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Fated to the Vampire Prince
A dark vampire romantasy with all the scandal and seduction of
Bridgerton
—with sharper teeth.
Vampires rule the uneasy peace between the Witches of Light and the Witches of Darkness, bound by a fragile treaty that could shatter at any moment. Living under the shame of being a magickless witch, Claire Prideaux accepts a deadly mission from her family. Bound by a cursed necklace to infiltrate the vampire court or die, her task is expose their secrets.
But her plans unravel when she learns she is the mate of Prince Bastien Allard, the Duke of Roselyn, and the most dangerous vampire of them all. Claiming their bond would bind their souls together forever—something neither of them want. To Bastien, such a bond is a curse that could ruin his court and cost him everything. To Claire, it is the ultimate betrayal of her family and the vow she made to avenge them.
As ancient treaties fracture and whispers of rebellion spread, Claire must navigate a court steeped in magick, deadly bargains, and ruthless schemes—while Bastien struggles against the fate that tempts him at every turn. One wrong move could ignite a war between witches and vampires, and tether her heart to the very man she was raised to hate.
Fated to the Vampire Prince is the first book in a lush, gothic romantasy duology filled with forbidden love, political intrigue, and a fated bond neither vampire nor witch can resist.
Vampires rule the uneasy peace between the Witches of Light and the Witches of Darkness, bound by a fragile treaty that could shatter at any moment. Living under the shame of being a magickless witch, Claire Prideaux accepts a deadly mission from her family. Bound by a cursed necklace to infiltrate the vampire court or die, her task is expose their secrets.
But her plans unravel when she learns she is the mate of Prince Bastien Allard, the Duke of Roselyn, and the most dangerous vampire of them all. Claiming their bond would bind their souls together forever—something neither of them want. To Bastien, such a bond is a curse that could ruin his court and cost him everything. To Claire, it is the ultimate betrayal of her family and the vow she made to avenge them.
As ancient treaties fracture and whispers of rebellion spread, Claire must navigate a court steeped in magick, deadly bargains, and ruthless schemes—while Bastien struggles against the fate that tempts him at every turn. One wrong move could ignite a war between witches and vampires, and tether her heart to the very man she was raised to hate.
Fated to the Vampire Prince is the first book in a lush, gothic romantasy duology filled with forbidden love, political intrigue, and a fated bond neither vampire nor witch can resist.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2025
24 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
November 8, 2025
Did I read this on wattpad? Yes.
Did I ever finish it? no.
Did I love what I already have read? YES !!!!!
I was so sad when i found out it would be removed from wattpad BUT THEN FOUND OUT I COULD GET THE PHYSICAL COPY.
Thats GOOD.
But I’m still kinda sad because the book version wont be the same as the wattpad version and I would kill to be able to finish reading the wattpad version but alright...
...I'm not THAT affected
...you know
...I'm okay...
also me:
I know I didn't finish reading it but I'm still giving it 5 stars because well... I can...
IM THE FIRST REVIEWER???
better review to come !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did I ever finish it? no.
Did I love what I already have read? YES !!!!!
I was so sad when i found out it would be removed from wattpad BUT THEN FOUND OUT I COULD GET THE PHYSICAL COPY.
Thats GOOD.
But I’m still kinda sad because the book version wont be the same as the wattpad version and I would kill to be able to finish reading the wattpad version but alright...
...I'm not THAT affected
...you know
...I'm okay...
also me:
I know I didn't finish reading it but I'm still giving it 5 stars because well... I can...
IM THE FIRST REVIEWER???
better review to come !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 3, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this.
I thought the plot was interesting, even though there wasn't much world building and I was a tad confused trying to figure out what was going on.
I loved Bastien. His touch her and die vibes had me swooning. I also love that he just couldn't stay away from Claire no matter how hard he tried. Now Claire on the other hand, I didn't dislike her but i couldn't really connect with her. She just seemed very childish to me but i mean she is 18, so i get it. She isn't too familiar with the world.
I will read the next book because although there are some holes in the plot; this was a very interesting and fast pace read. I'm curious as to what is going to happen next, especially with how the last few chapters went.
Thank you to TheNerdFam and the author for my early copy!!
I thought the plot was interesting, even though there wasn't much world building and I was a tad confused trying to figure out what was going on.
I loved Bastien. His touch her and die vibes had me swooning. I also love that he just couldn't stay away from Claire no matter how hard he tried. Now Claire on the other hand, I didn't dislike her but i couldn't really connect with her. She just seemed very childish to me but i mean she is 18, so i get it. She isn't too familiar with the world.
I will read the next book because although there are some holes in the plot; this was a very interesting and fast pace read. I'm curious as to what is going to happen next, especially with how the last few chapters went.
Thank you to TheNerdFam and the author for my early copy!!
November 7, 2025
Thank you Ainsley James for this eARC!
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
⭐️ 3.5/5
🌶 2.5/5
🧠 3/10
Cliffhanger: 3/10
Noteworthy: Book 1 of an incomplete duology. Dual POV. Publication date is 11/7/2025.
Here we have a classic tale of vampires and witches. The vampires govern, keep the peace of a treaty and enforce the laws. Our MMC Bastian is the brother of the high prince and feels a huge obligation to his duty as duke. He's invested hundreds of years into peacekeeping and that seems to be hanging on by a thread. On top of this he is also tasked with training his irresponsible nephew as his heir. A task Bastian would rather be defanged than fulfill. As if his life isn't complicated enough, in walks trouble in the form of a magicless witch and our FMC Claire. She is magically bound to spy on Bastian for her family who is the biggest thorn in Bastian's side. Chaos and the unexpected ensue. Both of our mains are fighting everything at every turn including their attraction to each other. This is a fast burn like a Porsche driving in a school zone. There is loads of tension and when they finally find open road it's delicious!
I would have liked more background and understanding of what started the war between the witches. It felt like it was missing some depth for the backstory that I hope comes in book 2.
This is the kind of book you read for a good time. The forbidden, I will resist you as long as I can but it's gonna hurt, vibes are heavy. We have way more questions than answers at this point. The cliffhanger was way milder than it could have been and honestly thank the goddess. I was ready to be stressed and was pleasantly surprised. Definitely add this to your TBR for when you're looking for something to break up heavy books or need to get out of a slump!
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
⭐️ 3.5/5
🌶 2.5/5
🧠 3/10
Cliffhanger: 3/10
Noteworthy: Book 1 of an incomplete duology. Dual POV. Publication date is 11/7/2025.
Here we have a classic tale of vampires and witches. The vampires govern, keep the peace of a treaty and enforce the laws. Our MMC Bastian is the brother of the high prince and feels a huge obligation to his duty as duke. He's invested hundreds of years into peacekeeping and that seems to be hanging on by a thread. On top of this he is also tasked with training his irresponsible nephew as his heir. A task Bastian would rather be defanged than fulfill. As if his life isn't complicated enough, in walks trouble in the form of a magicless witch and our FMC Claire. She is magically bound to spy on Bastian for her family who is the biggest thorn in Bastian's side. Chaos and the unexpected ensue. Both of our mains are fighting everything at every turn including their attraction to each other. This is a fast burn like a Porsche driving in a school zone. There is loads of tension and when they finally find open road it's delicious!
