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The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures #2
Dealing with a Desperate Demon
Nancy has just about given up on finding her special person when Jack Jackson—big, scary and the town loser—walks into her bookstore. He’s apparently even more desperate for help in the romance department than she is. And after a bit of gentle persuasion, he finally accepts her guidance in securing his dream girl. Practice dates, lessons in tenderness—you name it, she can teach it.
There’s just one his dream girl might have more than an issue with his dating skills. Because Jack isn’t just a little clueless; he’s actually the demonic son of Satan, from the deepest depths of hell. He’s spent his entire long underlife dragging evildoers to their fates, while really trying not to live up to his Dad’s expectations.
Now, it isn’t just about getting a date with his dream girl. He needs to become a better man to win over the woman he’s been cosmically bound to, in a Beauty and the Beast style pact. If he fails, everyone he cares for will face a terrible fate. Luckily for him, Nancy may well be the witch she’s always tried to pretend she wasn’t. She can save him, he knows it—and she’s starting to know it too. Even if every day spent with him is an agonising reminder that she isn’t the girl he’s fated for.
But as the deadline approaches she’s starting to wonder... Could it be that she’s finally found her Prince? Or is she about to lose her heart to hell?
There’s just one his dream girl might have more than an issue with his dating skills. Because Jack isn’t just a little clueless; he’s actually the demonic son of Satan, from the deepest depths of hell. He’s spent his entire long underlife dragging evildoers to their fates, while really trying not to live up to his Dad’s expectations.
Now, it isn’t just about getting a date with his dream girl. He needs to become a better man to win over the woman he’s been cosmically bound to, in a Beauty and the Beast style pact. If he fails, everyone he cares for will face a terrible fate. Luckily for him, Nancy may well be the witch she’s always tried to pretend she wasn’t. She can save him, he knows it—and she’s starting to know it too. Even if every day spent with him is an agonising reminder that she isn’t the girl he’s fated for.
But as the deadline approaches she’s starting to wonder... Could it be that she’s finally found her Prince? Or is she about to lose her heart to hell?
304 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2025
60 people are currently reading
15159 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Stein
110 books2,077 followersCharlotte Stein is the RT and DABWAHA nominated author of over fifty short stories, novellas and novels. When not writing deeply emotional and intensely sexy books, she can be found eating jelly turtles, watching terrible sitcoms and occasionally lusting after hunks. For more on Charlotte, visit: www.charlottestein.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 389 reviews
April 25, 2025
This book reminded me of Beauty and the Beast, except it was with a demon and not a beast. This is in the fictional, paranormal romance and fantasy genre. I really enjoyed the two main characters in this story. I feel like they both brought something different to the story. I was literally giggling throughout the book, because this does come with a lot of humor in it! It is a medium paced read that left me feeling lighthearted.
The themes and tropes of this story include overcoming personal flaws, a monster and human relationship, redemption and dating a bad boy! This book kept me entertained, most of the time. It started off a little slow for me, but thankfully the second half of the book picked up! Taking one of my favorite childhood movies and making it a twist was a win! Overall, I rate this book a 3.5 stars out of 5!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Charlotte Stein and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin publishing for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review!
This book is expected to be published on October 7, 2025!
The themes and tropes of this story include overcoming personal flaws, a monster and human relationship, redemption and dating a bad boy! This book kept me entertained, most of the time. It started off a little slow for me, but thankfully the second half of the book picked up! Taking one of my favorite childhood movies and making it a twist was a win! Overall, I rate this book a 3.5 stars out of 5!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Charlotte Stein and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin publishing for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review!
This book is expected to be published on October 7, 2025!
October 3, 2025
The demonic son of Satan walks into a bookstore sounds like the opening of a joke, but it is not joke when Jack (the demonic son of Satan) walks into Nancy's bookstore. She's been looking for that special someone but is Jack a little too special for her? Nope! He just needs a little help in the dating and love department. After dragging evil souls to hell, he could use a little loving. Nancy is up for the challenge. Nancy is a little special herself - she's a witch.
Jack needs to become a better man for the woman he is cosmically bound to as time is ticking and running out in this beauty and the beast or demon meets witch type of story. This is a paranormal romance with some steam and sizzle thrown in.
This book began a little on the slow side but by the second half of the book things were moving much faster. I found this book to be fun and entertaining. I did struggle a little with the slower pacing but overall, this was an enjoyable paranormal romance. The characters are interesting and likeable.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Jack needs to become a better man for the woman he is cosmically bound to as time is ticking and running out in this beauty and the beast or demon meets witch type of story. This is a paranormal romance with some steam and sizzle thrown in.
This book began a little on the slow side but by the second half of the book things were moving much faster. I found this book to be fun and entertaining. I did struggle a little with the slower pacing but overall, this was an enjoyable paranormal romance. The characters are interesting and likeable.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
August 24, 2025
Dealing with a Desperate demon by Charlotte Stein
ARC from st Martin’s griffin
Release: Oct 7th 2025
-love the bookish vibe of the bookstore and her passion for writing is poetically described
-the best way I can describe Jackson is Lucifer in the show lucifer on Netflix he seems mean but I know he’s mushy caring inside I love him already
-their interactions have me giddy and giggling
-omg his questions about dating/ romance books my Sheila 🥹
-I love this dating 101 their little moments are just too cute , I love how Jack freaks out cause he doesn’t know what he’s doing
-their interactions had me missing when I had a crush and how every small moment meant the world 😭🫶🏾
-movie night 👀
-their connection has me feeling tingly
-the small town paranormal vibes in this book is immaculate
-the spice is TOP TIER OUFF
“Because I would sooner endure hell for all of eternity than see you suffer for even a second “ 😭 JACK I LOVE YOU
-wow just wow what a beautiful wild ride ATE THIS UP
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC from st Martin’s griffin
Release: Oct 7th 2025
-love the bookish vibe of the bookstore and her passion for writing is poetically described
-the best way I can describe Jackson is Lucifer in the show lucifer on Netflix he seems mean but I know he’s mushy caring inside I love him already
-their interactions have me giddy and giggling
-omg his questions about dating/ romance books my Sheila 🥹
-I love this dating 101 their little moments are just too cute , I love how Jack freaks out cause he doesn’t know what he’s doing
-their interactions had me missing when I had a crush and how every small moment meant the world 😭🫶🏾
-movie night 👀
-their connection has me feeling tingly
-the small town paranormal vibes in this book is immaculate
-the spice is TOP TIER OUFF
“Because I would sooner endure hell for all of eternity than see you suffer for even a second “ 😭 JACK I LOVE YOU
-wow just wow what a beautiful wild ride ATE THIS UP
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 16, 2025
Dealing with a Desperate Demon was such a cute paranormal romance!
Jack is known as the town misfit, and Nancy is the shy, quiet owner of the local bookstore. Jack approaches Nancy to ask for help with dating and pointers on how to be a normal human man, but Nancy isn't clued into that part of the lessons... yet anyway. Nancy is also a witch but hasn't truly figured out that truth out about herself yet, after being taught that there was something "wrong" with her, so she had to learn to suppress that part of herself until she almost forgot that it existed in the first place.
Both main characters struggle with their self-worth, but both learn and grow from guidance and closeness with each other, and it's a joy to watch them both grow.
It was clearly obvious that Jack was absolutely in love with Nancy, but she really just didn't see it, even though she was pining for him the whole time she was giving Jack "dating" tips. It was honestly a little silly to me that the author made Nancy that clueless for almost the entire book.
Jack also calls Nancy "kid," which definitely seemed weird to me, especially after their were spicy scenes in the book.
Overall, I definitely really enjoyed this book and would be interested in reading more by this author. Also, this was the 2nd book in a series, but I enjoyed reading it on its own.
Expected Publication Date: October 7th, 2025.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Griffin and the author for the privilege of reading this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jack is known as the town misfit, and Nancy is the shy, quiet owner of the local bookstore. Jack approaches Nancy to ask for help with dating and pointers on how to be a normal human man, but Nancy isn't clued into that part of the lessons... yet anyway. Nancy is also a witch but hasn't truly figured out that truth out about herself yet, after being taught that there was something "wrong" with her, so she had to learn to suppress that part of herself until she almost forgot that it existed in the first place.
Both main characters struggle with their self-worth, but both learn and grow from guidance and closeness with each other, and it's a joy to watch them both grow.
It was clearly obvious that Jack was absolutely in love with Nancy, but she really just didn't see it, even though she was pining for him the whole time she was giving Jack "dating" tips. It was honestly a little silly to me that the author made Nancy that clueless for almost the entire book.
Jack also calls Nancy "kid," which definitely seemed weird to me, especially after their were spicy scenes in the book.
Overall, I definitely really enjoyed this book and would be interested in reading more by this author. Also, this was the 2nd book in a series, but I enjoyed reading it on its own.
Expected Publication Date: October 7th, 2025.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Griffin and the author for the privilege of reading this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 5, 2025
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the early copy of Dealing with a Desperate Demon! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 3.5 stars
What to expect *⁀➷
➳ Cozy romance
➳ Witch FMC
➳ Demon MMC
➳ Beauty and the Beast-style bargain
➳ He-falls-first
➳ Talking cat 🐈⬛
➳ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dealing with a Desperate Demon has such cute premise! Nancy (our FMC), owns a bookstore, and sees Jack (our MMC) perusing the book How to be a Normal Human Boyfriend (very inconspicuous) and offers her services in the romance department.
Now, this man is clueless. He makes a million faux pas, including:
➳ Ordering only glasses of milk and cake at dinner
➳ Making exactly 27 poisonous pies (including tomato and blueberry) in preparation for a double date
Jack is definitely not what meets the eye. Though he is ginormous and prone to accidentally breaking everything, he's a softie at heart;
➳ He has an obsession with the movie Splash and owns many family movies on VHS
➳ He knits tea cozies
➳ He really just wants to cuddle on the couch
Annddd he may or may not be a demon from Hell. There’s that too.
His human form is contingent on him winning over the woman he’s been cosmically bound to. And this “totally random woman... that we would never know... because she lives in Canada" (who is definitely not Nancy) must say she loves him before the end of the month.
I really liked Jack. He is just a sweetheart who wants to be loved. He is very concerned with being the perfect (human) boyfriend and is constantly down on himself for not measuring up to a made-up standard. Enter Nancy, who also suffers from her own insecurities and now you’ve got two people both trying to lift the other up.
The fish-out-of-water nature of Jack and his interactions with Nancy are such a fun plot device. He's constantly saying the "wrong" thing, and is totally clueless about normal human relationships. It made for some very fun conversations.
The only real negative to this book is that it felt drawn-out. It honestly would've been better served as a novella. As it was, it got a little bit boring in the second-half. What started out as 4-stars slowly became 3.5.
Would I recommend this book? Sure, I think it's a cute story, and would be a nice read for any cozy-romantasy lovers. If you love a good fish-out-of-water story, then this one's for you.
Dealing with a Desperate Demon out October 7th!
Rating: 3.5 stars
What to expect *⁀➷
➳ Cozy romance
➳ Witch FMC
➳ Demon MMC
➳ Beauty and the Beast-style bargain
➳ He-falls-first
➳ Talking cat 🐈⬛
➳ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dealing with a Desperate Demon has such cute premise! Nancy (our FMC), owns a bookstore, and sees Jack (our MMC) perusing the book How to be a Normal Human Boyfriend (very inconspicuous) and offers her services in the romance department.
Now, this man is clueless. He makes a million faux pas, including:
➳ Ordering only glasses of milk and cake at dinner
➳ Making exactly 27 poisonous pies (including tomato and blueberry) in preparation for a double date
Jack is definitely not what meets the eye. Though he is ginormous and prone to accidentally breaking everything, he's a softie at heart;
➳ He has an obsession with the movie Splash and owns many family movies on VHS
➳ He knits tea cozies
➳ He really just wants to cuddle on the couch
Annddd he may or may not be a demon from Hell. There’s that too.
His human form is contingent on him winning over the woman he’s been cosmically bound to. And this “totally random woman... that we would never know... because she lives in Canada" (who is definitely not Nancy) must say she loves him before the end of the month.
I really liked Jack. He is just a sweetheart who wants to be loved. He is very concerned with being the perfect (human) boyfriend and is constantly down on himself for not measuring up to a made-up standard. Enter Nancy, who also suffers from her own insecurities and now you’ve got two people both trying to lift the other up.
The fish-out-of-water nature of Jack and his interactions with Nancy are such a fun plot device. He's constantly saying the "wrong" thing, and is totally clueless about normal human relationships. It made for some very fun conversations.
The only real negative to this book is that it felt drawn-out. It honestly would've been better served as a novella. As it was, it got a little bit boring in the second-half. What started out as 4-stars slowly became 3.5.
Would I recommend this book? Sure, I think it's a cute story, and would be a nice read for any cozy-romantasy lovers. If you love a good fish-out-of-water story, then this one's for you.
Dealing with a Desperate Demon out October 7th!
October 7, 2025
Dealing with a Desperate Demon by Charlotte Stein
The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures series #2. Paranormal romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Nancy runs the town’s bookstore. An average girl, looking for love.
Not!
Nancy is a witch but it’s hidden deep because her father couldn’t handle the paranormal. Jack Jackson asks Nancy for help finding the right books to read so he can romance his dream girl. He’s socially awkward and clueless but Nancy develops a soft spot for Jack. Especially after he saves her life. Turns out he may not be such a recluse but hiding for a reason.
🎧 I alternated between an ecopy and an audiobook. The narration is created by Yael Rizowy who does an absolutely phenomenal performance, bringing Nancy and Jack to a 3D level you won’t put down. Distinctive voices and cadence for the two as they grow closer and big moments happen. Surprise and worry and gentleness are heard in the playback as well as Jack’s frustration.
I did listen at 1.5 and slightly higher to more easily read along at a comfortable conversation speed. Audiobook definitely recommended.
A hard fought, inch by inch romance as they begin to understand each other and realize their ties and history and what they mean to each other. It’s not angsty, but actually kind of sweet. Ok, and steamy too.
The title tells the reader up front that he’s a demon but Nancy doesn’t put the clue together until 50%. Slow build paranormal elements as the reader knows there’s more to the story but has to wait for the reveal.
Entertaining, a bit amusing and just a tab of heartbreak. Unique world building.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.
The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures series #2. Paranormal romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Nancy runs the town’s bookstore. An average girl, looking for love.
Not!
Nancy is a witch but it’s hidden deep because her father couldn’t handle the paranormal. Jack Jackson asks Nancy for help finding the right books to read so he can romance his dream girl. He’s socially awkward and clueless but Nancy develops a soft spot for Jack. Especially after he saves her life. Turns out he may not be such a recluse but hiding for a reason.
🎧 I alternated between an ecopy and an audiobook. The narration is created by Yael Rizowy who does an absolutely phenomenal performance, bringing Nancy and Jack to a 3D level you won’t put down. Distinctive voices and cadence for the two as they grow closer and big moments happen. Surprise and worry and gentleness are heard in the playback as well as Jack’s frustration.
I did listen at 1.5 and slightly higher to more easily read along at a comfortable conversation speed. Audiobook definitely recommended.
A hard fought, inch by inch romance as they begin to understand each other and realize their ties and history and what they mean to each other. It’s not angsty, but actually kind of sweet. Ok, and steamy too.
The title tells the reader up front that he’s a demon but Nancy doesn’t put the clue together until 50%. Slow build paranormal elements as the reader knows there’s more to the story but has to wait for the reveal.
Entertaining, a bit amusing and just a tab of heartbreak. Unique world building.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.
October 9, 2025
This was an impulse download, mostly off of that cover that reminded me of a Chloe Liese book.
I liked Nancy and Jack. They're both so gooey and looking for someone to belong to. There's a lot of inner monologue and it was sweet to see them figure things out, but I would have liked more actual conversation.
Plot wise, it was okay. There were time jumps that didn't register and at times things felt rushed. The backstory of Nancy's magic as well as Jack's deal and its ramifications were almost footnotes until the very end. (Yes, I get that part of it was due to plot points.)
Overall, it was a quick read with characters who were easy to root for.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I liked Nancy and Jack. They're both so gooey and looking for someone to belong to. There's a lot of inner monologue and it was sweet to see them figure things out, but I would have liked more actual conversation.
Plot wise, it was okay. There were time jumps that didn't register and at times things felt rushed. The backstory of Nancy's magic as well as Jack's deal and its ramifications were almost footnotes until the very end. (Yes, I get that part of it was due to plot points.)
Overall, it was a quick read with characters who were easy to root for.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
September 24, 2025
I was SURE that I would enjoy this, but it was just fine. Very little stuck out to me.
The pacing was slow and the world didn't have enough of an explanation.
Regarding the main characters...
Nancy had a lot of interesting things going for her, especially with her backstory, but she just ended up coming across as incredibly obtuse.
Jack was sweet, but bland. Also, I cringed every time he called Nancy 'kid'. 🫠
The narrator was alright, but I really didn't like her voice for the MMC - it was growly and jarring.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with this ALC.
The pacing was slow and the world didn't have enough of an explanation.
Regarding the main characters...
Nancy had a lot of interesting things going for her, especially with her backstory, but she just ended up coming across as incredibly obtuse.
Jack was sweet, but bland. Also, I cringed every time he called Nancy 'kid'. 🫠
The narrator was alright, but I really didn't like her voice for the MMC - it was growly and jarring.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with this ALC.
May 13, 2025
Jack is the village misfit, and Nancy is a quirky bookseller with a complicated past. What starts as a series of fake dates, meant to help Jack learn how to behave like a human, slowly becomes something more heartfelt. Nancy is a witch who was institutionalized as a child due to her father's fear of her imagination. Jack, the Devil’s son, has never lived up to his father’s expectations. He has no taste for evil and struggles to understand people. Nancy decides to help him navigate human life and possibly free him from a mysterious curse.
This is the second book in a series, but it mostly stands on its own. Reading the first book does give some added context for side characters, though it is not essential to understand the plot. I actually enjoyed this installment more than the first.
Despite the fun premise and intriguing setup, I found parts of the story underwhelming. As someone who loves Beauty and the Beast-inspired narratives, I was hoping for something richer. While the characters were interesting, I found it difficult to form a real emotional connection with them. Their development felt surface-level, and the story did not explore its world or its emotional core as deeply as I had hoped.
The pacing was another issue. Some parts of the book moved too slowly, while others felt rushed, especially near the end. The twists and big moments could have used more time to develop. Although I usually prefer stories that are light on fluff, this one could have used a little more substance to fill in some gaps and strengthen the emotional impact.
This is the second book in a series, but it mostly stands on its own. Reading the first book does give some added context for side characters, though it is not essential to understand the plot. I actually enjoyed this installment more than the first.
Despite the fun premise and intriguing setup, I found parts of the story underwhelming. As someone who loves Beauty and the Beast-inspired narratives, I was hoping for something richer. While the characters were interesting, I found it difficult to form a real emotional connection with them. Their development felt surface-level, and the story did not explore its world or its emotional core as deeply as I had hoped.
The pacing was another issue. Some parts of the book moved too slowly, while others felt rushed, especially near the end. The twists and big moments could have used more time to develop. Although I usually prefer stories that are light on fluff, this one could have used a little more substance to fill in some gaps and strengthen the emotional impact.
September 7, 2025
*3.5 Stars*
Nancy has given up on finding her special person when Jack Jakson, the town's misfit, shows up at her bookstore looking for help with love. Nancy decides to help Jack find his special person with practice in romance and "learning to be human." But what starts out to be a series of practice dates soon becomes something more between the two. Things get complicated when Nancy finds out that Jack is a demon and only has until the end of the year to find love. Nancy is also dealing with the revelation that she is a witch. Can the two break Jack's curse before it's too late?
This is the second book in The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures, and I was excited to return to this town with the reappearance of many characters from the first book. Dealing with a Desperate Demon is a hilarious paranormal romance, and although ridiculous at times, I enjoyed this book. There is also a decent amount of spice mixed in, which, of course, I am a fan of. Overall, this is a light-hearted romance that fans of Beauty and the Beast will enjoy.
Dealing with a Desperate Demon is out October 7th.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Nancy has given up on finding her special person when Jack Jakson, the town's misfit, shows up at her bookstore looking for help with love. Nancy decides to help Jack find his special person with practice in romance and "learning to be human." But what starts out to be a series of practice dates soon becomes something more between the two. Things get complicated when Nancy finds out that Jack is a demon and only has until the end of the year to find love. Nancy is also dealing with the revelation that she is a witch. Can the two break Jack's curse before it's too late?
