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, Paranormal, Vampires, 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!!!

[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."

[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).

[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 5 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 (shelvedbyjasi) · 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!

[enna˚.୨ৎ ݁⋆ · 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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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. 🧛‍♂️📺❤️

[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.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I had a fantastic time reading Villain Edit. I do believe this is my new favorite Rosie Danan book. It had everything. It had a great setup, it had genuine laugh out loud moments, it had beautiful emotional depth and connection, and it had all the classic Rosie Danan steam with the vampiric nature adding another level of heat.

Harper and Gabriel were both such layered characters in their own unique ways, and their layers added such a richness to the friendship, relationship, and bond they formed. Gabriel saw in Harper things she couldn’t see for herself, and the reverse was true for Harper with Gabriel. They helped each other find perspective and acceptance in pieces of themselves that others overlooked or undermined. They also took up the defense of those pieces to those “others” when situations arose that called for her. It really felt like Gabriel and Harper were able to grow into their individual strengths because of what they were able to find together.

Something that was absolutely key to all of that for me was how incredibly well and directly Gabriel and Harper communicated with each other. Even as they believed the possibility of a future was nonexistent and impossible, they were so honest and straightforward about how they were thinking and feeling. It was such a refreshing dynamic while also reinforcing that even with that level of honestly, there will still be times that wants and needs can fall victim to assumptions and self-sacrifice or the influence of outside forces. It gave a well-rounded authenticity to Harper and Gabriel’s journey.

I can’t wait to add a copy of this book to my shelves. Thank you to Berkley for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Romancereadingaddict · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Vibe
If you took pre-The Bachelor, mixed it with a fish-out-of-water vampire story, and set it partly in a retirement community, you’d get this delightful book. It is such a unique premise that caught my attention immediately and kept me hooked until the very last page.
The Plot
We follow Harper, a reality TV producer who was just fired from Rare Pair, the dating show she dedicated 10 years of her life to. When her grandmother, Gigi, goes on a cruise and leaves Harper to manage her property, Harper discovers Gigi's tenant is Gabriel—a vampire prince from Antarctica sent to Earth to study human statistics and test his bloodlust.
Seeing a golden opportunity to win her job back, Harper pitches the incredibly handsome (and surprisingly sweet) Gabriel as the new lead for her dating show. But as she takes him clothes shopping and preps him to court other women, the unexpected happens: Gabriel is kind, intelligent, and totally charming, and Harper finds herself getting fiercely jealous.
What I Loved
* The Leads: Gabriel is not your typical brooding, dark vampire. He’s intelligent, sweet, and watching him navigate the human world—especially an old folks' community—was pure joy. Harper is driven and relatable, and their chemistry is fantastic.
* The Tropes: The "forced proximity" mixed with the "fake coaching/dating show" dynamic created the perfect slow-burn tension.
* The Humor: The setup itself is hilarious, and the banter between Harper and Gabriel is sharp and fun.
Final Thoughts
This was a fast, entertaining, and heartwarming read that completely subverted my expectations of a usual vampire romance. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fresh, cute romance!

[Rebekah W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot Villain Edit is fun, flirty, and even though there are a lot of really TV romances out there, the idea still feels fresh. Harper has been fired from The Bachelor equivalent (but for “normies”) and Gabriel is a vampire who happens to be a prince on a 10 year sabbatical from the vampire colony in Antarctica to prove he can behave around humans. If he can behave around humans, he can obviously run the vampire society. Or something. Gabriel also happens to be living in Harper’s grandmother’s backyard. And after a few flirty encounters, Harper realizing getting Gabriel back on her show could save her career.

These two characters are adorable. Both in their 30s (thank the gods) and they felt fully realized. They have real life problems and insecurities and played off one another beautifully. Both extreme people pleasers, but in different ways, and they’re both just extremely lovable. Gabriel is an absolute doll - such a cinnamon roll. I loved watching him just… exist.

My problem comes with the pacing of the story. We started out lusting HARD like… the second they lay eyes on one another. Which, was too fast for me personally, but I get that it is vampire anatomy designed. Things just started and stopped a ton. I loved the slower moments where the characters were just together, and I honestly think we could have done away with the entire reality tv plot (even if it did feel original). The conflict at the end felt rushed and again a bit unnecessary. But the spicy scenes were fun, and I giggled quite a bit. I’m still a Rosie Danan fan, and I think if you like contemporary paranormal romances you’ll enjoy this. Great spicy bits!!! 3.5 stars.

[Julia Carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Villian Edit is a paranormal rom-com featuring two things that you wouldn't normally think go together,vampires and reality tv. Harper Calloway is a reality tv producer who's made a career out of creating drama that keeps audiences glued their televisions. However, after a bitter male lead gets her fired Harper is suddenly unemployed and desperate to prove herself. She discovers something that could be the ultimate Sensation Gabriel Hargrave , a vampire Crown Prince hiding in a southern California retirement community. Gabriel isn't exactly living the glamorous vampire Prince life That prophecy says will ultimately destroy him. Unfortunately for him Harper discovers his secret and realizes that putting a real vampire on a reality dating show could be her ticket back to the big time
The network gives Harper 3 weeks to transform the socially awkward, and experience, Gabriel into a swoon-worthy television ready romantic Lead
There's just one problem Gabriel is terrible Blood. Harbor coaches Gabriel for the cameras and their professional relationship starts becoming something more.
This is such a fun premise vampire romance plus reality dating television plus Forex proximity plus workplace chaos it's a combo I didn't know I needed. What really makes this work is the contrast between Harper and Gabriel Harper's ambitious competent stressed out and determined to claw her way back Gabriel is supposed to be this terrifying vampire but he's actually inexperienced isolated and surprisingly vulnerable Underneath all the humor and spice the story seems to have a surprisingly tender emotional care Two Lonely people who are trying to figure out who they are and where they belong Overall if you like Paranormal romance Funny sexy ridiculous in the best way possible and surprisingly heartfelt then this may be the book for you

[Sydney Gessler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Villain Edit was one of my most anticipated books this year and I will continue to thank my lucky stars that I was sent an advanced copy.

If you haven’t read anything by Rosie Danan yet, let me paint you a picture of Villain Edit. We have 90s to early 2000s vibes and humour style, with our female main character Harper being an absolute hot mess. Enter our brooding vampire hero, who instead of spending the weekend brooding is part of a men’s knitting club- peak cinnamon roll. Now to set the scene, vampire prince wants to prove vampires aren’t scary to humans and human girl wants her old job back on her reality tv show. Except they didn’t expect to fall in love with each other.

Danan gives us all the fun of a paranormal romcom, with the witty banter, pinning characters and subversion of classic tropes while also opening the narrative to some deeper issues.

Gabriel was the perfect vampire, I loved Danan’s interpretation of a vampire prince. I had so much fun with his personality and how much he cares for the people around him. He had been dealt a crappy hand but he didn’t take the friends he made along the way for granted and I think that’s really sweet.

Overall, Gabriel and Harper were the perfect pair. Their chemistry literally jumped off the pages. Multiple times I found myself closing the book because it was just too good- I needed to process. I’m sorry but “how long?” That killed me. 10 stars, no 100 stars.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is for all the girlies who asked ~that~ question about Edward and Bella........ IYKYK. best part of this book by far

I started this being very much like rare pair's target audience -- I like my vampires brooding, and I definitely like them dangerous. it was hard to adapt to how sweet and sensitive Gabriel was, but then I did end up loving him for how genuine he was. the world building of the vampires was very hand wavy (like the fact that they have royal figures & live underground); this isn't necessarily meant to be a paranormal romance. it's basically a rom com with biting.

Subtracted a star because I felt like the climax didn't do itself justice. like if the whole character development is that "villain edit" is about Harper and not Gabriel, how come she didn't do something as insane and crazy as ripping someone's teeth out? Her little confrontation with her boss was extremely unsatisfying to me. She just threatened to ruin her instead of taking actual steps towards it. I didn't like Gabriel going on the show at all, especially after their entire relationship and the biting and sex. It just took all the momentum away.

I do feel like the author had a lot of fun writing this and wrote whatever she wanted about vampires, and I enjoyed that vibe.

also I found this cover to be extremely strange. it looks like it's HIS feminine hand, which is such a confusing perspective angle.

thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

[Erin Ragone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought “there is no way one could write a fresh story about vampires with a ‘Bachelor’ plot line.” Thank you Rosie Danan for proving me wrong.

Both Harper and Gabriel grow tremendously in this novel. I related to and loved Harper’s story of coming into her own and accepting herself as is. The navigation of her feelings, both past and present, felt so real without making her seem naive or immature. That’s not a balance many books get right.

Then there’s Gabriel. Blessed little Golden Retriever and sheltered vampire. I wanted to hug him and join his knitting club. His arc did a fantastic job of not losing his little idiosyncrasies and soft, plushie heart. It still felt true to who he had always been.

I was worried about the dating show plot. It’s not typically my favorite due to my own jealous nature. But, no worries, Danan wrote a refreshing take on a well used trope that left me fully satisfied.

Only criticism? I wanted more. I CRAVED an epilogue like a woman craves sweet the first day of her cycle. How are Harper and Gabriel? What happened next? I also wanted a revisit of Max and his new car, just as a fun add on.

