Devour Me: A Novel

Devour Me #1

by Emily Rath

Featuring multicast narration from Megan Wicks, Shane East, and Gregory Salinas!

From Emily Rath, New York Times bestselling author of the Jacksonville Rays hockey romance series, comes something entirely new…and just a little bit haunted.

The haunt is over. This is the hunt. I will have them for my own.

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 to devour the soul of a rival witch.

But Jasper Prescott is no corrupt magical misfit. He’s powerful and beautiful, with a soul worth savoring. Dáinn is eagerly devouring the witch when he’s abruptly stopped. By a human no less. With one word, Birdie Rhodes does what no being has ever she takes his breath away. Now the witch, the wraith, and the human are set on a path that could lead to their destiny…or their ruin.

Desperate for his freedom, Dáinn makes a deal with kill my mistress, and I’ll let you keep living. But Jasper wants more than just to live. He has a coven to protect. Their secrets are being threatened by magical forces on and off the island. Bound together in this strange new deal, Jasper fights his growing attraction to the wraith, who is far more human than he appears. And Dáinn fights the urge to devour the delectable witch whole.

The only one who can save them is Birdie Rhodes, hapless historian and sometimes shop girl. Birdie only came to Burr Island for summer work. She has no idea magic is even real. She certainly has no idea she’s now the only thing standing between her witch boss and the hungry wraith aching to devour them both.

As magical forces of darkness loom at Burr Island’s shores, Jasper and Dáinn are both determined to keep Birdie close in Devour Me, book one in a dark, spicy paranormal romance trilogy.

Tropes

Shadow daddyUnrequited instaloveAge gapWhy Choose/PolyamoryMMFDysfunctional throupleLurking is my love languagegrumpy witch/charming wraith/jaded humanNo one gets to kill you but meThe cat is not a cat

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

Audible Audio

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

[Sophie ❦ · Rating 1 out of 5]

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!

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus}]

*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.

[Angela | nerdslovebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

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! I need Phoebe's power to awaken so that she can help save the coven! Baz, will he be a good guy or bad guy? He's too ominous.

*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!

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨🕯️🌙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!

[Aaliyah]

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

[Ash Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[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!

[Amelia Blackmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[yorkshirebooknerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Sarah Lewis]

I 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!

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[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.

[Moira · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Teagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Carlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[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.

[Haley Huseby]

First 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!

[Heather Pacella · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[LizReads.Late · Rating 5 out of 5]

* 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!

[Ilea · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐💫 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!! 😍

[chloecanread · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[Caitlynn Burnaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Through a mix-up, Birdie finds herself in a last-minute internship on Burr Island working on a project that begins to unravel how she understands reality. As she uncovers more of the hidden history surrounding the island and the coven of witches who call it home, she quickly realizes how little she truly understands. Jasper reluctantly hires her and pulls her into a centuries-old supernatural conflict. And Dainn, captive, powerful, and ancient, finds himself inexplicably drawn to both Birdie and Jasper’s souls. The only urge stronger than consuming them is protecting them. And in turn, they set out to free him as they fight against both the visible and hidden forces working against them.

​Devour Me is the first installment in a new trilogy by Emily Rath. The story balances paranormal elements and age gap romance, MMF relationship, found family, with touches of enemies-to-lovers tension, all set against the backdrop of an island with an emotional and haunted history of early colonial America amid the witch trials. Emily’s writing draws you in through quietly layered, immersive worldbuilding. As the story unfolds, you’re joined by a cast of colorful characters who are lovable, realistic, and balanced with just the right amount of chaos. They’re witty, mischievous, and possess great emotional depth. Her characters feel grounded and familiar even though we simultaneously wish we could be swept away into the fantasy of another life alongside them.

​Emily Rath nails the truth in Devour Me – history is for everyone, even the parts we don’t like. It’s remembered differently by different people. At their best, books typically tell two stories: they tell the narrative that’s happening on the page, they also communicate a greater truth or illuminate deeper questions. Stories matter because they invite others to see life from a different perspective. Rath’s stories always challenge the reader to remember who is telling the story – who is recounting history as fact. We must be cautious to resist only hearing the loudest voices. This is what makes her books so irresistibly compelling. Her characters are undeniably attractive inside and out, but each book confronts a societal system or belief and invites the reader to consider, "what if this was different?" What if I cast less judgment, loved more freely, listened to the stories of the silenced? We’re given space and safety to question what we’re expected to just accept. This is why readers love Emily’s books and become lifelong fans. That’s why Devour Me (and the entire series) will be a fresh and meaningful favorite that will stay with readers!

​Thank you to Avon, NetGalley, and Emily Rath for early access to read and review.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I want to say Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager and Emily Rath for this ARC.

Now let’s get into this book. Emily I didn’t think you could make me fall in love with a new set of characters but I did. I am not usually a paranormal book reader but anything by Emily I will read. I was so excited when I saw I was approved for this book and started it right away and couldn’t put it down.

Going to this little island called Burr island was the start of it all and bringing in small town people and a coven of witches and people who never leave the island and you have me intrigued. Now enter Phoebe and her friend Birdie who has no idea what she’s in for when she accepts an offer from her friend Phoebe to go to the island where she is from to work at her families shop with her hard headed uncle and whimsical Hortie and it all goes haywire from there.

Birdie, Jasper and my sweet Dáinn oh my sweet boy. I didn’t think anyone would beat out my favorite boy Novy but Dáinn definitely holds the spot. The way they all work well with each other and the way that they all completes each others circle, I bet they didn’t think that this would work but it definitely did.

Birdie wasn’t as naive as they thought she would be. She was my strong, fierce, fellow Capricorn queen who took the bull by its horns and went straight in head first no questions asked unless she needed to because of the student in her. Birdie is one of those characters that you can just relate to and see that she is kind of the glue that holds everyone together and when she has that piece of trust from someone it’s enough to let go.

Jasper, oh boy did I think I was going to hate him because of how he acted but no he dragged me in and hook, line and sinker did I fall for him. I can understand how it is having to be the leader and also have that weight on your shoulders but know how to still be level headed. Jasper just needed that chaos in his life from birdie and Dáinn to see that he is the strong man everyone sees him as and the leader the island needs him to be.

Now let’s get into my sweet Dáinn. That wraith had me in love with him from the beginning. He just a lost soul who wants to be free and if I could have done it myself I would have. Knowing what he needs and that he just wants to be free and have love is kind of like how can you not want to love him. Everything he does for Jasper and Birdie and it’s like OMG… this wraith just wants to be loved and have a found family.

In the end, this was on of my best reads of the year so far and I can’t wait for book 2. I hate a cliffhanger but Emily knows what she is doing and I can’t wait for the continuation of the story.

[Liis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 3.5 rounded down on this cursed site that will never give us half stars (do it, make me eat my words).

I buddy read this with the amazing chloecanread (her review) who agrees that there was too little monster-fucking in this paranormal MMF story.

I was struggling with how I felt about this book a bit. The start? Great. The campiness and witchy vibes spoke to me and the prose was engaging. Loved the whole idea of an island that is protected from (most) magical creatures and is home to an old coven of witches. The wraith? 10/10 no notes, precious baby, would let him kill me.

What I really loved was the magical and atmospheric setting of the story. I fell in love with Burr Island and all of its people from very early on. I had hoped to see more of the supernatural side of the world. We got little bits and pieces about the crystals, tarot, and reading tea leaves, however for a supernatural (and especially witch centered) book there really could have been more of it.

I was excited for the MMF throuple between a human, a wraith, and a witch. And they all did have their moments. I loved how Birdie wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself and take time to process her feelings her own way. I loved Jasper's protective instincts for both his family (coven) and the island. And Dáinn I just loved and I will not be taking counterarguments on him. He is just a little guy who needs love, and cuddles, and pretty souls to eat.

And then somewhere in the middle the slow pace of the story really started to drag for me. These people did not have the same 24 hours to their day that the rest of us get. There was just too much going on in a single day for it to make sense. How could we build relationships when the day is planned for 7am to 10pm? There was also a lot that felt like ‘filler’ content and much of it was repetitive. While I love characters finding their voice and having those deep heart-to-heart talks I felt we got a few too many.

The smut was not great (this I feel is very personal so my rating is not very focused on everyone's sex life). The flirting and teasing was great. I think there should have been a better setup to understand each character's preferences a bit better. I don’t mean with preferences in partner genders here, more with what they are into in bed. I am also not a fan of the meat suit. Free my boy Dáinn from it, give me the bony hands!

TL;DR I like the vibes, the witchiness and the plot. It just takes too long to get anywhere.

Thank you Avon and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC

[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!

[Jessie The Great · Rating 4 out of 5]

EMILY! This story was so good, but it ends with so many stones unturned. This story took place in about a week's time. So much happens in that short time. One thing I could live without is the HEAVILY RELIED upon zodiac descriptions. For every movement Birdie makes, she's doing it because she's an organized Capricorn. Or Jasper is a Scorpio which means he's fantastic in the sack. Mainly, I could live without that. My eyes rolled so hard every time the signs were mentioned - and it happens often. I know she did it in the Pucking Around universe, it just seemed super prevalent in this.

Okay gripe out of the way. This is a MMF between a witch, a wraith, and a human(?). Well we think she's human, but she's got extra flavor. She moves to an island for an archeological dig in which she is the TA Archivist. Turns out this fan of order is also skilled in other ways that show almost immediately when the book begins. Though, she doesn't realize she did anything out of the ordinary. There's a lot of intrigue about who can be trusted. The coven on the island has been betrayed by someone, but they don't know who.

There's a big bad corporation the RHG who is lead by an ancient crone (disguised as a stern lady). Each of our three POV characters have issues with self doubt and feeling lesser. The two mortals were raised by people who didn't treat them the best and well, the third is a wraith who can't get close enough to anyone due to his nature. All that being said, the HEAT these three generate. There is only one scene with true P to V interaction, but there are a handful of scenes where oral is in play. There are a lot of entertaining side characters - My favorite being Hortie. That being said I definitely don't trust anyone (minus Birdie, Jasper and Dáinn - I trust them). I think the call is coming from inside the house - so if it's not one of the coven, it's someone close to it.

Anyway, I think this was definitely a good read. I am happy I got it in advance, but now will have to wait who knows how long to get the follow up. I'm hoping it's only one other story since they have to complete their 'mission' within the next 7 days. We leave this story with a lot of unknowns. Birdie does something questionable, Dáinn is stuck in a terrible position, and Jasper - well Jasper revealed his true strength to the world. All leaving them in a precarious spot. Definitely seek this out when it releases!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley. The opinions I hold about this are my own

[Crystal Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 ✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

☞𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:
🪵Slow Burn w/ 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)
🧗🏽‍♀️Ends on a cliffy (beware)
🐦‍⬛"Touch her and die" from a wholly unexpected source + The ravens are not what they seem

I completely fell in love with this story—and I’m already counting down the days until book two. It has those cozy, magical Practical Magic vibes with the island setting, layered with hints of Charmed and The Vampire Diaries (all I could think of was the Heretics), yet it still felt entirely fresh and original. Dr. Rath I wanna crawl inside your brain !

The world-building is absolutely intoxicating. Every time I had to put the book down, my mind stayed on the setting and the characters. Burr Island is everything it needed to be—rich, atmospheric, and immersive. It genuinely felt like a place you could step into and call home. As for the characters, I adored all three in different ways. Birdie is fierce, independent, resilient, sharp, and effortlessly witty. Jasper is frustrating in that maddening, lovable way—loyal to his core, even when he’s being a complete pain. But Dainn? He completely stole my heart. He’s layered and complex, yet somehow still innocent, whimsical, and incredibly sweet.

The side characters added so much depth that the story wouldn’t be the same without them. Hortie is an absolute force—chaotic, fiery, and unforgettable. And honestly, I think it’s safe to say… #TeamPickles.

And that ending? It was the best & most infuriating thing in a wholesome way. I wanted so bad to throw the book across the room (but since it was my kindle I refrained). I wanted immediate answers from Emily. It was an irrational, almost giddy kind of anger that reminded me exactly why I love reading so much. This ending delivers all the best vibes.

At this point, me and Emily are situated in our enemies to lovers arc (pending book two). I have faith in our conversion though 😉. I’ve already preordered my physical copy and despite knowing what I know will probably read it all over again.

If you love mystery, suspense, a lustful slow-burn romance that’s full of banter, whimsy, and all the paranormal tidbits—this is a must read. However don’t say I didn’t warn you about the ending or that you may end up a wee bit obsessed. Because I did (3x now 😂)

I received an advanced review copy from Netgalley. Receiving this copy did not impact my opinions of the book or my review