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Arranged Monster Mates #8
Wed to the Lich
Liches are almost gone, only a handful of us left. I must marry to keep my race from extinction, yet how? No living female will ever stoop so low as to marry a lich. People fear us. They say we are the harbingers of death, bad luck, rot and decomposition.
In one last bid to carry out my duty, I request a wife through the Temple. She turns out to be a neglected, sickly thing with trembling hands and downcast eyes, seeking an arranged marriage out of despair.
And she’s perfect. Her blushes burn hot, her voice rings with feeling, and her kisses taste like summer. She is life personified, all warmth, light, and sweetness, and I crave her like darkness craves the sun.
But will she sacrifice her warm, beating heart to a creature of death like me?
The Temple, a matchmaking service for monsters, shifters, and aliens, is open for service.
Arranged Monster Mates is a series of novellas written by your favorite paranormal and sci-fi romance Eden Ember, Layla Fae, and Cara Wylde.
Each of these steamy stories has it a possessive male, a heroine ready to sacrifice herself to the beast, plenty of spice, and a happily ever after to curl your toes!
In one last bid to carry out my duty, I request a wife through the Temple. She turns out to be a neglected, sickly thing with trembling hands and downcast eyes, seeking an arranged marriage out of despair.
And she’s perfect. Her blushes burn hot, her voice rings with feeling, and her kisses taste like summer. She is life personified, all warmth, light, and sweetness, and I crave her like darkness craves the sun.
But will she sacrifice her warm, beating heart to a creature of death like me?
The Temple, a matchmaking service for monsters, shifters, and aliens, is open for service.
Arranged Monster Mates is a series of novellas written by your favorite paranormal and sci-fi romance Eden Ember, Layla Fae, and Cara Wylde.
Each of these steamy stories has it a possessive male, a heroine ready to sacrifice herself to the beast, plenty of spice, and a happily ever after to curl your toes!
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2023
1009 people are currently reading
3641 people want to read
About the author
Layla Fae
44 books2,133 followersSign 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 787 reviews
January 7, 2024
“ 𝐼 𝒶𝓂 𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓎𝑜𝓊. 𝐼 𝒶𝓂 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈, 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒶𝓈 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑒, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐼 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈: 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓎𝑜𝓊, 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊, 𝓉𝑜 𝒽𝑜𝓁𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓅𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒿𝑜𝓎. 𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔, 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝓎𝑜𝓊’𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓈𝒽𝒶𝓂𝑒𝒹 𝑜𝒻, 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝓀 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓊𝑔𝓁𝓎. 𝒯𝑜 𝓂𝑒, 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒻𝑒𝒸𝓉.”
Wed to the Lich was such a sweet monster romance. This was nothing like I expected but I LOVED every second. The characters are two lonely, tortured souls but together become whole ♥️
Tropes & What to Expect
🖤Arranged Marriage 💍
🖤Monster/Human 😈
🖤FMC and MMC are both virgins
🖤Touch her and Die vibes 💀
🖤Dual POV
🖤Shadow daddy w/ lots of shadow play
🖤MMC is a MAJOR golden retriever vibes he’s seriously the sweetest
🖤HEAT
This book was emotional and spoke about very sensitive topics(eating disorder, past neglect and emotional abuse from caregiver). Both characters feel unloved and felt the other wouldn’t accept them 🥹 The heroine struggles with an eating disorder and feels she isn’t beautiful. Throughout the book she battles to realize that food isn’t something she should fear.
Virgil was so sweet and patient. He broke down her barriers of mistrust and allowed her to move at a pace where she was comfortable. He pays attention to the smallest of detail and wanted to please her ALL the time.
Spice Level
2/5 🌶️
Overall thoughts:
I would recommend this book. It’s difficult for me to rate novellas normally because I feel they lack a lot of backstory and information. I could have had more moments with them getting to know each other and more spicy scenes but still an enjoyable read.
Thank you Nunu for doing this BR with me 🥰♥️ Our updates were hilarious and I’m glad we found out if bone daddy had a bony boner🤣🤣😭😭
Wed to the Lich was such a sweet monster romance. This was nothing like I expected but I LOVED every second. The characters are two lonely, tortured souls but together become whole ♥️
Tropes & What to Expect
🖤Arranged Marriage 💍
🖤Monster/Human 😈
🖤FMC and MMC are both virgins
🖤Touch her and Die vibes 💀
🖤Dual POV
🖤Shadow daddy w/ lots of shadow play
🖤MMC is a MAJOR golden retriever vibes he’s seriously the sweetest
🖤HEAT
This book was emotional and spoke about very sensitive topics(eating disorder, past neglect and emotional abuse from caregiver). Both characters feel unloved and felt the other wouldn’t accept them 🥹 The heroine struggles with an eating disorder and feels she isn’t beautiful. Throughout the book she battles to realize that food isn’t something she should fear.
Virgil was so sweet and patient. He broke down her barriers of mistrust and allowed her to move at a pace where she was comfortable. He pays attention to the smallest of detail and wanted to please her ALL the time.
Spice Level
2/5 🌶️
Overall thoughts:
I would recommend this book. It’s difficult for me to rate novellas normally because I feel they lack a lot of backstory and information. I could have had more moments with them getting to know each other and more spicy scenes but still an enjoyable read.
Thank you Nunu for doing this BR with me 🥰♥️ Our updates were hilarious and I’m glad we found out if bone daddy had a bony boner🤣🤣😭😭
January 4, 2024
shadow tentacles and sweet caring and dead husband <3
January 7, 2024
Like a beauty so perfect, one has the urge to smash it. Like something so fine, one can't help but want to posses it, completely and utterly. Mine.
Never thought I'd cry during a lichxhuman sex scene but I did
➥ monster romance
➥arranged marriage
➥dual virgins
➥dual pov
➥eating disorder
➥shadow play *wink*
➥ possesive, yet sweet like a pup mmc
This was a short, cute story of a monster marriage.
I adored this book from start to end. The surprisingly heavy topics of eating disorder, selflove and acceptance hit too close to home. I wasn't expecting this to get that emotional.
Both main characters are loveable, i just want to hug them both. They deserve all the love in the world! Smut scenes were perfectly written for this and their feelings were just *chef kiss* . Both losing their v-card, being insecure, the pure lust and LOVE in it, i melted. AND THE SHADOWS BBY *faints*
The lich, Virgil AKA shadow daddy
He is a lonely skeleton monster, just wanting to share his life with someone before his end comes. He is the sweetest man you will ever find. He took lessons before the marriage to know more of humans. He is attentive, protective and just wants the best for fmc. How freaking sweet is that?! My heart broke for him when he faced his fears of fmc maybe not liking his appearance, how much he also battled with it and just wanted her to be comfortable around him, not fear. Also his shadow play 10/10, hot, my panties dropped.
" my bride was the only person i didn't want to fear me"
"She tasted like a meadow of wildflowers on a summer evening. Like startled fireflies taking on the sky at midnight. Like rain and fire, and the sweet spirits of butterflies and bees. May tasted like life itself. "
"Were her instincts damaged or could she see past my nature and want me despite it?"
May
Sweet, shy, broken human, battling with eating disorders. Seeing her progress, Lich by her side was everything. How she was never really afraid of him, even when he feared she would. She was more worried of herself not being enough and girl do i not relate to that. 2 broken souls, meant for each other ♥
"I am yours, just as you are mine, and i only want this: to be with you, to take care of you, to hold you through your pain and through your joy. I want your everything, even the parts you're ashamed of, even those you think are ugly. To me, you are perfect."
BR with my boo divinity , had so much fun with you girl ♥
Never thought I'd cry during a lichxhuman sex scene but I did
➥ monster romance
➥arranged marriage
➥dual virgins
➥dual pov
➥eating disorder
➥shadow play *wink*
➥ possesive, yet sweet like a pup mmc
This was a short, cute story of a monster marriage.
I adored this book from start to end. The surprisingly heavy topics of eating disorder, selflove and acceptance hit too close to home. I wasn't expecting this to get that emotional.
Both main characters are loveable, i just want to hug them both. They deserve all the love in the world! Smut scenes were perfectly written for this and their feelings were just *chef kiss* . Both losing their v-card, being insecure, the pure lust and LOVE in it, i melted. AND THE SHADOWS BBY *faints*
The lich, Virgil AKA shadow daddy
He is a lonely skeleton monster, just wanting to share his life with someone before his end comes. He is the sweetest man you will ever find. He took lessons before the marriage to know more of humans. He is attentive, protective and just wants the best for fmc. How freaking sweet is that?! My heart broke for him when he faced his fears of fmc maybe not liking his appearance, how much he also battled with it and just wanted her to be comfortable around him, not fear. Also his shadow play 10/10, hot, my panties dropped.
" my bride was the only person i didn't want to fear me"
"She tasted like a meadow of wildflowers on a summer evening. Like startled fireflies taking on the sky at midnight. Like rain and fire, and the sweet spirits of butterflies and bees. May tasted like life itself. "
"Were her instincts damaged or could she see past my nature and want me despite it?"
May
Sweet, shy, broken human, battling with eating disorders. Seeing her progress, Lich by her side was everything. How she was never really afraid of him, even when he feared she would. She was more worried of herself not being enough and girl do i not relate to that. 2 broken souls, meant for each other ♥
"I am yours, just as you are mine, and i only want this: to be with you, to take care of you, to hold you through your pain and through your joy. I want your everything, even the parts you're ashamed of, even those you think are ugly. To me, you are perfect."
BR with my boo divinity , had so much fun with you girl ♥
December 14, 2023
This was my first book by Layla Fae and it came recommended by multiple book friends, so I'm passing that energy along and definitely recommend for the monstery readers. This is a standalone in a larger multi-author series. The world is set on Earth, but where everything has shifted and other worlds have been transferred to ours as well, with most of them bringing some monstrous residents along with them. The monsters then maintained their areas. Humans and monsters can apply to a temple to be matched and married. The writing cadence here is simple, but lovely and I really enjoyed this book despite some darkish elements and heavier themes. Sometimes simple romance just works and gives us the depth and swoon we want.
Virgil (H) is a lich who disgusts pretty much everyone he comes near, since he's not a living being and his powers are misunderstood. He's lonely and so sweet, just wanting companionship, so that he doesn't give up on life like so many other liches. Virgil requests a bride through the temple and is immediately obsessed with caring for her and building a relationship, though he knows very little about humans. Thankfully, he's matched with May (h) who's delicate, but very accepting of him. She's coming from an abusive situation and is extremely unhealthy on a physical level, but also a hidden emotional level. There are trigger warnings here for eating disorders so please be cautious if this is sensitive for you, as it is a heavy theme throughout the story. May hesitates at times and knows nothing about liches prior to meeting Virgil, but she doesn't react the way that he anticipates. Additionally, his reactions and care of her is surprising to her, which gives both of them hope for the possible success of their marriage. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and both are virgins.
This is a slow burn of May and Virgil finding their footing with each other, especially since each species is so new to the other, and slowly falling in love. Virgil's powers and form were so intriguing, as was his home. May was a sweetheart and I liked the sparks of personality that came through, like her preference for dance, but Virgil was the stronger character imo. He wants her to be happy and to just stay with him. Along those lines, he hides many elements of himself from her in a ploy to try not to scare her off. May wants to be cared for and connect with her new husband, but has a very loud internal voice that constantly criticizes herself. She hides her emotional trauma from him, even though it's also affecting her physically. These characters truly needed to be vulnerable with each other and it took time for that to be revealed. But Virgil is keeping his wife, by whatever means necessary to have her healthy and with him forever.
Steam-wise, Virgil's monstrous everywhere and his physical form is very unique. His powers also connect on a physically intimate level with May, though he has to figure out control and what's safe for his wife. The spicy scenes bring it y'all! I also liked that the spice compliments the story, rather than becoming the focus. The spotlight remains on the characters' development and their relationship.
The bulk of the romance is just Virgil and May, though there are scenes with interactions with the townspeople that live in Virgil's territory. The climax of the book is a much needed confrontation over May's health and then a bit of action. I was worried about how the action might affect their relationship because of Virgil's fears, but was quickly reassured and thankful that the author took the resolution in the direction she did, so that there was no wedge driven between our leads. Plus I love a possessive hero, but also one who actually listens to his woman. The ending is HEA and the epilogue is glorious with sweetness and a final touch of extra resolution that had a hint of darkness, but on a level that made me happy. This was sooo good and my review does not capture how precious these two were and enjoyable their romance was to read.
Virgil (H) is a lich who disgusts pretty much everyone he comes near, since he's not a living being and his powers are misunderstood. He's lonely and so sweet, just wanting companionship, so that he doesn't give up on life like so many other liches. Virgil requests a bride through the temple and is immediately obsessed with caring for her and building a relationship, though he knows very little about humans. Thankfully, he's matched with May (h) who's delicate, but very accepting of him. She's coming from an abusive situation and is extremely unhealthy on a physical level, but also a hidden emotional level. There are trigger warnings here for eating disorders so please be cautious if this is sensitive for you, as it is a heavy theme throughout the story. May hesitates at times and knows nothing about liches prior to meeting Virgil, but she doesn't react the way that he anticipates. Additionally, his reactions and care of her is surprising to her, which gives both of them hope for the possible success of their marriage. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and both are virgins.
This is a slow burn of May and Virgil finding their footing with each other, especially since each species is so new to the other, and slowly falling in love. Virgil's powers and form were so intriguing, as was his home. May was a sweetheart and I liked the sparks of personality that came through, like her preference for dance, but Virgil was the stronger character imo. He wants her to be happy and to just stay with him. Along those lines, he hides many elements of himself from her in a ploy to try not to scare her off. May wants to be cared for and connect with her new husband, but has a very loud internal voice that constantly criticizes herself. She hides her emotional trauma from him, even though it's also affecting her physically. These characters truly needed to be vulnerable with each other and it took time for that to be revealed. But Virgil is keeping his wife, by whatever means necessary to have her healthy and with him forever.
Steam-wise, Virgil's monstrous everywhere and his physical form is very unique. His powers also connect on a physically intimate level with May, though he has to figure out control and what's safe for his wife. The spicy scenes bring it y'all! I also liked that the spice compliments the story, rather than becoming the focus. The spotlight remains on the characters' development and their relationship.
The bulk of the romance is just Virgil and May, though there are scenes with interactions with the townspeople that live in Virgil's territory. The climax of the book is a much needed confrontation over May's health and then a bit of action. I was worried about how the action might affect their relationship because of Virgil's fears, but was quickly reassured and thankful that the author took the resolution in the direction she did, so that there was no wedge driven between our leads. Plus I love a possessive hero, but also one who actually listens to his woman. The ending is HEA and the epilogue is glorious with sweetness and a final touch of extra resolution that had a hint of darkness, but on a level that made me happy. This was sooo good and my review does not capture how precious these two were and enjoyable their romance was to read.
Read
August 31, 2023The best perk of being an author? You get to be the first to read your book! And I admit, I wrote this one because I desperately wanted to read something like this. Hope you enjoy it!
