What do you think?
Rate this book
Bargain with the Devil
Alternate cover edition of ISBN-13: 9798990668218, ASIN: B0D4XGCGWD
When the date from Hell comes back for revenge...
Sloane's attempt at ending her dry spell leads her into the unfortunate crosshairs of Chad Dunner. Their date turns disastrous when an argument ends with a drink thrown in his face. Sloane is eager to put the bad date behind her, but Chad has other plans.
He seeks his revenge by sending the devil after her, forcing Sloane into the fight of her life to save her soul. She must find a way to outsmart the devil. There's just one she's on a deadline.
The battle of wits won't be easy. Not when the devil uses every opportunity to seduce her. No human man has ever made her feel this way. His gaze, his words, his touch... it's almost sinful.
As the devil's claws sink deeper into her, Sloane will have to choose between doing everything necessary to save her soul or letting her soul, and heart, be bound to the devil for all eternity.
When the date from Hell comes back for revenge...
Sloane's attempt at ending her dry spell leads her into the unfortunate crosshairs of Chad Dunner. Their date turns disastrous when an argument ends with a drink thrown in his face. Sloane is eager to put the bad date behind her, but Chad has other plans.
He seeks his revenge by sending the devil after her, forcing Sloane into the fight of her life to save her soul. She must find a way to outsmart the devil. There's just one she's on a deadline.
The battle of wits won't be easy. Not when the devil uses every opportunity to seduce her. No human man has ever made her feel this way. His gaze, his words, his touch... it's almost sinful.
As the devil's claws sink deeper into her, Sloane will have to choose between doing everything necessary to save her soul or letting her soul, and heart, be bound to the devil for all eternity.
- GenresParanormalDark Romance
360 pages, Paperback
Published September 5, 2024
51 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 7, 2024
>> ARC review, DNF at 45%
I would like to start this off by saying that I RARELY ever DNF books, and I have never DNF'd an ARC before. I wish I didn't have to either, I really do, but I genuinely, honestly could not take one more page of this book. Why? Well, as I've put it in one of my status updates—in short, this is a glaringly unsubtle toxic female power fantasy with immature writing and characters.
Since this was an ARC, I'll try to assemble a "if you like these, this book might be for you" list at the end of this review. Although in general, this was a good (or bad?) mix between "this isn't for me" and objective flaws, and I want to say that I might have DNF'd this after the first chapter if it wasn't an ARC. Like this, I read 45% so that at least no one could say that I didn't give it a chance.
(The following stats refer only to the first 45% of the book that I've read.)
RATING: ⭐/5
SPICE: None so far
VIOLENCE: 🩸🩸🩸/4
✅🆗 World
🆗❌ Writing
🆗❌ Plot
❌ Characters
❌ Romance
***
As I was saying, I almost DNF'd this after the first chapter. I can't really put my finger on it, but something about the way that entire opening was written icked me out very much ... I actually want to go ahead and claim that if you pick this up and see nothing wrong with the first chapter, you will likely enjoy this book.
As for me, something about the way this opening (as well as honestly the entire part of the book that I read) was written just screamed "I want to empower women at the expense of men" type of feminism, which I don't think I have to tell you why that's messed up. In fact, I've read half of this book and so far there's not one male character who is fleshed out or sympathetic in any way, not even who is very clearly the "love interest". All that men are good for in the part of this book I read is either be toxic toward women or be eye candy ... or both. I don't think I have to explain why that's messed up either ... Just imagine it gender-inversed, and everyone would be screaming the way I am right now.
Obviously, that by itself doesn't have to mean anything. But then I was thinking to myself about how the whole premise icked me out for some inexplicable reason, and I couldn't put my finger on it for a while. I think the best way to explain it is that this book falls into that trap of wanting to be "feminist" so badly while not actually letting their female MC screw up, learn, or have agency. She's literally only a victim of her circumstances (which were all caused by men) so far. This premise is basically "you're put at a disadvantage for something that wasn't your fault, now crawl back out of there" which isn't very engaging, but maybe that's just me. Does this change later on? I don't know ... maybe. Read and find out, I guess. I just think it's pretty hypocritical in the way it tries to approach its theme.
Speaking of theme/message, I was wondering about that all the while I was reading. There doesn't seem to be any other than ... "If you stand up to a toxic man you'll get punished for it"? Which I guess doesn't end up being a punishment in the end since this is supposedly a romance, but still.
The MC Sloane in general is very unlikable. Not because she gets screwed over for no reason (I guess this would make her sympathetic to some? I prefer MCs who screw up themselves since this gives them room for growth immediately, but maybe that's just me.) It may be partially the writing that's at fault for how unlikable the characters are because Sloane's internal monologue feels so painfully juvenile that it constantly had me rolling my eyes. But even apart from that, it's just that she's really immature, impulsive, rude, and judgmental, to the point where I was thinking "Is she actually two years older than me or is this a 16-year-old?"
She suffers from an acute lack of being unable to step back and look at a situation objectively, even after she's out of mortal peril. Eg. She continuously blames Balthazar for "ruining her life" by accepting Chad's deal (instead of Chad himself), even though he told her he would have died if he hadn't done that. Like, what do you expect, for him to value your life (that of a stranger) over his own? That's literally his job. She even TRIED reminding herself that he doesn't need to have a human "moral code" (which is very much true), yet continues to judge him based on that anyway ... for some reason.
So far, she also has no internal conflicts, self-reflection, growth, or redeeming traits whatsoever. Does that change? Hopefully ... I suppose I can't really blame her for being cutthroat and kind only when it serves her purposes in her current situation, although that did make her even less likable to me.
Something similar applies to Balthazar, the love interest. I couldn't really discern any motivations, conflicts, or goals in him that don't involve doing his job or what Sloane forces on him. He's just really toxic and unlikable, at the moment, so I guess they deserve each other at least.
I don't really have much to say about him other than that I cannot fathom why or how these two are attracted to each other in any shape or form right now, or how they're supposed to fall in love believably in just the latter half of this book.
Maybe that's a me-thing, but I don't really understand the concept of being attracted to someone who doesn't enrich your life in any way, even if they're physically attractive. So far, this "romance" is just that almost typical soulless, violent, vicious enemies-part of a cliché "enemies to lovers" which a lot of people apparently find hot. To me, it's just two emotionally immature people making each other's lives more difficult for no reason, but ... okay?
They also borderline assault each other multiple times ... which I guess would have to be judged in retrospect just like all their actions, so I'm just gonna leave that here as objective information in case that's a deal-breaker for some of you. (In my opinion, all actions committed against someone have to be judged and/or forgiven by the one who was harmed and not me. So, I want to assume they do forgive each other ... I consider how he forced her to wear that revealing outfit even though she was uncomfortable the worst thing any of them has done so far, personally.)
Anyway, moving away from the characters and romance ... the writing was, for the lack of better terms, very cringey. Oftentimes there would be references to contemporary events, items, or pop culture that served no purpose, nor did they add to the story in any way (eg. why did we as readers need to know about "work mentality changes after the pandemic" so desperately that the entire latter half of one of the earlier chapters was dedicated to that?)
If there was anything interesting about this book it was the worldbuilding ... Lords of Hell, people knowing about deals, and all that. But it wasn't so interesting that it kept me invested in the book, and it didn't feel very center-stage anyway. In fact, I read like half the book and there wasn't really any plot to be found at all ... which isn't a bad thing per se, but plotless romance only works when the characters are interesting, and deep and the romance is well-paced—neither of which was the case here.
