Title: The Devil You Know

Author: Nicole Northwood

Pub. Date: August 3, 2022

Pages: 263

Pub: Midnight Tide Publishing

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy Romance

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Goodreads

---

In the Underworld, nothing ever changes.

When the demon of Lust, Cam, decides he needs an overhaul in his ‘life after death’, he leaves the Second Circle of Hell to run an indulgent hotel and club in the heart of New York City. As his lover, Lucifer, bides his time to create a bargain to have Cam return, Cam is permitted to explore the human world, but not without being led into temptation. A group of demon hunters disguised as police set out to send Cam back into the fires of Hell by getting him lost in desire for one of their own, but things very quickly take an unexpected turn—Cam’s fallen in love with the Hedonism Hotel’s night manager, Giselle, and he won’t leave Earth so easily.

—

Within the liminal space of hotels and their surroundings, paranormal beings and the humans who love them travel together on intimate journeys of self discovery while learning to trust one another with the things that make them unique. Each of the seven stories in the Hotel Heat series takes the reader through a steamy, sensual, and sometimes risqué, romance with new main characters while featuring fan-favorite major and minor characters who have appeared in earlier novels, and will continue to appear in upcoming books.

Content warnings can be found on Nicole Northwood’s website.

---

This will be a spoiler free review. Thank you to the author for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I’ve read a couple of Nicole’s other books and have enjoyed them – so my interest was piqued with this one.

I mean, demons, hell, spice…

I’m always down for a spicy romance, and this was pleasantly spicy and the characters were fun, and the plot was pretty strong. I really enjoyed Cam and he kind of gave me Lucifer (from the show) vibes.

I loved the way the book started – him in hell, him in bed with Lucifer, him wishing for something more…it painted a really clear picture of who is was and who he desperately wanted to be.

Once Earth side, Cam is a whole lot of fun, and disarmingly sexy – it’s honestly so attractive.

I don’t know what it is about creatures/demons from hell that is so damn enticing – but I’m sold every time. And with Cam being the Demon of Lust – I mean…the spice doesn’t disappoint.

And then there’s Giselle. This book gives a sprinkling of Boss/Employee spice – and I feel like it’s a trope I shouldn’t love, but something about that power dynamic…

I was a little surprised by the twist her character has, I really wasn’t expecting it. I loved it for the drama, because she definitely brings out the drama in Cam.

The two of them together are spicy, they’re sweet and it’s so wonderful the different sides they bring out in each other.

As for the plot apart from the spice between Cam and Giselle – I wasn’t ready. I’m like 95% certain I never actually read the synopsis for this. I’m pretty sure I just saw Nicole tweeting about it along the lines of – demons, Lucifer, demon of Lust, spice and romance (maybe not in that order, or those specific words) and I was sold. Tell me know more, I will read the book. So, I really had no idea what the plot was going to be, and there were a few things that caught me by surprise.

Also, for how much I love sexy, confident Cam, mopey Cam is just as enjoyable and made me just want to hug him.

If you’re looking for something a fun, with a bit of mystery twist and some spicy demonic romance – maybe consider checking this out. If you enjoy the show Lucifer – then you’re going to enjoy this.