Ask Peaches: I’m curious about monster smut - where should I start?
If you’ve never tried tails, tentacles or sharp teeth in your smut, consider this your invitation, darling.
New here, darling? This post is part of a series called ‘Ask Peaches’ where I answer the delicious, burning questions you have about smut, sex and anything spicy inbetween. Read this for more context or send your own juicy musings straight to me at peaches@ladieswholit.co.uk Always anonymous, always answered in good faith and good fun. Take what you love and leave anything you don’t.
Dear Peaches,
I’ve been hearing whispers that suggest I might be missing out on something–specifically a smut subgenre. I keep seeing monsters being mentioned on BookTok: minotaurs, wolves, big blue aliens…
I’ve read a bit of everything, from dark mafia to romantasy to small-town sports romance, but never any monster smut. The thing is, I don’t feel like I can just wander into a book store and ask a store assistant, or drop it into the group chat.
But I knew someone I could turn to. So, where should I start if I want to get into monster smut?
Well this just made my day, darling. Just the kind of question I love whispered over a cocktail or three in a dark corner of a bar.
You’re absolutely right that monster smut has been having its moment, even getting mentions on mainstream podcasts like House of Maher (shout out to those icons).
Not that you should ever need permission for your preferences, but if you were worried about this being a group chat grenade, you’re good. It’s out there, and people love it.
But if you haven’t read any monster smut since your Tumblr days, I’ve got you.
If you were a Twilight girlie back in the day, try these titles for a deeply satisfying fix of vampire fucking:
Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert
Buy from Bookshop.org - US // UK
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Buy from Bookshop.org - US // UK
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Buy from Bookshop.org - US // UK
If you’re already a dark romance devotee, you’ll devour these darker tales that see the shadows as spaces to play and push boundaries:
Vicious Devotion by Aveda Vice
Buy from Bookshop.org - US // UK
Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux
Buy from Bookshop.org - US // UK
Ensnared by Tiffany Roberts
Buy from Bookshop.org - US
If you prefer a cosy, found-family romance that still packs heat, add these to your TBR for yearning, chemistry and steamy scenes:
Muscles & Monsters by Ashley Bennett
Buy from Bookshop.org - US // UK
Found by the Lake Monster by Lillian Lark
Buy from Bookshop.org - US // UK
Games with the Orc by Kathryn Moon
Buy from Bookshop.org - US
If you want to join the latest BookTok discourse, you want these spicy reads that will have you blushing, then rushing to get the audiobook too:
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
Buy from Bookshop.org - US // UK
Morning Glory Milking Farm by C. M. Nascosta
Buy from Bookshop.org - US
A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne
Buy from Bookshop.org - US
Did I miss any of the best? Let me know which of your faves should be in this list in the Smut Girlie WhatsApp group.
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