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How (Not) To Raise The Dead

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Eden only wanted one thing—to see her dead boyfriend again.
But when her summoning spell misfired, she didn’t get closure.
She got Malachi—a demon with horns, fangs, a bad attitude, and the emotional maturity of a bored arsonist.

He wasn’t supposed to cross the veil, definitely wasn’t supposed to barge into her apartment, and absolutely wasn’t supposed to enjoy the frantic little mortal who panics when he breathes near her.

As Eden’s grief cracks open and Malachi learns what it means to feel, the line between summoner and summoned begins to blur.

And when Hell finally decides it wants its missing demon back, they’ll both have to decide how far they’re willing to go to stay together.

____________________________________


Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers.
Please check the content warning at the beginning of the book.

18+ Mature Content. Not suitable for younger readers.

444 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2026

120 people are currently reading
957 people want to read

About the author

Rachael Chadwick

4 books231 followers
Rachael Chadwick is a UK based author who writes dark romance, because real-life men have given her enough emotional damage—and it’s never as sexy as it is in the books. When she’s not dreaming up morally confused love interests that actually deserve redemption, she’s wrangling her two sons, ruling over a tiny army of cats, and abandoning yet another hobby. She firmly believes red flags are only attractive in fiction and that those ink on paper happily-ever-afters are sweeter when they come with a little suffering first.

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5 stars
70 (56%)
4 stars
43 (34%)
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9 (7%)
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3 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Annmarie Ager.
399 reviews29 followers
February 19, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Spice

I laughed so hard I was crying at times. I was trying so hard not to pee myself with some of the banter. Malachi's mouth should have come with a warning because I felt like I spent my time rolling about with tears of laughter streaming down my face as he sassed and threw sarcasm around like it was a weapon to wield.

The book's storyline was on the darker side. There was a well thought out story that left you thinking about grief and coping, and then they threw in a total curveball at the end that had me shocked.

The details and the way hell was portrayed were so smart and totally great to see. I really loved the whole working of it. The story was the main focus, but there was hot spice that just made the book all the more fun to read. For me, the main thing I loved most had to be the total hilarity of Malachi. I did really like Eden, but for me Malachi was the win.

I would say that after the halfway mark, the book really picked up speed and started to fill out with much more action and drama, and I really loved it. I would have loved to see more of the aftermath, but that is me being greedy.

Overall, a dark, spicy, and super fun read.

https://bestbooks89.blogspot.com/2026...
Profile Image for Paulina.
6 reviews
February 20, 2026
So I really wanted to love this book.

I think the premise is very fun and has some strong potential for character development. This very fun premise and the fact that i found the book to be relatively short is the only reason I finished it.

This is the first book I ever read that made me stop and question whether parts of it were rewritten by ChatGPT. Especially in Malachi’s chapters. I haven’t read the authors other books so I’m not sure if it was their writing style but I found it very jarring at times.

The characters were fine if a bit underdeveloped in my opinion. I didn’t really buy them falling in love, it just happens a little bit out of nowhere.

I enjoyed the story but not the writing so I don’t think I’ll be returning for the sequel.
Profile Image for Sara.
157 reviews
February 19, 2026
4.1/5

I love this writer and I’ve devour everything she writes. This one was a SLIGHT miss for me.

I felt the back story of the FMC was a bit off and I didn’t understand where her “grief” was coming from. Plus the MMC turned into a different person during the climax of the story… then turned back to normal.. also we skipped over the part where she was supposed to get her memory wiped…

BUT still loved it, still funny, will continue to read everything she publishes.
Profile Image for Danniella Cuerden.
9 reviews
February 19, 2026
I'm in love

This book made me scream, cackle like a witch, and clutch my damn pearls. The conclusion? Unexpected and I liked it. The plot explanation? Mildly anticipated but I had like 20 different theories going. Highly recommend this one and I look forward to the future book(s) which may come in the series!
Profile Image for Lauren Everitt.
8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 15, 2026
Once again Rachael has absolutely smashed it!! I absolutely adore her writing style, the banter and wit is hilarious, the spice is top tier and not cringe and the characters are sassy and loveable (especially the pets 🤣). Was lucky enough to get this as an ARC but cannot wait to have my shelf trophy when it's released 🖤 Definately an auto-buy author for me now
Profile Image for Charlotte.
233 reviews1 follower
February 18, 2026
Rachael what have you done?

I don’t even read paranormal books as a rule but because you’re an auto-buy author it was always going to happen and I’m so glad to say that it surpassed every single expectation…
The world building was amazing, I fear I now know what Hell looks and smells like.
The romance story was fantastic, there was a gradual transition from WTF to F’ing Veil they’re shagging.
The plot around the bind was fantastic, as was Eden’s backstory.
10/10/10… I think I love you Rachael and I’d like to be your friend. If you’re ever in my neck of the woods I would like to buy you a pint.

Highlights ⚠️ SPOILERS (also there’s lots more than normal because I found Malachi fucking hilarious!… the dry humour killed me)

Truth is, Hell’s less inferno and torment and more paperwork and passive-aggressive memos.

“Oi!” I roar through the wails. “Keep it down! Some of us are trying to file reports up here! Have some bloody decorum!”

“I couldn’t give two fucks in a lake of fire,” he scoffs. “Life is an avalanche of disappointments, and I’ve been at the bottom of the pile for a long time. So settle in, you’ve got a brand-new best friend. Lucky you. I’m excellent company. A little murdery, sure, but delightful once you stop gasping for air like a trout on land.”

“Don’t pass out,” a low growl warns. “Oh, you dramatic little⁠—”

“Unbelievable.” He turns and saunters into the living room. “I cross a literal dimension for you, and you’re just a domestic gerbil with a library card.”

“Really, Eden? This was the pinnacle of your desire? I’ve seen more attractive features on a potato.”

“Interesting. Yet it appears to be the primary pastime of your civilization—digital voyeurism. You throw seasoning at my face like a medieval peasant, yet you cannot bear to look at the mechanics of your own biology? How else am I supposed to seduce you if I cannot do research?”

“Oh, we’re doing bad Latin now? You’ve gone from a summoning ritual to pantry-based witchcraft. Stunning progress, Eden. Truly. What’s next? Flour? Paprika? Are you going to dry-rub me back to Hell?”

“Did you just try to baptize me?” he asks. “That’s the second time you’ve drenched me in twenty-four hours. At this point, Eden, we’re bordering on a kink.”

“The next time an irritant like that boy upsets you, it would be beneficial for you to simply pick up a brick and apply it to their skull.”

“Research, baby girl,” he says, flipping a page. “I have questions, actually. For instance: why does this protagonist refer to his cock as ‘velvet wrapped steel’? That sounds structurally unsound. Is it a medical condition? Should I be concerned for him?”

“You have a distinct aroma of stale fear and clinical failure. It’s offensive to my constitution.”

“Go. Scrape the grime off your mortal coil. I’ll be waiting here, trying to reclaim my sense of smell.”

“Not so brave and oily now, are you, you Vermin-Class cunt?”

Apparently, a ‘scrub’ is a male of low standing attempting to court females from the passenger side of his best friend's ride. At least, that’s what the women on the screen are singing about.

first, you will consume nutrients. I cannot have you fainting in the street; it draws unnecessary attention.”

“I’m not made of money, Malachi!” “Correct,” I say, smirking. “You are comprised of flesh, calcium, and poor decision-making skills. Very well done on your biology lessons there, baby girl.

“He didn't answer. You know why? Because he’s dead. And the dead are famously relaxed about their wardrobe.”

“Another beast! Give me the blue one. And be quick about it, boy, before the frost takes us all.”

“Now, we shall eat dough.”

“Your necrotic tissue is too green,” I inform him, releasing his face with a look of utter disdain. “You look like a cucumber, not a corpse. Do better.”

“If you’re going to be traumatized, it should at least be anatomically correct. Come along.”

“Now, walk. Before I decide to start eating the clowns.”

Not a demon. Abort. Abort immediately. This is just a grandmother.

Am I doing it wrong? I can always go back to the porn if you prefer. I recall the plumber’s dialogue being significantly more concise.”

Mortal cocks are so strange.

“My deepest apologies, baby girl! I’ll stop arguing with the desperate female who clearly has no self-respect! Carry on with your weeping!”

“You are a brave feline specimen. Congratulations.”

I’ve spent my existence watching souls break, but I never thought I’d be the one struggling to keep mine in one piece. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🥹🥹🥹🥹


“Do you see that ball of arrogance? That is not a threat. That is a diplomatic asset.

“Jesus Christ.” “No, I’m Malachi,”

“You... you met the Devil?” “Yes,” he says casually, adjusting his collar. “She was a delight. We hit it off immediately.

He’s an embarrassment. I’m buying him two bags.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jessi.
61 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 17, 2026
Malachi owns my entire heart. The horns, the fangs, the catastrophic attitude... absolute perfection. He’s grumpy, arrogant, wildly inappropriate at times… and somehow completely irresistible. His voice jumps off the page, and every scene he’s in just sparkles with energy, and the slow, unraveling of who he is underneath all that swagger. The emotional growth? So good.

Eden broke my heart in the best way. Her grief felt raw and real, and watching her navigate that pain while being thrown into something wildly unexpected made her such a compelling main character. I loved how strong she was while still being messy and human. (I hoped she'd get to administer some torture......)

The banter? ELITE. The back-and-forth between Mal and Eden is sharp, funny, and full of tension. The kind where you’re grinning one second and fanning yourself the next. Their dynamic carries the story in the best way chaotic demon meets grieving mortal, and neither of them are prepared for what happens next.

This book is spicy and funny in exactly the right balance. The heat builds naturally alongside the emotional connection, which makes it hit even harder. It never felt like spice just for the sake of spice it felt earned, and that made it so much better.

And the house beasts? Obsessed. They added so much personality and charm to the story and made the world feel alive.

Speaking of the world, the atmosphere was incredible. The contrast between the ordinary and the supernatural was vivid and immersive without ever feeling overwhelming. I could picture everything so clearly.

There was a moment near the end where I got nervous (in that “please don’t hurt me” kind of way), but it wrapped up beautifully while still leaving that delicious thread of possibility for what might come next. If this turns into a series, I am absolutely seated and 100% invested in this world and these characters.

This book was emotional, funny, dark, romantic, spicy, and chaotic in the best way. I’m obsessed.

Thank you so much, Rachael Chadwick, for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of this amazing story.
Profile Image for Zuzana.
70 reviews2 followers
February 23, 2026
This book got me out of the reading slump, so thank you Rachael, Malachi and Eden! 🖤

Not gonna lie, I was hooked by page 2.

First we meet Eden, grieving the loss of her boyfriend Matthew, who –not gonna lie again– I liked, based on how she was remembering him and describing him to me. But then when the plot twist hit later in the book, I was like 'Damn girl, good riddance!'

In chapter two we meet Malachi. Bored, sarcastic, silver skinned 6'4" demon working as an administrator in hell.

Eden buys this cheap ritual kit, adamant to summon the ghost of her dead boyfriend, reciting a poem and "accidentally" summons Malachi instead.

They find out they can't really be apart, not gonna spoil why, so she's "forced" to "suffer" Malachi's charm. To be honest, I'd swap my place with her. Malachi is so funny in his distinguished gentleman's way. When he spoke, he sounded like Edward Cullen on antidepressants (in a good way) 🤣. I loved his lines so much!

He falls first and hard, addressing Eden as HIS little summoner, and I absolutely adored the way he treated her.

We are also introduced to Eden's sister Piper, who I personally wanted to slap multiple times, because she just comes off as a massive pushover. Annoying, it has to be my way kind of person, not respecting Eden's boundaries. I mean yeah, I get that she wanted to help, but still..

Anyway

Shit hits the fan, and Malachi's boss is not happy with him being in a mortal realm at all. They go to Hell, where they find out WHY they can't be apart, and Eden has to face her past and trauma to resolve "the issue".
She's thrown back to Earth while Malachi remains back in Hell, and he fights hard to get back to her, but fails. Or does he? 😏

I guess you'll just have to read the book to find out 🤭

This book is fast paced, slow burn (which I didn't even notice as there's stuff constantly happening) and hilarious.
It was giving me a Lights Out meets Her Soul To Take vibe.

I definitely recommend reading it! 🔥🖤

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🤣🤣🤣

P.S. I think there might be a book two (about Piper) since it ended the way it did 👀
Profile Image for Book.Lover.Jules.
19 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 16, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

ARC review
This review is 100% my own thoughts and feelings and is not impacted by the author at all, thank you to the author for this free ARC.

Malachi our MMC is a 6’4 snarky blunt demon, that pops through the veil against the wishes of his sister to say hi because he feels drawn to our FMC Eden.

Eden our FMC, a grieving but feisty human. She decides it is a good idea try and summon her dead boyfriend, but she gets more than she bargains for when Malachi pops in to say hi.

House-beast is our FMC amazing sidekick, a cream and black ball of fluff with an attitude.

Chain-chewer is our MMC turned FMC sidekick because girls are always better, he’s the softest guard hellhound you will ever read about!!

🖤 enemies to lovers
🩶 touch her and 💀💀
🖤 forced proximity
🩶 paranormal romance

This book will have you giggling and kicking your feet like a child’s there is soo much sass. Plus the fact this demon can actually locate the clit, makes me gooey🫠

Malachi and Eden find themselves in a bind, quite literally and things take turn when they go in pursuit for a fix to their little problem.

Ends on a cliffhanger!! What is going to happen with Rhaziel and Piper? I need to know.

1000% would recommend this book if you like paranormal romance between demon and human that do get there HEA
Profile Image for MissWho.
270 reviews12 followers
February 18, 2026
Demons & Chaos 😈

POV: You accidentally summon a demon from hell who turns out to be a bit of a pr!ck that watches p0rn on your couch, swaddles you when you're sad and steals your spoons when he's p!ssed of with you...😆

PNR is not my bag, but if Rachael Chadwick writes it I will read it.

I did enjoy this one, it's really well written and well thought out, not to mention quite funny in parts and without giving anything away I got a weird satisfaction reading the last 20% of this book, bravo RC, bravo!

Ps, your description of hell sounds weirdly like my office job...have you worked there too? 😆

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

“Oh, yes. You are shattered, little summoner. Your foundations are cracked, your mortal body fails you, and you wear clothes with cartoon animals on them. But a ruin is still a building, Eden. You don't discard a fortress just because the walls were breached. You hunker down in the rubble and defend what’s left. You survived a monster. You dragged yourself out of a metal coffin..."
Profile Image for Whitney Barracks.
5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 15, 2026
10/10 no notes. Had so much fun reading this one!
Malachi is this sassy, sarcastic demon who literally doesn't give a fuck about anything, and he decides to sneak off from work, and finds Eden, who's a grieving woman seemingly desperate to just see her dead boyfriend again.
This honestly went in a completely different direction than I expected. It's really adventurous, like a lot of fun, there's constantly something happening. so much so that I ended up feeling bad for Eden haha!
Loved watching their adoration for eachother unfold, it was really sweet how this nonchalant demon fell for the panicking girl, and she fell for the demon that was helping her out.
shoutout to the house-beast and chain-chewer, literally the coolest sidekick animals I think I've ever read about

Profile Image for Amelia.
11 reviews
February 18, 2026
How Not to Raise the Dead
⭐️: 5/5
🌶️: 2.5/5

I’ve been excited for this release since I saw the reels on Instagram a few weeks ago. This is a dark paranormal romance with a good dose of comedy.


We meet Eden who’s struggling with a cycle of grief following the death of her boyfriend. In an act of desperation she turns to a spot of necromancy (as one does I guess!). But instead of her former partner, she pulls a 6’4” demon through the veil. Which is a little bit of a shock to say the least.

Malachi might be my favourite MMC of the year so far!! He’s bored of his admin job and absolutely seizes the opportunity to be chaos incarnate both in the mortal realm and in Hell.

This touches on darker topics including DV, so it’s not one where you should skip the trigger warnings.

That said, between the dry humour and the HEA this definitely isn’t the darkest book I’ve read.

I enjoyed the spice, and overall loved the book!
Profile Image for Kayla  Galvin.
41 reviews
February 20, 2026
This was fantastic!
For her first foray into paranormal dark romance Rachael has done an amazing job.

A grief-stricken mortal accidentally summons a demon into her livingroom and it unleashes a whole new hell into her life!
From Mal's callously obnoxious personality to Eden's redemption arc i loved every part. You cannot predict where this goes! Honestly, it really kept me on my toes.

I might have a soft spot for the furry and not so furry companions! I want to know what vesper was up to in those 3 weeks!!

I appreciate how the spice wassn't over the top, I felt like it fit in nicely with the story and cemented the bond between the characters. But the scenes were intense and thorough. Something I noticed was how the FMC's pleasure was often at the center of the trysts. This was really refreshing to read.

How not to raise the dead is yet another brilliant story from Rachael Chadwick.
4 reviews
February 13, 2026
Honestly? No notes. I’ve been forcibly dragged out of my reading slump by this book and my god was it worth the wait. Just when I thought Silas was my favourite Rachael Chadwick book boyfriend, in swoops Malachi and fully trounces him for the top spot. Hats off to Rachael for causing a grown woman to giggle and kick her feet over a gigantic demon in a butterfly crop top. This book has quite literally everything. Dodgy ritual kits, messy emotions, the most unserious demon, not one but TWO sassy animal companions, bureaucracy at its finest, top tier banter, touch her and die energy and the perfect level of smut. It’s chaos from start to finish in the absolute best way.
4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 14, 2026
Thank you Rachael for the ARC!

This was wild.

Our grieving Eden tries to summon her dead boyfriend, but the most snarky demon ends up popping through to say hi instead. And the best bit is, they literally cannot be away from each other. So you end up with some really funny, and sometimes really delicate forced proximity scenes.

This is just loads of fun, and had such a good time reading it. Genuinely kicking my feet and a giggling, and at some point was properly laughing out loud.


THE EPILOGUE TOO?! THE CLIFFHANGER?! RACHAEL, HELLO?!
Profile Image for Lacey James.
3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 16, 2026
This book was genius. Delicately balanced trauma with full on, hilarious banter. I'm sooo in love with Malachi it isn't even funny. He's clueless to the mortal world but tries his best in his own weird, unconventional ways and it was so funny. Eden is soft, and panics and cries a hell of a lot which had me a bit confused at first and I wasn't massively rooting for her, but as her story unfolded and we learned about her past, I fell in love with her completely too, and literally everything made sense.
Malachi and Eden are my new fav book couple so far and I'm so excited for the next book!
Profile Image for Grace.
7 reviews
February 19, 2026
Malachi is one of the funniest MMC's I have ever seen and I adore him.

Forced proximity and enemies to lovers? Two of my favourite tropes with a hilarious couple. Every comment about "corpse boy" had me giggling, every little comment from Malachi about mortals had me realising how weird people are, and Eden's responses just made it even funnier.

Also a cliffhanger ending?! I need another book right now or I'm going to rip through the void myself to get it
Profile Image for Lilah Melbourne-Kennedy.
66 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 15, 2026
Well Rachel has done it again!! Another 5 star read, I will admit i was cautious going into this one, its not usually my kind of read, but it was so well written and immersive, Im impressed 😂
Malachai is an absolute icon, and we can all agree that humanity is in shambles, the world building for literal hell is very good and better than most movies.
100% recommend.
Profile Image for Ashlee.
16 reviews
February 20, 2026
I went into this unsure - it's not my usual genre of book BUT I'm so glad I gave it a chance! It's feel good, it made me laugh, I love Malachi and Chain-Chewer is my new favourite sidekick. Although it touches on DV, grief and loss, the rest of the story is so light-hearted and the topics are covered so well. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Jessica.
123 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2026
4.5 ⭐️Once again Rachael has written something I struggled to put down. She has an incredible talent for tackling dark themes with humour. And her ability to write men who simultaneously threaten to burn the world down whilst being an absolute simp for the FMC should be studied.
Profile Image for Hannah Crewe.
336 reviews
February 19, 2026
Devoured. Literally devoured in one sitting. Oh my god this was ridiculously good. I saw it on TikTok a few days ago, immediately added it to my Kindle, and oh my GOD (sorry Mal) it did not disappoint. Hilarious, spicy, and insanely addictive! I highly, highly recommend adding this to your TBR.
3 reviews
February 21, 2026
Best book in a long time

I saw this book advertised on Tiktok and was delighted when it was available on Kindle. It's the most funniest book I've read plus all the smut too! Can't wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Kirsty Jade.
25 reviews
February 17, 2026
malachi!!!

I really enjoyed the book, Malachi was so funny!! His humour was great, the plot was good and the spice was good!! Would recommend this book.
1 review
February 19, 2026
A Charming Story

This book surprised me in a good way. It is well written and the story was enjoyable. The two side kick animals Vesper and Chain-Chewer were a nice touch. I loved how Eden and Malachi grew and developed as the story progressed. Can’t wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Macey.
20 reviews
February 19, 2026
this book was …. deliciously entertaining. i loved EVERY second.
Profile Image for SarahJayne Stewart.
122 reviews5 followers
February 19, 2026
Fucking loved it. Again, never read anything like it and was brilliant. Malakai is a dick and I kind of love it. Also, where can one get themselves a hellhound!? Kinda want one! 10/10 no notes.
Profile Image for Jason Swaim Jr.
1 review
February 20, 2026
tik tok recommendation

I’m not a huge book critic but solid 10/10 🔥 it was very unique and so worth reading. Highly recommend
Profile Image for Lilouae.
945 reviews7 followers
February 20, 2026
3.5
It started and ended really well but I got bored for a long part before Hell, not sure why.
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