What do you think?
Rate this book
The Match Program #1
Matched To The Monster
I’m human. He’s not.
As the First Daughter of Planet Earth, it’s my duty to set an example. When we enter an agreement to re-build the planet, our prized offerings for bargaining are our young, eligible females, starting with me. It’s my place to lead by example and I’m only too eager. I can hardly wait to see what handsome, mysterious stranger has been matched for me. Who will sweep me off my feet?
I never expected tentacles.
The Match Program put together by the Britonian race assures my people that mates from a human planet would be a perfect pair up for us in exchange for our plentiful gold. But those females think of us as monsters. Instead of them allowing us to honor them, they shiver in fear and wish for us to treat them as slaves. They have been taught this way from birth.
On a planet of beautiful, plentiful females repressed by their own males, who are really the monsters?
As the First Daughter of Planet Earth, it’s my duty to set an example. When we enter an agreement to re-build the planet, our prized offerings for bargaining are our young, eligible females, starting with me. It’s my place to lead by example and I’m only too eager. I can hardly wait to see what handsome, mysterious stranger has been matched for me. Who will sweep me off my feet?
I never expected tentacles.
The Match Program put together by the Britonian race assures my people that mates from a human planet would be a perfect pair up for us in exchange for our plentiful gold. But those females think of us as monsters. Instead of them allowing us to honor them, they shiver in fear and wish for us to treat them as slaves. They have been taught this way from birth.
On a planet of beautiful, plentiful females repressed by their own males, who are really the monsters?
376 pages, Paperback
Published October 31, 2021
495 people are currently reading
1399 people want to read
About the author
Rena Marks
91 books263 followersJoin my fantasies! Get lost in worlds that twist and turn with plot and give you a feel-good, happy ending. Grow lovestruck by the heroes, each one unique. Find them perfectly matched by their heroine, strong women like you and I who know exactly what they want and how they want it—searing, sexy, and passionate.
Remember, true love is out there--beyond the mundane. Life is magical, come read about my mine!
Remember, true love is out there--beyond the mundane. Life is magical, come read about my mine!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 337 reviews
February 1, 2022
Soooo... fun and cute, but totally unrealistic.
Anyway this story was awful.
Oh and there was an entire section that I SWEAR I've read word-for-word (with minor editing) in a book from the Mates of the Kaluma series.I can't find it now, but it's a scene where the heroine looks at the hero on a bike of some kind. Thanks to Niki's detective work, it's from the end of Chapter 9 in Hunted by the Alien Assassin. Here it is from this book:
Anyway if you can find that, kudos.
And here is the original from Hunted by the Alien Assassin:
Anyway this story was awful.
Oh and there was an entire section that I SWEAR I've read word-for-word (with minor editing) in a book from the Mates of the Kaluma series.
.. I must get caught staring too long because Juris reaches out and flicks a claw at my hip. When I jerk to attention, his smile is wicked.
"I'm flattered."
"I was just curious as to how you walk," I mutter, as if I wasn't trying to catch a glimpse of his private part.
I let out a squeak as he comes behind me and jerks my head back to his chest. I swallow thickly as he lowers his head to mine. A hardness presses against my back and his breath is hot against my ear.
"Don't lie to me, Lilaina," he says in a low rumble that travels down my spine like dripping honey. He rolls his hips and I gasp as I feel his shaft pulse through the thin material of my dress.
He releases my hair and slides his hand down my neck to squeeze one of my breasts before continuing lower until he possessively cups my pussy. "You can stare at me all you want because I intend to look and touch you as much as I want."
And here is the original from Hunted by the Alien Assassin:
He straddled the buggy, and I found myself appreciating his physique now that I knew what he looked like beneath his clothes. His thighs alone were a work of art. I got caught ogling because he reached out and flicked a claw at my hip. When I jerked to attention, his smile was wicked. “I’m flattered.”
I snorted as I settled in front of him and tossed my wet hair, so it definitely smacked him in the face… “Flattered about what? I was just… checking the mechanics.”
A fist wrapped around the length, and I let out a squeak as he jerked my head back. I swallowed thickly as his eyes narrowed. A hardness throbbed against my lower back, and the matz on his neck shimmered. “Don’t lie to me, Karina,” he said in a low, raspy tone that spread heat down my spine like dripping honey. He rolled his hips, and I gasped as I felt his shaft pulse through the thin material of my shirt.
He released my hair and slid his hand down my neck to squeeze one of my breasts before continuing lower until he possessively cupped my pussy, just like in my dream. “You can stare at me all you want. Because I intend to look and touch you as much as I want.” His tongue played over the rim of my ear before sucking a patch on my neck.
December 22, 2021
Holy crap. I truly thought this was just going to be a “tentacle fun time” story (which I was totally down for) and then it hit me right in the feels.
First of all, the set up: post-World War III and Earth is pretty much decimated. Women are second class citizens haunted by diatribes about the seven deadly sins, and it feels kind of Handmaids Tale-esq where men take multiple wives and the women are basically enslaved/servants. Aliens make contact with Earth, offer to help out, and want to start a bride program.
Enter the First Daughter of the President of Earth, the first woman who will be sent in the exchange program.
Lilaina is not weak, but she has been beaten down after a life of living as a servant under her father’s abusive thumb. She is brainwashed by the rhetoric he has spewed her whole life and won’t even look in a mirror for fear of sinning (vanity).
I don’t even want to say too much about the story after the plot picks up. I mean… marriage of convenience (or forced marriage) to a tentacled man who she finds horrific at first… her living on a planet she’s unfamiliar with… tentacle fun time… what more do you need to know?
Lilaina’s courage and the little guys (if you’ve read it YOU KNOW WHO I’M TALKING ABOUT) are my favorites.
I'll take 10 more books please.
First of all, the set up: post-World War III and Earth is pretty much decimated. Women are second class citizens haunted by diatribes about the seven deadly sins, and it feels kind of Handmaids Tale-esq where men take multiple wives and the women are basically enslaved/servants. Aliens make contact with Earth, offer to help out, and want to start a bride program.
Enter the First Daughter of the President of Earth, the first woman who will be sent in the exchange program.
Lilaina is not weak, but she has been beaten down after a life of living as a servant under her father’s abusive thumb. She is brainwashed by the rhetoric he has spewed her whole life and won’t even look in a mirror for fear of sinning (vanity).
I don’t even want to say too much about the story after the plot picks up. I mean… marriage of convenience (or forced marriage) to a tentacled man who she finds horrific at first… her living on a planet she’s unfamiliar with… tentacle fun time… what more do you need to know?
Lilaina’s courage and the little guys (if you’ve read it YOU KNOW WHO I’M TALKING ABOUT) are my favorites.
I'll take 10 more books please.
December 28, 2021
2.5 stars
Matched To The Monster was ok. Nothing really exciting but the Tentacle sex seems like fun. 😂
Matched To The Monster was ok. Nothing really exciting but the Tentacle sex seems like fun. 😂
January 10, 2022
She's been abused and brainwashed her entire life but is cured in 6 months? Why did we even have to go there with her abuse
Tentacles had potential but once the PIV scenes happen he only uses his hands? What's the point of the tentacles?
Please i just want a good tentacle book? why are all the tentacle books so boring and dumb
Tentacles had potential but once the PIV scenes happen he only uses his hands? What's the point of the tentacles?
Please i just want a good tentacle book? why are all the tentacle books so boring and dumb
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2022
This book was entertaining. The abuse the poor h suffered at the hands of her father was horrifying. The H was almost too perfect imho. There was very little conflict. The only conflict came from the MC’s assuming they didn’t deserve one another and not communicating. The h was a paragon who was somehow more badass than all of the other native females. The villain’s betrayal was very predictable. This book was really quite vanilla for a monster romance. It was just so sweet and easy, other than the threat from the other race of spider-people on the planet. The description of the tentacle monster was nowhere as attractive as the cover. It was fun, but not riveting. Also, the names of the beings were pretty silly!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2022
2*
While this book wouldn’t be bad if you were looking for some lighthearted and easy-to-read fun, the biggest issue with this book was the lack of depth and development regarding every single aspect within this novel.
Lilaina was a bit of an enigma for me. She was set up to be this paragon of virtue and innocence but during her first interaction alone with Juris (her tentacled match within the mating program), she immediately reaches for his you-know-what to give him a “hand” (if you know what I mean). It’s not too many pages later that she’s eagerly allowing him to return the favor without hesitation or reservation – not typically how I’ve seen “innocent” characters portrayed. Her past is described as something that is meant to be tragic, but we didn’t dive in deep enough to pull me into feeling too much regarding Lilaina’s emotional abuse. And, because of her sparks of temper and defiance, she never felt like the “broken” thing that I think is implied here. Juris gives her room to come into her own, but she does so very quickly – making that adjustment within a very short period of time, versus letting us see her get built up layer by layer and have that journey of finding herself by slowly growing and maturing over time. Lilaina was practically “cured” from her abusive past after only a month or 2, yet her abuse had occurred over her entire lifetime.
Lilaina was also praised by Juris’ tribe for her willingness to fight. I liked that she was given an opportunity to learn to be a warrior and to defend herself (or others) but even her training and progression felt forced and she “got good” quick.
As a weird side note, sometimes Lilaina was referred to as “Laina” without explanation or even any input from Lilaina about her new nickname. It threw me.
Juris was a “perfect” hero. Since he had known about his arranged match with Lilaina (from Earth) for the past 3 years, he had made an effort to learn her language, provide devices to his people so that she could communicate with all of them, he stole back the things her father threw away from her room, learned her favorite color (which he used to redecorate their bedroom), and even tried to provide similar-tasting food to what she’d been accustomed to. The only minor glitch in their relationship at all is that Juris becomes afraid that Lilaina won’t want to return to his world after their 6 months is over, so he doesn’t want to fall too much in love with her (aka the most minor miscommunication “conflict” that I’ve ever seen written).
Juris was very kind to Lilaina and treated her like she was precious. However, I found it very ironic that Juris was horrified at Lilaina’s habit of serving the men around her when the men of his tribe treated women the same way. For example, Juris didn’t want her to carry things, cook dinner, build a fire, clean, etc. – he did that for her as the “man.” Lilaina was taught to do that because she was the “woman.” Admittedly, Lilaina had been treated like she was less-than by the men she was serving whereas no one treated the men of Juris’ tribe poorly, but as far as tasks go, some of them were very similar. Also, if the men do everything for the women of their tribes (with the addition of fishing/gathering food and training/fighting as warriors), what are the women doing all day? Men do it all. This felt almost like a hypocritical attitude to take and women weren’t being empowered to care for any aspect of their life. The only difference is that the men seemed to care about their women vs treat them as “less-than” or “weak.”
Lilaina and Juris’ romance together was almost inta-love. Lilaina is horrified at Juris’ appearance when she first meets him. He’s an ugly and strange looking creature that’s very different from the humans she’s grown up with or even the god-like alien beauties she was acquainted with. As I mentioned though, not 5 minutes into their relationship, things get spicey. Not only do they both quicly go from initially thinking that the other person looks weird and unattractive to someone they want to jump into bed with, but their feelings of like and love toward one another occur very quickly as well.
The betrayal that occurs was poorly crafted. There was an absolute lack of emotion surrounding the entire thing – both by the “villain” of this novel as well as all surrounding characters. It wasn’t well thought-out and seemed like a simple plot convenience to have conflict in a book that was going nowhere. Plus, the fact that this tribe could hardly fathom that a woman schemed this scheme, was irritating in the extreme.
In general, the plot was unimaginative and the world-building was basic. The organization and setup of this book were not well done and the pacing happened too quickly. There was little substance to this book and the characters were not fleshed out at all. There was nothing unique or even remotely fascinating about this novel and it was a rather forgettable read.
This monster romance novel was a very sweet and simple book. The spice was only okay and the plot was dismal. It wasn’t horrible and if you’re looking for something you can get through quickly, then this book might work for you, but I found it to be an overall silly story.
While this book wouldn’t be bad if you were looking for some lighthearted and easy-to-read fun, the biggest issue with this book was the lack of depth and development regarding every single aspect within this novel.
Lilaina was a bit of an enigma for me. She was set up to be this paragon of virtue and innocence but during her first interaction alone with Juris (her tentacled match within the mating program), she immediately reaches for his you-know-what to give him a “hand” (if you know what I mean). It’s not too many pages later that she’s eagerly allowing him to return the favor without hesitation or reservation – not typically how I’ve seen “innocent” characters portrayed. Her past is described as something that is meant to be tragic, but we didn’t dive in deep enough to pull me into feeling too much regarding Lilaina’s emotional abuse. And, because of her sparks of temper and defiance, she never felt like the “broken” thing that I think is implied here. Juris gives her room to come into her own, but she does so very quickly – making that adjustment within a very short period of time, versus letting us see her get built up layer by layer and have that journey of finding herself by slowly growing and maturing over time. Lilaina was practically “cured” from her abusive past after only a month or 2, yet her abuse had occurred over her entire lifetime.
Lilaina was also praised by Juris’ tribe for her willingness to fight. I liked that she was given an opportunity to learn to be a warrior and to defend herself (or others) but even her training and progression felt forced and she “got good” quick.
As a weird side note, sometimes Lilaina was referred to as “Laina” without explanation or even any input from Lilaina about her new nickname. It threw me.
Juris was a “perfect” hero. Since he had known about his arranged match with Lilaina (from Earth) for the past 3 years, he had made an effort to learn her language, provide devices to his people so that she could communicate with all of them, he stole back the things her father threw away from her room, learned her favorite color (which he used to redecorate their bedroom), and even tried to provide similar-tasting food to what she’d been accustomed to. The only minor glitch in their relationship at all is that Juris becomes afraid that Lilaina won’t want to return to his world after their 6 months is over, so he doesn’t want to fall too much in love with her (aka the most minor miscommunication “conflict” that I’ve ever seen written).
Juris was very kind to Lilaina and treated her like she was precious. However, I found it very ironic that Juris was horrified at Lilaina’s habit of serving the men around her when the men of his tribe treated women the same way. For example, Juris didn’t want her to carry things, cook dinner, build a fire, clean, etc. – he did that for her as the “man.” Lilaina was taught to do that because she was the “woman.” Admittedly, Lilaina had been treated like she was less-than by the men she was serving whereas no one treated the men of Juris’ tribe poorly, but as far as tasks go, some of them were very similar. Also, if the men do everything for the women of their tribes (with the addition of fishing/gathering food and training/fighting as warriors), what are the women doing all day? Men do it all. This felt almost like a hypocritical attitude to take and women weren’t being empowered to care for any aspect of their life. The only difference is that the men seemed to care about their women vs treat them as “less-than” or “weak.”
Lilaina and Juris’ romance together was almost inta-love. Lilaina is horrified at Juris’ appearance when she first meets him. He’s an ugly and strange looking creature that’s very different from the humans she’s grown up with or even the god-like alien beauties she was acquainted with. As I mentioned though, not 5 minutes into their relationship, things get spicey. Not only do they both quicly go from initially thinking that the other person looks weird and unattractive to someone they want to jump into bed with, but their feelings of like and love toward one another occur very quickly as well.
The betrayal that occurs was poorly crafted. There was an absolute lack of emotion surrounding the entire thing – both by the “villain” of this novel as well as all surrounding characters. It wasn’t well thought-out and seemed like a simple plot convenience to have conflict in a book that was going nowhere. Plus, the fact that this tribe could hardly fathom that a woman schemed this scheme, was irritating in the extreme.
In general, the plot was unimaginative and the world-building was basic. The organization and setup of this book were not well done and the pacing happened too quickly. There was little substance to this book and the characters were not fleshed out at all. There was nothing unique or even remotely fascinating about this novel and it was a rather forgettable read.
This monster romance novel was a very sweet and simple book. The spice was only okay and the plot was dismal. It wasn’t horrible and if you’re looking for something you can get through quickly, then this book might work for you, but I found it to be an overall silly story.
March 1, 2022
Matched To The Monster is a dystopian alien romance that takes place sometime after World War 3.
Lilaina, the First Daughter of a war ravaged Earth is forced into a contractual marriage with tentacled alien Juris in exchange for money. The story follows Lilaina's journey with a creature she now calls husband to a new planet where she must learn the new customs the people and make a home for herself. There is some action in the story along with steamy chemistry between Lilaina and Juris as they discover their feelings for each other.
I really liked the premise of the story. It had a very Handmaid's Tale vibe to it. I did feel that the terms of the contract could have been explained a little more in detail. But then this book was pure escapism for me and I cannot find much fault in it.
I recommend Matched to the Monster for readers looking for hot monster romance with some pining, politics and inter-world intrigue.
Find more of my reviews on :
Instagram
Lilaina, the First Daughter of a war ravaged Earth is forced into a contractual marriage with tentacled alien Juris in exchange for money. The story follows Lilaina's journey with a creature she now calls husband to a new planet where she must learn the new customs the people and make a home for herself. There is some action in the story along with steamy chemistry between Lilaina and Juris as they discover their feelings for each other.
I really liked the premise of the story. It had a very Handmaid's Tale vibe to it. I did feel that the terms of the contract could have been explained a little more in detail. But then this book was pure escapism for me and I cannot find much fault in it.
I recommend Matched to the Monster for readers looking for hot monster romance with some pining, politics and inter-world intrigue.
Find more of my reviews on :
January 4, 2023
Dystopian nightmare for women
Lilaina, who didn't even realize she had a name until her wedding day, is one of too many women left after the war. A horrible worldwide war decimated humanity, men in particular. But alien species have contracted to help restore the planet...in exchange for the chance to court mates. Only they don't realize the women are treated as property. And aren't getting to make their own decisions.
Spoilers ahead.
Ok, this tried to be sweet and loving but with every new horror you learn about her life it just can't achieve it. This needs so many trigger warnings it isn't even funny. Warnings for r*pe, mentions of r*pe, forced prostitution (just because there isn't penetration doesn't mean it isn't s*x work), forced impregnation/implantation, eating of sentient beings, perceived consent when she's actually impaired by alcohol, perceived consent when she's basically been beaten and brainwashed and trained, women as slave labor, women denied basic needs due to a lower caste system classification, women with no agency over their lives, a woman forced to give birth while in chains, torture, captivity, beatings, women broken to the point they accept hugs from their abusers and call it love, no chance of recovery from a lifetime of abuse before they're sold into marriage to a guy who cares but doesn't allow healing before taking relationship decisions away from her, ... I know I'm missing some warnings. There were so many issues I don't know how this isn't labeled as a dark romance with big bold warnings for readers. I'd read another book by this author where the blurb sounded cute and fluffy and it was decidedly not. I had forgotten until I was a little ways into this one and saw the similarities. And, after seeing the reviews for the next one, which readers say is darker than this one (unbelievably) I'm just going to avoid this author altogether. Throughout the entire book, not once does Laina's "loving" mate ever think that maybe she isn't making decisions from a healthy mindset. She was trained to jerk random men off, which she immediately tries with him. And even hearing that doesn't step back to allow her healing time, to romance her, to show her she's more than a vessel. They have like 2 conversations where he asks a couple questions that make her think but that's it. There's a period where he avoids her for 6 weeks during the day, but he sure does climb in her bed every night. That isn't helping change her beliefs that women can be more.
Oh, and of course, there's the obligatory mean girl. *sigh*
Lilaina, who didn't even realize she had a name until her wedding day, is one of too many women left after the war. A horrible worldwide war decimated humanity, men in particular. But alien species have contracted to help restore the planet...in exchange for the chance to court mates. Only they don't realize the women are treated as property. And aren't getting to make their own decisions.
Spoilers ahead.
Ok, this tried to be sweet and loving but with every new horror you learn about her life it just can't achieve it. This needs so many trigger warnings it isn't even funny. Warnings for r*pe, mentions of r*pe, forced prostitution (just because there isn't penetration doesn't mean it isn't s*x work), forced impregnation/implantation, eating of sentient beings, perceived consent when she's actually impaired by alcohol, perceived consent when she's basically been beaten and brainwashed and trained, women as slave labor, women denied basic needs due to a lower caste system classification, women with no agency over their lives, a woman forced to give birth while in chains, torture, captivity, beatings, women broken to the point they accept hugs from their abusers and call it love, no chance of recovery from a lifetime of abuse before they're sold into marriage to a guy who cares but doesn't allow healing before taking relationship decisions away from her, ... I know I'm missing some warnings. There were so many issues I don't know how this isn't labeled as a dark romance with big bold warnings for readers. I'd read another book by this author where the blurb sounded cute and fluffy and it was decidedly not. I had forgotten until I was a little ways into this one and saw the similarities. And, after seeing the reviews for the next one, which readers say is darker than this one (unbelievably) I'm just going to avoid this author altogether. Throughout the entire book, not once does Laina's "loving" mate ever think that maybe she isn't making decisions from a healthy mindset. She was trained to jerk random men off, which she immediately tries with him. And even hearing that doesn't step back to allow her healing time, to romance her, to show her she's more than a vessel. They have like 2 conversations where he asks a couple questions that make her think but that's it. There's a period where he avoids her for 6 weeks during the day, but he sure does climb in her bed every night. That isn't helping change her beliefs that women can be more.
