Villain Edit

by Rosie Danan

A struggling reality TV producer tries to turn a reluctant vampire into the first supernatural lead of a famous dating show before the cameras start rolling in this steamy paranormal rom-com.

Gabriel Hargrave, vampire crown prince, should be sitting on a throne right now. Instead, he’s on “diplomatic assignment” — forced to live amongst humans for a decade. He’ll be welcomed back once he proves he can control the thirst prophesied to bring about his destruction. Gabriel thought he was doing the right thing, lying low in the last place anyone would look for him: a SoCal retirement community. But then he gets a warning: there is no test without exposure. Coincidentally, temptation just came knocking.

Harper Calloway makes great television. As the brains behind all the greatest moments on Rare Pair: America’s Most Exceptional Dating Experiment, she thought she was irreplaceable until one bitter male lead got her fired. Down and out, she takes a house-sitting gig for her grandmother and stumbles upon the answer to all her problems in the vampire next door. If she can deliver Gabriel—poised to be the first vampire on a reality dating show—to the network, she’ll get the only thing she wants more than her job back: redemption.

The problem? Gabriel doesn’t fit the dark and dangerous fantasy of a vampire prince; the only thing he’s got less experience with than dating is drinking blood. Harper has her work cut out for her when the network gives her three weeks to get him ready to woo advertisers as the face of next season. If he flops, she’s going down with him.

Genres: Romance, Vampires, Paranormal, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Adult, Contemporary

Unknown Binding

Expected publication December 8, 2026

About the author

Rosie Danan is an award-winning, bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romcoms. Her work has been optioned for film as well as translated into 10 different languages and counting. The New York Times describes her writing as "warmly funny and gorgeously sexy."

When not working on her next book, Rosie enjoys jogging slowly to fast music, petting other people’s dogs, and competing against herself in rounds of Chopped using the miscellaneous ingredients occupying her fridge.

To receive first look updates on Rosie's books as well as bimonthly musings on savoring the good stuff, looking respectfully 👀, and building a creative practice that embraces unapologetic striving, subscribe to her newsletter: https://rosiedanan.substack.com

Reviews

[ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you netgalley for this arc!!

4.5⭐️
I LOVE SILLY PARANORMAL ROM-COMS!!!!! this was so funny, so sweet, and so silly. honestly it struck the perfect balance of all of those things for me, and reminded me of some of my other favourite books (e. g. the my vampire series). i really think you’ll love this if you love an endearing mmc, a strong willed fmc, and lots of funny moments. i flew through this in practically one evening. highly recommend!!!

[mélody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Merci à Netgalley pour une copie numérique de ce livre!
Une rom-com entre un vampire et une humaine, évidemment que je voulais lire ça. J'ai bien aimé les personnages, c'était silly goofy parfois, et d'autres fois c'était hot :p J'ai juste moins aimé l'aspect télé-réalité que je pensais (la sauce a trop été étirée tout le long du livre).

[Robin]

"Paranormal rom-com version of She's All That, in which a down-on-her-luck reality TV show producer takes on the challenge of turning her shy and sheltered vampire neighbor into the first immortal lead of a dating show."

[Tucker Almengor]

is there anything more iconic than the hot character makes the nerdy character popular? of course, there isn't.

and knowing rosie danan, this will be hot as f**k

[Emily · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Every time I say goodbye to you, I have to force myself not to ask ‘How long? Just tell me how long I have to wait so I’ll know.’”




If you liked Fan Service, buckle up for another Rosie Danan smash hit. If you haven’t read Fan Service, I’m jealous that you get to read it for the first time. Again, Danan fuses the paranormal into our world absolutely seamlessly. It’s fun and funny and sexy and emotional.

Just a few things you’ll get in Villain Edit (no spoilers, I promise):

✅ messy, relatable FMC
✅ cinnamon roll MMC
✅ yearning
✅ a love letter to reality tv
✅ family of all kinds
✅ 🌶️🌶️

I inhaled this. I think the plot was incredibly unique, and the characters well developed. Even the side characters were brought to life. The romance was delicious and the steam delivered. What more can you ask for?

Thank you to Rosie Danan, Berkley, and NetGalley for the ARC of my dreams.

If you haven’t read Fan Service, go read that too.

[jasi ᝰ.ᐟ (romantajasi) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Just because they were both good at suffering didn’t mean they had to.”

👏🏼 THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!

This story was truly one of a kind. The plot is interesting and a super fun one — a reality tv producer meets a vampire and decides to make him the lead of her running reality daring show.

Humor, spunk, emotion, and a romance that was so soft and gentle— this has it ALL.

Gabriel and Harper could not be more perfect for each other. Kind, hurt, scared, and vulnerable. The banter and spice was also top tier.

The pacing was so nice, I found myself lost in the story easily. The story truly had me hooked start to finish, such a unique plot lines I had such a fun time!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a unique take on vampires, and I thought the author brought in the paranormal elements subtly.

The real world aspect was fascinating and the intense push/pull of keeping boundaries but with raw honesty kept me hooked!!

I also loved the slow-ish burn of romance!

[Teddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice look behind the scenes at reality TV dating. The vampire angle was unique as was the pre-show weeks. Loved Harper’s family - and it was nice to see queer rep though (lesbian sister). Harper is loveably job-obsessed and Gabriel is the perfect vampire to help her slow down and smell the roses. It shouldn’t work but it totally does. Where I struggled a bit was the pacing and some of the details - for instance, it was often stated that he was supposed to be King, but I never really felt it. But I was rooting for them and thought they were a great fit, and loved the ode to reality TV.

Short summary: Harper’s out of a job, out of a lifestyle, out of friends - but not family. When her grandmother invites her to stay at her condo, the last thing she expects is for a vampire to be living out back…a hot vampire king who might be her solution to getting her job back.

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Caty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

*this review is courtesy of an ARC received via NetGalley*

For as long as I can recall, I’ve been a fan of anything with vampires involved. So, needless to say, I loved the chance to read this ARC of a romance with a vampire MMC.

The plot was cute, and I loved the characters. Gigi having been on vacation for most of the book sucks because she was a VIBE. the idea of a vampire on a dating show was a great idea. However, I feel like I would have appreciated more leaning into the vampire aspect. I know that Gabriel’s character is all about breaking the stigma and taboos around vampirism, however, I could easily forget he himself is a vampire. I think he was written with too much attempt at being a ‘cinnamon roll’ character and would have benefitted from more edge or a bit more of what I have come to find normal in vampire affiliated media.

Overall, this was fun and I enjoyed the story. There was one part in one of the spicy scenes that just wasn’t for me (think: period and vampires) but it didn’t detract from the experience.

[Mae Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f paranormal romance
-forced proximity
-cinnamon roll vampire
-just a hookup


If Rosie writes it, I will be obssesed with it. Those are just the rules. Rosie knows just how to write a mmc who is just gone on the fmc, and obsessed with everything little thing she does. The litle detials Rosie adds in you can't help but fall in love with the characters and feel their connection. This book was no different. A down on her luck reality tv producer and a vampire living a quiet life. The chemistry was incredible.

[Alexandria (Ink Stained Sorceress)]

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. Unfortunately I did have to DNF this at 30%. I tried my hardest to keep reading but I couldn’t find myself liking the main FMC, Harper. I do love a strong FMC, but I felt like she was truly taking advantage of Gabriel’s character and how kind he was. I realize she knew this as well, as it was mentioned, but other things about her character felt abrasive and I just couldn’t find myself enjoying the story. I’m sure this is absolutely just a me thing, and this could definitely be someone else’s favorite read!

[Elise Rodich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!! I always love a vampire human romance, and this was very fun. This kind of leaned into the camp of it all, but absolutely not in a bad way. The characters grew and developed so nicely over the course of the book, and Harper and Gabriel were both lovely and had more depth than I initially anticipated. The plot did not go where I expected it to, and I was pleased with the conclusion.

[AnnabellaSasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know how to explain why I loved this book so I won’t. It was perfect and simple. I laughed and cried with the characters. Gabriel is simply too precious and Harper felt like holding a mirror up to myself. Thank you for the ARC Berkley Pub and Penguin books! I throughly enjoyed this.

[Claire · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

With thanks to Berkley/Edelweiss for the ARC

[enna໒꒱ ‧.˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3
Villain Edit was cute, but I thought going into it it would have more to do with reality TV. That was a big thing that drew me into the book, but it never actually got to the show. I still enjoyed this book regardless, but I was also disappointed.

Harper was a fun FMC. I liked how she has a more manipulative side. I think that is an interesting direction to go for a romance book. Her struggle with it was also a good part of the book. I found Gabriel to be boring. He didn't stand out, and I didn't care much for his point of view.

The relationship between Harper and Gabriel was cute. I liked seeing them struggle with trying to disregard their feelings. Though some of the dialogue between them felt awkward and unnatural. I sorta felt that way about a lot of the dialogue in the book. I still enjoyed the book anyway, and it was a fun and easy read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for the eARC.

[Sanjana]

i just really vibe with rosie danan’s work. this sweet cinnamon roll of a vampire prince & super ambitious, driven TV producer is such an interesting extension on the dynamics of the intimacy experiment. i appreciate her attention to detail and the extraordinarily tender way she holds her characters. a very different kind of paranormal!! i want to put gabriel in my pocket and take him home with me.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was written after reading an ARC received from NetGalley.

How much do you know about reality TV? In my case, the answer to that question is that I know nothing at all. The closest I’ve been to watching reality TV is MasterChef, and I don’t think it counts. This might explain why, before reading this book, I thought that ‘the villain edit’ was when you make someone who’s evil… appear less evil. Well, let me tell you, it’s basically the other way round.
When I read a new book, I try to go into it knowing as little as possible, although in my head I make up all kinds of stories with whatever snippets I’ve caught… so that’s why I thought this book would be about an evil vampire. Cue present-day Carol laughing at past Carol: this is why blurbs exist (and probably why I don’t usually read the whole blurb before starting a book: I like to be surprised). Honestly, when I saw ‘Rosie Danan and vampire romance’, I was sold.

Gabriel is a vampire prince who has been kind of exiled and forced to live among humans for a decade. He can only go back to his kingdom once he proves that he can control his thirst for blood. To make things a bit easier for himself, he chooses a quiet spot: a retirement community where exposure to problems is low. If there’s no one whose blood tempts him too much, then there’s no way he could drain anyone dry. As you can probably tell, this vampire is named after an angel, looks like an angel, and basically behaves (almost) like an angel.

Then we have our heroine, Harper, who has spent years working in reality TV on a show called Rare Pair, where extraordinary people are supposed to find love. At the start of the book, she’s just been fired and is taking it hard. She’s devoted so much of her time and energy to that show that she doesn’t really know who she is without it. Since she’s out of a job, her grandmother (loved her, by the way) asks her to look after her house, her plants and her tenant. And who is her tenant? None other than our resident vampire prince.

From here, their relationship develops beautifully. Harper helps him become more ‘human’, in a way, and Gabriel helps her open up and feel a bit better about herself. They’re attracted to each other, but their relationship unfolds in an organic way that feels very realistic. They talk and are completely honest with each other, which is something I really loved about this book. The miscommunication trope isn’t something I usually enjoy, because I’m one of those people who think that talking things through is the way forward in any relationship. In this case, communication is the foundation of Harper and Gabriel’s relationship, and that’s what makes it so beautiful to me.

In this alternate universe, vampires are a bit like the X-Men: not immortal, but more powerful than ordinary humans. They lived alongside humans for years, but in recent decades they’ve moved to a compound where they live apart from the rest of the world. So, everyone knows vampires exist, but they’re still a bit of an unknown to most people. Wouldn’t it be great if they could watch a vampire prince on TV?
Suddenly, Harper has a brilliant idea: if she can get Gabriel onto the show, she can get her job back while helping him prove he can live among humans. What’s more, she can show the world that vampires can live alongside humans (again) without any issues.

Here comes the second part of the book: since Gabriel isn’t what comes to mind when you think of a ‘vampire’, Harper needs to turn him into a Damon/Dracula/Lestat type of vampire. This part was so funny: the changing room shenanigans, trying to pick people up in a bar… and then… THE VAN SCENE! It was sooooo hot! I loved it, and by the end of it, I was actually laughing out loud.

The ending was so satisfying: the showdown that had to happen (you’ll know when you read it) felt so good. It all came to a close in a way I didn’t expect, but absolutely loved.

If you’ve made it this far, you can probably guess that I loved this book. The story was surprising and deep, and it made me think about how people judge each other for what they watch and what they read… We should just let everyone enjoy their own thing if it makes them happy.
I loved our leads. Gabriel was a wonderful character. He’s super sweet and thoughtful; he’s in a knitting club with a PhD (Max, whom I absolutely adored) and Mr Klein, he’s good with babies, and he cooks… He’s a total cinnamon roll, which is a refreshing change for a vampire character. Harper has ‘black cat’ energy, but deep down (or not so deep down), she’s a caring person who’s a bit scared of getting too close to anyone, someone who feels as though she doesn’t belong in her family, yet looks after everyone anyway. I honestly loved their relationship and how much they yearned for each other, knowing they couldn’t be together if they wanted to go ahead with the show. Most of it takes place over the space of a month, yet it feels as though they’ve known each other forever.

The spicy scenes were amazing: super sexy, swoon-worthy and sweet all at once, and they suited the characters perfectly. Also, he's a vampire… so you know there might be a bit of blood involved!

If you enjoy paranormal rom-coms, or if you’ve enjoyed Rosie’s books before, do yourself a favour and pick this up as soon as possible. I think you’re going to love it. If you’re looking for a different kind of vampire, you’ve found your guy!

[BookishKB]

🩸📺 Villain Edit 📺🩸

📖 Bookish Thoughts

My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

❤️ What to Expect
• Paranormal Rom Com
• Vampire Romance
• Reality TV
• Forced Proximity
• Opposites Attract
• Cinnamon Roll MMC
_ _ __

📅 Pub Date: December 8, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Jazelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Villain Edit Book Review 🦇

Which reality TV show would you choose to appear on❓

A struggling reality TV producer tries to turn a reluctant vampire into the first supernatural lead of a famous dating show before the cameras start rolling in this steamy paranormal rom-com. 🦇

My Thoughts 🦇
If you've never been into vampires, allow Gabriel and Harper to change your mind.

Describing Villain Edit as a paranormal romance doesn't do it justice--that one-liner above does NOT encapsulate the layers hidden within the plot. Villain Edit is brimming with heartfelt moments, emotional depth, and well-earned character development. And speaking of characters...

Rosie Danan's characters grow stronger--real and raw and a little bit familiar--with every book. Harper isn't just smart, she's CLEVER, even if she doesn't get the credit she deserves--from her boss and mentor, the production company, even her own family. My gf and extended found family all work in ATL's film industry, and I know the toll that can take on someone's mind, body, and spirit. Watching Harper heal and recognize her worth (though not through the redemption arc she initially planned) was stunning. She's ambitious, dedicated, and calculating--all key to being a successful producer--but doesn't lose her heart in exchange. And her emotional growth? Top-freaking-tier! ("Harper found that when you outgrew a version of yourself, really outgrew it, the memory of who you once were couldn’t shame you.")

And our leading man, Gabriel? Ugh. Somehow observant and intelligent ("I’ve noticed human men seem to blame a lot of their personal character flaws on women.") yet emotionally stunted. I appreciate the juxtaposition between his name and the vampire everyone expects him to be. Adored the exploration of vampire archetypes, and how Gabriel truly doesn't fit into clichés. He enjoys knitting with his older guy friends, sweatervests, LOTS of tea--and Harper. He's an absolute cinnamon roll (with the fangs and strength to ACTUALLY kill you). Gabriel is sweet and self-sacrificing to his own detriment, holding himself back from life because of a prophecy that's defined him and his family's legacy. That's a big burden to bear.

Though there's definitely flickers of insta-lust, it doesn't define or empower their friendship, giving us somewhat of a slow burn. There's wit in their banter, a playfulness that never feels forced--and brings Gabriel out of his shell. When you take the fangs out of the equation, their relationship is beautifully human.

This isn't just a story about reality TV or vampire bites. There's so much vulnerability between Gabriel and Harper, so much healing and self-actualization between them. THAT'S what makes this story extraordinary; not the supernatural world, but the emotional depth that makes every moment so raw, so HUMAN.

Side note: I was just complaining about a certain reality show a week ago--the toxicity, the focus on beauty over personality--so when I read the description for Rare Pair, I got all heart-eyed ("casting criteria for 'individuals who had made outstanding contributions to science, industry, sports, economics, arts, or global culture' had brought many people— queer, disabled, BIPOC, in larger bodies or less conventionally attractive, according to Western standards of beauty— onto a show that positioned them as desirable for reasons beyond how they looked). Can we PLEASE?

Recommended for fans of Bride, Level Up for Love, The Roommate, and Vera Stein is Fine. 🦇

The Vibes ✨
Paranormal Romance
Reality TV Producer / Vampire Crown Prince
Emotional Growth
Forced Proximity
Black Cat FMC
Cinnamon Roll MMC Who Could Kill You
Touch Her and You Die
Mental Health Rep / Healing
Dual POV
Spicy

Major thanks to the author Rosie Danan and publisher Berkley for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #VillainEdit 🦇

What's your favorite paranormal romance❓

Quotes 💬
There was a big difference between fantasy and wanting to experience something in real life.

She loved it, the power she felt when he wanted to hide from her and couldn’t quite manage it.

“Why do you want me to be afraid of you?” Because I’ve never wanted someone like I want you.

"Fearsome creature."

"I like being indulgent with you. I like treating you like you’re special, because you are special. You deserve that. To be with someone who keeps being sweet to you despite your feeble, half-hearted protests. Anyone with eyes can see that you like it.”

Nothing could be more intimate than this. There was a sense of possession in this act: taking, yes, but also yielding. It felt like a miracle to be this close. Like a tragedy, to be losing it. Harper surrendered, baring everything, making herself vulnerable for him. Everyone knew: Humans feared vampires and vampires feared humans. But there was no fear now. Gabriel had spent his whole life denying himself. This was worth it. Even if only for a few moments, he and Harper fit together. What might have been impossible, made simple.

"Little flame." The vampire endearment for someone captivating and precious.

“I want you to know, Harper, that you deserve the good stuff too.”

“I love you. I’ve doubted myself my whole life, but sitting here across from you, right now, I’m whole.”
"Falling in love with you is the best mistake I’ve ever made.”

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lighthearted while also being surprisingly heartfelt.

This concept had me in a chokehold. I’m a reality TV addict and a sucker for vampires (no pun intended), so this book felt like it was written specifically for me.

I loved the unique take on vampire society. Instead of existing in secret, vampires are widely known and live within their own compound, blending supernatural elements with everyday life in a way that felt fresh and original.

Gabriel completely stole my heart. A vampire prince whose greatest joys are knitting cozy sweaters and drinking endless cups of tea? You can’t help but adore him.

Harper was equally compelling. Her wit, intelligence, and unwavering dedication to producing the best television made her an easy character to root for. She was ambitious without losing her warmth, and her personality balanced Gabriel’s perfectly.

The chemistry between Harper and Gabriel was exceptional because it was built through the little moments rather than grand declarations. Every joke, awkward mistake, quiet conversation, and shared laugh strengthened their relationship. Their love story unfolded naturally, making every emotional moment feel earned.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was how mature their relationship felt. Instead of relying on endless misunderstandings or unnecessary push-and-pull drama, they allowed themselves to be vulnerable. They shared their scars, supported one another, and grew both individually and together. Their relationship felt authentic, grounded, and deeply believable.

The banter was consistently clever, with every conversation feeling effortless and intentional. Even during the funniest moments, there was an underlying emotional depth that gave the story real heart.

The romance itself was wonderfully cozy. From getting trapped in a dressing room to buying furniture, babysitting, making dinner together, and simply watching TV, the everyday moments became just as meaningful as the bigger romantic ones. Despite the paranormal setting, the relationship felt incredibly human.

The spice was well paced, felt completely earned, and was just the right amount of unhinged. The van scene is one I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. And, of course, no vampire romance would be complete without the biting.

What surprised me most was how warm and comforting this book felt. I expected a fun paranormal rom-com, but I found something much deeper. Beneath the humor and romance was a story about vulnerability, healing, and finding someone who makes the ordinary moments feel extraordinary.

And the ending… poor Max. Just let the man knit!

There wasn’t a single moment that broke my immersion. Every time I picked the book back up, I couldn’t wait to see what Harper and Gabriel would do next. I would happily read anything this author writes, whether it’s another story in this world or something entirely new.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley for giving me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

(There will be spoilers below!)

4.5 stars because I like it way more than I even thought I would, but rounded down for reasons I’ll detail below.

What I liked: I loved the two main characters, Harper and Gabriel. Harper is the epitome of the Eldest Daughter, with all of the associated issues that come with that, and I really liked how the author portrayed Harper trying to deal with her responsibilities while still staying true to herself and her family. I thought that was really well done to the point of being a little uncomfortable at times with how true it was lol.

I also liked Gabriel and the explanation as to how vampires exist in this world. It was really unique and just different enough to work. And it gave Gabriel a plausible reason for being naive in his encounters with other humans.

I also really liked that they never actually made it on the reality show lol. By the time I got to the halfway mark of the book, the show hadn’t even been approved yet by Harper’s bosses, and Harper and Gabriel had already fallen for each other. So I was glad to see the show not happen because it 1) would’ve been super rushed and therefore not written as well as it could have been and 2) wouldn’t have worked anyway because of the two leads’ feelings for each other.

What I didn’t like: the book ends way too abruptly. And I don’t mean that I just wish there had been more (though I do), but I feel like the book could’ve done better with one more chapter or at least an epilogue to explain things. The author does a great job showing the characters thinking through their various issues but we don’t quite get resolutions on the two biggest ones.

1. Gabriel losing his crown. He finds out he is no longer allowed to be king, and we get no more info on the repercussions of that. I would’ve liked to know how that was going to affect the vampire kingdom, as well as know how that impacts Gabriel in other ways—is he even allowed back at the compound at all? Or is he “stuck” in the human world. We don’t get any answers to that.

2. Harper learning that someone can love her for who she is longterm without strings attached. Yes, we see Gabriel tell her he loved her, but the book jumps from that scene to a short scene of the two in bed together before ending. The author did such a good job showing Harper’s thoughts throughout the book and showcasing her low self-esteem that I think it really would’ve served the narrative and reader to see that she accepts that this is possible. You can argue that the book does show this by showing them in the next scene in bed together but given that they were sleeping together when she thought he wouldn’t want to stay with her, that didn’t quite work for me.

At any rate, I really liked the book and I’m looking forward to reading the author’s other books!

[Trianna/Treereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fan Service by Rosie Danan was one of my top reads of last year so I've been making my way through her backlist and was hyped when I was approved to read this one! And for the most part I really enjoyed it!

Danan writes really fun characters that are a little flawed but lovable. I loved all the side characters and loved how Harper and Gabriel were mature and communicated with each other. It's a paranormal romance, but not too paranormal for me which is what I like!! It definitely has it's rom-com moments which I loved.

I also always love a matchmaking plot and while we do not see the reality tv show happen (yes this is kinda a spoiler but I do think the synopsis needs to be clearer on this front) it was still a fun element.

But I do have some critiques and they did not deter my enjoyment of the book that much (hence the 4 stars) I do want to note them.

This felt similar to Fan Service in a lot of ways, which I did not hate I just love Fan Service so much and as a result this just felt less original and fun. The characters were similar archetypes to the main characters of that book and I wish Danan had made more of an effort to write different personalities etc.

The last third of the book didn't work for me. Most of this book is vibe-y and then there is a TON OF PLOT in the last third and it just felt too quick and rushed. I didn't hate what was happening, but the pacing of the book as a whole felt off because of this.

The one thing that did bother me kind of a lot and made it hard for me to truly be TEAM HARPER (aside from the fact I do lowkey think reality tv producers are bad people but in fiction I can put that aside) was that she does not report the man who attempted to assault her. Not for her sake, I 100% got why she didn't, but the man was the lead of her reality tv show and then proposed to one of the contestants. I'll give some grace and maybe I missed the explanation, but to let an abuser propose to someone else is not okay and almost did not seem in line with Harper's character since she is a very selfless person and I can't really believe she would let another woman be put in danger like that. I wish this had either been explored more and she feel guilt about it and work to reveal his true character for this woman or told this woman and that's why she got let go. Idk this plot point bugged me and I really hope I missed something, but regardless it should've been explored more.

*thanks to the publisher for the gifted eARC; all thoughts are my own*

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Villain Edit’s premise intrigued me from the get go, for the twist regarding the evolution of vampires not only seemed fresh, but incredibly plausible.

While my attention initially was captivated, particularly by the dynamic Danan developed between Gabriel and Harper, there was a clunky quality to the writing in a few scenes, as well as an aimless sense of direction in the latter half of the novel, which unfortunately waned my interest. At times, I felt as though the dialogue and action were mere blips in a continuous thread of description. Indeed, during the babysitting sequence, certain events were cut out entirely, creating an almost jump cut or smash cut-like effect between one line and the next. Despite the fact that the later smut scenes were well done, Gabriel and Harper’s first encounter also seemed to be disjointed. As the story progressed, the premise itself lost its way, as their reasoning for making Gabriel the lead of Rare Pair eventually became void. It was at such a point that I questioned not only the trajectory and the execution of the plot, but the entire concept. In my estimation, it would have been much more compelling if Danan had incorporated the actual season/filming of Rare Pair, as to create a palpable sense of tension and longing between Gabriel and Harper. Not doing so cheapened the resolution and made the last chapter feel completely out of character and more like filler than a conclusion (I legitimately frowned throughout it).

Though Harper frequently was too inside of her head, which impeded my ability to connect with her, the continual consideration/regard she demonstrated for Gabriel’s wellbeing was admirable (I disagree with readers who believe she is self-serving). Gabriel definitely was the highlight of the entire novel. Again, I would have loved to see him interact with the contestants during filming, for I think he would have recoiled immediately (in a lovable, charming way). His chemistry with Harper was well done and electric at times, despite the fact that the third-person narrative choice caused their emotional attachment to not feel as seamless as it should have been.

Overall, my reading experience was ambivalent at best. I believe my expectations about the storyline led me astray, which is completely my fault. Other readers will find Gabriel endearing and surely will swoon over the romance.

Thank you very much to Berkley and NetGalley for the privilege to read this ARC— I appreciate it!

[mikenlar · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Just because my happiness doesn’t look like yours, doesn’t mean it’s not valid.”

If you're like me and you're going into this book thinking you'll get to see a vampire as the main lead on a dating reality show, you're going to be disappointed.

After losing her job as a reality TV producer, Harper is house sitting her grandmother's home while she's away on vacation. There, she meets Gabriel, the vampire crown prince, who is renting her grandmother's converted garage. Gabriel has been sent to live among humans for ten years to prove the prophecy wrong, earn his place on the throne, and convince the vampire council that he can control his thirst.

Harper convinces him to become the lead of the next season of the dating show she was fired from, believing it will guarantee her job back while also giving Gabriel the perfect platform to prove to the vampire council that he can coexist with humans and show them that vampires aren't the monsters their stereotypes make them out to be.

Unfortunately, the showrunners have a different idea. They want to see the fantasy of being a vampire.

Harper spends the next few weeks preparing Gabriel for his new role. We get to see some of this process, but a lot of it is implied rather than shown.

I have mixed feelings about this book because, on one hand, I was giggling and kicking my feet while reading it, but on the other, the pacing felt disruptive and all over the place. Sometimes it felt like things were happening in the background because the author didn't know how to handle them on the page and instead chose to make an alluding comment so the reader would know they happened, rather than because it actually benefited the plot.

The ending also felt rushed, especially the very last bit. For a minute, I genuinely wondered if I had accidentally gotten an incomplete proof copy because it ended so abruptly.

Despite the rushed ending and pacing issues, I did enjoy the book. I really liked the idea of vampires being placed in this kind of setting, but I wanted more of that concept. I especially wish there had been more focus on the whole "vampire on a dating reality show" premise because that's what initially drew me to the book, and I think it had so much potential.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC.

[Vice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fan Service was one of my surprise favorite reads last year, so when I saw Rosie Danan had another entry into paranormal romance plus pop culture, I was immediately in. Unfortunately, Villain Edit never took off for me.

The premise is a ton of fun: Harper has been trudging through unemployment after getting fired from her assistant job (which she was peak Eldest Daughter energy very good at) and ends up falling into a situation where she befriends a vampire and sees her ticket back into the industry by setting him up as the male romantic lead in the reality dating show. In this world, vampires are known and have a monarchy (mostly convenient for plot devices of Gabriel being a Vampire Prince who spends 95% of the book as a wholesome muffin and 5% as That's a Promise Not a Threat) but segregated in Antarctica (lol) and learning about that through Gabriel was interesting.

For reasons that I can't quite put my finger on, I never really felt any depth or connection with or between Harper and Gabriel. Any sort of tension that should have been there fell flat and I think the internal dilemma for Harper between what she had recently gone through that led to her firing, her being attracted to Gabriel, and shamelessly (no disrespect) being willing to use him to get her career back and make some really good reality TV was just ... uninteresting to me. There were also lines in Fan Service that I laughed very hard at, but here similar setups simply didn't land for me. (Also, justice for Spike, far more than "that blond vampire") As for the main conflicts in the story - Gabriel trying desperately to prove himself worthy of his throne and community despite a vague prophecy everyone puts way too much weight on, and Harper inexplicably having way more loyalty to her boss and industry than it was instantly obvious that they didn't return at any level of equity - the big peaks and reveals were underwhelming and a bit rushed. I also felt like the book abruptly came to a halt - after a little messy and overly convenient climax - and there wasn't really much of an off-ramp. It would have been nice to get just a little more of what came next and the consequences.

Thanks to the author, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an absolute blast with this book. A vampire prince? Check. A reality TV producer who’s convinced happiness is always one promotion away? Check. A men’s knitting club? Somehow… also check. I’m a SUCKER for a hot vampire fic you guys, like come on.

Gabriel is officially one of my favorite book boyfriends. He’s powerful enough to crumple a car into a ball of tin foil, yet also the kind of man who lovingly feeds a baby a bottle, worries over diaper changes, carries you on piggyback rides when you’re sick, and sits outside the bathroom door listening to your heartbeat just to make sure you’re okay. Tell me why that last one might’ve been the most romantic thing in the whole book??

The romance absolutely worked for me. (Mild baby potential spoilers may be below, reader beware):
Their chemistry is built on curiosity, trust, restraint, and genuine tenderness. Gabriel doesn’t just desire Harper—he sees her. And Harper slowly realizes she deserves to be loved for who she is instead of what she can do for other people. “A job is not a home” hit me right in the chest.

Also… the spice? Whew. 🥵 Somehow this author keeps finding fresh, intimate ways to write attraction that feel emotionally connected instead of repetitive. It wasn’t just sexy—it deepened their relationship every single time. 🖤🧛🏻‍♂️How long? Just tell me how long I have to wait?. 🖤🧛🏻‍♂️

I also loved seeing a heroine whose nurturing side had nothing to do with motherhood. As a proud super aunt myself, Harper showing up for the diaper changes, laundry, and hard moments—not just the cute baby cuddles—made me feel unexpectedly seen. (This is not a major plot point, just a fun side thing that helped me feel really seen and happy to see represented in literature 🥹).

This book is funny, heartfelt, surprisingly insightful, ridiculously romantic, and packed with one of my favorite book boyfriends in recent memory. I’ll definitely be picking up a physical copy for my shelves and shouting at everyone I know to do the same.

Thanks to NetGalley for a free ebook in return for an honest review.

[kiki’s delivery witch ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Villain Edit is 80% chaotic reality TV producer energy, 15% extremely biteable vampire prince who can’t flirt to save his (immortal) life, and 5% straight-up love letter to Diet Coke. You’d be deader than Mitch McConnell if you played a drinking game every time that can cracked open. I swear Harper chugs it like it’s the elixir of life while she’s stress-producing her way through turning this awkward royal bloodsucker into Bachelor material.

When Harper gets canned from Rare Pair (thanks, bitter ex-lead), ends up house-sitting for her grandma in a retirement community and discovers her neighbor is literally the vampire crown prince hiding from his own prophecy. Gabriel’s supposed to be all dark, dangerous, and thirsty, but the man’s got less dating experience than I do after a bad situationship phase, and blood? Forget it. Man’s surviving on vibes and avoidance. Harper sees dollar signs and redemption arc written all over his brooding forehead and decides to turn him into TV gold. Classic fish-out-of-water + makeover montage chaos ensues.

Banter is crisp. Danan writes sexual tension like she’s been personally wronged by slow-burns before. The “just once to get it out of our systems” trope? Delivered with the perfect amount of “we both know that’s a lie” eye contact. Gabriel’s whole deal, prophecy burden, morally gray but secretly soft, standing up to Harper’s messy family at dinner, hit every button I didn’t know I had.

* Fish out of water vampire in the human dating pool
* Grumpy/sunshine? More like reluctant royal/sunshine chaos gremlin
* Caretaking (she’s basically his dating coach + emotional support human)
* “Just once” (lol)
* Hiding in a dressing room (the steam level jumped here, folks)
* Makeover montage
* He stands up to her family
* Checkov’s fangs (they do go off, don’t worry)

If you like your rom-coms witty, steamy, and a little unhinged, this one’s for you. Gabriel might be the villain edit, but Harper’s the one who stole the show for me. Solid four stars, would chug a Diet Coke in its honor, and I hate diet drinks. 🧛‍♂️🥤

[Molly Smiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosie Danan looked at vampire romance, looked at reality dating shows, and said,"Why not both?" And honestly? Thank you for your service.

Villain Edit is the kind of book that had me kicking my feet, cackling out loud, and questioning whether my new literary standard for a book boyfriend is now "slightly awkward vampire prince hiding in a retirement community."

Gabriel Hargrave is supposed to be a terrifying vampire royal destined for greatness, but instead he's giving reluctant cinnamon roll energy, and I loved every second of it. Harper is equally fantastic. She's smart, ambitious, a little messy, and determined to get her career back on track by turning a vampire into the next reality TV sensation. As one does.

The chemistry between these two? Absolutely lethal. The banter sparkles, the tension is delicious, and every interaction felt like a perfect mix of romantic comedy chaos and paranormal nonsense. I mean that as the highest compliment.

What really worked for me was how fresh everything felt. Reality TV, makeover montages, vampire politics, forced proximity, redemption arcs, and enough romantic tension to power an entire television network. Somehow Rosie Danan threw all these ingredients into a blender and produced pure magic instead of absolute mayhem.

And let's talk about the vibes: imagine The Bachelor got bitten by a vampire and suddenly became ten times more entertaining.

This book was funny, sexy, clever, and ridiculously fun. I finished it with a huge grin on my face and immediately wanted to shove it into the hands of every romance reader I know.

Final verdict: I came for the vampire dating show premise, stayed for Gabriel and Harper, and left fully convinced that Rosie Danan could sell me on literally any plot. Even one involving immortal bloodsuckers chasing television ratings.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go file a formal complaint that Rare Pair isn't a real show. 🧛‍♂️📺❤️

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so this was a 5-star read for me until about 85%.

I had a lot of fun with this one. I loved the premise, I loved the writing, and I loved the characters. The writing is so quick and funny, and I genuinely laughed a lot. (I also stayed up until 1:30 am reading this on a night when I absolutely should not have, so, yes, I was invested.)

I will ALWAYS ride for an imperfect FMC, and Harper was exactly that. She's ambitious and messy and can be a little manipulative, and I loved that she wasn't sanded down into a perfectly likable romance heroine. And then Gabriel, who was just so sweet and endearing. (But also hot.) I loved the two of them together and thought their chemistry was so good.

The spice was wild, lol. Very committed to the vampire of it all. Take that as you will.

I also have to shout out the side characters, who I LOVED. Grandma! Mr. Klein! MAX!! They added a lot of personality to the story, and I would happily spend more time with all of them.

My only real issue came toward the very end. Somewhere around the last 15%, the pacing suddenly felt a little strange to me. Some pretty major things started happening off page or getting moved through really quickly, and after being so immersed in the story, I found myself wishing we'd gotten a little more time with all of it. The ending itself also felt surprisingly abrupt. I definitely would've taken a few more chapters!

Still, I had such a good time with this. The reality TV setup was juicy, the characters were great, and it was funny, sexy, weird, and super entertaining. The last bit knocked it down to 4 stars for me, but considering I sacrificed sleep and loled, this is still an enthusiastic 4!

(Also, my first Rosie Danan book. Off to discover her backlist!)

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and Rosie Danan for the eArc!

[Holli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Villain Edit is a book that is all about subverting tropes, and for the most part, I felt that it was effective. Gabriel is not just a vampire but a vampire crown prince, yet he is the sweetest cinnamon roll of a hero. He knits, he bakes, he helps all the retirees with their technology issues … he’s basically the antithesis of every fictional vampire. Meanwhile, Harper is the morally gray character. She has developed her skills at influencing people and put them into service to manipulate reality show contestants into doing what she wants them to do, only to get fired when a rich and powerful contestant believes he is entitled to possess Harper in ways she definitely did not agree to. But instead of listening to her family and using her time to figure out a new direction, Harper actively decides to manipulate Gabriel into going on the reality show, Rare Pair, as a way to get her own job reinstated.

The dynamic between Gabriel and Harper is delightful, and there are scenes that are legitimately laugh-out-loud funny. I appreciated the way Gabriel consistently stood up for Harper, especially with her family, and the secondary characters were an absolute delight. The reality show aspect of it almost felt superfluous (I would 100% devour a whole novel about Gabriel just helping his neighbors and knitting with his pals while falling in love with Harper), especially the introduction of a(nother) villain to the mix. The resolution of that plotline felt really abrupt, which was simultaneously a relief and a huge frustration.

Overall, despite a little unevenness, I was fully engaged and invested in the story, and was happy to follow it to the HEA.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.