Rating: 5/5
Book Blurb:
REVISED AND EXPANDED PAPERBACK EDITION When a grumpy park ranger meets a charming kraken, love might be worth the swim upstream in this sexy monster romance.
There is only one thing holding back Briar Glenn Parks Department supervisor Reece Rollins from success in his upcoming triathlon—his subpar swimming skills. At the urging of his sister’s wolven mate, Reece joins Leviathan Fitness to train in the gym’s Olympic-size pool. There he meets Cyrus, a charming kraken with unparalleled skill in the pool, and many, many tentacles that both intimidate and intrigue Reece. When Cyrus offers to coach Reece for his race, he happily accepts the help.
For the past few months, Cyrus has been floating through life without his usual spark. He’s even hit a creative block with his painting and hasn’t been able to produce a new piece of artwork in a while. But the opportunity to train this handsome human grump gives Cyrus something real to smile about.
New and unexpected feelings begin to arise from the depths as Reece and Cyrus start to spend time together in and out of the water. But can both men let down their guards enough to be swept away by love?
Review:
This is such a cute read!!! It's perfect parts rom com and monster romance and I adored every single page! This series has been one of my favorite monster romance series ever and this was just another fantastic addition to the universe.
What happens when your soul mate just happens to be the person who is the least likely to fall for you? Reece Rollins is a parks department supervisor and after a traumatic incident during his childhood camp with his father he has hated monsters, but now that his sister is getting married to one, he has tried to work on his prejudices and fear. He also happens to have signed up for a triathlon. When he goes to his sister’s party he runs into Cyrus, a kraken who just also happens to be an amazing swimmer and the perfect person to help train him for the swim portion of the triathlon at the Leviathan Fitness Gym… if only he could get over his fear. Cyrus has been depressed and lonely, after centuries alone and just working on his art, he’s given up on the idea that he could find love.. except the moment he touches Reese he knows he’s found his mate… too bad Reese hates monsters and can barely even stomach Cyrus’s touch.. yet to Cyrus’s surprise Reese apologies and then Reese and Cyrus find themselves working together as Cyrus trains Reese…. Cyrus just wants to help Reese maybe get to know him, to see him for him, and to know that he could possibly fall in love with him. Reese can’t seem to help but find himself falling for the one person he never expected but can’t stay away from. Cyrus haunts his every thought, but now both of them will have to work together to work out their differences and see if they can truly make it work.
The romance between Reese and Cyrus was such a cute buildup and I just adored getting to know them both separately and as a couple! I read the original and really had fun with the expanded and updated edition!
Release Date: June 9, 2026
Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)
*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
