Genre: Paranormal, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Welcome to Monsters Hollow, where love knows no bounds—even in a town full of monsters!
When Principal Emrys Bogey sets his sights on the new schoolteacher, Jayden Bell, he’s determined to win his heart. But as a bogeyman, he knows his unconventional nature and intimidating appearance might be too much for a human to handle. Can Principal Bogey find a way to woo his crush without scaring him away? Maybe there’s more to the sweet Jayden Bell than meets the eye…
Buckle up for the prequel ushering in a new cozy M/M monster romance series by Chloe Archer where the sparks fly and the spice sizzles!
Note: This 20k prequel short was previously part of the limited time only Class of 22/23 M/M Romance Prolific Works Giveaway in June 2023.
The Review
In Upstate New York there’s a little community known as Mystic Hollow. It’s a sanctuary haven for Otherkind, and for humans, too, offering safety, harmony for all, and protection from the magic of those who bring harm. The Otherkind are often misjudged because of old legends and gossip.
Emrys Bogey is the principal of Mystic Hollow Elementary School. He’s one of many Bogey people who live in Mystic Hollow. He’s often teased about being the “boogeyman” but he’s really not scary, even if some of the bogey like to hide under beds and scare children. Emrys, most of all is a protector of children, and he’s fair to all those little mischief makers.
He has a companion, Calliope the cat, and is from London, where his family still resides. He hopes his family will one day move to Mystic Hollow, as the acceptance of the Otherkind by humans is a big improvement.
Jayden is twenty-six, and the first human teacher at Mystic Hollow. He teaches the precocious third-grade students. Emrys would love to take Jayden, his long standing crush, out on a date. But there are rules. Emrys is the principal and Jayden’s boss. Will Emrys and Jayden find an ally who will help them get to a first date?
Emrys, may look scary but he has a funny side He’s really sweet, with his odd ways. Jayden is cute but he also has an inner strength. Emrys wants to protect him. There are many misunderstandings along the way, and they will have to learn to talk things through in order for their relationship to grow.
Archer’s well written story imagines a world of many species where everyone strives to get along, even with some vast differences between them. Is it possible for a human and someone of another species to have a meaningful relationship? The story sends a message: that there are many who are quick to make assumptions, believe untruths, and are not very accepting of others.
There’s a wonderful line-up of secondary characters too: Agatha, a lamia and Emrys assistant; Talia, a nymph and the town florist; Griz aka Griselda Ironfist, a troll and vice principal; Dr. Targan Wildethorne, Professor of orc folklore and guardian of twin Orclings; and Laurelis, a dryad and owner of the Mystic Hollow Apple Orchard. There are also the 8th grade students and their families: Billy DarkWind, a mischief making gargoyle; Uncle Vashyk DarkWing, prim beneficiary of the school; Tessa, a lamia; Owen, an orc; Denizen, a shy minotaur; Barta, a goblin; Freddy, a gnome; and Mason, a puck.
The Bogeyman and the School Teacher is a quick read that’s loads of fun, with a wide variety of entertaining characters. Archer also gives us a little peek into the next story from Mystic Hollow, featuring Dr. Targan Wildethorne: The Orc and the Manny.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.