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Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me
Hazel Lewis has a serious problem. The guy who hired her to conduct a seance before he died turned out to be a serial killer with a demonic contract, and the seance itself was a trap. Hazel escaped with her life, but not as she knew it: the bite of a demon is spreading through her body, letting the supernatural bleed into the world around her, and the now-dead serial killer is waiting to take over her body if she dies.
Hoping to contain the damage, Hazel moves to a small house in a remote location. She figures she'll stay on her own until she gets a handle on her new dark reality, but she soon finds out that she's not alone. There's the reporter demanding answers, the friendly neighbor with chemistry she doesn't need and problems he can't talk about…and the mysterious face she sees beyond her window, watching her every night with glowing red eyes.
Making her hunger.
Hazel knew a little bit about the world beyond the physical. Now she's learning how much she doesn't know, including who she can trust...and who she can become if she trusts herself enough to give in to the shadows stalking her dreams.
Hoping to contain the damage, Hazel moves to a small house in a remote location. She figures she'll stay on her own until she gets a handle on her new dark reality, but she soon finds out that she's not alone. There's the reporter demanding answers, the friendly neighbor with chemistry she doesn't need and problems he can't talk about…and the mysterious face she sees beyond her window, watching her every night with glowing red eyes.
Making her hunger.
Hazel knew a little bit about the world beyond the physical. Now she's learning how much she doesn't know, including who she can trust...and who she can become if she trusts herself enough to give in to the shadows stalking her dreams.
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
August 11, 2026
This was a bit of a mixed read for me.
The premise is honestly fantastic. A séance gone wrong, a serial killer with a demonic contract, and an FMC slowly dealing with the consequences of being bitten by a demon and becoming... infected? Possessed? Something somewhere in between? I was IN.
I actually went into this expecting the romance to be what kept me hooked, but surprisingly, I ended up being much more interested in the supernatural side of the story and watching Hazel navigate everything happening to her.
The first part worked really well for me. It had this spooky, slightly unsettling atmosphere that kept me curious, and I loved slowly discovering more about the supernatural world alongside Hazel. The introduction of certain... elements was also very interesting.
Unfortunately, once Hazel moved to the remote house, things started to slow down. I felt like some of the tension from the beginning disappeared and my excitement gradually went with it. The second half simply didn't hold my attention in quite the same way.
The romance was fine, and I actually thought the spicy scenes were pretty well done, but the relationship itself wasn't what kept me reading. I was far more invested in Hazel's demon situation and wanted even more from that side of the story.
Overall, this wasn't a bad read at all, especially for a debut. There are some really interesting ideas here, and I can definitely see the potential. I just wish the pacing and tension had remained more consistent throughout because I loved the premise and really enjoyed that spooky first half.
⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
The premise is honestly fantastic. A séance gone wrong, a serial killer with a demonic contract, and an FMC slowly dealing with the consequences of being bitten by a demon and becoming... infected? Possessed? Something somewhere in between? I was IN.
I actually went into this expecting the romance to be what kept me hooked, but surprisingly, I ended up being much more interested in the supernatural side of the story and watching Hazel navigate everything happening to her.
The first part worked really well for me. It had this spooky, slightly unsettling atmosphere that kept me curious, and I loved slowly discovering more about the supernatural world alongside Hazel. The introduction of certain... elements was also very interesting.
Unfortunately, once Hazel moved to the remote house, things started to slow down. I felt like some of the tension from the beginning disappeared and my excitement gradually went with it. The second half simply didn't hold my attention in quite the same way.
The romance was fine, and I actually thought the spicy scenes were pretty well done, but the relationship itself wasn't what kept me reading. I was far more invested in Hazel's demon situation and wanted even more from that side of the story.
Overall, this wasn't a bad read at all, especially for a debut. There are some really interesting ideas here, and I can definitely see the potential. I just wish the pacing and tension had remained more consistent throughout because I loved the premise and really enjoyed that spooky first half.
⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
August 17, 2026
3.5 ⭐
Right from the start, this was pretty action packed. I mean, seriously... Chapter 1 has medium Hazel Lewis performing a seance, fighting demons, and a house collapsing.
For a debut, the writing was solid. After a seance gone wrong, Medium Hazel Lewis becomes tethered to the demon world which causes an overlap between both of her spaces. I've never been one to 'see' the words on the page as a picture but I really was able to visualize the creepiness of the worlds bleeding into each other. The author has such a vivid imagination, it was beautiful to read.
The pacing was executed well, we see things begin to slow down towards the middle due to Hazel getting smarter about her actions. She moves to a remote cabin and cuts herself off from others in order to keep the people around her safe. Even with the slower pace, I still found myself interested in what was going to happen next. I loved how smart and capable Hazel was. She didn't need someone (a man specifically) to guide her to safety. Hazel is such a strong FMC, I can't imagine how much research the author did in order to bring this story to life. There was so much information that seemed like filler but made sense in the long run. Hazel needed to know in order to untether herself.
All in all, this was a fantastic read. If you liked Phantasma by Kaylie Smith, you might be a fan of Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this debut. All thoughts are my own 🖤 I hope to see more of Isabel Crowley in the future.
Right from the start, this was pretty action packed. I mean, seriously... Chapter 1 has medium Hazel Lewis performing a seance, fighting demons, and a house collapsing.
For a debut, the writing was solid. After a seance gone wrong, Medium Hazel Lewis becomes tethered to the demon world which causes an overlap between both of her spaces. I've never been one to 'see' the words on the page as a picture but I really was able to visualize the creepiness of the worlds bleeding into each other. The author has such a vivid imagination, it was beautiful to read.
The pacing was executed well, we see things begin to slow down towards the middle due to Hazel getting smarter about her actions. She moves to a remote cabin and cuts herself off from others in order to keep the people around her safe. Even with the slower pace, I still found myself interested in what was going to happen next. I loved how smart and capable Hazel was. She didn't need someone (a man specifically) to guide her to safety. Hazel is such a strong FMC, I can't imagine how much research the author did in order to bring this story to life. There was so much information that seemed like filler but made sense in the long run. Hazel needed to know in order to untether herself.
All in all, this was a fantastic read. If you liked Phantasma by Kaylie Smith, you might be a fan of Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this debut. All thoughts are my own 🖤 I hope to see more of Isabel Crowley in the future.
October 6, 2026
I'm... confused. While I mostly enjoyed the story... I have no idea what I read? How did we go from a serial killer being discovered to fighting a head demon to free your lesser demon lover? Speaking of lover... I think this was the dirtiest trad pub book I've read? I could be wrong but jeebus. In the end, all I cared about was whether the ghost puppy survived so I guess the book wasn't too terrible.
August 18, 2026
—꒰ 🕷️ ꒱ 3.5 stars
Read
July 5, 2026❤️ Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me ❤️
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Paranormal Romance
• Haunted House
• Demon Bite
• Small Town
• Supernatural Mystery
• Morally Gray Magic
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 11, 2026
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Paranormal Romance
• Haunted House
• Demon Bite
• Small Town
• Supernatural Mystery
• Morally Gray Magic
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 11, 2026
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
August 20, 2026
What started out with a horrifying, supernatural bang fizzled out as the story progressed. There were parts here and there that picked up the pace, but a lot of the initial momentum was lost.
I loved the hauntings and ethereal world and the disturbing beings, but could’ve done without the romance completely.
I liked Casper, but the other characters just ended up annoying me by the end.
Overall, this book’s paranormal aspects were interesting, so it’s definitely worth a read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy!
I loved the hauntings and ethereal world and the disturbing beings, but could’ve done without the romance completely.
I liked Casper, but the other characters just ended up annoying me by the end.
Overall, this book’s paranormal aspects were interesting, so it’s definitely worth a read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy!
June 6, 2026
2.5⭐️
A medium gets lured into a sham exorcism so a dying serial killer can use her as bait. She gets “bit” by a demon and slowly the otherside begins to morph with her reality.
‘Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me’ (mouthful i know), follows Hazel, a medium, as she tries to figure out what the hell she’s supposed to do about her situation as she’s become a conduit for essentially the supernatural. Hazel’s an easy character to root for, has a dry sarcastic humor and a maturity to her.
I’m always a sucker for psychological horror romance, the more insane the better, and I love when a plot has the character’s reality distorting. I had no idea how much this would delve into romance, but it takes up a lot of the plot. (Note, there is explicit sexual content in this book btw)
I felt this story didn’t need to be as long as it was, the plot felt a bit bloated with extra scenes when I wanted more ghost/demon conflicts. The first 25% (primarily Part 1) was exciting, I was hooked by the conflict and thought it held a lot of promise. Part 2 slowed down for me and trudged along in a fashion I sadly didn’t enjoy. I was expecting this to be more horror-esq, less of relationship building between Hazel and the love interest. It felt like this became a whole new story on its own and sadly, it lost my attention.
*ARC courtesy of netgalley*
A medium gets lured into a sham exorcism so a dying serial killer can use her as bait. She gets “bit” by a demon and slowly the otherside begins to morph with her reality.
‘Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me’ (mouthful i know), follows Hazel, a medium, as she tries to figure out what the hell she’s supposed to do about her situation as she’s become a conduit for essentially the supernatural. Hazel’s an easy character to root for, has a dry sarcastic humor and a maturity to her.
I’m always a sucker for psychological horror romance, the more insane the better, and I love when a plot has the character’s reality distorting. I had no idea how much this would delve into romance, but it takes up a lot of the plot. (Note, there is explicit sexual content in this book btw)
I felt this story didn’t need to be as long as it was, the plot felt a bit bloated with extra scenes when I wanted more ghost/demon conflicts. The first 25% (primarily Part 1) was exciting, I was hooked by the conflict and thought it held a lot of promise. Part 2 slowed down for me and trudged along in a fashion I sadly didn’t enjoy. I was expecting this to be more horror-esq, less of relationship building between Hazel and the love interest. It felt like this became a whole new story on its own and sadly, it lost my attention.
*ARC courtesy of netgalley*
July 26, 2026
✨ARC Book Review✨
Rating~ 3.5 rounded up
This book started out with a bang! That first chapter was straight fire!
The story starts with Hazel, who is a medium, going to an elderly man’s house to perform a seance. That whole scene escalates in the worst way possible, and now Hazel finds herself being targeted by a demon. Throughout the story, the demon sends his henchman, Maxwell, to keep an eye on her and carry out his orders. The only problem is that Maxwell ends up developing feelings for Hazel along the way.
This book started out top tier, and I really enjoyed it. The writing was so descriptive, especially in the beginning. My only wish is that we had gotten more of the demon. He was such an interesting and intimidating presence that I selfishly wanted more scenes with him.
I also thought this book did a great job balancing horror and dark romance. The two blended together really well. I will say I connected more with the horror than the romance, but I still enjoyed both.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating~ 3.5 rounded up
This book started out with a bang! That first chapter was straight fire!
The story starts with Hazel, who is a medium, going to an elderly man’s house to perform a seance. That whole scene escalates in the worst way possible, and now Hazel finds herself being targeted by a demon. Throughout the story, the demon sends his henchman, Maxwell, to keep an eye on her and carry out his orders. The only problem is that Maxwell ends up developing feelings for Hazel along the way.
This book started out top tier, and I really enjoyed it. The writing was so descriptive, especially in the beginning. My only wish is that we had gotten more of the demon. He was such an interesting and intimidating presence that I selfishly wanted more scenes with him.
I also thought this book did a great job balancing horror and dark romance. The two blended together really well. I will say I connected more with the horror than the romance, but I still enjoyed both.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Did Not Finish
September 24, 2026DNF on page 188, when the heroine (incorrectly!) quoted the "¿Por qué no los dos?" taco shell commercial and something deep inside of me died.
August 8, 2026
A spectacular debut that boasts unwanted demons, and minions, watchers, nature spirits, ghostly animals and the possibilities of an off the beaten path romance.
There’s action, drama, a fight for one’s soul and sanity! Dealings with both the physical world and an ethereal dimension.
Knowing who and when to trust, even oneself.
Visually disturbing, viscerally described scenery thats almost….squishy!
Self doubt in trusting one’s own abilities, self induced fear and panic when situations arise larger than expected.
And it all starts with the unexpected, unwelcomed jolt from a lone medium during a requested seance. A bite from a demon and things tilt the axis of normalcy.
An absolute terrific surprise with equal parts horror and spicy romance.
Thank you, Sourcebooks Casablanca for the entertainment and this new author, thoroughly enjoyed.
There’s action, drama, a fight for one’s soul and sanity! Dealings with both the physical world and an ethereal dimension.
Knowing who and when to trust, even oneself.
Visually disturbing, viscerally described scenery thats almost….squishy!
Self doubt in trusting one’s own abilities, self induced fear and panic when situations arise larger than expected.
And it all starts with the unexpected, unwelcomed jolt from a lone medium during a requested seance. A bite from a demon and things tilt the axis of normalcy.
An absolute terrific surprise with equal parts horror and spicy romance.
Thank you, Sourcebooks Casablanca for the entertainment and this new author, thoroughly enjoyed.
August 13, 2026
4/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️
1.5/5 🌶️
August 23, 2026
fun fact i read this whole book thinking it was "world's okayest oracle reluctantly seeks demon" by olivia dade because my libby audiobook for that book played this audio instead. so i accidentally read this book and it was a DELIGHT. so if u enjoy olivia dade paranormal romances you might enjoy this one
June 24, 2026
BANGER of a first chapter.
I started reading this book in the middle of a nail appt, made it two chapters then had to stop because I was too absorbed and kept moving my hand away from my nail tech without realizing haha.
After an exorcism gone wrong, medium Hazel is ‘marked’ which causes her world and the demon world to overlap. Friendly stalking, a black cat fmc x sunshine demon mmc & a very unique world made it one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. I absolutely loved it. Such a cutie of a book.
**Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca for an eARC. I LOVED it and hope to see more books from this author in the future**
I started reading this book in the middle of a nail appt, made it two chapters then had to stop because I was too absorbed and kept moving my hand away from my nail tech without realizing haha.
After an exorcism gone wrong, medium Hazel is ‘marked’ which causes her world and the demon world to overlap. Friendly stalking, a black cat fmc x sunshine demon mmc & a very unique world made it one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. I absolutely loved it. Such a cutie of a book.
**Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca for an eARC. I LOVED it and hope to see more books from this author in the future**
July 30, 2026
*3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book!
I'll be honest. After diving into truly dark romance for the first time recently and hating it, I was worried about this novel. It promises a serial killer, demon bargains, and stalking, so I was scared that I wasn't going to like it at all. But I am happy to say that wasn't the case at all! The first few chapters were confusing for me, as you dive right into a brand new paranormal world right off the bat, but slowly but surely I found myself drawn into this world. I started thinking about it in my spare time, which is always a great sign.
I enjoyed the romance plot between Hazel and Ligat, though I wish there had been a bit more tension between them. It made sense that they were "rushing" into things, given their circumstances, but I just personally love a slow burn full of anticipation, lusting, and yearning after one another. I was slightly confused about Ligat vs. Maxwell, and wish more had been done with that before the big reveal that they are one in the same. It would have been interesting if Maxwell forgot all of Ligat's memories and POV (and vice versa) while he was in his physical form. It would have made for some good drama, but alas.
The ending felt a bit rushed, but I was glad to see everyone get their happy ending. I was going to be VERY pissed if Casper hadn't made it through the final battle. And I was also hoping that he would have become some badass hellhound in the Etheral. On the whole, this was a really enjoyable novel. It brought something new and interesting to paranormal and horror novels that I hadn't seen before!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book!
I'll be honest. After diving into truly dark romance for the first time recently and hating it, I was worried about this novel. It promises a serial killer, demon bargains, and stalking, so I was scared that I wasn't going to like it at all. But I am happy to say that wasn't the case at all! The first few chapters were confusing for me, as you dive right into a brand new paranormal world right off the bat, but slowly but surely I found myself drawn into this world. I started thinking about it in my spare time, which is always a great sign.
I enjoyed the romance plot between Hazel and Ligat, though I wish there had been a bit more tension between them. It made sense that they were "rushing" into things, given their circumstances, but I just personally love a slow burn full of anticipation, lusting, and yearning after one another. I was slightly confused about Ligat vs. Maxwell, and wish more had been done with that before the big reveal that they are one in the same. It would have been interesting if Maxwell forgot all of Ligat's memories and POV (and vice versa) while he was in his physical form. It would have made for some good drama, but alas.
The ending felt a bit rushed, but I was glad to see everyone get their happy ending. I was going to be VERY pissed if Casper hadn't made it through the final battle. And I was also hoping that he would have become some badass hellhound in the Etheral. On the whole, this was a really enjoyable novel. It brought something new and interesting to paranormal and horror novels that I hadn't seen before!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2026
This book throws you right in and I love that in a book! Give me action right off the bat and you'll hook me. But the hook didn't last. I slowly felt my interest waining. I would've liked either a fast-paced fun read or something with more depth and character development, but this landed somewhere in between. It felt like it was trying to be a lot of things, and you could find the pieces, but the story wasn't rounded out in a way that had a clear direction or provoked intrigue. There were lots of good bits to the story, but, unfortunately, it didn't come together as a whole.
July 24, 2026
👻📚 Want Me Take Me Haunt Me Make Me by Isabel Crowley
⭐ ARC Read | Release Date: August 11, 2026
First off, thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this edition in exchange for my honest review.
⸻
🔮 Vibe Check
👻 Haunted houses? ✔️
😈 Moody demon catching feelings he absolutely did NOT order? ✔️
🕯️ Rituals, séances, and creepy paranormal goodness? ✔️
🐍 Snakes, ghosts, mediums, and spiritual chaos? ✔️
❤️ Slow-burn supernatural romance
📖 Top-tier world building
🐢 Pacing that occasionally forgot it was supposed to… pace
⸻
Isabel Crowley came out swinging with the world building. From the séance rituals to the tools, symbols, and the way the physical and spiritual worlds collided, I was completely invested. It felt immersive enough that I almost started wondering if I should keep salt in my kitchen… you know… just in case. 😂
Hazel was easy to root for. Her fear, confusion, and constant uncertainty about whether she was actually going to survive had me clutching my emotional support Kindle more than once.
Then we have Ligat…
This emotionally constipated demon spent so much time lurking in the shadows that I started expecting him to pay rent. 🤣 Watching Hazel slowly chip away at whatever humanity he had left was honestly one of my favorite parts of the story. Their dynamic felt unique and kept me wanting more.
The blend of the supernatural and physical worlds was one of this book’s biggest strengths. It felt fresh and original instead of relying on the same paranormal formulas we’ve all seen before.
💀 Now for my biggest complaint…
Around the 40% mark, the pacing slammed on the brakes.
The story slowed considerably, and instead of moving the plot forward, it often felt like we were circling the same information with extra filler. I found myself waiting for the story to get back to the fantastic momentum it had built in the opening chapters.
One thing that repeatedly pulled me out of the story was the frequent emphasis on characters introducing themselves with their pronouns. After a while it became noticeable enough that it distracted me from what was actually happening in the scene.
🌶️ The spice?
It wasn’t bad.
It also wasn’t the kind of spice that’s going to make your Kindle overheat.
Think more “pleasant supernatural simmer” than “call the fire department.” 😏
⸻
⚖️ Final Verdict
This was an incredibly original paranormal story with some of the strongest supernatural world building I’ve read in quite a while. The atmosphere, the rituals, and watching Hazel and Ligat’s relationship evolve kept me invested from beginning to end.
I just wish the pacing had stayed as strong as the opening because there’s a really great story hiding underneath the slower middle section.
Would I read another Isabel Crowley book?
Absolutely.
Because if this is where her imagination starts, I want to see what kind of supernatural chaos she comes up with next.
⭐ 3.75/5 Stars
⭐ ARC Read | Release Date: August 11, 2026
First off, thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this edition in exchange for my honest review.
⸻
🔮 Vibe Check
👻 Haunted houses? ✔️
😈 Moody demon catching feelings he absolutely did NOT order? ✔️
🕯️ Rituals, séances, and creepy paranormal goodness? ✔️
🐍 Snakes, ghosts, mediums, and spiritual chaos? ✔️
❤️ Slow-burn supernatural romance
📖 Top-tier world building
🐢 Pacing that occasionally forgot it was supposed to… pace
⸻
Isabel Crowley came out swinging with the world building. From the séance rituals to the tools, symbols, and the way the physical and spiritual worlds collided, I was completely invested. It felt immersive enough that I almost started wondering if I should keep salt in my kitchen… you know… just in case. 😂
Hazel was easy to root for. Her fear, confusion, and constant uncertainty about whether she was actually going to survive had me clutching my emotional support Kindle more than once.
Then we have Ligat…
This emotionally constipated demon spent so much time lurking in the shadows that I started expecting him to pay rent. 🤣 Watching Hazel slowly chip away at whatever humanity he had left was honestly one of my favorite parts of the story. Their dynamic felt unique and kept me wanting more.
The blend of the supernatural and physical worlds was one of this book’s biggest strengths. It felt fresh and original instead of relying on the same paranormal formulas we’ve all seen before.
💀 Now for my biggest complaint…
Around the 40% mark, the pacing slammed on the brakes.
The story slowed considerably, and instead of moving the plot forward, it often felt like we were circling the same information with extra filler. I found myself waiting for the story to get back to the fantastic momentum it had built in the opening chapters.
One thing that repeatedly pulled me out of the story was the frequent emphasis on characters introducing themselves with their pronouns. After a while it became noticeable enough that it distracted me from what was actually happening in the scene.
🌶️ The spice?
It wasn’t bad.
It also wasn’t the kind of spice that’s going to make your Kindle overheat.
Think more “pleasant supernatural simmer” than “call the fire department.” 😏
⸻
⚖️ Final Verdict
This was an incredibly original paranormal story with some of the strongest supernatural world building I’ve read in quite a while. The atmosphere, the rituals, and watching Hazel and Ligat’s relationship evolve kept me invested from beginning to end.
I just wish the pacing had stayed as strong as the opening because there’s a really great story hiding underneath the slower middle section.
Would I read another Isabel Crowley book?
Absolutely.
Because if this is where her imagination starts, I want to see what kind of supernatural chaos she comes up with next.
⭐ 3.75/5 Stars
May 12, 2026
Thank you to the author and the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, for sharing an ARC of this book with me on NetGalley!!
“The house didn’t look haunted, but few of them ever did”
“Every life has risk. We all hurt, we all die. Might as well get some enjoyment out of our time here”
A medium. A hunting demon. A cute neighbour. A mystery I couldn’t wait to unravel. I loved loved loved this book !!! What a marvellous story. What an intriguing plot line. What enchanting characters. And such a dark and brooding and crazy and interesting MMC, I simply couldn’t help but love him. It was funny. It was spicy. It was action packed and it was intense. It was one of the best ghost stories I have read in a while and one of the best romances. Every second was a marvel. Every chapter was a mystery and every dynamic between the characters was enjoyable. It had really no faults in my eyes. There was not a moment I doubted I would have given this book five stars. And the aesthetic and gothic vibes of a medium working side by side with a demon who was sent to spy on her … dang it, that will always get my attention! Everything was delivered so masterfully by the author that I honestly can’t help but wanting more !!!!
“He doubted that would end well, but he couldn’t regret it”
“The world outside went away completely. Even better, for a few seconds, he did too”
“And if you can’t … I’ll still have been more fortunate than I ever could have imagined”
“The house didn’t look haunted, but few of them ever did”
“Every life has risk. We all hurt, we all die. Might as well get some enjoyment out of our time here”
A medium. A hunting demon. A cute neighbour. A mystery I couldn’t wait to unravel. I loved loved loved this book !!! What a marvellous story. What an intriguing plot line. What enchanting characters. And such a dark and brooding and crazy and interesting MMC, I simply couldn’t help but love him. It was funny. It was spicy. It was action packed and it was intense. It was one of the best ghost stories I have read in a while and one of the best romances. Every second was a marvel. Every chapter was a mystery and every dynamic between the characters was enjoyable. It had really no faults in my eyes. There was not a moment I doubted I would have given this book five stars. And the aesthetic and gothic vibes of a medium working side by side with a demon who was sent to spy on her … dang it, that will always get my attention! Everything was delivered so masterfully by the author that I honestly can’t help but wanting more !!!!
“He doubted that would end well, but he couldn’t regret it”
“The world outside went away completely. Even better, for a few seconds, he did too”
“And if you can’t … I’ll still have been more fortunate than I ever could have imagined”
September 17, 2026
👻 EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FROM HELL 👻
Ligat is a century-old occult servant who was sent to keep an eye on a medium whose soul is essentially on his boss’s to-do list.
So naturally, he handled that assignment with impeccable professionalism.
“𝑮𝒐𝒅, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒐 𝒂 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👻 Medium FMC
😈 Demon-bound MMC
🕯️ Occult romance
🖤 Forbidden attraction
🔥 Touch her and die
🐕 Ghost dog with impeccable timing
This was weird, funny, horny, and just complicated enough to have me building conspiracy theories halfway through.
Give me all the red string. 🧶
🎵 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈: “𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓” — 𝑨𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝑶𝒃𝒆𝒍
Ligat is a century-old occult servant who was sent to keep an eye on a medium whose soul is essentially on his boss’s to-do list.
So naturally, he handled that assignment with impeccable professionalism.
“𝑮𝒐𝒅, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒐 𝒂 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
👻 Medium FMC
😈 Demon-bound MMC
🕯️ Occult romance
🖤 Forbidden attraction
🔥 Touch her and die
🐕 Ghost dog with impeccable timing
This was weird, funny, horny, and just complicated enough to have me building conspiracy theories halfway through.
Give me all the red string. 🧶
🎵 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈: “𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓” — 𝑨𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝑶𝒃𝒆𝒍
September 4, 2026
3.3/5
The beginning was great, but its not as action packed as I would have liked. By the end, the pace picks up again.
The beginning was great, but its not as action packed as I would have liked. By the end, the pace picks up again.
September 15, 2026
The concept was there, the execution was not.
Did Not Finish
April 19, 2026DNF. Just not my thing, but a publisher sent it to me so I gave it a go.
August 30, 2026
Title: Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me
Author: Isabel Crowley
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Supernatural Horror Romance
Subgenres: Demonic Horror, Occult Suspense, Dark Romance, Small-Town Paranormal Mystery
⭐️My Rating: 4/5
🌶️My Spicy Rating: 2.5/5
Publication Date: August 11th 2026
(I know, I’m late in posting, ADHD & Medical Residency…iykyk)
Tropes:
• Demon bite with unexpected consequences
• Supernatural transformation
• Isolated house in the middle of nowhere
• Forced proximity
• Mysterious neighbor
• Persistent investigative reporter
• Red eyes outside the window
• “Who can I trust?”
• Dangerous attraction
• Paranormal hunger
• Haunted heroine
• Body possession threat
• Morally gray supernatural figures
• Hidden identities and secret agendas
• The monster may already be inside her
• Learning to embrace the darkness
• Occult mystery
• Small-town secrets
• Touch her and face supernatural consequences
• Horror with romantic tension
Content & Trigger Warnings
Potential content includes:
• serial murder
• demonic possession
• occult rituals
• séances
• supernatural stalking
• body horror
• physical transformation
• biting
• blood
• death
• threats of bodily takeover
• loss of bodily autonomy
• isolation
• nightmares
• predatory behavior
• violence
• psychological distress
• manipulation
• morally gray characters
• sexual content.
As always, I recommend checking the author’s complete content-warning list before reading, particularly if demonic possession, body horror, or threats to bodily autonomy are sensitive subjects for you.
The Quick & Dirty
Hazel Lewis thought she was conducting a séance for a client. Unfortunately, that client was a serial killer with a demonic contract and the séance was never supposed to let her leave unchanged.
Although Hazel survives, a demon’s bite is spreading through her body and weakening the boundary between the physical and supernatural worlds. Even worse, the dead killer is waiting for the chance to claim her body if she dies.
Hazel retreats to an isolated house, hoping solitude will give her enough time to understand what is happening. Instead, she finds herself surrounded by questions. A reporter wants answers. Her seemingly friendly neighbor inspires an inconvenient amount of chemistry while hiding secrets of his own. And every night, something with glowing red eyes watches her through the window.
The most frightening part is not simply that Hazel is being watched. It is that whatever lurks outside awakens a hunger inside her…and Hazel must decide whether survival means resisting the darkness or finally trusting herself enough to embrace it.
My Neurospicy Thoughts & Perspective
Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me had me asking one very important question: if the red-eyed supernatural entity outside your window is terrifying but also strangely attractive, do you call an exorcist, close the curtains, or reconsider your dating standards? Things I would like to know at this juncture that’s for sure…
This premise immediately grabbed me with its combination of demonic horror, paranormal mystery, dangerous desire, and an FMC whose greatest threat may also become the source of her power. For me it wasn’t that Hazel was not simply running from a monster, but she was trying to understand what the monster’s bite is turning her into and whether the darkness awakening inside her is something to fear or something she has been conditioned to suppress. It was an excellent read for that premise alone.
That internal conflict gives the story more substance than a straightforward haunted-house romance. The supernatural danger works on both an external and deeply personal level, creating a constant undercurrent of uncertainty, temptation, and escalating dread.
The FMC – Hazel Lewis
Hazel is placed in an absolutely gut clenching & horrific situation, but what makes her compelling is that she is not completely unfamiliar with the supernatural. She knows enough to recognize that something is wrong, yet not enough to understand the rules governing her transformation. I would say that the gap between her knowledge and what she can control made her feel vulnerable without making her helpless. I love me a strong yet vulnerable female character, I won’t lie.
I especially enjoyed that her journey revolves around more than escaping the serial killer waiting to possess her. She must confront the changes within her body, the hunger emerging alongside them, and the possibility that survival will require her to stop treating every shadow inside herself as an enemy.
Her decision to isolate herself makes emotional sense. She is trying to protect herself and contain the potential damage, but isolation also deprives her of support precisely when she needs it most.
That contradiction makes her choices feel human, even when the circumstances are anything but pristine.
For me it felt like Hazel’s main story arc was ultimately about bodily autonomy, self-trust, and determining who she is allowed to become when her former understanding of herself no longer applies. Tough stuff.
The MMC…The Men Surrounding Hazel
The romantic and supernatural figures circling Hazel bring very different forms of tension to the story.
The friendly neighbor offers the most recognizable connection: warmth, proximity, attraction, and the possibility of something almost normal. However, his inability (or unwillingness) to explain his problems mean that even his friendliness carries uncertainty and fear. His chemistry with Hazel feels tempting precisely because she knows she cannot afford another complication.
The reporter introduces another source of pressure. His demand for answers forces Hazel to contend with the human consequences of the séance and the serial killer’s crimes, even while she is struggling with threats no ordinary investigation could fully explain.
Then there is the glowing-eyed watcher beyond the window: the most overtly supernatural and unsettling presence. He represents fear, curiosity, temptation, and the hunger Hazel does not yet understand. His presence turns the familiar image of something watching from the darkness into something disturbingly intimate.
Together, these men complicate the central question of trust. Each may possess information Hazel needs, but every potential connection comes with secrets, risks, and motives she cannot immediately read.
The Chemistry b/w Characters
I would say that the overall chemistry between all the characters in the story primarily thrives on uncertainty. Hazel is attracted to people and forces she knows she may not be able to trust, which gives even seemingly ordinary interactions a dangerous edge.
Her connection with the neighbor carries a more grounded type of tension, but the secrets surrounding him prevent it from ever feeling entirely safe. Meanwhile, the mysterious watcher produces a darker, more instinctive attraction, one tied directly to Hazel’s emerging supernatural hunger.
That contrast creates compelling tension between what Hazel thinks she should want and what her changing body responds to. Desire becomes another mystery she must solve, making the romantic elements feel inseparable from the paranormal plot.
