Hell of a Bargain

by B.P. Gilmore

It’s only a week until Halloween and Leigh can’t think of a better way to celebrate the month that changed her life than a bonfire, and a tiny blood ritual. This curvy witch may have overcome a unique gift and the mortal logistics of being a first-generation witch in a small town. Unfortunately, things beyond the veil aren’t so simple.

When one of the princes of hell gets word of a sacrifice he means to take it as his own. A feat that would be infinitely easier if the woman he needs to bargain with didn’t render him incapable of rational thought. It’s not long before the lines blur and his pursuit turns from her spell to her soul.

Leviathan means to possess her, entirely, but it’ll take one hell of a bargain.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Novella, Romance, Demons, Halloween, Ebooks

126 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2024

About the author

Brittany Prime Gilmore is a talented author from Mountain View County, Alberta, known for their passion for gaming, good food, and steamy romance novels. Their love for storytelling and language has been a lifelong pursuit, and they have combined this with their interests to create a unique literary voice.

Brittany's family is their greatest source of inspiration, and they are a devoted wife and mother. Their daughter and husband are their biggest supporters and trusted critics, often providing valuable feedback on their latest works in progress. In their free time, Brittany indulges in their love of literature by curling up with a good book.

As an author, Brittany writes the books that they want to read. They believe that readers should be able to see themselves in their characters and worlds, and they strive to create works that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Reviews

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

- demon + witch
- single mom
- insta-lust

Leigh, whose plan is to celebrate Samhain with her coven, a bonfire, and a mostly legal blood ritual, catches the attention of Levi, one of the princes of Hell, who plans to sway her to make the offering to him instead of her patron goddess.

That idea goes up in smoke the minute Levi meets the fiery witch, and becomes instantly enthralled with her. Now he plans to make a different kind of bargain with her, one that would make her his for a lifetime, all he has to do is convince her.

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from Hell of a Bargain, as it’s my first read by B.P. Gilmore, but I really enjoyed this! It was so steamy and fun, and hooked me from the start. Cannot wait for more of this series!

[b.andherbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

actual rating 3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this take on a "deal with a demon" most especially because our witch main character is SO powerful and really takes the demon for a whole ride (with a whole lot of edging). I really could have used more world building to quite understand the whole reason why the demon was making the bargain with her (it mostly made sense, but for a short novella the stakes felt v v high for the amount of coverage we received) but other than that it was hot and fun.

also he's pierced on his pee pee so thank u

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leigh was the badass I wish I was. She had confidence and a poker face along with a genuinely caring personality. Levi was precocious and horny AF, but needed Leigh’s sacrifice to be to him. He made some questionable choices, as one would expect from a demon, but had a good heart. I was a bit unclear on a little of the magic stuff, but still a cute read.

Spice: 4/5

Triggers: stalking, seeing FMC nude briefly while she is unaware (he turns around relatively quickly), past fatphobia, discussion of greed and capitalism, mention of racism during childbirth, violence, blood, brief threat to child, discussion of others’ desire to destroy mankind, frequent references to hell

[LaTosha Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insta Happy

This was a perfect cozy fall PNR. It’s erotica with a sprinkle of plot. I’m always going to be here for plus size girlies in every trope. Domme witch and good boy demon wasn’t a thing I even knew I needed until B.P. gave it to me. My fall vibes is off to a good start

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay stop it. This was fucking romantic and cute as hell 🥹🧡

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ebook. Purchased. Short and spicy and easy. Not much plot but it was fun.

[Lala · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

[Andrea ☾ [is inconsistently consistant] · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ I am OBSESSED!!!

Haven't been able to stop thinking about this book all day. Just absolutely the most immaculate vibes for a Halloween read. This is the perfect Witch x Demon book - truly the only book that can match this in my mind is Emily Antoinette's Maneater - and that really is saying something! I loved that f*ing book so much!

This has a single mom trope with the most beautiful sense of community and the FMC coven are truly ride or dies for her from the beginning. The book is focused mostly on an instalust relationship and has a ton of spice to it - which I personally loved but I know it's not for everyone.

The trouble within the MMC's family is the true conflict of this book imo, and it can be quite triggering, but there's an HEA so no worries there.

I really can't wait to read more books from this author! This is my second ever read from BP Gilmore and I'm itching to pick up a new one!

🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 /5 - SWITCH, DOMME WITCH & GOOD BOY LITERAL DEMON. Need I say more... Also, he literally stops space and time when they're... together. He was TAKING HIS TIME (literally lol), no rushing!

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for the season (and any other time)

I read this in one sitting. This little Samhain novella has everything. A strong as hell, single mother, girl boss of a FMC, a great girl gang that show up in the best way whenever you need it, a warrior godess worth worshiping and a demon prince that falls HARD. it was the perfect ratio of spice and substance. It was a soft plot but one I was heavily invested in. Honnestly chefs kiss. I can't wait for the rest of hells siblings ♥️😈

[Raven (the.readingraven) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun fall book! It had a good amount of spice with a fun forced proximity trope! I do wish we learned more about Leigh! She is a single mom but I kept forgetting about her kid, I think maybe I was a bit too caught up in the spice. I think more world-building will help this book a bit too. I hope we explore that more in the next book as well!

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars for Leigh and Levi. Hell of a Bargain was a bit of an impulse purchase for me and I fell in love with it. I love a witchy spooky season romance, add in a bargain with a demon, lots of spice, and what more could you ask for. For real though, the spice! That bath tub scene? HOT! This is the first book in a series and I'm impatiently waiting for book two, Hell of a Present to come out in December. I highly recommend adding this to your fall TBR.

[Trinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5

TW - placenta / organ rituals, OB overstepping consent or boundaries giving birth (mentioned), cheating websites (mentioned unrelated to the MCs), discussions about human / earth hardships (e.g, poverty, climate, homelessness), parental abandonment (of a sc, mentioned)

CW - edging, hand necklaces / choking, switching, public play, restraints, light degradation

Tropes - he falls first, forged family, paranormal, single parent

Representation - interracial, plus size FMC, Black FMC, queer rep

The particular strands of matter and consciousness that bind my witch together are simply made specifically to ruin me.

what a quote

Levi (MMC) is a demon with a tail and shadows so I was sold straight away. Leigh (FMC) is a witch who gets swept up with Levi who tries to sway her to offer her ritual to him. This goes up in flames when they start feeling... more 😏😏

This was such a fun read, and the characters were very sweet. Can't wait to see what comes next in this world

Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪

🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List

[Erin Penn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cute novella is the start of an erotica series concentrating on demons representing the Seven Sins. (Note that it follows the demons, not the witch circle Leigh is part of.)

Levi is the Leviathan representing Envy and he needs to change things up before his Greedy sibling, Mammon, pushes him back into the deep. Leigh is a witch with a sacrifice to make and if Levi can convince her to give it to him instead of her goddess, maybe Lucifer's Prideful requirement will be satisfied.

The bath scene between Leigh and her water-based demon is all the pluses for this novella erotica - just enough story to make the sex even better.

Extra pluses for a truly plus-sized main character (ie, someone who does jiggle), a black woman as the main character, and a mother with a small child that actually does impact some planning. Plus a community (coven) working together to raise said infant. A fun erotica romp.

[Dayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A not-so-little family, not found, but forged.

This was such a flirty fun read with also some serious topic discussion as well. I loved Leigh and her coven of family she has made around her. It was beautiful to watch the interaction with them each other. Then Levi enters, wholly obsessed and a lovely demon, needing what Leigh was giving to a god for his own machinations. Their relationship was hot and steamy, but also tender, full of consent, and real-world consequences. What they both choose will affect everyone they love. The author did an amazing job filling every morsel of a page with beautiful prose and lives you know are fully fleshed out, and you're only getting a glimpse of. Absolutely fantastic tale and had all the Samheim and cozy vibes.

[Donna Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

***************
Tropes: Instalust, romantasy novella, plus size rep, single parent
***************
Triggers: placenta / organ rituals, OB overstepping consent or boundaries giving birth (mentioned), cheating websites (mentioned unrelated to the MCs), discussions about human / earth hardships (e.g, poverty, climate, homelessness), edging, hand necklaces / choking, switching, public play, restraints, light degradation
***************
The author attempted to mix liberal amounts of spice with a fantastical plot, but the mixture never quite worked. At best, it was meh. Too bad, because Leigh is a true plus size character, and there aren’t enough of those.

Movie rating, X. Cover image 3/5, overall 3/5, 2/5 romance, 3/5 violence, and 4/5 spice.

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 3 out of 5]

HELL OF A BARGAIN was a quick and very sexy read but the beginning was rough and I'm not sure Leigh and Levi ever made it past the sex stage into love. The first few chapters introduced a lot of characters and it took a little bit to establish what was going on and how magic worked in this world. Once that settled it was better and again the spice was very good and I liked that Leigh was the one in control. But the MCs have 2 sexual encounters over a few days where they barely talk about anything personal and suddenly Levi is falling for Leigh and willing to give up his immortal life to be with her. I mean I guess that's the dream but I would have liked some moments outside the sex to show these two were connecting and falling in love.

[Curvy Girls Read Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Planning to offer a sacrifice to the goddess Medusa on Samhain, Leigh is waylaid by the handsome, tempting, Levi. Also known as the demon Leviathan. Each is captivated by the other and can't resist acting on their attraction in spite of their different aims.

This was a quick, hot, entertaining read with a plus-size single mother, a sisterhood and coven of witches, and a demon with shadows that do delightfully wicked things to his witchy gal.

"Good girl"
Grey sweatpants
He’s pierced
Hand necklaces
Edging
BIPOC heroine

[Rachel B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it

I grabbed this during a Stuff Your Kindle Day event and I am so glad I did! I loved the characters, the story and it was the perfect amount of spice. Normally, I wouldn’t typically read a book like this but I took a chance on a new author and new type of book and it was worth it! If upu are a little witchy and have an interest in spicy books this is a must read! Also if you are curious I read this book in one day.

[KA Vickers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leigh is a big, black woman who knows what she wants and Levi is a Prince of Hell who can't even think straight when he's around her. Of course I was going to love this one.

It takes a little bit to get to the full on sexy time because she doesn't want to just give in but it's so much fun. I can't wait to read the next one when it comes out and I'd recommend it for sure. It's set coming up to Halloween but I'd happily read it anytime.

[Malinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Main Characters:
Levi &

Review:
This was an ejoable quick read.

Tropes:
-Demons
-Magic
-Monsters
-Novella
-Plus Sized Protagonist
-Shifters
-Single Parent
-Smut
-Witches

Quotes:
“Consent. I don’t want partners who aren’t enthusiastic participants, no matter how undone they make me from a single, duplicitous kiss.”

[Amy Zahacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, generally I’m a person who will get a book read 2 pages and never go back to it. I couldn’t put this book down!!! I love the perspective I love the story line, it was so hot but not just full of meaningless sex scenes and made you give a fuck about the characters in the book. I cannot wait for the next book to come out so I can binge read it too.

[JessMH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Demonic meet cute

A fun low stakes read perfect for spooky season. There were some minor typographical and grammatical errors, and some things were a bit unclear generally it didn’t affect the story. I think if it was just a bit longer some of the thoughts and ideas, especially the last few chapters, could have been worked out more fully and clearly.

[Seneca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

This book snagged my attention with a cute graphic on insta, and it delivered on every promise and more. Interesting plot, fantastic spice, some excellent feminine rage and empowerment, and warm fuzzy found family feels. What a delight.

[Paula P. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea but it probably will be yours if you are into romances that mainly focus on spice and steam. I expected a little bit more romance and emotional connection but it felt more like lust than love for me

[Nicole (the library of n)]

Spicyyyyyy, holy

[Skylarkse · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 30%

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Just the right amount of spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Jude R · Rating 4 out of 5]

short, sweet, and spicy!

The perfect little palette cleanser for fall! This was such a fun, sweet & spicy little read. Loved the representation the author included, too!

[monika_is_booked · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun!! Quick hoooot Halloween themed read with an amazing group of female friends and a demon who didn't see it coming 🤭🤭🤭

[Mandy Christman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute! I loved Leigh and Levi!