What do you think?
Rate this book
Monstrous Meet Cutes #3
Inked by the Ithaqua
INKED BY A MONSTER—sounds cool, right?Until the guy accidentally imprinted on me. What was supposed to be a birthday gift to myself backfired in my face.
How was I to know when I told him ‘surprise me’ that the fine-ass monster man would somehow embed his essence into my tattoo.
Or that I’d come from his skilled fingers tapping a needle full of ink into my back.
Now, ever since my tat-gasm, the guy follows me like a love-sick puppy…
Intriguing me.
Idolizing me.
Impaling me.
But I don’t do insta-love, no matter how hot the s-e-x is.
Can I find a way to remove the tat, or will Ilian infiltrate the walls I’ve built around my heart?
How was I to know when I told him ‘surprise me’ that the fine-ass monster man would somehow embed his essence into my tattoo.
Or that I’d come from his skilled fingers tapping a needle full of ink into my back.
Now, ever since my tat-gasm, the guy follows me like a love-sick puppy…
Intriguing me.
Idolizing me.
Impaling me.
But I don’t do insta-love, no matter how hot the s-e-x is.
Can I find a way to remove the tat, or will Ilian infiltrate the walls I’ve built around my heart?
267 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2024
835 people are currently reading
1450 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
August 9, 2024
dnf but i'm going to tell you why. what do you mean he took his dick out of her booty hole and put it straight into her cooter cat without cleaning it first??? are you insane??? are utis sexy to you???
May 17, 2024
Second book I read so far of this series and another 5 stars. Insta lovey and insta lust but such a fun, cute and very spicy story with a lot of heart in it. Have another book in the series on my shelves that I hope to get to soon.
January 28, 2024
i am a SLUT for wendi gogh. her monsters are huge and masculine and horny but also the sweetest and kindest and consent kings.
this story was so freaking sweet, i devoured it whole. i’m obsessed with these two little tattooed kinky freaks. they were absolutely made for each other and i was in love from page one. i’m only sad that it wasn’t longer and i hope we get a glimpse of them in sakura’s book
five tattooed stars
this story was so freaking sweet, i devoured it whole. i’m obsessed with these two little tattooed kinky freaks. they were absolutely made for each other and i was in love from page one. i’m only sad that it wasn’t longer and i hope we get a glimpse of them in sakura’s book
five tattooed stars
Read
January 11, 2025How girlie didn’t get a UTI is beyond me
April 11, 2024
Reading this while getting tattooed was definitely an experience
May 14, 2025
3⭐️ This series is my guilty pleasure!
This was my second Wendy Guff book (Cthulhu being the first), and listen—I’m still riding the monster train with full enthusiasm, okay? I love how Guff builds her monstrous men: huge, horny, hysterical, and absolute consent kings. Walking, growling green flags with dicks the size of vengeance and hearts like marshmallows? Yes. Inject it. Always.
And this time? We get insta-lust, a mysterious tattoo that binds these two together, and a magical quest to undo it. Like, tell me that doesn’t sound like the setup for a monster romance fever dream.
The creativity? Still there. Guff doesn’t play it safe, and that’s something I’ll always appreciate. She has a signature energy—chaotic, sexy, and just slightly unhinged in the best way. But Inked by the Ithaqua didn’t quite hit the sweet spot for me. Compared to the previous story I read—where the trauma, the connection, and the spicy payoff all danced together—this one felt a bit more like it tripped and did not bother to stand up again.
So, I didn’t hate it. There’s still plenty of fun to be had—especially if you’re here for the monster-loving and magical marks and don’t need too much emotional scaffolding around it.
This was my second Wendy Guff book (Cthulhu being the first), and listen—I’m still riding the monster train with full enthusiasm, okay? I love how Guff builds her monstrous men: huge, horny, hysterical, and absolute consent kings. Walking, growling green flags with dicks the size of vengeance and hearts like marshmallows? Yes. Inject it. Always.
And this time? We get insta-lust, a mysterious tattoo that binds these two together, and a magical quest to undo it. Like, tell me that doesn’t sound like the setup for a monster romance fever dream.
The creativity? Still there. Guff doesn’t play it safe, and that’s something I’ll always appreciate. She has a signature energy—chaotic, sexy, and just slightly unhinged in the best way. But Inked by the Ithaqua didn’t quite hit the sweet spot for me. Compared to the previous story I read—where the trauma, the connection, and the spicy payoff all danced together—this one felt a bit more like it tripped and did not bother to stand up again.
So, I didn’t hate it. There’s still plenty of fun to be had—especially if you’re here for the monster-loving and magical marks and don’t need too much emotional scaffolding around it.
March 31, 2024
Rating:
3/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶
Inked by the Ithaqua" offers a charming blend of romance and supernatural intrigue, following the unexpected connection between Zhuliya and Ilian. As a world-renowned Ithaqua tattoo artist, Ilian finds himself accidentally imprinted on Zhuliya during a tattoo session, leading to a surprising twist of fate for both characters.
The storyline unfolds swiftly with its fast-paced plot and unexpected elements. While the characters may lack depth, the story compensates with its easy readability and intriguing premise.
Despite its simplicity, "Inked by the Ithaqua" delivers on its promise of a low-stakes monster romance and “added a little spice”. It's a light-hearted read that offers a sweet meet cute storyline, perfect for those seeking a quick escape into a world of supernatural romance. Overall, this book serves as an enjoyable option if you are looking for a fun story.
3/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶
Inked by the Ithaqua" offers a charming blend of romance and supernatural intrigue, following the unexpected connection between Zhuliya and Ilian. As a world-renowned Ithaqua tattoo artist, Ilian finds himself accidentally imprinted on Zhuliya during a tattoo session, leading to a surprising twist of fate for both characters.
The storyline unfolds swiftly with its fast-paced plot and unexpected elements. While the characters may lack depth, the story compensates with its easy readability and intriguing premise.
Despite its simplicity, "Inked by the Ithaqua" delivers on its promise of a low-stakes monster romance and “added a little spice”. It's a light-hearted read that offers a sweet meet cute storyline, perfect for those seeking a quick escape into a world of supernatural romance. Overall, this book serves as an enjoyable option if you are looking for a fun story.
May 28, 2024
This book was spicy and sweet and naughty all wrapped into one! I loved the dynamics between zhuliya and Ilian! Poor zhuliya was confused and wasn’t sure what she wanted whereas Ilian was sure and was just trying to please her! I highly recommend reading this book!
did-not-finish
April 20, 2025DNF at 20%. It isn't bad. But my mood doesn't want the insta-everything
August 9, 2025
This one was cute, fabulously dirty and just enjoyable. The bond between the two was very deep and I loved that their journey to break said bond ended up bringing them closer and really sealing the bond that was formed I also loved that in the end Julia creates her own map tattoo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2025
Spectacular gimme 14 of em
February 5, 2024
ARC Review
TW; animal being killed. Another unique monster romance! This one isn't as adorable as Audited by the Anubis, but it's definitely just as spicy!
I really loved the beginning when they meet and things quickly get out of hand, I loved the chasing and teasing that went on, fantastic! I didn't feel as attached to our hero as I did to Ahnou from Anubis and I think that's because his bone face didn't really allow for many facial expressions, and his glowing eyes don't show much either, but that being said Gogh still manages to give him good vulnerable dialogue and makes up for it with physical gestures. I absolutely loved the part where he tells her she doesn't need to lose weight, I think that was my favourite emotional moment.
The story becomes a sort of road trip quest to get rid of their accidental mating bond, this was where it kind of lost me, you know they're going to stay together so the quest felt kinda pointless. There's some side adventures underwater which didn't really further the plot, I think it was really just to introduce us to characters for another book. I wasn't really hooked to the pages for most of the last half.
The beginning steamy scenes are amazing and there's almost unending spice through the whole story which I love, I did find that many of the kinks in this book weren't for me and I was finding myself either uncomfortable or grossed out, something I've very rarely had happen so I was surprised by my own feelings. I'm definitely not into pegging, him letting it go on her face and there was a couple of times where either his thing or the toy were in someone's backside and then put in another place or character without being cleaned.
I was really upset by a completely pointless and graphic description of a polar bear being killed, I thought it would at least cause some emotional friction but the characters never even discussed it, but I almost stopped reading then and there. So animal lovers beware, if I was the heroine I would have dumped him immediately.
Every author should create whatever story wants to be born, I think I was just expecting the same sweet, cute, cozy, wholesome but emotional and healing type of story as book 2, but this one was more gritty, dirtier and darker, if I hadn't read Anubis first I wouldn't have had that expectation and might have enjoyed this more. It's still very good and there's no doubting the author's talents, it just didn't agree with me, but I loved the beginning.
TW; animal being killed. Another unique monster romance! This one isn't as adorable as Audited by the Anubis, but it's definitely just as spicy!
I really loved the beginning when they meet and things quickly get out of hand, I loved the chasing and teasing that went on, fantastic! I didn't feel as attached to our hero as I did to Ahnou from Anubis and I think that's because his bone face didn't really allow for many facial expressions, and his glowing eyes don't show much either, but that being said Gogh still manages to give him good vulnerable dialogue and makes up for it with physical gestures. I absolutely loved the part where he tells her she doesn't need to lose weight, I think that was my favourite emotional moment.
The story becomes a sort of road trip quest to get rid of their accidental mating bond, this was where it kind of lost me, you know they're going to stay together so the quest felt kinda pointless. There's some side adventures underwater which didn't really further the plot, I think it was really just to introduce us to characters for another book. I wasn't really hooked to the pages for most of the last half.
The beginning steamy scenes are amazing and there's almost unending spice through the whole story which I love, I did find that many of the kinks in this book weren't for me and I was finding myself either uncomfortable or grossed out, something I've very rarely had happen so I was surprised by my own feelings. I'm definitely not into pegging, him letting it go on her face and there was a couple of times where either his thing or the toy were in someone's backside and then put in another place or character without being cleaned.
I was really upset by a completely pointless and graphic description of a polar bear being killed, I thought it would at least cause some emotional friction but the characters never even discussed it, but I almost stopped reading then and there. So animal lovers beware, if I was the heroine I would have dumped him immediately.
Every author should create whatever story wants to be born, I think I was just expecting the same sweet, cute, cozy, wholesome but emotional and healing type of story as book 2, but this one was more gritty, dirtier and darker, if I hadn't read Anubis first I wouldn't have had that expectation and might have enjoyed this more. It's still very good and there's no doubting the author's talents, it just didn't agree with me, but I loved the beginning.
February 4, 2024
Ok, it was better than audited by Anubis.
The good:
The smut and kink was great. Loved the northern lights scene.
Decent humor
Good writing and imagination
The bad:
FMC TSTL. He tells her that monsters are banned from relationships with humans and the penalties are severe on the monsters. Soooooo she leads him on a primal chase through a public train after working him up begging for public sex. That just seemed selfish of her. What an awful human. This happened pretty early on, and it made me so mad at her and upset for him I almost didn’t finish it.
The adventure was a bit much because they both wanted to keep the bond. They hinted at it heavily and both felt sadness when discussing removal. The adventure would have been fun if the reason was believable.
Flat dialogue. I can tell the author is witty, but it doesn’t come across always in the dialogue. This is just a practice makes perfect issue that will improve with time.
I think the author is getting better with each book. I’ll read some future releases and see how their talent grows.
The good:
The smut and kink was great. Loved the northern lights scene.
Decent humor
Good writing and imagination
The bad:
FMC TSTL. He tells her that monsters are banned from relationships with humans and the penalties are severe on the monsters. Soooooo she leads him on a primal chase through a public train after working him up begging for public sex. That just seemed selfish of her. What an awful human. This happened pretty early on, and it made me so mad at her and upset for him I almost didn’t finish it.
The adventure was a bit much because they both wanted to keep the bond. They hinted at it heavily and both felt sadness when discussing removal. The adventure would have been fun if the reason was believable.
Flat dialogue. I can tell the author is witty, but it doesn’t come across always in the dialogue. This is just a practice makes perfect issue that will improve with time.
I think the author is getting better with each book. I’ll read some future releases and see how their talent grows.
February 1, 2024
There is not a Single book that I have read by Wendi that I haven’t fallen in love with and this book was no different.
They just know how to write the perfect amount to sad/conflicted backstory with sweet and humorous meet cutes🥰
*sigh* why can’t I have a hot tatted bone Daddy who will break his horn off for me to use as a strap on🥲
In Inked by the Ithaqua our monster accidentally forms a mating bond with his Client, and they go on a grand journey together to figure out if it’s reversible. The spice, and humor, and journey of self awareness/growth in it were fantastic.
They just know how to write the perfect amount to sad/conflicted backstory with sweet and humorous meet cutes🥰
*sigh* why can’t I have a hot tatted bone Daddy who will break his horn off for me to use as a strap on🥲
In Inked by the Ithaqua our monster accidentally forms a mating bond with his Client, and they go on a grand journey together to figure out if it’s reversible. The spice, and humor, and journey of self awareness/growth in it were fantastic.
February 10, 2024
Well, add this to the bucket list of monster romance tropes I didn't know I needed. Ilian and Zhuliya were top-notch in my book. They own up to their issues and strive to make things right. Along the way, they find the answers they were looking for, but it takes courage and honesty to admit the truth. And can we talk about the chemistry between these two? The amount of primal scenes was *chef's kiss*. And Ilians's methods on summoning a seggs god? 🥵 This author is going to my auto-buy list, because they can do no wrong. Inked by the Ithaqua hits just right!
August 16, 2024
Another solid, fast-paced, spicy monster romance.
Unfortunately, I just didn't love Zuhliya. I really tried, but I always feel bothered by characters who push their supposed loved ones to sex after they've said no. It turned me off of her immediately.
Ilian, I loved him! He was so adorable and precious!
I'd love there to be more worldbuilding. I feel like we readers are teased with snippets when I'd really like a story that completely delved into it and gave us a lot of substance as opposed to trickling it here and there.
Unfortunately, I just didn't love Zuhliya. I really tried, but I always feel bothered by characters who push their supposed loved ones to sex after they've said no. It turned me off of her immediately.
Ilian, I loved him! He was so adorable and precious!
I'd love there to be more worldbuilding. I feel like we readers are teased with snippets when I'd really like a story that completely delved into it and gave us a lot of substance as opposed to trickling it here and there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2024
I got an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this fast paced, action packed romance. It was like a quest and a romance in one and while I could see where the story was going, I still found myself picking up the book to read more regardless. I really appreciate how the characters communicate in this book. So many times in romance, miscommunication is the main issue but these 2 are honest and actually communicate. This is probably why I felt there could have been more conflict but ultimately, I enjoyed the time I put into reading this.
I enjoyed this fast paced, action packed romance. It was like a quest and a romance in one and while I could see where the story was going, I still found myself picking up the book to read more regardless. I really appreciate how the characters communicate in this book. So many times in romance, miscommunication is the main issue but these 2 are honest and actually communicate. This is probably why I felt there could have been more conflict but ultimately, I enjoyed the time I put into reading this.
October 29, 2024
1.5/5 🌶️ Rating
This one was strange for me. There was moments I really enjoyed and moments I really, really disliked. Something that was so interesting was jactually quite boring. The whole "I am a monster, no one can see me any other way OH BUT LET ME HELP THIS PERSON" was a huge roll to the eyes. Like, there is only so many times that you can replay this troupe before you can get bored with it. AND it is made worse because the FMC is also like this but more in a "I can love no one but will share kindness with everyone" vibe.
I disliked both main characters. I disliked the gods and the journey and just the constant non-communication.
Besides the fact that the MMC carved a strapon out of his own horn, the rest of the smut was barely any spice and felt much the same as the other books in this series.
This one was strange for me. There was moments I really enjoyed and moments I really, really disliked. Something that was so interesting was jactually quite boring. The whole "I am a monster, no one can see me any other way OH BUT LET ME HELP THIS PERSON" was a huge roll to the eyes. Like, there is only so many times that you can replay this troupe before you can get bored with it. AND it is made worse because the FMC is also like this but more in a "I can love no one but will share kindness with everyone" vibe.
I disliked both main characters. I disliked the gods and the journey and just the constant non-communication.
Besides the fact that the MMC carved a strapon out of his own horn, the rest of the smut was barely any spice and felt much the same as the other books in this series.
April 13, 2024
I tried to like it I really did but I got the ick so much I just couldn’t do it.
May 27, 2024
This was honestly, surprisingly wholesome and pretty cute. Ilian was a green flag, 100%, and a huge cinnamon roll to boot.
September 26, 2024
It’s a cute spicy monster romance with a road trip.
March 22, 2025
This was cute and fun and so sexy! It was way too sweet, i had teeth pain from this book like after eating way too many candy.
July 2, 2025
3/5 ⭐️
No no no no just ! My eyes, my pooor eyes 😂😂
He broke his horn and did what?!?! Lord please forgive me 😭😭
No no no no just ! My eyes, my pooor eyes 😂😂
He broke his horn and did what?!?! Lord please forgive me 😭😭
January 18, 2025
dnf.. idk didn’t catch me
January 31, 2024
I was lucky enough to be chosen to receive an ARC of Wendi’s newest book. In exchange I’ll be giving an honest review! 🤍
This is the third installment in her monster meet cute series. I had really high hopes for this one, and I’m happy to say my expectations were exceeded. The spice was incredible. 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Wendi has a way with creating some of the most lovable characters. ALSO, her characters are always big, scary, and DARK but they are ALWAYS CONSENT KINGSSSSS. We love to see healthy consent modeling 🤍
I’m already waiting to devour the next one!!!
This is the third installment in her monster meet cute series. I had really high hopes for this one, and I’m happy to say my expectations were exceeded. The spice was incredible. 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Wendi has a way with creating some of the most lovable characters. ALSO, her characters are always big, scary, and DARK but they are ALWAYS CONSENT KINGSSSSS. We love to see healthy consent modeling 🤍
I’m already waiting to devour the next one!!!
February 13, 2024
2.5 stars
I've been a fan of the first two of the series, which felt easier to read and go through. The book is longer or slower in pace with the journey theme, which seems to never end.
It was very spicy and super engrossing stuff about the Inthaqua, but I would have appreciated more if the author finished the unbending earlier and sorted through the consequences of such actions.
I agree with another reviewer that the death of an animal could have been less graphic, but it didn't taint my impression that this book could have been shorter and still be as effective as what we have.
I've been a fan of the first two of the series, which felt easier to read and go through. The book is longer or slower in pace with the journey theme, which seems to never end.
It was very spicy and super engrossing stuff about the Inthaqua, but I would have appreciated more if the author finished the unbending earlier and sorted through the consequences of such actions.
I agree with another reviewer that the death of an animal could have been less graphic, but it didn't taint my impression that this book could have been shorter and still be as effective as what we have.
March 3, 2024
I adore this series, and every book just makes me love it even more.
Inked By the Ithaqua was such a fun, spicy, read.
Inked By the Ithaqua was such a fun, spicy, read.
May 7, 2024
I am blown away! I was lucky enough to be on the ARC list and had been really excited for this book!
From start to finish I was immersed. It was such a refreshing, quick read that I was sad when it ended. The story flowed and I found it really easy to imagine all the characters and settings.
I love monster romance and I found this one especially heart warming and easy to relate to.
The spice was just right 😘
Enough to keep you hot and bothered 🥵 without taking away from the character development or the storyline! Wendi really hit the mark for balance.
I laughed a few times and I actually cried at one point! It really hit on my heart strings and warmed me to my core.
Ilian is stunning and I truly fell in love! Zhuliya's character came across perfectly and was written really well.
5/5 💘
5/5 🌶️
I will be absolutely reading this again
From start to finish I was immersed. It was such a refreshing, quick read that I was sad when it ended. The story flowed and I found it really easy to imagine all the characters and settings.
I love monster romance and I found this one especially heart warming and easy to relate to.
The spice was just right 😘
Enough to keep you hot and bothered 🥵 without taking away from the character development or the storyline! Wendi really hit the mark for balance.
I laughed a few times and I actually cried at one point! It really hit on my heart strings and warmed me to my core.
Ilian is stunning and I truly fell in love! Zhuliya's character came across perfectly and was written really well.
5/5 💘
5/5 🌶️
I will be absolutely reading this again
September 26, 2024
YESSSSS!!!! This just hits the feels just like Wendi’s other two! (Claimed by the Cthulhu and Audited by the Anubis. )
I am so thankful that I got to be one of the ARC readers for this book… because let me tell you… This book has the spice! 🥵 It has all of the feels!
I can’t wait for this release to happed on the 31st!
Thank you Wendi for releasing another great book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Definitely recommend! 😁
I am so thankful that I got to be one of the ARC readers for this book… because let me tell you… This book has the spice! 🥵 It has all of the feels!
I can’t wait for this release to happed on the 31st!
Thank you Wendi for releasing another great book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Definitely recommend! 😁
March 31, 2024
Palate cleanser.
This was one of the books I’ve saved for when I go into a slump. Imagine my surprise to see this isn’t a spicy novella. It’s a full blown book. The spice was definitely there. But so was the cheesiness.
This was one of the books I’ve saved for when I go into a slump. Imagine my surprise to see this isn’t a spicy novella. It’s a full blown book. The spice was definitely there. But so was the cheesiness.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews