REVIEW: A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley

A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley: Being born into one of the most powerful magical families comes with a whole lot of expectations but for Mariel Spark that pressure is just a bit more pressing, especially with the way her mother has been bragging about her being prophesied to be the most powerful witch of their time…the only problem being Mariel has turned to be a total dud except when it comes to natural magic but this is not good enough for the great Spark family. In true Mariel fashion while trying to summon up a bag of flour she winds up calling upon a demon for a soul bargain! Now not only does Mariel have to deal with Ozroth The Ruthless following her around trying to strike up a deal but she has to make sure that her beautiful forest doesn’t get destroyed by two money hungry witches, one of with is her own mother!

This book was just amazing! I absolutely loved every moment of Mariel and Oz’s unconventional love story. These two could not have been more perfect for each other and their differences only made them fit together all the more perfectly. A Witch’s Guide To Fake Dating A Demon was a silly cute fun adventure packed read that had both opposites attract, forced proximity and one quirky small town. This book was a combination of all the things that I love in a paranormal romance; quirky cute characters, minimal drama and loads of sassy banter.

Both main characters were amazing and I loved seeing them both grow and helping each other realise their true worth. Gosh I just wanted to give our girl Mariel a big hug, her family was so mean and dismissive towards her and I hated seeing her hurt and feel less than for so much of the book. For such a sweet, kind and caring person she really did not deserve the way her mother in particular treated her and I was thrilled too see her finally standing up to this snobby witch! I loved Mariel’s connection to nature and the relationship she had with all her plants. She was genuinely really good at her magic even if it wasn’t as showy as the rest of the Spark family. She was a totally loveable leading lady and I was all for her embracing her nature magic.

As much as this book was about Mariel it was also largely about out hero Oz, and I just loved this guy too bits. Ozroth The Ruthless once a famous demon bargainer who kind of fell from grace when one of his bargains backfired on him and landed him with a soul! Now not only is he the only demon with a soul but now he winds up falling for his newest target, yeah you could say things were not going in the most ideal way for our boy Oz. But little did he know that Mariel and all these feelings were just the thing he had always needed. I loved following his story and getting to see him getting a second chance at love and family. So to say that Oz was the furthest thing from ruthless would be pretty accurate, this guy was a total sweetheart and I loved getting to see him falling for Mariel as he figured out his way with a soul.

As far as slow burns go this was one really slow drawn out romance but the chemistry and banter between Oz and Mariel made the wait so worth it. These two danced around their attraction for one another for much of the book but once they finally got together they were magic. I loved the way they supported and cared for each other, for being a part of each others lives for such a short time they really just clicked and I loved this. I loved that Oz was all about supporting and helping Mariel see how amazing she actually was regardless of what people made her believe. I think the way they got out of their deal ultimately was one of the cutest moments that I have read in a paranormal romance, this was truly swoony.

The secondary characters in this book was interesting to say the least. I loved how magical Glimmer Falls was and that it was this supernatural safe haven. The Spark family took a bit to warm up to but I like the way things worked out for Mariel and her family. As for her two besties they were just hilarious, I loved how they finally warmed up to Oz even though they were so against him at first.

A Witch’s Guide To Fake Dating A Demon is a total must read, this slow burn magical romance is packed with hope, love, empowerment and some steamy scenes that will keep you hooked right until the very end!

Book Info:

Publication: March 7, 2023 | Berkley |

Mariel Spark is prophesied to be the most powerful witch seen in centuries of the famed Spark family, but to the displeasure of her mother, she prefers baking to brewing potions and gardening to casting hexes. When a spell to summon flour goes very wrong, Mariel finds herself staring down a demon—one she inadvertently summoned for a soul bargain.

Ozroth the Ruthless is a legend among demons. Powerful and merciless, he drives hard bargains to collect mortal souls. But his reputation has suffered ever since a bargain went awry—if he can strike a bargain with Mariel, he will earn back his deadly reputation. Ozroth can’t leave Mariel’s side until they complete a bargain, which she refuses to do (turns out some humans are attached to their souls).

But the witch is funny. And curvy. And disgustingly yet endearingly cheerful. Becoming awkward roommates quickly escalates when Mariel, terrified to confess the inadvertent summoning to her mother, blurts out that she’s dating Ozroth. As Ozroth and Mariel struggle with their opposing goals and maintaining a fake relationship, real attraction blooms between them. But Ozroth has a limited amount of time to strike the deal, and if Mariel gives up her soul, she’ll lose all her emotions—including love—which will only spell disaster for them both.