Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Leafshire Cove Monsters #5

When the Innkeeper Met the Vampire

Rate this book
One lives in the light. The other thrives in shadow.

At the Leafshire Cove book faire, rom-com author Colette Amelot wants only two things: a mug of spiced cider and a long line at her signing table. She definitely does not want to accidentally kiss a reclusive thriller writer—especially not in front of half the kingdom.

But when a wobbling tower of iced cookies, one startled vampire, and an ill-timed trip collide, the resulting kiss becomes instant legend. The town heralds are delighted. The gossip mills are relentless. And a gleeful publisher sees opportunity.

Now Colette is contractually obligated to co-write a short Snowlight story with Archer Darkheart—the shadow-eyed vampire whose thrillers curdle cream and whose glare could stop a heartbeat.

When the deadline forces them to work from Colette’s sentient inn—an opinionated building that creaks in disapproval, rearranges rooms at will, and has very strong feelings about romance—things only grow more complicated.

She believes in joy, laughter, and happily-ever-afters. He believes in structure, solitude, and the slow ache of tragedy.

They can’t agree on a chapter title, let alone a kiss scene. But as quills clash, tempers spark, and those damn cookies mysteriously keep appearing, their fictional collaboration blurs into something dangerously real.

Sometimes the best plot twist isn’t written on the page—it’s standing beside you, stealing your quill, and reminding you that love, like magic, is always worth the risk.


Tropes/Elements:

sentient inn, talking cat, cottagecore medieval setting, forced proximity, spice, holiday book, fantasy feast, found family, vampire bites, book fair, taverns, magical small town, standalone romance, "Who critiqued you?" (writer version of "Who did this to you?"), Interspecies world, opposites attract

252 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Lila Appleton

5 books85 followers
Lila Appleton is a spicy cozy pen name for Alisha Klapheke. She lives in a small Tennessee town where she does yoga with her cats and drinks more tea than anyone should be capable of consuming. You can also find her on IG @authorlilaappleton or @alishaklapheke. The Leafshire Cove Monsters series are all standalone cozy monster fantasy romance novels that are short, low stakes, and spicy.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
44 (44%)
4 stars
33 (33%)
3 stars
15 (15%)
2 stars
4 (4%)
1 star
2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Britt.
627 reviews73 followers
April 30, 2026
I was so excited to return to Leafshire Cove with these two beautiful MCs!!

I absolutely adored their meet-cute mishap! When a klutz meets a kiss was completely perfect for this grumpy/sunshine duo!! It totally set the tone for their relationship and was the catalyst for them having to work together. It has to be in my top 5 favorite meet-cutes of all time.

I loved both of our MCs so much. I appreciated that they both came from harder backgrounds (him from neglect and abandonment and her from poverty), and liked seeing how they each handled those backgrounds differently; she was bubbly trying to not be a problem while he was reclusive trying to stay out of the way. Throughout the story, they really did complement each other well; she offered him the ability to let loose a bit and not take everything so seriously, while he offered her some stability and emotional support.

Loved the sentient inn who was a bit sassy, let’s be so for real right now hahaha I loved how it didn’t fully take to Colette right away and it had an attitude with her at times. I also loved how the inn was constantly trying to push these two together! It definitely knew something they didn’t!

I was happy to meet (or get to know better) some of the characters in the town, namely Lysandra (the bookshop owner who is a faun) and Grumlin (the wizard owner of the tavern WHO READS!). My money is on these two for the next couple 😉

Such a great addition to the series! Make sure you check it out!

Thank you to Lila Appleton for the eARC!
Profile Image for Quilted.reads.
535 reviews16 followers
May 5, 2026
I had so much fun with this one. It’s about Colette a sunshiney rom com author who accidentally kisses this vampire thriller writer Archer at a book fair (in front of basically everyone 😭). The whole thing goes viral in their little magical town and next thing you know they’re forced to co write a holiday story together. Cue forced proximity at her very opinionated sentient inn, constant bickering over writing styles, and a slow burn “oh no this is real now” kind of romance.I loved how opposite they are she’s all warm, hopeful, happily ever afters, and he’s very much dark, serious, and emotionally guarded and watching that clash was so good. The vibes are super cottagecore fantasy with little magical details everywhere, plus the inn and side characters added so much charm.Also I just need to say: I adore this author. She always delivers when it comes to fantasy romance, and this felt like another hit. Perfect if you want something magical but still light and romantic.
Profile Image for Beba Andric.
1,642 reviews127 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 23, 2026
Within a few moments of reading this book I was giggling like a lunatic! These books can only be described as entertainment central. Ms Appleton draws one in with her clever command, and choice of words and a beautiful, fast paced, delightful read emerges. Spicy too, just for the yum effect and heck, there was plenty of yummy yum!

Colette must be the most cheerful, joyful, exuberant person alive! She exudes niceness and kindness and light. Archer, on the other hand, is rather withdrawn, an introvert and a bit of a recluse. Which makes their... encounter at the faire... awkward, but all that more smile worthy. A misinterpretation, a deed, an embarrassing moment but one that really made me chuckle. Falling into a kiss has taken on a new meaning to me and it's an image I'll carry with me for a long time. That aside, this author brought so much out of the characters, and indeed, of me, and the seemingly innocuous misunderstanding, takes on a life of it's own! Literally!

The difference in Archer and Colette couldn't be more stark, he's serious, she's frivolous, he's orderly, she's... not, he's grumpy, she's sunshine but what both share is a love of writing, even if their genres are completely different. He uses his pain to tap into the darkness, she uses her pain to deliver joy. Oh, and they share this strange draw to one another.... which sets off a chain reaction. Nope, not what you're thinking, it sets Colette on a mission to make Archer...less grumpy, it sets Archer into a spin of how infuriatingly she's gotten under his skin. Yeah, both in the annoying frustration as well as the yearning frustration. So he plans to keep his distance. Rather unfortunate, because, well, their publishes manipulate them into writing a story together. Oh, and that's the beauty of this read, the talented author that Ms Appleton is, sets this book all about authoring, the ups and downs, the good and the despair, the joy of an accomplished book.

All of which Colette and Archer are experiencing. Both novelists, they participate at the faire, she very willingly, he very much not. With his sales doing a nosedive, his publisher thought he needed to "expand" his presence, which didn't go too well. I adore the characters, I adore how the author unravels what's hidden within each, their hurts, their aspirations, their inner turmoil. And how they deal with it. My heart did weep for Asher, his past was less than ideal, so he built a fortress around himself. Colette's hurts are just as real but she opted to channel them into positivity, not harp on the negativity. Much easier for her, she's more open and the town embaces her as one of their own. What a delight to see all my favourite characters from previous books featured in this read!

This is a lighthearted and beautiful read, the romance is just fantabulous, even though it was touch and go a few times, especially when a certain persona non grata makes her unwanted appearance. Geez, those were a few tense moments! The support, the magnificent people who reside in Leafshire Cove, hell, makes me want to go live there! Oh and the sentiment Inn? Well, that's a matchmaker of note! The shenanigans of the Inn, having her say, oh yes, I definitely feel the Inn is a she... well, she knew best! Loved the tiny animal companions and familiars, just loved it all!

Colette's exuberance and positively seeps into me, almost like osmosis, Ms Appleton gave me the most uplifting character and story. I still want to hug everyone, anyone around me, and I think this will be my new mantra, “Shadows help us see the light.” These books fill me with a gooeyness, just like one of Kaya's pastries, the sweetest settles in every nook and cranny, and do yourselves a favour, try those recipes at the end of the book. They're just as delectable as this read!

Profile Image for Michaela | bumblebeeslibrary.
206 reviews42 followers
April 29, 2026
When the Innkeeper Met the Vampire a cozy romantasy

When FMC Colette misinterprets MMC Archer Darkheart's intentions as he accidentally falls and grabs her, she goes in for a kiss! When she realizes Archer wasn't leaning in for a kiss, she is rather mortified. Both Colette and Archer are authors, and when the gossip flies and reaches their publishers, they are forced to co-write a short story. Their genres don't mesh, and they have to really get to know each other to agree on the writing. Colette is secretly trying to seduce Archer, because after that kiss, she wants her chance with him, and Archer secretly is very attracted to Colette, but tries to ignore it. As they work together, sparks fly, and neither will be able to deny their feelings for long.

I loved the juxtaposition in the two characters. Colette is quite literally sunshine and rainbows, while Archer is a dark broody vampire, wanting to write based on deep feelings. They are really a perfect match, each balancing out each others extreme dark and light sides. Archer's concerns for being with Colette are quite valid, but he manages to get the backing of the Leafshire Cove townspeople, even being new to town.

I love how all the townsfolk are so willing to help those they have welcomed to Leafshire Cove. Everything is so cozy, and I love it. Colette's sentient inn! Who wouldn't want a self-cleaning home?! It would be amazing. But, with the benefits, are also the fact that the inn likes to intervene...like tossing Archer into Colette's bedroom as she is changing! That scene was so perfectly "forbidden" feeling, and really let Colette know how Archer felt about her..at least physically.

From the store names, like the "Two Cats bakery" to all the delicious pastry eating, and a bit of spice, this book is such a fun and cozy read!

Thank you so much to the author for a copy of this book!

Some fav quotes:
"Ah, I can't wait until I'm home tomorrow and I can have a proper self-pitying wallow. I love a good wallow."

""It's good for him. Males need to be made uncomfortable on a regular basis.""

"I must restrain myself from asking rude questions such as Who did you eat today?"

"What would fangs feel like against my neck? He glances up at me through his sooty lashes. Warmth gathers in my belly."

"That's nice and all, but I plan to show that stuffy vampire every naughty idea I've had about him since the day we met."

"The way he says my name like it's precious has butterflies dancing through my bloodstream. If we dated, would he bite me? Would I want him to? Yes, yes, I would."

"But his eyes darken and his lips part, showing fangs. His throat moves in a swallow and I don't know whether to be run from him or climb him like a tree."

"He grins mischievously, then quickly sheds his boots and stockings. He looks like a god come down to earth to torture me with pleasure. I'm more than ready to suffer."
Profile Image for Ann Schwarz.
Author 4 books4 followers
May 1, 2026
I truly enjoyed this cozy monster romantasy that takes place around the holiday solstice. This is the second book I've read in the Leafshire Cove series and it is my favorite out of that series so far. But just know that each book set in this small, cozy fantasy community can be read on its own without having read any of the others first.

This story centers around Collette Amelot, the newest owner of the sentient inn in town, who is also a best-selling rom-com novelist. At the local bookfaire sponsored by librarian and bookshop owner Lysandra, Collette has an awkward meet-cute with another author, thriller novelist and half-vampire Archer Darkheart. Their accidental kiss sparks rumors and gossip that spread throughout the Veiled Realms and sparks an idea on the part of both their editors for them to collaborate on a short story together.

At first, both are reluctant to want to do so, after all they write very different types of fiction. But Archer eventually agrees to the idea in order to help jumpstart his dwindling sales. From there this forced-proximity romance unfolds.

I loved how author Alisha Klapheke was able to parallel an exploration of the collaborative process of writing when mixing two different genres of writing into one story for these novelists with the development of their relationship as they also get to know one another as individuals. She weaves both aspects of the story together so well and in a way that makes each character emotionally resonant and relatable. I also appreciated that in this story, the romance is a slow-burn one but one where it is Collette who pursues Archer rather than the other way around as is often the case in romances. Not to worry though, for those of you who love plenty of spice in your romances, as things definitely heat up toward the last quarter of the novel.

It was a joy to return to Leafshire Cove and I hope to do so again very soon by reading more books in this delightful series.
Profile Image for Soft Nectarine ~.
483 reviews1,012 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 25, 2026
COZY, SWEET & SPICY romantasy in all its good natured chaos! Two reluctant authors collab on a story while fighting their attraction!

🤎 this one is for the book lovers! 🤎

Colette is LIVING THE DREAM as a prominent romance author & a new owner of a sentient inn ✨ She’s living that cozy life until she misjudges a situation and kisses a handsome brooding author of thriller novels….who’s also half-VAMPIRE 👀 When their kiss goes viral and they’re forced to collab on a story.

She’s a sunshine girlie. He prefers the shadows.

Loved the OPPOSITES ATTRACT trope! Colette is a whimsy character that writes lighthearted rom-coms✨ while Asher prefers to focus on the shadowed depths of traumas. I was absolutely tickled how Colette slowly lights up Asher’s world even though he fights her every step of the way.

🤎 lonely & shy mmc meets a vivacious extrovert fmc

📖 he’s never tasted a human

🤎 sentient inn, book faire & abundance of cookies

📖 she teases him with her mind and body

PEAK COZINESS! I absolutely adored the whimsical small town filled with magical creatures & adorable characters✨ Definitely good natures chaos with insta love & a quick route of happiness but mixed with the sweet romance and small town coziness it makes for a delightfully adorable story.

⭐️4.5 I wished it was longer since some dialogue felt rushed

grumpy x sunshine
shy but protective mmc
insta love
entrepreneur fmc
forced proximity
fated mates
sweetly SMUTTY 🌶️
book publishing world
found family
small town
modern spice language
HEA

Thank you to the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Profile Image for Yugie Caroline.
359 reviews7 followers
May 2, 2026
When the attraction is undeniable, who cares about being opposites?

I think that is exactly what went down with Colette and Archer - the MCs - in this book. She's all sunshine and happiness, while he's brooding and introverted. Had they met some other way, their connection may never have sparked. But alas, fate has pre-destined them to be together, and it took one surprising, unexpected kiss to set into motion what fate has planned for them from the beginning.

It was engrossing to see how these two highly opposite characters work together and eventually find that common ground that would help solidify their connection with one another. They'd really been so set in their ways, each believing in the rightness of their own point of views. But somehow, Collette and Archer manage to see beyond their opposing dispositions and find that being different doesn't mean they wouldn't fit. In fact, they would eventually realize they were perfect complements to each other. I savored that message conveyed by the book most of all.

This is the third book in the Leafshire Cove Monsters series that I've read, so I was definitely happy to have been able to revisit Leafshire Cove and become reacquainted with its inhabitants. It's a magical, supernatural town where all sorts of beings live in harmony with one another: humans, orcs, gargoyles, dragons, pixies, fairies, and fauns running taverns, libraries, and bakeries. It's where these same races find the other half of their souls, and it matters not if their races are the same. What matters is they find their mate, and deliberately choose to love and honor them for life.

I'm thankful to the author for granting me an advanced review copy of this book. I voluntarily offer this review.
Profile Image for Deb Barringer.
594 reviews4 followers
May 6, 2026
When the Innkeeper Met the Vampire by Lila Appleton is an absolute delight to read! This is the 5th of the Leafshire Cove Monster Collection, and, like the others, it can be read as a standalone or enjoyed as part of the series where old friends enrich the story.

The meet-cute between Colette and Archer is definitely one of my all-time favorites! The spontaneity and clumsiness of the accidental kiss has the whole town in astonishment. Meeting for the first time at a local book faire, Colette is a Rom-Com author while Arther writes more serious Thrillers. News of their "meeting" even reaches their publishers who hatch a plan for them to co-author a short story, thus forcing them to work together. I love how sparks fly as they navigate this task despite being from very different genres. Those sparks quickly turn personal as the each try to come to terms with their growing feelings for one another.

