A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon

Author: Sarah Hawley
Series: n/a
Series #: n/a
Genre: Fantasy, urban fantasy, romance
Age Group: Adult
ARC?: Yes

Mariel Spark is prophesied to be the most powerful witch seen in centuries of the famed Spark family, but to the displeasure of her mother, she prefers baking to brewing potions and gardening to casting hexes. When a spell to summon flour goes very wrong, Mariel finds herself staring down a demon—one she inadvertently summoned for a soul bargain.

Ozroth the Ruthless is a legend among demons. Powerful and merciless, he drives hard bargains to collect mortal souls. But his reputation has suffered ever since a bargain went awry—if he can strike a bargain with Mariel, he will earn back his deadly reputation. Ozroth can’t leave Mariel’s side until they complete a bargain, which she refuses to do (turns out some humans are attached to their souls).

But the witch is funny. And curvy. And disgustingly yet endearingly cheerful. Becoming awkward roommates quickly escalates when Mariel, terrified to confess the inadvertent summoning to her mother, blurts out that she’s dating Ozroth. As Ozroth and Mariel struggle with their opposing goals and maintaining a fake relationship, real attraction blooms between them. But Ozroth has a limited amount of time to strike the deal, and if Mariel gives up her soul, she’ll lose all her emotions—including love—which will only spell disaster for them both.


Review

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc!

This book was a super cute witchy romance! It had fake dating (such a fun trope!), demons, witches and hilarity. There was quite a bit of comedy in this book; but I didn’t think it was overdone. I felt that it was about the right amount. One aspect I enjoyed about this book is that Mariel had very supportive friends, and friends who backed her when it came out how toxic her parents were.

I enjoyed the relationship between her and Oz, the demon. I felt that it was spun slowly enough that it wasn’t totally instalove, but as it was a self-contained HEA, it wasn’t a slow burn either. It worked though!

I will say like most romance books, we have a breakup after a get together (which I abhor, along with the miscommunication trope, can we get rid of those please?) which is really why it lost a star.

The beginning and the middle of the book I felt were strong, but towards the late middle and the end I began to get a bit bored, because some parts felt a bit repetitive, but overall it was good.

If you’re looking for a cute witchy romance, then you’ll probably like this book!

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