Van Helsing’s Guide to Monsters and Dating

by Ben Crew

Meet Jefferson Van Helsing, descendant of the greatest vampire hunter of all time, as he faces horrifying monsters and even more terrifying first dates in Portland, Oregon.

Polite conversation is quite limited when you’re a descendant of the man who hunted Dracula, and it makes going on nice dinner dates damn near impossible. But Jeff, Portland's local monster hunter, revels in the gore of his not-quite-day job.

In this guidebook, Jeff teaches the reader how to face an encounter with the most evil creatures of darkness, be they an 800-year-old blood-sucking fiend or a finance major who only has "coffee!!!" listed as their interest. He may still be learning the ins and outs of romantic etiquette, but killing monsters is in his blood.

Van Helsing’s Guide to Monsters and Dating is an illustrated monster/dating companion where readers will learn how to identify and fight ghouls, ghosts, vampires and more. In this harrowing debut by Ben Crew, Jeff stumbles into true love, discovers the importance of bro-time, and accidentally triggers a century-old prophecy all in a good-natured attempt to better the world by bettering himself.

Genres: Horror, Humor

175 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2025

Reviews

[Lotta Z · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and CLASH books for this ARC.

Unfortunately this book is really not for me. I love Van Helsing and the monster vs hunters genre. I love humour and a good laugh as much as the next person but this book is just not the vibe.

There was so much blaspheming going on in this book. I just couldn't get into this. It felt like it was every other page, that might not be a problem for some people but it was for me unfortunately.

Also, I'm disappointed because the storyline could have been so interesting! The premise to me looked great but it just didn't deliver. It seemed to me that the story was only created to promote things I'm just personally not interested in.

I liked the art style, the retro references, and the invisible man element but everything else missed the mark for me sorry!

Thanks for reading!

[Milda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read Van Helsing’s Guide to Monsters and Dating in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Monster hunting meets modern dating—with a lot of weird in between 🧛‍♂️📱. The book has a quirky, supernatural vibe that’s kept me turning pages. I’m not laughing out loud, but the mix of awkward romance and monster encounters makes for a fun, offbeat read.

What I’ve really enjoyed is the monster lore and how it lightly pokes fun at both dating culture and classic horror tropes 🧟‍♀️💘. The illustrations add charm and help bring the oddball world to life 🎨👻. It's short, easy to read, and has a unique style that stands out.

A fun pick if you're into light horror, clever creature twists, and supernatural dating mishaps.

#VanHelsingsGuidetoMonstersandDating #NetGalley

[Heather Dreier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hilarious! If you are like me and love all things classic horror, this is for you, but with a hilarious twist. Loved the spin into humor, without taking away the creep factor. Perfect read for Spooky season.

[—lex♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obtuve un ARC a través de NetGalley.

De verdad, de verdad, deseaba que me encantara esta obra, porque tiene una premisa bastante interesante. Una guía moderna escrita por el descendiente de Van Helsing sobre monstruos y cómo estos se comportan en la actualidad. Había un plus no muy deseado, pero tampoco lo rechazaba en su totalidad, de romance.
Esto me olía un poco a los libros de Emily Wilde, pero sobre cryptos, no solo faes. Y esperaba que fuera algo así. Un formato diario, sumado a las imágenes, que fueron, sin duda alguna, uno de los puntos más fuertes de la historia, le hubiese aportado no solo credibilidad, sino que también hubiera permitido un montón de los chistes tontos que se hicieron. Quiero decir, no estoy más allá de los libros ridículos, que es lo que este pretende ser; no por algo una de mis obras favoritas de la vida es Tales from Verania, pero debe existir un equilibrio entre lo absurdo y una trama real. Para mi infortunio, no siento que esto vaya muy bien en ese segundo aspecto, lo que solo se empeora cuando, como lectora, no pude conectar con ninguno de los personajes.
Todos eran bastante caricaturescos y no hubo momentos de vulnerabilidad o real desarrollo. El único cambio de la obra fue que Jefferson, cazador de vampiros, comenzó a salir con una vampira, oh, hell, y ni siquiera parece un cambio muy natural, porque lo quieren hacer pasar por amor verdadero cuando se conocen hace cuatro días y dos de ellos él pensó que ella estaba irrevocablemente muerta. Y ja! Qué irónico es eso, es uno de los chistes que mejor funcionan, en realidad, y no se intentó hacer demasiado obvio, lo que le suma puntos. Pero a ver, qué hubo antes de eso? Ni introspección, ni un segundo de duda, a pesar de que Jefferson se ha dedicado su rubro en particular toda la vida. A los demás los define su única característica. Harv es un hombre invisible y nunca saben si está allí o no. Ollie es un hombre lobo gay que lleva un podcast en el que no lo vemos nunca. Penélope es un interés amoroso y solo hace eso.
Hablando de los críptidos de la guía, se nombran cinco. Y dios. ¿Familia centenaria dedicada a relacionarse con ellos y lo único que puedes decirme es sobre la clase de monstruos más comunes? ¡Incluso hablas de los chupacabras, pero no les dedicó un capítulo! Todo porque está más centrado en contarnos sobre su día con muchos chistes sobre la raza y cómo Jeff solo piensa en él mismo, para luego justificar su narcisismo. Ja, ja, ja. De verdad, hubiera eliminado esto y dejado el formato diario. La guía. No solo porque es confuso, sino porque era la parte interesante, lo que piensas al tomar el libro. Que una personalidad sassy llegue a contarte sobre monstruos modernos a través de anécdotas mientras te da datos sobre ellos es la cúspide de lo que podría ser interesante.
Y a decir verdad, no es una historia mala, porque es realmente divertida, pero no es lo mío. Para alguien que pueda disfrutar más la parte del romance rápido y directo, creo que eso lo va a obtener de maravilla y podría amar esto. De criptozoología, no esperen mucho.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Netgalley ARC - as ever, thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

This book is full of humour and thankfully was right on my wavelength, to the point I was tittering to myself (not quite laugh out loud) and happily smirking at some of the scenarios. The concept was sound, I loved the writing style and genuinely connected with the characters. Lots of bang-on references to how films and books portray the various monsters, which again maybe is down to me being the perfect demographic for this book.

I really hope there’s another book to follow up in the future because my one complaint is that it’s too short. I was left wanting more, and with the belief that it would make for a fun animated series. Why not 5 stars though.. it was close, this is like a 4.5 and that’s mostly down to the want for more, which may seem harsh.

I’ve already recommended this book to a few friends and that’s the best endorsement right? It’s funny, it’s cute, it’s an easy read with scope for more. I loved it.

[Andrhea · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve ever wondered what it would look like if monster hunting and modern dating collided in one chaotic, hilarious mash-up—you’re about to find out. Ben Crew crafts Jefferson Van Helsing as the ultimate blend of horror-obsessed legend and socially awkward dater, and watching him juggle crossbows and cocktail conversations is a delight. The comedic moments shine brightest when Jeff’s monster-hunt instincts accidentally bleed into his romantic life: whether he’s checking for fangs during a first date or mentally doing battle posture analysis in a coffee shop, you’ll chuckle (or snort) in recognition. The “guidebook” style insertions—monster tips, Q&A sections, tongue-in-cheek sidebars—add a playful meta twist that breaks up the narrative in fun, surprising ways. What I loved most: the humor never feels lazy. Even the side characters, like Jeff’s werewolf or invisible roommate, get their moments to shine (and to crack jokes). Beyond the laughs, there’s a sweet undercurrent of vulnerability in Jeff’s attempts to reconcile who his family legacy expects him to be and who he actually wants to be (yes, even when surrounded by ghosts). The tone is self-aware without being smug, and it treads that fine line between parody and heartfelt fantasy. If you love supernatural lore, awkward romance, or just want a fun, genre-bending ride, this book delivers in spades.

[Paige Tiedeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a YA treasure map for the Modern Monster Hunter. When you hear the words “monsters and dating guide,” you probably imagine a tattered notebook tucked under a bed where a shy teen scribbles who-slept-with-Dracula’s cousin last Christmas. But Van Helsing’s Guide to Monsters and Dating is not your grandpa’s supernatural how-to. It’s a funny, lighthearted romp that treats the whole dating thing as an epic quest—one that pairs fang-filled encounters with diagrams, doodles, and enough puns to make Count Dracula blush.

My recommendation is to grab this in a physical format; ink on paper has a certain magic that no screen can quite replicate, especially when you’re flipping through a diagram of what items might save you from fulfilling an ancient prophecy.

Thank you, NetGalley and Clash Books, for providing this eARC, available this September, right in time for Spooky Season!

[Rachel Scola · Rating 4 out of 5]

was not expecting a book about monsters written by a guy I follow on Twitter for jokes to have a surprisingly wholesome & hope core final chapter. You know what I *AM* more than my job!

