An Intro to Monster Romance Books:

Monster romance books has taken booktok by storm. From Ice Planet Barbarians gaining mainstream popularity, to booktokers recommending many monster romance books, it’s safe to say the subgenre is here to stay.

I’m a bookstagrammer with a main focus on monster and alien romances. Therefore, I read a lot of them and can recommend so many. Today, I would love to recommend three monster romance books from my bookstagram post back in 2023.

A Soul to Heal: An Epic Monster Romance with Fantastic Depression Rep

Rating: ★★★★★
Series: Duskwalker Brides
Author: Opal Reyne
Page count: 556
Age rating: 18+
Spice: 3/5
Tropes: Slow burn, friends-to-lovers, hurt/comfort, pregnancy
Trigger warnings: On the first page. It is recommended to skip triggers if you have none so you’re not be spoiled.

Firstly, I recommend A Soul to Heal, the second book of Opal Reyne’s Duskwalker Brides series. I highly suggest you read this series in order starting with A Soul to Keep. As of June 6th, 2025, Duskwalker Brides is complete with a prequel coming out soon.

A Soul to Heal follows Delora, a human woman thrown into the veil for the crimes she committed. She struggles with heavy depression when she meets Nameless. Nameless is a Mavka with a deer skull who hasn’t consumed enough humans to gain quite the intelligence as Orpheus has. Orpheus is a Mavka that appears in book one and is important in A Soul to Heal alongside his bride, Reia.

In all, this book has excellent mental health rep, depression in particular and I feel Delora’s experience is realistic and well done by the author.

Barbarian’s Mate: A Staple for Monster Romance Readers

Rating: ★★★★★
Series: Ice Planet Barbarians
Author: Ruby Dixon
Page count: 250
Age rating: 18+
Spice: 3/5
Tropes: Slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, fated mates,
Trigger warnings: Rape recounted off-page, Child sexual abuse recounted, Death of a partner off-page, Abuse in the foster care system recounted (via https://triggerwarningdatabase.com/)

Now, for my second recommendation, we have an absolute staple in the alien romance literary world. Barbarian’s Mate is in the Ice Planet Barbarians series by the iconic Ruby Dixon. Let me tell you about Ruby Dixon now, she is the queen of monster and alien romance books. From the well-known Ice Planet Barbarians to Risdaverse, Ruby Dixon always delivers spice and intriguing stories. The MMCs are all loveable like our protagonist, Haeden.

Generally, Haeden and Josie have always butted heads. When it’s discovered the pair are in resonance, fated mates in the Ice Planet Barbarian World, Josie high-tails it away, Haeden not-so-obviously following Josie to make sure she doesn’t get herself in trouble. Obviously, I’m a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers. Although, they weren’t “true” enemies to lovers (they never really hated each other), it made for an excellent read.

Stolen by the Warlord: I Guarantee You’ll Read It In One Sitting

Rating: ★★★★
Series: Ash Planet Warriors
Author: V.K. Ludwig
Page count: 254
Age rating: 18+
Spice: 4/5
Tropes: Enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, forced proximity
Trigger warnings: to be updated

Lastly, I recommend Stolen by the Warlord by powerhouse V.K. Ludwig. This seasoned alien romance author always delivers on her dark alien romance books. Stolen By The Warlord follows the daughter of a couple in a previous book, Captured. These spicy books follow alien warlords, with the setting and story action-packed.

Particularly, these books are darker than others on this list, but the dark romance elements of V.K. Ludwig’s catalogue is what really had me hooked. In addition, the book is on the spicer side of this list as well and it certainly delivers. Stolen by the Warlord is what really sunk my hooks into monster romance books and I unashamedly read this in one sitting.

Looking for More Spicy Monster Romance and Alien Romances?

Follow me on Goodreads if you’re looking for your next monster romance, alien romance, and romantasy read and let’s be friends! https://www.goodreads.com/livvylance

Looking for a great monster romance book with orcs? Read my review of the Heiress and the Orc!