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Temping Is Hell
WORST. JOB. EVER. Kate O’Hara can’t wait until this temp assignment is over. The woman who hired her is a psychotic drama queen, her coworkers are convicts-turned-clerks, and it’s so boring and pointless it makes her skin crawl. Even working with temptation-on-legs CEO Thomas Kestrel won’t sway her — he’s a billionaire with a rep for being ruthless, and as far as she’s concerned, that’s a hard pass. Once she makes enough to pay off her bills, she’s out of this corporate cube farm. Or so she thinks...
WHAT THE HELL? Next thing she knows, she’s accidentally signed over her soul. Literally. And she’s discovered Thomas’s real mission: to kill thirteen bad guys in one year, in order to get his—now his and Kate’s—souls back.
IT’S NOT JUST A JOB. IT’S A MISADVENTURE. From learning to boost the morale of some paper-pushing demons to navigating her way through blood-red tape, Kate has to work closely with her super-hot boss and get her flaky act together, before somebody clocks her out—permanently!
WHAT THE HELL? Next thing she knows, she’s accidentally signed over her soul. Literally. And she’s discovered Thomas’s real mission: to kill thirteen bad guys in one year, in order to get his—now his and Kate’s—souls back.
IT’S NOT JUST A JOB. IT’S A MISADVENTURE. From learning to boost the morale of some paper-pushing demons to navigating her way through blood-red tape, Kate has to work closely with her super-hot boss and get her flaky act together, before somebody clocks her out—permanently!
366 pages, ebook
Published October 30, 2025
10 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Yardley
79 books1,417 followersCathy Yardley is an award-winning author of romance, chick lit, and urban fantasy, who has sold over 1.2 million copies of books for publishers like St. Martin's, Avon, and Harlequin. She writes fun, geeky, and diverse characters who believe that underdogs can make good and that sometimes being a little wrong is just right.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 2, 2025
This book was all over the place. I didn’t like the beginning and almost DNFed it, the middle was decent… then the ending was so astronomically ANNOYING.
I did NOT like the FMC at all during the ending. Her choices were dumb. She was decently smart the rest of the book and then it’s like her forethought flew out the window.
The MMC was fine. A very woe-is-me, I’m so sexy and have such a hard life because of my past. 😂 He had a decent personality at least.
The plot overall was okay - very Assistant to the Villain adjacent. I doubt I will continue this series though, mainly because the FMC REALLY made me angry with her decisions in the third act conflict.
I’d recommend this one to fans of Assistant to the Villain and other snarky / sarcastic banter books with morally grey characters.
I did NOT like the FMC at all during the ending. Her choices were dumb. She was decently smart the rest of the book and then it’s like her forethought flew out the window.
The MMC was fine. A very woe-is-me, I’m so sexy and have such a hard life because of my past. 😂 He had a decent personality at least.
The plot overall was okay - very Assistant to the Villain adjacent. I doubt I will continue this series though, mainly because the FMC REALLY made me angry with her decisions in the third act conflict.
I’d recommend this one to fans of Assistant to the Villain and other snarky / sarcastic banter books with morally grey characters.
December 19, 2025
Going through Cathy Yardley's backlist. In Temping is Hell, Kate O'Hara has spent years bouncing between jobs and is just about to be fired from her latest temp position in evil big corporate. Until she catches the eye of her billionaire boss, who drags her into his desperate scheme to win back his soul before it's due at the end of the year.
I didn't realize this at the time, but this is a reprint of one of Yardley's early books from way back in 2012. Alas, I did not like this book at all, possibly because it was from her earlier oeuvre before she developed the voice and characterization I enjoy. Love interest Thomas had the deck stacked against him from day one. I started out hoping he'd spontaneously explode due to his position as a billionaire and Kate's boss. However, he does not improve even on further acquaintance. He's selfish, self-centered, and consistently chooses to put Kate in danger for his own benefit. Very physical danger, since this is urban fantasy with demons and soul bargains. The romance arc isn't concluded by the end of the book, and perhaps he's meant to be redeemed in book 2, but I simply do not care.
The narrative was also consistently cruel in its treatment of The Other Woman, Thomas' dead wife's sister who is not so subtly trying to pick him up. The way Kate talks about her heels, her clothes, her hysteria is flat-out misogynistic. In a particularly notable episode, Kate thinks about how fake Ginny is for possibly having plastic surgery--and then reverses course and says of course she wouldn't think less of any woman for having a procedure done. Too little, too late.
I didn't DNF, but I have no desire to read the sequel. Pass on this one. The bit about selling your soul to the devil being a pyramid scam was good, though.
I didn't realize this at the time, but this is a reprint of one of Yardley's early books from way back in 2012. Alas, I did not like this book at all, possibly because it was from her earlier oeuvre before she developed the voice and characterization I enjoy. Love interest Thomas had the deck stacked against him from day one. I started out hoping he'd spontaneously explode due to his position as a billionaire and Kate's boss. However, he does not improve even on further acquaintance. He's selfish, self-centered, and consistently chooses to put Kate in danger for his own benefit. Very physical danger, since this is urban fantasy with demons and soul bargains. The romance arc isn't concluded by the end of the book, and perhaps he's meant to be redeemed in book 2, but I simply do not care.
The narrative was also consistently cruel in its treatment of The Other Woman, Thomas' dead wife's sister who is not so subtly trying to pick him up. The way Kate talks about her heels, her clothes, her hysteria is flat-out misogynistic. In a particularly notable episode, Kate thinks about how fake Ginny is for possibly having plastic surgery--and then reverses course and says of course she wouldn't think less of any woman for having a procedure done. Too little, too late.
I didn't DNF, but I have no desire to read the sequel. Pass on this one. The bit about selling your soul to the devil being a pyramid scam was good, though.
November 1, 2025
"She's a terror, with good intentions.”
Oh my stars, I am head-over-heels, squealing-with-glee, obsessed with Temping is Hell by Cathy Yardley! Kate O’Hara is an adorkable chaos magnet, who is constantly landing in hot water for trying to do the right thing. Thomas Kestrel is a mysterious, hot, billionaire alphahole who is instantly entranced by the beguiling temp. I have read and loved a lot of Cathy Yardley’s books from nerdy romcoms to swoony small-town. But Temping is Hell is on a whole new plane of phenomenal storytelling. This book is like a spicy blend of Reaper and a Hallmark workplace romance. Cathy’s world building is clear, concise, and creates wonderfully vivid imagery. The well-rounded characters, unique and captivating premise, and flirty banter made this love story one hell of a fun read! Please check the trigger warnings. I cannot wait to continue the misadventure in book 2!
✨Thanks to Literary Media Tours for the advanced copy of this ebook!
Oh my stars, I am head-over-heels, squealing-with-glee, obsessed with Temping is Hell by Cathy Yardley! Kate O’Hara is an adorkable chaos magnet, who is constantly landing in hot water for trying to do the right thing. Thomas Kestrel is a mysterious, hot, billionaire alphahole who is instantly entranced by the beguiling temp. I have read and loved a lot of Cathy Yardley’s books from nerdy romcoms to swoony small-town. But Temping is Hell is on a whole new plane of phenomenal storytelling. This book is like a spicy blend of Reaper and a Hallmark workplace romance. Cathy’s world building is clear, concise, and creates wonderfully vivid imagery. The well-rounded characters, unique and captivating premise, and flirty banter made this love story one hell of a fun read! Please check the trigger warnings. I cannot wait to continue the misadventure in book 2!
✨Thanks to Literary Media Tours for the advanced copy of this ebook!
October 12, 2025
Absolutely loved this book!! I will be paying VERY close attention to when the rest of this series comes out because I need more.
More action.
More mystery.
More Slim (please?)
Absolutely more Kate.
More ANSWERS!!
So many twists and turns, so many unknowns, so MANY giggles!!
I have so many questions, but what I do know for a fact is that this book was such a blast from start to finish. Kate makes impulsive decisions...she knows it, they know it, WE know it. And as a result, you never actually knew what in the world was going to happen because Kate didn't really know herself! A Main Character that can keep me on my toes is always good in my book.
Will be waiting on pins and needles for more of this series.
overall: highly recommend
spice: open door
More action.
More mystery.
More Slim (please?)
Absolutely more Kate.
More ANSWERS!!
So many twists and turns, so many unknowns, so MANY giggles!!
I have so many questions, but what I do know for a fact is that this book was such a blast from start to finish. Kate makes impulsive decisions...she knows it, they know it, WE know it. And as a result, you never actually knew what in the world was going to happen because Kate didn't really know herself! A Main Character that can keep me on my toes is always good in my book.
Will be waiting on pins and needles for more of this series.
overall: highly recommend
spice: open door
November 10, 2025
Rating: 5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.
First off, I absolutely love the wordplay in this title—it fits the story perfectly. This book is funny, quirky, and just the right amount of spicy. You’ll find found-family vibes, a slow-burn workplace romance with delicious tension, a touch of the paranormal, and flawed, realistic characters that make you root for them from the start. Honestly, I was hooked on the very first page:
“All right, damn it,” he bellowed, his voice echoing against the concrete. “Which one of you ate another temp?”From that moment, I knew I was in for a ride.
In this book, we follow Kate, who’s starting her latest temp job—though she quickly realizes there’s something… off about this workplace. Still, she needs the money and figures she can power through if she keeps her head down. But the longer she works there (and the stranger her assignments become), the more she realizes this job is very different. And then there’s her boss—an infuriatingly sexy CEO who only complicates things further.
I adored Kate as a character. She’s chaotic in the best way, caring, unfiltered, and full of heart. She says what’s on her mind (even when she wishes she hadn’t five seconds later), and that made her so real and relatable. Thomas’s character growth starts slow, but by the end, I loved how layered and genuine he became. Both characters carry so much baggage and so many secrets, but watching them navigate all of that together? Chef’s kiss. The banter, the tension, the “oh please just kiss already” moments—I devoured them all.
The world feels gritty and dangerous, with that perfect hint of the forbidden that keeps you on edge. The romance is beautifully done—not insta-love, but a slow burn built on trust, trauma, and earned connection. The plot has the kind of chaos I love: betrayal, alliances, moral gray areas, and twists that keep you glued to the pages.
And the side characters? Absolutely fantastic. They’re not just filler—they add real heart and humor to the story. Found-family vibes for the win. (Also, can we talk about the basement demons? I LOVED them so much.)
If you’re looking for a paranormal workplace romance that’s packed with humor, heart, and just the right touch of darkness, Temping Is Hell is the perfect read. I laughed, swooned, gasped, and maybe even teared up a little. I’m still thinking about these characters—and honestly, I already need the next book ASAP.
I want to thank Cathy Yardley and literarymediatours for the opportunity to review this book.
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.
First off, I absolutely love the wordplay in this title—it fits the story perfectly. This book is funny, quirky, and just the right amount of spicy. You’ll find found-family vibes, a slow-burn workplace romance with delicious tension, a touch of the paranormal, and flawed, realistic characters that make you root for them from the start. Honestly, I was hooked on the very first page:
“All right, damn it,” he bellowed, his voice echoing against the concrete. “Which one of you ate another temp?”From that moment, I knew I was in for a ride.
In this book, we follow Kate, who’s starting her latest temp job—though she quickly realizes there’s something… off about this workplace. Still, she needs the money and figures she can power through if she keeps her head down. But the longer she works there (and the stranger her assignments become), the more she realizes this job is very different. And then there’s her boss—an infuriatingly sexy CEO who only complicates things further.
I adored Kate as a character. She’s chaotic in the best way, caring, unfiltered, and full of heart. She says what’s on her mind (even when she wishes she hadn’t five seconds later), and that made her so real and relatable. Thomas’s character growth starts slow, but by the end, I loved how layered and genuine he became. Both characters carry so much baggage and so many secrets, but watching them navigate all of that together? Chef’s kiss. The banter, the tension, the “oh please just kiss already” moments—I devoured them all.
The world feels gritty and dangerous, with that perfect hint of the forbidden that keeps you on edge. The romance is beautifully done—not insta-love, but a slow burn built on trust, trauma, and earned connection. The plot has the kind of chaos I love: betrayal, alliances, moral gray areas, and twists that keep you glued to the pages.
And the side characters? Absolutely fantastic. They’re not just filler—they add real heart and humor to the story. Found-family vibes for the win. (Also, can we talk about the basement demons? I LOVED them so much.)
If you’re looking for a paranormal workplace romance that’s packed with humor, heart, and just the right touch of darkness, Temping Is Hell is the perfect read. I laughed, swooned, gasped, and maybe even teared up a little. I’m still thinking about these characters—and honestly, I already need the next book ASAP.
I want to thank Cathy Yardley and literarymediatours for the opportunity to review this book.
October 13, 2025
Temping is Hell is funny, quirky and a little bit spicy. Kate O'Hara has spent her whole life as the "screw-up" of the family. She's has to move back in with her parents after losing her last full time job and her new temp job just isn't it.
Her manager? Equal parts scatterbrained and vindictive. Her boss? Hot, sure, but is clearly up to some real shady ish, because those contract workers in the basement are saying some very concerning things regarding their working conditions.
But Kate is too stubborn (and too broke) to quit. She soon finds herself in waaaay over her head and getting a sometimes-painful crash course in all of the weird paranormal stuff that she's suddenly surrounded by.
Kate is a hilarious disaster. All of the problems in her life are caused by her acting first and asking questions later. Helpful when it leads to her taming/befriending demons with snack cakes and getting a much needed promotion to permeant employee. Not so helpful when it gets her face to face with really dangerous men who want to leverage her against her boss.
Thomas is a heart-of-gold CEO who's trying to get out of a literal soul-sucking contract, but Kate keeps blundering her way through his plans. Her ability to optimize and streamline workflow is incredibly helpful speeding up the process of finding the information he so desperately needs to get out of the contract, but his bodyguard is very disapproving of the distraction she is becoming.
Temping is Hell is twisty, funny and I can't wait for the next book. Thank you Literary Media Tours and Cathy Yardley for the opportunity to advance read.
Her manager? Equal parts scatterbrained and vindictive. Her boss? Hot, sure, but is clearly up to some real shady ish, because those contract workers in the basement are saying some very concerning things regarding their working conditions.
But Kate is too stubborn (and too broke) to quit. She soon finds herself in waaaay over her head and getting a sometimes-painful crash course in all of the weird paranormal stuff that she's suddenly surrounded by.
Kate is a hilarious disaster. All of the problems in her life are caused by her acting first and asking questions later. Helpful when it leads to her taming/befriending demons with snack cakes and getting a much needed promotion to permeant employee. Not so helpful when it gets her face to face with really dangerous men who want to leverage her against her boss.
Thomas is a heart-of-gold CEO who's trying to get out of a literal soul-sucking contract, but Kate keeps blundering her way through his plans. Her ability to optimize and streamline workflow is incredibly helpful speeding up the process of finding the information he so desperately needs to get out of the contract, but his bodyguard is very disapproving of the distraction she is becoming.
Temping is Hell is twisty, funny and I can't wait for the next book. Thank you Literary Media Tours and Cathy Yardley for the opportunity to advance read.
October 19, 2025
Temping is Hell is a romance filled with banter, chemistry and biting dark humor. Cathy Yardley creates an urban fantasy world where it seems perfectly logical that people could end up signing away their souls.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Kate O’Hara knows that something isn’t right at her latest temp job. But she needs the money so she’s willing to put up with catty coworkers, possible convicts, and hottie billionaire CEO Thomas Kestrel. Only once she accidentally signs away her soul, she finds out what’s really going on. Now she knows that Thomas has to kill 13 people in the next year to get back both their souls. So clearly she needs to help.
I can’t put my finger on exactly why I love this book, but I had a great time reading it. Kate’s matter of fact attitude and her determination to do what she thinks is the right thing is endearing and relatable. And while Thomas doesn’t always make the best decisions, his chemistry with Kate is clear every time they have a conversation.
I also like that while the stakes are pretty clear from the beginning, the world building isn’t overwhelming. And while this book is clearly the first in a series and I can’t wait to read the next book, it ends on a satisfying HFN instead of a cliffhanger.
Temping is Hell is an entertaining urban fantasy. With plenty of witty quips and chemistry, it’s easy to see how these characters are trying to beat demons at their own game. If you like a romance with dark humor and a bit of steam, you’ll have a great time reading this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Kate O’Hara knows that something isn’t right at her latest temp job. But she needs the money so she’s willing to put up with catty coworkers, possible convicts, and hottie billionaire CEO Thomas Kestrel. Only once she accidentally signs away her soul, she finds out what’s really going on. Now she knows that Thomas has to kill 13 people in the next year to get back both their souls. So clearly she needs to help.
I can’t put my finger on exactly why I love this book, but I had a great time reading it. Kate’s matter of fact attitude and her determination to do what she thinks is the right thing is endearing and relatable. And while Thomas doesn’t always make the best decisions, his chemistry with Kate is clear every time they have a conversation.
I also like that while the stakes are pretty clear from the beginning, the world building isn’t overwhelming. And while this book is clearly the first in a series and I can’t wait to read the next book, it ends on a satisfying HFN instead of a cliffhanger.
Temping is Hell is an entertaining urban fantasy. With plenty of witty quips and chemistry, it’s easy to see how these characters are trying to beat demons at their own game. If you like a romance with dark humor and a bit of steam, you’ll have a great time reading this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 11, 2025
Kate cannot wait for her temporary position to be over. She absolutely hates where she’s currently placed. That is until she runs into the CEO, Thomas. Kate is such a fun character. She speaks her mind, and I loved that about her. She’s determined and guided by a strong moral compass, even when it gets her into trouble. Trust me, she's been in plenty. I also really enjoyed the dynamic between Kate and Slim. Oh, how I loved Slim’s character. And Ginny? That lady is something else.
I also enjoyed the friendship between Kate and Prue. I can’t wait to discover more. I need some questions answered.
The twist toward the end caught me off guard, and I’ll admit, I wanted to throw my Kindle at the wall with that ending. Overall, it’s a quick read with a hook that’ll leave you craving more.
If you’re looking for a light urban fantasy to dip your toes into, I think you’d enjoy this one. For me, it leaned more toward workplace romance and was lighter on the urban fantasy elements I usually love, but it was still an entertaining read.
A very special thanks to Literary Media Tours + author for the gifted e-arc.
I also enjoyed the friendship between Kate and Prue. I can’t wait to discover more. I need some questions answered.
The twist toward the end caught me off guard, and I’ll admit, I wanted to throw my Kindle at the wall with that ending. Overall, it’s a quick read with a hook that’ll leave you craving more.
If you’re looking for a light urban fantasy to dip your toes into, I think you’d enjoy this one. For me, it leaned more toward workplace romance and was lighter on the urban fantasy elements I usually love, but it was still an entertaining read.
A very special thanks to Literary Media Tours + author for the gifted e-arc.
November 2, 2025
Kate, a temp gets more than she bargained for when she finds out she’s working for an actual demon! Thomas, is a handsome billionaire demon who’s working hard to retrieve his soul and exact revenge. You’d think there’d be a lot of angst but this is is a combo of humor and mystery making it an entertaining read.
I liked Kate’s take-no-bull-social-warrior heart. She becomes buddies with demons without knowing it, and these interactions are quite hilarious. She has to deal with a jealous, cantankerous fellow employee who has designs on the boss. There are a number of characters, and while sometimes that can feel like filler, it’s not the case here. They each bring something of value to the story. I liked the mythology that Yardley included, and I’m curious how it’ll continue to play out.
This was a fun, fast-paced read that went by quickly. A bit of a twist at the end has me eager to see what’s next for Kate, Thomas and demon crew. I mean, who would’ve thought demons could be lovable, too?
Thanks to Cathy Yardley & @literarymediatours for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I liked Kate’s take-no-bull-social-warrior heart. She becomes buddies with demons without knowing it, and these interactions are quite hilarious. She has to deal with a jealous, cantankerous fellow employee who has designs on the boss. There are a number of characters, and while sometimes that can feel like filler, it’s not the case here. They each bring something of value to the story. I liked the mythology that Yardley included, and I’m curious how it’ll continue to play out.
This was a fun, fast-paced read that went by quickly. A bit of a twist at the end has me eager to see what’s next for Kate, Thomas and demon crew. I mean, who would’ve thought demons could be lovable, too?
Thanks to Cathy Yardley & @literarymediatours for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2025
this was a very fun urban fantasy romance that I had a blast reading! Kate, our main character, is funny and a bit of a disaster, but ultimately so kind-hearted. I loved how that played out within our story, with the demons especially. it was fun to see Kate's friendship with Prue, and see how Prue's grandmother came into play. I kinda wanted more of them tbh! I enjoyed the main romantic relationship, but it didn't WOW me. But I still had a good enough time to be excited to read the sequel!
REP: mixed Vietnamese main character
REP: mixed Vietnamese main character
October 30, 2025
This was such a surprising read! It has a very unique premise, with a Happily For Now storyline. This is an unfinished series, and does look like it may be continued! I feel like this book is a cross between a paranormal romance and an urban fantasy. I am definitely interested in reading additional books in this series, partly to see how everything plays out, but I also want to see how Kate and Thomas end up together (because they need too!)
Kate was kind of a mess, but absolutely had a heart of gold. There are lots of twists and surprises in this book, that had me guessing! I have a few theories on how certain things will be resolved, and I can’t wait to see if I’m right.
Kate was kind of a mess, but absolutely had a heart of gold. There are lots of twists and surprises in this book, that had me guessing! I have a few theories on how certain things will be resolved, and I can’t wait to see if I’m right.
January 11, 2026
Special thanks to Literary Media Tours and the author for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!
TL;DR: Temping Is Hell was a wild paranormal fantasy romcom romp! 🤣 It was definitely a bit bonkers but I mean that in a good way because it was so entertaining and I had a great time reading it! Kate, with her completely unfiltered chaos brain, and Thomas, the billionaire who needs to get his act together, were such an unlikely pairing, but I loved how her chaotic good energy grounded him. The ‘sold-my-soul-to-a-demon’ plot kept me completely engaged and it was fun learning about what happens when you do something like that—it’s not good, that’s for sure! I enjoyed the friendships, the banter, the sarcasm, and the chaos. Overall, this was a fun and humorous read that I would recommend if you’re looking for a paranormal romcom, especially for the spooky season~!
I wasn’t sure what we were going to get when I started this, but I’ve enjoyed Yardley’s books a lot, so I trusted the process and I wasn’t disappointed! Temping Is Hell was much more sarcastic/humorous than I expected, but it only added to the entire “over-the-top” romp vibes and made the story that much more fun to read. The glimpse we get into this alternate universe where demons (and demon hunters) existed was interesting and I was so intrigued to see what other paranormal entities existed. I liked that lore was a mix of Western and non-Western and that we got to learn about Japanese demon hunters too! 👺 It was also fun learning about how hell functions, the different types of demons, and how deals with demon overlords worked. I wanted to know more about the scope of the paranormal in this world, but I’m hoping that’s explored more as the series continues. Also, I didn’t expect to empathise with certain demons but the Basement Boys, particularly Slim, and their obsession with HoHos was so incredibly endearing! 🤭
The story follows the perspectives of our FMC, Kate, and our MMC, Thomas, and I liked both of them a lot. Of the two, however, Kate was definitely my favourite. She’s a chaos monster and hot mess, but I loved her take no bull attitude and how she has no filter whatsoever, lol. It doesn’t matter if you’re the CEO of the company or if you’re just some rando on the street—Kate will tell you what she thinks whether you want to know or not! 🤣 There was potential for that to be disastrous but Yardley balances it well with deeper insight into her character. Behind her boisterous unfiltered personality, is a woman who has always been the disappointment in the family and who wants so badly to make her parents proud and find success. She can’t help but fight for the underdog, even if it that calls big trouble to her door or puts her in harm’s way. She’s a bit of a social justice warrior and hates supporting the corporate bros, but she’s in a really tight spot and has moved back into her childhood home to live with toxic parents. She has a great heart, even if at times she’s too trusting and forgiving (ngl, she has the worst instincts of who to trust), and thankfully, she does have great emotional support from her bestie, Prue.
Side note: I absolutely loathed her parents. I know that’s a strong feeling but wow, the way they spoke to her? The way they treated her? The way they were gaslighted her like it was their freaking job? No ma’am. I felt bad for Kate cos it’s clear she loved her family, but they couldn’t be more open about how disappointed and unsupportive they are of her. I will never understand people who demean, belittle, and condescend to others as a way to “motivate them to do better”. For serious, the gaslighting was unreal.
In contrast, Thomas is The Corporate Billionaire Bro™️ who’s got the money, looks, and charm to get what he wants. His backstory was tragic and I did feel for the guy, but he was also pretty hot/cold and at times it gave me whiplash. 🤭 The more we learn about him though, the more we see that he has an equally good heart that might’ve gotten buried beneath the pain of his past, the loss he endured, and the deal that quite literally has his life on the line. I was initially a bit confused reading his perspective because we learn about his situation in drips, and it took a while to get the full story. I wish that it had been laid out more clearly from the beginning, as I think it would’ve made the flow work better. This wasn’t a deal breaker though and I’m ready to see him kick some demon ass and save his soul!
Their romance was very instalust, no matter how much both tried to deny or ignore the fact that there was a clear sexual attraction. Their banter was fun and I loved how smitten Thomas was with Kate’s forthright attitude and how he loved pushing her buttons to have that attitude be directed at him! 🤣 I almost wish that their romance was a slower burn because so much happened between them (both good and bad), but I get why Yardley did what she did. I think we’re going to be in for a whole lot of pining as the series continues and I can’t wait for that angst, haha.
Overall, this was a really fun time and I’m so keen to see what happens next! I hope we get to learn more about Yagi (I feel like the waters run very deep with that onimyoji) and Prue as well, and I hope that they end up playing bigger roles in this story cos I want more of them. If you’re looking for a chaotic and hilarious paranormal romance romp, don’t hesitate to pick this up!
TL;DR: Temping Is Hell was a wild paranormal fantasy romcom romp! 🤣 It was definitely a bit bonkers but I mean that in a good way because it was so entertaining and I had a great time reading it! Kate, with her completely unfiltered chaos brain, and Thomas, the billionaire who needs to get his act together, were such an unlikely pairing, but I loved how her chaotic good energy grounded him. The ‘sold-my-soul-to-a-demon’ plot kept me completely engaged and it was fun learning about what happens when you do something like that—it’s not good, that’s for sure! I enjoyed the friendships, the banter, the sarcasm, and the chaos. Overall, this was a fun and humorous read that I would recommend if you’re looking for a paranormal romcom, especially for the spooky season~!
I wasn’t sure what we were going to get when I started this, but I’ve enjoyed Yardley’s books a lot, so I trusted the process and I wasn’t disappointed! Temping Is Hell was much more sarcastic/humorous than I expected, but it only added to the entire “over-the-top” romp vibes and made the story that much more fun to read. The glimpse we get into this alternate universe where demons (and demon hunters) existed was interesting and I was so intrigued to see what other paranormal entities existed. I liked that lore was a mix of Western and non-Western and that we got to learn about Japanese demon hunters too! 👺 It was also fun learning about how hell functions, the different types of demons, and how deals with demon overlords worked. I wanted to know more about the scope of the paranormal in this world, but I’m hoping that’s explored more as the series continues. Also, I didn’t expect to empathise with certain demons but the Basement Boys, particularly Slim, and their obsession with HoHos was so incredibly endearing! 🤭
The story follows the perspectives of our FMC, Kate, and our MMC, Thomas, and I liked both of them a lot. Of the two, however, Kate was definitely my favourite. She’s a chaos monster and hot mess, but I loved her take no bull attitude and how she has no filter whatsoever, lol. It doesn’t matter if you’re the CEO of the company or if you’re just some rando on the street—Kate will tell you what she thinks whether you want to know or not! 🤣 There was potential for that to be disastrous but Yardley balances it well with deeper insight into her character. Behind her boisterous unfiltered personality, is a woman who has always been the disappointment in the family and who wants so badly to make her parents proud and find success. She can’t help but fight for the underdog, even if it that calls big trouble to her door or puts her in harm’s way. She’s a bit of a social justice warrior and hates supporting the corporate bros, but she’s in a really tight spot and has moved back into her childhood home to live with toxic parents. She has a great heart, even if at times she’s too trusting and forgiving (ngl, she has the worst instincts of who to trust), and thankfully, she does have great emotional support from her bestie, Prue.
Side note: I absolutely loathed her parents. I know that’s a strong feeling but wow, the way they spoke to her? The way they treated her? The way they were gaslighted her like it was their freaking job? No ma’am. I felt bad for Kate cos it’s clear she loved her family, but they couldn’t be more open about how disappointed and unsupportive they are of her. I will never understand people who demean, belittle, and condescend to others as a way to “motivate them to do better”. For serious, the gaslighting was unreal.
In contrast, Thomas is The Corporate Billionaire Bro™️ who’s got the money, looks, and charm to get what he wants. His backstory was tragic and I did feel for the guy, but he was also pretty hot/cold and at times it gave me whiplash. 🤭 The more we learn about him though, the more we see that he has an equally good heart that might’ve gotten buried beneath the pain of his past, the loss he endured, and the deal that quite literally has his life on the line. I was initially a bit confused reading his perspective because we learn about his situation in drips, and it took a while to get the full story. I wish that it had been laid out more clearly from the beginning, as I think it would’ve made the flow work better. This wasn’t a deal breaker though and I’m ready to see him kick some demon ass and save his soul!
Their romance was very instalust, no matter how much both tried to deny or ignore the fact that there was a clear sexual attraction. Their banter was fun and I loved how smitten Thomas was with Kate’s forthright attitude and how he loved pushing her buttons to have that attitude be directed at him! 🤣 I almost wish that their romance was a slower burn because so much happened between them (both good and bad), but I get why Yardley did what she did. I think we’re going to be in for a whole lot of pining as the series continues and I can’t wait for that angst, haha.
Overall, this was a really fun time and I’m so keen to see what happens next! I hope we get to learn more about Yagi (I feel like the waters run very deep with that onimyoji) and Prue as well, and I hope that they end up playing bigger roles in this story cos I want more of them. If you’re looking for a chaotic and hilarious paranormal romance romp, don’t hesitate to pick this up!
November 12, 2025
This was a fun, bonkers, paranormal suspense with a strong romantic main plotline. As different as Thomas and Kate are, somehow it just works. Keep in mind it's an initial book introducing us to the characters with worldbuilding, so it ends with resolution of initial questions with lots of open ones left. Basically it hooked me and I want to enjoy the ride along as we uncover more in future books. Crossing my fingers the next installment isn't too far out.
November 28, 2025
A great beginning to a series. As a woman who is also an extremely competent admin who temped and did contract work for a long time, I totally relate to Kate's skills, her empathy for the mistreated, and her attitude of doing something about it. Cathy Yardley has built a world that includes demons and Hell and a soul-buying pyramid scheme around this filterless charmer and I am here for it! Bring on the rest of the murders.
December 29, 2025
3.5 but I’m rounding up. Didn’t realize when I started this that it was going to be more of a fantasy set up like the Demigods of SF series. Had a great time reading it, I really like our FMC. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
November 1, 2025
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Kate is the queen of temp work but even this new job offer may be too much for her. The money is good but it may cost her, her soul.
Temping is Hell can be read as stand-alone urban fantasy. This book does contain open-door content. The book does have a bit of an open ending with the MCs in a “happy for now” state. There is some build up of side characters and hints at what could be plots to additional books if this becomes a series.
While Temping is Hell is a different genre than I typically read from this author, the book still has all the keys to her writing style including her snappy sense of humor and wit. Kate may not have her life together but she’s good at the work she does. I think a lot of readers will relate to that. I love that she doesn’t put up with anyone’s nonsense, human boss or otherwise, but she still has a good heart and tries to do the right thing. Thomas’ character develops a bit slower but even by the end, his actions seem justifiable. Personally, I need to know about “Slim”. He is quite the scene stealer and I’m intrigued.
Cathy Yardley has created a unique fantasy world in a contemporary setting which is always fun. There’s just enough mystery left unsolved that there is plenty of room for additional stories. I look forward to seeing what the author does with this interesting group of characters she has created.
Kate is the queen of temp work but even this new job offer may be too much for her. The money is good but it may cost her, her soul.
Temping is Hell can be read as stand-alone urban fantasy. This book does contain open-door content. The book does have a bit of an open ending with the MCs in a “happy for now” state. There is some build up of side characters and hints at what could be plots to additional books if this becomes a series.
While Temping is Hell is a different genre than I typically read from this author, the book still has all the keys to her writing style including her snappy sense of humor and wit. Kate may not have her life together but she’s good at the work she does. I think a lot of readers will relate to that. I love that she doesn’t put up with anyone’s nonsense, human boss or otherwise, but she still has a good heart and tries to do the right thing. Thomas’ character develops a bit slower but even by the end, his actions seem justifiable. Personally, I need to know about “Slim”. He is quite the scene stealer and I’m intrigued.
Cathy Yardley has created a unique fantasy world in a contemporary setting which is always fun. There’s just enough mystery left unsolved that there is plenty of room for additional stories. I look forward to seeing what the author does with this interesting group of characters she has created.
October 30, 2025
You need to RUSH to read this laugh out loud paranormal romcom
All the stars from me for this one. Like ALL. THE. STARS!!
I binge read this cover to cover, and was quite literally sniggering in bed at 1am reading this. I just couldn't put it down.
When the opening page has this line, “All right, damn it,” he bellowed, his voice echoing against the concrete. “Which one of you ate another temp?” well I knew I was going to LOVE it!
And I did. I adored the FMC, Kate. She was just so chaotic and kind. And honestly her banter with her new sexy billionaire boss was hilarious. And dont get me started on her relationship with the Demons in the basement. Like so funny!
There is SO much about this book that I loved. Here's just a few reasons you should read this:
#urbanfantasy
#workplaceromcom
#demons and #soulbargains
#paranormal characters
Hot billionaire boss and a clumsy, chaotic but kind FMC
This is book one and I NEED book two!
Huge thank you to Literary Media Tours for gifting me this ebook. I will be reading this again and again. All thoughts are my own.
This is a perfect read if you are looking for something that will brighten your mood with paranormal twists.
All the stars from me for this one. Like ALL. THE. STARS!!
I binge read this cover to cover, and was quite literally sniggering in bed at 1am reading this. I just couldn't put it down.
When the opening page has this line, “All right, damn it,” he bellowed, his voice echoing against the concrete. “Which one of you ate another temp?” well I knew I was going to LOVE it!
And I did. I adored the FMC, Kate. She was just so chaotic and kind. And honestly her banter with her new sexy billionaire boss was hilarious. And dont get me started on her relationship with the Demons in the basement. Like so funny!
There is SO much about this book that I loved. Here's just a few reasons you should read this:
#urbanfantasy
#workplaceromcom
#demons and #soulbargains
#paranormal characters
Hot billionaire boss and a clumsy, chaotic but kind FMC
This is book one and I NEED book two!
Huge thank you to Literary Media Tours for gifting me this ebook. I will be reading this again and again. All thoughts are my own.
This is a perfect read if you are looking for something that will brighten your mood with paranormal twists.
December 3, 2025
🌶️
I absolutely adored this slow burn paranormal romance. I kept coming back for more, honestly because the plot had me hooked and I wanted to see what was going to happen next. There were definitely some characters that I never liked, but I wasn’t meant to. I adored the FMC and her lack of filter and trying to do good ways. I can’t wait to see what comes in the next book!
❤️ Tropes ❤️
💋 paranormal romance
💋 slow burn
💋 office romance
💋 CEO/temp
💋 but add in demons
Kate is pretty sure this is the worst temp job ever. But she can’t lose another one. After her uncle’s company went under, she had to move back in with her parents. She can’t find a job, so temping it is. But this office seems like Hell. As soon as she makes enough to pay off all of her bills she is out. It doesn’t matter that the CEO is sin on a stick, he’s ruthless and there are practices in the office she just can’t get behind. Her moral compass won’t let her. When she tried to right one of those wrongs, she accidentally signed over her soul. Well, it looks like she isn’t going anywhere, yet.
Thank you to Literary Media Tours for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
I absolutely adored this slow burn paranormal romance. I kept coming back for more, honestly because the plot had me hooked and I wanted to see what was going to happen next. There were definitely some characters that I never liked, but I wasn’t meant to. I adored the FMC and her lack of filter and trying to do good ways. I can’t wait to see what comes in the next book!
❤️ Tropes ❤️
💋 paranormal romance
💋 slow burn
💋 office romance
💋 CEO/temp
💋 but add in demons
Kate is pretty sure this is the worst temp job ever. But she can’t lose another one. After her uncle’s company went under, she had to move back in with her parents. She can’t find a job, so temping it is. But this office seems like Hell. As soon as she makes enough to pay off all of her bills she is out. It doesn’t matter that the CEO is sin on a stick, he’s ruthless and there are practices in the office she just can’t get behind. Her moral compass won’t let her. When she tried to right one of those wrongs, she accidentally signed over her soul. Well, it looks like she isn’t going anywhere, yet.
Thank you to Literary Media Tours for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
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