What do you think?
Rate this book
Monster Security Agency #1
Guarded by the Golem
Morals have no place in my line of work.
Monster Security Agency stands on neutral ground. As long as the client pays, we don't question their motives. Especially when the job is as easy as the one I’m on now.
All I have to do is stand guard outside a steel door in a mad scientist's basement. I don't even need to know who or what I'm guarding.
Then one day, I peek behind the door. From the farthest corner of the basement, bright blue eyes stare at me. Dark hair, fair skin, tear-streaked cheeks, and lips sealed with duct tape. I am doomed.
This woman is my mate. I know that with rock-solid conviction, and I don't care how much I'm being paid to keep her here.
Monster Security Agency is the most elite bodyguard service in the world. These monster bodyguards are lethal, powerful, and determined to protect their clients at all costs. They shouldn't fall in love with their principals, but if they do? Things are bound to explode.
Here come spicy, romantic, and action-packed tales by your favorite paranormal and sci-fi romance Cassie Alexander, Eden Ember, Layla Fae, and Cara Wylde. Dive into the world of the Monster Security Agency.
Monster Security Agency stands on neutral ground. As long as the client pays, we don't question their motives. Especially when the job is as easy as the one I’m on now.
All I have to do is stand guard outside a steel door in a mad scientist's basement. I don't even need to know who or what I'm guarding.
Then one day, I peek behind the door. From the farthest corner of the basement, bright blue eyes stare at me. Dark hair, fair skin, tear-streaked cheeks, and lips sealed with duct tape. I am doomed.
This woman is my mate. I know that with rock-solid conviction, and I don't care how much I'm being paid to keep her here.
Monster Security Agency is the most elite bodyguard service in the world. These monster bodyguards are lethal, powerful, and determined to protect their clients at all costs. They shouldn't fall in love with their principals, but if they do? Things are bound to explode.
Here come spicy, romantic, and action-packed tales by your favorite paranormal and sci-fi romance Cassie Alexander, Eden Ember, Layla Fae, and Cara Wylde. Dive into the world of the Monster Security Agency.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2024
1369 people are currently reading
1905 people want to read
About the author
Cara Wylde
151 books663 followersCara Wylde loves to write about strong, feisty women and their hot Alphas who will do anything to make them happy. Her books are filled with romance and just a dash of mystery, suspense, and that eerie atmosphere she fell in love with reading too many gothic novels. With a master's degree in Comparative Literature, she can't help but play with tropes and themes from various genres, trying to come up with fresh perspectives on the paranormal characters her readers love so much. Vampires, shape-shifters, demons, witches... Cara will always make sure they get their own twists.
When she's not writing, Cara is reading, planning her next story, or daydreaming. Her idea of pure heaven is a day filled with nothing but her laptop, a huge coffee pot, relaxing music, and a new, exciting project.
When she's not writing, Cara is reading, planning her next story, or daydreaming. Her idea of pure heaven is a day filled with nothing but her laptop, a huge coffee pot, relaxing music, and a new, exciting project.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
January 20, 2024
Not great, friends. There's no change in tone between one person's voice and another's. There's a LOT of monologuing. Everything happens very quickly with little build up. Choices are made that make 0 sense for the story and are clearly only devices to help reach the end of the book.
There's the very bare bones for an idea for a good book in here, but none of it comes to fruition.
There's the very bare bones for an idea for a good book in here, but none of it comes to fruition.
January 14, 2025
Good story, but insta-love for the fated mates!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🩵🖤❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: ☹️☺️😍😄
The Hero: Mason Stonewarden - He was a golem, made of stone and nearly indestructible, though with the right weapon, not completely indestructible. He found that out last year when his brother Goliath lost his leg. They both worked for the Monster Security Agency, and when Goliath lost his leg last year, he was let go, since he was now in a wheelchair. Mason had been helping Goliath and his family pay their bills ever since, but may not be able to do that anymore since he was laid off because a client that he was protecting went behind his back and trusted a friend after Mason told him not to, and got shot in the leg. The client complained to the MSA and now Mason was blacklisted and out of a job.
The heroine: Maya Lucas - she woke up in a dingy room, chained to the floor with only an old mattress and a bucket in the corner. She had no memory of how she got there, but her entire body was sore and there was blood at the back of her head. All she knew was that she had been kidnapped. A man came and told her that he thought she was the one he needed, and he just needed to do a few tests to confirm it. He took a vial of her blood and left her there, telling her if she was the one then he would keep her and treat her well enough, but if her blood wasn’t perfect, she would die.
The Story: Mason was worried about what he would do for a living, when the MSA called him saying they had a job, and he was the only one who could do it. The job was very shady, and Mason didn’t normally do jobs that weren’t completely legit, but his boss told him that beggars can’t be choosers. This was a long-term job that would keep him busy for years to come if the client liked him. The client’s name was Dr. Vincent Lockwood, and the job was to be a guard for him 24/7 and live at his mansion. The doctor took him down to the stone basement of the mansion and said that his job was to guard the door down there. Mason was given a room near the door, a mini fridge and a bathroom.
Mason tried not to wonder who he was guarding, though he figured it was a person from the start. He told the Doctor that he didn’t want to be keeping someone captive who wasn’t there by choice, but the doctor explained that it was someone that hurt a family member. When Mason’s conscience got the better of him, he was determined to find out what the truth was. He was able to get the key to the door and that is when he found Maya, tied to a chair with duct tape covering her mouth.
I liked the book, though I always thought that a golem was made of clay not stone. Though I did google it and it said it was a being made of inanimate matter, usually clay or mud. So, I would guess that stone would also be considered inanimate matter, so it fits. I did like the fact that Mason was super strong, tough, and impenetrable, but he also had emotions and morals. His kind was also considered to be dumb, and he admitted that he wasn’t known for his brains, but he tried to improve his intelligence by reading as much as he could.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🩵🖤❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: ☹️☺️😍😄
The Hero: Mason Stonewarden - He was a golem, made of stone and nearly indestructible, though with the right weapon, not completely indestructible. He found that out last year when his brother Goliath lost his leg. They both worked for the Monster Security Agency, and when Goliath lost his leg last year, he was let go, since he was now in a wheelchair. Mason had been helping Goliath and his family pay their bills ever since, but may not be able to do that anymore since he was laid off because a client that he was protecting went behind his back and trusted a friend after Mason told him not to, and got shot in the leg. The client complained to the MSA and now Mason was blacklisted and out of a job.
The heroine: Maya Lucas - she woke up in a dingy room, chained to the floor with only an old mattress and a bucket in the corner. She had no memory of how she got there, but her entire body was sore and there was blood at the back of her head. All she knew was that she had been kidnapped. A man came and told her that he thought she was the one he needed, and he just needed to do a few tests to confirm it. He took a vial of her blood and left her there, telling her if she was the one then he would keep her and treat her well enough, but if her blood wasn’t perfect, she would die.
The Story: Mason was worried about what he would do for a living, when the MSA called him saying they had a job, and he was the only one who could do it. The job was very shady, and Mason didn’t normally do jobs that weren’t completely legit, but his boss told him that beggars can’t be choosers. This was a long-term job that would keep him busy for years to come if the client liked him. The client’s name was Dr. Vincent Lockwood, and the job was to be a guard for him 24/7 and live at his mansion. The doctor took him down to the stone basement of the mansion and said that his job was to guard the door down there. Mason was given a room near the door, a mini fridge and a bathroom.
Mason tried not to wonder who he was guarding, though he figured it was a person from the start. He told the Doctor that he didn’t want to be keeping someone captive who wasn’t there by choice, but the doctor explained that it was someone that hurt a family member. When Mason’s conscience got the better of him, he was determined to find out what the truth was. He was able to get the key to the door and that is when he found Maya, tied to a chair with duct tape covering her mouth.
