Catching His Eye

by Emily Antoinette

Ren, the nerdy cyclops, desperately wants a partner, but has been unlucky in love both on monster and human dating apps. He thinks he’s too much for anyone to want.

But when this shy sweetheart accidentally starts a private with his gorgeous human camgirl obsession, he might just find the one who can fit him into their heart—and elsewhere!

Catching His Eye is a fast burn, spicy monster romance novella featuring a shy cyclops MMC, a plus size human FMC who doesn't know monsters are real, and a mischievous cat who accidentally plays matchmaker.

This novella is set in the Monsters of Moonvale universe, but is a standalone story.

Genres: Monster Romance, Monsters, Paranormal, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Novella, Plus Size

96 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2025

About the author

Emily loves cozy, emotional, and spicy romances with a monstrous twist. When she isn’t musing on the merits of doting, dominant monsters, she reads an obscene amount of romance novels, and cultivates her eccentric recluse persona.

Reviews

[Peppa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, this was ridiculously cute and filthy in all the right ways. Who knew I’d be so soft for a shy cyclops with a soft spot for his fluffy cat and a crush on a cam girl?

Ren is the kind of monster that doesn’t really fit in, he’s awkward, introverted and spends most of his time glued to his computer. Dating apps (both human and monster) are a disaster, so instead he ends up crushing hard from behind a screen on one of his favorite cam girls: Emma. She’s bold, sassy, absolutely stunning, and Ren? Fully obsessed. Not in a creepy way, more like “I would die for her” vibes.

And Emma? She never thought she'd end up as a cam girl, but she loves it. She’s confident, curvy and knows exactly what she wants and she’s been noticing this sweet, quiet regular in her chat who’s a little different from the usual crowd. So when a private stream turns into a full-on fantasy, she’s just as shocked as he is. And yes, Ren might’ve accidentally shown a little more than planned… and yes, it only makes things hotter.

Their chemistry was Instant. But what really got me was how tender this story was underneath all the kink and cam play. Ren is this big, one-eyed, self-conscious sweetheart who doesn't believe anyone, let alone a gorgeous human woman, could ever want him. She is confident, but still lonely in her own way. So when they collide, it’s messy, awkward, spicy and honestly… kind of beautiful?

There’s magical lube (don’t ask, just enjoy), some major size kink, a lot of “good boy” energy and a dynamic that felt so soft and warm even when it was full-on filthy. Emma is the plus-size, sex-positive, unapologetic FMC I want to see more of. Ren Is a total cinnamon roll with depraved thoughts and a surprisingly dirty mouth once he gets going.
This novella was short, hot and full of heart and I’m not even mad about how fast it all happened.

Trops/kinks/safety
🩷cam girl
🩷nerdy, cinnamon roll MMC
🩷plus size FMC
🩷instalove
🩷sex positive
🩷body shaming by viewers
🩷mentions of bullying
🩷protective MMC
🩷worshiping
🩷huge dick
🩷dirty talk
🩷praise
🩷light Dom/sub dynamic (both ways)
🩷sex toys
🩷masturbation

[Biblio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this little novella. Emma and Ren were so cute together and I loved being back in Moonvale! Emily proved cyclops are HOT!

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute short story! Ren is what dreams are made of with his adorkable…. everything. Emma was confident and kind with a thing for people like Ren. Their meet cute was unconventional—via camming—but still precious. I want more of them and how they navigate a relationship together.

Spice: 3/5

Triggers: sex work and body shaming (not by MC), mentions of parental death (brief), mentions of bullying related to neurodivergence

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short & sweet monster romance. My one complaint is that it tried to force a whole HEA rather than HFN after a single night together.

[Andrea ☾ [is inconsistently consistant] · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ I love Emily Antoinette's books, novellas, and probably anything that she has written on her note's app, I would love it too.
This was so fast and short, but so sweet and spicy! Perfect for day-off where you want to read something fun and nice and not think too much about it! Moonvale really is the place to go to scape reality lol. And Ren and Emma are the perfect ones to follow as we sneak into this lovely world for a moment.
I would have given it 5 starts, but this was way to short and it felt like it needed a bit more to get it there. But, overall, I definitely recommend picking this cutie up!

[Mia Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Wow. I have been dickmatized.

Thanks to this book I now have a giant nerdy shy cyclops kink. He’s a cinnamon roll with a monster c*ck. The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that it was over too soon!

