Review ~ A Deal with the Devil ~ Elizabeth O’Roark

A Deal with the Devil by Elizabeth O'Roark
Series: Devil #1
Published by Selfpublished on August 10, 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 314
Format: Kindle
Source: Kindle Unlimited

He might not be the devil, but working under him for six weeks is my idea of hell.

Hayes Flynn is an arrogant jerk known best for his scotch habit and the way he spreads his British “charm” all over Hollywood, never with the same woman twice.

He’s the last person I want to work for, except he has a face I can’t look away from, and the longer we’re together, the harder he is to hate. Because under that smug exterior is a heart he doesn’t want to show—one that was badly broken a decade earlier.

A part of me wants to fix it for him before I leave…but can I do it without breaking my own in the process?

I think I may have found a new favorite author. I picked up A Deal with the Devil after seeing Jana Aston recommend it as the “best book of 2021.” It’s absolutely going on my list of best reads in 2022.

The last thing Tali wants to do is a 6-week gig working for Hayes Flynn, temporarily stepping into her friend’s position. Hayes has a certain reputation and Tali’s had enough of womanizing men, especially after being betrayed by the one she thought she’d marry. But she needs the money in the worst way so she’ll take the job and heed her friend’s advice…”don’t sleep with him.” Shouldn’t be difficult to make it the 6 weeks. But the more time she spends around Hayes and the more she learns about him, Tali starts to think that maybe she didn’t make a deal with the devil.

I adored Tali. She’s smart and a little bit of a spitfire. I loved that she gave back every bit as much as what Hayes dished out at her. And she’s so loyal. I mean, obviously since she’s working so her friend can take 6 weeks off to adopt a child. But more, Tali works hard at taking care of her family when some, like her mom, maybe don’t deserve it. Hayes was hard to figure out. The stunts her pulled seemingly to repulse Tali were laughable yet heartbreaking. And my heart was breaking for Hayes! When his story is finally revealed, I understood his behavior and his reasons for choosing his profession as well as bed partners. Under all this charm and nonchalance, Hayes was the best of men.

Oh my! These two. They’ve both been hurt, betrayed by those they trusted. They’re rightfully distrustful and also a bit prickly. Especially with one another. This made for the most fun banter, particularly when Hayes was acting the devil and having Tali clean up his messes. A delight to read! 😉 When facades and walls begin to crumble and they spend time together without their armor…well, that’s when the real fun began.

A Deal with the Devil is slow-burn at its finest. The tension between Tali and Hayes fairly crackled off the page – or kindle screen. Witnessing the romance blossom as they each peel back the layers of the other, seeing the truth of each other, was heartwarming. Yes, O’Roark made me wait for it but I relished every minute of the journey which made the culmination worth the wait. The emotionally charged story left me wrung out yet smiling.

 

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