I liked the book, though I always thought that a golem was made of clay not stone. Though I did google it and it said it was a being made of inanimate matter, usually clay or mud. So, I would guess that stone would also be considered inanimate matter, so it fits. I did like the fact that Mason was super strong, tough, and impenetrable, but he also had emotions and morals. His kind was also considered to be dumb, and he admitted that he wasn’t known for his brains, but he tried to improve his intelligence by reading as much as he could.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
did-not-finish
March 20, 202430% DNF writing is not very good, dialogue is dry, plot is uninteresting, and characters are not engaging. Not worth continuing.
May 15, 2025
⭐️ 2/5 🌶️ 2/5 — Monday morning depression in fantasy cosplay. 🥴
So, um… this wasn’t the monster romance escape I thought I signed up for. I wanted claws, growls, feral fated mates ready to ravage each other under moonlight, not a damn tax return breakdown and a career counseling session with a damn golem. Like, what the fuck. 🙄
This was a fast, fairly chill read with a decent plot and some emotional beats—but honestly, it didn’t fully hit the monster romance high I was craving. It leaned too slice-of-life for my taste, especially for a book about a goddamn golem bodyguard. Felt like everybody in the story was either broke, jobless, or desperate for a bank loan. Girl, I read monster smut to escape reality, not relive my own bank account trauma, y’know? 😭
Sure, we’ve got Mason—a big bald rock bodyguard (literally)—and Maya, a human FMC with blue eyes and trauma. He’s her captor's hired bodyguard turned protector after realizing she’s his true fated mate. Classic forced proximity + rescue setup, and I’m usually so down for that. But the vibe? Kinda sad-boy stone with a side of job loss. 😖
The romance wasn’t bad, but it felt like someone sprinkled in some government paperwork, medical bills, and family obligations to make sure I never got too horny. Like, I came here for monster dick, not to worry about Mason’s rent. 🫠
It had potential but the execution was just okay. Medium angst and mild spice with a soft emotional core. Great if you want something light and safe. Not so great if you’re hunting down deep monster vibes with high heat. 🥲
If you’re looking for high-stakes romance, hot golem sex, and adrenaline-fueled monster bodyguard chaos… uh, keep walking, babe. This one’s got more bills than boning. Sweet moments? Yeah. Decent world-building? Sure. But did it do it for me? Meh. I read to escape, not to stress. 😑
-
Quotes: (A few scenes that at least managed to make this book to get 2 stars from me.)
I nodded. “All right. But I won’t let him touch you again. Do you hear me, Maya? He touches you, he loses both hands.”
-
“We can take things slowly, if that’s what you need,” I said. In my head, however, I was already making plans. “There’s one thing you must know, Maya. I will pursue the hell out of you.”
-
“My beautiful mate,” he said as he grabbed my hips and guided me up and down his cock. “You’re all I want. You’re all I need. I will make you happy.”
-
MCs:
🪨 Pairing: Mason Stonewarden, a golem made of stone, and Maya Lucas, a human woman
🪨 Mason: Bald, dark orbs eyes
🪨 Maya: Brown hair, blue eyes, pale complexion
Genre, tropes, and all things my safety fam needs to know:
🪨 MF monster romance
🪨 Bodyguard MMC
🪨 Fated mates
🪨 Insta-connection
🪨 Size difference
🪨 Captive/rescue scenario
🪨 Amnesia (FMC)
🪨 Forced proximity
🪨 Touch her and die (literally)
🪨 Angst: Medium
🪨 Vibes: Mysterious, action-focused, sweet, mild spice
🪨 OW/OM drama: No
🪨 Cheating/sharing: No
🪨 Third act breakup: No
🪨 Ending: HEA
🪨 Epilogue: Yes
Spice and kinks:
🪨 Dry humping orgasm, cunnilingus, no condom, cum play (teeny tiny bit in one scene)
CW/TW:
🪨 Captivity, abuse, murder, disability, unemployment stress, financial hardship
So, um… this wasn’t the monster romance escape I thought I signed up for. I wanted claws, growls, feral fated mates ready to ravage each other under moonlight, not a damn tax return breakdown and a career counseling session with a damn golem. Like, what the fuck. 🙄
This was a fast, fairly chill read with a decent plot and some emotional beats—but honestly, it didn’t fully hit the monster romance high I was craving. It leaned too slice-of-life for my taste, especially for a book about a goddamn golem bodyguard. Felt like everybody in the story was either broke, jobless, or desperate for a bank loan. Girl, I read monster smut to escape reality, not relive my own bank account trauma, y’know? 😭
Sure, we’ve got Mason—a big bald rock bodyguard (literally)—and Maya, a human FMC with blue eyes and trauma. He’s her captor's hired bodyguard turned protector after realizing she’s his true fated mate. Classic forced proximity + rescue setup, and I’m usually so down for that. But the vibe? Kinda sad-boy stone with a side of job loss. 😖
The romance wasn’t bad, but it felt like someone sprinkled in some government paperwork, medical bills, and family obligations to make sure I never got too horny. Like, I came here for monster dick, not to worry about Mason’s rent. 🫠
It had potential but the execution was just okay. Medium angst and mild spice with a soft emotional core. Great if you want something light and safe. Not so great if you’re hunting down deep monster vibes with high heat. 🥲
If you’re looking for high-stakes romance, hot golem sex, and adrenaline-fueled monster bodyguard chaos… uh, keep walking, babe. This one’s got more bills than boning. Sweet moments? Yeah. Decent world-building? Sure. But did it do it for me? Meh. I read to escape, not to stress. 😑
-
Quotes: (A few scenes that at least managed to make this book to get 2 stars from me.)
I nodded. “All right. But I won’t let him touch you again. Do you hear me, Maya? He touches you, he loses both hands.”
-
“We can take things slowly, if that’s what you need,” I said. In my head, however, I was already making plans. “There’s one thing you must know, Maya. I will pursue the hell out of you.”
-
“My beautiful mate,” he said as he grabbed my hips and guided me up and down his cock. “You’re all I want. You’re all I need. I will make you happy.”
-
MCs:
🪨 Pairing: Mason Stonewarden, a golem made of stone, and Maya Lucas, a human woman
🪨 Mason: Bald, dark orbs eyes
🪨 Maya: Brown hair, blue eyes, pale complexion
Genre, tropes, and all things my safety fam needs to know:
🪨 MF monster romance
🪨 Bodyguard MMC
🪨 Fated mates
🪨 Insta-connection
🪨 Size difference
🪨 Captive/rescue scenario
🪨 Amnesia (FMC)
🪨 Forced proximity
🪨 Touch her and die (literally)
🪨 Angst: Medium
🪨 Vibes: Mysterious, action-focused, sweet, mild spice
🪨 OW/OM drama: No
🪨 Cheating/sharing: No
🪨 Third act breakup: No
🪨 Ending: HEA
🪨 Epilogue: Yes
Spice and kinks:
🪨 Dry humping orgasm, cunnilingus, no condom, cum play (teeny tiny bit in one scene)
CW/TW:
🪨 Captivity, abuse, murder, disability, unemployment stress, financial hardship
June 23, 2024
A sweet spicy monster romance, this one isn't too deep, it's a tad simplistic but was enjoyable all the same. It's of novella length and is set in an alternate world where monsters are common-place and live amongst the humans.
Mason Stonewarden is a Golem a large humanoid monster, he is practically indestructible due to his stone-like skin he also burns with an inner fire. Fired from his job at the monster security agency he's getting desperate for work so is persuaded against his every instinct to sign up for a job at a private residence which has a very shady feel. It's not long before Mason realises there's something very wrong occurring at the home of Doctor Vincent Lockwood and he vows to get to the bottom of it all.
Maya Lucas wakes up in a dingy basement restrained, she has a bad concussion and is suffering from amnesia due to the blow to her head. She has no idea why this unknown male wants her blood and is understandably terrified especially as time passes and she's no nearer to answers or freedom.
Mason and Maya are so sweet together and Mason is definitely a cinnamon roll-type hero. He sets himself up as her saviour and is astonished and ecstatic when he realises Maya is his mate. This wasn't an angsty or complicated story but it did have a very feel-good vibe, especially in regards to the romance. These two are such a sweet couple. It's very insta-love but this did work and though not the most elaborate of stories I did enjoy it.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
May 26, 2024
It was fast and cute. It felt superficial, like how cotton candy doesn't really have depth but is so delicious and fun in the moment. HOWEVER, the very last line pissed me right the hell off, just like Mason's belly fire.
"People who had loving families and true friends didn’t get kidnapped." Oh, really???? REALLY?!?!?!! How is that not the BIGGEST FUCKING SLAP IN THE FACE TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON WITHIN THE REAL BLACK MARKET, JUST LIKE IN YOUR STORY??? With your degree, that's the BEST you could do???? Insult victims?!!? How unbelievably tone deaf!!!!!! 😡
I understand that you were ATTEMPTING to bring to light her loneliness and thoughts of connection and new beginnings, BUT YOU FUCKING MISSED THE MARK BY LIGHT YEARS and did your story a disservice in the end.
"People who had loving families and true friends didn’t get kidnapped." Oh, really???? REALLY?!?!?!! How is that not the BIGGEST FUCKING SLAP IN THE FACE TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON WITHIN THE REAL BLACK MARKET, JUST LIKE IN YOUR STORY??? With your degree, that's the BEST you could do???? Insult victims?!!? How unbelievably tone deaf!!!!!! 😡
I understand that you were ATTEMPTING to bring to light her loneliness and thoughts of connection and new beginnings, BUT YOU FUCKING MISSED THE MARK BY LIGHT YEARS and did your story a disservice in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2024
This story felt very superficial. Like it was an extended outline. The bones of the story were there but there wasn’t enough meat. However, this is the same way I feel about most short stories.
Maya is kidnapped and Mason is hired as her bodyguard. But not to protect her, to keep her prisoner. Of course this does not happen and they find out they’re mates. Not a spoiler, it’s in the book description. Lots of action and Golem stuff happens. Other monsters are introduced. The evil mad scientist/doctor is up to no good. It was very silly but a super fast read.
Maya is kidnapped and Mason is hired as her bodyguard. But not to protect her, to keep her prisoner. Of course this does not happen and they find out they’re mates. Not a spoiler, it’s in the book description. Lots of action and Golem stuff happens. Other monsters are introduced. The evil mad scientist/doctor is up to no good. It was very silly but a super fast read.
March 4, 2024
Not for me
Maya is a woman kidnapped, and she doesn't know why. Mason is a monster out of a job at the Monster Security Agency. Then Mason gets an offer from his old job that's sounds a bit on the shady side, but he needs the money.
Mason finds out that behind the door he is guarding is Maya, his mate, and they need to escape.
This book wasn't for me. I like the premise. However, I thought the writing style was slightly immature and rushed. I could see how some people would like this book. It just wasn't what I look for in monster smut.
Maya is a woman kidnapped, and she doesn't know why. Mason is a monster out of a job at the Monster Security Agency. Then Mason gets an offer from his old job that's sounds a bit on the shady side, but he needs the money.
Mason finds out that behind the door he is guarding is Maya, his mate, and they need to escape.
This book wasn't for me. I like the premise. However, I thought the writing style was slightly immature and rushed. I could see how some people would like this book. It just wasn't what I look for in monster smut.
August 9, 2024
if i could give this a zero, i would
January 14, 2024
This is exactly what you think it is....
Smutty fun!
Smutty fun!
January 14, 2024
Maya (h) awakens with no memories of her past and finds that she is bound and gagged in a prison like cell with a captor who only views her as an object. She has no understanding of who she is or why she is there, only that her blood is being taken from her by the man holding her prisoner. Golem Mason (H) is fired from the Monster Security Agency but in desperate need of a job, he takes a special assignment for them with a client, Dr. Lockwood, who needs him to guard a locked door within his home’s basement. It doesn’t take Mason long top realize that there’s a woman being held in the basement, and he uses his skills to get into the room and talk with her. Mason is drawn to Maya and can’t believe the things that Lockwood claims about the woman who he’s coming to believe is his mate. He’s determined to get to the bottom of things and solve who Maya is and why she’s being held prisoner. Loved how Mason could vanquish the enemy and the discussion of his internal fires. Hot and steamy monster-human romance with an interesting mystery element, and side of violence and death to all those who deserve it.
October 16, 2024
Couldn't finish.
February 16, 2025
Rating: 3.2 / 5
While I definitely liked this more than Guarded by the Spider, I have to say that overall it was just...so-so.
The premise is that Mason, our golem, is desperate for a new job from the MSA, having technically failed in his last one and therefore been blacklisted. He has a family (his brother, brother's wife, and kids) to help support though, so he'll take just about anything--even something that sounds as shady as what he's hired for at the beginning of the story.
The task is simple: to guard a door, and not question what's inside. Mason has morals though, so he can't help but be curious and wonder why the heck the task of just guarding a door is left to someone as strong and capable as him. He seeks out the answer, and in turn finds Maya, the person he's guarding. She's...well, she's got amnesia for what the heck happened to her, but definitely wants out of Dr. Creep-o's basement, and hopes that Mason will help her. Of course, with Maya being his fated mate and all, Mason will do anything for her.
__________
The setup of the plot, for what it is, is pretty interesting. The author takes a while to reveal all about why Maya was kidnapped and why Mason's needed to guard her in the first place, but...well, otherwise things just felt like they were progressing the way you'd expect. There's the insta-love between Maya and Mason, but I didn't really mind that so much because the whole "fated mates" thing kind of makes up for it. Granted, I've noticed in this series that the human heroines are rather okay to instantly jump into bed with the male monsters, but I'll look past that for the sake of plot convenience.
However, where this book lost points for me is in terms of where things just don't make sense and feel forced for the plot to continue forward. Like...even after Mason offers to get Maya out of there asap, she insists that he let her stay so that they can find answers as to why she was kidnapped in the first place. That pissed me off, tbh, because it made ZERO sense. Like...if I was kidnapped and treated as Maya was, I wouldn't care why the fuck it happened; I'd just get the hell outta Dodge as fast as possible, and never look back!
And then there's also the direction that the author took for the ending. It...wasn't bad, but I don't think it was the best direction that things could've gone in. For one thing, it involves introducing an entirely new villain, and I'm sure that if the author really tried, she could've just kept the same villain from the get-go, as he was already headed in a Norman Bates-y direction, and she could've stuck with that.
But, anyways, looking past the what-ifs, Maya and Mason were both fine as characters and you do root for them to make a go of it together. It's good if not great, and an okay read to pass an afternoon away. Might be just a one-time thing, though.
While I definitely liked this more than Guarded by the Spider, I have to say that overall it was just...so-so.
The premise is that Mason, our golem, is desperate for a new job from the MSA, having technically failed in his last one and therefore been blacklisted. He has a family (his brother, brother's wife, and kids) to help support though, so he'll take just about anything--even something that sounds as shady as what he's hired for at the beginning of the story.
The task is simple: to guard a door, and not question what's inside. Mason has morals though, so he can't help but be curious and wonder why the heck the task of just guarding a door is left to someone as strong and capable as him. He seeks out the answer, and in turn finds Maya, the person he's guarding. She's...well, she's got amnesia for what the heck happened to her, but definitely wants out of Dr. Creep-o's basement, and hopes that Mason will help her. Of course, with Maya being his fated mate and all, Mason will do anything for her.
__________
The setup of the plot, for what it is, is pretty interesting. The author takes a while to reveal all about why Maya was kidnapped and why Mason's needed to guard her in the first place, but...well, otherwise things just felt like they were progressing the way you'd expect. There's the insta-love between Maya and Mason, but I didn't really mind that so much because the whole "fated mates" thing kind of makes up for it. Granted, I've noticed in this series that the human heroines are rather okay to instantly jump into bed with the male monsters, but I'll look past that for the sake of plot convenience.
However, where this book lost points for me is in terms of where things just don't make sense and feel forced for the plot to continue forward. Like...even after Mason offers to get Maya out of there asap, she insists that he let her stay so that they can find answers as to why she was kidnapped in the first place. That pissed me off, tbh, because it made ZERO sense. Like...if I was kidnapped and treated as Maya was, I wouldn't care why the fuck it happened; I'd just get the hell outta Dodge as fast as possible, and never look back!
And then there's also the direction that the author took for the ending. It...wasn't bad, but I don't think it was the best direction that things could've gone in. For one thing, it involves introducing an entirely new villain, and I'm sure that if the author really tried, she could've just kept the same villain from the get-go, as he was already headed in a Norman Bates-y direction, and she could've stuck with that.
But, anyways, looking past the what-ifs, Maya and Mason were both fine as characters and you do root for them to make a go of it together. It's good if not great, and an okay read to pass an afternoon away. Might be just a one-time thing, though.
November 10, 2024
2.75 stars
I liked the general plot, but didn’t enjoy the writing style. Also the relationship development went from 0 to 100, which is fine for a fated mates story, but it felt very unnatural on the FMC's part since she had amnesia and was being held prisoner, and he was her unwitting monster guard.
I liked the general plot, but didn’t enjoy the writing style. Also the relationship development went from 0 to 100, which is fine for a fated mates story, but it felt very unnatural on the FMC's part since she had amnesia and was being held prisoner, and he was her unwitting monster guard.
February 24, 2024
1/5
I finished this just so I could rank it.
The FMC was TSTL. She made me insane and her motivations made no sense.
For example: Why the FUCK would you stay and be tortured when you had the opportunity to escape? . . . She justifies it by saying she needs to know her capture/torturers motivations so she didn’t suffer without knowing why. But what? Who would ever feel that way. You always escape. Psychopaths don’t have reasons that make sense to normal people. What would knowing his reasons help to accomplish?
It was clearly a ploy to keep the plot moving but her motivations made no sense.
But she did stuff like this throughout the novella. And the MMC was one dimensional and bland. The world building wasn’t fun or interesting and the answer to all the questions throughout the book was a resoundingly lazy “because the world is corrupt and people are evil”
And why would the mother of the bad guy want her son dead? It makes no sense to me.
This book was god awful. And it was cringy.
I finished this just so I could rank it.
The FMC was TSTL. She made me insane and her motivations made no sense.
For example: Why the FUCK would you stay and be tortured when you had the opportunity to escape? . . . She justifies it by saying she needs to know her capture/torturers motivations so she didn’t suffer without knowing why. But what? Who would ever feel that way. You always escape. Psychopaths don’t have reasons that make sense to normal people. What would knowing his reasons help to accomplish?
It was clearly a ploy to keep the plot moving but her motivations made no sense.
But she did stuff like this throughout the novella. And the MMC was one dimensional and bland. The world building wasn’t fun or interesting and the answer to all the questions throughout the book was a resoundingly lazy “because the world is corrupt and people are evil”
And why would the mother of the bad guy want her son dead? It makes no sense to me.
This book was god awful. And it was cringy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2024
Guarded by the Golem
Not too much stands out about this story. I like the premise that “monsters” live among humans - out and everyone knows it. But the characters were weirdly traditional.
The MMC thinks to himself,
“My mate deserved to live a life of peace and joy, and not have to think about our finances.”
That's a very last century thought. The MFC has this odd thought,
“People who had loving families and true friends didn’t get kidnapped.”
Really? Since when? It made no sense with the rest of the story.
For some reason the author decided to have the MFC give her consent away,
The MMC asks,
“Now, Maya. Will you let me take you?”
Her answer,
“Yes. Don’t ask. Just do it.”
What? Why? He should always ask.
Not too much stands out about this story. I like the premise that “monsters” live among humans - out and everyone knows it. But the characters were weirdly traditional.
The MMC thinks to himself,
“My mate deserved to live a life of peace and joy, and not have to think about our finances.”
That's a very last century thought. The MFC has this odd thought,
“People who had loving families and true friends didn’t get kidnapped.”
Really? Since when? It made no sense with the rest of the story.
For some reason the author decided to have the MFC give her consent away,
The MMC asks,
“Now, Maya. Will you let me take you?”
Her answer,
“Yes. Don’t ask. Just do it.”
What? Why? He should always ask.
February 2, 2025
I had to DNF 65% in. It was weird? But not in a good sort of way. Their romantic relationship was extremely rushed. It wasn’t really that believable, especially since we know very little backstory about the FMC other than her career and her family tree. It just wasn’t for me.
September 20, 2024
Guarded by the Golem was okay. I think it needed to be more developed.
Read
November 12, 2025I know this is far from fiction. However, Maya thinking that because she has a loving family and true friends she'd never been kidnapped is ridiculous. She had the loving family and was kidnapped the first, and second, time. So...uh...wow.
Also, I didn't like the mention of him taking out a loan to buy a house for them when he didnt have a job and wasn't sure he'd be able to get it back. Then the engagement ring and the jewelry as a wedding gift. It was excessive and had me wondering what he got out of the relationship.
Also, I didn't like the mention of him taking out a loan to buy a house for them when he didnt have a job and wasn't sure he'd be able to get it back. Then the engagement ring and the jewelry as a wedding gift. It was excessive and had me wondering what he got out of the relationship.
December 21, 2024
Guarded by the Golem is another book in the MSA series.
Despite little background development I really enjoyed this story.
A lot happens fairly quickly without much reason behind it at first but when you stick with it you sort of just ride along. Mostly I took our heroes side despite my early reservations about him.
I would like to know more about his brother as well.
I look forward to reading more books in the MSA series in the future.
Despite little background development I really enjoyed this story.
A lot happens fairly quickly without much reason behind it at first but when you stick with it you sort of just ride along. Mostly I took our heroes side despite my early reservations about him.
I would like to know more about his brother as well.
I look forward to reading more books in the MSA series in the future.
August 24, 2024
Came for the hot hunk of stone, stayed for the action!
A short, sweet and suspenseful little romp! This was my first time reading this series and Wylde did a great job at balancing world building, character relations and plot! I will be checking out more for sure!
A short, sweet and suspenseful little romp! This was my first time reading this series and Wylde did a great job at balancing world building, character relations and plot! I will be checking out more for sure!
January 27, 2024
I know it's a short book, but it was still a little too fast paced for me. However, it's still got a good story line to it.
October 28, 2024
three days with 100 pages 💀💀💀
did-not-finish
May 18, 2025DNF at 45%
November 25, 2025
C'etait tellement nul wow j'ai meme pas les mots
December 18, 2025
Mason and Maya
z-dnf-2024
July 24, 2024DNF 10% it’s bad
May 16, 2025
Is it me? Am I the problem? I liked the beginning world building, Mason seemed like a rock solid MMC, but the insta love… the ease with which the villain handed over the keys to… you guessed it, his fated mate!! The anticlimactic “she’s innocent!”. It just didn’t hit. I feel like the universe has potential, this just felt a little rushed: and believe me, I recognize that the book is t super long, BUT STILL.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2024
A lot of telling; not showing
This book is written in a “telling” way where the reader is being told about the action. For example, “Mason went upstairs.”
I like the concept - I wish it had been written in a “showing” way where the reader gets immersed in the world of the story! “Footsteps pounding up the old wooden steps, Mason’s grip tightened on the railing.”
I finished it but I never got enthralled by the story so I’m rating it 4 stars.
This book is written in a “telling” way where the reader is being told about the action. For example, “Mason went upstairs.”
I like the concept - I wish it had been written in a “showing” way where the reader gets immersed in the world of the story! “Footsteps pounding up the old wooden steps, Mason’s grip tightened on the railing.”
I finished it but I never got enthralled by the story so I’m rating it 4 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews