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*

I had been desperately looking forward to this one and it didn't disappoint! While not my all-time favorite from Rebecca Kenney, it met all my expectations for a dark retelling that's spicy and dramatic. I loved that it wasn't really an enemy to lovers but Dorian Gray was still portrayed as a villain. It was a fresh take on throwing an enemy into a story and making the reader fall in love. I thought the plot was clever and there were times I wanted to slap both of the main characters but I loved the angst and conflict. Another super standalone in the connected series that was an emotional ride. Loved it!

The only part I didn't quite love was the pacing at the end didn't give enough, I could have used a little more. But that's because I loved it and wanted more.

“He’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen… and the most dangerous. My perfect, eternal Dorian Gray.”
~
I don’t even have words to describe how much I utterly adored this book. I was enthralled from the very start when we woke up after a night of debauchery with Dorian to see the hole in the portrait, and the entire journey that followed with him and Baz. The storyline was so clever, with Basil Hallward living and have descendants that Dorian was forced to seek out, and Baz having her own share of trauma and baggage, trying to find herself and being thrust into this world she never knew. The twist threw me, even though we knew something was going to happen when the time came for Baz to make her final decision, and I was still in tears the whole time, my heart in my throat. Dorian and Baz are beautifully broken and watching them pick up each other’s pieces without understanding it was beautiful, and the writing was absolutely stunning. The Easter Eggs from Beautiful Villain were so fun and I can’t wait to see how Ruthless Devotion comes into play. I didn’t want to leave this world and found myself picking the pages, trying to turn more pages. This was truly a beautiful delight of a story.

If you’re a fan of spicy fantasy retellings Rebecca Kenney is an absolute must read! I’ve now read four of her books and she never disappoints. Kenney knows how to write the most evocative, thoughtful prose, taking the details (e.g. Sibyl, Vane, “Lloyd-Henry”) and essence of the original subject matter and spinning it something totally unexpected and unique.

Baz is trying to make a new life for herself in Charleston, SC, away from her traumatic past, and her gift she’s vowed never to use again. Enter the gorgeous, debaucherous Dorian Gray who has other plans for her. Swept into his orbit of excess, she must decide if his soul is worth saving, and possibly destroy her own in the process.

The mystery was interesting especially paired with the setting. From restaurants to beaches, Charleston is described in great loving detail, a unique blend of Southern Gothic vibes and Irish folklore that kept me guessing on the plot all the way until the end. Baz’s magic built upon the conceit of the classic source material in really inventive ways.

I loved how grounded and practical Baz was, how she wasn’t a moral paragon either - she had darker impulses herself, and could admit to being sucked in by Dorian’s world and charms, while still maintaining her integrity. Also her identity as an artist really leapt off the page, without feeling overdone. Dorian however was my favorite, watching him go from vain, manipulative and absolutely terrified of growing old to maybe not CHOOSING death but choosing Baz. The philosophical conversations felt evocative of the source material while also being modern.

Of course unlike in the original novel this is romance, and Dorian and Baz get at least a partial HEA. I was surprised though how much was left unresolved! This may be a standalone but it’s definitely a part of a bigger narrative.

Dorian Gray has never been so spicy. Kenney does what she does so well, what more is there to say except... we need more!

I really love the way Rebecca writes and for me this was a slam dunk.
This Dorian Gray retelling for me was great at giving nods to the original idea while also branching out into a world totally different. I loved the complexity of the main characters with the subtle details of the others really adding to the plot. The romance was fiery, and the past colliding with the present made for a fun ride. Truly ate this book up in a day!
Thank you NetGalley, Rebecca Kenney and Sourcebooks for an advanced copy.

"Charming Devil* by Rebecca F. Kenney is a captivating and intense romance that blends charm with danger, creating a tale of irresistible allure. The story follows the main character as she navigates the complexities of a relationship with a man who embodies both charm and darkness. Kenney skillfully portrays the push and pull between attraction and caution, making it difficult for readers to predict the direction the romance will take.

One of the book's strengths is its complex characters. The protagonist is relatable and nuanced, grappling with her emotions and desires, while the male lead, who is at once charismatic and elusive, keeps readers intrigued. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s clear that there’s more to their connection than meets the eye, adding layers to the story and keeping the stakes high.

Kenney’s writing is rich and engaging, with vivid descriptions and well-paced plot development. While there are moments of tension and drama, the author also infuses the narrative with humor and lighter moments, providing a balanced reading experience.

*Charming Devil* stands out as a romance that doesn’t shy away from exploring darker themes and complicated emotions. The book is perfect for readers who enjoy love stories with depth, a bit of mystery, and a lot of heart. It’s an addictive read that keeps you turning the pages, eagerly anticipating what will happen next.

Rebecca Kenney is a TITAN of the retelling romance space. It’s been years since I read The Picture of Dorian Gray so I loved how Rebecca made it feel so familiar yet so fresh. The magical and gothic spin made this a fun, almost spooky, twist and I ate up every minute. Rebecca’s signature stellar pacing shone so bright. Can’t wait for the next one!

DNF at 44%. I was really excited seeing the first reviews for the book and including Dorian Gray. It did not include the gothic vibes that comes with Dorian Gray, nor did it seem like Dorian Gray would be participating in such juvenile debauchery. Maybe this would be more appealing for the YA or new adult crowd. I also couldn’t stand any of the characters.

One of the best retellings I’ve ever read. Rebecca captures the essence of Dorian Grey but modernizes him for this century, and turns him into someone you want to root for. One of my favorite things about this book is the character development, and how you can feel the changes happening to Dorian as he falls in love with the woman who’s ancestry is on it’s own a complication. Dorian as ever is a deeply flawed character, but one who eventually ends up deserving of the beautiful character development that Rebecca has given him. Another part of the story that I love is the inclusion of Irish folk lore, and how it’s woven into this new story of Grey’s. I can’t wait to see how it is used in the rest of the series as well. I’m excited to read the other books in this series, but this charming devil will always have a special place in my heart.

This was a great retelling. Loved the plot and everything!
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book

This was my first Dorian Gray retelling and I was blown away by how good it was! I need more of this type of retelling. I read the classic book a few years ago and all I have to say is that Rebecca Kenney did it justice. This book was spicy and had a great plot. I give it a 10/10 :)

Rebecca Kenney's Charming Devil is a captivating romance that blends elements of fantasy and intrigue. Kenney's lush prose and imaginative world-building create an immersive reading experience. The chemistry between the protagonists is electric, and their dynamic relationship adds depth to the narrative. This novel is a delightful escape into a world of magic and passion, sure to enchant readers.

I was automatically intrigued by the idea of a Dorian Gray retelling and knew Rebecca Kenney was going to do it right! This did not disappoint. I love the connection between Baz and Basil and the origin of her artistic and supernatural abilities. She’s headstrong and firm in her convictions and it makes for delicious tension between the main characters. Dorian is every bit the dichotomy he always has been but add social media and influencer status. He’s beautiful and wicked and this book has all the spice and debauchery you’d expect from Dorian Gray. It’s filled with mythology and folklore , danger , lust , love , and a mix of eclectic side characters. I loved it!

I didn’t realize this was the second book in an interconnected series but this can be read as a stand alone. I immediately got Beautiful Villain after finishing Charming Devil!

Thank you to NetGalley , Sourcebooks Casablanca , and Rebecca F. Kenney for the opportunity to read this book early!

Charming Devil releases February 11th !!

Such a fun spin on Dorian grey! I loved the plot and the character development from both the FMC and the MMC…not into blondes that much but he made it happen