I will absolutely be recommending this book to anyone interested in a romance with a little fang. Keep giving us more Rosie!! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

[McKenna]

Villain Edit is a hot, vulnerable, witty, hot, emotional, HOT paranormal romance.

Harper Calloway is used to taking care of everyone and everything in her life. A true eldest daughter in all ways, she’s convinced that the world will fall apart if she’s not there to see it through. Unfortunately, after she loses her job at the reality TV show Rare Pair, she struggles to find her footing in a slower paced life. Enter Gabriel Hargrave, the handsome vampire next-door.

Gabriel Hargrave has been sent on a mission to live amongst the human population. This vampire crown prince must prove to the council that he can control his thirst. When Gabriel meets Harper, he realizes that she just might be his biggest test yet.

Harper sees an undeniable opportunity to get her old job back, by having Gabriel be the next bachelor on Rare Pair, and the first ever vampire on reality TV. This will also show the council that Gabriel can handle being around humans, but he’s not exactly camera ready. Harper and Gabriel must work together to prepare him to be the next BIG THING. But as they spend more time together, the two find themselves unable to resist the temptation..

-----

RTC



Villain Edit is out December 8, 2026.

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Alissa Dernetz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3★

Fun and sexy, but the plot was poorly executed.

Gabriel is adorably sweet, earnest, and kind, and I absolutely love his relationship with Mr. Klein and Max. He is by far the best thing about this book, and I wish he had been given a better story to live in. This book is cute and fun and paranormal, but the obstacle to their relationship is a reality show that they both feel they need in order to be accepted, and it’s such an incredibly weak plot that it made me want to tear my hair out.

The first fifty percent is profoundly slow and quite boring, and I had to put the book down for a month to even want to come back to it. The prep for the reality show is so distinctly uninteresting — and frankly frustrating for the fact that those people clearly don’t care about Harper — that it feels like a drag to read. It also took about that long for the book to recognize that Harper is also the main character, and she should probably have some redeeming qualities. Gabriel, so immensely likeable, put up against Harper’s distinct lack of likability, is mind-meltingly annoying. Are there some really hot parts of this book? Absolutely. But I can’t imagine a world where Harper deserves Gabriel, and that’s a damn shame. I would read a thousand books about Gabriel, his life, and his friends. Harper is just there.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

I’ve loved Rosie Danan’s previous books, and somehow Villain Edit has become my new favorite—slightly edging out The Roommate, which I didn’t think was possible.

This book is everything I want in a paranormal romance. Harper and Gabriel are both flawed, complicated, and incredibly interesting characters. Their individual growth is just as compelling as the romance itself, and watching them become the kind of people who could truly love one another made their relationship feel completely earned.

I also appreciated that not every plot thread was tied up in a neat bow. In another book that might have frustrated me, but here it felt true to the world Danan created. The paranormal elements are fun, but the emotional beats feel grounded in the way real people navigate fear, insecurity, family expectations, and second chances.

Funny, tender, full of yearning, found family, and some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments, this was such a delight from beginning to end. It’s an easy five stars from me, and I already know I’ll be stocking it in my mobile bookstore as soon as it’s released.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover got me.

This isn’t the usual thing I’d make it through without a lot of grimacing. I like the whole enemies to lovers thing… or a character with a good mean streak. The happily ever after stuff tends to make me wince, which is really the only reason this isn’t higher than a 4/5.

Hardcore vampire devotees are going to find a very soft handling of the lore with Gabriel. He’s extremely charming and golden retriever-like, but I had no qualms with him.

Harper is the character that made this lose points in my rating. I found I had little investment in her as a character, and her stakes felt surface level. These are simply my own complaints in an FMC that isn’t super appealing to me.

All this to say— it’s fun! It’s fun, cute, and easy to read. Low stakes for emotional investment and feels like an early 2000s romcom. If you want to feel good by the end, love vampires and a strong-willed woman, this is it! Credit where all credit is due: it’s a good book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc.

[Sandrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5⭐️
This was a great romance. I really liked how modern vampires are in this world. Gabriel, the vampire prince, is in exile for 10 years to show that he is able to control himself around humans. Harper just lost her job as a reality tv producer and accepts to housesit her grandmother’s house. As Harper and Gabriel meet, there’s a lot of tension. Harper wants to get back to her job and proposes to make Gabriel the lead of the reality tv which would benefit them both. But as they spend more time together, sparks fly.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Harper and Gabriel. They really got to know each other. They were both facing decisions between their duty/responsibilities and their feelings for each other. There were many comedic moments but also touching ones. The spicy scenes were spicy for real. Gabriel is a hot vampire…
Overall, this is a great romance story, perfect for readers who would like a modern take on vampires !

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.