<b>I haven't ever read classic book retelling like Rebecca Kenney does them! This time she is bringing the story of Dorian Grey, wrapped in sensuality, suspense, supernaturals and twists. The re imagination of the classic was crafted in such a thrilling and intriguing style. There is a happily ever after though..for the artist and the art.</b>

So in this modern day retelling, Dorian Grey has spent centuries indulging into all vices because his portrait is the one that absorbs all the negative effects. Right now he is a famous influencer but he is worried about the decaying state of his portrait. Enter Baz. The artist with magic in her blood and legacy who can paint him a new portrait with special magical property. But Baz has vowed on her father's grave to not use her skill again. Dorian negotiates two weeks to show her what he can do for her and also why he deserves the portrait. It's a messy situation. Behind the riches, the debauchery, the sin, the pleasure..hide something dangerous.

<b>I absolutely loved how the author incorporated the original characters into the retelling. Dorian's friend Lloyd with his own twisted agendas and secrets. His personal assistant Sybil who managed to get out of his spell. And finally Baz who is descendant of Basil, who drew the original portrait. Everyone wants Dorian and everyone wants to be Dorian. He is sexy and charming and magnetic and larger than life. He is obsessed with eternal youth and the portrait hides the ugly parts of his soul. The sins he committed. The hurt he inflicted upon people's body and mind. The narcissistic personality behind the mask. But Baz wants to see if anything is salvageable in his rotten soul. She isn't blinded all the way by the spark and thrill. It's push and pull between them. Dorian is trying to convince her to break her vow but he realised that she is under his skin. Making him feel something other that the rush of immediate pleasure. The pain, the ache, the angst..everything he doesn't want. The supernatural part of Irish lore and legends was beautifully put in the story. I was on my toes because I never knew what will hit me on the next page. Now you must want to know if Baz painted a new portrait for the man she has fallen for. The answer is yes and no at the same time. I can only tell you that Dorian's soul had a fresh start with a much cleaner and lighter view of life. Baz found that part that still feels.</b>

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

A fun, steamy, southern gothic retelling of Dorian Gray. At times the side plots seemed to jump around and rush a conclusion, but this was enjoyable. I really liked our FMC, Baz, and the way she was able see past his mask and truly get to him.

I didn’t realize it was book 2 till I picked it up to read, but more or less it could be a standalone. The only part I’m not sure of was the ending- was it a cliffhanger or full circle from book one (which I didn’t read)?

Fun, sexy, quick read.

Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews: “Charming Devil” by Rebecca Kenney
Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.

For centuries, Dorian Gray has maintained his youth and immortality through a supernatural painting that absorbs all his worst traits. But when the painting begins to deteriorate from overuse, Dorian realizes that his time is running out. To restore his immortality, he must turn to Baz, the descendant of the original painter, to recreate the portrait and regain immortality once more.
From the author of “A Court of Sugar and Spice” and “Beautiful Villain”, Rebecca Kenney delivers a new installment in the “Gilded Monsters” series! While the first book was a modern paranormal romance retelling of “The Great Gatsby”, this novel is a modern paranormal romance reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s classic “The Picture of Dorian Gray”. This unique retelling explores complex themes, particularly the dynamic between Dorian and Baz. At its core, the novel expands upon the messages Wilde originally conveyed. One key theme is that the quality of our experiences and the connections we make are far more valuable than the pursuit of eternal youth, which often leads to isolation and regret.
Another powerful message portrayed within the novel is the toxicity of idolizing Aestheticism—“beauty for beauty’s sake.” When unrealistic ideals of beauty and age are forced upon individuals, they may push themselves toward an unattainable perfectionism that takes a toll on their mental health. Want to break the existential mirror and gaze upon a portrait that is a narrative so masterfully thought-provoking? Then don’t miss this supernatural reimagining when it hits online and in-store shelves on February 11, 2024!

Rating: 4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter: 5/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

Tropes to Expect: Dark Paranormal Romance, Morally Gray MCs, Mythical Supernatural Entities, Magical Artist Protagonist x Immortal Billionaire Scoundrel, Aestheticism vs Morality, Self-Discovery, Self-Healing, Slow-Burn Romance, Opposites Attract, and Cursed Magical Portrait.

Trigger Warnings: (Full Description in the Book)

I got the privilege of reading this as an ARC and I cannot say enough good things about this book and Rebecca Kenney. After reading Charming Villian, I was hooked on her writing and needed more. Charming Devil lives up to the hope and excitement I had for it. There is spice, angst, phenomenal character development, and a feet kicking good time, so much so it was basically a one-sitting read for me! This book deserves ALL the hype and love! Grab it and devour it!

As a long time fan of Rebecca F. Kenney, I had high hopes for this novel and series and can say after reading Charming Devil, her unique reinterpretation of The Portrait of Dorian Gray, she has once again managed to surpass my expactations! her characters are unique and fascinating, witty and charming, bringing a new charm to classic characters and plot points we may *think* we know. Rebecca has taken a welll known classic and put her own stamp on it, and it has evelved into her own story without competing with the original. She has invented a category she stands in herself and stands out from the crownd with her talented writing and storytellingn ability!

I had high expectations for "Charming Devil," as I am an admirer of Rebecca Kennedy and have a strong familiarity with the story of Dorian Gray. This retelling incorporates many elements from the original work while successfully updating it for contemporary audiences, alongside some engaging supernatural aspects. I appreciated the intensity of the relationship between the main characters and though originally I was uncertain about the slow-burn romance that intersected with the past, but once it developed, I found myself fully invested.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️.5

Listen, do I know much about the classic story about Dorian Gray? ...no not really but even if I did I would still prefer Rebecca's version any day 🤣

Dorian was that classic walking red flag narcissist male and my god he was everything and then some BUT BAZ????? That's a baddie right there and I ate every second up of Dorian trying to get Baz to fall for his charms but she wasn't having it.

I overall enjoyed the plot line of this book with all the magical aspects that occurred but I have some things I'm hoping we get answers for in book three 👀

The one thing I love above all else with Rebecca Kenney is that every story - no matter the plot - is so uniquely hers. She has this incredible way of writing sometimes funny, always witty, charming, cozy, romance with layers of smoldering tension and tragic undercurrents. Dorian Gray is a classic and this take felt fresh, steamy, heartbreaking and contemplative. I loved the focus on the artist, her powers, and the debate on immortality. It gave the story so much depth. Highly recommend picking this one up!

I unfortunately couldn’t get into the flow of this book. It was one of the first times I’ve read a duel perspective book and it might just not be my thing but I’d love to try one again! I also couldn’t get into the writing style. I expected the retelling to focus more on the original story but this just seems like the character names are the same but nothing else. I also didn’t like how the social media references took me out of the immersion.
I would definitely try this author again though, either the first book of the series or the next one!

I real enjoyed this retelling. It was creative and original. Loved the character development through the book and the romance was wonderful. I do think the plot gets a bit lost but overall I enjoyed it!

It's official. I will read any book Rebecca Kenney write.

This one had me in a choke-hold and now I want to go back and read Beautiful Villain again.

Rebecca's writing is smooth. Her retelling as fun and original and don't feel forced. The spicy is oh so spicy!!! The stories just work beautifully.

Now how to I manage to wait until Ruthless Devotion is out! Sigh...

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing the ARC.

I was incredibly intrigued by this book based on the summary. I love retellings, especially if they're done well, and this one was a story that I hadn't seen done before (if ever).

Kenney has a really evocative style of writing that draws you in with her imagery and her prose, but doesn't balance well with what amounts to weak plot and character development. I did not care at all about Dorian or Baz in this book, and honestly found the hedonistic narcissism of Dorian to be incredibly grating. I get that Kenney was trying to make a point with it in the story, but overall, it fell very flat with me and genuinely made me not like his character at all. I couldn't see anything redeeming in him and couldn't see why Baz would be attracted to him apart from his apparently insane good looks. She even identifies him and the relationship they have as toxic, and there is nothing about it that makes it worth any type of emotional investment on my side.

Baz was also a bit of a hard sell, but I did find her more palatable than Dorian. She was incredibly self-righteous to a fault, and it could be very annoying at times. But she was perfectly human with human desires and goals, so she felt a bit more accessible. But still, I couldn't understand her mindset when it came to Dorian, so I had a much harder time connecting with her as a character.

The overall vibe of this book is dark and sultry, and Kenney's prose really lends itself to that vibe, but the characters and the plot of the bo0k are just not developed enough to support the world that Kenney built. I wish I had more than I received from this book, because I think it has the potential to be amazing,.

Rebecca Kenney has woven a decadent, darkly enchanting retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray that is as seductive as it is haunting. Charming Devil breathes new life into the classic tale, infusing it with dangerous magic, sizzling tension, and an irresistible battle of wills.

Kenney masterfully balances lush, gothic atmosphere with electric chemistry, crafting a story that drips with temptation and danger. The magic feels alive—unpredictable, eerie, and utterly enthralling. And at its heart is a romance that is both intoxicating and doomed, a slow-burning fire that threatens to consume everything in its path.

For those who crave darkly seductive retellings with rich prose, complex characters, and a deliciously ominous undercurrent, Charming Devil delivers in spades. This book doesn’t just ask what is the price of beauty?—it dares you to look into the abyss and find out.

I liked the concept of this book, but not the execution. I never felt invested in the characters, except toward the end but that was only a little more. Unfortunately I don't think it was the book for me, but thank you for the arc!

Rebecca Kenney knows exactly how to write an MMC. Her books pull you in and keep you there. This was no different. I'm obsessed.

As a HUGE fan of Rebecca Kenney and the myth of Dorian Grey I knew I would love this contemporary fantasy retelling. The supernatural aspects were unique, suspenseful and complemented the storyline. If you are a fan of slow burn, supernatural retellings and morally complex characters you will love it. While this is book is part of a series of interconnected standalones, I don’t feel you necessarily need to read them all (but the nod to characters and the conclusion of this book would be more enjoyable if you do). Overall, this was a fun twist on a classic story I will 100% be reading the rest of this series.

The Charming Devil is a modern twist on the Picture of Dorian Gray. I was so impressed with how Rebecca Kenney used the source material. The Charming Devil contains many of the same characters, scenes, and themes as the original. Further, it has all been updated and enhanced with a supernatural twist. I also liked the theme of body positivity, outside of Dorian the characters aren't "traditionally" beautiful. I haven't read the other books in the series but I likely will now. Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and NetGalley for this eARC!

Gaahhh, I am so conflicted about this review -- which is exactly what I wrote when I reviewed Rebecca Kinney's first book in this series, Beautiful Villain. On the one hand, both of these books are brilliant in terms of conceptualization. I love the idea of modernizing and reimagining the classics as paranormal/horror romances. And the books are two of the most inventive retellings I've ever read. Further, Rebecca is quite a talented writer. Her characters, settings, dialogue, her ability to build tension and suspense, not to mention her horror elements, are first rate.

Where Charming Devil ultimately falls short is plot development. This is also the same thing I thought about Beautiful Villain. For both, I feel like the plot faltered at the denouement. It was just disappointing when all of the threads didn't land with the depth and gravity that all of the build-up was leading up to. There is a let down that the villains were too handily and easily dispatched; and it didn't seem to end in a place that felt "finished" -- and satisfying -- for the MCs. There are also loose ends that don't feel important or relevant to the main plotline. Similarly, I feel that some of the minor characters didn't need to be there, and the ones that did have key roles in the storyline weren't utilized enough.

With all of that said, I did enjoy this, as well as Beautiful Villain. These are not perfect reads but they are entertaining and definitely better than average in terms of creativity and the quality of the prose. I would rate this a 3.75 stars. I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series.

Darion was a fantastic character and Baz was great together I love them both this story was amazing I would recommend it to all my friends 4.5 ⭐️

A modern day retelling of Dorian Gray featuring a hot goth artist who has the ability to connect souls to whatever she paints... and a devilish Dorian Gray who will do anything to get her to save his portrait. Dorian Gray has lived for centuries... immersing himself in sin, pleasures, and every drug he can get his hands on. He's handsome, wealthy, and knows it. Yet his vices are connected to his portrait and after so many years of sins... his painting is coming to an end and he needs to find someone to make him a new painting, otherwise he will die. Then there is Basil "Baz" a brilliant small time artist with a "no portraits" policy. Baz has a secret, she has vowed never to paint another portrait because of what happened to her father... and how she painted his portrait and killed him. Baz has kept her powers hidden all her life but when Dorian shows up at her door with offers of money, things, and even himself... Baz is almost tempted... almost. She refuses at first but he begs her to give him 2 weeks to convince her... and Baz tells him the only way to convince her to paint his portrait is if he can prove to her that he is "good" that he still has a soul worth saving... and even then Baz will only paint his portrait to the point where his soul is put back into his body... leading him to age and become regular. Dorian knows he'll have to trick and seduce Baz to get what he wants, yet the more time he spends with her the more human he's beginning to feel... and for the first time in a long time... he's falling in love... the only problem is if he's willing to let himself be weak or if his too long gone to ever change. I am a sucker for a classic retelling, especially where the villain gets the girl. I loved the modern twist on this and how it still kept elements of the classic character but put a whole new spin to the story. Dorian and Baz had such an interesting relationship and I loved the way they fell for one another. Yes they were immediately attracted to each other but they both had different motives and wants... and in the end they were perfect for one another. I've loved reading Rebecca's Villains series so much and can't wait to see the next book she's doing (hello, Wuthering Heights?! I can't wait!!!).

Release Date: February 11, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca | Sourcebooks Casablanca for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*