What do you think?
Rate this book
Deal with the Devil
You have been selected to attend Underworld University, the most prestigious training ground for demons in Pandemonium. During your studies you’ll have the unique opportunity to wipe your soul's slate clean.
The catch? Your demonic classmates are using your chance at a peaceful afterlife to practice making soul contracts with humans.
My life wasn’t perfect, but it was mine. After my parents were murdered in a drive-by-shooting, my brother and I were taken in by the most notorious crime family in the Tri-State area. I was raised like every other mob princess, spoiled and fiercely protective of my family. Until I died.
I have a few ideas why I ended up in hell:
1. Murdering my ex boyfriend, Kallum.
2. I don’t know, jaywalking, I guess.
My afterlife only got more complicated after I met them.
The hot and cold class president.
The compulsive gambler with a charming smile.
The lost human more demonic than the demons themselves.
The incubus suffering from boredom.
Getting distracted with whatever game they’re playing would surely lead to my expulsion, I only have one chance to climb the class rank and free myself from damnation. But when someone from my past threatens my place at the academy, I’ll need their help more than I realize.
Are you ready to make a deal?
CW and additional Tags for all books are on author website
Note: This is the first of a five book series that focuses on queer relationships with multiple love interests. This book will end on a cliffhanger, the series will ultimately have a HEA.
The catch? Your demonic classmates are using your chance at a peaceful afterlife to practice making soul contracts with humans.
My life wasn’t perfect, but it was mine. After my parents were murdered in a drive-by-shooting, my brother and I were taken in by the most notorious crime family in the Tri-State area. I was raised like every other mob princess, spoiled and fiercely protective of my family. Until I died.
I have a few ideas why I ended up in hell:
1. Murdering my ex boyfriend, Kallum.
2. I don’t know, jaywalking, I guess.
My afterlife only got more complicated after I met them.
The hot and cold class president.
The compulsive gambler with a charming smile.
The lost human more demonic than the demons themselves.
The incubus suffering from boredom.
Getting distracted with whatever game they’re playing would surely lead to my expulsion, I only have one chance to climb the class rank and free myself from damnation. But when someone from my past threatens my place at the academy, I’ll need their help more than I realize.
Are you ready to make a deal?
CW and additional Tags for all books are on author website
Note: This is the first of a five book series that focuses on queer relationships with multiple love interests. This book will end on a cliffhanger, the series will ultimately have a HEA.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2022
163 people are currently reading
1241 people want to read
About the author
Bex Deveau
12 books161 followersI'm a cat-mom of two, wife and spicy romance enthusiast living in Edmonton, AB. You can usually find me curled up on the sofa surrounded by a hundred pillows and reading on my kindle (or, y'know, writing.) Becoming my bestie is easy! You just need an undying love of all things sweet and be cool with watching the same five movies on repeat.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
Read
April 6, 2023dnf @ 6% bc her cousin is murdered and her best friend pushes her to go on a date w her boss “bc it would be rude to cancel now”
August 1, 2024
3.5⭐️ Like I ate this shit up. I loved the queer rep, sex work positivity, and the whole concept.
December 6, 2022
Y'all. This book? Bloody amazing. It was a whole rollercoaster of a story and I loved it.
Talon is a quick-witted FMC and I really loved her as the main character. She was fun to read about and watching her relationship blossom with Poison, Riot, Dice, Saint and Wrath was *chefs kiss*
I can't wait to read the sequel!
Talon is a quick-witted FMC and I really loved her as the main character. She was fun to read about and watching her relationship blossom with Poison, Riot, Dice, Saint and Wrath was *chefs kiss*
I can't wait to read the sequel!
July 7, 2023
*Received book as an ARC to review. Crossposted to Amazon.
So, first off - yes, the FMC is a mafia princess. No, she's not annoying like some other mafia princess FMCs in romance novels.
Second - this book is literally set in Hell. But, this version of Hell is nothing like you might have imagined. Think lush, beautifully appointed university, with stunning architecture. The world building is something I thoroughly enjoyed - can't wait to see it developed further in future books.
Getting right into the book - it is a why choose novel, one that includes a bisexual FMC, and one of her partners is a woman. I freaking loved that. Her partners include some of the standard tropes ("touch her and die", etc.) but written in a not standard way, which kept it nice and fresh.
The storyline was very entertaining, it sucked me right in when I started reading. You've got a FMC who experiences a shockingly large upheaval (literally dying and waking up in Hell), an enemy who wants to destroy her at the cost of his own safety/life, interspersed with scenes of sports competitions, parties, and plenty of spice. 🥵
If you've made it this far, let's talk about the spice. Um, I may have made the mistake of starting this book while being at work and I wanted to just leave early so I could consume this book as quickly as I could - I wanted to get to all of the spice as soon as I could. All of Talon's partners were very well-written, and their spice scenes were fantastic. One point I'd like to make - the amazing amount of consent displayed by all the characters, I loved seeing it being so emphasized between Talon and her partners.
Overall - a thoroughly enjoyable read, well balanced spicy and non-spicy scenes, great world-building and character development, and with that cliffhanger at the very end, I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, and hope to be able to receive an ARC for that one as well.
So, first off - yes, the FMC is a mafia princess. No, she's not annoying like some other mafia princess FMCs in romance novels.
Second - this book is literally set in Hell. But, this version of Hell is nothing like you might have imagined. Think lush, beautifully appointed university, with stunning architecture. The world building is something I thoroughly enjoyed - can't wait to see it developed further in future books.
Getting right into the book - it is a why choose novel, one that includes a bisexual FMC, and one of her partners is a woman. I freaking loved that. Her partners include some of the standard tropes ("touch her and die", etc.) but written in a not standard way, which kept it nice and fresh.
The storyline was very entertaining, it sucked me right in when I started reading. You've got a FMC who experiences a shockingly large upheaval (literally dying and waking up in Hell), an enemy who wants to destroy her at the cost of his own safety/life, interspersed with scenes of sports competitions, parties, and plenty of spice. 🥵
If you've made it this far, let's talk about the spice. Um, I may have made the mistake of starting this book while being at work and I wanted to just leave early so I could consume this book as quickly as I could - I wanted to get to all of the spice as soon as I could. All of Talon's partners were very well-written, and their spice scenes were fantastic. One point I'd like to make - the amazing amount of consent displayed by all the characters, I loved seeing it being so emphasized between Talon and her partners.
Overall - a thoroughly enjoyable read, well balanced spicy and non-spicy scenes, great world-building and character development, and with that cliffhanger at the very end, I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, and hope to be able to receive an ARC for that one as well.
February 18, 2023
absolutely loved this book!!
I need the second book pronto!! This was so well written and sucked me in right away.. the spice was great I loved all of the main characters
I need the second book pronto!! This was so well written and sucked me in right away.. the spice was great I loved all of the main characters
September 12, 2024
- Mafia princess gets dead
- Why Choose
- Adult Academia
- Lots of different types of relationships within the poly
- Two peens
- Lucifer is a prick, go figure
After reading the Mortal Instruments I as sent into a reading rut and I could NOT figure out what to read but didn't want to lose my reading streak. So the bestie picked a book for me to slowly crawl through. This was that book and it as honestly a good choice. I went in knowing nothing about it, I picked it up on a Stuff Your Kindle Day I am pretty sure, so it was fun to figure out.
Olivia is everything you want in a mafia princess, and when the brother of the ex-boyfriend she murdered for being a rat, murders her back she wakes up in Underworld University and life has never been so interesting.
- More Review coming, my dinner timer went off -
- Why Choose
- Adult Academia
- Lots of different types of relationships within the poly
- Two peens
- Lucifer is a prick, go figure
After reading the Mortal Instruments I as sent into a reading rut and I could NOT figure out what to read but didn't want to lose my reading streak. So the bestie picked a book for me to slowly crawl through. This was that book and it as honestly a good choice. I went in knowing nothing about it, I picked it up on a Stuff Your Kindle Day I am pretty sure, so it was fun to figure out.
Olivia is everything you want in a mafia princess, and when the brother of the ex-boyfriend she murdered for being a rat, murders her back she wakes up in Underworld University and life has never been so interesting.
- More Review coming, my dinner timer went off -
October 15, 2025
I NEED more people to read this!! One of my FAVORITE reads EVAAA 😈🥀 - 5/5 stars review below 👇🏻
𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘤𝘵. 𝗜 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝘀 𝗜 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗺𝘀, 𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱.
𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝗜 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗜 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘀.
𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥.
🥀😈 || 𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆
⚠︎ check TWs | 18+ content ⚠︎
📖 Deal With The Devil by Bex Deveau (Underworld University, Book 1)
Star Rating: 5/5 ★★★★★
Spice Rating: 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Spice Frequency: 3/5 🔥🔥🔥
POV: Multi/1st
Available on KU ✅
⚠️ Tropes Below ⚠️
• Paranormal Dark Academia but in H3||
• M0nster / D3mon Romance
• Why Choose
• Fake Dating/F0rced Proximity/Shifters
• Deals with dem0ns
• SPICE (one of the peeps has TWO 🍆 in his d3mon form!!!)
• Found Family
I’m honestly SHOCKED and APPALLED that I had not read this book yet because it’s truly perfection. The concept for this is PHENOMENAL with a plot that kept me turning the pages and romance with so much tension that I could not look away.
Deal With The Devil by Bex Deveaux is a delicious and addictive paranormal dark academia filled to the brim with page-turning plot points and enticing romantic relationships that are sure to win your heart. Every single character is beautifully written and well-rounded, with intense emotional complexity and defining character traits. The characters are so amazingly written that Bex probably wouldn’t even NEED to label the chapter POVs because each character is distinct! This is a FEAT for 320 page book, which just goes to show you the TALENT of the writer.
Right now, I’m team Wrath but Poison and Dice are close seconds. 🤭
I can’t wait to read book two!! 😍
𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘤𝘵. 𝗜 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝘀 𝗜 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗺𝘀, 𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱.
𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝗜 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗜 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘀.
𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥.
🥀😈 || 𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆
⚠︎ check TWs | 18+ content ⚠︎
📖 Deal With The Devil by Bex Deveau (Underworld University, Book 1)
Star Rating: 5/5 ★★★★★
Spice Rating: 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Spice Frequency: 3/5 🔥🔥🔥
POV: Multi/1st
Available on KU ✅
⚠️ Tropes Below ⚠️
• Paranormal Dark Academia but in H3||
• M0nster / D3mon Romance
• Why Choose
• Fake Dating/F0rced Proximity/Shifters
• Deals with dem0ns
• SPICE (one of the peeps has TWO 🍆 in his d3mon form!!!)
