Morgan O'Gallagher, gifted with a unique but powerful magick, now works alongside of her grandmother in their own Tea and Healing shop. At Airmid's, Celtic magick and spell work has been shared with the small town of Ashland, Oregon, for generations. But after a terrifying tragedy strikes her life, Morgan finds herself broken and vulnerable to the darkness that has been watching her for a lifetime. When she can't see past her own grief, she makes a deal. Now, in contract to offer any emotions in excess to a possessive infernal being, she finds herself able to take on more clientele and explore the questions surrounding her magick–and the stirring emotions toward her deal-maker. Evil spirits follow Morgan's every step, unrest plagues her house, and the answers lie in the truth behind her parentage... Although, to save who she loves, she needs to break all of her spiritual rules. And it feels. So. Good.
Patricia resides in California where she works as a dance teacher. She found her love for writing as a pastime in the summer of 2010, and produced Part I of the Antiserum Novels (Paranormal YA/NA) at the age of 16. Since then, she has released The Rising and Venom–Part II and III–of the Antiserum Novels. After taking a long stint away from writing, she returned to release Ruby Nights, a dark paranormal romance and the first book she has released into the Romance genre. Now, her newest novel, DEMI, is set to release October 1, 2024.
This was a unique, dark, cozy read with witches, demons, and magic! After a few chapters, I was totally hooked and couldn't put it down! I loved the characters, and I appreciated the detailed explanation of the spells and rituals described. I look forward to seeing what is in store for Morgan and Less in the future.
I was able to get an ARC of this book and juuuust finished it.
I liked the story as a whole. I kind of wish it had been longer because there are a lot of things I want to know more about.
What I liked: The FMC wasn't late teens/early 20s... (Was she 26 or 28? She said she was 28, but she was 6 when her mom disappeared 20 years prior?) Her dialogue was pretty on point for her age. This is a huge plus for me.
A couple of things genuinely took me by surprise.
(Uh, so the spice, considering what they can do, was... yeah, that goes into the "What I liked" category.)
Stuff I wanted to know: Why did her grandma contract with the MMC, like where does he come from - does he just randomly show up somewhere and is like, "So hey... you're stressed..." Like, how did it all go down!
And why was she cool with him but not the other shadow guy (he sounds like a dick though.)
Stuff I didn't so much care for: The pacing was a bit off. Sometimes, I felt like it was shuffling along, and I was hoping it would go somewhere, and then it was sprinting and just kept hitting different finish lines.
There was either too much detail or not enough in some places.
I'm SOO happy I had the opportunity to read the ARC for this book. This book was unlike any other witchy/paranormal romance I have read. It was very original, which I feel like is hard to do nowadays. It was creative but not over the top and kept me entertained throughout.
I loved the relationship between the FMC and MMC. Who doesn’t love a protective/possessive Shadow Daddy. It was an interesting relationship of convenience with spice that didn’t overtake the plot. Overall, the pace of the book was consistent. There is one part where, at first, I felt like it was rushed, but thinking back on it, it makes sense. As you read the book, keep in mind what the characters are.
Patricia really took the time to set up the world and characters. I am excited to see where this story goes and learn more about Morgans family history and power.
I will definitely be rereading it this fall (fantastic autumn vibes) and buying a physical copy.
Quick side note: A little background on myself, I am pagan. The research that was done for this book is much appreciated. The Pagan practice varies depending on the person, but reading a book that actually represented paganism with such respect and overall accuracy was a breath of fresh air. Made me fall in love with my practice all over again.
I received this as an ARC review opportunity and I’m happy to say it didn’t disappoint. Between the independent, self confident, and magically powerful FMC, the shadow daddy demon we can all appreciate and come to love, and the Pagan world or magic, rituals and family bonds; it was a captivating read. Morgan, our FMC, truly grew throughout the book in a natural way that allowed the reader to join her on her journey. There was no over the top “I’m a badass hear me roar and I don’t need anyone’s help” attitude which I greatly appreciated. She leaned on her beliefs and strength of family but also allowed and asked for help when needed. Our MMC, the demon Morgan names Less (don’t love the name but I understand the connection and it seemed to work), entered the story in a somewhat confusing manner. I wish there was a little more background on the connections he has with Morgan’s family, but overall he still was a good character that added to her growth and the stories evolution. Plus, who doesn’t love a tall, dark and sexy demon with shadow magic?!
