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Augury University #3

Haunt Me, Baby

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Cordelia Tremblay loves fitness, fairness, and fun facts. Her senior year of college is going swimmingly until her professor has to go on parental leave and the school is in dire need of someone to fill in. Having a borderline obsessive crush on a professor from the other Augury campus, she composes an email with a specific substitute in mind…

Dr. Alitha Taylor favors logic and reasoning. Head of both the cosmetic lab and Potions Department, she is on track to become the next Dean of Augury University and has no time for romance. Especially not one that could be career-ruining. When she’s asked to substitute for a semester at Aquatica Academy, Augury’s new sister campus, she sees it as a chance to show how hard working and flexible she can be.

When Alitha is approached by Cordelia about accessibility issues at the brand new campus, she seizes the opportunity to improve the school. Not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because it will further her career and show how dedicated she is to the university and its students. That is, until she finds herself unable to stay away from the curvy kraken who brought the problems to her doorstep.

Can Alitha resist Cordelia’s tantalizing tentacles? And will Cordelia’s obsession turn into something more magical?

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2024

16 people are currently reading
269 people want to read

About the author

Rose Santoriello

12 books54 followers

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5 stars
31 (21%)
4 stars
59 (41%)
3 stars
36 (25%)
2 stars
12 (8%)
1 star
5 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Poppy || Monster Lover.
1,826 reviews517 followers
September 24, 2024
This sapphic romance was short, sweet, and cozy. Alitha was a super closed off tall girl professor and Cordelia was an intelligent kraken student. They came together as partners on a project Cordelia wanted to succeed. Cordelia’s pining prior to meeting Alitha was cute, and helped take away some of the sting of the power differential. She was able to help Alitha open herself to something new and Alitha gave her the support and validation that she needed. They were very cute together.

Spice: 4/5

Triggers: power imbalance (professor and student), sex after accidentally drinking an aphrodisiac, panic attack (side character), ableism (not perpetuated by MCs), single instance of one MC following other MC
Profile Image for Erica.
711 reviews849 followers
October 17, 2024
This might be my new favorite of the series honestly! So gay, so cozy, and there’s tentacle smut?? Like do I even need to go on?? Rose and their “monstrously cute” stories make my heart so happy ❤️
Profile Image for Melinda.
687 reviews27 followers
October 4, 2024
If you’re looking for a cozy, sweet, sapphic monster romance for the holiday season Haunt Me, Baby is the one for you! It’s book three in the Augury University series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. I fell in love with this world when I read Sweet Summer Serpentine earlier this year and couldn’t wait to read this one as soon as it was announced!

Cordelia and Alitha are the cutest couple and it was fun seeing them fall in love even if there were times Alitha drove me crazy trying to resist her growing attraction for her student. Just give in and love her!!! Haunt Me, Baby is perfect if you’re in a rom com mood with a side of the spooky season. The smut was great, it had some thought provoking moments, and I ended up with so many highlights! I can’t wait to see what’s next for this series.
Profile Image for MarissaIsBooked.
605 reviews100 followers
July 15, 2025
This was cute and I do like this series, but this couple just fell kinda flat for me. I also felt like the reconciliation and ending was rather abrupt/rushed.
Profile Image for Ahren McNamara.
153 reviews
October 15, 2024
Rose Santoriello has me crying in the club with this one. I am obsessed with Alitha and Cordelia. First off, we’ve got a professor student power dynamic at play here. Couple that with this story being a sapphic monster romance and I’m the mayor of swoon town. I love this author, this series and this book. You won’t be able to put Haunt Me, Baby down. I read it in one day and it will be haunting me for the foreseeable future (see what I did there)!
Profile Image for Caffs37.
181 reviews5 followers
September 28, 2024
Haunt Me Baby is a captivating sapphic romance that expertly weaves the themes of forbidden love and self-discovery within a unique campus setting. Set predominately in a university designed for water-based beings—think mermaids, mermen, and krakens—this book offers a fresh twist on the classic professor-student dynamic.

Alitha, affectionately known as Dr. Taylor, is a dedicated professor who finds herself temporarily relocated to cover maternity leave at this enchanting sister site. The moment she steps onto the campus, she is struck not only by its uniqueness to anything she has experienced before but also by Cordelia, one of her students. Cordelia is a stunning Kraken whose intelligence and charisma draw Alitha in like a tidal wave, leaving her grappling with her professional boundaries.

The chemistry between Alitha and Cordelia is palpable, and the tension builds beautifully as the pair begin to collaborate on addressing the unique needs of the university's diverse student body. Their interactions are well-crafted, with the dialogue flowing seamlessly as they navigate complex issues while also delving into their burgeoning feelings for one another. The author skillfully balances the weight of their responsibilities with the undeniable attraction that simmers just beneath the surface.

One of the standout aspects of Haunt Me Baby is its pacing; the story unfolds rapidly, keeping readers engaged and eager to see how Alitha and Cordelia's relationship will evolve. The writing is rich and immersive, transporting you to a world where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur in the most delightful way. The nuanced portrayal of both characters allows readers to connect deeply with their struggles, desires, and the risks they take in pursuing a love that society deems taboo.

Moreover, the intimate scenes are tastefully executed, adding just the right amount of heat without overshadowing the emotional depth of the story. The author manages to capture the essence of longing and desire, allowing readers to feel every heartbeat and stolen glance, all while maintaining a sense of respect for the characters’ journey.

Haunt Me Baby is not just a romance; it’s a tale of breaking barriers and embracing one’s true self. It challenges societal norms and explores the complexity of love in all its forms. For those who enjoy a well-written, fast-paced story with a sprinkling of magic and a dash of daring romance, this book is an absolute must read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Heather.
753 reviews12 followers
January 18, 2025
Cozy Sapphic Monster Romance!

Sexy story featuring a small age gap, Professor/student, long distance sapphic romance. Alitha is an elfling and head of her department with goals of becoming dean. She has her job, her family and her friends. She’d like a partner but is resigned to being alone. Cordelia is a Kraken who idolizes Alitha through her research and presentations. They meet at the sister university catering to water folk with Alitha as the substitute professor of one of Cordelia’s classes for the semester. They get to know one another through a project and through class. Will they give in to the intense attraction and desire? Read and find out! Oh and there’s tentacles! ;)
Profile Image for Blair Nicole.
218 reviews10 followers
October 8, 2024
the romance was sweet, the spice was incredible, and its sapphic! truly not much else i could have asked for. the pining and the budding romance was so cute and had me wanting more the entire time. luckily, its a novella so it was the perfect amount of time and tension.

this universe is truly so fun and i can’t wait to go back and read the other two within the series. however, you can absolutely read this as a standalone!
Profile Image for MaKenna.
232 reviews6 followers
February 16, 2025
I have been loving how all of these so far have been unique. With pairings and situations. This was a college professor/student romance. I enjoyed the characters and how they worked through their differences and helped to make the college better for those with disabilities. It was also fun to see the story of a character we’ve seen in the previous two books. I’m excited to see what’s next!
Profile Image for Dee.
203 reviews30 followers
March 29, 2025
Came for the smut, stayed for the emotional depth 😭
Profile Image for TJ Phillips.
209 reviews15 followers
October 27, 2024
This was just OK. I wanted to like this cause it came off as cozy fantasy from the description but in reality it was pretty flat and boring. I didn’t feel any connection between the mains and everything just felt documentary level descriptive. Sterile is the opposite of cozy.
Profile Image for Holly Dunwall.
Author 5 books29 followers
September 28, 2024
My first kraken read, and sapphic too? Love that ♥️♥️

I've never read a teacher/professor x student romance before, and let me say the thing that impressed me the most was how detailed the world building is. I love this take on urban fantasy/magic realism. The romance between the two MCS felt as easy as breathing to read. I was rooting for them the whole time. I was a lil overwhelmed with all the character names thrown at me in the first couple chapters but it's okay. We got there and I'm so glad I finished it.

Fave quote is, "If you can't take down the walls you've built around your heart, build a door. Give someone you love the key" 🥺😭♥️
Profile Image for Logan.
61 reviews1 follower
October 20, 2024
This book may be short, but it packs a lot of sweet and spicy into those pages! Cordelia is a college student trying to improve her university, and Dr. Alitha Taylor is a professor helping out a coworker who's on maternity leave. When they meet, sparks fly, but Alitha knows there's too much at stake for her to risk her job by seeing a student. An evening in a magical club will change everything, and Cordelia will have to convince Alitha that she's worth it.
Cordelia is head over heels before ever laying eyes on Alitha in person, and their interactions are sweet, but very charged. The tension between them is palpable, no matter how much Alitha tries to deny it. I, too, would fall prey to those pretty eyes, and those amazing tentacles. Cordelia is also incredibly smart, and honestly she sounds pretty perfect. Alitha is just as gorgeous, and just as brilliant. They're a match made in heaven, but Cordelia has her work cut out for her trying to prove that to Alitha.
I understand where Alitha is coming from; she has her walls up after a devastating heartbreak many years earlier, which is enough to turn anyone off of a relationship. Cordelia is just what she needs, and I'm glad she finally realized that. They're so good together! I really loved this one, and that scene in the corn maze... Gotta love some spooky season spice!

*I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Profile Image for Sixella MK.
146 reviews9 followers
October 9, 2024
Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews: “Haunt Me, Baby” by Rose Santoriello

Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.

Alitha Taylor has no time for dating, as she’s solely focused on her friends and her work as a Potions Professor at Augury University. Cordelia Tremblay, a Magic student at Augury’s Aquatica Academy, has a deep love of mythology and a passion for promoting accessibility on campus. When Alitha steps in as a substitute professor for Aquatica, the two cross paths, and sparks begin to fly. Soon, their newfound chemistry is on the verge of making waves!

From “Hook-up to Holidate” author Rose Santoriello comes the third installment in the “Augury University” series! Santoriello continues to develop the world-building of their characters both in and beyond the academic setting, further expanding upon their signature element of Fantasy Futurism. This book also contains strong, allegorical commentary on disability accessibility, highlighting how some work and academic environments should be more considerate in providing accommodations for individuals with physical disabilities.

The complex, yet wholesome chemistry between Alitha and Cordelia was captivating to follow, giving off the vibes of a classic Chappelle Roan song while also evoking a cozier alternative to the popular Stolitz ship (Blitzo x Stolas) from “Helluva Boss.” Ready to dive into this fall-tastic “Augury University” novel? Don’t miss out on this book when it hits online shelves on October 19, 2024!

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter: 5/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

Tropes to Expect: LGBT+ Representation, Neurodiverse Representation, Halloween Party Subplot, Academia Narrative, Kraken x Elfling, Orcs, Mermaids, Fantasy Futurism, Pining, Size Difference, and Forbidden Romance.

Trigger Warnings: Discussions of Body Shaming, Discussions of Allegorical Ableism, Relationship Anxiety and Existentialism, and Relationship Conflict.
Profile Image for my_throne_of_books.
372 reviews30 followers
October 15, 2024
I loved this book so much! Rose writes such great monster romance books and this one was amazing. I loved Cordelia and Alitha so much.
Alitha is a head of of both the cosmetic lab and Potions Department and looking to make Dean of Augury University next. So no time for romance but then she is asked to go substitute for a teacher at their sister university where she meets Cordelia. Cordelia is an eager and smart last year student and also a kraken. She has always admired Dr. Alitha and is so excited to have her as a teacher. Cordelia hopes she can help her to make changes to help the school be more accessible to everyone. Alitha agrees to help Cordelia to write up a proposal but the more time they spend together can they resist the pull they feel between them.
I loved their dynamic so much. Cordelia is such a strong person and seeing her look up to Alitha was so cute. Alitha is really shut off to romance and she needs to learn to open up to it. It takes her a while but when she does she realises what she missed with Cordelia.
If you are looking for a steamy sapphic lesbian kraken/elfling romance this is one for you!
Thanks to Rose Santoriello for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jen.
277 reviews2 followers
October 14, 2024
3.5 stars

My favorite part of this book was that Alitha and Cordelia aren't one-note characters, they arent stereotypical in their interests and personalities. Alitha is a practical and logical potion professor who is scared of heartbreak and works specifically in cosmetology. Cordelia is smart and caring. She's a dominant powerlifter who also dreams of being a trophy wife. She wants to be philanthropic rather than a career woman. They are very interesting characters.

However, I wanted more from their love story. Alitha fights her attraction because she is Cordelia's interim professor, and she's scared. She's not great at communicating with Cordelia. Even though she is all about inclusivity, all of their dates and meetings take place in "land dweller" environments, where Cordelia has to use advanced potions to be comfortable. I want better for Cordelia and didn't get enough of Alitha showing that she changed.
Profile Image for Eel.
Author 3 books11 followers
November 16, 2025
“Not only are we going to fix the campus, but I might get the girl too.”

This story is about a spunky, passionate college student pining after her stony professor. I love the character designs, the ending art and book cover, and the well developed setting. Both characters have different goals that work together and make an enjoyable plot. I just didn’t like Alitha’s nonchalance toward her devoted partner.

It would be 5 stars if it wasn’t for Alitha’s blatant brushing off Cordelia at every opportunity possible. It made my heart hurt throughout the story, and no amount of spicy scenes can make up for that huge part of the story. Cordelia is so cute looking after her little sister, and humanity as a whole! And Alitha wants… a promotion?? I feel like the person with the vainer goal should at least be nicer to the other person.
Profile Image for Anne-Marie Romance Reader).
206 reviews28 followers
September 29, 2024
Such a sweet and cosy romance read!

An elf professor can't fight her attraction to a pretty kraken, who happens to be one of her students, and when the two work together on a project to improve accessibility on campus the sparks fly. I loved the sweet romance that develops between Alitha and Cordelia, and how they navigate their growing feelings and the obstacles in their way.

And just because the romance is sweet doesn't mean the spice is lacking. The attraction heats up and so does the story, and the spicy times are really hot! Cordelia's tentacles are definitely put to good use.

This is a great read for anyone who wants a lovable, cosy, and spicy book!
Profile Image for Monica.
51 reviews
October 17, 2024
I have been loving the Augury University universe so much! This was a fun read for me. I have been interested in learning about Alitha since book 1, and now she has her own story. Her and Cordelia may have entered into a semi-forbidden situation, but it is so steamy. Their minds work so well together, and their attraction is obvious from the start. Their dynamic helps Alitha to realize some details about herself, and Cordelia helps her figure it out. Tentacles are great, but when they're attached to Cordelia...wow! I was so glad to see the HEA, and the use of the Hades and Persephone story was fantastic. Another lovely read from Rose!
Profile Image for Sandra Blasco.
206 reviews1 follower
October 31, 2025
It's a very cozy story, with perfect academic vibes, the right amount of spice (tentacle smut!!!!🫠), and just enough angst to make my heart ache.

I absolutely loved the whole storyline around disability accommodations. It was so interesting to see that perspective represented in such a diverse, modern world; where it's essential to consider all species and types of people, so everyone can live comfortably. It's a topic that isn't often discussed in monster-contemporary romance.

I had read a short story set in this world in an anthology and loved it. I don't know why I haven't started this series sooner, the worldbuilding is absolutely fascinating to me.

🌶️2/5
Profile Image for Crowley  Bloom.
52 reviews
October 14, 2025
Tercer libro de la saga de la Universidad de Aubury y, hasta ahora, mi favorito. Me ha dado unas vibes muy signo de tierra 🌿 y me ha encantado cada detalle. La autora siempre incluye muchísima representación: no solo LGBT+, sino también personajes con discapacidades y otras enfermedades, lo cual me parece súper necesario y cuidado. La pareja principal me ha fascinado y me ha dejado con muchísimas ganas de empezar el último libro de la saga.
14 reviews
November 11, 2025
First sapphic book I've read and I really enjoyed the world Rose built for her series. There is a romance with spicy scenes but I almost feel like it is a secondary story to the mission which brought the characters together. Loved how Rose was able to weave in neurodivergent and disabled characters to make us relate it to the real world. If you are looking for monster f-ing with no plot, this isn't it. Also was that a Bad Dragon toy in the sink...
Profile Image for christy - pr0bablyreadingsmut.
405 reviews
October 13, 2024
a super cozy, sweet, sapphic monster romance. a closed off professor and her kraken student hit it OFF immediately and i fell in love with them both. i loved seeing their relationship blossom. a really adorable novella that you can devour in a sitting. spicy and perfect for halloween season.

five tentacle stars
Profile Image for Aylin Niazai.
397 reviews49 followers
March 2, 2025
This was so far out of my comfort zone. Think “so far past the line, you can’t even see the line. The line is a dot to you” far.
Positive-ish: very inclusive!
So much so that being inclusive is clearly more important than a proper storyline.
I glad I tried it, i assume it’s technically considered “monster romance” although none of the characters are scary lol.
Profile Image for Amivi.
69 reviews816 followers
October 19, 2024
ARC REVIEW 2.5

While I was excited about this sapphic monster romance book, I ended up not liking it and hoping for more. Nothing in this book was fleshed out, and things just happened way too fast for me to enjoy anything, especially the romance between the two leads.
532 reviews5 followers
November 2, 2024
And she did haunt her 😉

A true heartfelt spicy 🔥 love story. A 5🌟 for sure. Felt bad for our tentacle Cor as she could only wait and accept what was given to her. Some angs and a kick under A's dumb ass, a Beautiful HEA was in their ✨.
66 reviews
January 22, 2025
Again great description of the world and history it really helped me picture as I am a visual person.
I was curious about Alitha from the first book and was excited to read about her. Cordelia was a really genuine likeable character and wore her emotions/feelings for all to see.
I enjoyed watching each character grow and loved to see glimpses of the unholy trinity.
Profile Image for Marta Sosa.
19 reviews
September 2, 2025
Me gustó muchísimo la relación entre Cordelia y Alitha, tiene esa mezcla de ternura y oscuridad que la hace especial. La historia mantiene un aire misterioso y atrapante, perfecto para quienes disfrutan del romance con un toque sobrenatural.
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