Between Devils and Dragons: Hellish Lies

by IVLG

If good girls go to Heaven, then bad girls drag their psychiatrists to Hell.

Torn between two worlds, succubus Ivangeline fights to level the scales of her heart’s needs and desires. Keeping her job as a soul hunter in another realm a secret from her human boyfriend fuels the waging war inside her but not as much as the forbidden love for her best friend. Fidelity can be a cruel and unforgiving thing, especially when hers gets tested and stretched to its limits by her sinfully alluring hunting partner.

Dragging souls to Hell—oh, yes, she has done that over the past five years with a broad smile and her signature blades, but the day comes when one mission shall change her life forever. When Ivangeline explores her darkest and truest desires, she not only gambles with her morality but also her very sanity and soul.

Her lie of a life comes with a price, a price that might be too high in the end, when the shadow of an ancient, dark prophecy traps her with its claws. Will karma force her to pay with everything she loves?

​Spitfire Ivangeline is about to find out when she steps into Hell’s fire of deception and lust.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Demons, Adult

596 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2023

Reviews

[Koisty · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Avada Kefuckya Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

So this was interesting for me. I wasn't really sure what I was expecting when I started this book because I typically don't read the blurb of a book (I like to be surprised)...and so this definitely delivered on that front!

This first-person, multi-POV story follows Ivangeline (Ivy) who is a succubus and also happens to be a soul bounty hunter. She works with a demon Marcus, and her job is to capture souls destined for Hell essentially but have a chance at redemption (so no one who has murdered anyone) - those she saves for a Halloween killing spree. She is in a very unhappy relationship with a human which is really affecting her as her being a succubus, she thrives off sex yet hasn't had sex in 42 days. She also happens to be in love with her half-wolf best friend, Adrion.

The world-building in this was unique (I don't read much paranormal fantasy so it hooked me in pretty fast). It was interesting to see how the different realms connected and the duality of them. It can be seen that IVLG put a lot of thought into this aspect. There was also a very intricate lore system, connected to a diverse magic system.

I must admit I wasn't sure where the plot was going for about 60% of the book. It did very much just appear to be a romantic paranormal darker "slice of life" where she has to decide which man she wants to end up with, the human, half-wolf, or demon. But even though that overarching plot wasn't fully clear, I was still pretty much drawn in.

And then it took a turn at 60%, and I basically inhaled the book as quickly as my eyes could comprehend it. Shit goes down really quickly, and there were a lot of moments that had me literally on the edge of my seat.

I was confused by Ivy's character initially, as she had this juxtaposed behaviour where she would alternate being timid and submissive with her human boyfriend; but would be this badass, sexy, and snarky killer bounty hunter who oozes this tough girl confident attitude when in Hell. It was like she was making 180-degree turns when she had to deal with her emotions. But I think that's what made me like her more in the end. She has to deal with these emotional struggles of herself, come to terms with her situations, be vulnerable and learn to stand up for herself. It's really beautiful to see her develop through her emotional journey.

I love the dynamics Ivy has with Marcus and Adrion however from the start Marcus was my favourite. I adore an MMC who is apologetically flirtatious and every conversation is laced with sexual tension or banter. He has no filter and is utterly charismatic. If you like the whole "friends to lovers" vibes though...you'll prefer Adrion (even if he is a little obsessed with Ivy)

There are quite a few trigger warnings this book has so if you are one to "feel" triggered - especially since some aspects are on page and descriptive that not all sensitive readers will be able to manage. So I would recommend taking care of your mental health and deciding before you jump in.

If like me trigger warnings are tropes you are in for a wild ride...
▶ Succubus FMC
▶ Dark Paranormal Fantasy
▶ Friends to Lovers
▶ Hidden Identity
▶ One Bed
▶ Banter
▶ Who did this to you
▶ Ride or Die Friendships
▶ Multi-POV

Side note: This whole book gave me the vibes of the series Lost Girl -I am not sure if IVLG was inspired by the show or not...but I wanted to be Bo when I watched that series and this definitely gave me those nostalgia vibes...

So many thanks to IVLG for the gifted ARC!
All thoughts and feelings in this review are my own

[Marianna (marylest) Porcino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between Devils and Dragons is a paranormal fantasy novel full of satisfying twists and turns.

From the very first page you are catapulted in the world created by the author, where the protagonist Ivy finds herself torn between living a normal life among humans and embracing her succubus nature, carrying out her work as a soul hunter for Hell. I liked Ivy as a character because she is a tough and resourceful girl, but I found her too stubborn and focused on her own idea of a 'perfect life'.
The other characters are great! Especially Marcus ❤️ honestly is my favourite character: funny, intelligent, a true companion and friend. I loved his interactions with Ivy, (their friendship with that sexual tension)!

