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Leviathan Fitness #3
Mantras & Minotaurs
Leviathan Fitness is a sanctuary for monsters, muscles, and a widow on a journey of self-discovery.
When Pam Rollins decides to shake things up after her kids leave the nest—she makes two major changes. Starting yoga classes and joining a dating app. After her daughter’s urging to connect with other singles, Pam Rollins meets a minotaur who is ready to sweep her off her feet.
Alistair Reid is the kind of swoon-worthy monster that every woman dreams of. He’s kind, funny, and a wonderful dad.
The only problem is—they live states apart and have thriving lives of their own.
However, as romance blooms, it becomes harder to envision a future without each other in it. Will Alistair and Pam discover that their hearts can grow together despite the distance between them?
Mantras & Minotaurs is book three in the Leviathan Fitness series. This is a later-in-life romance.
When Pam Rollins decides to shake things up after her kids leave the nest—she makes two major changes. Starting yoga classes and joining a dating app. After her daughter’s urging to connect with other singles, Pam Rollins meets a minotaur who is ready to sweep her off her feet.
Alistair Reid is the kind of swoon-worthy monster that every woman dreams of. He’s kind, funny, and a wonderful dad.
The only problem is—they live states apart and have thriving lives of their own.
However, as romance blooms, it becomes harder to envision a future without each other in it. Will Alistair and Pam discover that their hearts can grow together despite the distance between them?
Mantras & Minotaurs is book three in the Leviathan Fitness series. This is a later-in-life romance.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 23, 2023
294 people are currently reading
3301 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Bennett
37 books1,313 followersAshley Bennett is a small-town paranormal and monster romance author from Baltimore, Maryland. She writes stories that are equal parts spice and swoon. When she's not writing, you can find her reading webtoons, playing cozy video games, and taking care of her houseful of rescue animals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 656 reviews
July 30, 2023
Wah!!!!! THIS IS SO FREAKING CUTE. This is by far my favorite Ashley Bennet book; I loved every single minute of reading it, I couldn't get enough. The story follows Pam, a 54-year-old widow who has been spending most of her time alone now that her two children are in serious relationships. At her daughter's encouragement, she joins a dating app and connects with her first match, Alistair, a 55-year-old divorcee. While he is only in town temporarily for his daughter, Pam and Alistair decide to live in the moment and be with each other while they can. They go on a date and at the end, they know they want more but are hesitant to start anything serious when they live so far away. However, both decide to take a leap of faith and enter into the relationship even if it is long distance.
Pam and Alistair are the cutest! I fully thought this was going to be a cute, cozy, and wholesome read with a dash of spice; and while it is that, the spice was on a whole other level. Alistair is a dirty talker and I ate up every moment of it. Beyond the spice and cuteness, this book was just so good; I can't stress how healthy and encouraging Pam and Alistair were to each other. They were just both on the same track and ready to fully be there with one another. While I usually like a little push and pull in a story, this book didn't need it in my opinion; I got everything I wanted from Pam and Alistair alone.
Pam and Alistair are the cutest! I fully thought this was going to be a cute, cozy, and wholesome read with a dash of spice; and while it is that, the spice was on a whole other level. Alistair is a dirty talker and I ate up every moment of it. Beyond the spice and cuteness, this book was just so good; I can't stress how healthy and encouraging Pam and Alistair were to each other. They were just both on the same track and ready to fully be there with one another. While I usually like a little push and pull in a story, this book didn't need it in my opinion; I got everything I wanted from Pam and Alistair alone.
August 13, 2023
My favourite in the series so far! 😍
If you want some good, monster lovin’ romance series then look no further. Ashley Bennett has got this shit down alright.
I love that we follow an older couple here. Both characters have kids, have had relationships in the past that weren't necessarily the best and this was a second chance at love for the both of them.
“She enjoyed this book, and I wanted to know why; I wanted to be able to discuss it with her.”
They were so sweet together, it was sickening. I could hardly stand it. 😩
This series has been consistently adorable and I hope they never end.
If you want some good, monster lovin’ romance series then look no further. Ashley Bennett has got this shit down alright.
I love that we follow an older couple here. Both characters have kids, have had relationships in the past that weren't necessarily the best and this was a second chance at love for the both of them.
“She enjoyed this book, and I wanted to know why; I wanted to be able to discuss it with her.”
They were so sweet together, it was sickening. I could hardly stand it. 😩
This series has been consistently adorable and I hope they never end.
July 26, 2023
I don’t think this author is for me. I’m being the outlier here since everyone seems to love this and I can appreciate the low angst, cozy vibes this story has going but other than that I wasn’t feeling the connection between the MCs.
This felt very insta-love even tho the words weren’t said until close to the end of the story. Insta-love is a hit or miss for me, usually being a miss so I’m sure that contributed to why I wasn’t the biggest fan. I prefer for there to be a build up before any sexual stuff happens but it happened so quickly here that it felt sorta jarring to me. Even tho this was fairly high heat because I wasn’t feeling the connection between the MCs I didn’t care for the sex scenes. 🙈
This also has a dead spouse and exhibition which I’m also not a fan of so it just felt like a bunch of tropes I don’t care for being thrown together. 😵💫
I figured that Don ( the dead husband) was only going to be brought up at the beginning of the story but he’s so present throughout that I found myself rolling my eyes whenever his name appeared. Pam and Don’s marriage wasn’t the best but they stayed together for the kids, he passed away but left her with a pension where she could retire and let her daughter take over the bakery. We get CONSTANT mentions about how Al is SO MUCH better than Don at literally everything.
At multiple points I found myself not wanting to finish. I was even getting annoyed because Al kept switching up his endearments instead of sticking to one.
However, I did like:
The small town vibes.
Remi and the matching sweaters.
Long distance aspect.
Older MCs representation.
Low/no angst
. . . .
Overall, this was definitely a ME thing where this story just didn’t align with my likes so I’m giving it a 2.5 rounded up.
My ratings always reflect my enjoyment of the story. ❀
This felt very insta-love even tho the words weren’t said until close to the end of the story. Insta-love is a hit or miss for me, usually being a miss so I’m sure that contributed to why I wasn’t the biggest fan. I prefer for there to be a build up before any sexual stuff happens but it happened so quickly here that it felt sorta jarring to me. Even tho this was fairly high heat because I wasn’t feeling the connection between the MCs I didn’t care for the sex scenes. 🙈
This also has a dead spouse and exhibition which I’m also not a fan of so it just felt like a bunch of tropes I don’t care for being thrown together. 😵💫
I figured that Don ( the dead husband) was only going to be brought up at the beginning of the story but he’s so present throughout that I found myself rolling my eyes whenever his name appeared. Pam and Don’s marriage wasn’t the best but they stayed together for the kids, he passed away but left her with a pension where she could retire and let her daughter take over the bakery. We get CONSTANT mentions about how Al is SO MUCH better than Don at literally everything.
At multiple points I found myself not wanting to finish. I was even getting annoyed because Al kept switching up his endearments instead of sticking to one.
However, I did like:
The small town vibes.
Remi and the matching sweaters.
Long distance aspect.
Older MCs representation.
Low/no angst
. . . .
Overall, this was definitely a ME thing where this story just didn’t align with my likes so I’m giving it a 2.5 rounded up.
My ratings always reflect my enjoyment of the story. ❀
September 29, 2023
LOVE THIS SERIES
July 23, 2023
Pam and Alistair are mom and dad, and I am ready to whip out my adoption papers from 1997 and give this adoption thing another go.
Ashley Bennett!! Ma’am?? 🥹
It’s just so sweet and so cute, and I feel like I’m betraying Tegan and Atlas when I say, it might be my new favorite?? 🥲
Ashley Bennett!! Ma’am?? 🥹
It’s just so sweet and so cute, and I feel like I’m betraying Tegan and Atlas when I say, it might be my new favorite?? 🥲
August 5, 2023
This was a fun continuation of the saga, is a fluffy romance that gives hope for all of us that have been in shitty relationships before and feel like have wasted the good years.
I will say there were times were sometimes felt like it was missing I wish I could pin point it? Maybe was a lack of development on the relationship but it is a short book overall
I like it 🤷♀️
I will say there were times were sometimes felt like it was missing I wish I could pin point it? Maybe was a lack of development on the relationship but it is a short book overall
I like it 🤷♀️
February 23, 2024
Pam finally got the love she deserved! Pam is the mom of two of the main characters from the first two books. A retired widow, Pam’s marriage wasn’t all that great and her daughter convinces her to join a dating app. Alistair, a minotaur, is also around Pam’s age (early 50s) and joined the dating app looking for something casual. Yet when these two meet and hit it off on the first date (and night) together, casual gets tossed out the window quick.
Pam and Alistair were perfect for each other. Alistair encouraged Pam to explore her sensual side while Pam showed Alistair that retirement can be fun and that there’s more to life than working.
I loved Pam’s self-love journey. Her mantras and daily yoga were completely relatable because in order to fully be comfortable with Alistair, she had to be comfortable with herself first.
These two were the definition of it’s never too late to find love and hot sex!
TROPES: monster/human romance, older H/h (50s), dating app
Pam and Alistair were perfect for each other. Alistair encouraged Pam to explore her sensual side while Pam showed Alistair that retirement can be fun and that there’s more to life than working.
I loved Pam’s self-love journey. Her mantras and daily yoga were completely relatable because in order to fully be comfortable with Alistair, she had to be comfortable with herself first.
These two were the definition of it’s never too late to find love and hot sex!
TROPES: monster/human romance, older H/h (50s), dating app
August 1, 2023
3.5⭐️
cute and heart-warming but too much of a fast-burn for my liking. the cameos of my favourite books>>>!!!!
cute and heart-warming but too much of a fast-burn for my liking. the cameos of my favourite books>>>!!!!
April 25, 2025
Mantras and Minotaurs by Ashley Bennett
Omg Pam is so cute and courageous for getting back into dating, the reality of online dating needs to be studied lol. This was such a fun and cozy read. Loved having an FMC is her 50s you don’t see that much. I love their conversation it had me giddy and cackling.
-their first date was cute I could cry I am delulu for a Minotaur I want a man to buy me books too 🥹😭
-the spice is DELICIOUS geez
-this made me want to go to a yoga class
-even tho long distance their love and connection was so strong and beautiful sometimes I’d forget 🥹
-this book was amazing I never wanted it to end I loved them so much 😭♥️♥️
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Omg Pam is so cute and courageous for getting back into dating, the reality of online dating needs to be studied lol. This was such a fun and cozy read. Loved having an FMC is her 50s you don’t see that much. I love their conversation it had me giddy and cackling.
-their first date was cute I could cry I am delulu for a Minotaur I want a man to buy me books too 🥹😭
-the spice is DELICIOUS geez
-this made me want to go to a yoga class
-even tho long distance their love and connection was so strong and beautiful sometimes I’d forget 🥹
-this book was amazing I never wanted it to end I loved them so much 😭♥️♥️
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 25, 2023
YOUR HONOR I LOVE THEM 📣 Ashley doesn’t miss, she can’t, she simply gets me every time 😭 this was so swoon worthy, adorable and SPICY 🥵 come on Mom & Dad!!! Pam & AL are just perfection and their relationship is what book boyfriend dreams are made of. It was refreshing to read about an older couple and I never want to leave this cuddly monster filled town 💚
*thank you Ashley Bennett for the ARC copy
*thank you Ashley Bennett for the ARC copy
August 27, 2023
This was so cute and fun and swoony! I love, love, love this series and it keeps getting better with each book!
The humor, the super adorable and lovable characters, the romance…all of that and more made me thoroughly enjoy this story. I gobbled it right up.
I love that Pam and Alistair are older in age. (Pam is Tegan’s mom. Book 1 is Tegan’s story.) I do believe that helps me love this story even more. The situations are relatable, they handle everything maturely and beautifully.
They meet on a dating app and when they finally meet up, they just…click. They’re both nervous, but after just a few words, it’s obvious they vibe very well. Their connection is strong and their chemistry is hot. They are so sweet and absolutely adorable together!!! Perfect, really.
And Alistair is such a gentleman…who’s also a dirty talker…YES. PLEASE. I love how they are with each other. Supportive and honest and caring and it’s sweet how they don’t want to be apart from each other after just one date.
I couldn’t get enough of this story. Like the other two books in the series, it was well-written, I fell hard for the characters, it is full of humor and loaded with tons of heart. I can’t recommend this enough if monster romance is your jam.
The humor, the super adorable and lovable characters, the romance…all of that and more made me thoroughly enjoy this story. I gobbled it right up.
I love that Pam and Alistair are older in age. (Pam is Tegan’s mom. Book 1 is Tegan’s story.) I do believe that helps me love this story even more. The situations are relatable, they handle everything maturely and beautifully.
They meet on a dating app and when they finally meet up, they just…click. They’re both nervous, but after just a few words, it’s obvious they vibe very well. Their connection is strong and their chemistry is hot. They are so sweet and absolutely adorable together!!! Perfect, really.
And Alistair is such a gentleman…who’s also a dirty talker…YES. PLEASE. I love how they are with each other. Supportive and honest and caring and it’s sweet how they don’t want to be apart from each other after just one date.
I couldn’t get enough of this story. Like the other two books in the series, it was well-written, I fell hard for the characters, it is full of humor and loaded with tons of heart. I can’t recommend this enough if monster romance is your jam.
May 15, 2025
Reread May 2025:
I did the new audio and have no regrets!
The narrators were perfect and the story is just as good as I remember.
Original Review August 2023:
Another Ashley Bennett for the win!
Alistair was sweet and weird and funny, but my heart still belongs to Cyrus.
I loved getting to know Pam and Chai a bit better since they were really cute side characters in the first two books.
A later in life romance is not something you come across often and a lot of the time it is more about companionship than romancey bits. Loved that she showed people over 30 (or 50 in this case) still want romance and love and all that other shit.
I adore that Ashley still has more to come in Briar Glen and cannot wait for the next book!
I did the new audio and have no regrets!
The narrators were perfect and the story is just as good as I remember.
Original Review August 2023:
Another Ashley Bennett for the win!
Alistair was sweet and weird and funny, but my heart still belongs to Cyrus.
I loved getting to know Pam and Chai a bit better since they were really cute side characters in the first two books.
A later in life romance is not something you come across often and a lot of the time it is more about companionship than romancey bits. Loved that she showed people over 30 (or 50 in this case) still want romance and love and all that other shit.
I adore that Ashley still has more to come in Briar Glen and cannot wait for the next book!
September 19, 2023
Мені було аж занадто солодко, якщо чесно.
І ще трохи не сподобалось те, що Пем постійно порівнювала Алістера з колишнім чоловіком
І ще трохи не сподобалось те, що Пем постійно порівнювала Алістера з колишнім чоловіком
March 25, 2024
2nd read: 5⭐
this has officially become a comfort book. ashley bennett just gets it.
1st read: 4⭐
HOW does every book in this series just keep getting better?
the self discovery, the wintery landscape, the hairless cat who wears handknit sweaters...absolutely precious. this author eats and leaves no crumbs EVERY SINGLE TIME.
also....pam recommending him ice planet barbarians on their first bookstore date...absolutely savage behavior
this has officially become a comfort book. ashley bennett just gets it.
1st read: 4⭐
HOW does every book in this series just keep getting better?
the self discovery, the wintery landscape, the hairless cat who wears handknit sweaters...absolutely precious. this author eats and leaves no crumbs EVERY SINGLE TIME.
also....pam recommending him ice planet barbarians on their first bookstore date...absolutely savage behavior
Read
July 27, 2023I think this author just isn't for me. Her relationships never really have the tension that I enjoy in my romances.
July 23, 2023
Mantras & Minotaurs, the third installment in the Leviathan Fitness series by a Ashley Bennett, is a love letter to the book community and I cannot wait for everyone to meet with Pam and Alistair.
Pam is a widow who has spent her life caring for others. She stayed in a loveless marriage for her children and always made sure that her family came first. Now that her babies are grown and have mates of their own she if finding life to be a bit lonely, especially in her retirement.
Alistair is a divorcé and a devoted dad of one who also happens to be the CEO of a cannabis company in Colorado. He’s in town (Briar Glen) to care for his daughter while she recovers from a medical scare and while he’s looking to have a good time he’s not looking for anything serious since he’s heading home soon.
Pam decides, after some nudging from her daughter Tegan, to put a profile on a dating site that is open to both humans and monsters. It doesn’t take long for Pam and Alistair to match, seeing that she is a gorgeous red head and he is a devastatingly handsome minotaur. Besides, it’s just casual, right?
Read along as Pam and Alistair navigate a new and exciting connection. They learn a lot about themselves, what’s important and what they really want in life. True to Ashley Bennett’s style there is laughter, sorrow, misunderstanding, love and hope throughout this story and you are going to fall in love with these two, I promise.
There are so many nods to the monster/alien romance genre and you are going to feel like this book was written specifically for you. And do not assume that because Pam and Alistair find their love together later in life that there is less spice. That couldn’t be father from the truth. Pam has a sexual awakening with a partner that values her pleasure, something that she has never experienced. Alistair shows her just how good sex can be and it is a delight to witness.
You do not want to sleep on Mantras & Minotaurs. It’s going to be one of your new favorites.
Pam is a widow who has spent her life caring for others. She stayed in a loveless marriage for her children and always made sure that her family came first. Now that her babies are grown and have mates of their own she if finding life to be a bit lonely, especially in her retirement.
Alistair is a divorcé and a devoted dad of one who also happens to be the CEO of a cannabis company in Colorado. He’s in town (Briar Glen) to care for his daughter while she recovers from a medical scare and while he’s looking to have a good time he’s not looking for anything serious since he’s heading home soon.
Pam decides, after some nudging from her daughter Tegan, to put a profile on a dating site that is open to both humans and monsters. It doesn’t take long for Pam and Alistair to match, seeing that she is a gorgeous red head and he is a devastatingly handsome minotaur. Besides, it’s just casual, right?
Read along as Pam and Alistair navigate a new and exciting connection. They learn a lot about themselves, what’s important and what they really want in life. True to Ashley Bennett’s style there is laughter, sorrow, misunderstanding, love and hope throughout this story and you are going to fall in love with these two, I promise.
There are so many nods to the monster/alien romance genre and you are going to feel like this book was written specifically for you. And do not assume that because Pam and Alistair find their love together later in life that there is less spice. That couldn’t be father from the truth. Pam has a sexual awakening with a partner that values her pleasure, something that she has never experienced. Alistair shows her just how good sex can be and it is a delight to witness.
You do not want to sleep on Mantras & Minotaurs. It’s going to be one of your new favorites.
January 7, 2024
Ну та гарненько було
July 28, 2023
this series is so charming!! perfect cute n cozy, low stakes monster romances✨✨✨✨
December 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
TW - spousal death (mentioned), discussions of menopause related body changes, THC use, alcohol consumption,
CW - toys, light spanking, light exhibitionism
Tropes - later in life romance (54F, 55M), human x monster, rich MMC, long distance relationship
Pam (FMC) is Teegan and Reece's mum from the previous two books in this series and Alistair is Chai's (she works at the gym) dad. The two of them meet on a dating site and hit it off right away but Al has to head home to Colorado but they’re willing to try long distance
The MCs were so cute in this, you could tell they cared for each other and they were typically on the same page for everything. This read is short, cute and spicy and I loved the mentions of other romance books many of us have probably read like IPB and Praise
My only gripe, and where this kinda fell flat for me, is that there wasn't much 'other worldly' about Al like there was for Atlas and Cyrus in the previous books; that was kinda disappointing, I was expecting a bit more. However, this was still written well and you can't help but swoon at some of the interactions between Pam and Al
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek
TW - spousal death (mentioned), discussions of menopause related body changes, THC use, alcohol consumption,
CW - toys, light spanking, light exhibitionism
Tropes - later in life romance (54F, 55M), human x monster, rich MMC, long distance relationship
Pam (FMC) is Teegan and Reece's mum from the previous two books in this series and Alistair is Chai's (she works at the gym) dad. The two of them meet on a dating site and hit it off right away but Al has to head home to Colorado but they’re willing to try long distance
The MCs were so cute in this, you could tell they cared for each other and they were typically on the same page for everything. This read is short, cute and spicy and I loved the mentions of other romance books many of us have probably read like IPB and Praise
My only gripe, and where this kinda fell flat for me, is that there wasn't much 'other worldly' about Al like there was for Atlas and Cyrus in the previous books; that was kinda disappointing, I was expecting a bit more. However, this was still written well and you can't help but swoon at some of the interactions between Pam and Al
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek
April 23, 2025
Audiobook update April 2025: Shirl Rae & Connor Brown are both new to me narrators and they did a great job with this story! Even though I have read all the books in this series, this was the first one I went back and reslistened to on audio and I had a great time. I will definitely be listening to books one and two now!
*Thank you to Tantor for the ALC copy of this audiobook, all opinions are my own*
----
Get it Pam! 👏👏👏 that’s my review 🤣
Also just read the bonus scene and probably my only niggle is that I wish they’d found a way to stay part time in Alastair’s super cool mountain mansion. Seems like Pam could use a private getaway from her kids, or a homebase to use when traveling the country (which is what I thought the ending might be). But maybe that’s just me 😂
*Thank you to Tantor for the ALC copy of this audiobook, all opinions are my own*
----
Get it Pam! 👏👏👏 that’s my review 🤣
Also just read the bonus scene and probably my only niggle is that I wish they’d found a way to stay part time in Alastair’s super cool mountain mansion. Seems like Pam could use a private getaway from her kids, or a homebase to use when traveling the country (which is what I thought the ending might be). But maybe that’s just me 😂
September 24, 2023
So sweet and fluffy! Gotta love a creaky-knee queen 🙌🏻 I'm 20 years younger than Pam but aside from my not having any kids it was like looking (reading?) into a mirror.
September 21, 2023
Сюжету тут не знайдете)
Натомість буде старша пара, яка отримує задоволення від життя, нових хобі, сексу і один від одного. Чоловік (тобто мінотавр😁) ідеальний взірець книжкового чоловіка😅
Історія на вечір, чекатиму наступну книгу із серії.
Натомість буде старша пара, яка отримує задоволення від життя, нових хобі, сексу і один від одного. Чоловік (тобто мінотавр😁) ідеальний взірець книжкового чоловіка😅
Історія на вечір, чекатиму наступну книгу із серії.
October 8, 2023
This was so damn sweet 😩😩😩 read it in one sitting it was so fun! if you just want a fluffy and cute monster romance featuring an older FMC and a Minotaur that loves to 👅🐱 THIS IS FOR YOU! Just a warning if you don’t like pet names… this book uses them a lot (sweetheart, babe, etc).
February 4, 2024
Will update soon but oH MY GOSH THIS IS MY FAVE BOOK OF THE SERIES
I plan on writing a full in-depth review and reaction of this book, for now though I just want to express the love I have for this book and how much love I felt this book showed me.
You can feel the love from Ashley ooze out of this book.
If you are hesitating reading an older FMC, do not hesitate. This story is just as spicy and cute as any other book by Ashley with a younger FMC. If anything, it was better. Finding love again is a beautiful story. I also liked knowing and meeting Allistairs child 🥺
Pam and Allistair were amazing, and had so many cute amazing moments. I loved so much of what they shared and I just!!! I LOVE THEM SO FREAKING MUCH!!!
I plan on writing a full in-depth review and reaction of this book, for now though I just want to express the love I have for this book and how much love I felt this book showed me.
You can feel the love from Ashley ooze out of this book.
If you are hesitating reading an older FMC, do not hesitate. This story is just as spicy and cute as any other book by Ashley with a younger FMC. If anything, it was better. Finding love again is a beautiful story. I also liked knowing and meeting Allistairs child 🥺
Pam and Allistair were amazing, and had so many cute amazing moments. I loved so much of what they shared and I just!!! I LOVE THEM SO FREAKING MUCH!!!
November 21, 2023
I had a hard time with this to start because my brain made Pam my mom somehow and I was not loving reading my “mom” getting dicked down by a Minotaur. 🤣 who knew I would love this family so much I would mentally make myself part of it?! That’s how amazing this series is. Once I got over it I was kicking my feet and giggling the whole way through. Alistair made me blush! He was such a bull daddy and I absolutely loved him. Pam is the best and I wish she was my mom IRL. The spice was spicin’ in this one whewwwww. I loved the Stepbrothers reference (one of my fave movies) and loveddd the snowmobiling scene (done this and let me tell you- it’s just as magical as Ashley describes it 😜) I cannot wait for the next book in this series.
July 27, 2023
2.5 rounded up. The spice was GOOD (great praise + a bit of ), and there's even a couple real romance book references thrown in here that I wasn't expecting. 😂 Pam and Al's dynamic was definitely very fuzzy warm cute from the get-go. Like the other books in this series, the pacing was obviously ramped up with insta-attraction -> insta-love. Which is fine. The only thing I was bleh about here was that I felt that Don, Pam's dead husband, was brought up too often. It was clear that he was a horrible person, and that he did a number on Pam, but she constantly compared Al to him like, "Oh wow, Don would've never done X, Y and Z." or "Al is SO much better than Don." And I get why, but it was still too much for my tastes. Outside of that, it was very quick and very straightforward read with no frills.
Admittedly, even after finishing, I'm still a little 🤔over the dedication. (It's a small detail, I know. 😂) But I really just feel like romance readers over the age of 30 are a bit too young to call out for this later in life romance book. Pam is 54 and her kids, the prior main characters, are 30 + 36 respectively, while Al's daughter is in her 20s. It's not that I was expecting Pam to be my age or anything, nor do I need the characters to be my age to appreciate them, but it still just felt odd to call 30s and not a little bit older with how old the characters are. 😅
Admittedly, even after finishing, I'm still a little 🤔over the dedication. (It's a small detail, I know. 😂) But I really just feel like romance readers over the age of 30 are a bit too young to call out for this later in life romance book. Pam is 54 and her kids, the prior main characters, are 30 + 36 respectively, while Al's daughter is in her 20s. It's not that I was expecting Pam to be my age or anything, nor do I need the characters to be my age to appreciate them, but it still just felt odd to call 30s and not a little bit older with how old the characters are. 😅
August 10, 2023
Hands down, this has got to be my favorite book in this series!!!
Pam is the mama of Reece and Tygan from book 1/2. Now, it's her turn to find her hea! And it leads her to a dating app. Where she meets Alister a minotaur, and he checks off everything she wants, so they agree to date nothing more since he is only there visiting his daughter. That first date was so magical and cute I "awww" so much on how he treated her!! Coffee, books, and ice skating AL was such a great monster he checked off all the green flags!!
So now they wanna give each other a real shot, so long distance is the way for them. Which was different to read in books. We saw video chatting, texts, and phone, all the good stuff with less angst.
What made me fall more in love with AL was that he flew all the way to pick up Pam just so he could fly back with her on her first plane ride.. RIGHT THERE SWWOONEEE!!!!!
Like any couple, they did have a hiccup, which they worked together and made it work. I can't wait for the next one.
No ow/om drama, no cheating, slight secondary character, Sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowinsta
54h/55H
mentions of spousal death
discussion of menopause related body changes
THC use
Alcohol consumption
Nonhuman love interest
Long distance
toy play
praise
light spanking
Cum play
No condom
Light exhibitionism
Hea
Epilogue
Pam is the mama of Reece and Tygan from book 1/2. Now, it's her turn to find her hea! And it leads her to a dating app. Where she meets Alister a minotaur, and he checks off everything she wants, so they agree to date nothing more since he is only there visiting his daughter. That first date was so magical and cute I "awww" so much on how he treated her!! Coffee, books, and ice skating AL was such a great monster he checked off all the green flags!!
So now they wanna give each other a real shot, so long distance is the way for them. Which was different to read in books. We saw video chatting, texts, and phone, all the good stuff with less angst.
What made me fall more in love with AL was that he flew all the way to pick up Pam just so he could fly back with her on her first plane ride.. RIGHT THERE SWWOONEEE!!!!!
Like any couple, they did have a hiccup, which they worked together and made it work. I can't wait for the next one.
No ow/om drama, no cheating, slight secondary character, Sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowinsta
54h/55H
mentions of spousal death
discussion of menopause related body changes
THC use
Alcohol consumption
Nonhuman love interest
Long distance
toy play
praise
light spanking
Cum play
No condom
Light exhibitionism
Hea
Epilogue
August 5, 2023
This is the VERY CUTE romance between Pam and Alistair. Pam is the mom to Reece and Tegan from the other books in the series. She has been a widow for the past couple of years and wants to get back out there dating-wise. Pam ends up across Minotaur Alistair's profile and the rest is history. They have the most fabulous first date that has them wanting more than just a casual date. But Alistair lives states away :(
Ahhh this was like all the other books in the series, adorable cute BUT also hot 😉 I loved reading about Pam and Alistair. Sometimes you match with someone on a dating app and you meet your person. I also love reading older couple romances!! You never see them in romance books, but they deserve love too! I adored the yoga and mantras aspect of this book. It was awesome to see Pam grow into a more capable and confident woman :)
I was sent an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Ashley Bennett!!
TW: mentions of spousal death, THC use
MEMORABLE QUOTE:
"You deserve pleasure. You deserve to be treated like the goddess you are. Let me give you that."
TROPES: book lovers (she gets him to read IPB!), books with pets (Remi the cat), character with glasses (Pam), cinnamon roll hero, cute but hot, dating apps, has a mouth on him, insta love, kindle unlimited, long distance, monsters, no 3rd act break up, older couple, phone time, single parent, tails, toys, widow
Ahhh this was like all the other books in the series, adorable cute BUT also hot 😉 I loved reading about Pam and Alistair. Sometimes you match with someone on a dating app and you meet your person. I also love reading older couple romances!! You never see them in romance books, but they deserve love too! I adored the yoga and mantras aspect of this book. It was awesome to see Pam grow into a more capable and confident woman :)
I was sent an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Ashley Bennett!!
TW: mentions of spousal death, THC use
MEMORABLE QUOTE:
"You deserve pleasure. You deserve to be treated like the goddess you are. Let me give you that."
TROPES: book lovers (she gets him to read IPB!), books with pets (Remi the cat), character with glasses (Pam), cinnamon roll hero, cute but hot, dating apps, has a mouth on him, insta love, kindle unlimited, long distance, monsters, no 3rd act break up, older couple, phone time, single parent, tails, toys, widow
July 24, 2023
pam is so wholesome and alistar is a certified book boyfriend daddy. i loved this story so much. consent king and so much cute spice (is that even a thing?).
if you like monster romances i’m begging you to read this book/series
if you like monster romances i’m begging you to read this book/series
August 30, 2023
A sweet and smutty monster romance. Nothing more or less than I expected from the author. :)
Romance:
Romance:
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