Book Review: Infernal Hearts by Danny Haliwell
Thank you to Entangled Publishing, LLC | Entangled: Amara and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Infernal Hearts by Danny Haliwell is a queer paranormal romance with emotional weight, fast-paced banter, and a supernatural mystery at its core. It’s also a debut that isn’t afraid to swing big—with a magical veterinarian, a dangerously charming incubus, family secrets, soul-bonding consequences, and a ticking clock that forces two broken men to rely on each other when they least want to. The book doesn’t always stick the landing, but when it does, it delivers something fresh, heartfelt, and undeniably entertaining.

The story follows Jason Blackwell, a magical practitioner who’s walked away from the supernatural world after a tragedy fractured his family and shattered his trust in magic. Now a small-town veterinarian, Jason has tried to carve out a quiet, ordinary life away from the high-stakes magic of his father’s clinic. He’s not just disillusioned—he’s grieving, guarded, and tired of pretending the past didn’t leave a mark. Then Levi shows up. An incubus with a Southern drawl, a tailored suit, and a dangerously persistent smirk, Levi is looking for his brother—and Jason is the only one who can help him. What follows is a reluctant alliance turned slow-burn attraction, all wrapped in a race-against-the-clock mystery that pulls Jason back into the world he swore he’d never return to.

The relationship dynamic between Jason and Levi is the beating heart of this book, and it’s where Haliwell shines brightest. The chemistry between them is believable from the first moment they meet. Levi is everything Jason doesn’t want to deal with: magical, seductive, emotionally evasive, and relentlessly flirty. Jason, on the other hand, is controlled, guarded, and deeply skeptical. Their personalities clash in a way that’s electric but not overwrought. There’s no manufactured bickering just for drama’s sake; instead, their tension grows from who they are and what they’ve been through. Levi uses charm to hide fear and trauma. Jason uses distance to stay safe. Watching them slowly dismantle each other’s walls feels earned, not rushed.

Although it’s marketed as an enemies-to-lovers story, that’s not quite accurate. If anything, it leans more into “distrust-to-lovers” or “grumpy-sunshine.” Jason is the grump, Levi is the literal demon of temptation, and their dynamic is less antagonistic and more emotionally wary. Their eventual intimacy isn’t just about lust—it’s about vulnerability. That’s something that sets Infernal Hearts apart from some of its genre peers. There’s heat here, yes, but it’s the emotional grounding that makes it work. When they come together, it feels like something more than just chemistry. It feels like survival.

The world-building is where the book stumbles. The supernatural elements—particularly the lore around demons, Deals, and magical families—are interesting but underexplored. The magic system is more implied than explained, and major concepts often arrive late in the narrative or are mentioned in passing without much elaboration. For instance, the mechanics of how demons are made, what exactly Levi’s powers entail, or why certain magical consequences unfold the way they do—these details are either delivered too quickly or left vague. Readers who want rich, immersive fantasy settings with clear magical rules might feel shortchanged. On the flip side, if you’re someone who prefers fantasy as a backdrop for character-driven stories and romance, this may not bother you as much.

What helps balance this is the emotional texture of the story. Haliwell doesn’t shy away from themes of grief, legacy, abandonment, and the weight of expectations. Jason’s estranged relationship with his father is one of the most compelling threads in the book, and Levi’s quiet devastation over his brother’s disappearance adds depth to what could have been a one-note seductive character. There’s a real sense of hurt underneath all the humor and flirtation, and it gives the story weight.

The plot moves quickly, sometimes a little too quickly for its own good. There are moments where I wanted more time for reflection, more grounding in the stakes of the magical world they’re navigating. Still, the pacing keeps the pages turning. The mystery of the missing father and brother is engaging, even if some twists are predictable. Others do manage to surprise, especially near the climax, where the story takes a darker turn that’s both emotionally satisfying and thematically resonant.

Side characters get some attention, but not a lot of depth. Rani, Jason’s friend and magical ally, stands out as a highlight—smart, snarky, and clearly capable of holding her own story. Other characters felt more like background players than fully formed individuals. There’s a clear opportunity for expansion here if Haliwell decides to continue writing in this world, and I hope he does.

One thing worth noting: this book walks a line between NA and adult. There’s spice, but it’s not overly explicit. The focus stays on emotional connection, though the sexual tension is definitely present. It’s the kind of story that uses physical intimacy to reflect emotional stakes, not just titillation, which works well for the tone and themes.

As a debut, Infernal Hearts isn’t perfect. The prose is clean but occasionally lacks distinctiveness. Some dialogue feels a bit too modern or repetitive for the stakes at hand. Certain plot beats, especially around how Jason’s immunity to magic works or how demons function in this universe, needed more time and detail. And yet, for all its flaws, the book has a compelling emotional core. It’s rare to find a paranormal romance that prioritizes character growth as much as this one does—and that’s what kept me engaged all the way through.

Ultimately, Infernal Hearts is a character-driven romance with just enough mystery and magic to keep it sharp. It’s not trying to be high fantasy, and it doesn’t pretend to reinvent the wheel. What it does offer is heart, chemistry, and a well-paced story about two men learning how to live—and love—without running from who they are. For fans of queer romance, supernatural twists, and emotionally scarred leads who find strength in each other, this one hits the right notes.

This book was not really for me, however I did enjoy the writting, but the point of views were a bit one dimensional and read pretty similar. The plot in the book is pretty simple with any additional storylines, plus the story telling is a bit messy. The storytelling in the book is also a bit slow paced for me.

However, I did find the idea of "deals" and their consequences of breaking them really well done, and the ending twist had my jaw on the floor.

Infernal Hearts is a fast-paced paranormal romance debut that blends magical suspense with emotional depth, centering on a reluctant magic practitioner and a morally slippery incubus on a time-sensitive mission.

Jason wants nothing to do with magic anymore—he’s left behind a complicated family legacy to become a small-town veterinarian. But when Levi, a charming and persistent incubus, barges into his life with a missing-person case and a deadline, Jason is pulled back into the supernatural world he tried to leave behind. What follows is a high-stakes journey to uncover two disappearances—with a romance unfolding under pressure.

The strength of this book lies in its character dynamics. Jason and Levi have genuine chemistry, full of tension, banter, and reluctant vulnerability. While the book is marketed as “enemies-to-lovers,” it’s more accurately a “grumpy-sunshine” or “distrust-to-lovers” dynamic. Levi’s flirtatious persistence plays off Jason’s guarded skepticism in a way that’s fun to read, even if a bit heavy on the innuendo at times.

That said, the world-building feels like it’s still finding its footing. Some magical concepts (like the nature of demons and “Deals”) are intriguing but underexplained or introduced late. The lore sometimes feels more like set dressing than a fully integrated system. If you’re hoping for a rich exploration of supernatural mechanics or deep magical theory, this may fall short. On the other hand, if you enjoy lighter fantasy settings that support a romance-first story, this delivers.

The mystery plot adds momentum, though some turns are predictable. Others, especially toward the end, do manage to surprise. The emotional themes—grief, healing, family trauma—add weight to the story, even if some beats could have been fleshed out more.

Overall, Infernal Hearts is an enjoyable debut with a lot of heart and potential. It’s perfect for readers who want a queer romance with supernatural flair, emotional stakes, and just enough heat to keep things interesting.

I really loved the concept of Infernal Hearts, and the description had me practically salivating! Unfortunately though, the book just didn't hit for me. Overall, it's not badly written and I did enjoy the read, but the character's and plot felt a bit underdeveloped. Would def read more by this author in the future though!

Rating: 3.75/5 stars.

This was solid. It was a bit too short of a book to be able to fully hold both the romance and plot that the author was trying for. Which resulted in some pacing and lack of depth issues. But overall, I found the characters really likeable, their interactions endearing once we got into some deeper feelings, and it was a quick, easy read with fluid writing that I sped through in one sitting. I'd definitely be curious to see how this author's storytelling progresses from here.

Spice Level: 🌶
Trigger Warning;
Mild on page violence

Infernal Hearts is a great romantacy filled with magic, supernatural "creatures", a ton of inuendos and a bit of spice. We have Jason, a veterinarian who is magically adept but absolutely done with magic, thrust back into the magical world by Levi, an incubus desperately searching for his brother before his time runs out. Upon discovering his father is also missing, Jason agrees to team up with Levi and what ensues is a twisty suspensful adventure of searching for loved ones while learning your own lore, and finding love in the process.

This book was great, well written. The suspense was nice. I really enjoyed the plot and the twist at the end was honestly unexpected and really well done! I have never encountered the idea of the "deals" and consequences of breaking them in the way the book handles them, which I found intriguing. The spice was very minimal, but not badly written, but this could almost be a YA novel. I do wish we got more lore on the creatures, but it wasn't bad for a quick read. I would definitely read more from Danny Haliwell!

Thanks so much to Entangled Publishing, LLC for providing this book for review via NetGalley!

*All opinions are my own*

I thought this would be a book right up my alley (urban fantasy), so I requested it. Right off the bat, I thought maybe this would be more focused on the romance part of the genre, which is fine, but I really like the suspense part better. However, I kept reading to see what was going to happen and I was already invested in the book. LOL! I was right that this is more geared towards romance, with the suspense a little uneven, but it’s still a good book. I really liked how we found out how damaged our MCs are and how they heal each other in the end. If you are a fan of paranormal romance, you’ll enjoy this one. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Infernal Hearts by new to me author Danny Haliwell, published by Entangled Publishing LLC, is an intersting read.
It took me a minute to get into the story and yes, there are some lengths. The story is not what I expected, but a good read nontheless.
Jason wants to be an ordinary veterinarian and Levi is a pnr being and wants to find his brother with Jason's help. Their journey brings them back into the magical world Jason wanted to leave.
A good story, a solid read, 4 stars.

Danny .might be my new favorite author! What an amazing book! Definitely not what I was expecting went full in expecting to not enjoy it, not my typical read style. But I loved it and I couldnt put it down!

I enjoyed this story. It's a paranormal MM romance between Levi and Jason. Accidental love and relationship. I recommend this book! I was very excited for something different and that is what I got!!
Your gonna love the back stories and the characters diversity. It was a well written story! Will definitely read more by this author.

This was an easy quick read!

I really liked the premise of the story, and while the storyline felt like it stayed more surface level, I really liked Jason and Levi's relationship. I also liked them each as characters, so that made for an enjoyable read.

I think I would rate this closer to 3.75, but I did enjoy it!

Thank you so much to Entangled for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Jason Blackwell has spent his whole life in the shadow of his father, a famous magical healer. After tragedy strikes and his dreams change, he opens a quiet veterinary clinic and tries to live a normal life. That is, until a wounded stranger named Levi shows up on his doorstep.

What begins as a simple favor becomes something much bigger. Jason and Levi are pulled into a journey filled with forgotten pasts, magical secrets, and a connection that neither of them expected. Along the way, trust is built, hearts are tested, and love begins to bloom.

I really appreciated that this was a queer love story with a paranormal twist. The emotional growth between the characters stood out, and their bond felt genuine. While the premise had potential, the pacing felt uneven and some of the plot points didn’t land as strongly for me as I hoped. Still, it was a unique take on identity, love, and legacy that many romance readers will enjoy.

Thank you Entangled Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

If it wasn't for the spice, this would be YA - the plot is very simple with almost no other storylines. Supporting characters are very one-dimensional. I honestly almost gave up on this book because the lore this author chose to follow is so uncommon: demons are made and are under the control of their Makers (a la traditional vampire lore). The author doesn't explain this until about 50% of the way through the book. On top of that, there's some messy storytelling; incubi are supposed to be one of the strongest demons out there, yet not only is Levi one of the last two vampires in the world, he was attacked and gravely injured at the beginning of the book.

While the book is told in a dual-POV, Jason and Levi, the character read pretty similarly. Oddly enough the modern day doctor read more like an old man and Levi, the one hundred + year old demon read like a twenty-something year old.

Pacing was a bit too slow, but maybe I just felt that way because I didn't find the story exciting enough. Last, I felt the ending was a little too predictable. Overall, it was ok.

Infernal Hearts follows Jason and Levi, a human and an incubus who make a deal with each other after their loved ones have gone missing. For Levi, this is his brother, Dane, who has been missing for decades. For Jason, it's his father, who has been missing for the past couple of days.

Jason and Levi's relationship is very sweet, although Levi is very heavy on the flirting - not surprising for an incubus. Jason is determined to hold Levi back at arms length but as the two work closely together, the attraction is undeniable.

I'm hoping for a Rani and Theresa book next. I need to see what that forked tongue can do, if you get my drift.

I enjoyed Jason and Levi's chemistry. Family drama is always tough but I felt like it was well written. I want more monsters in the next book but there were several introduced I'd like to see what they are about. Can't wait to hear mom's story! Good book.

Romantasy with magicians, demons, found family, and spice, what more could you ask for??

This story is about Jason, a veterinarian who left his dad’s practice to start one on his own. He meets Levi, an incubus who was attacked when he came to town, and Jason has to work hard to help him heal.
The two decide to work together to find Levi’s brother and Jason’s dad, and they only have 2 weeks to do it.

The story was good, and it kept me wanting to read to find out what happened next. Jason and Levi are the cutest, and I loved watching their relationship change and grow!

Thank you @authordannyhaliwell and @netgalley for the arc!

I devoured Infernal Hearts by Danny Haliwell in one sitting. This deal with the devil trope hit all the right notes! Jason’s stubborn “I’d rather be single than giving it away to just anyone” had me swooning (and screaming 🤭) when Levi shot back, “Oh sweetheart, who said you’re just anyone.” Their hate to hot blooded allure dynamic is super hot, and I loved the way their reluctant alliance to find Jason’s dad and Levi’s brother kept me on my toes. The banter is sharp, the mystery twists keep you guessing, and the chemistry… let’s just say I’m Team Incubus all the way. I do think the writing could have been better, and development was lacking, but it was a good time nonetheless.

Big thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is the first lgbtq book I have read that the main characters were gay men. I love it.
Jason a human must strike a deal with Levi a demon incubus to help each other find their loved ones. Jason has sworn off working with magic after tragedy hit in his families magical doctor offices but in order to find his father he must work with Levi to help find Levi’s brother. Jason hates Levi but boy there is attraction stirring between them.
My favorite line was “I’d rather be single than giving it away to just anyone “ - Jason “ Oh sweetheart who said you’re just anyone.” - Levi
Me: *screams* 🤭
This book had me hooked I couldn’t get enough.
I want to say thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this lovely book.

All I can say is this was a 10/10, I love me a deal with the devil trope and this one checks all my boxes!

Exactly what I needed to read today!

Infernal Hearts was the perfect book to pick up and read when I needed a study break! I love a cutesy romance- and what better kind than one that is practically a deal with the devil?? Now, I don't know much about magical doctors (except for Witch Doctor, the song performed by Alvin and the Chipmunks, but I don't really think that counts...🤣) nor do I know much about the mythology of the "incubus," but I loved the story line between Jason and Levi❤️ Jason has to find his father, and Levi needs to find his brother. So, they make a deal to help each other out. It had twist after turn, and at one point I thought maybe the dog was the brother😂 I was very wrong (or was I? 🤔).

I highly recommend for anyone looking to read a sexy but cute romance where one of the guys absolutely LOVES to flirt!!