THERE IS ONLY ONE THING HE WANTS MORE THAN SOULS... HER.
Nestled in the heart of a bustling city, a secret bond exists between Lily, a human girl, and an angel of death. Throughout her childhood, Lily considered him nothing more than a figment of her imagination.
However, the boundaries between fantasy and reality begin to blend when the enigmatic man from her past resurfaces in her life.
Monique Koen is a South African author living in Australia with her husband and two beautiful children. She’s a horror movie fanatic, obsessed with true crime stories about serial killers, and has always dreamed about being a Forensic Psychologist. When she's not spending time with her family or dwelling in the world of horrors, she brings her imagination to life.
✨ Tropes ✨ 💀 Grim Reaper / Human Romance 🖤 Paranormal Romance 💀 Age Gap 🖤 Friends to Lovers 💀 Obsession 🖤 Stalking 💀 Shadow Play 🖤 Forbidden Romance
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Okay, I have mixed feelings about this book.
Firstly, I’ll be honest, I skipped the first couple of chapters. I didn’t like the idea of a grown man befriending a young child. While it’s completely platonic and nothing sinister happens, this section is a trigger for me, so I chose to start when the FMC is 18.
This was a short read, and I did enjoy the idea of it - the Grim Reaper/human dynamic is always a win for me. But because it’s only around 200 pages, everything felt a bit rushed. I think I would have really enjoyed this more if the early sections had been cut and the rest of the story expanded.
The concept was solid… it just needed more depth.
We meet the FMC as a lonely schoolgirl being bullied, and she befriends a mysterious man in the park (this is the bit I skipped). We then pick up properly when she’s 18. The forbidden romance element is central, as Grim Reapers aren’t supposed to communicate with humans. There are some dark themes in here too, so definitely check the TWs.
FMC – I didn’t mind Lily! I actually liked her POV. She’s foul-mouthed, a bit of a badass, and has a spine.
MMC – I wouldn’t call him dark 🤔 he’s more morally grey. I loved that he was willing to break all the rules for her, but again, I wish the book had been longer so I could’ve connected with him more.
The plot? It was okay, but definitely needed more time to develop. The potential was there, it just felt like too much was being crammed into too few pages.
The spice? Had the scenes been longer and more descriptive, it could’ve been very hot—but again, it lacked detail and build-up, most likely due to the short length.
Do I recommend it? Hmm… yes, but only as a short, spicy read. If you’re looking for something quick and easy to get through, this might be your thing. But if you want something that really pulls you in and lingers for days—this isn’t it.
“If that meant I would be thrown into purgatory, so be it. But only if I corrupt her body, mind, and soul first, to the point where she will be thrown in there with me. Oh, the things I would do to her damned soul.”
if you’re looking for a quick but full of plot and perfect spice ratio then immediately add this to your tbr !!
this is a dark supernatural romance, grim reaper + human girl, stalker, shadow daddy, reincarnation, portals, check your triggers, duo pov, standalone … maybe 🖤
vex has been a reaper is whole life. although it is said that reapers have no souls, instead they take them, vex is extremely connected to the human realm. he feels the same things humans do and he loves harder. when he first met lily, she was only just a young child. lily never had any friends growing up. she was always bullied and made fun of for eating alone or just talking to herself. when she met vex she knew deep in her that he was real. but no one believes it. vex’s duty was to take her father’s soul but he couldn’t break such a young child’s heart and mind at that age. so he begins to protect her from everything and anything. the bullies in school get their instant karma and he meets up with lily every time at the park. many years later and lily has grown into such a wonderful spirit. she found love in writing and met her best friend hannah. when her father died, she didn’t see vex for some time. but then she begins to sense him again. when portals to the underworld get revealed and punishments must be taken, lily and vex are two individuals fighting their way back to each other. but what happens when their memories get wiped ?
i was not expecting to cry so much at the end 😭 i kid you not i was DRY HEAVING !! this was such a quick read but it was so full of tension, yearning, and forbidden moments 🥰 i love vex so much. i would actually keep my door wide open for this reaper 🤭 mans can leave daisies everywhere for me and i would never get mad for real. lily is so full of life and love. she deserves to find her happiness. she was meant to flourish in life. i absolutely love her character 💋
no i still can’t get over that ending … because WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY JUST LEAVE IT UP TO FATE ??? WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR MEMORIES ??? WHAT DO YOU MEAN ???
i can’t even come up with better words to describe how i felt reading that ending 😭🫀 just know i was GOING THROUGH IT
💀Grim reaper/Human 💀Paranormal Romance 💀Shadow daddy 💀Friends to lovers 💀Age gap 💀Stalking 💀Forbidden romance
I always go for a short, dark, and spicy book to pull me out of a slump and this one did the trick. I ate it up so fast and wished I also could bang a grim reaper.
I did want it to be longer and for more to happen, but I also appreciate the short length because sometimes we need a quick read (aka me, I need a quick, spicy read).
Vexed by Monique Koen is a super quick read — I think it was maybe 200 pages at most — but for its size, it definitely packs a punch. The story is fast-paced and spicy, with a few clear moments that genuinely shocked me.
Given how short it was, I didn’t expect much, but I was honestly surprised by how much was packed into the book. That said, if you’re someone who wants a deeper, more fully fleshed-out story, this might not be for you. There were a few things that weirded me out a little, but overall, it was an easy, enjoyable read.
It’s a mix of spice and story, but I’d say the spice definitely took center stage. Still, it delivered exactly what I hoped for in a short, steamy read.
This book is a friends to lovers grim reaper romance. It was so freaking good! It had the perfect amount of spice and was so well written. It had me crying and giggling kicking my feet. Vex is book husband material! It is definitely worth the read!
Painful. I couldn’t finish this. I actually got this as a recommendation from a booktoker I thought I could trust. Safe to say she’s been unfollowed now.
Review: Grumpy Reaper x Human. Possessive. Obsessive. Full-on shadow-daddy energy.
There’s just nothing like a man (okay fine, a Reaper) who would burn it all down and give up eternity just to have you. That devotion? That unhinged mix of power and vulnerability? Straight into my veins.
I really enjoyed this one — it had that perfect cocktail of darkness, obsession, and forbidden tension that kept me hooked. The balance between Lily’s humanity and Vex’s shadowed, morally grey nature created a push-and-pull that made every moment feel both dangerous and magnetic. The romance is twisted, but that’s exactly what makes it work.
The spice delivered enough shadow play and intensity to keep things interesting, though I personally wished it went a little deeper in places. Still, it fit the story’s vibe well.
And the ending? 👀 Yeah, I’m not ready to let go of this grim world. Do I need a second book? Absolutely. Someone tell me Monique Koen has more death-daddies waiting in the wings, because I’d read them all.
Content Warnings: manipulation (psychological/mind games), bullying, stalking, obsessive/possessive behaviour, death/mentions of death, death of a parent, physical abuse, mentions of rape, extreme violence, explicit sexual situations.
If anyone knows me they know I’m not a fan of supernatural books. They just aren’t my jam however Vex was absolutely amazing!! I’m so glad I decided to jump into this one, not one regret. It was easy to follow what was happening and was such a captivating read. The writing was exceptional. I’m sitting here trying to gather my thoughts because it has completely surprised me. The plot was so intriguing and the spice was just right. I loved Vexlorn, he was so swoon worthy and his spicy talk was down right delicious. He broke every single rule for Lily and went to the ends of the earth, just about literally for her. His love and adoration for Lily was unwavering. Lily was such a kind soul and she just stole my heart. She was strong and stood her ground fighting for what she wanted. They had amazing and funny chemistry and banter. The ending was just perfect, I couldn’t have hoped for a better one. What a surprisingly great read! Plus Monique is an Australian Indie Author and we definitely love to support our own!!
This was amazing and is one hundred percent a must read! I’ll happily read anything you write, Monique!Thank you for the opportunity to ARC read this stunning work of yours. Vex is absolutely a new top tier shadow daddy in my eyes! The storyline kept me hooked from start to finish, was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time reading. The world building was super intriguing and it was fun and admirable to get to know Vex through his world. Vex’s charming, witty and humorous character reminds me (in personality) of so many of my favorite TV characters from Damon Salvatore to Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Klaus Mikaelson from The Originals, he felt very nostalgic in a way I LOVED and couldn’t get enough of. Lily is a badass, smart and cunning FMC. Her character was refreshing from the normal FMC’s I’ve read from different books. Vex and Lily’s story is beautiful and I’m so glad I got to read about them. I need more of your writing in my hands ASAP PLEASE, hehe.
If you're in the mood for a fun, quick read, this might just be the one. I absolutely devoured it. A romance between a grim reaper and a human? Say less, I’m immediately intrigued!
Our main characters are Lily and Vex. They stole my heart and I adore them! Lily is strong and resilient despite everything she’s faced. Vex is her protector through and through, and the way he cares for her comes through in every action.
So, I did wish there was more. At just 208 pages, the story moves fast. Some parts felt rushed and I found myself wanting more detail and depth. Still, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and spicy read this book absolutely hits the mark. It's perfect for when you need a breather between longer, heavier books.
A quick note on the spice: it’s definitely there, but not overly detailed or explicit. You get just enough.
And the ending? That ending completely won me over. These two souls absolutely deserve happiness!
It took me a while to gather my thoughts after reading this book because… wow. I don’t even know where to begin. This story completely consumed me -mind, heart, and soul. It’s been days, and I’m still not okay. Just thinking about it makes me emotional.
The writing was phenomenal ..so beautifully done. Every chapter pulled me in deeper, and I was hooked!!
Vex was everything. Perfect in every way. I loved how he broke every rule for her. Lily was amazing. I admired how she stood her ground, and how she fought for what she wanted.
This book affected me in a way no other book ever has. I loved every second of it, even though it completely wrecked me. It’s the kind of story that sticks with you long after you’re done.
I can say this is now one of my favorite books of all time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a supernatural romance, and this is exactly what I needed to remind me how much I love them!
What more could you want from a paranormal romance!? This book had everything- dark vibes, supernatural drama and the cutest love story. Vex was perfectly protective of Lily- he’d do anything for her. The way he defends her and shows up for her? You can feel how much he cares.
Monique has such a gift when it comes to writing characters. Each one is distinct, layered and authentic. You can instantly tell who’s POV you’re reading- even without the name prompt- because she nails their inner voice so well.
This book has all the good stuff: dark romance, supernatural elements, and one of my favourite tropes- friends to lovers. If you’re a fan or dark romance and paranormal books, definitely pick this one up!
Monique… Monique… Monique… You already know all my feels but I loved this book! I loved the bond they had, and the connection throughout the whole book, we love fated mates! Vex was such an alpha male, but in a good way… he really cared for Lily and we love that in a man. Lily really needed that guidance throughout her life and Vex was there for her, even in the shadows. And if you’ve read Monique’s books, her endings are never what you expect… especially this book! I love how she leaves it up to complete interpretation of the reader! If you love a paranormal, dark romance then make this one your next read!!!
OMG this book was amazing the story was amazing . If you like grime reapers with shadows , he’s a rebel he’s not suppose to be around her he break all rules to be with her it started off as her imaginary friend when she was 8 and then as she got older he fell in like be with her , he’s her protector , she get attack and he unalive ther attacker , he gets dragged to the underworld because of what he did . I’m not going to tell you anymore read it for your self when it’s release , and the smutt is really good , it has a plot it’s so good the smutt isn’t over done like I’m used to it’s perfect idk what to say but read it please this author is amazing
Ok ok I need Vexlorn in my life 😂, just saying. Monique has written a shadow daddy supernatural romance with the best reaper I have read to date!
Lily struggles with her loneliness but has a secret protective. But is he protective or really possessive? To what lengths will he go just to see her, be near her, and hold her.
Vexlorn who is a soulless reaper has an unmistakable pull towards Lily and her pure innocent soul. He wants nothing more to claim her and break her. Will he succeed?
I really don’t know. I need more like asap. All you could ever want in the supernatural reaper romance.
This book was amazing. I ate this up in one day.(it’s only 200 pages but, hey) lol. I loved the story. It flowed so well, especially with the amount of pages. I loved the Mmc and the FMc was okay…. Kind of wish she would just listen when told but…. 🙄 anyways. I really hope a second book comes out of this. I would love to see them in a mortal relationship and then actually figuring out that they are past lovers and try to find a way to keep her with him for eternity. That would be a great ending to the book. There were so many twists in this book and a lot of things going on to keep you entertained. Great read.
Thank you Monique for providing me an arc to read! Vexed is a fast paced paranormal dark romance. It’s got a good balance of spice and a few funny moments. It’s set between the real world and the underworld and I liked the blend of mystery we received by reading this. It’s wrapped up nicely at the end, but there is potential for a sequel, which could be really fun! Please check your trigger warnings before going into this one, the first few chapters I was a bit unsure however after this it had a good plot and pacing.
What a great read! This book was recommended, and from the very first page, I just knew I was going to love it. While it had some light, feel-good moments, it also pulled on my heartstrings and made me cry. I absolutely adored Lily and Vex—such a beautiful pairing! I’m definitely hoping for a book two… pretty, please?
And can we take a moment to appreciate that Monique is a fellow South African? You go, girl! 🇿🇦 If you’re looking for a quick, easy read that still hits you in the feels, this one’s a definite win.
What do we do when we find a book about the Grim Reaper being in love with the most beautiful human he laid eyes on?
We get the book and we read it.
Did I change my Amazon country settings to be able to get it on Kindle? Yes. Am I waiting for my next trip to get a physical copy of it? Yes.
The plot: They met when she was young but he disappeared from her life only to come back 10 years later. And he is ready to risk it all to keep her, to protect her. And she fell for him no matter his physical form… and technically his age? But what is age when you are an angel of Death…
OK, I was at arc for this book. Let me tell you I ate up this book a day I couldn’t put down my Kindle. It was so good. I was nervous to start this book because I’m not a huge fan of supernatural books, but I am addicted to this book after finishing it. I have no words this book made me speechless in a good way and let me tell you daddy vex is everything🥵 I already told my few friends when this book comes out. They have to read it.
This book will make you want your own personal grim reaper!
I really wish this book had been longer, I loved Vex and his smart mouth, his confident nature and the way he cared for Lily. There were beautiful moments between them and the devotion between them both was undeniable.
This was such an easy, quick read and cannot wait to see if there is more for this world, I need to know if there are any other grim reapers who get a story as this is such a new concept for me to read.
The story for this one starts off with a somber tone, immediately had me invested. It then attempts to smooth itself out quickly as the the story progresses, though it took away some of the allure that was building up in the beginning. A feeling like it was a bit rushed to leave behind the childlike wonder it started with for the more adult themes to take root. The transition was a bit bumpy for me but still a fun little read all the same.
There was a dark aspect to the story and I am not saying that it isn't horrible what happened but this was not at all what I was anticipating.
It was giving Lights out but Josh is a Grim Reaper almost..
It was odd, I really liked the idea of it but I wanted darker and more depraved. When a man says I won't let anyone or anything take you away from me and then proceeds to let something take you away from him?? Ick