Review - Something Worth Keeping by Lisa Oliver
Something Worth Keeping
by Lisa Oliver
My rating: 
Heat level: 
Volume 1 of Monsters Need Mates, Too
Tags: Fantasy Contemporary
Posted in Book Reviews on 31 October, 2026
Julian is walking home after being suspended from work for correcting his boss. He’s taking a shortcut through an alley when he comes across a man being killed. Julian quickly realizes the already dead man is a member of a ruthless criminal gang, so no great loss. The killer clearly isn’t human. Since whatever-it-is seems to be doing the world a favor, Julian provides advice on how to efficiently dispose of the body. Cillian is a four thousand year old Eldritch Guardian. It’s his purpose to remove the more corrupt elements of humanity. People normally run away in terror when he reveals even a bit of his true form, but Julian just observed and then offered help. Cillian is fascinated by the odd human, but has never experienced attraction, so he doesn’t know anything about how to woo a human.
This start to a new series offers a quirky romance set against a sometimes violent paranormal background. Gory scenes, fortunately few, are interspersed with darkly funny interactions between Julian and Cillian as the two try to figure each other out. In the background is the group of fellow guardians that Cillian works for, that works to identify and neutralize the most corrupt elements of human society.
The narration alternates between Julian and Cillian’s points of view. Julian is clearly extremely neurodivergent. He has an eidetic memory and no filter. Julian reacts to almost every situation with logic and a sense of efficiency. Comparisons to Mr Spock of Star Trek are probably obvious. It’s easy to see why his current work life is difficult for him, as he chooses not to conform to most social norms.
Cillian is a surprisingly relatable character, considering he’s an ancient horror. Despite the huge cultural gulf between them, Cillian and Julian feel like a very compatible couple. They balance each other out, which seems to be the point of guardians having mates.
“Something Worth Keeping” is available from Smashwords or visit Bookshop.org to purchase from an independent bookstore.
