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Demons Within #1
Lovely Darkness
The first time she knew real happiness was when she found out that the man who raised her wasn't her real father.
She knew that there couldn't be monsters in the world that were any worse than the monster she had called 'daddy' for most of her life.
Then she stumbled into the world of demons.
The Demon King knew the second his fated mate had been brought into the world.
After living years too numerous to count, it meant little to him other than to keep him from living as he had.
He now belonged to only one female - and he would have to wait years for her to mature enough to matter.
How stupid and vain he had been to think that his fated wouldn't matter.
The very moment she entered his club he knew he had been wrong to ignore fate.
She was his.
And he was going to destroy everyone that hurt her, even if he had to burn the Earth realm to the ground.
She knew that there couldn't be monsters in the world that were any worse than the monster she had called 'daddy' for most of her life.
Then she stumbled into the world of demons.
The Demon King knew the second his fated mate had been brought into the world.
After living years too numerous to count, it meant little to him other than to keep him from living as he had.
He now belonged to only one female - and he would have to wait years for her to mature enough to matter.
How stupid and vain he had been to think that his fated wouldn't matter.
The very moment she entered his club he knew he had been wrong to ignore fate.
She was his.
And he was going to destroy everyone that hurt her, even if he had to burn the Earth realm to the ground.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2022
609 people are currently reading
1039 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
September 3, 2022
Wow, my mind is blown from this INCREDIBLE book. I loved the dedication, I can totally relate: "This is for everyone that had a shitty childhood… and wished they could have gotten some vengeance."
A warning, this review might be long...
"My little broken doll was trapped with the big bad monster with no way of escaping."
Varek is the king of all demons on Earth. 21 years ago a mark appeared on his wrist, showing him and everyone else that his fated mate was just born. Juliette, his mate, had a really rough childhood with an abusive "father" she finds out isn't actually her father. When she was 17, the man tried cutting out her eye because of the color. One eye is green and the other is black. Her "father" told her that she was demon spawn. The majority of the book was me trying to figure out what Juliette really is! The mystery surrounding that was intense.
When they meet and Juliette finds out she's the fated mate of the master of all demons, she's understandably a little put off. But she comes around quickly. The sway of having a fated mate convinced her to trust Varek with her life and safety relatively quickly. Varek is totally, irrevocably in love with her and wants to bond with her immediately.
"Once we met, it (the mark) would darken - once we bonded, it would turn blood red again and stay that way all our lives, forever marking us as a bonded pair, forever warning any others that we were unavailable until we died. It was more than a human wedding band could ever be. It was irreversible. It was also nearly impossible to resist the pull of one’s mate once they finally met."
Things progress, they eventually bond, but there's other secrets waiting to be let out.
Who is her father? What exactly is Juliette? And what's Varek's history that he can't remember?
"I looked back up into the mirror. This is who I was. I wasn't "normal". I was half demon, and I was the fated mate to the king of demons. I needed to be brave and strong, and I needed to face my own fears. The demons I had been around had already shown me that they were more accepting than any human had ever been. They were my family, and I would accept them for who they were, too."
LIKES:
-this is a FATED MATES romance and both Varek and Juliette are so in love and committed with each other, it's adorable and swoony
-how one of Juliette's guards likes to read romance!
-THE SPICEEEE
-how PROTECTIVE Varek is. my god. I need a man like that in my life.
-when you're marked showing you have a fated mate, you're is unable to have sex with someone else other than your fated mate. I loved that aspect.
-how patient and understanding Varek is. he's a gentle giant!
-THE SIZE DIFFERENCEEEE!!! (5'0", 6'5")
-Juliette's journey to self discovery. It's beautiful how she goes from being a timid, shy, broken girl to a total badass!
-the mystery of Juliette's father, what a surprise!
-demons can kill people with a flick of the wrist! :O
-THE TAIL PLAYYYYY
-the epilogue. I loved it.
-Varek's endearment for Juliette:
”Amica, or amare,” He growled as his hands tightened almost painfully on my hips, “means love.”
He pulled out until he couldn’t pull out any further without leaving me altogether. And then, with a growl, he slammed into me. “And mea means MINE.”
FIVE STARS. I'd give ten if I could!
IMPORTANT BITS:
virgin heroine
hero celibate for 21 years
age gap (21h, immortal H)
dirty talk
rough sex
tail play in demon form
OW/OM drama (not encouraged)
no cheating!
safe!
HEA and epilogue ♡
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A warning, this review might be long...
"My little broken doll was trapped with the big bad monster with no way of escaping."
Varek is the king of all demons on Earth. 21 years ago a mark appeared on his wrist, showing him and everyone else that his fated mate was just born. Juliette, his mate, had a really rough childhood with an abusive "father" she finds out isn't actually her father. When she was 17, the man tried cutting out her eye because of the color. One eye is green and the other is black. Her "father" told her that she was demon spawn. The majority of the book was me trying to figure out what Juliette really is! The mystery surrounding that was intense.
