Okay, WOW. 😍 Unnatural gave me ALL the feels—dark, romantic, twisty, and just the right amount of spooky vibes 👻✨. Autumn and Sam? Whew. The chemistry 🔥 was off the charts but also tender in a way that made me clutch my heart ❤️.

The whole “moonlight monster” thing had me hooked from page one 🌙🖤. Was he real? Was he a dream? And when reality and mystery collide—SO GOOD. The suspense kept me flipping pages like my life depended on it 📖⚡️.

Do some parts slow down a little? Yeah, maybe. But honestly, I didn’t care because the payoff was chef’s kiss 👩‍🍳💋. Sheridan knows how to break you down 😭 and then stitch you back together with hope and healing 🪡🩹.

If you love:
✨ broody, tortured heroes
✨ strong, determined heroines
✨ a dash of Frankenstein-ish vibes ⚡️
✨ romance that makes your chest ache (in the best way) 💘

…then this book is 100% for you.

Final verdict: dark, swoony, a little creepy, and a lot addicting. I’m still thinking about it 😭🖤.

Book 2 in the Men & Monsters series and I really enjoyed this, even more so than Book 1! There’s a strong link between these books so it’s definitely worth reading book 1 first!

This is labelled as Frankenstein inspired, which had me so intrigued. In classic Mia Sheridan style, I was hooked into the storyline from the start. Autumn was born with exposure to a deadly drug, which had affected lots of impoverished communities and meant that most exposed children weren’t surviving to adulthood. But somehow, Autumn survived. Her time in hospital is vague but one thing she’s always remembered is the Moonlight Boy, who tried to protect her. But was he even real?

I immediately wanted to know what was happening to Autumn and who this boy, with the scars and the white hair, could possibly be. I loved the interconnected storyline with Book 1, and having the same characters, especially Agent Gallagher, also involved.

The romance felt like the secondary story in this, which I didn’t mind (the plot was strong enough without it), but saying that, I think it would have bought their connection in present day more with a bit more of it. I also wasn’t a big fan of the ending, it felt like it was unnecessary, which is why it lost a star for me.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this e-arc. I am very grateful.

I went in to this completely blind & was pleasantly surprised to find it was a frankenstein inspired story!! (part of her men & monsters series- these are stand alones)

I was in a slump as I was reading this so it took me a lot longer than usual but I loved the concept & have never read anything similar before…

The book follows Autumn & Sam whom were both patients in a hospital which used experimental treatment for children who had been exposed to a certain drug before birth- it is revealed throughout the storyline about what goes on in this hospital but that would be too many spoilers to put here👀

The story highlights trauma, abuse, ptsd, healing & recovery very well - if you like a book with these themes then I would definitely give this one a go!!

I enjoyed the read overall and found the plot very interesting but I did feel like there was something missing for me, I wasn’t dying to pick up the book (being in a slump could be a big part of that though!) & I felt the ending was very rushed in comparison to the pace of the rest of the book, but I would still recommend it!

Unnatural is such a heartbreaking book but fortunately has a very happy ending for our characters - it is primarily a romance of course. Although while it is a suspense romance, due to the books themes, Unnatural is definitely more on the darker side of things.

Autumn and Sam are such interesting characters with tragic backstories drawn together by their shared traumatic upbringing. I loved their connection and that it was so strong it almost acted as a tether for Sam's humanity during the course of his story.

I also really loved the support system that Autumn had and that she was believed about her trauma and no one brushed her off or treated her like she was a child with a wild imagination. I also like that she later extends this support system to Sam. I think that this was a very important aspect of her character alongside her determination for answers to her and Sam's shared past. I do wish that we got to see more of Sam's development during and after his journey of self discovery but I loved the characters nonetheless.

Mia Sheridan's way of writing is so beautiful and addictive with each chapter filling you with intrigue while simultaneously breaking your heart.

I did feel as though the ending was just a little bit rushed, with everything wrapped up in a neat little bow in the final chapters of the book. A part of me wishes that it had clearer answers but I also understand that the underlying plot is about evils committed in the name of science and that sometimes there isn't a satisfying answer. However, if Mia Sheridan decides to expand on this series, I think that there is definitely more to this world that she has created that can be explored (not just in the sense of the main characters of this book or those from Unwanted).

I will say that if you want to read this book, that while Unnatural works perfectly as an interconnected standalone, you may wish to read the first book in the series; Unwanted. It does introduce certain characters who feature in Unnatural and helps with the development of the themes and settings of the Men and Monsters universe.

I feel like this book also contains some inspiration from Frankenstein which I loved when I noticed it.

I highly recommend Unnatural but with the warning that this book contains upsetting and possibly distressing content from the beginning (not between the main couple).

Unnatural is in the same universe, but I would say loosely interconnected, with this author’s book Unwanted (previously titled Savaged). I loved Unwanted but it’s not necessary to read that in order to enjoy Unnatural, as it is its own story. It does, however, contain spoilers for Unwanted due to the appearance of certain characters from that book.

I love this author’s style of writing and her suspense novels especially. I did, however, struggle a little to get into the story initially and I personally wouldn’t have described it as “heart pounding”. The scenes set in the past weren’t quite as seamless as I would’ve liked and were rather abrupt in their beginning and endings. The flow was much better for me once we moved into the present. The storyline itself is rather heavy, with dark and disturbing depictions. I am an avid reader of dark fiction so the weighty subject matter was perfect for my tastes.

There was a visceral and undeniable bond between Autumn and Sam from the beginning. They were each other’s saviours, although they didn’t know it then, each never forgetting the other in all their years apart. Their shocking and unexpected reconnection many years later could only be seen as fate.

Despite having been trained to never be close to anyone, to let anyone in emotionally, Autumn begins to break down Sam’s barriers and makes him feel things he never knew were even possible to feel for the first time in his life. I loved the way she would refer to him in her mind as glorious and precious, “He was beauty, and he was strength. Not just of body but of heart, and she admired him beyond all words”. Now that’s what I call love and in fact Autumn declared that “loving him was as simple as drawing in air”.

Sam was so damaged, both in body and mind, but miraculously he’d somehow managed to hold onto his humanity. I loved his inner thoughts as he tried to make sense of the very different world he now found himself in.

Their journey is not an easy one, with twists and turns, betrayals, deceit and shocking revelations. Their pasts inevitably followed them into their future but I was keeping everything crossed that they would ultimately overcome their challenges together, that they would find some semblance of peace and have the happy ever after they both deserved.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read early.

Mia Sheridan is an auto buy for me, I have loved every single book she has written and I will read anything she writes so when I was gifted this ARC I squealed. This book has to be my favourite one yet, it is dark and heart wrenching but also, beautiful and intriguing. I've never read something like this and it will stay with me for a long time, definitely a book that will make an impact

Firstly, I strongly recommend reading the first book in the series, Unwanted, before picking up Unnatural otherwise you will be spoilt. I think it is also important for setting up the wider world, as well as introducing you to 3 very important characters (Agent Mark Gallagher is the GOAT <3).

Unnatural is heartfelt, romantic, suspenseful, and at times quite gritty. I found the prose beautiful and emotional, and it captivated me. I didn’t want to put the book down, and found myself rushing to read it in just over 24 hours.

You can’t help but feel for Autumn and Sam - both for what they went through as children in the hospital and for how they are trying to live as adults in the wider world. Despite only meeting a couple of times as children, you believed the strong connection they had as adults and how Autumn’s words helped ground Sam as he was growing up.

The book ended a bit abruptly and the loose ends were tied together conveniently but overall I highly recommend this series if you are looking for a darker, more thriller style of romance. The Men and Monsters series are my first books by Mia Sheridan and they have made me want to read more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one’s got all the feels, romantic, suspenseful, and just the right amount of eerie. Autumn and Sam’s story is slow-burn magic with a dark twist.

Rating : 3.5⭐

"All I know is that if desire is weakness, then I'm weak. My desire for you goes on and on. It has no end."

I don't know how to put my thoughts into words. This book was definitely something else... By the time I got approved for this ARC I already forgot the description, so I went in blind thinking it is a cozy fluffy fall romance.

But honestly, I don't know what genre I'd categories this into. It has romance, dark, mystery themes with a heartfelt story. I like the concept and the relationship between Sam and Autumn and how from something so despicable, something beautiful came alive.

The only reason I took off some stars is because it took me a while to get into it. But the writing style is so beautiful and addictive that I knew I wanted to keep reading it.

Go into it knowing it has heavy themes and it's not truly a quick fun romance. If I was to give it a genre it would be between a romance fiction with a sort of dark theme and a heavy story.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publishers for this ARC 🫶

Mia Sheridan has penned a story that I know will stay with me for a long time. I was deeply moved by what Sam and Autumn go through. It was incredibly difficult to keep my emotions in check as I learned of the horrific events they endured and how those experiences shaped who they are today. This story may have broken my heart—but somehow, it healed it too.

I went in blind, and if life had allowed, I would have devoured this in one sitting. I hope you get to experience Sam and Autumn’s journey the same way—completely spoiler-free.

I’m keeping this review short for that very reason. I crave stories that stir emotions in me, and Unnatural delivered in every way. I adore Sam and Autumn. Their connection is raw, deep-seated, and utterly palpable. I only ever wanted them to find happiness. I’m genuinely gutted that my time with them has ended.

Unnatural strikes a perfect balance between dark and romantic. It’s a story of heartbreak, hopelessness, hope, and love. I haven’t yet read Unwanted, the first book in the Men and Monsters series, but I’ll be rectifying that soon.

I highly recommend this emotional, unforgettable story. Please be aware there are scenes that may be difficult to read—check for trigger warnings if needed.

Rating - 3.5⭐️

No synopsis here as I went in blind and high recommend doing the same!

I have never read a book like this. With such dark themed and the kind of abuse you could never image. Sam had my heart, his inner war with himself and his struggles to even think he is worthy of love. Autumn, despite her trauma, is still the most down to earth person ever.

If you like a book with something to say, PTSD representation and self discovery, I highly reccomend!

Autumn and Sam both had horrific starts in their lives. Autumn iwas lucky enough to get a second chance, but couldn’t forget her start in life and iwas determined to find out what really happened to her. There had always been a memory that she couldn’t get past and when she saw her moonlight boy, now a man and she followed him and her world is forever changed. Sam’s life was full of pain and anguish, but Autumn was the Ray of light that kept him going when all seemed lost.

Sam believed himself to be a monster, but Autumn saw past what had been done to him and saw the kind, caring protective man underneath.

Autumn was caring, determined, compassionate and a breath of fresh air.

I really liked their time in the fishing cabin and watching them grow together, but I would have liked to have seen more of their connection earlier in life.

It did feel a little rushed towards the end but the characters definitely drew you in and made you so sad about how they were treated.

4.5 Stars

Autumn + Sam

We meet Autumn as a 23 year old stealing some files from her former case worker.
She finally wants to know what happened to her and other kids.
Autumn spent the first 14 years of her life in a hospital. But it wasn't to help heal her.
What happened? Why? And what happened to the beautiful boy she saw at night? Was he real?
And what if she suddenly sees him on the street nine years later?
Can they both fight and win against the bad guys or was there never supposed to be a future for either of them?

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Adorable!
And so heartbreaking and sad and ugh. Just beautiful.
Those poor kids. Autumn 'only' spent 14 years locked up in that hospital, but Sam never left. And he had to endure even worse things.
How can those two now live a normal life? And that is only if they survive the bad guys who are after them.
I loved reading this.
I loved the dad and we even see Harper and Jak again - from Unwanted! And FBI agent Mark too - he's still investigating all those cases of lost and abused children.
This was a beautiful and heartbreaking love story.
I loved it. (But Unwanted/Saveged is still my favorite!)

If you haven't read Unwanted yet - do it before reading this one. Both are standalones, but it's set in the same world of horrible 'stuff' and we see Harper and Jak (Lucas) and Mark here, so you might want to meet them in their own book first!

► UNNATURAL was such a beautiful + heartbreaking love story. Sweet and sad and adorable and ... just read it!

Heartbreak, angst, mystery and romance with an element of Frankenstein 💔 ❤️

“I made a boy of moonlight, skin of dusk and starlit eyes.”

Autumn Sterling grew up at Mercy Hospital for Children where those that were born with ADHM were being treated. The drugs administered created many side effects of which nocturnal hallucinations were commonplace, particularly when it was a full moon. She created a moonlight monster, but had she imagined him?

Sam was her moonlight monster, and his childhood was nothing but horrific, also growing up at Mercy Hospital for Children.

Autumn is tenacious and unable to let the past lie as she feels questions remain answered. Years later, she spots Sam on the streets of New York and events quickly escalate.

To say I loved this book is an understatement. The story was a literal rollercoaster of emotion interspersed with romance, mystery and suspense. At times the story was quite dark, of which I liked. I enjoyed the uniqueness and complexity of the story and the characters; however, Mia Sheridan writes with a breath of fresh air and lightness that balances this brilliantly. There is so much angst and heartbreak, every reader wants to rush to try and administer first aid to the mental, physical and emotional scars that exist. Every page has you rushing to reach the end to see how events pan out.

Some of my favourite quotes from this novel are:

“I was caught by moonlight himself.”

“How did my mind come up with you?”

“How do you build a temple that takes a hundred years to build?

A:With others. Anything done in love is never finished. It goes on and on, handed from one generation to the next. So all we can do is put our whole heart into the small corner that is ours.”

“How do you conquer time?

A: By not wishing it forward or regretting what is already gone.”

“Hope for the best but expect the worst.”

“You’re standing here on a street corner in New York, twenty three years old and healthy. Nothing is impossible.”

“And loving him was a simple as drawing in air. Just a beautiful moment, as pure and shimmery as the snowflakes that fell. The future was theirs, anything they dared to dream. Anything at all.”

“Not beside her or down the street but somewhere. Somewhere. Still alive, still breathing, still holding her heart carefully in his large calloused hands.”

The story links with the first in the series, Unwanted, however you do not need to have read this first. I am glad I did however, as personally it added even more depth, context and connection between the characters. I really did enjoy the back storyline, interweaving both books in the series very well.

Mia Sheridan is a new author for me, and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading both ‘Men and Monsters’ books. I am really hoping for more in the series as they are quite unique and very cleverly written. Thank you, I couldn’t recommend it more. Prepare to be swept away!

Thank you to Netgalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK and Mia Sheridan for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Due to be published on 26 August 2025.

Mia Sheridan may be the most creative writer I have ever come across.

This is the second instalment in the Men and Monsters series, and it is as - if not more - incredible than the first. These novels aren’t just romance books, but also incorporate mystery, crime and a slight hint of thriller with an outlier of someone who always believes they are not meant to be loved. Similar to her best seller, Archers Voice.

The thing I love about these books is that they show you that love isn’t merely from what you see on the inside, but it is created from your soul. You feel these characters so deeply through their backstories, grieving knowing what lead them to become these humans, this ‘monster’ in Sam’s case, but the fallout is what gets you invested as a reader as all you want is justice.

I would love more books in this series, considering how Mia Sheridan’s brain works I wouldn’t be surprised with the lengths she could go to where this series could lead.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, what an incredible book to read!

First things first, don’t be fooled by the cover, it’s not a seasonal romance but something much more dark and uncomfortable.

For me, this read as more of a suspense, dramatic thriller. There were some sweet elements but I didn’t get the ‘supremely romantic’ vibes at all. I also found it to be too predictable in places, so I’m chalking this one down as a Not For Me.

This is my first Mia Sheridan book and when I requested it, I wasn't aware it was a book two which immediately confused me a little.

Having said that, the story itself is heart wrenching and emotional. It had me wanting to scoop up the characters and wrap them in a warm, safe hug. Suspenseful, gripping and beautifully written!

Please be aware of any trigger warnings, they're there for a reason.

I'll definitely read more from this author!

Oh my gosh, that was an emotional read.

Sometimes book characters come along, and you just want to make everything better for them. Sweet Sam and beautiful Autumn had awful childhoods. Both of them go through terrible trauma at the hands of others. I felt murderous on their behalf’s.

Mia Sheridan slowly, slowly reveals the story. As the plot unravels, the love between Sam and Autumn grows. Both show true resilience and spirit. I yearned for their happy ever after and for everything to work out for them.

It’s a very original story, one that is almost unbelievable but it’s so well written that it makes it feel like it could be true. My poor sweet Sam. I want to hug him so badly.

“I made a boy of moonlight. And he turned me into the burning sun.”

Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan is one of my all time favourite books, so I was really excited to read something else by the author.

I sped through this book in 24 hours. It was immediately gripping and it took no time at all to be hooked by this story. The story itself is quite dark, suspenseful and emotionally intense. I fell in love with both the MMC and FMC. I loved the overarching message of love being able to heal 2 broken souls.

Mia's writing style is so captivating and im excited to go and read the first book in the series now!

Unnatural is a dark, Frankenstein-like telling of hope and finding love through survival. I was in no way ready for this book. Do not let the cute, cozy, autumnal style cover fool you.

“I made a boy of moonlight, skin of dusk and starlit eyes. Waxing, waning.”

A drug-induced pandemic has resulted in children growing up in hospitals, knowing no different to the concoction of medication and their weird, realistic nightmares.

Autumn has spent years living with this as her reality, losing her only friends on a regular basis. Until, she meets a boy made of moonlight in one of her nightmares and starts to suspect that there is more to play than just the illness.

Sam, a boy who has suffered the same fate, but has been experimented on and raised to be nothing more than a weapon, sees himself as nothing but a monster, yet to Autumn, he is hope.

“So you have to search for that which is true, because those are the things that make your soul sing. And when your soul sings, you know without a doubt that you’re human.”

Although dark, Autumn and Sam’s story is beautiful in a way that has you wishing for their happy ending. It’s hard to write a review about a book that has taken me so long to process, especially without giving too much away. But, the very different backstory between the two main characters and their ability to hold onto the good in themselves makes their journey a gripping read.

“Some had been created to laugh with family around dinner tables, and some had been created to sit alone on fences, looking in. Always looking in.”

Sheridan’s writing broke my heart with the corruption and eventual chemistry of these characters.

If you’re prepared to have your soul ripped to pieces, just to be mended back together again, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the arc in exchange for an honest review.