My Funny Demon Valentine is a flirty, fun listen. When Evangeline, an aspiring musician, stumbles upon the most handsome man she's ever laid eyes upon at her gig, she couldn't be more ecstatic. Until the whole place is attacked by demons, that is. Well, she *thinks* she saw demons, but who's to say? Surely it was just a trick of the lights and her fear making her see things. Her hot new guy, Ash, and his brothers couldn't possibly be giant monstrous creatures... right?

A glimpse at what I enjoyed:
The cast of characters is colorful and full of interesting personalities, perfect for setting up a series of epic proportions if done right. The four demon brothers each capture a unique kind of hotness and brooding personality that romantasy readers seem to foam at the mouth for, and I can easily see myself enjoying a sequel or two where the other brothers find their other half. There are a good number of pop culture and music references in the story, which was interesting, and each time we get the perspective of a new character (this is a story in 3rd person), the author does a good job of elaborating on their thoughts and struggles without straying from the central story.

I do wish this story had a better balance of keeping on track with the core storyline, in particular. While this story is more character based than plot, with it being an audiobook, it was often hard to follow without the usual break or chapter title read before jumping into the next scene. That was confusing at times, especially towards the end where the major conflicts take place. I also would have liked to see, if possible, a different nickname for the brother Mephistopheles. While I understand it is hard to pronounce, each time his nickname came through on audio, it sounded like "Meth...." I don't put this on the narrator but rather the author and if there wasn't much of a choice to change that up for the sake of reader understanding.

Perhaps my biggest complaint was the way Ash's curse being broken was explained away. We're led to believe it's because of one thing for most of the book, but then at the end, it is conveniently explained by something else, making the role of music completely off course. That just felt a bit clumsy to me. I think the whole 24 hour window thing at the end wasn't built up in a way that made it feel satisfying.

Audiobook review:
I think the narrator did a great job with the material given. It isn't easy to make the names Asmodeus, Belial, Mephistopheles, Raum, and wildest of all, Mishetsumephtai,... So I cannot fault her there at all. She still did great with what she was dealt! I felt the story was easy to follow along with her narration at speeds between 1-1.75x, 2x and higher getting a bit muddy for me since some of the words were too unique. She did great with adding emotion to each character's thoughts and dialogue. Would probably recommend listening to the audiobook over physical editions for friends since I can't imagine having to figure out some of these names and terms on my own without the help.

If you love butcher and black bird you will love this book!

I am obsessed, i devoured this audio in 2 days!! I loved the funny parts, the spice part, the plot. It was a good mix of everything you want in a story!! I can't wait for the rest of the series, and I love that we don't have to wait but a year for all 5!!! Thank you so much for that.

I was able to get the arc copy of the audio to this book. I listened to it all in a day. I ate this whole book up. I loved the narration and honestly have no complaints. I truly love the authors writing style. The author grabbed my attention from the very beginning to the end. I will definitely be reading book 2. A good mix of rom com and some spice.

My Funny Demon Valentine has it all—romance, smut, and plot.

We meet four demon brothers who flee from Hell to start a new life on Earth. As soon as we meet them, I wanted to know more about them and their lives. They have such a hilarious dynamic with each other, which makes them so lovable. I especially would love to know more about Belial and his endeavor to stay celibate. 😉

Asmodeus and Evangeline are a very cute match, connected by their love of music. She is a curvy, funny, strong, and level-headed FMC, while he is unnaturally beautiful with the most gorgeous long black hair, broody, famously bad with his feelings, and absolutely obsessed with her. But even more interesting was the relationship between her parents. I don't think I've ever read a romance novel with a POV from the parents. This was so special and interesting and not at all awkward!

I’m very excited for the next book in the series, not just because of the romance, but because of the plot.

The narration of the audio book had a good flow, and the narrator was easy to listen to.

This book was a lot of fun. This was my first book by Aurora Ascher and it won’t be my last. It did take me a little while to get over the insta-love connection, but once the plot started going I had hooked. The main couple is very sweet together and thankfully they have wonderful communication. ( especially since he’s a demon.) but for me where this book really shines were the side characters. And there are a lot. Main characters, the three demon brothers, the Parents, and of course, the Hunter. All of these side characters shined in their own ways and had to distinct personalities. I really can’t wait to see where they all go and I hope they all get their own story. There were some obvious pot twist but all in all I really enjoyed the story. I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series and recommending it. The narrator and the story was very good as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for this ALC

3.25/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

Thanks to Aurora, their publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ALC of this book.

I found the premise of this book intriguing. I guess I was hoping for more humor based on the title and blurb claiming to be “as funny as Brynne Weaver.” The constant changing of who is telling the story and the third person POV was a little jarring. I get that we needed “world building” but I just didn’t care for how it was done.

The narrator for the audiobook was great, but given how many characters she had to do voice for, it may have been better to at least pull in a male narrator as well.

The synopsis of the book was interesting enough. Four demon brothers- Asmodeus, Belial, Mephistopheles, and Raum have escaped Hell and are trying to live like humans. However, Asmodeus is cursed, unable to experience pleasure or sensation, and appears unattractive to others until he meets a violinist named Evangeline at a jazz club. Evangeline can see right through the curse and they don't know why. At the same time, the demon brothers are being hunted, and when a gargoyle tracks them down, Evangeline discovers their true forms.
Some problems I had with this book.

The MFC is way too chill. In her world, demons are a myth. Yet, she goes through this rather traumatic scene where a gun is going off and the person she is with gets shot and then suddenly he turns into his demon form and she doesn't really bat an eye. She just chops it up to, oh I guess I'm hallucinating. Then when she finds out she wasn't hallucinating shes still completely fine with it. I guess it's safe to say she gets it from her mom because she is the same way. The MFCs mom gave me the ick. For one, her vibe gives off a mom trying so hard to fit in with the younger crowd. Two, she is happily married for 27 years but then continues to ignore her husbands BEGS and PLEADS to get behind locked and warded doors. Instead she feels more incline to listen to the demon that she literally just met moments ago and hangs up on her husband. WHAT? Tell me in what world that would ever make sense?

Lastly, the four demon brothers are suppose to be very, very old but their banter is extremely childish.

Overall I don't think I'll be continuing the series right away if at all. It just wasn't for me. It reads almost cozy but with action however none of the characters seem to have appropriate feelings towards all the scary stuff happening around them. They're all very nonchalant except the dad but no one is listening to him. I just couldn't do it. It was interesting enough to finish though and I did love the cat and even the correlation between cats and demons. The big plot twist was very predictable it was just a matter of when it was going to happen.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Duration: 12 hrs 15 min
Narrated by Kirsten Leigh
Publication Date: 01.21.25

"Even if the alternative meant that monsters were real, she supposed she didn't want to believe that life really was as ordinary as it appeared, and that demon men only existed in fantasy. Maybe it was because then she would have to accept that she, too, was as ordinary as she appeared... no matter what that little voice inside whispered in her ear.”

🎶 Paranormal Romance
🎶 Demon Of Lust
🎶 Forced Proximity
🎶 Laugh Out Loud Humor
🎶 Touch Her & Die
🎶 Curses
🎶 Burn The World For You
🎶 Mythical Creatures
🎶 Dual POV
🎶 Hidden Identity

“He looked at her the way she looked at chocolate cake, which had to be a good thing.”

My Funny Demon Valentine by Aurora Asher, is everything I didn’t know I needed for a funny but cute Valentine’s Day read. This is the first book in the Hell Bent series and I am hooked! I absolutely love the creativity and storytelling abilities that Aurora has. Between the world building, character development, witty banter, and her humor, it was a chefs kiss. Definitely worth listening to or reading it.

Evangeline (Eva), our FMC, is a musician. While playing gif one weekend, she meets our MMC, Asmodeus (Ash) who happens to not be what he appears. Both are lovable, sweet, funny, and relatable. I absolutely loved their chemistry. Seeing how their story unfold was whimsical. Learn how to love for Ash, was magical. I don’t want to go into more detail because of wanting to leave the read a mystery.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook. I absolutely loved how great the narrator did. She was really helped to bring the story alive and take it to an immersive experience. Highly recommend it!

Thank you netgalley and RBmedia for this ALC!

Tremendously disappointed. I thought, at first, that the audio book narrator was too stiff and pulling me out of the story. Nope, twas the writing. Once I got to the first sex scene, I had my answer. This book is not for me. If this was smut heavy and well written, I could forgive a lot...I just don't think it was ready for print.

The childish banter between the demon siblings was rough too. I probably should give this a one star, and maybe I will eventually but I'm giving it two right now because conceptually this could have been great.

I tried with reading this on its own and maybe it was just the headspace that was in back. I cannot put the words together. So I put it down and then I got the audio for it. Let’s just say that I ended up really really liking it. Mish was hilarious, loved Bel and Raum then enter Mist. Ash and Eva were so good, just a few minus points with Eva, she became repetitive a bit but her before finding out Ash was a demon gave her the benefit of the doubt.

The story was fun and I liked how they were all trying to find their place. I’m happy that I stuck with it because it ended up being a good read and the audio helped with that.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Quirky, spicy, and kinda funny romance read!

This was definitely a weird one, but it wasn’t necessarily bad. I read and enjoy a lot of romcoms and I also read monster/alien romance books…this book felt like what would happen if you were to put a quirky romcom and alien romance together!🩷👽

The main reasons why I didn’t absolutely love this one was because it was written in 3rd person. I have a difficult time relating to the characters and getting inside their head when it’s written this way. I have read third person books that I really enjoyed, but I struggled with this one.

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator! I think Kirsten Leigh did a great job narrating, and I will listen to more of her audios!🎧

Overall, this was a quick and fun read!😈🩷 Thank you so much NetGalley for the audiobook!

This was a super cute story. The plot was fun. The relationship between Eva and Ash was sweet and steamy. The audiobook was good. I liked narrator.

This was not what I was expecting, not in a bad way or a good way, it was just different. I was expecting a Valentines Day-themed book based on the title, but I don't think they mention what time of the year this even takes place, so not holiday related. Heehee, my bad.

I read this via audiobook. And I wasn't the biggest fan of the narrator, I don't really like when the same person tries to do different voices, it always comes across kind of silly and awkward to me. At times, it felt like she was saying things not the way I would've thought they were meant to be said if I had read them. Did that make sense? I have no idea. Sorry if that was unclear.

Overall, this was fun. We follow a girl who can see through demon glamours and a bunch of demon brothers. Those made for some fun dynamics and sibling bickering. I wasn't super invested in the characters though, there were almost too many that were focused on at one time. And I think I just didn't dig our FMC...and that can impact how the book lands for the reader. But that could be a personal problem that only I (or a small few) had.

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Don’t let the title deceive you; "My Funny Demon Valentine" is far from the smutty romp you might expect. It delivers a captivating narrative that plunges deep into romance, adventure, and the intricacies of complex characters. From the very first page, I was 100% invested in this story, which proved to be a delightful surprise!

The book masterfully blends romance, humor, and thrilling escapades, all while maintaining a cast of characters rich in depth and complexity. The character development was top-notch, with the demon brothers’ loyalty shining as a core theme that anchored the plot. I particularly enjoyed the relationship dynamics, especially the bond between the brothers, which added layers to the overarching narrative.

Eva, the bold and brave heroine, was an absolute gem. A talented musician, her fierce spirit harmonized beautifully with Asmodeus, the Prince of Hell and Lust. Their chemistry crackles with intensity from their first encounter, making for a romance that is both steamy and genuine. I also appreciated Eva’s mother, Jacqui, whose character brought warmth and wit to the story.

The structure here was well-executed, enriching the overall reading experience. While this installment is not standalone, the journey is absolutely worth following, and it's clear that the series has tremendous potential.

I found myself completely smitten with the characters and their captivating world. The blend of snarky humor and swoon-worthy moments kept me glued to the pages. The vivid imagery of sexy demons and grand pianos was enchanting, elevating the reading experience into something truly memorable. The steamy scenes? Let’s just say they were *fire*, leaving my Kindle nearly ablaze!

Asmodeus (Ash) is one of those quirky, lovable heroes who balances sweetness with strength, making him an irresistible protagonist. Eva's musical talent combined with her spirited personality makes her the perfect match for him. Their banter sparkles with charm, and I loved how Eva never backed down, even in the face of intimidating demons.

This well-crafted story enveloped me in a whirlwind of emotions. It effortlessly balances humor, heart, and passion, keeping me laughing and swooning page after page. If I ever had dreams of a demon boyfriend, Ash would be my ideal!

Each of Ash's brothers brings their own unique charm, and I can't wait to dive into their stories. "Devilish Hearts" is a thrilling read for anyone craving a delightful mix of paranormal romance and adventure. This new-to-me author has found a permanent spot on my must-read list, and I can't wait to devour the next installment in this enchanting series!

This was so good!! I love a good demon romance. I am so happy i picked up this book because now I have to read the whole series and every book by this author! I loved each of the characters and how fun their personalities are. I was smiling and laughing throughout this whole book. The narrators were perfect and kept me engaged throughout the book!

Thank you net galley for this audiobook! I was pleasantly surprised by this book! It was funny and heartwarming and sooo spicy! This book follows Ash who is a demon and he is cursed with a weird thing where woman cannot be sexually attracted to ash they don't even see him. Until he meets a girl on earth named Evangeline who can see through his curse and he does everything in his power to keep her safe because Ash and his brothers escaped from hell and now all of there enemies are hunting this down. This audiobook was so good and kept my attention the whole time. Highly recommend if you are looking for a story to use no brain cells and just have fun.

This was such very unique story!
Paranormal romance? Check.
Angels and demons? Check.
Four bickering & brooding demon brothers? Check!!
This book was so fun and humorous. I enjoyed The FMC, especially the bond between eva and her mom. Jackie was most definitely my favorite character! Overall, this book had a nice mix of comedy, romance, suspense, action, and even some spice! 🌶

This is not my typical genre, but whenever I enjoy a book from a genre outside of my comfort zone, I consider that a win.

Thank you netgalley and rbmedia
for the #alc.

I love Asmodeus (Ash), Prince of Hell. All he wants to do it play Jazz music, and, you know what, I relate. Who wants to do evil deeds when you could be a musician?

This story is like Lucifer the TV show mixed with Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver and I really enjoyed that combo.

I particularly loved the banter between Ash and his brothers. They are all just so funny and I love their dynamic.

Thank you, RBmedia | Recorded Books and Netgalley, for the ALC of this book.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶🌶/5

My Funny Demon Valentine is a quirky, steamy, and fun paranormal romance with plenty of charm. The dynamic between the sweet, introverted MC and the confident demon is entertaining, with great banter and some heartfelt moments. The world-building is light but enjoyable, though at times the pacing feels uneven, and some parts lean into predictable tropes. While not a groundbreaking read, it’s a fun escape with humor and spice. ⭐⭐⭐½

I wasn’t bothered by the writing style or the absolute cringe of this book, it was sort of a romcom I guess. But I did not think there would be THAT much spice in this book. I’ve never read anything with this many spicy scenes and I don’t think it’s for me. I liked getting to have all the different POV, it really made it feel like different episodes in a tv show but I just can’t handle to steamy scenes. Readers who like just smut and having a laugh will probably really like this though but it’s just not my type of book.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced listeners copy of this audiobook!