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bree_h_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.75
Such a bummer I didn’t like this book, especially because the title and synopsis really pulled me in.
I thought it started out alright. The writing style felt a bit young, but the side characters and their dynamics and well-established personalities really drew me in. I also thought Mariel and Oz had a really strong potential for matching arcs, each in a relationship with a a parental figure that puts a lot of pressure on them to be perfect in their destined path due to innate powerful magic.
Unfortunately I just didn’t feel like the book effectively followed through with those parts of the book. The main characters didn’t feel as vibrant as the side characters and I had a really hard time buying into the romance, especially as the book kept mentioning how little time had passed. The relationship itself generally felt kind of toxic, where a character would establish a boundary and the other would throw a fit about it. This was especially apparent in Oz trying to avoid hooking up with Mariel and her being angry about it and constantly pushing on the boundary. Overall the relationship didn’t feel like one that would last and generally felt unhealthy. Also the relationship felt almost entirely based on sexual attraction, especially when the characters were pretty consistently hooking up at what felt like weird times. (Like girl you’re protesting the against destruction of an area vital to the survival of an endangered species this is not the time for a quickie with your demon bf against a tree.)
I was also surprised about how little the characters knew about the world they lived in, especially with how much info dumping happened. It just made the characters look stupid when they would learn something and immediately forget it. Calladia was the only character I really liked and felt reasonable and the book tried to skew her as unreasonable.
Overall, it had a lot of potential but just fell flat. I’m willing to try again and am hoping book two is better, but only because Calladia is the MC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Misogyny, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Violence and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Medical content, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Police brutality, Drug abuse, and Drug use
zalouis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Cursing, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Bullying
Moderate: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
art_books_chemistry's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Cursing, Bullying, and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Drug use, Classism, Blood, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
midnacine's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
What a delightful read! Engaging plot, lovable characters with realistic arcs, cozy setting and world-building, funny banter, and overall just really fun and enjoyable! So glad I took my friend up on the rec, it was 100% worth the full price on Kindle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting, Child abuse, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Fire/Fire injury
wilybooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.0
This was an intriguing premise that had a lot of potential, but sadly fell a bit flat for me.
Both of the main characters felt quite two-dimensional and lacking in depth. Mariel even reminded me of a teenager at times. The secondary characters were even more shallow and felt like caricatures or cardboard cut-outs. I found myself unable to become immersed in the story because it just felt noticeably fake, especially with respect to the dialogue. The humour was more cringe and juvenile than actually funny and the third-act breakup was incredibly unnecessary given the conflict and drama already happening in the last third of the book. There were also a lot of editing mistakes (like, several per chapter) — things like missing punctuation, words smashed together, and uncapitalised names/places. I expect better editing from a traditionally published book. [This is for the UK digital version.]
Both of the main characters felt quite two-dimensional and lacking in depth. Mariel even reminded me of a teenager at times. The secondary characters were even more shallow and felt like caricatures or cardboard cut-outs. I found myself unable to become immersed in the story because it just felt noticeably fake, especially with respect to the dialogue. The humour was more cringe and juvenile than actually funny and the third-act breakup was incredibly unnecessary given the conflict and drama already happening in the last third of the book. There were also a lot of editing mistakes (like, several per chapter) — things like missing punctuation, words smashed together, and uncapitalised names/places. I expect better editing from a traditionally published book. [This is for the UK digital version.]
There were a few plus points, however. I enjoyed the world-building, which was fun and detailed without being overexplained. The plant magic/affinity was especially nice; I loved how Mariel’s plants would comfort her. I loved that Mariel was plus-size but there was no plot point or issues surrounding it; she just was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Animal death, Death, and Violence
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Cancer, and Classism
laurenvoice's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon was so cute and fun!
It was an enchanting experience getting to know Glimmer Falls, with the small-town vibes and all the eccentric and magical characters. Alzapraz was hilarious; he instantly knew who Ozroth was and made small threats and comments, indicating he knew. A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon was, most definitely, a cosy read. It was also so sweet watching Ozroth and Mariel's relationship develop; there were some good laughs along the way.
The ending seemed rushed; the showdown with Astaroth and winning the protest happened too quickly; however, watching Mariel stand up for herself was empowering; she is not a witch to mess with. Although the ending was a tad cheesy, it was still cute.
A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon was a charming and enjoyable read; I look forward to the next book.
It was an enchanting experience getting to know Glimmer Falls, with the small-town vibes and all the eccentric and magical characters. Alzapraz was hilarious; he instantly knew who Ozroth was and made small threats and comments, indicating he knew. A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon was, most definitely, a cosy read. It was also so sweet watching Ozroth and Mariel's relationship develop; there were some good laughs along the way.
The ending seemed rushed; the showdown with Astaroth and winning the protest happened too quickly; however, watching Mariel stand up for herself was empowering; she is not a witch to mess with. Although the ending was a tad cheesy, it was still cute.
A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon was a charming and enjoyable read; I look forward to the next book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Classism, and Emotional abuse
wishbea's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Animal death and Toxic friendship
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Sexism, Alcohol, Bullying, Classism, and Cursing
analenegrace's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I can't believe this is probably Reylo Fanfic!?!?!
This book was hilarious and had me actively giggling at many parts. The universe Hawley creates was fun and fleshed out. I love that it was grounded in certain parts of reality (American healthcare and academia had me screaming) but also kept its magical elements front and center.
Mariel and Oz were fun characters with a unique plot, although I wish the book had taken place over a longer period as I'm not a huge fan of insta-love. The side characters were all a bit flat but I do want to read the sequel since the villain of this book is seemingly the love interest in the next!
Also, some of the silliest things in this book that had me screaming: Richard Nixon selling his soul to the devil and Watergate being a result. The magic doctorate, and Oz's dad getting beheaded during the French Revolution.
This book was hilarious and had me actively giggling at many parts. The universe Hawley creates was fun and fleshed out. I love that it was grounded in certain parts of reality (American healthcare and academia had me screaming) but also kept its magical elements front and center.
Mariel and Oz were fun characters with a unique plot, although I wish the book had taken place over a longer period as I'm not a huge fan of insta-love. The side characters were all a bit flat but I do want to read the sequel since
Also, some of the silliest things in this book that had me screaming:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Classism, and Animal death
alastaire's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Animal death and Death
Minor: Classism, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, and Drug abuse
Main character's narcissistic mother is highly verbally emotionally abusive and manipulative.
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