Mated to the Monster

Sombra Demons, Book 1

By: Sarah Spade

Narrated by: Hannah Hart, Edward Fox

Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

I really should’ve known better than to play around with that old book of spells…. How was I supposed to know that the incantations scrawled inside of it worked? That the first one I read would open a portal into a demon plane—or that the next one was an unbreakable vow to the seven foot tall shadow monster I unwittingly summoned into my bedroom?

He says his name is Malphas, that he’s something called a Sombra demon, and I’m his mate.

Monster, demon…whatever he is, his muscles are bigger than my head, and that club between his legs…. I don’t know if mate means the same thing to him as it does me, but he’s gotta be kidding.

Spoiler alert: he’s not.

Mal has been waiting for more than a thousand years for the one woman meant for him. He’s convinced that’s me, and he’s willing to do anything to prove it. And maybe there’s something really wrong with me because, before long, I find myself eager to let him try.…

Mated to the Monster is the first in a monster romance series about the Sombra demons, a race of shadow-based monsters who will do anything to claim their females. Mal and Shannon might come from different worlds, but when it comes to fate, lust, and forever…they might just be a perfect match.

©2022 Sarah Spade (P)2022 Sarah Spade

Hits the Spot

This was a really great read for those who like devoted males and female leads who don’t fly off the handle at every turn. I love how the lead explains her reasoning. The story was enjoyable and the narration was top notch. A lot of time was understandably spent explaining “how things worked,” like where the monster came from and the ins and outs of fated mates. Although it does leave you with questions, there are also hints that there will be more books to explain them. One of the reviews said the mating didn’t happen, but it definitely did. There are quite a few steamy scenes, although most didn’t involve actual intercourse. It’s pretty light-hearted, not a lot of angst. Overall, I’d call it sweet. Given that this book spent a lot of time explaining things, I’m hoping the next has a bit more action. I can’t wait!!!

Female Voice Act

The story is good, the male actor is good, story is good but the only issue is the female actress acting pisses me off : over emotion like she telling a story to a child, she’s constantly shouting even on parts were she’s suppose to be mellow, she can’t separate the tones from her thoughts to her actually talking.

Seriously she reads like this is a “tortoise and the hare” story to some kindergarten story.

The male voice actor is amazing which makes this more tragic because of how awesome he is in comparison to his narrator partner.

Not as bad as I thought

I’m using my husband’s account, but II liked this book. It’s kind of cheesy but it’s cute. The plot could have been stronger.

Anticlimactic as heck.

The plot is shallow, but that’s is somewhat to be expected. We aren’t here for depth of story, we’re here for monster… anatomy. It’s cute, I didn’t dislike the characters, and it’s perfectly readable, BUT the lead up to what we are allllll here for was like 3 sentences, one and done and all but cut out and off stage. That’s really really irritating. Read if you want, but there is far more satisfying smut out there.

I got bored

The idea the book is based on feels inconsequential to me. FMC could have just not done the spell, or just completed the mating once she knew the issues. I got bored with the story, it just wasn't for me I guess. Loved the male narrator, wished I had been more into it.

Can't wait for book 2!

my only regret is starting this series before the other books came out. it's a complete story but I enjoyed it and I liked the world-building. I wish this was longer but honestly, I liked the pacing of the story. I liked the narrators, especially the male narrator! I also really loved that the narrators each read the lines spoken by their characters so even if the chapter was from Shannon's perspective, the male narrator read Mal's lines.

Fun Listen

It's a super fun story! I'm not big on spice and this has a lot of it but I managed to enjoy it and get into the characters.

*Spoilers*


I am curious what's going on with the spell book at the end? Did she skip town with it???

So good

It cracked me up that the narrator sounded like she might be Canadian and living in Jersey, but overall I loved her voice and the male voice. 10/10. I enjoyed the world building, the laws the monster had to follow, the information about his world, I enjoyed the love story, the slowish burn. I’m looking forward to the rest of this series.

Adorable, can’t wait for more

I love that Mal is an artist instead of a warrior like is typical. Shannon is a little frustrating but she gets there and Mal loves her through all of it. Sweet romance will definitely read again

Good story.

The only gripe I have is the female narrator makes Shannon sound like a whiny bitchy person. I love Mals voice, it’s perfect.