Thieves and Monsters

Three Fates Mafia #1

by Clio Evans

When it comes to stealing from mafia men, there are three rules.
Don’t get caught.
Don’t be seen.
And most of all— don’t fall in love with them.
After being hired to steal a painting, I find myself ensnared.
Damon, Minos, and Aaecus are monsters, and they only want one thing.
Me.
Seven days of sin in exchange for freedom from the Three Fates Mafia.
If only it were that easy.
The strings of fate have bound the four of us together, and not even gods or monsters can keep us apart.

This novel has the following:

A thieving and smart FMC
Demigods, monsters, and gods
SPICE
Why-choose monster romance
Size difference
and SO much more
Thieves & Monsters is a why-choose monster mafia romance. It is the first book in the Three Fates Mafia Series and can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Why Choose, Monsters, Monster Romance, Romance, Dark Romance

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 9, 2023

Reviews

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hands down the best reverse harem I’ve read in a long time!!! This was perfection. Literally have no words like…WHAT DID I JUST READ. It delivered beyond anything I could have imagined. Everything you want in a RH and probably the best group scene I’ve read possibly…EVER!!

We have a Greek Mythology retelling combined with Monsters and Mafia - What more could you ask for? The mafia crews in this world answer to the 3 Fates. One of the heads of the mafia "branches" is Cerberus...the leaders are Damon, Minos, and Aaecus - Yes the 3 headed guard dog of Hades. Hades' daughter cursed Damon which led them to be combined in their monster form. Ashley is sent to steal a valuable artwork from them but gets caught, kidnapped and forced to stay with them for a week. Immediately Minos and Aaecus want her - they are drawn to her and Damon holds back.

This novella is literally perfection. One of the spiciest books I've read this year. The plot is very straightforward but honestly this focused more on the characters and ALL the spice - and I did not complain one minute.

Received an ARC and this is my honest fückïng review!

Goodies:
2 MM scenes
1 MMM Scene
3 MF Scenes
2 EPIC GROUP ACTIVITIES
Ch0king
size difference
monster love
bondage
breath play
knife play
praise/dynamics
kidnapping
dom/sub
bondage

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought a lot of the rage on Damien's part was ridiculously dramatic. He kept calling the FMC a whore and a bitch and just being a general jackass to everyone around him - even his other mates. I didn't fully understand the venom that any of the 3 MMCs held for mortals either since they seemed to go out of their way to insult her for being human and then insult her some more when they found out she was a demigod. So honestly what the fuck do you guys want? (I think the answer is that they simply wanted her to be dead.)

I'm also the kind of girl that enjoys a lot of praise in my smut so this just kind of wasn't the best book for me. They kept calling her a shitty thief even though they admit privately that she stole things that would be hard for them to get their hands on. So I was a little bit confused because they actually give some pretty good examples of her being a complete mess of a thief. I don't know why it bothered me as much as it did but... can she do her job or can't she? Does she have any skills worth noting or...

Also a point that I could never really get over is finding violence attractive when it's so objectively, brutally horrifying. I'm talking about at one point one of them threatens to break her jaw while she's giving a BJ. Or ripping her soul up and throwing it in the underworld. Killing her. Chopping her into little bite-size bits for the fishies. They were pushing her around like a soccer ball, slamming her against walls until she blacked out and it never really felt like she had a single physical advantage. Done right, with the proper amount of sexual tension and a feeling of being more on equal ground, I could see how it would be attractive during a fight scene and might even be into it but it never felt set up in a way that made me think that she was anything more than a victim and that they were anything more than sadists completely devoid of any compassion toward her suffering. Which...get it, I guess. I would probably be sadistic too if I had to live centuries after centuries as a tri-headed syndicate boss. But...maybe don't capture a human and then make it seem like it's her fault for being attractive??? Idk just an idea.

It never felt like any of them cared about her getting hurt or even being emotionally open to their sexual advances which made me feel gross. A lot of the time we would be inside the FMCs head and she would be disgusted and angry with the way that she was bring treated and then the male leads would say that she was wet or into it and it felt like we, as the audience, were supposed to kind of swallow that answer or consent and then carry on. Which... listen I've never accepted the word of a man on first glance and I will not be doing it in written form either. Especially when it comes to the sexual urges of a woman. So Ceberus can take his helpful observations about her nos being yes' and shove them up his ass.

