Lust

by Kathryn Ann Kingsley

Two seconds to fall. An eternity to burn.Two seconds. That's all the deal cost Lilly Acharya Anderson. Two seconds of an ordinary life, bargained away in a frozen subway car to stop a bullet she never saw coming. There wasn't time to read the fine print.

No one warned her that two seconds on Earth buys an eternity below.

Maxwell—a copper-eyed devil in a bloodstained suit—didn't drag her down to damn her. He took her because she's a angel-blooded, and the one fragile thing standing between the Fallen and the ash they'd make of his kind. He's buried every woman who came before her. He fully expects to bury her too.

What neither of them expects is the wanting.

But he's patient, cruel, and the most beautiful monster she's ever been afraid of—and the desire comes anyway, slow as a flower opening in the dark.

So when something far older than the devil offers Lilly a way home? She should take it. Hell is the last place anywhere in existence she should want to be, after all.

But God help them both, it may just be the thing that kills her.

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A gaslamp dark fantasy romance—angels, demons, and monsters in a Hell built from art nouveau and the Weird West. Slow burn, occult, and darkly funny, for readers who crave villain romance and dark romantasy. The first of a seven-book epic from Kathryn Ann Kingsley, USA Today bestselling author of The Maze of Shadows, Harrow Faire and The Masks of Under.

Flowers in Hell is a why-choose romance with a twist. In Hell, nothing is what it seems. You’ve been warned. It won’t help.

Genres: Why Choose, Fantasy, Dark Romance, Romantasy, Dark, Romance, Adult

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2026

About the author

Kathryn has always been a storyteller. Years of scriptwriting for performances on stage and for tourism in Boston led her to writing romantically dark, fantastical tales, which was an obsession of hers that began once seeing The Phantom of the Opera at a young age.

When she isn’t penning new villainous leads, she works in video game development. There, she has been everything from Creative Director to Chief of Staff, Design Manager, Executive Producer, and Principal Writer for various companies in the industry.

She shares her antique home with three very fluffy animals and one very patient and loving husband.

Reviews

[Linz✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lust is a dark fantasy and the first book in the Flowers in Hell series following the seven deadly sins. This one in particular follows the explorations of desire and temptation and the complicated line between attraction and obsession. It was addictive, provocative, and perfect for fans of morally gray characters, dangerous attraction, and villain romances.

Lilly, our FMC, finds herself on a subway where a quick second changes everything. A Gunshot, A Demon, and A Bargain. Lilly makes a deal with the demon to save her life and in exchange she only has to give up two seconds of her life. We all know that you should never make a deal with a demon because now Lilly opens her eyes in a place that can only be described as a Wild West version of Hell, wanting things she never knew she wanted.

Kathryn Ann Kingsley did an amazing job at focusing on the psychology behind lust and how it affects the characters in her story. She dives not only in the desire itself but also the motivation behind it, and how characters can be affected by what they want vs. what they need and what can in the end destroy them. She invites readers to see how easily desire can blur the boundaries between pleasure and destruction.

"It was raw. Like touching lightning itself. It was the most intense thing she had ever been on the inside of, a kiss she had waited her whole life to experience."

What To Expect
💀Angels vs Demons
🖤Wild West Vibes
💀Why Choose
🖤Forced Proximity
💀Slow Burn Romance
🖤Seven Deadly Sins
💀Villains Romance
🖤Morally Black MMC

Thank you to Nerd Fam and the author for the opportunity to read an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Issa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading Kingsley's stories for years, so I decided to treat myself and bought the LUST special edition ARC signed hardcover. Needless to say I was ecstatic when it finally arrived from overseas with her signature as well as my own freaking name on the inside.

I'm happy Kingley's universe gets to explore the world of Hell (and maybe Heaven) that was introduced in the series Halfway Between. New readers should not fret though, as this world is new to even a devoted reader. You will never get lost as each chapter is easily followed just as watching a theater stage. You also get to enjoy colourful characters with their own depth and motivations, laugh at well placed comedy (I look at you Crow), as well as begin to question if a pretty Fallen is potentially more horrid than a faceless demon lady...

LUST definitely feels like it's the first in a series. The "lust" that the main characters develop are a slow burn, and many mysteries are not uncovered. The culmination is also near the very end of the book. I absolutely squealed when a name was revealed for one of the characters near the end... Although, in the likes of Harrow Faire and World of Under, I expect this series to potentially become one of Kingsley's stronger works in recent years.

Footnote: K.A.K. is easily one of the best authors to write consensual sexual interactions in an otherwise eye-for-an-eye world. I will die on this hill.

[Casie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars ✨

I’ll be honest I spent the majority of this book utterly confused about the plot and romance, but I think that was the point. I felt like our MFC, Lily, finding herself making a horrible bargain with a demon and not knowing what she just agreed to. Lily was literally dragged to hell, but hell is a western steampunk landscape with a brothel. The world we find ourselves in was so creative and I know we have just seen the surface of it and more will be revealed in the future books. The ending has me speechless and desperate for the next book. This is the start of a 7 book series, but all the books are releasing quickly.

Thank you The Nerd Fam and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Clarice · Rating 4 out of 5]

KAK is back! Definitely in my top favorites from her! I can’t wait to see how this turns out! Kind of insta lusty, but tbh with the way the why choose is going I’m fully invested 👀

[Karolina Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a 4.5 ⭐️ read for me.

There are some places I’d willingly visit in a book. This one? Let’s just say I’d bring snacks, a weapon and absolutely no expectations. Kathryn Ann Kingsley created such a strange, dark, deliciously chaotic world that I was immediately curious to see where everything would go. Lilly was easy to like. And Maxwell… sir. I have QUESTIONS. 👀 He’s dark, dangerous, morally questionable and the tension between him and Lilly had me paying very close attention. The spice is more of a slow simmer, but honestly, the tension was doing plenty.

I also loved Winnie, while Balfor definitely left me suspiciously curious. There are so many little details and unanswered questions that had my brain quietly screaming, but WHY?! The world building was one of my favorite parts, especially the unexpected Western inspired atmosphere.

Weird? Absolutely.
Did it work? Somehow, ridiculously well.
My only tiny complaint? Lilly deserves approximately five minutes to breathe.

By the end, I was staring at the page like, well… that certainly happened. And yes, I’m very curious about Greed.

Final thoughts: this is dark, strange, atmospheric, tension filled and just unhinged enough to keep me entertained. I had a really fun time with this one.

Thank you to The NerdFam and Kathryn Ann Kingsley for allowing me to read this eARC ahead of its October 13, 2026 release! I can’t wait for book 2.

[Honeybadgerreads · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
🌶️
3rd person POV
Book 1 in Flowers In Hell series

Kathryn Ann Kingsley really knows how to create the most unique, twisted worlds with villains you root for! I’ve read her books, Harrow Faire series, so I was excited to start this series aaaand I can tell this is going to be a banger! 🔥

Imagine making a deal with a demon to save your life, only to find yourself thrown into a Wild West version of Hell. Yes, you read that right… Lilly, our FMC, makes a 2 second bargain (you’ll understand this reference when you read the book) and ends up in Hell, or the place specifically in Hell called Barren. Throughout this story she is constantly taking mental notes and cataloging to figure out who she can and cannot trust.

The world building in this book is so fun and is a big chunk of the book! It’s dark, strange, and filled with so many mysteries.

The romance is definitely a slow burn and this first book spends a good amount of time establishing the world and its characters. This book is setting up for a why choose, and it’s even stated in her description that this is a why choose so I’m totally stoked about that!

With that being said, Maxwell (MMC) I already have the hots for and I know it’s because he’s coming off with some villainous energy, but the author did such a good making me question if he’s going to end up as a villain or not. I won’t mention the other main male characters because that’ll be spoilers.

Now, there were parts in this book where I wanted things to move a little faster… it does start off quick, lulls a little, and then picks back up. I promise that the last 15-25% is worth it! This is a 7 book series, so LET IT COOK!

Tropes + atmosphere:
Dark paranormal romantasy
Underworld setting
Western vibes
Lots of world building
Demons x humans x angels… and more
Sloooow burner
“Mine”
Forced proximity
Found family
Chasing/hunting
Hidden identities
Time bending
CLIFFHANGER

If you love dark romantasy, villain romance, morally grey characters, demons, and unconventional fantasy worlds then I definitely recommend checking this one out!

A big thank you to the author and The Nerd Fam for the physical arc!

[Tamara • tamaramayimreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I looooved the Bloodlines series by Kathryn Ann Kingsley, so of course I was veryyyy excited to pick up another book by this author! And let me tell you, I was certainly not disappointed! 🫶

Lust is a dark fantasy with such a unique and intriguing storyline. I absolutely adore the author’s writing style. There’s just something about the way she tells her stories that feels so different, in the best possible way! 👏👏👏

In this book, we follow our FMC, Lilly, who finds herself being shot at in a subway. But right before the bullet hits her, she makes a bargain with a demon in exchange for just two seconds of her life. Little does she know what she’s gotten herself into, because she ends up in a strange place that can only be described as some kind of wild west version of hell. 🤷🏻‍♀️

What makes this story so interesting is the way it’s told. We basically know just as much as Lilly, which most of the time, is absolutely NOTHINGGG. 😂 We’re thrown into this strange world alongside her, trying to figure out what the hell is going on. 😈 And while that makes for a slightly confusing reading experience, it’s also what makes it so incredibly intriguing! We’re discovering everything right alongside her, and I have sooooo many questions right now! 🧐 I just need to know more!!!

When I found out that the second book is called Greed, I got curious and did a little digging. And yaaasss, it looks like we’re getting seven books with the titles all inspired by the seven deadly sins! 👀 And I’ll be definitely reading every single one of them!

If you love your books dark, twisted, and a little different from everything else out there, I highly recommend giving Kathryn Ann Kingsley a try! 👏🖤

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted e-book.

[Brandee · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for an eARC to read and review before publication.

What I Enjoyed:
- Kathryn does a phenomenal job of creating an atmosphere and world grounded in the paranormal that feels tangible and accessible
- Lilly, our FMC, is the type of FMC I love reading about: strong, smart, and willing to ask questions instead of live in uncertainty
- Dangerous demons AND angels?!?!?
- A supporting cast of characters with personalities and agendas of their own
- The slow burn tension that Kathryn is able to build in 300+ pages
- Kathryn knows how to hook you for the next book

What I Struggled With:
- The middle of the book felt repetitive and slow
- I know this was an ARC, but there were some plot/detail errors that took me out of the read as I had to check and reread to make sure I was understanding what was happening. My hope is that these were reworked for the final copy.

Overall, I enjoyed Lust and definitely recommend it for those looking for a dark paranormal romance that spans several books.

[Kirra-Lee McDonald · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

That was a brilliant fucking time!

I have just had the best damn time! I’m truly so grateful these books are coming out once a month because I need Greed immediately! Demons, Angels, Fallen, Seraphim and Devils galore! The descriptive details were so immersive I could see every detail clearly and the bond created with each character was felt so strongly.

Lilly has 2 seconds to choose her fate, there’s no choice…. and yet all of Barrens future lies within her hands.

Thank you so much to @kathrynannkingsley for this arc opportunity and Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted books.


#lustflowersinhell #thenerdfam

[Drew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and NerdFarm for giving me this ARC!
The author does a decent job of setting up the world of Hell around the characters. The multiple points of view from the start of the book are jarring, especially when trying to keep track of who is who. So far, we know what a Magus is, but not much else.
It took until about halfway though the book when we’re just starting to get answers about what is going on. The repetitive writing (literally copy and pasting entire paragraphs) is killing the story along with the author’s obvious lack of understanding of the creatures she’s writing about and not even keeping on theme with the world she’s trying to build.
You get three quarters through, when you realize there’s been precisely 0 spice scenes in a “why choose” story... The writing style of copy and paste continues through the book and is killing me faster than “hell” is. And we get it, the angels and demons hate each other… how original and definitely need to keep reminding readers about it every couple of pages. Does it all wrap up in the end, or at least carry you into what to expect for the start of the next book? No... instead the author introduces a new character that’s essential to the actual story at the very end and just leaves it like that.

Overall
I hate to say it, but I unfortunately don’t have much nice to say about this story of “hell”… the author doesn’t understand the medical condition of the FMC that she’s trying so hard to have represented, the archetypes of her characters, the world, and worst of all instead of feeling like there was a buildup I largely felt like the author just doesn’t know where she wants the story to go.

FMC:
Lily actually has a spine, even in Hell and facing a demon who had just dragged her there. She’s already survived Purgatory (which was was quick trip and somehow was literally dragged through it) and handles questioning a demon with her chin held high while grabbing his bottle of alcohol like she owns it.

MMC:
He’s lost his last "Magus", but hope survives in this new one. He owns a brothel in one of the outer rims of Hell. He’s cocky, but what else is new for the last pure-blooded demon of Hell? Oh, and he has shadow powers. He's broody, moody, and always seemingly in a bad attitude except when Lily is around.

