Smoke, Mirrors, & Misdemeanours

by Enola M. Douglas

Her currency is sugar and spice.
He asks for a scandalous price.

Aura Cassia is a Kitchen Witch with no lineage, a modest bakery, and an orphanage full of mixed-blood children about to be homeless. When a ruthless property magnate sets his sights on demolishing her sanctuary, Cassia storms the city's most exclusive gentlemen's club to demand a miracle.

Enter Varil Arkenoth: the 'Idle Prince' of the Demon District. Society whispers about his disregard for duties, but Ark guards a secret life far more dangerous—and purposeful—than his reputation suggests. He offers her a scandalous pact: play his fiancée for the Yulefrost season to ward off his mother's matchmaking attempts, and he will use his influence to save her sanctuary.

As their romp across glittering galas turn into late-night domestic comforts, the line between performance and reality blurs. In a world that values bloodlines over belonging, a stubborn baker and a demon with too many secrets must decide if their fake bond is worth a real war.

For fans of cozy fantasy, slow-burn romance, and found family. Readers of A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, and Legends & Lattes will feel right at home.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Cozy, Found Family, Paranormal, Fantasy Romance, Romantasy

528 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 1, 2026

Reviews

[Maeghan 🦋]

Thanks to NetGalley & the author for a chance to review this arc! The cover is beautiful 🥹

Honestly, this was a super cute & sweet read. It follows Cassia, a kitchen witch who takes care of an orphanage & Ark, a demon who’s tired of people trying to force him into things he doesn’t want.

A powerful demon wants to shut down Cassia’s orphanage, so she confronts him & there she meets Ark. The latter just got out of an irritating conversation with the one shutting down the orphanage - so he sees an opportunity to piss him off.

The characters were really lovable and their romance progressed in a natural way. They had deep & meaningful conversations and genuinely wanted the best for one another. There’s a small communication issue around the 80% mark, but even if I hate this trope, I think it was the only time that it felt like it was handled correctly. Especially since they knew each other by then, so it wasn’t pushed too far. The side characters weren’t the most present, but I liked that the author included a child that sees more than he seems.

Family issues were discussed as it was something the mmc struggled with. There’s one conversation where the fmc tried to tell the mmc to basically ‘make an effort’ with his problematic father, and it didn’t sit right with me but his mother had that conversation with her a bit later on in the novel so I appreciated that it didn’t just sit there.
« A family should stay together.
- That depends entirely on the family. » well said.

The pacing was on the slow side and I do believe this could’ve been cut down but I still enjoyed this read nonetheless.

« You see, I’ve found that the happiest people are the ones who stopped asking where they came from and started deciding where they’re going. (…) - it’s not where the seed fell that matters. It’s what you do with the soil you’re given. »

[Enola Douglas]

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who have been reading Smoke, Mirrors, & Misdemeanours and leaving such thoughtful reviews and messages. It truly means a lot!

A few of you have asked about the series plans, so I thought I’d share a quick overview here:
Mystic Misfits is currently planned as a six-book series. The first two books will focus on Cassia and Ark, while Book 3 onward will center on the other major supporting characters. The lore around the different species will continue to expand as the series progresses, with its world and mythology growing with each installment.

I share snippets, character art, and publishing updates on Instagram (my main platform). If you’d like to follow along, you can find me at @enolamdouglas_author.

Thank you again for reading, reviewing, and supporting this story!

[Sydtcar]

4.5 Stars!

This book follows Cassia, a kitchen witch, as she is trying to save Starlight orphanage from a sale that would leave them all without a place to go. She happens upon Ark, a demon, in a split second meeting that leaves Ark wondering if there's a way they can bargain and help each other. He would help her save the orphanage, and she would enter a fake engagement with him to throw his overbearing mother's matchmaking plans into disarray. Magical shenanigans follow after that as they problem solve and try to stick to the plan.

This book was such a pleasant surprise! I was not sure at first if I would like it, because I'm not super into romance-focused books. This book was so cozy and lovely like the inside of a warm, gooey, cinnamon roll. I enjoyed the author's lush and descriptive writing, for the food, clothing, and surroundings. I was also a big fan of the characters - I loved Cassia and Ark, as well as their best friends - all unique and kind and funny in their own ways. I do wish we got to see more of the children who live at Starlight orphanage though, The magic system and the world building were so intriguing. I thought the set up of the world was like nothing I've ever read before, with four major factions coexisting after a magical incident left some of them stranded on that world. I hope there are future books to dive deeper into this world and how each group's magic and history have evolved. Despite being a cozy romantasy, this book also ended up tackling some deeper themes such as classism and personal identity/purpose.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see if there will be more books in this world from the author. Definitely would recommend and will look forward to any future books!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Enola M. Douglas for this advance readers' copy. All opinions are my own. This book is available on October 1, 2026.

[Phoebe Floyd]

I loved this. I loved everything about this book and I cannot thank NetGalley and Enola M. Douglas enough for this e-Arc of Smoke, Mirrors, and Misdemeanors. Amongst the many reasons this was so good, the feeling while reading was like being wrapped in a furry blanket on a chilly fall day while drinking a spiced chai latte. Just a warm hug written on paper. This is a cozy (high-ish stakes) fantasy romance with found family, strangers to lovers (nice and spicyyyy), a whimsical fmc and down bad for her shadow demon mmc who also has his own found family. The main characters strike a deal in their own best interests and a beautiful story unfolds. Currently finding a way to contact the author to see when she’s coming out with a hard copy because I will absolutely be pre-ordering as soon as available. As fall and Halloween get closer, this will be such a nice magical autumn read upon release! (Same cozy vibes of the ex hex)


UPDATE- physical copies will be on sale October 1st! All my mood reader friends will probably be getting copies 😅❤️

[🌸 Bookish Hobbit 🌸]

Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice - 🌶️🌶️
Plot - 🌏🌏🌏

Why am I crying 🙈 this is such a beautiful, cosy and emotional read. I feel so incredibly full of love right now.

Every page, character and word written in this book has been written with so much love and care. You feel it more with every page.

The story is so overwhelmingly cosy and achingly romantic. We follow Ark ( a demon with horns 😍 ) and Cassia (a kitchen witch ) as they navigate a fake engagement in order to save different parts of their lives.
What follows is a tale of mischief, a little chaos and so much fun.
I fell in love with cassia and Arks story within seconds. The banter they shared was elite and I was chuckling so so much. Their private messages to each other were adorable and I couldn’t get enough of them.

There were so many beautiful aspects to this book, the spirit guarding the house, Arks family and poor school for unwanted children. This book healed something in me that I didn’t know needed healing.

[Insha]

Instead of leaving a review, I want to write you a letter.

Dear author,

Unfortunately you ate with this and left no crumbs. I devoured this masterpiece.

I loved being in this world, the heirarchy, the dynamics—I’ve never read anything like it. I never knew I needed a book which felt like JUJUTSU FRIKKIN KAISEN.

I request you to write books for Opalina, Lilibeth, Rhodes, Cauis and Oromon. Please. On my knees.

Also…THIS NEEDS TO BE A KDRAMA I ACCEPT NOTHING LESS.

With regards,
Reader

thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Enola M. Douglas for this advance readers' copy. All opinions are my own.

[BookwyrmBri]

2⭐️

Disclaimer: I received a free eARC of this book from the author. No review was required to receive the eARC, and I am leaving this one voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions expressed below are my own.

I think this might just be a case of “this book wasn’t for me”. I started off enjoying it and excited about it, but the further I got into it the less I found myself liking it.

The plot was fine, though somehow it was slow-paced and yet the main characters’ relationship moved way too quickly. It’s kind of a standard Hallmark movie plot, but with fantasy elements, which again I enjoyed at first but it got old once I realized the author wasn’t going to do anything to really surprise me or break away from that mold. Also, pair that with what felt like the flimsiest excuse for a third-act breakup and I was not having a great time by the final act of the story.

The characters felt kinda boring, unfortunately. I liked the FMC well enough, but she doesn’t feel super memorable. Same for the MMC, though I think he suffers worse than the FMC did from being too close to the “generic male romance lead” stereotype. Their relationship together was fine and even cute/sweet most of the time, but I don’t understand why it had to move so quickly. I think it was day 3 or 4 of knowing each other that they realized they were in love (adding to the Hallmark vibes, tbh). I would’ve much preferred that dragged out a little longer for at least one of them.

Most of the side characters were underutilized and felt flat to me as well. I know this is the first in a series, so maybe that changes in the future, but it was a bit disappointing to see in this book.

The writing style was… not my favorite. The prose felt repetitive and like it was constantly trying to force itself into sounding more poetic than it needed to be. None of the dialogue sounded like it was being spoken by real people, either. I either didn’t notice these issues at first or they got worse as the book went on, because I didn’t really start picking up on them often enough to be annoyed about it until maybe 40-50% through. But it was pervasive throughout the rest of the book as soon as I did notice it.

What I did like about this book was the world building. I thought it was clever and interesting, and seemed well thought out. It’s always fun to see a new take on an urban fantasy setting, and I think the author blended the more modern setting with classic fantasy elements really well.

[Babel]

I couldn't resist the temptation of the cover. Naturally, I had to know what this book was about. A pining demon? A magical baker? Sweet treats and a cat and a fantasy town with hidden agendas? Excuse me while I devour it all at once :-D

Then I started actually reading it. I melted like a marshmallow.

The narrative is beautifully sensitive and insightful. You won't believe how delicate yet emotional the relationship between the main characters feels. It's also about things I absolutely love. Tea time, food, magically written messages, a hierarchied society with demons and witches and balls and haunted houses and plotting aristocrats. Paradise.

My inner self was there while all the characters were fleshed out for my pleasure. I immediately fell in love with the band of friends and their unique personalities. I really want to read their own stories, they are bound to be so special. The worldbuilding is exciting and better yet it's part of the scenes where characters act and things happen. It feels the more real for that.

It's curious to see the way magic and technology weave themselves into this society of casts, power and bloodlines.

A pact is sealed to bring this unparalleled couple together in a tiered plot of secrets, magic, delicious food and lovely romance. It is full of warmth and enchanting imagination. Utterly romantic, too, and written in an enamoured prose.

I truly enjoyed the writing. It is obvious the author knows her words and has a gift to put them in the loveliest ways. Has an eye for detail too. I could smell and hear and feel the atmosphere. Not only that, but the feelings and reactions from the characters as well. Very vivid. One little thing though. Couldn't the teachers have a name? Everyone else did :-D Oh, the cat is one of my favourite characters too.

It's like Ghostbusters befriended a gothic romance infused with tea, found family, mystery and comforting magic. I approve. I am all in for the next story.

[Marta]

Smoke, Mirrors & Misdemeanours is one of those books that I can see working really well for the right reader... which is not me. I ended up wanting a little more from it.

The prose flows smoothly, and I really liked the setting. There’s a lovely warmth and coziness to the world, and I appreciated that the author actually put thought into the worldbuilding. I especially liked that the MMC has an interesting business rather than simply existing to be Handsome Mysterious Romantasy Man. Unfortunately, personality-wise, that’s pretty much what he was: the perfect, fairly basic romantasy MMC. The FMC was perfectly fine too, but I can’t say she left much of an impression on me.

My biggest issue was the pacing of the romance. I genuinely do not understand why everything had to happen within two weeks. They were basically in love by day three, and from there the relationship just kept accelerating while my brain was still standing at the starting line wondering what happened to the concept of time.

The last 40% was particularly rough for me. It became so slow and predictable, with quite a few clichés and melodrama thrown into the mix, that I was genuinely tempted to DNF. There were also too many smut scenes for my taste, which contributed to the feeling that the book was spending a lot of time on the romance without giving me enough reason to be invested in it.

Ultimately, this is a comfortable book. If you want something light, cozy, predictable, and easy to read, this could absolutely hit the spot. But for me, there just wasn't enough plot and character depth to make me want to continue, so I won't be picking up book two.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

[Eternity's Raven]

Firstly, a thank you to Enola for having me on her ARC team. I am leaving this review for free and completely of my own thoughts and opinions.

Smoke, Mirrors and Misdemeanours was such a cozy delight. I was gently drawn in with calming magic, quiet grief and the fierce desire of protection. And that quiet draw was further fuelled by loving food descriptions, a sweet romance with flirty banter and the soft settling of finding people who see you and accept you for who you are, not what you should be.

This book felt like a love letter to doing your best, sacrifice and finding space for yourself where there wasn't before.

I just adored Cassia. How caring she was, how willing she was to put others above herself. The way she let things that could have crushed her just roll of her like water of a ducks back. It just made her such a compelling FMC.

Ark was a treat. The way he compressed himself down so as to be 'normal' His slightly dry humour and exasperated fondness for his friends. His desire to forge his own path anyway he could. It all worked brilliantly.

The romance was slightly faster paced in terms of timeline within the actual story only occurring over weeks but it was slower paced in terms of actual occurrence on page, and while thats not usually something I like, this relationship worked so well for me. They learnt each other, they shared with each other. There was an unravelling of each others parts that I found quite touching.

The cast of side characters were interesting and fun. Everyone felt very distinct and I loved thst even some of the children got their moments to shine.

Very excited to see where book two takes the story and to hopefully learn more about some of the side characters.

[Agnes Odek]

As the cozy time of year approaches, this read is a worthy companion. Good thing it’s being released on October 1.

Like all movies and books, the protagonists strike a deal to safe guard whats important to them. But for this book, it has a twist. One is a demon; the other is a half-witch and half-human.

Aura Cassia is a kitchen witch. Her power is meant for healing, infused in the foods she makes. When Agmon Group decides they wish to purchase the orphanage, she storms to the demon’s gentlemen’s club to demand they let it go. It’s the only place half-bloods are welcomed with open arms.

Varil Arkenoth has been titled the idle prince. When he realizes Alderrath wishes to take up the orphanage, he is more than open to piss him off, plus he needs a companion for the Yulefrost season. An attempt to ward off his mother’s matchmaking attempts in exchange for his help in saving the orphanage.

Beautifully written and captivating with each word. A symbol that no matter where you are from, challenges exist whether rich, poor, pure-blood, or half-blood. However, not everyone gets an opportunity to find someone who sees the value in what you value. The main characters in this book are so gentle with each other. I love when books move away from treating each other poorly to being in love. It holds emotional depth

Basically, the main characters in this book have done the work and gone to therapy. I cried, I laughed, and I will be reading this book again and again. They are both positive and have a different vibe to them. No toxic misinterpretations or unnecessary drama. It’s cozy and endearing.

Her currency is sugar and spice.

He asks for a scandalous price.

[Fahdah]

"He could smother light and bend shadow to his will—and here he sat, undone by a Kitchen Witch with chamomile on her breath and gentle hands."

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Review of advanced copy received from author

This was a delightful treat. A cosy fantasy with a soft romance.

We follow the story of Cassia and Ark, who meet in a way that almost feels like fate, as they strike a fake engagement. Cassia to save the orphanage, and Ark so his mother would leave him alone about choosing someone.

Cassia is resilient, gentle, and loving. Ark is steady, quiet, and determined. Seeing them circle around each other was a delight.

I adored watching their interactions, they learned each other slowly, steadily, and gently. You can feel the instant connection and it's authentic rather than forced.

I loved the attention to their friends and family too, they stood out and felt alive and not just as additional characters. I hope we get to see more of them in the next book.

I got unexpectedly attached to Ark's parents. The second we were introduced to Delphyne with the description of her mating mark, I was in awe. And then meeting his father, and things click into place to why he had been absent in his sons' lives. It humanized them in an instant, showed them as people and not what they symbolize in their society.

Each interaction Cassia had with them captivated me. They truly care for their children, and they cared about Cassia. "Because you are loved by the one I love."

And isn't that the sweetest thing?

[Tonje Lien]

This is in my category a COZY-WHIMSY book!!

The premise of having to save an orphanage so all the children will have a home is already a story in itself! But then Enola went a step further with magic, witches, demons and deals!

I like a good fake dating/fiance trope any day. But when it's done good - I adoore it! And this? This I very, very much adore!

All of the side characters were done seemlessly too. From the women in the bakery, to his colleagues/friends to the cat! I had fun with them all!

Enola blended the heavy topics well with the cozy feel of the overall story. It allowed for sadness and heavyness when needed.
The orphanage, the bakery, the fake relationship deal, to his business and parents. Every snippet of every little understory blended so well with the main overall plot.

The relationship was so romanticly written! The magical notes, the small and big gestures back and forth, the intimacy (both psychologically and physically) was one of the best I have read. I loved it!

It can be read as a standalone but more is coming and I'm all here for it when it does!!

I would like to thank the author for gifting me an eARC to read early.

[Laurel Werner]

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so cute and cozy! I absolutely devoured it! The world building was amazing and the character development was spot on. I adored the romance between our demon and kitchen witch. I cannot wait to read another book by this author! She made me feel all the feels.

[Dallas]

“I know you like I know my own shadows—by heart, and in the dark.”
~
I loved this book so much, it was such a sweet and cozy romance! There were also some added mystery and paranormal elements that I didn’t see coming and really enjoyed. The found family and the characters in this book were amazing and I loved them so much, both Ark and Cassia were so soft and sweet while also being tough when they needed to be. I got sucked right in and stayed up way too late to finish. There were so many adorable and sweet moments that had me giggling and then the end was so touching and I did in fact cry multiple times. Also all of the baking in this did make me want to go into this world and visit Cassias Bakery. Keep baked goods handy while reading this book.

I was waiting for that reveal at the end and I am so excited to see where we go from here in the next book.

Thank you so much to Enola M. Douglas for an ARC of this book! I was so excited to get the email and it lived up to every single one of my expectations! I am so ready to read anything and everything by her!

[Ace]

3.5 stars. Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a complimentary ARC so I could share my thoughts about this book. 

When this book was good, it was great, and when it wasn't, I struggled a bit. This was a cozy fantasy novel that had a touch more bite to it than the typical “cozy” book, and I liked that extra depth/plot. However, whenever its momentum stalled out (which happened a few times), I had to intentionally work to keep myself locked in.

The story itself was both cozy yet interesting: the main character Cassia, a kitchen witch, finds herself in the position of trying to save the orphanage her parents (who are now deceased) devoted their lives to, because a property developer has purchased the building the orphanage was leasing right out from under them, and now plans to demolish it. Out of desperation, Cassia tries to approach the developer, finds herself stonewalled, and takes matters into her own hands. By doing this, she ends up accidentally attracting the attention of a demon prince, who proposes a fake engagement that will benefit both of them—her by gaining his help saving the orphanage, and him by getting his match-making mother off his back. The story develops from there.

The characters themselves were warm and charismatic. I would have liked a little more time getting to know the side characters (I would have gladly traded the majority of sections 25-50% in favor of more character development), but the time I did get with them was great. Most of the settings were also vivid and immersive (especially the more familiar ones), and I felt like I was standing right inside Cassia’s house or her bakery or the orphanage, which I really enjoyed. 

The two big stumbles I ran into with this book were a pacing issue, and an issue with the end of the first half of the book, from roughly 25-50%.

