What happens when you're so desperate for a book that isn't about talking animals or sharing feelings that you accidentally pick up something with demon princes and forbidden dark magic?
I'll tell you what happens. You end up crying in your car in the garage at 9:47 PM because a witch just found her murdered twin sister, and now you have to go inside and pretend you're fine while your husband asks why you look "weird."
Sicily, Witches, and a Demon Named Wrath (Yes, Really)
Look, I've read my share of paranormal romance. Back in my pre-kids life, I devoured everything from vampires to werewolves. These days I'm more likely to squeeze in Rush Revere and the First Patriots during school runs. But something about Kerri Maniscalco's Sicilian setting hit different. Maybe because my grandmother was Italian and I grew up hearing stories about the evil eye and saints who definitely weren't as saintly as advertised. Emilia and Vittoria running a family restaurant while secretly being streghe? That's basically every Italian grandmother I've ever met, minus the actual magic. (Or was it?)
The murder mystery hook got me through the first few hours, but I'll be honest—the pacing does that thing where it's building atmosphere and then suddenly you're in the middle of a scene with a demon prince and you're not entirely sure how you got there. I had to rewind twice during school pickup because Lucas was asking about snacks and I completely lost the thread. But here's the thing: unlike some books that fall apart when you pause them, this one actually held together. The plot isn't so complicated that you need a notebook. It's more... atmospheric? Like you're walking through a Sicilian night market where everything smells like blood oranges and danger.
Marisa Calin Knows What She's Doing
The narrator makes this book. Marisa Calin does this thing where Emilia sounds like a real nineteen-year-old—sometimes annoying, often impulsive, but genuinely grieving. And when Wrath shows up? Her voice drops into this icy authority that made me shiver in my minivan. The Mediterranean warmth she brings to the family scenes versus the cold edge for the supernatural characters creates this instant divide between worlds.
Some of the secondary characters blend together. I couldn't always tell which demon was which by voice alone, and there were moments where I had to rely on context clues. But honestly? For a mom listening at 1.25x while mentally planning dinner, that's a minor complaint. The emotional scenes—especially Emilia's grief—those landed perfectly. Calin captures that raw, desperate anger of losing someone you love in a way that made me grateful for waterproof mascara.
The Romance Made Me Feel Things (Complicated Things)
Okay, so here's where I need to be honest. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Emilia and Wrath is... slow. Like, really slow. If you're coming for the spice, you're going to be waiting. This is a setup book, the first in a series, and it knows it. There's tension, there's that delicious antagonism, but the payoff isn't here yet.
Some people found the romance uncomfortable, and I get it—there's a power imbalance that's baked into the demon prince situation. But compared to the Stalking Jack the Ripper series (which I also loved, for the record), this feels like Maniscalco leaning harder into the dark fantasy elements. It's not a cozy romance. It's got teeth.
The book also doesn't shy away from violence against women as a plot driver, which... look, it's handled respectfully in service of the story, but if you're sensitive to that, know what you're walking into.
Who Should Listen (And Who Should Keep Scrolling)
Perfect for multitasking moms who want something with more edge than their usual comfort reads but don't have time for a 40-hour epic. At 12 hours, I finished this in about a week and a half of dedicated car time and nap-time listening. The atmospheric Sicilian setting and supernatural mystery are engaging enough to survive constant interruptions, and the romance—while slow—gives you something to look forward to in the sequels.
Skip it if you need your enemies-to-lovers to deliver quickly, or if you're bothered by YA heroines who make impulsive decisions. Emilia is nineteen and acts like it. Some readers find that annoying. I found it realistic, but I also have a seven-year-old who makes equally questionable choices daily, so my tolerance is high.
Garage Crying: Worth It
Satisfying ending—exactly what I needed, even if it's clearly setting up the next book. Made me cry at school pickup. Worth it though. My book club will love this (if I ever have time for book club again). The occasional guttural voice echoes and subtle music cues add a haunting quality that works surprisingly well through car speakers.
Not groundbreaking, but sometimes you don't need groundbreaking. Sometimes you need witches, demons, and a murdered twin in Sicily while you're hiding from your children in the garage. No judgment.
