Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Monster Hearts #3

Heart of a Kraken

Rate this book
I became a marine veterinarian because I wanted to make a difference in the world. No one gets it, because why would I want to work when I come from old money? I don’t care. I want to make something of myself, not marry well and spend my life playing tennis and throwing yacht parties.

I get my chance to prove my skills when Dr. Glenda Smith bursts into my workplace and whisks me away to a secret island off the coast, where I have to save the life of an octopus. Except when I get there, I realize she’s kind of lied to me…

Yes, the sea creature has the tentacles of an octopus, but the head and torso of a man. He’s a kraken, an alien from a faraway planet, and he’s been wounded in battle.

I will do anything to save him. It’s my job. But then I approach him, he gazes at me, and his three hearts stop at once.

171 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2022

90 people are currently reading
94 people want to read

About the author

Cara Wylde

147 books648 followers
Cara Wylde loves to write about strong, feisty women and their hot Alphas who will do anything to make them happy. Her books are filled with romance and just a dash of mystery, suspense, and that eerie atmosphere she fell in love with reading too many gothic novels. With a master's degree in Comparative Literature, she can't help but play with tropes and themes from various genres, trying to come up with fresh perspectives on the paranormal characters her readers love so much. Vampires, shape-shifters, demons, witches... Cara will always make sure they get their own twists.

When she's not writing, Cara is reading, planning her next story, or daydreaming. Her idea of pure heaven is a day filled with nothing but her laptop, a huge coffee pot, relaxing music, and a new, exciting project.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
138 (44%)
4 stars
76 (24%)
3 stars
73 (23%)
2 stars
18 (5%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
94 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2022
I'm a big fan of aliens, especially if the hero has horns and a tail. This time I decided to try something new in this genre and my choice fell on HEART OF A KRAKEN. Unfortunately, the reading did not meet my expectations. I like books that are full of twists and keep the reader in suspense. Meanwhile, here, in my opinion, everything was too sweet. The only event that could have caused a slight tension was the sudden deterioration of Gar's health. I did not like the heroine. I had the feeling that she was a sweet idiot and not a strong woman who tries to go against the tide in relation to the expectations of her parents. I understand her fascination with Gardar at the first meeting. But when the next time she finds out that she is his fated mate, she finds it wonderful? The guy has tentacles and she imagines what it would feel like on her skin. Really??? She practically does not know the guy. I understand she felt lonely, but without exaggeration. Additionally, I could not believe in a Dr. Smith's sudden change of heart - she practically tortures the Kraken one day to get research material, and the next day she thinks it's inappropriate? By convention, heads of research projects are people with specific views who pursue their goals regardless of means. The figure of Gardar did not save reading either. This time we do not have a typical Alpha male, but rather an average Joe, who by chance became a hero for his people.
My rating is 3 stars - the book is too sweet and delicate for me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Karen Nastasio.
2,661 reviews19 followers
July 6, 2022
Wow what a great book this was and it holds you captivated right from the start and doesn’t let go till the very end. Gardar is a Kraken warrior who has been injured in battle and when he retreats into a cave it’s really a portal into the earths realm and when he is captured he experimented on and they give him a translator so they can communicate with him but they still can’t fix his wound and it’s getting worse so they decide to get June the best marine veterinarian and bring her back to him and they tell her it’s an octopus but when she see him he is half man and half kraken and she is given a translator to understand him and he keeps calling her his mate. And when she realises how he is being treated and that Dr Glenda Smith isn’t who she makes out to be and that she works for IMRA company the captures aliens and treats them cruelly and they are of all different kinds she knows she must help him escape before it’s to late. And Gardar has two things he needs to do 1 is to win the heart of his mate and 2 get back home and if he can take some turtles home with him it could stop the war over there missing turtles. How does it all turn out and can Gardar win his mates heart and return home with her or not.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for E The Creepy Girl.
128 reviews22 followers
February 24, 2024
Ugh, yeah no. Sorry, the last half was a huge let down. Now that there are no stakes, there’s no intensity, I lost interest. The worst part was, that June turned into a very Mary Sue type character. Everything good happened, she’s in love, her boyfriend is perfect, they’re praised by the royals, she’s a trendsetter, she helped save the kingdom, etc etc. It made me sick!

