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Midnight Witch House: A Vampire Bodyguard Paranormal Romance
He’s my bodyguard. And a vampire. My grumpy protector promised my dead uncle he’d keep me safe. But we both know, if either of us gets too close, this man will be the death of me.
Getting bequeathed Child Manor from a dead uncle I didn’t know existed was supposed to be a windfall. But there’s a lot I didn’t know about my family’s legacy when I agreed to honor his final demands. Like…
It turns out, I’m a witch.
And my uncle sent a vampire to protect me.
My new bodyguard is everything I’m not. A grumpy brute, who won’t take no for an answer. Because Uncle Cornelius has a world of magic and secrets to care for, and now all the responsibility and danger has fallen on me. I want out, but the more I try to escape, the more the magical ties grow and tighten around me…as does the twisted attraction I feel for the man sent to protect me... who may not be the friend that he seems.
Getting bequeathed Child Manor from a dead uncle I didn’t know existed was supposed to be a windfall. But there’s a lot I didn’t know about my family’s legacy when I agreed to honor his final demands. Like…
It turns out, I’m a witch.
And my uncle sent a vampire to protect me.
My new bodyguard is everything I’m not. A grumpy brute, who won’t take no for an answer. Because Uncle Cornelius has a world of magic and secrets to care for, and now all the responsibility and danger has fallen on me. I want out, but the more I try to escape, the more the magical ties grow and tighten around me…as does the twisted attraction I feel for the man sent to protect me... who may not be the friend that he seems.
532 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2025
18 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
June 25, 2025
I really enjoyed the found family aspect of this book. It was similar to Fairydale for me, minus the different timelines, and aged down a bit (more youthful writing!)
I love how Lark (mmc) always showed up when the fmc needed him, and I quite enjoyed the side characters as well, because they were all different!
I kinda wish we got the “full vamp experience” (biting, the s*x, etc.) but it got a little spicy at some points !
Nothing crazy, but enough to keep your brain interested if you need a little fire in your books (pants always stayed on).
A solid 3.75 for me, almost a 4!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC!
I love how Lark (mmc) always showed up when the fmc needed him, and I quite enjoyed the side characters as well, because they were all different!
I kinda wish we got the “full vamp experience” (biting, the s*x, etc.) but it got a little spicy at some points !
Nothing crazy, but enough to keep your brain interested if you need a little fire in your books (pants always stayed on).
A solid 3.75 for me, almost a 4!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC!
June 19, 2025
1.5 ⭐️There is no legitimate reason this book should have been this long. 530 pages for a week timeline is insane. Also the fact that this is an insta lust slow burn was ridiculous.
The premise and magic was intriguing but the actual story wasn’t great, it was too long and the romance aspect was not there.
Also ORPHAN GIRL is the pet name?!?! Insane work!
Thank you nerd fam for the arc
The premise and magic was intriguing but the actual story wasn’t great, it was too long and the romance aspect was not there.
Also ORPHAN GIRL is the pet name?!?! Insane work!
Thank you nerd fam for the arc
June 20, 2025
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC!
2.75★
“He’s my bodyguard. And a vampire. My grumpy protector promised my dead uncle he’d keep me safe. But we both know, if either of us gets too close, this man will be the death of me.”
This story follows Persephone, or Seph as she learns about an inheritance from a dead uncle she didn’t know existed. However in order to get access to it, she must get an education at a local witch academy. This education turns out to just be her finding a “blood stone” that her uncle owned. This stone is capable of turning all witches into vampires.
With the help of some new friends (bug<3) and her vampire bodyguard, Lark, they get to work hunting it down and keeping it safe.
I really enjoyed the plot, there were twists (which i did see coming but still enjoyed), a clear goal, and a lot of mystery elements. I also liked the magic system and how there were different types of witches. I thought it was clearly explained and I found it easy to understand.
However, it went downhill for me from there. I really struggled with the characters and the writing style. Despite being adults, the characters act like teenagers, their dialogue and behavior often felt immature. The only character that really stood out for me was Bug, who was very genuine and sweet.
The writing was also not for me, I highlighted a lot of stuff and not in a good way. For starters, Lark calls Seph “Orphan Girl” which I didn’t find particularly cute but that’s just me. On the other hand Seph repeatedly (multiple time a page at some points) calls him “my man” and “my vamp” which to me just added to the 16 y/o vibe.
Some other quotes:
“She looked like a drowned rat. The most beautiful rodent in the whole world.”
“I could practically feel the heightened breath in her chest. Heaving up and down. Or was that my own breasts?”
“A hangry girl’s a cranky girl.”
Lastly I want to talk about the romance which didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The whole thing took place over one week and it somehow managed to be both insta-lust and slowburn. Seph is constantly horny for Lark, while he keeps rejecting her (and always at the worst times). Their connection felt surface level, with little emotional buildup or genuine chemistry.
To me it just read like mutual horniness paired with a shared mission. The tension was there but it felt inconsistent and hollow.
Overall, this had a fun plot with some solid twists and a well-built magic system, but it lost me with the characters and writing style. If you can look past the juvenile tone and dialogue then it’s a quick and entertaining read.
- Dual POV
- Witches
- Vampires
- Bodyguard romance
- Found family
- Touch her and die
- Quest to find a magical object
- Urban Fantasy
- Lots of lust, not much spice
2.75★
“He’s my bodyguard. And a vampire. My grumpy protector promised my dead uncle he’d keep me safe. But we both know, if either of us gets too close, this man will be the death of me.”
This story follows Persephone, or Seph as she learns about an inheritance from a dead uncle she didn’t know existed. However in order to get access to it, she must get an education at a local witch academy. This education turns out to just be her finding a “blood stone” that her uncle owned. This stone is capable of turning all witches into vampires.
With the help of some new friends (bug<3) and her vampire bodyguard, Lark, they get to work hunting it down and keeping it safe.
I really enjoyed the plot, there were twists (which i did see coming but still enjoyed), a clear goal, and a lot of mystery elements. I also liked the magic system and how there were different types of witches. I thought it was clearly explained and I found it easy to understand.
However, it went downhill for me from there. I really struggled with the characters and the writing style. Despite being adults, the characters act like teenagers, their dialogue and behavior often felt immature. The only character that really stood out for me was Bug, who was very genuine and sweet.
The writing was also not for me, I highlighted a lot of stuff and not in a good way. For starters, Lark calls Seph “Orphan Girl” which I didn’t find particularly cute but that’s just me. On the other hand Seph repeatedly (multiple time a page at some points) calls him “my man” and “my vamp” which to me just added to the 16 y/o vibe.
Some other quotes:
“She looked like a drowned rat. The most beautiful rodent in the whole world.”
“I could practically feel the heightened breath in her chest. Heaving up and down. Or was that my own breasts?”
“A hangry girl’s a cranky girl.”
Lastly I want to talk about the romance which didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The whole thing took place over one week and it somehow managed to be both insta-lust and slowburn. Seph is constantly horny for Lark, while he keeps rejecting her (and always at the worst times). Their connection felt surface level, with little emotional buildup or genuine chemistry.
To me it just read like mutual horniness paired with a shared mission. The tension was there but it felt inconsistent and hollow.
Overall, this had a fun plot with some solid twists and a well-built magic system, but it lost me with the characters and writing style. If you can look past the juvenile tone and dialogue then it’s a quick and entertaining read.
- Dual POV
- Witches
- Vampires
- Bodyguard romance
- Found family
- Touch her and die
- Quest to find a magical object
- Urban Fantasy
- Lots of lust, not much spice
June 18, 2025
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (The Nerd Fam)
Actual review: 3.25 stars
I have mixed feelings on this one. There were parts of it I enjoyed. I loved Bug as a character and the various types of powers.. Lark's idea of a self pep talk being "Stay in control, you vampire fuck." But overall I do not think this the read for me.
The characters read as kind of young to me, despite not all of them being so. At one point Lark mentions how it's been a week which made me aware of how things were a bit too instalovey between Lark and Seph for me. I could have used a bit more world building too.
I was kind of surprised at the length of this one though as it didn't feel like it while reading. I think overall if you're looking for something that is an easy read but don't mind the same things as me this may be a good fit for you.
"The inheritance she spoke of would pay for a lot of taco Tuesdays…"
Absolutely loved that she thinks of money in terms of snacks though lmao.
Actual review: 3.25 stars
I have mixed feelings on this one. There were parts of it I enjoyed. I loved Bug as a character and the various types of powers.. Lark's idea of a self pep talk being "Stay in control, you vampire fuck." But overall I do not think this the read for me.
The characters read as kind of young to me, despite not all of them being so. At one point Lark mentions how it's been a week which made me aware of how things were a bit too instalovey between Lark and Seph for me. I could have used a bit more world building too.
I was kind of surprised at the length of this one though as it didn't feel like it while reading. I think overall if you're looking for something that is an easy read but don't mind the same things as me this may be a good fit for you.
"The inheritance she spoke of would pay for a lot of taco Tuesdays…"
Absolutely loved that she thinks of money in terms of snacks though lmao.
June 16, 2025
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC
In case you dont like to read a lengthy review:
This book is for you if you like
-standalone fantasy books
-vampire and witches
-broody, yet, also light-hearted and funny, mmc
-fmc has to find a magic artifact while people hunt for her
-fmc did not realize witches existed
-fantasy in our world yet with magic and witches
- some spice
-fast pace
-slow burn but not attraction (they find each other attractive and are interested but dont act on it)
now for a more in-depth review.
our fmc is an orphan, yet she gets a notice that an uncle died one she did not know existed.
she then finds out witches and vampires are real. I did like the new take on vampires (i haven't seen it this way before atleast) where to become a vampire, a vampire bites a witch and either they turn into a vampire or a human. that's all it takes is one bite.
to get her inheritance, she must find this magical stone that everyone wants and will kill for.
The person in charge of giving her the inheritance also gives her a vampire body guard( insert our mmc )
I liked the connection these two shared. They had a similar sense of humor, and would I could see the connection and romance growing between them.
I loved the overall plot of the book, the characters, and the magic system.
one characters name is bug and can control bugs, I thought that was really cool!!
the few things I did not like about the book.
- sometimes during our mmc pov, it didn't really feel any differnt from the fmc pov. in the sense that they kinda felt like the same person.
- sometimes, it felt a little too fast-paced.
otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read more by this author!
In case you dont like to read a lengthy review:
This book is for you if you like
-standalone fantasy books
-vampire and witches
-broody, yet, also light-hearted and funny, mmc
-fmc has to find a magic artifact while people hunt for her
-fmc did not realize witches existed
-fantasy in our world yet with magic and witches
- some spice
-fast pace
-slow burn but not attraction (they find each other attractive and are interested but dont act on it)
now for a more in-depth review.
our fmc is an orphan, yet she gets a notice that an uncle died one she did not know existed.
she then finds out witches and vampires are real. I did like the new take on vampires (i haven't seen it this way before atleast) where to become a vampire, a vampire bites a witch and either they turn into a vampire or a human. that's all it takes is one bite.
to get her inheritance, she must find this magical stone that everyone wants and will kill for.
The person in charge of giving her the inheritance also gives her a vampire body guard( insert our mmc )
I liked the connection these two shared. They had a similar sense of humor, and would I could see the connection and romance growing between them.
I loved the overall plot of the book, the characters, and the magic system.
one characters name is bug and can control bugs, I thought that was really cool!!
the few things I did not like about the book.
- sometimes during our mmc pov, it didn't really feel any differnt from the fmc pov. in the sense that they kinda felt like the same person.
- sometimes, it felt a little too fast-paced.
otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read more by this author!
June 22, 2025
Thank you to NerdFam for the gifted arc.
If this weren't an arc, I wouldn't have finished it.
There were the small things I had issue with. Lark's questionable driving, his ability to tell time up to the minute by looking at the stars, Persephone's mastery of her magic (quite literally) overnight, the use of the word "sanguine" instead of "blood".
Then there are the big things. The romance plot was infuriating. The rules of the world made little sense.
Lark's flippy floppy attitude had me tearing my hair out. His demeanor toward Persephone changes on a chapter by chapter basis. One chapter he's flirty, the next he's full of regret for flirting, and yet another chapter later he's flirting again. Persephone is practically gaslighting herself at times because of his behavior.
A vampire's bite can either turn a witch into a vampire, or make them lose their magic forever. So I assumed it was an issue of saliva into an open wound. Except he uses his saliva in the next chapter to heal her open wounds. So it's just the act of biting? That doesn't make logical sense to me.
The magic was convenient plot armor at best. As a dreamcast, Persephone can get future visions disguised as loose metaphor. Apparently with zero training, she can do this on command any time she sleeps, getting the exact answer she needs. As a lie-guard, Spade can create illusions that can also directly affect the world. If he imagined a wall disappearing, it'll disappear. If he thinks of a weapon, it's real. But like Tinkerbell, it's only fully effective if everyone around believes in it.
Honestly, there's not a whole lot I can say I enjoyed about this book. I liked Bug and Josie. That's about it.
If this weren't an arc, I wouldn't have finished it.
There were the small things I had issue with. Lark's questionable driving, his ability to tell time up to the minute by looking at the stars, Persephone's mastery of her magic (quite literally) overnight, the use of the word "sanguine" instead of "blood".
Then there are the big things. The romance plot was infuriating. The rules of the world made little sense.
Lark's flippy floppy attitude had me tearing my hair out. His demeanor toward Persephone changes on a chapter by chapter basis. One chapter he's flirty, the next he's full of regret for flirting, and yet another chapter later he's flirting again. Persephone is practically gaslighting herself at times because of his behavior.
A vampire's bite can either turn a witch into a vampire, or make them lose their magic forever. So I assumed it was an issue of saliva into an open wound. Except he uses his saliva in the next chapter to heal her open wounds. So it's just the act of biting? That doesn't make logical sense to me.
The magic was convenient plot armor at best. As a dreamcast, Persephone can get future visions disguised as loose metaphor. Apparently with zero training, she can do this on command any time she sleeps, getting the exact answer she needs. As a lie-guard, Spade can create illusions that can also directly affect the world. If he imagined a wall disappearing, it'll disappear. If he thinks of a weapon, it's real. But like Tinkerbell, it's only fully effective if everyone around believes in it.
Honestly, there's not a whole lot I can say I enjoyed about this book. I liked Bug and Josie. That's about it.
June 27, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ This was a fun, paranormal romance with a witch and her vampire bodyguard!
-Dual POV
-Witch FMC
-Vampire MMC
-Found family
-Magical Quest
-Urban Fantasy
-Low spice
With being almost 550 pages, alot happens in that time - especially within the week that this book is set! I loved the witch and vampire bodyguard aspect of this story, and thought the plot, different magic that the witches held, and the found family was amazing!
I didn't super love the insta love type romance between our MC's, the whole story took place within a week and I didn't feel much depth to their connection. Also, our characters are mainly in their mid 20's, but felt a bit juvenile. However, I still loved the vibes of this book, the story line and am still wanting to read the next book.
I'm hoping book 2 dives deeper into their world, and each character and they all experience some more growth individually and together. There isn't really spice in this story, so much as lust and more discussion revolving around spice - for any of my non spice loving besties!
Overall, an enjoyable paranormal romance that had me constantly guessing what was going to happen, and if they were going to get the stone they were all so desperately searching for!
-Dual POV
-Witch FMC
-Vampire MMC
-Found family
-Magical Quest
-Urban Fantasy
-Low spice
With being almost 550 pages, alot happens in that time - especially within the week that this book is set! I loved the witch and vampire bodyguard aspect of this story, and thought the plot, different magic that the witches held, and the found family was amazing!
I didn't super love the insta love type romance between our MC's, the whole story took place within a week and I didn't feel much depth to their connection. Also, our characters are mainly in their mid 20's, but felt a bit juvenile. However, I still loved the vibes of this book, the story line and am still wanting to read the next book.
