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The Fated Librarian
Not yet published
Expected 11 Aug 26She’s a failed demon slayer turned librarian and he’s a single dad with a secret in this Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Gilmore Girls small town paranormal romance.
Diana Morgan was destined to become a demon slayer until fate had other plans. Instead of fulfilling her family’s legacy, Diana becomes a librarian for The Guardians, a secret, supernatural organization sworn to protect humanity. To everyone, including her parents, she’ll always be the girl not chosen. Diana leaps into her first field assignment to train a newly ascended demon slayer as the chance to prove everyone wrong about who she is and what she’s capable of.
After vampires took everything from him, including his slayer wife, Seth Hardgrove wants nothing to do with the supernatural world. This includes his former employer, The Guardians. But fate gives him a middle finger when his teenage daughter is chosen to become a demon slayer.
Not only does the burly Irishman need to parent a teenager with superpowers, but deal with the librarian sent to train her. Diana is the last person he wants to work with his daughter. She’s young, untested, and the daughter of the man he blames for his beloved wife’s death.
Falling for a grumpy single dad, posing as the substitute librarian at the high school as her cover, and navigating the politics of village life turn out to be the least of Diana’s worries. Soon, she finds herself the desire of a notorious vampire and the key to an ancient prophecy. And she thought dealing with a teenage slayer would be the hardest part of her job.
Can Diana become the heroine she reads about in her books, not only saving herself, but everyone else? Or will she meet the fate of so many librarians before her and just be a forgotten footnote in someone else’s happy ending?
Diana Morgan was destined to become a demon slayer until fate had other plans. Instead of fulfilling her family’s legacy, Diana becomes a librarian for The Guardians, a secret, supernatural organization sworn to protect humanity. To everyone, including her parents, she’ll always be the girl not chosen. Diana leaps into her first field assignment to train a newly ascended demon slayer as the chance to prove everyone wrong about who she is and what she’s capable of.
After vampires took everything from him, including his slayer wife, Seth Hardgrove wants nothing to do with the supernatural world. This includes his former employer, The Guardians. But fate gives him a middle finger when his teenage daughter is chosen to become a demon slayer.
Not only does the burly Irishman need to parent a teenager with superpowers, but deal with the librarian sent to train her. Diana is the last person he wants to work with his daughter. She’s young, untested, and the daughter of the man he blames for his beloved wife’s death.
Falling for a grumpy single dad, posing as the substitute librarian at the high school as her cover, and navigating the politics of village life turn out to be the least of Diana’s worries. Soon, she finds herself the desire of a notorious vampire and the key to an ancient prophecy. And she thought dealing with a teenage slayer would be the hardest part of her job.
Can Diana become the heroine she reads about in her books, not only saving herself, but everyone else? Or will she meet the fate of so many librarians before her and just be a forgotten footnote in someone else’s happy ending?
- GenresShapeshifters
456 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 11, 2026
About the author
Melissa Whitney
12 books109 followersWith a name like Melissa Whitney she had two choices become a Real Housewife or a romance author. Sorry Andy Cohen, she's chose romance!
A Jane Austen fangirl, Melissa hails from Western New York, but currently lives in Southern California with her husband and rescue pugs. When she's not brewing the perfect cup of tea, hunting for a delicious pastry, or traveling with her husband, she's writing swoony and steamy romance novels.
Melissa explores themes of disability, mental health, trauma, grief/loss, and family in her emotionally heartfelt and comedic stories. She often says, "Life isn't a romcom nor a high drama. It's somewhere in-between and so are my stories." As a legally blind woman and trauma survivor, Melissa taps into her own lived experience and her masters in social work to craft thoughtful/sensitive stories that delve into deeper themes, while still offering the swoon, steam, and humor that make us fall in love with a good romance.
A Jane Austen fangirl, Melissa hails from Western New York, but currently lives in Southern California with her husband and rescue pugs. When she's not brewing the perfect cup of tea, hunting for a delicious pastry, or traveling with her husband, she's writing swoony and steamy romance novels.
Melissa explores themes of disability, mental health, trauma, grief/loss, and family in her emotionally heartfelt and comedic stories. She often says, "Life isn't a romcom nor a high drama. It's somewhere in-between and so are my stories." As a legally blind woman and trauma survivor, Melissa taps into her own lived experience and her masters in social work to craft thoughtful/sensitive stories that delve into deeper themes, while still offering the swoon, steam, and humor that make us fall in love with a good romance.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 30 reviews
Review of advance copy
"A failed demon slayer turned librarian and a grumpy single dad? Yeah... this book was written for me."
When I saw Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Gilmore Girls, I knew I had to pick this up, and honestly? It delivered. This was such a fun mix of paranormal fantasy, romance, mystery, and found family. The small-town vibes made everything feel cozy while the vampires, demon slayers, and ancient prophecies kept the stakes high.
The romance was exactly my kind of slow burn. Diana and Seth don't instantly fall into each other's arms, but they also don't spend 400 pages pretending they can't stand each other when it's painfully obvious they're obsessed. THANK YOU. Their relationship develops naturally while they're trying not to die, parent a teenage demon slayer, and navigate everyone's baggage. That's my kind of romance.
Also... can we PLEASE get more librarians as main characters?? She was literally out here saving lives with books and vibes.
Seth Hardgrove
If Seth has one fan, it's me. If Seth has zero fans... I've been turned into a vampire.
I am a SUCKER for a grumpy single dad, and Seth checked every box. Protective? ✔️ Irish? ✔️ Emotionally unavailable because he's drowning in grief? ✔️ Say less.
Watching him try to parent a teenage girl who suddenly develops demon-slaying powers was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. The poor man was STRESSED. You could tell every decision he made came from wanting to protect his daughter, even when he was making Diana's job ten times harder.
And once he started softening toward Diana?? I folded immediately.
Diana Morgan
Diana deserved better from literally everyone.
Imagine growing up knowing you were supposed to carry on your family's legacy only for fate to say, "Actually... no." My heart hurt for her because everyone continued to treat her like she wasn't enough simply because she wasn't chosen. Meanwhile, miss girl was out here risking her life every chance she got just to prove herself.
I loved that her story wasn't about becoming "the chosen one." It was about realizing that your worth isn't determined by someone else's expectations. Watching her slowly gain confidence and step into her own power was so satisfying.
And the librarian cover?? ICONIC.
The world-building was also really fun. Secret supernatural organizations, vampires, demon slayers, prophecies... it had everything I love in paranormal fantasy without feeling overwhelming. I especially liked that the romance never overshadowed the actual plot. Both stories worked together instead of competing for attention.
My only complaint is that I wanted MORE. More Seth. More Diana. More of the town. More Guardian missions. I would've happily read another 300 pages just watching these characters exist together.
If you're looking for a paranormal romance with grumpy x sunshine energy, found family, supernatural chaos, a lovable single dad, and a heroine who's impossible not to root for, definitely give this one a chance.
DON'T sleep on this book because I had such a good time reading it!!
Thank you Happily Booked PR for this advance read!
When I saw Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Gilmore Girls, I knew I had to pick this up, and honestly? It delivered. This was such a fun mix of paranormal fantasy, romance, mystery, and found family. The small-town vibes made everything feel cozy while the vampires, demon slayers, and ancient prophecies kept the stakes high.
The romance was exactly my kind of slow burn. Diana and Seth don't instantly fall into each other's arms, but they also don't spend 400 pages pretending they can't stand each other when it's painfully obvious they're obsessed. THANK YOU. Their relationship develops naturally while they're trying not to die, parent a teenage demon slayer, and navigate everyone's baggage. That's my kind of romance.
Also... can we PLEASE get more librarians as main characters?? She was literally out here saving lives with books and vibes.
Seth Hardgrove
If Seth has one fan, it's me. If Seth has zero fans... I've been turned into a vampire.
I am a SUCKER for a grumpy single dad, and Seth checked every box. Protective? ✔️ Irish? ✔️ Emotionally unavailable because he's drowning in grief? ✔️ Say less.
Watching him try to parent a teenage girl who suddenly develops demon-slaying powers was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book. The poor man was STRESSED. You could tell every decision he made came from wanting to protect his daughter, even when he was making Diana's job ten times harder.
And once he started softening toward Diana?? I folded immediately.
Diana Morgan
Diana deserved better from literally everyone.
Imagine growing up knowing you were supposed to carry on your family's legacy only for fate to say, "Actually... no." My heart hurt for her because everyone continued to treat her like she wasn't enough simply because she wasn't chosen. Meanwhile, miss girl was out here risking her life every chance she got just to prove herself.
I loved that her story wasn't about becoming "the chosen one." It was about realizing that your worth isn't determined by someone else's expectations. Watching her slowly gain confidence and step into her own power was so satisfying.
And the librarian cover?? ICONIC.
The world-building was also really fun. Secret supernatural organizations, vampires, demon slayers, prophecies... it had everything I love in paranormal fantasy without feeling overwhelming. I especially liked that the romance never overshadowed the actual plot. Both stories worked together instead of competing for attention.
My only complaint is that I wanted MORE. More Seth. More Diana. More of the town. More Guardian missions. I would've happily read another 300 pages just watching these characters exist together.
If you're looking for a paranormal romance with grumpy x sunshine energy, found family, supernatural chaos, a lovable single dad, and a heroine who's impossible not to root for, definitely give this one a chance.
DON'T sleep on this book because I had such a good time reading it!!
Thank you Happily Booked PR for this advance read!
Review of advance copy
Thank you to Book Funnel and the author, Melissa Whitney, for an ARC copy of this book.
I am always down for a librarian FMC, and Diana did not disappoint. She's smart, sassy, and a little bit put upon by her parents, who are the head of an organisation that keeps the peace between supernatural beings and is responsible for training slayers who ascend every 13 years from a group of children born on a special date.
We meet Adrian, her BFF whose been her confidant and friend since childhood, and who also works for her parents.
