Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Jessica Packwood is your average, everyday teenager. It’s the first day of her senior year and she has high hopes and expectations for this year. Her “get-a-life” plan is in effect - she plans on hanging out with her BFF and possibly even dating the cute neighbor boy. And everything is going as planned until Lucius Vladescu (the mysterious, foreign exchange student) shows up.

Lucius not only claims to be her betrothed but he is also claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth - and if the two do not get married, their family clans will war. Talk about putting a screeching halt to her plans for the perfect school year.

Luckily for Jessica or Antanasia (her Romanian birth name), Lucius brought along a helpful copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions to help ease her way from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But will Jessica give up her normal life and embrace her darker nature?

I had such fun reading this! It is definitely not your typical vampire/love story. Jessica is this silly girl - she has this great sense of humor and sarcastic tone that I found quite amusing. Lucius was the dark and brooding vampire - but also sooo funny with his take on American culture. They are both very likable characters that you not only relate to and like but will also be rooting for from the start. They are both strong-willed, opinionated and had great chemistry. I loved their constant bickering. Although Jessica would frustrate me at times (yes, the girl would not believe in a vampire if he bit her) but in the end I thought both characters grew and became exactly who you hoped they would be.

The story is told through both Jessica and Lucius’ perspectives. I absolutely loved reading Lucius’ letters to his Uncle Vasile. These were hilarious and by far the funniest moments in the story. Another nice touch was how easily Ms. Fantaskey went from the rural Pennsylvania setting to the exoticness of the Carpathian mountains in Romania. I seriously had issues putting this book down - at no point was I sure what was going to happen. Jessica didn't like Lucius; then Lucius didn't like Jessica; there was no hope for a future... should you keep hoping... oh no. I mean I was taken in by the whole "bloody" [pun intended] mess.

All in all, this was very enjoyable and quick read. It is funny, romantic, action-packed and definitely keeps you guessing. I highly recommend to young adults as well as lovers of paranormal YA.