I’m reading through Speed Dating with the Denizens of the Underworld series in between other books. (I tend to read more than one book at a time.) I finished reading the second book, Ash, by C.D.Giorri, which happens to be my first book from the author. It was an enjoyable quick read, and I look forward to checking out the author’s other books.
Storyline/My Thoughts: This book has a Catholic Sunday School teacher being forced by her stepmother to attend the Speed Dating event at DeLux Cafe, while the Prince of Hell, who happens to be known as the Demon of Lust, is also forced to attend due to his boss, Lucifer making him. Lucifer found his happily ever after, and now he wants Ash to find his HEA, too.
Gabriella Keen finds out from her stepmother, Mim, that Gabby is not sick, but something else is happening to her, which is why her stepmother wants her to find her mate. Gabby goes to the event, not expecting to find anyone until she meets the Demon of Lust.
Unfortunately, Ash thinks he’s not worthy of a HEA after everything he went through, but the second he gets a whiff of GAbby’s scent, he’s smitten with her. He knows why immediately, too. She’s his mate. I loved his reaction to Gabby at the Speed Dating event. He is enthralled by her, even if Gabby is initially hesitant with him. She has no idea about mates or even what is happening to her. She’s going to learn from the sexy demon of lust, though, because he’s determined to win her over, even if he doesn’t think he deserves love. Gabby will prove he deserves love, too.
Now, these two characters were adorable together. I liked how they met and were unexpectedly forced to attend the speed dating event to meet each other. I loved the secondary characters, too, especially when Mim, Gabby’s stepmother, met Ash.
I felt something was going to happen at Gabby’s job since she was a Catholic Sunday school teacher. I wish more of the drama from that was in the book. I wish Ash would have found out what happened to Gabby and he returned to deal with the issue. (at least warn the person not to harm his mate.)
Overall, I did like this book, and I give it 3.5-stars. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series. They don’t have to be read in order, but I’m reading them that way because I hate reading out of order.
Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of a series, but each can be read as a standalone.
Trope(s): Fated Mates
Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you enjoy PNR, this book/series is for you.