The relationship dynamics are built around boundaries, secrecy, vulnerability, and trust. Hazel desperately needs answers, but relying on someone else could expose her to manipulation or give them access to the darkness growing inside her. It had me on the edge of my seat wondering just where the story was going.
It genuinely interested me that the way Hazel’s attraction and transformation appear to intersect. Hazel’s desires cannot be separated from what the demon bite is doing to her, leaving her to question whether her reactions are genuinely hers. That adds a meaningful layer to every developing connection because her romantic journey is also a fight to reclaim ownership of her body and choices.
Rather than presenting trust as something Hazel should offer automatically, I loved that the story treats it as something that must be examined and earned, which has a nice lesson to impart on the reader. Her ultimate challenge is not merely choosing whom to trust but learning that she can trust herself to recognize what she wants.
The Author’s Pen – Isabel Crowley
Isabel Crowley’s premise lends itself beautifully to an atmospheric blend of horror, suspense, and sensuality. The isolated setting creates an immediate sense of claustrophobia, while the supernatural bleeding into Hazel’s surroundings keeps reality unstable. All the main themes I tend to gravitate too.
For me I felt that the writing balanced creeping dread with romantic tension, allowing a quiet interaction with a neighbor or a glimpse through a darkened window to carry so many meanings it is hard to cover them all in this review. I found that there was an overarching seductive quality to the horror, particularly when Hazel’s fear begins tangling with curiosity and hunger.
The narrative also uses unanswered questions effectively. Who is telling the truth? What is the demon bite doing? Who (or what) is watching Hazel? And is giving in to the darkness truly the same thing as losing herself?
These mysteries create the kind of book that encourages rapid, hyperfocused reading because every answer seems to generate three more questions.
The Dopamine Hits
• The creative combination of demonic horror and paranormal romance
• Hazel’s struggle for bodily autonomy and self-trust
• An isolated setting that intensifies both danger and attraction
• Multiple characters with secrets and uncertain motives
• The contrast between recognizable romantic chemistry and darker supernatural hunger
• The threat of the dead serial killer remaining active after death
• Horror that is connected directly to the FMC’s internal transformation
• The ambiguity surrounding whom Hazel can safely trust
• A heroine who may need to embrace her darkness instead of eliminating it
• The unsettling image of glowing red eyes watching from beyond the window
The Dopamine Deficits
With several mysterious men, overlapping secrets, demonic mythology, a serial-killer investigation, and Hazel’s transformation all competing for attention, the story felt occasionally crowded. I was able to track the characters but sometimes I would have to turn back a page or two to clarify who was who and who did what.
The reliance on concealed motives also means that some conversations and decisions may feel intentionally evasive. While that supports the mystery, there were moments when I wanted someone to stop speaking in Paranormal Riddle™ and give Hazel a useful answer.
Hazel’s isolation is understandable, but it did become a bit frustrating when accepting help might have reduced the danger. (Still, that frustration fits a character whose ability to trust has been thoroughly demolished by a séance-turned-demonic-trap.)
Things to Consider Before You Add It to Your TBR:
I would say that this story appears best suited to readers who enjoy romance tangled with genuine horror rather than a lightly spooky paranormal rom-com. The demonic transformation, potential possession, stalking imagery, and threats to bodily autonomy create a darker atmosphere. Check the author’s warnings and the above content/trigger warnings.
Expect secrecy, morally ambiguous behavior, supernatural danger, and relationship dynamics in which trust is not immediately established. The romance part of the plot develops alongside the mystery, so readers looking for instant emotional security may find the uncertainty challenging.
This is a story in which desire does not necessarily signal safety. Attraction, hunger, and danger frequently overlap, and that ambiguity is central to Hazel’s experience.
Final Thoughts
Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me offers a deliciously dark mixture of demonic horror, occult mystery, dangerous attraction, and supernatural self-discovery. I deeply enjoyed the premise and ultimately the reading experience.
Hazel’s transformation creates both the central threat and the emotional heart of the story. The serial killer waiting to take her body raises the stakes, but Hazel’s more personal battle is deciding whether the shadows growing inside her belong to the demon or whether some of them have always belonged to her. The dichotomy of her attempting to figure that out really worked for me.
With suspicious men, forbidden hunger, an isolated house, and glowing red eyes beyond the window, this is the kind of story that makes closing the curtains feel both necessary and terribly disappointing…is that a red flag for me? Idk anymore.
Archive Status
Filed under “When the red-eyed demon outside your window is somehow less concerning than your dating history.” Séance privileges revoked, blackout curtains prescribed, and Hazel’s file permanently flagged for paranormal supervision.
Until next time…
Keep your salt circle intact, your blackout curtains closed tight, and try to remember: glowing red eyes are a warning…not a dating-app match notification.
— Dr. Neurospicy, MD
Archive Curator, Paranormal Red-Flag Specialist & Firm Believer in Background Checks Before Séances
ARC Review Disclaimer
I received an advance reader copy of Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me by Isabel Crowley. I am voluntarily posting this review. I received no compensation nor incentive to do so nor is it required of me. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Receiving an ARC did not influence my rating or commentary.
Author: Isabel Crowley
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Supernatural Horror Romance
Subgenres: Demonic Horror, Occult Suspense, Dark Romance, Small-Town Paranormal Mystery
⭐️My Rating: 4/5
🌶️My Spicy Rating: 2.5/5
Publication Date: August 11th 2026
(I know, I’m late in posting, ADHD & Medical Residency…iykyk)
Tropes:
• Demon bite with unexpected consequences
• Supernatural transformation
• Isolated house in the middle of nowhere
• Forced proximity
• Mysterious neighbor
• Persistent investigative reporter
• Red eyes outside the window
• “Who can I trust?”
• Dangerous attraction
• Paranormal hunger
• Haunted heroine
• Body possession threat
• Morally gray supernatural figures
• Hidden identities and secret agendas
• The monster may already be inside her
• Learning to embrace the darkness
• Occult mystery
• Small-town secrets
• Touch her and face supernatural consequences
• Horror with romantic tension
Content & Trigger Warnings
Potential content includes:
• serial murder
• demonic possession
• occult rituals
• séances
• supernatural stalking
• body horror
• physical transformation
• biting
• blood
• death
• threats of bodily takeover
• loss of bodily autonomy
• isolation
• nightmares
• predatory behavior
• violence
• psychological distress
• manipulation
• morally gray characters
• sexual content.
As always, I recommend checking the author’s complete content-warning list before reading, particularly if demonic possession, body horror, or threats to bodily autonomy are sensitive subjects for you.
The Quick & Dirty
Hazel Lewis thought she was conducting a séance for a client. Unfortunately, that client was a serial killer with a demonic contract and the séance was never supposed to let her leave unchanged.
Although Hazel survives, a demon’s bite is spreading through her body and weakening the boundary between the physical and supernatural worlds. Even worse, the dead killer is waiting for the chance to claim her body if she dies.
Hazel retreats to an isolated house, hoping solitude will give her enough time to understand what is happening. Instead, she finds herself surrounded by questions. A reporter wants answers. Her seemingly friendly neighbor inspires an inconvenient amount of chemistry while hiding secrets of his own. And every night, something with glowing red eyes watches her through the window.
The most frightening part is not simply that Hazel is being watched. It is that whatever lurks outside awakens a hunger inside her…and Hazel must decide whether survival means resisting the darkness or finally trusting herself enough to embrace it.
My Neurospicy Thoughts & Perspective
Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me had me asking one very important question: if the red-eyed supernatural entity outside your window is terrifying but also strangely attractive, do you call an exorcist, close the curtains, or reconsider your dating standards? Things I would like to know at this juncture that’s for sure…
This premise immediately grabbed me with its combination of demonic horror, paranormal mystery, dangerous desire, and an FMC whose greatest threat may also become the source of her power. For me it wasn’t that Hazel was not simply running from a monster, but she was trying to understand what the monster’s bite is turning her into and whether the darkness awakening inside her is something to fear or something she has been conditioned to suppress. It was an excellent read for that premise alone.
That internal conflict gives the story more substance than a straightforward haunted-house romance. The supernatural danger works on both an external and deeply personal level, creating a constant undercurrent of uncertainty, temptation, and escalating dread.
The FMC – Hazel Lewis
Hazel is placed in an absolutely gut clenching & horrific situation, but what makes her compelling is that she is not completely unfamiliar with the supernatural. She knows enough to recognize that something is wrong, yet not enough to understand the rules governing her transformation. I would say that the gap between her knowledge and what she can control made her feel vulnerable without making her helpless. I love me a strong yet vulnerable female character, I won’t lie.
I especially enjoyed that her journey revolves around more than escaping the serial killer waiting to possess her. She must confront the changes within her body, the hunger emerging alongside them, and the possibility that survival will require her to stop treating every shadow inside herself as an enemy.
Her decision to isolate herself makes emotional sense. She is trying to protect herself and contain the potential damage, but isolation also deprives her of support precisely when she needs it most.
That contradiction makes her choices feel human, even when the circumstances are anything but pristine.
For me it felt like Hazel’s main story arc was ultimately about bodily autonomy, self-trust, and determining who she is allowed to become when her former understanding of herself no longer applies. Tough stuff.
The MMC…The Men Surrounding Hazel
The romantic and supernatural figures circling Hazel bring very different forms of tension to the story.
The friendly neighbor offers the most recognizable connection: warmth, proximity, attraction, and the possibility of something almost normal. However, his inability (or unwillingness) to explain his problems mean that even his friendliness carries uncertainty and fear. His chemistry with Hazel feels tempting precisely because she knows she cannot afford another complication.
The reporter introduces another source of pressure. His demand for answers forces Hazel to contend with the human consequences of the séance and the serial killer’s crimes, even while she is struggling with threats no ordinary investigation could fully explain.
Then there is the glowing-eyed watcher beyond the window: the most overtly supernatural and unsettling presence. He represents fear, curiosity, temptation, and the hunger Hazel does not yet understand. His presence turns the familiar image of something watching from the darkness into something disturbingly intimate.
Together, these men complicate the central question of trust. Each may possess information Hazel needs, but every potential connection comes with secrets, risks, and motives she cannot immediately read.
The Chemistry b/w Characters
I would say that the overall chemistry between all the characters in the story primarily thrives on uncertainty. Hazel is attracted to people and forces she knows she may not be able to trust, which gives even seemingly ordinary interactions a dangerous edge.
Her connection with the neighbor carries a more grounded type of tension, but the secrets surrounding him prevent it from ever feeling entirely safe. Meanwhile, the mysterious watcher produces a darker, more instinctive attraction, one tied directly to Hazel’s emerging supernatural hunger.
That contrast creates compelling tension between what Hazel thinks she should want and what her changing body responds to. Desire becomes another mystery she must solve, making the romantic elements feel inseparable from the paranormal plot.
The relationship dynamics are built around boundaries, secrecy, vulnerability, and trust. Hazel desperately needs answers, but relying on someone else could expose her to manipulation or give them access to the darkness growing inside her. It had me on the edge of my seat wondering just where the story was going.
It genuinely interested me that the way Hazel’s attraction and transformation appear to intersect. Hazel’s desires cannot be separated from what the demon bite is doing to her, leaving her to question whether her reactions are genuinely hers. That adds a meaningful layer to every developing connection because her romantic journey is also a fight to reclaim ownership of her body and choices.
Rather than presenting trust as something Hazel should offer automatically, I loved that the story treats it as something that must be examined and earned, which has a nice lesson to impart on the reader. Her ultimate challenge is not merely choosing whom to trust but learning that she can trust herself to recognize what she wants.
The Author’s Pen – Isabel Crowley
Isabel Crowley’s premise lends itself beautifully to an atmospheric blend of horror, suspense, and sensuality. The isolated setting creates an immediate sense of claustrophobia, while the supernatural bleeding into Hazel’s surroundings keeps reality unstable. All the main themes I tend to gravitate too.
For me I felt that the writing balanced creeping dread with romantic tension, allowing a quiet interaction with a neighbor or a glimpse through a darkened window to carry so many meanings it is hard to cover them all in this review. I found that there was an overarching seductive quality to the horror, particularly when Hazel’s fear begins tangling with curiosity and hunger.
The narrative also uses unanswered questions effectively. Who is telling the truth? What is the demon bite doing? Who (or what) is watching Hazel? And is giving in to the darkness truly the same thing as losing herself?
These mysteries create the kind of book that encourages rapid, hyperfocused reading because every answer seems to generate three more questions.
The Dopamine Hits
• The creative combination of demonic horror and paranormal romance
• Hazel’s struggle for bodily autonomy and self-trust
• An isolated setting that intensifies both danger and attraction
• Multiple characters with secrets and uncertain motives
• The contrast between recognizable romantic chemistry and darker supernatural hunger
• The threat of the dead serial killer remaining active after death
• Horror that is connected directly to the FMC’s internal transformation
• The ambiguity surrounding whom Hazel can safely trust
• A heroine who may need to embrace her darkness instead of eliminating it
• The unsettling image of glowing red eyes watching from beyond the window
The Dopamine Deficits
With several mysterious men, overlapping secrets, demonic mythology, a serial-killer investigation, and Hazel’s transformation all competing for attention, the story felt occasionally crowded. I was able to track the characters but sometimes I would have to turn back a page or two to clarify who was who and who did what.
The reliance on concealed motives also means that some conversations and decisions may feel intentionally evasive. While that supports the mystery, there were moments when I wanted someone to stop speaking in Paranormal Riddle™ and give Hazel a useful answer.
Hazel’s isolation is understandable, but it did become a bit frustrating when accepting help might have reduced the danger. (Still, that frustration fits a character whose ability to trust has been thoroughly demolished by a séance-turned-demonic-trap.)
Things to Consider Before You Add It to Your TBR:
I would say that this story appears best suited to readers who enjoy romance tangled with genuine horror rather than a lightly spooky paranormal rom-com. The demonic transformation, potential possession, stalking imagery, and threats to bodily autonomy create a darker atmosphere. Check the author’s warnings and the above content/trigger warnings.
Expect secrecy, morally ambiguous behavior, supernatural danger, and relationship dynamics in which trust is not immediately established. The romance part of the plot develops alongside the mystery, so readers looking for instant emotional security may find the uncertainty challenging.
This is a story in which desire does not necessarily signal safety. Attraction, hunger, and danger frequently overlap, and that ambiguity is central to Hazel’s experience.
Final Thoughts
Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me offers a deliciously dark mixture of demonic horror, occult mystery, dangerous attraction, and supernatural self-discovery. I deeply enjoyed the premise and ultimately the reading experience.
Hazel’s transformation creates both the central threat and the emotional heart of the story. The serial killer waiting to take her body raises the stakes, but Hazel’s more personal battle is deciding whether the shadows growing inside her belong to the demon or whether some of them have always belonged to her. The dichotomy of her attempting to figure that out really worked for me.
With suspicious men, forbidden hunger, an isolated house, and glowing red eyes beyond the window, this is the kind of story that makes closing the curtains feel both necessary and terribly disappointing…is that a red flag for me? Idk anymore.
Archive Status
Filed under “When the red-eyed demon outside your window is somehow less concerning than your dating history.” Séance privileges revoked, blackout curtains prescribed, and Hazel’s file permanently flagged for paranormal supervision.
Until next time…
Keep your salt circle intact, your blackout curtains closed tight, and try to remember: glowing red eyes are a warning…not a dating-app match notification.
— Dr. Neurospicy, MD
Archive Curator, Paranormal Red-Flag Specialist & Firm Believer in Background Checks Before Séances
ARC Review Disclaimer
I received an advance reader copy of Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me by Isabel Crowley. I am voluntarily posting this review. I received no compensation nor incentive to do so nor is it required of me. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Receiving an ARC did not influence my rating or commentary.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It was the title of this book that convinced me to request it. The rhythm of the words just rolled around in my head, leaving me feeling like I was trying to sing it over and over to myself after only reading the title once. I had actually left the page, convinced I didn't have the time to read this book so I needed to leave it behind but that title was still twirling around in my mind so five minutes later, after having put my phone down so I could go to sleep, I signed back in specifically to request this title and crossed my fingers before falling asleep. When I got my approval, I cheered, and once I'd opened this book, I knew my instincts were right.
This book was glorious.
I loved this book within the first few pages. I was intrigued by every aspect of this story. The descriptions kept me riveted to the page, the ideas and the characters kept me reading and I was not surprised when I looked at the clock and realized it was nearly the middle of the night and I needed to actually sleep. I can't believe this is a debut, it was that impressive in scope for me and a new favorite of not just 2026 but of all time. You can rest assured, I will be paying attention to every book release from Isabel Crowley from now until the end of all time. That is how much I ended up loving this book.
Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me follows Hazel Lewis, a medium who has been hired to conduct a seance for a man who is dying. Except when she enters his room, Hazel realizes that it is a trap set by the old man, a serial killer who has made a deal with a demon. Hazel gets away after being bitten by the demon but now things are changing for the worst. The bite is letting the supernatural bleed into the world around Hazel, causing hauntings and threats all around her. Not to mention if Hazel dies, the serial killer gets to take over her body so he can continue with the work he used to do. Hoping she can find a solution to her problem but also wanting to keep people safe, Hazel moves to an old house in a secluded location, ready to research every book she can find in order to figure out what her next move should be. As Hazel works to understand her new reality, a reporter learns about her last client and tracks her down, demanding answers. At the same time, Hazel meets her new neighbor, a bird watcher she seems to have a connection with but can't pursue thanks to the imminent danger that is waiting to use her for something horrible. Add to that the face that watches her at night that Hazel can't help feeling drawn to, wondering about who the demon has sent to keep watch on her. Hazel will need to figure out who she is and what she truly wants before the bite changes things forever, for better or for worse for her and the people in her life.
The world of this wonderfully titled book was easy to step into as it was ours but with just an added layer to it. The idea of the supernatural existing already was something easy to believe in except in this book, it is a reality for our lead character, Hazel, a medium who does jobs on the side while working a regular job to pay her bills. I thought this was such an interesting aspect to the story, the fact that Hazel was a regular person, had her own things to take care of but it just so happens that she has the ability to see beyond our world, she can find spirits, conduct seances and cast protection spells on her house. I was willing to believe everything Hazel said because she felt like an authoritative figure, someone who had been doing this kind of thing for the majority of her life and who knew what she was talking about. The reader is basically thrown in to the first seance alongside Hazel and we are just taken along for the ride, easily absorbed into the story and the dangers that Hazel is now being faced with. I appreciated the "hit the ground running" feel of the introduction and I was quickly impressed by the world that Crowley colored just a little differently than ours. Not to mention the descriptions of the supernatural, which were enough to make me both delighted and a little freaked out by because Crowley definitely has a talent for horror elements and it was wonderful to behold the terrors that Hazel had to face. Half the time I was smiling and the other half I was cringing because wow, Crowley had a vision and it was executed perfectly in this story. Every detail was amazing and was easy to see these things in the corners of my rooms where the light could never hit right.
Character wise, Hazel was absolutely BRILLIANT. Honestly, I have no complaints whatsoever about this lead, I loved her, the way her mind worked and how she tried to solve her problems. I loved the fact that when faced with something she didn't know how to fix, her solution was to find any and every obscure text so she could painstakingly research everything to try to find a way to stop the demon and the serial killer that was determined to destroy her. I also loved Ligat, the follower of the demon that is forced to shadow Hazel's every move, reporting back to his master so they can be sure that Hazel has not found a way to save herself. The way that Crowley balances these characters, people who seem to have in common the fact that they want to stop the demon from gaining access to the regular world, was exceptionally done. I loved the way the reveals were done, the development that went into Hazel and her developing connection to her neighbor and the way she started to question the motives of the creature sent to watch her. Everything was done with a deft hand and Crowley set up some interesting twists that while yes, I thought that was going to happen, the fact still remained that this particular twist was only the start of something that just kept building and I couldn't wait to see exactly where all our characters would end up.
I will also say that the balance between horror and romance was top-notch. I wasn't expecting the amount of romance that ended up in this book but you'll hear no complaints from me about the way the book unfolded by the end. I was intrigued from the start about the idea of what it would take to make someone willing to make a deal with a demon and the fact that Crowley explored this from a couple of different angles was so interesting. I loved the question it made me want to ask concerning one of the leads, to explain why this character ended up in the position that they were in and how they were trying to get themselves out and make things better too. The fact of the matter was to get these characters to find something they were willing to sacrifice themselves for, something other than themselves, and that as a motivating factor made this story a little bittersweet and at the same time, something heartwarming. I LOVED the way this book turned out and enjoyed every moment it took to get there.
If Crowley decides to continue writing in this world, I will be there to read more about Hazel and her friends. Either way, I will be reading any and every book that Crowley will hopefully publish in the years to come because this book will be my entire personality for the foreseeable future. End of story.
Rating on my Scale: 10 Magnificent Stars!! I adored this story. I had so much fun with Hazel and I can't wait to have this book added to my bookshelves. I'm already trying to figure out what shelf will be dedicated to all books by Isabel Crowley, as I'm sure there will be plenty of books to join this one in no time flat.
My thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca and Isabel Crowley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book was glorious.
I loved this book within the first few pages. I was intrigued by every aspect of this story. The descriptions kept me riveted to the page, the ideas and the characters kept me reading and I was not surprised when I looked at the clock and realized it was nearly the middle of the night and I needed to actually sleep. I can't believe this is a debut, it was that impressive in scope for me and a new favorite of not just 2026 but of all time. You can rest assured, I will be paying attention to every book release from Isabel Crowley from now until the end of all time. That is how much I ended up loving this book.
Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me follows Hazel Lewis, a medium who has been hired to conduct a seance for a man who is dying. Except when she enters his room, Hazel realizes that it is a trap set by the old man, a serial killer who has made a deal with a demon. Hazel gets away after being bitten by the demon but now things are changing for the worst. The bite is letting the supernatural bleed into the world around Hazel, causing hauntings and threats all around her. Not to mention if Hazel dies, the serial killer gets to take over her body so he can continue with the work he used to do. Hoping she can find a solution to her problem but also wanting to keep people safe, Hazel moves to an old house in a secluded location, ready to research every book she can find in order to figure out what her next move should be. As Hazel works to understand her new reality, a reporter learns about her last client and tracks her down, demanding answers. At the same time, Hazel meets her new neighbor, a bird watcher she seems to have a connection with but can't pursue thanks to the imminent danger that is waiting to use her for something horrible. Add to that the face that watches her at night that Hazel can't help feeling drawn to, wondering about who the demon has sent to keep watch on her. Hazel will need to figure out who she is and what she truly wants before the bite changes things forever, for better or for worse for her and the people in her life.
The world of this wonderfully titled book was easy to step into as it was ours but with just an added layer to it. The idea of the supernatural existing already was something easy to believe in except in this book, it is a reality for our lead character, Hazel, a medium who does jobs on the side while working a regular job to pay her bills. I thought this was such an interesting aspect to the story, the fact that Hazel was a regular person, had her own things to take care of but it just so happens that she has the ability to see beyond our world, she can find spirits, conduct seances and cast protection spells on her house. I was willing to believe everything Hazel said because she felt like an authoritative figure, someone who had been doing this kind of thing for the majority of her life and who knew what she was talking about. The reader is basically thrown in to the first seance alongside Hazel and we are just taken along for the ride, easily absorbed into the story and the dangers that Hazel is now being faced with. I appreciated the "hit the ground running" feel of the introduction and I was quickly impressed by the world that Crowley colored just a little differently than ours. Not to mention the descriptions of the supernatural, which were enough to make me both delighted and a little freaked out by because Crowley definitely has a talent for horror elements and it was wonderful to behold the terrors that Hazel had to face. Half the time I was smiling and the other half I was cringing because wow, Crowley had a vision and it was executed perfectly in this story. Every detail was amazing and was easy to see these things in the corners of my rooms where the light could never hit right.
Character wise, Hazel was absolutely BRILLIANT. Honestly, I have no complaints whatsoever about this lead, I loved her, the way her mind worked and how she tried to solve her problems. I loved the fact that when faced with something she didn't know how to fix, her solution was to find any and every obscure text so she could painstakingly research everything to try to find a way to stop the demon and the serial killer that was determined to destroy her. I also loved Ligat, the follower of the demon that is forced to shadow Hazel's every move, reporting back to his master so they can be sure that Hazel has not found a way to save herself. The way that Crowley balances these characters, people who seem to have in common the fact that they want to stop the demon from gaining access to the regular world, was exceptionally done. I loved the way the reveals were done, the development that went into Hazel and her developing connection to her neighbor and the way she started to question the motives of the creature sent to watch her. Everything was done with a deft hand and Crowley set up some interesting twists that while yes, I thought that was going to happen, the fact still remained that this particular twist was only the start of something that just kept building and I couldn't wait to see exactly where all our characters would end up.
I will also say that the balance between horror and romance was top-notch. I wasn't expecting the amount of romance that ended up in this book but you'll hear no complaints from me about the way the book unfolded by the end. I was intrigued from the start about the idea of what it would take to make someone willing to make a deal with a demon and the fact that Crowley explored this from a couple of different angles was so interesting. I loved the question it made me want to ask concerning one of the leads, to explain why this character ended up in the position that they were in and how they were trying to get themselves out and make things better too. The fact of the matter was to get these characters to find something they were willing to sacrifice themselves for, something other than themselves, and that as a motivating factor made this story a little bittersweet and at the same time, something heartwarming. I LOVED the way this book turned out and enjoyed every moment it took to get there.
If Crowley decides to continue writing in this world, I will be there to read more about Hazel and her friends. Either way, I will be reading any and every book that Crowley will hopefully publish in the years to come because this book will be my entire personality for the foreseeable future. End of story.
Rating on my Scale: 10 Magnificent Stars!! I adored this story. I had so much fun with Hazel and I can't wait to have this book added to my bookshelves. I'm already trying to figure out what shelf will be dedicated to all books by Isabel Crowley, as I'm sure there will be plenty of books to join this one in no time flat.
My thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca and Isabel Crowley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 11, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ | "The house didn't look haunted, but few of them ever did."
Okay, that first chapter?! One of the best first chapters I’ve read in a loooong time. Isabel Crowley really said, “Here, let me show you how to hook every single one of my readers immediately,” and then proceeded to throw demons, a séance gone HORRIBLY wrong, a serial killer, blood and gore, and supernatural chaos at Hazel before I had any chance to recover. I was HOOKED. I truly could not put this down once I started.
Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me is such a fun blend of paranormal horror and dark romance. It has demons, ghosts, magic, gore, creepy hauntings, an isolated, haunted house, questionable supernatural beings, and enough sexual tension to make Hazel’s already complicated situation approximately.... ten times worse. Or better depending how you want to look at it.
Hazel was definitely my favorite part of the book. She’s smart, stubborn, practical, and incredibly determined, but she also feels like a genuinely believable person who has suddenly been dropped into an absolutely ridiculous nightmare. Girlie was literally just trying to do her job, and then some asshole serial killer tricked her, a demon BITES her, and then nothing is ever the same. I loved that when she didn’t know what to do, her response was basically, “Fine. This isn't ideal, but I WILL figure this out myself.” Give me a FMC who solves supernatural problems through obsessive research and sheer refusal to give up any day of the week.
And the atmosphere? SO GOOD. There were several moments where Crowley managed to make ordinary things feel deeply unsettling, and I loved the way the supernatural slowly seeped into Hazel’s everyday life. The book has some genuinely creepy imagery, but it also knew when to have fun with its darkness. The ghost dogs in particular were such a bizarre little addition that somehow worked perfectly for me.
I also really enjoyed the characters surrounding Hazel, especially Ligat. His situation with Perthrux adds another layer to the story because he isn’t simply a mysterious demon-adjacent love interest who shows up to cause problems. There’s so much more going on beneath the surface, and I really enjoyed watching Hazel figure out what she could (and absolutely could NOT) trust.
The romance was definitely one of the biggest surprises for me. I went into this expecting the horror to be the main attraction, but the relationships ended up being such an important part of the emotional core. There’s a deliciously dangerous quality to the attraction, especially when Hazel knows she absolutely should NOT be getting involved with anyone while supernatural forces are basically circling her house. But when the spice arrives? Delicious. Perfection!
I did have a little trouble with the pacing in the middle. The opening is so explosive that the quieter stretch afterward felt noticeably slower by comparison. I occasionally found myself wishing the story would move along a little faster, especially because I was so invested in figuring out exactly what was happening with Hazel and the supernatural forces around her. Thankfully, the final stretch picked the pace back up and delivered the kind of chaotic, high-stakes payoff I was hoping for.
I also really appreciated that underneath all the horror and romance, Hazel's story is ultimately about transformation. She spends so much of the book trying to stop what is happening to her, only to be forced to consider what this new version of herself might actually mean. There’s a really interesting tension between fearing what you could become and wondering whether becoming something different might not necessarily be a bad thing.
This book was weird, creepy, sexy, occasionally gross, surprisingly tender, and completely committed to its own particular brand of supernatural chaos. And honestly, after that first chapter, I was never going to be normal about this book anyway. I absolutely loved this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this eARC!
Okay, that first chapter?! One of the best first chapters I’ve read in a loooong time. Isabel Crowley really said, “Here, let me show you how to hook every single one of my readers immediately,” and then proceeded to throw demons, a séance gone HORRIBLY wrong, a serial killer, blood and gore, and supernatural chaos at Hazel before I had any chance to recover. I was HOOKED. I truly could not put this down once I started.
Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me is such a fun blend of paranormal horror and dark romance. It has demons, ghosts, magic, gore, creepy hauntings, an isolated, haunted house, questionable supernatural beings, and enough sexual tension to make Hazel’s already complicated situation approximately.... ten times worse. Or better depending how you want to look at it.
Hazel was definitely my favorite part of the book. She’s smart, stubborn, practical, and incredibly determined, but she also feels like a genuinely believable person who has suddenly been dropped into an absolutely ridiculous nightmare. Girlie was literally just trying to do her job, and then some asshole serial killer tricked her, a demon BITES her, and then nothing is ever the same. I loved that when she didn’t know what to do, her response was basically, “Fine. This isn't ideal, but I WILL figure this out myself.” Give me a FMC who solves supernatural problems through obsessive research and sheer refusal to give up any day of the week.
And the atmosphere? SO GOOD. There were several moments where Crowley managed to make ordinary things feel deeply unsettling, and I loved the way the supernatural slowly seeped into Hazel’s everyday life. The book has some genuinely creepy imagery, but it also knew when to have fun with its darkness. The ghost dogs in particular were such a bizarre little addition that somehow worked perfectly for me.
I also really enjoyed the characters surrounding Hazel, especially Ligat. His situation with Perthrux adds another layer to the story because he isn’t simply a mysterious demon-adjacent love interest who shows up to cause problems. There’s so much more going on beneath the surface, and I really enjoyed watching Hazel figure out what she could (and absolutely could NOT) trust.
The romance was definitely one of the biggest surprises for me. I went into this expecting the horror to be the main attraction, but the relationships ended up being such an important part of the emotional core. There’s a deliciously dangerous quality to the attraction, especially when Hazel knows she absolutely should NOT be getting involved with anyone while supernatural forces are basically circling her house. But when the spice arrives? Delicious. Perfection!
I did have a little trouble with the pacing in the middle. The opening is so explosive that the quieter stretch afterward felt noticeably slower by comparison. I occasionally found myself wishing the story would move along a little faster, especially because I was so invested in figuring out exactly what was happening with Hazel and the supernatural forces around her. Thankfully, the final stretch picked the pace back up and delivered the kind of chaotic, high-stakes payoff I was hoping for.
I also really appreciated that underneath all the horror and romance, Hazel's story is ultimately about transformation. She spends so much of the book trying to stop what is happening to her, only to be forced to consider what this new version of herself might actually mean. There’s a really interesting tension between fearing what you could become and wondering whether becoming something different might not necessarily be a bad thing.
This book was weird, creepy, sexy, occasionally gross, surprisingly tender, and completely committed to its own particular brand of supernatural chaos. And honestly, after that first chapter, I was never going to be normal about this book anyway. I absolutely loved this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Want Me, Take Me, Haunt Me, Make Me • Isabel Crowley
One phrase: haunted, hungry, and demon kissed 🖤👻
“The house didn’t look haunted, but few of them ever did.”
This book had me hooked immediately.
A medium trying to survive the aftermath of a seance gone very, very wrong? A dead serial killer with a demonic contract waiting to steal her body? A remote house that absolutely does not feel safe? A mysterious watcher outside her window with glowing red eyes?
Yes. All of it. Immediately.
Hazel Lewis has always known there is more to the world than what most people can see, but after escaping a supernatural trap with a demon bite spreading through her body, she is forced into a much darker reality. She moves somewhere remote hoping to contain the damage, but of course isolation never means peace in a story like this.
Because she is not alone.
There is a reporter digging for answers, a cute neighbor with chemistry she definitely does not need, and something darker stalking the edges of her life and dreams.
What I loved most was the atmosphere. This book is gothic, eerie, intense, and full of that “something is watching from the dark” tension that makes you keep turning pages. The haunted house vibes, supernatural mystery, and demon presence all worked so well together.
And the romance? Deliciously dark.
The MMC is brooding, dangerous, strange, and completely fascinating in that “I should probably be scared but I need to know more” kind of way. His dynamic with Hazel had such good tension. Medium working alongside a demon who was sent to spy on her? Obsessed.
This had humor, spice, action, mystery, horror, and romance all wrapped into one wild little supernatural spiral. Every chapter gave me another question I needed answered, and I loved watching Hazel figure out who she could trust while also learning what she might become if she stops running from the shadows.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
👻 medium FMC
😈 demon MMC energy
🏚 haunted house vibes
🔮 seance gone wrong
🖤 paranormal romance
👀 mysterious watcher
🌙 gothic atmosphere
🔥 spicy tension
🩸 supernatural horror
🕯 dark mystery
🏡 remote house setting
💀 serial killer curse
📚 Read this if you like:
Paranormal romance with horror vibes, haunted houses, demons with broody energy, mediums, gothic mysteries, and books where the romance feels as dangerous as the haunting.
This was spooky, sexy, intense, and so much fun.
#WantMeTakeMeHauntMeMakeMe #IsabelCrowley #ParanormalRomance #GothicRomance #BookReview @casablanca
One phrase: haunted, hungry, and demon kissed 🖤👻
“The house didn’t look haunted, but few of them ever did.”
This book had me hooked immediately.
A medium trying to survive the aftermath of a seance gone very, very wrong? A dead serial killer with a demonic contract waiting to steal her body? A remote house that absolutely does not feel safe? A mysterious watcher outside her window with glowing red eyes?
Yes. All of it. Immediately.
Hazel Lewis has always known there is more to the world than what most people can see, but after escaping a supernatural trap with a demon bite spreading through her body, she is forced into a much darker reality. She moves somewhere remote hoping to contain the damage, but of course isolation never means peace in a story like this.
Because she is not alone.
There is a reporter digging for answers, a cute neighbor with chemistry she definitely does not need, and something darker stalking the edges of her life and dreams.
What I loved most was the atmosphere. This book is gothic, eerie, intense, and full of that “something is watching from the dark” tension that makes you keep turning pages. The haunted house vibes, supernatural mystery, and demon presence all worked so well together.
And the romance? Deliciously dark.
The MMC is brooding, dangerous, strange, and completely fascinating in that “I should probably be scared but I need to know more” kind of way. His dynamic with Hazel had such good tension. Medium working alongside a demon who was sent to spy on her? Obsessed.
This had humor, spice, action, mystery, horror, and romance all wrapped into one wild little supernatural spiral. Every chapter gave me another question I needed answered, and I loved watching Hazel figure out who she could trust while also learning what she might become if she stops running from the shadows.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
👻 medium FMC
😈 demon MMC energy
🏚 haunted house vibes
🔮 seance gone wrong
🖤 paranormal romance
👀 mysterious watcher
🌙 gothic atmosphere
🔥 spicy tension
🩸 supernatural horror
🕯 dark mystery
🏡 remote house setting
💀 serial killer curse
📚 Read this if you like:
Paranormal romance with horror vibes, haunted houses, demons with broody energy, mediums, gothic mysteries, and books where the romance feels as dangerous as the haunting.
This was spooky, sexy, intense, and so much fun.
#WantMeTakeMeHauntMeMakeMe #IsabelCrowley #ParanormalRomance #GothicRomance #BookReview @casablanca
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When medium Hazel Lewis is called to do a séance for a dying man, she had no idea much her life was going to change. She arrives and almost immediately realizes that she was duped, Clarence Chapman seems like a feeble, helpless old man, but in reality, he is a serial killer who made a deal with a demon and needs Hazel to use her as a conduit for the demon. She fights her way out of the house but is bitten by the demon in the process. Protection spells and warding can only do so much, so she needs to lay low until she can figure out how to defeat the demon and reclaim her life. She finds an old house in the wilds of Pennsylvania and tries to figure it out, but it doesn’t take long for Ligat, the demon’s minion, to find her and much to her dismay, she finds herself attracted to Ligat and the two become close, not quite friends, not really enemies. And if her life wasn’t complicated enough, she meets her handsome neighbor, Maxwell and is attracted to him too. As they say, when it rains, it pours…
Ligat has secrets, he is indentured to the demon Perthrux and cannot tell Hazel who his master is. Luckly for him, after years of servitude, he has earned a bit of slack from the demon, but his will is still controlled by his master and as much as he hates Perthrux, he cannot defy him. The problem is he is falling hard for Hazel and wants nothing more than for her to defeat Perthrux, even if it means his own destruction. To that end, he will do whatever it takes to save her.
I have mixed feelings about this book, I liked the story it started out fast and hard, but then it started to drag and it dragged until about last 10% of the story. That is not to say that it wasn’t good, but it was hard to stay immersed in it and very easy to put down. This story was filled with demons, minions, ghost dogs, druids, spicy love scenes with a Phoebe/Cole vibe (IYKYK), a bit of gore, a touch of horror, interesting secondary characters, a strong heroine, a cinnamon roll hero and twist at the end that changes everything. Overall, this book had a lot going on but the author managed to keep the central plot in the forefront and gave readers a satisfying ending, but I did have some lingering questions, so I am hoping there is a sequel in the works. So, while I don’t think I would read again, I did enjoy it and would recommend it to fans of dark romantasy.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
Ligat has secrets, he is indentured to the demon Perthrux and cannot tell Hazel who his master is. Luckly for him, after years of servitude, he has earned a bit of slack from the demon, but his will is still controlled by his master and as much as he hates Perthrux, he cannot defy him. The problem is he is falling hard for Hazel and wants nothing more than for her to defeat Perthrux, even if it means his own destruction. To that end, he will do whatever it takes to save her.
I have mixed feelings about this book, I liked the story it started out fast and hard, but then it started to drag and it dragged until about last 10% of the story. That is not to say that it wasn’t good, but it was hard to stay immersed in it and very easy to put down. This story was filled with demons, minions, ghost dogs, druids, spicy love scenes with a Phoebe/Cole vibe (IYKYK), a bit of gore, a touch of horror, interesting secondary characters, a strong heroine, a cinnamon roll hero and twist at the end that changes everything. Overall, this book had a lot going on but the author managed to keep the central plot in the forefront and gave readers a satisfying ending, but I did have some lingering questions, so I am hoping there is a sequel in the works. So, while I don’t think I would read again, I did enjoy it and would recommend it to fans of dark romantasy.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
August 17, 2026
🌶️🌶️
Content Warning: violence, stalking, gore
+ The title for this book caught my interest and the premise sounded intriguing. Hazel is a medium who performs a seance and gets marked by a demon instead. The demon sends his henchman, Ligat, to keep an eye on Hazel and report to him but instead Ligat is attracted to Hazel. So plans change for him and her.
+~ I did enjoy the paranormal elements of the book. I love that Hazel can do rituals, and her job is very interesting. She even has a group of friends who help her out with research and there is the cutest ghost dog named Casper! The house she lived in has some hauntings but overall I just didn’t feel it was creepy enough. Hazel has to figure out how to fight this demon and so I was expecting more horror, but this mostly felt like a paranormal romance rather than a thriller story. There’s even a twist in the story but I wasn’t shocked about it, just maybe a little confused until it is explained.
+~ Speaking of the romance, even this felt a tiny bit lackluster. The spice is fun, and there are frequent moments of it but it isn’t anything super spicy. I don’t know if it’s because Hazel and Ligat are mature people who are just mature and hook up because they are attracted to one another, but I wanted more from them, a little more emotion. I think with a title like this I was expecting way more darker devouring and more passion.
+~ The story starts off strong but the pacing slows down from middle to the end of it, which surprised me. It’s why I felt like it turned more into a romance than a thriller.
Final Thoughts:
I think I went into this story with different expectations because of the title, and the synopsis. It started off strong and I was expecting something really dark and expecting the spice to maybe fit it but overall the story was kind of mild. I did like Hazel and her unique talent and job. Ligat was unexpected because I was expecting a scary demon henchman but instead he’s a nice one. The paranormal romance had spice, but I wanted a little emotion from the two characters. I did respect that they were mature adults and actually acted like it though! Overall, I wanted a little more thrills and chills from the story. It was an okay read, I just wanted more.
Read if you like:
paranormal romance
Content Warning: violence, stalking, gore
+ The title for this book caught my interest and the premise sounded intriguing. Hazel is a medium who performs a seance and gets marked by a demon instead. The demon sends his henchman, Ligat, to keep an eye on Hazel and report to him but instead Ligat is attracted to Hazel. So plans change for him and her.
+~ I did enjoy the paranormal elements of the book. I love that Hazel can do rituals, and her job is very interesting. She even has a group of friends who help her out with research and there is the cutest ghost dog named Casper! The house she lived in has some hauntings but overall I just didn’t feel it was creepy enough. Hazel has to figure out how to fight this demon and so I was expecting more horror, but this mostly felt like a paranormal romance rather than a thriller story. There’s even a twist in the story but I wasn’t shocked about it, just maybe a little confused until it is explained.
+~ Speaking of the romance, even this felt a tiny bit lackluster. The spice is fun, and there are frequent moments of it but it isn’t anything super spicy. I don’t know if it’s because Hazel and Ligat are mature people who are just mature and hook up because they are attracted to one another, but I wanted more from them, a little more emotion. I think with a title like this I was expecting way more darker devouring and more passion.
+~ The story starts off strong but the pacing slows down from middle to the end of it, which surprised me. It’s why I felt like it turned more into a romance than a thriller.
Final Thoughts:
I think I went into this story with different expectations because of the title, and the synopsis. It started off strong and I was expecting something really dark and expecting the spice to maybe fit it but overall the story was kind of mild. I did like Hazel and her unique talent and job. Ligat was unexpected because I was expecting a scary demon henchman but instead he’s a nice one. The paranormal romance had spice, but I wanted a little emotion from the two characters. I did respect that they were mature adults and actually acted like it though! Overall, I wanted a little more thrills and chills from the story. It was an okay read, I just wanted more.
Read if you like:
paranormal romance
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I devoured this book. I had such a hard time putting it down, and when I did, it consumed my thoughts. It was incredibly intriguing, and the strange situation alone was enough to grab me. Hazel is a medium, hired by a dying man to do a séance and winds up getting attacked by demons. As a result, Hazel finds herself slipping in and out of material reality and in grave danger. I loved Hazel. She's very shrewd, and a multifaceted character that is both brave and terrified, resilient and breakable. She was great. Ligat was fun, and I loved watching his arc unfold. The first half of the novel had heavy emphasis on horror, and Ligat can be a very spooky dude. Maxwell stole my heart. He's not actually a little guy, but this nerd is a certified Little Guy to me. Honestly, all of the characters were great.
If there's one word I would use to describe this book it would be visceral. Every action scene, whether it be a haunting, a fight, or a sex scene is a full body experience. Crowley's ability to set a mood, to create and atmosphere, and engage multiple senses makes everything feel real, even when what's being described is more surreal than anything. The scene with the floral wallpaper is going to live in my head rent free soley because of the sound. A lot of the gore in this is gross, but in the way gore is supposed to be gross. It's not over-the-top just for the sake of it. It is weird, though.
One thing I enjoyed was that not everything is spelled out for the reader. Characters will do things, make plans, and keep secrets without the reader knowing, and honestly it was refreshing. I knew where some of it was going, but there is a certain enjoyment in not having things confirmed until the characters act. I like when I don't know everything, it adds to the tension and raises the stakes (even though these stakes really couldn't be higher).
This was a great read. I had a lot of fun reading it, and it hit on so many of my favorite tropes. It's not a genre changer, but it knows what it wants to do and does it well. The book was solid from beginning to end, especially when it was stressing me out.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC that made this review possible.
If there's one word I would use to describe this book it would be visceral. Every action scene, whether it be a haunting, a fight, or a sex scene is a full body experience. Crowley's ability to set a mood, to create and atmosphere, and engage multiple senses makes everything feel real, even when what's being described is more surreal than anything. The scene with the floral wallpaper is going to live in my head rent free soley because of the sound. A lot of the gore in this is gross, but in the way gore is supposed to be gross. It's not over-the-top just for the sake of it. It is weird, though.
One thing I enjoyed was that not everything is spelled out for the reader. Characters will do things, make plans, and keep secrets without the reader knowing, and honestly it was refreshing. I knew where some of it was going, but there is a certain enjoyment in not having things confirmed until the characters act. I like when I don't know everything, it adds to the tension and raises the stakes (even though these stakes really couldn't be higher).
This was a great read. I had a lot of fun reading it, and it hit on so many of my favorite tropes. It's not a genre changer, but it knows what it wants to do and does it well. The book was solid from beginning to end, especially when it was stressing me out.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC that made this review possible.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A haunting love story with hunger! 💖👻
This paranormal romance revolves around Hazel Lewis, a 30-something medium to spirits of the dead who is trying (and failing) to maintain a normal, mundane existence, despite the paranormal always being at the forefront of her life. During what she assumes will be a normal seance for a new client, Hazel finds she has been led into a demonic trap by a dying serial killer. While she makes it out with her life, Hazel is then pursued by an even greater foe with limited knowledge of how to fight back.
In desperation, Hazel decides to move closer to her spiritual mentor and sets down new roots in a small, rural Pennsylvania community. While new and concerning paranormal rebounds continue after her deadly encounter with the serial killer, she meets new friends… and someone she might want to be more than friends with.
This story has a lot of horror influences, but certainly not in a way that I feel would be too much for the average reader. Its haunting encounters were unsettling and sometimes gross, but nothing that absolutely terrified me. I loved that there is a ghost dog character and that a menace in life also became a sneaky menace after death. 😂
Although this is not a tale of games and trials, Hazel is certainly put through the wringer trying to deal with the metaphysical disruptions haunting her daily life. Her grace and strength while dealing with these challenges is how I started to build more of a love for this reserved FMC.
Not surprisingly, I had no problem falling for the MMC in this book and loved having his perspective throughout. The dual perspectives are an excellent change of pace, and it quickly became evident that these souls were meant for each other despite their glaring differences.
My biggest qualm with the novel was the pacing. For me, the middle felt sluggish at times, while the ending felt somewhat rushed. Although, this could also be partially due to how much I loved the ending—it was so satisfying and incredibly heartwarming! While I believe this is a standalone, I honestly hope to see these characters again in the future, taking on new challenges together!
A very special thank you to Author Isabel Crowley & Sourcebooks Publishing for the ARC of this novel!💖
This paranormal romance revolves around Hazel Lewis, a 30-something medium to spirits of the dead who is trying (and failing) to maintain a normal, mundane existence, despite the paranormal always being at the forefront of her life. During what she assumes will be a normal seance for a new client, Hazel finds she has been led into a demonic trap by a dying serial killer. While she makes it out with her life, Hazel is then pursued by an even greater foe with limited knowledge of how to fight back.
In desperation, Hazel decides to move closer to her spiritual mentor and sets down new roots in a small, rural Pennsylvania community. While new and concerning paranormal rebounds continue after her deadly encounter with the serial killer, she meets new friends… and someone she might want to be more than friends with.
This story has a lot of horror influences, but certainly not in a way that I feel would be too much for the average reader. Its haunting encounters were unsettling and sometimes gross, but nothing that absolutely terrified me. I loved that there is a ghost dog character and that a menace in life also became a sneaky menace after death. 😂
Although this is not a tale of games and trials, Hazel is certainly put through the wringer trying to deal with the metaphysical disruptions haunting her daily life. Her grace and strength while dealing with these challenges is how I started to build more of a love for this reserved FMC.
Not surprisingly, I had no problem falling for the MMC in this book and loved having his perspective throughout. The dual perspectives are an excellent change of pace, and it quickly became evident that these souls were meant for each other despite their glaring differences.
My biggest qualm with the novel was the pacing. For me, the middle felt sluggish at times, while the ending felt somewhat rushed. Although, this could also be partially due to how much I loved the ending—it was so satisfying and incredibly heartwarming! While I believe this is a standalone, I honestly hope to see these characters again in the future, taking on new challenges together!
A very special thank you to Author Isabel Crowley & Sourcebooks Publishing for the ARC of this novel!💖
August 31, 2026
3.75 ⭐️ ARC • Hazel & Ligat were so fun!!
This book starts off full speed — a séance goes terribly wrong, and our FMC, Hazel, immediately has to fight her way out using her wits, & then handle the aftermath with all the grit she can.
I loved Hazel — she is such a strong FMC, but also very relatable, compassionate, and real. This book has humor in it in a way that feels very organic — her internal monologue is one that I think many would have, recognizing the absurdity of the situation without taking you out of it.
Ligat also had my heart — while some elements of his backstory felt obvious to us, the reader (and i don’t want to spoil it in this review) it was a lot of fun to read the slow reveal and get to know him as the time went on.
The world-building element of this storyline was so cool and compelling — it was a different take on demons/the spirit world to me, and I greatly enjoyed learning about it as the book went on. And Casper! Our favorite ghost dog! He was such a fun addition, he was probably one of my favorite characters!
I have seen a few places (like Goodreads)/ads market this as horror — while there are some horror elements, I would say this is more “horror-lite” — I would classify it as a darker paranormal romance, but everyone’s threshold for horror elements is different.
The Big Climactic Fight(TM) felt pretty compelling, but I also was expecting just a tiny bit more? It almost felt a bit too easy, and I was waiting for there to be a bit more conflict. The ending came a little abruptly, and I would have wanted a little more clarity about where we left the characters/what is next for them in this come-down. Still, I did enjoy this book a lot and I did buy my own copy from Pango.
Truly, this book is for those who, if you read “Her Soul to Take” (like me) and were so beyond frustrated with an FMC who was literally so stupid/had no survival instincts, this is the cure for you. There is the demon(ish)/human romance, the atmospheric setting (but more intense/different world building), and some spice (Her Soul to Take definitely has more sex scenes/kink scenes), but our characters and the conflict driving the plot feel a bit more fleshed out.
Thank you very much NetGalley & Sourcebooks for the eARC!
This book starts off full speed — a séance goes terribly wrong, and our FMC, Hazel, immediately has to fight her way out using her wits, & then handle the aftermath with all the grit she can.
I loved Hazel — she is such a strong FMC, but also very relatable, compassionate, and real. This book has humor in it in a way that feels very organic — her internal monologue is one that I think many would have, recognizing the absurdity of the situation without taking you out of it.
Ligat also had my heart — while some elements of his backstory felt obvious to us, the reader (and i don’t want to spoil it in this review) it was a lot of fun to read the slow reveal and get to know him as the time went on.
The world-building element of this storyline was so cool and compelling — it was a different take on demons/the spirit world to me, and I greatly enjoyed learning about it as the book went on. And Casper! Our favorite ghost dog! He was such a fun addition, he was probably one of my favorite characters!
I have seen a few places (like Goodreads)/ads market this as horror — while there are some horror elements, I would say this is more “horror-lite” — I would classify it as a darker paranormal romance, but everyone’s threshold for horror elements is different.
The Big Climactic Fight(TM) felt pretty compelling, but I also was expecting just a tiny bit more? It almost felt a bit too easy, and I was waiting for there to be a bit more conflict. The ending came a little abruptly, and I would have wanted a little more clarity about where we left the characters/what is next for them in this come-down. Still, I did enjoy this book a lot and I did buy my own copy from Pango.
Truly, this book is for those who, if you read “Her Soul to Take” (like me) and were so beyond frustrated with an FMC who was literally so stupid/had no survival instincts, this is the cure for you. There is the demon(ish)/human romance, the atmospheric setting (but more intense/different world building), and some spice (Her Soul to Take definitely has more sex scenes/kink scenes), but our characters and the conflict driving the plot feel a bit more fleshed out.
Thank you very much NetGalley & Sourcebooks for the eARC!
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