Never Text a Minotaur by Honey Phillips [Review]

Never Text a Minotaur (Wrong Move, Right Monster #2) by Honey Phillips
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 31, 2026

Wrong Move, Right Monster
1. Never Kiss a Krampus
2. Never Text a Minotaur - Paperback | Kindle
3. Never Dance with a Demon
4. Never Invite a Vampire to Dinner

Honey Phillips
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

She wanted a ladder. She got a minotaur.

Clara Bellweather’s professional life is a meticulously organized system of color-coded calendars, perfectly cataloged books, and emergency backup bookmarks. Unfortunately, her personal life is a chaotic mess of tripping over air and failed online dates.

In desperate need of a ladder for a reading event, Clara does what any socially awkward librarian would do—she texts her handsome new neighbor. Or, at least, she thinks she texts him.

A series of awkward texts leads to an even more awkward meeting where she discovers that she’s actually been exchanging messages with a massive, horned minotaur. Rion is gruff, reclusive, and intimidating but he's also unexpectedly kind and ridiculously handsome.

After recruiting Rion to help with her event, she starts to realize that the grumpy minotaur might be the only male in town who isn't completely and utterly wrong for her.

The library needs a ladder. The town needs an event. And Clara needs to stop having feelings for a minotaur who's probably allergic to sunshine.

Thoughts on Never Text a Minotaur: Clara's a little bit accident-prone, has a tendency to overthink things, and just accidentally texted the wrong number when trying to ask her neighbor to borrow a ladder. Her texting buddy is a little terse, but a lot knowledgeable about how to fix things like precarious ladders. So, you know, I guess it all worked out for the library display Clara was trying to put together.

To be fair, it also worked out for her. Rion might be guarded and private, but Clara's sweet enthusiasm soon had him agreeing to a meeting. And when she finds out he's a minotaur, she doesn't run screaming in the opposite direction. In fact, she's a little fascinated by the idea of non-human individuals living their lives right under her nose.

And Rion's horns? She REALLY likes those.

Soon Clara's ladder emergency turns into the two cautiously dating and learning everything there is to learn about the other. Frankly, Clara likes everything about Rion except that he has to hide who he is. She thinks he's amazing and she just knows if everyday humans got to know him they'd say the same.

A whole lot of texting, a labyrinthine house, steamy kisses, a withering teacherly put-down, a talented minotaur who is careful in everything he does, and a lady who isn't afraid to embrace life and all it's oddities. *thumbs up*

Marc by Anna Hackett [Review]

Marc (Hunter Squad #3) by Anna Hackett
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 29, 2026

Hunter Squad
1. Jameson
2. North
3. Marc - Paperback | Kindle
4. Zeke

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Hell Squad
1. Marcus

Anna Hackett
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

We survived the invasion and beat the aliens. But they left something behind…

Killing monsters is what I do. Like my father before me, I fight side by side with my twin brother and my squad to protect our people.

Since the invasion, life is dangerous. I know how short it can be, so I live it to the fullest. I work hard on Hunter Squad, I party harder, I love a joke and a good time, and I never get tangled up in relationships. I watched my father’s grief at losing his brother. I almost lost my own twin. I’ll never let myself get in too deep.

Then our squad’s pilot crashes alone in monster-infested mountains.

Tiny, opinionated Colbie who’s the best pilot I know. A fierce redhead who never hesitates to stand up to me.

Everything changes. Every protective instinct I have is in overdrive. I have to find her and bring her home.

I’ll risk it all—monsters, raging rivers, dangerous terrain—but when the two of us are alone and fighting for survival, I realize that what’s most at risk is the one thing I’ve always guarded—my heart.

Thoughts on Marc: We're back with the HS crew as they work on making this alien ravaged Earth a little safer for the humans who've survived. This time around we have Marc and Colbie. He's convinced himself that caring for someone is outside his wheelhouse (because the world is a dangerous place and people inevitably get lost) and he pushes any and all inconvenient feelings he might have for Colbie down. She likes the big guy, but she's not willing to be just a notch on Marc's headboard.

Then Colbie's copter is brought down in monster-infested territory and suddenly they're both facing the idea that they might have missed out on something good by not acting on their feelings. Also, Colbie's alone, afraid, and fighting to stay alive long enough for Hunter Squad to find her. Which, you know, is rough.

But find her they do! Then, she and Marc end up separated from the rest of the group and have to seek shelter in the abandoned Blue Mountain base. Which is downright awesome because I LOVE revisiting decaying settings like that. On the downside, the base has its fair share of monsters that have taken up residence in it and Colbie and Marc have their hands full keeping themselves alive.

