Rating: 2.5 Stars/Review Contains Spoilers
Chili Peppers: 🌶️🌶️.5

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ebook.

At first, I was very *enthralled (teehee)* about the the description for "Fangs for Nothing", we've got a cute puns, well executed timing for spooky season, and the classic trope of grumpy vs. sunshine + bonus trope: Fake Dating. This story follows the Winnie, a professional organizer (with childhood trauma associated with hoarding), and Alaric, a 500 year old vampire hoarder. She's trying to help him navigate through 500 years of different hobbies/clutter on a tight deadline related to his mother throwing a ball. There's also a lot going on in the background (her mother, her partner, ex-fiancé/ex best-friend) back in London and new characters from the 'Nevermore Murder Club and Smutty Book Coven.' I think it started off strong with the world building, 1st murder case, and the lead up to Alaric and Winnie's intimate relationship.

However, I felt like there was too much going on in the book. Around 50% I just felt so bored and the cute banter was not enough to sustain me. We've got the incoming texts from Faye (partner), her Mother (source of trauma), the Book Club (great banter, but also way to many members) (Side note: I understand from looking at the author's history that Smutty Book Coven Members have their own separate series, but this is the first book I've read from her and their very set in their ways--I don't feel like this book was treated a start to a new series and you would have needed to read the others to get the full benefit). The spicy scenes were OK, but Alaric and Winnie weren't described very well--it just seemed like they had so many unnecessary up and down's and it wasn't that special of a relationship. The most maddening thing to me is that the murders popping up (it's a romance/murder mystery/trauma dump) --AND the murder mystery was NOT solved by the end of the book (supposed to open to book 2 with Arabella and Gideon's relationship).

Overall, there were good things about the book but felt like a lot of could have been cut out and wrapped up better than the way it was. I didn't care enough by the end of the story to find out who was the murderer or to stick around for book 2. If you want smut and silly banter, this one may be ok but there are less dense options out there as well.

“Fangs for Nothing” by Steffanie Holmes is a fun, secy and brilliant fantasy read that tells the story of Winnie, a professional organiser who finds herself unknowingly decluttering a vampire’s castle. Coming from a traumatic background of family hoarding, Winnie is employed by the devastatingly handsome Lord Alaric, who lives an eccentric and isolated life inside of his castle. Unknown to Winnie, Alaric’s hoarding habits have stem from his traumatic and lonely eternal life as a vampire. He does his best to conceal the truth from Winnie while she is hired to help him declutter and clean out his castle for a ball he is set to host on behalf of his terrifying and despised mother. However, one thing goes awry: Alaric and Winnie begin to fall for another another, making it increasingly difficult for Alaric to hide his true self from this woman he craves. While Alaric struggles with his deepening feelings of passion and love for Winnie, his mother arrives with a bride she has chosen for him to marry. Desperate to avoid this chosen marriage, Alaric leaps into a fake marriage with Winnie, causing an absolute uproar.

Readers are going to absolutely devour this book. There are so many great aspects that will engage readers and keep them interested for hours. This novel contains a number of tropes that ensure all readers will find something they love. There’s the fake dating/marriage aspect, the found friendship among woman, a series of mystifying murders, and the essential ‘whodunit’ murder club element, along with the beloved sunshine female character and grumpy male character dynamic. Not to mention the spicy and passionate love that builds between Alaric and Winnie, which will leave readers swooning. This book also does an amazing job of incorporating serious topics that help the reader make an emotional connection. Steffanie Holmes has skilfully addressed the traumatic reality of hoarding and its impact on loved ones, ensuring the topic receives the respect it deserves. I found the characters to be likeable and well-developed, with enjoyable banter between them that I loved as a reader. I also think the author did an amazing job of setting and describing the scenes, making me feel like a fly on the wall in the castle, observing Winnie and Alaric rather than just reading about them. I throughly enjoyed this read and was immersed in it right from the beginning until the end. I will be eagerly awaiting the second book in this series.

I grew up a big Twilight, Buffy and interview with a vampire fan so when I read the description for this book I was all in. A years old vampire scared of his mother who’s forcing him to have a ball so he hires a human to help him organize and clean his gothic castle. Her first night in town for this new job Winnie, said human, is saved by a stranger in a bar. That stranger turns out to be her new boss Alaric. And he’s a vampire. This book really fulfilled the twilight for the older readers for me. I also really liked how Winnie’s childhood with a hoarder mother shaped who she was and what she did for work.
The only thing I didn’t love about this book was that Winnie kept mentioning Patrick and Claire. Which when Winnie was saying Patrick told Winnie that she “ organised all the fun out of our lives. When I’m with Claire, I have the freedom to be myself.” We learn why Patrick left her. But before we even learn Patrick cheated on Winnie she kept brining it them up and it got a little repetitive.
I did love this book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a vampire romance novel for those loved the Twilight books when they came out but wanted more romance.

I should’ve known when it popped up on NetGalley a day before it was published what I was in for. Part of this is my fault for not researching the author and seeing she writes in first person POV. Once they kissed within the first few pages I was out.

It was fun to be back in this world but I have enjoyed other books by this author more. This is still a fun read though if you enjoy Paranormal rom coms with a side of mystery.
You don't have to have read other books to follow this story, but it would be nice to have a better understanding of who's in the book club.

This was the perfect romance I just loved it and it was great. I love Winnie and Alaric it had insta love vibes touch her and die vibes. He was jealous a part from good looking. She didn’t know he was a vampire at first and she went to his gothic castle I just love gothic romance books and this really hit all the marks for me. I love when she found out later in the book that he was a vampire and was scared at first, how his mom wanted to marry him off. winnie ended up staying with him. It was a perfect love story plus she was part of a book club too for smut and romance novels.

Thank you netgalley for letting me review this book! 100% my own opinion.

I absolutely devoured this book. he falls first, touch her and die vibes but a vampire and human? mix in a murder mystery, spice, and a little bit of comedy and you have a brilliant fantasy romance. I loved Winnie’s character, she was well-rounded in terms of her personality. Alaric was broody, in a good way, and I loved how obsessed with her he was. the only thing that was a little eh was the predictable third act breakup but it didn’t drag on for chapters so I didn’t mind it as much.

This review is currently posted on my Goodreads. It will be put on Amazon and might be put on my bookstagram as well.

“I’m being lured into a trap, like a fly caught in a web, but part of me is excited to meet the spider….”

Who knew being a professional junk cleaner could be so cool! Winnifred Preston is a force to be reckoned with but she might have met her match in the vampire Alaric Valerian.
I love the way the author wrote the story. I didn’t feel like it was filled with corny jokes or strange phrasing. The author did a really great job helping me to visualize the characters visualize the town that they were in and really see them in my minds eye. Having the text messages at the beginning of each chapter was amazing and really gave you some background on what was happening in between chapters; little things that added another layer to the story. The sexual tension between Winnie and Alaric was amazing throughout the entire book. I didn’t feel like Winnie was trying hard to get Alaric to like her and I didn’t feel like Alaric was forcing himself on Winnie, it was the complete opposite. Seeing the way that he tried to protect her from his vampiric while she, pretty much inserted herself into every aspect of his life was both hilarious and really endearing.

I have so many parts of this book highlighted, either with sentences or phrases I thought were funny or noting the modern day insertions, like Taylor Swift!

All in all this was a great read, and I can’t wait to read what’s next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bacchanalia House for the ARC

Such a fun paranormal fantasy! Vampires, a fake engagement and a bothering mother. What could go wrong? It was a pleasure reading this book. The pages flew by because of how much I enjoyed it. It was funny, cute and easy to read. Highly recommend!

Thanks so much to Victory Editing and NetGalley for this ARC! (All opinions are my own)

This was the PERFECT vampire novel. I can honestly say I enjoyed it from start to finish and fell in love with every character. The world that Steffanie created felt like home. Bookstores, vampires, witches and more! It's everything a spooky girl could need. The author also did such a good job of balancing the humor with the seriousness of Winnie's mental health and trauma. And the respect shown by all characters towards her and no one minimized her struggles. The romance was the best! Right from the very first meeting in the bar between Winnie and Alaric I was in love. There were so many quotes I highlighted from this book; one of my favorites was "I tumble like an autumn leaf, tossing on a crimson river, drenched in sunlight and the blush of summer's first fruit".
The spice was so rewarding. Holmes really knew what us vampire girlies needed and more! As a huge Dracula fan, I appreciated all the little details the author added and the vampire lore woven into the story. There's definitely so much more to learn and uncover and I can't wait until book 2!
This is definitely the type of book I would recommend to all my friends and one I would re-read over and over again.

Full review to be published 9/18/24 on Goodreads and on my Instagram book blog @_archiveofmymind

**Book Review: Fangs for Nothing by Steffanie Holmes**

"Fangs for Nothing" by Steffanie Holmes offers readers a delightful, light-hearted escape into the world of vampires, fake dating, and unexpected romance. Set in the spooky yet charming atmosphere of a centuries-old castle, the book follows Lord Alaric Valerian, a brooding, reclusive vampire with a passion for art and a desperate need to clean up his chaotic home before his mother visits. Enter Winnie Preston, the bubbly, professional organizer who unknowingly turns Alaric’s life—and heart—upside down.

Holmes masterfully balances humor and romance with moments of deeper introspection, as both Alaric and Winnie grapple with the scars of betrayal. Alaric, centuries removed from his past heartbreak, faces the challenge of opening up to love again, while Winnie’s warmth and meddling energy slowly chip away at his icy exterior. Readers who enjoy the "grumpy sunshine" trope will find it delightfully represented, with the twist of Alaric also being a tortured artist, adding more depth to his character.

The fake-dating storyline, spurred by Alaric’s need to fend off his mother’s matchmaking attempts, provides plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—particularly with Winnie’s quirky book club ladies inserting themselves into the narrative, even going so far as to suspect Alaric of murder! Holmes’ clever mix of humor, mystery, and slow-burn romance makes this book a fun, engaging read, especially for fans of supernatural romance.

While "Fangs for Nothing" leans heavily into its light-hearted, comical tone, it still explores deeper themes like learning to trust and love again after being hurt—especially when that hurt spans centuries. Alaric's journey to rediscovering love through Winnie's influence gives the story emotional resonance beneath its playful exterior.

Overall, *Fangs for Nothing* is the perfect blend of spooky and sweet, making it an ideal read for the fall season. With its quirky characters, charming romance, and witty dialogue, it's a must-read for anyone seeking a lighthearted vampire romance filled with warmth, humor, and heart.

as a fan of anything with vampire vibes, this book really didn’t for me! it gave me that nostalgic twilight feeling i've been chasing since middle school. the vampire lore and the lighthearted tone made it a fun read. the banter between the main characters was a highlight, keeping me engaged and invested in their dynamic. i also enjoyed the murder mystery elements woven into the story.

however, it didddd lean a bit too heavily on overused tropes—there was so much drama packed in that it became overwhelming at times. the mix of fake dating, forced proximity, miscommunication, one bed, other woman drama, and other common plot devices felt like too much all at once. more romance and mystery, and little to no drama would’ve made this perfect for me.

overall, it was an enjoyable read, and i appreciate bacchanalia house for the arc!

A paranormal romcom featuring a grumpy reclusive vampire and the kooky professional human organizer he hires. Lord Alaric Valerian needs help cleaning up his castle since his mother is visiting for the first time ever... and he's had centuries to clutter up his home. Then he meets Winnie Preston, professional organizer and delicious smelling human. Winnie has had a streak of bad luck, from her fiancee cheating on her with her childhood best friend and a traumatic childhood from her mother's hoarding, Winnie just wants to get the job done... so when a hot guy hires her she is determined to clean up his castle. Yet things take a turn when fake dating gets involved, the fact that Winnie is falling for a vampire, oh and did I mention there's a killer on the loose? This was a cute read, albeit fairly long, but it was cute nonetheless, the smut and romance was nice, and I enjoyed reading the relationship between Winnie and Alaric. This is the first book in a series and definitely is one I'll be continuing to read. The characters are all really fun and the romance was sweet. I definitely enjoyed reading this and can see this series being one I'd recommend!

Release Date: September 10,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and ARC provided by Bacchanalia House for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I had to hold myself back several time from laughing out loud in public while reading this book. I loved the overall vibe and the characters.
I had a lot of fun reading, I loved their little smutty book club and the murder investigation. Alaric was so cutely new to modern things and I loved the castle & weird small town vibes!
Even tho the trauma of both of the main characters was holding back the emotional relationship for a long time which got a little frustrating I still really liked their overall relationship.
I’m excited to see where this series goes!!
My review on my Instagram @bookbounddreams will be posted on Friday the 20th of September.

- brb, I will be reading all of Staffanie Holmes backlog -

| paranormal romance | vampire romance | romantic comedy | dual POV | he falls first | sunshine x grump | hoarding | The Nevermore Murder Club and Smutty Book Coven | Mythical creatures | small town | magic | female friendship | spicy | feline familiar | difficult mothers | humorous | gothic | art |

I utterly devoured this book. I loved the town of Nevermore and after about 27% I was so engaged and in love with this book, the town, and the characters that I deep dove into the author Steffanie Holmes only to realize that this book is the first in a spin-off series. Fangs for Nothing has been one of my favorite reads of 2024 without a doubt.

There were so many unique and fun things about this book and the way it was written. There was always a constant stream of chatter via text messages within each character's life. Most chapters begin with text messages sent to the character you will be reading the POV for, however most often there is no comment on the text messages. I found this so realistic because in our modern society when I think about my life, I am living in the here and now, but my phone is always receiving text messages and notifications that I don't comment on in the present moment.

This book can definitely be read without reading the other series set in the same world, however, I wish I had read them prior just to know the characters better. At first, it can be a bit overwhelming particularly when The Nevermore Murder Club and Smutty Book Coven enter the chat, literally. After a while, it only made the feelings of the FMC that much more realistic because she was thrust into their group, just as you, the reader, are.

I am so thankful to Netgalley and Bacchanalia House for this ARC otherwise I may have never found this author and this series. I read a lot of great books, and some are exactly what I want in a book and some are just surprisingly lovely. This story was everything I wanted in a book.

I laughed out loud throughout this story, and I swooned for Alaric the MMC. It has been so long since I read a vampire love story that captured my interest so fully the way that this one has. This has been my first Steffanie Holmes story but I feel like I already know and love her so much as an author. I can tell that there is so much of herself in more than just this story, but also this world that she has crafted. I was only about 40% into this book before I was raving to my own Smutty Book Coven about how amazing this story and author are.

There are many references that you may know, or that you may not know including classical literature, art, and even gothic architecture and history. Regardless of your interests if you love romance stories, cozy fantasy, gothic vibes, and solving mysteries you will love the book.

Happy Reading, Friends xx

I am obsessed with this book! It was so funny, magical and entertaining. The nevermore book club are my people 😂. I was truly sucked in immediately and it just kept getting better. The characters were seriously charming, I adore them all. Winnie and Alaric were to die for. Literally 🧛. Third act breakup took me out!! I will be picking up anything in this series and I need a Gideon book asap. Perfect spooky romance read, and I highly recommend! Thank you to @netgalley and Steffanie Holmes for this exciting ARC 🖤.

Cozy, spicy, vampire romance with fantastic mental health rep.

This book was such a breath of fresh air after an epic fantasy series. The book club is my dream friend group, and I wish I could be magically transported into this book. I loved all of the character dynamics and relationships- they all felt authentic and honest. I enjoyed this book so much that I'm now reading the series about MIna and her husbands which takes place before this.

Highly recommend to anyone looking for a cozy, spicy, fall fantasy book.

Really good! I didn’t really resonate with the character super well but still enjoyed the book as a whole!

This was very silly and very fun, perfect for Halloween season!

The FMC was well rounded, not too sunshine to be annoying, but still positive amongst all the melodrama. The MMC was the quintessential written-by-woman love interest, obsessed with FMC at first sight. The other side characters were really fun, although the book club girls blended together for the most part for me.

The third-act breakup was annoying but thankfully wrapped up quickly and had a semi-reasonable cause for breakup. I kind of forgot about the murder mystery aspect, and every time the sleuthing part came up, I remembered that was supposed to be a central plot point. There were a bunch of other side plots with the useless business owner, codependent mom, and treacherous ex-best friend that I think the book could have been reduced or trimmed to make the book about 10-20% shorter.

This was amusing and light-hearted, and I'll definitely read the next one in the series.

Thank you, Bacchanalia House, for the arc!

This was a fun read for the fall! I liked Winnie a lot and hated her coworker. I would love to live in a fun little town like this. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.