Book Review: “Filthy Rich Vampire” by Geneva Lee

“Filthy Rich Vampire” by Geneva Lee is everything an adult urban vampire romance read should be. Think Twilight - but so much sexier!

This novel follows Thea - a student and cellist - who is living paycheck to paycheck, working two jobs, and trying to survive school and life under the massive debt she’s collected in student loans and her mother’s medical bills from being sick with cancer.

After accepting a gig with her quartet, Thea crosses paths with Julian Rousseaux, a single, wealthy vampire who is just beginning the social season in which he’s expected to pick a bride - the last thing he wants to do. Julian is drawn to Thea and despite initial reservations, proposes a deal to Thea - pretend to be his girlfriend and he’ll change her life. He asks for one year and all of the season’s social events in exchange for his protection and the compensation to rid her of the debt hanging over her head.

As Thea is thrust into the dark world of vampires and witches, matchmaking, and duty to family, she finds herself more drawn to Julian than ever, willing to give him her innocence for a lifetime with him. Unfortunately, Julian’s mother and the vampire Council have other plans.

This book was a great read - it had forbidden love, fated mates, fake dating…all the best tropes! I loved that Thea was so outspoken and didn’t back down from what she wanted - not when her friend doubted her relationship, not when Julian’s mother was a raging, conniving witch and tried to break them up. Julian is a grumpy vampire that - despite his best efforts - cannot stay away from Thea. He gives her the world, while also trying to reign in his baser nature and vampiric tendencies with her because he doesn’t want to hurt her. 

The book has some interesting twists and the reader definitely gets a sense of what might occur in subsequent novels. (The past isn’t quite as dead as Julian had been led to believe and it comes to a head in the next book of the series!) 

The book ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger but definitely sets the stage for the sequel. I was definitely upset with how things ended - in a good way! I read through this book quickly and immediately went to download the second and third books in the series. (I got through almost all three in one day!)

If you enjoy vampire novels with fantasy elements, witches, magic and grumpy vamps, you’ll want to check out this entire series by Geneva Lee!

Book Review: "When Grumpy Met Sunshine" by Charlotte Stein

“When Grumpy Met Sunshine” by Charlotte Stein is a cute, slow-burn romantic comedy. Mabel, a plus-size ghostwriter, has been hired to help ex-footballer Alfie Harding get his memoir written, after unsuccessfully working through a slew of other writers.

After a photo of the two together lands them in the middle of a social media frenzy, a fake relationship between Mabel and Alfie ensues. It’s no surprise when the fake relationship starts generating feelings between the main characters, as the two get cozy over several dates and work sessions where Alfie begins to divulge truths about himself he hasn’t been able to admit to anyone else. 

I absolutely love that this book showcases a plus-size female lead that got her HEA with a hunky football player at the end. I would have loved to see more character development on Mabel’s end; typical to other stories with similar premises, Mabel couldn’t believe that a “guy like him would like a girl like her” - mainly based on her size. Her insecurities were present throughout much of the storyline and were only diverted once she knew she had Alfie’s love. I would have loved to see a stronger, more confident FMC. 

I also loved the banter between Alfie and Mabel. It was quick, witty, and even self-deprecating at times but it had me laughing out loud. You can see how the two would begin to have feelings for one another when the conversations and teasing came so easily.

Finally, I loved that Alfie’s memoir was essentially a love letter to Mabel. Readers could see that these two - who were sometimes delusional in thinking there weren’t any feelings there - were clearly falling in love with one another. It was definitely slowwwww burn but completely worth the wait when Alfie and Mabel finally came together. 

If you’re looking for your next grumpy/sunshine, fake dating/workplace romance read, you’ll want to read this book. The banter between the main characters will hook you but the romance and inevitable love story between two main characters will keep you rooting for them long after the book is over.