Member Reviews

This is a must-read book I don't want to give any spoilers, but you won't regret getting this book, you won't put it down till you're done reading the whole this.

Was this review helpful?

I really had high expectations for this book because the blurb was so reminiscent of my all time favorite series, Harry Potter, only that we are dealing with angels and demons here instead of wizards and witches. In the same vein as those books with hero of destiny theme, Fallen Academy follows the story of Brielle Atwater who did not know that she’s the prophesized Messiah who will end or worsen the war between the angels and demons. I will not bore you with the intricacies of what Fallen Academy is all about as the blurb is pretty clear where the story is going.

So why am I giving this book a 3 star when most of the Harry Potter books yielded a 5 star from me? Well, the book just did not resonate with me. Don’t get me wrong, I love Angel vs. Demon stories; as as a matter of fact, Susan Ee’s Angelfall is an all time fave series, too, and the sole reason why I got hooked with Angel stories. Fallen Academy, however, was just a so so for me. Nothing hit the right spot for me. I find the relationship between Lincoln and Brielle forced and too fast-paced, Brielle and the other characters’ development shallow, the plot very unsurprising and averagely (not poorly) executed, and the world building okay. To sum it up, nothing had awed me while reading Fallen Academy Year One.

Since this is the first installment of the series, I expected that there is an elaborate explanation about our Angels and Demons and how the war came to be. I get that most angel and demon stories are inspired from the Bible, I would have expected that the author took the time to put a new spin on a beloved and extremely familiar story. Unfortunately, the book was more focused with Brielle’s feelings for her handsome teacher, Lincoln.

This book has so much potential particularly that the setting, academia, is something that I really love. There are a lot of things to explore and expound on but the romance became the focus of this book. If the romance had been beautifully executed, I would have declared that it’s a win for the book. Unfortunately, the romance also did not do it for me. So what I’m saying is, read this book at your own risk. It might or might not work for you. I enjoyed it at some point but forgot about it most of the time that’s why it took me a long time to read it. Will I read the next installment? Well, that would depend on my patient and my schedule so nothing certain as of this time yet.

Was this review helpful?

I Loved this book! It was funny and emotional. It had romance, murder, mystery. A Vampire who falls in love with the human he hires to declutter his castle. She falls in love with him. And the book club who talks everything but books. I can’t wait for the next book!

Was this review helpful?

his book weaves romance and magic together so seamlessly, it feels like a spell of its own. The love story is as enchanting as the world it unfolds in—full of longing, destiny, and the kind of tension that keeps you breathless. By the final page, you won’t know whether you want to stay for the love or the magic—but either way, you won’t want to leave.

Was this review helpful?

Let me preface this by saying that the romance was really good. I love a good, tension-filled romance. Add a supernatural flare? Fantastic. I’m a fated mates touch-her-and-die kinda girl. However, as spicy as this book had a tendency to be, it felt really long and rambling. It also had a lot of secondary characters with extensive back stories that were leaned into a little too hard and were obviously in previous books. Theu also weren’t hard to understand, accept, and move on to the current subject of the book, but there were moments that made me say “yeah, we get it!” where I just wished the author would Move. ON. The friendships and relationships ans world building were still good, I just think it could have been made a lot shorter and be just as good if not better.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND BACCHANALIA HOUSE FOR THE ADVANCED COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR A FAIR REVIEW!

Was this review helpful?

Fangs for Nothing is a lighthearted paranormal mystery with a fun premise and plenty of humor. The quirky characters and witty dialogue make for an entertaining read, but the plot can feel a bit scattered, and some moments lack depth. While it’s an enjoyable escape, it doesn’t fully sink its teeth in. A decent read for fans of cozy supernatural stories, but not the most memorable in the genre.

Was this review helpful?

This was a cute paranormal romance with characters that popped off the page. I was literally kicking and screaming and the story was SO good.

Was this review helpful?

This was overall a pretty fun read! I think the balance between silly, lightheartedness while tackling heavier topics such as trauma was done really well. My biggest complaint would be that the pacing felt off at times and it felt (ironically) cluttered at times, and I feel like the story would’ve been strengthened by having a little bit less.

Thank you Bacchanalia House and NetGalley for the eARC! ❤️

Was this review helpful?

5 stars = Outstanding!

This was a delightful surprise! I can't remember the last time I was so caught up in a book I blew off everything else to read it. I don't generally go for vampire books - and this is spicier than I usually read. But I was completely caught up by the characters and the whole story. As soon as I finished, I bought my own copy and pre-ordered the sequel. Fantastic! (Language, sex)

Was this review helpful?

I had fallen out of love with paranormal romances, and was worried this would be another miss. However, I was proven so wrong! I was hooked right from the beginning and absolutely loved this - thank you Steffanie Holmes for helping reignite my love for the genre.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc. 🫶🏻

Was this review helpful?

This book had so many nuances, love , friendship, supernatural, vampire as well as the mystery club made up of more supernaturals , vulnerability, sex, goodness I could go on but best of all a gorgeous sexy vampire very much worth reading

Was this review helpful?

Fangs for Nothing by Steffanie Holmes is a witty, fast-paced, and delightfully fun paranormal romance that blends humor, heart, and supernatural intrigue into a compelling package. This book follows the story of a quirky and relatable protagonist who finds herself caught up in a world of vampires, danger, and unexpected romance.

Holmes' writing style is light and engaging, effortlessly pulling readers into the world she’s created. The plot is full of twists, turns, and laugh-out-loud moments that make for a highly entertaining read. The protagonist is clever, relatable, and has a wonderful sense of humor, which adds a refreshing touch to the usual vampire romance genre. Her voice is one of the book's greatest strengths, balancing vulnerability with sass, making her easy to root for from the very first page.

The paranormal elements in Fangs for Nothing are well-executed, with Holmes incorporating just enough supernatural intrigue to keep things exciting without overwhelming the reader with too much mythology. The world-building is effective and immersive, offering a unique take on vampire lore. The romance that develops throughout the book is sizzling and full of chemistry, but it doesn’t overshadow the plot. There’s a perfect balance between romance, humor, and the unfolding mystery, creating a story that feels well-rounded.

The characters, especially the love interest, are engaging and multi-dimensional. Their connection is electric, and the development of their relationship feels both steamy and sweet. The romance isn’t rushed; it builds naturally and adds emotional depth to the story, which is a nice change from the typical “insta-love” seen in many paranormal romances.

However, while the book excels in its lighthearted tone and charm, some readers might find the plot a little predictable or the conflicts somewhat formulaic. That being said, it’s hard to complain when the book is so entertaining, and the pacing keeps everything moving at a satisfying speed.

Overall, Fangs for Nothing is a delightful read for anyone looking for a paranormal romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still delivers on the emotional stakes and supernatural thrills. Steffanie Holmes has crafted a fun, fast-paced novel with memorable characters, humor, and a dash of heat. Fans of paranormal romance with a comedic edge will find this book hard to put down.

Was this review helpful?

I won't be reading this. I've tried multiple times and haven't gotten into it. Thank you though for the opportunity. If I read it in the future I will come back and change this review.

Was this review helpful?

❤️ out of 5
This book was a DNF for me and I honestly don’t know how I lasted till 57%. It took me WEEKS to even get through that much and it got to a point where I avoided picking up my book full stop. That’s when I realised this book was killing me and I happily gave it up.

I really want to read some new paranormal romance authors which is why I took a chance on this one but I swear they don’t deliver as much as my old trusty authors. Are there any good new paranormal authors you would recommend?

Was this review helpful?

This book was a fun, fast-paced blend of mystery, humor, and sizzling romance! The characters were vibrant and engaging, with fantastic chemistry that kept the pages turning. The world-building was immersive, adding just the right touch of intrigue and supernatural charm. A delightful read that perfectly balanced action, wit, and steamy moments!

Was this review helpful?

Fangs for Nothing by Steffanie Holmes is a charming blend of paranormal romance and cosy mystery. The story follows Winnie Preston, a professional organizer, as she’s hired to tame the chaotic castle of the reclusive Lord Alaric Valerian. Alaric, a centuries-old vampire, is initially resistant to Winnie’s intrusion, but their initial animosity soon gives way to an unexpected attraction.

The novel effectively blends elements of humour, suspense, and romance. The witty banter between Winnie and Alaric is a highlight, and including a quirky book club adds a delightful layer of eccentricity to the story. However, the pacing can feel uneven at times, with the romantic tension building slowly while the mystery subplot unfolds at a more gradual pace.

Despite some pacing issues, Fangs for Nothing is an enjoyable read for paranormal romance fans. The unique blend of humour, mystery, and heartwarming romance makes it a captivating and entertaining story.

Was this review helpful?

Overall I enjoyed this book. I think that it had it's strong points and some things that just weren't for me. I liked the romance up until the third act break up. I feel that this is more of a me thing then the story it's self. I do feel like the first half of this book dragged a little and possibly could have been shorter than the hefty 500+ book that it was. I also wasn't aware that this was a spin off from another series and that may have contributed to the parts of the story that I really just didn't understand. Over all tho I really liked the writing and thought that the world building was done well. I think that this book is going to be a big hit with a lot of people and I plan on going back to Holmes catalog and trying one of her earlier series.

Was this review helpful?

honestly this was so much fun. from beginning to end i had fun reading this one. it was everything i wanted in a spicy vampire mystery book

it felt a little long but i had too much fun to really care

Was this review helpful?

Not for me. It would've been more fun to read if it had less page count. I felt things were happening too slow for me to hold interest. Maybe I will re read again later

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

I really wanted to like this one more, but it often felt like this wasn't book 1. There's a prequel series that l hadn't read before and I definitely felt lost at times. While it isn't strictly necessary to read it, I would recommend it.

Otherwise, this was a cute, silly book that didn't take itself too seriously. If you enjoy Molly Harper's Half-Moon Hollow series, you'll almost certainly like this one!

Was this review helpful?