Broken Out [By the Human]

Trapped with a Monster #3

by L.E. Eldridge

Despite owning a thriving business and maintaining an active social life, Wilder just can’t shake the feeling of being lonely.

One fateful evening changes everything when he acquires a strange vase...and aptly breaks it. The mess that came was to be expected. The seven foot purple man who came out of it? Yeah…not so much.

Wishbringer Zephyr is clueless about how someone captured him, but he's grateful for his freedom. Just one the person who broke his ceramic prison may be more irritating than the vase he was trapped in.

All Zephyr needs is a simple wish to get back on his way, but Wilder’s not buying it. Apparently, some humans are immune to the allure of free wishes. And now they’re stuck together until the wish is completed.

With feelings between them changing, Zephyr’s captors hot on his heels, and the two of them practically joined at the hip, can they navigate the chaos?

Or is it all just wishful thinking?

Broken Out (By the Human) is a low angst, fast burn monster romance featuring a hopelessly romantic antique store owner, and his grumpy Wishbringer. This novella has an HEA with no cheating! Though it is apart of a series, this book can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Fantasy, Monster Romance, M M Romance, Romance, Paranormal, Novella, Audiobook

122 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 29, 2024

About the author

Lexie is a paranormal romance author and avid reader from Upstate New York. She runs an editing and PA company Morally Gray Author Services and lives with her husband, dog Layla, and cat Swiper. When she's not reading (which is rarely) you can find her playing video games or looking for amazing indie bookstores and vintage shops. Lexie writes campy books full of smut with simp-y monsters looking for love.

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The romance was bit cute and I liked the characters. But didn't enjoy the way the smutt and sex talk was written, felt awkward to listen to.

[Mx. T *Chaotic Reader* · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute. The writing wasn't my favourite but I liked the sweetness and the shape-shifting dick. We even get a bit of action. Nice and short

[BookishKB · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read. Not my favorite in the series to be honest. I also had a hard time with the narrator.

[suonnahbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is genie 🧞 in the bottle gone rogue and spicy 🌶️ perioddd I ate this up lol.

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

- low angst
- fated mates
- monster x human

Wilder runs an antique shop and acquires a strange but beautiful vase that he cannot stop looking or thinking about. After a drunken night out with his friend, Wilder accidentally breaks it, releasing the gorgeous gigantic purple man trapped inside it.

Zephyr, a Wishbringer, has been trapped for almost a hundred years, granting wishes to greedy humans seeking wealth and power, but his new Wilder wants none of those things and can’t seem to figure out what to wish for. Now they’re stuck together until Wilder makes his wish, but being with Wilder is not as awful as Zephyr thought it would be.

The chemistry between Wilder and Zephyr was there from the start, and their story was super cute, and kept me hooked!

[angel♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish there was more getting to know the actual mcs in this book. I didn't really feel connected with either of them or feel any growing tension between the two themselves. so, the plausibility of them "falling in love" and wanting to be tied together for eternity in the amount of time they know each other, without knowing anything about either character or seeing their day-to-day and getting to know each other? highly unlikely, in my opinion. their relationship isn't very fleshed out. the possessiveness seemingly comes out of nowhere; one day the "Wishbringer" just wants him to make a wish and dip, the next he doesn't want him to be flirted with or dancing with other people at a club. mind you, the "Wishbringer", who has a heightened sense of smell, first meets him after he's been clubbing with the very same friend and was fucked in the bathroom before going home and accidentally breaking his vase.

also wasn't expecting murder with bare hands to be a part of this story, considering the content warning states "slight violence/gore." it's not highly detailed, nothing in the story really is, but it's not a "slight" action by any means.

I think I would have enjoyed this concept/story better as a full novel where each character has been fully developed, sexual degradation and extreme sex acts are discussed before it happens between the mcs, and it wasn't in 3rd person.

I did receive an advance copy from the author for a review.

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Wilder was adorable and I liked him. He was sweet and selfless, but I wanted him to have more depth as a character. Zephyr was grouchy and over the top and it didn’t take him too long to figure out Wilder was good for him.

Spice: 5/5

Triggers: kidnapping, violence, captivity/enslavement (genie)

[Audi♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read about a genie before! Super cute. Loved Zephyrs 4 arms. This made me want to listen to the genie in a bottle song. I won't lie tho his dirty talk was embarrassing. Slutty hole gags me everytime.

[Liv (LivTheBookNerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75 ✨
Spice: 3 🌶

This book was filled with pure, queer joy and I loved getting to read from Zephyr and Wilder's perspectives and I loved getting to see them fall in love. This was such a fun, quick read and it was the perfect novella to read as the month concluded. It was cozy, it was spicy, and it had a hint of danger to it as well.

