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Devour Me #1
Devour Me
Not yet published
Expected 4 Aug 26From New York Times bestselling author Emily Rath comes a dark, spicy MMF paranormal romance series set on a New England island about the entangled fates of a witch, wraith, and mortal...
Dáinn the Devourer has spent the last two hundred years of his undead life reluctantly bonded to a dark witch, doing her dirtiest work. Devouring corrupt souls may not be satisfying for a wraith, but it keeps him fed.
Sent on a job to Burr Island, Dáinn is forced by his mistress to devour the soul of a powerful rival witch, Jasper Prescott. Dáinn is busy devouring the witch when he’s interrupted by a human. With one word, this human does what no being has ever done…she takes his breath away.
Forced to stop feeding, Dáinn is shattered as the soul he was devouring slips back inside the dying witch. Who is this human? And what dark magic must she possess to stop a wraith? The more Dáinn learns about Birdie Rhodes, hapless historian and sometimes shop girl, the more determined he is to become part of her world.
Sweet Birdie works for the witch Dáinn was ordered to devour. Now Jasper Prescott is on the hunt too. For answers. As a powerful witch, with a coven at his command, Jasper will stop at nothing to find out what magical mischief is happening on his island. Why is a wraith haunting his tea shop? Which fellow witch wants him dead? And who the hell is Birdie Rhodes?
Dáinn, Jasper, and Birdie become entangled in a magical love affair which could lead to their ruin.
Tropes
Shadow daddyUnrequited instaloveAge gapWhy Choose/PolyamoryMMFDysfunctional throupleLurking is my love languageGrumpy witch x grumpy demon x sunshine humanNo one gets to kill you but meThe cat is not a cat
Dáinn the Devourer has spent the last two hundred years of his undead life reluctantly bonded to a dark witch, doing her dirtiest work. Devouring corrupt souls may not be satisfying for a wraith, but it keeps him fed.
Sent on a job to Burr Island, Dáinn is forced by his mistress to devour the soul of a powerful rival witch, Jasper Prescott. Dáinn is busy devouring the witch when he’s interrupted by a human. With one word, this human does what no being has ever done…she takes his breath away.
Forced to stop feeding, Dáinn is shattered as the soul he was devouring slips back inside the dying witch. Who is this human? And what dark magic must she possess to stop a wraith? The more Dáinn learns about Birdie Rhodes, hapless historian and sometimes shop girl, the more determined he is to become part of her world.
Sweet Birdie works for the witch Dáinn was ordered to devour. Now Jasper Prescott is on the hunt too. For answers. As a powerful witch, with a coven at his command, Jasper will stop at nothing to find out what magical mischief is happening on his island. Why is a wraith haunting his tea shop? Which fellow witch wants him dead? And who the hell is Birdie Rhodes?
Dáinn, Jasper, and Birdie become entangled in a magical love affair which could lead to their ruin.
Tropes
Shadow daddyUnrequited instaloveAge gapWhy Choose/PolyamoryMMFDysfunctional throupleLurking is my love languageGrumpy witch x grumpy demon x sunshine humanNo one gets to kill you but meThe cat is not a cat
528 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 4, 2026
About the author
Emily Rath
20 books11.7k followersEmily Rath is a USA Today and international bestselling author whose chart-topping, sex-positive, queer-inclusive fantasy and romance novels include the Second Sons Regency romances, the Tuonela Duet fantasy novels, and the ‘why choose’ Jacksonville Rays Hockey Romances. A former university professor, she holds PhDs in Political Science and Peace Studies. Emily lives with her husband, son, and cats in the Pacific Northwest. She can be found online at EmilyRathBooks.com, on Instagram @emilyrathauthor and on TikTok @emilyrathbooks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DNF at 77%.
If you don’t like campy romance, insta love, and smut that feels like it just pops up because the author wants it there, this probably won't be for you. I actually like camp (I gave Ice Planet Barbarians four stars!), but this felt like "camp" was just an excuse for inconsistent character motivations and messy execution.
The writing style was exhausting. There are too many useless details that should have been edited out, and the characters constantly repeat the same information to each other. I felt like I read every scene four times. The plot was there, but the pacing was too slow.
The insta-love was so unnecessary. I expected the wraith to love the leads at first sight based on the description, but Jasper and Birdie also have zero build-up. As soon as they meet, they are all over each other, and Phoebe (Jasper’s NIECE and Birdie's friend) immediately gives them her blessing to hook up. Why was that even necessary?
In 264 pages (that’s 50% of the book), there was plenty of time to give the romance some depth beyond whatever is happening here, but nope. Even the dirty talk and smut felt awkward. And if you’re wondering how the wraith joins the Why Choose fun, he just helps himself to a body from the morgue. I’m still not sure how I feel about that.
The only time I felt a spark of interest was around the 40% mark when the wraith, Dainn, gets his new body and finally starts interacting with people. I actually thought, "Finally, we’re getting somewhere". But while his interactions were somewhat entertaining, it wasn't enough to save this for me.
There was potential here, but I’m just not a fan of the execution. I think this needed more focus on character building.
I did peek at the last chapter to see what happens, only to find it ends on a cliffhanger. I can safely say I won't be back for the sequel.
Tropes: Age gap (24/42/immortal) | Why Choose | Insta-love
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: When I first read the blurb, I thought this was the weirdest thing ever, but I also knew I had to read it. So, here I am, diving into a Why Choose between a witch, a wraith, and a mortal. I have no idea what to expect, but I really hope I like it!!
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
If you don’t like campy romance, insta love, and smut that feels like it just pops up because the author wants it there, this probably won't be for you. I actually like camp (I gave Ice Planet Barbarians four stars!), but this felt like "camp" was just an excuse for inconsistent character motivations and messy execution.
The writing style was exhausting. There are too many useless details that should have been edited out, and the characters constantly repeat the same information to each other. I felt like I read every scene four times. The plot was there, but the pacing was too slow.
The insta-love was so unnecessary. I expected the wraith to love the leads at first sight based on the description, but Jasper and Birdie also have zero build-up. As soon as they meet, they are all over each other, and Phoebe (Jasper’s NIECE and Birdie's friend) immediately gives them her blessing to hook up. Why was that even necessary?
In 264 pages (that’s 50% of the book), there was plenty of time to give the romance some depth beyond whatever is happening here, but nope. Even the dirty talk and smut felt awkward. And if you’re wondering how the wraith joins the Why Choose fun, he just helps himself to a body from the morgue. I’m still not sure how I feel about that.
The only time I felt a spark of interest was around the 40% mark when the wraith, Dainn, gets his new body and finally starts interacting with people. I actually thought, "Finally, we’re getting somewhere". But while his interactions were somewhat entertaining, it wasn't enough to save this for me.
There was potential here, but I’m just not a fan of the execution. I think this needed more focus on character building.
I did peek at the last chapter to see what happens, only to find it ends on a cliffhanger. I can safely say I won't be back for the sequel.
Tropes: Age gap (24/42/immortal) | Why Choose | Insta-love
─ ✦ ────
✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: When I first read the blurb, I thought this was the weirdest thing ever, but I also knew I had to read it. So, here I am, diving into a Why Choose between a witch, a wraith, and a mortal. I have no idea what to expect, but I really hope I like it!!
⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
Want to Read
April 19, 2026
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*
Kinda curious about this one... Can't wait to pick it up soon.
Kinda curious about this one... Can't wait to pick it up soon.
April 21, 2026
Overall, I'd give the book 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the story, but for me personally, everything happened too quickly. I needed more buildup of the characters before so much action and chaos happened. The setting was so good, touristy island protected by a coven of witches living amongst humans, I loved all the little shops and especially Salt & Sage, I wished we got more time in the shop! I also loved the witchy, history, and supernatural vibes. Let's talk individual characters. Birdie, a broke graduate student who ended up on the island due to her best friend meddling. She was really fun to read, and I liked her character a lot, I loved that she was so smart, resilient, and took things in stride, especially learning that witches are real. Jasper, a grumpy shop keeper and leader of the Burr Island coven. Great guy, but shew, talk about mommy issues. Dainn, an immortal wraith tasked with haunting and hunting Jasper per Ludmilla's request. My favorite character, his quirks made him so charming and fun. I liked all of these characters individually, a lot actually, especially Dainn, BUT I didn't necessarily feel the chemistry. The sexual tension, sure, but the obsession with each other came on too fast. I will add that the scene in the woods was top notch. Insta-love is one of my least favorite tropes, so that's on me. The banter between the three, and sometimes Hortie, was great and I loved the friendship between Birdie and Phoebe. For any ACOTAR fans out there, Ludmilla reminded me of Amarantha mixed with Mother Gothel from Tangled. I honestly can't wait for the next book to see what happens next!
*Paranormal = witch/human/wraith = coven leader/historian/immortal
*Mystery
*Insta-lust/insta-love
*Forced proximity
*Trauma bonding
*Why choose
Format: ebook
Thank you NetGalley, Emily Rath, and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!
Chapter play by play to come once the book is published!
*Paranormal = witch/human/wraith = coven leader/historian/immortal
*Mystery
*Insta-lust/insta-love
*Forced proximity
*Trauma bonding
*Why choose
Format: ebook
Thank you NetGalley, Emily Rath, and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!
Chapter play by play to come once the book is published!
April 18, 2026
✨🕯️🌙ARC REVIEW🌙🕯️✨
5/5⭐️stars
3/5🌶️spice
I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and I came into it with no previous experience with Emily Rath's books. I absolutely fell in love with this story and I am already desperate for the second book. It gives "Practical Magic" vibes with the island setting and you can definitely feel the influence from "Chamed" and "Buffy" all while undoubtedly maintaining a unique and original story.
The world building within these pages was intoxicating, I found myself thinking about the setting and the characters anytime I had to walk away from reading. Burr Island is everything it needed to be to provide the perfect atmosphere for the plot, it felt like home within the pages. The three main characters were all my favorite in their own ways. Birdie is fierce, independent, resilient, intelligent, and so witty. Jasper is an infuriatingly annoying ass in the most loyal lovable way. I would be lying if I didn't say that Dáinn was my most favorite though, he is so complex, innocent, whimsical, and sweet. The side characters all brought depth to the plot that just couldn't be replaced, Hortie is a crazy old bat, a complete spitfire and I think I can speak for almost everyone when I say #teampickles.
When I say that I was pissed at the ending, I mean it in the best possible way. The way that you want to throw your book, e reader, phone, etc... and write a letter or fight an author. That kind of irrational mad that makes you laugh and reminds you why you love reading so much. That's the kind of mad that this ending made me and now me and Emily are on a lovers to enimies to lovers storyline (currently enimies until the next book). I LOVE when a book and an author can make me feel this way! I already pre ordered my physical copy of Devour Me and I can't wait to read it again, even if the ending will make me want to throw it across the room! I am so ready for the next installment in this series, I really can't wait to see where the rest of the story leads. I know I'll be thinking about this one for a long time so hopefully we don't have to wait too long! If you love mystery, suspense, a delicious slow burn with a lot of banter and second/ third act spice, whimsy, witches, and all things paranormal then this is definitely the book for you! This one will definitely be living rent free in my head for a while!
5/5⭐️stars
3/5🌶️spice
I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and I came into it with no previous experience with Emily Rath's books. I absolutely fell in love with this story and I am already desperate for the second book. It gives "Practical Magic" vibes with the island setting and you can definitely feel the influence from "Chamed" and "Buffy" all while undoubtedly maintaining a unique and original story.
The world building within these pages was intoxicating, I found myself thinking about the setting and the characters anytime I had to walk away from reading. Burr Island is everything it needed to be to provide the perfect atmosphere for the plot, it felt like home within the pages. The three main characters were all my favorite in their own ways. Birdie is fierce, independent, resilient, intelligent, and so witty. Jasper is an infuriatingly annoying ass in the most loyal lovable way. I would be lying if I didn't say that Dáinn was my most favorite though, he is so complex, innocent, whimsical, and sweet. The side characters all brought depth to the plot that just couldn't be replaced, Hortie is a crazy old bat, a complete spitfire and I think I can speak for almost everyone when I say #teampickles.
When I say that I was pissed at the ending, I mean it in the best possible way. The way that you want to throw your book, e reader, phone, etc... and write a letter or fight an author. That kind of irrational mad that makes you laugh and reminds you why you love reading so much. That's the kind of mad that this ending made me and now me and Emily are on a lovers to enimies to lovers storyline (currently enimies until the next book). I LOVE when a book and an author can make me feel this way! I already pre ordered my physical copy of Devour Me and I can't wait to read it again, even if the ending will make me want to throw it across the room! I am so ready for the next installment in this series, I really can't wait to see where the rest of the story leads. I know I'll be thinking about this one for a long time so hopefully we don't have to wait too long! If you love mystery, suspense, a delicious slow burn with a lot of banter and second/ third act spice, whimsy, witches, and all things paranormal then this is definitely the book for you! This one will definitely be living rent free in my head for a while!
May 9, 2026
Six Stars - No notes. I truly had the time of my life reading this book, and while I’m still reeling from the cliffhanger I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is my first Emily Rath book, and I have to say her writing style is elite. Her character development and execution - phenomenal. The way she made me fall head over heels for a wraith? Impressive.
I laughed. Boy did I laugh. I cried. I fumed. I gasped. I cannot wait for the next one.
The extended side characters were so fun, the banter and wit between the main characters was elite. The spice was just the right amount. The angst and tension was so good… the raw real emotions were felt in my core. This will be one of my top reads for 2026.
The main characters:
Dainn - a friendly and hungry Wraith who is unwilling bonded to an evil witch is forced to suck the soul of a named witch, but something unexpected happens - he’s stopped by a human. But that’s impossible…
Jasper - the High Priest of the Burr Island Coven - a small island community off the east coast of the US (think Nantucket) has way too much on his plate and has a erie feeling he’s being watched.
Birdie - Best friend to Phoebe, Jaspers niece is headed to Burr Island for a PHD research assistant assignment for the summer and gets a lot more than she bargained for, but in the best possible way.
Pickens - the Prescott cat who is decidedly not a cat
I laughed. Boy did I laugh. I cried. I fumed. I gasped. I cannot wait for the next one.
The extended side characters were so fun, the banter and wit between the main characters was elite. The spice was just the right amount. The angst and tension was so good… the raw real emotions were felt in my core. This will be one of my top reads for 2026.
The main characters:
Dainn - a friendly and hungry Wraith who is unwilling bonded to an evil witch is forced to suck the soul of a named witch, but something unexpected happens - he’s stopped by a human. But that’s impossible…
Jasper - the High Priest of the Burr Island Coven - a small island community off the east coast of the US (think Nantucket) has way too much on his plate and has a erie feeling he’s being watched.
Birdie - Best friend to Phoebe, Jaspers niece is headed to Burr Island for a PHD research assistant assignment for the summer and gets a lot more than she bargained for, but in the best possible way.
Pickens - the Prescott cat who is decidedly not a cat
April 4, 2026
THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING!!! Like I don’t even know how to talk about how much I loved this book. The characters were amazing, the setting was incredible, the spice was spicy (and not overdone in my opinion) just everything was so good. I have never wanted to join a coven more in my life but it has to be this one haha and Dáinn, my sweet little wraith… I would do ANYTHING FOR HIM!!! And that ending! I have never needed the next book more in my life and to know we are just scratching the surface. This series will take over my life!
May 21, 2026
Emily Rath Chaos Gremiln Member here (ARC Team)
I absolutely adored Devour Me by Emily Rath. This book was enchanting, funny, emotional, spooky, romantic, and honestly just such a wildly fun reading experience from beginning to end. The second I started it, I was completely hooked by the premise alone, and somehow the story only kept getting better the deeper I got into it. I truly could not put this book down.
The story follows Dainn, a reaper whose job is to literally devour souls, and he is sent to reap the soul of powerful witch leader Jasper. But before he can finish the job, everything gets interrupted by completely normal human college student Birdie, who walks in thinking Jasper is getting mugged and accidentally stops a reaper mid-devouring with a command. That moment alone completely sold me on this book because it is chaotic, hilarious, and immediately opens the door to so many questions.
And honestly, these three characters are what make this story so special. They all feel like fully realized people with their own fears, desires, flaws, and histories. Birdie was such an easy FMC to love. She is bright, determined, and trying so hard to keep her life together after losing her summer housing position. I loved how grounded she felt compared to all the supernatural chaos unfolding around her. Her moving to the island after accepting her best friend Phoebe’s offer to stay above the family shop sets everything into motion so naturally.
Then there is Jasper, who starts off grumpy, guarded, and absolutely not interested in Birdie staying there… except the chemistry between them is obvious almost immediately. Jasper carries so much weight as a witch leader and protector of the island coven, and beneath his gruff exterior there is this deeply caring, exhausted man trying to hold everything together. The grumpy x sunshine dynamic between him and Birdie was so good and gave the story so much heart.
And then there is Dainn. Honestly, I loved him. He is powerful, lonely, fascinating, and tragically bound to a witch whose personal ambitions threaten the entire coven. The more you learn about his existence as a reaper and the restrictions placed on him, the more emotional his storyline becomes. Watching him slowly connect with Birdie and Jasper was done so beautifully.
The polyamorous romance between the three of them was honestly chef’s kiss. It never felt forced or overly dramatic. Instead, it develops naturally through trust, vulnerability, attraction, and shared danger. Each relationship dynamic feels distinct and meaningful, and I loved how much emotional depth was layered into the romance alongside all the humor and spice.
The worldbuilding was also fantastic. Learning about the history of the island witches, the coven politics, Dainn’s role as a reaper, and the supernatural threats surrounding them made the world feel rich and immersive. And on top of that we get vampires, necromancers, magical island lore, an adorable cat, and so many little details that made the world feel alive.
The pacing of this book was so addictive because there is always something happening. Whether it is emotional relationship development, supernatural danger, magical discoveries, or chaotic humor, the story constantly keeps moving while still giving the characters room to breathe and grow.
And that cliffhanger ending? RUDE. Absolutely rude in the best possible way because now I desperately need book two immediately. Emily Rath managed to create a story that feels magical, sexy, funny, emotional, and deeply character driven all at once, and I loved every second of it.
Overall, Devour Me is such a fun and enchanting paranormal fantasy filled with lovable characters, incredible chemistry, rich supernatural lore, and a polyamorous romance that absolutely works. This book completely consumed me and I already cannot wait to dive back into this world.
Thank you to Emily Rath and NetGalley for access to the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I absolutely adored Devour Me by Emily Rath. This book was enchanting, funny, emotional, spooky, romantic, and honestly just such a wildly fun reading experience from beginning to end. The second I started it, I was completely hooked by the premise alone, and somehow the story only kept getting better the deeper I got into it. I truly could not put this book down.
The story follows Dainn, a reaper whose job is to literally devour souls, and he is sent to reap the soul of powerful witch leader Jasper. But before he can finish the job, everything gets interrupted by completely normal human college student Birdie, who walks in thinking Jasper is getting mugged and accidentally stops a reaper mid-devouring with a command. That moment alone completely sold me on this book because it is chaotic, hilarious, and immediately opens the door to so many questions.
And honestly, these three characters are what make this story so special. They all feel like fully realized people with their own fears, desires, flaws, and histories. Birdie was such an easy FMC to love. She is bright, determined, and trying so hard to keep her life together after losing her summer housing position. I loved how grounded she felt compared to all the supernatural chaos unfolding around her. Her moving to the island after accepting her best friend Phoebe’s offer to stay above the family shop sets everything into motion so naturally.
Then there is Jasper, who starts off grumpy, guarded, and absolutely not interested in Birdie staying there… except the chemistry between them is obvious almost immediately. Jasper carries so much weight as a witch leader and protector of the island coven, and beneath his gruff exterior there is this deeply caring, exhausted man trying to hold everything together. The grumpy x sunshine dynamic between him and Birdie was so good and gave the story so much heart.
And then there is Dainn. Honestly, I loved him. He is powerful, lonely, fascinating, and tragically bound to a witch whose personal ambitions threaten the entire coven. The more you learn about his existence as a reaper and the restrictions placed on him, the more emotional his storyline becomes. Watching him slowly connect with Birdie and Jasper was done so beautifully.
The polyamorous romance between the three of them was honestly chef’s kiss. It never felt forced or overly dramatic. Instead, it develops naturally through trust, vulnerability, attraction, and shared danger. Each relationship dynamic feels distinct and meaningful, and I loved how much emotional depth was layered into the romance alongside all the humor and spice.
The worldbuilding was also fantastic. Learning about the history of the island witches, the coven politics, Dainn’s role as a reaper, and the supernatural threats surrounding them made the world feel rich and immersive. And on top of that we get vampires, necromancers, magical island lore, an adorable cat, and so many little details that made the world feel alive.
The pacing of this book was so addictive because there is always something happening. Whether it is emotional relationship development, supernatural danger, magical discoveries, or chaotic humor, the story constantly keeps moving while still giving the characters room to breathe and grow.
And that cliffhanger ending? RUDE. Absolutely rude in the best possible way because now I desperately need book two immediately. Emily Rath managed to create a story that feels magical, sexy, funny, emotional, and deeply character driven all at once, and I loved every second of it.
Overall, Devour Me is such a fun and enchanting paranormal fantasy filled with lovable characters, incredible chemistry, rich supernatural lore, and a polyamorous romance that absolutely works. This book completely consumed me and I already cannot wait to dive back into this world.
Thank you to Emily Rath and NetGalley for access to the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Want to Read
April 6, 2026Can't believe I got accepted for this arc! I just started a book but I know what my next read will be.
April 29, 2026
A why choose with a hot, grumpy witch, a historian FMC, and a tortured wraith honestly sounds like a great time.
Overall, I enjoyed the premise and concept of this story. There are also a lot of fun moments in it, and the dynamics and banter between the characters are enjoyable.
If you enjoy lots of fun sex scenes, juicy banter, and grumpy sunshine dynamics combined with a supernatural mission to save a small-town community, this is for you.
Due to the nature of the story, the romance grows over just a few days, which isn’t my personal cup of tea as someone who craves a well drawn-out slow-burn, but overall it was a good time and I’m curious to see what happens next!
Overall, I enjoyed the premise and concept of this story. There are also a lot of fun moments in it, and the dynamics and banter between the characters are enjoyable.
If you enjoy lots of fun sex scenes, juicy banter, and grumpy sunshine dynamics combined with a supernatural mission to save a small-town community, this is for you.
Due to the nature of the story, the romance grows over just a few days, which isn’t my personal cup of tea as someone who craves a well drawn-out slow-burn, but overall it was a good time and I’m curious to see what happens next!
April 6, 2026
5 ⭐️ 3.5 🌶️
Thank you Avon, HarperVoyager and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for review!
Emily’s paranormal romance debut did NOT disappoint!!!
400 years ago, 5 witches were burned alive leaving Burr Island protected from other magical creatures and anyone intent on causing the land harm.
Fast forward to present day, you’ve got Birdie… a human with ZERO knowledge of magic who is hired for the summer by a professor named Ezra Howe to assist him on Burr Island in a dig to help search for the missing bodies’ of said witches.
I fucking LOVE Birdie. I am in love with her. She is so badass, smart and SO funny. And she has every 👏 single 👏 member of the Burr Island coven (including the not-a-cat) wrapped around her finger. 🤭
Enter Jasper, the grumpy High Priest of the Burr Island coven who begrudgingly hires Birdie to work part-time in his shop for the summer at the request of his niece. The connection between Birdie and Jasper is almost instantaneous and it’s HOTTTT.
Add in Dáinn, a wraith sent by his mistress to devour Jasper’s soul and you’ve got a recipe for chaos. My perfect angel faced golden retriever of a wraith who will crawl on his hands and knees. I’m obsessed with him. He’s obsessed with them. It’s all a real good time over here. Until the mic drops. 👀 that last 10% knocked me on my ass.
I absolutely LOVED the dynamic of these characters and the storyline. I love that there is an entire world of magical creatures existing right under the humans’ noses. The banter between Birdie, Jasper and Dáinn was TOP TIER and the spice was immaculate. I can only imagine what’s gonna happen in the next two books.
That cliffhanger though? Brutal. Emily and I are fighting.
Thank you Avon, HarperVoyager and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for review!
Emily’s paranormal romance debut did NOT disappoint!!!
400 years ago, 5 witches were burned alive leaving Burr Island protected from other magical creatures and anyone intent on causing the land harm.
Fast forward to present day, you’ve got Birdie… a human with ZERO knowledge of magic who is hired for the summer by a professor named Ezra Howe to assist him on Burr Island in a dig to help search for the missing bodies’ of said witches.
I fucking LOVE Birdie. I am in love with her. She is so badass, smart and SO funny. And she has every 👏 single 👏 member of the Burr Island coven (including the not-a-cat) wrapped around her finger. 🤭
Enter Jasper, the grumpy High Priest of the Burr Island coven who begrudgingly hires Birdie to work part-time in his shop for the summer at the request of his niece. The connection between Birdie and Jasper is almost instantaneous and it’s HOTTTT.
Add in Dáinn, a wraith sent by his mistress to devour Jasper’s soul and you’ve got a recipe for chaos. My perfect angel faced golden retriever of a wraith who will crawl on his hands and knees. I’m obsessed with him. He’s obsessed with them. It’s all a real good time over here. Until the mic drops. 👀 that last 10% knocked me on my ass.
I absolutely LOVED the dynamic of these characters and the storyline. I love that there is an entire world of magical creatures existing right under the humans’ noses. The banter between Birdie, Jasper and Dáinn was TOP TIER and the spice was immaculate. I can only imagine what’s gonna happen in the next two books.
That cliffhanger though? Brutal. Emily and I are fighting.
April 10, 2026
Ooh I adored this story 😍 I have been eagerly awaiting its release and let me tell you it did not disappoint!
Everything about this book had me hooked. The setting was realistic and the storytelling was engaging, but the star of the show was the characters.
I loved all three of the main characters. Birdie is a human historian, Jasper is a grumpy witch and Dàinn is a wraith. The chemistry between these three was fabulous. I can’t wait to see how their relationship plays out in the next book. All three have their own POV and each was one was easy to distinguish.
Having said that the supporting characters were also brilliant (Pickles and Hortie, I’m looking at you!).
I genuinely loved this story and cannot wait to read the next book after that cliffhanger ending. This was a fast paced, easy to read MMF paranormal romance, packed full of magic.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher (Avon and Harper Voyager) for providing a copy of the book for review. All opinions are my own and provided willingly.
Everything about this book had me hooked. The setting was realistic and the storytelling was engaging, but the star of the show was the characters.
I loved all three of the main characters. Birdie is a human historian, Jasper is a grumpy witch and Dàinn is a wraith. The chemistry between these three was fabulous. I can’t wait to see how their relationship plays out in the next book. All three have their own POV and each was one was easy to distinguish.
Having said that the supporting characters were also brilliant (Pickles and Hortie, I’m looking at you!).
I genuinely loved this story and cannot wait to read the next book after that cliffhanger ending. This was a fast paced, easy to read MMF paranormal romance, packed full of magic.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher (Avon and Harper Voyager) for providing a copy of the book for review. All opinions are my own and provided willingly.
May 21, 2026
First, a MASSIVE thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and Emily Rath for the NetGalley approval for this eARC of Devour Me! Additionally, I want to thank Emily for having me along as a Chaos Gremlin for this journey because this has been so lovely!!!!!!!!! Now for my review.
Did I devour this book or did it devour me?????
How do you even begin to describe a book that is so BEAUTIFUL, clever, charismatic, iconic, respectfully suspenseful, and a little diabolical, with some soul shattering emotional damage delivered a cinematic way???? I already need to reread the whole book and it’s not even been 24 hours. I am so deeply invested in our 3 MCs stories, the coven, history of Burr Island. Everything. How could I not be though??? The memes that Emily shared should have been my sign. Wraith romance IS the stuff for bisexuals and goths (this was a favorite meme btw).
Birdie, Jasper and sweet, sweet Dáinn have my WHOLE heart and all of my working brain cells. Seriously though, when you have characters that just… go together, are drawn to each other in such an other worldly way, one that transcends our reality…the ferocity of that depth makes you pause. I’m just a simple lady and this is a hot AF fast burn 🤤. Anyway…Their gravitational pull towards each other is something I REALLY enjoyed in this book. Not even they know why it’s happening, but when they give in, it’s chef’s kiss excellent. This is also a part of our mystery subplot and I found myself really enjoying that along with the deep history of Burr Island. Nothing is simple and everything is at stake. Between faking a ☠️, trying to figure out how Birdie can do what she’s able to do, keep others safe, while also making sure the big baddie doesn’t find out… well… let’s just say this is where the emotional damage is hitting, but respectfully so. I could yap all day and my review could easily be 3 pages long but I don’t want to spoil anything lol lol.
You’ll find me patiently waiting, if not being a little feral, for the next installment of this series!!
Did I devour this book or did it devour me?????
How do you even begin to describe a book that is so BEAUTIFUL, clever, charismatic, iconic, respectfully suspenseful, and a little diabolical, with some soul shattering emotional damage delivered a cinematic way???? I already need to reread the whole book and it’s not even been 24 hours. I am so deeply invested in our 3 MCs stories, the coven, history of Burr Island. Everything. How could I not be though??? The memes that Emily shared should have been my sign. Wraith romance IS the stuff for bisexuals and goths (this was a favorite meme btw).
Birdie, Jasper and sweet, sweet Dáinn have my WHOLE heart and all of my working brain cells. Seriously though, when you have characters that just… go together, are drawn to each other in such an other worldly way, one that transcends our reality…the ferocity of that depth makes you pause. I’m just a simple lady and this is a hot AF fast burn 🤤. Anyway…Their gravitational pull towards each other is something I REALLY enjoyed in this book. Not even they know why it’s happening, but when they give in, it’s chef’s kiss excellent. This is also a part of our mystery subplot and I found myself really enjoying that along with the deep history of Burr Island. Nothing is simple and everything is at stake. Between faking a ☠️, trying to figure out how Birdie can do what she’s able to do, keep others safe, while also making sure the big baddie doesn’t find out… well… let’s just say this is where the emotional damage is hitting, but respectfully so. I could yap all day and my review could easily be 3 pages long but I don’t want to spoil anything lol lol.
You’ll find me patiently waiting, if not being a little feral, for the next installment of this series!!
