I know that my vast Buffy the Vampire Slayer knowledge is abnormal. Most people (I'm assuming) can't recall every detail of every episode of all 7 seasons, and are therefore unable to see blatant similarities between Buffy and something, in this case, Discount Armageddon. Setting aside the perky, wise-cracking blonde girl who uses sass and pop culture references while fighting, and setting aside the various cryptids (generally called demons on Buffy) that live unknown in the human world, there were some too-close-to-be-a-coincidence moments. 
 #1: "We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Verity, and you're leaving." (Page 11) "We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Buffy, and you're history." (from Never Kill a Boy on the First Date). 
 #2: Snake cult where business men worship a sleeping dragon in hopes of getting wealth and power, and the Buffy episode Reptile Boy where a frat worships a snake demon in hopes of getting wealth and power. They even both wear brown robes. 
 #3 Buffy's yummy sushi pajamas in season 4 (Goodbye Iowa) and Sarah got Verity sushi pajamas on page 209. 
 #4: "If you're gonna crack jokes, then I'm gonna pull out your ribcage and wear it as a hat." (Buffy episode Becoming: Part 2). Istas says she wants to wear Dave's lungs as a hat (and another time too, I think with a spleen or something). 
 If it happened just once, I probably wouldn't have had a problem with it. But 4 times? 
 Now, if I attempt to ignore the Buffy stuff, Discount Armageddon was an entertaining Urban Fantasy, sure, but it didn't exactly bring anything new to the genre. The basic formula - tail-kicking hot chick fights the forces of darkness in a world with a variety of paranormal creatures, meets hot guy who would normally be her enemy, is forced to work with him due to mutual interests, and they save the day together - abounded in this book. There were some cute parts, like the mice, and the clever chapter headings, and the not-what-you'd-expect dragon, but not enough to call it unique. Maybe I've just read most of the Urban Fantasy out there. But I'd really like to start seeing something new in my favorite genre. I'm still waiting... 
 What else? The chemistry between Verity and Dominic wasn't that hot, and felt forced. What I did like a lot was Verity's family, and her relationship with her cousin Sarah. I also liked the dancing, and that she wasn't in Manhattan to kill but to study. And it had a nice message of tolerance (though I could argue this was from several Buffy episodes: Werewolf episode Phases, The Initiative in season 4, Clem, Spike once he got his chip, etc.). 
 I give it 3 stars because it was cute, it was fun, I'd read more of the series if it's written, and 2.5 stars isn't an option. But the Buffy stuff definitely bothers me.