Ruby Dixon never misses! I just love the way her books are so easy to get into and how original her characters are! I mean... a MINOTAUR??? Who would have thought?! Love her!

This copy was kindly given to me by the publisher and Netgalley for review. All opinions are my own.

There is just something slightly addictive about Ruby Dixon books. As someone newer to monster romance, I found this one probably tamer that others I have picked up, still not sure if its the genre for me but nonetheless, this was a fun addition to RD's books. I found it had a bit more plot and world building compared to her Ice Planet Barbarians series which was a pleasant surprise. For how fast I read these, that they are a nice refresher between reads, I would keep reading if this turns into a series.

When the Ice Planet Barbarians first got popular/started being published in deluxe editions at my store, I initially scoffed at how ridiculous the series sounded. But enough folks said they genuinely enjoyed it, that I picked up the first book -- and was surprised to find there was more substance to the characters/story than I had expected, and something about Dixon's writing style was really fun.

This is the first in a new, Greek mythology-inspired series from her, and I really enjoyed it! Dixon has a way of creating magical worlds that still have a grounding in reality, with their own rules and cultural touchstones. And her characters are interesting and likable, with palpable chemistry together, and enough emotional heart/heft to them individually AND together that makes the steamy scenes even more fun. Already can't wait for the next book in this series!

Bull Moon Rising was a decent start to a new series. I've enjoyed Ruby Dixon's books in the past, and while I liked this, there were quite a few things that could have been better. I found the pacing to be really off. There were times when the plot was moving quickly and then would drag, then would pick up again, then slow back down. The irregular pacing was a struggle to get through. I also think the world building was WAY too heavy at the beginning of the book. There was a lot of information at once, and paragraphs upon paragraphs of info dumping.

I did really appreciate the found family aspects of the story! And besides the issues I had with the pacing and worldbuilding, The premise of the story and romance was super interesting and I would be interested in reading the next book!

3.5 Stars
I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get into this book until we got to Hawk's first POV chapter and learned about the Conquest Moon and all of a sudden I was invested lol. I was surprised to get a really fun adventure story out of this and I enjoyed all the side characters as well though I wish the romance between Aspeth and Hawk was there more (also I feel like I would've been okay with a bit more spice, the tension was built up so much for not enough payoff imo).

Thank you NetGalley & Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

Ya know… did I know going into it that it would be a Minotaur romance… yes yes I did. And I thought it would be fine because I’ve read and was able to tolerate IPB…. HOWEVER I unfortunately was never able to look past the Minotaur thing and I feel like it really held me back personally from enjoying this book.

3.5 Stars
This is a book that I picked up on Net Galley because the premise was interesting.
I enjoyed meeting Aspeth and Hawk, but have to admit that I had a bit of a hard time getting invested in the story. I'm not sure if the issue was the fact that Ms Dixon is a new author to me or that the world involved is brand new.

Aspeth is a bit spoiled and her expectations of real life are unrealistic. We see most of the story from her point of view. We see her mature and evolve in slightly unexpected ways, making her easier to like. Hawk and the other five fledglings support her evolution and grow on the reader.

There is definitely commentary on societal norms (past and present) that influence the story as well.
Overall, Bull Moon Rising was entertaining, but I'm not sure I am invested in the world around the Guild enough to come back and see what happens next.

This was such a fun romantasy full of Ruby's signature humor, smut, full world, and feral simp MMC.

Ruby Dixon always infuses so much depth to her worlds, yet her worldbuilding is easily understandable and weaved into the story so well that you feel no boredom or confusion. And this world was so interesting!

We find our FMC about to arrive at the Royal Artifactual Guild. We learn about the magic of the world and how artifacts of the magical civilization of ancient times are used today in the feudal society for war and social standing. Lady Aspeth knows finding artifacts as a guild member is her last chance to save her land after her father gambled them away.

But despite being well-educated, Aspeth is naive to the real world. Luckily, her maid and best friend, Gwenna, is with her and is a delight. But even Gwenna can't help her when they learn women need chaperones to enter guild training, if they're allowed at all.

