Devour Me

Devour Me #1

by Emily Rath

From 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

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Why Choose, Dark Romance, Dark, LGBT

528 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 4, 2026

About the author

Emily 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.

Reviews

[Aaliyah]

Can't believe I got accepted for this arc! I just started a book but I know what my next read will be.

[Amanda Blanche · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jillsbooknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

“What does my soul look like?”
“Beautiful,” he replies without hesitation. “Soft and elegant. But strong too. There’s a ferocity to your colors, Birdie… It’s breathtaking. And heart-breaking. And I never want to look away.”

This book really caught me off guard. It’s not my usual genre AT ALL, and going in knowing the only thing I’d read from this author before was hockey romance? 😂😂 HUGE DIFFERENCE. I’m ngl I was side-eyeing a little. Like okay… wraiths, witches, souls being devoured??? Are we about to be confused or obsessed? Turns out… a little bit of both LOL

At first, it felt like a lot. The world, the magic, the dynamics between everyone… it was a bit overwhelming, but somehow it never tipped over into confusing. Once I settled in, I was locked in. 🤞🏼

And Birdie… I really, really liked her. There’s something about her that feels unfinished in a way that’s intentional, like we’re only scratching the surface of who she is. 🫣🫣 I need more of her. I need to know more. The way she fits into everything feels bigger than what we’re being told right now, and I’m already bracing myself for whatever that reveal is going to be.🤭

Also… the tension? The obsession?? The way these characters latch onto each other so fast and so intensely???

“I’ve never wanted to claim any soul as desperately as I want hers.”

There’s this constant undercurrent of hunger in the book—not just literal, but emotional too. Everything feels consuming. The connections aren’t gentle or slow or even logical at times, they’re urgent. Like something is pulling them together whether they’re ready for it or not.

And yeah… I’m not gonna lie, this leans very heavily into the physical side of things. There’s a lot of spice, and while I do think the plot is there and interesting, a good chunk of the story is driven by those interactions. That’s not always my personal favorite balance, but somehow… I was still fully invested. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Because when the emotional intensity hits, it hits.

“This man is haunting me, consuming me, filling up every empty space inside me. It hasn’t even been a week, and I can’t remember life before him. The sound of his voice makes me ache to get closer. The feel of his rough hands on my skin sets me ablaze.”

It’s dramatic. It’s unhinged. It’s fast. And yet… it works for the kind of story this is trying to tell. 👏🏼

I think what really sold me is that underneath all the darkness and intensity and… devouring (literally and emotionally), there’s something oddly tender trying to exist. It’s messy and complicated and maybe a little dangerous, but it’s there. 👀 And now I’m sitting here, staring at that ending, because of course it ends on a cliffhanger. Of course it does. And now I’m invested.

I will say, unfortunately there was something in the story that I really, really disliked. It came up multiple times, and I didn’t like how it was approached or handled at all. 😭🥲🤚🏼 I think the author could’ve just left it out or chilled on the subject a bit. That alone made it hard for me to fully connect with the story and is a big reason why this ended up being a 3 star for me. So yeah. Not perfect for my usual taste, but still addictive in a way I didn’t expect. Dark, intense, a little chaotic, & very consuming.

things to know about the book ↓

🖤 paranormal romance
🖤 shadow daddy
🖤 touch her and die
🖤 forced proximity
🖤 why choose / MMF
🖤 age gap
🖤 triple POV

spice rating:【 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️】
swearing: yes

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Emily Rath for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

To start, I am so beyond thankful to have been given an advanced copy of this book. Thank you so much.

Now, onto the book. Holy shit this was a fun ride! I was already down to read anything Dr. Rath publishes and the second she started dropping info about this book? I was sold.

My into to reading has always been paranormal romance. It’s been that way since middle school (I’m not sorry for reading way outside my grade level). I found Dr. Rath through her “Pucking Around” series and fell absolutely head over heels for her writing. I haven’t made it through everything she’s published yet as I’m a mood reader but seeing Dr. Rath publish in my original starter genre? I was beyond excited and I feel it delivered-at least for me.

The characters are interesting and they start in one place and as the book continues, they’re forced to grow into another version of themselves and as the story came to a conclusion, you know they’re starting the next version of themselves. I can’t wait to see where the next book takes them.

It was really interesting to have a story stay grouped together in a tight selection of days rather than having time skips. It kept the stakes always present and gave the reader and characters a time line.

I enjoy that the book itself is broken into three distinct phases and how those all build off one another and mirror what happening for the main characters. Then again, I’m a sucker for that.

Burr Island sounds absolutely magical and exactly like where I want to be. I enjoy the shop that reminds me so much of Practical Magic and the other people we’ve met there. I can’t wait to see what other things we’ll learn, people we’ll meet, and places we’ll see.

I was getting so anxious as the page count dwindled. I knew this was a trilogy but I started questioning if it was a series of interconnected standalones with the introductions of other characters or if things would go wrong that would drag everything into the next installation. And I just knew as the pages flew by what it would be. I’m definitely not disappointed. Screaming at the wall because I need to know how everything shakes out? Yes. But definitely not disappointed. My favorite part with the end though is that all three main characters had their established ‘final words/freeze frame’. Oftentimes we only get the final perspective of a cliff hanger from one point of view. I was so thrilled to have each character’s scene and set up going forward.

I am so excited for this book. I can’t wait to read it again. And I can’t wait to read its sequel. Thank you again!

[Kara Galvan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars but I still inhaled it in <4 days and will be looking forward to the next one.

Let's talk about what I really enjoyed:
The setting--I love the premise of ongoing paranormal activity in the modern era unbeknownst to most regular folk. It's really cool world building and that made it fun.
Despite the modern setting, Rath's prose is atmospheric and creates a beautiful world comparable to the crucible, but sexier. I really felt "in" the story.
Like other reviewers say, the book is pretty spicy and many of those intimate moments feel added to the plot for the sake of having more spice. I honestly find most intimate scenes cringe but Rath writes them very well.
I love how Birdie is a little delusional. It makes her feel weird and relatable and she honestly had me laughing at some parts.

What didn't work for me:
I'm not a fan of the insta love trope. That automatically affects my review. It is done as well as it could be, in my opinion and I think the right people will love that aspect.
Dainn is weird! His initial encounter with Birdie is bizarre and the way he talks took me out of the story. I will say he grew on me as the story progressed and grew into an interesting character. And it makes sense why he comes off weird given his age and his backstory, but I couldn't look past it. Again, the right people will love him.
There are just some sentences throughout the novel that are so strange and juvenile that it takes me out of the story. I feel they could have been omitted and it would have made for a better story.

Despite what didn't work for me, I'm aware enough that many people aren't going to have these hang ups and much of what I didn't like was the point of the story or character or trope. I liked the story, the right people will LOVE it. And despite what I didn't like, I'm very much looking forward to the next installment! Emily Rath, you have intrigued me!

[Saneka B • Reader of Realms · Rating 5 out of 5]

​I didn’t just read Devour Me I practically devoured it. From the very first page, I was completely swept up in the world Emily Rath has created, and I couldn't put it down until I hit the very last word.
​
​The standout feature of this book is, without a doubt, the chemistry. It is electric and felt in every single scene. The connection between all the characters is so layered and intense it’s the kind of writing that makes you feel like you’re right there in the room with them.
​The banter was top tier. I found myself laughing out loud at their back and forth. It was sharp, witty, and did such a great job of building the tension.
​
​I am officially obsessed with these characters. Emily Rath has a talent for writing leads that feel distinct and deeply developed, making it impossible not to fall in love with them. You aren't just rooting for a couple you’re rooting for the entire group.
​And for those wondering about the spice, it was incredible. It wasn't just there for the sake of being there it was high heat, high tension, and perfectly balanced with the emotional parts of the story.
​

​While the spice and banter are amazing, it’s the emotional depth that truly wrecked me. There’s a specific moment when Jasper asks Dáinn what he sees when he looks at him and Birdie, and the response absolutely hit me in all the feels:
​“I see every dream I can never have.”
​“When I look at you, I see home.”
​Those lines were so raw and beautiful they perfectly capture the yearning and the soul deep connection that makes this story so special.
​
If you’re looking for a book that offers a perfect blend of humor, romance, and edge of your seat chemistry, Devour Me is a must read. This is now my favorite read of the year! The wait for book two is going to be excruciating for me.

*ARC recieved from NetGalley*

[Katie Dice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t think anyone could ever top Jake Price in my eyes, but I’m here to say.. I was wrong…. Team Dáinn at the way.

Did I expect this book to thoroughly ruin me? In hindsight, obviously, but now that I’ve finished it don’t even know where to begin?

Remember that movie that came out like.. 20 years ago (yes I just googled it and 20 years! Feeling old..), it was called The Covenant, man I LOVED / STILL LOVE that movie! Right off the bat, I got those total vibes with the original five families.

Not only was this book wildly different from the world wide phenomenon that is the Jacksonville Ray series we all know, but it was so immersive. I felt pulled in from the very beginning to the absolute very end of that HORRIBLE cliffhanger. My brain is reeling with all the little tidbits given and one HUGE question remaining.

Emily has surely gone above and beyond for an amazing story and left me desperate to learn the truth and ending for the Burr Island Witch Coven and a perky, pesky lovable little wraith. 🖤

[Rachel Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t really know what to expect with this book, but I was hooked from page one. All you really need to know is there’s a cat named Pickles, but I’ll expand anyways.

So a human, a wraith, and a witch walk into a bar or rather a dark alley…

Where our wraith, Dáinn is devouring our witch, Jasper’s soul. Birdie, our human, happens upon the scene and is somehow able to save Jasper.

And so begins our journey into an MMF paranormal romance. This book was so fun. The slow burn, the chemistry, the characters, and the humor all worked so well. I appreciated the magic system and the world building never felt like too much. I laughed out loud multiple times and had such a good time.

The ending was diabolical and I am dying for the next book.

Shout out to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

[Jen Karner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paranormal is back baby!

Devour Me is everything I love about the genre. Magic, witches, dark plots, hidden histories, and characters that compell me to keep reading until I fall asleep and my kindle hits me in the face on the way down.

I fell in love with Birdie, Jasper, and Daínn from the first time I met all three of them and I was gasping and giggling through all of their interactions. From Birdie using her brain instead of brawn, to Jasper learning to let people in, and Daínn being the perfect bridge between the two of them.

I cannot love this book enough, and I am now FERAL for the next one in the series.

If you love paranormal fantasy, are an OG fan of Charmed, or just need some magic in your life, this is a series not to be missed.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so much fun! Emily Rath has once again succeeded in keeping me up way past my bedtime. The plot? Super compelling. The characters? How could you dislike any story that has a cat named Pickles?! It’s impossible! And Dàinn. I think he just jumped to the top of the list of my favorite characters.

I was not aware this was going to end on a cliffhanger. I was extremely stressed when I had 98% of the book read and nothing was resolved. I’m excited to go back and reread it without the stress of “how will this book be finished in like 5 pages?!?!!!”

Full disclosure - I received a copy of this as an ARC. The book is coming out in August 2026.

[Kyle Modschiedler · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Laura Kolkmeier · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved the banter in this book. Witty and fast paced, it definitely kept my interest through the whole book. I’d say the plot lacked a bit being so much spice, but I’m also a fan of that depending if I need a break from a book/series with a heavy plot. The connection was great between characters but I’m not a fan of insta love and that was definitely this book. Still worth the read and was a lot of fun!

[Laura Holley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am speechless. I loved the story, unlike anything I’ve read so far. The characters in the coven are so unique and endearing, I adore them all. Action packed from start to finish and I HATE the cliffhanger!!! But in the best way. Will be looking forward to the next installment.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Dr. Emily for the advance copy as part of Patreon. Absolutely loved this book. Dainn and Jasper almost knocked Ilmari off his top spot! Birdie was wonderful. I liked that she didn't spend a lot of time dithering. She had her moment and then moved on with life. Anxiously awaiting the next book!

[Molly]

4th Aug 2026

[Chii ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

solid 3

rtc

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished my beta read and I’m OBSESSED! Full review to follow, but for now I’m just going to obsess over these characters and this story 🖤🖤🖤