My House of Crimson Hearts Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
House of Crimson Hearts by Ruby Roe is a scorching start to the Kingdom of Immortal Lovers series, diving deep into a seductive, vampire-ruled city where power, blood, and desire reign. Octavia Beaumont, one of the city’s ancient vampire queens, is determined to claim absolute rule. Red, a legendary hunter with a vendetta, enters the city’s deadly trials in pursuit of revenge for her sister—turned against her will by one of Octavia’s kind. Forced to work together as rivals in a three-part competition, the two women find themselves tangled in ever-shifting alliances and betrayals, with only one throne—and one heart—at stake. But their antagonistic partnership is haunted by a shared, fractured past and the shadow of an old betrayal that Red can’t remember. Danger lurks at every corner as hidden enemies and secrets threaten to destroy not only their plans, but any hope for love amidst the chaos. What begins as an enemies-to-lovers power play turns into a labyrinth of trust, lust, and second chances, with the city's fate—and their own—hanging in the balance.
Why I Love This Book
This is everything I want from a sapphic vampire fantasy: delicious enemies-to-lovers tension, a twisty competition plot, and the kind of high-stakes angst that keeps me up all night. Octavia and Red are both clever and dangerous, but underneath the mutual suspicion, their chemistry is off the charts. I love the multiple POVs and timelines, which add depth to both the main romance and the political drama tearing the city apart. The world itself—equal parts lush, brutal, and darkly sensual—makes every scene pulse with danger and longing. Nothing is simple: betrayals sting, alliances shift, and each woman must sacrifice to survive, win, and maybe, just maybe, trust again. The writing pulls no punches with erotic scenes and queer joy, but there’s always an emotional core underpinning the heat. I finished desperate for the next book and ready to see what sacrifices these two are willing to make for each other.
Who Will Like This Book
If you crave a steamy, high-drama lesbian vampire romance packed with enemies-to-lovers heat, political intrigue, twisted loyalties, and morally complex women, this is a must-read. The multiple POVs, kink-friendly content, and smart banter put it squarely in the “adult” category—expect explicit scenes, exhibitionism, and themes of betrayal, manipulation, and violence. Perfect for fans of Gideon the Ninth, A Dowry of Blood, or those who want their queer romance with both bite and heart. Do check the author’s website or “look inside” feature for full trigger warnings. The book ends on a major cliffhanger, setting up even higher stakes for Octavia and Red’s story in the next installment.
Tagged As
lesbian romance, vampire romance, enemies to lovers, second chance romance, royals, found family, political intrigue, dark fantasy, explicit erotic, kink, multiple POV, sapphic, betrayal, competition, trauma, trust, cliffhanger, indie romance, series, high stakes, forbidden love
Steam Level
This novel is wildly explicit, with creative, frequent on-page scenes (including kink and exhibitionism). The spice is fierce but always entwined with character development and epic, messy love.
This novel is #5 of our 7 Favorite Vampire Romance Books. View the full list.
