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4.64 AVERAGE
4.64 AVERAGE
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!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
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!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
dark
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
“Shorty where you been? It feels like a long time (long, long time) since I seen ya. Yes it has girl. Ooh, and I know I said some F’d up things to you before but girl you know I didn’t mean it. I never meant one single word. If I could take back every word I would and more for sure, if I thought that you would believe it. Aye, girl, cause you make my life so convenient for me.”
Nelly’s “My Place” was definitely the theme of this book. I was hooked from Page 1. Demon and Dream’s relationship was so unconventional but it blossomed into something really sweet. Demon loved Dream, but he was unable to verbalize this, due to all the trauma that he had suffered in life. He thought that by giving her the physical, along with all the material things in life, that this would ground Dream, but he learned very the hard way that this would only take him so far. Dream needed Damien to verbalize his love for her.
Not to mention, Demon had a nasty habit of saying a lot of horrible things in the heat of the moment to Dream but thought that sex could make it all better. Which is why I wasn’t mad about their third act breakup. Demon needed to heal, (he was man enough to recognize that he needed therapy), and Dream needed space away from him, in order to heal her heart.
Speaking of healed hearts, I LOVE Dayana and Smoke! I’ve read other books where the husband is the victim of survivor’s guilt, so he continuously plays with the FMC’s heart, which is an automatic DNF for me. With Smoke, while he was scared to give his heart to someone else, he eventually allowed Dayana to be his peace, and it didn’t take all book for him to recognize his love for her. He got it right once he realized he was going to lose her. Both he and his baby girl needed Yana in their lives and their story was equally as cute as Dream’s and Demon’s.
In the end, I really did enjoy the book. These were all super interesting and funny characters. I loved the back and forth banter and would definitely recommend this to someone looking to get into urban romance. 10/10!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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:
Yes
I would give this over 5 stars if I could! I really wish there was a book 2 or spinoff or something !!
750 pages of straight cutting up!! Damien you toxic freak, I love you so much 😭
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
Yes!!! If you are thinking about reading this book, just do it! If you are looking for a book that reads like a HBO tv show, read this book! Yes, the book is long but it reads super fast and will have you on the ride of your life!
This book follows Demon and Dream and Smoke and Dayana unexpected relationships and the drama that ensues with them being together.
Even after reading this book and sitting with it for over a month, I still can't get over how sucked in and consumed I was with this book. Daddy Dream and Smoke can get it any day. Are they crazy, insane, and very problematic, yes. But will I look the other way and excuse everything thing they do, HELL YES!!!! Even after 700+ pages I still need more from these characters and the crazy lives they live.
Tropes/Triggers:
- multicultural romance
- mafia/underground organized crime
- bipoc author
- multiple povs
- child abuse
- child sa
- sa mention
- domestic violence
- cheating
- difficult parent relationships
- murder
- gore
This book follows Demon and Dream and Smoke and Dayana unexpected relationships and the drama that ensues with them being together.
Even after reading this book and sitting with it for over a month, I still can't get over how sucked in and consumed I was with this book. Daddy Dream and Smoke can get it any day. Are they crazy, insane, and very problematic, yes. But will I look the other way and excuse everything thing they do, HELL YES!!!! Even after 700+ pages I still need more from these characters and the crazy lives they live.
Tropes/Triggers:
- multicultural romance
- mafia/underground organized crime
- bipoc author
- multiple povs
- child abuse
- child sa
- sa mention
- domestic violence
- cheating
- difficult parent relationships
- murder
- gore
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Intriguing characters this book had me hooked from the start. I could not put it down.
48 hours. That’s all it took me to finish 750 pages. That’s how entertained I was. The drama was perfect, the love was just delulu enough. Truly an experience.