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4.64 AVERAGE

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional medium-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

I loved this book. I am probably going to reread it every year!!
dark emotional funny 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
dark funny
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Carryig on

This book had me stressssseeeedddd okay ! I read it in less than 24 hours … I couldn’t put it down
adventurous dark funny fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional tense medium-paced
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I went into Demon’s Dream by Elle Kayson expecting a Black vampire romance based on a quick search. It wasn’t what I was looking for at all (no vampires here!), but it surprised me in the best way. This is a gritty, emotional love story filled with trauma, redemption, and sizzling chemistry between two unforgettable characters.

The story follows Demon Montana, a deeply flawed enforcer shaped by a tragic past, and Dream Castle, a fierce and independent “fixer” for her family’s business. When Dream’s brother elopes with the daughter of a kingpin—Demon’s brother, Dante—Dream agrees to a 30-day deal with Demon to save her family. The result? A slow-burning, passionate romance as they navigate their pasts, trust issues, and undeniable connection.

Demon’s trauma runs deep, stemming from a childhood filled with abuse, neglect, and unimaginable pain. From enduring his mother’s addiction to shielding his little sister Kiki from harm, his journey is both heartbreaking and harrowing. His determination to protect those he loves, even at great personal cost, makes him a complex and compelling lead. Dream, on the other hand, is no stranger to the weight of family duty, and her resilience shines as she stands toe-to-toe with Demon in their fiery game of cat and mouse.

This book features some of my least favorite tropes, but Elle Kayson made them work in ways that didn’t feel cringe at all:
  • Age gap: Smoke (the secondary male lead) is about eight years older than Dayana Castle, Dream’s sister. Normally, this isn’t my favorite trope, but their dynamic made sense. Smoke’s maturity balanced Dayana’s impulsiveness, and their relationship unfolded in a way that felt authentic to their life stages. At 21, Dayana’s immaturity was believable without being frustrating, while Smoke approached their issues with patience and honesty.
  • Virgin heroine: I’m not usually a fan of female leads needing to be virgins, especially when it’s used to frame the male lead as their "only one." However, this trope worked in the context of the Castle sisters, who were raised with strict expectations of saving themselves for arranged marriages. Dayana and Crystal’s virginity made sense given their circumstances, but Dream’s felt a bit out of place. That said, I appreciated her explanation:
  • “M-m-my parents always said we should save ourselves for marriage. I didn’t think I’d last that long, but I wasn’t going to just give it away to the first nigga that came along, either,” she said, still sniffing.
  • At 24, Dream’s decision made her self-assured character even stronger, though it made the deal she struck for her brother all the more frustrating. Demon’s reaction captured my feelings perfectly:
    “But you traded it away for yo’ bitch ass brother? I oughta kill that nigga for even putting you in that situation.”

Demon and Dream’s love story stands out because of how their love languages clash and evolve. Demon expresses love through acts of service and gift-giving, fiercely protecting those he loves, while Dream craves words of affirmation due to the transactional start of their relationship. The tension this created felt realistic and added depth to their growing bond.

Other Highlights:
  • Dayana and Smoke’s story: Smoke is a widower who never expected to love again, while Dayana is determined to avoid a loveless marriage. Their wedding scene—where Smoke interrupts the ceremony to claim Dayana—is easily one of the most satisfying and romantic moments in the book.
  • Demon’s therapy journey: Watching Demon take the initiative to work on himself was refreshing and powerful. It showed his desire to grow, not just for Dream but for himself.
  • Grandpa Lucien: Dream’s wheelchair-bound grandfather and former kingpin was one of my favorite side characters. His wisdom and fierce love for his family added heart and humor, especially when he helped Dream escape for some breathing room:
  • “I don’t like to get in your business,” he started after a while. I sucked my teeth at that lie. Lucien Dumont stayed in my business. “Hush, sha. But I think, all the drama with your father and this situation with Demon and now the little one you are carrying, maybe you need a little break. Could you take some more time from work?” Sniffling, I nodded. “Okay. Let Grandpapa arrange some things. We gon’ give your mind and your heart a rest. You gon’ be good as new,” he said. I nodded again, loving the idea more.”
  • Kam, Dream’s little brother: Kam is charming, mischievous, and downright hilarious. His interactions with Demon added levity to the story:
  • “Is it Dream? You found her?” I nodded once. Nigga did some crazy little dance before giving me a serious look. “You over there looking mean as hell. Don’t fuck this up, Damien Montana.”
    “Mind yo’ business, Kameron Montana,” I growled at him. He was too fucking restless to care. He jumped off the treadmill and scrambled over to me. “You need to get our girl back. Let me give you some tips.” He threw an arm around my shoulders. “Don’t worry, awkward big brother. I got you.”
  • West: Dream’s cousin played his role to perfection, even taking a beating from Demon in a hilarious misunderstanding:
  • “Was gon’ ride with you, Cousin, but I’m definitely more of a lover than a fighter. You ain’t tell nobody the Hulk knocked yo’ ass up,” he fussed.

While Demon’s Dream is long (over 100 chapters!), it never felt bloated. It balances romance, family drama, and suspense seamlessly. Even though it wasn’t the vampire story I expected, it gave me everything I didn’t know I needed.
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

This book was definitely a page turner from the first page and every page is good. The characters are easy to fall in love with for one reason or another. It’s following Dream Castle who is the Olivia Pope of her family trying to right a wrong her family member committed against another crime family. The other family decided Dream would be the thing they wanted for 30 days. She is promised to the youngest brother of the family, Damien “Demon” Montana, to do with as he pleases. They laugh, cry, love, fight, and everything in between in that time frame and it was nice to see all of it. 

In addition Dram’s little sister Dayana is promised to another crime family as a bargaining chip to complete a deal. She finds her fiancé in a compromising position and goes to a bar where she meets Cartier “Smoke” Salinas. Will she proceed with her vows or try to stick it out with this beauty of a man?

This book is a dark urban romance in the best way! You go through all the emotions from fear to laughing to crying and then loving the things these people do and say to one another. 

The spice was well executed and made sense where it was and the depth to which it went! 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️