Thanks to Net Galley, CLASH and Ben Crew for the eARC to read and review.
This book was a total snack! (It's pretty short, so I can't say it's a full course meal friends).

Jefferson Van Helsing comes from a long line of Monster Slayers, and he's no different - he's pretty good at getting rid of the pesky creatures that plague the Portland area. He is less good at getting a second date....for various reasons.

After a rather eventful outing, he realizes he needs to create a guide to help in the understanding of monsters, and how they can be dispatched, oh, and dating, because dating is...where he's at.

There is a lot of humor in this sort of campy snarky novel where our main character does actually fall into true love- all while triggering an ancient prophecy- like you know, a typical Monster Hunter's Saturday...
I loved the journal style of the novel, the close but non-toxic male friendships in the book, the very fast pacing and the satisfying conclusion! This is a novel that I think any Monster fiction lover would enjoy, and with the very unique cover would make for a nice gift for the right human!

I read this as an eARC, thank you Netgalley and the author and I'm voluntarily reviewing this book.

This book was a fun romp through some of the major monsters out there all seen through the eyes of Jefferson Van Helsing, descendant and member of the family monster hunting business, all whilst trying to maintain a normalish life. The book follows Jeff on his disastrous date - I won't give a spoiler - and his decision to write a book, a guide in fact to monsters and dating, all with the help of his roommates - Oliver a werewolf and Harvey, an invisible man. Throw in a few demonstrations on how to survive/kill and a fantastic Q & A section at the end of each section and I was hooked.

The boys relationship is funny, they clearly get on well and I liked their humour.

The writing style was very modern and kind of blogger like in style which took me a few pages to get into but once I was I flew through it in hours

I was generously gifted the arc of this book and couldn't wait to read it.. I was slightly sceptical how you well an 'Informative' book can also be a romance and was very pleasantly surprised.. Ben Crew managed to find a great balance between genres and adding comedy into the mix with a lovely heartwarming ending.. I really enjoyed feeling like we were reading the characters writing the book in real time and the diversity of characters.. modernising Van Helsing was a fabulous idea and hope the book has every success.

Special thank you to Clash Books for the advanced reader copy!

In this witty and spooky read, Jeff Van Helsing walks readers through how to survive encounters with the most wicked creatures of the night. Ben Crew packs the pages with all the classic monsters any horror fan would adore, while weaving in queer romance and inclusive relationships that bring a refreshing twist to the genre. The inclusion of drawings and photographs pulls you so deep into the story, it feels less like reading a book and more like living the adventure in real time. It’s equal parts creepy and charming—perfect for anyone craving a little love alongside their scares. This book had me grinning, daydreaming, and counting down the days to Halloween!

I really wanted to like this one—the premise is right up my alley and should’ve been hilarious. But the writing and pacing felt rushed and chaotic, so I never fully connected with the story. With such a fun concept, I just expected more.

A creative idea for a book! However, this was not what I was anticipating, and I found it difficult to stay engaged with it.

I found this book so funny and loved the illustrations. Would read future works by this author. Thank you to Netgalley and Clash books for ARC

Well this is a fun to read, it can be called Van Helsing's "Tinder" Guide to Monster and Dating, I feel like this is a fictional Tinder app for downworlders citizen, really cute.

Thank you NetGalley for accepting my ARC request!

I want to thank the author for the arc in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed parts of this book but for the most part the humor wasn’t for me but I can see others really enjoying it, I loved the illustrations and the main character pointing out which movie portrayed the monsters the best, i enjoyed the characters but most of the jokes were misses for me but the ones that hit me were really funny.

If you could talk to a descendant of the first Van Helsing, what type of questions would you ask? Well lucky for you Jeff Van Helsing is about to write a book giving you a guide to all monsters & how to deal with them.

This book was quirky and easy to read. Jeff’s relationship with his werewolf best friend and invisible man best friend makes a lot of the story come to life. While it wasn’t entirely what I expected, it also wasn’t bad. The Q&A sections in the chapters about monsters were a nice touch. Overall, 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

**Thank you NetGalley & Clash Books for providing me with an ARC**

I wasn’t entirely prepared for this book. I’m not the best at reading comedy satire books as my life is so busy that it’s jarring to read them. However, for those who enjoy banter, humour and van Helsing, this is the book for you. Like New Girl meets Buffy the vampire slayer.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy in return for an honest review.

Quirky and fun, giving inspired-by vibes, I enjoyed this one and it’s comedy a lot.

Recommended!



Thank you to CLASH Books and NetGalley for the DRC

Netgalley ARC - as ever, thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

This book is full of humour and thankfully was right on my wavelength, to the point I was tittering to myself (not quite laugh out loud) and happily smirking at some of the scenarios. The concept was sound, I loved the writing style and genuinely connected with the characters. Lots of bang-on references to how films and books portray the various monsters, which again maybe is down to me being the perfect demographic for this book.

I really hope there’s another book to follow up in the future because my one complaint is that it’s too short. I was left wanting more, and with the belief that it would make for a fun animated series. Why not 5 stars though.. it was close, this is like a 4.5 and that’s mostly down to the want for more, which may seem harsh.

I’ve already recommended this book to a few friends and that’s the best endorsement right? It’s funny, it’s cute, it’s an easy read with scope for more. I loved it.

This book is a fun idea and it is very humorous. I found myself laughing out loud several times. That being said it was a little too “bro-ie” for me.

“Van Helsing's Guide to Monsters and Dating” is a witty and unexpectedly heartfelt romp through the supernatural dating world. The book brilliantly blends humor, horror, and heart in a way that feels both fresh and familiar—like Buffy meets a dating coach with a crossbow.

The protagonist's voice is sharp and endearing, and the concept of a monster-hunting guide doubling as a dating manual is as hilarious as it is surprisingly insightful. The monster metaphors for modern relationship woes are spot-on, and the author does a great job weaving in social commentary without losing the fun.

While the pacing lags slightly in the middle and a few character arcs could have used more depth, the overall journey is entertaining and satisfying. Whether you’re a fan of paranormal romance, satirical self-help books, or just want something different on your shelf, this one is worth the read.

Looking forward to more from this author—preferably with werewolves, bad dates, and holy water cocktails.

This one had me kicking my feet and giggling. It's been a long time since I picked up a book with comedy in it and this one was an unexpected one but so worth it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Bloody Fun with a Bite of Romance

Imagine if Buffy the Vampire Slayer had a Tinder account and a sarcastic guidebook—Van Helsing’s Guide to Monsters and Dating is exactly that kind of chaotic delight.

Jefferson Van Helsing is a monster-slaying millennial (ish) trying to juggle gory battles with the even more terrifying world of modern dating. The result? A hilarious, surprisingly heartfelt romp through Portland’s supernatural underbelly—complete with illustrations, monster-hunting tips, and painfully relatable dating mishaps.

The tone is witty and self-aware, with Jeff breaking the fourth wall to offer reader "advice" that bounces between absurd and oddly profound. Think silver bullets, awkward brunches, and ancient prophecies that ruin your weekend plans. There’s bro-humor here, but it’s mixed with genuine charm, making Jeff feel like a lovable disaster rather than just a walking punchline.

The only reason this isn’t a 5-star for me is that the humor occasionally overshadows the emotional arcs. Some of the deeper moments—especially the romance—felt rushed or overshadowed by a joke that didn’t quite land. But the balance mostly works, and the voice is consistent throughout.

If you’re looking for a genre-bending book that combines monster lore, millennial angst, and dating disasters with just enough heart to sneak up on you—Jeff Van Helsing is your guy. Bring garlic. And maybe a breath mint.

Van Helsing’s Guide to Monsters and Dating delivers a sharp, inventive twist on the supernatural comedy genre. Set in Portland, the story follows Jefferson Van Helsing, a reluctant monster hunter trying to juggle his inherited calling with the much more confusing world of modern dating. The result is a book that feels both original and effortlessly entertaining.

Ben Crew has a strong sense of voice, and it shows in the narration. Jefferson’s inner monologue is funny, self-aware, and full of relatable anxiety. His confidence in the field contrasts hilariously with his fumbling attempts at romance, giving the story its charm and heart. The humor feels natural and consistent, with well-timed absurdity and just enough emotional weight to keep the story grounded.

The format, part narrative and part monster-hunting manual, adds a creative layer to the reading experience. While the guidebook sections are a fun addition, a lighter touch in their use might improve pacing. The core story is compelling on its own and doesn’t always need the extra commentary.

The romantic subplot has potential but could use more depth. A few moments of real vulnerability or connection would help build more believable chemistry between the characters. The Portland setting, too, could be fleshed out a bit more to give the world a stronger sense of place.

One minor critique is the use of trend-heavy references, which may date the book quickly. The story has enough personality to stand on its own without relying on those.

Overall, this is a well-written, funny, and engaging read with a lot of promise. The mix of monsters, awkward dates, and dry wit makes for a memorable and highly enjoyable story.

4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read Van Helsing’s Guide to Monsters and Dating in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Monster hunting meets modern dating—with a lot of weird in between 🧛‍♂️📱. The book has a quirky, supernatural vibe that’s kept me turning pages. I’m not laughing out loud, but the mix of awkward romance and monster encounters makes for a fun, offbeat read.

What I’ve really enjoyed is the monster lore and how it lightly pokes fun at both dating culture and classic horror tropes 🧟‍♀️💘. The illustrations add charm and help bring the oddball world to life 🎨👻. It's short, easy to read, and has a unique style that stands out.

A fun pick if you're into light horror, clever creature twists, and supernatural dating mishaps.

#VanHelsingsGuidetoMonstersandDating #NetGalley

I'm a sucker for vampires (pun intended) and have read intriguing and unusual books from CLASH before, but this really missed the mark for me.

The writing style was jumpy, and in places nonsensical. The narrative was first person, but seemed to leap between settings, as though Jefferson could see into rooms he wasn't in, both of which were made worse by the interruption of the illustrations, which threw off the spacing of the e-book quite significantly. It was very tell, with very little show, but ironically the dialogue tags (used liberally) often gave me pause - 'would he really have shouted that?' was a thought that crossed my mind more than once.

I struggled to get into this, and the style of the writing kept the narrative and characters at arms length. By the halfway mark I still couldn't really say I knew what was happening. Maybe this would've improved, but for me it had to be a DNF. 2 stars.