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How to Make a Love Potion
This quick-witted and steamy college fantasy romance delivers a tale of what happens when two monsters discover a hunger far more dangerous than desire. Perfect for readers who crave a love that not only consumes, but devours.
Any good love potion needs three key a dash of lust, a spoonful of envy, and a sprinkle of death. Too bad Iris Ashbourne and Elliot Cross don't have a loving bone in their bodies.
Elliot's life is simple. He knows that love is impossible for a Cross, so he settles for lust. He knows his own pack is afraid of him, so he smiles to ease their worries. He knows he must bear his family's curse whether he wants to or not, so he does so, without complaint. But when Elliot discovers Iris, the infamous campus maneater with a talent for biting off heads and ripping through hearts, in a rather compromising position, it's anything but simple. And in a moment of weakness, or perhaps great clarity, he does the he covers for her.
To a succubus like Iris, men are food. Nothing less, nothing more. So it shouldn't bother her when they stare, when they whisper, when they drool as she walks by. Why should she care about the feelings of food? All they see is a monster anyway, and Iris knows that she is so much more. But when she realizes there is someone else who sees her for what she is, her instincts tell her to run and hide. Unfortunately for her, he is also her only hope.
Now, with an investigation pending and their hearts on the line, the only way to ensure they both make it out unscathed is together. Except, Iris and Elliot don't go together. If only there were a way to fix that.
Please This book contains explicit content and mature elements, including language, violence, and on-page sex. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age.
Any good love potion needs three key a dash of lust, a spoonful of envy, and a sprinkle of death. Too bad Iris Ashbourne and Elliot Cross don't have a loving bone in their bodies.
Elliot's life is simple. He knows that love is impossible for a Cross, so he settles for lust. He knows his own pack is afraid of him, so he smiles to ease their worries. He knows he must bear his family's curse whether he wants to or not, so he does so, without complaint. But when Elliot discovers Iris, the infamous campus maneater with a talent for biting off heads and ripping through hearts, in a rather compromising position, it's anything but simple. And in a moment of weakness, or perhaps great clarity, he does the he covers for her.
To a succubus like Iris, men are food. Nothing less, nothing more. So it shouldn't bother her when they stare, when they whisper, when they drool as she walks by. Why should she care about the feelings of food? All they see is a monster anyway, and Iris knows that she is so much more. But when she realizes there is someone else who sees her for what she is, her instincts tell her to run and hide. Unfortunately for her, he is also her only hope.
Now, with an investigation pending and their hearts on the line, the only way to ensure they both make it out unscathed is together. Except, Iris and Elliot don't go together. If only there were a way to fix that.
Please This book contains explicit content and mature elements, including language, violence, and on-page sex. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
April 28, 2026
What a fun experience this book was! My first ever monster romance and I think I’d even label this as splatterpunk? Just a bit, unless I’m too naive to this genre and it really wasn’t that “graphic” when it came to the violent scenes 😂
This book follows our man hating, man eating succubus Iris our FMC and her friend turned fake dating lover MMC, Elliot who’s a werewolf with actual ears and tail of a wolf that exists on his human form. They’re both university students (think a world like Hogwarts + additional creatures and way more black characters) and so most of the story takes places on different parts of this campus.
Something devastating happens on this campus and uncharacteristically, Elliot decides to help his friend Iris and just because he’s a MAN, she naturally hates him, right? Right? Right?!?!
That’s when the story get’s juicy, in addition to that tension of the two MCs we also have elements of :
- gossip girl (someone stalking the two and making life miserable)
- fake dating (i mentioned already, but there’s more than one couple doing this)
- friends with benefits (oops did i forget mention that before they decided to fake date, they already had a spicy little arrangement going on?)
And so many other fun surprises scattered throughout. The author’s writing was very descriptive and I appreciated the way she explained emotions, sensations, and everything in between. However there were a few moments where I’d get a little confused about what a character was doing or experiencing and caused me to re read a line a few times and took me out of the story. That’s the only reason for 4.8/5 stars. But I think I’ll still ponder on this and see if I’ll just give the full 5 stars. I’m writing this review RIGHT AFTER finishing the book so I have some time to let the story replay in my head.
Love love loved it though, highly recommend if you enjoy monster romances and Jennifer’s Body esque rhetoric
This book follows our man hating, man eating succubus Iris our FMC and her friend turned fake dating lover MMC, Elliot who’s a werewolf with actual ears and tail of a wolf that exists on his human form. They’re both university students (think a world like Hogwarts + additional creatures and way more black characters) and so most of the story takes places on different parts of this campus.
Something devastating happens on this campus and uncharacteristically, Elliot decides to help his friend Iris and just because he’s a MAN, she naturally hates him, right? Right? Right?!?!
That’s when the story get’s juicy, in addition to that tension of the two MCs we also have elements of :
- gossip girl (someone stalking the two and making life miserable)
- fake dating (i mentioned already, but there’s more than one couple doing this)
- friends with benefits (oops did i forget mention that before they decided to fake date, they already had a spicy little arrangement going on?)
And so many other fun surprises scattered throughout. The author’s writing was very descriptive and I appreciated the way she explained emotions, sensations, and everything in between. However there were a few moments where I’d get a little confused about what a character was doing or experiencing and caused me to re read a line a few times and took me out of the story. That’s the only reason for 4.8/5 stars. But I think I’ll still ponder on this and see if I’ll just give the full 5 stars. I’m writing this review RIGHT AFTER finishing the book so I have some time to let the story replay in my head.
Love love loved it though, highly recommend if you enjoy monster romances and Jennifer’s Body esque rhetoric
May 19, 2026
Iris cant be sated, no matter how many men she drains. Only one man can cure her hunger and he happens to be the one man everyone wants. Elliot has been feeding her for years with no strings attached. Iris starts catching feelings after a fake dating arrangement but what she doesn’t know is that his family is cursed - he can’t feel love or affection for anyone.
I ate this up. I need more stories with succubus MCs.
Elliot, the man that you are. Husband material. Argue with your mum.
I need books for the side characters…
Dame & Elise? Give it to me NOW.
I ate this up. I need more stories with succubus MCs.
Elliot, the man that you are. Husband material. Argue with your mum.
I need books for the side characters…
Dame & Elise? Give it to me NOW.
April 30, 2026
Review of advance copy received from author. Thank you for the opportunity to review in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was a really fun, fast-paced read! A blend of dark academia and paranormal romance. A magical university full of BLACK supernatural beings, a murder mystery, and fake dating to cover it up? Yeah… I kind of ate this up.
Iris is that girl—a literal man-eating succubus who doesn’t see it for men unless she’s feeding, yet underneath it all, she’s craving something genuine (even if she’d never admit it out loud). Elliot, a wolf shifter, is cursed in a way that shapes how he experiences the world, which makes his quiet, unwavering care for Iris hit even harder. Their dynamic is one of the strongest elements of the novel—balancing sharp banter, tension, and an underlying vulnerability that adds weight to their connection. They’re both a little dangerous and a little soft when it comes to each other, which made their relationship especially compelling.
Their relationship evolves from a friends-with-benefits arrangement into something far more emotionally complex, with both characters grappling with the very real fear of harming one another. This adds meaningful emotional stakes beyond the external plot, which is already layered with murder, blackmail, and secrets on secrets.
The story layers in a murder investigation, blackmail, and hidden motives, all set against a social environment filled with rumors and shifting perceptions, à la Gossip Girl. This adds an extra layer of intrigue and tension as information is constantly distorted and weaponized.
I’m excited to continue the series and dive into Dame and Elsie’s story next.
This was a really fun, fast-paced read! A blend of dark academia and paranormal romance. A magical university full of BLACK supernatural beings, a murder mystery, and fake dating to cover it up? Yeah… I kind of ate this up.
Iris is that girl—a literal man-eating succubus who doesn’t see it for men unless she’s feeding, yet underneath it all, she’s craving something genuine (even if she’d never admit it out loud). Elliot, a wolf shifter, is cursed in a way that shapes how he experiences the world, which makes his quiet, unwavering care for Iris hit even harder. Their dynamic is one of the strongest elements of the novel—balancing sharp banter, tension, and an underlying vulnerability that adds weight to their connection. They’re both a little dangerous and a little soft when it comes to each other, which made their relationship especially compelling.
Their relationship evolves from a friends-with-benefits arrangement into something far more emotionally complex, with both characters grappling with the very real fear of harming one another. This adds meaningful emotional stakes beyond the external plot, which is already layered with murder, blackmail, and secrets on secrets.
The story layers in a murder investigation, blackmail, and hidden motives, all set against a social environment filled with rumors and shifting perceptions, à la Gossip Girl. This adds an extra layer of intrigue and tension as information is constantly distorted and weaponized.
I’m excited to continue the series and dive into Dame and Elsie’s story next.
June 1, 2026
How to make a love potion by R.A Moreau is the first book of the Highcrest University series. It will be a series of interconnected standalones, but the number of books planned has not been announced (or it’s not easy to find 😅)
I would classify this as a murder mysteromantasy 🙈
This was a fun read!
Iris is a succubus who can’t find anyone to satisfy her voracious appetite. Elliott is a playboy werewolf who helps her out. During a party at his pack’s house, Iris gets attacked by a wolf and it doesn’t end well for him. Elliott finds her and handles the situation. To get the inquiry off her back, he claims her as a chosen mate so she can get the pack’s protection.
I thought this would be high smut and no plot, but I was wrong! The book is definitely character driven, but there’s still a story behind. Iris and Elliott already had a physical relationship, but it was always kept to a minimum, just to feed her, by her choice. It was so sweet to see Elliott care for her, show her that he always put her needs first. There are some obstacles on their path, but no other character to create jealousy. I thought it was a nice chance. I loved to see their physical relationship move from basic needs to a way of showing their emotions.
Elliott is the greenest flag when it comes to her!
I enjoyed seeing Iris change too. She had to build a shell to protect herself. She has to be rude because everyone stares and everyone lusts after her. Elliott shows her that it is possible for her to be loved, that she’s not a monster. She softens…a little bit 🤣
Anyway! I highly recommend it when you need something with low emotional stakes, great character development and a green flag MMC!
I would classify this as a murder mysteromantasy 🙈
This was a fun read!
Iris is a succubus who can’t find anyone to satisfy her voracious appetite. Elliott is a playboy werewolf who helps her out. During a party at his pack’s house, Iris gets attacked by a wolf and it doesn’t end well for him. Elliott finds her and handles the situation. To get the inquiry off her back, he claims her as a chosen mate so she can get the pack’s protection.
I thought this would be high smut and no plot, but I was wrong! The book is definitely character driven, but there’s still a story behind. Iris and Elliott already had a physical relationship, but it was always kept to a minimum, just to feed her, by her choice. It was so sweet to see Elliott care for her, show her that he always put her needs first. There are some obstacles on their path, but no other character to create jealousy. I thought it was a nice chance. I loved to see their physical relationship move from basic needs to a way of showing their emotions.
Elliott is the greenest flag when it comes to her!
I enjoyed seeing Iris change too. She had to build a shell to protect herself. She has to be rude because everyone stares and everyone lusts after her. Elliott shows her that it is possible for her to be loved, that she’s not a monster. She softens…a little bit 🤣
Anyway! I highly recommend it when you need something with low emotional stakes, great character development and a green flag MMC!
May 18, 2026
Thank you R.A. Moreau for the ARC! 🖤
Honestly, this was an easy 5⭐️ for me. We get an absolute baddie/ man-eating succubus for our FMC. & for our MMC we get a Spiderpunk-inspired, pierced, unable-to-love lover boy. Willing & ready to embrace each other’s monster. It was delicious! So, so many of my favorite things. Like, once the proximity gets a little forced, it’s up! Oh, & it’s dual POV. 😏
Mine, mine, mine. 🤝 Baby, baby, baby.
In this paranormal college romance we get fake dating, freaky friends with benefits, banter-laced flirting, finger-licking spice, some firsts, touch &— NAAAHHHHH. Don’t even think about it. 🙂↔️
Iris is a force on her own. Skirts & heels a part of her armor. But there really is something about the girls who have built walls around themselves having someone willing to look out & stand guard for them. Never left to stand on their own. Protected. 😈🖤 & I honestly don’t know how it was done, but I was invested in *everybody* in the core group from the jump! I was feeling threads of found family, but the family had already been found.? Yet you could feeeel the chemistry on-page. FF are usually my fav reads. The besties, I loved. The bro-bonds had me emotional. 🥹🫂
While some elements may have been predictable, but the vibe throughout never died for me. I got scared when I realized this was apart of a series with 100pgs left. 😂 All to learn at the end that they’re interconnected standalones. BLESS. 🙌 I cannot wait for the next installment!! Highcrest University, I’ll be waiting. 😌
June 16, 2026
How to Make a Love Potion is the kind of romantasy that knows exactly what it wants to be: darkly funny, deliciously monstrous, and surprisingly heartfelt.
From the very first chapter, Iris and Elliot hooked me. Iris is a succubus who sees people as food, not potential partners, and Elliot is burdened by a family curse that has convinced him love simply isn't for him. Neither character is remotely interested in being lovable, which makes watching them slowly dismantle each other's defenses so satisfying.
The chemistry is fantastic. Their banter crackles, the tension builds beautifully, and the romance feels earned despite the relatively fast pace. I especially loved that neither character is "fixed" by love. Instead, they find someone who understands the monster beneath the surface and chooses them anyway.
The university setting, paranormal politics, and murder investigation add enough intrigue to keep the story moving, though I would have loved even more world-building and exploration of the wider supernatural community. The pacing occasionally felt rushed, particularly toward the end, but the emotional payoff landed for me.
What really stood out was the theme running through the novel: being seen and accepted for what you truly are. Beneath the sharp humor, steamy romance, and supernatural chaos is a surprisingly tender story about belonging.
From the very first chapter, Iris and Elliot hooked me. Iris is a succubus who sees people as food, not potential partners, and Elliot is burdened by a family curse that has convinced him love simply isn't for him. Neither character is remotely interested in being lovable, which makes watching them slowly dismantle each other's defenses so satisfying.
The chemistry is fantastic. Their banter crackles, the tension builds beautifully, and the romance feels earned despite the relatively fast pace. I especially loved that neither character is "fixed" by love. Instead, they find someone who understands the monster beneath the surface and chooses them anyway.
The university setting, paranormal politics, and murder investigation add enough intrigue to keep the story moving, though I would have loved even more world-building and exploration of the wider supernatural community. The pacing occasionally felt rushed, particularly toward the end, but the emotional payoff landed for me.
What really stood out was the theme running through the novel: being seen and accepted for what you truly are. Beneath the sharp humor, steamy romance, and supernatural chaos is a surprisingly tender story about belonging.
May 6, 2026
“𝔶𝔬𝔲’𝔯𝔢 𝔥𝔲𝔫𝔤𝔯𝔶 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔰𝔬𝔪𝔢𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔦 𝔠𝔞𝔫’𝔱 𝔤𝔦𝔳𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲. 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔦𝔱’𝔰 𝔨𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔪𝔢.”
wow, wow, wow. this was EVERYTHING i needed and more! it took my reading slump and ripped it in half.
iris and elliot’s story is one of longing, pain, patience and loyalty. throughout the entire story, you can feel the agonizing yearning from both ends even if they don’t see it themselves. at so many points, my eyes were full of tears over their relationship and at other times, i was laughing so hard because their banter was just everything.
this is so different from anything i’ve read before and it was a breath of fresh air. a paranormal academic setting with so much going on that still has you questioning it when you finish will always have me on the edge of my seat.
i absolutely can’t wait for more in this world and to find out what’s going on with with the rest of the friend group!
thank you for the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy, ill absolutely be reading everything they put out!!
wow, wow, wow. this was EVERYTHING i needed and more! it took my reading slump and ripped it in half.
iris and elliot’s story is one of longing, pain, patience and loyalty. throughout the entire story, you can feel the agonizing yearning from both ends even if they don’t see it themselves. at so many points, my eyes were full of tears over their relationship and at other times, i was laughing so hard because their banter was just everything.
this is so different from anything i’ve read before and it was a breath of fresh air. a paranormal academic setting with so much going on that still has you questioning it when you finish will always have me on the edge of my seat.
i absolutely can’t wait for more in this world and to find out what’s going on with with the rest of the friend group!
thank you for the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy, ill absolutely be reading everything they put out!!
May 31, 2026
I went into this book mostly blind. I saw this recommended by the FB book girlies and was intrigued. Im so glad I came across that post!
R. A. Moreau is a new to me author, but listen she's moving real close to the "auto-buy" list. This book was fun, quick paced, witty, steamy, with an engaging plot.
I really enjoyed the self discovery of Elliot and Iris, and the different approach to a "love story".
I still have a few questions like, why was Elliots family cursed in the first place, and what actually happened to Vanessa? Buuutttt maybe we will get more in other books.
Now listen, if you dont like on page steam, gone ahead and put this book down lol BUT I will say it added to the plot, it had a purpose, and was handled so well (oh and yes, he talks her through it).
I need book 2 YESTERDAY! While I wait, I'm going to go read everything else R. A Moreau has written.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
R. A. Moreau is a new to me author, but listen she's moving real close to the "auto-buy" list. This book was fun, quick paced, witty, steamy, with an engaging plot.
I really enjoyed the self discovery of Elliot and Iris, and the different approach to a "love story".
I still have a few questions like, why was Elliots family cursed in the first place, and what actually happened to Vanessa? Buuutttt maybe we will get more in other books.
Now listen, if you dont like on page steam, gone ahead and put this book down lol BUT I will say it added to the plot, it had a purpose, and was handled so well (oh and yes, he talks her through it).
I need book 2 YESTERDAY! While I wait, I'm going to go read everything else R. A Moreau has written.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 23, 2026
DNF at 43%/Page 128 of 301. Review contains spoilers up to this point.
I would describe this book so far as steamy/adult Monster High-esque with a dash of murder. The cover is gorgeous (one of the main things that drew me to it) and the summary gives an interesting story in hand. Unfortunately, this book didn't get to resonate enough for me to continue reading it.
Starting with the things I disliked, the story has intriguing world building, with all creatures you can think of living in a modern world with unique rules in their society; however, the author only mentions a few and then never explores them further. The same applies to the murder aspect at hand: although it is the piece that unites our two protagonists, it seems like 1) they're not too worried about the consequences at hand and therefore do not do more about it other than pretend to be a couple for alibi purposes, and 2) it seems to not affect the plot at all at this point. Anything else could have happened instead of a murder and the story would have remained the same. A thing that disappointed me hugely about this book is the main cast of female characters, specifically Iris, Kitty, and Elise. For starters, Kitty and Elise don't seem to have a personality of their own and thus they could be exchanged for any other character of the book or new ones and it would have been the same. They're easily forgettable and seem to not have a true place in Iris's life, which makes it hard for the reader to truly connect with them. Even Iris herself seems to forget about their existence quite often, only remembering them when something comes up (i.e. When Elise has been missing classes and has been lying to Kitty and Iris, yet they just take notice of this and don't do anything about it. For the record, they've known each other since they were little, hello? No checking in with her?). This takes me to my next point: Iris Ashbourne. Iris is a character with potential, but she's so distant with every character and from herself that it was hard to connect with her at all. She's described in a way that makes you think that her whole personality is being a bad bitch (and doesn't try to showcase otherwise, either when with friends, Elliot or by herself), which makes her the most one dimensional woman I've read in a long time, and that's so unfair for her. She's a man hater succubus (a cool concept btw and with so many themes to see from there), but ironically the scenes where her character is more fleshed out and with substance are the ones where a man is involved (either in the murder, where we can see her inner strength and will in play, or through Elliot's POV). This is the thing with this book: there's so much to be explored through it, the possibilities are right there for the reader to grasp, and yet they're constantly ignored.
On the bright side, I have to keep highlighting the world building: it brings amazing ideas about an alternate universe with creatures all living in peace and having groups and processes such as the Inquisition and Inquiries, that if the author explored them, they would definitely be a blast. It's a light read with the steamy scenes being hot and with a huge emphasis on consent and safety. The murder aspect was amazing, that held my interest on the book for quite some time until it stopped being a main point on the story. But above all of this, I have to give a huge shout-out to Elliot Cross. Elliot is the most interesting and fleshed out character in the book, with a fun personality, interesting backstory and motivations, and with a life out of his role on his pack and his relationship with Iris. His chapters are the best, giving us glimpses on both his life and how he views Iris (which helps her immeasurably), as well as how he handles sometimes the side quests. He's loyal, consistent, has a sharp side but doesn't let it affect anyone around him. If the rest of the characters were treated with the same care and detail that Elliot had, I would have eaten this book.
Overall, not a bad read but my frustration doesn't let me continue with it. If you're looking for a quick read with a hot couple that are forced to be together and get steamy due to reasons, but they seem to resonate with each other better than they thought they would, this is your book. But, if you're looking for a fantasy book with a good crime subplot, great world building, and with characters you want to connect with, maybe this isn't for you.
I would describe this book so far as steamy/adult Monster High-esque with a dash of murder. The cover is gorgeous (one of the main things that drew me to it) and the summary gives an interesting story in hand. Unfortunately, this book didn't get to resonate enough for me to continue reading it.
Starting with the things I disliked, the story has intriguing world building, with all creatures you can think of living in a modern world with unique rules in their society; however, the author only mentions a few and then never explores them further. The same applies to the murder aspect at hand: although it is the piece that unites our two protagonists, it seems like 1) they're not too worried about the consequences at hand and therefore do not do more about it other than pretend to be a couple for alibi purposes, and 2) it seems to not affect the plot at all at this point. Anything else could have happened instead of a murder and the story would have remained the same. A thing that disappointed me hugely about this book is the main cast of female characters, specifically Iris, Kitty, and Elise. For starters, Kitty and Elise don't seem to have a personality of their own and thus they could be exchanged for any other character of the book or new ones and it would have been the same. They're easily forgettable and seem to not have a true place in Iris's life, which makes it hard for the reader to truly connect with them. Even Iris herself seems to forget about their existence quite often, only remembering them when something comes up (i.e. When Elise has been missing classes and has been lying to Kitty and Iris, yet they just take notice of this and don't do anything about it. For the record, they've known each other since they were little, hello? No checking in with her?). This takes me to my next point: Iris Ashbourne. Iris is a character with potential, but she's so distant with every character and from herself that it was hard to connect with her at all. She's described in a way that makes you think that her whole personality is being a bad bitch (and doesn't try to showcase otherwise, either when with friends, Elliot or by herself), which makes her the most one dimensional woman I've read in a long time, and that's so unfair for her. She's a man hater succubus (a cool concept btw and with so many themes to see from there), but ironically the scenes where her character is more fleshed out and with substance are the ones where a man is involved (either in the murder, where we can see her inner strength and will in play, or through Elliot's POV). This is the thing with this book: there's so much to be explored through it, the possibilities are right there for the reader to grasp, and yet they're constantly ignored.
On the bright side, I have to keep highlighting the world building: it brings amazing ideas about an alternate universe with creatures all living in peace and having groups and processes such as the Inquisition and Inquiries, that if the author explored them, they would definitely be a blast. It's a light read with the steamy scenes being hot and with a huge emphasis on consent and safety. The murder aspect was amazing, that held my interest on the book for quite some time until it stopped being a main point on the story. But above all of this, I have to give a huge shout-out to Elliot Cross. Elliot is the most interesting and fleshed out character in the book, with a fun personality, interesting backstory and motivations, and with a life out of his role on his pack and his relationship with Iris. His chapters are the best, giving us glimpses on both his life and how he views Iris (which helps her immeasurably), as well as how he handles sometimes the side quests. He's loyal, consistent, has a sharp side but doesn't let it affect anyone around him. If the rest of the characters were treated with the same care and detail that Elliot had, I would have eaten this book.
Overall, not a bad read but my frustration doesn't let me continue with it. If you're looking for a quick read with a hot couple that are forced to be together and get steamy due to reasons, but they seem to resonate with each other better than they thought they would, this is your book. But, if you're looking for a fantasy book with a good crime subplot, great world building, and with characters you want to connect with, maybe this isn't for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2026
the love potion was not the reason i fell for this book - 4.5 stars
i put this down for a few days at the beginning because the start was a little slow, but once it got going, i was hooked.
the biggest strength of this book was easily the romance.
one of my favourite things was that the reasons iris and elliot were not together actually made sense. too many romances rely on misunderstandings, poor communication, or problems that could be solved if the characters sat down and talked for five minutes. here, the obstacles felt genuine. elliot is carrying a family curse that prevents him from falling in love, while iris has spent her entire life viewing men as food rather than potential partners. add in her family history and fear of becoming the kind of monster she never wanted to be, and their relationship had real barriers to overcome.
and the way they fell in love was perfect.
it was not really enemies-to-lovers. honestly, it felt more like "we do not have particularly strong feelings about each other" to lovers, and i loved that. their relationship developed naturally, their banter was fun, and by the end i completely bought into why they wanted to be together.
iris was also exactly the kind of female lead i love reading about. she was actually strong. not the kind of "strong" where everyone keeps telling me she is powerful while she spends the entire book waiting to be rescued. she was competent, stubborn, capable of making mistakes, and perfectly able to handle herself. i never got the sense that she needed elliot to save her.
and she had some incredible lines.
exactly, iris.
i also appreciated that despite the humour and romance, the book did not shy away from heavier moments. one of the quotes that stuck with me most was:
that one hit. it tells you so much about iris, how people see her, and why she struggles to trust others.
on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, there was elliot trying to explain away increasingly suspicious behaviour:
yes elliot. your cat.
sir.
i also found myself wanting more of the potion-making side of things. for a book called how to make a love potion, i would have loved even more details about ingredients, brewing, and the actual creation of the potions. that is less of a criticism and more of a compliment because the book made that aspect interesting enough that i wanted to spend more time with it. i'm hoping future books explore that side of the world more because it feels like there is still a lot left to uncover.
my biggest issue was probably covington st. james. i could see where the story was heading with him fairly early on, and while i understood his role in the plot, i think his feelings for iris needed a little more development. i would have liked a few more moments that made his attraction obvious before his final confession because compared to how naturally everything else developed, that reveal felt a little abrupt.
also, i have to respect a book that opens with:
and then has iris murder him later.
what a way to introduce yourself.
the biggest compliment i can give this book is that i immediately wanted more from this world when i finished. despite some minor issues, the pacing was great, the romance felt earned, and i genuinely enjoyed spending time with these characters.
dame and elise?? yes please.
thank you to the author and netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review <3
i put this down for a few days at the beginning because the start was a little slow, but once it got going, i was hooked.
the biggest strength of this book was easily the romance.
one of my favourite things was that the reasons iris and elliot were not together actually made sense. too many romances rely on misunderstandings, poor communication, or problems that could be solved if the characters sat down and talked for five minutes. here, the obstacles felt genuine. elliot is carrying a family curse that prevents him from falling in love, while iris has spent her entire life viewing men as food rather than potential partners. add in her family history and fear of becoming the kind of monster she never wanted to be, and their relationship had real barriers to overcome.
and the way they fell in love was perfect.
it was not really enemies-to-lovers. honestly, it felt more like "we do not have particularly strong feelings about each other" to lovers, and i loved that. their relationship developed naturally, their banter was fun, and by the end i completely bought into why they wanted to be together.
iris was also exactly the kind of female lead i love reading about. she was actually strong. not the kind of "strong" where everyone keeps telling me she is powerful while she spends the entire book waiting to be rescued. she was competent, stubborn, capable of making mistakes, and perfectly able to handle herself. i never got the sense that she needed elliot to save her.
and she had some incredible lines.
"if you touch me again, i will rip out your tongue with my teeth."
exactly, iris.
i also appreciated that despite the humour and romance, the book did not shy away from heavier moments. one of the quotes that stuck with me most was:
"i nod, keeping my eyes on the floor as i wait for the accusation that follows. it's always the same. perhaps i misunderstood. maybe my feeding got him carried away. or my personal favourite—i'm sure he didn't mean it. i've heard it all before, every pointless, pre-programmed response in the—"
"did you ask him to touch you?"
that one hit. it tells you so much about iris, how people see her, and why she struggles to trust others.
on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, there was elliot trying to explain away increasingly suspicious behaviour:
"i, uhh... forgot to feed my... cat."
yes elliot. your cat.
sir.
i also found myself wanting more of the potion-making side of things. for a book called how to make a love potion, i would have loved even more details about ingredients, brewing, and the actual creation of the potions. that is less of a criticism and more of a compliment because the book made that aspect interesting enough that i wanted to spend more time with it. i'm hoping future books explore that side of the world more because it feels like there is still a lot left to uncover.
my biggest issue was probably covington st. james. i could see where the story was heading with him fairly early on, and while i understood his role in the plot, i think his feelings for iris needed a little more development. i would have liked a few more moments that made his attraction obvious before his final confession because compared to how naturally everything else developed, that reveal felt a little abrupt.
also, i have to respect a book that opens with:
"for the last fifteen minutes, oliver st. grey has been kneeling in front of me, grinding himself against the top of my boot like a rabid dog."
and then has iris murder him later.
what a way to introduce yourself.
the biggest compliment i can give this book is that i immediately wanted more from this world when i finished. despite some minor issues, the pacing was great, the romance felt earned, and i genuinely enjoyed spending time with these characters.
dame and elise?? yes please.
thank you to the author and netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review <3
Review of advance copy received from Author
In a university filled with creatures of all kinds, Iris is the main attraction. All the guys stare, whisper, and drool when she walks by. Even though it’s annoying, they only see a monster while she sees food. Being a man eating/hating succubus, Iris doesn’t put up with any nonsense when it comes from a man, so when one tries to cause her harm, Iris defends herself. But this causes a problem that she can’t fix on her own, but her hero is a man. That man is Elliot Cross, a playboy cursed wolf who can’t feel emotions, the big one being love. Elliot will do anything to protect Iris with a smile on his face, so he covers for her.
This leads to an investigation where Iris and Elliot have to fake date to protect each other. They may have a solution for the investigation, but what about the blackmail that reveals itself? With love being an afterthought after so many years without it/never experiencing it, Iris and Elliot navigate this fake relationship while discovering each other and their desires. They aim to found out who is blackmailing them while making sure they take care of each other. Through it all, Elliot will make sure that Iris is full and all her needs are taken care of. Plus, this isn’t the first time he has fed her, so he is the right man for the job.
This was my first read from R.A. Moreau, and I loved every second of it. The banter between Iris and Elliot was chef’s kiss. I loved that even though Iris hated men, she always was comfortable with Elliot and seen him more than just food like all the other men. Even though Elliot can’t experience love, his actions spoke another word. He made sure Iris was good even before the investigation started and cared for her in ways he probably didn’t know. I loved that Elliot rarely called Iris by her name and used “Princess” or “Baby” instead. Even though it irked her a little, I just know she loved it. I was able to figure out the blackmailer after I narrowed the suspects down to two characters. I was surprised, but the clues were hiding in plain sight. Both characters are just what each other need, and I know their love will blossom forever. There were times in the story that I got a little confused about what was occurring in the story while I was reading, but I enjoyed myself and totally recommend. I can’t wait to see R.A. Moreau writes next for the Highcrest University Series.
P.S. I didn’t expect to cry while reading this book, but Elliot quickly changed my mind. (A good man Iris)
Tropes:
* Friends with Benefits
* Fake Dating
* Monster x Monster Romance
* College Romance
* Murder Investigation x Blackmail
This leads to an investigation where Iris and Elliot have to fake date to protect each other. They may have a solution for the investigation, but what about the blackmail that reveals itself? With love being an afterthought after so many years without it/never experiencing it, Iris and Elliot navigate this fake relationship while discovering each other and their desires. They aim to found out who is blackmailing them while making sure they take care of each other. Through it all, Elliot will make sure that Iris is full and all her needs are taken care of. Plus, this isn’t the first time he has fed her, so he is the right man for the job.
This was my first read from R.A. Moreau, and I loved every second of it. The banter between Iris and Elliot was chef’s kiss. I loved that even though Iris hated men, she always was comfortable with Elliot and seen him more than just food like all the other men. Even though Elliot can’t experience love, his actions spoke another word. He made sure Iris was good even before the investigation started and cared for her in ways he probably didn’t know. I loved that Elliot rarely called Iris by her name and used “Princess” or “Baby” instead. Even though it irked her a little, I just know she loved it. I was able to figure out the blackmailer after I narrowed the suspects down to two characters. I was surprised, but the clues were hiding in plain sight. Both characters are just what each other need, and I know their love will blossom forever. There were times in the story that I got a little confused about what was occurring in the story while I was reading, but I enjoyed myself and totally recommend. I can’t wait to see R.A. Moreau writes next for the Highcrest University Series.
P.S. I didn’t expect to cry while reading this book, but Elliot quickly changed my mind. (A good man Iris)
Tropes:
* Friends with Benefits
* Fake Dating
* Monster x Monster Romance
* College Romance
* Murder Investigation x Blackmail
May 13, 2026
An engaging monster romance with a large and diverse cast of characters.
-Main Characters-
Iris: I quite liked Iris, and found her easy to enjoy & read about. She was just the right amount of funny, and I think the backstory given to her made her very interesting. I’ve never read anything with a succubus character, but I like how it was portrayed through her. I wish there was more depth to her, however. There’s a lot of internal conflict going on from her point of view, but I wish we could’ve dove deeper into her history.
Elliot: He was charming from the start, and I instantly liked him. It was obvious he was the male lead from the get-go, which I don’t mind. His problems are interesting, but I again wish there was more about him. I’d love more details on his family, his powers, and so on. He felt like he had more depth than Iris, though, with a good character shift from the start to the end.
-Plot-
I’d like to start by saying the world was fascinating. Incorporating all types of monsters was very interesting, and it’s clear there’s an elaborate world planned behind all of it. However, I’m not sure this world really comes through. I wish there were more moments where the story would slow to explain how things worked; I was very very confused for the first few chapters on what was even occurring. There are quite a few instances of this, where things are mentioned and not explained very well. This may just be because I didn’t know much about the various types of monsters, though.
Without too many spoilers, I enjoyed the plot. The major event & investigation didn’t feel very central however, and instead felt quite insignificant even to the characters. Despite this, it was cleverly executed, with a great twist at the end. I went in expecting the investigation to be more central, though, and it simply wasn’t. The romance was well done, especially as it wasn’t a slow-burn. I definitely felt as though the characters grew appropriately into the romantic bond.
Overall, I enjoyed the romance and Elliot the most. If you’re looking for a monster romance that has a deep engagement with their monster sides, here it is! I just wish I could’ve gotten more time to spend with the world, though, as it seems really interesting.
-Main Characters-
Iris: I quite liked Iris, and found her easy to enjoy & read about. She was just the right amount of funny, and I think the backstory given to her made her very interesting. I’ve never read anything with a succubus character, but I like how it was portrayed through her. I wish there was more depth to her, however. There’s a lot of internal conflict going on from her point of view, but I wish we could’ve dove deeper into her history.
Elliot: He was charming from the start, and I instantly liked him. It was obvious he was the male lead from the get-go, which I don’t mind. His problems are interesting, but I again wish there was more about him. I’d love more details on his family, his powers, and so on. He felt like he had more depth than Iris, though, with a good character shift from the start to the end.
-Plot-
I’d like to start by saying the world was fascinating. Incorporating all types of monsters was very interesting, and it’s clear there’s an elaborate world planned behind all of it. However, I’m not sure this world really comes through. I wish there were more moments where the story would slow to explain how things worked; I was very very confused for the first few chapters on what was even occurring. There are quite a few instances of this, where things are mentioned and not explained very well. This may just be because I didn’t know much about the various types of monsters, though.
Without too many spoilers, I enjoyed the plot. The major event & investigation didn’t feel very central however, and instead felt quite insignificant even to the characters. Despite this, it was cleverly executed, with a great twist at the end. I went in expecting the investigation to be more central, though, and it simply wasn’t. The romance was well done, especially as it wasn’t a slow-burn. I definitely felt as though the characters grew appropriately into the romantic bond.
Overall, I enjoyed the romance and Elliot the most. If you’re looking for a monster romance that has a deep engagement with their monster sides, here it is! I just wish I could’ve gotten more time to spend with the world, though, as it seems really interesting.
Review of advance copy received from Author
(ARC Review) Full length review coming soon but if I could give this 6 stars I would. The character development? The friendship dynamics? Everything about this did exactly what I needed it to do AND MORE. The twist definitely caught me off guard and the ending was a beautiful bow on a beautiful story 😩
Full review:
Iris is not only a man hating succubus she is THE man hating succubus. She sees men as nothing else but a means to end for her hunger and they can’t even do that right. Elliot is the playboy cursed werewolf with a personality that woos … except Iris usually wants to punch him, unless he’s feeding her of course.
When Iris finds her self in a mess she can’t handle on her own Elliot steps up in ways she wouldn’t have ever expected from him. Unfortunately they missed something, something big and now it’s becoming a problem.
As they work through this problem they find a strange sense of comfort as two lonely people together. Maybe this thing could work? Or not? When Iris learns what Elliot’s curse entails she is concerned with where this thing is going to go. Don’t forget that big problem…that definitely doesn’t get handled quickly.
YALL I didn’t know what to expect but I LOVED this so bad. The development of the main characters and how they interact with each other was amazing. I love that Iris kept her man hating spirit throughout the book and Elliot always had something to say right back. The twist made me want to FIGHT and I unexpectedly cried? I don’t cry at books…ever…but Elliot did it for me. 5 stars and 4 chili peppers (smut is amazing btw great smut to plot ratio)
Full review:
Iris is not only a man hating succubus she is THE man hating succubus. She sees men as nothing else but a means to end for her hunger and they can’t even do that right. Elliot is the playboy cursed werewolf with a personality that woos … except Iris usually wants to punch him, unless he’s feeding her of course.
When Iris finds her self in a mess she can’t handle on her own Elliot steps up in ways she wouldn’t have ever expected from him. Unfortunately they missed something, something big and now it’s becoming a problem.
As they work through this problem they find a strange sense of comfort as two lonely people together. Maybe this thing could work? Or not? When Iris learns what Elliot’s curse entails she is concerned with where this thing is going to go. Don’t forget that big problem…that definitely doesn’t get handled quickly.
YALL I didn’t know what to expect but I LOVED this so bad. The development of the main characters and how they interact with each other was amazing. I love that Iris kept her man hating spirit throughout the book and Elliot always had something to say right back. The twist made me want to FIGHT and I unexpectedly cried? I don’t cry at books…ever…but Elliot did it for me. 5 stars and 4 chili peppers (smut is amazing btw great smut to plot ratio)
May 28, 2026
Good grief! I haven't been this invested in a dangerous pairing since Edward and Bella! An avoidant succubus and a cursed wolf have maintained a FWB relationship for the last four years. Circumstances force them into a new arrangement that neither is prepared for. They both are compelled to reevaluate their long-held thoughts about the possibility of love. All while contending with dark forces.
This book held me hostage from beginning to end. Iris and Elliot's chemistry was electric and only intensified as the story progressed. They are both creatures that others desire but fear, but they found understanding and compassion in one another. I guess you could call it a slow burn or maybe just slow to realize what's obvious. But it's a very spicy slow burn. Their individual back stories garnered empathy and provided depth and layers to their complicated situationship. I enjoyed the unraveling of their hard exteriors in tandem with the deepening of their bond.
As this is the first book of an interconnected series, there are a lot of minor characters that stood out with loose threads to follow in future work. This story did a good bit of foundational world building around this magical university for wolves, minotaurs, succubi, shadow walkers, trolls, you name it without it being tedious or hard to follow. I am looking forward to the next installment of the happenings at Highcrest University.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book. This is my honest opinion.
This book held me hostage from beginning to end. Iris and Elliot's chemistry was electric and only intensified as the story progressed. They are both creatures that others desire but fear, but they found understanding and compassion in one another. I guess you could call it a slow burn or maybe just slow to realize what's obvious. But it's a very spicy slow burn. Their individual back stories garnered empathy and provided depth and layers to their complicated situationship. I enjoyed the unraveling of their hard exteriors in tandem with the deepening of their bond.
As this is the first book of an interconnected series, there are a lot of minor characters that stood out with loose threads to follow in future work. This story did a good bit of foundational world building around this magical university for wolves, minotaurs, succubi, shadow walkers, trolls, you name it without it being tedious or hard to follow. I am looking forward to the next installment of the happenings at Highcrest University.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book. This is my honest opinion.
April 30, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ FUN FUN !! Creepy ??SEXY FUN!!!
This was SUCH a fun time.
Academic .. collage romance..🔥🔥🌶️🌶️🌶️ buttt hold onnn they’re monsters!!
The banter? Top tier. Yuppp I’m a sucker for the back and fourth ..Like actually one of the best parts of the book. I didn’t want to stop reading anytime they were going at it . Super unique!!!! not what I’m used to, but in the best way. This was an easy, quick read. BINGE APPROVED! Sooo..when I heard it had Jennifer’s Body vibes?? Say lesssss . Everyone remembers Jennifer’s body!! A Classic.
The spice was spicing it was up there… steamy is a perfect way to describe it 😮💨🔥the characters were fun, and the whole vibe was just… a VIBE.. RA is very descriptive and the entire mood was set and I loved that… a lot. Also ! MAM can we talk about the character art?? Because that alone will have you SOLD before you even start. Perfectionnnn
This was my first R.A Moreau read, and ittttt definitely will not be my last. I’m even more excited to finally pick up Celestial Bodies now! I Highly recommend this! Especially..if you want something different, steamy, and just a really good time!
I can’t stress the BANTER enough!!
I’m a spoiler free kind of girl but the tropes speak volumes!!
Friends with Benefits..Fake Dating..Jennifer’s Body Vibes..Monster x Monster Romance.. Gossip Girl Energy!!
Enjoy the fun ride!!!
Congratulations R.A 💕🫶🏽✨
This was SUCH a fun time.
Academic .. collage romance..🔥🔥🌶️🌶️🌶️ buttt hold onnn they’re monsters!!
The banter? Top tier. Yuppp I’m a sucker for the back and fourth ..Like actually one of the best parts of the book. I didn’t want to stop reading anytime they were going at it . Super unique!!!! not what I’m used to, but in the best way. This was an easy, quick read. BINGE APPROVED! Sooo..when I heard it had Jennifer’s Body vibes?? Say lesssss . Everyone remembers Jennifer’s body!! A Classic.
The spice was spicing it was up there… steamy is a perfect way to describe it 😮💨🔥the characters were fun, and the whole vibe was just… a VIBE.. RA is very descriptive and the entire mood was set and I loved that… a lot. Also ! MAM can we talk about the character art?? Because that alone will have you SOLD before you even start. Perfectionnnn
This was my first R.A Moreau read, and ittttt definitely will not be my last. I’m even more excited to finally pick up Celestial Bodies now! I Highly recommend this! Especially..if you want something different, steamy, and just a really good time!
I can’t stress the BANTER enough!!
I’m a spoiler free kind of girl but the tropes speak volumes!!
Friends with Benefits..Fake Dating..Jennifer’s Body Vibes..Monster x Monster Romance.. Gossip Girl Energy!!
Enjoy the fun ride!!!
Congratulations R.A 💕🫶🏽✨
May 24, 2026
I would like to express my gratitude to both Pleasure & Power Publishing and NetGalley for receiving this ARC! To begin, How to Make a Love Potion written by R.A. Moreau is set in a supernatural world where the story follows Iris Ashbourne, a young succubus with a mighty appetite, and Elliot Cross a werewolf cursed to never know love. The meet on their college campus and are acquianted with each other, which in turn causes the two to fake a relationship due to an incident at a party resulting in the (very necessary) death of a college student that Iris was feeding from. Despite this ARC being a quick read I loved the fake dating trope, especially when the chemistry between the two main characters was incredibly obvious to everyone, except them when it came to love because of how accustomed they were for being notorous flirts. Aside from that, the relationships with other characters and just the overall setting did contribute to how much I enjoyed this read. According to my knowledge the next novel that Moreau is working on is interconnected with the world set in How to Make a Love Potion, and honestly I am such a sucker for that especially when beloved characters appear, It's very anticipated for my tbr! Overall, I was very pleased with this arc and truly enjoyed its contents. How to Make a Love Potion written by R.A. Moreau is out now and definitely deserves some love and spotlight!
June 16, 2026
NetGalley ARC
Be warned, this love potion might make you fall in love with this book! Ingredients: a slow-burn romance with denial and swoon-worthy moments that have you kicking your feet; a badass, intelligent FMC and a charming, touch-her-and-you-die MMC; a mystery “friend” that will have your jaw on the floor with their identity reveal; a group of friends/found family you can always count on to have your back; and spice so good and addictive you want to read it again and again.
I can’t stress enough how good their chemistry is, and I enjoyed every chapter because they are truly amazing characters. They can’t seem to stay away from one another, and oh, Elliot was so charming with the kisses on her temple, focusing on what she wants and likes, and calling her my girl. I suffered a lot when they were in denial, but I loved the relationship development from friends with benefits to… please read it so you guys can experience this rollercoaster that has the best ending possible. I can just say that I love them and their final relationship status.
I didn’t want to put this book down, and I was sad because I wanted to keep reading to spend more time with them and their friends. Once I finished the book, I was pleasantly surprised to read that there will be more stories set in this universe. So, I am excited to learn more about the world and its creatures and what was happening to Elsie.
Thank you to R. A. Moreau, Pleasure & Power Publishing, and NetGalley.
Be warned, this love potion might make you fall in love with this book! Ingredients: a slow-burn romance with denial and swoon-worthy moments that have you kicking your feet; a badass, intelligent FMC and a charming, touch-her-and-you-die MMC; a mystery “friend” that will have your jaw on the floor with their identity reveal; a group of friends/found family you can always count on to have your back; and spice so good and addictive you want to read it again and again.
I can’t stress enough how good their chemistry is, and I enjoyed every chapter because they are truly amazing characters. They can’t seem to stay away from one another, and oh, Elliot was so charming with the kisses on her temple, focusing on what she wants and likes, and calling her my girl. I suffered a lot when they were in denial, but I loved the relationship development from friends with benefits to… please read it so you guys can experience this rollercoaster that has the best ending possible. I can just say that I love them and their final relationship status.
I didn’t want to put this book down, and I was sad because I wanted to keep reading to spend more time with them and their friends. Once I finished the book, I was pleasantly surprised to read that there will be more stories set in this universe. So, I am excited to learn more about the world and its creatures and what was happening to Elsie.
Thank you to R. A. Moreau, Pleasure & Power Publishing, and NetGalley.
June 5, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up!
Honestly, I had zero expectations when I went into this book. I had never heard of the author or the book. I was scrolling through Netgalley and it looked super fun so I thought, why not. I am so happy I decided to try this one.
It's so fun.
The writing tone gets you get away and it never takes itself too seriously. Iris, from the very first moment, is just such a fun FMC. She's very sarcastic and closed off due to being a literal succubus who drains men for her food source. The guilt and fear around her powers was explored really well throughout the entire novel and the idea of a succubus, who feeds off love and lust being terrified of love was a good character basis.
Elliot was great as well. I loved how obsessed with Iris he was the entire time. His story was sad and how he was cursed to never feel love was really such an interesting pair with the girl who is terrified of love, yet somehow they both find each other and its awkward and clumsy and really an authentic coming together despite it being two actual monsters in the middle of a murder investigation.
Very enjoyable time reading this and I can't wait to read the next installment of the series!
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. All opinions are my own!
Honestly, I had zero expectations when I went into this book. I had never heard of the author or the book. I was scrolling through Netgalley and it looked super fun so I thought, why not. I am so happy I decided to try this one.
It's so fun.
The writing tone gets you get away and it never takes itself too seriously. Iris, from the very first moment, is just such a fun FMC. She's very sarcastic and closed off due to being a literal succubus who drains men for her food source. The guilt and fear around her powers was explored really well throughout the entire novel and the idea of a succubus, who feeds off love and lust being terrified of love was a good character basis.
Elliot was great as well. I loved how obsessed with Iris he was the entire time. His story was sad and how he was cursed to never feel love was really such an interesting pair with the girl who is terrified of love, yet somehow they both find each other and its awkward and clumsy and really an authentic coming together despite it being two actual monsters in the middle of a murder investigation.
Very enjoyable time reading this and I can't wait to read the next installment of the series!
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. All opinions are my own!
April 30, 2026
Here’s a polished, fun, and slightly chaotic review you can post:
⸻
I just finished How to Make a Love Potion and let me tell you… this book came in HOT from chapter one. No slow burn intro here—it literally starts with a bang and I was locked in immediately.
A man-eating succubus + a playboy werewolf?? Yeah… say less. That combo alone had me hooked, but the writing? The banter? The chaos?? I couldn’t look away.
Elliot Cross… sir 😮💨 you have officially secured a top spot in my MMC ranking. This man is hilarious, unhinged in the best way, and his dynamic with Iris is EVERYTHING. Their banter is sharp, flirty, and straight-up addictive.
And don’t even get me started on the fake dating… because WHY did it feel so real?? I genuinely forgot at one point like hello?? Are we still pretending or??? Elliot really said “method acting” and committed.
Favorite line:
“Shut up before I feed you to my girlfriend.”
I was GONE. Absolutely gone. 💀
Both Iris and Elliot had me falling hard, and their love language being… leaving presents?? Dark, weird, and kinda cute?? I’m obsessed.
Overall: I was giggling, kicking my feet, and fully entertained from start to finish. This book did NOT disappoint and I’m still not over it 🤭
⸻
I just finished How to Make a Love Potion and let me tell you… this book came in HOT from chapter one. No slow burn intro here—it literally starts with a bang and I was locked in immediately.
A man-eating succubus + a playboy werewolf?? Yeah… say less. That combo alone had me hooked, but the writing? The banter? The chaos?? I couldn’t look away.
Elliot Cross… sir 😮💨 you have officially secured a top spot in my MMC ranking. This man is hilarious, unhinged in the best way, and his dynamic with Iris is EVERYTHING. Their banter is sharp, flirty, and straight-up addictive.
And don’t even get me started on the fake dating… because WHY did it feel so real?? I genuinely forgot at one point like hello?? Are we still pretending or??? Elliot really said “method acting” and committed.
Favorite line:
“Shut up before I feed you to my girlfriend.”
I was GONE. Absolutely gone. 💀
Both Iris and Elliot had me falling hard, and their love language being… leaving presents?? Dark, weird, and kinda cute?? I’m obsessed.
Overall: I was giggling, kicking my feet, and fully entertained from start to finish. This book did NOT disappoint and I’m still not over it 🤭
May 6, 2026
Thank you to the author for the ARC. This truly was such an enjoyable read. If you're a fan of the Maggie Gray series by Granger, this is the book for you!! Iris is a man eating succubus who's a student at a magical university with all different types of creatures. Her friend, Elliot, is a werewolf, and after a wild Fight Night, they end up fake dating while trying to uncover a mystery.
I absolutely loved the writing style, it was easy to follow and the worldbuilding was detailed enough to immerse me into this world. The characters were well flushed out while leaving room for a potential series following either of her friends, Kitty and Elsie. We watch as both Iris and Elliot grow and evolve, while trying to fight against fate.
I think the ending wrecked me most because while I did have my suspicions, seeing it play out really left me like "WOOOOOW, are you fr?" Plus, Elliot made the greatest sacrifice and if thats not love, idk what is...
ABSOLUTELY DEVOURED THIS!! R.A MOREAU ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What to expect:
🔮 Gossip Girl vibes (someone blackmailing & so many secrets)
✨ Jennifer's Body
💘 Succubus FMC x Werewolf MMC
🔮 Fake Dating
✨ Spicyyy + Knotting
💘 Magical HBCU / College Romance
I absolutely loved the writing style, it was easy to follow and the worldbuilding was detailed enough to immerse me into this world. The characters were well flushed out while leaving room for a potential series following either of her friends, Kitty and Elsie. We watch as both Iris and Elliot grow and evolve, while trying to fight against fate.
I think the ending wrecked me most because while I did have my suspicions, seeing it play out really left me like "WOOOOOW, are you fr?" Plus, Elliot made the greatest sacrifice and if thats not love, idk what is...
ABSOLUTELY DEVOURED THIS!! R.A MOREAU ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What to expect:
🔮 Gossip Girl vibes (someone blackmailing & so many secrets)
✨ Jennifer's Body
💘 Succubus FMC x Werewolf MMC
🔮 Fake Dating
✨ Spicyyy + Knotting
💘 Magical HBCU / College Romance
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for providing me with this arc!
This book was absolutely amazing! I have been wanting to read more monster romances and this was perfect amount of plot and romance for me!
The characters are so interesting and have their own flaws that make them so real to read about. The plot had me hooked and turned "I'll read a chapter before bed" to 50% through the book 😭
This university setting is so fun and seeing the side characters has me really excited for future books!
Both main characters are so down bad for each other but in such a new refreshing way. This type of dynamic between characters isn't in many books I read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. (I mean a man whos literally cursed to not feel anything but is utterly obsessed with her??? I needed that lol)
Thier romance felt so believable as there was already an established relationship and trust at the beginning of this book which made the smut scenes way more intense while also making their banter feel more relaxed and realistic.
Overall, would highly recommend this book to monster romance lovers but also to those who want to try out the genre! I loved this 🥹🫶
This book was absolutely amazing! I have been wanting to read more monster romances and this was perfect amount of plot and romance for me!
The characters are so interesting and have their own flaws that make them so real to read about. The plot had me hooked and turned "I'll read a chapter before bed" to 50% through the book 😭
This university setting is so fun and seeing the side characters has me really excited for future books!
Both main characters are so down bad for each other but in such a new refreshing way. This type of dynamic between characters isn't in many books I read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. (I mean a man whos literally cursed to not feel anything but is utterly obsessed with her??? I needed that lol)
Thier romance felt so believable as there was already an established relationship and trust at the beginning of this book which made the smut scenes way more intense while also making their banter feel more relaxed and realistic.
Overall, would highly recommend this book to monster romance lovers but also to those who want to try out the genre! I loved this 🥹🫶
April 30, 2026
How to Make a Love Potion is a must read! I absolutely loved the dynamic between Iris and Elliot, it’s so authentic but also emotionally intense! I love paranormal fantasies, the mix of creatures and magic is so fun to see. This book perfectly captured that kind of chaotic mix and masterfully balanced world-building, spice and plot!
I saw a lot of my younger self in Iris’s character in ways that were difficult but also satisfying. Being different and often objectified but also being confident and surrounded by supportive and caring friends is something that I think many of us can relate to. R. A beautifully captured the severity of trauma, heartbreak, grief and isolation in her characters creating something absolutely poetic.
I fell in love with Elliot and his story. His pain and his struggles were so profound, but his character exuded playfulness and that is something else that resonated deeply with me.
This read was very rewarding for me! I can’t wait to physically have this book in my hands! Take you so much R. A Moreau for sharing this ARC, it was truly a privilege to read 💕
I saw a lot of my younger self in Iris’s character in ways that were difficult but also satisfying. Being different and often objectified but also being confident and surrounded by supportive and caring friends is something that I think many of us can relate to. R. A beautifully captured the severity of trauma, heartbreak, grief and isolation in her characters creating something absolutely poetic.
I fell in love with Elliot and his story. His pain and his struggles were so profound, but his character exuded playfulness and that is something else that resonated deeply with me.
This read was very rewarding for me! I can’t wait to physically have this book in my hands! Take you so much R. A Moreau for sharing this ARC, it was truly a privilege to read 💕
May 16, 2026
i ate this up but... there's some buts🫠
overall the story had everything to feel like it wasn't character centered only, but it wasn't exploited enough
i wish some kind of introduction to the world and how everything worked would have benefited (me, at least) to have a better understanding of what was happening
and don't get me wrong, i loved the dynamic between Elliot and Iris and i thoroughly enjoyed their chemistry, but i felt the story plotting in the background didn't develop enough 🫠
i was hoping to get more insight into Elliot's curse, and Iris researching it with the book that Treehorn gives her
and honestly? i wanted to know more about the Inquisitiors and how Treehorn had anything to do with them, why does he have an infinite library?
so many why's, i need answers 😩
and the worst part of all was, *spoiler alert* there's not a single moment you can suspect Covington is behind anything, cause the only thing he is behind is Deacon and honestly? they were giving away gay couple vibes and I am so mad that wasn't the case 🫠
and that's all folks, i might read the next one because I'm so goddamn in with Elsie and Dame
k bye
overall the story had everything to feel like it wasn't character centered only, but it wasn't exploited enough
i wish some kind of introduction to the world and how everything worked would have benefited (me, at least) to have a better understanding of what was happening
and don't get me wrong, i loved the dynamic between Elliot and Iris and i thoroughly enjoyed their chemistry, but i felt the story plotting in the background didn't develop enough 🫠
i was hoping to get more insight into Elliot's curse, and Iris researching it with the book that Treehorn gives her
and honestly? i wanted to know more about the Inquisitiors and how Treehorn had anything to do with them, why does he have an infinite library?
so many why's, i need answers 😩
and the worst part of all was, *spoiler alert* there's not a single moment you can suspect Covington is behind anything, cause the only thing he is behind is Deacon and honestly? they were giving away gay couple vibes and I am so mad that wasn't the case 🫠
and that's all folks, i might read the next one because I'm so goddamn in with Elsie and Dame
k bye
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2026
How to Make a Love Potion is a dark and spicy urban fantasy that has humor and heart. The banter between Iris and her friends (and Elliot) is great.
Highcrest University is a school for the magically and monstrously inclined. Iris is a succubus with a higher than normal appetite and an aversion to love. Elliot is a shifter whose family line has been cursed with not feeling any soft and fuzzy feelings. They have a FWB thing going on. Whenever Iris's meal isn't filling enough, she goes to Elliot for a top off.
But things get serious when one of Iris's former snacks attacks her and her true succubus form comes out. Elliot helps cover for her, but in order for their lie to seem true to the investigators, they have to fake date. And Iris, the woman who won't love, begins to fall for the man who wants to but can't love. But someone has blackmail photos and is trying to break them apart.
How to Make a Love Potion is as much about learning to fully be yourself as it is about hot monsters boning. Iris has to accept all facets of her succubus identity before she can truly let go and love Elliot. And Elliot has to accept that he wants to be capable of loving Iris, whether he actually can or not.
Thank you R. A. Moreau for the opportunity to advance read.
Highcrest University is a school for the magically and monstrously inclined. Iris is a succubus with a higher than normal appetite and an aversion to love. Elliot is a shifter whose family line has been cursed with not feeling any soft and fuzzy feelings. They have a FWB thing going on. Whenever Iris's meal isn't filling enough, she goes to Elliot for a top off.
But things get serious when one of Iris's former snacks attacks her and her true succubus form comes out. Elliot helps cover for her, but in order for their lie to seem true to the investigators, they have to fake date. And Iris, the woman who won't love, begins to fall for the man who wants to but can't love. But someone has blackmail photos and is trying to break them apart.
How to Make a Love Potion is as much about learning to fully be yourself as it is about hot monsters boning. Iris has to accept all facets of her succubus identity before she can truly let go and love Elliot. And Elliot has to accept that he wants to be capable of loving Iris, whether he actually can or not.
Thank you R. A. Moreau for the opportunity to advance read.
April 30, 2026
Iris Ashbourne is the most envied and desired succubus on Highcrest Campus; her counterpart is Elliot Cross, a resident of Crescent House, the beta of his pack and the shape-shifter most sought-after by the female population.
Both MCs harbour darkness within them, and they have no need for it to be exposed to make them appear weak.
Until, one evening, someone decides to dabble in magic, and their own greed leads to their demise, putting Iris in danger.
Elliot offers himself as a sacrifice by becoming her sole donor, even though he cannot fully satisfy the succubus as he would like.
But the tension is too palpable and alluring for both Iris and Elliot, driving them to act impulsively towards one another, just to protect what they consider their own!
To be honest, the ending was a bit of a mixed bag – impactful but also open-ended; so the question remains: will there be a sequel, or will we be left hanging?👀
Both MCs harbour darkness within them, and they have no need for it to be exposed to make them appear weak.
Until, one evening, someone decides to dabble in magic, and their own greed leads to their demise, putting Iris in danger.
Elliot offers himself as a sacrifice by becoming her sole donor, even though he cannot fully satisfy the succubus as he would like.
But the tension is too palpable and alluring for both Iris and Elliot, driving them to act impulsively towards one another, just to protect what they consider their own!
To be honest, the ending was a bit of a mixed bag – impactful but also open-ended; so the question remains: will there be a sequel, or will we be left hanging?👀
May 2, 2026
Thank you R.A. Moreau for the ARC of How to Make a Love Potion!
Elliot🩷 I need me one of him please!!!
Iris🖤 such a great MC. Loved her snark, her confidence, her personality entirely, he devotion and smartness✨️
Their dynamic was everything! So adorable yet fierce. I could feel the love between this two through my phone screen and that says a lot.
The way Elliot tried his all to do one thing Iris needed was truly heartbreaking but admirable✨️ I loved him more for that.
The world itself and the side characters were rather interesting, although I'd love if they were fleshed out more. I found myself confused in some part for the lack of not having enough info about how the world works, but it was not deterring.
Although, I gotta add just how much I love the vibes of this book and how the colours of the cover fit so unexplainably well.🩷🖤
I need more Iris&Elliot content author!!
Elliot🩷 I need me one of him please!!!
Iris🖤 such a great MC. Loved her snark, her confidence, her personality entirely, he devotion and smartness✨️
Their dynamic was everything! So adorable yet fierce. I could feel the love between this two through my phone screen and that says a lot.
The way Elliot tried his all to do one thing Iris needed was truly heartbreaking but admirable✨️ I loved him more for that.
The world itself and the side characters were rather interesting, although I'd love if they were fleshed out more. I found myself confused in some part for the lack of not having enough info about how the world works, but it was not deterring.
Although, I gotta add just how much I love the vibes of this book and how the colours of the cover fit so unexplainably well.🩷🖤
I need more Iris&Elliot content author!!
May 19, 2026
Whew. I don't read a ton of smut and I'm always happy to read black fantasy stories. I loved Iris' personality and her chemistry with Elliot was off the charts, but I had a few questions.
Namely, why does Elliot's dampener react to Iris' emotional state? It almost strangles him every time she gets anxious or frustrated with him. Is it meant to react to heightened emotion in the nearby area? And if so, why didn't it react when he was being antagonized by Deacon?
How did Elliott form a mate bond despite the curse? We were explicitly told the curse prevented that from happening.
None of those dramatically impacted my enjoyment of the story and I appreciated the emphasis on consent and safety words during the sex scenes though I do think Iris' system isn't as intuitive as something like the color system would be.
Overall is still rate this pretty highly and I am curious to read the next book in the series.
Namely, why does Elliot's dampener react to Iris' emotional state? It almost strangles him every time she gets anxious or frustrated with him. Is it meant to react to heightened emotion in the nearby area? And if so, why didn't it react when he was being antagonized by Deacon?
How did Elliott form a mate bond despite the curse? We were explicitly told the curse prevented that from happening.
None of those dramatically impacted my enjoyment of the story and I appreciated the emphasis on consent and safety words during the sex scenes though I do think Iris' system isn't as intuitive as something like the color system would be.
Overall is still rate this pretty highly and I am curious to read the next book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2026
This book was so utterly perfect. From the dark academia themes to the absolutely amazing cast of characters. The yearning was TOP-TIER!!! I loved these characters so much. After such a long time, I want to re-read a book after I finished it. It had perfect pacing with a side dish of mystery. This is also an interconnected standalone with a main focus on romance.
Reasons you would love it:
ELLIOT CROSS (enough of a reason, if I say so myself), Yearning, Friends-with-benefits, Dark academia vibes, Succubus fmc (MY SHAYLAAAAA), Man-eater fmc , MMC supports her man-eater vibes, it's a paranormal romance with various kind of creatures like vampires, werewolves, succubus, fae, etc. in the same academy setting, mystery plot, mates, KNOTTING. *screams*
Reasons you would not love it:
none.
Thank you to R.A. Moreau and Pleasure and Power Publishing for the book. I'm eternally grateful to be able to read this book.
Reasons you would love it:
ELLIOT CROSS (enough of a reason, if I say so myself), Yearning, Friends-with-benefits, Dark academia vibes, Succubus fmc (MY SHAYLAAAAA), Man-eater fmc , MMC supports her man-eater vibes, it's a paranormal romance with various kind of creatures like vampires, werewolves, succubus, fae, etc. in the same academy setting, mystery plot, mates, KNOTTING. *screams*
Reasons you would not love it:
none.
Thank you to R.A. Moreau and Pleasure and Power Publishing for the book. I'm eternally grateful to be able to read this book.
April 30, 2026
I’m obsessed. I don’t think it’s too early to say that this is one of my top reads for the year. Thank you so much to the author for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by R.A. Moreau and I can confidently say I’m eager to read more.
I’ve been on a roll recently. All the books I’ve been reading in the past weeks have been amazing pieces of fantasy and romance but they have also been emotionally taxing in a way I usually try to avoid back-to-back. This book was exactly what I needed times a million.
The relationship between Iris and Elliott was something I couldn’t get enough of from their very first interaction. I loved their banter and how down bad for he was. Ugh I could rave about this forever.
I’m probably going to edit this book at another time when I’ve probably established all my thoughts but I just needed to get this out for now.
I’ve been on a roll recently. All the books I’ve been reading in the past weeks have been amazing pieces of fantasy and romance but they have also been emotionally taxing in a way I usually try to avoid back-to-back. This book was exactly what I needed times a million.
The relationship between Iris and Elliott was something I couldn’t get enough of from their very first interaction. I loved their banter and how down bad for he was. Ugh I could rave about this forever.
I’m probably going to edit this book at another time when I’ve probably established all my thoughts but I just needed to get this out for now.
May 17, 2026
4.5/5 ⭐️
*How To Make A Love Potion* seriously blew all of my expectations out of the water. Not only does R. A. Moreau bring diversity into the fantasy sphere, but they also break away from those endlessly repetitive tropes surrounding body types and character descriptions.
Iris, the FMC, pulls you into the story immediately. She’s a succubus just trying to make her way through college in the only way she knows how. At first, the premise makes it seem like the book will lean heavily into tasteless tropes and spice-over-plot storytelling, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Instead, you get tight-knit friendships, selfless acts, and sharp, quick banter that keeps the story engaging from start to finish.
And did I expect parts of this book to absolutely break my heart? Not at all. This story completely surprised me in the best way possible, and I loved it.
*How To Make A Love Potion* seriously blew all of my expectations out of the water. Not only does R. A. Moreau bring diversity into the fantasy sphere, but they also break away from those endlessly repetitive tropes surrounding body types and character descriptions.
Iris, the FMC, pulls you into the story immediately. She’s a succubus just trying to make her way through college in the only way she knows how. At first, the premise makes it seem like the book will lean heavily into tasteless tropes and spice-over-plot storytelling, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Instead, you get tight-knit friendships, selfless acts, and sharp, quick banter that keeps the story engaging from start to finish.
And did I expect parts of this book to absolutely break my heart? Not at all. This story completely surprised me in the best way possible, and I loved it.
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