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A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon

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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 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 other 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.

Audible Audio

First published February 3, 2026

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About the author

Hannah Reynolds

6 books282 followers
Hi 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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Profile Image for Hannah Reynolds.
Author 6 books282 followers
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.
Profile Image for tiana ♡.
319 reviews29 followers
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 🤭😩
Profile Image for Kimmi.
243 reviews4 followers
January 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. It’s a fun setup with a lot of potential to be my favorite kind of story.

I was hoping for more romance, romantic-comedy moments, and swoony scenes, but overall the book was just okay for me. The story focuses on Naomi’s daily school life and her work translating a scroll, which sometimes took away from the romance because Daziel was off playing sport or baking, I just wanted more moments of them together.

I genuinely enjoyed Naomi and Daziel’s relationship. I’m a sucker for a sunshine x grumpy trope, and this dynamic was done really well. Their interactions were definitely a highlight which I obviously wanted more of. LOL

The world-building could have used a bit more development, but I still enjoyed the fantasy setting. My biggest issue was with the final few chapters, they felt extremely rushed, almost like the story was cut short because the author hit the deadline or she was setting it up for a 2nd book. I hope there's a second book planned because the ending felt very rushed. It was pretty disappointing ending and I’m really hoping a sequel happens so we can get some closure.


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.
Profile Image for Ellie.
147 reviews1 follower
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).
Profile Image for rachel x.
870 reviews96 followers
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"
Profile Image for Darth C.
444 reviews31 followers
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💕
Profile Image for Brittany.
126 reviews4 followers
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 entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Andi.
281 reviews29 followers
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!
Profile Image for Stacee.
3,047 reviews758 followers
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**
Profile Image for Paulina.
112 reviews2 followers
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.
Profile Image for Scarlett Kouyou.
105 reviews19 followers
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.
Profile Image for Maggie.
Author 2 books55 followers
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.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
3,088 reviews96 followers
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.
Profile Image for Sydney Moore.
239 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
January 26, 2026
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.
627 reviews13 followers
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.
38 reviews1 follower
October 20, 2025
Review: A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon by Hannah Reynolds
Publisher: Penguin Teen
Format: ARC courtesy of the publisher

If you’ve ever wished your fake dating excuse could conjure an actual demon who bakes, redecorates, and helps you investigate magical corruption… well, welcome to Talum.

Hannah Reynolds delivers a whimsical, cozy romantasy that leans into charm rather than chaos. Naomi, a studious scholarship student at a magical academy, is both book-smart and emotionally guarded, which makes her the perfect match for Daziel, a demon with charisma, a knack for domestic bliss, and more to his story than he lets on. Their dynamic is classic opposites-attract with an academic fantasy twist, and it works.

The narrative keeps things light and witty while also threading through bigger themes: belonging, ambition, and the fear of not being enough. Naomi’s gradual growth, especially in how she relates to both peers and power, is a highlight. The romantic tension is sweet and slow-building, grounded in mutual respect and a shared sense of curiosity, rather than just banter or drama.

The magical mystery plot adds stakes without ever tipping the story out of its comfortingly cozy tone. While the world-building is serviceable (more vibes than systems), it’s the kind of warm, inviting fantasy landscape you want to linger in: bustling markets, enchanted libraries, and yes, those adorable-sounding bakeries.

If there’s a drawback, it’s the lack of firm resolution. Several threads are left loosely tied by the end, which may frustrate readers expecting a self-contained plot. Here’s hoping it signals a sequel rather than a structural gap.

A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon is a gentle, page-turning delight—perfect for readers who want their fantasy soft, their romance slow-burn, and their demons lightly sarcastic and secretly softhearted.

Recommended for: Fans of Sorcery of Thorns, A Marvellous Light, or The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches looking for a YA take with romantic fluff and magical intrigue.

Not recommended for: Readers craving intense action, elaborate world-building, or steamy romance. This one is more tea and spells than daggers and declarations.

