The Vampire’s Fake Fiancée by Kristen Painter
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 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…
The Bite Breakdown:
Quick Verdict
A quietly charming paranormal romance that proves two antisocial, book loving immortals can build something real through trust, strategy, and mutual respect rather than flashy drama.
At a Glance
- Genre: Paranormal Romance
- Subgenre: Urban Fantasy Romance, Small Town Romance
- Trope: Fake Engagement
- Series: Nocturne Falls series book 5; Nocturne Falls universe book 7
- POV: Dual Third Person
- Romance Focus: Medium
- Tone: Cozy, witty, character driven
The Premise (No Spoilers)
The Vampire’s Fake Fiancée by Kristen Painter centers on two profoundly antisocial immortals who would both rather be left alone with their books than navigate social expectations. Sebastian is a closed off vampire who keeps his distance by design, while Tessa is a Valkyrie who prefers quiet routines, solitary reading, and the company of her cat. When circumstances push them into a fake engagement, neither expects comfort, let alone connection.
What unfolds is less about pretending to be in love and more about learning how well their boundaries align. Sebastian’s ex reenters his life with ulterior motives, forcing Sebastian and Tessa into a long game of strategic maneuvering. Watching them quietly outthink, outplan, and outlast her becomes one of the most satisfying elements of the story. Their bond grows not through grand gestures, but through shared purpose, mutual protection, and a surprising emotional safety neither expected to find.
As the stakes rise, Sebastian faces a real cost tied to his choices, and this is where the romance lands hardest for me. His willingness to give up something fundamental if it means keeping Tessa safe reframes the fake relationship into something deeply intentional. The emotional arc never rushes, and it never undermines who these characters are at their core.
This novel sits at an interesting crossroads in the larger world. It functions as Nocturne Falls series book 5 and Nocturne Falls book 7, meaning it rewards longtime readers while remaining approachable for those already comfortable with the setting’s tone and rules.
What Worked
The strongest element here is how well matched Sebastian and Tessa are without the book forcing them to change. Their antisocial tendencies are not treated as flaws to overcome. Instead, they become the foundation of their compatibility. I loved seeing a romance where quiet companionship, respect for solitude, and intellectual alignment mattered more than performative chemistry.
The subplot involving Sebastian’s ex adds tension without hijacking the story. She is a hypocritical user with clear self interest, and watching Sebastian and Tessa stay three steps ahead of her is deeply satisfying. The conflict sharpens their partnership instead of creating unnecessary misunderstandings, which I appreciated.
What Didn’t Work (or Might Not)
Readers who want high drama, explosive confrontations, or fast moving romance may find this too restrained. The pacing favors emotional buildup and subtle shifts rather than big plot twists. If you prefer loud stakes and constant action, this may feel understated.
The broader Nocturne Falls setting continues to assume some familiarity with the town’s supernatural norms. While the core romance stands on its own, absolute newcomers might occasionally feel like they arrived mid conversation.
Romance and Relationship Dynamics
This romance thrives on mutual respect and shared strategy. Sebastian never tries to dominate or fix Tessa, and Tessa never pushes Sebastian to be someone he is not. Their relationship grows through collaboration and trust, with protection framed as partnership rather than control. The result feels emotionally safe, earned, and refreshingly adult.
- Manipulative ex partner
- Deception tied to supernatural abilities
- Mild romantic tension
Who Should Read This
This book is ideal for readers who enjoy cozy paranormal romance with intelligent, introverted leads. If you love fake relationships that evolve through trust, quiet competence, and emotional sacrifice rather than spectacle, this one fits beautifully. It is especially satisfying for readers who appreciate characters who win by thinking instead of posturing.
Final Verdict
The Vampire’s Fake Fiancée by Kristen Painter delivers a romance built on alignment rather than attraction alone. I walked away feeling fond of these characters and genuinely invested in their future, which is exactly what I want from a story like this.
Overall Rating: 4 Stars
A warm, character focused paranormal romance that succeeds through restraint, wit, and emotional clarity rather than high drama.
Heroine Strength: 4 Crowns
A warm, character focused paranormal romance that succeeds through restraint, wit, and emotional clarity rather than high drama.
Spice Level: 2 Flames
Low to moderate heat with a focus on emotional connection over explicit detail, making it easy to enjoy for romance readers who prefer subtlety.
The Truth Behind the Sunwalking Magic
The central threat in The Vampire’s Fake Fiancée by Kristen Painter is not the fake engagement itself, but the return of Sebastian’s ex wife and the secret she is determined to steal. Her real goal is access to the magic that allows Sebastian to walk in the sun, a rare and highly valuable ability that would give her power, freedom, and leverage within the supernatural world. Her sudden interest in reconciliation is entirely transactional, and she has no concern for the damage she causes in the process.
What makes this arc work is how deliberately Sebastian and Tessa respond. Instead of reacting emotionally, they anticipate her moves and quietly outmaneuver her at every turn. Tessa proves herself not just as a romantic partner, but as a strategic equal. Their cooperation during this conflict solidifies their bond, transforming the fake engagement into a true partnership built on trust and shared purpose rather than convenience.
The emotional turning point comes when Sebastian realizes the cost of protecting Tessa may mean losing his ability to walk in the sun forever. He chooses her anyway, without hesitation. This decision reframes the entire relationship and strips the arrangement of any remaining pretense. When the truth about the sunwalking magic is finally revealed, it confirms that Sebastian’s ex was never a threat to their relationship. The real test was whether Sebastian and Tessa were willing to choose each other fully, even when that choice demanded sacrifice.
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