A Beginner's Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and Other Management Mishaps

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures #5

by Shannon Mae

Gabriel is the Divine Herald, the messenger of the Lord, the Angel of Revelation… and he's currently losing ground to social media. (Really, how is he supposed to compete with that ticking app?) When the afterlife’s management team forces him into a “professional development partnership” with a demon, Gabriel is horrified—until he meets Leviathan, a sea monster with tattoos, tentacles, and a knack for helping him connect with mortals.


Leviathan has no interest in going back to the underworld. He’d much rather spend his time topside with his octopus sidekick and now, apparently, one very uptight angel. Teaching Gabriel about mortal pleasures—food, coffee, books, and other things (that require less clothes)—is the best adventure Levi’s had in centuries.

But as they both start to enjoy their unexpected partnership, one problem what happens when the leadership team decides the partnership is over? Levi isn’t about to give up his angel, and Gabriel isn’t sure he wants to return to Heaven without his demon.

Featuring one grumpy angel and one cheery sea monster demon; accidental stroke of genius from the leadership team (very accidental); Mt. Everest is overrated, but mortal coffee is divine; even angels enjoy a good book; Gabriel discovers the joys of food, and other mortal pleasures (wink, wink); Levi has tentacles, and Gabriel definitely approves.

Genres: Paranormal, M M Romance, Romance, Demons, Angels, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2025

Reviews

[Zee]

Sooo 4.75 shiny ⭐️
Listen listen, I have my reasons for the missing half star, and I’ll get to it later. But for now I have a breakdown to do.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO WAIT FOR YAH AND LUCE’S BOOK??? WHAT DO YOU MEAN??? I THOUGHT THIS WAS A COMPLETED SERIES (I admit I was hiding between reviews so I don’t see how many books there are in the series, BUT IT DOESNT MATTER) 😭 but I suspect a MMM book, I hope it is at least (I’m in love with Joe btw, even though I thought he might be a third to Yah and Luce but maybe I’m wrong)… (author please read the note I left you at the end of my review thank you very much 😗)

Okay it’s done.
Anywayyy, Levi and Gabriel… OUF what a couple!
Before I go deep, the reason my rating got knocked down from 5 to 4.75 is that I didn’t expect Levi to have this personality. I expected something more… ummm seasoned? Spicy? Active? Mischievous? I DON’T KNOWWW.
I wouldn’t say he was bland at ALL, I mean come on, those tentacles 🤤 I don’t think I have ever read a book with this level of… tentacles involvement? Lol it was so hot 🥵
Levi knows how to love too, he was a great partner to Gabriel, I just expected more character to him I guess, maybe more protectiveness or something, I’m not sure what it is, but it was lacking a little something. I guess that’s on me too, I just prefer love to be a bit more intense perhaps.
NEVERTHELESS! Their love was beautiful, how they helped each other and stood next to each other was just heartwarming. It truly was a healthy relationship.
But what stood out to me the most was how they perceived humans. While reading this, I felt like it was all a reminder of some type. It was beautiful how Gabriel saw and experienced first hand all the little details about humanity (I’m talking specifically about the scenes from Mt. Everest and the amusement parks).

Yes, they were saving the universe, but Levi supposed a few moments for a little happiness was what made the universe worth saving to begin with.

Now as for Gabriel “Buttons” I just want to point out that 4 of those stars are solely for him and his awkwardness (specifically his awkwardness). That angel can do anything and everything and I would still find him endearing 🥹 he just caught my heart between his buttoned up arms and squeezed it ❤️
I loved everything about him, from his sweet smiles, to his cute conversations with Hachi the octopus pet, to his sweet tooth 🥹

[…] It made him feel warm and soft, so of course he sat up a little straighter and fixed his tie. He realized a moment too late that he wasn’t wearing a tie, so then he made one appear, but then that just seemed awkward, so then he made it disappear again, and, well… It was all rather awkward, but Levi didn’t say a word. He just smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

See what I mean??? So endearing 🥹
As for the two as a couple, their relationship was beautiful. The appreciation between the two and their gentle love was heartwarming. I loved how Levi was so gentle and didn’t judge Gabriel at all ❤️

This. This was what love felt like. Levi could imagine an eternity of mornings just like this. The routine of it, and yet enjoying every moment of each day, even though it was so similar to the day before.

Anyway, I am screeching and crying because we don’t have the next book, but alas, some patience might do me some good.
Last quote because I can’t not tell you about Gabriel and his cuteness 😩 URGH I just want to squish him so hard 😭❤️

“I even gave you a button, Buttons.” Levi smirked, and he watched with fascination as Gabriel examined the button on the fly of the boxers.
His angel was too cute and too sexy. But enough of those thoughts. Sleep. That’s what they were going to do.

Anywayyy, I can’t say on to the next one, since there is none FOR THE MOMENT. I’ll have to go back and read the novellas though (I didn’t want to interrupt the plot, so I decided to wait on reading them this time).

*Whispering really loudly so the AUTHOR CAN HEAR ME*: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GIVE AN THE ARCS FOR ALL THE NEXT BOOKSSS OF THIS SERIES (yes I’m greedy like that, don’t judge please). I don’t know how arcs usually work, but… pick me… choose me… love me…
Okay that’s it. Ta-ta for now 😗

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 🌟
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Heroes: Gabriel and Levi

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Humans were amazingly creatures. And resourceful, since so many of them could cook. It was quite atoshining”.

No me esperaba para nada esta novela. Lo juro. Pensé que la saga estaba acabada. Qué equivocada estaba.

¿Me ha gustado? Sí. Sin embargo, me reafirmo que no soy nada fan de los tentáculos. Ha habido momentos que me he sentido incomoda. Para gustos colores.

A por el siguiente que no las tengo todas conmigo pero puede llegar a ser precioso.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I do enjoy this series so very much. I love it when each book in a series has its own story, but with an overarching plot that builds throughout them all. I am so very eager to see how this series ends, yet at the same time it'll make me sad because I love this world Shannon has created. Thankfully, we still have the hellhounds as well. And I'm quite certain I will love anything new Shannon offers us in the future too.

Now, for this book, we've got an archangel, the messenger Gabriel and a demon, Leviathan. This is a bit of an odd pairing, one you wouldn't expect to work because they're such opposites, but somehow they're perfect. They truly do complete each other. Levi is such a fascinating character. Sweet and caring and with a huge heart. Definitely a bit michievous too, he's a demon after all. Gabriel... oh, he tugged on my heartstrings. In previous books he always seemed rather stiff, but there's such beautiful, aching depth to him. Watching discover all these things was absolutely wonderful.

Also, I already knew this, but this book just confirmed how much I do enjoy spicy times involving tentacles. If you're hesitant about trying a book involving tentacles, please give it a chance. Don't knock it 'till you try it!

Another wonderful installment in a very fun, entertaining series. I can't wait to see what happens next!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝙶𝚊𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚕 𝚑𝚒𝚖𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚛𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚘𝚏 𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚕𝚢 𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎𝚜, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚘𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗. 𝙷𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚘𝚍, 𝚍𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚔, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚕𝚢."

Tentacles for the win!! I love that in this book we got to know the man behind the perfect angel visage. Gabriel has always appeared as a pretty wound tight angel. He is dedicated to his duty as messenger angel and rarely has time for any other pursuits. To be fair, Gabriel's fellow angels do keep him busy with all their blathering messages, many of which are ridiculous. Thank goodness he ended up with Levi who put a stop to much of the nonsense!

"𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚕, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗. 𝙻𝚎𝚟𝚒 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝙶𝚊𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚕. 𝙷𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝. 𝚈𝚎𝚜, 𝚑𝚎'𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚐𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚕, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚖𝚞𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚞𝚙, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚕𝚊𝚞𝚐𝚑... 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗."

I absolutely loved watching Levi and Gabriel interact. It was so cute, seeing Gabriel emerge from his shell. Levi was never pushy, but he was determined to get Gabriel out of his comfort zone and show him all the earthly plane had to offer. It didn't hurt that Gabriel was also the most gorgeous angel Levi had ever seen or that when he got the man wrapped up in his tentacles it was magic. And the white speedo! I swear I could picture it just from how Archer sets the scene!

"𝙻𝚎𝚟𝚒 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚊 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝙶𝚊𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚕'𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚖, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚕 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚞𝚙 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚒𝚖, 𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚋𝚋𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚎𝚣𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚝. 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎. 𝙻𝚎𝚟𝚒 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚊𝚗 𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚒𝚝, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚎𝚝 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚑 𝚍𝚊𝚢, 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚘 𝚜𝚒𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚊𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎."

It was sweet seeing these two opposites fall in love. It was even better seeing them both willing to fight for the relationship that had come to mean the world to them both. I really enjoy this series by Shannon Mae and though I am DYING for Lucy and Yah's story, I hope we get a few more couples before then because I am not ready for this series to end!

[Cynthia M Brow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beginner's Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and Other Management Mishaps is the 8th book in the Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures series. In my opinion this series is best read in order. This is the story of Gabriel an angel and Leviathan (Levi) a demon sea monster. I love coming back to this series because all the characters are so well written and different. I loved uptight Gabriel and chaotic and energetic Levi. I loved watching Gabriel learn about all the different kinds of pleasure there are in life, not just the steamy kind. I also loved that some of the questions I've had through the series are being answered. This was just a great story that I couldn't put down. I would definitely recommend this book and series.
received a free review copy

[LittleDucky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriel and Levi’s story was incredibly sweet and soft. These two just fell right into place together. Looking forward to the next one!

[begemot · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 1/3rd of the book was decent, although nothing much was happening plot-wise. After that, it just went downhill - it felt like the author got bored with her own story and was trying to get it over with as soon as possible. The narration took on the form of a summary of the events and developments taking place in the weeks of Gabriel and Levi’s partnership. The dialogue, when there was one, was robotic - as if someone was just jotting down the basic points that needed to be mentioned in the speech, but didn’t bother to come back and transform that into a realistic sounding human speech. In the end, I felt the potential for Gabriel’s character was utterly wasted. But then again, the author mentions in her note that she thought the character was boring, so… One interesting thing that came out of this is the fact that she seems to be planning Joe, Scowly, and Cutie to get together eventually. That has some potential, but I’m not sure the author will pull it off.

[Julie Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beginner��s Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and other Management Mishaps by Shannon Mae is the 8th book in her Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures. I would suggest you read the others first in order to understand the afterlife world she has created and for reoccurring characters in this one. This is the story of the Archangel Gabriel and how he found his soulmate with a sea monster demon. It all started with a lone angel, Joe, who was matching demons and angels with their soulmates all in the name of trying to save the universe, whose demise is evidenced by the cracks in the ceiling in Yah’s office. Even Yah and Lucifer (God and the Devil) aren’t aware of his existence and his job is very important so this is unusual. He has matched several couples before and now finds he has to match the very uptight Archangel Gabriel, the Devine Herald, Messenger of the Lord, and the Angel of Revelation with the lackadaisical Leviathan, the Demon of Envy, Embodiment of Chaos, and Serpent of the Sea. So he devises a quite devious plan that involves the Leadership Team made up of angels and demons who look like clones. They call Gabriel before them and say that his messenger delivery rate and the success of his messages has declined and they have one for him to deliver that can only be read in front of the recipient, in this case Leviathan. Levi has been spending time in the ocean with his adventure buddy and octopus Hachi when he sees an angel on his dock. He looks so formal, stiff, and buttoned up he starts calling him Buttons. He enjoys his time topside and hasn’t been to the underworld for over 500 years so he is wondering what is happening. The message says that since he had success with social media he has to mentor Gabriel in 21st century skills. Levi takes a liking to Gabriel and really wants to help him so he says they can form a Professional Development Partnership. At first Gabriel wasn’t happy about this but he was always professional and tried his hardest to do his job so he thinks that maybe he can use assistance to get better. It turns out that lately he hasn’t been very happy doing it as it is all he has done for millennia so he is very naive when it comes to anything to do with people. Levi decides that if he has to deliver messages to them, he should see what their lives are like. So they talk and make a bucket list of things he would like to do. He introduces him to food, which Gabriel loves, they go to an amusement park, play in the ocean where Levi shows him what pleasure is with a hot love scene that involves his tentacles, and go to a BBQ with some of Levi’s friends which include demons and their soulmates. They also streamline the process to have messages delivered and lighten Gabriel’s load so he can have more downtime, which he very much enjoys spending with Levi. They aver very successful and decide to form the Department of Afterlife Message Delivery (D-A-M-D) and are moving forward together. They have many more hot love scenes and both realize they love each other but before they get the chance to say this, the leadership team dissolves their partnership and Gabriel is poofed away. Levi was not going to let him go so he began looking far and wide for him and Gabriel meets with both Lucifer and Yah before Levi finds him and Joe is also involved as they learn more about the cracks in the ceiling. Luckily, they learn that they are soulmates and cannot be separated so they can enjoy being together. Gabriel also delivers a message to Yah and Lucifer that is going to involve them in saving the universe too. I really enjoyed this book as I have the others in the series. Ms. Mae has a very original take on Heaven, the underworld, and being topside and all that occurs in these places. Gabriel was very uptight and not happy with his job when he was sent to Levi. Levi loved teasing him and showing him how pleasurable doing mortal things could be. Gabriel really enjoyed doing all the bucket list things with him and streamlining his job so he had more time to engage in them. He loved Levi’s tentacles and all they could do and also became close to Hachi which pleased Levi. It was very obvious they were going to fall in love with each other. Joe, Yah, Lucifer, and the Leadership Team all played a big part in what was happening in the story so they could be together and help save the universe. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like stories about angels and demons falling in love while trying to thwart others from keeping them apart and in the end they find out they are soulmates and were meant to be together all along.

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's Shannon Mae's "A Beginner's Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and Other Management Mishaps." is the fourth novel in her Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures series.

["Gabriel is the Divine Herald, the messenger of the Lord, the Angel of Revelation… and he's currently losing ground to social media. (Really, how is he supposed to compete with that ticking app?) When the afterlife’s management team forces him into a “professional development partnership” with a demon, Gabriel is horrified—until he meets Leviathan, a sea monster with tattoos, tentacles, and a knack for helping him connect with mortals.

Leviathan has no interest in going back to the underworld. He’d much rather spend his time topside with his octopus sidekick and now, apparently, one very uptight angel. Teaching Gabriel about mortal pleasures—food, coffee, books, and other things (that require less clothes)—is the best adventure Levi’s had in centuries.

But as they both start to enjoy their unexpected partnership, one problem what happens when the leadership team decides the partnership is over? Levi isn’t about to give up his angel, and Gabriel isn’t sure he wants to return to Heaven without his demon."]

And the bonus tags (because they're arguable better than the blurb itself): ["Featuring one grumpy angel and one cheery sea monster demon; accidental stroke of genius from the leadership team (very accidental); Mt. Everest is overrated, but mortal coffee is divine; even angels enjoy a good book; Gabriel discovers the joys of food, and other mortal pleasures (wink, wink); Levi has tentacles, and Gabriel definitely approves."]

Joe!!!!!! Three cheers for Joe! Plus a couple dozen hugs. …and his own HEA?

And OBVIOUSLY we need Luce and Yah's HEA...which feels as though it's coming sooner and sooner? And maybe a little HEA for our rebels on the management team??

Gabriel and Levi were utterly adorable. Opposites in so many ways, but perfect for each other in every way. They made each other happier, helped each other heal. They grew closer and closer together as they experienced things for the first time, or in love for the first time. And of course, their love helped save the world, as the other couples in this series did.

Loooved Gabriel meeting the other afterlifers in town!!

#abeginnersguidetodeathdemonsandotherafterlifedisasters #abeginnersguidetomistakenlysummoneddemonsandothermisadventures #abeginnersguidetorevengechaosandotherabsurdescapades #abeginnersguidetothecareandfeedingofdemons #abeginnersguidetochristmasmiracles #abeginnersguidetoghostsfallenangelsandotherafterlifers #abeginnersguidetoseamonstersmessengerangelsandothermanagementmishaps #demonicdisastersandafterlifeadventures #demonicdisastersandafterlifeadventuresseries #shannonmae #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

[Flick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriel is a total cutie!

I love this series so much I'm kind of worried for when it ends lol. There are some series where I genuinely wish an author could just continue to write books in the universe forever and this is absolutely one of those series (I know it's not reasonable, just leave me to my delusions). We first met Gabriel a while ago and initially he seemed, at least on the surface, like he was another stuffy, pompous and self-important angel. However, after we'd seen him a couple of times I really got the feeling there was a lot more to him as a person and that he was maybe quite misunderstood. Well, that was very much the case and I absolutely fell in love with him in this book. He's such a gentle, good, sweet angel. He reminded me a lot of Kush in that I think Gabriel hadn't been treated well by other angels and felt that he wasn't accepted. The way he kept referring to knowing what mocking looked like just broke my heart. Also, as an aside, I loved the way anxiety was portrayed in this. The need to feel like you've got armour on and reverting to that armour and "professional mode" when you feel overwhelmed? Done so, so well and I really appreciate that the people who mattered and cared for Gabriel were never cruel about it. Levi was perfect for him with the way he just accepted him as him and enjoyed all the things that made Gabriel a little different. He liked that he was buttoned up but also saw that it could be a sign of being uncomfortable and made real efforts to help Gabriel cope with his stress/anxiety. It was so sweet to see him enjoy all the things that made Gabriel well.. Gabriel and to also encourage him to find joy in the things he'd deprived himself over the years. They were such a sweet couple and I loved that there was just this slow slide into loving each other. I'm loving the background plot about the universe as a whole. Joe is definitely now a character I'm slightly obsessed with and I can't wait for him to get his very own soulmate. I'm kind of sad though. I know this series is coming to a close and I'm going to desperately miss getting to know more afterlifers. This is one of those series that will always be a reread and I hope even once it ends we do still get to visit the people who have made this series so wonderful in other books.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

delightful paranormal romance

Rating: 4🌈

The penultimate (so the author says) book in this delightful paranormal romance series, Mae is looking towards tying up several important series storylines by bringing back secondary characters from previous stories. The purpose of which is to connect them together with their soulmate by way of elevating them into main character roles.

Gabriel,the tightly wrapped, overly worked, stressed out Divine Herald, the messenger of the Lord, the Angel of Revelation we’ve known before is now ready for a new path. Mae’s charted a sexy, joyful story for Gabriel here. It’s one of discovery and insight for himself and his afterlife. We feel so happy for him. And his partner.

That’s the demon Leviathan aka Levi , a sea demon/monster who has also made appearances in preceding books. Levi is a sexy tentacled delight of a demon and his development along side his relationship with Gabriel is wonderful to read.

The story also brings in important elements and characters that will help finish off the series in the concluding storylines. I’m really excited to see what this will entail.

Shannon Mae has written a highly entertaining, happy and sexy story. It’s a terrific read and one I’m happy to recommend.

Cover artwork by, Grimm Kat Cover assembly by, Tammy, Aspen Tree E.A.S.

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures:

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance ):
🔷 A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters #1
🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures #2
🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades #3
🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers #4
🔷A Beginner's Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and Other Management Mishaps (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures #5)

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Novellas:
🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles (A Holiday Novella)
🔷A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Pet Demons
🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Demonic Possessions

Demonic Disasters and
Afterlife Adventures Collections: 🔷Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Collection 1

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4🌈

The penultimate (so the author says) book in this delightful paranormal romance series, Mae is looking towards tying up several important series storylines by bringing back secondary characters from previous stories. The purpose of which is to connect them together with their soulmate by way of elevating them into main character roles.

Gabriel,the tightly wrapped, overly worked, stressed out Divine Herald, the messenger of the Lord, the Angel of Revelation we’ve known before is now ready for a new path. Mae’s charted a sexy, joyful story for Gabriel here. It’s one of discovery and insight for himself and his afterlife. We feel so happy for him. And his partner.

That’s the demon Leviathan aka Levi , a sea demon/monster who has also made appearances in preceding books. Levi is a sexy tentacled delight of a demon and his development along side his relationship with Gabriel is wonderful to read.

The story also brings in important elements and characters that will help finish off the series in the concluding storylines. I’m really excited to see what this will entail.

Shannon Mae has written a highly entertaining, happy and sexy story. It’s a terrific read and one I’m happy to recommend.

Cover artwork by, Grimm Kat Cover assembly by, Tammy, Aspen Tree E.A.S.

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures:

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance ):
🔷 A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters #1
🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures #2
🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades #3
🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers #4
🔷A Beginner's Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and Other Management Mishaps (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures #5)

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Novellas:
🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles (A Holiday Novella)
🔷A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Pet Demons
🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Demonic Possessions

Demonic Disasters and
Afterlife Adventures Collections: 🔷Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Collection 1

[Demian Grimm · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐

I seriously love returning to this world of angels and demons! ❤️ The whole series is a comfort read, and this book so much so.

This is the fifth book in the Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures series, but I recommend reading the series in order to enjoy all the fun and quirky characters and to follow the overarching plot.

Who would've thought Gabriel and Levi(athan) would be such sweethearts?! I knew I would enjoy their story, but I didn’t anticipate loving them as much as I did, which is a lot. 🥰

Gabriel starts out as the same buttoned-up archangel (Buttons, hehehe) we have seen before. But here we soon get to see the softer, more thoughtful parts of him (which I always suspected was hiding under that perfectly put-together exterior!). And Levi is such a wild mix of sweet and joyful chaotic energy! I love how he takes one look at Gabriel and decides then and there that he is worth every bit of attention and patience...*swoon*... while also wanting to “muss him up” in the process. To be honest… same, Levi, same! 🤭
I cannot even explain how much I enjoyed their opposites-attract / perfect-for-each-other dynamic. It was fun and cozy, but also oh so sexy.

Shannon does a great job showing Gabriel discovering all kinds of everyday joys he’s ignored for ages. With Levi guiding him, he gets a taste of real food, good coffee, theme parks (and all the fun they bring), a few undersea adventures (and sexy times 😉) and much, much more. I loved how these moments, while fun, were also warm, and surprisingly tender, as Gabriel begins to loosen up and enjoy himself. Through it all, their romance builds naturally from an uneasy partnership to friendship to genuine affection and love.

Of course, we get alllll the cameos from our favourites, along with some delicious hints about future relationships waiting to be written. The worldbuilding is still lively, and the characters remain full of personality, but the humour is what really ties everything together nicely.

The book truly felt like a warm bear hug, and whenever I think of it, I feel such fondness for Gabriel, Levi, and their story. It’s sweet and fun, but never shallow, and that is what makes it such a joy to read.
And as alway, I can't wait for other stories in this universe!

I received a copy of this book from the author, and this is my unbiased review.

[Addison · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
A Beginner’s Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and Other Management Mishaps is pure cozy chaos wrapped in wit, warmth, and unexpected emotional depth. Gabriel, the eternally earnest Divine Herald, is instantly endearing in his struggle to stay relevant in a mortal world ruled by social media, and watching him collide with modern humanity is both hilarious and oddly poignant. His rigid devotion and quiet loneliness give his character a softness that makes every moment of growth feel meaningful.

Leviathan is an absolute delight. Cheerful, tattooed, tentacled, and brimming with curiosity, Levi brings a grounded joy to the story that perfectly balances Gabriel’s seriousness. Their dynamic thrives on contrast: grumpy angel meets sunshine sea monster demon, and sparks fly in the gentlest, most charming way. Levi teaching Gabriel about coffee, food, books, and other mortal pleasures is handled with playful humor and genuine tenderness, turning simple experiences into moments of connection and wonder.

The romance unfolds slowly and naturally, rooted in companionship and mutual respect rather than instant attraction. The professional development partnership setup is clever and funny, but it also creates real emotional stakes once feelings deepen and the threat of separation looms. The story explores themes of choice, autonomy, and what it means to belong, all without losing its lighthearted tone.

Shannon Mae’s writing is cozy, clever, and effortlessly engaging. The world-building feels whimsical without being overwhelming, and the supporting details, like Levi’s octopus sidekick and the delightfully incompetent leadership team, add layers of charm. A Beginner’s Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and Other Management Mishaps is a joyful, comforting read that celebrates love, curiosity, and finding home in the most unexpected places.

[Megan McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriel & Levi

This was my first foray into the Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures series, sad as that is. So, it took me far too long before I realized that the Wilder that Gabriel and Levi meet is Wilder from the Hellhounds series. I don't know why I didn't make the immediate connection, but now I feel silly. 🤣

This story was a great adventure from start to finish. Not quite an "enemies-to-lovers" situation, but definitely initially antagonistic and unsure, at least on Gabriel's side. But Gabriel was an easy-to-love character and he was definitely sweet enough to rate a high quality romance.

Leviathan (Levi) was an hilarious character to experience. Many fictional demons have chaotic and enthusiastic energy that can stress others out, and Levi is really no different. But his instant interest and connection with Gabriel offset some of that chaos to allow the two to build on their growing affections and relationship. It may have started out as a professional partnership, but it quickly became an easy friendship and a loving and lively romance.

A Beginner's Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and Other Management Mishaps (a mouthful😂) was a super fun story in the Paradise Falls universe I'm familiar with. I'll definitely have to dive back into the previous stories in this series, but it's kind of fun already getting a feel for the relationships I would see when backtracking.

"All things change and pass. There is always hope as long as there is life."
This quote was said by Gabriel in a moment of advice to a message recipient, but I thought it was an important, poignant message.

I received an authorized copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.

[Literary Maiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! Levi and Gabriel might be my favorite characters from this world - which is saying a lot because Shannon has hit it out of the park for me since her first book - because they are just so perfectly perfect for each other. Gabriel has been his job since the very beginning, and therefore seems stuffy, boring and unapproachable by others while Levi didn’t want to do his job so badly that he has spent hundreds of years ‘playing’ on Earth. Through the manipulation of the leadership team by a very smart but completely overlooked (read the book and see what I did there) being in the DoS these two opposites are tasked to work together, and let me tell you folks - they work together so well!

Levi is so protective of Gabriel from almost the beginning as it becomes clear how ‘innocent’ he is, and soon is determined to keep him. Gabriel has been taken advantage of by everyone for so long that he doesn’t know any different - sweet summer child really - but he also has a spine of steel that makes an appearance when he needs it to. Honestly these two are just so good for each other and I love the characters themselves.
We also see a clue into what is going to happen with Luce and Yah which left me salivating for more. We also see characters from other books - I would say past but timeline wise I think this one is before Hellhounds book - which made me want to go back and read it all from the beginning so I could experience it all again as well as see Levi and Gabriel before they get together.
Overall another stellar read from the amazing Shannon Mae, and I cannot wait to see where she takes us next - even though I can see the end is near (tears!).

[Shruti Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a perfect addition to an already-beloved series — heartfelt, immersive, and deeply satisfying.

I absolutely love this series, and every new installment somehow convinces me to go back and reread the entire thing from the beginning. Each book stands strong on its own with a complete story, while still feeding into a larger, overarching plot that keeps growing and evolving. I’m so excited to see how everything eventually comes together, even though I already know I’ll be a little heartbroken when it ends.

Levi and Gabriel are complete opposites, yet they fit together perfectly. Levi is such a fascinating character — sweet, caring, and full of heart, with just the right touch of mischief (he is a demon, after all). Gabriel, on the other hand, is exactly my favorite kind of character: serious, misunderstood, and quietly complex. In earlier books he came across as stiff, but here you really get to see the depth, vulnerability, and ache beneath the surface. Watching him unfold was genuinely beautiful.

Their adventure together is the true heart of this book. Every moment they spend side by side strengthens both their bond and the story itself, and I found myself fully immersed in their journey from start to finish. It’s a character-driven story that thrives on connection, growth, and emotional payoff.

All in all, Levi and Gabriel’s story made this one truly special, and it only left me more attached to this world.

[LC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beginner's Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and Other Management Mishaps
Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Book 8
By Shannon Mae

I look forward to each and every Shannon Mae book. From demons and angels to hellhounds, each story has great characters and is written into a well developed world that feels comforting to return to.

Archangel Gabriel is kind of stuffy and boring. He is also always busy. When a little cutie angel makes plans for him, I wondered what kind of mischief the little guy had in mind. What I wasn’t prepared for was that even the archangel was lonely. When he met Levi and they started becoming friendly, my eyes were opened. I have to admit for a hot minute I was thinking that Gabriel would even unseat Kushiel as my favorite angel.

This story brought more out in the open for this series. Who is Joe and how did he become in charge of the DoS? How come Yah and Luce don’t know who he is? How long did Gabriel know of the cracks? I have so many questions and this book started answering them. Now I’m not ready for the end, but I do want to know more about Joe, Scowly, and Cutie. I also really really want Yah and Luce to get their happy ending. But I’m not in a rush to see the end of this series. It has been a complete joy to read and reread.

* I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.*

[Colette De · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Department of Soulmates (DoS) has decided that it's absolutely necessary for Gabriel (The Angel of Revelation) and Leviathan (The Demon of Envy, Embodiment of Chaos, and Serpent of the Sea) to meet and spend time together

To orchestrate this the DoS aka Joe, gets the Leadership team involved by citing Gabriel's diminishing efficacy in relaying messages and a lack of inducing "wonder and awe." Not quite so easy in the modern world and that "Ticking App"

This fabulous and unexpected pairing is just everything. We have had glimpses of Gabriel in previous books and he has always been seen as standoffish and unlikeable. Now with Levi's laid back and hella sexy attitude we see him soften and smile.

The under the sea swimming with Hachi , his first tastes of topside food , coffee and customs was so brilliantly written . Funny, poignant and relatable
Watching Gabriel open up is a joy all while Levi himself finds a newfound purpose in streamlining Gabriel's celestial mission.

There are a few appearances from beloved old friends to ensure maximum mayhem and tantalizing glimpses of Yah and Luce (their book can't come soon enough!).

This is, by far, my favorite installment in the series— that has left me utterly obsessed with tentacles!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when the angel Gabriel aka the Divine Herald/Messenger meets the demon Leviathan (Levi)? Well, the always uptight Gabriel immediately gets a nickname from Levi and soon enough these two wonderful beings turn a forced partnership into a formidable team. Gabriel begins to lose some of his grumpiness and starts to relax a little bit as Levi shows him that there is more to the afterlife than constant work. Their work/life balance is soon rectified which leaves plenty of time for Levi to teach Gabriel about other pleasures. Not just steamy times but also mundane things such as the joys of food, coffee and tasty sweet treats.
This is a very enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages. I loved watching Gabriel loosen up and begin to enjoy himself and the pleasures of the world around him. Levi is a ray of sunshine who just happens to have tentacles, a quiet patience with Gabriel and an octopus sidekick called Hachi. I giggled and happy sighed as Gabriel and Levi got their heartwarming HEA.

[SNik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifth in series (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures). Paranormal. Fated mates. Found family. Dual POV.

Gabriel is an archangel and divine messenger that is abruptly told to partner with Leviathan, demon of envy and chaos in order to more efficiently deliver his messages. While Levi is happy to show the buttoned up angel mortal pleasures, he finds that he may want to keep Gabriel as an adventure buddy for forever.

Shannon Mae really knows how to write cinnamon roll demons, and Levi is no exception. Levi introduces Gabriel to all sorts of fun and experiences, but kindly and with caring so there is never any doubt that his affection is true. And Gabriel appreciates Levi and is genuinely naive and sweet and he has no qualms about Levi being a demon. This was a cute story with Gabriel and Levi easily falling into a relationship they can’t imagine the future without. Plenty of spice, sweetness, character cameos, and story where a dedicated demon loves a straight-laced angel unapologetically. 4.25

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of the Demonic Disasters & Afterlife Adventures series. While this book can be enjoyed as a standalone read, I would really read this series in order to fully grasp all the nuances of the characters and storyline. This is the story of Gabriel (The Angel of Revelation) and Leviathan (The Demon of Envy, Embodiment of Chaos, and Serpent of the Sea). Thanks to the DoS and management, these two are ordered to work together. It is a grumpy/sunshine situation where the archangel is the grumpy and the demon is the sunshine. This is their story. I received a complementary advanced review copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review. I really loved this book. It is fun and enjoyable. I loved the characters and the interaction between Gabriel and Levi as Levi slowly started to get Gabriel to unwind a little bit. The book is very well written and easy to read. It is a cute story with loveable characters. I can hardly wait for the next book in the series.

[Jeff Berger · Rating 5 out of 5]

another amazing beginners guide!

First time reading this one through…. (I read them all through multiple times) and this is my favorite.. no question….. And that’s amazing in and of itself because I didn’t know I’d like all the tentacle stuff…. Just so you know I think each beginner’s guide to the afterlife stuff is the best one right after I read it through the first time…. But I have experience now, having read them all up to this point, and I can say with authority this is the best! I’d highly recommend reading these gems all in order ….if you’ve got the guts (to quote Draco Malloy) because each pair of main characters is not only humorous, not only wrestles everything needed to make a great book, but each individual and his soulmate bring a cascade of affection swirling around you as you read… and each book brings cameos of your friends from the previous books to add to your enjoyment…. So there are multiple layers of cascading affection swimming around you …. And this one has them all…. It’s a breathtaking experience!

Thank you Shannon Mae!!

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe is still balancing Heaven, Hell, idiotic Leadership teams, and the end of the world. And the cracks in Yah's ceiling are getting worse. His latest plan is to unite Gabriel, Devine Herald, Messenger of Yah, Angel of Revelation with Leviathan, the Demon of Envy, Embodiment of Chaos, Serpent of the Sea. It's opposite attracts and enemies to lovers, a perfect match.
The book is set in my favorite Mae series, Paradise Falls. Nicknaming Gabriel "Buttons" was almost as cute as a hellhound named "Fluffy". (Although, Aiden and Atlas' story will always win out). Teaching the stiff and proper archangel how to compete with social media and to loosen up is a pretty big job for a cinnamon roll demon. Lots of laugh out loud moments. Lots of steamy spice.
As usual with all her books, this was a fun, quick read that had me wanting more. This is book eight of eight. Is this the end all or just as far as the author has gotten? Because there's still questions unanswered and a plot arc which needs resolving.
I received an advanced copy of this ebook and this is my review.

[Tracey Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing book! Love this author's world, her characters, her writing style/voice, and her sense of humor in telling all these fantastic love stories. I especially loved reading Levi & Gabriel's story. Buttoned up & chaotic being shoved together is a favorite of mine, I think - before this one, Ari & Michael's was my favorite of this series. The "human experiences" were so much fun to see through Gabriel's eyes, and seeing Leviathan focus all his chaotic & romantic energy on Buttons was fun, too. Adventure buddies are awesome, and Hachi is the best. It was exciting seeing the parallel storylines develop, too; I can't wait for their stories to be told - I have a feeling Cutie, Scowly, & Joe will definitely be fun to read, as will Luce & Yah - although that one feels like it may be a tear-jerker in the making, but let's hope not. Fantastic story-telling, fantastic story, lovable characters and a phenomenal treat to read.

[Molly Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shannon is back to the Demonic Disasters & Everlife Adventures series this time with archangel Gabriel and sea monster Leviathan who has enjoyed his time thoroughly topside. The unlikely pair get teamed up to be more 'efficient' in delivering their messages. Yeah, so management definitely screwed this one up in the best way possible. It allows these two souls to have the chance to bond and see the other in a new light. Shannon just has a gift of writing cinnamon roll 'bad' guys finding and doing what is necessary for their mates. It was fun seeing these two open up to one another, and when faced with the choice will always pick each other and therefore pushing the fates more to where they belong.
What makes this series, so bloody brilliant is the overall plot throughout the entire series that keeps you needing more to see how it all ends. Technically they can still be read as standalones in my opinion, but a better experience when read all books.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh Levi, no, calling someone's hands on sexual and sensual education professional development? I felt absolutely terrible during that conversation. How could Levi teach and model consent, as he appeared to want to do, when he pulled shit like that?

It was a shame because I was finding the stupidity cute until it became manipulative with Levi getting Gabriel to do anything he wanted by saying, "This is how humans do it." It was also infantalizing. I thought the dream would end that, but Levi just pushed it further into "cuddle for work improvement!" It was hella cruel, no matter what Levi's greedy intentions about "pleasure" were. I don't even care that they worked out without a major separation ark/misunderstanding. It was icky and totally could have backfired in horrible ways.

Joe, Cutie, and Scowly, though, I love. I hope Cutie and Scowly stop getting overlooked on the Leadership Team. Adam really needs to show up at a few meetings

[Readergirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhh I am so happy Gabriel got his own book! I’m a sucker for stories about stuffy characters learning to loosen up and find joy in life. Since Gabriel’s first appearance I was hoping he’d get a book and this did not disappoint. And Levi, swoon! He was smitten with buttoned up Gabriel from first sight wanting to muss him up in all the fun ways. It was also refreshing having an afterlifer super enmeshed in human culture so much so he could teach Gabriel about everything topside has to offer from undersea adventures to theme parks to the joys of food to even knitting. All in all a great pairing with the cutest story.

We also get to learn more about other characters who’ve made brief appearances in past books like Joe, Cutie, and Scowly as well as get more flirty angst between Yah and Luce. And don’t worry, past MCs make an appearance too including Ari!

Review based on an ARC

[Laina Gruver · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

Not only is this a demon & angel love story but the demon has TENTACLES!!!! This is an ADORABLE opposites attract book. Gabriel is a buttoned up angel who delivers ‘Devine’ messages. He is assigned a demonic partner to help him be more efficient.

When Levi sees Gabe, he wants to ‘mess him up a little bit’. When they agree to work together, Levi suggests Gabe should try some human experiences so he’ll be better able to deliver messages.

Levi shows Gabe the pleasures of food, activities that give an adrenaline rush like roller coasters, as well as pleasures of the flesh.

Levi & Gabriel are so adorable together! There are plenty of cameos of characters from previous books.

*****
POV… third person

Standalone or series… book 5 in series best read in order

Hangover… slight

Recommend… yes

Reread… yes