YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

With the sweeping romance of Passenger and the dark fantasy edge of This Savage Song, this standout YA contemporary fantasy debut from Vanessa Len, is the first in a planned trilogy.

It should have been the perfect summer. Sent to stay with her late mother’s eccentric family in London, sixteen-year-old Joan is determined to enjoy herself. She loves her nerdy job at the historic Holland House, and when her super cute co-worker Nick asks her on a date, it feels like everything is falling into place.

But she soon learns the truth. Her family aren’t just eccentric: they’re monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers. And Nick isn’t just a cute boy: he’s a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to bring them down.

As she battles Nick, Joan is forced to work with the beautiful and ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family that hates her own. She’ll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . .

. . . she is not the hero.

Only a Monster (Monsters #1) by Vanessa Len will be one of our GBRs for October 2024.

Please read at your own pace, and hide any spoilers ☺ You are welcome to join at any time during the month ☺

Happy Reading Everybody

Pre-Reading Questions -

Anybody got any thoughts on this one before we start?

Has anyone read anything similar to this before?

Anybody read anything else by this author previously?

26.68% End of ch 7. This story hooks you. (view spoiler)[ I wanna know how Joan is going to kill the hero and I am so tired of Aaron but at the same time I like him. I wish Nick didn't kill her whole family but I get it why he has to do it, I'd hate for anyone to take any of MY time. I am enjoying Discovering new things and I love Joan cuz she is so strong and brave. (hide spoiler)]

46.88% End of ch 11: this is getting good! (view spoiler)[ What is Joan's power? Is she gonna be able to change the events? I'm glad Ruth is alive but why do I have this nagging feeling that she is a bad guy? And is Nick like a Phoenix? In different timelines? So many questions. I am wondering why Aaron's mom was executed? And why is he not the heir anymore? (hide spoiler)]

75.24% End of ch 18. Who was the prisoner? (view spoiler)[ Why do I always have more questions than answers with this book?? And why is Nick able to travel time if he isn't a monster? Is he the king? Interesting power Ruth and Joan have. I still don't understand Joan's power. And I don't know what to think of Tom. Is the young Gran really bad? (hide spoiler)]

Finished. The ending was so (view spoiler)[ unfinished. I wanted more and now I want nothing. I enjoyed it up til the last bits. I thought I was going to get more but it just felt so unfinished. I'm glad she was able to change the timeline and that everyone ended up happy. I wish I had known what happened to Nick and to Aaron but I guess that's not important. It is rather sad how it ended. (hide spoiler)]