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

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

art_books_chemistry's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring mysterious

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

5.0

Content Warnings

blissofalife's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

Loved the start, Mariel was a delight and the banter was fun. The about halfway through

they have sex and all the romantic tension disappears

and it got progressively less interesting and harder to suspend my disbelief. The whole book takes place over a few days, but the characters experience massive changes, I wish more time had passed in the book so it didn’t feel so rushed.

It felt like after the first sex scene the author didn’t have anywhere else to go so there was just more sex and innuendos. I also didn’t love that everyone who wasn’t Mariel’s family members were constantly telling her to stand up for herself. It felt monotonous.

Satisfying ending though.

Content Warnings

emmacartlidge's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

kiwij96's review against another edition

Go to review page

lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I don't know what expectations I had for this book, but at the very least a plot would have been nice.

A contemporary fantasy romance with modern day references and technology about a witch and a demon who both have emotions and are confused by them the entire book.

It was kind of,,,,juvenile writing for a lot of it. Considering that there are some spicy scenes and references to sex, the very young writing feels like something straight out of a teen's Wattpad phase.

Content Warnings

marsh_mall0w's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted medium-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

4.0

Content Warnings

beesin03's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Content Warnings

More...