Monarch

Birds and Butterflies #4

by Frances M. Thompson

Mari Grant has avoided Amsterdam for ten years, and with good reason. It's where their ex lives. Or at least, it's where they disappeared when they broke their heart out of nowhere. But Amsterdam is also the home of one of Europe's best tattoo conventions - and QISS, a very queer s.ex club - and they no longer want Lexi Williams to stop them living their life. They want to show themself - and the world - that they have moved on, even if they do find themself scrolling Lexi's social media and discovering Lexi's art is in a gallery just around the corner from their hotel...

Roos van Dijk is a hopeless romantic, emphasis on the hopeless because what kind of a woman pines for the ex who abandoned her, twice? She's done all she can to try and get over Lex - thrown herself into her work running a charity for trans youth, read countless romance novels to remind herself not all partners are trash, and played around with others thanks to her favourite app K1NK - but why is it that she finds herself cycling to Lex's latest art exhibition on a chilly autumn evening? Maybe it's because that hopeless romantic in her somehow knows she'll meet someone there that might help her forget Lex once and for all.

Lex Williams is back. And it's not just because xe has run out of places to run to. Xe is back to make it up to Roos, the sweetest love xe has ever known. Since Mari, at least. Xe is back to rediscover xir life-saving muse. Xe is back to maybe, possibly stop running away from xir past once and for all. And yet that's exactly what xe comes face-to-face with when xe gets back to Amsterdam. Because Mari is here. And Mari and Roos are not strangers. Very quickly Lex finds xemself having to confront not only xir past but also xir future and xe doesn't know which is more terrifying...

Monarch is an FXX spicy sapphic romance with exes to enemies to lovers, grumpy x grumpy x sunshine, bi4bi4bi, all trans mcs, graphic sexual content, including k1nk, and is intended for readers aged 18 and older. While Monarch is book four in the Birds and Butterflies series it is a standalone novel. That said, it is recommended you read the Hummingbird duet before reading Monarch.

Genres: Queer, Contemporary

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2025

About the author

Frances M. Thompson writes stories about bisexual disaster heroes usually getting the HEAs they deserve in her spicy contemporary romance... but sometimes getting into a lot of trouble in her suspense thrillers.

Frances loves chatting with her readers and the best places to do so is in her Facebook Readers' Group or on Instagram.

Originally from London, UK, but now based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Frances is the author of the contemporary (and steamy!) romances, Five Sunsets, The Moon Also Rises, and Let Love Rule, sapphic romances Hummingbird and Butterflies, three short story collections (Shy Feet Short Stories Inspired by Travel, London Eyes Short Stories, and Nine Women: Short Stories), a collection of poetry called Lover Mother Other, and the London Killing series of fast-paced urban thrillers, including The Wait and The Weaker Sex.

To find out about Frances' upcoming books first, sign up to her newsletter.

You can find copies of her books (and more!) in her shop.

Frances also works as a freelance writer and blogger. You can read her (oft-neglected) blog, As the Bird flies. She is also the creator of WriteNOW Cards, positive affirmations cards designed to help writers build and enjoy a writing practice they love.

Follow Frances on href="https://www.instagram.com/FrancesMTho... or on TikTok @francesmthompson.

Reviews

[KJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monarch is one of those novels that I want to spend time contemplating. I am grateful to have gotten an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

It is messy, and emotional, and kinky, yet through all of that, deeply healing. It is one of those books that have characters that feel deeply rooted in reality. Where not everything is fluff and love and sex, but also flawed, and at times toxic, not claiming to be anything other than what they (and xe) are.

There is diversity here that a lot of media tends to overlook. Chronic illness, enby, trans, BIPOC, the list goes on, but all are met with such care and consideration and love while still having that reality vibe going on.

I absolutely loved how self assured Roos was. She was such a ray of hope throughout all of the mess that was often in these pages. Mari, self assured, and at times hard and sassy was an absoulte joy. And Lex... Xe had me reconciling those parts of myself that I would often like to forget from my own past. The parts that aren't always neat and tidy and have jagged edges.

It isn't a hidden fact that I am not a fan of first person stories... UNLESS they are done well, and this one most certainly was. With the switching of POV's each chapter I worried that I would struggle to keep my who is who or "whose POV are we in" brain together enough to genuinely enjoy the story, but each chapter was labelled with the heads up, and each character had such a distinct voice, that I genuinely think I would have been able to sus it out all on my own.

Please, please mind the trigger warnings in the beginning. This book tackles so many heavy topics, and it is so important to practice that form of self care. They are there for a reason, and it can get quite in depth.

All in all, quite a lovely view on how healing isn't linear, and how sometimes life isn't perfect but we can make the most out of it, and choose that we are worthy.

[AshleyReadsSmut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monarch ARC Review 🦋

I loved this so much — even if I wish there was a ‘bigger’ HEA event. Don’t get me wrong, the HEA was great but it wasn’t the most fulfilling wrap up to their story (imo).

To start, Lex was SO TOXIC — I had a hard time seeing how ze was going to get zir redemption with Roos + Mari, but thankfully ze did! I loved Mari too, but Roos really stole the show for me! I loved her SO MUCH 🫶🏻

I’m really hopeful we get a Joel book in the future! Loved him 🥰

𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗟: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘: 🌶️🌶️.25
𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘: Interconnected Standalone
𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: Birds and Butterflies
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞: n/a

𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚: FXX
𝗛𝗘𝗔/𝗛𝗙𝗡: 💖
𝗟𝗚𝗕𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗣: 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
𝗪𝗛𝗬-𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗘: ✅ + 🏳️‍🌈
𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: Mari, Roos + Lex

𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:
♥︎ sapphic romance
♥︎ why choose
♥︎ scorned lovers/exes to lovers
♥︎ hurt/comfort
♥︎ second chance
♥︎ sex club
♥︎ all trans MCs
♥︎ based in amsterdam 🇳🇱

𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦:
♥︎ switch MCs
♥︎ dominance/submission
♥︎ exhibitionism
♥︎ voyeurism
♥︎ bondage
♥︎ impact play
♥︎ somnophilia role play
♥︎ degradation
♥︎ wax play

𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚁𝙲! 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚠𝚗.

[Noriboo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monarch is an incredibly layered romance, one that will definitely stay with me for a while.

Within these pages you'll find enby and trans representation and chronic illness representation (Epilepsy). The story as a whole is body positive and sex positive.

The characters are complex, and at times unlikeable. But their interactions and dynamics are so engaging. I was rooting for them, as individuals and as partners. An important part of the story is the kink lifestyle of the three main character. I appreciated the conversations around consent and ethical non-monogamy. While they use scenes to work through their issues at times, it doesn't substitute conversations within the story. It gets messy and raw, the characters are all toxic in their own way. I found it beautiful to see Lex, Mari and Roos go through emotional growth with all the bumps on the road that go along with it. And all of that in one of my favourite cities in the world; Amsterdam, my home.

Frances M. Thompson is one of my favourite authors and she's incredibly talented. If you're looking for a poly romance that gets real and gritty, I highly recommend Monarch.

•••

I received an ARC from the author. My opinions are my own.

[Montes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has left me just speechless.

Every single main character is incredibly complex and traumatized. It’s definitely not your typical romance book, it is a book of pain, trauma, introspection, recovery and accountability. I spent at least 80% of the book detesting Lex with a passion I had never felt for any other character, which lets me know that they’re so well written. I really liked that we as readers have two ends of the spectrum on their response to Lex, one who can be quick to forgive and the other who is holding on to that anger as much as they can. I enjoyed that, while they worked through some of their issues during scenes, at the end it didn’t substitute meaningful conversations to explain and forgive.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that is as complex as this one, it definitely changed my perspective on how we treat those who hurt us without considering what is hurting them. 

Thank you to Frances M Thompson for providing me with an eARC.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! This was an emotional rollercoaster ride! Raw and messy, gripping scenes delving into depth of characters and story. Heavy themes bringing forth a healing journey. The process, and story, was not linear from hurt to comfort. There’s a learning curve of building and breaking walls, building up trust, shattering and building it stronger. I (mostly!) enjoyed every aspect of these three, their interactions, their connections and their growth individually as well as together.

Be sure to read the tw as this story is delves into some heavier themes, well done imo! Highly recommend this and all the Birds and Butterflies stories!!

[Jacqueline Halle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where to start... my feelings about this book are complicated, much like the book itself. 😅🙃

How about FXX but sprinkle spice, sass and a fair amount of toxicity. Going to be the person that admits I wasn't a fan of Lex for what feels like close to 95% of the story, it may be a higher percentage. The book covers a lot of topics including details of past drama (CSA, death of family member) and ENM that may not be for everyone. Overall I felt this was a good story and I've enjoyed getting to read about the characters in this series.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a challenge for me.
The author clearly identifies the triggers and challenges before the book starts, however, if you can, I recommend you progress anyway. You can always stop reading as they say, but if you challenge yourself and allow your mindset to grow, you will benefit from it, as I have.

I am struggling to put this into words so please bear with me and know I mean no disrespect to anyone. So, for me the most difficult aspect was not the kink, but the gender dynamics. I suspect that has more to do with my age, late 50's and all those years of hetero-normative upbringing.

Most of us have been raised with a black and white vision of gender. Society is very slowly changing and becoming more accepting of various shades of grey. This book knocks all perceptions of grey out of the field and introduces a spectrum of the rainbow where anything you could imagine (and things you can't) are possibility. There are no rules. Bravo to the author for capturing this. It is a brave move in a world where gender ideals can be polarising and induce such passion against anything that verges even slightly to the left.

The MC's are complex, and yet, what they are really looking for is acceptance and love. Just like all of us. In the book, they use kink in its various forms to explore this and to unravel the many layers of trauma that life has wrapped them in. They challenge their personal acceptance of self and their roles in their social, career, family and romantic relationships. And by witnessing this, the reader is challenged to introspectively review their own layers and prejudices.

Of all the books I've read, this is the one that will stay with me for a very long time. I literally feel like a blindfold has been lifted from my eyes after reading it. I feel so much more empathy and acceptance for people that are following their own path and it is truly a gift. Thank you to the author for giving us readers this gift.

[Nia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s complex and complicated. That's the first thing that comes to mind.
All the Mc's here are, but Lex most of all.
Xi, of course, has a lot of reasons buried deep inside.
Things that have left such deep scars that it seems impossible to get over them, and yet someone is knocking on those immense walls, wanting to get in. Again. After so many years.
Not just someone, but two wonderful people that Lex doesn't deserve. At least, that's what Xi thinks. Everyone has their past, their hurdles, and their self-doubt, but they meet, and everything spirals out of control, becoming this incredible, messy, kinky chaos.
I've rarely read a book that's so difficult to review. Everyone should read this beautiful, messy chaos and form their own opinion.
It's very explicit with so many wonderful, diverse characters.
All unique. All full of love in their own way, but also with anger, hatred, and hurt.
They fight fiercely with themselves and against the emerging feelings. Feelings that one should have overcome and left behind long ago.
At least in Mari's case.
And then there is Roos.
Beautiful, sensibel, sweet Roos.
Everyone who loves explizit BDsM should give this a try. It’s not an average love story, but a very deep.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

CW: misgendering, transphobia, gender dysphoria, graphic sexual content, CSA

🌟

🌈 Trans non binary MCs
🌈 Trans FMC
🌈 Polyamory
🌈 Epileptic FMC

🌶 BDSM
🌶 Exhibitionism
🌶 Aftercare
🌶 Wax Play
🌶 Impact play
🌶 Rope Play
🌶 Group activities

Oft... this was spicier than I had anticipated.

A departure from Thompson's usual romance style, Monarch had a much angstier vibe with toxic relationship elements woven throughout the storyline.

Monarch showcases imperfect characters in such a refreshing way that you can't help but root for everyone involved, even if their behaviour screams toxic, because it's not a good vs bad perspective, it's about people working through their past experiences, it's about forgiveness and understanding, it's about showing the world who you truly are, and it was beautiful.

[Samantha Holder-Venter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a heavy one, both in content and in story. It dives into heartbreak, healing, and a bunch of difficult themes in a way that isn’t necessarily healthy, but it is honest. Most people don’t have perfect coping mechanisms, and most young people exploring sex, sexuality, or kink have no idea what they’re doing at first. That’s real.

It wasn’t a happy read, but it wasn’t meant to be. The weight of the story made that necessary. Still, I loved it. I’m a sucker for a good redemption arc and for watching characters actually grow. Roos, Mari, and Lex each get their own version of that, and it made my heart so damn happy.

[tinkingaboutbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set largely in a fictional queer sex club in Amsterdam, Monarch is an emotionally charged story featuring diverse, complex characters, including my favourite, Roos. The inclusion of Xe/Xir pronouns adds to the story's authenticity.

Monarch is my third book in the Birds and Butterflies series, with Hummingbird being my favourite. The heavy focus on kink definitely pushed my personal boundaries, but @francesmthompson's compelling writing kept me invested in the story from start to end.

[Layne KOs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an emotional book. I think I've felt everything from joy to sadness to anger to fear a'd everything else!
This is a strory of 3 people (all trans, one transfemme, one genderfluid and one non binary) who fall in love with each other and explore themselves and each other through kink play. But it's also the story of these people growing together and apart, there's a lot a self work, mental health and self discovery it's beautiful.

*Thank you Frances M. Thompson for the ARC*

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have never read Florence before and came across her profile on Threads talking about this book. I went into it blindly, having no backstory for some of the characters (this is book 4 in a series).

One of my favorite characteristics of Romance books is the disassociation I experience, knowing that this is never going to happen in real life, it feels fantastical. This book was so differently styled than the standard. The intimate scenes between Roos, Mari, and Lex felt so REAL and relatable, like getting a sneak peek into someone's life. It made me go, "Was this based on a real story?"

This is the kind of book where you learn something new about your own humanity and relationships, and how it's important to ask yourself, "What happened to this person to make them act this way?"

Thank you to Frances M. Thompson for an eARC of this book, this is my honest review and all opinions are my own.