A hilarious debut novel about a perfectly imperfect love story that will delight fans of Evvie Drake Starts Over.Even the smartest people can be stupid at love. When Stacey Lane writes a feminist take on Frankenstein, she never imagines it will catch the eye of unbelievably sexy Hollywood star Tommy DeMarco. Tommy’s passion for her book—and for her, a recently widowed poet, mom, and certified … a recently widowed poet, mom, and certified mess—threatens to turn her life upside down, or maybe right-side up. From their first poolside meeting the two are set on a collision course as they go about making the book into a movie, making each other crazy, and making love, if only in secret. Fueled by desire, love, grief, expertly poured cocktails, and crackling dialogue, Monsters: A Love Story is a witty portrait of a relationship gone off the rails and two people who are made for each other—even if they’re not so sure they see it that way.
A Summer Beach Read Pick for Harper’s Bazaar, the Associated Press, Purewow, and Refinery29
“This fast-paced novel will have readers immersed in the heady feeling of an alcohol-fueled affair with one of the sexiest men alive.” —
“An addictive page-turner, ripe with seduction and charm, that drops insights into this messy, crazy, wonderful thing called love.” —Washington Independent Review of Books
“Entertainingly dyspeptic.” —Vogue
“A perfectly imperfect love story.”—Bookpage
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Monsters: A Love Story is Liz Kay’s debut in the fiction genre. I viewed this novel as a mixture of contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and literary fiction. Monsters follows lead character: Stacey Lane as she moves on as a woman and parent during a very new widowship. Life drops some unexpected career and romance opportunities in her lap that she slowly navigates through. Like Liz Kay herself, Stacey is a poet and in this novel one of her works is gaining national attention. Although the reader is never exposed to the poem word for word, the general themes are discussed and mirrored throughout Monsters which offered some much needed depth to a storyline that feels a bit superficial at first glance.
Overall, I liked Monsters and I remained easily engaged throughout. My only annoyance was that the storyline seemed to border on The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous after a while which got old real quick for me, but it didn’t stop me from finishing the book so my enjoyment obviously outweighed my eyerolls. While reviewing some of the author’s online interviews, I learned how successful of a poet she is, so if nothing else, this reading experience has lead me to some fresh material to add to my TBR list. If you enjoy checking out new authors and if you frequent any of the genres listed, then check out Monsters: A Love Story!
This book was absolutely brilliant! The angst, the sexual tension, and pure raw emotion that this story delivers guarantees that you will not be able to put this book down. An absolute page turner. These characters will frustrate the crap out of you, but while they do that, you will find yourself falling deeply in love with them too. An absolute must read, and worth every stolen second. This story burns slowly and it fades to black, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. The ending is satisfying, but it will definitely leave you begging for more! Read this freaking book already!!
2nd Read: 5/28/20 – 5 Stars!
After my second read of Monsters, A Love Story, I have bumped it up to 5 Stars! I honestly can’t remember why I hadn’t given it that rating the first time around, because the writing is stellar! The characters and their story are messy, but at the same time, very real. I really hope that this isn’t the last of its type from this author.
1sr Read: 3/8/17 – 4.5 Stars!
As much as I thought some of the behaviors of the characters were abhorrent, I was inexplicably drawn into the story and couldn’t stop reading. There were so many facets to the plot that weren’t relatable to me, besides the obvious (movie stars, Hollywood, LA life-style,) but it all worked. It could be that I found it fascinating since it’s far outside my way of thinking or acting? I can’t honestly say. Overall, I found the story and the characters compelling, the writing style enjoyable and unique, the dialogue poignant and amusing, and a romance that I wanted (at times, against better judgement) to root for. The mark of a good writer.