Shadows and Setbacks: A Monster Hotel Story

by Keri Boberry

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 18, 2026

Reviews

[Puppets & Paperbacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ARC read

This is a novella part of the Monstrous Hotel Series.

This is a monster/shadow daddy spicy story. Make sure you know what that means before reading.

Archer is the MMC, shadow daddy, and his character is a breath of fresh air regarding shadow MMC’s. We know that romantasy has claimed shadow daddy’s as their thing, but this one is a little different.

First, it seems like his shadows have a mind of their own and also maybe tentacle-like?! He’s also part of a species? of shadow beings who seem to have dwindled in recent years. The lore behind him is fascinating, very unique, and refreshing to have this new take on shadows.

Violet is a human, but also not fully a human. It’s left ambiguous what Violet may be however one thing is certain. She’s the light for Archer’s shadows 🥹 how precious is that.

This is a low stakes story that is fluffy and cute. This is also the third publication for this author, and we hope they keep going. They have unique and interesting stories to tell.

You’ll like Violet because she’s so relatable. Life is disheveled and doesn’t go the way you want. She’s also a writer, so the writers block experience is very real. Using meditative techniques and retreats to get unstuck will all be like looking in a mirror for writers.

However, in this story a shadow helps you in more ways than one 🤭

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine booking a vacation to try and knockout writers block and being lightly stalked by a shadow man whose shadow tendrils have a mind of their own. I say sign me up! This was fun & lighthearted with a nice amount of spice.

Archer has a grumpy outside but is really a sweetie not too deep down. I was sold when he had Violet’s minibar & treats charged to him. Violet is a bit of a chaos queen but it works for her. The booby traps she put together made me giggle.

** I received an eARC from the author as part of the ARC team for Monster Hotel. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review. **

[Read.and.Blossom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun novella! I love a shadow MMC and an author FMC!!

The way his shadows were hinting to him how important she was to him 😆

The spice 🤭

[Anya · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review Advanced copy provided by the author

This novella was SO good! This is absolutely one of my favorites by this author so far! The characters were so fun and the spice was great. I love a shadow daddy and this one definitely doesn’t disappoint!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Tropes/content list below
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Tropes/content:
Shadow daddy MMC
Human FMC
Soul mates
Shadow appendages that have a mind of their own
Light Stälkïng
“Good girl”
“Sir”
Shadow appendage restraints
His shadows rip her clothes off before she can blink
He helps her write a spicy scene in her book

[Kate Brasington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun read! I love how Archer is a shadow shifter and also ✨✨uses✨✨ his shadows! It was fun seeing him not understand what was going on with himself and uncovering what it meant!
Violet is super relatable she is a chaotic hot mess which resonates with me as I embody chaotic hot mess!
I loved how these two MCs came together (in more ways than one) over came Violets writers block and solved what was going on with Archers shadows! This was a great way to begin the Monster Hotel series!

[Anastey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this advance review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was such an amazing little book snack! I loved every minute, and read it in one sitting.

I adored both Archer and Violet. Archer is adorably grumpy and a little snarky, but is a sugar sweet cinnamon roll underneath all that. Violet is so burnt out and done with life, and desperately needs someone to take a little of the burden off her shoulders to help her rest and get over her writer's block.

I really loved how Archer's shadow powers work, and how he managed to turn them into awesome job at the hotel too. I am always up for some feisty shadow play, and the spicey scenes did not disappoint at all. They were super hot and plentiful, especially if you like a little light bondage funzies. It's not heavy or forced at all, and everyone is having an excellent time.

Overall this is a great spicy quick read, and I can't wait to read the others in this series too.

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fab series opener for a new multi-author series. I really found author, Violet, relatable with her embodiment of a chaotic hot mess, however, she's suffering writer's block. Archer is a shadow shifter with 'misbehaving' shadows. These two work together to figure out what was going on with his shadows and her writer's block...and how to have a fab and steamy HEA. Love his shadows, gotta say ;P This really was fun and I can't wait to dive into the other books of this new series :D

[Alyssa Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC review!
Hotel security guard, Archer, uses his shadow walking abilities to keep guests safe and assist them during their stay. But when human author, Violet, takes a retreat to the hotel to break her writers block, will Archer be able to keep his shadows at bay?

Shadows And Setbacks is a M/F monster romance that features:
Lighthearted stalking
HOT spice 🥵
Romantic ending

P.S. I NEED a bonus chapter to see what was written in those mystery chapters 👀😉(IYKYK)

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READER**
This was a cute and spicy little novella. It’s so fun to see Keri’s writing progress more and more with each book that comes out. This is definitely an insta love book which is a not so secret love of mine.

Shadow Daddy Archer wasn’t planning on creeping on Violet after seeing her having a series of pretty bad days on top of having some pretty serious writers block. Watch him unconsciously help her out with her imagination 😉😉

[Manuela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute novella! Violet and Archer are so cute. I love it when the guys fall first and the shadows were *chefs kiss*
For a novella, the author was able to fit in a good amount of plot and the story was interesting from the first page. If you're looking for a spicy and cozy monster romance then look no further!!!

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

🖤 Shadow Daddy
🖤 His ....shadows? Tentacle shadows? Got a mind of their own.
🖤 Accidental Stalking

Fun lighthearted novella about a shadow daddy and how his shadows choose his woman and start helping her out without his conscious agreement 🤣

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good and funny book. I really enjoyed the way his shadows were acting and I love how he referred to them as little kids. I highly recommend this book if your looking for a good and funny monster romance.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun novella! I really enjoy a good shadow daddy and Archer definitely fit the bill. I loved seeing his connection with Violet and his utter confusion at what his shadow tentacles were doing of their own accord. I also loved the booby traps LOL

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute story. I enjoyed this light hearted take on shadow walkers. Archer is in charge without being brooding and miserable. Violet’s go with the flow way of being is fun and it makes the story fun. Spice level was perfect and easy to get into.

[DJJarvisReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute, fated mates, shadow monster x human romance! I loved it. I really enjoyed both main characters and their dynamic with each other! This was my first read by Keri and I definitely will be checking out her other books!

[Elixabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 5/5
🌶 4/5

Thank you Keri Boberry for the Pre-release Copy. My honest review below is posted voluntarily.

Shew, that was spicy & sweet! Where can I find a hotel like this? I loved Archer and his mischievous shadow tentacles. Violets luck really turned around after checking in!