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Falling for a Villainous Vampire: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26The third standalone in Charlotte Stein's Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures series, featuring a blood-pumping enemies-to-lovers romance for the ages!
Marley Maples is sure she's finally evaded her vampire mortal enemy. Halsten has stalked her across oceans of time, and many, many lives. But now she's arrived at the age of thirty in Hollow Brook, with no sign of him. So she’s devastated when he suddenly shows and yet again tries to make her life hell. Until her two witchy best friends suggest a spell to make him forget all about her.
There’s just one he forgets his whole existence with it. All Halsten now remembers is being a big, hot, vampire Viking. And all he sees when he looks at Marley is his beloved little witch, his saviour, the light of his life. He goes from being a horror that haunts her nightmares, to a man who loves her and will protect her at all costs. And as much as she’s skeptical, she can’t help finding his fish-out-of-water, warrior ways and his desire to defend her endearing.
Maybe even a little sexy. In fact, it’s starting feel very sexy indeed.
And if she’s not careful, she’s going to lose herself to a man she swore to hate. A man who might return to her eternal enemy, at any moment…
Marley Maples is sure she's finally evaded her vampire mortal enemy. Halsten has stalked her across oceans of time, and many, many lives. But now she's arrived at the age of thirty in Hollow Brook, with no sign of him. So she’s devastated when he suddenly shows and yet again tries to make her life hell. Until her two witchy best friends suggest a spell to make him forget all about her.
There’s just one he forgets his whole existence with it. All Halsten now remembers is being a big, hot, vampire Viking. And all he sees when he looks at Marley is his beloved little witch, his saviour, the light of his life. He goes from being a horror that haunts her nightmares, to a man who loves her and will protect her at all costs. And as much as she’s skeptical, she can’t help finding his fish-out-of-water, warrior ways and his desire to defend her endearing.
Maybe even a little sexy. In fact, it’s starting feel very sexy indeed.
And if she’s not careful, she’s going to lose herself to a man she swore to hate. A man who might return to her eternal enemy, at any moment…
288 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 27, 2026
About the author
Charlotte Stein
112 books2,185 followersCharlotte Stein is the RT and DABWAHA nominated author of over fifty short stories, novellas and novels. When not writing deeply emotional and intensely sexy books, she can be found eating jelly turtles, watching terrible sitcoms and occasionally lusting after hunks. For more on Charlotte, visit: www.charlottestein.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 7, 2026
Oh to be engulfed in intense paranormal yearning. 4.5 stars rounded up!
My feelings on this story changed a lot from start to finish!
Honestly, by the 30% mark- I wasn't expecting to totally love it. It starts out a little bit quirky and eccentric, which I think are fun qualities in a book, but not my favorite for vampire romances. So I really thought it was going to be "just okay".
But actually- no! I am happy to say I changed by mind!
Light, fun and quirky quickly became emotional, romantic and slightly intense sometimes.
I mean, we're talking about a vampire who is so OBSESSED with his sworn enemy, that he offers to find the very root of his vampirism and rip it from himself - if it would make her happy.
I mean... are we serious right now? Halsten is who Edward Cullen wishes he was.
Once the romance and the intensity of this picked up, I forgot the actual plot. What was this about again?
It doesn't matter. Now it's about yearning.
(I'm joking, the overall plot is also enjoyable! Just slightly overshadowed by the rest)
Overall, this didn't disappoint me. It really took a turn and ended up being one of the best things I've read in a while.
It reminds me of a lot of the more recent paranormal romance releases, like Jenna Lavine's vampire series. So, if you're into those I would absolutely recommend giving this one a go too.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press | St, Martin's Griffin and author Charlotte Stein, for providing me with the eARC of "Falling for a Villainous Vampire" in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: October 27, 2026
My feelings on this story changed a lot from start to finish!
Honestly, by the 30% mark- I wasn't expecting to totally love it. It starts out a little bit quirky and eccentric, which I think are fun qualities in a book, but not my favorite for vampire romances. So I really thought it was going to be "just okay".
But actually- no! I am happy to say I changed by mind!
Light, fun and quirky quickly became emotional, romantic and slightly intense sometimes.
I mean, we're talking about a vampire who is so OBSESSED with his sworn enemy, that he offers to find the very root of his vampirism and rip it from himself - if it would make her happy.
I mean... are we serious right now? Halsten is who Edward Cullen wishes he was.
Once the romance and the intensity of this picked up, I forgot the actual plot. What was this about again?
It doesn't matter. Now it's about yearning.
(I'm joking, the overall plot is also enjoyable! Just slightly overshadowed by the rest)
Overall, this didn't disappoint me. It really took a turn and ended up being one of the best things I've read in a while.
It reminds me of a lot of the more recent paranormal romance releases, like Jenna Lavine's vampire series. So, if you're into those I would absolutely recommend giving this one a go too.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press | St, Martin's Griffin and author Charlotte Stein, for providing me with the eARC of "Falling for a Villainous Vampire" in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: October 27, 2026
Did Not Finish
May 25, 2026DNF at 15%
This is my first book of the author’s and it unfortunately was not for me very quickly. Reading some other reviews it sounds like this is their ‘style’ so if you’re already a fan this will likely be for you, but unfortunately I’m opting not to continue.
The ‘enemies to lovers’ trope is represented in this book by the 2 MCs calling each other ‘butt face’ or ‘butt hole mc face’ for 2 full chapters. And also trying to physically assault each other without any other plot or explanation. But also his accent is soooooo hot though. I’m baffled by the over use of the word butt instead of ass but then the F word is every other word. Chapter 4 I think is also just them having a conversation about times they tried to kill each other. WHYYYYYYYYYYY? By chapter 4 I should have some sense of the characters and plot besides them being haters?
As an interconnected stand alone that I am assured can be read on its own, there should be world building. If I can read this without reading the others, why does this book assume I have read the others and provide 0 world building?
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2026
All you need to know about this book is that I sent my best friend a voice message while reading it in which I was sobbing so hard it hurt and I accused the author of being a witch who repeatedly peers into my soul and knocks the wind out of my lungs by saying the quiet bits out loud.
*Netgalley arc review*
*Netgalley arc review*
May 13, 2026
I really liked the concept of Falling for a Villainous Vampire. The idea of an apparent enemies-to-lovers romance between a vampire and a witch finding each other across multiple lifetimes and centuries was really interesting, and the premise seemed like a cool idea.
Unfortunately, the choppy and disjointed writing style made it difficult for me to fully get into the story and connect to the characters.
*Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Charlotte Stein for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, the choppy and disjointed writing style made it difficult for me to fully get into the story and connect to the characters.
*Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Charlotte Stein for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2026
I loved this! I feel like there’s not enough amnesia books out there. It’s such an interesting storyline imo.
I love all the paranormal elements. The fmc is named Marley and she’s a witch. She keeps getting reincarnated life after life after getting killed.
The mmc is named Halsten and he’s a vampire. Hes the villain who keeps stalking her in every life just to end it.
To finally rid herself of him, Marley and her friends devise a plan to erase her from his memories. Then he can’t keep trying to kill her.
Things don’t exactly go the way Marley planned and Halsten gets complete amnesia. When he sees Marley again for the first time it’s definitely not hate he’s feeling!
This was so interesting and so much fun to read! I feel like I flew through it. I already want to reread it!
This book has some of my favorite troupes!
-enemies to lovers
-amnesia
-reincarnation
I love all the paranormal elements. The fmc is named Marley and she’s a witch. She keeps getting reincarnated life after life after getting killed.
The mmc is named Halsten and he’s a vampire. Hes the villain who keeps stalking her in every life just to end it.
To finally rid herself of him, Marley and her friends devise a plan to erase her from his memories. Then he can’t keep trying to kill her.
Things don’t exactly go the way Marley planned and Halsten gets complete amnesia. When he sees Marley again for the first time it’s definitely not hate he’s feeling!
This was so interesting and so much fun to read! I feel like I flew through it. I already want to reread it!
This book has some of my favorite troupes!
-enemies to lovers
-amnesia
-reincarnation
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to Charlotte Stein, St. Martin’s Griffin, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the ARC of Falling for a Villainous Vampire.
This book completely blindsided me—in the best way—because I really thought I was getting a fun, slightly chaotic paranormal romance and instead I ended up fully emotionally possessed by it. Marley is a witch who has spent lifetime after lifetime being hunted by the same vampire, Halsten. He’s relentless, obsessive, and has basically been a constant threat across her entire existence. So she finally tries to escape him the only way she can: a spell meant to erase him from her life completely. It does NOT go as planned. Instead of disappearing, Halsten loses all his memories—and wakes up as something entirely different. Suddenly the terrifying, centuries-old vampire becomes this confused, oddly soft Viking version of himself who still feels this inexplicable pull toward Marley. And that shift changes everything. Because now she’s stuck between two versions of him—the monster who has haunted her for lifetimes, and the man he becomes without his memories. And both somehow make things worse in completely different ways.
The chemistry? Unhinged.
The tension? Constant.
The yearning? Actually painful.
At a certain point I stopped pretending I was following the plot and just surrendered to the emotional chaos of these two characters ruining each other across time. The reincarnation and past-life elements made everything even heavier in the best way—every new detail added another layer of history, obsession, and tragedy that kept pulling everything tighter. And surprisingly, it’s also really funny in places. The tonal shifts, the banter, and Halsten trying to understand the modern world gave it this weird charm that shouldn’t have worked but absolutely did. This is technically book three in the Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures series, but it works perfectly as a standalone.
What to expect:
• Witch x vampire romance
• Amnesia trope done in the most chaotic way
• Reincarnation & past lives
• Morally gray MMC
• Obsession that spans lifetimes
• Found-family paranormal vibes
• Chaos, tension, and extreme yearning
By the end, I was fully hooked. The twists landed, the emotional payoff hit, and it wrapped up in a way that felt satisfying while still leaving me a little wrecked. If you like vampire romances where the MMC is completely, catastrophically down bad across centuries, this one delivers.
