If A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne wrapped you in claws and teeth, you’re not alone. Monster romance books like A Soul to Keep walk the razor’s edge between terrifying and tender, offering love stories that are as ruinous as they are intoxicating. From demons to Mothmen to alien kings, these monster romance stories prove that sometimes the creatures of the dark love you harder than anyone else ever could.
5 Monster Romance Books that bite first:
The Demon’s Bargain by Katee Robert
A deal with a demon always comes with a price… and this one might be your heart.
A scorching paranormal romance with dark bargains and unholy spice. Katee Robert delivers her signature mix of danger and heat — for readers who like their romance with a side of damnation.
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
“There’s nothing more terrifying than love.”
This haunting novella features a monstrous mermaid and a plague doctor wandering through a ruined fairy-tale. Gothic, grotesque, and achingly beautiful — a must for readers who like their romances dripping with atmosphere and blood.
Sweet Berries by CM Nascosta
“Sometimes love means falling for the monster next door.“
Cozy small-town vibes meet mothman spice in this beloved orc-and-beyond author’s take on monster romance. CM Nascosta brings humor, charm, and claws to a story that’s equal parts heartwarming and hot.
That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming
“Who knew werewolf fate could be this hilarious?
A rompy, lighthearted monster romance that blends laugh-out-loud moments with fantasy spice. Kimberly Lemming is the queen of making even werewolf obsession feel like a cozy night in, if your night in came with claws.
Captive of the Horde King by Zoey Draven
“I was his prey. But I wanted to be caught.”
Alien warlords, brutal kingdoms, and possessive devotion. Zoey Draven’s Horde Kings series is perfect for readers who like their monster romance raw, primal, and surprisingly tender.
Monster romance books whisper to a part of us that’s both curious and defiant. They take the old fairy tale warnings—don’t wander into the woods, don’t talk to the beast—and ask, but what if love was waiting in the shadows? Instead of polished princes, these stories give us clawed guardians, cursed immortals, and creatures who are terrifying on the surface yet deeply loyal beneath.
Why We Love Monster Romance Books
For cozy-goth readers, the appeal is in the contradictions. Monster romances let us linger in haunted castles, forbidden forests, and alien realms where the rules of love are rewritten. They’re indulgent, dramatic, and a little dangerous—like candlelight flickering in a room that might just be alive.
If you’re curious how readers are rating these dark delights, Goodreads has a thriving monster romance community. But when you’re ready to curl up with fangs and feelings, you’ll find plenty more in the Growls & Grimm Library.