bookcheshirecat's review

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

“Lucifer, why did so many human emotions feel like physical illness? It was a wonder humans didn’t visit the doctor on an hourly basis.”

A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon is a swoony, paranormal Romance set in Glimmer Falls! For the most part, I really enjoyed this book. It follows Mariel Spark, a young woman who was prophesized to be an incredibly powerful witch. She has tons of untapped potential ... but has never managed to get her power under control. She doesn't want a grand destiny and is happy using her powers for gardening and baking. However, Mariel's under the thump of her emotionally abusive mother who constantly shames her for not living up to her powers and the life she imagined for her. Luckily Mariel has great friends who support her!!

Mariel accidentally ends up summoning Ozroth the Ruthles a demon who's for his merciless bargains. He can't leave until the bargain is fulfilled so both of them become reluctant roommates. There is more to Ozroth than meets the eye, as he's struggling with feeling too human and is desperate to earn back his deadly reputation. I liked the romance for the most part, especially as Ozroth would stand up for Mariel and couldn't understand why her family didn't accept her the way she was.

I would have loved to rate this higher, but I had some issues! Firstly, it was so hard to read about Mariel's family constantly verbally abusing and manipulating her. Her mother's relentless and Mariel doesn't push back, because she has internalized that she's a failure and will never amount to anything. I understood Mariel's complicated feelings toward her mother, but I thought her mother got off way too easily in the end. After all this buildup, the toxic family dynamic was magically resolved. Mariel's mother didn't really have a change of heart or work for forgiveness, she's suddenly all nice because it suits her. I was also disappointed by the third-act breakup as Mariel was unfair to Ozroth! I
nstead of giving him a chance to explain himself, she immediately jumped to conclusions and shut him out. In the end, she didn't apologize for how she treated him.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

krisalexcole's review

Go to review page

medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...