The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
lbelow's review
lighthearted
4.25
This is such a fun book! I love how stuck in time Frederick is. The fun fish-out-of-water trope was even more delightful when it is the hero rather than the heroine out of their element. Frederick is such a sweet person, easy to love. Cassie's growing confidence was also a delight to read. Overall, this book was light-hearted and fun and I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, and Cursing
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book has been stalking me for a little while; every bookshop I go into, it's there, front and centre, begging for my attention. And then it came up as an Kindle 99p deal. Trying to be good and not buy books unless I know I like them, so my lovely assistant let me borrow her copy. 50 pages in, and I knew enough. I swear Amazon are trying to bankrupt me 99p at a time!
Generally speaking, chick-lit isn't really my genre. I'm apparently drawn to writing it, but it's got to have something different about it for me to enjoy reading it. Whether it's the fantasy twist in it or not, this book has that something. It's got a little bit of everything; comedy, romance, tension... it's a modern piece, but the leading man is heavily influenced by Regency fiction... it's a complete mish-mash and should be totally ridiculous, but the premise is simple, the main characters are sickly-sweet yet believable within the context of the story and the narrative is light and easy to follow. No, it's not going to win awards for its literary merit, but as a piece of pure escapism and a tool to switch your brain off for a while, it's brilliant. Ā
I'm not generally a vampire fan, but if I'm going down that rabbit hole, my go-to guys are Spike from Buffy (was never an Angel fan TBH)and Mick St John from Moonlight. Our leading man in this case, Frederick, follows more of the Mick St John model, trying to go incognito as a human where he can, and refusing to feed from living sources. It was therefore incredibly easy to picture Alex O'Loughlin playing him. And as a result Sophia Myles was immediately cast as Cassie in my mind. In any event, while the fact that he is a vampire is obviously the focal point of the story, somehow it didn't seem overly important? It felt like more of an odd couple pairing, where he just had a really good excuse for his slightly odd behaviour, dress sense and lack of social skills!
While I haven't read it yet (it's on my bookshelf for when I have two minutes), I suspect that the plot has borrowed quite heavily from the book 'The Flatshare' by Beth O'Leary? The descriptions do seem to match up quite well, so I'll be interested to see if I enjoy that one too. Particularly as that one is straight chick-lit...Ā
The only disappointment for me was the epilogue. I liked the open-ended conclusion to the main narrative; it left room for the reader's imagination to continue the story in any number of ways and again seemed to mirror the ending of Moonlight a bit. However, the epilogue,Ā while sweet and uplifting, does crush the vibe a bit for me as it seems to try and give a nice clean round off to the story while remaining ambiguous. I'd have preferred the commitment either way.
A couple of other small foibles which my brain noted, but don't really make too much of a difference unless you're a real stickler... 1) the author takes the time to explain that a vampire's heart doesn't beat and so wounds take longer to heal etc... so in that case, how is he able to, ahem, enjoy himself š? And 2) Not a fan of the quick fix Reggie and Cassie come up with; if anyone had thought about it for more thanĀ 5 seconds they'd have realised what a terrible idea it was! But a quick reminder of suspension of disbelief and you're fine...Ā
Very pleasantly surprised by this one!
Generally speaking, chick-lit isn't really my genre. I'm apparently drawn to writing it, but it's got to have something different about it for me to enjoy reading it. Whether it's the fantasy twist in it or not, this book has that something. It's got a little bit of everything; comedy, romance, tension... it's a modern piece, but the leading man is heavily influenced by Regency fiction... it's a complete mish-mash and should be totally ridiculous, but the premise is simple, the main characters are sickly-sweet yet believable within the context of the story and the narrative is light and easy to follow. No, it's not going to win awards for its literary merit, but as a piece of pure escapism and a tool to switch your brain off for a while, it's brilliant. Ā
I'm not generally a vampire fan, but if I'm going down that rabbit hole, my go-to guys are Spike from Buffy (was never an Angel fan TBH)and Mick St John from Moonlight. Our leading man in this case, Frederick, follows more of the Mick St John model, trying to go incognito as a human where he can, and refusing to feed from living sources. It was therefore incredibly easy to picture Alex O'Loughlin playing him. And as a result Sophia Myles was immediately cast as Cassie in my mind. In any event, while the fact that he is a vampire is obviously the focal point of the story, somehow it didn't seem overly important? It felt like more of an odd couple pairing, where he just had a really good excuse for his slightly odd behaviour, dress sense and lack of social skills!
While I haven't read it yet (it's on my bookshelf for when I have two minutes), I suspect that the plot has borrowed quite heavily from the book 'The Flatshare' by Beth O'Leary? The descriptions do seem to match up quite well, so I'll be interested to see if I enjoy that one too. Particularly as that one is straight chick-lit...Ā
The only disappointment for me was the epilogue. I liked the open-ended conclusion to the main narrative; it left room for the reader's imagination to continue the story in any number of ways and again seemed to mirror the ending of Moonlight a bit. However, the epilogue,Ā while sweet and uplifting, does crush the vibe a bit for me as it seems to try and give a nice clean round off to the story while remaining ambiguous. I'd have preferred the commitment either way.