***
Could this have been great? Absolutely—the premise interested me so much that I requested an ARC. It just seemed to fall into every trap imaginable. I usually hesitate to rate books that I DNF, but even if the last half is infinitely better, I cannot see myself rating this higher than 1,5* at most.
While I can obviously not know this for certain—the way almost every page here (even the dedication) is written screams to me "I want to be a feminist! Here is my very feminist, empowering book!" on a surface level, which is VERY in-your-face, I might add, while every bit of subtext screams "this is actually both misogynistic and misandric" back. My one takeaway from this is that this must be what the toxic power fantasies of women look like ... and it wasn't for me.
However, if you do enjoy any of the following, you might have a whale of a time with this book (good for you, honestly):
— "spunky", impulsive FMCs who get screwed over without having done anything to deserve it
— possessive MMCs who throw tantrums as a way of dealing with their emotions despite supposedly being ancient supernatural beings
— physical attraction coupled with emotional hatred
Additionally, look into this if any of the following applies to you:
— you don't care about subtext, depth, or messages, you just want to vibe
— you want to feel like the victim of unjust circumstances (damsel in distress? who presumably has an empowerment arc coming?)
— you're a fan of really in-your-face "feminism"
— you read the first chapter of this book and enjoyed it
In that case, I sincerely hope you have a great time! I, unfortunately, did not.
I would like to start this off by saying that I RARELY ever DNF books, and I have never DNF'd an ARC before. I wish I didn't have to either, I really do, but I genuinely, honestly could not take one more page of this book. Why? Well, as I've put it in one of my status updates—in short, this is a glaringly unsubtle toxic female power fantasy with immature writing and characters.
Since this was an ARC, I'll try to assemble a "if you like these, this book might be for you" list at the end of this review. Although in general, this was a good (or bad?) mix between "this isn't for me" and objective flaws, and I want to say that I might have DNF'd this after the first chapter if it wasn't an ARC. Like this, I read 45% so that at least no one could say that I didn't give it a chance.
(The following stats refer only to the first 45% of the book that I've read.)
RATING: ⭐/5
SPICE: None so far
VIOLENCE: 🩸🩸🩸/4
✅🆗 World
🆗❌ Writing
🆗❌ Plot
❌ Characters
❌ Romance
***
As I was saying, I almost DNF'd this after the first chapter. I can't really put my finger on it, but something about the way that entire opening was written icked me out very much ... I actually want to go ahead and claim that if you pick this up and see nothing wrong with the first chapter, you will likely enjoy this book.
As for me, something about the way this opening (as well as honestly the entire part of the book that I read) was written just screamed "I want to empower women at the expense of men" type of feminism, which I don't think I have to tell you why that's messed up. In fact, I've read half of this book and so far there's not one male character who is fleshed out or sympathetic in any way, not even who is very clearly the "love interest". All that men are good for in the part of this book I read is either be toxic toward women or be eye candy ... or both. I don't think I have to explain why that's messed up either ... Just imagine it gender-inversed, and everyone would be screaming the way I am right now.
Obviously, that by itself doesn't have to mean anything. But then I was thinking to myself about how the whole premise icked me out for some inexplicable reason, and I couldn't put my finger on it for a while. I think the best way to explain it is that this book falls into that trap of wanting to be "feminist" so badly while not actually letting their female MC screw up, learn, or have agency. She's literally only a victim of her circumstances (which were all caused by men) so far. This premise is basically "you're put at a disadvantage for something that wasn't your fault, now crawl back out of there" which isn't very engaging, but maybe that's just me. Does this change later on? I don't know ... maybe. Read and find out, I guess. I just think it's pretty hypocritical in the way it tries to approach its theme.
Speaking of theme/message, I was wondering about that all the while I was reading. There doesn't seem to be any other than ... "If you stand up to a toxic man you'll get punished for it"? Which I guess doesn't end up being a punishment in the end since this is supposedly a romance, but still.
The MC Sloane in general is very unlikable. Not because she gets screwed over for no reason (I guess this would make her sympathetic to some? I prefer MCs who screw up themselves since this gives them room for growth immediately, but maybe that's just me.) It may be partially the writing that's at fault for how unlikable the characters are because Sloane's internal monologue feels so painfully juvenile that it constantly had me rolling my eyes. But even apart from that, it's just that she's really immature, impulsive, rude, and judgmental, to the point where I was thinking "Is she actually two years older than me or is this a 16-year-old?"
She suffers from an acute lack of being unable to step back and look at a situation objectively, even after she's out of mortal peril. Eg. She continuously blames Balthazar for "ruining her life" by accepting Chad's deal (instead of Chad himself), even though he told her he would have died if he hadn't done that. Like, what do you expect, for him to value your life (that of a stranger) over his own? That's literally his job. She even TRIED reminding herself that he doesn't need to have a human "moral code" (which is very much true), yet continues to judge him based on that anyway ... for some reason.
So far, she also has no internal conflicts, self-reflection, growth, or redeeming traits whatsoever. Does that change? Hopefully ... I suppose I can't really blame her for being cutthroat and kind only when it serves her purposes in her current situation, although that did make her even less likable to me.
Something similar applies to Balthazar, the love interest. I couldn't really discern any motivations, conflicts, or goals in him that don't involve doing his job or what Sloane forces on him. He's just really toxic and unlikable, at the moment, so I guess they deserve each other at least.
I don't really have much to say about him other than that I cannot fathom why or how these two are attracted to each other in any shape or form right now, or how they're supposed to fall in love believably in just the latter half of this book.
Maybe that's a me-thing, but I don't really understand the concept of being attracted to someone who doesn't enrich your life in any way, even if they're physically attractive. So far, this "romance" is just that almost typical soulless, violent, vicious enemies-part of a cliché "enemies to lovers" which a lot of people apparently find hot. To me, it's just two emotionally immature people making each other's lives more difficult for no reason, but ... okay?
They also borderline assault each other multiple times ... which I guess would have to be judged in retrospect just like all their actions, so I'm just gonna leave that here as objective information in case that's a deal-breaker for some of you. (In my opinion, all actions committed against someone have to be judged and/or forgiven by the one who was harmed and not me. So, I want to assume they do forgive each other ... I consider how he forced her to wear that revealing outfit even though she was uncomfortable the worst thing any of them has done so far, personally.)
Anyway, moving away from the characters and romance ... the writing was, for the lack of better terms, very cringey. Oftentimes there would be references to contemporary events, items, or pop culture that served no purpose, nor did they add to the story in any way (eg. why did we as readers need to know about "work mentality changes after the pandemic" so desperately that the entire latter half of one of the earlier chapters was dedicated to that?)
If there was anything interesting about this book it was the worldbuilding ... Lords of Hell, people knowing about deals, and all that. But it wasn't so interesting that it kept me invested in the book, and it didn't feel very center-stage anyway. In fact, I read like half the book and there wasn't really any plot to be found at all ... which isn't a bad thing per se, but plotless romance only works when the characters are interesting, and deep and the romance is well-paced—neither of which was the case here.
***
Could this have been great? Absolutely—the premise interested me so much that I requested an ARC. It just seemed to fall into every trap imaginable. I usually hesitate to rate books that I DNF, but even if the last half is infinitely better, I cannot see myself rating this higher than 1,5* at most.
While I can obviously not know this for certain—the way almost every page here (even the dedication) is written screams to me "I want to be a feminist! Here is my very feminist, empowering book!" on a surface level, which is VERY in-your-face, I might add, while every bit of subtext screams "this is actually both misogynistic and misandric" back. My one takeaway from this is that this must be what the toxic power fantasies of women look like ... and it wasn't for me.
However, if you do enjoy any of the following, you might have a whale of a time with this book (good for you, honestly):
— "spunky", impulsive FMCs who get screwed over without having done anything to deserve it
— possessive MMCs who throw tantrums as a way of dealing with their emotions despite supposedly being ancient supernatural beings
— physical attraction coupled with emotional hatred
Additionally, look into this if any of the following applies to you:
— you don't care about subtext, depth, or messages, you just want to vibe
— you want to feel like the victim of unjust circumstances (damsel in distress? who presumably has an empowerment arc coming?)
— you're a fan of really in-your-face "feminism"
— you read the first chapter of this book and enjoyed it
In that case, I sincerely hope you have a great time! I, unfortunately, did not.
July 21, 2024
I am a sucker for romances with the devil, so I knew I had to get my hands on this!
What I liked about the book:
1. I didn’t think Balthazar was terrible despite being the devil; he was actually quite a softie for Sloane and some other characters we met. I liked knowing his backstory and that that is probably why he feels the need to be a totally unhinged, tantrum-throwing egoist to show others he is powerful and worth something, since his father definitely doesn’t think he is, he was raised in hiding, and he had no one to guide him with using his magic. So, in short, I liked him.
2. I liked that Balthazar threw in Sloane’s face that she wasn’t as good a person as she thought she was. While I agreed that she wasn’t as bad, objectively, as the others who were making deals with the devil, she definitely wasn’t this great person she held herself up to be. She said the right things, supported the right causes, but at the end of the day she was also just as selfish as he claimed she was. I loved that he tossed this in her face and she really took it as a shock, but for the betterment of herself (hopefully) later.
My hope is if the world continues, we see her grow a lot as a person. The author herself wrote how these are not great people and how writing about something doesn’t condone it, so I’m hoping that is also code for “these people will develop into better people as time goes on”.
3. The worldbuilding is completely fascinating with the different houses and lords/ladies. I hope we get more in this world, even if it’s not with this couple as the focal point, because I would love to expand on what we know of it.
4. Ok, let’s talk about it. She dominates him. I am a woman who likes to be dominated, but this book had me rethinking some things…The fact that she would dominate and “good boy” him to increase the tension, but then when she finally gave him permission to do whatever he wanted he was allowed to just go fucking nuts? Yeah, I like that…a lot. I like being the focal point of your sexual yearnings and desires to the point where you snap and have to have me and no one else. Probably why I’m also a-OK with stalker/kidnapper romances, but we don’t need to go there…
5. I loved the whole enemies to lovers, “touch her and die”, seductive flirt fighting vibes. Their flirt fighting was incredible, so if you like sexual tension filled word battles, this is for you!
What I wasn't a fan of:
1. For me at least, there were parts that were confusing. The FMC would pull accusations out at random times that didn’t really link to anything else but were given to the reader as though they were a fact, and this got confusing at times.
I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say this, there was one incident where the characters had a conversation about the color of something and how she knew the backstory. The way it read was, “Oh shit, ok, but how did she know that??”. Keep reading and it wasn’t actually accurate. Maybe I’m dumb, but it wasn’t clear to me until the end. If he had fact-checked her at the moment she said the incorrect assumption, I would have been less confused I think.
Thank you to Alessandra Vu for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
What I liked about the book:
1. I didn’t think Balthazar was terrible despite being the devil; he was actually quite a softie for Sloane and some other characters we met. I liked knowing his backstory and that that is probably why he feels the need to be a totally unhinged, tantrum-throwing egoist to show others he is powerful and worth something, since his father definitely doesn’t think he is, he was raised in hiding, and he had no one to guide him with using his magic. So, in short, I liked him.
2. I liked that Balthazar threw in Sloane’s face that she wasn’t as good a person as she thought she was. While I agreed that she wasn’t as bad, objectively, as the others who were making deals with the devil, she definitely wasn’t this great person she held herself up to be. She said the right things, supported the right causes, but at the end of the day she was also just as selfish as he claimed she was. I loved that he tossed this in her face and she really took it as a shock, but for the betterment of herself (hopefully) later.
My hope is if the world continues, we see her grow a lot as a person. The author herself wrote how these are not great people and how writing about something doesn’t condone it, so I’m hoping that is also code for “these people will develop into better people as time goes on”.
3. The worldbuilding is completely fascinating with the different houses and lords/ladies. I hope we get more in this world, even if it’s not with this couple as the focal point, because I would love to expand on what we know of it.
4. Ok, let’s talk about it. She dominates him. I am a woman who likes to be dominated, but this book had me rethinking some things…The fact that she would dominate and “good boy” him to increase the tension, but then when she finally gave him permission to do whatever he wanted he was allowed to just go fucking nuts? Yeah, I like that…a lot. I like being the focal point of your sexual yearnings and desires to the point where you snap and have to have me and no one else. Probably why I’m also a-OK with stalker/kidnapper romances, but we don’t need to go there…
5. I loved the whole enemies to lovers, “touch her and die”, seductive flirt fighting vibes. Their flirt fighting was incredible, so if you like sexual tension filled word battles, this is for you!
What I wasn't a fan of:
1. For me at least, there were parts that were confusing. The FMC would pull accusations out at random times that didn’t really link to anything else but were given to the reader as though they were a fact, and this got confusing at times.
I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say this, there was one incident where the characters had a conversation about the color of something and how she knew the backstory. The way it read was, “Oh shit, ok, but how did she know that??”. Keep reading and it wasn’t actually accurate. Maybe I’m dumb, but it wasn’t clear to me until the end. If he had fact-checked her at the moment she said the incorrect assumption, I would have been less confused I think.
Thank you to Alessandra Vu for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
June 18, 2024
ARC REVIEW
4/5⭐️ 2.5/5🌶️
Omg i absolutely loved this book. I was hooked from the very start and devoured it + it was a slow burn so I ate that up. I never have really read a paranormal romance but i absolutely enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would!!
Sloane is such an independent, sarcastic and a total badass and doesn't take no shit from a man, and we LOVE that! I also loved how her being human didn't stop her from what she wanted to say. I didn't know how Sloane stayed consistent with her "dry spot" with some of these things the devil was saying... wow.
All I can say about Chad is he is a DICK!!!
The devil on the other hand. Who knew a devil could have a little praise kink! The tension between him and Sloane had me screaming and giggling to the point I had to re-think, bitch this is just a book!!
Overall, if you love tension, enemies to lovers, angst and a good slow burn which will have you hooked this
is the book for you! I did wish we got more romance from Sloane and the devil which did bring down my review but it was still phenomenal! I can't wait to read more of Alessandra's books, I am obsessed.
4/5⭐️ 2.5/5🌶️
Omg i absolutely loved this book. I was hooked from the very start and devoured it + it was a slow burn so I ate that up. I never have really read a paranormal romance but i absolutely enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would!!
Sloane is such an independent, sarcastic and a total badass and doesn't take no shit from a man, and we LOVE that! I also loved how her being human didn't stop her from what she wanted to say. I didn't know how Sloane stayed consistent with her "dry spot" with some of these things the devil was saying... wow.