Greta, his mother, who is fun and cheeky.
Diana's parents - who are not fun or cheeky but assholes. They appear to be unhappy and disappointed that their daughter wasn't a chosen one when she turned 13, so they spend the next 13 years ignoring her, giving her a job as a librarian at HQ, but are intrigued, though unhappy, when they find out she is chosen along with Adrian to train the newest ascender, Love.
We meet Seth, Love's father, who is Adrian's previous mentor and friend, and lost his wife at HQ, for which he holds Diana's parents responsible.
I do also love an Irish grumpy man, so when Diana and Seth clash, we can immediately see where this is going.
I don't want to spoil anything but the next string of words might be so random that they hopefully make you curious enough to want to read this fun ride of a book.
They are in no particular order:
A former demon turned human with a sharp wit, some magical powers and a great dress sense.
Mean girls disguised as nice girls.
Dracula.
Ancient prophecies.
Reluctant bride.
A bit of spice.
Toilet covers used as weapons.
And a kind of happy ever after once the FMC gets past her parents' disapproval.
I really enjoyed reading this and love the way the author clearly loves libraries, archives and research while still making sure our girl gets what she needs in the end- quite a lot of what she needs in every private space she and Seth can find.
I am always down for a librarian FMC, and Diana did not disappoint. She's smart, sassy, and a little bit put upon by her parents, who are the head of an organisation that keeps the peace between supernatural beings and is responsible for training slayers who ascend every 13 years from a group of children born on a special date.
We meet Adrian, her BFF whose been her confidant and friend since childhood, and who also works for her parents.
Greta, his mother, who is fun and cheeky.
Diana's parents - who are not fun or cheeky but assholes. They appear to be unhappy and disappointed that their daughter wasn't a chosen one when she turned 13, so they spend the next 13 years ignoring her, giving her a job as a librarian at HQ, but are intrigued, though unhappy, when they find out she is chosen along with Adrian to train the newest ascender, Love.
We meet Seth, Love's father, who is Adrian's previous mentor and friend, and lost his wife at HQ, for which he holds Diana's parents responsible.
I do also love an Irish grumpy man, so when Diana and Seth clash, we can immediately see where this is going.
I don't want to spoil anything but the next string of words might be so random that they hopefully make you curious enough to want to read this fun ride of a book.
They are in no particular order:
A former demon turned human with a sharp wit, some magical powers and a great dress sense.
Mean girls disguised as nice girls.
Dracula.
Ancient prophecies.
Reluctant bride.
A bit of spice.
Toilet covers used as weapons.
And a kind of happy ever after once the FMC gets past her parents' disapproval.
I really enjoyed reading this and love the way the author clearly loves libraries, archives and research while still making sure our girl gets what she needs in the end- quite a lot of what she needs in every private space she and Seth can find.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed Diana and Seth! Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic was one of my favorite parts of the story. The banter, tension, and push-and-pull between them made their relationship so much fun to follow, especially as they slowly began to see each other differently. I loved watching their walls come down and seeing their relationship develop naturally throughout the story.
The vibes in this book were fantastic, and the Buffy the Vampire Slayer energy was absolutely there! There was something about the supernatural atmosphere, the characters, and the overall feel of the story that gave me that nostalgic Buffy-like energy, and I was completely here for it. That atmosphere added so much to the story and made the reading experience even more enjoyable.
One of my favorite things was Diana’s character development. She starts off as someone who is mousy, unsure of herself, and seemingly content to stay in the background, but watching her gradually find her confidence and discover who she really is was so satisfying. She becomes this colorful, vibrant, and full-of-life woman who is no longer afraid to take up space, and I loved seeing that transformation happen. Her growth felt like such an important part of the story.
And then there’s Seth. He was exactly what he needed to be! I really enjoyed his personality and the way he balanced Diana. Their dynamic worked so well, and I especially enjoyed seeing how his relationship with Love added another layer to the story and to his character.
Overall, this was such a fun read with great character development, an entertaining enemies-to-lovers romance, supernatural vibes, and plenty of personality. Diana’s journey was definitely a highlight for me, and the Buffy-esque atmosphere made this one even more enjoyable.
The vibes in this book were fantastic, and the Buffy the Vampire Slayer energy was absolutely there! There was something about the supernatural atmosphere, the characters, and the overall feel of the story that gave me that nostalgic Buffy-like energy, and I was completely here for it. That atmosphere added so much to the story and made the reading experience even more enjoyable.
One of my favorite things was Diana’s character development. She starts off as someone who is mousy, unsure of herself, and seemingly content to stay in the background, but watching her gradually find her confidence and discover who she really is was so satisfying. She becomes this colorful, vibrant, and full-of-life woman who is no longer afraid to take up space, and I loved seeing that transformation happen. Her growth felt like such an important part of the story.
And then there’s Seth. He was exactly what he needed to be! I really enjoyed his personality and the way he balanced Diana. Their dynamic worked so well, and I especially enjoyed seeing how his relationship with Love added another layer to the story and to his character.