I'm hoping book 2 dives deeper into their world, and each character and they all experience some more growth individually and together. There isn't really spice in this story, so much as lust and more discussion revolving around spice - for any of my non spice loving besties!
Overall, an enjoyable paranormal romance that had me constantly guessing what was going to happen, and if they were going to get the stone they were all so desperately searching for!
June 23, 2025
I was so intrigued by the premise, the overall plot drew me in, and I found myself wanting to see where the journey led. However, at times it was a struggle.
Seph is meant to be in her twenties and acts like a teenager. The insta love between her and Lark just didn’t do anything for me. Every time Lark called her “orphan girl” I wanted to stop reading, I’m all for pet names, but this one just didn’t hit the mark.
Parts of the story were fun. I loved the different types of magic and wish we had gotten a bit more exploration of the abilities of the characters and that there was more of a learning curve for Seph. It seems incredibly unlikely that she went from not knowing she had magic to being able to Dreamcast without any training within hours or days of discovery. I enjoyed the search the characters were on and there were certain moments that definitely had me saying “oh no!”.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
Seph is meant to be in her twenties and acts like a teenager. The insta love between her and Lark just didn’t do anything for me. Every time Lark called her “orphan girl” I wanted to stop reading, I’m all for pet names, but this one just didn’t hit the mark.
Parts of the story were fun. I loved the different types of magic and wish we had gotten a bit more exploration of the abilities of the characters and that there was more of a learning curve for Seph. It seems incredibly unlikely that she went from not knowing she had magic to being able to Dreamcast without any training within hours or days of discovery. I enjoyed the search the characters were on and there were certain moments that definitely had me saying “oh no!”.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
June 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Midnight Witch House by Julie Catherine
If you're a fan of Twilight-style romance with a hint of spice and a lot of mystery, Midnight Witch House is worth a read. While it leans more toward the young adult side than the spicier books I usually go for, it was still an entertaining and quick read.
The author's dedication really sets the tone perfectly:
"To all my ladies still waiting for the right vampire to give you the chills."
And honestly, it delivers on that promise.
Yes, there were a few cheesy moments, but the charm of the story and the characters more than made up for it. Persephone and Lark? Totally meant to be 🥰. Their chemistry was one of my favorite parts of the book.
If you're looking for a mysterious, romantic escape with a supernatural twist, this one is a fun pick.
If you're a fan of Twilight-style romance with a hint of spice and a lot of mystery, Midnight Witch House is worth a read. While it leans more toward the young adult side than the spicier books I usually go for, it was still an entertaining and quick read.
The author's dedication really sets the tone perfectly:
"To all my ladies still waiting for the right vampire to give you the chills."
And honestly, it delivers on that promise.
Yes, there were a few cheesy moments, but the charm of the story and the characters more than made up for it. Persephone and Lark? Totally meant to be 🥰. Their chemistry was one of my favorite parts of the book.
If you're looking for a mysterious, romantic escape with a supernatural twist, this one is a fun pick.
June 21, 2025
Actual rating: 3.5 🌟
This book was easy to read and enjoyable. I enjoyed Persephone and Bug as characters, and Bug in particular was extremely loveable. If you’re a fan of vampires, witches and the paranormal then this might be the book for you.
However..
I struggled with the world building as I know Persephone was thrown into this whole new world and we’re likely meant to feel similarly as the reader but there was no depth or knowledge building early on. Seph and Lark’s romance progressed rapidly without much tension or even getting to know each other which I also struggled with. But my most hated thing about this book was the pet name, Orphan Girl. Not for me and was probably the major factor in why I wasn’t a huge fan of their relationship.
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
This book was easy to read and enjoyable. I enjoyed Persephone and Bug as characters, and Bug in particular was extremely loveable. If you’re a fan of vampires, witches and the paranormal then this might be the book for you.
However..
I struggled with the world building as I know Persephone was thrown into this whole new world and we’re likely meant to feel similarly as the reader but there was no depth or knowledge building early on. Seph and Lark’s romance progressed rapidly without much tension or even getting to know each other which I also struggled with. But my most hated thing about this book was the pet name, Orphan Girl. Not for me and was probably the major factor in why I wasn’t a huge fan of their relationship.
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
Read
June 21, 2025Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the e-arc in exchange for a review.
Unfortunately decided to DNF this one at around 25%. I just don’t think this writing style is for me. It felt very choppy and disjointed and at times a bit all over the place which made it difficult to keep up with a train of thought.
I also didn’t care for the characters at all. I felt like they were all very one dimensional and flat. Our FMC felt extremely immature and the way she was immediately lusting over our MMC was a bit much for me. Also the nickname “Orphan Girl” was not something I could get on board with.
I appreciate that a lot of folks will probably really enjoy this, but unfortunately it’s just not for me.
Unfortunately decided to DNF this one at around 25%. I just don’t think this writing style is for me. It felt very choppy and disjointed and at times a bit all over the place which made it difficult to keep up with a train of thought.
I also didn’t care for the characters at all. I felt like they were all very one dimensional and flat. Our FMC felt extremely immature and the way she was immediately lusting over our MMC was a bit much for me. Also the nickname “Orphan Girl” was not something I could get on board with.
I appreciate that a lot of folks will probably really enjoy this, but unfortunately it’s just not for me.
June 24, 2025
This book is pretty long for its content. I think it could have been shorter with the same events happening. I enjoyed the characters, even though some conversations were corny? It had a slight bit of spice, but was very twilight romance. The concept of this witch academy and the magic system was pretty interesting, and the vampires had the typical characteristics. Overall, I did enjoy the story line! Thank you to @TheNerdFam for the eARC!!
dnf
June 19, 2025Thanks to NedFam for an ARC of Midnight Witch House!
Unfortunately, I DNF’d this one at 8%. I couldn’t get past the writing style that felt very middle grade. No hate on middle grade books, but this wasn’t advertised as that and it had profane language so I highly doubt it was intended to be middle grade.
I was determined to push through the writing style, but the book lost me at “Rawrrrr!”… I truly wish I was kidding (having PTSD flashbacks to being an emo kid in 2010’s middle school era and unironically using “rawr”). Still, I persevered and pushed on. Then we met “Bug” who is described as being an adult (around the same age as the 24 y/o FMC) but acts like a juvenile. This is where I completely lost it and had to DNF.
Unfortunately, I DNF’d this one at 8%. I couldn’t get past the writing style that felt very middle grade. No hate on middle grade books, but this wasn’t advertised as that and it had profane language so I highly doubt it was intended to be middle grade.
I was determined to push through the writing style, but the book lost me at “Rawrrrr!”… I truly wish I was kidding (having PTSD flashbacks to being an emo kid in 2010’s middle school era and unironically using “rawr”). Still, I persevered and pushed on. Then we met “Bug” who is described as being an adult (around the same age as the 24 y/o FMC) but acts like a juvenile. This is where I completely lost it and had to DNF.
June 21, 2025
I give this book 3 1/2⭐️ I enjoy this book. It was a fun read love a good paranormal romance with witches and vampires and a mystery to solve.
June 29, 2025
3.5✨ This was a decent read! I liked the magic system and the different types of witches….it kept things interesting (especially Bug). This definitely leans more YA than I expected, and the dialogue felt a bit young for the characters’ ages. Honestly, it could have been at least 100 pages shorter and still hit the same. Not a new favorite, but I enjoyed it overall.
July 22, 2025
It was a good story but I feel like it took forever to get to the plot of the book. It was a little too long for the pace that it set. Overall though the characters were funny and interesting.
August 21, 2025
After a while I have realized that this book was not for me. Not only was the writing juvenile, the whole plot was that as well. There was no reason for this book to be that long and I honestly don't even remember so much. The plot just felt off... maybe because everyone felt like children (even though these are adults) and the romance was really bad.
It was a slow burn but at the same time it was not. I think they were lusting over each other almost immediately and it was cringe to read.
Thank you the nerd fam for this arc, my opinions are my own.
It was a slow burn but at the same time it was not. I think they were lusting over each other almost immediately and it was cringe to read.
Thank you the nerd fam for this arc, my opinions are my own.
June 23, 2025
DNF
Thank you to the publisher and The Nerd Fam for the eARC!
I made it to about 32% of this one before I had to set it down. I really wanted to love it — it has all the ingredients I usually go for: witches, vampires, magical secrets, and a bodyguard romance setup. But unfortunately, the writing style and tone just didn’t work for me.
The voice felt really juvenile for adult characters, and the dialogue leaned a little too cringe for my taste. I’m fine with campy, but the nonstop nicknames and exaggerated banter made it hard to stay immersed. I also couldn’t quite connect with the central romance — it felt like a lot of surface-level lust without much emotional payoff, which just isn’t my thing.
That said, I can see this being a fun, fast-paced read for fans of trope-heavy urban fantasy with a chaotic magical quest and a lot of personality. I’m bummed it wasn’t for me, but still really grateful for the chance to check it out — thank you again for the eARC!
Thank you to the publisher and The Nerd Fam for the eARC!
I made it to about 32% of this one before I had to set it down. I really wanted to love it — it has all the ingredients I usually go for: witches, vampires, magical secrets, and a bodyguard romance setup. But unfortunately, the writing style and tone just didn’t work for me.
The voice felt really juvenile for adult characters, and the dialogue leaned a little too cringe for my taste. I’m fine with campy, but the nonstop nicknames and exaggerated banter made it hard to stay immersed. I also couldn’t quite connect with the central romance — it felt like a lot of surface-level lust without much emotional payoff, which just isn’t my thing.
That said, I can see this being a fun, fast-paced read for fans of trope-heavy urban fantasy with a chaotic magical quest and a lot of personality. I’m bummed it wasn’t for me, but still really grateful for the chance to check it out — thank you again for the eARC!
December 1, 2025
✨ ARC Review | Midnight Witch House | 3.5⭐
@adasbookreview
When Persephone (“Seph”) inherits Midnight House from an uncle she never even knew existed, she thinks she’s getting a fresh start. Instead, she ends up with a cursed house, secrets, and a legacy she doesn’t understand yet. She was also assigned a vampire named Lark— broody, mysterious, and way too attractive for someone who’s supposed to be protecting her from danger 👀
Seph’s trying to piece together her family’s magical mess while learning what it means to actually be a witch. Between discovering her uncle’s hidden legacy, the mystery of the Blood Stone, and figuring out who’s lying to her (spoiler: it’s a lot of people 😅), she’s got her hands full.
And then there’s Lark. Broody, snarky, totally unreadable, and just a little too protective for someone who’s “only doing his job.” The banter between him and Seph had me grinning, and the slow-burn tension? Absolutely there. Not super spicy, but full of that delicious “are they gonna kiss or kill each other” energy 😏🔥
But the story isn’t just about them. Seph gets pulled into a bigger quest — she must find the “Blood Stone” her uncle was guarding. However, she's not the only one looking for it, and the looming danger of what happens if the stone ends up in the wrong hands is shown throughout the book.
That said, there were times when the mystery felt too layered, almost extra, and I wished some parts got a little more breathing room. The romance arc remains slow and more about build-up than payoff, and the pacing wobbled a little when there was a lot of magical lore or tension happening all at once. I did wish Seph had more growth, but all in all, this was a fun read! Especially with the side characters who had me laughing!
@adasbookreview
When Persephone (“Seph”) inherits Midnight House from an uncle she never even knew existed, she thinks she’s getting a fresh start. Instead, she ends up with a cursed house, secrets, and a legacy she doesn’t understand yet. She was also assigned a vampire named Lark— broody, mysterious, and way too attractive for someone who’s supposed to be protecting her from danger 👀
Seph’s trying to piece together her family’s magical mess while learning what it means to actually be a witch. Between discovering her uncle’s hidden legacy, the mystery of the Blood Stone, and figuring out who’s lying to her (spoiler: it’s a lot of people 😅), she’s got her hands full.
And then there’s Lark. Broody, snarky, totally unreadable, and just a little too protective for someone who’s “only doing his job.” The banter between him and Seph had me grinning, and the slow-burn tension? Absolutely there. Not super spicy, but full of that delicious “are they gonna kiss or kill each other” energy 😏🔥
But the story isn’t just about them. Seph gets pulled into a bigger quest — she must find the “Blood Stone” her uncle was guarding. However, she's not the only one looking for it, and the looming danger of what happens if the stone ends up in the wrong hands is shown throughout the book.
That said, there were times when the mystery felt too layered, almost extra, and I wished some parts got a little more breathing room. The romance arc remains slow and more about build-up than payoff, and the pacing wobbled a little when there was a lot of magical lore or tension happening all at once. I did wish Seph had more growth, but all in all, this was a fun read! Especially with the side characters who had me laughing!
June 30, 2025
This was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review - Thank you Julie Catherine & The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
Book: Midnight Witch House
Series: (?)
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Rating: 3⭐
3/5 Relationships
3/5 Characters
3/5 Plot
2🌶
*:✿˚⋆ SPOILER FREE REVIEW *:✿˚⋆
This was a hard one to rate. There were a lot of things I liked about it and a lot of things I didn’t. There were a few points throughout the book where I had to go back and read previous paragraphs because the information was contradictory or confusing, but they were usually during action-packed scenes, so it really wasn’t all the time. Another thing that made it hard to rate this book was that sometimes I felt like the story dragged on for a few chapters, but then it would pick up and I could not read it fast enough. This happened a few times, which gave me a “rollercoaster” impression where captivation consistently went from high to low. Something else that nagged me was that there were a few loose ends by the time the book ended. However, I liked the plot, the world and the characters, so I did end up enjoying the book.
Going into details; the plot was interesting, not anything new per se: imminent world domination, an innocent (and new to magic) woman is the only person able to stop it, forced to work with a knowledgeable grumpy man to stop the conflict and ends up falling in love. However, when you read as much fantasy-romance as I do, you understand that there's just so much that can differ from one plot to the other in this genre, so this isn’t something that I minded. I am under the impression that this might be a standalone so I did not expect a full-blown complex world and conflict, I did however, consider the plot to be good. It captivated me and I genuinely wanted to know how it would end, and did in fact become anxious at the outcome during multiple stressful scenes. I also enjoyed the world and the magic system, so that earned a few points.
The characters themselves were likable, no more, no less. I didn’t really feel like we did any deep-dive into their personalities and backgrounds but, if this is a standalone, it’s again something that I can understand. I really enjoyed the relationships between FMC/MMC and FMC/Secondary characters.
Now to the issues: I don’t think this book needed to be 500+ pages. I feel like the beginning came in strong until 25-30%, then the middle was just there with nothing really happening, and then we ended strong for the last 30%. I was also surprised to see that everything that happened was within 1 week from beginning to end. I don’t think that was realistic (I realize this is not a realistic setting), but what I mean by that is, the amount of events that are happening throughout the book cannot possibly happen within 1 week with all the necessary preparations, traveling and such. The relationships also felt like they grew to levels only achieved with a lot more time, so I think it might have been better off having the event spread across a longer period of time to really give credibility to the story and the relationships created.
Lastly, there were a few loose ends that I was a bit disappointed to see, such as: who is the FMC’s mother? She was mentioned in a way where I thought we would get to have more information on her or meet her, but after she was “name-dropped” once or twice, it was never brought up again. Same with Finch. There were also a few times where Lark mentioned his past, which I expected we would deep-dive into at some point, but again it kind of just fell short at the end. If this is a series, any loose ends would be normal as this would only be the first installment, so that might be a moot point. There were a few other relationships (including the MCs) that I wish we had a bit more closure for but again, I thought that this might be part of a series initially, with the way these loose ends were left, but I could not find any evidence on such, so I guess we'll have to see. There also seems to be a bonus epilogue, so I might have to read that in order to get the info and closure I’m looking for.
All in all, I might not recommend this to seasoned fantasy readers, but if you are just starting out or looking for a lighter, more YA fantasy read, this might just be for you. I’m happy I read it, I enjoyed it, but it was not a “favourite” for me.
Book: Midnight Witch House
Series: (?)
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Rating: 3⭐
3/5 Relationships
3/5 Characters
3/5 Plot
2🌶
*:✿˚⋆ SPOILER FREE REVIEW *:✿˚⋆
This was a hard one to rate. There were a lot of things I liked about it and a lot of things I didn’t. There were a few points throughout the book where I had to go back and read previous paragraphs because the information was contradictory or confusing, but they were usually during action-packed scenes, so it really wasn’t all the time. Another thing that made it hard to rate this book was that sometimes I felt like the story dragged on for a few chapters, but then it would pick up and I could not read it fast enough. This happened a few times, which gave me a “rollercoaster” impression where captivation consistently went from high to low. Something else that nagged me was that there were a few loose ends by the time the book ended. However, I liked the plot, the world and the characters, so I did end up enjoying the book.
Going into details; the plot was interesting, not anything new per se: imminent world domination, an innocent (and new to magic) woman is the only person able to stop it, forced to work with a knowledgeable grumpy man to stop the conflict and ends up falling in love. However, when you read as much fantasy-romance as I do, you understand that there's just so much that can differ from one plot to the other in this genre, so this isn’t something that I minded. I am under the impression that this might be a standalone so I did not expect a full-blown complex world and conflict, I did however, consider the plot to be good. It captivated me and I genuinely wanted to know how it would end, and did in fact become anxious at the outcome during multiple stressful scenes. I also enjoyed the world and the magic system, so that earned a few points.
The characters themselves were likable, no more, no less. I didn’t really feel like we did any deep-dive into their personalities and backgrounds but, if this is a standalone, it’s again something that I can understand. I really enjoyed the relationships between FMC/MMC and FMC/Secondary characters.
Now to the issues: I don’t think this book needed to be 500+ pages. I feel like the beginning came in strong until 25-30%, then the middle was just there with nothing really happening, and then we ended strong for the last 30%. I was also surprised to see that everything that happened was within 1 week from beginning to end. I don’t think that was realistic (I realize this is not a realistic setting), but what I mean by that is, the amount of events that are happening throughout the book cannot possibly happen within 1 week with all the necessary preparations, traveling and such. The relationships also felt like they grew to levels only achieved with a lot more time, so I think it might have been better off having the event spread across a longer period of time to really give credibility to the story and the relationships created.
Lastly, there were a few loose ends that I was a bit disappointed to see, such as: who is the FMC’s mother? She was mentioned in a way where I thought we would get to have more information on her or meet her, but after she was “name-dropped” once or twice, it was never brought up again. Same with Finch. There were also a few times where Lark mentioned his past, which I expected we would deep-dive into at some point, but again it kind of just fell short at the end. If this is a series, any loose ends would be normal as this would only be the first installment, so that might be a moot point. There were a few other relationships (including the MCs) that I wish we had a bit more closure for but again, I thought that this might be part of a series initially, with the way these loose ends were left, but I could not find any evidence on such, so I guess we'll have to see. There also seems to be a bonus epilogue, so I might have to read that in order to get the info and closure I’m looking for.
All in all, I might not recommend this to seasoned fantasy readers, but if you are just starting out or looking for a lighter, more YA fantasy read, this might just be for you. I’m happy I read it, I enjoyed it, but it was not a “favourite” for me.
June 17, 2025
Tropes:
⭐️ Multiple POV
⭐️Banter
⭐️Witches
⭐️Vampires
⭐️Bodyguard to lover
⭐️Touch her and die
4 stars!!! Such a fun read!!
🩸 Blurb: Persephone (Seph), a human orphan, learns that her estranged Uncle that she never knew existed, has died and left her his fortune. She travels to her new home to find that her inheritance has a catch- she must get an education at the local witch academy with illustrious witch, Mauve, before she can unlock her inheritance. However, there’s a sect of vampires that are also after something Seph now owns- a blood stone that would turn all witches in the area into witch bloods, which the vampires will turn into vampires. Except no one knows where this stone is. With the help of Mauve, some new found friends(her squad- but DONT call them that), and a very handsome bodyguard vampire, Seph must find the stone and keep it out of the enemy hands, or everyone in town is vampire toast. What is in store for her future? Is she a witch? Should she even stay in this town where she can’t escape the paranormal?
🩸 I really enjoyed this book. It was super fun to read. I loved all the different types of witches- and their unique names (like a lie-witch as opposed to an illusionist). I thought it simplified the world and made it less work to read. It was a super quick read, very very very funny, and ALL the characters were lovable (even if they have their own flaws and make mistakes) BUG!!! Bug is the best. The characters are super diverse as well.
🩸 Seph, the FMC, is witty and smart. She definitely handled her new situation a lot better than most! The FMC Lark (Vampire Bodyguard), is stubborn and strong, and is a secret softie. I wouldn’t say the romance is an enemies to lovers- more strangers to bodyguard to reluctant allies to lovers!
🩸 My only complaint is that the different POVs between Seph and Lark didn’t feel like I was reading different POVs. If I stopped a POV mid chapter, I’d have to remind myself if it was Seph or Lark. And I think she could have gone a bit deeper into town lore/ the witch academy aspect.
❤️ I was super impressed by this book and I can’t wait to see what more she has to offer!
Thanks to the NerdFam and author Julie Catherine for the eARC!
⭐️ Multiple POV
⭐️Banter
⭐️Witches
⭐️Vampires
⭐️Bodyguard to lover
⭐️Touch her and die
4 stars!!! Such a fun read!!
🩸 Blurb: Persephone (Seph), a human orphan, learns that her estranged Uncle that she never knew existed, has died and left her his fortune. She travels to her new home to find that her inheritance has a catch- she must get an education at the local witch academy with illustrious witch, Mauve, before she can unlock her inheritance. However, there’s a sect of vampires that are also after something Seph now owns- a blood stone that would turn all witches in the area into witch bloods, which the vampires will turn into vampires. Except no one knows where this stone is. With the help of Mauve, some new found friends(her squad- but DONT call them that), and a very handsome bodyguard vampire, Seph must find the stone and keep it out of the enemy hands, or everyone in town is vampire toast. What is in store for her future? Is she a witch? Should she even stay in this town where she can’t escape the paranormal?
🩸 I really enjoyed this book. It was super fun to read. I loved all the different types of witches- and their unique names (like a lie-witch as opposed to an illusionist). I thought it simplified the world and made it less work to read. It was a super quick read, very very very funny, and ALL the characters were lovable (even if they have their own flaws and make mistakes) BUG!!! Bug is the best. The characters are super diverse as well.
🩸 Seph, the FMC, is witty and smart. She definitely handled her new situation a lot better than most! The FMC Lark (Vampire Bodyguard), is stubborn and strong, and is a secret softie. I wouldn’t say the romance is an enemies to lovers- more strangers to bodyguard to reluctant allies to lovers!
🩸 My only complaint is that the different POVs between Seph and Lark didn’t feel like I was reading different POVs. If I stopped a POV mid chapter, I’d have to remind myself if it was Seph or Lark. And I think she could have gone a bit deeper into town lore/ the witch academy aspect.
❤️ I was super impressed by this book and I can’t wait to see what more she has to offer!
Thanks to the NerdFam and author Julie Catherine for the eARC!
July 1, 2025
#DualPOV #witches #vampires #foundfamily #touchheranddie #instalove
To be honest I had a hard time with this story, the beginning was great, it pulled me in, but then it seemed to die, and was long chapters until the final chapters and those brought me back to life, the twists and turns kept me engaged. I believe this is more for YA, and if you like twilight you will enjoy this as well.
He’s Waited 100 years for her to arrive
Persephone is a young woman that has been thru hell, she grew up in multiple group homes. She has been working at a local bookstore and now that it has closed due to no business, she’s without a job, she needs to figure things out before the end of the month as her funds will run out. She goes to the boarding home she lives in, and a letter has arrived for her. She begins reading the letter out loud, My uncle died. His name was Cornelius Child; it meant nothing to her. The letter said it included money for a train ride, however that was not in the envelope, she asked her house mum, and her exact words, “Does it look like I’m made of money?” Sephy knows she took it, but not worth saying anything further. The place he was from was called Plumpkin. She is going to go. She sold everything she has, and there is a strange man following her. Who?
Well it seems her uncle has hired Lark to be her bodyguard, to protect her, to actually teach her how to be a witch, ohhh she does not know that yet.
“I’d move heaven & earth to keep her safe.”
The house is alive well that is how it feels, Sephy is rewriting her own fate, as she has to learn to become a witch, and find the mysterious blood stone to actually claim the house as hers. She needs to attend Witches academy. She actually picks up very fast on being a witch. That stone turns witches into vampires! Oh my! The Ending!
“He’s my bodyguard, and a vampire. My grumpy protector promised my dead uncle he’d keep me safe. But we both know, if either of us gets too close this man will be the death of me.”
To be honest I had a hard time with this story, the beginning was great, it pulled me in, but then it seemed to die, and was long chapters until the final chapters and those brought me back to life, the twists and turns kept me engaged. I believe this is more for YA, and if you like twilight you will enjoy this as well.
He’s Waited 100 years for her to arrive
Persephone is a young woman that has been thru hell, she grew up in multiple group homes. She has been working at a local bookstore and now that it has closed due to no business, she’s without a job, she needs to figure things out before the end of the month as her funds will run out. She goes to the boarding home she lives in, and a letter has arrived for her. She begins reading the letter out loud, My uncle died. His name was Cornelius Child; it meant nothing to her. The letter said it included money for a train ride, however that was not in the envelope, she asked her house mum, and her exact words, “Does it look like I’m made of money?” Sephy knows she took it, but not worth saying anything further. The place he was from was called Plumpkin. She is going to go. She sold everything she has, and there is a strange man following her. Who?
Well it seems her uncle has hired Lark to be her bodyguard, to protect her, to actually teach her how to be a witch, ohhh she does not know that yet.
“I’d move heaven & earth to keep her safe.”
The house is alive well that is how it feels, Sephy is rewriting her own fate, as she has to learn to become a witch, and find the mysterious blood stone to actually claim the house as hers. She needs to attend Witches academy. She actually picks up very fast on being a witch. That stone turns witches into vampires! Oh my! The Ending!
“He’s my bodyguard, and a vampire. My grumpy protector promised my dead uncle he’d keep me safe. But we both know, if either of us gets too close this man will be the death of me.”
June 16, 2025
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to read Midnight Witch House early and support a story with such a unique and imaginative premise.
There is a lot of potential in this book. A magically locked house, a mysterious blood stone that turns witches into vampires, and a guarded girl paired with a broody bodyguard had all the ingredients for a dark and romantic fantasy that I was excited to dive into.
While the concept truly caught my attention, I did struggle to connect with the characters and the pacing. Seph, the main character, felt very young in her voice and actions, and I had trouble understanding her age or emotional maturity. The romance between her and Lark developed very quickly and didn’t give much time for the relationship to feel earned. I love a well-built connection with tension or slow-burn energy, but this felt rushed and a little hard to buy into emotionally.
Bug had some sweet and quirky moments, but I found myself confused about his age too. His dialogue made him seem much younger than I think he was intended to be, which pulled me out of the story at times. There were also a few moments in the dialogue that felt out of place for the tone of the book and made it harder to stay immersed in the world.
That said, the final chapters brought a burst of energy and action that had me flipping pages faster. I really do think this world has something special. With more character development and slower emotional build-up, I believe this story could shine even brighter. The bones are there and the ideas are genuinely fun and creative.
It wasn’t quite the right fit for me personally, but I can see readers who enjoy quick-paced paranormal romance and moody witchy vibes finding something to enjoy here. I’m grateful for the chance to read it early and cheer on a debut that has heart and imagination.
There is a lot of potential in this book. A magically locked house, a mysterious blood stone that turns witches into vampires, and a guarded girl paired with a broody bodyguard had all the ingredients for a dark and romantic fantasy that I was excited to dive into.
While the concept truly caught my attention, I did struggle to connect with the characters and the pacing. Seph, the main character, felt very young in her voice and actions, and I had trouble understanding her age or emotional maturity. The romance between her and Lark developed very quickly and didn’t give much time for the relationship to feel earned. I love a well-built connection with tension or slow-burn energy, but this felt rushed and a little hard to buy into emotionally.
Bug had some sweet and quirky moments, but I found myself confused about his age too. His dialogue made him seem much younger than I think he was intended to be, which pulled me out of the story at times. There were also a few moments in the dialogue that felt out of place for the tone of the book and made it harder to stay immersed in the world.
That said, the final chapters brought a burst of energy and action that had me flipping pages faster. I really do think this world has something special. With more character development and slower emotional build-up, I believe this story could shine even brighter. The bones are there and the ideas are genuinely fun and creative.
It wasn’t quite the right fit for me personally, but I can see readers who enjoy quick-paced paranormal romance and moody witchy vibes finding something to enjoy here. I’m grateful for the chance to read it early and cheer on a debut that has heart and imagination.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2025
Title: Midnight Witch House
Author: Julie Catherine
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 532
Rating: 4⭐️/5
“So it was real. Magic potions. Witches and wizards. Harnessing bugs? Chemistry spells? It was a lot. Way too much.”
When Persephone Dawn learns she’s inherited a creepy old manor from an uncle she never knew, she’s thrown into the magical chaos of Plumpkin—a town full of witches, vampires, curses, and secrets. Her uncle, Cornelius Child, a powerful (and possibly shady) wizard, died mysteriously, leaving behind a sealed house, a strange will, and whispers about a dangerous artifact called the Blood Stone. To claim her inheritance, Seph has to complete his final wishes—while staying alive. Thankfully, she’s got Bug, a lovable witch who controls bugs, and Lark, her broody, 165-year-old vampire bodyguard, watching her back. Now she’s racing against time, monsters, and rival magic-wielders to uncover the truth—and maybe her own powers.
From the moment Persephone rolls into the spooky little town of Plumpkin, everything spirals into witchy madness, awkward run-ins with a hot vampire bodyguard (hi, Lark), and a quest for a magical artifact tied to her family’s wild legacy. The banter is hilarious, the tension simmers, and Bug—yes, a witch who can control bugs—is hands-down the real MVP of this book! While the POVs could’ve been a little more distinct and I craved a bit more witch academy/worldbuilding time, I was too busy enjoying the vibes to care much. If you’re into magical chaos, “touch her and die” energy, found family, and slow burns with just the right amount of heat, go ahead and dive in Midnight Witch House—you’re gonna have a blast!
A big thanks to The Nerd Fam and Julie Catherine for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!
Releasing 06/23/25 on Amazon, KU and paperback.
E-book pre-orders are available NOW.
—
#AdvancedReaderCopy
Author: Julie Catherine
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 532
Rating: 4⭐️/5
“So it was real. Magic potions. Witches and wizards. Harnessing bugs? Chemistry spells? It was a lot. Way too much.”
When Persephone Dawn learns she’s inherited a creepy old manor from an uncle she never knew, she’s thrown into the magical chaos of Plumpkin—a town full of witches, vampires, curses, and secrets. Her uncle, Cornelius Child, a powerful (and possibly shady) wizard, died mysteriously, leaving behind a sealed house, a strange will, and whispers about a dangerous artifact called the Blood Stone. To claim her inheritance, Seph has to complete his final wishes—while staying alive. Thankfully, she’s got Bug, a lovable witch who controls bugs, and Lark, her broody, 165-year-old vampire bodyguard, watching her back. Now she’s racing against time, monsters, and rival magic-wielders to uncover the truth—and maybe her own powers.
