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This is Not a Vampire Story
Seventeen-year-old Victor Callahan holds a secret as ancient as the shadows.
Employed as a night porter in a quiet Irish nursing home, the teenager watches over a group of men he once knew a long time ago. Victor has orchestrated their reunion for a final farewell, a goodbye to those whose lives have shaped him through the years.
But can he keep his secret from Lakeshore Manor’s oldest resident, James O’Carroll?
As he cares for these remnants of his past, memories of a bygone era haunt him—of wild adventures on the rugged Irish coast, of forbidden love hidden beneath the threat of eternal night, and of a shipwreck that changes everything...
Gloria Pinto, the night nurse, doesn’t like him. But maybe she has her own secrets.
THIS IS NOT A VAMPIRE STORY weaves a tale of timeless bonds, the cost of immortality, and the lengths we go to for love.
But is love more important than life? Victor is about to find out.
Employed as a night porter in a quiet Irish nursing home, the teenager watches over a group of men he once knew a long time ago. Victor has orchestrated their reunion for a final farewell, a goodbye to those whose lives have shaped him through the years.
But can he keep his secret from Lakeshore Manor’s oldest resident, James O’Carroll?
As he cares for these remnants of his past, memories of a bygone era haunt him—of wild adventures on the rugged Irish coast, of forbidden love hidden beneath the threat of eternal night, and of a shipwreck that changes everything...
Gloria Pinto, the night nurse, doesn’t like him. But maybe she has her own secrets.
THIS IS NOT A VAMPIRE STORY weaves a tale of timeless bonds, the cost of immortality, and the lengths we go to for love.
But is love more important than life? Victor is about to find out.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2025
26 people are currently reading
763 people want to read
About the author
Simon Doyle
6 books123 followersSimon Doyle (he/him) was born and raised in Ireland. He discovered that he could travel the world on a shoestring by reading books at a very young age. When he won a local poetry competition at the age of nine, it sparked a lifetime love of words. But he swears never to write poetry again.
His first novel release was Runaway Train, book 1 of the Runaway Bay series. The follow-up, Runaway Skies, released in January 2023.
He lives with a neurotic rescue dog, and Lucas, his human soulmate. They met in kindergarten. Where all good stories begin.
His first novel release was Runaway Train, book 1 of the Runaway Bay series. The follow-up, Runaway Skies, released in January 2023.
He lives with a neurotic rescue dog, and Lucas, his human soulmate. They met in kindergarten. Where all good stories begin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
July 19, 2025
4.5 Stars
I am not okay. I’ve cried and hurt and mourned and cried again while reading this story, and I’m feeling pretty rundown because of it, if I’m being honest. It was probably the most emotionally wrought way possible to start my 2025 reading year—but it was also totally and unregrettably worth it, because, sobbing mess aside, it was also a deeply affecting, thought-provoking, and memorable way to kick off my book year with a big bang.
This is Not a Vampire Story is a simply written, strikingly beautiful, soul-wrenching queer story, with many poignant and universal themes at play, such as friendship, love, loss, regret, forgiveness, purpose, and acceptance.
As the title states, this is not TECHNICALLY a vampire story and, by my standards, it’s not. I may be mistaken (so forgive me if I am), but I don’t believe the word ‘vampire’ was uttered once in the whole duration of the narrative, even though, TECHNICALLY, the protagonist, Victor, becomes something of that nature along the way—at least, again, by my standards of what constitutes a vampiric being. In this way, I thought the story and its execution was very clever and unique.
Although the writing itself is fairly simplistic and straightforward, I found the whole thing extremely emotive, engrossing, and impressively realized, especially in terms of the dual timelines at play, which wove together the perfect picture of past and present in the lives of Victor and his childhood friends, James, Danny, Giuseppe, and Michael.
Yes, there’s a romantic element in this book—a big, beautiful, enduring love shared between Victor and James—but, even with how affecting I found their relationship, across time, I feel as if the bonds of friendship and the realities of those you love ageing, when you yourself are stuck in time, were way more the central elements of the bigger story.
At its core, this story is about the fleetingness of time and how precious every single moment we get to share with our loved ones truly is. Even when a life is long and full of love, it’s still too damn short, as Victor and his friends quickly learn in this story that feels like a race against time across the pages. This is a basic message that applies to every single one of us, and it still hit me like a ton of bricks in its factuality.
I’ve been asked if this has a HEA by reader friends, and I have to say that’s a no from me. I think the whole thing is very much about perspective though. To me, this is a love story NOT a romance, and therefore doesn’t demand that it ends with a happily ever after for the characters in focus. That’s not to say I—a huge romance reader that 99.9% of the time expects and wants a HEA—was disappointed in any way whatsoever. I wasn’t. This story had the ending is absolutely needed to have, in order to have the same deeper resonance and impact it had on me personally.
To put things in comparative terms, I’d compare this reading experience to some other GREAT queer love stories that have hit in similar ways. If you’ve read and loved books like The Lion & the Crow, They Both Die at the End, or Song of Achilles, to name but a few, then you should be just fine dealing with the themes and outcomes of this lovely story. (And if those stories weren’t for you, then you can rest assured this probably won’t be either).
Having said all of that, despite the heavier, sombre themes of this story, it also had such beautiful representations of long-lasting bonds of friendship. Despite whether the characters were rowdy teenagers or decrepit old codgers on their last legs (figuratively and literally), so many of the scenes shared between these characters were fun and cheeky and, on many occasion, smile-inducing and full of heart and light. The fact is, life is never just one thing, and in that way, this book was as warm and joyful and heartwarming as it was distressing, tragic and heartbreaking.
Simon Doyle is a new-to-me author whom I’ve had my eye on for a few years now. They say good things come to those who wait, and in that way, I feel like my timing couldn’t have been better, in terms of picking up *this* book as my first venture into Doyle’s storytelling world. Due to the nature of this story, I can’t quite say I enjoyed myself while reading, but I can say I loved the whole experience and would welcome it again and again.
***A special thanks to the publishers (via Netgalley) for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am not okay. I’ve cried and hurt and mourned and cried again while reading this story, and I’m feeling pretty rundown because of it, if I’m being honest. It was probably the most emotionally wrought way possible to start my 2025 reading year—but it was also totally and unregrettably worth it, because, sobbing mess aside, it was also a deeply affecting, thought-provoking, and memorable way to kick off my book year with a big bang.
This is Not a Vampire Story is a simply written, strikingly beautiful, soul-wrenching queer story, with many poignant and universal themes at play, such as friendship, love, loss, regret, forgiveness, purpose, and acceptance.
As the title states, this is not TECHNICALLY a vampire story and, by my standards, it’s not. I may be mistaken (so forgive me if I am), but I don’t believe the word ‘vampire’ was uttered once in the whole duration of the narrative, even though, TECHNICALLY, the protagonist, Victor, becomes something of that nature along the way—at least, again, by my standards of what constitutes a vampiric being. In this way, I thought the story and its execution was very clever and unique.
Although the writing itself is fairly simplistic and straightforward, I found the whole thing extremely emotive, engrossing, and impressively realized, especially in terms of the dual timelines at play, which wove together the perfect picture of past and present in the lives of Victor and his childhood friends, James, Danny, Giuseppe, and Michael.
Yes, there’s a romantic element in this book—a big, beautiful, enduring love shared between Victor and James—but, even with how affecting I found their relationship, across time, I feel as if the bonds of friendship and the realities of those you love ageing, when you yourself are stuck in time, were way more the central elements of the bigger story.
At its core, this story is about the fleetingness of time and how precious every single moment we get to share with our loved ones truly is. Even when a life is long and full of love, it’s still too damn short, as Victor and his friends quickly learn in this story that feels like a race against time across the pages. This is a basic message that applies to every single one of us, and it still hit me like a ton of bricks in its factuality.
I’ve been asked if this has a HEA by reader friends, and I have to say that’s a no from me. I think the whole thing is very much about perspective though. To me, this is a love story NOT a romance, and therefore doesn’t demand that it ends with a happily ever after for the characters in focus. That’s not to say I—a huge romance reader that 99.9% of the time expects and wants a HEA—was disappointed in any way whatsoever. I wasn’t. This story had the ending is absolutely needed to have, in order to have the same deeper resonance and impact it had on me personally.
To put things in comparative terms, I’d compare this reading experience to some other GREAT queer love stories that have hit in similar ways. If you’ve read and loved books like The Lion & the Crow, They Both Die at the End, or Song of Achilles, to name but a few, then you should be just fine dealing with the themes and outcomes of this lovely story. (And if those stories weren’t for you, then you can rest assured this probably won’t be either).
Having said all of that, despite the heavier, sombre themes of this story, it also had such beautiful representations of long-lasting bonds of friendship. Despite whether the characters were rowdy teenagers or decrepit old codgers on their last legs (figuratively and literally), so many of the scenes shared between these characters were fun and cheeky and, on many occasion, smile-inducing and full of heart and light. The fact is, life is never just one thing, and in that way, this book was as warm and joyful and heartwarming as it was distressing, tragic and heartbreaking.
Simon Doyle is a new-to-me author whom I’ve had my eye on for a few years now. They say good things come to those who wait, and in that way, I feel like my timing couldn’t have been better, in terms of picking up *this* book as my first venture into Doyle’s storytelling world. Due to the nature of this story, I can’t quite say I enjoyed myself while reading, but I can say I loved the whole experience and would welcome it again and again.
***A special thanks to the publishers (via Netgalley) for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2024
I DNF’d Simon Doyle’s “Runaway Train,” gave it a one-star review on account of its misogynistic tropes, and swore I’d never read another book of his.
Thank goodness I have a bad memory for names, because “This Is Not a Vampire Story” is one of the best books I’ve read this year, and I’d never have requested the ARC if “Simon Doyle” had rung a bell.
Take the “ageless vampire” of romance seriously. Have the vampire -- Victor is his name, and he was turned at 17 -- never forget his first and only love, whom he abandoned for reasons I won’t specify because, although you’ll probably guess them at some point, you emphatically don’t want the spoiler. Have that vampire return, in his lover’s advanced old age, to work at the care home where the lover and other friends of their youth now live. Give full weight to the loss, the grief, the betrayal, the longing to take away the pain of the beloved.
The result is shattering.
At moments, Doyle steps too hard on an insight or a bit of symbolism. “The love we give away is the only love we keep” — please, no. And although the first person is the only narrative voice that could possibly work — Victor’s account needs the intimacy — in this story it has one inevitable pitfall. But, well, who cares.
Doyle borrows some of the usual literary conceits about vampires: the vampire who turns Victor arrives at his seaside town in a rotting ship; once turned, Victor has no heartbeat, he can't eat human food or eat anything but blood, sunlight burns him, and he doesn't age. He retains his surprising wit and his human capacity for feeling. Which is why this is not a vampire story, just the most beautiful, heartbreaking love story I can imagine.
Thanks to NetGalley and SD Press for the ARC.
Thank goodness I have a bad memory for names, because “This Is Not a Vampire Story” is one of the best books I’ve read this year, and I’d never have requested the ARC if “Simon Doyle” had rung a bell.
Take the “ageless vampire” of romance seriously. Have the vampire -- Victor is his name, and he was turned at 17 -- never forget his first and only love, whom he abandoned for reasons I won’t specify because, although you’ll probably guess them at some point, you emphatically don’t want the spoiler. Have that vampire return, in his lover’s advanced old age, to work at the care home where the lover and other friends of their youth now live. Give full weight to the loss, the grief, the betrayal, the longing to take away the pain of the beloved.
The result is shattering.
At moments, Doyle steps too hard on an insight or a bit of symbolism. “The love we give away is the only love we keep” — please, no. And although the first person is the only narrative voice that could possibly work — Victor’s account needs the intimacy — in this story it has one inevitable pitfall. But, well, who cares.
Doyle borrows some of the usual literary conceits about vampires: the vampire who turns Victor arrives at his seaside town in a rotting ship; once turned, Victor has no heartbeat, he can't eat human food or eat anything but blood, sunlight burns him, and he doesn't age. He retains his surprising wit and his human capacity for feeling. Which is why this is not a vampire story, just the most beautiful, heartbreaking love story I can imagine.
Thanks to NetGalley and SD Press for the ARC.
October 31, 2024
This Is Not A Vampire Story by Simon Doyle is a sincere and poignant depiction of timeless bonds, eternal love, and the price of immortality. When I fall deeply in love with a story, I find it difficult to express myself. So, naturally, I'm currently a little speechless because I absolutely adored this book. Doyle has resurrected my love of vampire stories by penning a lush tale so shrouded in mystery that I was genuinely bereft when roused from this heart-wrenching tale.
Victor Callahan, a seventeen-year-old, will forever be on the verge of manhood, damned to spend eternity forming vague acquaintances and rousing suspicion over his immunity to the decline of his physical self. Memories of a bygone era haunt him - of wild adventures on the rugged Irish coast, of forbidden love hidden beneath the threat of eternal night, and of a shipwreck that changed everything. As he prepares himself for a final farewell to those whose lives shaped him, Victor reckons with the knowledge of an eternity spent without the only man he ever loved, James O'Carroll, thus securing a job as a night porter in a quiet Irish nursing home to watch over the group of men he once knew a long time ago.
Each chapter alternates between the 1950s and the present day flawlessly. The foreshadowment had me constantly on the edge of my seat, and the novel was constructed in such a clever way, the narratives sliding together despite over half a century existing between them. The reader mirrors Victor in his constant quest for answers, so there is a special affinity between his character and the reader, but just like Victor, we eventually learn to simply accept the process. I thought I would be left pining for a deeper exploration into Victor's creator and the other vampires. Instead, I found myself fulfilled with the knowledge that answers wouldn't make him happier and how walking away gave him more emotional catharsis than an inevitably inadequate answer would have.
This novel encapsulates the fleeting nature of time and how we experience our best moments living in the present and surrendering to paths unknown. It thought it so meaningful that despite Victor's immortality, he only needed one mortal lifetime to feel fulfilled. The romance was so beautiful. How it leapt between between the ecstasy of new love and the everlasting connection that endured across the decades, and never once, was the notion of immortality romantized. Instead, Doyle romantized mortality so poetically. I was weeping by the final page.
So, if you have a penchant for the supernatural, enduring romance, platonic bonds, and LGBTQIA+ character driven stories, then This Is Not A Vampire Story by Simon Doyle is the book for you (release date: January 7th, 2025).
Thank you, NetGalley and Nightsgale Books, for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review. You've made an instant Simon Doyle fan out of me.
Victor Callahan, a seventeen-year-old, will forever be on the verge of manhood, damned to spend eternity forming vague acquaintances and rousing suspicion over his immunity to the decline of his physical self. Memories of a bygone era haunt him - of wild adventures on the rugged Irish coast, of forbidden love hidden beneath the threat of eternal night, and of a shipwreck that changed everything. As he prepares himself for a final farewell to those whose lives shaped him, Victor reckons with the knowledge of an eternity spent without the only man he ever loved, James O'Carroll, thus securing a job as a night porter in a quiet Irish nursing home to watch over the group of men he once knew a long time ago.
Each chapter alternates between the 1950s and the present day flawlessly. The foreshadowment had me constantly on the edge of my seat, and the novel was constructed in such a clever way, the narratives sliding together despite over half a century existing between them. The reader mirrors Victor in his constant quest for answers, so there is a special affinity between his character and the reader, but just like Victor, we eventually learn to simply accept the process. I thought I would be left pining for a deeper exploration into Victor's creator and the other vampires. Instead, I found myself fulfilled with the knowledge that answers wouldn't make him happier and how walking away gave him more emotional catharsis than an inevitably inadequate answer would have.
This novel encapsulates the fleeting nature of time and how we experience our best moments living in the present and surrendering to paths unknown. It thought it so meaningful that despite Victor's immortality, he only needed one mortal lifetime to feel fulfilled. The romance was so beautiful. How it leapt between between the ecstasy of new love and the everlasting connection that endured across the decades, and never once, was the notion of immortality romantized. Instead, Doyle romantized mortality so poetically. I was weeping by the final page.
So, if you have a penchant for the supernatural, enduring romance, platonic bonds, and LGBTQIA+ character driven stories, then This Is Not A Vampire Story by Simon Doyle is the book for you (release date: January 7th, 2025).
Thank you, NetGalley and Nightsgale Books, for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review. You've made an instant Simon Doyle fan out of me.
October 11, 2024
Diving into this book felt like stepping into a mysterious, shadowed world, full of questions I wasn’t quite prepared for, especially when it came to the characters.
I mean, they’re not poorly written at all; instead, they leave you wanting more, particularly Ammaral. Even as I turned the last page, I found myself wondering, who is Ammaral, really? There’s a sense of mystery clinging to him, as if his story is much larger than what we glimpse. It left me yearning to explore his past, and it made the book linger in my thoughts long after I finished it.
And when I was getting deeper into the story, some of those questions I was thinking had more answers than I asked for.
I love how the author arranged the timeline—each chapter felt deliberate, like puzzle pieces slowly fitting together. It’s almost funny how I kept questioning everything, but then the story hit me with a passage: “Some questions don’t have answers. Some don’t need them.” So, I was like, "okay, stop yapping self.” hahaha
At its heart, this book isn’t just about vampires. It’s a beautifully tragic exploration of friendship, the cost of immortality, and the sacrifices we make for love.
Victor, the main character, never asked for his life to change in such extraordinary ways, yet it did. He’s forced to give up so much for his family, and as he navigates the weight of his decisions, you feel the emotional toll it takes on him. His life, once filled with meaning, begins to unravel, and it’s heartbreaking to witness.
The emotions in this story run deep, especially when circumstances throw you in a situation to choose between death, life, or love? What would you do? Which would you listen to, your heart, your mind, or your soul?
And the thing is, death is always a lingering idea in the book and life, I mean, it’s not an idea, because it is there, and death is one thing guaranteed in life.
By the end, I was left with a sunken heart, like one of those ships in the ocean bed — it wasn’t the conclusion I expected, but it was one that felt raw and honest. The book’s beauty lies in its unfairness, much like life itself.
One thing that stood out to me is that “This Is Not A Vampire Story” reminds us of the fleeting nature of time and how, despite our best efforts, we can’t always control our fate.
At the same time it reminds us that sometimes, the greatest strength comes not from fighting against the currents of life, but from learning to navigate them, accepting that not every question needs an answer.
It’s a lesson in letting go, appreciating what we have, and embracing the uncertainty of life.
I mean, they’re not poorly written at all; instead, they leave you wanting more, particularly Ammaral. Even as I turned the last page, I found myself wondering, who is Ammaral, really? There’s a sense of mystery clinging to him, as if his story is much larger than what we glimpse. It left me yearning to explore his past, and it made the book linger in my thoughts long after I finished it.
And when I was getting deeper into the story, some of those questions I was thinking had more answers than I asked for.
I love how the author arranged the timeline—each chapter felt deliberate, like puzzle pieces slowly fitting together. It’s almost funny how I kept questioning everything, but then the story hit me with a passage: “Some questions don’t have answers. Some don’t need them.” So, I was like, "okay, stop yapping self.” hahaha
At its heart, this book isn’t just about vampires. It’s a beautifully tragic exploration of friendship, the cost of immortality, and the sacrifices we make for love.
Victor, the main character, never asked for his life to change in such extraordinary ways, yet it did. He’s forced to give up so much for his family, and as he navigates the weight of his decisions, you feel the emotional toll it takes on him. His life, once filled with meaning, begins to unravel, and it’s heartbreaking to witness.
The emotions in this story run deep, especially when circumstances throw you in a situation to choose between death, life, or love? What would you do? Which would you listen to, your heart, your mind, or your soul?
And the thing is, death is always a lingering idea in the book and life, I mean, it’s not an idea, because it is there, and death is one thing guaranteed in life.
By the end, I was left with a sunken heart, like one of those ships in the ocean bed — it wasn’t the conclusion I expected, but it was one that felt raw and honest. The book’s beauty lies in its unfairness, much like life itself.
One thing that stood out to me is that “This Is Not A Vampire Story” reminds us of the fleeting nature of time and how, despite our best efforts, we can’t always control our fate.
At the same time it reminds us that sometimes, the greatest strength comes not from fighting against the currents of life, but from learning to navigate them, accepting that not every question needs an answer.
It’s a lesson in letting go, appreciating what we have, and embracing the uncertainty of life.
October 14, 2024
thank you to netgalley and nightsgale books for the ARC!
i cannot give enough praise to this book. "this is not a vampire story" is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about love, grief, regret, and acceptance. i was fully weeping by the last page.
each chapter alternates between the past and present of our main character, victor, and the two narratives marry together perfectly - they are woven together in such a satisfying and masterful way. the prose is refreshingly earnest, with a perfect balance of poeticism and straightforwardness. this was a surprising slow burn. i felt like it really took its time opening up to the reader, but not in a way that was confusing or frustrating. i am not someone who usually enjoys a slow burn but i found the way this story unfolded to be very satisfying.
the title "this is not a vampire story" is truly accurate. the vampire/paranormal aspects take a backseat to the much more visceral and important story of grief and loss. that isn't to say that the book is without its levity - there were so many times i found myself grinning along with victor and his friends. the comraderie between all the boys, the giddy nerves of a teenage romance, the bittersweet humor of men on the verge of death - all of the joy in this novel is just as tangible as the sorrow.
i cannot recommend this book enough. anyone who has ever grappled with the big feelings of love and loss will resonate with this beautiful story.
i cannot give enough praise to this book. "this is not a vampire story" is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about love, grief, regret, and acceptance. i was fully weeping by the last page.
each chapter alternates between the past and present of our main character, victor, and the two narratives marry together perfectly - they are woven together in such a satisfying and masterful way. the prose is refreshingly earnest, with a perfect balance of poeticism and straightforwardness. this was a surprising slow burn. i felt like it really took its time opening up to the reader, but not in a way that was confusing or frustrating. i am not someone who usually enjoys a slow burn but i found the way this story unfolded to be very satisfying.
the title "this is not a vampire story" is truly accurate. the vampire/paranormal aspects take a backseat to the much more visceral and important story of grief and loss. that isn't to say that the book is without its levity - there were so many times i found myself grinning along with victor and his friends. the comraderie between all the boys, the giddy nerves of a teenage romance, the bittersweet humor of men on the verge of death - all of the joy in this novel is just as tangible as the sorrow.
i cannot recommend this book enough. anyone who has ever grappled with the big feelings of love and loss will resonate with this beautiful story.
December 10, 2024
This heartfelt, gentle story explores love the mysteries of love and death, and the timeless fear that come with both. The writing is straight forward but evocative, with a hint of whimsy and lyricism adorning otherwise plain prose. Calling it plain isn’t an insult, though, it doesn’t try to use language to trick you into feeling for these characters, it lets the characters do that on their own, and so it is perfect for the story. The narrative framing, with chapters alternating between the present and with youth, works well, letting the world and these characters develop at a comfortable, meaningful pace. The main character, Victor, is wonderful, we are given enough space with him to feel his weariness and the many shades of who he is. I appreciate the ancillary characters, and they are given enough character to be more than window dressing, but I do wish we spent a little more time developing them. I felt like I knew them, I understood the dynamics of a pack of young men in a small town in the mid-20th century and I saw the reflection of those dynamics in the present day, so they weren’t waifs… But the chapters were so short, and so focused on Victor’s immediate emotional experiences, that we didn’t get as much into their lives as I would have liked. We get lines of dialogue about their inner experiences but if some of the chapters, both past and present, had been a little longer than I might have been able to develop a more robust appreciation of them, which I wanted. The eventual outcome of the story is pretty expected, as soon as we see the stakes after the first chapter or two, and yet it isn’t disappointing. Yes, there is some level of cliché to it, and some of the scenes and language lean into the territory of emotional manipulation, aiming right for the easiest path to the heart strings. However, it never feels coarse or heavy-handed, even in its cliché and expectations it feels gentle and compassionate, riddled with a longing and ache that only can come from the deepest of emotional relationships.
This is a quick story that doesn’t hide its heart, wearing it boldly on its sleeve. It uses a supernatural framing device to navigate the incredibly human experiences and emotions of love and loss, and it does that to great effect. There aren’t any surprises, you get exactly what is promised on the tin, but that isn’t a flaw. The deepest sadness in this story is not for the inevitable end, for last breaths and whispered goodbyes, but for all the moments wasted. The times when fear, shame, or ignorance force us to tie ourselves in knots and refuse to acknowledge what is in front of us. You can try to make up for lost time, and even have some modicum of peaceful success in that, but it is best not to lose that time in the first place. This story is a sweet reminder that, while there are many circumstances far outside of our control, obstacles and difficulties we will inevitably need to overcome or work around, we need to trust in ourselves and in the love we have for others in order to live a life, now, this moment, that won’t become deathbed regrets.
I want to thank the author, the publisher Nightsgale Books, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a quick story that doesn’t hide its heart, wearing it boldly on its sleeve. It uses a supernatural framing device to navigate the incredibly human experiences and emotions of love and loss, and it does that to great effect. There aren’t any surprises, you get exactly what is promised on the tin, but that isn’t a flaw. The deepest sadness in this story is not for the inevitable end, for last breaths and whispered goodbyes, but for all the moments wasted. The times when fear, shame, or ignorance force us to tie ourselves in knots and refuse to acknowledge what is in front of us. You can try to make up for lost time, and even have some modicum of peaceful success in that, but it is best not to lose that time in the first place. This story is a sweet reminder that, while there are many circumstances far outside of our control, obstacles and difficulties we will inevitably need to overcome or work around, we need to trust in ourselves and in the love we have for others in order to live a life, now, this moment, that won’t become deathbed regrets.
I want to thank the author, the publisher Nightsgale Books, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 8, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC
3,25/5
I didn't know what to expect when I started this book, meaning I had a great time discovering where the story was leading me. The book follows two timeline, one around the fifties, the other one in the present day. We see our main character in his youth, falling for his friend, before everything goes awry, then we find him again, older, sadder and lonelier, when he reaches out to the same friend, now in a retirement home.
It's a quick read, the writing flows easily, being narrated in the first person. Not my preference usually, but it fits the story. There is a great deal of sadness et loneliness in this book, but not in a overpowering way, counterbalanced by love and cherished memories.
The love story is cute, complicated and yet not that much, subjected to the trouble of unexpected events and separation. Seeing friendships and care was nice.
As the title indicated, the book isn't a vampire story, even if it showcase one. It is not the focus of the book, it's more like this aspect shapes how the lives of our characters goes, without being the core of it. Other vampire aren't explored, nor is how they came to be. And it isn't a problem, because it is not the goal of this book. It is an exploration of love and grief, and death.
3,25/5
I didn't know what to expect when I started this book, meaning I had a great time discovering where the story was leading me. The book follows two timeline, one around the fifties, the other one in the present day. We see our main character in his youth, falling for his friend, before everything goes awry, then we find him again, older, sadder and lonelier, when he reaches out to the same friend, now in a retirement home.
It's a quick read, the writing flows easily, being narrated in the first person. Not my preference usually, but it fits the story. There is a great deal of sadness et loneliness in this book, but not in a overpowering way, counterbalanced by love and cherished memories.
The love story is cute, complicated and yet not that much, subjected to the trouble of unexpected events and separation. Seeing friendships and care was nice.
As the title indicated, the book isn't a vampire story, even if it showcase one. It is not the focus of the book, it's more like this aspect shapes how the lives of our characters goes, without being the core of it. Other vampire aren't explored, nor is how they came to be. And it isn't a problem, because it is not the goal of this book. It is an exploration of love and grief, and death.
October 15, 2024
This is a story about a vampire but, as the title says, this is not a vampire story—it’s an exploration of life, death, grief, and love that’s equal parts beautiful and heart-wrenching.
Victor Callahan, a suspiciously pale "seventeen"-year-old, works as a night porter in a quiet nursing home along the Irish coast. Here he helps care for a group of elderly men he knew long ago under the watchful gaze of Gloria, a nurse harboring her own secrets. Victor could be recognized and outed as an immortal being, but it’s worth the risk. He needs to see his old friends while he still can—one of whom, James, used to be far more than a friend.
Chapters alternate between modern day and seventy years ago. In the past, we see the characters meet, grow to care for one another, and discover meaning and direction for their lives. In the present, they’ve been deeply changed by more than age. What happened? Why did they part ways? Why, now, have they been brought back together? Questions like these propelled me ravenously from chapter to chapter. I’m a slow reader, but I tore through this book in two nights.
There’s excitement and action—the threats of destruction and discovery are near constant companions for these characters—but it’s the quiet moments that struck me and have continued to stay with me. Simon Doyle writes about friendship, love, isolation, fear, and pain so authentically and intimately, I fell for his characters faster than I thought possible.
At its heart, this is a beautifully written love story. It provides refreshing takes on many vampire classic tropes and the writing is quick-witted, often using humor to alleviate heavy moments. If you’re a fan of romance, vampires, LGBTQ+ characters/stories, or want to get punched in the feels so hard it may take you days to recover, then I HIGHLY recommend this book!
Thank you Nightsgale Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Victor Callahan, a suspiciously pale "seventeen"-year-old, works as a night porter in a quiet nursing home along the Irish coast. Here he helps care for a group of elderly men he knew long ago under the watchful gaze of Gloria, a nurse harboring her own secrets. Victor could be recognized and outed as an immortal being, but it’s worth the risk. He needs to see his old friends while he still can—one of whom, James, used to be far more than a friend.
Chapters alternate between modern day and seventy years ago. In the past, we see the characters meet, grow to care for one another, and discover meaning and direction for their lives. In the present, they’ve been deeply changed by more than age. What happened? Why did they part ways? Why, now, have they been brought back together? Questions like these propelled me ravenously from chapter to chapter. I’m a slow reader, but I tore through this book in two nights.
There’s excitement and action—the threats of destruction and discovery are near constant companions for these characters—but it’s the quiet moments that struck me and have continued to stay with me. Simon Doyle writes about friendship, love, isolation, fear, and pain so authentically and intimately, I fell for his characters faster than I thought possible.
At its heart, this is a beautifully written love story. It provides refreshing takes on many vampire classic tropes and the writing is quick-witted, often using humor to alleviate heavy moments. If you’re a fan of romance, vampires, LGBTQ+ characters/stories, or want to get punched in the feels so hard it may take you days to recover, then I HIGHLY recommend this book!
Thank you Nightsgale Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
December 10, 2024
First and foremost, thank you to the publisher and author for letting me have an arc via netgalley. I must say i enjoyed this book really quite a lot!
4 stars:
Tinavs is, in fact, a vampire story - but not your conventional blood-sucking tale of woe. Set largely in Ireland, we follow the protagonist back and forth through time gradually getting to know him and why he is the way he is. The dual narrative that provides is like being slowly let in on a secret just in time to understand the gravity of the context what follows it.
I'm inclined more to call this a love story, than anything supernatural as, despite those key elements, the story is far less fantastical than vampire stories typically come.
In all honesty, i can't quote tell if 'vampire' here is a metaphor for imposter syndrome, or if the maker vs creation is an allegory for self-acceptance, or if the vampire is used to highlight the beauty of life and youth and age.
It could be all of the above, it could be none. You read the book and make up your own mind.
I've written in my notes: some of the book is so beautifully written and gentle, while other parts are unhinged and funny. Thoughtful and slow but in the way watching rain fall outside your window as you sit inside in the warmth.
I spent a large portion of the book unsure how i felt about it because it is a slow burner, and maybe it could've been shorter, but it all pays off. The writing, i think, is clearly catered towards gen z which is a good or bad thing depending on what floats your boat - personally it was minimal enough for me to look past.
I only have a few major qualms, starting with the noticeable lack of female characters. There is Gloria, and put some respect on her name, mind, but aside from the mum there's not really anyone else. I have to mention chapter 14 and the murky con/non-con moment there. I understand its purpose but it just made me slightly uncomfortable and i don't really know how to feel about it.
4 stars:
Tinavs is, in fact, a vampire story - but not your conventional blood-sucking tale of woe. Set largely in Ireland, we follow the protagonist back and forth through time gradually getting to know him and why he is the way he is. The dual narrative that provides is like being slowly let in on a secret just in time to understand the gravity of the context what follows it.
I'm inclined more to call this a love story, than anything supernatural as, despite those key elements, the story is far less fantastical than vampire stories typically come.
In all honesty, i can't quote tell if 'vampire' here is a metaphor for imposter syndrome, or if the maker vs creation is an allegory for self-acceptance, or if the vampire is used to highlight the beauty of life and youth and age.
It could be all of the above, it could be none. You read the book and make up your own mind.
I've written in my notes: some of the book is so beautifully written and gentle, while other parts are unhinged and funny. Thoughtful and slow but in the way watching rain fall outside your window as you sit inside in the warmth.
I spent a large portion of the book unsure how i felt about it because it is a slow burner, and maybe it could've been shorter, but it all pays off. The writing, i think, is clearly catered towards gen z which is a good or bad thing depending on what floats your boat - personally it was minimal enough for me to look past.
I only have a few major qualms, starting with the noticeable lack of female characters. There is Gloria, and put some respect on her name, mind, but aside from the mum there's not really anyone else. I have to mention chapter 14 and the murky con/non-con moment there. I understand its purpose but it just made me slightly uncomfortable and i don't really know how to feel about it.
November 2, 2024
I have enjoyed all of Simon Doyle’s books - my favorite before this one was “Snow Boys”. I liked this latest novel a lot. It is true to its title; although there are vampires in the book, “This is Not a Vampire Story” is not so much a story about vampires as a love story, and a very tender one at that. The repeated flashbacks to the past (every other chapter) allow you to gradually learn about Vincent’s backstory, and his relationship with a group of friends (including his boyfriend). I found this mechanism worked well, and kept me reading to discover more. The friends first met in 1949, and are together again in the present day.
In the end, this is a heartbreaking story about love and loss. It is a lovely book.
In the end, this is a heartbreaking story about love and loss. It is a lovely book.
December 3, 2024
ESP/ENG
Gracias NetGalley y Nightsgale Books por el eARC.
This is not a vampire story, verdaderamente no es una historia de vampiros, es una historia sobre amistad, amor, pertenencia, pérdida y duelo, sucede que en ella encontramos vampiros.
En este libro acompañamos a Victor quien comienza a trabajar como velador nocturno en Lakeshore Manor, un asilo de ancianos donde convivirá con sus residentes, y alguien más. Los puntos de vista de Victor nos ayudan a viajar con él entre diferentes años del pasado comenzando en 1949 y el presente.
Hay muchas preguntas que nacen conforme avanza la lectura, algunas de estas se contestan dentro de la lectura y otras, el mismo libro te informa, no necesitan respuesta y tal vez nunca se obtengan.
La prosa es maravillosa, es atrapante y romántica en su esencia, de tal forma que te lleva de la forma adecuada para el entendimiento de su historia; está estructurada además, de tal forma que los saltos de un capítulo a otro entre los saltos temporales permite ir armando las piezas de la historia de una forma sencilla ayudando a comprender el viaje que el mismo Victor ha tenido.
Siento que es una historia que cualquier persona puede disfrutar y donde puede encontrar un reflejo de algunas experiencias propias del ser humano, al ver el deseo de autodescubrimiento, el buscar pertenecer y su compañerismo, la duda ante la vida y por último como la vida te lleva por diferentes pérdidas que te hacen crecer.
El libro por ahora está disponible únicamente en inglés, sin embargo su propia escritura se podría ver cómo lo suficientemente digerible para alguien que esté comenzando a hacer lectura en inglés para avanzar en aprendizaje y práctica del lenguaje.
Advertencia de contenido: Sed de sangre, Muerte, violencia y homofobia.
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Thank you to NetGalley and Nightsgale Books for the eARC
This is not a vampire story, it’s really not a vampire story, it’s a story about friendship, love, belonging, loss and grief, it just happens that it has vampires.
Through this book we accompany Victor who starts working as a night porter at Lakeshore Manor, a nursing home where he will share time with its residents and something else. Victor’s points of view helps us travel with him through years of the past starting in 1949 and the present.
There are many questions that come within reading, some get answered as we continue with the story, but other ones, as the book itself lets you know, don’t need an answer and maybe we will never get an answer.
The prose is marvelous, it's catching and romantic in its essence, it takes you in a way that’s appropriate to fully grasp and understand the story; the structure helps you jump from one chapter to another and through the time jumps to ensemble together the pieces of the story to ease the comprehension of the journey that Victor has had.
I feel this is a story that any person could enjoy and can find a reflection of experiences that are part of human nature, seeing the desire to self discovery, belonging and companionship, the doubt when facing life and how life takes you through different losses that make you grow.
The book currently will be available only in English, as much as I know of, however the writing could be on a good level for someone that is starting to read in English to forward language acquisition and practice.
Content Warning: Bloodlust, Death, violence and homofobia.
Gracias NetGalley y Nightsgale Books por el eARC.
This is not a vampire story, verdaderamente no es una historia de vampiros, es una historia sobre amistad, amor, pertenencia, pérdida y duelo, sucede que en ella encontramos vampiros.
En este libro acompañamos a Victor quien comienza a trabajar como velador nocturno en Lakeshore Manor, un asilo de ancianos donde convivirá con sus residentes, y alguien más. Los puntos de vista de Victor nos ayudan a viajar con él entre diferentes años del pasado comenzando en 1949 y el presente.
Hay muchas preguntas que nacen conforme avanza la lectura, algunas de estas se contestan dentro de la lectura y otras, el mismo libro te informa, no necesitan respuesta y tal vez nunca se obtengan.
La prosa es maravillosa, es atrapante y romántica en su esencia, de tal forma que te lleva de la forma adecuada para el entendimiento de su historia; está estructurada además, de tal forma que los saltos de un capítulo a otro entre los saltos temporales permite ir armando las piezas de la historia de una forma sencilla ayudando a comprender el viaje que el mismo Victor ha tenido.
Siento que es una historia que cualquier persona puede disfrutar y donde puede encontrar un reflejo de algunas experiencias propias del ser humano, al ver el deseo de autodescubrimiento, el buscar pertenecer y su compañerismo, la duda ante la vida y por último como la vida te lleva por diferentes pérdidas que te hacen crecer.
El libro por ahora está disponible únicamente en inglés, sin embargo su propia escritura se podría ver cómo lo suficientemente digerible para alguien que esté comenzando a hacer lectura en inglés para avanzar en aprendizaje y práctica del lenguaje.
Advertencia de contenido: Sed de sangre, Muerte, violencia y homofobia.
⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩⋆｡°✩
Thank you to NetGalley and Nightsgale Books for the eARC
This is not a vampire story, it’s really not a vampire story, it’s a story about friendship, love, belonging, loss and grief, it just happens that it has vampires.
Through this book we accompany Victor who starts working as a night porter at Lakeshore Manor, a nursing home where he will share time with its residents and something else. Victor’s points of view helps us travel with him through years of the past starting in 1949 and the present.
There are many questions that come within reading, some get answered as we continue with the story, but other ones, as the book itself lets you know, don’t need an answer and maybe we will never get an answer.
The prose is marvelous, it's catching and romantic in its essence, it takes you in a way that’s appropriate to fully grasp and understand the story; the structure helps you jump from one chapter to another and through the time jumps to ensemble together the pieces of the story to ease the comprehension of the journey that Victor has had.
I feel this is a story that any person could enjoy and can find a reflection of experiences that are part of human nature, seeing the desire to self discovery, belonging and companionship, the doubt when facing life and how life takes you through different losses that make you grow.
The book currently will be available only in English, as much as I know of, however the writing could be on a good level for someone that is starting to read in English to forward language acquisition and practice.
Content Warning: Bloodlust, Death, violence and homofobia.
tsk-i-dnfed
December 6, 2024Thanks to netgalley for an earc of this story. Unfortunately I'm dnfing at 18%. This story sounded intriguing but ultimately fell too flat for me. The writing style is way too plain and nothing was hooking me to continue reading. I don't really feel like reading it anymore so I'm gonna set it free. A shame cuz it sounded like a really cool premise, I just don't think it's getting told in the way I'd want to read it.
January 4, 2025
This is Not a Vampire Story. Well, it is, but not like that.
Don't expect your usual kind of happy ending; it's not one of those stories, either.
What it *is*, is heart-wrenching and tragic.
I really liked this book until around the 85% point. The romance is cute, the friendship between all of the guys is sweet, and the dual timeline is intriguing.
I felt like the book didn't quite stick the landing and I was a little uneasy about what I think is stereotypical Asian portrayal, and Victor's subsequent decision to spend 15 years meditating in the Himalayas (while he knew the people he loved were alive).
Don't expect your usual kind of happy ending; it's not one of those stories, either.
What it *is*, is heart-wrenching and tragic.
I really liked this book until around the 85% point. The romance is cute, the friendship between all of the guys is sweet, and the dual timeline is intriguing.
I felt like the book didn't quite stick the landing and I was a little uneasy about what I think is stereotypical Asian portrayal, and Victor's subsequent decision to spend 15 years meditating in the Himalayas (while he knew the people he loved were alive).
December 30, 2024
Put on your armour for reading, LGBTQIA+ readers, because – as Doyle tells us – this is not a vampire story.
What it is, is a heart-scorching metaphor where vampirism stands in for homosexuality, and it is meticulously and tremblingly done. Rarely have I encountered the queerness-as-monstrous motif so tenderly handled (and I say that freshly out of reading David Ly and Daniel Zomparelli’s Queer Little Nightmares anthology).
This is out next week, and it merits a sensation. Doyle is a gifted writer. His Irish nationality twinkles in his writing, affirming such a sense of our kind of humour and of the way we ‘be’ with ourselves and others that I heard the whole story in my head in a west-coast accent, thank you, Simon Doyle!
I can’t thank the Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op group of independent publishers (Nightsgale Books/SD Press) enough for this ARC.
What it is, is a heart-scorching metaphor where vampirism stands in for homosexuality, and it is meticulously and tremblingly done. Rarely have I encountered the queerness-as-monstrous motif so tenderly handled (and I say that freshly out of reading David Ly and Daniel Zomparelli’s Queer Little Nightmares anthology).
This is out next week, and it merits a sensation. Doyle is a gifted writer. His Irish nationality twinkles in his writing, affirming such a sense of our kind of humour and of the way we ‘be’ with ourselves and others that I heard the whole story in my head in a west-coast accent, thank you, Simon Doyle!
I can’t thank the Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op group of independent publishers (Nightsgale Books/SD Press) enough for this ARC.
November 29, 2024
This book is a masterpiece. Vampire books are top tier for me and I've read a lot of them but this one... its one of the best. The storyline is amazing and I think it's such a great perspective on vampirism.
The dual timeline chapters between 1949 and present day are written so well and really draw you in to Victor and his life. The way that Simon has written about love, grief and friendship is spot on and in a way it made me constantly think of my own experiences of love and grief.
Thank you Netgalley for the copy of this book. I truly enjoyed it so much!
The dual timeline chapters between 1949 and present day are written so well and really draw you in to Victor and his life. The way that Simon has written about love, grief and friendship is spot on and in a way it made me constantly think of my own experiences of love and grief.
Thank you Netgalley for the copy of this book. I truly enjoyed it so much!
January 7, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
The feel of the blurb on this one drew me in and I was interested to hear Victor’s story. The book is told from his point of view and alternates between the late 1940s when he was a teen and present day. After a traumatic family event, Victor and his mother move out of the city to a small village and Victor has a lot to adjust to. He meets James, and Victor immediately finds James cool and good looking. They hang out with James’ friends, they spend time together alone in secret, and they fall in love. An adventurous day changes all of their lives, but Victor suffers the most.
The writing here is good and the effect of Victor’s story becomes profound. I was left feeling melancholy and sad as Victor grapples with immortality and a life missed. Victor is not happy at all with how the events of his life unfolded and the end certainly drives that point home.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
The feel of the blurb on this one drew me in and I was interested to hear Victor’s story. The book is told from his point of view and alternates between the late 1940s when he was a teen and present day. After a traumatic family event, Victor and his mother move out of the city to a small village and Victor has a lot to adjust to. He meets James, and Victor immediately finds James cool and good looking. They hang out with James’ friends, they spend time together alone in secret, and they fall in love. An adventurous day changes all of their lives, but Victor suffers the most.
The writing here is good and the effect of Victor’s story becomes profound. I was left feeling melancholy and sad as Victor grapples with immortality and a life missed. Victor is not happy at all with how the events of his life unfolded and the end certainly drives that point home.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
June 7, 2025
um. I have no tissues left so. With tears filled eyes, I'll just say this was a very special and unexpected read that I'll keep in my heart for a long time ❤️🩹 this gave me so many butterflies, warm fuzzy feelings, but also so much sadness
And it's true, this is not a vampire story. Although one of our main character gets turned, and wonders about his origins and his maker, this is not what the story develops so there's no need to ponder too much about that.
There's a lot of big feelings, very strong relationships that transcend time + age, and a lot of love in this book. I wouldn't put this in the romance category, because it's more a love story, and oh boy what a gripping and lovely one 😭🫶🏽 my entire heart for James and Victor!!!!!! I adored them, and their friends too 🫶🏽 Danny, Giuseppe and even Michael were so well written
Recurrent and main themes include: death, grief, aging, loss, longing and the guilt of living.
My only critique would be that there's a little too much symbolism, especially by the end but with the nature of this book and the recurrent themes, it's bearable
(tw: chapter 14 can be disturbing and needs to be read carefully or skipped for dubious consent btw)
now I'm gonna go cry in a puddle of tears
And it's true, this is not a vampire story. Although one of our main character gets turned, and wonders about his origins and his maker, this is not what the story develops so there's no need to ponder too much about that.
There's a lot of big feelings, very strong relationships that transcend time + age, and a lot of love in this book. I wouldn't put this in the romance category, because it's more a love story, and oh boy what a gripping and lovely one 😭🫶🏽 my entire heart for James and Victor!!!!!! I adored them, and their friends too 🫶🏽 Danny, Giuseppe and even Michael were so well written
Recurrent and main themes include: death, grief, aging, loss, longing and the guilt of living.
My only critique would be that there's a little too much symbolism, especially by the end but with the nature of this book and the recurrent themes, it's bearable
(tw: chapter 14 can be disturbing and needs to be read carefully or skipped for dubious consent btw)
now I'm gonna go cry in a puddle of tears
April 19, 2025
Very beautiful and very sad
November 18, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and SD Press for this ARC.
In “This is not a Vampire Story” we follow eternally 17 year old Victor as he returns to Ireland to work as a night porter in a rural Irish retirement home, where we quickly learn that there are three residents he feels especially close to and responsible for. The book switches between the present day, when the three residents are in their nineties, and the past, more specifically 1949 and 1950, when they were still teenagers.
This is an equally heartwarming and heartbreaking story. It deals a lot with the common issues that arise when you grow old, which, as someone who is terrified of growing old, really struck me. It is a story of friendship and forbidden love, and while the romance aspect is very central to the story and could even be called the motor behind all actions taken by Victor, I think the aspect of the individual relationships between the five central characters is even more interesting to me. Friendship and brotherhood play a very important role as well, and made me quite nostalgic for my own days and nights of fucking around in my teenage years.
Heartbreak comes in the form of familial issues, a love frowned upon in its own time and of course the inevitability of what comes for us all in old age.
This book was a great read for I think any age group, because although the language and writing style are rather young, I think everyone can find pieces of themselves, their pasts and futures, in these characters. Especially a younger LGBT+ audience can definitely benefit from reading a book discussing queer past and many issues likely relatable to them and their own experiences of love and desire today.
In “This is not a Vampire Story” we follow eternally 17 year old Victor as he returns to Ireland to work as a night porter in a rural Irish retirement home, where we quickly learn that there are three residents he feels especially close to and responsible for. The book switches between the present day, when the three residents are in their nineties, and the past, more specifically 1949 and 1950, when they were still teenagers.
This is an equally heartwarming and heartbreaking story. It deals a lot with the common issues that arise when you grow old, which, as someone who is terrified of growing old, really struck me. It is a story of friendship and forbidden love, and while the romance aspect is very central to the story and could even be called the motor behind all actions taken by Victor, I think the aspect of the individual relationships between the five central characters is even more interesting to me. Friendship and brotherhood play a very important role as well, and made me quite nostalgic for my own days and nights of fucking around in my teenage years.
Heartbreak comes in the form of familial issues, a love frowned upon in its own time and of course the inevitability of what comes for us all in old age.
This book was a great read for I think any age group, because although the language and writing style are rather young, I think everyone can find pieces of themselves, their pasts and futures, in these characters. Especially a younger LGBT+ audience can definitely benefit from reading a book discussing queer past and many issues likely relatable to them and their own experiences of love and desire today.
October 25, 2024
I was able to get an ARC for This is Not a Vampire Story, and I feel really lucky to have been able to experience this. Victor, James, Giuseppe, Danny and Michael are friends and deal with the normal things teenagers deal with from crushes, adventures and yes vampires. A ghostly ship changes their lives; none more so than Victor. I won’t say much as to not give away details but I appreciated and understood the tone this was set in when being gay was the worst. Through flashbacks and present time, we are presented with a touching story over accepting oneself and love. The dual timelines pieced an amazing story together and by the end I found myself quite emotional. I truly didn’t want this to end and that’s in large part to the amazing writing from Simon Doyle. I went into this blind and was given a beautifully written, tragic story about life, love and those who truly impact us. I definitely intend on getting this for my physical collection and plan to check out more work from Simon Doyle.
My favorite line from this is: "The love we give away is the only love we keep. It’s through this love that we become immortal in the hearts of those we touch."
Thank you to NetGalley and Nightsgale Books for providing this ARC.
October 17, 2024
Wow! This was great! Victor, our main character, is a vampire, but as the title says, this really isn’t a vampire story, at least in the sense most people are accustomed to.
Victor became a vampire in an accident when he was 17, and because he couldn’t age, ended up leaving everything he knew and loved behind so he could hide his identity. Now, 75 or so years later, he returns home to work at a nursing home and care for the friends from his youth.
This was such a great story, jumping back and forth from Victor’s youth to the present to give you a full picture of what has happened in his life and the importance of the elderly men in the nursing home, especially James.
If you are looking for a beautifully written story that just might get you in the feels, check this one out!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of the book.
Victor became a vampire in an accident when he was 17, and because he couldn’t age, ended up leaving everything he knew and loved behind so he could hide his identity. Now, 75 or so years later, he returns home to work at a nursing home and care for the friends from his youth.
This was such a great story, jumping back and forth from Victor’s youth to the present to give you a full picture of what has happened in his life and the importance of the elderly men in the nursing home, especially James.
If you are looking for a beautifully written story that just might get you in the feels, check this one out!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of the book.
January 17, 2025
I was sent this book as an advanced copy by the publisher via NetGalley for reviewing purposes, but all opinions are my own.
Oh. Oh.
This made me ask myself when have I last truly cried because of a book. The answer is: not for a long time.
The book narrates two timelines, about 70 years apart. I think the purpose of the story is very clear and honest from the very beginning, but that doesn't soften the blows, nor does it give the author an excuse to gloss over the tragedy of each event. I think, beyond the mere context of who these characters were to each other, there is a certain dignity and recognition that is given to death and specifically death in old age that we sometimes ignore in the face of tragedies that appear much more injust. But both deserve our love and care, and this book reminds us of that.
Oh. Oh.
This made me ask myself when have I last truly cried because of a book. The answer is: not for a long time.
The book narrates two timelines, about 70 years apart. I think the purpose of the story is very clear and honest from the very beginning, but that doesn't soften the blows, nor does it give the author an excuse to gloss over the tragedy of each event. I think, beyond the mere context of who these characters were to each other, there is a certain dignity and recognition that is given to death and specifically death in old age that we sometimes ignore in the face of tragedies that appear much more injust. But both deserve our love and care, and this book reminds us of that.
October 18, 2024
This is a love story conceived in youth. 1950 to be precise when it was a crime to be gay. Sadly Victor has more issues to deal with than hiding his true sexuality ... aversion to sunlight, food and drink is another.
The story is well written, the characters stand out from the page. I think perhaps it could have elaborated on Victors alternative life a little more, that felt kind of rushed. Also it would have been nice to hear the back story of James' life and the others.
Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc.
The story is well written, the characters stand out from the page. I think perhaps it could have elaborated on Victors alternative life a little more, that felt kind of rushed. Also it would have been nice to hear the back story of James' life and the others.
Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc.
November 18, 2024
This Is Not a Vampire Story. It's a romance; a tragedy; a horror; but yes, there are vampires in it. (And also personifications of Death. And also ice cream, and beers at the beach, and an apple orchard. Games of bridge in a nursing home rec room. Velvet tracksuits and heart monitors. A shipwreck. Heartbreak; and love, so very much love.)
From the very first chapter, this book had a lovely start. Moody and weary, and then moments of absolute tenderness. It didn't take long for the emotion in Victor's voice to start affecting me. Almost every scene described hit home for me in some way--at times a coming of age movie, at others reminiscent of other films I've seen and loved depicting friendship and love through the ages. Doyle draws distinctions between care and love--and then subsequently blurs the line between them--with absolute mastery. The book flows gently, an ebb and flow of sweetness and tragedy like a tide, with only a handful of harsh exceptions.
This Is Not a Vampire Story is, after all, a vampire story, and the vampiric parts of the story are portrayed in a singular way. Vampires have come to occupy a place more romantic than monstrous in the past few decades of pop culture media. We tend to romanticize vampirism, the bite, the turning, the transformation. Doyle subverts that in many ways--this is, above all else, a story of romance, but the vampire aspect is the least romantic of any part of this book. It's a harsh juxtaposition that works super well. The descriptions of both the vampiric characters and the turning are horrific; dark and eerie in a way that still pays homage to the gothic romance of it all, but also extremely off-putting. All the familiar bears of modern vampire literature are here, but they've been twisted and stood on end to be something that read to me as fairly new. It made me feel uncomfortable--intimate, but unkind, almost assault but also not at all. It's overtly sexual, and yet seems so utterly divorced from sexuality in a way that was really hard to put my finger on. (I made a note to myself on this: "I wonder what is meant to be pure fantasy, and what is meant to be metaphor (if anything).")
The language was accessible, although sometimes vague and distant. For the most part, it didn't bother me; it felt at for a narrator who is both very old an also very young. There are some attempts at metaphor, or to establish atmosphere, that come off a little confused or clumsy and make it hard to tell precisely what is happening or being described. It seemed like it was intentional, but not always executed well, so it was more confusing than effective at times.
Overall, This Is Not a Vampire Story took me on an absolute rollercoaster of an emotional journey. The beats of the story are expected and yet not. It treads familiar romantic ground but does so in a way completely unexpected. Despite the horror aspects--which take up relatively little ground compared to how much time I spent in this review talking about it--the persistence of Victor's love, and the reciprocity of it, is the pinnacle of romance. The entire story was heartbreakingly beautiful. The pages absolutely bleed with the love between the cast; it brought me to the brink of tears multiple times, and the ending did in fact leave me crying silently in bed next to my sleeping wife.
(I was provided an Advanced Reader Copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
Below are my notes from while I was reading the book, minus the bits I remixed for the content of my review--these absolutely contain spoilers, so read at your own risk!
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***
***
***
- The scene of Victor playing bridge with the men was so affectionate.
- The scenes of the group as boys feels like a coming of age move. The scenes of them as old men reminds me of Arthur and his friends in The Holiday.
- I want them to remember him so badly and yet I feel so scared of it. That moment chocked me--"Didn't you, Victor?"--fuck this book is gonna wreck me.
- 74 pages in and James knows. Where does it go from here? Is this book going to break my heart? I am surprised but I suppose 200+ pages of Victor dodging around might have gotten old.
- "Am I supposed to scream now?" "I'd settle for a hug." was cute. (Cannot stop thinking about Daniel and Armand. Alex Rowland should probably read this.)
- The way they fall back together is so sweet. It's everything I want from a supernatural May/December romance haha
- Giuseppe knowing, and actually knowing, and Victor confirming because he doesn't have the heart to lie...[this book bleeds with the love between all of these men and it has brought me to the brink of tears so many times.]
- SHIT I wasn't expecting that he killed Michael. Damn. That's a tragedy. I bet James and Giuseppe will figure it out...fuck.
- It couldn't have ended any other way and been satisfying but my heart is broken.
From the very first chapter, this book had a lovely start. Moody and weary, and then moments of absolute tenderness. It didn't take long for the emotion in Victor's voice to start affecting me. Almost every scene described hit home for me in some way--at times a coming of age movie, at others reminiscent of other films I've seen and loved depicting friendship and love through the ages. Doyle draws distinctions between care and love--and then subsequently blurs the line between them--with absolute mastery. The book flows gently, an ebb and flow of sweetness and tragedy like a tide, with only a handful of harsh exceptions.
This Is Not a Vampire Story is, after all, a vampire story, and the vampiric parts of the story are portrayed in a singular way. Vampires have come to occupy a place more romantic than monstrous in the past few decades of pop culture media. We tend to romanticize vampirism, the bite, the turning, the transformation. Doyle subverts that in many ways--this is, above all else, a story of romance, but the vampire aspect is the least romantic of any part of this book. It's a harsh juxtaposition that works super well. The descriptions of both the vampiric characters and the turning are horrific; dark and eerie in a way that still pays homage to the gothic romance of it all, but also extremely off-putting. All the familiar bears of modern vampire literature are here, but they've been twisted and stood on end to be something that read to me as fairly new. It made me feel uncomfortable--intimate, but unkind, almost assault but also not at all. It's overtly sexual, and yet seems so utterly divorced from sexuality in a way that was really hard to put my finger on. (I made a note to myself on this: "I wonder what is meant to be pure fantasy, and what is meant to be metaphor (if anything).")
The language was accessible, although sometimes vague and distant. For the most part, it didn't bother me; it felt at for a narrator who is both very old an also very young. There are some attempts at metaphor, or to establish atmosphere, that come off a little confused or clumsy and make it hard to tell precisely what is happening or being described. It seemed like it was intentional, but not always executed well, so it was more confusing than effective at times.
Overall, This Is Not a Vampire Story took me on an absolute rollercoaster of an emotional journey. The beats of the story are expected and yet not. It treads familiar romantic ground but does so in a way completely unexpected. Despite the horror aspects--which take up relatively little ground compared to how much time I spent in this review talking about it--the persistence of Victor's love, and the reciprocity of it, is the pinnacle of romance. The entire story was heartbreakingly beautiful. The pages absolutely bleed with the love between the cast; it brought me to the brink of tears multiple times, and the ending did in fact leave me crying silently in bed next to my sleeping wife.
(I was provided an Advanced Reader Copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
Below are my notes from while I was reading the book, minus the bits I remixed for the content of my review--these absolutely contain spoilers, so read at your own risk!
***
***
***
***
- The scene of Victor playing bridge with the men was so affectionate.
- The scenes of the group as boys feels like a coming of age move. The scenes of them as old men reminds me of Arthur and his friends in The Holiday.
- I want them to remember him so badly and yet I feel so scared of it. That moment chocked me--"Didn't you, Victor?"--fuck this book is gonna wreck me.
- 74 pages in and James knows. Where does it go from here? Is this book going to break my heart? I am surprised but I suppose 200+ pages of Victor dodging around might have gotten old.
- "Am I supposed to scream now?" "I'd settle for a hug." was cute. (Cannot stop thinking about Daniel and Armand. Alex Rowland should probably read this.)
- The way they fall back together is so sweet. It's everything I want from a supernatural May/December romance haha
- Giuseppe knowing, and actually knowing, and Victor confirming because he doesn't have the heart to lie...[this book bleeds with the love between all of these men and it has brought me to the brink of tears so many times.]
- SHIT I wasn't expecting that he killed Michael. Damn. That's a tragedy. I bet James and Giuseppe will figure it out...fuck.
- It couldn't have ended any other way and been satisfying but my heart is broken.
April 14, 2025
4⭐
This is a bittersweet lovely story that really only has a beginning and an end. The middle is deprived from them. The writing is good and it's no surprise that I cried a lot. There's no better tear jerker than having someone watch their loved ones slowly die.
I really enjoyed the two major timelines. They were both vivid and interesting. But this is not a 4.5-5 star book for me because of the middle bits that were glossed over. Usually I am one defending that "this was story about X and it doesn't need to be about Y" but here I was left with seriously contradicting feelings. In a way it's a good thing that the book doesn't let go easy and I'm left with so many thoughts. But in the end I feel that this was more of a shortcoming.
I loved Victor as a character when he was a boy and mostly when he's the old man with a teenage face. But I really didn't connect with his choices in the time between. Maybe it did take him 70 decades to come to terms with some things but I feel that so many chances were missed. I wont go into detail as they might be too spoilery but in essence Victor didn't seem to have the ability to see any kind of alternatives to any of his decisions, it's like he had a set path. So he also ended up making a lot of decisions on behalf of his friends (old and new). It almost felt like he enjoyed suffering.
I can recommend this book as being a well written and emotional story of friendship and love, but those niggles... I had them.
My thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.
This is a bittersweet lovely story that really only has a beginning and an end. The middle is deprived from them. The writing is good and it's no surprise that I cried a lot. There's no better tear jerker than having someone watch their loved ones slowly die.
I really enjoyed the two major timelines. They were both vivid and interesting. But this is not a 4.5-5 star book for me because of the middle bits that were glossed over. Usually I am one defending that "this was story about X and it doesn't need to be about Y" but here I was left with seriously contradicting feelings. In a way it's a good thing that the book doesn't let go easy and I'm left with so many thoughts. But in the end I feel that this was more of a shortcoming.
I loved Victor as a character when he was a boy and mostly when he's the old man with a teenage face. But I really didn't connect with his choices in the time between. Maybe it did take him 70 decades to come to terms with some things but I feel that so many chances were missed. I wont go into detail as they might be too spoilery but in essence Victor didn't seem to have the ability to see any kind of alternatives to any of his decisions, it's like he had a set path. So he also ended up making a lot of decisions on behalf of his friends (old and new). It almost felt like he enjoyed suffering.
I can recommend this book as being a well written and emotional story of friendship and love, but those niggles... I had them.
My thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.
November 26, 2024
4 // Thank you to NetGalley, Nightsgale Books, and SD Press for the eARC!
This is Not a Vampire Story follows Victor Callahan, a seventeen-year-old working as a night porter in a nursing home along the Irish coast. The narrative alternates between two timelines: Present Tense Victor and Past Victor, starting in 1949. Through these alternating chapters, the story gradually unveils the truth about Victor’s past, centering on a close-knit group of teenage friends.
True to its title, This is Not a Vampire Story is instead a profound exploration of grief, loss, and the toll an unwanted eternity takes on the human psyche. At its heart, it’s a deeply moving portrayal of forbidden and illegal love, shedding light on the hidden generational experiences of queer love. Simon Doyle’s writing is poignant and intimate, building the story slowly as layers of Victor’s past are revealed. The book reads almost like a mystery, as each revelation about Victor’s life kept me intrigued and eager to piece together the circumstances that brought him to his present. This narrative style maintained a strong sense of suspense and emotional depth throughout.
One minor critique lies in the depiction of the setting and period-specific dialogue. While the novel is firmly rooted in a rural Irish coastal town and spends a significant portion in 1949, the characters’ voices didn’t always feel fully grounded in their respective time periods. At times, the language used in the 1949 chapters felt too contemporary, which occasionally blurred the distinction between the past and present timelines. While this didn’t detract significantly from the story, more attention to period-authentic dialogue could have added an extra layer of immersion.
Overall, This is Not a Vampire Story is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that artfully balances elements of mystery with a heartfelt exploration of identity, memory, and the enduring impact of love. I highly recommend it to readers who appreciate stories centered on queer experiences and the enduring power of love across time.
Content Warnings for:
This is Not a Vampire Story follows Victor Callahan, a seventeen-year-old working as a night porter in a nursing home along the Irish coast. The narrative alternates between two timelines: Present Tense Victor and Past Victor, starting in 1949. Through these alternating chapters, the story gradually unveils the truth about Victor’s past, centering on a close-knit group of teenage friends.
True to its title, This is Not a Vampire Story is instead a profound exploration of grief, loss, and the toll an unwanted eternity takes on the human psyche. At its heart, it’s a deeply moving portrayal of forbidden and illegal love, shedding light on the hidden generational experiences of queer love. Simon Doyle’s writing is poignant and intimate, building the story slowly as layers of Victor’s past are revealed. The book reads almost like a mystery, as each revelation about Victor’s life kept me intrigued and eager to piece together the circumstances that brought him to his present. This narrative style maintained a strong sense of suspense and emotional depth throughout.
One minor critique lies in the depiction of the setting and period-specific dialogue. While the novel is firmly rooted in a rural Irish coastal town and spends a significant portion in 1949, the characters’ voices didn’t always feel fully grounded in their respective time periods. At times, the language used in the 1949 chapters felt too contemporary, which occasionally blurred the distinction between the past and present timelines. While this didn’t detract significantly from the story, more attention to period-authentic dialogue could have added an extra layer of immersion.
Overall, This is Not a Vampire Story is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that artfully balances elements of mystery with a heartfelt exploration of identity, memory, and the enduring impact of love. I highly recommend it to readers who appreciate stories centered on queer experiences and the enduring power of love across time.
Content Warnings for:
December 31, 2024
It’s a love story…. I saw the author’s video on instagram talking about his soon to be released book. I have to admit the cover caught my attention. The book comes out January 7th but audible already had the. Audiobook so I bought it. I’m so glad I did because this is a gem. The narrator, Nicolas McGrady does a really good job. It made me emotional as I follow the bitter sweet romance of two Irish boys in 1940s Ireland. Homosexuality is illegal and so they have to be careful. Some major event happens that changes the course of their lives. There are paranormal aspects in this story and the time line goes back to their youth and the present. I could not have picked a better book to end 2024.
February 7, 2025
This is definitely a vampire story—but what I would say is that it’s a lot more than a vampire story. It captures the loneliness, hunger, confusion, and exhaustion of immortality, while drawing parallels to life and death for mortals. The love story is truly lovely. The writing was a bit uneven for me- sometimes beautiful and deep, other times a bit cliched, and the dialogue could have used better editing. Overall a very enjoyable, sweet tale.
January 27, 2025
This is definitely a five-star story. The structure alone shows the author's command of his craft, but there's much more to this story.
For me personally, I'm glad I read it, though I skimmed some of the later scenes, a way of downplaying my anxiety and/or empathy. I was pretty sure I knew how it had to end, and I was right, but what matters is the journey, true of any human life.
For me personally, I'm glad I read it, though I skimmed some of the later scenes, a way of downplaying my anxiety and/or empathy. I was pretty sure I knew how it had to end, and I was right, but what matters is the journey, true of any human life.
December 17, 2024
Heartbreaking and wonderfully moving! A tale of a love that is timeless and magic and beautiful. I didn't know what I was getting into with this story, and it sunk into me more than expected. It is slow and and focuses deeping on the characters and connections, so I am not sure it is for everyone, but for some, it will be one of the best things you've ever read.
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