• Found Family
I’m honestly SHOCKED and APPALLED that I had not read this book yet because it’s truly perfection. The concept for this is PHENOMENAL with a plot that kept me turning the pages and romance with so much tension that I could not look away.
Deal With The Devil by Bex Deveaux is a delicious and addictive paranormal dark academia filled to the brim with page-turning plot points and enticing romantic relationships that are sure to win your heart. Every single character is beautifully written and well-rounded, with intense emotional complexity and defining character traits. The characters are so amazingly written that Bex probably wouldn’t even NEED to label the chapter POVs because each character is distinct! This is a FEAT for 320 page book, which just goes to show you the TALENT of the writer.
Right now, I’m team Wrath but Poison and Dice are close seconds. 🤭
I can’t wait to read book two!! 😍
July 17, 2023
Deal with the Devil is a why choose in a university setting with fake dating and characters anyone could fall in love with.
I am happily in love with almost every character in this book. I am also SO happy to have a beautifully written Non-binary character (they/them) to root for and love.
The main character Olivia is a beautiful mafia daughter Bad Ass. She's smart, can fight, and likes to eat.
Poison is a sultry Non-binary shape shifting sex worker. They are sweet and have never been loved for who they are.
Dice is a hot gambling himbo and player. He's flirty, funny and can't pass up a good deal.
Riot is a sexy avoidant fighter. She may give you whiplash, both in the ring and with her emotions.
Saint is a gorgeous golden retriever of a man. He is constantly having a watchful eye over Olivia.
Wrath is a flirty brooding princeling. He is protective of his friends (and friends girlfriends) but also couldn't possibly let anyone see weakness
The sexual tension is 🔥
The story is unique and addictive. I absolutely devoured the first book. And the cliff hanger 🫠 Luckily book 2 comes out soon!!
I am happily in love with almost every character in this book. I am also SO happy to have a beautifully written Non-binary character (they/them) to root for and love.
The main character Olivia is a beautiful mafia daughter Bad Ass. She's smart, can fight, and likes to eat.
Poison is a sultry Non-binary shape shifting sex worker. They are sweet and have never been loved for who they are.
Dice is a hot gambling himbo and player. He's flirty, funny and can't pass up a good deal.
Riot is a sexy avoidant fighter. She may give you whiplash, both in the ring and with her emotions.
Saint is a gorgeous golden retriever of a man. He is constantly having a watchful eye over Olivia.
Wrath is a flirty brooding princeling. He is protective of his friends (and friends girlfriends) but also couldn't possibly let anyone see weakness
The sexual tension is 🔥
The story is unique and addictive. I absolutely devoured the first book. And the cliff hanger 🫠 Luckily book 2 comes out soon!!
January 18, 2023
Action and steam packed, Deal with the Devil will draw in you and leave you panting for more once you turn the last page. Talon really sneaks into your heart and makes herself at home alongside Poison, Riot, Wrath and others. Deveau has built an intricate world that we’ve only just began to scratch the surface of and I can’t wait for the next installment in this series to not only spend more time with these wonderful characters but also learn more about Underworld University
December 22, 2022
This book….was AMAZING!!!! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, either by the twists and turns or the spice. The characters are amazing and the word building was great. I really grew fond of every BUT lucky…that guy can get bent. And the way it just ends with how it ends…..I seriously can not wait till book 2. Love love love this book!
January 17, 2023
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed their writing style. The first chapter had me really intrigued. Although I was reading a book, it felt as though I was watching a tv show in my head. It’s rare that authors have a writing style like that! I’m ever so grateful this was why choose because the men??? yeah…delicious. Can’t wait to see where this series goes.
December 24, 2022
P.O.I.S.O.N.
Read this book for Poison and fall in love with everyone else along the way. I do love the others in this book, Talon is vivacious and amazing and Dice and Wrath and Saint and Riot each have a little piece of my heart…but Poison. Precious.
Read this book for Poison and fall in love with everyone else along the way. I do love the others in this book, Talon is vivacious and amazing and Dice and Wrath and Saint and Riot each have a little piece of my heart…but Poison. Precious.
December 24, 2022
This was so good! University PNRs are hit or miss for me but this just became the gold standard. Seriously, Bex Deveaux is an author to keep your eye out for!
This is a mildly low stakes, why choose paranormal romance that has beautiful character development. Each one had a distinct voice and personality, with their own special type of relationship to the FMC. Which speaking of Olivia aka Talon, she’s literally one of the best written FMCs I’ve read ALL YEAR. You can’t help but love her. She’s crass, fatal, loyal and unapologetic.
Deveaux is a sorceress of dialogue. This book was FUN because she’s created such lovable characters who have meaningful dialogue and banter like sailors. It’s nice to read something less broody but that still has a ton of heart, world building and characters you fall in love with. Plus, the spice was deliciousssss.
This is a mildly low stakes, why choose paranormal romance that has beautiful character development. Each one had a distinct voice and personality, with their own special type of relationship to the FMC. Which speaking of Olivia aka Talon, she’s literally one of the best written FMCs I’ve read ALL YEAR. You can’t help but love her. She’s crass, fatal, loyal and unapologetic.
Deveaux is a sorceress of dialogue. This book was FUN because she’s created such lovable characters who have meaningful dialogue and banter like sailors. It’s nice to read something less broody but that still has a ton of heart, world building and characters you fall in love with. Plus, the spice was deliciousssss.
January 15, 2023
*Given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
From the moment I picked up this book I was hooked. I haven’t read a paranormal university book that has checked all the boxes in a really long time. This had spice, plot twists, an amazing storyline that kept me on my toes & constantly wishing I could live in this book forever. We start with Olivia who goes on a blind date only to end up getting killed. Next thing she knows she’s attending Underworld University where she must “redeem” herself. There’s a ranking system and she’s at the bottom. Now she needs to make some gambles/deals while also fighting for her after life.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the different characters, & the multi POV. Olivia/Talon is a strong willed FMC who had me rooting for her throughout the entirety of this book. Poison, my sweet Poison was hands down my fav from the moment they were introduced. Dice was the character I didn’t think I was going to like at first, but he may have won me over. Saint has his way of making you swoon, even though he is truly a mystery until the very end. Riot is a whole lotta trouble and loyal to a fault, & can step on me any day. Lastly Wrath, the Prince of Demons was the “touch her & I’ll unalive you” vibes I needed and more. I do have to say every time I swore I found my new fav another character would pop up with something to make me swoon & question it all. This was my first book by this author and all I can say is I am so ready for the next one in this series.
From the moment I picked up this book I was hooked. I haven’t read a paranormal university book that has checked all the boxes in a really long time. This had spice, plot twists, an amazing storyline that kept me on my toes & constantly wishing I could live in this book forever. We start with Olivia who goes on a blind date only to end up getting killed. Next thing she knows she’s attending Underworld University where she must “redeem” herself. There’s a ranking system and she’s at the bottom. Now she needs to make some gambles/deals while also fighting for her after life.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the different characters, & the multi POV. Olivia/Talon is a strong willed FMC who had me rooting for her throughout the entirety of this book. Poison, my sweet Poison was hands down my fav from the moment they were introduced. Dice was the character I didn’t think I was going to like at first, but he may have won me over. Saint has his way of making you swoon, even though he is truly a mystery until the very end. Riot is a whole lotta trouble and loyal to a fault, & can step on me any day. Lastly Wrath, the Prince of Demons was the “touch her & I’ll unalive you” vibes I needed and more. I do have to say every time I swore I found my new fav another character would pop up with something to make me swoon & question it all. This was my first book by this author and all I can say is I am so ready for the next one in this series.
January 17, 2023
*Received book as an ARC to review.
I want to give it 4.5 stars!!
Oh my! What can I say about this book! The fact that the FMC is a frikken badass mafia princess with an attitude that isn't a giant baby when she gets her hands dirty is absolutely fantastic!
I love Bex's version of Hell. It's not all fire and brimstone. I love that it's unique when it comes to the descriptions of hell, and it sounds absolutely beautiful.
This is a why choose novel that is so inclusive and I am living for it. The FMC has a female partner, not just men, which I found so refreshing. I also love that one of the characters is referred to as they/them and it is done is such a beautiful way that it doesn't feel like it is being forced and thrown in your face, it just fits so well and Poison is one of my favorite characters in this book. I love that there is consent throughout the book as well, which is awesome, and I love that the FMC is building up each character in her own way that suits them. It is written beautifully.
The spice! Oh my goodness, the spice is fantastic in this book. It is a wonderful balance between plot and spice, and I found myself enjoying every moment of each chapter. The world building is amazing, I can not wait to see where Talon ends up!
The cliffhanger at the end has me in a choke hold, and I need to know more... I can't wait for the next book in the series and hope to be able to be an ARC reader for book two as well!!
I highly recommend this book!
I want to give it 4.5 stars!!
Oh my! What can I say about this book! The fact that the FMC is a frikken badass mafia princess with an attitude that isn't a giant baby when she gets her hands dirty is absolutely fantastic!
I love Bex's version of Hell. It's not all fire and brimstone. I love that it's unique when it comes to the descriptions of hell, and it sounds absolutely beautiful.
This is a why choose novel that is so inclusive and I am living for it. The FMC has a female partner, not just men, which I found so refreshing. I also love that one of the characters is referred to as they/them and it is done is such a beautiful way that it doesn't feel like it is being forced and thrown in your face, it just fits so well and Poison is one of my favorite characters in this book. I love that there is consent throughout the book as well, which is awesome, and I love that the FMC is building up each character in her own way that suits them. It is written beautifully.
The spice! Oh my goodness, the spice is fantastic in this book. It is a wonderful balance between plot and spice, and I found myself enjoying every moment of each chapter. The world building is amazing, I can not wait to see where Talon ends up!
The cliffhanger at the end has me in a choke hold, and I need to know more... I can't wait for the next book in the series and hope to be able to be an ARC reader for book two as well!!
I highly recommend this book!
October 11, 2023
I did not want to put this book down!
I was expecting another crappy college romance that made me wanna punch the FMC cause she’s an idiot and got something the opposite and absolutely wonderful!
Bad ass FMC heiress of the Italian mafia in NJ dies and goes to hell and gets put into college! (Wtf? I know I thought the same)… she has to learn to make deals and move up in class ranking in order to not get expelled and sent off to be tortured for the rest of her afterlife in hell, and make sure she doesn’t die and get turned into a spirit trapped in hell for eternity slowly becoming nothing! All while taking classes she can’t fail, playing a deadly game of capture the flag, fighting off the ex she murdered when she was alive who wants her dead and building her found poly family with a non binary shapeshifter, a shadow mommy, a double d*cked demon, a fallen angel, and possibly a prince of hell…
That cliffhanger ending though gives you ZERO answers! The semester isn’t over, you don’t know how she’s gonna stay in school, and her brother is a new enrollment!! Wtf???? I need book 2 right now!!!
I was expecting another crappy college romance that made me wanna punch the FMC cause she’s an idiot and got something the opposite and absolutely wonderful!
Bad ass FMC heiress of the Italian mafia in NJ dies and goes to hell and gets put into college! (Wtf? I know I thought the same)… she has to learn to make deals and move up in class ranking in order to not get expelled and sent off to be tortured for the rest of her afterlife in hell, and make sure she doesn’t die and get turned into a spirit trapped in hell for eternity slowly becoming nothing! All while taking classes she can’t fail, playing a deadly game of capture the flag, fighting off the ex she murdered when she was alive who wants her dead and building her found poly family with a non binary shapeshifter, a shadow mommy, a double d*cked demon, a fallen angel, and possibly a prince of hell…
That cliffhanger ending though gives you ZERO answers! The semester isn’t over, you don’t know how she’s gonna stay in school, and her brother is a new enrollment!! Wtf???? I need book 2 right now!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2023
4.5⭐️ Riot=Rhea Ripley. I’ve seen fanart but I can’t not see her as Rhea. Can’t wait for book 2, the ending was amazing.
December 16, 2022
Deal with the Devil by Bex Deveau
I’m going to really try to not be bias with this review cause Bex was one of my OG Bookish friends (shout out to mocks and cocks) but this book fucking slays.
We start our journey with Olivia, part of the italian world family, on a job and meeting her brother Wes. I adored the easy and familiar sibling love between the two of them, which was palpable between the pages. As the book continues in the early chapters, really giving us a feel and understanding of the world around Olivia, she gets murdered in a back alley during a date.
Queue Olivia waking up shortly afterwards in the Underworld University, where specially selected humans and “others” go to redeem themselves for their crimes before moving on into the afterlife. Olivia starts out at rank 2000, because not only was she in a crime family, but she murdered and butchered her ex boyf Kallum. Woops.
Throughout the book, we meet the Prince of Demons, Wrath, her guardian angel (who she wasn’t aware of) Saint, Riot - who just loves to pick a fight, Poison, who despite their name is the sweetest most gentle person, and Dice, who gambles his way into Olivia’s heart. The dynamic of the haram was written amazingly, the way each individual fits in with Talon (her name given by her claws that come out to fight when said ex-boyf shows up) is beautiful, each one adding their own little thing to the relationship dynamic and I can’t explain how much I adored the characters with her.
Overall, a bloody amazing book, and I can’t wait to read the next. (BEX HURRY UP I NEED THE NEXT THANKS) A truly brilliant debut novel to what is going to develop into a breathtaking series, Bex I can’t wait to see what you do next
P.S. Team Poison FTW
🔥🔥🔥 / 5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
#dealwiththedevil #underworlduniversity #reverseharem #whychose #bexdeveau
I’m going to really try to not be bias with this review cause Bex was one of my OG Bookish friends (shout out to mocks and cocks) but this book fucking slays.
We start our journey with Olivia, part of the italian world family, on a job and meeting her brother Wes. I adored the easy and familiar sibling love between the two of them, which was palpable between the pages. As the book continues in the early chapters, really giving us a feel and understanding of the world around Olivia, she gets murdered in a back alley during a date.
Queue Olivia waking up shortly afterwards in the Underworld University, where specially selected humans and “others” go to redeem themselves for their crimes before moving on into the afterlife. Olivia starts out at rank 2000, because not only was she in a crime family, but she murdered and butchered her ex boyf Kallum. Woops.
Throughout the book, we meet the Prince of Demons, Wrath, her guardian angel (who she wasn’t aware of) Saint, Riot - who just loves to pick a fight, Poison, who despite their name is the sweetest most gentle person, and Dice, who gambles his way into Olivia’s heart. The dynamic of the haram was written amazingly, the way each individual fits in with Talon (her name given by her claws that come out to fight when said ex-boyf shows up) is beautiful, each one adding their own little thing to the relationship dynamic and I can’t explain how much I adored the characters with her.
Overall, a bloody amazing book, and I can’t wait to read the next. (BEX HURRY UP I NEED THE NEXT THANKS) A truly brilliant debut novel to what is going to develop into a breathtaking series, Bex I can’t wait to see what you do next
P.S. Team Poison FTW
🔥🔥🔥 / 5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
#dealwiththedevil #underworlduniversity #reverseharem #whychose #bexdeveau
October 31, 2024
H O L Y S H I T
WOWZA
It’s been a bit since a book has pulled me so far in I couldn’t put it down. This book deserves the 5/5 and honestly I’d rate it higher if I could. The world building is detailed but not so too heavy it takes over the whole book and pushes it into encyclopedia territory. The mixture of Topside and Hell and how they interact? Delectable. I felt like this book quenched the thirst in my soul. And that ending? No. Fucking. Way! I started this yesterday and by the time it was time to call it in for bed I just couldn’t put the book down. #OneMoreChapter
The characters! I love Talon’s spunky attitude and her demeanour. The way she interacts with the other characters is so extremely genuine it’s heartwarming. And the way she stands up for herself and others? Seriously hot! The portrayal of polyamory is so good too. Communication, respect, boundaries, AND reassurance. Anytime there’s quarrels they get addressed vs. being drug out and used as a painfully boring plot device. I currently have to say my favourite partner(s) currently have got to be a tie between Poison and Dice. Although that’s not me saying I don’t *love* Riot, Wrath, and Saint. Something I loved about the dynamics is that you get to see exactly how each relationship is what they need and how it’s navigated specific to those needs. Each interaction Talon has which each of her partners is individual and catered to that relationship. The acknowledgment of jealousy in a healthy way is also super sexy.
Running to start Book 2. If it’s anything like this one I’m sure I’ll be salivating the whole time.
WOWZA
It’s been a bit since a book has pulled me so far in I couldn’t put it down. This book deserves the 5/5 and honestly I’d rate it higher if I could. The world building is detailed but not so too heavy it takes over the whole book and pushes it into encyclopedia territory. The mixture of Topside and Hell and how they interact? Delectable. I felt like this book quenched the thirst in my soul. And that ending? No. Fucking. Way! I started this yesterday and by the time it was time to call it in for bed I just couldn’t put the book down. #OneMoreChapter
The characters! I love Talon’s spunky attitude and her demeanour. The way she interacts with the other characters is so extremely genuine it’s heartwarming. And the way she stands up for herself and others? Seriously hot! The portrayal of polyamory is so good too. Communication, respect, boundaries, AND reassurance. Anytime there’s quarrels they get addressed vs. being drug out and used as a painfully boring plot device. I currently have to say my favourite partner(s) currently have got to be a tie between Poison and Dice. Although that’s not me saying I don’t *love* Riot, Wrath, and Saint. Something I loved about the dynamics is that you get to see exactly how each relationship is what they need and how it’s navigated specific to those needs. Each interaction Talon has which each of her partners is individual and catered to that relationship. The acknowledgment of jealousy in a healthy way is also super sexy.
Running to start Book 2. If it’s anything like this one I’m sure I’ll be salivating the whole time.
June 23, 2025
first things first, normally typos wouldn’t be as big of a deal, but there were a few that changed the context of what was being said or made it hard to figure out what was being said. & honestly, if i didn’t enjoy the book so much, i would have docked it more. literally chapter 2 she says olivia has gone up to rank 1,098 overnight & then at the end of the chapter says she’s 1,998. i get it gets clarified but that’s enough of a typo to affect the impact of everything because i was like oh well damn if she can jump that much overnight, it’s going to be a breeze… yes, it’s nit picky, but it matters.
also, that cliff hanger was meh. spent so much of the book building up to lucifer that running into her dead brother at the end was like 🤷🏼♀️
but legit, i actually enjoyed this book. i feel like the smutty aspect was kind of held back in terms of description & being drawn out. some of the scenes felt very rushed & reserved. like we could have gotten more but i feel like the focus on building the characters & their relationships were done well enough that the smut was kind of more meant to be a garnish. i just selfishly want more because, well, the characters are pretty hot so my imagination is just ready for anything it can get.
i mean, dice having double the pleasure to offer? that was pretty friggin’ hot.
& riot being as wild as she is with a whole ass demon attached to her, i feel like that scene could have been so much more intimate & descriptive.
but all & all, i look forward to book two.
also, that cliff hanger was meh. spent so much of the book building up to lucifer that running into her dead brother at the end was like 🤷🏼♀️
but legit, i actually enjoyed this book. i feel like the smutty aspect was kind of held back in terms of description & being drawn out. some of the scenes felt very rushed & reserved. like we could have gotten more but i feel like the focus on building the characters & their relationships were done well enough that the smut was kind of more meant to be a garnish. i just selfishly want more because, well, the characters are pretty hot so my imagination is just ready for anything it can get.
i mean, dice having double the pleasure to offer? that was pretty friggin’ hot.
& riot being as wild as she is with a whole ass demon attached to her, i feel like that scene could have been so much more intimate & descriptive.
but all & all, i look forward to book two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2022
“Since the first time they called me precious, we’d been inevitable.”
“A match made in hell.”
This has been such a fun book to read because every time you think you’ve picked your favorite character, something happens and you find another one to fall in love with. The author does a fantastic job of giving each character a personality that you can’t help but love (even if some of them make you wanna tear your hair out initially.)
I found myself wanting to binge this book because the plot moves at a fast enough pace that you just HAVE to know what happens next! The events are written to keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether it’s a romance scene between a certain feisty female and a gambling heartthrob or a high stakes card game, Bex keeps the action moving and your heart is sure to be racing. Mild spoiler, there is a small cliffhanger at the end but it was definitely a cliffhanger that has me ready to know more.
Overall this was a great read and a wonderful introduction into the world of Underworld University and its students. Not all secrets are revealed in this first book, but the ones that are sure are juicy.
“A match made in hell.”
This has been such a fun book to read because every time you think you’ve picked your favorite character, something happens and you find another one to fall in love with. The author does a fantastic job of giving each character a personality that you can’t help but love (even if some of them make you wanna tear your hair out initially.)
I found myself wanting to binge this book because the plot moves at a fast enough pace that you just HAVE to know what happens next! The events are written to keep you on the edge of your seat. Whether it’s a romance scene between a certain feisty female and a gambling heartthrob or a high stakes card game, Bex keeps the action moving and your heart is sure to be racing. Mild spoiler, there is a small cliffhanger at the end but it was definitely a cliffhanger that has me ready to know more.
Overall this was a great read and a wonderful introduction into the world of Underworld University and its students. Not all secrets are revealed in this first book, but the ones that are sure are juicy.
December 22, 2022
Besties…
I had the best time reading this book ❤️ Just when I thought I had picked my favorite character this book threw down an UNO REVERSE card and changed it up. My rankings updated faster than the leader-board at the Kentucky Derby and it will probably change 72 thousand more times before this series is finished. Bonus? The FMC is a fellow feral New Jersian. SOLD!
But seriously, there are plot twists and turns, moments of pure joy and times when I wanted to rage or reach into the book and just give a lovely little slap to the backside of a character's head, with love of course (looking at you my beautiful adorable dumb idiots 🖤). This was so much fun and kept me gripped the whole way through and was just an amazing paranormal academy why choose. Do yourself a favor and rrruuuuuunnnnn to grab this and I’ll see you in hell next semester 😂🔥
Also thanks for that last little surprise torturous cliffy there Bex.. I thought we were friends 🥲
Can’t wait for the next book!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
But seriously, there are plot twists and turns, moments of pure joy and times when I wanted to rage or reach into the book and just give a lovely little slap to the backside of a character's head, with love of course (looking at you my beautiful adorable dumb idiots 🖤). This was so much fun and kept me gripped the whole way through and was just an amazing paranormal academy why choose. Do yourself a favor and rrruuuuuunnnnn to grab this and I’ll see you in hell next semester 😂🔥
Also thanks for that last little surprise torturous cliffy there Bex.. I thought we were friends 🥲
Can’t wait for the next book!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 6, 2023
***SPOILERS BELOW!!!***
Deal with the Devil will keep you salivating. This 'why choose?' novel from Bex Deveau literally had my mouth watering for EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER! She made the university a place I'd like to attend, even if it is in hell.
Olivia is a beautifully rounded FMC- from her dirty mouth to her quick wit, there's no way you can keep from falling for her. And apparently, neither can anyone else! Olive is the focal point for all of the plot happenings in this book; starting with sweet, sweet revenge!
This book has everything you'd want to find in a University Campus Novel. Hot uniforms. Beautiful architecture. Strange professors. Even sports? Lets not forget the POINTS SYSTEM that's keeping everyone on their toes the entire semester.
Bex did a great job with Poison, a beautiful, perfect human being who is NB and can SHAPE SHIFT?! And don't get me started on the possessive little minx that is Riot. Did I mention the biggest, hottest himbo I've ever encountered? Yeah. It's really hard to pick a favorite. BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO AND IT'S SPECTACULAR!
Deal with the Devil will keep you salivating. This 'why choose?' novel from Bex Deveau literally had my mouth watering for EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER! She made the university a place I'd like to attend, even if it is in hell.
Olivia is a beautifully rounded FMC- from her dirty mouth to her quick wit, there's no way you can keep from falling for her. And apparently, neither can anyone else! Olive is the focal point for all of the plot happenings in this book; starting with sweet, sweet revenge!
This book has everything you'd want to find in a University Campus Novel. Hot uniforms. Beautiful architecture. Strange professors. Even sports? Lets not forget the POINTS SYSTEM that's keeping everyone on their toes the entire semester.
Bex did a great job with Poison, a beautiful, perfect human being who is NB and can SHAPE SHIFT?! And don't get me started on the possessive little minx that is Riot. Did I mention the biggest, hottest himbo I've ever encountered? Yeah. It's really hard to pick a favorite. BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO AND IT'S SPECTACULAR!
June 17, 2023
So I am a bit annoyed that I have literally just finished this book and not only did it end the way it did, I'm not entirely sure what the overall arch of this book has been. This feels very, very much like the start of a story rather than a whole story of its own, and I'm not sure I'd recommend reading this if you are unable to just pick up the next book immediately.
An enjoyable read, though. There could have been more world building, but I think considering the number of love interests Talon has it seems pretty reasonable that something had to give. I liked that it was a why choose with male and female partners and it was just not a big deal. I really liked that all of the characters felt distict - I was never wondering which person was being talked about. My one big criticism is that none of the demons felt particularly demonic. There was hints (Wrath and the eyeball) but I wanted more than that. I just think that if your character is a demon in hell they should behave like one!
An enjoyable read, though. There could have been more world building, but I think considering the number of love interests Talon has it seems pretty reasonable that something had to give. I liked that it was a why choose with male and female partners and it was just not a big deal. I really liked that all of the characters felt distict - I was never wondering which person was being talked about. My one big criticism is that none of the demons felt particularly demonic. There was hints (Wrath and the eyeball) but I wanted more than that. I just think that if your character is a demon in hell they should behave like one!
November 19, 2022
First things first, every time you think you've picked your favorite character, the story will take you for a ride and have you torn between them all again. So just be prepared to be an equal opportunity lover of them all.
I love Talon, the main character, so very much! She is funny, persistent, understanding, supportive, brave, and a masterful switch to boot. Every single member of this queer polycule brings something to the table...really. It doesn't feel like anyone is getting the short end of the stick. The author weaves the stories and characters delightfully. There was one particular love interest that completely caught me off guard with the way they swept me away; I was fully convinced from early on about which one would be my fave but they're all written so wonderfully it's really a great WHY CHOOSE for the reader as well.
This book does end in a cliffhanger, fyi, but it's not an awful one that will leave you sobbing and broken.
I love Talon, the main character, so very much! She is funny, persistent, understanding, supportive, brave, and a masterful switch to boot. Every single member of this queer polycule brings something to the table...really. It doesn't feel like anyone is getting the short end of the stick. The author weaves the stories and characters delightfully. There was one particular love interest that completely caught me off guard with the way they swept me away; I was fully convinced from early on about which one would be my fave but they're all written so wonderfully it's really a great WHY CHOOSE for the reader as well.
This book does end in a cliffhanger, fyi, but it's not an awful one that will leave you sobbing and broken.
January 29, 2025
I stumbled upon this book at my local bookstore and decided to give it a try and I’m so glad I did! I had no idea that this is a local to me author for all my Edmonton/Canadian peeps out there. This is why choose, dark academia, demon shifters that takes place at a university in Hell. I loved the mix of representation in the relationships our FMC forms and this is just book one in a series so it does end with a cliffhanger I wasn’t expecting.
Olivia is an Italian mob princess who works along side her brother for their family’s business. That is until she finds herself dead and in Hell forced to attend Underworld University. Surrounded by demons in a school that runs on a rank system and trains them to make deals with humans, Olivia has to be careful she doesn’t land herself in any more hot water. Until someone from her past threatens her place at the academy leaving her scrambling to find a way to keep herself from getting expelled.
Olivia is an Italian mob princess who works along side her brother for their family’s business. That is until she finds herself dead and in Hell forced to attend Underworld University. Surrounded by demons in a school that runs on a rank system and trains them to make deals with humans, Olivia has to be careful she doesn’t land herself in any more hot water. Until someone from her past threatens her place at the academy leaving her scrambling to find a way to keep herself from getting expelled.
December 21, 2022
5/5 stars, folks!
"How long do you intend to keep a prince on his knees?"
The first book in an exciting new series combines some of my favorite tropes and themes: badass sassy FMC, academy, mafia, paranormal, multiple love interests and POVs and the list goes on!
I will not spoil anything but I was on the edge of my seat about to throw my kindle across the room a few times. I already can't wait for book two and to see how the overall plot keeps developing, along with Talon's relationships. The relationships between everyone have their own pace and are completely different, which I love. It helps to fully round out the FMC and we get to see all of the different sides of her. My favorite love interest kept flip flopping throughout based on how the relationships developed, which I think is a great sign, showing depth and character growth.
"How long do you intend to keep a prince on his knees?"
The first book in an exciting new series combines some of my favorite tropes and themes: badass sassy FMC, academy, mafia, paranormal, multiple love interests and POVs and the list goes on!
I will not spoil anything but I was on the edge of my seat about to throw my kindle across the room a few times. I already can't wait for book two and to see how the overall plot keeps developing, along with Talon's relationships. The relationships between everyone have their own pace and are completely different, which I love. It helps to fully round out the FMC and we get to see all of the different sides of her. My favorite love interest kept flip flopping throughout based on how the relationships developed, which I think is a great sign, showing depth and character growth.
December 30, 2025
This one was really good! I liked the mix of the romance with the university politics of trying to make rank. The action of the prey games was fun and exciting, and I thought the author did a good job of balancing everything out.
The writing style was easy to follow along with. Olivia/Talon was a great character, and I liked her strength and wit. The different romances were all handled well and I liked that Talon had different relationships with each person. The chemistry and tension between Talon and the others was all really well written, and the payoff was fantastic. The spice in this one was really good.
There were some mysterious things that were hinted at, and after the ending I’m definitely going to be picking up the sequel.
The writing style was easy to follow along with. Olivia/Talon was a great character, and I liked her strength and wit. The different romances were all handled well and I liked that Talon had different relationships with each person. The chemistry and tension between Talon and the others was all really well written, and the payoff was fantastic. The spice in this one was really good.
There were some mysterious things that were hinted at, and after the ending I’m definitely going to be picking up the sequel.
December 6, 2022
I beta read this for Bex, and let me tell you that this was the funnest ride I've been on in a very long time. As a person who doesn't habitually read why-choose romance, I was enthralled by the characters. Olivia is a great main character with a lot of baggage, and her love interests are so incredible and different from each other. I loved how everyone had issues that were both visible and invisible and I related so much to many of them.
Poison is bae. Period. My favorite.
Dice--little impulsive nugget.
Wrath... my absolute favorite plot line. He is so interesting to me, and I cannot wait to see what happens to him.
UU2 can't come fast enough.
Poison is bae. Period. My favorite.
Dice--little impulsive nugget.
Wrath... my absolute favorite plot line. He is so interesting to me, and I cannot wait to see what happens to him.
UU2 can't come fast enough.
December 14, 2022
Um, yes please??? There's a lot about this book that I loved. The world building was unique and clever, the plot was engaging, and I fell in love with character after character. I dooo have clear faves, but I do love the entire polycule even if I want to shake some of them like a snowglobe XD There's fake dating, stabby ladies, eternal torture via magic math class, literally what is not to love??
Poison is THE CUTEST OMFG I love them so much. You will love them too, just wait.
Riot is so angry XD I love a good grumpypants character. The toast (iykyk) is too freaking cute.
A very solid debut. Now excuse me while I hang onto Bex's ankles to request book 2
Poison is THE CUTEST OMFG I love them so much. You will love them too, just wait.
Riot is so angry XD I love a good grumpypants character. The toast (iykyk) is too freaking cute.
A very solid debut. Now excuse me while I hang onto Bex's ankles to request book 2
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews