When the Innkeeper Met the Vampire

Leafshire Cove Monsters, Book 5

By: Lila Appleton, Alisha Klapheke

Narrated by: Caitlin Davies, Lucas Dixon

One lives in the light. The other thrives in shadow.

At the Leafshire Cove book faire, rom-com author Colette Amelot wants only two things: a mug of spiced cider and a long line at her signing table. She definitely does not want to accidentally kiss a reclusive thriller writer—especially not in front of half the kingdom.

But when a wobbling tower of iced cookies, one startled vampire, and an ill-timed trip collide, the resulting kiss becomes instant legend. The town heralds are delighted. The gossip mills are relentless. And a gleeful publisher sees opportunity.

Now Colette is contractually obligated to co-write a short Snowlight story with Archer Darkheart—the shadow-eyed vampire whose thrillers curdle cream and whose glare could stop a heartbeat.

When the deadline forces them to work from Colette's sentient inn—an opinionated building that creaks in disapproval, rearranges rooms at will, and has very strong feelings about romance—things only grow more complicated.

She believes in joy, laughter, and happily-ever-afters. He believes in structure, solitude, and the slow ache of tragedy.

They can't agree on a chapter title, let alone a kiss scene. But as quills clash, tempers spark, and those damn cookies mysteriously keep appearing, their fictional collaboration blurs into something dangerously real.

Sometimes the best plot twist isn't written on the page—it's standing beside you, stealing your quill, and reminding you that love, like magic, is always worth the risk.

If you love books by January Bell, Tee Harlowe, and Krista Luna, you'll love this series!

Tropes/Elements: sentient inn; talking cat; cottagecore medieval setting; forced proximity; spice; holiday book; fantasy feast; found family; vampire bites; book fair; taverns; magical small town; standalone romance; interspecies world; opposites attract.

©2026 Lila Appleton (P)2026 Podium Audio

Book 5 but...

This was a fun, easy read/listen. I have enjoyed Alisha's books in the past, and while I don't believe that I have read anything by Lila Appleton before, this book just sounded cute to me.
This is also the only book that I have read in this series, and I didn't feel like I needed to go back to the beginning to
understand what was happening in this story.
I was always waiting for something to happen, so when it did, I was almost expecting it. A good book that touched on some raw emotions with a sweet ending.
Did I mention that it is a really fast listen, especially if you listen to it at 2X speed or higher? And, the narrators were fitting for their characters. 😄

Series is very good

Every book is worth every minute. The performance is amazing! The stories are are absolutely incredible