Very interesting dark monster romance/smut. Interesting premise, some twists and turns that I did NOT see coming, Christmas themed inter-dimensional adventures and some fated mates-type spice. I don’t want to spoil anything, but the revelation in this book was inspired and really made me think about the stories that we tell, the good vs. evil tropes, and the religious rhetoric that I have heard since birth. I might be over dramatizing due to my religious trauma, but this book really caught me off guard for a second there! All in all, it was a fun, albeit intense in places, jolly good time! ;) Both MCs are adorable together and I love each of their personalities. The only thing that bothered me a bit was that the MMC’s dialogue was not consistent throughout the book. At first, we read that he has been imprisoned for a very long time (centuries??), and is confused about the word “police.” But then quickly knows what a “bus driver” is and talks like a foul-mouthed modern-day Mafia boss?? It’s not that big of an issue, and it did move the story along, so I do understand!

Tropes include:

Possessive MMC

Innocent FMC

Touch-her-and-die

Fated mate bond

Light dom/sub

Dirty talking MMC

Light breeding kink

Age gap (FMC: 19 yrs, MMC: Ancient??)

Beauty and the Beast vibes

Christmas themed