2 Enjoyable Paranormal Romance Novels to Read

by MK French

Whether you are looking for something non-scary for your Halloween reading or just want to enjoy a fall romance, these two books should be on your reading list this month.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

Dealing with a Desperate Demon by Charlotte Stein

October 2025; St. Martin's Griffin; 978-1250352354
audio, ebook, print (304 pages); paranormal romance

Nancy has given up on finding love and is willing to help town loser Jack Jackson learn more about romance to win his dream girl. She soon discovers it's not just a lack of romance that's the problem. Jack is the son of Satan and has dragged souls to hell, so he must learn how to become a better man to win her over. If he fails, everyone he cares for will suffer. While Nancy is sure she's the witch who can help him, she's starting to fall for him, even though she knows she's not the girl he's fated to be with.

This is the second book in the Sanctuary for Supernatural Creatures series, after How to Help A Hungry Werewolf. Jack is a huge and glowering presence at the start of this, compared to Beast of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, with the classic grumpy behavior of the grumpy/sunshine trope. Nancy's bookstore has light and fluffy vibes, and she was once a daydreamer who loved stories. She's overly nice to everyone, and we find out early on that she had a string of men who berated her and made her feel small, so now she goes out of her way to make others happy. Jack is very sensitive to the fact that he's big and growly, scares people, and has few social graces. 

The way they interact is endearing and has a trace of secondhand embarrassment for me, but they're also reinforcing to each other that they are good people, and it's okay to be a bit weird. They get to know each other better, fall in love, and complement each other well. Nancy comes into her own and develops the power she suppressed out of fear. Jack embraces his protective side, and that he's more than a demon. The happily ever after is well-earned, and I enjoyed seeing them together. 

Buy Dealing with a Desperate Demon at Amazon

Unholy by Kathryn Amurra

October 2025; Wild Rose Press; 978-1509263332
ebook, print (312 pages); paranormal romance

Beth D’Angelo needs her experiment to work so she can graduate College. When she nearly runs over a strange man with her car, she has a deep sense of dread. The experiment is the last thing on her mind as she gets to know Thomas Callahan, a vampire with secrets and the desire to corrupt her. They spend time together, and he craves more than blood. Two hunters on his trail seek vengeance, so Thomas must decide if loving Beth is worth risking both their lives.

This is the third book of the Heart's True Desires series, which involves romances involving an amulet and a ring blessed with the love their creator had for his children. (Amulet and Timeless) It's not until the final quarter of the book that we discover the link to the prior books of the series; Beth's cousin gives her the amulet.

Anyone who has ever done research will understand Beth's frustration in the beginning and how distracted she is after comforting a friend. She is the quintessential good girl, even refusing to have sex before marriage. Thomas takes advantage from the start, and absolutely loathes any sign of weakness or humanity he shows. He finds ways to cross her path constantly, and she thinks he's another researcher. The casual dates and walks around campus mean a pair of hunters catch sight of him and his victims, and they begin to stalk Thomas for opportunities to kill him.

There are two main threads in this story: the romance and the hunters with the intent to kill Thomas. As Thomas falls in love with Beth and tries to keep from harming people, the hunters try to close ranks. They're descendants of the lone survivor Thomas hadn't killed when he didn't see the little girl, and are eager to get vengeance. It's a mother and son pair, and the son is Beth's research assistant, so he gets a firsthand view of Thomas' changes.  The supernatural elements are otherwise pretty low-key, so if you're not a fan of them, this book might still be fun to read. I happen to love vampires, so that drew me in. This is a romance novel, so we get a happily ever after even though there are very real stakes (in more than one sense of the word) and a real threat of death. It's a fun and quick read.

Buy Unholy at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Or Follow Girl Who Reads with Bloglovin. Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.