Nancy has just about given up on finding her special person when Jack Jackson—big, scary and the town loser—walks into her bookstore. He’s apparently even more desperate for help in the romance department than she is. And after a bit of gentle persuasion, he finally accepts her guidance in securing his dream girl. Practice dates, lessons in tenderness—you name it, she can teach it.
There’s just one problem: his dream girl might have more than an issue with his dating skills. Because Jack isn’t just a little clueless; he’s actually the demonic son of Satan, from the deepest depths of hell. He’s spent his entire long underlife dragging evildoers to their fates, while really trying not to live up to his dad’s expectations.
Now, it isn’t just about getting a date with his dream girl. He needs to become a better man to win over the woman he’s been cosmically bound to, in a Beauty and the Beast style pact. If he fails, everyone he cares for will face a terrible fate. Luckily for him, Nancy may well be the witch she’s always tried to pretend she wasn’t. She can save him, he knows it—and she’s starting to know it too. Even if every day spent with him is an agonising reminder that she isn’t the girl he’s fated for.
But as the deadline approaches she’s starting to wonder... Could it be that she’s finally found her Prince? Or is she about to lose her heart to hell?
Dealing with a Desperate Demon by Charlotte Stein delivers strong Beauty and the Beast vibes—if the Beast was more emotionally transparent and Belle was significantly more awkward. This is a romance built on proximity, tension, and extremely obvious pining. So obvious, in fact, that there were moments when it became mildly frustrating that the characters themselves, mainly Nancy, couldn’t see what was practically glowing between them. Still, that mutual yearning is also part of the charm, especially for readers who enjoy slow emotional payoff and characters who overthink everything.
Stein excels at making the demon both intimidating and oddly vulnerable, while the heroine brings warmth and grounded humanity to the story. Their interactions are laced with humor, discomfort, and genuine tenderness, which balances the supernatural elements nicely.
Although this is the second book in a series, it works perfectly well as a standalone. The worldbuilding is intuitive, and you never feel lost. Overall, it’s a cozy, slightly exasperating, demon romance that leans into longing—and commits fully.
Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.
Comments
Post a Comment