Howl for the Gargoyle is book two in Kathryn Moon’s Monster Smash Agency series. I loved book one (Games with the Orc — review here) and couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one, especially when I found out it features Khell’ar’s best friend, Rafe, and a newly turned werewolf client.
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Howl for the Gargoyle by Kathryn Moon
🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
(you can find my rating and spice system here)
POV & Tense: Dual POV, first person, past tense
Genre: MF Monster Romance
Tropes/Themes: Vegetarian Werewolf, Gargoyle Chef, Male Escort, Rockstar, Full Moon Dates, Forced Proximity, Primal Play, Pegging, Fancy Peen
Location: Chicago
Synopsis:
Newly turned werewolf Hannah’s life is a struggle. She never asked for this and doesn’t want to be a werewolf. Having difficulties during her full moon transitions, her friend suggests she hire someone from the Monster Smash Agency—someone not human, someone she can be rough with. Gargoyle Rafe’s work life has been suffering. His heart’s not in it anymore. Hannah piques his interest, but he can’t risk falling for her. She’s a client.
Howl for the Gargoyle by Kathryn Moon (Monster Smash Agency Book Two)
My Review:
There are so many things I loved about Howl for the Gargoyle, from the characters and their predicaments to the spice. I also love that we get to reunite with many of the characters from book one (it feels like coming home). While you can read this one as a standalone, I think it’s more meaningful to have read Games with the Orc first.
Female Monster
I go absolutely feral for female monsters. True, Rafe is also a monster, but he’s always been one. Hannah is brand new to monsterhood, and she hates it. The story is filled with turmoil because Hannah was turned against her will—attacked while jogging—and she despises who she has become. She’s terrified of her power, can’t control her libido, and is frightened that she might lash out and hurt someone. But despite all her fear, she is glorious. Watching her unfurl and learn to live with her inner beast is a thing of beauty.
She paused, nose to nose, but it wasn’t hesitation. She was thinking, considering, watching me still. Who was seducing whom exactly? Because I was trapped, waiting for her to strike.
Rockstar
Before her attack, Hannah was in a rock band signed to a label and ready to head out on tour. But her attack put the brakes on their plans. With heightened senses and feeling intensely reactive, Hannah doesn’t trust herself to be in such close proximity to her bandmates for the tour. Also, her voice isn’t the same—nothing is. The attack has cast a lasting shadow on everyone in her band, and it just might cause them to implode.
I’d never had anyone look at me the way Rafe did while we fucked, so stunned and rapt. It was the same power as being on stage in front of an audience, holding them in the palm of my hand right before a chorus we all knew the words to.
Rafe and Hannah
My favorite thing about the story are the main characters, Rafe and Hannah. From the moment they meet, it’s like they are meant for each other. As an ‘indestructible’ gargoyle, Rafe is used to being used and abused by many creatures, from harpies to chimera. But despite Hannah’s fears, she’s remarkably gentle, giving Rafe the tenderness he didn’t know he needed. And Rafe is Hannah’s rock (literally as well as figuratively) as she figures out her limitations and her true nature. I especially love that Rafe cooks elaborate meals (nothing says ‘love’ like a home-cooked meal!), challenging himself to cater to Hannah’s vegetarian diet.
No one had told me a gargoyle would be so pretty, the sight of a smile would make my brain dry up. No one mentioned carved dicks that teased you from the inside out.
Final Thoughts:
While I loved book one, Howl for the Gargoyle is my favorite so far. It’s a gorgeous layering of emotions seasoned with delicious spice. I can’t wait for book three, which features our favorite sarcastic mothman barman, Elias.
Monster Smash Agency by Kathryn Moon
Author Stalking (but not in a creepy way):
Kathryn Moon is the author of steamy paranormal and sci-fi romance.
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