Hot Vampire Next Door: Season Five

Midnight Harbor #5

by Nikki St. Crowe

I finally know the truth of my I am not human.

And it’s time I stop pretending that I am.

If only I could control these rare, unique powers long enough to defeat my enemies.

Because the fae gate is now open and the entire fae realm thinks I’m the villain.

Or at least that's what I believed, until a fae prince gets down on one knee and offers his hand in marriage under the guise of court unity.

Of course when my vampire boyfriend finds out, he has a proposal of his own. I love Bran and I do want to spend the rest of my life with him, but on my terms.

I’m tired of being a pawn.

It’s time I take charge of my own life and resume my rightful place on the Winter Court Throne.

Hot Vampire Next Door is a Kindle Vella serial. This version is a boxset of season five and contains episodes 71-108. Season five is the final season.

Check the author’s website for TWs.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Vampires, Paranormal, Fae, Audiobook, Dark Romance

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2024

About the author

Nikki St. Crowe is a USA Today and No. 1 Amazon Bestselling Author specializing in dark, spicy romantasy where the villain gets the girl and the girl gets the power.

Nikki considers the start of her professional career to be in the 4th grade when she placed 2nd in a Young Author’s Competition. Back then she crafted stories about magical mansions and lost treasure. She’s since ditched the treasure hunts, but she'll never give up on the magical mansions (or the morally grey men who inhabit them).

These days, when Nikki isn’t writing or daydreaming about villains, she can either be found in the woods or at home with her husband and daughter.


For information on new releases, sign up for Nikki’s newsletter, The Forbidden Garden: https://nikkistcrowe.myflodesk.com/th...

Reviews

[Stacee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good ending, but I would have loved an epilogue or futuretake (and yes I'm being greedy) as it felt a bit abrupt.

[Luce · Rating 2 out of 5]

A slightly disappointing ending to what had been a fun series.

Bran is completely unlikeable and the storyline just messy and rushed. I also hate the nickname 'Mouse' and it just became too much in this one.

[Valentine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was far from Nikki’s best work & I think she’s okay with that. It definitely felt like she was doing what she could to wrap this series & didn’t take the time to give it the ending it deserved.

It was rushed & chaotic & nothing really made sense. I didn’t feel Nikki’s passion for this storyline. Bran & Jessie of course were the best thing about this book but this just didn’t feel like the send off they deserved.

Still loved the series for what it was.

[Crystal Strietzel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointment

There should have been much more to this book!!
So many things left out and open ended. I waited what felt like an eternity for this series and I'm super disappointed to make it to this so called ending.

Sorry Nikki, but had to say it

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is probably the most anti-climatic end to a book series. So anti - climatic it’s made me want to get rid of the physical copies I have. Like yeah, we got her having a big fight and have her becoming winter queen but I still feel like there is quite a lot of holes in the story. Like there was a part in this story where we didn’t know how Bran felt about living in the Fae or if they were going to go back to the human world that was kind of left open- the whole relationship was left open ended. ( How could you have a rejected proposal in the final book and it not being an actual proposal 🤷🏻‍♀️). It does feel like though that even though the author has said this is the end it’s not really the end and there’s an opening for future development.

Just a bit anti-climatic and I felt like I needed a little bit more. I didn’t at any point feel like anything was at stake. It just felt like the author started the story with the intent of it being long then realised she was getting too caught up with releases of her other published work and kind of rushed the ending so that she could focus more on the books being put out. The author got popular and instead of focusing on this story she forgot about it and then rushed to finish. It’s left a sour taste in my mouth. Because this doesn’t feel like the end of a story , this feels like the middle of a story.

