You're So Vein: Limited sprayed edges edition

The Nevermore Murder Club and Smutty Book Coven #3

by Steffanie Holmes

A cosy paranormal romance featuring a single dad, village politics, a nosy book club, and a rivalry that just might turn into romance – from the author of Fangs for Nothing and A Grave Mistake .

Three things get vampire Augustin Durant’s undead blood zoning violations, littering on the village green, and Komal Ahuja. And when Augustin takes their rivalry too far, Komal declares she’s running for mayor – against him.

As the pair clash at debates, manage natural disasters and schmooze the vampire council visiting the village, Augustin realises he’s itching to sink his fangs into Komal for all the wrong reasons. She might be trying to steal the mayoral role from him, but she’s already stolen his heart.

But if he lets Komal get too close, she’ll discover the secret that could destroy he has a daughter. A very cute but cheeky ten-year-old vampire, whose life will be in grave danger if anyone finds out she exists.

Augustin won’t let anything happen to her. So, he needs Komal out of the village, and out of his business, before he falls utterly. The trouble is, she won’t go without a fight.

448 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 17, 2027

About the author

Steffanie Holmes is the author of steamy historical and paranormal romance. Her books feature clever, witty heroines, wild shifters, cunning witches and alpha males who get what they want.

Before becoming a writer, Steffanie worked as an archaeologist and museum curator. She loves to explore historical settings and ancient conceptions of love and possession. From Dark Age Europe to crumbling gothic estates, Steffanie is fascinated with how love can blossom between the most unlikely characters.

Steffanie lives in New Zealand with her husband and a horde of cantankerous cats. Learn more about Steffanie at her website: www.steffanieholmes.com. She also writes dark science fiction under the name S C Green.

Want to be informed when the next Steffanie Holmes paranormal romance story goes live? Sign up for the mailing list! http://eepurl.com/ZrowD

Reviews

[Kate Lauder]

I thought I was getting a vampire romance… but this book said “oh, you want a MURDER MYSTERY too?” 👀🩸🧛🏼‍♀️

Okay, this was SO much more than just a vampire romance and I was absolutely here for it!!!!!!!

The romance between Augustin and Komal?? The rivalry, the banter, the tension… give me more. 😂 Watching these two go from competing against each other to oh… wait… why do I suddenly want you? was everything…

But honestly, the murder mystery was what really hooked me!! There were so many layers to this story, and I loved that there was so much happening beyond the romance. The village politics, vampire council, natural disasters, secrets, and that mysterious killer kept me guessing.

And that “F it” moment from him???
OH.
MY.
GOD.
He really just said f it and took it. 😭🔥

My favourite quote from the FMC to the MMC
-> “I love you," I whisper back. "You are my castle walls.
You are the steady earth I need beneath me to feel brave…”

ALSO, I absolutely adored the little vampire family dynamic and Augustin’s daughter completely stole my heart🥹

This book was funny, chaotic and surprisingly layered, with a romance I was completely invested in and a mystery that kept me turning the pages!!!

Cannot wait to see what happens next and who the murderer is…. Keeping my eyes open for the next instalment!👀

Tropes:
-Vampire romance
-Rivals to lovers
-Forced proximity
-Murder mystery
-Single dad
-Nosy book club
-Spice (just enough)

Out 29th Sept!
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster AUS (Atria) and Stefanie Holmes for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Missyreadsromantasy]

I’m so excited any time I get to return to Argleton, but this might be my favorite Nevermore Murder Club and Smutty Book Coven story yet!

The husker mystery continues, while human Komal and vampire Augustin battle it out in a mayoral race. I.e. expect Scooby Gang sleuthing and rivals-to-lovers tension.

Komal’s stubborn, eldest daughter energy, combined with her people-pleasing tendencies and chaotic whimsy made her a fully formed, interesting FMC. And Augustin had me swooning — plant daddy, indeed! I love a grumpy MMC who’s a secret softie.

No spoilers, but with the new developments in vampire politics and clues re: the identity of the murderer, I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

Thanks to the author for the gifted e-ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Chessca (poodles.ponies.peonies)]

The cosy-but-moderately-creepy paranormal world inhabited by Nevermore Murd3r Club and Smutty Book Coven has absolutely delighted me since book one.

This third instalment has earned a special place in my heart because it combines enemies-to-lovers with one of my favourite comedic tropes: local council nonsense.

Watching people-pleasing Komal go head-to-head with buttoned-up Vampire Augustin in the race for Mayor was exquisite. With all the loveable eccentricity of ‘Parks and Rec’, the cosiness of ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ and a healthy dose of fang banging, it made me laugh, sweat and reflect in equal measures. As an eldest daughter, I particularly enjoyed Komal’s character arc and thought it was very well developed.

While you could certainly enjoy this book on its own, I love the connections between the books in this series. I’m so invested in solving the ongoing murd3r mystery and keep finding myself thinking about it in the shower. Suffice to say, I am sat for the final instalment!

This book gets all the stars, Steffanie! It’s out today in Australia today. If you enjoyed The Irresistible Urge to Fall for your Enemy, get your hands on a copy immediately, if not sooner.

Massive thanks to Atria books for sending me an ARC. I adored it.

[Jess]

This took a little bit for me to get into, but mostly because I came in at book 3 so there were a lot of characters I needed to figure out and a whole lot of back story I needed to get straight. It did make me very keen to go back and read the first two books asap though!
This was such a fun story, but with some sad and serious stuff throughout.
Rivals to lovers is always a fun trope for me and this one had a thoroughly enjoyable amount of banter, snark and bickering, right to the end.
With a background of solving a murder (in the most humorous way possible), that’s continued throughout the series, it was really engaging.
I love solid female friendships in stories so loved the dynamic of the coven. Different personalities that all just kind of worked.
Add to that a huge protective streak, paranormal drama and magic, and I was hooked.

[Rachel]

Thoroughly enjoyed yet another book by Steffanie Holmes!
Komal and Augustin are in the fight to win the mayor seat in their little village. It’s a cosy, paranormal romance featuring a small town (well, a village), a single dad, mystery and vampires. I loved the rivals to lovers dynamic between Komal and Augustin. I really enjoy Steffanie’s writing and the banter, and the side characters all have such character and quirks which really adds to the storyline and feel of the book.

If you like a small town, paranormal romance that’s full of banter and some mystery, this book would be for you!

Thanks to Simon & Schuster and Net Galley for this ARC.

[Marni Ortiz]

Dark , Fun , steamy , emotionally charged , utterly addictive and just so freaking good . I’m not typically someone who enjoy’s paranormal romance at all , that being said, this book really was the perfect fall / Halloween read . I loved the characters, I loved the world building and oh man dld I lose so much sleep .

[Danielle]

⚔️ Rivals to lovers
👨‍👧 Single dad
🏡 Cosy mystery
🌙 Paranormal romance

We are back in Argleton, where the Nevermore Book Coven are once again trying to drag ancient vampire laws into the modern world and solve the frankly concerning number of murders happening in their tiny village… while the local police force’s number one enemy appears to be a pothole-gardening vigilante...? The Hot Fuzz energy is immaculate.

There are so many threads unravelling at once in this one, Augustin’s mysterious history and wildly complicated single-dad situation, Komal’s RAF background and people-pleasing ways, village politics, the small matter of the Husker… all unfolding against perhaps the most dastardly setting imaginable: local government.

I love how the texts and newspaper articles give you extra story context without ever feeling like info dumping, but my favourite has to be the weather app. Argleton Weather Watch is basically the Gossip Girl of the village and an absolute unsung hero.

What Steffanie does ridiculously well is move between genuinely emotional moments and absolute stupidity without either one taking away from the other. One minute there’s a beautifully tender moment around cancer, grief or family that has the tears forming, and in the very next sentence I am cackling at the image of the acting mayor spooning his beloved (and self supplied) gavel. It makes the whole book feel so full and alive.

The rivals-to-lovers dynamic between Augustin and Komal works so well because he’s one of the few people she actually lets herself stand up to. She spends so much of her life people pleasing, smoothing things over and making herself smaller for everyone else, but with him? Absolutely not. She can be blunt, ruthless, feisty and completely herself, and watching her slowly realise she’s allowed to be that version of herself outside of their arguments too was so satisfying.

I absolutely loved this read and I cannot recommend it enough. Thanks so much to Steffanie Holmes and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Xoxo Argleton Weather Watch

[Valeriya Lloyd]

🥂𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐲!🥂

Thank you so much, Simon & Schuster and Atria Books, for gifting me this gorgeous proof!

The third instalment is even more heated than the previous books, where both characters, Komal & Augustin, were briefly mentioned, and I was hoping to get the story about them.

Yay!👏👏👏👏

Tropes:

💚enemies to lovers
🖤single dad
💚political rivals
🖤election race
💚old deadly secret

Komal Ahujia and Augustin Durant are living on jabbing each other with prickly banter and sarcastic jokes. When the time for the new major election comes, Augustin is certain he is a perfect candidate, and the race is safe until Komal steps forward and announces herself as a candidate. Things were boiling up between them before, but now they enter an explosive state, especially when Komal learns a dangerous secret about Augustin…

Omg, this was a roller coaster just to observe Kamal and Augustin’s banter🔥, not to mention the killer issue that still lingers since the first instalment!👀

Book three will bring some good transformations to the Argleton Village, but things will get crazy tense before this happens!

I could not stop rooting for Kamal and Augustin, and now they are my favourite couple along with Winnie and Alaric!👏👏👏👏 Their relationship arc had a great, natural development, and all the pieces come together into one picture nicely!

This series is a perfect, entertaining Halloween read if you need the company of a light story with some mystery to resolve and spicy scenes to enjoy!🙌🔥

[Miss Jordie Reads]

4.25 ✨

🩸 YOU’RE SO VEIN 🩸

Well… I went into this expecting vampires, banter and a cosy paranormal romance.

I was NOT prepared for the VINES. 🌿👀

IYKYK. And if you don’t… just read the damn book. 😂

Augustin and Komal are rivals, they’re both stubborn as hell, they’re fighting over the mayoral role, and somehow all that arguing turns into *“oh… why do I suddenly want to bite you?”* 👀

The banter between these two??? ELITE.

I absolutely adored their relationship and the way their rivalry slowly shifted into something neither of them could really ignore. Add in a vampire single dad, his cheeky little vampire daughter, village politics, natural disasters and a nosy AF book club that apparently cannot mind its own business, and you have one hell of a cosy little paranormal shitshow. 😂

And honestly, Augustin’s daughter absolutely stole my heart. 🥹🧛🏻‍♀️

This was fun, funny, spicy, adorable and just the right amount of chaotic. I loved the village setting, the characters, the banter and watching these two idiots fall for each other while simultaneously trying to ruin each other’s political careers. 😂

And those damn vines…

🌿 IYKYK 🌿

If you like vampires, rivals-to-lovers, single dads, cosy paranormal romance, village drama, nosy book clubs and a healthy dose of spice… PUT IT ON YOUR TBR.

Thank you to Atria Books Aus for the copy 🫶🏼 always a privilege.

__________________________

[Laure]

A mayoral race and a killer on the loose.

With members of the vampire council visiting Argleton, vampire Augustin Durand has thrown his hat into the ring determined to become the village's next, and first vampire mayor. Komal Ahujais a former RAF helicopter pilot, the town councilor of tourism, and much to Augustin's horror, the newest candidate for mayor. With the vampire council watching everything, especially Augustin, an approaching natural disaster, and Komal getting too close to uncovering a secret that could mean his death, Augustin will realize that his greatest annoyance, Komal, has already managed to steal his heart.
I absolutely adore Ms. Holme's quirky, sometimes slightly, ok, mostly deranged characters that are laugh out loud funny, often unapologetically murderous, and with their fast-paced and clever dialogue, this reader considers this book to be a highly entertaining must-read. Hysterically funny and steamy paranormal fantasy with vampires, shifters, plenty of twists and turns in the plot, and a mysterious murderer who keeps too the shadows. I highly recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC provided by the author.

[Zoë]

🩸You’re so Vein 🩸 is Rivals to lovers done right!! This was full of witty banter, vampires and spice, with just the right amount of yearning.

As with the previous books in this series, there was so much more going on than just the romance.
The small town aspect, and the fact that FMC Komal, is a people pleaser and self proclaimed Mcgyver creates more depth, which is really what made this such a great read.

Well, that and the underlying murder mystery and book club sleuthing!

The MMC Augustin is intense and stubborn, but damn he can yearn. As for his special magic… well, I wasn’t prepared for that but I’m here for it! 🌱

The insight into the different vampire courts was interesting too, and without giving anything away, I like how the representatives from each court were unique, and the different roles they played.

As for the ending, it was simply perfect!

I’m really enjoying how this series is unfolding, and how the husking case is continuing across all books so far. I can’t wait to see where the final installment of this series takes us.
I highly recommend this series, and I’ll be counting down for book 4!!

Thank you soooo much Net Galley and Simon and Schuster Australia for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[kindleandkettle]

Argleton is a town I love to return to every time. It is full of whimsy & paranormal and the Nevermore Coven are always spack bang in the middle of the best mysteries.

You're So Vein is a rivals to lovers story that pits Komal Ahuja (town wonder woman) against vampire Augustin Durant for the position of mayor. Both characters start out with some pretty big assumptions about one another but they slowly start to understand each other better, including their secrets. The biggest secret of all is that Augustin is a father and he will do anything to protect his daughter.

This story continues the mystery of the husker, who has been terrorising people from the first book in the series. Along with the husker causing mayhem, Argleton becomes host to members of the Conclave who are deciding whether human and vampire should be allowed to marry. I enjoyed how this story continued plots from the previous books while also being a very strong story on its own. Augustin and Komal were extremely likeable characters and both had wonderful development throughout the book.

If you are after some cosy, paranomal vibes You're So Vein is the read for you.

Thank you to Atria Books Australia and Simon & Schuster Australia for gifting me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Denise]

Komal and Augustin both have secrets and both want to be mayor of Argleton. It seems they are at their best while arguing with each other at town council meetings. Could this be more than simple rivalry? Members of the Nevermore Murder Club and Coven (NMCSBC) are not so sure that their acting mayor is not the husker, but Komal knows if couldn't be him. When the Conclave delegates ( i.e., pompous vampires) show up to evaluate Alaric and Winnie's request to amend vampire law and allow them to be married (or to spy on the vampires at Sanctus Estates, or both), things really start to heat up. One of the three hates Alaric, Augustin hates another, but the third is persuadable. Not good odds. Of course, Komal insists that she be involved with the delegation as the human representative. Augustin can't understand why he is so vehemently against this. Why should he care if she goes up against Kael, a Celtic warlord? Or gets charmed by the rakish Dante di Sangro? Why does his stomach hurt? Vampires don't get stomach aches. He must have some obscure vampire disease.

This book has a little bit of everything. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a reveal of the killer, though we get more clues. We will just have to keep guessing and wait for the last book. I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.

[Rebecca]

“But how can he be in love with me? We hate each other. The only feelings we’re supposed to feel are mild revulsion.”

✨ Paranormal romance
✨ Political rivals to lovers
✨ Vampires
✨ Small-town chaos

These books are always so much fun, and I love being part of the Nevermore Book Coven.

Augustin and Komal were such a fun pairing. I loved their whole political rivals situation, especially when the whole “we hate each other” thing starts becoming slightly harder to maintain.

“You make it very hard…for a lonely man to stay lonely.”

There’s also vampire politics, village drama, a nosy book club, friends getting involved in everything and grumpy single dad vibes.

“He tastes like something I’ve wanted for so long but thought I could never have. He tastes like light in the darkness.”

The characters and their relationships are what made this one so much fun for me. I loved seeing Augustin and Komal navigate their relationship, but also all the friendships and general small-town chaos happening around them.

“This is how my villain origin story begins, with a text from the man who kissed my last night accusing me of doing all this because of daddy issues.”

And somewhere amongst all of that, there is STILL a murderer running around 😂 I have theories. I have suspicions. I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing.

Another fun addition to the series, and I’m very much here for whatever the Nevermore Book Coven gets up to next.

Chaos, vibes and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.

[Emily Nicole]

THIS. SERIES. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I am so invested in all of these characters and this book deserves a big smooch on the forehead. I loved it so much. A good ole fashioned rivals to lovers, except he's a vampire and she's a chronic people pleaser hunting down a murderer with her smutty book club. The ongoing mystery that has spanned across the three books in this series has me so intrigued. Got my own murder board ready to figure out who tf the killer is because at this point everyone is suspicious. I am eating this plot up.

The tension in this book had me absolutely gagged.
Under the table at the mayoral debate? MA'AM.
And also, move over shadow daddies because HELLO PLANT DADDY WYD WITH THEM VINES.

Wet.

[Zoë W]

This is the 3rd book of Steffanie's that I have read, and just like with the others, it sucked me into the story immediately and didn't let go. The books in this series are perfect for when I feel like a lighter-hearted read, rather than some of the other dark fantasy novels I like to read, filled with humour and whimsy.

The MC has a clear arc--she is battling with her fear that her family won't love her if she doesn't kill herself fixing all of their problems and manages to put herself first by the end of the novel. Stephanie manages to weave the novel together, using the romance to challenge the MC's misbelief.

Overall, a cute, cozy, paranormal romance.

Review in exchange for a free e-arc on Netgalley.

[Sian White]

A light feel-good paranormal romance with humour, small-town chaos and my fave trope of enemies to lovers.

Augustin might be my favourite Argleton vampire so far. I love a tortured male, and add in the single dad factor and he's basically impossible not to love.
I also felt an affinity with Komal's character growth. Watching her confidence and understanding of what she actually wants develop was really satisfying.

The village politics, book club and all the ridiculousness of Argleton made this such a fun read!

Excited for the next one and this one isn't officially out yet 🫣

[Pandora]

I love this quirky whimsical series and all of the characters that form it. I always have a bit of a giggle during these books, usually at something a vampire has said or something ridiculous that has occurred.
I adored the rivals to lovers romance between Komal and Augustin, from the moment they were both introduced I knew there was going to be more than just tension between them and I was glad to be right. The husker mystery continues and I am desperate to know who it is! Now I am left wondering who will be the focus of the next book - I am hoping for one on Dora!

[Labani]

This was okay. I really liked the mystery aspect of the plot. I still can't tell who is doing all that. Wait, what if it's Reginald!? 😅 I hope not. But, right now I feel like it could literally be anyone or any species. I like the vibes of this series especially the paranormal lore and history of every character. However, I did not connect with the romance aspect here - could be that the couple wasn't my favourite. But, I think next one will be about Dante and Celeste. I am definitely looking forward to that!

[Heather]

I enjoyed the rivals to lovers vibe Augustine and Komal had. I liked how he acknowledged his feelings first. I was actually frustrated with Komal a little but once her full backstory was revealed, her behavior made sense. I liked the storyline and how we got a little bit more of the mystery revealed. This is a long story but it's packed full. It was a good entry in the series.

[Hannah M Burrow]

I am loving this series, and all the books based around Argleton village.
The characters are great and there’s always a mix of emotions throughout the story.
The absolute bedlam of the Mayoral debate was hilarious.
A wonderful and fun paranormal romance read.

I am very appreciative that I got to read You’re so Vein, as an eARC, and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Becky]

Anytime I get to visit Argleton, I’m thrilled! The cast of characters that live in this village is never dull. Absolutely loved Augustin and Komal’s story and I love that there will be more adventures to come!

[Tara]

I loved this story as much as the rest of the series! My only gripe would be that the slow burn was way too slow lol I can't wait for the final book to finally unmask the husker and complete everyones stories 🥰

[Marianne]

Amazing paranormal romance! Loved it! Cozy and quirky, funny and familiar.. These characters are so much fun!

[Lori]

awesome book loved it can't wait for the next one