Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon

The book started with some fine writing, and quickly fell apart. In terms of getting the plot across, the writing did an adequate job, but it didn’t really do ranything else.

Characters: 3.5⭐️/5

The characters were fun, but felt a bit flat and/or cartoonish.

Plot: 3.25⭐️/5

Again, while the overarching plot is incredibly fun, it definitely felt like it had a few more than a few holes. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the demon and the witch attempting to work together and eventually falling in love.

World 3⭐️/5

The world is fun but predictable.

Who Should Read This Book?

Fans of romance genre
Fans of fantasy romance with spice
Fans of a fast enemies-to-lovers trope

Content Warnings?

Sexual content, child abuse, dysfunctional family, stalking, toxic relationship, bullying, animal death, emotional abuse,

Post-Reading Rating: 4⭐️/5

I had fun.

Final Rating: 3⭐️/5

Content Warnings

unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

not_asha01's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-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

4.5

Content Warnings

wardenred's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

So let me get this straight: you’re now roommates with a demon you accidentally summoned, and the demon can’t leave until you’ve made a bargain to give up your soul?

A cute witchy read, perfect for the fall season. All the romcom beats were hit perfectly, and I loved how the characters' arcs mirrored each other: both of them beset by others' expectations—Marael by her family's, Oz by his mentor's. Even though their relationship was developing pretty quickly, it was clear to me why they clicked. Besides, because of the sheer amount of time they spend with each other on the daily, the romance didn't feel that fast and insta-lovey at all.

Glimmer Falls is an utterly charming and quirky setting—I loved all the small details the author infused to make it come to live, like magical plants and six-winged birds with too many eyes just casually existing alongside sidewalks.

The bigger setting around the town is compelling, as well, striking just the right balance between the real world and the supernatural additions. There were just a few inconsistencies that bugged me, such as the demonic realm being painted as this community-oriented almost paradise (compared to things like the American student debts and healthcare systems at least), and yet Ozroth used to being treated as a weapon etc. It kind of made sense and worked, but it still felt like the author was trying to smash two separate ideas together.

And there are so many thoroughly entertaining side characters here! True, not all of them are entertaining in good ways, but pretty much everyone consistently made me laugh. The author's brand of humor is fun and has just the right vibe for a romcom. I particularly loved all the instances of wordplay, including the non-humorous ones that were more about worldbuilding. Like, you know, the fact that hell doesn't exist, but hellhounds do, and that's because the word "hell" very much exists in the demon language and means "loyal." Somehow, I always find this kind of thing entertaining.

Perhaps my only not-quite-problem with the story, despite enjoying both romantic leads and their dynamic quite thoroughly, was that I couldn't stop shipping Mariel with her best friend Calladia. :D I mean, Oz was cool, but look at these two! The way Calladia was always there for Mariel, and yet refused to do *everything* for her and insisted that she stand up for himself? And how Mariel had trouble standing up for herself, but never for Calladia? And their banter? And their whole history of being best friend when their mothers are these big rivals? True, absolutely none of these things have anything inherently romantic about them, but these two also have chemistry. You can't convince me they don't!

Content Warnings