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Monster's Duet #1
A Gargoyle's Delight: A Monster Romance
For centuries I have suffered. Solidified and silenced, all because I failed to destroy what I was created for. Except now, after so long… There is a female. One who always seems to be by my side. Day after day. Night after night. She talks to me. Touches me. Tells me things. She shares stories of a world I no longer know. She is a reprieve from my punishment. A sweet delight. She liberates me from my solitude. But when I rise, my adversary seizes his opportunity, and she’s caught between us. He only wants her to get to me. She isn’t his. And I’ll do anything to protect what’s MINE.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2023
951 people are currently reading
2779 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Lucas
40 books1,596 followersNaomi Lucas is an indie author. She loves being creative whether it’s with painting, writing, or making little jingles about her dog, Barracuda, or her cat, Daliah, in the car.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
June 15, 2025
Strange Gargoyle!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚💜❤️
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 😟🙁☺️🤓
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The heroine: Summer - she is a tour guide at Hopkins Museum of the Strange. The museum is a tourist trap that has things like a dragon’s tooth, jars with animals like the cerberus rat and fairy carcasses, haunted dolls, and a giant stone gargoyle statue. The gargoyle statue stands behind the customer service desk and welcome’s everyone to the museum. It seems to get bigger at times when the shadows are just right. Summer knows the entire back story of the gargoyle’s mysterious history. His silent non-judgmental companionship is the best Summer has had since she returned to her hometown.
The Story: The gargoyle predates the Middle Ages. His history is that nobody knows who sculpted him before he was in the possession of John Motismo, a magician and supposed warlock. He found fame in the early 60s. John Motismo included the gargoyle in his show, in the finale, he would bring the statue to life. At one point John Motismo went crazy and pooped blood over the statue saying he needed to free it.
One day after Summer closes up for the night, she pats the gargoyle statue as she talks to it, when she feels a sharp pain and sees that she has cut her hand on the statue. When she looks at her hand later, the cut is mysteriously gone. Later that night at home, she has an erotic dream about a cold stone phallus, but when she opens her eyes, nothing is there. She hears someone speaking to her and can’t understand what is going on. She tries to warm up the phallus with her mouth and opens her eyes to find the museums gargoyle is in her bed. Though he is gone when she wakes up.
The Hero: Zuriel - he is nearly a foot and a half taller than Summer and twice her size. He has been solidified for centuries since he failed to do what he was created for, vanquishing demons. He has been standing guard not really sentient until Summer came to work at Hopkins. All his previous owners have been evil men who wanted his power but needed to know his name. When he finally wakes, he sees Summer as his owner and knows that the demon Adriel is close.
This book was a strange one. Since Zuriel all the sudden had a package when he never had one before, he wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. From my point of view, it was downright silly and unnecessary, not really funny as it tried to be. Though when all that got finished, the story wasn’t bad. I did like the characters and the storyline about Adriel needing to get Zuriel’s name in order to get his power.
This audiobook was told in dual points of view via Dual narration. It was narrated by Cassandra Miles and John Masterson. Cassandra has a voice that sounds like she is a small person. I am not really sure what I mean by that, but it is a sort of childish voice in a way. I had to check to verify I didn’t accidentally increase the speed on my audiobook. She is good at doing other voices though. John Masterson has a deep voice and speaks in a broken tempo which works well for a Hero just coming out of his stone prison.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚💜❤️
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 😟🙁☺️🤓
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The heroine: Summer - she is a tour guide at Hopkins Museum of the Strange. The museum is a tourist trap that has things like a dragon’s tooth, jars with animals like the cerberus rat and fairy carcasses, haunted dolls, and a giant stone gargoyle statue. The gargoyle statue stands behind the customer service desk and welcome’s everyone to the museum. It seems to get bigger at times when the shadows are just right. Summer knows the entire back story of the gargoyle’s mysterious history. His silent non-judgmental companionship is the best Summer has had since she returned to her hometown.
The Story: The gargoyle predates the Middle Ages. His history is that nobody knows who sculpted him before he was in the possession of John Motismo, a magician and supposed warlock. He found fame in the early 60s. John Motismo included the gargoyle in his show, in the finale, he would bring the statue to life. At one point John Motismo went crazy and pooped blood over the statue saying he needed to free it.
One day after Summer closes up for the night, she pats the gargoyle statue as she talks to it, when she feels a sharp pain and sees that she has cut her hand on the statue. When she looks at her hand later, the cut is mysteriously gone. Later that night at home, she has an erotic dream about a cold stone phallus, but when she opens her eyes, nothing is there. She hears someone speaking to her and can’t understand what is going on. She tries to warm up the phallus with her mouth and opens her eyes to find the museums gargoyle is in her bed. Though he is gone when she wakes up.
