Enchanted by Envy

Passing Through Cafe #4

by Nik Knight, Heather Caryn (Editor)

An asexual Mantodea who yearns to be seen. A tender-hearted human who can’t look away.


Zefryn Ootyk is many things, but flexible is not one of them. They thrive on routine, boundaries, and a carefully constructed comfort zone—one that is immediately disrupted when their new human roommate moves in.



Accepted last minute to a study abroad program in the Hell dimension, Bryce Elliot is prepared for culture shock, awkward cohabitation, and possibly a little danger. What he doesn’t anticipate is falling head over heels for his demon roommate or how much patience—and baby teeth—it takes to win Zef’s affections.



Two roommates. One temporary arrangement. And deepening feelings neither of them planned for.

What could possibly go right?

Join Zef, Bryce, and the rest of the eccentric staff of The Passing Through Cafe in this laugh-out-loud LGBTQ+ urban fantasy rom-com, full of found family, comical cuddles, extraordinary exploration, and a love that knows no limits.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Friends To Lovers, Queer, Demons, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance

404 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 13, 2026

About the author

Nik Knight (they/them) is a born and bred Hoosier living in a top-secret location in Europe. They are a single parent to two wonderful gremlins, and they write love in all its forms.

When they aren’t busy adulting, Nik can be found in their writing nook, typing away as their fingers turn to nubs.

Reviews

[Dani]

I always love Ace representation so Zef's story is one that I've been waiting for. It was so calm and wholesome that you couldn't help but love Bryce and Zef together. Zef's sassy side was so funny, and I loved how caring and considerate Bryce was - absolute goals.

The shower scene is possibly my favourite shower scene ever! I loved how Asexuality was explained and expressed, and the way Bryce respected Zef so fully. I also loved the courting rituals and the way Zef's culture was such a big part of their life.

I am already obsessed with Dex and can't wait for him and Cya to get their story, and I loved seeing how emotional Toni got throughout Zef and Bryce's journey as well as Rusty being a DM when Bryce introduced them all to D&D!

[Brooke]

⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️

“Ha, sass. I like that too.” Emboldened, Zef flipped their hair and said, rather smugly, “Then prepare yourself, because according to Gemae, I am a bad bitch.”

Deities, the feels!!
Enchanted by Envy was enchanting indeed, an asexual romance between farm boy/veterinarian/furrybigboy Bryce and agender/demon/looks like an insect but in a cute way Zefryn.

“If you must know, we have held hands.” With a squeal, Gem grabbed Toni by the shoulders and shook him. “Oh my gods.” “Zeffie, you little slut.” Toni grinned viciously. Feeling bold and a little daring, Zef smiled, antennas flicking. “And we hug.” Gem screeched, shaking Toni harder until the Elas nearly lost his balance. “Oh my gods!” “Absolute whorish behavior. I’ve never been so proud,” Toni said weepily.

There might be no smut, but it was still so very intimate. Every touch is significant, lots of sweet cuddling and delicate touches, so much affection and warmth between these two I feel like I’m exploding with all the good tingles.

Bryce smiled then, and oh, it was so lovely it made them ache. Pain that was not pain. It was simply too good to not hurt.

Too good to not hurt is exactly how I’d explain the feels of this book. It’s wholesome and heartwarming, filled to the brim with only fluffy good feelings, that it kind of hurts, that weird hurt in your heart.

“Aw, Zef, don’t get mushy on us,” Oliver teased from behind them. “You’ll make Toni cry.” “Zef’s getting mushy? Oh my gods, I can’t handle that!” Toni shouted from the kitchen.

I couldn’t handle Zef getting mushy either, because these two made me SOB like crazy at the end there. They were just perfect and so in love and sickeningly cute together.
But there’s a but, because that epilogue was one of the worst epilogues I’ve ever read. It was short and abrupt, gave no glimpse of their future together, it left me so empty after all the emotion of the see you later scene.
A bit of a disappointing ending to an otherwise wholly wonderful story. Other than that, no complaints.

Easy, like pie and cake and every other human dessert. Loving Bryce would not be simple, but it was going to be so very easy.

