Ask Peaches: I’m curious about monster smut - where should I start?

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.

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Dear Peaches,

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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…

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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.

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But I knew someone I could turn to. So, where should I start if I want to get into monster smut?

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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.

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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).

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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.

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But if you haven’t read any monster smut since your Tumblr days, I’ve got you.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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