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Hell Burns Between Us
For fans of the dark humour in T. Kingfisher’s Saint of Steel series and the sharp-witted banter found in Brigitte Knightley’s The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy.
Perine Wilder is an overachieving demoness from the most pious circle of Hell. Undeterred by her indifferent project partner Oleander, she dreams of academic success despite her family's determination to force her into "her destined role" of homemaker. With a restrictive future looming before her, she's intrigued when the serpent spirit Slang approaches her with a strange request: there's a cursed bargain has long entrapped the magical beings in Hell, and they believe she's both clever and brave enough to be the one to break it.
Oleander Brightmore is a wily demon with a penchant for stress knitting—wait, no... knife throwing. He attended one bizarre ceremony to impress his father, a Grand Duke of Hell, only to have a menacing shadow invading his mind. Now, he's attempting—and abysmally failing—to exorcise this parasitic shadow and losing hope. That is, until he reluctantly accepts the help of the stubbornly earnest and annoyingly charming Perine.
Ultimately, Perine must be brave enough to fight for the magical beings of Hell while also saving herself from her family's strangling dreams for her future. Oleander must decide if his dreams of power and influence are worth losing himself and those he holds dear.
Because even in Hell, things can get much worse.
Perine Wilder is an overachieving demoness from the most pious circle of Hell. Undeterred by her indifferent project partner Oleander, she dreams of academic success despite her family's determination to force her into "her destined role" of homemaker. With a restrictive future looming before her, she's intrigued when the serpent spirit Slang approaches her with a strange request: there's a cursed bargain has long entrapped the magical beings in Hell, and they believe she's both clever and brave enough to be the one to break it.
Oleander Brightmore is a wily demon with a penchant for stress knitting—wait, no... knife throwing. He attended one bizarre ceremony to impress his father, a Grand Duke of Hell, only to have a menacing shadow invading his mind. Now, he's attempting—and abysmally failing—to exorcise this parasitic shadow and losing hope. That is, until he reluctantly accepts the help of the stubbornly earnest and annoyingly charming Perine.
Ultimately, Perine must be brave enough to fight for the magical beings of Hell while also saving herself from her family's strangling dreams for her future. Oleander must decide if his dreams of power and influence are worth losing himself and those he holds dear.
Because even in Hell, things can get much worse.
492 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you very much to Emily Jane Montgomery for this ARC copy.
Plot........
Perine Wilder is an ambitious demoness desperate to escape the future her family has planned for her. When she’s asked to break a cursed bargain trapping magical beings in Hell, she turns to her cunning research partner, Oleander, who happens to be battling a shadowy parasite of his own.
Together, they’re thrown into a dangerous adventure involving magic, curses, family expectations and a reluctant partnership. Even in Hell, things can always get worse.
..........
Hell Burns Between Us is one of those books that reminded me just how much I miss feeling genuine wonder while reading.
From the very beginning, I was swept into a truly fantastical world filled with magical creatures, enchanted clothing, talking animals, riddles and the kind of wonderfully bizarre happenings where you never quite know what you're going to encounter next.
There is a constant sense of movement and chaos to the story, a chase here, a strange creature there, a completely unexpected event around the corner, and although I could guess some aspects of the plot and found some developments fairly easy to predict, there was enough fantastical chaos to keep me entertained throughout. I was never bored wondering where the story would take me next. Though I will admit this book flowed a little slower than my usual preferred pace.
But I think that's what I enjoyed most: the sense of wonder and pure fantasy.
It's something I haven't experienced all that often as an adult reader, but Hell Burns Between Us reminded me of that childhood feeling of being completely absorbed in a strange and magical world simply because it's strange and magical. I didn't realise how much I'd been craving that until I found it here.
The book also has a very distinct period fantasy feel, and that's reflected not just in the world itself but in the writing. Everything is so eloquently described, with an almost fanciful quality to the prose. The language and level of detail really helped immerse me in the setting and made the world feel like its own little pocket of time and fantasy.
Which makes the society within it all the more striking.
Hell is ruled by men (demons), and women (demonesses) are expected to obey. They are even taught how to be subservient to men through classes designed to reinforce their place in society through the guise of religion. It's deliberately archaic and deeply sexist, but the way it's presented feels very much in keeping with the period fantasy setting. And considering this particular society exists in Hell, there's something almost fitting about how uncomfortable and oppressive it feels. It makes the setting feel simultaneously fantastical yet strangely relatable.
Enter Perine: intelligent, rebellious and absolutely brimming with female rage and the urge for independence. I really enjoyed her as an FMC, particularly watching her push against the expectations placed upon her, even if it was somewhat slowly at first. She's not content to simply accept the world she's been given, and that made her journey particularly interesting to follow.
Then we have Oleander, who has a charming quality that drew me in almost immediately. There's a kindness beneath the surface, along with a sense of yearning that made me root for his love from the beginning. The enemies to lovers angle also worked well.
The story is told through dual POV, and I thought this worked particularly well because there isn't really one character who feels like the main. Both Perine and Oleander have their own significant parts to play, their own motivations and their own consequences to face. Their stories feel equally important, which made switching between their perspectives feel worthwhile. And even better once they decided to work together.
I also really appreciated the representation within the story, particularly the deaf characters who use sign language, as well as the inclusion of queer characters within this fantastical world. Because even in fantasy representation and inclusion is important.
As for the ending... I have to admit, after the length and sheer adventure of everything that came before it, I found it a little anticlimactic. However, it does leave things open in a way that certainly made me wonder whether there could be a second book.
And if there is?
I'll absolutely be reading it.
There are consequences waiting for both Perine and Oleander following the choices they've made, and I very much want to see where those consequences lead.
Overall, Hell Burns Between Us is a wonderfully strange, imaginative and atmospheric fantasy. It combines a whimsical, almost dreamlike world with a much darker underlying society, and somehow manages to make the whole thing feel both completely unfamiliar and oddly relatable.
Most importantly, though, it made me feel genuine wonder.
And I think that's something worth holding onto.
4⭐ 1 🌶️
Plot........
Perine Wilder is an ambitious demoness desperate to escape the future her family has planned for her. When she’s asked to break a cursed bargain trapping magical beings in Hell, she turns to her cunning research partner, Oleander, who happens to be battling a shadowy parasite of his own.
Together, they’re thrown into a dangerous adventure involving magic, curses, family expectations and a reluctant partnership. Even in Hell, things can always get worse.
..........
Hell Burns Between Us is one of those books that reminded me just how much I miss feeling genuine wonder while reading.
From the very beginning, I was swept into a truly fantastical world filled with magical creatures, enchanted clothing, talking animals, riddles and the kind of wonderfully bizarre happenings where you never quite know what you're going to encounter next.
There is a constant sense of movement and chaos to the story, a chase here, a strange creature there, a completely unexpected event around the corner, and although I could guess some aspects of the plot and found some developments fairly easy to predict, there was enough fantastical chaos to keep me entertained throughout. I was never bored wondering where the story would take me next. Though I will admit this book flowed a little slower than my usual preferred pace.
But I think that's what I enjoyed most: the sense of wonder and pure fantasy.
It's something I haven't experienced all that often as an adult reader, but Hell Burns Between Us reminded me of that childhood feeling of being completely absorbed in a strange and magical world simply because it's strange and magical. I didn't realise how much I'd been craving that until I found it here.
The book also has a very distinct period fantasy feel, and that's reflected not just in the world itself but in the writing. Everything is so eloquently described, with an almost fanciful quality to the prose. The language and level of detail really helped immerse me in the setting and made the world feel like its own little pocket of time and fantasy.
Which makes the society within it all the more striking.
Hell is ruled by men (demons), and women (demonesses) are expected to obey. They are even taught how to be subservient to men through classes designed to reinforce their place in society through the guise of religion. It's deliberately archaic and deeply sexist, but the way it's presented feels very much in keeping with the period fantasy setting. And considering this particular society exists in Hell, there's something almost fitting about how uncomfortable and oppressive it feels. It makes the setting feel simultaneously fantastical yet strangely relatable.
Enter Perine: intelligent, rebellious and absolutely brimming with female rage and the urge for independence. I really enjoyed her as an FMC, particularly watching her push against the expectations placed upon her, even if it was somewhat slowly at first. She's not content to simply accept the world she's been given, and that made her journey particularly interesting to follow.
Then we have Oleander, who has a charming quality that drew me in almost immediately. There's a kindness beneath the surface, along with a sense of yearning that made me root for his love from the beginning. The enemies to lovers angle also worked well.
The story is told through dual POV, and I thought this worked particularly well because there isn't really one character who feels like the main. Both Perine and Oleander have their own significant parts to play, their own motivations and their own consequences to face. Their stories feel equally important, which made switching between their perspectives feel worthwhile. And even better once they decided to work together.
I also really appreciated the representation within the story, particularly the deaf characters who use sign language, as well as the inclusion of queer characters within this fantastical world. Because even in fantasy representation and inclusion is important.
As for the ending... I have to admit, after the length and sheer adventure of everything that came before it, I found it a little anticlimactic. However, it does leave things open in a way that certainly made me wonder whether there could be a second book.
And if there is?
I'll absolutely be reading it.
There are consequences waiting for both Perine and Oleander following the choices they've made, and I very much want to see where those consequences lead.
Overall, Hell Burns Between Us is a wonderfully strange, imaginative and atmospheric fantasy. It combines a whimsical, almost dreamlike world with a much darker underlying society, and somehow manages to make the whole thing feel both completely unfamiliar and oddly relatable.
Most importantly, though, it made me feel genuine wonder.
And I think that's something worth holding onto.
4⭐ 1 🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
As the author, I think this story is pretty fantastic.
October 13, 2026
Kudos to this author for bringing a different kind of fantasy. Really, this felt original to me since I haven’t read anything like it. The setting with the circles of Hell? Super cool. The hellcats and hellhounds? Even cooler. Loved the spark between the main characters!