If you love growly, possessive monster MCs and cute, fashion forward and vintage obsessed human MCs.

I was so so thrilled to be accepted to read an ARC of this book. A massive thank you to LE Eldridge! This was so much fun!

[Laura Gerez · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review of Broken Out (By the Human)🧞❤️🌈📚

I have no words to describe how much I loved this book! I mean Lexie always turns up and every book I read of hers is my new favorite for sure! It was absolutely insanely good! The banter, the spice, omg the SPICE, I was sweating I tell you! This novella was just pure Gold! So if you haven’t read any of her books I definitely recommend them, you’ll love it for sure if you like monster romance and absolutely insanely good smut❤️

Would definitely recommend and will be rereading this again when it comes out for sure! I am beyond excited for everyone to read it already! 😍
Book coming out on February 29th on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited so save up the date!!🥰

Ig: @readinglauraslibrary
#happyreading

[christy - pr0bablyreadingsmut · Rating 5 out of 5]

short, sweet, and oh so spicy!!! i looooved this story so damn much. the epitome of grumpy x sunshine. genie x human. fated mates, forced proximity, degradation AND praise??? i’m so obsessed
wilder and zephyr live rent free in my head now. i’m gonna want more of them for SURE
these two lil freaks are perfection

[Alison Klie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

This book was really cute. There wasn’t a ton of depth to the characters or a huge amount of interpersonal conflict which was perfect for what I was looking for.

I loved Wilder’s style and personality. It balanced so well with the grumpy Zephyr. Sometimes you just need a story to give you 80% two people falling in love in an antique shop and 20% drama.

[Reid Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eldridge did it again!! Another super cute and cozy monster romance! The concept of the wish bringer was super unique and fun! And the dynamic between wilder and zephyr was super adorable.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Very very sweet, very low angst, and just pure monster fluff. Honestly, my complaint, as it often is with books this size, is that I wanted more. But since it was a fated mates tale, it worked out for me.

[Nia Been Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to L.E. Eldridge for this arc!

Rating : 4.5 ⭐️
Spice : 4 🌶️

Ohkkkkk I was not expecting this to be soooo damn good !!! This is my first monster romance ( if you even want to consider this Zee a monster ) and I ateeeee it uppp ohk!!! Could not put it down and even yelled at my man when he tried to talk to me while I was reading this 😂😂😂

Wilder is an antique seller that lives on top of his shop. One day while getting a regular shipment he is unloading and finds a Vase. To Wilder it looks way to special to be just left in the shop so ofc he takes it home with him. After a fun night, while trying to make it to his bed the Vase breaks & the least expected happens.

Zephyr, a wishbringer trapped in a vase after every wish granted, was released and automatically got to work. Bombarding Wilder for a wish like realll bad. With Wilder not budging things take a wildly cute good ride. One that Zephyr was not expecting nor ever experienced!!

Again this was amazing I highly recommend it!! I loved the chemistry between them and everything inbetween 🤭. Ohh and this was my first real MxM and it was done perfectly for me not to much and not to lil ohk ima go reread cux it was really that good lol

[Chris BReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was sweet and spicy. A M/M monster/paranormal romance where Wilder (human) meets Zephyr (djinn) after releasing him from a vase. Zephyr, required to bestow a wish on the person who frees him, attempts to coerce Wilder to make a wish but learns some humans are immune to the allure of a free wish. Sparks start to fly as these two lovable men spend more time with each other. Also there's a shape-shifting 🍆.

[audiobook_chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

PNR MM

When Wilder gets a strange vase in a job lot he never in a month of Sunday's could have guessed what was inside it.
A quick fated mates pnr with a grumpy wishbringer and happy antique shop owner.

[Edie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute but oh so spicy novella! Grumpy/Sunshine. I absolutely adore Zephyr!

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super freaking cute.

This is my third Eldridge and safe to say she is becoming a favourite author. She writes such cute but SEXY books. Throw in a cozy setting with a monster and you've got yourself a must read.

[Vesenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so funny and cute! I loved the dynamics between Zephyr and Wilder. Honestly a great book to read when you just want something cute and short to read.

[Johanna 夏✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute and fluffy quick read with some action and spicy scenes 🌶️ I loved them since the first sentence… I need more 😭

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This had a lot of potential and would be even better with more plot. Unfortunately the climax felt really rushed. I did like the fun sex though - this contains a magic dick that can change shape and, for example, turn into anal beads. Cool stuff.

[Revy · Rating 2 out of 5]

ngl mostly read this for the hot purple demon man

[Rae, shutupandbookup · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Thank you for freeing me. In return, I will grant you one wish for anything you may desire.” - Zephyr


Listen, forget about rubbing that lamp, just smash a vase!


It was an accident! Wilder's the owner of an antiques shop and someone searching for and holding out for the one. He's a big history nerd who loves his antique shop and getting shipments in! Only when a mysterious vase arrives it completely catches his eye. Little does he know that by causing the vase to break it will bring forth a 'Wishbringer' who will change his life forever. Just not in the usual wish making way you would think!


“And how am I supposed to know it’s not one of those tricky wishes, one where I make it and you twist my words and leave me worse off? I’ve seen the Twilight Zone, and no thank you.” - Wilder


I absolutely loved Wilder! His personality and attitude were just perfect! Our snarky antique owner doesn't know what to do when Zephyr appears and states he needs to make a wish. Wilder can't really think of anything and he's also hesitant about making one. I mean my love reads supernatural books and so he understands how dangerous wish making can be!


Zephyr just wants to be free of this "little human" and to remain on the down-low for a while. "Wishbringers", genies, are sought after and it isn't always a good thing. The ancient being is sick of humans and views them in a bad way. Only something about Wilder and his hesitancy to make any type of wish has Zephyr curious. As the two get closer Zephyr can't deny he may even like being around a human. (He will never say it out loud though!)


"He watched as the man visibly bristled, and Wilder bit his bottom lip to keep from smiling. Something about his anger made him smile, which didn’t feel normal." - Wilder


I instantly loved their banter! Wilder pushing all of Zephyr's buttons and more! Wilder being that sassy sunshine while Zephyr is the grumpy, purple cloud just trying to get out of this situation. Forced roommates and forced proximity galore! I enjoyed reading their dynamic and how their relationship grew. Little romantic things along the way and developing feelings.


Zephyr scoffed and handed it over. “Yes, and your bitter cup of bean juice.”

He mock-gasped. “This is a delicacy, and it’s delicious.”


I really loved that Wilder wears crop-tops and skirts! Even doing stylish makeup that makes me want to go out and get some things! Zephyr admiring the little human maybe even staring a little too long at Wilder when he's wearing a crop-top. . .sssh he isn't supposed to like the human in any capacity!


This read is very cute and fluffy! But we do have some sad moments and tense ones. Language is in the read and there is some violence and bloodshed. There're no insane gory details this book remaining lighthearted! Mention of death and the sadness of losing someone, a past someone. Dual POVs in third person.


“I can shapeshift in more than just one way wildcat.” - Zephyr


We have a slow burn, but the read is only one hundred and nine pages in length! So, the wait isn't that long especially since the sexual tension starts building. Wilder realizing he may have a thing for Zephyr's true "monster" form was everything! I really respected the fact that when things got heated and Zephyr let out words of degradation, he immediately made sure Wilder liked it. Wilder very much enjoying it and Zephyr's fancy peen. MM action, Dom/Sub, size differences, and more!


This was my first read from this author and I have to say I'm hooked! Going to go back and read the other two books of this series that can be read as standalones! I do wish the POVs had been in first person or at least one of them. It didn't throw me out of the book, and I still really enjoyed it. The take on genies and some of the things revolving around Zephyr and how he has lived for many years without going insane were intriguing.


Do enjoy the fun monster romance with great banter and crop-tops! And don't forget to give the author some stars!


shutupandbookup.com

[Syd · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I read this after Snowed Inn (with a Demon), and I didn't exactly have high hopes for it, but this story was much better done. It was more to the point and there wasn't much of an secondary story beyond our two MCs falling for each other and smashing.

Wilder owns an antique store, and has a large, elaborate vase delivered to his shop. He thinks its cool, so he brings it back to his apartment. After a drunken night out at the club, he comes home and knocks it over, breaking it and releasing the hundreds of years old 'Wishbringer' inside.
There is a bit of conflict and violence when the original owner of the vase comes looking for it, but it's over fairly quickly.

The concept was super cute and the first book I've read about a genie, but as with a lot of novellas I've read, I feel like it would have been better to have been a longer novel. The characters are fun and seem to have a lot of chemistry but there's not a strong build up. Zephyr, the Wishbringer, goes from pestering Wilder to make a wish so he is released to never bringing it up at all and declaring they are fated mates, and it all seems super fast. Zephyr is a bit of a grump and doesn't like humans, but warms up to Wilder in no time.

Like the other book in this series that I have read so far, this edition also contains quite a few grammatical and some spelling errors in the text, which I found a bit surprising because an editor and a beta reader were thanked in a note at the back of the book.

Still, it was a super cute, fun little read and I really enjoyed the spicy artwork I got with the book.

[Raven9308 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read books 2 and 3 back to back on a work trip, needed some quick reads for the flights and while exercising in between conference long days and these were perfect. I liked this story more than the Kraken I think because it flowed better for me and I didn't feel as rushed and broken up timeline wise like I was in the previous book. I also have a soft spot for MM and these characters were so different and caused some really funny moments that I loved and wanted more of!

I enjoyed the shapeshifting aspect, made for some really fun sexy and normal moments (him change his size was AMAZING and would be so much fun to play with haha). I liked our genie, Zephyr, was a different person almost each day but Wilder just wanted his normal form and for him to be himself. So adorable! I enjoyed the banter and the back and forth between them. The grumpy/sunshine trope is one of my favorites and the size difference was fun too. The storyline was predictable, which is why I would give this s 4.5 stars, but with how engrossed I was in the story I rounded it up since it was a lot of fun.

I wished we got more of the mate part of the story or we got some check-in bonus scenes from the author, that would help round it out/elevate these stories. Overall good, quick read.

[Autumn L · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I like about this story is the connection that these two have. The thing with Zephyr's character is he has a hard time trusting humans because of the powers he has. But now that he is getting to know Wilder he realizes that there are some humans out there that don't want his power and want him instead. Wilder also has a hard time trusting people and trusting love from what happened in his past. Now that he realizes that Zephyr is real he wants to know more about him wants to see where this will go. The connection that these two have is wonderful because they are being trusted again. What I like about Zephyr's character is that when he and Wilder go out together he always growls at anyone that tries to talk to Wilder. Zephyr is willing to do anything to help Wilder with his business and when someone tries to hurt Wilder he does everything to keep him safe. What I like about Wilder is that he tries not to rush things with Zephyr because he wants to build up trust because he doesn't care to make a wish. They both finally get what they wanted was someone to trust and love them for who they are.

[Lia ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story rating: 4.0⭐️
Romance lvl: 2.5⭐️
Spice lvl: 3.0🌶️ 
Smut frequency: 4.0⏳

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Tropes:
💘 MM monster romance
✨ Extroverted sunshine human
🧞 Introverted grumpy wishbringer
🔗 Forced proximity
☁️ Cozy

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~ STORY 📝 ~

Super cute and cozy story! It was definitely a very sweet read with low angst and endearing MCs. 🥰💘

In only 104 pages, we watch a relationship unfold between a human who mistakenly broke a vase and freed a wishbringer who is now stuck with him until he makes a wish.

In that "slice of life" atmosphere with both of them working in the downstairs antic store and sharing meals, we watch them slowly fall in love ☺️


~ SPICE 🌶️ ~

If you read Broken Out (By the Human), you're in for:

🧞 size difference
🧞 degradation
🧞 shape-shifting peen
🧞 toy



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This is an arc review. Thanks to the author for the advanced ebook copy 🙏💖

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[Yarlene ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Zephyr?"

"Yes, wildcat?"

•

We’re following Wilder, who owns an antique store and one day receives a beautiful but very strange vase which he can’t stop staring at. After a drunken mishap he accidentally brokes it revealing an enormous purple man who turns out to be a genie, wanting to grant him a wish for freeing him.

Zephyr, the genie Wilder released, is a wishbringer, and has been trapped inside the vase for almost a hundred years, giving greedy humans the wishes they desired, like money, power, and more invaluable things. But he gets truly surprised when Wilder wants none of those things.

While he waits for Wilder to make his wish they spend some time together, getting to know each other and being comfortable. In which, obviously feelings begins to develop and the rest is history. 💜

This was such a sweet, cute and spicy little novella in the trapped with a monster series. The banter and chemistry between these two were really cute to see, and the spice was truly something else!!!

Ratings: 4.5/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶️

A huge thank you to the author for letting me read this as an arc, I can’t wait for y’all to read it!! 💜

[Kelsi Othoudt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an absolutely fun spicy novella that I definitely would consider a one stop read. What I mean is, I finished this in one go, and enjoyed it the whole time! Its definitely a grumpy/sunshine read, with Zephyr being the best grump to ever grump.

Basically, Wilder receives a shipment at his antique store, which included a mysterious vase that he is drawn to, but can't find any information on it. When it accidentally brakes and releases the Wishbringer Zephyr, Wilder thinks its just some drunken fever dream and goes to bed. Well, when he wakes in the morning, surprise! Not a dream! And then life gets interesting for the both of them!

I highly recommend checking this out! I only wish it was longer, I really enjoyed both the main characters, and would love to dive into more of their lives.

I did receive this book as an advanced copy, but my review is all my own!