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Mortdale: Anatomy of a vampire's heart
A witch.
A vampire.
And a five-hundred-year-old pact between them.
Every summer solstice, a witch must marry a vampire. And in return, a vampire must die as a sacrifice to keep an ancient curse from killing the witches. A pact that was meant to keep peace between Meridian and Mortdale.
When word is sent that the witches of Meridian seem to keep dying soon after they are wed to a vampire, Willow leaves her position as an occult pathologist to marry Lord Logan Duncan and investigate the deaths of her coven sisters.
Working right under the King of Mortdale as his second-in-command, Logan is forced to keep a close eye on his new wife and figure out what mission she was assigned in Mortdale while also struggling to face a plague of madness that is forcing his species near extinction.
A vampire.
And a five-hundred-year-old pact between them.
Every summer solstice, a witch must marry a vampire. And in return, a vampire must die as a sacrifice to keep an ancient curse from killing the witches. A pact that was meant to keep peace between Meridian and Mortdale.
When word is sent that the witches of Meridian seem to keep dying soon after they are wed to a vampire, Willow leaves her position as an occult pathologist to marry Lord Logan Duncan and investigate the deaths of her coven sisters.
Working right under the King of Mortdale as his second-in-command, Logan is forced to keep a close eye on his new wife and figure out what mission she was assigned in Mortdale while also struggling to face a plague of madness that is forcing his species near extinction.
403 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2026
About the author
Wendy Heiss
11 books668 followersWendy Heiss is a indie author debuting with a new adult fantasy trilogy, Winter Gods & Serpents, the first book in The Auran Chronicles. She has graduated with a Forensics Science degree in the United Kingdom, but literature has been one of her passions since she could manage to read and write. Despite being severely tempted to ride the Agatha Christie route to crime novels, she chose to follow the Tolkien path to fantasy. She forwent fingerprint powder for ball pen ink inevitably forgoing her parents hope for a good life and becoming what they always feared...a figuratively starving artist, which is why she won't quit her day time job any time soon.
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March 7, 2024If you'd like to read a witch x vampire cozy-ish, arranged marriage gothic fantasy, add this to your list. Don't ask me how I know this information.
Review of advance copy received from Author
September 12, 2026I finished this book this morning and have found myself thinking of this world and characters and missing them all day. that alone makes it 5 stars. I will be coming back with my full thoughts tomorrow🫡
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝑫𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝑫𝒖𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒎.“
Yes ma’am!!! Wendy has done it again. I might be biased because I think I would find Wendy’s to do list a 5 star read, but I loved this book. This was very different than anything else Wendy has written and felt very fresh and fun. I had such a good time with it!! Wendy has a way to build a world in such an atmospheric way that you get completely immersed in without even realizing. I became so engrossed with this world. I felt like I was plopped into Mortdale and lived as a witch the entire time I reading it. The atmosphere was gray, dark, gothic, spooky but the characters were loving, bubbly, full of life even though they too had a dark background. The plot was so interesting!! I loved the magic system- it felt like nothing I’ve read before which always a feat in a saturated genre. And there was a fresh take on how vampires and witches and humans interacted.
Willow was sassy, funny and so smart. I love an intelligent girl with some fire. Her dynamic with Arthur (Art) had me dying. I loved how she viewed herself was obviously so different than how the world viewed her. It was lovely to see her blossom into someone who thought they wouldn’t be around long enough, and someone that was too weird to make friends actually have such an impact on the world. And make friends along the way!
Now Logan😩 I can’t stop thinking about this man. HE IS SO HOT AND WHAT A SWEETHEART. The way he loves and protects our girl is a dream. He’s so protective even when he’s protecting willow against herself. Their love story slipped so easily into this forced thing to deep mutual understanding. It was one of those loves that you didn’t even notice was happening until it was already done. And THEIR BANTER, THE LONGING GLANCES, THEIR WORDS THEIR TOUCHES. How do I get this man to love me??? YOUR HONOR I LOVE THEM.
BIG shout out to Thomas- I hope he got the most delicious child to eat…my guy was putting in that WORK this entire store. And Piper🥹 what a cutie patootie!!! Her and Logan’s dynamic had me emo- I love a single daddy/uncle situation.
Overall I just absolutely adored this story, and was such a fun, cozy, gothic, loving read that was so different from Wendy’s other works. It’s so cool to see an author do something else and it work so well. ALSO big shout out to Wendy for finally not making me cry!!!
“𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝑫𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝑫𝒖𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒎.“
Yes ma’am!!! Wendy has done it again. I might be biased because I think I would find Wendy’s to do list a 5 star read, but I loved this book. This was very different than anything else Wendy has written and felt very fresh and fun. I had such a good time with it!! Wendy has a way to build a world in such an atmospheric way that you get completely immersed in without even realizing. I became so engrossed with this world. I felt like I was plopped into Mortdale and lived as a witch the entire time I reading it. The atmosphere was gray, dark, gothic, spooky but the characters were loving, bubbly, full of life even though they too had a dark background. The plot was so interesting!! I loved the magic system- it felt like nothing I’ve read before which always a feat in a saturated genre. And there was a fresh take on how vampires and witches and humans interacted.
Willow was sassy, funny and so smart. I love an intelligent girl with some fire. Her dynamic with Arthur (Art) had me dying. I loved how she viewed herself was obviously so different than how the world viewed her. It was lovely to see her blossom into someone who thought they wouldn’t be around long enough, and someone that was too weird to make friends actually have such an impact on the world. And make friends along the way!
Now Logan😩 I can’t stop thinking about this man. HE IS SO HOT AND WHAT A SWEETHEART. The way he loves and protects our girl is a dream. He’s so protective even when he’s protecting willow against herself. Their love story slipped so easily into this forced thing to deep mutual understanding. It was one of those loves that you didn’t even notice was happening until it was already done. And THEIR BANTER, THE LONGING GLANCES, THEIR WORDS THEIR TOUCHES. How do I get this man to love me??? YOUR HONOR I LOVE THEM.
BIG shout out to Thomas- I hope he got the most delicious child to eat…my guy was putting in that WORK this entire store. And Piper🥹 what a cutie patootie!!! Her and Logan’s dynamic had me emo- I love a single daddy/uncle situation.
Overall I just absolutely adored this story, and was such a fun, cozy, gothic, loving read that was so different from Wendy’s other works. It’s so cool to see an author do something else and it work so well. ALSO big shout out to Wendy for finally not making me cry!!!
September 11, 2026
3.65 stars ⭐️
The idea behind this story, the gothic, witchy (and vampy!!) atmosphere, the overall plot AND the little found family vibe and banter in this were top notch, honestly. The dark romcom vibe it had sometimes was a little jarring in contrast with the setting, but I binged it in a day and I think this could have actually been a 4+ star read… Except something about the writing style and pacing made this feel extremely disjointed to me.
I kept going back paragraphs and pages in the hopes of having abrupt transitions explained, but they weren’t. At times, it was like reading a story with parts of it missing. It’d be unclear who was speaking, or when they’d gotten somewhere. How a situation we found ourselves in came to be or how much time had passed since the previous scene. It was disorienting and unfortunately kept me from fully immersing myself in the book, despite the fact that I really liked Logan and Willow, how we got both their POV’s and how rich their backstories were. Willow was completely nuts in an unexpected way, and an occult pathologist, hello??? (Although I will admit that last part could have been a bit more present) I also loved Art and Piper (and Thomas) as comedic relief, and I really did like the plot and where it went. There’s a little political intrigue, some occult murder mystery and of course, the mystery of Willow’s malediction and origins.
The continuous confusion paired with how the conclusion of the main plot was paced just kind of put a damper on the whole thing for me though, especially because I had such high expectations. With some additional editing, this would be SUCH an amazing read though!!! The originality of it and the overall world the author based is really something to commend her on. I’m really excited to keep my eye on her and see what she writes next. A cheeky spin-off has been hinted at (I think??), and I’m definitely crossing my fingers.
Actually, I’m coming back a few days later because I’m still thinking about this book??? Upping the rating a tiny bit because it’s truly one of the most original fantasy books I’ve read this year, and because it has so much potential!!
Big thank you to the author, Wendy Heiss, for the ARC opportunity!
The idea behind this story, the gothic, witchy (and vampy!!) atmosphere, the overall plot AND the little found family vibe and banter in this were top notch, honestly. The dark romcom vibe it had sometimes was a little jarring in contrast with the setting, but I binged it in a day and I think this could have actually been a 4+ star read… Except something about the writing style and pacing made this feel extremely disjointed to me.
I kept going back paragraphs and pages in the hopes of having abrupt transitions explained, but they weren’t. At times, it was like reading a story with parts of it missing. It’d be unclear who was speaking, or when they’d gotten somewhere. How a situation we found ourselves in came to be or how much time had passed since the previous scene. It was disorienting and unfortunately kept me from fully immersing myself in the book, despite the fact that I really liked Logan and Willow, how we got both their POV’s and how rich their backstories were. Willow was completely nuts in an unexpected way, and an occult pathologist, hello??? (Although I will admit that last part could have been a bit more present) I also loved Art and Piper (and Thomas) as comedic relief, and I really did like the plot and where it went. There’s a little political intrigue, some occult murder mystery and of course, the mystery of Willow’s malediction and origins.
The continuous confusion paired with how the conclusion of the main plot was paced just kind of put a damper on the whole thing for me though, especially because I had such high expectations. With some additional editing, this would be SUCH an amazing read though!!! The originality of it and the overall world the author based is really something to commend her on. I’m really excited to keep my eye on her and see what she writes next. A cheeky spin-off has been hinted at (I think??), and I’m definitely crossing my fingers.
Actually, I’m coming back a few days later because I’m still thinking about this book??? Upping the rating a tiny bit because it’s truly one of the most original fantasy books I’ve read this year, and because it has so much potential!!
Big thank you to the author, Wendy Heiss, for the ARC opportunity!
September 5, 2026
I want to thank the author for the ARC.
Arranged marriage between a bubbly witch and a grumpy vampire?
Hell yeah!!
This book is so unique. I’d never read anything quite like it before, and I absolutely loved it. I feel like it brought such a fresh dynamic to the whole paranormal-creatures genre.
The story is fun, sweet, spicy, and the love between these two characters is palpable.
Logan is perfect. I completely fell in love with him, my hot, handsome, yearning vampire, and Willow is truly one of a kind. I absolutely adore her.
The side characters were a gem too. I loved Henry and Arthur, and little Piper! And of course, we can’t forget Thomas the rat🤏🏻
It was an absolute pleasure to read this ARC.
Arranged marriage between a bubbly witch and a grumpy vampire?
Hell yeah!!
This book is so unique. I’d never read anything quite like it before, and I absolutely loved it. I feel like it brought such a fresh dynamic to the whole paranormal-creatures genre.
The story is fun, sweet, spicy, and the love between these two characters is palpable.
Logan is perfect. I completely fell in love with him, my hot, handsome, yearning vampire, and Willow is truly one of a kind. I absolutely adore her.
The side characters were a gem too. I loved Henry and Arthur, and little Piper! And of course, we can’t forget Thomas the rat🤏🏻
It was an absolute pleasure to read this ARC.
September 11, 2026
4.50✨
Morbid, witchy, and infinitely romantic. I physically refused to put this book down, it sucks you in from the very first sentence and violently spits you out, only to leave you wanting more. I’ve missed Wendy’s writing so much!
The FMC was unlike anything I’ve read before. She was one strange, peculiar creature, and everything that came out of her mouth was pure gold. It was refreshing to read about a woman so unapologetically being herself without a care in the world, especially considering all the cruel things she had to endure. Crazy intelligent, a bit mad, lethally clumsy, but really so adorable.
And don’t get me started on Logan! It's been a while since an MMC had me all hot and bothered.😮💨The yearning, the insatiable need to burrow into each other’s skin and fuse their hearts together for eternity. They were utterly, hopelessly obsessed with each other, very Morticia x Gomez coded of them.
“You taste like sin and salvation at the same time. Am I damned or am I atoned? Saints, I want to be both. Burn in Hell and breathe in Heaven.”
“Dropping his head back, he laughed. And it was maddening. So bright and ridiculously warm. The urge to dig my teeth on his neck and tear that sound off his throat like a starved beast was severe.”
Thank you to the author for the ARC! 🫶
Morbid, witchy, and infinitely romantic. I physically refused to put this book down, it sucks you in from the very first sentence and violently spits you out, only to leave you wanting more. I’ve missed Wendy’s writing so much!
The FMC was unlike anything I’ve read before. She was one strange, peculiar creature, and everything that came out of her mouth was pure gold. It was refreshing to read about a woman so unapologetically being herself without a care in the world, especially considering all the cruel things she had to endure. Crazy intelligent, a bit mad, lethally clumsy, but really so adorable.
And don’t get me started on Logan! It's been a while since an MMC had me all hot and bothered.😮💨The yearning, the insatiable need to burrow into each other’s skin and fuse their hearts together for eternity. They were utterly, hopelessly obsessed with each other, very Morticia x Gomez coded of them.
“You taste like sin and salvation at the same time. Am I damned or am I atoned? Saints, I want to be both. Burn in Hell and breathe in Heaven.”
“Dropping his head back, he laughed. And it was maddening. So bright and ridiculously warm. The urge to dig my teeth on his neck and tear that sound off his throat like a starved beast was severe.”
Thank you to the author for the ARC! 🫶
September 11, 2026
My goodness, was this good! I was very lucky to get Mortdale as an ARC, and I am utterly obsessed with the world Wendy Heiss created in it. It was cozy, yet gothic, and sinfully romantic. I did find the pacing a bit weird and disjointed at times, especially in the middle part of the novel; however, I still really enjoyed everything that happened, especially the last third of the book where things were HAPPENING! Willow is such a funny main character with an interesting backstory, and I loved the witch-occult pathologist blend that she was. Her banter with Logan was also very funny, and the arranged marriage, slow-burn romance between them was most definitely worth the wait. Some of the things that man said to her were equal parts so very romantic and also extremely toe-curling, making me swoon and cry a little on the inside because he's fictional. The world-building was rich and interesting, and the characters within that world were equally so. I especially loved the found family vibes, and the comedy that came as a result of them. I very much enjoyed reading Mortdale, and would love to explore the other things Wendy Heiss has written!
September 4, 2026
There are jot enough words to describe my love for this books and miss wendy
10/10 no notes RTC SOOOON
10/10 no notes RTC SOOOON
September 7, 2026
Thank you to Wendy Heiss for the eARC of Mortdale: Anatomy of a Vampire's Heart; all opinions are honest and my own.
This was an absolute rollercoaster of a read in all the best ways - an arranged marriage with a blonde grumpy vampire and a witch with a secret mission? Hell to the yes! This was just such a good read that I ended up binging most of it in a day, I was just that obsessed!
This was an 18+ read for good reason - I learnt a couple of kinks are definitely not for me, but they made for some very spicy scenes 😏 and the spicy scenes didn't seem like they were filler scenes, they were a part of the plot and helped develop the YEARNING between our two MC's
I loved the relationship between Willow and Piper, and I'm really glad we got to see that side of Logan, that he isn't just a grumpy, scary Duke but has an actual personality in his undead heart. Each of the characters had their own quirks and flaws. I loved wee Thomas's sass while being dressed in a tutu by Piper 😂 Speaking of which, the banter, wit and dry humour in this was second to none, I was in absolute fits of giggles for parts of the book
Even with the humour and the spice, there were still some emotional moments that tugged on your heartstrings - I found myself highlighting quotes very early on in the book because of how beautiful the writing was. One quote from chapter 8 stood out the most - "We're born with the insatiable need to be loved and we'll take it anyway we can. Even if it is poison." Like, excuse Miss Heiss way to make me cry 😭
I've already recommended this to friends, but this is a must-have on your spooky season TBR ✨
Tropes:
🩸Witch × Vampire
🩸Arranged marriage
🩸Grumpy x Sunshine
🩸Gothic Victorian setting
🩸Murder mystery
🩸Blood play
🩸She's an occult pathologist who can see ghosts
🩸Reluctant allies
🩸A dash of cozy horror
This was an absolute rollercoaster of a read in all the best ways - an arranged marriage with a blonde grumpy vampire and a witch with a secret mission? Hell to the yes! This was just such a good read that I ended up binging most of it in a day, I was just that obsessed!
This was an 18+ read for good reason - I learnt a couple of kinks are definitely not for me, but they made for some very spicy scenes 😏 and the spicy scenes didn't seem like they were filler scenes, they were a part of the plot and helped develop the YEARNING between our two MC's
I loved the relationship between Willow and Piper, and I'm really glad we got to see that side of Logan, that he isn't just a grumpy, scary Duke but has an actual personality in his undead heart. Each of the characters had their own quirks and flaws. I loved wee Thomas's sass while being dressed in a tutu by Piper 😂 Speaking of which, the banter, wit and dry humour in this was second to none, I was in absolute fits of giggles for parts of the book
Even with the humour and the spice, there were still some emotional moments that tugged on your heartstrings - I found myself highlighting quotes very early on in the book because of how beautiful the writing was. One quote from chapter 8 stood out the most - "We're born with the insatiable need to be loved and we'll take it anyway we can. Even if it is poison." Like, excuse Miss Heiss way to make me cry 😭
I've already recommended this to friends, but this is a must-have on your spooky season TBR ✨
Tropes:
🩸Witch × Vampire
🩸Arranged marriage
🩸Grumpy x Sunshine
🩸Gothic Victorian setting
🩸Murder mystery
🩸Blood play
🩸She's an occult pathologist who can see ghosts
🩸Reluctant allies
🩸A dash of cozy horror
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2026
mortdale has everything you need in a paranormal romance: amazing atmosphere, tension so thick you can cut it with a knife and a mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat!
the gothic ambiance immediately had me immersed and willow's personality never made it feel formulaic. willow is one hell of an fmc and i am absolutely in love with her! she's very spunky yet we also see a vulnerable side to her that made my heart ache. plus, her sense of humor had cackling! such a menace! the other characters were a delight to read about as well, especially piper, thomas and the dynamics between logan's friends! they all made me feel more deeply for the story.
i love the romance and tension between willow and logan. wendy has such a talent for writing great banter between her characters. it was equally entertaining to see them bait each other as it was heartbreaking for the world to actively work against their feelings for each other.
meanwhile, the plot twists had me reading way past my bedtime. i tried really hard to take my time with this book but i ended up whizzing through once i reached the 60% mark.
mortdale is the perfect read this spooky season and i highly recommend you pick it up! the ebook is available for preorder now and physical copies come out september 11th!
thank you so so much to lizzy & wendy heiss for the arc! 🫀🩸
the gothic ambiance immediately had me immersed and willow's personality never made it feel formulaic. willow is one hell of an fmc and i am absolutely in love with her! she's very spunky yet we also see a vulnerable side to her that made my heart ache. plus, her sense of humor had cackling! such a menace! the other characters were a delight to read about as well, especially piper, thomas and the dynamics between logan's friends! they all made me feel more deeply for the story.
i love the romance and tension between willow and logan. wendy has such a talent for writing great banter between her characters. it was equally entertaining to see them bait each other as it was heartbreaking for the world to actively work against their feelings for each other.
meanwhile, the plot twists had me reading way past my bedtime. i tried really hard to take my time with this book but i ended up whizzing through once i reached the 60% mark.
mortdale is the perfect read this spooky season and i highly recommend you pick it up! the ebook is available for preorder now and physical copies come out september 11th!
thank you so so much to lizzy & wendy heiss for the arc! 🫀🩸
September 4, 2026
Definitivt my favorit read this year!
Wendy Heiss has done it again and better than I ever could have imagined.
This story starts with a super intriguing prologue and then never lets you go. There’s not one boring page in this book. The storyline is so interesting and you just need to uncover all the mysteries.
Then you have the two MCs that breaks your heart with what they have endured in their life. Their banter makes you smile and every interaction makes you giddy.
The FMC is just too hilarious and I don’t know how Wendy came up with all her dialogues.
If you read any other books by this author you will be surprised how fast this reads. I devoured this in just two days coming off a 4 month long reading slump. This is exactly what I’ve been missing in the books I’ve tried to read.
Lastly, Wendy Heiss is and forever will be the queen of banter. I’d love to get a peek into her brain. 👀
Wendy Heiss has done it again and better than I ever could have imagined.
This story starts with a super intriguing prologue and then never lets you go. There’s not one boring page in this book. The storyline is so interesting and you just need to uncover all the mysteries.
Then you have the two MCs that breaks your heart with what they have endured in their life. Their banter makes you smile and every interaction makes you giddy.
The FMC is just too hilarious and I don’t know how Wendy came up with all her dialogues.
If you read any other books by this author you will be surprised how fast this reads. I devoured this in just two days coming off a 4 month long reading slump. This is exactly what I’ve been missing in the books I’ve tried to read.
Lastly, Wendy Heiss is and forever will be the queen of banter. I’d love to get a peek into her brain. 👀
September 11, 2026
This is the third vampire book I've read this month, and so far, this is my clear favorite. I'm giving it 4.75 stars, and I have thoughts. ☺️
Let's start with the obvious: enemies to reluctant allies to lovers!!!! Grumpy sunshine!!! With a side of blood play, which I've recently learned I'm very much into 🫡. I am helplessly, permanently attracted to these tropes, and Mortdale does them with real conviction. I genuinely can't point to a single lagging chapter in this book. I was hooked from start to finish, and every chapter brought something new to the table.
Willow is the reason this book works as well as it does. An occult pathologist who cuts up bodies for a living (and perhaps also to satisfy her own morbid curiosity), with a never-ending hunger for anatomy and medical science? Immediately fell in love with her. She's not written as ‘strong female lead’ in the flattened, adjective-only sense. As a matter of fact, our Willow is dying, her frail body always one step from the grave. But that never stops her from chasing her mission or living her life to the fullest, however much longer she has left with her malediction.
