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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: Sexual content, Religious bigotry, War
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Grief, Medical trauma, War
Moderate: Cancer, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide
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
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, War
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Abandonment
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Car accident
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Torture, Vomit
However, I ate this book up in 24 hours,so Iām left feelingā¦confused? Itās horrific yet cozy? Trauma-filled yet funny? Dark yet oddly found-family? This book deals a lot with religious trauma, and it feels like much of the authorās own personal experiences are steeped in the book. For these reasons, I canāt give this anything lower than a 4. Should you read it? Maybeā¦ maybe not? Iām glad (I think?) that I picked it up. Will I read the next oneā¦ not sure! š I read this book on Libby.
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Torture, Suicide attempt, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion, Alcohol