Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year.
The tourists think it’s all a show: the vampires, the werewolves, the witches, the occasional gargoyle flying through the sky. But the supernaturals populating the town know better.
Living in Nocturne Falls means being yourself. Fangs, fur, and all.
Sebastian Ellingham isn’t known for being a happy vampire. And … isn’t known for being a happy vampire. And when his long estranged wife returns expecting to pick up where they left off, things take a sharp turn toward cranky. Sure he’s been protecting her for centuries, but her assumption that he’s still available (he is) rankles.
His answer is to hire a woman to play his fiancée. The lucky victim is Tessa Blythe, sister of one of the town’s deputies, librarian in need of a job and, oh yes, reluctant Valkyrie. Playing along with Sebastian is all about the end game: earning the position of Dean of Library Studies at the local private academy.
When unexpected sparks fly between them, they agree to mutually deny the attraction. Fate, however, has other plans…
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The Vampire’s Fake Fiancée is book five in the Nocturne Falls series by Kristen Painter.
Sebastian Ellingham, the vampire, is basically a Mr. Darcy. He’s cranky, keeps to himself, and takes responsibility seriously. He’s got a big heart yet no one in his family truly understands him and his estranged wife takes advantage of him.
Tessa Blythe, the Valkyrie and librarian. She’s given up on her protective powers. She loves her books, all things intellectual, and the quiet life. Her sister is a deputy sheriff in Nocturne Falls and convinces Tessa in moving to town.
What started out as a job interview ends up with her sister setting her up to act as the fake fiancée for Sebastian, so he can get his estranged vampire wife to sign divorce papers.
I adored Sebastian and Tessa. Their relationship was funny and sweet. They ended up helping each other heal from past experiences. They also helped each other find what was missing in their lives. The romance is a sweet one. I also loved how Tessa ends up being his fake fiancée. Now for the estranged wife. She is a piece of work and boy does she cause problems and drama.
“They were a perfect fit, the recluse and the bookworm. The weapons collector and the sword wielder. The vampire and the valkyrie.”
The Vampire’s Fake Fiancée was a fun read. The plot is fun, the characters are unique, and the supernatural world is enjoyable. This story is perfect for a summer read or a rainy day.
Rated: 4 Stars
**Audiobook Review** Another great installment in the Nocturne Falls series! This one involves a Valkyrie…another first in a book for me! The story was unique and attention grabbing…I loved it! And I’m moving through this series at warp speed! It’s that good.
Sebastian Ellingham is known for being a grumpy, controlling, recluse vampire. When his estranged wife comes into town expecting to pick up where they left off he quickly becomes cranky. He has been alone for centuries, but her assumption that he is still available makes him angry. He claims he has a fiancée to make her jealous and now he has less than a day to find a fake fiancée.
I love the fake relationship trope and this one was so good! Sebastian has been the grumpy Ellingham from the very beginning of this series. Sebastian has spent centuries cleaning up his wifes messes and being alone. He hasn’t loved her in years but he is still honorable enough to protect her because he is her sire. Sebastian was an honorable, proud, and slightly controlling vampire who has been in a rut for centuries. Meeting Tessa shows him how much he has hidden away. He finally starts living his life again with Tessa around.
Tessa Blythe is a librarian, and a reluctant Valkyrie. She agrees to being Sebastian’s fiancee to get the dream job she wants, but she soon finds herself falling for him. I really liked Tessa. She is a beautiful woman who has been hiding her inner lion for years. While Tessa helps Sebastian start living again, he helps her embrace her heritage that she has hidden since a teenager. I just loved everything about these two and their fake relationship.
Overall, this was another great Nocturne Falls story with some amazing characters. I highly recommend this fun, light hearted series, especially if you love magical towns with unique supernaturals.
Really liked this story. Loved the two leads.
Love this series!
I’m already a big fan of this series but if I hadn’t been already, this book would have made me one. I think the Ellinghams are my favorite family in Nocturne Falls and Sebastian & Tessa were such a good couple!
The Valkyrie mythology was really well done. I can’t wait to discover new “creatures” in Nocturne Falls. Painter does such an amazing job at world-building and character development.
Loved it. The best so far in the series. For reference, I’m reading them in order. Hope she keeps writing them!
Loved it. Want the whole series
Enjoyed this book can’t wait to read more in this series