Date with a Monster: A Short Story Collection

by Maya Maitea

If you could pick any monster (or two) for a date night, what would you choose?

Perhaps you’d want a kraken with tentacles designed for her pleasure. Or maybe you’d like a night with Medusa to explore creative uses for snakes. If one monster just isn’t enough, a dragon and a succubus who are looking for a third might suit you.

In Date with a Monster, you’ll find fourteen steamy stories about humans who have been matched for a date night with the monster, or monsters, of their dreams. This collection features a variety of monsters and combinations, from werewolves to vampires to succubi.

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a monster of your own, Date with a Monster is for you.

All proceeds from this book will be donated to Transformation Project SD.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 16, 2025

Reviews

[E.K. Darnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect spicy anthology to get me back into reading after a bit of a break! I absolutely love the variety of monsters and pairings/groupings and that each story ended with a cute HFN/HEA. I greatly appreciate the content notes before each story because I had to skip a couple due to my own triggers (pregnancy). This is the perfect book for a smutty and monstery afternoon!

I received an ARC and my review is my own opinion.

[Tysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story collection features nine wildly spicy monster romance tales. As someone who is happy to admit to enjoying monster smut, I had a great time reading these stories, my favourite being Two Girls, One Dragon (who wouldn't want to play with a succubus and a dragon?)

While there are a few MF couples, there are also some mixed gender threesomes, a couple of FF tales featuring Medusa, and a FFF ovipositor story. While there isn't a MM story within this collection, there is MM action, which I very much appreciate.

So yes, if you are looking for some very spicy short stories, featuring a variety of species, this collection is definitely worth checking out.

I received an ARC of this ebook, and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.

[Bella Reves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun, spicy collection of short stories! It's like a tasting plate for monster lovers, there's a little bit of everything to enjoy!

Perfect for seasoned monster connoisseurs and readers who want to try something new.

[Ciara Hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for allowing me to have an ARC! Honest review: This collection of monster short stories was well written, I didn’t notice any typos and it was very spicy! If you enjoy spicy books that feature a tremendous amount of consent, this is for you! Personally, I found it a bit much because each short story had a lot of verbal consenting going on, it felt a little too repetitive to me, but I know some people are really into that! That was my only pet peeve I guess. The stories were great in regard to being diverse and having a variety of things taking place. Some were FF, some were MFM, etc. Some had tail play, tentacles, bondage/restraint, role play, biting, etc. So really a wide variety of fun spice with a variety of monsters! (If you haven’t read this authors first book, StormRise, you might wish to do so, as that’s where the temple of carnal divinity was first introduced, so the first handful of short stories in this collection take place there. Not required to follow along with this, but it does help give a clearer picture of back story to this temple!) Spice level: 5/5

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t a collection built around a traditional plot. Instead, it’s a celebration of love, desire, and the freedom to express both. Each story embraces the idea that anyone—no matter their species or gender identity—should be able to love and be loved without judgment. It’s bold, affirming, and unapologetically tender.

Sure, the writing is smooth—but the real fun? That’s all in the characters. Each one had such a distinct personality—some flirty and bold, others awkwardly sweet, and a few delightfully unhinged—and their vibes completely shaped the tone of their stories. It felt like opening a mystery box of monster dates: you never knew what kind of wild, weird, or wonderful dynamic you were about to fall into, but every single one was an absolute treat.

And the spice? It’s absolutely on point. Every story brings the heat in its own way, with scenes that are steamy, intense, and deliciously satisfying. Honestly, this book could double as foreplay—whether you're reading alone or with a partner. It delivers!

Thank you to Maya Maitea for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’m excited to see what unique and spicy stories you have in store next.

[Mino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. And generally, I'm not a huge fan of anything straight.... But the monsters really help~ and I appreciated the amount of gay/queerness in the book, so I had to give it a try! And trying it turned out to be a fantastic idea. This book was honestly so good... If you like monsters and you like smex, this is definitely the book for you. I really enjoyed the variety in this book. From some MM to some FF to some MFM and so on... There was just so much fun and exciting stuff happening. I think my favorite story was Bellamy and the Orcs and The Beast Experience ~ but all of them were quite good.

The only part that really made me a little squeamish was the Medusa part with the uh.... Snakes. Not so much my thing, but overall... The writing is so pretty and amazing that you can look past it. My only thought is... Well... If they're monsters, maybe some of them could use magic to conjure up a d!ck instead lol... Ya know... Some good ol fashioned futa 😂 Maybe an experiment for the next set of short stories if there are any!

[ThatsSomeGoodSmut · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Date with a Monster—huge thanks to the author for the opportunity! This anthology is exactly what I expected going in: pure, unapologetic monster smut, with a great variety of stories, creatures, and pairings.

Each of the 14 stories dives straight into the spice, and some even follow the same characters across different encounters, which helped add a little continuity and depth. It’s all about variety—different pairings, different kinks, different creatures (dragons, krakens, vampires, Medusa—you name it)and pairings (FF, MF, MFM, and more)—so there’s definitely something for everyone.

I appreciated how each story leaned into its specific vibe, whether playful, intense, or just straight-up filthy. The content notes at the beginning of each story were a really nice touch too. Some stories hit harder than others, but as a whole, it was a fast, steamy read that absolutely delivered on the monster romance front.

If you’re looking for something sexy, creative, and low on commitment but high on heat, this one’s worth picking up.

[Emmy Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this, it was just what I needed after reading a heavy dark romance book. Probably some of the best monster smut I’ve ever read. Written really well, like descriptive but not to cringe. We start with 2 Orcs, my gosh so super hot. And I loved the MM in this MFM. Then we got an FFM, with a succubus and dragon. And I love dragon smut… because they have 2. We get more dragon stuff later when a dragon and kraken try to breed the fmc. And each of these had a breeding kink whether she actually can get pregnant or not, which I loved. It’s pretty heavy in that so just a warning. And the physical descriptions of the monsters were amazing. I read my first FF with the Medusa x human one, not my thing but still pretty good. There’s a bunch more stuff with beasts and krakens and succubi. There’s even an MMFF so we have a good variety here. I just wish we had an MM too, even if it was included in MFM scenes. My favourite was either the werewolf scene because of the knotting! Or the beast scene because that one had some darker kinks, or one of the kraken ones because I love some tentacles! Loved all of these and give this a 4.5/5

[Jazzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My ARC review

This collection of spicy monster romance stories absolutely blew me away! With nine wildly hot tales (and fourteen total), it’s a must-read for anyone who loves bold, unique, and fantastical smut. As a proud fan of monster romance, I devoured every story from MF pairings to FF, FFF, and even some delicious mixed gender threesomes. The Medusa and kraken stories? Pure gold. And while there’s no full MM story, the MM action sprinkled in was a definite win.

Each short story brought something fresh and steamy, with writing that pulled me in and left me wanting more. The creativity behind each monster and the dynamics with their human (or not-so-human) partners made this such a fun ride. It was like stepping into a fever dream you never want to wake up from hot, wild, and full of surprises.

If you’re craving spicy scenes, imaginative plots, and variety in your monster smut, this collection is everything. I loved every second of it and honestly need more.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: reading this collection of short stories may cause side effects. You may become short of breath and experience knee weakness. Your toes may curl involuntarily and you may experience a bright red flush across your face. If you do happen to suffer these side effects, the recommended treatment is a cool glass of water, fanning the face with your hands, and moving onto the next chapter.

In all seriousness - these stories are extra spicy and do not waste any time getting things going. Monsters do not do doors, open or closed - they tend to tear the whole thing off the hinges and throw them away. If you are a fan of a monster or two in your romance, this book should knock everything off your TBR.

[Anastey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Maya Maitea for sending me this advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I read this entire book in an afternoon, because it was literally impossible to put it down. This is some high tier smut, and hands down one of the best spicy anthologies I've ever read.

The people and monsters were interesting, and I really appreciate the variery of different types of Queer smut too. It was a really good mix! It was full of consent, and lots of aftercare for the participants as well.

If you want an afternoon full of getting all hot and bothered, grab this book and a few of your favorite toys. You won't regret it for a second.

[MHT Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who likes monster romance? It turns out it’s definitely me! Date with a Monster is stuffed(wink, wink) full of smutty monster/human goodness. You like Krakens? How about a kraken and a bear? Because Amelia gets a chance to enjoy both. There’s MFM, MMF, MMFF, FFM, MF, FF, FFF stories available and my let just say they are all amazing. Most take place at the Temple of Carnal Divinity and are all consensual. My personal favorites are Bellamy and the Orcs(MMF), The Kraken and the Bear(MMF), Kieran The Werewolf (MF) and The Best Experience (MF). These short stories pack a powerful punch that will have you panting for days!

[Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐.5
👀Tropes: Pure Monster Smut, FF, MF, MFM, FMF, etc including allll the extra body parts

☠️CW: Each chapter has tropes/warnings before each story starts

📚Read Method: Kindle eBook ARC, given for an honest review

✨My Thoughts: If you want pure, no plot, monster smut in lots of variety, this book is for you. With something like 14 different stories that include shifters, tentacles, vampires, succubi, and even medusa, there is something for everyone. Including a couple of chapters in second person, which is not common.

💖Quotes: "That's it, little queen, keep looking at me. You're doing so well. You were made to be eaten by monsters, weren't you?"

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're a fan of Lilith Leana's The House of Desire Series, this anthology would be a great fit for you! Date with a Monster did exactly what it said on the bookish tin. It's full of spicy stories with various pairings and monsters! There's not a spicy style that isn't explored, and it's perfect for short spicy chapters with variation. I really liked the introductory setting, the temple and the monster spice research lab were unique and fun. For me there could have been a little more slow burn/plot but there was a basis and great consent/kinky talk with safewords and the enjoyment of all characters prioritised.

[Jenni Connell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this from the Author, and I did enjoy the book, it's a collection of short spicy stories mostly around a facility where humans can have 'encounters ' with various paranormal beings, there's vampires, werebears, kraken to name a few.
These stories do follow basically the same format, they're spicy, short to the point and they all have a happy ending (pun intended)
Make no mistake this is just pure spice, with the length of the stories, there's no real plot needed, there's FF, MMF, basically it's just jolly good fun

[Phish_Monkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

If you're looking for something fun, very spicey, and a light read look no more. Maitea's Date with a monster is a collection of short stories that are all centered around humans and other species getting together in safe spaces and having a very, very good time. Something to highlight is that all Maitea does a wonderful job at painting beautifully erotic scenes for character of different sexulaities. As it is a collection of short stories there isn't much plot, but lots of spice and lots of fun!

[Storm In A Teacup · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book? Straight-up monster smut madness—in the best way. It's spicy, it's filthy, and it does not hold back. We're talking multiple stories, all packed with freaky creatures and freakier fun. Every tale is a wild ride, and the writing keeps things hot and hilarious. If your brain’s screaming 'I need spice and I need it now,' grab one of Maya’s stories and let the monster mayhem begin. Your inner goblin will thank you.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this anthology. It features a really good selection of monster stories. There is a little bit of everything for everyone's tastes. It has Orcs, Kraken, Dragon, and Bear to name a few.

I enjoyed the Kraken stories as I can't recall reading any stories that had this type of monster in it previously. I love a good Orc and Dragon romance stories. Besides the stories having various monsters, the styles of the stories also have FF, MF, MMF.

If you are in need of a new monster romance or many, then you will want to check out this anthology. It will feed your monster love.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly thank you Maya for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own✨

This is a solid collection of spicy short stories featuring all types of pairings and creatures. I really, really enjoyed the temple concept and how the dates are matched. Not every story was for me but the ones that I did read I truly enjoyed. Also love that there are CW at the beginning of each story instead of just a mass list at the front so you know exactly what to expect before reading.

If I had to pick a favorite from this entire collection it would be Bellamy and the Orcs, I’d love to read more of them 😏

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

You had me at kraken.
In fact, this entire book was a trope I didn't even know I needed.

Fourteen spicy stories filled with different spicy actions with monsters? Yes, please!
Ever have a dream that you wish never ended? This is exactly what this book is like. You have the best of all worlds and so much spice in the mix.
I had to shut off my phone so I wouldn't be bothered while reading (plus it helped that the kids were at school 😏)

Defintely recommend and you will not be disappointed!

[Alexa Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing!!!! I loved it so much each story keeps you intrigued wanting more. It is so much fun especially for all your paranormal romance readers. I remember my parents telling you to watch out for the monsters under the bed and in your closet. This book will leave you questioning are monsters as terrible as what we were told😂😂 I can’t wait for more from this author and feel this is a must read!!!!

[Nini · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an arc, but my rating/review are my own!

the only stories I was not fan was the y/n ones👀👀🫣 I'm sorry, I just can't with that
but overall???? there were so good!!! so spicyyyyy👀👀 they were everything I wanted👀👀 I can't even pick a favourite🫣👀

you get a list of "tropes/tw" in the begging of every story (I would say they are more a trope than a tw actually👀👀)

tropes:
☆14 short stories
☆a lot of different monsters
☆why choose
☆mf
☆ff
☆a lot of roleplay

[Owen Hera-Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeebus - this was a fun book to read!
It was a little jarring going from one PoV to another for the last few stories, but you soon forget that, because monsters above, those are some great scenes!

It’s all smut, and with a variety of different monsters involved - dragon, kraken, werebear, vampire, and many more!

[Nnekka Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

spicy monsters

This is a collection of spicy monster stories. Each short story has the content warnings for what’s in each story so if you don’t like that, you can skip that story. Each of these were very well written and super spicy. Each of these had a good mix of monsters to choose from.

[Rebecca Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spicy anthology, the pairings and variety’s of groups were absolutely incredible. The triggers before each story was so smart and much appreciated. If you like monster smut, I definitely recommend.

I received this book as an ARC and this review is my true authentic opinion and rateing

[Mrs McN · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of spicy short stories by one author. Different monsters, a variety of genders, orientations, and groupings. All fun bites of cozy smut. All proceeds from this book will be donated to Transformation Project SD.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a very very very spicy and hot read! I enjoyed every minute of each short story. The scenes were fanning my face, panting, and dripping wet hot! The stories were very will written!

[thekatz_meoww · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short sweet and spicy monster tales that has a little something for almost everyone 💜💜 especially those girlies who wish the beast would’ve stayed a beast 😈😈

[Gina Wohlgemuth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was pure spice and I loved it.

If you love monster smut this is for you 🤭🫶🏻

[Kate Brasington · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun steamy anthology