Falling for the Boogeyman

by Isla Winter

The Boogeyman always gets what he wants.

Being the leader of the Boogeymen is not for the faint of heart. Stealing souls and terrorizing people in the night takes a special being with supreme power. Basil Fernsby is that being. Thriving on fear and despair, Basil loves everything about what he does. That is, until the night he creeps out from under the bed of the most magnificent woman he has ever seen. One look at her has him questioning everything.

Iris Gable has lived in Hollybrook her entire life. Her days are busy with running her flower shop, and her nights are quiet alongside her cat Lancelot. When a strange figure awakens her in the middle of the night, she quickly realizes not only is the Boogeyman real, but he brings a new part of her to life.

Distracted and enamored with his new target, Basil finds himself suddenly trapped in the human realm. Forced to help him find a way home, Iris begins to discover a world where the monster under the bed also belongs in it.

Genres: Audiobook, Monster Romance, Romance

100 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2025

About the author

Isla is an enigma - even to herself - and is figuring all this author's business out as she goes. She enjoys spending time with her husband and furry family of two cats and two dogs. When she's not reading or writing, she's likely playing Mario Kart.

Please note: I am anti-AI, and generative AI tools have never, and WILL NEVER, be used in my writing.

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot and spicy novella where florist Iris meets Basil, the ruler of the Boogeymen. Who wouldn't want to meet someone that's not only protective and sweet but has two appendages and knows how to use them?
Basil is instantly attracted to Iris and she falls quickly after. They do all they can to make it work between the human world and Hell.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, this one as a short and spicy good time! I liked the quick chemistry, the good communication - figuring out how they will work I'm different worlds - it was great. Not to mention the extra... I'm, appendage. Lol! This was lots of fun!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iris awakens to the Boogeyman standing over her bed. He says, "Welcome to Hell." What a wakeup call. Not one that I would want to encounter. Luckily for Iris, the Boogeyman has a sense of humor. Also, his name is Basil.

Basil does rule Hell and collects souls but when he meets Iris, he wants to claim Iris but not for Hell. He wants to claim her as his own.

"My lips caress hers, seeking a truth I already know. She. Is. Mine."

I loved the cheeky humor that Basil showcased throughout the book. This is the best part of the story if I am honest. Yet, the chemistry that he and Iris shared is a close second.

"I'll always be able to get to you. Time, space, none of it matters."

Who knew that the monster under my bed that I was fearful of when I was a child would turn out to be the monster of my dreams as an adult. I am all about Basil. He can come visit me anytime. Falling for the Boogeyman is a hilarious, must read.

[Megs · Rating 4 out of 5]

😈🛌ARC Review🛌😈


Thank you for this ARC of Falling for the Boogeyman! This was my FIRST book from Isla Winter, and I am excited to jump into the rest of her books!

Let’s face it Basil needed to be knocked down a peg so when he has to go complete a task that he thinks is beneath him and he accidentally gets stuck in the human world, but not just any human a human that he can’t help but drown in her intoxicating smell!

I laughed so hard when Iris was startled away and kept repeating her mantra of There is a Monster in my room until she started giggling! 😂😂😂

The way these two unlikely soulmates dance around each other and succumb to their desires while trying to find a portal for Basil to go home…

This monster smutt was a next level top notch quick read!

Tropes:
😈Insta Love
🛌Forced Proximity
😈He Falls First
🛌Spicy Spice
😈Soulmates

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Falling For the Boogeyman’ is an awesomely sweet, delectably spicy, decidedly cozy love story between the head Boogeyman, Basil, and a floral shop owner, Iris. Between you and me, they may be opposites, but two more perfect-for-each-other souls would be hard to come by.

*** Recommended ***

MMC:
✨Basil
FMC:
✨Iris
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Epilogue:
🌗yes
Tropes:
👉monster romance
👉forced proximity
👉opposites attract
Triggers:
💥18+
💥explicit sex
💥profanity
💥coercion
💥breeding kink
Burn Speed:
✨medium
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is dual POV, well written, and a sweet and steamy, accidental proximity, contemporary fantasy romantic comedy between Basil, the male boogeyman lead, and Iris, the female human florist lead. I enjoyed Iris’ acceptance of Basil’s presence and needs. I chuckled at Basil’s bemusement over the situation. I enjoyed their confusion over their mutual attraction. I enjoyed then negotiations and compromises and the way they worked out how they were proceeding with life.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Jasmine Durham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.25
We’re told as children if we don’t behave the boogeyman will come at night and snatch us up… well for Iris(fmc) the Boogeyman man,Basil(MMC), did crawl from under her bed and did sink something into her 😈. This book is a fast paced story of how a sweet scent and beautiful face changed the monster that has terrorized generations of people in a chance encounter. It’s a short and mildly spicy novella, I just wish it would’ve had more depth to it.

Thank you so much to Isla for the copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own💜💜

[Myriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice short read. I loved the chemistry between the two, they clicked and even though it was a short book it got built up a bit and we got to know them. Which is nice since when stories are short you can sometimes just get into the romance too quick and it not have any meaning. Their dynamic was also amusing which is nice. I enjoyed this short romance and the way that the boogeyman was built up as a character and title.

I appreciate having received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a perfect bite sized paranormal romance to fully get into spooky vibes.

Basil and Iris were the definition of opposites attract, but realize how perfect they are together. For being a novella, it had a ton of heart, even past the insta-lust they both find themselves in. I’d definitely read more about these characters in the future.

Thank you to Isla Winter and BookFunnel for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Bam · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC.

This was funny!
And Hot!
And a good time!

I loved the banter and clear communication between the characters. With that said, I did feel that their love and connection didn't go quite deep enough for my personal liking. I get that it is a short novella, but a bit more emotional depth could have made the romance feel more real.

I still had a good time reading this, and I will absolutely reading more from the author.

[Jennifer Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book from start to finish was amazing. Both Basil and Iris had such personalities that you wanted to see more from. Warning there is spice and you are going to want to see more of Basil and Iris.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good novella! I absolutely loved Basil & Iris together, they made a perfect pair. And the ending/epilogue was *chef's kiss*
I'd love a full length book about the Boogeyman in the future!

[Bookwyrm_in_KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basil the Boogyman is a secret softie who is instantly down bad for florist Iris after he accidentally gets trapped on Earth. Falling for the Boogyman was cute, cozy and spicy, and packed a lot of story into less than 100 pages.

[Cody Smith-Candelaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute little novella that is a stand-alone. It's a quick read but full of laughter and love. IT's a hilarious tale really and even the steamy scenes are going to make you giggle. I love that it is light-hearted and yet speaks volume about a person's core self. Enjoyed every moment of it.

[Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was love at first sight. This book takes on a different sight on The Boogeyman. It is a short story, i wouldn't have minded if it was longer. Romantic and excellent communication and making sure she understands he loves her.

[Hilary Delorey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a short, fun, easy novella to read. Perfect for this time of year. It's what happens when the monsters under your bed become a reality. The catch, once he came from under the bed, he got stuck in this realm. What happens next? Well its guaranteed the leader of the underworld definitely didn't anticipate falling in love.

Its opposites attract. Forced proximity. Monster smut with extra perks ✌️ if you catch what im saying and a small breeding kink 🤭

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and fun. Super short and was able to read it in an afternoon.

Novella's are always a double edged sword as they always leaving me wanting more. And this certainly left me wanting more. I can't wait to read more from this author!

[Sarahscurrentread · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're into monster romance and want a quick novella for halloween this is your book! Isla's writing is great and although the story progressed fast (it is a novella) it was good! It was spicy, spooky and had the HEA I love to read!

[BookReviewMystic | Tabitha S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more of this!

I didn’t expect to feel so many emotions for this monster x human romance, especially with how fast-paced it is, but it was perfect! I loved Basil and Iris and want to know more about them. Also, the spice was fantastic!

[Sarah Williford · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️s
Monster romance
Forced proximity
Plus size FMC
2 🍆🍆
Instalove
Monster under the bed (literally)

A quick and easy read full of spice and a simple background plot.

“Why, darling. I am the Boogeyman”

I was gifted an ARC and I am leaving an honest review.

[Lisa Kimbrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review:

Such an interesting story. The boogeyman is similar to the devil. This is a slow burn to 🔥 with a HEA.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short sweet very spicy paranormal romance story. I read it in one setting it was so good I could not put it down. I love how fast basil and Iris fall in love.

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hilarious right it of the gate! I loved all of the characters. I couldn't stop laughing and definitely kicked my get a few times! Great read!

[Laura Denne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely ridiculous, but I had a fun time 😂

[Chloe Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part is the fact that his name is Basil. 10/10.