This book completely blindsided me—in the best way—because I really thought I was getting a fun, slightly chaotic paranormal romance and instead I ended up fully emotionally possessed by it. Marley is a witch who has spent lifetime after lifetime being hunted by the same vampire, Halsten. He’s relentless, obsessive, and has basically been a constant threat across her entire existence. So she finally tries to escape him the only way she can: a spell meant to erase him from her life completely. It does NOT go as planned. Instead of disappearing, Halsten loses all his memories—and wakes up as something entirely different. Suddenly the terrifying, centuries-old vampire becomes this confused, oddly soft Viking version of himself who still feels this inexplicable pull toward Marley. And that shift changes everything. Because now she’s stuck between two versions of him—the monster who has haunted her for lifetimes, and the man he becomes without his memories. And both somehow make things worse in completely different ways.
The chemistry? Unhinged.
The tension? Constant.
The yearning? Actually painful.
At a certain point I stopped pretending I was following the plot and just surrendered to the emotional chaos of these two characters ruining each other across time. The reincarnation and past-life elements made everything even heavier in the best way—every new detail added another layer of history, obsession, and tragedy that kept pulling everything tighter. And surprisingly, it’s also really funny in places. The tonal shifts, the banter, and Halsten trying to understand the modern world gave it this weird charm that shouldn’t have worked but absolutely did. This is technically book three in the Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures series, but it works perfectly as a standalone.
What to expect:
• Witch x vampire romance
• Amnesia trope done in the most chaotic way
• Reincarnation & past lives
• Morally gray MMC
• Obsession that spans lifetimes
• Found-family paranormal vibes
• Chaos, tension, and extreme yearning
By the end, I was fully hooked. The twists landed, the emotional payoff hit, and it wrapped up in a way that felt satisfying while still leaving me a little wrecked. If you like vampire romances where the MMC is completely, catastrophically down bad across centuries, this one delivers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2026
Marley and Halsten have a long and troubled history. She's a witch who gets reincarnated every time he kills her, which has been happening eon after eon for longer than Marley can remember. But *why* does he keep trying to kill her, and how on earth could this lead to an HEA for either of them? Thankfully for them and for us, it definitely does! The author jumps right into the story with a lot of action, which I love. Marley has a delightfully snarky inner voice, and I really enjoyed their banter at the beginning (think Buffy and Spike enemies-to-lovers vibes). Definitely buckle up for the journey as the author carefully leads us through their present and into their past. The mystery of what's happening in the present and the how and the why of it kept me reading to the satisfying ending. Halsten was interesting, he went from awful and scary to soppy and puppy-eyed super fast. It's very swoony to have a devoted servant bound to your soul, but I definitely wondered if it was the magic spell or something about their shared history (we do eventually get the answer to that question). And the reader, along with Marley, worries about what happens when she lets her guard down and he very likely turns back to his old villainous ways, which definitely created another layer of tension. One of my favorite things about this author's books is the banter between the characters. That, and the longing and yearning and the "made for each other" energy, which was definitely front and center in this book. I think I would have liked a few more hints of their shared history earlier in the book. And as much as I loved Halsten as a devoted and protective soul mate, I really liked him better when he was a smart-ass vampire in the very beginning before he became magically besotted. Readers who enjoy open-door enemies-to-lovers soul mate/past-lives romance will love this book! This story was the last in a 3-part series, and it works fine as a standalone but characters do show up from the previous books and reading the other two books will only enhance your enjoyment of this one. I'm a bit sad to leave this book universe, but I'm excited to see what the author writes next! Publishes October 27, 2026, just in time for spooky season. This review is based on a complimentary DRC of the book, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Falling for a Villainous Vampire
Charlotte Stein
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Charlotte Stein for the ARC!
This book honestly caught me off guard in the best way because I was not expecting to get this attached to these characters.
At first, the tone felt a little quirky and chaotic compared to the darker vampire romances I usually pick up, so I thought this was going to be a fun but forgettable read. Instead, I ended up completely obsessed.
Marley is a witch who has spent lifetime after lifetime being hunted down by the same vampire, Halsten. After years of trying to escape him, a spell meant to erase her from his memory goes very wrong and leaves him with complete amnesia instead.
And somehow that made everything worse.
Because suddenly this terrifying, morally gray vampire who has spent centuries obsessed with her is confused, vulnerable, weirdly soft at times, and still drawn to her in a way he can’t explain.
The yearning in this book??? UNWELL.
Somewhere along the way, I stopped caring about the actual plot and became fully invested in these two emotionally wrecking each other. Their dynamic was messy, intense, funny, dramatic, and honestly kind of addictive.
I also loved the reincarnation aspect and slowly learning more about their history together across different lives. It added so much tension to the romance and made everything feel a little more tragic in the best way.
✨ What to Expect:
🩸 Vampire x witch romance
🔮 Reincarnation & past lives
🖤 Enemies to lovers vibes
💭 Amnesia
😮💨 Extreme yearning
🦇 Morally gray vampire MMC
🔥 Obsession
✨ Paranormal romance chaos
Overall, this ended up being such a fun and surprisingly emotional paranormal romance. If you love vampires who are completely down bad, chaotic chemistry, and romances fueled by obsession and longing, definitely give this one a try.
Charlotte Stein
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Charlotte Stein for the ARC!
This book honestly caught me off guard in the best way because I was not expecting to get this attached to these characters.
At first, the tone felt a little quirky and chaotic compared to the darker vampire romances I usually pick up, so I thought this was going to be a fun but forgettable read. Instead, I ended up completely obsessed.
