Attending King University was at the top of my bucket list. Falling in love with my professor wasn’t.Earning a full scholarship to King University was my hard earned ticket out of hell. I’m happy to be away from the small town I grew up in and all the equally small minded people who live there.King was going to be my safe haven. A place where I could leave the old me behind and finally grow into … behind and finally grow into the young man my family had desperately tried to hide away.
Diving head first into new experiences, new friends, and parties, I didn’t expect to run straight into the one thing I wasn’t ready for.
His arms are welcoming, his body is addictive and his lips are heaven. Cole Huxley is everything I could fall in love with, except for one problem… I never wanted to fall for my professor.
Devilry is part of the King University Series, but can be read as a complete standalone.
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Holy wow! I scooped this book up by Marley Valentine because I realized it was MM. I expected steam and taboo goodness (which I totally got), but what I did not expect was all the emotions too! This book tugged at my heartstrings and had me tense as could be, praying their love story would work out. It hooked me from the very first chapter and spit me back out at the end. SO GOOD! What topped off this fantastic read for me was the eloquent and poetic prose in Marley’s writing. I highlighted so many lines because they were incredibly written. I wanted to read them over a few times and really appreciate them. This book was more than a good read for me. It was an intense, emotional, and thought-provoking experience. I’ll certainly gobble up the next book she writes and look forward to diving into more of her stories! Five ALL THE EMOTIONS Stars!
Love is Love and It’s beautiful.
I have to say this is one of the best MM I’ve ever read. As Marley says this is may not be your cup of tea, but it may surprise you how wonderful it is. Elijah and Cole are amazing and in depth characters. This is a rich and beautiful story, I can’t believe Marley made me cry. Please remember Love is Love no matter what or who you’re with,. I loved it so much and I highly recommend this book.
Incredible emotional, raw yet steamy read.Marley Valentine
I’m lost for words!!
I’ve never really been interested in age gap romance BUT this m/m student/ teacher, age gap romance was truly something amazing. I was blown away with the chemistry of Elijah & Cole. They are definitely couple goals!
The chemistry, intellect, the draw. All of it was off the charts. I was hooked from the very first page.
Elijah has had a lot of difficulties through his whole life and has never felt able to be himself. Cole is out loud and proud with so much confidence. He’s had the best family life.
Elijah deserves all the happiness and love in the world. And Cole is without doubt the person to give him everything he needs and craves, but as most things love is never easy. Cole is Elijah’s professor. What will happen when the truth comes out. Can they survive this and the sacrifices it will cause.
One incredible read and can’t recommend it enough. I love Marley Valentines writing style. So much emotion, steam, raw, overcoming what life has thrown at them. I can’t describe how this story made me feel but I can tell you it was soul deep and felt it right down to my bones.
(Deserves far more)
ABSOLUTELY FANTATSTIC!
Marley Valentine delivers another emotionally gripping love story of self discovery, sacrifices and forbidden love. Everything about Elijah and Cole’s relationship was “wrong” – there was the age-gap aspect and the student/professor issue, as well as the fact that they were of the same sex – which in the eyes of Elijah’s parents was the biggest sin of all. Cole and Elijah experienced a very different upbringing, but they both ended up in the one place that would change the course of their lives – King University.
Elijah was from a conservative town and even more conservative family. His father was a “preacher” whose religious beliefs were outdated and biased. When he caught his only son locking lips with another boy, he punished him by treating him differently as if something was wrong with him, Cole was a man who never hid who he was. He came from a home in which he was accepted and loved, and had a close relationship with his mother and sister. When Cole and Elijah’s lives collided, “literally,” they never expected the rush of emotions that would come crashing soon after.
While I enjoyed both characters very much – I LOVED Elijah. He was such an amazing person. Coming from a home and town where he didn’t have the support to be who he was, Elijah never lost his love of religion. Being that religion played such a big role in the way his own parents perceived him I would’ve thought he would resent religion and not want anything to do, but his faith was so much stronger than any certitude of sin. Elijah didn’t try to change who he was or who he chose to love. He didn’t let his father’s perception of what was right and wrong destroy his own faith of who he is. I love Elijah’s honesty and the innocence that still lived within him. At times I felt that Elijah was even more mature than Cole. He was realistic and accepted that their relationship was complicated and unconventional and could lead to heartache and heartbreak.
Devilry is the second book in the King’s University Series, but the first one that I read/listened to. I loved Elijah and Cole, but I also really enjoyed the secondary characters. It was really touching to see the friendships that developed and how those friendships turned into family.
All in all, this was a really hot forbidden romance. There were some very intense, steamy parts that had me turning the AC on high. The narrators, Aiden Snow and Cooper North, sure did an amazing job bringing to steamy scene to life. I will definitely be reading the other two books in the series.
This book is magnificent , everything I want and need in a book was there.
I was completely drawn into the lives of Cole and Elijah so much so I couldn’t let them go when I had finished.
This is my second book by Marley Valentine and Marley can write such an intriguing and emotional book .
These guys are outstanding in their ways to want what they have ,trying to keep what they have and to have more ? Can it continue?
After reading this wonderful book I bought the audiobook which is utter perfection.
An insta-love romance that moves quick, but still manages to add depth and emotions to the relationship.
What I love most though was Elijah’s connection to his faith. I found it so amazing that he kept it even after all his family put him through. My favorite quote: “If people could find hate and judgement in God and His words, then I…could twist it and choose to only see the beauty and the comfort that I was so desperately seeking.”
I enjoyed the side characters as well. I wasn’t planning on reading the entire series, but I might now. At least if any others end up on audio.
I devoured this audiobook! I loved Elijah & Cole’s Story. This age Gap/Forbidden romance totally delivered. Cooper North was amazing as Elijah & Aiden Snow was perfect as Cole.
After reading this book and Without You, I will never turn down down a Marley Valentine book. I started with Without you and knew I needed more MM from Marley. This book did not disappoint! First of all it was a beautiful MM story which I love. Then it was the forbidden teacher/student which is one of my all time favorite tropes. I absolutely love the depth that Marley brings to her characters like she did with Eli and Cole. Her stories pull at your heartstrings and keep you hooked needing to finish the book as soon as possible but hating it when it’s over. Plus, this book has one of my favorite meet cutes. I would definitely recommend this book!
This was my first Marley Valentine read – I have fallen deeply in love with the world of MM Romance and my favorite trope of all is teacher/student forbidden romance. Finding this book was like hitting the jackpot! Bonus? I’m also a Preacher’s kid, so that part of the story spoke to my very soul as well.
Cole & Elijah are in my top 3 favorite MM couples. They are the perfect amount of masculinity and vulnerability and the perfect balance of aggression and hesitation.
Eli is the son of a preacher-man (I always have to sing it, just ask my brother) and watching him struggle with his coming out was heart-wrenching and beautiful. I loved watching him find not only love, but self-confidence and immense passion.
Cole is gorgeously comfortable in his own skin, which is sexy in and of itself, never mind that he’s also the super swoony & mature older man. He’s a great role model for Eli in some ways, but I loved watching him struggle with that line between the confidence in who he is and the taboo of this relationship.
I came for the steam and taboo, I stayed for the pure unadulterated love and passion, and I was more than satisfied by the character growth and happily-every-after ending!
Easiest book rating of 2020:
What an amazing book!! I’m completely obsessed with Professor/student trope and also MM. This. Had. It. All. New beginnings, chance encounters, drama, HEAT, love, faith, and so much more. I literally couldn’t put it down. I read until my eyes were blurry and even tried to read some more after that.
This starts with a glimpse into Elijah’s first experience with true intimacy. It’s a spectacular start and introduction to Eli. Then we meet Cole and it’s and instant infatuation with his easy and somewhat smug but loyal and happy personality. A chance encounter brings Eli and Cole together and the tension and attraction is TOP NOTCH. Fast forward to when Cole and Elijah meet again and this is where the true heart of the sorry begins. Two very different men, at very different stages in their lives who want nothing more than to devour eachother whole, mind, body, and soul. The tension continues throughout the entire story but we also get heaping spoonfuls of steamy and intense conversation and intimacy.
This book lacks nothing. I wanted it to go on forever and ever. I adore this story and I adore every single character Marley gives us. Cole and Eli may be the main attraction but all the supporting characters are incredible. It’s a wonderful balance of people who come together as two men fall in love and merge their futures together. The reason I love MM romance so much is because it’s impossible to not be totally consumed but how deeply and fully they love. It’s an overwhelming love between Cole and Elijah, it’s a forever love.
The drama will have you holding your breath just waiting for the bomb to go off. The push and pull and the fall into desire and temptation is incredible. I am a new fan of Marley Valentine as this is my second read, and I literally have nothing but good things to say about her work!! I love it and will continue to devour her stories always.
Today. Tomorrow. Always.
I really enjoyed this read by Marley. This was the first I picked up of hers, and I am not disappointed in the least. I thought this was a great story of a student coming into his own and finding out how he wanted to live his life while also finding the love of his life. The side characters in this book were so good and complemented the story. I could feel the love and chemistry between Cole and Elijah and really liked them together. I thought Cole grew a ton in this book as well.
4.5 stars
After becoming a new Marley Valentine fan after reading Without You, I decided I wanted to go back and read Cole and Elijah’s story. I really enjoyed this book even without reading the other two in King U series. Cole and Elijah have such chemistry and such an undeniable connection. I loved how they complemented each other in their differences, but made such a strong unit. Student/teacher books are not usually my thing, but I felt like Elijah was intelligent and mature enough to hold his own. And Cole was patient, understanding, and tried his best to resist. He did not push Elijah into anything. And as much as the exploration was new for Elijah, the idea of a real relationship was also new for Cole, so it balanced out. They challenged and supported each other. And it was obvious that what they had was important to both of them. But the real angst was from the outside due to the forbidden nature and possible consequences and judgment.
I enjoyed the side characters of Harper and Miles and am glad to know they get their HEAs. I am looking forward to more with Aiden, Alex, and maybe Callie.
This is only my second Marley Valentine book and once again, I don’t have the perfect words to begin describing how amazing this excellently written story is. The author gives her readers a story of Eli – of the loss and crippling grief a boy damaged by the two people in the world who should love him unconditionally suffers. But he survives and what follows is the beautiful awakening and self-discovery that leads him to Cole and a relationship that shouldn’t be but is beyond both their control to stop. I am amazed by the depth of emotion the author pulls from her readers in telling this beautiful story of self-realization and self-acceptance and friendships found – for both men. I loved this book, it’s complex characters, including the supporting cast of friends and family and the journey Eli and Cole take to their HEA. I recommend this book with all my heart! 🙂
He’s not just my professor, he’s the man who’s changing my world. He’s leaving marks on every part of me.
What does this book have that I enjoy?
-MM
-student/professor (forbidden)
-age gap
-good communication between Elijah and Cole
When you’re so starved for acceptance, you look for it everywhere. Searching for it in everyone’s words, and all their actions. It becomes your only focus.
I’ve noticed something with Marley Valentine’s books. She writes hella good communication between her two main characters. So far I haven’t read the typical “misunderstanding/fight” that results in our two MC’s splitting and coming back together months later. And it’s highly refreshing!
That doesn’t mean that she writes couples that never argue because that’s not realistic, but she has them talk stuff out like fucking adults and I am here for it.
If you are following me on Insta, then you know that I am a huge fan of both age gaps and forbidden, and this book did it so well! The tension, the chemistry, the smut…it was all great. Two thumbs up.
Elijah really is the one that pulled at my heart strings. He has had such a bad upbringing. His father is a homophobic, bible thumping southern pastor and Eli’s mother just goes along with it. It’s absolutely disgusting and terrible how they treat their son. There is some good news though. Cole’s mom and sister welcome Eli in with open arms and that whole scene gave me the warm feelings.
Again, just like Without You, there is something about this book that is keeping me from giving it a 5 star rating. And that’s Eli’s “friend” Aiden. Aiden is an asshole in my opinion. The way he reacted to finding out about Eli and Cole just didn’t sit right with me. Maybe if we got to know him better, his character wouldn’t have come across as harsh but he did all the time and I didn’t like him one bit. He redeemed himself slightly at the end but it wasn’t enough for me. I really wanted to like Aiden because Eli did so maybe he will get his own book and I can learn to like him.
Overall rating 4 stars
Steaminess 4 stars
This book is available on Kindle Unlimited
Love is LOVE, my friends. And this book has so much love!
I knew the Kings University Series was going to be super hot, but I didn’t know its books were going to evoke so much emotion! Devilry was my first M/M romance and it has completely opened my eyes to a whole new world of books. Love is LOVE, my friends. And if you enjoy reading about love it doesn’t matter the gender of the characters. I fell just as much in love with Elijah and Cole as I would for any other couple.
Elijah did everything possible to make sure he got into Kings University and now he is doing everything possible to stay there. But on his first day, he runs right into a glorious man who leaves him flustered. The next day he finds out the guy is his new professor. Cole can’t help but be attracted to his student, Elijah. He finds himself going out of his way to talk to Elijah and even gets him to sign up for a research project he’s overseeing. As Elijah and Cole spend time together they learn there’s so much more to each other. Cole provides the comfort Elijah is desperately needing. But with Cole finally getting the job he’s always wanted at Kings and Elijah being on a scholarship, is it worth risking their futures to pursue a relationship?
Elijah and Cole are one of my absolute favorite couples to date! Elijah has gone through so much in his life and he is using his pain to fuel his future. So many people in the LGBTQ community have had similar experiences to Elijah and I was so glad for him to find happiness. And Cole OMG! He is like a dream. He is so supportive and caring. He will absolutely steal your heart! He was the perfect person for Elijah.
The Kings University series is quickly becoming one of my favorites! They are all standalones, but each book so far has been so good that I think you should read them all! And after reading about all the characters in these books, I know I am going to be so disappointed when I see this series end. But also so glad I took a leap and read books with tropes I wouldn’t have normally read.
This book was so amazingly written that I was completely captivated by these characters every second. There was so much emotion between Cole and Elijah, but also the supporting characters. It’s such a refreshing moment when characters find family in those around them after their real family has failed them. And there are many chosen family moments in this book that will make your heart warm. Devilry itself is such a heartwarming book through and through and I can’t wait to read more from this series.
My first MM book, and what a first! The author drew me in from the start and I fell in love with Elijah quickly…Cole, soon after! Their love story took me through many emotions and kept me enthralled. This beautiful story has become a favorite reread! Can’t get enough!
I picked up this book this morning because I needed to start some where. I think I have been living under a rock when to knowing Marley. I need more and will be binge reading more. Cole and Elijah are perfect together. Elijah has a past that he would like to forget. The pain in his life makes him want to hide and be small in this world. Their connection was genuine and raw. I need more.. I will be back to read of Marley this week
Wowza! Marley Valentine is heating up kindles everywhere! Devilry has definitely done its job! I have a mischievous smirk and glazed eyes thinking of all the deliciously dirty fun. This isn’t just a roll in the hat though, Devilry is a romance story through and through. This student teacher romance is a whirlwind of unexpected joy.
The level of heat and hotness depends on your particular imagination in conjuring up the mental image to go with Ms. Valentine’s words. I myself had zero trouble imagining but plenty of trouble keeping quiet about it.
I thought that Devilry had two meanings throughout this book but now I’m thinking a third explanation is it’s the magic involved in spinning this story into existence.
Emotional, hot, and beautifully written. Devilry is a MUST read!
This book is full of steam and angst. This is Marley’s first M/M romance and OMG did she deliver. When Elijah and Cole first meet there is an instant attraction. This is a forbidden, age gap story. Elijah my heart went out to him as I read what he went through growing up and I just wanted to hug him and the Cole is just this sexy professor who comes in and just had me swooning hard. This was a sexy emotional read and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. This is the first book I read from this series and can’t wait to read the other two.