The Whims of Hate

Monstrous Whims #2

by Mell R. Bright

A true enemies-to-lovers villain redemption arc set in a post-apocalyptic world with giant monsters. For lovers of darker M/M romances.

Oliver is left for dead in the ruins of his underground city. The love of his life has betrayed him and disappeared with his devil. His dark blood slowly flows out of his veins, stripping his electricity away, while a creature of legend destroys his dream. Death cannot come soon enough.

And yet, it’s not death that finds him first, but the beautiful man he had taken prisoner just the day before. Jude has a plan to escape the underground city and survive, and he’ll let nothing—or no one—stand in his way.

Oliver will be swept away by the hateful young man and dragged to the harsh life in the wastelands once again, where men have turned into monsters and the old gods rule over all.

He will learn that Hate is just Love’s jealous companion, and that Jude is a foe he might not want to vanquish.

The Whims of Hate is the the second book in the Monstrous Whims series by Mell R. Bright.

Tropes:
- enemies to lovers
- villain redemption arc
- captor x captive
- slight dom/sub dynamic
- hate to love
- power bottom

Trigger Warning: Violence, death, blood, toxic relationships, sexual abuse, trauma, murder... The Whims of Hate is considered to be a dark romance, unlike The Whims of Gods. If in doubt, you can send me a message to get details.

Genres: M M Romance, Fantasy, Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Monsters

166 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2024

About the author

Mell R. Bright is a book fiend who lives in the French countryside, where life is all about bees and old castles. She spends her days writing science fiction and fantasy books, and her nights writing queer romances.

Follow her on Instagram at @mellrbright to know the latest book news or check out her Patreon page.

Reviews

[Astra · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the first few pages of this book I instantly started liking it better than “The Whims Of Gods“ It just had me in its grasp. At first I was skeptical on how Oliver would be redeemed and to be honest I feel he was only partially redeemed. But after reading I also don’t think that was the main point of this book. The point was to really be inside Oliver’s head, to understand his past and why his relationship with Helios turned out the way it did. In my opinion it worked out really well and I started to feel bad for him. I was also worried that they were just going to gloss over Oliver’s feelings for Helios but that didn’t happen. Helios’ name was mentioned a lot, haunting Oliver’s dreams along with his regrets. I also fell completely in love with Jude, he’s so sassy, stubborn and full of mischief. These two being paired made an excellent enemies to lovers with sprinkles of comfort here and there. The writing improved, not immensely but it had its moments. I was shocked by how much I liked this, the only complaint I have is that I wish it was longer!! And I’m looking forward to possibly more books, myabeeee one with Stellan and Perri?? 👀 (4.5)

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

* ☘︎ :･ﾟTOP 5 READ 2024 :･ﾟ☘︎ *

4.5***** stars


I knew I would devour this one, too! Another fast paced adventure I couldn’t put down.


I mean hate to love plus a redemption arc? What more is there to want? But please grab book one first, otherwise the redemption will probably fall very flat for you. *lol

It’s only a matter of time before one of us kills the other.

I can’t say exactly why but I somehow had a soft spot for Oliver since book one and with spitfire Jude popping up at the last minute I had a feeling their story had a lot of potential. Even more because their hate, especially Jude’s for Oliver (god, he was so vicious) was real and not dissolved thirty pages into the story.


It broke my heart for Oliver when he realized that Helios (mc from book #1) regarded the relationship they once had so very differently than he had. That he’s the monster of Helios’ story. It breaks him, like he has been broken many times before in his life.

His romance with Jude evolves slowly but their dynamic is so thrilling you can’t stop watching in anticipation for it to change. And they were hot together!

We’re two hateful bastards, starved for touch. I’m the monster nobody can love, and he’s the jellyfish that stings anyone who gets close.

Again, amazing story-telling, vividly described world, plot and characters which I find impressive for a novella that doesn’t really feel like one even if the pleasure of reading these books is short lived. And man, it ended too soon!


Still, highly recommended.
I can’t wait for The Whims of Love as it promises to be another enticing story.




side note: This is not some crazy monster porn. The “monsters” in these books are humans with monstrous mutations from lab experiments. The animals on the covers do not represent the mutations but stand for something important in the stories.

************
Monstrous Whims Series

Book 1 - The Whims of Gods - 4.5 stars
Book 2 - The Whims of Hate - 4.5 stars
Book 3 - The Whims of Love - tbd

*these books follow different couples but I strongly recommend reading them in order

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love how this book built on the events and world building from book one - it made the story feel so much more rounded and the details were so easily to visualise. I also loved that the format from book one continued here, with an excerpt from an article, journal etc. before each chapter to give background info and context without taking away from the pacing of the story between Jude and Oliver. Flashbacks are never something I enjoy reading so I enjoyed this way of getting the history of the world and both characters.

Jude and Oliver are true enemies to lovers and I absolutely loved the dynamic of their relationship and seeing it gradually change to something else. I loved Jude's entire personality and the way he talks to Fyfe and Oliver had me laughing a lot - he's so sassy and feral and I loved it. Oliver definitely won me over too, because I was definitely a little skeptical after his behaviour in book one.

Again there was non-stop action and the story never felt like there was any filler content, which I am always a fan of. I also liked the introduction to new characters, and the background on the Highwaymen.

Hopefully there's a book three with Stellan and Perri?

Again, thanks to Annie for the book rec!!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is kind of like The Captive Prince meets Lily Mayne’s Monstrous series.

THE PREMISE: two scary guys are stuck together in the desert. One of them is an actual monster.

TROPES & VIBES:
- MM monster romance
- Redemption arc
- Proper enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Really cool world building

4.5⭐️ 2.5🌶️

[TrippyBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75

I was wondering how they were going to make me empathize with a villain ,Oliver, who had done some seriously heinous shit in book 1 but at about 25% i already felt bad for him. Lol

I really liked this enemies to lovers/ captor captive romance &
I love Jude ! best character in the series so far. He took NO shit from Oliver
This has some seriously hot scenes in it 👀🔥

The author world builds pretty impressively for such short books
& im excited for the next one !

[anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ ranting: 4 ☆
~ spice: 2 🌶

I aTE this book again!! I had no idea it would be about Oliver because I thought he would be on the other side lol, so I was actually surprised!

I really enjoyed Jude and Oliver's dynamic. Oliver's redemption arc was very well done; how the roles reversed and Jude pushed his buttons every chance he got was so entertaining. The only thing that I think it would have been crucial in this book is for Helios (mmc #1 book) and Oliver talk and try to solve the things between them, especially when Helios has such a different notion of their past relationship than Oliver...

I also feel like we don't see enough of the characters relationship development, which is a shame. The plot is incredible, but I needed more moments between the mmc's in both books :(

The Whims of Gods: 4,5 ☆
The Whims of Hate: 4 ☆
The Whims of Love: tba

“We’re two hateful bastards, starved for touch. I’m the monster nobody can love, and he’s the jellyfish that stings anyone who gets close.”

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

After what went down with Oliver in book 1, I was skeptical that he could be redeemed. However, Mell Bright hit me right in the feelings early on with Oliver's chilling dreams of his childhood, helping to show why he is the way he is, and by the end he's redeemed in a satisfying way. He and Jude are at each other's throats early on, and their enemies-to-lovers journey was intense (and steamy). Oliver is a flawed and complicated person, seems easily influenced by those he cares for, and is quick to jump to violence. His bloodthirst is tempered as the story progresses, and slowly shifts into protectiveness and a willingness to burn the world down for Jude. We saw him as a monster with Helios in book 1, but he's not just a monster. Similarly, Jude is more than the prickly captor threatening Oliver at the beginning, or the sweet friend he was to Helios in book 1. From a rocky start, Oliver and Jude grow to work so well together. Here are a couple passages I loved where Oliver compares them:

"His hatred is strangely casual and familiar, as if it’s something he’s used to. Something he has tamed. Mine has always been a wild thing."

"We’re two hateful bastards, starved for touch. I’m the monster nobody can love, and he’s the jellyfish that stings anyone who gets close. Thankfully, I’m immune to his venom."

This book was fast paced, and action packed. There was a ton of (quick) physical travel between landmarks to progress the story, and more side characters introduced than in book 1 (plus some familiar faces). Oliver and Jude's story felt complete, but I am still left wanting more and for the book to be longer so we can see more of this fascinating world. I am already looking forward to book 3 with Stellan and Perri!

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author, and this is my honest review.

[Zainab · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you wanna know what a perfect villain redemption arc looks like, this is your pitstop. Man, who knew i was gonna love Oliver and Jude as much as i did Griffin and Helios? Love em, adore em, smooch em.

[εllε · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book. The chemistry between Jude and Oliver was 🔥
Can’t wait for the next 1. I assume a trio? 😀

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty solid redemption book

I'd give it like a 4.4 or so. I liked a lot of aspects of this book, though there were a few things I didn't love, but could look over.
I feel like my main complaint is that this book is so short. A few scenes here and there could've been more detailed to give the book a bit more. But overall I enjoyed this book, and would reccomend if you want a quick romance read with some spice and angst and a HEA

[mich ⚘ · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re two hateful bastards, starved for touch. I’m the monster nobody can love, and he’s the jellyfish that stings anyone who gets close.”

I said before Mell is climbing my list of favorite authors — and The Whims Of Hate made that ring true even more.

Oliver is a mutant climbing from the depths of hatred and learning he doesn’t have to live life believing he can’t be happy. And, Jude, in turn is learning he doesn’t have to run when things get too close for comfort for him.

You have two characters who want to kill one another like they need to breathe but after time spent being forced together lust starts to swirl into that hate. It’s a steady, slow thing — but it’s done so beautifully.

Mell has written such a gorgeous story filled with enemies to lovers, forced proximity, tons of adventure and two snarky bastards getting their happy ever after. This was a perfect second installment to this book and I am so excited for book three!!

[Kelsey Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars! I am actively "angry" while writing this review. How dare Mell write a redemption arc for Oliver. When I say I hated that man/mutant hybrid at the end of book 1, I do not exaggerate. To me, he was unredeemable and should have been left in the rubble to perish.

But somehow she did it. Oliver and Jude are my new favorite couple in this series. There is a hardness to their enemies-to-lovers passion that I connect with. Learning about the similarities in their trauma softened my hardened heart and allowed me to grudgingly accept that Oliver is just a flawed being trying his best. I appreciate towards the end, when he discusses "trying to be a better person" and how it's hard and Jude needs to put him in his place.

Eagerly awaiting book 3 and will never again doubt Mell's ability to take the worst-of-the-worst characters and somehow make them lovable.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an amazing sequel! I was a little nervous I wouldn’t like Oliver’s story, but I was pleasantly surprised. Loved being back in this world and getting to see more of it.
Also the cover! It means so much more after reading this book ❤️
Excited for the next one! 😊

[Pingmg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold on for the ride!

All the stars for Oliver & Jude’s journey through the wastelands! This trope, enemies to lovers always have the most hard-won endings. Loved this a little bit more than the first book! One fast-paced-brings-you-through-the-wringer story that’ll eat you up and spit you aching with sweetness on the other side. So good! Looking forward to more books in this new world and I hope the third book is right around the corner.

[Jessica S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is everything I could have asked for and more. enemies to lovers fantasy/sci-fi is my absolute favourite thing to read and Oliver and Jude definitely hate each other at the start of the book.

Oliver is the villain from book 1 and has done some awful things, but through the book we learn more about his past and it's not surprising he turned out the way he did.

Jude is not really a good guy either. He 'rescues' Oliver as he needs him to fly the ship that helps them escape the crumbling caverns. A ship who's AI Jude fondly names 'Dumb Dumb' will only obey Oliver's voice commands.

Together they travel the wastes meeting friends and foes. We get a great villian in Maeve and an epic fight scene near the end. And this book is insanely hot!

The change from enemies to lovers happens gradually and is very believable. Both have been touch and love-starved most of their lives but find what they need in each other.

This is my second book by Mell but she might become a new favourite if she continues to write like this.

[Nikki Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh gosh I absolutely devoured this book. It's was freaking phenomenal!! Mell just has an absolute way with words, the world building and story telling are top notch and the spice is top tier!

This is definitely a redemption story and a true enemies to lovers, they legit threaten to kill each other every 5 minutes in the beginning 🤣

I buddy read this ARC with Lulu and our voice messages were just crazy squeals of delight, giggles and discussion of the excellent spice 🌶

I cannot wait for book 3 in this series which will be MMM!

[Morgan Espich · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️
2.75/5 🌶️

Tropes:
MM
Alternative mythical, post-apocalyptical world
MMC redemption ARC from book 1
Soft Dom/Sub dynamics (forced at times)
On the road together🛸

Okay so I was really, REALLY not sure if Oliver could come back from book one, but he did. PERIOD! I down rated it a little bit because we sort of just kind of slid past some of his past crimes, but you really do learn more about him and what sort of TERRIBLE environment he was raised in. 😭

Also Jude was just like exactly what Oliver needed to snap into shape! I sort of wish that there was scene between Oliver and Helios, just for some sort of apology conversation to have occurred. 🤔But I get it and I think Mell Bright's way of doing it was just fine! I kind of wished too that Oliver had more of a physical description, because I can honestly say (aside from a certain male part) I kind of forgot what he is suppose to look like!🤣

I am very impressed with the writing and am loving to see Mell Bright come into the scene more!😍

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****

Like the first one I wish it was longer, book 2 was even shorter but I loved it. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and it was done flawlessly! I loved Jude & Oliver’s dynamics & the much steamier steam. I hope book 3 is more of the same I can’t wait for Stellan & Perris story ❤️

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this world. Oliver and Jude's story was a bit more emotional than the first. I loved Jude from the first book and Oliver had a nice redemption arc. I do wish the books were a bit longer as some areas still feel like they could have had a bit more depth. Looking forward to the next one!

[౨ৎ bennett •𖤐🌷 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⌗ ⁺‧𓍢ִ🪼 ࣪𖤐 the whims of hate by mell r. bright .ᐟ ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹

❝i'm the monster nobody can love, and he's the jellyfish that stings anyone who gets close.❞ ⋆˚࿔⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆

𐔌 . ⋮ 3.75!! this was definitely better than the first book but again i just didn't like the writing. i loved the romance though, i'm forever weak for enemies to lovers. i really wish we got jude's pov in this book though :(( i wouldve loved to see his thoughts about oliver. ugh i wouldve paid for more pages though .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱

࣪ ˖ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ₊ ⋆. ݁˖‧𓍢ִ 31/03/25 - 31/03/25 ֶ⋆·˚ ༘ *🧷:;

[|Stephanie| · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He's similar to the jellyfish who haunt my past and my dreams, I realize. Beautiful but deadly when you get too close."

The author's forward at the beginning said THE WHIMS OF HATE would be far from the sweet and low angst story we got from book one and I'm here to say she didn't lie.

Jude and Oliver genuinely hated each other at first. Two rivals who don't realize share painful and traumatic upbringings that shaped the men they grew up to become. But your past doesn't have to define you and with a little trust, revenge and hate sex Jude and Oliver found their person in each other.

I was intrigued by Oliver in The Whims of Gods and felt there was more to his story then what was portrayed. It broke my heart to find out the abuse and neglect he received as a child and in that it warped his view on what a healthy relationship should be. I was hoping and also dreading a scene where he sees Helios again because I wanted that closure for them both and while I did get my wish (sorta), I liked how things wrapped up. They both got what was needed to start over, but forgiveness wasn't given too freely.

Jude was a little harder for me to invest in because this is a single pov story (Oliver only), so while I got to know him some, I didn't get to see how he truly felt for Oliver. Did he care for him? Yes, I believe he did but he never expressed those feelings (except when they were intimate), and love was never spoken on his end. These two did have some intense chemistry though and I liked their banter and how they both didn't back down from one another. And Jude's nickname for Oliver, sparky.

I've really enjoyed my time in the Monstrous Whims world, and I hope the author is writing book 3 because there is so much more to be explored here, especially that tease about a possible poly situation.

Memorable Quotes

"Jude," says the ginger. "I'm Jude." Such a cute name for a ruthless creature.

"His hate is strangely casual and familiar, as if it's something he's used to. Something he has tamed. Mine has always been a wild thing."

"That sounds like an oversimplification and a fancy way to say that you were an asshole."

"My love story-the foundation of my adult life and my reason to live for years-dissipated like smoke under the sun. Its somehow worse to know Helios was right to leave me for his devil. I can't blame him and pretend he's just a callous person. He didn't abandon me. He ran away from me."

"I'm the monster nobody can love, and he's the jellyfish that stings anyone who gets close."

"The only love I know is tough love. And no one wants that."
"All I know is tough love, too." I tell him, caressing his sweaty ginger hair. "Ask Helios."

"Jude has taken the broken monster that I was and brought him back to life."

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly wasn't sure how I would fall in love with Oliver the way I did Griff but damn it his childhood trauma reeled me right in. Both MC's are both shaped by their upbringing and it makes them strangely perfect for them. I was here for the enemies to lovers, the banter, the hate sex, and the ending to their story. However while I truly believed Oliver loved Jude, Jude's feelings weren't as fully developed for me.

Favorite Quotes:
His hatred is strangely casual and familiar, as if it’s something he’s used to. Something he has tamed. Mine has always been a wild thing.

Jude groans and says, “Gods spare me from broken monsters.” I chuckle. Broken monster indeed.

“Gods, Stellan was right… You smell like death,” he says. “That’s because I almost died,” I retort. “Oh, stop whispering sweet nothings to me.” I glare at him and he laughs.

Our childhoods, I realize, might not have been much different. I was the scientists’ plaything; he was his brothers and sisters’.

He’s a fucking nightmare. So beautiful and yet dangerous to touch, like the jellyfish that haunt my dreams.

I’m the monster nobody can love, and he’s the jellyfish that stings anyone who gets close.
There is no finesse or beauty in the way that we want each other. It’s raw need, desire, and hate mixed in a dangerous combination. We’re both so angry at each other and at the entire world, yet we crave more.

“Oliver…” he says. I look up. “I love when you say my name.” He smiles. “Such a simple name for a powerful mutant.”

Jude has taken the broken monster that I was and brought him back to life.

“You look like shit,” Jude says with a little smile. “Thanks. And you look stunning, as always,” I retort. “Of course, I do.”

[Jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a massive improvement from book 1 in my opinion, and I liked it about a thousand times more. Jude and Oliver are everything to me, actually? Their relationship is the backbone and emotional center for this book, and it really hits so well.

I think this is my favorite honest-to-god enemies to lovers book I've read. Oliver and Jude are both kind of terrible people who are making each other better in a way that I feel like very rarely works in a pairing, but works so well here. Oliver's redeption arc was believable and compelling without discounting the truly terrible things he's done in the past. Also, the smut was leaps and bounds more interesting and well written than in book one.

The world building was also expanded a lot in this one, which I appreciated. I loved seeing how the Broken States function outside of Griffin and Helios' world view. I'm so excited to potentially get to go back to the Travelling Market in book 3.

I would have given this 4.5 stars if it had been edited a little better. If I have to read the line "We mutants are just as territorial as the Old Gods we get our DNA from" about 5 times in this short novel, you're getting docked half a star.

But overall, I would definitely recommend this one, I even think it's worth getting through the first one just to get to this one.

[Rozarka · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was even better than the first one. Not a hint of fluff this time, just two broken characters trying to survive and finding each other in the process. I'm pleasantly surprised how the author handled past abuse; the one done to the characters, but especially the one they caused themselves. They had to deal with the consequences and they had to find a way to reinvent themselves to have better future. The epilogue was _chef's kiss_, the perfect balance between happy end and believability, anything more would be too much.

[Tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did someone say REDEMPTION ARC!! Pleaseee since Oliver was introduced in book 1 all I could think about was he need his own story and I’m so glad he got one!

The master/pet role I did not see coming but it suits them so well, shame we didn’t get to see him in a collar and leash 👉👈

The epilogue was needed I know it will take time for the others to forgive him but I would love to see a (longer) interaction between them all hopefully in the future.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lot better than the first one. I think the character development and relationships felt more realistic and the world building and writing was better as well. I really liked the redemption arc that Oliver had. This definitely convinced me to stick with the series and read the third book when it comes out :)

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oohh, those hate-to-love vibes are everything. Oliver and Jude are straight up MEAN and I ate it up!

We met Oliver in book one, where he is the villain in Helios’ story. Another mutant resulting from gene-splicing with the old gods, Oliver was running a community through fear and violence when we met him. After having his ass handed to him by our heroes, he is snatched up by intrepid survivor, Jude. Turns out, Jude needs Oliver to control the AI on an escape vehicle and plans to kill him once he has it hacked. But we know what they say about the best-laid plans…

I still love the world-building and atmosphere, but this time it was Oliver and Jude themselves who grabbed me. Both of these characters are so messed up and I adore them. This is a true enemies-to-lovers, with Oliver the injured prisoner of the ruthless Jude, and the lines of consent are blurred in a way that just worked for me (and Oliver 😈).

There’s great character growth, I was completely bought in to the journey for both MCs. The spice is hot. For my personal tastes, we could have leaned even further into the captivity aspect, both physically and emotionally, but it’s a quick read and things understandably progress quickly.

This would be a great beginner monster book, the physiology is only slightly different than human. Highly recommend this series for fans of the genre and those looking to dabble!

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m shocked that Oliver actually had such a good redemption story and I think it was very well done, one of the best I’ve read. Oliver and Jude were a great combo together and this book really focused on the companionship/romance aspect more than the first. Good for different reasons and it’s a totally different vibe than the first book

[Bookbingewithsteph · Rating 5 out of 5]

That redemption arc 🤌🏼

[Adam Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and fast. Not very in depth and the plot was kind of lame but a cool world and cool MCs.