I would have liked more background and understanding of what started the war between the witches. It felt like it was missing some depth for the backstory that I hope comes in book 2.
This is the kind of book you read for a good time. The forbidden, I will resist you as long as I can but it's gonna hurt, vibes are heavy. We have way more questions than answers at this point. The cliffhanger was way milder than it could have been and honestly thank the goddess. I was ready to be stressed and was pleasantly surprised. Definitely add this to your TBR for when you're looking for something to break up heavy books or need to get out of a slump!
October 31, 2025
Fated to the Vampire Prince presents a captivating premise with a fresh dual POV approach that offers insight into both main characters. The story’s concept is intriguing and holds a lot of potential for a compelling supernatural romance.The writing is solid and clear, though a bit more polish could help the narrative flow more smoothly and heighten the emotional connection. The pacing feels steady but could benefit from deeper development of the story’s key elements. While the characters are interesting, I found myself wanting to see more growth and complexity from them to really make their journeys resonate. With added layers and exploration of their motivations, this story could reach an even greater level of engagement.For fans of vampire romance and paranormal tales, this book has enjoyable moments and a solid foundation.
November 17, 2025
This book was so much fun love the classic vampire romance trope it never gets old. Throw in some enemies to lovers, witches, touch her and die and political intrigue and it’s a winning combo.
I loved Claire’s development throughout from naive, sheltered and not thinking much of herself to a much stronger character. Would love to see more world building in the next book.
Thank you nerd fam and Ainsley James for the eARC
I loved Claire’s development throughout from naive, sheltered and not thinking much of herself to a much stronger character. Would love to see more world building in the next book.
Thank you nerd fam and Ainsley James for the eARC
November 5, 2025
I was hooked from the first chapter! It's almost not fair that I don't have book 2 to immediately devour! Claire is such a fun FMC and complicated and layered. Bastien might be the first light-haired MMC that I adore! 😂 The world they live in is easy to immerse yourself in. After that ending I cannot wait to learn more about Claire and Bastien and how it all plays out!
November 1, 2025
This was by far my favorite ARC so far. I was pulled in from the beginning and couldn’t put it down. The story was excellently written. Fated to the Vampire Prince is a dark fantasy romance, with fated mates, slow burn, and just the right amount of spice. I loved Claire and Bastien and I am genuinely excited to read the next book. I highly recommend.
November 14, 2025
First off, I have to thank The Nerd Fam and Ainsley James for a gifted copy of this eARC. I had absolutely no idea that I needed a fated vampire x witch book, but Ainsley James delivered. The vibes were vibing, the plot was plotting, and the spice was spicing. Fated to the Vampire Prince was such a quick and easy read, and I had so much fun while reading it. If you like vampires, witches, political intrigue, family drama, and fated mates, this one’s for you. This gets a solid 4/5 from me!
If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with fated mates. Don’t ask me why, I’m not about to start unpacking that one yet. But Bastien and Claire had me hooked! I absolutely did not expect to love a blonde MMC (see: trauma from Tamlin), but I fell head over heels for Bastien. He’s a perfectly moody and broody male who’s possessive and has the most perfect “fuck it” energy. If that wasn’t enough, he’s a morally gray vampire prince whose mission is to protect the realm. Enough said.
Claire, our FMC, was intriguing. I love her relationship with her family, as it really influences the plot and a lot of the tension. She was definitely a little bit less experienced (if you know what I mean) for my taste, but the way that she learned more about that part of herself more than made up for that. She reminds me a bit of Rune Winters from The Crimson Moth duology (but less socially powerful). I’m so interested to see where the story takes her.
The plot though. This was really what kept me hooked throughout the story. The political tension set such a strong backdrop for the story, and the information that we’re fed throughout the book was trickled through perfectly. I never felt like I was being spoon fed or that I was drinking through a firehose of information. The themes of familial duty or love, being powerless vs. being powerful, and what it means to truly step into your own power were perfectly woven in.
I am so excited for the second installment to come out in March. There are so many things to wrap up. I have no idea how Ainsley James is going to do it. All I’ll leave you with is that I’m down for the ride.
If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with fated mates. Don’t ask me why, I’m not about to start unpacking that one yet. But Bastien and Claire had me hooked! I absolutely did not expect to love a blonde MMC (see: trauma from Tamlin), but I fell head over heels for Bastien. He’s a perfectly moody and broody male who’s possessive and has the most perfect “fuck it” energy. If that wasn’t enough, he’s a morally gray vampire prince whose mission is to protect the realm. Enough said.
Claire, our FMC, was intriguing. I love her relationship with her family, as it really influences the plot and a lot of the tension. She was definitely a little bit less experienced (if you know what I mean) for my taste, but the way that she learned more about that part of herself more than made up for that. She reminds me a bit of Rune Winters from The Crimson Moth duology (but less socially powerful). I’m so interested to see where the story takes her.
The plot though. This was really what kept me hooked throughout the story. The political tension set such a strong backdrop for the story, and the information that we’re fed throughout the book was trickled through perfectly. I never felt like I was being spoon fed or that I was drinking through a firehose of information. The themes of familial duty or love, being powerless vs. being powerful, and what it means to truly step into your own power were perfectly woven in.
I am so excited for the second installment to come out in March. There are so many things to wrap up. I have no idea how Ainsley James is going to do it. All I’ll leave you with is that I’m down for the ride.
November 15, 2025
I had the amazing opportunity to receive this as an eARC. I knew nothing going into this book other than it was marketed as fantasy meets Bridgerton. While I don’t fully see the Bridgeton vibes (only the titles like viscount remind me of it) I can definitely say the fantasy element was spot on!
The book begins with Claire attending a ball where she is disguised as an orphan magic-less witch whose sole purpose is to be picked by the Duke Of Roselyn to be his sanguine partner (his blood servant for a year essentially) Her job is to find out how he’s supporting the dark witches, find their relics and destroy them once and for all.
This book surprisingly was incredibly fast paced. I was pulled in from the moment Claire was picked until the very last page. While I will say there wasn’t much world building and the book heavily focused on the deep desire between the two characters (and some really spicy scenes which I didn’t mind lol) I still enjoyed it. Do I want to know more about the light and dark witches? Yes. Do I want to see a bit more world building and history behind Claire? Yes. Even though the center of the story focused around the bond between the two-I still really enjoyed it. While there was no major plot twist to this book it was fun, full of sexual tension, slow burn, fated mates and magic and the story never had a dull moment and really kept up the pace!
I definitely recommend checking this out! I’m excited to see what unfolds in book two!
The book begins with Claire attending a ball where she is disguised as an orphan magic-less witch whose sole purpose is to be picked by the Duke Of Roselyn to be his sanguine partner (his blood servant for a year essentially) Her job is to find out how he’s supporting the dark witches, find their relics and destroy them once and for all.
This book surprisingly was incredibly fast paced. I was pulled in from the moment Claire was picked until the very last page. While I will say there wasn’t much world building and the book heavily focused on the deep desire between the two characters (and some really spicy scenes which I didn’t mind lol) I still enjoyed it. Do I want to know more about the light and dark witches? Yes. Do I want to see a bit more world building and history behind Claire? Yes. Even though the center of the story focused around the bond between the two-I still really enjoyed it. While there was no major plot twist to this book it was fun, full of sexual tension, slow burn, fated mates and magic and the story never had a dull moment and really kept up the pace!
I definitely recommend checking this out! I’m excited to see what unfolds in book two!
December 2, 2025
I knew this book was about to unhinge my entire existence the moment the vampire prince looked at the heroine like she’d personally offended his bloodline… and then immediately acted feral about her. Sir, pick an emotion and commit!
Claire is a magickless witch with main-character audacity and feral raccoon energy; she will absolutely fight a vampire with household décor if needed. Bastien, on the other hand, is the emotionally repressed vampire prince who keeps insisting he doesn’t want a mate while acting like she’s his favorite forbidden snack. The math is not mathing, Your Grace.
The vibes:
Gothic.
Chaotic.
Hot.
And fueled entirely by tension, curses, and questionable decision-making.
Between the cursed necklace from hell, the simmering witch–vampire politics, the graveyard rituals, and the slow burn that had me kicking my feet like a Victorian orphan girl seeing sunshine for the first time. I inhaled this book.
Tropes:
🩸 enemies → fated mates
🕯️ gothic court intrigue
💋 forbidden-but-inevitable longing
🔥 slow burn → spontaneous combustion
🖤 morally gray, emotionally ruined love interests
⚔️ overprotective vampire prince behavior
🔮 cursed necklace chaos
✨ You’ll Like This If You Enjoy:
• Bridgerton with fangs and trauma
• romantasy where no one is acting normal
• dark magic + political sabotage
• unhinged romantic tension that owns your soul
Claire is a magickless witch with main-character audacity and feral raccoon energy; she will absolutely fight a vampire with household décor if needed. Bastien, on the other hand, is the emotionally repressed vampire prince who keeps insisting he doesn’t want a mate while acting like she’s his favorite forbidden snack. The math is not mathing, Your Grace.
The vibes:
Gothic.
Chaotic.
Hot.
And fueled entirely by tension, curses, and questionable decision-making.
Between the cursed necklace from hell, the simmering witch–vampire politics, the graveyard rituals, and the slow burn that had me kicking my feet like a Victorian orphan girl seeing sunshine for the first time. I inhaled this book.
Tropes:
🩸 enemies → fated mates
🕯️ gothic court intrigue
💋 forbidden-but-inevitable longing
🔥 slow burn → spontaneous combustion
🖤 morally gray, emotionally ruined love interests
⚔️ overprotective vampire prince behavior
🔮 cursed necklace chaos
✨ You’ll Like This If You Enjoy:
• Bridgerton with fangs and trauma
• romantasy where no one is acting normal
• dark magic + political sabotage
• unhinged romantic tension that owns your soul
January 30, 2026
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
3.5/5 Stars
Fated to the Vampire Prince by Ainsley James is a fun read about a witch named Claire who becomes the blood source for Prince Bastien.
I liked how the two met, and I also enjoyed the slow burn of their relationship.
Claire is a shy character who has been told she's "not enough" and not a "good witch." She is told she has to kill the Prince and is tied to that through a spelled choker. I enjoyed watching Claire's character growth and the changes at the end. What I do wish we saw more of is
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I wish some things were fleshed-out a bit more. But, I also know this is part of a duology and I am curious to see what happens in the next book and I do look forward to reading it.
3.5/5 Stars
Fated to the Vampire Prince by Ainsley James is a fun read about a witch named Claire who becomes the blood source for Prince Bastien.
I liked how the two met, and I also enjoyed the slow burn of their relationship.
Claire is a shy character who has been told she's "not enough" and not a "good witch." She is told she has to kill the Prince and is tied to that through a spelled choker. I enjoyed watching Claire's character growth and the changes at the end. What I do wish we saw more of is
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I wish some things were fleshed-out a bit more. But, I also know this is part of a duology and I am curious to see what happens in the next book and I do look forward to reading it.
November 6, 2025
In a world where witches of darkness war with witches of light and vampires rule, a magickless witch, named Claire, accepts a dangerous mission from her family to infiltrate the vampire court and return with their secrets. However, she never expected she’d be the fated mate of Bastien Allard, the Duke of Roselyn. He’s dangerous and enticing; She’s stubborn and beautiful, and giving into their bond could cost them everything . . .
“I’m the most terrifying thing in these woods, chérie. You have nothing to fear when you’re with me.”
This book is a dark vampire romantasy with all the scandal and seduction of Bridgerton—with sharper teeth!
This was a beautiful story! If you like fated mates, vampires x witches, animal familiars, hidden identity, deadly bargains, political intrigue, and a forbidden love worth risking it all, this one is for you!
“She was my new Blood Treaty. Her body my sacred land. Her breath my oath. Every inch of her mine to protect. To worship.”
Special thanks to Ainsley James and The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
“I’m the most terrifying thing in these woods, chérie. You have nothing to fear when you’re with me.”
This book is a dark vampire romantasy with all the scandal and seduction of Bridgerton—with sharper teeth!
This was a beautiful story! If you like fated mates, vampires x witches, animal familiars, hidden identity, deadly bargains, political intrigue, and a forbidden love worth risking it all, this one is for you!
“She was my new Blood Treaty. Her body my sacred land. Her breath my oath. Every inch of her mine to protect. To worship.”
Special thanks to Ainsley James and The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.
November 5, 2025
“There is a fire burning inside you. I can it behind your eyes, burning hot and bright. I’m sure they saw it too and it scared them. You scared them because they knew you were made for more, so they decided to stomp that fire out.”
An unstable blood sworn alliance between witches and vampires made for an unforgettable tale of self discovery and acceptance.
Claire and Bastien are supposed to be sworn enemies, but how long will they resist fate?
I absolutely adored this story, and the theme of accepting other beings who have a different way of life or narrative. If you love Bridgerton vibes with fated mates, vampires, and witches, you will love this book as much as I did!
🩸forbidden love
🖤witches
🩸vampires
🖤gothic
🩸political
🖤 mates
🩸 enemies to lovers
“It’s so tempting. Especially when you beg.”
Thank you to Ainsley James for the gifted eARC!
An unstable blood sworn alliance between witches and vampires made for an unforgettable tale of self discovery and acceptance.
Claire and Bastien are supposed to be sworn enemies, but how long will they resist fate?
I absolutely adored this story, and the theme of accepting other beings who have a different way of life or narrative. If you love Bridgerton vibes with fated mates, vampires, and witches, you will love this book as much as I did!
🩸forbidden love
🖤witches
🩸vampires
🖤gothic
🩸political
🖤 mates
🩸 enemies to lovers
“It’s so tempting. Especially when you beg.”
Thank you to Ainsley James for the gifted eARC!
November 8, 2025
Vampires, witches, forbidden bonds, and one fate that could destroy them both… ✨🩸
We follow Claire, a magickless witch bound by her mother’s command to spy on Bastien, the Vampire Prince. Forced into a deadly mission, she must uncover the secrets of the vampire court—or die trying. But when she learns that Bastien is her fated mate, everything changes.
Their connection is dangerous, their love forbidden, and their choices could ignite a war between witches and vampires. The slow trust between them, the tension, and that soul-deep bond had me hooked from start to finish.
If you love vampire courts, witch magic, curses, and fated mates, this one is a darkly romantic fantasy you’ll want to sink your teeth into. 💋
We follow Claire, a magickless witch bound by her mother’s command to spy on Bastien, the Vampire Prince. Forced into a deadly mission, she must uncover the secrets of the vampire court—or die trying. But when she learns that Bastien is her fated mate, everything changes.
Their connection is dangerous, their love forbidden, and their choices could ignite a war between witches and vampires. The slow trust between them, the tension, and that soul-deep bond had me hooked from start to finish.
If you love vampire courts, witch magic, curses, and fated mates, this one is a darkly romantic fantasy you’ll want to sink your teeth into. 💋
November 8, 2025
This was a really interesting one! I like how the world is set up, and the premise that brings Claire to Bastian. She's been sent by her mother to be his sanguine partner for a year, basically to get close to him and get information. She didn't expect to actually like him though.
And he didn't expect that he would be unable to resist her. As Bastian fights his draw to Claire, they become closer and more desperate to spend time together. There are many political games at play, and a ton of deception and secrets from all sides. The chemistry between Claire and Bastian is electric, and I need to know what's next for them!
And he didn't expect that he would be unable to resist her. As Bastian fights his draw to Claire, they become closer and more desperate to spend time together. There are many political games at play, and a ton of deception and secrets from all sides. The chemistry between Claire and Bastian is electric, and I need to know what's next for them!
December 7, 2025
3.65 ⭐️:
Thank you to the Nerd Fam and Ainsley James for a copy of this eARC!
I enjoyed this book as it has all the elements that I love (fated mates, vampire & witches, magic, enemies to lovers, etc.). There were some moments where I felt like the characters lacked depth so I didn’t have a strong emotional connection to them. I am interested to learn more about the lore between the divide between the witches of light and darkness as it plays a huge part to the plot of the story. The last half of the book got really interesting so I am looking forward to reading the second book!
Thank you to the Nerd Fam and Ainsley James for a copy of this eARC!
I enjoyed this book as it has all the elements that I love (fated mates, vampire & witches, magic, enemies to lovers, etc.). There were some moments where I felt like the characters lacked depth so I didn’t have a strong emotional connection to them. I am interested to learn more about the lore between the divide between the witches of light and darkness as it plays a huge part to the plot of the story. The last half of the book got really interesting so I am looking forward to reading the second book!
February 8, 2026
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. I liked the pacing of this book. Things didn’t move super fast but it also didn’t drag out. I was worried she wouldn’t find out about the mating bond until the last 10% of the book and then it would end.
This book was a mix of insta love/lust and a slow burn which actually worked really well. The yearning of that man 🔥🔥.
I also liked Claire’s journey of self discovery- finding her own way when she realizes what she’s always known to be true may not be true - and choosing love.
The spice was spicing. 🔥🥵. I love the teach me trope - and this was done so well without becoming unhinged.
I’m anxious to see what happens when Bastien finds out her secret 🫠.
This book was a mix of insta love/lust and a slow burn which actually worked really well. The yearning of that man 🔥🔥.
I also liked Claire’s journey of self discovery- finding her own way when she realizes what she’s always known to be true may not be true - and choosing love.
The spice was spicing. 🔥🥵. I love the teach me trope - and this was done so well without becoming unhinged.
I’m anxious to see what happens when Bastien finds out her secret 🫠.
November 7, 2025
He had to pick a blood donor for the year.
She's terrified at the sight of blood.
So why did he pick her?
For the past 25 years - her entire life - Claire has been told over and over that's she is useless to her coven; her own mother had the clearest voice of disdain for her.
So desperate to prove her worth, Claire agreed do vie for position of this year's sanguine partner to the prince of House Allard, the handsome vampire Bastion. Doing so would offer Claire rare access to the Prince and she could spy for her family.
Surprisingly, her deceit works, but no one is prepared for exactly HOW WELL it does until their connection threatens to upend the careful peace of the realm.
And her lies threaten to destroy them both.
Fated to The Vampire Prince is a lush, spicy, gothic horror fantasy. I believe it's part one of a duology and I can't wait to find out how it ends!
There is a ton of spice and be sure to check your triggers, but this book is FUN and addictive. I cannot wait to follow along with their story next year.
She's terrified at the sight of blood.
So why did he pick her?
For the past 25 years - her entire life - Claire has been told over and over that's she is useless to her coven; her own mother had the clearest voice of disdain for her.
So desperate to prove her worth, Claire agreed do vie for position of this year's sanguine partner to the prince of House Allard, the handsome vampire Bastion. Doing so would offer Claire rare access to the Prince and she could spy for her family.
Surprisingly, her deceit works, but no one is prepared for exactly HOW WELL it does until their connection threatens to upend the careful peace of the realm.
And her lies threaten to destroy them both.
Fated to The Vampire Prince is a lush, spicy, gothic horror fantasy. I believe it's part one of a duology and I can't wait to find out how it ends!
There is a ton of spice and be sure to check your triggers, but this book is FUN and addictive. I cannot wait to follow along with their story next year.
November 21, 2025
It’s been a while since ive read a good vampire romance and this one HIT 🔥. It was so crazy that the FMC is afraid of blood but she tryna be the prince’s one and only snack? (guuurrrrllll LOL) this book had be in a CHOKEHOLD til the end and i NEED book two please!
November 7, 2025
Oh my goodness, I loved this book so much! 😍 I was hooked from page one and could not put it down. SO addicting.
Claire has always been an outcast in her coven, seen as a disappointment for her lack of magic. Desperate to prove her worth, she accepts a deadly mission: spy on the vampire court and destroy the Dark witches’ relics. To seal her fate, she puts on an enchanted choker that will kill her if she fails.
Prince Bastien, the vampire leading the army and keeping peace between Light and Dark witches, reluctantly chooses Claire to be his blood source: her only ticket into the court. The twist? He instantly realizes she’s his mate, though she has no idea. Claiming a mate as a blood source is forbidden, forcing him to hide his feelings while battling his own desire.
The tension, chemistry, jealousy, and push-and-pull were absolute perfection. 🤌 When they finally cave? Ugh, I melted. 🫠 Bastien sees Claire’s worth from the start and helps her believe in herself. He demands respect and acceptance from all throughout the book and I loved that theme!
Secrets still linger at the end so I’ll definitely be picking up book two to see how their relationship survives the truth. 🫣
Also… they defile the bed of their enemies. 🔥🔥🔥
Thank you so much to the author for sending me this eARC!🫶
Claire has always been an outcast in her coven, seen as a disappointment for her lack of magic. Desperate to prove her worth, she accepts a deadly mission: spy on the vampire court and destroy the Dark witches’ relics. To seal her fate, she puts on an enchanted choker that will kill her if she fails.
Prince Bastien, the vampire leading the army and keeping peace between Light and Dark witches, reluctantly chooses Claire to be his blood source: her only ticket into the court. The twist? He instantly realizes she’s his mate, though she has no idea. Claiming a mate as a blood source is forbidden, forcing him to hide his feelings while battling his own desire.
The tension, chemistry, jealousy, and push-and-pull were absolute perfection. 🤌 When they finally cave? Ugh, I melted. 🫠 Bastien sees Claire’s worth from the start and helps her believe in herself. He demands respect and acceptance from all throughout the book and I loved that theme!
Secrets still linger at the end so I’ll definitely be picking up book two to see how their relationship survives the truth. 🫣
Also… they defile the bed of their enemies. 🔥🔥🔥
Thank you so much to the author for sending me this eARC!🫶
November 7, 2025
Thank you to NerdFam for the digital #gifted arc copy! 💞
3 .5 ⭐️
This book had me sat, and though it had its issues I enjoyed it and do plan on reading the next one! ❤️🔥
Honestly, I binged this book in three sittings and here are my thoughts:
10-27% It was almost a DNF, the writing was choppy those first few chapters and a lot of those sentences I was curious on how they were kept in a real book, especially the ones about grapes. Hubby and I made many jokes about food, especially when the young lord was come to be named Tyson. However, I pushed through because I was curious on how the plot would unfold, and the secrets behind the choker.
27%-52% This is the gap that hooked me, the writing improved a bit. There was intrigue with the consorts, which fell off hard after being a focus for a good 20% of the middle. There was a semi-complex magical system (under-touched until later on.) What kept me going was the pure unfiltered need these two had for each other as mates. Everything else in this book felt like it was filler.
52%-100% This is where I was sat. The slow fall in love, him giving into the mating bond and sharing it with her. However, for such a young and spirited FMC she simply just accepted everything quite weird but the mating bond seemed intense and he seems hot, so I don’t blame her. I ate this part up, the shocker of Natalia, the random drop off of all the important side characters such as Alec and Tysons sanguine partner. Felt like the background blurred and all that mattered was them.
Pro:
- Pure slow burn torture.
- In-depth feelings from both FMC and MMC written so we not just read but felt it too.
- The “magick” system.
- The concept of being trapped via collar to her family as a spy, and leaving so much secret and unsaid.
- All of the side characters that could have brought depth.
- Her familiars which could eventually add depth too.
- The plot of Sera which also could add depth.
- The mystery helpful witch who I hope to see more of next book.
Con:
- A whole magical choker locking her identity that was a solid 25% of the books focus, never even being tried to unravel besides the first 5% of the book.
- The idea of being watched by “Mama” and yet she was never in the book.
- Alec’s story and the mystery that came off of him got dropped off.
- The female consort was a “bff” for one day and forgotten.
- She wanted the consorts help with her “plan” and never sought it, or sought to even start her plan at all.
- The “mermaid” in the pool having so much potential as an advisor.
- Tyson having so much potential as a rebellious teen or even a spy for his father. And what happened to his Sanguine partner?? She was super skilled, super smart, super forgotten.
- The demon objects she spent so much time explaining she had to destroy and or find and basically never went to do either.
- Any secrets unraveling at all, even in the ending where most books such as these leave a cliffhanger,
Do not let my review deter you, I enjoyed it, I binged it. I just wish the plot and some sentence structures were worked on more. It felt like a good draft to what could’ve been broken up into multiple books, fluffed with more world and side character building and the main premise of the story actually dug into more, slowly.
3 .5 ⭐️
This book had me sat, and though it had its issues I enjoyed it and do plan on reading the next one! ❤️🔥
Honestly, I binged this book in three sittings and here are my thoughts:
10-27% It was almost a DNF, the writing was choppy those first few chapters and a lot of those sentences I was curious on how they were kept in a real book, especially the ones about grapes. Hubby and I made many jokes about food, especially when the young lord was come to be named Tyson. However, I pushed through because I was curious on how the plot would unfold, and the secrets behind the choker.
27%-52% This is the gap that hooked me, the writing improved a bit. There was intrigue with the consorts, which fell off hard after being a focus for a good 20% of the middle. There was a semi-complex magical system (under-touched until later on.) What kept me going was the pure unfiltered need these two had for each other as mates. Everything else in this book felt like it was filler.
52%-100% This is where I was sat. The slow fall in love, him giving into the mating bond and sharing it with her. However, for such a young and spirited FMC she simply just accepted everything quite weird but the mating bond seemed intense and he seems hot, so I don’t blame her. I ate this part up, the shocker of Natalia, the random drop off of all the important side characters such as Alec and Tysons sanguine partner. Felt like the background blurred and all that mattered was them.
Pro:
- Pure slow burn torture.
- In-depth feelings from both FMC and MMC written so we not just read but felt it too.
- The “magick” system.
- The concept of being trapped via collar to her family as a spy, and leaving so much secret and unsaid.
- All of the side characters that could have brought depth.
- Her familiars which could eventually add depth too.
- The plot of Sera which also could add depth.
- The mystery helpful witch who I hope to see more of next book.
Con:
- A whole magical choker locking her identity that was a solid 25% of the books focus, never even being tried to unravel besides the first 5% of the book.
- The idea of being watched by “Mama” and yet she was never in the book.
- Alec’s story and the mystery that came off of him got dropped off.
- The female consort was a “bff” for one day and forgotten.
- She wanted the consorts help with her “plan” and never sought it, or sought to even start her plan at all.
- The “mermaid” in the pool having so much potential as an advisor.
- Tyson having so much potential as a rebellious teen or even a spy for his father. And what happened to his Sanguine partner?? She was super skilled, super smart, super forgotten.
- The demon objects she spent so much time explaining she had to destroy and or find and basically never went to do either.
- Any secrets unraveling at all, even in the ending where most books such as these leave a cliffhanger,
Do not let my review deter you, I enjoyed it, I binged it. I just wish the plot and some sentence structures were worked on more. It felt like a good draft to what could’ve been broken up into multiple books, fluffed with more world and side character building and the main premise of the story actually dug into more, slowly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! It starts off fast paced full throttle in to the tension of a romance, it’s kind of like watching a Lifetime movie (hopefully this is not offensive or a turn off because I genuinely love them), as in it gives very binge worthy vibes, which is very nice especially if your in a reading slump. The beginning very much follows your typical smutty vampire romance novel style algorithm, but just when you get comfy cozy it changes. You start to notice how very different it really is, and a little bit darker than I would have originally guessed, but really that just makes it all the better, right!? The FMC, Claire, is a magickless witch who is sent on a mission by her family to get close to Prince Bastien and become his “sanguine”! The position of sanguine is a job/bond between human and vampire where she would basically be the only one he feeds from exclusively for that year, and ultimately her goal of to use this position to spy on him. Claire is a little young in age and maturity level, but this gives her a lot of room for growth, which she does by the end of the book. She has a lot of family trauma that you can tell really plays in to her maturity at the beginning and when she finally decides to take charge of her own decisions and trust herself I love it, she really starts to open her eyes and realize a lot of truths by the end. The MMC, Bastien, is the broody hero type, but with all kind of good reasoning for his broodiness, he’s really like the glue of everything and is juggling his ties to Claire, his kingdom, his brothers, his niece and second in command Natalia, his nephew and heir Tyson, and trying to make peace between the witches. His story focuses around his struggles with balancing all of his responsibilities and relationships and deciding how having found his mate can balance in to any of it. Beyond the main story line I really enjoyed vampires origin story with why they came in to existence, and I am hoping to get more history of this and how it happened in the next book! The witches are so far two main factions and there’s a lot of betrayal and history to uncover there as well. I love a good court systems intrigue novel, and this book gives us that. However, I like others am left with some questions and hoping that the next book brings more to light. I am also not ready for it to be over after the next book, I feel like there’s so much story and I really loved this one so much I hope it continues, but I will trust the process as I generally am a sucker for good duology!
November 3, 2025
Huge thank you to Ainsley James for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review!
This story follows the life of Claire, a witch that is under disguise to hopefully claim the place of sanguine partner to the vampire prince, Duke Bastien. Not only is she trying to claim this place amongst his group, she is doing it to spy on him in hopes of taking him down. Everything starts off a bit bumpy but as time goes on, both Bastien and Claire can’t stay away from each other, especially when Bastien realizes that Claire was chosen by the gods to be his destined mate instead of just a simple blood source for a year.
So many other things happen beyond that but I won’t spoil anything more than that! I enjoyed Claire as I felt that she was being forced to do her mission well to gain some recognition from her mother as well as fight for revenge for her kind. She didn’t have much confidence in herself as she was always brought down by her own mother but with Bastien’s help, she started to believe more in herself, even if it meant she might develop feelings for the one person she was supposed to hate. Bastien stole my heart as you could tell that not only was he trying to protect himself and his people, he also battled within himself when it came to Claire. The struggle he went through trying to decide what to do yet also being there for Claire and making sure she was safe just proved that he wasn’t as bad as people made him out to be. The slow burn between Claire and Bastien was really slow but I loved every moment of it. I felt like it was enough to keep you pining for more until the very end to witness just how far Bastien was willing to go to keep Claire by his side and to protect her.
Overall, this book was such a fun vampire read and the pacing to me was perfect. I wish there was more time to learn more about certain characters but I honestly didn’t mind it too much. I am really curious to see how the second book plays out. I have a feeling Bastien and Claire will be up against more than what they anticipate and I know I’ll be on the edge of my seat hoping for a good, happy ending!
This story follows the life of Claire, a witch that is under disguise to hopefully claim the place of sanguine partner to the vampire prince, Duke Bastien. Not only is she trying to claim this place amongst his group, she is doing it to spy on him in hopes of taking him down. Everything starts off a bit bumpy but as time goes on, both Bastien and Claire can’t stay away from each other, especially when Bastien realizes that Claire was chosen by the gods to be his destined mate instead of just a simple blood source for a year.
So many other things happen beyond that but I won’t spoil anything more than that! I enjoyed Claire as I felt that she was being forced to do her mission well to gain some recognition from her mother as well as fight for revenge for her kind. She didn’t have much confidence in herself as she was always brought down by her own mother but with Bastien’s help, she started to believe more in herself, even if it meant she might develop feelings for the one person she was supposed to hate. Bastien stole my heart as you could tell that not only was he trying to protect himself and his people, he also battled within himself when it came to Claire. The struggle he went through trying to decide what to do yet also being there for Claire and making sure she was safe just proved that he wasn’t as bad as people made him out to be. The slow burn between Claire and Bastien was really slow but I loved every moment of it. I felt like it was enough to keep you pining for more until the very end to witness just how far Bastien was willing to go to keep Claire by his side and to protect her.
Overall, this book was such a fun vampire read and the pacing to me was perfect. I wish there was more time to learn more about certain characters but I honestly didn’t mind it too much. I am really curious to see how the second book plays out. I have a feeling Bastien and Claire will be up against more than what they anticipate and I know I’ll be on the edge of my seat hoping for a good, happy ending!
November 9, 2025
“If you would only eat, Your Grace.”
“You don’t know what you’re asking for, Miss Donadieu.”
“Yes, I do.”
One hand fitted around my waist; the other cradled the side of my neck, his thumb grazing the frantic beat of my pulse.
“Your blood makes me—”
His breath hitched.
“Please,” I whispered.
“It’s so tempting. Especially when you beg.”
🔥🔥🔥
***
A lush, gothic tale of forbidden love, betrayal, and destiny that pulled me in from the very first page.
Claire Prideaux is a witch without magic — a burden she’s carried all her life. Desperate to prove her worth, she accepts a deadly mission: infiltrate the vampire court, spy on the infamous Prince Bastien Allard, and destroy him in the name of her coven. Bound by a cursed choker, failure isn’t an option — defiance means death.
But nothing could have prepared her for the truth.
For the moment she steps into Bastien’s world, everything she thought she knew begins to crumble. Becoming his sanguine partner — the one he must feed from to survive — was supposed to be her greatest victory. Instead, it becomes her downfall.
Their bond is a dangerous temptation neither can resist. Every glance, every heartbeat, every drop of blood shared between them only tightens the thread of fate pulling them together. As Claire uncovers secrets buried deep within the vampire court, she begins to question everything — her mission, her family, and the fragile line between light and darkness.
What if the true evil isn’t who she was taught to hate?
What if love itself is the most dangerous curse of all?
This first book in the duology left me breathless and hungry for more.
If you’re looking for :
🩸vampire romance
💔 forbidden love
💖 fated mates
🐺bonded fierce wolves
🔮 witches
🖤 grumpy but soft for her
This book is for you !😌
Thank you Ainsley James for the gifted eARC, it was a wonderful experience❤️
“You don’t know what you’re asking for, Miss Donadieu.”
“Yes, I do.”
One hand fitted around my waist; the other cradled the side of my neck, his thumb grazing the frantic beat of my pulse.
“Your blood makes me—”
His breath hitched.
“Please,” I whispered.
“It’s so tempting. Especially when you beg.”
🔥🔥🔥
***
A lush, gothic tale of forbidden love, betrayal, and destiny that pulled me in from the very first page.
Claire Prideaux is a witch without magic — a burden she’s carried all her life. Desperate to prove her worth, she accepts a deadly mission: infiltrate the vampire court, spy on the infamous Prince Bastien Allard, and destroy him in the name of her coven. Bound by a cursed choker, failure isn’t an option — defiance means death.
But nothing could have prepared her for the truth.
For the moment she steps into Bastien’s world, everything she thought she knew begins to crumble. Becoming his sanguine partner — the one he must feed from to survive — was supposed to be her greatest victory. Instead, it becomes her downfall.
Their bond is a dangerous temptation neither can resist. Every glance, every heartbeat, every drop of blood shared between them only tightens the thread of fate pulling them together. As Claire uncovers secrets buried deep within the vampire court, she begins to question everything — her mission, her family, and the fragile line between light and darkness.
What if the true evil isn’t who she was taught to hate?
What if love itself is the most dangerous curse of all?
This first book in the duology left me breathless and hungry for more.
If you’re looking for :
🩸vampire romance
💔 forbidden love
💖 fated mates
🐺bonded fierce wolves
🔮 witches
🖤 grumpy but soft for her
This book is for you !😌
Thank you Ainsley James for the gifted eARC, it was a wonderful experience❤️
December 3, 2025
I had the distinct honor and privilege to be given an Advanced Readers Copy of this beautiful masterpiece by the lovely Ainsley James!
This novels follows two main characters Claire and Bastian so I am gonna break this down with a play by play of my thoughts on them.
Claire speaks to me on a personal level, seeking the approval of her family she goes undercover and attends a ball to catch the eye of our male protagonist. She is being sent to spy on him and gather information. Right away she’s going in with preconceived impressions of the environment she’s entering and it starts to turn on its head the further this story goes. The characters progression and development was consistent throughout the novel and you get to see her blossom from a spark into an all consuming wildfire. She truly shows you what happens when you give yourself space to grow and prove all the haters wrong.
Bastian oh my goddess this man makes me swoon. With his tough and stone cold personality you really do hate to love him in the beginning. He frustrated me at times but in a good way because you need that tension to set the pace. His development is just as consistent as Claire’s he’s learning that the more you fight against the current the harder the current fights back. When these two have their moment when sparks fly you are shuddering and fanning yourself with the desire to be in Claire’s shoes.
The spice level is perfection. The storyline and world building is fantastic! If you are a fan of a slow burn with a worthwhile wait with vampires in a fantasy world. Please read this fantastic novel. I absolutely loved Ainsley’s work. She never disappoints.
This novels follows two main characters Claire and Bastian so I am gonna break this down with a play by play of my thoughts on them.
Claire speaks to me on a personal level, seeking the approval of her family she goes undercover and attends a ball to catch the eye of our male protagonist. She is being sent to spy on him and gather information. Right away she’s going in with preconceived impressions of the environment she’s entering and it starts to turn on its head the further this story goes. The characters progression and development was consistent throughout the novel and you get to see her blossom from a spark into an all consuming wildfire. She truly shows you what happens when you give yourself space to grow and prove all the haters wrong.
Bastian oh my goddess this man makes me swoon. With his tough and stone cold personality you really do hate to love him in the beginning. He frustrated me at times but in a good way because you need that tension to set the pace. His development is just as consistent as Claire’s he’s learning that the more you fight against the current the harder the current fights back. When these two have their moment when sparks fly you are shuddering and fanning yourself with the desire to be in Claire’s shoes.
The spice level is perfection. The storyline and world building is fantastic! If you are a fan of a slow burn with a worthwhile wait with vampires in a fantasy world. Please read this fantastic novel. I absolutely loved Ainsley’s work. She never disappoints.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2025
Fated to the Vampire Prince surprised me in the best way. This is a dark, witchy Bridgerton with vampires, political intrigue, and slow-burn tension that actually pays off. The dynamic between witches and vampires feels fresh — not the typical “ancient enemies” trope, but its own system of rules, contracts, and consequences that’s easy to follow without being watered down.
Claire is such an interesting protagonist: a magickless witch pressured into spying on vampire royalty… and suddenly bound by a cursed necklace to a duke she was never supposed to trust. She’s soft but strong, sweet but stubborn, and watching her world flip inside out was incredibly compelling.
Bastien? A cold, strategic, unreadable vampire duke whose silence speaks louder than anyone’s anger. Their bond — a sacred, forbidden, sanguine partnership — creates so much delicious tension. When it finally snaps? 🔥 Perfect.
The world-building is subtle but vivid: horse-drawn carriages, glass greenhouses, grand estates, eerie cottages, moonlit halls, and just enough lore to anchor you without ever feeling overwhelmed. It played out like a gothic CW show—think a sexier Vampire Diaries meets The Originals sprinkled with candlelit romance.
This was a strong introduction from an indie author, and the duology format feels perfect. Tight pacing, memorable moments, and a finale that left me excited for book two. I’ll definitely be reading the conclusion in March 2026.
Favorite Quote:
“This vampire thought me soft and sweet, like a ripe grape ready to be juiced… He was completely unafraid of me. But he should be very afraid of what a sweet grape like me could learn.”
Claire is such an interesting protagonist: a magickless witch pressured into spying on vampire royalty… and suddenly bound by a cursed necklace to a duke she was never supposed to trust. She’s soft but strong, sweet but stubborn, and watching her world flip inside out was incredibly compelling.
Bastien? A cold, strategic, unreadable vampire duke whose silence speaks louder than anyone’s anger. Their bond — a sacred, forbidden, sanguine partnership — creates so much delicious tension. When it finally snaps? 🔥 Perfect.
The world-building is subtle but vivid: horse-drawn carriages, glass greenhouses, grand estates, eerie cottages, moonlit halls, and just enough lore to anchor you without ever feeling overwhelmed. It played out like a gothic CW show—think a sexier Vampire Diaries meets The Originals sprinkled with candlelit romance.
This was a strong introduction from an indie author, and the duology format feels perfect. Tight pacing, memorable moments, and a finale that left me excited for book two. I’ll definitely be reading the conclusion in March 2026.
Favorite Quote:
“This vampire thought me soft and sweet, like a ripe grape ready to be juiced… He was completely unafraid of me. But he should be very afraid of what a sweet grape like me could learn.”
November 12, 2025
Fated to the Vampire Prince sinks its fangs into forbidden love, political intrigue, and a bond neither vampire nor witch can resist. a lush, dark world where witches and vampires live under a fragile peace, and it’s within that tension that Claire and Bastien’s story sparks.
This book is a fast-paced, It’s perfectly fun I was craving a lighter, supernatural romance that still dips its toes into the dark. While this story leans toward insta-love, Bastien’s obsessive, protective streak and their witty telepathic connection made their romance feel magnetic.
“I’ve never tasted anything half as delicious as you.”
Rating: ★ ★ ★.5 /5
Spice: ♥︎ ♥︎.5 /5
There’s something intoxicating about Bastien’s restraint, his obsession simmering beneath every exchange. You can feel how much he tries to resist her, and how utterly impossible that becomes. Claire did frustrate me at times her communication but that’s the beauty of the writing to make you feel a plethora of emotions. I enjoyed watching her navigate a world built to break her. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t demand too much of you it just wants to sweep you into its moody halls, whisper of destiny, and leave your heart racing by the end.