The Hero: Zuriel - he is nearly a foot and a half taller than Summer and twice her size. He has been solidified for centuries since he failed to do what he was created for, vanquishing demons. He has been standing guard not really sentient until Summer came to work at Hopkins. All his previous owners have been evil men who wanted his power but needed to know his name. When he finally wakes, he sees Summer as his owner and knows that the demon Adriel is close.
This book was a strange one. Since Zuriel all the sudden had a package when he never had one before, he wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. From my point of view, it was downright silly and unnecessary, not really funny as it tried to be. Though when all that got finished, the story wasn’t bad. I did like the characters and the storyline about Adriel needing to get Zuriel’s name in order to get his power.
This audiobook was told in dual points of view via Dual narration. It was narrated by Cassandra Miles and John Masterson. Cassandra has a voice that sounds like she is a small person. I am not really sure what I mean by that, but it is a sort of childish voice in a way. I had to check to verify I didn’t accidentally increase the speed on my audiobook. She is good at doing other voices though. John Masterson has a deep voice and speaks in a broken tempo which works well for a Hero just coming out of his stone prison.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
March 11, 2024
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋💋 (I LOVED the steamy scenes in this one – perfect blend of emotional pull and details and explicitness for me)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: First person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? slow to medium
When mains are first on page together: First chapter (in statue form) – first interaction is at the end of chapter 4, so a little while
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes (maybe a few months in the future?)
Format: read e-book version from kindle unlimited
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is book 1 in the Monster's Duet series - the next book has a Scarecrow hero that is in this town and has some of the same side characters
Basic plot:
Summer’s work has always been overseen by the stone gargoyle behind the desk at Hopkin’s Museum of the Strange. She realizes he is more than a statue when he comes to her in a dream...
Give this a try if you want:
- Monster romance (contemporary time period)
- small town setting
- gargoyle hero/human heroine
- size difference – the hero is nearly a foot and a half taller than the heroine
- I could say virgin hero but he definitely doesn’t act like one 😂
- save the world
- branding (with some fated mates vibes)
- protective/possessive hero
- higher steam – 4 full scenes with some hot partials/shorter scenes
Ages:
- Didn’t see them mentioned. Would guess Summer is mid to late 20s while Zuriel is hundreds, possibly thousands, of years old
First line:
I push my glasses higher up my nose and glance over the small group of tourists in front of me.
My thoughts:
I absolutely adored this book!
I know some of the complaints were that it was slow and boring but I just love those simple, super character focused books like that. I loved the slow build up of tension and getting to know each other in this one. I do agree some parts were slow to me – mainly when Zuriel was in statue form during sunlight hours but I think that is because I was so in love with them together I just wanted it all the time!
I thought the tension was so good. I loved the emotional pull of the sex scenes here. When I was like ¾ of the way through I went and ordered more books by the authors because I was loving it so much! It was just really tugging on my emotions and I was breathless for them...
I had some minor issues with some pacing. And just when I was starting to get very frustrated with Summer for not talking to her parents about her comfort level with a side character (they had a good relationship, so I didn’t see why she was enabling it!) she finally did it, so I was placated a bit.
I loved how gentle and protective Zuriel was. And I loved Summer! I saw some reviewers say she was annoying and useless and her glasses were mentioned 6000 times – and I found her so relatable. I also wear glasses and am useless and probably annoying 😂😂 I love you Summer!!! I loved this couple.
Minor qualm
Cock/Hero Stats:
Quotes/thoughts: (Any mistakes are my own)
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdowns mean, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋💋 (I LOVED the steamy scenes in this one – perfect blend of emotional pull and details and explicitness for me)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: First person from both hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? slow to medium
When mains are first on page together: First chapter (in statue form) – first interaction is at the end of chapter 4, so a little while
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes (maybe a few months in the future?)
Format: read e-book version from kindle unlimited
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is book 1 in the Monster's Duet series - the next book has a Scarecrow hero that is in this town and has some of the same side characters
Basic plot:
Summer’s work has always been overseen by the stone gargoyle behind the desk at Hopkin’s Museum of the Strange. She realizes he is more than a statue when he comes to her in a dream...
Give this a try if you want:
- Monster romance (contemporary time period)
- small town setting
- gargoyle hero/human heroine
- size difference – the hero is nearly a foot and a half taller than the heroine
- I could say virgin hero but he definitely doesn’t act like one 😂
- save the world
- branding (with some fated mates vibes)
- protective/possessive hero
- higher steam – 4 full scenes with some hot partials/shorter scenes
Ages:
- Didn’t see them mentioned. Would guess Summer is mid to late 20s while Zuriel is hundreds, possibly thousands, of years old
First line:
I push my glasses higher up my nose and glance over the small group of tourists in front of me.
My thoughts:
I absolutely adored this book!
I know some of the complaints were that it was slow and boring but I just love those simple, super character focused books like that. I loved the slow build up of tension and getting to know each other in this one. I do agree some parts were slow to me – mainly when Zuriel was in statue form during sunlight hours but I think that is because I was so in love with them together I just wanted it all the time!
I thought the tension was so good. I loved the emotional pull of the sex scenes here. When I was like ¾ of the way through I went and ordered more books by the authors because I was loving it so much! It was just really tugging on my emotions and I was breathless for them...
I had some minor issues with some pacing. And just when I was starting to get very frustrated with Summer for not talking to her parents about her comfort level with a side character (they had a good relationship, so I didn’t see why she was enabling it!) she finally did it, so I was placated a bit.
I loved how gentle and protective Zuriel was. And I loved Summer! I saw some reviewers say she was annoying and useless and her glasses were mentioned 6000 times – and I found her so relatable. I also wear glasses and am useless and probably annoying 😂😂 I love you Summer!!! I loved this couple.
Minor qualm
Cock/Hero Stats:
Quotes/thoughts: (Any mistakes are my own)
Content warnings: (This should be taken as a minimum because I could have missed some!)
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdowns mean, where to find me, and book clubs
September 5, 2023
I really want to give this 3 stars but I can’t. The use of words like “shunt” and “crux” kept throwing me out of the story. Also, Summer kind of behaved like an idiot at times. Her emotions were also all over the place. She really wasn’t a heroine I could connect with. I did like Zuriel and the plot kept me interested. I like that there wasn’t a need for an entire world to be built because it happened in our own with what appears to be isolated magic and it’s explained well, not given in an information dump. Overall, I’d recommend but beware of a heroine who doesn’t behave all that. . . Logically. I found some of her actions unwarranted.
October 21, 2023
"Just because you're a gargoyle, an anchor, that doesn't mean you should have lost yourself to the darkness".
Llevaba meses esperando esta duología junto con mi amiga de estas redes, no vamos a negarlo. Este es el primer libro, A gargoyles delight.
Siendo sincera, para mí no ha sido una de mis mejores lecturas del año. Ha estado interesante, me ha parecido original, los protagonistas me han caído bien, pero basta. No he conectado como me hubiera gustado. Digamos que al final ha sido un quiero, pero no puedo.
Ahora, a por el segundo que le tengo demasiadas ganas y demasiadas buenas expectativas.
Llevaba meses esperando esta duología junto con mi amiga de estas redes, no vamos a negarlo. Este es el primer libro, A gargoyles delight.
Siendo sincera, para mí no ha sido una de mis mejores lecturas del año. Ha estado interesante, me ha parecido original, los protagonistas me han caído bien, pero basta. No he conectado como me hubiera gustado. Digamos que al final ha sido un quiero, pero no puedo.
Ahora, a por el segundo que le tengo demasiadas ganas y demasiadas buenas expectativas.
February 16, 2025
Battles
Ok it was a slow start and lots of smut- which was good I won’t smut shame but it was a little slow getting into story. But once the central conflict came around it got interesting (picked up) and was devastating after the battle. Good ending. 3 because there were still so many questions, what actually happened, did no one question the disappearance of the “model” and how did the ending just happen? I did love the end of story.
Ok it was a slow start and lots of smut- which was good I won’t smut shame but it was a little slow getting into story. But once the central conflict came around it got interesting (picked up) and was devastating after the battle. Good ending. 3 because there were still so many questions, what actually happened, did no one question the disappearance of the “model” and how did the ending just happen? I did love the end of story.
October 15, 2023
3.5 ⭐
Not what I was expecting, but overall really enjoyed. Would have loved more info on the angel/demons/occult museum because that was such an interesting storyline.
Not what I was expecting, but overall really enjoyed. Would have loved more info on the angel/demons/occult museum because that was such an interesting storyline.
July 29, 2023
This was a delightfully steamy quick read that had all the hallmarks of a Naomi Lucas novel with added sparkle that I imagine comes from the co-author Mel Braxton! I will definitely be adding her books to my TBR list. It had the feeling of "monster lite," so for those of you who may not have tried monster romance or are dipping your toe in, this would be a good starter book for you. The gargoyle doesn't have any weird peen situation, the spice is relatively mild, and the couple has very low angst. I loved the fact that the heroine wore glasses, which seems like an odd point to mention, but honestly, it's a representation in romance that we don't talk about enough. There are scenes where she is actually pictured putting them on and off, so they don't go poof like authors like to do with bespectacled heroines. Our hero thinks she's beautiful with them on, and they're even written into some of the intimate scenes. I like this. Even us half-blind folk want some monster lovin. Yep, I said it.
When Summer got a job working at Hopkins' Museum of the Strange, she had no expectations beyond money and getting somewhat relevant experience to her chosen career, having recently graduated with a master's in museum studies. After all, there aren't many options in her hometown of Elmstitch, and at least there is quiet when the tourists aren't around. And of course, there is also the gargoyle statue overlooking the museum, which she imagines as a protector of sorts. When she runs her hand along the statue in thanks one evening, she cuts her finger, and the blood somehow brings the gargoyle to life. When he visits her in her dreams and shares his name during a steamy encounter, she finds herself irrevocably connected to him. Her timing couldn't be more perfect, since it's not long before the gargoyle's demon nemesis comes calling. He wants the gargoyle's name...and he'll do anything to take it from Summer.
Zuriel was a hot gargoyle, which was not only apparent from the book cover but also from the way he was described in the book. Not just physically but his entire manner towards Summer made me weak in the knees. Although it was hilarious at first, watching him suddenly have a peen when he never had one before, and then he spent some time trying to figure out why it was there when gargoyles don't procreate. Comedy gold, I tell you. And while he was trying to decipher the mystery of his magical peen, Summer was still freaking out over his very existence. She didn't want his name, but once she had it, there was nothing she could do but be attached to his hip. Albeit, it was a very nice hip. Their romance moved fairly quickly, but given the dangers that surrounded them, I wasn't super surprised. I suppose I would have liked a bit more angst...but in the end, it all worked out without it. I still loved them as a couple, and as I do often after reading gargoyle romance, I wonder how out of my mind would I have to be to go buy myself a stone gargoyle on the off chance it will become a hunky real-life monster? Hmm. Decisions.
Definitely looking forward to book 2 in this duet! Bring on the steamy monster romance.
**I received a free copy from the author and this is my honest review.**
When Summer got a job working at Hopkins' Museum of the Strange, she had no expectations beyond money and getting somewhat relevant experience to her chosen career, having recently graduated with a master's in museum studies. After all, there aren't many options in her hometown of Elmstitch, and at least there is quiet when the tourists aren't around. And of course, there is also the gargoyle statue overlooking the museum, which she imagines as a protector of sorts. When she runs her hand along the statue in thanks one evening, she cuts her finger, and the blood somehow brings the gargoyle to life. When he visits her in her dreams and shares his name during a steamy encounter, she finds herself irrevocably connected to him. Her timing couldn't be more perfect, since it's not long before the gargoyle's demon nemesis comes calling. He wants the gargoyle's name...and he'll do anything to take it from Summer.
Zuriel was a hot gargoyle, which was not only apparent from the book cover but also from the way he was described in the book. Not just physically but his entire manner towards Summer made me weak in the knees. Although it was hilarious at first, watching him suddenly have a peen when he never had one before, and then he spent some time trying to figure out why it was there when gargoyles don't procreate. Comedy gold, I tell you. And while he was trying to decipher the mystery of his magical peen, Summer was still freaking out over his very existence. She didn't want his name, but once she had it, there was nothing she could do but be attached to his hip. Albeit, it was a very nice hip. Their romance moved fairly quickly, but given the dangers that surrounded them, I wasn't super surprised. I suppose I would have liked a bit more angst...but in the end, it all worked out without it. I still loved them as a couple, and as I do often after reading gargoyle romance, I wonder how out of my mind would I have to be to go buy myself a stone gargoyle on the off chance it will become a hunky real-life monster? Hmm. Decisions.
Definitely looking forward to book 2 in this duet! Bring on the steamy monster romance.
**I received a free copy from the author and this is my honest review.**
September 10, 2023
Nope nope nope.
Started off good, but got more and more stupid.
Don’t have the patience to deal with deliberate stupid right now.