Overall, this was such a fun read with great character development, an entertaining enemies-to-lovers romance, supernatural vibes, and plenty of personality. Diana’s journey was definitely a highlight for me, and the Buffy-esque atmosphere made this one even more enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this book. It’s described as Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Gilmore Girls and this is exactly what it reminds me of. You have witty banter, comic relief, fiercely loyal characters, spicy romance, cozy vibes but with a little dash of adrenaline (suspense) thrown in, and so much more.
Reading this book almost felt like a privilege in getting to walk aside our FMC and to see her grow into the woman she is by the end. Her personal growth throughout the book was written perfectly. And honestly, I want to smack her parents SO bad. SO BAD lol I felt for Diana and was cheering her on the entire way. With how she was treated growing up (aside from Aiden because he is amazing 😭) she deserved her HEA
Oh, and don’t forget our MMC. I need a fan because he is HOT. I wish that kind of love for everyone too. Go find yourself a partner that looks at you and loves on you the way Seth does Diana.
Their story and journey throughout this books scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. And there was also a twist in the end that I wasn’t expecting!
Overall, this book was written beautifully with real feeling characters who you just want to love on and root for the whole way through.
If you love protective characters, great character growth, found family, small town vibes, paranormal romances, fated mates, spice, a little bit of danger, and more, this book is for you!
Oh!! And I hope beyond all hope we get more books in this universe! Because I’m obsessed and there is definitely some characters in the book who feel like there may potentially be a HEA in their future but I’m not sure yet. I hope so though!
Thank you Melissa for this advanced readers copy. 😍
Reading this book almost felt like a privilege in getting to walk aside our FMC and to see her grow into the woman she is by the end. Her personal growth throughout the book was written perfectly. And honestly, I want to smack her parents SO bad. SO BAD lol I felt for Diana and was cheering her on the entire way. With how she was treated growing up (aside from Aiden because he is amazing 😭) she deserved her HEA
Oh, and don’t forget our MMC. I need a fan because he is HOT. I wish that kind of love for everyone too. Go find yourself a partner that looks at you and loves on you the way Seth does Diana.
Their story and journey throughout this books scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. And there was also a twist in the end that I wasn’t expecting!
Overall, this book was written beautifully with real feeling characters who you just want to love on and root for the whole way through.
If you love protective characters, great character growth, found family, small town vibes, paranormal romances, fated mates, spice, a little bit of danger, and more, this book is for you!
Oh!! And I hope beyond all hope we get more books in this universe! Because I’m obsessed and there is definitely some characters in the book who feel like there may potentially be a HEA in their future but I’m not sure yet. I hope so though!
Thank you Melissa for this advanced readers copy. 😍
Review of advance copy received from Author
- Single father
- Magical world
- Enemies to lovers
- Super slow burn
Maybe it's just me, but I got "The Magicians" vs "Night Huntress" vibes with a touch of HP tossed in for good measure. It was a unique and interesting book and I loved it. I enjoyed the fresh take on m0nst3r hunting and magical abilities choosing the person and not the person choosing magic.
In this world, every 13 years, a girl born on January 13th is chosen to be a sl@yer. Some of the chosen are humans and some come from sl@yer homes. FMC Diana's family pretty much disregard her after she was not selected. Instead, she becomes a librarian. She is a shy, unassuming woman, but has a desire to do more with her life. If only she had some support....
Single father Seth knows the world all too well and after he lost his wife, wants nothing more to do with it. All he wants is to keep his daughter, Love, safe. However, she is chosen.... and Diana is selected to be her librarian (and Diana's bestie Aiden is the protector).
The chemistry between Seth and Diana is evident from the start, but the trust issues and tension keeps them simmering for a great part of the book.
I enjoyed this book immensely and hope there will be more in this series!
- Magical world
- Enemies to lovers
- Super slow burn
Maybe it's just me, but I got "The Magicians" vs "Night Huntress" vibes with a touch of HP tossed in for good measure. It was a unique and interesting book and I loved it. I enjoyed the fresh take on m0nst3r hunting and magical abilities choosing the person and not the person choosing magic.
In this world, every 13 years, a girl born on January 13th is chosen to be a sl@yer. Some of the chosen are humans and some come from sl@yer homes. FMC Diana's family pretty much disregard her after she was not selected. Instead, she becomes a librarian. She is a shy, unassuming woman, but has a desire to do more with her life. If only she had some support....
Single father Seth knows the world all too well and after he lost his wife, wants nothing more to do with it. All he wants is to keep his daughter, Love, safe. However, she is chosen.... and Diana is selected to be her librarian (and Diana's bestie Aiden is the protector).
The chemistry between Seth and Diana is evident from the start, but the trust issues and tension keeps them simmering for a great part of the book.
I enjoyed this book immensely and hope there will be more in this series!
Review of advance copy
This is such an interesting story to read!! It’s out on 11 Aug, not long to go!!
