What do you think?
Rate this book
Monstrous Matches #5
Married to the Devil: Monstrous Matches
A witch trapped in a marriage of convenience to a deadly gargoyle, and the demon who is determined to protect her.
I have the revenge against my father that I've always wanted. All it cost me was to get married… and the demon I’ve come to care for.
Or did it?
Married to the Devil is a standalone monster romance, but best listened to after Hoarded by the Dragon. This book has two love interests and there will be no choosing between the love interests.
I have the revenge against my father that I've always wanted. All it cost me was to get married… and the demon I’ve come to care for.
Or did it?
Married to the Devil is a standalone monster romance, but best listened to after Hoarded by the Dragon. This book has two love interests and there will be no choosing between the love interests.
Audible Audio
First published December 30, 2024
949 people are currently reading
3861 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 326 reviews
January 6, 2025
Married to the Devil is an emotional and daunting MMF romance following Stella, a witch forced into a political marriage, struggling with her unresolved feelings for her husband, Remy, and newly appointed bodyguard, Ben. So unlike anything I've read from Lillian Lark before, I loved the messiness and ambiguity of the trio's relationship. Stella was a force to be reckoned with and I appreciated that she learned to speak up and strive for nothing but absolute love and devotion from both Ben and Remy. While the men were resistant at first, their unwavering adoration and affliction were so sweet and just the perfect balm to the emotional wear and tear of their complex relationship and feelings.
Read If You Like:
✨Monsters and Magic✨
✨Pining✨
✨Drama and Angst✨
✨Knotting and DP✨
✨Breeding and Pregnancy✨
✨Asshole Alpha MMCs✨
~Many thanks to Lillian Lark for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Read If You Like:
✨Monsters and Magic✨
✨Pining✨
✨Drama and Angst✨
✨Knotting and DP✨
✨Breeding and Pregnancy✨
✨Asshole Alpha MMCs✨
~Many thanks to Lillian Lark for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
January 10, 2025
A Witch, Gargoyle and a Demon in a paranormal erotica with ASSISTED breeding that goes….wrong
“Look into your heart, wife. Would you really deny me a taste of your demon?”
Stella needs to help out a friend so she enters an arranged marriage with a coldhearted territory leader 💍 Yes, she kind of has a crush on her gargoyle husband Stoneheart, but her heart still yearns for her Demon friend/lover. When Stoneheart realizes he cannot provide for Stella emotionally he decides to……GIFT HER THE DEMON! Boundaries are crossed when all 3 realize they be catching feeeeeeeeelings
✨🩵 MMF but the Ms hate each other
✨🩵 witchy charms, mating bites & soul bonds
✨🩵 liberal use of tail!!!!
✨🩵 breeding kink *but with a massive twist*
✨🩵 dominant husband encouraging wife’s crush
The story was a slow start but the SMUT was smutting out of control! So many pearl clutching moments especially between Stoneheart & Ben 🌶️🌶️ Threesomes in all different shapes & sizes 👀 but obviously they need an heir to secure the territory & let me just say they try different methods that are not necessarily…heir-conducive!
THE AGGRESSION and tension between all three characters. was so unique as each bond worked differently! For the dynamic to work, Stoneheart initially had to be an asshole to Stella as Ben entered the relationship for emotional support. I didn’t necessarily like that but I understood it was needed for the story to work, I guess.
I thought the book was a bit too long for paranormal erotica. The subplot of the mystery disappearances was interesting but it just kind of fizzled out. Maybe we’ll get more on this in the next book.
arranged marriage
poly relationship
morally grey mmc
crafty-witchy fmc
(assisted) breeding kink
threesomes & DP
knotting
civil unrest
found family
HEA - epilogue
“Look into your heart, wife. Would you really deny me a taste of your demon?”
Stella needs to help out a friend so she enters an arranged marriage with a coldhearted territory leader 💍 Yes, she kind of has a crush on her gargoyle husband Stoneheart, but her heart still yearns for her Demon friend/lover. When Stoneheart realizes he cannot provide for Stella emotionally he decides to……GIFT HER THE DEMON! Boundaries are crossed when all 3 realize they be catching feeeeeeeeelings
✨🩵 MMF but the Ms hate each other
✨🩵 witchy charms, mating bites & soul bonds
✨🩵 liberal use of tail!!!!
✨🩵 breeding kink *but with a massive twist*
✨🩵 dominant husband encouraging wife’s crush
The story was a slow start but the SMUT was smutting out of control! So many pearl clutching moments especially between Stoneheart & Ben 🌶️🌶️ Threesomes in all different shapes & sizes 👀 but obviously they need an heir to secure the territory & let me just say they try different methods that are not necessarily…heir-conducive!
THE AGGRESSION and tension between all three characters. was so unique as each bond worked differently! For the dynamic to work, Stoneheart initially had to be an asshole to Stella as Ben entered the relationship for emotional support. I didn’t necessarily like that but I understood it was needed for the story to work, I guess.
I thought the book was a bit too long for paranormal erotica. The subplot of the mystery disappearances was interesting but it just kind of fizzled out. Maybe we’ll get more on this in the next book.
arranged marriage
poly relationship
morally grey mmc
crafty-witchy fmc
(assisted) breeding kink
threesomes & DP
knotting
civil unrest
found family
HEA - epilogue
January 1, 2025
I'm not a fan of douchebag behavior that gets forgiven too easily.
December 30, 2024
This series continues to hit *just right* for me. Lilian Lark is able to balance a wealth of characters, lores, monster species, and relationships with deft skill. I was immediately sucked into the story and it was very hard when I had to put it down a few times. I truly love this series and I hope she writes me (I mean, us all) many more.
This is a Marriage of Convenience starts off very sticky and uncomfortable. There is genuine attraction between Remy (a gargoyle) and Stella (a witch) but Remy Stoneheart is determined to keep emotions out of it. So they don't get off to the best start.
This also means that Ben, a demon and good friend to Stella, very put out with Remy. That doesn't make him any less attracted to either Stella nor Remy. When he gets offered a position to be Stella's bodyguard by her new husband, he wants to stay as close to her as he can.
When Remy indicates that there could be something more between ALL three of them.. Ben doesn't know if he's strong enough to turn away from that. But could this be the cure to everything? Or be a really big mess? Well, why not BOTH?
Anyway, there is a plot to this book, and it is well served if you start with Hoarded by the Dragon. Both Ben and Stella have some significant scenes there and we see some of the dynamics of this love knot begin to form. Plus, I just really love that book.
But, the bulk of this story is spent in beds and at the magical bathhouse. Which was just fine by me! I found this steamy, romantic, and heartfelt.
4.5 Stars
4 on the spice scale
CW: Pain Play, Sword Crossing, breeding, pregnancy, violence against a pregnant woman
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*
This is a Marriage of Convenience starts off very sticky and uncomfortable. There is genuine attraction between Remy (a gargoyle) and Stella (a witch) but Remy Stoneheart is determined to keep emotions out of it. So they don't get off to the best start.
This also means that Ben, a demon and good friend to Stella, very put out with Remy. That doesn't make him any less attracted to either Stella nor Remy. When he gets offered a position to be Stella's bodyguard by her new husband, he wants to stay as close to her as he can.
When Remy indicates that there could be something more between ALL three of them.. Ben doesn't know if he's strong enough to turn away from that. But could this be the cure to everything? Or be a really big mess? Well, why not BOTH?
Anyway, there is a plot to this book, and it is well served if you start with Hoarded by the Dragon. Both Ben and Stella have some significant scenes there and we see some of the dynamics of this love knot begin to form. Plus, I just really love that book.
But, the bulk of this story is spent in beds and at the magical bathhouse. Which was just fine by me! I found this steamy, romantic, and heartfelt.
4.5 Stars
4 on the spice scale
CW: Pain Play, Sword Crossing, breeding, pregnancy, violence against a pregnant woman
*Thank you to the author for an ARC of this title.*
January 8, 2025
After the last book I was DYING for the next one to come out but this just wasn't as good and I really did not care for the story. (Thoughts below)
PLOT:
Stella the witch marries gargoyle tycoon Remy to establish an alliance. It's a marriage of convenience and she harbors feelings for her friend (now bodyguard), Ben. Little does she know, Remy wants them both and will do anything to control them.
THOUGHTS:
- this wasn't for me.
First off I didn't really expect / want to see a throuple (these books usually include both males on the cover but this didn't so I was confused). There's a lot of MM content which is fine (if you enjoy that) but not really my thing when I thought the primary focus was on Stella.
MMF can be well done but the way it was written makes Remy this creepy controlling asshole who's using his wife and her desires to do what he wants. Also the book basically tries to show how Remy is into Stella / has wanted her for a while BUT he basically drops her after they're married and decides he wants her side piece Ben as well..... Lovely. There's like NO effort of his part to bond with or love the heroine and most of the book is him getting off on the power he has over them both.
- Stella annoyed the crap out of me. She's kind of spineless and dull and angry and basically serves as a receptacle for Remy (and Ben's) lust. There's no real romance or love, just her being torn between wanting them both and a bunch of fucking. I really wanted to see tenderness, them getting to know each other or bond but we don't get that, just a bunch of smut and "oh we're all in love now". Also her whole revenge plot thing (the whole point of the marriage) was not clear to me / made no sense.
- Ben was fine but kind of ... Meh to me? His whole personality is just being a boring wet noodle / a guy on the sidelines who'd do anything for Stella and I honestly forgot he's supposed to be a demon half the time. There's NO indication that he's bisexual or anything but Remy basically forces him to interact with Stella (which he wants to do) while also molesting him.... I don't see them have anything at all in common and it honestly felt kind of "rape-y" because Ben wasn't usually an active participant, Remy was making him do it. He comes across as spineless and insecure and like he didn't have the guts to go for the girl he wanted when she was actually available. Seeing him get totally dominated by Remy in every way was not hot to me.
- then there's REMY. I HATED Remy. When I started reading he seemed like a cool, detached and domineering guy who's finally got the heroine where he wanted her. But he's not. He's a creepy, uber-controlling asshole who's playing games with them all. He regularly treats stella like crap and manipulates or hurts her but "it's ok" because she really did want both of them and "gargoyles are polyamorous"? Really? That just sounds like he's a dick and she couldn't make up her mind and is so desperate for an emotional connection she'll allow her husband to terrorize her best friend and sexually assault him because that way she gets them both *Rolls eyes* he's honestly so unlikeable and gross IMO.
- the smut was probably the only thing I liked about this book and even then it's just ok given the context (which kills me because I was obsessed with the last one). We do get some pretty spicy scenes but it's just not enough to make up for the rest of the book.
PLOT:
Stella the witch marries gargoyle tycoon Remy to establish an alliance. It's a marriage of convenience and she harbors feelings for her friend (now bodyguard), Ben. Little does she know, Remy wants them both and will do anything to control them.
THOUGHTS:
- this wasn't for me.
First off I didn't really expect / want to see a throuple (these books usually include both males on the cover but this didn't so I was confused). There's a lot of MM content which is fine (if you enjoy that) but not really my thing when I thought the primary focus was on Stella.
MMF can be well done but the way it was written makes Remy this creepy controlling asshole who's using his wife and her desires to do what he wants. Also the book basically tries to show how Remy is into Stella / has wanted her for a while BUT he basically drops her after they're married and decides he wants her side piece Ben as well..... Lovely. There's like NO effort of his part to bond with or love the heroine and most of the book is him getting off on the power he has over them both.
- Stella annoyed the crap out of me. She's kind of spineless and dull and angry and basically serves as a receptacle for Remy (and Ben's) lust. There's no real romance or love, just her being torn between wanting them both and a bunch of fucking. I really wanted to see tenderness, them getting to know each other or bond but we don't get that, just a bunch of smut and "oh we're all in love now". Also her whole revenge plot thing (the whole point of the marriage) was not clear to me / made no sense.
- Ben was fine but kind of ... Meh to me? His whole personality is just being a boring wet noodle / a guy on the sidelines who'd do anything for Stella and I honestly forgot he's supposed to be a demon half the time. There's NO indication that he's bisexual or anything but Remy basically forces him to interact with Stella (which he wants to do) while also molesting him.... I don't see them have anything at all in common and it honestly felt kind of "rape-y" because Ben wasn't usually an active participant, Remy was making him do it. He comes across as spineless and insecure and like he didn't have the guts to go for the girl he wanted when she was actually available. Seeing him get totally dominated by Remy in every way was not hot to me.
- then there's REMY. I HATED Remy. When I started reading he seemed like a cool, detached and domineering guy who's finally got the heroine where he wanted her. But he's not. He's a creepy, uber-controlling asshole who's playing games with them all. He regularly treats stella like crap and manipulates or hurts her but "it's ok" because she really did want both of them and "gargoyles are polyamorous"? Really? That just sounds like he's a dick and she couldn't make up her mind and is so desperate for an emotional connection she'll allow her husband to terrorize her best friend and sexually assault him because that way she gets them both *Rolls eyes* he's honestly so unlikeable and gross IMO.
- the smut was probably the only thing I liked about this book and even then it's just ok given the context (which kills me because I was obsessed with the last one). We do get some pretty spicy scenes but it's just not enough to make up for the rest of the book.
January 11, 2025
2.5
I'm disappointed with how much her supposed "mates" let her down through out the book, and then she takes them back with barest of apology. Also " i love you, it's not something I chose, but it's too late" is not romantic, with other context of the story it just sounds resentful.
I added the star for spice
I'm disappointed with how much her supposed "mates" let her down through out the book, and then she takes them back with barest of apology. Also " i love you, it's not something I chose, but it's too late" is not romantic, with other context of the story it just sounds resentful.
I added the star for spice
January 14, 2025
monster romances are supposed to be an escape from how awful men are so why was the monster an asshole
January 4, 2025
DNF at 19%. You can be a devil (asshole) to the whole world, but not your mate. What the MMC did to the FMC at the beginning of the book was unforgivable and I knew I would never get past it. She also never did anything about it. The FMC was just an angry doormat, letting him mistreat her because he’s hot. No thank you. Normally, I love love Lillian Lark and have read and enjoyed all her books. I may have lost all patience with men behaving badly and getting away with it. I’m very disappointed.
January 2, 2025
Married to the Devil was a good first official read of 2025 (I started it in 2024). As the author herself noted, Remy/Stoneheart is a difficult lead, and the nickname of devil is not hyperbolic. Superficially you could compare him to Ari from Entranced by the Basilisks, but his motivations are not the same. Thus, there were many parts that were hard to read, and I really wanted the relationship challenges to resolve sooner. However, this would not have been true to the character(s), so the author made the right choice. I do wish we had got more of Stoneheart and Nick's backstory, but we did get a strong sense of them and their strengths and weaknesses; I feel like Stella was the star though :) I did not get a sense this time of where the narrative might go (I am very curious at the Fae world), but maybe a story featuring Silas and Fiona? I would also love to return to the bathhouse and its owners/staff :)
January 2, 2025
I felt that the pacing of this book was a little slow. There was lots of drama with Remy pushing away and Ben being so insecure. There was some angst but for the most part it was glossed over. It was entertaining but I didn’t love it. Lark’s world building is so creative though.
January 7, 2025
My first DNF of 2025 and my first LL dnf ever 😭
Stopped at 80%
This was 300 pages longer than it had to be. Filled to the brim with jealousy in a poly relationship and so much pregnancy pining. AND THEN WHEN SHE GETS PREGNANT THEYRE NOT HAPPY BECAUSE OF SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER. This made me so mad lol
Stopped at 80%
This was 300 pages longer than it had to be. Filled to the brim with jealousy in a poly relationship and so much pregnancy pining. AND THEN WHEN SHE GETS PREGNANT THEYRE NOT HAPPY BECAUSE OF SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER. This made me so mad lol
January 8, 2025
a hot, tattooed gargoyle who wears lots of jewelry and is afraid of vulnerability? AND a hot, devoted demon who just wants to dote, love, and cherish? WHEN! WILL! IT! BE! MY! TURN!
y’all this was really cute, as usual with lillian’s books — spicy monster romance that doesn’t skimp on the romance, plot, or character development. i have devotedly loved every single one of her books — and while i still very much enjoyed this one, this one fell short for me.
the concept is fantastic — gargoyle daddy who wants to materially provide (but can’t emotionally provide!) enters into a marriage of convenience with a sassy witch — but that sassy witch brings baggage: a tall, hot demon who is madly in love with her. the natural solution here? A F*CKING THROUPLE. DELICIOUS.
the romance here was great as usual — and the smut was scorching — but i didn’t feel as connected to these characters or the political scheming and territory-related mystery. we got a bit of details on the territory from kalos’ book, but i didn’t feel like it was fleshed out enough in this one to warrant being such a significant plot, and just felt a bit messy overall.
ultimately it was a very cute, spicy romance, with some fun tropes and the ruhn danaan of gargoyles (at least in terms of aesthetic), but lillian’s other gargoyle book — deceived by the gargoyles! — reigns supreme for me.
this one hits at about a 3.5 for me, but rounding down because i had higher hopes for more pining.
y’all this was really cute, as usual with lillian’s books — spicy monster romance that doesn’t skimp on the romance, plot, or character development. i have devotedly loved every single one of her books — and while i still very much enjoyed this one, this one fell short for me.
the concept is fantastic — gargoyle daddy who wants to materially provide (but can’t emotionally provide!) enters into a marriage of convenience with a sassy witch — but that sassy witch brings baggage: a tall, hot demon who is madly in love with her. the natural solution here? A F*CKING THROUPLE. DELICIOUS.
the romance here was great as usual — and the smut was scorching — but i didn’t feel as connected to these characters or the political scheming and territory-related mystery. we got a bit of details on the territory from kalos’ book, but i didn’t feel like it was fleshed out enough in this one to warrant being such a significant plot, and just felt a bit messy overall.
ultimately it was a very cute, spicy romance, with some fun tropes and the ruhn danaan of gargoyles (at least in terms of aesthetic), but lillian’s other gargoyle book — deceived by the gargoyles! — reigns supreme for me.
this one hits at about a 3.5 for me, but rounding down because i had higher hopes for more pining.
Read
December 30, 2024DNF @ 24%.
so far, the gargoyle H has zero redeeming qualities. i don't actually even believe he has feelings for the heroine. and he hasn't even repaired his relationship with the heroine, but he's already working on pursuing the other H?? like, uhm, maybe one thing at a time? seems like he should have his priorities straight, but it just goes to show that he really doesn't care that much about the heroine. idk. honestly, if i were the heroine and in a cold loveless marriage to this SOB, I'd [redacted].
and it's weird because the gargoyle H is terrible but the other H is already thinking (paraphrased) "gosh i hope [the heroine] and i don't develop feelings for him". like, WHAT??
so far, the gargoyle H has zero redeeming qualities. i don't actually even believe he has feelings for the heroine. and he hasn't even repaired his relationship with the heroine, but he's already working on pursuing the other H?? like, uhm, maybe one thing at a time? seems like he should have his priorities straight, but it just goes to show that he really doesn't care that much about the heroine. idk. honestly, if i were the heroine and in a cold loveless marriage to this SOB, I'd [redacted].
and it's weird because the gargoyle H is terrible but the other H is already thinking (paraphrased) "gosh i hope [the heroine] and i don't develop feelings for him". like, WHAT??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2025
4.5🌟!
I admit, initially I hated Remy! He was too callous and devious. That name devil was 💯 percent accurate.
But then he slowly with his sneaky ways and sly humour warmed my heart. I loved the way these three found themselves and their place in a beautiful relationship.
It wasn’t easy but they didn’t give up.
They needed each other and respected each other. The way they spoiled each other was so cute!
I just wish Stella was a little more bold with her men and made them properly grovel.
Epilogue was beautiful.
-MMF
-Gargoyle, Demon and witch.
-Marriage of convenience.
-Forced proximity.
-Anti hero.
-KU, safe and standalone.
I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily
I admit, initially I hated Remy! He was too callous and devious. That name devil was 💯 percent accurate.
But then he slowly with his sneaky ways and sly humour warmed my heart. I loved the way these three found themselves and their place in a beautiful relationship.
It wasn’t easy but they didn’t give up.
They needed each other and respected each other. The way they spoiled each other was so cute!
I just wish Stella was a little more bold with her men and made them properly grovel.
Epilogue was beautiful.
-MMF
-Gargoyle, Demon and witch.
-Marriage of convenience.
-Forced proximity.
-Anti hero.
-KU, safe and standalone.
I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily
April 15, 2025
I still love this world, but this one didn't hit exactly right. I was excited for another gargoyle, since my favorite in this series is Deceieved by the Gargoyles, but I never connected with Stoneheart. He was too mean in his controlling possessive dom-ness for too much of the book. And the thruple never really gelled for me as three people who all love each other. I did really enjoy the ending though, after the plot really picked up and certain people got their heads out of their butts.
Loads of smut, but TBH I would've sacrificed a few smutty scenes for some more plot progression and worldbuilding. Maybe because the stakes were higher, so I was like, 'really, you have time for this when all that other stuff is happening right now?' Ha.
Some check-in scenes with Kalos and Kat (still preggo) from the last book, which was nice. And the Bramblewick clan gets a cameo shout-out!
Loads of smut, but TBH I would've sacrificed a few smutty scenes for some more plot progression and worldbuilding. Maybe because the stakes were higher, so I was like, 'really, you have time for this when all that other stuff is happening right now?' Ha.
Some check-in scenes with Kalos and Kat (still preggo) from the last book, which was nice. And the Bramblewick clan gets a cameo shout-out!
July 1, 2025
My least favorite Lark book. SO many missed opportunities. Would have been 3 stars but bc it was one of my most anticipated books of the year, I’m knocking off another star 😅 just bc I’m….SO damn disappointed.
I like the miscommunication trope—truly! But in this, it was always done so randomly. And I still don’t like Remy. There was no chemistry between the three, it all felt super random. And I feel like Ben is the authors least favorite character bc…there was honestly no description of the guy? What the heck did he LOOK like??
Idk I’m sad this one bummed me out so much. I still really like Lark’s work, but this one just really fell flat for me, sadly.
I like the miscommunication trope—truly! But in this, it was always done so randomly. And I still don’t like Remy. There was no chemistry between the three, it all felt super random. And I feel like Ben is the authors least favorite character bc…there was honestly no description of the guy? What the heck did he LOOK like??
Idk I’m sad this one bummed me out so much. I still really like Lark’s work, but this one just really fell flat for me, sadly.
April 5, 2025
4 stars
Unpopular opinion but I liked all three main characters! Kind of reminded me of one of the mallory dunlin books with so much political plot. 480 pages was a bit long for me but I see why she did it like that
Unpopular opinion but I liked all three main characters! Kind of reminded me of one of the mallory dunlin books with so much political plot. 480 pages was a bit long for me but I see why she did it like that
February 27, 2025
Si, pero algo no me convenció
January 1, 2025
ARC REVIEW (thanks Lillian!)
It was fine I guess? Wasn’t as cute and cozy as Hoarded by the Dragon. Stoneheart didn’t seem that devilish to me? And the plot didn’t make a lot of sense. The ending made me laugh. I didn’t really understand how they all fell in love and don’t remember anywhere that stoneheart had previously proposed to Stella?
It was fine I guess? Wasn’t as cute and cozy as Hoarded by the Dragon. Stoneheart didn’t seem that devilish to me? And the plot didn’t make a lot of sense. The ending made me laugh. I didn’t really understand how they all fell in love and don’t remember anywhere that stoneheart had previously proposed to Stella?
January 7, 2025
this was delightful! I really like the vibe of LL's books- hot and otherworldly and also oddly cozy/light in tone despite some heavier content (in this case, mentions of human trafficking by past territory leaders) I enjoyed being back in this world, seeing the Love Bathouse again- it was frothy and fun, exactly what i wanted to read right now
My only critique is that i could IMMEIDATLY tell the archetype Remy Stoneheart was tapping into- brooding self made man who's harsh exterior and domineering personality (both in and out of bed lol) stems from a troubled youth where he was never truly loved/enough/protected (hellOOO paging Lisa Klyepas!!!) and while I do enjoy this archetype, I felt like this character...never really got to the meat of why this type of MC really hits in a romance? Like, i'm thinking of Dain from LoS or Darek Craven right now, and the really delicious piece of both of those MCs is when they completely fold & emotionally break their chest open to give themselves to their partner. Since they've been emotionally witholding for so long, we need the ~emotional~ vulnerability, and i think in this case we don't quite get enough of that from Remy. There's more physical vulnerability i think, and certainly a lil emotional vulnerability when he confesses his love, but i think in this type of hero I wanna see an equal and opposite reaction- like the more you're a cold, emotionless sex fiend who has never felt a thing, the more you have to completely come apart at your partner's feet. And i just wanted more vulnerability from Remy. The reason he worked for me in this case was because I am quite familiar with the archetype he's tapping into, so i could kinda bridge the gap mentally i suppose.
Idk i mean regardless this was was a fantastic read, probably a 3.5 or 4 star overall. Great worldbuilding, cool characters, the magic is interesting, I look forward to my next read from Lillian Lark!
My only critique is that i could IMMEIDATLY tell the archetype Remy Stoneheart was tapping into- brooding self made man who's harsh exterior and domineering personality (both in and out of bed lol) stems from a troubled youth where he was never truly loved/enough/protected (hellOOO paging Lisa Klyepas!!!) and while I do enjoy this archetype, I felt like this character...never really got to the meat of why this type of MC really hits in a romance? Like, i'm thinking of Dain from LoS or Darek Craven right now, and the really delicious piece of both of those MCs is when they completely fold & emotionally break their chest open to give themselves to their partner. Since they've been emotionally witholding for so long, we need the ~emotional~ vulnerability, and i think in this case we don't quite get enough of that from Remy. There's more physical vulnerability i think, and certainly a lil emotional vulnerability when he confesses his love, but i think in this type of hero I wanna see an equal and opposite reaction- like the more you're a cold, emotionless sex fiend who has never felt a thing, the more you have to completely come apart at your partner's feet. And i just wanted more vulnerability from Remy. The reason he worked for me in this case was because I am quite familiar with the archetype he's tapping into, so i could kinda bridge the gap mentally i suppose.
Idk i mean regardless this was was a fantastic read, probably a 3.5 or 4 star overall. Great worldbuilding, cool characters, the magic is interesting, I look forward to my next read from Lillian Lark!
Want to read
November 28, 2024I’m begging on my knees for this to be a why choose 🥲
January 10, 2025
It’s taken me a little bit to write the review bc I couldn’t figure out how to rate it. I didnt want to rate so low bc I love this author but I just really hated this book for multiple reasons.
-the characters: the devil is an ass. I read the note from the author that talks about how she struggled making him so mean but that he had to be. The problem for me is he was not just mean but cruel and manipulative until the very end. And throughout that his doormat of a mate, Stella was in love with him. There’s not much else to say about her. When she finally stood up for herself I was like finally we’re going to see the character she was in the previous book but she never really got there for me. Ben was my favorite but he just got so overshadowed by the Demon
-plot: one of the things I love about most poly books o read is the growth of their relationship. This had no growth: this had an asshole who threatened and manipulated the other two into fucking bc they were desperately in love. Ben was used throughout this book and it made me so sad for him and intensified my hated for the Devil.
- the pregnancy trope- this felt so out of left field. These characters don’t even like each other but they get all hot and bothered by pregnancy. And only after she’s pregnant she realizes oh these have life long consequences. At this point Stella finally seemed to get her backbone back but by then it was too late.
-Typos and grammar issues. I have NEVER, NEVER had an issue with this author books but this was so so bad. It makes me wonder if the wrong edition (an unedited one) was downloaded to Amazon. I didn’t report it to Amazon cause it’s Amazon but I did reach out to the author bc it was that bad. I usually just ignore it bc people are human and make mistakes but this was so common it would pull me out of this story bc I’d have to reread to understand what was being said.
- Nothing but sex: I like a good monster romance but this one just felt dragged out with all the sex scenes between characters who didn’t like each other.
Man this review turned out longer than I anticipated.
-the characters: the devil is an ass. I read the note from the author that talks about how she struggled making him so mean but that he had to be. The problem for me is he was not just mean but cruel and manipulative until the very end. And throughout that his doormat of a mate, Stella was in love with him. There’s not much else to say about her. When she finally stood up for herself I was like finally we’re going to see the character she was in the previous book but she never really got there for me. Ben was my favorite but he just got so overshadowed by the Demon
-plot: one of the things I love about most poly books o read is the growth of their relationship. This had no growth: this had an asshole who threatened and manipulated the other two into fucking bc they were desperately in love. Ben was used throughout this book and it made me so sad for him and intensified my hated for the Devil.
- the pregnancy trope- this felt so out of left field. These characters don’t even like each other but they get all hot and bothered by pregnancy. And only after she’s pregnant she realizes oh these have life long consequences. At this point Stella finally seemed to get her backbone back but by then it was too late.
-Typos and grammar issues. I have NEVER, NEVER had an issue with this author books but this was so so bad. It makes me wonder if the wrong edition (an unedited one) was downloaded to Amazon. I didn’t report it to Amazon cause it’s Amazon but I did reach out to the author bc it was that bad. I usually just ignore it bc people are human and make mistakes but this was so common it would pull me out of this story bc I’d have to reread to understand what was being said.
- Nothing but sex: I like a good monster romance but this one just felt dragged out with all the sex scenes between characters who didn’t like each other.
Man this review turned out longer than I anticipated.
February 6, 2025
I love Lillian Lark, but I almost DNF’d this one. She made a note at the end about how difficult it was to write this one, and honestly I felt every bit of that come through while reading it. I truly disliked Remy for 80% of the book and I’m still not sure I forgive him for being an asshole. In her author note she states she was afraid to write him this way, but did it anyway and loved how it came together. I disagree. I don’t think it came together nicely at all. Ben deserved better than both Remy and Stella in my opinion. Their dynamic was supposed to be messy and awkward, which I completely understand. However, and I’m repeating myself here, the relationship between the three of them never really came together cohesively for me, even in the end. If I’m really honest with myself, Lillian goes a little too hard with the alphahole personality at times. I want my characters to still be redeemable and have some softness beneath that asshole visage, and hers have a tendency to be unapologetically awful. But my personal preferences when it comes to alpha personalities is not factored into my rating. The book was clunky, and as much as I wanted to be immersed in the world she’s created, it didn’t happen for me. I felt like I was skimming the surface of this story the entire time. It just didn’t work for me and I wish it had.
March 24, 2025
DNF @ 65%
Look, I really tried and as much as the writing style makes this book easy to read, I hate all the characters and it made picking this book up a slag. I need romance and affection. If a character is gonna be a dick, make them grovel for you-- not the other way around!!
Every time Remy has sex with her he immediately leaves her. And Ben continuously has to leave too! Like, I'd have huge abandonment issues My heart hurts for her, but she continues letting them hurt her "for the good of the territory" which is so fucking stupid. The plot is so thin.
And deciding to get pregnant for any reason other than you want a child is not my kind of story.
LL writes gorgeous sex scenes with lots of emotion and so much fire. Instead with this setup, every time things were getting hot, I'd get pissed. We know one of them doesn't want to feel for her, she's going to be alone at the end of the act (or rejected in some way), and nothing is going to change. So I was just getting the ick -- because it isn't my type of scene, ya know? But anyone who is cool with it... go for it? idk I only had about an hour of reading left but the throuple was still on eggshells, no trust amongst them, and the pregnant thing... yeah this didn't feel like a romance to me.
Look, I really tried and as much as the writing style makes this book easy to read, I hate all the characters and it made picking this book up a slag. I need romance and affection. If a character is gonna be a dick, make them grovel for you-- not the other way around!!
Every time Remy has sex with her he immediately leaves her. And Ben continuously has to leave too! Like, I'd have huge abandonment issues My heart hurts for her, but she continues letting them hurt her "for the good of the territory" which is so fucking stupid. The plot is so thin.
And deciding to get pregnant for any reason other than you want a child is not my kind of story.
LL writes gorgeous sex scenes with lots of emotion and so much fire. Instead with this setup, every time things were getting hot, I'd get pissed. We know one of them doesn't want to feel for her, she's going to be alone at the end of the act (or rejected in some way), and nothing is going to change. So I was just getting the ick -- because it isn't my type of scene, ya know? But anyone who is cool with it... go for it? idk I only had about an hour of reading left but the throuple was still on eggshells, no trust amongst them, and the pregnant thing... yeah this didn't feel like a romance to me.
January 5, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for this incredible why choose monster romance. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me rage and feel all the feels. No one does monster romance like Lillian lark. The pacing was 🤌🏼 the protagonists were so messy 😅 there was so much longingggg in this book from all 3 of them.
I won’t lie, at times Stoneheart’s resistance to emotional intimacy made me want to punch him in the face. But honestly he grew on me. By the end I loved him.
Now Ben and Stella I loved throughout. These two were MAGICAL. ♥️ by the end I was emotionally invested in all three.
TLDR;
Omg read it. It’s so good 🥰
I won’t lie, at times Stoneheart’s resistance to emotional intimacy made me want to punch him in the face. But honestly he grew on me. By the end I loved him.
Now Ben and Stella I loved throughout. These two were MAGICAL. ♥️ by the end I was emotionally invested in all three.
TLDR;
Omg read it. It’s so good 🥰
January 15, 2025
Unfortunately, this is a DNF for me. I'm giving it 2 ⭐ because I got up to chapter 33 / 64% and I wasn't connecting with the story or the characters the way I usually do with Lark's Monstrous Matches books.
I was not enjoying the characters relationship and miscommunication throughout this one, and the pacing was slow. I would estimate that it would end up being a 3/5 🌶️ by the end since this was a MMF (Poly) romance with some public play.
I was not enjoying the characters relationship and miscommunication throughout this one, and the pacing was slow. I would estimate that it would end up being a 3/5 🌶️ by the end since this was a MMF (Poly) romance with some public play.
April 17, 2025
Damn, I think I've reached my limit on these kind of books for a while. I just didn't get into it or like either of the MMCs. There's a fine line to being strong and stoic and just being a bully and a dick for no reason and the MMC pole vaulted that line.
January 4, 2025
Stella deserves better. Ben started out strong and then I was over him and Remy
March 7, 2025
I went into this one a bit uncertain about whether I would like it as much as some of the other installements in this series, but this one completely won me over and is now competing with Entranced by the Basilisks for the spot of favourite book in the series.
I have always such a hard time reviewing Lillian Lark's books and I want to leave off writing the review until tomorrow, but... if I do that than I probably won't review it at all *sigh* Let's do this.
This is a polyamorous romance / soft erotica with a pretty unusual mix of tropes. The whole book starts with a marriage of convenience between Stella and Remy (called Stoneheart for big part of the book, this tells you almost everything you need to know about this character) the reasons of which were discussed in Hoarded by the Dragon. The dynamic between Stella and Remy is pretty complex in the beginning and I don't want to get into that, but let's just say that he is more than a bit obsessed with her although he's fighting teeth and nail not to fall in love with her. And she was attracted to him since he first proposed to marry her several years ago, but she didn't want to be in the relationship of convenience. Anyway, this book starts at their wedding night and Remy is pretty possessive and I couldn't help but wonder how this book was going to pull off having another man in that relationship.
And I have to say that I was so tickled by the way Lark pulled it off!
The context you need to know is that in Hoarded by the Dragon there was a bit of an opposites attract side-romance between Stella and Ben. It never came to anything, because reasons *gestures towards the wedding* but by the time Stella has married someone else Ben is pretty much in love with her already.
And Remy is very jealous about that...
Until he decides... that actually, he wants to have both of them. Partially because he feels like he can't give his wife the emotional comfort that she needs, partially because Ben can teleport and Remy considers him a useful asset, but those are also obviously excuses to cover the simple truth that he is falling for them.
I won't talk more about the romance, I will just say that I really liked it and it did work for me quite well. Remy makes some genuine mistakes as does Ben, but they are acknowledged as such and (sooner or later) communicated about and I honestly don't think I would have changed anything about it, even the third act drama was pretty much reasonable.
This book has also a bit of political intrigue going on which I really enjoyed at the beginning and I was quite sorry that the book didn't keep it up better as it went on. Still, this was a very enjoyable and fun read. With really well written slightly kinky sex scenes (I should also say that I really loved the way consent, testing boundaries and trying out new things was written here. These are mostly pretty small details, but they just made such a difference!) So yeah, my addiction continues, I'm really looking forward to the next one in the series! (It seems like the author is pitching Lobo to us? I am intrigued...) I might also read Three of Hearts in the meantime to make the waiting easier, although I'm kind of worried I won't like those as much since they are a little bit older and I didn't love Lark's first book in the series nearly as much as I loved some of the later ones.
P.S. Also, Stella did feel slightly neurodiverse coded with her hyperfocus when crafting and her naps during the day, but I'm not sure if it was intentional.
I have always such a hard time reviewing Lillian Lark's books and I want to leave off writing the review until tomorrow, but... if I do that than I probably won't review it at all *sigh* Let's do this.
This is a polyamorous romance / soft erotica with a pretty unusual mix of tropes. The whole book starts with a marriage of convenience between Stella and Remy (called Stoneheart for big part of the book, this tells you almost everything you need to know about this character) the reasons of which were discussed in Hoarded by the Dragon. The dynamic between Stella and Remy is pretty complex in the beginning and I don't want to get into that, but let's just say that he is more than a bit obsessed with her although he's fighting teeth and nail not to fall in love with her. And she was attracted to him since he first proposed to marry her several years ago, but she didn't want to be in the relationship of convenience. Anyway, this book starts at their wedding night and Remy is pretty possessive and I couldn't help but wonder how this book was going to pull off having another man in that relationship.
And I have to say that I was so tickled by the way Lark pulled it off!
The context you need to know is that in Hoarded by the Dragon there was a bit of an opposites attract side-romance between Stella and Ben. It never came to anything, because reasons *gestures towards the wedding* but by the time Stella has married someone else Ben is pretty much in love with her already.
And Remy is very jealous about that...
Until he decides... that actually, he wants to have both of them. Partially because he feels like he can't give his wife the emotional comfort that she needs, partially because Ben can teleport and Remy considers him a useful asset, but those are also obviously excuses to cover the simple truth that he is falling for them.
I won't talk more about the romance, I will just say that I really liked it and it did work for me quite well. Remy makes some genuine mistakes as does Ben, but they are acknowledged as such and (sooner or later) communicated about and I honestly don't think I would have changed anything about it, even the third act drama was pretty much reasonable.
This book has also a bit of political intrigue going on which I really enjoyed at the beginning and I was quite sorry that the book didn't keep it up better as it went on. Still, this was a very enjoyable and fun read. With really well written slightly kinky sex scenes (I should also say that I really loved the way consent, testing boundaries and trying out new things was written here. These are mostly pretty small details, but they just made such a difference!) So yeah, my addiction continues, I'm really looking forward to the next one in the series! (It seems like the author is pitching Lobo to us? I am intrigued...) I might also read Three of Hearts in the meantime to make the waiting easier, although I'm kind of worried I won't like those as much since they are a little bit older and I didn't love Lark's first book in the series nearly as much as I loved some of the later ones.
P.S. Also, Stella did feel slightly neurodiverse coded with her hyperfocus when crafting and her naps during the day, but I'm not sure if it was intentional.
October 18, 2025
The storyline was kind of all over the place. It's an arranged marriage, a kidnapping mystery, some evil guys to kill (who both showed up and were dealt with within a chapter), political rivalry, a poly love story, semi-bdsm monster smut... and it just didn't do any of these pieces well.
Usually I like an arranged marriage, but it's because the characters get to know each other, fall in love, and it makes sense how they got there. It didn't work like that in this. The gargoyle is a manipulative asshole who thinks emotional connections make him weak, so he avoids them and makes everyone involved with him anxious about whether they're actually wanted/needed/loved. The other two characters are bland, not much is said about them and who they are as people. It's all angst, anxiety and sex between the 3 of them. The sex scenes are decent at least. But no idea of how or why they fell in love together.
The rest of those pieces just didn't hit hard enough to work together. The kidnappings seemed were unresolved - they killed the bad guys, yeah, but where are the dozens of missing people?
All the political scenes were too easily won over and all details of how they won over left out.
The author seemed to be trying on bdsm but it was pretty half-assed and no aftercare (due to the no emotional connections guy) made it more uncomfortable than sexy.
Usually I like an arranged marriage, but it's because the characters get to know each other, fall in love, and it makes sense how they got there. It didn't work like that in this. The gargoyle is a manipulative asshole who thinks emotional connections make him weak, so he avoids them and makes everyone involved with him anxious about whether they're actually wanted/needed/loved. The other two characters are bland, not much is said about them and who they are as people. It's all angst, anxiety and sex between the 3 of them. The sex scenes are decent at least. But no idea of how or why they fell in love together.
The rest of those pieces just didn't hit hard enough to work together. The kidnappings seemed were unresolved - they killed the bad guys, yeah, but where are the dozens of missing people?
All the political scenes were too easily won over and all details of how they won over left out.
The author seemed to be trying on bdsm but it was pretty half-assed and no aftercare (due to the no emotional connections guy) made it more uncomfortable than sexy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 326 reviews