Blood and Wine - A Love You To Death Story
Tiffany Royster
Reader Reviews
4.0
5 ratings
Liz M.
Apr 26, 2026
LOVE YOU TO DEATH is such a fun concept for a collection — love, obsession, danger, and just enough darkness to keep your pulse up. Sofia and Kyze buying a vineyard in Italy for their first Valentine’s as newlyweds? Romantic. Kyze vanishing days later? Immediately suspicious.
The setting really carried this one for me. The old vineyard, the sealed wine cellar, the faded photographs of doomed couples — it had that moody, gothic energy that should have completely swept me away. The “one lover a year” legend was deliciously eerie, and I loved the idea of love literally aging and curdling over time.
That said, because it’s a short story, everything moved very quickly. The buildup was strong, but I wanted more depth — more tension, more emotional weight, more time to really sit in Sofia’s fear and unraveling. Some reveals felt a little rushed, and I didn’t fully connect to the characters before things escalated.
Overall, it was an entertaining, atmospheric read that delivered spooky Valentine vibes, even if it didn’t fully sink its claws into me. A solid addition to the collection — especially if you love romance with a sinister twist.
Dark love stories on Valentine’s? I’m listening.
The setting really carried this one for me. The old vineyard, the sealed wine cellar, the faded photographs of doomed couples — it had that moody, gothic energy that should have completely swept me away. The “one lover a year” legend was deliciously eerie, and I loved the idea of love literally aging and curdling over time.
That said, because it’s a short story, everything moved very quickly. The buildup was strong, but I wanted more depth — more tension, more emotional weight, more time to really sit in Sofia’s fear and unraveling. Some reveals felt a little rushed, and I didn’t fully connect to the characters before things escalated.
Overall, it was an entertaining, atmospheric read that delivered spooky Valentine vibes, even if it didn’t fully sink its claws into me. A solid addition to the collection — especially if you love romance with a sinister twist.
Dark love stories on Valentine’s? I’m listening.
Karen B.
Feb 25, 2026
Blood and Wine – A Love You to Death Story
~Tiffany Royster
You’ve probably heard the phrase “aging like fine wine” tossed around as a compliment. Tiffany Royster takes that well-worn saying, pours it into a crystal glass, and adds just enough darkness to stain the tablecloth in Blood and Wine, a short story featured in the A Love You to Death multi-author collection.
Kyze and Sofia purchase an old winery in Italy, fulfilling Sofia’s long-held dream of owning one. Picture lush vineyards stretching toward rolling hills, a quaint house nestled on the property, and a charming Italian town just close enough to feel inviting. It’s the kind of setup that practically begs for romance. Unfortunately, the townsfolk’s strange reaction to the couple’s arrival puts a sour note in the air. Sofia is unsettled, Kyze shrugs it off as folklore meant to lure tourists, and naturally, things only get stranger from there.
Royster weaves a love story into something eerie and quietly unsettling, the kind that makes you side-eye your significant other for a moment longer than usual. Kyze and Sofia are both likable and relatable, though I did feel a slight disconnect with Sofia early on. It took two chapters before we even learn her name, despite her being the primary narrative voice. A quicker introduction would have helped ground the reader sooner. That said, for a short story, Royster does a solid job building an immersive atmosphere. The winery felt realistic, and I could easily imagine myself wandering the grounds alongside the couple.
As a longtime fan of Royster’s work, I usually find myself enthusiastically singing her praises. This time, however, the story landed a bit flatter for me than expected. The premise is strong and full of promise, but it feels like it’s just shy of its full potential. With a bit more development and a few layout tweaks, this could have been something truly memorable.
Overall, Blood and Wine is a quick, enjoyable read that offers a darker twist on Valentine’s Day stories typically drenched in hearts, chocolate, and predictable happily-ever-afters. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something short, atmospheric, and slightly off-kilter without requiring a major time commitment.
Blood and Wine releases on January 30th, 2026.
I would like to thank Tiffany Royster for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for Blood and Wine. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
~Tiffany Royster
You’ve probably heard the phrase “aging like fine wine” tossed around as a compliment. Tiffany Royster takes that well-worn saying, pours it into a crystal glass, and adds just enough darkness to stain the tablecloth in Blood and Wine, a short story featured in the A Love You to Death multi-author collection.
Kyze and Sofia purchase an old winery in Italy, fulfilling Sofia’s long-held dream of owning one. Picture lush vineyards stretching toward rolling hills, a quaint house nestled on the property, and a charming Italian town just close enough to feel inviting. It’s the kind of setup that practically begs for romance. Unfortunately, the townsfolk’s strange reaction to the couple’s arrival puts a sour note in the air. Sofia is unsettled, Kyze shrugs it off as folklore meant to lure tourists, and naturally, things only get stranger from there.
Royster weaves a love story into something eerie and quietly unsettling, the kind that makes you side-eye your significant other for a moment longer than usual. Kyze and Sofia are both likable and relatable, though I did feel a slight disconnect with Sofia early on. It took two chapters before we even learn her name, despite her being the primary narrative voice. A quicker introduction would have helped ground the reader sooner. That said, for a short story, Royster does a solid job building an immersive atmosphere. The winery felt realistic, and I could easily imagine myself wandering the grounds alongside the couple.
As a longtime fan of Royster’s work, I usually find myself enthusiastically singing her praises. This time, however, the story landed a bit flatter for me than expected. The premise is strong and full of promise, but it feels like it’s just shy of its full potential. With a bit more development and a few layout tweaks, this could have been something truly memorable.
Overall, Blood and Wine is a quick, enjoyable read that offers a darker twist on Valentine’s Day stories typically drenched in hearts, chocolate, and predictable happily-ever-afters. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something short, atmospheric, and slightly off-kilter without requiring a major time commitment.
Blood and Wine releases on January 30th, 2026.
I would like to thank Tiffany Royster for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for Blood and Wine. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future by the author or publisher for a fair and honest review.
Mandy S.
Feb 8, 2026
Blood and Wine is dark, romantic, and deliciously unsettling. Tiffany Royster blends love and menace into a story where desire turns dangerous and nothing feels safe. Short, sharp, and haunting!
Jolene C.
Feb 8, 2026
A quick, spooky sip of a thriller. Blood and Wine has a great haunted vineyard setup, eerie vibes, and just enough twists to keep you turning pages. Not a deep, cellar aged mystery, but a fun, haunting read best enjoyed in one sitting, preferably while enjoying your glass of wine.
Rachel B.
Feb 8, 2026
intense and chilling!
“Blood and Wine” by Tiffany Royster is an intense and chilling addition to the Love You To Death short story collection. It’s a tale of a cursed vineyard that takes one lover every year. Dark, immersive, and dripping with dread, this story keeps you guessing—will Sofia and Kyze survive, or will the vineyard claim its next victim? Haunting and unforgettable.
“Blood and Wine” by Tiffany Royster is an intense and chilling addition to the Love You To Death short story collection. It’s a tale of a cursed vineyard that takes one lover every year. Dark, immersive, and dripping with dread, this story keeps you guessing—will Sofia and Kyze survive, or will the vineyard claim its next victim? Haunting and unforgettable.