All I can say about Chad is he is a DICK!!!
The devil on the other hand. Who knew a devil could have a little praise kink! The tension between him and Sloane had me screaming and giggling to the point I had to re-think, bitch this is just a book!!
Overall, if you love tension, enemies to lovers, angst and a good slow burn which will have you hooked this
is the book for you! I did wish we got more romance from Sloane and the devil which did bring down my review but it was still phenomenal! I can't wait to read more of Alessandra's books, I am obsessed.
July 7, 2024
I already can’t wait for book two! The way this started out I thought I was in for good story but I wasn’t ready for how this HOOKED me in and I finished it in one afternoon. Balthazar and Sloane’s relationship was the perfect slow burn with an oh-so-satisfying yessss when the spice finally hits. To top it off she’s the dominant one?! Over THE literal devil?! Like, yes girl, I’m here for it! I loved the hierarchy of the lords of hell, the selling of souls and bargaining, the references to pop culture (the perfect reference!), the twisty ending, the character development of both Balthazar and Sloane, and how the one question I kept wondering at the beginning was answered but not in its entirety; so, I will be sure to read book two the second I get the chance!
Thank you Alessandra for sending me an arc of this story, it was AWESOME. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a good paranormal romance with excitement, character development, and a damn good storyline.
Thank you Alessandra for sending me an arc of this story, it was AWESOME. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a good paranormal romance with excitement, character development, and a damn good storyline.
July 7, 2024
This was captivating from start to finish.
You always have some kind of expectation to what the Devil should look like and how Hell works. This was surprising but also so so interesting. Like a breath of fresh air. Amazing!
I loooooved the slowburn, enemies to lovers, touch her and die.
And can I just say how swoon worthy Balthazar is when Sloane give him what he wants?!?!
That shit made me hot all over. Thats was also super surprising but oh so goooood!
There was so many details going on that I completley forgot about the souls. I didn't think about the other consequences from selling your soul. Fantastic details.
The smut is so good I can't even... just.. WOOOOOOW! I need to cool myself down.
I love when there's twists to the characters and not only the main plot.
Now I just need to wait for release so I can annotate the shit out of it. So good.
Thanks to the auhor for letting me read this book before release.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
You always have some kind of expectation to what the Devil should look like and how Hell works. This was surprising but also so so interesting. Like a breath of fresh air. Amazing!
I loooooved the slowburn, enemies to lovers, touch her and die.
And can I just say how swoon worthy Balthazar is when Sloane give him what he wants?!?!
That shit made me hot all over. Thats was also super surprising but oh so goooood!
There was so many details going on that I completley forgot about the souls. I didn't think about the other consequences from selling your soul. Fantastic details.
The smut is so good I can't even... just.. WOOOOOOW! I need to cool myself down.
I love when there's twists to the characters and not only the main plot.
Now I just need to wait for release so I can annotate the shit out of it. So good.
Thanks to the auhor for letting me read this book before release.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 9, 2024
Okay okay,
I started this late Saturday night thinking "I'll just read a couple chapters" you know? Get my head around the writing style for this ARC.
Well next thing I know it's 1am Sunday and and I'm smiling like an idiot at our handsome Devil and our Assertive Sloan! I couldn't put this one down, I love their relationship and the build up was done so well!
Thank you for the ARC Read and I'll definitely need to get myself a book trophy for my shelf!
I started this late Saturday night thinking "I'll just read a couple chapters" you know? Get my head around the writing style for this ARC.
Well next thing I know it's 1am Sunday and and I'm smiling like an idiot at our handsome Devil and our Assertive Sloan! I couldn't put this one down, I love their relationship and the build up was done so well!
Thank you for the ARC Read and I'll definitely need to get myself a book trophy for my shelf!
June 10, 2024
I received an ARC copy, this is an honest review.
I won't lie, I was weary at first. But after a few chapters I was hooked. I wanted to know what happened next at every turn. The chemistry was off the chart, then SHE CALLED HIM A GOOD BOY.
The devil likes to be dominated. I was shook and excited.
I can't wait to see what happens next!
How am I supposed to wait for book 2?!
I won't lie, I was weary at first. But after a few chapters I was hooked. I wanted to know what happened next at every turn. The chemistry was off the chart, then SHE CALLED HIM A GOOD BOY.
The devil likes to be dominated. I was shook and excited.
I can't wait to see what happens next!
How am I supposed to wait for book 2?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2024
I received a copy as an ARC for an honest review and let me tell you; I LOVED it.
Paranormal romance isn’t entirely new to me, but I haven’t read enough of it and I’m here to tell you, I am convinced I have been missing out.
Admittedly, it took me a few chapters to get into it with an enemies to lovers slow burn and just getting the story rolling but before long I could not put it down and NEEDED to know what happened next.
The world of Jeznia sounds exactly how you’d expect Hell to be, but Alessandra really put her own spin on it to build a realm that sounds both terrifying and enticing with Lords from other houses. It added a layer to the story line that leaves you curious to learn more and I LOVE books that do that.
Sloane is an independent smart-ass and absolutely upholds the epitome of feminism in the best ways. She is not going to take shit from ANYONE (especially you, Chad, ya dick) and her overall thought process and demeanor was SO frickin relatable.
Now the devil.. boy, howdy… Lord Balthazar. Sir…. SIR…. You have zero business being that hot as a fictional character. I ate up that he fell first and I’m sorry… a PRAISE kink as well?! SAY. LESS. Their tension is worth every minute when he finally goes in hard… *evil grin*.
The end of the book had me reeling and the epilogue was just -ugh- feels. So many feels. I’m craving there’s more coming because I cannot get enough and I selfishly want more of Sloane and Balthazar’s banter sooner than later.
Paranormal romance isn’t entirely new to me, but I haven’t read enough of it and I’m here to tell you, I am convinced I have been missing out.
Admittedly, it took me a few chapters to get into it with an enemies to lovers slow burn and just getting the story rolling but before long I could not put it down and NEEDED to know what happened next.
The world of Jeznia sounds exactly how you’d expect Hell to be, but Alessandra really put her own spin on it to build a realm that sounds both terrifying and enticing with Lords from other houses. It added a layer to the story line that leaves you curious to learn more and I LOVE books that do that.
Sloane is an independent smart-ass and absolutely upholds the epitome of feminism in the best ways. She is not going to take shit from ANYONE (especially you, Chad, ya dick) and her overall thought process and demeanor was SO frickin relatable.
Now the devil.. boy, howdy… Lord Balthazar. Sir…. SIR…. You have zero business being that hot as a fictional character. I ate up that he fell first and I’m sorry… a PRAISE kink as well?! SAY. LESS. Their tension is worth every minute when he finally goes in hard… *evil grin*.
The end of the book had me reeling and the epilogue was just -ugh- feels. So many feels. I’m craving there’s more coming because I cannot get enough and I selfishly want more of Sloane and Balthazar’s banter sooner than later.
June 9, 2024
THE DEVIL HAS A PRAISE KINK and boy did this book sweep me off my feet! Not only did I finish it within a day I cannot wait to see what Alessandra releases in the future. Her characters Sloane and Balthazar literally had me kicking my feet in the air, pinning for more.
This has easily been one of my favourite reads of the year and deserves every single golden star available. With just the right amount of spice I’d recommend this book to everyone to add to their TBR.