I was so impressed by this story, which is so full of adventure. The curiosity grows as the book goes on and you can't take your eyes off the page because at each chapter there is a new twist. The "actions" follow one another in a fast-paced manner without giving you time to absorb the previous one.  I love this type of book: full of 'epic' scenes, but which at the same time allow you to appreciate and understand the characters.
The author's writing plays a key role in this: blunt and direct, giving the necessary details without overdoing it! I honestly think I can usually predict book plots, plot twists etc. but not in this one! The author did a great job in giving pathos and suspense to the story, building up the reader's interest and leaving very little leaking out so that one is shocked during the final revelations.
I must admit I'm not a big fan of books with so much spice, but in this book it fits perfectly. Each scene is well integrated into the story and has its own reason.

I definitely recommend this book and I cannot wait for the next one !


Read this book if you love :
Paranormal Fantasy
Spicy romance
Great adventures and epic scenes
Twists and turns


❗Read the trigger warnings before venturing into this book, there are several scenes that are not suitable for everyone. ❗
Thank you IVLG for the e-arc. All thoughts written in this review are my own.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The opening scene to this book sure grabbed me and sucked me in instantly to this world. Ivy is one kick butt FMC. Just how I like female lead characters...strong, intelligent, takes no bu!!, and hot as sin. Someone like this deserves an equally strong romantic interest. She has that in Marcus and Adrion.

Everyone is saying that they love Marcus and I have to agree. It is his teasing nature with the innuendoes that kept me entertained. There are so many deliciously, spicy moments spread throughout this book.

When Ivy's succubi side would come out it was great. IVLG, you have really done me in with Ivy that she is one of my top favorite succubi. As the story progressed, I found myself drawn more and more into the world that the author built for this book. That the large page count was not a problem. I look forward to reading more books from IVLG.

[Darkdirtysmut · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book completely blind definitely a 4.5/5 and the spice overall 4/5. And let me tell you this book had me twisted. It is definitely a new take on paranormal.

Our FMC is an abnormal Succubus who was left in the human world and adopted by a human family. As she got older and her home life went through divorce and the hardships a family goes through, but it didn't prevent her from wanting a loving human relationship, marriage, and kids... The dream, but it was built on lies and half truths because during the week she was a soul hunter.

Her BFF happens to be a half human half werewolf meaning he has the 2 sides but cannot change and also cannot find is true mate. As the book progresses their push and pull relationship finally crosses the blurred lines and I adored the build up in their relationship, until it became questionable.

She also has a partner who is full demon and has a book of pick up lines that he's constantly using on Ivy. Their partnership is more on the lines of brother and sister but there's a part of me that was secretly rooting for that to go further.

But then all her worlds collide, and everything she thought she knew comes crashing down around her leaving me absolutely frustrated at the ending and anxious for the second book.

This book is a twisted turny mixture of combining human world, soul hunting, and a prophecy that people you least expect throw one helluva mind rotor rooter by the time I finished book 1.

The banter between Ivy and Marcus is comical but endearing. The sweet loving BFF relationship with Adrion almost had me overlooking some of his behaviors by then end. And the absolute jealousy and hatred between Marcus and Adrion's metaphorical dick measuring contest between them is interesting to see how they constantly push each other's buttons to try and one up the other.

Overall I love this book and am looking forward to the next book to get some of my suspicion and questions answered. Check you trigger warnings because this book isn't without it's gruesome and triggering to some topics. It's a hefty book but worth every single minute it took me to get through it!!! A definite add to your tbr list!!!

[Ena · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️

This is a dark fantasy romance with 🌶️🌶️🌶️ but for the love of all that is unholy CHECK THE TW. The author is WONDERFUL and wrote this knowing it’s not for everyone and as someone who is unfazed by most anything, I wasn’t mentally prepared for parts of this and I needed some fluffy cozy books to decompress when I finished. This was an AWESOME debut novel from IVLG (slotted for three book series) and the plot is so creative! I struggled in some parts to keep track of what was going on but a lot of the questions were answered by the end. I am someone who can usually see the plot twists and such coming and I was not able to do that here. I loved the fmc and mmcs and can’t wait to see how the story progresses!

[Mx. T *Chaotic Reader* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been know to visit paranormal fantasy romance town from time to time. And this book reminded me why I love it so much. Loved the multi-POV and the relationships between the characters. At first I wasn't sure of the plot , but then it just hits you with all the twists and I couldn't stop reading.
Ivy is a great character, though sometimes I didn't really connected with her. Loved her succubus nature. Werewolf guy is what I love in my shape-shifting pals and a bit more. But Marcus, my friends, yespleasethankyou.

I totally recommend. As always, check the TW, please!

[Maria Elena | pagesofmaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spice: 5 peppers

“For lovers of complex plots, sexy characters, action-packed missions, top-notch banter, and wicked spice.”

This is how Between Devils and Dragons is pitched, and it’s a spot-on description! This book kind of gave me Supernatural vibes, except that it’s demons and succubus hunting down sinners’ souls, and the dynamic duo doing the hunting aren’t siblings, but Marcus—a flirty, horny and lovable demon—and Ivy—a badass, smexy succubus. The two share a love for cars and have the most hilarious sexual banter. Whether or not they’re endgame or destined to remain platonic remains to be determined, as there’s also Ivy’s childhood werewolf friend Adrion with whom she shares a strong connection. What stops Ivy from following her heart when it comes to Adrion, however, is his wolf alter-ego, Amos, who is possessive, controlling and more than a little bit toxic. When you match Amos’s traits to Adrion’s love for Ivy, the obsession is borderline dangerous. If I were the one choosing between Marcus and Adrion, my personal preference leans towards Marcus.

Between Devils and Dragons is a dark paranormal fantasy—and when I say dark, I mean DARK. And graphic. I don’t give a 5 pepper rating to just any spicy book, after all. There’s a lot of sexual content in the book, a lot if it very kinky, and some of it is dubcon/noncon that is unrelated to the romance subplot. You might want to check the TW/Promises list at the start of the book, and make up your mind depending on how dark you like your books to be. The book’s primary setting is Hell, and it’s perhaps the most unique and merciless interpretation of it I’ve ever read. After all, isn’t that what Hell is supposed to be?

Aside from the dark atmosphere, there’s also an air of mystery to it from the start, and as I suspected it intensified the farther I got into to the book and delved into Ivy’s true nature—which I will not divulge in this review to avoid spoilers. What I can say is that the reveal was surprising, and it tied to other characters in the book in a way that I did not see coming at all!

Speaking of the characters, all the POV characters were interesting for their own reasons. Ivy holds the most chapters—I loved her sass and strength—and then there’s Marcus and Adrion (and even Amos!), but ironically the POV that intrigued me the most in a perverse sort of way is Mr. Hardin. He’s not a good person at all, and he does things that made my blood curdle, but it’s a rare thing to enter the mind of such a f-ed up character. From a purely storytelling perspective, being in his head on a few occasions was interesting.

Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.

[My Emotional Support Story · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s no real emoji recap for this. It would basically be a lot of 🩸🩸🩸🔪🗡️🔪🗡️😵😵😵🥵🥵🥵😬😬😬😈😈😈👿👿👿

I recently got the honor of reading an e-arc of the debut novel Between Devils and Dragons by IVLG. This book was WAY more than I expected for a debut novel and had me screaming on the inside through out.

Let’s start off with the TW’s. They’re there AND THEY ARE REAL. Check them before starting, IVLG knows this book isn’t for everyone and lets you know up front what you’re in for if you move forward.

Without giving too much away because this is definitely a the less you know the better kind of book. Our FMC Ivy is *every* human girl with her human problems (like a very blah boyfriend), except she’s actually a succubs and her full time job is dragging the worst of the worst to hells door step. But she & her partner may have bit off more than they can chew with their latest assignment and the boss is gonna be mad!

There’s 2 MMC’s we get to know. I adored Marcus, Ivy’s work partner and all around PITA demon. Their relationship dynamic is weird🫣, but I’m here for it. Like….what lines are we crossing and what are we not 😂

MMC 2 is Adrion, Ivy’s BFF but also secret/not-so-secret crush. And right now boy is in the dog house, literally because he’s a half human were shifter.

But this isn’t a throuple situation….at least I don’t think it is…truly…Ivy may be with none, all, or one of these hunky characters by the end. This is a girl with a golden 🐱(she is a succubus after all), but there is some intense $exual tension with many characters. Don’t expect an HEA or even an HFN. There’s a whole lot of WTFery happening throughout this book.

This read a lot like watching an office sitcom, with everyday normal problems, but throw in some Kill Bill vibes and WHOLE LOT OF GORE and killing happening. It was fun. It made me cringe and question my life choices more than once. Who am I and how did I get to this stage of reading?!😅😬

We have a large cast of supernatural characters with some we haven’t met on page yet. The characters have some serious depth even if it’s not always easy to see on the surface level. The conversations definitely read like a college age girl trying to figure out her life, but you can see through the multiple POV’s that there’s a whole lot more going on here than presented just through dialogue.

I’m gonna say it again. READ THE TW’s. The biggest scene had me so sensory overloaded with everything bad happening at once and I was like….whaaaaat am I reading 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

⚫️If you like dark
😈If you like demons being every evil thing they’re meant to be
😵‍💫If you like SUPER COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIPS
😱IF YOU CAN READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS
🔪If you like a bada$$ female who isn’t sure how to make good life choices BUT does know how to drag a$$holes to their demise.
🕵️‍♀️If you like a plot that gives you little bread crumbs from page 1 and you just know you missed things that will come back in book 3 (did I mention this is a trilogy?)

Then by all means…
Between Devil’s and Dragons is for you

[BookswithBenedetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did 𝕭𝖊𝖙𝖜𝖊𝖊𝖓 𝕯𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖑𝖘 𝕬𝖓𝖉 𝕯𝖗𝖆𝖌𝖔𝖓𝖘 become my new personality and do I want to be 𝐼𝓋𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑒?
In Adrion Gregori’s (the mmc) eloquent words: "ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ғ**ᴋɪɴɢ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ɪᴛ, ʟᴏᴠᴇ."

Solid 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and well-deserved 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

How is this a debut?! You ain’t ready! I promise!
The ending nearly had me throwing my kindle. I 👏 Need 👏 Book 👏 2 👏 the author better not leave us waiting for too long! This story is crack! (for the record: I don’t do drugs) I’ve never read anything alike.

ℍ𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤
🎃 succubus who hunts souls and drags them to hell (wtf that’s so cool!)
🎃 steamy banter
🎃 a female lead that‘s not annoying (she says “Avada Kefuckya!” 👻 so nerdy!)
🎃 two hot mmc (too bad this wasn‘t a why choose)
🎃 missions packed with action/fights/scary creatures
🎃 how to squirt IYKYK
🎃 long, spicy chapters
🎃 3some fun
🎃 unique story/plot
🎃 lots of what-the-eff is happening
🎃 ride-or-die friendship
🎃 several plot twists
🎃 long list of TWs *eh hem* shopping list

Be warned: there is no HEA/HFN but I guess most people won’t mind since the author tells you right in the beginning that BDAD is not dark romance.
Take the TW seriously! They are real!

The story has delicious layers of tension throughout the timespan we follow the fmc, Ivangeline, who is one of the most relatable female characters out there 🥵 and she likes to dress up as sexy vixen 🥵 I wish I had her confidence!
I‘m so tired of the same old same old "badass wannabes"! Ivy might struggle to cut ties with her past in the human world but woman has no problem kicking ass on missions and her growth was well written. She is funny and nerdy! I loved the little references to HP here and there. When she first said "Avada Kefuckya" I lost it. Her love for cars is another thing I could relate to.
She has insecurities like all of us and rather jumps into work instead of dealing with her messy emotions/love life. So relatable! Doesn’t make her any less of a badass. She eventually seeks to sort out her life and cuts ties. 👏 Take 👏 Adrion 👏 Already 👏

Usually, I‘m more invested in the guys but the way Ivy was written, I couldn‘t help but love this gal. I loved all 3 characters 🤤 + we get two villains and both of them were evil! Like evil evil.
Marcus is one of the two mmc, a demon, and hands down he’s my favourite male character of the year. He is funny, loyal and his and Ivy’s insider jokes had me cackling. He can be my ride-or-die 😭 I’m usually not into blond guys but this one? Eh hem… how could someone not love him?!
In the beginning I was fairly confused tbh, is he really a friend when he constantly teases Ivy like that? But the more the story unfolded, the more I tapped into not only Ivy’s but also his mind, I was able to see the genuine friendship. It was still weird but not in a bad way.

The world building was unique, although not as heavy as in other fantasy books. I didn‘t mind not having to torture myself through long, boring info dumps. That was not the case here! We dive into one of Ivy’s missions right in the first chapter.

💀 soul hunting missions
💀 more action when they collect money for their boss
💀 epic final battle
🥀 dark romance subplot

Plot-wise I was blown away! Crazy story! BDAD is layered like a cake ✨ tension, fun, action, feelings, spice, more action and fights, different plots, love, friendship. It’s a lot to handle.

👅 W͟o͟r͟s͟h͟i͟p͟ m͟e͟, l͟i͟t͟t͟l͟e͟ V͟i͟x͟e͟n͟, f͟o͟r͟ I͟ w͟i͟l͟l͟ m͟a͟k͟e͟ y͟o͟u͟ s͟i͟n͟.
👅 M͟a͟k͟e͟ i͟t͟ h͟u͟r͟t͟, D͟a͟d͟d͟y͟!
👅 “Adrion’s not here, little Vixen.” Devilry lowered his eyelids, almost hiding the blazing copper pinning her down. “You teased the beast, you’ll come for the beast.” ☠️👏🔥

Hands down, the romance and spice was one of the best I‘ve read. Finally an author who understands that it takes more than "I want her, I bang her" to write top-notch spice. The plot-smut ratio was very good. 🫢 the lovers plot was essential for the main prophecy plot and did not overshadow it.
This is by no means a slow burn!
Adrion and his wolfe side "Amos" were so delicious and I happily ignored the red flags! Amos can be my daddy any day of the year! The heavy spice kicks in at around 48% but there‘s a lot of build-up in earlier chapters. Delicious 💋
The bond between Ivy and Adrion was so well written, a love that goes skin deep. I can’t with this man 😭 where do I find someone like him?! Okay, minus the obsessed killer aspect. Guy needs therapy.
Anyone who’s able to squirt knows that the author provided some legit moves… IYKYK definitely worth trying. That’s all I’m gonna say! Some scenes will forever live rent free in my mind 👅 but in my head I add Marcus 💋🌶️

The twists and turns I did not see coming! IVLG did an excellent job and kept me on my toes throughout the book. I finished this arc at 4.30 in the morning ya’ll 👏 just one more chapter 👏 just one more chapter 👏 well done! The moment came when I realised why the book is called Between Devils And Dragons and my jaw dropped! Highly recommend this book if you can stomach the gore and want something deep. This is not a light read! I’m all for binging books but BDAD is not fast-food and shouldn’t be read like such.

Ps. Hardin can rot for all I care.

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 stars

*Be sure to check trigger warnings before reading this!*

I was lucky enough to be chosen to read IVLG’s debut novel. I have to admit that in the beginning it took me a little to wrap my head around this world, but once I did omg! The story is about Ivangeline aka Ivy trying to navigate her life as a soul hunter who also has a human boyfriend. She kinda goes on this sort of personal growth journey while still going out on a missions with her partner Marcus. And just a little FYI - she’s pretty badass even though she has so much going on. She’s caught between trying be the best soul hunter there is to having some sort of normalcy in her life even if that “normalcy” made her miserable. Unfortunately, she didn’t really get her chance to figure things out on her own because one mission changed everything for her. I’m telling you this story takes you on a wild ride and I haven’t even mentioned the crazy amount of spice that’s in this. 😮‍💨🥵 I have to say one of my favorite things about this book is the friendship between Ivy and Marcus … I enjoyed their playfulness and banter with one another. I have so many questions still running in my head. I cannot wait to see how Ivy’s story unfolds.

[Anthony Harold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to the printed edition for a long time because it has mind-blowing illustrations, 50 dark pages, and so on.
⠀
There was just one "but": it's not something I'm comfortable to read.

😜Well, okay, there was another "but" as well: I was curious about what's inside and how I would feel about that.
⠀
I mean, could I sit on the sofa or curl in my bed and read something about hell, demons, hurt souls, dark love, emotional tortures, etc.? And, after all, could uncomfortable read be... comfortable?
⠀
The short answer - it could.
⠀
💀Dark paranormal urban fantasy
🖤Childhood friends to lovers
💔Who did this to you
😈Good Guy Gone Bad
👹Shifter & demon romance
🌪️Fast-paced action & twists
😲Lots of trigger warnings
⠀
The heroine, Ivy, is a succubus who drags souls to Hell (and not the hell you're thinking of—a much more sophisticated one).
⠀
Just like that, Ivy succumbed me to the story.
⠀
🔥BDAD has impressive worldbuilding, enveloping writing, vivid character personalities, disturbing...everything😂, a strong dose of hellish spice, and constant tests of the reader's limits.
⠀
All the while, questions were swirling around in my head: How far could I advance—and where is life really better, in the human realm or in the lower realm?
⠀
👻It was an experience super far from my comfort zone, but I'm glad I read this book❤️‍🔥
⠀
So if one day you want to "try something darker", you might dare to choose Between Devils and Dragons 😈

[Bailey Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow WOW. Okay, I admit that I was skeptical of this book at first. I am an avid reader and I HAVE to have romance in the books that I read. The disclaimer at the beginning of the book stating that this is not primarily a romance had me second guessing. But FEAR NOT, my romance meter was sated. I actually loved this book. It feels like plots are used and reused with most of the books I read, but this book was so unique and original. I’ve never read anything like it. I loved the flirtatious banter that’s all throughout the book, and the beautiful world building and how raw and unfiltered it was. The book is fun, imaginative, romantic, funny, deep, and sexy. It had me at the edge of my seat and my heart racing for the majority of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I cannot wait for the second book! The characters have grown on me and I need more!

[Kristina Knizner · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If good girls go to heaven, then bad girls drag their psychiatrists to Hell”

Ivy has been living two lives. One in the human world with her human boyfriend, and one hunting evil souls for Hell. As her feelings for her best friend from childhood grow and she is assigned a seemingly straight forward case with her partner Marcus, Ivy’s life soon becomes more chaotic than she ever bargained for.

I absolutely loved this book! I was blown away with the twists and it was one of the few books that caught me by surprise. I love Ivy’s personality and I absolutely love Marcus. The cliff hanger was a little rough, but I can’t wait to see what happens next!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly read the blurb and HAD to sign up to arc! Being a soul hunter and hiding it, listen the STORYLINE alone was so unique and beautifully written. Ivangeline was such a great character; her personality was so intriguing that she alone pulled me in.

I have received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/opinions above are my own.

[Mia Angelica · Rating 4 out of 5]

After getting through the world building and the character introductions, I was sucked into a unique story of a succubus who couldn't (or wouldn't) take advantage of her full power and is torn between living a "normal" human life or living a hellish one. Ivy, succubus under the guise of a human, is a soul hunter who works alongside her demon-partner, Marcus. As a succubus, you would assume that her sensual nature would be her strength, but due to her relationship status with a human, she is constantly holding back. Her childhood best friend, Adrion, who is part human and part wolf, understands her dilemma but tries to convince her that maybe the human life isn't where she's meant to be. As you continue the story, you get a better understanding of the type of work Ivy does and commiserate with her as she is in a constant battle with herself. There's action, adventure, spice, and so many twists, but I promise they're good ones. It's fast paced, and a few times a little too fast, that I had to go back and re-read to make sure I didn't miss anything important. Fans of fantasy and paranormal stories will enjoy this book! Be sure to check CWs though because there are parts that get pretty dark and may be triggering. As the first book of a trilogy, and the first book for IVLG, I think it's a great place to start and will definitely be continuing the series. With an ending like that, there's no way I cannot find out how it plays out!

Thank you IVLG for this ARC! It was an honor and pleasure reading your first novel. Cannot wait for more!

[Stephanie Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review -

This book was delicious. The banter was top notch and the steam was great. I am so intrigued by the magic and overall concept of the world and I'm so excited to read more when the rest of the series comes out!

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bold, daring and adventurous Between Devils and Dragons is a seductive and thrilling paranormal fantasy that made me crave for more. This novel tells a gripping story of succubi, forbidden love, and the quest for balance while exploring the depths of desire, self-love, and the complexity of relationships.

Ivangeline, a succubus caught between two worlds, is the FMC and I relate to her a lot even though we couldn't be any different from one another. I admire her and I want to be her. Ivangeline must overcome obstacles to fulfill her heart's desires and hide things from her human boyfriend. As a soul hunter in a different world, she has to balance her fidelity and duty while facing her forbidden love for her best friend. As she explores her deepest and most genuine wants, her internal conflict gets worse and she starts to doubt her morality and sanity.

The way the FMC is portrayed in this book is one of its most notable features. Ivangeline is the definition of a badass heroine—she embraces her independence with regard to her body and her wants and expresses her value without hesitation. Her path of self-acceptance and self-discovery gives the story depth and makes it easier for readers to relate to her personally.

The book's spicy smut scenes mirror the narrative's overarching topic and tone. The book is definitely spicy because IVLG explores the passionate and intense qualities of desire without holding back. The emotional and sensuous tension that permeates the story is increased by these passages, which are expertly written.

Some readers, meanwhile, might find it undesirable that there are moments with the OW and the MMC. It's crucial to remember that these kinds of sequences are arbitrary and could detract from the entire reading experience for readers who would rather see a more intense romantic relationship between the primary characters.

Because of the author's engaging writing style, I felt as though I was inside a hurricane. I really liked the fast-paced story and I anxiously turned the pages to find out the next revelation. The supernatural aspects are deftly balanced with the complexity of human emotions by IVLG, creating an exciting and intensely emotional drama.

A strong and adventurous paranormal fantasy that pushes limits and delves deeply into desire and self-discovery, Between Devils and Dragons is hot and edgy because of IVLG's portrayal of a badass FMC, her unreserved declaration of self-love, and the explicit smut scenes which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. The novel revolves around deceit, passion, and a struggle between love and loyalty, although some readers could find some scenes involving the OW to be problematic and angsty like I did. Get ready to be enthralled by Ivangeline's adventure as she faces the repercussions of her decisions and enters the inferno of Hell 😈

[TC Rittenhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to IVLG for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader version of the book. This is my honest opinion.

First off, I love Ivy and Marcus, I'm a lot more iffy on the rest of the cast of characters. Marcus is kind of a himbo demon (and I love my himbos). Ivy is a whole load of sass in a pint size body (compared to Marcus), you could call her a concentrated sassy succubus. I get a lot of her hang ups with her past and letting go of what one thinks they should want and what they really need.

Second, this is a dark story, and the emphasis on dark is warranted. There is on page SA, smoking, assault, torture, fighting, drugging, unhealthy behavior and coping mechanisms, demons (literal and figurative), witches, bounty hunting (for souls), cheating, and there is a cliffhanger.

Third, my impression of the book is that Ivy is the hellish melding of Aelin/Bryce, and I'm here for her. I want to know what happens next after that ending.

4 out of 5 stars, 3.5 out of 5 for the spice level (NOT the SA!!!!) There is on page spicy scenes that are dark but unconnected to the SA.

[Corinna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easiest 5 stars for me and would give them again each time I read this beauty. From the story, pretty pages, banter, and a succubus, it just took a hold on me. Just look at those pretty pages and the DETAIL 😍 and the boarders!
Here, we have a moment where facing your own demons is a struggle if you're dealing with trauma/emotion/overly stimulated when you want that "perfect life" like everyone else. Then you find that letting go and embracing who you are and just say "the hell with this." Then your true self shines through, and you're finally happy and relaxed.
This book has banter, sass, a kick ass MFC Ivy and.....well let's just check those tropes. Oh, and there's some spicy scenes that had me needing a drink of water to cool off! Especially THat part of the book, iykyn! I needed more than a glass of water to stay still reading those pages 🔥 🥵 .
  This book isn't a HEA. There are twists and maybe wanting to throw the book or punch the characters when you're reading. In fact, I'll be here looking out the window with my own throwing knives as I wait to join Ivy on a mission in book 2! If you liked the show "Lost Girl", then this is the book for you. If the tropes and trigger warnings are a green flag for you, then my dear, don't walk, you need to run to buy this book!

[Kirstie Close · Rating 5 out of 5]

FUCK MY LIFE!!! This book is...... Fan-fu*king-amazing.
5 massive stars 🌟
3.5🌶

The storyline Wow great with fantastic banter, chemistry, spice, betrayal, loads of secrets, lots of action, and big twists and turns that will have you cursing IVLG!!
You'll be unable to put it down, and it'll give you ALL the feels!!

The Character building - Well Fu*k me i loved the characters they all had depth and interesting personalities that make for an excellent read.

I fell in love with Marcus he's funny, crude, loyal, and deep down a massive softie.
Ivy, well, she's just amazing too, so strong and independent, but has a side that shows her insecurities we all can relate with.
Then we have Adrion! i love and hate this man he's soft and caring but obsessive and brutal

I look forward to reading more about these fantastic characters in the next book, which can only get better.

IVLG i need that 2 book now!! I need to know!! I NEED THE ANSWERS!!!

Triggers, please read before. Some distressing parts.

[Yaasmiyn Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was so excited to read this book, and was so glad that I did. I devoured it in a day, and absolutely regretted that I had finished it. Ivy (Ivangeline), is a succubus and having a bit of a hard time navigating her hidden life from her boyfriend, but I don't want to give away any spoilers. Right away this book sucks you in with the narrative. I honestly love the flow of the writing that made it super easy to read this book.

Now, on to the other stuff. The spice in the book, while good, was probably a 3.5/5. The characters' development was really good, and easy to like and follow them. There are triggers, but if you're like me, you read a book for them and literally ignore the triggers then read them at the end.... because oops, that's just how I'm built mentally 😕. Definitely, read this book, you will not be disappointed.

