The universe created me for a purpose, and I have no problem fulfilling my destiny... Right up until I feed on the wrong angel. He deserved it, but as fate would have it, he had a cluster of his own, who track me with ruthless precision.
When my family ends up at risk, I have no choice but to leave the only home I’ve ever known. Luckily, a friend in Black Cove rents me a room in her house, and I have just enough magic to pass as a witch. It’s a tough adjustment, and I’m lonelier than I’ve ever been, but I settle in, even getting a job at Spellbound.
Except things get complicated all over again when a sinful incubus moves into one of the other rooms at the house I’m renting.
I’m barely managing that mess when an almost seven-foot-tall archangel walks into the spell shop, seeking help to locate the creature that ate his friend...
Only that creature is me.
My house of cards is so shaky that one heavy exhale could knock the whole thing down.
Have I mentioned angels are the worst?
Hazel's Choice takes place in the same sanctuary city for monsters that Greer's Change does. You'll likely get the most enjoyment reading them in order, but it was written so it can be read independently. There is no cheating, no choosing, and no cliffhanger.
I had the incredible opportunity of beta reading this book! Full of spooky vibes PERFECT for this time of year! I'm also so glad Jillian gave us a Hazel book! It was so needed! I absolutely love a bad*ss FMC and Hazel was absolutely that! The balance Jillian brought in the relationship between these three was so well done. The MMCS were the perfect contrast to one another. I loved watching each of them find their HEA!
Final book in the Monstrous World Next Gen series. I have always liked the overly powered, everyone fears me characters and Hazel is that to a T. She was awkward and lonely but could also suck out your soul and send you to hell!
As with all Jillian books the men are down bad for the female main character right off the bat. The cat and mouse game between Zephyr and Hazel offered something new and I loved it. He was dead set on protecting her, not realizing she was who he thought she needed protection from. I wish the secret of Hazel’s identity hadn’t gone on for as long as it did, and that’s why it loses a star. To keep as big of a secret as Hazel did about who she is from Zephyr while their relationship progressed felt a bit icky. Just tell the man!
Annex was a delight. I enjoyed his mischievous matchmaking between Hazel and Zephyr and forcing them into situations alone to make them talk. Really, they both should have just listened to him and laid it all out on the table like he wanted them to. He was working overtime. The comfort I get from Jillian West books is unmatched. I know it’s going to be fun, spicy and low angst. People (or in this case monsters) who fall hard and fast. Comfort and safety are sometimes what I want when I dive into a book, and she always delivers.
I received a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review
ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ “You’re a total fucking badass. I have a hell of a crush on you. How’d you like to be my girlfriend?”
This book was such a pleasure to read! No third-act breakup, no OW drama, the perfect low-anxiety comfort read.
I love everything Jillian West writes, and it’s a toss-up between loving her PNR or OV more. I can tell you that Hazel is my favorite PNR FMC she’s written. She was such a departure from her normal FMCs - a bit on the darker side with her dual demon-nature.
Annex was the sweetest MMC. Half terrified, mostly turned on and impressed with how badass his woman is. And such a team player. Willing to share Hazel with the stick-up-his-ass arc angel, Zephyr. As an aside, Zephyr does come into his own, but his inner turmoil is intense!
This is a mixed-burn and spicy MFM romance that ends in a HEA. An interconnected standalone in the A Monsterous World: The Next Gen series, it can be read on its own, but I highly recommend reading the series in order.
Great end to this next gen series. I definitely needed Hazel’s HEA. Told from all POV, it was a spicy fast paced short read. All the characters had just enough depth to be interesting.
I am genuinely heartbroken that this is the last book in this series, I've loved them all so much. But man, did she finish strong.
Our beautiful devourer Hazel was an absolute treat of a character and I'm so glad that we got to experience the conclusion of her journey. I thought her choices of mates, demon and angel, was a really fun choice for this and I loved the dynamic between them.
It was such a well written story and I hope one day we get a little more monster romances from Jillian because she tells them brilliantly.
I enjoyed the different dynamics between Hazel and her men. With Annex there is a lot of sexual tension and he's on her side very quickly. With Zephyr there is a lot of sweet awkwardness because both are bad a people-ing. The conflict was internal to the group, but it's low angst. If you like tail play, you'll definitely want to read this!
I love this world. Jillian West has done a fabulous job with all the different monsters and lore. You do not have to have ready any of the other books to enjoy this one.
The final book in The Monsterous World Next Gen by Jillian West is here and I wish it wasn't the last. 😥
I devoured this book as fast as real life would let me and now I'm sad it's over. I'm so glad we got Hazel's story, I was so drawn to her in Nadia's book and I wanted to know all about her. Getting to learn how her powers came to be, how they worked, and how she grew into such a BA was all I wanted to know and more.
And her mates? How much more epic can you get for a devourer than a demon and an angel? I wasn't so sure how that was gonna quite work out but Jillian did it brilliantly, especially with how snarky Annex was while also being such a team player. Annex was such a fun character while Zephyr was quite a stick in the mud (trust me, it's true cause Annex said so, over and over) brings the whole good versus evil to life.
As with any OmegaVerse, there's plenty of 🥵🥵🥵 scenes, though a few more would have been totally ok too. 😏😏😂 And 1 final HEA to close out 2 great series. ♥️
I love my sweet and creepy Hazel. She's the best. I'm so glad that she got her own book and we got to see her story. The personality differences between Annex and Zephyr were thoroughly entertaining and really kept the story moving along the way. They both interacted with Hazel was so sweet and at times quite humorous. As always with anything by Jillian West you're in for a spicy good time. So glad I got to read this early!
I loved this low angst, but spicy story from one of my favourite authors. Hazel made me smile, a socially awkward, rare supernatural creature who has had to leave home to protect her family. I loved her interactions with Annex, her hot incubus housemate. I cackled at Annex’s reaction to Hazel’s other form. They are so hot together and the club scenes were sizzling. And then you have Zephyr, even more socially awkward and uncomfortable than Hazel. His lack of understanding was funny, and I laughed aloud at his inner dialogue. And though it was a warm and cozy read, I was slightly worried about Zephyr’s reaction to Hazel’s truth. I loved this, warm characters with sizzling chemistry. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I am so sad for this series to be over. But what a way to end it!!! I love hazel and her guys! They are the perfect complement to her, dark and light, angel and demon. Omg I just loved it so much!
i love this world that Jillian West has created. and even tho this is a 2nd gen book and i haven’t read all the books, it’s still easy to follow along and read as a standalone.
i loved Hazel but also my heart hurt so much for her. she just wanted to be truly seen and accepted and still loved.
and her mates, Annex and Zephyr, were truly opposites in the fact that one is a demon and another is an angel. but after living as long as they both have, Hazel was perfect for them bc then they could truly begin living their immortal lives.
there were definitely a lot of secrets throughout this entire book, and i wasn’t sure how it would all work out. but Hazel gets her HEA and the life she and love she wanted and deserved. and honestly her monster is badass and so creepy cool looking. if you can, i would go look at the character art Jillian had commissioned.
if you love monsters, great spice, a bit of omegaverse, and a sweet romance, this book is perfect for you.
𝑯𝒂𝒛𝒆𝒍’𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 will be available October 7th
thank you Jillian West for an e-ARC of 𝑯𝒂𝒛𝒆𝒍’𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 🔮✨
Hazel was forced to run from home due to wanting to protect her family. She ends up moving in with Greer and her men in a new city. She's running from an archangel that still manages to find her, though he doesn't exactly know it's her he's been searching for. Hazel also picks up a demon admirer who is the cutest himbo I think I've ever read. Annex has moved into town...and the same house as Hazel as a favor to one of Greer's mates since he is helping at their club. The reality tv loving demon thinks Hazel is a witch working at the local magic store, but when he realizes what and who she really is? He falls even more in lust with Hazel and woos her even harder. Zeph is looking for the monster that ended his friend and he doesn't know it's Hazel. As an archangel, he is typically holier than thou (pun intended) feeling and acting. So he never thinks it could be the cute witch he asks for a location spell. I loved how both men try to protect Hazel when she could protect them millions of times over. And the poor girl kept having to eat and drink to keep up pretenses with them before letting them in on her true self. Those men were determined to help her and keep her safe, even when Zeph didn't understand that's what he was doing or why he was so drawn to her. Both men were clearly infatuated with her and though they kept fighting with one another, neither was prepared to give up on her or ceed to the other. Hazel was always one of the second generation that I was interested in particularly not only because of her monster, but because she always seemed aloof to me. Reading this, I realize she isn't. She feels deeply, but like one of her fathers, she doesn't exactly understand others well. Watching her and her monster work towards understanding others and her men was beautiful to watch. Jillian made it such an endearing journey of growth for Hazel but also Zeph. He overcame his sheltered training and how the angels felt about others and right vs wrong to accept Hazel, her monster, and also Annex. Luckily, Annex changed not at all. He was such a ray of fun and loving compassion all the way through. And again, the bestest demon himbo. He stopped "eating" once he found Hazel, even before she accepted him, and I love that he was so intent on her.
Some Tropes: Second Gen Monsters MFM Enemies in Pack Enemies to Lovers Fun with Tails
This book was amazing! I absolutely loved Hazel’s quirky personality and overall badassness. Strong FMCs are always my favorite part of romance reads, and Hazel completely delivered.
I fell in love with Annex instantly (how could you not?) and found myself falling for Zephyr right alongside her.
Hazel’s Choice was the perfect ending to Jillian West’s next gen world. The banter, the world building, and the deep love connections were everything I’ve come to expect from her writing. Its always so mmersive, emotional, and full of heart.
Jillian’s stories always pull me right in, and this one was no exception. I’m already missing this world!
“The universe sure does love to play games. Giving something so young such immeasurable power is either utterly brilliant or a goddamn recipe for disaster. And I can’t wait to find out which.”
✔️MFM Paranormal why choose romance ✔️accidental bonding ✔️angels & demons (FMC is a devourer, MMCs are an angel and an incubus) ✔️he’s hunting her ✔️forced proximity ✔️no pregnancy/kids, including in epilogue ✔️no 3rd act breakup, cheating, or OW drama
This book is a fun, low angst paranormal romance, and the perfect way to wrap up this second generation series. I have been curious about Hazel (FMC) since she was born in her mother’s book (The Monster’s Desire). She has an immense amount of power, and everyone believed that devourers no longer exist, so I was curious to see what kind of trouble she would find herself in on her way to meet her mates and the author didn’t disappoint.
I love that this pack is small, there are only two MMCs and the juxtaposition between them brings the perfect amount of tension. Annex is an incubus who is smitten with Hazel from the moment they meet. He is fun, flirty, and just wants to get to know her and his reaction to meeting her monster had me laughing so hard. He is very laid back, but Zephyr is way too serious so they balance each other out. Zephyr is an angel and he is determined to avenge his friend’s death not realizing that the monster he is hunting is his mate (don’t worry, the friend deserved it). He takes everything at face value, has a stick shoved somewhere one doesn’t belong, and mansplains everything. He is infuriating, but when it comes down to it he just wants Hazel to be safe.
This is a stand alone book in a larger interconnected world, but the only book it really ties to is Greer’s Change (and if you don’t mind spoilers for that book this one can be read as a standalone). As I previously mentioned her mother’s pack was formed in The Monster’s Desire, and some of Hazel’s family is seen on page in this book. I love this author’s paranormal books, and though this is the last book in this world I am excited to see what’s coming next!
*I am so grateful to be a member of Jillian West’s ARC team! Thank you so much to Jillian and her team for the opportunity to ARC read this book! All opinions are my own*
Wrapping up the Nex Gen series comes Hazel's Choice, a fantastic paranormal urban fantasy featuring Hazel (FMC), Zephyr (MMC), and Annex (MMC). No third-act break-up, no other woman drama, but plenty of spice, banter, bad-a$$ FMC, drool-worthy MMCs, and a compelling storyline! Jillian West does an incredible job of bringing her stories and characters to life. The way she weaves magic and monsters into a real-world setting, creating a story that feels both authentic and fantastical, makes it so easy to dive into her books and get lost in the best way!
This book is an interconnected standalone, with a guaranteed HEA, and can be read on its own, but I highly recommend reading, well, all of Jillian's backlog, but especially A Monsterous World: The Next Gen series, before diving into this book.
I was so engrossed in this book that when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about reading it! That is how amazingly good this read was! Jillian West books are an automatic purchase and read for me. I could not believe how fun this book was. It was so different from other “monster” books that I’ve read in the past. Hazel’s Choice had so many shocking developments that I felt that I was always on my toes for this read. I found that Annex was a great character and honestly my favorite. He was so sweet and understanding for all of the craziness that Hazel faced. I kept rooting for him the entire read! I felt like Zephyr was a little unknowledgeable in a lot of things due to being an Angel who didn’t associate much with anyone else. Zephyr being naive in life and about demons in general but being such a caring soul was part of his charm. As an FMC, Hazel was a strong, independent, sassy woman who knew her strength as a woman and as a monster. I thought that her strength of her beliefs and in her destiny really made her a wonderful character with a well of emotional development over the span of the book. I found it to be mild on the spice in comparison to some of the author's other works. It was VERY enjoyable though either way.
This is Hazel's story; Hazel is a devourer a species thought extinct by many millennia. Her nature is a closely guarded secret amongst her family & friends. The story starts with Hazel catching an Angel doing something very un-Angel(ie)...Hazel takes care of business and then finds herself hunted by his angel buddy and two sentinels. She's forced to siphon from place to place to stay one step ahead of them. which lands her in Black Cove. She's renting a room in a house owned by Greer. An incubus, Annex is really taken by Hazel and rents a room as well in Greers house with her. Annex is incredibly sweet and takes care of Hazel, he's looking out for her but he knows she's keeping something from him. Hazel finds work in a spell shop posing as a witch (she has a little witch in her because of her mother) and guess who shows up looking for the "monster" that killed his angel buddy, Zephyr. Zephyr is fine, with a capital F, I mean he's an Angel so figures...... It's funny that he thinks Hazel is a little daft because she's keeping so much under wraps hiding what she knows and who she is from Zephyr. Zephyr also ends up renting a room in the house with her and Annex and the fun begins from there. Hazel has to work between trying to get Zephyr to see that his angel friend was not what he thought he was and planning her exit, so he doesn't kill her. Although them falling for each other makes things very interesting. It's an incredible story as all of Jillian West's stories are, I really enjoyed having an angel in mix, it was an added dimension to the story line that I never knew i was missing and am so glad she wrote him in. The spice was off the charts, Ms. West is a master when it comes to writing super-hot scenes... it's a 100/10 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Hazel's family makes appearances throughout and we get additional characters from Haven in and out as well. I loved seeing the other characters as I'm heavily invested in all of the paranormal series. Jillian West is an automatic read for me, she never, never disappoints. In order to get the full effect, start at the beginning of the paranormal series and makes your way through them all. You won't be disappointed. Excellent Read!!! P.S. The nod to Supernatural was the perfect cherry on top of an already perfect book!
I can never tell if I’m socially inept because most beings intrinsically fear me, meaning they don’t interact with me like they would anyone else. Or if I just got unlucky “awkward” genetics in the DNA lottery that formed me.
I absolutely devoured this book! Hazel is such a fun fmc, she’s quirky in a non understanding others kinda way, and as an autistic girlie myself, i really felt that. Plus, the concept of a devourer, a sin eater / reaper demon / blood witch combo is genuinely so cool, and not something I’ve seen a a paranormal romance before.
She could devour half this club, and I’d still think she’s precious.
I loved Annex, he’s an incubus, which is fun in and of itself, but he was also just hilarious in general. I think I laughed at least one for most of his scenes.
That poor woman. She’s easily confused. All she’s done since I’ve met her is stutter. She seems to lack the ability to keep up with what’s happening around her. Could he be using his deviant sex magic to keep her docile and compliant?
Poor Zephyr, he’s just trying to avenge his supposed friend and find the Creature that killed his friend. He really does have good intentions, even if that means he’s hunting Hazel.
Over all, really fun and a great ending to this second gen series
This was everything!!!! I’m a huge fan of Jillian so I was excited to get this book. Greers Change was my first book from her so I was excited to get back into this world. And it did not disappoint. I wanted to be hazel so bad. She was chaotic af but I loved that about her. At times I did get a bit frustrated with her at times but that is what makes her more loved by me. Zephyr and Annex are the two I want hunting me. They gave me life. I couldn’t stop myself from loving them. It was the fact that they are complete opposites in personality and life that made it feel real to me. I enjoyed this. Like I loved being in this world I enjoyed reading these characters. So I’m excited to see what’s next.
I am so so so glad that JW chose to extended the monster world because I NEEDED this story. The absolute enigma that was Hazel as a baby in her parent’s story made me crave this story sooo bad. I cannot say how much I love that this author never gives me OW drama, I just get fantastic PNR RH (or in this case MFM) romance with a dash of death and mayhem. Zephyr is such a fantastic stick in the mud and I love that Annex is his complete and utter opposite. Hazel is the perfect amount of awkward introvert ever and I appreciate the representation of the awkward girlies. I never want this series to end because I could read about these side characters getting their HEA forever but I’m extremely excited to see what comes next.
I'm disappointed we won't be getting more stories set in this universe. I hope at some point down the line that changes but this was a good end to the 2nd generation books.
Hazel is awkward and can't read social cues well. She's also been taught to keep what she is a secret. Her kind has long been thought extinct. When she stops an attack in progress she draws the attention of 1 very persistent angel. Now she's gone to a new town to keep a low profile. There she meets an incubus who has her in his sights.
I freaking loved Hazel, Annex, and Zephyr. They all had their funny awkward moments. Annex goes all in to get Hazel to notice him as a potential mate. Being an incubus leads to some very 🥵 moments. Zephyr for his part sees Hazel as someone delicate and sweet in need of protection. He doesn't realize she's the most terrifying being in the room on any given day. Loved seeing Nadia and her mates as well. Overall I'm very happy with the way this series wraps up. Do I still want more? Of course the answer will always be yes.
Hazel is a devourer — a reaper and a soul eater — but when she accidentally takes the soul of a corrupted angel, she suddenly becomes the hunted instead of the hunter. To keep the trouble away from her hometown, she hides out at a friend’s place, posing as a witch. But what happens when she ends up with an incubus as a roommate and an archangel asking for her witchy help to find the monster who killed his friend…?
With an incubus raising the temperature between them, things quickly get complicated 🔥 But how can she possibly tell the angel that the monster he’s looking for… is her? 😅
It’s a shorter read, but definitely not short on spice 🥰 I love following Hazel — she struggles a bit with reading social cues and usually relies on her family and friends for help, but this time, she has to figure things out on her own. 💫
Hazel’s Choice was such a wonderful surprise! As I was not expecting any more stories in the Monstrous World. We enter the story with Hazel answering her calling, unfortunately Hazel attracts attention from an Angel. As she is on the run she lands in Greer’s grandmas house. She is hiding in plain sight as a witch. Insert Annex the incubus, he comes to town as a favor to Greer’s mates and becomes Hazels roommate. While trying to get Hazel to open up to him he finds out what she is, terrified that she is possessed he throws her into a wall! In the background the Angel that is hunting the creature becomes a new roommate. Zeph is bound by his upbringing and eventually has to come to terms that not everything is as it seems and has to except the betrayal of the ones closest to him. Can a “witch” in hiding, a cheeky incubus that fell hard and fast, and an angel whose whole beliefs crumpled before his eye, find the found family that they each deserve?
This book was such a fun read. Poor Hazel really got thrown into relationships blindly lol I love how innocent she was and how hard her and Zephyr had to work to figure each other out. Man they are a mess in the best way possible. They truly had me laughing at some points with how off they were. Annex seemed to understand Hazel from the start and was always one step ahead of her in what she needed. Between Annex and Zephyr, Hazel was definitely never going to go hungry 😂 They will do everything to protect her in the end.
Have you ever felt that you were socially awkward and didn't understand social q's? Yeah? me to! Then hazel is the girl for you! Hazel's choice is another installment of the next generation in the monstrous world from the lovely Jillian. I am pretty sure she sprinkles some of the good stuff in her books because I can never get enough! We start off where greets choice ends. With Hazel living in Greers grandma's house to Hide from angels that are hunting her. You start off with a backstory as to why, which I loved. It gave a perfect mini look into Hazel's psyche. You meet both MMCs fairly quickly and what ensues is a hilarious case of forced proximity. They embody the hilarious representation of the angel and demon on each shoulder and it is a clever analogy. They are complete opposites in every way (and I definitely have a favorite in the beginning 🤣) We get appearances of other beloved characters, which is always my favorite thing about next generation books, and an ending that made my heart happy. Another feature of the next generation books that I love is seeing how the dads react to their daughter new men lol soecially when one is an incubus 🤣 You definitely don't want to miss the laughs and great storyline of this next Jillian west installment. Don't sleep on checking this one out you won't regret it!!
I don’t typically gravitate towards why choose books with two love interests, but I was very pleasantly surprised with this book. Annex and Zephyr suit Hazel so well that, after reading their story, I couldn’t imagine her with anyone else.
Hazel is the daughter of a blood witch, a sin eater, and a reaper which makes her the first devourer since they went extinct centuries ago. She’s very powerful, but with that power comes secrets and isolation, which isn’t helped by her inability to understand societal norms.
Annex is an incubus who craves emotional connection and for someone to want a relationship with him outside of physical intimacy. He and Hazel already know each other before the book starts, but they’re barely acquaintances and only grow closer after we meet them.
Zephyr is an angel who is on the hunt to find and kill the creature that killed his friend. He’s convinced that it’s evil and it needs to be stopped before it kills more “innocent” people. Little does he know…
Thank you, Jillian, for giving me an ARC of this book!
Hazel, how long have I waited for your book and OHMAHGAHD I loved it. Hazel is a powerful and feared devourer, how badass is it to devour souls and send others to hell huh yet beneath her monstrous strength lies deep loneliness and a longing to be truly seen and loved. Cue, Zephyr, a rigid angel blinded by vengeance who doesn’t realize the monster he’s hunting is his destined mate and Annex, a playful incubus instantly smitten with Hazel and determined to bring lightness to their tense dynamic. I genuinely like how different pack members’’ personalities can be be abuse it makes the read so much fun tbh and Annex’s flirtatious warmth contrasts Zephyr’s stoic sense of duty, balancing Hazel’s darkness and vulnerability. Hazel finds not just love but the freedom to embrace all sides of herself aka the terrifying, tender and unapologetically powerful. Don’t sleep on this wonderful omegaverse/monstrous read perfect for fall and Halloween season.
I don't know what it is about Jillian West, but she cannot write a book I don't love! I think this second gen book is my new favorite paranormal read from her.
You have Hazel, a devourer, as the MFC. She did her thing and devoured a soul who did bad things, and was caught. Now an angel, Zephyr MMC, is hunting her down for killing his friend. She hides out in Black Cove where she rents a room from Greer. An incubus, Annex MMC, is asked to look in on Hazel to make sure she isn't lonely, and is smitten with her immediately. He is also renting a room at Greer's. Does the angel catch up with her? What does he do if he does? How do they all fit together? You're gonna have to read it to find out.
This was a great read. 5/5 for sure, and definitely a re-read book for me. If you like her other books you will love this one.
This was a delightfully fun, low angst paranormal MFM story. I’ve been curious about Hazel since her introduction and I’m so glad we got to see her get a HEA!
The story lightly touches on some darker elements without any graphic detail. I really enjoyed seeing Hazel’s powers work from her perspective. The MMCs were perfect foils for each other while also each complementing Hazel. The spice fit the story and was 🔥🔥🔥 I loved that Hazel’s relationship with each MMC developed at their own pace. The most angsty part (for me) was waiting for secrets to be revealed. I’m sad that this series is over but I loved it and wouldn’t change a thing!
This was a fun paranormal romance. It had low angst which I loved and needed. Jillian did a good job with the characters and plot. I enjoyed the writing.
I was excited to get Hazel’s book after reading about her in The Monster’s Desire. I liked the way she met her mates and the tension between them. I like how they all balance each other out and bring something different to the relationship.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a standalone but interconnected. If you like paranormal romance this is a good one.