The Best Starting Point for Welcome to Hell
For the best experience, readers should start at the very beginning with A Demon and His Witch. While the books feature different couples and can technically function as standalones, starting here is essential because it introduces Lucifer's matchmaking schemes, sets up the unique comedic logic of this version of Hell, and establishes recurring side characters who play major roles in subsequent books.
Welcome to Hell Reading Order
The series is best read in publication order, which also serves as the chronological timeline for the main events. Here is the complete list of books:
- A Demon and His Witch (2012): The book that started it all. Remy, a flirty demon, and Ysabel, a fiery witch burned at the stake, team up to capture escaped souls, only to find themselves fighting a mutual attraction orchestrated by Lucifer.
- A Demon and His Psycho (2012): Grumpy demon Xaphan has sworn a vow of celibacy, but his resolve is thoroughly tested when Lucifer pairs him with Katie, a bubbly, hyperactive, and somewhat violent executioner.
- Date with Death (2013): A quick novella entry in the series. It features Mictain, an ancient Aztec god who now works as a reaper, and Marigold, a curvy witch who has no intention of going quietly into the afterlife.
- A Demon and Her Scot (2013): Kayla is a witch who accidentally summons Douglas, a demon with a thick Scottish accent and a possessive streak, leading to a fiery confrontation and plenty of banter.
- Hell's Kitty (2014): Felipe, a chaotic hellcat shifter, and Jenny, a unique mermaid-like creature, embark on a wild adventure on Siren Isle that challenges Felipe's playful nature.
- Hell's Geek (2015): Gwydion is a demon nerd who prefers books and calculations to typical demonic torture, but he has to step up when he meets Millie, a witch who needs both his brains and his heart.
- Hell's Bells (2016): The climax of the core series. Lucifer, who has spent seven books meddling in everyone else's love lives, finally meets his match in Belle, a strong-willed woman who is not intimidated by the Lord of Hell.
- Jane Davey's Locket (2020): Jane Davey is a witch whose grandmother enchants a locket to help her find "the one." Her search leads her onto a chaotic tropical cruise where things quickly go off the rails.
- Bride of the Sea Monster (2020): Set during the same tropical cruise, a woman attempting to break a curse finds herself accidentally married to a multi-armed sea monster on her first night aboard.
- Old Demon and the Sea Witch (2020): Shax, an older demon, attempts to rekindle a romance with Dorothy, a sea witch, during their tropical cruise vacation, trying to heal the wounds of their past.
- Dear Satan... (2021): A holiday romance where a single mother named Merry accidentally addresses her son's Christmas letter to Satan instead of Santa. Lucifer sends his kennel master, Marduke, to deliver a hellhound puppy, leading to unexpected sparks.
- Bambi: Lucifer's Other Daughter: The Official Hell Biography (2023): Bambi, Lucifer's daughter with a succubus, is tired of her old life and decides to embrace her demonic heritage, plot against her father, and claim a kingdom of her own.
The Evolution of the Series
The Core Matchmaking Era (Books 1–7)
The first seven books represent the original run of the series, published between 2012 and 2016. These books focus on Lucifer's active matchmaking in the main sectors of Hell, concluding with Lucifer himself finding love in Hell's Bells.
The Hell Cruise Trilogy (Books 8–10)
In 2020, Langlais returned to the series with a trilogy of books set aboard a supernatural cruise ship (Jane Davey's Locket, Bride of the Sea Monster, and Old Demon and the Sea Witch). These stories introduce a tropical setting, sea monsters, and vacation-themed shenanigans, showing a lighter side of the supernatural underworld.
The Holiday & Next-Generation Spin-offs (Books 11–12)
The recent additions shift focus slightly. Dear Satan... is a festive romantic comedy introducing the human world's accidental contact with Hell, while Bambi: Lucifer's Other Daughter explores the perspective of Lucifer's ambitious daughter, expanding the political hierarchy of Hell.
Expanding the Universe: Interconnected Series
Eve Langlais has built a massive, shared paranormal romance universe where characters regularly cross over. While you can enjoy the Welcome to Hell series on its own, reading these companion series will enhance your understanding of the world:
- Princess of Hell: This series focuses on Muriel, the daughter of Lucifer and Mother Earth, and features a reverse harem romance. Muriel makes frequent guest appearances throughout the other Hell series.
- Hell's Son: Follows the adventures of Lucifer's son (the Antichrist) as he navigates his destiny and romance.
- Grim Dating: A series focused on paranormal dating services, reapers, and other underworld professionals seeking love.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the series, readers should be prepared for its unique tone. This is not a dark, gritty paranormal romance. Instead, it is a lighthearted, sarcastic, and highly steamy romantic comedy. The heroines are typically curvy, fiercely independent, and sassy, while the heroes are protective alpha males who are easily flustered by their matches. The depiction of Hell is highly satirical, featuring demons who play golf, bureaucratic offices, and a matchmaking Satan who acts more like a meddling relative than a dark lord.