Marley is a witch who has spent lifetime after lifetime being hunted down by the same vampire, Halsten. After years of trying to escape him, a spell meant to erase her from his memory goes very wrong and leaves him with complete amnesia instead.
And somehow that made everything worse.
Because suddenly this terrifying, morally gray vampire who has spent centuries obsessed with her is confused, vulnerable, weirdly soft at times, and still drawn to her in a way he can’t explain.
The yearning in this book??? UNWELL.
Somewhere along the way, I stopped caring about the actual plot and became fully invested in these two emotionally wrecking each other. Their dynamic was messy, intense, funny, dramatic, and honestly kind of addictive.
I also loved the reincarnation aspect and slowly learning more about their history together across different lives. It added so much tension to the romance and made everything feel a little more tragic in the best way.
✨ What to Expect:
🩸 Vampire x witch romance
🔮 Reincarnation & past lives
🖤 Enemies to lovers vibes
💭 Amnesia
😮💨 Extreme yearning
🦇 Morally gray vampire MMC
🔥 Obsession
✨ Paranormal romance chaos
Overall, this ended up being such a fun and surprisingly emotional paranormal romance. If you love vampires who are completely down bad, chaotic chemistry, and romances fueled by obsession and longing, definitely give this one a try.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Wow, this was something. A very high-energy story, it kept me engaged and frustrated and wondering the entire time. This has the signature fever dream feeling all of the author's work seems to bring, but it worked phenomenally well here and aligned with the unending nightmare that is the FMC's many lives.
This book is a little referential, and it makes sense when the author shared that bits of this story have been rattling around in her head for two decades. This isn't a bad thing; the story is so interminably sad, in a way, that the levity is appreciated.
It's difficult to explain what this story was to me without spoilers, but it's safe to say that, while I went in a little sceptical and grew more so when we were thrust into action from the start, the structure of the story, quite particular and something that might not work for everyone it may be, was ultimately very well suited for accomplishing what this novel was. I felt off-kilter and strange, sure, but I found that to be thoroughly rewarded when everything that had gone on became apparent and sorted itself out. This story was absolutely delightful and a tough but heart wrenching read.
As for my more critical points...this book might have been five stars if it were just a little less frantic and a little more grounded in logic. The way things fall into place with the memory-wiped version of Halsten were a little lacking (though the revelations we get later really make that beautiful, a repeated experiment for two bonded souls). The worldbuilding here seemed weak, although I must confess I haven't read the other two books before this one. And one thing that really disproportionately bothered me is that she lied and sent her friends out of the country on a wild goose chase -- I mean, who the hell does that?
This book is a little referential, and it makes sense when the author shared that bits of this story have been rattling around in her head for two decades. This isn't a bad thing; the story is so interminably sad, in a way, that the levity is appreciated.
It's difficult to explain what this story was to me without spoilers, but it's safe to say that, while I went in a little sceptical and grew more so when we were thrust into action from the start, the structure of the story, quite particular and something that might not work for everyone it may be, was ultimately very well suited for accomplishing what this novel was. I felt off-kilter and strange, sure, but I found that to be thoroughly rewarded when everything that had gone on became apparent and sorted itself out. This story was absolutely delightful and a tough but heart wrenching read.
As for my more critical points...this book might have been five stars if it were just a little less frantic and a little more grounded in logic. The way things fall into place with the memory-wiped version of Halsten were a little lacking (though the revelations we get later really make that beautiful, a repeated experiment for two bonded souls). The worldbuilding here seemed weak, although I must confess I haven't read the other two books before this one. And one thing that really disproportionately bothered me is that she lied and sent her friends out of the country on a wild goose chase -- I mean, who the hell does that?
May 20, 2026
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Second (or hundredth) Chance Romance
✨Paranormal Romance
✨Nicknames
✨Yearninggggggggggg
It ended up wrapped in a tidy little bow, but until you get there, you get top notch yearning and all the expected banter and snark from a Charlotte Stein book!
“My strange little witch, still always ready to say and do the most ridiculous things.”
”He didn’t intend for me to solve another life-threatening problem. He intended to be the life-threatening problem.”
”The only thing my immortal enemy loves more than trying to murder me is making himself look good.”
”He says you have bewitched him, body and soul, and now he cannot rest unless he resides near you.”
”He says his soul is bound to yours, to protect yours, always.”
”He can just jerk one arm and fling me across the room. Yet I do it anyway. I risk being thrown through a wall for him.
”You are the sunlight of my life, and I exist only to see you shine.”
”It is not ridiculous to know that danger haunts you.”
”Nobody tells you that chivalry is not dull at all.”
”It’s the other reason I don’t fear him, I think. It isn’t like I’m at his mercy. It’s like he’s at mine.”
”I’m not antsy and anxious and crawling out of my own skin because he’s here. I’m all those things because I like that he is.”
”Nobody has seen me my whole life- except for him.”
“I just wasn’t worthy, love. I couldn’t say it right, I could never put it in such earnest words like the ones he had for you.”
”My soul knew yours. Can’t you see that? I need you to see that.”
✨Second (or hundredth) Chance Romance
✨Paranormal Romance
✨Nicknames
✨Yearninggggggggggg
It ended up wrapped in a tidy little bow, but until you get there, you get top notch yearning and all the expected banter and snark from a Charlotte Stein book!
