Saved by Grace by Sita Bethel is an asexual erotic romance following Alel and Jackson as they fall in love. As an aspec reader, I actually enjoyed the asexual representation in this novel. It felt like Alel and Jackson were both possibly demi-sexual, though on varying parts of the spectrum. [It seemed like Alel had a higher libido compared to Jackson so for a bit, things were a bit awkward due to some minor miscommunication. And Jackson wasn't interested/comfortable with the idea of sex until they were much further in their relationship. And even then, their sexual acts never go to full penetration which I believe was the part he was most cautious towards.]
While I can see how some people could possibly see it as a sex-adverse ace, I didn't quite feel like it was that case. It came off as someone who preferred sensual intimacy over the sexual intimacy, especially with someone he didn't have a bond with, and as he fell in love with Alel, the more he desired that intimacy as well. It didn't really feel like a romantic drama frame to me.
The sensual intimacy scenes, such as the back rubs, were rather sweet. While yes, it could be seen as a bit eroticized (I didn't find it so), when an incubus who feeds off of intimacy in any form (my interpretation of it) it would make sense why some might see it as such. To me, it was sensual intimacy, not an "equivalent to sex" moment.
There was a section toward the end that I am grateful to have received a warning for prior to getting into the first chapter - the trigger warning was underneath the copyright information. Am I weird for reading the copyright page just because? Well, this part I will put in spoilers due to the triggering nature of it.

tw: corrective rape
[Toward the end, there was an attempted corrective rape scene. I did see in one review that they felt like it was in for drama's sake, but I don't really feel like it was. The reason why is because of the fact Lust was trying to break Alel, to "fix" him and make him under their control once again. It was demonstrating just how vile Lust was, how cruel and how without humanity they were.]

On a lighter note, there was another couple in this story, companion to Alel and Jackson's relationship. That relationship was rather endearing and adorable to read.
This was a truly enjoyable read and I would recommend to others, though I would say to exercise caution in case some things are too triggering for you. I'd put off reading it due to the trigger warning until I was in a better mental space. That said, it was still a good read.

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley

~

Saved by Grace, by Sita Bethel
★☆☆☆☆
207 Pages
POV: 3rd person
Content Warning: violence, attempted rape


DNF'd at 3%


Nope. Sorry. Not for me.
First off, the first two paragraphs put me off immediately. A long list of bullet-point descriptions, an info-dump of a description of Alel, the demon, and how he looked. Then the constant repetition that Alel was a liar. Got it, thanks.
Then, jump straight into a threesome with a virgin. Repetitions about how cliched demons were. A demon sort-of raping another demon.

All within the first 3%.

Nope. Thanks, but no thanks.

This book was SO GOOD. I really loved the idea of demons and angels defying what they were created for and just doing what they wanted and being who they wished to be. I loved Alel and Jackson and how they found one another and how they discovered what they both wanted together. And I adored Sariel and Naberius and how they were so different and how it started as just attraction, but quickly blossomed into so much more. I really loved all four of them and how they fought heaven and hell together just have the freedom to choose what they wanted for themselves <3

I'm fast becoming a real fan of Sita Bethel's writing. Having read and enjoyed her novel 'Cold Like Snow', I was keen to read more and 'Saved by Grace' certainly lived up to my hopes and expectations.

For a fairly light 'erotic fantasy', this novel really pleased me in it's inclusion of not only LGBTQ+'themes, but also a closer look at both some less widely known aspects of the sexuality and gender identity spectrum. Here we have a human main character who is asexual (not all who identify as asexual have an aversion to sexual contact, some are more at the uninterested end of that particular section of spectrum); two demons who are both incubi yet have different levels of sexual need and indeed forbidden longing for emotional connection; and an androgynous angel who discovers a desire for sensual/sexual experience and the preference for clothing and other markers of appearance which are considered by our society to indicate femininity.

There is also some religious commentary which I found interesting, in that the angel and demons question things they have always believed and through taking risks and pushing boundaries, come to the conclusion that they have been told lies in order to control their behaviour. Of course they find themselves in deep trouble over all of this, yet through forming rule defying bonds of love and friendship, their collective strength allows them to prevail against higher powers out to punish and seperate them.

What I enjoy most about this novel, however, is not sexual, it's Sita Bethel's ability to write emotion so beautifully among what could so easily be something much lighter and much less engaging.
For example:

“The only truth I know is this— I want to see you every day, and I want to touch you.” He brushed his hand up Jackson’s cheek . “And when you die, I’ll sneak into to heaven and steal kisses from your mouth, and if God forbids it, He’ll have to destroy my soul because nothing short of oblivion will stop me.”

- which happens at approximately a third of the way into the book and really made me feel intensely.


If you enjoy this genre, I don't hesitate to recommend this novel - and this author's other work too - just be aware that there are scenes (or at least one) which could easily be distressing/triggering for those who have suffered sexual assault.

I will not be giving feedback on this title as I received the access to it on the date it was archived and was thus unable to download it.

This is the 2nd book I’ve read from this author and I loved it. I liked the paranormal but what I liked most was the character growth of four misfits and the warm and fuzzy feeling this story leaves you with. Plenty of smutty moments, a little violence and a lot of romance.

This was a great story about angels and demons, and about them breaking all the rules! Alel is absolutely adorable, especially for an incubus, and when he falls in love with the human, Jackson, you just want to give him a hug because of how cute he is. Jackson’s guardian angel, Sariel, and Alel’s fellow incubus and friend, Naberius, are another great addition to the story. They have a big part in the story and I’m glad that everything works out in the end For all of them. This was overall a great story, that had an interesting plot and lovable characters.

The thing I loved most about Saved by Grace was the diversity of its characters. It was great to see representation from a broad spectrum of the LGBT community, and the book, as a whole, considered how easy it is to pigeon-hole things and set up 'rules', but how sometimes those expectations need to be re-examined and the rules broken in order for people to live their lives to the fullest and find happiness, in themselves and with others. I adored both the pairings in this tale, but particularly Alel and Jackson. I thought their relationship developed at a realistic pace, and they both grew as characters throughout the course of the story. There are plenty of sex scenes in this book, but all contributed to the plot, and the pacing didn't feel stunted because of them. Overall, this was an entertaining and thoughtful read and I would give it four stars.

Alel is a succubus, created by lust to lead humans astray, the only way he can feed is through the energy created through sex. But he finds that all he can’t face that sort of nameless fast food resulting in him starving himself. He longs for the gentler side of affection, which is forbidden to his kind. “Don’t name the food Al” says Naberius his partner in crime, who tries to look out for him, demons don’t cuddle or watch movies. Things start to change when a human’s guardian angel suggests he attend a party. It’s difficult to describe how much I enjoyed reading this story; it explores how people are pigeonholed and forced to obey rules. You really couldn’t work out what was going to happen and it got really intense as the plot developed. Highly recommended. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.