My Boss is the Devil by Ben Schenkman (The Devil You Know 1)Blurb

What’s better than being a college dropout twenty-something working as a barista in New Haven, CT? Just about anything.

Nick would give anything to escape the dead-end life he’s made for himself. He gets the offer of a lifetime from Lucifer himself, to trade his apron for a suit. Should he really consider becoming an agent of the Devil? With the way things are going for Nick, of course he should.

Lucifer wants to give Nick a chance to do what he always wanted, to help people, wielding power and influence to make their dreams come true. He would have to sell his soul, but the Devil is a gambling man and lets Nick experience his new life before he has to sign on the dotted line. Can he use the Devil’s power for good, and make his mark on the world, or will he fall victim to his own desires and lose his humanity?

As if that wasn’t enough, the very friend that made the meeting with Lucifer possible turns on Nick, and he needs to do some quick thinking to come out on top. Maybe the ends justify the means, but there are no easy answers.

Finding the balance between good and evil is about to require a lot of coffee.

My Review

I have been meaning to read this series for a while, and finally got around to it, helped by a migraine which prevented me from doing nearly anything else.

Nick is a barista, and a college drop out. He hates his job, but loves the work, ie making coffee. He is a coffee addict as well as a foodie. The job pays his bills, rent, and all, but he feels himself stuck. He wants to help others, but he can’t even help himself on most days.

Everything changes when he accompanies a few friends to a cemetery where they do a ritual to summon the devil. Nick is just a spectator, and is shocked when Lucifer appears before him, offering him a deal.

In short, Nick gets the life he always dreamt of, gets to help people, but in return, he has to sell his soul to the Devil. Lucifer is a gambling devil, though, and allows Nick to try before he buys.

To add to his woes, the leader of the satanists who Nick has accompanied to the cemetery is angry enough to kill Nick to take back what he feels is his own opportunity.

I loved the premise of this, with a devil who’s not evil incarnate, but is more of a businessman than everything. Lu is my favourite, though I really really love Nick. The existential crisis he has after Lu’s visit and the way he spirals feel very believable.

Working for the devil is not as bad as it’s made out to be, especially since Nick is helping people. Even so, he is constantly questioning himself and his choices, even as he justifies them.

But the end in some cases do justify the means, and we don’t need to be working for the devil to rationalise our choices. Despite agreeing to the trial period, Nick does it for all the right reasons and remains a good man.

The prose is full of humour, and I loved how confused Nick gets, and how he’s able to retain his own ethics and values.

Highly recommended if you like a light hearted book that manages to make you think at the same time.

Dueling Shoulder Angels by Ben Schenkman (The Devil You Know 2)Blurb

Selling his soul to the Devil was the best decision that Nick ever made. He got the girl, saved the day, and settled in for a comfortable career at Devil Co. That means it’s the perfect time for God to have other plans for him– and guess who shows up to try and poach Nick for Their organization? Why have one complicated job working for a personified deity, when you can have two?

Caught between worlds, and moonlighting for the “good guys,” Nick learns his deal with Lucifer might not be what it seems. Uncovering a scheme to take advantage of the Devil himself rocks Nick to his core, and makes him question everything. The line between good and evil gets blurrier by the day, and Nick doesn’t know which shoulder angel to trust.

His partner Amy, a witch growing into powers of her own, warns him of the danger he faces, but can’t stop Nick from running headlong into it. Can Nick save himself, or will Amy need to make an ally of a former foe to save him from a fate worse than decaf?

My Review

This continues Nick’s tale. He and Amy are going steady, Lu trusts Nick and his deal with the Devil has stopped giving him sleepless nights.

But of course, that’s when god decides he should take a hand. Nick is thriving under Lu’s care, and now, God wants to poach him. They go by Leslie, and Nick decides to work for them on the side.

Following a lead given by God’s people, Nick uncovers a conspiracy to trick Devil Co into helping the wrong person. But when Nick gets kidnapped by the conspirators, it’s up to Amy to save him, in alliance with a former enemy.

I loved the characterisation of God in this. Not just that they’re nonbinary, which is awesome, but also that they, just like Lu, aren’t really omniscient. And their organisation is a mess.

Also, Nick is the chosen one, and I won’t change my mind. He’s wanted by everyone. I love that Amy gets a PoV in this, because she’s one awesome character. Their relationship is like GOALS. Rob’s redemption Arc is believable, and I’m glad he got one even though I was quite happy to hate him in Book 1.

Lu is still my favourite. Leslie doesn’t compare at all!

Too Many Gods in the Kitchen by Ben Schenkman (The Devil You Know 3)Blurb

It’s good to be the boss, but be careful what you wish for.

Nick got what he wanted and now has to establish an agency to audit Heaven and Hell’s operations. Rob is his right-hand man, but Amy has responsibilities of her own and owes a favor to the local coven. Nick’s plans go out the window when a mystery client shows up and throws everything into chaos, representing a new godly power no one expects.

Things get even more complicated when Rob uncovers a massive loophole that threatens the natural spiritual order. Tensions run high between the agency and a psychic con man. If that wasn’t enough, Amy’s bill comes due and the spirits come calling when she discovers a magical dilemma of epic proportions. Caught between loyalties, she must decide where they lie.

Our trio faces their largest challenge yet, and the threads they chase threaten to tie everything in knots. Will Nick be able to deal with the elephant in the room, or will everything come crashing down?

My Review

The third book in the series, this one continues Nick, Amy and Rob’s adventures. Nick and Rob are partners in the new agency to audit both God Co and Devil Co. Amy is a consultant. Rob and Lester, office manager at Devil Co, are dating, and life is good.

Or is it?

Nick gets a proposal from Elphas Co, which represents the Hindu deity, Ganesha, and they had subcontracted Devil Co, which has resulted in a file coming to Nick. Meghna, their client needs a blessing from Lord Ganesha to escape the clutches of an asura who will claim the souls of her family if she fails. One of her ancestors entered into a deal with the asura in return for a successful business, and the asura can claim their souls after three generations. No one except Meghna cares, and Nick’s attempts to convince her father fails miserably.

Rob is after a case of his own, when a file about a soul in purgatory catches his attention. It leads to a rabbit hole and a scam involving souls. Thousands of souls are involved and they’re neither in heaven nor hell AND not in purgatory either. A family of mediums have them enslaved inside glass statues.

Amy has her own problems after a trapped soul contacts her. She manages to make contact with the deity who helps her with her witch magic, and he tells her to solve the problem of the souls who are unable to cross over. It’s like they’re all trapped under a heavy weight.

Soon, they realise that all three problems have common threads and resolving one can lead to resolving all. But in the meantime, they have to deal with murderous asuras and a mafia like family.

I must say that I love the Hindu mythology aspects in this. As a Hindu and a mythology fan, I adore it whenever it’s incorporated into a book, and it’s done so well in this.

The characters are so good. Amy and Rob both get their own POVs and character ARCs. Rob and Lester, just like Amy and Nick, make a cute couple whose relationship is based on communication, honesty, respect as well as love. Seriously, I adore both couples!

The side characters like the coven that Amy is a part of, Meghna, the people from Elphas group, and WALT, the preacher friend of Nick’s are all well realised.

I was so happy to see the theme of female friendships where Amy wants to have more female friends even though she’s in an amazing relationship with someone who’s always in her corner. The coven fulfils that need in her, and I love to see it!

And the food descriptions. Nick is a foodie and the descriptions are too good. My diabetic, depressed, ADHD arse was craving carbs and sugars and caffeine.

I really want more books in this series!

You can find the series here and here