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Cover of Deceived by the Gargoyles

Deceived by the Gargoyles

by Lillian Lark

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️explicit·Monstrous Matches #2
5.0 on MoodReads (1 rating)4.1 on Goodreads (18,376)

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Ending

reveal ending

Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?

You'll believe in unconventional love and feel the warmth of a found family that accepts you exactly as you are.

Synopsis

A curvy librarian looking to start a family, a clan of gargoyles, and the deception that starts it all. My family has always found me lacking. From the way I dress, how I look, to the type of magic I have. My family name is full of pomp and prestige, and I want nothing to do with it. I’m a witch that knows how to set a goal and I have one in mind. I want a real family. Dating is a travesty. All the suitors I meet are looking for a connection to the family name I left behind. I need help. Enter the matchmaker. It seems too good to be true that I can give her the list of traits I want in a partner and have my deepest desire answered, but I’m out of options. Love comes along in the most unexpected ways. From the very first moment I meet Elliot Bramblewick, I have hope. But he’s tricky. I’m not expecting him to be hiding two other mates. Mates who are as alarmed and intrigued by my presence as I am by theirs. He thinks I’m a perfect fit for them, but can I open my heart and discard my list long enough to see if this is the family I’m looking for? None of my lists and plans prepared me for being courted by three gargoyles. Deceived by the Gargoyles is a standalone monster romance in the same world as Stalked by the Kraken with multiple love interests who are in relationships with each other. There will be no choosing among the love interests. Content Warning: This book includes breeding, knots, and size difference

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

A curvy witch librarian who loves lists and planners gets matched by a paranormal matchmaker with a gargoyle—only to discover he comes with two more mates he conveniently forgot to mention. What could be a disaster premise becomes the coziest, filthiest found family romance. Alasdair is the brooding clan leader, Broderick the charming artist, and Elliot the chaos gremlin chef. The four POVs let you feel every angle of the deception-to-devotion arc, and the kink is unashamed and creative.

trope onetrope twotrope threetrope four

Book Details

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.

4.08 ★ (18.4k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

414 pages

PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.

2022

Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?

Paranormal Romance

PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.

WHY CHOOSE / REVERSE HAREM

POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).

Multi-POV

Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.

Medium Burn

CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.

reveal ending

AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

Yes

FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.

Single Narrator (unspecified)

NarratorThe voice in your ears.

Nadia Day

Narrator Count

Single

TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
forced proximityhidden identitymonster romancereverse harem / why choosefound familyhurt/comfort
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.

cozyemotionalheartwarmingromanticsteamyplayfulsensual

Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.

conversationalemotionalwarmwittyhumorous

Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.

medium

Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.

moderate

Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.

low

VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'

comfort read vibes

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?

bookworm/scholarwitch/mage

MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.

secretly softprotective love interestcinnamon rollbeast / monster MMC

Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.

mutual piningfound familyonly soft for themferal devotionpossessive love interest

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
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Spice Level 5

Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.

emotional / lovingslow / sensualanimalistic / primal

Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.

body worshipaftercare on pagepraise kinksize difference focuspossessive/protectivescent kink

Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.

knottingbreeding/fertility themesmultiple partners (consensual)monstrous anatomybonding/claiming/marking
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (5)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
kidnappingstalkingtoxic family dynamicsdeceptionexplicit sex
Browse books by content warning →

World & Setting

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.

paranormal

Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.

big city / metropolis

Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.

monsters

RepresentationIdentity representation in the book. LGBTQ+, race/ethnicity, disability, neurodivergence, body type, age and more.

polyamorous

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.

found family feelsromantic fulfillmentthe swooncomfort reread materialfeel-good

Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.

anytime

When & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.

cozy eveningbedtimevacationpalate cleanser read

Monstrous Matches

Stalked by the Kraken

#1 Stalked by the Kraken

Deceived by the Gargoyles

#2 Deceived by the Gargoyles

Entranced by the Basilisks

#3 Entranced by the Basilisks

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Quick Facts

Spice LevelThe heat scale. 0=wholesome, 1=kisses, 2=fade-to-black, 3=tasteful spice, 4=explicit, 5=you need a cold shower. Know thyself.🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️explicit
PagesHow long the commitment is.414
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2022
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.4.08 ★ (18.4k)
EndingEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.reveal ending

SeriesThe series this book belongs to and where it falls in the reading order.

Monstrous Matches #2
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