Reviewed by True
TITLE: Vengeful Monster
SERIES: Monstrous Heirs #1
AUTHOR: J.R. Gray
PUBLISHER: Graybooks
LENGTH: 448 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 15, 2026
BLURB:
Is stalking just a one sided meet cute?
Ash Conrad throws his meticulously curated life plans out the window to attend an Ivy League. In a country he’s never been to, against family tradition, all in the hope of gaining entrance to an ancient and exclusive secret society.
The Legacy of Power isn’t just an elite secret society, it’s where the heirs of the criminal underworld play. Admittance would guarantee Ash access to the type of people who might help him save his brother.
But first he has to get through Rurik Locke.
Son of the world’s most notorious assassins, Rurik’s family founded Legacy. He’s a ruthless, violent enigma of a golden retriever—who’s not above a little stalking—and is utterly obsessed.
Ash needs his help, but Rurik’s chaos threatens every aspect of the careful structure he’s built to survive.
They’re about to find out the skeletons in their closets are a lot more intertwined than they realize, and Ash will have to let Rurik in to save them both.
REVIEW:
This was quite an eventful read!
Imagine this: an elite secret society called The Legacy of Power, for the criminal underworld. To conquer a place, you have to attend an Ivy League.
Ash is a prince from a small kingdom in Europe. To keep his father and godfather happy, and to help his brother take the crown, he needs a place in society. The prince part has to stay secret. During the games, he runs into Rurik.
Rurik’s family founded the Legacy of Power, they are notorious assassins. Rurik is a psychopath, a delightful one. When he sees Ash he’s instantly obsessed with him. He wants him, even more, he calls him his!
It’s not mutual, but Rurik is certain he can change Ash’s mind.
Stalking Ash is one of Rurik’s favorite things to do, until he understands Ash suffers from sleep paralysis and nightmares.
Rurik is determined, with small steps he forcibly conquered a spot in Ash’s life (and pants). While Ash tried to keep Rurik at arm’s length, he can’t seem to resist Rurik anymore. Even more, he needs him!
There are secrets, dark ones. Rurik understands something is going on in Ash’s life.
The author did a great job writing this story. Besides the relationship between Rurik and Ash, there’s a dark plot, and it’s all intriguing as fuck. There’s also fun (thanks to Rurik’s personality and determination). The ‘forced’ relationship was awesome.
A lot of things are going on, and it’s not dull for one second.
If you love a good written dark rom-com, stalking, Black Cat x Golden Retriever, and found family, this one is for you.
RATING: 
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