Love the monster world building with this author. I read the prequel to this one (which was a damn good time, so hopes were high), and I absolutely loved getting to read a little bit more from Shane and Elle. The relationship between Max and Mona was so sweet. They were absolutely adorable and made for each other. I will admit that, at times, Mona was a bit annoying to me. Specifically, at one point, that I won’t spoil for anybody, but basically she has grace and forgiveness for herself, her lying mother, her flaky friends and Max’s exes (complete strangers), but treats him horribly when she hears something she doesn’t like??? It rubbed me the wrong way. And a third act breakup?? Not for me, thanks. Also, I’m a plus size woman, and it can be difficult for me to read about plus size women whining about being bigger as if it’s their entire personality. I understand that shitty fatphobia happens, but there was quite a bit of it in this book! And most of it internal! To be fair, the author does give a trigger warning at the beginning, and maybe my annoyance is because I’ve done the whole realizing-I’m-fat-and-still-worthy-of-good-things discovery, so I might just be tired of revisiting old wounds. Honestly though, it was just too much for me.

Other than these very brief moments, I did enjoy most of the book. The spice was very well written. We get one chapter describing how to handle a dom/sub dub-con role play situation. Expect mentions of BDSM, primal play, perceived stalking, role play, kink exploration etc.