Not to mention, she has her grotesque paramour Ethel and her homicidal familiar Thomas always at her back.
And then there's Logan. Our MMC is a tortured man in the way this genre does best: guarded, dangerous by reputation, softened by degrees, and every scene he shared with Willow had me completely undone and melting into my sheets. He's easily landing on my list of favorite MMCs this year. What makes him work isn't just the broodiness, it's the specificity of how he loves once he lets himself. Like someone relearning a language he'd convinced himself he'd never need again.
What I loved most is that the book doesn't make prejudice a simple witch-versus-vampire problem. It's everywhere, even within these communities. Willow is avoided like a plague by her own coven, and Logan is feared, dangerously so, by the men of his own homeland.
I think that's exactly why Willow and Logan's romance works so well. They don't fall for each other despite being ‘enemies.’. They fall for each other because they're the first people who bother to look past what everyone else has already decided about them. They don't just love each other, they excavate each other, pulling one another out of their respective darkness.
Their banter deserves its own mention too. Genuinely funny, sharp, and exactly the kind that had me laughing and grinning like an idiot at the page at 2:30am. I haven't read banter this good in a long time, so kudos to the author for pulling it off.
The world itself is a real achievement. Mortdale fuses science, religion, and magic, particularly through Willow's almost clinical understanding of chaos, anatomy, and supernatural illness. Witches, vampires, and humans all treat each other's practices as sacrilege while secretly depending on one another to survive. Even the Blood Pact, supposedly a symbol of peace, ultimately comes down to bodies being traded for bloodline strength and survival. And yet, beneath all the tribal suspicion, the book keeps bringing us back to the same thing: flesh, blood, and bone. The things every species actually shares.
The reason this isn't a full 5 stars for me is the back half. The reveals start stacking up very quickly, and I found myself flipping back to reread sections just to keep the threads straight. I don't think this is a coherence problem so much as a pacing one. A few of those reveals could have used more room to breathe before the next one landed.
That's a minor complaint for what is otherwise a stunning, richly built vampire romance. Full disclosure: I've never been a vampire person. Werewolves have always been my genre of choice.
This book has truly, thoroughly converted me.
Pun, absolutely, intended. 👍🩸
Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Let's start with the obvious: enemies to reluctant allies to lovers!!!! Grumpy sunshine!!! With a side of blood play, which I've recently learned I'm very much into 🫡. I am helplessly, permanently attracted to these tropes, and Mortdale does them with real conviction. I genuinely can't point to a single lagging chapter in this book. I was hooked from start to finish, and every chapter brought something new to the table.
Willow is the reason this book works as well as it does. An occult pathologist who cuts up bodies for a living (and perhaps also to satisfy her own morbid curiosity), with a never-ending hunger for anatomy and medical science? Immediately fell in love with her. She's not written as ‘strong female lead’ in the flattened, adjective-only sense. As a matter of fact, our Willow is dying, her frail body always one step from the grave. But that never stops her from chasing her mission or living her life to the fullest, however much longer she has left with her malediction.
Not to mention, she has her grotesque paramour Ethel and her homicidal familiar Thomas always at her back.
And then there's Logan. Our MMC is a tortured man in the way this genre does best: guarded, dangerous by reputation, softened by degrees, and every scene he shared with Willow had me completely undone and melting into my sheets. He's easily landing on my list of favorite MMCs this year. What makes him work isn't just the broodiness, it's the specificity of how he loves once he lets himself. Like someone relearning a language he'd convinced himself he'd never need again.
What I loved most is that the book doesn't make prejudice a simple witch-versus-vampire problem. It's everywhere, even within these communities. Willow is avoided like a plague by her own coven, and Logan is feared, dangerously so, by the men of his own homeland.
I think that's exactly why Willow and Logan's romance works so well. They don't fall for each other despite being ‘enemies.’. They fall for each other because they're the first people who bother to look past what everyone else has already decided about them. They don't just love each other, they excavate each other, pulling one another out of their respective darkness.
Their banter deserves its own mention too. Genuinely funny, sharp, and exactly the kind that had me laughing and grinning like an idiot at the page at 2:30am. I haven't read banter this good in a long time, so kudos to the author for pulling it off.
The world itself is a real achievement. Mortdale fuses science, religion, and magic, particularly through Willow's almost clinical understanding of chaos, anatomy, and supernatural illness. Witches, vampires, and humans all treat each other's practices as sacrilege while secretly depending on one another to survive. Even the Blood Pact, supposedly a symbol of peace, ultimately comes down to bodies being traded for bloodline strength and survival. And yet, beneath all the tribal suspicion, the book keeps bringing us back to the same thing: flesh, blood, and bone. The things every species actually shares.
The reason this isn't a full 5 stars for me is the back half. The reveals start stacking up very quickly, and I found myself flipping back to reread sections just to keep the threads straight. I don't think this is a coherence problem so much as a pacing one. A few of those reveals could have used more room to breathe before the next one landed.
That's a minor complaint for what is otherwise a stunning, richly built vampire romance. Full disclosure: I've never been a vampire person. Werewolves have always been my genre of choice.
This book has truly, thoroughly converted me.
Pun, absolutely, intended. 👍🩸
Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
6 stars read, perfect for spooky season, and we got our happy ending. So, thank you, Wendy for not causing us emotional damage this time
““You should know, I enjoy being excessive and outrageous,’ I said, folding my hands on my lap like a proper lady"
The wait was worth it. If you love vampires, witches, and a bit of detective work, this has to be your next read. This book is funny and wholesome, the perfect mix of mystery and paranormal vibes, but also very rooted in shared human experiences; the way it explores grief from multiple POVs is very intense.
Willow made it to the top #1 of my favorite FMCs. She's effortlessly funny, and her body is 99% sarcasm. You know those jokes of kidnappers letting go of the girl because of how insane she is? Willow would 100% annoy her kidnappers to death, but she's also a very complex character; the contrast between how she sees herself and how cheerful she presents to the world is very genuine. She feels a lot, and she lets it be instead of bottling it up. It felt very refreshing how unapologetic and outspoken she was about her needs and wants.
Logan is a lover boy. I was enthralled by the way the yearning was portrayed here... it didn't feel rushed and while he had his reservations, it also wasn't your typical secretive yearning. He cared about her out loud from the beginning, and even though it was an arranged marriage, he jumped immediately on the "that's my wife" train. There were layersss to his personality and that made him more appealing.
This is ultimately Logan and Willow's love story, but the plot was in no way secondary to that. It was very thought out and fully resolved, the surprises kept coming and every time I thought I had it figured out, the story just kept turning. The found family component was beautiful, she definitely had Logan at wits’ end by dragging his friends on her shenanigans, but he wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I'm a sucker for side characters so I loved Art's grumpiness (and, was it me or did I feel some vibes between him and Ethel?). And Thomas, you have my heart, you were just a hungry guy hanging in his pretty little outfits.
The magic system was so unique, and so rooted in biology / anatomy that it truly made this story feel fresh, which isn’t easy nowadays. I love how magic was in everything and everyone in different measures and just took different representations.
The pace of the writing was perfect to me, and although we had some anatomical terminology, it wasn't restrictive to the reader (shoutout to the hyoid bone). The resolution felt a bit dense to read by being saved for the last pages, and like we had most pieces of the puzzle but waited until the last minute to be able to see the whole picture. However, I don't feel this affected the story and, in a way, is similar to what you get in thrillers since that's the best way to keep the reader guessing.
I haven't stopped thinking about them since I finished this a few days ago, and would very much like to be transported to Mortdale as soon as possible. Please, and thank you.
““You should know, I enjoy being excessive and outrageous,’ I said, folding my hands on my lap like a proper lady"
The wait was worth it. If you love vampires, witches, and a bit of detective work, this has to be your next read. This book is funny and wholesome, the perfect mix of mystery and paranormal vibes, but also very rooted in shared human experiences; the way it explores grief from multiple POVs is very intense.
Willow made it to the top #1 of my favorite FMCs. She's effortlessly funny, and her body is 99% sarcasm. You know those jokes of kidnappers letting go of the girl because of how insane she is? Willow would 100% annoy her kidnappers to death, but she's also a very complex character; the contrast between how she sees herself and how cheerful she presents to the world is very genuine. She feels a lot, and she lets it be instead of bottling it up. It felt very refreshing how unapologetic and outspoken she was about her needs and wants.
Logan is a lover boy. I was enthralled by the way the yearning was portrayed here... it didn't feel rushed and while he had his reservations, it also wasn't your typical secretive yearning. He cared about her out loud from the beginning, and even though it was an arranged marriage, he jumped immediately on the "that's my wife" train. There were layersss to his personality and that made him more appealing.
This is ultimately Logan and Willow's love story, but the plot was in no way secondary to that. It was very thought out and fully resolved, the surprises kept coming and every time I thought I had it figured out, the story just kept turning. The found family component was beautiful, she definitely had Logan at wits’ end by dragging his friends on her shenanigans, but he wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I'm a sucker for side characters so I loved Art's grumpiness (and, was it me or did I feel some vibes between him and Ethel?). And Thomas, you have my heart, you were just a hungry guy hanging in his pretty little outfits.
The magic system was so unique, and so rooted in biology / anatomy that it truly made this story feel fresh, which isn’t easy nowadays. I love how magic was in everything and everyone in different measures and just took different representations.
The pace of the writing was perfect to me, and although we had some anatomical terminology, it wasn't restrictive to the reader (shoutout to the hyoid bone). The resolution felt a bit dense to read by being saved for the last pages, and like we had most pieces of the puzzle but waited until the last minute to be able to see the whole picture. However, I don't feel this affected the story and, in a way, is similar to what you get in thrillers since that's the best way to keep the reader guessing.
I haven't stopped thinking about them since I finished this a few days ago, and would very much like to be transported to Mortdale as soon as possible. Please, and thank you.
September 12, 2026
4.75 ⭐️
I absolutely loved this book. I was hooked immediately, and by the time I reached the end, I wished a few hundred more pages would magically appear. I really wasn’t ready to leave yet.
The writing was absolutely beautiful. I highlighted so many passages because there were just so many lines that stood out to me. I love when a book makes me stop and reread something simply because it was written so well, and this one did that quite a few times.
The story itself had such a fun mix of dark and funny. We have witches, vampires, humans, ancient pacts, betrayals, sacrifices, and plenty of secrets, but somehow this book was also absolutely freaking hilarious. The banter was one of my favorite things. The way the characters thought about each other and reacted to one another had me smiling and laughing more than I expected. There was such a great balance between the darker elements of the story and the humor.
And Willow… I really really loved her.
She was smart, funny, and completely herself. I loved that she said what she thought and felt, and I really enjoyed being inside her head. The way she processed things and looked at the world was fascinating, and I appreciated how neurodivergent her thought process felt. It made her feel very distinct as a character, and I found myself really enjoying the way her mind worked.
I also absolutely loved Thomas her familiar. Their relationship was such a fun part of the story, and I definitely wouldn’t complain about getting more of him in the next book.
And then there’s Logan.
Give me a man that everyone is absolutely terrified of, while the FMC is just standing there wondering what everyone’s problem is because he has been nothing but good to her.I really enjoyed the difference between how everyone else viewed Logan and how Willow saw him.
I also really liked Piper, Logan’s friends, and Willow’s best friend. They were all interesting characters, and I’m hoping we get a lot more of them in the next book. Especially Willow’s best friend because I definitely need more of her. All of these characters were interesting enough that I found myself wanting to know more about them and their histories.
I want to know EVERYTHING.
I would love an entire book about what happened almost thirty years ago. I want to know what happened, what led everyone to where they are now, and all the little pieces of history that we only get glimpses of here. I found the central problem and the reason behind it really different and interesting, and it left me wanting to know so much more.
There’s a lot about this world that I’m curious about, and I really hope we get to explore it for many more books. I feel like there is still so much to uncover, and I’m definitely not ready to be done with these characters.
This was dark, clever, funny, beautifully written, and filled with characters I became completely invested in. I never wanted it to end, and I cannot wait to read more.
Please give me the next book immediately. I have questions.
Thank you Wendy Heiss for the eARC copy of this amazing story.
I absolutely loved this book. I was hooked immediately, and by the time I reached the end, I wished a few hundred more pages would magically appear. I really wasn’t ready to leave yet.
The writing was absolutely beautiful. I highlighted so many passages because there were just so many lines that stood out to me. I love when a book makes me stop and reread something simply because it was written so well, and this one did that quite a few times.
The story itself had such a fun mix of dark and funny. We have witches, vampires, humans, ancient pacts, betrayals, sacrifices, and plenty of secrets, but somehow this book was also absolutely freaking hilarious. The banter was one of my favorite things. The way the characters thought about each other and reacted to one another had me smiling and laughing more than I expected. There was such a great balance between the darker elements of the story and the humor.
And Willow… I really really loved her.
She was smart, funny, and completely herself. I loved that she said what she thought and felt, and I really enjoyed being inside her head. The way she processed things and looked at the world was fascinating, and I appreciated how neurodivergent her thought process felt. It made her feel very distinct as a character, and I found myself really enjoying the way her mind worked.
I also absolutely loved Thomas her familiar. Their relationship was such a fun part of the story, and I definitely wouldn’t complain about getting more of him in the next book.
And then there’s Logan.
Give me a man that everyone is absolutely terrified of, while the FMC is just standing there wondering what everyone’s problem is because he has been nothing but good to her.I really enjoyed the difference between how everyone else viewed Logan and how Willow saw him.
I also really liked Piper, Logan’s friends, and Willow’s best friend. They were all interesting characters, and I’m hoping we get a lot more of them in the next book. Especially Willow’s best friend because I definitely need more of her. All of these characters were interesting enough that I found myself wanting to know more about them and their histories.
I want to know EVERYTHING.
I would love an entire book about what happened almost thirty years ago. I want to know what happened, what led everyone to where they are now, and all the little pieces of history that we only get glimpses of here. I found the central problem and the reason behind it really different and interesting, and it left me wanting to know so much more.
There’s a lot about this world that I’m curious about, and I really hope we get to explore it for many more books. I feel like there is still so much to uncover, and I’m definitely not ready to be done with these characters.
This was dark, clever, funny, beautifully written, and filled with characters I became completely invested in. I never wanted it to end, and I cannot wait to read more.
Please give me the next book immediately. I have questions.
Thank you Wendy Heiss for the eARC copy of this amazing story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Huge thanks to Wendy Heiss for sending me the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Oh mother… I would read Wendy’s shopping list if she let me and if one day she looses her words I would learn to read thoughts. This is a kinda of very biased review cause I do love Wendy’s writing and been in love since WG&S 💖
I’m a big vampire lover as I always comment in every vampire book I review and I’m pretty much very picky with my vampire children. And oh Logan welcome to the coven you’re one of my favorites now!
I was very excited with the blurb for this one. Vampire x witch, arranged marriage, they’re kinda of enemies but he’s always been down, etc. Everything I loved was summarized here, but either way, it’s still a very easy blurb to mess up, but Wendy did it like a pro. The tension, the development of each and every character and their relationships with each other, the plot over all is just very well made. I don’t think anyone can make characters so quick witted as Wendy does, cause Willow is just so much fun and has such a sharp tongue, I always find myself giggling with her.
One thing I loved about Willow is how very composed she is, but at the same time has all those nose bleeds when interacting with Logan, like girl, I get it!!! Loved how it just ended up creating a dynamic with ties between the two of them, like a long timed married couple with inner jokes, I do love this small things in the relationship that turns out natural to both of them, it just makes my heart very warm. And oh I love how very mature and dutiful Mr. Logan is. Mostly when characters are forced in a marriage, doesn’t matter how old they are, books portrait them as very very childish and petty about it. But Logan keeps he’s duty as a husband very very sharp, doesn’t matter how they ended up together, she’s his wife and they’ll respect her, not because it makes him look stronger and more protective, but is what a decent husband does and he’ll be nothing more than a good man to her. That made me fall for Logan in an instant! (and he’s just the most beautiful blond man ever like, he’s a blond vampire for got sake, my lestat heart just bleed for him).
I would like to dedicate a moment to little Thomas here. I hope he gets to eat a child (in the most literal way (and not Piper tho)) like he always wished to. That little mouse worked his poor whiskers off in this book he deserves better!!!
Overall I had a lot of fun in Mortdale! Loved the found family Willow got and even when they were fighting for their life there was such cozy sweet moments between this lovely family I just felt my heart get more and more warm.
Thank you so much Wendy for providing me with this ARC, I do love your writing so so much and I am always cheering for you! Can’t wait to hear more about your books and I hope you get all the flowers you deserve when this beautiful piece releases to the world!
Oh mother… I would read Wendy’s shopping list if she let me and if one day she looses her words I would learn to read thoughts. This is a kinda of very biased review cause I do love Wendy’s writing and been in love since WG&S 💖
I’m a big vampire lover as I always comment in every vampire book I review and I’m pretty much very picky with my vampire children. And oh Logan welcome to the coven you’re one of my favorites now!
I was very excited with the blurb for this one. Vampire x witch, arranged marriage, they’re kinda of enemies but he’s always been down, etc. Everything I loved was summarized here, but either way, it’s still a very easy blurb to mess up, but Wendy did it like a pro. The tension, the development of each and every character and their relationships with each other, the plot over all is just very well made. I don’t think anyone can make characters so quick witted as Wendy does, cause Willow is just so much fun and has such a sharp tongue, I always find myself giggling with her.
One thing I loved about Willow is how very composed she is, but at the same time has all those nose bleeds when interacting with Logan, like girl, I get it!!! Loved how it just ended up creating a dynamic with ties between the two of them, like a long timed married couple with inner jokes, I do love this small things in the relationship that turns out natural to both of them, it just makes my heart very warm. And oh I love how very mature and dutiful Mr. Logan is. Mostly when characters are forced in a marriage, doesn’t matter how old they are, books portrait them as very very childish and petty about it. But Logan keeps he’s duty as a husband very very sharp, doesn’t matter how they ended up together, she’s his wife and they’ll respect her, not because it makes him look stronger and more protective, but is what a decent husband does and he’ll be nothing more than a good man to her. That made me fall for Logan in an instant! (and he’s just the most beautiful blond man ever like, he’s a blond vampire for got sake, my lestat heart just bleed for him).
I would like to dedicate a moment to little Thomas here. I hope he gets to eat a child (in the most literal way (and not Piper tho)) like he always wished to. That little mouse worked his poor whiskers off in this book he deserves better!!!
Overall I had a lot of fun in Mortdale! Loved the found family Willow got and even when they were fighting for their life there was such cozy sweet moments between this lovely family I just felt my heart get more and more warm.
Thank you so much Wendy for providing me with this ARC, I do love your writing so so much and I am always cheering for you! Can’t wait to hear more about your books and I hope you get all the flowers you deserve when this beautiful piece releases to the world!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Receiving an ARC copy of this book was the highlight of my year.
Wendy Heiss is one of my top favorite authors. Every book i read i'm kicking my feet over the banter and consumed by the storyline and this was no different.
We are following a witch (willow) and a vampire (logan) in a forced marriage all while Willow is trying to figure out why all the witches that are being sent to Mortdale are dying.
Something i love about her writing is that we can get a lot of details without a lot of details. She doesn't need to get overly descriptive with feelings and emotions but you can see them over and over again in the actions and the dialogue and its refreshing to not feel like we are always having inner monologues.
While its not as spooky vibes as i thought it would be, it still meets the fall/halloween theme that i'm trying to immerse myself in.
Logan and Willows relationship is DELICIOUS. (The slow burn / spice was also delicious. so wso good) Did she make smoking hot again? Maybe. The tension between the two of them is electric. It actually reminded me a lot of Snow and Kil because shes the eccentric unfiltered FMC and hes the "what is my wife doing now" MMC. If this is your first Wendy Heiss read you should ABSOLUTELY go read Winter Gods & Serpents. If you read it, i'm sure you can recognize the similarities too and I loved it.
I wish the book was like 30 or so more pages because the ending was hard to follow and there was a lot of lineage that wish had been revealed a bit earlier because it felt like too many shocks all at once at the end.
Unfortunately this book struggled in the same way every book by her i've read has :( - the editing. I kept getting caught up on misspellings or different pronouns being used. At least twice it said "she" instead of "he" and i'm going back to see who else was in the room that i didnt know about before i realized its a typo but ive already lost myself. Im all for increasing my vocabulary but i have never heard the word spahiristike in my life and when i looked it up nothing came up and that stuck with me the whole book only to find it that spaihristrike is likely what that was supposed to be (i still didnt know but at least got the definition much more quickly. Sometimes it felt like the banter was so quick that i missed what was happening. Logan would say "don't call him that" and i literally had no idea what he was referencing because she didnt call anyone anything for like, a lot of lines.
I think i have read every single book by Wendy and will continue to do so because i really truly love her writing and her style. Every single thing i've read would be a 5 or 6 star read if it wasn't for the editing, i love all the characters so much. like i'm still thinking about ronnie and he barely existed in the story but thats just what she does to characters.
Wendy Heiss is one of my top favorite authors. Every book i read i'm kicking my feet over the banter and consumed by the storyline and this was no different.
We are following a witch (willow) and a vampire (logan) in a forced marriage all while Willow is trying to figure out why all the witches that are being sent to Mortdale are dying.
Something i love about her writing is that we can get a lot of details without a lot of details. She doesn't need to get overly descriptive with feelings and emotions but you can see them over and over again in the actions and the dialogue and its refreshing to not feel like we are always having inner monologues.
While its not as spooky vibes as i thought it would be, it still meets the fall/halloween theme that i'm trying to immerse myself in.
Logan and Willows relationship is DELICIOUS. (The slow burn / spice was also delicious. so wso good) Did she make smoking hot again? Maybe. The tension between the two of them is electric. It actually reminded me a lot of Snow and Kil because shes the eccentric unfiltered FMC and hes the "what is my wife doing now" MMC. If this is your first Wendy Heiss read you should ABSOLUTELY go read Winter Gods & Serpents. If you read it, i'm sure you can recognize the similarities too and I loved it.
I wish the book was like 30 or so more pages because the ending was hard to follow and there was a lot of lineage that wish had been revealed a bit earlier because it felt like too many shocks all at once at the end.
Unfortunately this book struggled in the same way every book by her i've read has :( - the editing. I kept getting caught up on misspellings or different pronouns being used. At least twice it said "she" instead of "he" and i'm going back to see who else was in the room that i didnt know about before i realized its a typo but ive already lost myself. Im all for increasing my vocabulary but i have never heard the word spahiristike in my life and when i looked it up nothing came up and that stuck with me the whole book only to find it that spaihristrike is likely what that was supposed to be (i still didnt know but at least got the definition much more quickly. Sometimes it felt like the banter was so quick that i missed what was happening. Logan would say "don't call him that" and i literally had no idea what he was referencing because she didnt call anyone anything for like, a lot of lines.
I think i have read every single book by Wendy and will continue to do so because i really truly love her writing and her style. Every single thing i've read would be a 5 or 6 star read if it wasn't for the editing, i love all the characters so much. like i'm still thinking about ronnie and he barely existed in the story but thats just what she does to characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book has been living rent free in my head ever since I finished it. It exceeded every single one of my expectations. A grumpy vampire, a bubbly witch, and a mystery to solve? Say less, baby, I am on board.
As much as I have read my fair share of vampire x witch stories, there was something so unique about this one. The characters were an absolute standout, and I completely fell in love with them.
Willow is an occult pathologist (🤯) so cool, right? She is incredibly smart, funny, and weird in the best possible way. She doesn’t hold her tongue, she’s sassy, and she has a way of winning people over simply by being unapologetically herself. I loved watching her flourish into this beautiful, confident, and loved woman, because she was never the problem, the people around her were. In case it wasn’t clear, I absolutely loved her!
Also, Logan was absolute perfection. He was so unlike the other vampires I’ve read before. There’s just something about the way he carries himself that makes him simply irresistible. He’s grumpy yet incredibly sweet, handsome, responsible, and a true protector. He is so caring, and the way he takes care of Pipe and Willow 🥹 now that is what a man should be like. Truly a creature of dreams.
The story was so sweet and emotional, and I was completely invested from the very first scene they shared. I knew immediately this was going to be something special, and it absolutely delivered. Both characters had rough upbringings, yet they find a safe haven in each other. I lived for every interaction between them, and their relationship developed in such a natural, effortless way that I found myself falling alongside them. Their love was so palpable that every exchange, glance, and touch pulled me deeper than the last, and I was completely gone before I even realised it.
The side characters were also absolutely to die for, all of them! A particular shoutout to T, because I completely echo his grievances. I would want to eat them too if I could! 😂
The pacing was fast, and I have to be honest when I say I didn’t see any of it coming. Every time I thought I had an inkling of what was happening, it turned out to be something completely unexpected, which kept me on the edge of my seat.
The writing was so atmospheric and created the perfect setting for this story. Especially with Halloween approaching, this would be such a fun book to pick up during spooky season 🎃 I loved the world building too. It was vast and immersive, and I think there is so much potential for future developments. I would come back to Mortdale or any of the other kingdoms in the blink of an eye!
Overall, if you’re looking for an atmospheric read with the sweetest love story, a mystery to solve, and an absolutely fantastic cast of characters, look no further because this book needs to get on your TBR! 🖤
As much as I have read my fair share of vampire x witch stories, there was something so unique about this one. The characters were an absolute standout, and I completely fell in love with them.
Willow is an occult pathologist (🤯) so cool, right? She is incredibly smart, funny, and weird in the best possible way. She doesn’t hold her tongue, she’s sassy, and she has a way of winning people over simply by being unapologetically herself. I loved watching her flourish into this beautiful, confident, and loved woman, because she was never the problem, the people around her were. In case it wasn’t clear, I absolutely loved her!
Also, Logan was absolute perfection. He was so unlike the other vampires I’ve read before. There’s just something about the way he carries himself that makes him simply irresistible. He’s grumpy yet incredibly sweet, handsome, responsible, and a true protector. He is so caring, and the way he takes care of Pipe and Willow 🥹 now that is what a man should be like. Truly a creature of dreams.
The story was so sweet and emotional, and I was completely invested from the very first scene they shared. I knew immediately this was going to be something special, and it absolutely delivered. Both characters had rough upbringings, yet they find a safe haven in each other. I lived for every interaction between them, and their relationship developed in such a natural, effortless way that I found myself falling alongside them. Their love was so palpable that every exchange, glance, and touch pulled me deeper than the last, and I was completely gone before I even realised it.
The side characters were also absolutely to die for, all of them! A particular shoutout to T, because I completely echo his grievances. I would want to eat them too if I could! 😂
The pacing was fast, and I have to be honest when I say I didn’t see any of it coming. Every time I thought I had an inkling of what was happening, it turned out to be something completely unexpected, which kept me on the edge of my seat.
The writing was so atmospheric and created the perfect setting for this story. Especially with Halloween approaching, this would be such a fun book to pick up during spooky season 🎃 I loved the world building too. It was vast and immersive, and I think there is so much potential for future developments. I would come back to Mortdale or any of the other kingdoms in the blink of an eye!
Overall, if you’re looking for an atmospheric read with the sweetest love story, a mystery to solve, and an absolutely fantastic cast of characters, look no further because this book needs to get on your TBR! 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Strength is just a consequence of things we've survived. We'll not be stronger until we survive the next worst thing."
Firstly, Thank You to Wendy Heiss for the ARC of Mortdale🫀, I was beyond happy when I received the email.
Wendy, your words are like magic on paper. This book did not disappoint. At all. There wasn't a shadow of a doubt that this was going to be amazing. Mortdale was a magical experience; the gothic ambience fits the setting of the story, the plot was easy to follow, the mystery element and the big reveal was done well, the characters truly have a place in my heart, I went through all the every emotions...from start to finish, I found no fault in the story as a whole. I can't put into words how much this book means to me, it was positively overwhelming.
Willow, my darling girl, she was so easy to love, she's strong, funny, loving and unapologetically herself. She's so smart and incredibly intelligent at her craft, a mad genius if you will. You better not do anything to piss her off or you'll loose your head or get hexed. I cannot count how many times I cackled out loud due to the unhinged things she said. I absolutely adored her relationship with Piper, that was one of my highlights of the book.
Logan-she's not my witch-Duncan...come take your award for the best vampire Lord husband ever. Get you a man who promises to cut off limbs and cause bodily harm to those who trouble you. Dramatic, sacarstic, scary, bloody possessive, romantic, funny, calls her "honey"...what's not to love? Also he was incredibly attentive and perceptive of Willow. And he's the best uncle ever, he let's Piper, his neice, call him 'Bear', how adorable.
There's no insta lust, Willow and Logan have such good chemistry between each other. Their relationship develops so organically and the dynamic they have together is crazy, fun and filled with so much delicious tension, it truly was beautiful/hilarious to read about. The banter, my goodness haha.
Major shoutout to the best familiar ever...Thomasino Tommy Thomas. If Venom had a sassy, perpetually hungry, funny cousin that transforms into a rat it would a hundred percent be Thomas. Considering I'm scared and creeped out by rats irl, Thomas would definitely be the exception.
Also shout out to Ethel, Piper, Arthur, Henry, Liam, Christof, Theodora...you all made this story such an amazingly funny experience.
I'm also gonna need an excerpt of "Vampires in Furs" please and thank you.
I have a LOT of favourite quotes, but I'll try and write only a few down...
"Why strive to be normal when you're so extraordinary."
"Whatever my wife wants."
"Yeah?... Yeah."
"She emanated light, glowing from within. A star trapped in a human cage."
"I wanted to live, so desperately I felt sick."
"You're my north, as long as you exist, I will find my way back. Always and forever, my love."
"You're my family. All mine. My very own."
⭐✨⭐✨⭐✨⭐✨⭐✨
Firstly, Thank You to Wendy Heiss for the ARC of Mortdale🫀, I was beyond happy when I received the email.
Wendy, your words are like magic on paper. This book did not disappoint. At all. There wasn't a shadow of a doubt that this was going to be amazing. Mortdale was a magical experience; the gothic ambience fits the setting of the story, the plot was easy to follow, the mystery element and the big reveal was done well, the characters truly have a place in my heart, I went through all the every emotions...from start to finish, I found no fault in the story as a whole. I can't put into words how much this book means to me, it was positively overwhelming.
Willow, my darling girl, she was so easy to love, she's strong, funny, loving and unapologetically herself. She's so smart and incredibly intelligent at her craft, a mad genius if you will. You better not do anything to piss her off or you'll loose your head or get hexed. I cannot count how many times I cackled out loud due to the unhinged things she said. I absolutely adored her relationship with Piper, that was one of my highlights of the book.
Logan-she's not my witch-Duncan...come take your award for the best vampire Lord husband ever. Get you a man who promises to cut off limbs and cause bodily harm to those who trouble you. Dramatic, sacarstic, scary, bloody possessive, romantic, funny, calls her "honey"...what's not to love? Also he was incredibly attentive and perceptive of Willow. And he's the best uncle ever, he let's Piper, his neice, call him 'Bear', how adorable.
There's no insta lust, Willow and Logan have such good chemistry between each other. Their relationship develops so organically and the dynamic they have together is crazy, fun and filled with so much delicious tension, it truly was beautiful/hilarious to read about. The banter, my goodness haha.
Major shoutout to the best familiar ever...Thomasino Tommy Thomas. If Venom had a sassy, perpetually hungry, funny cousin that transforms into a rat it would a hundred percent be Thomas. Considering I'm scared and creeped out by rats irl, Thomas would definitely be the exception.
Also shout out to Ethel, Piper, Arthur, Henry, Liam, Christof, Theodora...you all made this story such an amazingly funny experience.
I'm also gonna need an excerpt of "Vampires in Furs" please and thank you.
I have a LOT of favourite quotes, but I'll try and write only a few down...
"Why strive to be normal when you're so extraordinary."
"Whatever my wife wants."
"Yeah?... Yeah."
"She emanated light, glowing from within. A star trapped in a human cage."
"I wanted to live, so desperately I felt sick."
"You're my north, as long as you exist, I will find my way back. Always and forever, my love."
"You're my family. All mine. My very own."
⭐✨⭐✨⭐✨⭐✨⭐✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much Wendy Heiss for sending me this ARC!
Mortdale is the newest book from one of my favorite romantasy authors and it was amazing, I loved Willow and Logan so much!
Willow is a witch and an outcast, spending most of her days as an occult pathologist. When it comes time to fulfil the yearly pact with the vampires, Willow is selected as the next one to marry one of them and since she is already dying because of a curse, she is also asked to spy and uncover why other witches died after their marriages. But her new husband and his friends are not the monsters Willow expected and soon she is involved in murder mysteries and vampire politics while trying not to fall for her husband.
Omg this book was so freaking good, the vibes, the twists, the characters, the romance, I loved it all so much and the perfectly paced plot had me hooked from the first page and I read the whole book in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the gothic atmosphere and the pathology elements, it was really unique and same with how witches and vampires were portrayed, the whole world building and magic system with different species and their politics was so interesting and unique and I loved learning about it. Willow was amazing as the FMC, I was obsessed with her since she first appeared on page, she was really strong after everything she had been through and she was freaking hilarious, I was giggling so many times at what was coming out of her mouth and the way she was making things up and teasing the vampires had me laughing out loud at times, I adored her and her cute quirkiness. Logan was Willow’s opposite as a serious vampire general but I loved how Willow was tearing down his walls and how obsessed he became with her despite fighting it. These two were perfect for each other and I loved seeing them navigate this unwanted marriage, from kind of enemies to reluctant allies to lovers they had such great dynamics and couldn’t help but fall for each other, I loved their conversations and banter and becoming vulnerable witch each other and just all their scenes together, including the eventual spicy ones, these two quickly became one of my favorite bookish couples and I already miss them. I also loved their friends and of course Piper and Thomas, they were so entertaining and amazing.
Mortdale is an incredible gothic romantasy book and a perfect fall read, I loved it so much and recommend it to everyone, I already can’t wait for Wendy’s next book.
Mortdale is the newest book from one of my favorite romantasy authors and it was amazing, I loved Willow and Logan so much!
Willow is a witch and an outcast, spending most of her days as an occult pathologist. When it comes time to fulfil the yearly pact with the vampires, Willow is selected as the next one to marry one of them and since she is already dying because of a curse, she is also asked to spy and uncover why other witches died after their marriages. But her new husband and his friends are not the monsters Willow expected and soon she is involved in murder mysteries and vampire politics while trying not to fall for her husband.
Omg this book was so freaking good, the vibes, the twists, the characters, the romance, I loved it all so much and the perfectly paced plot had me hooked from the first page and I read the whole book in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the gothic atmosphere and the pathology elements, it was really unique and same with how witches and vampires were portrayed, the whole world building and magic system with different species and their politics was so interesting and unique and I loved learning about it. Willow was amazing as the FMC, I was obsessed with her since she first appeared on page, she was really strong after everything she had been through and she was freaking hilarious, I was giggling so many times at what was coming out of her mouth and the way she was making things up and teasing the vampires had me laughing out loud at times, I adored her and her cute quirkiness. Logan was Willow’s opposite as a serious vampire general but I loved how Willow was tearing down his walls and how obsessed he became with her despite fighting it. These two were perfect for each other and I loved seeing them navigate this unwanted marriage, from kind of enemies to reluctant allies to lovers they had such great dynamics and couldn’t help but fall for each other, I loved their conversations and banter and becoming vulnerable witch each other and just all their scenes together, including the eventual spicy ones, these two quickly became one of my favorite bookish couples and I already miss them. I also loved their friends and of course Piper and Thomas, they were so entertaining and amazing.
Mortdale is an incredible gothic romantasy book and a perfect fall read, I loved it so much and recommend it to everyone, I already can’t wait for Wendy’s next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5⭐️
Guys, if you’re looking for something to read this spooky season, rejoice, your search is over. Mortdale is the perfect fall read that has everything your heart could desire: vampires, witches, ghosts, curses, spells, and so many secrets!
The main heroine, Willow, is a witch who’s been cursed and is slowly dying. Because of that, she’s an outcast in her coven, but she has her best friend Ethel and her familiar, a rat named Thomas who absolutely loves eating people, especially children. Willow works as a pathologist and talks to ghosts. One day she’s forced to marry the infamous and cruel vampire duke Logan “she’s not my witch” Duncan. Of course, he’s actually the greenest of green flags and your new book boyfriend. Together, they start investigating the strange deaths of witches and their vampire husbands and, naturally, fall in love along the way.
I’ve been in love with Wendy’s writing style since The Auran Chronicles, but here you can tell she’s leveled up even more. Every bit of dialogue (especially the banter between Willow and Logan) is pure gold! And the plot is genuinely interesting. It’s not just there as decoration for the romance, by the way.
Speaking of the romance, this is a proper slow burn where the characters don’t have sexual thoughts about each other when they first meet. Yes, they gradually notice each other’s physical attractiveness, but their feelings grow out of an emotional connection and actually getting to know each other as people.
I especially want to highlight the dry humor, which I absolutely adore! And of course, I urgently need a copy of the legendary Vampires in Furs!!!
But, to stay objective, I’ll mention the downsides too. First of all, there’s the villain monologue that dumps literally EVERYTHING on us in five minutes. Second, the finale packs in so many events and reveals that you barely have time to breathe. Third, the resolution might feel a bit like a soap opera to some people (personally, I was fine with it). Still, I consider all of these to be minor flaws that don’t take away from my enjoyment of the book at all.
Overall, I highly recommend checking this one out and adding it to your fall TBR.
Thank you to Wendy Heiss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Guys, if you’re looking for something to read this spooky season, rejoice, your search is over. Mortdale is the perfect fall read that has everything your heart could desire: vampires, witches, ghosts, curses, spells, and so many secrets!
The main heroine, Willow, is a witch who’s been cursed and is slowly dying. Because of that, she’s an outcast in her coven, but she has her best friend Ethel and her familiar, a rat named Thomas who absolutely loves eating people, especially children. Willow works as a pathologist and talks to ghosts. One day she’s forced to marry the infamous and cruel vampire duke Logan “she’s not my witch” Duncan. Of course, he’s actually the greenest of green flags and your new book boyfriend. Together, they start investigating the strange deaths of witches and their vampire husbands and, naturally, fall in love along the way.
I’ve been in love with Wendy’s writing style since The Auran Chronicles, but here you can tell she’s leveled up even more. Every bit of dialogue (especially the banter between Willow and Logan) is pure gold! And the plot is genuinely interesting. It’s not just there as decoration for the romance, by the way.
Speaking of the romance, this is a proper slow burn where the characters don’t have sexual thoughts about each other when they first meet. Yes, they gradually notice each other’s physical attractiveness, but their feelings grow out of an emotional connection and actually getting to know each other as people.
I especially want to highlight the dry humor, which I absolutely adore! And of course, I urgently need a copy of the legendary Vampires in Furs!!!
But, to stay objective, I’ll mention the downsides too. First of all, there’s the villain monologue that dumps literally EVERYTHING on us in five minutes. Second, the finale packs in so many events and reveals that you barely have time to breathe. Third, the resolution might feel a bit like a soap opera to some people (personally, I was fine with it). Still, I consider all of these to be minor flaws that don’t take away from my enjoyment of the book at all.
Overall, I highly recommend checking this one out and adding it to your fall TBR.
Thank you to Wendy Heiss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Gothic. Poetic. Dark. Romantic. Forbidden. Strange. Haunted. Lush. Mysterious. Heated. I could use all these words to describe this book, and it still doesn't sum up just how enigmatic this story felt. From the first chapter I knew this would be exactly the kind of book that pulls you in and caresses you whilst making you feel like something is slightly wrong- it just is hauntingly beautiful.
I have read a few Wendy Heiss books before and just absolutely adore her writing, it's always so immersive and romantic. The settings and overall atmosphere of this book reminded me of one of my favourite books, Gothikana by RuNyx, it had that historic, dark and supernatural feel throughout the whole thing, I loved it.
The characters felt so real, and I especially liked the heroine, Willow Briar. She's whimsical, borderline creepy and has a personality that's easily likeable. Her teasing with the vampires made me laugh so much, and her back and forth chemistry-filled arguing with Logan (the vampire love interest) had me just waiting for them to cross the blurred lines. Their eventual romance was so heartfelt, the way they acted with each other really reminded me of Gomez and Morticia, it really felt like a 'even death will not dare disturb us' feel.
I do think the pacing was a bit slow throughout the book, the story unravels slowly, which I think may have just been a personal preference. The characters investigate and get clues as the book progresses, the mystery is a tight knot, and takes a while to unravel, but I was definitely hooked. I also really enjoyed the side characters, especially Willow's closest friend, Ethel, I'm hoping she gets her own book with Art...?
Overall, this was almost the perfect spooky season romance read, I couldn't put it down, and simply fell head over heels for the bond between Willow and Logan, watching them slowly grow closer and understand each other was truly a pleasure!
4/5 🌟
Gothic. Poetic. Dark. Romantic. Forbidden. Strange. Haunted. Lush. Mysterious. Heated. I could use all these words to describe this book, and it still doesn't sum up just how enigmatic this story felt. From the first chapter I knew this would be exactly the kind of book that pulls you in and caresses you whilst making you feel like something is slightly wrong- it just is hauntingly beautiful.
I have read a few Wendy Heiss books before and just absolutely adore her writing, it's always so immersive and romantic. The settings and overall atmosphere of this book reminded me of one of my favourite books, Gothikana by RuNyx, it had that historic, dark and supernatural feel throughout the whole thing, I loved it.
The characters felt so real, and I especially liked the heroine, Willow Briar. She's whimsical, borderline creepy and has a personality that's easily likeable. Her teasing with the vampires made me laugh so much, and her back and forth chemistry-filled arguing with Logan (the vampire love interest) had me just waiting for them to cross the blurred lines. Their eventual romance was so heartfelt, the way they acted with each other really reminded me of Gomez and Morticia, it really felt like a 'even death will not dare disturb us' feel.
I do think the pacing was a bit slow throughout the book, the story unravels slowly, which I think may have just been a personal preference. The characters investigate and get clues as the book progresses, the mystery is a tight knot, and takes a while to unravel, but I was definitely hooked. I also really enjoyed the side characters, especially Willow's closest friend, Ethel, I'm hoping she gets her own book with Art...?
Overall, this was almost the perfect spooky season romance read, I couldn't put it down, and simply fell head over heels for the bond between Willow and Logan, watching them slowly grow closer and understand each other was truly a pleasure!
4/5 🌟
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I LOVED Willow and Logan!!!! Safe to say this book got me out of my reading slump
Tropes:
Arranged Marriage
Witch x Vampire
Pathologist x Duke
Slow burn
Cursed
Rat familiar
Touch her and die
Found family
Marriage Gothic Fantasy
Dual POV
Grumpy vampire x Sunshine Witch
Willow, a pathologist witch who loves the science of diseases and anatomy. Willow has a curse which means that she is slowly dying, which makes her the perfect sacrifice to investigate the mysterious deaths of her fellow witches. The best part? She is arranged to marry the duke, second in command of the king, Logan Duncan!!!
In their first meeting, I APPRECIATED the energy Willow brings to the table. Was she nervous? Yes, but her humor and transparency was so present in their interaction, I felt the authenticity of their connection and rivalry. I also loved that Logan wasn’t a 300 year old vampire as other books portray vampires, instead, he is 36yrs old and Willow 26 (10yr difference is not that bad in my books).
Duncan surprisingly becoming protective over her interactions with other male vampires was so rich as a reader. Duncan smoke use and drinking use was only to get over the smell of Willow legit had me giggling, this man is obsessed and is in denial of this!! A lot of the quotes that I highlighted were all mainly from Duncan, his love and protectiveness over the people he loves easily became one of my favorite characters.
“I’m not your friend” he said, brushing the blood of my lips, “You’ll call me Logan”
Logan will not be friendzoned, enough said ;)
“You’re my north. As long as you exist, I will find my way back. Always and forever, my love.
The aura this man has :)
“You’re Willow Duncan now, Duchess of Darkheim”
I AM SAT !!!!
There are so many more memorable quotes from both characters :) But these are the main ones that I feel summarize their relationship. Overall, I LOVED THIS BOOOK . You can expect mystery, gothic romance, a rat familiar (Thomas), yearning, and steamy scenes. Thank you for this ARC!
Tropes:
Arranged Marriage
Witch x Vampire
Pathologist x Duke
Slow burn
Cursed
Rat familiar
Touch her and die
Found family
Marriage Gothic Fantasy
Dual POV
Grumpy vampire x Sunshine Witch
Willow, a pathologist witch who loves the science of diseases and anatomy. Willow has a curse which means that she is slowly dying, which makes her the perfect sacrifice to investigate the mysterious deaths of her fellow witches. The best part? She is arranged to marry the duke, second in command of the king, Logan Duncan!!!
In their first meeting, I APPRECIATED the energy Willow brings to the table. Was she nervous? Yes, but her humor and transparency was so present in their interaction, I felt the authenticity of their connection and rivalry. I also loved that Logan wasn’t a 300 year old vampire as other books portray vampires, instead, he is 36yrs old and Willow 26 (10yr difference is not that bad in my books).
Duncan surprisingly becoming protective over her interactions with other male vampires was so rich as a reader. Duncan smoke use and drinking use was only to get over the smell of Willow legit had me giggling, this man is obsessed and is in denial of this!! A lot of the quotes that I highlighted were all mainly from Duncan, his love and protectiveness over the people he loves easily became one of my favorite characters.
“I’m not your friend” he said, brushing the blood of my lips, “You’ll call me Logan”
Logan will not be friendzoned, enough said ;)
“You’re my north. As long as you exist, I will find my way back. Always and forever, my love.
The aura this man has :)
“You’re Willow Duncan now, Duchess of Darkheim”
I AM SAT !!!!
There are so many more memorable quotes from both characters :) But these are the main ones that I feel summarize their relationship. Overall, I LOVED THIS BOOOK . You can expect mystery, gothic romance, a rat familiar (Thomas), yearning, and steamy scenes. Thank you for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
6⭐️ i will never be the same again. This book was giving me an all time high, it’s easily one of my fav books of 2026 and I just don’t know how I’ll ever be able to live without this again. I want to go back to the start and read it all over again.
Logan and Willows story had me in a chokehold right from the beginning, firstly this book literally has one of my fav tropes ever (arranged marriage) AND he’s a vampire????? Holy shit. This was just bound to be a 6 star read.
I loved the way this book is so unique. Witch x vampire, and a deadly curse.
It has everything you want, it’s emotional, funny, spicy but also the love between them runs so deep you can feel it in your own heart. Whenever there was a heartfelt seen my own heart beat like a drum, when it was sad my heart hurt. (Can you tell I loved everything about this book- zero complains.)
Logan is the blueprint. Willow was such a refreshing FMC to read about, she was funny and feisty, and her weirdness just made her so much more relatable to me. I loved how she always gone for what she wanted to do even tho she knew she would get in trouble. I love how she till the end fought for the people that she loved dearly. Piper and Thomas made this book even more adoring.
Wendy Heiss absolutely delivered with this book, and she’s from now on one of my fav authors. Thank you so much Wendy for giving me the chance and trust to read this book as an ARC. You gave me one of my fav books ever and I will forever be grateful for this experience.
Logan and Willows story had me in a chokehold right from the beginning, firstly this book literally has one of my fav tropes ever (arranged marriage) AND he’s a vampire????? Holy shit. This was just bound to be a 6 star read.
I loved the way this book is so unique. Witch x vampire, and a deadly curse.
It has everything you want, it’s emotional, funny, spicy but also the love between them runs so deep you can feel it in your own heart. Whenever there was a heartfelt seen my own heart beat like a drum, when it was sad my heart hurt. (Can you tell I loved everything about this book- zero complains.)
Logan is the blueprint. Willow was such a refreshing FMC to read about, she was funny and feisty, and her weirdness just made her so much more relatable to me. I loved how she always gone for what she wanted to do even tho she knew she would get in trouble. I love how she till the end fought for the people that she loved dearly. Piper and Thomas made this book even more adoring.
Wendy Heiss absolutely delivered with this book, and she’s from now on one of my fav authors. Thank you so much Wendy for giving me the chance and trust to read this book as an ARC. You gave me one of my fav books ever and I will forever be grateful for this experience.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my Saints.
This book.
This one right here?
Yeah its definitely one of my new favorites.
First I just want to say thank you Wendy and her sister for having me on the ARC team for this. I devoured every single word in this story. From the characters, to the world building and to the plot, it was absolutely captivating.
It was also such a different take on the supernatural world where you see and read about witches, humans, faes, vampires and more. It wasnt focused on the creatures themselves, but what they do with their lives and hoe they live.
The characters. OMG THE CHARACTERS. I hate to say I have favorites but your girl does. Before I get into them, the side characters Liam, Henry, Art (😉), Piper, Christof, Ethel and all the ghost. They were the perfect blend of comedic relief but also protective. Now, my favorites 😍... starting with my girl Willow. I loved her eerily, sarcastic, yet genius vibes. Thats my girl right there! Logan... OH LOGAN 🫦🫦 THATS MY YEARNING MANNNNNNNNNN. He is just everything you'd expect from a nonchalant, smoking, HOT, vampire, single dad vibed man. Who picks his wife's blood when he says he hates witch blood. FUCK YES! And of course, the best character of all.... THOMAS. MY DEMON PEOPLE EATING RAT. His hunger and imput in the most random moments made my day.
This book will absolutely be reread and I will probably end up owning a bunch of copies because I cant help it.
This book.
This one right here?
Yeah its definitely one of my new favorites.
First I just want to say thank you Wendy and her sister for having me on the ARC team for this. I devoured every single word in this story. From the characters, to the world building and to the plot, it was absolutely captivating.
It was also such a different take on the supernatural world where you see and read about witches, humans, faes, vampires and more. It wasnt focused on the creatures themselves, but what they do with their lives and hoe they live.
The characters. OMG THE CHARACTERS. I hate to say I have favorites but your girl does. Before I get into them, the side characters Liam, Henry, Art (😉), Piper, Christof, Ethel and all the ghost. They were the perfect blend of comedic relief but also protective. Now, my favorites 😍... starting with my girl Willow. I loved her eerily, sarcastic, yet genius vibes. Thats my girl right there! Logan... OH LOGAN 🫦🫦 THATS MY YEARNING MANNNNNNNNNN. He is just everything you'd expect from a nonchalant, smoking, HOT, vampire, single dad vibed man. Who picks his wife's blood when he says he hates witch blood. FUCK YES! And of course, the best character of all.... THOMAS. MY DEMON PEOPLE EATING RAT. His hunger and imput in the most random moments made my day.
This book will absolutely be reread and I will probably end up owning a bunch of copies because I cant help it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Firstly, this was a very unique tale about vampires and witches compared to what I typically see, so that was very refreshing. Without going into spoiler territory, I found myself engaged fairly early on, and that stayed with me throughout the book. To say I was hooked simply wouldn’t be a strong enough word to convey the feelings that I held.
This was dual POV, which is always a plus in my reviews, as it allows more room for character growth. We often see more nuance; this is also great for the morally gray, as we see that duality of a character that can introduce the love/hate effect.
When we move away from the leads, the world is brightened by well-developed side characters. Often this is more neglected or hollow; however, in this instance, that was the polar opposite. I loved how they moved throughout the world, feeling as if they were coming off the pages. Having the sides be this developed helped elevate the leads.
The worldbuilding was also so well written. Arguably, for me, this is the upper echelon of what can make or break a great overall novel. Here it was a massive success; we get a beautiful scene laid out before us, and from there the trajectory is directly up.
To piggyback on my previous point, we look at the ambiance. This had eerie gothic vibes that made me fall in love with the book. Not to mention, other supernatural beings were given great stories within.
Overall, I’d say Mortdale is 4.75. This will be one of my highlights of the year, and I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to read this book.
This was dual POV, which is always a plus in my reviews, as it allows more room for character growth. We often see more nuance; this is also great for the morally gray, as we see that duality of a character that can introduce the love/hate effect.
When we move away from the leads, the world is brightened by well-developed side characters. Often this is more neglected or hollow; however, in this instance, that was the polar opposite. I loved how they moved throughout the world, feeling as if they were coming off the pages. Having the sides be this developed helped elevate the leads.
The worldbuilding was also so well written. Arguably, for me, this is the upper echelon of what can make or break a great overall novel. Here it was a massive success; we get a beautiful scene laid out before us, and from there the trajectory is directly up.
To piggyback on my previous point, we look at the ambiance. This had eerie gothic vibes that made me fall in love with the book. Not to mention, other supernatural beings were given great stories within.
Overall, I’d say Mortdale is 4.75. This will be one of my highlights of the year, and I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to read this book.
September 11, 2026
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
There are some really cool things in Mortdale - namely, the FMC being a cursed occult pathologist with vitiligo. It’s not often the skin condition is named in books, so it’s awesome to see the representation when it comes. The plot is also immediately intriguing: Willow, our FMC, must marry the vampire lord Logan so she can come to his estate and investigate the suspicious deaths of the witches who came before her.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get into it as I read. The murder investigation hooked me, and I loved trying to follow Willow’s threads, but the romance often felt like a distraction, not an interwoven story. Logan generally made me uncomfortable. I was glad he was on Willow’s side in a strange place, but I was baffled by the fact he was so intensely territorial. A bit of that is hot, sure, but he said he wanted her to have friends…and then beat up his own friends for daring to carry a conversation with her that she initiated. If she’s not allowed to convene with other witches, has no female friends her age, and is surrounded by guys her husband says she can’t be too close with, who is she supposed to befriend?
While the plot holds promise, the writing fell short of my expectations. Dark romance fans looking for a good mystery will enjoy this; as someone who came in more for the gothic elements and murder mystery rather than a dark romance, it wasn’t my cup of tea.
There are some really cool things in Mortdale - namely, the FMC being a cursed occult pathologist with vitiligo. It’s not often the skin condition is named in books, so it’s awesome to see the representation when it comes. The plot is also immediately intriguing: Willow, our FMC, must marry the vampire lord Logan so she can come to his estate and investigate the suspicious deaths of the witches who came before her.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get into it as I read. The murder investigation hooked me, and I loved trying to follow Willow’s threads, but the romance often felt like a distraction, not an interwoven story. Logan generally made me uncomfortable. I was glad he was on Willow’s side in a strange place, but I was baffled by the fact he was so intensely territorial. A bit of that is hot, sure, but he said he wanted her to have friends…and then beat up his own friends for daring to carry a conversation with her that she initiated. If she’s not allowed to convene with other witches, has no female friends her age, and is surrounded by guys her husband says she can’t be too close with, who is she supposed to befriend?
While the plot holds promise, the writing fell short of my expectations. Dark romance fans looking for a good mystery will enjoy this; as someone who came in more for the gothic elements and murder mystery rather than a dark romance, it wasn’t my cup of tea.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Witches, Vampires, Arranged Marriage, Reluctant Allies, Gothic Setting, Murder Mystery, Blood Play, Ghosts & Grumpy x Sunshine
A witch working as an occult pathologist has to marry a vampire lord to investigate the deaths of her coven sisters.
This was probably one of my favourite reads of the year! It was so much fun, crazy original and interesting, and was so well plotted! I was left guessing the whole way through and did not see anything coming. It was absolutely refreshing to be left so stunned at the reveals!
The FMC is now in my top tier list. She was so smart, sarcastic and quippy. She had the funniest and quickest comebacks that I was regularly giggling at her dark and morbid humour.
I ate up how this was written, and thoroughly enjoyed all the forensic details that were added. It was so educational and had me invested from the very first chapter.
The MMC was gorgeous! Loved him from the start too. Every interaction between the two was beautiful and everything I always want between two main characters.
The storyline - perfect. The scenery and setting - stunning. The characters - beautiful. No notes, I already want to reread this and get my hands on a physical copy!
This one honestly had me in a chokehold, I laughed, related, yearned and shed a tear or two.
Dark, gothic and whimsical.
I will be talking about this book for months to come
A witch working as an occult pathologist has to marry a vampire lord to investigate the deaths of her coven sisters.
This was probably one of my favourite reads of the year! It was so much fun, crazy original and interesting, and was so well plotted! I was left guessing the whole way through and did not see anything coming. It was absolutely refreshing to be left so stunned at the reveals!
The FMC is now in my top tier list. She was so smart, sarcastic and quippy. She had the funniest and quickest comebacks that I was regularly giggling at her dark and morbid humour.
I ate up how this was written, and thoroughly enjoyed all the forensic details that were added. It was so educational and had me invested from the very first chapter.
The MMC was gorgeous! Loved him from the start too. Every interaction between the two was beautiful and everything I always want between two main characters.
The storyline - perfect. The scenery and setting - stunning. The characters - beautiful. No notes, I already want to reread this and get my hands on a physical copy!
This one honestly had me in a chokehold, I laughed, related, yearned and shed a tear or two.
Dark, gothic and whimsical.
I will be talking about this book for months to come
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you're familiar with Wendy's work, then you know that 1. she's a master in the angst and yearn department and 2. waterproof mascara doesn't work with her books. Mortdale falls beautifully between both. Wendy takes us on a whodunnit journey, all the while, moving the main characters closer together on the chess board.
What I absolutely loved, was how natural the slow burn was executed. It's apparent that neither Willow or Logan wanted to get married, but now have to carry that burden together. Where Willow is the definition of outwardly curious, Logan silently takes in information. During their time together, you pick up on all the little things he's noticed about her and found endearing. Willow, on borrowed time, acknowledges that his presence is one she is most safe in. Their past, which parallels, is an integral part of the story. It answers many questions, while also, pushing the love story front and center.
Wendy's humor spectacularly shined in this book. Page after page, I found myself giggling and twirling my hair. Hours after finishing, still thinking about the stunning imagery she painted in my head and the lovely characters that now take residence in my heart- rent free. I cannot wait for the world to submerge themselves in Mortdale!
Out tomorrow 9/11/26 on KU and available for pre-order on Amazon.
What I absolutely loved, was how natural the slow burn was executed. It's apparent that neither Willow or Logan wanted to get married, but now have to carry that burden together. Where Willow is the definition of outwardly curious, Logan silently takes in information. During their time together, you pick up on all the little things he's noticed about her and found endearing. Willow, on borrowed time, acknowledges that his presence is one she is most safe in. Their past, which parallels, is an integral part of the story. It answers many questions, while also, pushing the love story front and center.
Wendy's humor spectacularly shined in this book. Page after page, I found myself giggling and twirling my hair. Hours after finishing, still thinking about the stunning imagery she painted in my head and the lovely characters that now take residence in my heart- rent free. I cannot wait for the world to submerge themselves in Mortdale!
Out tomorrow 9/11/26 on KU and available for pre-order on Amazon.
Review of advance copy
I devoured this book in 2 days and that’s only because I unfortunately had kids to feed in between.
Wendy reminded me while she will always be on auto buy for me. Her characters LIVE on the pages and remain with me long after I finish the book. Willow will always be my friend. My girl!!!! She went through so much and she persevered and made the world a better place just by being in it. Her tenacity, vibrancy and curiosity will always stay with me.
Logan. 😮💨 Can I come into your smoke room and sleep and live there? This strong, unbreakable lord reminded me on every page that he was the hot shot, except when Willow or Piper were in the room. How fast the hot shot melted for them each time 👌
Piper. Baby girl, I love you so much. Be curious, for your shall have adventures.
Ethel. I have an inkling feeling we haven’t heard from all of you yet and I am HERE FOR IT 😉
Liam, Henry, Arthur. My boys, the faithful triad. Thanks for looking out for our girl, Willow, I hope to see you guys again soon.
I feel like I’m saying goodbye a lot in this story but I have a feeling our characters aren’t quite done yet. And I will be here for their stories too.
The only things that bothered me just a little, was the fact magic was condemned in Mortdale. I would have LOVED to see what else Willow could do. The magic was intriguing and I honestly couldn’t and didn’t get enough of it. Not enough to bring a star down though. I loved the little glimpses of Willow’s power.
Thank you for the ARC team for my copy of this work of art.
Wendy reminded me while she will always be on auto buy for me. Her characters LIVE on the pages and remain with me long after I finish the book. Willow will always be my friend. My girl!!!! She went through so much and she persevered and made the world a better place just by being in it. Her tenacity, vibrancy and curiosity will always stay with me.
Logan. 😮💨 Can I come into your smoke room and sleep and live there? This strong, unbreakable lord reminded me on every page that he was the hot shot, except when Willow or Piper were in the room. How fast the hot shot melted for them each time 👌
Piper. Baby girl, I love you so much. Be curious, for your shall have adventures.
Ethel. I have an inkling feeling we haven’t heard from all of you yet and I am HERE FOR IT 😉
Liam, Henry, Arthur. My boys, the faithful triad. Thanks for looking out for our girl, Willow, I hope to see you guys again soon.
I feel like I’m saying goodbye a lot in this story but I have a feeling our characters aren’t quite done yet. And I will be here for their stories too.
The only things that bothered me just a little, was the fact magic was condemned in Mortdale. I would have LOVED to see what else Willow could do. The magic was intriguing and I honestly couldn’t and didn’t get enough of it. Not enough to bring a star down though. I loved the little glimpses of Willow’s power.
Thank you for the ARC team for my copy of this work of art.
September 11, 2026
I am blown away at how absolutely beautiful and amazing this book was. I loved every single second, and this quickly became a book that I know I will be reading as a comfort book moving forward.
The *perfection* by which this slow burn romance was created was honestly amazing, and as far as the slow burn trope goes, this book takes the cake for that trope for the year. It wasn't even a battle because this was perfection, honestly it should be studies how perfect Wendy write it.
Each character added such a layer of depth to the story. I was able to make my guesses and revise it through the story with such clarity while still being windblown. The times I gasped or verbally "aweee"'d through the book - I know it was at least a few times per chapter.
The spice, though not the main premise, was also a bonus. This is an exact idea of what I have in mind for romance books. Enough to make me want more but also not enough to go into the "smut" realm. It was such a great balance and I was pleasantly surprised how happy I was about this.
I highly recommend that anyone who loves a vampire/witch romance should read this. I recommend everyone who doesn't like that to actually read this because I am 100% sure it will change your mind.
The *perfection* by which this slow burn romance was created was honestly amazing, and as far as the slow burn trope goes, this book takes the cake for that trope for the year. It wasn't even a battle because this was perfection, honestly it should be studies how perfect Wendy write it.
Each character added such a layer of depth to the story. I was able to make my guesses and revise it through the story with such clarity while still being windblown. The times I gasped or verbally "aweee"'d through the book - I know it was at least a few times per chapter.
The spice, though not the main premise, was also a bonus. This is an exact idea of what I have in mind for romance books. Enough to make me want more but also not enough to go into the "smut" realm. It was such a great balance and I was pleasantly surprised how happy I was about this.
I highly recommend that anyone who loves a vampire/witch romance should read this. I recommend everyone who doesn't like that to actually read this because I am 100% sure it will change your mind.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mortdale: Anatomy of a Vampire’s Heart by Wendy Heiss is an atmospheric gothic paranormal romance with curses and arranged marriages necessary to fulfill political & divine pacts.
On paper I should have loved this book. A cursed occult pathologist witch that can see ghosts. A vampire lord with a mysterious madness plaguing his people. Instead, I found myself aggressively disoriented. I was often genuinely confused by the writing style and timeline. I didn’t understand how we were getting from point A to point B and I felt like I was missing pages. This happened with larger plot points but also in smaller details like movement within scenes. The story itself jumped between gothic suspense and dark rom-com in a way that felt jarring rather than natural. I also felt like details about our MCs were inconsistent and difficult to reconcile.
Mortdale releases September 11th. While I wasn’t able to connect with the characters and found the story truly disorienting rather than fast paced — there’s undeniable potential here. At a high level I really enjoyed the concept of this book and am sure other readers may better appreciate it stylistically.
On paper I should have loved this book. A cursed occult pathologist witch that can see ghosts. A vampire lord with a mysterious madness plaguing his people. Instead, I found myself aggressively disoriented. I was often genuinely confused by the writing style and timeline. I didn’t understand how we were getting from point A to point B and I felt like I was missing pages. This happened with larger plot points but also in smaller details like movement within scenes. The story itself jumped between gothic suspense and dark rom-com in a way that felt jarring rather than natural. I also felt like details about our MCs were inconsistent and difficult to reconcile.
Mortdale releases September 11th. While I wasn’t able to connect with the characters and found the story truly disorienting rather than fast paced — there’s undeniable potential here. At a high level I really enjoyed the concept of this book and am sure other readers may better appreciate it stylistically.
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