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Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Sexual assault, Violence, Religious bigotry, War
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Infertility, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Despite my criticisms, I did like the representations of healthy relationships and communication between partners and parents/guardians and children. That was a highlight of this book that improved my rating.
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War
Moderate: Mental illness, Self harm, Blood
Minor: Vomit, Alcohol
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, War
Minor: Biphobia, Hate crime, Self harm
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Gore, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting
My Summary: Lily has been to the Afterlife many times before, since she's reincarnated after her other lives. But this time, she decides to hang out in Paradise for a while. As she explores the Afterlife, she wanders into Hell and realizes that they could use some help with their customer service area. Lily worked in customer service for most of her adult life, and when she realizes she could create a Hellp Desk (pun intended) where she could tell people what she really thought, she jumps at the opportunity. It's unusual for a human soul to want to help the demons who work in Hell, but Lily finds easy camaraderie amongst these demons who have a tough exterior but are really softies underneath. She especially is interested in Beleth--a strikingly sexy demon general who is nerdy, witty, and kind. The two quickly form a close connection and find that their friendship could turn into something more.
My Thoughts: For Whom the Belle Tolls is a sweet and cozy fantasy romance featuring a tough FMC who truly cares about everyone and wants to help in any way she can. Her work in creating and manning the Hellp Desk has made a huge difference in the demons' lives, and she has made herself widely loved amongst all of Hell and even across the Afterlife. Though Lily is healing from her own religious trauma, she finds herself caring for a young soul lovingly named Sharkie who needs the love and care only a true guardian can give. Their relationship is one of my favorites because though Lily isn't perfect, she figures out and gives Sharkie exactly what she needs, which is mostly attention, love, and understanding.
The standout relationship in this novel is the romantic love between the demon Beleth (aka Bel) and Lily. The pair take their time getting to know each other as friends before they even start a romantic relationship. And, once they finally confess their true feelings for each other, they take it slow physically, ensuring that they're both fully ready for that aspect of their relationship, which imho made the payoff even sweeter. Both Bel and Lily seek to fully understand one another and show each other that they see their true selves. Their communication is unmatched, and I can only hope to have a relationship as open and honest as theirs.
Definitely check content warnings before reading this one, but if you're looking for a cozy story full of wit, heart, friendship, and love, I highly recommend picking up For Whom the Belle Tolls.
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, War
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Sexual assault
Minor: Child death, Self harm, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Self harm, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria