Filthy Rich Vampire (Filthy Rich Vampire #1) by Geneva Lee

Book Review Oct 30, 2023

My review

3/5 stars

This book was sold to me as Twilight meets Bridgerton - I loved both series so I had to give this a go. What was left out that there was a fair old splash of Fifty Shades of Grey inspiration thrown in there as well.

Some of the steamier scenes felt forced and gratuitous in light of the plot. They captured the emotions of the characters well, but didn't always feel well-timed or appropriate to the plot. I'm no prude, and I love a bit of spice in my books, but it has to feel natural and this book just missed the mark on that sometimes for me.

The relationship between Julian and Thea was intoxicating and magnetic from the start. The alternative viewpoints of each chapter helped to provide perspective and showed the light and dark of their situation completely and fully. Their dynamic wasn't entirely healthy, despite the strength of their chemistry, which meant that I struggled to feel fully invested in a happy ending for them.

Speaking of the ending, the one provided in this book felt completely predictable, and while left unresolved, I can see exactly where the next book in the series will head and it somewhat takes the enjoyment out of the cliffhanger because I feel no danger or risk for how the story will develop - there is no mystery in spite of the attempt to provide it.

The family dynamics definitely felt very Bridgerton-inspired and did go someway to helping avoid a total Fifty Shades lean-in. I struggled to involve myself with any of the family though - Sabine was an uber bitch and felt like a comic villain more than anything else, and the other men in Julian's family had nothing of interest to make them stand out. The only character outside of the main relationship that I enjoyed was Julian's female friend.

It was an ok read - it sated my curiousity but I feel no urge to read the rest of the books in the series.

*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book blurb

Julian Rousseaux has a problem. He's single, and for the world's wealthiest vampires, the social season is about to begin. Julian would rather stake himself than participate in the marriage market. But as the eldest, eligible Rousseaux he's expected to find a wife before the season ends-whether he likes it or not.

When cellist Thea literally stumbles into his life at a gala, he knows she's the last person he could ever fall in love with. She's too innocent, too kind, and way too human. But now that she knows about his world, she's also a walking target. She needs protection. He needs a fake girlfriend to discourage overzealous vampire matchmaking.

So, Julian makes Thea an irresistible offer: pretend to be his lover and he'll change her life. For one year, they'll attend the season's social events together in exchange for his protection and a way out of her mother's crippling medical debt.

She can't say no. But the vampire world is impossibly decadent and darker than Thea ever imagined, and Julian's filthy rich vampire family wants her out of the way. But with each moment they share, new dangers emerge: a desire as forbidden as their stolen touches, an awakening of a long-dead heart, and secrets that could tear them both apart.