Unfortunately, there is the pesky little complication of Archer's forced betrothal to the vicious vampire, Valeria. It seems that she is not willing to just let him break the promise made between herself and Archer's evil mother. Vampires are forced to marry to preserve bloodlines. It is heartening to see the whole town come to Archer's defense despite his new status amongst the group. Always an outcast previously, this unconditional acceptance amazes Archer and reinforces Colette's pride in her neighbors and friends. Leafshire Cove is truly a magical and remarkable place with many different species living harmoniously.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading When the Innkeeper Met the Vampire. I highly recommend it and all of the Leafshire Cove Monster novels!
Profile Image for Hailey.
293 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 21, 2026
What happens when a sunshine innkeeper literally falls into a grumpy half-vampire’s life… and kisses him mid-disaster? Chaos. Absolute chaos, and somehow, healing!

I loved this opposites-attract chaos fest… he’s a broody, hyper-organized, coffee-loving half-vamp/half-goblin thriller author, and she’s a sunshiney, tea-loving, sentient-innkeeper romcom writer who thrives on vibes and vibes alone.

🌙 “You should now by now that the bookish ones are sometimes the hottest under the collar.”

Their meet-cute? Equal parts secondhand embarrassment and comedy gold… think pastries flying, accidental kissing, and a deeply traumatized vampire. Watching her make it her life’s mission to seduce him while he’s just trying to emotionally survive was peak entertainment.

🌙 “You look like you want to drink her down like a fine wine.”

Beneath the banter and laugh-out-loud moments, there’s a genuinely sweet journey of healing and learning to meet in the middle. Returning to Leafshire Cove felt like coming home. Cozy, magical, and full of lovable monsters… and now I’m already wondering who’s next.

💫 When the Weaver Met the Gargoyle (Leafshire Cove Monsters, 5) by Lila Appleton (@alishaklapheke)
Cozy Monster Romantasy | Found Family | Opposites Attract | Forced Proximity | 166 pp | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

💫 Favorite Quote:
“Shadows help us see the light.”
__________________________________________________
Thank you to Lila Appleton for the opportunity to read and honestly review this eARC! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
Profile Image for bookishpadawan.
430 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 10, 2026
🥐Accidental first kiss
📚Grumpy x sunshine
🥐Opposites attract
📚Forced proximity
🥐Small town gossip
📚He falls first
🥐She thinks he hates her
📚Slow burn
🥐Human dual entrepreneur FMC
📚Slightly clumsy half-goblin vampire MMC
🥐Co-writes (Romcom v thriller)
📚Who critiqued you?
🥐Sentient inn
📚Talking cat
🥐Chosen family
📚Spice (Vampire style)
🥐Dual POV
📚Standalone

♥️♥️Huge thanks to Lila Appleton/Alisha Klapheke for selecting me to read this arc, it's an honor and privilege to me. All opinions are my own♥️♥️

Colette and Archer are authors who first met at a book faire, but at this first meeting—surrounded by a large crowd, they accidentally kiss which immediately goes viral and becomes hot topic all over the town. The publishers behind Collette and Archer took this opportunity to make them collaborate to write a Snowlight short story.

"I think I've loved you from the moment you jumped on me surrounded by baked goods,"


The differences between Colette and Archer's book genre and writing styles are very contrasting, and they each find it frustrating to compromise their opinions as they write chapter after chapter. but I think this makes this book so fun and exciting😂 as two authors from opposite genres must put aside their differences and create a short story together to appease not only their publisher's demands, but also the entire town.

"I love you, Colette Amelot. I can't deny it any longer. But if you don't want to risk a confrontation with a dangerous vampire female for me, let alone the dangers in loving me, I understand, and I'll leave after Snowlight."


Colette and Archer are like light and shadow...one shines very brightly, loves parties and the other likes to hide in the shadows, but by of Colette's influence, Archer slowly stepped out of the dark. These two are so cute and so sweeet in complementing each other🥰 this book was funny, easy to follow, I loved the cozy atmosphere in here, I enjoyed the characters and the banter was great. It was such a refreshing read🥰 recommended!✨

Profile Image for JustJazzy.
1 review
May 7, 2026
When the Innkeeper Met the Vampire is a short, spicy, cozy romantasy about two very different writers working together on a short story, and the feelings they catch along the way. This was my first foray into the Leafshire Cove series, and it was a cute and sweet trip! Since it is a short story, there wasn't much character or plot development; everything kind of happens rather quickly, the relationship blooms out of very little interaction, and the conflict is resolved with little effort. I would have loved for this to be a longer story to get more of world building, character development, and to experience more moments as we watch the relationship unfold.

However, overall I did enjoy the story and the spicy scenes were A tier. Colette is our ray of sunshine who has trained herself to not dwell on negative feelings, and Archer is our grumpy vampire who doesn't believe he is good enough. I loved their grumpy x sunshine, opposite attract pairing. There were some misfires along the way, but both handled these situations with maturity and communicating well. I also really enjoyed the sentient Inn, and wish we got to experience more of its antics!

Thank you to Lila Appleton for the eARC :)
Profile Image for Bethany Grace.
23 reviews2 followers
April 23, 2026
My heart is sooo happy!! This cozy romantic fantasy was perfect! Alisha aka Lila has created a world that all of us fantasy lovers would love to live in. Her descriptions paint every moment so vividly that you can feel, smell, taste and fully experience every sentence. It is the epitome of cozy writing! This standalone romance is apart of her Leafshire Cove series. In this book we get to enjoy the connection between our sunshine human FMC Colette and our serious vampire Archer. These two writers have an adorable meet cue and get wrapped into cowriting a short story together. Reading about a written story being developed with totally different writing styles and personalities gave this book even more of a sparkle for us book lovers! I was tabbing away on my kindle with so many quotes that touched me in laughter, sweetness, passion, sadness, and power. Although some moments of tension popped up, this is overall a very lighthearted read with a perfect amount of spice and heat. I have fallen in love with this magical town and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Lana.
2,855 reviews61 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 25, 2026
I just love these lovely cosy romantasy novels, they are so light hearted and fun to read, they are like a breath of fresh air and this book is just as enjoyable. This time around we get to meet Colette the innkeeper and author who is alway so bubbly and full of fun. She is attending a faire where she is hoping to get a long line of clients for her latest book however instead she ends up knocking over a whole plate of cookies as she unwittingly kisses the horror stories author, also attending, Archer Darkheart, the vampire. Colette is really embarassed as she did this infront of all of Leafshire Cove. And the gossip mongers tongues started wagging. The publishers of both authors got their heads together and came up with a plan, they ordered the two to write a short story together because she was a best selling author whilst his sales were flagging. They were total opposites and could agree on nothing really however they plodded on and her sentient inn helped them along. I just love the sentient Inn, the whimsical idea of the post, and the romance that blossoms for the two of them.
Profile Image for Amanda✨️.
268 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2026
A delightful mix of humor, heart, and magic

This one was such a cozy, charming read. The cottagecore setting really shines, especially with the magical inn adding its own personality to everything going on. I had a lot of fun with the book fair chaos and the whole accidental kiss setup, which felt playful without being over the top.

Colette and Archer make a great opposites-attract pair. Their dynamic is full of tension and humor, especially as they’re forced to collaborate. I liked how their differences in writing styles mirrored their emotional walls, and watching that slowly shift was really satisfying.

The side elements add a lot of warmth too. The talking cat, the small town gossip, and the found family vibes all make the world feel lively and comforting. It’s got a nice balance of sweetness, light spice, and a bit of magical mischief.

Overall, a really enjoyable addition to the series that leans into cozy fantasy romance with a lot of heart.

Thank you to Lila for the advanced copy, this is my honest review.
393 reviews3 followers
May 2, 2026
This story is a fast paced cozy romance that balances funny moments with emotional vibes.
The heart of the book is a classic opposites attract romance done well. The MCs have personalities that just fit together, even when they drive each other crazy. Both of them are carrying around some heavy stuff and hurting for different reasons, but the author doesn't make it feel too dark. Instead, you get to watch them slowly learn how to bring out the very best in each other. It's a healing journey wrapped in a fun plot.
The magical inn stole the show. Its antics are hilarious, think sentient rooms and perfectly timed magical accidents that force these two to actually interact with each other. It adds such a fun and whimsical layer to the story that kept me happy the whole time. The town is filled with the kind of nosy caring people you'd actually want as neighbors, making the whole setting feel sweet. If you are into magical realism, emotional growth, and a grumpy/sunshine pairing that feels natural, you'll love this story.
Profile Image for Morally_Gray_Nola.
907 reviews50 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 29, 2026
Author Lila Appleton never ceases to amaze me with her seemingly endless supply of quality writings. WHEN THE INNKEEPER MET THE VAMPIRE is cozy, cheeky, sexy, fun. Archer and Collette are adorable together—Archer denies hisself the luxury of acknowledging his feelings for Collette. But, what’s a vampire to do when he has a secret the size of a small country.

WHEN THE INNKEEPER MET THE VAMPIRE is a crazy good read that’ll leave you hungry for the next. Good stuff.
*** Recommended ***

MMC:
✨Archer
FMC:
✨Collette
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Leafshire Cove Monsters
Tropes:
👉🏼paranormal romance
👉🏼cozy monster romance
👉🏼sentient inn
👉🏼forced proximity
👉🏼quiet mmc x party girl fmc
👉🏼romcom author fmc
👉🏼thriller author mmc
👉🏼he has a secret
👉🏼he craves her 🩸
Triggers:🛑see content warning page/author’s website for full list🛑
💥18+
💥 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, mf, open🚪sex
💥profanity
💥mild violence
3,225 reviews32 followers
May 3, 2026
This story is dual POV, well written, and a sweet and somewhat steamy, fated mates, opposites attract, fantasy romance between Colette, the female human innkeeper/author lead, and Archer, the male goblin/vampire author lead. I enjoyed Colette’s optimism and her determination to succeed. I empathised with Archer’s grimmer approach to life and enjoyed seeing him learn to appreciate life. I enjoyed that the contrast in life approach was echoed in their writing, and enjoyed seeing them persevere to co-write in a genuinely joint style. I enjoyed the building relationship. I enjoyed the supportive secondary characters. I enjoyed the contrast between family relationships and the discussion around love and loneliness.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
Profile Image for BOOK IT BISHES.
186 reviews7 followers
April 26, 2026
A cozy chaotic romance that oozes charm and magic!

Colette, an author who owns a charming inn, is paired up with the grumpy author to collaborate on a story with complete opposite ideas of what makes a good premise. She is drawn to the recluse vampire/goblin and is determined to chip away his serious facade, discovering there is so much more beneath the surface.

Archer likes to write alone and be left alone. His publisher insists on pairing up with the bubbly author to help him boost his book sales. He reluctantly agrees and finds himself drawn to the lively innkeeper / author. Turning his world upside down both professionally and romantically.

The fifth book in the Leafshire Cove Monsters can be read as a standalone. Whether you're new to Leafshire Cove or a longtime resident this book offers a charming town, witty banter & cozy romance. Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Sarah J Stebbins.
421 reviews
April 25, 2026
First of all: thank you to the author and her team who gave me the privilege of reading the eARC of this book.

I have loved this series since the very first book and each book has just added more to love. This was another wonderful, cozy, spicy, and short monster love story. I also really loved how those we met from the previous books came together to help near the end as well. The newest characters were interesting and their story very enjoyable. I found myself smiling on and off throughout - not uncommon with this series.

If you want something on the lighter and shorter side, that also has spice, and most importantly showcases love, this is the series for you! Read it!
Profile Image for Bookwyrm_in_KC.
269 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 29, 2026
I always love going back to Leafshire Cove. This book lets readers experience the town through the eyes of a recent transplant.

Collette is a romance author and the brand new owner of the magical inn in Leafshire Cove. After a meet-awkward with the thriller author (and vampire) Archer Darkheart, their publishers force them to work together on a short story.

When the Innkeeper Met the Vampire is a cute, spicy opposites attract romance. And Collette and Archer find not just true love, but a true community in Leafshire Cove, with friends that will put everything on the line to protect the ones they care for.

Thank you Lila Appleton for the opportunity to advance read for you again. 💚
Profile Image for Jessica Forbes.
460 reviews4 followers
May 6, 2026
I've been following this series since the beginning and I'm still hooked! Not only are Colette and Archer and adorable (and HOT) couple, but I loved getting to see couples from previous books! Leafshire Cove really is like its own little family, protecting each other when something does show up to try and cause chaos. If you're into fantasy stories that feature cute couples, some spice, and adorable pining moments (and cats!), then this series is for you.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Tracy Kimpton.
45 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 29, 2026

I loved this book. It had everything you would expect and more. It was funny and intriguing. The Leafshire Cove characters are brilliant, and Collette and Archer are fantastic. There are a lot of dips, turns and surprises that I didn't expect, which is why it was so enjoyable to read. I loved these new characters, and they worked well in the series. I hope to read more in this series as it is so well written and described. I don't want it to end.
431 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 29, 2026
Thank you Lila for sending me the arc. I love reading your books!
To me this book plot seemed very slow paced but how fast they got together in the end was crazy. There wasn't much tension to build. It seemed like Collette was head over heels for him and Archer could barely tolerate her. There was a definite grumpy sunshine trope happening.
I love Lila and most of her books but this one didn't and I LOVE vampire books!
Profile Image for Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog).
3,214 reviews94 followers
May 2, 2026
Cute and Cozy

A cute and cozy read! This is a heartwarming addition to the series that can be read as a standalone.

I enjoyed the characters and the banter and tension between them. Opposites attract and that was prevalent in this story.

If you’re looking for a short cozy read with vampires, some steam, a pushy inn, baked goods, story writing, grumpy/sunshine, and a HEA then don’t miss this!
Profile Image for Emily Grizzell.
86 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 26, 2026
Every time I think I have a favorite Leafshire Cove couple, along comes another that I can’t get enough of. This book was the perfect mix of grumpy sunshine and will they or won’t they. I loved Colette and Archer’s dynamic and the courage to feel they brought out it one another. The cute banter was also a plus!
Profile Image for Marie  Reed.
Author 5 books81 followers
May 5, 2026
I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about both MCs being newcomers to town (even though we did briefly meet Archer in the last book), but they fit in perfectly. Things started pretty quickly in this one, but it fit the storyline perfectly. These two seem to really understand each other after such a short time. I'm excited to see what comes next in this series!
144 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 23, 2026
Cute, cozy fantasy read! Fun to come back to Leafshire Cove!

I think my biggest issue was just the introduction of the MMC to FMC. It felt like I was missing some background info between the two or maybe it was just that their intro was extremely rushed/awkward.
Profile Image for Tiffany (areyoutellingstories).
718 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 24, 2026
The love and friends found in Leafshire Cove is unrivaled! You can always count on a good mate mark and real friends by your side. I love that these two were authors forced to work together, such a fun premise. Colette was quite the vixen, and I loved every moment she made him suffer!
Profile Image for Andra.
1,095 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 29, 2026
All the cozy delight in this vampire monster romance with just the right amount of spice to complement the interesting storyline. I enjoyed the banter and chemistry between the main characters and their overall love story.
27 reviews
May 12, 2026
Meh

I wanted to rate it higher. But it was just so... childish? Like I know its a RomCom thing but it's just not what I expected. And unfortunately I think it would have been better without the spice because it was for real cringe worthy. Nice idea though
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews