Devil Inside: A Novel

by Clay McLeod Chapman

A man who’s back from the dead meets a woman who’s from somewhere even worse in Clay McLeod Chapman’s new horrormance about love, possession, and just a little murder.

After a traumatic accident that almost cost Jordan his life, he’s finally starting to feel normal again. Well, maybe not normal. Everything tastes like ash, and when he looks at the people around him, their faces start to melt. At least he’s not dead, right? His friends are doing their best to get him back on his feet, maybe find someone to talk to, perhaps even find someone to take his mind off his last failed relationship.

Then he meets Lilith. The two share an instant connection but after a wild and passionate night together, she ghosts him. Jordan searches the city for Lilith, desperate to see her again. But when a woman claiming to be Lilith shows up, wearing a different face but knowing intimate details about Jordan, he worries he’s losing his grip on reality. As he grows closer to this mysterious woman, he discovers that happily ever afters sometimes come at a cost. How far will Lilith take him, and how much darkness will he embrace to find love?

 

Genres: Horror, Romance, Paranormal, Adult, Thriller, Horror Thriller, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 11, 2026

About the author

Books. Children's books. Comic books. Film.

Reviews

[Casey Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year! I adore Clay and I LOVE horromance, so when this was announced, I was freaking out. Thankfully, I am a member of The Hive and could read this immediately when it dropped on NetGalley. I dropped everything to pick it up, AND IT DELIVERED! 

Jordan is back from death after a traumatic accident, and meets Lilith, who is from... well, far away. After a passionate night, Lilith ghosts Jordan but he can't stop thinking about her. She made him feel alive again. Jordan feels like his grip on reality is failing when he starts to notice strange things in the people around him. When he encounters Lilith, and she has no recollection of him whatsoever, then subsequently encounters a different woman who claims to be Lilith, his reality really starts to warp. But he cannot stop his focus on Lilith, and she on him. How far would you go to be with the one you love?

I have to tell you, this book is pretty dark. If you're like "oh, a romance with some horror elements"--flip it. It's a horror that revolves around a romance. Clay is a masterful horror writer and it is evident in this book. We explore the lines of love, obsession and even possession. Is love a form of possession? Someone takes up residence in your heart, mind, soul and you feel empty without them.  I love the depiction of literal demonic possession here, comparing different bodies/souls to different wines. We also touch upon healing after a great traumatic experience. There’s a lot that this entertaining story leaves you pondering and thinking on when it comes to love and relationships. This one will stick with me. No hesitation in rating this 5 stars! I am SO GLAD that Clay decided to write a horromance!

Thank you to MIRA Books, HTP Books, and The Hive for the early ARC! Book releases 8/11/26. (I kind of love that I got to read it in February, the month of love.)

[Becky Spratford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading for review in a future issue of Booklist

Three Words The Describe This Book: Horroromance, existentially terrifying, possession/obsession

Love is messy— literally. But it is.

Horror first, romance second. Both excellent. But romance fans, beware, this is Horror with a very good romance. The only thing keeping this from 5 stars is that there were some details that were either missing or introduced and then not returned to.

But that is a minor quibble. This is a VERY fun read and a great example of how the Horroromance genre could be a thing. It is NOT paranormal romance (which many are and that is romance first).

Let's explore that more. Both are genres that appeal to the emotions. Neither works if you cannot feel the fear and the love. Check on both. The terror is full body. It begins uneasy and tricks you into thinking is is going to be quirky only, but NO, this is full out existential terror by the end. Jordan was dead for 2.5 mins after his accident. We know this from the start. But he came back. And that allows him to be able to see the demons in our midst.

Intersting….okay but then as the romance heats up so does the information behind Jordan’s place in this world. We see into more of the demons and their power and what it means about human nature, and more. Existential terror.

But also, the romance. It is a satisfying romance, it honors the story beats that are required while introducing it’s own unique characters and frame. We get both sides of the romances parties POV. Jordan as he deals with healing reentering the able bodied world— one that is changing quickly as he was a bike messenger in 2002 and now it is 2003 and phones and the internet are expanding and bike messengers are going the way of dinosaurs. That was also a nice touch for frame and to increase unease.

When Jordan meet Lilith, she was perfect for him. But as we know from the start— Lilith is a demon. Not human and she has her own relationship scars— just different kind of relationship— she committed to a body that kept her trapped for years (read you will see). We follow Lilith as she jumps from body to body as people touch each other— tasting their souls and comparing them to wines (nice touch) . We watch her deal with her issues and see how the two compromise to have the love relationships that works best for them. There are bumps but they are very believable even considering the fast that she is a demon.

That was vague but I don’t want to give away the chills and love. The Swoons and Screams-- I will work that into the review. Also the title is great— literal yes, but then it surprises you how deep it goes. Their happily ever after is also there but it a horror one too.

I loved a few themes, plot points here. First, love is a kind of obsession or is it a possession. The possession stuff in general was used to perfection in the romance parts here. Dubious consent was an obvious one-- If Lilith is possessing the bodies Jordan is having sex with-- is that consent. Chapman explores this through the narrative and it was well done. But also, Jordan is so obsessed with Lilith and she with him that it feels like possession. Chapman explores this through a ramping up of the horror angles here. But also when you are in love-- it becomes an obsession. That line is very thin.

Another theme-- the darkness inside all humans. Even if it is small. But often it is not. It is hidden, and demons exploit it to possess people.

The idea that demons are out there possessing people all the time even if for a moment. Terrifying and felt with your whole body as a reader.


The best readalike is Spread Me by Gailey. If you liked that you will like this. My Sister the Serial Killer fans would love this as well. After you read this one, you will see it too.

Hellhound Heart by Barker. And many stories by Eric LaRocca work as well because they are often focused on an obsessive love relationship.

[Sarah Workman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as this was available to request on NetGalley, I requested! I have loved every book I’ve read by Clay, but I was nervous diving into horrormance because I didn’t know what to expect. Would it be horror with some spicy scenes? Dark romance? So many questions.

That said, IT. WAS. PERFECT. There were parts written so beautifully I questioned whether or not Clay secretly writes romance all the time! And not corny romance. Romance that makes you FEEL something. The constant comparison between love and possession was *chef’s kiss* There are dark elements and it’s definitely horror, but it’s so much more than that. If you love horror, read it. If you love love (and all its dark and twisted and messy glory) read it.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Hive for allowing me to read the ARC!

[BookishKB]

😈🖤 Devil Inside by Clay McLeod Chapman 🖤😈

📖 Bookish Thoughts
I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.

🩸 What to Expect
• Horrormance
• Possession
• Mysterious woman
• Psychological unraveling
_ _ _ _
📅 Pub Date: August 11, 2026
📝 Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[DaniPhantom · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy that you provided me with!!

Horror writers should dip into the romance genre more often. Horror and romance can intertwine beautifully because they both consume you so much. My favorite quote from this book was “Love is possession. We invite them in. Let them take over”

This reminds me a bit of those early 2000s emo love stories where one of the characters needs someone to save them, but in a corny way where it’s someone out of the ‘norm’ that they fall in love with. I crave those stories for the nostalgia. I also enjoyed how there was a lot of metaphors between Jordan being stuck in a coma and him being possessed by demons.

[Hey_She _Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a new one for me. Horror romance is not something I usually pick up, but Devil Inside turned out to be a surprisingly satisfying read. I have read dark romance and even serial killer rom-coms, but this felt different in a way that really worked.

Jordan was such a standout character. A charming, attractive bike messenger who is clearly carrying the weight of past trauma. His struggle with feeling broken and empty, and his desire for something deeper than surface-level connection, made him incredibly relatable.

Lilith kept me guessing the entire time. As a demon, she walks the line between intriguing and unsettling. I never fully trusted her, and that tension added so much to the story. It is never completely clear whether her connection to Jordan is genuine or if she is simply drawn to his darkness, which makes her character even more compelling.

The yearning!!! YES! It did not feel forced or rushed. You could feel it building in the quiet moments, in the conversations, in the way they kept circling each other. Their dates felt different from typical romance scenes, more intentional and a little offbeat. The art gallery scene really stuck with me because it captured that mix of curiosity, tension, and something slightly unsettling underneath it all.

I also appreciated how the story explored love versus possession. It does not present it as something soft or purely romantic, but instead leans into how consuming love can feel. That blurred line between connection and control added an extra layer to their relationship that made it both fascinating and a little unsettling.

The horror elements blended in naturally rather than overpowering the story. The brief glimpses of everyday people experiencing possession and doing the unthinkable were especially effective. They added an eerie, lingering feeling and made you question who is really in control, and whether that darkness is something external or something already within us.

Overall, this felt like a fresh and unique blend of romance and horror. Strong characters, an intriguing dynamic, and an ending that sticks with you.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin, and Mira Books for the ARC.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley and MIRA/ Harlequin for the eArc!

When I saw this book being marketed as a horrormance, I knew I had to read it. As I’ve said before (and will say again), I need more of this genre. I like seeing that it is becoming a larger subgenre, but there still aren’t that many books I would consider full on horror romances (lots of gothics, which I love, but not quite the same). It took a hot minute to get approved, but I am so stoked I finally was.

Jordan has been in a rough headspace since he died. He used to be an avid bicycle rider, but after his accident, he’s struggling with panic attacks, people and getting back in the saddle. He meets Lilith at a club one night and their connection is instantaneous. What he doesn’t know is that Lilith isn’t quite human. So begins a romance between a man touched by death and a being that has been drifting for as long as they can remember. Not exactly a solid start to a healthy, loving relationship. And yet…

I really, really liked Devil Inside. The story was engaging, the characters were interesting and it was a very unique story. My only struggle was with the writing style. It’s stream of consciousness which isn’t what I am used to. It took me a few chapters, but I did start to get into the flow. Although it isn’t my favorite (nor did I suddenly start loving it during the course of this book), I didn’t hate it. In fact, some parts were downright beautiful. Very fever dream/ surreal.

Overall, a 4.5/5 (rounded up to a 5 because horrormance!)

[Steve Edholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil Inside by Clay McLeod Chapman is unlike anything he has written before. No matter what, you can expect a few things with Clay always, blood, licking and it being damn good!

I had heard of horrormance, but never had read it before so I wasn't quite sure what to really expect with it. I am not one for love stories, not to say I don't like romance in some stories now and then, but I don't go for them as the focus of the book. This book takes the unique idea of a man falling in love with a demon as the central part to the story. In reality, this book is what happens if Denzel falls in love with Azazel in 1998's Fallen. It's a weird, strange premise, but it works! This book really starts to question what is posession and what is love and are they maybe in parts some of the same thing.

Clay always leaves me with a lasting image from his books. If you have read them, you know the bathroom stall scene, the mother/pizza cutter, the horseshoe crab. For me in this one it for sure is the dentist and maybe the art gallery scene. The dentist scene is short, but for sure is pure nightmare fuel and the art gallery was just a fun playful scene unlike anything Clay has really written.

I have been a massive fan of Clay's since reading Ghosteaters and I can't wait for Bodies of Work later this year!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

[Lilly Wisely · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever get over the fact that I got approved for this ARC by Clay McLeod Chapman… like are you kidding me?? Immediate obsession.

And then to open this book and see Lilith???
As in… Lillith the Librarian is screaming internally???

This book messed with me. Like mentally. OOF.

Lilith in this story is not just some background demon…she is manipulative, seductive, and constantly shifting. The way she changes faces over time?? It felt like watching someone get pulled deeper and deeper into something they KNOW is wrong but can’t escape. It’s not just horror… it’s this dark, twisted, almost hypnotic demonic romance that feels toxic in the most addictive way…and that’s what got me!

It’s not aggressive horror. It’s the kind that just sneaks in your head and just sits there. The kind that makes you uncomfortable because it feels personal. Watching him get drawn in, lose control, and blur the line between temptation and destruction was actually hard to shake.

I went into this excited because I love this author…
but I did NOT expect to feel this mentally wrecked after.

This one is dark, intimate, unsettling, and honestly?? a little too good at getting under your skin.



Huge thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC…this one is going to live in my head for a while.

[Lisi Bee (Beth) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried with this one but I had to DNF at 30%. It was an interesting premise and I really wanted to see how it played out, but this horrormance was too much horror and not enough romance for me. I wasn't the right audience for this book, and I take responsibility for not being familiar with the author or for fully understanding the horrormance genre before reading it. Make sure to check content warnings before reading, especially if you are sensitive to certain themes. Some of the plot was just too unsettling for my personal taste, especially the parts where demons harmed children (although one specific incident was off-page, the implication was intentional child death). I found that Jordan was hard to engage with initially, and he had extremely strong “not like other guys” vibes that was a little off-putting. He started getting more interesting after his accident and after meeting Lilith, but that's when Lilith's actions made me DNF. The prose was a bit repetitive and over-the-top for my tastes and the story could have used more dialogue, especially in the beginning. I think readers who like this author and who enjoy extremely dark romance books with violence and gore might enjoy this book, but ultimately it just wasn't for me. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars. Publishes August 11, 2026. This review is based on a complimentary DRC of the book, all opinions are my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve already pre-ordered this book because if CMC writes it, I’m seated. And if CMC writes a freaking horror romance aka a combination of my 2 favorite genres!? Then I am pre-ordered. But I got it from NetGalley to read early.

I was really hoping for a 6-star read, so this 4 stars-rounded-up feels harsh for me. I wasn’t enthralled… like, it’s a lot of vibes. All vibes. You get a great sense for the world and the visuals… but the characters are just kind of there. And it just dragged too much for me. I felt like I kept waiting for it to get going… and when it finally did, it ended!

It has some cool scenes, some great lines. Lots of highlighting going on here. Sometimes it feels more like poetry. I get the whole ‘possession as a metaphor for love and love as a metaphor for possession’ thing. Unfortunately, I thought it fell short on both the horror and the romance front. But my expectations were also through the roof.

If you go into this knowing it’ll feel more dreamy (nightmare-y?) then perhaps you’ll like it more. I was hoping for an excitement (and fun) I just didn’t feel. I continue to hunt for a good horror romance. Sigh.

[Megan Magee · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jordan gets a second chance and comes back from the dead, he meets Lilith. After they have a brief but chance encounter, he struggles to find her again, but when someone claiming to be her introduces herself to him, Jordan does not recognize the face. This is a tale of possession, second chances, bravery, and embracing darkness and what lurks within the confines of that. Per Clay's usual repertoire of writing tricks, this one contains some truly dark horror elements, ushering in romance with many macabre twists throughout the prose. The usual CMC quirk and hilarity is there- Clay is one of my favorites because his personality truly shines through his writing, regardless of what genre he is pursuing (and so far, I've appreciated them all). For fans of Butcher & Blackbird and Tourist Season, Devil Inside shows it has what it takes to hang in this genre no doubt. Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/ MIRA for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Nikki Kossaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devil Inside is a dark, strange blend of horror and romance that leans into obsession and devotion in a way that feels both unsettling and intimate.

The story follows an injured cyclist whose life begins to shift after a supernatural encounter. What unfolds from there is less about big shocking moments and more about the slow pull of a relationship that becomes consuming and dangerous. The connection at the center of the book blurs the line between love, possession, and something far more demonic.

Clay McLeod Chapman does a great job building a sense of unease throughout the novel. There is always this feeling that something is just slightly off, and that tension keeps building as the characters fall deeper into something they may not fully understand.

If you like horror that mixes the supernatural with dark romance and obsession, this one is worth checking out.

[Tiffany Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Devil Inside—it was such an interesting read and a refreshing twist on the typical novel. The writing style is very descriptive and focuses a lot on internal thoughts, which took a little getting used to, but it ultimately added a lot of depth to the story.

The plot kept me engaged, and the characters were a definite highlight. I especially loved the use of multiple points of view—it made the story feel more dynamic and gave me a deeper understanding of each character.

The character development was done really well, and by the end, I felt genuinely connected to them. Overall, this was a unique and engaging read that I’m really glad I picked up.

[Beth Christman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of an advanced copy received from NetGalley
I'm not much for romance but I was convinced by Clay McLeod Chapman's reading of The Devil Inside ( and his smooth dance moves) to give it a go.
Guess what? This is not a cheesy bodice ripper. The Devil Inside is a full throttal blood soaked love story that proves true love is a meeting of souls that goes deeper than the skin, gristle, and bone that makes us human— or demonic for that matter. This is a great book and lots of fun. Thanks to #MIRABOOKS, NetGalley, and Clay McLeod Chapman.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Harper Collins for the early copy!

Ahh, love. Is there anything better? What about a possession story?! Clay McLeod Chapman’s horrormance is just so stunning. The multiple POV’s make this story even more fun, I loved bouncing back and forth between Lilith and Jordan.

Clay did a great job of making you really feel Lilith and Jordan’s connection and how they crave each other. It was so dark and gritty and lustful. I love a good pinning love story. And boy, what a love story this is. It’s such a great mashup of genres and I just want more, more more!

[Hailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw that Clay McLeod Chapman was releasing a horror romance, I was certainly curious. This marks my 4th book by this author and while romance and spice are not typically my cup of tea, this was a great read. Being someone who reads mostly horror, even the bits of horror sprinkled throughout this was worth it. I also think it was definitely a unique take on a horror love story. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you love his writing!

[Magpiebookreviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t even know how to begin to describe this book. It was nothing like I expected and had my mind reeling the entire time—which honestly feels fitting for a story about demonic possession. It took me a while to finish because it’s just so wild. Definitely not one you pick up for something light and easy to fly through.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely swooning over Devil Inside! This was a masterfully-crafted, demonic meet-cute that really pushed the boundaries of obsession, possession, and salvation.

What would you do if the thing that saved you was also your damnation?

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I enjoyed the book, however the pacing felt off. There was too much mooning about on the part of both of the main characters and it could have been more interesting if they had gotten over their hang ups sooner, let the possession happen and then give me a lot more of them embracing the darkness and being evil together.