How to Fall in Like with a Monster: Deceit & Devotion, Book 2 by Lola Glass

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My ex is stalking me . . . and I’m addicted to my potential mate.

Those sentences might not seem like they fit together, but in my case, they do.

Because six months ago, I was turned into a vampire by said ex. And a few days later, my potential mate—who’s a demon—fed me his blood on the sly.

Now, I’m literally addicted to him. My options are to drink from him for the rest of my life, or die. He’s not keen on letting me die, so it’s looking like a till-starvation-do-you-part situation.

But my ex isn’t going to let me go easily . . . and my mate will do whatever it takes to keep me safe.

Love isn’t an option, but I don’t know how I’m going to fight it. Because I’m actually starting to likethe sexy, stubborn demon I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.

How to Fall in Like with a Monster

Fangs, Feelings, and Fate

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: ❤️💙💚💛
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋😉😎😛
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration

Character Backgrounds and Plot Summary

How to Fall in Like with a Monster continues the quirky paranormal romance world of the Deceit & Devotion series and centers on Miley and Xander. Miley’s situation is anything but simple. After being kidnapped and transformed into a vampire by her obsessive ex boyfriend Evan, her life has become a strange balancing act between surviving her new reality and trying to maintain pieces of the life she loved. She co-owns Coffee and Toffee franchise shops with her best friends Brynn and Tatum, and those friendships continue to provide emotional grounding amid all of the supernatural chaos.

Miley is easy to sympathize with because she is still adjusting to what happened to her. She never chose to become a vampire and there is a lingering sense that she is trying to reclaim control over her life. Her reactions often feel very human despite the supernatural circumstances. The fact that she cannot even successfully feed from another person without getting sick adds another layer to her struggle and creates some entertaining and awkward moments.

Xander Villin is one of the demon brothers introduced earlier in the series and has quietly been helping Miley since her transformation by providing blood bags for her survival. While Miley thought he was simply being kind, Xander had a much bigger reason for doing it. He knew from the beginning that they were probable mates and had been giving her his own blood all along. This revelation completely shifts the dynamic between them because Miley discovers that she has essentially become dependent on him and his blood.

The story follows both characters as they figure out how to navigate a relationship that suddenly carries emotional, physical, and supernatural complications. The romance develops through confusion, attraction, frustration, and a growing realization that their connection may be impossible to ignore.

Highlights and Limitations

One of the strongest aspects of this book is its sense of humor. Lola Glass blends paranormal elements with funny situations and witty dialogue, creating a lighter atmosphere despite the darker circumstances surrounding Miley’s transformation. The feeding mishap and the chaos that follows fit well into the series’ style and help balance the more emotional moments.

The relationship dynamic between Miley and Xander is another highlight. Xander is patient and protective without feeling overbearing. His devotion to Miley was established long before she even knew about their mate connection, which makes his feelings feel earned instead of instant. Miley also has a strong personality and does not simply fall into his arms immediately, which gives the romance room to grow.

The supporting cast remains enjoyable as well. Brynn, Tatum, Sebastian, Rafael, and the larger supernatural group continue to bring warmth and personality to the story. Their interactions make the world feel connected and lived in.

As for limitations, readers who have not read the previous books may feel a little lost. The world building and relationships rely heavily on earlier events and characters. There is a large cast to keep track of, and some information is delivered with the expectation that readers already know who everyone is.

The probable mate setup may also feel a little convenient for readers who prefer romances built more slowly without fated elements driving the relationship.

Narration

Kit Swann and Jack Calihan do a strong job bringing Miley and Xander to life. Kit Swann captures Miley’s mixture of vulnerability, humor, and frustration very effectively. Miley spends much of the story processing confusion and emotional conflict, and Swann handles those shifts naturally without making her feel overly dramatic.

Jack Calihan gives Xander a warm and protective presence that suits the character well. Xander could easily have come across as overly intense considering the mate situation, but Calihan keeps him grounded and sincere. His performance helps sell Xander’s quieter devotion and softer moments. The only complaint I have is that Jack Calihan sounds a bit too old for Xander.

Together they create good chemistry and keep the dialogue engaging. The dual narration format works well for a romance like this because it allows listeners to understand both characters’ perspectives and emotional journeys.

Final Opinion

How to Fall in Like with a Monster delivers exactly what fans of Lola Glass are likely looking for. It mixes paranormal romance, humor, friendship, and fated mate drama into a fun and easy listening experience. Miley and Xander are an enjoyable couple with a sweet connection beneath all of the supernatural complications, and the supporting cast adds charm throughout the story.

For listeners who enjoy light paranormal romances with demons, vampires, found family elements, and plenty of chemistry, this audiobook is a satisfying continuation of the series. It is playful, entertaining, and leaves you wanting to spend more time with these characters.

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