📖 Overview
Callie runs an escape room business with her best friend Mag, hosting themed adventures for paying customers. During what should be a routine Hell-themed room experience, she encounters Luke, an unexpectedly kind participant who seems different from other guys.
Luke harbors a major secret about his true identity and family background that complicates his growing connection with Callie. When an ancient prophecy and supernatural forces threaten both their worlds, Callie and Luke must work together despite their differences.
The novel blends romance, action, and supernatural elements while exploring themes of destiny versus free will, and the nature of good and evil. Through its fresh take on familiar tropes, the story examines how preconceptions about others can limit our understanding of both them and ourselves.
👀 Reviews
Readers found this paranormal romance offered lighthearted entertainment but lacked depth. The humor and banter between characters drew positive comments, with several reviews highlighting the playful dynamic between Luke and Callie. Multiple readers compared it to Good Omens in tone.
Likes:
- Fast-paced plot
- LGBTQ+ representation in side characters
- References to gaming culture
- Modern take on hell/demon tropes
Dislikes:
- Romance felt rushed and underdeveloped
- World-building needed more detail
- Supporting characters felt one-dimensional
- Several plot points left unexplained
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.5/5 (1,200+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.1/5 (300+ ratings)
BookBub: 3.8/5 (100+ ratings)
Notable reader comment: "Fun concept but reads like a first draft. The demon game show premise deserved more exploration." - Goodreads reviewer
The book resonated more with YA readers than adult romance fans, according to review demographics.
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A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley A witch strikes a bargain with a demon to pose as her boyfriend, leading to supernatural complications and otherworldly politics.
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston A ghostwriter for romance novels falls for a ghost while dealing with family obligations at her family's funeral home.
The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite A printer and a beekeeper navigate romance and social expectations in Georgian-era England with elements of magic.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna An isolated witch accepts a position teaching three young witches magic, disrupting her solitary existence with found family and romance.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔥 Author Gwenda Bond previously wrote the official prequel novels to the hit Netflix series "Stranger Things"
🌟 The book blends romantic comedy with supernatural horror, featuring a demon-hunting plot alongside dating app mishaps
⚡ The story's premise involves a Hell-themed escape room that accidentally summons a real demon prince
🎭 The novel puts a contemporary twist on the Orpheus myth, with the main characters journeying to the underworld
🌙 The book is part of a duology, with the second installment titled "The Date from Hell" continuing the story of Callie and Luke