Rebecca’s twisted takes on the classics always pull me in, and this one was no different. The supernatural vibe was chef’s kiss, the action kept me on edge, and the character dynamics were so intense in the best way.

The dark, mysterious plot mixed with a complicated romance had me hooked from page one. I absolutely loved the folklore elements and the cameos from other literary characters—it made the world feel so rich, and now I need more stories in this universe.

I had a love-hate relationship with both Baz and Dorian. Dorian is exactly who you’d expect him to be—arrogant, charming, and a total mess. Baz, on the other hand, frustrated me at times. She refuses to let anyone control her choices, but she also has a habit of pushing her own beliefs onto others. Still, watching both of them struggle with their pasts while getting tangled up in each other’s lives was so compelling.

As for the romance the attraction was there from the start, but what really got me was how their emotional baggage played into their connection. It wasn’t just lust—it was messy, complicated, and full of tension, which made it so much more interesting.

I really enjoyed this one. A few character moments annoyed me, but the haunting atmosphere, the depth of the story, and the chemistry between the leads more than made up for it. If you love gothic retellings with a supernatural twist, this is definitely worth a read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it has since come out. Yes, this was a good Dorian Grey retelling! I'm very glad, that despite the mf pairing the book stays true to Dorian Grey's queerness and the intended queer themes of that work because I'm tired of the straight washing happening in art atm. The way that this book also leans into the elements of how harmful eugenic thinking is, is well done too. It's spice I loved too.

I absolutely adored this book! I never read the classic so I didn’t know what to expect, and to be honest I want to go back and read it to see what inspired this nov! The first book I did enjoy because I read the Great Gatsby but this one took everything from the first back and magnified it! I’m so excited to see if there are any other classic novels that this other is going to reimagine and bring to life!!!

The themes were so complex and dark, but the author truly made them into something beautiful. I am soooo grateful I got the opportunity to read this ahead of time!

This book was fantastic—right from the start, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. As a retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray, I appreciated how Rebecca reimagined these characters. Baz (Basil) is an independent, ambitious woman carving out her place in the art world, while Dorian is the alluring man with a soul in decay. I especially loved Dorian’s POV—his attempt to seem detached and indifferent crumbles so easily around Baz, adding layers to his character. When they weren’t caught up in their romance, they were being pursued by sinister creatures, keeping the pace fast and thrilling throughout.

However, this wasn’t quite a 5-star read for me. The story’s climax and resolution felt rushed, unfolding in the last 10% of the book, even though there were subtle clues throughout. Still, it was an exciting and engaging read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Rebecca Kenney is the queen of retelling and this picture of Dorian Grey retelling was phenomenal!! As always Rebecca is an instant read author for me she never disappoints

As always check your trigger warnings before starting this book (like any other )

*fantasy
*duel pov
*mythical monsters
*powers
*Dorian grey retelling
*touch her and die

I have thoroughly enjoyed every book I've read by Rebecca. She writes incredible, dark, and immersive stories that I will always recommend. You can't go wrong with her work.

I’ve always loved “the Picture od Dorian Gray” so i cannot read. This! I loved all from the first to the last page: the pacing is fast, the writing is engaging ,the characters made me swoon and i loved how the author has blended the original book with the modern setting!

This was good. I think the concept behind this book and the series as a whole is well done, though the execution isn’t necessarily my favourite. The characters are just a little roughly shaped I feel, I just struggled to connect with them on any level. I do think the plot of this was solid in general, I’m not familiar with The Picture of Dorian Gray so I can’t speak to the accuracy of the character or anything though. Overall this was nice, I’m interested in continuing this series as the next one sounds good!

What to Expect:
🖤 Dorian Gray Retelling
❤️ Luxury x Glamor
🖤 Morality Chain
❤️ Sleeping Gods
🖤 Dangerous Powers
❤️ Mythical Monsters

Charming Devil puts a fresh, contemporary spin on The Picture of Dorian Gray, blending gothic allure with modern mysticism. The supernatural elements seamlessly weave into the everyday world, adding an extra layer of intrigue. Fun fact: I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series until after I finished it, but no worries! It stands strong on its own with a distinct storyline and fresh characters.

Dorian is arrogant, dangerously charming, and utterly irresistible (even when you know better). Baz, on the other hand, is a force of nature, fiercely independent and an enigmatic presence in the art world. Their chemistry? Instant, electric, and crackling with tension.

The premise is undeniably creative, and the description alone had me hooked. That said, connecting with the characters took some time. Dorian’s vanity is as frustrating as it is fascinating, while Baz’s inner conflict, though compelling, feels repetitive at times. The story occasionally loses sight of its main plot, and I struggled to fully relate to Baz, which added to that sense of disconnect. The pacing slows in the middle as their emotional tug-of-war takes center stage, but once the magical stakes rise, the intrigue follows, leading to an intense and satisfying climax.

Having never read The Picture of Dorian Gray, I had no preconceived notions about how Dorian should look, act, or speak, my only reference being The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. That might’ve worked in my favor, as I was able to enjoy this fresh take without any expectations.

If you love morally gray characters, reimagined classics, and slow-burn dark romance, this one’s for you!

Thank you to Rebecca Kenney, the author, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity.

I loved this book! The imagery and tone were perfect. I actually really enjoyed the morally gray aspects of both main characters. It made them feel that much more real, because we all have our moments when we are not our best selves.
The connection to the first book in the series is minimal enough to not be missing out if you haven’t read it, but adds to the enjoyment if you have.
I will happily recommend this book to anyone who loves the author’s other work, retellings and morally gray MMCs.

I really love the Picture of Dorian Gray and so this is a really fun take, almost like a sequel to what would happen to Dorian if he fell in love. It was a quick read with spice and I enjoyed the diversity of characters. Not sure if it was my favorite take, but it was interesting.

Charming Devil, is the second installment of the Gilded Monsters series, by Rebecca Kenney. To answer any immediate questions, it is stand alone, and you do not have to have read, Beautiful Villian to understand anything that is happening.
The nitty gritty: Overall review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level 🌶️🌶️🌶️
In Charming Devil, we are immediately greeted with the man (devil) himself, Dorian Gray, fresh off a night of debauchery to go through his typical morning routine, only to find his worst nightmare is coming to fruition.
Fast forward, and meet Baz, an artist who has inherited a house a storefront in North Carolina and has a curse passed down through her family. A curse, she’s sworn to never use, repeatedly. Dorian NEEDS her to use it, and makes a deal with her in order to try to convince her.

This book is intriguing, and really kept me going. I loved the banter between the two main characters. Dorian is a man who is stuck like permafrost, frozen STUCK in his ways and can see no way to change. And Baz is not going to bend to his will or his damn gorgeous face and body, even if it’s the last thing she does! So we get strong willed characters that even when they do fall into each other’s arms their busy after the fact trying to make sure they don’t fall too far or hard when it is way past that point.
I spent the last quarter of this book with my eyes exclusively on Dorian, because damn man need to not just grovel, but drag his bare belly through broken glass. I just knew RK was not going to leave us hanging, or without an HEA. I knew she wouldn’t do us dirty like that. Oh the climax was *chef’s kiss*. It was perfect, and poignant and if you’re anything like me, might leave you with a lingering question about another character.
Amazing book, and now I am left waiting for the third.

✨ 𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀✨
📖: Charming Devil (Gilded Monsters, 2)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

In Charming Devil, we meet Baz, an up and coming artist with a painful past and a secret gift she’s sworn to never use again. Seeking new beginnings in Charleston, she meets the notorious, hedonistic, and beautiful Dorian Gray. And beautiful and young he’ll always remain…until he discovers that the magic with the painting housing soul is withering from centuries of vices, and with it, his time left.

As Dorian tries to convince Baz to use her gift to save him, they both get more than they bargained for.

Drawn into the world of the elite, wealthy, and glamourous, will Baz lose her own soul in the process?

Tropes:
👀Dual POV
🖼️Modern retelling
🫂Forced proximity
🩶Morally grey MMC
✨Celtic folklore
🛏️One bed
📚Interconnected standalone
🌶️: moderate

Baz has been fascinated and drawn to the mystical and macabre. While her art feeds her soul, it also draws out some of her most painful memories.

With his otherworldly beauty and magnetism, Dorian is used to being worshiped all while remaining detached to human strife and emotional attachments. But who is the man that lies beneath the perfect facade? Is there anything left of his soul that is redeemable?

Rebecca delicately peels back the layers for both characters, diving into their vulnerabilities and perceptions of each other. Both process guilt and loss differently yet are haunted all the same by both. They also struggle with their conflicting emotions and the scorching chemistry between them.

The narrative scrutinizes society’s obsession with beauty, youth, and wealth and how vanity can corrupt the soul. The brilliant infusion of Celtic folklore and Southern Gothic vibes enriches the eerie and supernatural elements of this tale.

Charming Devil is a dark, alluring, and sinfully delightful modern twist on The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Huge thanks to the author, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Review: CHARMING DEVIL (A Dark & Spicy Modern Dorian Grey) by Rebecca Kenney https://bit.ly/41ca0fB
Publication Date: 2/11/2025
Genre: Romantasy
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated 5 Stars

I couldn’t put this book down. I got wrapped up in the story and loved the characters. If you’ve read Dorian Grey this is a retelling with spice. It’s the second book in the Gilded Monsters series but you don’t have to read the first book before picking up this one. I haven’t read the first book but plan on picking it up next. I have it and the next release on my TBR. I thoroughly enjoyed Rebecca Kenney’s writing style and she’s going on my must buy list. This book is one of my favorites this year.

*Review copy provided by the Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review.

~*~*~

Kindle https://amzn.to/3CPPGXR
Paperback https://amzn.to/4jNcacN (**SPECIAL DELUXE EDITION WITH STAINED EDGES, CHARACTER ART, AND MORE.**)

Ugh, Dorian Gray is amazing. Yes, he is snobby and wrapped in his way, but Baz is just the person he needed to show him the right way. I was so intrigued by the paranormal aspect attached to this story and the lore had me hooked. The spice was written beautifully as it is in every Rebecca Kenney book. The characters are so amazing and you find yourself growing attachments out of nowhere and also wondering who is trustworthy. The story reads well with nothing included that would shift focus from the plot. I was happy to hear mention of Gatsby and home that in the next book we will know what came from Baz and Daisy meeting. This series has my whole attention and I need to know what happens next.

Charming Devil is a fun PNR retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Dorian’s painting that has kept him living the high life for over a century is starting to deteriorate. In order to stay young & beautiful he searches for the descendant of the original artist to save him. Baz, a tortured artist, is not immune to Dorian’s charms, but has made a vow to never create a portrait again. Dorian strikes a deal to persuade Baz to help him, but neither could foresee what awakens.
I love the writing style & characters. Baz and her independent boss attitude. She doesn’t let the notoriety & wealth that Dorian provides consume or change her. And the character development for Dorian. He is charming as the title states, but the author clearly depicts the differences between the innocent soul he started as, the empty shell he has become and the evil he could turn into.
If you like a fun modern world with magic and myth splashed in with gothic vibes, this is for you!

Thank you Sourcebooks for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Charming Devil by Rebecca Kenney was definitely a story I fell in love with and fell more in love with it as the characters fell for each other. I love this paranormal twist on Dorian Gray and how much character growth he goes through. Definitely a binge worthy read-in-one-day read.

Well written with charming characters makes Charming Devil easy to read however if you’re unfamiliar with The Picture of Dorian Grey you might be confused through out, and if you’re a fan you might be turned off from the lack of allegory and the modernness. I’m not sure who this book is written for but I did enjoy it when I detached from the fact that it was a modern day Dorian Grey.

Charming Devil is the second in Kenney's Gilded Monsters series. They are standalone novels but there are a few characters from Beautiful Villain who make an appearance in this novel.
This is an erotic retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Dorian's portrait is starting to disintegrate from his debauched life, and he finds the ancestor of the original artist in order to get her to complete a new portrait. However, Baz Allard isn't willing to use her magic that way. She has a fear of her power and she swore to never use it. But Dorian makes her an offer she cannot refuse and within that time frame, they fall in love. But is Dorian willing to give up his immortality/humanity for Baz?

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks/Casablanca for this digital e-arc.*

4.5 rounded up to 5

I really enjoyed this story.

Good spice and story line. I also really loved the shout out to daisy and Gatsby.

Rebecca never disappoints and I can't wait to read more from this world.