From the moment Persephone rolls into the spooky little town of Plumpkin, everything spirals into witchy madness, awkward run-ins with a hot vampire bodyguard (hi, Lark), and a quest for a magical artifact tied to her family’s wild legacy. The banter is hilarious, the tension simmers, and Bug—yes, a witch who can control bugs—is hands-down the real MVP of this book! While the POVs could’ve been a little more distinct and I craved a bit more witch academy/worldbuilding time, I was too busy enjoying the vibes to care much. If you’re into magical chaos, “touch her and die” energy, found family, and slow burns with just the right amount of heat, go ahead and dive in Midnight Witch House—you’re gonna have a blast!
A big thanks to The Nerd Fam and Julie Catherine for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!
Releasing 06/23/25 on Amazon, KU and paperback.
E-book pre-orders are available NOW.
—
#AdvancedReaderCopy
June 18, 2025
3.5⭐️
Spice: 1.5/5
Some tropes:
- Vampire bodyguard
- Instalust/slow burn romance/low spice
- “Touch her and die”
- Academy setting (partially)
- Magical town
- Witches with unique powers
Thank you SO much The Nerd Fam for providing me with this eARC!
This book was a lot of fun! The witch/vampire aspect was really cool, and the magic systems were unique with the witches having different magical powers. Our side characters were lovable with diverse personalities. Also loooove the idea of a vampire bodyguard (SWOON!)
Seph was a character I rooted for - she had a hard life as an orphan and was thrust into a world she knew nothing about after she heard a blood relative passed away and was leaving her everything.
As much fun as this book was, I do have a few critiques. Firstly, I felt as the world wasn’t super fleshed out, and Seph accepted the supernatural VERY fast. I learned that this was a novel that took place in a world the author previously wrote a series on so that could be why. The romance between Seph and Lark felt inorganic and rushed - I didn’t believe their romantic connection at all. The vampires abilities also confused me - (vampires can’t go out in sunlight but some can, and then the vampires that can’t can under certain conditions? I was super confused on this specifically.) Finally, the book felt very very long, with the plot feeling a bit dragged out. It seemed a bit unnecessary for what the plot ACTUALLY was (Seph searching for an item that will give her access to what her uncle left her in his will) - and as the first book in a series I’m unsure where it could go from here as the ending felt very final.
Despite the critiques, I do say give this book a shot if you love vampires, witchy novels, and slow burns!!
Spice: 1.5/5
Some tropes:
- Vampire bodyguard
- Instalust/slow burn romance/low spice
- “Touch her and die”
- Academy setting (partially)
- Magical town
- Witches with unique powers
Thank you SO much The Nerd Fam for providing me with this eARC!
This book was a lot of fun! The witch/vampire aspect was really cool, and the magic systems were unique with the witches having different magical powers. Our side characters were lovable with diverse personalities. Also loooove the idea of a vampire bodyguard (SWOON!)
Seph was a character I rooted for - she had a hard life as an orphan and was thrust into a world she knew nothing about after she heard a blood relative passed away and was leaving her everything.
As much fun as this book was, I do have a few critiques. Firstly, I felt as the world wasn’t super fleshed out, and Seph accepted the supernatural VERY fast. I learned that this was a novel that took place in a world the author previously wrote a series on so that could be why. The romance between Seph and Lark felt inorganic and rushed - I didn’t believe their romantic connection at all. The vampires abilities also confused me - (vampires can’t go out in sunlight but some can, and then the vampires that can’t can under certain conditions? I was super confused on this specifically.) Finally, the book felt very very long, with the plot feeling a bit dragged out. It seemed a bit unnecessary for what the plot ACTUALLY was (Seph searching for an item that will give her access to what her uncle left her in his will) - and as the first book in a series I’m unsure where it could go from here as the ending felt very final.
Despite the critiques, I do say give this book a shot if you love vampires, witchy novels, and slow burns!!
June 18, 2025
Midnight Witch House is my first book by Julie Catherine, and let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised. The story starts off well, then it gets a little shaky, but I'm telling you, stick with it because things only get better from there. The story centers on the mystery of the Blood Stone. It's a race to see which supernatural faction gets it first. It's the bad vampires versus the not-so-bad vampires with witches thrown in the mix. I liked the magical system; it was unique with the different types of casters that ranged in different abilities. There's a witch who creates spells like a chemist, a witch that can commune with bugs, and so much more. I liked the amount of detail that Julie included; even the vampires have unique powers besides the typical compulsion, and Julie has even created an entirely new lore for them, which was pretty awesome.
MFC Persephone adapts to her new supernatural world as she's on the hunt for the Blood Stone with Lark, her vampire bodyguard. There is an instant attraction between the pair, with tension building as the story goes on. Lark goes from broody to flirty as the wind blows, which was a little frustrating. I will admit that at times the story felt like it was Upper YA and then shifted to NA at times, so I'm not entirely sure which genre this book belongs in, but either way, the romance was chef's kiss.
This was such a good read. The twists were incredible and so unexpected; more than a couple left me gasping. The hunt for the Blood Stone led from one exciting confrontation to another, picking up more clues along the way and fighting off foes. I really enjoyed the ending; it was very dramatic. This is just the start. I'm looking forward to seeing where the rest of the series goes.
MFC Persephone adapts to her new supernatural world as she's on the hunt for the Blood Stone with Lark, her vampire bodyguard. There is an instant attraction between the pair, with tension building as the story goes on. Lark goes from broody to flirty as the wind blows, which was a little frustrating. I will admit that at times the story felt like it was Upper YA and then shifted to NA at times, so I'm not entirely sure which genre this book belongs in, but either way, the romance was chef's kiss.
This was such a good read. The twists were incredible and so unexpected; more than a couple left me gasping. The hunt for the Blood Stone led from one exciting confrontation to another, picking up more clues along the way and fighting off foes. I really enjoyed the ending; it was very dramatic. This is just the start. I'm looking forward to seeing where the rest of the series goes.
June 23, 2025
I was so excited to receive an ARC of MIDNIGHT WITCH HOUSE by Julie Catherine from The Nerd Fam! Thank you so much for this gifted book!
I didn't realize that this book was set in the same world as a previous series until after I finished reading. I didn't feel like I'd missed anything, but because I enjoyed this one so much, I'm going to go back and read the High Counsel Witch Academy series.
I love dark, broody, and damaged MMCs. On the outside, they're strong, aloof, even mean sometimes. But on the inside, they just want to love and be loved in return. This is Lark. Oh, and he's a vampire. When the “I'll protect you no matter what” switch flips, Lark is totally head-over-heels, no matter what he tells Seph.
Seph wants so badly to stop feeling like she's all alone in the world. Out of nowhere, she learns she's the sole heir to an uncle's fortune. Life takes a turn that she would never have believed or asked for. Then, a vampire has become her forced bodyguard. Let the snarky banter and mixed emotions begin.
The side characters are just as flawed and loveable. Bug is my favorite character. He's nerdy and weird and just wants to be included and valued. I love everything about him.
This story is not about sparkly vampires. These creatures are brutal. It's intense, creepy, and a little scary. The chase scenes were so real. I felt the fear and panic from the characters. The fight scenes were edge-of-your-seat good.
The ending was satisfying. There is room for the story to continue, but it's not a cliffhanger. I hope there's more to come.
I recommend MIDNIGHT WITCH HOUSE to fans of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, vampires, witches, unique magic, found family, mystery, quests, and relatable characters.
I didn't realize that this book was set in the same world as a previous series until after I finished reading. I didn't feel like I'd missed anything, but because I enjoyed this one so much, I'm going to go back and read the High Counsel Witch Academy series.
I love dark, broody, and damaged MMCs. On the outside, they're strong, aloof, even mean sometimes. But on the inside, they just want to love and be loved in return. This is Lark. Oh, and he's a vampire. When the “I'll protect you no matter what” switch flips, Lark is totally head-over-heels, no matter what he tells Seph.
Seph wants so badly to stop feeling like she's all alone in the world. Out of nowhere, she learns she's the sole heir to an uncle's fortune. Life takes a turn that she would never have believed or asked for. Then, a vampire has become her forced bodyguard. Let the snarky banter and mixed emotions begin.
The side characters are just as flawed and loveable. Bug is my favorite character. He's nerdy and weird and just wants to be included and valued. I love everything about him.
This story is not about sparkly vampires. These creatures are brutal. It's intense, creepy, and a little scary. The chase scenes were so real. I felt the fear and panic from the characters. The fight scenes were edge-of-your-seat good.
The ending was satisfying. There is room for the story to continue, but it's not a cliffhanger. I hope there's more to come.
I recommend MIDNIGHT WITCH HOUSE to fans of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, vampires, witches, unique magic, found family, mystery, quests, and relatable characters.
June 21, 2025
Midnight Witch House had a really fun premise - mysterious manor inheritance, surprise witch powers, and a broody vampire bodyguard? That’s definitely my kind of setup. The magic system was cool and had some unique elements, and I liked the sense of mystery around the legacy Persephone inherits.
But overall, I have mixed feelings. Instalove and fated mates can work for me, especially when there’s some solid emotional build-up, but here it felt a bit rushed and didn’t fully click. There was a lot of emphasis on “parabonds,” so I kept expecting a deeper, fated connection between Persephone and Lark, but it never really delivered.
The dual POV was also a bit of a miss for me - Persephone and Lark sounded almost identical, and I had trouble telling them apart. Their voices just didn’t feel distinct enough.
Some small things pulled me out of the story, too - like the constant use of “my bodyguard” (we get it!), and using “cuz” instead of “because” throughout the book, which felt off in tone. I’m also not a huge fan of real-world references (like Marvel characters) in fantasy settings - it made it hard to figure out what kind of world this was supposed to be. Like do they have Netflix in this fantasy world?
On the upside, it was an easy read especially considering its length and the pacing kept things moving. Bug was an absolute scene-stealer, definitely my favorite part of the book. And the last hundred pages were really riveting!
This one wasn’t quite the right fit for me, but I think other readers who enjoy supernatural romance with a bit of chaos and a lot of magic will have fun with it.
Thanks so much to the Nerd Fam for the gifted arc.
But overall, I have mixed feelings. Instalove and fated mates can work for me, especially when there’s some solid emotional build-up, but here it felt a bit rushed and didn’t fully click. There was a lot of emphasis on “parabonds,” so I kept expecting a deeper, fated connection between Persephone and Lark, but it never really delivered.
The dual POV was also a bit of a miss for me - Persephone and Lark sounded almost identical, and I had trouble telling them apart. Their voices just didn’t feel distinct enough.
Some small things pulled me out of the story, too - like the constant use of “my bodyguard” (we get it!), and using “cuz” instead of “because” throughout the book, which felt off in tone. I’m also not a huge fan of real-world references (like Marvel characters) in fantasy settings - it made it hard to figure out what kind of world this was supposed to be. Like do they have Netflix in this fantasy world?
On the upside, it was an easy read especially considering its length and the pacing kept things moving. Bug was an absolute scene-stealer, definitely my favorite part of the book. And the last hundred pages were really riveting!
This one wasn’t quite the right fit for me, but I think other readers who enjoy supernatural romance with a bit of chaos and a lot of magic will have fun with it.
Thanks so much to the Nerd Fam for the gifted arc.
June 24, 2025
I wanted to like this so much more than I did. The storyline was great but it just felt choppy and was hard to read. At times I would have to backtrack to remember what POV I was reading because it would almost seem to switch mid sentence. But it wasn't unreadable. You just have to enjoy the story and let your mind drift to the world created. It reads very YA with just a touch like .25 chili's of spice.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
❤️Dual POV
❤️Witch / Vampire
❤️Bodyguard MMC
❤️Touch Her and
❤️Found Family
Seph (Persephone) has just been thrown into a new town after her unexpected uncle passed away. She has been left money and a house as long as she completes a very important task of retrieving the blood stone. The only problem is, she has no idea what it looks like and there are bad vampires out to get her. Along the way she makes friends she's never had and even learns she is in fact a witch. But also gains some very unexpected feelings towards her vampire bodyguard.
Lark is a vampire, and has been tasked to be Seph's bodyguard to keep her safe while she completes her task. To prevent a vampire uprising, he agrees even when his mind thinks he should walk away from her.
The dynamic between the two is .. interesting. And they both give me whiplash between calling each other by their first names or something else. Lark calls Seph Orphan Girl and Seph calls Lark "my vampire" which is just weird. I do however really enjoy the friendships Seph has made, especially Bug. I wish we got more of him.
Thanks so much to The Nerd Fam and Julie Catherine for allowing me to read this story early. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
❤️Dual POV
❤️Witch / Vampire
❤️Bodyguard MMC
❤️Touch Her and
❤️Found Family
Seph (Persephone) has just been thrown into a new town after her unexpected uncle passed away. She has been left money and a house as long as she completes a very important task of retrieving the blood stone. The only problem is, she has no idea what it looks like and there are bad vampires out to get her. Along the way she makes friends she's never had and even learns she is in fact a witch. But also gains some very unexpected feelings towards her vampire bodyguard.
Lark is a vampire, and has been tasked to be Seph's bodyguard to keep her safe while she completes her task. To prevent a vampire uprising, he agrees even when his mind thinks he should walk away from her.
The dynamic between the two is .. interesting. And they both give me whiplash between calling each other by their first names or something else. Lark calls Seph Orphan Girl and Seph calls Lark "my vampire" which is just weird. I do however really enjoy the friendships Seph has made, especially Bug. I wish we got more of him.
Thanks so much to The Nerd Fam and Julie Catherine for allowing me to read this story early. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 20, 2025
I had such a great time with this read! A witch discovering her powers, a hot and grumpy vampire who definitely shouldn’t want her, and a wild, dangerous quest? Yes to all the things.
Persephone Dawn (Seph) has never had it easy. Orphaned, alone, and now out of a job, she’s just trying to keep her head above water. But everything changes when she receives a letter from a lawyer in a town she’s never heard of—Plumpkin—informing her that her late uncle has left her something in his will. What starts as a simple trip quickly spirals into something far more magical... and dangerous.
Not only does Seph discover she’s actually a witch, but to claim her inheritance, she must retrieve a powerful artifact known as the Blood Stone. Thankfully, she’s not alone. Enter Lark—the grumpy, ridiculously attractive vampire assigned as her protector. Her draw to him is instant and undeniable. But does he feel it too? Could it be something more than just attraction?
With a few newfound friends at their side, Seph and Lark must race against dark forces also hunting the Blood Stone. And they’ll have to find it first if they want to survive.
This read gave off definite YA vibes—but with a touch of spice. Seph was strong and resilient, and Lark is the ultimate broody vampire who turns pining into an Olympic sport. But honestly? The side characters totally stole my heart. I adored watching Bug come into his own! Such a great squad (yes, a squad!), such a fun ride.
Thank you TheNerdFam and Julie Catherine for this gifted ecopy!
Persephone Dawn (Seph) has never had it easy. Orphaned, alone, and now out of a job, she’s just trying to keep her head above water. But everything changes when she receives a letter from a lawyer in a town she’s never heard of—Plumpkin—informing her that her late uncle has left her something in his will. What starts as a simple trip quickly spirals into something far more magical... and dangerous.
Not only does Seph discover she’s actually a witch, but to claim her inheritance, she must retrieve a powerful artifact known as the Blood Stone. Thankfully, she’s not alone. Enter Lark—the grumpy, ridiculously attractive vampire assigned as her protector. Her draw to him is instant and undeniable. But does he feel it too? Could it be something more than just attraction?
With a few newfound friends at their side, Seph and Lark must race against dark forces also hunting the Blood Stone. And they’ll have to find it first if they want to survive.
This read gave off definite YA vibes—but with a touch of spice. Seph was strong and resilient, and Lark is the ultimate broody vampire who turns pining into an Olympic sport. But honestly? The side characters totally stole my heart. I adored watching Bug come into his own! Such a great squad (yes, a squad!), such a fun ride.
Thank you TheNerdFam and Julie Catherine for this gifted ecopy!
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