📣 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.)
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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.

This is my first Ruby Dixon book and my first monster (Minotaur) romance and let me just say, I am obsessed with this book. I would say it was 90% fantasy plot with 10% smut and it was the perfect mix. I LOVED the story line and it’s the first book in a while that I was dying to read when I wasn’t reading it. It had some great tropes, including marriage of convenience, found family, and secret identity. I really enjoyed the whole cast of characters and hope this is a series! This was a really fun read and I absolutely recommend.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Whoa, Nellie. Not just a typical monster erotica/romance novel, Bull Moon Rising is a nuanced and dramatic romantasy featuring a young woman willing to marry the Taurian guy who can chaperone her through joining a guild of hunters of arcane items. It’s a men-only club, and Aspeth is determined to get in. The exasperated Taurian agrees at last, even though they don’t really like each other, and he’s a minotaur about to enter his rut as the Conquest Moon waxes. There’s a lot at stake: Lady Aspeth Honori’s family’s business, Hawk’s reputation. They have strong chemistry, but he has some reservations about a contracted sexual relationship with a protegee spinster who only knows about sex from lurid romance novels, but the discussion of the power imbalance somehow makes it a little more okay. It’s a long slow burn, with a lot of teasing, advancing and withdrawing, and then a debauched giving in that left me wondering how the poor woman could walk the next day.

This was truly unique read, with the sparring and spice balanced nicely with a strong adventurous plot of chasing down artifacts, rich and lushly detailed world-building, strong supporting characters, from Aspeth’s companion and lady’s maid Gwenna and their sisterly relationship to her delightful cat Squeaker. The conflict around her reasons for wanting to join the guild, and his for training her, are complex and add some mystery and drama elements that add depth to the book. Above all, Bull Moon Rising is about found family in a delightfully smutty package with a Dungeons and Dragons flavored setting.

The championing of a plus-size character is always a bonus, and the list of possible triggers in the content warning will be helpful for readers who need to consider their emotional well-being when selecting reading material–it’s a kind, sensitive, and inclusive move that I love seeing. The special hardcover edition, with an October 2024 street date, features a gorgeous cover, with a pen and white inked star speckled drawing of the protagonists against a bright pastel watercolor background and brilliant royal purple edgings–definitely worth the indulgence.

I received a free advance readers review copy of #BullMoonRising via #NetGalley courtesy of #Berkley.

Can Ruby Dixon even write a bad book? I think not. Loved this, just as I assumed I would. My only complaint was that it sometimes felt like there was a little too many moving pieces that didn't get fleshed out enough. But really that's just me saying I wanted more of the story, right?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of Ruby Dixon and her Ice Planet Barbarians series. I completely adored Ruby’s style and world building in that series, so when I saw this pretty, glittery cover AND IT HAD A FREAKING MINOTAUR ON IT, I was completely sold. I said, “take all my money Ruby Dixon; this one’s going to be a Britt favorite.” And I was right!

There were so many things to love about this book and so many things that Dixon just got RIGHT! Let’s dive into what I really liked!

1. I freaking love monster romances, especially when they involve minotaur MMCs and human FMCs. Am I living vicariously through these characters, you ask? Well of course I am! Minotaurs tend to be these big imposing creatures, but they also seem to be the gentle giants of the monster romance world. They are ginormous and can throw their weight around no problem, but they know how much they need to make sure their human mate in on the same page as them in all aspects.

Hawk was no exception! He was brilliant, he was the true leader of the little band of misfits, and he was smart as a freaking whip! But he was also gentle and passionate and really wanted to make sure Aspeth knew what she was getting into, in more ways than one.

Of course, I also loved Aspeth. She was just so freaking determined, no matter how out of her element she was! She came up with this incredibly challenging plan to try to save her homestead, she continued to follow through even when she was tested more than she ever had before, and she became a defacto leader of her group of 5 when one was so clearly needed. She may not have been the best or even the conventional "chosen one", but she had a lot of grit and determination, and that made her one hell of an FMC.

2. Speaking of which, I loved the little misfit group and how Aspeth was the worst one! I am a huge fan of underdogs and this group was the epitome of that! I loved watching all of their personalities play out in all of the situations they found themselves in, and I think their endings made a lot of sense, even if they weren’t the traditional “happy ending” some may have expected. AND I SHALL SO NO MORE ON THAT!

I do want to recognize how well Dixon did with their different voices as well. In a group setting, as the 5 frequently found themselves, it was easy to understand who was talking or doing something, as their personalities were completely and totally their own. I fell in love with each person for their own flaws and quirks, and loved them as a group. This found family was incredibly perfect and fun to follow on their adventures.

3. I loved the world building. When you have a monster romance/fantasy book, the world building is one element that can be hit or miss, and this one was definitely a hit! I loved seeing the infuriating biases within the guild, and the rest of the world, towards Taurians, and watching our characters overcome some of them! I loved the geography and different places introduced along their journeys. And I absolutely loved the artifact/magic system!!!

4. I loved the concept running throughout the book of “don’t judge a book by its cover”. Whether it be a role model, a maid, a Taurian, or a noblewoman, each character stepped outside of the box initially assigned to them and showed there was so much more to them than met the eye.

5. Lastly, I love that there is so much more that can continue in this series! You bet I will be first in line when the next book comes out!

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Ruby Dixon for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.

4.5 stars!

I absolutely loved *Bull Moon Rising* by Ruby Dixon! Set in a world where magic was once abundant, Lady Aspeth is determined to restore her family’s honor by becoming an artificer—a daring adventurer who delves into ancient ruins to recover magical artifacts. Aspeth is determined to join the prestigious artifactual guild, but when she’s rejected solely for being a woman, she strikes a deal with Hawk, one of the guild's teachers. She agrees to marry him if he'll vouch for her, in exchange for helping him through his impending heat. Despite their mutual distrust, as Aspeth and Hawk train together and grow closer, she must decide whether to reveal her secrets to him, including the truth about her family.

This is such an incredible start to a new romantasy series! It’s unlike anything I’ve read from Ruby Dixon before, but still has her signature charm and steam. The world building and adventure were captivating, and I can’t wait to see more of this magical realm. The romance was just perfect—Hawk is the ultimate grumpy, protective hero, completely obsessed with Aspeth. His minotaur side was feral for her, and the chemistry between them was off the charts. The secondary characters were full of personality, and the found family aspect was everything. I loved how the group came together and risked it all for Aspeth.

I highly recommend this unique cozy monster romance to fans of magical adventures, monstrous love interests, quirky characters, plenty of foreplay, and an engaging plot. It’s an erotic romance featuring a Taurean (aka a minotaur) and a plus-sized, nerdy heroine with glasses, and it includes these tropes:

- Marriage of convenience
- Mating season
- Teacher/student
- Knotting

You’re in for a wild ride!

The spice was spicing!! I love anything Ruby Dixon and this book did not disappoint. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romance or paranormal romance (out of the ordinary). 10/10

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ruby Dixon has done it again! Bull Moon Rising is a mythological monster romance that completely captivated me. This fantasy romance is packed with tension, action, and a world so unique that I couldn’t stop flipping the pages. The exploration of ancient underground ruins and the quest for artifacts added such an exciting layer to the story. I loved this story and the characters!

And who knew I could fall in love with a Minotaur? I officially have a new book boyfriend, and the audiobook made him extremely sexy to me! The chemistry is off the charts (definitely a four-star spice!), and I found myself laughing and fully immersed in this wild adventure. Literally, I was super attracted to him!!!!

If you’re looking for action, smut, and a fantastic time, this is a must-read. Ruby Dixon never disappoints!

Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon, Lady Aspeth Honori was born with a silver artifact or spoon in her mouth she is the daughter of a handler who also owns and must defend all the land surrounding his Homestead but the big secret is is he cannot because he also has a gambling problem and has gambled away all the magic artifacts and money and has no way to keep them safe should there be an attack. This is why under disguise Aspeth, her ladies made and best friend Gwinna and her pet cat squeaky set off for Vastwarren. The big city where the artifact guild society once a year takes on fountlings which are trainees to learn how to archive from magical artifacts something that gives you power and privilege in the world they live in. After she runs into a few closed doors in a public embarrassment she then goes to Gwenna‘s Plan B and that is how they meet Lark. The two women cannot believe their luck because Lark is the niece of Magpie The only female archivist in the boss of hawk.. for the sake of Time and space I’m going to cut to the Chase Hawk is a bull Minotaur and he also is the guy who trains magpies foundlings when she is too drunk to do it he is very skilled and doesn’t want to take females on but when Aspeth learns The males in his species is about to go into their five day heat pattern and will crave sex in an overwhelming fashion she offers him a compromise and is is one he accepts because he does not like One night stands or prostitutes. So more or less things are going according to Aspeth’s plans, but what will her father say when he finds out she married a Minotaur and that she’s falling in love with him? I really and truly enjoyed this book because this was the total opposite of Insta lost or Insta love love how they got to know each other over the training I love the world building AN the history given for this world and they even gave ancient history for this world as well I find ruby Dixons books to be awesome I have a lot of quirks when it comes to reading books but I have noticed from reading other peoples reviews that my quirks are minimal compared to the reviews I read where it seems people run through the book with a fine tooth comb but to each their own in my opinion this is a great book and one I definitely recommend as I said I love this authors books and she did not disappoint I love ice planet barbarians but I must admit I thought she outdid herself with Bull Moon Rising. If you like great world building with the fantastic writing and wonderful characters then you’ll definitely enjoy this book. They do have detailed sex and profoundly base wording when it comes to that sucks but I just skip those pages and still love the book. #NetGalley, #BerkeleyPublishing, #RubyDixon, #BullMoonRising,