The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire (Half-Moon Hollow, #3) in Audiobook Junkies

Jul 29, 2014 Carmel (Rabid Reads) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-2015, audio

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.

Whenever I just want to sit back, and enjoy a quality audiobook, I turn to Molly Harper & Amanda Ronconi. My last listening session with them was in June 2014, so clearly I was in desperate need of a fix because I finished THE DANGERS OF DATING A REBOUND VAMPIRE in one day. As soon as I clicked ‘play’ my smile was locked into place thanks to the fun quotes from The Office After Dark: A Guide to Maintaining a Safe, Productive Vampire Workplace—this installment’s fictional Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.

Whenever I just want to sit back, and enjoy a quality audiobook, I turn to Molly Harper & Amanda Ronconi. My last listening session with them was in June 2014, so clearly I was in desperate need of a fix because I finished THE DANGERS OF DATING A REBOUND VAMPIRE in one day. As soon as I clicked ‘play’ my smile was locked into place thanks to the fun quotes from The Office After Dark: A Guide to Maintaining a Safe, Productive Vampire Workplace—this installment’s fictional how-to manual—and there it stayed.

We first met Gigi in I’M DREAMING OF AN UNDEAD CHRISTMAS, and it was nice to finally get the continuation of her story, and find out who her mysterious vampire stalker was. She’s the last human in the Jameson / Scanlon circle, so I was curious to see whether she’d stay that way, or join the rest of the HALF-MOON HOLLOW supes. She’s also the youngest POV to date which lightened Harper’s already breezy writing style even more, and made her character’s sometimes questionable decisions and go-with-the-flow attitude easier to grasp which is always beneficial in insta-love type situations.

The plot wasn’t a brain buster, but still kept me on my toes, and I really enjoyed seeing Ophelia get kicked off her high horse. My favourite secondary, Dick Cheney, didn’t have as much dialogue as I would have liked, although Nik was a pseudo Russian version of him which was an acceptable substitution. It was entertaining watching Iris in all of her overprotective big sister splendor, and how their group of friends banded together when Gigi’s life was in danger. Plus, this author’s latest batch of pop culture references were real winners: GAME OF THRONES & THE WALKING DEAD.

Amanda Ronconi pulled out all the stops once again with her exuberance, accents, voices, and sound effects. She’s a pro at pinning down the emotions that each scene calls for, and always gives her 100% in every performance. Harper’s sense of humour is increased tenfold by Ronconi’s narration, and because of that I ALWAYS opt to listen over reading. I can’t recommend Harconi enough; they are the benchmark by which I measure all Chick-Lit Paranormal Romance and a MUST for all audiobook junkies.

THE DANGERS OF DATING A REBOUND VAMPIRE was like riding a killer water slide, except the whee lasted for 9+ hours. ...more

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Sep 12, 2014 Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) rated it really liked it

Shelves: half-moon-hollow, paranormal-romance, vampires

I can always count on Molly Harper to bring a smile to my face and joy to my soul; her stories are clever and characters always charming.

Following the events left hanging in the holiday-themed novella, I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas, it is summer and Gigi Scanlon is working at a summer internship with the local Vampire Council. While it is her geek’s heart dream job, filled with off-the-chart perks for Gigi, big sister Iris wants to keep her away from the dangerous vampires and shady counc I can always count on Molly Harper to bring a smile to my face and joy to my soul; her stories are clever and characters always charming.

Following the events left hanging in the holiday-themed novella, I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas, it is summer and Gigi Scanlon is working at a summer internship with the local Vampire Council. While it is her geek’s heart dream job, filled with off-the-chart perks for Gigi, big sister Iris wants to keep her away from the dangerous vampires and shady council, especially after Gigi is attacked in the parking lot after work. However, Gigi has a secret history with her assailant and knows Nik is under a spell that compels him to attack her. Now she won't rest until she figures out how to break the spell.

Although one could probably enjoy The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire as a standalone, I feel the book is more rewarding having read the previous stories. Gigi's world is filled with her quirky vampire extended family, whose bonds have developed over time, starting with the first book. Reading about Half-Moon Hollow and learning about its denizens prior to starting the book makes for a richer, more satisfying read. With that said, I do feel that reading the Christmas novella is critical setup for this book.

