ALL MEN ARE THE DEVIL, or at least that’s what Callie Keating believes.
She is in her mid twenties living life to its fullest. Not really. She works too much, trying to pay off the large amount of student loan debt she accrued during Nursing School. She makes a vow to be celibate after waking up from yet another one night stand. Jensen Stone, a tall and dreamy ginger, lands himself in her small town. Working under a short term contract at the local power plant, he can’t wait to leave.
Recommended for readers 18+, due to graphic scenes and mature content. Warning: For readers who might be triggered by sensitive subject matter, this book contains scenes which depict sexual violence.
First I should say that romance novels are NOT my thing. I am one of the few women in the world who did not read 50 Shades of Grey. Don’t get me wrong, I tried. I tried so hard to read it but after a few chapters I realized it wasn’t for me. Or rather, it didn’t keep my interest. And that’s the thing with Ginger Devil. I never wanted to put it down. I never got to a point where I was forcing myself to read it. That part came effortlessly. I’ve picked up A LOT of books in my life and never finished them. This isn’t one of them. Even if you aren’t into romance novels I say give it a try! You just may find yourself up all night...maybe in more ways than one!
Good evening, my Fellow Book Dragons, tonight’s Gem is a semi-precious stone of amber. It glows with a warm reddish amber in the firelight. Watch out, because though it may seem tame, it can come back to be the very thing one swore off just a while before. This is Gem Maker T.M. Shivener’s debut novel “Ginger Devil”.
This is the story of a nurse named Calliope Keating whom friends call “Callie”. She is fed up with men and swears off them. She has had it with one night stands, waking up to men whose names she can’t remember and whose company she does not want a second dose of. Well, that is, until she meets the “Ginger Devil”, a handsome redhead who seems too good to be true. Callie is an Appalachian girl and in that spirit, anything that seems too good to be true probably is.
I liked this book. It is a Romance, which is not always my cuppa, but it does have it’s merits. Callie is a realistic character. She has a real job and doesn’t make a fortune so she rooms with her best friend and her little girl. The little girl is not a brat, but not an angel either. Her best friend is not rich and doesn’t have the answer for everything. Their apartment is middle class, just what two women heading for 30 would be able to afford.
Callie also has some flaws, she is very judgemental in many ways and very accepting in others. She judges her patients rather harshly for living lifestyles that land them in the Intensive Care Unit she works on, but then admits she gets blackout drunk and goes home with men whose names she can’t remember when she wakes up. This behavior could get her more than a bed in her unit, it could get her dead. It made her a bit hard to like in the beginning, but she’s young and she grew on me.
She’s accepting of her friends, even though her room mate is a mommy of a toddler, yet engages in picking up men as well, though she doesn’t take them home. Callie is full of such complexities. She goes to a local hole in the wall bar for karaoke night (admitting it’s a hole in the wall) and then talks about the class of people there. It’s rather amusing to watch her personality in action.
Our Hero, Jensen Stone, is not a local. He has come to her small town on a contract for the local power plant. He’s not a movie star, he’s not a playboy. What he is is a tall, handsome Ginger. He’s a truly nice guy who makes mistakes. I rooted for this couple. It’s been awhile since I read a Romance like that.
For a first time out it does have a few small issues. A minor re-editing would be helpful. Callie is a nurse in a local, small town hospital, but Mrs. Shivener used a lot of medical lingo and then footnoted the meanings of the words. I didn’t find that necessary as most of us can Google what we don’t know or are familiar with most of the terminology, it slowed the pace of the book a bit.
If you are looking for a Romance that has characters with real jobs, real problems and real feelings, this is it. It is available on Amazon. If you are searching for a new author with something to offer, look up Ms. Shivener, I understand she has a new book out as well. Good job overall T.M.!
Until tomorrow, I remain, your humble Book Dragon,
Drakon T. Longwitten
I received a review copy from the author and my opinions are my own.
Ginger Devil will have you dreaming of red-haired hotties, and maybe even carrot-top kiddos. This modern day steamy romance is one of the most relatable romances I have read. The author doesn’t shy away from showcasing the embarrassing aspects of dating life, but rather embraces the floundering moments one would experience in the real world. Everything from kissing garlic breath after Italian food to feeling self-conscious about unshaven legs during intimate times are on the table, making for great laughs in this real-like romance.
The book features Calliope, a tough night-shift nurse who has given up on romance after an ex had wronged her. She is living the wild single life, but she truly doesn’t enjoy it. While working one night, she comes across an attractive redhead patient, successful no-nonsense businessman Jensen. Fate brings them back together at a bar where Calliope takes care of a very inebriated Jensen. Cue the start of a hilarious, heartwarming, relatable relationship.
These newly coupled characters have to navigate their communication barriers and several outside sources that threaten to end budding relationship. Misunderstandings and conflicting work schedules impede their development, causing Calliope to question if their relationship is even doable. But the stubborn ginger hottie Jensen isn’t going to let her walk away without a fight.
I loved the awkward moments. I loved the cringe scenes. It made me feel that I wasn’t alone in my own uncomfortable moments in relationships. I cannot express how much I appreciated the male lead being a red head—it’s so rare to find a likable, ginger male lead. The steamy scenes had me laughing and sighing contentedly. And it ends with a HEA.
If you enjoy relatable modern day steamy romances, do yourself a favor and check out this book. My rating is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I thought TM Shivener couldn’t have written anything better with She is Me, Too… until I read Ginger Devil. So many emotions in that book…so many!!! I laughed out loud in several parts, almost cried, it was a constant feels book. Steamy hot, warm and fuzzy, WHAT JUST HAPPENED, scary…all the feels. You really fall in love with just about all the characters except for a couple, rightfully so…you’ll see for yourself. Her style of writing is perfect, not too descriptive and full of fillers like a few I’ve read lately, but constant goodness. Wasn’t bored with any part of this book. Thanks again TM for sharing this wonderful story! Looking forward to reading more from this author!
I never read any books. This book however I didn’t want to lay it down. I absolutely loved it. If your looking for a good book to read you would not be disappointed if you purchased this one....
Easy read. I love the details the author writes so I can see in my head what the characters look like. Definitely looking forward to more books from her!
I had the pleasure of being one of the first to read this book! Loves it! It’s her first work and it’s written well and those spicy scenes :) for those that love some spice in their books this is one for you.
I started this book this evening and couldn’t stop. Finished it in one sitting. I loved every single second of it. The story between Callie and Jensen is so sweet and STEAMY. I also loved Callies relationship with Gillian. Excuse me while I read everything else T.M. Shivener has ever written 🤣
It was hard for me to put the book down! It definitely kept my interest, which is hard to do anymore. I hope there is a book series based on these characters or at least a sequel. I need to know what the future holds for the main characters!
I loooved this book. I’m in dire need of my own Ginger Devil. I fell in love with the characters and the story. Callie is amazing and just like me with her thought process. Everyone needs a perfectly imperfect love story.
I LOVED this book! It's funny, very spicy, it has a thriller aspect which brought more into the story. I love this authors books, this is definitely one of my faves!
I normally don't read romance but this book sounded so good. I wasn't wrong. I loved it and couldn't stop reading it. Read it in 3 days. I loved the story and would love a sequel!
I enjoyed Callie's journey throughout. Without giving away too much, I feel there should have been more of a back story of the ex-boyfriend. I think there were some areas that needed more substance. What disappointed me the most was the ending. Everything felt rushed. Overall it is a decent book.
Just not my cup of tea. The book reads more like diary entries with so many frivolous details it often feels like the story isn't really progressing. The main male character also shows huge red flags that the main female character conveniently ignores and then - BAM - love scenes with no emotional connection to the characters. I'm surprised that the love scenes are not more descriptive given how descriptive all the other events in the MC's daily life is. I had to 'DNF'.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.