Wren Holloway has spent her life denying the voice under her bed.
It started when she was five—whispers in the dark, a cold presence that spoke in riddles and watched her sleep. Her mother said it was imagination. Wren learned to laugh it off. Fight back. Lock it away.
But the monster never left.
Now twenty-four, Wren bartends through her insomnia and wears combat boots like armor. She doesn't believe in monsters. Not really. Until the night something with too many eyes tries to kill her in her own bedroom—and the voice from her past steps out of the shadows in a tailored black suit.
Bodhi is a Threshold, born from nightmares and tethered to human children by ancient design. He was never meant to become real. Never meant to stay. And certainly never meant to hunger for more than fear. But Wren is not a normal vessel—and the monster under her bed is no longer content to lurk.
Dragged into his world of veiled horrors, brutal magic, and the ruthless Ministry that governs them, Wren must navigate a deadly realm where her emotions are currency and her connection to Bodhi is a threat to them both.
He was created to haunt her. She was never supposed to want him. But the shadows have chosen, and they never let go.
Perfect for fans of twisted monster romances, morally gray antiheroes, and the dangerous line between love and obsession.
Note from the If you purchased this book before the most recent update, you may have received what I’m calling The Bootleg Disaster Edition—aka, a very unfinished version that escaped into the wild before it was ready. The wrong date went live, I was still waiting on my final cover, and the publishing gods clearly wanted to humble me.
If that’s you, please reach out via my website lfordauthor before leaving a scathing review. I’ll happily send you a signed paperback of the finished, shiny, actually-complete book (US readers only—international readers, I have other fixes for you).
Thanks for sticking with me through this chaos. I promise the real version is so much better.
I so very much loved this story. I devoured it like the Bruce Bogtrotter cake scene in Matilda. De-fucking-licious.
I cracked up so many times throughout the story, and fully snorted at some of the words.
Wren is such a fantastic breath of air as a character. She screams I've had enough of the trauma, but am more than willing to get stabby. If required.
The ultimate sass had me hooked, I love a sarcastic little shit, and even more so, I'm inclined to love a fictitious one. The combination of Wren and Bodhi, 2 of the same side of the coin, a pair in unique ways, they feed off each other and have done for most of Wrens life. They are so messed up it makes them ultra lovable.
I'm distraught at the unsaid and unfinished twists. I am however glad to see, there shall be a book 2, with more chaos, and more monsters that will burn the world to the ground to keep them safe.
This book is made for anyone who enjoys twisty relationships, characters fueled by coffee and chaos, smart assed heroines and snarky monsters, fated mates, he falls first vibes, touch her and die vibes, morally grey/black characters, demon daddy vibes, beautifully weaved monster realms, and a thoughtful approach to what lies in the shadows, beneath our beds, and in our cupboards. When you reach for the dark, it answers. It gives itself to you, in darkness and wonder. I've never wanted a monster under my bed in my life, until now. I feel that if the darkness ever calls my name, I too would talk back. I'm not crazy, just absolutely fascinated by the events in this book. Who wouldn't want their own demon daddy?
I have unresolved childhood trauma, regarding a certain cereal brands mascot children, they would appear to me as a young thing, and try to eat me like evil carnivorous children! Like fully fledged horror to have them appear night after night trying to eat me, I was traumatised and still to this day, boycott all said mascot children's products. Like am I fuck, reaching under the bed, even now as an adult if those fuckers are there. Not a chance. A Bodhi though.. I'd clean out all my cupboard and drawer space to be inhabited.
I really recommend this book, although light indicator of CSA, it's not actually delved in to, just a brief moment in passing discussion. There's a lot of body horror, and foul language, and some spicy goodness.
4 shiny stars for you and I can't wait to read more in the series.
He’s lived under her bed since she was five. She’s never truly been alone, and never truly been free.
Wren’s life is a balancing act between long nights at the bar, a messy roommate, and the voice in the dark that’s been her protector for decades. Bodhi isn’t human, safe, or someone she ever asked for… yet he’s always been there. When a stranger starts watching her, showing up where he shouldn’t be, Bodhi’s warnings sharpen into demands. Wren tells herself she can handle it, but every night the space between the shadows and the danger feels smaller.
The closer the stranger gets, the more Bodhi pushes her to let him act. His protection has never come without cost, and this time everything could change. When the threat finally breaks through her control, Wren has to decide if trusting Bodhi means survival or surrender. He promises safety, but his idea of safe may be something far darker than she imagined.
Drawn into his strange, dangerous world, Wren sees the depth of his obsession and the lengths he’ll go to keep her. What started as tense, barbed exchanges becomes a reluctant confession of love, binding them in a way that’s both terrifying and undeniable. In Bodhi’s words, she’s his beginning and his ending, and everything in between is just finding new ways to keep her.
Wren grows from a woman who tries to keep control of her life by ignoring threats to one who faces danger head-on and accepts help, even from a morally gray source. Bodhi shifts from an ominous, controlling protector to a more vulnerable figure who admits how much he needs her. Their relationship moves from tense, guarded co-existence to mutual love, with both embracing the risks of staying bound to each other.
A dark, steamy, possessive monster romantasy, exploring love, protection, control, fear, trust, trauma, survival, obsession, and deep companionship.
The vibes of this book were snarky, sarcastic, dark and suspenseful. We were teased with a bit of spice and I definitely wouldn’t have turned down more! The pacing of the book was good, the pages flew by. The character development was well written while still keeping with the true spirit. Overall, I’d give this book a 3.5/5 stars and a 2/5 on the spicy scale.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely LOVED this book!! The writing was fantastic. The snark, the sarcasm, the witty banter had me grinning like crazy. I did not want this book to end. Wren & Bodhi are definitely in my top 5 favorite characters I have read this summer. This book is a must read. You will not be disappointed.
Wren's tragic heartbreaking story grabs you from the very beginning. Her stubborn Survivor personality brings you kicking & screaming all the way through. And her personal "Boogeyman the monster under her bed" is the thing of Nightmares that every girl dreams of being her Black knight the Villain of her heart!! He is the Monster we all crave but only admit to the shadows and darkness.
Wow, this is an amazing book, I was hooked from the start till the end, absolute brilliant read and I would highly recommend it to everyone. I give the book five stars because it is a amazing read.
This review copy was freely provided to me by the author via Booksprout - thank you!
Folks, a supernatural cryptid in couture shows up, wyd?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5) | 🌶️🌶️ (2)
I have way too many words for this book to be contained in a single review, so, I apologize in advance.
The entire book gripped me and didn't let go. I read it like a half feral cat, hissing at any interruptions. The gritty and realistic portrayal of Wren's life "pre" plot. The amazing, visceral way the author has with words. I felt every little bit that our FMC experiences. Wren and Bodhi's relationship and their DIALOGUE, oh my god, the DIALOGUE. I may never recover. I'll be thinking about them when I'm actively in my grave, probably.
The writing (style?) shifts a bit throughout the book, enough for me to notice and note in my reading journal. I'm not sure if it's intentional or not, but it works. At first it was really atmospheric - we're seeing the grit, the tough times - the sentences are curt, and it fits the vibe so well. Wren's normal day. This. Then that. Mindless and routine, she could do all this with her eyes closed. The writing is almost brutal, staccato, like gunshots or threatening knocking at the door. Further on in the story, when the scenes are flowing more, the surrounding text loses that almost "choppy" rhythm. It may sound like a negative, but I really enjoyed it!
I loved, loved, loved how much description there was around Bodhi's realm, and everything in it. When we arrived I could feel it behind my ribs. The realm in general was fascinating, and while a nightmare realm is by no means a novel (I'm so sorry) idea, Ford's feels so unique and possesses so much depth and interest. We're given enough lore to not scratch our heads in confusion, but to look forward to revisiting in the next book, in hope of learning even more. For some reason, and this is probably just me being a weirdo, but it gave me.... Anti-Ghibli vibes? Nightmare Ghibli with rot and borderline body horror? I dunno, y'all. It is what it is. Or, isn't. Depends on the market stall, I guess.
Wren and Bodhi's dialogue is my favorite part - and I loved everything about the book. I can't get over them. Their words, insults, and sarcasm ricochet between them. It's witty, it's fast paced, it's clever as all hell. It shows how long they've known each other. I kept having to pause to reread their conversations and highlight and it was, I'm being so honest here, kind of getting annoying. What an amazing problem to have.
Quotes, of which I have 90+ marked in my e-reader, but I can't very well give out half the book, now, can I?:
The back and forward banters between Bodhi and Wren was sarcastic foreplay...lol. Yes, theres that. Quick comeback, super arrogant, sarcasm, condencending at times...but weirdly they all come out like sexy foreplay and not cheezy. I love the freshness of this two.
The world, Bodhi's world is one of the reason i love fantasy romance with dark edges. The author really had a blast writing all the dark fantasy in Bodhi's world. Love it!
The plot line...now this, i found a hole. There was one scene that had ke on edge because it was so scary to think if it really came true. I was excited for how the author gonna pull it off as HEA at the end because how scary what the Pillar can do to Wren, and Bodhi by connection.
But...nothing.
I'm not going to give spoiler, but there was nothing! No valid explanation on whats going on that makes all the threat of the Pillar just whoosh and voila, HEA.
Even Bodhi's way of handling the enemy, was a bit non bloody, while i expect more.
For me, this "little" hole is the reason for not perfect star in my review.
Bodhi did redeem him self with all the goey feels his action as our most ahole alpha must do to get the lady. Bodhi definitly the monster under my bed any woman realy want.
Although i was waiting for his grand gesture of leaving dead animals on her doorstep, preferably arranged in the shape of a heart. Or, write her name across the moon. Or, challenge anyone who so much as looks at her for more than three seconds to a duel. No weapons limit. Just end them. Make it known she’s untouchable because she’s yours. And lastly, steal something significant from her past. Family heirloom, childhood toy, whatever. Keep it. When she notices it’s missing, tell her you’ve been protecting it all along.....lol
Lastly, since the author might already have Harper and Krei's story as next book, i really wish Wren and Bodhi's style of banters are spesificly only for them. May not happen for how there two already meet with similar banter, but i still wish there will be huge difference between the two couple.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4.5 ⭐️ This book…wow. I didn’t think I’d love it as much as I did 🫶🏼 Ford does an amazing job at giving you as much detail as possible without it feeling like a huge list. The way she’s able to break down character’s feelings/settings etc and word it so poetically is just 🤩 I also ADORED our MCs. They were both phenomenal, funny…everything I wanted them to be and more. I especially loved how emotionally available our MMC was!!!! I think it’s so rare to find a book where the MMC is emotionally mature and doesn’t use his masculinity/gender as a way to justify when he isn’t 🫠 The only slight issue I have with the wiring is that when starting a new pov, it wasn’t addressed at the start of the character so it made it a little confusing to begin with. You’d have to read the first couple of sentences to know whose pov you were in.
The story follows Wren, a girl who has been hearing a strange voice from under her bed since she was five years old. The whispers grow stronger as she gets older, pulling her into a world that is both dark and mysterious. Along the way, she faces secrets, danger, and a powerful romance that changes everything. L. Ford's writing is dark, emotional, and full of tension. The book blends supernatural mystery with romance, keeping the reader curious about what's real and what's hidden. If you like fantasy romance with a dark twist, mysterious voices, and emotional intensity, then Under Her Bed will be an exciting read for you.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
loved it !! a great start for a new series !!! love Wren and Bodhi... this is their story... a fast paced action packed rom/drama... he's always been there for her, since she was five... she was told that it was just her imagination... there are no monsters under the bed... but, she heard him late at night... whispering... teasing... scaring her... he was never meant to stay or to become real.. and yet he did... he would never leave her... she's attacked and he whisks her away to his world.. a strange world.. a dangerous world... and yet, she fells safe with him... this is their journey... so good !!!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
All teeth marks and sin isn’t understatement. This books slips under the skin and takes measure. It’s imagery with substance and offers no apologies when it crawls out and scares the crap out of you. It lovely. 🥰.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.