Crowned by the Enemy Vampire

by Michele Mills

I’ve had a crush on the vampire king since I was fourteen years old.
That poster came down years ago, obviously. I’m a grown woman now, saddled with a useless degree and fifty-seven thousand dollars in student debt.
So when I take a high-paying job as a maid in the Krovenian royal castle, I definitely don’t expect to be assigned to clean the King’s private chambers. The same king I called an “arrogant, condescending asshole” on my third day of work.
And instead of firing me, he requested me as his personal maid.
Something doesn’t add up.
He’s cold, criticizes my dusting and calls humans stupid. But his people adore him, and every time he catches me looking, his fangs extend and his eyes go dark.
Then I discover the truth…and walk into a snowstorm to save him from myself.
He carries me back.
“You’re my mate,” he growls.
“No, I’m... I’m your maid,” I whisper.
His eyes flash pure black. “Not anymore.”

Glamour. Intrigue. Desire hot enough to burn down a palace.
These possessive princes and kings won’t settle for just any woman. They want their queen. The one true love who can bring these powerful royals to their knees.
New standalone stories by your favorite best-selling steamy romance authors, Hope Ford, Olivia T. Turner, and Michele Mills. A crown has never been so sinful.

Crowned by the Enemy Vampire – Michele Mills
Crowned by the King-Sized Alpha – Olivia T. Turner
Crowned by the Ruthless Billionaire – Hope Ford

Genres: Royalty, Paranormal

97 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

Michele Mills lives in California and leads a life of quiet, G rated desperation with her husband and two sons. In an attempt at a fulfilling, R rated inner life that does not include Disney movies and Nickelodeon; Michele reads and writes filthy romance and, well...filthy romance. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

**Sign up for Michele Mills's newsletter and instantly receive Kroga's Bride for FREE: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/re2d9uo4vg

Reviews

[Eva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Im so sorry but what?

I went in knowing it was going to be insta love but my god, where’s “hi” “hello” three fucking days and a dream I swear.

The way not even the spice made me feel anything. Plus wdym there’s some hinting to her being descended from royal line like 300 years ago, and never mentioned again? Huh?

Oh and her brother deserves a beating and he would realized things straight away.

I’m sorry but this was not it. I hope my girl OTT makes it better or I’ll cry.

[Anya · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was WAY too much world building for a less than 100 page insta-love novella. More time was spent expressing the same exact things over and over again than actually building a story between the MCs. This book literally went from the characters barely having a single conversation to saying “I love you”. I get that it’s supposed to be fast cause insta-love but even with insta-love there should be some semblance of relationship development and building for a true connection to grow between characters. There was literally NOTHING in this one.
⭐️
1/2 a 🌶️ (spice was barely there)

Tropes:
Vampire x human
King x maid
🩸drinking
Biting/marking
Fated mates

Content warning:
Mentions of parental death
Mentions of war
Pregnancy and mentions of pregnancy

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crowned By The Enemy Vampire by Michele Mills is the first title I've read by this author.
As an instalove, enemies to lovers, fated mates, vampire romance it has the main characters King Nikolai, vampire and Krovenian king and Claire, a human and seasonal maid in the royal household.
The story was promising with King Nikolai needing to marry a suitable vampire to keep the council and tradition of his family and people happy but is disappointed that his intended is not his fated mate. Claire when she was younger had a crush on the then Prince but as life happened she concentrates on her degree and needing to get a job to pay off her student debt. The opportunity to work as a maid in the Krovenian castle offers a chance to save money for the debt and experience life among vampires in the hopes of helping her older brother as well.
Working in the King's rooms brings them together and the blood calling of fated mates works its magic. The chemistry between Nikolai and Claire is hot and their initial interactions heated but Claire learns of the consequences a vampire king and a human bonding may cause so decides to leave before things can't be undone.
There are a few questions that crop during the story that don't really get explored or answered which is a little disappointing but the steamy and spicy moments and the concluding HEA was reasonably satisfying.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Megan Carbajal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes:
Vampire MMC
Secret Spy FMC
Fated Mates
Steamy & Sweet
Forced Proximity
Possessive

Crowned by the Enemy Vampire is Book 1 in the Ravenous Royals Series ( standalones).
This is King Nikolai and Claire's story! I enjoyed this story and wished it was longer! The story is about King Nikolai who is a vampire who has just been told by his council that he is to marry Princess Serina for her strong bloodline but the moment he lays eyes on his human maid Claire he knows that she is his one real and true mate. But there has only ever been one other king who has had a human mate and that led to war and death so he tries his absolute hardest to make her hate him so she will leave. But he can't stay away from her and the more he is around her the more his blood calling is overwhelming him. Obviously like every good romance we know he can't fight it for long and eventually gives into all his feelings and they both confess their love for one another. If you love a good short story that involves a grumpy vampire, fated mates, and sweet and spicy moments then this is the novella for you!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire just wanted to prove to her paranoid brother that the vampire kingdom weren't mind controlling humans into believing they were good. What better way to do that then to go undercover by working in the royal household? What she didn't expect that her teenage crush and currently king, Alexei would still up all the emotions she once felt as a teenager.

As for Alexei, the best thing to ever happen to him was finding his true mate. The only things bad about it is that she's human and he's just been engaged to someone else. He's torn between royal duty and giving up something that hasn't really happened in years. Decisions, decisions, the clock is ticking.

Really enjoyed this quick read from Michele Mills. I always enjoy her storytelling and appreciate the amount of information she provides to make sure the story flows well and cohesive for a shorter book. This gave me such a Beauty and the Beast vibe, except that Claire was most willing from the get-go. I mean, it's her teenage crush! LOL. Really good read!

[Shana W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story, the characters and the world building. Nikolai is the Krovenian (aka vampire) king and Claire is his human maid. She has taken the job to be able to pay back her student loan. She is also looking for evidence that shows that the vampires cannot glamour humans, to help her brother emerge from a downward spiral after his fiancee left him. Nikolai and Claire get off on the wrong foot after he figures out she is his mate, but everything is resolved very neatly. They have chemistry, because of the fated mate thing, but I felt it was a little soon for them to fall in love. There were also some questions that did not get answered. I liked the king's family and his staff and the way they supported him. The novella gets a thumbs up for it's entertainment value. I would read more stories taking place in Krovenia.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crowned by the Enemy Vampire is an entertaining romance that brings its MFC Claire into the castle of the Krovenian Vampiric King Nikolai as a maid.
The money will help her with debt and also in gathering intel for her brother.
Nikolai whose poster used to hang on her teenage wall, how times have changed.
This was a short story which was lighthearted, spicy, and when Claire’s scent hits Nikolai after he catches her rifling through his desk the blood calling of his species takes hold…she is his mate.
Complications, complications, but the enjoyment was in how the issue of having a human mate plays out as does the chemistry between the two.
Loved the writing, characters, intrigue, and family dynamics, in a short story that was a mile a minute awesome read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story.

I liked the detail of her brother with being caught up with all the conspiracy theories from people who were afraid of the Vampire race. Easily led because his girl left him for one. Not at all because he was probably charming and more worldly than himself, but that didn't fit the anger, hurt and jealousy he was feeling. Claire needed a good paying job to pay down her student loans. Finding a job that also provided room and board was a real win. Of course being anywhere she might see her girl hood crush, who was now the King, was a big bonus. Lots of tension between them. He feels the blood Call to her, and knows how that affected an ancestor who married a Human woman. Great HEA, but I was really hoping for some tie to having Vampire blood in her family. Anyway I really enjoyed this book. Trish. A.

[Lyndsay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire has had a crush on Nikolai since she was 14. She never thought she would get to ever meet him in real life until she finds herself working in his castle as his maid. Nikolai was shocked to find when he runs into his beautiful maid that she was his blood mate. That hasn't happened in many years and was very rare. Now he finds that he is at a cross roads and has to decide is he willing to give up his kingdom for this woman who is his mate and something very rare and precious to have in your life. I enjoyed this story a lot. The chemistry between these two made for a really good read. I am so hoping we get to hear more of the brothers. This was very well-written and so worth every minute of reading. This is a must read!!

[Gsmitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crowned By The Enemy Vampire by Michele Mills is part of the Ravenous Royals series, and it was simply scrumptious! Claire and Nikolai were delicious!

Nikolai is serious, driven, focused on doing the best by and for his people and his kingdom, and doing his duty above anything he's do for himself. Until she walks into his study.

Claire is feisty and caring and loving and not afraid to speak her mind and willing to do what she can for those she loves, even when it's the difficult choice. And she's had a thing for him for years.

There's some light court intrigue, a bit of drama, a snow storm, and a whole lot of heady chemistry! This was such a fun read, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

[RxReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun and addictive paranormal read 🖤 I loved the mix of royal drama, enemies to lovers tension, and that intense fated mate vibe. The heroine is relatable and a little chaotic in the best way, and watching her go from crushing on a poster to cleaning the vampire king’s chambers had me smiling. The king starts off cold and arrogant, but the possessive, protective energy once he claims her is everything. It’s fast paced, steamy, and dramatic without losing the romance at the center. If you enjoy broody vampire royalty, forced proximity, and a hero who falls hard for his human mate, this one is a binge-worthy start to the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Crowned By the Enemy Vampire to be a mostly cozy, low angst, sweet, spicy, well written, 2-hour escape. Great as a palate cleanse after a heavy read—it’s sure to bring your mood back up—or just because you’re looking for a fun, quick read.
*** Recommended ***

MMC:
✨Nikolai
FMC:
✨Claire
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Book 1 of Ravenous Royals
Tropes:
👉fated mates vampire romance
👉enemies to lovers
👉insta love
👉forced proximity
👉grumpy/sunshine
👉king x maid
👉virgin mmc
Triggers:
💥18+
💥sex
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Zelda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick fated mates story about Nikolai, king of the Krovenians (vampires), and Claire, a human cleaner in his castle. The connection between the couple is based on his biological reaction to Claire and her hero-worship of Nikolai from the age of 14. They don’t really know each other and it remains like this through much of the story so I found it hard to buy in to the relationship. Claire’s brother seemed a distant secondary character (although Claire’s main motivation for this short stint of employment). I enjoyed Nikolai’s relationship with his family—it all came together in the end, and I enjoyed the epilogues.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 1 of the Ravenous Royals series. And a FANrastic start it is! Look forward to more from this world.

'“You’re my mate,” he growls.
“No, I’m... I’m your maid,” I whisper.
His eyes flash pure black. “Not anymore.”'

The characters drove the storyline and they were very compelling and complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend,

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynn61 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can your teenage crush be your fated mate?

Engaging, fun, and witty start of a new series. Claire has crushed hard on the Krovenian King Nikolai since age 14 and now she has taken a job in his castle as a maid. When they meet under inauspicious circumstances, he recognizes she is his fated mate. But that comes with the realization of potential conflicts and I loved Claire’s inner strength and spirit as well as Nikolai’s willingness to put his mate first. Can’t wait for Viktor’s story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aspen G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crowned by the Enemny Vampire is paranormal fantasy fun with hints of fairy tale, forbidden longing, and heat…so much heat! King Nikolai finds his life mate in human Claire, and the chemistry is off the charts. I adore how the author pens the king’s viewpoint—world-wise, bound by duty, and fighting his heart’s call. Claire for her part is sassy, smart, headstrong, and so smitten. Their journey together is wild and wonderful and touches all the feels.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the story. Sweet with an ahhh HEA for Claire and Nikolai. This is a standalone novella. Both Claire and Nikolai were fun to read. The flow was good, you get caught up in the drama of the storyline. Steam to the eventual romance.
I loved the reactions of each as they explore the romance that seemed impossible with the elders objecting. But they do have support from unexpected avenues.
Perfect for a lazy afternoon read where fantasy rules.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected Bond

Claire has always wanted to meet the Korenvian King since she was a 14 year old girl with a celebrity crush so when she gets a job as a maid in his castle she is thrilled but their first meeting does not go well. The moment Nicolai scents Claire while she is cleaning his room he becomes enflamed and knows she is meant to be his mate but it is impossible, she is human. The impossible becomes possible when Nicolai rescues Claire from a blizzard now they just need to face the Council in this engaging tale.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire was traveling across Europe with a friend until she find love and she is left on her own. She is short on funds and gets a job at the Korenvian Castle, where King Nikolai reigns, a man she has had a crush on for years. She is assigned to clean his chambers and gets caught by him snooping. She is sure is fired but finds out her new assignment his chambers.

Nikolai knows the human is his mate, he tries to be rude to stop from claiming her. This is a short and steamy read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda Bonanno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michele Mills is a recently new author for me, but trust me that I will be reading a lot more of her books. She knows how to grab onto her readers from the 1st page to the last. The story of Nikolai and Claire is one of finding a job that you hate because your boss isn't very nice. But after a while you realize that he is your soul mate and you have to come to terms with that. This is the 1st book in a multi-author series Ravenous Royals and you will be sorry if you miss this one!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kyareth14 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new series, Ravenous Royal, got off to a great start. Nikolai is the Vampire King of Krovenia, and as expected, he has to marry and produce heirs. But fate brings him his mate, who is human and works as a cleaner in the castle. Claire, who has always been in love with Nikolai, decides to protect him and flee upon learning that she is his destined mate, knowing that everything between them would be difficult and that they wouldn't accept it. But the Vampire King didn't let her escape and claimed her as his own.

[Syd Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. I enjoyed Nikolai and Claire’s story. Claire has had a crush on Nikolai for years but it’s not until Nikolai sees her as a maid in his castle that he is aware of her; Claire is his blood mate. I did this the chemistry and connection was a little off with this book but I was still an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read more of this series. I do hope that we get Nikolai’s brothers’ books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

The King finds his Queen

Crowned by the Enemy Vampire by Michelle Mills is part of the multi-author Ravenous Royals series. This is a quick read with a PNR theme that is OTT and pure fun. The story is about Claire, a young woman who is just trying to pay off her student loans any way she can. That means taking a job as a maid at the royal castle in Krovenian. This puts her in the path of King Nikolai. Let's just say that he has an instant reaction to her and is not going to take no for an answer now that he has found her.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a teenager, Claire had a crush on King Nikolai, and now that she was older, she got a job as a maid at the Korenvian royal castle where King Nikolai lives. When Nikolai sees Claire, he immediately knows that she is his mate, but he tries to avoid her because she is human. This is a fated mates, paranormal, vampire romance. This is a quick read and a great start to the multi-author Ravenous Royals series. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Lexi · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is way too much time spent on worldbuilding given the length of this novella (and the repetitive nature of it, tbh; there's worldbuilding but not so much world built). However, we do get some gems, like how "the vampires famously killed both Genghis Khan and Hitler when each decided to attack Krovenia."

Anyway, the story itself is pretty bad, brief, and bigoted (somehow the solution to their problem is to not allow half-bloods in the line of succession??)

[Nicole M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was alright. I liked the way vampires, sorry Krovenians, portrayed. I liked the fun nod to history incorporating the vamps. I always love an instalove romance, but something just didnt connect between Nikolai and Claire for me to make me love this one. There was a lot of stress about the past repeating itself and then everything just worked out, so I don't know. I stick with my original thought... it was alright.

[Debdutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Crowned by the Enemy Vampire” by Michele Mills

-A grumpy vampire king and his human maid discover they are rare fated mates in this quick, steamy novella. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Nikolai’s struggle between duty and desire adds tension, while Claire’s feisty loyalty makes her easy to root for. With court intrigue, forced proximity, and sweet heat, it’s an enjoyable read that leaves the reader curious for more.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire is a new maid in the palace of King Nikolai, the vampire king. As a young teenager, Claire had a huge crush on him and had a poster of him in her bedroom. Nikolai meets Claire and instantly knows she is his blood bond mate. I love this book. It has a little drama, but it just adds to the story's overall goodness. Be ready for plenty of spice and the best happy ending.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenia Tortora · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!! I soo love this take o. The vampire world. It’s a refreshing read with a bit of pining some forbidden love and an HEA. Nikolai is well loved by his subjects and blindsided by meeting his fated mate. Claire refuses to doom a country and people she’s grown to love and flees. It’s sweet and steamy with an HEA that’s truly amazing 🤩.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start to a new series. In this read we are introduced to a new world of vampires who are insulted if you call them that. Loved the characters and how they immediately felt the connection on both sides - wonderful read!!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.