A review by greymalkin
A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley

funny lighthearted sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I love the premise and I started out liking Mariel and her friends, they were really let down by the  author choices with character and plots. 
While I completely understand that Mariel's toxic upbringing made her create some self-sabotaging habits, it was very frustrating to see her lash out  cruelly at basically everyone who loved and cared for her but not at those who were causing her harm.  There was a lot of tell and not show.  She's supposed to be sweet and fun and passive and a great baker and a great friend.  I saw no evidence of this, particularly the baking part.  The solution for her magic issues was disappointing.  The solution with the souls was disappointing.  The resolution with her parents was VERY disappointing.  The plotline with Azeroth was almost totally pointless.  3/4 of the way into the book Ozroth is like "I'll just ignore hundreds of years of experience and assume that Azeroth will suddenly become chill and reasonable".  I didn't feel any romantic chemistry between anyone except possibly Themmie and Ozroth, and Diantha and Calladia's mom.   It was just lust and some basic kindness between Mariel and Ozroth.  Which can be fine but not for the "love is the solution" plan that the ending hinges on.
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