Falling for Mr. Hyde

Finger Licking Monsters #3

by Layla Fae

I have one task: assassinate headmaster Hyde. He is powerful and has secrets more dangerous than my own. So why am I kissing him again?
When the Magic Council threatens to deport me, I must agree to their demand I kill Mr. Hyde, Headmaster of Luxior Academy. I am the least qualified shapeshifter for the job. I've never killed so much as a spider.
Not surprisingly, my mission starts with a series of disasters. I shapeshift into a student, but instead of blending in, I end up fighting for survival. The magic academy students break the laws of physics for fun, so attending classes is a deadly hazard.
And headmaster Hyde is a devious opponent.
Suspicious from the start, he forces me to shed my disguise, stripping away my only advantage. Suspicion turns to obsession. He hounds my every step, and to my dismay, his commanding gaze unravels my restraint. We hunt each other among the fire-lit corridors of Luxior Academy, where magic chips away at the laws of time and space.
The deadly dance soon becomes a sensuous play of power and seduction. As Hyde tries to uncover my secrets, his skillful hands prying at my hidden places, I search for his weak spots. It is my fatal mistake. Instead of weaknesses to exploit, I find a man who is devoted, passionate, and as hard as steel. I don’t want to kill him.
No, I’d rather kiss him. Kneel for him. Do anything else he commands. I could even be tempted to risk my life to spare his.
As I venture deeper into this bewildering darkness, I know I'm risking not just my freedom but my magic, too. The stakes are high, and even though I'm in over my head, I need to play dirty to win this game. The problem is, Headmaster Hyde wrote its rulebook.

This is a paranormal romance novel with a HEA and adult content. It is a standalone. Each book in this monster romance series follows a different couple.

Genres: Monsters, Paranormal, Romance, Dark Romance, BDSM, Fantasy, Monster Romance

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2023

About the author

Sign up for my newsletter: here.
Layla Fae writes steamy monster romance of many varieties. Fluffy or dark, with TWs ranging from flavored monster essence used as food to blood play and dark taboo romance, she explores the fantasy of monster love from various angles.
She is not an author for the faint of heart.

Reviews

[Cat H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.
Yes. Absolutely. It took me a second to get used to this author’s writing(I’m not sure but I’m thinking English is not her first language and it seems to sometimes make descriptions, and some dialogue a tiny bit more formal, or maybe clunkier, than I usually like) but now that I’m used to it(having read the first book in this series before this one) I really enjoy it.
There’s this one line in the book, towards the very end, that had me flat out sobbing. So emotional.
And then that ending! So freaking sweet!

But the sex?!
Oh my god. So fucking hot!
So much more than what I was expecting from it. It was so good and I LOVED the caretaking roll that Gorgo takes. 🥹 I totally saw that coming. Love the juxtaposition between his absolutely savage, demon, berserker bloodlust, and his completely heart melting sweet side that just wants to Hold. Her. Hand!🫢So fucking cute.

I loved it.
I’m 100% going to read more from this author, in fact, I’ve already picked out my next book. Lol.

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

October 2023
Kindle edition

Yes! This was everything I expected it to be. I didn’t hype myself up for nothing. Poppy is assigned the job of assassin and is in way over her head. Hyde is assigned the job of headmaster to a school of students the magic council would have no problem taking on. And then Gorgo. The demon trapped inside Hyde.

I liked Poppy. She was bound to silence. Her attempts were pretty effective. I liked that she got multiple attempts rather than the one and done. The sneaking in as a child was interesting. I wonder what Hyde would say or do if he found out Poppy started the wishing on the sentient school.

Hyde has anger issues, a fear of becoming like his abusive father and his demon. He also took offence to the killing. I think the best attempt was the library. Although the pop out of nowhere was cool.

Gorgo was a sweetheart. The big mellowed out demon king, that wants to hold hands. So much aww. I didn’t even mind the constant daddy as the story progressed.

There were a few random bits, the mushroom like she’d gone Mario or Alice in wonderland. The weeping angel style statues that gave me the creeps. There’s no real connection to the previous books either. After Loki’s words, I thought someone would pop in to help.

I recoiled from the mother. The epilogue was cute. I still liked the sentient school best. I’m curious about Jaga and who he is. Mentions of miscarriage, control and abuse. This was fun. 4.5 stars.

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy (h), a shapeshifter, is reluctantly tasked by the Magic Council with assassinating Mr. Hyde (H), the enigmatic headmaster of Luxior Academy. What starts as a deadly mission quickly spirals into a sensuous dance of power and seduction. Poppy, with her bravery and cleverness, never backs down from a challenge. Hyde reveals layers of darkness and a compelling inner struggle. And then there's Gorgo (H), the Demogorgon monster residing within Mr. Hyde, who steals the show with his protective nature and snarky banter. The magical Luxior Academy with its mind-bending rooms and hidden corridors, adds an element of mystery and enchantment. There are a lot of steamy and intense scenes that delve into various kinks, BDSM, and power dynamics. Plenty of action, intrigue, and passionate interplay between the characters as they journey to their HEA.

[Dru · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶🌶🌶.5
🔥🔥🔥🔥

Absolutely loved this monster book inspired by Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!

Poppy was such a dynamic character. She’s smart, strong, and totally willing to stand her ground, even when things get wild. What really made this one stand out for me was the way the story flipped the usual script. Gorgo, the “monster,” is actually the kindest one to her, while Hyde, the human side, is the cruel one. That little twist on the classic Hyde story made everything so much more interesting and honestly pulled me in from the start. (Granted, I know Hyde was always the 'evil' one in the original story, and I appreciate that the 'human' was the evil one in this story, when Hyde was convinced that Gorgo was the 'evil' one.)

I fell completely in love with Gorgo. Out of everyone in the series, he’s the one who hit me the hardest. He’s protective, gentle, and absolutely devoted to Poppy, and every moment between them felt real. Even with all the chaos around them, their connection had so much heart. Watching Poppy slowly start to realize that the monster people fear might be the one who understands her the most? Chef's kiss. Their chemistry was next level, and the emotional pull between them made it even better.

Even though Hyde was definitely the bully and the mean one in this book, by the end he came through with some serious groveling to win Poppy over. And honestly, it worked. She needed both sides of him to truly thrive, the dominance and intensity Hyde brought, paired with Gorgo’s sweetness and care. Together, they gave her exactly what she needed, and Poppy absolutely flourished because of it.

And okay, let’s talk about the şmüt. Holy hell, Layla Fae really delivers between Hyde and Gorgo. The scenes between Poppy and Gorgo were hot, intense, and had that perfect build-up that keeps you turning the pages. Between Hyde and Poppy, you felt the tension and the hate coming out in all the right ways.

This book nailed that balance of plot, emotion, and spice. If you’re into monster romance with a twist, a strong and stubborn heroine, and a sweet, possessive monster who’s down bad for her, you need to pick this one up.

⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Sassy FMC
✅ Obsessive/JP MMC
✅ Dirty Talk
✅ Multiple POV’s (first person)
✅ Enemies-to-Lovers
✅ FMC not Virgin
✅ Monster 🍆
✅ Monster falls first
✅ 🔥 Medium Burn 🔥
✅ MINE
✅ HEA

[Read What I Like Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

FALLING FOR MR. HYDE (FIGER LICKING MONSTERS)

Release Date: 06/05/23
Kindle Unlimited: [X]YES [ ]NO
Stand-alone: [X]YES [ ]NO
Author: Layla Fae
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spiciness rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
POV: Multiple, first person
Main Characters: Poppy, Hyde/Gorgo
Genre: Monster Romance
Tropes: enemies to lovers; mates; MFM (male/female/monster); supernatural powers

Review:

I have now a new favorite monster romance, and let me tell you, I’ve read quite a few. I liked everything a about this, from the plot and setting to the characters. I LOVED the characters. All three of the main ones, but I confess I was surprised how much I liked Gorgo’s personality!

I’ve read some monster romances that were all about smexy scenes and that’s ok, but this one has everything! Poppy is sent to “unalive” Hyde, something she would find quite impossible to accomplish and their hate/love story was very fun, hot and sometimes sweet. I recommend it 10/10.

[hea booktubes · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want dramatic paranormal bdsm, this is a great time. You’ll enjoy it more if dubcon is in your wheelhouse. CW for a memory of his mother being beaten into miscarriage. But overall not a dark book, more like dark kink.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read 5 or more of her books, I find myself curious about why some of them are SO excellent, while others don't work at all. She's a really good writer, especially since it seems English is not her first language. In some of her stories this is barely noticeable and in others I find myself having to reread sentences that feel jumbled. The problem I have with this book is similar to my issue with her dragon shifter romance. The MMC, while having some underlying integrity, is an asshole, and his shift from enemy to lover requires too much suspended disbelief. The FMC is chaotic in her insecurities and it makes her choices feel random. Instead of a natural progression in change of perspective, all of the "connections" seem forced.

I have no answers, but I hope the author continues what she started with Prize for the King, because that was the most authentic of all of her novels.

[AyaPapaya ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s monster smut perfect at what it’s good for. Spicy scenes take off 68% of the way through. Plot is so so but come on we all know what we were reading this for.

[T.P.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engaging story, one that offers different supernaturals and well crafted characters. I liked it though it certainly was not for the faint - hearted. Good banter between Hyde and Gorgo, quite the entertaining experience. I was a big hesitant with Hyde's treatment of the FMC, but eventually things did take a turn for the better. Gorgo and Poppy, I loved from the start.

Well, Mr. Hyde certainly has a charisma that goes beyond the appealing physical features, despite his grouchiness. The other more beastly part of him, Gorgo, a demon trapped in Hyde's body is a big teddy bear that treats his chosen one with the greatest affection. Now, Poppy, the lady of the hour, is a shapeshifter, who does find herself in a less than desirable circumstances when she is given the task to eliminate Mr. Hyde. The dynamic between these three is quite interesting to follow as Hyde and Gorgo are a bit like yin and yang- Hyde is suspicious, to an extent cruel and in denial of his genuine interest whereas Gorgo is all in from the beginning despite things starting for him on a more physical level and then gradually turning into something more meaningful. Poppy has been using her unique gifts to help others after having experienced the negative impacts of her powers. She does show vulnerability and what she experiences with Hyde and Gorgo surpasses her expectations. I reckon that was the bit that really clicked for me, these three found happiness in each other's company, something that they have been deprived of for quite some time.

It was a naughty little story, but at the same time it did have a good premise and character development. Really liked the epilogues as they did provide a glimpse into the future of those three. Curious whether Jaga would be getting her own story.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔴 There is pretty much no communication regarding boundaries, safe practices, or consent in this book. Definitely dub-con, and some scenes skirt right on the edge of non-con, too. This book contains a lot of creative freedom with the BDSM aspects. She has a kind of D/s dynamic with Hyde and a DD/lg with his monster, though all participants have very loose ideas of consent. Internally, she basically gives them blanket approval with no limitations. No actual discussion is had about it. FMC accepts everything (even if she doesn't like it or want it) and heals any massive damage after the fact and just keeps going with a "thank you" on her lips. If you can look past that, you should be fine. 🔴

I LOVED the Venom vibes 🥵

I mean, the spice here was pretty damn good overall (well written and hottt), though I am disappointed in the lack of consent. I had a couple of scenes that pulled me out hard due to this, and I nearly dropped the rating to a 3☆. Thankfully, I did get over it and decided not to drop the rating on a personal preference, but yeah, that almost non-con and some of the intense, deliberate pain towards the FMC nearly pulled me right out of this book.

It's a slower burn, so it doesn't really kick in until about 50%, then it's a huge amount of smut for that second half.

I'm excited to come back to this world with new installments in the future!

[Samantha Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

came close to DNF but …

Four stars, but that’s due to my personal tastes. The characters were flawed and delightful, the dynamics between the three were interesting and not in a way I expected (the demon being the softer daddy dom and the human being the sadist). I love Layla’s work but this one was difficult for me to get through. I almost tapped out during the library scene because it was … that difficult.

TW: several of the spicy scenes between Hyde and Layla skirt being non-con, which is a non negotiable DNF for me. There is one very unsafe, unnegotiated (very heavy dub-con) CNC where Hyde, the MMC, thinks about hurting Layla out of rage/anger. There is little prep during that scene and Hyde intends to hurt her for the sake of revenge, soothing himself with the suspicion of Layla enjoying pain/being a masochist. It very much turned me off of Hyde until near the end.

Gorgo is a delight. A cutie pie. Daddy dom is not my preferred flavor of dom characters, but I adored him.

The book was good, but due to my personal preferences, I don’t think I’ll be re-reading this one.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I've read by Layla Fae. I enjoyed her writing style in the first book I read and gave this one a try. It did not disappoint.

Poppy is a strong, compassionate, and realistic character. She displayed a full range of emotions of determination, courage, and remorse. She cried a bit much, and it kind of turned me off... because it reminded me of me, lol. Place a full array of challenges and stressors, and I'm crying, too.

Mr. Hyde and Gorgo are a great "team" and loved how they balanced each other. While Gorgo is the "truly" evil guy, he helped bring Mr. Hyde's ego down when it came to loving on Poppy. Gorgo was a straight cinnamon roll for Poppy until a certain event, but all was well.

This dark romance is up my alley. Walking on a tight rope unsure what the male main character(s) will do to the female main character, but then it's dominance in bed and support out of bed. And it's *sigh* dreamy.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling for Mr. Hyde 😈

"A less scrupulous man might misinterpret your words." -Hyde

Layla Fae, you killed it yet again! As soon as the cover was revealed, I just knew I was going to devour Falling for Mr. Hyde. I don't want to say too much about the story because this is a book you just need to dive into blind.

That being said, something I loved was the setting of a magical school for supernatural children and Hyde getting tricked into being the headmaster. The relationship between Hyde and the "monster" living within him was so entertaining to read. They bickered constantly and I loved that the "monster", while murderous, knew how to protect and care for the MFC, Poppy.

"I've changed, you know...being stuck in your head messed with mine. I'll never be a fluffy bunny, but I have scruples now. Got them from you. Nasty things, scruples. Like herpes, only worse." -The "monster"

Poppy was dynamic, brave, and a lot of fun to follow. She never back down from a challenge. I really liked how clever she was and willing to do whatever she could to protect herself and her family.

I will always recommend Layla Fae's books. They are such a fun time. Not to mention, she is so kind and deserves all of the support!

Always check TW/CW!

Available on KU now!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

#books #booksta #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #review #bookreview #monsterlover #pnw #ku #kindleunlimited #laylafae #bookseller #booksbooksbooks #kindle

[K Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot tell you how happy this book made me.

Yes please, to all this. Please tell me the others in the series are like this. I cannot stand to be disappointed and this was...

Seriously. The school, the sadism, the monster, the flipped dynamics... 😘

My only complaint is right after a scene where Gorgo says he she has a magic sword that could kill them both, they go to explain in detail how it is literally impossible to kill them they are entirely immortal.
That part irked me like either they are or they aren't.

Also the whole thing about how many women Gorgo has impregnated in his thousands of years of living was annoying. That part is just me. I mean, obviously things happened in like 5000 years or whatever.

But those were small things I happily traded for the A level smut that even had a decent plot and world build.

[Jd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Twist

4.5 Stars
Once again, Ms. Fae has done a great job world building and place a special twist to a well known tale, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
It was interesting to watch how the relationship between man and monster change and how they changed each other. The monster gaining a little humanity and the man becoming a little more monstrous. Their interactions were also funny. Gorgo was a funny psycho.
Poppy was just what they needed. Her proclivities allowed both Gorgo and Mr. Hyde to be themselves and let go. It also enabled them to finally face the truth of what they really wanted.... someone to love and them and a family.
I loved the university and its special powers. Mr. Hyde had a funny relationship with it. We got a treat with the statues. If you are a Dr.Who fan you know what I mean.
I am interested in Nagas story.

[Dash · Rating 5 out of 5]

More complex than expected

Layla Fae's work is always a dark pleasure, but I have to admit that this, the third installment of the trilogy, was more complex than I expected. I was ready for hot sex, magic, monsters, and some soft, fuzzy emotions mixed in. I didn't expect to be hit in the feels until they leaked out my eyes - more than once. While I'm noti to breeding, and would like to find more erotica, especially monster f- I mean moster-lover erotica that didn't end in babies, I never regret reading Layla's stories.

I still can't wait for the next book in Jaga's story. At the time of this writing, only the first one, "Jaga and the Devil," has been released, and Amazon won't let me review it. (Read it! You won't be sorry.)

[JammieDodger · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twisted, kinky, fast-paced read this was! I think this series is getting darker...but I loved it!
Poppy, our FMC, is broken but strong, forced into the role of assassin through threats to her family. Mr Hyde the Headmaster is conflicted, harsh and unforgiving, and his monster - well, I'm going to leave that to you to find out!
This is not for the faint-hearted, it is steamy and dark, but there is an HEA - and it is earned by all three (Poppy, Hyde and the monster) working together to earn it. So if paranormal kink is your jam, run - don't walk - to pick this one up!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely not your standard assassination/enemies to loves romance! Everything from the MCs to the world-building was innovative and complex.

Be sure to read the author's TW note though: "This book contains dark themes. Most notably, a vivid description of an assault ending in miscarriage in Chapter 11 (not between the main characters). Other notable tropes and elements: MFM = male, female, monster; degradation, humiliation, praise, physical violence, size difference, backdoor, somnophilia, primal, breath play, br33ding, blood play, pain play, D/s dynamic, daddy dom, forced Os."

[Sabrina Flachsmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable read. Hyde and Layla were super combustible and I honestly wasn't sure I liked Hyde. I did love Gorgo so, so much. I felt he stole the show in how wonderful he was with Layla. She is in a terrible position, having to kill Hyde to save her family. There is more than meets the eye here though and she gets to meet the monster inside Hyde. Complex world created that was fun to step into and hopefully we get to return to soon.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the heart eyes

I absolutely adore Layla Fae’s books. The quick novellas that are ridiculous and make me laugh all the way through, and these longer books that suck me in the with stories and the character building. ❤️❤️

This was a fun one. I loved the snarky banter and dirty humor between Hyde and his demon. I loved Poppy’s drive to help others and putting them before her. The spice was 🥵🥵!

I loved the HEA and epilogues at the end, and I’m hoping to get more in this world. I’d love to see how the school continues to grow and Jaga getting her own book 👀👀

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling for Mr. Hyde is an awesome story in this stand-alone series that ignites the pages with a Paranormal Romance soiree that is a pleasure of a read especially for leads Hyde/Gorgo and shape shifter Poppy!
Action, intrigue, angst, an interfering magic council and lots of steamy interplay keep the pace rolling at full tilt within an expertly envisioned world of magic, immortals and the supernatural which ultimately leads to a passionately fierce love and one heck of a good erotic read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BookBratt1890 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entire series while set your blood on fire! With morally gray main characters that are so broken that they can only be made whole by each other. Intriguing backstory and so much steamy, spicy adult time there is no need to seek out any other book. It had angst but wasn't overly wrought with it, and it was definitely a page turner. As long as your on board with the trigger warning buckle up for one spicy ride on Mr. Hyde!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an intense book, but I really liked it. The characters are interesting with both Poppy and Hyde having great backstories that lead to good drama and conflict. The manage aspect is interesting since Hyde and the monster share a body they cannot both interact with Poppy at the same time. So it is fun to get the perspective of them wrestling for control and making (often snarky) comments to each other.

There are some continuity issues and a few other issues. But the story was good enough that it was worth ignoring them (mostly).

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dark and Dangerous Read
Shapeshifter Poppy has been volun-told by the Magic Council the headmaster of Luxior Academy, the mysterious Mr. Hyde. What starts as a mission done dangerously wrong, spirals rapidly into a powerfully seductive dance, where Hyde toys with Poppy and she battles back. And then there's Gorgo, the monster within Mr. Hyde. The back and forth between these two (three?) characters is just marvelous, and the spicy times were red hot! Another great monstrous read by Layle Fae.

[Toni · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF after the first spicy scene. I was into it when the MMC was painted as this cold-hearted monster. But then his monster started legit talking about after-care and it took me out of the world. Where did this ancient monster who apparently breaks everyone he bangs learn about healthy BDSM dynamics? And of course the FMC is established immediately as liking rough sex and being a sub before even meeting the MMC. I was more invested in the school than their relationship because at least the school had mystery and something to figure out.

[Taylor Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a part of a series called “Finger Licking Monsters”. It is a paranormal romance book. Some of the tropes to this book are: MFM (male, female, monster), dark romance, praise, pain play, daddy dom, back door, and much more. I would check the tropes/elements/TWs just in case. It is an interesting book, that hooks you and drags you into its world. I enjoyed reading this book, and I am excited to reread this series!

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the cover of this book and wow what an amazing dark story so be warned and of course the pretty hot sex scenes, sorry guys I’m not going to give any spoilers it’s just way too good to spoil but if you like a bit of darkness in your sex then this is the book for you. I loved the characters especially Hide who tried to keep his monster chained and when he was around Poppy it was near impossible, I loved this story and I highly recommend this book.

[ajscenic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is loosely based on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde but where Mr Hyde is the darker, sexier, normal version and the other personalty it way darker, meaner and deadlier than Hyde ever could be!
This is a great story where Poppy is sent to kill Hyde but finds him a little bit of a challenge. This story is funny, flirty, serious, deadly and very sexy. This has some unexpected twists and turns to keep you entertained.
I loved this book from page one and read it in one sitting,
Highly recommended!

[Danii · Rating 4 out of 5]

Your plain and normal shapeshifting girl trying to save herself and her family from deportation and death by disguising as a 9 year old halfbreed and a growly headmaster with a second monster persona struggeling for dominance. Everything set in the ever changing and happily meddeling Luxior Academy. Add an old Layla-Fae-acquaintance and you get a fast and entertaining monster romance. Delicious and recommended.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danielle]

This is not ACOTAR.
This is not literary genius.
I would say this was INSPIRED by ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, though that’s about as far as the connection goes.
But this was entertaining and kinda funny, just not my style of spice. There was more magic than I was expecting and there was thankfully less school drama than I expected since it was from adult perspectives. Also happy it reads quickly.