The Devil's Trials

Love in Hell #2

by Jessi Elliott

In the deliciously dark sequel to The Devil’s Waltz, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Sasha Alsberg called "addictive and unputdownable," Camille returns to the world of demon hunting after vowing to leave it behind.

Reeling from the fallout of the demon queen’s death and her relationship with the prince of hell being exposed, Cami battles a conflicted heart. As she grapples with Xander’s betrayal and the love she can’t seem to shake, her instincts falter, and she fails her first hunter test.

Meanwhile, before Xander can ascend the throne, he must face powerful opposition alongside grueling trials to prove he has abandoned his human life. Except the strongest tie to his humanity continues to haunt him, a vulnerability that could cost him everything.

With the fate of their worlds at stake, Cami and Xander must decide if staying apart will save them…or destroy them both.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance

427 pages, Hardcover

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

Jessi Elliott is a new adult and young adult paranormal and fantasy romance author.

She lives in Ontario, Canada with her adorable calico cat, Phoebe.

When she's not working on her next book, she likes to hang out with friends and family, get lost in a steamy romance novel, watch Friends, and drink coffee.

You can find Jessi on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Join her newsletter to stay up to date on book news and upcoming releases!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ibmmLg
Instagram: https://bit.ly/39YAnsQ
TikTok: https://bit.ly/3JgKlaV
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3kb7D4Y

Reviews

[Kirsten | Bookish.kir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dang it, I thought this series was a duet, but apparently not. The cliffhanger could have been worse, but I just didn’t expect it lol.

I liked this one, but I wasn’t overly wowed by it. I didn’t find the trials to be as challenging as I expected them to be, I thought the royal guard would be more intimidating and I wish there was more world-building regarding hell and the duties/powers that are gained if one ascends the throne. Maybe that will come in book three.

I do really love the undeniable connection between Cami and Xander and now that I am invested in their story I will be on the lookout for book threes announcement hopefully in the not too distant future.

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️: 3.5/5

Xander’s wishywashy-ness was very frustrating - ‘you should stay away. No come here you’re mine forever’. It was a rollercoaster of emotions.

I kinda wanted Cami to end up with Noah already lol

Enemies to lovers, demons vs human hunters, a little political

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t get enough of this series. Xander is everything, Camille is so relatable, their besties are the actual best, and I’m just so anxious to figure out what is going to happen next! Especially since we were thrown right off another cliff! If you’re looking for your next favorite enemies-to-lovers… or would it be lovers-to-enemies-to-lover…? Either way, definitely be sure to check this one out!

Thank you Jessi and The Nerd Fam for the ARC! 🖤

[MarissaIsBooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I definitely went into this thinking it was a duet….I was wrong 😅 I liked this overall, but I think this needed a little more in terms of world building where Hell is concerned. I really do like Xander though as well as Camille so I’m interested to see where this goes in the next book.

Note: I received an advance copy from The Nerd Fam. Decision to read/review was my own. Opinion is my own.

[Jess thebusymomreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished books 1 & 2 within four days because I just could not stop reading. I did not expect the book to end the way it did nor did I expect the twist during the last trial! I am excited for book 3! The books so far end on cliffhangers but they aren’t emotionally crippling. They are just enough where I definitely want to read the next book but I am happy where they end.

[Cheyenne Mcdonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need book 3 right now!!! This series has caught my attention for the get go and I seriously can not wait to see what happens next.

Ps I need Xander to be obsessed with me

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was so good. like Jesus i can't wait for Harper and blake to be together. THEM GOING TO HELL. (spolier alert i knew her sis was in hell.)

[Smutty Professor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying this series, and The Devil’s Trials pulled me in even more than book one. Camille and Xander have such an incredible connection- it’s messy, intense, and impossible to look away from. Every scene between them had me wondering if they were going to heal or completely fall apart. I’m fully rooting for them, even when they make me want to scream.

I also loved the deeper look at the supporting characters. Blake and Harper continue to be standouts- Blake’s unfiltered chaos had me laughing out loud more than once, and Harper is just pure power. Even Noah surprised me in the best way. The dynamics that evolve during Camille's training added layers I didn’t expect but really appreciated.

With everything riding on Xander’s trials, I was hoping for more intensity and more detail about what’s really at stake- not just for him personally, but for the larger world. Same with Hell itself- it feels like there’s so much potential there that hasn’t quite been tapped yet. I’m really hoping we get more of that in the next book!

Still, this one was a strong follow-up that kept me hooked from start to finish. The cliffhanger was just cruel enough to work without leaving me gutted, and I’ll absolutely be picking up book three the second it hits. I need to know how this all plays out!

[Kaija · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT?!!!!
Did I just binge read this book?! Yes, yes I did!

Warning it does end on a cliffhanger and while it’s not a terrible cliffhanger I wasn’t prepared to be at the end of the book already!

This is such an addictive story! I love these characters so much!

With the ending of The Devil’s Waltz (book 1) there is SO much that Xander and Camille need to over come, because I mean (book 1 spoilers sorry) what are you supposed to do when the half human/half demon does something to lose his human soul?
But seeing them come back to each other is amazing! I love Xander and Camille and I’m definitely rooting for them!

I’m so ready for book 3 because I have a feeling it’s going to be so action packed!

I was gifted an eARC from The Nerd Fam

[Natalie Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xander and Camille have seen a few things and done a few things. This sequel to book one is a case study of how people deal with trauma differently and how those choices in dealing with the trauma can affect others.

Xander can’t figure out how to deal, but in his defense he keeps facing trauma and readjust his emotional reaction after each trial.

Camille, bless her, makes a decision and sticks to it despite the emotional paper cuts she is reopening after they were almost healed.

Harper, I just hope she is as emotionally intelligent as she appears, otherwise she may blow up worse than Vesuvius.

Blake, love him, but I hate how he gets ganged up on. I hope he politely snaps back one of these times and stands up for himself.

[Pricilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

“For as long as you want me, I’ll be by your side. The gates of h3ll couldn’t keep me away from you.”

I'm really enjoying this series. The main reason I am giving it 4 stars is because I'm not a fan of love triangles. It's not full blown love triangle but I'm a why choose girlie lol. The other reason is the back and forth with how Camille feels about Xander. One minute she's like no I need to forget him and move on and then the next she's like there's no one else for me. Other than that I really loved the book and can't wait to see what happens in the next. I want to know what happens when they come back and will they get back together?

[Rachel Garis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished book two, and wow—this one had me way more hooked than the first!

I had so many questions while reading, so many directions I wanted the story to go… but it kept surprising me. The love triangle I was so excited for? Yeah, didn’t quite get the payoff I hoped for. But I have never rooted for two side characters to get together as much as I did in this book! It ends on a cliffhanger, so obviously, I’ll be devouring the next one the second it drops. Also, consider this my official plea for a Harper & Blake book—thanks, love!

[Danielle Clayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Xander is perfect. Camille is so relatable. Blake is absolutely hilarious. Harper is a baddie. Noah is amazing.

i love all of these characters so much. this books follows Camille and her training with Noah where their relationship grows and we see a different side of Noah that i’m absolutely here for. Xander has to go through his three trials before he can take the throne.

XANDER BEING ABLE TO VISIT CAMILLE’S DREAMS?! are you kidding me. holy heck 🥵

the ending is was a cliff hanger i wasn’t expecting and im so ready for book three!

[Jana (HokuGirlReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two of the Love in Hell series and picks up right where the first book ends so it definitely needs to be read after book one. I did like that in this book both Xander and Camille had to find them selves on their own and fight for what they wanted even more so than in book one. I also thought getting to know the side characters better was giving us a great set up for a epic book three but also a interesting in the rest of the world and characters for hopefully more in this world from this author.

[Kylie Korfmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked on this book, I can't wait to see how the rest of the story unfolds cause I NEED to know what happens next! I was surprised that this wasn't just two books, that was the vibe I got from the first one but the twist in this book had me🤯

[Amanda LaFollette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm absolutely obsessed with Camille and Xander!!! They have quickly become one of my favorite couples!! I really really can't wait to read the next one!!! This one was an easy 5 star read!!

[Ashlyn Throneberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series

[Saynab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and I absolutely loved it😍

[Holly Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome continuation to the series! The perfect amount of combat, spice, and drama. I'm here for it all and can't wait for the conclusion. I'm definitely Team Cami and Xander!!

[Alexandria G · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Devil’s Trials | 🖤🔪🩸

“If this is what being damned feels like, I’ll gladly accept my fate in hell.”

4.5✨

What a whirlwind book that’s left me with a cliffhanger that makes me SO excited for the next book!! This book was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions for a multitude of reasons that kept me flipping page after page.

What I really liked about this one is Xander’s complexity to understanding his emotions. After what happened in book one, it makes so much sense to read what he’s dealing with. I actually think I ended the second book liking him so much more because of his struggles with himself!!

Xander and Camille are hella (pun-intended) messy, fierce, and completely in love.

I also need to give a special shout out to Blake and Harper, the banter between these two is SO good! My fav quote of them ⬇️

She rolls her eyes. “Bite me.” Hunger darkens his gaze. “That’s twice now. Careful, little hunter. Next time you ask, I fucking will.” He snaps his teeth at her. 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