10 Best Queer Monster Romance Books You’ll Want to Sink Your Teeth Into
Is there anything better than a little monstrous chaos mixed with romance? Pride Month is the perfect time to spotlight the gloriously weird, deeply emotional, and sometimes downright spicy world of queer monster romance. Whether it’s sapphic pirates and witches, cursed dancers and fae princes, or hulking orcs with soft hearts, these stories bring the heat and the heart.
From cozy creature comforts to unhinged fantasy chaos, here are some of the most unmissable queer monster romance books you need to read next.
Want to know more about monster romance? Check out our Level-Up Guide to Monster Romance.
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What is Queer Monster Romance?
Queer monster romance is exactly what it sounds like: romance stories that include LGBTQ+ relationships and a monster (or supernatural creature) love interest. That monster might be literal, like an orc, demon, or sea creature, or metaphorical, tied into ancient magic or dark curses. And yes, they can be delightfully spicy.
Best Queer Monster Romance Books
Woodborn by Heather Nix
A sapphic fantasy debut that blends found family, witches, pirates, and looming war. Maelwen escapes a life of abuse to find refuge in a city of sin, while Cicerine, a gentle faun, flees tragedy. When fate pulls them together, they must face darkness with magic, courage, and a fierce new crew at their side.
Tropes: witches, found family, slow burn, fantasy war
Rep: sapphic romance, trauma healing
Vibe: emotional, earthy, and quietly powerful
Grab Woodborn on Amazon
The Fox and the Dryad by Kellen Graves
When a human dancer makes a dangerous deal with a fey queen, he ends up bound to an impossible performance schedule, until Mal, the queen’s runaway son, returns. Their story unfolds across fey revels, masked balls, and stolen moments of yearning.
Tropes: dance magic, mistaken identity, fey bargains
Rep: MM romance, trans MC
Vibe: whimsical angst with a fairy-tale twist
Grab The Fox and the Dryad on Amazon
Claimed by the Orc Prince by Lionel Hart
An arranged marriage between an elven prince and an orc warlord’s son turns from political to passionate. Ancient magic bonds them, enemies circle, and love blooms under the weight of centuries of war.
Tropes: arranged marriage, size difference, enemies to lovers
Rep: MM romance, A/B/O elements
Vibe: steamy fantasy with emotional depth
Grab Claimed by the Orc Prince on Amazon
Sweet Summer Serpentine by Rose Santoriello
A chaotic young mage and a snarly, serpentine professor are forced to collaborate at Augury University. He’s all rules. She’s a walking mess. The result? Surprisingly sweet.
Tropes: academic rivals, sunshine/grump, monster romance
Rep: sapphic romance, nonbinary serpent MC
Vibe: nerdy, snarky, and soft underneath it all
Grab Sweet Summer Serpentine on Amazon
Queens and Monsters by Clio Evans
A monster mafia romance starring a demigod and the villain she’s been secretly in love with for centuries. The fate of their world, and their hearts, hangs in the balance.
Tropes: forbidden love, secret pining, immortal enemies
Rep: sapphic romance
Vibe: spicy, dramatic, divine chaos
Grab Queens and Monsters on Amazon
My Summer Girl by Maeve Black
Dulce never believed in love, until three monstrous mates challenge everything she thought she knew. A summer queen, a himbo Orukna, and a broody Saephyn promise transformation, if she’s brave enough to want more.
Tropes: polyam romance, faded mate bonds, found family
Rep: pansexual, polycule
Vibe: healing, magical, spicy
Prince of Endless Tides by Ben Alderson
A Little Mermaid retelling meets gods, monsters, and forbidden romance. When a mer bite strips Prince Ernest of his magic, he ends up bound to Killian, an immortal sea witch cursed by a god to slay all monsters of the deep. They were meant to be enemies. They might become something else entirely.
Tropes: enemies to lovers, forced fate, sea magic
Rep: MM romance
Vibe: epic, high-angst, dark fairytale with spice
Grab Prince of Endless Tides on Amazon
How to Get a Girlfriend (When You’re a Terrifying Monster) by Marie Cardino
A cozy, sapphic romance between a witch scientist and a tentacle monster who’s just trying to learn how to flirt. Eldritch meets awkward in the best way possible.
Tropes: cozy fantasy, monster girlfriend, awkward flirting
Rep: sapphic, neurodivergent-coded MCs
Vibe: heartwarming, hilarious, tentacly
Grab How to Get a Girlfriend on Amazon
The Sins of the Orc by Finley Fenn
An angsty novella that hits hard. A captured plaything finds unexpected safety, and maybe something deeper, with the terrifying orc healer who should be his enemy.
Tropes: hurt/comfort, forced proximity, enemies to lovers
Rep: MM romance
Vibe: dark, healing, intense
Grab The Sins of the Orc on Amazon
Want more orc recommendations? Check out my podcast episode with Becky from TSTL Podcast
There’s a Monster in the Woods by Fae Quin
A reclusive man discovers the town’s “monster” is real, and he’s curious, lonely, and maybe a little sweet under all the moss and antlers. This is monster romance at its coziest.
Tropes: small town, monster boyfriend, grumpy/reclusive
Rep: MM romance
Vibe: warm, gentle, with a spooky twist
Grab There’s a Monster in the Woods on Amazon
FAQs About Queer Monster Romance
Are these all spicy?
Not all of them, but many are! You’ll find a mix of fade-to-black, open door, and very steamy depending on the author and series.
Is there a difference between monster romance and paranormal romance?
Yes. Monster romance leans into non-human characters and often plays with horror or fantasy tropes. Paranormal romance is usually more rooted in human-adjacent creatures like vampires and shifters.
Are these all part of series?
Some are series starters (Woodborn, Claimed by the Orc Prince), some are standalones. All can be enjoyed individually regardless.
Final Thoughts on Queer Monster Romance
Queer monster romance is a genre that lets us explore love beyond the limits of gender, species, and expectation. It’s weird, wild, soft, and subversive,and absolutely worth reading year-round, not just during Pride Month.
Read any of these yet? Drop your favorite queer monster romance in the comments.
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