Review: CHARMING DEVIL (A Dark & Spicy Modern Dorian Grey) by Rebecca Kenney https://bit.ly/41ca0fB
Publication Date: 2/11/2025
Genre: Romantasy
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated 5 Stars

I couldn’t put this book down. I got wrapped up in the story and loved the characters. If you’ve read Dorian Grey this is a retelling with spice. It’s the second book in the Gilded Monsters series but you don’t have to read the first book before picking up this one. I haven’t read the first book but plan on picking it up next. I have it and the next release on my TBR. I thoroughly enjoyed Rebecca Kenney’s writing style and she’s going on my must buy list. This book is one of my favorites this year.

*Review copy provided by the Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review.

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Kindle https://amzn.to/3CPPGXR
Paperback https://amzn.to/4jNcacN (**SPECIAL DELUXE EDITION WITH STAINED EDGES, CHARACTER ART, AND MORE.**)

Ugh, Dorian Gray is amazing. Yes, he is snobby and wrapped in his way, but Baz is just the person he needed to show him the right way. I was so intrigued by the paranormal aspect attached to this story and the lore had me hooked. The spice was written beautifully as it is in every Rebecca Kenney book. The characters are so amazing and you find yourself growing attachments out of nowhere and also wondering who is trustworthy. The story reads well with nothing included that would shift focus from the plot. I was happy to hear mention of Gatsby and home that in the next book we will know what came from Baz and Daisy meeting. This series has my whole attention and I need to know what happens next.

Charming Devil is a fun PNR retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Dorian’s painting that has kept him living the high life for over a century is starting to deteriorate. In order to stay young & beautiful he searches for the descendant of the original artist to save him. Baz, a tortured artist, is not immune to Dorian’s charms, but has made a vow to never create a portrait again. Dorian strikes a deal to persuade Baz to help him, but neither could foresee what awakens.
I love the writing style & characters. Baz and her independent boss attitude. She doesn’t let the notoriety & wealth that Dorian provides consume or change her. And the character development for Dorian. He is charming as the title states, but the author clearly depicts the differences between the innocent soul he started as, the empty shell he has become and the evil he could turn into.
If you like a fun modern world with magic and myth splashed in with gothic vibes, this is for you!

Thank you Sourcebooks for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Charming Devil by Rebecca Kenney was definitely a story I fell in love with and fell more in love with it as the characters fell for each other. I love this paranormal twist on Dorian Gray and how much character growth he goes through. Definitely a binge worthy read-in-one-day read.

Well written with charming characters makes Charming Devil easy to read however if you’re unfamiliar with The Picture of Dorian Grey you might be confused through out, and if you’re a fan you might be turned off from the lack of allegory and the modernness. I’m not sure who this book is written for but I did enjoy it when I detached from the fact that it was a modern day Dorian Grey.

Charming Devil is the second in Kenney's Gilded Monsters series. They are standalone novels but there are a few characters from Beautiful Villain who make an appearance in this novel.
This is an erotic retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Dorian's portrait is starting to disintegrate from his debauched life, and he finds the ancestor of the original artist in order to get her to complete a new portrait. However, Baz Allard isn't willing to use her magic that way. She has a fear of her power and she swore to never use it. But Dorian makes her an offer she cannot refuse and within that time frame, they fall in love. But is Dorian willing to give up his immortality/humanity for Baz?

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks/Casablanca for this digital e-arc.*

4.5 rounded up to 5

I really enjoyed this story.

Good spice and story line. I also really loved the shout out to daisy and Gatsby.

Rebecca never disappoints and I can't wait to read more from this world.

ARC Review of Charming Devil by Rebecca F. Kenney
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A fantastic classic is met with a dark erotic spin, where Dorian Grey's immortal soul is threatened by both his dark bond to the rotting portrait that holds his life...and the threat of falling for the one person who can save him.

Baz refused to use her gift, as much as her soul calls to art.
When Dorian Grey comes along, demanding that she help him with his little problem, the nightmares of the past come to haunt her.
Her one mistake that cost her the happy life she knew, and to understand the price of her power.
Dorian takes her on a ride of parties, luxury and connections that could benifit her life, sucking her into his clutches like everyone else that is desperate to be near him.
Fame. Beauty. The life they all want.
Is Baz willing to sacrifice a piece of her soul once again?

Absolutely thrilling! Love myself a classic horror, and add in a twist. Finding out this was the second book, after reading on other connected characters, I am eager to dive into the first read and see how this series all began.
Baz is a woman who knows her boundaries. After losing those close to her, making sure she follows her family rules and struggles to get by, she would be viewed as a strong woman. With Dorian's constant vain and cold temptations, you start to see him begin to chip away at her, only for her to keep finding strength, which is admirable. Dorian himself has lost almost all his empathy and care towards humanity, just finding that perfect high as he lefts the portrait fall to ruin. As vulnerability shines through, Dorian faces emotions he has shoved down and not felt in a long time.
Fear makes a person do careless and cruel things.
Hope there is more to the series, and eager to know what other classics there are to be twists!

I absolutely loved this. The dark, depraved attitude that we expect from Dorian Gray mixed with a bit of unknown magic and a girl that will change his world. Baz is an artist who refuses to paint portraits, yet Dorian is asking for exactly that.

When Baz refuses, Dorian can't decide if he wants to kill her or keep her. But he's desperate. Offering her everything she could ever want in exchange for a portrait, convincing her to do what he wants. But she isn't so easily swayed, and Dorian isn't sure what to do. As they spend time together both of them realize that there's more to them than painter and subject. But how much more is what Dorian will need to decide in the face of immortality.

I have never read a book i didn't like by Rebecca, and this was no exception. Charming Devil is a retelling of the classic The Picture of Dorian Gray, featuring a bi/pan MMC (Dorian), and bi FMC Baz (short for Basil).

Rebecca does an amazing job blending the original tale with a contemporary landscape that features paranormal aspects as well as folklore.

As you may expect, Dorian is a heavily flawed character in the beginning of this story, and we get to see his growth and development through small glimpses of his POV throughout the story. Baz also has her traumas, and it's interesting to see their dynamic constantly shift as the story progresses.

The result is a book that made me stop and think about what makes us human, and the ugly truths that being human entails-things as simple as health and well-being, and mortality and how that can affect the decisions people make.

I decided to start a new to author, a genre I don't really pick up often and wanted to try more of this year and needless to say... I'll be back for more of Rebecca's books!

All the stars!! I was quite impressed with how this book kept me engaged and wanting more! I loved it! Dorian and Baz were end game for me from the very beginning. He needed saving from the very beginning and I was all here for a strong, independent woman to come sweeping in and saving the day. And can we talk about this cat and it's name! Omg I died ☠️🤣! Screwtape, love it!

I didn't know this was book two going in so now I'll need to go back and read the first book as well as hunt down her other books!

I read The Picture of Dorian Gray a long time ago but it's the kind of book that stays with you. I was intrigued to read Charming Devil because I really enjoyed Beautiful Villian ( her Great Gatsby retelling ) and because I really liked the original Dorian Gray as well.

This book acts almost like it could be a sequel to the original, a contemporary retelling or continuation of Dorians story. Dorian's portrait has started to seriously decay so he seeks out the living relative of Basil - the original painter, hoping she possesses the same talent her ancestor did. He attempts to convince Baz (a gothic, tattooed, pink haired artist) to paint him a new one. She's vowed never to paint another person again after what happened last time and least of all for someone like Dorian - all selflessness and unnecessary decadence.

Overall, it was such an interesting story, filled with magic, profligateness, gothic elements, horror and mystery while also adding in a somewhat toxic at times romance with a lot of spice.

I also liked that although this is a standalone, it did make reference to Gatsby and ended by leaving us with a few of unanswered questions. Im excited to read the next instalment in this series - a Wuthering Heights retelling - and hoping we get the another look into the two previous worlds and those answers we still need.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this ARC! I reallly love how this author writes! Her retelling stories are fun and up to date with relatable characters! Loved the unique plot and the character development! This was a great Romantasy Read! I would definitely recommend to people who love fantasy with romance!!!

This is set in modern times so is super easy to get into.
- I read this in one afternoon
- I didn’t realise it was book 2 but it made no difference you can read it alone
-there is a few spice scenes
-I wish it had taken a bit longer at the start for the characters to give up all their life secrets too each other but this could be a plus for people who like to jump right into the plot.
- there’s a lot of drugs & alcohol mentioned throughout.
-3.5 ⭐️ or rounded up to 4 !

Over all it was an enjoyable read and I did like the plot line it’s not something Iv read before. I think I would like to read the next one but I’m not invested enough to go back and read book 1 whatever that was about , but it seems these characters might have more to come. It’s not exactly a stand alone there’s more to the back story that is to come but I think you could be happy enough with the ending to not read anymore
Thank you netgalley for this arc

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

4 stars

Maybe higher, I want to do a re-read at some point! I really love this author and I especially love that she takes characters/classics and re does them in a modern era, with added spice and fantasy elements.

It's really unique and it translates over well.

The first half of this book was a little slow for me, but once it got into it I really enjoyed it. I'm loving this series so far, and I hope she continues to make them!

This is a must read.

<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!