The following review is part of my being in the author’s review team, which ensures that you can read it the moment the book comes out.
If, like me, you are a fan of Robyn Peterman’s books, you’ve had all the reasons to rejoice in 2020 (and the Maker knows that we needed reasons to rejoice in 2020). Her newest release, Fashionably Dead and Loving It, which comes out on 14 December, is no less than her seventh new release this year, after the first three Good To The Last Death (a new series, which premiered on 18 February alongside all of the Fab13’s Paranormal Women’s Fiction books), two new Magic and Mayhem books and, including tomorrow’s release, two Hot Damned novels. Yes, that’s a lot of laughs, a lot of hot and steamy, a lot of emotions, a lot of fun, and a lot of new and old book friends! But you know what they say: the more, the merrier, and that is valid for books, too!
Cue me totally, completely impressed and, as a reader, happily spoiled!
Astrid is back at the forefront!
What’s so special about Fashionably Dead and Loving It? First and foremost, it is the first Astrid centred book in three years, when A Fashionably Dead Diary was published. Of course, she is present in each and every book of the series, but the four books after that novella were mainly featuring other characters (Satan two times, Gemma, and Mother Nature), and as much as I love all those characters (especially Uncle Fucker), Astrid is the one who started the whole of the fanged and divinely supernatural shitshow.
What is she up to, now? Let’s hear it from her, shall we?
Being an undead Princess comes with baggage. And unfortunately, it’s not Prada.
Getting shredded in the Daily Fang, The Bloody Times and The National Dhampir is par for the course in the life of a royal Vampyre—especially mine. However, that’s nothing compared to the sh%tshow unfolding in my life.
My nightmares are coming true.
Satan is throwing fits about changing diapers.
The Baby Demons are full of cryptic messages.
Martha and Jane have a sphincter obsession.
There’s a half-naked Demon in my closet with a mouth as foul as mine.
On top of all that, we’re hosting Demon-hating royal houseguests.
Oh, and did I mention the Vampyre-eating-Zombies on the west coast?
With Ethan by my side, along with new friends and a few well-hidden enemies, it’s time to adjust my crown, put a few Vampyres in their place, and kick some Zombie butt.
I’m dead.
Life is still good.
I have unconditional love.
And on most days, when I’m not covered in Zombie guts, I’m wildly fashionable.
Fashionably dead, that is, and loving it.
Like visiting an old friend and making new ones
Reading a first Astrid centred book in five instalments feels like visiting an old friend, one whose feelings we know, whose mind and quirks make us laugh or drive us to insanity (choose your pick), one whose stories we didn’t realise how much we’ve missed until that point.
Of course, I love Satan to bits (he’s my second favourite in the series), but Astrid is different. After all, we wouldn’t have a Hot Damned series without her, and everything that has been happening to the whole bunch of characters is, well, because she wanted to quit smoking and was turned into a Vampyre. Hence, having her to the forefront of a book really feels like visiting an old friend and catching up with her rather than having her visiting us when we are hosted by other characters.
Then again, there was also a special appearance by Uncle Fucker himself (who made me howl with laughter every time), but also Mother Nature, and my favourites: the Baby Demons! Sadly, their part in the book was too short, but oh, so fun! The same could be said about Samuel, whom we see too little. But in both cases, I know that we will see more of them in future books.
And there was Martha and Jane, of course! The two old biddies are crazier than ever and made me laugh to no end… when they didn’t make me completely emotional (a miracle if there is one).
Add a few new characters to the mix and we have a complete and total, but oh, so thoroughly enjoyable shitshow, like only Robyn Peterman can create! I am looking much forward to see more of Anastasia, Levi, and Vinnie in the future.
My verdict
I laughed, laughed, and laughed some more. As always. Astrid remains the Prada-obsessed Vampyre I fell in love with in the first book, and Ethan is hotter than ever (and I really would love to, one day, read a book from his point of view, just for the fun of it). The whole story was a great deal of fun to read, to the point where it really only did take me a mere 24 hours to read it all.
That’s how good this book is.
And if Astrid is fashionably dead and loving it, we can only say: right back atcha, sister! We’re loving it, too!
A highly fashionable five stars! ✰✰✰✰✰
Caro's Reads 
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