April 26, 2026
Title: Devour Me
Author: Emily Rath
Series: Devour Me, 1
Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Fantasy, romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV’s: Birdie (FMC), Jasper & Dainn (MMC’s)
What to expect:
*MMF relationship
*Human / Witch / Wraith pairing
*Cliffhanger ending
Safety:
No OW/OM drama, on page violence and death, primal scene, voyeurism
Review:
Like the author, I was obsessed with the television show Charmed! I just know that if I ever get the opportunity to meet her we will be instant besties!! 🥰🥰
I loved this story and all of the characters! Dainn was my favorite and I can’t wait until we get more scenes with him and Jasper and then with the three of them together!! The instant connection between the three characters was so heartwarming and I love how they all accepted each other equally.
The book is very long, but it is packed with action and dialogue, which I love in romance books! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book in the series!
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read and review this title!
Author: Emily Rath
Series: Devour Me, 1
Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Fantasy, romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV’s: Birdie (FMC), Jasper & Dainn (MMC’s)
What to expect:
*MMF relationship
*Human / Witch / Wraith pairing
*Cliffhanger ending
Safety:
No OW/OM drama, on page violence and death, primal scene, voyeurism
Review:
Like the author, I was obsessed with the television show Charmed! I just know that if I ever get the opportunity to meet her we will be instant besties!! 🥰🥰
I loved this story and all of the characters! Dainn was my favorite and I can’t wait until we get more scenes with him and Jasper and then with the three of them together!! The instant connection between the three characters was so heartwarming and I love how they all accepted each other equally.
The book is very long, but it is packed with action and dialogue, which I love in romance books! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book in the series!
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read and review this title!
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April 11, 2026I started reading Emily Rath about two years ago when I saw someone talking about Pucking Around on bookstagram. I've adored and dare I say devoured that entire series. I was beyond excited to see she was venturing into fantasy with this new book. Especially because who writes love stories about wraiths? I've never seen it before. She posted this meme with the three headed dragon, and the one that was slightly off was Dainn, and initially, I was not sure how that would work, shouldn't a wraith be all....deadly and whatnot? But she cracked me up with his character. I love her constant rewriting of the status quo for genders and sexual orientation. But my favorite part in this one was her take on Christianity and the toxicity of extreme religion. It was such an asset to the story and well written in a way that wasn't preachy.
Overall, my gripe with this one is that for how long it was, I didn't get a lot of witchy action. I love where the story is building, but once it finally started to come to a head, boom, the end. I know it was on purpose, I know there is another book coming, but dang, Emily!
I am so excited to have gotten an advanced copy of this one!
Overall, my gripe with this one is that for how long it was, I didn't get a lot of witchy action. I love where the story is building, but once it finally started to come to a head, boom, the end. I know it was on purpose, I know there is another book coming, but dang, Emily!
I am so excited to have gotten an advanced copy of this one!
April 7, 2026
When I got the arc to this book (thank you to NetGalley and the publishers) I expected just a random good time read. Imagine my surprise when the plot was a lot deeper and we did not get an insta lust spice 20% in.
I love the characters and how different they read from each other. Dainn is by far my favorite, my little unhinged actual grim reaper, I am such a sucker for these.
Jasper is such a textbook Scorpio and as a Scorpio I can tell you not to date us unless you want moody broody hard to get to know hard to stand sometimes people. Birdie is just the perfect in between them with her cheerful personality and easy-goiness (is that even a word? I’m sure it isn’t).
The writing is very accessible albeit I found it had a bit too many random details and dialogue thrown in, but the pacing is pretty fast and all in all it makes for a fun read with a very interesting story and a MMF relationship that’s slowly becoming my favorite dynamic.
I love the characters and how different they read from each other. Dainn is by far my favorite, my little unhinged actual grim reaper, I am such a sucker for these.
Jasper is such a textbook Scorpio and as a Scorpio I can tell you not to date us unless you want moody broody hard to get to know hard to stand sometimes people. Birdie is just the perfect in between them with her cheerful personality and easy-goiness (is that even a word? I’m sure it isn’t).
The writing is very accessible albeit I found it had a bit too many random details and dialogue thrown in, but the pacing is pretty fast and all in all it makes for a fun read with a very interesting story and a MMF relationship that’s slowly becoming my favorite dynamic.
May 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
3.5. I really enjoyed the premise of this book and thought the magic system and worldbuilding were genuinely well done. The world felt immersive and unique, and I liked learning how everything worked alongside Birdie. Even when parts of the plot felt familiar or predictable, the setting itself kept me invested.
My biggest issue was the ending. I understand leaving room for a sequel and ending on a cliffhanger, but it felt like almost nothing was resolved by the end of the book. In stories like this, I still want at least some emotional or plot payoff, even if the main conflict continues into the next installment. I also wasn’t personally a huge fan of the spice.
Still, the originality and strong worldbuilding made this a compelling read overall, and I’d definitely be interested in seeing where the series goes next.
3.5. I really enjoyed the premise of this book and thought the magic system and worldbuilding were genuinely well done. The world felt immersive and unique, and I liked learning how everything worked alongside Birdie. Even when parts of the plot felt familiar or predictable, the setting itself kept me invested.
My biggest issue was the ending. I understand leaving room for a sequel and ending on a cliffhanger, but it felt like almost nothing was resolved by the end of the book. In stories like this, I still want at least some emotional or plot payoff, even if the main conflict continues into the next installment. I also wasn’t personally a huge fan of the spice.
Still, the originality and strong worldbuilding made this a compelling read overall, and I’d definitely be interested in seeing where the series goes next.
April 15, 2026
Dáinn is a wraith who has been forcibly bonded to a dark witch in order to do her bidding. He gets sent on a job to devour the soul of Jasper but he gets interrupted and forced to stop, which has never happened before. Jasper is a powerful witch and coven leader and all he wants to do is keep his island safe. Jasper recently hired Birdie to work in his shop and then one night he is attacked by a Wraith but Birdie is able to stop him and no one knows why. Now he must work with both Birdie and Dainn in order to keep the island safe.
I enjoyed this book and thought it was a good time. I liked the three main characters and thought they also had good chemistry together. I really enjoyed all the eclectic side characters of the coven members and the cat. I enjoyed how fast paced the book was, it made it super easy to read. I am interested in seeing where the story goes in the next book.
I enjoyed this book and thought it was a good time. I liked the three main characters and thought they also had good chemistry together. I really enjoyed all the eclectic side characters of the coven members and the cat. I enjoyed how fast paced the book was, it made it super easy to read. I am interested in seeing where the story goes in the next book.
April 30, 2026
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this advanced reader copy for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This is a tough one for me to write a review for... I loved the word build, but that’s about it. The writing is cozy, whimsical, and filled with boring details that cause it to drag on. I struggled to get through it and kept setting the book down, so much so it almost became a DNF. (There’s three sections, and 70 chapters, ends on a cliffhanger, RIP)
I wasn’t a huge fan of the MFC. I also found many of the conversations and definitions repetitive and redundant. Then towards the end, scenes felt half finished, oddly incomplete compared to the rest.
It’s very clearly a passion project so I’m sad to give this a lukewarm review, but between the characters and plot it felt like it was trying to check too many boxes.
This is a tough one for me to write a review for... I loved the word build, but that’s about it. The writing is cozy, whimsical, and filled with boring details that cause it to drag on. I struggled to get through it and kept setting the book down, so much so it almost became a DNF. (There’s three sections, and 70 chapters, ends on a cliffhanger, RIP)
I wasn’t a huge fan of the MFC. I also found many of the conversations and definitions repetitive and redundant. Then towards the end, scenes felt half finished, oddly incomplete compared to the rest.
It’s very clearly a passion project so I’m sad to give this a lukewarm review, but between the characters and plot it felt like it was trying to check too many boxes.
February 24, 2026
3.5/5
Very lucky to receive an e-Arc of this book - releasing in July 2026.
MMF - super spicy - between a wraith, a male witch, and a human woman. Dainn is a wraith, indebted to serve Ludmilla, going after the souls she requests. Usually he goes after lowly magical creatures, until he is given Jaspers name. When he goes to take Jaspers soul - the only thing able to stop him in his tracks is a human woman. Thus begins an insta love, why choose love story of unlikely beings falling in love and lust - as the trio try to save Dainn and Jaspers coven from Ludmilla and her nefarious plans.
I do think in the balance of romantasy, this book leans heavily into spice, sometimes at the cost of the plot. But it was a fun read, good banter. Easy to follow.
Very lucky to receive an e-Arc of this book - releasing in July 2026.
MMF - super spicy - between a wraith, a male witch, and a human woman. Dainn is a wraith, indebted to serve Ludmilla, going after the souls she requests. Usually he goes after lowly magical creatures, until he is given Jaspers name. When he goes to take Jaspers soul - the only thing able to stop him in his tracks is a human woman. Thus begins an insta love, why choose love story of unlikely beings falling in love and lust - as the trio try to save Dainn and Jaspers coven from Ludmilla and her nefarious plans.
I do think in the balance of romantasy, this book leans heavily into spice, sometimes at the cost of the plot. But it was a fun read, good banter. Easy to follow.
May 16, 2026
I was really looking forward to this book but the story and the characters fell flat for me.
I was super invested in this until about 45% and then I lost interest as the story progressed.
Overall, the book was an okay read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was super invested in this until about 45% and then I lost interest as the story progressed.
Overall, the book was an okay read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2026
eARC from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this! I liked the magic system and the world building and all of the characters were interesting to me except the villain who I thought was kind of boring and predictable. The cliffhanger was evil though.
The spice was SPICING.
CAWPILE: 8
Characters 8
Atmosphere/Setting 8
Writing 7
Plot/Logic 8
Intrigue 7
Relationships 9
Enjoyment 8
I really enjoyed this! I liked the magic system and the world building and all of the characters were interesting to me except the villain who I thought was kind of boring and predictable. The cliffhanger was evil though.
The spice was SPICING.
CAWPILE: 8
Characters 8
Atmosphere/Setting 8
Writing 7
Plot/Logic 8
Intrigue 7
Relationships 9
Enjoyment 8
April 30, 2026
I'm a sucker for paranormal romance and this book was no exception. This was equal parts chaotic and absurd, but also had a bit of emotional depth layered in. Really loved the characters (especially the Wraith) and the setting (planned a day trip to a nearby island when I was about 20% through the book).
My one singular complaint: this was very insta-lust, and the relationships developed between characters a bit too easily for my taste. That being said, there's enough plot happening that this was easy enough to get past, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Unfortunately, I'll be waiting for a very long time since this first book doesn't release until August.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
My one singular complaint: this was very insta-lust, and the relationships developed between characters a bit too easily for my taste. That being said, there's enough plot happening that this was easy enough to get past, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Unfortunately, I'll be waiting for a very long time since this first book doesn't release until August.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
April 10, 2026
Did I finish this ARC, or did it finish me? I have been ✨destroyed✨ but like in an emotionally devastating good kind of way. Firstly, thank you so much to Avon and Harper Voyager for allowing me to read this as a very early ARC. I will FOREVER be grateful.
I don't even know where to start. The lore, the characters, the setting? THE EMOTIONS? I absolutely loved every single thing about this book. This actually was my first Emily Rath book, and I can tell you right now, I'm sure it will not be my last.
Jasper, Dáinn, and Birdie were such a fun dynamic of characters, and I loved every moment they had together. I don't want to go into spoilers, but maybe I'll do a future reread of this closer to the release date and go more in depth, but just know this book was INCREDIBLE. One of my top reads this year.
5 stars allllllll the way around.
I don't even know where to start. The lore, the characters, the setting? THE EMOTIONS? I absolutely loved every single thing about this book. This actually was my first Emily Rath book, and I can tell you right now, I'm sure it will not be my last.
Jasper, Dáinn, and Birdie were such a fun dynamic of characters, and I loved every moment they had together. I don't want to go into spoilers, but maybe I'll do a future reread of this closer to the release date and go more in depth, but just know this book was INCREDIBLE. One of my top reads this year.
5 stars allllllll the way around.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an eARC copy of Devour Me in exchange for an honest review.
This book does indeed pack a punch into 500+ pages. It's an age gap, paranormal, MMF romance. I also got a bit of Practical Magic, Charmed, and True Blood vibes. Birdie is a human historian student who is in dire need of work and housing for the summer. Her best friend takes her home to a cozy island town where she gets her a job at her uncle's shop. Jasper is the uncle who is also the High Priest of the coven on the island. He's a bit of a grump and a loner. He's also being haunted by something he can't guard against. Dainn is a wraith who has been sent to haunt Jasper. He's bound against his will. He's also a bit of a golden retriever later on and kind of annoyingly adorable.
I had a great time reading this, honestly. I'm the type of person who, when I'm in the mood for romance, I can overlook a lot of faults I wouldn't normally overlook in other genres, so I'll try to be detailed here. Subjectively, I would bump up my rating to a 5 purely for enjoyment, but, objectively, there's a lot that could improve.
First, the worldbuilding and magic are merely a backdrop. There's not a whole lot explored there beyond brief mentions and vibes. It does get more detailed in the latter 20% and I hope that continues in the next book(s). I would've enjoyed a lot more about how the magic works rather than just guessing from the little information we get. I also wish we'd gotten more about the shop and the customers. We are pretty much told from the beginning that Jasper doesn't want to hire Birdie because she doesn't know much about the wares and divination, her best friend gives her a crash course in tarot, and Jasper basically has her do a reading in a spur of the moment interview/test, but we never see her use that or improve that with the customers. In fact, she barely spends any time actually doing the job she's hired to do. The tarot reading is merely a plot device for foreshadowing.
Second, the plot is fast with so much packed into these 500+ pages with very few dips in the first half. I do prefer a slower-paced book with lots of atmosphere, immersion, and breadcrumbs of information. We don't get that here. Everything happens fast from the plot to the romance itself. Ideally, I think this book should've been spread between two, starting from the beginning of Dainn's haunting Jasper, seeing more of how Jasper leads his coven, how the coven works, the people in it, etc. I would've liked to have gotten more information on the flood that sort of started everything, more history, etc. It's a long book and I just wish it was spread out more, which is a good thing if you think about it.
Third and most important is the romance and the characters. This is a romance, first and foremost. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Dainn, Jasper, and Birdie. It is quite insta-lovey, but not quite. Dainn has been haunting Jasper for a while before the start of the book, so he's had plenty of time to get attached through that. Birdie and Jasper aren't so much a love at first sight thing, but more of a lust and drawn to each other naturally, can't keep hands off each other, sort of thing. Birdie has a lot of apprehension, but still being unable to hold back. Jasper, however, is the only one I feel should've been a bit more closed off due to his personality. Dainn is just Dainn. He's like a puppy. The spicy scenes can definitely feel out of place depending on where we are in the plot and what's going on, but they're good. It's not overly descriptive while still being explicit and on page. Some of the dirty talk can be a bit much, but I enjoyed it.
We do end on a cliffhanger, so be aware of that. The next book should pick up right after. I was kind of hoping, as I got closer to the end, that it would finish and the next book might be a different couple (or another throuple, who knows), but it doesn't seem like it will be. There are some characters that I can see getting a story for (I'm personally hoping for Baz).
Ultimately, I had a good time and I will continue. I want more of the characters and the world. I enjoyed the writing style. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys paranormal or monster romances, but who also want enough plot to keep the momentum going. If you enjoy Lillian Lark, definitely give this one a try, or, if you enjoy this, try Lillian Lark.
This book does indeed pack a punch into 500+ pages. It's an age gap, paranormal, MMF romance. I also got a bit of Practical Magic, Charmed, and True Blood vibes. Birdie is a human historian student who is in dire need of work and housing for the summer. Her best friend takes her home to a cozy island town where she gets her a job at her uncle's shop. Jasper is the uncle who is also the High Priest of the coven on the island. He's a bit of a grump and a loner. He's also being haunted by something he can't guard against. Dainn is a wraith who has been sent to haunt Jasper. He's bound against his will. He's also a bit of a golden retriever later on and kind of annoyingly adorable.
I had a great time reading this, honestly. I'm the type of person who, when I'm in the mood for romance, I can overlook a lot of faults I wouldn't normally overlook in other genres, so I'll try to be detailed here. Subjectively, I would bump up my rating to a 5 purely for enjoyment, but, objectively, there's a lot that could improve.
First, the worldbuilding and magic are merely a backdrop. There's not a whole lot explored there beyond brief mentions and vibes. It does get more detailed in the latter 20% and I hope that continues in the next book(s). I would've enjoyed a lot more about how the magic works rather than just guessing from the little information we get. I also wish we'd gotten more about the shop and the customers. We are pretty much told from the beginning that Jasper doesn't want to hire Birdie because she doesn't know much about the wares and divination, her best friend gives her a crash course in tarot, and Jasper basically has her do a reading in a spur of the moment interview/test, but we never see her use that or improve that with the customers. In fact, she barely spends any time actually doing the job she's hired to do. The tarot reading is merely a plot device for foreshadowing.
Second, the plot is fast with so much packed into these 500+ pages with very few dips in the first half. I do prefer a slower-paced book with lots of atmosphere, immersion, and breadcrumbs of information. We don't get that here. Everything happens fast from the plot to the romance itself. Ideally, I think this book should've been spread between two, starting from the beginning of Dainn's haunting Jasper, seeing more of how Jasper leads his coven, how the coven works, the people in it, etc. I would've liked to have gotten more information on the flood that sort of started everything, more history, etc. It's a long book and I just wish it was spread out more, which is a good thing if you think about it.
Third and most important is the romance and the characters. This is a romance, first and foremost. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Dainn, Jasper, and Birdie. It is quite insta-lovey, but not quite. Dainn has been haunting Jasper for a while before the start of the book, so he's had plenty of time to get attached through that. Birdie and Jasper aren't so much a love at first sight thing, but more of a lust and drawn to each other naturally, can't keep hands off each other, sort of thing. Birdie has a lot of apprehension, but still being unable to hold back. Jasper, however, is the only one I feel should've been a bit more closed off due to his personality. Dainn is just Dainn. He's like a puppy. The spicy scenes can definitely feel out of place depending on where we are in the plot and what's going on, but they're good. It's not overly descriptive while still being explicit and on page. Some of the dirty talk can be a bit much, but I enjoyed it.
We do end on a cliffhanger, so be aware of that. The next book should pick up right after. I was kind of hoping, as I got closer to the end, that it would finish and the next book might be a different couple (or another throuple, who knows), but it doesn't seem like it will be. There are some characters that I can see getting a story for (I'm personally hoping for Baz).
Ultimately, I had a good time and I will continue. I want more of the characters and the world. I enjoyed the writing style. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys paranormal or monster romances, but who also want enough plot to keep the momentum going. If you enjoy Lillian Lark, definitely give this one a try, or, if you enjoy this, try Lillian Lark.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I don’t know who she is. But I think she’s mine.
Devour Me is the first instalment in the throuple paranormal romance series by the same name. Written in multi first person POV the story follows Birdie, a PhD student desperately looking for a job and a place to stay when her summer fellowship goes haywire. Fate leads her to Jasper Prescott, a powerful witch and coven leader living on a small island running a shop. The connection between them sparks but with little trust between them it is only when Dainn, a wraith sent to steal Jasper's soul, arrives that things change. See, despite being a human with no knowledge of the magical world, Birdie has the unique ability to stop a wraith’s breath...and Dainn is obsessed. He wants his witch and he wants his human because for once he sees a chance to break his curse...but in order for these three to find a path forward they must unravel the secrets behind who wants Jasper's soul and why, as well as why is Birdie able to stop death?
The title speaks for itself because I devoured this book!
Birdie, Jasper, and Dainn are just so perfect together. Birdie is inquisitive and such an empathic character who wants to help. She struggles with feelings around her missing past but she is so confident when it comes to what is hers. She is the glue for this throuple. Jasper starts off as a gruff character with a huge burden on his shoulder and while he tries to push Birdie away he cannot help but fall under her spell. I liked how dominant he was as both Birdie and Dainn desperately needed that control. Then, Dainn is the sweetest chaos goblin of the bunch. He may be an immortal creature who consumes souls to live but he is a simp who wants his two people so badly. He can be incredibly awkward but in such an endearing way that grows on Jasper so quickly. With Birdie he gives her the ability to take action and they thrive on it.
“I don’t” I say on a panted breath. “Want you.”
He dares to laugh. “Such a beautiful liar.”
Gripping his hair tight in my fist, I pull him to me. “God, just shut up and kiss me.”
In terms of spice I would place this book at 4 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. There are 6 spicy scenes in this book with the first appearing around the 46% mark. There is also a teasing steamy scene earlier before the spice. The spice itself is explicit and detailed with so much dirty talk and domination. There are mf and mfm scenes with addition of voyeurism between characters and with a side character, too. The spice was perfect for these characters as you can see how much they need things from each other and during the spice they are so free with that. There are things not done between the characters and I am so eager to see things get more intense in the next book.
The story itself is an investigation and mystery that has multiple layers. Each character's story draws together and entwines in ways that I really loved because they all play a role in achieving each other's goals. I felt the lore that overlayed the story fascinated me, especially around the history of witchcraft on the island and we get a soft introduction to the paranormal world that leaves more to be discovered but enough to get a lay of the land. Side characters like Pickles, Baz, and Hortense for me add the most fun and mystery to unravel as the story continues. The romance itself is what drew me in, especially after the Haunt. We get banter, teasing, yearning, and a touch of angst as these three try to figure out if they are even a possibility. Dainn probably was the most fun to explore because of what is happening between him and Birdie but also the stakes for him are quite high. There are plenty of twists and turns with secrets to unravel and good old fashion adventuring with archeological sites and dusty archives. The ending is a cliffhanger but there was a beautiful scene right before that had me feeling good that keeps me sane while I await the next book.
Overall, this is another prime example of why I love Emily Rath and her paranormal romance is a thing of beauty!
Thank you so much Avon for this arc!
I don’t know who she is. But I think she’s mine.
Devour Me is the first instalment in the throuple paranormal romance series by the same name. Written in multi first person POV the story follows Birdie, a PhD student desperately looking for a job and a place to stay when her summer fellowship goes haywire. Fate leads her to Jasper Prescott, a powerful witch and coven leader living on a small island running a shop. The connection between them sparks but with little trust between them it is only when Dainn, a wraith sent to steal Jasper's soul, arrives that things change. See, despite being a human with no knowledge of the magical world, Birdie has the unique ability to stop a wraith’s breath...and Dainn is obsessed. He wants his witch and he wants his human because for once he sees a chance to break his curse...but in order for these three to find a path forward they must unravel the secrets behind who wants Jasper's soul and why, as well as why is Birdie able to stop death?
The title speaks for itself because I devoured this book!
Birdie, Jasper, and Dainn are just so perfect together. Birdie is inquisitive and such an empathic character who wants to help. She struggles with feelings around her missing past but she is so confident when it comes to what is hers. She is the glue for this throuple. Jasper starts off as a gruff character with a huge burden on his shoulder and while he tries to push Birdie away he cannot help but fall under her spell. I liked how dominant he was as both Birdie and Dainn desperately needed that control. Then, Dainn is the sweetest chaos goblin of the bunch. He may be an immortal creature who consumes souls to live but he is a simp who wants his two people so badly. He can be incredibly awkward but in such an endearing way that grows on Jasper so quickly. With Birdie he gives her the ability to take action and they thrive on it.
“I don’t” I say on a panted breath. “Want you.”
He dares to laugh. “Such a beautiful liar.”
Gripping his hair tight in my fist, I pull him to me. “God, just shut up and kiss me.”
In terms of spice I would place this book at 4 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. There are 6 spicy scenes in this book with the first appearing around the 46% mark. There is also a teasing steamy scene earlier before the spice. The spice itself is explicit and detailed with so much dirty talk and domination. There are mf and mfm scenes with addition of voyeurism between characters and with a side character, too. The spice was perfect for these characters as you can see how much they need things from each other and during the spice they are so free with that. There are things not done between the characters and I am so eager to see things get more intense in the next book.
The story itself is an investigation and mystery that has multiple layers. Each character's story draws together and entwines in ways that I really loved because they all play a role in achieving each other's goals. I felt the lore that overlayed the story fascinated me, especially around the history of witchcraft on the island and we get a soft introduction to the paranormal world that leaves more to be discovered but enough to get a lay of the land. Side characters like Pickles, Baz, and Hortense for me add the most fun and mystery to unravel as the story continues. The romance itself is what drew me in, especially after the Haunt. We get banter, teasing, yearning, and a touch of angst as these three try to figure out if they are even a possibility. Dainn probably was the most fun to explore because of what is happening between him and Birdie but also the stakes for him are quite high. There are plenty of twists and turns with secrets to unravel and good old fashion adventuring with archeological sites and dusty archives. The ending is a cliffhanger but there was a beautiful scene right before that had me feeling good that keeps me sane while I await the next book.
Overall, this is another prime example of why I love Emily Rath and her paranormal romance is a thing of beauty!
Thank you so much Avon for this arc!
Read
May 8, 2026First I’d like to say thank you to Emily Rath and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC! When I saw that Emily was coming out with a paranormal romance novel, I was all in. These characters are beautifully written, and the imagery throughout the book really makes the story feel so cozy. I really enjoyed the idea behind creating this small, tourist attraction of an island kept safe by a coven of witches while the humans that live on the island know all of the lore and history of the family line of witches but no one really blinks an eye to the oddities surrounding the place, it’s just how home feels to everyone. Salt & Sage feels like a shop I could walk into and immediately feel a connection to, although I do wish we had more time in and around the shop as it brings so much whimsy to the setting and characters in my opinion.
When it comes to the characters, Birdie is the cutest little FMC. She’s got a wonky spring in her step everywhere she goes, she’s intelligent and witty, and I was able to picture her perfectly throughout the book. I love that she lands herself into the island because of her best friend Phoebe, and while their connection is truly platonic soulmates for life, I wish we could’ve seen more of that friendship played out on the pages regarding the lack of Phoebe’s active powers (which I’m hoping we see awaken in the next book!) I do love that there was no third act fall out when it came to their friendship and the secrets that had been kept. Birdie is in the dark for a lot of things, and though her emotions run high pretty quickly, that doesn’t stop her from taking moments to mull it all over, put her thoughts aside and talk things through with the people she cares about. Which leads me to Jasper, the older hottie coven leader and store owner with a cold front but for good reasons. When Jasper is attacked by the other MMC Dainn, I could tell this was going to lead to some sort of love triangle (it’s an Emily Rath book so of COURSE she’s going to deliver what we’re excited for!) and the POV’s between Jasper and Dainn really pulled this part of the plot together, but overall I felt like the relationships between Birdie, Jasper and Dainn were a bit rushed. The tension was there, Dainn feels like this little puppy dog of a soul who just wants to be cared for and loved but on Jasper’s end I just felt like he didn’t have much of a connection to Dainn, and Jasper’s connection to Birdie didn’t feel entirely too convincing. Which could be because there’s the entire plot of taking down Ludmilla, Jasper’s owner and villain of the book, and we’re riding through the story rooting for the trio to plot against her and ultimately take her down. I loved loved loved Hortie, she feels like an old aunt you call on the phone every other day to gossip with. I don’t know how to elaborate on this further, but in my head I imagine Baz as the Emcee from Cabaret.
I did enjoy this book so much as it’s something new and refreshing from the author, who already had such an incredible collection of novels and I love a good paranormal romance. This story felt a little different though in terms of the writing and the smutty scenes we’re used to reading from Emily. The dirty talk was lacking in my opinion, and overall the plot felt a bit all over the place. I wish there was more character development when it came to the relationships between the trio, because each of them were such strong stand alone characters and I really wanted to feel their connection through the pages and I just didn’t feel it this time around. I did love that we leave on a cliffhanger, and I will definitely be back for the next one!
When it comes to the characters, Birdie is the cutest little FMC. She’s got a wonky spring in her step everywhere she goes, she’s intelligent and witty, and I was able to picture her perfectly throughout the book. I love that she lands herself into the island because of her best friend Phoebe, and while their connection is truly platonic soulmates for life, I wish we could’ve seen more of that friendship played out on the pages regarding the lack of Phoebe’s active powers (which I’m hoping we see awaken in the next book!) I do love that there was no third act fall out when it came to their friendship and the secrets that had been kept. Birdie is in the dark for a lot of things, and though her emotions run high pretty quickly, that doesn’t stop her from taking moments to mull it all over, put her thoughts aside and talk things through with the people she cares about. Which leads me to Jasper, the older hottie coven leader and store owner with a cold front but for good reasons. When Jasper is attacked by the other MMC Dainn, I could tell this was going to lead to some sort of love triangle (it’s an Emily Rath book so of COURSE she’s going to deliver what we’re excited for!) and the POV’s between Jasper and Dainn really pulled this part of the plot together, but overall I felt like the relationships between Birdie, Jasper and Dainn were a bit rushed. The tension was there, Dainn feels like this little puppy dog of a soul who just wants to be cared for and loved but on Jasper’s end I just felt like he didn’t have much of a connection to Dainn, and Jasper’s connection to Birdie didn’t feel entirely too convincing. Which could be because there’s the entire plot of taking down Ludmilla, Jasper’s owner and villain of the book, and we’re riding through the story rooting for the trio to plot against her and ultimately take her down. I loved loved loved Hortie, she feels like an old aunt you call on the phone every other day to gossip with. I don’t know how to elaborate on this further, but in my head I imagine Baz as the Emcee from Cabaret.
I did enjoy this book so much as it’s something new and refreshing from the author, who already had such an incredible collection of novels and I love a good paranormal romance. This story felt a little different though in terms of the writing and the smutty scenes we’re used to reading from Emily. The dirty talk was lacking in my opinion, and overall the plot felt a bit all over the place. I wish there was more character development when it came to the relationships between the trio, because each of them were such strong stand alone characters and I really wanted to feel their connection through the pages and I just didn’t feel it this time around. I did love that we leave on a cliffhanger, and I will definitely be back for the next one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2026
The witches of Burr Island live a peaceful life, hidden behind protective wards erected by their ancestors centuries before. But one night Jasper Prescott, powerful high priest of the local coven, finds his sleepy existence shattered when a death wraith appears at his doorstep to feast on his soul. Dainn the Devourer, bonded to a dark witch, has no choice but to drain those that she names - and Jasper is no exception. However, the impossible happens when Jasper’s employee - and seemingly non-magical human - Birdie Rhodes interrupts, stopping Dainn in his tracks and saving Jasper’s life. When it is revealed that Dainn’s jailer is also targeting Jasper’s coven, the two strike a deal and agree to kill this evil outsider. But that’s easier said than done, and as dark forces threaten to break through Burr Island’s wards, Jasper and Dainn realize that only Birdie can save them - perhaps in more ways than one.
This was a really interesting paranormal romance from Emily Rath! My thoughts on different aspects of the story are detailed below.
*World-building/Plot: The world of Devour Me is so interesting - I loved the idea of a coven of witches sequestered on an island, and how that translates to everyday life in the “real” world. The setting itself was also wonderfully constructed, and I was definitely left feeling like I wanted to make Burr Island my next vacation spot. There were also hints of a much larger (and fascinating) magical world beyond the witches, which sets up the central conflict between the coven and those trying to steal their secrets. I do wish there was a bit more that happened in the story - the plot was building to what promised to be an explosive confrontation, but ended well before we got to that point, leaving the book feeling like a whole lot of setup with minimal payoff.
*Character Development: The emotional heart of the story was the growing connection between Jasper, Birdie, and Dainn. There is a note from the author at the beginning of the book promising insta-love, and that was definitely true, with (I think) varying success. Dainn was a delightful character, and I loved his interactions with Jasper and Birdie - he was the perfect combination of charming, endearing, and creepy, and it totally worked! I was less convinced about the relationship between Birdie and Jasper. Jasper is made out to be this self-professed grouch with a heart of gold, but honestly he just came off as a rude jerk and I could not understand Birdie immediately falling head-over-heels for him. I also felt that the rapid formation of their relationship left Birdie, the non-magical outsider, a bit underdeveloped.
Outside of the main “throuple”, there was a strong cast of supporting characters, including Jasper’s coven (shoutout to Hortie!); I hope that we get to spend more time with them in the next book.
*Pacing/Writing Style: Overall, Devour Me was fairly slow-paced - the book was over 500 pages long but was set over the course of only a few days, leaving a lot of room for character development and interactions. But Emily Rath’s writing was fantastic, and it never felt like the story dragged at all.
I’d recommend Devour Me to anyone looking for a well-written, intriguing paranormal romance with an interesting MMF twist. The book ends on a heck of a cliffhanger and will leave you counting down the days until the next installment in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was a really interesting paranormal romance from Emily Rath! My thoughts on different aspects of the story are detailed below.
*World-building/Plot: The world of Devour Me is so interesting - I loved the idea of a coven of witches sequestered on an island, and how that translates to everyday life in the “real” world. The setting itself was also wonderfully constructed, and I was definitely left feeling like I wanted to make Burr Island my next vacation spot. There were also hints of a much larger (and fascinating) magical world beyond the witches, which sets up the central conflict between the coven and those trying to steal their secrets. I do wish there was a bit more that happened in the story - the plot was building to what promised to be an explosive confrontation, but ended well before we got to that point, leaving the book feeling like a whole lot of setup with minimal payoff.
*Character Development: The emotional heart of the story was the growing connection between Jasper, Birdie, and Dainn. There is a note from the author at the beginning of the book promising insta-love, and that was definitely true, with (I think) varying success. Dainn was a delightful character, and I loved his interactions with Jasper and Birdie - he was the perfect combination of charming, endearing, and creepy, and it totally worked! I was less convinced about the relationship between Birdie and Jasper. Jasper is made out to be this self-professed grouch with a heart of gold, but honestly he just came off as a rude jerk and I could not understand Birdie immediately falling head-over-heels for him. I also felt that the rapid formation of their relationship left Birdie, the non-magical outsider, a bit underdeveloped.
Outside of the main “throuple”, there was a strong cast of supporting characters, including Jasper’s coven (shoutout to Hortie!); I hope that we get to spend more time with them in the next book.
*Pacing/Writing Style: Overall, Devour Me was fairly slow-paced - the book was over 500 pages long but was set over the course of only a few days, leaving a lot of room for character development and interactions. But Emily Rath’s writing was fantastic, and it never felt like the story dragged at all.
I’d recommend Devour Me to anyone looking for a well-written, intriguing paranormal romance with an interesting MMF twist. The book ends on a heck of a cliffhanger and will leave you counting down the days until the next installment in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
* I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. *
Synopsis:
When Birdie’s professor abandons her just before the semester begins to travel the globe, she is left without a job, a housing stipend, and thousands of dollars in tuition due. A lifeline appears in the form of her best friend, whose uncle needs help at his tea shop on the nearby island. The location is ideal, as Dr. Ezra is also there and in need of an additional research assistant. However, Birdie’s academic world is turned upside down on her second day when she discovers her sexy lumberjack boss, Jasper, having his soul consumed by a captivating wraith named Dainn. Birdie must quickly adapt to a world of magic to help Jasper, who is actually the island coven’s High Priest, defeat an ancient witch and break the chains of Dainn’s enslavement. Along the way, she must navigate her new reality where magic exists and both her partners have it in abundance.
Review:
Emily Rath strikes an impressive balance in Devour Me, seamlessly weaving magical elements into a recognizable world without slowing the pace for heavy-handed world building or over-explanation. It is the perfect blend of paranormal fantasy and romance where the supernatural feels like a natural extension of the setting rather than a complex system the reader has to study. From the moment the three main characters meet, the chemistry is instantaneous and electric.
The narrative maintains a wonderful harmony between high-stakes magical conflict and genuine, lighthearted humor. The spice is top-tier; I actually had to look up a kink from the content warnings, which is a rare and exciting feat for a seasoned smut reader.
What I Liked:
- The Character Archetypes: The dynamics with both Jasper and Dainn are perfection. You get the ideal mix of black cat energy from Jasper and golden retriever simp energy from Dainn.
- Fish Out of Water Trope: There is something incredibly endearing and innocently sweet about a timeless, non-human character learning human norms. Watching Dainn take immense pride and satisfaction in simple tasks, like untying his own shoelaces, had my heart melting. The third wall between the humans and paranormal makes the witty observations about human society (like watching “humans play sports ball”) keep the tone engaging and fun.
- Technical Execution: The plot was cohesive, the smut was well written without being cringy, and the magical integration felt intentional.
What I Didn’t Like:
*Neither of these are really a criticism of the book. I really had to wrack my brain to even come up with these areas of improvement. *
- Lack of Visual Aids: Given the specific geography of the island and its importance to the coven, I would have loved to see a map included to help ground the setting.
- The Cliffhanger Anxiety: My only real “negative” is a personal one. I didn't realize this was the start of a series rather than a standalone! I was so quickly hooked by the description, I didn't read the last sentence about this being a trilogy. The story is so addictive that finishing it before the sequel is even announced is a challenge.
Final Verdict:
Devour Me is a stellar series starter that delivers on every front: heat, humor, and heart. It’s a must-read for fans of paranormal romance and high chemistry why-choose who enjoy possessive shadow daddies. I am officially itching for the next installment!
Synopsis:
When Birdie’s professor abandons her just before the semester begins to travel the globe, she is left without a job, a housing stipend, and thousands of dollars in tuition due. A lifeline appears in the form of her best friend, whose uncle needs help at his tea shop on the nearby island. The location is ideal, as Dr. Ezra is also there and in need of an additional research assistant. However, Birdie’s academic world is turned upside down on her second day when she discovers her sexy lumberjack boss, Jasper, having his soul consumed by a captivating wraith named Dainn. Birdie must quickly adapt to a world of magic to help Jasper, who is actually the island coven’s High Priest, defeat an ancient witch and break the chains of Dainn’s enslavement. Along the way, she must navigate her new reality where magic exists and both her partners have it in abundance.
Review:
Emily Rath strikes an impressive balance in Devour Me, seamlessly weaving magical elements into a recognizable world without slowing the pace for heavy-handed world building or over-explanation. It is the perfect blend of paranormal fantasy and romance where the supernatural feels like a natural extension of the setting rather than a complex system the reader has to study. From the moment the three main characters meet, the chemistry is instantaneous and electric.
The narrative maintains a wonderful harmony between high-stakes magical conflict and genuine, lighthearted humor. The spice is top-tier; I actually had to look up a kink from the content warnings, which is a rare and exciting feat for a seasoned smut reader.
What I Liked:
- The Character Archetypes: The dynamics with both Jasper and Dainn are perfection. You get the ideal mix of black cat energy from Jasper and golden retriever simp energy from Dainn.
- Fish Out of Water Trope: There is something incredibly endearing and innocently sweet about a timeless, non-human character learning human norms. Watching Dainn take immense pride and satisfaction in simple tasks, like untying his own shoelaces, had my heart melting. The third wall between the humans and paranormal makes the witty observations about human society (like watching “humans play sports ball”) keep the tone engaging and fun.
- Technical Execution: The plot was cohesive, the smut was well written without being cringy, and the magical integration felt intentional.
What I Didn’t Like:
*Neither of these are really a criticism of the book. I really had to wrack my brain to even come up with these areas of improvement. *
- Lack of Visual Aids: Given the specific geography of the island and its importance to the coven, I would have loved to see a map included to help ground the setting.
- The Cliffhanger Anxiety: My only real “negative” is a personal one. I didn't realize this was the start of a series rather than a standalone! I was so quickly hooked by the description, I didn't read the last sentence about this being a trilogy. The story is so addictive that finishing it before the sequel is even announced is a challenge.
Final Verdict:
Devour Me is a stellar series starter that delivers on every front: heat, humor, and heart. It’s a must-read for fans of paranormal romance and high chemistry why-choose who enjoy possessive shadow daddies. I am officially itching for the next installment!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐💫 Rounded Up
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Spice
Emily Rath's dive into the world of paranormal romance was such a fun read! In a genre pretty heavily tuned in with vampires and weres/shifters right now, I absolutely loved getting something new-to-me with the introduction of our new favorite soul sucking wraith, Dainn! I'm also a sucker (ha!) for an island setting - it just inherently feels secretive and isolating, and is perfect for a story about witches living in secret within their community.
Birdie was such fun. I particularly loved her courage. Even in situations where she knows she's outmatched, she keeps her head high. She isn't afraid to push back, but I also appreciate her ability to step back, process big information, and make a decision or change her mind. She's a really lovely voice of reason between Jasper and Dainn. Speaking of - obviously, I adore Jasper. This grumpy witch with a heart of gold can do no wrong in my book.
Emily is a must-read author for me ever since I picked up Pucking Around. Her writing style is so consistent, her spicy scenes are fun, creative, and grounded in emotional connections and consent, and I think she and Sierra Simone are top tier when it comes to writing queer and polyamorous stories. I also love that one of the themes of this story is our responsibility to complex and dynamic historical contexts. Whose story is getting told? Why? Who will be hurt or helped by new information or how it is framed? How do we face that and let it impact our worldview? Really intriguing questions flowing through the fun and spice!
Be aware - This is book 1 of a planned trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. I absolutely missed that memo, and had a not-so-nice surprise when I realized at about 90% what was happening. 🤦♀️ Don't let the cliffhanger dissuade you! This is absolutely worth reading.
Also - shout out for the cover art, I would have absolutely picked this book up not knowing a thing about it or the author just based on the art alone. GORGEOUS. 🤩
With all of this said, my rating is 3.5 stars for a couple of reasons:
🤔I would have liked to have seen more magic from the witches. There's a lot of discussion about the power of their bloodlines, but apart from a couple of scenes and a potion or two, there's not a lot of magic happening. I wish the coven had been a little more developed as a whole through the narrative. Knowing this is the first of a planned trilogy helps explain the slower builds and pacing, so I'm hoping subsequent books have a lot more here!
🤔I think Ms. Rath struggled to find Dainn's voice. His dialogue sort of switches back and forth between a historical romance rogue, a pirate, and a contemporary romance MMC. Given how old he is, I could understand perhaps inconsistencies in his slang and word usage, but he's also had really minimal outside human interaction for a good chunk of recent human history, so I found the inconsistencies more jarring than endearing. Nevertheless - I love him.
✨Slow Burn but also insta-lust? Lots of "We can't do this!" moments.
✨MMF/Polyamory
✨Fun with shadows
✨Witches, Tarot and Astrology
✨Forbidden romance (boss/employee; wraith/humans)
✨"Touch her and die" from a wholly unexpected source
✨The ravens are not what they seem
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this story!! 😍
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Spice
Emily Rath's dive into the world of paranormal romance was such a fun read! In a genre pretty heavily tuned in with vampires and weres/shifters right now, I absolutely loved getting something new-to-me with the introduction of our new favorite soul sucking wraith, Dainn! I'm also a sucker (ha!) for an island setting - it just inherently feels secretive and isolating, and is perfect for a story about witches living in secret within their community.
Birdie was such fun. I particularly loved her courage. Even in situations where she knows she's outmatched, she keeps her head high. She isn't afraid to push back, but I also appreciate her ability to step back, process big information, and make a decision or change her mind. She's a really lovely voice of reason between Jasper and Dainn. Speaking of - obviously, I adore Jasper. This grumpy witch with a heart of gold can do no wrong in my book.
Emily is a must-read author for me ever since I picked up Pucking Around. Her writing style is so consistent, her spicy scenes are fun, creative, and grounded in emotional connections and consent, and I think she and Sierra Simone are top tier when it comes to writing queer and polyamorous stories. I also love that one of the themes of this story is our responsibility to complex and dynamic historical contexts. Whose story is getting told? Why? Who will be hurt or helped by new information or how it is framed? How do we face that and let it impact our worldview? Really intriguing questions flowing through the fun and spice!
Be aware - This is book 1 of a planned trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. I absolutely missed that memo, and had a not-so-nice surprise when I realized at about 90% what was happening. 🤦♀️ Don't let the cliffhanger dissuade you! This is absolutely worth reading.
Also - shout out for the cover art, I would have absolutely picked this book up not knowing a thing about it or the author just based on the art alone. GORGEOUS. 🤩
With all of this said, my rating is 3.5 stars for a couple of reasons:
🤔I would have liked to have seen more magic from the witches. There's a lot of discussion about the power of their bloodlines, but apart from a couple of scenes and a potion or two, there's not a lot of magic happening. I wish the coven had been a little more developed as a whole through the narrative. Knowing this is the first of a planned trilogy helps explain the slower builds and pacing, so I'm hoping subsequent books have a lot more here!
🤔I think Ms. Rath struggled to find Dainn's voice. His dialogue sort of switches back and forth between a historical romance rogue, a pirate, and a contemporary romance MMC. Given how old he is, I could understand perhaps inconsistencies in his slang and word usage, but he's also had really minimal outside human interaction for a good chunk of recent human history, so I found the inconsistencies more jarring than endearing. Nevertheless - I love him.
✨Slow Burn but also insta-lust? Lots of "We can't do this!" moments.
✨MMF/Polyamory
✨Fun with shadows
✨Witches, Tarot and Astrology
✨Forbidden romance (boss/employee; wraith/humans)
✨"Touch her and die" from a wholly unexpected source
✨The ravens are not what they seem
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this story!! 😍
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
This was a buddy ARC read with my friend Liis!
I was very excited for this book and I loved the premise so much. But the execution of this book was very poor.
I knew going in that this would be campy and fun. But while it was campy and fun at times, it wasn’t particularly enjoyable to read after a certain point. I wanted MORE from this story and I’m mad that what we got was just… witchy vibes and bad dirty talk. A book cannot survive on vibes alone.
This book was 200 pages too long. I genuinely think 200 pages could be cut and a bit more rewriting in certain scenes and this book would’ve been much better. This book did NOT need to be this long. There’s constant repetition. The characters repeat themselves over and over. The plot goes in circles.
I was really invested in the story right up to the 40% mark and then it just started dragging. I kept reading and then looking at how long I had left in the book and realising I hadn’t even made a dent in it. The characters kept repeating the same information over and over, everyone decided to keep secrets from each other and then using the “trust me it’s for your own good” line so many times!
I also need to talk about the characters. I liked them all at first and I was invested. But I got jolted out of the story when Birdie’s best friend all but gives Birdie an enthusiastic go ahead to have sex with her uncle Jasper. I thought this was kinda weird because if I thought my best friend had the hots for my uncle I would say “eww”, not “hell yeah he’s been lonely go ahead!”
I also really disliked Jasper at times. There were moments when Birdie was understandably freaking out about something and he just kept saying “I know” over and over again or asking her to trust him but he can’t tell her anything. After the seven millionth time of that happening in this book I wanted Birdie to run him over with her jeep.
I liked Dainn the best, I think. I liked his sense of humour and I liked the way he interacted with the rest of the characters. I was expecting some fun sexy scenes while he’s a wraith. I was expecting shadow monsterfucking ESPECIALLY when the authors note alluded to this. I won’t spoil exactly how Dainn gets involved and how he participates in sex but it’s kinda weird and creepy how he gets a corporeal body and I absolutely would’ve preferred monsterfucking over what the author wrote.
I’m not usually one to judge this but the dirty talk was so bad it made me cringe. And some of the sex scenes were very oddly placed in the story itself. I do think if the author had spent more time building up the characters and their relationships instead of immediately diving straight into sex this would’ve been a much better book. I get for the wraith maybe love at first sight would’ve worked for him but Birdie and Jasper basically meet and IMMEDIATELY have the hots for each other and start having sex almost instantly. I wanted some actually character development before we got to that bit.
I did really like the setting for this book, and I loved the small town cosy feel. But that wasn’t enough for me to overlook a lot of the issues I had.
Anyway, I feel cheated out of the shadow wraith monsterfucking and I fear that’s knocked my rating down to 1 star on top of all my other issues with it.
This was a buddy ARC read with my friend Liis!
I was very excited for this book and I loved the premise so much. But the execution of this book was very poor.
I knew going in that this would be campy and fun. But while it was campy and fun at times, it wasn’t particularly enjoyable to read after a certain point. I wanted MORE from this story and I’m mad that what we got was just… witchy vibes and bad dirty talk. A book cannot survive on vibes alone.
This book was 200 pages too long. I genuinely think 200 pages could be cut and a bit more rewriting in certain scenes and this book would’ve been much better. This book did NOT need to be this long. There’s constant repetition. The characters repeat themselves over and over. The plot goes in circles.
I was really invested in the story right up to the 40% mark and then it just started dragging. I kept reading and then looking at how long I had left in the book and realising I hadn’t even made a dent in it. The characters kept repeating the same information over and over, everyone decided to keep secrets from each other and then using the “trust me it’s for your own good” line so many times!
I also need to talk about the characters. I liked them all at first and I was invested. But I got jolted out of the story when Birdie’s best friend all but gives Birdie an enthusiastic go ahead to have sex with her uncle Jasper. I thought this was kinda weird because if I thought my best friend had the hots for my uncle I would say “eww”, not “hell yeah he’s been lonely go ahead!”
I also really disliked Jasper at times. There were moments when Birdie was understandably freaking out about something and he just kept saying “I know” over and over again or asking her to trust him but he can’t tell her anything. After the seven millionth time of that happening in this book I wanted Birdie to run him over with her jeep.
I liked Dainn the best, I think. I liked his sense of humour and I liked the way he interacted with the rest of the characters. I was expecting some fun sexy scenes while he’s a wraith. I was expecting shadow monsterfucking ESPECIALLY when the authors note alluded to this. I won’t spoil exactly how Dainn gets involved and how he participates in sex but it’s kinda weird and creepy how he gets a corporeal body and I absolutely would’ve preferred monsterfucking over what the author wrote.
I’m not usually one to judge this but the dirty talk was so bad it made me cringe. And some of the sex scenes were very oddly placed in the story itself. I do think if the author had spent more time building up the characters and their relationships instead of immediately diving straight into sex this would’ve been a much better book. I get for the wraith maybe love at first sight would’ve worked for him but Birdie and Jasper basically meet and IMMEDIATELY have the hots for each other and start having sex almost instantly. I wanted some actually character development before we got to that bit.
I did really like the setting for this book, and I loved the small town cosy feel. But that wasn’t enough for me to overlook a lot of the issues I had.
Anyway, I feel cheated out of the shadow wraith monsterfucking and I fear that’s knocked my rating down to 1 star on top of all my other issues with it.
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