Date Night with Death is a cozy paranormal romp packed with sass, suspense, and just the right touch of romance. Mina Cartwright’s B&B has seen its share of weird guests, but things really take a supernatural turn when the Grim Reaper himself (in the form of the darkly charming Dex Grimm) checks in. Between reality TV vampires, mischievous ghosts, and a town brimming with magical misfires, this book is the perfect mix of humor and haunting. I loved how it balanced laugh-out-loud moments with heartfelt ones, and Mina’s sharp wit kept me hooked until the end. It felt like curling up with a cup of cider and watching chaos unfold in the best possible way.

When I requested this book I had not read the first book. Upon realizing this was a series I immediately went to KU and read the first book. I LOVED IT. it was quirky and fun while still managing to be intriguing and making me want to keep reading more. And The second book was much the same. I love the two main characters and the way that a clear message of accepting the inevitable while also making it clear that we still dont have to fully give up. I can't wait till the next one!

Who knew flirting with Death could be this much fun?! 💋

Okay, listen up—Date Night with Death is a wild, witchy rollercoaster and I loved every second of it! Mina runs a B&B that’s basically a ghost magnet, and when a smoldering mystery man shows up (hello, tall, dark, and possibly dead), everything goes bonkers. We’re talking TV vampires, sassy spirits, and one seriously flirty Grim Reaper. It’s hilarious, spooky, and a little bit steamy—basically, everything you want in a fall read. If you love your magic with a side of mischief, buckle up. You’re in for a killer good time! 👻✨

This was a super cute read and the story line was fun and well developed. So Death aka Dex comes to Moonridge to collect Mina’s soul because of his failed assignment to collect her 6 years prior. While he’s there he discovers a bigger reason for being there and a crew of witches, werewolves, death himself and a dying Mina work together to save Moonridge (all while Mina and Dex fall in love). The side characters are all well developed, I loved jasper and his little bit of sass. I just wish we got to see Mina’s final choice in the end! (Don’t want to give too much away).

I have been reading a lot of paranomral town books and this one really stands out in the genre and I cannot wait for more

"Date Night With Death" is what happens when someone looked at Hallmark Christmas movies and thought, "You know what this needs? More existential dread and vampire reality TV." And honestly? They were absolutely right.

Our girl Mina is out here juggling a failing inn, mysterious health problems, and the aftermath of what I can only assume was the world's worst Airbnb review involving werewolves. (Note to self: always read the fine print about "pet-friendly" accommodations.) Enter Dex Grimm—and yes, that's actually his name because subtlety apparently died before he could collect its soul—who's tall, dark, handsome, and professionally obligated to escort people to the afterlife. Talk about mixed signals in a relationship.

But wait, there's more! Throw in a cast of vampire influencers filming "The Real Vampire Wives of Obsidian Hills" (which sounds infinitely more entertaining than any actual reality show), and you've got a recipe for the kind of chaos that makes you wonder if the author was personally victimized by every dating app algorithm simultaneously.

Pros:
Mina proves that running a supernatural B&B is harder than it looks on HGTV
Dex makes being death incarnate look surprisingly sexy (your therapist will want to discuss this)
The vampire wives subplot is peak reality TV satire
You'll never complain about your dating life again

Cons:
May cause unrealistic expectations about meeting cute with personifications of universal constants
Difficult to explain to your book club why you're rooting for Death to get the girl
Strong urge to Google "supernatural bed and breakfast business loans"

Bottom Line: If you've ever thought, "My love life is dead," this book will make you reconsider whether that's actually a bad thing. Perfect for readers who like their romance with a side of existential crisis and their cozy reads with a healthy dose of mortality anxiety.
Fair warning: This is apparently book 2 in a series, which explains why I felt like I'd walked into the middle of a supernatural soap opera. Do yourself a favor and start with book 1, unless you enjoy the literary equivalent of showing up to a costume party in regular clothes.

Just as a forward... if you need to, read the trigger warnings. Everything mentioned is in my opinion well done and thoughtfully written.

I loved this book, it was an unexpected favorite this fall season. Set in a New England small town called Moonridge, who openly welcome all kinds of supernatural and live peacefully together. (mostly) A cozy Victorian B&B owned by our FMC Mina is in the midst of it busiest season, yet she still has plenty of rooms. But when a famous reality tv show cast and crew and a mysterious writer reserve rooms at the last minute this fall season may not be the failure she's expecting. Oh did I mention that the new guests are supernatural, the reality tv stars are vampires and this writer well, let just say death just knocked on her door. Sadly, it's not unexpected after being diagnosed with an inoperable tumor in her brain, but she didn't know it would be this soon. Can Mina handle all the chaos that is coming her way, vampires, ghost and a Grimm reaper. She'll need all the help she can get, luckily she has some witchy best friends and a few werewolves who have her back. Even with everything ahead of her she continues to stand straight in the face of the unknown.

Thank you for allowing me to read this amazing ARC! I can't wait to continue!...

A perfect read for spooky season with chaos and love and adorable festivals. It reminds me of my local fall art fair that gives a really fun and community mood with the fall colors and all that jazz.

There is a sadder theme with Mina in this book, but it's what happens when death comes to town.

Welcome back to Moonridge where everyone has been dying to see you. With the Halloween festival around the corner, Mina is trying to keep the B&B running even as she learns her brain tumor is killing her faster than she thought. Before she can tell her witchy friends, she takes one last shot at saving the business by booking the cast of The Real Vampire Wives of Obsidian Hills. The vamps want a cozy fall getaway in a charming New England town, but what they get is the fight of the century.

The Concord are tearing holes in the veil over Moonridge, letting something dark and ancient slip through…something far beyond the witches’ usual magic. Mina teams up with Hazel, Coco, La’Tasha, and the town librarian Penny to face it head-on. She also meets Dex Grimm, a mysterious stranger who checks into the B&B just as the chaos begins. Mina quickly suspects he is more than he seems and learns he might actually be Death himself. Together, they race to stop the Concord and protect the town before it is too late.

This book still has that feeling of friendship and found family that made the first one so good. Hazel and Blake return with their crews, and we get to know Penny, who is a great new addition to the cast. This one is a little darker and a little sadder since we know Mina is dying long before her friends do. It really explores what it feels like to know your time is running out and not be ready for it. There is also a slow, emotional romance between Mina and Death himself that gives the story heart.

The added vampires and rouge ghosts bring even more supernatural chaos to Moonridge, and it makes the story extra spooky and fun for fall.

This was a strong sequel in the Welcome to Moonridge series, it had that supernatural element that I was looking for and was hooked from the first page. The characters had that feel that I wanted and was engaged with what was happening with them. I really enjoyed how good the fantasy concept was and how it was used in the storyline. I hope there is more in this series and from Avery Arujo.

Date Night with Death is a beautifully crafted blend of cozy charm and supernatural intrigue. Set against a world that carries the familiar warmth of New England but with a magical twist, Avery Arujo creates a setting where the ordinary and the otherworldly coexist—and not always peacefully.
What truly shines is the dual perspective, especially the voice of Death itself. It’s an unexpected pairing that adds depth, humor, and poignancy, elevating the mystery beyond a simple whodunit. The interplay between lighthearted banter and darker undertones makes for a story that feels both comforting and thrilling.
With its sharp dialogue, clever twists, and atmospheric setting, this novel captures the allure of small-town life while reminding us that even in charming places, shadows linger. Date Night with Death is a smart, inventive, and captivating read that lingers long after the final page.

Vampires, Witches, and The Grim Reaper… but make it Cozy! 🧡

Date Night With Death- by Avery Arujo

💀Blurb💀

Welcome to Moonridge, where the ghosts have come out to play and Death just checked into the local B&B.
Running a B&B in a town cursed by magical drama wasn't Mina Cartwright's dream job, but it's home. After all of the werewolf debacle over the summer, business has flatlined, and she's barely holding on financially. Her last hope? A surprise booking from the cast of The Real Vampire Wives of Obsidian Hills, who are bringing their reality-show chaos (and impeccable fashion) to Moonridge just in time for the Halloween festival. But the real trouble begins when Dex Grimm, a mysterious, breathtakingly aloof man with a cane and a suspiciously deathly aura, checks into Room Ten. He says he's a writer. Mina suspects he's hiding something ... like the fact that he might actually be the Grim Reaper. As ghostly activity spikes, magical boundaries fray, and her guests (living and otherwise) cause mounting mayhem, Mina finds herself caught between a brewing supernatural crisis and a man known primarily as Death who somehow makes her feel more alive than she has in years. Add in a reality TV crew, rampaging ghosts, and the underlying danger of an ancient evil reawakening in Moonridge, and Mina's fall season is about to be to die for.

🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

This is the epitome of Cozy reads for Spooky Season!

Set in the charming, spooky small town of Moonridge, at the cutest little B&B ran by Mina, our FMC. Mina’s character is fantastic and we are introduced to her just as she’s going through not only a secret health crisis, but the financial struggle of maintaining the Inn after a previous debacle involving werewolves!

Then we meet Dex Grimm. Handsome. Swoon worthy, Mysterious. It’s not hard to fall in love with his character… despite that pesky little detail of him being the Grim Reaper and all.

Throw in a reality show cast full of female Vampires- The Real Vampire Wives of Obsidian Hills.. and you have the perfect hodge podge of characters for the best spooky season read of the year!

I have fallen absolutely in love with the Moonridge Characters and can’t wait to read more!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to the Author, Avery Arujo, and NetGalley for allowing me to ARC read this!

A perfect cozy paranormal read for spooky season. I loved the small-town charm of Moonridge with all its magical chaos, especially the addition of the Real Vampire Wives of Obsidian Hills. Their drama mixed with the Halloween festival made for some really fun and quirky scenes.

The character of Death himself was such an interesting surprise. Dex Grimm was mysterious, a little broody, and yet oddly comforting whenever he appeared. His connection with Mina added warmth to the story, and I enjoyed how their dynamic gave the book a balance between cozy romance and eerie suspense.

The ghosts and magical fraying around town brought in a spooky vibe that kept the atmosphere just right—not too scary, but enough to make it feel like a Halloween treat. My only wish is that I felt a little more connection to some of the side characters, since they were entertaining but didn’t feel as fleshed out as they could have been.

Overall, it was light, fun, and cozy with a paranormal twist that makes it perfect to curl up with in October. I’ll definitely be looking forward to more Moonridge adventures.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.