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Creature Crisis Hotline #1
The Trouble with Monsters
When creatures emerged from the hidden nooks and shadowy crannies of the world decades ago, they had one goal–to create a world where humans and creatures could live together peacefully, out in the open. And it worked, mostly.
Despite everyone's best efforts, problems still arose, and that's where the Creature Crisis Hotline stepped in.
Bridge troll blocking your commute to work? Call the Creature Crisis Hotline and they'll send a team to relocate him.
Want to eat your annoying coworker because he keeps stealing your designated parking spot? The hotline will talk you through that rage.
Accidentally bought a demon possessed teapot at the thrift store? Don't worry, a Creature Crisis Hotline Team will take care of it.
So when Hailey's attractive Orc neighbor suddenly disappears, she listens to her gut and calls the hotline for help. Little did she know that one call would change her life forever, and the person the Creature Crisis Team would really save was her.
The Trouble With Monsters is a standalone, why choose monster romance. It has heat and heart in equal measure.
Despite everyone's best efforts, problems still arose, and that's where the Creature Crisis Hotline stepped in.
Bridge troll blocking your commute to work? Call the Creature Crisis Hotline and they'll send a team to relocate him.
Want to eat your annoying coworker because he keeps stealing your designated parking spot? The hotline will talk you through that rage.
Accidentally bought a demon possessed teapot at the thrift store? Don't worry, a Creature Crisis Hotline Team will take care of it.
So when Hailey's attractive Orc neighbor suddenly disappears, she listens to her gut and calls the hotline for help. Little did she know that one call would change her life forever, and the person the Creature Crisis Team would really save was her.
The Trouble With Monsters is a standalone, why choose monster romance. It has heat and heart in equal measure.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2026
About the author
Grace McGinty
70 books2,322 followersWhen I was nine, my grandmother and her friends used to read and swap Harlequin Mills and Boons novels. When I was busted reading one, they started sneaking me boxes full of strong heroines and rugged men. Thus started a long love affair with the romance genre.
Then I discovered urban fantasy, and fell in love with broody Alphas and sexy paranormals, and combining them together was a no brainer.
Then I discovered Reverse Harem.... Oh my. Why choose, am I right?
Then I discovered urban fantasy, and fell in love with broody Alphas and sexy paranormals, and combining them together was a no brainer.
Then I discovered Reverse Harem.... Oh my. Why choose, am I right?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
August 26, 2026
🔴 This is a poly romance, not a RH 🔴
1 star because the author failed to disclose in the blurb that the book contains MM.
1 star because the author failed to disclose in the blurb that the book contains MM.
September 2, 2026
Where…Where do I even begin? I'll go ahead and preface this with I've read Grace McGinty before and I quite enjoyed Daymakers. This…I don't know what the fuck this was. It was almost like a first draft that got published without any kind of thought.
Below this point are spoilers.
Let's start with continuity errors, I suppose.
• Graham.
◦ One moment he's a regular…then she's never seen him before…then he's a regular again…and then she's never seen him before?
• She can't be scared of falling because she was a stripper…and then the next thing you know…she's scared of falling???
• She can lie about douchebag Graham, but not about being Syke's lover? Why is she able to lie to an archangel and arch demon without them catching on, but she can't lie to one little fucking gargoyle dude?
• The random ass guy that shows up, cuts Hailey's cheek, and then tells her to take a buzzer and when the buzzer goes off to take the bag up to the office? And then several chapters later it turns into a pager and a bomb? When was that established?! Why was nothing else said about it? WHY WASN'T IT A BIGGER THING?! Was it just meant for them all to be 'grrrr'?
“This is what you’re going to do, or else I’m going to slit your worthless throat right now. When this buzzer goes off, you’re going to come downstairs to the dumpster over there, grab the bag that’s inside, then walk it back up to the office. That’s it.”....“Tell a soul, and I’ll fucking come for all of you. I’ll cut slices off every single one of those freaks, and I’ll make you watch. Understand?”
“She was attacked by a human in front of the center. Told her she’d have to bring a bomb into the building when the time was right, or he’d find her and murder us all. Gave her a fucking pager, of all things. Do they even work anymore?”
• WHY WAS IT NEVER ELABORATED ON HOW LOUIS KNEW WHAT SIZE OTIS' DICK WAS AND DON'T TALK TO THE AUDIENCE YOU AREN'T FUCKING DEADPOOL.
• How does she know Buck's name? Last I checked she only knew him as Officer Nextra?
• So...if Ilyas bonds someone not a gargoyle he'll be excommunicated....and then...they decide to throw him a bonding party and if he doesn't go he'll be excommunicated???? heh?
Now for just….shit that bothered me.
"Yes. Please Syke, I want it." At this point, I wasn't even above begging.
• THAT IS NOT BEGGING. ONE PLEASE DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE BEGGING. WHY CAN'T I ADD GIFS TO THIS?
He had his ass cheeks beside my in tray, and I moved it over with a grunt
• ....what?
• You. Cannot. Tell. The. Quality. Of. Tequila. By. The. Fucking. Colour.
• WHY DID HE LICK CHOCOLATE OUT OF HER MOUTH?! THAT'S DISGUSTING. LIKE WHAT? HOW IS THAT ATTRACTIVE?!
• Does McGinty understand how difficult it is to float with someone on top of you? Do werewolves have a higher buoyancy than normal people? (I skipped most of this scene because I just couldn't be bothered, but apparently there was something said about prized salami dangling between his legs?)
• And again, ONE FUCKING PLEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE BEGGING YOU VANILLA WAFER.
• How do you not know it's possible to swirl your tongue? *insert confused cat gif here*
• Can Syke feel his shadows? Please elaborate on this.
• You cannot perform plastic surgery on yourself, I don't *care* if you're a demon.
◦ Why would a plastic surgeon keep a tetanus shot in a drawer?
▪ Why are you trusting the demonic plastic surgeon with this?
• Buying her ice cream because she was "so brave" is infantilizing.
"Some people are born to be victims of others, society, and themselves." I shook my head.
• The text I've been reading says otherwise. She's been nothing but a victim.
• What is it with clits and noses?
• *insert confused cat gif here* Okay so...he's inside of her...from behind...all the way up in that shit...then....bites her ass? Is his spine made of rubber? Does he have no ribs? HOW THE FUCK?!
Overall thoughts:
• Why did it feel like Hailey was a secondary character in her own story? Nothing would have changed if she hadn't been there and it had just been Eric. It probably would have been better.
• Why...were there so many storylines and the way some of them ended just...felt lackluster. The gargoyles somehow becoming the good guys?
• What was the point of Eric going to court to maker the "orc king" a democratic position (would it be orc president then?) if his father was just going to end up in prison? The newest king (which probably would have been Buck regardless) could have just decreed it so?
• What was the point of Otis in all of this in general? Or Louis for that matter? They were just kinda...there. I guess Louis was good for...a house?
• Also...Louis never bonded with Eric, only Hailey, but he wanted them both? I don't think Syke bonded with Eric either, and his personality went from cool, dark, brooding bad boy...and then he was a sex fiend, and the constant mentions of feeding. I hated it.
Below this point are spoilers.
Let's start with continuity errors, I suppose.
• Graham.
◦ One moment he's a regular…then she's never seen him before…then he's a regular again…and then she's never seen him before?
• She can't be scared of falling because she was a stripper…and then the next thing you know…she's scared of falling???
• She can lie about douchebag Graham, but not about being Syke's lover? Why is she able to lie to an archangel and arch demon without them catching on, but she can't lie to one little fucking gargoyle dude?
• The random ass guy that shows up, cuts Hailey's cheek, and then tells her to take a buzzer and when the buzzer goes off to take the bag up to the office? And then several chapters later it turns into a pager and a bomb? When was that established?! Why was nothing else said about it? WHY WASN'T IT A BIGGER THING?! Was it just meant for them all to be 'grrrr'?
“This is what you’re going to do, or else I’m going to slit your worthless throat right now. When this buzzer goes off, you’re going to come downstairs to the dumpster over there, grab the bag that’s inside, then walk it back up to the office. That’s it.”....“Tell a soul, and I’ll fucking come for all of you. I’ll cut slices off every single one of those freaks, and I’ll make you watch. Understand?”
“She was attacked by a human in front of the center. Told her she’d have to bring a bomb into the building when the time was right, or he’d find her and murder us all. Gave her a fucking pager, of all things. Do they even work anymore?”
• WHY WAS IT NEVER ELABORATED ON HOW LOUIS KNEW WHAT SIZE OTIS' DICK WAS AND DON'T TALK TO THE AUDIENCE YOU AREN'T FUCKING DEADPOOL.
• How does she know Buck's name? Last I checked she only knew him as Officer Nextra?
• So...if Ilyas bonds someone not a gargoyle he'll be excommunicated....and then...they decide to throw him a bonding party and if he doesn't go he'll be excommunicated???? heh?
Now for just….shit that bothered me.
"Yes. Please Syke, I want it." At this point, I wasn't even above begging.
• THAT IS NOT BEGGING. ONE PLEASE DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE BEGGING. WHY CAN'T I ADD GIFS TO THIS?
He had his ass cheeks beside my in tray, and I moved it over with a grunt
• ....what?
• You. Cannot. Tell. The. Quality. Of. Tequila. By. The. Fucking. Colour.
• WHY DID HE LICK CHOCOLATE OUT OF HER MOUTH?! THAT'S DISGUSTING. LIKE WHAT? HOW IS THAT ATTRACTIVE?!
• Does McGinty understand how difficult it is to float with someone on top of you? Do werewolves have a higher buoyancy than normal people? (I skipped most of this scene because I just couldn't be bothered, but apparently there was something said about prized salami dangling between his legs?)
• And again, ONE FUCKING PLEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE BEGGING YOU VANILLA WAFER.
• How do you not know it's possible to swirl your tongue? *insert confused cat gif here*
• Can Syke feel his shadows? Please elaborate on this.
• You cannot perform plastic surgery on yourself, I don't *care* if you're a demon.
◦ Why would a plastic surgeon keep a tetanus shot in a drawer?
▪ Why are you trusting the demonic plastic surgeon with this?
• Buying her ice cream because she was "so brave" is infantilizing.
"Some people are born to be victims of others, society, and themselves." I shook my head.
• The text I've been reading says otherwise. She's been nothing but a victim.
• What is it with clits and noses?
• *insert confused cat gif here* Okay so...he's inside of her...from behind...all the way up in that shit...then....bites her ass? Is his spine made of rubber? Does he have no ribs? HOW THE FUCK?!
Overall thoughts:
• Why did it feel like Hailey was a secondary character in her own story? Nothing would have changed if she hadn't been there and it had just been Eric. It probably would have been better.
• Why...were there so many storylines and the way some of them ended just...felt lackluster. The gargoyles somehow becoming the good guys?
• What was the point of Eric going to court to maker the "orc king" a democratic position (would it be orc president then?) if his father was just going to end up in prison? The newest king (which probably would have been Buck regardless) could have just decreed it so?
• What was the point of Otis in all of this in general? Or Louis for that matter? They were just kinda...there. I guess Louis was good for...a house?
• Also...Louis never bonded with Eric, only Hailey, but he wanted them both? I don't think Syke bonded with Eric either, and his personality went from cool, dark, brooding bad boy...and then he was a sex fiend, and the constant mentions of feeding. I hated it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2026
Another why choose that could've been amazing but the author unfortunately completely ruined it by adding MM. Nothing in the bio or cover indicates there is MM, fucking foul to pretend it's all about her when it's not 🖕🖕🖕 Eric ruined the whole book.
October 13, 2026
I am going to start by saying that I do appreciate the author's ability to put a rather unique twist on her stories and in terms of that, The Trouble with Monsters was no exception. I did enjoy the concept of having a Hotline that offers advice to humans and at the same time rescues creatures in need. When the FMC makes that call and reports on her Orc neighbour’s disappearance, the rescue team encounters more than a regular emergency situation.
I appreciated the diverse individuality of each character and the fact that each one of them had a backstory portrayed, it did feel like I learned more about who they were and what made them tick. Considering that only one of the MMCs had a solid family, his pack, the found family vibes here were rather gratifying. The story did offer other complex elements such as the rigid politics when it came to the Gargoyle flight, the corrupt Orc King and his devious and ruthless ruling as well as the surprisingly balanced power among the Demons. I would have expected the demons to have the most old-fashioned and restrictive type of ruling, but quite frankly they were the most level-headed ones.
The thing that did not really work for me here was the romance, it felt like an obligation due to the possible negative impacts rather than a genuine devotion and care for each other. There is a fated mates element here only between the main heroine and her Orc, but even between them I felt like she chose to embrace their relationship solely because by not doing so she was subjecting him to e devastating agony and in severe cases possible death.
Overall, an interesting concept and the story did have potential. Hopefully, the second book in the series would provide more solid bonds.
I appreciated the diverse individuality of each character and the fact that each one of them had a backstory portrayed, it did feel like I learned more about who they were and what made them tick. Considering that only one of the MMCs had a solid family, his pack, the found family vibes here were rather gratifying. The story did offer other complex elements such as the rigid politics when it came to the Gargoyle flight, the corrupt Orc King and his devious and ruthless ruling as well as the surprisingly balanced power among the Demons. I would have expected the demons to have the most old-fashioned and restrictive type of ruling, but quite frankly they were the most level-headed ones.
The thing that did not really work for me here was the romance, it felt like an obligation due to the possible negative impacts rather than a genuine devotion and care for each other. There is a fated mates element here only between the main heroine and her Orc, but even between them I felt like she chose to embrace their relationship solely because by not doing so she was subjecting him to e devastating agony and in severe cases possible death.
Overall, an interesting concept and the story did have potential. Hopefully, the second book in the series would provide more solid bonds.
August 30, 2026
REVIEW EDIT: I was discussing some scenes with a friend who read this book and realised that the scenes I am talking about no longer exist because the book has been edited. Grace McGinty has used early buyers to beta read her book for her, and then the book has been edited without a single word being said on any of her social media, nothing, and then pushed out the updates to update the books on peoples devices. The only reason I still have access to these unedited scenes is because my kindle doesn't connect to the internet apart from when I bulk download books.
Okay, I want to preface this by saying this is my first Grace McGinty book, but I'm a long time why choose reader and I have heard her name in the RH/poly genre for a LONG time as being a good author.
On that note though, what the fuck did I just read. This would probably be a 1* but I'm forcing myself to finish it. (ETA: I have dropped it to 1* because the inconsistencies are actually painful and I can't bring myself to finish it)
I was REALLY holding out hope that McGinty had accidentally submitted the wrong draft to be published and that it would be fixed shortly, but a scroll of her social media suggests otherwise.
This book reads as if there wasn't a single BETA reader or ARC reader that could pull her aside and tell her these major issues that were being missed. We had a guy committing contortionist movements for his mating bite, we had Eric watching Eric do things (instead of Eric watching another MMC), we had tongues going into mouths full of food, we had a thought from one character carrying over to a thought of a different character in the next chapter... the list could go on.
There were a LOT of inconsistencies, things mentioned that were never brought up again, there's eight million plot points that are so minor I wasn't really interested in any of them, and while it's a fast burn standalone, a lot of these relationships don't even make SENSE. You don't feel any love between them, the MMC's are cut and paste from every other RH (grumpy, scary, controlled, golden retriever, rich) so I couldn't even remember their names bar one and ONLY because there was such a horrific scene in a lift that his name was scarred into my brain.
The writing in itself also feels rushed. It feels like there's never a single moment where we can just exist with the FMC and enjoy this supposed love we find her surrounded in. Even the smut scenes feel like they're a handful of sentences that have absolutely no emotion and passion in them. It felt like I was reading a bunch of people just enjoying sex, which is fine, good for them, but where is the love? Where is the passion? (Apart from wolfie's passion for her heart shaped ass)
I was also really excited that maybe there was some sort of relevance to Hailey being a stripper? But, no, it's just a "I'm SO lucky these men love me despite the fact I was a stripper!" Ew, purity culture.
There is no benefit to Hailey's past at all, she went through all these things through her childhood for... nothing to come of it? Literally nothing. There's no "Oh your parents were part of this organisation!" from the MMC's, they just instantly accept she's innocent so why even bother adding it? idk, it just felt like the author just wanted to add the trauma for the sake of it and not do anything with it.
There's also been no further mention of a sister again (I am ASSUMING she'll be the protag of book 2), but I'm currently only at 75% and I'm happy to come back and edit this review as I get there. I'm just so livid at this book I need to leave this review now.
While this review is scathing, I am filled with sadness, because the idea behind this book is SO exciting and I was thrilled when I read the blurb, but honestly I NEVER want to hear about a call centre in a book again.
Okay, I want to preface this by saying this is my first Grace McGinty book, but I'm a long time why choose reader and I have heard her name in the RH/poly genre for a LONG time as being a good author.
On that note though, what the fuck did I just read. This would probably be a 1* but I'm forcing myself to finish it. (ETA: I have dropped it to 1* because the inconsistencies are actually painful and I can't bring myself to finish it)
I was REALLY holding out hope that McGinty had accidentally submitted the wrong draft to be published and that it would be fixed shortly, but a scroll of her social media suggests otherwise.
This book reads as if there wasn't a single BETA reader or ARC reader that could pull her aside and tell her these major issues that were being missed. We had a guy committing contortionist movements for his mating bite, we had Eric watching Eric do things (instead of Eric watching another MMC), we had tongues going into mouths full of food, we had a thought from one character carrying over to a thought of a different character in the next chapter... the list could go on.
There were a LOT of inconsistencies, things mentioned that were never brought up again, there's eight million plot points that are so minor I wasn't really interested in any of them, and while it's a fast burn standalone, a lot of these relationships don't even make SENSE. You don't feel any love between them, the MMC's are cut and paste from every other RH (grumpy, scary, controlled, golden retriever, rich) so I couldn't even remember their names bar one and ONLY because there was such a horrific scene in a lift that his name was scarred into my brain.
The writing in itself also feels rushed. It feels like there's never a single moment where we can just exist with the FMC and enjoy this supposed love we find her surrounded in. Even the smut scenes feel like they're a handful of sentences that have absolutely no emotion and passion in them. It felt like I was reading a bunch of people just enjoying sex, which is fine, good for them, but where is the love? Where is the passion? (Apart from wolfie's passion for her heart shaped ass)
I was also really excited that maybe there was some sort of relevance to Hailey being a stripper? But, no, it's just a "I'm SO lucky these men love me despite the fact I was a stripper!" Ew, purity culture.
There is no benefit to Hailey's past at all, she went through all these things through her childhood for... nothing to come of it? Literally nothing. There's no "Oh your parents were part of this organisation!" from the MMC's, they just instantly accept she's innocent so why even bother adding it? idk, it just felt like the author just wanted to add the trauma for the sake of it and not do anything with it.
There's also been no further mention of a sister again (I am ASSUMING she'll be the protag of book 2), but I'm currently only at 75% and I'm happy to come back and edit this review as I get there. I'm just so livid at this book I need to leave this review now.
While this review is scathing, I am filled with sadness, because the idea behind this book is SO exciting and I was thrilled when I read the blurb, but honestly I NEVER want to hear about a call centre in a book again.
October 10, 2026
Title: The Trouble with Monsters
Author: Grace McGinty
Series: Creature Crisis Hotline, 1
Format: KU ebook
Genre: Fantasy, romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV’s: Hailey (FMC) &
Eric (Orc)
Otis (Minotaur)
Louis (Werewolf)
Syke (Demon)
Ilya (Gargoyle) (MMC’s)
What to expect:
*Why-choose romance
*Human & creature relationship
*Workplace romance
Safety:
No OW/OM drama in the relationship. Some on page violence and abuse from side characters. Does not have a third act breakup.
Review:
This is a sweet why-choose romance featuring a variety of shifter characters. It took me several chapters to remember who was who, but overall I really enjoyed the book. Grace McGinty is a favorite of mine when reading why-choose romance stories!
This book does include MM scenes and I loved everyone one of them! Please don’t judge the quality of this book based on the negative reviews due to readers not enjoying MM scenes. The MM relationships in this story were just as important as the FMC with her guys. Males need, and deserve, cuddles just as much as females do!
Author: Grace McGinty
Series: Creature Crisis Hotline, 1
Format: KU ebook
Genre: Fantasy, romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV’s: Hailey (FMC) &
Eric (Orc)
Otis (Minotaur)
Louis (Werewolf)
Syke (Demon)
Ilya (Gargoyle) (MMC’s)
What to expect:
*Why-choose romance
*Human & creature relationship
*Workplace romance
Safety:
No OW/OM drama in the relationship. Some on page violence and abuse from side characters. Does not have a third act breakup.
Review:
This is a sweet why-choose romance featuring a variety of shifter characters. It took me several chapters to remember who was who, but overall I really enjoyed the book. Grace McGinty is a favorite of mine when reading why-choose romance stories!
This book does include MM scenes and I loved everyone one of them! Please don’t judge the quality of this book based on the negative reviews due to readers not enjoying MM scenes. The MM relationships in this story were just as important as the FMC with her guys. Males need, and deserve, cuddles just as much as females do!
August 26, 2026
I really like this author, and I normally love her books, but this one was just a lot.
Every single person has a fight going on
It’s not one overarching fight. It is literally five separate fights.
There is not romance between any of the characters. It is literally just going to work having sex and now we are mated.
Then there’s a fact that it is so long and I’m not kidding nothing happened until maybe the 80% mark
And even that wasn’t anything
I just think it was too much
Every single person has a fight going on
It’s not one overarching fight. It is literally five separate fights.
There is not romance between any of the characters. It is literally just going to work having sex and now we are mated.
Then there’s a fact that it is so long and I’m not kidding nothing happened until maybe the 80% mark
And even that wasn’t anything
I just think it was too much
September 3, 2026
P: 4/5 SPICE LVL VERY HIGH: Five our of Five Peppers
E: 3/5
A: 3/5
C: 5/5
H: 4/5
Total 19/25 (3.8 stars)
The premise for this being revolved around a hotline for dealing with cryptid problems was so fun! Every time they were handling a call it was interesting or hilarious. I super loved the characters. I liked Hailey, the mc, but loved all of the guys even more. All of the guys were interesting in both their different backgrounds but also their like different species cultures. The spice lvl on this was super super high; like 5 peppers, and I usually prefer my spice lvls around 3.5 or less. So it unfortunately felt like there was more sex than plot a lot of the time. Which is a real shame, because the world, premise, and characters were all great. I'd love to see this turned into a longer series like her River one so all the guys get time to shine without it all shoved into one book to the detriment of the plot. There was also some graphic M/M, which I don't mind, but I saw that others were upset that it wasn't tagged on the listing. That being said I thought the m/m was pretty unique and well written. In a lot of reverse harems with M/M it will have the two guys that have a pre-existing relationship. This works well I feel, but this one actually had Eric acting as a secondary mc and we got to see the guys court him as much as they were courting Hailey. I really liked that because it didn't skimp on the romantic part or the emotional side. So if feelings give you the ick, and M/M gives you the ick, maybe don't read this one. If you want a spicy read in a cool world with awesome characters and don't mind those things. Definitely worth a pickup.
E: 3/5
A: 3/5
C: 5/5
H: 4/5
Total 19/25 (3.8 stars)
The premise for this being revolved around a hotline for dealing with cryptid problems was so fun! Every time they were handling a call it was interesting or hilarious. I super loved the characters. I liked Hailey, the mc, but loved all of the guys even more. All of the guys were interesting in both their different backgrounds but also their like different species cultures. The spice lvl on this was super super high; like 5 peppers, and I usually prefer my spice lvls around 3.5 or less. So it unfortunately felt like there was more sex than plot a lot of the time. Which is a real shame, because the world, premise, and characters were all great. I'd love to see this turned into a longer series like her River one so all the guys get time to shine without it all shoved into one book to the detriment of the plot. There was also some graphic M/M, which I don't mind, but I saw that others were upset that it wasn't tagged on the listing. That being said I thought the m/m was pretty unique and well written. In a lot of reverse harems with M/M it will have the two guys that have a pre-existing relationship. This works well I feel, but this one actually had Eric acting as a secondary mc and we got to see the guys court him as much as they were courting Hailey. I really liked that because it didn't skimp on the romantic part or the emotional side. So if feelings give you the ick, and M/M gives you the ick, maybe don't read this one. If you want a spicy read in a cool world with awesome characters and don't mind those things. Definitely worth a pickup.
August 31, 2026
An amazing Creature Romance
I had been waiting on this release since I found out what the book would be about. Anticipating the whole series of standalone’s. The only reason it got 4 stars, and not 5, from me was because of the lack of connections between the male mates. They just seemed like friends and then all of a sudden they are intimate, and it felt off. Like it was added just to have MM content. I felt the connections with Hailey, the FMC. But there just wasn’t any whatsoever with the men. It didn’t feel right to me. It should have just been Hailey with all of her mates with how it went and felt. The storyline was great though! I definitely can’t wait for book 2. I just hope there’s actually romantic connections between the men if she goes that route again.
I had been waiting on this release since I found out what the book would be about. Anticipating the whole series of standalone’s. The only reason it got 4 stars, and not 5, from me was because of the lack of connections between the male mates. They just seemed like friends and then all of a sudden they are intimate, and it felt off. Like it was added just to have MM content. I felt the connections with Hailey, the FMC. But there just wasn’t any whatsoever with the men. It didn’t feel right to me. It should have just been Hailey with all of her mates with how it went and felt. The storyline was great though! I definitely can’t wait for book 2. I just hope there’s actually romantic connections between the men if she goes that route again.
October 5, 2026
2.75 stars ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★ The Trouble with Monsters☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★
👻₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊✨ ♡ THOUGHTS ♡ ✨₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊👻
Compared to other reviews, I was not against MM (the more the merrier). Despite several inconsistencies in the writing and total personality shifts of characters like Skye, and the lack of proper development between all the relationships, I did like that this book touched upon themes of prejudice from the standpoint of humans and creatures, advocacy and removing bias, and being sensitive to language when referring to them as “creatures” and not “monsters.” It was sensitive to topics of bigotry and explored how people will judge you and set you apart simply for being different. If we pay attention to that, then the book really had a good focus, despite all the issues surrounding it (and outside of the romance standpoint).
From the relationships, that’s where the issues arise because Skye was introduced as this demon who didn’t care about being good, referred to her as “human” at first because he didn’t care to make the distinction of her as a person until the others corrected him, then suddenly he had a character shift and lost that part of himself that was supposed to be this isolated, broody, mysterious character. It threw me off guard because he became a total softie who took her out for ice cream and was encouraging everyone else to pursue her. He also got with Eric despite there being zero buildup and no initial chemistry. He still carried and was more memorable than the rest because he always inserted himself everywhere, even when it didn’t concern him. Also, his shadows were great, and so was his mind-reading ability. Too good. As for Eric, there were themes of consent versus coercion considering the mate bond between them was forced accidentally because he sought the first person who was kind to him and fell for her. He was a good person and a romantic at heart, truly considerate, and gave her his all and wanted to be her mate and a provider. He was excellent at communication and didn’t think anything of the others joining their bond as long as they were making her happy, and he’s bisexual, so he was open to them as well and vice versa. There was a lack of development all around in terms of how realistically the love happened, and they fell hard and so fast for each other. It was to compensate for all the romantic leads that were in this book. By the end of the book, Hailey wants to take him in his minotaur form... okay girl.
Based on the cover alone, I came in thinking it was MFM and had no context for anything because the synopsis really doesn’t expose much about what’s to come. Therefore, it makes sense that certain characters and relationships didn’t even get enough time considering they didn’t even make it to the cover. It also did seem like Otis got the worst of it because she didn’t ask him on a date until 400ish pages in when the book was almost over. At that point, why even make him a love interest? In my opinion, it should have been Eric and Skye... call it a day. Louis and Illya were not that distinguishable besides one being a wolf and the other being a gargoyle. Louis was overly affectionate, which I loved, and Illya always had problems with his flock. Especially since Otis and Eric barely had any interactions that warranted him being part of the group, now they are all civil and living in the house that Eric bought just because they all have separation anxiety and fear something bad happening to Hailey.
In terms of who took her at the end...I figured it was Allison because she was mentioned several times and got put on leave from her job, so it made sense that she would want revenge for speaking out against Skye and her being the one punished for it.
👻₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊✨ ♡ OVERALL ♡ ✨₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊👻
Also, what was the point of even mentioning sister if she was not going to have a relationship with her at all? Even if Hailey hadn’t wanted to, Eric pretty much found her at the end, and then it gave her closure knowing that her sister had grown up with a happy family. But she’s practically a stranger because she doesn’t know her at all and probably never will, so it’s just kind of an odd addition. I don’t know. There were so many points in the book that I didn’t love, but they were there.
☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★ The Trouble with Monsters☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★
👻₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊✨ ♡ THOUGHTS ♡ ✨₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊👻
Compared to other reviews, I was not against MM (the more the merrier). Despite several inconsistencies in the writing and total personality shifts of characters like Skye, and the lack of proper development between all the relationships, I did like that this book touched upon themes of prejudice from the standpoint of humans and creatures, advocacy and removing bias, and being sensitive to language when referring to them as “creatures” and not “monsters.” It was sensitive to topics of bigotry and explored how people will judge you and set you apart simply for being different. If we pay attention to that, then the book really had a good focus, despite all the issues surrounding it (and outside of the romance standpoint).
From the relationships, that’s where the issues arise because Skye was introduced as this demon who didn’t care about being good, referred to her as “human” at first because he didn’t care to make the distinction of her as a person until the others corrected him, then suddenly he had a character shift and lost that part of himself that was supposed to be this isolated, broody, mysterious character. It threw me off guard because he became a total softie who took her out for ice cream and was encouraging everyone else to pursue her. He also got with Eric despite there being zero buildup and no initial chemistry. He still carried and was more memorable than the rest because he always inserted himself everywhere, even when it didn’t concern him. Also, his shadows were great, and so was his mind-reading ability. Too good. As for Eric, there were themes of consent versus coercion considering the mate bond between them was forced accidentally because he sought the first person who was kind to him and fell for her. He was a good person and a romantic at heart, truly considerate, and gave her his all and wanted to be her mate and a provider. He was excellent at communication and didn’t think anything of the others joining their bond as long as they were making her happy, and he’s bisexual, so he was open to them as well and vice versa. There was a lack of development all around in terms of how realistically the love happened, and they fell hard and so fast for each other. It was to compensate for all the romantic leads that were in this book. By the end of the book, Hailey wants to take him in his minotaur form... okay girl.
Based on the cover alone, I came in thinking it was MFM and had no context for anything because the synopsis really doesn’t expose much about what’s to come. Therefore, it makes sense that certain characters and relationships didn’t even get enough time considering they didn’t even make it to the cover. It also did seem like Otis got the worst of it because she didn’t ask him on a date until 400ish pages in when the book was almost over. At that point, why even make him a love interest? In my opinion, it should have been Eric and Skye... call it a day. Louis and Illya were not that distinguishable besides one being a wolf and the other being a gargoyle. Louis was overly affectionate, which I loved, and Illya always had problems with his flock. Especially since Otis and Eric barely had any interactions that warranted him being part of the group, now they are all civil and living in the house that Eric bought just because they all have separation anxiety and fear something bad happening to Hailey.
In terms of who took her at the end...I figured it was Allison because she was mentioned several times and got put on leave from her job, so it made sense that she would want revenge for speaking out against Skye and her being the one punished for it.
👻₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊✨ ♡ OVERALL ♡ ✨₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊👻
Also, what was the point of even mentioning sister if she was not going to have a relationship with her at all? Even if Hailey hadn’t wanted to, Eric pretty much found her at the end, and then it gave her closure knowing that her sister had grown up with a happy family. But she’s practically a stranger because she doesn’t know her at all and probably never will, so it’s just kind of an odd addition. I don’t know. There were so many points in the book that I didn’t love, but they were there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2026
Grace McGinty is definitely my surprise author of the year! I discovered her this year, and I absolutely love her work. Her writing feels effortless; everything flows so beautifully, and the way she can jump between different genres without missing a beat is simply divine.
Grace is a STORYTELLER. She has this incredible ability to weave her magic and pull you straight into the world she’s creating, making you feel like you’re smack bang in the middle of the story.
I really wanted to be the FMC, Hailey, in this book. Her vulnerability, strength, love, shining light and determination make her the perfect person for her loves, and the job she finds herself in. They’re also exactly the kind of qualities you want in someone who has your back.
And then there are the MMCs… 🥵 They are extremely hot and absolutely worship the ground Hailey walks on. I don’t care if I’m asked to choose a favourite, I CAN’T! I love them all, and I love how each of them brings something different to the relationship. They fit together like pieces of a puzzle, each completing the picture in their own way.
This story is captivating from beginning to end. The spice doesn’t take a backseat to the story; instead, it elevates and enhances it, adding to the connection and intensity rather than overshadowing everything else.
Grace, you’ve done it again! 💜 Another fantastic read from my surprise author of the year!
Grace is a STORYTELLER. She has this incredible ability to weave her magic and pull you straight into the world she’s creating, making you feel like you’re smack bang in the middle of the story.
I really wanted to be the FMC, Hailey, in this book. Her vulnerability, strength, love, shining light and determination make her the perfect person for her loves, and the job she finds herself in. They’re also exactly the kind of qualities you want in someone who has your back.
And then there are the MMCs… 🥵 They are extremely hot and absolutely worship the ground Hailey walks on. I don’t care if I’m asked to choose a favourite, I CAN’T! I love them all, and I love how each of them brings something different to the relationship. They fit together like pieces of a puzzle, each completing the picture in their own way.
This story is captivating from beginning to end. The spice doesn’t take a backseat to the story; instead, it elevates and enhances it, adding to the connection and intensity rather than overshadowing everything else.
Grace, you’ve done it again! 💜 Another fantastic read from my surprise author of the year!
August 27, 2026
August 2026
Kindle edition
Soft, slow build of the pack. Each with their own issues but mostly soft. More of a duo pairing finding a pack instead of just one woman. I liked Eric, the way he faced his father was cool. Hailey had the innocent vibe but also that silent strength that didn't make her a damsel. I'm surprised Otis lasted until the end. Felt sorry for Louis, he was all in at the start. The gargoyle felt mostly on the side lines. Fave character was Syke. Curious about Chet. Think I clued into the culprit when it mentioned messy feeding.
Kindle edition
Soft, slow build of the pack. Each with their own issues but mostly soft. More of a duo pairing finding a pack instead of just one woman. I liked Eric, the way he faced his father was cool. Hailey had the innocent vibe but also that silent strength that didn't make her a damsel. I'm surprised Otis lasted until the end. Felt sorry for Louis, he was all in at the start. The gargoyle felt mostly on the side lines. Fave character was Syke. Curious about Chet. Think I clued into the culprit when it mentioned messy feeding.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2026
I enjoyed the book, which I usually do anytime Grace Mcginty is involved. However, I started the book thinking it was a RH, but there was definitely more of a poly romance going on. I don't mind that usually, but my expectations going in were different. I was excited for Otis' relationship with Hailey to develop, but we were given crumbs at the end. I just wish we had more focus on Hailey's relationships with the rest of the guys.
August 31, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. The idea of an accidental mate bond and how she accepted it with Eric.
Her love and acceptance of the monster community and her men was ❤️. Even if it did seem she was collecting them like Pokemon lol.
Hailey’s past was horrible but was able to overcome it and be a beautiful person. Her men were all different but did not shy away from their love for her.
Her love and acceptance of the monster community and her men was ❤️. Even if it did seem she was collecting them like Pokemon lol.
Hailey’s past was horrible but was able to overcome it and be a beautiful person. Her men were all different but did not shy away from their love for her.
September 14, 2026
25% and they're are just too many inconsistencies for me to continue. Really bummed because it was such a good premise
September 20, 2026
4.25⭐ rounded down.
I enjoyed this.
I enjoyed this.
September 30, 2026
I am pleasantly surprised to have stumbled upon this book. It was a quick easy read, with interesting characters, and an ok enough story.
September 4, 2026
Nicole
This book took.me 3 weeks to finish and it was not enjoyable. By 50% I was bored. The spicy scenes were not at all that spicy. I did Not know about man on man love so that's a turn off for me just beware! Its not done distasteful bc the spicy scenes were boring.
When Hailey got cut in the alley by the stinky, unnamed hobo guy what was done about the bag she was supposed to take upstairs? That whole scene was confusing to me. The angel that ratted them out was a wench! The part about Louis having 3 life forms and him shifting but he could still talk in his human voice was confusing. Alit of the creatures would just talk briefly about their mating rituals and then move on. Did Hailey and her mates have a ceremony and all bonded together? I wasnt as invested in the fae couple.that helped her out that summer bc it was brief. Everything wrapped up in a nice, boring nutshell!
This book took.me 3 weeks to finish and it was not enjoyable. By 50% I was bored. The spicy scenes were not at all that spicy. I did Not know about man on man love so that's a turn off for me just beware! Its not done distasteful bc the spicy scenes were boring.
When Hailey got cut in the alley by the stinky, unnamed hobo guy what was done about the bag she was supposed to take upstairs? That whole scene was confusing to me. The angel that ratted them out was a wench! The part about Louis having 3 life forms and him shifting but he could still talk in his human voice was confusing. Alit of the creatures would just talk briefly about their mating rituals and then move on. Did Hailey and her mates have a ceremony and all bonded together? I wasnt as invested in the fae couple.that helped her out that summer bc it was brief. Everything wrapped up in a nice, boring nutshell!
September 8, 2026
3.5 rounding up!
September 9, 2026
This book was all over the place with random storylines and plot holes. I feel like this tried to compress two books into one, whilst trying to maximise plot that went nowhere.
August 26, 2026
4.25 stars. Cute and very sweet. A light hearted read that is mostly a cozy with just a little outside drama. Five MMCs by the way and they are all pretty much cinnamon rolls. Loved the werewolf golden retriever, I could have eaten him up! And the orc, oh my! What a sweetie pie! Just adorable.
Edit: It has mm so don’t read and then leave really negative reviews just because you don’t like mm…
Edit: It has mm so don’t read and then leave really negative reviews just because you don’t like mm…
August 28, 2026
LOVE LOVE LOVE
September 2, 2026
Damn this was a long one and overwhelming. There were so many actions, plots, and characters that it was overwhelming and exhausting to read, so much so that the author had trouble keeping up too, since there were unfinished and barely explanations to some the actions, plot and characters. It ended up being a very rushed ending. So overall, very long exhausting read, meh from me.
October 8, 2026
The thing about gloomy weather is that it makes my eyes tired. I’m feeling extra tired as my body has been pumping anxiety for the last 12 hours. I get the “joy” of seeing the dentist today. I’ve been manifesting good vibes only. I picked this book up from Kindle Unlimited last week. I hit a lull because I started reading books with the same concept, and it made me feel detached from a genre I really enjoy. As Goodreads reminded me the other day that I am 3 books behind on my reading goal, I thought a great way to calm myself down before the dentist visit was to do some reading.
I’d never heard of this author or read any of their other books. So I walked into this blind, and honestly, as the book cover looked slightly ‘homemade ’, I wasn’t sure what level of writing I'd discover. When I was halfway through the book, I realised I’d found a gem of a story, one that felt unique and different but still had the bones of the genre I love to read. I enjoyed the variety and spontaneity of the characters. I found myself more entranced by what I was reading earlier than expected.
I need to break down the characters. We have Hailey – the FMC – a human.
We first meet Hailey as a child and rediscover her as an adult for the main plot. Sometimes a prequel-style first chapter can feel off-putting or unnecessary, but in this case, I felt it added to her character and helped me understand her frame of mind and actions more deeply. Her character is clearly shaped by her tumultuous childhood. Interestingly, I was talking with a friend about a mutual friend and how there is a clear pattern between what happened in their childhood and how that has shaped their adult life. So I found myself reflecting on that as I got to know Hailey’s character. She is very much a character who blossomed despite the parched garden she grew up in. She has endless energy, kindness, and compassion. Her empathy is always full steam ahead, and I think she is more grounded and more focused on right and wrong because of what she's experienced. She definitely isn’t a damsel in distress, but she also wouldn’t oppose snuggling with several hot men.
She is the glue of the group; that much is clear. Louis makes a point in the book that sat with me. He says that they were already halfway to being a pack before Hailey arrived, like she was fated for them. I think, as humans, we talk a lot about coincidences and whether they exist, and that concept is definitely alive in this book.
Eric – an orc.
Eric is pretty much the reason this book took flight; he starts the main plotline and is one of the main contributors to keeping it going. Eric is not like other orcs. I suppose to them he is a ‘sissy’ or a ‘pansy ’, but something about having an intellectual orc is very interesting. He is as much the glue in this story as Hailey. Of all the men, Eric meets Hailey first, and yes, he makes some questionable life choices that, in the real world, would have drawn more anger and ickiness. But in this book, while his choices are a little icky, he has the best intentions, and by coincidence or fate, it all works out. Eric is eternally loyal to Hailey, and his life mission is to keep her happy. He doesn't mind what form it takes or what it takes to get there; he just wants her happiness to last. He also needs a family. Stripped of his outdated views, his heart quietly longs for a new family, and he finds it in this mismatched group. It’s amusing to read because he clearly realises that the people around him could be a new family far before any of them realise it. But he just waits; he waits for the others to come to that realisation and make their moves. He doesn’t push or force, or interrogate; he waits because he knows it will happen eventually.
Syke – a demon.
Syke is an interesting character. My experience with demon characters in reverse harems is entirely stereotypical and has become almost boring. Any character of this species became almost 2D, and I found myself knowing their move before they made it. Syke is different. And I think the difference is that he is unapologetically himself. There is no hidden meaning behind his words or his actions. Demon life, as far as this book is concerned, seems complex, but the character is integrated so smoothly into the group. I almost get the sense that he was surprised by his own actions, by his own feelings. I imagine that he has been around for a long time indeed, and though he has frequently participated in fuelling his sexual desires, actually caring for someone past that urge is almost foreign. I expected him to fight it, to contest what was happening with rage and cruelty, but he surprised me by being so open to the shift in the dynamic and wanting to be part of it and included in the group.
Otis – a minotaur.
Otis is the working group's team leader. He is a big, beefy man and a big, beefy minotaur. He is very protective of the team. He comes across as calm and stoic. He enjoys retreating to nature. He clearly cares deeply about his team, and that begins to extend to Hailey faster than I think he expected. It is an odd situation, and I think he realises her special quality in the group he is part of. Hailey shines, and Otis sees it quickly; though he denies what he is feeling, it doesn't deny it in a way that screams the opposite or makes him act out in aggression, cruelty, or violence. He sits with it, watching the team integrate themselves into her life, and I think in doing so, he gets to understand more of what he is feeling and how keeping Hailey within the group will end up benefiting them all on a family level as well as an intimate one.
Ilyas – a gargoyle.
I’ve only read about gargoyles in the context of Harry Potter fan fiction, so I was actually excited to discover this character here because it’s a new element for me in this genre, and I wondered what he would be like and what it would bring. I never expected to find that this particular gargoyle belongs to a ‘flight’ who are egotistical and ‘pure-blooded ’. Honestly, made me smile and think of Harry Potter again. Ilyas is quiet; he has peaceful restraint. He warms to Hailey in his own way. What I like about Ilyas and, actually, all of the men, is that they each have their own story outside of the group, which (A) makes for a more interesting read and (B) gives me a deeper look into their character, which helps me visualise and understand different narrative perspectives. Ilyas is dealing with a lot with the other gargoyles, and it is clear he needs an alternative setting but isn't sure how to get it. I can see the struggle he is going through, but I also saw how the other male characters banded around him and tried to offer solutions. It’s part of why I like this group of men; they are very supportive of each other, and it shows through the plotline.
Louis – a werewolf.
It's fair to say Louis is a puppy with boundless energy. If I were reading a book that were more stereotypical, he would be the character the reader first bonded to, the warmth between the inevitable testosterone. While it is fair to say that all the men in this book are MEN…there is no ego or vanity. Louis cares deeply for his friends, and he falls deeply very quickly, but he falls deeply for eternity. He is a very likeable character. He can calm down, coax, and charm a wide variety of creatures, which comes in handy in his line of work. He is also a mother hen who thrives on making sure everyone has food, is taken care of, and feels safe. His entire personality is something Hailey has not experienced enough of, and watching the change in Louis from Hailey’s presence was rewarding as the reader, but on a larger scale, a rewarding need for the two characters.
The book is chaptered in the POVs of all these characters. I find this style best for this genre; it lets the reader get to know each character more deeply.
The world we live in today is so far past problematic that no word can sum it up anymore. Every day that I read the news, I almost brace myself for what horrors have occurred now. It is almost a relief to escape reality and dive into a book. Even though this book is rife with creatures living among humans, the same issues plague them as plague the real world. It was very humanising, and though I doubt that was the book's aim in any way, it was a thought-provoking read.
I expected the plot twist because it was the only path that made sense, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. This is a standalone novel, so everything was wrapped up with a bow, and I really enjoyed it because most reverse harem smut books are series. This was the perfect distraction read to calm me before and after my dentist appointment, and I enjoyed the visualisation it created in my mind, the depth of the individual characters, and the escape from reality.
I’d never heard of this author or read any of their other books. So I walked into this blind, and honestly, as the book cover looked slightly ‘homemade ’, I wasn’t sure what level of writing I'd discover. When I was halfway through the book, I realised I’d found a gem of a story, one that felt unique and different but still had the bones of the genre I love to read. I enjoyed the variety and spontaneity of the characters. I found myself more entranced by what I was reading earlier than expected.
I need to break down the characters. We have Hailey – the FMC – a human.
We first meet Hailey as a child and rediscover her as an adult for the main plot. Sometimes a prequel-style first chapter can feel off-putting or unnecessary, but in this case, I felt it added to her character and helped me understand her frame of mind and actions more deeply. Her character is clearly shaped by her tumultuous childhood. Interestingly, I was talking with a friend about a mutual friend and how there is a clear pattern between what happened in their childhood and how that has shaped their adult life. So I found myself reflecting on that as I got to know Hailey’s character. She is very much a character who blossomed despite the parched garden she grew up in. She has endless energy, kindness, and compassion. Her empathy is always full steam ahead, and I think she is more grounded and more focused on right and wrong because of what she's experienced. She definitely isn’t a damsel in distress, but she also wouldn’t oppose snuggling with several hot men.
She is the glue of the group; that much is clear. Louis makes a point in the book that sat with me. He says that they were already halfway to being a pack before Hailey arrived, like she was fated for them. I think, as humans, we talk a lot about coincidences and whether they exist, and that concept is definitely alive in this book.
Eric – an orc.
Eric is pretty much the reason this book took flight; he starts the main plotline and is one of the main contributors to keeping it going. Eric is not like other orcs. I suppose to them he is a ‘sissy’ or a ‘pansy ’, but something about having an intellectual orc is very interesting. He is as much the glue in this story as Hailey. Of all the men, Eric meets Hailey first, and yes, he makes some questionable life choices that, in the real world, would have drawn more anger and ickiness. But in this book, while his choices are a little icky, he has the best intentions, and by coincidence or fate, it all works out. Eric is eternally loyal to Hailey, and his life mission is to keep her happy. He doesn't mind what form it takes or what it takes to get there; he just wants her happiness to last. He also needs a family. Stripped of his outdated views, his heart quietly longs for a new family, and he finds it in this mismatched group. It’s amusing to read because he clearly realises that the people around him could be a new family far before any of them realise it. But he just waits; he waits for the others to come to that realisation and make their moves. He doesn’t push or force, or interrogate; he waits because he knows it will happen eventually.
Syke – a demon.
Syke is an interesting character. My experience with demon characters in reverse harems is entirely stereotypical and has become almost boring. Any character of this species became almost 2D, and I found myself knowing their move before they made it. Syke is different. And I think the difference is that he is unapologetically himself. There is no hidden meaning behind his words or his actions. Demon life, as far as this book is concerned, seems complex, but the character is integrated so smoothly into the group. I almost get the sense that he was surprised by his own actions, by his own feelings. I imagine that he has been around for a long time indeed, and though he has frequently participated in fuelling his sexual desires, actually caring for someone past that urge is almost foreign. I expected him to fight it, to contest what was happening with rage and cruelty, but he surprised me by being so open to the shift in the dynamic and wanting to be part of it and included in the group.
Otis – a minotaur.
Otis is the working group's team leader. He is a big, beefy man and a big, beefy minotaur. He is very protective of the team. He comes across as calm and stoic. He enjoys retreating to nature. He clearly cares deeply about his team, and that begins to extend to Hailey faster than I think he expected. It is an odd situation, and I think he realises her special quality in the group he is part of. Hailey shines, and Otis sees it quickly; though he denies what he is feeling, it doesn't deny it in a way that screams the opposite or makes him act out in aggression, cruelty, or violence. He sits with it, watching the team integrate themselves into her life, and I think in doing so, he gets to understand more of what he is feeling and how keeping Hailey within the group will end up benefiting them all on a family level as well as an intimate one.
Ilyas – a gargoyle.
I’ve only read about gargoyles in the context of Harry Potter fan fiction, so I was actually excited to discover this character here because it’s a new element for me in this genre, and I wondered what he would be like and what it would bring. I never expected to find that this particular gargoyle belongs to a ‘flight’ who are egotistical and ‘pure-blooded ’. Honestly, made me smile and think of Harry Potter again. Ilyas is quiet; he has peaceful restraint. He warms to Hailey in his own way. What I like about Ilyas and, actually, all of the men, is that they each have their own story outside of the group, which (A) makes for a more interesting read and (B) gives me a deeper look into their character, which helps me visualise and understand different narrative perspectives. Ilyas is dealing with a lot with the other gargoyles, and it is clear he needs an alternative setting but isn't sure how to get it. I can see the struggle he is going through, but I also saw how the other male characters banded around him and tried to offer solutions. It’s part of why I like this group of men; they are very supportive of each other, and it shows through the plotline.
Louis – a werewolf.
It's fair to say Louis is a puppy with boundless energy. If I were reading a book that were more stereotypical, he would be the character the reader first bonded to, the warmth between the inevitable testosterone. While it is fair to say that all the men in this book are MEN…there is no ego or vanity. Louis cares deeply for his friends, and he falls deeply very quickly, but he falls deeply for eternity. He is a very likeable character. He can calm down, coax, and charm a wide variety of creatures, which comes in handy in his line of work. He is also a mother hen who thrives on making sure everyone has food, is taken care of, and feels safe. His entire personality is something Hailey has not experienced enough of, and watching the change in Louis from Hailey’s presence was rewarding as the reader, but on a larger scale, a rewarding need for the two characters.
The book is chaptered in the POVs of all these characters. I find this style best for this genre; it lets the reader get to know each character more deeply.
The world we live in today is so far past problematic that no word can sum it up anymore. Every day that I read the news, I almost brace myself for what horrors have occurred now. It is almost a relief to escape reality and dive into a book. Even though this book is rife with creatures living among humans, the same issues plague them as plague the real world. It was very humanising, and though I doubt that was the book's aim in any way, it was a thought-provoking read.
I expected the plot twist because it was the only path that made sense, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. This is a standalone novel, so everything was wrapped up with a bow, and I really enjoyed it because most reverse harem smut books are series. This was the perfect distraction read to calm me before and after my dentist appointment, and I enjoyed the visualisation it created in my mind, the depth of the individual characters, and the escape from reality.
October 3, 2026
I’m giving The Trouble with Monsters by Grace McGinty 2.5 stars.
My biggest issue with this book was that I felt misled about the relationship dynamic before I even started reading.
First, the cover was misleading to me. It only shows two of the love interests, which made me assume that those were going to be the main relationships in the book. Instead, Hailey ends up involved with Eric, Syke, Ilyas, Louis, and eventually Otis. For a book with that many people involved in the relationship, I would have expected the cover—or at least the description—to make the setup much clearer.
That brings me to my second issue: the description itself. The book is described as a “why choose monster romance,” but it doesn’t make it clear that this is a poly relationship where some of the men are also involved with each other. I have no problem reading that kind of relationship dynamic, but I do want to know what I’m getting into beforehand. “Why choose” can cover different relationship structures, and I think this one needed to be more specific about what readers should expect.
Even after finishing the book, I’m still not entirely sure who was actually with whom. Were all of the members of the group involved with both Eric and Hailey? Were some only with Hailey, while only a couple of them were also involved with Eric? That part of the relationship was surprisingly unclear to me. We also never really got to see the entire group together in a way that established how the relationship worked as a whole.
And I don’t mean that the book needed even more sex scenes. If anything, adding more would probably have been too much. There are plenty of other ways to show intimacy and establish a poly relationship—affection, conversations, domestic moments, emotional closeness, jealousy, group interactions, or simply seeing how everyone behaves together. I needed more of that to understand and believe in the group as an actual relationship rather than just a collection of individual pairings.
I also don’t necessarily agree with some reviews saying that Eric was the center of the book. To me, the relationship structure actually reminded me quite a bit of an omegaverse dynamic, almost as though there were two omegas within the group. I usually really enjoy that kind of setup, so the structure itself wasn’t the problem.
The problem was that I never became emotionally invested in any of the relationships.
The book actually started out really well, and I was interested in seeing where everything would go. But at some point, I realized I was reading simply because I wanted to finish the book. I was bored, and I never really felt convinced by the relationships between all of these characters.
Several of the characters also had interesting individual stories and pasts that could have added much more depth to the book. I genuinely wanted to know more about some of them. Unfortunately, I felt like the book either didn’t explore those stories deeply enough or didn’t resolve them in a way that felt satisfying. With so many characters, relationships, and individual histories competing for attention, some potentially interesting storylines ended up feeling underdeveloped.
Another problem was the way several of the relationships came together. More than once, it seemed as though becoming involved with another person was conveniently the solution to whatever trouble the characters were facing at that moment. Instead of the circumstances naturally bringing the characters closer together and allowing the relationship to develop, it sometimes felt as though the plot created a problem specifically so there would be a reason to bring another person into the relationship.
If the intention was always to bring all of these characters together, I wish more time had been spent developing those connections organically. Using a similar “this will get us out of trouble” reasoning for two or three of the relationships felt repetitive and, in my opinion, like a shortcut in the writing.
There were things I liked. The premise was interesting, the beginning hooked me, and some of the characters’ individual stories had a lot of potential. I also normally enjoy the kind of omegaverse-like group dynamic this seemed to be going for.
But with this many people involved, I needed much stronger relationship development. I needed to understand not only why each person fell for Hailey, but also what connected the group to each other and how this relationship actually functioned. By the end, I still didn’t feel like I knew that.
Unfortunately, what started as a promising read eventually became a book I was mostly reading just so I could finish it.
My biggest issue with this book was that I felt misled about the relationship dynamic before I even started reading.
First, the cover was misleading to me. It only shows two of the love interests, which made me assume that those were going to be the main relationships in the book. Instead, Hailey ends up involved with Eric, Syke, Ilyas, Louis, and eventually Otis. For a book with that many people involved in the relationship, I would have expected the cover—or at least the description—to make the setup much clearer.
That brings me to my second issue: the description itself. The book is described as a “why choose monster romance,” but it doesn’t make it clear that this is a poly relationship where some of the men are also involved with each other. I have no problem reading that kind of relationship dynamic, but I do want to know what I’m getting into beforehand. “Why choose” can cover different relationship structures, and I think this one needed to be more specific about what readers should expect.
Even after finishing the book, I’m still not entirely sure who was actually with whom. Were all of the members of the group involved with both Eric and Hailey? Were some only with Hailey, while only a couple of them were also involved with Eric? That part of the relationship was surprisingly unclear to me. We also never really got to see the entire group together in a way that established how the relationship worked as a whole.
And I don’t mean that the book needed even more sex scenes. If anything, adding more would probably have been too much. There are plenty of other ways to show intimacy and establish a poly relationship—affection, conversations, domestic moments, emotional closeness, jealousy, group interactions, or simply seeing how everyone behaves together. I needed more of that to understand and believe in the group as an actual relationship rather than just a collection of individual pairings.
I also don’t necessarily agree with some reviews saying that Eric was the center of the book. To me, the relationship structure actually reminded me quite a bit of an omegaverse dynamic, almost as though there were two omegas within the group. I usually really enjoy that kind of setup, so the structure itself wasn’t the problem.
The problem was that I never became emotionally invested in any of the relationships.
The book actually started out really well, and I was interested in seeing where everything would go. But at some point, I realized I was reading simply because I wanted to finish the book. I was bored, and I never really felt convinced by the relationships between all of these characters.
Several of the characters also had interesting individual stories and pasts that could have added much more depth to the book. I genuinely wanted to know more about some of them. Unfortunately, I felt like the book either didn’t explore those stories deeply enough or didn’t resolve them in a way that felt satisfying. With so many characters, relationships, and individual histories competing for attention, some potentially interesting storylines ended up feeling underdeveloped.
Another problem was the way several of the relationships came together. More than once, it seemed as though becoming involved with another person was conveniently the solution to whatever trouble the characters were facing at that moment. Instead of the circumstances naturally bringing the characters closer together and allowing the relationship to develop, it sometimes felt as though the plot created a problem specifically so there would be a reason to bring another person into the relationship.
If the intention was always to bring all of these characters together, I wish more time had been spent developing those connections organically. Using a similar “this will get us out of trouble” reasoning for two or three of the relationships felt repetitive and, in my opinion, like a shortcut in the writing.
There were things I liked. The premise was interesting, the beginning hooked me, and some of the characters’ individual stories had a lot of potential. I also normally enjoy the kind of omegaverse-like group dynamic this seemed to be going for.
But with this many people involved, I needed much stronger relationship development. I needed to understand not only why each person fell for Hailey, but also what connected the group to each other and how this relationship actually functioned. By the end, I still didn’t feel like I knew that.
Unfortunately, what started as a promising read eventually became a book I was mostly reading just so I could finish it.
August 28, 2026
The Trouble With Monsters: A Creature Crisis Hotline Novel — ⭐⭐/5 Stars
The dedication promised Lexie Winston energy. The execution delivered the Temu version.
Look, I finished it. I read the whole damn thing. I just didn’t enjoy it. 😂
The monster cast was ok, and I genuinely liked the concept. Moo-Man the minotaur had me especially excited… only for him to get basically ZERO page time or spicy time. Rude. 😭
But here’s the problem: I picked this up expecting Reverse Harem. It’s not. This is much more of a Why Choose/poly romance centered around Eric , and honestly? Eric feels like the FMC.
Hailey spends the entirety of the book getting injured while her supposedly powerful mates fail to protect her, meanwhile everyone is busy orbiting Eric and all his problems/Daddy issues. The emotional development, relationship building, and overall focus are so heavily centered on him that Hailey feels like a side character in her own romance.
The relationship dynamics were also rushed, messy, and confusing. Who is actually with whom? Who is attracted to whom? Who is just there? 🤷♀️ I never felt like the group dynamic properly came together at all.
And Eric? His romantic focus and chemistry felt overwhelmingly centered on the males, while his relationship with Hailey often felt secondary - almost like a lavender arrangement. And honestly, I’m all for that kind of dynamic when it’s intentional and done well. It can be hot AF. 😂 But here, it just didn’t work for me, especially because it felt like Hailey was pushed aside in her own romance.
I also wanted WAY more from Hailey’s family storyline, especially considering her past, but that was rushed too.
Ultimately, this was a serious case of wrong book, wrong expectations . I wanted an FMC-focused RH. What I got was an Eric-centric poly romance with Hailey occasionally wandering into the plot.
Fun premise. Basic-ass, seen-a-million-times monsters, but okay, I can work with that. 😂 Absolutely NOT the romance I signed up for.
And honestly, the marketing needs to be clearer. Reverse Harem and Why Choose/poly are NOT the same thing. If I’d known what this actually was going in, I probably would've enjoyed it more - like a Lexie Wintson novel.
Somewhere, Lexie Winston's monsters are filing a complaint with the Creature Crisis Hotline 😂 🤦♀️
The dedication promised Lexie Winston energy. The execution delivered the Temu version.
Look, I finished it. I read the whole damn thing. I just didn’t enjoy it. 😂
The monster cast was ok, and I genuinely liked the concept. Moo-Man the minotaur had me especially excited… only for him to get basically ZERO page time or spicy time. Rude. 😭
But here’s the problem: I picked this up expecting Reverse Harem. It’s not. This is much more of a Why Choose/poly romance centered around Eric , and honestly? Eric feels like the FMC.
Hailey spends the entirety of the book getting injured while her supposedly powerful mates fail to protect her, meanwhile everyone is busy orbiting Eric and all his problems/Daddy issues. The emotional development, relationship building, and overall focus are so heavily centered on him that Hailey feels like a side character in her own romance.
The relationship dynamics were also rushed, messy, and confusing. Who is actually with whom? Who is attracted to whom? Who is just there? 🤷♀️ I never felt like the group dynamic properly came together at all.
And Eric? His romantic focus and chemistry felt overwhelmingly centered on the males, while his relationship with Hailey often felt secondary - almost like a lavender arrangement. And honestly, I’m all for that kind of dynamic when it’s intentional and done well. It can be hot AF. 😂 But here, it just didn’t work for me, especially because it felt like Hailey was pushed aside in her own romance.
I also wanted WAY more from Hailey’s family storyline, especially considering her past, but that was rushed too.
Ultimately, this was a serious case of wrong book, wrong expectations . I wanted an FMC-focused RH. What I got was an Eric-centric poly romance with Hailey occasionally wandering into the plot.
Fun premise. Basic-ass, seen-a-million-times monsters, but okay, I can work with that. 😂 Absolutely NOT the romance I signed up for.
And honestly, the marketing needs to be clearer. Reverse Harem and Why Choose/poly are NOT the same thing. If I’d known what this actually was going in, I probably would've enjoyed it more - like a Lexie Wintson novel.
Somewhere, Lexie Winston's monsters are filing a complaint with the Creature Crisis Hotline 😂 🤦♀️
August 29, 2026
The trouble with putting this book down 😁
⭐ 4.5 stars
The Trouble With Monsters was such an enjoyable and intriguing read, and I found myself completely drawn into the world Grace McGinty created. The concept behind the Creature Crisis Hotline was genuinely unique, and the supernatural world surrounding it had so much potential that I would absolutely love to read more stories set in this universe.
One of my favourite things about the book was Hailey. She was a fantastic FMC and, in my opinion, struck the perfect balance between vulnerability and strength. She isn’t physically powerful or invincible, and her very human weaknesses remain present throughout the story, but her strength of character, fierce inner light, instincts, and resilience make her incredibly compelling. Considering everything she has been through, I really admired the person she remained despite her hardships.
As for the MMCs, I was actually surprised by how much I liked Syke. Despite being presented as the more morally grey character, I found myself appreciating his actions and choices the most. 😏
The first half of the book felt particularly well-paced, and I was completely invested in the story and the characters. My main criticism would be that some of the later scenes felt a little rushed in comparison. Honestly, I think this story could easily have worked as a duology, allowing more time for certain events and developments to unfold.
Minor spoiler-related thoughts: I also kept waiting for some consequences—or at least more discussion surrounding Hailey killing the angel. Considering how much attention was given to Syke killing a human, I expected Hailey’s actions to have some kind of repercussions as well, especially given the angels’ attitude toward humans as supposedly lower beings. Even if her actions were completely understandable because she was protecting her mate, I still expected that situation to be addressed more.
Overall, though, this was a really enjoyable 4.5-star read with a fascinating premise, a fantastic heroine, memorable characters, and a world I definitely want to explore more. I would happily pick up another book set in this universe!
⭐ 4.5 stars
The Trouble With Monsters was such an enjoyable and intriguing read, and I found myself completely drawn into the world Grace McGinty created. The concept behind the Creature Crisis Hotline was genuinely unique, and the supernatural world surrounding it had so much potential that I would absolutely love to read more stories set in this universe.
One of my favourite things about the book was Hailey. She was a fantastic FMC and, in my opinion, struck the perfect balance between vulnerability and strength. She isn’t physically powerful or invincible, and her very human weaknesses remain present throughout the story, but her strength of character, fierce inner light, instincts, and resilience make her incredibly compelling. Considering everything she has been through, I really admired the person she remained despite her hardships.
As for the MMCs, I was actually surprised by how much I liked Syke. Despite being presented as the more morally grey character, I found myself appreciating his actions and choices the most. 😏
The first half of the book felt particularly well-paced, and I was completely invested in the story and the characters. My main criticism would be that some of the later scenes felt a little rushed in comparison. Honestly, I think this story could easily have worked as a duology, allowing more time for certain events and developments to unfold.
Minor spoiler-related thoughts: I also kept waiting for some consequences—or at least more discussion surrounding Hailey killing the angel. Considering how much attention was given to Syke killing a human, I expected Hailey’s actions to have some kind of repercussions as well, especially given the angels’ attitude toward humans as supposedly lower beings. Even if her actions were completely understandable because she was protecting her mate, I still expected that situation to be addressed more.
Overall, though, this was a really enjoyable 4.5-star read with a fascinating premise, a fantastic heroine, memorable characters, and a world I definitely want to explore more. I would happily pick up another book set in this universe!
August 27, 2026
The Trouble with Monsters by Grace McGinty book 1 in Creature Crises Hotline series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶🌶🌶💀
OMG I was absolutely riveted, I could not put this book down. A central couple and the creatures that fall for them. The slow growth, the devotion and green flag alphaness is absolutely swoonworthy.
Hailey contacts the Hotline as her neighbour has been missing and she's worried. The team Syke (demon), Louis (werewolf), Ilyas (gargoyle) all come out, led by Otis (minotaur) to investigate. What they undercover is a clan sick orc, Eric on the brink of death. But things aren't as simple. Eric accidently mate bonded to Hailey. Together they need to figure this out. However an attack brings everyone even closer. Syke blackhearted demon becomes soft and caring. Louis wants to feed them, cuddle them, he know they are his. Ilyas is being showponied for breeding and he is up for it but he does want Eric and Hailey. And Otis is stubborn as a bull he get there with a push. There are threats, unrest and conspiracy all mixed with the romance of these wonderful creatures.
This standalone had is all, from drama to action, even heartache. Grace McGinty definitely delivered a world I want to get lost in, when reality mixes perfectly with fantasy.
Tropes:
Accidently mate bonded. Team building activities. Workplace romance. MM. Friends to lovers. Large harem. Poly romance. He falls first. Protective.
Quotes:
“Go to sleep, we have a big day on pack land tomorrow. I’ll guard your dreams.”
“I’ll tell them you’re doing better than okay. You’ve flourished, Hailey Swoon, despite the darkness they tried to bury you beneath.”
“You’re okay, Sunshine. We’re okay. Deep breath in and hold it. Out. I have you. Otis has you. Louis and Eric have you. Even Ilyas, the surly bastard, has you. You’re safe.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶🌶🌶💀
OMG I was absolutely riveted, I could not put this book down. A central couple and the creatures that fall for them. The slow growth, the devotion and green flag alphaness is absolutely swoonworthy.
Hailey contacts the Hotline as her neighbour has been missing and she's worried. The team Syke (demon), Louis (werewolf), Ilyas (gargoyle) all come out, led by Otis (minotaur) to investigate. What they undercover is a clan sick orc, Eric on the brink of death. But things aren't as simple. Eric accidently mate bonded to Hailey. Together they need to figure this out. However an attack brings everyone even closer. Syke blackhearted demon becomes soft and caring. Louis wants to feed them, cuddle them, he know they are his. Ilyas is being showponied for breeding and he is up for it but he does want Eric and Hailey. And Otis is stubborn as a bull he get there with a push. There are threats, unrest and conspiracy all mixed with the romance of these wonderful creatures.
This standalone had is all, from drama to action, even heartache. Grace McGinty definitely delivered a world I want to get lost in, when reality mixes perfectly with fantasy.
Tropes:
Accidently mate bonded. Team building activities. Workplace romance. MM. Friends to lovers. Large harem. Poly romance. He falls first. Protective.
Quotes:
“Go to sleep, we have a big day on pack land tomorrow. I’ll guard your dreams.”
“I’ll tell them you’re doing better than okay. You’ve flourished, Hailey Swoon, despite the darkness they tried to bury you beneath.”
“You’re okay, Sunshine. We’re okay. Deep breath in and hold it. Out. I have you. Otis has you. Louis and Eric have you. Even Ilyas, the surly bastard, has you. You’re safe.”
September 2, 2026
This book was an absolute pleasure to read. Pure perfection.
Hailey had a rough childhood, she is still lonely and has difficulties to trust, but somehow she never lost her light. And she always trusts her gut.
So she calls the Creature Crisis Centre when she hasn't seen her Orc neighbor Eric for a week. Turns out he is sick because he accidentally mate bonded her to himself.
The hot operators for the CCC ask Hailey if she would be willing to help Eric, and so they all cuddle for a few days.
While Otis, the minotaur boss of this team tries to keep it professional, the werewolf Louis and the demon Syke are more open to show their feelings. The gargoyle Ilyas has his own problems, since he doesn't want to be forced to marry another of his kind just to reproduce.
When all of them get roped into each others problems, the archangel and demon show up and Hailey's past is revealed, they have to stick together to overcome prejudice and find happiness.
This book made me laugh and giggle, the five MMCs are so well written and diverse, the FMC has depth, is so kind and funny.
The relationships between all of them (FM, MM, MFM...) develop so cute and all the other plot points just help to achieve that.
I think this is one of my favourite Poly/RH books so far!
Hailey had a rough childhood, she is still lonely and has difficulties to trust, but somehow she never lost her light. And she always trusts her gut.
So she calls the Creature Crisis Centre when she hasn't seen her Orc neighbor Eric for a week. Turns out he is sick because he accidentally mate bonded her to himself.
The hot operators for the CCC ask Hailey if she would be willing to help Eric, and so they all cuddle for a few days.
While Otis, the minotaur boss of this team tries to keep it professional, the werewolf Louis and the demon Syke are more open to show their feelings. The gargoyle Ilyas has his own problems, since he doesn't want to be forced to marry another of his kind just to reproduce.
When all of them get roped into each others problems, the archangel and demon show up and Hailey's past is revealed, they have to stick together to overcome prejudice and find happiness.
This book made me laugh and giggle, the five MMCs are so well written and diverse, the FMC has depth, is so kind and funny.
The relationships between all of them (FM, MM, MFM...) develop so cute and all the other plot points just help to achieve that.
I think this is one of my favourite Poly/RH books so far!
September 24, 2026
eu gosto muito do jeito que esta autora escreve. em geral, os livros dela são engraçados e têm uma história bem criada e desenvolvida. este é assim.
é muito massa ver o mundo no qual os monstros se revelaram para os humanos e todas as intrigas que existem porque um grupo não consegue aceitar as diferenças do outro. eu disse que é massa pq o contexto é bem descrito, a realidade daquele mundo é bem explicada, e o drama é tudo! não que tudo isso seja massa, entende? eu quis dizer que é bem feito!
o mundo é interessante e as personagens são incríveis. desde o prólogo, com Hailey criança e os vizinhos fae que cuidaram dela, é tudo adorável. o que não é adorável é o MM. pena, viu. embora alguns dos caras digam que querem ser mates de Eric também, o amorzinho entre eles é muito pouco. muito pouco. e só lá pro fim vemos os outros mates, que não estão envolvidos romanticamente com ele, sendo afetuosos com o orc. e eu queria muito mais.
mas se formos olhar pro lado da escrita e o desenvolvimento da história, é muito bom. tanto que eu passei um tempo pra ler, porque queria aproveitar. então, fui lendo aos pouquinhos, saboreando os capítulos. foi uma jornada top rs
o hot é hot, porém mesma questã do MM (que eu queria mais).
vale muito :)
é muito massa ver o mundo no qual os monstros se revelaram para os humanos e todas as intrigas que existem porque um grupo não consegue aceitar as diferenças do outro. eu disse que é massa pq o contexto é bem descrito, a realidade daquele mundo é bem explicada, e o drama é tudo! não que tudo isso seja massa, entende? eu quis dizer que é bem feito!
o mundo é interessante e as personagens são incríveis. desde o prólogo, com Hailey criança e os vizinhos fae que cuidaram dela, é tudo adorável. o que não é adorável é o MM. pena, viu. embora alguns dos caras digam que querem ser mates de Eric também, o amorzinho entre eles é muito pouco. muito pouco. e só lá pro fim vemos os outros mates, que não estão envolvidos romanticamente com ele, sendo afetuosos com o orc. e eu queria muito mais.
mas se formos olhar pro lado da escrita e o desenvolvimento da história, é muito bom. tanto que eu passei um tempo pra ler, porque queria aproveitar. então, fui lendo aos pouquinhos, saboreando os capítulos. foi uma jornada top rs
o hot é hot, porém mesma questã do MM (que eu queria mais).
vale muito :)
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