Cliché 80’s style virgin, horror style, heroine. Idiotic, stoic, silent monster, pointlessly not explaining anything, then getting annoyed she doesn’t understand 🥱creating angst through lack of communication.
On a different day, I’d probably enjoy well enough to get through, just not today.
Too many wrong books in a row, getting more and more on my nerves with each read.
Another reviewer said this had humour, made them LoL. They LIED. 😩😵💫
Started off good, but got more and more stupid.
Don’t have the patience to deal with deliberate stupid right now.
Cliché 80’s style virgin, horror style, heroine. Idiotic, stoic, silent monster, pointlessly not explaining anything, then getting annoyed she doesn’t understand 🥱creating angst through lack of communication.
On a different day, I’d probably enjoy well enough to get through, just not today.
Too many wrong books in a row, getting more and more on my nerves with each read.
Another reviewer said this had humour, made them LoL. They LIED. 😩😵💫
Read
September 4, 2023DNF 59%, not for me. Made it halfway through(apparently?), but it felt stuck on vague and exposition-y. Bland? Simple? Clichéd? Juvenile? All very surface level.
I get what the larger plot was, but it was like white noise in the background, with personality-less characters underwhelming the foreground. I could not get less invested.
KindleUnlimited. I wish there was a feature that categorized/flagged authors as yes or no. One click or hard pass.
Hard pass.
I get what the larger plot was, but it was like white noise in the background, with personality-less characters underwhelming the foreground. I could not get less invested.
KindleUnlimited. I wish there was a feature that categorized/flagged authors as yes or no. One click or hard pass.
Hard pass.
September 19, 2023
DNF at 63%. The cringe was physically painful. It gave me so much second hand embarrassment when she would talk to or touch him when he had turned to stone. It reminded me of those episodes of My Strange Addiction when that lady married the Eiffel tower, went to the top, and straddled one of the bars in a skirt to consummate the marriage.
September 5, 2023
3.75 stars. At first, the story was just okay but by the end I was into it. And the epilogue completely got me🥹🫶🏻 Summer and Zuriel are so cute🫶🏻🫶🏻
Read
May 6, 2024He smiles. “Easy. I did not impregnate you, Summer. It’s not possible. Beings between realms can’t procreate.”
aaaaand that's my cue ✌️🏃��♀️
(Personal preference, definitely nothing wrong with the book. But since I made it to 54%, I'm counting it.)
aaaaand that's my cue ✌️🏃��♀️
(Personal preference, definitely nothing wrong with the book. But since I made it to 54%, I'm counting it.)
September 28, 2023
Ok I loved this! Adrial was sooo creepy and an epic villain.
Why did I want a scene of Zuriel meeting her dad tho 😂
Why did I want a scene of Zuriel meeting her dad tho 😂
September 22, 2023
DNF at 47%
The MCs are not fleshed out, and it made their interactions with each other awkward. I kept reading though bc the setting was interesting and I wanted to know more worldbuilding stuff.
It didn’t deliver on the worldbuilding though, and my ultimate breaking point was when the gargoyle was trying to explain his actions by saying he did it on purpose when the reader learned through his POV that he didn’t have any control over what happened.
The MCs are not fleshed out, and it made their interactions with each other awkward. I kept reading though bc the setting was interesting and I wanted to know more worldbuilding stuff.
It didn’t deliver on the worldbuilding though, and my ultimate breaking point was when the gargoyle was trying to explain his actions by saying he did it on purpose when the reader learned through his POV that he didn’t have any control over what happened.
September 29, 2023
I liked the atmosphere and creepy vibes, wasn't really sold on the romance. I'm going to read the next one because it's the one I'm most interested in, but I'm thinking this author just might not be my jam. Because she's not for me, but I do see myself recommending this book to people in the future.
dnf-nope
December 4, 2023Dnf- couldn’t get into it but seems like dual virgins
January 24, 2024
I really liked this book. There were some parts that seemed really random (like what was with the bat houses, and the glowing dick) but i gave it three stars instead of four bc I wish there was more about the museum, the artifacts, the guy running it, his friends… There were so many interesting things I wanted to know more about! I guess that’s a good problem 🤷♀️😅
September 16, 2023
un-put-downable
Oh WOW. I’m a Naomi Lucas super fan, so I knew going into this one that I’d absolutely love it. Though Mel Braxton is new to me, the two authors wrote very well together. The action, mystery, suspense, and intrigue, along with the setting, made this book absolutely riveting to me. I’m SO excited for the Scarecrow story!
Oh WOW. I’m a Naomi Lucas super fan, so I knew going into this one that I’d absolutely love it. Though Mel Braxton is new to me, the two authors wrote very well together. The action, mystery, suspense, and intrigue, along with the setting, made this book absolutely riveting to me. I’m SO excited for the Scarecrow story!
October 31, 2023
I’m at 22% and I care nothing about the characters.
I finished. The last quarter was the most engaging but also not.
I finished. The last quarter was the most engaging but also not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2023
DNF at 38%
Why did ✨it✨ have to glow like a flashlight?
Why had the villain all the power with no power?
Why was the FMC more changeable than the weather in autumn?
I really enjoy Naomi Lucas' stories, but I could not get into this one. I feel like the story was one deep plot hole. There is no world building whatsoever and it immediately begins with the villain finding the MMC before he bonds with the FMC.
The "villain" - aka one of Hell's lieutenants aka a big bad demon that can swap hosts and just by his presence causes bad things - finds the MMC the day he grows a ✨ for the FMC because after three years of being a statue behind her he has decided to accept a bond with her.
In those three years he seemingly protected her from strange male visitors to the museum. How he did that is unclear. It is also unclear how much he can exactly do while he is in his unmovable stone form in the day. And the second time it is spoken about he says that he could sense them. But it is a real confusing storm on what he can hear/see/move in the day. It especially becomes confusing when the reader hears in his thoughts that he knows that the villain is in the shop and then in the night suddenly smells him and asks the FMC if the demon (who she didn't know was this person) if he has been to the shop.
Just why. And omg. Why is the original name of the villain in his new garb always just a tiny bit different from the original one. It is so not believable.
And the whole set up is a plot hole or let's call it a dent. If this villain makes the worms crawl up from the earth, permeates his vicinity with bad mojo even hours after, so that the MMC wants them to immediately leave the museum (even though it has wards that take care of the mojo) why then is there nothing bad happening to her house or her family when the villain is constantly there and having dinner with her (family) ?
And why is the villain hopping around for centuries when he can move in the day? Why does he not steal the stone gargoyle, waits until night and then tortures him for his name?
It makes no sense.
If the villain is supposed to be bad and have power then present the power in actual actions!
And the ✨chase scene was... What the heck. At first it was her that was confused and he wanted to chase her with his flashlight to bond her fully, so that she can use his powers. Why not talk. Why make it this shady dubcon scene that then evolves into not needing ✨ at all and suddenly she is all for it.
Whaaaaaaat
Why did ✨it✨ have to glow like a flashlight?
Why had the villain all the power with no power?
Why was the FMC more changeable than the weather in autumn?
I really enjoy Naomi Lucas' stories, but I could not get into this one. I feel like the story was one deep plot hole. There is no world building whatsoever and it immediately begins with the villain finding the MMC before he bonds with the FMC.
The "villain" - aka one of Hell's lieutenants aka a big bad demon that can swap hosts and just by his presence causes bad things - finds the MMC the day he grows a ✨ for the FMC because after three years of being a statue behind her he has decided to accept a bond with her.
In those three years he seemingly protected her from strange male visitors to the museum. How he did that is unclear. It is also unclear how much he can exactly do while he is in his unmovable stone form in the day. And the second time it is spoken about he says that he could sense them. But it is a real confusing storm on what he can hear/see/move in the day. It especially becomes confusing when the reader hears in his thoughts that he knows that the villain is in the shop and then in the night suddenly smells him and asks the FMC if the demon (who she didn't know was this person) if he has been to the shop.
Just why. And omg. Why is the original name of the villain in his new garb always just a tiny bit different from the original one. It is so not believable.
And the whole set up is a plot hole or let's call it a dent. If this villain makes the worms crawl up from the earth, permeates his vicinity with bad mojo even hours after, so that the MMC wants them to immediately leave the museum (even though it has wards that take care of the mojo) why then is there nothing bad happening to her house or her family when the villain is constantly there and having dinner with her (family) ?
And why is the villain hopping around for centuries when he can move in the day? Why does he not steal the stone gargoyle, waits until night and then tortures him for his name?
It makes no sense.
If the villain is supposed to be bad and have power then present the power in actual actions!
And the ✨chase scene was... What the heck. At first it was her that was confused and he wanted to chase her with his flashlight to bond her fully, so that she can use his powers. Why not talk. Why make it this shady dubcon scene that then evolves into not needing ✨ at all and suddenly she is all for it.
Whaaaaaaat
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2023
3.25
This book wasn’t exactly what I was expecting but it still had some good moments. I would have liked more info about angels and demons and stuff.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: possession, murder, gore
This book wasn’t exactly what I was expecting but it still had some good moments. I would have liked more info about angels and demons and stuff.