This is the second book in The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures, and I was excited to return to this town with the reappearance of many characters from the first book. Dealing with a Desperate Demon is a hilarious paranormal romance, and although ridiculous at times, I enjoyed this book. There is also a decent amount of spice mixed in, which, of course, I am a fan of. Overall, this is a light-hearted romance that fans of Beauty and the Beast will enjoy.
Dealing with a Desperate Demon is out October 7th.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 21, 2025
ARC REVIEW! (Thanks NETGALLEY!)
Oh god I really Hate to do this because I love Charlotte Stein but holy hell I hated This book.
The thing with me and paranormal books, I need Details and reasoning for things. This book was just like “oh this happened just because it can”. And it didn’t fly for me.
The pacing seemed off, we and Nancy don’t find out he’s a demon until 50% in even though it’s literally the title of the book.
The whole premise of the book is that Nancy is helping Jack with dating lessons so he can get with the girl he loves. WE ALL KNOW HES TALKING ABOUT HER EXCEPT HER. It was just annoying.
Then there was just all this goofy nonsense like a talking dog and a shape shifting (I think?) talking truck named Steve.
The actual premise of the book was super sweet like she cast a spell to create the man of her dreams but she doesn’t get to finish completing it but the execution and explanation of everything made no sense to me.
I’m sorry! I still Love you Charlotte! 😭😭😭
Oh god I really Hate to do this because I love Charlotte Stein but holy hell I hated This book.
The thing with me and paranormal books, I need Details and reasoning for things. This book was just like “oh this happened just because it can”. And it didn’t fly for me.
The pacing seemed off, we and Nancy don’t find out he’s a demon until 50% in even though it’s literally the title of the book.
The whole premise of the book is that Nancy is helping Jack with dating lessons so he can get with the girl he loves. WE ALL KNOW HES TALKING ABOUT HER EXCEPT HER. It was just annoying.
Then there was just all this goofy nonsense like a talking dog and a shape shifting (I think?) talking truck named Steve.
The actual premise of the book was super sweet like she cast a spell to create the man of her dreams but she doesn’t get to finish completing it but the execution and explanation of everything made no sense to me.
I’m sorry! I still Love you Charlotte! 😭😭😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2025
Updated rating: 4.5/5
This was SUCH a fun romp of a cozy romance/romantasy!
Nancy is helping Jack, who is actually a demon that needs to learn how to become a 'worthy human man' to get a specific woman to love him before he is forever doomed to Hell (where his dad, Satan, is) in a sort of contract/deal that is repeatedly compared to Beauty and the Beast. Nancy doesn't know that Jack isn't actually a human, though, yet she still agrees to help him despite his bad reputation *and* her unwelcome attraction to him. After all, he's after another girl, and he has a deadline. . .
I had a lot of fun with this one - I love cozy fantasy, I love humor, and I love romance. . . this has it all! The premise was intriguing and pretty compelling throughout, and it felt like they were going on little 'adventures' each time Nancy was 'simulating' real dating with Jack to 'teach' him. I like how fast paced it was for the most part; some parts seemed a bit repetitive or slower, but overall, I thought it moved along well.
Jack's character is really what made the book for me! I absolutely started to fall in love with him; he's funny and a little ridiculous in all the best ways. He's adorable! I did really struggle with Nancy's character, though, which is why this didn't become a 5 star for me; I found her ignorance surrounding the whole situation really frustrating and a bit unbelievable (as it is GLARINGLY obvious what the 'reveal'/twist is from the start).
I think the plot could have been more complex and intriguing if the portion of the story after the 'reveal' was expanded upon (perhaps if the 'reveal' came much earlier in the story). The ending really picked up, and I actually found myself wanting more of the story magic/Nancy's magic. The plot itself had me hooked more and more as the story went on; I wanted more!
Generally, the characters are complex and go through a lot of development as the story and romance progresses, which I loved. Even though it is a fun romance with tons of humor, it definitely speaks to resonant themes about belonging and self-worth. The romance was super cute, and I couldn't get enough of the banter, humor, and quirks of the characters. I thought that the integration of character background with the romance/plot was done really well!
I did really enjoy the little details of the 'world' that we get through Jack's character and the events of the story; it was relatively easy to follow, and I really liked how magic played a role. It added a perfect addition of whimsy to the story (in addition to the demon/Hell aspect, of course)!
AUDIO-SPECIFIC notes: I thought that the narrator did a relatively good job with the audio - the emotions and humor definitely came to life. Nancy's character was executed really well for me, but I did get pulled out of the story a bit every time the narrator altered her voice for Jack's dialogue. It didn't seem to fit and stood out. The narrator's voice for Jack just didn't seem to fit his character.
Summary of what I loved:
- the humor
- quirky characters
- spicy but sweet romance
- romance arc
- character depth & arcs
- plot evolution (much more compelling as it went on)
- world details, demon aspect, and magic (the fantasy elements
What I struggled with:
- Nancy's character (unbelievable to me and frustrating)
- pacing at times a little slow/plot not super engaging
- Jack calling Nancy 'kid' despite their romance didn't sit right with me
- audio narration of Jack's dialogue
I'd absolutely recommend this as a fun, light romantasy/cozy fantasy with romance, and I'll be on the lookout for the author's future books!
*Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for an ALC of this story in exchange for an honest review!
This was SUCH a fun romp of a cozy romance/romantasy!
Nancy is helping Jack, who is actually a demon that needs to learn how to become a 'worthy human man' to get a specific woman to love him before he is forever doomed to Hell (where his dad, Satan, is) in a sort of contract/deal that is repeatedly compared to Beauty and the Beast. Nancy doesn't know that Jack isn't actually a human, though, yet she still agrees to help him despite his bad reputation *and* her unwelcome attraction to him. After all, he's after another girl, and he has a deadline. . .
I had a lot of fun with this one - I love cozy fantasy, I love humor, and I love romance. . . this has it all! The premise was intriguing and pretty compelling throughout, and it felt like they were going on little 'adventures' each time Nancy was 'simulating' real dating with Jack to 'teach' him. I like how fast paced it was for the most part; some parts seemed a bit repetitive or slower, but overall, I thought it moved along well.
Jack's character is really what made the book for me! I absolutely started to fall in love with him; he's funny and a little ridiculous in all the best ways. He's adorable! I did really struggle with Nancy's character, though, which is why this didn't become a 5 star for me; I found her ignorance surrounding the whole situation really frustrating and a bit unbelievable (as it is GLARINGLY obvious what the 'reveal'/twist is from the start).
I think the plot could have been more complex and intriguing if the portion of the story after the 'reveal' was expanded upon (perhaps if the 'reveal' came much earlier in the story). The ending really picked up, and I actually found myself wanting more of the story magic/Nancy's magic. The plot itself had me hooked more and more as the story went on; I wanted more!
Generally, the characters are complex and go through a lot of development as the story and romance progresses, which I loved. Even though it is a fun romance with tons of humor, it definitely speaks to resonant themes about belonging and self-worth. The romance was super cute, and I couldn't get enough of the banter, humor, and quirks of the characters. I thought that the integration of character background with the romance/plot was done really well!
I did really enjoy the little details of the 'world' that we get through Jack's character and the events of the story; it was relatively easy to follow, and I really liked how magic played a role. It added a perfect addition of whimsy to the story (in addition to the demon/Hell aspect, of course)!
AUDIO-SPECIFIC notes: I thought that the narrator did a relatively good job with the audio - the emotions and humor definitely came to life. Nancy's character was executed really well for me, but I did get pulled out of the story a bit every time the narrator altered her voice for Jack's dialogue. It didn't seem to fit and stood out. The narrator's voice for Jack just didn't seem to fit his character.
Summary of what I loved:
- the humor
- quirky characters
- spicy but sweet romance
- romance arc
- character depth & arcs
- plot evolution (much more compelling as it went on)
- world details, demon aspect, and magic (the fantasy elements
What I struggled with:
- Nancy's character (unbelievable to me and frustrating)
- pacing at times a little slow/plot not super engaging
- Jack calling Nancy 'kid' despite their romance didn't sit right with me
- audio narration of Jack's dialogue
I'd absolutely recommend this as a fun, light romantasy/cozy fantasy with romance, and I'll be on the lookout for the author's future books!
*Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for an ALC of this story in exchange for an honest review!
September 18, 2025
Nancy is the local bookshop owner and a baby witch who doesn't realize she's a witch. Jack is the town's grumpy recluse and a demon desperately attempting to teach himself how to "human" via what he's learned through the media. Jack also has a deadline with the devil--make the woman who summoned him fall in love by the end of the year or return to his gig back in hell. Nancy agrees to help him learn how to be a cool, dateable guy. Jack has no idea why anybody would be so kind to him. An absurd amount of cuteness ensues.
This was such a strong second installment of The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures! You do get to catch up with Cassie and Seth from the first book--and most important to me personally, Cassie's raccoon familiar and their sentient microwave--but you'll basically fall in love with Nancy and Jack right out of the gate. Nancy is a sweet baby angel who has a soft spot for this giant, clueless surly man. Jack has absolutely no idea what he's doing and it couldn't be more endearing. Like. She tries to teach him how to "future boyfriend" by assigning him a reading list of romance novels, and there is a Loretta Chase reference that was the hook, line, and sinker for me. It was so cute that I wanted to kick my feet, but do not fear! It backs a very spicy punch! Steamy scenes in cars are literally my national anthem, and Charlotte Stein wrote the hell out of this one.
This was my second Charlotte Stein novel, and it's safe to say I'll be flying through the remainder of her backlog.
5/5 stars
Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for a copy of this eARC via NetGalley! All opinions are honest and my own.
This was such a strong second installment of The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures! You do get to catch up with Cassie and Seth from the first book--and most important to me personally, Cassie's raccoon familiar and their sentient microwave--but you'll basically fall in love with Nancy and Jack right out of the gate. Nancy is a sweet baby angel who has a soft spot for this giant, clueless surly man. Jack has absolutely no idea what he's doing and it couldn't be more endearing. Like. She tries to teach him how to "future boyfriend" by assigning him a reading list of romance novels, and there is a Loretta Chase reference that was the hook, line, and sinker for me. It was so cute that I wanted to kick my feet, but do not fear! It backs a very spicy punch! Steamy scenes in cars are literally my national anthem, and Charlotte Stein wrote the hell out of this one.
This was my second Charlotte Stein novel, and it's safe to say I'll be flying through the remainder of her backlog.
5/5 stars
Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for a copy of this eARC via NetGalley! All opinions are honest and my own.
May 24, 2025
3.5 / 5 Stars
This book was not what I was expecting it to be and I enjoyed it anyway! From the synopsis, I thought the book would be really campy, over the top, and not taking itself too seriously. Jack is the son of Satan in human form. Nancy is a bookstore owner. They decide to fake date (she doesn’t know he’s a demon yet). Hijinks and a good amount of horniness ensue.
I was expecting something super silly, and in fact, most of the book was really earnest and tenderhearted. At its core, I think this book is about two people who don’t see their own worth but see worth in the other. Its two people being seen, really and fully seen for their flaws and all, for the first time. They learn their own value through each other’s eyes and that was really beautiful in a lot of ways.
And there is some silliness thrown in in a fun way. Like Jack, pre-demon reveal, saying things like “As a normal human man, who does normal human man things, and definitely has been a normal human man for a while, what would a normal human man do now?” He even tells her that he has someone he is betrothed to (and that is why he needs to learn how to date properly hence the fake dating) and that said love definitely exists and lives in Canada, which is definitely something a normal human man would say and not a 12 year old boy who is trying to prove he is cool during sleep away camp. Once we get Jack’s demon reveal, getting to learn the rules of the magical world was super fun.
I just wish that Nancy’s story was a bit more clear. Her retelling of her past was a bit confusing, especially the prologue. It took me a bit of work to really put the pieces together once her backstory was explained. I honestly wish it wasn’t revealed in the synopsis so if you haven’t read it yet, don’t, or at least don’t read the last paragraph.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: October 7, 2025
______________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: My only hope for this book is that we find out that Satan is named Jack so that Jack Jackson (said Desperate Demon) is literally the son of Jack. If not, I feel like there was a missed opportunities to name him like Nathan Satanson or something.
This book was not what I was expecting it to be and I enjoyed it anyway! From the synopsis, I thought the book would be really campy, over the top, and not taking itself too seriously. Jack is the son of Satan in human form. Nancy is a bookstore owner. They decide to fake date (she doesn’t know he’s a demon yet). Hijinks and a good amount of horniness ensue.
I was expecting something super silly, and in fact, most of the book was really earnest and tenderhearted. At its core, I think this book is about two people who don’t see their own worth but see worth in the other. Its two people being seen, really and fully seen for their flaws and all, for the first time. They learn their own value through each other’s eyes and that was really beautiful in a lot of ways.
And there is some silliness thrown in in a fun way. Like Jack, pre-demon reveal, saying things like “As a normal human man, who does normal human man things, and definitely has been a normal human man for a while, what would a normal human man do now?” He even tells her that he has someone he is betrothed to (and that is why he needs to learn how to date properly hence the fake dating) and that said love definitely exists and lives in Canada, which is definitely something a normal human man would say and not a 12 year old boy who is trying to prove he is cool during sleep away camp. Once we get Jack’s demon reveal, getting to learn the rules of the magical world was super fun.
I just wish that Nancy’s story was a bit more clear. Her retelling of her past was a bit confusing, especially the prologue. It took me a bit of work to really put the pieces together once her backstory was explained. I honestly wish it wasn’t revealed in the synopsis so if you haven’t read it yet, don’t, or at least don’t read the last paragraph.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: October 7, 2025
______________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: My only hope for this book is that we find out that Satan is named Jack so that Jack Jackson (said Desperate Demon) is literally the son of Jack. If not, I feel like there was a missed opportunities to name him like Nathan Satanson or something.
September 27, 2025
My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Witch and the Demon version of Beauty and the Beast either lovable bookstore owner Nancy and town curmudgeon Jack.
August 31, 2025
if I ever wanted a man I'd want one written by Charlotte Stein.
June 27, 2025
This is an ARC review. I want to thank Charlotte Stein and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me the chance to read this book ahead of release day!
Nancy & Jack practicing to date with each other after both were mostly considered outcasts in their town. Jack did all he could do from learning from books and movies on how to be the best boyfriend he could be. Nancy while attempting to help was absolutely clueless to the fact that she was that witch. Granted I can see how any normal human would not think they are a witch and the things they saw/heard as a kid was all real. Even if her parents thought she was hallucinating and forced her to be in an inpatient mental hospital for it.
I fell in love with her dog! Once she was able to hear him talking, I just knew he immediately became my favorite character. My second favorite character was Jack’s car (who reminded me of Bumblebee) who played the BEST songs right on time! Jack and Nancy going on dates and doing all things people who date do was so sweet! Nancy accepted all of Jack…what he considers the good the bad and indifferent.
Overall this book didn’t really hit as much as I thought it would. I did push through and found parts I did enjoy. It’s written in third person and I am not a fan of dialogue written in clumps rather than in actual dialogue.
Nancy & Jack practicing to date with each other after both were mostly considered outcasts in their town. Jack did all he could do from learning from books and movies on how to be the best boyfriend he could be. Nancy while attempting to help was absolutely clueless to the fact that she was that witch. Granted I can see how any normal human would not think they are a witch and the things they saw/heard as a kid was all real. Even if her parents thought she was hallucinating and forced her to be in an inpatient mental hospital for it.
I fell in love with her dog! Once she was able to hear him talking, I just knew he immediately became my favorite character. My second favorite character was Jack’s car (who reminded me of Bumblebee) who played the BEST songs right on time! Jack and Nancy going on dates and doing all things people who date do was so sweet! Nancy accepted all of Jack…what he considers the good the bad and indifferent.
Overall this book didn’t really hit as much as I thought it would. I did push through and found parts I did enjoy. It’s written in third person and I am not a fan of dialogue written in clumps rather than in actual dialogue.
May 22, 2025
Title: Dealing with a Desperate Demon
Author: Charlotte Stein
Rating: ★★★ 1/2
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this adorable novel. This is my unbiased review.
Dealing with a Desperate Demon is a charming, slightly chaotic blend of sweet romance and paranormal intrigue. While it’s the second in Charlotte Stein’s series, it can be read as a standalone, though there are some cameos from Helping a Hungry Werewolf that fans will recognize.
The story follows Nancy, an unassuming but quietly assertive bookstore owner, as she agrees to help Jack Jackson—the town’s reclusive oddball—learn how to be the kind of guy a woman would fall in love with. Jack is inexperienced in the ways of love (and being human), which makes for some awkward moments and dates as Nancy attempts to teach him the ropes. I appreciate that Nancy is also seen as a little bit different. She’s not the kind of girl who wants a regular prince, which is a good thing for Jack.
There’s a definite Beauty and the Beast vibe, though not directly inspired by the tale—it’s more about two people feeling like they don’t quite belong, finding belonging in each other.
Stein crafts endearing characters in Nancy and Jack, whose mutual insecurities are both endearing and a little heartbreaking. They’re so sweet and reserved in many ways, yet Stein doesn’t shy away from throwing in some explicit language during their most vulnerable moments, creating an oddly charming juxtaposition that made me giggle and just seemed a little out of place. Shy unsure characters that are totally cool using some smutty language is amusing to me.
The story had some nice quotes that were worth annotating. Jack’s quote, “Doubt is the worst thing about being human,” really encapsulates the emotional core of the story and was super relatable. Even if Jack isn’t human, his experience (and Nancy’s) will definitely resonate with some readers.
The paranormal aspect unfolds slowly—almost too slowly. Nancy doesn’t discover Jack’s demonic nature until well into the story, and when she does, it’s almost comical in its reveal. While the build-up is sweet, it leaves some questions about Nancy’s eerie visions and unexplained references to her past that are never fully fleshed out. There’s also a bit of confusion around the mechanics of the world—like how one can only see paranormal elements after becoming part of that world. I would have loved a bit more exploration of that, especially given Stein’s knack for world-building.
Fans of Helping a Hungry Werewolf will enjoy the brief reunion with Cassie and Seth, though newcomers may not feel the same impact. It’s a cute scene but perhaps lacking context if you haven’t read the first book. Still, it’s a nice touch that gives a sense of continuity.
One of the highlights is the last 10% of the book, where the pacing and stakes ramp up significantly, leading to a satisfying and well-earned conclusion. Stein’s sense of whimsy shines through in small, charming details—like Nancy’s familiar, Popcorn, and the hilariously cheesy music choices in Jack’s truck.
That said, I wish there had been more description of the world Stein is building. The potential is clearly there, and what we do see has so much potential—I just wanted more, especially at the end of the novel on Nancy’s rescue mission.
Overall, Dealing with a Desperate Demon is a sweet, quirky paranormal romance that’s easy to fall into, albeit a bit slow to build, with just enough spice and humor to keep you engaged. Fans of golden retriever demons, endearing weirdos, and unlikely and fated love stories will find a lot to enjoy here.
Author: Charlotte Stein
Rating: ★★★ 1/2
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this adorable novel. This is my unbiased review.
Dealing with a Desperate Demon is a charming, slightly chaotic blend of sweet romance and paranormal intrigue. While it’s the second in Charlotte Stein’s series, it can be read as a standalone, though there are some cameos from Helping a Hungry Werewolf that fans will recognize.
The story follows Nancy, an unassuming but quietly assertive bookstore owner, as she agrees to help Jack Jackson—the town’s reclusive oddball—learn how to be the kind of guy a woman would fall in love with. Jack is inexperienced in the ways of love (and being human), which makes for some awkward moments and dates as Nancy attempts to teach him the ropes. I appreciate that Nancy is also seen as a little bit different. She’s not the kind of girl who wants a regular prince, which is a good thing for Jack.
There’s a definite Beauty and the Beast vibe, though not directly inspired by the tale—it’s more about two people feeling like they don’t quite belong, finding belonging in each other.
Stein crafts endearing characters in Nancy and Jack, whose mutual insecurities are both endearing and a little heartbreaking. They’re so sweet and reserved in many ways, yet Stein doesn’t shy away from throwing in some explicit language during their most vulnerable moments, creating an oddly charming juxtaposition that made me giggle and just seemed a little out of place. Shy unsure characters that are totally cool using some smutty language is amusing to me.
The story had some nice quotes that were worth annotating. Jack’s quote, “Doubt is the worst thing about being human,” really encapsulates the emotional core of the story and was super relatable. Even if Jack isn’t human, his experience (and Nancy’s) will definitely resonate with some readers.
The paranormal aspect unfolds slowly—almost too slowly. Nancy doesn’t discover Jack’s demonic nature until well into the story, and when she does, it’s almost comical in its reveal. While the build-up is sweet, it leaves some questions about Nancy’s eerie visions and unexplained references to her past that are never fully fleshed out. There’s also a bit of confusion around the mechanics of the world—like how one can only see paranormal elements after becoming part of that world. I would have loved a bit more exploration of that, especially given Stein’s knack for world-building.
Fans of Helping a Hungry Werewolf will enjoy the brief reunion with Cassie and Seth, though newcomers may not feel the same impact. It’s a cute scene but perhaps lacking context if you haven’t read the first book. Still, it’s a nice touch that gives a sense of continuity.
One of the highlights is the last 10% of the book, where the pacing and stakes ramp up significantly, leading to a satisfying and well-earned conclusion. Stein’s sense of whimsy shines through in small, charming details—like Nancy’s familiar, Popcorn, and the hilariously cheesy music choices in Jack’s truck.
That said, I wish there had been more description of the world Stein is building. The potential is clearly there, and what we do see has so much potential—I just wanted more, especially at the end of the novel on Nancy’s rescue mission.
Overall, Dealing with a Desperate Demon is a sweet, quirky paranormal romance that’s easy to fall into, albeit a bit slow to build, with just enough spice and humor to keep you engaged. Fans of golden retriever demons, endearing weirdos, and unlikely and fated love stories will find a lot to enjoy here.
October 8, 2025
Nancy runs a bookstore when the town grump, Jack,
strolls in and is observed looking in the romance help sections. Nancy offers to help him learn what women want and how to date in this “fake dating” book. It turns out the reason he needs the help is because Jack isn’t quite human and doesn’t understand human etiquette.
This book took me until a little before 50% to really get into. The beginning was a bit haphazard and the writing style was a little confusing to me. I did get an uncorrected copy so hopefully the published version is a little more edited. Once I got to the 50% mark things started to click and the character development really started to wrap me in. To me, I interpreted jack as this rough and tough mean guy, but then he was very shy, timid, and acted like a teenager when it came to dating. Nancy as well had different characteristics that conflicted later in the book. As I said, once I got to about halfway through and the characters were more developed the story flowed much better.
Overall the book was a very cute, paranormal romcom that I always enjoy! Jack is very lovable and I personally feel the relationship development was done well.
Now for a favorite quote: “if I have to go to the ends of the know universe and back, if I need to bear a burden so great it breaks me, I will make sure of that. No force is strong enough to stand against me when the cause is keeping you safe” *swoon*
Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Charlotte Stein for this free ARC copy. This is my voluntary review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
strolls in and is observed looking in the romance help sections. Nancy offers to help him learn what women want and how to date in this “fake dating” book. It turns out the reason he needs the help is because Jack isn’t quite human and doesn’t understand human etiquette.
This book took me until a little before 50% to really get into. The beginning was a bit haphazard and the writing style was a little confusing to me. I did get an uncorrected copy so hopefully the published version is a little more edited. Once I got to the 50% mark things started to click and the character development really started to wrap me in. To me, I interpreted jack as this rough and tough mean guy, but then he was very shy, timid, and acted like a teenager when it came to dating. Nancy as well had different characteristics that conflicted later in the book. As I said, once I got to about halfway through and the characters were more developed the story flowed much better.
Overall the book was a very cute, paranormal romcom that I always enjoy! Jack is very lovable and I personally feel the relationship development was done well.
Now for a favorite quote: “if I have to go to the ends of the know universe and back, if I need to bear a burden so great it breaks me, I will make sure of that. No force is strong enough to stand against me when the cause is keeping you safe” *swoon*
Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Charlotte Stein for this free ARC copy. This is my voluntary review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 12, 2025
4.5/5
I'd first like to thank MacMillan Audio & St. Martin's Griffin for the ALC and eARCs of this book!
This book was so adorable! Seriously, this is such a cute fall read!
We have two wonderful MCs, our FMC is Nancy who owns a cutesy bookstore, and our MMC is Jack who is the strange town recluse who knows how weird and big he is. I absolutely loved seeing their relationship blossom, and how Nancy wanted to do whatever she could to help Jack out. This one also has somewhat of a fake-dating/dating lessons trope, which I eat up every time.
I will say that this book is spicy, so if you are into closed-door romance, this one won't be for you.
I am looking forward to seeing what else Charlotte will write for The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures!
I'd first like to thank MacMillan Audio & St. Martin's Griffin for the ALC and eARCs of this book!
This book was so adorable! Seriously, this is such a cute fall read!
We have two wonderful MCs, our FMC is Nancy who owns a cutesy bookstore, and our MMC is Jack who is the strange town recluse who knows how weird and big he is. I absolutely loved seeing their relationship blossom, and how Nancy wanted to do whatever she could to help Jack out. This one also has somewhat of a fake-dating/dating lessons trope, which I eat up every time.
I will say that this book is spicy, so if you are into closed-door romance, this one won't be for you.
I am looking forward to seeing what else Charlotte will write for The Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures!
September 16, 2025
✴︎ 2.5, Call him grumpy one-more-time, stars ✴︎
✴︎ Audio Book from Macmillan Audio and narrated by Yael Rizowy✴︎
✴︎ Perfect speed 1.25x ✴︎
Sad to say this didn’t work for me. I found the writing to be just okay; while our narrator did a very good job, I couldn’t get past the issues I had with the source material. The story and characters felt quite underdeveloped- which is shocking because this was wordy as hell. I’m not exaggerating when I say the first few chapters listened like nonsense. I think the writing was attempting to be atmospheric, but that style needs a clear direction; something I felt Dealing with a Desperate Demon lacked. Some moments were cute though, and I can see a lot of readers loving this.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC!
✴︎ Audio Book from Macmillan Audio and narrated by Yael Rizowy✴︎
✴︎ Perfect speed 1.25x ✴︎
Sad to say this didn’t work for me. I found the writing to be just okay; while our narrator did a very good job, I couldn’t get past the issues I had with the source material. The story and characters felt quite underdeveloped- which is shocking because this was wordy as hell. I’m not exaggerating when I say the first few chapters listened like nonsense. I think the writing was attempting to be atmospheric, but that style needs a clear direction; something I felt Dealing with a Desperate Demon lacked. Some moments were cute though, and I can see a lot of readers loving this.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC!
August 19, 2025
I got this book as an ARC, I love paranormal romance-com and this hit that mark.
This follows a fun twist on a beauty and the beast type story. Comforting in it’s predictably.
Charlotte Stein did a fantastic job writing characters that were charming and relatable.
I thought it was special that neither of the main characters fell into “traditional” beauty standards like those often portrayed in fantasy. With more human and realistic portrayals that honestly made the characters easy to imagine as friends you’d meet in real life.
The premise was great though there were times where her inner thoughts got a bit repetitive, and the characters had to be a little dense to not see what was right in front of them. But that’s pretty common when something is glaringly obvious to the reader.
But over all the story was a joy to read and definitely twisted in a way I didn’t see coming with a very unique magic system.
This follows a fun twist on a beauty and the beast type story. Comforting in it’s predictably.
Charlotte Stein did a fantastic job writing characters that were charming and relatable.
I thought it was special that neither of the main characters fell into “traditional” beauty standards like those often portrayed in fantasy. With more human and realistic portrayals that honestly made the characters easy to imagine as friends you’d meet in real life.
The premise was great though there were times where her inner thoughts got a bit repetitive, and the characters had to be a little dense to not see what was right in front of them. But that’s pretty common when something is glaringly obvious to the reader.
But over all the story was a joy to read and definitely twisted in a way I didn’t see coming with a very unique magic system.
August 24, 2025
Nancy owns a bookstore and is shocked when Jack comes in, given his overall dislike of her in the past. When he leaves abruptly, Nancy finds that he was looking at relationship books and decides to help him win his girl over. Little does she know that the girl is Nancy herself.
Jack is the demon son of Satan meant to match with the powerful witch who wrote her own future. That witch just so happens to be Nancy, though her memories have been taken.
This was absolutely delightful! Jack is so down bad for Nancy and she's so unaware it. Their dating lessons and the way he learns to act human are so perfectly written. Charlotte Stein perfectly balanced this pining with humor! An excellent autumnal read and a perfect second book for the Sanctuary series.
Jack is the demon son of Satan meant to match with the powerful witch who wrote her own future. That witch just so happens to be Nancy, though her memories have been taken.
This was absolutely delightful! Jack is so down bad for Nancy and she's so unaware it. Their dating lessons and the way he learns to act human are so perfectly written. Charlotte Stein perfectly balanced this pining with humor! An excellent autumnal read and a perfect second book for the Sanctuary series.
September 10, 2025
One of my FAVORITE tropes is when the MMC has no idea how to be human and is a total idiot and innocent and freaking oblivious - this book plays out this trope PERFECTLY! I loved watching these two figure each other out and discover their true story together. While I absolutely guessed the twist, I loved the way the author played everything out, though the end did seem to be a little muddled and could’ve been better laid out. Overall a fun fall book, and I LOVED the appearance of my favorite witch, werewolf, and raccoon! 💗
October 11, 2025
Nancy, who runs the town bookstore, and Jack, the socially awkward guy who comes in looking for a book.
Nancy is a witch and Jack is a demon. What ensues is a heartwarming story about love and acceptance beyond ‘labels’ and accepting someone for what’s in their heart.
Jack is just adorable. Sure, he’s a demon, but he has heart and wants to do everything to impress his girl. He never thinks he can get it right, but Nancy is the one that makes him realize, he doesn’t have to be perfect….just be himself.
I love a good story with a good life lesson and this one had one
From the song playing demon car, the British accented pug, and a grump adorable Jack…this book had me smiling from ear to ear.
The narrator was great and had a solid performance of each character. Listening time was approx 8 hrs.
Nancy is a witch and Jack is a demon. What ensues is a heartwarming story about love and acceptance beyond ‘labels’ and accepting someone for what’s in their heart.
Jack is just adorable. Sure, he’s a demon, but he has heart and wants to do everything to impress his girl. He never thinks he can get it right, but Nancy is the one that makes him realize, he doesn’t have to be perfect….just be himself.
I love a good story with a good life lesson and this one had one
From the song playing demon car, the British accented pug, and a grump adorable Jack…this book had me smiling from ear to ear.
The narrator was great and had a solid performance of each character. Listening time was approx 8 hrs.
October 9, 2025
3.5 stars. I think I would have liked this better as an eyeball read. The narrator for the audiobook did this growly tone for the mmc that felt so over the top to the point of childishness. Personally, I would have enjoyed it more if she hadn't even attempted the male voice, but she made her choice as an artist and I respect that it just wasn't for me.
Now, the actual plot was adorable. He saves her from a car crash, reads books to figure out how to be a good boyfriend, and his demon job is yo punish super bad people.
I'm definitely reading Charlotte Steins's next novel
Now, the actual plot was adorable. He saves her from a car crash, reads books to figure out how to be a good boyfriend, and his demon job is yo punish super bad people.
I'm definitely reading Charlotte Steins's next novel
September 25, 2025
Reviewed for Dear Author. 4.5 stars
link to come
link to come
October 9, 2025
4.5 stars
Another horny book for weird people. I think I actually like these unhinged paranormals more than her contemporaries.
Another horny book for weird people. I think I actually like these unhinged paranormals more than her contemporaries.
September 19, 2025
5 stars!!
Did a book about a demon boyfriend become one of my top romances of 2025? Yes it sure did thanks to Charlotte Stein!! I did read the first in the series but I wouldn't say it needs to be read in order.
Anyhow, this whole book had me biting my knuckle because this shit was so cute! The MMC constantly showing how clueless yet determined he is was so damn adorable. He was so sweet and caring and obsessed with the FMC. He was sad the town didn't love him and you could see how desperate he was to change that but making it worse by just being a bumbling awkward guy. He would say things either super funny or incredibly sweet or a bit confessional and then apologize profusely if it was weird and I couldn't help but love him for that. And the FMC could see that too which I loved. Her acceptance of him by just noticing how hard he is trying and wanting to help was so sweet. I loved her constant "oh he is totally talking about me...wait maybe not me...is it me?" was definitely relatable. I just really loved this whole book.
The audio was fantastically done and had me kicking my feet in traffic by how the narrator acted the dialogue for both MCs.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC and ALC!
Did a book about a demon boyfriend become one of my top romances of 2025? Yes it sure did thanks to Charlotte Stein!! I did read the first in the series but I wouldn't say it needs to be read in order.
Anyhow, this whole book had me biting my knuckle because this shit was so cute! The MMC constantly showing how clueless yet determined he is was so damn adorable. He was so sweet and caring and obsessed with the FMC. He was sad the town didn't love him and you could see how desperate he was to change that but making it worse by just being a bumbling awkward guy. He would say things either super funny or incredibly sweet or a bit confessional and then apologize profusely if it was weird and I couldn't help but love him for that. And the FMC could see that too which I loved. Her acceptance of him by just noticing how hard he is trying and wanting to help was so sweet. I loved her constant "oh he is totally talking about me...wait maybe not me...is it me?" was definitely relatable. I just really loved this whole book.
The audio was fantastically done and had me kicking my feet in traffic by how the narrator acted the dialogue for both MCs.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC and ALC!
August 25, 2025
Oh Jack, my sweet tomato red, sensitive, misunderstood, cinnamon roll, demon. Literally raised in Hell, Jack is trying to blend in this world. Nancy’s a bit of a hopeless romantic. Her journey of self discovery had me invested, poor gurl was gaslight her whole life. This was a cute and cozy paranormal romance, with some good spice and low brainpower storyline. I thought the narrator did a fantastic job playing multiple voices.
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for the ALC!
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for the ALC!
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