This has easily been one of my favourite reads of the year and deserves every single golden star available. With just the right amount of spice I’d recommend this book to everyone to add to their TBR.
July 7, 2024
Bargain with the Devil is my first paranormal romance. I got hooked in on the idea with a post on the author's social media some weeks beforehand and made it an immediate read. I was then lucky enough to receive an ARC copy and had the absolute pleasure of creating the characters for the author. This review is based entirely on my reading experience, and not at all the comfort I already had with the characters despite the above.
GOOD LORD. I am not even kidding. I received the ARC copy that morning at 8am, and when I looked at the clock towards the end, it was 11am. I was that hooked. I have since read it about 8 or 9 times and had to sit on this review for as long, because I couldn't get past my feelings and key smashes when trying to explain to the author how much I fell in love with it. It was immersive, it had depth, it was just enough snark and equal measures sass and well thought out character development. Throughout the story, I would think to myself that something would happen a certain way, and then when the time came, it would be blown entirely to the wayward. It's the authors way of writing, yes, but it's also a believable way to interpret the character with the level of development she has for every point in time. Everything is believable, well rounded and well written. It starts slow in the beginning, but once you get going, there is no stopping.
Jeznia, Alessandra's equivalent to Hell, was exactly as you'd expect and still some place entirely her own. She put a half turn spin on the idea of Hell, that pulled you in as much as it pushed you away. The detail with the Records Keeper and the decaying life that exists inside the walls paint the larger picture of what Jeznia is, without stalling on the idea or over explaining it. It is terrifying enough, stilting enough, that it sticks in your thoughts throughout the story (even though it is briefly mentioned). On the other hand, there is enough imagery spattered throughout with her version of Earth that it feels as otherworldly as Jeznia does, in a way that compliments the plot and carries the story, without taking it a step too far from the realm of possibility. With fantastical elements that border realism, it's a very hard line to walk. I commend her for finding it and prancing upon it like it's entirely her own.
Sloane is your typical bad ass babe, but with fundamentally human sorts of flaws. She is so relatable that it hits close to home a few times. It was so refreshing to read along with a character that is realistic and relatable in a way that can be felt outside of understanding the text. She is feelings and mistakes and lessons learned, just as we are. She's not op for the sake of being op, so one sided on the edge of perfection. She doesn't make excuses for herself when she's called out, owns up to her mistakes, and actively pushes herself to be the best version she can be in the situation she's in. She also doesn't take any sort of shit, and yeah. You go girl.
Balthazar. That's it. That's the message.
When I think of the Devil, many, many ideas come to mind. Many versions exist from those ideas. Alessandra found a way to peel him apart layer by layer and build him into *her* own version. Once again, I comment her for that. Balthazar is not only a snarky ass who tests every edge of Sloane's patience (and mine), he is a respectable devil who walks a path forged by him, for him, and does not stray even once. The man (devil) has morals. He has a code. And he is SMART. He is a ruler with compassion, with a cutting edge, and contingencies. He is a character who has crafted his very own throne and sits on it regally and like it was always meant to be his. If that isn't a well-rounded enough character for you, I have two words. Praise. Kink.
Waxed poetry of her characters aside, the story feels complete. It alludes to a continuation, and very much has you tipping over the edge looking for it, but it isn't leaving you hanging on the edge with no hope. It is a must read for those who are into paranormal romance, and even for those who aren't. Any reader with a love for fantastical elements, romance in general, and a dash of realism will benefit from reading this book. An easy 4/5.
GOOD LORD. I am not even kidding. I received the ARC copy that morning at 8am, and when I looked at the clock towards the end, it was 11am. I was that hooked. I have since read it about 8 or 9 times and had to sit on this review for as long, because I couldn't get past my feelings and key smashes when trying to explain to the author how much I fell in love with it. It was immersive, it had depth, it was just enough snark and equal measures sass and well thought out character development. Throughout the story, I would think to myself that something would happen a certain way, and then when the time came, it would be blown entirely to the wayward. It's the authors way of writing, yes, but it's also a believable way to interpret the character with the level of development she has for every point in time. Everything is believable, well rounded and well written. It starts slow in the beginning, but once you get going, there is no stopping.
Jeznia, Alessandra's equivalent to Hell, was exactly as you'd expect and still some place entirely her own. She put a half turn spin on the idea of Hell, that pulled you in as much as it pushed you away. The detail with the Records Keeper and the decaying life that exists inside the walls paint the larger picture of what Jeznia is, without stalling on the idea or over explaining it. It is terrifying enough, stilting enough, that it sticks in your thoughts throughout the story (even though it is briefly mentioned). On the other hand, there is enough imagery spattered throughout with her version of Earth that it feels as otherworldly as Jeznia does, in a way that compliments the plot and carries the story, without taking it a step too far from the realm of possibility. With fantastical elements that border realism, it's a very hard line to walk. I commend her for finding it and prancing upon it like it's entirely her own.
Sloane is your typical bad ass babe, but with fundamentally human sorts of flaws. She is so relatable that it hits close to home a few times. It was so refreshing to read along with a character that is realistic and relatable in a way that can be felt outside of understanding the text. She is feelings and mistakes and lessons learned, just as we are. She's not op for the sake of being op, so one sided on the edge of perfection. She doesn't make excuses for herself when she's called out, owns up to her mistakes, and actively pushes herself to be the best version she can be in the situation she's in. She also doesn't take any sort of shit, and yeah. You go girl.
Balthazar. That's it. That's the message.
When I think of the Devil, many, many ideas come to mind. Many versions exist from those ideas. Alessandra found a way to peel him apart layer by layer and build him into *her* own version. Once again, I comment her for that. Balthazar is not only a snarky ass who tests every edge of Sloane's patience (and mine), he is a respectable devil who walks a path forged by him, for him, and does not stray even once. The man (devil) has morals. He has a code. And he is SMART. He is a ruler with compassion, with a cutting edge, and contingencies. He is a character who has crafted his very own throne and sits on it regally and like it was always meant to be his. If that isn't a well-rounded enough character for you, I have two words. Praise. Kink.
Waxed poetry of her characters aside, the story feels complete. It alludes to a continuation, and very much has you tipping over the edge looking for it, but it isn't leaving you hanging on the edge with no hope. It is a must read for those who are into paranormal romance, and even for those who aren't. Any reader with a love for fantastical elements, romance in general, and a dash of realism will benefit from reading this book. An easy 4/5.
July 2, 2024
***MILD SPOILERS AHEAD***
First of all let me just say how excited this book had me, not just because this was my very first ARC, but also because of the premise of it- A typical Alpha male who is angered by a woman questioning his words and decides to sell his soul to the Devil in exchange for said woman’s death.
Enter Lord Balthazar of House Primis and Sloane Kensington- the most powerful Devil in all of hell and the woman who he was supposed to kill, but fell for instead.
The book itself starts off with the confrontation which leads to Balthazar entering Sloan’s life. Overall the book is a very fun half day read. There are not many side characters, the focus being entirely on Sloane and Balthazar. The way Alessandra describes Sloane’s jarring encounter with hell, her confusion, anger and fear. It’s very dominating and real in the way that there are woman who have woken up to strange men in their houses and knew they wouldn’t escape with their lives.
Sloane’s character growth too is a slow changing but obvious arc. As readers we can see that how she’s set in her ways, how she expects the Devil, someone of an entirely different species, but less a different culture and race to behave the same as her. From that to realising she might not have been entirely right, she might not have been entirely “good” but had thought of herself that way, it’s a poignant development.
It’s a wonderful reminder of the difference between thinking we are good and truly being good, and the fact that this lesson is taught to us by the Devil further cements the fact in our minds. (This was the best moment in the book for me)
From the very start we have a mystery on our hands, the mystery of Sloane’s soul, but instead of it being resolved, it is a convenient way for the story to end in a happy way. I was also extremely intrigued by the world of Jiznia and cannot wait for further books to dive into most of its history and lore.
I’m a complete and utter sucker for world lore and world building and I am so much more excited for that than for anything else in the next books!
First of all let me just say how excited this book had me, not just because this was my very first ARC, but also because of the premise of it- A typical Alpha male who is angered by a woman questioning his words and decides to sell his soul to the Devil in exchange for said woman’s death.
Enter Lord Balthazar of House Primis and Sloane Kensington- the most powerful Devil in all of hell and the woman who he was supposed to kill, but fell for instead.
The book itself starts off with the confrontation which leads to Balthazar entering Sloan’s life. Overall the book is a very fun half day read. There are not many side characters, the focus being entirely on Sloane and Balthazar. The way Alessandra describes Sloane’s jarring encounter with hell, her confusion, anger and fear. It’s very dominating and real in the way that there are woman who have woken up to strange men in their houses and knew they wouldn’t escape with their lives.
Sloane’s character growth too is a slow changing but obvious arc. As readers we can see that how she’s set in her ways, how she expects the Devil, someone of an entirely different species, but less a different culture and race to behave the same as her. From that to realising she might not have been entirely right, she might not have been entirely “good” but had thought of herself that way, it’s a poignant development.
It’s a wonderful reminder of the difference between thinking we are good and truly being good, and the fact that this lesson is taught to us by the Devil further cements the fact in our minds. (This was the best moment in the book for me)
From the very start we have a mystery on our hands, the mystery of Sloane’s soul, but instead of it being resolved, it is a convenient way for the story to end in a happy way. I was also extremely intrigued by the world of Jiznia and cannot wait for further books to dive into most of its history and lore.
I’m a complete and utter sucker for world lore and world building and I am so much more excited for that than for anything else in the next books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2024
First off, let me say I was deep in a colossal book slump before picking up Bargain With The Devil by Alessandra Vu. I couldn't finish anything, not a single book could hold my interest. I'm not one to push through if I'm not enjoying it; I just DNF and move on. But then, Bargain With The Devil happened, and OH MY GOD—it healed my literary hangover!
From the very first page, I was HOOKED. I stayed up until 4am, telling myself "just one more chapter," until, suddenly, I'd devoured the whole book.
This is a paranormal romance with all my favorite tropes: slow burn and enemies-to-lovers, and I ate it all up. To be honest, the burn wasn't that slow; it was just perfect—the right mix of craving and desire.
Sloane, the main character, is an absolute badass. Fierce, independent, yet with a kind heart, she evolves beautifully throughout the story, embracing her humanity. She's exactly the kind of protagonist you root for from start to finish.
And then there's The Devil. He reminded me so much of Lucifer Morningstar—funny, hot, expressive, silly, and utterly delightful. And, a devil with a praise kink? YES, PLEASE. The chemistry between Sloane and The Devil was electric; I found myself giggling and kicking my feet in delight.
The spice? Oh, it was SPICING, to say the least. There wasn't a lot, but what was there was absolutely perfect. The writing flowed effortlessly, and the dialogues felt natural and current. I loved how the book incorporated contemporary events, making the story feel even more real.
While I adored the book, I did wish for more side character development and more romance between them. The world of Jiznia intrigued me, and I craved more world-building. But overall, it was an exceptional read.
If you're in a reading slump or just in the mood for a paranormal romance that ticks all the boxes, Bargain With The Devil is a must-read. Prepare to be up all night, captivated by the perfect blend of tension, desire, and fantasy.
Rating: 4.5 🌟 /5
Spicy: 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶/5
Writing: ✨✨✨✨/5
From the very first page, I was HOOKED. I stayed up until 4am, telling myself "just one more chapter," until, suddenly, I'd devoured the whole book.
This is a paranormal romance with all my favorite tropes: slow burn and enemies-to-lovers, and I ate it all up. To be honest, the burn wasn't that slow; it was just perfect—the right mix of craving and desire.
Sloane, the main character, is an absolute badass. Fierce, independent, yet with a kind heart, she evolves beautifully throughout the story, embracing her humanity. She's exactly the kind of protagonist you root for from start to finish.
And then there's The Devil. He reminded me so much of Lucifer Morningstar—funny, hot, expressive, silly, and utterly delightful. And, a devil with a praise kink? YES, PLEASE. The chemistry between Sloane and The Devil was electric; I found myself giggling and kicking my feet in delight.
The spice? Oh, it was SPICING, to say the least. There wasn't a lot, but what was there was absolutely perfect. The writing flowed effortlessly, and the dialogues felt natural and current. I loved how the book incorporated contemporary events, making the story feel even more real.
While I adored the book, I did wish for more side character development and more romance between them. The world of Jiznia intrigued me, and I craved more world-building. But overall, it was an exceptional read.
If you're in a reading slump or just in the mood for a paranormal romance that ticks all the boxes, Bargain With The Devil is a must-read. Prepare to be up all night, captivated by the perfect blend of tension, desire, and fantasy.
Rating: 4.5 🌟 /5
Spicy: 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶/5
Writing: ✨✨✨✨/5
September 5, 2024
“You’re everything I dreamed of and then some. Take me however you want, Sloane. I’m yours.”
What to expect -
✨forced proximity
✨touch her and die
✨he falls first
✨enemies to lovers
✨paranormal with fantasy elements
✨slow burn
This is my first romance with a devil! What caught my interest first with this story were the tropes and the blurb! It definitely delivered for me! I was intrigued throughout the whole story.
I liked getting to know Balthazar and his backstory. He has a code he lives by and he is so smart. This is shown when he had talks with Sloane but also when he visits humans who want to sell their soul to him.
I enjoyed Sloane's character because she was independent and a badass, she didn't give up and she didn’t take shit from anyone. She thought of everything to save her soul. She also kept thinking about why her soul was different than others. She did not think that she was like the other people who wanted to sell their souls, but at the end of the day she too, was selfish, but just not a bad person like some of the people she witnessed in the meetings.
There was flirty-ness and sexual tension between these two. The devil tried his best to seduce her and Sloane felt that no human man has ever made her feel this way. Sloane being the dominant one over the devil, love it!!
I do enjoy reading a fantasy book every once in a while because they make me think about their world and this really had me immersed in it. It has different houses with lords & ladies, selling souls and bargaining souls, and more.
Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read this as an arc! I’m excited to see what comes next!
What to expect -
✨forced proximity
✨touch her and die
✨he falls first
✨enemies to lovers
✨paranormal with fantasy elements
✨slow burn
This is my first romance with a devil! What caught my interest first with this story were the tropes and the blurb! It definitely delivered for me! I was intrigued throughout the whole story.
I liked getting to know Balthazar and his backstory. He has a code he lives by and he is so smart. This is shown when he had talks with Sloane but also when he visits humans who want to sell their soul to him.