The romance between Gigi and Nik is fast-paced and a bit steamier than I recall from the earlier titles in the series. And even though things develop quickly between the pair, I'm okay with it because of the light-hearted tone and humorous feel of the book. Their banter is both silly and clever, playing off one another like long-time friends and lovers, which keeps the story moving forward and focused on the going-ons, rather than causing worry over if they will or won’t become a couple.

Returning characters add humor and depth to the book. Additionally, new characters, like Gigi’s coworkers, provide dimension and fun to the mix. If you are unfamiliar with the series you may get a bit lost trying to keep straight all of the players and their the crazy antics. For those who are readers of the series, you may be a bit surprised at the actions of some of the characters. I for one, was a little shocked as the events of the story played out.

Overall, The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire is a highly entertaining book and a wonderful addition to the Half-Moon Hollow adventures! Filled with outrageous humor, silly mishaps, and marvelous characters who I have come to adore, I devoured the story in nearly one sitting. I found the mystery of what is happening to Nik to be well-executed, and even though the plot was a little obvious, I was still pleasantly surprised. Ms. Harper's titles are completely amusing and delightful, and I highly recommend starting the Half-Moon Hollow series with the first book, The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires. ...more

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Jun 28, 2014 Melindeeloo rated it really liked it

Shelves: vampires, audio_book, x2015

3.5 stars - Molly Harper in audio, read by Amanda Ronconi, is always a winning combo for me and I thoroughly enjoyed The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire. I did have some nits if I stop to think about it though. The biggest is the Gigi's lack of caution around the yummy vamp who keeps zoning out and trying to kill her, attraction over self preservation would normally be a TSTL show stopper for me but really the romance is almost secondary in these and the characters are familiar and fun so I ...more

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Sep 13, 2014 Melanie rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-stars, 4-5-star-narration, paranormal-romance, z-2015, z-2015-audiobooks

My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

I love my trips to Half-Moon Hollow. While I’m still behind on Jane Jameson series, which is set in the same town with the tons of character overlap, I’ve stayed up-to-date on this series and the Naked Werewolf series. This book focuses on Gigi, Iris’s little sister from the first book in this series. I loved Gigi. She is quite the computer geek, which speaks to the geek in me. Our hero is a vamp that works for the co ...more

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Aug 06, 2014 Darcy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015, pnr, audio-book, vampires, listened-to-at-work

I liked seeing Gigi with the Half-Moon Hallow gang. As she grew up with most of these misfits she knew how to work them, a good thing as most of them kept butting into her life. I especially loved how Gigi was able to give Ophelia the smack down. Ophelia has needed to be taken down a peg and it was great that little Gigi was able to do it. I was so so on the romance between Gigi and Nick, didn't really see them as a couple. I found Dick and Jane's news at the end to be funny. It should bring abo ...more

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Apr 03, 2016 Anne - Books of My Heart rated it it was ok

Shelves: library, 2016, z-nolastorycon

I'm not sure why but I didn't enjoy this one very much. It didn't seem as funny and sort of the same formula as the most recent ones. I felt kind of annoyed with Gigi, she exhibited another round of TSTL when she is obviously talented and strong. It was great to see Ophelia get hers. Also, it always good to see the whole group of friends. The best part is Dick - I love Dick. Everything about him makes me smile. ...more

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Mar 02, 2015 Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audio

I've been waiting for this book forever it seems. I always liked Gigi and I really couldn't wait for her to have her own story. Loved it! Molly Harper and Amanda Ronconi are an awesome team and they delivered a great story that kept me on the edge of my seat, thinking, laughing and smiling to myself all day. I love the Half Moon Hallow series and can't wait for more. The craziness and shenanigans a seem to always happen but it is so entertaining and the cast of characters seems to be growing but ...more

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Feb 25, 2015 Susan rated it liked it · review of another edition

2.5 Don't really like under 21 angst any more and really don't like under 21 people declaring of course this love is forever and ever especially when the other is plus a couple hundred years. ...more

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