Vampires Are Back: Dark, Funny & YA Recs

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Bloodsuckers are back, baby. In this episode, Francesca joins Laura to dish on dark, gothic, funny, and YA vampire reads—with a special shout to Kindle Unlimited for budget-friendly bingeing.You’ll hear why vampires are resurging (thanks, romantasy!), what’s new beyond the Black Dagger era, and exactly where to start if you want broody politics, murder-mystery shenanigans, or campus drama. Plus a quick nonfiction detour for Vampire Diaries superfans.📚 Books MentionedA Bargain So Bloody by Vasilka Drake — Buy on Amazon | Paranormal Romance, Enemies-to-Allies | KU ✅Loving a Vampire’s Total Chaos by Aura Hayes — Buy on Amazon | Paranormal Romcom, Murder Mystery | KU ✅The Serpent’s Bride by Kathryn Ann Kingsley — Buy on Amazon | Gothic PNR, Mafia Politics, Dark Romance | KU ✅Nocture by Karina Halle — Buy on Amazon | Noir PNR, Historical (1947 LA) Blood Moon by Britney S. Lewis — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Vamps & Wolves, Campus Mystery A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Forbidden Allies The Last Vampire by Romina Garber — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Boarding School, Pride&Prejudice-ish |I Accidentally Hooked Up with a Vampire by Jessica Cage — Buy on Amazon | PNR Romcom, Found Family | KU ✅Road Trip with a Vampire by Jenna Levine — Buy on Amazon | Light PNR, Amnesia, Road Trip Space Vampire by Ruby Dixon — Buy on Amazon | Sci-Fi PNR Novella, Forced Proximity | KU ✅I Was Feeling Epic (Oral History of The Vampire Diaries) — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook | Audio ✅Paperback Crush by Gabrielle Moss — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction, ‘80s/’90s Teen Lit |Your Favorite Scary Movie by Ashley Cullins — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook, Scream Franchise | Audio ✅Welcome to the O.C. by Josh Schwatz, Stephanie Savage and Alan Sepinwall— Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook, TV Oral History | Audio ✅⏱️ Time Stamps (topics)[00:00] Intro & why Laura is a vampire-over-werewolf girly[02:00] Life updates + Francesca’s 2026 Romanceopoly plans[05:00] Why vampires are resurging (romantasy → PNR pipeline)[06:30] Rec #1: A Bargain So Bloody (witch x vampire, enemies-to-allies)[08:30] Rec #2: Loving a Vampire’s Total Chaos (romcom + murder case)[10:00] Rec #3: The Serpent’s Bride (gothic mafia, morally gray MMC)[13:00] Kindle Unlimited talk: borrowing limits & trad-to-KU notes[14:00] Rec #4: Torn (LA noir, Black Dahlia atmosphere)[16:00] YA lane & who actually reads it[18:00] Rec #5: Blood Moon (vamps/wolves, campus mystery)[20:00] Rec #6: Thirst (slayer + newly turned vamp)[21:00] Rec #7: The Last Vampire (P&P energy, boarding school)[21:30] Rec #8: I Accidentally Hooked Up with a Vampire (chaotic fun)[22:30] Rec #9: Road Trip with a Vampire (amnesia + travel)[23:30] Rec #10: Space Vampire (scared-sexy novella set)[24:30] Nonfiction: I Was Feeling Epic (TVD oral history)[26:00] More oral histories: Paperback Crush, Your Favorite Scary Movie, Welcome to the O.C.[27:30] Where to find Francesca (Under the Covers Book Blog)[27:50] Outro + blog CTAJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us