A couple of other small foibles which my brain noted, but don't really make too much of a difference unless you're a real stickler... 1) the author takes the time to explain that a vampire's heart doesn't beat and so wounds take longer to heal etc... so in that case, how is he able to, ahem, enjoy himself š? And 2) Not a fan of the quick fix Reggie and Cassie come up with; if anyone had thought about it for more thanĀ 5 seconds they'd have realised what a terrible idea it was! But a quick reminder of suspension of disbelief and you're fine...Ā
Very pleasantly surprised by this one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
emilywemily6's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was a cheesy, fluffy paranormal romance with very lovable characters. I adored Frederickās character and how the relationship between him and Cassie developed, though I didnāt like Cassie as much (she seemed pretty average and not a lot of interesting personality traits). It was funny to see how Frederick interacted with the world and their relationship was so awkward as they caught feelings for each other early on but tried to fight it. I breezed through this book is like a day and a half and had a lot of fun. The spice was nice too and was quite the slow burn. This book could have been longer and gone deeper into Frederickās past and how he adjusted to the modern world. The āthird act conflictā felt out of proportion with the rest of the book and also resolved way too easily. This was fun but not phenomenal in its execution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, Grief, Drug use, Classism, and Kidnapping
lulubeth's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
reinik's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping, Blood, Confinement, and Cursing
Minor: Alcohol, Death, and Sexism
yarisbooksandbevs's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book wasnāt bad I just wanted more I think. I feel like there were times the book lagged and nothing was really happening even though I know it was to build the relationship.
I really liked Frederick. He was adorable and charming and loveable. Cassie, I went back and forth with. I found that sometimes she acted immature for her age (30s) and other times she was a bit cringey. The sex scene wasnāt bad but also not the best thing Iāve ever read.
Overa lol, the story is cute and adorable a light palette cleanser for fall, but I think it couldāve done more. Have the characters get to know each other more? Talk about something other than his hotness? Lol I just needed more.
I really liked Frederick. He was adorable and charming and loveable. Cassie, I went back and forth with. I found that sometimes she acted immature for her age (30s) and other times she was a bit cringey. The sex scene wasnāt bad but also not the best thing Iāve ever read.
Overa lol, the story is cute and adorable a light palette cleanser for fall, but I think it couldāve done more. Have the characters get to know each other more? Talk about something other than his hotness? Lol I just needed more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Blood, and Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Confinement and Alcohol
may_lol's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is how a book should be writtenĀ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Blood
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Ā Ā A paranormal rom-com about a woman and a centuries-old vampire falling in love.Ā
Ā Ā I liked the mix of heavier material with the overall light-hearted vibe. As well as the vampire parts of the story not taking themselves too seriously.Ā
Ā The narration was excellent and really added to the story.Ā
Ā Ā I found Cassie overall likable but had some traits or things she did I didn't like or understand. I would have liked chapters from Fredrick's POV, without them he was a bit harder to like and understand.Ā
Ā Ā I'd love a prequel, or novella that takes place in Fredrick's pre-21st century life. And I saw the opening the author left for a sequel in the epilogue. I also would have liked a neater ending to the story.Ā
Ā Ā I liked the mix of heavier material with the overall light-hearted vibe. As well as the vampire parts of the story not taking themselves too seriously.Ā
Ā The narration was excellent and really added to the story.Ā
Ā Ā I found Cassie overall likable but had some traits or things she did I didn't like or understand. I would have liked chapters from Fredrick's POV, without them he was a bit harder to like and understand.Ā
Ā Ā I'd love a prequel, or novella that takes place in Fredrick's pre-21st century life. And I saw the opening the author left for a sequel in the epilogue. I also would have liked a neater ending to the story.Ā
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Blood, and Sexual content
Minor: Kidnapping and Confinement
apdavis135's review
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
~open-door romance~ and honestly even knowing that doesnāt begin to cover it. Also the writing was pretty sub-par. I was kind of hoping for a decent book w a romance but it was completely driven by their need to šš»šš»
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood and Cursing
indieandajean's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book is ridiculous, like fanfiction ridiculous, and that is what makes it perfect.Ā
A centuries old vampire wakes up in the 21st century and needs a roommate to help him learn how to blend in. A simple concept that makes for a great romantic comedy because of course he's hot and clueless and of course his roommate is compassionate and in serious need of someone who believes in her without reservations.
The tropes are excellent (and they were roommates) and the book is a quick, funny, and overall positive read. The conflict really doesn't ever hold much weight which is both nice and a little frustrating if you like a side of hurt/comfort in your romance, but overall it's forgivable because at the end of the day this is a light comedic read and it doesn't really need to be more than that.Ā
A centuries old vampire wakes up in the 21st century and needs a roommate to help him learn how to blend in. A simple concept that makes for a great romantic comedy because of course he's hot and clueless and of course his roommate is compassionate and in serious need of someone who believes in her without reservations.
The tropes are excellent (and they were roommates) and the book is a quick, funny, and overall positive read. The conflict really doesn't ever hold much weight which is both nice and a little frustrating if you like a side of hurt/comfort in your romance, but overall it's forgivable because at the end of the day this is a light comedic read and it doesn't really need to be more than that.Ā
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Cursing, and Kidnapping