Hellfire

by Natalie Jay

Following human Luciana and demon Michael as their forbidden romance blooms, this dark romantasy series transports readers to a world of mystery, malevolence and morally grey characters.

By blood, it is done. Man will serve.

A deal with the Devil threatens the future of humanity, and Michael, a demon battling tirelessly to vanquish the very evil he was bred to unleash, will stop at nothing until his sins are paid.

Haunted by loss and betrayal, Luciana fights the demons that have taken root in her mind. Driven by grief and rage, she is thrust into a world she never knew existed alongside the dark and mysterious Lord that rules it.

As the battle between Heaven and Hell rages on, fate intervenes, and their paths collide.

Can Michael thaw the ice encasing her heart, or will Luciana’s fury blaze like hellfire through her very soul?

Perfect for fans

Steamy forbidden romanceDevils and bargainsMorally grey charactersFound familyMental health rep

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2026

Reviews

[Bookishness]

“You are everything I have ever desired, and everything I cannot have.”

This book reminded me a little of Beauty and the the Beast. Michael, burdened by his own inner demons (and in this case, literally being a demon), falls in love with Luciana while believing he is bad for her, that he is a monster, and hiding who he truly is. The longing, the tension, and the slow-burn romance completely drew me in. I especially loved the late-night visits in the darkness, they created such a beautiful and haunting atmosphere.

The story begins when Michael saves Luciana, an orphaned young woman who is attacked in the forest, and from there their relationship slowly unfolds. I really enjoyed the dialogue throughout the book, and Father Baudin was my favorite character.

The dark, gothic atmosphere completely pulled me in.

“But you must know that you have become a light in the darkness, a star in the unending night that is my life. You have made me feel alive again.”

[Lisa R]

WHEN IS BOOK 2 COMING OUT?! Because I need it now! 😭

I picked up Hellfire having never read this genre before and somehow Natalie Jay has converted me completely.

The MMC and FMC love slow burned to perfection! The tension was absolutely tensioning and I loved that it wasn't full throttle from chapter one. Every moment felt earned, which made the ending so much better.

If you're a fellow slow burn lover who lives for the yearning, the build up and the "OH MY GOD JUST KISS ALREADY" moments, add this to your TBR immediately.

PS. Baudin is my fav 🤩 his relationship with the MMC is adorable!

[Clare Louise]

Really my enjoyed this read! Slow burn, unique to romantasy I’ve read before - I will 100% be reading book two 👏❤️

[Hayley Tomkins]

Synopsis:

Our FMC is a bastard maid called Lucinda who is trying to get revenge for her mothers death and traumatic past. However, she doesnt realise how dangerous her journey is until she comes across the handsome cursed lord Michael. Michael has his own mission, to defeat the evil that spawned from himself and rid the world of his curse. Will he be sucessful and will he let Lucinda become his weakness?

Review:
4.5 stars!
I really enjoyed this story. The first few chapters I was a little unsure as the POVs and time line changes. However, once I got into the story I couldnt put it down. The world was an interesting place and I liked the religous aspects as they were useful in a world full of curses and demons but i didnt feel like it was being forced on me. I loved the characters, although at times I wanted to strangle them, there back stories made theor behaviour make sense. Natalies writting style was to my liking, I found it an easy enjoyable read. If you like a slow burn, with traumatised characters and morally grey men this book is for yoyu I cannot wait for book 2.

[Lottie]

This book completely pulled me into its dark, dangerous world. Hellfire delivers everything I was hoping for: gothic atmosphere, simmering tension, plenty of mystery, and a romance that takes its sweet time in the best way.

Instead of rushing the relationship, Natalie Jay lets the chemistry build through lingering glances, sharp banter, distrust, and reluctant attraction. Every interaction felt like it mattered, and the payoff was so satisfying because it felt earned.

There were a few moments where the pacing slowed a little more than I would have liked, which is why this lands at four stars instead of five, but it never took away from how invested I was in the story.

If you enjoy vampires, morally gray characters, delicious romantic tension, and a romance that simmers before it ignites, Hellfire is absolutely worth picking up. I'll definitely be continuing the series to see where these characters go next

[September Withers]

Hellfire is a dark and emotionally immersive romantasy that blends forbidden romance, supernatural conflict, and psychological depth into a gripping reading experience. Natalie Jay crafts a world filled with danger, emotional tension, and morally complex characters, creating a story that feels both atmospheric and deeply engaging from beginning to end.

What makes the novel especially compelling is the emotional dynamic between Luciana and Michael. Their relationship develops through grief, vulnerability, rage, and longing, giving the romance a level of emotional intensity that feels authentic and layered. Both characters carry emotional scars and inner conflict, which adds depth to their interactions and makes their journey feel meaningful and emotionally charged.

The worldbuilding also stands out through its balance of darkness, mystery, and supernatural intrigue. The ongoing conflict between Heaven and Hell creates constant tension while themes of betrayal, redemption, identity, and healing remain central to the story. Natalie Jay’s writing captures both emotional vulnerability and high stakes fantasy with confidence and strong atmosphere.

Dark, passionate, and emotionally compelling, Hellfire is a captivating romantasy that will strongly resonate with readers who enjoy forbidden romance, morally gray characters, supernatural worlds, and emotionally driven fantasy storytelling.

[Jodie Marie]

Thank you so much to Natalie Jay and Cranthorpe Millner for sending me an ARC of this book.
This was an amazing read. Although it was a tad slow to begin with I was HOOKED after a few chapters.
I absolutely adored watching Luci and Michael’s relationship develop. He is an incredibly broody character full of yearning. And Luci, is such a mentally and emotionally strong character.
I’m very much looking forward to book 2 and learning more about Michael’s past

[Lotsread]

⋆ 4.50 -I missed out on some serious sleep this week because of this book. I couldn't put it down. It was such an easy, quick read. At the beginning, I was worried it would be a bad dark retelling of some sort, full of prayers and nothing but biblical names. Even though I'm nothing like the FMC, I loved the MMC. My favorite character, though, is the Priest. And that ending... I can't wait for Book 2!!
I received this advance reader copy from NetGalley.
#arc #Netgalley

[Zarina]

The book is well and intelligently written. The characters are likable and I will definitely continue reading.
Taking one star off because for quite a few chapters, nothing really happened. I feel like it needed a bit more intensity rather than dialogue.

[Faiza]

I finished Hellfire and immediately found myself staring at the wall, wondering what on earth I was supposed to do with my life now. 😭🔥 This book didn't just pull me in—it completely consumed me.

Natalie Jay delivers a beautifully dark romantasy filled with danger, heartbreak, secrets, and emotional intensity. From the opening chapters, there's an undeniable atmosphere hanging over the story that keeps you locked in and constantly wanting more. Every chapter seemed to raise the stakes, making it nearly impossible to put down.

And then there's Michael... 🖤😮‍💨

I genuinely don't have enough words for this man. He's intense, guarded, and carries an edge that makes him incredibly captivating, yet underneath all that darkness is someone surprisingly thoughtful and protective. Every time he appeared on the page, he completely stole my attention. He's the kind of character who lingers in your thoughts long after you've finished reading.

What made the story even stronger was the connection between Michael and Luciana. Their relationship isn't built on simple attraction—it grows through pain, loss, trust, anger, healing, and emotional vulnerability. Watching them navigate their personal struggles while being drawn toward each other created a romance that felt powerful, messy, and incredibly real. ❤️‍🔥

Both Luciana and Michael are carrying their own burdens, and that emotional weight adds so much depth to their journey. Their interactions are filled with tension, longing, and moments that hit surprisingly hard emotionally. I found myself fully invested in every step of their story.

The world itself is equally fascinating. 😈✨ The ongoing battle between Heaven and Hell creates an atmosphere filled with uncertainty and danger, while mysteries, betrayals, and hidden truths keep the plot moving at a relentless pace. The supernatural elements blend seamlessly with the emotional side of the story, creating a perfect balance between fantasy and character development.

One thing I wasn't expecting was how much I would adore the supporting cast. The friendships, conversations, and hilarious banter brought so much life to the story. There were multiple moments where I found myself laughing out loud, which made the darker and more emotional scenes hit even harder.

And can we talk about those plot twists?! 🤯

Every time I convinced myself I had figured something out, the story completely changed direction. The reveals were shocking, clever, and perfectly timed. Several moments genuinely left me speechless because I never saw them coming.

Hellfire is dark, emotional, addictive, and impossible to forget. It's packed with morally complicated characters, supernatural intrigue, heartfelt moments, and a romance that burns its way into your soul. If you enjoy forbidden love, emotional character journeys, high-stakes fantasy, and twists that leave your jaw on the floor, this is absolutely a book you need on your TBR. 📚🖤🔥

Natalie Jay has created a story that entertains, devastates, surprises, and completely captures your attention from beginning to end—and honestly, I'm still thinking about it.

[Grem Reeds]

ARC freely provided by Cranthorpe Millner Publishers via Netgalley - thank you! Hellfire has a planned publication date of June 30, 2026

I've GOT to stop with ARCs for first books in series because I don't know how to deal with the WAIT. 😩

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4) | 🌶️ (0.25)

Hellfire starts with a wildly intriguing, rightfully dramatic prologue full of despair, and then gives you absolute whiplash, going into a beautifully portrayed childhood of one of our main characters. I thought it was cool when I read, but having finished the story, damn, the false sense of security the author got me with... 😭 Totally unfair, mean, cruel. Very skillful tho, even if I'm grumpy.

Even with the blurb, this didn’t go the way I was expecting it to; it doesn’t do the story justice imo. The blurb felt like just the tip of the iceberg for this story, and I know I know I KNOW, that's pretty much exactly what they're supposed to do/be! But STILL. Just trust me. I just can't spoil things. This is just. So much more, with the twists, with the portrayal of (gestures at blurb) being SO MUCH.

I read this WELL within a day, even being 400 pages, and if I could get my grubby little hands on the sequel now I KNOW I could’ve had it done within another 24 hours. I am not ready to leave these characters. 😭

I hated setting this down. The pace of the story is quite slow in what I consider an interesting way - not bad, that is - and the romance is a slooooow burn oh god, it’s delicious. But with the story being slow I was never bored; I didn’t ever want anything to hurry. I think the author weaved the slower pace SO WELL with smaller, meaningful moments not just between the main characters, but each of them and their own individual friends/family, that the story ended up being so much fuller for it. I do, unfortunately, think some readers may be unused to this kind of pace and dislike, but I hope they stick it out, because it’s worth it.

I wasn’t just invested in Luci and Michael. I cared about Luci and her friendship with a maid. I absolutely LIVED for scenes of Michael and his father. Scenes between Michael’s group of freaks (affectionate) by themselves were delightful, I always enjoyed their wildly differing personalities and ways of doing things. I'm hoping so hard that the next books shows them more, because they're fascinating.

For as dark as this is, it's hilarious. I’m not really a laugher, and I avoid pretty much anything marketed as comedy, but this GOT ME, so hard. I kept laughing out loud and legit yelped once. Some things aren't even true humor, but these characters stay SO true to themselves I just have to... laugh at them? I hope that makes sense, sometimes I was laughing while groaning about a stubborn character, or laughing over how REAL the yearning felt - I dunno. I was just so happy reading this.

Please keep in mind that although ARCs don't often change much, if at all, before publishing: it is possible, and this review is based on pre-released content.

[Tamsin Lincoln Tamsin Lincoln]

I don’t even know where to start because this book completely took over my life. From page one I was hooked, and by the end I was sitting there stunned trying to process everything I’d just read.

Michael… wow. He is EVERYTHING. Dark, brooding, mysterious, but still somehow so respectful and caring at the same time? The perfect balance of dangerous and lovable. Every scene with him had me obsessed. Honestly one of those characters that stays in your head long after you finish the book.

And it’s not just Michael — the side characters absolutely shine too. The humour in this book caught me off guard in the best way. I genuinely laughed out loud so many times, and the friendships and banter made the whole story feel so alive.

But the biggest thing? THE TWISTS. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, it completely flipped everything on its head. So many moments had me gasping because I genuinely did not see them coming.

This book deserves all the hype and more. If you love dark, emotional, addictive stories with unforgettable characters and shocking twists, you NEED to read this.

[Kelli]

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

**Hellfire** by Natalie Jay is a gripping and intense read that blends suspense, emotion, and compelling character dynamics into a story that is difficult to put down. From the opening chapters, I was pulled into the dark, atmospheric world and eager to uncover what would happen next.

The characters are complex and well-developed, with believable motivations and emotional depth that make their journeys feel impactful. Natalie Jay does an excellent job building tension throughout the novel, balancing action-packed moments with quieter scenes that allow the relationships and character growth to shine. The twists kept me engaged, and the pacing flowed smoothly from beginning to end.

Overall, *Hellfire* is a captivating and memorable novel that delivers on both emotion and suspense. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy dark, character-driven stories filled with mystery, high stakes, and unexpected turns.

[stacey Elizabeth Coombe]

Hellfire is a story of loss, revenge, fear, strength and love. The MFC and MMC both have troubled past's and bond over this and slowly fall for eachother. There love is a super slow burn but in my opinion it's done at the perfect pace. The character descriptions are fantastic and you feel like you truly know each character and their different qwerks. The word building is fantastic and you truly feel like you've stepped into the book instead of just reading along the sidelines. The plot twist at the very end had me sitting up and re reading it in shock like what??!!!! Now I need the next book to see what happens next. My rating is 4.5⭐ Hellfire is easy to follow and has just the right amount of tension that makes you unable to stop turning the pages and put it down.

[Allyson Evans]

Wow! What world building and what a SLOW burn!! I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this. But man I was hooked and intrigued from the beginning.

The prologue lays out the basic plot of the story. It was a ride full of twists, turns, and revenge watching it unfold. The ending was set up so perfectly for the next book. I’m very excited to see how this story develops.

Baudin may be my favorite character. So wholesome and fatherly (ba dum tss).

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[VixenLovesBooks]

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
This book really grabbed me, the demons, damnation yet still having faith, trauma leaving voids yet those people still being able to find love despite the darkness in their hearts. It was a really compelling read and I can't wait until the second book to continue the story of Luciana and Michael seeing where their stories lead and their fight against the darkness in their worlds.

[rose reads]

Wow this book had me hooked from the first like 4 pages!! It was so easy to follow, slow in parts but still kept me gripped. Loved the characters and the slow burn was delicious absolutely loved the tension between luci and Michael. That cliffhanger was insane!! Can’t wait for book two will be definitely buying the next book

[•mikaela• :)]

✨ARC Review✨

I. Ate. This. Up!

A dark and moody paranormal romance, full of suspense and heartbreak and longing and horrors.
The yearning and suspense was top tier, with a slow burn romance smouldering away whilst secrets start to unravel and demons start to awaken.

I sense horrific betrayals on the horizon, give me book two now! 🖤

[Molly Green]

No notes I was honestly kicking my feet and giggling but also on the edge of my seat (aka my comfy bed). Hellfire is a breathe of fresh air in the romantasy genre and the ending left me speechless. The setting the plot the characters chefs kiss

[Rachel Hollister-Gilroy]

I had the privilege of reading one of the first EVER drafts of this book and my gosh. From start to finish I was HOOKED! I loved everything about it and it is such a page turner, even at the end you're left wanting more!!! The characters, the plot, the setting, the twists!!?? It's everything!

[Dark Reader]

I loved the immersive gothic atmosphere and the slow-burn tension between our MCs, Luciana and Michael. The build of their relationship throughout the story makes for a very emotional read, and the world-building felt so authentic. Definitely a powerful read.

[Anna Clarke]

Fantastic book - I was fully engaged throughout and couldn’t put it down! I loved the characters, emotion and plot twists - I can’t wait for more!!!

[Lily Rippon]

INCREDIBLE!!! The characters, the plot, the emotion! Couldn’t put it down, quite literally OBSESSED with the series & it leaves you dying for more.

Natalie Jay has written this book so beautifully, I’m bursting with pride.

Brilliant from start to finish, can’t wait for the next one 🥀🖤⚰️