So…. I loved this? This was my first minotaur romance (if you know me irl no you don’t), and it was great. Love a believable marriage of convenience that turns into love. Aspeth was flawed yet incredibly endearing. Her decision to become the kind of person who craves physical touch in the form of hugs and thus asking her new friends frequently for hugs was so sweet. The stakes felt real, and I did not see the twists coming.

Ruby Dixon is one of kind and I am giddy about this new world she has created.

I can’t WAIT to get my hands on Gwenna’s story!

This review was based on a complimentary copy of this book.

This book was a wonderful adventure quest book! I loved the dynamic between the FMC and MMC. The world building in this book made me want more from the same universe, so I’m excited that there is another one in the works! I am obsessed with the tenacity of our FMC and her willingness to do whatever she has to do to get something she wants, all while having an adventure. I imagined the setting of this book to be like Bridgerton meets The Mummy tbh.

Ruby Dixon has written some of the most captivating monster/paranormal/alien romances and I always love seeing how her stories unfold. It doesn’t matter how long her books might be, they FLY by and keep you guessing throughout.

I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait for the sequel! It was a fantastic blend of adventure and smut, with strong Indiana Jones vibes. Aspeth and Hawk were such fun characters, and I really enjoyed the student/teacher dynamic within the magical class setting.

I think this was entertaining, for the most part, but I don't think this was my favorite book by Ruby Dixon. I was interested in this book more for the author than the plot anyway since I've never been disappointed by a Ruby Dixon book.
Parts of this just felt a little too pushed, the world building felt shaky even though there was a lot of it. And in the beginning it felt like it was exposition instead of gradually building a world.
The strongest part of the book was the characters. I think the found family here was great, Hawk and Aspeth had wonderful chemistry and the relationship felt solid and strong, it was believable. Also I could totally read an entire series on Kipp.
Overall, it was fun and it was entertaining, but it seemed like it dragged on for too long and I didn't become sucked into the story the way I have with other Ruby Dixon books.

I've been a fan of Ruby Dixon for a while now, though I’ll admit I haven’t read as many of her books as I’d like. When a friend kept raving about this one, I knew I had to bump it up my TBR—and wow, I’m so glad I did! This book had everything I could hope for: a love story packed with action, redemption, and plenty of spice. Hawk and Asbeth completely stole my heart with the way they were willing to go to incredible lengths for each other right from the start. Their bond forms so naturally, blending deep emotional connection with undeniable chemistry, and I loved how their shared betrayal at the hands of their mentor only strengthened that connection.

Asbeth, in particular, gave me major Evelyn Carnahan from The Mummy vibes—intelligent, determined, and just the right amount of feisty. Watching her and Hawk navigate the challenges thrown their way was such a thrill, and I was completely invested in their journey. The mix of adventure, romance, and tension kept me hooked, and I can’t wait to see how their story continues to unfold in the next book. If the rest of the series is anything like this one, I know I’m in for an amazing ride!

Aspeth has grown up in privilege. While working magic is illegal there are magical artifacts from a former kingdom that are worth everything. Knowing that her father's gambling debts put everyone in their holding in danger, Aspeth sneaks off to become a member of the Royal Artifactual Guild. Problem? She needs a chaperone's permission and her father would not approve. So she marries Hawk, her minotaur teacher, who needs a wife to get through the upcoming rut.

I appreciate how this was marriage of convenience rather than fake marriage because I know that one bed equals boning. And there is some boning! But there is also a lot of teasing and slow build!

The adventure is fun, the spice is just right, and the world building is pretty good.

I will admit that I did get the audio book from my library, as I had a weekend of spring cleaning and that was even better but I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Berkely Publishing Group, Ace, and Net Galley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

One of my favorites in monster romance. Has enough spice and not lacking in fluff. Can’t wait to read the second book and get lost in the fantasy again.

First of all I love all of the Ruby Dixon books I’ve read. This one was a change for her. A Minotaur romance! I did think this one had a bit of a slow beginning. After that I loved it. This is definitely a slow burn but does have spice. I loved that is book has a curvy main character and also a Minotaur love interest that is average sized in the eggplant department. That was honestly refreshing. It gets exhausting reading about teeny tiny women and then men or monsters with giant unrealistic equipment.
Thank you NetGalley for an arc.

Listen, this book is weird but in like the best way. I had SUCH a fun time with it - there was a really interesting plot and of course it's Ruby Dixon so the spice is incendiary - can't wait for the second book in the series!

Bull Moon Rising is a wonderfully creative fantasy romance. Ruby Dixon has crafted a fascinating magical world of artifacts and guilds. I loved the slow-burn romance between Aspeth and Hawk. Both of them are so sweet and I love that Aspeth finally found someone to love and appreciate her as the bookish and smart person that she is. The found family aspect among the team of misfits was one of my favorite parts. The world created in Bull Moon Rising lends itself to many possible stories to explore and I’m excited to read more from this world!

Readers who enjoy slow-burn (but spicy!) romance, found family, and excellent magical world-building should check out Bull Moon Rising.

Thank you so much to Ruby Dixon, Ace, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

This is my first ever Minotaur romance and I was not disappointed!
The archaeological aspects and magic were super intriguing but the romance and spicy elements really did it for me 🤌🤌
Aspeth’s growth throughout was so special and I loved that for her. The political aspects really added to the intrigue and kept me invested in the outcome!

A unique voice in romance, with breath taking descriptions of magical places.

Somehow the book is a mix of adventure like Indiana jones,

Sci-fi like treasure planet

And fantasy because MAGIC!

If you’re into all of this plus monster smut then this book is for you!

I really enjoyed this storyline! The concept of the guild and treasure hunting was so fun. The characters were well-developed, including the secondary ones. I especially liked the dynamic between Aspeth and Hawk — their relationship felt natural and had a nice, steady progression. Aspeth’s dry humor was definitely a hoot. Some of her lines were perfectly timed. The only thing I wished for was a bit more of Hawk’s Minotaur side to show through in his day-to-day interactions. Sometimes I forgot he was one. Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Ace for the copy!

The book is beautiful. It’s one of the most gorgeous books I have ever seen. The story was cute and entertaining, and I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for giving me an early copy,

First off, thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for granting me access to this book in exchange for a honest review.

This book just wasn't for me. I had a hard time getting through it, and it really fell flat in every way. It was definitely not my cup of tea! I will admit, I totally judged this book by its cover. It's absolutely stunning, gorgeous even.! Sadly, the story didn't live up to the cover's promise. The characters felt underdeveloped, and by the end of the book, we were still being introduced to new ones. What's going on there? The world building was lacking, leaving much to be desired. Honestly, the only redeeming quality was the beautiful cover.

3.75 / 5 Stars

I really enjoyed this fun romantasy book about Aspeth and Hawk! The plot is layperson terms:
Aspeth’s dad is nobility and nobility hold their claims through magical artifacts. But Aspeth’s dad gambled all of their magical artifacts away which leaves them vulnerable because not only do they not have money to take care of the land, but any other noble could come along and take everything and easily kill them. So Aspeth decides to do something about it. She and her maid, Gwenna, will join the Royal Artifactual Guild, find new artifacts, and save their claim. Easy peasy! Except 1) no one can find out that she is a noble and 2) women aren’t allowed to join the guild without a chaperone (misogyny … gross).

Hawk has been working for the guild for years now, indentured to Guild Master there. He is a minotaur and they are known for their amazing tunneling abilities but are not treated as equals at the guild (treated others as below you … also gross). Oh and it is a once-in-every-five-years event where he has to rut (very intense mating) and he would much rather do that with someone he knows instead of someone random. So, Aspeth proposes a marriage of convenience: he will be her chaperone and she will be his wife for the rutting. It’s almost foolproof except for 10,000 fools who interfere and make everything so much harder. But that’s the adventure and it is fun, steamy, and has many twists.

While it was a bit slow in the beginning, I felt like the book really picked up for me when the character’s started their guild training. This really got to my nerdy side because I was so fascinated by everyone learning about artifact hunting and tunneling. I, like Aspeth, wanted to know all of the history, all of the information, and was so invested in their team succeeding. And who wouldn’t root for a bunch of underdogs! Their team of fledglings is made up of women and a lizard (obsessed with Kip and his eyeball licking). Everyone is rooting against them so you can’t help but root for them. And their bond with each other was a really great pay off of the book. Gwenna’s practicality and loyalty made her one of my favorite characters.

I really enjoyed Aspeth and Hawk’s relationship. It has some very fun tropes: marriage of convenience, he falls first, spice lessons, “my wife.” Hawk and Aspeth, of course, had miscommunications which could be frustrating but I really appreciated Hawk’s steadiness and Aspeth’s open heart. I did feel like Aspeth’s character in the beginning was a little naive and stuck in her ways. I wish that she had complained a little less because she really did need to learn, but I understand where it came from.

And I love a cat in a book! More cats in books, please.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group | Ace and NetGalley for providing this reading copy! All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions in this voluntary review are my own. Aspeth is a noblewoman whose family and holdings have fallen on hard times, thanks to her spendthrift and careless father. She leaves to join a male-dominated magical guild in order to turn things around and keep everyone safe from marauding noble families (led by her dastardly ex-fiancé). Thwarted by the guild's misogynistic rules, she enters into a transactional marriage with Hawk, a "Taurian" (i.e., a minotaur) and the teacher of her guild training group. Will she be able to find what she needs to refill her family's coffers while keeping her heart safe in the process?

I've read this author before and enjoyed her books, the feel of this story reminded me of her "Aspect and Anchor" series, which I really like. There was an engaging plot with a satisfying amount of tension and intrigue, complete with villains and mortal danger. I sped through this enjoyable story, even though normally I'd try to slow myself down to savor it a bit more. There were lots of touches of humor, and what I love most about a book like this is that once you embrace the ridiculousness it's such fun to read. I liked Aspeth ("Sparrow") a lot, she's a great mix of prim and passionate, and she and Hawk together were surprisingly sweet. That said, what I think makes the story more satisfying is the wonderful found family vibe Aspeth discovers in her training group. From her loyal ex-maid Gwenna to Kipp (for whom I have a soft spot), the supporting characters were distinctive and well-written. (I'm looking forward to the next book in this series, especially since it focuses on the practical and loyal Gwenna.) And I admired Aspeth's courage and pluck, she had strong Evie from "The Mummy" vibes, but with a lot more magic. There's a lot of sexually explicit content which, if you've read the description (or anything by this author), won't be a surprise to you. Pay attention to content warnings too, as there are some potentially triggering plot points and events. If you're in the mood for an open-door romantasy story with a hidden identity plot and a marriage of convenience that leads to something more (and a "happy for now" ending), not to mention a great team of endearing and plucky underdogs, then this is the book for you! 4.25 stars.

In a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, a woman determined to save her family joins forces with an unlikely partner—a minotaur—in this steamy romantasy by USA Today bestselling author Ruby Dixon.

As a Holder’s daughter, Aspeth Honori knows the importance of magical artifacts . . . which is why it’s a disaster that her father has gambled all theirs away. Now that her family is in danger of losing their hold—and their heads—if anyone finds out the truth, Aspeth decides to do something about it. She’ll join the Royal Artifactual Guild and the adventurers who explore ancient underground ruins to retrieve the coveted arcane items.

It’s a great plan—with one big problem. The guild won’t let her train because she’s a woman. Aspeth needs a chaperone of some kind. The best way to get around this problem? Marry someone who will let her become an apprentice. Who better than a surly guild member who requires a favor of his own? He’s a minotaur (it’s fine) who is her teacher (also fine) . . . and he’s about to go into rut (which is where it gets tricky). He also has no idea she’s a noble (oops), and he’ll want nothing to do with her if he discovers her real identity.

Now Aspeth just has to pass the guild tests, thwart a fortune hunter, and save her hold—oh, and survive a rut with her monstrous, horned husband, whom she might be falling in love with.

It’s time to dig deep. Literally.

~Amazon

tl:dr review: Once I got past the first person narration, I was hooked.

Bigger review: As I said, the first person narration was hard to overlook. A few times I wasn't sure who's head I was in. Sometimes I'm not sure the author knew either. However, first person is the dominant voice in erotica and it's to be expected. It helps the reader get hands on into the action. Pun intended? Maybe.

The author starts out with trigger warnings such as claustrophobia, spiders, alcoholism, and unprotected sex. The one I saw the most sense in was the misogyny. That one triggers me the most because it's the most relevant to the real world. There were a lot of things that the faint of heart would have trouble with though in addition to the patriarchy around every corpse and rat. You can't say she didn't warn you.

The story starts with Aspeth, her maid Gwenna, and her ginormous cat Squeaker rolling along in a carriage with no horse past fields and forests, building the world and introducing the reader to Vastwarren City, the ancient ruin of Old Prell, and character motivation. Aspeth is painfully sheltered and so booksmart it makes her completely blind to the problems she'll face that aren't covered in her history books. Also, she's blind as a bat without her glasses that she refuses to wear. So she's got that going for her too.

Fortune favors fools and children and Aspeth, while not a fool or a child (she's a spinster at 30), has a great deal of luck. She only has one of her bags stolen and finds an inn where no one tries to murder her in her sleep. The inn is also where she happens to find Lark who drunkenly gives Aspeth the foot in the door of the Royal Artifactual Guild after she makes a fool out of herself trying to join the regular way. Lark's aunt Magpie is the only female Guild member and also frequently drunk. She has cobbled together a team of 4 students and needs a fifth to form a fledgling class.

When Aspeth and Gwenna arrive on the doorstep of Magpie's nest (not literally a nest, it's dormitory for fledglings), they are greeted by a very large, very grumpy minotaur. Hawk is not allowed to be a Guild Master as a Taurian so he takes the post of Magpie's assistant teacher. The only thing Magpie can teach is drinking and vomiting the next day, Hawk is defacto leader of all training. There should have been a trigger warning for racism too.

In order for a woman to be allowed to train, she has to have a chaperone. Gwenna declares Aspeth her chaperone. Magpie is chaperoning Lark leaving Aspeth searching for a chaperone of her own. Lucky for her (?) Hawk needs a wife before the Taurian mating season that will cause him to lustily loose his mind in 3 short weeks. Taurians usually leave human's and cities behind during the 5 days of "the rut" because they can't trust themselves to not mate with every living thing whether they want to be mated or not if they don't have a partner.

Hawk reluctantly agrees to a marriage of convenience. Aspeth and Gwenna are accepted into the fledgling class that consists of a priestess named Mereden (how come she doesn't have a chaperone), Lark, a lizard creature named Kipp that caries his house on his back at all times, and a player to be named later (who finds out he's going to be surrounded by women and a lizard creature and promptly runs away).

There's a lot of training and a lot of naughty thoughts and actions. Aspeth loses her rose colored glasses when faced with the reality of what it means to become a guild artificer (someone who goes into the ruins and retrieves artifacts). She also finds out that a minotaur has a third horn that's just as menacing as the two growing from his head. There is a lot of build up and virginal explorations until the climax (fitting) of the story where Hawk is overcome by his biology during the Conquest Moon and Aspeth loses her virginity too. For 5 days. With barely enough time for bathroom breaks. And then she gets thrown into prison. So much for afterglow.

At it's essence this is a romance complete with happily ever after, but I couldn't put the book down because I could not see how Aspeth and Hawk would make it to that ending. Once the story got rolling, it kept me reading past my bedtime ... and past the end of my lunch break ... and in the car before going in the house. I just had to know how it would all turn out.

Who would like this book? Well, someone who thought Wheel of Time was missing a minotaur doing delightfully naughty things in the raunchiest way possible to a human woman. Someone who thought there weren't enough naked boobs in Game of Thrones. It's perfectly porn-y in a in your face (all over it) way. It's animalistic and raw. It's also full of humor which is important in fantasy otherwise it gets too dark and serious.

Who wouldn't like this book? I talked about the first person, but it's to be expected and you'll have to get over it (like I did). A few of the sex scenes didn't seem organic in that they were too sudden and out of character. There were a few scenes that should have progressed to sex and didn't for one reason or another. Finally, for someone so smart, Aspeth was at times too stupid to live. She lived to grow out of that which is a positive, but it was painful to watch sometimes.

Overall verdict: a solid B. I may look to see if there are other books set in the world built in this one. The writing is solid. The author owns a dictionary (or knows how to use one online). She can build a world and make the people that live in it make sense.

Also she called a minotaur a "pouty bull-man" and I loved it.

I was given access to this book by NetGalley and am not being paid for this review.

I bought this book as a gift for a friend when it came out, and at the time was intrigued by the gorgeous cover. When I saw it was Read Now on NetGalley I jumped at the opportunity. Thank you Berkley/Ace for the free review copy.

I had such a good time reading this. For as well developed as the world Ruby Dixon has created is, I appreciated that there wasn't a huge amount of info-dumping. Everything felt very organic within the story. The characters were charming (or incredibly not), the plot was interesting, and the pacing was good.

This is the second minotaur romance I've read that turned out to be surprisingly sweet and cozy. I really enjoyed Aspeth and Hawk's story, and I'll definitely be picking up By The Horns to read Gwenna's story.

“Have you ever found something you wish you could keep?"
"You.”
Just finished the beautiful book by Ruby Dixon who in my opinion has never disappointed me, IA girl desperate to save her family from ruin meets a mysterious minotaur. He agrees to teach her, but their connection deepens into something more. 🔥 Highly recommend this one for fans of fantasy romance! I loved her ice planet barbarian novels and fell in love, very much looking forward to the 2nd one. This book had me hooked from the start.