Sweet Evil

Title: Sweet Evil (#1 in trilogy)
Series: The Sweet Trilogy
Author: Wendy Higgins
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Synopsis from GoodReads:

Embrace the Forbidden

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

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First of all, I love, love, love the mythology of fallen angels and nephilim. So this book pretty much had me at "hello". But the twists and layers Ms. Higgins adds to make this mythology her own is exceptionally creative and appealing. 

In Ms. Higgins' world there exist demons ("Dukes" - one for every deadly sin plus for several of the ten commandments) who essentially rule the world of "organized crime". In this world, nephilim are nothing to their fathers but workhorses forced to lure humans into sin using their particular brand - fascinating! 

When we meet our herione, Anna - a nephilim born to a fallen angel and an angel of light, we learn she's being raised by an adoptive mother and although Anna has some odd quirks (she can remember her birth and can feel other people's emotions) she's a good girl. Then Anna inadvertently meets and falls in love with Kai, whose father is the Duke of Lust...and well, let's just say lots of good times ensue!

Anna's father believes she's meant for a specific purpose and he actually loves her (unheard of among Dukes). Anna wants to serve that higher purpose, but also wants to show Kai what it's like to be loved. 

Ms. Higgins also created a wonderful group of supporting characters in Jason, Jay, Patti, Kopano, Marna, and Veronica. 

The end of the book is a cliffhanger where we're left wondering what the next battle between Heaven and Hell will entail. But knowing Anna will be instrumental and hoping Kai will be too!