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Freaks of Nature Duet
Nocturnal
I was his toxic obsession. He was my sadistic monster.
Nora:
When I took a job at St. Thorns university as a psychology professor, I encountered something—someone—unexplainable. Fascinating. And deadly.
Alec Briar had the eyes of a killer.
He’s a botanist who would rather rot in his greenhouse alone than deal with students, professors, or me. When a monster stalks me, our relationship becomes corrupted in ways that bring us closer together, for better or worse. He has secrets—ones that will destroy him if he discovers the truth…
Our minds twist to protect our souls, and Alec’s is the most warped of all. The only way to save him is to hurt him and accept the damnation doing so will bring.
Alec:
She was deadlier than belladonna, and yet I cannot resist her.
Nora Woulfe has become my infatuation. As she pushes me to my breaking point, we spiral down a path that will be our downfall. A monster is trying to steal what is mine, and I will hunt him to the bitter end. Even if I have to use her to draw him out…
Nocturnal is a dark academia MF monster romance with a Dr. Jeckyl/Hyde inspired botanist MMC and a 33 year old FMC psychologist. This is a standalone set in the Freaks of Nature universe.
Nora:
When I took a job at St. Thorns university as a psychology professor, I encountered something—someone—unexplainable. Fascinating. And deadly.
Alec Briar had the eyes of a killer.
He’s a botanist who would rather rot in his greenhouse alone than deal with students, professors, or me. When a monster stalks me, our relationship becomes corrupted in ways that bring us closer together, for better or worse. He has secrets—ones that will destroy him if he discovers the truth…
Our minds twist to protect our souls, and Alec’s is the most warped of all. The only way to save him is to hurt him and accept the damnation doing so will bring.
Alec:
She was deadlier than belladonna, and yet I cannot resist her.
Nora Woulfe has become my infatuation. As she pushes me to my breaking point, we spiral down a path that will be our downfall. A monster is trying to steal what is mine, and I will hunt him to the bitter end. Even if I have to use her to draw him out…
Nocturnal is a dark academia MF monster romance with a Dr. Jeckyl/Hyde inspired botanist MMC and a 33 year old FMC psychologist. This is a standalone set in the Freaks of Nature universe.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2024
325 people are currently reading
2697 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 316 reviews
October 8, 2024
cults! a mysterious college in scotland! poisonous botanists! murderous psychologists! everyone’s horny for the demon trees!
i hate how entertaining this was but ‘tis the damn season for monster smut and traditions cannot be neglected
i hate how entertaining this was but ‘tis the damn season for monster smut and traditions cannot be neglected
September 8, 2024
4.5 - 5 stars!
What a wild ride!! Nocturnal will have you thinking you have it all figured out just to turn around and dump everything on its head with exciting and unique twists.
Dark and sensual, this story plays on the reader’s emotions in the best way. Nora, the intelligent and tenacious new psychology professor at St. Thorns University is thrust into a world where logic and fantasy meld together in an erotic thriller like way. Alec, the resident botanist has a murky past and finds himself intrigued and deeply attracted to Nora.
But St. Thorns has monsters, murderers and mayhem in its mists and it will be up to Nora and Alec to untangle the web of lies that have taken root in the university and its souls.
Dr. Jeckyl/Hyde inspired, Nocturnal was depraved and filthy and I couldn’t get enough of the chemistry between Nora and her monsters.
I loved Nora, monster and Alec and it was refreshing to read about characters that lived in the grey. The power couple you’ll root for the whole way through.
Clio hit a home run with this story. Enough action, suspense and dirty monster smut to keep me burning through the pages. You do not want to miss this story! Loved it.
ARC provided by Luna Literary for an honest review.
What a wild ride!! Nocturnal will have you thinking you have it all figured out just to turn around and dump everything on its head with exciting and unique twists.
Dark and sensual, this story plays on the reader’s emotions in the best way. Nora, the intelligent and tenacious new psychology professor at St. Thorns University is thrust into a world where logic and fantasy meld together in an erotic thriller like way. Alec, the resident botanist has a murky past and finds himself intrigued and deeply attracted to Nora.
But St. Thorns has monsters, murderers and mayhem in its mists and it will be up to Nora and Alec to untangle the web of lies that have taken root in the university and its souls.
Dr. Jeckyl/Hyde inspired, Nocturnal was depraved and filthy and I couldn’t get enough of the chemistry between Nora and her monsters.
“I’m your shadow,” he answered. “Your protector. The fates have drawn us together and I can’t stay away, even if it damns you. And I will damn you. We will damn you.”
I loved Nora, monster and Alec and it was refreshing to read about characters that lived in the grey. The power couple you’ll root for the whole way through.
“We twisted together like two vines, our darkness mirroring each other in a deadly dance...I was her toxic obsession. She was my sadistic monster. Or was it the other way around?”
Clio hit a home run with this story. Enough action, suspense and dirty monster smut to keep me burning through the pages. You do not want to miss this story! Loved it.
ARC provided by Luna Literary for an honest review.
September 13, 2024
This one goes out to all the dark romance lovers - Clio Evans created the perfect spooky season read, and I’m forever in awe of her ability to create.
📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Nocturnal by Clio Evans
📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Standalone
📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book ARC on Kindle
📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Monster romance
📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Dark academia, trigger warnings galore, enemies-to-lovers.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Nora takes a job at a Scottish university, and soon realizes all is not what it seems. Her fellow professors all believe in monsters, but she believes in logic… except when a huge forest god starts stalking her.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Clio Evans has the most incredible ability to create a story I’ve never imagined. And her take on dark academia was a showcase of that ability.
Nocturnal was an interesting read, and it was very dark. Both main characters were very nuanced, and the play between their humanity and their darkness was really well done. The little end twist got me good, as well.
On top of that you get a lot of the Clio Evans signature monster spice, so it was a solid read all around.
Heads up, If you’re sensitive to certain aspects of dark romance, please check trigger warnings on this one!
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 4/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶
🆓️ on KU
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Nocturnal by Clio Evans
📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Standalone
📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book ARC on Kindle
📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Monster romance
📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Dark academia, trigger warnings galore, enemies-to-lovers.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Nora takes a job at a Scottish university, and soon realizes all is not what it seems. Her fellow professors all believe in monsters, but she believes in logic… except when a huge forest god starts stalking her.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Clio Evans has the most incredible ability to create a story I’ve never imagined. And her take on dark academia was a showcase of that ability.
Nocturnal was an interesting read, and it was very dark. Both main characters were very nuanced, and the play between their humanity and their darkness was really well done. The little end twist got me good, as well.
On top of that you get a lot of the Clio Evans signature monster spice, so it was a solid read all around.
Heads up, If you’re sensitive to certain aspects of dark romance, please check trigger warnings on this one!
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 4/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶
🆓️ on KU
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
September 14, 2024
this was different than what i’m used to from clio evans, but no less amazing.
she had me giggling over sexy torture and a monster who brought HER offerings of oranges 😭
i mean he even clipped two of his claws so he can use his fingers.
the mystery was amazing, AND THE SPICE 🫦 the vines….the monster peen. i need to see art of it because i’m imagining a demigorgon from strangers things…..but as a dick and i don’t know if that’s right 😂😂😂😂
ughhh Alec was just 10/10 obsessed and grumpy and perfect
thank you so much clio and luna literary management for the arc of this.
i need the physical copy asap 🥰🤘🏼
she had me giggling over sexy torture and a monster who brought HER offerings of oranges 😭
i mean he even clipped two of his claws so he can use his fingers.
the mystery was amazing, AND THE SPICE 🫦 the vines….the monster peen. i need to see art of it because i’m imagining a demigorgon from strangers things…..but as a dick and i don’t know if that’s right 😂😂😂😂
ughhh Alec was just 10/10 obsessed and grumpy and perfect
thank you so much clio and luna literary management for the arc of this.
i need the physical copy asap 🥰🤘🏼
September 10, 2024
Nocturnal by Clio Evans is a standalone Dark Academia Monster Romance set in the same world as the Freaks of Nature duet and is the perfect book to get you in the mood for Fall.
This story is Clio’s best to date and that is no easy feat because everything they write is fire. There are parts of this book (don’t worry I won’t spoil anything) that will live rent free in my mind forever. I don’t typically consider myself a dark romance girlie but I was gripped, gagged and gooped throughout and had several visceral reactions that kept me scrambling for more.
Alec and Nora are absolutely twisted. There are no heroes here so if you need that in your romance this one likely isn’t for you BUT if you like darker themes with a Jekyll & Hyde vibe you’ll love it. Here are some highlights that had me feral:
- Somnophilia
- Wax Play
- Breeding Kink
- Period Sex
- Dom/Sub Dynamics
- Restraints
- Dub Con
There are some overall themes that I also really appreciated. Clio gives a big middle finger to the patriarchy as well as explores the monstrous side of humanity.
I cannot recommend this book enough. Please do yourself a favor and pre-order it today!
I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes, which just so happens to perfectly explain how I felt after finishing Nocturnal:
“Now I was frustrated, obsessed and aroused.”
This story is Clio’s best to date and that is no easy feat because everything they write is fire. There are parts of this book (don’t worry I won’t spoil anything) that will live rent free in my mind forever. I don’t typically consider myself a dark romance girlie but I was gripped, gagged and gooped throughout and had several visceral reactions that kept me scrambling for more.
Alec and Nora are absolutely twisted. There are no heroes here so if you need that in your romance this one likely isn’t for you BUT if you like darker themes with a Jekyll & Hyde vibe you’ll love it. Here are some highlights that had me feral:
- Somnophilia
- Wax Play
- Breeding Kink
- Period Sex
- Dom/Sub Dynamics
- Restraints
- Dub Con
There are some overall themes that I also really appreciated. Clio gives a big middle finger to the patriarchy as well as explores the monstrous side of humanity.
I cannot recommend this book enough. Please do yourself a favor and pre-order it today!
I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes, which just so happens to perfectly explain how I felt after finishing Nocturnal:
“Now I was frustrated, obsessed and aroused.”
June 16, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
RTC
RTC
October 16, 2024
10/10. From the cute and unique pet names to the real monsters of it all (also the spice omfg stunning), I’m obsessed. I’ve never been a huge dark academia (or any academia lol) girlie, but throw a monster in there and I’m sold. The vibes in here are SO beautiful in a twisted, supernatural way.
It’s giving gothic Victorian, rude sultry untouchable professor, smart/smart ass DOCTOR fmc, gory murder mystery dinner parties, super mega spicy extra jalapeño open door (as sky daddy intended) times, moonlit romps thru the haunted woods, and so much more I could go on forever.
This book is the perfect length, with a plot that keeps you up all night and the perfect amount of build up + heat in regard to the relationship.
I LOVE finding a solid standalone fantasy; can’t recommend this one enough to my fellow monster lovers 😈
It’s giving gothic Victorian, rude sultry untouchable professor, smart/smart ass DOCTOR fmc, gory murder mystery dinner parties, super mega spicy extra jalapeño open door (as sky daddy intended) times, moonlit romps thru the haunted woods, and so much more I could go on forever.
This book is the perfect length, with a plot that keeps you up all night and the perfect amount of build up + heat in regard to the relationship.
I LOVE finding a solid standalone fantasy; can’t recommend this one enough to my fellow monster lovers 😈
September 25, 2024
Oh boy, I don't know if I'm ready for all the roasting I'm going to get as a vegan who is about to admit she's attracted to a tree.
Nocturnal is a dark academia monster romance that follows Nora, a psychologist, who signs on to be the only woman to teach at a university. It's inspired by Jekyll/Hyde and is full of secret societies, suspicious characters and a murder mystery.
The book is set in 1908 and Nora perfectly embodies the saying "the only thing I support more than women's rights are women's wrongs".
Loved this book! I'm not usually a dark romance reader but the writing was fantastic and the story captivated me from the start. When I say dark, I mean DARK academia. Make sure to check the trigger warnings!
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Nocturnal is a dark academia monster romance that follows Nora, a psychologist, who signs on to be the only woman to teach at a university. It's inspired by Jekyll/Hyde and is full of secret societies, suspicious characters and a murder mystery.
The book is set in 1908 and Nora perfectly embodies the saying "the only thing I support more than women's rights are women's wrongs".
Loved this book! I'm not usually a dark romance reader but the writing was fantastic and the story captivated me from the start. When I say dark, I mean DARK academia. Make sure to check the trigger warnings!
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
July 27, 2025
Calling all monster smut lovers!
If monster romance is your thing, Nocturnal by Clio Evans needs to be on your radar! This is easily one of the best monster erotica romances I’ve ever read.
The creature haunting the woods of St. Thorn University has been killing for years, and now it’s decided to stalk the beautiful, brilliant professor, Dr. Nora Woulfe. Landing a teaching job at Thorn University is a dream come true for Nora. It’s not easy being a woman in the male-dominated field of psychology, but she’s ready to prove herself—especially to Professor Alec Briar, the university’s arrogant (and annoyingly handsome) botanist.
Alec may have movie-star looks, but underneath that polished exterior lies a cold, sadistic predator who loves nothing more than stalking his prey. When a twisted group decides Nora would make the perfect sacrifice for the monster of Thorn, they end up unleashing more than they bargained for—not only the monster they fear but also the fury of a woman who’s had to fight against men who’ve tried to harm her her whole life.
This isn’t your typical threesome romance—but I loved it! The creature reminded me of a male Dryad, with vines and mushrooms growing across his body (and let me just say, those vines were very interesting! 🤭). At first, I was like, “WTF is this?!” but wow… I kept reading, and it got hot.
I adored Nora and Alec’s fiery chemistry! It’s very much an enemies-to-lovers vibe, with a touch of stalker energy that somehow works. While I don’t read a ton of monster erotica, this book was not only wildly entertaining but also introduced me to a new author I definitely want to read more from.
A word of caution: This isn’t a sweet, fluffy monster romance. But if you love dirty, primal, and slightly psychotic characters with some seriously filthy scenes, you need to check this book out!
Until next time, Luvs! 💋😉
January 23, 2025
Очікувала від цієї книги більшого. Попри те що тут багато триггерів, мене абсолютно нічого не смутило, і не здивувало.💎
Пара: Алек & Нора
Тропи:
⋆ Від ворогів до закоханих
⋆ Дарк-академія
⋆ Монстр-романс
⋆ Wax Play
⋆ Dub Con
⋆ Restraints
⋆ Таємне товариство
⋆ Одержимий головий герой
⋆ Вайб Джекіла і Хайда
Нора влаштовується на роботу в шотландський університет і незабаром розуміє, що все не так, як здається. Усі її колеги-професори вірять у монстрів, але вона вірить у логіку…. за винятком випадків, коли величезний лісовий бог починає переслідувати її.
Максимально очевидно, що монстр це наш злий професор.
Хімія між ними мені сподобалась, те як Нора розкрила історію монстра, теж сподобалось.
Можна почитати, але не скажу що прям рекомендую!❤️🔥
Пара: Алек & Нора
Тропи:
⋆ Від ворогів до закоханих
⋆ Дарк-академія
⋆ Монстр-романс
⋆ Wax Play
⋆ Dub Con
⋆ Restraints
⋆ Таємне товариство
⋆ Одержимий головий герой
⋆ Вайб Джекіла і Хайда
Нора влаштовується на роботу в шотландський університет і незабаром розуміє, що все не так, як здається. Усі її колеги-професори вірять у монстрів, але вона вірить у логіку…. за винятком випадків, коли величезний лісовий бог починає переслідувати її.
Максимально очевидно, що монстр це наш злий професор.
Хімія між ними мені сподобалась, те як Нора розкрила історію монстра, теж сподобалось.
Можна почитати, але не скажу що прям рекомендую!❤️🔥
September 11, 2024
5⭐️
Thank you to Clio and her team for this ARC.💕
This book was my first ever monster romance and I enjoyed so much . I loved the dark academia setting perfect to read near spooky season .
Nora takes a new job as a psychology professor at St. Thorns, where monsters are more than just bedtime stories. She refuses to believe the rumors until she comes face to face with a monster of her own. Alec is the resident brooding botanist with a secret, not even he can remember. Alec becomes obsessed with Nora and will do anything to protect her.
Tropes
————
Dark academia + Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde + monster romance + secret society + murder mystery.
Thank you to Clio and her team for this ARC.💕
This book was my first ever monster romance and I enjoyed so much . I loved the dark academia setting perfect to read near spooky season .
Nora takes a new job as a psychology professor at St. Thorns, where monsters are more than just bedtime stories. She refuses to believe the rumors until she comes face to face with a monster of her own. Alec is the resident brooding botanist with a secret, not even he can remember. Alec becomes obsessed with Nora and will do anything to protect her.
Tropes
————
Dark academia + Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde + monster romance + secret society + murder mystery.
September 15, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
TW - assault and attempted rape of the FMC (not by the MMC, on page), gore, violence, knife violence (stabbing, on page), maiming, torture, murder (on page), manipulation, non consensual drugging, death / killing of animals (monster feeding), dead bodies and body parts (monster also feeds on these), cults, occult rituals, sacrifices incl attempted sacrifices, misogyny, poisoning, stalking, breaking and entering of the FMCs home, hypnotism, familial death (past, mentioned incl a MC loosely recounting finding their mother’s mutilated body), alcohol, smoking (scs), vomiting, trouble sleeping + nightmares (mentioned), poverty (past, mentioned briefly), sociopathy (MMC), sadism (MMC), sacrilege
CW - DubCon, knife play, spanking, restraints (chains, vines), choking, breeding, somnophilia, wax play, DP, TP, DVP, period play incl red wings
Tropes - unhinged MCs, Jekyll & Hyde, obsessed, jealousy, possessive, paranormal, dark academia, secret society, stalker
Representation - anxiety
This was an okay read. I found it hard to get into which could be for a variety of reasons. I'm not sure if this book is supposed to be a mystery to both the characters and the reader or just the characters as I found that the plot didn't really hide what was going on to us at least. I didn't think any of the twists were shocking or all that surprising and so, it kinda just fell flat for me.
The characters were obviously hot together given it was a Clio Evans book but other than that, I found it a bit meh.
The book is set in Scotland but written with US English which I personally found weird because it took away from the setting - caveat, I'm from London so this could just be a me problem / something not picked up by many others. The setting kinda confused me because not much attention was drawn to it. The dialogue wasn't written any differently from standard English to account for any accents, the FMC is originally from London and no one comments on her accent nor does she comment on the accents of anyone at the university which I just found... odd. This book could genuinely have been set anywhere at this point.
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List
TW - assault and attempted rape of the FMC (not by the MMC, on page), gore, violence, knife violence (stabbing, on page), maiming, torture, murder (on page), manipulation, non consensual drugging, death / killing of animals (monster feeding), dead bodies and body parts (monster also feeds on these), cults, occult rituals, sacrifices incl attempted sacrifices, misogyny, poisoning, stalking, breaking and entering of the FMCs home, hypnotism, familial death (past, mentioned incl a MC loosely recounting finding their mother’s mutilated body), alcohol, smoking (scs), vomiting, trouble sleeping + nightmares (mentioned), poverty (past, mentioned briefly), sociopathy (MMC), sadism (MMC), sacrilege
CW - DubCon, knife play, spanking, restraints (chains, vines), choking, breeding, somnophilia, wax play, DP, TP, DVP, period play incl red wings
Tropes - unhinged MCs, Jekyll & Hyde, obsessed, jealousy, possessive, paranormal, dark academia, secret society, stalker
Representation - anxiety
This was an okay read. I found it hard to get into which could be for a variety of reasons. I'm not sure if this book is supposed to be a mystery to both the characters and the reader or just the characters as I found that the plot didn't really hide what was going on to us at least. I didn't think any of the twists were shocking or all that surprising and so, it kinda just fell flat for me.
The characters were obviously hot together given it was a Clio Evans book but other than that, I found it a bit meh.
The book is set in Scotland but written with US English which I personally found weird because it took away from the setting - caveat, I'm from London so this could just be a me problem / something not picked up by many others. The setting kinda confused me because not much attention was drawn to it. The dialogue wasn't written any differently from standard English to account for any accents, the FMC is originally from London and no one comments on her accent nor does she comment on the accents of anyone at the university which I just found... odd. This book could genuinely have been set anywhere at this point.
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List
September 9, 2024
She was elemental. A fucking poison, a venom, a drug. Her name was a hot sigil burned on my tongue.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
*ARC review*
Omg, it was amazing.
We have a compelling story with dark, intriguing and captivating plot, alot of secrets, cult and lost memories. And everything was spiced with charismatic characters, whom you are following with so much interest, fascinating relationships between them and smut.
But let’s start from the beginning. Nora is our lady in science and she arrived to Scotland, 1908 and it’s autumn. Dark academia vibes are simply ideal read for this season, btw. And she is forced to live in a lonely tower and not in a lovely professor’s cottage. Her colleagues are not so nice, they are strange, with secrets and they not so happy that woman (gasp) is sharing their occupation.
So she is moving her things to the tower, but here’s the catch…there was a welcoming party previous night but she has no recollection of what happened and now three professors are dead. Is she a culprit or something sinister is happening at the campus’ territory? Who is the monster lurking in the forest? Why it is interested in Nora? What’s wrong with grumpy and rude professor Alec? Can their forgotten past be connected?
It was so god, i literally devoured this story during weekend and I couldn’t put it down. So many small details, choices of words and a lot of poison. They always say “Poison is the choice of the lady”, but is it true in this story? Who knows.
Recommend it to all lovers of monster romance with unhinged characters, steamy smut , dark academia and autumn atmosphere.
Book is to be released tomorrow (September 10th).
I think it is the best monster romance i’ve read this year. No jokes, simply ideal book for this season.
ARC was provided by the Clio Evans and her publishing team in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
*ARC review*
Omg, it was amazing.
We have a compelling story with dark, intriguing and captivating plot, alot of secrets, cult and lost memories. And everything was spiced with charismatic characters, whom you are following with so much interest, fascinating relationships between them and smut.
But let’s start from the beginning. Nora is our lady in science and she arrived to Scotland, 1908 and it’s autumn. Dark academia vibes are simply ideal read for this season, btw. And she is forced to live in a lonely tower and not in a lovely professor’s cottage. Her colleagues are not so nice, they are strange, with secrets and they not so happy that woman (gasp) is sharing their occupation.
So she is moving her things to the tower, but here’s the catch…there was a welcoming party previous night but she has no recollection of what happened and now three professors are dead. Is she a culprit or something sinister is happening at the campus’ territory? Who is the monster lurking in the forest? Why it is interested in Nora? What’s wrong with grumpy and rude professor Alec? Can their forgotten past be connected?
It was so god, i literally devoured this story during weekend and I couldn’t put it down. So many small details, choices of words and a lot of poison. They always say “Poison is the choice of the lady”, but is it true in this story? Who knows.
Recommend it to all lovers of monster romance with unhinged characters, steamy smut , dark academia and autumn atmosphere.
Book is to be released tomorrow (September 10th).
I think it is the best monster romance i’ve read this year. No jokes, simply ideal book for this season.
ARC was provided by the Clio Evans and her publishing team in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2024
4.25 ⭐️
Thank you to Clio and her team for this ARC.
This was perfect for the start of spooky season. You get Dark academia + Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde + monster romance + secret society + murder mystery.
Nora takes a new job as a psychology professor at St.Thorns, where monsters are more than just bedtime stories. She refuses to believe the rumors until she comes face to face with a monster of her own. Alec is the resident brooding botanist with a secret, not even he can remember. Alec becomes obsessed with Nora and will do anything to protect her.
🌶🌶🌶
Thank you to Clio and her team for this ARC.
This was perfect for the start of spooky season. You get Dark academia + Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde + monster romance + secret society + murder mystery.
Nora takes a new job as a psychology professor at St.Thorns, where monsters are more than just bedtime stories. She refuses to believe the rumors until she comes face to face with a monster of her own. Alec is the resident brooding botanist with a secret, not even he can remember. Alec becomes obsessed with Nora and will do anything to protect her.
🌶🌶🌶
May 18, 2025
Cheesy (complimentary) and enjoyable dark academia romance!
ALEC: I’m not sure I’ve ever read such a hysterical neurotic MMC before, and it was very amusing. Alec was always shrieking and screaming and gnashing his teeth and being all ill-regulated and dramatically claiming he wanted to breed people although really he did not want children lol
NORA: she was fine!
PLOT: great, balls-to-the-wall pacing
VIBES: all consensual, pretty good dark academia vibes. Loved how heavily botanical and mushroom core the book was.
“I have every intention of sacrificing you to our violent, powerful god” 🌟💫✨⭐️
Will absolutely look for more from Clio Evans.
ALEC: I’m not sure I’ve ever read such a hysterical neurotic MMC before, and it was very amusing. Alec was always shrieking and screaming and gnashing his teeth and being all ill-regulated and dramatically claiming he wanted to breed people although really he did not want children lol
NORA: she was fine!
PLOT: great, balls-to-the-wall pacing
VIBES: all consensual, pretty good dark academia vibes. Loved how heavily botanical and mushroom core the book was.
“I have every intention of sacrificing you to our violent, powerful god” 🌟💫✨⭐️
Will absolutely look for more from Clio Evans.
October 12, 2025
Okayyyy plant daddy x 2 👀👀 This was a wild ride and it was both exactly what I was expecting and also not at all. Nocturnal is a dark academia monster romance set in 1908 at a university in Scotland. It was definitely giving Dr. Jeckyl and Hyde with lots of spice and I was here for it!
Spice: 4 🌶️
Tags: monster romance, dark academia, plant daddy, unhinged FMC + MMC, secret societies, mystery + suspense
Spice: 4 🌶️
Tags: monster romance, dark academia, plant daddy, unhinged FMC + MMC, secret societies, mystery + suspense
July 19, 2025
So so good. I felt like I was right there watching everything play out in this book. So good and such a twist and turn.
November 7, 2024
Oof the vibes in this book were actually delightful. Cursed tower? Forest God? College kids thinking they could run a successful cult? Botanist? Poisonous greenhouse? I fucking LOVED it.
September 11, 2024
Thank you to the talented Author Clio Evans for giving me this beautiful opportunity to review this arc in exchange for an honest review❤️
❥ Grumpy x grumpy😠
❥ dirtying of altar with sexual acts💦
❥ He has vines🌳 aka extra🍆
❥ murderous duo🩸
❥ secret identity🔍
❥ dark academia 🏦
❥ haunted town👻
❥ suspense🕵️♀️
I don’t think I can justify this book with my review but all I wanna say is I wasn’t even 20% in with the book and I already knew it was going to be a 5 stars read.
The aloof mysterious, Dr. Nora Wolfe has just joined a new job as a professor of psychology at the infamous town of St. thorn where mysterious deaths are not an oddity. Nora is a doctor, a believer of science, she is not going to fall for the myths and folks about creatures, faeries, and monsters.
Alec briar is an asshole and a talented botanist. People both admire and fear the man. He is both an asshole and a cunning genius who is on a hunt for poisons to kill monsters he hates with everything in his being. They took too much from him and he is ready to end all these monstrous kings.
The monster in the ghostly forests wants Nora and he will do anything to mark her as his and keep her all to herself. Nora is not totally hating on the hot sex she has been having with that mythical being with his long vines to trap her while he is ravaging her and marking her body to claim her night after night.
What is the mystery around this town? where people like professors and students are being killed and displayed for a show, but the deaths are never actually solved, and everyone is okay with that.
This ghostly town has its secrets, and Nora and Alec are going to be trapped right in the middle of it.
❥ Grumpy x grumpy😠
❥ dirtying of altar with sexual acts💦
❥ He has vines🌳 aka extra🍆
❥ murderous duo🩸
❥ secret identity🔍
❥ dark academia 🏦
❥ haunted town👻
❥ suspense🕵️♀️
I don’t think I can justify this book with my review but all I wanna say is I wasn’t even 20% in with the book and I already knew it was going to be a 5 stars read.
The aloof mysterious, Dr. Nora Wolfe has just joined a new job as a professor of psychology at the infamous town of St. thorn where mysterious deaths are not an oddity. Nora is a doctor, a believer of science, she is not going to fall for the myths and folks about creatures, faeries, and monsters.
Alec briar is an asshole and a talented botanist. People both admire and fear the man. He is both an asshole and a cunning genius who is on a hunt for poisons to kill monsters he hates with everything in his being. They took too much from him and he is ready to end all these monstrous kings.
The monster in the ghostly forests wants Nora and he will do anything to mark her as his and keep her all to herself. Nora is not totally hating on the hot sex she has been having with that mythical being with his long vines to trap her while he is ravaging her and marking her body to claim her night after night.
What is the mystery around this town? where people like professors and students are being killed and displayed for a show, but the deaths are never actually solved, and everyone is okay with that.
This ghostly town has its secrets, and Nora and Alec are going to be trapped right in the middle of it.
October 21, 2025
I have very mixed feelings. One of the better monster romances I have read. Majorly in part to the uniqueness of the monster himself. There isn't much connection between the MCs before starting their intimacy. Nora was fantastic though she is headstrong, stands up for herself but is not pompous. A strong FMC can go one of two ways and here she excelled my expectations. Enemies to lovers trope felt very forced. There is never a legitimate reason for Alec to loathe her enough in their first encounter. The only reason I feel I could find is that he just hates everyone. With that being said, the actual chemistry wasn't there for me personally. Minimal build up made me feel it was far-fetched.
I do like that it is set in 1908 Scotland and the dialogue reflects the time period. The atmosphere was the best part. A vivid gothic small town academia with overgrown ivy everywhere, a maze and a blood trailed dark forest. This book is not shy with blood or gore. I would not call it extreme but if any of that bothers you in the slightest I would avoid.
There are times the story contradicts itself. It needs some ironing out because certain vital aspects become unbelievable and plot wise messy. I did like that everything wraps up pretty nicely. Overall think my fellow monster smut girlies will devour this fast paced story. Personally I think it was fine.
I do like that it is set in 1908 Scotland and the dialogue reflects the time period. The atmosphere was the best part. A vivid gothic small town academia with overgrown ivy everywhere, a maze and a blood trailed dark forest. This book is not shy with blood or gore. I would not call it extreme but if any of that bothers you in the slightest I would avoid.
There are times the story contradicts itself. It needs some ironing out because certain vital aspects become unbelievable and plot wise messy. I did like that everything wraps up pretty nicely. Overall think my fellow monster smut girlies will devour this fast paced story. Personally I think it was fine.
September 3, 2024
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Dr. Nora Woulfe is a female psychologist trying to thrive and survive during the sexist times of 1908.
She's hired by the creepiest school in existence (my opinion), where they somehow have kept under wraps a shocking amount of campus wide murders. SURPRISE, welcome to your new job!
Who wouldn’t love a creepy crawly murder mystery on an insanely creepy campus with a sexy as hell grump botany teacher giving major fuck me vibes.
Oh wait...I should also mention there is a sexy as hell tree demon obsessed with little Dr. Woulfe which Mr. SexyPlants doesn't like.
Mr. SexyPlants aka Alec asks Nora if she's going to match his freak and she turns in A+++++ "I understood the assignment" work. I love me a strong AF FMC with a sassy mouth.
Anyways I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, but holy hell this book is CREEPY, DISGUSTING, SEXY, HOT, DO I NEED A PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM AMAZING.
If you're looking for a fall/spooky season banger ADD TO TBR NOW, ADD TO CART, YOU MUST READ.
I've read some of the Creature Cafe series, I've read her smalltown romance, and now with dark academia/horror/romance shes absolutely solidified herself into my must-read author status.
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Dr. Nora Woulfe is a female psychologist trying to thrive and survive during the sexist times of 1908.
She's hired by the creepiest school in existence (my opinion), where they somehow have kept under wraps a shocking amount of campus wide murders. SURPRISE, welcome to your new job!
Who wouldn’t love a creepy crawly murder mystery on an insanely creepy campus with a sexy as hell grump botany teacher giving major fuck me vibes.
Oh wait...I should also mention there is a sexy as hell tree demon obsessed with little Dr. Woulfe which Mr. SexyPlants doesn't like.
Mr. SexyPlants aka Alec asks Nora if she's going to match his freak and she turns in A+++++ "I understood the assignment" work. I love me a strong AF FMC with a sassy mouth.
Anyways I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, but holy hell this book is CREEPY, DISGUSTING, SEXY, HOT, DO I NEED A PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM AMAZING.
If you're looking for a fall/spooky season banger ADD TO TBR NOW, ADD TO CART, YOU MUST READ.
I've read some of the Creature Cafe series, I've read her smalltown romance, and now with dark academia/horror/romance shes absolutely solidified herself into my must-read author status.
November 5, 2024
This monster romance really has me attracted to a plant man. At what point do I admit I need psychological help?
🫣🙂↕️
No but seriously, this was dark and creepy and hot. Nora and Alex were such wonderfully depraved characters to explore, both cold, calculating and monstrous in their own ways. The temptation to feed into that toxic obsession was too much to resist, despite the knowledge that should probably run (screaming) in the other direction.
The balance of gothic mystery, sinister cult setting, and romance was handled so well. I found myself completely sucked into this story and the eerie landscape of St. Thorns University. And WOW can Clio Evans write some god damn smut 🤌🏼 chained out in the woods? spectacular. the cathedral scene? phenomenal. Just no notes. get me a tree man STAT.
Thank you to Clio Evans and Luna Literary Management for the eARC.
🫣🙂↕️
No but seriously, this was dark and creepy and hot. Nora and Alex were such wonderfully depraved characters to explore, both cold, calculating and monstrous in their own ways. The temptation to feed into that toxic obsession was too much to resist, despite the knowledge that should probably run (screaming) in the other direction.
The balance of gothic mystery, sinister cult setting, and romance was handled so well. I found myself completely sucked into this story and the eerie landscape of St. Thorns University. And WOW can Clio Evans write some god damn smut 🤌🏼 chained out in the woods? spectacular. the cathedral scene? phenomenal. Just no notes. get me a tree man STAT.
Thank you to Clio Evans and Luna Literary Management for the eARC.
September 15, 2025
I love this so much, definitely one of my favorites in 2025... The only real complaints I have was at the start where Nora says She is a grown woman with a doctorate in opposition to someone trying to take care of her, the same way a toddler would argue they're grown cause they have teddies - or insert whatever the heck they will use to prove their grown-up-ness -... That along with her 'I am the smartest person in the room' attitude and blatant disregard for the reality she found herself in... With that said I still class this as a top 10 book of mine, which says a lot...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2024
Wow! This was my first monster romance and I feel like nothing will ever compare. It’s a wildly sexy dark academia monster romance set in the 1900s that had me glued to my Kindle.
The FMC, a 33-year-old psychologist, and the MMC, a Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde botanist with, are both deliciously unhinged. Their chemistry? Absolutely explosive. The spice? Off-the-charts sizzling! We're talking breeding kink, vine play, wax play, knife play, chains, choking, period sex... and it’s executed to perfection.
The descriptions throughout with the world-building, characters and plot is phenomenal. It is such an atmospheric experience, it is made so easy to envision yourself in this story. The folklore and supernatural aspects were beautifully done, and the way in which Nora navigates the entire situation is brilliantly handled, she is an intelligent, strong willed, direct badass feminist that I absolutely adore. As for Alec/the monster, phwoaaaar, I did not expect to be so intensely attracted to this character but holy heck I am!
I honestly can’t recommend Nocturnal enough! If you’re into murder, cults/secret societies with deadly secrets, obsessive attraction, monstrous anatomy with delicious use of vines, and a giant middle finger to the patriarchy, this book will give you everything you crave.
The FMC, a 33-year-old psychologist, and the MMC, a Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde botanist with, are both deliciously unhinged. Their chemistry? Absolutely explosive. The spice? Off-the-charts sizzling! We're talking breeding kink, vine play, wax play, knife play, chains, choking, period sex... and it’s executed to perfection.
The descriptions throughout with the world-building, characters and plot is phenomenal. It is such an atmospheric experience, it is made so easy to envision yourself in this story. The folklore and supernatural aspects were beautifully done, and the way in which Nora navigates the entire situation is brilliantly handled, she is an intelligent, strong willed, direct badass feminist that I absolutely adore. As for Alec/the monster, phwoaaaar, I did not expect to be so intensely attracted to this character but holy heck I am!
I honestly can’t recommend Nocturnal enough! If you’re into murder, cults/secret societies with deadly secrets, obsessive attraction, monstrous anatomy with delicious use of vines, and a giant middle finger to the patriarchy, this book will give you everything you crave.
September 9, 2024
*Monster Romance
*Jekyll and Hyde vibes
*Coworkers
*The smut the only Clio can do
Seriously, I’m in love with this book. The whole gothic vibe and the mystery about the
murderers. Set in Scotland in the 1908s, we saw not only a gothic atmosphere with monsters
included, but also a society that didn’t accept a woman as your equal (and I loved to see
how Clio manages this theme in this narrative). Also, we saw two beings, in their full power,
accepting who they are and mostly, accepting each other. It's a wonderful story with, if you
look past the fantasy story, a really strong message. Highly recommend it.
*Jekyll and Hyde vibes
*Coworkers
*The smut the only Clio can do
Seriously, I’m in love with this book. The whole gothic vibe and the mystery about the
murderers. Set in Scotland in the 1908s, we saw not only a gothic atmosphere with monsters
included, but also a society that didn’t accept a woman as your equal (and I loved to see
how Clio manages this theme in this narrative). Also, we saw two beings, in their full power,
accepting who they are and mostly, accepting each other. It's a wonderful story with, if you
look past the fantasy story, a really strong message. Highly recommend it.
March 24, 2025
Ok listen I’m honestly not a monster romance girly but THISSSSS *slaps book*. The mystery, the Jekyll and Hyde situation, and THE VINES. Girl, This book got me questioning what I like. I will not be getting over this for quite some time.
January 2, 2025
Dnf@70%
2 stars for the smut
2 stars for the smut
February 23, 2025
this was so unhinged… i loved it.
November 25, 2024
Nocturnal by Clio Evans was written stunningly, set in a gothically academic atmosphere, I was immediately engrossed by the eerie steampunk landscape and creepy mystery that gave me Frankenstein and Jekyll/Hyde vibes. Written in three POVs Evans plays in the dark crevasses of the mind creating hauntingly beautiful characters that are reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe’s style. Crafting a gorgeously grotesque unbelievable story in an alluringly believable way she blends clever writing with a compelling plot. Seamlessly weaving horror with dark romance and adding some spicy content, which let me say the vines had me questioning myself. “Now I was frustrated, obsessed and aroused.” To quote directly from the book, of course.
Dr. Nora Woulfe is a psychology professor who takes a job at St. Thorns university. A beautiful, intellectual and stubbornly strong woman, Nora is trying to break the plague of stereotypical men she finds herself surrounded by, while also trying to bend the restraints of her own mind to the unfathomable as she finds all is not what it seems with something mysteriously sinister haunting the university’s grounds. Nora’s colleagues who form a sort of secret society believe in what goes bump in the night but just as Nora starts to deny their illogical theories she has an experience of her own that sets her mind reeling. As Nora tries to unravel the foggy memories of her encounters with a violent yet endearing monster (the oranges) she is also trying to navigate her relationship with her colleague Alec.
Alec Briar is a sexy but snarky botany professor who is more interested his personal poison experiments than the act of teaching. Admired but feared, because of the shadow of death that darkens his doorstep, Nora finds herself unforgivingly drawn to him. He is the epitome of a sulky grump who wants nothing to do with anyone. Yet, to his dismay, he finds himself utterly obsessed and protective of Nora. The pair struggle with reality together, sharing an unhinged nature, one more outwardly than the other, creating addicting chemistry and witty banter. I was as invested in their story as I was the mystery they were trying to solve together. I think it takes a very talented writer to have you care for something so outlandish and Clio Evans has talent in spades. It’s something you’ll just have to read to see what I mean.
Dr. Nora Woulfe is a psychology professor who takes a job at St. Thorns university. A beautiful, intellectual and stubbornly strong woman, Nora is trying to break the plague of stereotypical men she finds herself surrounded by, while also trying to bend the restraints of her own mind to the unfathomable as she finds all is not what it seems with something mysteriously sinister haunting the university’s grounds. Nora’s colleagues who form a sort of secret society believe in what goes bump in the night but just as Nora starts to deny their illogical theories she has an experience of her own that sets her mind reeling. As Nora tries to unravel the foggy memories of her encounters with a violent yet endearing monster (the oranges) she is also trying to navigate her relationship with her colleague Alec.
Alec Briar is a sexy but snarky botany professor who is more interested his personal poison experiments than the act of teaching. Admired but feared, because of the shadow of death that darkens his doorstep, Nora finds herself unforgivingly drawn to him. He is the epitome of a sulky grump who wants nothing to do with anyone. Yet, to his dismay, he finds himself utterly obsessed and protective of Nora. The pair struggle with reality together, sharing an unhinged nature, one more outwardly than the other, creating addicting chemistry and witty banter. I was as invested in their story as I was the mystery they were trying to solve together. I think it takes a very talented writer to have you care for something so outlandish and Clio Evans has talent in spades. It’s something you’ll just have to read to see what I mean.
October 15, 2024
Breaks my heart to DNF, but this book can no longer hold my interest. DNF'ing at Chapter 18/45%.
This is my first book by Clio Evans; I thought that this would be a really good read for October. And personally, I think it would have been phenomenal if it wasn't for the issues I kept getting hung up on:
1. Time appropriate language. This takes place in the early 1900's Scotland (the FMC is from London). The mannerisms and profanity were inconsistent for several characters, varying between Modern/Modern-American slang/profanity and brief instances in which the characters would use expressions that were more appropriate for that time period.
2. Inconsistent use of words. There was a time when sap was used in place of c*m on one page, to then have it only be referred to as c*m on the next page. Also, with the profanity as I mentioned above. The curse words were inconsistently used for the time period.
3. There were minor spelling errors and a few sentences that seemed to just end abruptly...or seemed to be missing a word to tie it together more smoothly.
4. Gaps in the storyline. There were times that characters were having internal/external dialogue that conflicted with their previous statements.
5. I do think there was an overkill of "whispering" in this story as well. Many characters that I came across in the 100+ pages tended to all whisper their dialogue and it stood out as odd for the scenes.
Overall, I just think this was not executed in a way that I could stay focused on the story. This started out pretty much like a Dark Comic story for me, which I loved. But, I felt there were areas in the storyline that ventured too far off course. I personally would've appreciated some time spent on building the lore. And pulling back on the modern tones that slipped through. Regardless of this one being a miss for me, I will absolutely be trying out Clio's other titles🖤.
This is my first book by Clio Evans; I thought that this would be a really good read for October. And personally, I think it would have been phenomenal if it wasn't for the issues I kept getting hung up on:
1. Time appropriate language. This takes place in the early 1900's Scotland (the FMC is from London). The mannerisms and profanity were inconsistent for several characters, varying between Modern/Modern-American slang/profanity and brief instances in which the characters would use expressions that were more appropriate for that time period.
2. Inconsistent use of words. There was a time when sap was used in place of c*m on one page, to then have it only be referred to as c*m on the next page. Also, with the profanity as I mentioned above. The curse words were inconsistently used for the time period.
3. There were minor spelling errors and a few sentences that seemed to just end abruptly...or seemed to be missing a word to tie it together more smoothly.
4. Gaps in the storyline. There were times that characters were having internal/external dialogue that conflicted with their previous statements.
5. I do think there was an overkill of "whispering" in this story as well. Many characters that I came across in the 100+ pages tended to all whisper their dialogue and it stood out as odd for the scenes.
Overall, I just think this was not executed in a way that I could stay focused on the story. This started out pretty much like a Dark Comic story for me, which I loved. But, I felt there were areas in the storyline that ventured too far off course. I personally would've appreciated some time spent on building the lore. And pulling back on the modern tones that slipped through. Regardless of this one being a miss for me, I will absolutely be trying out Clio's other titles🖤.
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