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Apex #4

Demon Waters

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“Whatever dangers may come, I will guard you until my last breath.”

Living on a houseboat in an abandoned marina with only a dog for company was never going to be fun for an extrovert like Tess Goldwood. The only thing worse? Living alone…while being watched from afar.

After a mysterious creature saved her life a while ago, Tess tried with all her might to befriend him, to no avail. For months, he has remained hidden, guarding her silently from a distance. But when his own life is threatened, she finally convinces him to make contact.

Octopus monster Bale is quiet and reserved, yet the fire in his eyes when he looks at Tess takes her breath away. As they try to ensure his survival, their mutual attraction intensifies. Determined to help her new friend and enjoy the mind-blowing pleasure he offers, the lonely Tess faces a stark truth: if he stays by her side, he could die. But if he leaves, he may never return.

His devotion to her is unwavering, which means his choice—and therefore his fate—may very well be in her hands.

ebook

Published October 2, 2024

45 people are currently reading
155 people want to read

About the author

Vicky Walklate

9 books67 followers
Vicky Walklate is a romance author from Norfolk, UK. She writes full length novels about dragon gods, and spicy novellas about predator monsters. She loves all things monstrous and magical in romance.

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5 stars
55 (23%)
4 stars
89 (38%)
3 stars
66 (28%)
2 stars
16 (6%)
1 star
6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Poppy || Monster Lover.
1,797 reviews497 followers
March 1, 2025
This was seriously cute! I liked Tess’ tendency to jump into the water to get Bale’s attention. He had all that stoic grouchiness that was tempered by her natural optimism, despite her grief. Tess didn’t have the best problem solving skills, but had a good heart. It was short and sweet.

Spice: 3/5

Triggers: violence, gore, stalking, grief, discussion of suicidal ideation, discussion of war and war crimes (not super detailed), drowning
Profile Image for Jessica Steed.
118 reviews5 followers
March 8, 2025
4.25 🌟
Cute and hilarious. Tess made me giggle the whole time
Profile Image for Liv - Livslibrarylabyrinth.
216 reviews40 followers
June 9, 2025


Sweet, cute and had a few funny moments. It was a bit insta love but I think if you’re looking for a wholesome and quick monster romance then it’s worth a read.
Profile Image for TreeFlower.
207 reviews9 followers
May 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I’m so glad I gave this series a chance! This cover is the one that drew me in so I’ve been waiting since book 1 to read this installment. It definitely did not disappoint. It was sweet, spicy, and added another layer to the world the author created. I can’t wait to see who the main character & her love interest are in book 5!
Profile Image for JML.
1,294 reviews24 followers
October 10, 2024
Was totally looking forward to this book!

This is Tree's book. We met her in the last book in the old runner down marina. In this story she's being watched over and protected by Bale. Bale is a kraken type monster stranded in Earth dimension. His people were at war and while he was fighting his enemies ambushed him and sent him to Earth where he has been yelled for several years. When he sees Tess for the first time and sees her grief all he wants to do is protects and comfort her. When she's threatened well lets just say he'd doing anything to protect her. What he finds out is that she feels the same. When Bale and his existence is exposed Tess will do anything to make sure he's save.. Bale is her friend, confidant and true love. Together will they be able to keep their enemies at bay and explore the growing love between them? You'll need to read and find out! 🔥🌶🌟🔥🌶🌶🔥🌟
Profile Image for Gleeful Goblin Reviews.
630 reviews20 followers
October 4, 2024
Gleeful Goblin Review: I absolutely adore the world this author builds out in her stories. It is so engaging and full of characters with so much personality to them I could easily see being friends with the protagonists or enemies with the antagonists! Some of the situations the characters find themselves in are so relatable in that "Oh no, that's definitely the kind of nonsense I would fall face first right into." For instance, having your pet get ahold of a **ahem**.....personal item and AGGRESSIVELY display that item in public right in front of someone you have feelings for and that resulting soul deep wish to fling yourself off this mortal coil afterwards! Now, thankfully our FMC Tess did not fling herself from said mortal coil because if she had done that she would have missed out on things like this sweet that turns steamy interaction with our MMC Bale: “I don’t think you’d ever hurt me,” she said softly. “You’ve watched over me for a while, haven’t you?” “Yes.” He kept his gaze averted. “I watched. Every single day, from the moment you arrived here. You were so sad, yet your inner light didn’t fade. You shine like the brightest star, little one. You are the flower that greets the dawn, the sunlight sparkling on the water, and I am utterly unworthy to be in your presence, let alone be permitted the honour of pleasuríng you.” He finally looked at her, and the intensity in his gaze almost floored her. “You must command me, because if I am permitted to do as I wish with you, I don’t know if you’ll survive it.” Tess knew she was blinking too fast. Her cheeks heated like lava as her mouth opened and closed futilely. Warmth blossomed in other places too at the thought of him holding her down with those thick limbs, taking her any way he wanted… She exhaled shakily. “Sit down,” she croaked. “Please.”

Bale is compelling, resilient, and so very sweetly vulnerable all at the same time. There's an incredible scene that hits on the fact that sometimes we can help another person who is suffering and in despair without even knowing it that just hit me right in the feels and I loved it so much. Tess is adorkable, kinda shy, and exceedingly kind especially considering how often those around her have let her down. These two are splendid together and I loved reading their story. 5/5 Stars
Profile Image for Julia.
Author 3 books13 followers
October 4, 2024
I received an ARC of Demon Waters from the author I’m exchange for an honest review.

“He kept his gaze averted. “I watched. Every single day, from the moment you arrived here. You were so sad, yet your inner light didn’t fade. You shine like the brightest star, little one. You are the flower that greets the dawn, the sunlight sparkling on the water, and I am utterly unworthy to be in your presence, let alone be permitted the honour of pleasuring you.” He finally looked at her, and the intensity in his gaze almost floored her. “You must command me, because if I am permitted to do as I wish with you, I don’t know if you’ll survive it.”

I met Tess and Bale briefly during my ARC read of Burning Bright (The Apex Series, Book 3). Their scene was short but it intrigued me to want to read their story so when the ARC of Demon Waters became available, I knew I had to jump on that and let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

When we left off in the previous book, Bale had made a half appearance to save Tess.
In this book we get to see more of him and dive in deeper with these two characters.

Tess’s stepmother and her business partner want to sell the marina where Tess resides. After her father passed, he left her an inheritance and a boat “Yew Dreamer.” They believe that there is a monster in the water that needs to be removed before they can build. But Tess refuses to sell and let them take her monster.

After a long while of trying to befriend the creature and trying to talk to him but is net back with silence every time, Tess does manage to make contact after plunging into the water. Multiple times.

They begin to speak to each other and learn more about one another and feelings grow. They have a spark, a passionate connection and some fun with tentacles.

After learning that Bale was sent here through a portal and wasn’t able to return home, they try to find away to reopen the portal and send him home, much to Tess’s dismay.

There was some action, humour, fiery passion and an adorable dog. I’m not one for tentacles but this book was pretty darn good. It has a HEA and no cliffhanger.

“I will go to my death with my head held high, knowing that someone as perfect as you deemed me worthy of compassion.”

4/5 Stars!

Profile Image for Summer.
384 reviews
September 26, 2024
Honest ARC Review: What a swoon worthy monster romance! I loved this story and being back in The Apex Series! Tess has been trying to talk to the tentacled monster in the water since he saved her and her dog. She is thankful for him and wants to try to be friends but his silent presence is all she gets. When Tess finds out that someone knows about the monster and has plans to get rid of him she is more insistent to talk to the monster who silently watches over her from the water. Bale is stuck with no way to get through the portal to his home world. The only thing that gets him through each day is the kind and beautiful human Tess. He has self appointed himself as her protector. When Bale finally reveals himself he is cautious of Tess but he can't hide his protectiveness from her. The two work with Tess' monster friends and their humans to find a way to open the portal. Bale has got to be my favorite monster of the series so far. He seems reserved and stand offish in the beginning but then we get to see his personality and he made me swoon. Bale is so sweet and protective. I loved how infatuated he was with Tess and not just with her looks. He truly treated her like a goddess. Tess is just trying to help the monster that saved her but realizes she's insanely attracted to him. In the beginning she wasn't sure how to feel but when she finally decided to go for it she went all in. Like all the books in the series the spice was amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed the tentacle fun. I would definitely recommend this book!
Profile Image for Amy Dale.
617 reviews18 followers
October 2, 2024
ARC Review
I've been so excited to read about this couple since their introduction at the end of book 3! As usual Walklate doesn't disappoint and has created another wonderful cozy and steamy romance with enough suspense and danger to keep you on your toes.
This is the sweetest entry in the series, with a quite shy and reserved gentleman of an octopus monster and a sweet quirky girl. I think this hero has the least dialogue but it made him seem more otherworldly and reserved which fits his looks and environment, but when he does talk he calls her Flower which is just the sweetest nickname ever! He's very romantic and poetic with words which completely won me over, but as the steam heats up he has some of the best spicy lines too!
And if you like tentacles everywhere, this is the tentacle book for you! Super steamy and swoony! I really liked that it takes numerous scenes before they get to try everything, most books cram all the basics into the first encounter, but here its deliciously drawn out!