There’s a lot of things that I do want to talk about, but I don’t want to spoil anything! I did guess something big at the end, but there’s lots of other surprises before we get there…
Ugh, what can I say… well, the blurb mentions that that the FMC, Diana, is a “failed demon slayer turned librarian”, but don’t let that description fool you! She is far from a failure! As for the MMC, Seth, he left the supernatural world after vampires took everything, including his slayer wife 😭 He has a cute sassy teenage daughter, Love, who is so adorable! She is chosen to become a demon slayer. The world building and the magic in this universe was so fascinating!
I also loved the other characters, maybe Greta, the head witch, is my favourite after Love. I really hope this is the first book in a series, because there really is a lot to explore. I was poking around the internet to see when Book 2 will be released 😂 No but honestly, this was such a fun read, I really need more!!
Thank you for the eARC via @happilybookedpr!!
There’s a lot of things that I do want to talk about, but I don’t want to spoil anything! I did guess something big at the end, but there’s lots of other surprises before we get there…
Ugh, what can I say… well, the blurb mentions that that the FMC, Diana, is a “failed demon slayer turned librarian”, but don’t let that description fool you! She is far from a failure! As for the MMC, Seth, he left the supernatural world after vampires took everything, including his slayer wife 😭 He has a cute sassy teenage daughter, Love, who is so adorable! She is chosen to become a demon slayer. The world building and the magic in this universe was so fascinating!
I also loved the other characters, maybe Greta, the head witch, is my favourite after Love. I really hope this is the first book in a series, because there really is a lot to explore. I was poking around the internet to see when Book 2 will be released 😂 No but honestly, this was such a fun read, I really need more!!
Thank you for the eARC via @happilybookedpr!!
August 10, 2026
🐺🖤ARC Review🖤🐺
Thank you Melissa Whitney and Happily Booked PR for this ARC of The Fated Librarian, my self and my jaw are still on the floor‼️
Buffy the vampire slayer meets Clueless but in a small town and supernatural vibes hiding in plain sight 😏
The detail, the plot, the characters and the vibes were ALL present and available in this spectacular love story of fated mates‼️🤯 The way this story came together was EPIC, how each detail of our FMC, Diana not only finding herself but her found family and her heart was perfection🥹
The way that I loved Diana and Seth but also Seth’s daughter Love, and Addy and Aiden (I need them to have a book, please and thank you 🤭) I just couldn’t get enough of this story and the way that I was on the edge of my seat was next level 😂👏
This was my very first Melissa Whitney book and I can not wait to jump into more! This one kept me on my toes and just rooting for Diana 🫶
Tropes:
🌕Single Dad
🐺Age Gap
✨Plus-Size FMC
🌕Shifter Romance
🐺Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Gilmore Girls vibes
✨Fated Mates
🌕Small Town Romance
🐺Sick Bed Scene
✨Mental Health/Trauma Rep
🌕She wears the smutty little glasses
🐺Workplace Romance
✨Virgin
Thank you Melissa Whitney and Happily Booked PR for this ARC of The Fated Librarian, my self and my jaw are still on the floor‼️
Buffy the vampire slayer meets Clueless but in a small town and supernatural vibes hiding in plain sight 😏
The detail, the plot, the characters and the vibes were ALL present and available in this spectacular love story of fated mates‼️🤯 The way this story came together was EPIC, how each detail of our FMC, Diana not only finding herself but her found family and her heart was perfection🥹
The way that I loved Diana and Seth but also Seth’s daughter Love, and Addy and Aiden (I need them to have a book, please and thank you 🤭) I just couldn’t get enough of this story and the way that I was on the edge of my seat was next level 😂👏
This was my very first Melissa Whitney book and I can not wait to jump into more! This one kept me on my toes and just rooting for Diana 🫶
Tropes:
🌕Single Dad
🐺Age Gap
✨Plus-Size FMC
🌕Shifter Romance
🐺Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Gilmore Girls vibes
✨Fated Mates
🌕Small Town Romance
🐺Sick Bed Scene
✨Mental Health/Trauma Rep
🌕She wears the smutty little glasses
🐺Workplace Romance
✨Virgin
August 8, 2026
✨The Fated Librarian Arc Review✨
Release Date: August 11th
What To Expect:
- single dad
- age gap
- small town and workplace romance
- fated mates
- shifter romance
- buffy the vampire slayer meets gilmore girls vibes
4⭐️
the vibes in this book are sooo perfect and gave me cozy fall vibes, which is what i am/have been craving lately!
if you are like me and love a grumpy single dad, seth hardgrove is the man for you!!
seth and diana, the fmc have some enemies to lovers vibes and i was really there for it. they had so much banter and tension which just kept me wanting more and more.
there are some definite buffy the vampire slayer vibes in this book which was honestly my favorite because i an such a big fan of that show. you do also get the iconic gilmore girl vibes in this book as well, which how could you not want that in book? my two favorite shows to rewatch every fall, and have those vibes wrapped up in one book (and with some spice)? say less!
thank you so much happilybookedpr for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!!
Release Date: August 11th
What To Expect:
- single dad
- age gap
- small town and workplace romance
- fated mates
- shifter romance
- buffy the vampire slayer meets gilmore girls vibes
4⭐️
the vibes in this book are sooo perfect and gave me cozy fall vibes, which is what i am/have been craving lately!
if you are like me and love a grumpy single dad, seth hardgrove is the man for you!!
seth and diana, the fmc have some enemies to lovers vibes and i was really there for it. they had so much banter and tension which just kept me wanting more and more.
there are some definite buffy the vampire slayer vibes in this book which was honestly my favorite because i an such a big fan of that show. you do also get the iconic gilmore girl vibes in this book as well, which how could you not want that in book? my two favorite shows to rewatch every fall, and have those vibes wrapped up in one book (and with some spice)? say less!
thank you so much happilybookedpr for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you for allowing me to ARC read this in exchange for my honest opinion!
I really enjoyed Diana and Seth. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic was so much fun, and I loved watching their relationship develop throughout the story.
The beginning did feel a little slow-paced for me, but once the story picked up, it completely pulled me in. I’m really glad I kept reading because the character development was so well done, and that was one of the biggest reasons I stayed invested.
The vibes were fantastic, and the Buffy the Vampire Slayer energy was absolutely there! That atmosphere added so much to the story and made it even more enjoyable.
This was my first book by this author, and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. The characters were well developed, the world was interesting, and overall, I’m grateful I had the opportunity to read it. I ended up enjoying this one a lot and would absolutely read more from this author in the future!
I really enjoyed Diana and Seth. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic was so much fun, and I loved watching their relationship develop throughout the story.
The beginning did feel a little slow-paced for me, but once the story picked up, it completely pulled me in. I’m really glad I kept reading because the character development was so well done, and that was one of the biggest reasons I stayed invested.
The vibes were fantastic, and the Buffy the Vampire Slayer energy was absolutely there! That atmosphere added so much to the story and made it even more enjoyable.
This was my first book by this author, and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. The characters were well developed, the world was interesting, and overall, I’m grateful I had the opportunity to read it. I ended up enjoying this one a lot and would absolutely read more from this author in the future!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book started off a bit slow for me but the premise of the book was fun so I kept reading and I’m glad I did! The story was cosy and chaotic in the best ways. I loved Diana and Seth together! Diana kept him in check and Seth was ridiculously protective of Diana and Lovw and clearly cared for everyone so deeply.
There were several scenes that had me cackling but I can’t say much about them without adding spoilers. All I will say is Sexy [REDACTED] Daddy, NY State Flag, and hardback classics. If you know, you know 🤭 There were a few moments where my brain was yelling at the characters to figure it out faster but that was half the fun haha.
I believe this was Melissa Whitney’s first full foray into paranormal romance and she did a great job! I really enjoyed myself, and I’m so curious if we’ll get a book about Aiden because I really want one!
There were several scenes that had me cackling but I can’t say much about them without adding spoilers. All I will say is Sexy [REDACTED] Daddy, NY State Flag, and hardback classics. If you know, you know 🤭 There were a few moments where my brain was yelling at the characters to figure it out faster but that was half the fun haha.
I believe this was Melissa Whitney’s first full foray into paranormal romance and she did a great job! I really enjoyed myself, and I’m so curious if we’ll get a book about Aiden because I really want one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Instantly hooked! I honestly loved every minute of this book! It definitely had major Buffy vibes, which I loved, plus cue all the small-town meddling and gossiping! DIANA!!! OMG I loved her so much. First of all, she has my dream job, but I loved watching her find herself and her confidence and worth! I want to be her best friend after all that has happened to her! And Seth!! 🫦 Yes, Daddy!!! The tension between these two was absolutely delectable!
Gonna shout out to our fun and LOVE-able (😉😉) side characters! Obviously, Love kicked ass, and I want to see how awesome she will be all grown up. Oh, and I desperately need more Addy and Aiden cause they were amazing friends, and the banter between them was fantastic!!
Would highly recommend to any millennial girly who grew up on Buffy and Gilmore Girls!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️
Gonna shout out to our fun and LOVE-able (😉😉) side characters! Obviously, Love kicked ass, and I want to see how awesome she will be all grown up. Oh, and I desperately need more Addy and Aiden cause they were amazing friends, and the banter between them was fantastic!!
Would highly recommend to any millennial girly who grew up on Buffy and Gilmore Girls!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I am so grateful to have been given an ARC of The Fated Librarian by Melissa Whitney, here is my honest review.
3.5 ⭐
This is a cozy and fun paranormal romance between Diana, a curvy and sassy "failed" demon slayer turned librarian and Seth, her demon slayer students older Irish werewolf shifter dad.
I really enjoyed the chemistry and banter between the main characters, it was a sloooooooow burn but so worth it!
The magic and world building was intriguing, and the side characters were delightful especially Greta!