[Andrew Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A witty debut novel. Ben Crew breathes new life into the horror comedy, drawing genuine laughs.

[Leslie Lucille · Rating 4 out of 5]

This horror satire was a breath of fresh air to me! It had such lightness to it. The mix of horror and humor was just right to me. It was definitely on the lighter side of horror, but still had enough to appeal to my horror loving heart. I loved Jeff, Oliver, and Harvey's dynamic so much, and their interactions made the whole experience even more fun. The illustrations and "Limber app" descriptions were such a wonderful addition to a really fun story. Definitely recommend this one if you're looking for some humor in your horror!

Thank you Netgalley & Clash Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Claire Smith-Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give this a 3.75 so I've rounded up
I read this as an eARC, thank you Netgalley and the author and I'm voluntarily reviewing this book.


This book was a fun romp through some of the major monsters out there all seen through the eyes of Jefferson Van Helsing, descendant and member of the family monster hunting business, all whilst trying to maintain a normalish life. The book follows Jeff on his disastrous date - I won't give a spoiler - and his decision to write a book, a guide in fact to monsters and dating, all with the help of his roommates - Oliver a werewolf and Harvey, an invisible man. Throw in a few demonstrations on how to survive/kill and a fantastic Q & A section at the end of each section and I was hooked. 


The boys relationship is funny, they clearly get on well and I liked their humour. 


The writing style was very modern and kind of blogger like in style which took me a few pages to get into but once I was I flew through it in hours

[Tiffany Killian · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you could talk to a descendant of the first Van Helsing, what type of questions would you ask? Well lucky for you Jeff Van Helsing is about to write a book giving you a guide to all monsters & how to deal with them.

This book was quirky and easy to read. Jeff’s relationship with his werewolf best friend and invisible man best friend makes a lot of the story come to life. While it wasn’t entirely what I expected, it also wasn’t bad. The Q&A sections in the chapters about monsters were a nice touch. Overall, 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

**Thank you NetGalley & Clash Books for providing me with an ARC**

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine the buddy vibes from Hotel Transylvania, but swap out Dracula for Jefferson “Jeff” VanHelsing, the descendant of the iconic vampire hunter, and his best friends just happen to be a werewolf and the invisible man. Now add some adult humor, a wildly awkward first date, and Jeff’s mission to debunk ridiculous monster myths by writing a book. What follows is a hilarious, fast-paced romp that mixes monster shenanigans, laugh-out-loud commentary, and quirky illustrations into one unforgettable read. It’s part monster manual, part comedic memoir, and all-around fun.

[Reviewer Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fun, offbeat blend of paranormal adventure and romantic comedy. The story follows a monster hunter navigating the awkward world of modern dating, and it’s packed with clever humor, unexpected heart, and a surprisingly sweet romantic arc. The banter is sharp, the world-building is quirky but immersive, and the monsters are just the right mix of spooky and hilarious. It’s a refreshing, genre-mashing read that doesn’t take itself too seriously—and that’s exactly what makes it so enjoyable.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and CLASH Books for this arc.

This was so fun and entertaining. I got exactly what I wanted from the description with a lighthearted monster guide book while incorporating dating app pictures and other images to help illustrate it. There was slightly less dating than I expected from the title but it works this way.

I would recommend this if you’re looking for a quick lighthearted book that you will fly through.

[William Griskevich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a few times in various stages. Incredibly fun and imaginative. Lots of laughs and lots of heart. An exciting debut from an exciting new author. And I’m not just saying all these nice things cause he slept on my couch for a week.

[Cal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, CLASH Books, and Author Ben Crew for the eArc copy of "Van Helsing's Guide to Monsters and Dating" in exchange for an honest review.

Ben Crew has come up with a story that contains a fresh idea and is written in such a fun way. Jefferson Van Helsing is a 22-Year-Old Vampire Hunter running with his two friends and a goal to get the word out about the truth of monsters. In doing so, he finds love, deepens his friendships, and maybe unlocks a horrible Prophecy? Just another day on the job right?

Crew's book encompasses a series of fun sketches, Q&A's, and monster facts for the world he has created. The sense of 90s and 00s humor mixed in makes this an interesting piece to interact with. It's a fun ride.

