isabellm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was a cute and enjoyable read. The two leads Oz and Mariel had good chemistry and it was fun watching how things played out between them after their accidental start. Mariel trying to live up to her destiny/ family’s legacy was very relatable. Though she was frustrating at times, lashing out at the wrong people, it was satisfying to see her journey to accepting her own power and standing up for her herself. Oz and his struggles were fascinating and the author did a good job showing the overwhelming effect his bargain gone astray had on him. A colourful cast of side characters and an enjoyable romance between the two leads 3.75 ⭐️ rounded up)
madeline's review against another edition
4.0
This book was fun from start to finish - Mariel is a powerful witch who can't tap into her powers well, and accidentally summons a demon, Ozroth, into her kitchen. Ozroth has accidentally ended up with a soul, and thus inconveniently has a conscience about all of this "soul-reaping" stuff and even more inconveniently is noticing how hot Mariel is and he just wants to make a soul bargain with her so he can go back to the demon plane but he also wouldn't mind if he got to like hold her hand a little bit first?
Absolutely impeccable "touch her and you die" vibes in this book. Ozroth is a gooey cinnamon roll and it's great to watch Mariel grow into her powers and yell at her awful family. I cannot wait for more from Sarah Hawley!
Thank you Berkley and Edelweiss for the ARC!
Absolutely impeccable "touch her and you die" vibes in this book. Ozroth is a gooey cinnamon roll and it's great to watch Mariel grow into her powers and yell at her awful family. I cannot wait for more from Sarah Hawley!
Thank you Berkley and Edelweiss for the ARC!
bookwormbullet's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bookswithca's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
allysunsun's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book super early because October was all about the witch reads for me! And this one was awesome, our main character is a great witch, but she's been put down for so long that she second guesses everything she does which means she accidentally summons a demon. The demon can't leave until he gets a soul, he has some misgiving about it though, and they become platonic roommates. And they were roommates? Obviously, this leads to some tension and some awesome character development to get to a very satisfying ending. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Sarah Hawley and this universe in the future!
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!
headinthepages's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Lighthearted and fun to read with some steamy scenes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Abandonment, Animal death, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/injury detail, Violence, Bullying, Cancer, Death, Drug use, and Sexual content
felfiramoon's review against another edition
4.0
A bit of fun read. I enjoyed some parts more than others. I do wish the romance didn't feel quite so rushed (but that just be a personal preference thing) I liked the friendship dynamic with the main trio and how the different personalities fit together.
corkyj's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very cute fantasy romance. Easy on the brain. I will definitely be reading the next one
tej_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The book kicks off with Mariel Spark - a witch accidentally summoning a soul bargainer demon. And what is a witch to do? Fake date him.
The main characters go back and forth, Oz (the demon) wants her soul and she doesn't want to give it to him, however we realise in the first few pages that he isn't interested in her taking her soul, but interested in her.
At times I did roll eyes a bit because how long can the back and forth between Mariel and her mother go on... it felt as if I really didn't get a break between one scene with her mother hurling criticism at her and another. But I suppose that's also the mother is a typical helicopter, you owe me, "reach your potential", why aren't you more like me parent. And don't get me started on the dad.
I suppose the good thing about having a plot involving demons is that the plot can always be solved in two to three pages or with a bargain or two. I thought the ending ending was cute but the way the 'conflict' was solved fell a bit flat - smart but flat.
Overall, I would totally recommend this, and to the person who started this cutesy cartoon covers hiding smut I really do appreciate you.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sarah Hawley for an arc in exchange for my honest review.
Book #2 of 2023
The main characters go back and forth, Oz (the demon) wants her soul and she doesn't want to give it to him, however we realise in the first few pages that he isn't interested in her taking her soul, but interested in her.
At times I did roll eyes a bit because how long can the back and forth between Mariel and her mother go on... it felt as if I really didn't get a break between one scene with her mother hurling criticism at her and another. But I suppose that's also the mother is a typical helicopter, you owe me, "reach your potential", why aren't you more like me parent. And don't get me started on the dad.
I suppose the good thing about having a plot involving demons is that the plot can always be solved in two to three pages or with a bargain or two. I thought the ending ending was cute but the way the 'conflict' was solved fell a bit flat - smart but flat.
Overall, I would totally recommend this, and to the person who started this cutesy cartoon covers hiding smut I really do appreciate you.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sarah Hawley for an arc in exchange for my honest review.
Book #2 of 2023