Want to read
January 3, 2024Ngl the skeleton looks hot
September 13, 2023
5/5
TROPES:
~paranormal romance
~monster x human
~arranged marriage
~instalove
~dual virgins
Y'all. This is my first book by Layla Fae. The world building is INSANE, I had so much fun reading this!
Virgil is a Lich, an undead creature. He's pretty much a skeleton, lol. He weds May in an arranged marriage. They go back to his home and things change for both of them. They're SO cute together- he's super jealous/possessive but also caring while she's just a sweet, shy woman who loves him. This is probably the sweetest, cutest monster romance I've ever read. Now, it DOES touch on sensitive topics so be sure to check the trigger warning!!
I enjoyed it! I'm totally going to read the rest of the books in this series! <3
SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate?: dual virgins
OM/OW?: no
Cheating/sharing?: no
Triggers: eating disorder, body dysmorphia, verbal abuse by a guardian, animal death
HEA? yes!
TROPES:
~paranormal romance
~monster x human
~arranged marriage
~instalove
~dual virgins
Y'all. This is my first book by Layla Fae. The world building is INSANE, I had so much fun reading this!
Virgil is a Lich, an undead creature. He's pretty much a skeleton, lol. He weds May in an arranged marriage. They go back to his home and things change for both of them. They're SO cute together- he's super jealous/possessive but also caring while she's just a sweet, shy woman who loves him. This is probably the sweetest, cutest monster romance I've ever read. Now, it DOES touch on sensitive topics so be sure to check the trigger warning!!
I enjoyed it! I'm totally going to read the rest of the books in this series! <3
SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate?: dual virgins
OM/OW?: no
Cheating/sharing?: no
Triggers: eating disorder, body dysmorphia, verbal abuse by a guardian, animal death
HEA? yes!
August 19, 2024
Reread 2x in 2024 for Patreon
.
.
.
This was deeply emotional and tackled some serious topics. But it was also a touching and sweet Arranged Marriage.
May and Virgil deserve all the good things.
5 stars
3 on the spice scale
.
.
.
This was deeply emotional and tackled some serious topics. But it was also a touching and sweet Arranged Marriage.
May and Virgil deserve all the good things.
5 stars
3 on the spice scale
December 7, 2025
now THATS how I want shadows to be used 😮💨
Ufff… May… girl… you’re SOOOOOO lucky 🫠. I don’t know how you’re standing after how… ahem… “efficient” (😉) Virgil used his shadows on you 🥵.
Lordt. Have mercy on her body 😅.
Virgil is a Lich and needs to keep his race from dying, which means, he needs a wife… ASAP 😅… like… yesterday 😬, but who’s gonna marry someone like him ☹️? People are terrified of him ☹️, and it’s all because he’s misunderstood ☹️. He requests a wife through the Temple, and his wish is granted 🫶, except when he meets his future wife, he notices something off with her.
May (19) comes from an abusive background ☹️. Ever since she could remember, she’s been told she’s fat, she’s too big, she’s not good enough… as a dancer, she was expected to basically starve herself, so physically, she’s not well ☹️. Unfortunately, that also means that she’s traumatized and fears gaining weight, which means she’s also affected psychologically and emotionally ☹️.
When they finally meet, she doesn’t know what to expect with her soon-to-be hubby, and somehow, she’s not scared of Virgil 🫶 (but she is surprised😅), and Virgil wants the ceremony to be expedited so that she doesn’t change her mind 😅.
Once it’s done, it becomes incredibly apparent that he needs to take things slow with her ❤️; she’s fragile in many ways and only wants to take care of her 🫶.
Let the wooing begin 😉.
What I liked/loved: POSSIBLE SPOILERS
—how sweet scary-looking Virgil is 🥹. Gah. This man… this man will do ANYTHING for his wife 🥹😭 (including sucking life forces to save her ☹️). He just wants her to feel well and normal ❤️, and he’s not giving up on her 🫶
—the relationship development ❤️. Because of her trauma, Virgil needs to take things slow, which means that the relationship develops in an organic way 🫶. He’s in no rush, and he wants her to trust him because of all the trauma she’s lived through ☹️❤️. Plus, she’s never met a man like him before, which is why he’s so patient
—THE SHADOWS 🥵. GOOD GOD!!!! LAWD HAVE MERCY 🫠🔥💦. I’ve never read of shadows being as creative and as… ahem… INvolved (I capitalized IN for a reason 😅😉) as Virgil’s shadows are 😮💨. He literally gets in her skin and causes her to 💦 SOOOO MUCH. Lawd. How is May not dehydrated 🤣🤣🤣?!!?!
—the 🔥. Kissing happens about a quarter of the way through, and other 🔥 happens until full 🔥 a little more than halfway through😉. The amount of times May 💦 should be concerning 🤣. She’s so lucky 😉👏🏻
—how protective Virgil is ❤️. He’ll do anything for his wife 🤷🏻♀️ including slay her demons 💅
—the epilogues 😭. Gaaaahhh. I love me some good epilogues, especially emotional ones 🥹❤️
—how vulnerable they are 🫶. Both of them have hangups. He’s scared she’ll be scared of him and even tries to hide himself and she fears she won’t be enough for him. They’re both ashamed of themselves ☹️ ugh
—taking care of each other ❤️. Sigh. They support each other and that’s all they could ever ask for in a marriage ❤️
—the epilogues 😭🥹❤️🫶 gaaaahhhh
—dual virgins ❤️
What I wanted more of:
—for it to be longer
—for the animal scene not to happen 😭
—more of their future
Overall, I looooved it!!!🥹
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd/omd
-death of an animal 😭
-mental health/bulimia/anorexia
-abuse/mental/psychological/emotional/physical
-praise kink/cock warming
-HEA/epilogue/months/yeara
Ufff… May… girl… you’re SOOOOOO lucky 🫠. I don’t know how you’re standing after how… ahem… “efficient” (😉) Virgil used his shadows on you 🥵.
Lordt. Have mercy on her body 😅.
Virgil is a Lich and needs to keep his race from dying, which means, he needs a wife… ASAP 😅… like… yesterday 😬, but who’s gonna marry someone like him ☹️? People are terrified of him ☹️, and it’s all because he’s misunderstood ☹️. He requests a wife through the Temple, and his wish is granted 🫶, except when he meets his future wife, he notices something off with her.
May (19) comes from an abusive background ☹️. Ever since she could remember, she’s been told she’s fat, she’s too big, she’s not good enough… as a dancer, she was expected to basically starve herself, so physically, she’s not well ☹️. Unfortunately, that also means that she’s traumatized and fears gaining weight, which means she’s also affected psychologically and emotionally ☹️.
When they finally meet, she doesn’t know what to expect with her soon-to-be hubby, and somehow, she’s not scared of Virgil 🫶 (but she is surprised😅), and Virgil wants the ceremony to be expedited so that she doesn’t change her mind 😅.
Once it’s done, it becomes incredibly apparent that he needs to take things slow with her ❤️; she’s fragile in many ways and only wants to take care of her 🫶.
Let the wooing begin 😉.
What I liked/loved: POSSIBLE SPOILERS
—how sweet scary-looking Virgil is 🥹. Gah. This man… this man will do ANYTHING for his wife 🥹😭 (including sucking life forces to save her ☹️). He just wants her to feel well and normal ❤️, and he’s not giving up on her 🫶
—the relationship development ❤️. Because of her trauma, Virgil needs to take things slow, which means that the relationship develops in an organic way 🫶. He’s in no rush, and he wants her to trust him because of all the trauma she’s lived through ☹️❤️. Plus, she’s never met a man like him before, which is why he’s so patient
—THE SHADOWS 🥵. GOOD GOD!!!! LAWD HAVE MERCY 🫠🔥💦. I’ve never read of shadows being as creative and as… ahem… INvolved (I capitalized IN for a reason 😅😉) as Virgil’s shadows are 😮💨. He literally gets in her skin and causes her to 💦 SOOOO MUCH. Lawd. How is May not dehydrated 🤣🤣🤣?!!?!
—the 🔥. Kissing happens about a quarter of the way through, and other 🔥 happens until full 🔥 a little more than halfway through😉. The amount of times May 💦 should be concerning 🤣. She’s so lucky 😉👏🏻
—how protective Virgil is ❤️. He’ll do anything for his wife 🤷🏻♀️ including slay her demons 💅
—the epilogues 😭. Gaaaahhh. I love me some good epilogues, especially emotional ones 🥹❤️
—how vulnerable they are 🫶. Both of them have hangups. He’s scared she’ll be scared of him and even tries to hide himself and she fears she won’t be enough for him. They’re both ashamed of themselves ☹️ ugh
—taking care of each other ❤️. Sigh. They support each other and that’s all they could ever ask for in a marriage ❤️
—the epilogues 😭🥹❤️🫶 gaaaahhhh
—dual virgins ❤️
What I wanted more of:
—for it to be longer
—for the animal scene not to happen 😭
—more of their future
Overall, I looooved it!!!🥹
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd/omd
-death of an animal 😭
-mental health/bulimia/anorexia
-abuse/mental/psychological/emotional/physical
-praise kink/cock warming
-HEA/epilogue/months/yeara
January 15, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
''Never before had eternal life seemed so enticing''
Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Arranged marriage
- Fat shaming
- ED
- Body dysmorphia
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
I started this series and read the first three books, each by different authors but out of the three Layla's book was the best written one so when I kept seeing ''Wed to the Lich'' on my feed I decided to give it a go and it did not disappoint.
As the other books this one follows the same type of theme where a monster is searching for his mate and having his marriage arranged to a human woman.
May is an orphan who has been subjected to brainwashing from her guardian and forced to deal with fat shaming throughout her life. She develops an eating disorder and body dysmorphia which is very present in the book and within her POV.
On the other hand, we have Virgil who seems to be one of the last Lich's in the world and he has lived a very lonely life. He seeks a wife in order to have a purpose and not follow his fellow Lich's to death.
Virgil was very sweet and kind, he truly projected innocence in the way he viewed the world because of how different Lich's perceive emotions and feelings. He was learning as he went on with May.
He treated her with kindness, but he had a massive fear that she would run away from him one day. He feared that she would see him as disgusting and never want him. While May believed he would find her disgusting because of her body and leave her.
Another thing to note is how Virgil was a virgin and never even had kissed before May.
I really liked their interactions and once they started feeling more comfortable with each other their love blossomed.
We got to see them a few years into the future with their child and we know from what Virgil has said multiple times in the book that he will keep May basically immortal so they will live happily together forever until they both decide to leave the world.
''Never before had eternal life seemed so enticing''
Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- Arranged marriage
- Fat shaming
- ED
- Body dysmorphia
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
I started this series and read the first three books, each by different authors but out of the three Layla's book was the best written one so when I kept seeing ''Wed to the Lich'' on my feed I decided to give it a go and it did not disappoint.
As the other books this one follows the same type of theme where a monster is searching for his mate and having his marriage arranged to a human woman.
May is an orphan who has been subjected to brainwashing from her guardian and forced to deal with fat shaming throughout her life. She develops an eating disorder and body dysmorphia which is very present in the book and within her POV.
On the other hand, we have Virgil who seems to be one of the last Lich's in the world and he has lived a very lonely life. He seeks a wife in order to have a purpose and not follow his fellow Lich's to death.
Virgil was very sweet and kind, he truly projected innocence in the way he viewed the world because of how different Lich's perceive emotions and feelings. He was learning as he went on with May.
He treated her with kindness, but he had a massive fear that she would run away from him one day. He feared that she would see him as disgusting and never want him. While May believed he would find her disgusting because of her body and leave her.
Another thing to note is how Virgil was a virgin and never even had kissed before May.
I really liked their interactions and once they started feeling more comfortable with each other their love blossomed.
We got to see them a few years into the future with their child and we know from what Virgil has said multiple times in the book that he will keep May basically immortal so they will live happily together forever until they both decide to leave the world.
November 23, 2023
3.5 Stars
I’ve been STRUGGLING lately, so I decided to jump genres and got pulled in by the cover. This was an easy, sweet read about acceptance and healing. Virgil is a Lich which was described as a sort of skeleton man with shadow power. I believe they might be indestructible and live until they decide to stop “eating” which is basically consuming elements. May is a human with a history of abuse and eating disorders.
The blurb sets it up, they enter an arranged marriage because they’re desperate. Both have baggage, Virgil’s breed is loathed by all, and he’s dying of loneliness. May has suffered years of abuse and is dying of anorexia. What follows is a beautifully developed love story. It’s low on drama and smut, but I gobbled it up.
Bottom Line- I’m in a major book funk, but this hit the spot. I loved how supportive and considerate they were with each other… sort of had the earlier Prime Dating books/ I Married a Lizardman vibes, but this author tackled heavier subjects. The series is made up of shorter novellas that take place within the same world following monster/human pairings that are arranged by a matchmaking temple. I’ve looked over the blurbs and think I’ll give the wolfman one a shot.
I’ve been STRUGGLING lately, so I decided to jump genres and got pulled in by the cover. This was an easy, sweet read about acceptance and healing. Virgil is a Lich which was described as a sort of skeleton man with shadow power. I believe they might be indestructible and live until they decide to stop “eating” which is basically consuming elements. May is a human with a history of abuse and eating disorders.
The blurb sets it up, they enter an arranged marriage because they’re desperate. Both have baggage, Virgil’s breed is loathed by all, and he’s dying of loneliness. May has suffered years of abuse and is dying of anorexia. What follows is a beautifully developed love story. It’s low on drama and smut, but I gobbled it up.
Bottom Line- I’m in a major book funk, but this hit the spot. I loved how supportive and considerate they were with each other… sort of had the earlier Prime Dating books/ I Married a Lizardman vibes, but this author tackled heavier subjects. The series is made up of shorter novellas that take place within the same world following monster/human pairings that are arranged by a matchmaking temple. I’ve looked over the blurbs and think I’ll give the wolfman one a shot.
December 4, 2025
UPDATED, plus audio info!
Wow. One of the best monster/fantasy fics in existence. This is such a sweet and beautiful love story. I started reading this thinking I was getting kinky monster sex, but it was so much more precious than I planned for. This is the kind of book that will have you on the floor from how hard you swoon.
Virgil (Lich, made of bones & smoke) is one of the last of his kind. He decides instead of fading away, he'll participate in the marriage service that matches human virgins to monsters. He's very nervous since all humans fear his kind, and really all he wants is to love and be loved.
May (19, virgin, eating disorder) applied to be matched with a monster so she could escape the orphanage she was living in, and where she was fated to become a prostitute. Our poor May has a lot of health issues due to her forced & voluntary starvation, and she's terrified she'll be rejected by her intended husband.
The Gods proved they knew what they were doing when they matched May & Virgil because as soon as they breath the same air, the stars align.
Virgil and May get to know each other, yet they both keep a big secret. Eating. Virgil wants to hide the way he eats because he doesn't want to scare May. She wants to hide the fact that she starves herself because she's afraid he'll be disgusted by her.
These two beautiful beings join together, they reveal their secrets, town folk interfere, Virgil shows his power, eating issues are confronted, V gets justice for his lady love, then May & Virgil get a super precious HEA.
