I love paranormal romance, especially ones with all of the tropes of this book- it was like it was made for me. Iris was a little bit of a pain but honestly this was her character and it shaped her relationships with the other cast of characters. Obsessed. Love. Need more.

This year I have been loving the reprint of Aurora Ascher‘s Hell Bent series. A couple weeks ago, the third in the series, Demon with Benefits, got its rerelease. I was so excited for this one ever since the first book, and guys, this was my favorite one yet!

Meph is the fun-loving, happy demon brother, but Iris can’t stand him. Even after she says some particularly hurtful things to him, neither can deny the physical chemistry simmering between them. So, enemies or not, they embark on a no-strings-attached sexual relationship. Of course they won’t catch feelings. And of course, despite previous events, no one’s currently in danger anymore. But when crisis does come knocking, Iris may be the only one who can save Meph from himself.

What I Liked:
- Sizzling chemistry between enemies. Okay, enemies may be too harsh a word, but Iris seriously hates Meph. For his part, Meph is just a happy jokester who likes to flirt. But despite Iris’s obvious dislike, neither she nor Meph can ignore their mutual attraction. So they pursue a friends (enemies?) with benefits relationship, and it is hot! This is one of the steamier books I’ve read!
- Panic attacks over love. Look, demons don’t really do emotions. That’s how it was with Ash, and that’s how it was with Mist. Meph goes into this sexual relationship knowing about human emotions, but he still doesn’t expect to feel them for Iris himself. Or for the intensity of that new feeling!
- Meph’s two sides… literally! In his human form, Meph is such a fun, silly guy, but he has a hidden dark side that comes out in his art. What is this trauma he’s been covering up? Later, we get to meet his demon form, terrifying and destructive and oh so hungry. But can Meph ever come to terms with his two opposing sides?
- Demon with Benefits has a longer timeline, which works in its favor! The first two books felt too rushed for me. Here though, Meph and Iris have already known each other for months when the book starts. Then the plot spans several weeks. It makes the feelings seem much more believable and real. The relationships all feel more legitimate because of the extra time for them to develop.
- Some setup for Raum and Sunshine’s story! Breaking with general romance convention, the Hell Bent books don’t just focus on the two main characters’ POVs; we also get chapters focusing on other characters. In Demon with Benefits, some of those extra chapters set up the couple in the next book. Demon brother Raum and new character Sunshine haven’t quite met yet, but already there’s some basis for their relationship to begin.

Final Thoughts
So far, each book in the Hell Bent series has been better than the last. Demon with Benefits is my favorite one yet! I love how fun this whole book was, with characters who have big personality, but I also love the darker sides as well. Meph and Iris are the best couple.

I’m so excited to continue this series. Raum and Sunshine get their love story in Guardian Demon, republishing on September 30th. Then Murmur and Suyin’s book, Beauty and the Demon, comes out next March. And later in 2026, Belial will get his long-awaited, brand new happily ever after. I’ll be reading all of these as soon as they’re out!

It was a light, fun read and I really enjoyed it! It was the first book of the series for me - but won’t be the last! Looking back I would definitely recommend reading them in order.

I would characterise it more as acquaintances-to-lovers than as enemies-to-lovers. In general, the book was more focused on romance, not plot. I loved the found family. The banter between the fmc and mmc was awesome, even though I would not consider the fmc as likeable. Once she finally came around, the relationship started getting slightly cheesy.

I would recommend this book to those who like spicy demon romances and want a light and fun read. Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this erc. All opinions are my own.

Ummm this standalone paranormal romance was delicious. It’s in an interconnected series, and even though I haven’t read the two previous (YET), I absolutely loved this one. Once I go back and read the other stories, I’ll see all the Easter eggs leading to Meph & Iris’s forbidden romance, and I cannot wait.

🫦 Forbidden love
🔥 Enemies to lovers
🏡 Found family
🌹 Beauty & the beast
🖤 Dark humor
👀 Adventure/suspense
💪🏼 Strong heroines x Alpha Anti-Hero

Meph and Iris challenged each other in all the best ways, and I was obsessed with the dynamic between them and their crew. The tension? Unmatched. The spice? Chef’s kiss. The found family? I’m crying. I need the next couple’s story now.

✨ Books 1 & 2 are available on KU. I have no excuse! ✨

Iris and Meph were both pretty unlikeable, unfortunately. Both of them were rather hard on themselves and had a tendency to bring the mood down. Iris also made things hard on herself with her intense prejudice against demons, which, you'd think she would have gotten over after her sister had fallen in love with one, at least a little bit.

I honestly think I would have found her much more likeable if the book was written exclusively from Meph's persepctive, but hearing her thoughts and how unsufferable she was and the acknowledgement that she made bad decisions but never really took any steps to grow or change was a drag.

Honestly, at this point I'm just here for Bel's story. Distraught there's TWO books that aren't his coming up!!

4.5 🌟
Demon with Benefits is the third Hell Bent book by Aurora Ascher, and it’s my favorite so far! Meph is exactly the kind of tough-but-soft hero I adore, and Iris is a perfect match with her sharp wit and guarded heart. Their banter had me laughing, and the chemistry was absolutely sizzling.

Iris wasn’t always easy to like at first, but her growth made their relationship feel real and meaningful. The found family vibe throughout the series just keeps getting better, and the mix of humor, spice, and paranormal action hits all the right notes.

If you’re into spicy enemies-to-lovers paranormal romance with heart and humor, you’ll love this one. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for the ARC!

One of the best urban paranormal romance adventures out there, and definitely one of my favorites! Great mix of witches, demons, power plays, secrets, tension, action, gore, sizzle, spice - and one adorable hellhound. Whole series is fun, but can each be standalone. Kind of like Fritos, once you start, you won't stop ...

This was a DNF for me after not enjoying the 2nd book and not feeling excited (at all!) for this one. I am so sorry! Thank you, NetGalley!

I absolutely loved Mephs book and the relationship the brothers share. I was so excited when I saw it was availabl and that I wouldn’t have to wait for it to be released!! I absolutely loved the first two books and couldn’t put this one down. I read this book in under 24hrs. It captivated me and I just had to see how it was going to end.

Aurora Ascher delivers another sizzling, laugh-out-loud paranormal romance in the Hell Bent series with Demon with Benefits—a deluxe edition that’s as gorgeous on the outside as it is fiery on the inside.

This installment follows Meph, the charming, wisecracking demon brother who hides his pain behind humor, and Iris Donovan, a fierce, blue-haired witch with a sharp tongue and a guarded heart. Both are haunted by their pasts and reluctant to trust, but when a deadly enemy resurfaces, they’re forced to confront their inner demons—and each other.

What unfolds is a scorching enemies-to-lovers romance with a “Beauty and the Beast” twist, packed with banter, emotional depth, and supernatural spice. Ascher masterfully balances humor, heartache, and heat.

In Demon with Benefits, sparks fly between Meph, the trauma-hiding, wisecracking demon, and Iris, a fierce, blue-haired witch who can't stand him—until she kind of can. Their “benefits-only” deal quickly spirals into something deeper, despite both trying to deny it.

The chemistry is off-the-charts, but it’s the emotional layers that really shine. Meph’s past is raw and real, and Iris—equal parts badass and caretaker—is the only one he can truly open up to. With high stakes, steamy scenes, and a powerful emotional core, this enemies-to-lovers romance is the best kind of trouble.

Perfect for fans of sharp banter, slow-burn tension, and supernatural heat.


Thank you, Kensington Publishing, for allowing me to read and review this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

First Book by Aurora Ascher

I liked the demons in love aspects, the romance, the curses.

I loved the banter, the funny moments.

I love that I am branching out into my monster romance era with this author!!

Witches, tattooed demon 😈🥵, found family.

I think this has been my favorite of the series so far! Meph and all his broodiness completely stole my heart. This one is spicy!!! We're talking tattoos, piercings, and a tongue situation 👀🔥Oh, and yes... there are monster form scenes
and🥵🥵🥵 The chemistry between Meph and Iris was on
fire, and the emotional scenes hit just as hard as the heat.

I really enjoyed this one! It was funny, spicy, had some elements of danger and mystery, and full of back and forth hate filled banter between our MCs. Meph and Iris were a match made in you know where. Their chemistry was off the charts, and their banter was even better! They’re both afraid of commitment and refuse to show any kind of vulnerability whatsoever. However, they cannot stay away from each other. The lines between hate and lust begin to blur, and before you know it they’ve caught dreaded feelings. These two were so much fun to read!

I shouldn’t be surprised that I enjoyed this book if I thoroughly enjoyed the previous ones in the series.
The main couple (Meph and Iris) had two dynamics that I don’t usually gravitate towards: enemies-to-lovers and friends-with-benefits (although they aren’t friends to begin with but sexually attracted so they decide to do something about it). Their bantering and teasing that is incorporated with the dialogue is just so smooth that it feels natural. Although we don't see the gradual closeness emerge with every single interaction (which I believe would add a hundred more pages probably), you can see their demeanor and behavior around each other change from the timeskips that don’t feel too sudden.
Something I appreciate in the book are the flaws that are shown in Iris’ and Meph’s characters. It doesn't minimize their character dynamic but rather elevate their interactions with the other characters in the story (like Lily and Raum). The way they use their flaws to shape not only conquer their dears but also as a way for their connection to grow deeper and meaningful is very well done.
Something I really liked in this is the demon-fucking! This one is a different flavor than the other two books because this demon form is more monstrous which I really liked. The way Iris reacted to being attracted by Meph’s demon form is just chef kiss. The incorporation of the tongue and the description is just what I wanted in a paranormal romance where one of the love interests isn’t human. Although they both had a pretty rough start in the beginning, I really liked how chest and romantic they are at the end knowing that they can fully trust each other and be vulnerable.
I also love the demon brother cameos as well and the introduction to the next love interest. The little sneak peaks and the hints are appreciated. I still suffer when watching Belial having to struggle with keeping his demon family in check and how they try to mention about his demon connections which hurts my soul.
The book wasn’t plot heavy like it was in “My Demon Hunter” but by the last third of the book, there was some heavy plot that follows the greater scheme of the book. And yes, this is a paranormal romance book so of course it would be mostly focused on the couple themselves but I really enjoy the incorporation of an overarching plot that is pushing the series forward and not like a checklist for the demons to find lovers.
Overall, I was a bit surprised by how much I enjoyed this book despite the content and dynamic between Meph and Iris not being my preferred kind of romance but they both made it work.

