Claiming a Demon (Dallying with Demons #3)

I was recently introduced to Amy Padilla and her Dallying with Demons series. The third book is "Claiming a Demon."

["As an exuberant extrovert, Zach has been known to adopt nervous introverts and take them under his wing. So when he sees the quiet demon struggling to find a gift for his friends, he can’t help but step in. So maybe he’s also drumming up business for his job. Who says you can’t multitask? But this demon is in need of more than a massage, and Zach finds himself falling head first. The only problem is… does his new demon boyfriend feel the same way? Or will he toss Zach away when he no longer needs him?

Mal has always been quiet. When you grow up with six older sisters, if you want to avoid being dragged into an argument, you keep your mouth shut. So when the most important person in his life gets sick, he thinks it's best to keep it to himself. But the little pixie who keeps rescuing him won’t let that fly. Zach is determined to help him. And Mal doesn’t put up a fight.

But when Mal’s dad takes a turn for the worse, their new relationship is put to the test. The question is, can they handle the pressure?"]

And the bonus tags (because they're arguable better than the blurb itself): ["Zach adopts an introvert, protectiveness, size difference, opposites attract, spa treatment, accidental erections, Zach’s in charge, Mal likes it, Shadow plague, emotional hurt/comfort, snuggles, Zach has the best shower, bossy bottom, family drama, Mal learns to rely on others, witches make the best friends, too many sisters, hospital chairs are uncomfortable, caretakers need help sometimes too"]

God, how does one feel SO. MUCH. of what BOTH Zach and Mal were feeling? Both too afraid to rock the boat and say something, but feeling as if you're too much for people? Holy. Shit. Moving on from that not-needed-atm-life-revelation...

These two were freaking adorable. Mal felt uncomfortable almost everywhere, always hiding away his thoughts and emotions (and facial expressions), until he met Mal and just accepted that this pixie-shaped-person was his new security blanket slash emotional support person. Zach always wanted to help people, to take care of people (but was never truly taken care of back) and when his walking dream man stumbles into his life needing help and care? He was a goner, all "I volunteer as tribute" style. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with. 

Trigger Warnings: life threatening illnesses, sick fathers, emotional struggles, feeling too much for most people to handle, and more

#datingademon #tamingademon #claimingademon #lovingademon #savingademon #dallyingwithdemons #dallyingwithdemonsseries #amypadilla #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks