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Damned If I Do
The devil's right-hand woman must convince her long-lost husband to renounce their vows so she can wed a prince from Hell.
Effie MacLeod is no stranger to making desperate decisions, but making a deal with Lucifer himself—sacrificing her soul to save a loved one—has got to be her most monumental. Several hundred years into her tenure as a demon, Effie's found herself engaged to Belphegor, a handsome, seductive, and successful Prince of Hell. It’s not a love match, but it’ll do. There’s just one teensy-tiny little She’s still bound to her sixteenth-century Scottish husband. While Effie has completely cast her human life aside, Finn has been reincarnated through several lifetimes.
Effie must convince Finn to renounce their age-old vows in order get the Office of Infernal Internal Affairs off her back. The kicker? When she finds him in this lifetime, Finn doesn’t remember anything, but he refuses her request for a divorce.
Annoyed to be stuck with him in small-town Georgia until she can persuade Finn to abandon their marriage, Effie must convince him that yes, she does want to get on with her devilish shenanigans despite the physical pull she feels toward him. As they get closer in hopes of recovering his lost memories, Effie can’t help but notice murmurings of her deeply buried feelings resurfacing. But while all’s fair in love and war, that’s not the case in Hell—and Lucifer may have his own reasons for wanting to keep Finn and Effie apart for the rest of eternity.
Effie MacLeod is no stranger to making desperate decisions, but making a deal with Lucifer himself—sacrificing her soul to save a loved one—has got to be her most monumental. Several hundred years into her tenure as a demon, Effie's found herself engaged to Belphegor, a handsome, seductive, and successful Prince of Hell. It’s not a love match, but it’ll do. There’s just one teensy-tiny little She’s still bound to her sixteenth-century Scottish husband. While Effie has completely cast her human life aside, Finn has been reincarnated through several lifetimes.
Effie must convince Finn to renounce their age-old vows in order get the Office of Infernal Internal Affairs off her back. The kicker? When she finds him in this lifetime, Finn doesn’t remember anything, but he refuses her request for a divorce.
Annoyed to be stuck with him in small-town Georgia until she can persuade Finn to abandon their marriage, Effie must convince him that yes, she does want to get on with her devilish shenanigans despite the physical pull she feels toward him. As they get closer in hopes of recovering his lost memories, Effie can’t help but notice murmurings of her deeply buried feelings resurfacing. But while all’s fair in love and war, that’s not the case in Hell—and Lucifer may have his own reasons for wanting to keep Finn and Effie apart for the rest of eternity.
Audible Audio
First published September 22, 2026
About the author
Alexandria Bellefleur
17 books5,102 followersAlexandria Bellefleur is a bestselling and award-winning author of swoony contemporary romance often featuring loveable grumps and the sunshine characters who bring them to their knees. A Pacific Northwesterner at heart, Alexandria has a weakness for good coffee, Pike IPA, and Voodoo Doughnuts. Her special skills include finding the best Pad Thai in every city she visits, remembering faces but not names, falling asleep in movie theaters, and keeping cool while reading smutty books in public. Her debut novel, Written in the Stars, was a 2021 Lambda Literary Award winner and a 2020 winner of The Ripped Bodice Awards for Excellence in Romantic Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
May 30, 2026
thank you so much to netgalley for this arc!!
4.5⭐️
oh my god. this was wonderful. i absolutely LOVE alexandria bellefleur (the devil she knows, book one, was one of my favourite books of last year) so i knew this was going to be a banger. i have such a soft spot for stories involving the afterlife for some reason, especially if they almost poke fun at themselves, and this delivered massively in that aspect. the writing was compulsively readable (i read this in one sitting!!), the romance was adorable, the female lead was incredibly funny with a very strong backbone which i always appreciate, and i found the plot line itself to be very unique. i loved this so so much, would highly recommend!!
4.5⭐️
oh my god. this was wonderful. i absolutely LOVE alexandria bellefleur (the devil she knows, book one, was one of my favourite books of last year) so i knew this was going to be a banger. i have such a soft spot for stories involving the afterlife for some reason, especially if they almost poke fun at themselves, and this delivered massively in that aspect. the writing was compulsively readable (i read this in one sitting!!), the romance was adorable, the female lead was incredibly funny with a very strong backbone which i always appreciate, and i found the plot line itself to be very unique. i loved this so so much, would highly recommend!!
September 18, 2026
a demoness walks into a bar….to confront the bartender and ask for a divorce from their marriage—and soul bond— from several lifetimes ago that he has no memory of seeing as he’s reincarnated numerous times since??? all so she can marry her now fiancé??? ALEXANDRIA BELLEFLEUR I PRAISE YOU FOR THIS
finn’s dreams are just the dead wife montage from a thriller movie but like if the camera slipped
finn: you’re telling me this hot demon lady who just walked into the bar is my wife??? (separated by several centuries of reincarnation) YIPPEE
HOMESICK FOR ANOTHER LIFE…AND FOR HER???! I AM CHOMPING AT THE BIT
thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for the advance copy. full review to come.
Bookstagram | Blog
finn’s dreams are just the dead wife montage from a thriller movie but like if the camera slipped
finn: you’re telling me this hot demon lady who just walked into the bar is my wife??? (separated by several centuries of reincarnation) YIPPEE
HOMESICK FOR ANOTHER LIFE…AND FOR HER???! I AM CHOMPING AT THE BIT
thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for the advance copy. full review to come.
Bookstagram | Blog
September 9, 2026
“Don’t let your fiancé stop you from finding your long-lost, reincarnated husband?”
rating: 4.25★
ahhhh this was so much fun and also so heartfelt!!! i love them!!
effie and finn's love story was just so 🥹 you've got hopeful young love that creates an eternal soul bond to find each other in every lifetime, and it's not hard to see why. every time they're together the chemistry just SPARKS. the banter was bantering and bellefleur just kept delivering witty quips and hellish entendres that kept the energy up.
effie: sassy, determined, secretly cares SO MUCH! finn: loverboy, patient, just as stubborn and DOWN BAD FOR HIS LADY. also bi4bi again??? bellefleur, you spoil us too much 💖
then you get to the vulnerable scenes and you can't help but feel sm for both of their characters 😭 the backstory was so sweet and emotional, and their endless devotion to each other was just TRES ROMANTIQUE. plus a little bit of the fall festivities make this the perfect little paranormal romance intro into the autumnal season 🍂
i couldn't put this one down and it was so easy to devour it in 2 sittings. besides the main couple, i'm enjoying the expansion on this paranormal world a lot (gnorman!!) i am SO intrigued to see which character from this chaotic underworld is going to step into the spotlight for the next book 👀
“This whole time, I’ve been looking for a place, when what I was really searching for was you.”
an honest arc review <3
rating: 4.25★
ahhhh this was so much fun and also so heartfelt!!! i love them!!
effie and finn's love story was just so 🥹 you've got hopeful young love that creates an eternal soul bond to find each other in every lifetime, and it's not hard to see why. every time they're together the chemistry just SPARKS. the banter was bantering and bellefleur just kept delivering witty quips and hellish entendres that kept the energy up.
effie: sassy, determined, secretly cares SO MUCH! finn: loverboy, patient, just as stubborn and DOWN BAD FOR HIS LADY. also bi4bi again??? bellefleur, you spoil us too much 💖
then you get to the vulnerable scenes and you can't help but feel sm for both of their characters 😭 the backstory was so sweet and emotional, and their endless devotion to each other was just TRES ROMANTIQUE. plus a little bit of the fall festivities make this the perfect little paranormal romance intro into the autumnal season 🍂
i couldn't put this one down and it was so easy to devour it in 2 sittings. besides the main couple, i'm enjoying the expansion on this paranormal world a lot (gnorman!!) i am SO intrigued to see which character from this chaotic underworld is going to step into the spotlight for the next book 👀
“This whole time, I’ve been looking for a place, when what I was really searching for was you.”
an honest arc review <3
September 30, 2026
Damned If I Do is a paranormal romance full of yearning and so much longing. The story follows Effie, who, after receiving a proposal from her fellow demon boyfriend, must go on to face her past and reunite with her reincarnated husband, Finn, so they can renounce their vows once and for all. This was by far one of the most passionate and sensual romances I've ever read! I absolutely loved how Effie and Finn came back to each other and were so desperate to make things work. The two had so much history, and it was just lovely to see how that translated into their unwavering loyalty and pining for one another. Beyond the desire, the paranormal elements and plot were fun and engaging; I loved exploring both Effie's and Finn's worlds and seeing them collide. Full of craving and heartfelt emotion, this romance was well worth the read!
What to expect:
🐍Second Chance🐍
❤️Bi4Bi❤️
🐍Forced Proximity🐍
❤️Demon x Human❤️
🐍All the Yearning🐍
❤️Small Town❤️
🐍PNR Rom-Com🐍
~Many thanks to Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
What to expect:
🐍Second Chance🐍
❤️Bi4Bi❤️
🐍Forced Proximity🐍
❤️Demon x Human❤️
🐍All the Yearning🐍
❤️Small Town❤️
🐍PNR Rom-Com🐍
~Many thanks to Berkley Romance for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 ☆
”Everyone talks about sparks, but he’s holding out for a love that sets his soul on fire.”
i’m not a second chance girl, but even i couldn’t deny that Effie and Finn were meant for each other. the way he loved her through all of his reincarnations, even without his memories? bye, invite me to the wedding.
Effie’s emotions were so clear to see, despite her trying to convince everyone else that she was nothing more than a demon. Finn was just so attractive in every way? words can’t describe how much i loved them together. i hope the author continues to write more stories following the other demons, there’s so much potential there to make more fun romances in this world.
➙ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Berkley Publishing Group for the arc, all opinions are my own.
”Everyone talks about sparks, but he’s holding out for a love that sets his soul on fire.”
i’m not a second chance girl, but even i couldn’t deny that Effie and Finn were meant for each other. the way he loved her through all of his reincarnations, even without his memories? bye, invite me to the wedding.
Effie’s emotions were so clear to see, despite her trying to convince everyone else that she was nothing more than a demon. Finn was just so attractive in every way? words can’t describe how much i loved them together. i hope the author continues to write more stories following the other demons, there’s so much potential there to make more fun romances in this world.
➙ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Berkley Publishing Group for the arc, all opinions are my own.
September 5, 2026
“Oh my god.” She toed out of her boots. “You are insufferable.”
He grinned. “And yet, here you are, suffering me.”
AHHHHHHHHH be prepared to be sick and tired of me because this review is just gonna be a whole lot of screaming and crying. This is my second book by Alexandria Bellefleur and let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint, if anything it went beyond all my expectations. I literally could NOT put this book down and was reading it any spare moment I had. I was so excited for a fun paranormal romance (which it was) but what did I also get? A bunch of moments of me CRYING and my heart aching for these characters, while my jaw dropping at the mouth on this man, because o m g? Finn had me BLUSHING.
Without giving too much of the story away, Effie is a demon who has been suddenly proposed to by her demon boyfriend, but it turns out she’s still technically married to her human Scottish husband, Finn, from 500 years ago. She needs to have him renounce his vows in order for her to marry again, and Finn, who has been on an endless cycle of reincarnation with no memory of her, refuses. And the story takes off from there!
*Plays Stop the Wedding! by Ashe*
(this was literally playing in my brain on repeat for a good chunk of this book)
I know that might all sound a bit confusing, but honestly the less you know the better. The more you read, the more you get to find out about how this all came to be and learn about Effie’s story and what exactly happened to her and her marriage with Finn all those centuries ago. While this book had me cackling and kicking my feet every other page, it also had my chest hurting and tears sprouting out of my dang eyes. I was not expecting to cry so much for this story 😭
That all being said, if you want to read a novel that will have your heart aching for the characters, screaaaaming at their back and forth bantering and chemistry (🔥🔥🔥), blushing at the dang mouth on this man, and crying for all their tender moments together, you have to pick up this book. This was a love story you couldn’t help but hope and root for their happy ending, and boy did I have the dumbest grin on my face when I reached the end.
Honestly, I could’ve read another 100 pages for these characters, that’s how much I LOVED this one. I can’t wait to read whatever else she decides to write next, but will be reading her backlog in the meantime :)
Thank you so much to berkley for the e-arc! Damned If I Do is out September 22nd! <3
_________________________________
my chest HURTS I love them so freaking much 😭😭😭
He grinned. “And yet, here you are, suffering me.”
AHHHHHHHHH be prepared to be sick and tired of me because this review is just gonna be a whole lot of screaming and crying. This is my second book by Alexandria Bellefleur and let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint, if anything it went beyond all my expectations. I literally could NOT put this book down and was reading it any spare moment I had. I was so excited for a fun paranormal romance (which it was) but what did I also get? A bunch of moments of me CRYING and my heart aching for these characters, while my jaw dropping at the mouth on this man, because o m g? Finn had me BLUSHING.
Without giving too much of the story away, Effie is a demon who has been suddenly proposed to by her demon boyfriend, but it turns out she’s still technically married to her human Scottish husband, Finn, from 500 years ago. She needs to have him renounce his vows in order for her to marry again, and Finn, who has been on an endless cycle of reincarnation with no memory of her, refuses. And the story takes off from there!
*Plays Stop the Wedding! by Ashe*
(this was literally playing in my brain on repeat for a good chunk of this book)
I know that might all sound a bit confusing, but honestly the less you know the better. The more you read, the more you get to find out about how this all came to be and learn about Effie’s story and what exactly happened to her and her marriage with Finn all those centuries ago. While this book had me cackling and kicking my feet every other page, it also had my chest hurting and tears sprouting out of my dang eyes. I was not expecting to cry so much for this story 😭
That all being said, if you want to read a novel that will have your heart aching for the characters, screaaaaming at their back and forth bantering and chemistry (🔥🔥🔥), blushing at the dang mouth on this man, and crying for all their tender moments together, you have to pick up this book. This was a love story you couldn’t help but hope and root for their happy ending, and boy did I have the dumbest grin on my face when I reached the end.
Honestly, I could’ve read another 100 pages for these characters, that’s how much I LOVED this one. I can’t wait to read whatever else she decides to write next, but will be reading her backlog in the meantime :)
Thank you so much to berkley for the e-arc! Damned If I Do is out September 22nd! <3
_________________________________
my chest HURTS I love them so freaking much 😭😭😭
October 5, 2026
this book slaps.
i saw that it had some really good early ratings already, and i wanted to give her a whirl (paranormal romance is peak in october), and im SO GLAD that i did. this book is both heavy and light; think second chance romance but you didnt know that your partner was still alive.
the romance / banter is excellent, the progression of the relationship is wonderful, and it almost made me cry several times. genuinely such a good, cute, short read.
**thank you to Berkley for the gifted copy**
i saw that it had some really good early ratings already, and i wanted to give her a whirl (paranormal romance is peak in october), and im SO GLAD that i did. this book is both heavy and light; think second chance romance but you didnt know that your partner was still alive.
the romance / banter is excellent, the progression of the relationship is wonderful, and it almost made me cry several times. genuinely such a good, cute, short read.
**thank you to Berkley for the gifted copy**
August 28, 2026
I might sell MY soul for an audiobook of this. IMAGINE the accents — that would be lovely.
You know the old saying: “Don’t let your fiancé stop you from finding your long lost reincarnated husband”
This story was hilarious while also showing all consuming love.
Effie is a demon in hell who is basically on probation, and is sidelined to stirring the pot and making people upset online. She finds out she can’t marry her fiance who is a Prince of Hell, because 400+ years ago she made a vow with her husband at the time, that their souls would always find each other.
I don’t want to spoil anything - even though you probably know what to expect considering this fits in the romance category. But this story is amazing
-Its funny: Gnorman
-Hot: causing a minor meteorological event
-Sweet: Finn’s POV (dreams)
-Charming: Silver Springs & rooster themed hotel
The only criticism I have is that the resolution seemed too easy/ simple. But overall I loved this and I’m so happy I read it. It makes me extra grateful for the love in my life.
Thank you to Berkley and the author for the ARC through NetGalley
You know the old saying: “Don’t let your fiancé stop you from finding your long lost reincarnated husband”
This story was hilarious while also showing all consuming love.
Effie is a demon in hell who is basically on probation, and is sidelined to stirring the pot and making people upset online. She finds out she can’t marry her fiance who is a Prince of Hell, because 400+ years ago she made a vow with her husband at the time, that their souls would always find each other.
I don’t want to spoil anything - even though you probably know what to expect considering this fits in the romance category. But this story is amazing
-Its funny: Gnorman
-Hot: causing a minor meteorological event
-Sweet: Finn’s POV (dreams)
-Charming: Silver Springs & rooster themed hotel
The only criticism I have is that the resolution seemed too easy/ simple. But overall I loved this and I’m so happy I read it. It makes me extra grateful for the love in my life.
Thank you to Berkley and the author for the ARC through NetGalley
September 26, 2026
homesick for a life that isn’t his anymore.
homesick for a woman he doesn’t remember loving.
homesick for a home that was never a place.
he forgot the life.
he forgot the woman.
he forgot the home.
and yet his soul STILL YEARNED FOR HERS???
EXCUSE ME??? yeah no. i am SICKK. (complimentary)
“whatever happens to me, wherever you go, whether we’re together or apart, i swear to you, i will love you with every breath i take, be it in this body or the next or the one after that. because you’re not just the love of my life, effie, you’re the love of all of them.”
UNWELL.
homesick for a woman he doesn’t remember loving.
homesick for a home that was never a place.
he forgot the life.
he forgot the woman.
he forgot the home.
and yet his soul STILL YEARNED FOR HERS???
EXCUSE ME??? yeah no. i am SICKK. (complimentary)
“whatever happens to me, wherever you go, whether we’re together or apart, i swear to you, i will love you with every breath i take, be it in this body or the next or the one after that. because you’re not just the love of my life, effie, you’re the love of all of them.”
UNWELL.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤é 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨-𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵, 𝘳𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥?”
this is the second book i've read by alexandria bellefleur and good GOD it is by far the best?? we've got effie, a fiery, secretly soft demon girl who has to convince her first love and husband of 400+ years to renounce his vows of eternity together so she can enter a socially advantageous marriage with a prince of hell. the problem? her husband fin has reincarnated multiple times since their marriage, doesn't remember as hell and is stubborn and steadfast in remembering their past and giving the marriage a real shot.
you'll laugh, you'll cry and you will absolutely drool over the man that fin is because that mouth? my god 😮💨
𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘶𝘳, 𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 🖤
this is the second book i've read by alexandria bellefleur and good GOD it is by far the best?? we've got effie, a fiery, secretly soft demon girl who has to convince her first love and husband of 400+ years to renounce his vows of eternity together so she can enter a socially advantageous marriage with a prince of hell. the problem? her husband fin has reincarnated multiple times since their marriage, doesn't remember as hell and is stubborn and steadfast in remembering their past and giving the marriage a real shot.
you'll laugh, you'll cry and you will absolutely drool over the man that fin is because that mouth? my god 😮💨
𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘶𝘳, 𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘦-𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 🖤
September 23, 2026
4.25/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️
Happy Bi Visibility Day (9/23) to these two bi babes! 💗💜💙
Damned If I Do picks up more or less where The Devil She Knows leaves off, but this time we get a completely new story with Effie and Finn.
Effie has been a demon since selling her soul in the 1500s. Finn is the reincarnation of the lover/husband she left behind after making that deal. He doesn’t remember her. Or does he? 👀
Now Effie is trying to marry a Prince of Hell, except there’s one tiny problem: apparently her marriage vows from the 1500s are STILL VALID, and she needs her currently reincarnated husband to agree to a divorce. 🤣 Naturally, Finn is not particularly interested in making this easy for her.
Anyway, you can probably see where this is going. 😂
The banter was fun, the spice was great, and I really loved watching Effie and Finn’s history slowly unfold while they figured out what exactly they are to each other in this lifetime. I also really enjoyed the connections to the first book. There was enough crossover to make it feel like we were back in the same world, while Effie and Finn’s story was completely their own.
Alexandria Bellefleur is so good at writing characters who feel fully developed and well-rounded, and that’s always one of my favorite things about her books. Even with demons, reincarnation, Hell bureaucracy, centuries-old marriages, and Lucifer meddling in everyone’s business, the characters and their relationships are what make the story work.
Fun, sexy, a little ridiculous in the best way, and another Alexandria Bellefleur book I thoroughly enjoyed. 😈❤️
Thanks to Alexandria, Berkley, and NetGalley for the ARC!
1.5/5 🌶️
Happy Bi Visibility Day (9/23) to these two bi babes! 💗💜💙
Damned If I Do picks up more or less where The Devil She Knows leaves off, but this time we get a completely new story with Effie and Finn.
Effie has been a demon since selling her soul in the 1500s. Finn is the reincarnation of the lover/husband she left behind after making that deal. He doesn’t remember her. Or does he? 👀
Now Effie is trying to marry a Prince of Hell, except there’s one tiny problem: apparently her marriage vows from the 1500s are STILL VALID, and she needs her currently reincarnated husband to agree to a divorce. 🤣 Naturally, Finn is not particularly interested in making this easy for her.
Anyway, you can probably see where this is going. 😂
The banter was fun, the spice was great, and I really loved watching Effie and Finn’s history slowly unfold while they figured out what exactly they are to each other in this lifetime. I also really enjoyed the connections to the first book. There was enough crossover to make it feel like we were back in the same world, while Effie and Finn’s story was completely their own.
Alexandria Bellefleur is so good at writing characters who feel fully developed and well-rounded, and that’s always one of my favorite things about her books. Even with demons, reincarnation, Hell bureaucracy, centuries-old marriages, and Lucifer meddling in everyone’s business, the characters and their relationships are what make the story work.
Fun, sexy, a little ridiculous in the best way, and another Alexandria Bellefleur book I thoroughly enjoyed. 😈❤️
Thanks to Alexandria, Berkley, and NetGalley for the ARC!
October 21, 2026
I really wasnt sold on the premise of this book, I’m not really a fan of a small town romance, but I think I am into the idea of someone being obsessed w me over multiple reincarnations
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4⭐️
I was a little unsure going into this but I ended up LOVING it? A demon realizes that the man she was married to almost five hundred years ago is still living, his soul reincarnated and oh- their marriage is still valid! So she packs up her bags and heads to Silver Springs to get him to undo his vows
Effie and Finn were adorable. Even though they both know that THIS Finn is not the original Finn, they can't help but be drawn to each other. I loved getting to hear about their first life in Scotland together- it was so heartbreaking in the best way? The love literally strong enough to survive hundreds of years and multiple reincarnations so that they could find each other again
But also seeing them fall for each other in the current life. Going hiking together and making dinner and breakfast- they had some cute cozy moments where you can see Effie settling into the small town life with Finn
Also the world building here was pretty easy to follow while also being quite fun. The fact that hell has all these bureaucratic departments and some demons are relegated o being internet trolls? So fun
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was a little unsure going into this but I ended up LOVING it? A demon realizes that the man she was married to almost five hundred years ago is still living, his soul reincarnated and oh- their marriage is still valid! So she packs up her bags and heads to Silver Springs to get him to undo his vows
Effie and Finn were adorable. Even though they both know that THIS Finn is not the original Finn, they can't help but be drawn to each other. I loved getting to hear about their first life in Scotland together- it was so heartbreaking in the best way? The love literally strong enough to survive hundreds of years and multiple reincarnations so that they could find each other again
But also seeing them fall for each other in the current life. Going hiking together and making dinner and breakfast- they had some cute cozy moments where you can see Effie settling into the small town life with Finn
Also the world building here was pretty easy to follow while also being quite fun. The fact that hell has all these bureaucratic departments and some demons are relegated o being internet trolls? So fun
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2026
What to expect in Damned if I do:
-fated mates
-paranormal rom-com
-demon x human
-forced proximity
-yearning
Effie, a demon in Hell has just accepted a marriage proposal from her boyfriend. She's not marrying for love (she's had enough of that to last a lifetime), but rather for strength. All seems well enough until she's informed that she's still bound and married to her reincarnated husband Finn. She has to find him and have him revoke his vows in order to break their bond. There's only one teeny-tiny problem...when Finn sees her he refuses to revoke his vows and instead wants to get to know Effie. Will Effie convince him to let her go and if not, how does a relationship between them (he's mortal and she's immortal) even work???
I went into Damned if I do without knowing too much about this book and ended up reading half of it in one sitting! I love Alexandria Bellefleur's writing and I immediately connected with Finn and Effie. Their banter was funny and so sweet. Finn was such a golden retreiver, but at the same time would go to any length to keep Effie safe and I loved these two together. I'm a sucker for fated mates and the connection between Effie and Finn was so beautiful. Clearly I was rooting for these two to end up together. And yes, I did have tears in my eyes on a few occasions.
Highly recommend this fated mates paranormal rom-com!
*favorite chapter: Finn's interlude
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
-fated mates
-paranormal rom-com
-demon x human
-forced proximity
-yearning
Effie, a demon in Hell has just accepted a marriage proposal from her boyfriend. She's not marrying for love (she's had enough of that to last a lifetime), but rather for strength. All seems well enough until she's informed that she's still bound and married to her reincarnated husband Finn. She has to find him and have him revoke his vows in order to break their bond. There's only one teeny-tiny problem...when Finn sees her he refuses to revoke his vows and instead wants to get to know Effie. Will Effie convince him to let her go and if not, how does a relationship between them (he's mortal and she's immortal) even work???
I went into Damned if I do without knowing too much about this book and ended up reading half of it in one sitting! I love Alexandria Bellefleur's writing and I immediately connected with Finn and Effie. Their banter was funny and so sweet. Finn was such a golden retreiver, but at the same time would go to any length to keep Effie safe and I loved these two together. I'm a sucker for fated mates and the connection between Effie and Finn was so beautiful. Clearly I was rooting for these two to end up together. And yes, I did have tears in my eyes on a few occasions.
Highly recommend this fated mates paranormal rom-com!
*favorite chapter: Finn's interlude
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
September 26, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ ok this was funnnn i’m on such a roll with paranormal romances and that’s basically a miracle
September 15, 2026
This was the best surprise, it was my first book by Alexandria! I was hooked from beginning to end. The writing, wit, characters, depiction of hell and the demons, and most importantly the romance, were all executed flawlessly. The connection between Effie and Finn was obvious, and it was so bittersweet how he knew she was his missing piece, even though he had no memories of her. Second chance is my favorite, and I love that this was that but with its own spin.
Emma Wilder narrated the audiobook and was perfect, she made me love it all even more.
Emma Wilder narrated the audiobook and was perfect, she made me love it all even more.
October 9, 2026
Format: 📱& 📖
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Series: Standalone
I loved this way more than I was anticipating!
I am an absolute Dum Dum (sucker 🍭) for paranormal romances like this that involve demons or vampires or witches (sincerely, give me a paranormal pun and I’m gonna read it) so when I saw this book in the future release lists I KNEW I had to read it. It was even better than I could have hoped 🥹
Effie is my sassy, toxic demon FMC. Sold her soul to the devil hundreds of years ago and is now suffering the super boring consequences of helping a fellow demon escape her indentureship and become a human again. Finn is my clueless small-town bartender (human) who is stuck in an endless reincarnation cycle because he soul-tied himself to Effie before she made her demon deal. And he’s a single dad!! 🥺 Beatrix is the cutest little fictional baby ever.
Effie has to get her 400+ year marriage annulled so she can marry her new demon fiancé. The only problem? Finn doesn’t remember her or their ancient marriage. How can she get him to renounce her so she can go home to hell? 😩
She can’t. He’s hot and he wants her. Now she has to resist falling in love with him again. Chaos ensues 😌
Notable tropes & themes —
😈 forced proximity
😈 second chance romance
😈 “I gotta get divorced so I can get married”
😈 corporate doldrums, but in Hell
😈 she’s a 500 year old (ish) demon and he’s a clueless human
😈 single dad
😈 bartender vs corporate rage bait demon
I received this eARC and physical proof copy from Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley as an opportunity to read and give my honest review.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Series: Standalone
I loved this way more than I was anticipating!
I am an absolute Dum Dum (sucker 🍭) for paranormal romances like this that involve demons or vampires or witches (sincerely, give me a paranormal pun and I’m gonna read it) so when I saw this book in the future release lists I KNEW I had to read it. It was even better than I could have hoped 🥹
Effie is my sassy, toxic demon FMC. Sold her soul to the devil hundreds of years ago and is now suffering the super boring consequences of helping a fellow demon escape her indentureship and become a human again. Finn is my clueless small-town bartender (human) who is stuck in an endless reincarnation cycle because he soul-tied himself to Effie before she made her demon deal. And he’s a single dad!! 🥺 Beatrix is the cutest little fictional baby ever.
Effie has to get her 400+ year marriage annulled so she can marry her new demon fiancé. The only problem? Finn doesn’t remember her or their ancient marriage. How can she get him to renounce her so she can go home to hell? 😩
She can’t. He’s hot and he wants her. Now she has to resist falling in love with him again. Chaos ensues 😌
Notable tropes & themes —
😈 forced proximity
😈 second chance romance
😈 “I gotta get divorced so I can get married”
😈 corporate doldrums, but in Hell
😈 she’s a 500 year old (ish) demon and he’s a clueless human
😈 single dad
😈 bartender vs corporate rage bait demon
I received this eARC and physical proof copy from Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley as an opportunity to read and give my honest review.
Want to Read
July 5, 2026😈💍 Damned If I Do 💍😈
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Queer Romance
• Demons & Hell
• Small Town
• Forced Proximity
• Reincarnation
• Paranormal Romance
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 22, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Queer Romance
• Demons & Hell
• Small Town
• Forced Proximity
• Reincarnation
• Paranormal Romance
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: September 22, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
June 12, 2026
I love Bellefleur’s writing style. Everything I’ve read from her has been fast-paced and addictive, so when I saw this one, I had to request it. And wow, I was not disappointed.
The first 10% is a little slow as it sets the scene and establishes the world-building, but once the story gets going, it really takes off. What follows is an incredible second-chance romance that spans centuries and multiple lives, and I was completely invested.
I loved how Finn was instantly drawn to Effie without quite understanding why. Their banter was funny, witty, and full of chemistry. And the spicy scenes? Whew. They definitely delivered. The romance was incredibly sweet overall, and I’m always a fan of a man who falls hard. Finn was absolutely down bad, and I loved every minute of it.
The magical realism added so much whimsy and charm to the story and made the overall vibe really fun. I will say that some of the magical elements at the end were a little confusing. I’m still not entirely sure what happened, but honestly, I was so invested in the romance that it didn’t bother me much.
Overall, this was a fun, engaging read with a strong romance at its core. Even when a few things didn’t quite land for me, the relationship between Finn and Effie was compelling enough that I didn’t mind.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The first 10% is a little slow as it sets the scene and establishes the world-building, but once the story gets going, it really takes off. What follows is an incredible second-chance romance that spans centuries and multiple lives, and I was completely invested.
I loved how Finn was instantly drawn to Effie without quite understanding why. Their banter was funny, witty, and full of chemistry. And the spicy scenes? Whew. They definitely delivered. The romance was incredibly sweet overall, and I’m always a fan of a man who falls hard. Finn was absolutely down bad, and I loved every minute of it.
The magical realism added so much whimsy and charm to the story and made the overall vibe really fun. I will say that some of the magical elements at the end were a little confusing. I’m still not entirely sure what happened, but honestly, I was so invested in the romance that it didn’t bother me much.
Overall, this was a fun, engaging read with a strong romance at its core. Even when a few things didn’t quite land for me, the relationship between Finn and Effie was compelling enough that I didn’t mind.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am obsessed!!! Zero-notes perfection. I was a bit worried when I read in the description that the FMC is engaged, but it is totally not a problem. No spoilers, so read the book to understand!
The build-up to the romance is amazing; there is slow burn, obvious chemistry, and banter. The side characters are so fun. The story is emotional and beautiful. Damned If I Do is a fantastic paranormal romance. I loved that the book is sex positive as well.
I recommend it to all romance lovers.
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy.
The build-up to the romance is amazing; there is slow burn, obvious chemistry, and banter. The side characters are so fun. The story is emotional and beautiful. Damned If I Do is a fantastic paranormal romance. I loved that the book is sex positive as well.
I recommend it to all romance lovers.
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This was really cute but I didn't fall in love with it the way that I wanted to. It did carry that Bellefleur charm that I do love though, and the characters were sassy, so there was that. It was pretty on par with the first book but I think I just wanted a little bit more.
Effie is a demon who, after getting engaged, discovers that she is still married - leftover from her human days. In order to move on, she needs to get her human husband to renounce their vows. But how do you ask is this man still alive? Well reincarnation of course. Loopholes and soul promising has led this man to be reincarnated for centuries while still being married (unknowingly) to a demon. The plot was funny by itself, and I really liked Effie. She was haunted by her past (and now had to confront it) and she just wanted to move on. But once Effie got to Silver Springs, this is where the story started to go a little sideways for me. Why? Well mainly because the husband in question just accepted her story at face value with little to no shock value. I get that the author probably wanted to move the plot along and get to the lovey stuff, but it felt unbelievable to me and took me a little out of it. I could not understand why Finn was so gung ho to not give Effie what she wanted.
Their path back to each other was cute and their backstory was heartbreaking. I thought that the book lived the best in these moments. I actually forgot that Effie was a demon because she's not very demonic, nor is her demoness played with that much. The demons in this universe are very tame - even when it came to the end scene. The entire time reading I felt like there was something missing and that's what kept me from rating it higher then 3 stars.
Effie is a demon who, after getting engaged, discovers that she is still married - leftover from her human days. In order to move on, she needs to get her human husband to renounce their vows. But how do you ask is this man still alive? Well reincarnation of course. Loopholes and soul promising has led this man to be reincarnated for centuries while still being married (unknowingly) to a demon. The plot was funny by itself, and I really liked Effie. She was haunted by her past (and now had to confront it) and she just wanted to move on. But once Effie got to Silver Springs, this is where the story started to go a little sideways for me. Why? Well mainly because the husband in question just accepted her story at face value with little to no shock value. I get that the author probably wanted to move the plot along and get to the lovey stuff, but it felt unbelievable to me and took me a little out of it. I could not understand why Finn was so gung ho to not give Effie what she wanted.
Their path back to each other was cute and their backstory was heartbreaking. I thought that the book lived the best in these moments. I actually forgot that Effie was a demon because she's not very demonic, nor is her demoness played with that much. The demons in this universe are very tame - even when it came to the end scene. The entire time reading I felt like there was something missing and that's what kept me from rating it higher then 3 stars.
June 3, 2026
huge fan of this demon romance thing alexandria bellefleur has been doing lately. full rtc
August 10, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinions!!
Effie is a demon who messed up with her boss, big time! Shes been demoted to life as an internet troll instead of harvesting souls for helping out another demon earn her soul back. But she also gets engaged to a prince of Hell, so yay for silver linings!!
Unfortunately for Effie, she’s already married and needs a quick revoking from her first hubby who unbeknownst to her has been reincarnated over and over again. He has zero memories of her or any of his lifetimes and she has a short window to become single again.
This book was very funny and spicy! I was not expecting it to impact me so emotionally but I really felt for Effie and all that she had to sacrifice. She desperately loved Finn and I can’t even imagine how awful it must’ve been to live with that decision for so long. The small town setting was cute and I felt the ending wrapped up everything nicely if not a little too easily. But given what these two had to go through, they earned it!
Did Not Finish
May 27, 2026DNF. I've loved most of the books I've read by this author, so I took this one to try without even reading the description. And this isn't listed as a sequel, but it is. And the first one is the only book by this author that I DNFed. Sadly, this was the same for me. It just isn't for me.
September 22, 2026
Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
A second chance soulmates romance with a demon and her reincarnated human husband? Sign me up! Damned If I Do is by turns sweet, romantic, and funny and I really liked Effie and Finn.
Effie is a demon who got into trouble for helping another demon in The Devil She Knows. As a result, Effie has gone from making deals for souls to rage baiting people on the internet. At least she has her new engagement to Belphegor, a Prince of Hell, to cheer her up while she waits for Lucifer’s ire to pass. There’s just one problem: Effie is still technically married. She’s bound to her human husband who has been reincarnated for centuries and she needs him to renounce his vows. So Effie packs up and heads to a small Georgia town sure that this’ll be quick. Until her husband-who-isn’t decides that he won’t grant her request without fully understanding all that they once were to each other.
Effie may be a demon now but she’s got a very human way about her. For all that she is at ease with being a demon and doesn’t regret why she chose to become one, there’s still kindness in her that you may not expect. Seeing Finn, her husband reincarnated, really throws her for a loop. Finn isn’t the man she married – he’s had his own life, his own decisions, and experiences that have shaped him – but at his core he’s still the same person. And that person is drawn to Effie and won’t let her go without a fight. The two of them had great chemistry and I liked seeing how drawn they were to one another, to see old love rekindle.
Alexandria Bellefleur blends heartbreak, tenderness, and hope together, adding in a dash of humor to keep things lively. I really enjoyed seeing the bits of the demon world that she showed, from why Effie became a demon to how things are run in Hell. While this book is a sequel to The Devil She Knows, it can be read as a standalone. I was intrigued by the world Bellefleur created and was charmed by Effie and Finn’s romance so I’ll definitely be going back to read that first book and I hope there will be more set in the same universe.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A second chance soulmates romance with a demon and her reincarnated human husband? Sign me up! Damned If I Do is by turns sweet, romantic, and funny and I really liked Effie and Finn.
Effie is a demon who got into trouble for helping another demon in The Devil She Knows. As a result, Effie has gone from making deals for souls to rage baiting people on the internet. At least she has her new engagement to Belphegor, a Prince of Hell, to cheer her up while she waits for Lucifer’s ire to pass. There’s just one problem: Effie is still technically married. She’s bound to her human husband who has been reincarnated for centuries and she needs him to renounce his vows. So Effie packs up and heads to a small Georgia town sure that this’ll be quick. Until her husband-who-isn’t decides that he won’t grant her request without fully understanding all that they once were to each other.
Effie may be a demon now but she’s got a very human way about her. For all that she is at ease with being a demon and doesn’t regret why she chose to become one, there’s still kindness in her that you may not expect. Seeing Finn, her husband reincarnated, really throws her for a loop. Finn isn’t the man she married – he’s had his own life, his own decisions, and experiences that have shaped him – but at his core he’s still the same person. And that person is drawn to Effie and won’t let her go without a fight. The two of them had great chemistry and I liked seeing how drawn they were to one another, to see old love rekindle.
Alexandria Bellefleur blends heartbreak, tenderness, and hope together, adding in a dash of humor to keep things lively. I really enjoyed seeing the bits of the demon world that she showed, from why Effie became a demon to how things are run in Hell. While this book is a sequel to The Devil She Knows, it can be read as a standalone. I was intrigued by the world Bellefleur created and was charmed by Effie and Finn’s romance so I’ll definitely be going back to read that first book and I hope there will be more set in the same universe.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
September 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the complementary advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was such a fun read! I haven't read the author before but I love paranormal romance so I knew this would most likely be right up my alley- and I wasn't wrong! Effie was such a unique character. Alive for centuries after making a deal with a demon, she's hardened her heart and learned how to exist and function in demonic society. There is reference to some "poor choices" she made in book one (actually helping someone else) that has made her current life a bit miserable, but you don't need to read the first book to thoroughly enjoy this one!
I love that the novel mostly exists from her POV until it gets to a point where as a reader you start to wonder why Finn is just so absolutely okay with Effie being a random demon that's soul bonded to him for eternity. You'd expect some push back or rejection but he is all in from day one, and it had me devouring the banter but absolutely side-eyeing him the whole time. When we finally get his POV, everything clicks into place and it's just so perfect. Their romance slowly builds until that moment, and then you understand why Finn is an absolute lover boy. I also adore how their current day parallels their previous history, and how we get to learn about past Finn through Effie's stories and memories that she's willing to share. It made the overall love story such a perfect circle, and that ending was SO sweet.
All in all, this was a fantastic second chance paranormal romance!
This was such a fun read! I haven't read the author before but I love paranormal romance so I knew this would most likely be right up my alley- and I wasn't wrong! Effie was such a unique character. Alive for centuries after making a deal with a demon, she's hardened her heart and learned how to exist and function in demonic society. There is reference to some "poor choices" she made in book one (actually helping someone else) that has made her current life a bit miserable, but you don't need to read the first book to thoroughly enjoy this one!
I love that the novel mostly exists from her POV until it gets to a point where as a reader you start to wonder why Finn is just so absolutely okay with Effie being a random demon that's soul bonded to him for eternity. You'd expect some push back or rejection but he is all in from day one, and it had me devouring the banter but absolutely side-eyeing him the whole time. When we finally get his POV, everything clicks into place and it's just so perfect. Their romance slowly builds until that moment, and then you understand why Finn is an absolute lover boy. I also adore how their current day parallels their previous history, and how we get to learn about past Finn through Effie's stories and memories that she's willing to share. It made the overall love story such a perfect circle, and that ending was SO sweet.
All in all, this was a fantastic second chance paranormal romance!
October 20, 2026
Damned If I Do is a paranormal, second chance romance between a demon heroine and her reincarnated husband she wed hundreds of years back that she needs a divorce from to remarry another demon. But things get complicated when her reincarnated husband isn’t so willing to give her up so easily!
This was cute and emotional. Some parts were a little slow for me so the pacing felt off at times, but overall a sweet second chance with a paranormal twist! Effie is a demon who gets proposed to when the story begins to a fellow demon. The next day she is told if her new engagement is to hold she must divorce her first husband…from hundreds of years back who has been reincarnated over-and-over. She heads off to meet Finn who is not ready for a divorce and instead Effie finds herself living in the small town and getting to know this new Finn. Cutesy overall but not a favorite from this author for me. The green cover is so pretty though!
I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
This was cute and emotional. Some parts were a little slow for me so the pacing felt off at times, but overall a sweet second chance with a paranormal twist! Effie is a demon who gets proposed to when the story begins to a fellow demon. The next day she is told if her new engagement is to hold she must divorce her first husband…from hundreds of years back who has been reincarnated over-and-over. She heads off to meet Finn who is not ready for a divorce and instead Effie finds herself living in the small town and getting to know this new Finn. Cutesy overall but not a favorite from this author for me. The green cover is so pretty though!
I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
September 9, 2026
I think this is my new favorite from Alexandria.
I love love love Effie and Finn. She's all crunchy exterior with a gooey middle for a particular person. Finn is curious and loyal and absolutely down bad. These two have loads of history and many sweet moments.
Plot wise, it's so good. I loved reading them getting to know each other (on his side) as well as reveling in their past (on her side.) They have open communication, honesty when it's hard, and chemistry galore. I especially loved the last couple of chapters and epilogue.
Overall, this was delightful and heartfelt and I could have read a million more pages of these two.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I love love love Effie and Finn. She's all crunchy exterior with a gooey middle for a particular person. Finn is curious and loyal and absolutely down bad. These two have loads of history and many sweet moments.
Plot wise, it's so good. I loved reading them getting to know each other (on his side) as well as reveling in their past (on her side.) They have open communication, honesty when it's hard, and chemistry galore. I especially loved the last couple of chapters and epilogue.
Overall, this was delightful and heartfelt and I could have read a million more pages of these two.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
October 11, 2026
Thank you Berkley, NetGalley, and the author for a copy of this book.
This was a sweet and interesting twist on a second chance romance, with some paranormal flair. Effie, a demon, goes to a small town in Georgia in the hopes of getting her husband from another lifetime to renounce their vows of finding each other in another lifetime. The banter was on point, their backstory was tragic, and the twists were great. I had a fun time with this fast paced read.
This was a sweet and interesting twist on a second chance romance, with some paranormal flair. Effie, a demon, goes to a small town in Georgia in the hopes of getting her husband from another lifetime to renounce their vows of finding each other in another lifetime. The banter was on point, their backstory was tragic, and the twists were great. I had a fun time with this fast paced read.
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