So Aspeth finds a chaperone - a husband.

Hawk is a Taurian and guild artifiacer used to cleaning up after humans in the tunnels or in training. But since he can't leave the city as he needs to work, he will need to use a human to get through the Conquest Moon, a period of insantiable lust that drives the procreation of Taurians. And who presents herself as a candidate to go through the time with him? Aspeth.

Right place, right time amiright?

Now Aspeth and Hawk are wife and husband, student and teacher, and virgin and raging bull. All as their team needs to succeed in training or they become guild servants, their mentor loses her job, and Hawk can't pay back his debt.

There were definitely times you had to shake your head at Aspeth's naivete and optimism, but she always was planning and thinking and learning which 1) delicious is spicy scenes 2) useful in a world that underestimates women.

Hawk fell hard, fast and while it did take a while for the final consumation, I liked that they took their time to get comfortable with each other and explore each other (and many chances they did take ;).

If you've read other Ruby Dixon books, you'll get her taste of smut in a new font (minotaur) which was fun (the Conquest Moon def gave resonance).

Overall, I'm excited for a new Ruby world to explore and loved that we got a full length story. I enjoyed Aspeth and Hawk and look foward to more from this world (Gwenna next?)!

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Feat: marriage of convenience, minotaur x human, fantasy world, (magic) archaelogy, virgin (30 yo) FMC, monster romance, breeding/rut, lots of spice (but slow burn to final act), teacher x student

4.25 stars
3 spice

📣 a monster romance with a marriage of convenience!

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 what’s one of your Tuesday numbers? Some of mine are: one cinnamon roll, two cups of coffee, three kids I’m trying to get ready, 1 temper I’m trying to keep in check 😵‍💫🤪

Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon was a mixed bag for me.

🥳 On the pluses—there’s a marriage of convenience between an heiress who’s sneakily taken a job as a historical excavator & a bull-man guild-assistant who trains her. The premise was interesting to me, as was the overall world-building!

🥳 The dynamics of the society Dixon has created are even richer when they play out in the friendships & role FMC Aspeth is exploring.

😬 But I had problems with the whole idea of a bull moon & the references to how a lack of consent might occur.

😬 & while the premise is compelling, I kept putting this one down.

This book wasn’t quite for me but YMMV!

3.5 ⭐️. Out now!

[ID: Jess holds the book in front of an arrangement of pumpkins on shelves.]

4.5⭐️
I uhave never read Minotaur romance before but this was actually REALLY good! I expected this to be similar to IPB (spice very little plot, which is not a bad thing but it’s more surface level) but this was actually really well balanced and just as addicting as IPB. I was actually so invested in the plot and all the side characters. The found family aspect of this book was really sweet. Hawk and Aspeth were everything and they had some surprisingly tender moments as well as a lot of spice and tension. I wish we had spent a little more time on the ending and the rut because we spent all the book hyping this thing up and it all happened in one chapter so I wished we had spent a little more time on that and the overall ending but regardless I had a great time.

I got about 10% in and just really struggled with it - I couldn't get into it and just wasn't feeling it, but maybe if you love romantasy, give it a try!

3-3.5 stars

This was a great start to a new series. The heavy world building at the start was a bit overwhelming, but the backstory and magical elements were really interesting. Unfortunately, the pacing was inconsistent - starting off slow, picking up steam, meandering, and then rushing towards the end. This made the book feel too long (the audio is over 17 hours!)

I also really enjoyed the found family and the quirky band of characters in Bull Moon Rising. I loved how they each accepted the other for who they were and really came together in the end. The romance was good, but all of Hawk and Aspeth’s time on page focused on the sexy times. I wish there would have been more scenes of them nurturing and developing their connection. I also felt uncomfortable with the possible lack of consent associated with the conquest moon (though I appreciated that even when Hawk was in the thrall of the moon, he still had moments of clarity and checked on Aspeth). The ending was satisfying and it will be interesting to see where this series goes.

Felicity Munroe and Hiro Diaz narrated this one superbly. I loved the duet narration and all the different accents both used to bring this story to life.

Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 3-3.5 stars

*I both read and listened to an advance review copy of this book*

*SCREAM* OH. MY. GOD. This was quite possibly the filthiest marriage of convenience I have ever read, and this is a KNOTTING BOOK, and wow oh wow have I discovered that in 2024 the Year of Our Lord, I do love a good monster romance novel. Aspeth’s inner voice was absolutely delightful, though at times I wanted to yell at her to put on her spectacles so she could actually see what she was doing. The chemistry between her and Hawk, leading up to and during and after the Bull Moon, was nothing short of spectacular.

this is easily my new favorite book my ruby dixon, i was a huge fan of her IPS series and jumped at the chance to get a copy of this book.. let me just say the special edition in person is STUNNING

marriage of convenience with so much tension and just so much goodness.
our fmc is so fun and quirky i adored her to piece and well.. our mmc.. hear me out... a minotaur.. let me have some of that please

“You got into the Royal Artifactual Guild.”
“What, like it’s hard?” (could be) Lady Aspeth Honori, heiress to Honori Hold

Ruby Dixon is back with Bull Moon Rising, a historical, monster romance following heiress Lady Aspeth Honori and Minotaur, Hawk. This one is packed with beloved romance tropes including marriage of convenience, student/ teacher and forced proximity. Aspeth needs a chaperone to join the Royal Artifactual Guild and Hawk needs a partner for the Conquest Moon.

What is the conquest moon? Every Taurian (Minotaur) male is hit with the need to rut with abandon until the Conquest Moon passes. I wish I could include all the conquest moon quotes in here… but guys, it is INTENSE.

This book was a delightful mixture of quirky characters (Kipp- I am looking at you), quests and a group of misfits (ie, Troop Beverly Hills) who all have their reasons for joining the guild and you can’t help rooting for. Hawk is grumpy, which only gets worse as the Conquest Moon approaches. Aspeth gave me Elle Woods vibes- she is determined, kind and smart. She makes upgraded Guild uniforms…. You can’t tell me Ruby didn’t get inspiration from Legally Blonde and Troop Beverly Hills and I am here for it.

As a fan of the Ice Planet Barbarian series, I truly enjoyed this one. And Ruby gave us a cave moment, in Ruby we trust. Please tell me Gwenna is next… I need more Minotaur romance in my life….. something I didn’t think I would ever say.

Read if you like:
•Monster romances, he’s a Minotaur
•Historical + Marriage of convenience + Student/ teacher
•Lots of steam- You’ll need a large glass of water for Chapter Twenty-Three
•And, there is a knot
•Magical artifacts
•Found family and friendship
•Squeaker- a spoiled and memorable cat

Thank you to Berkley for the e-ARC, all thoughts are my own.

Finally, a romantasy that's heavier on the romance while still immersing the reader in fantasy setting!

I loved everything about this book, the main characters were adorable and likeable. The plot wasn't too cheesy, and the happy ending wasn't too neat.

And the steamy scenes? *French kiss*

Thank you netgalley, Berkeley publishing house , and Ace for my eARC!
(Of course I immediately ordered it.)
-
Bull Moon Rising follows Aspeth (a 30-yo “spinster”) who is determined to earn her ranks as an Artificer in an attempt to help her father save their estate. What she instead faces is misogyny and rejection stemming from that. In a marriage of convenience, she makes a deal with Hawk. She helps him with his rutting and he chaperones her on her training to be an Artificer.

Are you into monster romances? I am SO SO SO sold on this Minotaur romance. If you’re no stranger to Ruby’s Ice Planet Barbarian series, I would give this one a try! It’s fun, high stakes, and so so good. It’s oddly wholesome in its own way.

I honestly wasn’t sure what I was expecting as I’ve only read one Minotaur romance prior to this but I was delightfully surprised by how much I loved this. I loved the side characters and their quirks. What a fun bunch! And her fat orange cat who steps infinitely. Honestly she was a star in her own right. Shes perfect as can be. 😂

I think this was the perfect balance of plot, romance and spice. 🥵 I can’t wait to see what the next book brings us!

Tropes/Themes:
🌕 Grumpy MMC
🌕Nerdy FMC
🌕Marriage of Convenience
🌕Mentor/Student romance
🌕Possessive - “where’s my wife?” 🫡🥵
🌕 knotting 🪢

This book was so good! I loved Aspeth and her determination to get out an awful situation that was not her doing at all! Hawk was a great MMC although he was extremely grumpy but. Well. I love a good grump so this worked for me!

Ruby Dixon does an amazing job of creating worlds and this book really showcases that. This book has the rich and the poor and the in between. Aspeth coming from the rich was a good detail because it really contrasted with Hawk and Magpie and how they grew up.

I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it for anyone who enjoys fantasy or monster romance!

🌒 Book Review 🌒

Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon
🌒
This was my first book by Ruby Dixon, and it was also my first monster romance book. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was really fun! If you loved the Mummy or Tomb Raider, I think you’d enjoy this book. It was full of archeology, treasure hunting, adventure, and the study of lost languages. It had a really excellent found family trope, and all of the supporting characters were delightful. Aspeth is curvy, strong-willed, stubborn, and super nerdy. Hawk is grumpy, bossy, loyal, and very tender with Aspeth. I wasn’t expecting such a sweet romance, and honestly, most of the time I forgot Hawk was knot a human. Until the spicy scenes, and then you definitely remember. Overall, I had a great time with it, and I want to read more in the series.
🌒
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🌒
Read if you like:
▫️minotaurs
▫️paranormal romance
▫️marriage of convenience
▫️grumpy x sunshine
▫️found family
▫️dual POV
🌒
Thank you to Ace, Berkley, Penguin Random House, NetGalley, and Ruby Dixon for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Although Lady Apseth Honori is heiress to Honori Hokdings, her family is broke. So, she sets off with Gwenna her maid and friend to find the Royal Artifactual Guild to find a master to apprentice to in order to save her family from debt, and to finally be noticed by her father.

However, when she finds the guild, she’s promptly kicked out because she’s a woman.

Determined to join, they meet a gal named Lark whose aunt happens to be Magpie, an important member of the guild and will be teaching her Five apprentices soon and they need another person to join, which Aspeth happily accepts, and then she finds out she needs a chaperone.

Hawk is a Taurian and the Conquest Moon is approaching when he will go into heat and be useless as a teacher for the guild. Until Aspeth tumbles into his life and offers to marry him to help him and he in turn helps her by being her chaperone as her husband. Hawk thinks it’s crazy, but says yes.

This was a very enjoyable read. Very cozy, steamy, lovely romance, with friendships and found family.

Aspeth is one of those kinds of people that are hard to dislike. She’s optimistic, but not in an annoying way. She knows what she wants and goes for it, no matter what others say or when others may try to dissuade her. She’s very admirable and adorable. I loved her growth in this story coming from wealth and her eyes being opened to how others love who are not wealthy, realizing that maybe her problems are smaller than others problems.

There’s a beautiful found family that grows in here with the Five. Each of them are unique and different and I loved the support group they became for each other and the loyalty they had for each other, especially when everyone else, especially the men, looked down on them.

The romance is hot and steamy of course, but quite the slow burn. There’s a countdown to the Conquest Moon and you’re just slowly reaching the culminating point when Aspeth and Hawk collide. And it’s wonderful. I loved how natural their relationship developed despite the unconventional way it began.

I also enjoyed the world and excavating they did. Sort of made me think of a video game when you go mining and find artifacts. It’s essentially that, but more politics and drama involved 😆

Also, Aspeth is a cat lover and a cat mom and I am HERE for it!

This made for a fun and enjoyable read and I really needed it after a more somber read before it. I definitely recommend this for monster romance lovers out there!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.