Member Reviews
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Pub for this earc
This book started off super cute. And it is cute. Out of time vampire and an artist? Adorable.
The notes through the books were precious. They were definitely my favorite part. The slow progression of the relationship was also very sweet.
I had two issues. One that we only got pieces of the vampire background. Seems like the author didn’t go beyond the surface with the details. Ever Reggie? He sort of pop-in and out when it was convenient for this story. And considering that this book has Vampire in its title we get very few “vampire” scenes.
And then the whole super random kidnapping in the end? Just felt like a rushed ending to me
Overall, if you’re looking for a sweet read, this is for you. Just don’t expect more than that.
MY ROOMMATE IS A VAMPIRE will find its audience. The writing is solid and the pace was good. However, this one just wasn't for me.
I loved so many things about the concept behind this book and I definitely think there's an audience out there for it! Unfortunately the chemistry between the characters ultimately fell flat for me, which made it difficult for me to buy into the romantic tension. I think Frederick's old time-y vernacular really just felt way too formal for me and that's what made it hard to get into any dialogue that involved him. I understand why it was included from a character perspective, but it just made him feel very disjointed from everything else in the book. Really grateful for the opportunity to read and review!
This was a book I didn’t really know what to expect but the title and the blurb sounded funny so I went with it.What a different vampire story this is. We meet Cassie who looking for a place to live when she comes across a room on Craigslist and she can afford it so she grabs it. But what she doesn’t know is who her roommate is. We soon learn about Frederick who sleeps all day and is out all night. This was a funny cute different vampire story.
I actually really enjoyed this book. It was not exactly what I was expecting, but in a good way. Their whole relationship dynamic was fun to see unfold. It was pretty hysterical seeing a centuries old vampire trying to adapt to the modern world. An overall really enjoyable book.
The author does a great job at integrating small details about characters to bring them alive, even when we only first meet them. The beginning is enticing and encourages you to keep reading. Also, a very well-done feature was showing pieces of Frederick's writing or text messages at the beginning of every chapter; it gave us a peek into his mind without a full POV. From Cassie's perspective, Frederick was also a very funny, hopeless character that you couldn't help but root for. With Cassie's outgoing and creative nature, the pairing couldn't have been more perfect. As a bonus, we get to see Frederick awkwardly interacting with his acentric friend, which gives a lot of laughs.
I did find flaws, primarily in the plot of the story. The backstory of Frederick does not come soon enough or have hints to keep the reader satisficed; eventually it all comes to light, but slow enough the reader wonders if the author has just poorly written it. Also, there are key parts of the plot that are not fleshed out enough. There are two main plots in the book: the relationship between the main characters and Frederick's past. These points are so disconnected that it feels like an entirely different story. The latter plot point is mostly neglected until the end when it feels rushed and awkwardly integrated, which gives the story an unsatisfying conclusion. Though the story is from Cassie's point of view, more information about this second plot could have been given in Frederick's openings as well as conversations between the two main characters.
A major plot issue I have is with Frederick being a vampire, which feels irrelevant to the story. If Frederick had any other explanation for how he fell into his current situation, the story would not change at all. The details about vampire lore are very awkwardly placed, and the abilities Frederick has in particular are extremely odd and does nothing for the story. Overall with the vampire lore, I was given answers to questions I wasn't asking and have so many questions unanswered. I think having more build-up to Frederick being a vampire and Cassie having a stronger reaction to finding out would help the vampirism be more relevant. Integrating the lore more into the everyday life of the story would also be helpful. I definitely love the general idea of him being a vampire, however, and think the story could have really became more alive with more focus in this area.
Overall, I think this story accomplished what it was set out to do, which is be a fun contemporary story. The writing was well done (even if cliche at times), and the author did well with character introductions and giving Frederick's point of view. The main characters are full of live and easy for the reader to love and root for. The story lacks in plot development, though, and gives the reader too much unnecessary information while leaving out important parts.
I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a light, fun read.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest view.
THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN! it was very hilarious, like actually a rom com unlike most books. this book was like the vampire diaries with a lot less murders.
Down-on-her-luck independent woman meets down-on-his-luck dependent vampire!
When struggling artist Cassie finds a Craigslist ad seeking a roommate with a rent amount too good to be true, her brain tells her it's a trap but her wallet says it's worth being possibly murdered. In slides the new roomie, a charming and gorgeous specimen of a man named Frederick, with his creepy décor and lack of cooking utensils. There's only 2 rules to the apartment - don't wake him before 5 p.m. and stay out of the hall closet - weird, but not a deal breaker!
This fun, contemporary romance features two people on opposite sides of life who find each other in need, become friends and then something more! A perfect read for someone looking to laugh and learn alongside a Millennial and the original BOOMER!
I just reviewed My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine. #MyRoommateIsaVampire #NetGalley
It's been a bit since I picked up a good vampire book...and this one fit the bill. A slow burn romance, a bit of vampy stuff (but not overdone), steamy, and great character development from this debut novel by Jenna Levine. This novel answers the question of: what would you do if you were down on your luck and needed to move...and you reluctantly realize your nocturnal roommate (who is a wee bit hot) is a vampire. The book is funny, plain and simple. I giggled several times and there are a ton of pop culture references that makes the book super cute and humorous. Not a lot of steam but enough to keep me happy (maybe two peppers?).
I am eagerly anticipating the sequel...we need to see more Reginald!
I really enjoyed the aspect of this very old vampire being in a coma and waking up 100 years later. Him learning the world was so funny. I loved all his notes, texts, and letters included at the beginning of every chapter. Honestly these were some of my favorite moments of the book. Otherwise I didn't really feel the romantic connection. I don't feel like I really knew the characters after the book was over either.
My Rooommate is a Vampire is a delight of a paranormal rom-com. Readers that grew up loving Twilight, True Blood, and any other media that featured old-fashioned vampire heroes falling in love with quirky, contemporary heroines will devour this book. 100% will read again, and recommend to all of my friends.
Review for my roommate is a vampire
3.5 out of five
I actually loved the characters and world building in this book. I also loved that the conflict was not an easily cleared up misunderstanding. The little bits of Fredericks letters/lists/texts we saw were delightful and such a good insight into his personality.
The reason I took some points off is simply it’s extremely rushed. 72 percent of it is build up and the conflict and action is maybe ten percent the book and introduced way too late. I would have loved it if this book had maybe a 100 more
Pages.
However it’s very funny and charming and I am looking forward to the sequel she has set up!
I got about 80% through this book before I threw in the towel and gave up. I kept waiting for it to become funnier or to care about the characters more, but it wasn't happening. I feel like Cassie is flat and is just waiting on the guy to give her value. She is also clueless to obvious things that I found annoying. And the vampire? I just... He is meh. I hope the author keeps writing, but this book was not a win for me.
The premise was good. It started out well but the writing just didn't live up to the possibilities.
I will try to give a review with as little detail as possible for anyone who would like to read this story. The basic premise of the story hooked me right away. Cassie Greenberg is being evicted and in desperate need to a new place to live and she finds an ad on Craigslist (does anyone still use Craigslist?) offering a room in a luxurious apartment in a sought after neighborhood for only $200 a month? There has to be something very wrong with that. $200 doesn't even come close to what must be half the rent, so why would someone be renting a room for so little? Maybe he's a serial killer looking for his next victim? Beggers can't always be choosers so Cassie takes her BFF along to meet her possible new roommate.
Frederick doesn't seem like a serial killer and since the $200/month listing is really his fault, he won't burden Cassie with his error and if she wants the room, it is hers for $200 a month. Beggers/choosers and Cassie agrees to move in and hopes not to end up on a milk carton.
What grabbed me would be why is this vampire renting a room for so little money. He obviously doesn't need a roommate financially, so what's the deal. Of course, we only know Frederick is a vampire due to the title of the story but there is no question that there is something very weird about Frederick. He is wearing a suit right out of a Jane Austin movie casting. He leaves the most formal notes for Cassie written in perfect penmanship over mundane roommate concerns instead of jotting on a post-it note. He doesn't own any pots or pans or even has any food in the house. So I was pulled into the story right away waiting to find out just why a vampire needed a human roommate.
First, I felt rushed by the romance between Cassie and Frederick without enough interactions or even note leaving that would really foster the sudden obsession. Also, some of Frederick's one (long) step out of modern society felt too oblivious or flip-flopped between too old world vampire and modern society. For example, Cassie and Frederick are at a party and they end up in the bathroom together. When someone knocks on the door and Cassie says "We'll be right out." Frederick is shocked that Cassie isn't worried about her reputation being found alone with him. Uh, she's been living alone with him for several weeks before this, yet he never mentions any concern for Cassie's reputation as an unmarried woman living with a single man. Later that evening the sexy times occur, but Frederick isn't concerned about Cassie's virginity or saving herself for a husband. He doesn't concern himself to even question is Cassie has had lovers before.
Yes, some of these things are intended to be funny fish-out-of-water moments but they didn't all jive. Frederick was still wearing old fashioned clothing, but unless he just popped his head out of the coffin today after a 100 year nap, he had to know that his clothing was old fashioned and what vampire survived so long who didn't learn to blend into his environment. He even had a vampire friend, who he didn't fully like, but he saw the other vampire wearing modern clothing. Why was he still wearing his out of date fashion?
I had hoped that the big event at the end of the story could have been an excuse to pull out some obscure Buffy the Vampire slayer plot twist for fun so Cassie can save the day, but the solution was kind of a nonsensical attempt for human Cassie to win against the big bad vampires which left me going "Really? That's it?" It was a lost opportunity to be campy and fun, especially when Buffy was brought up once Cassie finds out about vampires.
This appears to be a debut story for Jenna Levine and when I picked up this story it had a lot of promise for fun but the character development and the story execution fell flat which was disappointing.
Overall I thought this was a pretty good book! It was definitely very sweet and very funny. I don't know if it ended up being super up my alley, but I definitely have an idea of the sort of person I might recommend it to and I totally would.
This was not what I was expecting at all but its a really cute read! It's definitely on the quirkier/non threatening end of the vampire scale. It reminded me of those Hallmark movies where a guy from the past somehow gets transported to the present and falls in love with the woman who shows him the ways of the modern world. There were definitely some laugh out loud moments as Frederick tried to figure out the modern world. He and Cassie are definitely an opposites attract story.
Cassie has some serious self esteem issues and it was nice to watch that grow as the book goes on, even if. I'm totally one of those people that understands but just is not a fan of her type of art. Frederick also has some self growth that he experiences throughout the book. The thing I liked least about the book was definitely the third act conflict. The resolution felt very silly to me but other than that this was a really fun read.
Great introduction to a new author for me, and a wonderful addition to our collection for our patrons. I look forward to more! THANK you!
A fun spin on a vampire romance, with hilarious voice and characters. Frederick and Cassie's banter was hilarious as was his correspondence with her and Reginald. I hope we see more light paranormal crossover books in the future!
This book was so fun! It’s always great to see a different take on a vampire, and I feel like this book allowed for that. Cassie is struggling financially and finds an amazing deal on rent in a wonderful area in downtown Chicago. Only catch? Her roommate is a vampire. Frederick needs help navigating the 21st century without drawing attention to who he is. These two are total opposites and yet it works out perfectly.
Right when I thought I had read everything under the sun, and nothing could make me experience joy and laughter again in a book (I was in a bit of a reading rut), I came upon this absolutely delightful book by author Jenna Levine. I am hoping it is optioned for a movie. I would give it 6 out of 5 stars if I could. The writing was fantastic, very relatable, funny, witty with real life romance combined into a great "coming of age" story for a very old vampire and "the girl next door". Highly recommended in my library!!