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Dark Desires #1
Deal with the Devil
Has the Devil met his match? Luke Albright has many Prince of Darkness, Ruler of Hell, The Devil, Lucifer. When he makes a deal that brings him across Tess Adams, he gets more than he ever bargained for. She’s smart, funny, beautiful, but strangely immune to everything he tries to throw at her.After a chance encounter with a handsome stranger, Tess Adams can’t stop thinking about Luke Albright. He’s hotter than hell, and despite knowing it’s not smart, she can’t help but be drawn to him. He makes her feel things she never has before, and Tess finds herself falling for the handsome stranger. Tess and Luke never bargained for what would happen as they get closer. But neither of them imagined that an old acquaintance would show up and wreck Tess’s life all over again, or that he’d show her just who Luke really is. Will they be able to survive when secrets are laid bare? Deal with the Devil is Book 1 in the Dark Desires series.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2021
253 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Mountford
8 books60 followersM. L. Mountford loves to read and write paranormal romance. She tries to make her characters interesting, sassy, and quirky, as well as creating whole other worlds hidden within our own.
She is from the North-East of England, where she lives with her husband and two young daughters.
Her busy life means she’s fuelled entirely by coffee and sugar. When she’s not writing she can be found eating everything in sight, binge watching whatever new documentary Netflix has to offer, swearing far too much, or with her nose buried in her Kindle.
She is from the North-East of England, where she lives with her husband and two young daughters.
Her busy life means she’s fuelled entirely by coffee and sugar. When she’s not writing she can be found eating everything in sight, binge watching whatever new documentary Netflix has to offer, swearing far too much, or with her nose buried in her Kindle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 20, 2022
DNF at 40%…..
Hero was a lying playboy asshole! I get that he is the Devil but I got to see some redeeming qualities. Something to fall for. I was expecting a badass alpha who commanded everyone around him. What I got was a turd 💩
-Messing with people for his own enjoyment
-Fucking anything that moved
-Planning to use and discard the heroine for way too long
No signs of any j/p behaviors at all. I figure they will end up together but couldn’t care less.
Hero was a lying playboy asshole! I get that he is the Devil but I got to see some redeeming qualities. Something to fall for. I was expecting a badass alpha who commanded everyone around him. What I got was a turd 💩
-Messing with people for his own enjoyment
-Fucking anything that moved
-Planning to use and discard the heroine for way too long
No signs of any j/p behaviors at all. I figure they will end up together but couldn’t care less.
September 19, 2021
First book I’ve read from M.L Mountford and it was amazing. Thank god the second book is out otherwise I’d be hounding the author for the date.
Totally different from any of the devil books I’ve read so it was refreshing
Totally different from any of the devil books I’ve read so it was refreshing
March 25, 2023
I read the review, and if you read a book whose main character is the Devil. You must remember he is not a nice person. This story had pace, suspense, intrigue and a whole lot of passion. plenty of paranormal romance with the actual devil. I loved the heroine, she really came back from awful circumstances to become a much stronger woman who wouldn't take no crap. Luke/lucifer I couldn't stand for the most of the book. He had absolutely zero redeeming qualities. He's honestly vile.
I loved the dual narration of Hannibal Hills and Ella Lynch. They bring out the characters, you feel the angsty, pain and yes romance.
I loved the dual narration of Hannibal Hills and Ella Lynch. They bring out the characters, you feel the angsty, pain and yes romance.
July 8, 2021
Exciting read!
I enjoyed watching the devil fall for Tess. For fans of Lucifer the TV show, this is right up your alley! The story was great, and I can't wait to find out what happens in the next installment!
I enjoyed watching the devil fall for Tess. For fans of Lucifer the TV show, this is right up your alley! The story was great, and I can't wait to find out what happens in the next installment!
December 21, 2024
There are a lot of pieces that just don’t work for me—starting with the MMC’s motivation for wanting to meet the FMC, and then his reasons for continuing to be interested in her. Her lackluster personality and his unimpressive ability to charm are highlighted by the exaggerated responses of the people around them.
Waitresses and passersby fawn on the boring MMC, and he theorizes it’s because they’re somehow instinctively “drawn to” his power, as if that makes any sense, as if it’s any less shallow than the billionaire romances where women fawn over the MMC for his money, status and beefy muscles. But the FMC is just as bad, because she has this BFF Emma who is seemingly her only social contact in America, is always trying to set her up with dudes and is totally shipping her and the MMC (of course) but like… there’s just nothing interesting about her. She’s not a great conversationalist, she’s super guarded about her past, and her life is 100% eat-sleep-work-workout because she’s so dedicated to never being a victim of domestic abuse again.*
The MMC’s aggressive tactics, such as stalking via proxy, inviting her to fake business meetings that turn out to be dates, and even his presence in her life are all big, glaring red flags that he’s no better than her ex. Appropriate for a morally gray/villainous character, but not the kind of thing I like to see juxtaposed with an abuse survivor FMC. She has already had her mind bent and her ego whittled down by a monster; she’s too easy of a mark for him! And the only thing he likes about her is that his powers don’t work on her (Edward Cullen problems) and she won’t put out on the first date (so he could get her out of his system) therefore he can’t see how dull and sad she really is.
The prose is so colorless and lacking in ornamentation. During the first date scene at the restaurant, not one fancy food was actually named or described. The MMC’s flirtation game is weak AF:
Although he’s “never used [his] powers to influence anyone into bed,” he’s stunned and awestruck that the FMC doesn’t put out until the third date. Before Date 2, he goes as far as to say the FMC is “making [him] work hard” and that he was “enjoying the chase.” God, it’s sooo predictable. Needless to say, once they get the vanilla man-on-top PIV they’ve both been literally dreaming of, he’s changed his tune:
🎶 They say it’s better the second time; they say you get to do the weird stuff! 🎶
Anyway, predictably, all of their problems are caused by jealous exes who will do anything to get them back… yes, very relatable. Personally I always make sure to keep a tennis racket in my car to beat away the swarming exes when me and my husband go out for lunch, and that normally does the trick.
*Not that being able to punch back has ever helped in a situation where you’ve been gaslighted and believe you’re somehow in the wrong for making him react that way, which is the case in the majority of situations like this. In fact, the author gets a lot of things wrong about abuse, starting with the abuser’s personality: he’s portrayed as a hothead who can’t control his temper even in a business meeting where the other person has something he desperately wants. Lundy Bancroft addresses this assumption directly in Why Does He Do That? where he explains why anger management classes aren’t effective for domestic abusers. In reality, abusers are often very charming in casual social situations and don’t have trouble with their friends or jobs—they can and do control their temper. His acquaintances often can’t believe he’s been abusive to his partner. “He’s not that type of guy.”
Also, this passage:
This is another example of common mythos about domestic abuse being perpetuated by regurgitation. It takes an average of 6 attempts for a victim to escape her abuser—often that first hit, that first hospital visit, that first police call, will be times when she makes attempts to separate, but he reels her back in with love-bombing and grand gestures, which are conspicuously absent in this narrative. I guess the author didn’t want to somehow glorify the abuser by implying that he was ever kind or nice, but that just makes our FMC seem stupid for not trying to leave when he was horrible all the time. Again, a very common question posed to domestic violence victims: “Why didn’t you just leave?”
Waitresses and passersby fawn on the boring MMC, and he theorizes it’s because they’re somehow instinctively “drawn to” his power, as if that makes any sense, as if it’s any less shallow than the billionaire romances where women fawn over the MMC for his money, status and beefy muscles. But the FMC is just as bad, because she has this BFF Emma who is seemingly her only social contact in America, is always trying to set her up with dudes and is totally shipping her and the MMC (of course) but like… there’s just nothing interesting about her. She’s not a great conversationalist, she’s super guarded about her past, and her life is 100% eat-sleep-work-workout because she’s so dedicated to never being a victim of domestic abuse again.*
The MMC’s aggressive tactics, such as stalking via proxy, inviting her to fake business meetings that turn out to be dates, and even his presence in her life are all big, glaring red flags that he’s no better than her ex. Appropriate for a morally gray/villainous character, but not the kind of thing I like to see juxtaposed with an abuse survivor FMC. She has already had her mind bent and her ego whittled down by a monster; she’s too easy of a mark for him! And the only thing he likes about her is that his powers don’t work on her (Edward Cullen problems) and she won’t put out on the first date (so he could get her out of his system) therefore he can’t see how dull and sad she really is.
The prose is so colorless and lacking in ornamentation. During the first date scene at the restaurant, not one fancy food was actually named or described. The MMC’s flirtation game is weak AF:
FMC: You haven’t sent a dress this time. What should I wear?
MMC: Something short.
Although he’s “never used [his] powers to influence anyone into bed,” he’s stunned and awestruck that the FMC doesn’t put out until the third date. Before Date 2, he goes as far as to say the FMC is “making [him] work hard” and that he was “enjoying the chase.” God, it’s sooo predictable. Needless to say, once they get the vanilla man-on-top PIV they’ve both been literally dreaming of, he’s changed his tune:
How she’d willingly given herself to me in every way. She opened up about her life, let me into her past, and let me into her. The sex was unreal. I’d had a lot of sex, but she was exceptional. It felt so different with her—it felt like home.
🎶 They say it’s better the second time; they say you get to do the weird stuff! 🎶
Anyway, predictably, all of their problems are caused by jealous exes who will do anything to get them back… yes, very relatable. Personally I always make sure to keep a tennis racket in my car to beat away the swarming exes when me and my husband go out for lunch, and that normally does the trick.
*Not that being able to punch back has ever helped in a situation where you’ve been gaslighted and believe you’re somehow in the wrong for making him react that way, which is the case in the majority of situations like this. In fact, the author gets a lot of things wrong about abuse, starting with the abuser’s personality: he’s portrayed as a hothead who can’t control his temper even in a business meeting where the other person has something he desperately wants. Lundy Bancroft addresses this assumption directly in Why Does He Do That? where he explains why anger management classes aren’t effective for domestic abusers. In reality, abusers are often very charming in casual social situations and don’t have trouble with their friends or jobs—they can and do control their temper. His acquaintances often can’t believe he’s been abusive to his partner. “He’s not that type of guy.”
Also, this passage:
So it was me and him. He wore me down so much that I believed the vile and horrible things he said about me. I believed I was worthless, that I was worse than the shit on his shoe. Yet I stayed. I stayed after he hit me the first time, and the second and third. I stayed after he’d beat me so badly that I had to go to the hospital. I stayed after he did it again. And again.
This is another example of common mythos about domestic abuse being perpetuated by regurgitation. It takes an average of 6 attempts for a victim to escape her abuser—often that first hit, that first hospital visit, that first police call, will be times when she makes attempts to separate, but he reels her back in with love-bombing and grand gestures, which are conspicuously absent in this narrative. I guess the author didn’t want to somehow glorify the abuser by implying that he was ever kind or nice, but that just makes our FMC seem stupid for not trying to leave when he was horrible all the time. Again, a very common question posed to domestic violence victims: “Why didn’t you just leave?”
April 25, 2024
Has the Devil met his match? Luke Albright has many Prince of Darkness, Ruler of Hell, The Devil, Lucifer. When he makes a deal that brings him across Tess Adams, he gets more than he ever bargained for. She’s smart, funny, beautiful, but strangely immune to everything he tries to throw at her.
After a chance encounter with a handsome stranger, Tess Adams can’t stop thinking about Luke Albright. He’s hotter than hell, and despite knowing it’s not smart, she can’t help but be drawn to him. He makes her feel things she never has before, and Tess finds herself falling for the handsome stranger.
Wow this book is full of intrigue and suspense, which in turn made it very difficult to put down. The story line has a lot of passion, while reading this book I went through some emotions such as pain and angsty. The romance between Tess and Luke (Lucifer) was absolutely fabulous and the plot line really flowed. This was the first book I've read by M. L Mountford and wow what a brilliant book as I was unsure what to expect. If this book is anything to go by I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future.
After a chance encounter with a handsome stranger, Tess Adams can’t stop thinking about Luke Albright. He’s hotter than hell, and despite knowing it’s not smart, she can’t help but be drawn to him. He makes her feel things she never has before, and Tess finds herself falling for the handsome stranger.
Wow this book is full of intrigue and suspense, which in turn made it very difficult to put down. The story line has a lot of passion, while reading this book I went through some emotions such as pain and angsty. The romance between Tess and Luke (Lucifer) was absolutely fabulous and the plot line really flowed. This was the first book I've read by M. L Mountford and wow what a brilliant book as I was unsure what to expect. If this book is anything to go by I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future.
May 15, 2023
I see there are a lot of really mixed reviews on this book. I think that you have to go onto this book understanding that Lucifer is an incredibly complex character. He’s evil at his core, but he’s also not even at his core. This book he definitely starts off as a jerk planning to play with this woman to give to her abuser. But as the book goes on, we see a different side of him, and I found that an intriguing storyline.
The female character is incredibly strong, and I love that she stands strong in her convictions. Even when she has feelings for him. I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for the next one!
The female character is incredibly strong, and I love that she stands strong in her convictions. Even when she has feelings for him. I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for the next one!
July 28, 2024
Perfect for fans of Lucifer!
Daniel is a piece of sh** and he sells his soul to the devil so he can finally track down his ex, Tess, and give her one final beating (to death). But when the devil meets Tess, he doesn't want to give her up... cue the steam and sexual tension!
Then there's Lucifer's psycho ex who just has to get involved and mess everything up...
This is a very addictive read, I loved it!
Daniel is a piece of sh** and he sells his soul to the devil so he can finally track down his ex, Tess, and give her one final beating (to death). But when the devil meets Tess, he doesn't want to give her up... cue the steam and sexual tension!
Then there's Lucifer's psycho ex who just has to get involved and mess everything up...
This is a very addictive read, I loved it!
September 11, 2024
This was such a fun read. Tess Adams is a feisty and sassy photographer living a new life in New York after a disaster of a marriage made her flee London. Luke Albright is arrogant and selfish, and he’s also the devil.
The story is well developed with witty banter, snort-out-loud one-liners, and great characters that come alive on the page. It’s a descriptive and intriguing plot, with some steamy scenes. It’s a definite page turner, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
The story is well developed with witty banter, snort-out-loud one-liners, and great characters that come alive on the page. It’s a descriptive and intriguing plot, with some steamy scenes. It’s a definite page turner, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
April 10, 2023
If you like the series “Lucifer” you’ll like this book!
Tess is running from abusive ex. So she leaves London and moved to New York where she starts over and then meets Luke.
I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next! This has vampires, witches and of course Lucifer. Theres spice with a story and twist, it’s perfect.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tess is running from abusive ex. So she leaves London and moved to New York where she starts over and then meets Luke.
I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the next! This has vampires, witches and of course Lucifer. Theres spice with a story and twist, it’s perfect.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
August 16, 2024
First book of M L Mountford and I really enjoyed. I was a bit disappointed as I really want to like Luke, he has some good qualities but what he was planning dropped him down in my estimation.
I hope book two he can redeem himself. I am looking forward to reading and seeing how Tess developed and comes into her own. I think she is going to give Luke a run for his money
I hope book two he can redeem himself. I am looking forward to reading and seeing how Tess developed and comes into her own. I think she is going to give Luke a run for his money
May 18, 2025
The book was better than I expected. There was a really awkward "climax" scene that read a little weird and forced that I wasn't too fond of, but the story itself was actually pretty good. I actually wanted more and obviously, the book is a series.. but I'm unsure as to whether I will continue or not.
November 16, 2025
This is my first M.L. Mountford book, and it was a great introduction.
Featuring all your paranormal favorites... Lucifer, Lilith, vampires, and more made this a fun start to the Dark Desires trilogy.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which made the experience all the more enjoyable thanks to the narrators.
I am already listening to book 2.
Featuring all your paranormal favorites... Lucifer, Lilith, vampires, and more made this a fun start to the Dark Desires trilogy.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which made the experience all the more enjoyable thanks to the narrators.
I am already listening to book 2.
January 2, 2026
a really good read overall, and have moved on to book two already!
I had to knock a star off, just because some of the conversations, or phrases, are repeated. For example, Lucifer wants Bee to help him source a witch. Bee agrees. A few chapters later, Lucifer approaches Bee, wanting help to find a witch. Even though he'd already asked that.
I had to knock a star off, just because some of the conversations, or phrases, are repeated. For example, Lucifer wants Bee to help him source a witch. Bee agrees. A few chapters later, Lucifer approaches Bee, wanting help to find a witch. Even though he'd already asked that.
March 24, 2023
This wasn’t bad but I feel like it wasn’t dark enough for a character who’s meant to have been domestically abused.
Also someone who’s already broken finding out about vamps and the devil ….. I feel like she should have had more of a reaction 🤷🏼♀️
Also someone who’s already broken finding out about vamps and the devil ….. I feel like she should have had more of a reaction 🤷🏼♀️
August 19, 2023
not quite what I was expecting
This really reads as more YA than an anything. The writing was kind of juvenile for my tastes. Lots of cliches and spelling errors to boot. I’m thinking I probably won’t read the next two.
This really reads as more YA than an anything. The writing was kind of juvenile for my tastes. Lots of cliches and spelling errors to boot. I’m thinking I probably won’t read the next two.
August 15, 2024
Well if you’re like me and you love Lucifer the T.V show then you’ll love this. The character and mannerisms are really similar and I pictured it as him the whole way through 🥵. There is a little bit of spice, but it also has a storyline that keeps you gripped as well!
October 1, 2024
What a cliff
When the world isn't quite as you expect. You run away from one boyfriend and somehow start dating the devil who is meant to return you.
Not only that, but maybe you're not quite as human as you believe.
A good, fun read! Thank you.
When the world isn't quite as you expect. You run away from one boyfriend and somehow start dating the devil who is meant to return you.
Not only that, but maybe you're not quite as human as you believe.
A good, fun read! Thank you.
March 24, 2025
It's a short read and the kind of story I would love, but it just didn't vibe. I struggled with the book and almsot dnf. It's a 2 star because I feel the story has potential, just needed maybe more editing.
August 9, 2021
Cute, nice little read
June 10, 2023
interesting quick read
Quick read, interesting though there are a few words missing, misspelled…
Enjoyed it and will continue the series to see how it ends
Quick read, interesting though there are a few words missing, misspelled…
Enjoyed it and will continue the series to see how it ends
August 24, 2023
If you liked Lucifer on Netflix, you will like this series. Heavy Lucifer vibes.
March 14, 2024
Not the best writing, kind of a regular plot line, but it kept me engaged
July 4, 2024
Great read
The fact I smashed this book tells you all you need to know about my thoughts on it. It was fast paced with lots of plot and spice. I loved it
The fact I smashed this book tells you all you need to know about my thoughts on it. It was fast paced with lots of plot and spice. I loved it
Read
July 27, 2024dnf. lots of telling. unnecess descrip. tricky situation of past abuse wasn't credible for MFC's actions.
August 15, 2024
Great story line
Loved it , couldn't put it down.
Great storyline and now I can't wait to start book two and see how tess and Luke work things out
Loved it , couldn't put it down.
Great storyline and now I can't wait to start book two and see how tess and Luke work things out
October 23, 2024
Me likey, me likey a lot! You left us hanging girl... but who doesn't love a little cliff hanger, MORE!!! So looking forward to devouring this series.
April 21, 2025
It was okay. Felt a bit rushed. Wished there was more commentary between the characters instead of “we talked for hours”. What about??? 😭 I’m just nosey. I’ll most likely read the next books.
June 8, 2025
The perfect Lucifer
What an amazing, addicting, story that will keep your heart racing until the very end and needing more! I simply could not put this book down!
What an amazing, addicting, story that will keep your heart racing until the very end and needing more! I simply could not put this book down!
January 10, 2026
I loved this lucifer story!! There were so many more intricacies than I expected. I loved the characters and how things developed instead of rushing through the getting to know you process.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews