Ari Haywood has seen a lot of change in her 172 years, including the recent acceptance of vampires by humans. Sure, it’s nice she no longer has to hide in the shadows, but she’s also desperately broke. As her friends bemoan the disastrous dating scene (now full of cosplayers and tourists) Ari realises she can crush both problems with her genius idea for a vampire-only dating app. She even has a catchy Only Fangs. How hard could it be?
Very, it turns out.
She can’t even find a vampire with the requisite skills to help her code it. Until she meets Brody Jackson. He’s intelligent, qualified, and most importantly cheap. Unfortunately he’s also a living, breathing human with the personality of a golden-retriever puppy. The fact that he’s also kinda cute is irrelevant because Ari doesn’t date. Ever.
Brody always looks on the bright side. Except that if he’s honest, his dating decisions have been disastrous and he’d really rather not make another epic dating error… like, for instance, falling for his hot, vampire boss.
TROPES Age Gap. She’s older (like 143 years older) Office Romance. Kinda… Ari can’t actually afford an office Vampires. But less slayer, more sexy. Blood sucking is strictly a bedroom activity Gothic Country Mansion. And yes, there are secret tunnels Hidden Identity. Because why wouldn’t you try to pass off a human as a vampire to the High Council?
I was hooked on the premise of the poor vampire trying to create a app for vampire dating. The main characters have great chemistry. I utterly adore the side characters, I hope to read more about them soon. The world where vampires are out of hiding and don't need blood to survive is a interesting concept and I enjoyed the setting a lot.
But the ending just fell flat for me. It felt very rushed and not really plausible. I feel like it would have needed 30 pages more to fully round up the story.
Thank you Victory Editing the author and NetGalley for this copy.
Thank you to Essie Summers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
The first line had me hooked. I knew pretty quickly that I was going to have fun with Only Fangs, and the title had already won me over. I’ve spent far too much time joking about what OnlyFans would be called if it were aimed at different audiences, so seeing a vampire dating app called Only Fangs made me giggle.
I really enjoyed watching the Ari and Brody figure things out together, both with the app and with each other. Their relationship was sweet without taking over the entire story, and I liked getting to know their friends too, particularly Clara and Matt.
The vampire world was another part I really enjoyed. There are rules, politics, and a whole culture sitting underneath the dating-app premise, and I liked seeing more of that unfold as the story went on. I did think that in itself could’ve been the story, but that’s just based off of the tonal shift. The worldbuilding gave the plot more depth than I was expecting and meant there was plenty happening outside Ari and Brody’s relationship.
The pacing worked really well for me. I flew through the book and found it incredibly easy to sink my teeth into. Yes, I had to get the vampire pun in somewhere. The combination of romance, humour, the dating app, and the wider vampire world kept me turning the pages, and I never felt like the story was dragging.
There were a few moments where I had to stop and reread because I wasn't completely sure what was happening. The game of ‘him’ was probably the biggest example, as I think a little more explanation would have made that section easier to follow. I noticed a handful of punctuation issues too, with commas occasionally missing or sitting where they didn't quite belong. Nothing major, and they didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story, but a final proofread would hopefully catch those. I did notice the frequent use of en dashes as well, simply because there were enough of them for the pattern to become noticeable.
My main sticking point was The Hunt. I liked the direction the story took with it, but I think that part of the plot needed more room to develop. There was plenty of tension building around Brody, and I wanted a little more time spent on the fallout when everything came to a head. Giving The Hunt more space on the page could have made the ending feel more satisfying rather than having such a significant part of the story resolve quite quickly. That’s the only reason I’ve knocked down a star.
Even so, I had a lot of fun reading Only Fangs. Ari and Brody are easy to root for, the dating-app premise is such a fun starting point, and I loved the way the story mixes vampire lore with romance, humour, and a little suspense. I’m curious to see where their story goes next!
This was such a cute and funny paranormal romance! I loved the idea of a vampire creating a dating app specifically for other vampires because, honestly, the dating scene already sounds exhausting enough without adding supernatural complications. The whole concept felt fresh and entertaining, and I really enjoyed the mix of humor, romance, and vampire shenanigans.
Ari was such a fun character because she’s been alive for 172 years but is still trying to figure things out in her own way. I liked that she’s independent and determined to make her business idea work, even when everything seems to go wrong. Her reluctance to date also made her interactions with Brody even more entertaining, especially when he starts getting under her skin.
Brody was probably my favorite part of the romance. I have such a soft spot for golden-retriever-type characters, and his optimistic personality is such a fun contrast to Ari’s more guarded nature. Their dynamic had so much potential, and I loved the idea of someone who has sworn off dating slowly falling for the one person she probably shouldn't.
Overall, this sounds like such a lighthearted, cozy paranormal rom-com with a fun premise and an opposites-attract romance. I really enjoyed the idea behind Only Fangs, and the combination of vampire humor, awkward dating situations, and romantic tension made this an easy story to get excited about. It's definitely the kind of book I'd pick up when I want something funny, charming, and a little different from the usual vampire romance.
Only Fangs starts with a genuinely fun idea: a vampire and a human teaming up to build a dating app. It’s modern, quirky, and had all the ingredients for a clever, chemistry‑driven story. But the book never really moves past the premise — it stays surface‑level. Ari, a century‑old vampire, should’ve had more confidence, depth, and emotional intelligence. Instead she often feels oddly naïve and insecure. Given her long streak of failed relationships, some of that tracks, but it still leaves her character feeling dry and underdeveloped.Brody is a slightly better presence, but even he doesn’t bring enough spark to lift the dynamic. Together, they’re stiff, hesitant, and never fully trusting of each other. The chemistry just doesn’t land. And honestly? There was more drinking than plot. Most of their interactions revolve around going out for drinks — constantly. It’s especially strange considering Ari is broke and basically relying on her super‑rich friends. Overall, it’s a book with a promising concept but not enough depth, chemistry, or momentum to make it memorable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a broody, centuries-old vampire was forced to navigate the chaos of modern online dating, Essie Summers’ Only Fangs (the first installment in her Swipe Night series) delivers on the absurdity of the premise.
In Only Fangs (Book 1 of Essie Summers' Swipe Night series), Ari and Brody are thrown together to build a niche dating app specifically for vampires. What starts as pure tech-comedy chaos, replete with instant banter and snappy puns, quickly spirals into an unexpectedly deep plunge into ancient vampire politics, hidden lineage rules, and underworld drama.
Why You’ll Swipe Right: It hooks you on page one, Ari and Brody’s chemistry strikes a sweet balance with the plot, and the fast pacing makes it an absolute breeze to finish.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was a quick and fun read! Highly recommend to anyone who loves their paranormal romance with humor!
A very fun idea, with likeable characters. I liked how the book took some of the usual vampire elements and the added a new twist to it so it wasn’t all the usual. I liked Ari and Brody’s characters, both very sweet and a good match.
However, halfway through the book took a turn into a différent direction with vampire politics. Which, to be fair, I actually found interesting. But between the app, the politics and the romance, the demon, there was many elements and got messy. It did culminate into a surprising ending, but I felt like everything was rushed and the story lost itself a bit with all the various elements introduced. The ending had me genuinely curious about the next book in the series, so we will see what happens next.
*I received an ARC of this book, this is my honest opinion*
this was cute, cheesy, & exactly what i signed up for! the first 30% was mostly everybody sitting around talking about the app, but the chapters being so short along with the vampire politics & demon plot lines were what kept me reading.
Ari & Brody were adorable even if they took every opportunity possible to let their insecurities keep them apart,, their friends were fun characters that im sure will get fleshed out further in the next book,,,, i absolutely love Clara’s chaotic energy, very chasing liberty of her honestly.
i do wish the hunt had lasted longer or had more consequences for Brody & Ari &&& that Andrei had made another appearance beyond his party,, but i get that some conflict has to be left for future installments so it’s not that deep. also, this book had so many little British-isms that i was so here for,, like yes let’s get chips & eat them at your flat!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley. Publication date: 2nd of October 2026
3.5 stars ⭐️
Ari Haywood conceptualises ‘Only Fangs’ a vampire only dating app as a solution to the current disastrous dating scene where cosplayers and tourists have infiltrated. Ari connects with human Brody Jackson who begins to code her dream app, and the answer to all her financial problems. As Ari and Brody build the app and business together they become closer as they face both thrilling and terrifying challenges … has Only Fangs already found a love between Ari and Brody?
What to expect:
- Vampires - Creating an app - Age gap human x vampire romance (Ari is 143 years older 🫣) - Reverse grumpy x sunshine - Camp, fun rom com vibes - Heartwarming friendships - MMC with a bookstagram 🤭 - Themes of prejudice, inequality and hoarding of wealth - discussions of class and privilege amongst vampires who see humans as their inferiors - 🌶️
I had a lot of fun reading this book! Such a cool concept alongside an interesting world. My moods varied during this book as I snorted at the comical elements, pondered if I could be a vampire and gasped at the dangers these characters put themselves in.
Sadly, I wasn’t overly connected to the couple, and I think I was expecting more chemistry. But definitely a pick for rom com lovers. The pacing of this book also just lowered my overall rating. I am unsure if I wanted this book to be shorter, or if I needed more time with them to fall in love with it… just something !
I was given an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ari and Brody are from very different worlds… one is a broke 172 year old vampire and the other is a coding genius who is also human.
It was a very slow burn, but I loved the journey and the awkward navigation between the pair as they worked together.
This was an easy read with a fun plot of making a dating app for vampires only with some great characters along the way. It did turn a little sinister and serious in the last quarter, but by the end it perked back up again.
Dragons Den vibes but being the only human in a castle full of vampires while they pitched their idea… not so easy!
Some of the more serious vibes were unexpected and I think changed my view on the story a little towards the end. However I did really enjoy the characters and look forward to the next instalment!
This was SO witty and fun! Only Fangs ended up being exactly the spooky little palate cleanser I needed going into some of the heavier reads I’ve had lately.
One of my favorite things about this book was how well it blended classic vampire lore with modern pop culture and new-age humor. It felt fresh, quirky, and self-aware while still giving me all those vampire vibes I came for.
It was just such an easy, entertaining read that didn’t take itself too seriously, and sometimes that is EXACTLY what I need between books that emotionally destroy me. 😂
I’m definitely invested now and cannot wait to see what happens in the next installment! 🧛♀️📚✨
The premise for this sounded so good and very appealing but unfortunately, I couldn't make it past chapter 7.
The grammar needs work and it actually disrupts the flow of the story.
There are also inconsistencies that, again, make the flow halting, especially when the inconsistencies happen within the same chapter.
Lastly, I just really can't get onboard with the FMC; she thinks she can start a business by employing someone through Reddit without any building blocks for a business. Also this is where one of the inconsistencies occurs; she's apparently dirt poor but just has the spare money to pay a full-time employee whilst also paying rent for months?
I think if this story was tightened up it could be good but as it is, it's just not for me.
Thank you Victory Editing via NetGalley for this copy.
I was hooked for the first like 80% of the book. Love our main characters, they’re both so sweet. The world building is interesting. Even their friends. Clara and Matt were really sweet too all distinct personalities.
But the ending just fell flat for me. The Hunt was not developed enough; they chased Brody all the way home and then just gave up and the hunt is over no more trying to kill Brody? He’s safe to go out to da club and to awards shows without threat of murder? Also, Ari is able to just leave Hele House and not get dragged back even though she was seemingly under house arrest for bringing her deception?
Hopefully part two can redeem it and clear some things up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved the concept of this so much, it was done so well and it’s such a cute vampire romance book. I liked learning about the lore and the rules the vampires have to follow and how they get around certain ones.
I also loved the dynamic between Ari and Brody, they fit together so well and are perfect for each other, everyone can see it, especially Ari’s friends and Brodys friend Matt.
It was interesting to see what actually goes into building the app. Seeing everything they had to do just to get started gave me a whole new perspective on the process and how it all works.
I really loved this book, it’s such a cute romance but also had some suspenseful scenes too, and of course I love vampire stuff so that was a major plus, I’m so excited for the next book!
This was a fun read from start to finish. The premise: a vampire using a human to code the dating app was original and worked well. Ari and Brody are well-developed characters and the alternating chapters in their voices kept everything rattling along. The change in the rules from the traditional vampire world (able to go out during the day etc) was well-thought out. The gradual move from light-hearted fun to a much heavier tone was so subtle that I didn't notice it until I was deep into it. The undercurrents of elitism and power were chillingly recognisable in the current political climate. And as for the spice level... A most enjoyable read and I look forward to delving into this world again soon.
The premise of this book was fun but the book jacket promised more relationship than I felt I received. There was a lot of insecurities on both sides that kept the reader from getting a great relationship. Usually there’s one stronger character who initiates the relationship, but in this case hey both timidly step towards each other until we’re there. I also wasn’t expecting the seemingly cutesy book, to end up with such an aggressive vampire superiority arc that left me thinking this was going to be some series in order for the main characters to end up together. I disciplined myself to finish the book when that happened to avoid a DNF.
This was one of my best reads of the year, it was so fun and engaging and honestly I have nothing bad to say about the writing or plot. The vampire politics added such nice stakes later in the book so it wasn't just a low stakes rom com, which in my opinion made it much more interesting and added plenty of drama.
Also it wasn't all the standard vampire rules so that's a great change.
The cover however I have to admit is a bit meh, it gives vampire meets human in a dating app(which isn't the plot) and I don't love the charcters art but you have to admit the cover is enough to make you look closer so really it's fine, I'm just picky.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think that this book has an audience, it just wasn't me. It's a very fun concept, and I did enjoy some of the different takes on vampirism, but it just felt flat. I didn't feel like Ari and Brody really had any chemistry, which was only made worse by how wishy-washy Ari was with her trust in Brody. *Spoiler* He literally made a deal with a demon to trade his soul to get her out of trouble and she still got upset and thought he was using her for a fetish. The side characters were my favorite part. I would read about Luca and Clara any day and I am curious about the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Only fangs is about a vampire and human who start working together to make a vampire only dating app. It was a quick, fun and easy read with some twists and romance along the way and will be a great read for the spooky season. 🧛♀️
I loved the main characters and their friends but i was expecting more with a part of the storyline with a certain vampire (spawn of satan) character but I can't say too much on that without spoilers.
Looking forward to book 2 coming out and I can't wait to see what comes next...
This was very cute! I love the concept and the opposites attract. I thought the initial concept of the book was so adorable and interesting, but I could feel it shifting as the story went on. The app changed, the relationship changed, the expectations changed, etc. It kind of felt like the author was letting the story tell itself, which is amazing, but it also kind of sent it off on side tangents. Towards the end, it felt like they were pulling strings to get to tie together in the end.
I really loved the premise of this but it fell a little flat for me, I just didn't feel much chemistry between them at all.
I really enjoyed the characters and the idea behind the story, it was a lot of fun but there was a bit too much going on and I didnt really feel that the characters were connected or had a lot of time to build their relationship properly.
🩸Vampires & humans (age gap) 🩸Reverse grumpy x sunshine 🩸Rom Com 🩸Creating an App together
The cover and title of this book immediately hooked me! I was expecting this too be a little more cutesy but it dives into some really serious territory, some of which was pretty disturbing. I enjoyed the relationship between both friend groups and they think wil blend really well together. I look forward to the next book in the series. 3.5 stars
The premise and the worldbuilding were interesting. The story went from fluffy to heavier partway through. There were also a few inconsistencies that took me out of the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
That titled hooked me from the start! This was such a fun and quick read and I enjoyed every minute of it. I can’t wait for the second one to come out.
Soft Dnf. The book failed to capture my full interest. The story seems fun and the plot line is. human male female vampire. But shes brokes af somehow still is able to fund a startup.
I was given an advance copy of this book by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op in exchange for my honest review.
A really good Vampire romance that was surprisingly heavy on the plot. Fans of the Sookie Stackhouse series would enjoy this book. A bit of a slow burn with lots of longing, Ari and Brody have tons of chemistry. There’s a lot of subplots beyond their relationship and the making of the dating app. There was a lot about Vampire politics and culture that I found very interesting. The ending really has me pumped up for the next installment, as well! Great for a Halloween read.