[Shannon Bergin · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this book ya'll, if I could rate it more than 5 ⭐️ I would! Hands down my top read of the year!!! A Paranormal fantasy based in both the human world and hell that has everything from ,romance, spice (🌶🌶🌶)strong fmc, werewolves, demons, dragons, succubus, witches, incredible funny witty banter and Marcus!!! I'm completely obsessed with him ,blonde MMCs usually give me the ick but not our boy Marcus( think Charlie Hunnam but hotter)he is absolutely delicious in every way I adored his and Ivy's relationship, Rion and ezra can suck it!! Trigger warnings don't bother me the more the better but for those that they do make sure to check them out beforehand as there are a few. Slight spoiler but I honestly don't know how to deal with that cliffhanger or how I'm gonna cope waiting for book two!!

[Book Night Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely amazing and one hell of a ride,The multi pov and Amazing characters, i also just love that it's spicy fast and you don't have to wait it out. I love all the characters. You can feel the work out in to each one of them. aah.. Amos most fav dirty one 🤫 and Marcus, the intense but such an amazing Friendship between him and Ivy makes it one of my absolute favorite characters in the book. The author have done an amazing job and you feel all the tension build and the relationship goals. Chapter 20-24 ...OMG 🥵 that was pure Liquid gold. Near the end of the book things speed up and alot happens. This book also ends with a cliffhanger.

/ Book.night.read

[Lexxi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part of this book is how relatable Ivy's life and mind are. This book is very triggering with some content, but for me, it helped me understand the mind of the toxic person. Adrion has that bad boy, "Gods I NEED him in the worse type way" type. While Marcus is that stable protective friend, you secretly think about what he is like in bed. We know it would be good. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone looking to take a wild ride through the realm of demons and get to know how succubuses adapt with sex crazed demons.

[Hilary Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I am admittedly not a huge fantasy fan. But there’s something about devils and dragons and werewolves and vampires that pull me in during spooky season. If you’re into paranormal fantasy, you’ll absolutely want to read this book.

This is the story of Ivy. She’s a soul hunting succubus with a complicated love life. She’s torn between two worlds (literally) and ironically goes on a path of soul searching to decide which direction her life will go.

I’m not going to give too much of the story away but I absolutely loved the banter and the tension. There were so many times I wanted to reach through the book and shake Ivy and tell her what to do. This book made me feel invested in the characters. This is the first of an unfinished series and I am so excited for the next book to come out!

I was generously gifted this ebook as an ARC but this is my honest review of Between Devils and Dragons by IVLG.

[Victoria Zeehandelaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book because it truly surprised me. During the first 50-60% I thought the plot was going in one direction before it veered off in a 90° turn. The end of the book has so many plot twists your head will be spinning. The last couple chapters broke my heart….

I cannot wait for book 2 to release!

Spice is definitely up there and CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNING. I had no issue with anything in this book(trigger warnings are spoilers to me), but be warned this is a very dark book.

[Yarden | mad with books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an arc (thank you again)
I have got to say it’s so really great, never noticed that was was the first book for the book for that author. Can’t wait to read her next book🩷🩷

[Ashley Beasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

This book was not at all what I was expecting when I started reading it. However it was so much better than I expected! 4 stars and not 5 for some wording and grammar issues but would give 4.5 if I could. This may have been fixed in the finalized book. I absolutely love that the FMC is such a strong and independent woman but also shows her insecurities and vulnerable side at times, it makes her relatable. In the beginning I LOVE both her her bff guy friends and wish they were both more to her than what they are. By the end of the book one has shown his true colors and I can’t stand him! (I don’t want to give away any spoilers) and the other I want to end up with her so so bad! CLIFFHANGER ENDIND and it has me chomping at the bit because HAVE TO KNOW what happens next because everything just blew up at the end. So much action in this book. Not a ton of spice but what spice there is makes you drool. Definitely a must read! Now if book 2 could hurry up that would be great.

[Nini · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning was hard to start it had some "things" I don't like to read so was difficult to pass that :( but aside of that I really liked the book

Blondie and ivy friendship is the best thing 🤧🤧

[Antonina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would 100% recommend this book!
Ivy was an amazing badass FMC throughout the whole book (we love a strong woman 💪🏻) The ending definitely left me with more questions than answers BUT I am hoping they will be answered in book two 🤞🏻. I did feel like we didn’t get any closure with Adrion during this book because of the current situation the characters were facing which was a little bit of a disappointment. I am hoping that the next book picks up where the first one ended and not a weird time jump. Overall I enjoyed the book and can’t wait to find out what happens next!