If you’re looking for a low-angst monster romance, this one is for you. It pairs human Lucy with a Frankenstein’s monster-type character named Viktor. Viktor is a softie who just keeps adopting dogs. These two meet at a monster speed dating match, and while Lucy wasn’t there with intentions of finding a real match, she ends up in a marriage of convenience. Then Viktor’s past catches up with him, posing a threat to their happiness. I’m always rooting for Frankenstein’s monster!

Joy is an absolute queen: she needs to get revenge, so she summons a demon. When her demon Malachi shows up, the two of them discover they have some real chemistry. Malachi appreciates the bloodthirsty streak Joy has, and to use the modern parlance, he matches her freak. This book does deal with some serious trauma, namely sexual violence, so take care when reading. But if you’re up for some real catharsis, pick up this book.

If you like your monster romance with a side of body horror, pick this book up. Homily discovers an injured person and nurses them back to health. Turns out, Shenshen isn’t a person at all, but a shapeshifting monster using a bear trap as a mouth. As Shenshen and Homily fall for each other, Shenshen has to reconsider the urge to lay eggs in Homily so the young could eat her. This is a romance in which the monster has to figure out how to express love in a way a human will understand, and that’s beautiful.

This book is an experience. I want to tell you as little as possible while encouraging you to read it. There are sex lessons. There’s a basilisk. And there’s a competition with a prince that’s a little like The Bachelor? The whole thing is a fever dream; it’s one of those books I picked up and couldn’t stop reading. That experience is rare enough in these days of shredded attention spans that it may function as some kind of attention rehabilitation.

It may be autumn, but it’s not too late to have yourself a Hot Sasquatch Summer! In this sweet monster romance, Felicity is back in her Idaho hometown after failing to find a job in academia. When she finally lands a job at the local college, her faculty mentor is a bigfoot named Cedric. Will their attraction be enough to make her want to stick around? Will it be enough to keep him safe from those who threaten his life? You’ll have to read to find out.

Again, be sure to read the content warnings for this book, which deals with transphobia and racism. If you’re in a good space for it, you’re in for a treat. I love a road trip romance always, and a road trip with a monster? Perfection. Robin Ng missed his transit connection, and now he’s in a car with Dusty Tedesco. Dusty is quite a bit older than Robin. He’s also a werewolf. As they get to know each other on the road, a relationship gradually blossoms. But the two are going to have to fight—literally—for their chance at love.

As promised in my intro, I couldn’t leave you hanging without a gargoyle romance. This one follows Viola, a Paris librarian who loves parkour. Her library lacks funding, and she shares her woes with a lady gargoyle statue, who, like most statues, is a very good listener. Then Boudicca, the gargoyle, is given a task that requires her to appear human, and she and Viola get to interact for real. And by interact, I do mean have sex in midair.