Guardian Demon

Guardian Demon was another great addition to Aurora Ascher’s Hell Bent series. I’ve been curious about Raum since the beginning, and I loved finally learning more about his past and discovering just how much heart this morally questionable demon actually has.

One of my favorite things about Raum was his compassion for animals. Watching him work at the animal shelter and connect with frightened or difficult animals showed a side of him that I hadn’t expected. Beneath his sarcasm, love of stealing, and restless personality, he’s genuinely caring and protective. The mystery surrounding his missing memories also kept me interested, especially as I began questioning whether Raum was really what he appeared to be.

Sunshine was another character I enjoyed. As a fallen angel trying to regain her position in Heaven, she’s struggling with guilt, responsibility, and everything she’s been taught to believe. I appreciated that she wasn’t blindly obedient. She’s intelligent, determined, and willing to question authority when something doesn’t feel right.

I loved the relationship between Raum and Sunshine. They begin as reluctant allies who don’t trust each other, but gradually discover that neither fits the expectations they’ve been taught about angels and demons. Their banter, chemistry, and growing emotional connection made their relationship entertaining and meaningful. I especially appreciated that Sunshine maintained her independence while Raum showed his more vulnerable and protective side.

The supernatural worldbuilding was another highlight. Their journey into Hell introduced more of the Blood Market, dangerous bargains, and the complicated politics between Heaven and Hell. I enjoyed learning more about Raum’s past and Sunshine’s history, along with the larger conflicts surrounding the demons.

I also loved seeing the rest of the dysfunctional found family again. Ash, Bel, Meph, Mist, and their partners continue to bring humor, loyalty, and personality to the series. Their involvement added to the story without taking the focus away from Raum and Sunshine.

The biggest thing keeping this from five stars for me was the pacing surrounding some of the larger revelations. There was quite a bit happening with Raum’s missing memories, Sunshine’s past, and the conflicts between Heaven and Hell. While I enjoyed those storylines, I would have preferred more time exploring certain discoveries and their emotional impact before moving on.

There’s also plenty of explicit spice, earning this one five peppers. However, I appreciated that the romance didn’t overshadow the mystery, action, or character development. I still would have happily traded a couple of intimate scenes for more detail surrounding the characters’ histories and the larger supernatural conflicts.

Would I recommend Guardian Demon? Absolutely! If you enjoy paranormal romance, angels and demons, reluctant allies, opposites attract, forced proximity, protective love interests, strong independent heroines, supernatural politics, found family, and plenty of spice, I highly recommend this one. I’d suggest reading the Hell Bent series in order to fully appreciate the ongoing storyline and established relationships.

My Final Verdict: Another enjoyable read from Aurora Ascher. I loved Raum’s unexpected compassion, Sunshine’s determination to question everything she’d been taught, and the way their relationship challenged their assumptions about good and evil. The mystery, supernatural worldbuilding, humor, and returning characters kept me invested. A little more development surrounding the major revelations would have made this a five-star read for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed Raum and Sunshine’s story.

Final Rating: ⭐ 4.5/5 Stars | 🌶️ 5/5 Peppers

— SASSY