DEVIL AND SAINT

by Nora Blackwood

In a town where faith is law and sin is inherited, Grace Sinclair has always been the saint they could trust. The golden girl. The one destined for a life of devotion.

Until she meets him.

Cain was never meant to be part of her story. Not the whispers that follow him. Not the way the air bends wrong when he’s near. Not the way something inside him feels… wrong in a way the town cannot forgive.

But when the church decides salvation demands sacrifice, Grace uncovers a centuries-old secret stitched into blood, scripture, and lies. A truth that does not ask who deserves to be saved—but who is willing to pay the price.

Now, with time running out and something ancient beginning to stir beneath their feet, Grace must choose between the life she was promised…

or the boy the world has already condemned.

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2026

Reviews

[Marki Henricksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ ARC REVIEW
This was so good, I couldn’t put it down! I was so intrigued by their story and where this was going to go. The writing was easy to read and I felt like I flew through this book. This definitely gives off gothic romance and the perfect spooky vibes. Grace lives in a small town where they are all very dedicated to their faith. She is an aspiring nun and working at the church as much as she can. Cain is the reverends nephew but also the son of what the town claimed a witch. He’s titled as the bad boy with skewed morals. He comes back to town to work with his uncle but ends up getting close to Grace. What happens when these two start getting closer? She’s the light in this town and he can’t seem to stay away from her.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain returns to the town he was raised in, amongst the rumours he’s heard since birth. The townspeople accused his mother of witchcraft and claimed he was the spawn of evil, never expecting him to bring more than ruin and destruction. When his uncle, the pastor, has him work with the town’s good girl, he at first teases her to try to get her to step outside the expectations the town has set for her. Soon he finds himself wanting more from her than just her corruption, and as he feels darkness threatening to overwhelm him, her light may be his only salvation.

Her entire life, Grace has been the person her town depended on. Fated to give her life to the church, nothing has distracted her from the path she’s been told to follow, until Cain returns to town. The more time she spends with him, the more she sees a different side of him. When she comes across a book that reveals truths about the town, she realizes that she may be the only one who can save them all.

I received an early copy of this book from the author and really enjoyed it. The story itself was a bit slow to start, but it became clear that was intentional, helping us understand Grace’s role within the community and building on the connection between her and Cain. While the village saw him as an outcast, Grace gave him the benefit of the doubt, and was able to see something no one else could. The revelations about his mother and the town history were mind blowing, and I definitely didn’t expect the battle of good versus evil to take the path that it did. As this was the first book in the series, I’m looking forward to what else the author will bring us.

[Sarahboo15 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

I had the pleasure of arc reading this book in a new series called Covenant of Shadows. This was a beautifully written book. The writing was so easy to follow and had me instantly hooked.
Grace who lives in a small town of faith and always dreamed of being a nun. She is the light and everyone in her town always expects her to be the best and most faithful.
Cain is the reverends nephew who comes back to town to help his uncle. He is darkness and feared by the town who believed his mother practiced witchcraft and had a son with the spawn of evil.
While the town feared Cain, Grace was never scared of him. She didn’t see him as just darkness but he always saw how beautiful and light she was.
I loved the forced proximity between Grace and Cain. And how they were both so drawn to each other. They brought out different emotions and sides from each other and it was beautiful to see them come together. There were some twist and turns that I didn’t see coming and it just kept me wanting more from this story. I can’t wait to see what else comes of this new series!

[Darkbookghoul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devil and Saint by Nora Blackwood is the first book in the Covenant of Shadows series and this book was beautiful. In a small town, Grace is a well behaved, church going girl who dreams of becoming a nun. Cain, the reverends nephew arrives back in town, a man that everyone fears. Grave and Cain are soon thrown together, working in the church but is Cain as bad as everyone thinks?

I really enjoyed this book and getting to know the characters, the tension in this just killed me! Grace is such a sweetheart and I adored her! I hope we get more of these two and their relationship, I literally devoured this book.

What to expect:

- Small town romance
- Slow burn tension
- Curses
- Forbidden feelings
- Dark secrets
- Light X darkness

[Bryannalovestoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I absolutely loved this book! I’m always nervous when signing up for arcs but this one blew it out of the water! I absolutely devoured this book, we’re talking less than 24 hours, the plot line was perfection!
You have your fmc Grace who grew up in a very religious town and is destined to be a nun for the church. She has spent her entire life being the “good girl” everyone expects her to be.
Then you have Cain who’s mom “died giving birth to him” and since he was a child the town has outcast him saying he was the son of the devil.
Two people who were never meant to be together, throw in the supernatural elements and the SPICE … PERFECTION

“It wasn’t just a kiss—it was a collision. A merging of two souls who should never have met but couldn’t stay away.”

