A review by jinxei
Mantras & Minotaurs by Ashley Bennett

5.0

Pam has only known a loveless marriage her whole life and now lives alone with her cat after the passing of her husband. Both of her children have found mates and their own lives, but Pam only has her cat and her hobbies now and begins to feel the pangs of loneliness. After the urging of her daughter, Teagan, she tries her hand at a dating app and lands on handsome minotaur Alistair. Their connection is instantaneous and the sparks fly immediately upon first meet. The only problem? There is distance between them, physically, as he flies home and they attempt a long distance relationship.

+ Second Chance at Love
+ Older Couple
+ Dirty Talk
+ Long Distance Relationship

Reading Mantras & Minotaurs was like coming home, like a hug in a warm blanket. We get to see all of our favorites and how well they’re doing, and we get to see this gorgeous love that begins between Pam and Alistair. I love the rest of the Leviathan Fitness couples, but to see an older couple and an ode to love and second chances at it was so beautiful.

Pam and Alistair getting their second chance was not all rainbows and sprinkles. In true Ashley Bennett fashion, we got the discovery of ones self and what they truly want and value in life along with the trials and tribulations to get to that happy ending. I don't think it would be a Leviathan Fitness book if I didn't cry, and Ashley is a low angst author!

Of course, there was the spice. Pam might not have gotten the best go during her first marriage, but Alistair definitely made sure to rectify that and give Pam the sexual awakening she deserved. The dirty talk caught me off guard, and for sure made me a fan of Daddy Alistair.

If you want low angst, cozy monster/human romances that retain high spice and, generally, phenomenal dirty talk, I will always recommend Ashley Bennett.

Thank you to Ashley Bennett for allowing me to be part of the ARC team.