Just not for me. I think the world is interesting though.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This felt a little ridiculous, and too rushed. It’s only 180 pages so of course it’s not going to be as in depth as a full length book, but between the slightly confusing set up and the fact that there are 3 guys in the harem… I felt like I didn’t KNOW any of them, even the heroine.

Also, the shapeshifting sex… what? I couldn’t even visualize.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars
4.5/5 spice

To be perfectly honest, this BLEW ME AWAY. I gasped multiple times while reading this. GASPED! Do you know what it takes at this point to cause such a reaction? Multiple knots and a good old-fashioned triple dong. Clio and Opal, I could kiss you for this. But I won't make it weird, so maybe an air kiss?

Ashley is hired to steal a piece of art from three mafia monsters who make up the beastly form of Cerberus when shifted. They catch her in the act, and instead of killing her, decide to make her sign a contract to be their sex slave for the next week. There's a bit of fated mates sorcery at work, however, and Ashley soon finds herself mated (via claiming bite) to all three men.

The spice in this book is next fucking level. Not only do each of the men have knots, but they all also have different amounts of knots!! Imagine a dick with three knots. I sure did. It's like a choose-your-own knotventure and I am HERE for it. And when they join together as Cerberus when shifted, their form has THREE DICKS. I'm just saying.

Ashley's monster harem also has a good deal of MM--Damon and Minos have an existing mate bond, and Aaecus joins in on that dynamic once they're all mated to Ashley. Shit is hot. There are many group activities.

I loved this a lot, and I highly recommend for all my fellow monster lovers.

[Paisley Haskell · Rating 4 out of 5]

nothing to see here ladies... keep scrolling

[hea booktubes · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was solidly a two star bad book until the final sex scene that was (bestiality?!) and soooo bad and weird and cringey that I literally could not take it. I thought they’d have one cock? Three heads, one body. Not this weirdness. They had absolutely zero reasons for a relationship other than the mating bond. The plot?! Killing Hades daughter and no consequences? I can not. I can not. Makes no goddamn sense. Thanks. I hate it.

[Dora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Non-existent chemistry between our quartet made the smut scenes even more meh. I'm kinda disappointed because this setting had so much potential ☹

[Kate V · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Monster Smut Stars!

Wow! I’m still not a fan of MMF but if anyone could change my mind it would be Opal and Clio.

Damon, Aaecus and Minos are the three men that individually are monsters but merged together make Cerberus. When Ashley is sent by Typhon to steal a piece of art from them to erase her debts, well let’s just say she fails. But these men want to f*ck her more than they want to kill her so they make her a deal. Spend seven days with them at their mercy and they’ll set her free and under their protection.

But their initial attraction to each other is deeper than they expected and there’s something bigger at play. Will they be able to let each other go at the end of seven days? Will they be able to protect each other?

This short story had all the kinks (hello Cerberus dick…still trying to work that one out in my head) and all the smut. It was well written and had a unique plot with a refreshing take on Greek mythology. I enjoyed it a lot. Just MMF action still isn’t my thing.

I liked Ashley and her fierceness. I liked Aaecus the most with Minos close behind. Damon took longer to like because he was an asshole and I don’t know if I was convinced with his grovel. But together they were a force to be reckoned with. Overall, a good read.

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3/5 ⭐️s

I’m not going to lie; this wasn’t my favorite of Clio’s books. I haven’t read any of Opal’s writing before, so it’s hard to judge off of one co-authored book.

I was excited for the mashup of mythology and mafia, and I know to expect mostly spice with a sprinkle of plot with Clio’s writing. This was definitely that, but usually there’s more chemistry in the relationships established. The spice here felt mostly flat for me. Add to that a relatively minimum plot that really threw me for a loop, and you’ve got a less than wonderful read.

Here’s hoping book two picks up a bit!

[a 🔮 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um so this is mid at best. The plot was really not there, which is fine but based on the marketing for this book I was expecting more, substance? The worldbuilding definitely has potential.

It wasn’t until I was looking for this book on Goodreads that I realized this is an expansion on an existing (or previously existing book)? When I looked on Clio’s author page on amazon I saw that the version that was 180 pages and cowritten with Opal Fairchild is no longer available/out of print. Here is the link to this version’s GR page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
Interesting that there has been no mention of that on any of Clio’s posts when promoting this book.

Anyway, it’s centered on this art thief Ashley, and she’s sent by Hercules to steal a piece of artwork from the three guy/hellhound/werewolf shifters who come together to make Cerberus. Yes, that Cerberus. The very little plot/world building we did get was honestly very interesting I wish we would have gotten more about that.

There is not much of an explanation over how monsters came out of hiding, and why monsters, especially Damon hate mortals so much. With his curse you would think that he hates gods/goddesses more than mortals but we move. She’s the “best art thief” and naturally gets caught by the three guys, Damon, Minos, and Aaecus. Apparently she smells good to 2 of the 3 of them and so the 3 guys make a contract for her to be their slave for 7 days and then they would send her away and she would be under their protection. Now, if that doesn’t make sense to you trust me you are not alone. Like why would they let her go at the end of the contract? Like her a “poor stupid little mortal” was able to break in to their impenetrable penthouse for her to even attempt to steal something and these three mafia heads were just going to let that fly? Yeah right.

Anyway insta love ensues and its fine but its more bully romance-y than I enjoy. And by that I mean I would definitely call this a bully romance beginning. They treat her like trash, she fights back and the cycle continues. It isn’t until a, ding ding ding, you guessed it one of them realizes that she’s his (and all of their) mates that the switch is flipped and they go from treating her like trash to treating her like THEIR trash but whatever. Anyway demigod Bullshit ensues and we keep getting told “oh Demi gods are so hard to kill” and it’s repeated several times. Yet this 26 year old art thief, newly realized demigod herself is able to take down one in like one shot with like zero training? Not even 3 ancient hell hound/Cerberus is even able to keep up blow for blow with a demigod but she does? Be real.

Also while we are at it, the impenetrable penthouse the “poor stupid human” was able to break into? Why the fuck did they think a demigod wouldn’t try to get in? Again the more I think about the events that happen in this book the more batshit they are. Like I get it, it’s urban/paranormal fantasy, like it doesn’t have to be realistic but it does have to be believable and this is just not.

[Comet]

DNF @ 25%

Today, I learned that I do NOT have a degradation kink. The way the MMCs insult and physically injure the FMC made me insanely uncomfortable. And the way the FMC’s body kept ‘betraying’ her was annoying.

Concept was cool though, and the world has potential! The relationship dynamic just wasn’t my cup of tea.

[Shelby | Spicy.booknook · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨MMM, MMMF Monster Lovin
✨Mafia-ish
✨Greek Mythology-ish
✨All the Kinky Spice

This is a fun why choose monster romance that requires you to leave your brain at the door. If you are in the mood for some pure monster smut, this one is for you.

Ashley is an art thief that’s sent to do one last job to pay off her debt. She’s caught by three hot Mafia monster men that also happen to form Cerberus. In order for her to leave, she has to make a contract to do whatever they want for one week.

This is super fast burn and a quick turn from hate to love, which is not my jam at all, but still not too bad.

[Bourbon, Books and Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH. MY. GOODNESS! I loved this book!

*****
Rating: 5 I want to be an art thief stars
Steam: 4 I want Cerberus flames
Genre: MMFM, Monster & Human Romance, PNR, Greek Mythology, Anti-Hero, Enemies to Lovers, Kinky
Triggers: Please check out the TW before reading
*****
What happens when two fantastic writers team up with Greek mythology, monsters, and an art thief? You get a steamy five-star read that you will can’t put down! You get a book that you will immediately regret finishing because you will want so much more.

Damon, Aaecus, and Minos are the three monsters/men that make up the fierce and feared Cerberus. Ashley has been sent on a mission to steal a piece of art from these three men/monsters, and if she succeeds, all her debts to the men’s enemy and her debt holder, Typhon, will be erased. But what happens when she is caught stealing the RUMmmm (yes, I got and loved the reference) painting.

The three monsters decide to make her theirs for seven days, no holds barred, all debts erased. But could there be something bigger at play here?

This book is filled with monster loving goodness. So many different kinks are explored, and there is some seriously hot MM action too. This is a story where the sexy times have no bounds… okay they do, ropes, blindfolds, cages, and so much more… it warmed my little deviant heart to see the passion leap off the pages as Ashley and her monsters discovered they were so much more to each other.

Also, this book is chock full of consent without it being in your face. Yes, Ashley makes a deal with monsters, but at no time do you feel she has given up consent. That was sexy.

This fusion of monsters, mafia, and Greek mythology was incredible, and I'm honestly sad the book is over. I'm looking forward to reading more from these two extremely talented authors. Do I recommend it? Without a doubt... a thousand times yes! Will I continue reading? Obviously... YES, I was totally captivated by the storyline, the characters, and the new world created for us by Ms. Fairchild and Ms. Evans!

[Jld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bana sormayın neden 3 verdiğimi ben de bilmiyorjm smsmsm
Saçmaydı dmdmmd
Başında kesin 2 veririm diyodhm iyi değildi çünkü ama sonradan 3 oldu bi anda dmdmdm
Ya da benim Rh sevgim 3 ten düşük vermeme izin vermiyo dkkdnzn

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soooo god, it gives a new twist to books that mix Greek mythology and mafias. I can't wait for the second book ♥️

[AlenGarou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stanche dei soliti romanzi spicy conditi da scene smut tutte uguali?
Stanche del solito bad boy dominante che tratta la Mary Sue di turno come una bambola gonfiabile?
Stanche dei soliti mafia romance piene di traumi nonsense conditi da porno nonsense?
Ebbene, Thieves and Monsters è il pornazzo con quasi una trama che fa per voi!
Non solo fornisce una vasta selezione di tutti i trope e kink possibili e immaginabili, ma non c’è una scena smut uguale all’altra!
Questo perché stiamo parlando di una relazione composta da una ladra d’arte e Cerbero, che in realtà è composto da tre manzi piuttosto dotati che sono mate tra di loro (beh… almeno due su tre).
Quindi sì, amanti dei monster porn, furry, orge e M/M… Ho pensato molto a voi.
Perché non potete negare che sia un libro furry. Cioè, dai… questa si fotte Cerbero in ogni salsa e portata!
Posso quasi affermare che sia il libro più strano e zozzo che ho letto finora.
Me ne pento? Nemmeno un po’.
Dopotutto provate voi a iniziare un nuovo lavoro e ritrovarvi subito sommersi di straordinari… avevo bisogno di qualcosa che mi aiutasse a staccare il cervello e questa perla non solo mi ha ucciso i neuroni, ma mi ha fatto a pezzi il lobo frontale.
Ricordi di guerra a parte, perché mentre sto scrivendo mi stanno tornando in mentre le fin troppe scene zozze e i fin troppi “daddy”, c’è persino una trama nel mezzo. Sì, perché si tratta di un mafia romance mischiato con la mitologia greca.
Da una parte abbiamo i semidei che sono tutti dei cazzoni assurdi.
Dall’altra abbiamo i mostri che hanno ovviamente delle rimostranze verso il nepotismo.
Insomma, di saette, melograni, pioggia d’oro (più bianca in realtà) e altri riferimenti il testo ne è pieno. Persino Zeus decide di fare una capatina. Per non dire chi compare sul finale!
Lo stile non è dei migliori ed è quasi tutto un enorme WTF, ma se cercate qualcosa di leggero con cui farvi quattro risate se non siete troppo schizzinose, fateci un pensierino.

[erin | sinfulshelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙖 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙨," 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘥.

🔥🌶️ || 𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆
⚠︎ check TWs | 18+ content ⚠︎

📖 Thieves and Monsters by Clio Evans
Star Rating: 4/5 ★★★★
Spice Rating: 5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Spice Frequency: 5/5 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
POV: Multi/1st

• m0nster romance
• br33ding k!nk w/o pregnancy
• why choose
• fated mates
• group scenes 🥵 (w/ DVP/TP)
• kn0tting
• size difference

When Ashley thinks she’s about to do a job that will free her from her crushing debt to m@fia boss, Hercules, she ends up in the house of Cerberus. An experienced thief stealing a painting from Hades’ h3llhounds should be easy right? Try again. When she’s caught by Damon, Aaecus and Minos…she enters into a contract with them that will pay her debt to Hercules. The conditions? Be their s3x sl@ve for the week. Yes, it is as unhinged and sexy as it sounds. 😉

Perfect for the monster romance lover, Thieves and Monsters has it all. I thoroughly enjoyed the spice, the storyline, and the artwork that was shown in the KU version of the book. It was an easy and fun read and kept me on my toes while also satisfying that hunger for something EXTRA spicy. 🌶️

The four stars comes from a few grammatical errors and that this book wasn’t LIFE CHANGING for me but it was super fun to read and I will 100% be reading every other book by Clio Evans ever.

[Alyssa Albanese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorry I only read mafia romance if it’s monsters 😌

This was so good! I’m not super into Greek mythology but I loved this one! Ashley is such a badass fmc and I love her boys 🥵

[Autumn Miller ~ autumnbookreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Cyndi Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Somewhat interesting Greek mythology Mafia world, but it isn't very fleshed out in this book. But let's be real, you're not here for the plot. 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶/5 spiciness. This book was filthy and I was kinda here for it.

[Romancing the Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Idk how to write this review buuuuut...

📚 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Monster erotica, mafia romance

📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Ashley is a thief caught stealing art from the three men who form Cerberus, a three-headed hellhound. She agrees to one week of sin in exchange for them letting her go free.

🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: If you like Clio's Creature Cafe Series, you'll like this story. Just lower your expectations a little bit.

The book did have sweet moments. I liked how they all fell for her immediately and how even Damon, who took some convincing, wooed her in some way.

I think the issue I am having that's causing me not to rave over this is the complete lack of plot and character development. This was deffffinitely erotica, which I signed up for knowingly. But I didn't feel like Ashley was a well-rounded enough character for me at all. It's all spice, which some may find great but I need a little plot with my weird

🔮 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝗲: Um to be fair I can't picture how she had... ya know... the intercourse... with the men while they were Cerberus. But otherwise it was ok.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

🆓️ on KU

[Dianna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Possible spoilers>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>




I really don't know how to rate this. I can't quite get my brain around it. And the ending spice scene was just weird - why would a 3 headed one bodied shifter still have 3 🍆🍆🍆? The confusion was distracting. This may have been just a step too far in my shifter reading- it was a little too close to beastiality for me. The original concept was good but it went beyond my personal comfort levels. Sometimes you just go a step too far, lol
In the end I decided this was 1⭐️ book for me- I would not recommend it or read it again- time did not soften my distaste for this book as I'd thought it may.

[treofpaperbacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG.

The way I love this book. It’s the perfect monster reverse harem romance. Heavy on the spice!! It’s as if Minos was the foreplay, Aaecus was the act and all three together were the big O.

I can’t wait to see what the Three Fates Mafia set up next!

[Diana Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mafia and Monsters 🤤😋🥰 🤝🏼 the smut scenes only were amazing! The plot was good but could have been a little better.. wished we had more of an epilogue but the ending was okay…

[Marietere T · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you would've told me a year ago that I would be obsessed with Monster Mafia romance, I would've called you crazy. I loved the book. I loved this book so much. The crazy parts, the not so crazy parts. I loved all of it. I can't wait to read more.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read your content warnings. I cannot stress this enough. Read. Your. Content. Warnings. It is all there.

Now that that's out of the way. I am here for a new spin on mythology. I love reading about characters that I've met many, many times, in new and fun ways. This was certainly new, and it was definitely fun. Very naughty as well. Ashley is a thief, sent to steal from Cerberus by Hercules. She gets caught by the three men that can shift into monsters and combine to form the monster of legend, Cerberus. They are Mighty Morphin' Power Hellhounds!! And I was here for it.

When they catch her, Damon, one head of Cerberus, wants to kill her. However, his other two monster men, Minos and Aaecus, are not about that. They want her. So they draw up a contract for her to be their sex slave for 7 days. After the contract is fulfilled, they will pay off her debt to Hercules and she is free to go on her merry way.

Then all Hades breaks loose. Not literally, but nothing goes to plan in this book. Well, I'm sure they went to someone's plan. Specifically, Clio Evans's and the Fates' plans. But certainly not Ashley, Damon, Minos, OR Aaecus. All of their plans go to shit. And it's pretty funny to watch.

This did drag a little for me. I knew that some of the content, listed in the fairly thorough content warning was not for me, and I was right. I managed to push through, and I'm glad I did. But those things did hang me up a few times and that's ultimately why I can't give this a higher rating.

[Δανάη Ιμπραχήμ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Κατά λάθος εκδόθηκε το outline της ιστορίας.

[Mersi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure I was going to like this......but was I WRONG!!!! SO GOOD!! It was fast, but once it started with Minos...rapid fired through my soul.

[MJ]

I had to DNF this about 20% way in. Nothing on the author or the book. I love Clio Evans books. Just wasn’t for me

[Andrea ☾ [is inconsistently consistant]]

DNF at 25%

I tried, but there's dubious consent and there's straight up rap3. This is the latter. I'm giving up on Cleo Evans' books. They're really not for me.
This was really bad.