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A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon
A student finds herself accidentally betrothed to a demon—and investigating his connection to the magical irregularities plaguing her city—in this cozy, whimsical YA romantasy.
As a scholarship student at the magical Lyceum, Naomi would rather focus on deciphering ancient scrolls than dating. Especially since the only boys asking her out are less interested in a night in Naomi’s company than an introduction to her influential aunt.
So Naomi devises an excuse to turn down her persistent suitors: She claims to be betrothed to a demon.
Her story works perfectly. Until she arrives home one night and finds the demon Daziel lounging in her rooms, insisting he’s her betrothed. Naomi knows he’s lying—after all, the betrothal was never real—but the gorgeous and infuriating demon is surprisingly resistant to her banishing spells. And with his penchant for baking and home décor, it’s not so bad having him around.
Besides, she has bigger worries—like the ancient scroll she’s trying to translate, and the way the city’s magic has become suddenly unstable. But the more Naomi learns about the scroll, and the more she gets to know Daziel, the more it seems like she might be at the center of something bigger than she could have imagined.
As a scholarship student at the magical Lyceum, Naomi would rather focus on deciphering ancient scrolls than dating. Especially since the only boys asking her out are less interested in a night in Naomi’s company than an introduction to her influential aunt.
So Naomi devises an excuse to turn down her persistent suitors: She claims to be betrothed to a demon.
Her story works perfectly. Until she arrives home one night and finds the demon Daziel lounging in her rooms, insisting he’s her betrothed. Naomi knows he’s lying—after all, the betrothal was never real—but the gorgeous and infuriating demon is surprisingly resistant to her banishing spells. And with his penchant for baking and home décor, it’s not so bad having him around.
Besides, she has bigger worries—like the ancient scroll she’s trying to translate, and the way the city’s magic has become suddenly unstable. But the more Naomi learns about the scroll, and the more she gets to know Daziel, the more it seems like she might be at the center of something bigger than she could have imagined.
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 3, 2026
34 people are currently reading
10172 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Reynolds
8 books290 followersHi everyone! I'm Hannah Reynolds, the author of A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DATING A DEMON, a cozy romantasy out Spring 2026. I'm also the author of the GOLDEN DOORS series, three contemporary romances filled with family secrets and history set on the New England island of Nantucket.
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January 21, 2025
Hi! I'm Hannah, the author of A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DATING A DEMON. I wanted to give you a behind-the-scenes peek at the book and a little more insight on what it's about!
😈 A demon romance
📜 Ancient scrolls
🏛️ An academy for spell writing
🌬️ Magic winds
🌺 A stunning river city
I grew up reading cozy fantasy novels like HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE and DEALING WITH DRAGONS; Robin McKinley and Sharon Shinn. These were whimsical, romantic stories with strong heroines who made their own way in the world, saved the day, and also happened to fall in love. Reading them felt like coming home. I wanted to write a book infused with the same sense of joy as these childhood favorites, filled with humor, charm, and romance.
I love books about princesses and girls with special magic, but here I wanted to write about an ordinary girl from an ordinary village. What Naomi does have is drive and determination. That's what brings her from her home on the high plains to a sprawling riverine city on the other side of the country, to attend the fabled Lyceum, which teaches spellwriting at it's five different schools. Accepted into the School of Humanities, Naomi dreams of deciphering newly discovered ancient scrolls written in a forgotten tongue.
The only person Naomi knows in the river city is her slightly estranged aunt, a politician on the grand council. Students at the School of Government will do anything to meet a council member, including asking Naomi out over and over. Which is why she starts telling everyone she's betrothed to a demon. A great excuse, until she returns to her dorm one day and finds a handsome, mischievous demon with onyx black eyes and knife-sharp talons waiting for her.
A demon insisting they're betrothed and following her to classes, the pub, and her aunt's house isn't even the strangest thing in the city of Talum: the magic is off. The winds are strong and growing stronger, storms break at any moment, rain sings minor melodies, and all the birds have left the city. At first, Naomi is too busy with her friends, studies, and her annoying demon betrothed to care, but soon the winds start to demand her attention…
The city of Talum is modeled off of Provencal France, which was an absolute delight to research: thick sandstone buildings to protect against the strong winds; there are grand Belle Époque plazas and winding streets packed with bookshops and cafes. Golden light, cypress trees, lavender hedges, bright bougainvillea tumbling over stone walls. The time period is inspired by the turn of the (last!) century, with carriages both horse driven and powered by magic — but here women attend university, wear trousers, and hold positions of power. Jewish mythology, from ideas about demons to beasts of legend, are woven into the tale.
Writing A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DATING A DEMON was pure fun. The demon is vain and arrogant and adventurous, and, when push comes to shove, loyal and brave. Naomi is practical and a little grumpy and ambitious and, secretly, a romantic. I'm a romance author above all else, and I hope this love story, set in a windswept city rich in magic, brings you as much happiness as crafting it brought me.
😈 A demon romance
📜 Ancient scrolls
🏛️ An academy for spell writing
🌬️ Magic winds
🌺 A stunning river city
I grew up reading cozy fantasy novels like HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE and DEALING WITH DRAGONS; Robin McKinley and Sharon Shinn. These were whimsical, romantic stories with strong heroines who made their own way in the world, saved the day, and also happened to fall in love. Reading them felt like coming home. I wanted to write a book infused with the same sense of joy as these childhood favorites, filled with humor, charm, and romance.
I love books about princesses and girls with special magic, but here I wanted to write about an ordinary girl from an ordinary village. What Naomi does have is drive and determination. That's what brings her from her home on the high plains to a sprawling riverine city on the other side of the country, to attend the fabled Lyceum, which teaches spellwriting at it's five different schools. Accepted into the School of Humanities, Naomi dreams of deciphering newly discovered ancient scrolls written in a forgotten tongue.
The only person Naomi knows in the river city is her slightly estranged aunt, a politician on the grand council. Students at the School of Government will do anything to meet a council member, including asking Naomi out over and over. Which is why she starts telling everyone she's betrothed to a demon. A great excuse, until she returns to her dorm one day and finds a handsome, mischievous demon with onyx black eyes and knife-sharp talons waiting for her.
A demon insisting they're betrothed and following her to classes, the pub, and her aunt's house isn't even the strangest thing in the city of Talum: the magic is off. The winds are strong and growing stronger, storms break at any moment, rain sings minor melodies, and all the birds have left the city. At first, Naomi is too busy with her friends, studies, and her annoying demon betrothed to care, but soon the winds start to demand her attention…
The city of Talum is modeled off of Provencal France, which was an absolute delight to research: thick sandstone buildings to protect against the strong winds; there are grand Belle Époque plazas and winding streets packed with bookshops and cafes. Golden light, cypress trees, lavender hedges, bright bougainvillea tumbling over stone walls. The time period is inspired by the turn of the (last!) century, with carriages both horse driven and powered by magic — but here women attend university, wear trousers, and hold positions of power. Jewish mythology, from ideas about demons to beasts of legend, are woven into the tale.
Writing A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DATING A DEMON was pure fun. The demon is vain and arrogant and adventurous, and, when push comes to shove, loyal and brave. Naomi is practical and a little grumpy and ambitious and, secretly, a romantic. I'm a romance author above all else, and I hope this love story, set in a windswept city rich in magic, brings you as much happiness as crafting it brought me.
February 2, 2026
What happens when you accidentally summon a 'demon' but the timing is perfect?? 🫣
3.25 stars! ✨
𑣲 𓂃 ₊⊹ Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Young Readers Group/G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and the author for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The book is out tomorrow! ♡
‧₊ ᵎᵎ 📜 ⋅ ˚✮
🕊️ ⌗ what I enjoyed
Firstly, I enjoyed the characters of this story! Generally speaking, the two protagonists - Naomi and Daziel - were really funny, with some of their interactions being absolutely hilarious and extremely adorable. 🤭 The beginning of them meeting and getting to know each other is actually one of my favourite parts of this book. I found those moments really wholesome and genuinely entertaining. The love for croissants is sooo relatable, I get it and I feel the same. 😂🥐 I also loved Paz, he was so cute. 🥹 I enjoyed the secondary characters and the formed friendships - there is a strong found family element which is sweet and towards the end of the book, I found myself looking forward to those moments the most.
As someone obsessed with ancient scrolls and languages (also the idea of uncovering mysteries and learning about civilisations) in a fantasy setting, I loved Naomi's area of study and the entire group dynamic with her cohort. I found their passion, drive, and the way it was presented very realistic. I like the idea of this magic system and how spells work in this world. ✨
The world is very vivid. I liked the cultural aspects presented, the idea that there are different kinds of magic present and how those operated, the different areas of specialisation different characters had. The way the elements are incorporated into this magic system was really interesting to read about! 🌤️
🕊️ ⌗ what didn't work for me
Some aspects of this world were confusing. The timeline was not very clear - there was a mention of a year around the 40% mark? but that was all there was. It was very difficult to picture whether the world was a more modern fantasy setting (based on clothing, makeup etc) or an older one (based on transportation etc). When the year was mentioned, it was not within parameters - i.e. a chronological system established or offered within a comparison so that as readers, we could understand when this story is taking place. 😅
The pacing felt unsteady during certain sections - some parts of the story flowed really well and others felt like they were dragging. The ending also felt abrupt. The build up was done well, but then I was getting the impression that the story was wrapping up way too fast and there were loose ends. It definitely feels like a second book is on the way? It might not be the case but that's how this one felt like.
I would've liked a bit more of an explanation regarding some of the cultures mentioned. Especially the "shedim" culture, which was a big part of the story and was actually so cool to see. I would've also liked to see some of Daziel's abilities more fleshed out especially given how the story progresses. 😅
🕊️ ⌗ final thoughts
All in all, I would honestly say this is a good time. It has its funny moments and its more serious ones. I think the characters definitely steal the show and the world, in my opinion, needs a bit more fleshing out. But I would recommend it if you are interested in a fantasy world where magic works in varying ways and each person plays a different role in bringing it together! ♡🕊️
Thank you once again to Netgalley, Penguin Young Readers Group/G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and the author for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions aforementioned are my own.
‧₊ ᵎᵎ 📜 ⋅ ˚✮
pre-read notes:
Got the ARC! ✨ I’m sorry you had me at ‘if you like howl’s moving castle’. I simply HAD to have this 🤭😩
3.25 stars! ✨
𑣲 𓂃 ₊⊹ Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Young Readers Group/G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and the author for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The book is out tomorrow! ♡
‧₊ ᵎᵎ 📜 ⋅ ˚✮
🕊️ ⌗ what I enjoyed
Firstly, I enjoyed the characters of this story! Generally speaking, the two protagonists - Naomi and Daziel - were really funny, with some of their interactions being absolutely hilarious and extremely adorable. 🤭 The beginning of them meeting and getting to know each other is actually one of my favourite parts of this book. I found those moments really wholesome and genuinely entertaining. The love for croissants is sooo relatable, I get it and I feel the same. 😂🥐 I also loved Paz, he was so cute. 🥹 I enjoyed the secondary characters and the formed friendships - there is a strong found family element which is sweet and towards the end of the book, I found myself looking forward to those moments the most.
As someone obsessed with ancient scrolls and languages (also the idea of uncovering mysteries and learning about civilisations) in a fantasy setting, I loved Naomi's area of study and the entire group dynamic with her cohort. I found their passion, drive, and the way it was presented very realistic. I like the idea of this magic system and how spells work in this world. ✨
The world is very vivid. I liked the cultural aspects presented, the idea that there are different kinds of magic present and how those operated, the different areas of specialisation different characters had. The way the elements are incorporated into this magic system was really interesting to read about! 🌤️
🕊️ ⌗ what didn't work for me
Some aspects of this world were confusing. The timeline was not very clear - there was a mention of a year around the 40% mark? but that was all there was. It was very difficult to picture whether the world was a more modern fantasy setting (based on clothing, makeup etc) or an older one (based on transportation etc). When the year was mentioned, it was not within parameters - i.e. a chronological system established or offered within a comparison so that as readers, we could understand when this story is taking place. 😅
The pacing felt unsteady during certain sections - some parts of the story flowed really well and others felt like they were dragging. The ending also felt abrupt. The build up was done well, but then I was getting the impression that the story was wrapping up way too fast and there were loose ends. It definitely feels like a second book is on the way? It might not be the case but that's how this one felt like.
I would've liked a bit more of an explanation regarding some of the cultures mentioned. Especially the "shedim" culture, which was a big part of the story and was actually so cool to see. I would've also liked to see some of Daziel's abilities more fleshed out especially given how the story progresses. 😅
🕊️ ⌗ final thoughts
All in all, I would honestly say this is a good time. It has its funny moments and its more serious ones. I think the characters definitely steal the show and the world, in my opinion, needs a bit more fleshing out. But I would recommend it if you are interested in a fantasy world where magic works in varying ways and each person plays a different role in bringing it together! ♡🕊️
Thank you once again to Netgalley, Penguin Young Readers Group/G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and the author for the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions aforementioned are my own.
‧₊ ᵎᵎ 📜 ⋅ ˚✮
pre-read notes:
Got the ARC! ✨ I’m sorry you had me at ‘if you like howl’s moving castle’. I simply HAD to have this 🤭😩
February 16, 2026
I was really excited for this new release, however, unfortunately, it was just OK. I did finally get a little invested in the second half, but I don’t know if that will be enough to make me pick up the sequel if there is one. RTC
February 23, 2026
A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon by Hannah Reynolds
I really liked the premise of this story: Naomi accidentally lies about being engaged to a demon… and then somehow summons a real one. This is usually a story that I would enjoy and there was so much potential to be my favorite book.
I think the book was just okay for me, there was a lack of romance scenes in my opinion. The story focuses on Naomi’s daily school life and her work translating a scroll. There was also a mysterious situation with the wind and birds disappearing from their town, so there was a little more than just romance in this book. I just expected a little more rom-com moments.
I genuinely enjoyed Naomi and Daziel’s relationship. I’m a sucker for a sunshine x grumpy trope and I liked how the author incoporated this trope. Their interactions was definitely a highlight for me which I obviously wanted more of. LOL
The world-building could use a little more work. My biggest issue with this story and why I took away some stars was the lack of romance and the last few chapters. It felt extremely rushed but I can't tell if it's because the author was setting up the ending for a 2nd book. There better be a sequel because trust me, that ending was rough.
Thank you so much to Penguin Teen Canada, Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for the eARC.
I really liked the premise of this story: Naomi accidentally lies about being engaged to a demon… and then somehow summons a real one. This is usually a story that I would enjoy and there was so much potential to be my favorite book.
I think the book was just okay for me, there was a lack of romance scenes in my opinion. The story focuses on Naomi’s daily school life and her work translating a scroll. There was also a mysterious situation with the wind and birds disappearing from their town, so there was a little more than just romance in this book. I just expected a little more rom-com moments.
I genuinely enjoyed Naomi and Daziel’s relationship. I’m a sucker for a sunshine x grumpy trope and I liked how the author incoporated this trope. Their interactions was definitely a highlight for me which I obviously wanted more of. LOL
The world-building could use a little more work. My biggest issue with this story and why I took away some stars was the lack of romance and the last few chapters. It felt extremely rushed but I can't tell if it's because the author was setting up the ending for a 2nd book. There better be a sequel because trust me, that ending was rough.
Thank you so much to Penguin Teen Canada, Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for the eARC.
March 10, 2026
not sure how I feel abt this one 🤨 I never really got invested in the book and felt like my mind would drift elsewhere when reading. there were definitely some cute moments and daizel is adorable but I almost wished it would have been more romance focused, the other plot felt like it came out of no where
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2026
thank you to putnam's sons books for young readers and penguin teen for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
i had previously read from hannah reynolds before and was so intrigued to see her dip her foot into a fantasy, since all of her previous books have been contemporary. and a practice guide to dating a demon did not disappoint!
i found naomi to be such a compelling character to follow. she created a fake demon boyfriend for herself so that politics students would stop asking her on dates to try to get close to her political figure aunt. until one day, when her fake boyfriend, daziel, appears to her becoming her no-so-fake betrothed. the banter that naomi and daziel had was incredible, i was finding myself actually laughing out loud certain points at the absurdity of her situation. naomi is so strong willed, constantly trying to get rid of daziel but eventually accepting their bizarre circumstance, creating this domestic picture of her and this demon boy.
but not only that, naomi is so incredibly smart and quick witted. she is at this institution to learn more about magic and is working to decipher some ancient scrolls. we are able to see her parse through this ancient text, working alongside her cohort (and daziel) to see how truly smart and dedicated she is to her studies. i always love seeing a headstrong and intelligent female lead, and she is no exception. time and time again, we see her work to solve riddles and concerns with the natural magic around their city.
also, unexpectedly to me, reynolds uses a lot of jewish myths and traditions throughout the novel. as a jewish reader, it was really interesting to see how she was able to transfer over some of our practices into this fantastical world, especially with the celebrations that we see. i really think she did a great job incorporating them and it was lovely to see, as i don’t often see this representation in many fantastical worlds!
given how the book ended, i am really hoping it’s pointing that this book will become the first in a series as we’re left with a few openings, mainly with naomi and daziel's betrothal. i would love to see the sequel follow the political demon world naomi will inevitably enter into following what we end on. i also just really want to see more of them on the whole, please and thank! i will be closely (and impatiently) waiting a sequel announcement!!
i had previously read from hannah reynolds before and was so intrigued to see her dip her foot into a fantasy, since all of her previous books have been contemporary. and a practice guide to dating a demon did not disappoint!
i found naomi to be such a compelling character to follow. she created a fake demon boyfriend for herself so that politics students would stop asking her on dates to try to get close to her political figure aunt. until one day, when her fake boyfriend, daziel, appears to her becoming her no-so-fake betrothed. the banter that naomi and daziel had was incredible, i was finding myself actually laughing out loud certain points at the absurdity of her situation. naomi is so strong willed, constantly trying to get rid of daziel but eventually accepting their bizarre circumstance, creating this domestic picture of her and this demon boy.
but not only that, naomi is so incredibly smart and quick witted. she is at this institution to learn more about magic and is working to decipher some ancient scrolls. we are able to see her parse through this ancient text, working alongside her cohort (and daziel) to see how truly smart and dedicated she is to her studies. i always love seeing a headstrong and intelligent female lead, and she is no exception. time and time again, we see her work to solve riddles and concerns with the natural magic around their city.
also, unexpectedly to me, reynolds uses a lot of jewish myths and traditions throughout the novel. as a jewish reader, it was really interesting to see how she was able to transfer over some of our practices into this fantastical world, especially with the celebrations that we see. i really think she did a great job incorporating them and it was lovely to see, as i don’t often see this representation in many fantastical worlds!
given how the book ended, i am really hoping it’s pointing that this book will become the first in a series as we’re left with a few openings, mainly with naomi and daziel's betrothal. i would love to see the sequel follow the political demon world naomi will inevitably enter into following what we end on. i also just really want to see more of them on the whole, please and thank! i will be closely (and impatiently) waiting a sequel announcement!!
March 19, 2026
IS THERE A BOOK TWO? BECAUSE I CANNOT HANDLE THAT ENDING. WHAT?!
Anyways... this was so cozy and wholesome. I don't think I was fully expecting that but the cover does kind of scream NOT DARK. I really loved the academic portions of the story. Just overall a quick read that kept my attention.
Anyways... this was so cozy and wholesome. I don't think I was fully expecting that but the cover does kind of scream NOT DARK. I really loved the academic portions of the story. Just overall a quick read that kept my attention.
January 24, 2026
This was actually everything to me. The romance was so sweet but complicated, there was great character growth, and the storyline was so interesting. There were so many witty remarks that made me giggle, but there was also tension and suspense that made me unable to put the book down.
I loved the idea for this story, loved the academic setting, and totally fell in love with Daziel and Naomi. They were so mature in their relationship but also perfectly captured the insecurities and changes that come with being a young adult and experiencing this phase of life. All while solving millennium old mysteries and being star-crossed lovers! I adored Naomi but the main character for me was absolutely Daziel. I am obsessed with the personality he brought to this story. The supporting characters were enjoyable and incorporated well into the book, too.
My only slight complaints were that I felt like the magic system was never fully explained and there were a lot of made up words I simply did not ever understand. I also wish we would’ve gotten an epilogue (solely because I wanted to read 100 more pages of Naomi and Daziel existing).
I loved the idea for this story, loved the academic setting, and totally fell in love with Daziel and Naomi. They were so mature in their relationship but also perfectly captured the insecurities and changes that come with being a young adult and experiencing this phase of life. All while solving millennium old mysteries and being star-crossed lovers! I adored Naomi but the main character for me was absolutely Daziel. I am obsessed with the personality he brought to this story. The supporting characters were enjoyable and incorporated well into the book, too.
My only slight complaints were that I felt like the magic system was never fully explained and there were a lot of made up words I simply did not ever understand. I also wish we would’ve gotten an epilogue (solely because I wanted to read 100 more pages of Naomi and Daziel existing).
February 17, 2026
This was cute, and more...earnest(?) than I expected it to be.
You can read my full review at Forever Young Adult.
You can read my full review at Forever Young Adult.
March 16, 2026
"The end of the world was not the right time to think about love."
Isn't it, though?
I thought this was such a cute YA read! And as a scholar and linguist myself, I was fascinated by the dilemma our group of young students faced in Language X. But the stars of the show were definitely Naomi and Daziel. Their relationship and development, not only as a couple but individuals, was so sweet yet... complicated. It could have gone so wrong, but who they each were at their cores, the time the author allowed to let them get to know each other, to grow, made it work.
To be fair, some suspension of disbelief about certain things is necessary. But is it a perfect little cozy romantasy for when you just need something fun and light? Absolutely.
Thanks to Colored Pages Book Tours and Penguin Teen for the gifted copy!
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
Isn't it, though?
I thought this was such a cute YA read! And as a scholar and linguist myself, I was fascinated by the dilemma our group of young students faced in Language X. But the stars of the show were definitely Naomi and Daziel. Their relationship and development, not only as a couple but individuals, was so sweet yet... complicated. It could have gone so wrong, but who they each were at their cores, the time the author allowed to let them get to know each other, to grow, made it work.
To be fair, some suspension of disbelief about certain things is necessary. But is it a perfect little cozy romantasy for when you just need something fun and light? Absolutely.
Thanks to Colored Pages Book Tours and Penguin Teen for the gifted copy!
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
March 1, 2026
Thank you to G.P Putnam’s Sons Book for Young Reader| Penguin Teen for providing ARCs at 2025 YAll Fest so that I had the opportunity to read this book. It came out February 3rd of this year. All opinions are my own.
Naomi is working hard to find her place at the Lyceum Academy and she doesn’t want the influence of her high ranking aunt to get in the way of how others see her (or use her) so she starts telling potential “suitors” that she is already betrothed to a demon. Little does she know, that buys her a one way ticket into the constant companionship of said demon and a whole new world of political intrigue and occasional romantic entanglement she was not prepared for.
This book was the epitome of what I would describe as a cozy YA fantasy. It paints a quaint picture of academic life of a girl just trying to get her academic on without being troubled by silly things like dating. The “fake dating” scenario that gets introduced pretty quickly at the beginning of the book fades pretty solidly into the background in favor of the overarching world crisis mystery narrative. I do feel like the title of the book was a little misleading. I don’t think you should pick up this book if you’re looking for a cute YA fantasy romance, but if you’re looking for a relatively low stakes cozy adventure with a side of awkward romance that makes an appearance here and there, this is much better suited for you. I enjoyed the found family aspect of the book, both between Naomi and her friends and eventually the bond she found with her aunt. I liked the world building that we got, it was just complex enough to show genuine thought and effort by the author in producing a whole new world for her readers. I unfortunately didn’t really buy the romantic elements of the story, but the other elements made it an enjoyable read regardless.
Naomi is working hard to find her place at the Lyceum Academy and she doesn’t want the influence of her high ranking aunt to get in the way of how others see her (or use her) so she starts telling potential “suitors” that she is already betrothed to a demon. Little does she know, that buys her a one way ticket into the constant companionship of said demon and a whole new world of political intrigue and occasional romantic entanglement she was not prepared for.
This book was the epitome of what I would describe as a cozy YA fantasy. It paints a quaint picture of academic life of a girl just trying to get her academic on without being troubled by silly things like dating. The “fake dating” scenario that gets introduced pretty quickly at the beginning of the book fades pretty solidly into the background in favor of the overarching world crisis mystery narrative. I do feel like the title of the book was a little misleading. I don’t think you should pick up this book if you’re looking for a cute YA fantasy romance, but if you’re looking for a relatively low stakes cozy adventure with a side of awkward romance that makes an appearance here and there, this is much better suited for you. I enjoyed the found family aspect of the book, both between Naomi and her friends and eventually the bond she found with her aunt. I liked the world building that we got, it was just complex enough to show genuine thought and effort by the author in producing a whole new world for her readers. I unfortunately didn’t really buy the romantic elements of the story, but the other elements made it an enjoyable read regardless.
February 8, 2026
Thank you so much to Penguin Teen, NetGalley, and PRH Audio for the eARC and the ALC!
This was such a funny, cozy, and entertaining read! I loved the world, especially the descriptions of the city and the school. The magic was incredibly intriguing and complex, and I loved learning about it. And my favourite parts were when Naomi was with her cohort to learn about the ancient scrolls and language. It was fascinating and reminded me of one of my favourite parts of school.
Naomi and Daziel were just so cute, and I loved their dynamic. Their meeting was hilarious, and watching them get to know each other was so adorable. Them learning about each other meshed perfectly with the reader learning more about how the world worked. And I loved their relationships with side characters as well.
The narrator did a wonderful job of immersing me in the world. It was super helpful to not have to struggle with figuring out how to pronounce things myself 😂. And I loved her voice for Daziel.
I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for funny and cozy vibes that lean toward academic. The romance was sweet, but at times felt a little secondary to the plot, which I didn’t mind because I really enjoy academic settings. I definitely recommend the audio!
This was such a funny, cozy, and entertaining read! I loved the world, especially the descriptions of the city and the school. The magic was incredibly intriguing and complex, and I loved learning about it. And my favourite parts were when Naomi was with her cohort to learn about the ancient scrolls and language. It was fascinating and reminded me of one of my favourite parts of school.
Naomi and Daziel were just so cute, and I loved their dynamic. Their meeting was hilarious, and watching them get to know each other was so adorable. Them learning about each other meshed perfectly with the reader learning more about how the world worked. And I loved their relationships with side characters as well.
The narrator did a wonderful job of immersing me in the world. It was super helpful to not have to struggle with figuring out how to pronounce things myself 😂. And I loved her voice for Daziel.
I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for funny and cozy vibes that lean toward academic. The romance was sweet, but at times felt a little secondary to the plot, which I didn’t mind because I really enjoy academic settings. I definitely recommend the audio!
March 16, 2026
I absolutely love this YA cozy, rom-com genre and this book delivered enough to keep me entertained till the end. Naomi is a clever, studious Lyceum Academy student who just wants to be left alone so uses the excuse that she's betrothed to get out of the pressure of being asked out by other students she's uninterested in.
The problem with making up a demon's name is...he appears and wants to hold up the betrothal for real.
Daziel is witty and maybe a little annoying (in a sweet way) to Naomi but he grows on her, and helps to solve a mystery of deciphering ancient scrolls that was much needed. The banter between them was a highlight for me. I enjoyed how the author kept things YA between our two main characters...that felt more real and appropriate for this age group, but didn't scrimp on the yearning and longing...all the feels were there but not acted on too much. The side characters brought additional levity and warmth to the story.
Definitely lower stakes, but high on the fake dating and found family tropes and all just feel good.
Thank you to NetGalley, and Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for this ARC to read and review. My thoughts are my own.
The problem with making up a demon's name is...he appears and wants to hold up the betrothal for real.
Daziel is witty and maybe a little annoying (in a sweet way) to Naomi but he grows on her, and helps to solve a mystery of deciphering ancient scrolls that was much needed. The banter between them was a highlight for me. I enjoyed how the author kept things YA between our two main characters...that felt more real and appropriate for this age group, but didn't scrimp on the yearning and longing...all the feels were there but not acted on too much. The side characters brought additional levity and warmth to the story.
Definitely lower stakes, but high on the fake dating and found family tropes and all just feel good.
Thank you to NetGalley, and Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for this ARC to read and review. My thoughts are my own.
January 29, 2026
This book is cozy romantasy comfort food and I ate it UP. Fake demon betrothal as a social deterrent?✅ Accidentally summoning the actual demon who bakes, decorates, and refuses to leave?✅
Naomi is bookish, tired, and just trying to translate ancient scrolls in peace.; so naturally the universe drops a gorgeous, mildly infuriating demon fiancé into her living room. Daziel has golden retriever energy wrapped in demon aesthetics, and their banter is stupid cute. Low angst, high vibes, whimsical magic chaos simmering in the background.
It’s soft, funny, and charming without trying too hard. Perfect if you want romance, magic, and a demon who treats domesticity like a love language. Cozy girlies, this one’s for you💕
Naomi is bookish, tired, and just trying to translate ancient scrolls in peace.; so naturally the universe drops a gorgeous, mildly infuriating demon fiancé into her living room. Daziel has golden retriever energy wrapped in demon aesthetics, and their banter is stupid cute. Low angst, high vibes, whimsical magic chaos simmering in the background.
It’s soft, funny, and charming without trying too hard. Perfect if you want romance, magic, and a demon who treats domesticity like a love language. Cozy girlies, this one’s for you💕
March 13, 2026
Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours and the publisher for a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Who could have guessed that accidentally summoning a demon could change Naomi’s entire life? Well it certainly did and the craziness of her world starts to depend on working with none other than the beautiful demon, Daziel.
This story was super unique and kept me engaged the whole time! Parts of the world building were a little off and the pacing seemed to be all over the place at times BUT overall it was a fun, interesting read. I wish there was an epilogue or news about a book two since it did leave on a very weird note, but I’ll just pretend that didn’t happen😅
Who could have guessed that accidentally summoning a demon could change Naomi’s entire life? Well it certainly did and the craziness of her world starts to depend on working with none other than the beautiful demon, Daziel.
This story was super unique and kept me engaged the whole time! Parts of the world building were a little off and the pacing seemed to be all over the place at times BUT overall it was a fun, interesting read. I wish there was an epilogue or news about a book two since it did leave on a very weird note, but I’ll just pretend that didn’t happen😅
February 3, 2026
4⭐️
🖤YA Cozy Romantasy
🖤Almost fantasy Anime vibes?
🖤Demons and magic
🖤A Magical Academy
🖤 Grumpy/Sunshine
🖤Magical Mysteries
🖤Witty Banter
(Spoiler-free as always) This read was so freaking cute. The whole book gave me fantasy anime vibes, a student being betrothed to a demon and trying to figure out what to do about it while also getting to class. It was humorous, romantic, witty, and overall an enjoyable read.
Thank you to Penguine Young Readers Group and GP Putnams Sons books for young readers for the gifted ARC.
🖤YA Cozy Romantasy
🖤Almost fantasy Anime vibes?
🖤Demons and magic
🖤A Magical Academy
🖤 Grumpy/Sunshine
🖤Magical Mysteries
🖤Witty Banter
(Spoiler-free as always) This read was so freaking cute. The whole book gave me fantasy anime vibes, a student being betrothed to a demon and trying to figure out what to do about it while also getting to class. It was humorous, romantic, witty, and overall an enjoyable read.
Thank you to Penguine Young Readers Group and GP Putnams Sons books for young readers for the gifted ARC.
Want to read
May 19, 2025"A cozy romantasy in which a magic academy student deters unwanted suitors by telling them she's betrothed to a demon—only to return home and find a demon waiting for her, insisting she honor the engagement, and the city's increasingly unpredictable magic means she might have bigger problems"
March 16, 2026
Thank you to GP Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a huge fan of all of the cozy genres that I’ve read so far, and I was ready to love this one just as much. I was even more interested in the ARC once I heard it had Jewish representation, since I don’t see that in fantasy as often as in other books. When I was offered the chance to receive a copy of this book, I was thrilled, and couldn’t wait to read it. Turns out, once I started reading I couldn’t put it down, and didn’t want to stop reading, so I flew through this one.
To start with, the Jewish representation in the book is outstanding, and I especially appreciated that it focused on Jewish joy and folklore rather than Jewish pain or persecution. The world that Reynolds creates is one where Jews are the dominant (or only) group, and Jewishness is casually woven throughout the story without feeling forced. The naming conventions follow ancient Jewish customs, for example, Naomi bat Yardena, meaning Naomi daughter of Yardena. The city of Talum is governed by the Sanhedrin, a religious and civil court based on the original Sanhedrin that ruled ancient Israel in the time of the Holy Temple.
The title was a bit misleading, in my opinion. It implies that the story is focused on dating the demon, but instead, Naomi spends a good portion of the story trying to rid herself of the demon. And when it comes to demons, Daziel is not the typical demon you’re thinking of: he’s a shayd (Jewish demon) and is bound by different rules, reading more like a Djinn than what I am used to seeing of a demon. Daziel was a fantastic character, and completely breaks the stereotype of your usual demons. This one is domestically trained, cooking and decorating, and being all-around helpful to his betrothed, even though she doesn’t recognize the betrothal as real.
Naomi is a girl with a good head on her shoulders. She’s smart, inquisitive, and witty, although she’s fed up with guys asking her out just to get closer to her powerful and influential aunt, who is part of the Sanhedrin of Talum. When she comes up with the brilliant idea of telling potential suitors that she is engaged to a demon, it seems like a great way to avoid being asked out. And it is … until she is asked to name her betrothed, and she comes up with Daziel. Unfortunately for her, Daziel is a real demon and her words are binding, so she is stuck with him. At least he’s charming and respectful, along with making himself helpful whenever possible.
Aside from the witty and engaging banter between Naomi and Daziel, I also loved seeing how they learned to work together as a team, even if they (or she, at least) didn’t want to have to cooperate. There are some other side plots, including one featuring the students deciphering an ancient scroll, reaching back to the deep Jewish tradition of learning and study. I really enjoyed seeing how Daziel, Naomi, and her other friends working in cryptology pieced together clues to figure out what the scroll had to say. The weather and magic system is changing in Talum, a city that sounded beautiful with echoes of Jerusalem’s sandstone buildings and boulangeries.
Unusually for a cozy fantasy, the stakes get more serious, and Naomi and her crew find themselves responsible for basically saving the world. I did really enjoy reading this story, and seeing how Reynolds incorporated Jewish culture, folklore, and mythology and kept it upfront was a wonderful feeling—seeing our practices, beliefs, and joy on the page was such a welcoming feeling when so few books offer good Jewish representation. The story moved fast, likely because of how busy it was with subplots, along with the romance slowly developing between Naomi and Daziel, no matter how much she resists it. The center part of the book felt a little too busy for me, making it confusing to keep track of everything going on, but overall, this is a fantastic read.
Bottom line: An outstanding book featuring Jewish joy and folklore in the context of a wonderful accidental romance between Naomi and a truly charming shayd, Daziel.
I’m a huge fan of all of the cozy genres that I’ve read so far, and I was ready to love this one just as much. I was even more interested in the ARC once I heard it had Jewish representation, since I don’t see that in fantasy as often as in other books. When I was offered the chance to receive a copy of this book, I was thrilled, and couldn’t wait to read it. Turns out, once I started reading I couldn’t put it down, and didn’t want to stop reading, so I flew through this one.
To start with, the Jewish representation in the book is outstanding, and I especially appreciated that it focused on Jewish joy and folklore rather than Jewish pain or persecution. The world that Reynolds creates is one where Jews are the dominant (or only) group, and Jewishness is casually woven throughout the story without feeling forced. The naming conventions follow ancient Jewish customs, for example, Naomi bat Yardena, meaning Naomi daughter of Yardena. The city of Talum is governed by the Sanhedrin, a religious and civil court based on the original Sanhedrin that ruled ancient Israel in the time of the Holy Temple.
The title was a bit misleading, in my opinion. It implies that the story is focused on dating the demon, but instead, Naomi spends a good portion of the story trying to rid herself of the demon. And when it comes to demons, Daziel is not the typical demon you’re thinking of: he’s a shayd (Jewish demon) and is bound by different rules, reading more like a Djinn than what I am used to seeing of a demon. Daziel was a fantastic character, and completely breaks the stereotype of your usual demons. This one is domestically trained, cooking and decorating, and being all-around helpful to his betrothed, even though she doesn’t recognize the betrothal as real.
Naomi is a girl with a good head on her shoulders. She’s smart, inquisitive, and witty, although she’s fed up with guys asking her out just to get closer to her powerful and influential aunt, who is part of the Sanhedrin of Talum. When she comes up with the brilliant idea of telling potential suitors that she is engaged to a demon, it seems like a great way to avoid being asked out. And it is … until she is asked to name her betrothed, and she comes up with Daziel. Unfortunately for her, Daziel is a real demon and her words are binding, so she is stuck with him. At least he’s charming and respectful, along with making himself helpful whenever possible.
Aside from the witty and engaging banter between Naomi and Daziel, I also loved seeing how they learned to work together as a team, even if they (or she, at least) didn’t want to have to cooperate. There are some other side plots, including one featuring the students deciphering an ancient scroll, reaching back to the deep Jewish tradition of learning and study. I really enjoyed seeing how Daziel, Naomi, and her other friends working in cryptology pieced together clues to figure out what the scroll had to say. The weather and magic system is changing in Talum, a city that sounded beautiful with echoes of Jerusalem’s sandstone buildings and boulangeries.
Unusually for a cozy fantasy, the stakes get more serious, and Naomi and her crew find themselves responsible for basically saving the world. I did really enjoy reading this story, and seeing how Reynolds incorporated Jewish culture, folklore, and mythology and kept it upfront was a wonderful feeling—seeing our practices, beliefs, and joy on the page was such a welcoming feeling when so few books offer good Jewish representation. The story moved fast, likely because of how busy it was with subplots, along with the romance slowly developing between Naomi and Daziel, no matter how much she resists it. The center part of the book felt a little too busy for me, making it confusing to keep track of everything going on, but overall, this is a fantastic read.
Bottom line: An outstanding book featuring Jewish joy and folklore in the context of a wonderful accidental romance between Naomi and a truly charming shayd, Daziel.
November 17, 2025
First off, thank you so much for the ARC! It was much appreciated, and I'm so thankful for the opportunity.
This book was such a fun read, and one that made me have plenty of little squeals and squirms while these two cutie pies navigated their feelings & also the secrets they were both keeping.
I'm making it a spoiler because I will be discussing the ending, and the twists, yes plural, as our lovely MMC was holding a lot of secrets. First and foremost, his name. While I think it's cute that to him he is Daziel to Naomi, that isn't his name. So once Naomi found that out and she continued to call him Daz, I found that a tad off putting.
Next, I thought this book was a standalone - it was not. This book is book 1 of hopefully only a duology? However I saw no indication of that anywhere, in the marketing or anywhere else. So for this giant cliffhanger of Daz being the crown prince of the not demons (I forget the other name I'm sorry!) and him having to leave was upsetting.
Now, the annoying bits aside, I want to discuss the bits I loved:
The found family, friendship, and world building!! I never felt like I was being given too much information regarding this world, everything was seamless and while there was some aspects of the Shayd's (I remembered!) magic I didn't get, I felt that made sense since Naomi didn't know either. However, the passive racism towards the Shayds was sad to see, but poignant. It demonstrated that no matter if it's fantasy, or real life, hate comes from what you don't know.
As the story progressed I found there were bits that would happen, and then not mentioned again, an example being Dez's upset over his ring being touched in the beginning, and then the story pivoting back to it when it became relavent. To me, it showed that the author truly thought out the story, and didn't leave anything to be filler.
The puzzle piece aspect of discovering the clues "Ziz" and more, I'm not a puzzle type of person, but I felt excited to discover the pieces too!! It was spellbinding.
To say that my only qualm was the lack of realization of it not being a standalone & Daz's secrets, I enjoyed this book heavily and WILL be reading book 2!
This book was such a fun read, and one that made me have plenty of little squeals and squirms while these two cutie pies navigated their feelings & also the secrets they were both keeping.
I'm making it a spoiler because I will be discussing the ending, and the twists, yes plural, as our lovely MMC was holding a lot of secrets. First and foremost, his name. While I think it's cute that to him he is Daziel to Naomi, that isn't his name. So once Naomi found that out and she continued to call him Daz, I found that a tad off putting.
Next, I thought this book was a standalone - it was not. This book is book 1 of hopefully only a duology? However I saw no indication of that anywhere, in the marketing or anywhere else. So for this giant cliffhanger of Daz being the crown prince of the not demons (I forget the other name I'm sorry!) and him having to leave was upsetting.
Now, the annoying bits aside, I want to discuss the bits I loved:
The found family, friendship, and world building!! I never felt like I was being given too much information regarding this world, everything was seamless and while there was some aspects of the Shayd's (I remembered!) magic I didn't get, I felt that made sense since Naomi didn't know either. However, the passive racism towards the Shayds was sad to see, but poignant. It demonstrated that no matter if it's fantasy, or real life, hate comes from what you don't know.
As the story progressed I found there were bits that would happen, and then not mentioned again, an example being Dez's upset over his ring being touched in the beginning, and then the story pivoting back to it when it became relavent. To me, it showed that the author truly thought out the story, and didn't leave anything to be filler.
The puzzle piece aspect of discovering the clues "Ziz" and more, I'm not a puzzle type of person, but I felt excited to discover the pieces too!! It was spellbinding.
To say that my only qualm was the lack of realization of it not being a standalone & Daz's secrets, I enjoyed this book heavily and WILL be reading book 2!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2026
"I claimed to be betrothed to a demon to get out of a date. Then the demon showed up at my door with a penchant for baking."
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon, and honestly? This book is pure magic. Hannah Reynolds has crafted a world that feels just a few degrees removed from our own, familiar enough to settle into, but strange enough to keep you constantly guessing.
What I Loved:
The Academic Setting: As someone who can never resist a "scholarship student at a magical Lyceum" trope, I loved Naomi. Seeing her balance ancient scroll translation with the chaos of dorm life made her so relatable.
The Chemistry: Naomi and Daziel have that "instant spark" that just works. Their banter is top-tier, and I loved the dynamic of a studious academic paired with a demon who is—let’s be real—adorably self-obsessed.
The World-Building: The way demons are integrated into society (suspicious but not outright hated) added such a unique layer of tension. The political intrigue involving Naomi’s aunt kept the stakes high without losing that "cozy" feeling.
The Payoff: Everything starts clicking into place around the 70% mark, and the momentum from there is incredible. Plus, I have to give credit where it’s due: this is one of the very few books where the 3rd act breakup actually felt earned and believable within the story.
If you’re looking for a whimsical, funny, and politically sharp romantasy, put this on your pre-order list immediately. I’m already crossing my fingers for more stories set in this world!
Thank you to @coloredpagesbt, @penguinteen, and @hannahelisawren for the review copy!
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon, and honestly? This book is pure magic. Hannah Reynolds has crafted a world that feels just a few degrees removed from our own, familiar enough to settle into, but strange enough to keep you constantly guessing.
What I Loved:
The Academic Setting: As someone who can never resist a "scholarship student at a magical Lyceum" trope, I loved Naomi. Seeing her balance ancient scroll translation with the chaos of dorm life made her so relatable.
The Chemistry: Naomi and Daziel have that "instant spark" that just works. Their banter is top-tier, and I loved the dynamic of a studious academic paired with a demon who is—let’s be real—adorably self-obsessed.
The World-Building: The way demons are integrated into society (suspicious but not outright hated) added such a unique layer of tension. The political intrigue involving Naomi’s aunt kept the stakes high without losing that "cozy" feeling.
The Payoff: Everything starts clicking into place around the 70% mark, and the momentum from there is incredible. Plus, I have to give credit where it’s due: this is one of the very few books where the 3rd act breakup actually felt earned and believable within the story.
If you’re looking for a whimsical, funny, and politically sharp romantasy, put this on your pre-order list immediately. I’m already crossing my fingers for more stories set in this world!
Thank you to @coloredpagesbt, @penguinteen, and @hannahelisawren for the review copy!
September 25, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4 stars
The story follows Naomi, a student who finds herself accidentally bethrothed to a demon after she invokes his name as an excuse to avoid going on dates with her classmates. When he shows up, they begin investigating his connection to the magical irregularities plaguing her city.
This story is whimsical and romantic. I really enjoyed how the relationship between Noami and Daziel developed, and the innocence of it. Naomi's character growth is fantastic throughout the story, and I loved seeing how that impacted her relationship with her peers, too. I also really enjoyed how the worlds of academia and court politics interacted with eachother.
The worldbuilding was not as fleshed out as I typically hope for, but it didn't detract from the story for me. I'm not sure if this is the start of a series, but I really hope it is as the ending lacked resolution for me and I'd love to learn more about the world and magic system.
Overall, this was a super sweet and cozy YA romantasy and I will definitely read more of this story and this author's works!
Thank you so much to Penguin Teen and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review!
The story follows Naomi, a student who finds herself accidentally bethrothed to a demon after she invokes his name as an excuse to avoid going on dates with her classmates. When he shows up, they begin investigating his connection to the magical irregularities plaguing her city.
This story is whimsical and romantic. I really enjoyed how the relationship between Noami and Daziel developed, and the innocence of it. Naomi's character growth is fantastic throughout the story, and I loved seeing how that impacted her relationship with her peers, too. I also really enjoyed how the worlds of academia and court politics interacted with eachother.
The worldbuilding was not as fleshed out as I typically hope for, but it didn't detract from the story for me. I'm not sure if this is the start of a series, but I really hope it is as the ending lacked resolution for me and I'd love to learn more about the world and magic system.
Overall, this was a super sweet and cozy YA romantasy and I will definitely read more of this story and this author's works!
Thank you so much to Penguin Teen and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review!
February 4, 2026
this was pitched to me right before the pub date and while it’s not necessarily something i would have picked up on my own, i was intrigued.
i really liked naomi and daziel. she’s smart and driven; he’s charming and coy. together they have animosity for days and i was here for it. eventually, they actually start talking and want to spend time together and it was fun to read them organically turn into something more. of course, i would have loved a chapter from daziel’s pov, but it’s understandable why we didn’t get one.
plot wise, it’s interesting. there are a lot of moving pieces between the relationship between our MCs, the school and research, and the overall magic of the world. i do wish that we would have gotten a little more background on the world building as it seemed like i was just supposed to know what was going on.
overall, i was really invested in these two characters and i really hope we get more from them because that ending was really unsatisfying.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
i really liked naomi and daziel. she’s smart and driven; he’s charming and coy. together they have animosity for days and i was here for it. eventually, they actually start talking and want to spend time together and it was fun to read them organically turn into something more. of course, i would have loved a chapter from daziel’s pov, but it’s understandable why we didn’t get one.
plot wise, it’s interesting. there are a lot of moving pieces between the relationship between our MCs, the school and research, and the overall magic of the world. i do wish that we would have gotten a little more background on the world building as it seemed like i was just supposed to know what was going on.
overall, i was really invested in these two characters and i really hope we get more from them because that ending was really unsatisfying.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
December 6, 2025
What a fun YA book!
The story comes at you quick with its introduction to her demon insanely fast. BUT I kind of feel like it works for how fun and goofy this book feels.
It’s a true YA where kissing feels exciting and like the beginning something novel!
I loved the main character. She’s level headed and honestly, her logic and reasoning are sound! Everything she does is justified. The most unrealistic thing she does is ignore something big and continue on like it didn’t happen, but that’s realistic too !
Our MMC is easy to love and his characteristics are consistently known throughout. You cannot picture anything other than a demon, but he’s got a great personality!
The story is packed full of surprises, challenges, and a little bit of romance! I thought it was a fun read and a great way to spend an afternoon.
The story comes at you quick with its introduction to her demon insanely fast. BUT I kind of feel like it works for how fun and goofy this book feels.
It’s a true YA where kissing feels exciting and like the beginning something novel!
I loved the main character. She’s level headed and honestly, her logic and reasoning are sound! Everything she does is justified. The most unrealistic thing she does is ignore something big and continue on like it didn’t happen, but that’s realistic too !
Our MMC is easy to love and his characteristics are consistently known throughout. You cannot picture anything other than a demon, but he’s got a great personality!
The story is packed full of surprises, challenges, and a little bit of romance! I thought it was a fun read and a great way to spend an afternoon.
September 28, 2025
such a fun one :)
January 26, 2026
Thank you Penguin Random House for this book in exchange for my honest review. I found it creative, sweet, and I really enjoyed the characters. Even though the book is fantasy, I would say the length was too long for my liking.
February 7, 2026
This was a fun read. I liked the unexpected way the demon was portrayed. The worldbuilding was a bit off, but this was solid.
February 12, 2026
Please let this become a series, I have questions!
February 10, 2026
Naomi would rather focus on her studies than dating. Fragments of ancient scrolls and written word magic capture her attention, and help her keep her scholarship, so much more than the boys who ask her out in hopes of meeting her politician aunt. To keep them away she claims to have a betrothed, a demon betrothed, very jealous, madly in love with her, and all is well if slightly embarrassing until she names her fiancé. Until Daziel shows up in her dorm room in the flesh, declaring himself her betrothed and remaining stubbornly unbanished regardless of her efforts. With her scholarship on the line and the city’s winds and magic growing ever more unbalanced an, admittedly gorgeous, more or less well-behaved demon willing to help her with her studies and more than happy to bake is hardly the worst entity to have around, even if it seems like he might know more about what is going on than he should. Even as it seems more and more like her studies might be leading her into something bigger than she could possibly handle alone.
Hannah Reynolds’ A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon is an interesting book, solidly written with a setting I want to know more about and characters that I really liked.
Naomi and Daziel are both charming characters, Daziel to a fault and Naomi as a result of her being a deeply dedicated student, who is allowed to remain largely more interested in her studies than the romance aspects of the story. And while this is a romantasy novel and thus very focused in on Naomi and Daziel, the rest of the cast is solidly sketched out and well used. I like these characters and enjoyed seeing Naomi’s relationships with them, especially when they were given a chance to develop and change. Special shout out here to Naomi’s classmates from Professor Altschuler’s class moving from being older students she saw as rivals, who she expected saw her as a rival, to a team that clearly liked and respected her, but also that she respected and trusted. It was a good sign of her character development outside of her relationship with Daziel.
Admittedly, her relationship with Daziel felt like it was both in the spotlight of the novel and also off to the side. It was never fully sidelined, and the two certainly get closer emotionally, but Daziel can feel rather static. He starts off helpful and flirty and, despite some character reveals, pretty well stays that way through out. We do see moments of Daziel as selfish and hurt, as willing to lash out a bit when he is upset, but he always returns to his baseline characterization pretty quickly. For a book with a fairly expansive cast I can only think of a couple of characters who are his rather than Naomi’s friends or classmates.
Combined with how much time in the early book is spent on establishing the setting and the scroll that Naomi’s class is trying to reconstruct, it almost feels like the romance is a side plot rather than a focus of the story. The Lyceum school plot does a lot of heavy lifting, drawing attention to just how strangely the world around the Lyceum is acting and the ways the setting works as a lived in world, while also setting up key details for later on. But there are a handful of places where it feels like events could have occurred earlier in the book to better tie everything together. Because there was so much set up, the climax and ending seemed a bit rushed, with a lot of reveals and high emotional points that felt like they needed more space to breath. It makes me feel like I want a second book that has more room for romance over scholarship.
I greatly enjoyed A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon and I look forward to seeing more from Hannah Reynolds. I liked the setting, the characters were solid, and it makes me want to see more of the romance developing. It is a really solid book and earns a four out of five from me. Definitely give it a look if you get the chance.
This review was originally posted to Lauren's Bookshelf. A copy of A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon was provided to me by the publisher for review.
Hannah Reynolds’ A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon is an interesting book, solidly written with a setting I want to know more about and characters that I really liked.
Naomi and Daziel are both charming characters, Daziel to a fault and Naomi as a result of her being a deeply dedicated student, who is allowed to remain largely more interested in her studies than the romance aspects of the story. And while this is a romantasy novel and thus very focused in on Naomi and Daziel, the rest of the cast is solidly sketched out and well used. I like these characters and enjoyed seeing Naomi’s relationships with them, especially when they were given a chance to develop and change. Special shout out here to Naomi’s classmates from Professor Altschuler’s class moving from being older students she saw as rivals, who she expected saw her as a rival, to a team that clearly liked and respected her, but also that she respected and trusted. It was a good sign of her character development outside of her relationship with Daziel.
Admittedly, her relationship with Daziel felt like it was both in the spotlight of the novel and also off to the side. It was never fully sidelined, and the two certainly get closer emotionally, but Daziel can feel rather static. He starts off helpful and flirty and, despite some character reveals, pretty well stays that way through out. We do see moments of Daziel as selfish and hurt, as willing to lash out a bit when he is upset, but he always returns to his baseline characterization pretty quickly. For a book with a fairly expansive cast I can only think of a couple of characters who are his rather than Naomi’s friends or classmates.
Combined with how much time in the early book is spent on establishing the setting and the scroll that Naomi’s class is trying to reconstruct, it almost feels like the romance is a side plot rather than a focus of the story. The Lyceum school plot does a lot of heavy lifting, drawing attention to just how strangely the world around the Lyceum is acting and the ways the setting works as a lived in world, while also setting up key details for later on. But there are a handful of places where it feels like events could have occurred earlier in the book to better tie everything together. Because there was so much set up, the climax and ending seemed a bit rushed, with a lot of reveals and high emotional points that felt like they needed more space to breath. It makes me feel like I want a second book that has more room for romance over scholarship.
I greatly enjoyed A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon and I look forward to seeing more from Hannah Reynolds. I liked the setting, the characters were solid, and it makes me want to see more of the romance developing. It is a really solid book and earns a four out of five from me. Definitely give it a look if you get the chance.
This review was originally posted to Lauren's Bookshelf. A copy of A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon was provided to me by the publisher for review.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Originally reviewed on StoryGraph: 4.25 ⭐️ rounded down
Thank you to Goodreads for hosting a giveaway for this book and the author for sending me a free copy. Nothing was promised in exchange for this book.
This book was an absolute joy to read. I'd forgotten the premise of this book after I won it, but I decided not to reread it to go in as blind as possible. I was having a great time from the first chapter when Daziel showed up. I loved the concept of a girl accidentally summoning a demon because she was lying about being engaged to one.
I wish this book had a map in the front because I had a somewhat hard time picturing what was where and how far places were from each other. There might be one in the finished copy of the book, so the lack of one doesn't affect my rating.
I'm not Jewish and don't have much experience with the culture, but I really liked how rooted this book was in Jewish mythology and the religion. It's different from anything I've read before and I wish there was more Jewish inspiration in fantasy novels. I do think that a glossary would've been helpful in general, but also for people to better understand the Jewish/Hebrew terms.
I thought the magic system was interesting and easy to follow. I didn't understand exactly how it worked or what all the rules were, but everything made sense in the context of the story. I do wish there was more of an explanation of what kind of magic they could do versus a shayd, but I'm hoping if we get another book in this universe, it'll be expanded upon.
I liked Naomi as a character and found her relatable. She's a scholarship student struggling to keep up in a new environment. I loved how she wasn't perfect and she grew to prioritize her friendships and being kinder. She also learned that she was somewhat selfish and didn't take Daziel's emotions as seriously on the beginning. I liked Daziel too. He made mistakes, but I think he truly did what he thought was best with the skills and information he had. I do wish we got more of his backstory in this book. I felt the chemistry between them, but I wasn't fully invested because I could tell Daziel was hiding something and I knew that was going to cause some tension in the relationship.
The mystery was interesting and I liked seeing the characters working together through it and try different things. It wasn't the most engaging mystery I've read, but it worked with the plot and gave a more cozy, low-stakes feel. I also liked how it felt like a very small plot point in the beginning, but grew as it became more important to the world and characters.
The way that this book ended very strongly hints that there will be a sequel, but the book isn't marketed at all as the first in a series and I don't see anything on Goodreads about a follow-up. I'm rating this book with the assumption that there will be a sequel because I don't consider this book a complete story. If this book does end up being a standalone, I'll probably lower my rating since the relationship is up in the air and there are too many loose threads.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I'd absolutely recommend it to anybody that likes YA fantasy. It is very YA, so I probably wouldn't recommend it if you want fully mature characters or spice. I'd read another book by this author, but tend to stray from YA romances that aren't fantasy, so I'm not sure I'd read anything this author already wrote. I would definitely read a sequel to this novel though, without a second thought.
Thank you to Goodreads for hosting a giveaway for this book and the author for sending me a free copy. Nothing was promised in exchange for this book.
This book was an absolute joy to read. I'd forgotten the premise of this book after I won it, but I decided not to reread it to go in as blind as possible. I was having a great time from the first chapter when Daziel showed up. I loved the concept of a girl accidentally summoning a demon because she was lying about being engaged to one.
I wish this book had a map in the front because I had a somewhat hard time picturing what was where and how far places were from each other. There might be one in the finished copy of the book, so the lack of one doesn't affect my rating.
I'm not Jewish and don't have much experience with the culture, but I really liked how rooted this book was in Jewish mythology and the religion. It's different from anything I've read before and I wish there was more Jewish inspiration in fantasy novels. I do think that a glossary would've been helpful in general, but also for people to better understand the Jewish/Hebrew terms.
I thought the magic system was interesting and easy to follow. I didn't understand exactly how it worked or what all the rules were, but everything made sense in the context of the story. I do wish there was more of an explanation of what kind of magic they could do versus a shayd, but I'm hoping if we get another book in this universe, it'll be expanded upon.
I liked Naomi as a character and found her relatable. She's a scholarship student struggling to keep up in a new environment. I loved how she wasn't perfect and she grew to prioritize her friendships and being kinder. She also learned that she was somewhat selfish and didn't take Daziel's emotions as seriously on the beginning. I liked Daziel too. He made mistakes, but I think he truly did what he thought was best with the skills and information he had. I do wish we got more of his backstory in this book. I felt the chemistry between them, but I wasn't fully invested because I could tell Daziel was hiding something and I knew that was going to cause some tension in the relationship.
The mystery was interesting and I liked seeing the characters working together through it and try different things. It wasn't the most engaging mystery I've read, but it worked with the plot and gave a more cozy, low-stakes feel. I also liked how it felt like a very small plot point in the beginning, but grew as it became more important to the world and characters.
The way that this book ended very strongly hints that there will be a sequel, but the book isn't marketed at all as the first in a series and I don't see anything on Goodreads about a follow-up. I'm rating this book with the assumption that there will be a sequel because I don't consider this book a complete story. If this book does end up being a standalone, I'll probably lower my rating since the relationship is up in the air and there are too many loose threads.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I'd absolutely recommend it to anybody that likes YA fantasy. It is very YA, so I probably wouldn't recommend it if you want fully mature characters or spice. I'd read another book by this author, but tend to stray from YA romances that aren't fantasy, so I'm not sure I'd read anything this author already wrote. I would definitely read a sequel to this novel though, without a second thought.
February 3, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon” by Hannah Reynolds is a charming, cozy YA romantasy that leans fully into whimsy, academic fantasy, and soft, awkward first love. With a delightfully absurd premise involving accidentally summoning a real demon because you lied about being engaged, this book is pure fun from the very first chapter.
Naomi is a scholarship student trying to survive an elite academic environment when a small lie spirals wildly out of control. To avoid unwanted attention, she claims she’s betrothed to a demon and promptly summons Daziel, an actual one. What follows is a sweet, low-stakes fantasy mystery involving magical disturbances, ancient texts, and a relationship neither of them expected. The story moves quickly, but the rapid introduction of Daziel oddly works, matching the book’s playful, slightly chaotic tone.
The romance is the heart of the story. Naomi and Daziel’s dynamic, which feels like sunshine x grumpy with a dash of mutual insecurity, is genuinely endearing. Their relationship develops with a refreshing emotional maturity for a YA story while still capturing the excitement and uncertainty of first love. Daziel, in particular, is a standout: gruff, principled, secretly soft, and impossible not to fall for. Their banter is witty, their moments together are tender, and when the book leans into their connection, it truly shines. That said, I did want more of those moments as the plot often pulls the two apart for school life, research, and side investigations.
The academic setting and the combination of classroom life with magical court politics add an interesting layer, and the book’s grounding in Jewish mythology and Hebrew-inspired magic is a refreshing and welcome change from more familiar fantasy influences. While the magic system and worldbuilding are intriguing, they aren’t really fully fleshed out, and the story introduces quite a few terms and concepts that could have benefited from a glossary or deeper explanation. Still, everything works well enough within the context of the story to keep the reading experience smooth and cozy.
Naomi’s character growth is another highlight. She starts out practical and self-focused, but over time learns to value her friendships, consider others’ feelings more deeply, and question the pressure she puts on herself. The mystery at the center of the story is gentle rather than intense; it’s more “cozy puzzle” than high-stakes thriller, which suits the overall tone nicely.
The biggest weakness of the book is its ending. The final chapters feel rushed, with several emotional and plot threads left unresolved. The conclusion strongly suggests a sequel, so I really hope there is one because I would definitely read it.
Overall, “A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon” is a sweet, whimsical YA romantasy filled with academic vibes, a lovable demon love interest, and a cozy, low-stakes mystery. While the worldbuilding and ending could use more depth and breathing room, the charming premise, strong character growth, and tender romance make this a delightful read, especially for fans of sunshine x grumpy dynamics and soft, magical love stories.
“A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon” by Hannah Reynolds is a charming, cozy YA romantasy that leans fully into whimsy, academic fantasy, and soft, awkward first love. With a delightfully absurd premise involving accidentally summoning a real demon because you lied about being engaged, this book is pure fun from the very first chapter.
Naomi is a scholarship student trying to survive an elite academic environment when a small lie spirals wildly out of control. To avoid unwanted attention, she claims she’s betrothed to a demon and promptly summons Daziel, an actual one. What follows is a sweet, low-stakes fantasy mystery involving magical disturbances, ancient texts, and a relationship neither of them expected. The story moves quickly, but the rapid introduction of Daziel oddly works, matching the book’s playful, slightly chaotic tone.
The romance is the heart of the story. Naomi and Daziel’s dynamic, which feels like sunshine x grumpy with a dash of mutual insecurity, is genuinely endearing. Their relationship develops with a refreshing emotional maturity for a YA story while still capturing the excitement and uncertainty of first love. Daziel, in particular, is a standout: gruff, principled, secretly soft, and impossible not to fall for. Their banter is witty, their moments together are tender, and when the book leans into their connection, it truly shines. That said, I did want more of those moments as the plot often pulls the two apart for school life, research, and side investigations.
The academic setting and the combination of classroom life with magical court politics add an interesting layer, and the book’s grounding in Jewish mythology and Hebrew-inspired magic is a refreshing and welcome change from more familiar fantasy influences. While the magic system and worldbuilding are intriguing, they aren’t really fully fleshed out, and the story introduces quite a few terms and concepts that could have benefited from a glossary or deeper explanation. Still, everything works well enough within the context of the story to keep the reading experience smooth and cozy.
Naomi’s character growth is another highlight. She starts out practical and self-focused, but over time learns to value her friendships, consider others’ feelings more deeply, and question the pressure she puts on herself. The mystery at the center of the story is gentle rather than intense; it’s more “cozy puzzle” than high-stakes thriller, which suits the overall tone nicely.
The biggest weakness of the book is its ending. The final chapters feel rushed, with several emotional and plot threads left unresolved. The conclusion strongly suggests a sequel, so I really hope there is one because I would definitely read it.
Overall, “A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon” is a sweet, whimsical YA romantasy filled with academic vibes, a lovable demon love interest, and a cozy, low-stakes mystery. While the worldbuilding and ending could use more depth and breathing room, the charming premise, strong character growth, and tender romance make this a delightful read, especially for fans of sunshine x grumpy dynamics and soft, magical love stories.
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