This is a spice forward tale of a big sexy cyclops who falls in love with a human cam girl. There’s a meet cute and she gets railed in the best way. The spice was spicing, the one eyed monster humour was sharp and there was such a cute cozy love story between Ren and Emma. Ooh and he’s a cat daddy. It’s hot and it also gave me the warm and fuzzies - just what I wanted in a monster romance.

Must binge this entire series 👀 I really wish this was a full sized book!

[addy · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.5

It was cute, short, and sweet. I knew we’d be getting a story for Ren, but part of me wishes we got more!!! Novellas are hard because I wish we got to see more of the characters personalities and quirks. I don’t feel very attached to the characters like I do Wesley and Ariana for example.

It felt a little instalove-y but they do say the two characters have had a crush on each other for a long time. It’s very short so obviously it is very fast paced. We get mentions and appearances from other characters in the Moonvale series.

I know this is nitpicky too but I kept stumbling upon typos :/ im surprised more of them weren’t caught before the book was released.

Maybe I am being too critical, idk, but it’s definitely not my favorite and I would not choose this as your first read from Emily Antoinette.

[TheReaderVert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable read had a MMC softie. Gentle giant indeed. smoldering, explosive, good naughty sex. a FMC who owns her sexuality and see's the kindness in others. All together this short read is worth it. the Bumbling, shy out of place MMC cat dad ending up in a HFN space with a smexy curvy cam girl FMC just felt right

[Tierney Eddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this off a whim and it was soooo stinking cute! The mood enhancer I needed! Super quick read! I haven’t read any others in the series yet but I really liked this author’s style and the chemistry between the two MC’s was perfect for a small, quick novella! Making me look at Cyclopes differently! Eeek! 🤣✨❤️‍🔥🥹

[BigGirlBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little novella in the Moonvale universe. We love reoccurring characters and monster fuckers 😊

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so ashamed that I enjoyed this monster novella…but he was really adorable and quirky.

[Gabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This read was VERY interesting and is one of the first reads of mine that included a cyclops for a main character... This was a very short read and was the most insta-lovey read I've picked up in a while but it was just what I was looking for at the time. Ren's awkwardness had its cute and aggravating times in the way it demonstrated he cared deeply for Emma and how she perceives him but at other times I had to fight a good bit to push through some of the second-hand embarrassment. His cat Mango was cute though and was quite the matchmaker on many fronts. I wish we got to see some more character depth beyond the physical intimacy and I wish there was a little more done with the plot line of Emma taking care of her father and his treatments through her work to just humanise the entire read a little more and let it have a tad more meaning, but I do know that that is not what most expect when going into this read and I can respect that. Side characters like Ren's closest friend really picked this all up for me as well and made things much more entertaining.
Overall, this was a really quick read for me and kept me amused! It was interesting to pick up something new like this and I can see myself attempting another similar read in the near future!

[Rae, shutupandbookup · Rating 5 out of 5]

"After all, I'm not exactly a catch. I'm a monster. A cyclops, to be precise, so not even one of the hot kinds." - Ren



Everyone knows the pains of the dating world, which has only gotten worse in modern times. Dating apps galore! For Ren the rejection or no matches at all is even worse when he's tried both monster AND human dating apps with no luck!



Ren just wants a mate like his other monster friends in Moonvale! He wants romance, love, and to be able to cherish someone. Luckily watching his favorite camgirl and interacting with her through chat keeps his spirits up. He was content with just being a silent viewer, but his orange cat had other plans in mind. An accident from Mango places Ren in a private call with his spicy camgirl! What will our big sweetheart of a cyclops do?!


"I'm still a giant, but inside I'm a marshmallow." - Ren



Emily's books just have something about them that I love. They make me feel warm and happy inside as I get to meet and understand new MCs from her! Ren is definitely a book boyfriend! I remember meeting him here and there in the "Monsters of Moonvale" series and wanting to give him a big hug! I'm glad he finally got his own story with an HEA!



Emma's a woman who knows her worth, is confident, and loves being a camgirl. I enjoyed reading the dual POVs and understanding more about Emma and Ren. The chemistry between them is perfect and I loved how Emma spoke to Ren. Ren being nervous and unsure of what to do. Ren's such a gentleman and with multiple scenes I found myself respecting him more. They're a perfect match and I loved watching them figure that out.



This is a fast paced, very short novella! Language is present and with Emma being a spicy camgirl there's some crude remarks. Fat shamming from mean viewers because Emma's a plus sized woman with curves. She blocks them immediately and moves on with her show. There's mention of parental death and a parent being treated for cancer remission. Things are kept light with this novella but do check TWs.



"Big and sweet is exactly my type. Not that I'm looking." - Emma



The heat happens pretty quickly after Mango's matchmaking endeavor. It's very spicy and when the two are finally together it's yummy. Magical lube to the rescue because of size difference. I liked how with Ren's internal monologue he never mentioned once or hinted at wanting Emma to quit her job if they ever became an item. Emma loves monsters and I'm sure she would've thrown Ren over her shoulder and marched to her bedroom if it was physically possible! Comical moments throughout that made me laugh!



I want to go back and read the other books within this series. Max and Mona's story for sure because the man is so supportive of his friends! This novella can be read as a standalone, no spoilers for previous books! I will get to the other reads by Emily because I love her writing!



Enjoy the high heat, low stakes romance with Mango who knows how to make things look like accidents. She deserves all the treats after this! Don't forget to give the author some stars!



shutupandbookup.com

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an adorable monster romance! Emily knows how to make write stories that are equal parts filthy and wholesome. Ren is a shy cyclops that doesn’t fit in with his people. He works on the computer and loves up on his fluffy cat. The dating apps he’s on for both monsters and humans have been a dead end so he spends his lonely nights chatting and watching Tiffany. Not only is he infatuated with her beauty he loves her spicy personality. Somehow, thanks to his cat, Ren finds himself in a private video with his dream girl. Emma never would have thought she would be a cam girl but she loves what she does. She knows she’s sexy and doesn’t mind using her body and personality to make money. One particular user is often in her chat and she may have a slight crush on him. When he boldly starts a private video with her she is shocked but excited. The way the sweet stranger talks to her makes her feel more than most “customers” would. Imagine her surprise when she gets a glimpse at something she often fantasizes about. Ren and Emma are the sweetest together. This sex worker meet cute was just pure delightfulness. Ren was just simply adorkable! Shy and unsure of himself, he truly was a gentle giant. I loved that he had no problem taking charge but also loved to be told what to do. Ren was very much in his head and didn’t believe that anyone, let alone a human, could find him attractive. When he found his confidence boy did he shine. This cyclops had a way with words that was so sweet but also so depraved and I ate it up. Emma is the plus size queen we all need as a best friend. She exudes confidence and sass. I loved how unapologetic she was and that she let what others say roll off of her. It made her the perfect match for the unsure cyclops. This book was full of sweet wholesomeness and delicious spice. Check this quick novella out to read a monster romance with major size difference, camming, magical lube, good boy vibes, accidental meet cute, cyclops MMC, plus size FMC, and a short story that is both hot and heartwarming.

[Valeria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was too short omg!

I was kind of struggling to start a new book and this novella did wonders!

Although this was very insta-lovey, I didn't mind like I usually do. It was so easy to like the characters, and Ren was so adorable and shyyy. From Maneater I know this author can write dorky, pathetic and head-over-heels in love MMCs and boy did she delivered with Ren!

The spicy scenes were great. I love when authors can capture desire and chemistry in so little time. I was hooked from the first page. This book was both so cute and sexy, and the dirty talk ufff chef kiss.

My only truly complaint is that this wasn't long enough! Two or more chapters would've been enough for me. I feel like once Ren and Emma met in real life, the scenes happened way too quickly and I just hoped the author took a bit more time there. That could've taken the book to a 4.5 star rating for me.

But overall a great spicy novella with an adorable and dorky MMC and a confident and sexy FMC.

[Trixie Woodlawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You'd be surprised what humans are into. Being big and weird isn't always a bad thing."

Adorable, awkward cyclops Ren has nothing but trouble on the modern dating scene. Instead, he finds err... release through watching camgirl Tiffany (Emma). But when he accidentally sets up a private call with Tiffany, he'll find out that perhaps the attraction isn't completely one-sided.

What I loved: The spice in this little novella was so on point! Seriously, it packed a punch for being such a short book. I finished the whole thing in one setting b/c Ren and Emma had so much chemistry!

Who would like this book: Fans of monster romance looking for a fun, short read. This book felt like treating myself to a candy bar (which I needed b/c I'm in the middle of an 800 pager that's been a slog.)

Comp Titles: Kind of like if Tell Me Something Good by Holly June Smith decided to have a monster romance baby. I do read a lot of monster romance, but not as many novellas, so that's about the best I can comp title it to.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I absolutely need more of this. The sincere sweetness and kindness of the characters in Emily’s novels honestly make me cry. It makes me realise I’ve never had a relationship like these, the raw honesty and kindness is just top tier and reeks of the truest love. (Maybe because I’ve never dated a monster? Humans are utterly disappointing)

I only wish this was longer as Ren is SO stinking adorable! Thank you for including vulnerabilities and insecurities, things everyone struggles with in the throes of dating - I honestly just want to give all these characters such a big hug

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have this issue when I read novella’s as I always end up getting attached to the characters and want more for their stories and I feel like this one definitely could’ve prosper with more buildup with the characters. I feel like the dynamics of the two characters are very nice and natural. I just wish that they had more time to actually build it up and we just got more content of what their relationship would look like after everything in the book. If you want something short, spicy, and sweet then this is definitely a decent read.

[Diamond D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually my first book by this author, and I really enjoyed it! I’ve got nothing but positive things to say. The only thing I didn’t love was how short it was—but since it’s a novella, that’s to be expected.

It’s fast, it’s short, it’s sweet, and boy, is it spicy. I read it all in one day and honestly had a great time. If you’re looking for something quick and steamy to satisfy that monster romance craving without a huge time commitment, this is definitely the one.

I’d give it a solid 4.5 stars and can’t wait to check out more from this author.

[Sara Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eyes only for Ren!

This book's ending came way too soon! I wanted more and more!!!! It was hot, funny, sexy, sweet, and made me all gooey inside! Ren is just delightful and hot 🔥 and Emma is dynamic and delicious! Such a great short story!!! I love the Monster's of Moonvale!!! Give me more,please! Emily just keeps creating amazing characters in this world that make me feel seen!

[Emily ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would I read a whole book of this? Yes, absolutely. I’ll read anyyything she writes! This novella was super fun + spicy 🔥

👁️ Nerdy, sweet cyclops MMC with a huge...heart
💖 Plus size human camgirl FMC
👁️ Spicy vid chat
💖 Clumsy cat acting as a matchmaker
👁️ Will it fit?
💖 Instalove

Monsters of Moonvale world but can be read as a standalone 💘

[Stephk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Gentle Giant

This story is as sweet as the gentle giant MMC, it makes your heart melt along with your panties 😉! This is just the perfect novella to break a reading dry spell with the perfect amount of plot and spice, and as always characters that you can’t help swooning over. Can’t wait to read the other books in the series and hopefully read more about Ren and Emma.

[Romance Read Along · Rating 5 out of 5]

Went from 83% to done

Made me wish it was a novel instead of a short. Sweet and gentle giant cyclops falls in love with monsterfer manic pixie dream girl. Well worth the $2 . So far the moon vale series always leaves me wanting more even if it often makes me wish there were fewer sex scenes

[Kelsey-rose💘 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly this was fun . I love monster romances especially novellas so that’s gonna be more
On the agenda for this year ( in novella form )
+ plus size fmc.

Emily Antionette is a new to me author - I know Emily mainly writes monster romances so I’ll be checking out more of this authors novellas out

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cute and spicy novella features characters we've met in Moonvale before. Ren is an adorable and sweet cyclops who just wants to find love. He's obsessed with a beautiful cam girl. His sweet cat, Mango, ends up initiating their meeting!

I loved these two so much!

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

SWEET & SPICY! Ren is the biggest cinnamon role that there ever was and I cannot get enough of him and his devotion to Emma. Mango is the ultimate furry wingman bringing these two lovebirds together with a flick of his paw. I love Emma's tenacity to not let Ren run away and show him how much she valued him beyond the physical, they shared so much and I can't wait for all the double dates with other Moonvale couples in their future!

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gosh. Ren was so cute. He was nerdy and sweet and so innocent. It was sweet how much he liked Emma too. Emma was so careful with him. They just fit together perfectly. This book was such a fun read!

[Valerie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super short and super steamy but also very sweet. This was a fun quick read. Ended abruptly and had some spelling errors/missing words but both characters were very like able. Ren was such a sweet and sexy cyclops.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was super cute, loads of spice, and short. i was sad when I finished it since my kindle time left to read said 15 minutes left but it was all previews and ads of other books! I would have enjoyed reading about these 2 for longer, I am so glad they got a HEA

[Yeri (wildflowerreader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awwwdorable

This was so cute and sexy. I loved Ren. The guy is a giant but I want him in my pocket where he’s safe. And Emma is a masterpiece. Super quick read, truly something fun a flirty.