Tropes and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Demon vs human
- Asexual MC
- Agender/non-binary MC
- Touch-averse MC
- Roommates
- Brief themes of sexism, speciesism & bigotry
- Found family
- No spice

[Vanessa GLP]

Ugh I want a Bryce ❤️

[Jamie]

Oh my gosh what was that ending??!?
I was actually really enjoying this book, a good 4.5sh stars for sure then the ending though? I’m kind of annoyed about it. It was weird and I didn’t like it.
At least I have better hopes for the next book.

[rebecca]

Adorable. I’m so glad Zef’s story lived up to my expectations. They’re just so special, and Bryce was the perfect match for them.

[Poppy || Monster Lover]

Ok but how precious were these two? This was the slowest slow burn filled with acceptance from both characters. Bryce was just a teddy bear of a man and was the king of respecting boundaries. He was the perfect partner for Zef, who had had their boundaries disrespected by their previous roommate. I loved that it came with so much care and acceptance of being asexual and never expecting that type of intimacy, while also validating other kinds of physical intimacy and a romantic relationship without sex. They loved to nerd out on their hyperfixations with each other and offered support when it was needed. Loved the migraine rep too. I’ll just never get over how sweet the entire cafe gang are in their chaotic way.
So the next book comes out tomorrow, right?
Right????

Spice: 1/5 (masturbation off page, some touching but not sexual)

Triggers: ableism, past bullying, past sexual harassment, reference to red pill and red hat brother, Zef experiences a fertility cycle on page (mentions of unwanted sexual urges/feelings, natural bodily functions, and blood), romantic and physical intimacy between asexual and allosexual MCs (not sexual touch to each other, allosexual MC masturbates in front of asexual character upon asexual character’s request), light themes of: sexism, classism, bigotry

[the.feral.mood.reader]

🤔 Plot Intensity: 2/5
😍 Character Likability: ♾️/5
🥰 Swoon Level: ♾️/5
🥵 Spice Level: 0.5/5
😰 Angst Level: 3/5
🤣 Humor Level: 4/5
🤩 One Thing I Can’t Stop Thinking About: That Bryce never once asked Zef to change their asexuality. This book was so lovely and swoony and romantic and I am obsessed. Also I need Tad to be my friend 🐸

[Sarah]

My heart! This book was so cute and just lovely to listen to. I could’ve listened to 10 more hours of them between the final chapter and the epilogue 🥹

[Bere Peltier]

ARC REVIEW

Oh, how I adored this book. I usually swim in the deep end of dark romance, the pitch black kind soaked in morally gray men and pages practically steaming from all the smut… and yet this story didn’t need any of that. Not one brooding antihero teetering on the edge of damnation. And somehow, it was still flawless.

The relationship dynamic between them? Absolutely magical. Intimate in a way that sneaks up on you and grips your heart. I literally screamed the first time their hands touched. Just their hands. No dramatic confession, no explicit scene. A simple brush of fingers that felt more intimate than anything scandalous could ever be.

And when Zef explained how he experiences pleasure, the way he perceives sensation and connection so differently, so purely… I nearly cried. It wasn’t lust. It was vulnerability. It was discovery. It was that trembling moment of letting someone see how your world feels from the inside.

They are both so beautiful it aches. Beautiful in the way they choose gentleness. Beautiful in the way they protect each other without turning it into possession. Beautiful in the way their love grows quietly but fiercely, like a flame that refuses to go out.

I was so happy the entire time I was reading that I suddenly realized… I didn’t even miss the smut. Not once. That’s how powerful their connection was. It fed me in a completely different way.

Nik always surprises us with masterpieces, but this book? This one is gold. Not the loud, glittering kind. The molten, glowing kind that seeps into your bones and stays there.

[❀ Jess]

I can't rate this considering I picked up knowing full well it probably wasnt for me but I was still excited because i'm the biggest sucker for soft love, I live for the moments where it's all mushy feelings from the small acts of hugging/cuddling and kissing so I really thought that once Zef got more comfortable with touching Bryce that I was going to loooove this. And I did love them so much once they started courting but unfortunately I found myself wanting more of them by the time the story ended...

The story didn't really click for me until around the 40% mark and then I really found myself enjoying it but when it came to an end I was disappointed that we didn't get to see how Zef and Bryce went about with the long distance, I would've LOVED to see that and see them reunite after being afar for long, who was the one who decided it was time to move?! How did Zef's friends react to the news? I wanted to see Zef make their soaps at the farm.😭 what about the earrings?😭

I dunno, it was all very slice of life so it felt like a missed opportunity to really show how their new life together looked like. I loved Zef and Bryce so much, even tho the story is about them it still feels like I didn't get enough of them. But it could literally just be me wanting more from the endings so nothings new on that front. 😒

[Billy Mendes ⋆]

Yay! Aspec rep! Wonderful. Enlightening. And relatable, well minus the stunning fantasy demon realm dimension.
I love fiction. This is great gateway for escaping our very dull and bleak reality. The world building is fascinating, and tremendously interesting. Nik Knight makes their main and side characters so attractive, their personalities, how they think, how they interact with each other. I'm completely captivated by the "Passing Through" Cafe group, or, according to Tad (probably), gang.
One of my favorite parts of every book in this series isk the chosen family element. It's wholesome, it warms my insides like cozy unconditional loving blanket...
This book's level of spicy is none, like the author mentioned in the content warning section. So it's different from the other books, yes, but absolutely steamy. So steamy and hot, so fun and interesting. And SO cozy ❤️. It's from Nik Knight, so there's a certain level of spice, but it's on a aspec level. Our wonderful MCs take their time, their space. The overall pacing of book is very well balanced. And their chemistry... phenomenal. The amazing genuine real friendships we get to read throughout the book, from the beginning through the end, are heart warming. Tad is unhinged and unapologetic, and I love her. The D&D was a huge bonus, always is, imo. Such a funny book as always, I lost count of how many times I lol, even my teared up from laughing so hard.

Spoiler not spoiler: Chapter 22! Omg chapter twenty two... the first couple paragraphs are everything (yes, I exaggerate). Kudos for the author, that's some huge amount of bravery. What a nice surprise, I was not expecting that. Thank you for bring the Joke Cowling thing to the conversation. People should not forget that she is truly evil and cruel, also Putain and Tramp have quoted her tweets, and that she is a wwll denier. (I think that ^ is clear-ish, but one can ask for clarification about my amateur spy-level code names).

[Madam Ra]

This book was whole heartedly beautiful 🩷 This series is simply lovely and I adored every couple. My favourite are Gemmy and Rusty, but Bryce and Zef were very close. Zef as we know from the previous books is mantodea and asexual. I don’t have much knowledge and it was very interesting to read how Zef experienced deeper emotions and intimacy. It was a journey in self awareness, more so when Zef doesn’t really like changes. Bryce was absolute class act, so thoughtful, gentle and patient with Zef. There were so many funny bits in this book, the banter with the side characters was hilarious. I loved Tony and Zef dynamic, i adored when Willow took them to look the little saplings. That was a powerful chapter. As well as when they visited the mantodea community. Reading this i really felt my heart a little lighter, but so full of warm emotions. I 💯recommend 🩷

[Sam Reads Books *Just the Highlights*]

2026: 4.25

Cute Ace Rep

[isthisakink]

4.75/5. I will never get over this entire series. Ever. Fucking perfection. Everything is just so good. I do have a serious question, though. Exactly how long did you laugh when the whole “Watermelon Crawl” scene was written? Because you can’t tell me it was written with a straight face. No one can write, “He called it the Watermelon Crawl, which Zef found amazingly exotic,” and not completely fucking lose it. I feel so old rn. 🥲 But yeah, this book was just as wonderful and hilarious and beautiful as the ones before it. This is easily one of my favourite series of all time. I can’t wait for more.


—I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews (GRR). All ratings, reviews, and opinions are my own.—

[Sarah]

This book is tender, romantic, and so very intimate. I've never read a book with asexual rep quite like this. It's so special. So soft. So understanding. Absolutely brilliant.

