4.3 (14 ratings)

Awakening the Demon: A Cozy Fantasy Spicy Monster Romance (Demons of the Rift Book 1)

Name: Awakening the Demon: A Cozy Fantasy Spicy Monster Romance (Demons of the Rift Book 1)
Rating: 4.3 (14 reviews)
Author: Evelyn Embers
ISBN: B0GMB2CW46

by Evelyn Embers

demons

About this book

When a routine botanical expedition takes a literal turn for the subterranean, Maya falls straight into the lap of the most unexpected creature in the underworld. She expects a gruesome end, but instead finds Rylik, a towering, horned demon whose brutal strength is matched only by his secret passion for knitting. This forced-proximity encounter in a cozy, cavernous home quickly shifts from a survival situation into a slow-burn romance that defies every dark legend Maya was ever told.

Rylik is the ultimate grumpy-sunshine alpha, a touch-starved hermit who finds his world brightened by Maya’s presence. As she teaches him the science of gardening in the dark, the tension between them ignites into high-heat chemistry. Their connection is as tender as it is intense, grounded by mutual respect and a possessiveness that makes every protective growl a catalyst for desire.

Danger lurks just beyond their cave walls, however. With the watchful gaze of the Demon King threatening their sanctuary, Rylik must decide if his quiet, solitary life is worth sacrificing for a chance at a love that feels like fate. If you crave a cozy fantasy filled with monster-sized devotion and undeniable passion, this is the perfect escape.

Publication Date: May 25, 2026
ASIN: B0GMB2CW46

Reader Reviews

4 Stars

May 8, 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review — Awakening the Demon by Evelyn Embers Okay but why was this lowkey the coziest monster romance I’ve read in a minute?? We’ve got a botanist FMC accidentally falling into the demon realm (literally) and landing in the care of Rylik… a big, scary-looking demon who is actually just a grumpy, touch-starved cinnamon roll who KNITS??? I’m sorry??? I was sold immediately. Rylik is THAT MMC. Protective, soft where it counts, a little growly, and completely gone for her. The way he...

Cozy High-Heat Monster Romance with Mature Characters and Incredible Character-Driven Steam

April 24, 2026

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5 rounded up) Cozy cave setting. A 38-year-old botanist. A centuries-old demon who actually communicates. Awakening the Demon surprised me in all the best ways — and I was thrilled to snag an ARC! I’d never read Evelyn Embers before, and this fantastic story committed me to reading the rest of the series and checking out her other work. The premise hooked me immediately: a brilliant botanist tumbles into a demon’s cozy cave home. Forced proximity quickly ignites into some of...

Dark Demon Romance!

April 24, 2026

Awakening the Demon by Evelyn Embers delivers a dark and seductive paranormal romance that is packed with desire, supernatural intrigue, and danger. In this book we follow along side the FMC as she navigates her new reality of having fallen into the demon world where she meets the demon MMC. One of the biggest things I fell in love with while reading this novel is the instant connection between Audrey and Rylik. While their romance might have burned host and fast, it was balanced out by the...

Audrey and Rylik

April 24, 2026

Freelance botanist Audrey is on a solo assignment to investigate unsubstantiated claims of a never before seen glowing plant specimen in a remote, difficult to access area. After hiking out to the spot, setting up her camp, and awaiting nightfall, she’s in the midst of a methodical search grid when she spots the barely there luminescence. As she carefully photographs and delicately excises a small specimen, she falls through a massive hole below the plant, and loses consciousness when a giant,...

Finding love while exploring!!??

April 25, 2026

I received an ARC from Ms. Embers.... I devoured this book!!! I was completely 🔒 after seeing how Audrey was determined to find a new discovery 😔...I just knew would more than she bargained for.🫣🫣 Her discovery Awakened something in Rylik , the kind red Demon that just wanted to farm...Well, plowing is definitely What they did!!!💋🥵😊😈 )