There are points in the book that give a lot of information and attention to detail that sometimes slowed down the pace of the book, but I do think it was important to include because it helped build the magical world and give more insight into the different Pagan holidays, rituals, and ingredients/supplies used. There was also a good amount of discussion surrounding Gods and Goddesses that I really enjoyed. Along with the darker Otherworld containing the demons and dark magic and creatures - hoping we get more of this side if there’s a second book!
Overall, this was an engrossing and unique story that kept my attention and need to keep turning the page to see what would happen next. Whether we were learning more about Morgan’s magic and journey, her family background and the drama that unfolds with that, or the slow burn between her and her demon, I enjoyed finding out. And for those wondering, the slow burn does pay off with some enticing spice scenes sprinkled throughout (2/5 🌶️). Nothing over the top, but it fit in appropriately when warranted but didn’t dominate the plot.
I was lucky enough to receive an arc of this book.
I really enjoyed the story with this one, involving wicca and demons.
I like both the main characters and the thing that I liked most was it didn't take forever for them to hook up, but still leaving a bit of mystery and intrigue about Less and his background, for a future book?
You can tell the author has done a bit of research with her timelines and green witch elements.
Another thing I liked was that there wasn't a miscommunication trope. I loved that Morgan kept Less (mostly) in the loop about what she was doing. She didn't hide that her mother told her to meet her on her own and to ditch Less.
I think I would have liked to have had a snippet from Less's pov. I liked his character, and I'd have loved a little more info on him, like why he was drawn to help Eadione. Also, the ghosts were sidelined a bit, and I think they could have been fun. It was a sold 4 stars for me, though, and I'd definitely read another instalment in this world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
ARC review. I enjoyed this book, easy to read and to follow the worl building. I didn't get very attached to the characters, unsure why, most likely a me problem than a book/writing problem. But I was still happy to pick the book up and read it in a couple of days.
We follow Morgan, a witch from a powerful line of witches. She runs a shop with her grandma, selling spell ingredients, doing readings and, Morgan speciality, Pullings, where she pulls an emotion from a costumer at their request (such as grief). One morning she finds her grandma dead in her bed, the death is ruled natural, but the circumstances surrounding it are anything but. At the same time a demon appears in the shop, called by her grief, he offers Morgan a deal, to do the same for her as he did for her grandma, feed on her excess emotions. The story develops from there, the connection between Morgan and the demon (some spice and smutt warning here) and the search for answers specially when more and more questions arise (good plot with some twists).
"Resident ghosts are not allowed to move from the bottom floor. So, if they are found in our house, they are removed. Grandma, and I, are very strict on that boundary."
"My name sounds like butter dripping from his tongue."
"Why is someone breaking in and hanging these nasty things all over my shop, my home?"
"Don't do it, Morgan, I silently warn myself, he'll do everything for himself over doing it for you. But it doesn't hurt to imagine."
"I can sense that your body is screaming for me, Morgan."
"I took away its last host, and it is going to make me it's next."
Possible orthographic errors: Chapter 18 "HIs"; March 20 "Once"? I think is meant to be One.
I could not put this one down. I wanted to fall into the cozy little town that Morgan lives in. This book had everything. It perfectly toes the line between spooky and cozy. It really is the perfect balance of heartwarming, spicy, and spooky.
I almost gave up on this book during the first chapter. I was really struggling with the 1st person narrative (just personal preference) and the language used by Morgan... but by chapter 4, I was sold, and by chapter 19... Well, you'll have to be a good girl and read it to see.
I haven't read a paranormal romance quite like this before, and I hope I get to again. The amount of research that must've gone into getting all the green witch elements; every ritual, ingredients, intention, corresponding to pagan holidays and the seasons... Painstakingly thorough. There's also some excellent horror imagery within this story and the spice 🥵 that isn't just gratuitous but works within the themes of the story 👏👏👏👏
*I was given this book as an ARC by the author, all my opinions on this review are my own *
This quickly became one of my favorite witchy reads. Morgan’s magical abilities, deep knowledge of witchcraft, and captivating journey kept me hooked from start to finish. I savored every detail, from the intricately depicted pagan holidays, deities, and rituals to the seamless flow of the story. It's a unique blend of dark, cozy magic, filled with witches, demons, and enchantment. After just a few chapters, I was completely immersed and couldn't put it down. The characters are compelling, and I appreciated the detailed explanations of the spells and rituals. Morgan’s story takes a heart-wrenching turn after a devastating loss, leaving her isolated. Desperate, she strikes a deal with a demon who, to her surprise, has a long-standing history with her family. This deep bond gradually simmers into a burning romance. I can’t wait to see where Morgan and Less's story goes next. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a witchy book.
Demi comes out October 1st, but I was lucky enough to get hands on an advance copy 😈
If you’re looking for a spooky read for your October TBR, this one comes with creepy spirits, witches, demons, beautiful earth magick (think elements, crystals, herbs), and a new shadow daddy for your collection 😏🫢
✨🍂🍂✨ The story follows Morgan, a green witch who works at a tea & healing shop. Part of Morgan’s powers enable her to relieve others from heightened emotions. She can help take away the pains of grief, soothe anxiety, and dull troublesome thoughts. When clients seek her out to help remove their unwanted emotions, Morgan absorbs their feelings and puts the emotions back into the earth.
When Morgan’s world is unexpectedly struck with tragedy, she can’t see past her own grief. Unable to help her clients, or even herself, she feels helpless & alone. A dark figure appears, promising to take away all her grief. All she needs to do is make a deal with him, to offer up all her excess emotions- and all will be well again. She can move past her grief and get back to healing others.
Taking the deal, Morgan finds that the figure is becoming steadily more possessive, and she realises this relationship of convenience might be more than what she bargained for. ✨🍂🍂✨
I really enjoyed this read, and love a relationship/marriage of convenience trope 🫶🏽 I was impressed with the thought put into every spell and ritual, and the intention behind each ingredient involved.
Don’t get me wrong though, there are some jump scares in this book 😱 I’m not a horror girlie at aaaalll, but I think this would be the perfect amount of spookiness for someone like me - who wants a fall/halloween read without going full horror 👻
The book left me with a lot of unanswered questions, and I’m hoping in book two we can find out more about Morgan’s heritage 👀
I recommend this read if you’re after the following vibes:
🍃 celtic paganism 🌲 green witchcraft 🖤 shadow daddy MMC 🌶️ spice that caters to her 🤝🏻 relationship of convenience 🍂 autumnal spooky season setting
What a unique and enjoyable read! DEMI has a great mix of magic, mystery, and romance with some spice sprinkled in. The characters are unique and well-developed, and the writing itself flows beautifully. The story follows Morgan, a young witch, and the reluctant deal she makes with the demon she names Less.
The highlight for me in this book was the incorporation of detailed rituals for Morgan's witchcraft throughout the story. It's clear that Carrigan put a great deal of thought and research into these details. This served to enhance the credibility of the story and, combined with the Irish-Gaelic history and gods, establishes a robust history and setting for the story.
Overall, I found this to be a beautifully-written, engaging story that is definitely worth the read!
*NOTE: I received an advanced copy of this book and am sharing an honest review.
I was a lucky recipient of an ARC for this book. It’s been one of my favorite reads of the summer.
The book itself has an organic feel to the characters. The FMC, Morgan, isn’t some high charging badass who is center stage of a one person show. And while I love those books this one gives a different pace and perspective. The foundation is set in family and belief.
We do have Less, our amazing demon who is our MMC. He fills the role you expect a demon to play.
This book is detail oriented at times and it can be slow but it doesn’t stop the book from being worth it and amazing. I loved it.
Arc review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it’s very clear the author did lots of research on the rituals and spells she uses in this book. The story is a mix of mystery, paranormal and witchy and it really ticked all the boxes for me. I loved the witchy scenes and the detail provided, it made it very easy to imagine being there. The overall storyline was good, but i feel a few parts were rushed but overall still really enjoyable. This book has descriptive spice but only a few scenes, i honestly wished for more! I can’t wait to continue following Morgan and Less’ story once the next book is written and learn more about these characters.
Finished the book finally after having food poisoning and not having the energy to read. I was so excited to be chosen as an ARC reader for this book. Personally I enjoyed the book and the characters tons, the story line did feel a bit rushed at some points or it felt like too much was going on at once. All in all it’s a great book and I highly recommend reading it. I would definitely reread it on a rainy night curled up on the couch with some nice tea.
What an amazing introduction to a brand new world!
I really liked how the author split the book up into different sections for what was being celebrated at the time and the tracking of the moon, I felt this was really unique to the story.
Morgan, as a whole I really enjoyed her as an MC though felt she was a bit flighty with her emotions. And Less - well he's everything you shouldn't want!
At times I felt parts of the book were too descriptive, but as a whole I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can't wait to read the next in the series!
