Circus of Monsters

by Lila Price

With nowhere to hide, I stumble into the tents of the monsters… who want to make me theirs.

Fleeing my past takes me to the one place I never expected—a circus just outside of London. But everyone isn't as they seem. The tattooed man who is a hoard of demons, the gorgon disguised as a python, and the rare guest who is transformed by moonlight all want one thing.

Me.

We all have a secret identity at the Circus of Monsters and all of ours are fatal. Can I trust them with mine?

But it doesn’t take long for me to succumb to the kindness of their words and the strength of their bodies. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

But a new investor with a merciless reputation has come to the circus and as powerful as my monsters are, they may not be strong enough to keep me safe.

Because he wants me too.

Circus of Monsters is a fast burn standalone 'Why Choose' romance novel with monsters, group scenes you can't read at work, and a happily ever after.

Genres: Romance, Why Choose, Paranormal, Monster Romance, Dark Romance, Gothic Romance, Monsters

375 pages, ebook

Published February 20, 2023

About the author

Lila Price has communed with dark forces and powerful fae kings. She has a penchant for villains, monsters, and men who will burn the world for their love. Additional loves include perusing vintage goods and binging historical dramas. She lives in California with her husband and is a dog mom to a very talkative girl. All musings are fueled by boba tea and coffee.

Want access to giveaways, extended chapters, and early updates on upcoming titles? Subscribe to Lila Price’s newsletter through her website at LilaPriceAuthor.com.

Reviews

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 3 out of 5]

CIRCUS OF MONSTERS started out really strong for me but after about 65% I started to lose interest and became somewhat bored with the story once Anne and her men left the circus. The writing style was a bit different for me and it took me a chapter or two to get into it but it was a good fit for the time period of the story. I also found the monsters interesting though it was a little hard to picture how Legions' horde of demons worked and looked and I thought it was odd that we never saw any of Kit's werewolf side.

It almost felt like the author wasn't sure what they wanted this book to be. The things I liked about the beginning just disappeared part way through as the book shifted tone and plot points.

Content Warning: references to coercive relationship (not between MCs); supernatural based racism, drugging, animal violence

[April Wheeler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to say this but I was honestly so bored.

[Momof3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read

This author is new to me but I knew she wouldn't disappoint and I was right. This book was so well written you felt like you were there with the characters. Anne is on the run from something she thinks she did and ends up coming upon the Circus of Monsters. There she first meets Legion the tattoo man but he is more than meets the eye. Then she is introduced to Orrin as a dance partner but there is a lot more to him than that. The three of them share a space and more. Kit is someone from Legion's pass that is at first hiding things. The four of them come together and boy do things get hot and spicy from there. If you enjoy books with supernaturals and some spicy then you really need to read this book. You won't be disappointed.

[Deborah Mayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adult, Gothic, Paranormal, Reverse Harem, Why Choose, Period Romance. Stand alone - HEA, 18+
* Gorgon, demon, Werewolf, Fast burn and hot spice - explicit
**Pls see CW at the beginning

Loved this from the atmospheric setting to the vibrancy of characters and back stories.

There was adventure, intrigue, mystery, instant lust, love and eek the spice was soooo HOT with an unashamably FMC going after what she wants - so refreshing!
The Harem is sizzling in variety, will not describe as a couple of potentials I got wrong at the beginning so will leave you to wonder too as that's part of the glorious process; enjoy!

Fast paced this book will finish before you know it and on a satisfying high.

Will be looking for more works from this Author as this was a delight to read.

[A.R. Lines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monster in the Victorian era. 👌

I love a good historic romance and including monsters and a circus was an excellent idea!

This was very well written. I absolutely love the circus family they had. And I really love how the monsters were written and how they found a way to hide in plain sight.

I love how she immediately felt comfortable around the monsters and cared for their feelings.

I absolutely couldn’t stop reading. This was such a fun yet thrilling story.

I hope to read more books like this by this author. I highly recommend this.

[Kindlelover 1220 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gothic romance with spice and suspense. A circus full of performers, a dangerous mixture of human and fantasy characters and they all have secrets. Secrets that can be deadly. An exciting plot, a crazy amount of spice and imaginative characters.

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

[Fawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet

I really enjoyed this story. While it is a circus setting story the story is more about the monstrous loves in Anne’s life than it is about the circus. I random find, it is worth the time it took to binge this story in a day. A stand alone with a super sweet HEA. Definitely one to add to your tbr.

[Alanna Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book as much as I did. Honestly, I downloaded it looking for some fun 'dirty girl' read but found myself really thinking about the story and characters after I had put it down. Enjoyable story and cast of characters.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Okay so this was so good thank you TikTok. Like I was in a book slump and then boom this masterpiece. This needs more love and hype! Like reminds me of A Lady of Rocksgrave Manor. Loved everything wished we had more backstory on some characters ands Anne but otherwise so good.

[Liza Lovegood · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a circus outside of London, cloistered in a den of thickly laid trees. When night falls, lanterns are lit, and like will-o’-wisps, the dancing flames guide patrons toward the myriad of tents. The locals have dubbed it, The Circus of Monsters.

So begins the stand alone tale, “Circus of Monsters” by Lila Prince, and I was hooked right from word one. If you want to yank me by the throat into a story, start it with a gloomy and mysterious setting. I was positively delighted by how much I loved this book. I’m a huge fan of the old penny dreadfuls that were popular in real life back in the time period in which this story takes place. In fact, I’ve been rereading them lately. I’ve never come across another author who so artfully blends the melodramatic ditzy characters in elaborate Victorian costumes and gothic settings of the penny dreadfuls with a contemporary pace and writing style and dreamy dark spice.

Circus of Monsters has basically all my favorite things. A human ballerina turned circus performer in a why choose romance with a demon, a gorgon and a werewolf. All of which takes place in a night circus while being chased and stalked by a mad man in power. Lots of drama and spice in a setting that comes alive, that ultimately delivers the hard fought HEA.

Well done and many thanks to author Lila Price for her five out of five star masterpiece, Circus of Monsters.

[Emily Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️: 4/5
🌶️: 6/10

This was not a book or author I have heard of or read before and I have to say I loved it! I couldn’t stop reading until I binged the whole thing in one day. Absolutely incredible! Go 👏🏼 Read 👏🏼 This 👏🏼 Book! 👏🏼 The characters and storyline are well written - some parts seemed a bit fast tracked, but overall a really well thought out book. There are dual perspectives, unique characters, twists and turns, and witty moments. Every new development in the story was thought out, added to the suspense building, and was very interesting. The book does have a HEA. I wish I could read this book again for the first time. This book had be in a chokehold until the end.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! This was a page turner that I couldn’t put down. The characters are lovable and the world building on point. The monsters “attributes” make the more intimate sections quite compelling. Will definitely be watching out for a sequel.

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

[Jobeth Huebner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a book quite like this one. The writing is flowery and dark which fits perfect for the time period the book is in. The spice is AMAZING and the plot although very fast pace is mesmerizing... it's a very visual read her descriptions of scenes along with the period verbiage make it super easy to picture the whole scene. 100% would read again

[Siobhaan Baron · Rating 3 out of 5]

A page turner full of suspense, questions and kept you gripped until it revealed itself. Highly intrigued and ready for more or a stand-alone that left a few questions behind.

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