The Devil is Here

by A.L. Davidson

The Devil is in The Details

While out performing his duties as a psychopomp, Lucky - AKA the Prince of Hell - accidentally plows into an unsuspecting priest-in-training named Charlie with his sports car, ending the mortal's life decades sooner than planned. Feeling a tad guilty over the accidental severing of Charlie’s mortal coil, Lucky decides to keep an eye on the would-be clergyman. The problem is, Charlie is a hapless, bumbling bundle of nerves who causes chaos wherever he goes. His do-gooder presence and holier-than-thou aesthetic makes him a target for every demon, devil, and down-and-out resident of Hell’s business district, causing endless migraines for the fiery heir who literally just wants to chill.

At his wit’s end, Lucky's luck seemingly runs out when he's finds out he’s being audited. If he can't clean up his files and his act, his sweet ride will get repo’d and his snooty sister will take over as head psychopomp. That’s when the Prince of Hell gets a brilliant idea that ensures he keeps his car, his job, and his fiery eyes on the handsome priest in the process. But as the days in the office tick by, Lucky soon realizes that the growing warmth in his chest isn't coming from his eternal flame, but something much worse. Feelings.

The devil is a dastardly landlord, and the only thing that’s certain is death and taxes, so they’d better get to filing.

Genres: Queer, Fantasy

232 pages, Paperback

First published July 14, 2026

About the author

A.L. Davidson is a queer and disabled indie author who loves writing genre-blending stories, tales of heartwarming and haunting romance, and the coziest sci-fi and urban fantasies you’ll find this side of the galaxy. She specializes in narratives filled with ghosts, grief, isolation, queerness, life with disabilities, ecohorror, space exploration, slow burn romance, found family, and the human condition.

They are best known for their collection of web novels - most notably The Night Farm - as well as their horrormance stories such as When The Rain Begins To Burn, Lover, Thy Name Is Pestilence, and All For The Blood of the Lamb.

She is an Indie Ink, Queer Indie, Pushcart Prize, BBNYA, Thorpe Menn, BookTok Indie Author Awards, OutWrite Scary, and IndieVerse nominee, as well as a 2025 Small Spec Awards Semifinalist. The Night Farm was a 2025 Inkies Finalist for Favorite Community Novel on Tapas.

She lives in Kansas City with way too many plants and her cat, Jukebox The Ghost. When they’re not writing, you can find them hanging out at the cemetery or working a shift at their local haunted museum, playing cozy video games, and diving into an ever-growing manga pile.

You can follow A.L. Davidson at
DisturbancesbyAlycia.weebly.com
Patreon.com/AlyciaDavidsonAuthor

Reviews

[Amanda]

The writing was just not for me. Cute setup and that art makes me so happy every time I see it, but I felt like it was very jumpy without a clear plot/setup. I kept feeling like I missed some in between scenes if that makes sense.

[GiveMeBooksOrGiveMeDeath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book with some preconceived expectations and boy was I wrong. This story really had me in an emotional vice. Lucky and Charlie or beyond adorable together. The character development was superb and Lucky had me in tears at one point because of the heartbreak he was going through. While I would have loved to see some spice with these two, it was such a well written story that it didn’t matter because I feel like it really captured what true love means. Aside from the main two characters the side characters were very interesting and even had some depth to them. I really enjoyed seeing the interactions between them with the MC’s. Despite going through hell “ literally”, Charlie and Lucky got a much deserved happy ending. And as always “ remember to pay the rent”. I want to thank the author for allowing me to review this book in advance. I really enjoyed it and I hope you do as well.

Tropes: Devil x Saint, Ace & Demi Rep, Match Made In Hell, Emotional Support Hellhound, Forbidden Romance, Touch Him And Die

Story 4/5
Spice 1/5

[Shrike · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two messes are perfect for each other. I loved seeing Charlie bring Lucky out of his shell. He's so sweet and earnest he had me charmed from the start. Lucky's gruff facade never stood a chance against that smile. He may run the show around here but Charlie steals it. The cover art really captures his sunshine.

This book has really fun worldbuilding, complete with great puns (the Seraph's Office? Come onnn) and inter-realm office drama. While I immediately loved the main couple, I ended up just as invested in several other characters. I looked forward to every time Gabe and Bub made their dramatic appearances and I could feel the love hidden in Lucky's sibling rivalry with Lie. Despite being someone who usually prefers really small casts...I would absolutely LOVE to spend more time with these characters.

Thanks to Al for the chance to check it out ahead of release. I'm sooooo excited to get my paperback!

[Jessica Beamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

To start I would like to give a big THANK YOU to A.L. Davidson for the early copy of The Devil is Here (and he’s demanding the rent)!

As an ex-cradle catholic who has gone through years of schooling, masses, sacraments, slight trauma, and lots of deconstructing I always am drawn towards media that pokes fun at the community I grew up in. The moment I saw the cover of TDIH(AHDTR) I NEEDED to read it. The devil and a priest???? Right up my alley, sign me up.

I went into this read expecting extreme spice but what I got instead? The SWEETEST SUGARY PRECIOUSNESS and I didn’t mind one bit…though I wouldn’t complain if we see a spicy little short story in the future just saying….

If you’re looking for a chill and easy read with:
❤️religious puns
🩵office shenanigans
❤️a clumsy goofball and a giant hellion who feels morally responsible for him
🩵smooth Brained doggies
❤️slow burn forbidden romance

then you definitely should pick this book up

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Reader**
Woooooh baby, this book made me into a leaky faucet, why I was under the impression is was a rom com.. the world may never know! It is rom com-y but also there’s a lot of feelings about being the person who is relied on and doesn’t expect any of their concern shown back to them.

Lucky is a suave traumatized sweet angel (devil) baby who deserves to be cared for at all cost, he’s caring but he’s also a little bit stupid. Wrapped up in a 7 foot tall demon package, Lucky healed a little something in me on this day and Charlie is a sweet idiot who just really loves a sandwich, attention and structure.

Watching these two navigate the situation working together while also raising their own hell hound will warm your heart but not before pulverizing it and making you cry.
I love this book so much and so will you.

[Kal Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like that it was mostly in Lucky's POV. Usually it's in the humans, so that was a nice change.

The story itself was great! A demon accidentally running over a human priest and then is responsible for him even though the human priest should NOT be in hell? Not a plot you come across, and I am HERE for it. There was a little twist you learn some odds into it, and I wasn't expecting it. It was SO GOOD.

Lucky was hilarious and SO in denial of his feelings. Charlie was adorable, and I RELATE to the clumsiness 😅 and the two headed hellhound!!

Yes all around.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A REALLY GOOD READ THAT TUGGED ON MY HEART!

I LOVE LUCKY AND CHARLIE!

This really is a good read between two MC'S that I really grew close to. I found the story to be wonderful and oh so sweet! This is an ARC review.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I dreamed it would be and so much more. I knew that I was going to completely fall in love with Charlie and Lucky before I even started the book and I was right because from the moment they first interacted I was done for. These two are utter perfection and just the cutest. This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions and I was just happy to be along for the ride because it was a delight and everything I didn’t know I needed in my life. Lucky is a Prince of Hell who is fantastic at his job and does his absolute best to be the best until one tiny little accident happens which is how Charlie, a priest in training, ends up in Hell causing chaos. I love how Lucky tries to be very scary and mean with Charlie but at the sight of a wobbly lip or watery eyes he will literally panic and do anything to stop the tears. Lucky taking responsibility for Charlie and doing everything he can to help him and make his (un)life better is just so much cute I could barely handle it. I loved how protective he was of Charlie and I adored the way their relationship progressed. It made me so incredibly happy seeing Lucky realize that he cared for the little human ball of sunshine and chaos and the way he would literally do whatever it took to protect Charlie and make sure he got what he deserved was spectacular. Charlie on the other hand was so sweet and wonderful even when he was accidentally causing chaos and disrupting the order of everything by accident. He was so innocent and caring and he just makes you want to bundle him up in hundreds of fluffy blankets and give him anything he wants. Charlie is the definition of good and kind, he made me so happy to read about and he was so accepting of everything that was happening and trusting of Lucky. It also made me so happy when he tried to take care of Lucky. It was so cute seeing them care for one another and try to support one another despite the terrible circumstances. And while much of this book was tooth achingly sweet and made me smile so much, everything got thrown into a tiny bit of chaos and I was sobbing. There were many many tears that came from reading this book and I will be doing it all over again when I eventually reread this book because it was just so good! Lucky and Charlie are perfect individuals and even more perfect together and the ending of this book was so lovely and satisfying for everyone involved. I don’t think I will ever get over this book because it was genuinely one of the sweetest and most delightful books I have had the pleasure of reading and I will 100% be rereading it just to experience it all over again!