To Lie With Monsters: an erotic fantasy short story

by Minty Marie

"To Lie with Monsters" is an erotic short story about a young woman escaping a sheltered existence and running into the woods with a mysterious stranger. It is a story lush with the enticing fruits of forbidden desires, tantalizing virgin offerings, and the sensual pairings of several horned individuals, both male and female presenting. It should leave you wondering, and perhaps wanting, what lies hidden within the dark forest, and is a short story intended for mature audiences only.

61 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2024

About the author

Minty Marie can be found mostly at her desk typing on her laptop or staring out the window in thought. She lives in sunny SoCal and while the weather is great, she’s really more of an indoor person. That’s where she writes her spicy books and giggles to herself throughout the entire process.

She also has several cats with varying degrees of color and drama. If you’ve read her books through KU or purchased them, the money she earned probably went towards them in some fashion or other.

Follow her on Insta for updates! @Minty.Marie.Books

Reviews

[Mel | Hot Plots and One Shots · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

To Lie With Monsters is a whimsical, steamy, and entertaining short story of pure smut with a simple and spicy plot. In this story, the forest is alive and dripping with lust.

Samantha is a tamed beast who wishes for more out of her simple life. Hers is a story of assimilation and colonialism masked by a plot of pure filthy smut. The characters were intriguing, sexy, and I wanted more!

Thank you Mindy Marie and BookSirens for a ARC of this short story. Any opinions expressed in this review are solely mine.

[Becky Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read quite a few books by Minty and they're always good. Lots of spice, fun storyline, and leave you wanting more to read.

Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC.

[Lola Jansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oehhhhh this was good! Very steamy, whimsical short story!

Loved the characters and the writing style, ver original in my opinion !

Definitely reccomend this book!

[Smutty Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I've read by Minty, and I definitely want more! Gets going quickly, definitely recommended!

[Felicia Seay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique Erotica

This book doesn't have much of a storyline. However, it is vastly different from any piece of erotic fiction that I've read before. The author created multiple layers of fantasy worlds within the world, with detailed descriptions of the characters, locations and the intensely sexual scenes playing out. It's a bit reminiscent of "a midsummer night's dream". Most definitely a intriguing fantasy.

[Debdutch · Rating 3 out of 5]

“To Lie with Monsters” by Minty Marie is a peculiar, imaginative short story that brings a unique fantasy world to life with an otherworldly atmosphere. Samantha and Horace are memorable characters, though the details of their monstrous traits remain somewhat hazy. The narrative leans heavily into unconventional intimacy, yet lacks a deeper emotional connection, leaving readers wanting more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

To Lie With Monsters: an erotic fantasy short story
this was a good short read
makes you wonder what could be waiting for you when you run off into the woods.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stella Lovegood · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun, creative read. I love super quick stories that I can read in under an hour. The world was cute; I loved the whole concept of the Bog and the forest was full of dark mystery and magic. I can relate to needing to get away from a stuffy family, so I enjoyed Minty's juxtaposition of the wildness of the woods to the pretentious superficiality of 'civilized' life.

As I read it, I got cult vibes, which is totally my style for spooky Halloween reads. I don't know why; even though there was nothing all that nefarious about the story, I kept on thinking something very menacing was lurking on the periphery, just lurking out of the FMC Samantha's awareness. Wasn''t very into Horace as the MMC; I personally found him a little creepy, but maybe that's intentional. It's not like it's a love story; it's a story about a virgin's sexual awakening.

I do think there were parts of the spice that were a bit lacking, especially what happened (or rather didn't happen) between Samantha and Horace, but Minty did leave that open-ended for a potential sequel. I personally prefer dubcon/reluctance themes, so that probably skews my taste. The spice was slower to build, but consensual so it was a sweet monster smash. I really liked the effects of the fog and mist. There were also other spicy scenes that I was inspired by and that got my imagination rocketing off.

I wasn't particularly attached to any of the characters by the end of it, but it is a short story. There were some lyrical descriptions, which attests to Minty's writing ability. Overall, probably a 3.5/5, but rounded up for Goodreads.

I received an advance review copy for free, and am posting my thoughts voluntarily.

[Tanya Lowry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

What a unique and special story. It paints a picture in your mind like a poem as you read it. I truly enjoyed it.

[Ann Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and spicy monster story with fascinating characters. Well written and very descriptive. You felt like you were there. Haunting and magical.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

while short, it was very unique and a fun read to help get you through a slump! I loved it and wish there was more to it!

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this had everything that I was looking for in this type of book, the characters worked in the story being told and was engaged with what was happening. Minty Marie was able to write a strong story and am excited for more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JLH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does frolicking in the bog or the woods have a specific time? For instance, at twilight or mid afternoon or by the full moon? These monsters are being recruited from the town to go into the bog. So far. Frolicking with other monsters does not do this description justice. I can’t say it is a short read with many layers, and how monsters attempt to be in disguise versus not afraid of their heritage. Pretty good read about frolicking.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[SpiderMam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This erotic tale was so easy to read. Like a coming of age story with a difference. I enjoyed how these monsters were gentle through the erotic encounters. Nothing felt forced or uncomfortable. I’d like to see what unfolds for Horace and Samantha, I feel there is a story to tell there.
I am so happy that Samantha chose the bog over living in an oppressive home with terrible people.
This story flowed effortlessly and kept me intrigued. Thank you for this adorable yet spicy story with the lesson to embrace who you are because it will have its rewards!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Lie with Monsters serves a new take on monster romance.
The vibe throughout this read is very gothic, the settings and pacing felt ominous and the end result is hauntingly beautiful. Our FMC, Samantha, is a Satyr like creature that is being repressed by her mother and forced to live a lifestyle that fits in with the human culture around them. After a chance encounter with a male of her species that lives loudly, boldly as he is- he tempts her with the opportunity to meet the world around her as intended…wild, free, unbidden. In turn, she needs to give a piece of herself as payment.
At 52 pages this is a quick read and achingly perfect for Spooky Season. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story is written well and the characters, albeit very strange, are well developed. This fantasy tale is very bizarre and truly needs a bit more details in prepping for the story to come between Samantha and Horace. It would be nice to understand exactly what type of “creature” they are. Without giving spoilers this book is more of an intense orgy situation than anything else. I wanted more connection between the characters to receive more stars.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had some time to kill, and was offered a copy, so I took it.

I am very unsure how to rate this… It should be noted that they are ALL "monsters", even the girl in the story. I also don't recall noting that there would be any MM elements to the story, so that was a shock. It was, however, an extremely spicy story. And, I'm sure many of us can understand what it would be like to be forced into being something that you're not.

[David J · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun and mystical themes along with plenty of spice. Minty is great and I will be following everything they do!

[Nicole H. ✨️nicoledreamsofbooks✨️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌳𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨🌳


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌶🌶🌶🌶

109/100📚


If you want a short spicy (and I mean SPICY) book with a simple plot, this is the one for you! This was my first Satyr type romance, and the FMC is being repressed by her family to live as human until she meets someone who offers to show her what it is like to live free in the forest. 🥵

Minty Marie always delivers a fun storyline. Thank you for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[CandaceElaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

"It should leave you wondering, and perhaps wanting" {excerpt from the Blurb} IT DID! It's a short story and yet I often felt like I don't know what's happening with the plot and the characters. Conceptually I like the idea.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Erica G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Monster Romance Novella by Minty Marie! Samantha is forced to live a life of disguise and denying who she really is...that is until Horrace guides her to the BOG. This book is very spicy and wonderfully written! The description of the world around Samantha is given with such detail I felt like I was watching a movie.
Very well done with a good ending!

[Melony Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story but not what I would really call erotica.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Angie Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This novella is an amazing continuation of "To Dine with Monsters". I loved it and highly recommend this novella to anyone who likes their fantasy sexy.