The Devil & The Details

by Kelly R. Nelson

The Devil & The Details
A Novel by Kelly R. Nelson

Sometimes the person who saves you is the one who breaks you.

Bethany Martin never expected to find a love that ignited her soul—until Kevin walked into her life. He’s everything she didn’t know she was charming, protective, magnetic. With him, she feels seen. Desired. Safe. For the first time in her adult life, Bethany dares to believe that love might actually heal her.

Their connection is immediate and consuming. Kevin is intense, emotionally present, and always just a little too perfect. As Bethany falls deeper, she feels a kind of freedom she’s never allowed herself—one that pulls her further from the guarded, tightly controlled world she built to survive.

But even the brightest flames cast shadows.

What begins as passion quickly blurs the line between protection and possession. Bethany, lost in the rush of love, doesn’t notice the subtle shifts—the deflected questions, the convenient omissions, the way Kevin always seems one step ahead. And why would she? He’s given her everything she thought she needed.

As the cracks start to form and her world begins to narrow, Bethany is forced to confront the she’s not as free as she thought. And this time, silence won’t protect her.

The Devil & The Details is a raw, emotionally charged romantic thriller about love, illusion, and the dangerous comfort of denial. Set against the backdrop of Southern California, this story pulls readers into a slow-burning descent where love and control intertwine—and the details we ignore may be the ones that undo us.

322 pages, Paperback

Published September 17, 2025

About the author

Kelly R. Nelson is the author of Sister, It's Not the Way and The Devil & The Details, where she writes unapologetically about love, survival, and all the messy emotions in between. Her stories are bold, layered, and never shy away from heat.

A proud single mom, California native, and lifelong writer, Kelly balances storytelling with real life—raising her kids, working full-time, and chasing her dream of being a full-time author. She believes in complex women, and her stories aren't just about surviving—they're about reclaiming power, pleasure, and a whole lot of spice.

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book! I fell in love with the FMC and the MMC! The spice was spicing and the twists were twisting!! My chin absolutely hit the floor! highly recommend!

[Bonnie Dang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked right from the start! Kelly mentioned on her social media that this would be a slow burn, but I think she kept the story interesting throughout the book. And when I reached the biggest plot twist… I was in complete shock.

The characters were so well written. I especially appreciated how realistic Kevin and Bethany’s relationship felt, along with the challenges they faced. Most of all, I loved Katie - truly the best of friends.

This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster, and I loved every moment of it. I can’t wait to see where the story goes next!

I also really enjoyed how Kelly incorporated music into the narrative, it made the scenes feel even more vivid and alive.

[Makayla Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really good book. So many plot twists! I won’t spoil it, obviously but all I’m going to say is I am really excited for another book. This book was well written and it flowed very well. I was on the edge of my seat towards the ending. There were many parts of the book where I audibly gasped because I did not expect what came next. Great book! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Monique Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book! I was very impressed with Kelly’s writing skills. The characters were well developed and I quickly found myself engrossed in the story. Great plot twists and a memorable storyline that had me from the start! I loved the music references and could feel Bethany’s energy through her music. This one definitely goes down as a favorite read of mine for 2025!

[Sloane Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes off quickly. I enjoyed how the FMC was trying to deal with past trauma and with the help of her best friend, she was getting out of her comfort zone. The MMC was charming and easy to get caught up in. The chemistry and banter between characters was fun and easy.

So much time and energy went into building a trusting relationship, where both people were learning to open up and work through things together. Both still had their secrets, of course, but they were trying. Then BAM! Things got crazy. Things changed suddenly and to be totally honest, I nearly quit the book because some of the things that were happening made no sense to me and seemed a bit outrageous. It was extremely out of character, in ways that just left the story with so many holes (in my opinion). I really hoped there would be enough information to make it all tie together, but with less than 25% of the book left, I really wasn't sure. But since I had really enjoyed the book up until that point, I pushed through. And I'm so glad I did! Another twist and everything made sense again.

There was so much emotion and heartbreak. It was beautifully done. The characters had to learn to be honest and work through their emotions, in order to try and make things work. You expect a HEA and you get it… or do you? One last plot twist, right at the end. That cliffhanger shows that the story isn't over yet. I can't wait to see where this goes next.

[Kristi Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard about The Devil & The Details by Kelly R. Nelson when I met her at a book event, and her passion for the story instantly intrigued me. When I ran into her again at a bookstore opening, I knew it was time—I went home and bought the Kindle version that same day.

I started reading the night before the LA Times Festival of Books and was immediately hooked. I couldn’t put it down and was already gushing about it to my book bestie on the drive to LA the next morning. When I saw Kelly again at the festival, I had to tell her how much I was loving her book—and that moment turned into something really special. I even made her cry! I knew I had to get a physical copy, which she signed and personalized for me—a moment I’ll always cherish. Later, seeing her post that our interaction was the highlight of her day made it all even more meaningful.

As for the book itself, it’s a beautifully written story and the perfect blend of romance and suspense/thriller, with lots of spice to make you fan your face, balanced with heartbreak and an emotional journey toward healing. It completely pulled me in from start to finish, and I highly recommend this book.

And Kelly—yes, you absolutely made me cry too!!!

I truly loved this story and am already hoping for more to come in Bethany and Kevin’s story.

[Ebony · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you follow my reviews, you probably wonder why I still read romance at all since I have so many issues with the entire genre, but a friend gifted me this book. I wanted to read something summer light so I started. The sex scenes were great. They way music is interwoven into the story and the characters' lives is very clever. I thought I could read without the accompanying playlist, but I absolutely could not. I needed to hear the songs as I read. The middle was slow. But the last 25% was not light. At all.

Nelson surprised me with her thriller vibes. I figured out the plot twist before we arrived there, but the cliff hanger, OMG. I didn't see it coming. I couldn't believe that's where the book ended. I definitely wanted more. Now I'm gonna type what I always type at the end of any romance review. Talk to your partner. For heaven's sake. All the drama can be avoided with a few (meta) conversations. That said, The Devil & The Details is a great conversation starter. Read it with your partner. Read it with your girls. Talk about music, friendship, romantic relationships, recovering from religion, mental health, privacy, secrecy, lies, and choosing yourself. The book is more than a romance. It's a query into our modern lives, our devils, and our details.

[Elle W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a repeat reader of Ms. Kelly Nelson, and wow, does this woman have range. Not only has she masterfully written from the perspectives of a diverse array of protagonists once again, but she has also displayed a keen sensitivity to the readers’ thoughts and emotions as she artfully unveiled the suspense underpinning this medium dark romance. Considering the different kinds of characters we’ve seen her write since her first published novella, “Sisters, It’s Not the Way,” it’s apparent she has incredible empathy, imagination, and a grounded way of showing us truths which we as readers grapple to confront. My only quip is the ending - in other words, that it ended. I personally enjoyed it so much that I was devastated when this most satisying binge came to an inevitable close. Can someone please get her an agent ASAP so she can publish the sequel and roll this out into a feature film?

[Efa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Described as a slow burn.
Romantic thrillers aren’t usually my genre, but The Devil & The Details pulled me in anyway with a great hook from the first chapter. Kelly R. Nelson builds tension through character rather than cheap twists — Bethany’s slow realization that the love she thought was saving her might actually be trapping her is genuinely unsettling in the best way.
The writing is bold, the pacing is deliberate, and the Southern California backdrop gives the story a warm glow that contrasts perfectly with its darker emotional undercurrents. If slow-burn romance with real psychological tension is your thing, this one delivers. An author worth watching.

[Jade Reads Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The devil and THE DETAILS!
If you pay attention to the little details you may be able to predict some of this romantic suspense. I enjoyed the writing style and liked that it was dual POV. At times the story felt a little bit all over the place but it always comes back together. The spicy scenes were spicy girl. We even get a spicy scene from his POV 😏 At certain points I did not know who to trust.
Overall I would recommend this book if you’re looking for a thriller with romance. Be prepared because this book does end in a cliffhanger!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a page turner from the very start. The writing, descriptions, underlying details will leave you feeling like you can see everything play out in your head visually because it feels like you’re there with the characters. The author also did a fantastic job of leaving you with things to ponder about the characters and your own personal life from the story. It’s captivating, mysterious, climatic, steamy and spicy such a great read! Amazing work by the author!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so intense! I laughed and cried. It has romance, pure love and emotional damage. The FMC is emotionally damaged and untrusting from the beginning until she meets the MMC. He starts helping her heal and find peace and love again. Then BAM!!! plot twist most won't see coming. I was an emotional mess the last 10 chapters or more. Well worth the read. Hoping there's a sequel.

[Toni Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I addition to the protagonist meeting a great guy, and then discovering all may not be as great as it seems, there's a great friendship storyline. There are some super steamy scenes which I really enjoyed. There were plenty of plot twists as well. All in all, very well written. I'm looking forward to the next book from Ms. Nelson!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book at a local book fair and finished it within the day. The story was complex, the characters were relatable, and the spice was spicy. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Sandy Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I couldn’t put it down. I loved the ending and can’t wait for the next one.

[Kim Cart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has it all - interesting back story, spicy romance, and suspenseful thrills.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven’t picked up a book in a while, but this one kept me wanting to read more. The book had me at the edge of my seat! I am looking forward to the next book!

[Mary Shearin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've only started reading this book and I am hooked! The writing is so good. Can't wait to see where it goes. I'm just getting to the juicy parts. Who doesn't love a spicy read!?!