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Falling for Demons #6
How Not to Mesmerize Your Human Muse
Pretending to fall might come with benefits . . . until the very end.
Kat is terrified of almost everything except demons, not since they rescued her from slavers and gave her a proper job, unspoiled food, and a consistent roof over her head. Hidden away at the post, she can’t bungle conversations or draw derision with her scarred face. But when her sister insists they flee their new untroublesome life, Kat is determined to prove they belong.
And who better to assist with belonging than a carefree demon who’s never glided into a room he didn’t immediately possess? As an adept magician from an aristocratic family, Azrion appears to have it talent, prestige, wealth. But just as the night sky changes, so does his fate—his mate breaks off their tenuous courtship, and that bodes ill for everything, including his father’s approval. The stars also brought humans to his city, and he’s convinced any one of them will inspire enough jealousy to win back his ex. If only he could predict what would come of choosing Kat.
With a contract for their fraudulent courtship in place, Kat and Azrion agree to play at being mates. It’s a risky game, but it comes with more coin than Kat can count and the promise to reclaim Azrion’s orderly life. Perhaps coin loses a bit of its shine when held beside the brilliance of a certain demon’s grin, and maybe order isn’t quite so appealing when up against the delightful peculiarities of a specific human, but actually falling for each other wasn’t part of the deal. After all, when has a deal with a demon ever gone wrong?
Kat is terrified of almost everything except demons, not since they rescued her from slavers and gave her a proper job, unspoiled food, and a consistent roof over her head. Hidden away at the post, she can’t bungle conversations or draw derision with her scarred face. But when her sister insists they flee their new untroublesome life, Kat is determined to prove they belong.
And who better to assist with belonging than a carefree demon who’s never glided into a room he didn’t immediately possess? As an adept magician from an aristocratic family, Azrion appears to have it talent, prestige, wealth. But just as the night sky changes, so does his fate—his mate breaks off their tenuous courtship, and that bodes ill for everything, including his father’s approval. The stars also brought humans to his city, and he’s convinced any one of them will inspire enough jealousy to win back his ex. If only he could predict what would come of choosing Kat.
With a contract for their fraudulent courtship in place, Kat and Azrion agree to play at being mates. It’s a risky game, but it comes with more coin than Kat can count and the promise to reclaim Azrion’s orderly life. Perhaps coin loses a bit of its shine when held beside the brilliance of a certain demon’s grin, and maybe order isn’t quite so appealing when up against the delightful peculiarities of a specific human, but actually falling for each other wasn’t part of the deal. After all, when has a deal with a demon ever gone wrong?
Audible Audio
Published July 28, 2026
About the author
A.K. Caggiano
22 books2,124 followersAshley is an indie author who likes to write silly little stories that hopefully bring readers joy. She likes cats, guacamole, feminism, and the internet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
July 25, 2026
🩷😈 How Not to Mesmerize Your Human Muse 🎭✨
Crying because this series is over 😭😭😭
This has been one of my favorite paranormal series of all time! And every single audiobook has been freaking amazing!!!
Full ARC Review to come!!
✨ What to Expect:
😈 Demon MMC
👩 Human FMC
💞 Fake Dating
🌌 Fated Mates
✨ Aristocrat x Commoner
🥹 Scarred FMC
🩷 Found Family
_ _ _
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: July 28, 2026
💛 Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
Crying because this series is over 😭😭😭
This has been one of my favorite paranormal series of all time! And every single audiobook has been freaking amazing!!!
Full ARC Review to come!!
✨ What to Expect:
😈 Demon MMC
👩 Human FMC
💞 Fake Dating
🌌 Fated Mates
✨ Aristocrat x Commoner
🥹 Scarred FMC
🩷 Found Family
_ _ _
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: July 28, 2026
💛 Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
July 23, 2026
Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Both Emilia Bauer and Luke Persiani did a brilliant job with the narration.
While I believe this can be listened to as an interconnected standalone in the series, I feel the story would’ve been easier to follow right off the bat if I had read the previous books beforehand. That being said, I was able to get immersed in the world fairly quickly and liked how the story was told in a third person omniscient POV that occasionally broke the fourth wall.
With a fake dating trope and cute and cozy vibes (with some spicy scenes sprinkled throughout) this was an easy read! Both Kat and Azrion were lovable and so easy to root for. All in all, this was a good pick me up and I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series!
Both Emilia Bauer and Luke Persiani did a brilliant job with the narration.
While I believe this can be listened to as an interconnected standalone in the series, I feel the story would’ve been easier to follow right off the bat if I had read the previous books beforehand. That being said, I was able to get immersed in the world fairly quickly and liked how the story was told in a third person omniscient POV that occasionally broke the fourth wall.
With a fake dating trope and cute and cozy vibes (with some spicy scenes sprinkled throughout) this was an easy read! Both Kat and Azrion were lovable and so easy to root for. All in all, this was a good pick me up and I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series!
June 7, 2026
I need an Azrion in my life
May 20, 2026
My only conclusion after finishing this is that I do not really enjoy this author’s writing style. While I enjoyed the first book, the ones following by this author took a steep decline.
After the last book she wrote in this series, # 4, was such a disappointment, what with the fourth wall-breaking and horribly superficial characters, I was hoping this would be an improvement. But it is the exact same as her previous book.
It is like a formula she refuses to change, breaking the fourth wall, talking to the reader about what happened in previous books or blatantly telling what is coming up. The author even inserts herself in this at one point. It’s so jarring and takes you right out of the story.
And Azrion is just as superficial and unlikeable as A.K.’s other characters. Azrion is a self-absorbed and self-centered, pompous douche for the majority of the book. Even having Kat list off his qualities at one point did not convince me.
And the character of Kat, she just fell rather flat throughout. She does come out of her shell a bit, but her story is never delved into in the way it should have been.
This could have been such an interesting and worthwhile read had it been written by Laura Winter.
I had read another book by this author on her own, in a different series, and did not enjoy that either. I will avoid any other books written by A.K. Caggiano.
After the last book she wrote in this series, # 4, was such a disappointment, what with the fourth wall-breaking and horribly superficial characters, I was hoping this would be an improvement. But it is the exact same as her previous book.
It is like a formula she refuses to change, breaking the fourth wall, talking to the reader about what happened in previous books or blatantly telling what is coming up. The author even inserts herself in this at one point. It’s so jarring and takes you right out of the story.
And Azrion is just as superficial and unlikeable as A.K.’s other characters. Azrion is a self-absorbed and self-centered, pompous douche for the majority of the book. Even having Kat list off his qualities at one point did not convince me.
And the character of Kat, she just fell rather flat throughout. She does come out of her shell a bit, but her story is never delved into in the way it should have been.
This could have been such an interesting and worthwhile read had it been written by Laura Winter.
I had read another book by this author on her own, in a different series, and did not enjoy that either. I will avoid any other books written by A.K. Caggiano.
July 26, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for the ALC.
Confession time... this is the first book in the series I've read. My book bestie has been telling me to pick these up forever, and they've been sitting on my TBR, patiently judging me. So when I had the chance to experience one on audiobook, I jumped at it.
This book was hilarious, cozy, sweet, and packed with all the feel good vibes I was hoping for. Luke Persiani and Emilia Bauer absolutely nailed the narration. Luke perfectly captured Azrion's flamboyant personality and added so much delicious flair to every scene. Emilia brought Kat to life beautifully, taking her from shy and uncertain to confident and self-assured in a way that felt completely natural.
One of my favorite surprises was the fourth wall breaks. They caught me off guard every single time and had me grinning. If that's something that carries throughout the series, I'm officially sold because now I need to go back and read the rest.
The world of Heck was so much fun. Between the courting drama, political maneuvering, and all the demon shenanigans, it felt like Bridgerton with horns, tails, and a healthy dose of infernal chaos. Even though this is book six, I never felt lost. The world was so well established that I slipped right into it without feeling like I'd missed anything important.
Azrion initially comes across as a charming, flippant shallow puddle, but the more you get to know him, the more depth he reveals. He's funny, loyal, surprisingly thoughtful, and impossible not to love. Honestly, give me a man with horns, a good command follower wink wink, and a naughty tail any day of the week.
Kat was the character who really stayed with me. Her facial scar hit close to home because I also have a prominent scar on my face. Growing up, it made me feel less beautiful, so watching Kat slowly realize that her worth isn't defined by something she sees as a flaw felt incredibly personal. It was a beautiful reminder that the things we're most insecure about are often the things other people barely notice. That journey made me connect with her on a much deeper level.
This was my first trip into the Falling For Demons world, but it definitely won't be my last.
Confession time... this is the first book in the series I've read. My book bestie has been telling me to pick these up forever, and they've been sitting on my TBR, patiently judging me. So when I had the chance to experience one on audiobook, I jumped at it.
This book was hilarious, cozy, sweet, and packed with all the feel good vibes I was hoping for. Luke Persiani and Emilia Bauer absolutely nailed the narration. Luke perfectly captured Azrion's flamboyant personality and added so much delicious flair to every scene. Emilia brought Kat to life beautifully, taking her from shy and uncertain to confident and self-assured in a way that felt completely natural.
One of my favorite surprises was the fourth wall breaks. They caught me off guard every single time and had me grinning. If that's something that carries throughout the series, I'm officially sold because now I need to go back and read the rest.
The world of Heck was so much fun. Between the courting drama, political maneuvering, and all the demon shenanigans, it felt like Bridgerton with horns, tails, and a healthy dose of infernal chaos. Even though this is book six, I never felt lost. The world was so well established that I slipped right into it without feeling like I'd missed anything important.
Azrion initially comes across as a charming, flippant shallow puddle, but the more you get to know him, the more depth he reveals. He's funny, loyal, surprisingly thoughtful, and impossible not to love. Honestly, give me a man with horns, a good command follower wink wink, and a naughty tail any day of the week.
Kat was the character who really stayed with me. Her facial scar hit close to home because I also have a prominent scar on my face. Growing up, it made me feel less beautiful, so watching Kat slowly realize that her worth isn't defined by something she sees as a flaw felt incredibly personal. It was a beautiful reminder that the things we're most insecure about are often the things other people barely notice. That journey made me connect with her on a much deeper level.
This was my first trip into the Falling For Demons world, but it definitely won't be my last.
June 10, 2026
A fun end to a fun series. I feel like this one and the first one were my favorites. Who doesn’t want an overly confident and endearingly ridiculous MMC who falls so thoroughly and unapologetically for his unprepared FMC?! The more peacocking Azrion did and the more unabashedly he praised Kat with his noble yet hilarious verbiage and way of speaking, the more I was so in on him in a rapid and concerning way. I’m like skimming pages looking for his name and his POV? Where is he, I miss him, there he is, stay forever. I also enjoyed the way they handled Kat’s inexperience in the realm of romance in relationships in a way that felt purposeful and natural and handled with great care. The smut was perfection. I just don’t even know how to tell you that the build up was perfect, the handling was perfect, the hotness was perfect 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
September 24, 2026
I’ve gotta say, I love anything Caggiano writes. She breaks the 4th wall soso well! The way she writes romance and spice and development (relationships and character) is crazy well done.
As for this book Az and Cat are incredibly cute and I love how it starts as a contract. Cat starts off timid and unsure but flourishes with the help of her own determination, a little from Az and somewhat from spite towards a certain pink demon. Very enjoyable!
As for this book Az and Cat are incredibly cute and I love how it starts as a contract. Cat starts off timid and unsure but flourishes with the help of her own determination, a little from Az and somewhat from spite towards a certain pink demon. Very enjoyable!
August 1, 2026
The Good, the Bad, and the Mesmerising
I requested this ALC because I absolutely loved Villains & Virtues and was hoping for something similar. I am sad to report that it did not quite meet my expectations (which is fine! Just to say, in my opinion, it is not the same vibe).
The Good:
The book is incredibly lighthearted and cosy, making for a fun, if slightly forgettable, read. I really like the concept of the world this series is set in, though I do wish it had been fleshed out a bit more. But hey, I know it's not high fantasy; you get what you pay for! Additionally, the resolution of the overarching series plot is satisfying, despite generally taking a back seat to the romance.
The Bad:
What the heck (pun intended) possessed the author to break the fourth wall with such formulaic language and persistence of a very nosy cat every other page? It felt completely out of place. If it was meant to be a joke, repeating it that many times killed any hope of it actually being funny. I went from "huh?" to "can we please stop?" in the span of twenty pages, and it just kept going.
The characters also felt incredibly flat. They had all the dimension of lukewarm lettuce in a Big Mac, and I struggled to care about any of them. I know Kat is supposed to be an adult, but she acts like she is about fifteen, while Az feels like he's about 150. Was it just me? Maybe? Did it feel creepy at times? Yes absolutely.
The Mesmerising:
All in all, it was a decent, wrapping-up ending to the series. If you can overlook the repetitive quirks, it functions perfectly as a fun, relaxing, and effortless read. There is a charm to how low-stakes and comforting the atmosphere feels despite all the political scheming, making it a great palate cleanser for readers who just want a stress-free escape. While it didn't quite capture the spark of V&V for me, fans who have stuck with the Falling for Demons series from the start will likely find the closure they've been looking for
I suppose as an ALC reviewer I should say something about the voice acting? Sadly I didn't really like it. Az sounded perpetually tired of this shit (and probably that is why I felt like he's 1500 years old) and the vibe was really contagious lol
I requested this ALC because I absolutely loved Villains & Virtues and was hoping for something similar. I am sad to report that it did not quite meet my expectations (which is fine! Just to say, in my opinion, it is not the same vibe).
The Good:
The book is incredibly lighthearted and cosy, making for a fun, if slightly forgettable, read. I really like the concept of the world this series is set in, though I do wish it had been fleshed out a bit more. But hey, I know it's not high fantasy; you get what you pay for! Additionally, the resolution of the overarching series plot is satisfying, despite generally taking a back seat to the romance.
The Bad:
What the heck (pun intended) possessed the author to break the fourth wall with such formulaic language and persistence of a very nosy cat every other page? It felt completely out of place. If it was meant to be a joke, repeating it that many times killed any hope of it actually being funny. I went from "huh?" to "can we please stop?" in the span of twenty pages, and it just kept going.
The characters also felt incredibly flat. They had all the dimension of lukewarm lettuce in a Big Mac, and I struggled to care about any of them. I know Kat is supposed to be an adult, but she acts like she is about fifteen, while Az feels like he's about 150. Was it just me? Maybe? Did it feel creepy at times? Yes absolutely.
The Mesmerising:
All in all, it was a decent, wrapping-up ending to the series. If you can overlook the repetitive quirks, it functions perfectly as a fun, relaxing, and effortless read. There is a charm to how low-stakes and comforting the atmosphere feels despite all the political scheming, making it a great palate cleanser for readers who just want a stress-free escape. While it didn't quite capture the spark of V&V for me, fans who have stuck with the Falling for Demons series from the start will likely find the closure they've been looking for
I suppose as an ALC reviewer I should say something about the voice acting? Sadly I didn't really like it. Az sounded perpetually tired of this shit (and probably that is why I felt like he's 1500 years old) and the vibe was really contagious lol
July 7, 2026
Ahh this was a really nice wrap up to this series, though I am sad to see it finished!!
I loved the pacing of the romance in this one, finding it to be slightly slower paced compared to some of the others in the series and that was great for me. Especially as I think it paired really nicely with them getting to learn with each other in the bedroom in the later half of the book.
Azrion was one of my favourite MMC's in the series just for how he manages to be so up himself yet loveable for it. The man is just full send, no self doubt, he's great and he knows it. But with moments of worrying he's made a mistake, mostly when it comes to Kat, and moments where he shows he can read others moods very well, he is a demon with layers. Like an ogre, and onions. Just more purple and attractive.
Kat was a FMC I quite liked. She's shy and tries to shrink herself down and shes so afraid of messing up but she has this hidden fire in her that I was delighted to see her unleash when she got more confident. I loved when she got the courage to verbalise what she wanted. Especially with Azrion.
The epilogue for this was a great ending. Tying up the loose threads and showing the bonds between everyone.
Overall its a book and an entire series I definitely recommend for a lighthearted, fun and spicy time.
I loved the pacing of the romance in this one, finding it to be slightly slower paced compared to some of the others in the series and that was great for me. Especially as I think it paired really nicely with them getting to learn with each other in the bedroom in the later half of the book.
Azrion was one of my favourite MMC's in the series just for how he manages to be so up himself yet loveable for it. The man is just full send, no self doubt, he's great and he knows it. But with moments of worrying he's made a mistake, mostly when it comes to Kat, and moments where he shows he can read others moods very well, he is a demon with layers. Like an ogre, and onions. Just more purple and attractive.
Kat was a FMC I quite liked. She's shy and tries to shrink herself down and shes so afraid of messing up but she has this hidden fire in her that I was delighted to see her unleash when she got more confident. I loved when she got the courage to verbalise what she wanted. Especially with Azrion.
The epilogue for this was a great ending. Tying up the loose threads and showing the bonds between everyone.
Overall its a book and an entire series I definitely recommend for a lighthearted, fun and spicy time.
July 25, 2026
Thanks to A.K Caggiano and Netgalley for the audio-ARC!
How Not to Mesmerize Your Human Muse (Mesmerize) follows the last human girl in the group of six brought to Heck, Kat. While working at the post, she is pulled into a fake-dating scheme with Azrion, who is attempting to make his ex jealous. Shenanigans ensue.
While fake dating isn't usually my favorite trope, Caggiano can work miracles. The slower burn of Kat and Azrion's feelings was delectable, especially when the reader can spot how they really feel a million miles away. This book, being the last in the series, also ties together all the loose ends left from books 4 and 5.
This was a solid addition to the lineup, but Caggiano achieved her peak in this series with book 4 (Tame). As a series, this should go down with Ice Planet Barbarians and others as a classic in the cozy monster romance genre.
How Not to Mesmerize Your Human Muse (Mesmerize) follows the last human girl in the group of six brought to Heck, Kat. While working at the post, she is pulled into a fake-dating scheme with Azrion, who is attempting to make his ex jealous. Shenanigans ensue.
While fake dating isn't usually my favorite trope, Caggiano can work miracles. The slower burn of Kat and Azrion's feelings was delectable, especially when the reader can spot how they really feel a million miles away. This book, being the last in the series, also ties together all the loose ends left from books 4 and 5.
This was a solid addition to the lineup, but Caggiano achieved her peak in this series with book 4 (Tame). As a series, this should go down with Ice Planet Barbarians and others as a classic in the cozy monster romance genre.
August 5, 2026
How Not to mesmerise your human muse by A.K. Caggiano is such a cosy read and the narration, oh my! The 2 narrators were cast perfectly and made me feel calm and engaged at the same time. While I don't believe it was specifically mentioned Kat exuded a neurodivergent (in particular autism) vibe and Azrion was so perceptive and accommodating of her needs. While it was not at all what I expected it was exactly what I needed to read.
May 16, 2026
This series was such a great read and while this conclusion was just round out perfect I am sad to see the series come to an end.
But what an amazing ride is was and this book didn’t disappoint. I loved everything and was kicking my feet non stop.
I cannot recommend these books enough.
But what an amazing ride is was and this book didn’t disappoint. I loved everything and was kicking my feet non stop.
I cannot recommend these books enough.
July 31, 2026
I couldn’t get invested in this one. The use of the word heck all throughout the book really threw me off. I couldn’t get connected to the characters or the strife involved. The narrator did a fantastic job though. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review.
July 19, 2026
I will always be a sucker for fake dating
October 7, 2026
Love these! Excellent fae/demon and human love matches😍
August 29, 2026
Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC (even though they approved this months after release day) in exchange for my honest review.
Emilia Bauer and Luke Persiani were the narrators and I believe this was my first time hearing them. I did enjoy them both very much. They were 5 stars with their performance.
Okay so this was my first book in this series which is crazy because Villains & Virtues by A. K. Caggiano was a surprising 5 star (each book) series for me...I fell in love with those characters and enjoyed the 3rd person writing even though 1st person is my jam. For some reason I've never picked up this series, and part of me thinks it's because of discernment about Falling for Demons even though I know this series is made up and fictional. Just a personal preference- it doesn't stop me from reading these stories, I mean like I said, V&V series was 5 stars and I loved the MMC who is part demon... Sometimes it works, other times I'm like these are basically just 'monsters' like how I think many fairies are just 'elves' lol idk, it's hard to explain.
Despite the 'discernment' lol I ended up enjoying How to Not Mesmerize Your Human Muse. However, I didn't really have a strong 'bond' to any of these characters. Az was very likeable due to his loyalty, kindness, and uh, tenderness I guess?? I did enjoy his chapters. Kat was just okay but didn't feel as fleshed out. If you asked me to describe Kat's personality I wouldn't really be able to describe her very well because I wasn't affected by her in any way.
The third person storytelling worked again for me, so I'm guessing I like Caggiano's writing style. Unlike other reviews, I loved the fourth wall breaking and will always enjoy that.
Overall, very fun listen and fun read. I'd recommend it. I will add, I know these are standalones but think I would have enjoyed this story if I started at book one.
Emilia Bauer and Luke Persiani were the narrators and I believe this was my first time hearing them. I did enjoy them both very much. They were 5 stars with their performance.
Okay so this was my first book in this series which is crazy because Villains & Virtues by A. K. Caggiano was a surprising 5 star (each book) series for me...I fell in love with those characters and enjoyed the 3rd person writing even though 1st person is my jam. For some reason I've never picked up this series, and part of me thinks it's because of discernment about Falling for Demons even though I know this series is made up and fictional. Just a personal preference- it doesn't stop me from reading these stories, I mean like I said, V&V series was 5 stars and I loved the MMC who is part demon... Sometimes it works, other times I'm like these are basically just 'monsters' like how I think many fairies are just 'elves' lol idk, it's hard to explain.
Despite the 'discernment' lol I ended up enjoying How to Not Mesmerize Your Human Muse. However, I didn't really have a strong 'bond' to any of these characters. Az was very likeable due to his loyalty, kindness, and uh, tenderness I guess?? I did enjoy his chapters. Kat was just okay but didn't feel as fleshed out. If you asked me to describe Kat's personality I wouldn't really be able to describe her very well because I wasn't affected by her in any way.
The third person storytelling worked again for me, so I'm guessing I like Caggiano's writing style. Unlike other reviews, I loved the fourth wall breaking and will always enjoy that.
Overall, very fun listen and fun read. I'd recommend it. I will add, I know these are standalones but think I would have enjoyed this story if I started at book one.
July 25, 2026
Date Read: 25 July '26
⭐️4.25 | 🎧5
Oh my gosh, this was actually so fun! I haven’t read the rest of the series, but saw that they are interconnected and was praying I wouldn’t be missing any important info. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case as we recapped all the important bits, but I’m definitely going to be trying the rest of the books.
The best way to describe this is - Ice Planet Barbarians, but make it cute and funny and cozy.
I loved the writing style, the story was easy to follow and very cute - we have a little bit of fake dating + fated mates, but honestly? Azrion was just a walking green flag, he was my favourite part. I also absolutely love breaking the 4th wall, and this had lots of it. The male narrator was so over the top, it was amazing, and he matched his character perfectly.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC 🫶🏻
⭐️4.25 | 🎧5
Oh my gosh, this was actually so fun! I haven’t read the rest of the series, but saw that they are interconnected and was praying I wouldn’t be missing any important info. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case as we recapped all the important bits, but I’m definitely going to be trying the rest of the books.
The best way to describe this is - Ice Planet Barbarians, but make it cute and funny and cozy.