The humor of the story was there, but there are instances where it acts forced or just isn't sure when to take a breather. Picture Deadpool and Vigilante in a room together trying to one up the other. Entertaining, but not for long. The pacing was quick and fitting to the style of this novel, but near the middle of the novel it began toying with a new direction of style. This led to a feeling of disjointedness. Audience is a big part of writing and this novel toys back and forth for the catering. References and other instances were played towards adults while the writing and chunks of humor catered towards the younger crowds. Think of a PG-13 movie that's pushing the limits without stepping over. There were also points in this book where 2 very specific things were consistently brought up to the point it removed me from the novel completely. While these points were valid, it did seem a bit much after awhile. There are thousands of other references or Easter eggs that could have played into this novel spanning across popular media and I wish the author would have utilized those as well.

[Whitney Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Movies, TV, and other pop culture have shifted the public perception of monsters from fearsome to entertaining."

"It's all about the hairy dude making a busty chick scream"

Legendary vampire/monster hunter lineage? Check. Rag tag group of friends. Check. Terrible at dating because you can't seem to function without making it about yourself and the fact that you are a descendant of the legendary Van Helsing? Check. Now your date is a disaster and you decide you have nothing better to do than write a book detailing monster types and how to deal with them, while also dealing with your internal monologue that becomes completely external.

This book was quirky and gave off the feeling of early 00's spoof comedy movies with a tiny hint of rom-com. Like something that Ryan Reynolds, James Franco or the Waynes brothers would've had a hand in. The feel of the book isn't too serious and has a comedic edge, that may not be everyone's cup of tea, but is still pretty funny. I loved the addition of his pals in the book, was not expecting a couple instances in the book, still haven't decided as a reader how I felt about the one. However, there is a quote in the book mentioning what would happen if the government declassified what they knew and the social media response being something along the lines of "Don't care, I got rent to pay." was gold. Thank you to CLASH Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy this comedic read and review it. My opinions are strictly my own. That said I do want to caution that while this is a funny and light hearted comedic horror book, there are some things some people may be sensitive to. Specifically anything regarding any type of gore/blood.

[East of Reality · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author of this book has a sense of humor that I do not share. As such it made reading this book more tedious than enjoyable — and that’s just the way it works, sometimes. Humor is subjective, and with much of this book being delivered in and with scenes written to be funny, it made the mismatch between us all the more painful.

One of the biggest sources of humor is the invisible man chatting, talking on his phone — with the phone being visible — giving the werewolf a wedgie (which leaves the werewolf levitating around the room, being pulled along by his underwear), or shooting off one liners. It reads very much as though it’s meant to be televised,with so many of the gags being visual in a way that didn’t work for me. Part of that is how action oriented everything is, with no sense of who the characters are beyond whining, insulting, jokes I didn’t find funny and sight gags that don’t work as well via a book.

That said, every now and then there’s a comment or two that I did find slightly amusing, in the brief encyclopedia entries of monsters, such as the various types of zombies or ghosts, or the Q&As. I just didn’t care for the adventures of the characters beyond that. For me, if the whole book had been an encyclopedia, I would have enjoyed it much more.

Again, that’s just me. Other people may find they connect with the humor and gags more than I did, and have a great time with it, and I hope the book finds those people For me, though, this wasn’t the best time. The writing is fine, I found the pacing to be a bit frenetic, and the illustrations are a very nice touch. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Rachael Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you like dumb, monster fiction with humor, satire, and possibly a date who turns into a vampire when she gets up to go to the bathroom? Well, do I have the perfect book for you. Welcome to Van Helsing's Guide to Monsters and Dating, where some of the monsters are friends, some monsters are fairly benign and some monsters may just be your next love interest.

Jeff Van Helsing, a somewhere down the line, descendant of the original vampire hunter, Van Helsing. After a date goes horribly wrong where his date gets dragged off into the night by a group of vampires, Jeff is inspired to write a guide book to help others with both their dating life and monster hunting or at least figure out how to defeat certain monsters should one find themselves faced with the supernatural.

This book is silly and a bit ridiculous. I think that's why I liked it so much. I wanted something that didn't take itself too seriously and I could laugh at the campy nature of the antics our monster hunter, an invisible man, and a werewolf get into. No one seems to actually be very good at dating but I suppose if the only viable options are people on an app called Limber, or the potentially undead, you may have less stress just going with the undead. At least this book will help you navigate those waters too.

It's a short, quick read with some doodles and a prophecy. You have to like dumb humor to be able to enjoy this one, but I did.

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐I always round up for debuts.

With the cover reminding me of Daddy Winchester's book passed down on Supernatural and title making me snicker, my curiosity was piqued. I have always loved all kinds of monster books. I can appreciate what the author set out to achieve here as it's difficult to take a monster story and shoot it through with enough humor to lighten the mood and endear readers. Humor is subjective, but when every other line is trying too hard to get laughs it becomes tedious. Less is more and timing is everything. No one can get to know the characters enough for the humor to land if it's just quip after quip ad nauseum. (AND we all know how much I enjoy a good quip)

Jefferson Van Helsing is a descendant of the famed vampire hunter from Dracula. He is trying to slay monsters and online date. Jeff decides to put his wisdom into a guidebook and that's what readers are flipping through here. The simplistic pencil drawings of creatures and both his and his friends' "profiles" were one of the things that worked in the story. There are a lot of pop culture references in here that you may enjoy if you're a monster movie buff.

The premise could have worked, but the execution was way too dude, bro for me.

Thank you to Clash Books for providing an ARC via NetGalley for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kamiye · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/3.5

I picked up this book because of the title (yes, I'm weak like that). There are monsters and dating. It's a fun book, depending on your view on humour, you might not like it.

I think it would be better if this were a series or a movie. The writing fits this vibe. I think the author has been influenced by movies, and it shows (it's not a bad thing). Not everything was funny for me, and that's ok. The characters were funny. It gave this 2000s-ish funny movie vibe.

My understanding is that this is a debut novel. I think the author finds their voice. Might not be to everyone's enjoyment, but that's ok.

There is a plot that gives the main character an excuse to write a book about monsters and dating. Basically, he doesn't want to write about s*x but well...s*x sells...

Quotes I found hilarious - that's why you need to pick up this book:

"I go on a lot of first dates. On these dates, I have only two rules: 1. Don't talk about exes. 2. Don't talk about vampires."

"You do not want to look cool, you want to be practical." (about which weapons are best to kill vamps.)


I received an e-ARC via Netgalley from Clash Books. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book before its release date. This review is my own and I'm leaving it voluntarily.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review – 3⭐️

Summary:
Van Helsing’s Guide to Monsters and Dating is a short, snarky monster-hunting rom-com that follows a descendant of the infamous Van Helsing family navigating both supernatural threats and the chaos of modern dating.

Review:
This book had big Zombieland energy—witty narration, monster-killing action, and a tongue-in-cheek survival guide feel. Honestly, it almost reads like it was meant for the screen. I could easily see this working better as a movie than a novel.

The humor is hit or miss. Some jokes landed and made me laugh out loud, while others completely fell flat and pulled me out of the moment. It felt like the tone couldn’t quite decide between full camp or grounded snark.

At under 200 pages, the story was rushed, and there wasn’t much room to develop either the romance or the world. I found myself wishing for more time to get invested before the ending came crashing in.

Bottom line: A fun premise with cinematic flair and some sharp one-liners, but uneven pacing and inconsistent humor held it back. Might work best for readers who want a fast, quirky read and don’t mind if the story speed-runs its way to the finish.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[BloggingBooks& Banter · Rating 4 out of 5]

🐺🧛🏻‍♂️🥰Van Helsing’s Guide to Monsters and Dating by Ben Crew🥰🧛🏻‍♂️🐺 - These are my monstrous thoughts.

Rating: 4/5⭐️
Okay Mr.Crew!! You impressed me. You killed this story, in the best possible way.

What did I think? Well, thanks for asking.

This author delivers a deliciously chaotic, LOL romp through the world of supernatural dating. Equal parts horror satire and heartfelt rom-com, this book is what happens when What We Do in the Shadows hooks up with The Bachelor, with a little sprinkle of Buffy. Sooo good. The premise is absurd in the best way: modern monster hunter Van Helsing (yes, that Van Helsing, kind of) is stuck navigating a Tinder-esque hellscape full of thirsty vampires, moody werewolves, and brooding banshees who want more than just your soul. I snorted my drink by accident a few too many times. Don’t get me started on the footnotes. I genuinely only have one reason it’s not a full five stars. A few sections lean a little too hard into the absurdity, but every other time it’s just part of the charm I promise. This is a brilliant horror-comedy you didn’t know you needed. Just don’t swipe right on the succubus… Trust me.

Set to release on Sept. 9th, 2025. You HAVE to grab this book!!👏🏼👏🏼

[Holly Taggart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Net Galley, CLASH and Ben Crew for the eARC to read and review.
This book was a total snack! (It's pretty short, so I can't say it's a full course meal friends).

Jefferson Van Helsing comes from a long line of Monster Slayers, and he's no different - he's pretty good at getting rid of the pesky creatures that plague the Portland area. He is less good at getting a second date....for various reasons.

After a rather eventful outing, he realizes he needs to create a guide to help in the understanding of monsters, and how they can be dispatched, oh, and dating, because dating is...where he's at.

There is a lot of humor in this sort of campy snarky novel where our main character does actually fall into true love- all while triggering an ancient prophecy- like you know, a typical Monster Hunter's Saturday...
I loved the journal style of the novel, the close but non-toxic male friendships in the book, the very fast pacing and the satisfying conclusion! This is a novel that I think any Monster fiction lover would enjoy, and with the very unique cover would make for a nice gift for the right human!

[Jessica Mather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the funniest books I have ever read!
Jeff Van Helsing and his werewolf and invisible dude friends decide that it might be a good idea to write a book on how to survive certain monsters. Each chapter is broken up into story, creature view, and Q&A. This is a brilliant way to tell both a linear story, and travel along as Jeff writes his book. And i swear, i have not laughed so hard in a book… since I can actually remember. Like, I don’t laugh in books! Oliver and Harvey had the best one-liners!
I originally requested the book due to both the title and the cover. Reading that there were illustrations made me think it was a Graphic Novel, but it isn’t, and i’m glad of it! I found the writing to be clever, witty, funny, and the illustrations had a life and personality of their own.

I recommend this book to everyone. Simple as that. Stop what you are doing and order this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and CLASH Books for the opportunity to read and review this arc (which is immediately going on my wishlist). All opinions are my own.

(What are you still doing here? Go order the book! Don’t read the description, just go!)

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short and sweet book that is funny and has little dashes of sweetness.

In this book we meet Jefferson Van Helsing, who is a demon and vampire hunting descendant of the well-known hunter who hunted down Dracula. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his friends, the invisible man Harvey and Oliver the werewolf.

Jefferson is looking for love, and having a hard dealing with the attacks from demons and vampires and his date's curiosity with vampires. He's getting nowhere, and so he decides to put together a guide to dating as a vampire hunter.

One of the favourite things is the multiple dating profiles for the characters from Jefferson and his two friends to some of the characters he meets along the way. There are many sketches throughout the book, some of which are laugh out loud funny, such as the essential supplies you will need if you are looking after your werewolf friend.

This is such a funny book, and would be a brilliant addition to the book collection of anyone who loves the world of monsters and vampires, as well as Van Helsing and Dracula.

[Ellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let's start with the things I liked about this book:
- the pictures/multimedia
- the guidebook/"how to" aspect of this book

I am not sure if it is the ARC copy I received, but the format was quite clunky. The story was almost too fast paced that I couldn't figure out who was who and what was going on. The guidebook aspect was mixed in to the story so the reader would have to flip back and forth between reading the plot and reading the guide. I found this really confusing and I struggled to stay in the story because of it. I think that this had a lot of potential however just missed the mark a little. I do think that this author has a lot of potential for their new books as this was incredibly creative and unique!

Thank you to NetGalley and Clash Books for the opportunity to review this ARC copy!

[Storm In A Teacup · Rating 3 out of 5]

Van Helsing’s Guide to Monsters and Dating by Ben Crew was a funny, lighthearted ride that blended monster lore with modern dating chaos. Written as though the current Van Helsing is keeping a guidebook on all the creatures of the night, it’s packed with wit, banter, and quirky commentary on how to handle vampires, ghouls, and other beasts, while navigating the absurdities of everyday life.

The humour kept me smiling throughout, and there were genuine laugh out loud moments. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that worked in its favor, it’s the kind of book you can pick up when you want something entertaining, quick, and tongue in cheek.

While I landed on 3.5 stars, I’d still recommend it if you enjoy monster books that lean more into fun and parody than horror. It’s a unique little gem that delivers on exactly what the title promises: monsters, dating, and plenty of laughter.

[Bridgette Rasmsusen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was the definition of quirky. A little comedy, a little monsters, a decent helping social commentary. About halfway through I realized, this book is EXACTLY what every middle/High school boy would have picked up in a 2000's book fair (lol).

Jefferson Van Helsing- a little awkward, definately a little annoyed with the world, and looking to showboat a touch in an effort to enlighten the masses about the monsters that live among us. The werewolf and invisible man made up the comedy and ribbing that made this book enjoyable throughout.

I found the plot to be slow/clunky in spots, but it was laid out in a semi-informational, then back to plot, then weird side story that kinda made sense, then back to plot.