For the pacing issue, there is a 2-week deadline imposed right from the very beginning—two weeks until the orphanage is closed, and two weeks until the Yuletide Ball where they will showcase their fake engagement—and so everything happens lightning-fast within that time period.

The reason this felt frustrating was because I actually liked the characters together, and would have felt invested in them as a couple if I'd felt like the timeline for their love story was realistic instead of problematic. If they'd even just had one month instead of two weeks, the pacing would have felt much more okay to me, but unfortunately, we were left with what can only be called insta-love, which in my opinion fundamentally clashes with the entire concept of a cozy romance.

As for the second quarter of the book, that section between 25-50% contained such an excessive amount of introspection and feelings-exploring that I was outright skimming at times just to get past it all. This was a marked difference from when the book first opened (from approx 0-25%), where the writing felt great, to the next 1/4 of the book where the writing and tone suddenly felt very different. In particular, the descriptions suddenly became very extra and introspective, to the point of being slightly melodramatic. At this point, I began to question whether I had imagined enjoying the first quarter of the book as much as I'd thought I had.

However, once I was past that section, I found the last 50% of the book to be much more enjoyable. In fact, once I decided to just outright ignore the time deadline and pretend they had known each other for longer, the last 25% felt downright fun and un-put-downable. I suspect that a big part of the issue with that second quarter of the book was that it gets a bit stalled out, because once the plot started moving confidently forward, I was hooked back in and actively interested in what was coming next, especially with the fate of the orphanage.

While I think this 2nd quarter of the book definitely needs some additional tightening up, I also think it's possible for readers to go into the book forewarned that they might need to skim over that section a bit, and still enjoy the book, especially if they're the type of reader who enjoys cozy fantasy romances but want more spice than those books usually offer (and spice that is explicit yet somehow still feels "cozy") and a plot that actually has a bit of substance to it without being overly stressful.

All in all, I liked this author and I’ll be interested to see her journey as she continues to hone her craft. The second book in this series sounded interesting based on the little blurb at the end of the book, and it seems like this cozy little world is only getting started.

[moon castell]

ARC REVIEW, MANY THANKS TO THE AUTHOR FOR THE ADVANCED COPY
This book was such a wonderful surprise. I honestly didn’t expect to fall this hard for this book, but here we are. It’s the kind of romantasy that feels like a warm hug: sweet, cozy, comforting, and just the right amount of magical.

Ark and Cassia were an absolute DELIGHT to read. Their interactions had me laughing like a maniac more times than I can count, and every time they were together I just wanted MORE. Their chemistry is so effortless and fun, and I genuinely could have read another hundred pages of them just talking, bickering, and existing around each other. Their relationship is incredibly sweet and tender, but it still has that strength I love when things get serious.

And then there’s the found family. I’m always a sucker for a good group of weird, kind, lovable friends, and this book DELIVERED. They added so much warmth and fun to the story and made the whole world feel even more alive.

But honestly, one of the things that surprised me the most was the magical world. The magic system felt SO original and genuinely unique. I loved the way emotions and feelings are woven into magic because, somehow, it makes the whole thing feel almost real. There’s something so fascinating about the idea that something as intangible and human as an emotion can have actual magical weight and consequences. It made the magic feel incredibly personal rather than just being another set of rules or powers.

The world itself also has so much more going on than I initially expected, with four different factions, paranormal elements, mystery, and all these little details that slowly make you understand how everything fits together. I really enjoyed discovering the world alongside the characters instead of feeling like I was being handed a giant info dump. There’s so much potential in this universe, and after finishing the book, I’m genuinely excited to see where the author takes it next.

Also, can we talk about the writing? Enola M. Douglas has such a beautiful, lush way of describing things. The clothes, the settings, the magic… and OH MY GOD, THE BAKERY. The descriptions of Cassia’s pastries had me wishing I could reach through the pages and steal something. Seriously, do yourself a favor and have snacks nearby because you WILL get hungry.

What I loved most, though, is that this book gives you so much more than the romance you initially expect. There’s mystery, paranormal elements, a fascinating magic system, and a whole world built around these different factions. I genuinely wasn’t expecting some of the directions the story took, and I loved discovering them along the way.

The pacing also worked really well for me. It kept me interested enough that I kept saying “just one more chapter” and suddenly it was WAY past my bedtime. And when we finally get to that big reveal toward the end? YES. I had been waiting for it, and it did not disappoint.

The ending absolutely got me, too. I was NOT emotionally prepared, and yes, there were tears. More than once.

I also really appreciated how the story manages to stay light and comforting while touching on deeper themes like classism and identity. If I had one little complaint, it would be that I wish we had gotten to spend a bit more time with the children at the orphanage, because I wanted more of that part of Cassia’s life.

Overall, this was such a charming, magical, comforting read, and I completely understand why people are loving it. It’s one of those books that feels like a little escape, and honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what I need.

I’m already SO curious about this universe and the future books, because after this one, you can absolutely count me in.

[Mei]

Wow. Just wow. I don't think I'll ever be able to adequately describe how perfect this book is in words. From today onwards, I will be recommending this book to everyone I encounter. It's that good.

Where do I even start with this beautiful story. As someone who barely cries when reading, this book had me sobbing at 4AM, shedding silent tears in the dark. This book had everything I asked for and more. It had a fake engagement, demons and witches, healing cooking/baking, a strong AF and selfless FMC, and green-flag protective MMC, and an irreplaceable story that tugged on every heartstring. At first, I signed up for the ARC because I love myself a fake engagement trope. But after reading the book, this breathtaking story offered more than just a book that satisfied my craving, it offered me the warmth from a story I didn't even know I was missing. This book had me crying as it reminded of me how lucky I am to have the friends and family I have in life.

I have a very bad habit of putting off stuff that I don't want to end because I love it so so much and this book was one of them. I started the book back in July but didn't finish it until today (September) because I didn't want to the story of Cassia and Ark and the magic of their world to end. I only do this for books/movies that I really really love and have shifted something in my heart. I found the courage to let this masterpiece finish bc I found out that there would be a book 2! This is one of the few books that have brought back this habit. It was THAT good. If you're looking for a book that would leave a mark on your life, this is one of the them.

To our FMC, Cassia. I haven't read such a strong and brave FMC in soooo long. Our girl is kind, valiant, and so so self-less. She had me crying so many times throughout the book as we read of her bravery from the tribulations she's forced to take on in life. As one of my new favourite FMCs, Cassia would be a character that I would be introducing to every young women I encounter so that they can learn of the strength and resilience Cassia has for the people she loves. Likewise, our MMC, Ark. As someone who has his own troubles, he is so unapologetically kind to Cassia. I truly hope everyone is able to find someone who loves them like how Ark loves Cassia. This blindingly green-flagged MMC is now one of my new favourite MMCs ever! And may every person find a love so true and embracing as Cassia and Ark's.

And to Ms. Enola M. Douglas, if you happen to read this, please know that your talent has the ability to change lives! The warm from this story has shifted something in me that I never anticipated and I'm so thankful to have had the chance to read your story! Thank you so much for sharing your brilliance with the world and please never ever story writing! I will now be reading ANYTHING you write. Thank YOU for being a writer and sharing your gift with the world.

💫Must read for those who love:💫
🌃 Cozy Urban Fantasy
💖 Magic and healing through cooking
🩵 Fake Engagement
✨ Found Family
💖 Witch x Demon
🩵 Strong, kind, and selfless FMC
✨ Greenflag, protective MMC
💖 A heart-wrentching story that would make you cry at 4AM
🩵 A story that reminds you to be thankful of the friends and family around you

✨Thank you so much to Enola M. Douglas for sending me an eARC of SMM to read and review! Connect with me on Instagram!✨

[Allison]

“Let me hold this for you. Just for a moment. Let me be the place where it doesn't hurt”

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Review of advance copy received from Author

Grab a sweet treat and dig into this cozy romance by Enola M Douglas! First off, the combination of kitchen witch and shadow demon had a hold of me even before starting, and Enola’s writing didn't disappoint. The story focuses on Cassia, a cozy orphanage steward kitchen witch, and Ark, a demon from a well off bloodline who wants to break away from his family's political responsibilities. When Cassia’s orphanage is threatened with eviction by another powerful demon, Ark steps in with an offer to Cassia of a fake engagement for both of their benefits.

Overall I cannot stop thinking about this book and its world building. I loved the combination of multiple races (elf, human, demon, witches) living in one city and the societal struggle of lineage. Ark and Cassia’s romance is so well paced and sweet. The cast of supporting characters were also loveable and left me wanting to see them and learn more of their own stories (usually rare in a romance book for me!!), and don’t get me started on how well the found family aspect is worked in. I was in awe of Ark’s parents, I will leave it at that to stay spoiler free- but I love them more than I even thought possible! What a lovely treat.

Although some might say the book is on the longer side- I loved the length. It allowed the plot and subplots to flow without feeling rushed but also didn't overwhelm the reader. I was a little worried the story would fizzle out but the chemistry between Ark and Cassia was through the roof and kept me wanting more even after the final page. On that note I am so excited to hear that this book will be the first in a series! I would also kindly request a companion cookbook to enjoy Cassia’s recipes… I need to live in this book longer!

What you can expect:
⭐ Cozy Urban Fantasy
💕 Fake Engagement
⭐ Found Family
💕Witch x Demon
⭐ Small Town Feel
💕 He Falls First
⭐ Mutual Pining

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Some favourite quotes:

“Good relationships don't start with romance, they start with understanding”

“He could smother light and bend shadow to his will- and here he sat, undone by a Kitchen Witch with chamomile on her breath and gentle hands”

“Let me hold this for you. Just for a moment. Let me be the place where it doesn't hurt”

“It didn't ‘become’ anything. It was already here, waiting for us to stop pretending it wasn’t”.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

A huge thank you to Enola M. Douglas and for letting me read this eARC before its release on October 1, 2026. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to get an early read in, and have my finger crossed for a special edition hardcover to be released!

[Giulia Politi]

Review of an ARC provided by the author.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, and I think I actually screamed when I saw it in my inbox. Having already read and absolutely loved Whisked Away by Enola M. Douglas, I knew I was going to fall in love with this one too—and I was right.
Smoke, Mirrors & Misdemeanours takes place in a world where humans, witches, elves, and demons have been forced to coexist, while anyone without an ancient bloodline faces prejudice and discrimination. Cassia and Ark stand at opposite ends of this society, and their meeting feels almost like a twist of fate. From the very beginning, though, their chemistry is undeniable.
Enola M. Douglas has created wonderfully three-dimensional characters that are impossible not to grow attached to—and I'm not just talking about the protagonists. The supporting cast is just as memorable and full of life.
I expected to fall head over heels for Ark, and I absolutely did—he's the definition of a green flag. But it was Cassia who truly stole my heart. Her greatest strength lies in her kindness and resilience. Despite everything life has thrown at her, she never stops being compassionate or selfless, always willing to sacrifice what matters most to protect the people she loves.
This book will make you giggle, kick your feet, cry, and probably make you hungry. But above all, it will leave you with the comforting feeling of having finally come home.

( Italian review )
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ho avuto la fortuna di ricevere una copia ARC da leggere e penso di aver urlato quando l'ho vista nella mia e-mail. Avendo già letto Whisked Away di Enola M. Douglas ed avendolo amato sapevo già che mi sarei innamorata, e così è stato.
Smoke, mirrors & Misdemeanours prende vita in un mondo dove creature diverse ( umani, streghe, elfi e demoni ) si sono ritrovati a convivere loro malgrado, e dove le persone senza un lignaggio antico vengono discriminate. Cassia ed Ark sono ai due estremi di questa società, e il loro incontro quasi un capriccio del destino, ma colpisce fin da subito la loro chimica. L'autrice è riuscita a creare dei personaggi tridimensionali a cui è impossibile non affezionarsi, e non parlo solo dei protagonisti, ma anche dei personaggi secondari. Pensavo che mi sarei completamente innamorata di Ark, e non nego che così è stato perché quel ragazzo è una green flag assoluta, ma Cassia mi è rimasta nel cuore: la sua forza viene dalla sua gentilezza e dalla sua forza d'animo, nonostante le difficoltà della vita non ha mai smesso di essere buona e altruista, pronta a sacrificare ciò a cui tiene di più per le persone che ama. Questo libro vi farà ridacchiare, scalciare i piedi, piangere, vi farà venire anche fame, ma soprattutto vi lascerà una sensazione di essere tornati a casa.

[Allix]

SMOKE, MIRRORS, AND MISDEMEANORS is so charming, and this universe has so much potential! I can’t wait to see what’s coming next from Enola M. Douglas.

While the relationship between Cassia and Ark verges on instalove, I felt like I knew and understood both of the characters, their motivations, and their draw to one another reasonably well, which I think goes a long way to making this kind of quickly-formed relationship believable. Cassia and Ark are such clear characters, for me: I felt like I knew exactly who each of them were and how they belonged to the world. Their characterization was strong, and it was honestly such a joy to read them and be in their minds. I also thought the actual writing was beautiful – it was so descriptive without being overly flowery or nonsensical, and none of the more poetic descriptive passages felt out of place or unnecessary. I thought the magic system and world was incredibly interesting, and that’s what I’m most excited to read about in the rest of the series. I also really appreciated the way Douglas wrote about Cassia and Ark grieving and the very practical way people live while actively grieving; it felt very realistic and tragic, and I think that’s a hard balance to get right.

I felt like Ark’s conflict with his parents was perhaps a little bit shallow – I’m generally not a huge fan of miscommunication or under-communication, where an entire conflict can be resolved with a single conversation. But I also think that the messiness of family is a big theme in this book, and I think there’s potential to expand on it in future books. I loved all of the self-reflection Ark did as he got to know Cassia, and how he really reconsidered his worldview and his privilege and ultimately changed his mind about the best way to make change in their society because of his relationship with her. The downside to this arc, or maybe the reflection of it, is that Cassia’s position was also somewhat reversed: it felt as though the book was really trying to say something about class and the people who fall through the cracks in a system that relies on their subjugation, but it sort of undermined the point when, in the end, it’s Cassia’s connections that resolve the class-related issues she’s having. But again, I think this being a series means that this is an issue that will repeatedly come up in other books, and so there’s more opportunity to work through it.

I would recommend SMOKE, MIRRORS, AND MISDEMEANORS to any and all romantasy lovers, people who want their “cozy” fantasy with a side of actual plot, and people who say they love a slow burn but are maybe too impatient to actually wait for it.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for the ARC!

[Nicola Frasier (nikswordsonpaper)]

What a magical cosy romance this was! One of my first cosy fantasy reads I've read and I absolutely adored it. The best surprise with found family, a unique magic system, paranormal elements and the hottest slow burn. Thanks to NetGalley and VictoryEditing for this eARC!

5⭐️

"I know you like I know my own shadows - by heart, and in the dark."

Cassia is a Kitchen Witch with no lineage in a world that values bloodlines - but she doesn't let that stop her from defending the mixed-blood children in her late mother's orphanage. On top of being confident and sassy - despite society frowning upon her - she is so sweet and tender in her care of the children at the orphanage she took over from her late mother and in the pastry goods she bakes at her bakery. Her food is literally magic and is partly what catches the heart of Ark - the 'prince' of the demon district.

"You look like every star in the sky came down just to rest on your shoulders."

For Ark, it's intrigue at first sight. When Aura challenges a noble demon whom he dislikes at the exclusive gentleman's club, he can't help but appreciate her confidence in straying from the societal norms. Needing help to avoid his mother's matchmaking, he proposes a fake engagement in exchange for using his influencer to help her protect the orphanage - and also stick it to the demon he is suspicious of.

As they dally together at the Yulefrost festivities, royal galas, orphanage outings, bakery visits and share grief confessions and love notes, the lines begin to blur. The slow-burn is intense, but it was natural and inevitable. I fell in love with them both as they truly cared for one another and never strayed from their values and morals. At their core they are hurt individuals with a lot of grief that's vastly different because of their station, but feel so similar. Yet they still come together to appreciate one another and want to break away from expectations forced upon them. She's whimsy, and he's basically a demon shadow daddy, but their chemistry together is off the charts. Ark is a secret romantic as well as a huge morning person!

"They're wondering how quickly I'll ruin you."

Amongst the romance storyline, the world building and politics is explained so well and creates a world that was unique yet felt lived in. It has set-up for what I am sure is going to be a wonderful series that delves more into the bloodlines and factions. Despite the heaviness of societal unfairness, we have huge amounts of found family elements with the kids at the orphanage, Cassia's and Ark's friends / work partners, making this whole book feel like a huge, warm, yet spicy hug!

[Karolina Reads]

Okay, can someone explain why a book about a demon lord, a kitchen witch, fake engagement chaos and magical drama had me sitting here with the biggest “please don’t make me leave this world yet” feelings? This book was such a surprisingly comforting read. It had that perfect mix of cozy fantasy, romance, humor and emotional moments that sneak up on you when you least expect it. Cassia completely stole my heart. She’s the kind of character who carries so much kindness and strength even when life keeps throwing obstacles her way. I loved her warmth, her determination and the way she always tries to protect the people she cares about.

And Ark… excuse me while I scream into the void because this man (well, demon) is a walking green flag. Arkenoth could have easily been written as the intimidating demon lord, but instead, he surprised me with his patience, loyalty and the way he sees people beyond their status or bloodline. His dynamic with Cassia was honestly my favorite part of the book. Their banter had me smiling like an idiot and watching their relationship grow felt so natural and sweet. The world Enola M. Douglas created was another highlight for me. I loved the idea of different magical beings trying to coexist while dealing with old prejudices and complicated social rules. There was a lot going on beneath the cozy moments and I appreciated that the story explored heavier themes like grief, identity, family and finding your own place in the world without losing the magical charm.

The side characters were also fantastic. They brought so much personality, humor and heart to the story. The friendships, the found family vibes and even the little moments involving Starlight made this book feel like more than just a romance. Also… some of the creatures and unexpected little details had me saying “Okay, I love this place, when can I move in?”

If I had one tiny complaint, it would be that I wanted even more time with certain characters and parts of the world. I was having such a good time that I wanted extra pages to explore everything. Honestly, my biggest problem was simply that the book ended and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. This book made me laugh, got me emotional, made me root for characters I instantly cared about and gave me that cozy feeling of finding a story that feels like a warm blanket after a long day. It’s magical, charming and full of heart.

A huge thank you to Enola M. Douglas and NetGalley for allowing me to read this eARC before its release on October 1, 2026. I’m so grateful I got the chance to experience this beautiful world early and I can’t wait to see what comes next!

[Moonburst]

As a Kitchen Witch of no distinguished lineage, Cassia has always had to fight hard for what she has. When she is informed that the orphanage she runs is being evicted, she refuses to back down. She hunts down the demon responsible for the eviction to confront him publicly, which brings her to the attention of the Arkenoth, an extremely powerful demon and eligible bachelor. Ark offers Cassia a bargain: pose as his fiancee so his mother stops trying to set him up with other demons, and he will save her orphanage. But as the two start to get to know each other, sparks fly, and they soon have to decide if this fake relationship might be the start of something real.

This was a fantastic book with excellent world building. This story takes place in a magical world with witches, humans, demons, and elves with a staunch power hierarchy heavily determined by bloodline. As the half-blood daughter of two orphans, Cassia is at the bottom of the hierarchy, while Ark is at the very top. Cassia is used to being looked down at and to be refused most things, and while she’s been hurt by this, she refuses to let it keep her down. Ark, despite his prestige, sees the upper echelons as full of power hungry, superficial people, so he has turned his back on the expectations and opportunities offered to him. But as he sees the struggles of Cassia and the way his peers treat her, Ark is forced to recognize his privilege and determine if he’s willing to use his power to make real good in the world.

I thoroughly enjoyed just how realistic and fully dimensional all the characters were. No one is perfect, and Cassia struggles with feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy, while also having a tendency to martyr herself for others. She has a full life outside of her relationship with Ark, and she continues to fight for her orphanage even though Ark is helping her. Ark, for his part, also has a full life outside of Cassia, with strong friendships and plenty of plots for manipulating the city to his wishes. He resents his parents for the cold upbringing he endured and is almost surprised by the depth of his emotional connection to Cassia. The two bring out the best in each other, and together they are able to heal some of their emotional turmoil.

Overall Smoke, Mirrors & Misdemeanours was a truly wonderful read. The plot and pacing were spot on, and the romantic elements were heartwarming. The world was fully realized, and even side characters had depth. A thoroughly well made tale with plenty of heart.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kaela]

Delightful and entertaining!

Cassia, Ark, and their group of “misfit” friends were so enjoyable to read. The world building hit the perfect balance to craft a setting with mixed species, social issues, and themes of forging your own path. This book was emotional, funny, and whimsical. Exactly what I was looking for! The plot was creative, offering fantasy elements alongside real life struggles.

Cassia was a great character, strong willed, courageous, stubborn, and caring. She would do everything she could for the ones she loves, and it was both heartwarming and heartbreaking to read her story. I loved that she didn’t let rejection or a lack of family ties to an established bloodline hold her back or keep her from being happy. She found a place to belong with her friends, the children, and Ark.

I really liked Ark as our MMC. He was somewhat closed off and hiding himself at first, but we got to see him slowly open up to Cassia. He trusted his feelings and didn’t try to avoid or shy away from what was growing between them. I found his POVs to be funny, too!

I loved the support Cassia receives from her friends. Even though they were awestruck by her decision to make a bargain with Ark, they still supported her unconditionally. They nudged her toward opening her heart again and held her when she cried. Rhodes and Caius were so cool and fun! As Ark’s found family, they brought Cassia into their circle with open arms.

I did notice a few times where the timeline felt off. There was a moment when we’re told hours had passed, but that contradicted what the reader actually experienced - they just arrived, spoke to someone, and then sat down for dinner. This didn’t support hours passing. It felt like a gap in the narrative and pulled me out of the story. I experienced just a few of these moments.

I also struggled a bit with the conflict around the 70% mark. The reasoning behind Cassia’s actions felt thin and unexplained. We didn’t have much setup or significant experiences to support her choices, so it didn’t make sense to me. There wasn't any real drama with Ark’s family that justified her decisions, making it feel out of character for someone we knew to be so strong, clever, and stubborn.

Final Thoughts: I’m really glad I came across this book! It was a great read, and I’m excited to see where Cassia and Ark’s journey goes next. Also, I need books for all of their friends, Rhodes first! I’m very curious to see if any of the friends will pair off.

4.25 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 ARC received from NetGalley.

[Diahsulis]

Okay, I was so intrigued to give his book 4//5🌟 but my mind finally at rest when I completed the 5 stars rating there. I'm not a long thread reviewer anymore but here's my take:
.
First of all, thank you for netgalley to provide me with an Arc copy of this book.
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This book is the first cozy fantasy I read and I'm really glad that this book is the beginning of my journey through Cozy fantasy. This book is as cozy as you can get. You get bakery, delicious cake recipe, magic in the kitchen and of course what else we can hope to get but a man as sweet and handsome as Arkenoth?
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Cover?
Gorgeous. No need to say anything. But I like how Arkenoth's horn is like twisting on his head. Cool detail. I love the color pallette too. So charming and calming.
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Characters?
Oh, this is it. This is the best MMC so far. No dirty language or overlusting the FMC since chapter 2. Both of them just fins each other interesting at first, respectfully. Before getting more and more interested in one another by the time story goes on.
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Chemistry?
Oh, don't get me start with he yearning. Even though it's less than my desirable yearning in fiction book, 60% of yearning is better than most books I've read so far this year. I didn't get devastated by the over sweet romance. And I get a good siblings banter between Arkenoth and Oromon. I can't ask for more, honestly, I can't.. but if I may add, perhaps more yearning?
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Spice? 🌶️🌶️.5/5
Honestly author wrote a better version of smut scene, compared to some books who claimed to be adult romantasy. The narration and the description is sweet and amazing not sloppy and not childish at all. Both of them know the risks and takes a very careful step towards it. Arkenoth is really REALLY RESPECT Cassia and I can't say bad things about him. He never crossed a line not even in his thought, so yeah please take a note, author romantasy out there!
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Overall Plot?
It's comfy. Even if few moments in this books got me teary really quick, it's still very very much cozy fantasy. No drama no angst no unnecessary conflict. Just a woman try to survive and a man who try to make a choice for himself rather than following norm standards.
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Enola knows how to make tearjerker departure with beloved ones. Not a devastating but the grief is right there behind my eyelids. Once again, good jobs and good luck for the sales. I really hope to see your book 2 of this series.

[Nostradamus_in_pyjamas]

Absolutely incredible! This book was like the warmest of hugs and has easily made it's way into my top books for the year! 
If I could rate this book higher I would! 

Enola's writing style is beautifully descriptive and vividly indulgent. I was invested in the plot from the first chapter. The story is moderately fast paced and flows flawlessly from start to finish. The world building and magic system are both solid and presented in a way that is easy for the reader to understand. I adored the entire concept of the land magic! 

Every character in this book was perfection and I loved them all! From main characters to supporting characters to villains, every single one was brilliantly written. 

Ark and Cassia together make my heart happy! I loved the banter between them and the respect they held for each other. 

Cassia is a wonderful FMC. She is strong, funny, intelligent and very relatable. I adored her so much, her resilience and determination to ensure she did everything she could for Starlight was incredibly endearing and has sealed her as one of my favourite FMC's this year! 

Ark is very similar to Cassia, his determination to carve his own path in life is commendable. Despite his bloodline and status he lives his own way and never looks down on those that the rest of high society see as beneath them. Absolute green flag MMC in every way and I loved him! 

Lilibeth, Opalina, caius and Rhodes were all fantastic! They were like an unshakable wall of friendship and support. I really hope we get to see more of them all in the next book. 

The children of Starlight deserve their own special mention! I loved the parts of the story involving them. I felt an overwhelming need to protect them all and they were such an emotional part of the story! 

Delphyne took me by surprise, I did not expect to love her as much as I did and I looked forward to seeing her name appear on the page! She's an absolute queen! 

The themes of grief in the story are beautifully handled. Raw, heartfelt and very relatable to anyone who has ever experienced loss. 

I laughed, cried, felt my heart break and piece back together! This was such a beautiful story and I can't wait for the next book! 

Thank you so much Enola for the honor of being a part of your ARC team! ❤️ All opinions are my own.

[Andrea Marsden]

Firstly, thank you so much to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this before publication in exchange for an honest review. 💖

This was such a super cosy, delicious read! 🥹😍 I was hooked from the beginning and loved the Authors writing style. 4.5⭐️ rounded up! And the cover 😍

This book felt like being wrapped up in a warm, snuggly blanket with a hot drink 🥹✨ It is going straight onto my list of books that would be PERFECT for an autumn/winter reread!

Cassia is such a beautiful, kind hearted FMC. 💖 A witch with no lineage that makes her not seen in Meredith but she refuses to let that stop her from protecting the mixed-blood children at Starlight Orphanage from losing their home and showing them that they also can reach for more. Then we have Varil Arkenoth, Ark a pure blood demon MMC who strikes a bargain with her, a fake engagement through the Yuletides festivities to appease his mother and a relationship that slowly becomes SO much more 👀❤️‍🔥 in exchange for help to save the Starlight orphanage.

Their relationship was honestly adorable and so full of kindness. The romance bloomed naturally and was beautifully paced, the banter between them in magical messages has you laughing, and I loved watching their feelings develop. The romance also never completely takes over there is plot there, which I really appreciated. And the FOOD! 😍 If The Witching Flour Bakery were real, I'd be there everyday. The descriptions had my mouth watering! I also wanted to sit around the dinner table at Starlight Orphanage with sticky fingers, comforting food and all the laughter. 🥹 The found family element was another huge highlight for me, on both Cassia and Ark's sides. Rhodes and Caius especially stood out, and I could happily have spent even more time with all of these characters and hope to see more in the future books like the Author has promised.

Everything comes together beautifully towards the end tying it together in a what feels like a lovely bow, but honestly... I WANT MORE! 😂 The epilogue and little glimpse towards book two have left me VERY ready and eagerly waiting for the next instalment.

A cosy, magical, romantic read with found family, banter, demons, witches, elves and enough substance to keep me completely invested. This absolutely needs to be on your TBR! 💖✨📚

[Ashli Wills]

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Spice: 🔥🔥

Enjoyment
I absolutely adored this book! I fell in love with the cover and vibes, and it was everything I hoped it'd be! I had such a fun time reading this book I think I finished the last 40%-50% in one night.

Characters
A fake engagement will always be one of my favorite tropes! I loved watching Cassia and Ark fall for each other. It filled me with all the warm and fuzzy feelings I want from a cozy romance. There's so much to appreciate about both characters individually as well. Cassie is compassionate, resilient, and self-sacrificing. Ark is a strong, respectful, and "sees people as people" shadow daddy.

The variety of side characters added a lot to the story. Cassia and Ark had their own friends/found family that helped them along every step of the way.

Plot
I'd give this book medium pacing, with a character- and plot-driven story. It is certainly a cozy book, though, so I wouldn't expect super action-packed and tension-filled scenes. It took a little while to really get invested, but by 25% I found myself enjoying it more and more.

The structure of society, magic, and the world overall felt familiar enough that it was easy to understand. But unique enough that it didn't feel copy/pasted from anything else. Enola really made the story her own.

The orphanage at the center of the story made it even cuter and gave a sense of comedic relief—the kids and Ark together 😂 Yet I'm also getting more invested the more I see of the kids because I love them!

Quality
Wonderfully written! This is exactly what I want from a cozy book! The characters and relationships kept me invested. Events throughout the book kept me engaged. However, every time I started to get the "Oh, no! What's going to happen!?" stress feeling, it would develop/resolve in a way that made me feel like it's all going to be okay. Like the book was giving me a hug or a weighted blanket every time I started to get a little too stressed.

Spice
A few intimate open-door scenes in the latter half of the book that are sweet and spicy! Nothing insanely expictly, though!

[Tonya]

First of all, I want to say thank you so much to Enola M. Douglas and Studio Miko for allowing me to read this e-ARC copy!

Cassia is a kitchen witch raised by "untethered" orphan parents who also take care of "untethered" orphans. She also is a bakery owner and bakes absolutely amazing dishes that can heal and make you feel good with her kitchen witch magic! She has created a "family" of friends like her without "pure" lineage (whether it be from witch, demon, elf or human descent). You are considered "untethered" if your lineage is combined of one of these.

Her orphanage is being gobbled up by a demon mogul set on buying land without remorse and when she tries to stop it or even work with him, he refuses, and from there she meets a very handsome and kind demon who makes a deal with her. She pretends to be his chosen and attends his mother's ball and he will try to save the orphanage. What can go wrong!? Not to mention, this particular demon is exceptional at exercising and cleansing homes (Supernatural with a demon twist? Call me intrigued!) with rare and dangerous relics and he has a very fun and very good looking set of friends to help him (Maybe we will get a love story for them in the next books???!!!)

I love the slow building tension between these two, you knew right away this "pretend" thing wouldn't stay "pretend". It's a story full of getting to know each other, heartaches and childhood "demons" so to speak (pun intended), as well as starting fresh and blossoming into something special, with a pleasant twist that will leave your heart bleeding for more.

I heard this may be a multi-book series and I must say, Douglas has got me in for them all, hook, line and sinker. I'm a sucker for a tough demon with a soft heart.

One of my favorite excerpts from the book that made me chuckle:
Rhodes: "Are we sure it's a cat?"
Ark: "Well, Cassia seems certain. But I get the feeling there's a story behind those whiskers."
Rhodes: "Yeah. That's not a cat."

I am really curious about that cat! you have to check this book out, it is such a cosy but fantastic ride!