A little danger, some freaky new alien hybrids, familiar faces, a man who has to confront his fears before he loses the only woman he's ever had feelings for, and a lady who isn't willing to sit back if it means leaving her loved ones unprotected. *thumbs up*

Chosen by the Hunter by Lynnea Lee [Review]

Chosen by the Hunter (Xarc'n Warriors #14) by Lynnea Lee
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 21, 2026

Xarc'n Warriors
0.5. Pursued by the Hunter
1. Claimed by the Hunter
2. Wanted by the Hunter
3. Taken by the Hunter
4. Cherished by the Hunter
5. Rescued by the Hunter
6. Stolen by the Hunter
7. Captured by the Hunter
8. Protected by the Hunter
8.5. Hunter's Valentine
9. Desired by the Hunter
10. Coveted by the Hunter
11. Craved by the Hunter
12. Treasured by the Hunter
13. Fated to the Hunter
13.5. Holly and the Hunter
14. Chosen by the Hunter - Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Xarc'n Warriors: Mountains
1. Hunter's Quest

Lynnea Lee
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

I blame the moonshine. AKA, I kissed a Xarc’n warrior and I liked it.
One moment, I’m strolling home, midnight snack in hand, and the next I’m smooshed against a broad, purple chest, tongue tangled with a Xarc’n warrior. “Drunkenly Taste-test an Alien” achievement unlocked!

What follows is a flirty game of cat and mouse that makes me feel young and ready to make questionable life choices again. Ror’k wakes up a part of me I thought I buried right next to my divorce papers. Wanting the horned and fanged silver fox is easy. Trusting again? Not so much.

But New Franklin has bigger problems than my accidental alien make-out session. Supplies are disappearing, people are getting jumpy, and someone in our cozy little settlement is up to no good. We need to get to the bottom of this before the summer swarms or New Franklin’s in serious trouble.

Thoughts on Chosen by the Hunter: Oh-ho! A silver fox warrior finds his special someone and YESSS! I am here for it!

Ror'k is in a weird headspace when we first meet him. He's one of the older warriors who spent most of his time aboard one of the Xarc'n motherships after being injured. While he was overseer (which is both important and fancy!) of his ship, he sees himself as less than the warriors out there fighting the scourge since he's, you know, not fighting beside them. Just to make this a double whammy for the poor guy, his mothership was the one that was lost previously so now he's also an overseer without a ship.

Yeah, he's dealing with a few things.

BUT...then Dottie runs into him (literally) after sampling some homemade hooch and plants a big ole kiss on the big guy and now he has something besides his "failures" to occupy his mind. Yep, one sassy librarian who always seems to be one step ahead is all he can think about.

On Dottie's end, she's not looking for romance. Or so she thinks. I mean, whenever these two get close to one another they seem to find themselves kissing so there mayyyyybe there could be a little romance. For all she keeps telling herself she isn't looking for anything long term (been there, done that, she says), Ror'k makes her feel safe and seen. Yup, she likes the big guy with his rippling muscles and silvered hair and determined focus.

A little thievery, a slight case of kidnapping (adultnapping?), KITTENS!, a little danger, a warrior who doesn't see in himself what others see, and a lady who can hold her own against the sexy male who keeps chasing her. *thumbs up*

World's Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon by Olivia Dade [Review]

World's Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon (Supernatural Entanglements #2) by Oliva Dade
Format: ebook
Source: provided through NetGalley
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 26, 2026

Supernatural Entanglements
1. Zomromcom
2. World's Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon - Paperback | Kindle

Olivia Dade
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Gwen Wexloff might be able to see the future, but not when it matters. Her visions invariably involve piddling issues, which means—unlike most oracles—she’s spent her life predicting for everyday humans instead of international power brokers. After a clutch of brain-slurping zombies escapes from their walled-off compound, though, Gwen experiences the first genuinely world-altering vision of her life . . . and now she needs help.

Unfortunately, that help comes from Hugh Blacke, the same starchy (but annoyingly cute) demon who watched her bomb her oracle verification test years ago. To Gwen's dismay, the two of them will need to work together to unravel the deadly conspiracy behind the zombie breach, despite their complicated past and the secrets they’re keeping.

Even with her newfound power, she couldn't have foreseen how quickly they'd both want more than a simple partnership. But the clock is ticking—and with the fate of humanity at stake, Gwen and Hugh will have to decide how much they’re willing to risk for an unexpected, passionate love...and a future together that might prove very short indeed.

Thoughts on World's Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon: As an oracle, Gwen is one that sort of slips under everyone's radar. Her visions are mundane and don't tend to affect the greater world order (although they do tend to be greatly appreciated by the people she's oracle-izing for). That is, until she has a doozy of a vision after helping take out a massive group of zombies in the Containment Zone (which is a whole other story. Literally. It was book 1.) with her neighbors.

Let's just say this doozy of a vision could mean very bad things for a whole lot of supernaturals if she and her friends don't find a way to stop it before it comes to fruition.

So she girds her loins (kind of literally) and prepares to seek out the one demon who might be able to help them put a stop to this badness before it boils over. As it turns out, that one demon is devastatingly handsome, makes her heart go pitter-patter, and was present when she made a fool of herself at her oracle test years earlier.

As it also turns out, Hugh is morally upright (so not caught up in the twisted plot to bring down a large swath of supernaturals), genuinely kind, and has never forgotten Gwen after their brief meeting. He's also fiercely dedicated to keeping her safe no matter the cost.

Trollish shenanigans (come at me, bro!), demons, oracles, and zombies (OH MY!), complicated family dynamics, a demon who is ready to go all in, and an oracle who can do far more than she ever believed she could. GOOD TIMES!

Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe [Review]

Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 19, 2026

Purchase Links: Paperback | Kindle

Mallory Marlowe
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Hallie Barrett's life has imploded after she's dumped by her hotshot ex, who also happens to be her coworker and the star of the online series she was producing. Without a new show to present for the company competition, she’ll be out of a job. But inspiration can come from the strangest places . . . like the most handsome guy she’s ever seen passionately discussing Bigfoot on a late-night docuseries.

Hayden Hargrove made a name for himself as a cryptid expert on his hit podcast, and is intrigued by the plucky, blue-haired producer who offers him the opportunity to lead his own web show. When the production team sees that Hayden’s solo on-screen presence is bad enough to make a ghost blanch, Hallie jumps on camera too, hitting him (and his cryptids) with a healthy dose of skepticism—and enough chemistry to electrify their show to the top of the competition.

As Hayden and Hallie investigate the unknown, they unearth feelings for each other that shake their beliefs to the core. In their search for Mothman, aliens, and the truth, the most elusive discovery might just be learning to love again.

Thoughts on Love and Other Conspiracies: MAN, I like when a book turns out to be what I'm looking for before I know I'm looking for it. Hallie and Hayden had the dynamic I wanted and they SUPER worked for me. (As an aside, I'm doing my every-so-often rewatch of The X-Files so the Mulder/Scully parallels tickled my funny bone.)

So. Hallie and Hayden. Hallie is piecing her life back together after getting out of a toxic relationship. That alone is enough to drag a girl down, but she still has to work with her ex and, frankly, the entire work environment she's dealing with is rough (but it's mostly because of her ex). To be fair, after the number her ex did on her, she has a hard time standing up for herself or believing she deserves good things, so some of what she's forced to deal with is simply because she hasn't spoken up. (But also her ex is TERRIBLE and every time she starts to get back on her feet, he shows up to knock her down again.)

(Did I mention she has a terrible ex?) (Because he's awful. Terrible. An absolute waste of air.)

Hayden is the exact opposite of her ex. He's a little awkward (until he starts talking about cryptids). He's kind. He cares. He does the things that need to be done just because someone has to do them. Hallie might not believe in monsters (or aliens), but she believes in Hayden and her Scully-esque skepticism balances out his over-the-top excitement in the most perfect way.

These two were sweet with a heavy dose of steam. Hallie isn't looking to jump into a relationship and she fights feeling all the feels. Hayden has spent the last couple years dealing with his lingering grief alone and Hallie makes him feel things he wasn't expecting. They take things slow until they don't and BOY was I here for that.

RtP's Week in Review (08/09/26)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review

• Alien Awakening by Honey Phillips [Review] - Vultor love!
• Vowed to the Vulture God by Ruby Dixon [Review] - Romantasy love!
• Breach Protocol by Adrian Blue [Review] - Alien love!
• The Queen's Shadow by Adrian Blue [Review] - More alien love!
• The Captain's Claim by Adrian Blue [Review] - Even MORE alien love!
• The Vampire's Hunger by S. Alexander [Review] - Vampire prison romance!

Bookish Delights

• Books added to the pile
• None!
• Currently reading
• Alien's Stranded Mate by Emerald Cox

The Vampire's Hunger by S. Alexander [Review]

The Vampire's Hunger (Monster Prison Brides #3) by S. Alexander
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 8, 2026

Monster Prison Brides
1. The Demon's Mark
2. The Orc's Prize
3. The Vampire's Hunger - Kindle
4. The Shadow's Embrace
5. The Angel's Sacrifice

S. Alexander
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

I was sent to study monsters.

When I broke the rules, I was locked in the dark with one.

Valentin Dragomir is ancient, starving, and dangerously controlled. He hears my heartbeat. He wants my blood. And instead of taking me, he holds himself back.

That restraint is worse than fangs.

As the prison collapses around us, survival means trusting a vampire who calls me his Bride—and facing a hunger that isn’t just his. His blood heals me. My presence steadies him. Together, we are forbidden, bound, and exactly what the Authority never intended.

They wanted a monster.

They got a choice.

And I don’t plan on walking out of this prison alone.

Thoughts on The Vampire's Hunger: I'm still a little shaky on the timeline for these books. With Elaina and Valentin finding their way out of the prison that makes three separate instances where something catastrophic happened? Or does this one take place line with Tara and Garruk's escape? I also think the Warden dies in every previous book, so...I'm not sure what's going on there. That said, I DO know he didn't die this time and there was setup for other prisons that need to be liberated.

Anywho. Valentin is starving, Elaina gets thrown in his prison with him. She knows what he is and she knows what he's capable of, but he surprises her by not going all feral on her and draining her dry. Things happen, she gets hurt (bot by him), he heals her, they escape. Kind of. More like they stepped into a trap set by the Warden so he can trigger Valentin's monster and see what he's capable of.

Honestly, the Warden has now had 3 separate couples escape from his prison. I don't think he's the mastermind he's being portrayed as. In the end, I'm here for the possessive monsters and I AM getting that, but I have questions.