A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley

Title: A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon

Series: Glimmer Falls

Author: Sarah Hawley

Narrator: Helen Laser

Release Date: March 7, 2023

Publisher: Berkley Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Paranormal

Source: digital, Audible

TW: graphic sexual content, emotional abuse, toxic relationship, animal death, gaslighting, violence, fire/fire injury, alcohol, death of parent

Synopsis

Mariel Spark knows not to trust a demon, especially one that wants her soul, but what's a witch to do when he won't leave her side - and she kind of doesn't want him to?

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 deal 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 to maintain 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.

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this book; it was brimming with warmth and delight from start to finish. I found it so captivating that I had trouble putting it down, and once I finished, I wanted to start the next one in the series! The engaging characters of Mariel and Oz made it incredibly easy to root for them. Mariel Spark, with her baking and gardening quirks, was a refreshing protagonist, while Ozroth the Ruthless, despite his intimidating name, proved to be a fascinating and multi-dimensional character.

The story is charming and fun, filled with numerous laugh-out-loud moments that kept me thoroughly entertained. The chemistry between Mariel and Oz was electric, and their banter and snark added a delightful layer to the narrative. I especially enjoyed how their awkward roommate situation evolved into a convincing fake relationship, and eventually, into something much deeper and real.

Helen Laser's narration of the audiobook was exceptional. She brought the characters to life with distinct voices and intonations. Her portrayal of the female characters was spot-on, and she nailed the posh accents for the male characters, particularly Oz and Astaroth, making those interactions even more hilarious.

The plot was engaging, with the right mix of humor, romance, and supernatural elements. The pacing was perfect, keeping me hooked without feeling rushed. The world-building was rich and vivid, making the story easy to visualize and immerse myself in.

Overall, I loved everything about this book. It was rich with heart and humor, making me laugh out loud frequently. The author, Sarah Hawley, did a fantastic job crafting a story that was both entertaining and emotionally resonant. I highly recommend "A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon" to anyone looking for a delightful and heartwarming read.