I laughed and cried A LOT. 🤣😭

If this catches your eye, please start with book one. The found family aspect of this series is everything. You need to know the relationships with the other characters to really understand this book.

[Hunter037]

Oh my word, I loved this *so much*. I loved all the books in this series, but this was my favourite. One of the most romantic books I've ever read, so much emotional and physical intimacy even though there are zero sex scenes.

I loved how they grew as friends and then the eventual very very slow burn into more. I loved Bryce, the ultimate green flag. I loved Zef, the sweetest awkward babe. I loved them together so much and their love declarations almost made me cry.

The only thing that felt a little lacking was the ending; I would have liked to see more between the end and the epilogue, of how they adjusted as their relationship changed. But that would have made the book so long, I suppose it was unfeasible to include.

[Julia Toth]

I loved this so much! It was great being back at the Passing Through Cafe and seeing all of the characters we've gotten to know so far and some new ones. This time around it's Bryce and Zef's turn to find love and their story is so beautiful. It was great getting to know both of them better. Zef is shy, and fades into the background, but in this book we got to really know them. Mantodeas as a species are very close lipped and it was interesting to see Zef open up to Bryce when they felt him to be a safe space. I really enjoyed their discussions and banter, and the teasing when they got to it. Zef's sass and funny moments were some of my favorite parts of the book. Bryce is such a gentle, caring person and I loved seeing him take care of Zef and being patient with them when it came to their feelings. Their love was so beautiful and pure. Their relationship might look different then other peoples' but it was what and how they both wanted and needed it to be. It was stripped back to the fundamentals: talking, spending time together and just feeling cared for.

The Passing Through Cafe found family was back in force yet again. I loved the hilarious moments so much! You can always count on these characters to make you laugh and giggle while reading. It was also great to see how the other couples were doing and what everyone else was getting up to.

This was definitely a fun read that was pretty lighthearted, sweet and filled with lots of great banter and one of the best found families.

[Krys (spicy.spine.breaker)]

I actually don’t have the words right now but I love them so big it actually hurts

[Emily]

I love this series and I love the adorable found family! 🥰
Ever since reading the first book I was so intrigued and excited to get Zef’s book and it did not disappoint!
Zef and Bryce were wonderful ❤️

[antonia🫧]

i loved loved loved that there was no sexual relationship AT ALL. we need more fluff and actual affection in this world. i loved the characters and i loved this world and i can't stop thinking about all of them creating a family with one another.😭

rusty and gem are still my favourites but i must admit zef and bryce are a close second.
also i can't get over the fact that toni is such a fucking crybaby, but he's still so mean to rusty and i hate that. on that note, i don't really love jude? sometimes he's too ironic towards gem and i don't play about my giant baby...
lastly, i needed more tad!! we only saw her at the beginning and a little at the end.

i think neither bruce not zef should have had to move, i would have loved it if a portal could be created and if bryce's house in montana and zef's house in hellia could be accessible through it!🥲 because now it feels like zef lost all his family by moving to the human realm and i hate that.

[Kirstine Hansen]

I stretched this over three days to make it last longer, but the stupid book still ended up ending. This is my favorite in the series so far, which is saying a lot, but Bryce and Zef are just so wonderful and kind and gentle with each other, and curious and funny. There is so much communication without it being preachy and boring even once.

Zef is a Mantodea, an agender and asexual race. And spoiler: They do not magically develop a burning need for dick, or take one (or several) for the team, which is as it should be. They work at the cafe with all our other friends, a character who stays in the background by choice but also performs in drag every week. They are a very prim and proper person, but not without humor and idiosyncrasies as Bryce is about to find out. Hint: There will both be a mug obsession and sleepwalking, and a very disturbing best friend.

We first met Bryce the vet in Passing Through Purgatory, where Oliver brought all his weird and whacky friends from Hell back to his parent's farm in Montana.

“One of the bulls scratched up his leg, and I didn’t want it to get infected.”
“Okay, show me which one, and I’ll check it out.”
“And I may observe?” Zef asked, stepping up beside Bryce, making the poor man jump.
“Jesus Christ!” Bryce yelped, pressing a hand to his chest. “You’re quiet.”
Zef cocked their head. “Should I speak louder?” they shouted, and Oliver choked on his coffee.
“No, Zef, that’s not what he meant. You move quietly, so he didn’t know you were there.”
“Oh.” Their antennas swiveled. “My apologies. It was not my intention to startle you.”
“It’s cool,” Bryce wheezed. “No problem. Um, we’re heading to the barn.”

On the same trip, we learn more about Zef's gentle nature:

Since they had never been to the human dimension before, the experience had been eye-opening. They had even ridden a horse during their visit. Queen Charlotte was a gentle, noble creature, and they had liked her immensely. They had thanked her profusely for allowing them to sit atop her back during their “trail ride.”

Now mild-mannered Bryce has come to Hell for a year long study abroad program (demon animals, yay!) and he becomes Zef's new roommate.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads)]

Series: Passing Through Cafe #4
Rating: 5 stars - I loved it!

This book was everything I didn’t know I needed. It was tender, sweet, and just an absolutely beautiful representation of asexuality. From the very beginning of this series I wondered if Zef would get their own book and I think Knight did a fantastic job at bringing love to this wonderful character.

Zef is a character I have been fascinated with since they were introduced and so I was so excited to jump into their story and get to know them more. They were fantastic. I loved their curiosity about everything and how they embraced their weirdness wholeheartedly. They were just so precious and a fantastic example of a possible asexual relationship.

Bryce is a bit of a newer character to this series but we quickly see that he is wonderful. He accepts Zef from the very beginning and has no problem patiently answering all his questions about humans, science, and anything else they ask. I adored Bryce’s sweetness and his determination to take care of Zef. It was just wonderful to see this caring and compassionate man fall so hard and be so accepting of someone who is asexual and anti-sex.

Zef and Bryce’s relationship is very slow building. Zef, and other Mantodea, do not do courtships quickly and there are a lot of rules around them. It takes a long time for Zef to realize he might be falling for Bryce and then even longer for him to decide he wants to act on it. I loved the slow building nature of their relationship and how they went from friends to very slowly a couple. Also I absolutely love when a couple is upfront about their sexuality and expectations in a relationship, and they actually stick to it throughout the story. There is no penetrative sex in this or any sexual touching between these two, just some observations and a lot of kissing and cuddling, which honestly was fantastic for me. I love seeing a healthy relationship not focused on sex.

Overall, this was an absolutely fantastic addition for this series. I think Zef and Bryce are my new favorite couple of this series, which is surprising for me because I didn’t think anyone was going to beat Gem and Rusty. I can’t wait to read the next book now!

TW: sexism; misogyny; classism, speciesism; bigotry; bimisia briefly mentioned;

[Reading Rommance]

Wow I loved this book. I love this series to much. Zef is a delight. They're so straight forward and kind of awkward and so so precious. Bryce is honestly just as precious in such a different way. He's caring and open and so sweet. I love how he cares for Zef without making him feel less than. I love how Bryce loves all of Zef's quirks and differences. He adores how they just say whatever they're feeling or thinking (as do I). I thought they relationship was written so well. The slow burn made so much sense and I love how they both went outside their comfort zones to try new things. I also love Bryce's family and learning more about the Hellions in general, like the visit to Willow's area or Zef's celebration.

The side characters are just as amazing and hilarious as always. I'm obsessed with Rusty running the D&D campaign and everything Gem does, of course. My favorite part of the entire book though? Tad. Tad goes from being somewhat of a running joke in past books to being a full fledged character here. She's an amazing friend to Zef and I love how Zef trusts her.

Overall, another amazing installment.

Notes: 0/5 spice levels, ace mc, nonbinary mc, human/demon, slow burn, cultural differences, vegetarian mc, vet/cafe worker, found family, roommates

[Kat Burton]

This was fucking beautiful. Watching Zef’s personality really come out and them trying to understand their feelings for Bryce was just 10/10

Bryce was so observant and considerate, he truly was a beautiful match for Zef. Not only in the ways he respects Zef and their boundaries but also in the way he indulges in their interests and their questions.


THEY WATCH HOW ITS MADE TOGETHER AS LIKE A DATE NIGHY. ITS ONE OF THEIR FAVORITE THINGS GUYS. THATS ADORABLE. I just can’t help but be endeared by them both.

[Tasha]

Ok. Thanks for always making me sob Nik Knight. Every time it gets me right in the feels The absolute deeply embedded intimacy and passion in this story. It was Love. Just love. ❤️

[Lori]

4.5 stars

[Bee]

Book 4 in Nik Knight's Passing Through Cafe centers around Zef and Bryce. I really liked this! It was very wholesome, fairly low angst, and with some wonderful ace-spec rep. Bryce and Zef are wonderful together! However, this is a very slice-of-life kind of story and it was a bit slow at times. I don't think it needed to be as long as it is. Still, a wonderful addition to the series!

[Amber D.]

I feel like I learned SO MUCH reading this book! Nik really hit the trifecta of autistic/agender/asexual when it came to writing Zef’s character and they handled it with respect and genuine care. The ONLY thing that kept this from being a 5 star book is the ending- it was v much like “OK THE END” and while the last chapter (before the farrrr too short epilogue) was extremely heartfelt and damn near perfect, I REALLY looked forward to a more exciting resolution.

[Gabs (gaybism)]

Because some things were too vast and wonderful that they had to hurt to feel real.

I don’t possess the words to explain how utterly beautiful this book is.

[Susanna]

4.5 stars.

“You have a very gentle soul, Bryce. It is a wonder to behold.” Flames licked over Bryce’s cheeks and down his neck, then along his spinal column until he shivered. No one had ever said something so wonderful to him before, and he struggled for a response as his eyes burned anew. (Bryce, 88)

“If you must know, we have held hands.” With a squeal, Gem grabbed Toni by the shoulders and shook him. “Oh my gods.” “Zeffie, you little slut.” Toni grinned viciously.
Feeling bold and a little daring, Zef smiled, antennas flicking. “And we hug.”
Gem screeched, shaking Toni harder until the Elas nearly lost his balance. “Oh my gods!”
“Absolute whorish behavior. I’ve never been so proud,” Toni said weepily. (Zef, 300)

You know the balloon men in the wind? That's me with this book. Ignore my flailing about and shouting. Please don't be alarmed with my shrieks. It isn't like this book did an unprecedented representation of a sex repulsed asexual and allosexual character being happily, romantically together without sex. It isn't like we finally got a monogamous, healthy relationship which acknowledged differences in sexuality without either character being forced to surrender their own comfort or needs. What an insane concept. So yeah that's me over there in the corner not so casually losing my shit.

Anyway.

The story follows Zeff, a Mantodeas. (For better or worse I think of them as a moth person okay?) They no longer have a roommate but wouldn't mind having another one. Potentially. I felt Zef on a molecular level with how easily they were derailed by little things in the environment changing. They get disturbed by a mug being in the wrong spot in the cabinet, I find things on the coffee table like nails on a chalkboard. Relatable. It isn't at all neurodivergent coded. Pfft.

They do end up with a roommate named Bryce. He is doing a year in Hell to expand his veterinary knowledge. The two live together and form a decent friendship. That eventually evolves into a romantic relationship. I adored that a lot of this conflict centered around what their future would look like and what they wanted to be longterm. I haven't finished the other books in this series yet but liked getting to see outside of Hell. I found it a cool expansion in the world and am excited to experience more.

Nik Knight, I salute you. Now respectfully if you don't give me more Zeff and Bryce, I legally cannot be held liable for delusionally hoping you still add to their story. I would read literally thousands of pages of them just vibing. I would be your most loyal subscriber. Also, politely of course, I demand Willow's story. I need to read it. Please. I'm begging you. On my knees pleading.

As a side note, if you are in the asexual community and are triggered by asexual characters being something other than human, don't read this. You are valid. Try His Quiet Agent. It has the same energy without that element.