I enjoyed Sloane's character because she was independent and a badass, she didn't give up and she didn’t take shit from anyone. She thought of everything to save her soul. She also kept thinking about why her soul was different than others. She did not think that she was like the other people who wanted to sell their souls, but at the end of the day she too, was selfish, but just not a bad person like some of the people she witnessed in the meetings.
There was flirty-ness and sexual tension between these two. The devil tried his best to seduce her and Sloane felt that no human man has ever made her feel this way. Sloane being the dominant one over the devil, love it!!
I do enjoy reading a fantasy book every once in a while because they make me think about their world and this really had me immersed in it. It has different houses with lords & ladies, selling souls and bargaining souls, and more.
Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read this as an arc! I’m excited to see what comes next!
October 17, 2024
I went back and forth with this review a lot.
On one hand, I enjoyed the premise of the book. All women at one point or another have experienced a fragile male ego who has caused us more trouble than we ever expected for the simple fact that we offended their male fragility. This alone got me hooked to the premise and invested in seeing the story through to the end to see the outcome.
I’d say the beginning of the book until about 1/2 way was very enjoyable to me, I felt for the FMC and her sudden position, I wanted her to find a solution to her problem and wanted to see the villain, or “Chad” pay for what he put her through. I expected the hook to persist throughout the plot but the focus shifted too many times only to return to the beginning and because of it it felt like the other main events the author spent time on were left unfinished.
I still stayed invested, my hatred for Chad carried me to the end, but I was unsatisfied with the ending. It seemed to slip from the climax of the story right to the end, and that made it feel rushed, and there was just too many unanswered questions. Still I enjoyed the premise so much and think that the story had so much more potential but the author took it a different direction (it’s her story and I’m not a writer). As a reader I think I was left wanting more and didn’t necessarily get the closure I wanted. If I could score it I’d say a 3.95/5 is the most accurate score for me.
I will say this is the authors debut novel and I’m expecting she will only improve her writing style from here, so I’d still recommend this book because it was an easy read, it was an interesting plot, and it is a stand alone.
On one hand, I enjoyed the premise of the book. All women at one point or another have experienced a fragile male ego who has caused us more trouble than we ever expected for the simple fact that we offended their male fragility. This alone got me hooked to the premise and invested in seeing the story through to the end to see the outcome.
I’d say the beginning of the book until about 1/2 way was very enjoyable to me, I felt for the FMC and her sudden position, I wanted her to find a solution to her problem and wanted to see the villain, or “Chad” pay for what he put her through. I expected the hook to persist throughout the plot but the focus shifted too many times only to return to the beginning and because of it it felt like the other main events the author spent time on were left unfinished.
I still stayed invested, my hatred for Chad carried me to the end, but I was unsatisfied with the ending. It seemed to slip from the climax of the story right to the end, and that made it feel rushed, and there was just too many unanswered questions. Still I enjoyed the premise so much and think that the story had so much more potential but the author took it a different direction (it’s her story and I’m not a writer). As a reader I think I was left wanting more and didn’t necessarily get the closure I wanted. If I could score it I’d say a 3.95/5 is the most accurate score for me.
I will say this is the authors debut novel and I’m expecting she will only improve her writing style from here, so I’d still recommend this book because it was an easy read, it was an interesting plot, and it is a stand alone.
December 1, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, for the most part. The world-building was interesting, and I enjoyed the dynamic between the MMC and FMC. I started reading it before bed and couldn’t put it down for hours.
But my two main issues with the book, and why I didn’t rate it higher, are the near-constant grammatical errors. They pulled me out of the story way too often and I found it frustrating. Several times I had to reword sentences in my head as I was reading to make them make sense. The other thing that bugged me is the glaring plot hole near the end of the book. (This part is going to be very spoiler-y but I’ll try to minimize it). In the hospital with Balthazar and Sarah, Sloane makes a wish out of anger starting clearly with the words “I wish”…Balthazar teleports her away and she gets into trouble. Throughout the next scene, she mentions still having one more day to make her wish multiple times, and the whole time I’m just thinking, she must still not realize she spent her wish. I kept waiting for them to address it, and how it was going to affect things moving forward but it never came up! Then she gets into another sticky situation and to save her life, Balthazar tells her that she needs to make her wish. And then he grants it and everything moves forward from there. And I just don’t understand how she still had a wish to use when she clearly used her wish already. I had come up with a couple of theories for how they were going to work that out but it was just completely ignored.
But my two main issues with the book, and why I didn’t rate it higher, are the near-constant grammatical errors. They pulled me out of the story way too often and I found it frustrating. Several times I had to reword sentences in my head as I was reading to make them make sense. The other thing that bugged me is the glaring plot hole near the end of the book. (This part is going to be very spoiler-y but I’ll try to minimize it). In the hospital with Balthazar and Sarah, Sloane makes a wish out of anger starting clearly with the words “I wish”…Balthazar teleports her away and she gets into trouble. Throughout the next scene, she mentions still having one more day to make her wish multiple times, and the whole time I’m just thinking, she must still not realize she spent her wish. I kept waiting for them to address it, and how it was going to affect things moving forward but it never came up! Then she gets into another sticky situation and to save her life, Balthazar tells her that she needs to make her wish. And then he grants it and everything moves forward from there. And I just don’t understand how she still had a wish to use when she clearly used her wish already. I had come up with a couple of theories for how they were going to work that out but it was just completely ignored.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2024
I just finished reading "Bargain with the Devil" by Alessandra Vu, and I loved it! Literally finished it within a day cuz I didn't want to put it down.
The pacing was perfect—not too fast, not too slow. It kept me hooked the whole time. One scene that really stood out was the park scene. ;)
Sloane, the main character, is a total badass. She doesn't back down from anything, and you can really see her grow throughout the book. I also loved when she realizes that being a "good" person isn't some extraordinary thing—it's just part of being human.
The devil is a pain in the ass, but in the best way. The chemistry between Sloane and the devil is explosive, and their interactions are full of tension and excitement. There's not a ton of smut, but the buildup is so good that it didn't bother me at all.
The writing style is great, and the dialogue feels natural and current. The way the book incorporates current events made the story feel even more real.
I totally recommend "Bargain with the Devil" if you love enemies-to-lovers and are just getting into dark romance. It's a captivating read with awesome characters and a plot that keeps you engaged. I can't wait to read more about Sloane!
The pacing was perfect—not too fast, not too slow. It kept me hooked the whole time. One scene that really stood out was the park scene. ;)
Sloane, the main character, is a total badass. She doesn't back down from anything, and you can really see her grow throughout the book. I also loved when she realizes that being a "good" person isn't some extraordinary thing—it's just part of being human.
The devil is a pain in the ass, but in the best way. The chemistry between Sloane and the devil is explosive, and their interactions are full of tension and excitement. There's not a ton of smut, but the buildup is so good that it didn't bother me at all.
The writing style is great, and the dialogue feels natural and current. The way the book incorporates current events made the story feel even more real.
I totally recommend "Bargain with the Devil" if you love enemies-to-lovers and are just getting into dark romance. It's a captivating read with awesome characters and a plot that keeps you engaged. I can't wait to read more about Sloane!
July 10, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book from the author.
This book ended up surprising me, in the best way. As the book began, I thought maybe it wasn’t going to be for me, but I was definitely wrong! The premise initially wasn’t grabbing me, but all that changed when we got to see more of Balthazar and how he reacted to Sloane. The teasing and the tension was delicious. What I definitely wasn’t expecting, nor expected to enjoy, was the sexual power dynamic. It was a departure from what I have come to expect in PNR books, for the most part. Now that I’ve read a good depiction of a TPR, I have to say I would gladly read more. The domination wasn’t cliche or overdone, but realistically depicted the power exchange.
