There's a Monster in the Woods

Spooky Boys #0.5

by Fae Quin

(Previously free on Bookfunnel with author newsletter sign-up)

The spooky boys series invites you to visit a world where things that go bump in the night aren’t just fantasy. These standalone novels feature monsters that are spicy, fun, and sometimes furry

Follow Ellis, an outcast who hides from the real world inside his garden, as he discovers that the centuries old children’s poem about a monster that lives in the woods by his house is real. Will Ellis find love inside his monster’s arms? Or will he discover he’s destined for the same fate as the town Sacrifices of the past?

A lonely man, a lonely monster, what could go wrong?

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Monster Romance, Novella, LGBT

78 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow. I don't think I have the mental energy to review this?


SO WHAT YOU ARE TELLING ME, IS THAT YOU'RE COMPETING IN A PUMPKIN COMPETITION AND YOUR OPPONENT SENDS HIS UNDERAGE SLAVE CHILDREN TO BREAK INTO YOUR PROPERTY AND DESTROY YOUR PUMPKINS THE DAY BEFORE THE COMPETITION, AND YOU'RE TELLING ME, YOUR SWEET"REVENGE" IS TO SNEAK INTO HIS SHED AND FUCK NEXT TO HIS COMPETITION PUMPKINS??? AND THEN PUT THE FUCKING BLANKETS AWAY AFTER???

ARE YOU FUCKING JOKING MY GUY!?

FARMER JOE DESERVED A SMACK WITH A SHOVEL R U KIDDING ME!?

Honestly, just check out my notes if you have a minute or can be bothered because wow.
The ideas and intentions of this book were there, but the execution was as rocky as white water rafting, and I was crying trying to hold to my personal enjoyment the whole way through before the book inevitably crashed and burned in a train wreck. 🔥

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5* This story was written in a very poetic and dreamy way. There were some parts that flowed perfectly, and other parts that felt disjointed.

I had a thing for strays; I always had. Most of the time I felt like a stray myself.

Ellis is a quiet 27-year old who doesn’t really like to be around people. One day, while walking home from the village, he hears a strange sound in the forest and goes to investigate.

He wasn’t human, but he certainly wasn’t what I’d thought he’d be either. There was an animalistic grace to his movements, while careful, he shifted that powerful body like a beast.

Gay fantasy romance
Town ritual/sacrifice
Forest creature
Nature, gardening
Slow burn
HEA - off page

I loved the back-and-forth of these two getting to know one another. It was like watching a couple dance, the flow between them was perfect. The sharing of gifts, the baskets of food, gardening, the blossoming interest and the kissing!

However, it took WAY too long for them to cross over from being friendly, to lovers.

I put my biggest irritant below in spoilers.

I really don’t understand why the author chose to have their first and only sex scene be in the greenhouse of the asshole next-door neighbor. He’s was a vindictive an arrogant man. Not only that, but he walked in on them having sex. It really took away from the intimacy of the moment, and the location made zero sense to the story.

It should have happened in Ellis’ garden next to the pumpkin patch, and their combined passion created the most beautiful magic. It would have made his garden grow overnight. At least that’s how I would have wanted their first time to be.

[Barbara➰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because GR is a bitch sometimes, and this book wasn't considered a book because it was free, even though it is 🙄 I'm reposting my review on this one.

Stunning, lyrical, beautiful, sweet, romantic.

The ethereal quality of the writing added to the romanticism of loving a monster. But we really discover there are two monsters living in the woods, and they belong together, mates forever.

Just beautiful.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet town outcast Ellis spends his time gardening and hanging out with his dog in their little home near the woods. On a trip back from town he hears something and thinking it's an injured animal, sets off into the woods to find it. Only Ellis inadvertently stumbles across the monster that been haunting the woods for hundreds of years, and unknowingly piques his interest.

The creature begins visiting Ellis's farm, and Ellis soon realizes that he's just as lonely as Ellis is. The pair strike up a sweet friendship, sharing gifts between each other, and feelings slowly blossom between them as they continue to spend time together.

There’s a Monster in the Woods was so fricking cute!! I absolutely fell in love with Ellis and Styx when I first read this back when it was a free novella, and I loved the little additions Fae added that made it even better!

If you’re looking for a cozy and fluffy monster romance, with cinnamon roll characters, and a dash of spice thrown in, then I HIGHLY recommend!

[JonathanSamuelReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘My name is Styx, it murmured. You have entered my forest. You have accepted my gifts. And now, you are mine’

- [ ] Two lonely boys/monster gardening and kissing in the fall and bringing each other gifts what more could I want? 🥹 🍁 🎃
- [ ] Ellis just bloomed under Styx and I thought this was really cute but at sometimes felt i don’t know little kiddey? If that’s a word?
- [ ] But nonetheless I’ve been wanting to read some spooky fall vibes and this sort of scratched some of that itch?
- [ ] The farmer next door sending underage child workers to ruin your pumpkins and your big “revenge” plan is y’all’s little “nest” fuck I’m sorry but that made me cackle hahahahah 😝 😫

[Sarah]

This did absolutely nothing for me. No rating - skimmed. The mystical poetical writing made my eyes glaze over, it was mainly inner monologue with one MC barely speaking and I couldn’t bring myself to care for the pumpkins. Can’t even say this was particularly steamy, the one sex scene was dull and from a romance perspective it felt to be in an odd choice of location.

[buket · Rating 3 out of 5]

hmm

[Emna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf @78
Reading this felt like homework I didn’t want to do, and I don’t even do my real homework, so LETTTTTTTTT’S GOOOO!

[⋆｡°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°｡⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8⭐, but rounding it up, I am optimistic about the series. No idea where my first review for this novella went. I've read it when it came out.

😈 Monster romance
🔵 Size difference
🟢 Primal kink
🌶️ Slow burn; some spice, but good

The story is about Ellis, a loner guy who lives with his dog on the outskirts of a village, where he's some sort of an outkast. Why, I have no idea, it's not explained. He's just different and that's all that was said about it.



When he's out of the house, he has to go through a forest to go to the village or back, so one day he comes across a monster in that forest, Styx.



Ellis runs away, he's scared, but on the other hand Styx, the monster, lets him know he's there somewhere and they start conversing in the form of exchanging gifts. They soon become friends, they hang out and eventually also get together.



Because it's a short novella, we don't really get much background, but I did like this world, also the village's yearly custom of leaving a sacrifice to the fictional monster in the woods - who's not that fictional. But I did feel like a lot more could be said about that custom. It sounds intriguing.

I'd definitely like to know more about Styx and Ellis and get more time with them. I was hoping the author would develop the story later on, but it hasn't happened.

This is from my original review, though;

Basically the whole book was foreplay (for me). When it came to the peak event in the book, it ended. I was stunned a little bit, I felt like I just got cozy, the monster came for his hot farmer boy and then...



😄😄😄😄

I'm going to be reading the next installments in the series for sure. 🎃

[❀Laiz❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8⭐

Hay dos monstruos en el bosque.

Eso es lo que dicen los cuentos.
Con dientes crujientes,
y viento por alas,
los niños pequeños son su presa.

Hay dos monstruos en el bosque.

Uno robó al otro a la luz del día.
Encontró un compañero, para cazar a su lado,
así que nunca debes alejarte.

Hay dos monstruos en el bosque.

El monstruo solitario ya no llora,
los oirás cantar,
una canción del destino.

Su felicidad es tan fuerte que no puedes ignorarla.

No me puedes dejar así😭😭😭😭 esto fue injustamente corto❤️‍🩹 y tan bonito y con vibes medio macabras🤧

[Marie-Pierre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was offered an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

There's a Monster in the Woods by Fae Quin is the rerelease of a short story previously available when you signed up for Fae's newsletter. It has been completely revamped with added scenes and is set in the Spooky Boys universe.

I first read the shorter version of this novella at the end of 2022 and here was what I had to say:

This book is a delightful gift that Fae Quin is offering to anyone who wishes to be spoiled with greatness. I adored every bit of it, the tense moments, the sweet ones, the smirks and the heart squeezes. The words were poetry. Fae Quin is a poet. I need more of her prose. This story of two lonely souls finding each other was perfection. I have nothing more to say. Read it.
.....

I loved to rediscover Ellis and Styx this time around. My heart is still all giddy from this beautiful and unconventional love story. The way Ellis and Styx bring each other gifts was just so sweet. Even though you don't get Styx's POV, his feelings are pretty clear, by way of his actions. The two MCs were beautiful creatures. They both were open to the other, curious and no judgement. I loved the little bits of humour because Ellis is just awkwardly perfect. This is the kind of book that is refreshing, different, amazing.

Again, every time I read a Fae Quin book, I'm in awe of the way she's able to transport her readers into her beautiful world. Her words are absolutely stunning. You can see and smell and feel everything. Her stories soothe my soul and this one was no different.

I will never stop recommending this author.

[Gaby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really don't think this author is for me.

There is nothing really bad with the book but it just didn't vibe with me, I am not sure if it was the writing style or the story or what, but yeah, it was just fine.

[Vanessa GLP · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5💫

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the slow burn of this story, with Ellis finding a fellow lonely soul who didn’t quite fit in. Their reciprocal gift giving was precious and even though the “monster” couldn’t communicate the same way, they formed a meaningful bond. There wasn’t a lot of spice, but that’s hardly surprising given the slow burn in a novella.

Spice: 2/5

Triggers: bullying, hunting, grief from death of loved ones (off page death), isolation, stalking (from curiosity mostly)

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My name is Styx, the wind murmured.
You have entered my forest.
You have accepted my gifts.
From the moment I saw you, I knew you were mine."

MITW follows Ellis, a loner who loves to garden. He stumbles upon a monster (Styx) in the woods one day while walking home. Apparently, the legend is true. From there, it's the beginning of their slow burn love. Every day, Ellis wakes up to find a vegetable from his garden ready for harvest, picked, and left on his front porch with the utmost care. They they start leaving gifts of sorts for one another every night. One night, Styx finally approaches Ellis, and they start hanging out every night. Eventually, their friendship blossoms into more, and they start "exploring" other feelings. There's some conflict with Ellis's neighbor who doesn't want competition growing pumpkins that take place, but things end as they should. Ellis is just a big old sweetheart, and so is Styx. They're just perfect for one another. I absolutely loved this Spooky Boys story and this series! Definitely recommend if you're into monster romance!

Just reread via audiobook, and it was perfection! Liam Dicosimo did a fantastic performance! He definitely enhanced the story, and I was already in love with it!

[Alyssa (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading There’s a Monster in the Woods felt like a warm hug. I loved the cozy vibes and how Ellis just bloomed as he spent more time with Styx.

[tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

wasnt up here previously.

this was... meh.... 😭

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was gorgeous, and I loved everything about it. Styx and Ellis belong together on an elemental level, and their love story encompasses all of nature in a very sensual way. It begins as a tentative friendship with shy gestures, and longing glances, and then grows into an all-consuming bond that is equal parts primal and sweet. This is a story of belonging and finding home with someone you love. As such, it's cozy, atmospheric, and beautifully done.

[made you loooook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars!
I loved this so much. Both main characters were so sweet! This was a truly enjoyable story.

🎃Fall vibes (although the whole story isn't in fall, it's the vibesss)

🥹A sweet, loner Human

🦌A sweet, lonely (well-endowed 🍆 ) Monster

🔥A slow burn

🫦An explorative first kiss

🍅Gardening

📜Beautiful writing (ok, this is my opinion, but like I'm pretty sure I'm right on this)

[Bronwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5* stars — This was an interesting short story. It’s available on the author’s website for free. Due to the fact that the “monster” was non-verbal, we get mostly narrative. I can’t say that I’d want to venture into anything else this author wrote if this is an example of her writing style. There’s a lot of purple prose and I found myself having to reread passages to pick through what was meaningful and what was superfluous.

The wind trailed along the back of my neck and I sighed, tipping my head to the side. I let my scent twist inside the breeze’s searching fingers. It spread out between tree trunks, across babbling creeks, and through the overgrown brush toward where my lover lurked somewhere hidden in the shadows.

While pretty and poetic, at times it just hurt my brain. It’s the kind of writing I’d have to be in a certain mood to enjoy.

The woods were chilly that day, the familiar caress of the wind against my skin soothing despite the way I shivered. The howl of the breeze through open branches followed me as I walked over the sun-dappled overgrown path.

The main character, Ellis, had an “Aunt June and Uncle Ruth.” For one, I was unaware that Ruth could be a man’s name (he is referred to as “he”). For another, the author fails to understand the rules of when to capitalize the words aunt and uncle. We’d lived in our own little world, just my Aunt and Uncle and me. I’m sure lots of people wouldn’t notice, but I found it annoying. You wouldn’t capitalize the worth brother if you said, “ I went with my brother to the store.” Nor would you capitalize it if you said, “I grew up with my brother Kevin.”

*I rounded up my rating because 2 stars seems too low.

[˗ˏˋ mckenna ˎˊ˗ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really loved this book!! so sweet and beautiful 🥹 would tattoo the entire thing on my back to have it with me at all times

(although kinda hated the sex scene in the shed like… why? that was so ooc and honestly lowkey gave me the ick. but besides that? spectacular.)

[Andria Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was wholesome, with a hint of sexy smut, and a happy ending. Atmospheric and delightful for a perfect fall read. 5 ⭐!

[Ronie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet! Sure why kill those that present themselves as enemies to your peace. When they can be scandalized.

[Ula'ndi Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall book rating: 2.5
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 2

This is most probably my fault.

The story was just to short to make me sit up and take
notice.

I wanted waaaaaaaay more detail.

I predicted the whole debacle with the pumpkins but
the "revenge" was something I was looking forward to...
Well needless to say I didn't find it satisfying at all.

I was thinking... Styx is going to conjure up
worms to eat holes into all Farmer Jones's prized pumpkins!

There will be big fat gaping holes in everything!

What I got was the first and ONLY intimacy scene
between the two MC's? That also ticked me off
because I want those to be special don't I?

I didn't get how that was suppose to bring them "revenge".


I wanted to know more about Styx, where he lives what
he does in his everyday life... what was waiting for
Ellis...

[Meagan (FranticVampireReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 reread: This was a really fun and smutty way to end my Halloween reads! Most of my thoughts from my original review still stand. I loved the sweet way that Ellis and Styx got together. And I absolutely adored Styx’s revenge plan for Farmer Jones. It was equally parts hilarious and evil genius and it had me giggling to myself. This is still getting four out of five stars.

Original 2022 review: I really, really liked this one! The world building is great and I loved the subtle way that the supernatural and magic was suffused through the whole thing. The vibes that this book has are so freaking good! Ellis was a lovely character and I just wanted to hug him! And Nyx, the monster? I’m glad he’s not lonely anymore. Also, Styx’s revenge plan was equal parts genius, hilarious, and sweet. I loved this and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book! There’s a Monster in the Woods is getting four stars. 😊

[Em’sBookNook · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I loved the setting and the descriptions, it was really vivid and it quickly became a place I wanted to visit.

That being said, I came away with more questions asked than answered. He says he doesn’t sell any of his produce but he goes into town to buy food, how does he earn money? He doesn’t have a job? Why/how did his aunt and uncle die 10 years ago? Why can Styx only occasionally communicate, why does he never ask why he can’t speak to him that way more often?

And the big question was why did Styx decide that fucking him in Farmer Jones’ greenhouse loudly was the ideal revenge for destroying his pumpkins? I was so confused as to why it was happening. Like how did Styx who was new to the concept of handholding and kissing and enamoured by it, decide to fuck a human in a greenhouse for revenge? Make it make sense.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah, that was cute. Styx is like almost completely nonverbal, and for a second there I thought it was gonna bother me. But tbh they just click together. It was so cute and sweet and the bread scene was just *chefs kiss*

[Frida · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★½

I’ll admit, I’m not usually drawn to novellas. They tend to leave me wanting—craving the depth of a fully developed plot, the richness of characters with space to breathe and evolve. Yet, somehow, There’s a Monster in the Woods defied all my expectations, pulling me into its world with a quiet magic that left me mesmerized and teary-eyed.

Quin's prose is nothing short of poetic, weaving through the pages like a delicate spell. Every sentence felt carefully chosen, each word like a soft breath in the cold night air, leaving a lingering sense of something just out of reach. It’s not just beautiful writing—it’s haunting. There’s an ache that runs through the story, a sadness intertwined with the hope of something just beyond our understanding. I can’t quite describe it, but it resonated deeply with me.

The relationship at the heart of the novella is unlike any I’ve encountered before. There’s no lengthy build-up, no grand moments of dialogue or communication to solidify their bond. Yet, as the story unfolds, I could feel these two souls—human and not—being drawn together, not by words but by something ethereal, perhaps even magical. And while this may sound like the usual trope of mystical romance, Quin masterfully avoids the pitfalls of predictability or excessive drama. The connection here isn’t driven by passion or physicality (for those worried, this isn't smut-heavy in the slightest), but rather by an inexplicable, almost primal pull that felt destined, fated. It’s the kind of relationship that you feel more than you see, like the undercurrent of a river rushing silently beneath your feet.

Despite the novella’s shorter length, the woods themselves become a character—a dark (dark green with golden hues, tbh), enigmatic presence that watches and waits, filled with secrets and shadows. Quin breathes life into the forest, making it both a place of danger and allure, mirroring the tension in the relationship itself. The atmosphere is thick with mystery, and there’s a palpable sense of something ancient and unknowable that makes every step, every decision, feel both monumental and delicate.

Yes, the story leaves some things unsaid, some questions "unanswered", but instead of frustration, I was left with a kind of wistful wonder. Not everything is meant to be neatly tied up, and that’s what makes this novella feel so powerful—its ambiguity lingers, like a whisper in the trees long after you’ve turned the final page.

Fae Quin has crafted something truly special with There’s a Monster in the Woods—a story that haunts you, not with fear, but with beauty and a touch of the unknown. If you’re like me, someone who usually shies away from novellas because they don’t seem to have the room to breathe, I urge you to give this one a chance. You might just find yourself, like I did, utterly spellbound.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

[ I recieved a digital arc for an honest review]

I originally read this novella back when it was a freebie through book funnel for joining Fae Quin's newsletter and loved it. This new updated version is even better than the first time with new added scenes between Ellis and Styx.

A monster romance novella between the town between a small town recluse and the non-verbal monster living in the woods. Two lonely souls connecting. They have a slow burn romance that delivers on the steam at the end. This story just ooozes fall vibes and I loved every minute of it.



Favorite Quotes:

There was no monster. If there had been, I wouldn’t be holding my basket like I was. Monsters did not pick up baskets and return them. That was more absurd than imagining a monster in the woods in the first place. Therefore, I had to have made up the whole thing.

Feeding a monster? Befriending it? Did monsters even have friends? A voice echoed in the back of my mind, and I pushed it aside, even though the words remained despite my protests. Was he even a monster at all?

A whisper on the wind, the voice so quiet I had to strain myself to hear. My name is Styx, it murmured. You have entered my forest. You have accepted my gifts. And now, you are mine. I swallowed, my heart skipping a beat as he released me and I opened my eyes.

When his eyes were on me, I wasn’t the village outcast— the man living in the wrong time. I was just… Ellis, whoever that may be. And I was his.

He was just… Styx. Bread lover, animal sympathizer, antlered non- human. Weaver of flower crowns, pumpkin farmer, basket thief.

When he looked at me, I became something precious— cherished in a way I hadn’t known was possible. Not for someone like me.

What was I supposed to do, not kiss him? Impossible.

Monster or not, he was mine, just as I was his.

He was Styx. Monster, man, friend, and mate. He was home.

[Ra! ʕ •̀ ω •́ ʔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Fae Quin and couldn't wait to read another title by here!

This book is about Ellis, the outsider in a small town who spends all his time on his farm with his dog Rotho. One day on his way back from town, he wonders off path and sees the towns iconic monster in the woods. He convinces himself it wasn't real until the monster, named Styx starts bringing him gifts and the two build a relationship like no other...

The Good
I loved loved loved this book! Ellis was such an interesting character. He was this socially awkward and shy man who prefers the company of his dog than the townspeople but who also craved for their acceptance and connection. I liked how his relationship with Styx was slowly built and the incorporation of a fairy tale. Having a half monster man slowly bring you gifts and do your chores is such a cute way for them to begin to bond. I also liked how Ellis developed over the course of the book and began to accept who is his and become more brave.

Tropes:
— Slow Burn
— Modern Fairytale
— Monster x Human

Horn Level: 4/5🌶️
Format: Ebook

The Rating
I give this book a 4/5🌟 rating. I really liked this book and need to get into Quin's other monster romances! This was such a cozy foresty story and I really enjoyed it.

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