Spice: 4/5
Triggers: possession, murder, gore
February 19, 2025
You've heard of the power of friendship. Now get ready for the power of sex.
No, really. They defeat the villain with an orgasm.
Everything feels disjointed. No connection to the characters, the relationship didn't feel developed beyond lust, even the town didn't feel real.
I read The Monster's Duet out of order (I don't recall if this was a conscious decision or not) and I don't remember The Scarecrow being this bad.
No, really. They defeat the villain with an orgasm.
Everything feels disjointed. No connection to the characters, the relationship didn't feel developed beyond lust, even the town didn't feel real.
I read The Monster's Duet out of order (I don't recall if this was a conscious decision or not) and I don't remember The Scarecrow being this bad.
October 15, 2023
Naomi needs a new word
Every time I read the word “shunt” I think of Naomi’s Naga series which overused the word beyond excessively. This book uses the word almost a dozen times! At least it made more sense for snake-like creatures. It’s distracting and should only be used once or twice. I like her characters and story arcs but the descriptive language needs improvement.
Every time I read the word “shunt” I think of Naomi’s Naga series which overused the word beyond excessively. This book uses the word almost a dozen times! At least it made more sense for snake-like creatures. It’s distracting and should only be used once or twice. I like her characters and story arcs but the descriptive language needs improvement.
September 15, 2023
LOVED IT I wish it was longer!!!
July 7, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ slay, so fun
November 9, 2025
Audiobook - Audible
Narrated by
Cassandra Myles
John Masterson
This was short, sweet and entertaining.
A pleasant surprise.
Narrated by
Cassandra Myles
John Masterson
This was short, sweet and entertaining.
A pleasant surprise.
October 27, 2024
A protector trapped in his stone form who's awakened from his long sleep by a woman who knows nothing of the supernatural world around her. YESSS! Just to be clear, this is exactly what I was in the mood for and it hit the spot in a big way.
When Summer accidentally (on her part, but kind of on purpose on Zuriel's part since Zuriel gave her his name and sort of coaxed her into awakening him) awakens Zuriel from his centuries long stone sleep, she's tossed head first into the deep end of angels and demons and monsters and...she's doesn't exactly have a lot of help figuring things out. I mean, Zuriel does his best to help her, but it's kind of crummy that she was made to deal with the big things happening on her own. Seeing how the demon plaguing Zuriel has his sights set on Summer, the lady has a lot to deal with.
To be fair, Zuriel does what he can to protect her and try to help her figure things out. Being stuck in his stone form during the day limits what he's able to do. He's also a product of another time and another species, so he sometimes does things that are questionable by Summer's standards. That said, everything he does is meant to protect her (except maybe coaxing her into saying his name, but the demon was already sniffing around when that happened, so I choose to think that was part of his protective thing also) and he's fiercely dedicated to that purpose.
A demon who infects those around him, a town under the influence, a protector who will do just about anything to keep his special someone safe, and a lady who has to learn about this new world she's been thrust into before it swallows her whole. Kind of literally. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
When Summer accidentally (on her part, but kind of on purpose on Zuriel's part since Zuriel gave her his name and sort of coaxed her into awakening him) awakens Zuriel from his centuries long stone sleep, she's tossed head first into the deep end of angels and demons and monsters and...she's doesn't exactly have a lot of help figuring things out. I mean, Zuriel does his best to help her, but it's kind of crummy that she was made to deal with the big things happening on her own. Seeing how the demon plaguing Zuriel has his sights set on Summer, the lady has a lot to deal with.
To be fair, Zuriel does what he can to protect her and try to help her figure things out. Being stuck in his stone form during the day limits what he's able to do. He's also a product of another time and another species, so he sometimes does things that are questionable by Summer's standards. That said, everything he does is meant to protect her (except maybe coaxing her into saying his name, but the demon was already sniffing around when that happened, so I choose to think that was part of his protective thing also) and he's fiercely dedicated to that purpose.
A demon who infects those around him, a town under the influence, a protector who will do just about anything to keep his special someone safe, and a lady who has to learn about this new world she's been thrust into before it swallows her whole. Kind of literally. *thumbs up*
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
November 9, 2023
This was my first time reading from Naomi and Mel. I had been meaning to check out Naomi at some stage as I do have her Naga series on my tbr! So, when I saw this I thought “why not?” 🤓 and the cover alone had me invested to see what this was about! ✨beautiful✨
i couldn’t fault this at all. This is my first gargoyle romance and simply adored every page! There was no time wasted, it all flowed really well, I loved our main characters and the side characters were also enjoyable (loved the heroine’s bestie and dad). It had great world building, cool twists and turns, intense moments and a menacing villain. I really couldn’t put this one down! And I’m so excited to check out book 2 (scarecrow’s queen) 📖👌🏻
This also gave me ‘night at the museum’ vibes, and I like those movies! So that’s another plus from me 👍🏻😊✨.
Our heroine (Summer) was so relatable for me. Her lifestyle and her personality really resonated with me. I really saw myself in her, at times it got spooky for me of how much we were alike…all I’m missing is a gargoyle lover 😂😭.
The hero (Zuriel) was so devoted and attentive, along being possessive towards Summer too! Which I always love to see in a monster romance 🤌🏻. His caring nature made me smile. He had a sense of humour too, which I found funny (specially the epilogue). He was also very protective of Summer 🥹😭
Overall I love it! I highly recommend to the monster romance lovers! 💙😏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
tropes
💙small town
🦇gargoyle romance
💙spicy
🦇cursed hero
💙relatable heroine
🦇gargoyle is a virgin
💙smutty
🦇claiming/branding
💙fated mates
🦇HEA guarantee
i couldn’t fault this at all. This is my first gargoyle romance and simply adored every page! There was no time wasted, it all flowed really well, I loved our main characters and the side characters were also enjoyable (loved the heroine’s bestie and dad). It had great world building, cool twists and turns, intense moments and a menacing villain. I really couldn’t put this one down! And I’m so excited to check out book 2 (scarecrow’s queen) 📖👌🏻
This also gave me ‘night at the museum’ vibes, and I like those movies! So that’s another plus from me 👍🏻😊✨.
Our heroine (Summer) was so relatable for me. Her lifestyle and her personality really resonated with me. I really saw myself in her, at times it got spooky for me of how much we were alike…all I’m missing is a gargoyle lover 😂😭.
The hero (Zuriel) was so devoted and attentive, along being possessive towards Summer too! Which I always love to see in a monster romance 🤌🏻. His caring nature made me smile. He had a sense of humour too, which I found funny (specially the epilogue). He was also very protective of Summer 🥹😭
Overall I love it! I highly recommend to the monster romance lovers! 💙😏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
tropes
💙small town
🦇gargoyle romance
💙spicy
🦇cursed hero
💙relatable heroine
🦇gargoyle is a virgin
💙smutty
🦇claiming/branding
💙fated mates
🦇HEA guarantee
September 5, 2023
It may be just me but I had trouble grasping the point of the relationship between Zuriel and Adrial. What was Zuriel originally before he was made a gargoyle? Wasn’t it detrimental to turn him into stone and prohibit him from pursuing Adrial? It seems to me that Adrial then had the advantage because he only needed to determine Zuriel’s name to assume all of his power. Even without assuming Zuriel’s power, he had more than enough of his own to create havoc. I don’t think we ever find out what Zuriel’s power is. How did Zuriel achieve aspects of humanity if the angels hadn’t created him with that ability?
Anyway, the story kind of leaves you hanging at the end. Zuriel is discovered in his gargoyle form by Summer’s best friend. She apparently is going to keep their secret but since the story ends you don’t know if she does or not. Zuriel and Summer decide to live together. Again, there’s no follow-up so you don’t know how that worked out. I would think Summer’s parents, especially her father, might object. Had they even met Zuriel?
There will be no answers as the next book in this duet involves a scarecrow.
Overall kind of a disappointing read although the retractable penis was unusual.
Anyway, the story kind of leaves you hanging at the end. Zuriel is discovered in his gargoyle form by Summer’s best friend. She apparently is going to keep their secret but since the story ends you don’t know if she does or not. Zuriel and Summer decide to live together. Again, there’s no follow-up so you don’t know how that worked out. I would think Summer’s parents, especially her father, might object. Had they even met Zuriel?
There will be no answers as the next book in this duet involves a scarecrow.
Overall kind of a disappointing read although the retractable penis was unusual.
April 21, 2024
Out of all the stories I've read, this one was particularly adorable and stood out in its own way. The romance is charming, sprinkled with tantalizing scenes that will make you swoon. I adored the main characters and their genuine reactions to situations, as well as their dynamic together. The antagonist was truly detestable, but that only adds depth to the story and proves what a great character they are. I highly suggest giving this story a chance and reading it for yourself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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