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Demon of the Deep #1
Demon of the Deep
‘Do you know the other reason they call me the Deep Water Demon? You’re about to find out.’
Rowan Faine, captain of the fastest pirate vessel on the seas, has always hated the Deep Water Demon. His rival pirate captain is infamous, brutal, and … handsome? After a years-long game of cat and mouse they’ve never come face to face, until Rowan ventures into deeper waters and falls right into the Demon’s trap.
When Rowan and the Demon finally meet, he doesn’t expect to find himself inexplicably drawn into the man’s dashing good looks, nor his elegant yet ruthless nature. Something dark pulls them together, like a creature lurking just beneath the surface.
While Rowan can’t help but give in to the Demon’s charms, he’s not the only one sating his curiosity in a stranger’s bed; their crews get up to shenanigans of their own —from first loves reunited, to tentative new beginnings; no one is immune to the tides of love and lust.
Yet when a betrayal by one of their own threatens to reveal all their secrets, can Rowan and the Demon learn to trust one another enough to keep their crews safe?
Join Rowan, the Deep Water Demon, and their chaotic crews on this swashbuckling erotic romance adventure.
Rowan Faine, captain of the fastest pirate vessel on the seas, has always hated the Deep Water Demon. His rival pirate captain is infamous, brutal, and … handsome? After a years-long game of cat and mouse they’ve never come face to face, until Rowan ventures into deeper waters and falls right into the Demon’s trap.
When Rowan and the Demon finally meet, he doesn’t expect to find himself inexplicably drawn into the man’s dashing good looks, nor his elegant yet ruthless nature. Something dark pulls them together, like a creature lurking just beneath the surface.
While Rowan can’t help but give in to the Demon’s charms, he’s not the only one sating his curiosity in a stranger’s bed; their crews get up to shenanigans of their own —from first loves reunited, to tentative new beginnings; no one is immune to the tides of love and lust.
Yet when a betrayal by one of their own threatens to reveal all their secrets, can Rowan and the Demon learn to trust one another enough to keep their crews safe?
Join Rowan, the Deep Water Demon, and their chaotic crews on this swashbuckling erotic romance adventure.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2024
38 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Briar Belmont
2 books19 followersBriar Belmont is a spicy romance and romantasy indie author debuting in 2024. She adored reading and writing from a young age and has a soft spot for fairytales and folklore. She can often be found in her garden or curled up with her pets and a good book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
October 19, 2024
Like everyone else I grabbed this book because I kept seeing in every review that it was super smutty. And it definitely was smutty, but there's a plot too! Truly the best of both worlds. Demon of the Deep is a debut chronicling the daring adventures of 4 MM pirate couples. The book features all the piratey things we love... cutlasses, cannons and all manner of hijinks. There were a few plot twists that kept the book interesting to the very end.
I enjoyed the book a lot, pirates are really fun to read about with their thrilling escapades. I also liked how the sexuality of the couples was something normal. There is only one mention of internalized homophobia, but when the couples are out in public their relationships are considered completely normal.
Rating: 4 stars
Angst: 3.5/5
Steam: 2.5/5 (I might be an outlier here but with 4 couples the spice got a bit repetitive for me towards the end of the book)
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I enjoyed the book a lot, pirates are really fun to read about with their thrilling escapades. I also liked how the sexuality of the couples was something normal. There is only one mention of internalized homophobia, but when the couples are out in public their relationships are considered completely normal.
Rating: 4 stars
Angst: 3.5/5
Steam: 2.5/5 (I might be an outlier here but with 4 couples the spice got a bit repetitive for me towards the end of the book)
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
October 14, 2024
✨ARC REVIEW✨
Did you love Our Flag Means Dead but you wished it was less ridiculously funny and a thousand times more smutty? Briar Belmont has you covered.
I am not coherent enough to write a proper review but this book has every single thing that I love: pirates, smut, naval battles, secrets, betrayal, idiots in love, second chance romance, virgin MCs, 4 different couples, pining, swordfights and did I say PIRATES.
It might look like a high heat smutfest, but don't let yourself be fooled. There's adventure, and slow burn, and enough plot to have you biting your nails. If you like a solid couple? You got it. If you need two fumbling new lovers? You got it. If you like enemies to lovers/idiots in love? You got it. And John and Logan... I need to know what happens with these two (beware my only MM readers, there's a MMF scene, but it's got DP, so there's that 👀).
The last 40% is non stop action and a bit of angst, so worth it!
This book is AMAZING.
Did you love Our Flag Means Dead but you wished it was less ridiculously funny and a thousand times more smutty? Briar Belmont has you covered.
I am not coherent enough to write a proper review but this book has every single thing that I love: pirates, smut, naval battles, secrets, betrayal, idiots in love, second chance romance, virgin MCs, 4 different couples, pining, swordfights and did I say PIRATES.
It might look like a high heat smutfest, but don't let yourself be fooled. There's adventure, and slow burn, and enough plot to have you biting your nails. If you like a solid couple? You got it. If you need two fumbling new lovers? You got it. If you like enemies to lovers/idiots in love? You got it. And John and Logan... I need to know what happens with these two (beware my only MM readers, there's a MMF scene, but it's got DP, so there's that 👀).
The last 40% is non stop action and a bit of angst, so worth it!
This book is AMAZING.
Read
October 31, 2024OK I'm trying to keep all the couples straight here (lol, pun unintended). This is revolving around multiple couples all introduced at the same time so I'm trying to keep up! Listing it out is going to help me personally, and I figure it might help someone else too!
Rowan/Yves - the captains of their respective ships
Henri/Robin - Henri is injured and Robin is the doctor caring for him
Fox/Gael - Fox is very sunshine cinnamon roll. They knew each other previously and were friends before they joined their crews
Logan/John - Logan is Rowan's first mate and doesn't trust Yves at first
OK, I'm back and I have finished this book and I still have a lot of thoughts all over the place. I love the idea of this story and I loved 2 of the couples definitely more than the other 2. This story is very sex heavy, and also circulates around 4 separate couples, which I think the blurb does a somewhat poor job of giving that expectation to the reader.
See? Thoughts are all over the place lol. Like I feel like I could still sit here and type some thoughts out. And I'm still thinking on my rating for this one.
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Rowan/Yves - the captains of their respective ships
Henri/Robin - Henri is injured and Robin is the doctor caring for him
Fox/Gael - Fox is very sunshine cinnamon roll. They knew each other previously and were friends before they joined their crews
Logan/John - Logan is Rowan's first mate and doesn't trust Yves at first
OK, I'm back and I have finished this book and I still have a lot of thoughts all over the place. I love the idea of this story and I loved 2 of the couples definitely more than the other 2. This story is very sex heavy, and also circulates around 4 separate couples, which I think the blurb does a somewhat poor job of giving that expectation to the reader.
See? Thoughts are all over the place lol. Like I feel like I could still sit here and type some thoughts out. And I'm still thinking on my rating for this one.
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 19, 2024
This was a fun, super smutty pirate book. Heads up - this book focuses on 4 couples - one more heavily than the rest but there is are a lot of POVs.
We have Rowan, a pirate captain, coming into contact with the infamous Deep Water Demon - a rival pirate, and his crew. They start battling but then it devolves into a parlay which devolves into fucking (as you do). Lol I found this all hilarious.
Within the first handful of chapters we get like 3 sex scenes (two couples) and I was just like HUH.
I loved all the main characters - all 8 of them. But I did struggle to really connect with them all when I was flipping between them all. I feel like this would have been a stronger book/series had it focused mainly on one couple and only their POVs (for the most part. It still would have hyped up my interest in the other characters. Here, I just felt like I was focusing on them all and yet none of them at the same time.
The first 50% is a LOT of sex. I honestly maybe would have DNFd if I hadn’t buddy read with some friends that told me to stick it out. The second half was soooo much stronger plot-wise and there were things that happened that totally shocked me. And that ending?!?! Excuse me?!
Overall this was a fun, unserious, smutty book if you are looking for some horny pirates that would rather smash than do pirating lmao.
“This was supposed to be a pirate ship, not a pleasure cruise.”
👆 Logan - my favorite boy.
We have Rowan, a pirate captain, coming into contact with the infamous Deep Water Demon - a rival pirate, and his crew. They start battling but then it devolves into a parlay which devolves into fucking (as you do). Lol I found this all hilarious.
Within the first handful of chapters we get like 3 sex scenes (two couples) and I was just like HUH.
I loved all the main characters - all 8 of them. But I did struggle to really connect with them all when I was flipping between them all. I feel like this would have been a stronger book/series had it focused mainly on one couple and only their POVs (for the most part. It still would have hyped up my interest in the other characters. Here, I just felt like I was focusing on them all and yet none of them at the same time.
The first 50% is a LOT of sex. I honestly maybe would have DNFd if I hadn’t buddy read with some friends that told me to stick it out. The second half was soooo much stronger plot-wise and there were things that happened that totally shocked me. And that ending?!?! Excuse me?!
Overall this was a fun, unserious, smutty book if you are looking for some horny pirates that would rather smash than do pirating lmao.
“This was supposed to be a pirate ship, not a pleasure cruise.”
👆 Logan - my favorite boy.
September 19, 2024
ARC Rating: ★★★★☆
*Demon of the Deep* by Briar Belmont is my first experience with pirate-themed literature, and I was thoroughly impressed! It’s hard to believe I hadn’t explored this genre sooner, but this book has definitely set a high bar.
The story follows Rowan Faine, the captain of a swift pirate ship, and his rivalry with the infamous Deep Water Demon. The multiple perspectives enhance the narrative, providing depth to all the characters and keeping the plot engaging.
Belmont’s writing is captivating, blending adventure and romance beautifully. The chemistry between Roman and the Demon is intriguing, and their evolving relationship adds an exciting layer to the story. The supporting characters also shine, each with their own arcs that enrich the overall experience.
Themes of trust and betrayal run throughout the tale, creating a compelling backdrop that kept me invested from start to finish. I found myself rooting for the characters as they navigated their complex world.
Overall, *Demon of the Deep* is a thrilling read that left me eager for more pirate adventures! If you enjoy tales of adventure, romance, and richly developed characters, I highly recommend giving this one a try.
*Demon of the Deep* by Briar Belmont is my first experience with pirate-themed literature, and I was thoroughly impressed! It’s hard to believe I hadn’t explored this genre sooner, but this book has definitely set a high bar.
The story follows Rowan Faine, the captain of a swift pirate ship, and his rivalry with the infamous Deep Water Demon. The multiple perspectives enhance the narrative, providing depth to all the characters and keeping the plot engaging.
Belmont’s writing is captivating, blending adventure and romance beautifully. The chemistry between Roman and the Demon is intriguing, and their evolving relationship adds an exciting layer to the story. The supporting characters also shine, each with their own arcs that enrich the overall experience.
Themes of trust and betrayal run throughout the tale, creating a compelling backdrop that kept me invested from start to finish. I found myself rooting for the characters as they navigated their complex world.
Overall, *Demon of the Deep* is a thrilling read that left me eager for more pirate adventures! If you enjoy tales of adventure, romance, and richly developed characters, I highly recommend giving this one a try.
October 15, 2024
Demon of the Deep is one of those surprising books that really grips you from the first page.
It has a wild sense of humour and this lack of seriousness about it that grips you. It's not from a lack of interest from the author, but rather one of skill where someone can make a book feel laidback and relaxed.
We open on two pirate ships fighting each other, where Rowan and Yves see each other as the greatest threat on the seas. However, once Rowan, the Ghost Hawk's, ship is boarded by Yves, the Demon of the Deep, they find themselves forming an alliance based on mutual respect and interest of each other.
The discovery of Illusion with Rowan was one of my favourite things in this book. The idea of a pirate having an island to hide away during the winter was really fun and exciting. It was great to explore it with the characters and feel that sense of calm from people who were used to the rough excitement of the ocean. I could and would read side stories of these characters simply sailing through the ocean and going back to Illusion without a care in the world. I don't need plot, just give me the crashing waves and the life of a pirate.
One of the most interesting things about this book is that it's told from multiple POVs and we focus on 8 main characters (yes, I will complain about the blurb not stating that later in the review). I love a book with multiple POVs as it means we get to follow different storylines.
I loved Rowan and his witty banter with everyone. He wasn't what I expected in a pirate captain, but I enjoyed that. They're not all swag and quick quips - sometimes it's about keeping an eye on your crew and making sure they make it through the day. In comparison, Yves it a little more closed off to his crew and seems a lot more focused on his rivalry with the Ghost Hawk. He's very charismatic and has a lot of secrets.
Fox was amazing, and I would have loved to have seen his relationship be more slow burn. He has some hurt and pain and trust needs to be built and earned with him. I loved the opening scene where we meet Fox and he's in a dress to try and make other ships believe they're an innocent vessel crossing the water! Really reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean where Pintel and Ragetti have their umbrellas out to confuse people. It's a great throwback (even if the author didn't mean it like that). I'll be honest, Gaël wasn't my favourite. He seems to spawn from no where and we kept getting told what a great guy he was from everyone else, yet I never really saw it. Not saying he was a bad guy, I just felt like I didn't really feel anything for him either way.
Henri was funny. I loved how he was always getting hurt and getting into little mishaps. He also cared a lot about his friends, especially Fox, and never wanted to see them get hurt. His constant loyalty throughout the book was pretty heartwarming. Robin, the doctor, was one of my favourite characters. He had a lot of depth and I found him interesting to watch. I would have loved a deeper dive into his religious background and how that was affecting his life. I feel like we had this brief moment that had me on the edge of my seat but it wasn't really mentioned again.
Logan and John were possibly my biggest let down. I thought Logan was incredibly interesting. He captured my attention immediately and the way he was seen as kind was really well done. They juxtaposed each other, with Logan being soft and kind and John being strict and focused. John and his carving (you'll find out when you read the book) was a really beautiful scene. However, we only get two moments with them exploring each other. The first was fantastic, while the second felt a bit disconnected. If you're not interested in MMF scenes, they have one. And then John promises the 'next time' would just be the two of them, but we never get that. At the end of the novel, I really didn't understand where they stood. Did they like each other? Were they simply FWB? Are they more like frat bros? Was it just a once off? I didn't understand and it frustrated me because Logan was my favourite and I kind of wanted those lines drawn in the sand so I would know what was going on.
This leads into my life issue with this book is the blurb. The blurb seems to state we're following one couple, and yet, I wouldn't even consider them THE main characters. We had so many different relationships happening and so many POVs. I loved how many we got, however, I have a bone to pick with the author. You did Logan dirty. I wanted more of him and John, but instead we barely got anything from them! I demand a trial!
My other bone to pick was I felt like some things were too fast or too slow. We open up to a lot of people boning. Do I have an issue? No. But I felt like for some of the relationships, I had nothing to look forward to. Rowan and Yves kept me interested as they built on their relationship, but Fox and Gaël were basically immediately in a perfect relationship. Henri and Robin were cute, but I felt like we got no real plot with their relationship.
Don't get me wrong, I loved how unserious the book was, but I wish some of these relationships had been a little more slow burn and less 'let's just rip our clothes off and say I love you'.
As for the slow pace (right after I said I want more slow burn), I felt like some things were too slow to be unveiled and therefore unable to be explored at all. Yes, I'm talking about
Altogether, despite my grizzling at the end, I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down and I found myself thinking about it during the day because I enjoyed the humour and energy of the book. I would definitely read from this author again!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It has a wild sense of humour and this lack of seriousness about it that grips you. It's not from a lack of interest from the author, but rather one of skill where someone can make a book feel laidback and relaxed.
We open on two pirate ships fighting each other, where Rowan and Yves see each other as the greatest threat on the seas. However, once Rowan, the Ghost Hawk's, ship is boarded by Yves, the Demon of the Deep, they find themselves forming an alliance based on mutual respect and interest of each other.
The discovery of Illusion with Rowan was one of my favourite things in this book. The idea of a pirate having an island to hide away during the winter was really fun and exciting. It was great to explore it with the characters and feel that sense of calm from people who were used to the rough excitement of the ocean. I could and would read side stories of these characters simply sailing through the ocean and going back to Illusion without a care in the world. I don't need plot, just give me the crashing waves and the life of a pirate.
One of the most interesting things about this book is that it's told from multiple POVs and we focus on 8 main characters (yes, I will complain about the blurb not stating that later in the review). I love a book with multiple POVs as it means we get to follow different storylines.
I loved Rowan and his witty banter with everyone. He wasn't what I expected in a pirate captain, but I enjoyed that. They're not all swag and quick quips - sometimes it's about keeping an eye on your crew and making sure they make it through the day. In comparison, Yves it a little more closed off to his crew and seems a lot more focused on his rivalry with the Ghost Hawk. He's very charismatic and has a lot of secrets.
Fox was amazing, and I would have loved to have seen his relationship be more slow burn. He has some hurt and pain and trust needs to be built and earned with him. I loved the opening scene where we meet Fox and he's in a dress to try and make other ships believe they're an innocent vessel crossing the water! Really reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean where Pintel and Ragetti have their umbrellas out to confuse people. It's a great throwback (even if the author didn't mean it like that). I'll be honest, Gaël wasn't my favourite. He seems to spawn from no where and we kept getting told what a great guy he was from everyone else, yet I never really saw it. Not saying he was a bad guy, I just felt like I didn't really feel anything for him either way.
Henri was funny. I loved how he was always getting hurt and getting into little mishaps. He also cared a lot about his friends, especially Fox, and never wanted to see them get hurt. His constant loyalty throughout the book was pretty heartwarming. Robin, the doctor, was one of my favourite characters. He had a lot of depth and I found him interesting to watch. I would have loved a deeper dive into his religious background and how that was affecting his life. I feel like we had this brief moment that had me on the edge of my seat but it wasn't really mentioned again.
Logan and John were possibly my biggest let down. I thought Logan was incredibly interesting. He captured my attention immediately and the way he was seen as kind was really well done. They juxtaposed each other, with Logan being soft and kind and John being strict and focused. John and his carving (you'll find out when you read the book) was a really beautiful scene. However, we only get two moments with them exploring each other. The first was fantastic, while the second felt a bit disconnected. If you're not interested in MMF scenes, they have one. And then John promises the 'next time' would just be the two of them, but we never get that. At the end of the novel, I really didn't understand where they stood. Did they like each other? Were they simply FWB? Are they more like frat bros? Was it just a once off? I didn't understand and it frustrated me because Logan was my favourite and I kind of wanted those lines drawn in the sand so I would know what was going on.
This leads into my life issue with this book is the blurb. The blurb seems to state we're following one couple, and yet, I wouldn't even consider them THE main characters. We had so many different relationships happening and so many POVs. I loved how many we got, however, I have a bone to pick with the author. You did Logan dirty. I wanted more of him and John, but instead we barely got anything from them! I demand a trial!
My other bone to pick was I felt like some things were too fast or too slow. We open up to a lot of people boning. Do I have an issue? No. But I felt like for some of the relationships, I had nothing to look forward to. Rowan and Yves kept me interested as they built on their relationship, but Fox and Gaël were basically immediately in a perfect relationship. Henri and Robin were cute, but I felt like we got no real plot with their relationship.
Don't get me wrong, I loved how unserious the book was, but I wish some of these relationships had been a little more slow burn and less 'let's just rip our clothes off and say I love you'.
As for the slow pace (right after I said I want more slow burn), I felt like some things were too slow to be unveiled and therefore unable to be explored at all. Yes, I'm talking about
Altogether, despite my grizzling at the end, I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to put down and I found myself thinking about it during the day because I enjoyed the humour and energy of the book. I would definitely read from this author again!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 30, 2024
DEMON OF THE DEEP was a lot of fun to read and we didn't get just one couple, we got three couples! While Yves and Rowan are probably the main pairing it felt more like an ensemble story because we got POV chapters and relationship development for a bunch of different characters. While I can see this being annoying for some readers, I really liked following along with several different pirates on the Siren and Kraken.
Henri and Robin were really sweet together while Fox and Gaël were more fiery as a second chance romance. Both sets fall into a relationship quickly whereas Yves and Rowan were a fast burn of lust but a slow burn in their feelings. These two idiots did everything they could to resist falling for each other but their love was inevitable. I especially liked Rowan as more of a gentleman pirate who loved the sea, understood mercy, and valued the importance of his crew being a family. Yves was a lot darker, he was dangerous and possessive and willing to burn everything down to keep Rowan by his side. His actions ran up against the edge of my comfort zone but ultimately I liked his character.
DEMON OF THE DEEP was a very engaging read but boy was it heavy on the sex. Almost every chapter had a sex scene, especially in the first 60%, but considering there were multiple couples it's spaced out across them all. I personally wasn't bothered by it and there was still plenty of plot but the sex was definitely more of the focus.
The ending was a surprise and I honestly think the book would have been better without it simply because it came out of nowhere without a lot of time to really develop it as a logical plot point. Had it been brought up sooner and given space in the book then it would have been a better fit and would have been more interesting because it could have been incorporated into the emotional moments of the book rather than just being a shock and awe kind of thing. That being said I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to reading more by this debut author!
**ARC provided by the author via BookSirens**
Content Warning: past sexual abuse; Rowan attempts to have sex with a woman to forget Yves but doesn't go through with it
Henri and Robin were really sweet together while Fox and Gaël were more fiery as a second chance romance. Both sets fall into a relationship quickly whereas Yves and Rowan were a fast burn of lust but a slow burn in their feelings. These two idiots did everything they could to resist falling for each other but their love was inevitable. I especially liked Rowan as more of a gentleman pirate who loved the sea, understood mercy, and valued the importance of his crew being a family. Yves was a lot darker, he was dangerous and possessive and willing to burn everything down to keep Rowan by his side. His actions ran up against the edge of my comfort zone but ultimately I liked his character.
DEMON OF THE DEEP was a very engaging read but boy was it heavy on the sex. Almost every chapter had a sex scene, especially in the first 60%, but considering there were multiple couples it's spaced out across them all. I personally wasn't bothered by it and there was still plenty of plot but the sex was definitely more of the focus.
The ending was a surprise and I honestly think the book would have been better without it simply because it came out of nowhere without a lot of time to really develop it as a logical plot point. Had it been brought up sooner and given space in the book then it would have been a better fit and would have been more interesting because it could have been incorporated into the emotional moments of the book rather than just being a shock and awe kind of thing. That being said I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to reading more by this debut author!
**ARC provided by the author via BookSirens**
Content Warning: past sexual abuse; Rowan attempts to have sex with a woman to forget Yves but doesn't go through with it
October 8, 2025
If you enjoyed “Our Flag Means Death” but would have preferred more spice, this book is for you! It was a quick, fun, and sexy read (heavy on the sexy, there are many delightfully smutty chapters). I went in expecting pure smut, but was pleasantly surprised by a decent amount of plot; pirate ship battles, rekindling romance, and an incredible ending that I was not expecting. I look forward to delving into the prequel and getting even more backstory on these chaotic, endearing pirates.
November 5, 2025
All I gotta say is Sally and Frank, I blame you for the trauma I got from this book lmaoooo
May 26, 2025
I finished this on my lunch break, walked inside, dropped in front of my spouse and said "You must read this!"
Demon of the Deep was a scorching hot read that I devoured across a couple of days. I adored all of the characters, and each of the pairings had a different, interesting dynamic, each of which I loved (but Fox/Gäel own my whole heart). The shipfight scenes were very well-written - perfectly descriptive without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail - and again, this was super duper hot. If you want smut, boy do I recommend this, because we start right at chapter two!
I also appreciated that the content earnings are linked right at the start of the book, and the author's note made me cackle.
Anyways, this was incredible, and I can't wait for my spouse to read it so I can scream about it some more.
Demon of the Deep was a scorching hot read that I devoured across a couple of days. I adored all of the characters, and each of the pairings had a different, interesting dynamic, each of which I loved (but Fox/Gäel own my whole heart). The shipfight scenes were very well-written - perfectly descriptive without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail - and again, this was super duper hot. If you want smut, boy do I recommend this, because we start right at chapter two!
I also appreciated that the content earnings are linked right at the start of the book, and the author's note made me cackle.
Anyways, this was incredible, and I can't wait for my spouse to read it so I can scream about it some more.
June 21, 2025
Gay pirates!!!! Like why does this make so much sense?
This was so good and I loved how interwoven each couple’s story was. The spice is million degrees of hot so look forward to that 👁️👁️
I loved the world building and I seriously felt one with the pirate world! Loved loved Yves and Foxy. Both of their love stories along with Henri’s were so sweet. 🥹
This was so good and I loved how interwoven each couple’s story was. The spice is million degrees of hot so look forward to that 👁️👁️
I loved the world building and I seriously felt one with the pirate world! Loved loved Yves and Foxy. Both of their love stories along with Henri’s were so sweet. 🥹
October 18, 2024
Demon of the Deep by Briar Belmont
As a fan of pirate stories, I was pleasantly surprised by Demon Of the Deep, the first book I’ve read set in this world. It’s been a fascinating journey sailing across the seas with these charismatic (and sexies) pirates.
The book is incredibly addictive and original, hooking you from the very first page. It strikes a perfect balance between humor, action, and hot scenes. The story follows four couples, each facing their own adventures, misadventures, first loves, first times, betrayals, enemies to lovers, and laughs. The characters, with all their flaws, are both endearing and entertaining.
While I do have my favorite couples, I must admit that all eight main characters have something special. The first part of the book focuses on world-building, introducing us to the characters and watching how their relationships develop, with all the fun and smut that I love. In the second half, the plot intensifies, leading to a surprising ending that leaves you speechless.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be following the author's work closely. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a smutty, fresh, fun, and heartfelt adventure.
✨ I recived an ARC of this book and this is my sincerly and honest rewiew✨
ESP:
Demon of the Deep por Briar Belmont
Siendo fan de las historias de piratas, me ha sorprendido gratamente Demon Of the Deep, el primer libro que leo ambientado en este mundo. Ha sido una experiencia fascinante navegar por los mares junto a estos piratas tan carismáticos (y sexies de narices)
El libro es tremendamente adictivo y original, te engancha desde la primera página. Tiene un equilibrio perfecto entre humor, acción y una dosis de escenas muy hot. La historia sigue a cuatro parejas, cada una enfrentando sus propias aventuras, desventuras, primeros amores, primeras veces, con enemies to lovers, traiciones y risas. Los personajes, con sus imperfecciones, resultan entrañables y divertidos. Unos mamarrachos adorables!
Aunque tengo mis parejas favoritas, debo admitir que los ocho personajes principales tienen algo especial. La primera parte del libro se dedica a construir el mundo, presentarnos a los personajes y ver cómo las relaciones se van forjando, con toda la chispa y el smut que tanto me gusta. En la segunda parte, la trama cobra fuerza y nos lleva a un final sorprendente que te deja sin palabras.
En resumen, disfruté muchísimo de esta lectura y sin duda seguiré de cerca el trabajo de la autora. Un libro que recomiendo a quienes busquen una aventura muy hot, fresca, divertida y con mucho corazón.
✨ Recibí una copia avanzada de este libro y esta es mi honesta y sincera reseña ✨
As a fan of pirate stories, I was pleasantly surprised by Demon Of the Deep, the first book I’ve read set in this world. It’s been a fascinating journey sailing across the seas with these charismatic (and sexies) pirates.
The book is incredibly addictive and original, hooking you from the very first page. It strikes a perfect balance between humor, action, and hot scenes. The story follows four couples, each facing their own adventures, misadventures, first loves, first times, betrayals, enemies to lovers, and laughs. The characters, with all their flaws, are both endearing and entertaining.
While I do have my favorite couples, I must admit that all eight main characters have something special. The first part of the book focuses on world-building, introducing us to the characters and watching how their relationships develop, with all the fun and smut that I love. In the second half, the plot intensifies, leading to a surprising ending that leaves you speechless.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be following the author's work closely. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a smutty, fresh, fun, and heartfelt adventure.
✨ I recived an ARC of this book and this is my sincerly and honest rewiew✨
ESP:
Demon of the Deep por Briar Belmont
Siendo fan de las historias de piratas, me ha sorprendido gratamente Demon Of the Deep, el primer libro que leo ambientado en este mundo. Ha sido una experiencia fascinante navegar por los mares junto a estos piratas tan carismáticos (y sexies de narices)
El libro es tremendamente adictivo y original, te engancha desde la primera página. Tiene un equilibrio perfecto entre humor, acción y una dosis de escenas muy hot. La historia sigue a cuatro parejas, cada una enfrentando sus propias aventuras, desventuras, primeros amores, primeras veces, con enemies to lovers, traiciones y risas. Los personajes, con sus imperfecciones, resultan entrañables y divertidos. Unos mamarrachos adorables!
Aunque tengo mis parejas favoritas, debo admitir que los ocho personajes principales tienen algo especial. La primera parte del libro se dedica a construir el mundo, presentarnos a los personajes y ver cómo las relaciones se van forjando, con toda la chispa y el smut que tanto me gusta. En la segunda parte, la trama cobra fuerza y nos lleva a un final sorprendente que te deja sin palabras.
En resumen, disfruté muchísimo de esta lectura y sin duda seguiré de cerca el trabajo de la autora. Un libro que recomiendo a quienes busquen una aventura muy hot, fresca, divertida y con mucho corazón.
✨ Recibí una copia avanzada de este libro y esta es mi honesta y sincera reseña ✨
September 23, 2024
3.5***
Heads up – This is a group romance! Three other couples get almost as much attention as the characters on the cover!
I read this book as an ARC from BookSiren. Initially, I thought it was going to be a romance between the two captains, but that's not the case. It's more about a group of people who are either in a relationship or just hooking up.
I wasn't really invested in the storylines of the other couples because their plots weren't very developed, mainly focusing on smaller issues, with the biggest focus being on sex.
The two characters from the cover, Demon and Captain Rowan, take up about a third or a quarter of the book, and their storyline could fit into about 120 pages. It's a shame because they really intrigued me, the plot had some interesting factors, and I would have liked to see more focus on their romance and struggles in the pirate life.
The book had potential, the miscommunication trope was a bit annoying, but the plot twist at the end and really saved it for me and bumped up my overall rating.
The author’s writing style is enjoyable, but at this stage, it seems like the ARC is no longer open to take any more editorial feedback, and the book has a few issues. Some paragraphs are packed with so many repetitive phrases that it almost feels like a rap song!
The author could really benefit from using a text-to-speech tool to read the book that way and hear the repetition, as it can get a bit frustrating for the reader when certain words keep repeating every line. Normally, I wouldn't mention this in an ARC, but since this seems to be the final version, I thought it was worth pointing out.
Overall, my rating is lowered by the fact that the cover couple is just one of several, and I struggled to connect with the other three couples.
However, the plot twist at the end was a big plus—kudos to the author for being creative. Another highlight is that Rowan was an ass-virgin, which added a nice touch of something unexpected and different in his story. I was surprised by it, big point for that. And also there is a hint they were kinda soul mates, so it was nice.
In general, if the author continues with this "group romance" concept in future books, I probably won’t pick them up. But if she focuses on just one couple, I’d be interested—as long as the kinks don’t overshadow the development of love and relationships.
That said, the sex scenes were pretty solid, so it’s definitely an interesting read!
In summary, not bad for a debut, there is a potential there!
Heads up – This is a group romance! Three other couples get almost as much attention as the characters on the cover!
I read this book as an ARC from BookSiren. Initially, I thought it was going to be a romance between the two captains, but that's not the case. It's more about a group of people who are either in a relationship or just hooking up.
I wasn't really invested in the storylines of the other couples because their plots weren't very developed, mainly focusing on smaller issues, with the biggest focus being on sex.
The two characters from the cover, Demon and Captain Rowan, take up about a third or a quarter of the book, and their storyline could fit into about 120 pages. It's a shame because they really intrigued me, the plot had some interesting factors, and I would have liked to see more focus on their romance and struggles in the pirate life.
The book had potential, the miscommunication trope was a bit annoying, but the plot twist at the end and really saved it for me and bumped up my overall rating.
The author’s writing style is enjoyable, but at this stage, it seems like the ARC is no longer open to take any more editorial feedback, and the book has a few issues. Some paragraphs are packed with so many repetitive phrases that it almost feels like a rap song!
The author could really benefit from using a text-to-speech tool to read the book that way and hear the repetition, as it can get a bit frustrating for the reader when certain words keep repeating every line. Normally, I wouldn't mention this in an ARC, but since this seems to be the final version, I thought it was worth pointing out.
Overall, my rating is lowered by the fact that the cover couple is just one of several, and I struggled to connect with the other three couples.
However, the plot twist at the end was a big plus—kudos to the author for being creative. Another highlight is that Rowan was an ass-virgin, which added a nice touch of something unexpected and different in his story. I was surprised by it, big point for that. And also there is a hint they were kinda soul mates, so it was nice.
In general, if the author continues with this "group romance" concept in future books, I probably won’t pick them up. But if she focuses on just one couple, I’d be interested—as long as the kinks don’t overshadow the development of love and relationships.
That said, the sex scenes were pretty solid, so it’s definitely an interesting read!
In summary, not bad for a debut, there is a potential there!
October 11, 2024
This was such a fun read!!!
Had no idea what I was really getting into when I started reading. I was hooked just a few paragraphs in, Fox was definitely my favorite character, and it kept my attention all the way through. Even with following several pov’s, I knew whose pov I was reading, that’s how unique each character was for me.
This was a SPICY read. 5/5. Fun spice, emotional spice, kinky spice, just about all the types of spice you can think of. But beyond the spice, Briar Belmont was able to weave together these highly emotional scenes. I actually teared up a few times, which I hadn’t been expecting after those first few chapters. I truly thought it would just be some hilarious, spicy fun. But these characters had such wonderful depth to them. While Fox was my favorite, I truly loved Logan the most.
That ending really took me by surprise, but in a good way. Hadn’t expected it, but I quite liked it. I’m so excited to see what else this author has in store.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Had no idea what I was really getting into when I started reading. I was hooked just a few paragraphs in, Fox was definitely my favorite character, and it kept my attention all the way through. Even with following several pov’s, I knew whose pov I was reading, that’s how unique each character was for me.
This was a SPICY read. 5/5. Fun spice, emotional spice, kinky spice, just about all the types of spice you can think of. But beyond the spice, Briar Belmont was able to weave together these highly emotional scenes. I actually teared up a few times, which I hadn’t been expecting after those first few chapters. I truly thought it would just be some hilarious, spicy fun. But these characters had such wonderful depth to them. While Fox was my favorite, I truly loved Logan the most.
That ending really took me by surprise, but in a good way. Hadn’t expected it, but I quite liked it. I’m so excited to see what else this author has in store.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 26, 2024
4.25 Stars
Three words: Very Smutty Pirates
This took me a short time to get into, but once I did I enjoyed it a lot. The first part of the book is focused on introducing the couples and the activities they get up to. After the halfway point you get more into the piratey-vibes. Demon of the Deep focuses more on the characters and their lives/relationships than other plot points but it does actually work well. There's some emotional stuff in here too (romantic, funny, fluffy, and other). I think this was a great time, and can honestly say the revelation at the end I didn't expect to happen.
Overall I did have a good time and enjoyed the characters & character growth.
Three words: Very Smutty Pirates
This took me a short time to get into, but once I did I enjoyed it a lot. The first part of the book is focused on introducing the couples and the activities they get up to. After the halfway point you get more into the piratey-vibes. Demon of the Deep focuses more on the characters and their lives/relationships than other plot points but it does actually work well. There's some emotional stuff in here too (romantic, funny, fluffy, and other). I think this was a great time, and can honestly say the revelation at the end I didn't expect to happen.
Overall I did have a good time and enjoyed the characters & character growth.
December 15, 2024
For a debut book this was pretty good! It read well and the sex scenes were 🥵🥵🥵
This was the first book I’ve read that was smut focused. At least I feel like that was more the focus than the plot. About every other chapter was a sex scene but they were really steamy and imaginative!
My only gripe is that this is a book about pirates and the author kept mentioning how pirate esque they were supposed to be. The sex scenes were definitely VERY adult but the other chapters that were about the plot were definitely a lot more hokey. It was like one chapter was a porno and the next was like reading about Disney pirates on ice. Just a little too cheesy. Other than that I really enjoyed this book, it was entertaining and an easy fun read!
This was the first book I’ve read that was smut focused. At least I feel like that was more the focus than the plot. About every other chapter was a sex scene but they were really steamy and imaginative!
My only gripe is that this is a book about pirates and the author kept mentioning how pirate esque they were supposed to be. The sex scenes were definitely VERY adult but the other chapters that were about the plot were definitely a lot more hokey. It was like one chapter was a porno and the next was like reading about Disney pirates on ice. Just a little too cheesy. Other than that I really enjoyed this book, it was entertaining and an easy fun read!
July 25, 2025
"Do you like gay pirates?"
This was the pitch given to me by Briar Belmont at a local book fair! I m like "Do I! Tell me more." l asked if she had ever seen -Our flag means death-And Briar responded that this book is —Our flag means death if both MMCs where black beard.
Sign me the F up. One of the best one line pitches l've ever heard and bonus points, it’s in 3rd person POV.
This was so much fun to read. There was action, there was angst, spice and all sorts of pirate shenanigans.
What more could you ask for in your summer time pool side read?
Her next installment is coming out soon!! But this one can be read as a stand alone. Let's just say I can't wait for book 2!!
This was the pitch given to me by Briar Belmont at a local book fair! I m like "Do I! Tell me more." l asked if she had ever seen -Our flag means death-And Briar responded that this book is —Our flag means death if both MMCs where black beard.
Sign me the F up. One of the best one line pitches l've ever heard and bonus points, it’s in 3rd person POV.
This was so much fun to read. There was action, there was angst, spice and all sorts of pirate shenanigans.
What more could you ask for in your summer time pool side read?
Her next installment is coming out soon!! But this one can be read as a stand alone. Let's just say I can't wait for book 2!!
October 23, 2024
Have read this author before. Enjoy the style of writing. Characters are their own individuals. Very distinct. Will continue reading this author. (I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
July 20, 2025
Worth the read for the last chapter alone! My jaw was on the floor! Very Spicy 🥵 🏴☠️
October 29, 2024
Honorary four stars?
This book is a lot of things but the first thing that comes to mind is... interesting. Unique and different and unexpected and yes, interesting. There was a lot to adore about this one and I think I found a few things that suited me but I must confess the ending kind of... what's the neutral version of ruined? Changed? There were a few tiny teeny hints (1666...) of what happens in those final chapters but I felt a bit too blindsided to see it in a more positive light. I am a fan of paranormal, I prefer it, even and I think the combination of pirates and... that, which I won't spoiler, would be delicious. Putting the paranormal twist so far into the book felt unexpected in a not-so-good way.
The book is very passionate about things. I have peeked at other reviews and they use words like smutty so maybe that is more appropriate? It feels almost hilarious that this is a book about pirates, two rivals and within hours of meeting in battle, the captains end up in bed, their... best friends kind of too, then there's a certain injured crew member and the shy, very proper doctor. I mean, there are three couples presented to us in the first chapters and they each end up getting naked so the smut accusations feel justified =D.
There wasn't a lot of plot happening because of this reason. The plot was them getting together and then seeing them being romantic, almost courting and going on "dates". To prove that human nature truly is and can be contrary, I will tell you I enjoyed softening a harsh battle into a seduction. to soothing the dark edges of a harsh world with bed sport, but at a certain point, it felt a bit too soft for my liking, everything was a bit too easy and... not pointless but seeing pirates going on a picnic is usually something that happens towards the end, when their relationship is getting more serious, when they acknowledge their desire (desire to be together) and without such emotional build-up, I couldn't enjoy it as much. We got a few minor info dumps that actually didn't bother me but having three (kind of almost 4) couples to manage meant less space for proper development, the build-up needed for a deeper connection. Still, an interesting alternative, to provide us with several shallower connections (in terms of writing) instead of just the main couple.
I absolutely recommend the book but seeing this is a debut, I do dare to wish a more consistent work in the future, to keep this unique perspective but maybe unify the plot in some ways. Slowly developing that last bit over the whole course of the book would solve that and would improve the book, in my eyes.
But hey, you can't please everyone so you do you ;).
This book is a lot of things but the first thing that comes to mind is... interesting. Unique and different and unexpected and yes, interesting. There was a lot to adore about this one and I think I found a few things that suited me but I must confess the ending kind of... what's the neutral version of ruined? Changed? There were a few tiny teeny hints (1666...) of what happens in those final chapters but I felt a bit too blindsided to see it in a more positive light. I am a fan of paranormal, I prefer it, even and I think the combination of pirates and... that, which I won't spoiler, would be delicious. Putting the paranormal twist so far into the book felt unexpected in a not-so-good way.
The book is very passionate about things. I have peeked at other reviews and they use words like smutty so maybe that is more appropriate? It feels almost hilarious that this is a book about pirates, two rivals and within hours of meeting in battle, the captains end up in bed, their... best friends kind of too, then there's a certain injured crew member and the shy, very proper doctor. I mean, there are three couples presented to us in the first chapters and they each end up getting naked so the smut accusations feel justified =D.
There wasn't a lot of plot happening because of this reason. The plot was them getting together and then seeing them being romantic, almost courting and going on "dates". To prove that human nature truly is and can be contrary, I will tell you I enjoyed softening a harsh battle into a seduction. to soothing the dark edges of a harsh world with bed sport, but at a certain point, it felt a bit too soft for my liking, everything was a bit too easy and... not pointless but seeing pirates going on a picnic is usually something that happens towards the end, when their relationship is getting more serious, when they acknowledge their desire (desire to be together) and without such emotional build-up, I couldn't enjoy it as much. We got a few minor info dumps that actually didn't bother me but having three (kind of almost 4) couples to manage meant less space for proper development, the build-up needed for a deeper connection. Still, an interesting alternative, to provide us with several shallower connections (in terms of writing) instead of just the main couple.
I absolutely recommend the book but seeing this is a debut, I do dare to wish a more consistent work in the future, to keep this unique perspective but maybe unify the plot in some ways. Slowly developing that last bit over the whole course of the book would solve that and would improve the book, in my eyes.
But hey, you can't please everyone so you do you ;).
January 13, 2025
I didn't know much about this book, so I didn't really have expectations of it. It started off with a really strong opening scene, but it fizzled out by the time part two came around as pretty much there wasn't a plot. The description made it sound like there was a focus on one particular couple, and I guess they remained the "main" couple, but there ended up being four overall, which I wasn't expecting.
The four couples became a problem as the split in time between them meant there was zero character development nor relationship development in this novel. Only one couple had any excuse for even being interested in each other due to having past history, but their relationship ended sourly and within their first meeting everything is just all fine and dandy without any conflict and they're just in love again. This was unfortunate as the couple mentioned in the description, by far, had the most interesting situation but barely any time was dedicated to anything but them screwing and how they're in love, I don't know, except for the random timeskips we get to ensure they actually spent time with each other where we couldn't see anything.
The major problem is that all development is replaced by smut. While this was an erotic novel, the smut was still so prevalent in the narrative that it overtook any possible plot progression and most non-smut scenes quickly devolved into smut scenes to the point that smut became an utter chore to even read. This rendered the majority of the book boring. Even Harlequin novels with 200 less pages have more development in them.
I also wasn't a fan of a lot of the dialogue and characterization we got. A lot of it felt sort of... childish. These grown men giggle a lot for fearsome pirates. Yves' entirely personality felt at odds with his reputation at times and it felt like a cop-out to make him this terrifying and feared pirate only to act and talk the way he did. It took me out of the setting a whole lot. Wasn't impressed by the climax and the ending either.
I guess I enjoyed it enough for what it was, but this book could have been 100+ pages shorter and probably would have been a lot better. The smut stopped being interesting 50-60% of the way through. Cutting down all the unnecessary fluff and pairings would have made it so much more interesting to read. Alas.
The four couples became a problem as the split in time between them meant there was zero character development nor relationship development in this novel. Only one couple had any excuse for even being interested in each other due to having past history, but their relationship ended sourly and within their first meeting everything is just all fine and dandy without any conflict and they're just in love again. This was unfortunate as the couple mentioned in the description, by far, had the most interesting situation but barely any time was dedicated to anything but them screwing and how they're in love, I don't know, except for the random timeskips we get to ensure they actually spent time with each other where we couldn't see anything.
The major problem is that all development is replaced by smut. While this was an erotic novel, the smut was still so prevalent in the narrative that it overtook any possible plot progression and most non-smut scenes quickly devolved into smut scenes to the point that smut became an utter chore to even read. This rendered the majority of the book boring. Even Harlequin novels with 200 less pages have more development in them.
I also wasn't a fan of a lot of the dialogue and characterization we got. A lot of it felt sort of... childish. These grown men giggle a lot for fearsome pirates. Yves' entirely personality felt at odds with his reputation at times and it felt like a cop-out to make him this terrifying and feared pirate only to act and talk the way he did. It took me out of the setting a whole lot. Wasn't impressed by the climax and the ending either.
I guess I enjoyed it enough for what it was, but this book could have been 100+ pages shorter and probably would have been a lot better. The smut stopped being interesting 50-60% of the way through. Cutting down all the unnecessary fluff and pairings would have made it so much more interesting to read. Alas.
October 31, 2024
|| DEMON OF THE DEEP ||
by Briar Belmont
4 ⭐| 4 🌶️ | 4 💜
Let's be real, we all could use some heartfelt pirate smut with some literal and figurative sword fighting now and again. This book certainly delivered on that aspect, and by that I mean I don't think there was a chapter without two or more folks doing the nasty. I'm not a purist by any means, but there was some significant blushing in some parts (hoo boy, those , am I right?). Even still, all the scenes were handled with clear consent, which gets a big thumbs up from me. Remember, kids: consent is sexy!
Humorous and hot (and with a wild character backstory reveal), Rowan and Yves's banter kept me turning the pages. Fox and Gaël gave off definite sunshiney friends-to-lovers vibes. Amidst the fumbling resulting in repetitive injuries by Henri, Robin and his story was simply sweet. I will admit that while I had high hopes for Logan and John's story to be just as good as the previous couples', I was bummed that the only intimate scene we got with them was MMF and left more questions than answers. I couldn't discern if it was the start of a beautiful relationship or if it was only a situationship without a clear endpoint. I'd have liked to see the culmination play out just a bit longer and more thoroughly.
The ending did throw me off just a touch (referring to that I definitely was not anticipating), but given I knew what I'd signed up for by that point, I just let it be. I also assumed that this was going to be solely a two main character novel, but it turns out it's a fun series of stories involving four quirky couples. This isn't exactly a negative, in my opinion, but the (gorgeous) cover only showcases Rowan and Yves, so it could be a bit misleading for many readers.
While the plot took a backseat to the kink, it was an entertaining read, nonetheless. For a debut author, I was pleasantly surprised how invested I got into seeing how each character's story played out. I'll be keeping an eye out for more work from this author, for sure.
Big thanks to Briar Belmont and BookSirens for providing me with an ARC! ✨
by Briar Belmont
4 ⭐| 4 🌶️ | 4 💜
Let's be real, we all could use some heartfelt pirate smut with some literal and figurative sword fighting now and again. This book certainly delivered on that aspect, and by that I mean I don't think there was a chapter without two or more folks doing the nasty. I'm not a purist by any means, but there was some significant blushing in some parts (hoo boy, those , am I right?). Even still, all the scenes were handled with clear consent, which gets a big thumbs up from me. Remember, kids: consent is sexy!
Humorous and hot (and with a wild character backstory reveal), Rowan and Yves's banter kept me turning the pages. Fox and Gaël gave off definite sunshiney friends-to-lovers vibes. Amidst the fumbling resulting in repetitive injuries by Henri, Robin and his story was simply sweet. I will admit that while I had high hopes for Logan and John's story to be just as good as the previous couples', I was bummed that the only intimate scene we got with them was MMF and left more questions than answers. I couldn't discern if it was the start of a beautiful relationship or if it was only a situationship without a clear endpoint. I'd have liked to see the culmination play out just a bit longer and more thoroughly.
The ending did throw me off just a touch (referring to that I definitely was not anticipating), but given I knew what I'd signed up for by that point, I just let it be. I also assumed that this was going to be solely a two main character novel, but it turns out it's a fun series of stories involving four quirky couples. This isn't exactly a negative, in my opinion, but the (gorgeous) cover only showcases Rowan and Yves, so it could be a bit misleading for many readers.
While the plot took a backseat to the kink, it was an entertaining read, nonetheless. For a debut author, I was pleasantly surprised how invested I got into seeing how each character's story played out. I'll be keeping an eye out for more work from this author, for sure.
Big thanks to Briar Belmont and BookSirens for providing me with an ARC! ✨
October 14, 2024
I was delighted by Briar Belmont's newest novel, Demon of the Deep, a pirate MM romance designed for lovers of gay pirates. Or rather, pirates. This book was a hoot and a half all the way through, making it easy to read in one go (seriously, if you're going on a tropical getaway anytime soon, get this on the TBR pile). The characters are compelling, especially our main leads, Rowan and Yves, who you will love to see on the page from the jump.
Things that made me smile:
1. The writing for this book is really well done. In a sea of subpar prose, Belmont does an excellent job of capturing the essence of seafaring while updating the language enough to be accessible to most audiences.
2. The fight scenes are well-executed! Despite not knowing anything about 17th-century high sea warfare, I had no trouble picturing the gunpowder and sword fights (of all varieties, if we're being honest).
3. Belmont's work reminded me of classic pirate romances that Avon put out in the '90s and '00s, with a LOT more explicit sex scenes. What you should expect is all of the beats of a well-written pirate romance PLUS those pirates kissing- it's great (as long as you do as the author asks and suspend your disbelief about hygiene, which I did).
4. There are a lot of funny moments throughout the story. The characters play well together, making it easy to believe in the chosen family vibe that I think the author was going for. You will root for these characters.
The one thing I wanted was for there to be more tension between characters before being intimate, especially at the beginning. Don't get me wrong, spontaneous "gotta have you now" sex is much appreciated, but I felt the overall arc between Yves and Rowan would have been better served by building more sexual tension, smoldering looks, and mean words that they live to regret later.
Other than that, this is a must-read. If you like pirate romances, why haven't you purchased this book yet? Babe, you're BEHIND THE TIMES!
Things that made me smile:
1. The writing for this book is really well done. In a sea of subpar prose, Belmont does an excellent job of capturing the essence of seafaring while updating the language enough to be accessible to most audiences.
2. The fight scenes are well-executed! Despite not knowing anything about 17th-century high sea warfare, I had no trouble picturing the gunpowder and sword fights (of all varieties, if we're being honest).
3. Belmont's work reminded me of classic pirate romances that Avon put out in the '90s and '00s, with a LOT more explicit sex scenes. What you should expect is all of the beats of a well-written pirate romance PLUS those pirates kissing- it's great (as long as you do as the author asks and suspend your disbelief about hygiene, which I did).
4. There are a lot of funny moments throughout the story. The characters play well together, making it easy to believe in the chosen family vibe that I think the author was going for. You will root for these characters.
The one thing I wanted was for there to be more tension between characters before being intimate, especially at the beginning. Don't get me wrong, spontaneous "gotta have you now" sex is much appreciated, but I felt the overall arc between Yves and Rowan would have been better served by building more sexual tension, smoldering looks, and mean words that they live to regret later.
Other than that, this is a must-read. If you like pirate romances, why haven't you purchased this book yet? Babe, you're BEHIND THE TIMES!
October 16, 2024
I knew I was in for a good time when there was a pronunciation guide, an amazing author's note, and dedication. There were a few illustrations that added to the experience as well. If you enjoy Ben Alderson’s writing and/or Our Flag Means Death, you should give this book a shot.
This book is very spicy and packed with adventure. There is a slew of ship and pirate terminology; however, it is easily comprehensible. It follows four couples throughout the book in their adventures across the sea and journeys for love. Their relationships are the opposite of slow burn. If you want to smut before the first date (did pirates go on dates?) this is the book for you.
There is an obvious main couple, but the other three have a chance to develop as well. The side characters all have unique backstories and personalities; however, there is a lack of diversity in sexuality, gender, and race. Two women have a prominent role, and one of them is mostly there to add to a sexy scene.
Around 35-40% of the way through the book, it took a turn into fast paced action and fight scenes. The flow was continuous, and the author's writing style has a true chance to shine.
Overall, I’m excited to see how their stories play out in the second book and watch Briar grow as an author.
Thank you to Book Siren and Briar Belmont for the ARC. I had a great time!
This book is very spicy and packed with adventure. There is a slew of ship and pirate terminology; however, it is easily comprehensible. It follows four couples throughout the book in their adventures across the sea and journeys for love. Their relationships are the opposite of slow burn. If you want to smut before the first date (did pirates go on dates?) this is the book for you.
There is an obvious main couple, but the other three have a chance to develop as well. The side characters all have unique backstories and personalities; however, there is a lack of diversity in sexuality, gender, and race. Two women have a prominent role, and one of them is mostly there to add to a sexy scene.
Around 35-40% of the way through the book, it took a turn into fast paced action and fight scenes. The flow was continuous, and the author's writing style has a true chance to shine.
Overall, I’m excited to see how their stories play out in the second book and watch Briar grow as an author.
Thank you to Book Siren and Briar Belmont for the ARC. I had a great time!
October 1, 2024
Thank you Book Sirens and Briar Belmont, I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Packed with heat!
“This was supposed to be a pirate ship, not a pleasure cruise.”
Whoever's keeping the ship’s log is the most thorough shipmate alive, cataloging all the ins and outs of the crew, quite literally! It’s like being a fly on the wall, watching every romance unfold. If there’s a pirate phrase for “parking in lovers' lane,” it’s probably “Drop anchor and Aaah-rgh!” because things get spicy fast and doesn’t stop!
This Pirate (erotica) romance is one steamy voyage, while I'm no historian (well before my time), the, uh, extracurricular activities of these pirates feel pretty accurate. There's very detailed sex in almost, if not every chapter. honestly, I lost count of how many after the fourth "sword" match. 🤣
doesn’t skimp on subplots either, letting you peek into the lives (and loves) of more than just the main couple. I love when supporting characters get their own spotlight, and this book does just that! Its a rivals-to-lovers tale, though with the kind of parlay these pirates are indulging in, there’s not much rivalry left after all that passionate lovemaking.
Rowan and Yves’ tale was a standout, giving major Captain Hook meets Captain Verne vibes, a fast-burn spice with a slow-burn romance between two powerful personalities. But I think Gael and Fox’s story stole my heart, featuring a delightful heartbreak and miscommunication trope that turns into healing and clearing the air between them, making their story the sweetest.
This book gives Black Sails a run for their coffers, knowing how to keep things steamy while letting every character have their moment on deck! 🔥
Packed with heat!
“This was supposed to be a pirate ship, not a pleasure cruise.”
Whoever's keeping the ship’s log is the most thorough shipmate alive, cataloging all the ins and outs of the crew, quite literally! It’s like being a fly on the wall, watching every romance unfold. If there’s a pirate phrase for “parking in lovers' lane,” it’s probably “Drop anchor and Aaah-rgh!” because things get spicy fast and doesn’t stop!
This Pirate (erotica) romance is one steamy voyage, while I'm no historian (well before my time), the, uh, extracurricular activities of these pirates feel pretty accurate. There's very detailed sex in almost, if not every chapter. honestly, I lost count of how many after the fourth "sword" match. 🤣
doesn’t skimp on subplots either, letting you peek into the lives (and loves) of more than just the main couple. I love when supporting characters get their own spotlight, and this book does just that! Its a rivals-to-lovers tale, though with the kind of parlay these pirates are indulging in, there’s not much rivalry left after all that passionate lovemaking.
Rowan and Yves’ tale was a standout, giving major Captain Hook meets Captain Verne vibes, a fast-burn spice with a slow-burn romance between two powerful personalities. But I think Gael and Fox’s story stole my heart, featuring a delightful heartbreak and miscommunication trope that turns into healing and clearing the air between them, making their story the sweetest.
This book gives Black Sails a run for their coffers, knowing how to keep things steamy while letting every character have their moment on deck! 🔥
November 15, 2024
*SOME MINOR SPOILERS* I LOVED IT. The characterization was amazing in this book. It had me loving every single character (except for CYRUS. He can suck it.) It was interesting to see different POVs in the book and really get a deep dive into each character's head - their thoughts, feelings, and why they respond the way they do. High-key wish I could have seen more of Logan and John's POV. Logan seems all tough and practical first mate at first but he's really such a softy. There's also a special place in my heart for Robin and Henri. Their love is simple and UNDERRATED. The book really took me by surprise plot-wise and it really sucked me in. There was lots and lots of smut and all of it incredibly well-written. I was so immersed in all parts of the story it was really difficult to stop reading; I just wanted to keep going! Some parts had me on the edge of my seat, my jaw dropping, or giggling, kicking my feat. I know a book is good when it's got me reacting out loud and this book 100% gave me visceral reactions. I'm really excited for the next book in the series!!
October 19, 2024
This was written so interestingly and I really enjoyed it. I knew that there were going to be side character relationships but I didn't realize that they were each going to have a POV instead of just being mentioned while we got the main couples POVs. It was really different and I enjoyed seeing the start of everyone's relationships at the same time instead of in a future novel it going back and showing you the same story over and over again since it's all the same time period. It was really refreshing to read. I really liked the plot line and the adventure that was weaved throughout. There was a lot of banging throughout, basically from the beginning and honestly I was here for it. If you're squeamish I'd check the trigger warnings because some of the wounds are pretty graphic. This was such a solid debut, I really enjoyed the writing itself and I'm really excited for what's to come. Counting down the seconds to book two.
September 27, 2024
Who doesn't love some pirate romance (and sex)?
I mean, the plot is uncomplicated, cheerful and there is lots of sex. And different couples too - the book is not limited to only one pair.
I enjoyed it, it is definitively the kind of book you want to read when you want something light, without too much angst and not too serious. Swords, sex, duels, sex, fights, sex. There is a nice little twist towards the end, but I'm obviously not going to spoil it!
And because I have a soft spot for pirates, it made me think about OFMD all the way - sigh
One thing that I didn't like much was the timeline: the use of the gregorian calendar -esque years didn't mix well with the fantasy tone of the book for me. But this is me and in no does it affect the book overall.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I mean, the plot is uncomplicated, cheerful and there is lots of sex. And different couples too - the book is not limited to only one pair.
I enjoyed it, it is definitively the kind of book you want to read when you want something light, without too much angst and not too serious. Swords, sex, duels, sex, fights, sex. There is a nice little twist towards the end, but I'm obviously not going to spoil it!
And because I have a soft spot for pirates, it made me think about OFMD all the way - sigh
One thing that I didn't like much was the timeline: the use of the gregorian calendar -esque years didn't mix well with the fantasy tone of the book for me. But this is me and in no does it affect the book overall.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 28, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Briar Belmont writes in a captivating manner. Demon of the Deep, first of the series, is a promising book that delves deep into the lives of multiple characters. Rowan Faine is the captain of the quickest pirate ship on the seas, and Demon of the Deep is his sworn enemy. Throughout the tale we witness rekindling of old flames, obsessive rivalries, grand battles on the sea, trust and betrayal, and all the pain that comes with them.
Shamelessly, it is more smut than plot, but the plot that runs alongside keeps the reader captivated enough. I might have enjoyed the book more, had it focused more on a single pairing, but Briar made it work.
Be warned, read the trigger warnings prior to opening the book.
Briar Belmont writes in a captivating manner. Demon of the Deep, first of the series, is a promising book that delves deep into the lives of multiple characters. Rowan Faine is the captain of the quickest pirate ship on the seas, and Demon of the Deep is his sworn enemy. Throughout the tale we witness rekindling of old flames, obsessive rivalries, grand battles on the sea, trust and betrayal, and all the pain that comes with them.
Shamelessly, it is more smut than plot, but the plot that runs alongside keeps the reader captivated enough. I might have enjoyed the book more, had it focused more on a single pairing, but Briar made it work.
Be warned, read the trigger warnings prior to opening the book.
November 11, 2024
I'll be honest - I totally wanted to read this because of the absolutely gorgeous cover! Then I saw there are pirates and I was totally on board (haha). A few days after I signed up to read and review this, though, I also heard it was super smutty and that made me even more intrigued.
This book is a delightful slow burn yet super smutty read and I enjoyed almost every part of it (the MMF scene took me a bit by surprise - fine, just unexpected). While there are 4 couples and they each get their sexy moments, there is still a good and entertaining amount of plot - I loved all the pirate details and adventures!
The writing itself was great and I love how this book took me out of current affairs and into a different, fantastical world.
I received an ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is a delightful slow burn yet super smutty read and I enjoyed almost every part of it (the MMF scene took me a bit by surprise - fine, just unexpected). While there are 4 couples and they each get their sexy moments, there is still a good and entertaining amount of plot - I loved all the pirate details and adventures!
The writing itself was great and I love how this book took me out of current affairs and into a different, fantastical world.
I received an ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.
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