August 29, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from the author :) Typically I can’t stand reading eBooks, I prefer reading a hard copy. That being said, I read this as nonstop as my life allowed! An absolutely incredible read. The characters are well developed and the plot was thick enough I couldn’t put it down!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
this book checks everything i didn’t know i needed in a fantasy:
- demon x demoness living in opposing circles of hell
- mmc who’s a serial stress knitter
- deaf representation
- hellhounds and hellcats
need i say more??
the world building in this is also incredible - think hell but make it whimsical, and be prepared to meet lots of magical creatures along the way. slang the serpent spirit and the artsy gorgons are some of my favourites.
i love a slow burn and whenever we got to oleander’s pov i knew i was in for a heap of yearning. and it delivered. EVERY. TIME. he’s gentle but at the same time would burn down hell for perine and i love that.
on top of the romance and a wild ride of a plot, one of the things i love most about this book is the individual struggles of our mc’s.
in short, oleander struggles with making his father, a duke of hell, proud. meanwhile perine battles between choosing the future she wants versus what her family wants for her.
both are super interesting but what really got me is how perine’s new found family gives her the courage to believe in herself and back her decisions for possibly the first time in her life. the way her character develops is so fluid, i loved watching her become a more confident badass version of herself.
overall, i loved how different this was to other fantasies i’ve read and the dark humour mixed with romance. i’ll definitely be needing book two after that ending.
thank you to the author, emily jane montgomery for the arc! all opinions are my own
- demon x demoness living in opposing circles of hell
- mmc who’s a serial stress knitter
- deaf representation
- hellhounds and hellcats
need i say more??
the world building in this is also incredible - think hell but make it whimsical, and be prepared to meet lots of magical creatures along the way. slang the serpent spirit and the artsy gorgons are some of my favourites.
i love a slow burn and whenever we got to oleander’s pov i knew i was in for a heap of yearning. and it delivered. EVERY. TIME. he’s gentle but at the same time would burn down hell for perine and i love that.
on top of the romance and a wild ride of a plot, one of the things i love most about this book is the individual struggles of our mc’s.
in short, oleander struggles with making his father, a duke of hell, proud. meanwhile perine battles between choosing the future she wants versus what her family wants for her.
both are super interesting but what really got me is how perine’s new found family gives her the courage to believe in herself and back her decisions for possibly the first time in her life. the way her character develops is so fluid, i loved watching her become a more confident badass version of herself.
overall, i loved how different this was to other fantasies i’ve read and the dark humour mixed with romance. i’ll definitely be needing book two after that ending.
thank you to the author, emily jane montgomery for the arc! all opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hell Burns Between Us was such a fun read. I was really invested in Perine and Oleander and their story.
This is a dual-narrative story told from both Perine and Oleander’s perspectives, and I really enjoyed getting to see the story unfold through both of them. Their personalities are so different, and I liked seeing how their individual struggles eventually brought them together.
One of my favorite things about this book was the world-building. A magical Hell filled with demon circles, cursed bargains, and magical beings?? Yes, please! I loved learning about their world.
And the yearning between Perine and Oleander??? 😭 I loved watching their relationship develop throughout the story, and there were so many moments where I was just waiting for them to figure out their feelings. With the way this book ended, I just need these two to be HAPPY. Please.
I also really enjoyed Perine’s struggle between the future she wants for herself and the future her family has planned for her. Watching her find the courage to push back against those expectations was one of my favorite parts of her character.
Overall, this was such an entertaining mix of fantasy, demons, magic, dark humor, romance, and a whole lot of yearning. I definitely finished this feeling like I needed MORE. After that ending, I honestly can't wait for the next book.
Thank you to the author, Emily Jane Montgomery for the arc. All opinions are my own 🖤
This is a dual-narrative story told from both Perine and Oleander’s perspectives, and I really enjoyed getting to see the story unfold through both of them. Their personalities are so different, and I liked seeing how their individual struggles eventually brought them together.
One of my favorite things about this book was the world-building. A magical Hell filled with demon circles, cursed bargains, and magical beings?? Yes, please! I loved learning about their world.
And the yearning between Perine and Oleander??? 😭 I loved watching their relationship develop throughout the story, and there were so many moments where I was just waiting for them to figure out their feelings. With the way this book ended, I just need these two to be HAPPY. Please.
I also really enjoyed Perine’s struggle between the future she wants for herself and the future her family has planned for her. Watching her find the courage to push back against those expectations was one of my favorite parts of her character.
Overall, this was such an entertaining mix of fantasy, demons, magic, dark humor, romance, and a whole lot of yearning. I definitely finished this feeling like I needed MORE. After that ending, I honestly can't wait for the next book.
Thank you to the author, Emily Jane Montgomery for the arc. All opinions are my own 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review — This book was so fun! I had such a blast with it. The world building, the characters, the plot, the magic elements, all of it was so, so good.
I absolutely fell in love with both of the main characters — Oleander and Peri. They were both interesting as individuals and their relationship together was just as interesting. I loved how it developed throughout the book from something that seemed almost surface level with the pranks and the fact they didn’t really know one another outside of knowing of each other to something that ran so much deeper.
They are definitely “opposites attract” and that’s honestly simplifying it. Where Peri is a lover of education, Oleander isn’t. Where Peri is stern and hard around the edges, Oleander isn’t. Where Peri takes life too seriously, Oleander doesn’t. Although Peri isn’t this stone-faced, stern character, she has softer edges, a fearless side and can make decisions without thinking them all the way through. She really did have my heart throughout the book, I loved getting to know her more and seeing how her character developed. I did also really enjoy Oleander as a character, and I enjoyed finding out more about his family dynamic — which explained so much about who he was as a person.
The plot grips you from the get go and, for me, Hell Burns Between Us was such a page turner, I couldn’t wait to get to the end to see the conclusion of this book and oh boy I wasn’t disappointed. I cannot wait for the next book to be able to dive back into this world and see where the story goes.
I absolutely fell in love with both of the main characters — Oleander and Peri. They were both interesting as individuals and their relationship together was just as interesting. I loved how it developed throughout the book from something that seemed almost surface level with the pranks and the fact they didn’t really know one another outside of knowing of each other to something that ran so much deeper.
They are definitely “opposites attract” and that’s honestly simplifying it. Where Peri is a lover of education, Oleander isn’t. Where Peri is stern and hard around the edges, Oleander isn’t. Where Peri takes life too seriously, Oleander doesn’t. Although Peri isn’t this stone-faced, stern character, she has softer edges, a fearless side and can make decisions without thinking them all the way through. She really did have my heart throughout the book, I loved getting to know her more and seeing how her character developed. I did also really enjoy Oleander as a character, and I enjoyed finding out more about his family dynamic — which explained so much about who he was as a person.
The plot grips you from the get go and, for me, Hell Burns Between Us was such a page turner, I couldn’t wait to get to the end to see the conclusion of this book and oh boy I wasn’t disappointed. I cannot wait for the next book to be able to dive back into this world and see where the story goes.
October 22, 2026
Ahh this was such an enjoyable read. First of all I loved the writing (it was seriously really good) and the dialogue was also really wel written. It felt very natural to me! This world was so unique and I really liked that.The main characters were really likeable to me and I loooooved the main relationship. They found eachother so annoying, but at the same time they did everything for eachother to protect them. And omg the “who did this to you” trope was in here🥹🤭🙌🏻
Review of advance copy received from Author
I have been longing for something fantasy that isn't about Fae or dragons and not only did this book hit the mark, it exceeded my expectations by miles.
Emily Jane Montgomery has a way with world building that just pulls you right in and makes you want to stick around until the end. There's intrigue, drama, comedy, quippy comebacks, and intense moments that keep you reading late into the night. And the yearning.... oh the yearning!!
If I could have given this more than 5 stars, I would have, but since I can I'll just annoy everyone I know until they've read it too.
Emily Jane Montgomery has a way with world building that just pulls you right in and makes you want to stick around until the end. There's intrigue, drama, comedy, quippy comebacks, and intense moments that keep you reading late into the night. And the yearning.... oh the yearning!!
If I could have given this more than 5 stars, I would have, but since I can I'll just annoy everyone I know until they've read it too.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*ARC REVIEW*
I was really excited when i received this book. It's got a lot of the things that I love in it. It's a friends to lovers, paranormal fantasy that has magic, and some romance (it is a very slow burn).
I did enjoy the story itself, but what really brought it down for me was honestly, the ending. We got some resolutions, but I was still left with questions. The epilogues were a little vague and didn't really give me the closure that I felt was needed. I know it was supposed to be left off in a way that makes you want to pick up book 2 (if there is one), but it just kind of fell flat for me.
Throughout the story, it also felt like the 2 MCs were supposed to do all these things together, but hardly saw one another. Things happened that were never really explained, So I still had some questions. For me, it just felt like some things were missing.
I was really excited when i received this book. It's got a lot of the things that I love in it. It's a friends to lovers, paranormal fantasy that has magic, and some romance (it is a very slow burn).
I did enjoy the story itself, but what really brought it down for me was honestly, the ending. We got some resolutions, but I was still left with questions. The epilogues were a little vague and didn't really give me the closure that I felt was needed. I know it was supposed to be left off in a way that makes you want to pick up book 2 (if there is one), but it just kind of fell flat for me.
Throughout the story, it also felt like the 2 MCs were supposed to do all these things together, but hardly saw one another. Things happened that were never really explained, So I still had some questions. For me, it just felt like some things were missing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Sizzling Romance Set Against a Hellishly Epic Fantasy Backdrop
If you're looking for a romance with teeth and yearning and BANTER, this book delivers in spades.
Perine Wilder is my favourite kind of heroine. She’s a fiercely intelligent demon scholar who’s a little prim and proper, but also has a reckless streak that gets her into a satisfying amount of trouble. And her chemistry with Oleander Brightmore basically short-circuited my Kindle.
The romance is built on the most delicious tension between reluctant research partners who have been in denial about their feelings for years, so you can bet my feet were kicking as they have to navigate working together.
Oleander's quiet admiration and devotion to Peri is exactly how I like my MMCs, and Peri’s exasperation toward Oleander created the very best dynamic between them.
On top of a delicious romance, the rest of the plot is a wild ride from start to finish. I’m talking epic adventure, hellhounds and hellcats, a bargain with an ancient snake spirit, and a literal Goddess rising from a fiery lake. The worldbuilding is rich and immersive and darkly whimsical. The Holy Circle, frankly, pisses me off in how oppressive and familiar it feels in today's political climate (as the author no doubt intended), and the magic system is wildly creative but also grounded in emotional stakes.
The pacing is relentless. I genuinely couldn’t put this down and I blame Emily Montgomery for lost sleep, especially in the final chapters. Ultimately, this is a love story about making choices in a world that wants to steal them away at every turn, and the ending is both bold and bittersweet and will haunt me until I read the next book.
If you like your fantasy with complex heroines, devoted heroes who would burn the world down for their person, high-stakes adventure, and romance that actually matters to the plot, read this immediately.
Five stars, would make a cursed bargain with Slang for the sequel.
If you're looking for a romance with teeth and yearning and BANTER, this book delivers in spades.
Perine Wilder is my favourite kind of heroine. She’s a fiercely intelligent demon scholar who’s a little prim and proper, but also has a reckless streak that gets her into a satisfying amount of trouble. And her chemistry with Oleander Brightmore basically short-circuited my Kindle.
The romance is built on the most delicious tension between reluctant research partners who have been in denial about their feelings for years, so you can bet my feet were kicking as they have to navigate working together.
Oleander's quiet admiration and devotion to Peri is exactly how I like my MMCs, and Peri’s exasperation toward Oleander created the very best dynamic between them.
On top of a delicious romance, the rest of the plot is a wild ride from start to finish. I’m talking epic adventure, hellhounds and hellcats, a bargain with an ancient snake spirit, and a literal Goddess rising from a fiery lake. The worldbuilding is rich and immersive and darkly whimsical. The Holy Circle, frankly, pisses me off in how oppressive and familiar it feels in today's political climate (as the author no doubt intended), and the magic system is wildly creative but also grounded in emotional stakes.
The pacing is relentless. I genuinely couldn’t put this down and I blame Emily Montgomery for lost sleep, especially in the final chapters. Ultimately, this is a love story about making choices in a world that wants to steal them away at every turn, and the ending is both bold and bittersweet and will haunt me until I read the next book.
If you like your fantasy with complex heroines, devoted heroes who would burn the world down for their person, high-stakes adventure, and romance that actually matters to the plot, read this immediately.
Five stars, would make a cursed bargain with Slang for the sequel.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Finally, a fantasy/romance novel that feels completely new!
I haven’t felt a sense of excitement and wonder about a book’s world since the first time I read my favorite fantasy books as a kid. There is something so earnest and beautiful in the meticulous detail of all of Hell’s dark yet not evil fantasy in this book that it made me still enjoy my time reading those details during a second reading. Think Dante’s levels of Hell construct but with all the trappings of a fantasy world and magical beings we haven’t seen before. There’s a sassy, loyal hellcat companion named Zila who I’m honestly kind of mad doesn’t exist in real life.
The main characters are such a great pairing in how awfully they pair together at first. Perine is high achieving, tenacious, and headed for a life living up to the patriarchal norm. Or… dealing in cursed bargains in hell. Not quite her usual activities. Oleander makes me wish the term “rascal” was more widely used because that’s just what he is. A rascally, spirited demon with a lot weighing on him including a darkness within. It makes the banter fun (I’m not typically one to enjoy a lot of banter in a book but I did here) and it makes their relationship that much more meaningful as the story progresses. It doesn’t feel like a typical enemies to lovers and I enjoyed that.
I really related to the the theme of dismantling of an unjust system while having to operate within it and also still maintain relationships with people you love deeply who choose to remain in that. It is heartbreaking and captured perfectly in this story in a way that doesn’t feel preachy.
I haven’t felt a sense of excitement and wonder about a book’s world since the first time I read my favorite fantasy books as a kid. There is something so earnest and beautiful in the meticulous detail of all of Hell’s dark yet not evil fantasy in this book that it made me still enjoy my time reading those details during a second reading. Think Dante’s levels of Hell construct but with all the trappings of a fantasy world and magical beings we haven’t seen before. There’s a sassy, loyal hellcat companion named Zila who I’m honestly kind of mad doesn’t exist in real life.
The main characters are such a great pairing in how awfully they pair together at first. Perine is high achieving, tenacious, and headed for a life living up to the patriarchal norm. Or… dealing in cursed bargains in hell. Not quite her usual activities. Oleander makes me wish the term “rascal” was more widely used because that’s just what he is. A rascally, spirited demon with a lot weighing on him including a darkness within. It makes the banter fun (I’m not typically one to enjoy a lot of banter in a book but I did here) and it makes their relationship that much more meaningful as the story progresses. It doesn’t feel like a typical enemies to lovers and I enjoyed that.
I really related to the the theme of dismantling of an unjust system while having to operate within it and also still maintain relationships with people you love deeply who choose to remain in that. It is heartbreaking and captured perfectly in this story in a way that doesn’t feel preachy.
October 18, 2026
"If you don't learn to fight for what you want, you'll end up living an eternity in someone else's dreams... while your own wither and die."
I honestly knew I was going to love this book the second I read the title. I dived into it with pretty high expectations for someone who had only read the tropes and said title and... it ended up being even better than what I expected.
The world itself was interesting, and I loved learning about the way magic worked, the different circles of hell and the magical beings. Speaking of magical beings, Zila, the hellcat, was everything, I love her so much. I want a hellcat too now... UwU
The characters played a huge part for me. We follow the POVs of our two MCs, Perine and Orleander, and I genuinely cried so much reading both... Even if I sometimes wanted to shake Perine a little, we get that she's been raised by very religious and emotionally abusive people, in a patriachal world, and getting to see how she grows as the book progresses was really nice. Orleander's family dynamics and story was so interesting and the plot twists were just insane (really, it kept me on my toes during the whole book). As for the side characters... WISTERIA MY LOVE. I won't say anything more about her. But if you don't like her, just try again.
Finally, the plot. THE PLOT. Guys, let me tell you something : this was so good I stared at my wall for two hours after finishing this book, absorbing and making crazy therories for book 2. I did find the beginning a little slow but I've read the second part of the book like my life depended on it. And I honestly think it did, in fact, depended on it. The romance was... I can't even put it into words because I went through so many feelings. Get into it at your own risks.
If you want a book that changes from your usual romantasy, this one is perfect : original, with crazy plot twists and enough banter to make you laugh between your ugly crying.
I honestly knew I was going to love this book the second I read the title. I dived into it with pretty high expectations for someone who had only read the tropes and said title and... it ended up being even better than what I expected.
The world itself was interesting, and I loved learning about the way magic worked, the different circles of hell and the magical beings. Speaking of magical beings, Zila, the hellcat, was everything, I love her so much. I want a hellcat too now... UwU
The characters played a huge part for me. We follow the POVs of our two MCs, Perine and Orleander, and I genuinely cried so much reading both... Even if I sometimes wanted to shake Perine a little, we get that she's been raised by very religious and emotionally abusive people, in a patriachal world, and getting to see how she grows as the book progresses was really nice. Orleander's family dynamics and story was so interesting and the plot twists were just insane (really, it kept me on my toes during the whole book). As for the side characters... WISTERIA MY LOVE. I won't say anything more about her. But if you don't like her, just try again.
Finally, the plot. THE PLOT. Guys, let me tell you something : this was so good I stared at my wall for two hours after finishing this book, absorbing and making crazy therories for book 2. I did find the beginning a little slow but I've read the second part of the book like my life depended on it. And I honestly think it did, in fact, depended on it. The romance was... I can't even put it into words because I went through so many feelings. Get into it at your own risks.
If you want a book that changes from your usual romantasy, this one is perfect : original, with crazy plot twists and enough banter to make you laugh between your ugly crying.
October 18, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
To start, I absolutely loved this world and the characters! It’s hell but whimsical. The world building is amazing. The circles of hell, the magical creatures, the riddles and quests, this book was such a fun ride.
I loved all the magical creatures and how they all had their own unique personalities. Every character had depth and I loved that.
Zila was in fact a main character. I loved her sarcasm and sass SO MUCH.
I loved Peri & Oleanders banter and chemistry and everything about them. Their history of pranking each other as kids was so fun to read.
Both main characters are struggling between what they want/what is right and what society/their families want from them.
This version of hell is filled female oppression and patriarchy. Perine was so many things (smart & strong & feisty etc) but my FAVORITE thing about her is that she refuses to accept that her only purpose in life is to serve the man she’s mated with. I loved her courage and determination and her refusal to settle with the life that was planned for her.
This book is the prefect mix of magic, demons, romance, yearning and dark humor while also touching on some very important topics.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
•
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an arc of Hell Burns Between Us!
Life got in the way so my review is a little late but I’m SO thankful to have had a chance to arc read this book.🫶🏻
To start, I absolutely loved this world and the characters! It’s hell but whimsical. The world building is amazing. The circles of hell, the magical creatures, the riddles and quests, this book was such a fun ride.
I loved all the magical creatures and how they all had their own unique personalities. Every character had depth and I loved that.
Zila was in fact a main character. I loved her sarcasm and sass SO MUCH.
I loved Peri & Oleanders banter and chemistry and everything about them. Their history of pranking each other as kids was so fun to read.
Both main characters are struggling between what they want/what is right and what society/their families want from them.
This version of hell is filled female oppression and patriarchy. Perine was so many things (smart & strong & feisty etc) but my FAVORITE thing about her is that she refuses to accept that her only purpose in life is to serve the man she’s mated with. I loved her courage and determination and her refusal to settle with the life that was planned for her.
This book is the prefect mix of magic, demons, romance, yearning and dark humor while also touching on some very important topics.
I can’t wait to see what happens next!🖤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
•
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an arc of Hell Burns Between Us!
Life got in the way so my review is a little late but I’m SO thankful to have had a chance to arc read this book.🫶🏻
October 15, 2026
Hell Burns Between Us tells the story of a patriarchal society in the five circles of Hell. The fmc, Peri, is from the Holy Circle and has grown up believing everything her family tells her. Throughout the book she has to discover and unlearn some of her core beliefs about herself and the world she lives in. During this adventure she partners with her tea-drinking, stress-knitter (yes I said stress-knitter), academic rival, Oleander, who is also on his own journey of self discovery. The banter between the two is top tier and the male yearning is *chefs kiss*
This story is such a fresh take on romantasy and unlike anything else that I’ve read in the best possible way. The world building from the very first page draws you in and makes you want to know more. It’s written with dual povs and both main characters have incredible story arcs that are both unique to them but also intertwined.
I can’t wait for the second book to come out to continue the story!
This story is such a fresh take on romantasy and unlike anything else that I’ve read in the best possible way. The world building from the very first page draws you in and makes you want to know more. It’s written with dual povs and both main characters have incredible story arcs that are both unique to them but also intertwined.
I can’t wait for the second book to come out to continue the story!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Perine is a Demoness who is very ambitious and desperate to escape the life the family has planned for her- mating her to the cruel Valus. So she bargains with many magical beings for ingredients to stop this from happening. She has an infuriating, until he's not, research partner in Oleander.
I love the way these two fight and claw their way through familial expectations! Even demon families in Hell can sometimes suck big time 😂. I love their banter and watching them fall (well more her because he's always kept his admiration hidden but it's there).
The ending immediately made me shout for another book only to find out the author has at least 2 more planned! I can't wait to see where the next story takes us
I love the way these two fight and claw their way through familial expectations! Even demon families in Hell can sometimes suck big time 😂. I love their banter and watching them fall (well more her because he's always kept his admiration hidden but it's there).
The ending immediately made me shout for another book only to find out the author has at least 2 more planned! I can't wait to see where the next story takes us
September 6, 2026
This ARC read just blew me away!
Such an amazing story with a Dual POV. I loved how the FMC & MMC grew up together playing pranks on each other, then are forced to be school project partners that grows into their unplanned relationship.
Both MCs are trying to figure out how to fit into their families and society, but are struggling with societal norms, especially in a patriarchal society.
It has Deaf representation which I didn’t expect, but absolutely loved 🥰
Such an amazing story with a Dual POV. I loved how the FMC & MMC grew up together playing pranks on each other, then are forced to be school project partners that grows into their unplanned relationship.
Both MCs are trying to figure out how to fit into their families and society, but are struggling with societal norms, especially in a patriarchal society.
It has Deaf representation which I didn’t expect, but absolutely loved 🥰
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review ahead
This book checks all my boxes: funny, clever, dark, and a bit chaotic. Every character adds to the richness of the story as does the world-building. The love story is believable because the characters feel like real people, despite being demons living in a Hell that's so whimsical it reminded me of movies like The Legend or the Neverending Story. The book is also smart without being condescending or distracting from the story itself.
This book checks all my boxes: funny, clever, dark, and a bit chaotic. Every character adds to the richness of the story as does the world-building. The love story is believable because the characters feel like real people, despite being demons living in a Hell that's so whimsical it reminded me of movies like The Legend or the Neverending Story. The book is also smart without being condescending or distracting from the story itself.
October 21, 2026
Overall a great story. The amount of feminine rage while reading added to the tension- I really liked how the author didn’t have to tell you things were super unfair- she showed it to you in the story. Spent much of the book yelling at the main characters to see the truth of what they were witnessing.
Great diversity in the story in terms of character build and personalities. There were a lot of plots going on in the story that melded together very well and kept things interesting but not confusing. I look forward to book 2!!
*thank you to the author, Emily Jane Montgomery for the chance to be an ARC reader*
Favorite quotes:
- Sometimes madness was merely misunderstood, after all.
- She scoffed. “I didn’t think you’d care.” Her gaze locked onto his, and he felt something inside him shift—molten, hot, and tender. “Well, then.” He tried to keep his tone light, dismissive. “Let me reassure you that I do.”
Great diversity in the story in terms of character build and personalities. There were a lot of plots going on in the story that melded together very well and kept things interesting but not confusing. I look forward to book 2!!
*thank you to the author, Emily Jane Montgomery for the chance to be an ARC reader*
Favorite quotes:
- Sometimes madness was merely misunderstood, after all.
- She scoffed. “I didn’t think you’d care.” Her gaze locked onto his, and he felt something inside him shift—molten, hot, and tender. “Well, then.” He tried to keep his tone light, dismissive. “Let me reassure you that I do.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a fun read, not normally my genre of reading and I really enjoyed this one. This book does a great job building the world quickly and pulls you into the story early. The perfect whimsigoth and fantasy read for fall.
October 14, 2026
I wasn't sure if I'd like this at first but I was immediately sucked into the story. Peri is so relatable even though I didn't grow up in the type of family she did (and I'm also not a demoness in Hell lol) and honestly every character feels like they could be a real person. This version of Hell is also very strange and magical. Really looking forward to the next book.
October 11, 2026
Loved every second of it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am one of the lucky ones who got an ARC of Hell Burns Between Us and WOW. This is an incredible book that gives us a unique view of hell, mixing some traditional hell and demonology lore while bringing in some really unique twists. I loved getting to see the cultures between the different circles of hell, especially as they both begin to move away from the expectations and roles set for them. The magical stakes were so unique to this world--Which is a rareity in this over-saturated romantasy market.
If you are looking for a fresh new romantasy, GET THIS BOOK!! It will take you to a place you've never been.
If you are looking for a fresh new romantasy, GET THIS BOOK!! It will take you to a place you've never been.
September 10, 2026
HOGWARTS meets HELL. I loved this!
This read blends the cozy magic of Hogwarts with the harder themes of Hell, and I was totally here for it! Montgomery creates lovable characters with next-level banter, and the world-building?! I found myself wanting to jump into the circles of Hell! A must-read for Romantasy lovers!
This read blends the cozy magic of Hogwarts with the harder themes of Hell, and I was totally here for it! Montgomery creates lovable characters with next-level banter, and the world-building?! I found myself wanting to jump into the circles of Hell! A must-read for Romantasy lovers!
October 16, 2026
The very first thing that caught my attention about Hell Burns Between Us was its premise. It sounded so unique and intriguing that I couldn't wait to dive in. And I'm happy to say that the story delivered so much more than I initially expected!
First of all, THE WORLDBUILDING! I absolutely loved it. The magical creatures, talking animals, riddles, and all the fascinating little details made this version of Hell such an interesting place to explore. I genuinely enjoyed discovering more about the world Emily Jane Montgomery created.
But what really made this book stand out to me was its underlying exploration of patriarchy, female oppression, and the fight for independence.
And that's exactly why I loved Perine so much.
She's strong, intelligent, feisty, and, most importantly, she refuses to accept that her only purpose in life is to serve men. In a world where men believe they're entitled to power simply because they're men, Perine's determination to choose her own future was incredibly satisfying to read. I loved her courage and her unwillingness to settle for the life others had planned for her.
My only real complaint was the ending. It felt a little too rushed for my liking, and I didn't get quite the sense of satisfaction or closure I was hoping for after such an intriguing story. I would've loved a little more time to let everything unfold.
Nevertheless, Hell Burns Between Us was a wonderfully imaginative read with fascinating worldbuilding, an engaging premise, and a heroine I couldn't help but root for.
A huge thank you to Emily Jane Montgomery for kindly providing me with an ARC! I'm so grateful for the opportunity to experience this story early. 🤍
First of all, THE WORLDBUILDING! I absolutely loved it. The magical creatures, talking animals, riddles, and all the fascinating little details made this version of Hell such an interesting place to explore. I genuinely enjoyed discovering more about the world Emily Jane Montgomery created.
But what really made this book stand out to me was its underlying exploration of patriarchy, female oppression, and the fight for independence.
And that's exactly why I loved Perine so much.
She's strong, intelligent, feisty, and, most importantly, she refuses to accept that her only purpose in life is to serve men. In a world where men believe they're entitled to power simply because they're men, Perine's determination to choose her own future was incredibly satisfying to read. I loved her courage and her unwillingness to settle for the life others had planned for her.
My only real complaint was the ending. It felt a little too rushed for my liking, and I didn't get quite the sense of satisfaction or closure I was hoping for after such an intriguing story. I would've loved a little more time to let everything unfold.
Nevertheless, Hell Burns Between Us was a wonderfully imaginative read with fascinating worldbuilding, an engaging premise, and a heroine I couldn't help but root for.
A huge thank you to Emily Jane Montgomery for kindly providing me with an ARC! I'm so grateful for the opportunity to experience this story early. 🤍
Review of advance copy received from Author
Listen, I need stories that pull me fully out of my own reality and into another dimension and my god, does this story do that for me.
Adventure, mystery, angsty yearning, sizzling heat that gave me two heartbeats, sharp banter!?! Interesting side characters I want to read more stories about?!! An environment so magical and detailed I can go there in my own mind any time I want?! Unhinged femmes stepping into power without having to die for it or submit to men?!
None of these characters or events are throwaways or haphazard. Every character has layers, baby. So many layers.
This dual POV romantasy brings the reader far more than they bargained for. Not only do both main characters have distinct (but intertwined) development arcs and challenges, they have richly fleshed out personalities. Conflicts are both personal and cultural while also resonant with our real world shit. This is not a self-insert or book boyfriend situation: it is a tale of two people taking control of their futures and growing to love each other in the process of fighting for their lives.
And the YEARNING.
Also (SPOILER) one of my favorite library scenes of all time. 🫠
Adventure, mystery, angsty yearning, sizzling heat that gave me two heartbeats, sharp banter!?! Interesting side characters I want to read more stories about?!! An environment so magical and detailed I can go there in my own mind any time I want?! Unhinged femmes stepping into power without having to die for it or submit to men?!
None of these characters or events are throwaways or haphazard. Every character has layers, baby. So many layers.
This dual POV romantasy brings the reader far more than they bargained for. Not only do both main characters have distinct (but intertwined) development arcs and challenges, they have richly fleshed out personalities. Conflicts are both personal and cultural while also resonant with our real world shit. This is not a self-insert or book boyfriend situation: it is a tale of two people taking control of their futures and growing to love each other in the process of fighting for their lives.
And the YEARNING.
Also (SPOILER) one of my favorite library scenes of all time. 🫠
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks to the Author for providing an eARC, opinions are my own.
The premise of this book is excellent and the set up of the protagonists, the supporting cast, and their relationships is strong. The worldbuilding too is a standout (including the various animal companions and fauna).
Where it was less successful for me was in the plot and dialogue (with the exception of the brilliant inclusion of sign language).
The plot felt cluttered to me, and while the underlying feminist/women's rights messages are super important, the delivery sometimes felt very heavy handed.
The dialogue sometimes felt like it leaned very childish and corny, exacerbated by the juxtaposition with the deep themes and relationships being explored.
The premise of this book is excellent and the set up of the protagonists, the supporting cast, and their relationships is strong. The worldbuilding too is a standout (including the various animal companions and fauna).
Where it was less successful for me was in the plot and dialogue (with the exception of the brilliant inclusion of sign language).
The plot felt cluttered to me, and while the underlying feminist/women's rights messages are super important, the delivery sometimes felt very heavy handed.
The dialogue sometimes felt like it leaned very childish and corny, exacerbated by the juxtaposition with the deep themes and relationships being explored.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ugh I loved this book so much! I’m absolutely dying to know what happens next. This story felt very original and while there were some common tropes used it didn’t feel like something written with ideas regurgitated from older stories if ya know what I mean. Please read this book and enjoy every second like i did
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