Rating: 4 stars
Profile Image for Ashley - The Tattered Page.
619 reviews27 followers
February 1, 2026
🎧📖𝒜𝐿𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌📖🎧

𝒜 𝒫𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉𝒾𝒸𝒶𝓁 𝒢𝓊𝒾𝒹𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒟𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶 𝒟𝑒𝓂𝑜𝓃 ʙʏ ʜᴀɴɴᴀʜ ʀᴇʏɴᴏʟᴅs

𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔: 🥀🥀🥀🥀 ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ 𝟻 ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ʀᴏsᴇs

✨ 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝓀✨

ғᴀᴋᴇ ᴅᴇᴍᴏɴ ғɪᴀɴᴄé… ᴇxᴄᴇᴘᴛ ʜᴇ’s ʀᴇᴀʟ, ᴅᴏᴍᴇsᴛɪᴄ, ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴀᴋɪɴɢ ʙʀᴇᴀᴅ.

𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌:

ʜᴜɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀʜ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ ғᴏʀ ɢɪғᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴀʟᴄ!

ᴛʜɪs ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ɪs ᴀɴ ᴀʙsᴏʟᴜᴛᴇ ᴅᴇʟɪɢʜᴛ. ᴄᴏᴢʏ, ᴡʜɪᴍsɪᴄᴀʟ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ, ɪᴛ ᴅᴇʟɪᴠᴇʀs sᴏғᴛ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʀᴇᴀʟ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ sᴛᴀᴋᴇs. ᴛʜɪs ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ғᴇʟᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴄᴜʀʟɪɴɢ ᴜᴘ ɪɴ ᴀ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄᴀʟ ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ᴀ ᴅᴇᴍᴏɴ ʀᴇᴀʀʀᴀɴɢᴇs ʏᴏᴜʀ ғᴜʀɴɪᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘʀᴇᴛᴇɴᴅs ʜᴇ ᴅᴇғɪɴɪᴛᴇʟʏ ɪsɴ’ᴛ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟʟʏ ɪɴᴠᴇsᴛᴇᴅ. ɪᴛ’s ᴄʜᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ, ғᴜɴɴʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴏᴡ-sᴛʀᴇss, ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ sᴛʀᴏɴɢ ᴀᴄᴀᴅᴇᴍɪᴄ ғᴍᴄ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ sᴜʀᴘʀɪsɪɴɢʟʏ ᴅᴏᴍᴇsᴛɪᴄ ᴅᴇᴍᴏɴ ᴍᴍᴄ. ɴᴀᴏᴍɪ ɪs sᴍᴀʀᴛ, ᴅʀɪᴠᴇɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴜɴɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇsᴛᴇᴅ ɪɴ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ—ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ᴅᴀᴢɪᴇʟ ᴄʀᴀsʜᴇs ɪɴᴛᴏ ʜᴇʀ ʟɪғᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴄɪɴɴᴀᴍᴏɴ-ʀᴏʟʟ ᴅᴇᴍᴏɴ ᴇɴᴇʀɢʏ.

ᴛʜᴀᴛ sᴀɪᴅ—ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴs ᴍᴀᴛᴛᴇʀ ʜᴇʀᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ɪs ᴠᴇʀʏ sʟᴏᴡ-ʙᴜʀɴ ᴀɴᴅ ʟɪɢʜᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴡʜᴀᴛ “ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴛᴀsʏ” ᴍᴀʀᴋᴇᴛɪɴɢ ᴍɪɢʜᴛ ʟᴇᴀᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴄᴏɴɴᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ ɪs ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪᴛ sɪᴍᴍᴇʀs ǫᴜɪᴇᴛʟʏ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴀᴄᴋɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʟᴏᴛ ʟᴇᴀɴs ᴍᴏʀᴇ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄᴀʟ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ, ᴡᴏʀʟᴅʙᴜɪʟᴅɪɴɢ, ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴀᴏᴍɪ ғɪɴᴅɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀ ғᴏᴏᴛɪɴɢ.

ᴀʟsᴏ ᴡᴏʀᴛʜ ғʟᴀɢɢɪɴɢ: ᴛʜɪs ᴇɴᴅs ᴏɴ ᴀ ᴄʟɪғғʜᴀɴɢᴇʀ, ᴅᴇsᴘɪᴛᴇ ɴᴏ ᴄʟᴇᴀʀ ɪɴᴅɪᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ɪᴛ’s ᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴏғ ᴀ sᴇʀɪᴇs. ɪ ᴡᴀs ɢᴇɴᴜɪɴᴇʟʏ ᴄᴀᴜɢʜᴛ ᴏғғ ɢᴜᴀʀᴅ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪᴛ sᴛᴏᴘᴘᴇᴅ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴀs ᴛʜɪɴɢs ᴡᴇʀᴇ ʀᴀᴍᴘɪɴɢ ᴜᴘ.

🎙️ 𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃:
ᴡᴀʀᴍ, ᴇxᴘʀᴇssɪᴠᴇ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʟᴇᴀɴs ɪɴᴛᴏ ʜᴜᴍᴏʀ ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ, ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ʙᴀɴᴛᴇʀ-ғɪʟʟᴇᴅ sᴄᴇɴᴇ sʜɪɴᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ɪs ᴡᴀʀᴍ, ᴇxᴘʀᴇssɪᴠᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴇʀғᴇᴄᴛʟʏ sᴜɪᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴢʏ ᴛᴏɴᴇ. ɴᴀᴏᴍɪ’s ᴇxᴀsᴘᴇʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴀᴢɪᴇʟ’s ɪɴғᴜʀɪᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴄᴀʟᴍ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪғᴜʟʟʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴀɴᴛᴇʀ ᴀʙsᴏʟᴜᴛᴇʟʏ sʜɪɴᴇs ɪɴ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ. ᴛʜɪs ɪs ᴀɴ ᴇxᴄᴇʟʟᴇɴᴛ “ᴄᴏᴍғᴏʀᴛ ʟɪsᴛᴇɴ.”

𝒯𝓇𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓈 & 𝒱𝒾𝒷𝑒𝓈:

✨ ғᴀᴋᴇ ᴅᴀᴛɪɴɢ x ʀᴇᴀʟ ʙᴇᴛʜʀᴏᴛʜᴀʟ

✨ ᴅᴏᴍᴇsᴛɪᴄ ᴅᴇᴍᴏɴ ᴍᴍᴄ x sᴛʀᴀɪɢʜᴛʟᴀᴄᴇᴅ, sᴄʜᴏʟᴀʀ ғᴍᴄ

✨ ᴄᴏᴢʏ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴛᴀsʏ

✨ sʟᴏᴡ-ʙᴜʀɴ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ

✨ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄᴀʟ ᴀᴄᴀᴅᴇᴍɪᴀ
✨ ᴀɴᴄɪᴇɴᴛ sᴄʀᴏʟʟs
✨ ᴀɴ ᴀᴄᴀᴅᴇᴍʏ ғᴏʀ sᴘᴇʟʟ ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ

𝐹𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒹𝒾𝒸𝓉:
ᴘᴜʀᴇ ᴄᴏᴢʏ ᴊᴏʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ sᴛᴇᴀʟ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ, ᴛʜɪs ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ɪs ᴀ ᴅᴇʟɪɢʜᴛ. ᴡʜɪᴍsɪᴄᴀʟ, ᴄᴏᴍғᴏʀᴛɪɴɢ, ᴀɴᴅ ǫᴜɪᴇᴛʟʏ ᴇɴᴄʜᴀɴᴛɪɴɢ, ɪᴛ’s ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɪɴᴅ ᴏғ ʟɪsᴛᴇɴ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇs ʏᴏᴜ ғᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ ʟɪɢʜᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ sᴛᴀʀᴛᴇᴅ. ɪғ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴀ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴛᴀsʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ғᴇᴇʟs sᴀғᴇ, ᴄᴏᴢʏ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀʀᴍɪɴɢ—ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ᴍʏsᴛᴇʀʏ ᴛᴏ ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴏᴏᴋᴇᴅ—ᴛʜɪs ᴏɴᴇ ᴀʙsᴏʟᴜᴛᴇʟʏ ᴅᴇʟɪᴠᴇʀs.

ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ!
𝒜𝓈𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓎
ʙᴏᴏᴋsᴛᴀɢʀᴀᴍ: @ᴛʜᴇᴛᴀᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅᴘᴀɢᴇ

NOTE:
—ends in cliffhanger even though there isn’t any indication or marketing suggesting a series…
—not as much romance as one would expect from a Romantasy
Profile Image for Lauren.
434 reviews4 followers
February 7, 2026
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Let me start off by saying something potentially controversial: I hate the title of this book.

Why? Because it's giving "rom com" vibes when the story is far more "romantasy." The romance is central to the story, yes, but it never felt like the point... Does that make sense? The overall atmosphere of the story was a mix of cozy and light academia, very low in stakes (even when the world was supposedly ending) and lacking in conflict—to the point that I was pulled out of the story a bit. I mean, what magical school is going to immediately believe a bunch of students when they suggest "a primordial beast is injured, but don't worry, we have the one tool needed to fix it! if you would just give us more resources...." But maybe this is just a me thing; maybe I've been consuming way too much YA/New Adult romantasy where the characters are forced to fight tooth and nail to get anything done (I'm lookin' at you, Fourth Wing...).

I really liked the setting—if anyone has read The Great Library series by Rachel Caine, this book gave me big Alexandria vibes—and the vibrant descriptions of the food, architecture, natural landscapes, etc. I enjoyed Naomi and Daziel as partners in crime, despite the moments of doubt towards the end of the story (we LOVE a committed man!). I was intrigued by the structures of the Lyceum and the council, fascinated by all the translation discussion, and the intricate magical differences between species. And while I wish we could've gotten a little more in the way of secondary character presence and impact on the narrative, I appreciated that it never felt too centralized on Naomi and Daziel; there was always a group never far away, so the moments when they were alone together felt much more precious as a result.

I have been disappointed lately by books labeled "cozy fantasy," so this was a genuine and welcome surprise. I had a great reading experience and would happily recommend if you're looking for a little escape from reality!

4.25 out of 5 ⭐️s
Profile Image for Eleni | elenisbookshelf.
87 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 27, 2026
2.5 ☆ rounded up

Naomi lies about being betrothed to a demon to get away from dates, and she accidentally ends up summoning a real demon. There are many human x demon stories I've loved in the past, so I was excited about this one, though I struggled with some aspects.

Despite the title, this isn’t really a “guide” to dating a demon. Naomi spends much of the book trying to undo the summoning rather than actually navigating a relationship, and the romance itself felt more like a minor subplot. Most of Naomi and Daziel’s bonding happens around her academic work (like translating an ancient scroll), which ended up being the true heart of the story. That plotline was quite interesting (though confusing at times), especially the focus on language, translation, and unstable magic within the city.

The character dynamics were a highlight for me. Naomi and Daziel have solid banter, with a grumpy/sunshine trope that led to some genuinely funny moments, especially as Daziel tries to understand human customs. I wish we saw more of it. Their chemistry was present in flashes, but not enough for the romance to feel fully developed or emotionally satisfying.

The world-building could have used more clarity and depth. At times, I felt unsure about locations, magical rules, or the broader scope of the world before the plot moved forward. The final quarter of the book introduced a lot of new information very quickly, and the ending felt abrupt.

Overall, this was an enjoyable but uneven read. I’d describe this as a YA fantasy in an academic setting, with good humor and banter. The setup had a lot of potential, the academic magic is interesting, and the character banter is a lot of fun—but the romance, world-building, and ending felt underdeveloped for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Reader’s Group, and G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC. Expected publication date: February 3, 2026.

Bookstagram
Profile Image for Helen Freire.
88 reviews
February 5, 2026
I actually finished this book days ago, but life got busy and I needed a moment to sit down and write this review, so here we go!
The premise of A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon is genuinely fun and creative, mixing magical academia, demons, and romance in a cozy YA romantasy setting.
Naomi, a practical and academically driven student, jokingly claims she’s dating a demon to avoid unwanted attention (that would lead to a meeting with her influential aunt) just to discover that saying it out loud brings an actual demon, Daziel, right into her life. From that moment on, things spiral into magical chaos she definitely didn’t plan for.
This story leans heavily into the cozy side of fantasy, slowly developing into a romantic and slightly mysterious narrative. While the main focus is Naomi and Daziel’s relationship that in the end has evolved with banter, tension, and gradual emotional growth. The plot also revolves around a strange magical situation involving supernatural creatures and people dissaperance. This mystery pulls the pair into an unexpected investigation, adding intrigue beyond just the romance.
I really enjoyed the romantic aspect of the story and the dynamic between Naomi and Daziel, which felt sweet and entertaining. However, the plot does feel weak at times, and the pacing can be slow, especially when it comes to action, it often takes several chapters to fully get there. That said, even with its slower moments, the story remains engaging if you’re looking for a cozy, character-driven romance rather than a fast-paced fantasy.
Overall, A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon is a charming, lighthearted read with magical academia vibes, a soft slow-burn romance, and just enough mystery to keep things interesting. It’s a great pick for readers who enjoy cozy romantasy and don’t mind a gentler, slower-moving plot.

Profile Image for Sara.
335 reviews
January 30, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was very cute. I found the world building to be very interesting and I enjoyed Daziel the most. He was very well rounded and silly in the best possible ways.

The growth Naomi has was really nice as well. She starts off the book very shy but in the end she has a great level of confidence.

I wouldn’t say I loved this, it was an enjoyable read. I do think this is a good bridge between middle grade and lower YA for kids who are transitioning from one to the other. However, seeing as this is a book targeted towards for a younger audience, I was thrown by the unnecessary additions of “fuck” (that felt so random and out of left field. It was said once in the whole book and I was just like shocked lol), and also the topic of sex. Listen, I’m not a prude and I’m not saying teens can’t have sex talked about in books meant for them. But for a book the feels more so targeted for 12-14 year olds, these things felt like odd additions?

I know anyone can read YA but were these added for the sake of the inevitable adult reader? It just seemed really out of place for the overall tone of this book. Especially since both Naomi and Daziel make it clear that they’re minors (they’re 18 which I guess in this world counts as a minor) and therefore are still children themselves.

I digress, it’s really not that bad I swear. I just found it perplexing.

Overall, not really a book that’s meant for me. But I really do think this is a great book for younger readers ready to move on from the middle grade section and onto true YA.
Profile Image for Ami.
248 reviews4 followers
November 6, 2025
How can you not be romantic about completing the group project together?! All jokes aside, this is a delightful new work from Hannah Reynolds that blends her love of ambitious, charming characters, research quests, and Jewish mythology in a new fantastical environment—the city of Talum, where Naomi is a scholarship student at the university-like Lyceum. Naomi loves cryptography and is from a backwater of the kingdom, but she has a politician aunt that all the other students wish to meet. Knowing this, Naomi invents a demon fiancée—demons are a part of the kingdom, existing in ambiguous detente with humans—and is shocked when he materializes. Daziel is equal parts charming and underfoot, and the journey that he and Naomi go on together towards respect and love is lovingly rendered. At the same time, the natural elements that sustain the kingdom are failing and the secret to restoring them lie in a series of fragmented scrolls written in a lost language. Naomi, her classmates, and Daziel work together (racing against time, of course) to decipher the scroll whilst navigating environmental upheaval, political machinations, and falling in love (of course of course). Secrets abound and are revealed, class and species differences crop up in mostly believable fashion, and our heroes' next chapter is set up neatly in the denouement. But seriously, this is a book about the egalitarian division of labor in a group project, and the sweet, sweet taste of completion.
Profile Image for Julie Witt.
602 reviews19 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 14, 2026
This was such a fun YA cozy fantasy. Naomi's aunt is an important political figure and Naomi is tired of being asked out just so her dates can ask about her aunt, with the hope of actually getting to meet her, so she invents a fiance for herself who she names Daziel, and to scare them away even further, she makes him a demon. This farce works a little bit too well when she comes home from class one day and there's a demon named Daziel in her living room who says he came to meet his betrothed! She lets him stay after much discussion to really sell the story, but when weird things start happening with the weather around their part of the world, Naomi will need Daziel and her group of friends to help figure out just what's going on. The adults in town, the politicians whose job it is to deal with things like this, are too busy fighting amongst themselves to take the threat seriously, so it's imperative that they at least try.

I enjoyed this book very much. The story was intriguing with the way the kids went about solving the problem and following the clues. The world building was phenomenal, and the pacing was spot on. The characters were likeable and unique from one another, and getting to know them was interesting.

All in all, I enjoyed this cozy romantasy very much and happily recommend it.

5/5 stars.

*** I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group, and Hannah Reynolds for the opportunity to read and review A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon.
Profile Image for Danni.
1,227 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 20, 2026
Naomi is a student at a magical school, trying to avoid people only asking her out to gain access to her influential aunt — so what better excuse than to pretend to be betrothed to a demon? No one can refute that, surely! And then the demon Daziel himself shows up...

Meanwhile, as she's trying to figure out whether to banish him or just let him tutor her so she can pass her classes and not lose her scholarship, she also needs to figure out the puzzle of translating some ancient scrolls. And to make things even worse, the magical winds of the world have gone awry and all the birds have disappeared...

This story has:
- Amazing wit and banter, especially between Naomi and Daziel! I found myself actually laughing out loud so many times.
- Unbelievably cool world-building, with a really interesting magic system
- An amazing cast of characters, from Naomi's housemates to her badass aunt
- Slow-burn romance with a demon who's also a bit of a golden-retriever boyfriend
- A really cute salamander sidekick (how can you not love a lil animal sidekick???)

I truly was drawn in by this cozy read, and the twists and turns delivered an absolutely perfect ending. Stands alone but I loved it so much that I'm dying for more in this world! Sequel, please!

Would definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Tori.
1,019 reviews9 followers
February 5, 2026
Rating: 4/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

This book was such a fun, charming surprise. A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon blends humor, heart, and just the right amount of supernatural chaos into a story that was easy to sink into and genuinely enjoyable from start to finish.

What I loved most was the playful tone of the book. The author leans fully into the concept, and it works. The pacing is steady and keeps the story moving, while still giving us time to connect with the characters and their growing relationship. The banter was great, often laugh-out-loud funny, and it helped balance the more emotional moments throughout the story.

The characters were well written and easy to root for. The main character felt relatable, flawed, that made her journey feel real, even in a world with demons. The demon love interest was exactly what you wanted: charming, a little dangerous, and surprisingly thoughtful. Watching their relationship grow, with all the awkward moments, misunderstandings, and genuine care, was one of my favorite parts of the book.

Overall, this was a lighthearted paranormal romance that didn’t take itself too seriously but still delivered on character growth, chemistry, and heart. If you’re looking for a fun, cozy supernatural read with humor, romance, and a bit of chaos mixed in, this one is definitely worth picking up.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Young for the opportunity to review this book.
Profile Image for Julia Guilardi.
65 reviews6 followers
August 18, 2025
If you love whimsical, cozy fantasies with immersive world-building and swoon-worthy romance, You need to add A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DATING A DEMON to the top of your TBR list!! From page one, I was rooting for Naomi — an ambitious, intelligent, and slightly snarky heroine who finds herself in over her head when she accidentally summons a demon and finds herself betrothed to him. Daziel was charming and mischievous, the perfect foil to Naomi, and I couldn't help but laugh some of his antics. Still, Hannah Reynolds takes time and care to craft a genuine romance between two characters who see and understand one another. I also enjoyed watching them work together to translate ancient scrolls and determine why Talum's magic has suddenly become unstable.

I finished the book finding myself wishing I could visit the city of Talum. The bakeries with all the delicious treats! The cozy pubs and bookshops! It's so easy to escape into the pages of A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DATING A DEMON and feel like you've been whisked away into another world. I'm ready to enroll in magic school now please!

Pick this up for unforgettable characters, a stunning fantasy world, and a plot that will keep you turning pages!
Profile Image for Nadia.
561 reviews
November 12, 2025
I enjoyed the story's premise. Which was why I picked it. Naomi conjured a fake betrothal with a demon to ward off boys who wanted to use her for her connection to her aunt. She mistakenly used a random demon's name, and soon after he showed up. Right from the beginning Naomi and Daziel were a great couple. I will point out what I didn't like first—the time period. I had no clue what year it was. Did I miss it? How did it take a week to get home? Yet the demon can disappear with a snap of his fingers?! Another meh moment was all the spell dialogue which was a big part of the book. Why were the students trying to figure out old scrolls when huge natural disasters were happening at the same time? Okay now to the good parts. I loved the two main characters. Both were wonderful. I found Daziel to be humorous, kind, and giving. I loved how Naomi grew as a person and as a good friend. Together they were perfect for each other. The slow-burning kiss was perfection. Supportive characters added to the lovely story. Overall, it was a good romance. I'm hoping there will be a sequel because the ending was not to my liking. At all. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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Author 2 books54 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 11, 2026
Language: R (25 swears, 4 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG
Sick of the government-track boys asking her out to get an introduction to her aunt, Naomi (18yo) deters them by saying she’s betrothed. To a demon. When one spurned suitor asks what her betrothed’s name is, Naomi makes one up: Daziel. Then a demon claiming to be her betrothed shows up in her rooms, and he stubbornly refuses to be banished.
The story, the magic, and the budding romance were all fun, though I was confused about the world where it all took place. There is obvious Jewish influence, with Naomi’s aunt as a political leader part of the “Sanhedrin” and mentions of “rabbis,” but no one is described as Jewish and there is no mention of Judaism by name. Further complicating matters are the presence of French boulangeries and the use of British terms. These vocabulary choices without a clear explanation of the world I was supposed to be imagining were distracting, though in the end they weren’t important details to the story. And I even learned a couple of new words.
Naomi is depicted as White on the cover, and Daziel is described as having “bronze” skin. Also, Jelan and Gilli are implied to be gay. The mature content rating is for drug and alcohol use, kissing, innuendo, partial nudity, and mentions of sex. The violence rating is for mentions of murder.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
305 reviews
January 18, 2026
3.25 stars

This was a fun read that I felt like was very different from other books. I loved that there was such a difference in the religious beliefs that are of the foundation of this world.

I like the comedy that came with the MMC being a demon who seems pretty sheltered from human life. There was many times it made me smile or laugh a little. I will say, I felt that the author could have gone more into depth about the struggles the MMC was facing being discriminated against in the human regions. It was mildly addressed but I feel like more could have been said or done about it.

I also like how they used language as a main plot point. It was very interesting to learn about language while reading! I don’t think I have ever read a book that delved into this before.

Whole overall I did really enjoy the content of this book, I feel like the last 25% of this book we were bombed with a lot of information about the MMC that had been hidden from us. Also, I felt like it ended at a weird spot with not a real hea. Which I am assuming will come in later books??

Overall fun, I hope to see more in the world!
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