Oh, and of course, there's the obligatory mean girl. *sigh*
did-not-finish
January 27, 2022This is an okay book. It’s nothing special. And the writing is a bit shallow and juvenile. The heroine is inconsistent and gasps random statements. It’s not well thought out. DNF at 33%. Just not worth my time.
May 21, 2023
3.5/5 Cute!!! 🐙
This story had darker themes, but delivered a sweet story. Juris teaches Lilaina how to be strong and stand up for herself, and she teaches him how to trust.
The language was a little formal and inconsistent, like English was not the author's first language, and there were some really large time skips.
This story had darker themes, but delivered a sweet story. Juris teaches Lilaina how to be strong and stand up for herself, and she teaches him how to trust.
The language was a little formal and inconsistent, like English was not the author's first language, and there were some really large time skips.
July 23, 2022
If I could have given it negative stars I would have.
Do I expect Monster Porn to be amazing works of fiction? Of course not. I expect decently written pseudo-plot and a bunch of tentacle porn.
This book did not satisfy that rather low bar.
The plot felt cobbled together from a variety of other romance tropes to the point where the style frequently changed so that it almost seemed like it was written by different authors. The author attempted to create an alien culture but kept dropping english specific slang and words into it. Do they have Banshees on this planet? That is so weird. Whiskey? Crazy. Shotgun weddings? I am sure their culture has the same purity hang-ups ours does.
Then there is the creepy handmaids tale rip-off post-apocalyptic earth society... I can't even with it. The misogyny was so excessive and gross it regularly threw me out of the plot. Nasty. Honestly it created a fmc that was so damaged and brainwashed that it made me feel she was incapable of giving real consent. What, consent in Monster Porn? Yes. Ruby Dixon managed it with a language barrier. Do better.
And honestly the sex was really front loaded and not hot. Disappointing failure of tentacles.
-5 out of 5, do not recommend.
Tropes: #ivereadthisplotbefore #instalustthatmakesnosense #tentacleporn #traumatizedfmc #whatevenisconsent #evilexgirlfriendbetraystheclan
Do I expect Monster Porn to be amazing works of fiction? Of course not. I expect decently written pseudo-plot and a bunch of tentacle porn.
This book did not satisfy that rather low bar.
The plot felt cobbled together from a variety of other romance tropes to the point where the style frequently changed so that it almost seemed like it was written by different authors. The author attempted to create an alien culture but kept dropping english specific slang and words into it. Do they have Banshees on this planet? That is so weird. Whiskey? Crazy. Shotgun weddings? I am sure their culture has the same purity hang-ups ours does.
Then there is the creepy handmaids tale rip-off post-apocalyptic earth society... I can't even with it. The misogyny was so excessive and gross it regularly threw me out of the plot. Nasty. Honestly it created a fmc that was so damaged and brainwashed that it made me feel she was incapable of giving real consent. What, consent in Monster Porn? Yes. Ruby Dixon managed it with a language barrier. Do better.
And honestly the sex was really front loaded and not hot. Disappointing failure of tentacles.
-5 out of 5, do not recommend.
Tropes: #ivereadthisplotbefore #instalustthatmakesnosense #tentacleporn #traumatizedfmc #whatevenisconsent #evilexgirlfriendbetraystheclan
March 7, 2022
Marks lays the foundation for a very interesting dystopian world but does nothing with it, and her protagonist, who has been abused under this dystopian patriarchy, recovers from years of trauma over the course of six months.
Not only was the protagonist’s character arc unbelievably quick, she’s a completely basic character who excels at everything she does and has no flaws to make her interesting. There’s an evil “other woman” character who has evil motivations that are just tossed in super fast when actually exploring her bigotry and xenophobia would’ve enriched the worldbuilding. There’s the overly used “I’m jealous of this female character who’s affectionate to my husband but it turns out she’s just his sister” trope that makes me wanna die because why can’t men just have female friends who aren’t related to them.
Also, this book subjected me to horrific spider aliens that are pure nightmare fodder. Why is it some unspoken rule that every tentacle book has spider aliens too? Is it the 8 leg thing? By the way, these spiders are completely sentient but fall into the “born of evil” nonsense of LOTR orcs, and the solution to this problem is and I can’t believe I’m left with ethical questions that make me mildly sympathetic to the disgusting spiders.
Also not a fan of how the protagonist has “yellow” skin and a “tilt” to her eyes. Cmon man, there are a thousand ways to indicate that you heroine is Asian, and you had to pick the mildly racist way. It’s also weird how the author hyperfixates on how creamy and pale her skin is compared to her dark alien husband’s.
Not only was the protagonist’s character arc unbelievably quick, she’s a completely basic character who excels at everything she does and has no flaws to make her interesting. There’s an evil “other woman” character who has evil motivations that are just tossed in super fast when actually exploring her bigotry and xenophobia would’ve enriched the worldbuilding. There’s the overly used “I’m jealous of this female character who’s affectionate to my husband but it turns out she’s just his sister” trope that makes me wanna die because why can’t men just have female friends who aren’t related to them.
Also, this book subjected me to horrific spider aliens that are pure nightmare fodder. Why is it some unspoken rule that every tentacle book has spider aliens too? Is it the 8 leg thing? By the way, these spiders are completely sentient but fall into the “born of evil” nonsense of LOTR orcs, and the solution to this problem is and I can’t believe I’m left with ethical questions that make me mildly sympathetic to the disgusting spiders.
Also not a fan of how the protagonist has “yellow” skin and a “tilt” to her eyes. Cmon man, there are a thousand ways to indicate that you heroine is Asian, and you had to pick the mildly racist way. It’s also weird how the author hyperfixates on how creamy and pale her skin is compared to her dark alien husband’s.
January 28, 2022
DNF
I did not vibe with this. The plot line was obvious from a million miles away (not always a bad thing, but this wasn't compelling enough to make up for it).
I did not vibe with this. The plot line was obvious from a million miles away (not always a bad thing, but this wasn't compelling enough to make up for it).
January 28, 2022
4.7 stars.
Wow.
I was a little apprehensive about this book, mainly because I’ve come to depend on covers quite a bit when choosing a book. And, I know, I know. ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ and all that bullshit. It’s a very wise saying and all but I’ve come to find that I really can judge a book by its cover, when it comes to romances at least, most of the time.
I’m glad I looked past the fact that this cover is a bit jumbled.
I really enjoyed the fast pace and the culture and politics and the creatures. It was all so fascinating and really well developed. Plus the setting was so cool.
And the relationship and sex between Juris and Lilaina. So sweet and sexy and smutty and had all the fun things that come with an alien with tentacles.
I really enjoyed seeing Juris and his people teach Lilaina that she was worthy and that feelings are not sinful. (Definitely check trigger warnings. Her father is a real POS and the new culture of earth is really oppressive and abusive to women)
Plus her training was so cool. I’m always jealous when the FMC is a badass.
I loved it.
I want more from this author for sure.
Hopefully some more from the Adroki, or at least more about the other women in the bride program in this universe.
Wow.
I was a little apprehensive about this book, mainly because I’ve come to depend on covers quite a bit when choosing a book. And, I know, I know. ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ and all that bullshit. It’s a very wise saying and all but I’ve come to find that I really can judge a book by its cover, when it comes to romances at least, most of the time.
I’m glad I looked past the fact that this cover is a bit jumbled.
I really enjoyed the fast pace and the culture and politics and the creatures. It was all so fascinating and really well developed. Plus the setting was so cool.
And the relationship and sex between Juris and Lilaina. So sweet and sexy and smutty and had all the fun things that come with an alien with tentacles.
I really enjoyed seeing Juris and his people teach Lilaina that she was worthy and that feelings are not sinful. (Definitely check trigger warnings. Her father is a real POS and the new culture of earth is really oppressive and abusive to women)
Plus her training was so cool. I’m always jealous when the FMC is a badass.
I loved it.
I want more from this author for sure.
Hopefully some more from the Adroki, or at least more about the other women in the bride program in this universe.
February 17, 2023
Rating: 1.1 / 5
Obviously a rip-off of Regine Abel's much more successful and better-written series, starting with I Married a Lizardman, and ultimately just...
bleh.
Not the tentacle alien stuff, by the way. Nah, that's fine.
But the rules for the post-WWIII Earth are just...weird and backward...
...and the writing kinda sucks...
...and everything moves WAY too fast.
Just N-O-P-E and N-E-X-T, this is clearly not worth my time.
Obviously a rip-off of Regine Abel's much more successful and better-written series, starting with I Married a Lizardman, and ultimately just...
bleh.
Not the tentacle alien stuff, by the way. Nah, that's fine.
But the rules for the post-WWIII Earth are just...weird and backward...
...and the writing kinda sucks...
...and everything moves WAY too fast.
Just N-O-P-E and N-E-X-T, this is clearly not worth my time.
August 2, 2022
I'm still not sold on sci-fi romances (I doubt I'll ever be) but this was a sweet read. Though I did expect a less... vanilla smut than what we got 😊
July 2, 2023
Surprisingly good
I wasn't sure about it at first because Lilaina was such a religious zealot, but it got much better as she broke out of her brainwashing from her abusive father. Juris and Lilaina are so sweet and just *chefs kiss*. Can't believe they had me tearing up over an octopus man lol
I wasn't sure about it at first because Lilaina was such a religious zealot, but it got much better as she broke out of her brainwashing from her abusive father. Juris and Lilaina are so sweet and just *chefs kiss*. Can't believe they had me tearing up over an octopus man lol
December 22, 2021
Pretty wholesome and tame for being a monster romance. But good fun and entertaining.
November 24, 2021
What an amazing book. I’m a sucker for romance stories where the ML and FL present a United front through the majority of the book. No betrayals, no soul-crushing angst. Just two hopeful people trying to find happiness against all odds. And boy oh boy, does this book provide. Lilaina is a woman who has been systematically abused her entire life and, with the help of her alien mate Juris, she manages to find her courage, her autonomy, and her happiness. This was a five-star read for me. I couldn’t put the thing down and cannot WAIT for the stories of the other aliens. I just know the author wouldn’t leave their stories out!
April 5, 2022
Character development:
Ridiculously rushed.
30%: Lilaina is a human who was set up to be the mate of an alien (Juris). When she sees him, she’s revolted - he’s a grayish purple, with 6 tentacles instead of legs, a long bald head, yellow eyes with cat pupils, pointy yellow teeth, and slits for nostrils instead of a nose. So obviously she’s not attracted and pretty freaked out. So they go through a portal to his planet. That night, she decides she’s attracted to him, and they hookup. Like wtf. You don’t know this man so you were wooed by his amazing personality. And he still looks like a monster to you since it’s been half a day so there’s no way you already got used to his appearance. So what the literal fuck??? The next morning she realizes that she already likes him. Like you know nothing about him. Wtf is there to like??
Writing:
Also ridiculously rushed and doesn’t add up. For example: twice now Lilaina has said that her mother died in child birth. But in the first chapter, Lilaina was sent to the dungeons, where her mothers skeleton was still chained to a wall. So which was it? Because I doubt the father chained her to the wall and made her give birth in the dungeon.. so did she die from child birth or being forgotten in the dungeon as punishment?
50%: I couldn’t continue. It was too bad.
Ridiculously rushed.
30%: Lilaina is a human who was set up to be the mate of an alien (Juris). When she sees him, she’s revolted - he’s a grayish purple, with 6 tentacles instead of legs, a long bald head, yellow eyes with cat pupils, pointy yellow teeth, and slits for nostrils instead of a nose. So obviously she’s not attracted and pretty freaked out. So they go through a portal to his planet. That night, she decides she’s attracted to him, and they hookup. Like wtf. You don’t know this man so you were wooed by his amazing personality. And he still looks like a monster to you since it’s been half a day so there’s no way you already got used to his appearance. So what the literal fuck??? The next morning she realizes that she already likes him. Like you know nothing about him. Wtf is there to like??
Writing:
Also ridiculously rushed and doesn’t add up. For example: twice now Lilaina has said that her mother died in child birth. But in the first chapter, Lilaina was sent to the dungeons, where her mothers skeleton was still chained to a wall. So which was it? Because I doubt the father chained her to the wall and made her give birth in the dungeon.. so did she die from child birth or being forgotten in the dungeon as punishment?
50%: I couldn’t continue. It was too bad.
June 5, 2022
This was a cute read. It fit more into the sci-fi alien romance rather than the monster romance but I enjoyed it regardless. It is a bit of a mindless read. If you think too much about the details ( like the president of the WHOLE EARTH really?) but I liked it regardless. It is a cutesy, the heroine gets the love, affection and care she deserves type story.
The best way I can explain it is this is the comforting part of a hurt/comfort. The hurt happens mostly off-screen (book) and a bit at the start and you just get your fix of angst wit low stakes
The best way I can explain it is this is the comforting part of a hurt/comfort. The hurt happens mostly off-screen (book) and a bit at the start and you just get your fix of angst wit low stakes
December 27, 2021
Be mine in both worlds, Lilaina.
This book was a mix between Radiance by Grace Draven and Ruby Dixon's blue aliens. I adored this book. It had all the tension, pining, and tentacle fun time that I was looking for. This is a marriage of convenience (match-making) + friends to lovers! I love the bond that Juris and Liliana grew and how they learned to love each other even tho they are different species.
This book was a mix between Radiance by Grace Draven and Ruby Dixon's blue aliens. I adored this book. It had all the tension, pining, and tentacle fun time that I was looking for. This is a marriage of convenience (match-making) + friends to lovers! I love the bond that Juris and Liliana grew and how they learned to love each other even tho they are different species.
February 6, 2022
It was very meh. Happy ending and with one screenshot, but meh. I got bored quite quickly, but pushed through and finished it.
The smut was nice. The mirror scene and the one after that were lovely. The first couple of O's as well. So there's definitely smut but not as much as I expected.
Honestly, I thought these books would be filled with the devil's tango. But nope.
I'm going to hell.
The smut was nice. The mirror scene and the one after that were lovely. The first couple of O's as well. So there's definitely smut but not as much as I expected.
Honestly, I thought these books would be filled with the devil's tango. But nope.
I'm going to hell.
February 20, 2022
a mashup of disney's version of beauty and the beast and the handmaid's tale with octopus mermaids and giant, evil spiders. it's cute enough but had a lot going on, which made it a bit disjointed, and the lack of communication made the characters seem juvenile.
October 22, 2024
Matched to the Monster by Rena Marks is the kind of book that left me giggling and kicking my feet with delight. The chemistry between Lilaina (FMC) and Juris (MMC) was so palpable, you could feel the spark through the pages. I absolutely loved the little guys (IFYKYK)—they added comedic relief that balanced out the heavier topics covered in the book.
Now, I won’t say the plot was always executed perfectly. Military strategy is clearly not the author’s strong suit, but it’s easy to overlook that when the book is so much fun. That said, this isn’t a story you pick up for groundbreaking writing or complex plot twists. It’s a light, spicy read with just enough heat to keep you hooked. And yes, tentacles are involved, but nothing that'll leave you clutching your pearls!
It’s worth noting that this book touches on some pretty heavy themes: Despite that, it still manages to be entertaining without feeling overwhelming, thanks to the lighter moments woven in.
Overall, if you're looking for a spicy sci-fi romance that doesn't take itself too seriously, Matched to the Monster is a fun escape!
Now, I won’t say the plot was always executed perfectly. Military strategy is clearly not the author’s strong suit, but it’s easy to overlook that when the book is so much fun. That said, this isn’t a story you pick up for groundbreaking writing or complex plot twists. It’s a light, spicy read with just enough heat to keep you hooked. And yes, tentacles are involved, but nothing that'll leave you clutching your pearls!
It’s worth noting that this book touches on some pretty heavy themes: Despite that, it still manages to be entertaining without feeling overwhelming, thanks to the lighter moments woven in.
Overall, if you're looking for a spicy sci-fi romance that doesn't take itself too seriously, Matched to the Monster is a fun escape!
May 23, 2022
CWs: domestic violence, parental neglect/abuse, purity culture, religious trauma, war, ptsd, explicit sexual content, references to sexual assault, kidnapping, gender essentialism, murder, infertility, infanticide
tropes: post apocalyptic earth, marriage of convenience, tentacles, man (octopus) obsessed, jilted lover, “mine”
An interesting mix of cozy and traumatic, this was frequently much darker than I expected, but i thoroughly enjoyed watching these 2 go from revolted strangers arranged to be married & mated, to violently possessive and in love. There were a few bits of questionable dialogue and (IMO) unnecessarily macabre moments I would have edited out, but the overarching development of trust and esteem ultimately outweighed them.
tropes: post apocalyptic earth, marriage of convenience, tentacles, man (octopus) obsessed, jilted lover, “mine”
An interesting mix of cozy and traumatic, this was frequently much darker than I expected, but i thoroughly enjoyed watching these 2 go from revolted strangers arranged to be married & mated, to violently possessive and in love. There were a few bits of questionable dialogue and (IMO) unnecessarily macabre moments I would have edited out, but the overarching development of trust and esteem ultimately outweighed them.
November 7, 2021
Great start to a new series!!
Women are thr large majority on Earth but are still held to outdated laws by man. The first dsughter is forced to marry an alien in the Bride program. What she thought shed get is not what she really got. Great action, empowermentm smexy times, and a whole new world with strange creaters!!! Love those Tilbets!!! Love em!! This book was excellent and i cant wait for more!!
Women are thr large majority on Earth but are still held to outdated laws by man. The first dsughter is forced to marry an alien in the Bride program. What she thought shed get is not what she really got. Great action, empowermentm smexy times, and a whole new world with strange creaters!!! Love those Tilbets!!! Love em!! This book was excellent and i cant wait for more!!
September 19, 2025
3.0 — 3.5⭐️
I wanted this to be a 4 stars, but I didn't feel it that way. I mean, it was really good at the beginning, but eventually, it turned very rushed, and the pace just increased out of nowhere. So many things were happening, and I didn't finish getting some info before getting so much more from other things. The first half was great, and the second one could've been better. With more chapters, the story could've been so good.
I still enjoyed this one, and of course I'm going to keep reading the series. I love all the characters, they have such amazing personalities.
I wanted this to be a 4 stars, but I didn't feel it that way. I mean, it was really good at the beginning, but eventually, it turned very rushed, and the pace just increased out of nowhere. So many things were happening, and I didn't finish getting some info before getting so much more from other things. The first half was great, and the second one could've been better. With more chapters, the story could've been so good.
I still enjoyed this one, and of course I'm going to keep reading the series. I love all the characters, they have such amazing personalities.
December 30, 2021
Curiosity got the best of me. It was cute, I'll rate at 2.5. It had some interesting ideas around the sci-fi plot that I wish it had explored more, but I realize that was not entirely the point of a tentacle-alien romance book.
July 28, 2024
Un romance alienígena con un macho con tentáculos. Una humana que ha sido adoctrinada en el machismo y la sumisión.
Y un amor que florecerá a pesar de sus diferencias y enemigos.
Seamos sinceros, al leer algo de este tipo no se busca una trama profunda y que deje un significado en tu vida.
Nuestra protagonista me agradó, porque a pesar de la cultura y todo el maltrato que viene cargando se da cuenta de lo que está mal y se quita los patrones que le inculcaron. Bien por ella, porque aaaah como es difícil.
Y los tentáculos... Sólo por esos tentáculos que fueron TAN bien usados valió totalmente la pena este libro.
Lo recomiendo si buscan un libro de romance con escenas candentes y un final feliz y predecible.
Y un amor que florecerá a pesar de sus diferencias y enemigos.
Seamos sinceros, al leer algo de este tipo no se busca una trama profunda y que deje un significado en tu vida.
Nuestra protagonista me agradó, porque a pesar de la cultura y todo el maltrato que viene cargando se da cuenta de lo que está mal y se quita los patrones que le inculcaron. Bien por ella, porque aaaah como es difícil.
Y los tentáculos... Sólo por esos tentáculos que fueron TAN bien usados valió totalmente la pena este libro.
Lo recomiendo si buscan un libro de romance con escenas candentes y un final feliz y predecible.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 337 reviews