I’ll admit it: I adore monster romance. Give me a story of star-crossed werewolves from different packs, a dragon hiding in human form who falls for a human, or an ancient vampire who realized they’re in love with their demigod best friend, and I’ll be happy. I won’t just read that story; I’ll inhale it. I can’t remember where I saw this theory originally, but someone suggested that the popularity of monster romance is because we all hope someone will see past our monstrous selves and love us just the same. I’m not saying that’s why I love them, but I’m not saying it isn’t.

One thing I especially love is when an author gives me a steamy romance with unexpected monsters. As much as I love werewolves and vampires and the like, I absolutely flipped when I found an author I like had written a story about a human falling in love with an ogre. Even better? The name of the book is a pun: No Getting Ogre You.

First (before I explain exactly why I love it), here’s a brief description of the book from the author’s website:

“Lost on the Appalachian Trail, Jaquelyn falls head-over-heels (literally) into an ogre’s lair. She should be terrified of the enormous horned monster, but he turns out to be a surprisingly gentle green giant, and soon the fact that he and Jaquelyn don’t understand each other no longer matters. Sure, he may be a monster, but he’s also the best lover she’s ever had, and there are definitely fates worse than spending the rest of your life in a thick-monster-king’s love cave.

Abandoned by his clan, Crug forms an instant bond with the strange surface creature who falls through his roof. But as much as he adores her, and as good as she makes him feel, he knows cannot keep her. Before long, Crug will have to choose between his home and clan, and the love of his life.”

Now, let me tell you all the things I love about this book:

1. It doesn’t take itself seriously. This book knows it’s a short, silly book about a human falling in lust and then love with a monster. These are mild spoilers, but… there’s a moment with a rat skull that is both sweet and funny. Also, Crug does seem to be built specifically for a woman’s pleasure.
2. The world building is just enough but not too much. You get a feel for the world Crug inhabits and the other non-human species there, but only as much as you need for the story to move forward and make sense. When Crug and Jaquelyn talk to each other in their own languages, the words almost make sense to the reader even though they don’t make sense to the characters.
3. The sex is hot, HAWT, hot. As I mentioned above, the ogre’s anatomy – while different from a human – is more than compatible with Jaquelyn. I found myself wishing I had a Crug of my own.

Best of all? It’s a novella, so you get all this fun, sweetness, and hotness in 81 pages! If you need a quick, fun read, definitely pick this one up.