I loved the writing style, the story was easy to follow and very cute - we have a little bit of fake dating + fated mates, but honestly? Azrion was just a walking green flag, he was my favourite part. I also absolutely love breaking the 4th wall, and this had lots of it. The male narrator was so over the top, it was amazing, and he matched his character perfectly.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC 🫶🏻
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Watching Azrion Fall for Kat Was the Best Part
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💛💚❤️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 😋🙂😁😛
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration
Character Backgrounds and Plot Summary
The story opens with a surprisingly emotional prologue that follows Azrion as a child, always trailing after his older brother Valremont while quietly wishing he could somehow become the kind of demon who would make his constantly arguing parents love each other again. That glimpse into his childhood explains so much about why adult Azrion tries so hard to please everyone, even when he completely misses what they actually need.
Kat’s background is just as compelling. She and her sister Calypso have spent their lives surviving through theft and scams until one disastrous mistake gets them kidnapped and somehow stranded in Heck, where humans are incredibly rare. While Calypso immediately starts searching for another escape, Kat finds herself surprisingly content working in the demon postal service sorting magically delivered mail. I really liked that detail because her fascination with the lingering traces of magic in each letter made her curiosity feel genuine instead of forced.
The romance begins when Azrion visits the post office with one of the funniest requests in the book. Determined to win back his ex, Melora, he insists on sending a dozen roses one at a time instead of all together. Kat patiently helps him despite being understandably uneasy around demons and their unsettling black eyes. After that encounter, Azrion cannot stop thinking about the human clerk, and his desperate plan to hire Kat as his fake mate to make Melora jealous quickly spirals into something far more real. I loved the twist on the mate concept here. Instead of an instant magical soulmate bond, “mates” are simply couples hoping their relationship will eventually develop into a true bond, which made the fake relationship feel much more believable.
Highlights and Limitations
I am always a sucker for a fake relationship romance, and this one worked especially well because of the enormous gap between the characters. Azrion comes from one of the oldest and wealthiest demon houses, while Kat has spent most of her life wondering where her next meal would come from. Watching her navigate upper class demon society while refusing to lose herself was one of my favorite parts of the book.
I also loved how completely captivated Azrion became. His attraction never felt shallow. As he spent more time with Kat, he started seeing his own world differently because of her perspective, and I enjoyed all the little moments where he could barely stop himself from staring at her or finding excuses to touch her. Those scenes sold the romance much more than grand declarations ever could.
Kat’s lingering fear of demons also added believable tension. Even after spending time around them, she still struggled with their appearance and their magic, which made her growing trust in Azrion feel earned instead of immediate.
If I had one small criticism, it would be that I occasionally wanted the fallout with Melora to play a slightly larger role after so much attention was given to Azrion’s attempts to win her back early on. Once Kat entered the picture, I found myself far more invested in their growing relationship than the original breakup, so I would have enjoyed just a little more emotional resolution there.
Narration
Luke Persiani and Emilia Bauer made an excellent team. Emilia Bauer captured Kat’s practical nature, cautious optimism, and dry humor without making her sound overly cynical. Luke Persiani gave Azrion exactly the polished confidence I imagined from someone raised in one of Heck’s elite families. He absolutely nailed the wealthy, slightly snobbish upper crust attitude while still letting Azrion’s vulnerability come through during the quieter moments.
That said, this is purely personal preference, but I usually gravitate toward heroes with a rougher, more rugged sounding voice. Persiani’s performance fit the character perfectly, even if it was not quite my favorite style of hero narration.
Final Opinion
This was a fun paranormal romance with a fresh spin on fake dating, demon society, and the idea of mates. Even without reading the earlier books, I had no trouble following the story or becoming invested in Azrion and Kat. The magical postal service, the class differences, and Kat’s gradual adjustment to life in Heck gave the world plenty of personality beyond the romance.
Most of all, I enjoyed watching Azrion slowly realize that the woman he thought he wanted was not the one who truly understood him. His growing fascination with Kat felt natural and satisfying, and by the end I was rooting for them completely. If you enjoy fake relationship romances with humor, heart, and an unusual fantasy setting, I think this one is well worth picking up.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💛💚❤️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 😋🙂😁😛
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration
Character Backgrounds and Plot Summary
The story opens with a surprisingly emotional prologue that follows Azrion as a child, always trailing after his older brother Valremont while quietly wishing he could somehow become the kind of demon who would make his constantly arguing parents love each other again. That glimpse into his childhood explains so much about why adult Azrion tries so hard to please everyone, even when he completely misses what they actually need.
Kat’s background is just as compelling. She and her sister Calypso have spent their lives surviving through theft and scams until one disastrous mistake gets them kidnapped and somehow stranded in Heck, where humans are incredibly rare. While Calypso immediately starts searching for another escape, Kat finds herself surprisingly content working in the demon postal service sorting magically delivered mail. I really liked that detail because her fascination with the lingering traces of magic in each letter made her curiosity feel genuine instead of forced.
The romance begins when Azrion visits the post office with one of the funniest requests in the book. Determined to win back his ex, Melora, he insists on sending a dozen roses one at a time instead of all together. Kat patiently helps him despite being understandably uneasy around demons and their unsettling black eyes. After that encounter, Azrion cannot stop thinking about the human clerk, and his desperate plan to hire Kat as his fake mate to make Melora jealous quickly spirals into something far more real. I loved the twist on the mate concept here. Instead of an instant magical soulmate bond, “mates” are simply couples hoping their relationship will eventually develop into a true bond, which made the fake relationship feel much more believable.
Highlights and Limitations
I am always a sucker for a fake relationship romance, and this one worked especially well because of the enormous gap between the characters. Azrion comes from one of the oldest and wealthiest demon houses, while Kat has spent most of her life wondering where her next meal would come from. Watching her navigate upper class demon society while refusing to lose herself was one of my favorite parts of the book.
I also loved how completely captivated Azrion became. His attraction never felt shallow. As he spent more time with Kat, he started seeing his own world differently because of her perspective, and I enjoyed all the little moments where he could barely stop himself from staring at her or finding excuses to touch her. Those scenes sold the romance much more than grand declarations ever could.
Kat’s lingering fear of demons also added believable tension. Even after spending time around them, she still struggled with their appearance and their magic, which made her growing trust in Azrion feel earned instead of immediate.
If I had one small criticism, it would be that I occasionally wanted the fallout with Melora to play a slightly larger role after so much attention was given to Azrion’s attempts to win her back early on. Once Kat entered the picture, I found myself far more invested in their growing relationship than the original breakup, so I would have enjoyed just a little more emotional resolution there.
Narration
Luke Persiani and Emilia Bauer made an excellent team. Emilia Bauer captured Kat’s practical nature, cautious optimism, and dry humor without making her sound overly cynical. Luke Persiani gave Azrion exactly the polished confidence I imagined from someone raised in one of Heck’s elite families. He absolutely nailed the wealthy, slightly snobbish upper crust attitude while still letting Azrion’s vulnerability come through during the quieter moments.
That said, this is purely personal preference, but I usually gravitate toward heroes with a rougher, more rugged sounding voice. Persiani’s performance fit the character perfectly, even if it was not quite my favorite style of hero narration.
Final Opinion
This was a fun paranormal romance with a fresh spin on fake dating, demon society, and the idea of mates. Even without reading the earlier books, I had no trouble following the story or becoming invested in Azrion and Kat. The magical postal service, the class differences, and Kat’s gradual adjustment to life in Heck gave the world plenty of personality beyond the romance.
Most of all, I enjoyed watching Azrion slowly realize that the woman he thought he wanted was not the one who truly understood him. His growing fascination with Kat felt natural and satisfying, and by the end I was rooting for them completely. If you enjoy fake relationship romances with humor, heart, and an unusual fantasy setting, I think this one is well worth picking up.
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July 25, 2026
I quite enjoyed How Not to Mesmerize Your Human Muse, as I have everything of A. K. Caggiano’s I’ve read. It’s a cute and cozy demon romance novel.
I felt like this “fake dating” romance scheme was smoother and nicer to read than most. So often, it feels like there’s a lot of tension between the growing attraction and what “should” be done, and this leads to a lot of actions that don’t inspire warm and fuzzy feelings for me. I wouldn’t describe it as “cozy” to the level of Legends & Lattes, but it’s in the same zip code and was an immensely more enjoyable read for me. Here, Kat and Azrion both take time to recognize and accept their feelings about each other and then have to take time to figure out the feelings are mutual and can be acted on, but there’s not much tension between them because it’s fake dating. I also sort of like how they both had to actually consider the consequences of Azrion ending his engagement and them being together. What will it mean for Kat? For Heck? For the other humans? For Azrion? For Azrion’s father?
I also quite enjoyed how Kat and Azrion’s relationship moved slowly but inevitably from distrust, fear, and difficulty working together into trust, respect, and an integral link between them. It’s arguably the opposite of instalove. I especially liked how Kat required accommodations, and while Azrion didn’t get it right initially, he figured things out and learned quickly and didn’t make the same mistake twice. I found this much more enjoyable to read than Kizros doing his best but not always nailing the execution on accommodating and supporting Aoife’s needs around her disability in book two of this series: How Not to Charm Your Human Colleague. (How Not to Charm Your Human Colleague still a great read that I recommend and it is stronger as a result; it does a good job of portraying how even the best of intentions is not always enough for a partner to reliably know what their partner who is disabled needs and can do.)
Azrion’s care for Kat was delightful. He understood the assignment of having a workaholic and at times self-destructive partner. Similarly, I liked the complexity of Kat’s backstory and the impact it had on her day-to-day life.
The drake content in this book was my favorite of the series so far. We get a bit of amusement about the drakes in How Not to Court Your Human Captive, but here they were more adorable and had a more central role in the story, especially the somewhat absurd things they tried to get them to do. The image of Kat getting a drake to lead her to a place by tying a string to it was great. They weren’t as integral to the story or as fabulous and adorable as the crows in Wooing the Witch Queen, but it is simply next level in this exceedingly obscure metric I care deeply about. I feel like A. K. Caggiano could have made the drakes here be just as ubiquitous if she’d thought it would be good for the plot, a point that I sadly concur with, and just that potential says a lot about how delightful they are. Little flying agents of chaos. Of course I love them.
A. K. Caggiano made the less typical choice to “break the fourth wall” in a few very small places by dropping tiny notes to the reader. While I know many readers strongly dislike this, I absolutely loved it here, and it was one of my favorite parts. I’d be reading along and do a proverbial double take. They were adorable interjections and made it a much more personal read. I’ve rarely seen this work well, and here it did. Flawlessly. My only disappointment is that one mentioned something happening in the epilogue, and my ARC audiobook did not contain the aforementioned epilogue, so I get double the cliffhanger excitement! Rest assured, though: I was always going to read the next book in this series.
I listened to the audiobook version, and Emilia Bauer and Luke Persiani did a great job bringing the story to life. That said, I think Luke Persiani possibly took making Azrion sound vain and slightly obnoxious a bit too far, or at least the change as he and Kat grow closer and he lets her see his real self wasn’t as distinct/extreme as I’d have expected. Azrion is a good character, yet I found myself still not wanting to like him because my brain was still casting him as the somewhat obnoxiously vain wealthy demon, in part because of how his character was voiced. A. K. Caggiano did an exceptional job writing his sincerity, so this was not remotely a dealbreaker, but it noticeably detracted from my enjoyment of the audiobook.
Overall, this was an excellent addition to the Falling for Demons series that met all my rather high expectations for the series and A. K. Caggiano. I wouldn’t keep reading both if I didn’t enjoy them so reliably, which is both great and means I come in with a lot of excitement and high expectations. I recommend it for folks who have enjoyed similar works from A. K. Caggiano, Lauren Winter, or the Falling for Demons series, as well as readers looking for a cozy and emotionally regulating romance novel that has enough plot and excitement to keep you reading and rooting for the heroes.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I felt like this “fake dating” romance scheme was smoother and nicer to read than most. So often, it feels like there’s a lot of tension between the growing attraction and what “should” be done, and this leads to a lot of actions that don’t inspire warm and fuzzy feelings for me. I wouldn’t describe it as “cozy” to the level of Legends & Lattes, but it’s in the same zip code and was an immensely more enjoyable read for me. Here, Kat and Azrion both take time to recognize and accept their feelings about each other and then have to take time to figure out the feelings are mutual and can be acted on, but there’s not much tension between them because it’s fake dating. I also sort of like how they both had to actually consider the consequences of Azrion ending his engagement and them being together. What will it mean for Kat? For Heck? For the other humans? For Azrion? For Azrion’s father?
I also quite enjoyed how Kat and Azrion’s relationship moved slowly but inevitably from distrust, fear, and difficulty working together into trust, respect, and an integral link between them. It’s arguably the opposite of instalove. I especially liked how Kat required accommodations, and while Azrion didn’t get it right initially, he figured things out and learned quickly and didn’t make the same mistake twice. I found this much more enjoyable to read than Kizros doing his best but not always nailing the execution on accommodating and supporting Aoife’s needs around her disability in book two of this series: How Not to Charm Your Human Colleague. (How Not to Charm Your Human Colleague still a great read that I recommend and it is stronger as a result; it does a good job of portraying how even the best of intentions is not always enough for a partner to reliably know what their partner who is disabled needs and can do.)
Azrion’s care for Kat was delightful. He understood the assignment of having a workaholic and at times self-destructive partner. Similarly, I liked the complexity of Kat’s backstory and the impact it had on her day-to-day life.
The drake content in this book was my favorite of the series so far. We get a bit of amusement about the drakes in How Not to Court Your Human Captive, but here they were more adorable and had a more central role in the story, especially the somewhat absurd things they tried to get them to do. The image of Kat getting a drake to lead her to a place by tying a string to it was great. They weren’t as integral to the story or as fabulous and adorable as the crows in Wooing the Witch Queen, but it is simply next level in this exceedingly obscure metric I care deeply about. I feel like A. K. Caggiano could have made the drakes here be just as ubiquitous if she’d thought it would be good for the plot, a point that I sadly concur with, and just that potential says a lot about how delightful they are. Little flying agents of chaos. Of course I love them.
A. K. Caggiano made the less typical choice to “break the fourth wall” in a few very small places by dropping tiny notes to the reader. While I know many readers strongly dislike this, I absolutely loved it here, and it was one of my favorite parts. I’d be reading along and do a proverbial double take. They were adorable interjections and made it a much more personal read. I’ve rarely seen this work well, and here it did. Flawlessly. My only disappointment is that one mentioned something happening in the epilogue, and my ARC audiobook did not contain the aforementioned epilogue, so I get double the cliffhanger excitement! Rest assured, though: I was always going to read the next book in this series.
I listened to the audiobook version, and Emilia Bauer and Luke Persiani did a great job bringing the story to life. That said, I think Luke Persiani possibly took making Azrion sound vain and slightly obnoxious a bit too far, or at least the change as he and Kat grow closer and he lets her see his real self wasn’t as distinct/extreme as I’d have expected. Azrion is a good character, yet I found myself still not wanting to like him because my brain was still casting him as the somewhat obnoxiously vain wealthy demon, in part because of how his character was voiced. A. K. Caggiano did an exceptional job writing his sincerity, so this was not remotely a dealbreaker, but it noticeably detracted from my enjoyment of the audiobook.
Overall, this was an excellent addition to the Falling for Demons series that met all my rather high expectations for the series and A. K. Caggiano. I wouldn’t keep reading both if I didn’t enjoy them so reliably, which is both great and means I come in with a lot of excitement and high expectations. I recommend it for folks who have enjoyed similar works from A. K. Caggiano, Lauren Winter, or the Falling for Demons series, as well as readers looking for a cozy and emotionally regulating romance novel that has enough plot and excitement to keep you reading and rooting for the heroes.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2026
Title: How Not to Mesmerize Your Human Muse
Author: A.K Caggiano
Series: book 6 in the falling for demons series
Rating: 4.25 stars
——————————————————————
Finally this cozy demon romance series has come to a close and we get to see everything resolved in this book as the last of the six humans finds her demon soulmate. This book was an absolute joy to read, not only from all the funny and heartfelt moments but I loved seeing the little cameos from everyone and seeing everyone’s story reach their happy ending made me so happy. I am devastated to see this series conclude but I’m thankful to be a part of the journey and get to experience these stories.
One thing I always loved about Ashley’s and Laura’s couple is that they understand fundamentally what love is supposed to be. How relationships are supposed to bring out the best of you and encourage you to be yourself best self. And I think that’s the foundation of Kat and Azrion’s relationship, finding the bravery to be your best self because the person you love brings that out in you.
Muse follows the story of Kat and Azrion, who enter a fake dating scheme for their own mutual benefit. Something I immediately loved was how Azrion was respectful to Kat. These two could not be more different, with Azrion being boisterous and self centered and Kat being timid and shy, yet in their arrangement he never pushed her outside the bonds of what she was comfortable with, always made sure she had the power to speak up, and though he enjoyed teasing her he never went too far and always apologized if he did. Ashley knows how to write absolutely pathetic men (I’m looking at you Xander) who are so down bad for their women and I love it.
As much as I could gush about these two and how cute they are I also want to address a core theme of the book and that is bravery and overcoming fear. This theme is especially brought out in Kat’s story where she starts out as someone shy, unsure, and content staying indoors all day, to finding the strength to put herself out there and speak her mind. Azrion exhibits this too as both him and Kat have a person there scared to talk back to but through their relationship they found their voice and were able to fight for what they want, not what others expect of them. Right now we live in a time where it feels terrifying to speak up but I think it’s important to remember that everyone has a voice, you just need the bravery to use it. I love the messages authors are able to convey to readers and I love that Ashley put this message under a swoony, adorable romance.
On a less serious note, the spice. Oh my god Muse probably has my favorite spicey chapters in the entire series. Chapter 20 has no right being as hot as it was! Ashley knows how to write a slow burn and how to make the pay off worth it. All hail the Queen!
Once again thank you to both A.K Caggiano and Laura Winter for allowing me to experience these amazing books and listening to me gush and scream over every moment in scene. Though I’m sad to say goodbye to Heck I can’t wait to see what both of you do next.
Author: A.K Caggiano
Series: book 6 in the falling for demons series
Rating: 4.25 stars
——————————————————————
Finally this cozy demon romance series has come to a close and we get to see everything resolved in this book as the last of the six humans finds her demon soulmate. This book was an absolute joy to read, not only from all the funny and heartfelt moments but I loved seeing the little cameos from everyone and seeing everyone’s story reach their happy ending made me so happy. I am devastated to see this series conclude but I’m thankful to be a part of the journey and get to experience these stories.
One thing I always loved about Ashley’s and Laura’s couple is that they understand fundamentally what love is supposed to be. How relationships are supposed to bring out the best of you and encourage you to be yourself best self. And I think that’s the foundation of Kat and Azrion’s relationship, finding the bravery to be your best self because the person you love brings that out in you.
Muse follows the story of Kat and Azrion, who enter a fake dating scheme for their own mutual benefit. Something I immediately loved was how Azrion was respectful to Kat. These two could not be more different, with Azrion being boisterous and self centered and Kat being timid and shy, yet in their arrangement he never pushed her outside the bonds of what she was comfortable with, always made sure she had the power to speak up, and though he enjoyed teasing her he never went too far and always apologized if he did. Ashley knows how to write absolutely pathetic men (I’m looking at you Xander) who are so down bad for their women and I love it.
As much as I could gush about these two and how cute they are I also want to address a core theme of the book and that is bravery and overcoming fear. This theme is especially brought out in Kat’s story where she starts out as someone shy, unsure, and content staying indoors all day, to finding the strength to put herself out there and speak her mind. Azrion exhibits this too as both him and Kat have a person there scared to talk back to but through their relationship they found their voice and were able to fight for what they want, not what others expect of them. Right now we live in a time where it feels terrifying to speak up but I think it’s important to remember that everyone has a voice, you just need the bravery to use it. I love the messages authors are able to convey to readers and I love that Ashley put this message under a swoony, adorable romance.
On a less serious note, the spice. Oh my god Muse probably has my favorite spicey chapters in the entire series. Chapter 20 has no right being as hot as it was! Ashley knows how to write a slow burn and how to make the pay off worth it. All hail the Queen!
Once again thank you to both A.K Caggiano and Laura Winter for allowing me to experience these amazing books and listening to me gush and scream over every moment in scene. Though I’m sad to say goodbye to Heck I can’t wait to see what both of you do next.
July 15, 2026
First, I want to be clear that I’m rating this within the cozy fantasy romance genre—not against all books overall.
All the books in this series are interconnected. This installment works best when you view it as both a standalone romance and a piece of a much larger narrative that fully comes together later.
This book follows Kat, a human who is standoffish and prefers to keep people at a distance, and Azrion, a wealthy purple demon who loves being the center of attention.
Their relationship was one of my favorites in the series. Kat is not afraid to make her annoyance with Azrion very clear, and Azrion doesn’t take it personally. Instead, he’s constantly looking for ways to help Kat feel more comfortable and supported, especially when she finds herself surrounded by demons and situations that overwhelm her.
Like many of the books in this series, their romance develops quickly, but this couple felt like they had more time to build a genuine friendship before becoming a true romantic relationship. There are several moments where you can actually see their walls come down and watch them start open up to each other, which made the relationship feel more emotionally satisfying.
There are a few misunderstandings between them, but thankfully they aren’t the entire foundation of their relationship or used as the main source of conflict. Instead, they feel like realistic bumps as two very different people learn how to communicate and understand each other.
The biggest strength of this book, though, is how much the larger series plot finally comes together. The mysteries, connections, and pieces that have been building throughout the previous books start making sense. Knowing the ending of the series actually made me appreciate the earlier books more because so many details that seemed small at the time had a purpose.
Overall, this was a satisfying conclusion to the series. The romance was adorable, the character development felt meaningful, and the payoff of the overarching story made the entire journey more rewarding.
All the books in this series are interconnected. This installment works best when you view it as both a standalone romance and a piece of a much larger narrative that fully comes together later.
This book follows Kat, a human who is standoffish and prefers to keep people at a distance, and Azrion, a wealthy purple demon who loves being the center of attention.
Their relationship was one of my favorites in the series. Kat is not afraid to make her annoyance with Azrion very clear, and Azrion doesn’t take it personally. Instead, he’s constantly looking for ways to help Kat feel more comfortable and supported, especially when she finds herself surrounded by demons and situations that overwhelm her.
Like many of the books in this series, their romance develops quickly, but this couple felt like they had more time to build a genuine friendship before becoming a true romantic relationship. There are several moments where you can actually see their walls come down and watch them start open up to each other, which made the relationship feel more emotionally satisfying.
There are a few misunderstandings between them, but thankfully they aren’t the entire foundation of their relationship or used as the main source of conflict. Instead, they feel like realistic bumps as two very different people learn how to communicate and understand each other.
The biggest strength of this book, though, is how much the larger series plot finally comes together. The mysteries, connections, and pieces that have been building throughout the previous books start making sense. Knowing the ending of the series actually made me appreciate the earlier books more because so many details that seemed small at the time had a purpose.
Overall, this was a satisfying conclusion to the series. The romance was adorable, the character development felt meaningful, and the payoff of the overarching story made the entire journey more rewarding.
July 27, 2026
Audiobook Review: How Not to Mesmerize Your Human Muse by A. K. Caggiano
I love A. K. Caggiano. At this point, I will read anything she writes. How Not to Mesmerize Your Human Muse was cute, spicy, hilarious, and exactly the kind of ridiculous romance I love.
Kat is a shy human living in a city full of demons called Heck, where she’s finally found a quiet little life working at the post. Then there’s Azrion, a wealthy, charismatic demon magician whose mate has just broken off their courtship. His solution? Pay Kat to pretend to be his mate so he can make his ex jealous. Obviously, this completely foolproof plan goes exactly as expected and they start catching real feelings. Basically fated mates meets fake dating meets “pay to date me so I can make my ex jealous,” and I was very into it.
The book is so self-aware and genuinely hilarious. It knows exactly what tropes it’s playing with and has so much fun with them, and I loved all the little moments where it feels like the book is in on the joke with you.
I have to mention Azrion. Top-tier MMC. He is charming and ridiculous and so completely himself, but there’s also so much sweetness underneath all that confidence. I loved watching him fall for Kat, and their dynamic was just adorable.
Also, the audiobook narration was SO good. Luke Persiani and Emilia Bauer were fantastic and really brought the humor and chemistry to life. This was such a fun listen.
I loved this. Cute, spicy, self-aware, hilarious, and with an MMC I will absolutely be adding to my favorites list. I’m very sad this is the end of the series, but what a fun way to go out. 4.5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ALC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I love A. K. Caggiano. At this point, I will read anything she writes. How Not to Mesmerize Your Human Muse was cute, spicy, hilarious, and exactly the kind of ridiculous romance I love.
Kat is a shy human living in a city full of demons called Heck, where she’s finally found a quiet little life working at the post. Then there’s Azrion, a wealthy, charismatic demon magician whose mate has just broken off their courtship. His solution? Pay Kat to pretend to be his mate so he can make his ex jealous. Obviously, this completely foolproof plan goes exactly as expected and they start catching real feelings. Basically fated mates meets fake dating meets “pay to date me so I can make my ex jealous,” and I was very into it.
The book is so self-aware and genuinely hilarious. It knows exactly what tropes it’s playing with and has so much fun with them, and I loved all the little moments where it feels like the book is in on the joke with you.
I have to mention Azrion. Top-tier MMC. He is charming and ridiculous and so completely himself, but there’s also so much sweetness underneath all that confidence. I loved watching him fall for Kat, and their dynamic was just adorable.
Also, the audiobook narration was SO good. Luke Persiani and Emilia Bauer were fantastic and really brought the humor and chemistry to life. This was such a fun listen.
I loved this. Cute, spicy, self-aware, hilarious, and with an MMC I will absolutely be adding to my favorites list. I’m very sad this is the end of the series, but what a fun way to go out. 4.5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ALC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a way to finish a series. This was everything I wanted and more.
Honestly, this probably is one of my favorite books in the series. In this book we finally have the character crossovers I had been hoping for this entire series. I really enjoyed seeing each of the characters we have grown to love as they popped in and out across the book.
I absolutely loved the character of Azrion. The way he called her "darling", I was just here for it. The demon went in with a plan to fake date Kat and rapidly forgot about the fake part and never wavered from that. Kat had incredible character growth through the entire book. We see her go from timid, anxious, and hiding herself to someone who was comfortable in her own skin and worth. I have always loved how fully, and the depth with which AK Caggiano is able to write characters and this book was no different. I absolutely loved their love story and who those characters are.
We also tied up the mystery that popped up in Brioni's book, which was great to see that come full circle. We also saw another storyline which had been kinda delt with, but with Kat and Az's involvement. Which was great, because we got to see Kat fish out her burglary skills from a past life.
Absolutely read this one, especially if you have enjoyed the series. I do feel like you would need to read some of the other stories to get the full impact of the storyline as they are interconnected standalones. I will 100% be grabbing a copy of this one.
Honestly, this probably is one of my favorite books in the series. In this book we finally have the character crossovers I had been hoping for this entire series. I really enjoyed seeing each of the characters we have grown to love as they popped in and out across the book.
I absolutely loved the character of Azrion. The way he called her "darling", I was just here for it. The demon went in with a plan to fake date Kat and rapidly forgot about the fake part and never wavered from that. Kat had incredible character growth through the entire book. We see her go from timid, anxious, and hiding herself to someone who was comfortable in her own skin and worth. I have always loved how fully, and the depth with which AK Caggiano is able to write characters and this book was no different. I absolutely loved their love story and who those characters are.
We also tied up the mystery that popped up in Brioni's book, which was great to see that come full circle. We also saw another storyline which had been kinda delt with, but with Kat and Az's involvement. Which was great, because we got to see Kat fish out her burglary skills from a past life.
Absolutely read this one, especially if you have enjoyed the series. I do feel like you would need to read some of the other stories to get the full impact of the storyline as they are interconnected standalones. I will 100% be grabbing a copy of this one.
July 29, 2026
How Not to Mesmerize Your Human Muse is a fun and quick read that will scratch your monster romance itch. This is #6 in a longer series but can be read as a standalone. Like similar series, I think you would get the most out of it if you have read the other books and have a better understanding of the world and larger story arc, but I was able to follow along just fine without.
The set-up of the story is a fake dating trope, which is an easy premise to follow that doesn’t require a convoluted back story. It is not shocking when the MCs quickly abandon the charade and instead start to fall for each other. The relationship development, characters, and plot is fair overall. There is nothing outstanding, but nothing is problematic either. It’s interesting enough to keep reading and moves quickly enough that you are neither bored or annoyed by any parts of the story.
The spicy parts are balanced, though not everyone will like the virgin FMC trope. I don’t mind and thought it was handled well enough.
AK Caggiano’s humor and charm is present in the writing, with some fourth wall breaking and self-effacement that goes with playful tone of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for and ALC of the book. The book is enjoyably dual narrated by Luke Persiani and Emilia Bauer. Both narrators are great and I found everything to be an easy listen. I definitely recommend the audiobook for listening readers.
The set-up of the story is a fake dating trope, which is an easy premise to follow that doesn’t require a convoluted back story. It is not shocking when the MCs quickly abandon the charade and instead start to fall for each other. The relationship development, characters, and plot is fair overall. There is nothing outstanding, but nothing is problematic either. It’s interesting enough to keep reading and moves quickly enough that you are neither bored or annoyed by any parts of the story.
The spicy parts are balanced, though not everyone will like the virgin FMC trope. I don’t mind and thought it was handled well enough.
AK Caggiano’s humor and charm is present in the writing, with some fourth wall breaking and self-effacement that goes with playful tone of the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for and ALC of the book. The book is enjoyably dual narrated by Luke Persiani and Emilia Bauer. Both narrators are great and I found everything to be an easy listen. I definitely recommend the audiobook for listening readers.
July 27, 2026
Kat is just a lil anxious and worried about the new world she has found herself in. Coming from the human plane, where she and her sister had to steal to survive, to the demon realm where she is being supported with the help of the city government and her steady job at the post, is a bit of a culture shock! She is isolated, and she likes it that way, mostly. She misses her sister. I mean, she's in town, but they had a massive blow up and haven't spoken in a while.
This doesn't mean she's desperate for company. Especially, when it comes in the form of an aloof and silly (and gorgeous) demon, Azrion. After being dumped by his mate, Az goes on a mission to win her back. By fake-mating Kat. She makes money to try to help her and her sister escape, and he gets a jealous ex who wants him back. It's what his parents expect from him! After securing the deal and contract, both of them find it difficult to stop thinking about the other, and their coupling is raising eyebrows all over town.
They learn each other's secrets and hearts (and get some good practice kissing in there too!), and their opposite personalities grow a connection to be proud of!
I love the emotional depth these cuties discover working each other! I love Caggiano's ability to consistently weave silliness, heart, and break the fourth wall flawlessly!
This doesn't mean she's desperate for company. Especially, when it comes in the form of an aloof and silly (and gorgeous) demon, Azrion. After being dumped by his mate, Az goes on a mission to win her back. By fake-mating Kat. She makes money to try to help her and her sister escape, and he gets a jealous ex who wants him back. It's what his parents expect from him! After securing the deal and contract, both of them find it difficult to stop thinking about the other, and their coupling is raising eyebrows all over town.
They learn each other's secrets and hearts (and get some good practice kissing in there too!), and their opposite personalities grow a connection to be proud of!
I love the emotional depth these cuties discover working each other! I love Caggiano's ability to consistently weave silliness, heart, and break the fourth wall flawlessly!
July 17, 2026
- Fake Dating
- Virgin
- 4th wall breaks
- Named chapters (and not just stupid numbered chapters)
The way Kat and Azrion were able to fake date and continuously convince themselves that the other didn't actually like them was endearing. I hate a miscommunication trope, but this felt like misunderstanding one another more than intentionally being ambiguous, so it did not irritate me at all.
This is a cute couple, but all of their issues seemed to just disappear, like his father suddenly being supportive...? Like his mother had been speaking with him about being more accepting before, but he was still not on board with it at that point.
And the grand gesture at the end gave me pause. I thought it was meant to be a secret and felt like someone was unknowingly being outed. Azrion literally not giving a second thought to Kat's scar was so precious, it really showed how much our own self-talk is so much harsher than anything anyone else would think about us.
I loved the overlapping comments and bits of timeline from other novels in the series. This quote cracked me up cause I did not see it coming at all:
"...and then she cracked like an overused water rune."
Cause in How Not to Tame Your Human Tease there was a plot point of having a broken water ruin that involved Azrion from this story. It's truly such a joy how interconnected all of these stories in this world are.
- Virgin
- 4th wall breaks
- Named chapters (and not just stupid numbered chapters)
The way Kat and Azrion were able to fake date and continuously convince themselves that the other didn't actually like them was endearing. I hate a miscommunication trope, but this felt like misunderstanding one another more than intentionally being ambiguous, so it did not irritate me at all.
This is a cute couple, but all of their issues seemed to just disappear, like his father suddenly being supportive...? Like his mother had been speaking with him about being more accepting before, but he was still not on board with it at that point.
And the grand gesture at the end gave me pause. I thought it was meant to be a secret and felt like someone was unknowingly being outed. Azrion literally not giving a second thought to Kat's scar was so precious, it really showed how much our own self-talk is so much harsher than anything anyone else would think about us.
I loved the overlapping comments and bits of timeline from other novels in the series. This quote cracked me up cause I did not see it coming at all:
"...and then she cracked like an overused water rune."
Cause in How Not to Tame Your Human Tease there was a plot point of having a broken water ruin that involved Azrion from this story. It's truly such a joy how interconnected all of these stories in this world are.
July 25, 2026
Omg I need an Azrion in my life.
This one was actually really good, and even though it is Book 6 in the Falling for Demons series, it can absolutely be read as a standalone because I had not read the others and never felt lost. Kat is a human working in a shop, and Azrion is a demon magician who basically hires her for a fake courtship to make his former mate jealous. It has demons, magic, contracts, fake dating, bonded mates, slow burn, and really good witty banter. They start off not really liking each other, but the relationship slowly becomes sweet, and then when they finally get together, the spice shows up very suddenly. The intimacy was actually written really well too. Azrion has this arrogant, charming, slightly British energy, almost like a softer Rhysand, and honestly I want one. Kat was also easy to like because she is shy and socially awkward without feeling weak. The narration by Luke Persiani and Emilia Bauer was really good and gave both characters a lot of personality. Overall, this was cute, funny, magical, and much better than I expected.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
This one was actually really good, and even though it is Book 6 in the Falling for Demons series, it can absolutely be read as a standalone because I had not read the others and never felt lost. Kat is a human working in a shop, and Azrion is a demon magician who basically hires her for a fake courtship to make his former mate jealous. It has demons, magic, contracts, fake dating, bonded mates, slow burn, and really good witty banter. They start off not really liking each other, but the relationship slowly becomes sweet, and then when they finally get together, the spice shows up very suddenly. The intimacy was actually written really well too. Azrion has this arrogant, charming, slightly British energy, almost like a softer Rhysand, and honestly I want one. Kat was also easy to like because she is shy and socially awkward without feeling weak. The narration by Luke Persiani and Emilia Bauer was really good and gave both characters a lot of personality. Overall, this was cute, funny, magical, and much better than I expected.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
July 27, 2026
Kat is one of the few humans in the demon world. She landed there after being sold for some previous crimes. Azrion is a demon who comes into the post office where she works one day to get something mailed. When he saw her, the attraction was instant. The only problem is that Azrion is recently single since he didn't propose to his previous partner. Unlike most demons, he doesn't want to marry someone unless they are actually mates.
I love how their relationship progresses! Their connection is so instant, but I loved how they took the time to get to know each other and slowly sharing intimate information about their lives. One of my favorite things about this book is that the ex didn't play the mean girl role or much of a role for that part.
I enjoyed learning about Azrion's "curse" and how caring he is. One of my favorite scenes was when Azrion took care of Kat after their rough night out. Sometimes it's hard to slow down in life and Azrion reminded her of that.
The narrators did a phenomenal job and it honestly felt like there were more than two people narrating this book. Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and A.K. Caggiano for an ALC of this book.
I love how their relationship progresses! Their connection is so instant, but I loved how they took the time to get to know each other and slowly sharing intimate information about their lives. One of my favorite things about this book is that the ex didn't play the mean girl role or much of a role for that part.
I enjoyed learning about Azrion's "curse" and how caring he is. One of my favorite scenes was when Azrion took care of Kat after their rough night out. Sometimes it's hard to slow down in life and Azrion reminded her of that.
The narrators did a phenomenal job and it honestly felt like there were more than two people narrating this book. Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and A.K. Caggiano for an ALC of this book.
July 17, 2026
Cute and fun read. A bit of a different story as it’s about a human living in not hell… but in heck. Understandably demons live in heck. Not horrible ones, but humans are the minority in this realm. Cat is happy to not be in the human world anymore. It wasn’t good to her or her sister. Cat has a simple life working in the post office sorting mail. Where she meets a lavender demon who has a proposition for her and they have a fake dating scenario. As many of these go, they start realizing they have a real attraction to one another.
But what I liked about this is that it was different in ways. It was laugh out loud funny at times as characters say things that a real person might say in that moment. Like.. .oh you feel down, are you hurt? …. Of course I hurt, I fell down… type of moments. Then there are moments where they break the fourth wall and talk about the reader or how they need to get the story going. I really enjoyed that as it was done well and made sense in the way it was done. Was a fun cozy paranormal story.
Arc read
But what I liked about this is that it was different in ways. It was laugh out loud funny at times as characters say things that a real person might say in that moment. Like.. .oh you feel down, are you hurt? …. Of course I hurt, I fell down… type of moments. Then there are moments where they break the fourth wall and talk about the reader or how they need to get the story going. I really enjoyed that as it was done well and made sense in the way it was done. Was a fun cozy paranormal story.
Arc read
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.
A.K. Caggiano is the queen of the silly goose book. Do you want a silly goofy time while learning about demon human relations? Pick up "How Not to Mesmerize Your Human Muse!"
This book is a silly time, while also being serious about accepting others for who they are and being accommodating to all species. Caggiano is excellent at writing in a whimsical manner that eases you into the story and keeps you entertained.
The narrator's for this book are excellent! They were funny, smart, and kept me interested for the whole book.
This was my first book in this series, and while there are mentions to side characters that I assume are from other books, it does not impede the story and I was able to follow along just fine.
Want to escape to a fantastical world where demons and humans live and work together to solve a mystery? Pick up this series stat! You will laugh, you will think, and you will be entertained. What more can you ask for from your audiobook?
A.K. Caggiano is the queen of the silly goose book. Do you want a silly goofy time while learning about demon human relations? Pick up "How Not to Mesmerize Your Human Muse!"
This book is a silly time, while also being serious about accepting others for who they are and being accommodating to all species. Caggiano is excellent at writing in a whimsical manner that eases you into the story and keeps you entertained.
The narrator's for this book are excellent! They were funny, smart, and kept me interested for the whole book.
This was my first book in this series, and while there are mentions to side characters that I assume are from other books, it does not impede the story and I was able to follow along just fine.
Want to escape to a fantastical world where demons and humans live and work together to solve a mystery? Pick up this series stat! You will laugh, you will think, and you will be entertained. What more can you ask for from your audiobook?
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