For years, people have been asking me about the trashy romances I read. Sadly I have had to explain that none of the romances I read are trashy. It’s very confusing for everyone. I’m not sure where they got the idea that romances are about trash. Finally I can hold up and recommend a trashy romance. In Chace Verity’s third cozy Canadian demon romance, Match With the Demon, a recent empty nester dad matches on a dating site with an improbably handsome man, who turns out to be a demon. Laz was a pleasure demon, but after a millennia of emotionless sex, he’s burned out and has turned his interests to garbage. He finds trash fascinating, and Harrison finds him fascinating. Lazlo and Harrison go dumpster diving, have a romantic date at the landfill, and make dates around Lazlo’s love of trash.
Harrison is a sweetheart. He’s been a single dad for a long time. He tried being closeted, but it didn’t work for him. He doesn’t have much family left after coming out to them, and is nervous about finally dating men. Now that his son is living on campus at the university, he is reluctantly putting himself out there on a dating app, explicitly stating that he is only interested in men. His first match is with an incredibly attractive man named Laz. He’s pretty sure it’s a scam, but he sets up a date at a sports bar. When he gets there, he doesn’t see Lazlo, but he does see a very interesting guy in a kraken costume.
Lazlo and Harrison have plenty of insecurities that slow their progress, but neither questions the value of the other. They have trouble believing that they, themselves, are interesting and worthy. Harrison is not particularly interested in trash, but he enjoys Lazlo’s enthusiasm and is happy to go along.
Verity plays with ideas of trash in a lot of different ways that I found clever and endearing. Match with the Demon is looking at what and who we throw away. In all of their cozy demon romances, Chace Verity is giving love and acceptance to people that have been thrown away. The acceptance and the mutual caretaking are what make these romances cozy. Never fear though, the tentacles do get a work out. Insert wink emoji here.
I received this as an advance reader copy from the author. My opinions are my own.