Liked
I’m really having a difficult time trying to find things I enjoyed about the story…

Disliked
The writing style kept taking me out of the book. There were multiple times (sometimes on the same page) where the author would repeat herself. We get it, it’s hell so there’s going to be demons. Except these demons aren’t actually “bad” more like grumpy and annoyed.

[Val Tarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 'Flowers in Hell' series promises to be Kingsley's best work yet.

There’s a sort of flavour to a western, one that’s sun-dried and just a little disappointing, like water left to warm somewhere or whiskey that tastes cheaper than its label, and 'Lust' does an excellent job of holding that flavour on its tongue for the full duration of the text. The characters have solid grounding in their motivations and speak with strong voices, the setting feels alive (as much as a place named 'Barren' can be), and the plot unfolds with the unhurried gait of a rider that knows exactly where she's going. 'Lust' plays out like the satisfying slow burn of a long fuse leading to a keg of gunpowder, and Kingsley does not disappoint when it's time for fireworks--whether it be action or romance.

[Tara Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first foray into reading Kingsley, and I'm quite certain that I will now be an obsessive consumer of everything put forth forever more.

What a wildly unique and stunning reading experience. The writing itself is so bold, piquant... the narrator so full of pluck. I was so baffled by the slow torture of what I was reading, but quite literally, could not put it down.

Lilly finds herself at the other end of a bullet fired through a subway train, and as time halts, she's given a split second choice to save her life without understanding the consequences. She agrees and finds herself in hell surrounded by demons, the leader of which is enigmatic, dark and terrifying. Without giving anything away, she forced with the decision to sacrifice her life on earth with saving the demons in Hell. She's kept in the dark as to why she's there or why they want HER specifically after hundreds of failed attempts by others brought down in similar ways.

The story is dark and toxic, the strange yearning is languid and heady... and there are plot discoveries at the end that leave me completely unwell. I must know what happens next.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys dark fantasy, portal or Gaslamp fantasy, a ridiculously slow burn, and beautiful worded literary brilliance. Thank you to the Nerd Fam and the author for the opportunity to read this arc!

[Tai · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

3.5 STARS!

Lust was an interesting read for me. Dark, twisted, intriguing, and had morally questionable characters who literally are allergic to telling the truth to each other. The worldbuilding took up a big chunk of this first book, but I understand why. The entire concept of Heaven and Hell existing on opposite sides of this rotating disk, different rings, angels, demons, Fallen, and all the complicated rules governing everything was both fascinating and at times frustrating to try and picture.

MAXWELL... this man.... was an absolute menace. He's dangerous, manipulative, unpredictable, and at times funny in a grumpy way. Balfor is another story... he's someone you cheer for, with all his complicated feelings and the yearning for someone/something MORE.

There was definitely potential in these relationships, and I like when when you never know who can be trusted. BUT... I think that's also where this lost me a little. There was a tad too much setup, so many mysteries, and so much time spent establishing the world and its characters that I kept waiting for the bigger moments... I needed more of the tension... I like what I like...

Overall, this was an intriguing start to a dark paranormal fantasy series with some fascinating worldbuilding, complicated characters, and plenty of secrets. I'll still be continuing the series because the ending had some good twists and sets up for some potentially great moments that I look forward to reading about in book 2.

Things I Loved
✨ Dark Paranormal Fantasy
✨ Demons + Fallen Angels
✨ Unique Heaven and Hell Mythology
✨ Morally Questionable Men
✨ Dangerous Bargains
✨ Secrets + Betrayals
✨ Mysterious Powers

Thanks to the Nerd Fam and Kathryn Ann Kingsley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Audiobooksgirlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two seconds. That’s all it takes to make a bargain that could cost an eternity. 🌸🎧🖤

Lilly makes a split-second decision to save a life and ends up in Hell, where she discovers that Maxwell, the devil holding her bargain, has plans of his own.

I had an extensional issue with Maxwell. Cruel, calculating, dangerously attractive, and absolutely not someone I’d recommend trusting. Kathryn Ann Kingsley certainly knows how to write a morally questionable MMC.

What stands out is the tension between survival and attraction. Lilly’s angel blood makes her far more important than she initially realizes, and the shifting power dynamic keeps things interesting. There’s something particularly compelling about a romance where attraction doesn’t make anyone less dangerous.

The world-building is intriguing, the premise is refreshingly different, and the darker undertones give the romance real substance. Add the why-choose element, and there’s plenty of potential for complicated loyalties and questionable decisions.

Dark, seductive, and full of dangerous bargains. Exactly the sort of trouble I enjoy reading about.

[Alyssa Brannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐫𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦

I don’t know that I’ll ever fully process what I just read, I still have a million questions. This was such an unusual setting to find angels and demons fighting in. Our FMC Lilly is thrown into it pretty much against her will and without any answers. It’s sort of a western ghost town on the outskirts of Hell. The MMC is a lil scary and is keeping more secrets than I’ve had my whole life. I didn’t see that twist coming until it was too late and the consequences are gonna be crazy. I was intrigued the whole time and felt that the plot was perfectly paced. I love that Lilly took back some power there at the end too.

[Brittni Shafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The vibes? Film Noir. Angels and Demons and more battling in such an intoxicating way that I swear this book was only fifty pages instead of over three hundred. This was such a unusual quirky and weird (in the best way) it truly felt like a memory that you swear youve gone through yourself but have no proof. I'm obsessed with Lilly and am so thankful for an FMC who actually gets it. She was stolen my a demon, brought to hell, and said yeah, makes sense. I'm absolutely obsessed and aching for book two.

Thank you TheNerdFam and Kathryn Ann Kingsley for the ARC

[Niki Gadd · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

First, thank you to Nerd Fam for the EARC! 🖤

This one spoke to my dark little soul. 😈 From the very beginning, I found it so easy to get into, and I was completely hooked by how unique it felt.

I absolutely LOVED the take on angels and demons. It’s dark, strange and completely different from what I was expecting, and the whole western atmosphere gave me serious Fallout vibes — which I was very much here for.

There’s something about this world that just worked for me, and I’m already desperate to know where the series goes next.

I cannot WAIT to continue this series!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when a woman makes a deal with a demon that in exchange for him stopping a bullet from killing her, she'll give him 2 seconds of her life?

Well..... apparently it's sitting in a room in Hell... or an attached parlor.... and 2x a visit to said Demons office, for.... approximately 90% of the book.

Literally, very little happens. Most is at the end. There really is nothing we learn, no mystery to solve because besides being stuck in Lilly's weird AF thoughts, she purposely doesn't ask questions. What's worse is she's told not to ask for other people's stories, so...we don't know anything about the people either. We aren't given anything, and most is just circling the drain of the same thoughts and feelings with no real progression towards anything.

A fun setting, a fun plot set up, and then...nada. I was honestly bored with it, but there is the potential for a lot of shenanigans and hijinx to come, so....I dunno. Maybe I'll see this series through to the end, maybe not. Harrow faire and the Masks of Under series started out slow too, but at least they were fun where this is just boring in the way rice water is plain, unless you plan on turning it into Horchata. This series could go either way.

[Keri M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two seconds traded for an eternity in Hell? Lilly is fierce, Maxwell is a beautifully cruel, morally questionable devil, and their chemistry is absolutely delicious! The tension, secrets, and twisted world of Hell had me hooked from the start. And that slow-burning attraction? Yes, please!Dangerous monsters, questionable decisions, and a romance that probably shouldn’t happen? Sign me up! Seven books of this delicious chaos? My TBR is doomed, and I regret nothing!

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just WOW. I am hooked! I loved diving into this western-style hell and being along for the ride while Lilly discovers the craziness of her newly uprooted life. Lilly is so analytical and introspective and it really shows how much information you can gather from just being aware of your surrounds. I also love that once she has assessed a situation, she doesn't back down from her decision.

I LOVE the art style of the cover (it is BEAUTIFUL) and the details of it tie into the story so masterfully.

Favorite quote: Lilly - "OH God..." Maxwell - " Not quite, but I'm flattered"

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

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

😈

This book was a lot of fun. It’s pretty fast paced and has a lot going on. Lilly is the kind of fmc I love. She’s smart and actually asks questions! It was fun meeting some interesting characters and stepping into this gaslamp fantasy Hell. This is definitely a slow burn and there’s a ton of questions left unanswered (it is a 7 book series after all) so I’m very curious to see what happens next!

[WinterberryE · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Book slumps cower in the face of Kathryn Ann Kingsley. Her world building and characterization are always top notch 👌👌

[Stephanie Chiocchi · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Thank you to Kathryn and The Nerd Fam for this eARC!

4.5✨

I really enjoyed this! It was different and the plot had me needing to know more. Some of the twists were predictable but I still enjoyed it nonetheless.

Also that ending? Why choose with a twist?! Helppppppp

[Nicole · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This is an ARC review.

So, Miss (Mrs/?) Kingsley opens this book with some bold statements in her content warning: "This series is a “why-choose” romance with a twist. You’ve been warned. It won’t save you." and "One final warning—I have been known to drink the tears of my readers. Keep that in mind as you go forth into Hell. I hope you enjoy."

She certainly delivers on the second sentiment (in a good way), but not quite on the first, though as this is a series, I assume that is still coming. This is a very, very slow-burn romance, but the promised violence and horror are present. I am not usually one for such a slow-paced romance; however, in this story, I think it works well to build tension in the overall plot. The plot is unique and interesting. I found the book a quick read, but the author's prose took me out of the story. So I didn't read it as quickly as I normally would (since this story is very much in my preferred wheelhouse). Her writing is very technically sound, but for me, the almost poetic narrative didn't always fit. This prose does work extremely well for certain parts of the narrative. However, because of this style, the characters often felt like they thought in an almost "hive-mind". This made it difficult for me to connect with the characters as individuals with distinct personalities.

The FMC Lilly is still one of my favorite FMCs even with that critique of the narrative choice. She is a smart FMC. I always appreciate a realistic character. She isn't a passive participant in the narrative, and her choices feel grounded in reality. At no point did I think, 'why would she do that?' In fact all of Kingsley's characters are beautifully described. It just makes me wish that I didn't feel like they all processed the world the same way.

Overall, I really enjoyed the read. The few critiques mentioned were more personal taste than anything, and none of them were major enough to make me dislike the story. I will be continuing the series when the next book comes out and look forward to it.

My final rating is 4 & 1/2 stars and 1 on the spice level.⭐⭐⭐⭐🌶️

Tropes I noticed and loved:
-touch her and ☠️
-morally grey


Some quotes I enjoyed from this read:

"From outside the window, she could hear what was either a chicken or, more accurately, a thing pretending to be a chicken. She decided it was best not to investigate further."

"If they had coffee in Hell. Please let them have coffee in Hell."

"And put her hand into Maxwell’s. Yeah. She was due some answers. It was totally about the answers."

"Her words had fallen on him like a benediction. Like she’d said the one thing in all the world he’d been starving for someone to say. Something close to bliss went through the most beautiful creature she had ever seen, and it had been her own small mercy that put it there."

[Emily Ohmart · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐫𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦

The game has been set. "She was trapped in Hell with a demon for however long he felt like keeping her."

This novel—with its cryptic world building, character introduction, and tension building—is the start to a story with a ton of potential. Readers are kept in the dark along with Lilly, our FMC, which is a touch maddening, but enough breadcrumbs were laid to keep me coming back for more. And the sentence structure, charming in a way that elicits the tilt of your head, is at times as untethered as it is quote worthy.

Seriously though, I enjoyed this book. And I'm still puzzling over how exactly it made me feel. I'm not entirely satisfied, and yet I am pleased with the cleverness of how book 1 ended. It's hard to review the first book is what I assume will be a 7? book series, but I can say with confidence that a lot of ground work has been laid and I will definitely be reading book 2.

STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS. SERIOUSLY STOP.
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5 stars for originality of world-building. I haven't read anything like this, and I'm invested in learning more about the flat-double-sided-disc that is Heaven and Hell.

While I can appreciate an early character death for the raising of stakes momentum it creates, we really needed more time with Balfor to make an impact. I wasn't expecting the betrayal, and I love a good clean retribution that closes the door on a plot direction. But I didn't get the sense that Balfor actually meant his kiss with Lilly, despite him confessing that several times. There just wasn't enough build-up for them, or time spent together for that to make sense. So the attachment wasn't there for me.

I have a THEORY about Maxwell. In mythology and lore there is a specific demon known for lust and wrath...go google it if you're curious. But I would bet my hat that's his name. And I am here for a complicated character, of which Maxwell, is most definitely one. Am I half way between an "ick" and a "yes please" with his "mine" claim on Lilly? Sure am. Am I leaning towards "yes please"? Also yes I am. On the whole, I'm team Maxwell. But goddamn if learning that the watcher, who "will teach her the feel of his hands" and "put her wrists in the right places", is LUCIFER didn't give me an elevated heart rate I don't know what did in this book.

Side characters have a certain charm, but I'm not getting a found family vibe yet. Perhaps that will come with time.

Lilly's best moment was in the last few pages. "No. I don't think I'm going to tell you." Atta girl.

[Wrendigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review Lust ( Flowers in Hell Book 1 )

As someone who is bad at math, I’m glad to have Lilly keeping the books.

Lust is a slow burn, dark romantasy that drags our FMC Lilly through purgatory into the furthest ring of Hell after she made a deal with the demon, Maxwell. It being the 1st book in a 7 book series, Lust focused heavily on world building. However, the pacing and intrigue kept me turning page after page. If you like old Westerns, mystery, biblically accurate angels and charming, morally corrupt demons, you’ll like this book.

As far as main characters go, Lilly is a pragmatic FMC. She files things away to deal with later, until later is no longer an option. Her lore isn’t thrown at you right away. Instead, like the mysteries the book slowly reveals to the reader, Lilly’s character unfolds before our eyes, making her a relatable and endearing FMC.

Then we have Maxwell. He is a delightfully cruel, charming, and frustrating MMC. He keeps me guessing and does not disappoint. I am torn between sympathizing with him and wanting to push him into a well. Every time I think I have a grip on his character; he does something that completely rewrites my brain chemistry and pushes everything I thought I knew out the window.

This is a why choose romance. However, for the sake of spoilers, I won't touch on our other MMC. You’ll be smitten, or at least intrigued, when you meet him. At least I know I was.

I especially enjoyed the way the author wrote about the environment and how it interacts with various creatures. One of my favorites being: “The world arranged itself to hear him.” That is just one of the many ways Lust’s characters influence the world around them. You can really feel the power of these characters through the environment. Like the angels themselves don’t just appear, some fold themselves into the fabric of reality ( or fold reality itself ). There was never a question of these angels and demons being the real deal, which is something I thoroughly enjoyed. You want biblically accurate angels? You want powerful, hot ( literally ) demons? This book delivers !!!

Do we trust the demons we THINK we know, or the fallen we don’t? I can’t wait to find out!

I felt both satisfied by the end of this book, and frustrated. Why? Cause I want more!! GREED is up next. This world has me hooked and I can’t wait to see how its mysteries play out.

[BillieAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

When was the last time you read a book in a series that you were completely consumed by? That had you begging to be off work, for everyone to stop talking to you, or had you sitting in your car for an extra 20 mins just to finish... That was LUST for me.
First up, the premise, Lilly is given the choice to have her life saved in exchange for 2 seconds of her life. After accepting the offer she gets dragged to hell by a demon, (oh yeah - he's hot!) We then get fed information little by little alongside Lilly as we try to figure out why she is here? What's going on in Hell? Why her? Who are the big political players on this stage?

The setting and world are extremely vivid and the author builds up complex ideology without it being too overwhelming to the direct plot. I could truly place myself in the White Feather alongside our FMC and feel the arid, dirty, landscape of Barren. It evokes all the good nostalgia of a wild west ghost town but enter demons, angels, half breeds, and more.

The characters are where this story shines the brightest. Maxwell (MMC) is the hot, broody, shadow demon daddy we all hate to love. He is complex, morally flawed, and at constant war in his mind between the man and Beast. In his chapters you come to feel as though maybe this man shouldn't be trusted because he doesn't really trust himself.

Lilly (FMC) is a classic flawed human woman, accountant, struggling with chronic illness. She is smart, driven, and intensely calculated in her choices which makes her interesting to our cast of characters in hell. I loved getting to be in her head as she was uncovering new things about herself, Hell, and the power she holds within the narrative. She is incredibly self-aware and her internal dialogue says what we are all thinking in the moment which I found incredibly charming.

The action really picks up in the second half of the book and the last 20 pages have a character entrance which WILL make you want book 2 immediately. I've already ordered my physical copy from the author's website, and will be pre-ordering the entire series.

This book is for fans of Supernatural, Constantine, Vampire Diaries, angels and demons, and evokes the vibes of early 2000's fantasy - but make it adult. If you like those types of stories, you wont be disappointed!


--

[Nova McCormack · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Well holy hell! Something entirely new and completely addictive.

Kathryn has once again created a world that is so unique and fully realized. You can tell how much thought went into crafting this story. It was intricate, with dusty, sepia-toned imagery that settled over the entire read. It had this slow-sauntering Wild West feel, carrying an almost hopeless pulse throughout. And as everything began to unfold, I fell under its spell. The characters, the atmosphere, I just wanted more of it all.

The characterization was just as cool. Classic angels and demons need not apply here. This was such an interesting take on a setting where good and evil aren't so easily defined. Where friends lie and enemies save, where everyone is keeping secrets, and where truth is rarely what it seems. There were always just enough unanswered questions lingering in the shadows to keep me guessing about what I thought I knew, and that's exactly how I like it.

Lily has basically been snatched up by a hot demon, dropped into hell, and she fully takes it on the chin. She is held captive, but somehow gets her footing, pauses to assess her surroundings and situation, and figures out her next steps. She doesn't waste time or energy screaming, crying, or pounding on doors. She asks questions, observes, and waits. Her backbone and heart drive this story in such a compelling way.

Maxwell is a demon, the sheriff of this town, if you will. He's a protector who has fought and lost, and continues to struggle to save what's left of his people. He's carrying so much weight, guilt, and secrets, including something truly monstrous lurking beneath his skin that he's fighting to keep contained. Something that wants her. Wants Lily. Their connection is electric and undeniable, but Maxwell knows what it would mean to let himself slip, to give in and indulge, and he can't allow that to happen.

This book had me in a full-blown trance, and I didn't even realize this was the first book in a seven-book series, with a new book releasing every month!! I am about to get fully immersed in this world, and honestly, I cannot freakin' wait for more!

Thank you so much to Kathryn Ann Kingsley and TheNerdFam for this gifted earc

[Sabrina Mordini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🚫

Lust is the first book in the Flowers in Hell series, and it ends on a cliffhanger.

This was such a great read! I was drawn in from the very first page and couldn't put it down. The story constantly keeps you guessing about what's coming next, and the multiple POVs add another layer of mystery and distrust to every interaction. We discover things alongside the FMC, but by the end of this first instalment, I have more questions than answers. And honestly? For a seven-book series, I think that's perfectly fine at this stage. I'm more than happy to keep wondering what on earth is going on!

The worldbuilding is intense, with a rebellion, angels, demons, and everything in between. What I loved most is that, so far, the story doesn't frame everything as a straightforward battle between good and evil, nor do angels and demons necessarily fit into their usual roles. Everything is shrouded in mystery, and I absolutely loved that. There's clearly so much more happening beneath the surface, and I'm eager to find out how all the pieces fit together.

The book is tagged as why choose, but so far, there's very little actual romance. There's some yearning, some kissing, and plenty of intense staring, but the romance itself has yet to properly develop. And honestly, I think that worked in the story's favour. So much is happening in such a short amount of time that adding another fully developed subplot might have made things feel too messy. For now, I'm happy to let the story unfold at its own pace and see where the relationships go.

Overall, I think this series has a lot of potential. This first book was intriguing, with just the right balance of twists, questions answered, and new mysteries introduced to keep me invested. It gave me enough to feel satisfied while leaving plenty of loose ends to make me desperate for more.

I can't wait for the next book! I have so many questions, and I need answers ASAP. 😩

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoil Free Reviews

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Author: @kathrynannkingsley
POV: Multi 3rd Person
Gene: Gothic Why Choose Romance
Triggers: Drug use, slavery, prostitution, murder, etc.
Read Time: 6 - 8 Hours
Expected Publishing Date: October 13, 2026
I received an advance review copy from the author/The Nerd Fam, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

❤️ World Building: The world building was top-notched! You could almost imagine a tumbleweed rolling down the street, and the eerie quiet of an almost dead down.

❤️ The Characters: I absolutely LOVE the characters. Lilly was amazing in her knowledge of what her choices were and didn’t waste energy on things she knew she couldn’t change. Maxwell was a dark temptation and his beast was intrigued. The Eye was an interesting character that we didn’t see much of in this book, but I know we’ll be seeing more of. There are more side characters that really brought the story together, and I hope to learn more about them as the series progressives.

❤️ The Story: The story was breathtaking! It was dark and gritty and everything I love about Kathryn Ann Kingsely books! This is definitely going to be a great series. The story line for this book was incredible, it was much more than just setting up a series, it was a story in and of itself.

❤️‍🔥Overall: I’m super excited about this series, and this book was just an amazing launching point! I highly recommend this if you love when the villain(s) gets the girl, they’re more fun anyway.

Dante fact Inspired by the location: In the Divine Comedy, Dante makes use of references to various idioms, including Greek, Latin, Provençal and French, thus emphasising his extensive linguistic and cultural knowledge. Dante was exiled from Florence due to political differences. In 1302, he was sentenced to death in absentia and forced to leave his native city, where he died in exile in 1321, without ever being able to return to Florence. (source: https://medium.com/@renatobongiovanni...)