This is definitely a monster romance with spicy. A gothic, horror, thriller and erotic novel. I enjoy reading this, the romance is good and the story line is interesting. It reminds me of a horror movie.

3.7🌟

TROPES & Genres
☠️ Dark Regency Horror Romance
☠️ Beauty & the beast vibes
☠️ Forced Marriage/Proximity
☠️ Monster Elements

MY POV

✨️ I was initially very much confused on how to rate the book, 3.5 seemed way too low and 4 seem way too much 😂😂 ( doesn't makes sense?, I KNOW 💅)

✨️ Okay to the book, it in set in 1800 England, Regency period and that was my first time reading something from that era so it was natural to find some difficulty in understanding the whole vibes and terms, that's on me completely.

✨️ That aside, I did understand the story, for "MOST" of the part, like gobbling kind of understanding but there were some parts where I was completely clueless to what was happening.

✨️ The writing and story were good for the most part of the book. But as for the time being I am not too keen on diving in this era.

I didn’t get the time to read this before it was archived but it seems promising. I do love a dark gothic romance and this seems promising.

Buckle up! This was an interesting storyline. I did enjoy how fast paced it was, the horror elements, and the plot twists!

If you like a spooky, spicy, historical romance, then this book is perfect for you!

- ᴍꜰ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
- ᴅᴀʀᴋ, ʜɪꜱᴛᴏʀɪᴄᴀʟ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ
- ɢʀᴜᴍᴘʏ + ꜱᴜɴꜱʜɪɴᴇ
- ꜱᴀꜱꜱʏ ꜰᴍᴄ
- ᴘʟᴏᴛ ᴛᴡɪꜱᴛꜱ
- ꜱᴘᴏᴏᴋʏ ᴠɪʙᴇꜱ

Thank you, NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC.

Wallflowers and Demons: Ashwood by Eve Devearoux
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Such a surprising and unconventional read! I didn’t know what to expect when I requested this ARC, but the title, cover, and blurb immediately drew me in.
The story follows Katherine Xu, a Chinese princess destined to marry the reclusive Duke of Ashwood—a man whose secrets (and horrors) threaten to consume her. What unfolds is a dark and fast-paced mix of gothic horror, Regency romance, and monster erotica.
Katherine is a fierce heroine who refuses to back down, and the Duke is… well, feral in the best/worst ways. The book is scary, spicy, and action-packed, with moments that had me glued to the page even when I wasn’t entirely sure what I was reading.
Overall, this was a damn good time—wild, intense, and not at all what I expected.
This book is:
Fast-paced, eerie, and action-packed
Spicy and unapologetically dark
Gothic + monster horror meets Regency vibes
Featuring a badass heroine who doesn’t hold back
And a duke who is… quite literally feral 😈

What didn’t work for me: Plot holes and gaps in the story that me a bit out of it.

⭐ Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

So this is a no from me. I am not new to dark romance. I am not new to demon/monster romance. This just didn’t hold my attention and took me way longer to get through than it should have. It had the potential to be something great but ended up feeling rushed and all over the place.

This starts out as Bridgerton meets Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story, which piqued my interest right from chapter one. Then it turned odd and rushed. The story transitions quickly and often left me feeling lost as to whose point of view it was even being read from. The spice is pretty graphic, especially the language that comes out of the demon’s mouth during the deed, which didn’t necessarily bother me, but if you have triggers just be aware.

I will say, this book definitely brings the action. Right from chapter one there is exciting stuff happening. The spice is also written throughout the book, so definitely no slow-burn here. I did like the main characters, and again, the premise behind this was great. The posh princess FMC that only knows the rules of court and is loyal to a fault, and the MMC who is part Duke and part demon were great. It just wasn’t executed as well as it could have been for me.

If you’ve ever thought the gothic genre could use fewer trembling maidens and more teeth, Wallflowers and Demons: Ashwood obliges. It’s lush, unsettling, and far too addictive for something that feels like it should probably come with a warning label from a clergyman. Our FMC Katherine Xu is intelligent, wary, and far stronger than the gilded cage she’s been pushed into. She’s nobody’s shrinking violet, even when dropped into circumstances that would rattle most. Our MMC Dorian Storm, Duke of Ashwood is the sort of man who makes you wonder if “dark and brooding” is less a personality trait and more a lifestyle. Dangerous, magnetic, and not remotely interested in playing the role of charming hKatherine is thrust into a perilous marriage with the reclusive and brooding Duke of Ashwood, a match that looks regal on paper but hides something far more feral. The castle isn’t haunted by distant spirits—it’s haunted by the man himself and the horrors he’s walled away. He doesn’t want a wife, and she certainly doesn’t want what she’s about to discover. Gothic terror unfolds through every manor corridor, drawing out every well-guarded instinct Katherine thought unreachable. Courtship doesn’t exist in his world—here, intimacy is a battleground, and their chemistry is electric, twisted, and built on whispered threats as much as whispered confessions. They’ll test each other’s boundaries, trade verbal blows, and build a connection so dangerous it pulls the dread right off the walls of Ashwood and into your gut. There’s no fairy tale here—just a brutal, beautiful collision of dark magic, wounded souls, and something dangerous that might just be love If you’re looking for soft candlelight and happily-ever-afters wrapped in lace, look elsewhere. If you want gothic tension, unsettling intimacy, and the kind of romance that feels like standing too close to a fire you can’t resist—welcome to Ashwood.

Forced marriage? Sign me up. (FBI person in my phone, please relax) Welcome to this gothic regency romance of intense tension that literally never lets up! Just how I like it. YEARN BABY!

Katherine Xu is a sassy and fearless Chinese princess thrown into the ruthless grasp of 1800’s British High Society where she meets grumpy, brooding, and alluring (and cursed) Dorian Storm., a Duke I’m hooked.

I absolutely will be rereading this in the fall to re-experience the spooky vibes this book puts out! The horror elements, the literal monster romance, I… I have no words. Other than chefs kiss.

Thank you Netgalley, and the publisher, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.

🩸⛓️I’ve never read anything by Eve Devearoux, but I was impressed by her writing. This book was 4 stars for me. I enjoyed the detail, the descriptions, the storytelling. It was immaculate from start to finish.
We meet Princess Katherine Xu and her maid Nora while they are traveling to meet Genevieve. But what was supposed to be just a soirée to meet the Prince Regent turns into a scandal leading to a marriage the Princess does not want to be in.
Dorian Storm, Duke of Ashwood is a man hiding a secret that could ruin the lives of so many and lead to his downfall; and it is of his own doing.
The character development of Katherine and Dorian is complex and I loved it. Their marriage was inconvenient and unwanted by both, but their love blossoms as Katherine embraces Dorian’s secret. So much is going on it was hard to keep up with everything, but I did a reread of several chapters and it all lined up perfectly. The plot twist 👀👀 I honestly didn’t expect that.
My first monster smut and it wasn’t cringy at all like I was expecting. I really enjoyed reading Eve’s book and I can’t wait to read Wexmoore.
If you like these:
🖤 Regency romance
🖤Monster smut
🖤Morally grey mmc
🖤Dark romance
🖤Unhinged
you’ll enjoy Eve Devearoux. As always,❗️CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS❗️(there’s a few pages!)

“Hell is ravenous, Princess. It will devour you, as I will devour you"

This book was giving Bridgerton but make it dark, gothic, and unhinged. Katherine, a princess, gets thrown into the claws of high society and straight into the arms of Dorian Storm—the broody, magnetic duke with way too many secrets. The vibe? Fast-paced, bloody bold, full of intrigue, horror, and romance that doesn’t let up. Katherine was such a standout. Sassy, resilient, never a damsel. And Dorian… whew. Dangerous, morally murky, unapologetic. The kind of man you want to slap and kiss in the same breath. If you’re into regency drama with a gothic monster romance twist, this one is IT.

Unfortunately, I did not connect with this book as much as I had hoped. It's interesting and will likely keep you intrigued but I just felt disconnected from it. Still giving 3 starts because it is well written.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Thank you Eve Devearoux for sending me an eARC copy of Demons and Wallflowers: Ashwood. I would definitely love go read the second book.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for granting me this ARC!

I loved this so much. You're immediately sucked into this steamy and intriguing world. The plot was amazing and the spice was even better!!! I NEED THE NEXT BOOK LIKE RIGHT NOW!!!

I really enjoyed this— it was different than other books I have read… I am new to this genre. This was a spicy and entertaining read. I will say, with the massive trigger warning list, I expected the story to be much darker and shocking than it turned out to be. That said, the spice was enjoyable and well-done, and definitely a highlight of the book. At times, I felt the story could have used some more editing and polish, but it didn’t take away too much from the overall experience. I think she did an awesome job of world building and making me feel immersed.

If you’re looking for a dark Regency-flavored monster romance that’s fast-paced and spicy without being overwhelming, this is a solid pick. I would totally read more from this author in the future!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wallflowers and Demons: Ashwood is a dark, gothic, and feral ride through Regency England like you’ve never seen it before. Eve Devearoux blends the lushness of historical romance with the unsettling grit of monster horror, and the result is equal parts seductive and terrifying.

Katherine Xu, a Chinese princess, finds herself wed to the infamous Duke of Ashwood, Dorian Storm—a man whispered about in society, feared for both his madness and the dark secrets of his estate. What begins as a marriage of duty quickly spirals into a nightmarish yet enthralling exploration of desire, sacrifice, and survival. Ashwood itself is practically a character—dripping with atmosphere, menace, and the ever-present threat of the grotesque creations born within its walls.

Katherine is a standout heroine: strong, sharp-willed, and unwilling to be consumed by her husband’s demons. She pushes back against Dorian’s arrogance and torment, making her a true match for the monster duke. Their dynamic is brutal, intoxicating, and layered with both horror and passion. It’s not for the faint of heart—the romance is raw, primal, and steeped in gothic sensuality.

Devearoux doesn’t shy away from body horror, splatterpunk elements, or the extremes of gothic erotica, which makes this book unique but also very heavy. The blend of tragedy, grotesque imagery, and BDSM elements might be too much for some readers, but for those who crave a romance that bites (literally and figuratively), this story delivers.

This isn’t a lighthearted Regency romp—it’s blood, darkness, and desire bound together in a way that makes you question whether love can bloom in the most monstrous of places. For me, it was a wild and unforgettable read. Disturbing, decadent, and addictive.

If you love gothic horror, monstrous dukes, and heroines who refuse to bow to the darkness—even as they’re tempted to embrace it—Wallflowers and Demons: Ashwood is absolutely worth the plunge.

Big thanks to Netgalley and Eve Deveraoux for the eARC in exchange for a review.

Katherine is a visitor at a manor when a horrible beast gives reason to believe that her innocence has been compromised. She does not want to marry him, he does not want to marry her, but alas, this is set in a time where seeing a mans naked chest meant you were no good for anther.

I like her character development. She is a visitor from another country (which isn't elaborated on much, but the 'exoticness' of her is mentioned a lot) and ends up being married very quickly to a man shes only seen once. He has a secret, and he wants her to keep it. He offers to send her away from him, living along among people she's never met, in a country she was not born into. Of course, she says no and wants to stay.
Bringing her to his home on an island, they are greeted with some terrible horror that is destroying the island community.
Together, they keep secrets and devise a plan to take down the evil.

I got this as an ARC but with what I assume was zero editing. It was on occasion hard to follow who was saying what, to whom and what all was happening. I won't take away any stars for that, but I think the published version will be slightly different.
There is a lot of smexy times. Some dubious consent, human and.. whatever he is, and some rapey vibes.

Overall I really enjoyed it, and will keep an eye out for books by this author agian!

4 stars

The Dyslexic Who Reads:

I absolutely LOVED the premise of this book, and overall I really did enjoy it. I just feel like it could have been executed better.

Here are some of the things I think could have made the book better

I LOVED the idea of the MFC being Chinese, but I feel like the author made her too “English”. While I understand that this isn’t totally out of the norm, historically wise since during that time frame there was a desire to be more “English”, and yes I understand that the character went to an English school, and was probably converted to Christianity. With all that said, she was still so English that at times I wondered if there was a reason to make the character Chinese at all, besides the racism (which was well done). I just would have liked to see more Chinese culture in the book.
The world building could have also been better. It got confusing at some points, and seemed to jump around a lot.
At one part of the book we read a chapter about Katherine’s best friend riding in a carriage to what i thought was to go to Katherine’s wedding ball, but then that goes nowhere. Though I understand that her friend is the subject in the next books, so maybe it was just a teaser
I read the ARC version of this book but there were a lot of editing mistakes in the version I got. Not a huge deal to me but thought I should point that out.

Here is what I LOVED about the book.
Dorian Storm. I mean who doesn’t love a dark mysterious demon shifter? He is everything a MMC should be in my opinion.
The love triangle with Lord Gabriel was so well executed. I don’t think I’ve read a better love triangle that isn’t a reverse harem situation.
The book is SPICY! In all the best ways. But definitely check the trigger warnings, there are a lot of them. But honestly for as many trigger warnings as there are, I really thought the book would be darker and smuttier. Not that it wasn’t dark and smutty it certainly was, but I was a little concerned going in but I’ve read worse.

Overall, I think the book is WELL worth the read and you definitely pick the book up!

Totally unexpected and a little wacky. I dnf after the first few chapters. It's the genre,not the book, I'm sure this will meet its audiences requirements.

A Chinese princess is entangled in a scandal upon her introduction to the ton and ends up marrying a monster to save her reputation. This is a very spicy very dark regency monster romance. I enjoyed this, but do read the content warnings! They are extensive and totally necessary. Even if you like monster romance. The dark monster romance fit really well in the regency era in this story.

The writing is generally well done, but there are a few typos throughout—it could use some polish. Still, I recommend.

The review below is posted on Goodreads and Amazon.

This book was partially in a new genre for me. I am not used to reading dark romance or anything with fantasy. I had higher hopes that I would enjoy this novel. It was good but it was not for me. I got bored with it but I am always eager to find out what happens in the end. Additionally, I felt like I was missing information and didn't understand what was happening most of the time. I'm sure this caters to different people but it was not my taste and therefore not enjoyable to me but still very well written.