A bit of fun read. I enjoyed some parts more than others. I do wish the romance didn't feel quite so rushed (but that just be a personal preference thing) I liked the friendship dynamic with the main trio and how the different personalities fit together.

This was a vibe! The ambiance is there. It's almost like you could see autumn vibes and the whole atmosphere through words. Mariel is an interesting main character. It's original, it's refreshing. It's perfect for fall.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon' by Sarah Hawley.

'A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon' was such a lively and fun book, I was attached from my moment I picked up my eARC. Mariel was probably one of the best protagonists I have read about and I loved every moment I spent reading her story. Oz was something too, their romance was rather quick starting but I was loving it. I didn't expect the sex scenes but honestly? They weren't badly written so it was okay for me to read and I felt the author wrote in how much love they shared for each other.

I really liked the premis of this story - of a witch mistakenly summoning a demon and him refusing to leave until a bargain is struck - but it didn’t quite hold my attention. I would have liked the demon to be a bit more demonic! But it’s a lighthearted, fun book with enjoyable moments.

Such a fun read.

Wholesome plot with banter between the main characters, blooming chemistry and just good vibes.

A lovely slow burn paranormal romance.

It was a tad longer than I would have liked and took me a few days to read which I don’t think was necessary but that’s just preference.

I don’t think the cover matches the contents as there are some explicit scenes but it fit the plot well and felt natural.

This book was laugh out loud funny at points (which is RARE for me!), and overall an extremely witty and entertaining paranormal romance.
I loved the characters, the setting, and the chemistry was swoon worthy!
I wish I had read this in October because it is such a comforting little spooky season romance - but totally looking forward to buying a physical to re-read next year.
This is rare for me but I genuinely cannot think of anything negative to say, it was just a genuinely heartwarming delight and I will be recommending this to everyone who will listen!

The book kicks off with Mariel Spark - a witch accidentally summoning a soul bargainer demon. And what is a witch to do? Fake date him.

The main characters go back and forth, Oz (the demon) wants her soul and she doesn't want to give it to him, however we realise in the first few pages that he isn't interested in her taking her soul, but interested in her.

At times I did roll eyes a bit because how long can the back and forth between Mariel and her mother go on... it felt as if I really didn't get a break between one scene with her mother hurling criticism at her and another. But I suppose that's also the mother is a typical helicopter, you owe me, "reach your potential", why aren't you more like me parent. And don't get me started on the dad.

I suppose the good thing about having a plot involving demons is the the plot can always be solved in two to three pages or with a bargain or two. I thought the ending ending was cute but the way the 'conflict' was solved fell a bit flat - smart but flat.

Overall, I would totally recommend this, and to the person who started this cutesy cartoon covers hiding smut I really do appreciate you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sarah Hawley for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

book #2 of 2023

Thank you so much Orion Publishing Group and Netgalley for the arc of A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

I can’t think of a better way to start 2023 than curling up on the sofa with this magical, cosy romance that delivers a healthy dose of spice.

Mariel is witch and only child, born under a prophecy who has grown up disappointing her overbearing mother, because her magic doesn’t meet her mother’s exacting and very limited standards of what magic should be. Ozorth the Ruthless is a demon who has spent the the last few hundred years bargaining humans for their souls, souls that power and bring life to the demon realm ge calls home. Ozorth’s life has been strictly lived according to the rules set by his master and mentor, until one day Mariel accidentally summons him.

This is a delightful and easy read that is told from both protagonists’ perspectives, as a tale of enemies to lovers and fake dating spills across magic, nature and family. It’s such a fun read that doesn’t shy from the pressures of family expectations, self worth and the importance of nature to delivering a healthy dose of spice that truly tingles!

If you’re looking for a fabulously fun read that delivers romance, spice and a decent plot, then you could do far worse than pick up A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon, and before you ask I’m definitely already eager to read the next book in the series!

I devoured this story on New Years Eve (how antisocial I know), but it was a very easy, entertaining read. It’s low stakes, romance with a sprinkle of smutt; but also an interesting story! Mariel was born with a prophecy that she would be one of the most powerful witches, and her family couldn’t have been more ecstatic coming from a very proud and powerful blood line. However, that hasn’t quite worked out for Mariel. With the burden of the prophecy and her family always watching for something amazing to happen she can barely get simple spells right … hence why she is summoning chickens .. and on one occasion, a demon.

If you are looking for a story with a grumpy demon, a strong developing FMC, badass friends and fighting for fire salamanders then embrace your inner David Attenborough and lose yourself in this book.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity of reading this in advance in exchange for an honest review.

Just couldn't get into this one, so I am finishing at 33%.

I really love the premise but something just isn't clicking.

The characters seem so cookie-cutter. The over-critical mother. The protective best friend. The demon who has a distracting magical V. They all just felt a bit 2-dimensional.
The mother really aggravated me, and it made me dislike Mariel because she wouldn't just stand up for herself.

Even Mariel and Oz were a bit flat for me. They opened with these strong feelings/motivations and less than a day later they'd kind of given these up because they were attracted to one another.

I really wanted to love this one, it is so far up my street premise wise but the end product didn't reach the mark for me.

A cosy romance with a witch, a demon and a spell that goes wrong.

Mariel has been told that she’s a failure in all aspects of her witch life and her lack of confidence results in many hilarious episodes- particularly when she summons a demon. A handsome demon with a dubious reputation, Ozroth the Ruthless.

‘A WItch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon’ is full of the romantic tropes- one bed, broody male, enemies to lovers (though the there are twists with this due to their magical backgrounds)- and is a fun, light hearted read. Mariel is a gorgeous character full of hope and brightness and Ozroth is a suitable companion. The title feels slightly misleading as there are more elements to the narrative than the falseness of their relationship but this adds weight to the story.

If you enjoyed books like ‘The Ex Hex’ then this is certainly one for you!

💐A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon💐

By Sarah Hawley

🤫spoilers ahead🤫

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.

💐💐💐💐

I had seen a fair bit of hype for this one so I requested it from NetGalley. Sadly this one was not for me.

Things that didn’t work for me were:

The wildly complicated magic system - MC has difficulties with it but I’m surprised anyone can do magic with how complicated the linguistics of it are.

The comedy villain parents - over the top with no self-awareness but after one telling off see the error of their ways.

The way everything is wrapped up was a bit too convoluted for me.

The MC’s name kept taking me out of the story. It’s too similar to Muriel Spark for me.

Overall, I didn’t hate it and I liked the magical creatures interacting with the environment, however, I was looking for a cosy, witchy romance, and I just didn’t get those vibes.

Thanks to @netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Just the title of this book won me over! When I spotted it on NetGalley, I instantly requested it and started reading as soon as it hit my Kindle. And I was not disappointed one bit!

This book is perfect for lovers of cosy, magical and spicy romance. Playing on the fake dating and enemies to lovers tropes, with seamlessly shifting POVs, spells and nature magic, I can imagine lovers of the Comfy Cosy Witch podcast, Charmed or Zelda eating this up!

I really loved the characters throughout and was rooting for them start to finish. They really got me out of a horrid reading slump.

I will absolutely be purchasing this book when it comes out and I'm so excited that it is part of a thrilogy, so the magic doesn't end here! I'm really excited to see how Sarah's worldbuilding will expand and where she'll take the next two characters.

I was really drawn to the light fantasy elements hinted at in the blurb. Love a bit of magic with my romance, honestly think I would have liked more of the fantasy bits!!

Was a fun read and did make me laugh at points!! However, Muriel and Ozroth just got together way too quickly for me, I do prefer a slower burn. The spice didn’t quite work for me, but I’m sure other people will lap it up.

This book was a lot of fun! A quick holiday read, and I am absolutely going to want the next in the series, given that excerpt at the end that promises to follow a character that I’d like to see more of.

Detailed review to come.

Such a unique book, I loved the plot and oh my god the characters we're so amazing!! I definitely will be recommending it!!

I loved this book for so many reasons. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes in romance and this book did it so well. It was a quick, easy and fun read that had me laughing out loud and turning pages so fast, I read it in one sitting. It was full of fantastical ccreatures such as pixies, witches and so forth and I loved going on the adventure with them. The spice levels were also really good.
I definitely want to read more by this author

Wow,this was super fun. I love when nature is a main focus is witchy books, it makes it feel almost real. These characters were such a joy to get to know. I loved how real they felt. The problems outside of the magic were so relatable, and I liked the communication between the characters when there was a problem of some sort. The side characters had a good amount of time to get to know them and enjoy there company. The descriptions of the world, like the forests and the houses and towns and the different creatures was so vivid. I could picture them so clearly and it was so creative. There is one tiny issue with romance these days with having the male love interest being described as huge, which unfortunately happened within this book, however it didn't happen to often enough for me to get annoyed at. I think as the plot went, it was strong. There was so much more then a romance, there was saving the environment, learning to control magic, a deal with a demon all while being a romance. I think the couple definitely had chemistry from the beginning and I loved reading them learning about each other. Overall really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read about a side characters story that was teased at the end.

This was an absolute unexpected delight; funny, charming, sexy and captivating. I read it in two sittings, and loved every moment of it.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Mariel and Ozroth, and his bemused grumpy discovery of feelings was incredibly endearing. I'm so glad we got his POV because it really deepened his character for me. Mariel herself was a pure sunshine heroine, I was a bit frustrated at times with how long it took for her to stand up for herself but it was worth it when it came. I'd have been delighted for even more scenes of her getting her fierce nature witch vibes on.

The whole cast of supporting characters were fun but I'm thrilled that the next book will be Calladia's story because I think my favourite moment of the entire book was her interaction with Astaroth. I do love an unnecessarily violent badass witch and I'll be pre-ordering ASAP based on how much I enjoyed this!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a fun and light read, perfect to breeze through over a weekend.

Mariel is a witch who just can't get her magic to work properly (unless she's tending to her plants), so when she attempts to summon flour for baking one day, she ends up with Ozroth the Ruthless in her kitchen, a two hundred year old demon who is here to bargain for her soul.

Told in dual POV between the witch and the demon, this is just a really fun and easy read with plenty of cute moments, a few steamy scenes and plenty of cool magic.

I loved the characters in this, and the romance - while quick - was still well developed and believable. The chemistry between Mariel and Oz is apparent from the moment he's accidentally summoned. I really enjoyed the way magic is incorporated into the world we know, making it familiar as well as fantastical.

While there were a few cheesy and ridiculous moments, it was still wildly entertaining with some great side characters - I'm very pleased to see there will be a second book following Mariel's best friend and another pesky demon.

Recommended for anyone who enjoyed books like The Ex Hex, The Kiss Curse and Not The Witch You Wed.