The Love Scam, by MaryJanice Davidson

Format: eARC, 320 pages

Publisher: St Martin’s Press

Published: 4 August 2020

ISBN: 9781250053169

Genre: Romance

Back cover blurb: Rake Tarbell is in trouble. When the fabulously wealthy and carefree bachelor wakes up horribly hungover in Venice, it’s not something that would normally be a problem…except he has no idea how he got there from California. Or who stole his wallet. Or who emptied his bank account of millions. Or who in the world is Lillith, the charming little girl claiming to be his long lost daughter. For the first time in his life, Rake is on his own and throwing Benjamins around aren’t going to solve his problem. Now if only the gorgeous, fun, and free-spirited woman who brought Lillith into his life was willing to help the situation…

Claire Delaney finds Rake’s problems hilarious and is not in the least bit sorry of adding to them by bringing Lillith into the mix. A pretty Midwestern girl with a streak for mischief, Claire isn’t the type to hang around with a guy like Rake. Even if he is drop-dead handsome and charming as all get-out. Even if he needs help and she has all the answers. But if this helps Lillith, she will go out of her way. And with a guy like Rake, she’s willing to bend her rules a bit for some fun.

But when adventure-filled days turn to romantic nights as they search for answers, and someone starts following them through the streets of Venice, Claire realizes she’s playing more than just a game. And maybe, just maybe, she isn’t willing to let go of Rake or Lillith just yet.

My review: I didn’t realise this was the second book in the series until after I had downloaded it from Netgalley. Although I haven’t read the first book about brother Blake, I don’t think it made much difference to my enjoyment of this book – which, sadly, was limited. It was merely okay. I enjoyed Davidson’s early Undead series books, but after a while they became a bit silly. That’s what I felt about this book. The author was trying hard to make it funny by including a whole lot of tropes, all of which are listed at the end, but I think she tried too hard and it all fell flat. I didn’t care enough about the characters, and the scenario was just too far-fetched for me to be interested.

***Disclaimer: This e-ARC was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Huge thanks to them. ***

My rating: 2/5

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Undead and Uneasy, by MaryJanice Davidson

Format: Paperback, 288 pages

Published: June 5, 2008 (first published May 24, 2007)

Publisher: Piatkus Books

Back cover blurb:

Weddings are never easy. But when you’re Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor, they can become downright deadly…In the days leading up to The Big Day, Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor seems to have a full house and the wedding guests have yet to arrive. Along with her human buddies, there’s a ghost, a werewolf, and a Fiend crashing at her place. And though her fiancee, Vampire King Eric Sinclair, conveniently disappears when the conversation turns to seating charts and flower arrangements, he does manage to make his oh-so-sexy presence known at other moments.

Cold feet are no surprise, especially with an undead groom. But when Sinclair truly goes missing – and not just to avoid wedding preparations – along with most of her friends and loved ones, Betsy is frantic. Alone and afraid for the fate of everyone she loves, Betsy can’t trust anyone as she tries to find them and whoever is behind all the disappearances. And what happens next will shake the foundation of the vampire world forever.

My review:

The best Betsy book in quite a while. This one had an interesting, unpredictable plot, and I practically read it all in one sitting. Davidson wasn’t afraid to shake up Betsy’s world in a major way, which I think is why this story seemed so refreshing. Despite Sinclair hardly featuring, I loved it.

My rating: 4/5

Undead and Unpopular, by MaryJanice Davidson

Format: Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages

Published: May 1, 2007 (first published June 6, 2006)

Publisher: Berkley

Back cover blurb:

With her birthday coming up, Betsy isn’t in the best frame of mind to face the powerful European vampires who have finally come to pay their respects. Playing politics is not her strong suit, especially when she finds out her best friend Jessica may have a life-threatening illness. Sure Betsy can save her life by taking it-isn’t that what friends are for?-but the choice isn’t in her hands.With her fiancé Eric dodging all the wedding plans, Betsy’s plate is full-and not with birthday cake. But who has time to pout? Not even a reluctant vampire queen, who is taking it one high-heeled step at a time in MaryJanice Davidson’s creative, sophisticated, sexy, and wonderfully witty series.

My review:

Better than the last one, but still not enough Sinclair for my liking. Once again it was a very short read with a thin plot, but the odd good lone-liner and as usual a very pretty cover. Of course I will read the next one. But here’s hoping it has more Sinclair!

My rating: 3/5

Undead and Unreturnable, by MaryJanice Davidson

Format: Hardcover, 272 pages

Published: November 1, 2005

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Back cover blurb:

Though she’s the vampire queen, Betsy Taylor is much more like a princess. In MaryJanice Davidson’s novels, this high-maintenance monarch is finally coming to terms with her new status.

They say Christmas is a time for friends and family. But with a half-sister who’s the devil’s daughter, an evil stepmother, a fiend living in her basement, assorted spirits and killers running amok, and a spring wedding to plan with the former bane of her existence, Eric Sinclair, Betsy is not sure she’ll survive the holidays.

Oh, right. She’s already dead…

My review:

As much as I love Sinclair, I think this was my least favourite of the series so far. The plot was thin, the denouement too quick, and the new ghost character really annoying. There weren’t enough shoes and there certainly wasn’t enough Sinclair. At 250 words it was a very quick read, though, and this won’t stop me from reading the rest of the series. But, honestly, more Sinclair, please!

My rating: 3/5

Undead and Unappreciated, by MaryJanice Davidson

Format: Paperback, 304 pages

Published: December 6, 2005

Publisher: Berkley

Back cover blurb:

Reluctant vampire queen Betsy Taylor may rule the topsy-turvy world of the undead, but now Betsy’s discovered that she has a long-lost half-sister who’s the devil’s daughter–and destined to rule the underworld.

My review:

Still lovin’ Sinclair… *sigh* He may, as Jessica so nicely put it “have pussy thrown at him from cars”, but his heart belongs to Betsy, and in this third book in the series they finally come to the mutual realisation they love each other. Before that, though, Betsy goes evil for a bit and discovers she has a long-lost half-sister who is the Devil’s daughter. As you do. 

The introduction of Laura, the thoroughly nice spawn of Satan, is a welcome twist to the series, and I’m sure as I read on she will become a key player. Also welcome back in this book was Detective Nick – I missed him in the last book.

I really enjoy the author’s references to pop culture, especially Betsy’s take on the Seinfeld Soup Nazi “No Book for you!” However, sometimes the editing is a bit lax and continuity is lost, for example Ant said she woke up on August 6, 1986 to find she had had Laura, but then Betsy says Laura’s birthday is June 6 – eh? Overall, though, this is another great effort from Ms Davidson. These are quick reads that I just can’t put down. Thankfully there are more in the series to keep me going.

My rating: 4/5

Undead and Unemployed, by MaryJanice Davidson

Format: Paperback, 230 pages

Published: February 28, 2006 (first published August 3, 2004)

Publisher: Piatkus Books

Back cover blurb:

Being royally undead isn’t all it’s cracked up to be—there are still bills to be paid. Luckily, new Queen of the Vampires Betsy Taylor lands her dream job selling designer shoes at Macy’s.

But when a string of vampire murders hits St. Paul, Betsy must enlist the help of the one vamp who makes her blood boil: the oh-so-sexy Sinclair. Now, she’s really treading on dangerous ground—high heels and all.

My review:

Have I mentioned before how much I love Sinclair? He gets even more swoonworthy in this second book about Elizabeth “Betsy” Taylor, the unlikely vampire queen. In this installment we discover Sinclair likes strawberries, but doesn’t much like the idea of his queen working nights in the shoe department at Macy’s. Even if there are new Pradas out.

There’s a plot involving a serial killer targetting vampires, but frankly I figured out who the killer was as soon as their name was first mentioned. Still, the addition of an elderly priest and his band of vamp-killing streetkids was a hoot.

But back to Sinclair. Unf. I love how he’s not the typical alpha male with all the answers – he gets surprised along with everyone else when Betsy discovers a new power. Of course, he’s quick with a sexy smirk and we can see in this book he really has fallen for her.

My favourite quote: “I controlled a shiver. No one said my name like he did… He said my name the way diabetics talk about hot fudge sundaes.” (OK, well it’s my fave quote behind “I could practically feel him at the back of my throat; he was really hung and that was just fine.”)

I love Davidson’s author’s notes too. Hil. Ar. I. Ous. Any editor who shouts “More Sinclair!” at her is worthy of thanks in my book, too.

My rating: 4/5