The Devil I Know

by Bex Deveau

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the Winter Solstice. For many students, it’s time for some hard-earned rest.

For the rest of you? Eternity awaits.

I thought I’d figured out this afterlife thing, that was before Wes enrolled in the university.

Now I have more than my rank, a vengeful ex-boyfriend, and whatever weirdness is going on with Wrath’s dad to worry about—I need to save my brother.

Allowing myself to feel something for these demons was a gamble, but now I have no choice but to trust them.

I just hope I won’t have to hurt them too.

A deal is a deal.

CW and additional tags for all books are on the author’s website

Note: This is the second 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.

Genres: Demons, Romance, Why Choose, Fantasy, Dark Romance, Angels, Paranormal

450 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2023

About the author

I'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.

Reviews

[Shira · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ I had so much fun reading this. I just love all these characters so much! I cried like a baby two times during this one 🥹 I love a book that’ll tug at your heart strings one minute and then have you melting with the spice the next. The pacing of this book is perfection I couldn’t put it down once I started! AND THAT ENDING!!! Ahh!! I need the next one immediately!

[Wicked Fox ✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know the feeling you get when you finish an amazing book? Yeah, that's how I feel right now with The Devil I Know 🥲 Not only is it amazing, it is emotionally devastating and I would give anything to read it for the first time again.

The characters themselves are so flawed and so beautiful. I laughed and cried with them. The blossoming relationships are delighting to read about and I cannot wait to see what comes next 🥰 The exploration of kinks is seriously delightful to read about. If you're someone who likes kinks such as praising along with tentacle play, I'd recommend to start with the first book, Deal with the Devil!

I'd thoroughly enjoyed this rollercoaster ride and need the third book as soon as I can get my hands on it 💕💕

[erin | sinfulshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new all time favorite book. I’ll never recover. 😭🪽- 6/5 stars review below 👇🏻

“𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐈’𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.”

🪽💙 || 𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆
⚠︎ check TWs | 18+ content ⚠︎

📖 The Devil I Know by Bex Deveau (Underworld University, Book 2)
Star Rating: 6/5 ★★★★★★ (but it’s really infinity ♾️)
Spice Rating: 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Spice Frequency: 3/5 🔥🔥🔥
POV: Multi/1st
Available on KU ✅

⚠️ Tropes Below ⚠️

• Paranormal Dark Academia but in H3||
• Second in a Series
• M0nster / D3mon Romance
• Why Choose (MMFNbiM polycule)
• Utter Heartbreak 💔
• D0m/Svb Dynamics
• SPICE (hand necklaces & handcvffs, sharing, tentac|e play and so much more)
• Found Family
• Plot Twists 🌪️

Heart = shattered. I’m sobbing from my eyes and from between my legs which is very confusing for me y’all. (That was out of pocket, I’m so sorry but it really is the best way to describe how this book will make you feel.)

The Devil I Know by Bex Deveau has just earned its spot as my top read of all time. Expertly written character development and relationship dynamics meet blush-inducing spice and page- turning plot in this book. I genuinely couldn’t get enough. I couldn’t think of anything else but this book. And at that ending? I’m not sure how I’ll even stop thinking about it while Bex writes book three.

I blushed and fanned myself off. I cried (well tbh I SOBBED). It has been a long time since I’ve read a fantasy-adjacent book (this is more PNR but the Underworld aspect makes me call it fantasy-adjacent). But it’s been even longer since I’ve read a book that made me feel as immersed and invested as The Devil I Know did.

I don’t even have the words to describe how much I love this. I don’t have the words to say the imprint this has left on my heart. Yes the spice is so freaking h0t and incredible, but the story and the friendships and relationships make this book stand out from anything I’ve ever read. This is EASILY the best why choose book (and series) I’ve come across.

I’m enamored, I’m emotional, and I’m chomping at the bit for book three because you KNOW what you did to me what that cliffy, Bex. Until the next book comes out, my head will be permanently in Underworld University.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely captivated the entire time I was reading this book. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint. I love books that keep me on my toes and has my brain working the entire time trying to figure out what's going to happen and as soon as I think I have it figured out BING BAM BOOM! they throw me a curve ball.

This is a character driven book and I absolutely love that, also I love the different relationships that start to develop in this book also between the group. I also love how much spice was in this book and how well the scenes were executed. This book has top notch group scenes that literally made my uterus pulsate.

I highly recommend this book if you like why choose fantasy romances, Demons and Angels, Dark Academia, and toe curling spice in the books that you read.

[PajamaMom Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not quite sure how Bex isn't more widely talked about because I am OBSESSED.

The amount of times my heart and soul were ripped out and put back together in this book 🫠 It was Spicy 🔥. It was sweet. It was devastatingly heartbreaking. All wrapped up in a delicious dark academia setting with angels, demons and humans.

I absolutely devoured the first book and this one was no different. I did not want to put it down. Seeing these relationships develop is so beautiful. Bex has a gorgeous way of showing the happy parts and sometimes hard parts of a polycule.

The hints at relationships to come, the last few chapters and the cliffhanger has me absolutely crying that I have to wait a year for the next book. This series is 100% going in my reread category of books.

Wrath and Poison have my whole heart. Bex Deveau is definitely an instant buy author for me.

Thank you so much to Bex for sending me this ARC. This is my honest review.

[Ashley Merrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an advanced reader copy in return for an honest review.

I will give a more lengthy review when I get home from vacation but Bex just know. I love this book and I love this world you've created and all the characters.

[taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm so hyped up and stressed over that ending... but i just realised the next book isn't out yet so i'm heartbroken. i was prepared to start it right away but now i have to wait. i just need to know what happens.

in a shorter note, i am absolutely loving this series and i need answers right away

[mall0rie666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Suella.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT!!

Bex outdid herself with this one!! I loved it! The story, the relationships, and the 🔥🔥🔥🔥 scenes are perfection. Definitely pick this series up!!

[Gigglez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an arc, and this is my honest review...

Oh my Eve! I finished and couldn't stop thinking about this book for DAYS! it was so fkn good! I absolutely loved it. This will definitely be a re read! I can't wait for book 3!!!! Bex, you did it again! Also, chapter twenty-three is Chiefs Kiss 🥵

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved an ARC of this from the author! Not sponsored! Not going to go into too much detail as, because it's the second book, it would be difficult to avoid spoilers.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Plot
The chaos of this book with all the new information we get giving throughout is WILD! The book picks up right where were left off in book 1 and we get the final chapter of book 1 in Dice's POV and I adored it with all my heart. We learn a lot more about the dynamics between the characters and their families. The 🌶️ scene's ion this book were significantly hotter and without giving too much away I wish I was Saint because hot damnnnnnnn. Also Tentacle scene 👀 The ending has me begging for the next one as I dont know how this is going to be resolved!

Characters
Olivia/Talon - She has the perfect combination of being a brat but also being able to dom when needed! I love how each of her relationships with the others are different and showcase the different dynamics within the group.
Poison - I LOVE THEM! They remain my favourite character and probably will for the entire series! But I believe this is because they hellped me realise a very important thing about myself and who I am! Also the way they are so loving and caring of Olivia and crushing on someone else within the group (👀) is just the best.
Dice - He was my least favourite of the crew in book 1 but in this book he definitely managed to jump up to 2nd place. Also HE HAS A TAILLLLLL!!!!!!! I know he uses his humour as a kind of safety blanket and coping mechanism but he's honestly so sweet and he just wants the world for Olivia.
Wrath - The trauma prince himself. I like him but seeing how his father treats and interacts with him actuallly breaks me
Riot - I relate to he self-disgust and loathing on like an emotional level. She's definitely 3rd because her trauma of what happened in her past and now everything with Shadow is both keeping me on eggshells and also making sure I still love her. She does need to learn to trust herself and shadow like Olivia trusts them.
Saint - Least favourite, he's a coward boy! but I'm sure he'll have a good redemption scene!

Overall
Definitely read the first book first (obviously) and read the triggers before diving in as there are significantly more than book 1. Again if you love spicy, why choose, and diverse romances with TRAUMAAAAAAA and also chaos then this is defnitely the book for you. Be warned you should also be okay with cliffhangers because the cliffy in this book has me shooketh.

[Em Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s no way.

The ending has me stunned.

Boy oh boy where do I even start? I thought book one was good and you just serve me up something even *better*??? School/classes played less of a role this book and relationships and interpersonal struggles played a bigger role. Also might I just say absolutely screw you Lucifer you dick. Don’t think I forgot about you either M.

Every time I thought I knew exactly where the story was headed last second things would click into place and fling me elsewhere into a completely different outcome I somehow missed. Especially towards the end.

The final exam was wild and then everything happening around it as well? Getting up to the last forty pages I was like there’s no way that anything like super horrible would happen right? Maybe a showdown with a certain king of hell that comes to a head? But nah! Nothing could’ve prepared me for the direction it went instead.

In the last book I fell for Dice and Poison but this book really lets you build a deeper connection with each character. Both through their actions and their POV’s. I love getting to see into each person’s view and their thoughts. My heartstrings were definitely pulled more towards Wrath this book in a way I wasn’t expecting but I was more than happy to embrace.

One of the best books and fantasy reads I’ve read all year! I’ll be trying to patiently sit here waiting for book 3. Patiently. I swear.

[boo hallows · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the first book in the Underworld University series, but The Devil I Know blew me away. All of the things I loved about Deal With The Devil are still there, but we get to know each character so much more. You can tell that Bex put a lot of time into their development, all of their own backstories, and resulting insecurities and strengths. I don't always see that level of depth when dealing with multiple MCs.

As an unapologetic Riot stan, seeing my girl open up was everything 🥺. Poison is the partner EVERYONE needs in their life. Dice is the only man in the world that DESERVES to have two dicks...and I'm not gonna lie and say I'm not getting a real soft spot for Wrath, too 😭 Saint can suck my dick, but that's beside the point.

The REAL star of the show will always be Talon. Her dualities blow me away. I love seeing a bad bitch that isn't afraid of being soft. She's flawed, but growing into herself so well despite everything being thrown her way.

As much as I love Talon and all of her babies, seeing how they fit into each other's lives and their growing dynamics was the highlight for me. If you're looking for a poly romance unlike anything you've ever read before, this should absolutely be your next read!!!!!

After that twist, I'll be waiting ANXIOUSLY for the next book.

[j a y • d e p r a v e d - .dammnitjay. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I jumped right back into this book ready to go.
And I did, and was NOT disappointed.

- ALSO ; I am not going to spoil a DAMN thing about this; cause really - you need to just read it to feel all the things otherwise you will be left unsatisfied -

We pick up right where we left off basically and it is a total whirl wind.
We join our favorites back at UU and the ride we take is AMAZING.
There are ups, downs, challenges, and of course, the banter we all know and love.

From winter solstice and on its just ... BAM in your face in the best way - and if you thought things would get easier for Talon and the gang .... well, hate to tell you this, nothing ever gets easier - but they make the best of it.

You get this vivid picture of everything that surrounds you as Bex dives you back into the University. We find new roads and new things coming into play and honestly - the ending is what got me the most ....
The whole book had me on edge, constantly saying "just one more chapter" until the book was done.
I had a lot of AHHH moments and a lot of OH SHIT moments and even more AWWWW moments.

I cant wait to see what happens next cause ... UGH
I need the next one nooooowwwwwww!

[Natasha Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Received book as an ARC to review. Crossposted to Amazon.

Ok. So, here we are again, reviewing the second book in the Underworld University series. And, really, what can I say that hasn't already been said by other reviewers? I mean, really - what can I say?

If you haven't read the first one, why not? This is a wonderfully written why choose series, where the characters in the relationship are all knowledgeable about each other (and by this book, some are even exploring the idea of being together instead of just with the FMC).

Bex Deveau has created quite a fascinating world for her characters - Talon, Poison, Riot, Dice, Wrath and Saint - where those you thought you could trust end up being those who...well, I won't spoil that part of the book for you.

Seeing the majority of the characters and relationships develop from the first book to this one gave me such happiness - even if Saint still needs further development on his end. Talon did kind of make me upset in a few points of this book, but, I'm not mad about it - it's a good thing when a character can still draw you in even when you want to smack them for being stupid. The spice - *fans self* do you like to read about any of the following: D/S dynamics, roleplaying, pet play, tentacles etc.? If so, you can find those, and more, in this book. I'd suggest maybe not reading this in public if you cannot hide your expressions when reading spicy scenes, cause there are many spicy scenes and they are hot as hell (pun definitely intended).

If you want yet another why choose to add to your ever-expanding TBR list, you need to do yourself the biggest favour and add both books from this series to it, you will absolutely not regret it. Or you might, if you don't like cliffhangers. But if you do, then too bad, because you need to read this series.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

If her debut novel didn’t have you wanting more, the sequel sure will. Once again, Bex outdoes herself and reminds us exactly why we all fell in love with Poison, Riot, Dice, etc in the first place. And along the way, she gifts us with even more tidbits of knowledge to give us even more characters to love (looking at you Wrath and Saint.) If you had a favorite after book 1, forget it. Everyone is your favorite now and they all deserve to be. (Get up on the pedestal next to Dice, Wrath). Not to mention, they all get some decidedly stellar sexy scenes where we get to see all of their *ahem* talents put to use. 🫡

Outside of happily making me fall in love over and over, this book also really wants to hurt me. A lot. The deeper we get into the outs and ins of Underworld University and it’s inhabitants, the more we realize we know absolutely nothing about anyone…living or dead. The end of this book certainly proves that (while also making you gasp and want to throw the book…just me? Doubt it. You’ll see what I mean.)

Overall, a fantastic addition to the UU universe (the UUU?) The only negative I have is that we have to WAIT again for the next one and live with the knowledge of where this story ended until then??

…fine I’ll read it again.

[noteriasu · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a really hard time finishing this book. I was SO bored most of the time and I was this close 🤏🏻 to giving up because it felt like nothing was going to happen. I'm glad I finished tho, now I can say that the main plot is actually really good, like the idea is there, but the execution... ? I honestly think it got lost somewhere between the orgies and the endless monologues in each pov. The plotwist was such a good surprise if only I wasn't already fed up with the book, like I just wanted it to be done. It didn't have any impact, and the tension was lost because it just kept dragging on. I wish the author could've built the suspense throughout, but let's be honest the main focus of both books has been the polyamory. Which would be great if I wasn't also reading for the plot, especially with how many pages this is. *sigh* I even lost interest in the characters I liked in book 1 and that's a shame. The only part that managed to get me out of my haze was Dice's confrontation with the fmc, and only because I tried to get a peek of what would happen near the end when I was halfway through. Just to get some motivation yk. So yes, I'm glad I finished it, but it still felt like I wasted my time.

[Chelsea Donohue · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐
3.5 🌶
I was captivated the entire time reading this book! Bex is such an underrated author
and she did this story so much justice. We're back in the underworld University following Olivia and her 5 mates through their adventures and misfortunes. This story focuses on the building of the relationships between the characters, and we get a better understanding of the plot and the developing plot in this book. This book was WAAAY more spicy than the first and was absolutely amazing! There were a few heart-wrenching moments too, which I didn't expect. If you enjoy monster/paranormal romance and want to read something vastly different than most romance novels, then look no further. This is for you! I absolutely CAN NOT wait for book 3, and I'm so sad I have to wait.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book picks up right where we left off jumping into the action and not letting up. We get to see more outside of the university this time and get to know some other entities. More secrets are revealed while other mysteries just keep getting more complicated. My favorite parts of the book would have to be the relationships. I appreciate how we get to see every relationship one on one and how they are starting to intermingle with each other. I never felt like one relationship got way more attention than another which can be a problem in some RH novels. I’m so excited to see what happens next especially since this ended on another huge cliff hanger.

[Billie Yankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up, because this book takes you on a wild ride. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll get heated under the collar.

As a why choose, this one outdoes itself. We get relationship development between the FMC and all her boos, AND we get budding new feeling between some of the other characters. If you're a fan of the chase and pining (like me), Bex has your back, because by God, there is so much pining.

But also the plot quite literally thickens. You think you have everything figured out and someone pulls the rug from underneath you.

As always, my baby Wrath has it real tough and I may riot if he doesn't get some good things soon.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart got ripped out and stomped on by this book.

The development of the characters and all the dynamics between Deal with The Devil and this one was *chef’s kiss*. I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved not only how Olivia’s relationship with each of her love interests developed but also their own dynamics and personal developments. I don’t want to spoil anything but the growing attraction between the love interests was fun to read (some of them threw me for a loop in the best way, I was caught off guard but pleasantly surprised!).

The cliffhanger absolutely killed me at the end!!! I am now going to be absolutely feral as I patiently wait for book 3 🥹😭

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot express to you how much I love this series! I LIVE for Underworld University! Book 2 makes it's so easy to love the characters and hate some too. The author does such an absolutely amazing job in making the characters relatable and it's such a rollercoaster of emotions! Boy, do I wish I was in Talon's position. The ending left me absolutely confused with all the emotions I was feeling that I started laughing. And then had suuuuch a hangover, I'm still recovering. 10/10 would recommend. Make sure to check the trigger warnings!

[Alexis C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know I could be any more obsessed with this series!! This book flew right to the top of my favorite reads of the year.

Bex has such an incredible way of creating lovable characters that you just want to see happy so badly. I loved the relationship development between all of the characters in the second book of the series, but I will say Wrath continues to be my favorite and I will hear no slander about him.

I can’t wait for the rest of this series it’s everything I could want and more.

[Haleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was even better than the first book! The character and relationship developments were so good. I loved the depth of emotions between all the characters. The sexy scenes were so hot 🥵 😈🔥 Wow and so well done.

Wrath really jumped to the top for me in this one. His yearning and backstory and everything he’s been through was gut wrenching. Riot also really opened up in this book and I loved to see her softer side.

That cliffhanger! The last 10% of the book was insane with bomb after bomb after bomb. I cannot wait for the third book!

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Poison has claimed my entire heart...but there's a few others I'm falling in love with 😏 it's impossible not to love everyone Bex writes into the main pairing, even if they're making messes on page.

Emotional devastation doesn't even BEGIN to cover what Bex puts us through in this book, so I am camped out and waiting for crumbs of book 3 to come to me. It's a delightful rollercoaster ! I need more, immediately.

[Corrie McMurtry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit I wasn't sure at first, it felt like we were going over similar ground. The relationships with everyone were growing but nothing else seemed to happen but there are hints. I loved Posion as always but Wrath he's a new favorite, I think he really grew in this one.
When things happened, they came with a bang!
I now have a love hate relationship with this book and I'm not sure what to do with myself.

[Zoë · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @50ish %

I put this book down weeks ago and I can’t see myself coming back to it. Whereas the first one had me interested and had a cool world set up (though it did kind of remind me of the underworld version of the Zodiac Academy school now that I think about it), the second one just felt…boring.

Saint was probably my least favorite of the love interests in the first one, and he got a lot more focus in this one, which I just wasn’t interested in.

[Queen Key Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ Just like the first book I couldn’t put it down!! I’m obsessed with Underworld University and the character and relationship building this book added to the world. The 🌶️🔥 had me giggling & blushing, Monster love, Queer polycule, and fated lovers ❤️ the ending will have your jaw on the floor and crying (with me) for book #3!
IG: QueenKeyReads

[Haleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

ahhhhh

So many surprises to be had here! The ending just about knocked the breath out of me and I need the third book NOW.
I just love Olivia and her relationships <3 I appreciated them so much more because there was so much character growth to be seen and all that potential that was set up in the first book really followed through.

[Andrea Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a page turner!

This was such a fun second book for this series. It was a treat to see Talon’s journey continue and to get to know her partners better. Her relationships are all so unique, and I found myself falling in love with all of the characters.
I can’t want for book 3! WHAT A CLIFFHANGER!