I’ve been waiting to read Just My Type by Lucy Bexley and Bryce Oakley since July when I first heard about the concept of this novella on A Tip of the Tongue episode. Bexley mentioned the common characterization of vampires feeling ashamed of who they are and how this acts as an allegory for the LGBTQ community. They wanted to switch it up and develop a character who “leans into being evil” and isn’t ashamed of being who they are. I love this idea and enjoyed this read.
Here’s a quick plot –
Eros is a vampire who just moved to Sorrow, Massachusetts, taking up residence in an abandoned church. One night after an unsatisfying meal, she breaks into a hematology lab where she meets Dr. Annie Golden. Annie has been researching a blood disease in hopes to find a cure. When she finds Eros, she is both startled and intrigued, mostly by the weird coloring of the undead woman’s blood. Sparks fly as romance takes off and Eros does her best to woo Annie. However, Annie learns what Eros truly is and has to decide if she can handle being with someone who relies on human blood to survive.
The writing of this book was very engaging. Some really great lines were included that left striking imagery. I also enjoyed the constant humor. Eros wooing Annie was pretty funny. This had a campy feel to it. It reminded me of What We Do in the Shadows, the vampire mockumentary which pokes fun at old school vampirism in the modern world.
I was very confused throughout the entire book as to why Eros didn’t understand normal everyday things. Like dogs, or muffins. I get that she hasn’t eaten people food since joining the undead but she never walked past a restaurant and witnessed a patron eating a plate of spaghetti? It was only towards the end of the novella that we learn that she spent the past 300 years sleeping in a cave. That information would have been useful earlier. Also, what made her wake up and rejoin society now? I had a lot of questions, but in the interest of just enjoying the ride, I left them at the door.
If you’re a fan of vampires and are looking for a low-angst, fun romance than Just My Type might quench your thirst!