Read if you enjoy:
⟢ Fated mates
⟢ Fast-paced romance
⟢ Gothic courts and deadly bargains
⟢ Bridgerton x Vampires
⟢ Witches, and Curses
“I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.”
This book is a fast-paced, It’s perfectly fun I was craving a lighter, supernatural romance that still dips its toes into the dark. While this story leans toward insta-love, Bastien’s obsessive, protective streak and their witty telepathic connection made their romance feel magnetic.
“I’ve never tasted anything half as delicious as you.”
Rating: ★ ★ ★.5 /5
Spice: ♥︎ ♥︎.5 /5
There’s something intoxicating about Bastien’s restraint, his obsession simmering beneath every exchange. You can feel how much he tries to resist her, and how utterly impossible that becomes. Claire did frustrate me at times her communication but that’s the beauty of the writing to make you feel a plethora of emotions. I enjoyed watching her navigate a world built to break her. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t demand too much of you it just wants to sweep you into its moody halls, whisper of destiny, and leave your heart racing by the end.
Read if you enjoy:
⟢ Fated mates
⟢ Fast-paced romance
⟢ Gothic courts and deadly bargains
⟢ Bridgerton x Vampires
⟢ Witches, and Curses
“I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.”
November 15, 2025
This book had me hooked from the very beginning. The slow burn was done so well, and even though it took its time, there was enough spice woven through to keep the tension high and the payoff satisfying. It felt balanced, addictive, and impossible to put down. 🔥📖
I adored the MMC. His inner conflict, the turmoil he carries, and the weight of his choices made him incredibly compelling. And the FMC was just as strong. Her sheltered upbringing added a believable innocence to her decisions, and her internal struggle really came through in the writing.
The romance was front and centre, but the plot absolutely held its own. Vampires, witches, secrets, high stakes… it kept me fully invested. And that twist toward the end? Loved it. I have questions. Many questions. The good kind. The kind that make me desperate for book two. 🧛♂️✨
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (slow burn with steady heat throughout)
fave quote 💬
“Good. Very good. You’re doing so well,” he whispered. “Seeing you like this makes me so hungry.”
❓Is this your vibe?
✔️ Yes if you want romantic fantasy with magic, tension, supernatural drama, and characters whose inner conflicts actually matter.
❌ Maybe not if you prefer fast-burn romance or tightly wrapped endings.
I adored the MMC. His inner conflict, the turmoil he carries, and the weight of his choices made him incredibly compelling. And the FMC was just as strong. Her sheltered upbringing added a believable innocence to her decisions, and her internal struggle really came through in the writing.
The romance was front and centre, but the plot absolutely held its own. Vampires, witches, secrets, high stakes… it kept me fully invested. And that twist toward the end? Loved it. I have questions. Many questions. The good kind. The kind that make me desperate for book two. 🧛♂️✨
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (slow burn with steady heat throughout)
fave quote 💬
“Good. Very good. You’re doing so well,” he whispered. “Seeing you like this makes me so hungry.”
❓Is this your vibe?
✔️ Yes if you want romantic fantasy with magic, tension, supernatural drama, and characters whose inner conflicts actually matter.
❌ Maybe not if you prefer fast-burn romance or tightly wrapped endings.
November 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I legit devoured it and lost track of time while reading.
I love our vampire Bastien. He’s trying to keep the peace between the light and dark witches, and part of that requires staying in his home to stay on the front lines. Being mated would by law require him to return to the court and live there. Then there’s Claire, a magickless witch bound by a cursed necklace to infiltrate the vampire court to help rid the world of the Dark Witches.
I love watching them both struggle with their affections for each other vs the duty they feel they have to stand behind. Bastien falls harder first and I like watching him trying to deny his mate bond while at the same time all his instincts scream at him that she’s his. I love watching Claire evolve. She starts to find her strength and realize not only is Bastien not who she thought she was but that what her mother always drilled into her about light and dark witches may not be what it seems either.
I’m not going to spoil anything but everything that happens at the funeral and after was a great read and a great way to set up book two. Looking forward to the next one.
I love our vampire Bastien. He’s trying to keep the peace between the light and dark witches, and part of that requires staying in his home to stay on the front lines. Being mated would by law require him to return to the court and live there. Then there’s Claire, a magickless witch bound by a cursed necklace to infiltrate the vampire court to help rid the world of the Dark Witches.
I love watching them both struggle with their affections for each other vs the duty they feel they have to stand behind. Bastien falls harder first and I like watching him trying to deny his mate bond while at the same time all his instincts scream at him that she’s his. I love watching Claire evolve. She starts to find her strength and realize not only is Bastien not who she thought she was but that what her mother always drilled into her about light and dark witches may not be what it seems either.
I’m not going to spoil anything but everything that happens at the funeral and after was a great read and a great way to set up book two. Looking forward to the next one.
November 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
first, i went this pretty blind and had a great time.
i liked Claire’s character, she’s sent to spy on the vampire court for her family and quickly learns she’s in over her head but she’s determined to finish her mission to protect hers sister. she’s lowkey funny and understandably flawed but there’s nothing i love more than a character arc and i can’t wait to see her come more into her in the next one.
Bastien is our sexy, angry to be fated vamp prince with the stubbornness of a goat but the willpower of puppy when it comes to Claire. i hope we learn more of his backstory, i want to know more!
i ate up the romance in this. the immediate longing, trying to resist each other (& failing), soft for her, forbidden love, hidden enemies was so fun. & the spice was so hot, that feeding tent scene??? HOT.
the plot thickened as the book went on and now i’m dying to know what happens next. i really enjoyed this one, and will definitely be reading the second book once it releases!
thank you Ainsley and the Nerd Fam for this arc!
read if you like:
- fated mates
- vampires and witches
- Bridgerton vibes
- she’s sent to spy on him
🌶️🌶️🌶️
first, i went this pretty blind and had a great time.
i liked Claire’s character, she’s sent to spy on the vampire court for her family and quickly learns she’s in over her head but she’s determined to finish her mission to protect hers sister. she’s lowkey funny and understandably flawed but there’s nothing i love more than a character arc and i can’t wait to see her come more into her in the next one.
Bastien is our sexy, angry to be fated vamp prince with the stubbornness of a goat but the willpower of puppy when it comes to Claire. i hope we learn more of his backstory, i want to know more!
i ate up the romance in this. the immediate longing, trying to resist each other (& failing), soft for her, forbidden love, hidden enemies was so fun. & the spice was so hot, that feeding tent scene??? HOT.
the plot thickened as the book went on and now i’m dying to know what happens next. i really enjoyed this one, and will definitely be reading the second book once it releases!
thank you Ainsley and the Nerd Fam for this arc!
read if you like:
- fated mates
- vampires and witches
- Bridgerton vibes
- she’s sent to spy on him
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