“My strange little witch, still always ready to say and do the most ridiculous things.”
”He didn’t intend for me to solve another life-threatening problem. He intended to be the life-threatening problem.”
”The only thing my immortal enemy loves more than trying to murder me is making himself look good.”
”He says you have bewitched him, body and soul, and now he cannot rest unless he resides near you.”
”He says his soul is bound to yours, to protect yours, always.”
”He can just jerk one arm and fling me across the room. Yet I do it anyway. I risk being thrown through a wall for him.
”You are the sunlight of my life, and I exist only to see you shine.”
”It is not ridiculous to know that danger haunts you.”
”Nobody tells you that chivalry is not dull at all.”
”It’s the other reason I don’t fear him, I think. It isn’t like I’m at his mercy. It’s like he’s at mine.”
”I’m not antsy and anxious and crawling out of my own skin because he’s here. I’m all those things because I like that he is.”
”Nobody has seen me my whole life- except for him.”
“I just wasn’t worthy, love. I couldn’t say it right, I could never put it in such earnest words like the ones he had for you.”
”My soul knew yours. Can’t you see that? I need you to see that.”
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you St. Martins Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book??? Deliciously chaotic in the best way.
Falling for a Villainous Vampire gave me exactly what I wanted and then threw in even more swoony weirdness I didn’t know I needed. It’s dark-ish, funny, a little unhinged, and somehow still incredibly soft at its core.
First of all, the VAMPIRE HERO. He is broody, morally questionable, a little dramatic, and fully leaning into his villain era, and I ate it up. But underneath all that menace is this surprisingly awkward, almost tender side that sneaks up on you in the best way. Think “yes I could destroy you” energy mixed with “but also… do you like me?” and it works.
The heroine is such a good match for him too. She’s not just along for the ride, she pushes back, challenges him, and keeps things grounded even when everything veers into slightly unhinged territory. Their dynamic is where this book really shines. The banter is sharp, the tension is very much there, and the whole “should we be doing this?” vibe just fuels everything.
Romance-wise, this leans into:
villain gets soft for one person
forced proximity vibes
a bit of “this is probably a bad idea but I’m doing it anyway” energy
And yes, the chemistry is strong. It builds in this slightly chaotic slow-burn way where you’re not always sure where things are headed, but you’re having way too much fun to care.
Overall, this was quirky, gothic-tinged romance with humor, bite, and a surprisingly soft center. Perfect if you’re in the mood for something a little different but still super swoony.
Now I’m fully ready to romanticize every fictional villain I read next. 🧛♂️💀💕
This book??? Deliciously chaotic in the best way.
Falling for a Villainous Vampire gave me exactly what I wanted and then threw in even more swoony weirdness I didn’t know I needed. It’s dark-ish, funny, a little unhinged, and somehow still incredibly soft at its core.
First of all, the VAMPIRE HERO. He is broody, morally questionable, a little dramatic, and fully leaning into his villain era, and I ate it up. But underneath all that menace is this surprisingly awkward, almost tender side that sneaks up on you in the best way. Think “yes I could destroy you” energy mixed with “but also… do you like me?” and it works.
The heroine is such a good match for him too. She’s not just along for the ride, she pushes back, challenges him, and keeps things grounded even when everything veers into slightly unhinged territory. Their dynamic is where this book really shines. The banter is sharp, the tension is very much there, and the whole “should we be doing this?” vibe just fuels everything.
Romance-wise, this leans into:
villain gets soft for one person
forced proximity vibes
a bit of “this is probably a bad idea but I’m doing it anyway” energy
And yes, the chemistry is strong. It builds in this slightly chaotic slow-burn way where you’re not always sure where things are headed, but you’re having way too much fun to care.
Overall, this was quirky, gothic-tinged romance with humor, bite, and a surprisingly soft center. Perfect if you’re in the mood for something a little different but still super swoony.
Now I’m fully ready to romanticize every fictional villain I read next. 🧛♂️💀💕
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Falling for a Villainous Vampire is a cozy romcom that feels like it would fit nicely with an October day, a knit sweater, and a latte. I found it to be a fun read.
I am a lover of vampire books in all forms, so obviously when I saw this ARC, I snatched it up. The premise is amazing: a vampire repeatedly killing a witch over her many reincarnations, seemingly without end, had me hooked. The witch’s solution of erasing the vampire’s memories of her to save her in this life sounded amazing; I love a good amnesia storyline as much as the next gal. I gobbled this book up so fast. I loved the plot and the storyline. That being said, I am not a fan of the writing style: it can be choppy at times, which really cuts into the yearning and angst the characters feel. Also, I’m not sure if I love the idea of vampires being able to sub out blood for other body fluids without any explanation as to why it works.
Falling for a Villainous Vampire is the third and last book in a series of interconnected stand-alones but can be read on its own. While this is my first time reading a book in this series, I was a little disappointed that the main characters from the other books (despite being described as friends with this book’s MFC) are little more than convenient set decor.
Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I am a lover of vampire books in all forms, so obviously when I saw this ARC, I snatched it up. The premise is amazing: a vampire repeatedly killing a witch over her many reincarnations, seemingly without end, had me hooked. The witch’s solution of erasing the vampire’s memories of her to save her in this life sounded amazing; I love a good amnesia storyline as much as the next gal. I gobbled this book up so fast. I loved the plot and the storyline. That being said, I am not a fan of the writing style: it can be choppy at times, which really cuts into the yearning and angst the characters feel. Also, I’m not sure if I love the idea of vampires being able to sub out blood for other body fluids without any explanation as to why it works.
Falling for a Villainous Vampire is the third and last book in a series of interconnected stand-alones but can be read on its own. While this is my first time reading a book in this series, I was a little disappointed that the main characters from the other books (despite being described as friends with this book’s MFC) are little more than convenient set decor.
Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC gifted in exchange for review
4.25 stars
When I first started the book, I was…confused. It felt very much like I had been dropped in the middle of story honestly. However! Once it got going, I started to suspect that things were not as they seemed and I was hooked. Watching Marley try to do the right thing by the man (vampire) she thought was her enemy while sending her friends on a wild goose chase (secretly sending them on vacation) made my heart for her. She spent so much time holding herself apart because she didn’t want the people she cared about to get hurt. Sten slipped under those defenses and warmed the heart she thought was long dead. Sten really was such a sweet baby Angel and all he ever wanted to do was please her. Those two really put me in my feels. I had my suspicions about what was really going on and I felt so vindicated when I realized I was right. I had a really good time reading this once I got past my initial confusion. I can tell this one is going to be a hit when it hits the shelves in October. It was really fun seeing Cassie, Seth, Nancy and Jack again.
4.25 stars
When I first started the book, I was…confused. It felt very much like I had been dropped in the middle of story honestly. However! Once it got going, I started to suspect that things were not as they seemed and I was hooked. Watching Marley try to do the right thing by the man (vampire) she thought was her enemy while sending her friends on a wild goose chase (secretly sending them on vacation) made my heart for her. She spent so much time holding herself apart because she didn’t want the people she cared about to get hurt. Sten slipped under those defenses and warmed the heart she thought was long dead. Sten really was such a sweet baby Angel and all he ever wanted to do was please her. Those two really put me in my feels. I had my suspicions about what was really going on and I felt so vindicated when I realized I was right. I had a really good time reading this once I got past my initial confusion. I can tell this one is going to be a hit when it hits the shelves in October. It was really fun seeing Cassie, Seth, Nancy and Jack again.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love a good paranormal romance, especially vampires! So I was really excited for this one. And to be fair, there were elements I genuinely liked. The yearning was actually really good at times, and there are definitely some fun moments that I liked. But I just do not think this was for me.
First, I am already not a huge fan of the amnesia trope, so that part was always going to be a hard sell for me personally. On top of that, the main characters felt really immature and kind of annoying a lot of the time, which made it hard for me to stay invested in the romance. I wanted them to be more mature and grow and have depth but that seemed to be missing and sorely lacking.
I also had the same issue with this book that I’ve had with Charlotte Stein’s other books: the pacing and writing style just do not work for me. Everything feels very choppy, disjointed, and awkwardly structured in a way that constantly pulls me out of the story instead of immersing me in it. I just cannot engage when the writing style is like this and it is unfortunate because I really wanted to like it.
I can absolutely see why other people would love this, but it just is not for me.
First, I am already not a huge fan of the amnesia trope, so that part was always going to be a hard sell for me personally. On top of that, the main characters felt really immature and kind of annoying a lot of the time, which made it hard for me to stay invested in the romance. I wanted them to be more mature and grow and have depth but that seemed to be missing and sorely lacking.
I also had the same issue with this book that I’ve had with Charlotte Stein’s other books: the pacing and writing style just do not work for me. Everything feels very choppy, disjointed, and awkwardly structured in a way that constantly pulls me out of the story instead of immersing me in it. I just cannot engage when the writing style is like this and it is unfortunate because I really wanted to like it.
I can absolutely see why other people would love this, but it just is not for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Falling for a Villainous Vampire by Charlotte Stein is a quirky, creative take on paranormal romance.
Marley and Halsten are immortal enemies. Marley is a witch who has lived multiple lives over hundreds of years, always ending when she turns twenty—at the hands of Halsten, a vampire. Each time she is reincarnated, her memories of her previous life are hazy, but one truth remains constant: Halsten will find her...and kill her.
In her current incarnation, Marley has a bevy of witch friends and a judgmental familiar who happens to be a cell phone. When Halsten finds her once again, Marley and her friends devise a plan to erase his memories of her. What follows is an unraveling of centuries-old lies, long-buried secrets, and a curse that no one saw coming.
I read this book in two days, finding its sarcastic humor and imaginative world-building absolutely delightful. Stein takes a lighthearted rom-com premise and infuses it with deeper themes of love, betrayal, family curses, and redemption. The result is a story that is both entertaining and surprisingly heartfelt.
I gave the book 4 stars.
Marley and Halsten are immortal enemies. Marley is a witch who has lived multiple lives over hundreds of years, always ending when she turns twenty—at the hands of Halsten, a vampire. Each time she is reincarnated, her memories of her previous life are hazy, but one truth remains constant: Halsten will find her...and kill her.
In her current incarnation, Marley has a bevy of witch friends and a judgmental familiar who happens to be a cell phone. When Halsten finds her once again, Marley and her friends devise a plan to erase his memories of her. What follows is an unraveling of centuries-old lies, long-buried secrets, and a curse that no one saw coming.
I read this book in two days, finding its sarcastic humor and imaginative world-building absolutely delightful. Stein takes a lighthearted rom-com premise and infuses it with deeper themes of love, betrayal, family curses, and redemption. The result is a story that is both entertaining and surprisingly heartfelt.
I gave the book 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
This is my first Charlotte Stein book and I really enjoyed it!! I didn't expect to like paranormal romance that much, but this book had me hooked from the beginning. I've seen some other reviewers say that the beginning jumps in too fast and doesn't build up any history between the MMC and FMC. I actually really enjoyed it because I love when authors respect their readers enough to figure out what's happening without it being explicitly stated. I agree that there could have been more building of the MCs relationship at the beginning, since we are really thrown into it, but I didn't mind at all.
MMC is OBSESSED with FMC in the best way. So freaking sweet while still being adorably respectful and cute. Golden retriever energy in the most wholesome way but also in a very worshipful I'd-kill-myself-before-hurting-you way. I love the way the romance was built in this book--the tension is so palpable and feels very cathartic when they finally give in.
This book really had me for the middle section, and lost me a bit at the end with the last major reveal. Overall, I really liked it and would definitely recommend it to other readers!!
This is my first Charlotte Stein book and I really enjoyed it!! I didn't expect to like paranormal romance that much, but this book had me hooked from the beginning. I've seen some other reviewers say that the beginning jumps in too fast and doesn't build up any history between the MMC and FMC. I actually really enjoyed it because I love when authors respect their readers enough to figure out what's happening without it being explicitly stated. I agree that there could have been more building of the MCs relationship at the beginning, since we are really thrown into it, but I didn't mind at all.
MMC is OBSESSED with FMC in the best way. So freaking sweet while still being adorably respectful and cute. Golden retriever energy in the most wholesome way but also in a very worshipful I'd-kill-myself-before-hurting-you way. I love the way the romance was built in this book--the tension is so palpable and feels very cathartic when they finally give in.
This book really had me for the middle section, and lost me a bit at the end with the last major reveal. Overall, I really liked it and would definitely recommend it to other readers!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this ARC! I've been following along with all of Charlotte Stein's books set in this cozy supernatural world and have sped read through them all! From the start, you have a feeling what the twist will be...so I don't really know why I was tearing up at the end, except that (no spoilers) the pining and commitment really does get to me.
We follow our FMC, a witch who is so walled up that she has literally sent her parents off after wiping their memories a la Hermione Granger in order to protect them. She's distanced herself from everyone ever - aside from truly a well-suited side kick (I had a laugh when I realized what was happening, so I won't spoil.) Our MMC has the cutest fish out of water experience, including using Friends as a mode of understanding the world. I think unfortunately, given his golden retriever energy - I didn't get much more out of his personality? besides a certain dopeyness? - but I still see the appeal, and Stein has a gift for writing a good dopey man (see first book of the series.)
We follow our FMC, a witch who is so walled up that she has literally sent her parents off after wiping their memories a la Hermione Granger in order to protect them. She's distanced herself from everyone ever - aside from truly a well-suited side kick (I had a laugh when I realized what was happening, so I won't spoil.) Our MMC has the cutest fish out of water experience, including using Friends as a mode of understanding the world. I think unfortunately, given his golden retriever energy - I didn't get much more out of his personality? besides a certain dopeyness? - but I still see the appeal, and Stein has a gift for writing a good dopey man (see first book of the series.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hooky premise. An FMC who is reborn again and again and hunted by the same vampire MMC. It was giving 7th Time Loop vibes (anyone?), so I had to read it!
Opens media res with all the fantasy rom com things. He's trying to kill her, but they stop for campy banter (think Buffy). He grabs her shirt and accidentally rips all her clothes off. Light hearted, slapstick vibes.
The writing style was a little difficult for me to get into at first, but I was curious about the origin story for this couple. He mentions seeing her, ahem, in the buff. She remembers words in his original language. How exactly did this thing go so sideways?
How will the FMC get out of this repeating cycle?
If you love:
Beach Reads, Banter, Slapstick Comedy, Vampires, Witches, Enemies to Lovers, Reincarnation, Contemporary Setting
Then, check this one out.
Opens media res with all the fantasy rom com things. He's trying to kill her, but they stop for campy banter (think Buffy). He grabs her shirt and accidentally rips all her clothes off. Light hearted, slapstick vibes.
The writing style was a little difficult for me to get into at first, but I was curious about the origin story for this couple. He mentions seeing her, ahem, in the buff. She remembers words in his original language. How exactly did this thing go so sideways?
How will the FMC get out of this repeating cycle?
If you love:
Beach Reads, Banter, Slapstick Comedy, Vampires, Witches, Enemies to Lovers, Reincarnation, Contemporary Setting
Then, check this one out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for this arc of Falling for a Villainous Vampire!
I absoluetly adored this read and quickly became obsessed with how down bad Halsten was after he accidentally had his mind erased during Marley's attempt to stop him from chasing her down in this lifetime and the next. The things he says to her and the way he does whatever he can to reassure her that he is not harmful was very sweet and honestly, I think that this was more of a reverse pyschology for her to stop running first.
