Instead, it waited twenty-seven years to file a neglect complaint against her.
Now Nora is being investigated by Hell's most ridiculously attractive demon accountant, trapped in a supernatural custody battle, and forced to spend way too much time with a grumpy, by-the-book demon who looks far too good in a suit.
She wanted a little nostalgia. She got a hot demon, a legal nightmare, and a virtual pet with a serious grudge.
And falling for the demon handling her case? That's definitely not in the rulebook.
What to A hot, grumpy demon who follows every rule A heroine who drives him absolutely insane Hell's most ridiculous bureaucracy Forced proximity with the world's smallest chaperone
This book takes me back to a time when things were simpler. I love the nostalgia, banter, fun, and the chemistry between Vassago and Nora. I think their comparison of how phrenetic the modern day is vs how quiet 1999 felt was poignant. I like how the relationship developed and how Sparkle-Cloud’s progress was directly linked to it. This is a fun and enjoyable read!
This book was essentially written for me. 90s nostalgia and my favorite trope - when aspects of heaven or hell are treated like corporate jobs. Vass was super likable as a auditor (demon) and sparkle cloud, the tamagotchi turned real pet, was adorable.
Nobody Warned Me Virtual Pets Could Summon Demons by Hazel Marie Wilde and Lindsey Devin One of the best things about the “Nobody Told Me That” series by Lindsey Devin is that you pretty much know what you’re going to get from the title. If you walked past this book and saw the cover, you’d know the premise of the meet cute inside. Dragons and thrift shops, dragons and libraries… you get the idea. Well, this is a “Nobody Warned Me” and I’m unsure whether or not there will be more. The premise is that Nora, 38 a year old eldest sister who takes care of everything and everyone, is cleaning out her parents’ sold home- and she finds her old Tamagotchi. I remember these things. Someone’s keychain would start making noise in class, reminding them to feed it or whatever, in the middle of AP History. I digress. I won’t say anything past the blurb… Nora finds her 27 year old Tamagotchi in a drawer, presses the power button out of habit- and it summons a demon. This isn’t just any demon, it’s our MMC, Vassago, a 400ish year old auditor for the Infernal Familiar Welfare Board and he’s here to collect that which is owed… the care of the previously mentioned Tamagotchi- Sparkle Cloud. She’s got 27 years of documented abandonment to make up for. The thing about these romance books is that of course Vassago is stupid hot and wants to save Nora from herself. She’s running herself ragged taking care of every single little thing in order to keep her and her siblings’ worlds spinning… but she has a new thing to take care of, and he needs to make sure that happens. So! They co-guardian this Tamagotchi. Forced proximity ensues and so does the romance. The kicker is… Sparkle-Cloud is continually evolving, due to the amazing care and love she is receiving from her parents, and a custody battle ensues. A really high-stakes custody battle. So, Nora and Vassago need to get a team of witnesses to form like Voltron and come together to ensure that Sparkle-Cloud can stay with the family she loves. Look- I’ll just come right out and say it- the premise of this book is completely outlandish. If you can get behind the absolute ridiculousness of a Tamagotchi summoning the definition of bureaucratic Hell, you’ll enjoy this one. It’s got the grumpy-sunshine, forced proximity vibe that Devin books are known for. It’s got the guaranteed happy ending that you crave. There’s spice…not really enough scenes in my opinion, but I like my 18+ books to give me some really explicit things. It also felt a little longer than it needed to be, and I read books twice the length of this one. Maybe that’s just me. I appreciate that our FMC is 38, she is a strong woman, not some 19-year-old waif who suddenly has magical powers. Vassago is what I imagine an IRS auditor would be like, if he was really sexy. Their chemistry is undeniable, but we really get the opportunity to watch them get to know each other in the 2 week time span. It’s a fun little palate cleanser. No one is getting a Pulitzer for this book, but if you’re bored and have a day to kill, why not, go for it. Plot: 4/5 Spice: 2.5/5 I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book starts with a genuinely unique premise: What if the Tamagotchi you abandoned in 1999 came back twenty-seven years later to collect on your debt? Enter a demon auditor, a supernatural legal dispute, and a pet with a very long memory. Honestly, this was a fun setup, and I was intrigued by where it might go. Unfortunately, the novelty wore off. What initially felt like a clever use of supernatural bureaucracy gradually became bogged down in the very thing that made it amusing in the first place. Instead of adding atmosphere and humor, the continued paperwork and procedural details started to feel like obstacles between me and the next meaningful development in the story. I found myself waiting for the plot to evolve rather than enjoying the journey. There’s also a secondary storyline about the FMC learning to establish boundaries with her family after years of automatically saying yes to their every request. It’s a worthwhile theme, but I wasn’t convinced by how it unfolded. She seems to go from endlessly accommodating her family to abruptly ignoring them and saying no, with little meaningful confrontation or discussion. Rather than addressing how she feels used and explaining that others need to take on their share of the responsibilities, she simply withdraws. Her family’s relatively easy acceptance of this shift felt unrealistic. Even if the new obsession with caring for her virtual pet helps her recognize that she needs to reclaim her time, I wanted to see her develop healthier relationships, not simply replace one all-consuming obligation with another. I suspect the author was aiming to move the characters from lives governed by rules and entrapment toward autonomy and freedom. I can appreciate that intended arc, but I wanted more development to make the transformation feel earned. A shorter book might have helped considerably, trimming the repetitive bureaucracy and giving the characters’ journey from restriction to freedom more impact. The premise had the potential to be delightfully weird, but the execution became more tedious than entertaining. A wonderfully unusual idea that started with promise but became bogged down in procedural details and a character arc that never quite convinced me.
The title Nobody Warned Me Virtual Pets Could Summon Demons by Lindsey Devin and Hazel Marie Wilde immediately caught my attention with its promise of something delightfully unconventional! Blending virtual pets with demonic chaos creates a captivating premise, leaving you eager to see where the story leads. The interplay between nostalgic, seemingly innocent childhood relics and darker supernatural elements works wonderfully. It offers a unique read for anyone who appreciates quirky paranormal tales, clever twists, and a touch of dark humour. Standout originality makes this book memorable, making it an excellent choice for readers seeking a truly distinct story.
The plot centers on Nora, the reliable backbone of her family who serves as everyone's go-to problem solver and unofficial assistant. While clearing out her parents' old home before sale, she unearths a forgotten relic from her youth. What follows is a chaotic spiral—meticulously tracked in spreadsheets—when a demon auditor named Vassago ends up tied to her life through an old Tamagotchi. The narrative offers an entertaining look at what happens when the past returns to settle an abandoned debt.
The author skillfully weaves in millennial nostalgia that invites readers to reflect on their own memories, from eerie 1998 Furbies moving on their own to browsing the aisles of local video stores. It's fascinating watching Nora and Vassago handle the complications of a virtual pet manifesting in the real world while navigating their blossoming romance.
I received a complimentary advance review copy of this book through Booksprout and am voluntarily sharing an honest review.
Quite enjoyed this little story of what happens when one’s childhood comes to collect its debt of being abandoned. Nora spends her days being the glue that keeps her family together, the “emergency contact” for every miss placed item, and the unpaid assistant that manages her family’s troubles. We begin with the story with her cleaning her parent’s old home before it goes to closing for the new owners, and she stumbles upon a piece of her childhood she left behind. Everything goes downhill and logged into spreadsheets from their as a demon auditor named Vassago becomes integrated into her life over a tamagotchi from her childhood.
Love how the author begins some millennial nostalgia into the story that makes one look back at their own childhood memories. Who else remembers the creepy Furby from 1998 and how it would just react and move on its own? Or even walking down the isles of a video store like blockbuster or adventure video? We get to see how Nora and Vassago navigate through the politics of a virtual pet becoming a physical entity that demands attention while also working through their growing feelings for each other.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nobody Warned Me Virtual Pets Could Summon Demons by Lindsey Devin and Hazel Marie Wilde was a title that immediately grabbed me attention and promised something wonderfully weird! The idea of virtual pets and demonic chaos is such a fun, unconventional concept that it’s hard not to be curious about where things will go. I love the contrast between something nostalgic and seemingly harmless and the darker supernatural elements. It’s a refreshing concept for readers who enjoy quirky paranormal stories, unexpected twists, and a little dark humor mixed into their reading experience. This book stood out for its originality and its ability to spark curiosity right from the title. Overall, Nobody Warned Me Virtual Pets Could Summon Demons is a fun pick for readers looking for something different and memorable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Nora’s 1999 virtual pet files a neglect complaint twenty-seven years later, she finds herself tangled in Hell’s most absurd bureaucracy—and falling for Vassago the ridiculously hot, rule-abiding demon accountant assigned to her case. The Protagonists: Nora, a heroine who drives him insane, and Vassago, a hot, grumpy demon who strictly follows every rule (and looks far too good in a suit). The Conflict: A legal nightmare and supernatural custody battle triggered by a virtual pet with a serious grudge. The Tropes: Forced proximity, Hell’s most ridiculous bureaucracy, and the world’s smallest chaperone. The Romance: Falling for the demon handling her case is definitely not in the rulebook, leading to a strong dynamic between two well-developed characters. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was the perfect balance of hilarity and nostalgia and tension. All with a modern and paranormal twist. And I ate it up. Vassago and Nora were so great together. I loved every interaction we got between them. Their first meeting was so freaking adorable as were so many moments they shared after that. This book pulls you in with the nostalgic aspect but keeps you invested with a genuine connection and insane chemistry. I couldn’t put it down. Didn’t realize how fast I was turning the pages until there were no more to flip. This book was so funny and cute, and such a refreshing read. Just like the others in this series it is going on my reread list immediately.
I was surprised just how much I enjoyed this book. It's fun, nerdy, quirky, spicy, and sweet. The characters are well written and very well developed. Nora was painfully easy to identify with at times. She and Vassago have solid chemistry together, which adds to the fun of reading the story. And I loved seeing Sparkle-Cloud's evolution as she developed her personality over the course of the story. Highly recommended for readers looking for something unique in demon romances.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nobody Warned Me Virtual Pets Could Summon Demons! 👾❤️🔥 I completely adored this book! It is the perfect blend of funny, cute, and nostalgic. What I loved: ✨ The autonomous virtual pet (hilarious! 😂) ✨ The demon learning to be human ✨ Nora finally finding someone she could lean on ✨ The forced proximity vibes! The spice was minimal but honestly, it was absolutely perfect for this story. If you want a comforting, funny, and uniquely charming romance, pick this up
A love and a half. A fight for the right to exist. A few moments of where to go next. Funny, charming, and a little bit different. Virtual pets. I definitely had to help keep one alive. Not sure we managed as long as Nora. Lindsey Devin. Hazel Marie Wilde. Will be looking out for more. Thank you.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Who knew a virtual pet could cause THIS much trouble?! The idea of a neglected virtual pet coming back decades later and dragging Nora into a supernatural mess is delightfully chaotic! Add in a scrumptious demon accountant and a supernatural custody battle, and you’ve got the best recipe for chaos!
I love a book that takes a fun, unique concept and runs with it. The combination of humor, paranormal shenanigans, and such a cute romance makes this one stand out.
I really enjoyed this one. Full of 90s nostalgia and a funny premise for those of us with a forgotten tamagotchi. I could never keep mine alive! I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop and the way everything evolved. Highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a very sweet book, just the right kind of fantasy and someone making a connection in the world that eventually helps them become better, not exponentially, just enough to sort their life out. I enjoyed reading it and found the story funny and believable enough to see the images in my mind as I read along.
Lol I remeber the tomocachi Pets. The story was good. Angst, romance, fun, friendships and perceived family obligations! If you get a chance read the books that are suggested The girl who cried BIggoot. Is good.
This was a fun read and took me straight back to the 90s. With a virtual pet familiars, who files a complaint of neglect and a demon auditor watching her every move. Noras story had me me laughing out loud, and the back and forth heat was spot on. I loved the different take on paranormal romance.
😂 I really enjoyed this one! The flashbacks to my old virtual pets had me wondering just how many I left to die! Add a grumpy, sexy demon and hilarious chaos, and I was hooked! ❤️🔥.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such a fun and cute read!, I really enjoyed it! I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the world and concept was really interesting to me.
I had an absolute blast reading this book!!! It was such a sweet story with so much heart. The title had me intrigued and the book did not disappoint! Nora & Vassago were so cute together and Sparkle-cloud was such a fun character!! This was such a fun read!!