This is book 3 in the Hell Bent series, and I’ve been waiting for Meph’s story since the very beginning. He’s the tattooed, sarcastic demon with a hidden soft side, and I was more than ready for all that tension between him and Iris to finally explode. And let me just say... it was everything I hoped for. I could not put this book down.

Iris is a strong, guarded witch who’s sick of giving her heart to the wrong men. She’s all about keeping things casual, and Meph is more than ready to help with that. What starts as a no-strings setup turns into something deeper, even if they both refuse to admit it. The chemistry between them is hot, the banter is on point, and I loved how their connection started to shift once real feelings got involved. Both of them are emotionally closed off, and the way they challenged each other made every moment feel earned. I had moments where I laughed out loud, wanted to shake them both, and just sat there smiling when things finally clicked.

Meph’s backstory was one of my favorite parts. The way he uses his art to deal with his emotions, and how he tries to protect himself by pretending everything is a joke, made him feel real. Iris was the only one who actually sees who he really is, even when she didn’t want to. They each brought out things in the other neither expected, and once that emotional wall cracked, I was all in.

The found family chaos is still one of my favorite things about this series. Meph, Belial, and Raum together had me laughing more than once. I’m already looking forward to Raum’s book, especially after how much I enjoyed this one.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced reader copy. I absolutely loved this one and will definitely be grabbing a finished copy for my shelf.

I had no idea what to expect going into this reading experience, as I had not read any of the previous instalments for this series, but I had been eyeing them. Since they can be read as standalones, I decided now was the perfect time to jump in.
It was so refreshing reading a story that takes place in my own home town. I loved that aspect so much and could really tell that the author has spent time living here as well.
Aurora did a great job mixing witty banter with some tough emotions. I cared for the characters and what they were going through. The story does have some continuation from the previous books, which I have not read, but the author makes it easy to jump into the series at any book. I will be going back to some of the stories and I do really want to read Raum's story.
This book is fun and definitely on the spicier side. I had a few laughs, and almost a few tears (I'm not a crier) along the way. I hope romantasy lovers will give this book or even series a try!
many thanks to Kensington Publishing, Hambright PR, and NetGalley for a digital copy of the book. The opinions expressed are given freely and are honest and my own.

Oh Meph you absolute softie!!!!

I was so excited when I realized that Iris, the tough twin, was going to be paired up with Meph. Something about the two of them together just made a lot of sense and when they finally gave in and got spicy??? HOT. When things get serious, though, they have to decide if this is just for fun or if there's more to it and watching how it all plays out was fantastic. And when things get dangerous and they have to fight for one another? Yes...I couldn't read fast enough.

Finding this series has been a blast and I've had such a great time with each one, but Meph and Iris might just be my favorite set so far.

I am OBSESSED with this series! I've loved the previous 2 and this one is absolutely no exception. For being stories about demons, these books have so much heart in them. I inhaled this book, just like I did the previous ones.

I love both Iris and Meph as characters and was just waiting to read their story after being introduced to both of them previously in the series. I love how they are just both disasters with their insecurities, but find their happiness with each other, and are able to both heal. I love Meph's relationship with Jacqui and just adore how supportive she is. I also love how all the characters from the previous books are still very present in this story. I was also excited that we were able to see Meph's demon form, because I think we all have been curious about it since book 1.

I love this series. It's so much fun. I cannot wait to check out the next one!

Thank you to Kensington Publishing, Hambright Pr, and NetGalley for a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4.5 stars rounded up

This book was straight-up addictive. Meph and Iris brought the heat, but it was the emotion underneath all the tension that made it unforgettable. Their chemistry was electric, but so was the slow unraveling of everything they had been holding back.

Meph finally got the spotlight he deserved. He’s sarcastic and rough, but underneath it all is a soft, wounded side that hits you hard. Watching him navigate his feelings while still being his chaotic self made every chapter worth it.

Iris came in strong too. Her snark and fire made sense the more you understood her, and her growth felt earned. Seeing her finally let her guard down added so much depth to their story.

Aurora nailed the balance of humor, angst, and spice. It wasn’t just a hot read. It was heartfelt, real, and full of moments that stuck with you. One of the best in the series by far.