Tart Like Honey: A monster romance in another world

by Deiri Di

I lived by one Put myself first.

In this hell, it was the only way to survive.

But when the Princes turned their lethal gaze toward my best friend, my stone-cold resolve shattered. I couldn’t leave her to the fate they had planned. I bought her freedom and coached her to safety, knowing exactly what it would Me.

Now, the Princes are hunting me.

But they aren't the only monsters in the dark.

The one who finally catches me doesn't want my life. He doesn't want to break me. He wants to ruin me with a life so perfect, I’ll never want to leave…and that is the most dangerous trap of all.

This standalone novella with a HFN ending has a tender yet sinister note. Monstrous kisses, chosen proximity, and a happy-for-now ending await in this fast, fun novella set in the Chaos God universe. Perfect for readers who crave strange monster romance with unusual outcomes.

65 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 4, 2026

About the author

I'm just a lady with a foul mouth who really likes writing titillating stories about characters who go through experiences we don't have here on earth.

I like tea.

Yoga is life, meditation is therapy, and a birdfeeder right outside the window is the meaning to life, the universe, and everything.

Reviews

[kymagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

She saves her friend, then chooses the monster who saves her back.

Tecuani knows survival means putting herself first, especially in a world that treats her as disposable. But when the Princes come for her best friend, she makes the choice that costs her safety. She draws the danger onto herself and runs with fear at her back.

Ethial isn’t the kind of monster she expects to find in the dark. Bright, strange, and painfully underestimated, he doesn’t meet her fear with cruelty. He protects her, carries her toward safety, and offers her something more complicated than rescue: a way to become powerful enough to stop running.

Their bond forms fast because it has to, but it doesn’t feel careless. Tecuani is guarded, sharp, and hungry for control. Ethial is reverent, eager, and desperate to belong to someone who chooses him fully. Between them, desire becomes trust, protection becomes surrender, and survival starts to look like a future neither of them expects.

Tecuani moves from reactive self-protection into a woman who can choose power, pleasure, and attachment without giving up her agency. Ethial shifts from unwanted and underestimated into a devoted partner whose gentleness, restraint, and need to serve become sources of strength. Together, they turn emergency rescue into mutual choosing, with sexual trust and protective devotion shaping their intimacy.

Dark, ultra-steamy, and emotionally intense, this monster romance turns forced proximity and mutual rescue into a story about reclaiming agency in a world built on captivity. It’s about survival, trust, bodily autonomy, and the dangerous comfort of being wanted without being broken, as desire and devotion become a path toward power, freedom, and a happy-for-now future.

The Elevator Pitch: In a brutal magical academy where survival means becoming untouchable, one sharp, guarded woman makes a choice that puts a target on her back. The creature who finds her in the dark is dangerous in a different way, offering not destruction, but devotion, escape, and a power she never knew she could claim. As fear turns into trust and hunger becomes strategy, their bond becomes the first fragile shape of freedom.

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 Ultra-Steamy / Erotic Romance

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tart Like Honey a book six of the Chaos God short stories.
This one follows FMC Tecuani who in saving her friend from the evil princes gets herself caught.
Letting out a magical scream followed by a little knife play she is able to escape them, but they are in hot pursuit.
Suddenly from above her hands incircle her waist and she is flown to a near by rooftop, rescued by the most beautiful man with dragonfly wings.
Ethial had followed the female mundane from a party once he had caught her sent, he couldn’t resist it. This one had something special in her lineage.
Another spicy short read that was well written with some humor, and loving of the good kind.
Enjoyed the creativity around the hive in this one! HFN.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a strange read. I don't know what to make of it. I understood the ending. It's obvious. Tecuani is a mundane human witch at school. A queen like a bee. But also, has fairy lineage.🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏽 There's too much going on and not enough clear cohesive storytelling.

Ethial is a unique drone fairy, dragonfly who saved her from a bad group of monster guys. Young ladies are disappearing. Ethial is shiny and pretty. With a plan for revenge with Tecuani creating her own hive with Ethial.🥚😒 I'm afraid this one didn't work for me. It's too scattered. Happy reading.*•>§<•*💛🖤💛🖤

🚩🚩Check the TWs. 18+ read.🚩🚩

🧚🏼🌳🙎🏽‍♀️Thank you to Ms Di for an early book. The opinions shared here are my own.🙎🏽‍♀️🌳🧚🏼

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 6 of Chaos God Sugar and Spice Companion Shorts. Can be read as a standalone.

'The one who finally catches me doesn't want my life. He doesn't want to break me. He wants to ruin me with a life so perfect, I’ll never want to leave…and that is the most dangerous trap of all.
Perfect for readers who crave strange monster romance with unusual outcomes.'

The characters were very appealing and complex and complicated and compelling. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. All in all a great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Crystal Junebug · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 6th book in the Chaos God Sugar and Spice Companion Shorts series. This was such a refreshing and addictive read. The writing had this sharp, emotional edge to it that made the MCs feel incredibly vivid and real, and the chemistry between them absolutely carried the story. I loved the balance between sweetness and tension which made every interaction feel layered and meaningful. The emotional moments hit hard without feeling overly dramatic, and I found myself completely invested in the characters by the halfway point. This was one of those books where I kept thinking about it even after I finished. Easily a 5-star read for me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. This short story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a fast-paced, fantasy romance in a dystopian world between Tecuani, the female human lead, and Ethial, the male drone lead. I enjoyed Tecuani’s determination to help her friends. I enjoyed Ethial’s determination to ensure Tecuani had choices and his hope that he would be part of her selection. I enjoyed the steamy intimate moments and Ethial’s consent focus. I enjoyed the resolution settled upon and Tecuani’s satisfaction with it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written, fast-paced dual-POV fantasy romance set in a dystopian world. It follows Tecuani, a determined human woman, and Ethial, a caring drone male.
I loved Tecuani’s drive to protect her friends and Ethial’s commitment to giving her real choices—while quietly hoping to be one of them. The steamy scenes were great, especially with his strong emphasis on consent. I also really liked the satisfying resolution and how happy Tecuani was with it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars - There were glimpses of a deeper story here that were either not clarified, skipped, or rushed. I was confused in the first few pages as to where things were going and in wasn't until almost half-way in that I received some clarity. I feel like the author wanted to say something specific, but kept stopping themselves, which made the fmc seem unreliable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those of us who wanted a little something extra from The Bee Movie....
I'm kidding, but only slightly LMAO. This is definitely a unique pairing, and I guarantee you've never read about an MC like this before.
As usual with these shorts, we get even more of a glimpse which is always appreciated!
I absolutely loved this couple; I thought their bond was not only unique but emotionally realistic and I found myself wishing for more!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sixth book in the Chaos God Sugar and Spice Companion Shorts series. This well-written, fast-paced monster romance follows Tecuani and her rescuer, Ethial, expertly balancing humor and spice with a tender yet sinister tone. Featuring unique tropes and a "happy for now" ending, it is an excellent standalone novella for fans of the Chaos God universe. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Indie · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series !! love Tecuani and Ethial... this is their story... a fun fast paced rom/drama...Tecuani saves her friend from the princes but, that puts a target on her own back... Ethial saves her and needs to be chosen... she's guarded... he's beautiful and kind... they learn to be together and strong.. so good !!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tart Like Honey is book six of the Chaos God Sugar and Spice Companion Shorts Series.

I adored Ethial. He was such a sweetheart but truly thought he was unworthy of being with Tecuani. Meanwhile, Tecuani was determined to live her life on her own terms. I loved how these two came together. She was the queen bee and he was her sweet drone. Great addition to the series.

[ajscenic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick short read that is dark, steamy and romantic in its own way.
Tecuani is loyal and in saving her friend’s life, she risks her own, and by a similar vein Ethial risks his life ultimately to save Tecuani’s. I like that neither were vain or self-serving, even though each had a motive to succeed.
This is a good read and gives yet more insight into the Chaos God universe.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have some mixed feelings about this one.
This was definitely not what I was expecting but it was definitely a memorable read. This was a fast romance with a slightly darker twist than a thought it was going to have. Overall I enjoyed it, but I would have preferred a little more of a definitive ending. The HFN ending was ok but I really want to know if things worked out long term.

[Trixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

That's quite a fascinating story, especially when the fairy was introduced! I find myself imagining that the fairies in this world might be like bees, but human-sized. The MMC was definitely an outlier from the hive, but from our point of view, he seemed like a truly charming and kind fairy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jj · Rating 5 out of 5]

You get emersed in a magical and cruel world from the first chapter and then kept turning pages. It's a slow burn for a short book but totally worth the ending. This book has a lot of suspense and turns and twists packed. Loved it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy these short Chaos God companion shorts. They give you another look into the magical school where the mundanes are promised to learn magic but are actually enslaved. I love Tecuani and Ethial. Unfortunately, it's only a happy for now; I can't wait to see the full picture.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ladnamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another short, fast paced and spicy story in the series. Lillian from an earlier book makes a cameo appearance here, but you can read it as a standalone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mrs McN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy, male female, 1st person dual point of view, contemporary, paranormal romance. This had a tiny bit of peril but was mostly just a super fun read. Humorous, sweet, and spicy. I really love this world and every story the author has given us so far.

[Jennifer D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting spicy little quickie, with some magic, a lot of plot actually, a great story and great ending, kind of slow burn but spicy when you get there🥰.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tecuani and Ethial was a great short story. I look forward to reading more spicy short stories in this chaos universe.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Ethial saved Tecuani and she agrees to be his queen.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this. I have fallen in love with this authors work. Great characters and a great storyline.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.