This is a spicy enemies-to-lovers paranormal romance with a Beauty and the Beast twist. I loved the first book by Aurora Ascher and this second book doesn't disappoint. If you don't like spicy, just skip those parts but the story writing is amazing! Highly recommend!

I really loved the dynamic between iris and meph. Iris' sass and snark mixed with meph's sarcasm was really great. I enjoy how this series is about darker themes but also has humor, heart and heat. So good!

Iris is still not sold on being too friendly with the demons in her life, and still wants revenge for her parents murder. She is casual and nice enough to them, except Meph. Stupid sexy demon. So when she finally lets loose and says what's on her mind, she realizes she might of went too far. Now he won't flirt or tease her, and it's driving her crazy. She actually misses him.

I knew Meph would be my favorite demon, and I was correct. The spice was 🥵🔥. I loved the humor in the book. Even when Meph is in his demon form, how Iris thinks he is kind of cute? For a grim reaper type demon. Then add in a little hellhound pup? This was my favorite one so far!

This is the third book in the Hell Bent series and dives into Iris and Meph's story. It has enemy to lovers vibes and was a fun read. I loved the banter between our main characters and the angst feel, but the comedic quips kept it light-hearted and not so heavy. We also get to see previous characters come back in this story and get some closure on their own predicaments.

This could be read as a stand-alone, but because it involves so many of the previous books characters, it's best to start from the beginning of the series to get their back story explained fully for them.

The banter and sass in this one is so, so good. Iris hates Meph. Well, she hates that she doesn't hate him. She hates how stupidly hot he is and how he sees right through her. Meph is irritated by Iris too, but he can't seem to get her out of his head. He hasn't wanted anyone like this in centuries, and it scares the crap out of him.

Iris is scared, too, though. Of her own desires, but also because they're being hunted down by the demon that killed her and Lily's parents. As Iris integrates herself into her twin's new life, she realizes that accepting the demons isn't as easy as she thought. And Meph is terrified about actually feeling something, so of course, they both ignore it.

Until they can't anymore, and they're facing their biggest fears in Hell, captured by the demon who has found them. This one was so, so heartbreaking, yet so full of longing, hope, and ultimately acceptance.

4⭐️ Another wild ride of a paranormal romance, this time with a blood-born witch fmc who decides to strike up a friends with benefits situationship with a tatted-up demon mmc!

This was a very fast-paced, exciting, and spicy read that I really enjoyed. I lovedddd Meph and Iris together (they were so cute, and spicy lol) as well as separately - I think both of their character developments were great! They both had such relatable characteristics despite being paranormal beings, which made the read better! Plus the humour throughout was great too.

The only thing for me was that there was definitely some more insight on other side characters dedicated in this book than the last (at least in my opinion), which kind of kept pulling me out of Iris and Meph’s story.

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹, I really enjoyed this book! This newer genre I’ve started reading keeps surprising me, and I cannot wait to read more of this series! ❤️‍🔥

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this as an e-arc in exchange for an honest review prior to re-release! ❤️‍🔥

—

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 ↴
Star: 4⭐️/5
Spice: 3-3.5🌶️/5
Emotion: 2💧/5

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 ↴
❤️‍🔥 Paranormal Romance
🖤 Enemies to Lovers
❤️‍🔥 Friends with Benefits
🖤 Witch (FMC) x Demon (MMC)
❤️‍🔥 Healing & Growing from Trauma
🖤 Found Family
❤️‍🔥 Tatted and Pierced MMC
🖤 Black Cat x Golden Retriever
❤️‍🔥 Banter & Tension
🖤 Lustful Loathing

I love this monster romance series! It has me gushing and laughing at the same time. This author puts so much care into each character and I love each one of them. I have grown to love this series so much! If you like monster romance, or want to get into it m, please check out this author! Fabulous five out of five ⭐️

Demon with Benefits is a traditional release of the third book in an interconnected fantasy romance. It This book is about Iris and Meph, and how they went from barely tolerating each other to a friends-with-benefits situation. Meph is one of the demon’s that escaped from hell to live in the human world with his found demon family .
When I first started reading, I didn’t realize that it was part of a series. As much as I enjoyed this as a standalone, it would be better in order of the series. The author does a nice job of summarizing what happened in previous books, so the reader can easily follow along if they haven’t read the others, but I think knowing the history and relationships of the other characters would have been beneficial.
I enjoyed this book, and was pleasantly surprised at all the action that took place. This was my first book by Aurora Ascher so I mistakenly thought it was mostly a romance story with the main plot on the relationship between the main characters and their personal growth. There is that, but there is also a bigger story that ties into the overarching series plot.
Anyone who enjoys a bit of spice with their fantasy romance books would enjoy this.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (3.5/5)
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)

If you’re in the mood for a fun, steamy paranormal romance packed with demons and heat, Demon with Benefits might be just what you're looking for. The world is rich with supernatural flair, and the demon vibes were strong in the best way.

The spice definitely delivered, sizzling without overtaking the plot, and the paranormal elements kept things intriguing from start to finish. While it didn’t become an all-time favorite for me, it was still a solid, enjoyable read and a great pick for fans of sexy, supernatural romance.

I devoured this book and this whole series! They are written so well, and you get so attached! Another masterpiece from the author.

This is by far my favorite one so far in this series 😍🔥 I have been looking forward to Meph’s and Iris’s story as I have always been a big fan of Meph from the beginning of book 1!

I’m so honored and glad to be part of Aurora’s Hellbent Hellions team and this series just keeps getting better & better!

Meph is so swoon worthy and I love the dynamic and relationship growth between him and Iris. I just absolutely love Meph because he is so sarcastic and just brings the best vibes 😂 You got lots of good banter in this one especially the moments with Meph being so flirtatious. You can def see the attraction between these two off the bat as you read and Aurora has such a good writing style where she grabs your attention right away where this turns into a page turner! I couldn’t put this book down!

Not only is the banter and spice good in this book, but Aurora does well balancing this with the plot as you experience the trauma and healing aspects in this book between characters. It’s like you grow with them and you can even relate to some of them in here to where it really touches your soul in the best way possible.

The raw emotion, the humor between the brothers in here is everything, and the paranormal universe Aurora creates in her books is pure gold! This epic romance is one you will want to get a hold of and add to your TBR immediately! I honestly cant wait for the next book and big thank you to Kensington Books and Aurora for an early copy of this masterpiece! Forever grateful to be part of your team! 🥹❤️🫶🏼

Some of my favorite moments/quotes:

“You love it. I can tell you’ve always wanted it but never had a partner who was man enough to stand up to you. That pansy earlier would have cowered under your stare, but not me.”

“Watching you scream threats at me just turns me on.”

“You’re my hero. My knight in shining armor. I fucking love you.”

Aurora Ascher has truly outdone herself with "Demon with Benefits," the highly anticipated third installment in her "Hell Bent" series. This book isn't just spicy; it's a deeply emotional, action packed journey that solidified its place as my favorite in the series and a definite five star read. If you're looking for an enemies to lovers paranormal romance that delivers on every front, this is it.

The dynamic between Meph and Iris is simply electric. Meph, the lovable, humorous demon we've come to adore, reveals new layers of darkness and vulnerability that make him utterly compelling. Iris, with her fiery blue hair and a past that has made her wary of all demons (especially one as teasing and tempting as Meph), is a heroine you can't help but root for. Their initial animosity is pure gold, fueled by sharp banter and an undeniable, simmering attraction that ignites the pages.

Ascher masterfully weaves a "Beauty and the Beast" twist into their story, adding a fantastic layer of depth to Meph's internal struggles and Iris's journey to overcome her fears and embrace him fully. The tension, both romantic and plot driven, builds relentlessly as a dangerous enemy from the past resurfaces, forcing them to confront not only their feelings but also their suppressed pain.

Beyond the scorching hot scenes (and yes, they deliver!), what truly elevates "Demon with Benefits" is its emotional resonance. Ascher tackles trauma and trust with incredible sensitivity, making Meph and Iris's path to healing and connection deeply impactful. The blend of humor, high stakes action, and raw emotion is perfectly balanced, keeping you utterly engrossed from beginning to end.

"Demon with Benefits" is a spectacular read that showcases Aurora Ascher's talent for crafting unforgettable characters and consuming paranormal worlds. It’s dark, it’s funny, it’s incredibly sexy, and it has a massive heart. Do yourself a favor and dive into Meph and Iris's epic romance you won't regret it!

This book is pure paranormal fun with a deliciously sharp edge. Demon with Benefits brings heat, humor, and heart in equal measure, serving up a romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still knows how to land a punch (and a kiss).

The banter is electric, the world-building feels fresh without getting bogged down in lore, and the chemistry between the leads is off the charts. There’s a real “grumpy supernatural entity meets chaotic human” energy that drives the tension, and it works beautifully. I also appreciated that beneath the flirtation and fire, there’s actual emotional depth. The characters are messy, flawed, and more than just archetypes.

This deluxe edition adds a layer of polish to a story that’s already fast-paced and fun. Some side characters could’ve used more page time, but the story stays laser-focused on the core romance, which makes it a fast, satisfying read.

If you like your supernatural love interests morally questionable but ultimately loyal, and your heroines messy but magnetic, this one’s a win.

Every time I pick up one of the books in the Hell Bent series I know I’m going to have a great time! Demon With Benefits was no different. I was so excited for Meph story but I’ll admit I was worried about his love interest, Iris. I’m happy to report Mrs Ascher did not disappoint. The third installment in the series was a fun and adorkable thrill ride.

Like I mentioned I was worried about Iris. I was not a huge fan of her when we first met her in book 2. But getting to see inside her head with her struggles helped me understand her better. So if you’re like me keep in mind Iris and Meph were similar in many ways. Both of them were struggling and couldn't process their emotions properly. But when they finally sorted it out and faced their fears it made everything they’ve endured worth it.

I cannot stress how much I enjoyed this book. I devoured it in less than 24 hours and I definitely think this is my new favorite in the series. I can’t wait to get our next demon brothers story. Big Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an E-ARC in exchange of an honest review! L

So I started re reading this series because I got the printed ARCs.
I forgot how much I enjoyed reading about these demons and their female partners.
Meph my sweet artistic damaged demon, who was a slave and broken for so many years until he escaped hell and met another demon that helped him cage his demonic side and let his humanoid side take over.
Iris is a witch who is coming to terms with the way her life is going, she always thought that ALL demons were evil, especially since her and Lily were being hunted by one of them. But now she is literally surrounded by demons daily and she doesn't like it and makes sure they know it.
Meph and Iris definitely started as enemies but they couldn't deny the attraction they felt for each other. So they arranged to hook up and keep it casual with no strings attached. Those two were inseparable after that and man the spice was 🩲🫠🔥.
But this time it was Meph who started to catch feelings for Iris and he told her, only for her to shoot him down 😢. Man my heart...my poor little heart hurt for this giant demon.
Iris immediately regretted it but it was too late he already left and no one knew where he was, only to find out that he was taken back to hell....how did she find out he was taken back, well because she was kidnapped to use as leverage. Man things got pretty intense and messed up while they were in hell, but they also bonded and Iris came to realize that she loved Meph, both of his sides.

I loved this story and I can't wait to dive in to read the rest again

thank you to Kensington Publishing, NetGalley but most of all thanks to Aurora for this book😘

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC Demon with Benefits.

I loved this book! The banter is pure *chefs kiss* 🤌🏻. The dynamic between our MCs, the tension, the spice 🌶️... this book had everything I love about the enemies to lovers trope and just had me vibing the entire read. I cannot wait for the next book.

Demon With Benefits by Aurora Ascher is the third installment of the Hell Bent series that follows Meph, the jokester with a lot more depth than given credit for and Isla, a blue-haired witch with a shaky temperament that loves to hate and hates to love Meph. This enemies-to-lovers and forbidden lovers paranormal romance is something I couldn’t put down. From the other novels in the series you only get a topical view of Meph and in this novel it opens him up and shows you how many layers his character has. I binged it in a day! With all the tropes I love and the banter, I knew I was going to fall in love with this bookish couple. Now I hope to see what happens in the next book and hopefully Raum gets a happy ending! 🥰

This series is my happy place. I love the characters and I was so happy to finally get to read about Meph and Iris getting their happily ever after. Their romance was well written and I absolutely love everything about this book.

Each book in this series has been fantastic. I was so hyped for Demon with Benefits and I'm so happy we got Meph and Iris's story.

Meph and Iris were perfect. I really couldn't get enough of these two, especially Meph's character. His character reminded me a lot of Damon from the tv show The Vampire Diaries. A cocky bad ass whose misunderstood and sensitive. Iris is similar to Meph in that she's also hurting a lot but masks it with her snarky attitude. She grows a lot by the end of the book. Now that I think about it, this was like if Damon and Bonnie got together so if you're a fan of that pairing this couple will work for you.

I thought this pairing was fantastic and their romance really worked for me. They could understand each other like no one else could. Watching their romance develop (realizing their true feelings towards each other) was a treat. The romance developed nicely. They really brought out the best in each other.

The steam here is hot, hot, hot! The chemistry these two had sizzled off the page. Also Meph has a tongue similar to Venom (*fans self profusely*). Ascher really delivered on the spicy times for this one.

The plot was a fun paranormal romance.

Would highly recommend!

This book was SO MUCH FUN! Meph has been my favorite among the demons in this series, and my pierced, tattooed goober did not disappoint.

His story is so intriguing and I have to say, I was whole heartedly shocked by the description of his demon form. Mephistopheles sounds absolutely terrifying! His power was so spot on. And I love how his goofiness extended to that form. The way he peeks around corners? I’m dead. He’s so stinking cute. Scary, but cute.

I’m obsessed with this series!