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Fated to the Grotesque
It’s the absolute worst time of the year.
Fortunately, I, Miko Gowdie, planned to spend the miserable summer tucked inside the air-conditioned halls of Eldritch University, surrounded by Victorian architecture while finishing one of the last three courses needed for my Master of Architecture degree. Once I landed a job to meet my financial aid requirements, nothing would stand in my way.
At least, that's what I thought. Then, I discovered the magical and paranormal world exists, and my carefully planned future unraveled thanks to a hulking stone brute who grins more than he breathes. Creatures like him belong perched on rooftops, not stalking my every move. Unfortunately, all those years spent reading Grimm's Fairy Tales did nothing to prepare me for this new reality.
Now, I have one can I survive long enough to earn my degree, keep my sanity, and make it to the fall semester?
FATED TO THE GROTESQUE is one of nine books in the Fated to the Enemy series, a set of steamy romantasy standalones, brimming with epic adventure, sizzling banter, and angsty yearning between enemies who have no desire to fall in love.
Fortunately, I, Miko Gowdie, planned to spend the miserable summer tucked inside the air-conditioned halls of Eldritch University, surrounded by Victorian architecture while finishing one of the last three courses needed for my Master of Architecture degree. Once I landed a job to meet my financial aid requirements, nothing would stand in my way.
At least, that's what I thought. Then, I discovered the magical and paranormal world exists, and my carefully planned future unraveled thanks to a hulking stone brute who grins more than he breathes. Creatures like him belong perched on rooftops, not stalking my every move. Unfortunately, all those years spent reading Grimm's Fairy Tales did nothing to prepare me for this new reality.
Now, I have one can I survive long enough to earn my degree, keep my sanity, and make it to the fall semester?
FATED TO THE GROTESQUE is one of nine books in the Fated to the Enemy series, a set of steamy romantasy standalones, brimming with epic adventure, sizzling banter, and angsty yearning between enemies who have no desire to fall in love.
Kindle Edition
Published October 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed reading this; the smut was good, the characters loveable.
It was just a bit.. absurd at times?
I get that our MMC has his demons and he's a bit manic, but that honestly wasn't the problem because I loved that aspect.
The jumps in logic and storyline were a bit weird and the writing style was a bit confusing at times. Sometimes I wasn't sure who was saying what to whom and that just added unnecessary confusion for me.
Mind you, I read an ARC so with some good editing, those little quirks can be erased ofc.
Solid 3/5 stars.
It was just a bit.. absurd at times?
I get that our MMC has his demons and he's a bit manic, but that honestly wasn't the problem because I loved that aspect.
The jumps in logic and storyline were a bit weird and the writing style was a bit confusing at times. Sometimes I wasn't sure who was saying what to whom and that just added unnecessary confusion for me.
Mind you, I read an ARC so with some good editing, those little quirks can be erased ofc.
Solid 3/5 stars.
October 29, 2026
It was cute. I enjoyed the magic and the little things.
I like how Miko and Bane each had their quirks and they loved each other despite them. The demons in Bane's head were hilarious and I absolutely loved Monstera and Huff.
The little fluffballs I imagined were the cutest and I kinda want one ngl. I read an early copy so some things were still being added but I enjoyed every minute of this book
The fairy tales, the different creatures, the coming together to defeat the bad guys. And the romance! It was more straightforward that many in this series and I appreciated that. It took some time for both of them to admit and accept who they were to each other past just physicality but it was worth it.
I like how Miko and Bane each had their quirks and they loved each other despite them. The demons in Bane's head were hilarious and I absolutely loved Monstera and Huff.
The little fluffballs I imagined were the cutest and I kinda want one ngl. I read an early copy so some things were still being added but I enjoyed every minute of this book
The fairy tales, the different creatures, the coming together to defeat the bad guys. And the romance! It was more straightforward that many in this series and I appreciated that. It took some time for both of them to admit and accept who they were to each other past just physicality but it was worth it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you, C.M. Hutton for this gem! It was a real pleasure and delight to read this book and be part of the arc team!
So much chaos and such action, so much banter and such a sexy hysterical MMC, I can honestly say that I have never even dared to imagine reading about!
The reader is thrown into action from the first page, into a tale. Than back to reality. Than pulled into a portal into fairytales, where stories come to life and characters are no longer characters but living breathing people, with so many particularly weird traits, that are actually fascinating!
The main character is Miko, a student turned librarian for the summer, a young woman trying to take her life and future into her hands, fights with her anxiety and fears, and hates heat.
And Bane. Oh, Bane! At first, I was stunned at the insanity of the guy. Until I found out about the demons from his head (literally!). He is absolutely insane, stunning, sooo sexy and loving, that you cannot look away. He is essentially a Grotesque, a beast like gray man,made of something like stone, with a devil of a tail (that he uses...in multiple instances, let's just leave it at that 🫣) and a crazy, crazy mouth! He is loveble through and through, all green flags! And his found family are Huff and the Heechus, for crying out loud!
Oh, the Heechus! Magical library creatures, small and fuzzy furred, with one eye and 3 small tails, small as a finger, but masters of healing and extremely loveble! Huff is adorable, nice and helpful, and his family of Heechus are endangered by the evil witches. It's all a mess of a fight, culminating with a all out war between the good guys and the evil witches, coordinated by Monstera, Miko's best friend. Monstera is the typical witch, and I am wondering how Miko didn't figure it out sooner. They are best friends, lending a shoulder to cry and laugh on, being there for every small insane thing. And she is a wonderful person to have around, the friend we all need!
This book has everything! And I mean, everything! Monster romance, fated mates, magical creatures, witches, shifters, fairies, fairytale characters, magic duckies (yep,that's a thing!) and a lot of love!
The idea of the book is unique, the characters are perfectly imperfect, and the story is gripping. Miko is all of us bookish, nerdy, darker gals, and Bane is the fantasy dream guy- a little crazy, a lot reckless, a little broody, with a filthy mouth and a lot of muscles to go with it! And a tail!🤭
I loved every page, and I will gladly come back to this excelent cozy fantasy romance!
I have received this book as ARC from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
So much chaos and such action, so much banter and such a sexy hysterical MMC, I can honestly say that I have never even dared to imagine reading about!
The reader is thrown into action from the first page, into a tale. Than back to reality. Than pulled into a portal into fairytales, where stories come to life and characters are no longer characters but living breathing people, with so many particularly weird traits, that are actually fascinating!
The main character is Miko, a student turned librarian for the summer, a young woman trying to take her life and future into her hands, fights with her anxiety and fears, and hates heat.
And Bane. Oh, Bane! At first, I was stunned at the insanity of the guy. Until I found out about the demons from his head (literally!). He is absolutely insane, stunning, sooo sexy and loving, that you cannot look away. He is essentially a Grotesque, a beast like gray man,made of something like stone, with a devil of a tail (that he uses...in multiple instances, let's just leave it at that 🫣) and a crazy, crazy mouth! He is loveble through and through, all green flags! And his found family are Huff and the Heechus, for crying out loud!
Oh, the Heechus! Magical library creatures, small and fuzzy furred, with one eye and 3 small tails, small as a finger, but masters of healing and extremely loveble! Huff is adorable, nice and helpful, and his family of Heechus are endangered by the evil witches. It's all a mess of a fight, culminating with a all out war between the good guys and the evil witches, coordinated by Monstera, Miko's best friend. Monstera is the typical witch, and I am wondering how Miko didn't figure it out sooner. They are best friends, lending a shoulder to cry and laugh on, being there for every small insane thing. And she is a wonderful person to have around, the friend we all need!
This book has everything! And I mean, everything! Monster romance, fated mates, magical creatures, witches, shifters, fairies, fairytale characters, magic duckies (yep,that's a thing!) and a lot of love!
The idea of the book is unique, the characters are perfectly imperfect, and the story is gripping. Miko is all of us bookish, nerdy, darker gals, and Bane is the fantasy dream guy- a little crazy, a lot reckless, a little broody, with a filthy mouth and a lot of muscles to go with it! And a tail!🤭
I loved every page, and I will gladly come back to this excelent cozy fantasy romance!
I have received this book as ARC from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
October 24, 2026
Baby!! When I saw this book in my email, I literally squealed! My husband even asked me if I was okay because I was THAT excited. 😂 I immediately fell in love with this cover, and as a monster romance girly, I was already in heaven before I even started reading. Of course, there was absolutely no way I was passing this one up. I was diving into this book headfirst, and let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint!
I absolutely loved that this is a retelling, but it still manages to feel so unique and fresh. The author did such a fantastic job putting their own spin on the story, and the banter in this book is seriously to die for! I found myself smiling, laughing, and completely invested in everything happening. The chemistry, the humor, and the way the characters interact with each other made this such an entertaining read. And BANE?! Baby, Bane is EVERYTHING! He is witty, smart, and has the kind of personality that makes you want to keep reading just to see what he is going to say or do next. I absolutely adored him!
Now, why isn't there a portal somewhere that I can fall through so I can find myself a Grotesque?! Because excuse me, I NEED ONE! 😂 And no, I honestly had no idea what a Grotesque was when I started this book, but I am so glad I found out! Consider me officially intrigued and completely obsessed. This book has me questioning why I can't just step into a fantasy world and find my own monster romance. Is that really too much to ask?!
One of my favorite things about this story was how much depth there was to it. The world-building was so well done, and I loved how much thought went into creating this world and its characters. There is so much more here than just a fun, steamy romance. The characters have depth, the story pulls you in, and the world is one you genuinely want to spend more time in. I loved getting to know the characters and watching everything unfold. It was the perfect combination of fantasy, humor, romance, and just enough spice to keep me turning the pages!
And can we talk about the romance?! Because BABY, it was HOT! 🔥 The tension, the chemistry, and all the moments that had me kicking my feet and grinning like a fool were everything I could have asked for. I love when a book can make me laugh, make me swoon, and have me completely invested in the characters all at the same time, and this one delivered on all fronts. I had such a fun time reading this, and I honestly didn't want the experience to end.
Overall, this book was an absolute blast from beginning to end! If you love monster romance, unique retellings, witty banter, incredible world-building, and a romance that will have you blushing, then PLEASE do yourself a favor and pick this one up. You would be crazy to miss out on this one! I loved every second of it, and I am already wishing I could experience it all over again for the first time.
Final rating: 6 STARS!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I am obsessed, I am in love, and I will absolutely be thinking about Bane for a LONG time. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find that portal. 😂❤️
I absolutely loved that this is a retelling, but it still manages to feel so unique and fresh. The author did such a fantastic job putting their own spin on the story, and the banter in this book is seriously to die for! I found myself smiling, laughing, and completely invested in everything happening. The chemistry, the humor, and the way the characters interact with each other made this such an entertaining read. And BANE?! Baby, Bane is EVERYTHING! He is witty, smart, and has the kind of personality that makes you want to keep reading just to see what he is going to say or do next. I absolutely adored him!
Now, why isn't there a portal somewhere that I can fall through so I can find myself a Grotesque?! Because excuse me, I NEED ONE! 😂 And no, I honestly had no idea what a Grotesque was when I started this book, but I am so glad I found out! Consider me officially intrigued and completely obsessed. This book has me questioning why I can't just step into a fantasy world and find my own monster romance. Is that really too much to ask?!
One of my favorite things about this story was how much depth there was to it. The world-building was so well done, and I loved how much thought went into creating this world and its characters. There is so much more here than just a fun, steamy romance. The characters have depth, the story pulls you in, and the world is one you genuinely want to spend more time in. I loved getting to know the characters and watching everything unfold. It was the perfect combination of fantasy, humor, romance, and just enough spice to keep me turning the pages!
And can we talk about the romance?! Because BABY, it was HOT! 🔥 The tension, the chemistry, and all the moments that had me kicking my feet and grinning like a fool were everything I could have asked for. I love when a book can make me laugh, make me swoon, and have me completely invested in the characters all at the same time, and this one delivered on all fronts. I had such a fun time reading this, and I honestly didn't want the experience to end.
Overall, this book was an absolute blast from beginning to end! If you love monster romance, unique retellings, witty banter, incredible world-building, and a romance that will have you blushing, then PLEASE do yourself a favor and pick this one up. You would be crazy to miss out on this one! I loved every second of it, and I am already wishing I could experience it all over again for the first time.
Final rating: 6 STARS!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I am obsessed, I am in love, and I will absolutely be thinking about Bane for a LONG time. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find that portal. 😂❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don't think I was the target audience for this book, so please keep that in mind while reading my review. This book is definitely for someone, just maybe not me!
Let's start with the bad and then end with the good, shall we?
Fated to the Grotesque is part of the Fated to the Enemy series, and I've genuinely enjoyed this series so far. One thing the books have had in common is that the FMC and MMC start out as enemies, or at least with some serious hate and distrust, and part of the story is watching them fall in love.
And enemies-to-lovers is one of my FAVORITE tropes. So it's probably not surprising that I went into this book expecting more of the same.
Except... that's not what I got.
This one leans HARD into insta-lust, with very little of the enemies-to-lovers dynamic I was expecting. And yes, there is a journey before things get to that point, so I'm not calling it insta-love. But the romantic progression just wasn't what I had hoped for based on the rest of the series.
Because of that, the story felt more like spice with a side of plot rather than plot with a side of spice, which is definitely my personal preference.
And that's where I think the disconnect happened. I went in expecting one thing because of the series it belongs to, and got something different. If insta-lust and a heavier focus on spice are more your thing, you may have a completely different experience than I did!
Now, let's talk about what I DID enjoy, because there were definitely things I liked about this book!
The PLOT!
Evil witches hunting innocent magical creatures who need to be stopped? YES, PLEASE! Add in a library protected by an FMC and MMC who both struggle with anxiety, plus a no-nonsense bestie, and I was ALL IN.
Honestly, I wish the story had spent more time focusing on this aspect. The magical creatures, the witches, the library, and the overall conflict were the things that really grabbed my attention. I wanted MORE of that story and less emphasis on the spice.
So, overall, this was an okay read for me. I enjoyed parts of it, especially the plot, but the romance didn't deliver the enemies-to-lovers vibes I was hoping for.
This is a case of the book not quite matching my personal preferences, rather than me thinking it won't work for other readers.
If you enjoy insta-lust, a heavier focus on spice, magical creatures, evil witches, and characters navigating anxiety, this might be right up your alley.
Let's start with the bad and then end with the good, shall we?
Fated to the Grotesque is part of the Fated to the Enemy series, and I've genuinely enjoyed this series so far. One thing the books have had in common is that the FMC and MMC start out as enemies, or at least with some serious hate and distrust, and part of the story is watching them fall in love.
And enemies-to-lovers is one of my FAVORITE tropes. So it's probably not surprising that I went into this book expecting more of the same.
Except... that's not what I got.
This one leans HARD into insta-lust, with very little of the enemies-to-lovers dynamic I was expecting. And yes, there is a journey before things get to that point, so I'm not calling it insta-love. But the romantic progression just wasn't what I had hoped for based on the rest of the series.
Because of that, the story felt more like spice with a side of plot rather than plot with a side of spice, which is definitely my personal preference.
And that's where I think the disconnect happened. I went in expecting one thing because of the series it belongs to, and got something different. If insta-lust and a heavier focus on spice are more your thing, you may have a completely different experience than I did!
Now, let's talk about what I DID enjoy, because there were definitely things I liked about this book!
The PLOT!
Evil witches hunting innocent magical creatures who need to be stopped? YES, PLEASE! Add in a library protected by an FMC and MMC who both struggle with anxiety, plus a no-nonsense bestie, and I was ALL IN.
Honestly, I wish the story had spent more time focusing on this aspect. The magical creatures, the witches, the library, and the overall conflict were the things that really grabbed my attention. I wanted MORE of that story and less emphasis on the spice.
So, overall, this was an okay read for me. I enjoyed parts of it, especially the plot, but the romance didn't deliver the enemies-to-lovers vibes I was hoping for.
This is a case of the book not quite matching my personal preferences, rather than me thinking it won't work for other readers.
If you enjoy insta-lust, a heavier focus on spice, magical creatures, evil witches, and characters navigating anxiety, this might be right up your alley.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fated to the Grotesque was an absolute BLAST! This book was chaotic, weird, spicy, and just completely ridiculous in the best possible way. I was basically sitting here going mwahahaha the entire time because WHAT was happening?!
The portal magic was such a fun addition and honestly just added another level of chaos to an already chaotic story. We’re jumping into different fairytale worlds, dealing with witches, battles, monsters, and all kinds of madness. It gave me a little Guardians of the Galaxy vibe with the hilarious chaos and the whole group of characters somehow making every situation even more unhinged.
Miko is a freaking GEM of an FMC. She is vulgar, devious, has absolutely no filter, and the thoughts that come out of this woman's head... GIRL. I related to her on a spiritual level. She was exactly the kind of messy, chaotic FMC I love.
And then we have BANE.
OMG. BANE.
I love this insane himbo of a beast man. He is intimidating, possessive, completely obsessed with Miko, and somehow also manages to be hilarious. Like sir, are you trying to scare me or make me laugh because you're doing both. And let's be honest, this man is basically a walking RH all by himself. Miko is one very blessed woman because between that tail, those fingers, and that mouth... ma'am. I see why she stayed.
The banter and chemistry between Miko and Bane were SO good. Their constant back and forth had me laughing, and I loved how completely gone Bane was for her.
I also must shout out Monstera and Huff because those besties were all but stealing the show. I would LOVE to see more of this world, especially if Monstera gets her own story. PLEASE. I need our fated bestie to get her own chaotic adventure because I would be first in line for that book.
I will say that I did have some moments where I struggled with the dipping in and out of different books and worlds. It took me a little while to keep up with everything and figure out where we were going next. But I really loved how unique the whole concept was and getting to experience all these different fairytale worlds.
This was such a fun, quirky, spicy, chaotic ride and weird in the absolute best way. If you like monster romance, fated mates, possessive heroes, lots of banter, spice, and a story that basically says, "let's throw these characters into complete chaos and see what happens," give this one a try.
The portal magic was such a fun addition and honestly just added another level of chaos to an already chaotic story. We’re jumping into different fairytale worlds, dealing with witches, battles, monsters, and all kinds of madness. It gave me a little Guardians of the Galaxy vibe with the hilarious chaos and the whole group of characters somehow making every situation even more unhinged.
Miko is a freaking GEM of an FMC. She is vulgar, devious, has absolutely no filter, and the thoughts that come out of this woman's head... GIRL. I related to her on a spiritual level. She was exactly the kind of messy, chaotic FMC I love.
And then we have BANE.
OMG. BANE.
I love this insane himbo of a beast man. He is intimidating, possessive, completely obsessed with Miko, and somehow also manages to be hilarious. Like sir, are you trying to scare me or make me laugh because you're doing both. And let's be honest, this man is basically a walking RH all by himself. Miko is one very blessed woman because between that tail, those fingers, and that mouth... ma'am. I see why she stayed.
The banter and chemistry between Miko and Bane were SO good. Their constant back and forth had me laughing, and I loved how completely gone Bane was for her.
I also must shout out Monstera and Huff because those besties were all but stealing the show. I would LOVE to see more of this world, especially if Monstera gets her own story. PLEASE. I need our fated bestie to get her own chaotic adventure because I would be first in line for that book.
I will say that I did have some moments where I struggled with the dipping in and out of different books and worlds. It took me a little while to keep up with everything and figure out where we were going next. But I really loved how unique the whole concept was and getting to experience all these different fairytale worlds.
This was such a fun, quirky, spicy, chaotic ride and weird in the absolute best way. If you like monster romance, fated mates, possessive heroes, lots of banter, spice, and a story that basically says, "let's throw these characters into complete chaos and see what happens," give this one a try.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had SO much fun with this book! I loved how unique it was, incorporating so many different fairy tales into one story. It made the whole reading experience feel fresh, creative, and unpredictable!
The banter between Miko and the Grotesque was one of my absolute favorite parts. I laughed so much! Their interactions were hilarious, and I loved the dynamic between them. And that little twist with Miko’s best friend?! SO clever! I did not expect that, and it made me love the story even more.
But honestly, Miko’s best friend deserves an award for being the most chill person EVER. Just casually accepting all the crazy fairy-tale hopping without trying to have Miko committed to a hospital. She was basically like, “Yep, girl, that’s wild… but does he have a friend?” GIRL.
This book was such a fun, whimsical, and hilarious ride! If you love creative fairy-tale retellings, witty banter, unexpected twists, and a little chaos, definitely add this one to your TBR!
Thank you to the author for an advance copy!
The banter between Miko and the Grotesque was one of my absolute favorite parts. I laughed so much! Their interactions were hilarious, and I loved the dynamic between them. And that little twist with Miko’s best friend?! SO clever! I did not expect that, and it made me love the story even more.
But honestly, Miko’s best friend deserves an award for being the most chill person EVER. Just casually accepting all the crazy fairy-tale hopping without trying to have Miko committed to a hospital. She was basically like, “Yep, girl, that’s wild… but does he have a friend?” GIRL.
This book was such a fun, whimsical, and hilarious ride! If you love creative fairy-tale retellings, witty banter, unexpected twists, and a little chaos, definitely add this one to your TBR!
Thank you to the author for an advance copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Kindly received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Fated to the Grotesque by C.M. Hutton
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
✨️ Fated Mate
✨️ Cozy Gothic
✨️ Enemies to Lovers
✨️ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨️ Dark Fantasy Romance
✨️ Dark Fairytale Reimagining
Fated to the Grotesque was so much fun and had all I could want inna fantasy retelling: adventure, romance, witty banter, tea making, and more! I highly recommend this book also a yellow duckie from a gas station. 👀👀🐥🐥
Honeybee is the most adorable nickname ever 🐝 I also really enjoyed Huff and Monstera.
The romance was also everything, the dynamic between Miko (a architecture graduate student) and Bane (a grinning stone brute) was having me easily turning every page with the witty banter and steamy scenes.
I am so excited to be back in a Fated to the Enemy ARC!! This series has been so fun and I would absolutely love to complete the series! It had introduced me to lovely authors and made my autumn top tier!
“F***-me-on-solstice, you look like s***”
This is quote made me cackle so I had to include it in my review 😂❤️
Thank you to C.M. Hutton for a lovely introduction book for me to your writing and I am excited to read more by you!
Fated to the Grotesque by C.M. Hutton
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
✨️ Fated Mate
✨️ Cozy Gothic
✨️ Enemies to Lovers
✨️ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨️ Dark Fantasy Romance
✨️ Dark Fairytale Reimagining
Fated to the Grotesque was so much fun and had all I could want inna fantasy retelling: adventure, romance, witty banter, tea making, and more! I highly recommend this book also a yellow duckie from a gas station. 👀👀🐥🐥
Honeybee is the most adorable nickname ever 🐝 I also really enjoyed Huff and Monstera.
The romance was also everything, the dynamic between Miko (a architecture graduate student) and Bane (a grinning stone brute) was having me easily turning every page with the witty banter and steamy scenes.
I am so excited to be back in a Fated to the Enemy ARC!! This series has been so fun and I would absolutely love to complete the series! It had introduced me to lovely authors and made my autumn top tier!
“F***-me-on-solstice, you look like s***”
This is quote made me cackle so I had to include it in my review 😂❤️
Thank you to C.M. Hutton for a lovely introduction book for me to your writing and I am excited to read more by you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Firstly, thank you C.M Hutton for this ARC of Fated To The Grotesque in exchange for my honest opinion.
Trigger warnings include BDSM representation as well as dubious consent
Things I enjoyed were the characters themselves and the personalities they were given. I really enjoyed the magical Heechu that were created for this world as well.
Unfortunately, my interest began to wane around 10% in. I did finish the book in hopes some of the concerns I had would resolve but this was not the case. It is advertised and an enemies to lovers trope but it if very much a insta-lust trope. There is relationship progression through the book but I felt the writing was clunky and unpolished and I found myself wondering “how did I get here”. It made it difficult to believe the relationship between the MMC and FMC was genuine.
Secondly, the author mentions it is a fairytale reimagining which is true but the reimagining is the FMC and MMC visiting actual, real life fairytales. This, for me, made the world not seem immersive.
Overall I give it 2 🌟This was not my personal cup of tea but, if you enjoy these tropes, please research the book and see for yourself if it interests you 😊
Trigger warnings include BDSM representation as well as dubious consent
Things I enjoyed were the characters themselves and the personalities they were given. I really enjoyed the magical Heechu that were created for this world as well.
Unfortunately, my interest began to wane around 10% in. I did finish the book in hopes some of the concerns I had would resolve but this was not the case. It is advertised and an enemies to lovers trope but it if very much a insta-lust trope. There is relationship progression through the book but I felt the writing was clunky and unpolished and I found myself wondering “how did I get here”. It made it difficult to believe the relationship between the MMC and FMC was genuine.
Secondly, the author mentions it is a fairytale reimagining which is true but the reimagining is the FMC and MMC visiting actual, real life fairytales. This, for me, made the world not seem immersive.
Overall I give it 2 🌟This was not my personal cup of tea but, if you enjoy these tropes, please research the book and see for yourself if it interests you 😊
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was an absolute BLAST! The portal magic added such a genius level of chaos to such an already fun story, I was mwahahaha the entire time. It almost gave off guardians of the galaxy in the sense of hilarious chaos and battles in the different fairytale lands and with the witches. Miko is a gem of an FMC. Shes vulgar with her language and her devious thoughts and I sure related to her on a spiritual level. And BANE OMG, I love this insane himbo of a beast man. Like what a smexy dream boat. Hes basically a walking RH by himself and our girl Miko is very blessed with his company and the way that tail, and those finger, and dat mouth do treat her too. I have to shout out Monstera and Huff too because those besties all but stole the show! I would LOOVVVEEEE to see more of this world with Monstera getting her own story so fingers crossed our fated bestie gets her own chaotic story!!
THANK YOU C.M Hutton for this lovely ARC
THANK YOU C.M Hutton for this lovely ARC
October 25, 2026
I was gifted an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I really enjoyed this book. It was chaos, it was charming, it was spicy and who doesn't love a cute fluffy side kick!?It was not as heavy on the enemies to lovers elements as the rest of the Fated to the Enemy books but that did not make me like the dynamic between the MMC and FMC any less at all. Bane is charming witty and quippy and Miko is equally as witty with heavy sass and sarcasm. I will always appreciate CMs mental health reps in her writing. I like her way of showing that Fantasy characters can have anxiety, ADHD etc! The plot of this story is a fun one with chaotic adventures leading up to the conflict resolution. I look forward to re-reading this book in its edited glory because it was a fun one!
I really enjoyed this book. It was chaos, it was charming, it was spicy and who doesn't love a cute fluffy side kick!?It was not as heavy on the enemies to lovers elements as the rest of the Fated to the Enemy books but that did not make me like the dynamic between the MMC and FMC any less at all. Bane is charming witty and quippy and Miko is equally as witty with heavy sass and sarcasm. I will always appreciate CMs mental health reps in her writing. I like her way of showing that Fantasy characters can have anxiety, ADHD etc! The plot of this story is a fun one with chaotic adventures leading up to the conflict resolution. I look forward to re-reading this book in its edited glory because it was a fun one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advance reader copy review:
Fated to the Grotesque was such a fun and chaotic read! I really enjoyed the mix of paranormal romance, magic, danger, and, of course, plenty of spice.
Miko and Bane have amazing chemistry, and their constant bickering and tension made their relationship so entertaining. Bane is intimidating, possessive, and completely obsessed with Miko, but he also has a surprisingly funny and softer side that made me love his character.
The supernatural world was interesting, and I liked how the story balanced darker moments with humor. It’s definitely a book for readers who enjoy monster romance, fated mates, possessive heroes, and spicy scenes.
Overall, this was a wild, spicy, and entertaining ride. Definitely weird in the best possible way! 🖤🔥
Fated to the Grotesque was such a fun and chaotic read! I really enjoyed the mix of paranormal romance, magic, danger, and, of course, plenty of spice.
Miko and Bane have amazing chemistry, and their constant bickering and tension made their relationship so entertaining. Bane is intimidating, possessive, and completely obsessed with Miko, but he also has a surprisingly funny and softer side that made me love his character.
The supernatural world was interesting, and I liked how the story balanced darker moments with humor. It’s definitely a book for readers who enjoy monster romance, fated mates, possessive heroes, and spicy scenes.
Overall, this was a wild, spicy, and entertaining ride. Definitely weird in the best possible way! 🖤🔥
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review - Fated to the Grotesque
5 stars! There are a lot of things I loved about this book and at the top of the list was the hilarious banter. This was one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. None of the characters have filters and they are larger than life (in a dynamic and entertaining way). The FMC is feisty as h3ll and she's the perfect match for the MMC. I really enjoyed the action and adventure with the characters being transported between the human realm and fairy tales. There was never a dull moment and this book kept me engaged throughout. In my opinion, this is the spiciest of the Fated to the Enemy series. Overall, it's a rip roaring adventure and I definitely recommend it. I look forward to reading more by CM Hutton.
5 stars! There are a lot of things I loved about this book and at the top of the list was the hilarious banter. This was one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. None of the characters have filters and they are larger than life (in a dynamic and entertaining way). The FMC is feisty as h3ll and she's the perfect match for the MMC. I really enjoyed the action and adventure with the characters being transported between the human realm and fairy tales. There was never a dull moment and this book kept me engaged throughout. In my opinion, this is the spiciest of the Fated to the Enemy series. Overall, it's a rip roaring adventure and I definitely recommend it. I look forward to reading more by CM Hutton.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you enjoy reading about interesting magical worlds and systems this will keep you reading until the end. It has portals, libraries, and fairy tales. Bane and Miko are a great couple working together to get each other out of predicaments that happen throughout the book. Miko is the more level-headed FMC that doesn't get worked up with changes to her life. There are fun side characters that keep the banter going during tough times.
October 10, 2026
I received an ARC for this instalment in the fated to the enemy series. That being said this was a very fun read, despite some editing needs. It’s very heavy on spice. I normally like more back story with the characters and I wish the conflict and reason for the conflict was fleshed out more but it was entertaining anyway. I really enjoyed the magic and creatures, hopping between fairytale realms and the very good distinction between grotesques and gargoyles.
Review of advance copy
A fun and quirky read! I love how offended Bane gets everytime someone calls him a gargoyle.
Also really appreciated the mental health representation.
Thank you so much for the ARC! I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Also really appreciated the mental health representation.
Thank you so much for the ARC! I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
absolutely loved this book. The adventures of jumping from fairy tale to fairy tale and the struggles they have in each realm was so cool. The spice is deliciously placed throughout the book and.. HUFF!!!
Omg I want a heechu
Fated mates...NO Fated Bestie!!!
Omg I want a heechu
Fated mates...NO Fated Bestie!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Was a great read! Great banter between the MC's. Really enjoyed going into the different fairytale's.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book... One of the spicier ones out of the series I've read so far and I loved it. Honestly was so good. I want my very own grotesque now. I love the army of ducks and the twist of her best friend being a witch that is secretly protecting her from everything bad. So many good characters and character arcs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2026
This book was a fun but slightly chaotic fantasy with a lot of spice. I liked Miko and Bane together. They had good chemistry and I appreciated the banter. I also liked the different magical creatures, such as the ones in the library and even Bane himself. The story was pretty fast paced and there was a lot going on with them jumping in and out of different fairytale worlds. Overall, it was a decent, short and spicy read.
October 5, 2026
Another “Fated to “ this time the start was a little slow so wasn’t sure about it at first but it definitely pick up pace. It turned out to be funny, interesting and really good. If you love fairy tales that are adults only then you’ll love this 🖤
Did Not Finish
October 23, 2026It started out well...fun and messy. Then the comments started to get sexu@lized around her. I do not enjoy that.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a unique experience. This is a gargoyle retelling. It has gargoyle romance, stalking, open denial, love notes and pet names, surprise coffees, wing hugs, sensitive horns and a magical library.
The fmc is Milo, she is a student turned librarian. She has anxiety and fears but she is also devious with no filters.
The mmc is bane, is a gargoyle type being. He is grumpy, possessive and intimidating to everyone but her.
The fmc is Milo, she is a student turned librarian. She has anxiety and fears but she is also devious with no filters.
The mmc is bane, is a gargoyle type being. He is grumpy, possessive and intimidating to everyone but her.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved the book. The portal hopping was a clever way to use a variety of descriptions for places. I loved the characters and their interactions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to C.M Hutton for the arc ✨
Over all I would rate this 3.75 stars.
I did enjoy moments of the story but I think for me the dipping in and out of books after a while took me a while to keep up.
The theme of the book was really unique, enjoyed being in other books.
Banter between our two MMC was great!
Over all I would rate this 3.75 stars.
I did enjoy moments of the story but I think for me the dipping in and out of books after a while took me a while to keep up.
The theme of the book was really unique, enjoyed being in other books.
Banter between our two MMC was great!
October 23, 2026
Part of the enemies to lovers multi author series. First book I’ve read by this author and I look forward to reading other books written by them.
Want to Read
October 19, 2026Look. I'll admit it. This book won it's way onto my TBR simply for using the correct term for the MMC. Gargoyles are water spouts. Can't wait to read once it comes out
Review of advance copy received from Author
The last book in the “Fated to the Enemy” series, and I really wanted to love it! Unfortunately though, it wasn’t for me. Bane and Miko aren’t enemies..reluctant allies at best, but certainly no enemies. So, I was a bit disappointed by this, since this trope was the whole reason I signed up for the ARC. When I’m ARC reading I always keep in mind that it’s not a finished product, and that I may encounter some errors. (Which is totally fine, I learned to not let that bother me too much) this book however had quite a lot of them. The grammar of the book is a bit off here and there, making the story somewhat difficult to follow. The structure of the story feels a bit jumbled and chaotic as well. There are these “placeholders” (for lack of a better word) throughout the book, like “INSERT STRING OF EMOJI’S”, and on several occasions I was wondering if maybe I accidentally received an earlier draft of the story? The story didn’t feel finished to me, which is such a shame, because it really does have the potential of becoming a 4 or 5 star read. Which is why I think the story would greatly benefit from an (extra?) round of editing.
I really did love the concept of the book, the “jumping” into different fairytales gave the story something truly unique. I loved the quirkiness of the story and the gothic vibes. The spicy scenes were nice, and the cute little floofballs called the Heechu sure are a lovely addition. I loved Monstera (Miko’s BFF), and the interactions between these two had me smiling a lot. Personally, I would have loved a bit more backstory for Bane, Miko and Monstera. A good backstory gives the reader the ability to get to know the characters better, and to feel connected to them even. I always find it impossible not to get swooped away in a story if I feel like I’m connecting to the characters.
So yeah, the potential is there, which made me rate the book 3 stars. And I honestly feel bad whenever I give a less then positive review, since it’s never my intention to hurt anyone. But at the same time I do feel like honest reviews matter, at least to other readers, but maybe to help the author grow as well.
I really did love the concept of the book, the “jumping” into different fairytales gave the story something truly unique. I loved the quirkiness of the story and the gothic vibes. The spicy scenes were nice, and the cute little floofballs called the Heechu sure are a lovely addition. I loved Monstera (Miko’s BFF), and the interactions between these two had me smiling a lot. Personally, I would have loved a bit more backstory for Bane, Miko and Monstera. A good backstory gives the reader the ability to get to know the characters better, and to feel connected to them even. I always find it impossible not to get swooped away in a story if I feel like I’m connecting to the characters.
So yeah, the potential is there, which made me rate the book 3 stars. And I honestly feel bad whenever I give a less then positive review, since it’s never my intention to hurt anyone. But at the same time I do feel like honest reviews matter, at least to other readers, but maybe to help the author grow as well.
October 23, 2026
This was adorable.
Bane is absolutely unhinged, in a manic pixie dream grotesque way. He took his trauma and made it kind of cute, but also very intense.
Miko is his complete opposite. She's very intellectual, and is much more calm. She has great coping mechanisms for her issues, and is able to calm Bane down just a bit.
When Miko goes to work in the library Bane lives in, hijinks ensue. I'm using words I don't usually use, because this is an unusual story with unusual characters.
I love that besties are a huge part of this story. Miko's friend, Monstera, is always there for her, and they call each other fated besties. I mean, come on! Bane's bestie is a Heechu named Huff with one eye and three tails.
This sounds really weird, right? But it all fits together and makes so much sense. Although this review's somewhat disjointed structure will give you an idea of what to expect when you read this book.
Bane, Miko, Monstera, and Huff must band together to take down evil witches that are sucking the power from the Heechus. They repeatedly suck Bane (and later Miko) into fairy tales in an attempt to get rid of them and leave the Heechus unprotected.
I think this is supposed to be somewhat Beauty and the Beast inspired, but there's so much going on that I'm not sure.
If you're looking for a fun time with neurodivergency being celebrated and accepted as a part of who Bane is, and are OK with the story being as manic and unhinged as Bane, this could be the book for you.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book. The opinions and this review are my own.
Bane is absolutely unhinged, in a manic pixie dream grotesque way. He took his trauma and made it kind of cute, but also very intense.
Miko is his complete opposite. She's very intellectual, and is much more calm. She has great coping mechanisms for her issues, and is able to calm Bane down just a bit.
When Miko goes to work in the library Bane lives in, hijinks ensue. I'm using words I don't usually use, because this is an unusual story with unusual characters.
I love that besties are a huge part of this story. Miko's friend, Monstera, is always there for her, and they call each other fated besties. I mean, come on! Bane's bestie is a Heechu named Huff with one eye and three tails.
This sounds really weird, right? But it all fits together and makes so much sense. Although this review's somewhat disjointed structure will give you an idea of what to expect when you read this book.
Bane, Miko, Monstera, and Huff must band together to take down evil witches that are sucking the power from the Heechus. They repeatedly suck Bane (and later Miko) into fairy tales in an attempt to get rid of them and leave the Heechus unprotected.
I think this is supposed to be somewhat Beauty and the Beast inspired, but there's so much going on that I'm not sure.
If you're looking for a fun time with neurodivergency being celebrated and accepted as a part of who Bane is, and are OK with the story being as manic and unhinged as Bane, this could be the book for you.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book. The opinions and this review are my own.
October 26, 2026
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
I have to say, I don't think I'm the intended audience for this book. It took me a while to get through it, and I feel like it's because the plot seemed kind of all over the place.
This book is part of the enemies to lovers Fated to the Enemy series, which I have loved! However, I really didn't get the whole enemies to lovers thing, and it seems like the author was more interested in the love story/smut than the actual plot.
I really would have liked more lead up/a bigger climax to the evil witches coven. The fight at the end was very disappointing and kind of confusing.
However, I will say I did really enjoy the whole getting sucked into different fairy tales aspect of the book, and I absolutely loved the Heechus!
I also don't normally comment on typos and such for ARCs, but there were so many in this one I found myself having to go back and reread to try understand what the author meant.
Overall, liked the premise, and I think it could be a fantastic book with a little more polishing!
I have to say, I don't think I'm the intended audience for this book. It took me a while to get through it, and I feel like it's because the plot seemed kind of all over the place.
This book is part of the enemies to lovers Fated to the Enemy series, which I have loved! However, I really didn't get the whole enemies to lovers thing, and it seems like the author was more interested in the love story/smut than the actual plot.
I really would have liked more lead up/a bigger climax to the evil witches coven. The fight at the end was very disappointing and kind of confusing.
However, I will say I did really enjoy the whole getting sucked into different fairy tales aspect of the book, and I absolutely loved the Heechus!
I also don't normally comment on typos and such for ARCs, but there were so many in this one I found myself having to go back and reread to try understand what the author meant.
Overall, liked the premise, and I think it could be a fantastic book with a little more polishing!
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