How to fakedate a vampire
" I'd thought I'd never see him again.
Instead , I'd just assaulted him with my goat"

If this line has you laughing, then this is a book that you need to pick up. It is a cute light-hearted romance novel featuring some of the characters we met in the Modern Girl's Guide to Magic. Emma is a new comer to Charming Cover who is determined to prove herself to the coven and earn her place as the next Official witch. Her chance comes when she can put together a proposal for the next Beltane Ball, a critical event in the coven’s calendar. Her proposal to host it at Duke of Blackthorn’s estate wows the coven but comes at a price. She must pretend to be Alaric’s girlfriend so as not to jeopardise his ailing grandmother. Everything feels almost perfect as his family adores her and, she and Alaric become closer until a reporter upsets the delicate balance.

This was an enjoyable easy read that had all the cozy vibes that would want from a romance novel with some beautiful heartwarming moments

⭐️rating: 3/5

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Okay, this was very cute, and I enjoyed reading it. It’s a cute story, I liked the characters, and it is a wholesome supernatural romance.

The reasons why I didn’t rate it higher are because it could’ve been written better, there were some holes in the story, and some of the choices were a little questionable. There’s a lot of potential here for sure, I just think there’s some room for improvement.

Emma and Alaric were pretty good characters with some depth, though they could’ve been developed a bit more still. And I loved all the side characters, they were very fun and enjoyable. Especially Penelope! (The word “preened” is just a bit overused haha). Though I wish we saw more of what makes a “vampire” a “vampire” in this world.

I also wish we had a bit more at the ending too. It was very quick and it ended abruptly after there had been so much build up for the ball and their relationship.

Now don’t get me wrong, I still really enjoyed reading this book, it just fell a little short of my expectations, which made it more of a 3/5 star rating for me. I’d recommend this for anyone wanting a light supernatural romance to get into the spooky vibes this fall.

Note: This review has also been submitted to Amazon (under sierramountainsofbooks) and is pending as of sending this review.

I absolutely adore "How to Fake Date a Vampire." It's a perfect blend of romance and fantasy with a picturesque Cornwall setting and nostalgic nods to the first book. The characters are endearing, and I rooted for their romance and family acceptance. The "fake dating" element adds excitement, and the fast-paced narrative kept me engaged.

The dual point-of-view narration provides deep character insights, and I felt Emma's longing for belonging and Alaric's desire to please his grandmother. The comedy and descriptions flow seamlessly, creating a sweet, slow-burning journey. Emma's sassy skunk familiar, Penelope, adds a brilliant comedic touch.

The unwavering determination not to disappoint grandmother is both hilarious and engaging. This book is a must-read, a solid 5-star gem that I couldn't put down. Can't wait for the next in the series!

3.5 stars- #2 on my spooky october reads! this was great, I really enjoyed it and it got me in the Halloween mindset of witches and vampires. thanks netgalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Such a great book! The plot is interesting and the characters lovable. Although I would have love to have a POV from granny and Lily, but that's because I love seeing the scenes from multiple POV. I enjoy reading this book and I would love to read more from you.

Such a perfect October read. I will now go back and read the first in the Charming Cove series.

Positives:
A nice, fall paranormal read
Something different than what I normally read but very enjoyable
I enjoyed all of the characters and was rooting for the romance and the family to accept the romance
Faking dating is one of my favorite author elements
Fast paced

Negatives:
I felt like the book could have gone more into the details of the vampire characters but maybe the next one will.

I will now go back and read the first in the Charming Cove series. and as an extra bonus: loved the cover

I ADORE! This series, to me it is the perfect romantasy, not too much spice but enough that it feels natural. The background of Cornwall makes it feel relatable, and honestly I love the throwbacks to Aria in the first book!

How to Fake Date a Vampire is a hysterical following Emma, an orphaned witch with a longing to belong. Her biggest dream is to be accepted by a coven. The catch she must host a ball to become an official member. Emma decides the only place suitable to make a splash is the Blackthorn Estate. Which of course belongs to Alaric, a reclusive vampire duke. Oddly the duke agree to host the ball for Emma if she agrees to fake date Alaric to please his grandmother. Hmmm what could possibly go wrong…. I mean how can you say no to that right? Hot guy ✅, need a grand ball, ✅ don’t have to really be his girlfriend, ✅ get into the coven, ✅ all sounds great well until the MC’s start to develop feelings.

But it is complicated because Emma and Alaric both have tons of baggage very little trust and well no time to figure it out.

I loved the dual POV’s. The author did a great job of both character and world development.

I could really feel Emma’s longing to belong and find a family, along with the pain Alaric feels at a past betrayal and desire to make his grandmother happy.

The comedy and descriptions in this book were effortlessly done and flowed beautifully from the first book into this one.

Such a sweet slow burn journey for Emma and Alaric so well done. We have comedy from Emma’s playful and sassy familiar, Penelope the Skunk so great right a skunk I just love it 😂!

Well and who wants to disappoint grandma. Hands down so funny and engaging I loved every minute of it! Totally binge worthy you don’t want to miss it!

This was a nice, cosy romcom low fantasy story. The plot is a bit similar to the previous book in the series but with some different tropes.
If you're looking for a light, low stakes romcom with a little dusting of magic if recommend this book.
If you enjoy: fake dating, billionaire MMC, found family, women supporting women and low spice, this is worth a read.

3.5 stars

While I didn't love this as much as the previous novel in the series, it was still an enjoyable read. I personally found Emma a bit too goody-goody/perfect for my tastes (I like a bit of flaws!) but she was still fun to get to know. I really am enjoying it though and the familiars may be my favorite part of each story (Penelope is a GEM).

If you are looking for a book for a bit of spooky but not scary this is definitely a book for you!

4.5 stars

So I recently read the first book in this series and knew I immediately wanted to read the next one and oh my god I loved this one even more.

First off Penelope is the best character and I will fight anyone who disagrees. Not only is she a skunk familiar but the way she raises her arm to be picked up killed me with how cute it was.

I really liked Emma and Alaric and I'm an absolute sucker for fake dating. This ticked all the boxes for me and I loved the connection between them! I really loved the side characters in this book and I loved seeing Aria again!

I cannot wait for the next book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

2.5
There was so much of this that appealed to me; I loved the setting in Cornwall, the cosy paranormal community and a great supporting characters, especially Alaric's family and the real star of the novel - Penelope the skunk familiar who really steals the show. I wanted more from her.

Overall, I was a disappointed in this. Mostly because, the main point of the novel, the romance, was the weakest part.I really didn't care if they got together; I just wanted her to hang out with the aunt and granny. The class third act miscommunication was undeveloped and the forgiveness was instant and weirdly gushy.

I think it just felt unfinished and the main characters too perfect or inconsistent. I didn't understand the insta love between her and Alaric it seemed to simply be on the basis that they were a bit nice to the other. There was lots of telling and there were a lot eye roll moments for me.

Apprentice witch Emma Willowby has resided in the supernatural community of Charming Cove for two years and still feels like an outsider. When her coven provides her an opportunity to become an official member by planning their annual Beltane Ball, she jumps at the chance. She even has the perfect venue in mind.

The only problem is that the estate belongs to the notoriously private Duke of Blackthorn, who has recently returned to Charming Cove unexpectedly. Emma and the duke agree to an unusual bargain: he’ll allow her to use his estate for her ball, if she’ll agree to pretend to be his girlfriend to keep up appearances for his beloved grandmother.

All for show, of course.

No genuine feelings involved.

When I downloaded How To Fake Date A Vampire by Linsey Hall, I had no idea when that the book was the second in a series. However the author did a great job of providing necessary background workout it coming off as excessively expository.

The book is divided into dual povs, those of Emma and Alaric. I personally feel that Emma’s point-of-view flows more naturally, but that is possibly a matter of personal opinion. Emma is a delightful main character and Alaric is an engaging romantic lead.

Both of them have their own insecurities-about themselves and their “fake relationship,” but they do try to deal with them and thankfully avoid the super-dominant/angry male character/submissive female character stereotypes that are very common in romance-themed stories.

The secondary characters, mostly Emma’s best friend Holly and Alaric’s grandmother Vivian were wonderful and
I found it very refreshing that Emma had so many people who cared about and supported her.

So many novels with female main characters have them alone and disliked by most people-often other women-and it was a pleasant change.

This is a story for those fond of fake dating-with both parties slowly falling despite themselves-found families that can be our friends, coworkers and fake boyfriend’s relatives and much-deserved happy endings.

Thank you very much to NetGalley, Bonnie Doon Press and Linsey Hall, for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

For the publisher: Posted on Goodreads: 10/21/2023.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Linsey Hall takes readers on a delightful journey in "How to Fake-Date a Vampire," where witches, vampires, and a bit of magic come together in a unique romantic tale.

The story revolves around Emma, who is on a quest to prove herself as a worthy witch, and Alaric, a vampiric duke with a charming family and a magnificent home. The plot unfolds as Alaric and Emma become embroiled in a fake dating charade to satisfy Alaric's family, while Emma strives to prepare the Beltane ball and secure her status within her coven.

This is a book that requires readers to set aside certain expectations. While the characters are endearing and the story is undeniably feel-good, the plot can sometimes feel like a whirlwind, with events happening quickly and requiring readers to go with the flow.

However, the charm of "How to Fake-Date a Vampire" lies in its lovable characters, including a scene-stealing skunk with diva tendencies and playful moments involving ghosts, magic, and the complexities of family.

This book offers a cozy reading experience, making it perfect for the fall season. It's a feel-good romance with a calmer pace, providing a comforting and heartwarming escape. Additionally, for those who prefer a more subtle approach to spice, this book mostly keeps those elements off the page.

In summary, "How to Fake-Date a Vampire" is a whimsical and charming romantic tale with a touch of magic. It's a delightful read that's best enjoyed when approached with an open mind and a desire for a heartwarming journey through the world of witches, vampires, and the unexpected.

TW/CW: Sex, loss of a parent

REVIEW: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily writing an honest review.

How to Fake Date a Vampire is the story of Emma – a witch – and Alaric – a Duke and a Vampire – who enter into a fake-dating relationship.

This book is unfortunately a bit of a mess. I was really excited going into it, but it just didn’t deliver like I hoped it would.

First, other than occasionally drinking blood with his wine, there was absolutely nothing to differentiate Alaric from a normal human being. There was little to no vampire mythology, which I found very disappointing.

Second, I didn’t buy the relationship at all. It was InstaLove (which is a huge pet peeve of mine), and beyond that the main characters kept shifting back and forth in their feelings – it was confusing and didn’t make a lot of sense. I often wondered why they were doing the fake relationship at all, because that didn’t really make sense either.

Thirdly, there was no tension in this book. Every little bit of tension was resolved SO quickly, and that made it really, really dull.

I did like the idea of this book, I just wish it had been executed a little better. I do not recommend this book, but that’s not to say there won’t be people out there who enjoy it!

I absolutely adored this book! I loved this arc so much that I’m definitely buying a copy for my bookshelf.
The author brilliantly weaved the fake dating trope into the story, adding a delightful layer of intrigue and chemistry between the characters. The seemingly innocent royal grandmother was a charming and unexpected twist, her quirks adding a unique and heartwarming dimension to the plot.

What truly stood out for me was the humor, which felt organic and seamlessly integrated into the narrative. It never felt forced, making the story a joy to read.

And Penelope, the skunk, was a lovable addition. Her role in helping to rid the paparazzi was both clever and heartwarming. This paranormal romance is a delight!

A huge shoutout to Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 Fun but it all happens rather quickly! Banal, predictable and above all the fact that he is a vampire has no value or use, it is a detail put there just in case but absolutely superfluous.

A nice read but nothing more!

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the e-arc!

How To Fake-Date A Vampire (Charming Cove, #2) by Linsey Hall
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely adored this book! I have not yet read the first book in this series (The Modern Girl’s Guide To Magic), but it didn’t interfere with anything at all. I am excited to read more books in this series though!

Emma (a witch) and Alaric (a vampire) set a deal to fake date each other so Emma can throw a ball at Alaric’s estate, and so Alaric can please his grandmother. Pretty quickly into this deal, they realize there’s nothing fake about how they feel for each other.

This book was so enjoyable. From the fake dating, the mix of sweet and spice, the characters, the dialogue, and the storyline. This book was the perfect mix of cozy, yet steamy. I loved getting to know the characters you meet along the way, and seeing the chemistry between Emma and Alaric progress. I couldn’t help but smile at the things they would say to each other, but also things within their inner dialogue.

Definitely treat yourselves to this cozy, atmospheric read that is absolutely perfect for this time of year! It is available now to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnie Doon Press for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review

Thank-you @netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC

I’ve rated this 3 stars but it’s not a bad book by any means.
If you like very simple, witchy/super natural romances then this book is for you.

I personally found it quite bland and nothing really interesting happens. It repeats itself so many times and I sat there thinking ‘yes, I get the point, you’ve said that 5 times already’ a few times.
However, overall, I did enjoy it and read it within 2 days.

The romance story is a fake dating storyline which is the main plot throughout and it’s done very well. There is very little to no spice so is perfect for younger readers wanting to get into this genre.

The supernatural witch/vampire is an easy, cute autumnal read, perfect for this October.

"How to Fake-Date a Vampire" was an entertaining read, even though it had a somewhat thin plot, which fell short of my high expectations, especially for a fan of the fake dating trope like me. Nevertheless, I found myself enjoying the book.

One aspect that puzzled me was the protagonist, Alaric, being a vampire. It felt like a missed opportunity, seeing as his vampiric nature didn't play a significant role in the story. Aside from occasional mentions of blood-drinking and enhanced strength (which I barely recall), his character seemed almost human. The lack of a substantial vampire element left me wondering about the necessity of his supernatural identity.

Despite the book's shortcomings, my favorite character, Penelope, was a delightful standout. Who could resist a sassy little skunk as a familiar? Her presence added humor and warmth to the story.

In the end, "How to Fake-Date a Vampire" was a decent read, but it's more about having a good time than delving into a deeply engaging plot. While the writing quality showed potential, the storyline lacked depth and needed more substance. This book is worth picking up if you're seeking light entertainment, but don't expect a riveting narrative.