I planned for s’mores, sunburns, and a peaceful summer by the lake.
A little solo soul-searching. A few regretful texts to my ex. Maybe a hot summer rebound. Not, uh… monster custody battles over who gets to eat me first.
(Literally. Probably. Hopefully.)
Turns out the “quaint cabin” I rented? Yeah, it’s smack in the middle of monster territory claimed
A Kraken shifter who collects vintage romance novels and thinks personal space is optional.A forest troll with arms like oak trees and the world’s most dangerous smile.A jealous Dire wolf shifter who claims I’m his mate. I wanted time to wallow.
Instead, I got monsters fighting over who gets to roast marshmallows—and me—first.
Now my “healing girl summer” looks more one massive monster pile-on, three possessive idiots who don’t know how to share, and about a thousand ways this could end in very questionable decisions.
Surviving the summer might require a lot of sunscreen, a lot of bad choices… and maybe letting myself get a little bit ruined.
Welcome to my Hot Monster Summer.
Where the men are feral, the cuddles are aggressive, and the s’mores are definitely very sticky.
Content This is a reverse harem shifter rom-com for mature audiences.
★ Low-angst ★ Fast-paced ★ Why-choose
If you're looking for a light, fun, and spicy standalone to enjoy over the summer, this book is for you.
J. Ever writes paranormal stories with big hearts, big laughs, and even bigger... well, you know ;-)
She's been writing for years but never had the courage to publish, and she's truly grateful to everyone who takes a chance on one of her books.
When she's not creating stories, she's reading (obvs), drooling over book boyfriends, laughing at her own jokes (which happens a little too frequently), and very often (especially since this book was published), doing uncoordinated dance moves while cradling her fluffy cat because she's so happy to be writing full-time.
Thank you for being here, taking a chance, and helping her dream of being an author come true.
After renting a cabin on the lake to escape her cheating ex and shitty family, the last thing Lily expects is to find herself caught in the midst of a monstrous pissing match where she is the prize.
Hot Monster Summer was short, sweet, and oh so steamy!
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧: - human + 3 monsters - why choose, obvi - insta-lust - tentacle play - spicy time with s’mores
I loved this story, it was short and still complete. This was one of the best written self published books I have read. I think I may have fallen in love with these monsters. The descriptions specifically around making love in the heart of the forest are moving and fantastical.
What to Expect 🌲 MMFM 🐙 Tentacles, Knots & Ridges 🔥 S’more Spicy Time 🫶 Low Angst
This is a cute, fast-paced novella with way more plot than you’d expect—and it delivers on both the sweet and the spicy.
Lily’s having a rough time—dumped by her fiancé and betrayed by her sister—but she takes it in stride. She’s sharp, funny, and self-aware in a way that makes her easy to root for. I genuinely liked her voice and found myself laughing out loud more than once.
And then there’s the monsters. Each of them brings something different to the table: 🌿 Oren the forest troll is the softest of the bunch, with literal flower-growing magic and a steady, calming presence. 📖 Caspian the kraken is a confident flirt who loves old-school romance novels and knows exactly how to push Lily’s buttons. 🐺 Kaelen is the grumpy dire wolf who lowkey loves how feisty she is, and isn’t afraid to chase what he wants.
Honestly, I fell for all of them.
Now, food play isn’t usually my thing, but the s’mores scene was surprisingly well done—more fun than cringey, which is hard to pull off. The spice overall is really well balanced. It doesn’t feel like it’s just there to check a box, and nothing feels rushed or out of place. I loved her first time with Oren—there’s just something about a good “it’ll fit” moment that gets me every time.
If you want something short, spicy, and low-angst with heart and humor, this is it. I devoured it in one sitting, but it’d be just as perfect for the beach or poolside.
This debut from J. Ever was a delicious chocolately s’more of a read — gooey, sweet, and just the right amount of messy. I love monster romance, and from the very first moment the cover drew me in, I knew I was hooked.
We meet three very different monsters:
A Kraken shifter who hoards vintage romance novels and has never heard of “personal space.”
A forest troll with arms like oak trees and the most charming smile.
And a jealous Dire wolf shifter who doesn’t just want her… he claims her.
The rivalry between them had me glued to the page. Normally I’m not a fan of “fight for her attention” dynamics, but what won me over was how each of them took her on their own kind of “date,” showing her their world and proving why she should choose them. Oren, the troll, stood out early — perfectly content to respect her choice no matter what. Caspian and Kaelen, however, weren’t so simple; their tangled history gave the tension bite. Once upon a time, they were “a thing,” until Caspian’s pride got in the way and fractured them, sparking the rivalry that bleeds into the story now.
I loved how it all unfolded — the tension, the stubbornness, and especially the way they eventually worked together when Lily didn’t choose just one, but all of them. The small moments between Caspian and Kaelen, once they started mending their history, were some of my favorite parts.
And can we talk about the worldbuilding? The lore woven around each monster felt rich and unique, making the cabin setting buzz with life and danger.
For a debut, this was fun, fast, and thoroughly satisfying. I devoured it. If you like your romances feral, funny, and full of monsters who don’t play fair, this is your treat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
J. Ever's Hot Monster Summer was such a fun read. Lily is getting over a huge betrayal and decides to do a little healing in a small cabin in the woods away from civilization. It screams a little like a horror movie to me, but to each their own. What she wasn't expecting was monsters or magic. Oren, the wise forest troll; Caspian, a poetic kraken; and Kaelen, an intriguing mix of dire wolf and man. He's primal and aggressive but also surprisingly gentle.
I mostly read paranormal romances. They vary from MF to why choose to cozy and everything in between, including monster romance. My favorite FMCs are the ones that are surprisingly cool about the existence of the supernatural. Lily is one of those characters. She just had her world shaken and discovered monsters exist, and she's cool about it. I loved that she was open and curious about them as people. The guys were cool and very romantic for ancient monsters who've been alone for almost forever. Each one of them brought something different. The steamy parts were good, but I also enjoyed the plot and backdrops. Each guy had their own territory, and the way Ever wrote about them, the magic was just coming off the page. The plot wasn't all smut; I very much enjoyed the guys' backstories. They were brief but interesting. Put all of that together, and you get a nice little bite.
I loved Hot Monster Summer. It was the perfect quick little read if you enjoy a good monster romance, but don't have the time to read as much as you would like.
Lily's rented an isolated, lakeside cabin in an attempt to get over her ex-fiancé cheating on her with her sister. Which is already terrible and it's made even worse when the two cheaters expect her to be happy for them. Umm, no? But thanks for playing. So. To give herself some space to deal with her heartbreak (on two fronts), Lily is looking to be alone so she can grieve and move on.
Guuuuyyyys. Lily's not exactly alone at the cabin. There's a hunky kraken in the lake, a patient troll in the forest, and a possessive wolf patrolling his territory. And they ALL like how Lily makes them feel. The thing is, she's not even doing anything to entice them. She's just being herself, dealing with her heartbreak (which she gets over fairly quickly thanks to her monsters), and trying to remember how to be happy (which also happens faster than she expected thanks to [you guessed it] her monsters).
Each of her suitors helps her see the world around her in different ways. Each makes her feel special and adored. She honestly doesn't know how she could ever choose between them and GUESS WHAT? They might be okay if she doesn't choose, at all. And Lily? IS REALLY OKAY WITH THAT.
An isolated locale, a kraken with adventurous tentacles, a forest troll with deep magic, a wolf with a bit of a possessive bent, and a lady who likes all of them just the way they are. *thumbs up*
Rating: ★★★★¾ (4.75 stars) Title: Hot Monster Summer Author: J. Ever
Hot Monster Summer is a fun, spicy “why choose” paranormal romance that delivers both heart and heat. The story follows Lily, a human woman who escapes to a remote location to heal after finding out her fiancé was cheating on her, WITH HER SISTER, no less!!!!!!! What she expected was peace and quiet. What she got? Three very different monsters showing up at her door, each vying for her heart and a bit more.
I really enjoyed J. Ever’s writing style. It’s easy to read, fast-paced, and laced with both humor and warmth. The chemistry between the characters felt natural, and the story balanced emotional moments with genuinely good smut. It's a standalone, but I’d happily read more books set in this universe, there’s definitely room for more!
The only reason I’m giving it 4.75 instead of a full 5 stars is because of the ending. While it wraps up with a satisfying “happy for now,” I personally would have loved a more final, conclusive ending. That said, it still felt like a fitting close to Lily’s story.
If you’re looking for a light, steamy, monster-filled romance that’s as heartwarming as it is hot, Hot Monster Summer is absolutely worth picking up. I can’t wait to read more from J. Ever!
Read if you like: Monster Romance Why Choose Spice Quick Reads
The perfect quick beach read-light, funny and HOT!!
Lily's summer cabin escape takes a dramatic turn when she finds out the cabin she rented is surrounded by territorial monsters that have decided she is the new territory to fight over.
I'm obsessed with gentle giant Oren. Honestly all Lily's men were great in their own ways. Caspian the mischievous Kraken and Kaelen the possessive Dire Wolf rounded out their quirky pack.
The character building and their backstories were perfectly done. Some magics were new and interesting but didn't confuse me or take me out of the story like other books.
I wish we saw a little more of Caspian and Kaelen together, but the ending was perfect to keep things short and sweet IMO.
High Spice low angst fast paced tentacles, fur and fun appendages oh my mmfm This was a fun quick read novella. it is short, fast paced, and big on the spice. the mfc is rather funny and I enjoyed her quips and internal/external dialogs. Definitely had me giggling in several parts. My favorite character was Oren. this was the first time I've read about a monster like him and his few words. I loved how the author portrayed him. she did an amazing job of showcasing how each character brings something different. My only complaint was that I would have loved an extended epilogue, but only because I wanted more of the characters lol. it is understandable why there isn't as its a novella. Definitely a great read when you need a fun pick me up!
"A Blessing. A Partner. A Mate" 💕 -She thinks she came here for solitude. For healing. Instead, she's wandered into the hunting grounds of three monsters who suddenly find themselves hungry for something other than prey. 🔥🔥🔥 this read was absolutely adorable! I loved every minute of it! I'm not ashamed to admit, I came for Caspian, our Kraken shifter, but my heart shifted to Kaelen, our dire-wolf, as soon as that broody pup opened his mouth 🤤 10/10 definitely recommend reading this book!!!! 📖
Had to read this book after reading my first book by this author! It sounded right up my alley and it was good!
The little fighting the MMCs had and trying to win the FMC was so cute. Them making sure she is reminded that they very much are interested in her and would be even better if she chose them :)
The individual dates were nice and when they ended being spicy 😏
Honestly I do wish we got a little more in the end with them. I wanted to see more of them together
A kraken, a dire (were) wolf, and a troll?! Why choose when you can have them all? Magical and mysterious. Lots of pining and possessive energy. Definitely a good summer novella.
A sad girl healing summer turns into a hot monster summer.
I really wish those who deserved punishment would get the punishment because wow her ex sucks. Her family sucks. The guys are awesome though or monsters whatever. I really enjoyed this book and wished it was longer.
MMCs: Caspian, Kaelen, Oren FMC: Lily (water lily, my lily, treasure🥹) Spice: 3/5 🌶️ (first around 48-49%) Burn: Med-Fast Tropes: Mixed species Harem, Forced Proximity, Fated Mates, Found Family, Sticky Marshmallow Sweet (had to!) POV: Multiple, First
28% - This book is super cute so far. No spice yet but I’m already liking the characters. The FMC is funny even while hurting from her recent breakup and ‘the betrayal. At this point I’ve been introduced to all of the main characters. Oren is such a sweetheart and I love his subtle words because even as small as they seem, they hold a lot of tenderness and wisdom. Caspian gives me “I’ve been hurt by those I loved so I keep everyone at a distance now but all I want is to be loved back” vibes and I just want to squeeze him. Kaelen hasn’t had his one on one with Lily yet but I love our shy dire wolf. I can’t wait to see more of his personality throughout the book.
48% - Ugh I love Oren so much. Such a sweet, loving MMC. I cannot 😩🖤
Finished - Okay I loved this novella waaaay more than I thought I would! The MMCs are so cute. I wish we had more of Oren, he was personally my favorite. Gentle giant 🥹 I really hope that there’s another novella with them because this ended on a HFN (happy for now) which is one of my least favorite tropes - hence the 4 stars. But I really would love to see where they go next and if they have babies and who’s babies will she have and all of the MM action With Cas and Kaelen.
I won’t lie, my first monster book (not this one) was almost a year ago and I had no idea it was a monster novella until the monsters started getting freaky with the girls and it was so intense that I stayed away from monster romance until a couple of weeks ago. Now that I’m testing the waters and trying them out, I’m glad I am because this novella was such a good read that it makes me want to try more. 🖤🫶🏼
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Hot Monster Summer is an exploding whirlwind of passion, heartbreak, and irresistible danger—a fiery, spicy “why choose” paranormal romance that sears into your soul. It’s a story that grabs you by the heart and refuses to let go. Lily, a brave and wounded human woman, flees to a remote, lonely place, desperate for peace after shattering betrayal—discovering that her fiancé was unfaithful, with none other than her own sister!!!!!!! Her world crashes down, and all she longs for is quiet solace. But fate has other plans. Instead of serenity, her door swings open to three fierce, diverse monsters—each more magnetic than the last—each craving her, each vying fiercely for her heart and, oh yes, so much more.
This story blazes with energy—an exhilarating, fast-paced ride that’s impossible to put down. It’s infused with humor that makes you laugh and warmth that makes your chest ache. The chemistry crackles with authenticity, raw and undeniable, igniting every page. It balances deep, emotional moments with scorching, genuine smut that leaves you breathless. Though it’s a standalone, I’d throw everything aside for more—more of Lily’s fierce story, more of these monsters, more of this unstoppable fire. All I want now is to find a cabin just like that—somewhere wild and free—so I can dive headfirst into that world of passion.
I tell you what, if nothing else, I would’ve read this story & given it 5 ⭐️ just because Lily, our FMC, had a hilarious inner monologue that was just the humor I needed in my life. Of course, the rest of the book & characters weren’t too shabby either 😝😂 I gotta admit, I loved that we didn’t have to wait long to start getting introduced to Lily’s guys. While Lily could’ve entertained me the entire book, I am glad she had company to add to it 😉And let me just put it out there….I loved all the guys 😍 Caspian & his “Little Mermaid” vibe tugged on my heartstrings, Kaelen gave all the growly possessive “mine” yumminess you could want, and Oren just stole my heart with his gentle giant wisdom & forest heart magic (iykyk 👀🤯✨😝). Watching the guys go from competitive rivals (ok, that part was mainly Caspian & Kaelen lol) to being what Lily needed them to be as a whole group, was both hilarious & sweet all at the same time (especially the added twist at the end). I could’ve read a lot more from these characters, but truly enjoyed everything we did get. A sweet & sexy quick read that will make you smile & laugh ✨ Perfect for in between darker, or more intense emotional books ❤️
I'm angry. My review wiped. I don't wanna write 1,000 more words.
I liked it. It was cute and sexy, but it didn't really explain why the characters did what they did. The spice was wholesome and creative, I actually did like all the characters, and it did what it came to do - be an escapist fantasy about sexy monsters proving that you are worth loving - very well. I just needed more in relation to explaining WHY the monsters fell for her. it was a cute story but I feel I had to fill in too many of the blanks to make the plot make sense. but I also know it's meant to not be taken too seriously so I still recommend it, I just can't say it's great or deep or anything.
it is refreshing to see fantasy elements being used in fantasy spice, though. Finally. so sick of all these books with complex magic systems and capabilites only to have vanilla spice be the most mind blowing thing of all time. This actually felt like she WAS changing!
Alas, loved it, but felt it was a novel's worth of story packed into a novella length, resulting in a lot of the actual plot and world building being left up to your own imagination. that's fine, but I wish it was more.
From complete heartbreak and betrayal to being the center of attention for three unique monsters.
The Kraken who calls the lake home. The Troll who calls the forest home. The Direwolf who calls a cave home.
Three ancient creatures who have been alone for so long. They share the area with an uneasy truce but this woman staying in the run down cabin may cause that truce to dissolve. They are all interested in her and they are surprised that she isn't afraid of them.
I absolutely love the interactions between her and each of the creatures. Each experience is unique to who they are and what they want from her.
Can she really find what she has been missing in these three monsters who just want to keep her for themselves? Will they be able to allow her the grace to explore and maybe find a better balance for them all?
The first thing that attracted me to this book was the monster combination - A forest troll [Oren], a dire wolf [Kaelen], a kraken [Caspian] and can’t forget the human FMC [Lily]…I was so curious to see how these characters could mesh together. The FMC Lily has taken off for the summer to spend time in a remote cabin after catching her fiancé sleeping with her sister. She definitely finds the healing she needed, but not in the way she thought.
This novella was a story that was so stinking cute and fun, with a dash of smutty (and gooey 😉 ) goodness on top. A Perfect short summer read.
The characters all had some unique qualities that I loved. Lily had this fantastic inner monologuing which just made me absolutely adore her, she was hilarious. Oren was just surprising and totally stole my heart. I really loved how Lily reacted to Kaelen and his possessiveness, and Caspian was basically just charming my pants off.
This book was such a perfect summer monster romance read with cute moments and a good amount of spice!
Lily is reeling after finding her fiancé cheating with her sister and decides to stay at a remote cabin to recoup. Little does she know her cabin is situated between three monsters yearning for her companionship.
I thought this book was a light romantic read and perfect for monster lovers and those looking to dip a toe into the genre. I liked that this story is a why choose and you get not one, but three monsters! A wolf shifter, troll, and kraken.
I will say that out of the monsters, Oren the troll and forest guardian was my favorite. He was so sweet and understanding when it came to Lily! Kalen the wolf shifter and Caspian the kraken were spicy and sweet in their own way.
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone looking for a short monster read this summer!
Loved the introduction, Oren kept me reading through the middle part, wasn't such a fan of the ending as it's very open ended/you can decide what happens.
Have I mentioned how much I love Oren? Caspian was the rich, upper class love interest. Kaelan I wasn't a fan of as his was more possessive you-are-mine-and-I-won't-share which I am never a fan of in reverse harems.
While I understand more the ex+sister backstory, I got tired of it being repeated over and over; comparing the monsters actions with her situation repeatedly killed the story for me. That together with apart from the initial separate dates, life at the cabin with the monsters was very much repetitive.
So, not bad. A good book for a debut author. Liked the cute cover but it does not include Oren.
As a self published book, this was pretty good. The plot was interesting and fast paced, with a lot of insta-lust going on. There was an interesting mix of characters and I enjoyed the varying personalities of the monsters. Oren is steadfast, calming with adorable flower growing capabilities when he’s happy; Caspian is a smooth-talker and a flirt with a secret love for human romance novels; and Kaelan is a very primal, aggressive creature who is very protective of what he considers his. Lily isn’t one of my favorite characters but I did enjoy how very human and relatable her character was. She was basically running away after her sister and ex-fiance’s betrayal and trying to do her own version of eat-pray-love when she meets all 3 monsters. It was not well explained why the monsters were attracted to her other than a vague “you smell different than other humans.” I also don’t particularly like FMCs who keep asking why the MMC likes her when she’s “nothing special.”
There was actually more plot depth in this story which was surprising, and the spice was simmering. The food play at the end was *chefs kiss* though. Yum.
And a favorite additional plot surprise, was Caspian and Kaelan’s rekindled romance. I always love me some sweet MM romance but add monsters in the mix?! Phew.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Our main girl Lily rents a remote cabin in the woods for the summer to heal and get over a bad breakup. What she doesn’t realize is she has waltzed into the middle of monster territory and those monsters want her! This is such a cute read, I loved watching the fmc interact and bond with all the mmcs in different ways unique to them💗 Caspian the hot and fun kraken, Oren the sweet and 8 foot tall forest troll, and Kaelen the possessive and protective dire wolf shifter. Lily has some decisions to make and some fun to have and this novella is such a cute quick and spicy read! My only complaint is it isn’t longer! Tropes- •Monster men •special appendages😏 •creative use of smores •standalone novella •why choose (small amount of mm with Lily involved) •HEA💗
This was a new author read and it was definitely worth it. Our FMC Lily suffering from heartbreak is still strong willed and independent (not at all whiny as some can get and does get tiring after a little so Lily was a breath of fresh air). The guys offer different things for her, my favourite being Kaelen, a dire wolf with a touching backstory (as pretty much all the guys do with the length of time) No huge angst, no 3rd act break up, no bullying and no blasted cliffhanger. Just a light almost fluffy RH which was a wonderful pallet cleanser from what I have been reading. If you want a nice almost cozy "cabin in the woods" book then this is the one for you. Will be looking out for more from this author.
"What would my therapist say? Probably something about “unhealthy coping mechanisms” and “overcompensating in the worst way possible.” But my therapist doesn’t know what it feels like to be kissed underwater by a kraken, have a forest troll look at you like you’re the sun after centuries of darkness, or be the focus of a dire wolf’s unwavering protective instinct."
Definitely a bit of a guilty pleasure book for me. A much needed palate cleanser after months of only horror! I was surprised at how truly romantic this was! Sure it was a lot of smut and a lot of "monsters" but each one truly felt equally human and other. They have the capacity of love deeper than human and it was so so beautiful.
Wow, this is an extremely well written novella. It is pretty fast paced, due to it's length, but I was really surprised at how much I liked th characters.
After catching her fiance with her sister, out FMC runs away for a three month sabbatical. Three months of minimal people, a lake, self help, etc....except...she isn't alone. This is monster territory, and they all want her ....the real question is will she have to choose and will she stay ...
MMFM
I wish there had been some further epilogues, and it would have been interesting to have her family show up at this hideaway.
Hot Monster Summer is a quick read about Lily who recently broke up with her boyfriend after he cheated on her with her sister. She decides to leave her family and problems behind to heal and find out who she is. The cabin she rents just happens to be by a lake with Caspian the kraken. Kaelen the dire-wolf patrols and protects the forest. Oren the forest troll is connected to all the trees and plants in the forest. All of these men have been alone for a long time and each are drawn to Lily.
Can she see beyond their monster label? Will Lily need to pick one of her monsters or can they all learn to live together?
This was a fun and quick read. Go read this story now.
A cute monster romance! Lily is taking a summer vacation to a secluded lake cabin after finding her ex fiancé and sister together. Hoping to heal in the wildness she meets 3 monsters, Oren a foster gardian, kaelen the dire wolf, and Caspian the kraken. All 3 want to and are determined to have her showing her more love and appreciation than anyone ever has. The best part is she doesn’t have to choose. This is a cute spicy book, if you are into walking trees, over protective wolves and kraken who know how to use their tentacles, you will enjoy this quick read!
This book was so good I finished it in a couple hours I couldn’t put it down. Lily was blind sided by the betrayal by her ex-fiancé and her sister she was supposed to get married. Lily decides to get away from everything and heads to a cabin for months. She meets 3 men. The first person she meets is Caspian who is a kraken, Kaelen a dire wolf and Oren a forest troll. All three men want her for themselves after meeting her but you have to read to find out what happens. I definitely recommend for everyone to read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.