There's also a blocked portal and monster hunters to deal with, adding to the excitement of the story but not getting in the way of the romance we're reading for, the dangers push our couple closer together.

Another great book from one of my favourite authors! I can't wait for the next one!
Profile Image for K.W. Bernard.
Author 3 books16 followers
September 29, 2024


Despite Tess’s attempts to engage the tentacled monster who saved her life, he hasn’t said a word—but he has been watching. After her deceased father’s business partner informs her that his plans to develop the marina include demon pest control, Tess forces contact by plunging into the harbor’s icy waters. Sure enough, her octopoid savior, Bale, comes to her rescue again, and he takes her to a little island where they can meet formally. He’s sweet, sexy—and trapped. The cursed portal at the bottom of the marina won’t let him leave, either back to his home world or out to sea. Tess’s new friends know just the crocodile creature to fix it (from Book 1), but can they get it working before the monster hunters show up, or will Bale escape the marina in pieces?

This may be a monster romance novella, but there’s nothing monstrous about Bale (besides the tentacles, dual c*cks, and drowning that one guy). He’s adorable, protective, and eager to please. Exactly what Tess deserves. I loved these two, and Tess’s little terrier made a hilarious third wheel. This story was charming, steamy, and, at times, really funny. I’m already excited for Book 5!
Profile Image for spidermse.
312 reviews49 followers
September 15, 2024
How could she go back to human men after this? What could possibly beat the feel of multiple tentacles inside her, and a monster telling her how perfect she was?

If I wasn't already a fan of tentacled monsters Bale would definitely have made me a fan. I loved this book! So much happened in such a short novella but it didn't feel rushed or like anything was skipped. We get a protective monster MC, interesting equipment, a consent king that only wants her to have pleasure, and he calls her a special nickname.

The attraction was instant but he had been watching/protecting her for a while and to be honest if I saw Bale and what he had packing I would be very interested in it, too. He has two by the way. 😏

There were some really funny moments that had me giggling throughout the entire story. The cameos were interesting, but I haven't read the other books so I didn't know much about what they were talking about. However, it didn't make reading this book confusing. If anything, it made me want to go back and read through the other books!

Profile Image for GeeAlbi.
90 reviews3 followers
November 29, 2025
After being a victim of circumstance in the previous book, & being saved by a giant tentacle monster, Tessa decides that she wants to befriend this creature & thank him; what she didn’t realise is Bale has been protecting her for a long time from afar. When his life is on the line & with the help of her new friends, Tessa must be the one to step up & protect Bale.

This book has a pet cameo, Mocha, her pup who definitely brings a little chaos to the story. If this wasn’t a monster romance, it would definitely be giving light military vibes due to Bale’s past & how he ends up in the human dimension. There’s some darker themes in this book as well but it is adorable, quick paced & spicy, just like the previous books. I really enjoy the way Vicky writes her books.

Also just got to mention & give credit to Vicky’s creative license in this one… two dicks!

This one also introduces the FMC from the 5th book & doesn’t pain her in a very good light, so I’m excited to read it & see how her story plays out.
Profile Image for D.J..
Author 18 books195 followers
September 12, 2024
Okay so yeah, I beta read this one.

But I promise you these are my totally unbiased thoughts! This was my first tentacle smut and it did not disappoint. I've read the other books in the series and this one is my favorite by FAR. By Faaar. Fans of the previous stories will be happy by all the cameos in this one. Vicky's writing style just really does it for me... I don't know why. I know, so helpful, right? But I just dig the way she describes things. I was highlighting a bunch of sentences throughout.

So yeah. Definitely pick this one up when it's out if you're into tentacles. Even if you're not into tentacles, like me!
Profile Image for Darktwistybookworm.
397 reviews13 followers
September 11, 2024
This was a fast-paced, fun, and lighthearted read that had me laughing out loud!
It's got a sweet, overprotective MMC who's a little oblivious at times, along with a strong FMC and a cute little doggy sidekick who gets her owner into a hilariously embarrassing situation.
It also has cameos from Raukra, Severin, and Freya (Books 1 & 3 in the series). However, you could easily read this as a standalone without any issues.
If all of the above wasn't enough to tempt you, then let me leave you with this - double pɛɛn, tentacles everywhere and *ahem* water sports.
4 reviews
October 4, 2024
Totally Tentacular 🐙

I absolutely loved this latest addition to the Apex series. Yet again beautiful scene setting and character introductions.
The relationship between Tessa a free spirited independent FMC and her tentacled monster Bale was artfully woven and built up to some seriously spicy scenes.
Loved the humour and choas that a certain terrier brings to the story.
Another brilliant addition to Walklates collection of works.
Thank you & keep them ‘coming’ Wordsmith - much love from your No 1 monster romance fan x
Profile Image for Andi Downs.
1,446 reviews14 followers
October 2, 2024
This is number 4 in this lovely series. In this book, we meet Tess and Bale. They had previously met when he saved her and now it's her chance to help him. They have much to overcome, with threats towards Bale, and Tess desiring more from him. Which you just know, will come. ;D They were a great couple and it was yet again, a great read.
Always a joy to read this authors works and look forward to more from her. :D
Profile Image for Sandra Sanches.
674 reviews22 followers
September 10, 2024
“You’re mine, flower. You were made for me.”
Bale and Tess story is intense, sweet with a dash of humor and smutty. 
Special mention to Mocha,the sweet terrier companion of Tess,she as cute as funny.
Not going to spoil but  Mocha and a special toy do the most hilarious situation!
A very hot monster romance, fast paced with the hottest smut and the wicked touch of Vicky Walklate.
Profile Image for Johanna Westin.
3 reviews
September 24, 2024
Really liked it, love the whole intro to the MMC and all the coaching from the ffm to get him to show himself, lots of funny moments and loved reading about characters we met in previous books. Really liked the ruff and tumble that occurred between the two monsters. The ffc was a sweetheart enjoyable little quickread and the smut was shutting as usual
Profile Image for K. .
402 reviews6 followers
March 1, 2025
So cute and a refreshingly new monster romance 🐙

Loved this installment to the Apex series!

Bale is such a unique monster and Tess is such a free spirited human that it is a perfect fit! Their stories are both heartbreaking and they meld each other together in a beautiful story.
Profile Image for Geraldine.
161 reviews6 followers
October 31, 2024
hot and spicy quick read!

Loved it! I read it in one go this morning. A great little novella which packed in plenty of story, along with ample heat for the monster romance fans.

Tentacles - who knew??!!
Profile Image for Leslie.
2,113 reviews25 followers
February 15, 2025
That must be some awkward kissing…

I liked the beginning of this book, because of how different Bale was; so hesitant and a little confused. Once he got going though, he sure knew what he was doing.
Profile Image for Heather Walker.
408 reviews2 followers
March 9, 2025
Ok.

Yeah, it was ok. The story was good overall. i definitely recommend reading the books before (i didn't ). This story contains background and characters that's been explained in other stories i presume.
I would have loved more or even an epilogue.
Profile Image for Kayla P.
263 reviews1 follower
May 5, 2025
The spice was so good in this one. The plot was decent enough for this kind of book. The fmc inner monologue was kind of annoying at times (especially during spicy scenes) but otherwise I enjoyed this book
Profile Image for Lucía.
131 reviews
November 7, 2024
Bale y Tess
Monstruo octopus y humana
Ella vive en un barco
Él está atrapado
Protective boy and "hippie" girl
Profile Image for Courtney.
374 reviews8 followers
November 11, 2024
“You shine like the brightest star, little one. You are the flower that greets the dawn, the sunlight sparkling on the water, and I am utterly unworthy to be in your presence, let alone be permitted the honour of pleasuring you.”

Demon Waters is the fourth book in the Apex Series. I was so excited for this book to be released and it didn’t disappoint. I loved the relationship between the MC’s! I’m giving this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!

I binged the first three books of the series last year and I have been anticipating this one ever since it was teased.

I adored Tess and Bale. Tess is so carefree and fun. She seems like the most down to earth girl. Bale is the embodiment of a gentle giant. He’s absolutely terrifying when angry or fighting for Tess, but this monster MELTS under her gaze. And the mouth this man has is dirty 🥵. Vicky outdid herself with the spice in this book. It kept getting interrupted so the buildup was incredible. Also he’s got tentacles… sooooo ya know every hole was stuffed 🫠.

I also loved the cameos of other characters from previous books (they’re all friends) and it was nice to see everyone work together! There’s a lot of suspense and action in this book as well which kept me on my toes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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