Falling for a Villainous Vampire is a sweet but spicy, boy obsessed, fast paced romance perfect for getting in the spooky season mood.
Plot 4/5
Characters 4/5
Spice 2.5/5
I absoluetly adored this read and quickly became obsessed with how down bad Halsten was after he accidentally had his mind erased during Marley's attempt to stop him from chasing her down in this lifetime and the next. The things he says to her and the way he does whatever he can to reassure her that he is not harmful was very sweet and honestly, I think that this was more of a reverse pyschology for her to stop running first.
Falling for a Villainous Vampire is a sweet but spicy, boy obsessed, fast paced romance perfect for getting in the spooky season mood.
Plot 4/5
Characters 4/5
Spice 2.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Charlotte Stein delivers a wonderfully entertaining, chaotic ride with Falling for a Villainous Vampire. The concept of a mortal enemy getting amnesia and suddenly treating the heroine like his absolute savior and the light of his life is pure gold. Halsten’s fish-out-of-water, protective warrior ways are incredibly endearing and wildly sexy. The dialogue is snappy, and Marley’s inner conflict adds great emotional depth. While the pacing slowed slightly around the mid-point coven politics, the top-tier humor and intense romantic tension more than made up for it. A highly recommended paranormal read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I swear, all of Charlotte’s new series get better with each book. I know she has said this is the end of the trilogy but I sincerely hope she writes more books taking place in this universe. The magic, whimsy and wonder interwoven with the contemporary makes things so lovely. I really enjoyed this one, Marley turned out to be such a wonderful character and Halsten was just…sigh. I honestly wouldn’t have guessed the twist either. I also love fish out of water tales and we get a bit of that here along with our enemies to lovers story. Definitely recommend this one!
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I always have such a good time with a Charlotte Stein novel and "Falling for a Villainous Vampire" did not disappoint. This felt very different than her previous works I think in the pacing of the romance, the fantasy elements in this love story and the overall vibes of the 2 MC's. I ATE THAT SHIT UP REGARDLESS! I love the two MC's and their dynamic. I love this town where this whole universe exists. And the spice and main characters of this book are HOT! Overall, I will read everything Charlotte puts out and I love her work!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you’re looking for a cute, paranormal romance where the vampire MMC is a major simp, this is the one for you! Charlotte Stein is absolutely the QUEEN of writing simps! I was not expecting a simp from the beginning of the book, but the story takes quite a few fun turns. I always love a vampire book, especially with the trope of blood sucking being not a bad experience for the other party. ;) I feel like the spice, the build up, the connection between the MCs, and the paranormal aspects/twists will make this one of my favorite reads of the year! Another Charlotte Stein 5 star for meeee! 🫶🏼
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I liked that Cassie and Nancy were featured in this book. Initially I did not like the plot line of Halsten not only having his memory erased but reverting to his Viking identity (but still a vampire) and becoming a lovesick fool pining for Marley. But as the plot progressed and more of his “true” personality emerged, and he and Marley started connecting more, I liked the plot line better. And the twists about their past and their mutual enemy were good ones.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a really fun read! I loved the first book in the series, and second and now this third are still fun to read though not as well-crafted. This one suffers from some of the same issues as the previous book, in that the characters are under-developed and the plot is a bit thin. I like the writing style for the most part, and the premise really grabbed me, but it doesn't quite live up to it. Still a great read and a fast one for me, which I needed to break free from a slump.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a lovely final book in Charlotte Stein’s paranormal rom com series! I wanted to wait to read & review until it was closer but I just couldn’t contain my excitement to read the book and share how good it truly is! The MMC, Sten, is the sweetest cinnamon bun ever, so nice to read. In the beginning of the story I know it doesn’t seem that way, but just keep going! I’m so thankful I got to read an early copy. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC!
This book was, in one word, delicious. I was SO into the romance, and the plot, and the friendships and characters and writing. What a beautiful story - and an incredible ending where everything was woven together. Highly recommend checking this out when it releases in October!
This book was, in one word, delicious. I was SO into the romance, and the plot, and the friendships and characters and writing. What a beautiful story - and an incredible ending where everything was woven together. Highly recommend checking this out when it releases in October!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dear God...This is my first Charlotte Stein novel but it sure won't be my last. The story gripped me with its premise first, what a fantastic idea I thought and dove straight into it. No regretts whatsoever! So much yearning I was simply not ready for. The humor, the banter, the emotional turmoil. I will tell everyone who dares to listen to read this story, I'm so in love with it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The third book in this series really hits home here. This book may have broken my soul in the best of ways. I normally don't love miscommunication, but when a curse is involved and you have a Viking vampire (I'm casting alexander skarsgard in my mind) it makes everything that leads up to the HAE totally worth it.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
**Received a copy in a goodreads giveaway**
Oh this was just as fun as the first 2 in the series. It was a super fast read for me, the story progressed quickly. There were a few spots that I felt were a bit predictable but that isn't surprising to me with how much I read. If anything I would have been happy to have it be a little bit longer :-)
Oh this was just as fun as the first 2 in the series. It was a super fast read for me, the story progressed quickly. There were a few spots that I felt were a bit predictable but that isn't surprising to me with how much I read. If anything I would have been happy to have it be a little bit longer :-)
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