Title: Only a Monster

Series: Monsters #1

Author: Vanessa Len

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.

Joan goes on a first date, everything goes wrong and tragedy strikes.

So we have Joan, half monster, her cousin, Ruth, full monster. We also have Aaron Oliver – monster
and Nick – monster hunter. The monster families can time travel by using humans which obviously doesn’t go down well with the monster hunter!

I think my fave out of the cast of characters was Aaron!

‘We can see if someone is a monster or human just by looking at them. And you….you stink of new car smell.’

Aaah that new car smell. Like a new book smell. Books are better though and cost a lot less!

Anyway, I digress……

So all you need to know is that Joan has to save the day!

I loved the references to history, loved seeing the places and times and loved Holland House. Also the magic system so was unique, brilliant!

There was 1 thing that irked me (and it’s small in the scheme of things) but Joan says ‘no’ a lot! Like a lot! It did start to grate on me!

But this was a fantastic read and I can’t wait for more in this world!