Awwwwwwww I seriously can't express enough how precious this story is. I love it soooooo much. It's 100% a book I would purchase (and you know my ass is cheap as fuck)
SEX: Well... this book isn't really about sex - it's about making love. Since he's a monster made of bone and smoke, things are a little bit different. They consummate their marriage at 51% and it's so freaking beautiful!
VIRGIL: Simply the sweetest monster ever written. I swoon for him. I'd 100% give up my human life for him.
DEATH: The way Virgil "eats" is by sucking the life out of other organisms. His preference is plants and vegetation. To show May why it's important for her to eat, he consumes the life of a fawn. As an animal lover, it makes me sad. Pertaining to this story, it was necessary.
AUDIO: I've read the book twice, and then noticed my library had the audiobook! Ryan Stone and Veronica Fox narrate and I was very pleasantly surprised. They're really good. I think you're good reading or listening.
If you haven't noticed - I recommend this book for everyone. It's that good.
Wow. One of the best monster/fantasy fics in existence. This is such a sweet and beautiful love story. I started reading this thinking I was getting kinky monster sex, but it was so much more precious than I planned for. This is the kind of book that will have you on the floor from how hard you swoon.
“I am here for you. I am yours, just as you are mine, and I only want this: to be with you, to take care of you, to hold you through your pain and through your joy. I want your everything, even the parts you’re ashamed of, even those you think are ugly. To me, you are perfect.”
Virgil (Lich, made of bones & smoke) is one of the last of his kind. He decides instead of fading away, he'll participate in the marriage service that matches human virgins to monsters. He's very nervous since all humans fear his kind, and really all he wants is to love and be loved.
May (19, virgin, eating disorder) applied to be matched with a monster so she could escape the orphanage she was living in, and where she was fated to become a prostitute. Our poor May has a lot of health issues due to her forced & voluntary starvation, and she's terrified she'll be rejected by her intended husband.
She tasted like a meadow of wildflowers on a summer evening. Like startled fireflies taking to the sky at midnight. Like rain and fire, and the sweet spirits of butterflies and bees. May tasted like life itself.
The Gods proved they knew what they were doing when they matched May & Virgil because as soon as they breath the same air, the stars align.
Virgil and May get to know each other, yet they both keep a big secret. Eating. Virgil wants to hide the way he eats because he doesn't want to scare May. She wants to hide the fact that she starves herself because she's afraid he'll be disgusted by her.
“You’re so beautiful, May. My exquisite wife. The beautiful energy strumming in your chest, flowing through your veins, is irresistible. I adore your body, but the power flowing within you is what I love the most.”
These two beautiful beings join together, they reveal their secrets, town folk interfere, Virgil shows his power, eating issues are confronted, V gets justice for his lady love, then May & Virgil get a super precious HEA.
“You are so brave, so very good for me.... It feels numinous to be inside you. I never thought… But it is. I want to worship you. I want to never leave. I want to always be in you, so close, so warm and alive… Oh, May. You’re making me babble like a fool. I can’t contain it.”
Awwwwwwww I seriously can't express enough how precious this story is. I love it soooooo much. It's 100% a book I would purchase (and you know my ass is cheap as fuck)
SEX: Well... this book isn't really about sex - it's about making love. Since he's a monster made of bone and smoke, things are a little bit different. They consummate their marriage at 51% and it's so freaking beautiful!
VIRGIL: Simply the sweetest monster ever written. I swoon for him. I'd 100% give up my human life for him.
DEATH: The way Virgil "eats" is by sucking the life out of other organisms. His preference is plants and vegetation. To show May why it's important for her to eat, he consumes the life of a fawn. As an animal lover, it makes me sad. Pertaining to this story, it was necessary.
AUDIO: I've read the book twice, and then noticed my library had the audiobook! Ryan Stone and Veronica Fox narrate and I was very pleasantly surprised. They're really good. I think you're good reading or listening.
If you haven't noticed - I recommend this book for everyone. It's that good.
November 4, 2023
Brb, busy swooning over a lich 😭
don't ask.
-=-
This was surprisingly so sweet, and I absolutely loved it. I wished it was longer, but aside from that, it was just so cute 🥹.
“Don’t apologize to me. I am here for you. I am yours, just as you are mine, and I only want this: to be with you, to take care of you, to hold you through your pain and through your joy. I want your everything, even the parts you’re ashamed of, even those you think are ugly. To me, you are perfect.”
-=-
This was surprisingly so sweet, and I absolutely loved it. I wished it was longer, but aside from that, it was just so cute 🥹.
May 16, 2025
More Like Wed to the Boss!!
“You’re not running away,” he finally said when I breathed out a long, soothing breath and finally looked at him. “Why would I? You stopped,” I said, suddenly wishing he wasn’t so far away. I wanted his comfort. I wanted his touch. But I didn’t want to risk him coming too close again.
Woah this made me laugh, cry a little and wonder why the girls always get the best monster lovers. Once upon a time I wanted a vampire mate. Then I learned about Orcs and I was like baby that right there is the one. Then Layla had to come out here making me want a bone daddy all my own.
It is soo unfair to make me fall in deep like with a fictional man who literally eats life force and is clearly in love with another human woman who does ballet. It is a known fact that you cannot win against a ballerina unless you are a breakdancer. I am unfortunately neither of those things.
But as the other book in the series began in the temple it was only right that this one began in the temple as well and it was so epic. May and Virgil’s wedding was beautiful and their vows just as colorful. I wish I could have been swept up in and as soon as they hit his land he showered her with cookies and cakes and snacks !! What a man !!
Do not just go out and add this to your TBR run to it and be swept away in this magical world of lichs, shadows and bountiful love.
“You’re not running away,” he finally said when I breathed out a long, soothing breath and finally looked at him. “Why would I? You stopped,” I said, suddenly wishing he wasn’t so far away. I wanted his comfort. I wanted his touch. But I didn’t want to risk him coming too close again.
Woah this made me laugh, cry a little and wonder why the girls always get the best monster lovers. Once upon a time I wanted a vampire mate. Then I learned about Orcs and I was like baby that right there is the one. Then Layla had to come out here making me want a bone daddy all my own.
It is soo unfair to make me fall in deep like with a fictional man who literally eats life force and is clearly in love with another human woman who does ballet. It is a known fact that you cannot win against a ballerina unless you are a breakdancer. I am unfortunately neither of those things.
But as the other book in the series began in the temple it was only right that this one began in the temple as well and it was so epic. May and Virgil’s wedding was beautiful and their vows just as colorful. I wish I could have been swept up in and as soon as they hit his land he showered her with cookies and cakes and snacks !! What a man !!
Do not just go out and add this to your TBR run to it and be swept away in this magical world of lichs, shadows and bountiful love.
September 3, 2024
Здається перша моя книжка про ліча і було доволі цікаво. Так як книжка про нав'язаний? шлюб, через храм вони бачать один одного тільки коли клятви треба казати, не було такого прям негативу на героїв, було в принципі легко читати. Тільки я б хотіла щоб все ж таки вирішили якесь питання з її батьками, по ідеї вони вирішили що ти померли раз її не шукають, а якщо ні? Просто якесь незакінчене питання.
June 17, 2024
super sweet and super hot. may and virgil made my heart hurt because of how much i wanted them to be happy together. they're so precious to me <3
"Never before had eternal life seemed so enticing. So absolutely necessary. Because only eternity would suffice to enjoy my wife and her love to the fullest."
March 16, 2024
2.5 ⭐️?
September 28, 2023
Usually when I’ve picked up a book from this author is a wild time with a variety of flavors. No literally, those fluids have favors. It’s also fun, funny and makes you question what your enjoyment says about you as a person 😂
This however was different. Good different. This was tackling some real hard issues had an incredibly dark and spooky MMC and yet was so sweet. He is completely in love from the moment he meets her. It had the things I love most about monster romance, without the cartoon level nonsense.
I definitely need to pick up more from this series
This however was different. Good different. This was tackling some real hard issues had an incredibly dark and spooky MMC and yet was so sweet. He is completely in love from the moment he meets her. It had the things I love most about monster romance, without the cartoon level nonsense.
I definitely need to pick up more from this series
February 5, 2024
5☆ Holy Mother of Shadows! That's twice now in one week that I can say this is one of the most romantic books I've ever read--and once again, it's a monster romance! I guess I found a new favorite trope, fellow fiends. Hard to believe this is by the same author as Wed to the Orc. My heart absolutely broke for both of these sweet, sad, beautiful characters, and I'm so glad that they found each other.
September 29, 2023
It was cute, sometimes cloyingly so. The pairing was adorable and Virgil is like the cutest but a couple of scenes didn't really work and the ending didn't do it for me (I'm not a fan of but if that's your jam your mileage will vary).
3.5 rounded up.
3.5 rounded up.
August 26, 2025
one star for me and me only for finishing this instead of dnfing
June 11, 2024
it’s so romantic, they really were entwined in each other’s souls.
February 27, 2024
liches are the cutest, also heavily deals with ed, check tw!!! had me crying for half of the book
September 15, 2024
⭐️ 4.5 (rounded up because I can)
MCs:
Virgil ~ lich (old)
May ~ human (19)
Tropes/What to Expect:
❤️🔥 Human x Monster
❤️🔥 Arranged Marriage
❤️🔥 Ballerina FMC
❤️🔥 Nightmare (I love this trope 🤭)
❤️🔥 Shadow tentacles 👀
Info:
Prologue
Dual 1st person POV
Body dysmorphia
Anorexia
Verbal abuse by guardian
Death of an animal
No ow/om drama
No cheating
Both virgins
Open door spice
Cock warming
Praise
No third-act breakup
Epilogue (there’s two!!)
HEA
My Thoughts
I will say having to read about the h’s body dysmorphia and anorexia was very hard and emotional (not in a way that made me hate the book though).
They were both insecure about their eating, but we see them both grow and help each other gain their confidence back 🥹
I don’t understand why the people or even other monsters in this book were so disgusted with liches... I thought he was kinda hot 🫣
OH MY GOSH. He was so sweet! She was so sweet! They were sooo sweet!! AHHHH 💗💗
Let me tell you this man was in LOVE, obsessed, on his knees for his girl. “My sweetest,” “my darling,” “my treasure,” “my wife,” “my love." 😭🫶🏻
I’m still very confused about his anatomy…
This would definitely have been 5 stars if there was more world-building, information on the characters, and if it was a little longer. I do get that this is a novella, so I tried not let it affect my rating too much.
Quotes
Like a beauty so perfect, one has the urge to smash it. Like something so fine, one can’t help but want to possess it, completely and utterly. Mine.
She would have my soul forever, until we lay down for eternal sleep.
“I will take care of my wife’s every need.”
If liches could blush, I would. May certainly blushed for us both.
“Tell me what you want,” I whispered, my eagerness almost embarrassing. “I’ll do anything, so just tell me.”
“You belong to me,” he whispered, his red eyes watching me relentlessly. “And I take care of what’s mine.”
———
pre read:
the COVER 😍😍
MCs:
Virgil ~ lich (old)
May ~ human (19)
Tropes/What to Expect:
❤️🔥 Human x Monster
❤️🔥 Arranged Marriage
❤️🔥 Ballerina FMC
❤️🔥 Nightmare (I love this trope 🤭)
❤️🔥 Shadow tentacles 👀
Info:
Prologue
Dual 1st person POV
Body dysmorphia
Anorexia
Verbal abuse by guardian
Death of an animal
No ow/om drama
No cheating
Both virgins
Open door spice
Cock warming
Praise
No third-act breakup
Epilogue (there’s two!!)
HEA
My Thoughts
I will say having to read about the h’s body dysmorphia and anorexia was very hard and emotional (not in a way that made me hate the book though).
They were both insecure about their eating, but we see them both grow and help each other gain their confidence back 🥹
I don’t understand why the people or even other monsters in this book were so disgusted with liches... I thought he was kinda hot 🫣
OH MY GOSH. He was so sweet! She was so sweet! They were sooo sweet!! AHHHH 💗💗
Let me tell you this man was in LOVE, obsessed, on his knees for his girl. “My sweetest,” “my darling,” “my treasure,” “my wife,” “my love." 😭🫶🏻
I’m still very confused about his anatomy…
This would definitely have been 5 stars if there was more world-building, information on the characters, and if it was a little longer. I do get that this is a novella, so I tried not let it affect my rating too much.
Quotes
Like a beauty so perfect, one has the urge to smash it. Like something so fine, one can’t help but want to possess it, completely and utterly. Mine.
She would have my soul forever, until we lay down for eternal sleep.
“I will take care of my wife’s every need.”
If liches could blush, I would. May certainly blushed for us both.
“Tell me what you want,” I whispered, my eagerness almost embarrassing. “I’ll do anything, so just tell me.”
“You belong to me,” he whispered, his red eyes watching me relentlessly. “And I take care of what’s mine.”
———
pre read:
the COVER 😍😍
November 1, 2025
Okładka mnie oczarowała, treść nie za bardzo, ale kiedy czytać książkę o nieumarłym szkielecie pragnącym miłości, jeśli nie w Halloween?
Krótkie, proste, do połknięcia na jeden raz. Dostajemy dokładnie to, czego można się spodziewać - schematyczną historię dziewczyny z sierocińca, która wychodzi za gościa przydzielonego jej przez agencję matrymonialną działającą w tym świecie. Miłość od pierwszego wejrzenia i te sprawy, potem trochę scen erotycznych przeplatanych opisami tego, jak to nasza dwójka się lepiej poznaje i zaczyna tworzyć się między nimi więź. W tle prześladowanie potworów przez nieczułych ludzi, którzy nie rozumieją, że nasz lisz to tak naprawdę spoko gość, który po prostu jest samotny i pragnie miłości. Szczęśliwe zakończenie i pyk, mamy całość.
Ani mnie to ziębi, ani grzeje, postacie mają zero charakteru, nie czuć za bardzo atmosfery jakiejkolwiek grozy (a szkoda, bo potencjał był!), najlepszą częścią książki jest okładka. Można by z tego zrobić coś świetnego, ale książka musiałaby mieć 500 a nie 200 stron.
Książka do szybkiego przeczytania i jeszcze szybszego zapomnienia.
Krótkie, proste, do połknięcia na jeden raz. Dostajemy dokładnie to, czego można się spodziewać - schematyczną historię dziewczyny z sierocińca, która wychodzi za gościa przydzielonego jej przez agencję matrymonialną działającą w tym świecie. Miłość od pierwszego wejrzenia i te sprawy, potem trochę scen erotycznych przeplatanych opisami tego, jak to nasza dwójka się lepiej poznaje i zaczyna tworzyć się między nimi więź. W tle prześladowanie potworów przez nieczułych ludzi, którzy nie rozumieją, że nasz lisz to tak naprawdę spoko gość, który po prostu jest samotny i pragnie miłości. Szczęśliwe zakończenie i pyk, mamy całość.
Ani mnie to ziębi, ani grzeje, postacie mają zero charakteru, nie czuć za bardzo atmosfery jakiejkolwiek grozy (a szkoda, bo potencjał był!), najlepszą częścią książki jest okładka. Można by z tego zrobić coś świetnego, ale książka musiałaby mieć 500 a nie 200 stron.
Książka do szybkiego przeczytania i jeszcze szybszego zapomnienia.
November 13, 2023
WOWWWW!!! This was a beautiful story; beautifully written, slightly dark and gothic and wonderfully descriptive for a novella. There was so much emotion and feeling that poured out of this story it didn’t even feel like a novella!!!!
There are some DARK spots, so check out TWs below under SPOILERS!!!!(no cheating or OW/OM or abuse!)
I freakin LOOOOVED that both MCs were dual virgins! More of that please!!! I want more books like this one, with gripping intense emotion and beauty and oneness and where the MCs belong only to one another.
Safe. Dual virgins, no others, no cheating or sharingC HEA with epilogue years out
SPOILERSSSS:
Heroine has eating disorder, very explicit throughout the story and it’s a main plot line
Hero absorbs energy as fuel. Death of an animal by hero, absorbing his energy
There are some DARK spots, so check out TWs below under SPOILERS!!!!(no cheating or OW/OM or abuse!)
I freakin LOOOOVED that both MCs were dual virgins! More of that please!!! I want more books like this one, with gripping intense emotion and beauty and oneness and where the MCs belong only to one another.
Safe. Dual virgins, no others, no cheating or sharingC HEA with epilogue years out
SPOILERSSSS:
Heroine has eating disorder, very explicit throughout the story and it’s a main plot line
Hero absorbs energy as fuel. Death of an animal by hero, absorbing his energy
April 5, 2024
I love a sentient shadow, but Virgil and May were uncompelling.
May 4, 2024
Ya saben, los personajes con cara de calavera son lo mío. Lo vengo repitiendo desde los duskwalkers, jajaja.
Empecé esto sin saber qué demonios era un lich, yo pensaba que era algo así como la muerte y, aunque en el libro en realidad no estoy tan errada de mi concepción inicial, resulta que hay toda una cultura ya creada alrededor de esta criatura que viene aparentemente de los relatos de Lovecraft. Y si hay algo que me decepciona de esta historia es que no se profundizara en absoluto en ello.
Quiero decir, mi búsqueda veloz en Google me dijo que de hecho los liches son magos poderosos que se transforman a sí mismos en muertos vivientes en el afán de ganar poder (aparentemente, entre más muertos, más poderosos son). Mi cara honesta al leer sobre liches:
Pero en la historia no sabemos en absoluto nada del trasfondo del prota. Él existía antes de que los mundos convergieran (o lo que sea que haya sucedido), siguió existiendo y luego consiguió su novia humana y siguió existiendo. No sabemos nada. NADA. de él.
Siento que es tonto, es un potencial desaprovechado. Cuando tienes un ser que tiene tantas posibilidades, pero lo único para lo que lo utilizas es para tener sexo con la prota humana de formas recursivas, pues... Hola, adiós personaje interesante. ¿Te queda un novio literario lindo? Pues sí. ¿Es memorable? No. Porque hay muchos chicos/monstruos de libros que son un amor con sus parejas, así que no me estás ofreciendo nada nuevo.
Bueno, al parecer la historia trata de un matrimonio arreglado entre el lich, que buscaba esposa, Virgil, y la humana indefensa que no tenía nada para decir a su favor, May. No entiendo muy bien cómo funciona esto del matrimonio arreglado, quizás porque empecé por el libro ocho de la serie, jajaja. Pero si me vendes un libro como que "se puede leer por su cuenta", pues lo mínimo que esperaría es entender todo lo que pasa ¿? ¿Hay como una app donde los monstruos solicitan casarse? ¿Les hacen una adivinación? ¿Un bañito de ruda, quizás? Porque no me quedó nada claro como los matcheaban y que, al parecer, eran prácticamente una pareja destinada, ¿? Help.
Virgil le causa traumas a todos nomás con verlo. Es como si vivieran sus peores terrores a través de sus ojos, pero cuando conoce a May (en un cuarto oscuro, en el que es básicamente una prisionera), por motivos que se salen de nuestra comprensión y que nunca se abordan en la historia, ella no está aterrorizada de él como los demás. Cuando ella ve a los ojos de Virgil solo siente calor y curiosidad, porque a Virgil le cambia el color de los ojos de color dependiendo de su emoción (déjenme agregar que me encanta este tropo)
Yo interpreto que se intenta medio esconder su falta de reacción como una consecuencia de que su vida ya de por si haya sido un desastre y que Virgil es, de hecho, su bote salvavidas. Ella quiere que él esté completamente apegado a ella con tal de que la saque de la especie de orfanato en la que vive.
Y ni siquiera la puedo culpar del todo. La tenían traumatizada. Para empezar el orfanato funcionaba más como una casa de trata de humanos, donde los monstruos podían ir a ver bailar a las chicas y decidir que querían acostarse con cualquiera de ellas, que hasta donde entiendo (porque tampoco se trató con mucha profundidad) no podían negarse a ir con ellos. Por el otro lado, su cuidadora era una loca y le causó un desorden alimenticio, pues para ella todas las chicas siempre estaban gordas y estar a punto de morir era la única forma de lucir bella. Si no, las chicas carecían de valor para los demás y no podían dedicarse al baile. Para May, a quien bailar le encantaba, no comer se convirtió en la única forma de obtener consuelo.
Por supuesto, una vez casada con Virgil, él trata de alimentarla correctamente y mimarla. En este perfil amamos a los monstruos.
No obstante, entre que no entiende del todo a los humanos y que él mismo tiene problemas con su propia comida, pues le da vergüenza y temor que su novia pueda encontrar el acto horrible y ya no lo quiera más, no se hace ni un paso completo.
Sin embargo, como todos los demás temas de la historia, no se explora demasiado de esto. Lo que sí me parece una vergüenza, pues cuando están tocando temas tan delicados, se espera un mejor trato de los mismos.
La historia se centra tanto en querer avanzar y tener sexo que se olvida de la construcción del romance, de las relaciones, de mostrarnos cómo conviven los dos hasta el punto de que se pueden genuinamente sentir atraídos el uno por el otro. Contarlo, no es lo mismo que mostrarlo, así que solamente debo creer que May está enamorada del monstruo que la sacó de su infierno por medios burdos y cuestionables... Y yo no lo hago, jajaja. Quiero decir, un caso de síndrome de Estocolmo tampoco sería tan raro.
Algo que voy a fingir que no existe son los dos epílogos. Están tan mal narrados que incluso duele. Además, salen nombres de personajes que nunca aparecieron a lo largo de la historia y no sé si la autora quiere que yo adivine quiénes son, porque no dijo cuáles eran sus papeles. Por ejemplo, nombran a una Agnes para cuidar a un bebé recién nacido y no tengo idea si Agnes es la hermana mayor, una sirvienta, una humana, un monstruo... Anges existe, igual que Virgil. No hay más de ninguno de los dos.
Para ser sincera, la historia no me disgustó del todo. La disfruté bastante, que es el porqué de la nota que le estoy dando. Pero sí me faltó. Me faltó de todo un poco. Desarrollo de personajes, construcción de mundos, diálogos que se sintieran realistas y coherentes con las personalidades de los personajes. Que los temas difíciles que se trataban no fueran sanados por obra del amor, sino por un trabajo consciente al rededor del trauma. Incluso, allí sí que te acepto la elipsis.
No está mal, no está bien. Es un libro de romance normalito. No les va a cambiar la vida, pero tampoco creo que se las haga peor.
Empecé esto sin saber qué demonios era un lich, yo pensaba que era algo así como la muerte y, aunque en el libro en realidad no estoy tan errada de mi concepción inicial, resulta que hay toda una cultura ya creada alrededor de esta criatura que viene aparentemente de los relatos de Lovecraft. Y si hay algo que me decepciona de esta historia es que no se profundizara en absoluto en ello.
Quiero decir, mi búsqueda veloz en Google me dijo que de hecho los liches son magos poderosos que se transforman a sí mismos en muertos vivientes en el afán de ganar poder (aparentemente, entre más muertos, más poderosos son). Mi cara honesta al leer sobre liches:
Pero en la historia no sabemos en absoluto nada del trasfondo del prota. Él existía antes de que los mundos convergieran (o lo que sea que haya sucedido), siguió existiendo y luego consiguió su novia humana y siguió existiendo. No sabemos nada. NADA. de él.
Siento que es tonto, es un potencial desaprovechado. Cuando tienes un ser que tiene tantas posibilidades, pero lo único para lo que lo utilizas es para tener sexo con la prota humana de formas recursivas, pues... Hola, adiós personaje interesante. ¿Te queda un novio literario lindo? Pues sí. ¿Es memorable? No. Porque hay muchos chicos/monstruos de libros que son un amor con sus parejas, así que no me estás ofreciendo nada nuevo.
Bueno, al parecer la historia trata de un matrimonio arreglado entre el lich, que buscaba esposa, Virgil, y la humana indefensa que no tenía nada para decir a su favor, May. No entiendo muy bien cómo funciona esto del matrimonio arreglado, quizás porque empecé por el libro ocho de la serie, jajaja. Pero si me vendes un libro como que "se puede leer por su cuenta", pues lo mínimo que esperaría es entender todo lo que pasa ¿? ¿Hay como una app donde los monstruos solicitan casarse? ¿Les hacen una adivinación? ¿Un bañito de ruda, quizás? Porque no me quedó nada claro como los matcheaban y que, al parecer, eran prácticamente una pareja destinada, ¿? Help.
Virgil le causa traumas a todos nomás con verlo. Es como si vivieran sus peores terrores a través de sus ojos, pero cuando conoce a May (en un cuarto oscuro, en el que es básicamente una prisionera), por motivos que se salen de nuestra comprensión y que nunca se abordan en la historia, ella no está aterrorizada de él como los demás. Cuando ella ve a los ojos de Virgil solo siente calor y curiosidad, porque a Virgil le cambia el color de los ojos de color dependiendo de su emoción (déjenme agregar que me encanta este tropo)
"I've never kissed anybody" he whispered, and his eyes dimmed again, the orange turning into a deep, smoke-tinged red
Yo interpreto que se intenta medio esconder su falta de reacción como una consecuencia de que su vida ya de por si haya sido un desastre y que Virgil es, de hecho, su bote salvavidas. Ella quiere que él esté completamente apegado a ella con tal de que la saque de la especie de orfanato en la que vive.
This was my husband. My new life. My future. I would kiss hum and give him whatever he desired, because I never wanted him to stop needing things from me. Needing me.
Y ni siquiera la puedo culpar del todo. La tenían traumatizada. Para empezar el orfanato funcionaba más como una casa de trata de humanos, donde los monstruos podían ir a ver bailar a las chicas y decidir que querían acostarse con cualquiera de ellas, que hasta donde entiendo (porque tampoco se trató con mucha profundidad) no podían negarse a ir con ellos. Por el otro lado, su cuidadora era una loca y le causó un desorden alimenticio, pues para ella todas las chicas siempre estaban gordas y estar a punto de morir era la única forma de lucir bella. Si no, las chicas carecían de valor para los demás y no podían dedicarse al baile. Para May, a quien bailar le encantaba, no comer se convirtió en la única forma de obtener consuelo.
Por supuesto, una vez casada con Virgil, él trata de alimentarla correctamente y mimarla. En este perfil amamos a los monstruos.
No obstante, entre que no entiende del todo a los humanos y que él mismo tiene problemas con su propia comida, pues le da vergüenza y temor que su novia pueda encontrar el acto horrible y ya no lo quiera más, no se hace ni un paso completo.
"I am ashamed because I want this cookie, but I'm afraid if I have one, I will want more"
Sin embargo, como todos los demás temas de la historia, no se explora demasiado de esto. Lo que sí me parece una vergüenza, pues cuando están tocando temas tan delicados, se espera un mejor trato de los mismos.
La historia se centra tanto en querer avanzar y tener sexo que se olvida de la construcción del romance, de las relaciones, de mostrarnos cómo conviven los dos hasta el punto de que se pueden genuinamente sentir atraídos el uno por el otro. Contarlo, no es lo mismo que mostrarlo, así que solamente debo creer que May está enamorada del monstruo que la sacó de su infierno por medios burdos y cuestionables... Y yo no lo hago, jajaja. Quiero decir, un caso de síndrome de Estocolmo tampoco sería tan raro.
Algo que voy a fingir que no existe son los dos epílogos. Están tan mal narrados que incluso duele. Además, salen nombres de personajes que nunca aparecieron a lo largo de la historia y no sé si la autora quiere que yo adivine quiénes son, porque no dijo cuáles eran sus papeles. Por ejemplo, nombran a una Agnes para cuidar a un bebé recién nacido y no tengo idea si Agnes es la hermana mayor, una sirvienta, una humana, un monstruo... Anges existe, igual que Virgil. No hay más de ninguno de los dos.
Para ser sincera, la historia no me disgustó del todo. La disfruté bastante, que es el porqué de la nota que le estoy dando. Pero sí me faltó. Me faltó de todo un poco. Desarrollo de personajes, construcción de mundos, diálogos que se sintieran realistas y coherentes con las personalidades de los personajes. Que los temas difíciles que se trataban no fueran sanados por obra del amor, sino por un trabajo consciente al rededor del trauma. Incluso, allí sí que te acepto la elipsis.
No está mal, no está bien. Es un libro de romance normalito. No les va a cambiar la vida, pero tampoco creo que se las haga peor.
December 31, 2025
I want your everything, even the parts you’re ashamed of, even those you think are ugly. To me, you are perfect.
3,5⭐️
May was so broken that she fell for even the slightest show of care and attention to her. And for monster romance it works well. Virgil was so sweet and caring. Mind you, he took course on how to treat humans right because he wanted to make everything right. 🤭
They both were very gentle and tentative with each other and I loved that. And I'm very pleased with the epilogues.
I'd like to see how May's appreciation of good care of her turned into love - that's the part that was lacking for me. And sometimes their thoughts and ideas were too simple and repetitive. I also don't think May's 'problem' was dealt with well. But I didn't expect it from 200-pages monster novella. On the other hand, maybe it's better not to use this specific plot line....
To sum up, it was a cute little novella with arranged marriage (they got me there) and very sweet characters. I had a good time and would recommend it.
Mysti , thank you for this rec🩶
3,5⭐️
May was so broken that she fell for even the slightest show of care and attention to her. And for monster romance it works well. Virgil was so sweet and caring. Mind you, he took course on how to treat humans right because he wanted to make everything right. 🤭
They both were very gentle and tentative with each other and I loved that. And I'm very pleased with the epilogues.
I'd like to see how May's appreciation of good care of her turned into love - that's the part that was lacking for me. And sometimes their thoughts and ideas were too simple and repetitive. I also don't think May's 'problem' was dealt with well. But I didn't expect it from 200-pages monster novella. On the other hand, maybe it's better not to use this specific plot line....
To sum up, it was a cute little novella with arranged marriage (they got me there) and very sweet characters. I had a good time and would recommend it.
Mysti , thank you for this rec🩶
dnf
September 19, 2023DNF at 55%. I might come back to this when I want a super sweet monster romance, but for now this is too sweet and soft for me.
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