It got so ooey-gooey that I almost wanted to wretch. Like ugh just shut up already. You’re too cute and not in the good way. There’s so many other books I read where I was giggling and laughing and smiling at the relationship and this is the first one where I was like “I wish these two would just F off already”. It’s like when you eat something too sweet and your tongue starts to tingle and your teeth itch and you know you gotta book that dentist appointment. Not a fun, delicious sweet. An agonizing sweet.

Everything was so perfect in the last half, it honestly kinda peeved me. I was kinda hoping some terrible disaster would come and wipe everyone out, but no, I was sorely disappointed.

Once they went to Gar’s world, it completely lost its allure for me. Sorry but it just got straight up annoying.

2.5 stars. Maybe it could’ve squeezed out another .5 star if there was another spicy tentacle scene, but there was only one, much to my disappointment.
Profile Image for Edie.
244 reviews41 followers
July 3, 2022
Cara Wylde writes really sweet monster romances and I'm getting addicted lmfao But really, Heart of a Kraken was more than what I expected. It was full of heart and Gardar was just the sweetest, most dedicated, and understanding man? guy? male? out there. June was just as lucky to have him as he was to have her. I enjoyed reading the first person dual POVs, and how the plot involved not only June and Gar's relationship, but external factors as well such as June's baggage when it comes to her overbearing family, and the war on Gardar's home planet.

There wasn't much focus on the world building, since most of the story was set on Earth, but just enough description to fully encapsulate an alien planet. I enjoyed the characters the most, and how very little angst there was. This was how I like my romances. As much as I love dark themes and anxiety-inducing romance stories, mellow romance books like this with a sure hea was just as satisfying and right at this moment, it's what I needed.

Just a warning though, there was a scene that was non-con, not between the two mcs, which almost but did not happen.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews361 followers
July 3, 2022
June and Gar's Story . . .

June Anderson became a marine veterinarian to make her contribution to the world, despite the fact her family was wealthy and she didn’t have to work at all. One day Dr. Glenda Smith claimed an emergency that they needed her for on a secret island to save an octopus. But it was actually a kraken, having tentacles like an octopus but the head and body of a man. This one had been wounded in battle and was dying. As she got close and touched him, he seemed startled and lost consciousness. She cleaned and stitched up his wound, but she demanded answers once she climbed out of his tank. Where did he come from?

When Gardar (“Gar”) was fighting on his planet to protect an endangered species, he was severely wounded and went into what turned out to be a portal connecting his planet with Earth. IMRA, a government organization on Earth, captures him and starts experimenting on him. But how will both Gar and June now get away from the danger IMRA will represent if June tries to take him from the government crazies who don’t mind experimenting (without anesthesia) on an obviously intelligent species? Grab your copy and see what their fate will be.
Profile Image for Karina Vitório.
407 reviews1 follower
March 8, 2023
Esse é o terceiro livro da série “Monster Hearts” e cada volume traz a história de um alienígena diferente e uma humana. Eu adorei a escrita da autora, o livro é curtinho e com certeza fiquei com vontade de ler os outros 5 volumes. É como um conto de fadas: um enredo doce e sem grandes dificuldades!

Jude Anderson, uma veterinária marinha, é contatada por uma emergência em um laboratório secreto. Ela é pega de surpresa, pois o animal ferido que deve tratar é um kraken! Ele é azul, com torso humanoide, dois braços, careca e com olhos negros, mas da cintura para baixo seu corpo é composto por oito tentáculos.

Gardar é na verdade um alienígena que foi capturado pelos humanos ao atravessar um portal. Ele só não contava que seria na Terra que encontraria sua companheira predestinada e a solução para salvar seu próprio planeta.

Jude é bem corajosa, ela deixa tudo que conhece para trás e não se arrepende nem por um segundo! Gardar é paciente, amoroso e está sempre preocupado com o bem estar de Jude! Mesmo com todas as diferenças físicas e culturais, os dois se apaixonam e conseguem o seu “felizes para sempre”! Um bom e verdadeiro clichê … só que alienígena!
Profile Image for JML.
1,301 reviews24 followers
June 22, 2022
4 Solid stars for Gar and June💖💖🔥🔥

This is the third entry in the Monster Hearts series. June was raised in a rich socialite family, who wanted to work with sea animals. Her parents grow we on her working, but she forged ahead and was doing well on her own. When an emergency pops up and she is asked to heal an octopus she never expected to meet an alien Kraken instead. Gar a warrior on his planet fighting a war over territory and the extinction of a very rare sea animal. After being wounded he retreats through a underwater cage that is really a portal. This very special portal ties Earth and his planet together. Of course he's captured and experimented on until he's rescued by his beautiful June. As there relationship grows the greater the need to escape. When the opportunity strikes they take the chance ! Do they make it through the portal, do they stop the war and can love and passion heal and save them both. Read to find out! It's a good read Nd love m looking forward to see what happens next
1,353 reviews12 followers
June 24, 2022
June comes from a wealthy family but don't think that means she has had it easy in any way, shape or form. She just doesn't fit in with the ideals and expectations of her family and it is unlikely she ever will. She is a marine veterinarian and she is very happy with her job. She has no pretentions and just wants a relatively easy and happy life. One she is more than willing to work for that is until she is offered a job that is very much outside of her comfort zone and requires an NDA! Gardar was in the middle of a battle on his home world when he was seriously wounded. He found a portal and hope that he would be able to make it to the other side, recouperate and then head home. Instead he is captured but he is still wounded and time seems to be running out. That until he sees June at which point time basically stops!
I loved this with the differences in culture, understanding and the worlds described. Fab!
Profile Image for kymagirl.
6,283 reviews89 followers
June 24, 2022
June (h), a marine veterinarian, finds herself whisked off for an octopus emergency at a secretive research facility, It turns out that the octopus is an alien kraken, Gar (H), who's been imprisoned by IMRA and is being treated unethically as though he's he simply a research subject rather than the sentient being that he is. Gar immediately realizes that the woman who has been brought to treat his injuries is his mate and he wastes no time letting her know this. As June gets to know Gar better, she realizes that she's going to have to help him escape if they're going to have a future together, whether that's on Earth or not is another matter. Lovely kraken romance story that takes the time to build up to its tentacled climax. June and Gar were fun and caring characters, and the world building really great.
50 reviews3 followers
June 23, 2022
It was good but...

Okay so the novel was good. I had one aspect that made it less that 5 stars for me and that would be June was a marine biologist who works at an aquarium, the other doctor called her a veterinarian, and yet she couldn't heal Gar. Plus wouldn't that facility have better medical ward? They handed her a first aid kit and that's it. Wouldn't June, as a veterinarian demand better so she could heal any patient? That part in the story bugged me.

Both characters were well written but for me there was a slight miss on the plot. I will still read future books from this author because I do enjoy the writing. I would still tell others to give the author a chance. Have fun reading!
Profile Image for Heather.
1,253 reviews9 followers
July 2, 2022
Wow... never thought I'd love a Kraken!!

Gandar is a Kraken-like creature that has been captured by the IMRA - International Monster Reseach Association, but he was injured before capture when he fled thru the portal to earth. They bring in June who is a Marine Veterinarian to help him. Gandar knows immediately that she is his fated mate and she is instantly intrigued with him and tries to help. After seeing how horribly they treat him, she helps him escape and flees back to his country along with some sea turtles which have gone extinct in his world and desperately needed not only to end the war but for their ecosystem.

This story was great!! I always love the books in this series!

I received an ARC for my honest review!
Profile Image for Leanne Bryson.
5,198 reviews22 followers
July 11, 2022
2 1/2 Stars.......June is an heiress, but because she wants to make a difference, she has become a marine biologist. Whence is asked to come to a "top secret" aquarium to help with a specimen, little did she know she would find a other-worldly hunk with tentacles. Gar is from another planet, brought to Earth through a portal by mistake, but injured when caught in a net. This book just didn't get traction for me. I thought June was overbearing and I never connected with the character. Gar was just a kraken, again I didn't connect with this character. But I love Cara Wylde, just not this book. But since it's available on KU, you can read it for free. Just not for me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Michelle.
10.7k reviews28 followers
July 11, 2022
Heart of a Kraken is book three in the Monster Heart series and so far I am loving this series. June is a marine veterinarian who was taken by Dr. Glenda Smith to a secret island on an emergency mission to save an octopus. Well, at least that’s what she was told. When she got there she locks eyes with Gardar(Gar) a Kraken. He has the tentacles of an octopus but the rest of him is all man and he's found his mate. When things take a dangerous turn June is determined to free Gar. This is a fast paced, well written, fated mate love story with interesting characters, danger, suspense, intrigue, and a great ending. This is a great addition to the series and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
2,979 reviews30 followers
June 21, 2022
June, the female human lead, is a marine veterinarian called to help an “octopus” but, after signing a NDA, she finds Gardar, the male alien lead is a kraken. She intrigued by him but he is enthralled, realising when she touches him, that she’s his mate. June helps him escapes imprisonment and follows him to his world but now they have culture clash to overcome…

This story is dual POV, well written, and a cute, spicy/sweet monster romance. I enjoyed Gardar’s simple determination to make their situation work and June’s willingness to try something new.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
200 reviews1 follower
June 28, 2022
June is a marine veterinarian. She is asked to check on an injured octopus by a top secret group. When she arrives at the facility, she is stunned. It is a half human and half kraken.
Gardar is a warrior from another planet. He was injured fighting on his planet. He arrived through the portal in the ocean. He was captured by these humans. They have experimented on him. Then a human arrives that stops his three hearts. His fated mate.
June starts to develop feeling for Gar. She helps him escape his tormentors.
Has a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,900 reviews17 followers
July 1, 2022
June comes from old money, and she worked hard to become a marine veterinarian, something her family doesn't understand, but she loves her job. She's surprised when a scientist comes into the aquarium where she works and insist that June go with her to save an octopus. All well and good, but when she arrives at the top secret facility she finds that the creature she needs to save is a kraken.
Sexy and steamy romance with well written and fascinating characters. An interesting twist, and just a little suspense make this a must read in my opinion, and I highly recommend it.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
6,168 reviews58 followers
July 4, 2022
I love the "monster" series. This is the third book in the series about June, who's a marine veterinarian and Gar an alien Kraken from another planet. When Gar saw June and his three hearts stopped he knew that she was his fated mate. June was going to do everything in her power to heal Gar. The relationship between these two was was so different than what I expected. I loved reading about these two and their journey to their HEA. I love the creativity of Cara Wylde and am looking forward to her next story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Spinneretta.
2,862 reviews20 followers
June 30, 2022
Good

Gar and June
This is the third book in this series of standalone books, each featuring a different “monster” and a complete romance.
In this one, June, a marine veterinarian, is rushed away to help with what she is told is an injured octopus.
The octopus turns out to be a kraken, and an alien to our world! Of course the IMRA are involved again, and so are their questionable methods, so our plucky heroine has to find a way to save both her patient and herself!
Since Gar’s three hearts stop beating when he meets June, he is sure she is his fated mate… but can they ever be together?

This is another very quick read for sci-fi romance fans, particularly those who enjoy monstrous looking heroes. I admit, I was frequently thinking of “release the kraken” jokes reading this book, but it’s a sweet romance.
Tentacled shenanigans aside, it’s an enjoyable addition to the series, and it will be interesting to see where it goes from here!
Profile Image for Maureen.
1,456 reviews28 followers
June 25, 2022
This definitely was an interesting book to read. It had a good storyline and the characters were excellent, but i just felt that it sort of lacked something. Maybe i am wrong, but lol i kinda thought that the Kraken would give her a bit and transform her so she could breath under water like he could?
But the story was definitely eye catching and it was a good story all the same. I did love how the characters were greeted when they went back to his world especially with the turtles, very interesting indeed. i loved it.

Overall i rated this a good four star!!.

Profile Image for Trixie.
5,201 reviews
June 29, 2022
I cant imagine a kraken and a human together which made me curious about tis book. I was afraid of him at first, then I get to meet him. The MMC is quite charming all around. Even I was touched by his words and by his acts.

Our MCs are adorable but there are some things that I could not get into though: I still cannot imagine the logistics of their coming together. Despite that, it was still an enjoyable read. You'll just have to suspend reality for a while.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Christina Standridge.
1,039 reviews3 followers
July 2, 2022
This is a sweet story. June is a marine biologist and is asked to help save an octopus. There are a lot of forms to sign that state she can not tell anyone what she is doing. When she see the "octopus" she realized that she has been lied to. The creature has the body of a man and tentacles of an octopus. She needs to heal the creature that has a wound. Gar can't believe what he scents when June gets close. She is his mate and he is a prisoner of the humans. Their journey begins.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nina Diab.
5,306 reviews51 followers
July 2, 2022
I loved this book! Great world building and wonderful characters. I absolutely fell in love with Gar! I thought he was sweet and adorable and I was just as fascinated with him as June was. They were really cute together and I really enjoyed watching them get to know each other and grow close. But he a captive of humans. Can they escape through the portal that connects his world to Earth? I couldn't put this book down. It's my favorite in this series so far! 5 stars.
Profile Image for Bo0kSLoth.
1,617 reviews51 followers
July 3, 2022
A hardened tentacled warrior that finds himself hurt and stranded on an alien planet. A marine veterinarian tasked with his care. They come from different worlds; they speak different languages, but when hearts connect it destroys all barriers.

Land or sea, it's a passionate love between Gar and June, one that is worth fighting for.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,892 reviews2 followers
July 4, 2022
I thought this booknwas very good. It started with an intelligent woman that was never taken seriously and an injured alien held prisoner. I liked that the story didn't end when the alien escaped fron the prison with the help of his new mate, but that this booknalso offered what life was like on his own planet.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nan.
1,321 reviews4 followers
July 8, 2022
June was brought to a secretive government facility to treat an octopus. In reality, Gar is a Kraken from a different planet being held prisoner. He immediately identifies June as his mate and she quickly realizes the truth and determines to help free him. It’s an interesting monster story and fun to read about a lesser known mythological character. I received an advance copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
Profile Image for Caroline Doig.
5,457 reviews49 followers
June 19, 2022
June a marine veterinarian is asked by the IMRA the International Monster Research Association to help them with a injured octopus but when June saw the giant tank and what came up to the glass well it was no octopus. There is so much more going on in this fantastic story I loved it and the characters and I highly recommend this book it’s well worth the read.
7 reviews1 follower
June 24, 2022
I really liked the FMC being a marine veterinarian in this book. It set things up nicely for her meeting the love interest. Initially thought to be a Kraken as the book progresses you learn there is much more to his story. Strong strong start. The last few chapters got a little slow but overall a good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Michelle Fortune.
1,710 reviews5 followers
June 26, 2022
This book will pull you in and not let you go. There are awww moments as well as on the edge of your seat moments. I cannot wait to see if there will be more set in this world. You also wonder if this could really be taking place in our world right now.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,271 reviews20 followers
June 30, 2022

A Daring Escape to a Happily Ever After

June is a marine veterinarian whisked away by a secret organization to help a patient - who turns out to be an half-man-half-octopus alien named Gardar. Their story was just so romantic, I loved how they were so smitten and devoted to each other both instantly but also for the long haul. A wonderful and exciting story.
1,957 reviews11 followers
July 2, 2022
Gar and June are definitely an unusual couple. But this is a surprisingly sweet novel. There is a bit of adventure with the war and evil scientists. And it gets a bit silly at points, but overall it is just a quick, fun, little romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.