Retellings
Heat Factor: There’s some icky predatory stuff and some consensual sapphic action
Character Chemistry: Adèle is a charming narrator, but I wouldn’t say she has much chemistry with anyone. She’s a very self-contained character and that doesn’t change.
Plot: Jane Eyre and beyond, Adèle’s perspective
Overall: A mixed bag
Heat Factor: Coming like a fire tornado
Character Chemistry: They are so hot for each other and it’s fabulous
Plot: Gender-swapped Phantom of the Opera, with an HEA for the Phantom
Overall: I am utterly delighted
Heat Factor: It gets pretty steamy, but not remotely with the romantic couple.
Character Chemistry: They end up kind of being a balm for the rest of the very difficult to like cast of characters
Plot: It’s an Emma/Mean Girls mashup, essentially. Georgiana is the impoverished new girl in town, who catches the interest of wild child Frances and her rich group of friends. On the periphery of the friend group, Georgiana meets Mr. Hawksley, who is actually a good person, etc.
Overall: I almost DNF’d it three times. I struggled with this one because it was good but it was really uncomfortable to read and if that makes me a goody-two-shoes nerd, then so be it.
Dark Olympus, Book #2
Review of Dark Olympus, Book #1
Heat Factor: There’s a lot of sex, but I wouldn’t call it spicy
Character Chemistry: If you say so
Plot: Eros is supposed to kill Psyche, and marries her instead
Overall: Decidedly meh
For our final monster smut of October, we’re talking about Headless. This is not so much a duel as a short discussion because (spoiler alert) we all liked it. Definitely recommended if you’re in the mood for some Halloween reading.
Heat Factor: It’s very much about how their sexual relationship keeps them connected, but it’s more evocative than squelching body parts.
Character Chemistry: Big sad feels that they only have their throuple together one night per year!
Plot: After Brom disappears one Halloween, Abe and Katrin spend the rest of their Halloweens awaiting his ghostly return
Overall: I was expecting Headless Horseman throuple sexytimes and this is that but…it’s completely different than I expected
The Smut Report 