Matched to the Monster TOO is the second book in the match program series by Rena Marks, and it picks up where the last book left off.

Now that Lilaina is married, her father Eric, is telling everyone that she has gone crazy with Stockholm syndrome.  He wants his daughter to come home and under his possession again at any cost..  Unfortunately for Tessa, she happens to be the cost.

Tessa, who has been abused for months by Eric.  Tessa, who has forgotten how to laugh and be happy.  Tessa, who just wants her freedom.  Tessa who is the next individual picked for The Match Program.

Stratek could not be more thrilled at who his mate is.  He had one steamy encounter with Tessa three months ago, and then she disappeared before he could even get her name.  He was afraid he would never find her again, but here she is, matched to him to be his mate. Not only is she matched to him, but she is pregnant with a baby that might not be his.

I loved the first book in this series and was thrilled to see book two had arrived.  I downloaded it from Kindle Unlimited and finished it in a few hours, and with the story itself, I was not disappointed.

The heart of this book is a romance novel, but I love that Rena took the time to include some greater depths.  Tessa has been a victim of abuse (mental, physical, and sexual) and has to overcome that.  In addition to the abuse, she has also been fed many many lies about the Pimeon planet and she is terrified to be matched to Stratek.  Even though her new mate insists on open communication so their relationship can be successful, she is terrified to give him that because she has been punished for it in the past.

In addition to dealing with the developing romance between Stratek and Tessa, I also enjoyed how Rena took the time to continue developing the world of Pimeon. As this is technically a sequel, the author could have easily made it that we as the reader had to pick up book one, but she not only did not do that, she also expanded on the world to make it even more enriching for the reader.

What I didn’t like about this book was the relationship between Lilaina and Tessa.  There was some dislike from the first book that lingered and carried over, but Lilaina just immediately hated her.  There was no sympathy, no respect, and no potential belief that Tessa was being abused just as much as Lilaina had been.  It took almost the entire book for this hatred and dislike to fade and it made me sad because the bond that does eventually build between the two of them is so strong and sweet.

It also felt like this book had not seen an editor.  Numerous times while reading I noticed that the POV switched from first person to third person and it doesn’t matter how good the story was, it does take you out of the story.  Obviously I still liked the book as I finished it in a few hours, but I was greatly disappointed that it happened.

Overall – I did really like this book and I am thrilled that it continued from book one as I wanted to delve back into this world again.  I do believe there is going to be a third book in this series and I cannot wait for that.  However, I was vastly disappointed with the POV issues, and I hope that is addressed in whatever book comes next for Rena Marks.

Plot – 8/10

Characters – 8/10

Originality –  8/10

General Joy of Reading – 6/10

Overall Score – 30/40

Matched to the Monster TOO – Rena Marks

Cost* – $3.99 for Kindle.  This book is included with Kindle Unlimited

*Cost is based upon what the book cost when book review is published