Honestly this gets a 2 stars instead of a 1 just because it has a scene that made me piss myself laughing.
She was struggling to control her powers and instead of doing the normal coded thing to help her. Bran decides to help her control her powers by eating her out!
And I quote “there will always be the distraction of pleasure “ Bran 2024.
I couldn’t stop laughing.
😆 😆😆😆

[Carrie W · Rating 3 out of 5]

After waiting and waiting and waiting for the last book, I'm disappointed. I loved this story and really wanted to love where it was going, but I just....didn't. The end was a complete let-down. I wanted it to continue to see how Jessie re-built her legacy. How her people accepted her. But the end was just that, an abrupt end. No conclusion to much of anything. Up till this book, I was happy with the story line. But if you're looking for a nice, neat wrap-up, there isn't one. There's no epilogue that tells what the future looked like for Mouse and Bran. There's no wrap up to Kelly and Damien. There's no "what happened with Cal and Sam" answer. There's just, nothing! I'm beyond frustrated with the end. It was like Nikki just wanted to be done with it and that was that. The only reason why I'm giving this a 3-star is because the story, as a whole, was good. The end was a disaster. Sorry Nikki. The mark was completely missed.

[Sian Rice · Rating 2 out of 5]

.

The fae gate is open, the Summer Queen is a megalomaniac, allies are made, enemies are fickle, and Jessie is…still annoying.

She contradicts herself constantly, she talks about “finally” getting a grip on her powers like it’s been months or years and not DAYS since she got them, and she’s also an idiot.

The whole thing with Sam…do you not know your best friend of however many years? And aside from that, what about the plans and promises you made with/to the others? Would waiting 5 minutes have been an issue?? Ugh.

I skimmed through this whole book. It started off promisingly but within a couple of chapters I was just bored again and no matter what was happening it couldn’t hold my attention unfortunately.

[Samantha _mood_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 🌟

I would have loved to rated this one higher, but it fell short to me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Bran & Jessie's story, but really??? After books, that's the ending we get.

[Margaret Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was okay but not as good as the first 4 not that I remember anyway. It could just be I left too long
In between them.

I found it weird them calling Jessie princess when I was so used to he being called mouse.

I did find myself shouting at the page when Sam presented Jessie with the summer queen. To be it was obvious it was a set up. But at the same time at least it finally got Sam and Cal on almost the same page. I would really like to have seen were that relationship lands.

[Dana Kayln · Rating 3 out of 5]

even though this series was cheesy, i ATE IT UP

[Zen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun ending to thos series. All major conflict resolved, bit the ending was open enough for possibilities.

[The Diva Den Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!!

I wish I could hear more about Sam and Cal. Does Bran and Jessie get married... All in alk great series and would definitely read again.

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed this series, but it definitely ended way too abruptly. I really would have loved to see more of what Bran and Jessie's life looked like after everything that happened. Instead, the story just...ended.

Also, is there going to be spin-offs with the other characters? Because there were a lot of storylines that seemed to begin toward the end. It left me with so many questions. Maybe we'll get some bonus scenes later on.

That being said I did still have a lot of fun reading this series!

[Carrie Goolsby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like… what happened?
This can’t be from the same series the first three were in, right?

[Leah reading & recording · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s going to be hard to let go of this world. 🥹 Mainly because I want more Jessie & Bran and Kelly & Damien, of course but most of all I want more Sam and Alpha Cal! Hope there is a spin-off dedicated to the shifters in the story with a spotlight on Sam and Cal—they deserve a story of their own!

[Darkromancerobyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series. Overall I’d give it a solid 4 stars. I have always enjoyed Nikki’s writing!

Unfortunately, this last “season” was my least favourite. Some characters were annoying me and the ending was blah….. There was A LOT going on. It just seemed rushed.

Bran, Jessie and their friends in Midnight Harbor were reminiscent of True Blood and The Vampire Diaries for me. It was similar yet different and I enjoyed every minute (except this last part 😂)

[kiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Cali Massey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun series to read!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 or 5. I’m sad it’s over!!

[Julia Vazquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one!

This story is wonderfully written and the descriptions are so detailed. The story line is fun and intriguing and sexy and spicy all at the same time.

[Shiny Ruins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[Alexis Trejo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good season finale! It was fun while it lasted 🤍

[Courtney VARNADO · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute fun spicy series comes to an end . Enjoyed the ride and think the ending is fitting while also leaving it open to continue 🖤 Nikki hasn’t done me wrong yet 🫶🏻🫶🏻

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that’s the end…but I want more!!!😭🥲❤️

[A Delcat Meow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. It's an easy read. It's not too heavy with its lore whilst still being captivating and fun. I loved Bran and Jessie's relationship from the first page.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series went from a little smutty vampire book to full on fantasy action I loved it! My god, the bit with Sam at the end had me stressed but that god for HAE. Loved it!

[Tasha D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ends just like that?

I would have liked to see one more book to wrap up everyone's life.
I want to know how to rebuilds winter Kingdom and how Bran does. Do they get married?
I wasn't crazy how Sam bonds and why. Seemed to be rushed and not really put effort into their story. Do they have kids? Do they visit the fae realm ?
What happens to Summer kingdom? Does he fall for the autumn queen's sister?
Just too much left to wonder about and just ended at a weird point.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m honestly disappointed with how this whole story ended. I wish there was a little more to wrap it up such as an epilogue that shows them settled into a life together. There’s also a few discrepancies that bother me such as the constant change of the length of the timeline and how certains things were changed through out. Unfortunately, not St. Crowe’s best work but I’m glad the story has some what come to an end.

[Kim Stalder · Rating 1 out of 5]

THAT was the ending? WTF? I wouldn’t have read the series if I knew you would just end it like that. Why even have the storyline of the fae princess. She could’ve just been the vampire’s snack and hump and be done with it. Jeez.

[♥ I’d Rather Be Reading ♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

- Main Couple: Bran(vampire)/Jessie(fae)
- POVs Included: Dual POVs (Jessie, Bran)
- Book Playlist (Midnight Harbor Book Series Playlist)

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SUMMARY (SPOILER WARNING):

It's time for the final showdown. Jessie must face her destiny as the Winter Queen. But first, she has some foes that she must overcome. With the help of her vampire boyfriend, Bran, of course.

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REVIEW:

I have enjoyed this series for the most part. But I have to agree with other reviewers that this was a very weak and rushed ending to their story.

I actually started reading these when Nikki was saying she didn't necessarily have an end in sight for them. If I had known it would be only 5 books long I probably would've waited to start them once they were all out.

But as it is, Nikki started writing this series about three years ago and since then has moved on to other (albeit amazing) projects like Wrath and Rain, the Vicious Lost Boys, and Devourer of Men. And I'm pretty sure that along the way she grew bored of this series and decided to wrap it up probably earlier than she originally planned to.

So this final season is not only is about Jessie finally visiting the fae realm, but also all the war and such that happens leading up to her taking over the throne. It's just all very rushed and crammed in there.

I also took forever to get through this book. And at first I thought it might be a me problem. But after looking at the other reviews, I'm pretty sure that this book is just not up to Nikki's usual standards. It's rather boring and lacks that usual sparkle that Nikki's stories typically have. It's rushed and the end is very anticlimactic. It was also missing a much needed epilogue to see how Bran and Jessie cope with all the changes.

Another small thing I wasn't a fan of was how Jessie betrayed her promise to Arion. When, who she thinks is Sam (but is really the Summer Queen disguised) pushes her to kill the Summer Queen (who is actually Sam disguised) and she does, I was pissed. First off because she promised Arion to wait for him and she very easily broke that promise. Also I thought she acted really naive and dumb when she did this. She already knew the Queen could disguise herself. And she also actually thought a mere mortal overcame a fae Queen? C'mon!

One thing I did like was Draggun. He was a very intriguing character to me, and I wouldn't mind learning more about him.

Overall this was a disappointing conclusion to the series for me. It wasn't up to par with Nikki's quality of writing. It was rather boring and slow paced, while at the same time it rushed through the rest of the story to get to the end quicker. Too bad it didn't finish stronger.