Vampire with Benefits

Supernatural Selection, Book 2

By: E.J. Russell

Narrated by: Greg Boudreaux

A match between a vampire and shifter could be deadly - but this broken beaver doesn’t give a dam.

Silent film actor Casimir Moreau had imagined that life as a vampire would be freewheeling and glamorous. Instead, he’s plunged into a restrictive society whose rules he runs afoul of at every turn. To “rehabilitate” him, the vampire council orders him mated to an incubus with impeccable breeding who’ll mold Cas into the upstanding vampire he ought to be. Or else.

As an inactive beaver shifter, construction engineer Rusty Johnson has fought - and overcome - bias and disrespect his entire life. But when his longtime boyfriend leaves him for political reasons, Rusty is ready to call it a day. Next stop? Supernatural Selection and his guaranteed perfect mate, a bear shifter living far away from Rusty’s disapproving clan.

But then a spell snafu at Supernatural Selection robs both men of their intended husbands. Rusty can’t face returning to his clan, and Cas needs somebody on his arm to keep the council happy, so they agree to pretend to be married. Nobody needs to know their relationship is fake - especially since it’s starting to feel suspiciously like the real thing.

©2018 Ellen J Russell (P)2024 Ellen J Russell

I highly recommend!

Honestly love the story and the narrator was AMAZING, accents and all! The end was honestly great! The only thing I would want different would be is I would like more of the story lol I hope in the next book it'll give more info on the previous couples😊 I honestly enjoyed this couple! I would love to have heard some more about the bad ppl getting karma though lol

This book was so much fun!

#ARC received by GayRR for an honest review.

This book was not what I was expecting. I say this in a good way, as the book was more than I thought it would be. For starters, our two main characters, Casimir and Rusty, are supernatural beings. One is a French vampire, and the other is an American beaver shifter. At the beginning of the novel, we meet the vampire, Casimir, who is in some trouble with the vampire council, and his punishment is essentially an arranged marriage. Although, this arranged marriage is supposed to be his perfect match according to the Supernatural agency. Meanwhile, Rusty is at this agency also looking for this perfect match.

Once both of our main characters meet, the story takes off. I won't give any spoilers, but the plot gets interesting.

From the moment our characters meet to the ending, I loved their interactions. Together they were so fun and snarky. I enjoyed seeing their growth and fondness for each other grow. This book was not what I expected because the plot is complex, especially towards the end. That twist got me!

This isn't my first romance by E.J. Russel, but it has been a while since I've read any of her books; however, I'll read more of her books in the future! Greg Boudreaux's narration was engaging and fun as always. I highly recommend this book if you're looking to laugh and be engrossed in a supernatural plot.

Confusing

***Possible spoilers***












Exactly when does this book start in relation to the previous book in the series? The previous book started with Casimir and Rusty marrying their matches by proxy and the succubus showing up at the bear shifter’s property accidentally, or he thought accidentally.
This book appears to begin on the day of their divorce, but what’s with the repeated “two weeks” references? There’s no mention of the proxy marriages. The demon in charge of writing the contracts says that he wrote the new ones three times, which is a huge point in book one. I’m extremely confused. Was this book written by someone else or just unclearly edited? There also seem to be a lot of backstories that aren’t explained. The story was redeemed in the end, but it seemed unfinished. This one also ended somewhat abruptly.

When is the one?

I enjoyed listening. When the same actor reads the series I sometimes get lost as to which book it is. Listening while working. My preference is the same actor and the performance is always great. I was sad when the book ended. Please continue their story.

Great entry in a very funny, very sweet series

I love this world - interconnected with other of this author’s series, it is replete with every variety of supernatural creature, all with elaborate politics and interspecies relations and prejudices as well as unique cultures. EJ Russell is always hilarious, and creates great, sometimes madcap, always engaging plots. This entry sees a jaded vampire and a beleaguered beaver discover love in the unlikeliest of places while trying to escape the severest of censures from their respective governing councils. And as always, Greg Boudreaux kicks it up a level with a detailed and lively performance - good lord that man can act.