A must read if you love dark romance, magick, witches and demons. Cannot recommend this book enough. There was a lot of spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ but also it didn't take away from the narrative at all. The story had me hooked and even when I had to put the book down (for adulting reasons 😅), I wanted to go back to it as soon as I could. The characters are loveable in their own ways and the romance between the two MCs is the type that is possessive without being abusive the balance is perfect. The research the author has done on magick and rituals and spells, crystals etc is evident throughout and it was very informative without forcing the learning, it was done in such a way that it made me very intrigued and kinda want to learn more about that sort of thing. Cannot wait to see what else comes from this author
It was refreshing not have too many characters or chaos, but enough that things were kept interesting (no that wasn’t a diss)! Sometimes I love massive chunky books with lots of people to keep tabs on and areas of the world, but sometimes I love something on a smaller scale with the same intrigue - this book provides it!
There was a good flow to this book with some spicy sprinkled in! I definitely wanted to keep reading & finished pretty quickly
I became enthralled with Morgan’s story and the things she learns about her family/ past. Very much invested in the next book!!
Definitely recommend this witchy paranormal book 🫶🏻
I really enjoyed this book; I love anything witchy and dark, and it ticked all the boxes!
I really like the way she carries out her rituals and explains what she’s doing and why, it really helps you to envision the scene. I also liked how each part of the book is separated by the wheel of the year. The ending was spot on, I really loved it.
However, word of warning, if spice isn’t your thing, then this book isn’t for you. Phew! 😮💨🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ So, that being said, it is rather spicy (I’m not complaining at all 😂). There’s the right amount of spice which fits into the storyline perfectly and doesn’t take it over.
Favourite quotes:
“Never fear the unknown. Welcome its uncertainty and take each event in your unique stride.”
“My legs tingle from the rising warmth from each blade as the sun shines down on the yard and warms the damp earth underneath.”
This book what can I say? I don’t think I’ve read anything quite like it. It has all the tropes we all know and love but it’s done in a way I’ve never seen before and I think it will be a stand out in my collection for a long time. I was entrapped.
Good girl Shadow daddy Close proximity You’re mine Morally grey mmc Coming to powers Celtic paganism Demons and witches “I am not a child of the sun, more of the moon. Of the dark. But I haven’t shared that…and maybe never will”
This book is such a good spooky season read. The world building is beautiful, and the ritual descriptions are so methodical and soothing it’s like asmr for my brain. I really enjoy Less, he’s sarcastic, a tad cocky, and his teasing banter is great. Morgan is different and quirky and doesn’t care what anyone else thinks, she’s fully herself and I love that about her. Their dynamic is entertaining. The spice is slow burn that edges you slowly then hits you like a freight train, and I am fully here for it! The term “little witch” now does things for me that I never expected it to and don’t get me started on “little demon”. The plot holds strong, and we are taken on a mystery filled with suspense and secrets to uncover and I loved every second of it!
I enjoyed reading this book but I wish it was a bit longer as I felt the pacing was a bit off. I immediately loved the bond Morgan and Eadoine have and it tugged on my heart strings throughout the book.
I absolutely loved this book, the author’s attention to detail & knowledge of Irish mythology was brilliant. I loved the witchy vibes, the dynamics between our FMC and MMC - I loved the protectiveness.
I loved it so much, I love Less's character a ton. I love the story, the setting, and the descriptive language is so well written, I definitely can't wait to see if there's going to be a continuation. I will also definitely be rereading this a bunch.
I received an ARC copy of this book and was not disappointed! I liked that Morgan is a little older (not 17 ish yrs old) and not hyper-independent. The Pagan magic and rituals were, imo, described well. The plot wasn’t rushed and the characters were great. Loved it!
What an amazing storyline. Wonderful characters and well written. Just the right amount of spice. We do like ourselves a bad boy but I could also see Morgan being a friend.
DEMI is a modern day green witch and demon paranormal romance that will be perfect for any fall-loving, spooky season soul that is yearning for the return of Autumn. It has a modern day take on Celtic paganism and written so that it’s easily digestible for readers to understand Morgan’s meanings and drive to her actions. This book includes: • Celtic Paganism 🌙 • Green Witchcraft 🌿 • Spooky Season 🍂 • Brooding Demon, Shadow Daddy Vibes 😈 • Spice that caters to her 🌶️ - (“good girl” and other praises included 💋) Highly recommended to those who love modern day witchcraft, a dark MMC, and light fantastical elements!
I appreciated how the author took the time to make a pronunciation key and explanation of the traditional names used in the story, as well as their associations to MFC and her heritage. I also respect the time taken to describe the preparation & rituals the MFC used in her practices, what they were used for, etc.
I think the storyline was generally good, and had potential to be great but some aspects were rushed to get to the conclusion. The timeline was only evident by the chapter headings and the notes within the chapter images. The spice between the MFC & MMC was well written without being detrimental to the overall plot. I found the MFC relatable, her trauma processing realistic, but sometimes the situations the author created were predictable. I figured out who the antagonist was early on by the clues dropped, but the twist was unexpected. I would have liked a little more resolution in the end, but I also suppose it leaves things open for a potential sequel, should the author decide to go that route.
I loved this book so much! This is the kind of dark romance that I absolutely adore and keeps me coming back for more. If you’re in the mood for a cozy book with a little spookiness and slow burn romance, then this is for you! It has green witches, a sexy demon with a magickal edge 👀, wandering ghosts and creepy creatures.
Tropes you’ll find here: 🔮Celtic Paganism 🍂 Spooky Season Vibes 🖤 Relationship of Convenience 🌳 Green Witchcraft 👿 Brooding and Ultra Possessive Demon Daddy. 🔥 Slow Burn That Ignites and Spreads Wildly 🔥 🔥 🔥 🥵 “good girl” and other phrases…
Morgan’s life is turned upside down and she finds herself struggling to function with the overwhelming emotions that consume her. She strikes a deal with a demon to let him siphon off her emotional excess. In her attempt to piece her life back together, she makes discoveries about herself that were kept from her in an attempt to protect her from the truth of her existence.
Hear me out, as a romance fan, I’m gonna focus on the love interest. Less is a demon you need to meet! He is demon daddy supreme in my eyes. 👑 🙌🏻 While he is dangerously possessive, he is also protective, morally grey, completely attuned to Morgan’s feelings, and always puts consent above his own desires. He’s mischievous and the banter between them is kind of everything. Honestly, the only fault I can find with the infernal being is his inability to love and even then, I’m not entirely sure that’s the case? I am left with some questions, but I know there’s a sequel coming and so I will be right over here, waiting impatiently. Tap, tap, tapping… 😉 🤣
This was my first ever ARC and I’m honestly so happy it was, I absolutely loved this book! It’s been a minute since I’ve read a witchy/supernatural book and quite frankly, I don’t think I could have chosen a better book to jump back in with! 💖
The whole story had me gripped and I didn’t want to put it down, it was such an easy read and all the lore involved was a lot easier to read than I expected!
What I liked:
✨The FMC wasn’t some weak little girl and was actually really badass ✨The amount of research done by the author for the lore was incredible and you can tell the effort and passion put into it was top tier ✨The Spice 🥵 what made this better was that the story didn’t revolve around it and it was all perfectly placed! ✨The plot twists were ✨twisting✨ and goddamn was I blindsided by them, you couldn’t tell what was coming next and it just kept the anticipation going! ✨The reactions/emotions it took from me were phenomenal, it had my heart thumping, I was sweating (to the point I had to take my jumper off 🤣), giggling like an 8 year old and all the rest!
What was problematic:
✨to be honest, nothing, it was a great story plot, the characters were great and written so well, the pace was really good and it was just such a good book!
I’m so thankful I got to read this before the release date and I can’t wait to get it as a physical copy so I can read it again and get lost in the story! But I need another book or I may combust please and thanks Ms Carrigan 🙏🏻❤️🔥
A book about generational magic and and honoring ones heritage.
Our FMC Morgan faces the typical daily struggles of a 28 year old witch. As she tries to navigate these difficult times she suddenly finds her self grief stricken and alone. Amongst her newfound grief Morgan slowly start to discover family secrets, secrets that may just help her understand who she truly is! These same secrets may also mean impending dangers!
While Morgan is drowning in her grief she meets a demon who seems to know exactly what she needs. Clearly not in her right mind, Morgan makes a deal out of pain and desperation. Now she must find a way to decipher her family secrets, maintain her family legacy, uphold her end of her demonic deal all the while keeping her demons at bay 😉
Morgan has a demon on her shoulder edging her closer to her darker desires🤤 Will she give in to these temptations? Will she find a way to rid her self of this black eyed demon? Or will she find the balance between worlds? Right now all Morgan knows is that she will do anything to protect her family! Dead or alive!