Love at First Bite

by Tiffany Daune

Buffy meets Love Island in this sexy and scorching enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating paranormal romance!

When Liv Gold stakes the wrong vampire, she's given one chance to join forces with Prince Caspian Ashcroft, brooding vampire royalty, her sworn enemy and the last man she would ever trust. Together, they must recover three ancient relics powerful enough to change the balance between humans and vampires forever.

There's just one problem.

The relics are hidden on a remote island that's only accessible to contestants on the world's most addictive reality dating show.

Now Liv and Caspian must fake the romance of a lifetime while secretly racing to find the relics before their enemies do. All without revealing she's a vampire hunter... or that the show's most eligible bachelor would rather sink his fangs into his fake girlfriend than win the grand prize.

Every heated glance is for the cameras.

Every kiss is supposed to be fake.

Every touch makes it harder to remember she hates him. Because the longer they play the perfect couple, the harder it becomes to remember they're supposed to be enemies.

Liv was born to hunt vampires.

But she never expected to crave one…

Perfect for readers of Ali Hazelwood, Geneva Lee and Jenna Levine, this sexy romantasy serves up fake dating, forbidden desire, vampire royalty and a reality dating show where falling in love could be deadlier than losing the competition.



Enemies to lovers
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Opposites attract (Vampire Hunter x Vampire Prince)
Touch her and die
He falls first
Magical trials
Who did this to you?

‘I was instantly HOOKED.’ Reader Review

‘This. Book. Is. Everything.’ Reader Review

‘This is EXACTLY why I love books.’ Reader Review

‘Words cannot express how much I loved this book!’ Reader Review

Genres: Vampires, Paranormal, Romance

304 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2026

About the author

Tiffany Daune writes dark fantasy filled with magic, fierce heroines, epic love, and deadly creatures lurking in the shadows.

When she's not crafting heartbreaking tales of monsters and forbidden romance, you can find her browsing local bookstores or stargazing.

She lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where crashing waves and ancient forests fuel her haunting worlds.

Connect with her anywhere online @TiffanyDaune or visit www.tiffanydaune.com.

Reviews

[eva .✦ ݁˖ · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

. ꒷ 🧛🏻‍♂️. 𖦹˙— 3.75 stars ꒰📸꒱
⤷ fantasy/romance| 18+ | no spoilers !!
review of advanced copy received from netgalley

⤷ pre-read!༉‧₊˚.

hunter x vampire on a DATING show? hell yeah sign me up.. thank you netgalley for the arc, so excited for this

⤷ my thoughts༉‧₊˚.

honestly i was so hooked on this book, the way it was written made it easy to read and the whole plot itself was just enjoyable. i love how liv and caspian’s relationship grew throughout the story and how it developed.

⤷the plot ༉‧₊˚.

liv gold, a vampire hunter, must team up with her sworn enemy, prince caspian ashcroft, to find three ancient relics hidden on a remote island. to access the island, they must pretend to be a couple on a reality dating show while keeping their true identities and mission secret. as they fake romance for the cameras, their chemistry grows, making it harder to remember they’re supposed to hate each other.

⤷characters ༉‧₊˚.

꒰liv꒱༉‧₊˚.

at the beginning of the book i loved her character and honestly she was such a bad bitch .. as the story progressed the way she started to care more for caspian and care for others revealed her true colours alot ☺️

꒰caspian꒱༉‧₊˚.

okay so likeee .. where’s my caspian? like where’s my vampire who’d protect me. I NEED!! anyway .. caspian’s character was honestly very funny especially at the start of the story but i did feel a little sorry for him near the end in a way.

⤷overall!! ༉‧₊˚.

overall, i genuinely think this book was amazing and im glad i got chosen to read this as an arc from netgalley ! i would honestly recommend this book as a short and easy read to anyone looking for recommendations.. the writing makes the book fast paced and the characters and plot are very easy to get attached too 🥹

[Nikola · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this ARC.

This book was a mix of reality TV show and vampires and I loved it. Liv was a strong a powerful character who fights after the tragedy of losing her parents and her fiancee. On the other hand, Caspian was a broody vampire but I grew to love him just as much as Liv. My favorite scene was definitely the baking scene with the food fight. I feel like this scene gave much highlight into the budding relationship between Liv and Caspian. Overall, this was a highly enjoyable read and very easy to follow.

[Danielle (The Blonde Likes Books) · Rating 1.25 out of 5]

Unfortunately this just didn't work for me. I was really intrigued by the premise, but the book as a whole felt more like an outline than a fully fleshed out novel. There was a lot of 'telling' and not 'showing', and the story seemed to move quickly, so it felt like there was no time for the reader to believe the characters moved from enemies to having feelings for each other and I never felt invested in their relationship. We see very little of any conversations they have that aren't specifically about the relics or the show logistics, so it doesn't feel believable.

The world building wasn't really there either, everything we learned was fairly vague. For a world with vampires and hunters, we learned really nothing about vampires other than they drink blood. Do they have any cool powers? Aside from the blood thing, it felt like there was nothing unique about them that made the reader think 'vampire' and not 'human man'. I hope that makes sense. I just wasn't feeling the fantasy element of the story at all.

In their review, someone else called the villain 'one dimensional' and I 100% agree with that sentiment. He didn't feel scary and just felt like a caricature of a villain, which made it hard to feel like the stakes were actually as high as they were supposed to be.

There were several side characters and I'll call them one dimensional as well. They were just...there. They didn't add to the story or help progress the plot. I kept waiting for something more to happen and it just never did.

The reality show component also wasn't super fleshed out. We see bits and pieces of it, but it takes a backseat to a different plotline and there are a lot of scene jumps, where you hear about a thing and then jump to after the thing happened, so you don't actually experience it as a reader, which made it feel hard to be immersed in the story.

Lastly, I went into this thinking it was a standalone. It is not. The book leaves off on a cliffhanger, though it felt anticlimactic, and honestly I don't care what happens next because we were never given enough information to feel attached to the characters or the goal they were trying to accomplish. I couldn't tell you anything about what the relics do or why no one tried to get them before now, because honestly it felt easily accomplished. They go through 'trials' for each one and they feel so minor that it's like a blip on the radar. Again, everything just felt very surface level.

On the plus side, I did enjoy both narrators! Thank you to Libro.FM for my advanced audio copy of the book.

[gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley and the author for a copy of this earc in exchange for an honest review💗

this was so entertaining and such a fun read! never read a vampire x reality show story before but i will happily read more lol! i was invested very quickly and it really was just a fun time. i got massive vampire diaries vibes throughout the book and that is one of my favourite shows so i was loving it! always love a fake dating trope and this book felt like an epic series!! could absolutely see myself reading this again!🫧

[Nora Swerbinsky · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

I was really excited about this book, a vampire hunter fake dating a vampire prince on a reality dating show? Sign me up! That sounds so fun, but unfortunately, I did not have fun.

I have two main issues with this book: the reality show aspect combined with the fake dating plot line and the world building/fantastical elements

I was drawn to this book because of the premise of fake dating on a reality show. It is really the perfect set up for the fake dating trope and can really add a lot to the "Is it real or just for show?" drama that most fake dating plots employ. However, the reality show felt more like a background setting rather than part of the story. Liv is very closed off emotionally, especially when it comes to romance, so I was curious to see how she was going to navigate the invasive nature of the show. I never got to find out because almost all of the substance of the show is thrown away with lines like "After making it through my interview" without actually showing us the interview. How is Liv convincing the viewers that she is in love? What is she doing to win fan votes? We don't know! Even the "dates" she goes on as part of the show are shown in super short scenes that never really gave me a good picture of what the show is like. This really affected the fake dating plot line as we barely got to see Liv and Caspian needing to fake their romance. This unfortunately resulted in what felt like instalove for these two characters. We barely see them having actual conversations besides one of their first, and only, very short dates, and almost every other interaction during the show is based on pure physical attraction. I wanted more deep conversations of them actually getting to know one another, and while we did get some of that, it didn't happen during the show! Their relationship kept waffling between Liv hating Caspian for being a vampire, thinking maybe he's not that bad because he protects her, convincing herself its all for the show, hating him again, and then fighting her own feelings before giving in and kissing him just to start the cycle over again.

I could have maybe looked past that if I felt like Liv and Caspian had really gotten to know each other and were forming a deeper, more emotional bond, but that just wasn't the case. Despite Liv clearly struggling with her emotions, it seemed like Caspian was into her the whole time with no real explanation as to why. He was just willing to withstand her changing emotions and was always there for her, which was nice but why?!? Why is he doing that? He just met her! I needed more scenes of them talking to each other to really believe this romance. The conversations they did have were really nice and helped the characters feel less one-dimensional, but that was also hindered by Liv's personality being based solely on the two tragedies she experienced. I don't know who she is outside of those things, and neither does she, which could make for some interesting growth, but it just doesn’t happen in this book.

Further, this book is much more paranormal and fantasy-leaning than the contemporary-esque cover would lead you to believe. There are multiple fight scenes and a hefty amount of world building surrounding both the vampires and the hunters as well as the council that governs them both. On top of that is the reason they need these stones, what the stones actually do, how they will be used, and who else is after them. The stakes are much higher than the synopsis led me to believe, and very few of these plot points are resolved in this book because there is a sequel I didn't know about. These elements further added to the feeling of the dating show as a background rather than a main feature of the book. The vampire and vampire hunter lore was interesting even if it felt quite loose at times, especially on the vampire side.

This is a very minor detail, but I was taken out of the story a bit when two of the minor vampire goons, who could have remained unnamed, were revealed to be influencer duo Vlad and Lucy. The book felt too aware of itself for a second and it was during one of the fight scenes which was a bit jarring.

The ending plot twist did catch me off guard, however, that coupled with the lack of resolution on literally any other front, including the romance (!!!) left me asking what this book even achieved. If we didn't really move forward in any aspect, what was the point? All of the same issues will continue to exist in the second book, at potentially heightened levels, so what was the point of any of this?

For those wondering, there was one sex scene that was decently written but was not well placed in the book. I could not focus on the scene given the timing and location of the encounter. The whole time I was just thinking, this is not the time or the place! Focus! You have work to do and this is truly the worst timing for this!

Overall, this book is okay. I didn't hate it, but I didn't have a great time either. I'll be curious to see what the synopsis of book two is to see how we're pushing the plot forward, but I don't know that I'll be picking it up. I don't regret reading this, but I think it needs to be marketed more heavily as a paranormal and/or fantasy romance rather than as a contemporary with paranormal or fantastical elements to avoid setting unrealistic expectations.

[Eve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, this was a fun read, even if it left me disappointed. I picked up this ARC because I wanted something fun and chill, just as the premise promised. Sadly, the premise kind of lied.

I don’t understand why the plot had to become so heavy and emotional. The ridiculously casual premise set completely different expectations, and at some point, I just couldn’t take all the drama seriously. It felt absurd. Not every book needs a tragic, deeply emotional ending, especially not one set in a Love Island-style dating show.

If you want to write Love Island, write comedy. Write fluff. Write something along the lines of Ali Hazelwood’s 'Bride' or 'Hot for a Slayer', or Kath Richards’ 'Fangs with Benefits'. A book like this should be a simple rom-com. It’s a tried-and-tested formula, and it works.

But if you want to write something serious, tragic, and emotional, maybe don’t set it in a dating game. That setting already takes up precious pages that could otherwise be used to expand the world, develop the characters, build genuine tension, and flesh out the plot’s final mission.

On top of that, Caspian was basically the AliExpress version of Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which I definitely wasn’t expecting. One scene, he’s all playboy and cheeky winks. The next, he’s drowning in doom and gloom. I think that dullness and inconsistency were problems with all the characters in this book. None of them felt particularly well-developed, and even Liv had this robotic ‘I am a vampire hunter. These are not the druids you’ve been looking for’ kind of vibe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC!

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a hard review for me because I hardly have anything good to say about this booK. It’s just bad, the reality show makes absolutely no sense at all, their chemistry is barely there, and the side characters are so uninteresting that they make absolutely no difference.
I was expecting so much more and instead was delivered a poor written book. I apologise about the harsh words but it’s the truth. It was not an enjoyable reading.

Also, the end had no resolution. Is there a second book coming? Not that I would read.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Tiffany Duane for a copy of the eARC.

✔ Enemies to Lovers (Vampire x hunter)
✔ He falls first
✔ Fake dating in a reality show setting

3.5 stars rounded up. My rating my change depending on the second book as this one felt quite abrupt with it's ending. I also had sooo many questions after reading.

I really enjoyed the whole bickering/threats between Liv and Caspian. Liv felt very much like a cat who always hissed at Caspian, the "human" counterpart that continues to try to get close. I also love how Liv is super feisty while Caspian is the calmer one. Both their background story made me feel bad for them. However, Liv's portion felt a little less fleshed out than Caspian's.

The setting in Vancouver gave me a sense of familiarity... but it also wasn't really described well enough for me not feel like it was just any other place in the world. I do wish if a place was brought up that a little more of it's local sights would be mentioned. While the whole reality show setting did make it quite enjoyable... I was a little disappointed that they were automatically shipped together right away. It felt a little too smooth sailing from beginning to end. The minor inconveniences were both sorted out quite easily.

I would still recommend this as a Halloween read if you want something fun, quick, and easy to read. However, do note that there seems to be a second book so this one might end off quite abruptly. I want to say it can still be read as a standalone as it doesn't seem to end on a cliffhanger depending on how you read it.

[Minnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

5⭐|2🌶️|3%🌶️frequency

I just had to see it's a combination of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and didn't matter what, because I was already sold 🤣 I loved Buffy. And I loved Angel 😍
I don't know if people from team Spike will love this book, but definitely the ones from team Angel 😁

No, this book is not a copy of the TV show. But still, there are similarities in the characters.
Liv is a strong and independent woman. Her past made her what she is now. She lost her parents and also her fiancé 😔
Caspian is a good vampire. He's the crown prince.

The biggest difference between the TV show and this book is that the book also has Love Island in it 😎 I don't know ANYTHING about it. I don't watch reality TV, but I love it in romance books 🤣 And yeah, it includes all the fakeness that's in these reality TV shows. It's not real. But we all know in books everything fake will turn into real. And that's what I love about the reality TV show trope in romance books

This book is what I'm looking for, when I'm looking for when I want to read vampire books 🤩
I'm not sure if it officially would count as a rom-com, but definitely personally. It's funny. It's romantic. But it also has the darkish parts of vampires. But it's a vampire book, so... 😉

There is only one thing I hate. The cliffhanger. I need book 2! I can't wait. I'm ☠️ here! 😱
If you love vampires too. Read it, and ☠️ with me together, till book 2 comes out 😎

Thanks to the author, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC 🩷


Follow me on IG for more
https://www.instagram.com/minnie.love...

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun and refreshingly unique read! With so many romances feeling reminiscent of one another, "Love at First Bite" offered something different, and I was here for it!

My favorite part was during the "Dating in the Dark" reality dating show! I loved the idea that Liv had to couple up with either Caspian or Dante to become finalists and make it to the island and retrieve the stones. I loved Dante as our villain and Liv as our heroine. Their dynamic made for an entertaining adventure!

My one wish? A little more banter and emotional depth between Liv and Caspian. I wanted to feel more invested in their romance and really root for them as a couple. But overall, this was a creative, enjoyable read with entertaining characters, a unique premise, and the HEA I was hoping for!

📖 Love at First Bite
✍️ Tiffany Daune
🎁 Provided by Boldwood Books
📅 Release: 11/09/26
🏁 Finished: 11/06/26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Karlie Hatton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Tiffany Daune for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I. ATE. THIS. UP! I had a blast reading this book. It made me laugh, pulled on my heart strings and made me clinch my hands into fists with suspense a couple times. I was so invested in this story. Tiffany Duane’s writing style was great and the story its self was pretty unique. I loved the love reality show aspect and I loved that there were some games/trials involved but more so of matters of the heart rather than strength or strategy that I see mostly when it comes to games and trials. I fell in love with Caspian and Liv, #Livian forever ;-). The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and I absolutely cannot wait to read the next one!

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a ridiculous premise (a vampire and a hunter go on a dating show so they can get onto the island its finale is set on for artefacts). But then the author really ran with it.

I liked the competition, the awkwardly trying to hide vampirism and hunters, and the way Caspian and Liv were forced to date publicly.

That last line shows that this is VERY MUCH a cliffhanger, and I am eager to see what happens next.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and I am offering my honest opinion.

[Isabella · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

tysm to netgalley & the publisher for this earc!!
For being pitched as fake dating there was less fake dating than I thought there would be. This book was more trial/action heavy than I thought it would be but it was still fun. There were some bits that felt very random that might have benefitted from having Caspian’s POV and the ending felt a little out of place, but it‘s setting up for the next book in an interesting way and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

[August · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood books for providing me this ARC.

I was realllly excited for this one. A paranornal romance with a vampire and vampire hunter fake-dating on a reality TV show is such a great premise. Unfornately it didn't quite live up to expectations.

So much of the worldbuilding and plot never felt fully explained. Why are vampires worth hunting if they seem perfectly capable of co-existing peacefully? How does the dating show actually work? And what is the point of the stones?! I spent so much of this book frustrated that I was missing something and the romance never quite clicked for me either.

There are some cute moments, and I could see the potential for a really fun romance here. The ending was satisfying, at least, but overall this felt like a great concept that never quite came together.

[Elena Belle · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

I read this just in time for all the fun spooky season paranormal vibes! I was really intrigued by the premise, a vampire and a slayer fake being a couple so they can go on an island reality dating show to find artifacts. It ends up being so interesting and unique! Felt like if love island, the vampire diaries, and Buffy had a baby. Liv and Caspian's chemistry was sizzling and there was a good amount of spice to not take away from the plot. There were a couple things that I wish had been explained better world building wise (pacing was also a bit all over the place) but I was mostly able to look past it and enjoy the story. That cliffhanger ending though 👀 overall this is somewhere between a 3.5 and a 3.75.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A vampire huntress x vampire royal romance

My Review: Love at First Bite by Tiffany Daune is book #1 in the Supernaturally Yours series. It is an "enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating paranormal romance." The novel is categorized as "General Fiction (Adult) | Romance | Sci Fi & Fantasy." It was released TODAY (11/9/26). 🥂

About the Book: "When Liv Gold stakes the wrong vampire, she's given one chance to survive: join forces with Prince Caspian Ashcroft, brooding vampire royalty, her sworn enemy..."

The Hook: "Liv was born to hunt vampires. But she never expected to crave one…"

In My Own Words: A high stakes MDK. A survival quest to right a wrong. A battle of wills & wit. An unreal reality. A romance in reverse. A love at first bite.


About the Characters: The featured couple in this zany-blast romantasy was Liv Gold and Prince Caspian Ashcroft.

🏹 - Liv -> A rough and ready "little hunter" with a tragic past, social insecurities, and an emotionally defensive attitude

🩸 - Caspian -> A charming vampire who is direct, observant, noble, and has a flirty fire where Liv is concerned


About the Action: "...they must recover three ancient relics powerful enough to change the balance between humans and vampires forever. There's just one problem. The relics are hidden on a remote island that's only accessible to contestants on the world's most addictive reality dating show."

About the Conflict: There were a number of conflict points that made this story pop. It definitely made for an intriguing read.

🗡️ - Liv Gold stakes the wrong vampire.
🩶 - Caspian is "the last man she would ever trust."
📃 - Liv and Caspian must fake [a] romance while secretly racing to find the relics before their enemies do.
🎭 - A cast of contestants and characters with obvious, as well as masked intentions, came to play.


About the Hot & Bothered: "Every touch makes it harder to remember she hates him."

About the Dun Dunh DUHN: Think cliffhanger leading to Nothing Stakes Like a Heart (March 2027). 🕸️

About the Tropes:

⚔️ - Enemies to lovers
🎬 - Fake dating
🔒 - Forced proximity
🧲 - Opposites attract (Vampire Hunter x Vampire Prince)
🖤 - Touch her and die
🎯 - He falls first
🔮 - Magical trials
🥀 - Who did this to you?

My Final Say: Okay, I confess: The reason this book attracted me initially was the title. It gave me happy-is-she vibes. I was in love with the idea of anything Buffy. (Loved that show! I was thinking more Buffy/Angel/Spike vs Love Island, which I know zilch about.) Also, I was all in my history with thoughts of the 1979 TV film starring George Hamilton and Susan Saint James. (Have a campy insanity about the cheesy romance of it! I loved the nightlife. #IYKYN)

Once I started reading, I was slow on the uptake, BUT I later warmed up to the story, the pacing, and the movement. It was a fair to solid start for a new work of paranormal peculiarity. I believe enough groundwork was laid and enough threads were dangled to whet my appetite. It should be interesting to see how everything plays out.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

✨ - Original
📺 - Entertaining
👑 - Wonderful characters
❤️‍🩹 - Emo-origin connection
🔥 - Witty
⚡ - Insta attraction
💘 - Romantic

*** A Special Note: I think that this novel would be amazing as an audiobook listening experience. I will likely revisit it in the future via that medium. I believe it might actually alter my rating for the better. We shall see. Stay tuned for a follow up review, should that option become available. ***

Other: Readers who enjoy a "sexy romantasy serves up fake dating, forbidden desire, vampire royalty and a reality dating show where falling in love could be deadlier than losing the competition" should like this novel. It's worth a read.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 🩷
Format: 📱
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Title: 💎

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Boldwood Books), and to NetGalley. Thank you so much for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own thoughts and opinions. I am grateful for the opportunity. I look forward to reading more books by this writer.

[Michaella K · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Love Island! Had me sold from there and Loves at First Bite also delivered!

Love at First Bite by Tiffany Daune, a sexy, fun paranormal romance is perfect for spooky season! I sped through this book. The novel follows Liv, a vampire hunter and Caspian, vampire royalty who must join forces to find relics that will help bring peace to both species. Only problem, the island the relics are hidden is only accessible through filming for a reality dating show. So, Liv and Caspian, sworn enemies must enter as contestants, fake dating their way through the competition. I laughed out loud at so many moments! Caspian and his brother, Dante gave me Stefan and Damon Salvatore vibes and I couldn’t get enough! Liv is strong, funny, and fearless- everything I love to see in a FMC. A pure fun time, which was perfect as I had just read back to back emotionally wrecking novels. Can’t wait for book two!

Themes/Tropes:
-Enemies-to-lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Vampire x Hunter
-Fake Dating
-Magical Trials
-One Bed

Thank you Tiffany Daune and Boldwood Books for the advance readers copy!

[✧ Beanie Reads ✧]

Read: November 4th - November 7th
Format: E-book
Rating: No rating, DNF @ 10%

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this e-ARC!

I tried very hard to give this book a chance after a very rough start, but it unfortunately just never diverted from the first impression I got of it.

I just really can't buy into this novel. The FMC comes across as very shortsighted and hot headed, which as characteristics aren't necessarily a problem, except it's exaggerated too much, and it spills into writing that tries too hard to be fun. I LOVE a story with fun voice, but this went so hard into it that it became un-fun.

The surrounding cast was also a lot more level headed, which made her seem outright childish. Their reactions to vampires were also much more subdued, if tense, which made her intense hatred again feel unnatural and exaggerated.

This was a fun idea, but unfortunately, I just cannot get into the writing or characterization long enough to stick with it.

[GwenReadsAlot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my copy! All opinions are my own!

A fake engagement of two enemies to get onto a reality TV show in order to keep the balance of the world... what can go wrong?

This was a super quick and enjoyable read! There was so much action, and it was so entertaining. I couldn't put the book down because things just kept happening. AND THE ENDING? Can't wait for book two! It was a bit of like a quick love feeling. With the book being so short, you definitely miss out on some of the building of Liv and Caspian's relationship. I'd have loved a bit more of that enemies to lovers conflict.

My advice: This is a super fun Halloween read! Know that it's not a standalone; it ends on a cliffhanger. It's super quick and is bound to keep you entertained!

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you very much Boldwood Books for providing this ARC!

I've always been a victim when it comes to vampire romance books, and vampire x vampire hunter is a pairing I am obsessing over since watching Buffy for the first time.... so, of course I've had to read this one, and, I am even more thankful for being able to read it early.

What can I say? It was fast-paced, it was entertaining, it was fun! Liv and Caspian were great characters and if they would ever make a movie from this one, I would definitely watch it! All 5 stars!

[Emmy · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Thank you Libro.fm for this ALC! As someone who loves binge watching reality brain rot shows such as Love Island and a TVD fanatic when I saw this blended both worlds I was like sign me up. 🤣 the narrator did fantastic with keeping me entertained throughout the story! This was a fun quick listen! I loved the reality tv touch but I will say I wish it went a little more in depth in that aspect. It would’ve been fun to see more detail with interviews and dates, but overall it was a nice read!

[Jill Godzilevsky · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

If you love reality dating shows and spicy rom-coms, this is the book for you!

This is one of the cutest monster romance books that I’ve read. It is truly an enemies to lovers with twists and turns along the way.

At the core of the story, both the MMC and the FMC are fighting to accept that what they are doesn’t define them and that they have the ultimate power to change the narrative.

I just wish there was an epilogue at the end, peeking into the future

[Caitlin Bunting · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new author for me and I loved the writing style. I really enjoyed the main characters in this book and loved the humour we had. This was a fast paced and easy read and I am excited for book 2 next year.

[Janet Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this book had me in a chokehold from page 1!!!!! That cliffhanger had me scream!!!! I need to know what happens next ughhhhh

[Geri • GardensandGrimoires · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Buffy meets Love Island meets Fool’s Gold. Yes, the film! If you’ve seen it, you’ll know exactly the kind of enemies to lovers adventure vibes I’m talking about!

We’ve got a slayer, a vampire prince, his black sheep brother and a mission to unite the vampire royals and humans. But first, there’s a selection of dating show challenges, romantic complications and plenty of side character drama to navigate!

I really enjoyed this one. It’s a fun mix of paranormal romance, reality TV antics and a little adventure, with a cast of characters who kept things interesting throughout.

I went into this thinking it was a standalone, but that ending certainly suggests there’s more to come! And given the potential implications, I’m very much looking forward to seeing where things go next.

A thoroughly entertaining read.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for this eARC.

[Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for my ARC of Love at First Bite. An easy read and quick to get into.
​I have a favorite quote already: "little hunter". Caspian makes me smile, he's so funny and witty. Liv is an interesting character. I liked the backstories of both Caspian and Liv, both tragic in their own ways. I do like the forced proximity and danger element in this book that is a double-edged sword. I enjoyed the build-up in Caspian and Liv's relationship. Dante, I hate him, and Veronica, she just rubbed me the wrong way. That ending was not expected I cannot wait to read more.It's fast-paced and I couldn't put it down and read the book in a day. If you love romance and vampires with dark comedy and witty banter, I'd recommend this book.
​#netgalley #loveatfirstbite #boldwoodbooks

[Brookie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

The story follows Liv, a vampire huntress who finds herself forced to work with Caspian, a vampire prince, after accidentally killing a royal vampire and putting the already fragile peace between hunters and vampires at risk. Together, they have to retrieve some ancient and powerful stones connected to the vampire royal family. To access the island where the stones are located, they must take part in a dating reality TV show and pretend to be a couple.


🥰 THE THINGS THAT WORKED FOR ME 🥰

❤️ -> First of all, I really liked the idea behind this book! It's absurd and far-fetched, which immediately caught my attention 😂. I thought it sounded like such a fun and entertaining concept, and I was curious to see how the author would make it work!


❤️ -> I also liked that Liv was a strong female lead. She's a huntress, she's used to killing vampires, and she's not exactly someone who would naturally get along with one. This made the initial dynamic between her and Caspian quite interesting, especially since they had to learn to cooperate and gradually build trust despite being on opposite sides.


❤️ -> The (fake) relationship was also quite cute! I particularly enjoyed the double entendres during their interactions in front of the cameras, as they were obviously referring to things the audience knew nothing about. Their little exchanges were entertaining, especially once their relationship started developing. Caspian was particularly endearing. He's protective, affectionate and much more expressive with his feelings than Liv. Honestly, he's the one doing most of the work to convince everyone that they're actually in love 😂.



🥲 THE NOT-SO-GREAT 🥲

💔 -> First, I wish the author had explored the world-building more. The Order and the Council, in particular, seemed interesting, and I would have loved to learn more about their origins, how they were established and how they actually function. The same goes for the relationship between hunters and vampires. We get just enough information to understand the basic premise, but everything feels rather superficial. I also wish we had been given more information about what a royal vampire actually is. From what I understood, it's someone who has been turned into a vampire and is supposed to wear a ring identifying them as a member of the royal family. But that's pretty much all we get. I never really understood what makes these vampires different from the others.

And don't even get me started on the stones. Apparently, they're incredibly powerful and important, but what do they actually do? Where do they come from? When were they first retrieved, and by whom? We're told that the people who originally retrieved them died, but we don't really get much more information. And if the vampires seem to know exactly where the stones are located, why haven't they tried to retrieve them before? Why is it suddenly so urgent now? There are just so many questions that remain unanswered throughout the story. Considering that retrieving these stones is the entire reason behind the mission, I would have expected the author to give us a much better understanding of what they actually are and why they matter. Instead, we're left with a very vague explanation, which makes the whole storyline feel rather underdeveloped.


💔 -> The reality TV show aspect was also quite disappointing. I struggled to follow the timeline, especially during the mansion part of the show. At some point, I genuinely felt like everything had happened over just a day or two. I don't watch dating reality shows, so I can't say exactly how realistic the portrayal should have been, but the lack of time references, combined with the pacing and the way certain events were written, made the whole experience feel rather rushed and confusing. I never really got a proper sense of how much time was passing or how the show was progressing.


💔 -> I also noticed quite a few inconsistencies throughout the story. I won't go into specific examples because I didn't keep track of them while reading, but there were moments when characters seemed to move from one place to another without any clear transition, or when their actions didn't quite match what they had previously said. I genuinely couldn't tell whether the characters were supposed to be acting irrationally or whether these were simply writing mistakes. Either way, it occasionally pulled me out of the story and made it difficult to follow what was actually happening and why.


💔 -> Another thing that surprised me was how dark the characters' backstories were. I initially went into this book expecting a rom-com, so I wasn't quite prepared for the amount of tragedy and trauma involved. To be fair, I didn't necessarily dislike this aspect, and I understand how their shared experiences of losing people they loved could bring Liv and Caspian closer. However, it was a rather unexpected direction for a book that initially presented itself as something much lighter.


💔 -> Now, the romance... Unfortunately, this was one of my biggest disappointments. First of all, I struggled to understand Caspian's feelings for Liv. He falls for her incredibly quickly, and honestly, I just wasn't convinced. At the beginning of the story, they genuinely hate each other. Liv is responsible for killing someone Caspian cared about, and he is understandably furious with her. Meanwhile, Liv doesn't exactly show much remorse for what she did, since she still sees vampires as monsters who deserve to die. They have a few conversations, and suddenly Caspian seems completely smitten with her. I just didn't understand where those feelings came from or what made him fall for her so quickly. We only get Liv's point of view, which doesn't help, but from what we see, his feelings felt rather unearned.

As for Liv, she initially struggles with her feelings, which is completely understandable given her background, beliefs and past experiences. However, she spends the entire book refusing to acknowledge or accept her feelings. The constant back and forth becomes incredibly repetitive. They get close, then she reminds herself that he's a vampire and that they shouldn't be together, then she gets closer to him again, only to go back into denial. And this goes on without much noticeable emotional development.

What particularly bothered me was how rushed her final acceptance felt. I understand what prompted her to change her mind, but I don't think the way it was handled was particularly convincing. After spending so much time having Liv question their relationship and struggle with her feelings, I expected the author to give us an actual moment where she addresses those doubts and comes to terms with what she wants. It didn't have to be a long, drawn-out scene, but I would have appreciated some proper emotional development instead of having her suddenly accept everything in the middle of an action-packed moment. It felt like such an important part of her character arc was brushed aside just to move the story forward, which honestly felt a little lazy.


💔 -> As for Dante, I found him to be a very one-dimensional villain. We never really understand what makes him the way he is or why he's so cruel. We're told that drinking human blood can bring out a vampire's bloodlust and change them, but we also meet other vampires who don't behave anything like him. So what exactly makes Dante different? Why is he so evil? His motivation basically boils down to being a vampire who enjoys killing and doing terrible things, and I found that rather underwhelming. He felt more like a cliché villain who is evil simply for the sake of being evil.

I also struggled with how easily he was allowed to interfere with everything. Caspian is the vampire prince and heir to the throne, and the Council is the one sending him on this mission to retrieve the stones. Yet, when Dante starts sabotaging everything, nobody seems particularly interested in intervening or helping. I found it difficult to understand why the Council would leave their own heir in such a vulnerable position, especially when the whole mission is supposedly so important for preserving peace between the two species.

These kinds of inconsistencies in the plot aren't addressed, which makes it difficult for me to take the story seriously. Since the author decided to write something more serious than a rom-com, I think the story needs to have some logic and consistency to avoid plot holes and actions that don't make sense and are just plain annoying for the reader. Otherwise, it just seems like the author was too lazy to explain her own story and make it logical, and we're expected to accept whatever nonsense she throws at us.


💔 -> Finally, the ending...

Honestly, what was that? 😭 I kept turning the pages, thinking that surely we were going to get some kind of resolution, especially when I realised there were only a handful of pages left. But nope. We get no proper resolution to the conflict between the Order and the Council, and the romance doesn't get a conclusion either. This was extremely frustrating because I was under the impression that this was a standalone novel rather than the first book in a series. Given the ending, I honestly thought there had to be a sequel, because it would be insane to leave a story with such an underwhelming and incomplete ending.

So I checked, and there is indeed a sequel planned. I actually found this information on the author's Goodreads profile, where a book titled Nothing Stakes Like a Heart, presumably the second instalment, is listed as coming out in March 2027. This information wasn't mentioned on NetGalley or even on the Goodreads page for this book. And after doing a little more digging, I discovered that this is actually supposed to be a five-book series!

Given how underwhelming this book was, I won't be reading the sequel. Which means I won't get any resolution to the storylines I've spent an entire book following... I feel like I read this book for nothing.

Please be transparent about whether a book is a standalone or the first book in a series, because there was no indication of this and I shouldn't have to investigate to find out that information.



🏁 FINAL THOUGHTS 🏁

Overall, I really wanted to enjoy this book because the premise had so much potential. The idea was fun and original, and I genuinely thought I was in for an entertaining vampire rom-com. Unfortunately, the execution didn't quite live up to my expectations. Between the underdeveloped world-building, inconsistent storytelling, unconvincing romance and lack of resolution, I found myself increasingly frustrated as the story progressed. There were some cute moments between Liv and Caspian, and I did enjoy the initial premise, but they weren't enough to make up for everything that didn't work for me.

[Blossom’s Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reality TV with Fangs & Feelings

A vampire hunter, a royal bloodsucker and millions of viewers watching them pretend to fall in love—what could possibly go wrong?

⭐ 4/5
🌶️ 3/5

Love at First Bite by Tiffany Daune puts a vampire hunter and a vampire prince on a reality dating show, which was enough to get my attention before I even opened the book. This is the first book in the Love is Dead series, told entirely through Liv’s first-person perspective, and her chaotic, sarcastic voice hooked me immediately. The opening mixes humour with genuine stakes, establishing a heroine who can hunt vampires but is considerably less prepared for pretending to fall in love with one.

After staking a royal vampire, Liv finds herself working with Prince Caspian Ashcroft to recover the stones needed for the Blood Moon Scepter. Their route to the island where the stones are hidden involves convincing the viewers of Love in the Dark that they belong together. A successful mission depends on romantic chemistry, audience approval and Liv resisting the urge to stake her partner. Naturally, none of those things proves straightforward.

The dating-show setting was a huge part of the fun for me. It felt like Love Is Blind meets The Traitors meets Love Island, with cameras watching every interaction and viewers capable of making an already difficult mission worse. Dates and activities become opportunities for both romance and danger, while Liv and Caspian have to communicate without revealing what they are actually doing. I enjoyed the contestant interactions enough that I would happily have spent more time with them. The premise is far-fetched, but I was happy to go along with it because the show and the supernatural mission connect in ways that make sense within this world.

Liv is protective, impulsive and frequently her own worst enemy. Her sarcasm made her entertaining company, but the glimpses beneath it were what made me care about her. She carries grief and anger into this mission, and being competent with a stake doesn’t make her comfortable with vulnerability. Some of her early hostility and reckless decisions frustrated me, although they also fitted someone who has survived by treating vampires as enemies. Watching her begin to question that certainty became one of the most satisfying parts of the book.

Caspian initially offers plenty of reasons to be suspicious. He is charming, infuriatingly composed and rather too good at playing the romantic lead. I enjoyed his teasing and the “little hunter” nickname, but his gentler behaviour made the stronger impression. Practical care and attentiveness gradually reveal more than his polished confidence does. As I came to understand his restraint and private struggles, I found it easier to believe in him as someone Liv could trust.

Their attraction is immediate, and the early staged kiss delivers exactly the sort of inconvenient chemistry this premise promises. I believed that they wanted each other before I fully believed in their emotional connection. During the first half, I wanted more conversation and understanding beneath the physical tension. By the end, I had that. Their disclosures and choices gave the romance the depth I was looking for, particularly when caring for each other meant recognising vulnerability rather than simply confronting a threat.

I also appreciated that their growing relationship didn’t erase what they had lost. Grief helps explain why new feelings are frightening, and opening up to someone new isn’t presented as dismissing an earlier love. Their movement from enemies towards partners felt earned through experiences that challenged their assumptions. Even when distrust resurfaced, I understood the fear behind it. The rebuilding of trust mattered because both had something emotionally significant to risk.

The darker vampire threat gives the glossy show setting a sharp edge. I enjoyed wondering how much was happening beyond Liv’s knowledge, and her single POV kept uncertainty about Caspian effective. The world-building gave me enough to follow the mission without overwhelming the romance. As hunger and feeding became more important, the vampire rules also felt more concrete, with choices carrying consequences rather than existing purely as background lore.

The balance of humour, danger and emotional vulnerability worked well for me throughout. The banter kept the story lively, while the serious moments had room to matter. The sexual build-up was satisfying, and the eventual intimacy strengthened the relationship as well as the chemistry. The amount suited the story; I didn’t feel it needed more.

The final section was especially gripping, and I finished emotionally attached to Liv and Caspian. Their commitment gave me reassurance, but the wider story remains open and ends on a cliffhanger. I want the next book immediately.

Tropes

Vampire Prince × Vampire Hunter
Enemies to Lovers
Fake Dating
Forbidden Romance
Forced Proximity
Reality Dating Show
Reluctant Allies / Forced Team-Up
Protective Hero with Hidden Vulnerability
Finding Love After Loss
Hurt / Comfort and Mutual Protection

Content warnings

Manipulation, blackmail and betrayal
Physical assault, restraint and strangulation
Non-consensual vampire feeding and significant blood loss
Graphic violence, including stabbing and decapitation
Murder, attempted murder and death threats
Physical and psychological torment
Grief and survivor guilt following violent deaths of parents and romantic partners
Traumatic memories, nightmares, panic attacks and sensory overwhelm
Underwater confinement and drowning danger

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy vampire romances with a capable, sarcastic hunter heroine, fake dating and enemies-to-lovers tension. The reality-show chaos and sharp banter make it especially entertaining, while the growing tenderness gives the romance emotional weight. Be prepared for an open ending that leaves you wanting the next book.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Liz · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

An enemies-to-lovers paranormal romcom with definite Buffy vibes as Love at First Bite brings together Liv Gold, a vampire hunter, and Caspian, a vampire prince. There are even shades of Spike in the form of Caspian’s evil twin brother, Dante. The story kicks off when Liv accidentally breaks one of the cardinal rules of hunting by killing a member of the Royal family. Normally, that would be a death sentence, but given the slightly dodgy circumstances surrounding the kill, and the fact having done so puts Liv in the right position to help the Royals with a rather important problem, they’re willing to let it slide. On one condition that she teams up with Caspian to track down three ancient relics, stones with some mystical powers before they fall into the wrong hands which would then upset the balance of power between humans and paranormals. The catch? The relics are hidden on a remote island only accessible to the contestants of a reality dating show. Think Love Island, complete with all the usual nonsense. So Liv, who has plenty of reasons to hate vampires, has to fake a romance with Caspian and convince the public they’re a genuine love match so they can secure their place on the island. Of course, pretending to be in love with your sworn enemy is bound to get complicated!

I have to admit, this started out really well. Liv was a bit of a badass while Caspian had that brooding vampire prince thing going on, and their initial interactions had plenty of promise, you’ve gotta love a strong hate dynamic to spice things up so I was looking forward to some snarky banter and the usual push-and-pull of an enemies-to-lovers romance. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, things lost their spark. Once they joined the dating show, both characters seemed to lose a bit of their personality, and the relationship never quite lived up to the promise of the opening chapters. Caspian also turned out to be something of a vegetarian vampire, preferring animal blood over the human variety, which made him feel a little less dangerous and intimidating than I’d expected. Thankfully, his evil twin Dante was around to provide a bit more of the traditional vampire menace. He certainly had his own agenda and brought some much-needed edge and danger to the story. My other issue was the lack of character development and very little world-building. Everyone felt a little one-dimensional, so I never felt I really connected with the characters, and the paranormal world itself was surprisingly underdeveloped. Even by the end, I still wasn’t entirely sure what the three mysterious stones actually did or why they were so important. And then there’s the ending. Without giving anything away, the book finishes on a cliffhanger that felt completely out of the blue with the last sentence. There wasn’t enough build-up to make it feel particularly effective, and it left me more frustrated than intrigued especially considering I had no idea that this book was just the first one in a connected series.

Overall, Love at First Bite had a fun premise, and the combination of vampire politics, enemies-to-lovers romance and reality TV had plenty of potential. It just didn’t deliver. The opening chapters had me hopeful, but the characters never really developed, the world-building left me with more questions than answers, and the story lost momentum early on. Not a terrible read, but not enough to make me want to pick up the next book.

[Saramendesita · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Review of advance copy received from NetGalley*
4/5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Love Island, but make it vampires, vampire hunters, fake dating, and magical trials? SIGN ME UP!

First of all, this concept is SO good. A vampire hunter and a vampire prince, who are literally supposed to be enemies, having to pretend to be in love on a reality dating show to find three ancient relics? I was sold immediately. It sounds absolutely ridiculous in the best possible way, and honestly, the book delivered on the entertainment factor.

The three trials were genuinely interesting, and I really enjoyed how they were incorporated into the competition. They kept the plot moving and added something beyond the usual dating-show drama. I also thought the pacing was pretty solid. It’s a slow burn, which is exactly what I like, and I loved watching Liv and Caspian’s relationship gradually develop. The banter, the tension, the little moments when Liv starts realizing that Caspian might not be the monster she thought he was… GIVE ME MORE.

I also really liked Liv as a FMC. She’s fierce, stubborn, and has absolutely no problem standing her ground, but we also get to see her softer side as she grows closer to Caspian. And Caspian? Yeah, I get it, Liv. I GET IT. The vampire prince and vampire hunter dynamic is already elite, but watching them navigate their feelings while pretending to be the perfect couple for the cameras made everything even better. The fake dating and enemies-to-lovers tropes worked really well together, and I was genuinely invested in their love story.

My biggest issue, though, is the ending. I was left STUNNED, and while I appreciate a book that manages to surprise me, I also needed a little time to process everything that happened. I would’ve loved a more developed conclusion, maybe an epilogue or something to give us a little more closure with Liv and Caspian. I understand that the story leaves room for more, but I still wanted MORE of them. Their relationship deserved a little extra breathing room after everything that happened.

I also wish we’d gotten a dual POV instead of having the entire story told from Liv’s perspective. I would’ve LOVED to get inside Caspian’s head, especially during some of their interactions. Seeing what he was thinking while they were pretending to be in love would’ve added so much to the romantic tension. GIVE ME HIS THOUGHTS, PLEASE.

Overall, Love at First Bite was a really enjoyable read with a fantastic premise, an entertaining competition, and a romance I genuinely rooted for. It combines several of my favourite tropes in a way that feels fun and engaging, and I flew through the story. The ending left me with a LOT of feelings, but I’m still very happy with my reading experience.