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Monster Match

Nightmare for Hire

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Nox is a Nightmare, literally. Having been around for eons, he’s decided it’s time to have some fun… wrecking lives, that is. So he hires himself out to get revenge on bad exes, which leads him to joining the Monster Match app. He doesn’t exactly care what the circumstances are as long as he gets to have some fun scaring humans.

Cyrus moved to Rivenfield for a fresh start after a bad breakup. He just wants to keep his head down and work. Maybe meet a few monster cuties on Monster Match. He’s not expecting to click with someone so soon, but the mysterious Nightmare has him all hot and bothered awake and asleep.

After meeting Cyrus, Nox is flabbergasted why anyone would want to send a Nightmare after such a delightful human. He becomes determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. It looks like the cure for his eternal boredom might just be falling in love.

Nightmare for Hire is an opposites attract MM monster romance featuring a sunshiny Nightmare and a human just wanting to belong. It’s part of the Monster Match series. Each book is a standalone, but why don’t you have fun with all our monstrous beasties?

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 16, 2024

133 people are currently reading
489 people want to read

About the author

Morgan Lysand

25 books91 followers
Hey peeps! I’m Morgan.

I’ve always been a reader and a daydreamer. My writer origin story is embarrassing now that I think about it. But also kinda funny, maybe. One day I might share. If people ask nicely. It involves a psychic.

I share an apartment with my sister in Southern Indiana where we keep the AC on year round and try to keep each other entertained. 

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5 stars
475 (44%)
4 stars
341 (31%)
3 stars
189 (17%)
2 stars
45 (4%)
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28 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
Profile Image for Heather.
485 reviews34 followers
March 1, 2024
This book made me feel dirty. I’d say “ick” but I don’t feel that is a strong enough of a sentiment to get across how inappropriately this book not only dealt with trauma but also the blatant sexualization of a very infantilized character. I’m sorry, there is a difference between naive and childish and Nox was painted as a inexperienced child who had the mental processing/maturity of a 12 year old if I’m being VERY generous. And then he was promptly sexualized. Absolutely Disgusting.

I won’t even get into how poorly the subject matter of child trafficking and rape was handled here because I have been left speechless at the very prospect of an author thinking “oh yes. This silly romance book is a good place to throw in some child sexual trauma and rape into play.” Oh my god. If you want to work with subject matter like this, it must - MUST - be handled with so much care and INTENTION within the story and… it wasn’t. At all. In fact, I don’t think it was necessary to the plot at all.

I feel gross after this book and I think it’s actually going to take me some time to trust another self pub that I haven’t had directly recommended by someone I trust.
Profile Image for Dani (Daniiireads).
1,986 reviews330 followers
March 1, 2025
3.5 ⭐️

TW: mentions of SA below

Michael Ferraiuolo did an amazing job bringing Nox and Cyrus’s sorry to life, and I absolutely loved his narration!

Overall, I enjoyed Nightmare for Hire, and really loved Nox. He’s funny and adorable, and has been added to my list of favorite MCs. He was so patient and understanding with Cy, and just so enthusiastic when it came to their relationship. It was nice to see Cy end up with someone who really loved him for himself.

That being said, I struggled a bit with the whole Cyrus’s rape by his ex plot line, especially with how awful and traumatic his childhood was. & it felt icky having his SA being on page and literally all of ch 2.

Without that, this would have absolutely been a 5⭐️ listen, but it just rubbed me the wrong way.
Profile Image for ❀ Jess ( Semi hiatus ).
877 reviews97 followers
February 18, 2024
I’m sorry.
The writing is pretty awful and the characters, especially Nox talks like he’s a child that’s hopped up on sugar. Even tho he’s supposed to be super old, eons ?

🚩There’s on-page drugging? And rape? Mick is using his ‘haze’ to make Cy have sex even tho Cy doesn’t want it then he says he does because of the effects of the ‘haze’. Mick later on says he had to use his ‘haze’ on Cy because he was taking too long to give in to having sex and he doesn’t like wasting time. Cy also wants Mick to use a condom and he doesn’t.
🚩Nox even calls out Mick for raping Cy.
🚩Not only has Cy been drugged/raped by his ex but apparently he’s also the victim of child SA.

How’re you gonna have these themes/topics and make everything so unserious.

Not for me, kthanksbye. ✌🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ⋆。°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°。⋆.
1,185 reviews235 followers
March 26, 2024
1.5⭐ - and that half of a star goes up for Cyrus.

I can't help but think of this as a rip-off.
Why do I feel like that?
It's a later date of release than the book I'm thinking of and a lot of monster romances use the same themes, but these books - and again, this one - puts together the smoke, the portal to the monster world and the binding of two MMCs for eternity, so an interesting combination, to say the least.

You know, it's fine, but it just reminds me too much of the Monstrous series - the characters are good here, but they're not fleshed out and the storytelling isn't good, well - it definitely didn't work for me.

🟠 Both MMCs gay and demisexual
🟢 A lot of pronouns and labels
🟣 One MMC has a traumatic history but the vibe of the book is too light to tackle on something like that
🔵 The monster MMC is a complete virgin, has also a human form
🟡 Found family (sort of)
🟢 "Fated mates" - not thought-out, it was pointless
❗ Rape, sex trafficking, drugging, stalking - all wrapped up in this little "cutesy" story with a cherub monster who wears pink crop tops
🌶️ Some smut, but it's pretty boring as is the sex talk; both vers

Cyrus is one main character that I really liked in this story. He's had a terrible past, he's traumatised and at the beginning of the story is raped repeatedly by his merman boyfriend. Sadly the storytelling wasn't good, so as much potential as he had, everything got lost in sentences like

“Why fight it? I went through everything imaginable when I was trafficked as a kid, and if Mick wants to fuck me like he hates me, I can endure it.”

"I drop my eyes. I’m totally into the beasties. I figured humans put me through hell, why not try the so- called monsters? But Mick has proven there are baddies on both sides. Not like I expected it to be any different. I just expected it to take longer."




Yeah, wow. Cyrus has been through a complete shitshow of a life, yet he almost sounds aloof about it.

Nox is the Nightmare from the previous book and he's a small effeminate twink, yet can dissolve into black smoke and quickly go places and do his thing (sounds very familiar, but fine).
Nox's appearance and demeanor seems cute and could be very sexy, but the story didn't use that potential at all, he just giggles and sounds very innocent and oblivious for an entity who's lived for an eternity. He's like - oh I have a dick but what is it for? Where does it go? What does it do?? In all those years, even if he were demisexual or even asexual, he'd definitely learn what his dick's for, but okay.

Nox meets Cyrus because he's supposed to give him nightmares but he doesn't, because the guy who hired Nox is Cyrus' bad ex boyfriend, so there's the whole drama with the boyfriend, but in the meantime Nox and Cyrus get to know each other and that getting to know each other is a bit of a slow burn, but it's not interesting nor sexy.

"But I'm so hard. Please, give me a blow job thingy." I plead with my eyes and he's biting back another laugh.
"You don't have to add thingy. Just blow job or bj works. Blowie. Beej. Fellatio. Head. It all works."


What do you mean with "it all works"? Why aren't you letting him say "a blow job thingy" then?? Everything you say works, rather put it that way. Man I hate books where I'm literally instructed about how something should be called. It's so mechanical and if this author was going for sexy, they missed by a mile, because it's not, nothing is in this story.

Cyrus seemed like a guy who just wanted to be left alone and take a break for a while, so him getting together with Nox didn't really seem right. It also seems like he's not welcoming the intimacy, the exploring or the touches, he's basically deeply traumatised and has PTSD and that was just skimmed over, completely. It's told he had a therapist, but he's not disclosing the magnitude of his problems and I don't really think fucking the next guy that comes along is the answer to what he's going through.

Nox and Cyrus' budding relationship felt almost forced a bit - one day they were slowly exploring each other, another day they loved each other and then suddenly talked about eternity. It didn't seem like a natural progression to their story, the whole relationship seemed like it was more a safe bet for Cyrus than anything else.

“That sounds like a proposal.”
“I think it is.”
I nod. “Yeah, it is. Oh! I’m supposed to put a ring on it, aren’t I? Or is it I licked you, so you’re mine?” I lean down and lick his shoulder. “That’s right, right?”





Didn't like it one bit.

I did check out guys in pink skirts on Pinterest, so I at least got that out of it.
Profile Image for ⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven•.
1,594 reviews299 followers
February 24, 2024
What a story, quite the ride!
A MM monster romance with chaos, fun, cuteness, unexpected emotional gut-punches! I adore Cyrus & Nox, devoured this book in 4hrs. Loved my #ARC, this series is enjoyable.

Nox is an ancient nightmare, he's bubbly, chaotic, badass, adorable & oblivious to most human things! He's fashionable & takes joy in small things.
Cyrus, oh my, he's earnest, cautious, so sweet, & deserves all the hugs! He's experienced so much trauma from his past, sweetie 🥺. He's caring & a baby nurse.

N finds about Cy through Mick, Cy's horrible asshole ex via his Nightmare for Hire services. I'm happy N's Character judgement is pretty good, Mick's bad vibes! That kept things suspenseful & me anxious 🤫.

Cy & N's relationship is pretty lovely & low angst. N discovers joys of sex, while being so patient with Cy 🥰. I liked the exploration & just being. Love me vers action 😉. N's oblivious-ness made some embarrassing moments for us humans tho 😅😳. Maddox & Dani are sweet friends! RTC.

Story Ratings:

POV: 1st person, Dual POV
1) Overall Enjoyment—> 4.75/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels: 🥰🥺😳😤😅🤭😏🔥🖤😉🤬😍😈
4) Steamy scenes: 2.5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4/5
Angst: 2/5
Dark: 3/5 (past & ex!)
6) Creativity + world: 4.5/5
7) Plot arc: (Sweet love, terrible Ex) 4.5/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.3/5
Profile Image for ⋆˚ʚ Abril ɞ˚⋆.
312 reviews52 followers
July 15, 2024
«—Tú eres mi para siempre, Cy. No puedo esperar a pasar la eternidad a tu lado. Y así poder ver tus hermosos ojos felices.»

📚⇢ Esta historia me ha decepcionado pues tenemos un montón de temas mal tratados como lo es el tráfico infantil, el estrés postraumático y el abuso sexual. Tenemos a Cyrus quien mantenía una relación en donde su ex pareja ejercía su neblina de sirena para forzarlo a tener relaciones sexuales, a pesar de eso, vemos cómo se separan y después de poco tiempo Cy se muda de ciudad y es donde conoce a Nox; quien es una pesadilla que ha vivido desde antes de la creación del universo pero se supone que es sumamente inocente e infantil… Lo siento pero se me hace poco creíble.

📚⇢ Pese a los diversos traumas que ha sufrido Cy desde su infancia, es alguien que sigue en una lucha constante con su estrés postraumático y su superación, se nota que lo que él necesitaba era tiempo para sanar, pero en cambio comienza su relación con Nox, y es que cada interacción entre ambos me tenía completamente incomoda debido a la sobre carga de energía que resulta ser Nox, pues Cy casi ni hablaba o se sentía como si estuviera ensimismado en sus pensamientos; tampoco me termine de creer todo eso de que Nox era su tipo ideal, o quizás simplemente es que estoy muy arraigada a los roles en donde el bottom es más pequeño y el top más grande, protector y lleno de músculos. La cuestión fue que se centraron más en mostrarnos como aprendía Nox a usar su polla, que en darle un buen tratamiento a los temas que realmente merecían desarrollo.
Profile Image for BookSafety Reviews.
692 reviews1,063 followers
February 6, 2025
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

He’s my Cyrus, mine, and I will fight a bitch that tries to take him from me.

Well that was cute and fun. Having a tiny femme guy being the scary monster who everyone fears is just too much fun and way too cute. Badass and scary, but dress it up in skirts, crop tops and platform boots.

I don’t have a whole lot of thoughts on the romance. It was easy and cute. The focus was mostly on Cyrus and his c***y abusive ex, which makes sense when you introduce a plotline like that, yet it felt a bit strange to have that level of seriousness and abuse in what is essentially a ‘cute, little monster romcom’.

Anyway. It was entertaining and sweet. Couldn’t quite figure out what it meant to be, but mostly enjoyed. Nox was adorable.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Paranormal
Femme MC
Nurse MC
Past trauma
Virgin MC
Jockstraps
Crop tops
First times
Goth MC
Piercings and tattoos
Monster romance

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Rough sex and degradation with abusive boyfriend (on page, not other MC)
MC raped by boyfriend (on page, not other MC)
Mention of MC being sexually trafficked as a child (by parents)
Explicit sexual content
MC briefly choked by ex (non-sexual)
Vomiting
Attempted kidnapping of MC

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: On-page explicit sex (assault) with someone other than MC at the start of the story — before the MCs meet
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Monster romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 28 and ‘eons’
Series: Interconnected standalone, multi-author series
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 284
Happy ending: Yes


Never in my life have I let human gender ideas decide how I dress. I dress for myself, and today I’m a happy pink princess. Right down to the pretty silver jeweled barrette in my hair that in the right light could be a tiara. I’m a guy that knows exactly what he wants and goes for it. Human ideals be damned.



You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
Profile Image for Neusitas.
922 reviews30 followers
November 6, 2025
8,5 / 10 ⭐️
Monster Romance / MM / Familia encontrada / Abuso infantil / Violencia de género

Nox, el monstruo pesadilla, ha decidido poner en marcha un negocio. Ofrece sus servicios de venganza a personas que han sido engañadas o maltratadas por sus ex.
Un día, un tritón lo contrata para que martirice a su ex, quién lo dejó por un mensaje de texto y lo acosa. Pero cuando Nox conoce a Cyrus se da cuenta que no todo es lo que parece.

Esta serie me está encantado, pero esta pareja es la mejor.
Un chico que ha sufrido abusos durante toda su vida que quiere empezar de cero y un monstruo que está aprendiendo que es el amor. Juntos irán descubriéndose poco a poco.
Los dos son unos bellísimos individuos que amaras desde el primer momento.
No las tenía todas conmigo, porque en el libro anterior Nox era un personaje caótico, excéntrico, alocado... pero aquí, que puedes conocerlo tan bien... ha sido wow.
Creo que las Pesadillas son mis monstruos favoritos ahora.
Profile Image for Lindsey Middlemiss.
411 reviews14 followers
March 2, 2024
DNFed for inappropriate handling of extremely dark topics.

***Trigger warnings for discussion of rape, SA, CSA and trafficking***

*

There is on page drugging, rape and assault of an MMC. An MC who is ALSO a survivor of childhood abuse and sexual trafficking by his parents, repeatedly mentioned but in the context of an otherwise light-hearted PNR. These are about as serious as topics get and need careful handling, which was not done here. Not going into detail and brushing over it with "he's seeing a therapist" does not make it better. There was also no reason for the rape to be on page, especially given this is not positioned as a dark romance.

It's pretty much trauma porn woven around a lighthearted PNR.

It's not clear if the author is part of the LGBTQ+ community, but at the very least, I have no reason to believe that they are, or have ever been, a queer man. The ick factor of a seemingly cishet woman writing this is high.

Read the CWs and work from the basis that most of them are downplayed. E.g. it is an on-page, moderately lengthy penetrative r$pe after non-consensual drugging scene, not what you might think from a CW of "SA on page".

It's a shame because some of the characters and concepts are brilliant, but for me, it needed a heavy edit and sensitivity readers in order to not be offensive to multiple groups.
Profile Image for Minnie x.
103 reviews
February 17, 2024
DNF @ 25% :(

I was super excited for this one because of the cover art and desperately wanted to love it but I just don’t think it’s for me :/ I feel like everything was pretty rushed from the get go and the r*pe scene and child trafficking mention were just dropped in with no preamble or any kind of depth?? Maybe it’s just me but I don’t feel the darkness of such subjects fits with the cutesy characters and cheesy dialogue. Idk I don’t want to completely shit on this book because I literally only read a quarter of it and the plot itself is original and fun and I’m sure lots of people will enjoy the story themselves!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for antonia🫧.
496 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2024
PROBABLY MY FAVOURITE STORY IN THE UNIVERSE!!

i adore nox and i want to give him a hug. right now.

cyrus deserves an unlimited amount of hugs but i'm sure nox has that covered!

mick was such a dick and i'm glad he got what he deserved.

i really enjoyed the contrast in nox and cy's appearances, they are so cute together.
AND LOOK AT THIS FREAKINGLY ADORABLE COVER!!
Profile Image for Cheeks.
108 reviews16 followers
June 22, 2025
3/5

Nightmare for Hire has a lot of heart, and that’s ultimately what saved the rating for me. I appreciated the story Lysand set out to tell. There’s a creative concept at its core that’s both intriguing and fun. That said, the dialogue often felt stilted, and the pacing didn’t quite land for me. I also struggled to suspend disbelief around the ancient being at the center of the story; someone who’s been alive since the dawn of time should probably have a better grasp on how things work. Mick, the ex-boyfriend, was so exaggerated he bordered on cartoonish, which pulled me out of the narrative more than once. Still, there’s a sincerity to the book that made me continue to read despite its flaws.

There are explicit scenes, but they’re handled thoughtfully. Cyrus’s past trauma leads him to ask Nox to take things slow, and Nox respects his wishes fully. Their intimacy feels authentic and is fairly well written. The spice scenes add depth to their relationship without overshadowing the broader narrative.
Profile Image for Joanna.
481 reviews
May 5, 2024


“Nox makes me feel like I can get through anything. I haven’t told him yet, but I love him.”

Cyrus loves me.

My shadows vibrate and hum inside my head. There’s no denying it. I love Cyrus, too.

Profile Image for Latecia Jennings.
2,337 reviews10 followers
March 1, 2024
WOW...this was so good. Monster Match App has done it again:) Meeting Nox in His Primal Kiss, I knew I was gonna have fun reading this monster romance. Nox is a sweet, adorable, cute as can be nightmare. Eventhough he feeds off nightmares, he's all about giving justice to the wronged...whether human or monster. When he meets Cyrus under suspicious circumstances...OMG...they just clicked...all positive energy...no negativity...I was so happy for Cyrus after dealing with his ex...his ex really was a douche canoe...didn't think anyone could be that awful but...yeah he was and lets just say after all the awfulness, building of trust and love, Cyrus and Nox had a wonderful HEA. I truly enjoyed reading this sweet with heat romance and recommend to all who loves fem boys, fated mates and of course...monsters:)

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Profile Image for Saskia Veldhuis .
1,938 reviews15 followers
February 11, 2025
Reread as audiobook. Excellent narration and Nox was even more delightful narrated than he was reading the ebook.
Story - 4.5 stars. I loved Nox in the previous book in this series (His Primal Kiss), and he is even more special in his own story. A lovely contrast - a sweet Nightmare being and human Cyrus who has lived a lot of his life in a literal nightmare. Mick was awful and really deserved what happened to him. Great HEA.
Profile Image for Luz Rivas.
516 reviews28 followers
March 14, 2024
This was so adorable

I totally fell in love with Nox when I read the previous book (Maddox & Dani). He's so effervescent, energetic, brilliant... A bundle of joy.

I loved the story of but I have a few questions about things that weren't clear to me: Was Mick really Cy's soul mate?

At first I thought it was a lie on Mick's part to manipulate Cy, but there are things that make me believe that he was indeed his soulmate, but that Cy, because of all the bad things Mick did to him, decided against that and chose Nox. Even if fate says: this is your soulmate, he still had the power to decide if that person is the one he wants.

So, although that part wasn't clear, I want to believe that Cy was Mick's soulmate, but Mick doesn't deserve it so Cy chose Nox, I choose to believe that it was so.

It's the first book with fated mates trope I've read in which Fate "gets it wrong" so to speak, and the person choose by themselves who they want to spend the rest of eternity with.
Profile Image for isthisakink.
1,227 reviews23 followers
March 13, 2024
Not what I was expecting…

Until I saw the content warnings, I had no idea this one was going to deal with such heavy topics. Definitely heed those warnings, and be prepared for the “r”-word and several others. I know that’s a huge trigger for many folx, and some of them aren’t exactly easy for me to read, either.

The mechanics were shaky, but the story was great. I loved the characters, and the love story was very sweet and fitting. I love how closely these authors worked together to create a truly interconnected series. The world and the lore are still interesting and keeping me engaged.

4/5. The wonky bits were wonky, but it was worth it. Can’t wait to keep going!
34 reviews
January 8, 2026
Such a fantastic concept: incredibly disappointing in terms of the writing but I’ve definitely read worse. I found myself interested in this book and the one that follow (for some reason)- deffo won’t be touching the rest of the series…also i echo the sentiment of others on how SA was handled
Profile Image for annita.
74 reviews
July 29, 2024
ME ENCANTAROOOOOON SO CUTE
lo único por lo que no le pongo 5/5 es porque bro wtf como que eres una sombra
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
3,710 reviews332 followers
did-not-finish
September 27, 2025
DNF at 7%.

Hate when a book introduces a love interest in the middle of having sex with someone else. But, also, sounds like this has some bad crap in it.
Profile Image for Kati *☆・゚.
1,300 reviews698 followers
Read
January 2, 2026
dropped @50%

When the mood bitch strikes and you lose interest for no reason at all.
Profile Image for Molly Otto.
1,481 reviews31 followers
February 23, 2024
Okay, so I need to keep Nox forever and ever! This little nightmare is the epitome of sunshine and rainbows who may protect his friends and the desering people of their little town with a terrifying vengeance. He has an innocence that you just want to bottle up and cherish, then you have Cyrus, who has been through so much and deserves this little ball of sunshine to chase all the nightmares away. These two are that cuddly couple that you want to just aww or gag, whichever mood you may be in.
What a beautiful blend of romance, comedy, and only a vengeance a nightmare can bestow. This was my third read in this series, and it definitely will not be my last. What a fun and unique series.
Profile Image for Kindle Addict.
568 reviews11 followers
May 31, 2024
It started well and I thought the premise was fun with the nightmare being the colourful MC out of the 2 then arf it went down…

1) First of all, using the word “penis” (over and over) during sexy time is a big mood killer for me. It feels medical or childish and in that case it mostly felt childish because of…

2) Nox is supposed to be older than Earth itself but doesn’t know anything about sex. AT ALL🙄. I get wanting to get some demisexual rep but there’s no way the guy doesn’t know anything at all. This was just ridiculous. And not only he’s clueless but he has to have his BFF explain to him SEX 101!?! He did enough researches online that he knows how he identifies in term of sexuality and gender identity but he couldn’t look up the basic about sex? Which brings on a very weird and uncomfortable scene where the BFF explains how sex works and honestly it feels like Nox is a kid in those scenes. And when he does have sex with Cy it’s a lot of “oh yes put your penis here like in the video I saw” 🤢 I had to skip all those sexy bits because they were creepy

3) Also, how can Nox be so old and have lived among humans but be so clueless about so many things (which gives conversations where he thinks babysitting= sitting on babies? Blowjobs= blow on my penis??) Over the top…

4) Overall I think it was too long with all the besties…

5) There are TW yes but honestly WHY did the author think the MC needed a past so traumatic that it involved child trafficking?? Like really, child trafficking? 🤮 A lot of other stories could have been used to justify Cy’s trauma, his tattoos, why he went out with Mick in the first place,…But going that far for a book that was otherwise light and with such a fun cover is very insensitive.
Profile Image for DLB2572.
3,259 reviews26 followers
March 16, 2025
Nox & Cy

I enjoyed reading this story. There are some very heavy themes in this so please mind the trigger warnings before starting this.
Update: I loved Michael Ferraiuolo's narration for this one. It made the story even more entertaining.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
Profile Image for Assh.
934 reviews1 follower
February 21, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
Nightmare (Nox), Cyrus (Cy)
Le Cauchemar et Infirmier Nourrice

Lecture simple, doudou et réconfortante.

Facile a lire tout en contenant des themes assez sensible : non_ consentement, amour de soi, acceptation de soi, pas de stéréotype.

Nox est une petite chose mignonne et magnifique et démoniaque et Cyrus est énorme, large et pourtant si fragile.

Ils ont su brisé les obstacles et créer leur réalité.

Le plot twist est peut être un peu faible mais ça a fait l'affaire.

🇬🇧 --
Simple, cozy and comforting read.

Easy to read while containing quite sensitive themes, no consent, self-love, self-acceptance, no stereotypes.

Nox is a cute and beautiful and demonic little thing and Cyrus is huge and broad and yet so fragile.

They knew how to break down obstacles and create their reality.

The twist plot may be a little weak but it did the trick.

________________

📖
🇬🇧 ---- English

Nox is a Nightmare, literally. Having been around for eons, he’s decided it’s time to have some fun… wrecking lives, that is. So he hires himself out to get revenge on bad exes, which leads him to joining the Monster Match app. He doesn’t exactly care what the circumstances are as long as he gets to have some fun scaring humans.

Cyrus moved to Rivenfield for a fresh start after a bad breakup. He just wants to keep his head down and work. Maybe meet a few monster cuties on Monster Match. He’s not expecting to click with someone so soon, but the mysterious Nightmare has him all hot and bothered awake and asleep.

After meeting Cyrus, Nox is flabbergasted why anyone would want to send a Nightmare after such a delightful human. He becomes determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. It looks like the cure for his eternal boredom might just be falling in love.


🇫🇷 ---- French

Nox est littéralement un cauchemar. Ayant été là depuis des lustres, il a décidé qu'il était temps de s'amuser… en détruisant des vies, bien sûr. Il s'engage alors pour se venger des mauvais ex, ce qui le conduit à rejoindre l'application Monster Match. Il ne se soucie pas vraiment des circonstances, du moment qu'il s'amuse à effrayer les humains.

Cyrus a déménagé à Rivenfield pour un nouveau départ après une mauvaise rupture. Il veut juste garder la tête baissée et travailler. Peut-être rencontrer quelques mignonnes monstres sur Monster Match. Il ne s'attend pas à interagir avec quelqu'un si tôt, mais le mystérieux Cauchemar le rend tout chaud et le dérange éveillé et endormi.

Après avoir rencontré Cyrus, Nox est sidéré de savoir pourquoi quelqu'un voudrait envoyer un Cauchemar après un humain aussi charmant. Il devient déterminé à aller au fond de ce mystère. Il semble que le remède à son ennui éternel pourrait bien être de tomber amoureux.
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📖 Citation 📖


“There are?! Let’s do that! Or—” He taps his lips with his finger. “We can make up constellations ourselves and make up stories. That would be more fun, wouldn’t it?”

“It would.”

Nox shoots his arm into the air. “See these five? I’m going to call them Cy’s Smile. They got into the sky because I kissed you.”


.


Nox looks around. “This isn’t anything like the redwood forest, but there’s this nice little path I like to float through. And there are a lot of pretty flowers. Do you like flowers? I do. Do guys get flowers? Or—”

“Nox?” Why does my voice have to come out broken?

“Yeah?” He whips around, eyes wide. “What’s wrong?”

“Thank you,” I whisper. Stupid tears well in my eyes. I don’t want to cry, I want to send them back.


.


“Everything okay, Nox?”

“Yeah! I just forgot to see what boots you have on.” Another bright grin, then he’s on his hands and knees. I bite back a laugh.

Nox pets my shoe as I get my mind out of the gutter. “Omg Anita Lita special edition six buckle two inch midnight black with ... -- He squeals and pops back to his feet. He’s so excited my brain forgets I was about to spiral. “I have the same pair, but not midnight black. Mine are pink on pink.”

.


“Nox.” Cyrus pulls away and presses his forehead to my stomach. We’re both breathing hard. I don’t even need to breathe. He looks up at me. “I need things to go slow.”

“I have all the time in the universe, Cy.”


.


“You are my forever, Cy. I can’t wait to see what that brings. And I love your happy eyes.”
Profile Image for Megan McGrath .
588 reviews5 followers
March 8, 2025
Cyrus & Nox
This story was fantastic! I would never guess that a "Nightmare" could be such a sweet, golden-retriever type. Granted, there were plenty of moments when Nox had to turn on his very shady self, but it was always for an excellent reason. His quickly-growing devotion to Cyrus is so sweet and enchanting. Cyrus had such a horrible past that he still struggled with, and Nox was able to bring back his actual, happy smile. I really loved the way this story developed, and I loved how each MC had their own set of side besties to keep them in line.

Nox was a real delight to follow as his character was becoming more developed. He knew that he felt some kind of connection with Cyrus, but even with his eons of existence, he'd never experienced those feelings. And I loved the innocent way he would tell Cyrus he was learning about something NSFW, and the scene became adorably awkward between the two of them. The evolution of their romantic relationship was sweet and inspiring.

Cyrus did not deserve the past and present (before Nox) he was given, but he was so incredibly strong with how he handled each and every moment that came upon him. He showed--and eventually believed--his worth, and it was so wonderful to witness. Cyrus was so sweet with Nox, and I love that despite their unique dynamic as "Monster"/Human, there really wasn't any miscommunication or lack of understanding between them. Their interactions were all fun, sweet & awkward, and it made the story that much more enjoyable.

I love everything I read from Morgan Lysand, and Nightmare for Hire is no different. The characters are always given such depth and seriousness while keeping their inner child intact. There's always one character in each story that brings me back to the first I read from Morgan's catalogue: Jingle (aka Shae). That sweet, golden-retriever energy is prevalent in so many of the books I have enjoyed, and I will continue to watch for that with each new story I experience.

Audiobook Update:
Narrated by Michael Ferraiuolo
Although I can't say I would have initially associated the voices Michael created for Nox and Cyrus with their characters, by the end of the audiobook I couldn't have imagined either of them any other way. He did a fantastic job bringing this Monster Match story to life, and I know I'll have to give it another listen in the future.

I received an authorized copy of this story/audiobook and am volunteering my honest review.
Profile Image for LC.
776 reviews8 followers
February 19, 2024
I adored this book! I fell in love Nox and his personality and Cyrus and his strength. I don't want to ruin this story for anyone and usually my reviews are a mixture of story and ending and how they made me feel. So I have been delaying writing this review, so I don't completely spoil it for everyone.

My heart broke for Cyrus. His soul could have been shattered at any point and yet he got up and tried again and again. I love that the author, Morgan Lysand, wrote in the book so openly about Cyrus's mental health and his therapy. In this day and again, no one should be shamed for seeking help and yet so many times we see that people are just too afraid to reach out. Nox is like a happy ray of sunshine that can not be dimmed. Wait, Nox is the Nightmare, right? Yeah!! His character is so awesome! He bebops around town in his boots and skirts and no one realizes that he is the Nightmare that they are so afraid of. You can't judge Nox by his lineage. Can he scare folks? Yes! Does he? Yes! But Nox is so much more than a Nightmare and Cyrus is more than his scars.

I love that Dani and Maddox are in this book. I love that continuation of their storyline as well. I love the introduction of Cael, the Eldritch Horror, as Nox's cousin. I would have to say that this is why I love collaborations so much. I love the story/character continuations and how new characters are introduced prior to their storyline. It gets me all excited. For me, it becomes about so much more than just one book, one favorite, it becomes about the collaboration as a whole. Now what I love about this story is Nox! Nox starts as a Nightmare, he starts a service to help people with situations, and then he grows more into himself learning what he likes, what brings him joy. I am so glad that I am reading this collaboration. Sometimes it takes a few authors that you know and love to get you to branch out into something different as a reader. Monsters that are scary AND looking for love? I can always get behind love. Morgan Lysand has woven a tale of love and strength and forever into a Nightmare for Hire. It is sweet and emotional and so full of love and friendships. I feel like Nightmare for Hire is a book that will be read and reread often.
2,858 reviews3 followers
March 20, 2024
good couple, some elements needed further attention

Rating: 3.75🌈

Nightmare for Hire by Morgan Lysand is a part of Monster Match series by various authors spanning 9 books about a AP that matches up monsters with a client who wants to scare someone.

Morgan Lysand’s story revolves around an eternal being, a literal nightmare, called Nox. Out of boredom and perhaps a sense of curiosity, he’s come to earth, assuming a human shape and is hiring himself out to give nightmares to exes.

Lysand’s portrait of Nox is an interesting combination of intense curiosity, innocence of many facets of the human experience, and yet a being as old as time itself. While there’s some unevenness in this character, overall, from Nox’s joyful gender free dress and love of pink boots to his own distinctive personality, Nox is a win.

Cyrus is a more complex character and compelling storyline. He’s recently out of a controlling, abusive relationship (read the trigger warnings) and has relocated to a new town and job. Emotionally, there’s so many issues with Cyrus and the behavior/DA that’s behind the damage done in the relationship with his ex that there’s not enough narrative space for the author and characters to explore this fully.

So in some respects and scenes it’s not as deeply horrific as it’s should have been. But Cyrus and Nox are a engaging couple and their chemistry is lovely

I enjoyed the story and characters but felt it needed more development to full explore the background and elements the author introduced.


Monster Match 9 books

- [ ] Threading Carefully by Ashlynn Mills
- [ ] His Primal Kiss by Kota Quinn
- [ ] Nightmare for Hire by Morgan Lysand
- [ ] His Slender Embrace by Amanda Meuwissen
- [ ] Conjured Chaos Kisses by Ki Brightly
- [ ] Pieces of Me by Jacey Davis
- [ ] Spinning Out of Control by Kit Barrie
Profile Image for Book Lover.
81 reviews17 followers
December 19, 2024
𝕹𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙𝖒𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝕱𝖔𝖗 𝕳𝖎𝖗𝖊 // ʍօռֆȶɛʀ ʍǟȶƈɦ 3 // ℳℴ𝓇𝑔𝒶𝓃 ℒ𝓎𝓈𝒶𝓃𝒹 // ARC

🌝 Review 🌚

Different kind of edit as I wanted a Fashion Show for each MC 😉

When Pink Sparkle Meets All Black Sadness what do you get, a whole lot of special moments and laughs that’s for sure.

Morgan gave it all to me from Sadness/Anger on behalf of 1 MC to laughter from the other who lives life to the fullest no matter what.

We have our Nightmare who no one expects to be our nightmare, why you may ask because Nox dresses in nothing but pretty colors, from skirts to crop tops to the sexy jockstraps. Oh and let’s not forget the amazing platform boots. Nox is a day of sunshine through and through.

Then we have Cyrus who has had a tough life and now as an adult has to deal with a POS ex who pretty much r@p3’s him when they are together. (Let’s say he gets dealt with by our Nightmare that’s for sure). Cyrus is such a beautiful person inside and out. He is a NICU nurse who just loves babies. He loves to dress in all black and has the most beautiful long black hair. Once again let’s not forget the black platform boots.

These 2 together are so perfect. The way Nox protects Cyrus gives you nothing but butterflies. Oh and let’s not forget that Nox is itty bitty compared to Cyrus 🤭. The patients Nox has towards Cyrus is so heartwarming. The lessons Cyrus gives Nox in the bedroom are so 🥵.

By the way Nox says P3N!S a lot because he doesn’t like the other words for that appendage 😂.

Wanting a sweet with laughs and a 🤏🏼 of sexual fun then this is the book for you.

What to expect // Trope
🏳️‍🌈 MM Romance
🖤👑 Goth Aesthetics x Pastel Princess
👀 Eons Old Virgin
💋 1st Kiss Ever
🧜🏼‍♂️ Evil Merman Ex
↔️ Opposites Attract

Find Edit 👇🏼
🦄 IG: @love.2.readallmmromance
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