This Is Not a Vampire Story

De: Simon Doyle

Narrado por: Nicolas McGrady

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.

©2024 Simon Doyle (P)2025 Simon Doyle

An Unexpected Favorite!!

I am usually a non-fiction reader and wouldn't pick up a book with the word vampire in the title. But this one caught my attention as I was looking for something a little less heavy to read over the holidays. I have to admit, it held my attention right away and I was intrigued to read on. It had a very non-fiction edge to it as it feels like it could be anyone's youth. It's really just a story of love, friendship and family. The vampire part is so subtle, yet works so well in the story without giving it an unrealistic fantasy feel. I actually really enjoyed those parts!

Simon Doyle is a fantastic writer and uses such great detail that you can really feel what the characters are experiencing. I look forward to reading any other books he puts out!

Nicolas McGrady did a fantastic job narrating this book!! Kudos to him for using all those different voices, that's not easy. I've listened to hundreds of audio books and he is by far one of my favorite narrators. His voice is smooth and calm and so easy to listen to.

Thanks for an amazing book and for opening my eyes to a new genre!

AMAZING & HEARTWARMING

Simon Doyle wrote this story that is not about vampires. It's a story that is so much more. It's about a love that last forever. "This is not a Vampire Story" needs to be read with an open mind as it sends a heart warming message. Nicolas McGrady does an excellent narration for the story. My favorite story of 2025.

A beautiful story

Sometimes you lose a love and you can’t get it back. Sometimes that has to be enough. Sometimes that’s all there is and it’s all that could be. But it can still be beautiful.

What a pleasant slow-burn emotional surprise!

An m/m lowkey vampire story? Yes, please. I was at least curious enough to try it, especially since the reviews were overly positive. And after listening to it, I have to agree with the others. What a fantastic surprise this story was.

It is a bit of a slow burn as it bounces back and forth between 1949 and the present, but I became invested in both ends of the story. A couple surprises propelled the story forward nicely. Though, as the title implies, this book isn't super heavy on vampire action if you're looking for that genre's typical gore and horror. It focuses more on the emotional impact that the vampire situation causes the characters. As the story goes on, the ending became as inevitable for us as for the main character, tugging at all the heartstrings.

The biggest negative is that the story takes place in Ireland, but all the characters have American accents for some reason, which couldn't help but take away from the Irish atmosphere built into the story. They couldn't find an Irish narrator? Just a strange choice of narration, though the narrator himself was otherwise quite good.

In any event, highly recommended if you enjoy slow-burn emotional mildly supernatural stories with (non-sexually explicit) m/m main characters. Top-tier m/m story imo.

Surprising…awesome…and touching

I did not expect this story when I chose it. The alternating present to past incrementally brings you a deeper understanding of Victor. I truly enjoyed the story. it is hard to define the ending as an HEA but you feel a completeness. I appreciate the finesse with which the romance is defined and evolved. I know there are many readers that look for the “spice” and give stars based on how erotic the sex scenes are, but there are only so many ways to describe people having orgasms…when it becomes the book’s focus I lose interest.

Character development and a sense of connection with the struggles/conflicts involved are what bring a story to life and make it a page turner—even gay romance.

This story had everything for me. Real characters that developed in 3D. They were NOT two dimensional gay guys with a meet cute or enemies or fake dating…and sex like bunnies that was “the best ever” until they have a falling out due to absolute stupidity and a lack of basic communication skills with a miracle resolution of more sex and an HEA or HFN.

Thank you Simon Doyle! This is the book I have been looking for this Christmas break! Sadly, I had to go through a bunch of the plastic 2D stories to find this gem this holiday season. This is my first full 5 stars since Red, White and Royal Blue.

This Should Be A Movie!

The best vampire love story ever written! Moving, relatable, memorable. I hope some really good movie-maker buys this and turns it into a classic as powerful as Maurice and Broke Back Mountain.

If this isn't a vampire story, then what is it?

Honestly? The most haunting, heartbreakingly beautiful queer love story I have ever read. The author knows exactly when you lean into the quiet, aching moments and when to let humor, new love or the bond between friends shine.

The narrator was perfectly cast and brought each character to life in their own distinct way. He sold 17 and and he sold 94, which can't be easy to do.

I will never forget this story, mostly becsuse I'm in no way done after one listen

It’s a Love Story

There may be a vampire in this book but it really is a LGBT romance between two Irish young men in 1940s Ireland. It will tug at your heart as the story is bitter-sweet. The time line switches back to 1949 from present day. The narrator does a really good job telling the story. I recommend if you like romance.

Well written and deeply moving

Beautifully written tale of love, grief and friendship. The narrator was perfectly cast, in both tone and emotion