A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor: Tempting Monsters, Book 1

Wow...where to start. I think I'll start by saying that back in 2019 I stumbled upon a Novella by Kathryn Moon called Esther. The blurb mentioned monsters of the Jekyll and Hyde variety and I was intrigued so I read that small sampling and instantly wanted more. I signed up for Moon's FB group and sent a question asking if there would be more and Kathryn responded that she was planning a full book in this world. Flash forward to Tuesday of this week and the book is finally here.This book people! It was EVERYTHING I imagined it would be, and so very much more.I think a large part of what makes this story so awesome is that it has such a unique feel to it from anything else I've read in the last few years. Yes, it's a Romance of the RH/PRN variety, but the heroes are not symmetrical and beautiful. The fmc is deceptively unassuming. The setting is at times Victorian, at times Gothic, and always exquisitely exotic.Is it steamy? Uh yes! Intensely steamy. In fact, there is a specific scene in the story, I will hereby refer to as the "Monster Theatre" scene. Halfway through that scene (which is very long, and extends over several chapters), I found myself practically hyperventilating. I had to stop for a few moments and post a comment on the FB group about that scene and the responses were hilarious. I will never forget that scene. I've never read anything like it.Ahem...back to my point. This is one of the most intensely sexy reads in recent memory, but beyond that, there are fascinating characters to discover, along with a world painted so vibrantly that you may actually hear the hooves of the horses clap along the cobbled roads, feel the drift of damp cool air as you step into the darkened theater, feel the pinch of the corset (and hopefully other things 😉)...and that folks, is DAMN GOOD writing.

My first ever monster romance and what a treat it was! I'm happy to report these monsters mostly stayed in a human body when having s3x. I was scared they would be different. 😂 I will say keep an oxygen tank near by and prepare to have ice baths; they'll be needed."I'm not a queen. I'm just a girl who loves f--king."Esther is someone who loves to have s3x. When presented with an opportunity to live in Rooksgrave Manor to be a sort of e$cort, she gladly goes. It is here she finds a gollum that's made of marble, a sphinx shifter, a vampire, an invisible man, and a monster similar to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. All of them are vying for Esther's attention and she gladly gives it all to them."You are simply the woman who wants the same things we do. Even at our most depraved."Now, this book may quite possibly be the hottest book I've read all year (and I've read 99 books already, most of them dark and erotic). There's a particular scene at an R-rated theater that had me feeling like I'd run a marathon, and now I'm curious about what was used on Esther by Mr. Tanner. 👀 If you know, you know.Despite this book being scorching hot and filled with s3xual content, the sweet and tender moments would also steal the show. The way these men monsters care for Esther and each other touched my heart. The lengths they went to have their HFN, to secure Esther, but also give her the choice and control... Ugh, it was the sweetest thing."My goals for the rest of today will be to feed you, bathe you, massage you, and perhaps tonight we shall make love if it pleases you."Believe it or not, this story actually has a plot, one I cannot wait to discover more of in the next book."I don't want to be your cage, little star. I'd like to be your home."Overall, A Lady in Rooksgrave Manor is a major hit, with monsters that will treat you like a queen, yet devour you in the sheets, monsters you will fall hard for (especially the gollum 😭). This is such a great book to dip your toes into the monster romance sub-genre.

I always have a hard time reviewing my favorite authors and Kathryn Moon is top 5 for me. I mean my answer to this is always, "Uhm.... It's amazing because Kathryn wrote it." but I can see that might not be helpful if you don't know Kathryn Moon's work (which is a travesty you should correct immediately. Go ahead, I'll wait.....) you may need a little more to get your curiosity peaked enough to dive in. So. I read I am supposed to speak to what made me give this book 5 stars (see above explanation) and come all the way here to leave a review.1. It's hot2. It's original, like "YAY" I haven't read a story that made me stay up for 6 hours straight in a long time kind of original.3. It's hot4. I get so frustrated with FMC's that change who they are when they find their interests or are on their journey. They start as one person and turn into someone completely different when engaging in their relationships. Freaking YUCK! Esther stays true to who she was from start to finish and she does it with consistency and a sense of humor I can get behind.5. It's hot6. Kathryn Moon. Fangirling... yes. Yes I am.

If Kathryn Moon were a pastry chef and this book were dessert, it would be the most decadent, delicious, calorie-ridden item on the menu. Kathryn's writing is beautiful and indulgent with characters that make you want to jump into the story and live there.A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor features Esther, a sweet and open-minded young woman who takes a job at what is essentially a high-class brothel for monsters. C'mon, that description alone should make you want to read this book! Esther meets a diverse group of gentelmen who are all instantly taken with her delicate beauty, kind heart and accepting nature. Along with the romance, intrigue and Kathryn's signature steamy moments, we get a bigger plotline that adds some mystery and suspense.This is the type of book that makes you want to reread it as soon as you finish. If you are a paranormal romance reader you will love this book. Just make sure you are alone and have a large glass of wine nearby! Another amazing hit for Kathryn and can't wait to read more from this world.

This book was absolutely incredible! I saw it recommended over on Instagram and just had to give it a read. I could not put it down and ended up ordering a paperback because I will be rereading!Esther is one of my new favourite protagonists. I love how sex positive she is, well that the whole book is. The whole cast of characters was unique and intriguing. The worldbuilding was extremely interesting, I was so glad to find out that there are going to be more books set in this world.I loved this book so much, I have started reading Kathryn's backlist and I would definitely recommend A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor.

Spooky season is upon us, so a novel with sexy monsters seemed a good way to kick it off.Every so often, a girl has to read a good dirty Gerty book. And this is such a one.Classic reverse harem in a very unconventional setting!Esther, according to society, is a wanton girl.Turns out, there's a place where that is not only not a problem but is outright encouraged.Rooksgrave Manor is a very unusual 'house of ill repute'.I want to say the setting is Victorian England, but we're not really told specifically.I love how Esther is "just a girl who likes f'ing" and grows into her nature.A host of gentlemen assist with this development. But they're not quite human.Varying in appearance a great deal, our girl isn't fussy.But they all adore her. And maybe each other?- not gonna lie; I probably wouldn't kick them outta bed! ;)But, as Esther blossoms and blooms, she also influences her gentlemen in turn. Their relationship/s become symbiotic.There's scene after scene of "depravity". Awesome!!But some really sweet love threads too.And then there's a baddie! Oh, the danger sets the thermometer sky-rocketing even further.And there's more, apparently. This book is the start of a series. Yay!4.5* - if you like PNR and erotica then give this a read.

Kathryn Moon has a way with spice. She's become my go to author whenever I have the sudden urge to read erotic romance as though there is lots of sex, Kathryn's world building is always great and the external plot interesting. The sex scenes also build up the characters and show their personalities in a way that is engaging.I loved the concept of a house where monsters go to find willing human women. I hope we get more from this world and meet some more unique monsters.

Despite the copious amounts of sex in this story it is sadly frightfully dull.It became a chore to finish.The storyline is vague at best, you find out exactly nothing about the characters, they're painfully one dimensional.Why do the characters fall in love? There is exactly nothing that we find out about them to make them loveable.And for a story that centres around essentially a whore house the sex is excruciatingly vanilla and repetitive.And seeing as it's book 1 of a series there is no hook or cliffhanger that tries to entice you to the next story.

I LOVED this book alot. Esther is a horny woman who enjoys sex in all of its varieties, she is about to loose her job and is offered a position at a monster, high class brothel and, not does she do a good job there. As expected, the story has a ton I sex (mf / mmf / mfm / group) but it was never boring. Not only the sex scenes are different but the monsters privates can be quite something, even I would be eager to bounce in some of that ;) all in all a good read with a little of a story line.