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The Reluctant Incubus
Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?
A laugh-out-loud, soul-stealing romp through San Francisco's supernatural underworld with a hero who's trying so hard to be good despite literally being born a sex demon. It's the gay adult Buffy you didn't know you needed — warm, funny, and surprisingly tender.
Synopsis
A hilarious, high-action M/M Buffy the Vampire Slayer —but all grown up, made spicier, and with a scrappy and lovable monster as the hero. Perfect for fans of TJ Klune, David R. Slayton, and K.D. Edwards. I was born an incubus, a literal soul-sucking sex demon. But I’ve deliberately never fed, so I don't have any powers. Still, that doesn't stop an arrogant fae prince from blackmailing me into stealing a magical watch from a creepy San Francisco mansion. Turns out, the artifact contains Collin, an all-knowing spirit with serious golden retriever vibes who looks like a cute twentysomething guy my age. If I can keep him from the fae, he swears we can be together—even physically—without anyone getting hurt. The wrinkle? He’s also being hunted by bloodthirsty vampires who need the watch to end the world. And my only ally? A smoking-hot monster slayer who's all "touch him and die" whenever I'm in danger but who would most certainly kill me if he ever discovered what I was. I’ve spent my whole life trying to be good—and okay, maybe dreaming of someone who could make me feel less alone. But to save Collin and stop the apocalypse, I'll have to feed. And once I taste a soul, there might be no coming back. The Reluctant Incubus kicks off the New Adult MM urban fantasy duet Alvin Alonso's Secret Files . There is a cliffhanger in Book 1—but don't worry: Book 2, Incubus Vampire Slayer , will be released on the same day. You will be able to binge the whole story, all the way to Alvin's deeply satisfying HFN.
At a Glance
4.44 ★ GoodreadsTop TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
Book Details
Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.
4.44 ★
Page CountHow long the commitment is.
308 pages
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.
2025
Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?
Urban Fantasy
PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.
M/M
POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).
First Person
Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.
Slow Burn
AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.
AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.
No
TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.
Mood & Vibe
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.
Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.
fast
Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.
moderate
Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.
low
VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'
Characters
MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.
Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.
Spice Details 🌶️
Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.
Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.
Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.
World & Setting
World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.
Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.
Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.
RepresentationIdentity representation in the book. LGBTQ+, race/ethnicity, disability, neurodivergence, body type, age and more.
Reading Context
Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.
Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.
anytimeWhen & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.
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