What would dating look like if humans were an endangered species? That’s the fascinating premise behind Leon Reilly’s “My Minotaur Husband,” which flips traditional monster romance dynamics by creating a world where humans are precious, protected, and actively courted by monsters who must pass rigorous screening processes.

Our podcast crew dives deep into this charming novella about Celeste, one of the last hundred humans on Earth, who agrees to a trial marriage with Theo, a gentle minotaur who wants nothing more than to dote on his human wife. Despite its brevity at around 130 pages, the book delivers a satisfying romantic arc that balances sweet character development with spicy scenes that had a notable impact on at least one of our hosts! We explore how the “cinnamon roll” character archetype works perfectly for Theo, creating a romance where his primary concern is always Celeste’s comfort and happiness despite their significant size differences.

The world-building of New Eden sparked our curiosity – a society where monsters drive trucks, watch movies, and live in suburban neighborhoods, yet humans require protection as an endangered species. While we wished for more backstory about how this world came to be, we appreciated how much Reilly accomplished in such a compact format. For fans of the book, we share recommendations for similar minotaur romances, including works by C.M. Nascosta and Ruby Dixon’s “Bull Moon Rising.”

Before our book discussion, we cover exciting publishing news including Naomi Novik’s upcoming novella “The Summer War,” controversies around licensing agreements for Sarah J. Maas merchandise, Danielle Jensen’s new post-apocalyptic fantasy romance duology, and a stage adaptation of The Hunger Games coming to London. We also provide updates on the upcoming Fabled Fantasy Events’ Romantic Con in Orlando.