“Undead and Unwed by Sam Tschida is cozy, chaotic, and a little bit bloody in the most festive way possible.” ~ Under the Covers

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If you’ve ever wished your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie came with fangs and a little existential dread, Undead and Unwed by Sam Tschida is about to make your undead heart very happy. Think cozy Vermont snow, a messy vampire heroine, and just enough romance to keep things sweet, without losing that classic funny urban fantasy edge we haven’t seen much of since the Queen Betsy era.

What Is Undead and Unwed by Sam Tschida About?

Tiffenie is a three-hundred-year-old vampire who still hasn’t figured out how to vampire, or adult. She works at a blood bank, lives for Hallmark Channel marathons with her cat, and accidentally inherits a house in a postcard-perfect Vermont town. When she moves in, she brings along a newly accidentally turned vampire and runs into a meddling small-town community, a cute neighbor, and a house in needs of repairs. Oh and an ex-boyfriend named Vlad who isn’t ready to stay gone. Between mistaken identity mix-ups, holiday drama, and a love triangle involving a Christmas tree farmer, Tiffenie might finally get her the happily-ever-after she never thought she’d get… fangs and all.

Undead and Unwed by Sam Tschida Book Review

Let’s get this out of the way first: despite being marketed as paranormal romance (and even horror in a few places), Undead and Unwed by Sam Tschida is classic funny urban fantasy with a dash of romance. Think less blood and terror, more sarcasm and small-town chaos.

What makes it so fun is how it leans into that early-2000s vibe, like MaryJanice Davidson, Darynda Jones, Diana Rowland, but with fresher, cozier energy. Tiffenie’s an absolute disaster in the best possible way. She’s three hundred years old and still doesn’t have her life together, and honestly, who can’t relate?

Between awkward vampire etiquette, small-town gossip, and her ex who redefines “toxic situationship,” this book had me grinning. There’s nothing scary here, unless you count the horror of watching your ex get jealous while you flirt with the guy next door who owns a Christmas tree farm.

How Does Undead and Unwed by Sam Tschida Balance the Comedy and Romance?

This book leans hard into the comedy and cutesy. Between vampire coffin mishaps, a bachelor auction, and Vlad getting himself nailed into his own coffin (truly, a highlight), I was constantly entertained. The small-town holiday setting gives off peak found family warmth and Hallmark vibes, like you’re sipping hot cocoa with fangs.

The romance subplot is definitely there, even if it’s not the central focus. I personally loved the way the love triangle played out. The new neighbor is surprisingly chill about dating an immortal with baggage, but Vlad being the jealous, slightly possessive ex? That hit the sweet spot between funny and sweet.

Tiffenie herself is the kind of heroine you want to root for. She makes mistakes, she’s awkward, she’s ancient but somehow still in emotional middle school, and that’s what makes her fun.

Final Thoughts

It’s not perfect, but it’s a delightful, funny return to the kind of urban fantasy that made me fall in love with the genre in the first place. Undead and Unwed by Sam Tschida is cozy, chaotic, and a little bit bloody in the most festive way possible.

For more paranormal books with a touch of humor, check out our funny urban fantasy book recommendations or small town urban fantasy books. Of course, visit our hub of all urban fantasy books.

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