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A Winter Bliss Romance

A Court-Ordered Romance

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She made a devil's bargain to save her job, but now there's a demon sharing her bed...

Vale, Hollywood’s newest demon heartthrob, promised never to return home to Winter Bliss. Until his movie’s press tour forces him back. One drunken night with friends leads to the destruction of a historic statue, landing him a 90-day probation. Stuck at home with his premiere looming, Vale’s career is in jeopardy. His only hope? Convincing a therapist to play the role of a lifetime–his devoted wife. But only in front of the cameras.

Coco may be human, but she’s brilliant when it comes to treating magical disorders. Connecting with demons though…not so much. Despite how charming–and annoying–Vale is, she needs his demon expertise to save her clinic. His 'fake marriage' proposal is one she can't refuse.

As they navigate the holiday season, a spark of attraction ignites, threatening to turn their fake relationship into something dangerously real. In a town built on bargains and secrets, happily ever after comes at a price.

Is their court-appointed romance strong enough to survive the real world, or is it 'til probation do they part?

A Court-Ordered Romance is a spicy, contemporary holiday romance featuring a troubled hero and a nerdy heroine who have their fake marriage put to the test.

Merry Mischief is a set of three fantastical holiday rom-coms that can be read in any order or as standalones within the larger Winter Bliss Romance shared-world series.

269 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2024

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509 people want to read

About the author

Lark Green

3 books94 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
Profile Image for Poppy || Monster Lover.
1,808 reviews500 followers
December 12, 2024
4.5 stars
I adored Coco and her dedication to treating her patients and making a difference. Her hyper perfectionism was super relatable and done well. Vale was quite the over compensator, hiding his insecurities behind an actor’s mask. His troubled teen years bit him on the rear when he made an angry decision and Coco was not impressed. Fake relationship isn’t my fave trope, but it was still well done. They sniped at each other until they found their footing and both grew in their own ways. Vale did a lot more growing, but honestly, he had more relationship issues than Coco so it made sense. I also loved that he stuttered when he was nervous. It was cute, cozy, and meaningful.

Spice: 3/5

Triggers: bullying including by authority figure, ableism, anxiety symptoms, mentions of difficult upbringings, brief jail time and court hearing, mentions of grief from spouse death (side character), inebriation, body insecurity
Profile Image for spidermse.
314 reviews50 followers
November 24, 2024
"Come for me, little wife."

Oh boy...it did take me some time to warm up to Vale because of how rude and egotistical he was at first but once we got to begin seeing his true, nerdy self I fell in love with him. And when he called Coco "little wife" .... I was swooning!

Coco was so insecure and had severe imposter syndrome, but I loved seeing her not give up on her dream. I really related to her. "But right now, the rational part of my brain is losing the battle against the screaming chorus of my insecurities." MOOD. But of course my favorite character was Mariah Scarey. She's the VIP of the series obviously.

This book is the perfect cozy holiday read with a bit of angst and drama! And of course, demon spice.
Profile Image for Uyen.
678 reviews16 followers
November 18, 2024
Thank you Lark Green for the free ebook.

You guys!!! This is a must read.
I had a huge smile on my face the whole time reading it.

This book is the reason the bags under my eyes are prominent. I could not put it down to go to bed. 😂

I loved the relationship all the characters had. The book has great pacing and character development.

🦕 Fake marriage
🩷 Fish out of water
🌼 Forced proximity
Profile Image for Maaren.
1,446 reviews10 followers
November 24, 2024
I received an ARC copy of this book and I am leaving a voluntary review. Thank you to the author!

**

3.75 stars, rounded up for the app.

A Court-Ordered Romance tells the story of Vale, a demon actor returning to his home town of Winter Bliss, and Coco, a therapist focusing on paranormal clients and magical dysfunction. A drunk night out and some destroyed property later Vale finds himself needing to log in 250 community service hours and having Coco as a fake wife. It should be easy to help her with her clinic, right? It's just some hours and then Vale can head back to LA to continue with his career in acting, forgetting his former life as a nerd in this town. But fate might have other plans.

I liked the story and especially the second half of the book was delightful. It did take me some time to warm up to Vale as I found his diva-antics unlikeable and rude in the beginning. But once he started opening up and dropping the act, I started liking him. So he did redeem himself in my eyes. I really enjoyed Coco as a character and her quest to help her clients really impressed me. I also loved how she turned the tables on Vale and didn't let him walk all over her. Their romance was sweet and the conclusion felt worth it.

The plot was fun to read and returning to Winter Bliss was fun. The fake marriage is always fun as a trope and I feel the author kept the story light and fluffy, with a small side of angst which balanced everything. The trio of friends, Vale, Iggy and Rex, are fun to follow and I hope to learn more about them in the other books of this series.
Profile Image for Caitlin Hayward.
36 reviews2 followers
November 17, 2024
This book put a smile on my face. I fell in love with Coco and Vale along with the rat, Mariah Scary. If you’re looking for a holiday romcom that comes with a fake marriage, forced proximity and some spice thrown in there. This is the book for you!
Profile Image for Shannon Bray.
100 reviews7 followers
January 19, 2025
A Court-Ordered Romance by Lark Green is such a fun steamy, yet cozy, holiday fantasy romance! With a human FMC (Coco) determined to stay in Winter Bliss to establish her psychological clinic & a demon MMC who is determined to spend as little time in Winter Bliss as possible, what could go wrong when they end up in a (fake) marriage-of-convenience that also involves 3 months of community service for Vale? And yet, while Coco absolutely sees the professional convenience of having a demon in her debt to help her with the clinic, Vale feels nothing but inconvenienced. But in romance, a little forced-proximity never hurt nobody, right?

This book is part of an inter-connected trilogy & it was the last of the three that I read. While I don’t think that they need to be read in a certain order because they all happen at the same time, I can appreciate the order I accidentally read them in (A Spark of Trouble first, then A Frenemy in Need) as it added some layers to Vale & Coco’s story for me. You get some cross-over between all of the stories & I could easily understand that Vale & Coco had some sort of fake marriage, I couldn’t guess anything else about their story or history from the other books. Or rather, what I ended up guessing was so wildly incorrect ha. And I LOVE that I didn’t correctly guess the elements of their story! Their relationship is so fun & their chemistry is, as the kids say, fire .(No pun intended?) It’s a bit of a slow burn, ironically starting more like some really fun sparklers but when it heats up, it blows up!

And you we get all of this with a sprinkle of holiday on top! Overall, A Court-Ordered Romance was everything that I look for in a holiday romance: a quick & easy read with great characters, relatively low stakes, holiday vibes, lots of cozy, & plenty of heat. I will be recommending these books to everyone in my reading community for a very long time, especially for folks who may be looking for just the right escape. I’ll take a one-way ticket to Winter Bliss, please & thank you!

Thank you to Lark Green & Book Sirens for providing a digital copy of this book for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily & all thoughts/opinions expressed are my own.
2,934 reviews30 followers
November 28, 2024
Vale, the male demon actor lead, has overcome his stutter and is succeeding in his chosen field but, when his manager sends him back to his childhood town for marketing reasons, he feels like he’s regressed. In a drunken fit, he and his best friends destroy a statue of the town’s founder and are sentenced to community service within county boundaries. Desperate to get back to Hollywood, he claims he has a wife he needs to assist.

Coco, the female human psychologist lead, has opened a clinic to treat magical dysfunction disorders but she’s really not succeeding because her patients keep running away. When Vale comments that she just needs to change her ways, she’s interested but he’s not. Until she hears him declare he has a wife…

This story is dual POV, well written, and a sweet and steamy, demon/human, contemporary fantasy, Christmas romantic comedy. I enjoyed Coco’s genuine interest in Vale, not just from a professional point of view, and I laughed at the way she played his games back at him. I laughed at Vale’s attempted pretentiousness, though I empathised with the reasons why he presented himself the way he did. I enjoyed his realisation that Coco was interested in the authentic him, not just the mask he wore. I enjoyed the relationship development, and laughed at Coco’s pet’s antics. I enjoyed the integrated secondary characters and the restorative justice in the story.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
Profile Image for ⚔️Sarah⚔️.
329 reviews9 followers
December 10, 2024
My annual trip to Winter Bliss is becoming a bit of a tradition now. I was so excited to jump in to this year’s books and as I predicted, I was not disappointed.

Oh my goodness I loved this one so much. The way that I was immediately obsessed!

Right from the start, I connected with Coco. She’s got that eldest daughter perfectionist thing. I loved her absolute strength and determination in the face of imposter syndrome. I feel like it is something that is so real and I found myself cheering her on the whole way.

Omg Vale. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from him after reading A Spark of Trouble. He seemed complex and I was excited to find out more. The depths of this man (demon)! It was really interesting to watch how he moved through the world, the different interactions he had, and how he handled them. I loved watching him finally find himself and his confidence.

Vale felt like the perfect match for Coco! I loved their chemistry and watching them interact together. Vale was a constant support for Coco and Coco really allowed Vale to open up in different ways. There was so much growth between them in such a short number of pages. I enjoyed every second of the journey.

This was such a fun ride through Winter Bliss. There were a few call backs to some previous characters and locations. They felt absolutely perfect and seamless (and now I want to reread those books even more). As this is the second book of the three that I have read, it was really fun to see Iggy pop up here and there and know what trouble she was getting into. And now I am even more curious about Birdie and Rex’s story! Bring on the next one!!


I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for raysasbookishbliss.
131 reviews2 followers
December 13, 2024
I love this book! It’s a heartwarming tale of healing, self-discovery, and the power of love. At least for me!

Coco and Vale’s forced marriage is a catalyst for personal growth. Both characters grapple with past traumas and societal expectations. Coco, the perfectionist, learns to embrace her flaws and let go of the need to please everyone. Vale, the brooding billionaire, discovers vulnerability and the importance of genuine connection.

The author masterfully weaves together elements of romance, humor, and steamy scenes. And, excuse me, can we talk about those steamy scenes? They got me giggling and kicking my feet while reading. The whole mistress and pet play was absolutely amazing. The chemistry between Coco and Vale is undeniable, and their journey of self-discovery is both inspiring and heartwarming.

This book is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt the pressure to be perfect or has struggled with self-worth. It’s a reminder that love can heal and that it’s okay to be imperfect.
Profile Image for Lynn_G.
1,114 reviews27 followers
March 3, 2025
Therapist to demons and other supernatural beings, Coco is failing miserably to connect with her patients as she’s human and they sense her trepidation and fear. After running into an arrogant, famous demon actor with a legal issue, Covo convinces the judge that he ought to spend his community service hours working with her to improve patient outcomes.

Vale never wanted to return to the hometown where he felt bullied and blamed for every wrongdoing committed by anyone while he was growing up. After a drunken incident wherein he and a pair of his childhood besties deface a statue that represents everything bad about growing up in their oppressive hometown, Vale is sentenced to help the exasperating and wildly attractive human therapist who’s posing as his “wife”.

As Coco and Vale spend time in each other’s company, lines are crossed and suddenly neither of them are playing pretend.

This was a cute story with a bit of steam and some love to hate you vibes. I received an advance reader copy from booksirens, and I’m sharing my honest review.
Profile Image for Jess Smythe.
27 reviews1 follower
December 14, 2024
I am an absolute sucker for a fake dating/marriage trope and Lark has delivered it on a silver platter, I am fed. The dynamic between Vale and Coco had me kicking my feet with a big grin on my face.

The way Coco leapt to Vale’s aid after his mishap with the law, which was justified if you ask me, was merely the start of some merry mischief. I loved that throughout the book Coco became more and more sure of herself and the career path she chose, I could feel how much she truely wanted to aid those who needed it. She just needed that little bit of faith in herself.

I loved witnessing Vale truely become comfortable in himself around Coco, no longer needing to hide behind the actor mask he presents to everyone. Embracing his nerdy side to go along with Coco’s equally nerdy side was one of the best parts, I love that he wasn’t ashamed to be proud of his past work to better his future projects!

I would absolutely recommend this book to people, it’ll be a reread for me!

I was given an ARC copy of this book by Lark Green and all words are my own.
Profile Image for Tiffany Hernandez .
177 reviews
April 23, 2025
Vale Embergrave is a Hollywood heartthrob, but underneath, he is an anxious nerdy insecure demon. (Cue heart strings!) Our lead FMC, Coco, is a detail orientated, perfectionist psychologist. The sexual tension could be cut with a knife! In fake dating (fake marriage) tropes, can they really keep their hands off each other?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

At first, I wasn't sure if this book would be for me. When I first started reading it, I thought it would be cheesy. Okay, it was. BUT. I loved it! A little bit of slow burn, funny banter, and decent spice. This hits all of the rom com checklist points. This book made me laugh and really root for Coco and Vale. The first half of the book was a bit slow, with the ending a bit rushed. But none the less, I enjoyed every minute of it. I am invested in checking out the rest of the Winter Bliss series.
Profile Image for Chiara.
541 reviews26 followers
November 19, 2024
A sweet cozy Christmas read for our return to Winter Bliss. where Vale, an actor, comes back home and finds himself in a bit of trouble with the law and gets rescued by Coco, a therapist who specialised in demon dysfunction.

I really enjoyed how Coco and Vale interacted with each other. Dislinking each other at first because Vale doesn't like when people see a vulnerable side to him or feel like he needs help. And Coco, even though she needed Vale's help in her failing practice, couldn't stop feeling insecured in her job and role in her patient's life. The way they moved from the initial dislike but mutual benefitting from the situation, to.. you know what? you need to read it to find out how things developed.

Thank you Lark Green for having me in your arc team group. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for H.L. Charlesworth.
Author 2 books25 followers
November 25, 2024
"Where's Mariah? Did Coco leave her at home? Probably waiting impatiently in the car, now that November's chill has set in, it’s safer to leave her inside the car. I can't believe I'm worrying about that rat of a dog. But Coco's right, she does grow on you. Like a fungus."

God I loved this book. The perfect combination of rom com and delightful fantasy. I'm obsessed with these books, they're so feel good and happy
164 reviews
December 8, 2024
I truly enjoyed this book and its characters. However Vale isn’t a very sympathetic person in the beginning. I like how his insecurities are described and his development through the story.
The book is part of a series with multiple authors. I like how parts of the stories are in more than one book without spoilers. I recommend the entire series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ryann Rice.
1,470 reviews11 followers
December 1, 2024
This book was such a blast!!!

Imagine a famous demon goes back home for a premiere and inadvertently gets into trouble with the law that only a fake marriage can get him out of. The judge lives next door, her dog Mariah Scarey (kinda) hates him and he has a premiere to get to. This was fun, fast paced and just the kind of monster romance that has me kicking my feet and begging for more.

Vale was such a Cinammon roll and Coco and her insecurities felt so real and relatable. The way these 2 brought out the best in each other was so much fun to read. It was whimsical and effortless filled with banter, tension and kinky sexy time.

So if you like
✨ Fake Marriage
✨Small town
✨Human x Demon
✨he calls her “little wife”
✨Ribbed for her pressure
✨master/pet (she’s the master 😏)
✨a snarky dog side kick
✨Cinammon roll MMC
✨Insecure FMC

Then this is the book for you
19 reviews
December 8, 2024
I loved this ❤️

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review and I can honestly say everyone should read it.

It has fake marriage, it has demons, fire, people learning to find themselves and finding what's truly important in life. Plus the spice is 😘

I really recommend the whole series, for a cosy winter story, ideal length for a pallete cleanser between heavier books.
Profile Image for Colleen.
155 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2024
Just to preface I did get this as an ARC from Lark Green.

I loved this book so much!! Vale and Coco were absolutely adorable and obviously Mariah Scary was the bestest dog ever.

My biggest peeve is that I wish there was more and that this was slightly longer. I really wanted to see more of Vale’s growth from like stuck up actor to someone who’s more down to earth. Same with Cocos ark through the story. I guess I just really wish it was longer and had more to it cause I really did not want this story to end
Profile Image for B.
197 reviews11 followers
December 6, 2024
HE CALLS HER LITTLE WIFE!
I don't know why but that did things to me? AND HES A CINNAMON ROLL
I ate this and Vale up! This is the perfect hallmark monster holiday cozy read !
Profile Image for Brave.
1,301 reviews73 followers
December 20, 2025
4.5 stars

Really wasn't expecting to enjoy this one as much as I did!!
Profile Image for Biblio.
Author 8 books224 followers
November 21, 2024
It's so lovely to be back in WInter Bliss with new characters and some past favorites too. Vale is such a diva with a secret nerdy side and I love it. All the warm and fuzzies with a kick of heat! Coco and her raty dog Mariah Scary were fun too! Be sure to head back into Winter Bliss, you don't want to miss this one!
Profile Image for Gleeful Goblin Reviews.
634 reviews20 followers
January 10, 2025
Gleeful Goblin Review: I was so lucky to do the ARC for the first three of the Winter Bliss novels and was beyond thrilled to read the three new additions here. Winter this year has not been bliss for me and mental health took a dip so I'm writing my reviews late to the party unfortunately. But now I'm finally turning the proverbial corner and honestly reading these books helped! There's never a bad time for cozy demon romance, but especially when you're in the doldrums these books are a breath of fresh air.

My lord, Vale grabbed my heart immediately. Having a deep seated love for a niche sci-fi show (reminded me of Firefly and the fandom), feeling like an outsider no matter where you are, and feeling about an inch tall when you run into your past bu||y who still knows how to get you in the soft (emotional) under belly, and having few true friends but valuing them fiercely...all of these things hooked me right away. But right after stealing my heart he meets Coco and low key has a heel turn moment. He lets his insecurities and surface level BS involved with being a famous actor run the show for a while and becomes a bit of a brat honestly. Now, to a point I can sympathize and we do see him chafe at being inauthentic at times, like talking to his manager Erin. But on his own we see that Vale has generally taken the path of least resistance, going with the flow, and not standing up for himself or setting boundaries.

Coco is a perfect combo of foil and catalyst for change in Vale's life. She's come to Winter Bliss to open a magical dysfunction clinic, ideally catering to demons considering the population density, but she hasn't been able to connect with the community or her clients. She's struggling with a huge amount of imposter syndrome as a therapist and pressure to live up to her giant in the field of psychology mother while watching her practice flounder. Then Vale drops into her life through a delightfully goofy series of events and sparks fly. Coco needs Vale's help understanding demon culture and how to truly serve her patients and after some initial bumps in the road she is the first person in a long time to be truly honest with Vale: "In one fluid motion, I grab her hand and spin her, tipping her backwards as if we're on a dance floor. Her cowboy boots stumble over each other, and I tighten my grip to keep her from falling. She may be athletic, but she’s about as graceful as a gravel road, as Khastor would say. "This ain't no character, ma'am. Name's Khastor Duskfyre, at your service." With my free hand, I tip an invisible cowboy hat. One of the reasons I was chosen for the role, despite all the other more qualified demons who auditioned for this role, is because my horns fit perfectly under a ten-gallon hat. The director also didn’t have to worry about my horns being out of frame, like most demons. I wish this fact made me feel less insecure. Coco braces her hands against my chest, her touch sending a jolt through me. "Hold up. You're a demon who makes fire, but you also play a firefighter? How does that even work?" I give her a wink, relishing the safety of flirting through Khastor. I can’t help it if he’s a Casanova. "Don't you worry your pretty little head about it, darlin'." She rolls her eyes, apparently immune to Khastor's charm. "Okay, can I talk to Vale now? The real Vale? He's a jerk, but I can't believe I'm saying this . . . I actually prefer him to this pyro country bumpkin." My heart races as she reaches up, her fingers hovering near my face before carefully removing the fake horns. I should stop her in case anyone does capture a photo of my monitor, but I can’t move. Her fingers are delicate as she peels off the adhesive at the base, careful not to rip any of my hair. "There. Much better." She smiles, her eyes soft. Without thinking, I pull her closer, our bodies fitting together perfectly. The rapid beating of her heart echoes my own. "Really?" I ask breathlessly, disbelief filling my tone. She studies my eyes for a moment, then nods. "Yes, shockingly. When you're not being a diva or deliberately ruining my life, I enjoy your company. I wish you'd just be yourself more often." I wonder if she knew who I used to be—the weird, stuttering, theater kid—if she’d still feel the same way."

I think one of the things I like best about this book is that these two characters who have been so afraid to be their authentic selves to the world, find themselves able to do so with each other. Insecurities, secret desires, and all. 5/5 Stars
Profile Image for Selina Shaw.
Author 4 books3 followers
March 26, 2025
Um, OK, I checked and it's actually illegal to write a book about my exact relationship with my mother and career. But Lark gets out of jail because this book is such a gem! The attraction between Coco and Vale sizzles, the close quarters apartment makes for so much delicious chemistry, and adorable diva dog Mariah Scary is iconic.

As an irl academic, I loved Coco's journey with the pressure she puts on herself, rom hiding her s3xy and nerdy sides to owning her space and all her facets. It was beautiful seeing her step into her power, sensuality and quirks. Her confidence was delightful, but always felt realistically paced and experienced for someone with her hang ups. As someone dealing with an academic career not working out how it was supposed to, I felt Coco's shame and anxiety deeply and her story made me happy cry with reassurance. We are more than our goals, but we can also trust ourselves to meet them and reach out for support! Thank you, Lark, I needed that.

Vale's slow burn letting go of his mask got me right in the heart. His step into vulnerability was so sweet, but I think it was his growing maturity that I really loved. Romcoms often end in an explosive gesture that doesn't necessarily signal long-term change. When Vale turned his final corner, it's clear it's for life, and that made the HEA feel extra forever. Also I loved reading it last and suddenly humanising Judge Grimshaw! A new favourite side character who went from a hilarious obstacle to a touching character in his own right. Lark Green really did say everyone has something going on under the surface, not just the MCs. This is a fun and sweet story about two people stuck in their old teenaged anxieties helping each other grow into their best selves and get comfy in their own skin (and k!nks). I recommend it to every 30-something also on that journey.

I also really recommend it for therapy-positivity! I’ve seen a few books with characters in therapy, but never a therapist MC! It’s actually so nice seeing a therapist portrayed as a full person who wants to help, but is also curious and a puzzle solver. The fear of therapy is so real, as we see in her patients, and I genuinely think this is a book to read if you need to quiet that anxiety.

But it’s the f3md0m positivity that had me completely feral! I love a big, dramatic d0mme scene, but it was so sweet and real reading about a woman discovering that side of herself and two people exploring a dynamic and all the ways it could be good for them, both in and out of the bedroom. The way Coco’s emotional intelligence guided her to spot and draw out Vale’s secret submissive was so tender and felt so affirming to d0mmes as partners. It was also great having a shy woman get to find her power and have it come so naturally to her (rather than my pet peeve - d0mme is shocked/appalled at her own s3xuality). Coco is both cautious and grounded in her budding persona and she felt really satisfying and true as a first time d0mme. It was so fun how the couple played with different dynamics all the way through! I love smvt that feels like it feeds the character arcs. Not only are these two tingly to read, but how they develop their s3x life really enriches the whole book’s theme of masks, personas, and letting go. Not to mention it just feels so good putting Vale in his place - so dumb, so hot.
Profile Image for Alejandrart07.
22 reviews2 followers
January 24, 2025
Lark Green’s A Court-Ordered Romance is a spicy, fantastical rom-com that blends the quirky charm of small-town settings with a supernatural twist. The story revolves around Vale, a demon Hollywood heartthrob navigating his probation back in his hometown of Winter Bliss, and Coco, a brilliant but struggling therapist specializing in magical disorders. Together, they strike a devil’s bargain: a fake marriage for the cameras that spirals into something far more real.

Strengths:
• Dynamic Characters: Vale’s blend of awkwardness and cocky charm contrasts perfectly with Coco’s determined but nerdy personality. Their banter is engaging, and their chemistry grows authentically throughout the story.
• World-Building: Winter Bliss is brought to life with its unique demon culture, from nostalgic landmarks to humorous tourist traps. The vibrant setting adds depth and personality to the narrative.
• Humor and Heart: The novel balances humor—like Vale’s PR mishaps—with heartfelt moments of vulnerability, particularly as both characters confront their insecurities.
• Themes of Redemption and Growth: Both Vale and Coco are on journeys of self-discovery and healing, making their romance feel earned and emotionally satisfying.

Critiques:
• Confusing Moments: While the story was beautiful and unlike anything I’ve read before, some parts were a bit confusing. For example, Vale starts off as arrogant, and then later he confesses that he was a nerd when he was younger, but it’s almost like he never really told Coco. Similarly, the ending was a bit unclear, as Vale talks about his sci-fi character being his other personality, yet Coco still doesn’t realize he was the protagonist. These moments left me feeling slightly disconnected from the story.
• Slow Start: The first few chapters lean heavily on Vale’s Hollywood backstory, which might slow the pacing for readers eager to dive into the romance.
• Underexplored Themes: While the magical dysfunction subplot is intriguing, it could have been expanded further to better integrate with the central romance.

Verdict:

A Court-Ordered Romance is a fun, spicy read perfect for fans of supernatural rom-coms and fake-dating tropes. Lark Green masterfully combines laugh-out-loud moments, steamy encounters, and emotional depth in this holiday romance that stands out with its unique premise and endearing characters. Despite a few moments of confusion, the story was incredibly sweet and heartfelt, leaving me eager for more tales from Winter Bliss.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

I received an advance review copy for free as an ARC reader, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Laura Moylan.
1,506 reviews
May 24, 2025
This book was fun, hilarious, sweet, romantic, steamy, and just an awesome read. It also made me cry a bit with what Vale had gone through growing up in Winter Bliss where a lot of demons lived. Valefor Embergrave or Vale is a demon and he has returned home as a PR stunt as his movie is about to come out. It may be his big break in the biz. He is supposed to meet a journalist who is late and Erin, his manager and her team has a bunch of hoops he has to jump thru. I just wanted to hug Vale and his friends, Iggy, & Rex when I learned about their pasts. Being bullied myself throughout my life made me really feel for them. The talk about Quantum Renegade show made me believe I would’ve been a big fan of that show, lol.

Coco, is trying to navigate demon problems with modern treatments but if she doesn’t get to make progress soon, her clinic will be closed. She is also a huge fan of Quantum Renegade. Her mother, has retired and she is with her husband who is doing his research on Aetherial Terrapins (turtles). Coco & her mom are total psychology nerds. Her mom is a world renowned child psychologist. Coco doesn’t want to disappoint her mother by telling her what is going on with her clinic. Coco’s chihuahua, Mariah Scary, is hilarious and adorably crazy like all other chihuahuas. Coco goes to Noelle & Rom’s engagement party and meets Vale. Coco’s sister Mag is hilarious as well. With Vale, she learns that demons can smell/taste her emotions and thus won’t trust her. That is a big break thru for her. I love learning about this world. It was so much fun. As was what happened when the trio of trouble- Vale, Rex & Iggy do something stupid while semi drunk and end up in front of the Judge, that is Coco’s landlord. To help herself and Vale, Coco does something crazy. She claims that she is Vale’s wife and then acts as his service hours he has to do, 250 hours of unpaid work and 3 months of probation where he can’t leave Winter Bliss. Things go a bit crazy as they learn to get along with each other. I can’t wait to read the books on Rex & Iggy.

I received an advance reading copy of this book for free from Booksirens and am voluntarily leaving this review.
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2,357 reviews24 followers
November 22, 2024
Vale is a demon who left his home town in the dust.His memories of his hometown especially at the academy are dire. There he bonded with two other demons. They always had his back. But now he's back for PR reasons. His first major movie will be heading to the theaters soon and his agent and her team felt his returning home to start the PR train would be ideal. Him...not so much.
He meets up with his friends just after a disastrous meeting with a faery for a magazine. He heads to the local watering hole and there sits at a table with a human woman who has fried food. He is already a little drunk but those fried items look so delicious and he's been good with his workouts. As she leaves he is accosted by someone who turns out to be one of his friends. She proceeds to get drinks and when she returns their other friend has shown up. The gang is all here! All three get so drunk that they get tossed out of the car ordered to get them back to wherever. Only they find themselves in front of the statue of the supposed hero of the academy. He and his friend Rex proceed to melt the statue. Only a misplaced fire bolt causes a small explosion. They find themselves arrested and in no time in front of a judge where they are convicted to 3 months of service without pay. Oh the horror! Only the woman he met at the bar steps forward telling the judge he is her husband.
Now Vale is thrust front and center with Coco as his CSC officer. The only problem is that as he lives with her (to validate that they're married) he starts to believe the story they've spun. Vale is concerned with her clinic for monster disfunctions and Vale helping her. The world condenses down to the two of them as they come to terms with feelings and frustrations.
Will they be able to get around all the issues and gain s? Or will they be their own worse enemies?
A beautiful semi comedic story with lots of info on demons and their culture.
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