Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
From the blurb and cover I had expected something different that it ended up being - this had built expectations for me that the book didn’t meet. Instead, the book had themes of redemption and second chances, and becoming a better version of yourself, which I did like; I thought this part was interesting and well done. The Asphodel situation, the challenges and the background story which slowly gets revealed to us was fine, but I wasn’t really into it until the very end - because of it, the book felt too long. The ending was nice and surprising, but the last 20% of the book were what I enjoyed most and it came too late.
*I received an ARC of this book, this is my honest opinion*
A fun sexy story. Willow finds herself in the afterlife after an accident. The place is neither heaven or hell, but a bit of both. Demons are around, humans get punished, but there is a nightclub. All is explained later on...
Sath is probably my favourite character because he is level-headed and probably the most sensible character. I know Willow's personality is the whole plot, but it was hard to root for her at points. She was like the demons she hated. Personally, I didn't feel the chemistry between the two characters because he was calm and she was always hot headed.
The would building and explanations were fantastic. Everything was really clear about this world and how things worked.
Sath is probably my favourite character because he is level-headed and probably the most sensible character. I know Willow's personality is the whole plot, but it was hard to root for her at points. She was like the demons she hated. Personally, I didn't feel the chemistry between the two characters because he was calm and she was always hot headed.
The would building and explanations were fantastic. Everything was really clear about this world and how things worked.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is not for fans of Hannah Grace. I liked her first and second books and this book was amateurishly written and so far removed from the type of thing Hannah Grace writes.
Not the point, but a talking point I felt had to be made.
The FMC was irredeemably frustrating and childish, and while I understand 21 year olds aren't the Pinnacle of adult society, she felt like she was 16 instead, and even after learning how toxic her friend group was, she didn't truly learn.
Sath was majorly underdeveloped and we got to learn barely anything about him, and that was disappointing.
The book was meant to be slow burn but just felt boring and poorly written instead.
Not the point, but a talking point I felt had to be made.
The FMC was irredeemably frustrating and childish, and while I understand 21 year olds aren't the Pinnacle of adult society, she felt like she was 16 instead, and even after learning how toxic her friend group was, she didn't truly learn.
Sath was majorly underdeveloped and we got to learn barely anything about him, and that was disappointing.
The book was meant to be slow burn but just felt boring and poorly written instead.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5–4 stars🌟
‘A Match Made in Hell’ was a fun and easy read with an interesting take on the afterlife. Willow, a 21-year-old, finds herself dead and stuck in the in-between—Asphodel. To win the chance of getting free and back to Earth, she agrees to face a series of challenges, each one related to a different deadly sin.
One of my favourite things about this book was the complexity to the characters. Willow, the female protagonist, battles with various emotions throughout the book, which I think many readers can relate to. It’s inferred repeatedly that she isn’t good enough, a failure, or selfish. While I found her incredibly relatable, her thoughts did feel a bit repetitive at times. Willow’s character arc takes her from someone flawed and impulsive to someone who knows they’re flawed but can exhibit control and be better than they were.
Sath, another interesting character, wasn’t your typical devil. He was much softer than I expected, not as cruel. We don’t learn much about Sath; there’s a brief mention that wasn’t his real name but whatever it was isn’t revealed, which I found a bit disappointing. It felt unnecessary to make it a point if nothing more was going to come from it. As for their relationship, I found them to be a cute couple, but their romance wasn’t really all that focused on. It was a slow-burn, and I thought we were building up to something great, but the romance aspect fell a little flat on that part. Despite that, it was still a sweet romance.
The friendships between the characters was also a lovely addition. There was a nice balance between character interaction and plot development. I loved how Harper became the friend Willow never had while she was alive it was very wholesome to see that it took her death to realise what true friendship looks like.
As for the trials, I found them to be a bit underwhelming. The concept behind them initially intrigued me—each one being dedicated to the seven deadly sins—the trials themselves fell short. I expected them to be more brutal and challenging, and not so easily overcome. There were a few twists in the book which I saw coming and others I was surprised by. Willows ex and her former bestfriend as a couple? I saw that come img a mile away. However, the twist with the heart I did not see. It was so unexpected that in a way it also felt as if it had just been thrown in there last minute.
Another thing I felt as if fell short for me was the resolution of the demons and sending them back to Tartarus/closing the gates to hell; it was over within a chapter or so and didn’t feel like it was fleshed out as much as it could have been.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I felt that certain parts of the story could have been developed more.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
‘A Match Made in Hell’ was a fun and easy read with an interesting take on the afterlife. Willow, a 21-year-old, finds herself dead and stuck in the in-between—Asphodel. To win the chance of getting free and back to Earth, she agrees to face a series of challenges, each one related to a different deadly sin.
One of my favourite things about this book was the complexity to the characters. Willow, the female protagonist, battles with various emotions throughout the book, which I think many readers can relate to. It’s inferred repeatedly that she isn’t good enough, a failure, or selfish. While I found her incredibly relatable, her thoughts did feel a bit repetitive at times. Willow’s character arc takes her from someone flawed and impulsive to someone who knows they’re flawed but can exhibit control and be better than they were.
Sath, another interesting character, wasn’t your typical devil. He was much softer than I expected, not as cruel. We don’t learn much about Sath; there’s a brief mention that wasn’t his real name but whatever it was isn’t revealed, which I found a bit disappointing. It felt unnecessary to make it a point if nothing more was going to come from it. As for their relationship, I found them to be a cute couple, but their romance wasn’t really all that focused on. It was a slow-burn, and I thought we were building up to something great, but the romance aspect fell a little flat on that part. Despite that, it was still a sweet romance.
The friendships between the characters was also a lovely addition. There was a nice balance between character interaction and plot development. I loved how Harper became the friend Willow never had while she was alive it was very wholesome to see that it took her death to realise what true friendship looks like.
As for the trials, I found them to be a bit underwhelming. The concept behind them initially intrigued me—each one being dedicated to the seven deadly sins—the trials themselves fell short. I expected them to be more brutal and challenging, and not so easily overcome. There were a few twists in the book which I saw coming and others I was surprised by. Willows ex and her former bestfriend as a couple? I saw that come img a mile away. However, the twist with the heart I did not see. It was so unexpected that in a way it also felt as if it had just been thrown in there last minute.
Another thing I felt as if fell short for me was the resolution of the demons and sending them back to Tartarus/closing the gates to hell; it was over within a chapter or so and didn’t feel like it was fleshed out as much as it could have been.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I felt that certain parts of the story could have been developed more.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A Match Made in Hell by Charlotte Ingham, think Lucifer meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Thank you NetGalley and Charlotte Ingham for this ARC.
We follow Willow, who dies at 21 and wakes up in Asphodel. Feeling that her death was not supposed to happen, she mades a deal with broody and maddeningly attractive King Sath, to conquer the seven deadly sins to earn her freedom. The catch? He’s the last person she’d ever want to spend eternity with… and yet she can’t help falling for him.
This book is everything I love in an enemies-to-lovers story: snappy banter, slow-burn tension and chemistry. Willow’s sass and stubbornness bounce perfectly off Sath’s dark, guarded energy, making every interaction electric. I also adored watching Willow grow from a lost, angry soul (whom I actually found quite annoying at times) into someone who finds strength and even family in the unlikeliest of places.
There were a couple of moments where the pacing dipped in the middle and I do think the ending felt a bit rushed but I overall enjoined the lot.
If you’re craving a funny and delightfully spicy romantasy with a fierce FMC and a grumpy demon love interest, this is your next read.
Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers, demon romance and anyone who enjoys a little heat with their heartache.
Thank you NetGalley and Charlotte Ingham for this ARC.
We follow Willow, who dies at 21 and wakes up in Asphodel. Feeling that her death was not supposed to happen, she mades a deal with broody and maddeningly attractive King Sath, to conquer the seven deadly sins to earn her freedom. The catch? He’s the last person she’d ever want to spend eternity with… and yet she can’t help falling for him.
This book is everything I love in an enemies-to-lovers story: snappy banter, slow-burn tension and chemistry. Willow’s sass and stubbornness bounce perfectly off Sath’s dark, guarded energy, making every interaction electric. I also adored watching Willow grow from a lost, angry soul (whom I actually found quite annoying at times) into someone who finds strength and even family in the unlikeliest of places.
There were a couple of moments where the pacing dipped in the middle and I do think the ending felt a bit rushed but I overall enjoined the lot.
If you’re craving a funny and delightfully spicy romantasy with a fierce FMC and a grumpy demon love interest, this is your next read.
Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers, demon romance and anyone who enjoys a little heat with their heartache.
medium-paced
🔥 Bookish Thoughts
I will never say no to a demon paranormal book! A Match Made in Hell definitely brought all the demon vibes and gave me a wave of nostalgia for those 2010s paranormal reads.
I will never say no to a demon paranormal book! A Match Made in Hell definitely brought all the demon vibes and gave me a wave of nostalgia for those 2010s paranormal reads.
Willow, our FMC, drove me a little nuts at times. She was stubborn, impulsive, and clearly thought directions were just light suggestions 🤣
But I loved her fire! She literally landed in Hell and refused to take crap from anyone, including King Sath.
But I loved her fire! She literally landed in Hell and refused to take crap from anyone, including King Sath.
One quick note: this is marketed as YA, but it really reads more like New Adult. Willow feels a bit immature, but the themes and the setup push this out of traditional YA territory.
Overall, a solid 4 stars from me!
🖤What to Expect:
• Deal with the devil
• Seven deadly sins
• Reluctant Allies
• Demon royalty
• Deal with the devil
• Seven deadly sins
• Reluctant Allies
• Demon royalty
📖 Final Score: 4 stars
📅 Pub Date: September 30, 2025
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
📅 Pub Date: September 30, 2025
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you Simon Teen for this ARC!
Thank you to Hot Key Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Was this a groundbreaking, incredible read? No. However, it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed every page.
While the basic premise is pretty silly, it is teamed with pretty good world building and interesting main characters who develop in a fairly short book.
Willow does a lot of self discovery, and while it was fairly predictable, it was done well and in a realistic way. While Sath was pretty mopey, he was really there just to support Willow's journey and look pretty, so that's fine.
I enjoyed the slowburn romance and all the tension it brought with it. While I do think Willow was too quick to forgive, the pacing matched that of the rest of the book and slowing it down at that point would have been a disservice to the wider plot.
This book was a good time, kept me entertained and was just what I needed after a few heavier reads. If you want a romxom with a bit of spice, you could do far worse.
Was this a groundbreaking, incredible read? No. However, it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed every page.
While the basic premise is pretty silly, it is teamed with pretty good world building and interesting main characters who develop in a fairly short book.
Willow does a lot of self discovery, and while it was fairly predictable, it was done well and in a realistic way. While Sath was pretty mopey, he was really there just to support Willow's journey and look pretty, so that's fine.
I enjoyed the slowburn romance and all the tension it brought with it. While I do think Willow was too quick to forgive, the pacing matched that of the rest of the book and slowing it down at that point would have been a disservice to the wider plot.
This book was a good time, kept me entertained and was just what I needed after a few heavier reads. If you want a romxom with a bit of spice, you could do far worse.
I sadly had to DNF this halfway through, I held out for as long as I could hoping the story would pick up, get more exciting or just be more. The FMC is insufferable (and not in a redeemable way) and the MMC has about as much sex appeal as a rotting corpse. There was absolutely no chemistry between the two of them and it felt forced to be believable and swoon worthy. I was so excited about this book and the story but sadly it just fell flat for me