"How to Fake-Date a Vampire" by Linsey Hall is a captivating, steamy paranormal romance that combines magic, danger, and irresistible chemistry. When a young witch makes a deal with a vampire duke to host a magical ball in exchange for pretending to be his girlfriend, sparks fly—and not just for the cameras. The tension between the two leads builds beautifully, and their fake relationship becomes anything but. Thank you to the publisher for the ARC! I’ve already purchased a copy for my library system. This book is perfect for fans of supernatural romance and sizzling tension. Highly recommended!

This was such a cute book! I loved the characters and the storyline. I will definitely read more by this author! Such a fun read!

Linsey Hall’s How to Fake-Date a Vampire is a fun, lighthearted paranormal romance that leans heavily into the charm of its setting and the fake-dating trope (which is a personal favorite of mine). As the second book in the Charming Cove series, it follows Emma Willowby, a witch desperate to prove herself to the Aurora Coven. When she takes on the task of organizing the grand Beltane Ball, she strikes a deal with Alaric, the brooding yet surprisingly kind Duke of Blackthorn—who also happens to be a vampire. In exchange for using his estate, she agrees to pose as his girlfriend to appease his formidable grandmother.

Predictable? Sure. But still a delight.

One of the things I loved about this book is the setting. Charming Cove is exactly what the name suggests—a magical seaside town that feels like it belongs in a cozy fantasy film. Hall’s writing brings it to life in a way that makes you want to pack a bag and move there, magic or not. The whimsy of the town contrasts nicely with Alaric’s grand (and slightly gothic) estate, giving the book the perfect mix of cozy and mysterious.

Emma is an easy protagonist to root for. She’s determined, a little clumsy, and trying so hard to prove herself, which makes her instantly relatable. Her struggles with confidence add depth to her character, even as the story remains light and fun. Alaric, on the other hand, is refreshingly different from the usual brooding, overly possessive vampires found in paranormal romance. He’s guarded but not cold, and I appreciated that he felt like a fully developed character rather than just a dark and broody love interest, but sometimes that also makes me forget that he is a vampire as he feel likes a random human being.

The romance itself is sweet, with witty banter and moments of genuine connection. Fake-dating can sometimes feel forced, but here, it does unfold naturally. While the chemistry is there, I did wish for a bit more tension—it’s a little slow burn, not necessarily one that keeps you on edge. Still, the dynamic between Emma and Alaric is charming, and I found myself smiling through some of their interactions.

That being said, if you’re looking for a high-stakes, intense paranormal romance, this might not be it. The conflicts are fairly low-key, and the plot is predictable in the way that many rom-coms are. But if you go in expecting a cozy, magical love story rather than an action-packed fantasy, you’ll likely enjoy it.

A special shoutout to Penelope, Emma’s familiar, who absolutely steals the show.

Overall, How to Fake-Date a Vampire is a fun, easy read—perfect for fans of light paranormal romance who enjoy a touch of magic and humor. It may not break new ground, but it’s the kind of book that feels like a warm hug: comforting, entertaining, and just a little bit magical.

Realized I never submitted my review for this. whoops!

This book was just the cozy little fantasy book I needed. The elements and atmosphere within this book were so great. The writing flowed nicely and had some fun touches of humor. I do think the third act break up wasn't necessary and felt kind of thrown in just to do it. I also felt the characters were just kind of ok, except for the grandma, she was great.

I do not think it is necessary to read the first book in the Charming Cove series so it is nice that they can be read as standalones. Overall it was a light and fine read for the Halloween season.

Obsessed with this book! It was the first paranormal type romance I had read and I was just enthralled by it! It was charming and funny and just the light hearted read I needed! The chaos and miscommunications were perfect and the feel good vibes were very much felt throughout. If you want a cute cosy paranormal read - then pick this one for sure!

*How to Fake-Date a Vampire* by Linsey Hall is a fun, lighthearted paranormal romance that blends humor, intrigue, and swoon-worthy moments. The story follows Tessa, a human woman who is unexpectedly thrust into a fake relationship with a brooding vampire named Drake in order to protect her from dangerous forces. What starts as a convenient arrangement quickly turns into something more as the chemistry between Tessa and Drake builds.

Hall does a great job of creating an engaging and fast-paced story, mixing the typical "fake dating" trope with the exciting world of vampires, magic, and danger. Tessa is a relatable protagonist—strong, independent, but also vulnerable in her own way. Drake, on the other hand, is the classic brooding, misunderstood hero, though with enough depth and charm to make him more than just a cliché. Their interactions are playful, and the romantic tension between them is palpable.

The pacing is quick and easy, making the book a perfect read for those who want an entertaining escape. There’s just the right amount of action and mystery to keep things interesting without overshadowing the romance. The supernatural elements, especially the vampire lore, are woven into the plot well, making the world-building feel organic rather than forced.

While the story is enjoyable and full of chemistry, the plot itself can be a bit predictable, and some character motivations could have been fleshed out more. However, for fans of light paranormal romance, these minor issues won’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.

Overall, *How to Fake-Date a Vampire* is a charming, witty, and addictive read that offers plenty of heart, humor, and heat. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy a mix of romance, fantasy, and light suspense with a dash of humor and a lot of heart. If you're in the mood for a fun, escapist romance with a paranormal twist, this one is definitely worth picking up.

The pressure is on for Emma to prove herself to her coven and throw the most spectacular ball and officially become a witch. However, she’s got one hurdle in her way. The handsome vampire duke new to town proposes quite the deal if she wants to use his estate grounds to host the ball: they have to fake date to appease his grandma. With plenty of obstacles along the way, the two begin to find common ground and even the occasional spark (magical and non-magic) and a future neither could imagine.
This was a fun and quick romantic read with just the right addition of spice & plenty of humor (I want a Penelope!!)
Thank you to Bonnie Doon press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest (and delayed) review.

Read this late but honestly this was a fun seasonal read, quick and easy filler book after reading a huge book prior. Will recommend this book to others for a fun read! Loved the characters so much! ♥️

It was a cozy and funny read. It was similar to fenemies and familiars but i liked this one more.. I'm excited to read more book by this author

Cute and perfect for apply season, this flew by. It’s not the most memorable or groundbreaking romance but it was fun and breezy!

Unfortunately this just wasn't for me.

While the concept was intriguing, I struggled to find the main characters likable and didn't really enjoy the third act breakup, a trope which I personally abhor.

This was a fun read for spooky season. It was easy to read and the characters were enjoyable to follow.

Thank you to NetGalley for the readers copy in exchange for a (late) review.
This was a fun romp that was immediately easy to get into. If you’re in the mood for a light read or a fantasy romance palate cleanser this might be for you. I didn’t realise this was a continuation of another book ‘The Modern Girl's Guide to Magic’ so I might have gotten more from my reading if I’d read that one first (?)
Regardless, it was a fun time and I’m a sucker for a fake date ❤

If you're in search of a delightful and quick read to squeeze in before the year's end, and if fake dating is one of your favourite romance tropes, I highly recommend "How to Fake Date a Vampire." This book is a breezy page-turner, making it easy to get lost in its charming narrative.

The story centres around two main characters, Emma and Alaric, who enter into a fake dating arrangement as a means to deflect the incessant pressure from friends and family regarding their romantic lives. Emma is relatable and witty, while Alaric, with his mysterious charm, provides that quintessential vampire allure. Their interactions are filled with playful banter and unexpected chemistry, which makes their fake relationship all the more enjoyable.

While the book is undeniably cute and lighthearted, I found myself wishing for a deeper exploration of the vampire lore that underpins Alaric's character. The supernatural elements feel somewhat underdeveloped, leaving a curiosity about the vampire world that goes largely unanswered.

However, the true stars of the show are the Familiars—Alaric's amusing companions who add a layer of humour to the story. Their antics are consistently entertaining and inject a fun energy into the narrative. Overall, "How to Fake Date a Vampire" is a delightful read that will make you smile, though it leaves you wanting a bit more depth in its vampiric elements.

#FakeDating #VampireRomance #CharmingRead #LightheartedBooks #SupernaturalFun #WittyBanter #RomanticComedy #BookRecommendations #MustRead #FamiliarsFun

This was a dun light read. Could have done less of the internal monologue but that's a personal preference I guess..

This is alias fantasy romcom. I loved the fake dating aspect between the main female and the main guy character. I found that this book had a hilarious magical system, a lot of what you coziness, and a broody vampire that just added so much to the book. The slow burn aspect of the book was also well paced. It made the feelings between the characters that much more intense, when finally over, turned, and I just enjoyed how their fake relationship became real.

How to Fake-Date a Vampire by Linsey Hall is a delightful romp through the charming, supernatural world of Charming Cove. This book pairs humor with romance as our heroine finds herself in an unexpected (and hilariously awkward) fake-dating arrangement with a dashing vampire. With plenty of banter, swoony moments, and laugh-out-loud situations, Hall creates a breezy, feel-good read that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Perfect for fans of paranormal rom-coms who are in the mood for a lighthearted escape filled with charm, chemistry, and a dash of magical mischief.

this is the sequel to Modern Girl’s Guide to Magic and… let’s just say my quest for a spooky/witchy romance that’s actually good continues 😂 why is this so hard?! the MMC being a vampire literally mattered 0%, like he might as well have been a human. there was absolutely nothing vampy about this. similar to book one the spice was basically nonexistent and vanilla AF. super cheesy/corny which I can deal with if it’s done right and just… nah.

Thank you to the publisher.

I love the cover. The premise had promise. It had a strong start then, went in a completely different direction. Not enough vampire for a vampire book.

Loved this read, I had so much fun! All you need to tell me is vampires and I’m there!!! Highly recommend 10/10