I would have really liked this book if not for the fact that *trigger warning* Jack gets raped, I hate it when sexual assault is used as an unnecessary plot device like that, and also I am not looking forward to the next book because you just know that this is going to be part of his character arc and I don't want to read about it ( )

In book three in the Darkest London series, Poppy Ellis Lane has a special elemental gift—she can create and control ice. As the leader of SOS, a secret organization dedicated to keeping humans in the dark about supernatural creatures, she’s currently hunting down a powerful demon that’s recently escaped from hell. The demon is targeting her estranged husband, and Poppy is determined to save her man’s life.
After surviving a brutal werewolf attack, Winston Lane discovered his beloved wife’s secrets and left her. Months later, he’s struggling to get his life back together when a mysterious man approaches him, claiming Win had made a deal with him years earlier. Though Win doesn’t remember making the deal, he knows it’s the truth. Now, Win’s unborn child is in danger, and he has no other choice but to reconcile with his wife in order to defeat the demon.
Wow! I love this story and even teared up a few times. When reading the previous two books, I always looked forward to scenes with Poppy and Winston, and their own love story definitely didn’t disappoint. Normally, I don’t like flashback scenes, but I loved reading about how Poppy and Win first met and fell in love. With their secrets finally revealed, they fell even deeper into love, which strengthened their relationship. They’re so much alike that they’re often at odds with one another. Poppy has been lying to Win and her sisters for years, and it’s been tearing her apart. Winston is definitely a strong, capable man, especially for understanding and forgiving Poppy for humiliating and emasculating him.
As for the secondary characters, Jack Talent and Mary Chase play a much larger role in this story than in the previous one—understandably, since their story is next, which I’m dying to read. The trauma Jack experienced was heartbreaking, and all I wanted to do was hug him.
The SOS and the universe in which the characters live are evolving, and more characters are being introduced. I’m enjoying the world building and want to learn more. This story, so far, is my favorite in the series.
5 Stars

Disclaimer – I borrowed this book from the library. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.
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I enjoyed every moment of Poppy and Winston's dance back to one another. ( )

I love this series but married couples aren't really my thing. I appreciate some of the angst but it dragged out a bit. Interesting plot developments and I am excited for Mary and Jack's book!!! ( )

Poppy Lane has had to keep secrets since she was little. Her mother told her to never tell anyone about the powers that she and her sisters held. Her sisters and she are called elementals. Poppy can control water and freeze it. Her sister Daisy can manipulate earth and plants and her sister Marissa can start and control fire.

Poppy has been married for fourteen years to the police inspector, Winston Lane. She has kept the secret of what she is and that she is the head of a secret society called SOS or the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals whose purpose is to keep humans from finding out about supernatural beings but when Winston gets attacked by a werewolf and gets saved by a supernatural being with a pin that looks exactly like the necklace Poppy wears, he figures it out and knows that Poppy has been lying to him for the entire marriage. He is devastated and leaves her.

When Poppy learns that a powerful demon has escaped Hell and is threatening Winston’s life, Poppy shows up on the same ship that Winston is taking from France to London. Poppy and Winston are so in love but do not know if they can overcome that Poppy has hidden things from Winston for their entire marriage.

Complicating things more, Winston learns that he made a deal with the demon many years ago to marry Poppy but the demon made him forget in until now because payment time has come. The demon wants their first born and Poppy is three pregnant. Something else she forgot to tell Winston. Winston was born a Duke but does not like high-society living. He wants to marry Poppy and become an investigator for the London police department but his father will never allow that. His father said he would ruin Poppy’s father and family and make sure Winston would never become a police investigator. Poppy was refusing to marry him because she did not want to ruin him so Winston made a deal with the demon thinking he could get out of it somehow but then the demon altered reality and made him forget. The demon made his family believe he was dead and made Winston believe his father disowned him.

Now, Poppy and Winston have to find a way to either kill the demon or get out of the contract and hope they can overcome all the lies that their marriage was built upon.

This was such a heart-wrenching tale. I felt the love and heartbreak of both Poppy and Winston not to mention the hurt that Poppy feels because both of her sisters are angry with her for not telling them about their powers. Both Poppy and Winston are proud and stubborn. I related a lot with them both.

There were other things going on too in the book. Jack Talent was replaced by a demon, living his life while he was being tortured but nobody noticed anything different about him except for Mary Chase, his nemesis. She knew it wasn’t him because he was being nice to her. There’s chemistry between those two. Maybe they’ll be the next couple in the next book which I have already downloaded and am getting ready to start reading now.

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