Of Monsters and Men by Caitlin Ricci

ofmonstersandmenTitle: Of Monsters and Men
Series: A Forever Home, #2
Author: Caitlin Ricci
Genre: Contemporary / Paranormal
Length: Novel (191 Pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC (May 20th 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 3 ½ Hearts
Blurb: Seth’s life looks idyllic on the surface. He has a great job at the pet rescue with a fantastic boss, who happens to be a werewolf. He is getting his degree at the local university and has a best friend who understands that the most intimate thing for Seth is a kiss.

But when it comes to relationships, Seth’s perfect life is a jumbled mess. No guy stays around because eventually, they always want more than Seth, who is asexual, is able to give. Seth wants love and a relationship, but not the sex that everyone puts so much value on.

Seth tries for something more with the man he has a crush on, but when that ends Seth feels like he’s back to square one. So when his boss’s brother, Jeremy, pushes his way into Seth’s life, insisting that he won’t press for more than Seth is comfortable sharing, Seth is wary. All of Seth’s experience says it won’t last long.

But Jeremy is one werewolf who is used to getting his way, and might just be patient enough to wait for Seth to see he means what he says.

ISBN: 978-1-63216-933-4

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6406

Reviewer: Gigi

Review: This book must have been a very difficult one to write because the author is tackling a subject that is very hard to most to understand, asexuality. She does a great job of presenting many misconceptions using Seth’s relationships and interaction with his psychologist and group therapy partners. It was hardest for me to understand the difference between finding pleasure in snuggling, kissing, intimate human touch and not having the driving sexual lust, the need or eventuality of orgasm, even being turned off by the feel of a partner’s erection.

These were difficult situations for me to wrap my brain around but it was done with some sad and some funny examples. I love how Seth got distracted by the need to trim or paint his nails while his boyfriend was masturbating in the bathroom after a cuddle session.

Of Monsters and Men helped me understand the total disconnect sexually, the still have the need for touch, for kiss, for being cuddled. I can also imagine now how difficult that must be for a relationship to work, for a partner to truly understand and not push further.

I had a harder time with the paranormal but this time, it didn’t fit as smoothly with the huge topic the author undertook. The retribution also left me a bit dissatisfied. We also get to see Marius and Jack, and of course the bad boy brother Jeremy.

There’s some drama, some bigots, some interesting talents, some sweet animal shelter matches…but the most interesting part of the story was the explanation and demonstration of asexuality and how one cope with a whole world of people misunderstanding it.

Thanks for the enlightenment!

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *