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The Vampire's Guide to Wooing a Dressmaker
A viscount’s bite ignites a dressmaker’s passion.
After fifty wearisome years of searching for his fated mate, vampire Cordon Shaw, Viscount Grayson, compiles a list of activities to complete before the lack of a mating bond kills him. In his pursuit of some sense of satisfaction, he stumbles upon a gorgeous woman who rebuffs his advances—and so he can’t resist relieving her of the box containing a beautiful scarf tucked in her pocket. Then he receives an invitation to visit the shop of the same woman whose name is carved on the lid of the item he stole.
Respectable dressmaker Kitty Carter is determined to make her business prosper, even if it means making sacrifices, such as not chasing after the handsome thief who harassed her in the market. When she learns the mistress of a viscount had a public fight with her modiste, she writes to the viscount directly to petition his patronage. Then he arrives with her stolen scarf wrapped around his neck.
She valiantly holds her tongue during the appointment despite his constant teasing, only for him to cancel the entire order and instead offer to pay her for each scandalous task she helps him complete. It’s an absurd proposition, but she cannot refuse, especially after a thug demands she repay the loan her parents took out to help her open her shop. But as steamy encounters in opera boxes and hedge mazes turn into awkward afternoon tea with her family and meeting his unusual siblings at midnight rituals, Kitty must decide what to prioritize: the allure of short-term pleasure, or the chance for enduring happiness.
After fifty wearisome years of searching for his fated mate, vampire Cordon Shaw, Viscount Grayson, compiles a list of activities to complete before the lack of a mating bond kills him. In his pursuit of some sense of satisfaction, he stumbles upon a gorgeous woman who rebuffs his advances—and so he can’t resist relieving her of the box containing a beautiful scarf tucked in her pocket. Then he receives an invitation to visit the shop of the same woman whose name is carved on the lid of the item he stole.
Respectable dressmaker Kitty Carter is determined to make her business prosper, even if it means making sacrifices, such as not chasing after the handsome thief who harassed her in the market. When she learns the mistress of a viscount had a public fight with her modiste, she writes to the viscount directly to petition his patronage. Then he arrives with her stolen scarf wrapped around his neck.
She valiantly holds her tongue during the appointment despite his constant teasing, only for him to cancel the entire order and instead offer to pay her for each scandalous task she helps him complete. It’s an absurd proposition, but she cannot refuse, especially after a thug demands she repay the loan her parents took out to help her open her shop. But as steamy encounters in opera boxes and hedge mazes turn into awkward afternoon tea with her family and meeting his unusual siblings at midnight rituals, Kitty must decide what to prioritize: the allure of short-term pleasure, or the chance for enduring happiness.
Unknown Binding
Published November 15, 2025
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About the author
Melissa Kendall
10 books63 followersMelissa is four raccoons in a 19th century tea gown furiously arguing over who gets to write the next book. She lives in the windswept Canadian prairies and quiets the chaos by flipping back and forth between episodes of Bridgerton and Supernatural. When she is not sobbing over fictional characters, she can be found begging her ancient sewing machine to get through one more project.
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November 2, 2025Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
The Vampire's Guide to Wooing a Dressmaker by Melissa Kendall is a high heat third person dual-POV paranormal historical romance set in the 1860s in England. Kitty is a dressmaker who is trying to make her way in the world while her parents live in luxury despite their lack of status in the Ton. Cordon is a viscount and vampire who has been looking for his fated mate for fifty years and still has not found her. With one year left to live, he employs Kitty to cross off everything on his bucket list.
This is on the higher heat end of the spectrum, though not entirely due to what happens between Kitty and Cordon. The two witness several other couples being intimate in public before being intimate themselves in the same space, which tackles both sides of voyeurism and public sex as kinks. This is not the kinkiest book I have read, but it is up there and while the kinkier aspects are noted as being taboo in society, Kitty and Cordon are not shamed by the narrative for indulging in it.
Kitty and Cordon’s relationship is more physical at first and romantic feelings develop over the course of the book as they explore the physical and Cordon’s bucket list. There is an age gap between them, as Cordon is both older because he has been a vampire for fifty years and Kitty is in her twenties, but Cordon is physically in his forties. In the era they lived in, this would not have been uncommon and Cordon respects her autonomy enough to back away if she tells him she does not want to do something.
The vampire lore is a bit different than the lore everyone is familiar with as vampires have a limited window to find their fated mates or else they will die and it's not an instantaneous thing where Cordon immediately knows whether or not Kitty is his mate. The shift on how mates are found is interesting to me and I look forward to seeing how it is used in the next book in the series.
I would recommend this to fans of both paranormal romance and historical romance and readers who love vampire romances
The Vampire's Guide to Wooing a Dressmaker by Melissa Kendall is a high heat third person dual-POV paranormal historical romance set in the 1860s in England. Kitty is a dressmaker who is trying to make her way in the world while her parents live in luxury despite their lack of status in the Ton. Cordon is a viscount and vampire who has been looking for his fated mate for fifty years and still has not found her. With one year left to live, he employs Kitty to cross off everything on his bucket list.
This is on the higher heat end of the spectrum, though not entirely due to what happens between Kitty and Cordon. The two witness several other couples being intimate in public before being intimate themselves in the same space, which tackles both sides of voyeurism and public sex as kinks. This is not the kinkiest book I have read, but it is up there and while the kinkier aspects are noted as being taboo in society, Kitty and Cordon are not shamed by the narrative for indulging in it.
Kitty and Cordon’s relationship is more physical at first and romantic feelings develop over the course of the book as they explore the physical and Cordon’s bucket list. There is an age gap between them, as Cordon is both older because he has been a vampire for fifty years and Kitty is in her twenties, but Cordon is physically in his forties. In the era they lived in, this would not have been uncommon and Cordon respects her autonomy enough to back away if she tells him she does not want to do something.
The vampire lore is a bit different than the lore everyone is familiar with as vampires have a limited window to find their fated mates or else they will die and it's not an instantaneous thing where Cordon immediately knows whether or not Kitty is his mate. The shift on how mates are found is interesting to me and I look forward to seeing how it is used in the next book in the series.
I would recommend this to fans of both paranormal romance and historical romance and readers who love vampire romances
November 11, 2025
The Vampires Guide To Wooing A Dressmaker was everything that I thought it would be and more. It was the perfect blend of cheesy corny romance, interesting plot and historical romance 👌🏻
It was exactly what I needed to get me out of a mini reading slump induced from reading only horror books for 2 weeks straight.
This one was exactly what you would expect by looking at the front cover, and it followed the same kind of structure that all of the historical romances with the same cover have, and while they can be super cheesy and out dated, it was the perfect blend in this one, and I think that might be because there was a bit more of a fantasy twist to things?
Maybe it would have been a little lacklustre if it didn’t have the vampire court element, ya know?
I think the thing I liked the most about reading this one was definitely the pacing, and how quick we got to the ‘wooing’. I really wasn’t expecting things to move so quickly and thought that we would be left waiting for like half of the book for anything interesting to happen, but NOPE!
Almost immediately we were thrown into all the scandalous situations that the vampire wanted to finish off his bucket list before he died from the ‘mating sickness’.
I wasn’t really expecting there to be a bigger plot to things other than all the spicy scenes happening from the bucket list he had, but having the mating sickness being the thing that was going to kill an immortal creature was a really interesting spin on things, and I think that it gave this book just the right amount of higher stakes.
Overall, I had such a good time reading this. It was a silly and funny regency spin on a vampire romance book, and I actually think that the main characters had a pretty good amount of chemistry right from the beginning. I definitely think that I’ll be checking out the other books in this series when they become available, because all of his siblings were such interesting characters and I just know that there books are going to be just as interesting as this one was!
It was exactly what I needed to get me out of a mini reading slump induced from reading only horror books for 2 weeks straight.
This one was exactly what you would expect by looking at the front cover, and it followed the same kind of structure that all of the historical romances with the same cover have, and while they can be super cheesy and out dated, it was the perfect blend in this one, and I think that might be because there was a bit more of a fantasy twist to things?
Maybe it would have been a little lacklustre if it didn’t have the vampire court element, ya know?
I think the thing I liked the most about reading this one was definitely the pacing, and how quick we got to the ‘wooing’. I really wasn’t expecting things to move so quickly and thought that we would be left waiting for like half of the book for anything interesting to happen, but NOPE!
Almost immediately we were thrown into all the scandalous situations that the vampire wanted to finish off his bucket list before he died from the ‘mating sickness’.
I wasn’t really expecting there to be a bigger plot to things other than all the spicy scenes happening from the bucket list he had, but having the mating sickness being the thing that was going to kill an immortal creature was a really interesting spin on things, and I think that it gave this book just the right amount of higher stakes.
Overall, I had such a good time reading this. It was a silly and funny regency spin on a vampire romance book, and I actually think that the main characters had a pretty good amount of chemistry right from the beginning. I definitely think that I’ll be checking out the other books in this series when they become available, because all of his siblings were such interesting characters and I just know that there books are going to be just as interesting as this one was!
November 22, 2025
Before I stumbled into my fantasy romance era, I was a huge historical romance girlie, so when I spotted this on NetGalley and realised it mixed Regency-style society with paranormal chaos? Instant request. No questions asked.
Set in 1860s England, we follow Kitty, a fiercely determined dressmaker trying to forge her own path away from her family. Enter Cordon - a viscount, a vampire, and a man with one year left before he literally runs out of immortality. His plan? Hire Kitty to help him conquer his bucket list. Romantic. Chaotic. Very vampy.
Their spark starts off very physical, but as they tick their way through Cordon’s list it softens into something surprisingly tender. Yes, there’s an age gap - Kitty in her twenties and Cordon looking mid-forties (despite being undead a lot longer) - but the dynamic never feels icky. Consent, autonomy, clear communication… it’s all there. If she says no, he actually listens and steps back. Honestly? A miracle in any century.
Heat-wise? The list is spicy and includes public intimacy, voyeurism, a Lady Godiva moment and some very eyebrow-raising episodes in polite society spaces. But what I loved is that the narrative never shames them for exploring pleasure, even when it’s considered scandalous. Consent, curiosity, and zero judgement.
If you like historical romance with paranormal drama, heat, playful kink, and a heroine who can out-stitch society’s expectations, add this to your list.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the eARC.
Set in 1860s England, we follow Kitty, a fiercely determined dressmaker trying to forge her own path away from her family. Enter Cordon - a viscount, a vampire, and a man with one year left before he literally runs out of immortality. His plan? Hire Kitty to help him conquer his bucket list. Romantic. Chaotic. Very vampy.
Their spark starts off very physical, but as they tick their way through Cordon’s list it softens into something surprisingly tender. Yes, there’s an age gap - Kitty in her twenties and Cordon looking mid-forties (despite being undead a lot longer) - but the dynamic never feels icky. Consent, autonomy, clear communication… it’s all there. If she says no, he actually listens and steps back. Honestly? A miracle in any century.
Heat-wise? The list is spicy and includes public intimacy, voyeurism, a Lady Godiva moment and some very eyebrow-raising episodes in polite society spaces. But what I loved is that the narrative never shames them for exploring pleasure, even when it’s considered scandalous. Consent, curiosity, and zero judgement.
If you like historical romance with paranormal drama, heat, playful kink, and a heroine who can out-stitch society’s expectations, add this to your list.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the eARC.
December 3, 2025
2.5 honestly
Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was…ok? I guess? It’s one of those stories you can’t think too deeply about or else everything sort of starts to fall apart.
On the one hand, it was a quick and easy read, and I think people will like what spice there is in it. On the other hand, I found the romance very…I don’t even know how to describe it. Kitty comes across as an otherwise very prim and proper young lady and follows all the social rules, but despite that, has no problem riding a horse naked and having sex in public with Cordon. Which is not to say it’s not believable but the switch she makes in deciding to do all that happens so fast it seemed out of character. I think that’s due to the story being so short—if it had been longer with more world-building, we might’ve gotten more character development and introspection from Kitty regarding this sudden acceptance to be sexually deviant in exchange for money.
The vampire lore/world-building could’ve been a bit more developed as well. While the idea that a vampire needs to find their mate or else they’ll die is an interesting spin on a way to impose a deadline to aim for at the end of the book, it’s not a commonly held piece of vampire lore. I wish it could’ve been developed more because all we got was “well, my maker said it was the truth so it must be” and that’s not quite as well-developed an explanation as it should’ve been.
The good news, for those who enjoy this book, is that there are already two sequels due out and there are plenty more characters to use if the author decides to write even more. Personally, I haven’t decided if I’ll read them yet.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was…ok? I guess? It’s one of those stories you can’t think too deeply about or else everything sort of starts to fall apart.
On the one hand, it was a quick and easy read, and I think people will like what spice there is in it. On the other hand, I found the romance very…I don’t even know how to describe it. Kitty comes across as an otherwise very prim and proper young lady and follows all the social rules, but despite that, has no problem riding a horse naked and having sex in public with Cordon. Which is not to say it’s not believable but the switch she makes in deciding to do all that happens so fast it seemed out of character. I think that’s due to the story being so short—if it had been longer with more world-building, we might’ve gotten more character development and introspection from Kitty regarding this sudden acceptance to be sexually deviant in exchange for money.
The vampire lore/world-building could’ve been a bit more developed as well. While the idea that a vampire needs to find their mate or else they’ll die is an interesting spin on a way to impose a deadline to aim for at the end of the book, it’s not a commonly held piece of vampire lore. I wish it could’ve been developed more because all we got was “well, my maker said it was the truth so it must be” and that’s not quite as well-developed an explanation as it should’ve been.
The good news, for those who enjoy this book, is that there are already two sequels due out and there are plenty more characters to use if the author decides to write even more. Personally, I haven’t decided if I’ll read them yet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2025
The alt-Victorian vampire lore is fun, the fated-mates twist is cool, and Cordon and Kitty have undeniable chemistry.
But while the premise is great and the leads are genuinely likeable, the story feels a bit undercooked in places.
Still, it’s a quick, sexy read with a cool twist on vampire mating rituals and some solid neurodivergent rep. And yes, I’ll be picking up the next book
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
But while the premise is great and the leads are genuinely likeable, the story feels a bit undercooked in places.
Still, it’s a quick, sexy read with a cool twist on vampire mating rituals and some solid neurodivergent rep. And yes, I’ll be picking up the next book
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
November 23, 2025
In this first volume of a new series, Melissa Kendall creates a new spin on the fated mates trope. The vampires in this alternate Victorian era need to find their mates in order to avoid sickening and dying of mate atrophy, which adds a good deal of tension to the plot. It isn't just Cordon's heart at stake, but his ongoing existence.
Cordon, having had no luck finding his mate, has decided to use his remaining time checking off items on his bucket list. He pays Kitty, an autistic seamstress, to help him with some of the sexier items on the list. (And I do mean sexy—as other reviews have noted, the novel is fairly high spice.) Kitty just wants her dressmaking shop to survive, despite her parents' manipulation. She didn't plan on falling for an attractive viscount with a secret. Neither she nor Cordon are fully prepared for the feelings that ensue.
With own voices neurodivergent representation, an interesting premise, and likeable leads, The Vampire's Guide to Wooing a Dressmaker is a promising start to the series!
Thank you to Dragonblade and Netgalley for the digital ARC I received. This review represents my honest opinion.
Cordon, having had no luck finding his mate, has decided to use his remaining time checking off items on his bucket list. He pays Kitty, an autistic seamstress, to help him with some of the sexier items on the list. (And I do mean sexy—as other reviews have noted, the novel is fairly high spice.) Kitty just wants her dressmaking shop to survive, despite her parents' manipulation. She didn't plan on falling for an attractive viscount with a secret. Neither she nor Cordon are fully prepared for the feelings that ensue.
With own voices neurodivergent representation, an interesting premise, and likeable leads, The Vampire's Guide to Wooing a Dressmaker is a promising start to the series!
Thank you to Dragonblade and Netgalley for the digital ARC I received. This review represents my honest opinion.
February 23, 2026
Content warnings: https://melissakendall.ca/cw
February 1, 2026
Spicy historical romance with a vampire and a spicy bucket list?! Yes please! If you like instant spice, this is for you. First off, I want to say that 3 to me is a good read. I was instantly hooked from the first chapter. I love how it started mid scene— you get thrown in the action with the main problem: Viscount Cordon, a vampire with his nest discussing their deaths due to not having found a mate in time. Their maker (who they also call mother— love a matriarchy!) has abandoned them to expire and so the stakes👀 are high!!
So he ends up creating a death bucket list of things to do and most are very risqué— in the middle of one, he steals a scarf from a dressmaker and ends up taken with her in those moments. So he returns and propositions to pay her for her *ahem* services in helping him finish his bucket list.
Enter Kitty, who has a ton of unfair obligations and responsibilities with her family and could really use the money. The main one being that she pays off her families debts with her Dressmaking business. She is being threatened by a “black guard” of a man Baylock who her father is indebted to so she accepts the viscounts offer (even though it’s against her better judgement, she needs the money). Lots of complex background story here that made the plot line rich— including an emotionally manipulative social climber of a mother and a financially irresponsible father.
There are several twists and turns. Including one that ties Mr Baylock to both Kitty and Cordon as their nemesis. I thought that was cool and definitely fit into the fated mates trope.
Also really appreciate the neurodivergent and anxiety rep; might get headaches from perfume and get sensory overwhelm but she’s still a baddie with her own business!
The cover is gorgeous as her other books have been (great job dragonblade!) but I do wish it had been edited more. I also wish some things had recievd more details, i didn’t feel overly connected to the characters but the twists in the plotline carried my interest. It hooked me from the beginning but then i was grasping at times due to the disconnection— maybe because it’s 3rd person? I’m not sure, I was left wanting a more, but it was an okay read!
So he ends up creating a death bucket list of things to do and most are very risqué— in the middle of one, he steals a scarf from a dressmaker and ends up taken with her in those moments. So he returns and propositions to pay her for her *ahem* services in helping him finish his bucket list.
Enter Kitty, who has a ton of unfair obligations and responsibilities with her family and could really use the money. The main one being that she pays off her families debts with her Dressmaking business. She is being threatened by a “black guard” of a man Baylock who her father is indebted to so she accepts the viscounts offer (even though it’s against her better judgement, she needs the money). Lots of complex background story here that made the plot line rich— including an emotionally manipulative social climber of a mother and a financially irresponsible father.
There are several twists and turns. Including one that ties Mr Baylock to both Kitty and Cordon as their nemesis. I thought that was cool and definitely fit into the fated mates trope.
Also really appreciate the neurodivergent and anxiety rep; might get headaches from perfume and get sensory overwhelm but she’s still a baddie with her own business!
The cover is gorgeous as her other books have been (great job dragonblade!) but I do wish it had been edited more. I also wish some things had recievd more details, i didn’t feel overly connected to the characters but the twists in the plotline carried my interest. It hooked me from the beginning but then i was grasping at times due to the disconnection— maybe because it’s 3rd person? I’m not sure, I was left wanting a more, but it was an okay read!
November 5, 2025
The first of the Fated Vampire Mates series by Melissa Kendall, The Vampire’s Guide to Wooing a Dressmaker, is a sweet story set in nineteenth-century England. Cordon has given up on finding a mate and surrendered to the eventual diseased decline that took his own maker. He now spends his limited time fulfilling a bucket list, which puts him on the path to change his whole story. Kitty Carter has finally got her shop, but making it a success needs patronage, and the Viscount Grayson may just be her ‘in’ to the ton. The Vampire’s Guide to Wooing A Dressmaker is a fated encounter leading to a hopeful destiny.
Melissa Kendall gives you a believable setting of London through Kitty’s eyes. Knowing her genre, she has not gone into the details, which I feel are not even necessary here. Having read historical romances before, slipping into this story was very easy for me. Obviously, as the protagonists get involved with each other the story slips into developments that are on the precipice of impossible, but the genre chosen and its play into the plot makes up for it.
Kitty’s sync with her desires is definitely one of the driving factors. Our heroine does not waste time questioning herself for chapters. She entered into an agreement with open eyes and took each new experience with a confident exhilaration that all readers would love to experience for themselves if they dared to.
Cordon uses his vampirish influence to his advantage at every turn. To be ignored by a dressmaker was not on his cards. He is very sure of himself and rightly so. At the same time, his quest for adventure gives him a very boyish personality at times and I was smiling reading those scenes every time.
There was a lightness to this story that Melissa Kendall presented us. Though there were some inconsistencies with one of the protagonists’ intimate moments, the story does not suffer for it. The Vampire’s Guide to Wooing a Dressmaker is a perfect read for the urban fantasy readers looking for supernatural romance without a world on the brink of destruction.
Happy Reading!
Melissa Kendall gives you a believable setting of London through Kitty’s eyes. Knowing her genre, she has not gone into the details, which I feel are not even necessary here. Having read historical romances before, slipping into this story was very easy for me. Obviously, as the protagonists get involved with each other the story slips into developments that are on the precipice of impossible, but the genre chosen and its play into the plot makes up for it.
Kitty’s sync with her desires is definitely one of the driving factors. Our heroine does not waste time questioning herself for chapters. She entered into an agreement with open eyes and took each new experience with a confident exhilaration that all readers would love to experience for themselves if they dared to.
Cordon uses his vampirish influence to his advantage at every turn. To be ignored by a dressmaker was not on his cards. He is very sure of himself and rightly so. At the same time, his quest for adventure gives him a very boyish personality at times and I was smiling reading those scenes every time.
There was a lightness to this story that Melissa Kendall presented us. Though there were some inconsistencies with one of the protagonists’ intimate moments, the story does not suffer for it. The Vampire’s Guide to Wooing a Dressmaker is a perfect read for the urban fantasy readers looking for supernatural romance without a world on the brink of destruction.
Happy Reading!
December 13, 2025
Thank you to Net Galley, Dragonblade Publishing, Inc. and Melissa Kendall for allowing me to read the ARC of The Vampire’s Guide to a Wooing a Dressmaker.
This book left me wanting a bit more substance I can sink my teeth into.
The premise is that our MMC Cordon -the vampire is suffering from a malady brought on by the lack of a Vampire Mate. It seems interesting and the beginning even starts off with the same infliction causing his maker to take their own life to spare their “children” from watching her die a slow and agonizing death.
Which then brings us to the stories present somewhere in the Regency era London, where the FMC Kitty is a struggling dressmaker, who against all odds has survived her families continual debt and manipulation.
While Kitty is trying to balance her new business and freedom, Cordon is making a last ditch effort to complete his bucket list before his “unmated illness” ravages his body.
The two meet when Cordon takes his latest mistress to the dressmaker for new outfits when the dressmaker catches his eye.
Eventually, Cordon drops his mistress and sways Kitty to be his new mistress. Enter the bucket list and their “pay as we experience” each listed item. This helps Kitty establish her shop - or so she thought until her mother comes back and convinces Kitty to help her and/or pay off the conniving urchin loan shark Mr Blaylock.
The romance between Cordon and Kitty is ok, I feel like parts of it are rushed, but I did like that the mated trope was not automatic.
There were parts to the story that felt unfleshed out, like her dad just out of nowhere seeing his past failures and all of a sudden changing?? Her mother is truly awful and the relationship with her sister is a bit annoying, but slightly realistic as an older/younger sister relationship.
Altogether, I’d rate the story a 2.5 and recommend to anyone who enjoys paranormal romances. I do see potential for future best sibling books and may endeavor to read them for fun.
This book left me wanting a bit more substance I can sink my teeth into.
The premise is that our MMC Cordon -the vampire is suffering from a malady brought on by the lack of a Vampire Mate. It seems interesting and the beginning even starts off with the same infliction causing his maker to take their own life to spare their “children” from watching her die a slow and agonizing death.
Which then brings us to the stories present somewhere in the Regency era London, where the FMC Kitty is a struggling dressmaker, who against all odds has survived her families continual debt and manipulation.
While Kitty is trying to balance her new business and freedom, Cordon is making a last ditch effort to complete his bucket list before his “unmated illness” ravages his body.
The two meet when Cordon takes his latest mistress to the dressmaker for new outfits when the dressmaker catches his eye.
Eventually, Cordon drops his mistress and sways Kitty to be his new mistress. Enter the bucket list and their “pay as we experience” each listed item. This helps Kitty establish her shop - or so she thought until her mother comes back and convinces Kitty to help her and/or pay off the conniving urchin loan shark Mr Blaylock.
The romance between Cordon and Kitty is ok, I feel like parts of it are rushed, but I did like that the mated trope was not automatic.
There were parts to the story that felt unfleshed out, like her dad just out of nowhere seeing his past failures and all of a sudden changing?? Her mother is truly awful and the relationship with her sister is a bit annoying, but slightly realistic as an older/younger sister relationship.
Altogether, I’d rate the story a 2.5 and recommend to anyone who enjoys paranormal romances. I do see potential for future best sibling books and may endeavor to read them for fun.
December 20, 2025
Reading The Vampire’s Guide to Wooing a Dressmaker felt a little like stumbling onto a hidden trail you’ve somehow missed your whole life—familiar in all the right ways, but with a twist that makes you stop and grin. I’ve read plenty of historical romances, but adding vampires into the mix? That’s the spark I didn’t know I’d been craving. Melissa Kendall blends the two together as smooth as my mama folding warm sorghum into biscuit dough.
Kitty Carter, a dressmaker with more grit than a gravel road in July, meets Cordon Shaw, a viscount‑vampire with a bucket list and a ticking clock. Their story winds through opera boxes, hedge mazes, midnight rituals, and awkward family teas, but at its heart it’s about two people trying to carve out a place for themselves in a world that doesn’t make it easy. That’s something folks from the mountains understand deep in our bones.
The romance is playful and bold, full of wit and heat, but it’s also tender in the quiet moments—like the hush that settles over the holler just before sunrise. The characters stick with you, the kind you find yourself thinking about while you’re stirring a pot of beans or folding laundry. And the twist on vampire lore? Fresh as the first cool breeze after a long August.
I love finding new‑to‑me authors, and discovering Kendall felt like finding a new favorite overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I’m hooked, plain and simple. This story has everything I want—memorable characters, fun, charm, and just the right amount of spice to keep the pages turning long after you meant to turn out the light.
A huge thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and Kendall for allowing me to enjoy this book. I can’t wait to get a copy for my collection.
Kitty Carter, a dressmaker with more grit than a gravel road in July, meets Cordon Shaw, a viscount‑vampire with a bucket list and a ticking clock. Their story winds through opera boxes, hedge mazes, midnight rituals, and awkward family teas, but at its heart it’s about two people trying to carve out a place for themselves in a world that doesn’t make it easy. That’s something folks from the mountains understand deep in our bones.
The romance is playful and bold, full of wit and heat, but it’s also tender in the quiet moments—like the hush that settles over the holler just before sunrise. The characters stick with you, the kind you find yourself thinking about while you’re stirring a pot of beans or folding laundry. And the twist on vampire lore? Fresh as the first cool breeze after a long August.
I love finding new‑to‑me authors, and discovering Kendall felt like finding a new favorite overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I’m hooked, plain and simple. This story has everything I want—memorable characters, fun, charm, and just the right amount of spice to keep the pages turning long after you meant to turn out the light.
A huge thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and Kendall for allowing me to enjoy this book. I can’t wait to get a copy for my collection.
November 26, 2025
First of all, I love, love, love the idea of Dragonblade. Give me all the historical romances without cutesy cartoon covers!
But, I also need at least another editorial pass before these books hit publication. Every single one I've read has had at least 2 or 3 grammatical issues, missing words, wrong word, etc.
Now on to the actual book!
The Vampire's Guide to Wooing a Dressmaker caught my eye because of the title. NGL, I was pretty excited for this one and even though I read it in two days, it did fall a little flat. I loved the chemistry between our two leads, but the background for Kitty was severely underdeveloped, and I thought the secondary characters were rather lacking and didn't feel like complete characters.
Kitty seems to be a little too experienced for a historical novel's barely twenty female lead from a middle class family. Did she have other romantic relationships? Was there a dark past? I don't know? But she consistently read as a character that should be at least late 20s.
Her sister Betty had inconstant characterization. At times she was portrayed as a spoiled brat, other times a loving younger sister, and while these two attitudes don't not go together, it felt inconsistent, like Kendall changed the character partway through the story and didn't go back and edit.
I also thought the end was a bit of a miss. The last chapters just felt awkward like it's time to wrap it up, but felt really drawn out unnecessarily.
I'll still read the next books in the series. They are short quick reads and I do like the main characters. I just wanted some more oomph.
But, I also need at least another editorial pass before these books hit publication. Every single one I've read has had at least 2 or 3 grammatical issues, missing words, wrong word, etc.
Now on to the actual book!
The Vampire's Guide to Wooing a Dressmaker caught my eye because of the title. NGL, I was pretty excited for this one and even though I read it in two days, it did fall a little flat. I loved the chemistry between our two leads, but the background for Kitty was severely underdeveloped, and I thought the secondary characters were rather lacking and didn't feel like complete characters.
Kitty seems to be a little too experienced for a historical novel's barely twenty female lead from a middle class family. Did she have other romantic relationships? Was there a dark past? I don't know? But she consistently read as a character that should be at least late 20s.
Her sister Betty had inconstant characterization. At times she was portrayed as a spoiled brat, other times a loving younger sister, and while these two attitudes don't not go together, it felt inconsistent, like Kendall changed the character partway through the story and didn't go back and edit.
I also thought the end was a bit of a miss. The last chapters just felt awkward like it's time to wrap it up, but felt really drawn out unnecessarily.
I'll still read the next books in the series. They are short quick reads and I do like the main characters. I just wanted some more oomph.
November 22, 2025
The Vampire's Guide to Wooing a Dressmaker was a mixed bag for me. I was first drawn to the premise, which held a lot of promise. The idea of vampires dying if they don't find their mate was interesting, but I felt it was a little underdeveloped and I would have liked a bit more world building around that. The first interactions between Cordon and Kitty were fun but, for me, the story then devolved too much into insta-lust and it was just one sex scene after another, most serving little real purpose other than titillation, while the rest of the story took second place in the ranks of importance. There was scant work done on their relationship outside of the bedroom (or other locations), so I struggled to find it believable when they were then suddenly deeply in love. Cordon's actions, too, at times were pretty questionable (and not in the fun morally grey-character sense) and his bucket-list items too seemed pretty single-focused and lacking in depth for someone who had lived for so long and had surely seen/experienced most of those things already in such a long lifetime. If you are looking for a super-spicy paranormal romance tale and are not worried about any deeper themes, you will surely find something to like here, but for me it didn't quite live up to my expectations. I am giving it 3 stars.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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December 9, 2025Thanks to NetGalley and the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
DNF at 30%
I found the male MC irritating. He behaves more like a young man than an older man. And since he is a vampire, that's even more off-putting (sure, here we have a twist on the usual vampire lore, so things are a bit different, but still... He is an old man, a really old man, who behaves mostly like a very young one).
I can't stand the female MC family, and she should have found her backbone a bit with them. It was irritating,but this is one of my pet peeves so it's not surprising.
But the last straw was the way in which the relationship between the two started. Sure, the author puts in place all the reasons to make it plausible but it is something that happens "just like that". I don't know if it's a universal thing or not, but when we were children, you often wrote a note to another child asking them, "Do you want to be my boyfriend (or girlfriend)?" With two boxes under it, the yes box and the no box. And if the other child checked the yes box, that was it. You were in a "relationship". That's it. And that was really it, because things didn't change between the two children. It was just a nominal thing. Anyway, this reminded me strongly of that process.
But here things change quite a lot. She is selling herself for money without even thinking about it. Just like that.
It was off-putting.
DNF at 30%
I found the male MC irritating. He behaves more like a young man than an older man. And since he is a vampire, that's even more off-putting (sure, here we have a twist on the usual vampire lore, so things are a bit different, but still... He is an old man, a really old man, who behaves mostly like a very young one).
I can't stand the female MC family, and she should have found her backbone a bit with them. It was irritating,but this is one of my pet peeves so it's not surprising.
But the last straw was the way in which the relationship between the two started. Sure, the author puts in place all the reasons to make it plausible but it is something that happens "just like that". I don't know if it's a universal thing or not, but when we were children, you often wrote a note to another child asking them, "Do you want to be my boyfriend (or girlfriend)?" With two boxes under it, the yes box and the no box. And if the other child checked the yes box, that was it. You were in a "relationship". That's it. And that was really it, because things didn't change between the two children. It was just a nominal thing. Anyway, this reminded me strongly of that process.
But here things change quite a lot. She is selling herself for money without even thinking about it. Just like that.
It was off-putting.
February 10, 2026
This is a very light hearted historical romance … and more light hearted than I wanted. Everything happens so fast with Kitty giving into everything so quickly with her only rationale being: Well, sure, I guess? She just sort of goes along with everything and I’m not sure I buy the motivation. Cordon, on the other hand, had an actual reason for what he’s doing, and it’s a strong one and the driving force of the relationship.
As for the relationship, it’s fast and feels a bit perfunctory in the beginning half of the book, but I do think they have a decent-ish chemistry. She’s discovering her libido, he’s taking things slowly for her comfort — shocking her occasionally but not pushing her — and towards the end I buy what the story is selling. I’m just not overly invested in the characters.
The period details are strong, and the world feels real — if you discount the vampires. The fated mates trope is handled very well, and it’s a good, quick read. I enjoyed it, but I don’t think I’ll ever come back to it. Still, if you’re looking for a fluffy historical romp with vampires, you could do worse than this book.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
As for the relationship, it’s fast and feels a bit perfunctory in the beginning half of the book, but I do think they have a decent-ish chemistry. She’s discovering her libido, he’s taking things slowly for her comfort — shocking her occasionally but not pushing her — and towards the end I buy what the story is selling. I’m just not overly invested in the characters.
The period details are strong, and the world feels real — if you discount the vampires. The fated mates trope is handled very well, and it’s a good, quick read. I enjoyed it, but I don’t think I’ll ever come back to it. Still, if you’re looking for a fluffy historical romp with vampires, you could do worse than this book.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
February 24, 2026
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to have an e-arc of this book.
I haven’t read a cheesy paranormal romance in a while and this was exactly that. Fun and easy to consume.
As well as it being paranormal it is historical set in the 1800’s in England where the FMC Kitty is a dressmaker trying to make ends meet and pay off her family debt.
I really enjoyed Kitty as a character she was strong when needed, funny and had that naive element that most women have in historial romances.
Cordon is a centuries old vampire also a viscount that watched his maker die by not finding her soul mate. He has started devloping the symptoms that means he is dying and to make the most out of his short life he created a rather fun but crazy bucket list.
Kitty is hired by the viscount to help him complete some of the requirements on his list and after spending time together they realise that there may be some attraction between the both of them.
It was fun and witty, silly in places but overall I liked the execution of the book an the characters didn’t annoy me which is always a plus.
I haven’t read a cheesy paranormal romance in a while and this was exactly that. Fun and easy to consume.
As well as it being paranormal it is historical set in the 1800’s in England where the FMC Kitty is a dressmaker trying to make ends meet and pay off her family debt.
I really enjoyed Kitty as a character she was strong when needed, funny and had that naive element that most women have in historial romances.
Cordon is a centuries old vampire also a viscount that watched his maker die by not finding her soul mate. He has started devloping the symptoms that means he is dying and to make the most out of his short life he created a rather fun but crazy bucket list.
Kitty is hired by the viscount to help him complete some of the requirements on his list and after spending time together they realise that there may be some attraction between the both of them.
It was fun and witty, silly in places but overall I liked the execution of the book an the characters didn’t annoy me which is always a plus.
January 4, 2026
This was a delightful paranormal romance that blends humor, heat, and heart. The premise hooked me right away: a weary vampire viscount facing his last chance at happiness and a hardworking dressmaker who refuses to be swept away without a fight. Cordon is charming, dramatic, and surprisingly vulnerable, while Kitty is practical, sharp, and easy to root for.
I especially enjoyed the playful banter, the stolen scarf thread running through the story, and the contrast between scandalous secret meetings and very proper public expectations. The romance builds nicely as their arrangement turns into something deeper, and the side characters and quirky vampire family add extra fun. Overall, it’s an engaging, satisfying read that balances passion with emotional stakes, perfect if enjoy historical romance with a supernatural twist.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I especially enjoyed the playful banter, the stolen scarf thread running through the story, and the contrast between scandalous secret meetings and very proper public expectations. The romance builds nicely as their arrangement turns into something deeper, and the side characters and quirky vampire family add extra fun. Overall, it’s an engaging, satisfying read that balances passion with emotional stakes, perfect if enjoy historical romance with a supernatural twist.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.
November 4, 2025
Cordon, a centuries-old vampire slowly dying from the lack of a fated mate, decides to go out with flair and drafts himself a bucket list — equal parts scandalous and sentimental. Enter Kitty, a struggling dressmaker, with a spendthrift family, who becomes his “partner in crime” after he quite literally steals from her.
What starts as a transactional arrangement — mistress for hire, with perks — takes its time evolving into something warmer.
The relationship felt more like a business arrangement for most of the book than the wooing the title suggested. There wasn’t much tension, and the feelings only developed later. It had a lot of Bridgerton flair with vampires thrown in. A fun read overall, some spice, a solid story — I’ll probably pick up the siblings’ stories when they come out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What starts as a transactional arrangement — mistress for hire, with perks — takes its time evolving into something warmer.
The relationship felt more like a business arrangement for most of the book than the wooing the title suggested. There wasn’t much tension, and the feelings only developed later. It had a lot of Bridgerton flair with vampires thrown in. A fun read overall, some spice, a solid story — I’ll probably pick up the siblings’ stories when they come out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 11, 2025
Thank you, Net Galley, for this ARC. This was a fun read that blended historical romance with a paranormal twist. The story is told from Kitty and Cordon's point of view. Kitty is a dressmaker who works hard and who is constantly dealing with her family's financial problems and drama. Cordon is a vampire who thinks that he is dying as he hasn't met his mate. Cordon also has a list of things to do before he dies. This of course leads to Cordon and Kitty meeting and working on the list. I enjoyed seeing them complete the list together while ultimately falling in love with each other. Additionally, I enjoyed Kitty being a strong female who comes into her wants, needs, and finally stands up to her family and telling them no. This is a fun and easy read. I can't wait to read what the author writes next. :)
November 7, 2025
The Vampire’s Guide to Wooing a Dressmaker by Melissa Kendall is a sweet, fun paranormal romance with just the right blend of charm and heat. I really enjoyed how the author mixed the regency-style setting with a touch of vampiric flair — it gave the story a unique, whimsical tone.
The chemistry between the vampire and the dressmaker was lovely — slow-burn but still full of spark. I especially liked how the heroine was clever and independent, not easily swayed by immortal charm. The pacing was steady, the writing flowed smoothly, and the banter made it an easy, enjoyable read.
It’s a perfect cozy escape for anyone who loves vampires, historical romance vibes, and a bit of humor woven into their fantasy.
The chemistry between the vampire and the dressmaker was lovely — slow-burn but still full of spark. I especially liked how the heroine was clever and independent, not easily swayed by immortal charm. The pacing was steady, the writing flowed smoothly, and the banter made it an easy, enjoyable read.
It’s a perfect cozy escape for anyone who loves vampires, historical romance vibes, and a bit of humor woven into their fantasy.
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November 15, 2025yeah sorry ive dnf’d books for less than the use of “your nether lips” unironically and the mmc really started to creep me out in his attempts at “wooing”
unfortunately everything else about this was kinda nice to read conceptually perhaps more as a novella? definitely if the mmc was just a bit more Something and i did enjoy the whole vampire without mate = death portion but i felt like that was put on the way back burner anyway in favor of some light instalust which was only fun for me when he wanted to eat her (and maybe i just wish the book played more on how creepy his own goal was)
anyway regardless i know i couldnt finish it but time of dnf was 35%
thank you so much to netgalley and dragonblade publishing for this arc to review!
unfortunately everything else about this was kinda nice to read conceptually perhaps more as a novella? definitely if the mmc was just a bit more Something and i did enjoy the whole vampire without mate = death portion but i felt like that was put on the way back burner anyway in favor of some light instalust which was only fun for me when he wanted to eat her (and maybe i just wish the book played more on how creepy his own goal was)
anyway regardless i know i couldnt finish it but time of dnf was 35%
thank you so much to netgalley and dragonblade publishing for this arc to review!
February 20, 2026
If you are reading this for some steamy sex scenes and that's about it, this book might be for you. For me, the characters needed more development, the plot felt all over the place, the world-building within the Victorian era seemed incongruous given the way-too-easy eschewing of the sensibilities of the time period without considering - or there being - consequences, especially given how the author chose to make the fated mates things work (which I don't feel actually fits the trope). The author does write a decent sex scene, but for me the story would have fared better for being "plot, what plot" based rather than leaving me feeling like I don't actually see how the characters can get to love in their interactions.
November 10, 2025
If you enjoy fated mates, steamy vampire romance, and historical fantasies with a debonair MMC, you'll love the Vampire's Guide to Wooing a Dressmaker! I enjoyed the "bucket list" premise, which made for a fun what-do-I-have-to-lose vibe for the MMC and a wild ride for the FMC as she gets swept up in his world. I was reminded a bit of Pretty Woman, but with a more self-assured FMC. I also liked the different take on fated mates, instead of the usual insta-lust situation. And once the lust does get going, it's quite steamy! I'll definitely be curious to see where the series goes.
Thanks to Dragonblade Publishing and the author for sharing an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!
Thanks to Dragonblade Publishing and the author for sharing an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!
December 16, 2025
Entertaining, Paranormal Historical Romance
Cordon is a dying vampire with a scandalous bucket list he’s determined to finish before time runs out—and he enlists dressmaker Kitty to help him do it. But what happens when Kitty discovers her teasing, infuriating viscount is a vampire? And will Cordon find his fated mate before it’s too late?
With vampire hijinks, family drama, and a villain lurking just offstage, this story delivers plenty of fun alongside its romance. If you enjoy historical romance with paranormal flair, playful tension, and just a hint of danger, this is an entertaining read worth picking up.
Cordon is a dying vampire with a scandalous bucket list he’s determined to finish before time runs out—and he enlists dressmaker Kitty to help him do it. But what happens when Kitty discovers her teasing, infuriating viscount is a vampire? And will Cordon find his fated mate before it’s too late?
With vampire hijinks, family drama, and a villain lurking just offstage, this story delivers plenty of fun alongside its romance. If you enjoy historical romance with paranormal flair, playful tension, and just a hint of danger, this is an entertaining read worth picking up.
February 15, 2026
It's been awhile since I've read a romance with vampires. Cordon Shaw, Viscount Grayson, has yet to meet his mate. Kathy Carter's dream is to own her own dress making shop, but her family keeps interfering in her plans. Cordon is dying, but he has a list of things he wants to do before he dies and Kathy is just the lady to help him fulfill it, but once again her family interferes, this time with his plans. It gets very complicated for them to establish a relationship. Finding a mate doesn't happen with just one bite. A Victorian romance with erotic sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from Netgalley.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from Netgalley.
November 18, 2025
I loved this book! The premise had me from the start: The hero is a vampire who is on the verge of dying if he doesn't find his fated mate. The heroine is a shop owner who's just trying to live her dream of owning a dress shop despite her difficult family. I really enjoyed all the dress making details. The cute little shop gave some great cozy vibes. The romance was absolutely swoon-worthy with lots of steam. The ending warmed my heart. Good dose of humor throughout. Overall a super fun read! I highly recommend it!
November 16, 2025
Man, that was hot!! Kitty is a dressmaker who's just trying to stay above water. Cordon is a vampire who's dying because he has not found his soul mate, and he's running out of time. They end up together as a business arrangement, but it does not stay that way long. The attraction between them is all consuming. Very open door!
Thank you to Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
Thank you to Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
November 23, 2025
Cordon has given up trying to find his mate and is dying because of it. He is now a vampire with a bucket list. This is how he meets Kitty stealing (pickpocketing) an item from her to mark off one of his list items. Kitty is trying very hard to make a success of her dress shop, but is stymied often by having to pull her family out of debt. For some reason, Cordon is drawn to Kitty and approaches her to help him accomplish his list. As they work on his list, they begin to fall in love. Cordon still doesn’t see her as his mate, yet. There is a villain who is dangerous to Kitty, her family, and Cordon. Can they defeat the villain? When will Cordon realize that Kitty may very well be his mate, if he learns the most important piece of finding a mate? The story is unusual. The characters are interesting. This is the first book in the series, and I look forward to stories about Cordon’s nest siblings.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
December 16, 2025
I am disappointed about the age gap. One, that there was no age gap mentioned in the synopsis and second Kitty image is at twenty and Cordons age is way older. I have no issue with Cordons age, but I found reading certain parts with Kitty very uncomfortable reading. This effects my connection with the characters and my engagement with the book. as far as the story goes I found it to be provocative and exciting. I enjoyed the story immensely. The story entertained me in many ways. I’m some ways I found much entertainment through the plot and storyline. Searching for a wife, Cordon made this a most interesting read. The other was through the romance of it all. Wooing Kitty was a clandestine affair. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2026
Okay, this book was just cheesy. But with that being said, I enjoyed reading it. I thought the FMC was funny honestly. So prim and proper in one sitting, and throwing caution to the wind in the next. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with that whatsoever. And that’s what I took it to be. That maybe she was more of a wild and free spirit but express that due to societal norms. I think the bin was decent fit its length. Not something I would normally read. But I found it to be good overall.
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