Day’s YA: MY ROOMMATE FROM HELL

MY ROOMMATE FROM HELL by Cale Dietrich
9781250887801
11/11/2025
Wednesday Books
Ages 13-18

E-galley available on Edelweiss and NetGalley

Owen is ready for college. He’s going to study hard and get perfect grades, so that he can land a high-paying job and be set for the rest of his life. Nothing will stand in his way—except for the fact that his roommate assignment has changed, and his new roommate just so happens to be the actual prince of hell. To make matters worse, Prince Zarmenus is loud, messy, chaotic, and, well, super hot. 

Prince Zarmenus is at Point University to be a part of the first-ever exchange program between Earth and hell. He’s attending school on Earth, while another student from Point will be spending her time in hell. Because the discovery of hell has sent humans into a frenzy, the exchange is an attempt to encourage normal human-demon relations, to prove that the two can coexist. Zarmenus is also determined to make the most of his human experience, which includes partying it up, bringing home random boys, and accidentally setting fire to Owen’s belongings. But when his father tells him that he needs to get his act together, he decides to propose a deal to Owen. If Owen will be his fake boyfriend and help him improve his image to impress his parents, he will learn to become a better, more respectful roommate. 

To put it simply, this book was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I think I laughed at least once on every page, and that’s not even an exaggeration. If you’ve ever had a roommate that drives you a bit nuts (minus a few possessions and fire hazards), this will be especially relatable for you—even more so if you’re a bit nonconfrontational and awkward, like Owen. From his silent panic, to his troubles in trying to learn how to communicate, and his fear of others disliking him, many readers will see their own fears reflected in his character, just as I did. Getting to see him work through these feelings throughout the course of the story, and in his relationship with Zarmenus, was one of my favorite parts of the story. And despite Zarmenus’ initially annoying habits and somewhat hard exterior, he is a genuinely kind soul, who cares deeply for Owen and wants to grow to be better. The relationship between Owen and Zarmenus was a beautiful yet always entertaining slowburn, filled with pining and quick-witted banter, and the chemistry between them was undeniable. As they grew closer with every page, I was anxiously awaiting the moment that they would finally get together.

This is a charming, sweet, and hilarious read that is sure to keep you reading from morning till night, wishing you were at Point University with the two of them. You get the best of both worlds here: a quintessential college experience, combined with hilarious moments of supernatural hijinks. Add in fake dating, a demon cat, and forced proximity via bunk beds, and you’ve got the most perfect young adult paranormal rom-com.

Happy reading!
<3 Margo

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