When they meet and Juliette finds out she's the fated mate of the master of all demons, she's understandably a little put off. But she comes around quickly. The sway of having a fated mate convinced her to trust Varek with her life and safety relatively quickly. Varek is totally, irrevocably in love with her and wants to bond with her immediately.
"Once we met, it (the mark) would darken - once we bonded, it would turn blood red again and stay that way all our lives, forever marking us as a bonded pair, forever warning any others that we were unavailable until we died. It was more than a human wedding band could ever be. It was irreversible. It was also nearly impossible to resist the pull of one’s mate once they finally met."
Things progress, they eventually bond, but there's other secrets waiting to be let out.
Who is her father? What exactly is Juliette? And what's Varek's history that he can't remember?
"I looked back up into the mirror. This is who I was. I wasn't "normal". I was half demon, and I was the fated mate to the king of demons. I needed to be brave and strong, and I needed to face my own fears. The demons I had been around had already shown me that they were more accepting than any human had ever been. They were my family, and I would accept them for who they were, too."
LIKES:
-this is a FATED MATES romance and both Varek and Juliette are so in love and committed with each other, it's adorable and swoony
-how one of Juliette's guards likes to read romance!
-THE SPICEEEE
-how PROTECTIVE Varek is. my god. I need a man like that in my life.
-when you're marked showing you have a fated mate, you're is unable to have sex with someone else other than your fated mate. I loved that aspect.
-how patient and understanding Varek is. he's a gentle giant!
-THE SIZE DIFFERENCEEEE!!! (5'0", 6'5")
-Juliette's journey to self discovery. It's beautiful how she goes from being a timid, shy, broken girl to a total badass!
-the mystery of Juliette's father, what a surprise!
-demons can kill people with a flick of the wrist! :O
-THE TAIL PLAYYYYY
-the epilogue. I loved it.
-Varek's endearment for Juliette:
”Amica, or amare,” He growled as his hands tightened almost painfully on my hips, “means love.”
He pulled out until he couldn’t pull out any further without leaving me altogether. And then, with a growl, he slammed into me. “And mea means MINE.”
FIVE STARS. I'd give ten if I could!
IMPORTANT BITS:
virgin heroine
hero celibate for 21 years
age gap (21h, immortal H)
dirty talk
rough sex
tail play in demon form
OW/OM drama (not encouraged)
no cheating!
safe!
HEA and epilogue ♡
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 6, 2023
2.5 Stars
Parts of this were enjoyable, the world set up I did find intriguing I liked that the demons were just another species not necessarily evil. I also appreciated Varek’s physical attributes his wings horns and tail were extremely sexy and I loved the size difference between them both. Varek was also possessive and totally all in the instant, they meet so if you appreciate a romance where the hero is totally head over heels for his mate this one definitely has you covered.
But Juliette man where do I start with this girl. I just didn’t get her she was such a doormat a total wet blanket. Now I get it, she’d had a traumatic past but her behaviour was that ingrained that she just had a sort of bland blankness about her. she was and I hate to say this but totally forgettable. She didn’t argue or push back in any way.
She was meek mild and so apologetic over literally everything until she later had a strange personality change and morphed overnight from miss Pollyanna wouldn’t hurt a fly to the total opposite it just didn’t feel believable or authentic.
There were little things here that bugged me the girl from her work, they initially seemed like they were bonding but then she’s never mentioned again and this same work companion just left her alone in a club with some total stranger without ever checking back in with her, and this is after earlier giving her a lecture on safe behaviour. Her other workmate Mellisa was also potentially dangerous to the residents where they all worked and Juliette never even considered reporting her she just quietly turned a blind eye and covered for her.
So the fair Mellissa what a total bunny boiler psycho she was, an absolute train-wreck I found her unnecessary and the reasonings for her obsessive behaviour with zero encouragement I might add were just bizarre and extremely unbelievable.
There are also three potential protagonists here completely unconnected the strangest one for me was the random dude that just came out of left field and Varek the big scary demon that he is just rolls over and allows him to call the shots it just didn’t make sense or seem consistent with the type of male he was and this man was a human, not a demon so Varek could literally have squashed him like a bug.
This wraps up in lightning fashion faster than I could blink. So swiftly I was questioning if it was maybe a duet and I’d got confused but no it’s definitely a complete novel just with a rushed finale. We also have an epilogue but it was unsatisfying and I couldn’t believe that Varek wasn’t desperate for some clarity regarding his origins.
Now I know I seem harsh in my breakdown of this but it is only because I’m frustrated as this story could have been so much more. The writing itself was good and it was an easy read. Varek and Juliette did have chemistry and he was incredibly sweet and OTT. honestly, this wasn’t awful just quite predictable and nice. The first half of this was also definitely the stronger in my opinion. For clarity, this is probably more a case of it’s a me not you read.
Overall this would probably be more of a fit for those who like a sappy dominant hero who worships the ground his mate walks on. Varek definitely was the main attraction here without him I don’t think I’d have finished so if there is a book two, unfortunately, I’m out.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/63435390
May 24, 2025
Wowwww. Just….wowwwww. I don’t even know where to start with this review. My emotions are all shook up from this book. So intense and gut-wrenching, it’s hard to corral my thoughts into something resembling organized.
To start: this was beautifully, richly written, you really felt as if you KNEW these character and could FEEL the emotional connection between the MCs. I’m not going to rehash the plot too much—that’s what blurbs are for—other than to say this is a PNR romance where the heroine and hero are fated mates, the hero is a demon and the heroine is a hybrid. Her mother died in childbirth and the abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepfather was horrific. There were definitely moments I was crying for her, I just wanted to hold her and hug her, but also high-five her, because she still held onto her kindness and empathy even after the brutality she went thru. She was relentlessly bullied and tormented because she looked different, her eyes mismatched and one reflecting her demon heritage. But being a demon didn’t make her vicious or hard. She was sweet and timid and gentle.
And the hero was EPIC. Literally a demon king who has been on earth for thousands of years. They were the perfect, most wonderful contrasting combination. I adored that once the hero knew he had a fated mate (a mark appeared on his wrist signaling that his fated mate had just been born) he was completely celibate. Even tho he was millenia old, he was celibate for 21 years until finding the h.
There were a few things I didn’t care for in the story: such as the hero taking the heroines innocence in a room in the sex club he owns, in a space of filth and soul-destroying degradation. There isn’t enough bleach in the universe that could clean all the excretions splattered in that sewer and to put her on a bed where other mens semen and fluids covered the surface like a Jackson pollack painting, where she could’ve caught any number of diseases, or just coming into contact with another males…”emissions”…was really gross and didn’t make sense with how possessive the hero was with the heroine—he should’ve been repelled by placing her atop a surface where countless other men have rutted. BUT, the rest of the book and story was so awesome it overshadowed that one moment of grossness.
Safe. Hero has been celibate since knowing his mate was born. He lived for thousands of years on earth before that and was NOT celibate. The heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero. There’s some OW drama that is NOT invited or reciprocated by the hero and it causes problems for the heroine before the hero shuts it down. No OM drama. No sharing. No cheating. No abuse between MCs but heroine was abused by her stepfather, which is on page. There is gore and violence in the book. HEA with epilogue 5 years out and heroine pregnant
To start: this was beautifully, richly written, you really felt as if you KNEW these character and could FEEL the emotional connection between the MCs. I’m not going to rehash the plot too much—that’s what blurbs are for—other than to say this is a PNR romance where the heroine and hero are fated mates, the hero is a demon and the heroine is a hybrid. Her mother died in childbirth and the abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepfather was horrific. There were definitely moments I was crying for her, I just wanted to hold her and hug her, but also high-five her, because she still held onto her kindness and empathy even after the brutality she went thru. She was relentlessly bullied and tormented because she looked different, her eyes mismatched and one reflecting her demon heritage. But being a demon didn’t make her vicious or hard. She was sweet and timid and gentle.
And the hero was EPIC. Literally a demon king who has been on earth for thousands of years. They were the perfect, most wonderful contrasting combination. I adored that once the hero knew he had a fated mate (a mark appeared on his wrist signaling that his fated mate had just been born) he was completely celibate. Even tho he was millenia old, he was celibate for 21 years until finding the h.
There were a few things I didn’t care for in the story: such as the hero taking the heroines innocence in a room in the sex club he owns, in a space of filth and soul-destroying degradation. There isn’t enough bleach in the universe that could clean all the excretions splattered in that sewer and to put her on a bed where other mens semen and fluids covered the surface like a Jackson pollack painting, where she could’ve caught any number of diseases, or just coming into contact with another males…”emissions”…was really gross and didn’t make sense with how possessive the hero was with the heroine—he should’ve been repelled by placing her atop a surface where countless other men have rutted. BUT, the rest of the book and story was so awesome it overshadowed that one moment of grossness.
Safe. Hero has been celibate since knowing his mate was born. He lived for thousands of years on earth before that and was NOT celibate. The heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero. There’s some OW drama that is NOT invited or reciprocated by the hero and it causes problems for the heroine before the hero shuts it down. No OM drama. No sharing. No cheating. No abuse between MCs but heroine was abused by her stepfather, which is on page. There is gore and violence in the book. HEA with epilogue 5 years out and heroine pregnant
February 17, 2025
5⭐️
Wow this was so good, I really enjoyed it!
I went into this with no expectations and ended up really loving it.
Varek and Juliet were everything, I loved them together. He was so devoted and obsessed with her, I loved that when the fated marks appear he can’t be with, or even want to be with anyone but his mate until he finds her 🥹 he’s celibate for 21 years. He feels it the moment she’s born and then waits until they meet and she feels the same connection when they finally do but she doesn’t understand it straight away since she was raised as a human.
But they’re so good together! He’s so protective and possesive of his mate. Juliet is so sweet and really sheds the old trauma and suffering she grew up in that was holding her back and she becomes so strong it’s so nice to see.
-Dual pov
-h21, H thousands of years old
-Fated mates
-Demon King H, Half demon/human h
-Virgin h, experienced H but he’s celibate for 21 years while he waits for his mate
-OWD- a coworker of the h had her eye on the H for a while but he wasn’t interested at all. When h&H get together OW becomes unhinged and stalks them, she attacks the h and H begins to rip her soul out and it severely ages her and h asks him to spare her. Later she comes back and tries to shoot h but misses and hits H so h kills her herself.
-No third act breakup
-HEA
-epilogue 5 years later, still happily mated and married and pregnant with their first child
Wow this was so good, I really enjoyed it!
I went into this with no expectations and ended up really loving it.
Varek and Juliet were everything, I loved them together. He was so devoted and obsessed with her, I loved that when the fated marks appear he can’t be with, or even want to be with anyone but his mate until he finds her 🥹 he’s celibate for 21 years. He feels it the moment she’s born and then waits until they meet and she feels the same connection when they finally do but she doesn’t understand it straight away since she was raised as a human.
But they’re so good together! He’s so protective and possesive of his mate. Juliet is so sweet and really sheds the old trauma and suffering she grew up in that was holding her back and she becomes so strong it’s so nice to see.
-Dual pov
-h21, H thousands of years old
-Fated mates
-Demon King H, Half demon/human h
-Virgin h, experienced H but he’s celibate for 21 years while he waits for his mate
-OWD- a coworker of the h had her eye on the H for a while but he wasn’t interested at all. When h&H get together OW becomes unhinged and stalks them, she attacks the h and H begins to rip her soul out and it severely ages her and h asks him to spare her. Later she comes back and tries to shoot h but misses and hits H so h kills her herself.
-No third act breakup
-HEA
-epilogue 5 years later, still happily mated and married and pregnant with their first child
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2022
This is a very safe read. But in the middle it sagged and became boring, I even thought that I would not finish it, but there was an interest in secrets, so I continued to read and the last 30% were WOW!
March 2, 2023
Fantasy where demons walk the earth and make their money from the club scene. The demon H's mate is not all human, but is completely ignorant of her origins. She's been abused by her 'father', now bullied by evil OW. It's all so very teenage angst and I lost interest in their HEA before the end.
June 17, 2024
Honestly, I finished this one a couple of weeks ago and for the life of me, I couldn't remember much about it even though I did enjoy it while it lasts.
It was that kind of book where you don't use your head much. Where stuffs happened and you just enjoy the ride. Low angst and steamy moments.
So yeah.
It was that kind of book where you don't use your head much. Where stuffs happened and you just enjoy the ride. Low angst and steamy moments.
So yeah.
July 31, 2025
I actually read this one a bit ago but forgot to log it in here, but from what I remember, I really liked it. It was so sweet, and I really need to check out some more paranormal books by this author 👀.
August 21, 2022
Varek got a mating mark on his wrist when Juliette was born she had one also but looked like it could be a birthmark. All of her life before meeting Varek she was bullied by children and beaten, starved & her face cut up by the man who was raising her. But got out at 17 and was saved, working in a nursing home and not liked by the staff there , the ones in the home loved her. One night she was pressured into going to a bar where she learns some truths about her and the ones she works with, Melissa was trying to get the owner for herself but not interested. Varek took Juliette to his room when she fainted then when she woke he explained things to her, she understood. She could feel a person dying and had to be there to help their souls, her real father was a king in the underworld. Then almost died when she had been stabbed multiple times but father intervened. Had a few problems and threats to take care of before they could enjoy their lives fully. Good book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 11, 2022
appearances are different in the dark
I started reading this book late at night. It was so good, I had to force myself to stop reading at around the 40% mark and go to sleep. The next day, gave me a different view. I don’t know if things just went down hill at 40% or if I was having one of those club scene experiences. You know where in the darkness of the club it’s all wonderful and then when the lights come on, you see it’s true appearance.
As I said the beginning was appealing and sucked me right in, but soon seemed as though the author couldn’t get it together anymore. I enjoy drama and villains, but Melissa was unnecessary, I can’t find words for the person who raised her, and the blackmailer was just a filler. This book didn’t need to be long. Because it was longer than necessary, it flopped.
I started reading this book late at night. It was so good, I had to force myself to stop reading at around the 40% mark and go to sleep. The next day, gave me a different view. I don’t know if things just went down hill at 40% or if I was having one of those club scene experiences. You know where in the darkness of the club it’s all wonderful and then when the lights come on, you see it’s true appearance.
As I said the beginning was appealing and sucked me right in, but soon seemed as though the author couldn’t get it together anymore. I enjoy drama and villains, but Melissa was unnecessary, I can’t find words for the person who raised her, and the blackmailer was just a filler. This book didn’t need to be long. Because it was longer than necessary, it flopped.
January 5, 2024
That's it I want a Varek! Fated mates, Demons, succubus, oh my! Lol. This book was a fast paced delight I didn't know I needed! Add in a little trauma and little broken and you got your next 5 star read!
February 25, 2025
3.75 Stars - the story is definitely not a new one and the main female characters is very docile. But it was a fun listen. I just like a straight forward story with a bad boy goes soft for her😍
❤️ Varek x Juliette
❤️ Varek x Juliette
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2022
3.75
Possible spoilers -
Content/Trigger Warning: Extreme child abuse, bullying, spousal abuse, death of parent, maternal death
Possible spoilers -
Content/Trigger Warning: Extreme child abuse, bullying, spousal abuse, death of parent, maternal death
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2022
DNF 60%
This book was just so...blah.
They don't even share their first kiss until around 50%
There is absolutely no heat or passion when they first meet. They could be brother and sister for all of the excitement we get. Both of the characters are pretty blah as well. His is kind of excusable since he is supposed to be ancient old and no doubt is pretty over what life has to offer.
She's just boring as anything. Also, I find her 'sweetness' to be too naive and eye roll worthy.
She's supposed to be the match for the demon leader, but she doesn't want anyone to get punished or die.
She begs him for the life of someone who attacked her, bullied her and then held a knife to her throat.
How is a relationship supposed to develop when one party is clearly so unaccepting of the other?
Let the demon king be a demon.
Then someone else hurts her, though unintentionally, and she's jumping to their defence right away as well and begging him not to hurt them.
I'm just not into it.
This book was just so...blah.
They don't even share their first kiss until around 50%
There is absolutely no heat or passion when they first meet. They could be brother and sister for all of the excitement we get. Both of the characters are pretty blah as well. His is kind of excusable since he is supposed to be ancient old and no doubt is pretty over what life has to offer.
She's just boring as anything. Also, I find her 'sweetness' to be too naive and eye roll worthy.
She's supposed to be the match for the demon leader, but she doesn't want anyone to get punished or die.
She begs him for the life of someone who attacked her, bullied her and then held a knife to her throat.
How is a relationship supposed to develop when one party is clearly so unaccepting of the other?
Let the demon king be a demon.
Then someone else hurts her, though unintentionally, and she's jumping to their defence right away as well and begging him not to hurt them.
I'm just not into it.
December 6, 2022
I really enjoy this book, but my reason for three stars is that they were some important parts that we didn't get a response to.
For example, why Lucifer was afraid of the H? Why was the real reason behind the spell to make him forget about his life in the underworld?
Why isn't H able to go to the underworld?
What happens with the h co-worker in the beginning? She just literally took the h to a club, got her drunk and then just abandoned her with a completely strange? Of course the stranger was the H, but still she never called her to see if she was good.
For example, why Lucifer was afraid of the H? Why was the real reason behind the spell to make him forget about his life in the underworld?
Why isn't H able to go to the underworld?
What happens with the h co-worker in the beginning? She just literally took the h to a club, got her drunk and then just abandoned her with a completely strange? Of course the stranger was the H, but still she never called her to see if she was good.
August 23, 2022
Absolutely fantastic story. Highly addictive storyline with awesome twists throughout. Fast paced detailed book. Couldn’t put it down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 27, 2022
R. Sullins is a brand new author to me and I really liked this book that sucked me in right from the get go. This was a well written story with a lot of action and twists. But the most important role was played by the wonderfoul creations of the heroes, which caught my attention throughout the book.
I liked Juliette very much, whose youth was a streak of suffering because of a man who, instead of caring for and loving her, he maltreated her as a punishment for her mother's death in childbirth. School was also not a place of refuge for her, because of her peers, who tormented her and ridiculed her. As a result, she has grown into an insecure woman who is wary of others. Even though she is compassionate and kind to the patients she cares for and is liked by them, she really has no friends among her co-workers. Even though she is lonely, she always keeps everyone at bay, fearing that she will be taunted again. It was only the turning point in her life that she met Verek, who revealed to her the truth about her origins and what role she plays in his life. I liked how the author presented the development of Juliette's character throughout the book, from an intimidated insecure person to a self-confident woman who is not afraid to fight for those she cares about.
My favorite, however, is Verek - the confident king of demons living on Earth. Ruthless towards those who break his rules and at the same time caring for those who are loyal to him. Although Juliette is his complete opposite, he treats her appearance in his life as a great gift from fate and wants to protect her from all misfortunes. Since the woman was not aware of her origin, he decides to gradually introduce her to his world, so that she will willingly take her rightful place as the queen of the demon world at his side. However, this is not an easy task because our heroes are faced with a lot of dangers, both from Juliette's past and those resulting of being the mate of the demon king.
I think it is absolutely fantastic story and I am looking forward for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked Juliette very much, whose youth was a streak of suffering because of a man who, instead of caring for and loving her, he maltreated her as a punishment for her mother's death in childbirth. School was also not a place of refuge for her, because of her peers, who tormented her and ridiculed her. As a result, she has grown into an insecure woman who is wary of others. Even though she is compassionate and kind to the patients she cares for and is liked by them, she really has no friends among her co-workers. Even though she is lonely, she always keeps everyone at bay, fearing that she will be taunted again. It was only the turning point in her life that she met Verek, who revealed to her the truth about her origins and what role she plays in his life. I liked how the author presented the development of Juliette's character throughout the book, from an intimidated insecure person to a self-confident woman who is not afraid to fight for those she cares about.
My favorite, however, is Verek - the confident king of demons living on Earth. Ruthless towards those who break his rules and at the same time caring for those who are loyal to him. Although Juliette is his complete opposite, he treats her appearance in his life as a great gift from fate and wants to protect her from all misfortunes. Since the woman was not aware of her origin, he decides to gradually introduce her to his world, so that she will willingly take her rightful place as the queen of the demon world at his side. However, this is not an easy task because our heroes are faced with a lot of dangers, both from Juliette's past and those resulting of being the mate of the demon king.
I think it is absolutely fantastic story and I am looking forward for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 21, 2022
This is such a great story and sucks you in from the first page.
Juliette has live such a hard life. Her childhood is heartbreaking.
Her ‘father’ accuses her of being demon spawn as she has two different coloured eyes (one being completely black) and blames her for her mother's death. She made a new life as soon as she could and now works in a nursing home caring for others. Varek is the King of Demons in the mortal realm and waits to meet his fated mate. Both meet unexpectedly and sparks fly.
This is not the standard story where you have the ‘bad guy’, there are so many obstacles to overcome so both can find their happiness. This makes for a richer and more fruitful story with added depth.
This has set the stage for a good series so I hope that other great stories will follow (hopefully either Sasha, Rake or Talon’s).
Juliette has live such a hard life. Her childhood is heartbreaking.
Her ‘father’ accuses her of being demon spawn as she has two different coloured eyes (one being completely black) and blames her for her mother's death. She made a new life as soon as she could and now works in a nursing home caring for others. Varek is the King of Demons in the mortal realm and waits to meet his fated mate. Both meet unexpectedly and sparks fly.
This is not the standard story where you have the ‘bad guy’, there are so many obstacles to overcome so both can find their happiness. This makes for a richer and more fruitful story with added depth.
This has set the stage for a good series so I hope that other great stories will follow (hopefully either Sasha, Rake or Talon’s).
August 30, 2022
Lovely Darkness: Demon’s within by R Sullins is a 4 ⭐️ read.
Juliette has spent her whole life being bullied, at school for how she looks and for being poor and then at home by her father because her mother died in childbirth, as she got older she found out that he wasn’t her real father and that made her happier than she thought possible, at 17 her life changed when her step-father attacked her and left visible scars to add to the mental ones.
Varek is a Demon King, her rules over all demon’s on earth, he’s been on earth for all time, he knows he was banished from hell and is unable to return but he’s not sure why. When he receives his mate mark on the day his future mate is born he cannot wait to meet her.
Juliette and Varek are complete opposites but are still perfect for each other.
I really enjoyed this book, the story flowed really well and the main characters were brilliantly written. I’m hoping we get more books in this series as I loved the background characters too.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
THIS BOOK WILL BE RELEASED SEPTEMBER 3rd.
Juliette has spent her whole life being bullied, at school for how she looks and for being poor and then at home by her father because her mother died in childbirth, as she got older she found out that he wasn’t her real father and that made her happier than she thought possible, at 17 her life changed when her step-father attacked her and left visible scars to add to the mental ones.
Varek is a Demon King, her rules over all demon’s on earth, he’s been on earth for all time, he knows he was banished from hell and is unable to return but he’s not sure why. When he receives his mate mark on the day his future mate is born he cannot wait to meet her.
Juliette and Varek are complete opposites but are still perfect for each other.
I really enjoyed this book, the story flowed really well and the main characters were brilliantly written. I’m hoping we get more books in this series as I loved the background characters too.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
THIS BOOK WILL BE RELEASED SEPTEMBER 3rd.
August 19, 2022
Fate was cruel to Juliette, and the hand she was dealt was so very heartbreakingly harsh.
Words and actions of violence and hatred, both broke her down, and broke my lil heart.
She could very well be anyone of us, and I think that's what made it hurt all the more.
This book is real, and gritty, and full of devastation and destruction. So be prepared tissues and chocs might be required!
Varek on the other hand is a demon of two halves. He's the one who can end your life, if you do wrong by him, but he's also the sweetheart who can't do enough for the one who is his.
I loved both sides of him. His darkness called to me, whilst the softer side of him made me want to swoon and sigh like a besotted schoolgirl.
The pace of this book was perfect for both characters, any faster and it wouldn't of felt right for them. She needed the understanding, and he needed to learn to embrace the lightness.
The only bad thing about this book is .. it came to an end!
Words and actions of violence and hatred, both broke her down, and broke my lil heart.
She could very well be anyone of us, and I think that's what made it hurt all the more.
This book is real, and gritty, and full of devastation and destruction. So be prepared tissues and chocs might be required!
Varek on the other hand is a demon of two halves. He's the one who can end your life, if you do wrong by him, but he's also the sweetheart who can't do enough for the one who is his.
I loved both sides of him. His darkness called to me, whilst the softer side of him made me want to swoon and sigh like a besotted schoolgirl.
The pace of this book was perfect for both characters, any faster and it wouldn't of felt right for them. She needed the understanding, and he needed to learn to embrace the lightness.
The only bad thing about this book is .. it came to an end!
September 3, 2022
This book was one that a stumbled across by complete chance and a find that I decided to read as the synopsis really caught me. I have to say that I loved it. The relationship between the two main characters is wonderful.I love how there is a mate sign but that it doesn't mean that it will always work out.
Varek has been on Earth for longer than he can even remember and he can remember hundreds of years. He indulged in various realtionships but when he felt the brand of his fated mate entering the world all of that ceased. He didn't even have so much as a night off until she pretty much appeared right in front of him one night. He is terrified of frightening her as she seems so small and fragile and yet he also reaslises that there is more to her. She seems to have a certain strength running through her that is not immediately apparent, a dry sense of humour and more than that for someone raised as a human she doesn't seem to have an inate fear of them. Juliette has lived the most hideous life until her father, or rather not father, ended up being put behind bars for trying to hurt her. She was near enough starved all her life with him and has tried to be small, inconspicuous and in the background as much as possible. She lives verty frugally and modestly. She works in a care home and is adored by the patients, the other staff not so much as she tends to keep herself to herself rather than mingle. A chance night out sets more off than she ever thought possible.
Varek has been on Earth for longer than he can even remember and he can remember hundreds of years. He indulged in various realtionships but when he felt the brand of his fated mate entering the world all of that ceased. He didn't even have so much as a night off until she pretty much appeared right in front of him one night. He is terrified of frightening her as she seems so small and fragile and yet he also reaslises that there is more to her. She seems to have a certain strength running through her that is not immediately apparent, a dry sense of humour and more than that for someone raised as a human she doesn't seem to have an inate fear of them. Juliette has lived the most hideous life until her father, or rather not father, ended up being put behind bars for trying to hurt her. She was near enough starved all her life with him and has tried to be small, inconspicuous and in the background as much as possible. She lives verty frugally and modestly. She works in a care home and is adored by the patients, the other staff not so much as she tends to keep herself to herself rather than mingle. A chance night out sets more off than she ever thought possible.
November 2, 2022
4.5 stars!
Ok, I really liked this one, more than I expected it actually, the only reason it's not 5 stars is because I felt like it dragged a little during the middle but otherwise it was a very nice read.
I liked how the relationship between Varek and Juliette progressed, their chemistry was nice to see, they communicated well and got through their obstacles in a real way.
I liked how Varek was portrayed, he was wise, patient, alpha and strong but also considerate, I found it appropriate based on the long life he's had, it was believable. I also liked Juliette, despite having gone through so much hardship she was still sweet and kind and a survivor.
This was my first book by this author and I am impressed, definitely will read more!
Ok, I really liked this one, more than I expected it actually, the only reason it's not 5 stars is because I felt like it dragged a little during the middle but otherwise it was a very nice read.
I liked how the relationship between Varek and Juliette progressed, their chemistry was nice to see, they communicated well and got through their obstacles in a real way.
I liked how Varek was portrayed, he was wise, patient, alpha and strong but also considerate, I found it appropriate based on the long life he's had, it was believable. I also liked Juliette, despite having gone through so much hardship she was still sweet and kind and a survivor.
This was my first book by this author and I am impressed, definitely will read more!
May 18, 2024
love Juliet and Varek
Juliette is an introvert, and just work at the nursing home and to her apartment. She has come along way from her abusive past. One night the girls from work convince her to go out. They go to the club Brimstone and she meets Varek the chemistry and attraction between them is very powerful. Varek tells her she is his fated mate and he’s a demon. There is danger surrounding Juliette from her past. Can Varek keep her safe, and convince her they belong together? Great characters and storyline Highly recommended Amazing Book. I love Juliette and Varek and the dynamic and character development. Great supporting characters. This book has all the feels and the spice is so good. So excited for what’s next.
Juliette is an introvert, and just work at the nursing home and to her apartment. She has come along way from her abusive past. One night the girls from work convince her to go out. They go to the club Brimstone and she meets Varek the chemistry and attraction between them is very powerful. Varek tells her she is his fated mate and he’s a demon. There is danger surrounding Juliette from her past. Can Varek keep her safe, and convince her they belong together? Great characters and storyline Highly recommended Amazing Book. I love Juliette and Varek and the dynamic and character development. Great supporting characters. This book has all the feels and the spice is so good. So excited for what’s next.
September 4, 2022
Fantastic read!
Wow... this book was next level! Juliette and Varek's story was absolutely fantastic! I was enthralled with the story of Varek, the oldest demon on earth, who had been living for thousands of years just waiting for his fated mate to be born. Then having to wait another 21 years to meet her! Juliette had a really tough upbringing since her "dad" treated her horribly. She found out when she was 10 that he wasn't in fact her father and he hated her cause her mother died birthing her... and for being a demon spawn with one green eye and one black. He even tried to cut that one out. Since then, she's been covering up not only her eyes but her scars as well. When she's out at a club with coworkers she meets Varek who immediately knows that she's the one he's been waiting for. Their story is sooooo good... except for Melissa and her psychotic father both trying to kill them.
Lots of great moments in this book!! Loved it from start to finish!
I received an ARC for my honest review!
Wow... this book was next level! Juliette and Varek's story was absolutely fantastic! I was enthralled with the story of Varek, the oldest demon on earth, who had been living for thousands of years just waiting for his fated mate to be born. Then having to wait another 21 years to meet her! Juliette had a really tough upbringing since her "dad" treated her horribly. She found out when she was 10 that he wasn't in fact her father and he hated her cause her mother died birthing her... and for being a demon spawn with one green eye and one black. He even tried to cut that one out. Since then, she's been covering up not only her eyes but her scars as well. When she's out at a club with coworkers she meets Varek who immediately knows that she's the one he's been waiting for. Their story is sooooo good... except for Melissa and her psychotic father both trying to kill them.
Lots of great moments in this book!! Loved it from start to finish!
I received an ARC for my honest review!
December 5, 2022
Estuvo bien, así, a secas.
Hay varias cosas que no me gustaron del todo y la trama se va algo rápido. No puedo decir que la historia sea mala pero realmente tampoco es muy buena, simplemente es entretenida y si tienes la espinita de querer leer algo sobre mates, entonces este libro puede ser una buena opción, sólo no esperes mucho de él.
Hay varias cosas que no me gustaron del todo y la trama se va algo rápido. No puedo decir que la historia sea mala pero realmente tampoco es muy buena, simplemente es entretenida y si tienes la espinita de querer leer algo sobre mates, entonces este libro puede ser una buena opción, sólo no esperes mucho de él.
September 6, 2022
Juliette and Varek's story was amazing, but it is not for the faint of heart.
Juliette has had an awful life. Abused, starved, bullied, the list goes on and on. She's always been different, but she's had no idea just how different she is until she meets Varek.
21 years ago, Varek's mate mark appeared on his wrist, and when he locks eyes with Juliette, he realizes she is his mate and will do anything to protect her.
Great side characters, suspense, betrayal, deaths, spice and a HEA await.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Juliette has had an awful life. Abused, starved, bullied, the list goes on and on. She's always been different, but she's had no idea just how different she is until she meets Varek.
21 years ago, Varek's mate mark appeared on his wrist, and when he locks eyes with Juliette, he realizes she is his mate and will do anything to protect her.
Great side characters, suspense, betrayal, deaths, spice and a HEA await.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 19, 2023
Loved the characters so much! I started reading and couldn't put it down. This was my first book to read from R. Sullins and ill definitely be checking out her other books.
March 11, 2024
Loved this book. Read it in 1 day. Cannot wait for book 2.
September 3, 2022
Varek and Juliette, what a crazy love duo between them too. It took me two days and it drew me in after like chapter 4 since it took time to build up the suspense of the paranormal but I very much enjoyed reading this book! I liked the characters, seeing the different fantasy creatures and bringing in underworld characters and I was shocked when I find out both of the backgrounds of the main characters! Overall this book I liked a lot and had a great time reading this book and cant wait for this author to bring out something else!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 3, 2022
Wow I absolutely loved this story with Juliette who had a bad life growing up she was abused by her father who she found out later that he wasn’t her father he tried to do despicable things to her which made me sad for her. Varek the king of demons knew that his mate had been born when a mark suddenly appeared on his wrist but he had to have patience for Juliette to grow up and what a strong and sassy female she turned out to be. I loved this story and the characters especially Varek and I definitely recommend this book.
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