[Alexandra Vlaming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devil and Saint was very good! This was a quick read for me, the pages flew by. Cain and Grace are written well, and their budding relationship is very interesting, especially its wild conclusion (which I was not fully expecting!). Fair warning for the reader, religion plays a large role in this story, but for me it felt organic and helped add important context to the story.

This is a quick read, and a romance different from any other I have picked up, highly recommend if you are looking for something a bit darker! Thank you to the author for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Emma Ussery · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was able to be an ARC for this book and I can’t thank Nora enough!

This was SUCH an interesting book! I feel like I haven’t read/seen too many books with this dynamic before. The characters had me intrigued throughout the whole book, making me eager to finish each chapter. Very much southern gothic vibes, which I loveee! This book was very well written and easy to get through. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a gothic/spooky/romance read! Especially with spooky season coming up 👀

-Small Town
-Bad Boy
-Southern Gothic Romance
-Hidden secrets

[MashPie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written gothic romance, filled with such romantic imagery I loved it from start to finish. This book took so many unexpected twists and turns, I was so hooked from the start.

Grace has always been good, done as she’s told and never complained. But has she ever really lived?

Cain is an outcast, labelled the son of the devil buy the whole town. What seems like just close minded suspicion may hold more truth than anyone could have predicted.

🌙 town golden girl x outcast bad boy
🐦‍⬛ gothic romance
💀 dark magic and twisted religion
🌙 small town romance but make it dark

[Neiwa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC copy!

This was definitely an easy read, and I appreciated the banter from our MMC.
For me it just felt a bit juvenile.
For the length of the book I did feel it was well paced, though I didn’t really feel a connection to the characters or the romance. And I found it quite predictable.
However I did think the premise was interesting and I do think others would really enjoy it, unfortunately it just wasn’t for me!

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devil and Saint is an atmospheric dark romance where faith, fear, and inherited judgment influence everything. Grace has spent her life being Havenfall’s trusted golden girl, while Cain returns carrying the weight of a town that branded his mother a witch and him something evil. Their saint-and-devil contrast immediately pulled me into the story.

I really enjoyed the slow-burn tension and chemistry between Grace and Cain. Cain is provocative, mysterious, and morally questionable, but his arrival forces Grace to examine her desires and question whether the life planned for her is truly the one she wants. Her struggle between obedience and freedom gave the romance more emotional depth than a simple forbidden attraction.

The eerie small-town atmosphere and buried secrets were some of my favorite elements. At times, the pacing felt a little uneven, and I wanted a few of the mysteries and supporting characters to receive more development. However, the tension, spice, and questions surrounding Havenfall kept me invested.

Overall, it was intriguing, addictive, and filled with secrets, temptation, religious hypocrisy, and characters who may not be as holy or wicked as the town believes. The ending definitely left me curious about what comes next in the Covenant of Shadows series. Please check the content warnings before reading.

Thanks to Nora Blackwood for gifting me an eARC of Devil and Saint. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Becky Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Total Rating - 2.5 Stars

I just want to start by saying thank you to the author for the opportunity to receive an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Okay so i finished this yesterday and wanted to sleep on it before writing my review. And after sleeping on it... i just dont know how to feel about it. The book really did intrigue me and some parts I was reading hooked me and i didnt want to stop reading in some parts. But, maybe its because this isn't my usual style of book to read, it just confused me. The storyline was good, and has a lot of potential, but I felt like certain parts were rushed, and then there was just random characters.

I just didnt feel connected to the characters at all, and i just feel like some things just happened for the sake of happening. For the vibe of the MMC and how he is portrayed and even how the town think of him etc, his personality (for me, and this is just my opinion) just didnt really fit his character? I appreciate his humour and banter but for some reason just felt out of place.

And i will say.. i just didnt get the relationship between the main characters... and again, maybe its just because its not my usual read and I was kind of confused.. but they just didnt seem to fit together.. it just felt forced.. i feel like Im left not really knowing much about them...

Overall, i feel like a lot of people would really enjoy this book and really like it. I have seen a few reviews proving this. I just don't think this book was for me.

[Lex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a really fun time reading Devil and Saint. The writing was beautiful and incredibly atmospheric. The small-town setting felt alive, and I genuinely felt like I was part of the community. The story flowed so naturally that I found myself flying through it, always wanting to read just one more chapter.

I really enjoyed Grace and Cain. Grace’s quiet faith and devotion paired well with Cain’s sarcastic, quick-witted personality. His humor and one-liners had me highlighting quotes throughout the book, and I enjoyed getting to know both characters.

The paranormal elements added an interesting layer to the story and kept me curious about what would happen next. I did finish with a few lingering questions and wished there had been a little more development before everything came together. I’m excited to see where this series goes.

I also enjoyed the romance and liked watching Grace and Cain get to know each other. I just wanted a little more emotional build-up before the more intimate scenes. At times, the progression felt a little abrupt, and I think a slower emotional build would have made those moments feel more natural.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. It was an easy book to get lost in, and I appreciated being part of the ARC team!

[Madame S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself completely lost within the pages, the kind of lost that makes you feel like you aren’t just reading it, but living it, experiencing it right alongside the characters. Who I loved by the way. Cain has a flair for the dramatics, he’s funny, adventurous and brings excitement… and yes some annoyance into Grace’s life. Grace has been on one path her whole life, and Cain has decided to show her how to live, while also testing her patience.

Devil and Saint brought me a delicious slow burn, thick tension, drool worthy spice and an ending that left me desperate for more.

Nora really brought this story to life for me. It was a beautifully descriptive, fast paced read that took a pleasantly surprising turn. I really felt the emotions of the characters, their internal battles as if they were my own. I’m so honored that this book found its way to me. Thank you Nora for the opportunity to arc read Devil and Saint.

Now I leave you with a quote, a teaser if you will:
“She could pray, and run, and bury herself in God’s arms- but some fates didn’t need chasing.”

“Some fates hunted.”

[Missi · Rating 3 out of 5]

🅰🆁🅲 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆
🐦‍⬛ 𝕯𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖑 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕾𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖙 🐦‍⬛
✍🏼 ɴᴏʀᴀ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋᴡᴏᴏᴅ

“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙣𝙤 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙖 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤, 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩,” 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙, 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚. “𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙄’𝙢 𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙣 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩.”

This is one of those perfect fall/spooky season reads. Completely bingeable!

I absolutely loved Cain and Grace. You’ve got Cain, the town bad boy, and Grace, the goody-goody church girl. It’s a pretty simple premise, but coming from a Catholic school background, I ate this up like a Sunday family dinner.

It’s fun, not overly complicated, and a little predictable, but that didn’t matter whatsoever to me. It was exactly the palate cleanser I needed.

The ending did feel a little quick, and I would’ve liked to see a bit more drama unfold, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. I can’t wait to read more in this series!

⛪️ ꜱᴍᴀʟʟ ᴛᴏᴡɴ
⛪️ ᴘʀᴏᴘʜᴇᴄɪᴇꜱ
⛪️ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛꜱ
⛪️ ᴄᴜʀꜱᴇꜱ
⛪️ ʟɪɢʜᴛ x ᴅᴀʀᴋɴᴇꜱꜱ
⛪️ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ʀɪᴛᴜᴀʟꜱ
⛪️ ꜰᴏʀʙɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ʟᴏᴠᴇ

In a town where faith is law and sin is inherited, Grace Sinclair has always been the saint they could trust. The golden girl. The one destined for a life of devotion.

Until she meets him.

Cain was never meant to be part of her story. Not the whispers that follow him. Not the way the air bends wrong when he’s near. Not the way something inside him feels… wrong in a way the town cannot forgive.

But when the church decides salvation demands sacrifice, Grace uncovers a centuries-old secret stitched into blood, scripture, and lies. A truth that does not ask who deserves to be saved—but who is willing to pay the price.

Now, with time running out and something ancient beginning to stir beneath their feet, Grace must choose between the life she was promised…

or the boy the world has already condemned.

[Marissa Lynn - -The Bookish Horsegirl- · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devil and Saint by Nora Blackwood completely consumed me. I picked it up expecting a dark romance, but I wasn’t prepared for just how atmospheric and addictive it would be.

This book is packed with tension from beginning to end, layered with eerie small-town lore and themes that brush up against religious trauma in a way that adds depth to the story without overshadowing it. The unsettling atmosphere had me hooked from the very first chapter.

I ended up finishing it in just 48 hours because I genuinely couldn’t put it down. The pacing is fast enough to keep the story moving, but it never feels rushed. There was plenty of detail woven into the plot, and I loved getting to know the characters while the mystery and tension continued to build.

If you’re looking for a dark, dangerous-feeling romance with a haunting atmosphere, compelling characters, and a story that keeps you turning the pages, I definitely recommend picking this one up.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Erica Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it kept me on my toes I didn’t know what direction the story was going to go in!

This book follows Grace a devout young woman preparing to become a nun and Cain the troubled bad boy who wants to show her that there is more to life.

Despite being complete opposites there’s an undeniable force pulling them together. As the story unfolds Grace discovers a journal written by Cain’s mother, revealing secrets that explain the mysterious connection between them.

The book blends religious themes with occult and paranormal elements. I really enjoyed the mix of mystery, supernatural suspense and emotional tension between the characters.

I rated this book 4 stars and would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy dark paranormal stories with religious and occult vibes.

[Andrea Gleditsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review of Devil and Saint 🐦‍⬛

First of all I finished this book in 4 hours, it was all consuming and I loved it! I forgot about time and everything around me, and that for me is a fantastic book.

Can a heathen break gods golden child? The one everyone in town adores, while he is shun by the town for being born from witch craft. A visual and beautiful story, filled with banter and so much personality to the characters. How he thought he was free, until he saw how free she felt. Living on the edge in a small community where religion is highly appreciated.
Can she save him from the monster he is becoming, and the brutal decision made by the judgemental society? Is she the perfect and innocent girl like everyone thinks?

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
Honestly I love a religious turned non-believer (?) book. For lack of a better word. This book has heavy religious tones and it is a major plot to the story. It explores the FMCs journey from deceived and manipulated, god fearing girl to a strong, independent woman who forms her own beliefs. There's yearning, angst, forbidden romance, and it really captured me from the most I started reading. I personally am a fan of an equal plot to spice ratio which I think this book did well balancing the two. Cain is also just a delicious bad boy which is my weakness.
I do think the end could have been a bit longer, it did feel a little rushed towards the final climax (lol) but that could just be me wanting to read more from Cain and Grace.

[Cheyanne Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was gripping from the first page! It started out a little slow but it got so good very quickly! It follows Cain and Grace, Cain is viewed as the devil by the small town they live in and Grace is the good girl with high morals and high expectations from everyone in the town, destined to become a nun and spend her life devoted to god, or at-least that’s what she believes 😉 This book was not what I expected it too be, with twists and turns that I did not see coming! Everyone needs to read this book! The only reason it was not 5 stars was because I felt the ending was a little rushed, but other than that it was incredible!

[Keira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devil and Saint was such an enjoyable read, I was hooked from the very beginning! I found myself completely invested in the characters and couldn't wait to see where their story was heading.

Nora Blackwood creates an atmosphere that's equal parts tension, romance, and emotional vulnerability. The banter was entertaining, the chemistry was undeniable, and the spice was perfectly timed. 🔥

If you love: 
✨ Small town romance
✨ Prophecies and curses
✨ Rituals
✨ Secrets
✨ Light + dark

Then this book absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR!

Thank you to Nora Blackwood for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 🖤

[TheBookAddictBri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a good ARC! I devoured it in less than 24 hours. Cain and Grace were absolutely swoon-worthy, and I loved both of their characters and how naturally they fit together.

The reason I rated it 4 out of 5 stars is that the last few chapters felt a bit rushed.

I loved the overall premise and thoroughly enjoyed the journey of this book because it was a bit different in a good way, but I wish the ending had been given a little more time to breathe.

That's honestly my only complaint. 😬

[Morgan Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty quick read. I did enjoy the forbidden nature of Cain and Grace’s relationship, it’s one of my favorite tropes. Having read Nora’s debut, Dark Therapy, I was anticipating something darker. I also found the ending to be rushed and wish we could’ve gotten more character development and backstory. If you’re looking for a book with witchy vibes that’s pretty quick then this one’s for you!

[Kailey Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devil and Saint sucked me in from the very beginning. I felt like I was right there in this little religious town. Everything was very detailed and immersive. I had to force myself to put this book down 2 nights in a row so I could sleep 🤣 Cain and Grace's story was cute. I cannot wait to see what comes next from our Devil's son and little Saint 🖤

[Marisa White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC and wasn't at all sure what to expect. What I got was a slow burn romance, full of folklore and Gothic vibes.
Cain returns to the village he was raised in, only to fall for the devoutly religious, Grace. With the villagers against him, fearing a horrible prophecy, Grace's purity must save him from the lurking evil.