How To Tell If Your K-9 Is A Demon

by Trista Ricketts

⭐ Reader Reactions💬 “Laugh-out-loud funny with witty, slightly unhinged banter.”
💬 “Lighthearted and gritty with twists I didn’t see coming.”
💬 “Perfect rom-com energy with just enough spice.”
💬 “If you love the TV show Lucifer vibes, this absolutely delivers.”

She went to adopt a K-9 partner.
She did not mean to adopt a demon.

Officer Kelly “Chuck” Charles thought choosing her new K-9 would be straightforward.
Obedient. Loyal. Not possessed by ancient evil.

She was wrong.

Her new K-9 partner growls in dead languages, smirks like he’s plotting world domination, and reacts to holy water like it personally insulted his ancestors.

Because Malachi isn’t just a dog.
He’s a centuries-old demon trapped in a canine body — morally black, dangerously clever, and very annoyed about it.

The problem?
Chuck doesn’t know any of that yet.

She’s just a cop trying to survive long shifts, bad coffee, and a partner who may or may not be judging her soul.
She definitely doesn’t know she’s part angel.
And she absolutely isn’t prepared for the supernatural chaos headed straight for her life.

When a well-meaning witch gives Malachi his body back, everything goes from “weird dog behavior” to full-blown celestial disaster.

Redeem him.
Banish him.
Or fall for the demon who was never meant to have a heart.

How To Tell If Your K-9 Is A Demon is a laugh-out-loud paranormal romantic comedy packed demon adoptionSnarky banter and slow-burn tensionA morally black demon with opinionsA strong female cop who didn’t sign up for destinyCelestial HijinksIf you love paranormal rom-coms with heart, humor, and just enough hellfire — this book will have you laughing, swooning, and side-eyeing every dog you meet.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Contemporary, Demons, Humor, Adult

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2026

Reviews

[Knjiga i Kavica · Rating 5 out of 5]

RECENZIJA
How to tell if your K-9 is a demon - Trista Ricketts
5⭐️
Ako ste se zaželili dobre stare policijske akcije sa mješavinom humora, romantike i odlicnog prepucavanja sa hrpom smiješnih i nepredvidljivih situacija ovo je knjiga za vas.
Prva knjiga koju citam od ove autorice, ali zaista jedan odlican roman ako ste ljubitelj serije Lucifer i takve smiješne tematike.
Reena mi je bila odlicna. A Glenda, vjestica je unijela toliko željenu promjenu u dinamiku između glavnih likova. Kada tu još dodate pokusaje ubojstava, opsjednutost, romantiku i zezanciju - dobili ste hit.
#mojapreporuka

[Emslittlebookworld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg!!!!! How to Tell if your K-9 is a Demon is a 10/10! It has everything you could want in a book and more.
The banter between Malachi and Chuck is perfect, the relationship between them and the way it grows throughout the book was so natural and so fun to read. There’s moments where you laugh out loud and then you have moments where you’re waiting to see what happens next, and of course, there are a couple of spicy moments too😉
Having a demon trapped inside a dog and having the story from his point of view is very interesting to read, you see Malachi grow from being a full on demon to changing for the better and the consequences of that happening.
As much as I love Malachi and Chuck, Reena stood out from the start, I mean, who doesn’t want a dog who’s obsessed with reality tv?😂
The pacing of the book was honestly so easy to read, the plot throughout makes you not want to stop reading, you just want to keep seeing what will happen next.
How to Tell if Your K-9 is a Demon comes out February 6th and I really recommend getting it ASAP!!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was much cuter then I thought it would be. Police officer meets a demon stuck in a k-9 body. Only she doesn't know he is a demon. She does know there is something different about him. I don't want to post any spoilers. So ill just leave it at this. Cute rom-com with witty banter and mystery. Small amounts of spice added into the story

[Sara Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

How To Tell Your K-9 Is A Demon - Five stars

Summary: A book that kept me giggling from the very first page. The perfect mix of urban fantasy, mystery, romance and humor with characters who actually communicate and respect each other. The plot kept me guessing, the slowburn romance slowburned just the way I like it, it was fun and the twists were well executed. HTTIYK9IAD is clever, heartfelt and very, very entertaining. I loved every page and could read a dozen more books about this trio.

I was invested in this book even before the story begun. An author that manages to write serious content warnings as well as a few humorous content warnings? I loved that. I was giggling. Trista Ricketts knows how to begin a story with humor! We have to talk chapter titles as well. Hilarious - I was constantly cackling.

The book felt like more than a story about a demon trapped in a dog's body (and it was!). It is an urban fantasy, mystery, romance and humor all neatly packed into one delicious entertainment package. I liked the worldbuilding and the mythology. The plot kept me guessing and the pacing was spot on.

I love how the characters communicate with honesty and respect, I didn't need to find my spray bottle for the dreaded miscommunication trope. The romance is a slowburn done very well with lots of fun while feeling refreshing without relying on overused tropes. It had me giggling, the tension hooked me in and the mysteries kept me turning pages well into the night.

The balance in which the book is written was great. Witty (A LOT) dialogue, clever twists, emotional depth and just the right amount of romantic tension. This is a book made to make you smile, gasp and swoon at the same time. The author has definitely won me over with Chuck, Malachi and the most wonderful little Chuglet (I love you Reena).

[SANDRA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh, laugh, laugh. It was a fun read. It's probably how every dog owner must have imagined what their dog would say if it could talk. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to the author for sharing this amazing book.

[Cee · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 24% / 11 chapters read

Look, it isn't bad, but I am bored. The humor isn't to my taste-- I'm not laughing-- and this is going much faster than anticipated. Like, she believes he isn't just a dog right off the bet, but then doesn't try to help or look into it more for 3 months? He also isn't doing a good job of keeping his not-dog status from other people.

I will say these are complex characters??? He's a demon, he's trying to corrupt people, but is also happy when she's noble or taking down bad guys. He cares for the little dog, Reena. He... doesn't actually seem evil? The FMC is nice, sweet, a cop, but flows with her emotions. Actually, she feels really young to me...

This book is also told from Malachi's point of view, which might be why this feels weird.

Anyhow, I wouldn't turn anyone away from this book, it just wasn't for me. Maybe if the humor hit me right I wouldn't have found it as bland.

[Rebecca Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

*thank you to Trista Ricketts for allowing me to review this arc*

Malachi a shelter pooch meets Chuck a police officer. Malachi is a demon being punished in a Malinois body. Chuck is a fearless cop surviving grief of her father who was murdered a year ago. There’s also Jaxson, another cop friend who came to the shelter with Chuck. These 3 are so much fun in the story. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but what I got was a beautiful rom-com full of laughs and a light hearted, easy read.

Go along on the journey to solve the whodunit and watch a demon find his soul. Through love all is possible.

As an owner of a SD shepherd, this just was so funny & endearing. Totally got the shepherd vibes right & I loved that in public that the dog didn’t have to be perfect. Shepherds are so “human like” in personality that it’s not hard to imagine one being a demon shifter with the best of intentions but still sowing minor chaos.

Everything about this story was amazing and I appreciate the opportunity being able to be an arc reader for this story. It truly was a light read that was a lot of fun! The spice level was extremely mild compared to my normal romantasies. But, it wasn’t missed. If a hallmark story met a paranormal romance this would be the IT story!

PS: if you like the show Lucifer, this gives those fun, snarky vibes..

And I am not sure if there will be spin offs of the other characters but I’d be here for it! There’s definitely been left an opening to see more stories in this universe!

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ 3🌶️

**ARC review**

❣️Girls furry best friend 🐶 meets Lucifer Morningstar 😈
❣️Touch her and 🔪
❣️“A demon with a bondage fetish and a half-angel police officer. What a pair we are.” - Chuck

I knew I would love this book just from the title and the blurb, but this was so much better than I thought! It really does give Lucifer (tv show) vibes! It will have you laughing and kicking your feet with a giant smile on your face. Kelly “Chuck” Charles is such a funny and badass FMC, I wish I could read more of her. When she goes to adopt a new K-9 partner she is expecting to find a rescue dog.. not a rescue demon (not that she knows that). I LOVE the fact that they are supposed to be sworn enemies- light vs dark, demon vs ..police officer, and somehow they still end up friends. I love a book with dogs, and not only do we get Malachi the (loveable?) K-9, but my girl Re-Re is a STAR. Reena the Chugglet is the real FMC of the series. ✨The humans are good too- wait until you meet Evan. Now that’s an MMC. 🤤❤️‍🔥 I don’t give out 5🌟often, but this adorable supernatural romcom truly deserves it! Thank you Trista Ricketts for the ARC, it was wonderful!

[Jenntleh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was initially captivated by How To Tell If Your K‑9 Is A Demon by Trista Ricketts. The early chapters hook you with a fun and intriguing premise: a police officer adopts a dog from the pound who turns out to be a centuries‑old demon, reacting to holy water, ancient languages, and supernatural forces. Around the middle, though, the story begins to meander. Endless demon and angel politics, celestial hierarchies, witch subplots, and inter-cop politics/relationship drama take over, and the mystery surrounding her father loses its impact. What starts as a fascinating paranormal story slowly becomes weighed down by exposition and distractions, leaving the original hook largely unresolved.
Rating: 2.5⭐

[hope h. · Rating 1 out of 5]

inane tryhard copaganda DRIVEL. if i hadn't chosen this goddamn book for book club for the LAUGHS i would've dnf'd at 1% it was so horrifically bad

[Adrianell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the premise, and I did enjoy the book!
Chuck was a police officer who had to adopt a dog from a shelter to train to become a K-9 for a publicity stunt her bosses planned. The dog she picked didn't behave like a dog, and she quickly suspected that there was something weird about him. She cared for the dog, and later the man she believed to be stuck as a dog. When she learned he was a demon, it didn't change her feelings, but their life became even more unhinged than it was before.
Malachi was a demon punished by his commander to be a dog. He was terrified when a slight woman with an angelic halo around her wanted to adopt him, but his curiosity won when she was kind to him and didn't smite him on the spot. He knew there was something special about her, and he fought with his demonic nature and orders from his commander, because he didn't want to hurt her.
I enjoyed this weird mix of buddy-cop, paranormal, mystery, and rom-com elements. It was a little like Lucifer, if he were stuck in a dog form for months ;) I didn't like the emotional manipulation Mal sometimes used on Chuck, but with him being a demon, conflicted between his orders and his emotions, I got through these moments, and I'm glad I did, because he got better.

[Jenna H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: How to Tell Your K-9 Is a Demon by Trista Ricketts

If you’re in the mood for a fluffy, laugh-out-loud supernatural romcom, How to Tell Your K-9 Is a Demon is absolutely your sign. This book delivers jokes, chaos, romance, and one truly unhinged chuglet with a burning passion for reality TV. Yes—that kind of book.

No shoe is safe. No household item is spared. Our spiteful little demon puppy is equal parts adorable and destructive, and honestly? I’d still take him home from the pound without hesitation. Add in hot demons (because of course), a fun mystery, lovable friends, and just the right amount of romance, and you’ve got a story that keeps things fast, funny, and charmingly ridiculous.

Trista Ricketts does an excellent job balancing humor with heart, making this a cozy yet chaotic read that never takes itself too seriously. By the end, you won’t just be rooting for the characters—you’ll be wondering where you can adopt your own demonic pet.

Final verdict: Hot demons bring all the girls to the yard, and this book brings all the fun. Highly recommend for anyone who likes their romance paranormal and their puppies just a little bit evil. 🐶🔥

[Jill Dowd · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book has a fun, original premise and genuinely made me laugh—especially the demon dog, who has strong sarcastic, scene-stealing energy and carries much of the charm early on. The tone is sweet, cozy, and approachable, and I really enjoyed the concept behind the story.
Where it struggled for me was in execution. Throughout the book there were missing connective moments—important emotional beats and plot transitions were often implied rather than shown. Characters frequently accepted major revelations with little reaction, which flattened tension and made later conflicts feel low-stakes.
By the final stretch, the story leaned more into protective dynamics rather than partnership, which was disappointing given the female lead’s role and competence. I also found myself skimming during the later climax because the momentum simply wasn’t there anymore.
Overall, this is a cute and humorous read with a strong idea, but it favors comfort over conflict and doesn’t fully explore the emotional or narrative depth its premise promises. Readers looking for a light, low-stress paranormal romance may enjoy it more than those hoping for higher stakes or tighter storytelling

[Chantelle Midwinter-Toyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked a lot of things about this book.

I liked the FMC not suddenly forgetting she was a cop or suddenly losing common sense because a hot dude fluttered his eyelashes.

I liked the MMC not just sliding into a dominant role, just because.

The plot had potential... like a lot of potential. There was so much opportunity for a big climatic ending, or to lay the ground work for a series.

I loved the concept. Like a buddy cop/ turner and hooch sort of set up with a twist, enemies to friends to lovers.
Unfortunately, it just didn't hit with me. It was light, it was fun. 

But..

The banter would just stop and morph into googly eyes, the tension didn't tension and, the ending felt anticlimactic. Also the FMCs romantic interest in the dog, before she knew he was not a dog, was not something I am interested in. I was a little weirded out by the amount of "good/bad dog" references in a spicy way.

[Maplestory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good but the last maybe third of the book sort of dragged. I much prefer 300-400 page books, but only if that space is used well, and I'm not sure the last 50-100 pages were really on the money.

I loved Malachi as a character, especially as a dog. He was vibrant and alive and had the full spectrum of emotions which was a super nice change of pace compared to most MMCs.

Some of the relationship ups and downs felt kinda forced, particularly in the second half, and that definitely contributed to the dragging. The second guessing and self doubt is a natural part of a new relationship, especially when the two involved are so different from each other, but the back and forth felt forced and at odds with the rest of their character, especially since they both were pretty constantly reassuring one another.

I'm a little sad we never got an open door on the handcuffs or collar scenes, because woof, that sounded hot.

[Bookish_Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was cute, funny, and an absolute joy from start to finish and I loved every second of it. I went in not fully knowing what to expect, but the title and cover alone were enough to hook me, and I’m so glad they did. Malachi and Kelly are the perfect definition of opposites with one an angel, the other a demon. Their relationship begins as K-9 and officer and slowly grows into a genuine friendship… and then something more, as they start uncovering the truth about who the other really is. The banter between them is witty and sharp, and I loved how fiercely they fought for one another. This story was a rom-com in all the best ways: charming, funny, heartfelt, and completely entertaining. If you’re looking for something lighthearted with great chemistry and laughs along the way, this one delivers.

[Joanne Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really amusing - a demon trapped in the body of a dog that ends up being the K-9 partner to a police officer - so interesting! The banter is quick and sometimes unhinged. The characters feel unique but relatable.

The thing I liked most about it was the vibes - slightly edgy, funny, irreverent and unapologetic. The love story felt a little predictable, but that’s a comfort while you get to know the zany characters living it.

This book worked for me as it is a mix of story types - a police drama along side angels and demons, witches magic and traditional rom-com elements. All of this made it very engaging.

How To Tell If Your K-9 Is A Demon is for readers who love an edgy rom-com with a fantasy slant. Expect swearing, blasphemy, strong female characters and men who still try to look after them.

[Michelle Burkett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy s**t! This book is sheer paranormal humor perfection. As someone who is in the law enforcement field and having trained dogs for over a decade, I loved every minute. The plot moves fast enough that the story grabs you with demon horns and doesn't let go. The relationship between Kelly and Malachi was so good with working together to catch the bad guys and working together at home. Forewarning, the spice is super slow burn between the two main characters, but the banter and the literal burn leading up to it is so worth it. Malachi is a demon dream come true and that little plot twist at the end was the best part. I was so hoping for a HEA and I'm so happy with how the book ended.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laughing out loud from the first few pages 🤣

How to tell if your K9 is a demon by Trista Ricketts due out 6th February
I give this book 5 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This book had me howling from the first few pages! Its thoroughly worth a read especially if you love Lucifer the TV show for all his snarky comments an humor his voice and personality was totally in my head while reading.

Waking up in a dog's body
was not how saw my day
going.
Being punished for doing
what a demon of my heritage does best?
well it was to be expected.
An then She walks into the
animal rescue centre looking
for a new K9 partner
-she couldn't have
chosen a better specimen, a black
Belgian Malinois.
So I have the look of a HellHound
but do I have the glowing red eyes?

Contains a small amount of spice.

[Melanie Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying reading this! Animal sidekicks are always the best, but when that animal is actually a demon in dogs clothing it gets even better… Malachi is the snarkiest, the most sarcastic, but very loveable in his dark way, and boy has he caught a case of puppy love for police officer “Chuck” who has adopted him to be her K9 partner.

This is very cute and satisfyingly silly and has a lot of fun and crude banter (mostly from Mal). I’ve yet to reach the end but so far I’d give it 2 spicy 🌶️

[Cyberpope · Rating 5 out of 5]

My(he/him) wife(she/her) read the first couple chapters and felt I might enjoy the humour style and recommended it to me. I very much enjoyed the development of the relationship between Malachi and Kelly (@Chuck”) as well as the development of the solving of the key mystery: Who killed her father and who wants her dead?

A very unique look at good, evil, and how love can cross many a gulf.

I’ll pass on a sloppy kiss from Malachi, thanks, (for writing this review), but send Reena in for some scritches.

Note to author: you can have more than one target readership in a book this good!

[Miranda Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this rom-com. It was the perfect mix of laugh-out-loud moments and just enough spice to keep things interesting. The plot is something I never would have come up with myself, but somehow it worked perfectly and I loved every second of it. If you’re a fan of Lucifer, this definitely gives off those same witty, charming, slightly unhinged vibes. I would 100% read this as a series and happily sign up for more.

[Maile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ebook as an ARC.

This book was laughable out loud funny! It was such an unusual plot that I had never seen before and was the most entertaining book I have read in probably a year. If you like a little mystery mixed with a little fantasy mixed with a little spice, this book is for you.

It would have been a 5-star for me if I didn’t have to wait so impatiently for the spice to happen 75% of the way through the book. Other than that, loved it!

[Kaylee Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I was immediately pulled in and couldn’t wait to see how it played out. Malachi was put into the body of a dog as punishment. And of course the person who wants to adopt him is an angel. But then he realizes Chuck doesn’t know she’s an angel. Seeing them “communicate” while he’s in dog form. I’m normally not a huge fan of slow burn but this book was so good that I didn’t care. It was perfect.

[Erin Belding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Enjoyed This

Definitely a rom-com and I enjoyed every minute of it. Kelly “Chuck” is a great FMC with a backbone and a bit of vulnerability, the secondary characters are such a great mix of odd and loveable, but the main star is the MMC Malachi. He’s such a funny and irreverent character and a great fit for the Chuck. I loved the writer’s pacing and tone throughout the book and wish this were a series! I’m looking forward to reading more from Trista Ricketts!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you watch the show Lucifer? If so this book is for you, totally has similar vibes. I mean who's a good demon? Malachi is. And yes, still not real bacon. Chuglet hands down best doggy sidekick. I love an FMC who kicks major butt, Chuck is smart, sassy, strong, and buys him special handcuffs ;-) The spice is delicious, the banter is phenomenal, and the story is perfection, just read this you need to.

[Rose Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely love this book!! it has plenty of funny parts that had me giggling a lot (I got some weird looks from co workers in the break room) Malachi is so sweet but also mischievous and funny. there are a couple plot twists I didn't expect within the book. Trista Ricketts did a phenomenal job writing this book and I'm so happy she chose me as her ARC reader.

[Hannah Whitman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my normal read however it made for a perfect addition to a rainy Sunday sat by the fire with my own k9’s. I found myself chuckling out loud multiple times and got through it in a few hours. Though Malachi I’m sure will be most people’s favourite hound… and demon, I would love my own reality tv watching Reena 💜

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The banter is TOP TIER! I did not stop laughing though this entire book! There's are a few spots that are sad but the majority of the book is HILARIOUS! The chemistry between the mc's is chefs kiss, then you have the side character's who add so much to the story and make it that much funnier! I absolutely could not put this book down! Amazing job Trista Ricketts!

[The Ember Sentinel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fastest I’ve ever made it through a 300 plus page book , hooked off of the very first page and YES he definitely would do some shady stuff for bacon

I felt the need to constantly read where other books sometimes I was finding I had to put them down because I couldn’t get into that groove with this it’s hooked me in off the first page and hasn’t let go since I finished