Overall it was an enjoyable read, while I didn't quite get the Gilmore Girls/Buffy vibes I would still recommend this book especially if you love:
❤️🔥Age Gap
🐺shifter/werewolf MMC (and he's Irish)
❤️🔥Curvy/sassy FMC
🐺Paranormal romance
❤️🔥Found family
🐺Supernatural small town shenanigans
❤️🔥She's a librarian he's a single dad
3.5 ⭐
This is a cozy and fun paranormal romance between Diana, a curvy and sassy "failed" demon slayer turned librarian and Seth, her demon slayer students older Irish werewolf shifter dad.
I really enjoyed the chemistry and banter between the main characters, it was a sloooooooow burn but so worth it!
The magic and world building was intriguing, and the side characters were delightful especially Greta!
Overall it was an enjoyable read, while I didn't quite get the Gilmore Girls/Buffy vibes I would still recommend this book especially if you love:
❤️🔥Age Gap
🐺shifter/werewolf MMC (and he's Irish)
❤️🔥Curvy/sassy FMC
🐺Paranormal romance
❤️🔥Found family
🐺Supernatural small town shenanigans
❤️🔥She's a librarian he's a single dad
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was good! It’s a paranormal romance, with some relatable struggles, and a lot of banter.
Character building was top notch in this book:
I liked the relationship Diana has with Aiden, even when he’s a buttface.
Love was a beautiful teenage, fresh breath; her innocence was so wholesome, which contracts with her ascension and slayer status.
Broody, Irish, Seth was so protectively supportive. His patience and perseverance was “swoon-y” (that parents, meet my mate scene, chef’s kiss)
The plot is where this fell short for me. The romance was so slow burning, and so was the villain plot line. It felt thrown together at the end and it had me rereading to see if I missed something. I wish there was a more solid ending to the villain, unless it’s left open for a sequel?
Character building was top notch in this book:
I liked the relationship Diana has with Aiden, even when he’s a buttface.
Love was a beautiful teenage, fresh breath; her innocence was so wholesome, which contracts with her ascension and slayer status.
Broody, Irish, Seth was so protectively supportive. His patience and perseverance was “swoon-y” (that parents, meet my mate scene, chef’s kiss)
The plot is where this fell short for me. The romance was so slow burning, and so was the villain plot line. It felt thrown together at the end and it had me rereading to see if I missed something. I wish there was a more solid ending to the villain, unless it’s left open for a sequel?
Review of advance copy received from Author
4⭐2.5🌶️ ARC Single POV First Person
Diana
A delightful supernatural story, and the gang's all here - witches, werewolves, demons, and vampires. Don't forget the slayers, guardians, trackers, and librarians too! The are beings who aren't who they seem, those who are exactly that. Poor Diana, she finally realizes she needs to trust her gut and hopefully she continues to listen to it.
It's a more light hearted tale, and if you're a Buffy fan, even just a little, you'll like this.
"...it's clear New Hope is good for you."
"Minus being magically poisoned."
"No place is perfect, darling." She pats my cheek."
Diana
A delightful supernatural story, and the gang's all here - witches, werewolves, demons, and vampires. Don't forget the slayers, guardians, trackers, and librarians too! The are beings who aren't who they seem, those who are exactly that. Poor Diana, she finally realizes she needs to trust her gut and hopefully she continues to listen to it.
It's a more light hearted tale, and if you're a Buffy fan, even just a little, you'll like this.
"...it's clear New Hope is good for you."
"Minus being magically poisoned."
"No place is perfect, darling." She pats my cheek."
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Fated Librarian is a mystical read of vampires, slayers, and shifters.
Diana kind of got handed a bad hand. She was thought to be destined to be a slayer, but when that didn't happen, it seemed like everyone kind of turned from her. They treated her like she was super fragile and a disappointment. I felt really bad for her and how her family treated her. When she finally has a chance to prove herself worthy of something, I was cheering her on. She gets pulled into a tangle of mystery with her being the center of everything. It was an action packed read, with a lot of mystical aspects.
Diana kind of got handed a bad hand. She was thought to be destined to be a slayer, but when that didn't happen, it seemed like everyone kind of turned from her. They treated her like she was super fragile and a disappointment. I felt really bad for her and how her family treated her. When she finally has a chance to prove herself worthy of something, I was cheering her on. She gets pulled into a tangle of mystery with her being the center of everything. It was an action packed read, with a lot of mystical aspects.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thought this was very cute. It did give Buffy vibes which felt nostalgic. It was cozy and a tad campy which felt right for the story. I enjoyed the character development of Diana, she started as a mousy unsure person and transformed into someone who was colorful and full of life. Seth was exactly what he should be and I enjoyed the dynamic with Love. Fair warning there is a lot of pet names. Thats not my favorite, but its easy to just pass by.
All in all I enjoyed the book and would read more!
All in all I enjoyed the book and would read more!
Review of advance copy
Diana’s story was definitely intense.
Living her life after not ascending, she was just trying to make do as a librarian at headquarters. It she dares intervene & name her a the librarian to an up and coming slayer, she knows this is what she has to do.
And so begins the adventure of her meeting Seth & his daughter Love. Seth is definitely prickly at first, rightly so, but he eventually warms up to Diana & things for sure heat up between them.
Throw in some intense drama involving a vampire & this book definitely has you on the edge of your seat.
Amazing job!
Living her life after not ascending, she was just trying to make do as a librarian at headquarters. It she dares intervene & name her a the librarian to an up and coming slayer, she knows this is what she has to do.
And so begins the adventure of her meeting Seth & his daughter Love. Seth is definitely prickly at first, rightly so, but he eventually warms up to Diana & things for sure heat up between them.
Throw in some intense drama involving a vampire & this book definitely has you on the edge of your seat.
Amazing job!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
4.25/5...A fun paranormal romance with a great mix of supernatural danger, small-town charm, and romance. Diana and Seth have plenty of chemistry, and I especially enjoyed the dynamic between Diana, the grumpy single dad, and his teenage daughter. The Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Gilmore Girls comparison is spot-on, with demons, vampires, family drama, and plenty of village-life shenanigans. The story kept me entertained and delivered an enjoyable blend of action, humor, and romance. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
I'm a big fan of Whitney's work, but this story missed the mark for me. I didn't get the cozy vibe I was expecting based off the comparison to Gilmore Girls and Buffy. The story felt a little all over the place in terms of the focus of the story. The final plot point seemed cliché and pulled me out of the story. It certainly was still worth the read, but to me, it didn't live up to the advertisements.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a very enjoyable read. It is very nostalgic, which odes to buffy thrown in. As a 90s kid, this tickled me. Excellent characters and banter. However, it is the slowest of slow burns, so be prepared. This isn't my usual jam, but the story itself was excellent. It just took me longer than normal to finish. I really enjoyed that Seth doesn't forget his first mate, but continues to honor her even when he ends up with Diana. Highly recommend.
August 8, 2026
Fun read! I don’t read a lot of vampire type stories but I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was romantic, whimsical and tension filled. Diana is a fabulous character and easy to relate to with not trusting her own gut, and when paired with Seth the initially brooding but deeply kind love interest, she starts to realise she is a strong, sassy, independent woman. Never a dull moment! Thank you to the author for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The start of the book was a little slow for me but once I passed that, I could not put the book down. I enjoyed reading Seth and Diana's relationship. They're so cute together! However, the final plot point of the book was ehh okay. But besides that, I did enjoy reading the book! Thank you to the author for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4½ stars!
Such a good read!
It was a fun, magical read with an engaging storyline and likable characters. Melissa Whitney creates an imaginative world that keeps readers interested from beginning to end. A great choice for anyone who enjoys fantasy with a touch of mystery and adventure.
*ARC READER*
Such a good read!
It was a fun, magical read with an engaging storyline and likable characters. Melissa Whitney creates an imaginative world that keeps readers interested from beginning to end. A great choice for anyone who enjoys fantasy with a touch of mystery and adventure.
*ARC READER*
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I really enjoyed this one. I liked the balance between the fantasy elements and the romance, and the chemistry between the main characters felt natural. The magical library and the secrets surrounding it kept me hooked, even when the pacing slowed down a bit. Definitely a fun read, and I'd happily continue the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶🌶
Once I saw Gimmore Girls meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer.....I knew I had to read this book! Seth and Diana did enemies to lovers so well. Even when they were enemies, that had that banter of lovers that they did not notice themselves.
I would have love to see more of the small town vibe. Lots of character names but hard to keep track of.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶🌶
Once I saw Gimmore Girls meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer.....I knew I had to read this book! Seth and Diana did enemies to lovers so well. Even when they were enemies, that had that banter of lovers that they did not notice themselves.
I would have love to see more of the small town vibe. Lots of character names but hard to keep track of.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Melissa Whitney is a new to me author who I had the opportunity to ARC read for.
Love this book!
Fated mates...yes please. I'm a big fan of paranormal romance and this book fits the bill perfectly.
No spoilers...just grab the book and discover wonderful characters and a great story.
Melissa Whitney is a new to me author who I had the opportunity to ARC read for.
Love this book!
Fated mates...yes please. I'm a big fan of paranormal romance and this book fits the bill perfectly.
No spoilers...just grab the book and discover wonderful characters and a great story.
Review of advance copy
This was an amazing read I loved the flow and how it made me think about they hidden meanings throughout out the chapters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rtc
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
4.5/5⭐️
In the first part of the book, I was intrigued by how the entire world works. The main characters are also gradually introduced in the story.
As things pick up, the romance also takes centre stage as we see the more experienced Seth and the much younger and sheltered librarian, Diana, fall for each other. Overall, this was an interesting read with twists that kept the pace interesting!
In the first part of the book, I was intrigued by how the entire world works. The main characters are also gradually introduced in the story.
As things pick up, the romance also takes centre stage as we see the more experienced Seth and the much younger and sheltered librarian, Diana, fall for each other. Overall, this was an interesting read with twists that kept the pace interesting!
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