Heal Me

Immortal Vices and Virtues: All Hallows' Eve #5

by Annie Anderson

I swore I’d never take another mate.

Not after the last one nearly broke me—bone, blood, and soul.

So when Styx shows up at my door with a red dress, a cryptic invitation, and a look that says "trust me" (which I absolutely do not), I should’ve slammed the door in her smug face.

Instead, I ended up at the All Hallows’ Eve Ball. In heels. Surrounded by strangers. And then… him.

The vampire I’ve been avoiding for months.
The one who smells like moonlight and danger.
The one Fate clearly has plans for—whether I want it or not.

I didn’t come here looking for a second chance. But when the doors lock, the masks come off, and I end up trapped in a closet with him…

Let’s just say the universe has a twisted sense of humor. Healing has never been gentle.

And this time? It comes with fangs.

Heal Me is a spicy standalone romantasy set in the Immortal Vices and Virtues Universe. Every book is a guaranteed happily ever after with a satisfying ending and no cliffhangers. Perfect for fans of Immortals After Dark, Black Dagger Brotherhood, and the Demonica series.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Vampires, Paranormal Romance, Halloween, Paranormal

182 pages, Paperback

Published October 5, 2025

About the author

Annie Anderson is the author of the international bestselling Rogue Ethereal series. A United States Air Force veteran, Annie pens fast-paced Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy novels filled with strong, snarky heroines and a boatload of magic. When she takes a break from writing, she can be found binge-watching The Magicians, flirting with her husband, wrangling children, or bribing her cantankerous dogs to go on a walk.

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Reviews

[Mia S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and quick!

A wolf and vampire, and it was rough stars wise because while quick and would’ve loved a little more backstory, boiled down it made sense. Yes very protective and ran from bond, and yes he went crazy and traded a priceless stone for her (swoon really omg swoon).

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original review

This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Annie Anderson!

Heal Me is the fifth standalone book in the fourth season of  Immortal Vices and Virtues: All Hallows' Eve,  and tells the story of Penny and Gideon.

 

And we're already over halfway through the fourth season... The sadness is starting to kick in, I don't want this amazing universe to end!!! The  Immortal Vices and Virtues: All Hallows' Eve  is the fourth season in the Immortal Vices and Virtues universe, a book universe with four seasons. Each season has a few Romantasy standalone  books written by different authors/author duos. Each book ends with a happy ending, and in some of the books you can read about characters that have been introduced in a previous book. The Immortal Vices and Virtues universe is such an amazing book universe with different beings and lots of spice!

 

Heal Me is the fifth book in the fourth season, All Hallows' Eve. The fourth season has a main theme: a party on All Hallows' Eve where the main characters find their mate. This season has novellas instead of full-length novels, so you can enjoy spooky season with short stories full of spice and a HEA. Heal Me is about Penny and Gideon, Penny is a wolf shifter and Gideon is a vampire. For those who've read the previous seasons, you might already know Penny. We first met Penny in Shadow Me from the third season, this book is about Styx and Corvin, two characters that are also mentioned in this book. But don't worry, if you haven't read the previous seasons, you can still enjoy this novella because each novella is a standalone.

 

Heal Me was a fun read, it wasn't my favourite in the fourth season, but it was still enjoyable to read. I just have read too many Annie Anderson books and to me her female main characters are usually too similar. With some authors I can enjoy this, with others not. But this book was still a solid four stars so it was still a good and quick Romantasy read. With novellas, you know that you cannot expect big storylines or lots of character development, and for me that's totally okay. It's nice to read shorter books in between bigger books, and if they have some spice and a happily ever after, you can count me in! 

[Jana Oglesby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest installment of the immortal vices and virtues novella books & it was a good one! I enjoyed this quick story of Penny & Gideon. It was so sweet & a great ending!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read, fast paced, actioned packed with a few cameos from old friends.

Excellent read

[Barb Shuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC Review*

This story is intense, a little chaotic, emotional (in all the right ways) and a page-Turner! I love Penny, she is a freaking riot of complete badassery. Put that woman in a dress and she becomes…. So much more. I absolutely love, love, loved this story.

We first met Penny in Shadow Me but this story is its own. You don’t need to read anything else, unless you really want to. :)

[Serena Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

’Ella era mi reina. ¿Y su corazón? Eso no fue una conquista. Era una corona.
Así que entró en pánico. Así que arañó, mordió y huyó. Bien. Que su fuego arda. Que muestre sus colmillos. Prefiero una reina que luche a una que se doblegue.’




•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.




Heal Me de Annie Anderson Serie Immortal Vices and Virtues: All Hallows' Eve

Argumento:

Juré que nunca volvería a tener pareja.

No después de que la última casi me destrozara: hueso, sangre y alma.

Así que cuando Styx aparece en mi puerta con un vestido rojo, una invitación críptica y una mirada que dice "confía en mí" ( cosa que no hago en absoluto ), debería haberle cerrado la puerta en las narices

En cambio, terminé en el Baile de la Víspera de Todos los Santos. Con tacones. Rodeada de extraños. Y luego… él .

El vampiro que he estado evitando durante meses.
El que huele a luz de luna y peligro. Aquel
para quien el Destino claramente tiene planes, quiera o no.

No vine aquí buscando una segunda oportunidad. Pero cuando las puertas se cierran, las máscaras se quitan y termino atrapada en un armario con él…

Digamos que el universo tiene un sentido del humor retorcido. La curación nunca ha sido suave.

¿Y esta vez? Viene con colmillos.


Mi humilde opinión:

Un romance fantástico con parejas destinadas, loba – vampiro, segunda oportunidad.

Me gustó la historia de Penny y Gideon. Me hubiera gustado tener mas detalle sobre la historia pasada de Penny pero entendí su trauma, desconfianza y miedo, Las heridas provocadas por su anterior pareja destinada aún no sanaban y lo logra cuando el destino, que fue cruel una vez con ella, le vuelve a elegir un vampiro como compañero. Sin embargo, a pesar de que quiere escapar de él y negar su vínculo, Gideon le demuestra que con él esta a salvo y que nunca la lastimaría. Me desesperó un poco la negación de Penny, le costó dejar entrar a Gideon pero no tarda mucho en darse cuenta que él es un vampiro muy diferente a los que conocía. Y Gideon? me encantaba cómo era con Penny, tuvo detalles que me derritieron.

Es un romance que se lee rápido y engancha con su mezcla de drama y picante, magia y acción.

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to see Penny finding her HEA. After suffering the terrible ordeal with her former mate traying to force a bond on her and nearly unaliving her; Penny closed herself off completely and vowed to never take another mate. When her friend Styx shows up with an invitation to a ball Penny's good intentions went flying out of the window.

Can't a she-wolf sit and enjoy a drink without being bothered? Apparently not because fate was not done with Penny yet. It's bad enough her former mate was a rogue vampire who tried to rip her throat out, but fate decided to send her a second chance mate, who is also a vampire.

Gideon remembers Penny from a chance meeting a few months prior when she walked into an Apothecary shop, took one at him and turned tail and ran. Gideon never forgot her or the fact that she was his fated mate.

Penny tried her best to avoid Gideon, but her body and wolf had other plans. Flames burned like an inferno and the passion between Gideon and Penny was like a 5-alarm fire. Unfortunately, Penny was still dealing with demons from her past.

This is a story of overcoming trauma and allowing love to find you again. Penny was scared to take a chance, but Gideon was worth the wait, and he made sure to prove to her how much he needed her by his side. I'm so happy she got another chance.

[Amelia.S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Anderson’s Heal Me draws readers into a world where passion, fate, and supernatural tension intertwine with devastating emotional depth. The novel stands out not only as a “spicy romantasy,” but as a story about the courage it takes to love again after deep wounds both literal and emotional.

Through the narrator’s raw voice and sharp internal conflict, Anderson crafts a heroine who’s as haunted by her past as she is tempted by her future. The chemistry between the reluctant protagonist and her destined vampire counterpart ignites from the very first page, but what makes their bond compelling is its fragility the fear that love may heal, but it also scars.

The All Hallows’ Eve setting serves as a vivid metaphor for masks, secrets, and revelations. Each encounter drips with tension and dark humor, balancing sensuality with emotional gravity. Anderson’s prose pulses with cinematic energy moody, fierce, and intoxicating while her world-building keeps readers grounded in the Immortal Vices and Virtues universe.

Ultimately, Heal Me isn’t just about rekindled desire; it’s about reclaiming strength in vulnerability. Fans of Kresley Cole or J.R. Ward will find it magnetic a story that proves even in a world of immortals, healing is the most human act of all.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest book in the Immortal Vices and Virtues series is here, and this one is probably our favorite thus far! Penny and Gideon are here to share their story, but they’ll be bringing along a familiar face or two with them! You won’t want to miss out on this book for sure!
Penny is a wolf/witch hybrid. Originally her first fated mate was a Crimson Rose. Well, we all know how that went down. They were wiped out, and with good cause. None of them even tried to be a good vamp, so best to rid the world of them. Unfortunately she carries the scar of that one’s touch.
When she crosses paths with Gideon, she feels the mate bond tug and immediately bolts. But can she out run fate? Not when Vaelora is involved. Cue up the invitation, the ball, and the inevitable delicious fun to follow.
This book brings the heat in the steamy department and we loved every second of it. There is more drama as the story progresses, and it works to keep us absolutely captivated after a slower than expected start. Don’t miss out on this addition to the series, and you can expect a nice little HEA for this standalone.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a few pages, Annie Anderson creates a slow-burning romance with a building tension that ripples across the pages. This wasn't a sweet romance; it had a bit of a bite. Penny is a little damaged, but I admired her sharp edge. Her quiet and solitude were enough for her; she wasn't interested in a mate. Penny had one before, and it didn't turn out so well. However, Gideon is a force that couldn't be denied. His confidence was sexy as heck, and so was his patience. Penny was fighting, but also leaning into it. She was a mixed bag, but Gideon was all in. Fate was going to have its way; it was unavailable.


I enjoy a good romance, but I also enjoy a really good plot, even more so. This was a good romance but had very little plot. One issue came up and was quickly put to bed. He's an assassin, there were issues around the pack (but not with them), and it felt like there could have been more. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this one. It's always good catching up with familiar characters.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great novella in the series! This one is all about Penny.

Penny has been deeply hurt and nearly killed by a vampire who was supposed to be her fated mate. Having survived that ordeal, she ran the other way when she first met Gideon and has been avoiding him ever since.

That changes at the All Hallows' Eve ball. Gideon sees his perfect opportunity to finally get close to Penny, and she has the chance to start healing—if she's willing to take that leap of faith with him.

I really enjoyed this story. Penny wasn't easily convinced to bond herself to another man, especially not another vampire. The novella was well-written and held my attention completely. I was rooting for Gideon from the start (I mean, who wouldn't be?)

Since this is a novella, it was a quick read without extensive character development or world-building. However, it works perfectly because we are already familiar with the world and have met Penny before in the previous Immortal Vices and Virtues series. The book you're looking for is "Shadow Me" (if you haven't read it yet, go, go, go!).

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soul wounds are neither easy nor quick to heal, and Penny had too many that constantly reminded her of the nightmare she'd experienced and the importance of not trusting. I really liked that Gideon understood Penny's situation and was determined not only to fully immerse himself in her life but also to help her, which isn't easy given his predatory nature. The stories stirred my emotions, made me feel for Penny, and I felt saddened by her pain, but Gideon proved to have the necessary skills for her healing, and I was even more pleased that he was chosen for her. I loved his perspectives. A story with a lot of feeling, a torrid romance and passion, mistrust, and conflicting emotions that kept me reading, waiting to see how the situation would be handled, and I was not disappointed. Vaelora, with her All Hallows Eve Ball, fulfilled her mission.

[ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is going to come across kind of pointless I think. I found this book rather predictable. Which in and of itself isn’t always a bad thing. I enjoy tropes and will read and enjoy books that I know what’s going to happen as long as the writing is well done and I find myself emotionally attached to the characters. The writing was fine, it wasn’t bad, the grammar was on point, and there were good descriptions, but there was a distance between me as a reader and the characters I couldn’t quite close. I couldn’t cross that border from these are people I’m reading about to, these are characters I love and am rooting for. I gave it three stars because it wasn’t badly written or anything I just couldn’t fall in love with it, it was just fine.

[Naurarwen]

Yay for Penny getting her happy ending. She was totally against another mate after what she went through with her first, but fate has other plans for and so does the All Hallows' Eve party. She comes face-to-face with Gideon and feels the mate bond tugging at her; she runs. But Gideon won't be dissuaded.

Steamy and driven, this is a fantastic story, and I absolutely loved Penny and Gideon. It's fast-paced, as expected from a novella, and I'm all there for it. A really enjoyable read and I can't see what comes next in the All Hallows' Eve series, but I'm also reminded that we are close to the end of the entire IVV seasons, and it makes me sad.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penny is invited to the All Hallows’ Eve Ball. It is there that she meets Gideon. She feels his glaze on her. Instead of feeling scared, she feels something else.

"You're mine now, Penny."

Gideon can tell that Penny is his mate. He feels the strong connection. All he needs is one bite to claim her. I felt the intense chemistry that Gideon and Penny shared. That scene when they both shifted, and Gideon chased after Penny was hot. I loved Gideon calling Penny "Mi, reina."

"In his arms, for one wild, impossible moment, I hadn't felt broken."

This is a really good quickie read. You don't have to have read the prior books in this series to read this one. Fated mates.

[K.A. Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heal Me (Fated Mates Romantasy) by Annie Anderson

***5 stars***

Another win for Annie Anderson! Everything she writes is gold and it doesn't look like she's going to stop anytime soon.

Penny is a wolf/witch hybrid, who let's just say, has been unlucky in love. She also has the scar of her past love to prove it.

When Gideon flies into her radar, she instantly feels the pull of the mate bond, and it freaks her out. I mean, Can you blame her? So she runs from him, at first, but we all know you can't outrun fate forever.

This one's definitely a wild ride filled with lots of smexy time, drama, and action. An absolute must read for sure!

[Amanda Peterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book centers on Penny and Gideon. Shes a wolf/witch hybrid that doesn't trust fated mates. Her first one was a Crimson Rose vampire that tried to kill her and failed.

Years later she's physically healed, but she still bears emotional scars. When she attends a masked ball, at the insistence of Styx, she comes face to face with her fate. Will she be able to work through her trauma enough to embrace a second chance? Will Gideon have the patience to help her through her trauma?

As for the spice.....yes please! I will never look at closets the same way again!

[Sandy Schleich · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok

I didn’t feel like this book had a lot of storyline. There seem to be more sex than story. What little storyline there was was interesting, but it was kind of annoying because it overlapped a lot. By that I mean, the FMC would say something from their point of view, and then the MMC would say pretty much the same thing, but from their point of view and it kind of got old. It felt like the author was trying to fill space. I usually like this author, but this book was disappointing.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

love Heal Me so much!!! I love all of Annie's books and so I was expecting to like it, but Penny had me from the get go. I mean who didn't love strong girls?! I love her and Gideon together so much. I love the spice, and the story. I was sad when it ended. If you love strong females and heart swooning males, fate mates which is one I love. Get these books. I love that Annie makes the characters feel like friends by the end. Friends with you, not just each other. Lol I'm horrible at reviews but trust me, get this book. You'll be glad you did.

[Kelly Mccurdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you’ve been burned before it’s hard to trust anyone but yourself and those you think of as family. Penny is as closed off as a door to the outside during winter. She’s been burned and she’s not going to do it again. Gideon knows what he wants and will fight to prove that he belongs with her.
These two are explosive. They balance everything out and know when to back off. I love reading this author, she leaves you feeling complete and satisfied.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penny is desperate to deny the bond between herself and her fated mate, as she has been bitten once before, and it almost ended in her death. Corbin wants nothing more than to claim his mate and live the HEA, but he has to have both patience and a lot of determination to get past Penny and the walls she has built. A fast-paced, action-filled novella that will leave you wanting more. Highly recommend

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short read in the new Immortal Vices and Virtues: All Hallows Eve series. Penny first appears in Shadow Me and whilst you don't need to read that to enjoy this story, why wouldn't you? After a traumatic experience, Penny is determined to avoid the vampire who is her mate. Gideon has other ideas. I loved the crazy drama of the party, the patience and understanding from Gideon, the no-nonsense pep talk from Styx, the steamy encounters and finally the trust and happily ever after.

[Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fated mates romance. Penny wants nothing to do with fate and mates due to what fate had done in her past. Too bad fate didn’t care what she wanted. Gideon is a vampire and another thing Penny wants nothing to do with. But when the invitation to the All Hallows’ Eve ball comes Penny will have to face fate. Plenty of tension and definitely plenty of heat. The romance is so much fun to watch as it changes in the story.

[TheSugaredBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that Penny is getting her HEA! The last time we saw her, she was having such a traumatic experience. She survived a horrible mate who tried to force bond her. Now she's stronger, feisty and kind of a recluse. And then she meets Gideon. He had me swooning the first time he called her "Mi Reina"! He's perfection! He's patient, calm, and protective while still being possessive and obsessive! Just perfection!

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up to 3. This was.....ok. I usually like Annie Anderson's work a lot more than this and I really liked Penny in Shadow Me. I really liked the party idea and I liked seeing more of Styx. I think the factor I didn't care for was Gideon. I didn't really like how he spoke to Penny especially during sex. It wasn't bad it just did not land with me at all. Also it was a novella and I think a more fleshed out story would have made this work better for me. Alas they cannot all be winners.

[Monica Purser · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good. Not my favourite in the series though. I liked penny and Gideon but I don't really feel like anything happened ? Like, I get it's a novella but other than meeting, banging in a closet, sealing the bond and then accepting the bond, that was kind of it. There was almost a bit of side plot with a whoopsie she almost died, but it was like almost a non-event. Cute, quick but it really just felt like one spicy scene with a half baked plot surrounding it tbh

[Sharon Wingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penny has been hurt before and has done everything possible to protect herself. That is until Gideon appears at All Hallows Ball and the sparks fly. Penny doesn’t believe in Fated mates but it appears she has no choice. This is a spicy, paranormal romance that is definitely fast paced and lots of action. If you’re interested in these genres, I definitely recommend reading this book.

[Michalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of the Immortal Vices and Virtues: All Hallows' Eve series and was a great, quick read. Penny had a traumatic post concerning a vampire and to find out her fated mate was one too? Can she overcome it? Gideon was patient but let her know where he stood. The chemistry was scorching and the story enjoyable.

[nat _lovestoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short read! ❤️‍🔥
How can you trust a new mate bond when the first one went terrible wrong? 💔😭
You don’t... at least no without proof that is real, that is worth it... and Gideon delivers in such a swoony way! 🥵🫠
Great short read, where a heart was healed and a really well deserved HEA was reached! 🙌🏻❤️😍
PS, I looooved the Spanish endearments (I'm Mexican) 🥰

[Alexis Salinas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book was HOT!! Like steam coming off the pages HOT. For a novella, it had the perfect balance of spice and plot. So so good. I loved Penny and Gideon's story. Her having a second chance at love with someone like Gideon, who has the patience of a Saint and doesn't push her. They were absolutely perfect together and I was so happy to see her get her happy ending!