The end of the book neatly set up more opportunity in the world that the author has created and I truly hope there will be more books to come.
This was a fun, quick, enjoyable PNR read.
This book ended up surprising me, in the best way. As the book began, I thought maybe it wasn’t going to be for me, but I was definitely wrong! The premise initially wasn’t grabbing me, but all that changed when we got to see more of Balthazar and how he reacted to Sloane. The teasing and the tension was delicious. What I definitely wasn’t expecting, nor expected to enjoy, was the sexual power dynamic. It was a departure from what I have come to expect in PNR books, for the most part. Now that I’ve read a good depiction of a TPR, I have to say I would gladly read more. The domination wasn’t cliche or overdone, but realistically depicted the power exchange.
The end of the book neatly set up more opportunity in the world that the author has created and I truly hope there will be more books to come.
This was a fun, quick, enjoyable PNR read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2025
2.8 stars. i finished this book, but i wasnt really sure how i was going to rate it FMC a bit TSTL (too stupid to live). Devil MMC has a praise kink.
i rated it a bit lower than 3 stars because this isn't a standalone. it's a duet (series maybe). I feel like their could have been less filler since theres a second book.
theres something off about the writing but the storyline is a good one. I think part of that is because the FMC is kind of dumb in her internal dialogue and the story doesn't really get good until the last 100 Pages or so. sometimes her internal dialogue feels like she's intentionally misinterpreting things or making it come across as she's stupid.
there is some spice. i wont be reading part 2. but id read more from this author.
i rated it a bit lower than 3 stars because this isn't a standalone. it's a duet (series maybe). I feel like their could have been less filler since theres a second book.
theres something off about the writing but the storyline is a good one. I think part of that is because the FMC is kind of dumb in her internal dialogue and the story doesn't really get good until the last 100 Pages or so. sometimes her internal dialogue feels like she's intentionally misinterpreting things or making it come across as she's stupid.
there is some spice. i wont be reading part 2. but id read more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2024
I was hooked from the moment this book started! I found the main character, Sloane, refreshing ( she is leagues away from the self conscious and unsure female main characters we see in books), the worlds of Hell and Heaven enthralling, and the love story nothing short of dynamic. This is exactly the type of smart, empowering and sexy- as- hell paranormal fantasy we need (I read it three times for reference). I for one am waiting with bated breath for the next book! Bravo Alessandra Vu and thank you for giving the modern world a spicy paranormal love story we can feel proud of! Definitely my new favorite Author and one to watch!
August 4, 2024
This book was soo good and I loved the characters s lot!! Sloane was bit bratty in the beginning and somewhere in between but when the understanding dawned upon her of how she was acting and how she behaved the storyline was really getting better there and the story was overall very well written and the spice and the dominating thing omg I loved that part soo much, it was really surprising for me and the names given to the devils were very unique and the houses names as well
Adored this book and I got pretty hooked very quickly! Love to read more from the author
Adored this book and I got pretty hooked very quickly! Love to read more from the author
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2024
4.5/5 ⭐️’s
Whew boy, the banter and chemistry in this?! A+
I loved every second of this book and I literally had to force myself to put it down and go to sleep.
I’m not kidding when I say the *tension* is TOP TIER.
I love a new take on the devil, or I guess I should say *devils*. I thought it was interesting and different.
I can’t give enough praise for the relationship between Balthazar and Sloane. I couldn’t get enough of them honestly.
Would DEFINITELY recommend for anyone who loves a good enemies to lovers 👀😏
Whew boy, the banter and chemistry in this?! A+
I loved every second of this book and I literally had to force myself to put it down and go to sleep.
I’m not kidding when I say the *tension* is TOP TIER.
I love a new take on the devil, or I guess I should say *devils*. I thought it was interesting and different.
I can’t give enough praise for the relationship between Balthazar and Sloane. I couldn’t get enough of them honestly.
Would DEFINITELY recommend for anyone who loves a good enemies to lovers 👀😏
July 21, 2025
3.5 ?
Very cute.
I was honestly surprised though that Chad had a whole typed up page that was detailed out for what he wanted from the Devil. He did not strike me as a "Harvard grad" or whatever that was tossed in there randomly. The fact that Chad had a typed out request and Sloane I enjoyed this but don't know that I'd read any more in the series.
Very cute.
I was honestly surprised though that Chad had a whole typed up page that was detailed out for what he wanted from the Devil. He did not strike me as a "Harvard grad" or whatever that was tossed in there randomly. The fact that Chad had a typed out request and Sloane I enjoyed this but don't know that I'd read any more in the series.
June 27, 2024
Ohhhh if you want a slow burn this is the book for you!! I have read paranormal romance and this absolutely kept me entertained until the end!
Sloane is a badass, and Chad is just an a$$! Sloane takes no sh!+ from anyone, human or not!
The devil, well he was my favorite! The tension him and Sloane…ugh kicking my legs and hollering 😂
I ate this book up!! Slow burn, enemies to lovers!! Yes please!!! ::chefs kiss::
Sloane is a badass, and Chad is just an a$$! Sloane takes no sh!+ from anyone, human or not!
The devil, well he was my favorite! The tension him and Sloane…ugh kicking my legs and hollering 😂
I ate this book up!! Slow burn, enemies to lovers!! Yes please!!! ::chefs kiss::
July 8, 2024
This was such a fun read! I loved Sloane and Balthazar, and cannot wait for more! The Enemies to Lovers was so fun! I was sometimes stressed with some of the lack of communication, but that is normal for me lol. The spice was really nice, and I want more of it! Most of the book was about them getting to know each other and bantering, so I am super excited for another book to explore their relationship! The ending was really awesome and set up a really interesting plot for the next book!
July 9, 2024
This book was a book I was hooked on from the first chapter. I found it hard to put down. As my first paranormal romance I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, I was honestly very impressed by Alessandra’s writing. This book got me out of a slump, Alessandra gave us spice, humor and a badass FMC. Thank you for the ARC, this was a book that stood out from the ones I’ve read so far this year and enjoyed reading from beginning to end!
June 15, 2024
“Bargain with the Devil” is suspenseful, sexy, and so fun! Alessandra Vu’s writing is phenomenal! I am so invested in the journey of Sloane and Balthazar. There are surprises in almost every chapter. I cannot wait to read more works by Alessandra Vu and I am eagerly waiting the second book. I highly recommend this book, releasing on early September 2024.
October 16, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love me a morally gray friends to lovers story. Fantastic world building, descriptive enough that I felt like I was there without being overly descriptive to the point of distraction. It has magic, devils, douchebag dudes getting humbled, and the spice was *very nice.* I already added this one to my husband's TBR and am impatiently waiting for book two!
July 13, 2024
I loved everything about this story!! There were so many twists and turns and I could never predict what was going to happen next! It has my attention from the beginning and held it the entire time! Absolutely loved!
September 7, 2024
Het plot is heel erg interessant. Er zaten leuke stukjes bij. Verder was het wel mwa om eerlijk te zijn. Dat zij hem 'domineert', is wel het beste van dit verhaal. Voor de rest voelde het een beetje langdradig..
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews