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RELIC #5
Gardens & Ghosts
For the past few years, I’ve been living with a ghost. My husband - my mate - was lost because of choices I made. As one of only a few tyrannosaur shifters on this planet, I have resigned myself to an immortality alone, married to my work. I am more than happy to keep my walls up, heart guarded, and my focus set on my missions. That was until a compassionate, plant obsessed man stomped into my life. Henry is everything I don’t have time young, reckless, eager to prove himself, and desperate to push all of my buttons. Some of those buttons he hits with expert precision. When we learn about a rare, and life changing shifter fossil being traded on the black market, Henry and I set out into the concrete jungle of Chicago to steal it back. The treasure is heavily guarded, worth a fortune, and sought after by all manner of deadly adversaries. If we can keep our heads down and maintain a professional relationship, we might make it through this alive. Henry has other plans.
****
Gardens & Ghosts can be read as a standalone, but it is highly recommended you read King & Queen (RELIC #3) so you get all the story!
****
Gardens & Ghosts can be read as a standalone, but it is highly recommended you read King & Queen (RELIC #3) so you get all the story!
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2023
63 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Maz Maddox
44 books703 followersMaz Maddox is the odd lovechild between a unicorn, dinosaur and vampire. The outcome is a human-like figure who inherited aspects of all three. She is a champion of logic and science, adores beauty and whimsy, and has a slight streak of darkness that dances the line of genius and insanity.
Residing in the wild land of cowboy boots and Shiner beer, Maz spends her time with her two dogs and a husband who she adores, and is constantly demanding that science gives her a pocket sized triceratops. The efforts of these demands have yet to be fulfilled.
When she’s not pining over the lack of chihuahua sized ornithischia, she’s a writer who loves crafting adventures tales sprinkled with humor, a hefty helping of romance, and topped with a happy ending.
Residing in the wild land of cowboy boots and Shiner beer, Maz spends her time with her two dogs and a husband who she adores, and is constantly demanding that science gives her a pocket sized triceratops. The efforts of these demands have yet to be fulfilled.
When she’s not pining over the lack of chihuahua sized ornithischia, she’s a writer who loves crafting adventures tales sprinkled with humor, a hefty helping of romance, and topped with a happy ending.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
September 12, 2025
WHAT A FUCKING ENDING TO A SERIES 👏👏👏👏
Forever thinking about daddy Montana and bb Henry 🥹💖
Yes Maz Maddox, yes yes YESSSSSSSSSS!
CHEFS KISS FOR YOU ON REPEAT AND ON FULL LIP SMACKING ASMR VOLUME. 💥📢
IDGAF if I have a lot of feelings over silly dinosaur shifters, the amount of PURE JOY this series delivered me, was cataclysmic 🥹💖
I AM SO WEAK FOR INTERCONNECTED GAYS, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LET ME FIND MORE INTERCONNECTED GAY SERIES THAT SLAP HARDER THAN HOT CHIP WHEN YOU’RE HUNGOVER PLEASE 🙏🏼👏
Montana and silly dumb dumb Henry getting the ending they deserved ALMOST made my cry 🥹
I just wanted Montana to be happy and getting railed SO BADLY 🥹🥹🥹🥹 AND WE GOT BOTH! HOORAY!
I am at a loss for words because I can’t believe that my Dino dicks books are over 🥲🥲🥲
I have so much to say… that I have literally nothing to say.
Forever thinking about daddy Montana and bb Henry 🥹💖
Yes Maz Maddox, yes yes YESSSSSSSSSS!
CHEFS KISS FOR YOU ON REPEAT AND ON FULL LIP SMACKING ASMR VOLUME. 💥📢
IDGAF if I have a lot of feelings over silly dinosaur shifters, the amount of PURE JOY this series delivered me, was cataclysmic 🥹💖
I AM SO WEAK FOR INTERCONNECTED GAYS, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LET ME FIND MORE INTERCONNECTED GAY SERIES THAT SLAP HARDER THAN HOT CHIP WHEN YOU’RE HUNGOVER PLEASE 🙏🏼👏
Montana and silly dumb dumb Henry getting the ending they deserved ALMOST made my cry 🥹
I just wanted Montana to be happy and getting railed SO BADLY 🥹🥹🥹🥹 AND WE GOT BOTH! HOORAY!
I am at a loss for words because I can’t believe that my Dino dicks books are over 🥲🥲🥲
I have so much to say… that I have literally nothing to say.
February 11, 2025
So good, I feel the sudden urge to reread the entire series 💗
Omg. How on Earth have I forgotten to check if the last book is out on audio? Imagine my delight when I saw it in my feed, and it didn’t disappoint: I laughed, giggled, swooned and kicked my feet squealing.
In case you’re not familiar with the series: it’s about a group of fossil hunters who try to steal priceless fossils back from the black market and give them to museums or to scientists. Why, you ask? Because said fossil hunters are dinosaur shifters - they “slept” for millions of years, only to wake up in a world so different from the one they knew. And now their goal is to find other shifter siblings, and to educate humanity in all things dinosaur related.
The last of the group to find his mate is Montana, named after the place he’s been found - the bossy cowboy/TRex who lost his mate some time ago, and who’s still mourning his loss. But there’s one shifter who’s not deterred by his grumpy attitude: Henry, the Albertosaurus whom they only found 2 years ago and who’s still learning how to adapt to his new life.
It’s… hilarious. And so very swoony.
(…) he had a husband for a long time,” he warned gently, the laughter easing out of his voice. “He’s a hard nut to crack, Henry. Dude’s got his walls up super high.” “I know.” I looked back outside to see how the little lonely grackle was doing. He had flown away, and I missed him. “I don’t mind waiting outside the walls until he wants me to see inside. I just want to be beside him.”
I cried with laughter when Henry started wooing Montana. Not even exaggerating. Or when he dressed up undercover as a Henry Cavil stripper. Or at the end, when he offered Montana a piece of an airplane.
To prove just how tough and badass I was, I trotted over to the piece of the plane I had torn away and snatched it up again. Montana watched, likely very impressed, as I strutted over to him and dropped the metal prize I had torn off. It was a dented heap of a trophy, chewed-up and stinking of fuel, but it was a testament to my hunting prowess.
When he didn’t go for it right away, I nudged it over and fluffed my feathers again, then clawed at the dirt for good measure. See? I am very strong. I bit a plane. I can keep you safe. I chattered a bit, showing him my green feathers. I’m going to build you such a good nest; you don’t even know.
Montana’s blue eyes flexed, his nose flaring as he came to inspect how manly my pose was. Instead of circling me to give me a full once-over, he skipped right to nuzzling his nose against mine. His snout was wider than mine, his maw bigger with scars around the lips.
*sigh* 🫠
I want to know them in real life. I want to know how they’re doing. If Blaze got pregnant, Simon and Dalton settled down and if they found others like them. Why they started waking up. What the trouble was that Ruben needed to look after. And so much more.
As for now, I fear the series might have come to an end.
As for the narration: Kirt Graves is perfect for this series, and for this kind of humour and sass.
And now excuse me while I try to find out if we have other books connected to this universe 🥰
Omg. How on Earth have I forgotten to check if the last book is out on audio? Imagine my delight when I saw it in my feed, and it didn’t disappoint: I laughed, giggled, swooned and kicked my feet squealing.
In case you’re not familiar with the series: it’s about a group of fossil hunters who try to steal priceless fossils back from the black market and give them to museums or to scientists. Why, you ask? Because said fossil hunters are dinosaur shifters - they “slept” for millions of years, only to wake up in a world so different from the one they knew. And now their goal is to find other shifter siblings, and to educate humanity in all things dinosaur related.
The last of the group to find his mate is Montana, named after the place he’s been found - the bossy cowboy/TRex who lost his mate some time ago, and who’s still mourning his loss. But there’s one shifter who’s not deterred by his grumpy attitude: Henry, the Albertosaurus whom they only found 2 years ago and who’s still learning how to adapt to his new life.
It’s… hilarious. And so very swoony.
(…) he had a husband for a long time,” he warned gently, the laughter easing out of his voice. “He’s a hard nut to crack, Henry. Dude’s got his walls up super high.” “I know.” I looked back outside to see how the little lonely grackle was doing. He had flown away, and I missed him. “I don’t mind waiting outside the walls until he wants me to see inside. I just want to be beside him.”
I cried with laughter when Henry started wooing Montana. Not even exaggerating. Or when he dressed up undercover as a Henry Cavil stripper. Or at the end, when he offered Montana a piece of an airplane.
To prove just how tough and badass I was, I trotted over to the piece of the plane I had torn away and snatched it up again. Montana watched, likely very impressed, as I strutted over to him and dropped the metal prize I had torn off. It was a dented heap of a trophy, chewed-up and stinking of fuel, but it was a testament to my hunting prowess.
When he didn’t go for it right away, I nudged it over and fluffed my feathers again, then clawed at the dirt for good measure. See? I am very strong. I bit a plane. I can keep you safe. I chattered a bit, showing him my green feathers. I’m going to build you such a good nest; you don’t even know.
Montana’s blue eyes flexed, his nose flaring as he came to inspect how manly my pose was. Instead of circling me to give me a full once-over, he skipped right to nuzzling his nose against mine. His snout was wider than mine, his maw bigger with scars around the lips.
*sigh* 🫠
I want to know them in real life. I want to know how they’re doing. If Blaze got pregnant, Simon and Dalton settled down and if they found others like them. Why they started waking up. What the trouble was that Ruben needed to look after. And so much more.
As for now, I fear the series might have come to an end.
As for the narration: Kirt Graves is perfect for this series, and for this kind of humour and sass.
And now excuse me while I try to find out if we have other books connected to this universe 🥰
March 18, 2025
This was the perfect ending 😭🦖
Throughout this series, I was constantly depressed/worried about the dinos with mortal partners, so when this book started and I realized that was a big part of the plot, I felt relieved. I was extra worried for Dalton! My favourite velociraptor was so sad watching Simon grow older, and beautiful Henry trying to comfort him? 💔 Definitely one of my favourite interactions in this series.
As for the romance, I knew it wouldn’t be as straightforward as in the previous books because Montana has been carrying the weight of Reaper’s loss for so long. His sadness is ever-present. And Henry, our baby T-rex 🦖 and plant-dad 🌱 is completely smitten with him. He tries, oh, he tries so much, but nothing works, and it just leads to heartache and disappointment all around.
Montana is understandably hesitant because of the whole “I’m still grieving my dead husband” thing, which makes perfect sense and is the only reason I forgive his abrasiveness. But don’t worry! He and Henry eventually get their shit together, and all the dino couples get their beautiful HEA.
Throughout this series, I was constantly depressed/worried about the dinos with mortal partners, so when this book started and I realized that was a big part of the plot, I felt relieved. I was extra worried for Dalton! My favourite velociraptor was so sad watching Simon grow older, and beautiful Henry trying to comfort him? 💔 Definitely one of my favourite interactions in this series.
As for the romance, I knew it wouldn’t be as straightforward as in the previous books because Montana has been carrying the weight of Reaper’s loss for so long. His sadness is ever-present. And Henry, our baby T-rex 🦖 and plant-dad 🌱 is completely smitten with him. He tries, oh, he tries so much, but nothing works, and it just leads to heartache and disappointment all around.
Montana is understandably hesitant because of the whole “I’m still grieving my dead husband” thing, which makes perfect sense and is the only reason I forgive his abrasiveness. But don’t worry! He and Henry eventually get their shit together, and all the dino couples get their beautiful HEA.
March 30, 2024
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
“Why are you grinning like a madman right now?” “Because I want to kiss you.” Henry chewed on his lip anxiously. “But I don’t know your boundaries in the morning. Can I kiss you? Do you want to eat first? I can make you a plate.” How the hell was this prehistoric predator, a five thousand pound killing machine, able to be this adorable first thing in the morning?
Turns out, if a book or audiobook is only available through the BookFunnel app, I forget it exists, which is a massive shame, because it means it took me ages to listen to this audiobook. I had such a blast with this book and finished it the same day I started. I mean, first of all, these guys are dinosaur shifters, which should be enough to make anyone wanna read it. If you pair that with a main character who has only been awake as a human for a year and a half, hilarity and cuteness will ensue. Henry is the cutest damn character, and I love him a silly amount.
Montana is understandably closed off after losing his mate/husband a handful of years prior, and in many ways he’s still grieving, not feeling like he’s allowed to move on. Resisting Henry isn’t possible, though. The dork tries to woo him by providing food, chocolate and dancing. In dino form. Pretty sure this won’t be the last time I listen to this book.
Oh! And there’s a heist! And action! It was like the entire book was put together with the things I love most.
Kirt Graves is one of my favorite narrators, and he did a fabulous job with this book. I’m thankful for the ‘ARC’ from Hoof & Fang.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Dinosaur shifter
Love after loss
Widower
Heist
Age gap
Recently awakened shifter
First times
Found family
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Death of a husband (past, off page)
Death of wild animals (off page)
Graphic violence
On-page murder
Erotic spanking
Gun violence
Injured MCs
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, multi
Genre: Dinosaur shifter romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: ‘Awake’ for 1,5 years and 100+ years
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 344
Oh my God, I wanted to build a nest for him so bad. I started eyeing sticks. I needed color. Rocks! Colorful rocks! Blue. I needed blue. SO MUCH BLUE to match his eyes.
“Montana?” Henry’s voice was a cool ripple, calm and steady. “Henry,” I answered back. From the mild calamity on the other end, I could visualize Henry forgetting about his size and crawling over laps. He had a tendency of reverting into old habits when he got excited, which was as charming and chaotic as a Golden Retriever puppy.
Blaise had warned me over and over that the whole good ol’ boy look was a honeypot of heartache, and I hadn’t really believed him until I saw Montana in cowboy boots and Wranglers. It had been a series of epiphanies igniting all at once, about four hundred of them being about my sexuality.
“You are not wearing those outside this condo. They are stripper pants, and we need to be professionals.” “Since I made money in them,” he said innocently, “doesn’t that make them professional?” My finger was defeated, and I stared at him like the frustrating, harlot puzzle piece he was. “I can’t tell if you’re legitimately asking me or if you’re a master at fucking with me.”
“I have to go. Baatar, I’m sorry I fucked things up. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. You’re a good friend, even if you are a jerk.” “Oh.” He got silent for a moment, something I’d never heard from him. “You’ve thrown me off. I had so many more ways I was going to call you a twat, and you just ruined it.”
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“Why are you grinning like a madman right now?” “Because I want to kiss you.” Henry chewed on his lip anxiously. “But I don’t know your boundaries in the morning. Can I kiss you? Do you want to eat first? I can make you a plate.” How the hell was this prehistoric predator, a five thousand pound killing machine, able to be this adorable first thing in the morning?
Turns out, if a book or audiobook is only available through the BookFunnel app, I forget it exists, which is a massive shame, because it means it took me ages to listen to this audiobook. I had such a blast with this book and finished it the same day I started. I mean, first of all, these guys are dinosaur shifters, which should be enough to make anyone wanna read it. If you pair that with a main character who has only been awake as a human for a year and a half, hilarity and cuteness will ensue. Henry is the cutest damn character, and I love him a silly amount.
Montana is understandably closed off after losing his mate/husband a handful of years prior, and in many ways he’s still grieving, not feeling like he’s allowed to move on. Resisting Henry isn’t possible, though. The dork tries to woo him by providing food, chocolate and dancing. In dino form. Pretty sure this won’t be the last time I listen to this book.
Oh! And there’s a heist! And action! It was like the entire book was put together with the things I love most.
Kirt Graves is one of my favorite narrators, and he did a fabulous job with this book. I’m thankful for the ‘ARC’ from Hoof & Fang.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Dinosaur shifter
Love after loss
Widower
Heist
Age gap
Recently awakened shifter
First times
Found family
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Death of a husband (past, off page)
Death of wild animals (off page)
Graphic violence
On-page murder
Erotic spanking
Gun violence
Injured MCs
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, multi
Genre: Dinosaur shifter romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: ‘Awake’ for 1,5 years and 100+ years
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 344
Oh my God, I wanted to build a nest for him so bad. I started eyeing sticks. I needed color. Rocks! Colorful rocks! Blue. I needed blue. SO MUCH BLUE to match his eyes.
“Montana?” Henry’s voice was a cool ripple, calm and steady. “Henry,” I answered back. From the mild calamity on the other end, I could visualize Henry forgetting about his size and crawling over laps. He had a tendency of reverting into old habits when he got excited, which was as charming and chaotic as a Golden Retriever puppy.
Blaise had warned me over and over that the whole good ol’ boy look was a honeypot of heartache, and I hadn’t really believed him until I saw Montana in cowboy boots and Wranglers. It had been a series of epiphanies igniting all at once, about four hundred of them being about my sexuality.
“You are not wearing those outside this condo. They are stripper pants, and we need to be professionals.” “Since I made money in them,” he said innocently, “doesn’t that make them professional?” My finger was defeated, and I stared at him like the frustrating, harlot puzzle piece he was. “I can’t tell if you’re legitimately asking me or if you’re a master at fucking with me.”
“I have to go. Baatar, I’m sorry I fucked things up. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. You’re a good friend, even if you are a jerk.” “Oh.” He got silent for a moment, something I’d never heard from him. “You’ve thrown me off. I had so many more ways I was going to call you a twat, and you just ruined it.”
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
September 5, 2023
⭐️4.5 stars ⭐️
Sweet, perfect ending to this unexpectedly fun series.
Similar to the others, Gardens & Ghosts was a nice blend of action and romance.
Montana and Henry’s relationship was more of a slow burn than the previous, but lovely all the same.
Their dynamic was grumpy/sunshine at its finest, and I just adored Henry and his golden retriever puppy vibes.
I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more by this author.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
Sweet, perfect ending to this unexpectedly fun series.
Similar to the others, Gardens & Ghosts was a nice blend of action and romance.
Montana and Henry’s relationship was more of a slow burn than the previous, but lovely all the same.
Their dynamic was grumpy/sunshine at its finest, and I just adored Henry and his golden retriever puppy vibes.
I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more by this author.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
October 31, 2023
Heed the spoiler alert ahead if you haven’t read this or the previous books in the series. For a quick nonspoiler review of the audiobook, skip to the end of the review. A string of dino emoji (🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖) will indicate when you’re safely past the spoilers.
Original review September 2023:
Vague but IMO huge spoiler ahead. If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, I advise you to NOT read the rest of my review which I intend to edit anyway after completing the audiobook in addition to having completed the ebook. That said, I think it’s highly unlikely I’ll lower my rating from 4 stars and more likely that if I change it, it would be to raise it. Unless you’ve read the entire series, I encourage you to stop reading now 🛑🚫🚨
I finished reading the ebook last night and started listening to the audiobook a few hours later and am still mulling over my feelings about this one. I loved the series and this book is no exception but I’m going to wait to fully review it until I’ve finished the audiobook as I’m slightly conflicted about the purpose of the mission and the new dimension it adds to certain relationship dynamics. I think many/most readers will like the new dimension but personally, I think the original nature of certain relationships was more poignant, impactful and beautiful prior to the addition of this new plot twist.
My vagueness is intentional to avoid a huge spoiler that I think impacts previous books in the series.
🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖
Regardless of anything else, I love Henry like crazy and think he has a beautiful mind, manner and way of expressing himself. I’m not sure yet but he may be my favorite character of the entire series 💖💖💖
Edited to add after finishing the audiobook:
Sigh, I finished the audiobook weeks ago but have been in a super funk and kept telling myself I’d review it later. Well, it’s later and I’m still in the funk and don’t have the spoons for a legit review 😫😅 What I can say is that I LOVE THE WAY KIRT GRAVES HAS NARRATED THIS ENTIRE SERIES! Sorry for shouting but I love it so much! And yeah, I’m bumping my rating from 4 to 5 stars. This book and this series may not be perfect and it may be ridiculous and require suspension of disbelief but it is so much fucking fun. I adore the characters! I adore the plots! I adore the humor! And I adore the way Kirt Graves brings it all to life! Graves is brilliant and I wish he narrated all my m/m faves! Seriously, brilliant!
Note to self: next time you listen to the audiobook, write a better review! G&G and Henry and Montana deserve better than your wish washy original review!
Original review September 2023:
Vague but IMO huge spoiler ahead. If you haven’t read the previous books in the series, I advise you to NOT read the rest of my review which I intend to edit anyway after completing the audiobook in addition to having completed the ebook. That said, I think it’s highly unlikely I’ll lower my rating from 4 stars and more likely that if I change it, it would be to raise it. Unless you’ve read the entire series, I encourage you to stop reading now 🛑🚫🚨
I finished reading the ebook last night and started listening to the audiobook a few hours later and am still mulling over my feelings about this one. I loved the series and this book is no exception but I’m going to wait to fully review it until I’ve finished the audiobook as I’m slightly conflicted about the purpose of the mission and the new dimension it adds to certain relationship dynamics. I think many/most readers will like the new dimension but personally, I think the original nature of certain relationships was more poignant, impactful and beautiful prior to the addition of this new plot twist.
My vagueness is intentional to avoid a huge spoiler that I think impacts previous books in the series.
🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖🦖
Regardless of anything else, I love Henry like crazy and think he has a beautiful mind, manner and way of expressing himself. I’m not sure yet but he may be my favorite character of the entire series 💖💖💖
Edited to add after finishing the audiobook:
Sigh, I finished the audiobook weeks ago but have been in a super funk and kept telling myself I’d review it later. Well, it’s later and I’m still in the funk and don’t have the spoons for a legit review 😫😅 What I can say is that I LOVE THE WAY KIRT GRAVES HAS NARRATED THIS ENTIRE SERIES! Sorry for shouting but I love it so much! And yeah, I’m bumping my rating from 4 to 5 stars. This book and this series may not be perfect and it may be ridiculous and require suspension of disbelief but it is so much fucking fun. I adore the characters! I adore the plots! I adore the humor! And I adore the way Kirt Graves brings it all to life! Graves is brilliant and I wish he narrated all my m/m faves! Seriously, brilliant!
Note to self: next time you listen to the audiobook, write a better review! G&G and Henry and Montana deserve better than your wish washy original review!
May 7, 2024
Montana's romance! Finally!
This was one of my favorites in the series, right after grumpy Baja's romance in book 2.
Loved Kirt Graves narration, per usual - this audio can be purchased from Kirt Graves' & Maz Maddox's production company website, Hoof and Fang.
This was a good mix of silly 'just go with it' and some very sweet romance. Of course you should shimmy to 'Cotton Eyed Joe' while holding out a dead deer to the person you're wooing. Bathroom showers absolutely can be destroyed on accident. Puking mid fight, totally normal behavior. So much silly.
Also excited to get some closure and options for the human + shifter previous relationship arcs.
This was one of my favorites in the series, right after grumpy Baja's romance in book 2.
Loved Kirt Graves narration, per usual - this audio can be purchased from Kirt Graves' & Maz Maddox's production company website, Hoof and Fang.
This was a good mix of silly 'just go with it' and some very sweet romance. Of course you should shimmy to 'Cotton Eyed Joe' while holding out a dead deer to the person you're wooing. Bathroom showers absolutely can be destroyed on accident. Puking mid fight, totally normal behavior. So much silly.
Also excited to get some closure and options for the human + shifter previous relationship arcs.
September 12, 2023
Ohhhhh my heart. There was so much to love about this book, about sweet Henry still learning to be human and saving plants, of Montana who is still grieving and not allowing himself the chance to be happy. Of this great bunch of friends and family who care so much for each other. I LOVED this book.
The last book in the RELIC series (although c'monnnnnn this can't be the last book, right?!) focuses on the leader of the RELIC team, Montana, who is still grieving over the death of his husband. Henry is a newly awoken shifter and is still learning how to be human.
OK I ADORED Henry. What a sweet man and sweet dino, trying to woo Montana. And Montana is so dumb and oblivious haha. He kinda made me frustrated, but I also love how Maz wrote the emotion and longing and just emotional devastation he's still healing from. There were so many sweet moments between the two of them, I just loved them becoming more than coworkers/friends.
And there are some hilarious moments along the way too....especially involving a Rex HAHA.
There are a lot of things I can't say b/c of spoilers, but there are some answered questions that I have been curious about. And things I want ANOTHER STORY for haha.
I recommend you read this series from the beginning as it will make the most sense. The couples all show up in this one, as well as other characters, and it just makes sense to read in order. I know you're like - dino shifters?! But you gotta read this series. Maz knows her shit with dinosaurs and it's written so, so well.
I can't wait for what's next for Maz!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The last book in the RELIC series (although c'monnnnnn this can't be the last book, right?!) focuses on the leader of the RELIC team, Montana, who is still grieving over the death of his husband. Henry is a newly awoken shifter and is still learning how to be human.
OK I ADORED Henry. What a sweet man and sweet dino, trying to woo Montana. And Montana is so dumb and oblivious haha. He kinda made me frustrated, but I also love how Maz wrote the emotion and longing and just emotional devastation he's still healing from. There were so many sweet moments between the two of them, I just loved them becoming more than coworkers/friends.
And there are some hilarious moments along the way too....especially involving a Rex HAHA.
There are a lot of things I can't say b/c of spoilers, but there are some answered questions that I have been curious about. And things I want ANOTHER STORY for haha.
I recommend you read this series from the beginning as it will make the most sense. The couples all show up in this one, as well as other characters, and it just makes sense to read in order. I know you're like - dino shifters?! But you gotta read this series. Maz knows her shit with dinosaurs and it's written so, so well.
I can't wait for what's next for Maz!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2026
This was my absolute favorite of the series! It's angstier than the others, but thats to be expected with Montana's back story and the way he always seemed to live in his grief. Henry was the perfect counterpart because he was just so extremely sweet and nurturing and just had so much love to give. Like the others in the series this one had a great blend of action and romance, but it also had so many emotions (I cried like a baby). It was just the perfect end for an amazing series, all our favorite characters came back and were delighfully themselves. Plus a pretty big happily ever after for everyone. It was delightful, funny, emotional, and I can't wait to see what Maz does next!
January 24, 2026
Ok, the end was so cute though.
And I really loved Henry.
And I loved all the dinos.
Cute end to the series!
And I really loved Henry.
And I loved all the dinos.
Cute end to the series!
February 18, 2025
I had so much fun reading this series and I'm genuinely sad that this is the last book! I'm hoping for future stories for the rest of the Origin team, I'd like to see Ruben with Xiang, and I'm curious about Kelly too, so hopefully they come? I'm not ready to leave these dinosaurs behind!
This book was the perfect mix of humour and heartache, and Montana and Henry are easily my favourite couple in the series. Henry's feelings were so strong right from the start and he had my crying in his first chapter! Henry really deserves his HEA because he fought so hard for it. I absolutely loved when he was trying to woo Montana - the dances, the gifts, the wanting to build a nest... so fucking cute!
Montana was such an oblivious dickhead for the longest time! When he finally realised his feelings and what event he'd missed, my heart was broken for him but I was really hoping he would pull his head out of his arse way before he actually did.
I also love the found family between all of the guys in the RELIC team and their partners, Dalton is probably my favourite out of the rest of the group but I also love how Baha is such a mother hen but so grumpy about it.
This was just such a fun series to read and I'm looking forward to more books from Maz Maddox - who knew dinosaur shifters would be something I'd enjoy reading!
This book was the perfect mix of humour and heartache, and Montana and Henry are easily my favourite couple in the series. Henry's feelings were so strong right from the start and he had my crying in his first chapter! Henry really deserves his HEA because he fought so hard for it. I absolutely loved when he was trying to woo Montana - the dances, the gifts, the wanting to build a nest... so fucking cute!
Montana was such an oblivious dickhead for the longest time! When he finally realised his feelings and what event he'd missed, my heart was broken for him but I was really hoping he would pull his head out of his arse way before he actually did.
I also love the found family between all of the guys in the RELIC team and their partners, Dalton is probably my favourite out of the rest of the group but I also love how Baha is such a mother hen but so grumpy about it.
This was just such a fun series to read and I'm looking forward to more books from Maz Maddox - who knew dinosaur shifters would be something I'd enjoy reading!
November 5, 2024
i'm supposed to be revising for an econ test tmr but hear me out: CUTEST ENDING EVER
it's been a year and a half, and i honestly wasn't sure i'd still remember/like this series. but it didn't take long before i was vibing along with henry, montana, the emotional support goose, and rex the dildo. it's funny and sweet and also kind of sad with montana struggling with reaper's death still - it's such a perfect balance it made the book so enjoyable. i haven't realised how much i've missed these crazy guys and random dino facts :D
→ 4.5 stars heheh
it's been a year and a half, and i honestly wasn't sure i'd still remember/like this series. but it didn't take long before i was vibing along with henry, montana, the emotional support goose, and rex the dildo. it's funny and sweet and also kind of sad with montana struggling with reaper's death still - it's such a perfect balance it made the book so enjoyable. i haven't realised how much i've missed these crazy guys and random dino facts :D
→ 4.5 stars heheh
October 11, 2023
Very fun, very entertaining, had me laughing quite a bit. Also was my least favourite of the series - I was quite bored in spots, and honestly I felt like Henry deserved better. But I am not a huge fan of the dead spouse trope, and wouldn’t have read this if it weren’t in a series I have been loving.
October 2, 2023
I can't believe we've reached the end of the RELIC series! 😭 I'm sad to say goodbye to this motley crew, but it's been a fun time. While Gardens & Ghosts was not my favorite of the series, Henry is definitely one of my favorite characters from the series. He's right up there with Dalton for me. All in all, the book was 3.5* read, but I'm rounding up because Henry was so precious. 🥹
Sadly, Gardens & Ghosts didn't click for me the way I had hoped. It might have even been my least favorite of the series. I'd been looking forward to Montana's story since the beginning, so it could have been an unmet expectations thing, but I'm not sure that's the entire reason. I think part of the reason was that it took a long time for the story to get going. I'd say the first 20% of the book was spent re-introducing every prior couple from the series. I'm not going to lie, it was a slog to get through. I don't mind catching up with everyone, but the way it played out felt cumbersome. I kept losing interest and putting the book down and coming back. It wasn't even until the halfway mark that the story really took off and I wanted to keep reading. 🥲
In the end, I didn't hate it at all, but I didn't love it either. I had really hoped the series would go out with a bang, but it sort of just ended. 🤷🏼♀️ Don't get me wrong, it ended nicely. Things played out the way you'd want based on the intent of the mission, and there were exciting moments and fun times between the middle and end, but everything ended too quickly. I wanted less catch-up at the beginning and more follow-up at the end. I think time was spent in the wrong places and that made the read less satisfying than it could have been. That being said, I love the RELIC boys and all the happiness they've given me over the course of the series. I'm certainly going to miss them! 😭
Sadly, Gardens & Ghosts didn't click for me the way I had hoped. It might have even been my least favorite of the series. I'd been looking forward to Montana's story since the beginning, so it could have been an unmet expectations thing, but I'm not sure that's the entire reason. I think part of the reason was that it took a long time for the story to get going. I'd say the first 20% of the book was spent re-introducing every prior couple from the series. I'm not going to lie, it was a slog to get through. I don't mind catching up with everyone, but the way it played out felt cumbersome. I kept losing interest and putting the book down and coming back. It wasn't even until the halfway mark that the story really took off and I wanted to keep reading. 🥲
In the end, I didn't hate it at all, but I didn't love it either. I had really hoped the series would go out with a bang, but it sort of just ended. 🤷🏼♀️ Don't get me wrong, it ended nicely. Things played out the way you'd want based on the intent of the mission, and there were exciting moments and fun times between the middle and end, but everything ended too quickly. I wanted less catch-up at the beginning and more follow-up at the end. I think time was spent in the wrong places and that made the read less satisfying than it could have been. That being said, I love the RELIC boys and all the happiness they've given me over the course of the series. I'm certainly going to miss them! 😭
May 25, 2025
can't believe this is the end. 😭😭 what a great ending! I really can't wait to get my own copies so I can re read them all again! I will miss these dino boys! ❤️❤️🦖🦖
September 25, 2023
“I’ve waited sixty-five million years for you to hold me.” I breathed him in, shutting my eyes to solidify it to memory. “We can stay like this for as long as you want.”
Perfect ending! This one hurt so much and made me cry - TWICE! but man was it good.
We finally get Montana’s story and if you’ve read the rest of the series you know that he’s still grieving and blaming himself for his husband Reaper’s death. Naturally this comes up a lot in this book and it was so emotional. In book 3 we meet Henry, the newest addition to the RELIC team and he’s still learning how to be a person but he knows that he wants Montana and is willing to put in the work to get past those walls.
There’s some failed courting attempts, a Geralt of Rivia striptease, plants, parties, and planes, and a giant purple dildo called Rex.
Lots to love in this final adventure with the team and I loved the ending so much!!
I’m still hoping for a spin off Origin book - Ruben says he has “something annoying to take care of” and I’m hoping that something annoying is Xiang! 🤞🏻
Perfect ending! This one hurt so much and made me cry - TWICE! but man was it good.
We finally get Montana’s story and if you’ve read the rest of the series you know that he’s still grieving and blaming himself for his husband Reaper’s death. Naturally this comes up a lot in this book and it was so emotional. In book 3 we meet Henry, the newest addition to the RELIC team and he’s still learning how to be a person but he knows that he wants Montana and is willing to put in the work to get past those walls.
There’s some failed courting attempts, a Geralt of Rivia striptease, plants, parties, and planes, and a giant purple dildo called Rex.
Lots to love in this final adventure with the team and I loved the ending so much!!
I’m still hoping for a spin off Origin book - Ruben says he has “something annoying to take care of” and I’m hoping that something annoying is Xiang! 🤞🏻
January 28, 2024
4.5 Stars
April 26, 2026
This was my second time reading this book and it still took me by surprise and broke my heart as I was reading just to patch it up beautifully later. Even if I knew exactly what to expect, it still worked so well on me. This book is just such a good mix of delicious angsty moments and very funny banter heavy moments and I very much enjoyed every seconds of it.
Listen, this book offered me two of my favourite things to read about, a broken man that is in dire need of a hug and a safe place to land and a shit load of pining, so it’s a given that I was 100% sold on everything this book had to offer. This book just gave me everything I love, in a dinosaur shaped package, which is always even better.
I adored Montana and Henry together, they just made such a good pair. Montana was very lonely and closed off and Henry was eager to be loved and ready to do everything to court Montana and make him his. All of their shenanigans was just so entertaining to read, and by entertaining I mean one second I was grinning and the second I was crying my eyes out.
Listen, this book offered me two of my favourite things to read about, a broken man that is in dire need of a hug and a safe place to land and a shit load of pining, so it’s a given that I was 100% sold on everything this book had to offer. This book just gave me everything I love, in a dinosaur shaped package, which is always even better.
I adored Montana and Henry together, they just made such a good pair. Montana was very lonely and closed off and Henry was eager to be loved and ready to do everything to court Montana and make him his. All of their shenanigans was just so entertaining to read, and by entertaining I mean one second I was grinning and the second I was crying my eyes out.
July 11, 2025
It's really hard to think of how this book could've been better. I loved how it tied up the RELIC series. Like the other books, the MCs were truly unique and memorable. They had their own issues and the romance was hard-won. I even teared up a bit. Then there were laugh-out-loud funny parts, including the return of a side character from a previous book. Lastly, the smut was hot.
I don't really know how the author has managed to create a series where each book is consistently high quality.
I don't really know how the author has managed to create a series where each book is consistently high quality.
September 24, 2023
It’s ridiculous how much I loved this book. Definitely took my favorite place in this series, which kinda hurts since now it’s over. But I think it might even be my favorite of Maz’s books in all. Henry’s sweet innocent ways mixed with his natural sexiness went SO WELL with everything that makes up Montana. My gods, I just couldn’t get enough of them. They’re perfect.
September 23, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Gardens & Ghosts is the fifth installment in Maz Maddox’s entertaining RELIC series. The series focuses on a group of shifters who lived millions of years ago as dinosaurs, then went into a hibernation state until much more modern times. This is presumably the final book in the series and, while we have a new couple in Henry and Montana, the background to their story is really set over the course of some of the prior books. Montana has been a prominent figure throughout the series and we met Henry as a newly awakened shifter in King & Queen. So I was really excited to get their story here and I love the pairing of the sweet, adorable Henry with the more jaded and experienced Montana.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Gardens & Ghosts is the fifth installment in Maz Maddox’s entertaining RELIC series. The series focuses on a group of shifters who lived millions of years ago as dinosaurs, then went into a hibernation state until much more modern times. This is presumably the final book in the series and, while we have a new couple in Henry and Montana, the background to their story is really set over the course of some of the prior books. Montana has been a prominent figure throughout the series and we met Henry as a newly awakened shifter in King & Queen. So I was really excited to get their story here and I love the pairing of the sweet, adorable Henry with the more jaded and experienced Montana.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
September 26, 2023
Worth the wait!
I didn't think I could love any of the RELIC crew as much as I love Baha, but Henry is right there next to him. If you had told me 5 years ago that I would be head over heels for a bunch of gay dinosaur shifters, I would have laughed in your face, but here we are.
You could read this as a standalone or start here with the series, but I recommend reading in order, which will make this story all the sweeter.
I didn't think I could love any of the RELIC crew as much as I love Baha, but Henry is right there next to him. If you had told me 5 years ago that I would be head over heels for a bunch of gay dinosaur shifters, I would have laughed in your face, but here we are.
You could read this as a standalone or start here with the series, but I recommend reading in order, which will make this story all the sweeter.
May 21, 2024
So the Dino shifter made me bawl my eyes out like a new born.
This whole série is just so ridiculously over the top and heartwarming. I wish we had more books to go through but also the ending was kind of perfect.
I’ll miss them all but I will cherish the serie 💛
This whole série is just so ridiculously over the top and heartwarming. I wish we had more books to go through but also the ending was kind of perfect.
I’ll miss them all but I will cherish the serie 💛
April 7, 2026
Dino shifters!! i just wished they shifted more but nonetheless this was such a great ending of a series!
April 11, 2024
Gay Dinosaurs for the win.
This series is just so freaking fun! While this wasn't my favorite in the series (King & Queen takes that spot) it was still a great installment. I hope that more dinosaur shifter books come in the future now that the RELIC series is over.
Henry was absolutely adorable!
This series is just so freaking fun! While this wasn't my favorite in the series (King & Queen takes that spot) it was still a great installment. I hope that more dinosaur shifter books come in the future now that the RELIC series is over.
Henry was absolutely adorable!
September 24, 2023
Absolutely obsessed with this final book of this dinosaur shifter gay romance series!!!
This was truly the perfect ending to the series- Daddy T-Rex needed a love interest, and Henry is absolutely perfect for him!
As always, we get laughs, adventure, a happy dinosaur family, and a mystery that ends up being a very happy ending for everyone.
This is such a great series, can't recommend it enough!!
This was truly the perfect ending to the series- Daddy T-Rex needed a love interest, and Henry is absolutely perfect for him!
As always, we get laughs, adventure, a happy dinosaur family, and a mystery that ends up being a very happy ending for everyone.
This is such a great series, can't recommend it enough!!
June 10, 2024
For me, Henry and Montana's story is the weakest of the series. It breaks my heart to only give it three stars.
I realize many of the things that annoyed me were necessary for the guys to end up together, but I wish the writer could have found different ways to make that happen.
I realize many of the things that annoyed me were necessary for the guys to end up together, but I wish the writer could have found different ways to make that happen.
September 27, 2023
I can't believe the series is over, but what a satisfying and exciting ending it was. Montana lost his husband 7/8 years ago, and he still hasnt fully recovered. My heart broke for him, and the hold grief had on him. He is off to recover a fossil that could help their species and the humans they love. Henry goes with him and continues trying to woo Montana, with some funny results in the beginning.
Henry is a sweet, innocent, little flower and needs protecting at all costs. He has come a long way during the past year and has become a great part of the team.
Fossil recovery is full of action and is the most important recovery mission to date. I could understand why Montana acted that way with Henry, but it was so frustrating at times, and it did break my heart. I just loved them together, and the sex was so hot. Can we also mention dildo rex? It made me laugh my head off!
The ending was perfect and the best way to end the series; it just made me so happy!
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
Henry is a sweet, innocent, little flower and needs protecting at all costs. He has come a long way during the past year and has become a great part of the team.
Fossil recovery is full of action and is the most important recovery mission to date. I could understand why Montana acted that way with Henry, but it was so frustrating at times, and it did break my heart. I just loved them together, and the sex was so hot. Can we also mention dildo rex? It made me laugh my head off!
The ending was perfect and the best way to end the series; it just made me so happy!
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
November 14, 2025
What a great end to a series (I'm assuming it's the end as the author note sort of hints that it is). Henry is such a sweet, caring, tender soul. I love him and he needs to be protected at all costs. That said, his vulnerability and open heart caused me no small amount of emotional pain. Montana was often so cruel and/or oblivious to Henry's feelings and intentions that I just wanted to shake him. He had his reasons, yes. But wow, did the whole thing mess with my heart. Of all the books in the RELIC series, this one caused the most genuine tears from me. Despite the turmoil, I loved reading this book. I adore the RELIC crew and their "boyfriends and strays" with my whole heart. Confession, though? I'd totally go for a book about Ruben. Like, *please* let me have this.
this and all future re-reads: yup. love this series. and this book *still* makes me cry.
this and all future re-reads: yup. love this series. and this book *still* makes me cry.
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