Info kind of dropped out of nowhere, and while that made some sense since Reese didn’t know much, it still felt jarring.

Thank you to NetGalley for this Arc Review.

Unexpectedly good!
A good balance of action, intimate scenes and angst.
Likable characters, especially the Bouchers brothers, and interesting world-building.
What put me off you ask, and I did not give 5 stars?
The world-building was a bit confusing and the information especially for the vampires was being presented out of nowhere. Sometimes that made sense, because Reese did not know much about the vampires. But I would appreciate a smoother getting to know you better.
Even though I loved Beaumont and Reese together, I feel that they were not good for each other. The misunderstandings were a big deal and the making up was not good enough.
Suddenly, they were lovey-dovey with each other and everything was water under the bridge. It did not work for me.

All in all an easy read that keeps you entertained.

Thank you @NetGalley for the copy.

I really like the title and cover of this book. I really, really wanted to love the story but you know what they say about judging book covers. The plot summary was not exactly what I was expecting, it was ok.

3,5 stars rounded up. 

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

Beau Boucher, one of the five Boucher brothers, is reeling. His youngest brother Zeke was just found brutally murdered without any clue as to how this happened... much less why. The only hint we get, is that the Boucher brothers are all Vampires. But it's normal in this universe. Vampires "came out" more than 60 years ago, and have made arrangements with the government: they'll work for them as elite soldiers until they find their mate. In exchange, they... get to exist alongside humankind. When they need blood, they go to the bank to buy some. 

It is at such a bank where, 2 months after Zeke's murder, Beau meets blood technician Reese, a human woman in her late twenties with a big mouth, wild hair and questionable fashion sense. He looks into her eyes and feels immediately... Completely... Utterly...

...F*CKED because she's his mate and he is just not that into her. He keeps repeating, "she's all wrong." Well ain't that just the way to a gal's heart. This is "oh shit" at first sight. Beau hauls ass so fast, it's eyebrow-raising and almost comical. Reese is over it before it really begins, but unfortunately for them, violent physical suffering will immediately ensue for a newly mated pair who are apart with the human taking the brunt of it. Neither one of them is that masochistic. It's close, because the hate runs deep, but survival instinct trumps disgust. They quickly realize and agree-ish they'll have to figure this out together.

We wanted an enemies to lovers romance, right? Well, let me just wrap this in shiny bloodred paper and stick a big black glittery bow on it, because here she is, a gift in all her brutal glory. I gasped. I balked. I took out my earrings on Reese's behalf. I wasn't having ANY of it.

And now I want ALL of it.  

For this is a really good introduction book to a promising series. This one focuses primarily on the romance story between Beau and Reese, rather than having a lot of movement in plot. It functions as a pilot of sorts, really introducing the universe, the mate bonds that are central to the series, and the main + supporting cast of characters (with some light and funny moments). I feel Jacquelyn covered a lot of ground here. The modern take on Vampirism, veering away from the lore of yore, is always welcome. There are some things about Vampirism in this book series that I'd never read before. It's not easy to write something fresh befitting supernatural creatures that have featured in many stories over the centuries. Sparkly skin is still a punchline. I'll take Vein & Vow & Feral over that any day.  

The mystery/thriller re: "what happened to Zeke" is on the backburner for most of the book, but there is enough development (especially from about 80% in) that keeps me interested in the follow-up books. I like that they are written as an ongoing serial while still giving each Boucher Brother his own romance arc. Book 2 will feature older brother Ambrose and I'm excited to see where it'll go from here.  

A solid opener, 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this eCopy to review

When I started reading Vein & Vow, I was immediately drawn into the world of Reese Matthews and Beaumont Boucher. Reese, a human who prefers a simple life devoid of supernatural drama, finds her world turned upside down when she encounters Beaumont, a brooding vampire. The tension between them is palpable from the start, as they are fated mates who can't stand each other.

Reese's life takes a dramatic turn when Beaumont strides into her job, sending her body into overdrive with just a glance. Beaumont, on the other hand, has waited over a century to find his mate again, but Reese is nothing like the woman he lost in another life. Their relationship is filled with sharp-tongued banter and stubborn resistance, making their journey from enemies to lovers both intense and captivating.

As I followed their story, I was intrigued by the blend of romance, suspense, and family dynamics. The Boucher family is reeling from a devastating loss, and as they hunt for answers, Reese finds herself caught in the crossfire. The plot thickens with the discovery of long-buried secrets and the looming threat of enemies closing in.

The character development was a highlight for me. Reese's quirky personality and Beaumont's grumpy yet golden-hearted nature made them both relatable and endearing. The story's pacing kept me engaged, and the mix of fated mates, forced proximity, and enemies-to-lovers tension added depth to the romance.

Vein & Vow is a steamy and engaging paranormal romance that balances romance and plot beautifully, making it a delightful read for fans of the genre.