Monster and Spicy Book Recs

E.K. Darnell’s Bond of Blood hits all the best spots about why I like monster/alien romance. A creature who loves sincerely and ferociously? Check. Different yet enhancing anatomy? Check. However, I also loved the characterization of Yelzin and Irina. Yelzin is nurturing and sweet yet a protective bat man. Irina is an FMC over forty, and in her, there is a balance between having wisened defenses up while also the vulnerable feeling of falling in love with a strange, alien creature. I loved every minute of their budding relationship, and I look forward to reading more of E.K. Darnell’s universe. Of course, read the content notes to see if this bloody good sci-fi novella is for you.

As February came to an end, I worried I had a pile of DNFs and not much else to show for this month of romance. I took to threads to ask for recommendations. I wanted a short story or novella, open door, strong in romantic tension with more emotion than spice, and characters over thirty.

Zoe York recommended Jeffe Kennedy’s novelette Exact Warm Unholy. I was so glad she did because it blew my mind. Mary (or Tiffany or Syd or Bobbi) dresses up as different personas to pick up men at a local bar. When the smart bartender shows signs of recognizing her through each of her costumes, she must decide to reveal the woman underneath it all or find another hangout to hide in. 

This short read ticks so many boxes I love: discussions of religion and philosophy, a man dressed as Clark Kent, slutty glasses, romantic tension that has me screaming (internally!), fire-hot intimacy, and beautiful writing, which causes me to seethe with proud jealousy. 

Content note: this novelette does not have content notes or warnings. Syd’s encounter with Alan was rough and—to put it lightly—did not have proper after care. If you’re sensitive to depictions of post-coital regret, I’d recommend skipping when she leaves the bar with Alan and picking up at the line “Bobbi will lay out…”