Love, Ace & Monsters: An Ace Anthology

by R.N. Barbosa (Editor, Contributor), Calla Claire, Daphinie Cramsie

Ready for a monster romance anthology with a new intersection?

Love, Ace & Monsters is a collection of monster romances featuring ace identities . From Ace to Demi, this anthology hopes to explore the diverse spectrum and the different relationships through monster romance.

Proceeds will benefit wayOUT , a nonprofit organization that works to support LGBTQIA+ youth in the United States. The following list of authors are own voices and Featured Azalea Crowley
R.N. Barbosa
Sula Sullivan
Daphinie Cramsie
Calla Claire
Katie Skye
Kass O’Shire

Genres: Anthologies, Fantasy, LGBT, Queer, Short Stories, Romance, Fiction

350 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 2023

About the author

R.N. Barbosa (they/them) writes from the wreckage of religious trauma, from the ache of carrying too many identities in a world that wants to strip them away.

A Brazilian-American author obsessed with lush worldbuilding and dark magic, they conjure paranormal romances and speculative worlds where desire is dangerous, morality is blurred, and survival demands claws. Their characters are queer, messy, and unapologetic—haunted by societies meant to break them and determined to free themselves no matter the cost.

For Barbosa, storytelling isn’t an escape—it’s an exorcism. Their work collides fantasy and paranormal romance into urban and sci-fi landscapes where monsters and mortals alike grapple with power, ruin, and the possibility of love in the shadows. They write for readers who know healing isn’t soft, who crave stories that bleed with them, and who understand that freedom often looks monstrous.

Reviews

[KMart Vet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compilation of monster romances, skillfully crafted by a group of talented authors with characters that are on the asexual spectrum. This anthology presents a diverse, genuine, and engaging exploration of love and connection within the context of the ace spectrum. The relationships are open, honest, and beautiful to read. There was excellent representation in this, including numerous LGBTQIA+ identities.

Between Spells and Shadows by R N Barbosa: Living the mundane life with a demon, especially a succubus, as someone on the ace spectrum has never been SO ADORABLE. I adore Dion and their friendship. I found this one a touch darker than I anticipated, but it did not take away from the sweet nature of the story.

Unforgettable by Daphinine Cramsie: I did not expect to love this as much as I did with the second person voice, but wow - this might be my favorite one. That twist was unexpected. I love star-crossed lovers. Just beautiful and so romantic.

Twin Souls by Calla Claire: This has some realistic seemingly benign acephobia that is so prevalent, but it did not cause undue stress. Some elements of this are SO funny. There is a scene in the bookstore that had me laughing aloud.

Love it or Haunt it by Sula Sullivan: This is a charming little ghost romance in the regency era in which a young woman buys an old house. Adorable!

Must Love Cake by Azalea Crowley: This has autistic and chronic pain representation. I love that they're all monsters and that they bond over food. I love the spooky little monster market.

The Curious Incident of the Great Cookie Snackcident of 979 by Kass O'Shire: I love O'Shire's writing and I adore that this has demi rep with some spice! Such a lovely, sweet story with some excellent world-building.

Mystic Magic by Katie Skye: Love the vampire in this one. The relationship is snarky and there is some great banter amid the family trauma background. I love the caretaking.

Furthermore, the proceeds from the anthology will be directed towards supporting wayOUT, a notable nonprofit organization dedicated to providing essential aid and empowerment to LGBTQIA+ youth across the United States. By engaging with "Love, Ace & Monsters: An Ace Anthology," readers not only embark on a thrilling journey through the realms of love and fantasy but also contribute to a meaningful cause that uplifts and champions the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community.

With its heartfelt stories, diverse characters, and its commitment to fostering inclusivity and representation, "Love, Ace & Monsters: An Ace Anthology" stands as a testament to the power of literature in promoting empathy, understanding, and acceptance for all individuals, regardless of their identities or orientations.

[Sandra Blasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

YOU NEED TO READ THIS ANTHOLOGY!! There's an excess of cuteness overload, a lot of cozy vibes and all the stories are amazing.

• Between Spells & Shadows by R.N. Barbosa ~ Extremely cozy and cute, literally crying with them and this story. I loved the magic system here and wish it had more story to explore it. ⭐4.75

• Unforgettable by Daphinie Cramsie ~ THIS STORY!!!! My heart has completely broken with Aoife and Tierin. This is such a tragic and beautiful romance story, with a quest-like plot, which I love. I feel like it has taken part of my soul, I'm not exaggerating, I have the feeling when you read a very good book and when you finish it you don't know what to do with your life. ⭐5

• Twin Souls by Calla Claire ~ Sweet magical story about fated mates in a different way. They have a bookstore together! ⭐3.5

• Love It Or Haunt It by Sula Sullivan ~ This a cute cozy story that had me giggling. Laila is a strong FMC and Ramsey is a sweetheart. ⭐4

• Must Love Cake by Azalea Crowley ~ Eternally crying with Leilani and Bryce. They deserve their happy ending after everything they've been through. How they become friends and how they understand each other in their own way, cute cute cute. ⭐4.25

• The Curious Incident of the Great Cookie Snackcident of 979 by Kass O'Shire ~ This is sooo sweet and funny! Abi and Senka are a delightful pair and I've been laughing the whole time with their silliness. I've said it before but the magic system that Kass has created is incredible. ⭐4.5 🌶️1/5

• Mystic Magic by Katie Skye ~ I enjoy Katie's stories soo much! This story has cozy vibes with some paranormal mystery, an amazing powerful FMC and a lovely flirtatious MMC (vibes of: She's everything. He's just Ken.) Oh, and the delicious tension and teasing between Callie and Sebastian! ⭐4.75

[Mx. T *Chaotic Reader* · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC review✨

I love anthologies because I get to read a lot of stories and to meet new authors I have never read before. This series of short stories made me cry, laugh, giggle and have all the feels. It was refreshing in the way all characters are in the ace spectrum, which just defies a bit my (and my book pals) eternal obsession with smut. But the relationships and stories didn't need any for them to be beautiful. From cosy to heartfelt, from adventure to slice of life, the monsters pull at our heartstrings. And we don't only get lgbtqia rep, but all types of diversity rep.

I totally recommend reading this. Especially because it is for a great cause.

[Wicked Fox ✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️Must Love Cake✨️ by Azalea Crowley

I thought this was pretty cute and sweet! Just two monsters sharing their love for ube cheesecake 🥹 Simply amazing.

[spidermse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited when I saw this anthology was being released! We need more ace monster stories!!

My favorite out of this anthology was Mystic Magic by Katie Skye. I loved Sebastian and the banter between him and Callie. It was such a sweet story. And him coming into her shop for so long....swoon.

Between Spells and Shadows - RN Barbosa
I don't read a lot of stuff with fake dating but this was so cute! Mag was so supportive of Thea's feelings and needs. "You called?" 🥵

Unforgettable - Daphinie Cramsie
I cried at the end of this. It was a beautiful story. Tierin experiencing all the things Above was so cute. But man....that ending was unexpected.

Twin Souls - Calla Claire
Can I have a friend and partner like Charis? Please???

Love It or Haunt It - Sula Sullivan
I was so excited to have a ghost story! These two were so adorable together. I loved their banter and them throwing stuff at each other. 😆

Must Love Cake - Azalea Crowley
I related to Leilani so much. Trying to understand how people expect you to behave and following social norms is so stressful and tiring sometimes. And her comments about preferring to be silent instead of trying to fill the silence with things you don't know how to say....I wish more people understood that.

The Curious Incident of the Great Cookie Snackcident of 979 - Kass O'Shire
"If that doesn't do it nothing will." 😆😏 My favorite quote! Senka asking Abi about taboo topics was hilarious. I almost spit out my own drink while reading that! And I related to Senka's feelings about the socks. "Feet prisons" is exactly what they are! The spice was lovely in this story, too.

Really loved this anthology and I hope this encourages more ace monster books!!

[Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so so much to the authors for the chance to review an advance copy!
THIS ANTHOLOGY. HAS. NO. SKIPS.
Cuteness overload in every story, one (1) spicy scene for us aces who enjoy that sort of thing 👀, and cozy vibes abound!

Between Spells and Shadows by R. N. Barbosa:
a curvy ace MC fake-dating a succubus?? SIGN. ME. UP. So so soooo cozy and cute, and the magic system is absolutely fascinating!! I wish we’d gotten to explore it more… but still such a wonderful story! I never thought two little words could make me swoon, but… “You called?” WHEW 🥴

Unforgettable by Daphne Cramsie:
NEOPRONOUNS!!! 🥹🥹🥹🥹
…. sorry I had to yell about that for a sec because this is the first time I’ve encountered a neopronoun set I use in the wild 🥹
Now that that’s out of the way: I’m so so so incredibly obsessed with this!! I did genuinely cry at the end. Such an impossibly sweet and tender story — seeing Tierin experience everything Above was positively adorable! — and that ending! I won’t gush about it like I want to bc *spoilers* but suffice to say… I want to see more of Tierin and Aoife ASAP!

Twin Souls by Calla Claire:
PLATONIC SOULMATES. ‘NUF SAID.
actually no there’s plenty more to be said bc I *adore* how Sora’s sensory overload was depicted with such care, as well as her aromantic and asexual identity! (She seems to fall somewhere in the greyromantic/aegoromantic area of the spectrum, at least that what I interpreted! We love to see it 👏👏👏) and I just 🥹🥹🥹 I want (to be) a friend and partner like Charis <3

Love It or Haunt It by Sula Sullivan:
I was soooo so excited to see a ghost story in here!! I adored Laila and Ramsey’s banter, and I, being grey-ace myself, loved getting to see a grey-ace character in this!

Must Love Cake by Azalea Crowley:
The autistic and chronic pain rep… SO SO GOOD! Leilani’s struggles with trying to understand how people expect you to behave and following social norms is so real and relatable. And her comments about preferring to be silent instead of trying to fill the silence with things you don't know how to say...I wish more people understood that. (Also, somewhat unrelated, but the author’s name made me think of Good Omens and that’s always fun! /gen ☺️)

The Curious Incident of the Great Cookie Snackcident of 979 by Kass O'Shire:
Suchhh a cute, cozy, (mostly) wholesome read! The friendship between Abi (an adorable demisexual woman) and Senka (a nonbinary shade) is so sweet to read, and it’s wonderful to see how their feelings develop as they go from coworkers to friends to lovers! The spicy scene was incredibly well-done, too 👀
Though I will admit, the idea of those lemon-lavender cookies at the beginning, as well as all the food descriptions throughout made me SO hungry 😅

Mystic Magic by Katie Skye: I absolutely adored the banter between Sebastian and Callie!! Such a sweet story 🥹

Overall a wonderfully cozy read with tons of great representation all across the ace spectrum!

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology is a collection of monster romance representing the difference relationship's and LGBTQIA+ written by 6 talented and inspiring authors. This whole anthology is filled with lots of comfort reads and I definitely recommend .

Between spells and amps;shadows by R.N. Barbosa ✨
it follows thea the witch and how she tries to get back at her enemy by summoning a demon. This book was such a cozy and spicey short read. I loved Mag'dremas childlike behavior along with Theas bossy personality. it was quite nice how they both complimented each other

Unforgettable by Daphinie Cramsie🌊
it follows a sea creature named Teirin and his journey with his hired guard named Aoife to sign an important treaty. Daphinie cramsie I have a bone to pick with you why !! but I still loved it. This was such a sweet heartbreaking story.

Twin souls by Calla Claire
it follows Sora and a prophecy revealed on her birthday and what it hold. this book was a bit of a comedy with a twisted. I did not see that coming.

Love it or haunt it by Sula Sullivan👻
it follows lalia and her fixing a old house that has a surprise for her .The way they first meet is too fun and quite so sweet. it had me giggling. Their relationship was so cozy with quite a bit of chemistry. This was so good and I'm here for it.

Must love cake by Azalea Crowley 🍰
it follows bryce and leilani and one thing that binds them together despite their differences. I loved the decication in this book and we are starting off good. Bryce is such a sweetheart it's adorable. This was such a comfort read.

The curious incident of the great cookie snackicident of 979 by Kass O' Shire🍪
it follows two main characters bonding over their passion. I loved the world building and has me wishing it becomes a series. I loved the demi rep and spice. This was a enjoyable slow burn with just enough spice .

Mystic magic by Katie Skye 🧛
it follows Callie and the mystery happening in her town. Sebastian sounds like so much fun and someone I would invite to do crazy things . The banter in this book was so good . I love it along with how he takes care of her .His nickname for her was so funny and cute at the same time.

one thing I loved the most about all these stories are that they all told their partners about their sexuality and their partners were understanding. what was fun was that there was a legend to tell which sexuality each story focused on which I found so cool.This was such fun to read and wish all these stories were longer to see more of the characters. Thanks Kass O' Shire for this arc .

[C.A. Chaplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s pretty rare than an anthology has no skips, but this one is incredible from start to finish. Monster romance through an a-spec lens, with each story labeled for the particular representation, is something we’ve been sorely lacking. I hope to see some novels spin off from these vibrant short stories. This is a collection that will appeal to both ace and allosexual folks alike.

Some stories made me laugh out loud, some were incredibly poignant, and all of them very well-crafted, inventive, and led by strong characterization. All of them have worlds I dearly want to visit again. As I said, all of these stories are incredible - for me, the extra-standouts are RN Barbosa, Calla Claire, Sula Sullivan, and Azalea Crowley. Barbosa’s story is hilarious, steamy, set in a rich world, with characters I wish were my friends too. Claire’s made me snort laugh from the first page and had a clever twist. Sullivan’s work is a dreamy Regency that tugs on the heart strings; a creative take on a ghost story. Crowley’s story absolutely floored me. I rarely see ADHD represented well and she knocked it out of the park in a story that is achingly poignant, yet also sweet and tender, with a powerful message.

Don’t miss out on this anthology. Such a fresh take on one of my favorite genres!

*I received an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Ahren McNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highlights:
• Demisexual FMC
• Non-Binary Main Character
• Cozy Monster Romance

Kass O’Shire is the tits. I get so excited when I read her stories because her style is so refreshingly unique. The world she has created is so cool and the characters who live there are interesting and wonderful. The magic system is well developed and I am stoked to see where the series goes! And I can’t give her praise without saying that her ability to come up with amazing titles is unparalleled.

The Curious Incident of the Great Snackcident of 979 is a short, cozy and wholesome read. You are going to fall in love with Abi and Senka immediately. Abi is an adorable demisexual woman and Senka is a non-binary shade who meet at work and form a fast friendship. The way they laugh and learn together is just so dang cute. We also get to see some familiar faces and dig a little deeper into the world of Sanctuary.

[Jen (thisbeereads)]

DNF @ 56%

Nothing wrong with it! I think if I finished, I’d give it like three stars? Just none of the stories are capturing me quite as well as I would like, so I’m wandering away.

I picked it up for Daphinie Cramsie’s story and it did not disappoint though 🤌

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is for the Curious Incident of the Great Cookie Snackcident of 979 by Kass O'Shire, and I LOVED this story.

Kass has a way of writing that keeps you curious as you're reading. From the footnotes (one of my personal favorite features -- it adds so much voice!) to the humor baked into the story, I loved every moment. And somehow Kass happens to have the exact same humor I do. I mean, who else will write a poop joke into their story??? I was (and I kid you not) laughing so hard I had to pause reading just to message Kass.

You write a poop joke into your story, you have an automatic love from me.

Abi and Senka were a couple I couldn't help but root for -- the friends to lovers dynamic was adorable, and when things finally took off, it was oh, so satisfying. The story at the heart also further developed what we read in A Polar Expedition (hello, cameos) and made me wonder what was going to happen next in Sanctuary.

Overall, five out of five stars and Kass is the best.

[Littlebookterror · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first one was my favourite by far!

I appreciate the variety in the couples and monsters as well as the strong focus on asexual experiences beyond using a label or a one-off quote. I do prefer my monster romances on the darker, more serious side, so this missed the mark a little in that regard but this was still a well done anthology - I'm sad that it was just a limited run.

[update: you can know purchase these 3 on their own:
Between Spells and Shadows, [book:Unforgettable|204592761] and The Curious Incident of the Great Cookie Snackcident of 979]

Between Spells & Shadows by R.N. Barbosa | ★★★★✩
(F/F, asexual pov, closed door)
An excellent start to this anthology! Fun chapter titles and great banter included. I loved reading about how she experiences asexuality and then how she communicates those feelings to Maggie.

Unforgettable Daphinie Chamsie | ★★✩✩✩
(X/X, asexual pov, closed door)
I was not feeling this romance. The fantasy parts were fine but very vague and tedious, so I wasn't invested in that part either. I do love it when stories are written in 2nd person and the ending was sweet.

Twin Souls by Calla Claire | ★★★✩✩
(F/F, asexual pov, aromantic mc, Cherokee author)
this was the shortest so far but I liked the premise and how all resolved.

Love It Or Haunt It by Sula Sullivan | ★★★✩✩
(M/F, graysexual pov)
This was cute, set in an unspecified historical time, with a ghost love interest.

Must Love Cake by Azalea Crowley | ★★★✩✩
(M/F, graysexual pov)
Slow build but a sweet pay-off.

The Curious Incident of the Great Cookie Snackcident of 979 by Kass O'Shire | ★★★✩✩
(F/X, demisexual mc, open door)
You know, this was a fun time and had my favourite setting. I also appreciate that this story did include sex scenes.

Mystic Magic by Katie Skye | ★★★✩✩
(M/F, fat demisexual pov, closed door)
Vampires are not really my thing I hated how he called her “lovey” all the time but the plot wasn't too terrible.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just recently gotten obsessed with the monster romance genre and when I saw that a collection of Ace Monster Romances was being released I screamed! Okay I didn't scream but I was really, ridiculously excited! Finding Ace rep in romance stories isn't always an easy task, and finding it in monster romance is something I've never seen before.

I am so happy I got this collection. The stories are so varied and so are the monsters- there's humor and heartbreak and love, mystery and home renovations and even a little spice. There's really something here for everyone.

While I enjoyed all of the stories in this collection, my favorites were "Unforgettable", "Love it or Haunt It" and "Mystic Magic" All of the authors in this collection are new to me and I look forward to reading more by every single one of them.

[YarnWyvern · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like monsters, if you like exploring relationships, spicy and otherwise, then this is the anthology for you.

Each of these stories is crafted to share the experiences of different types of Ace individuals, how they find relationships, how they experience love and affection.

Honestly it's so dang cute.

[Lizzie Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Official review to come <3

[Sarah Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for The Curious Incident of the Great Cookie Snackcident of 979 by Kass O'Shire - a very lovely story set in the world of her other books. I loved how the shades were described!

[readingmyreality · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all anthologies, some stories were more successful than others. Loved the range of ace experiences portrayed!

[Ryann Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful anthology!!!
I love monster romance and seeing more ACE representation in that genre was so refreshing. I'm just dipping my toes into ACE and AERO stories and I am loving them so much so this compilation was so perfect.

So many authors are now on my radar now!!!!

Sidenote: I received this as an ARC but I'll still be buying a copy of this because all of the proceeds from this anthology go to wayOUT which supports LGBTQIA+ youth throughout the US.