What do you think?
Rate this book
Mytho Investigations #8
Ogres and other Dating Dilemmas
Sean Lloyd has given up on finding love. It’s easier to concentrate on his work as a mytho biologist than figure out people. But that was easier to believe in his twenties. Now his friends are getting engaged and planning weddings, and he’s only planning his next hook-up. He wants more, even if he isn’t sure what that looks like.When an ogre knocks him over and then sweeps him off his feet, he’s more than happy to go along for the ride. However, mythos aren’t classified as people, and Sean can see how hard it is for his friend Jordan to date a mytho even though his dragon-shifter boyfriend passes for human. Ogres don’t.Troy Violet was thirteen when the collapse happened. He lost his family and was taken in by another, a much stricter household that cleaves to ways that were considered old even before the collapse. So much has changed in the ten years since, and there are so many more opportunities for an ogre not interested in finding a wife. However, he never planned on falling for a human man.Some people aren’t happy with the way he is turning his back on ogre society, and they will do anything to drag him back, even if it means breaking a few human laws.Ogres and Other Dating Dilemmas is a standalone novel that ties into the Mytho Investigations series. For readers who like size differences, awkward human heroes, cinnamon roll ogres, magic, mayhem, and happily ever afters.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2024
32 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Nichols
89 books343 followersTJ Nichols (they/them) is the author of the Studies in Demonology and Familiar Mates series. They write mostly gay fantasy and paranormal romance, but sometimes gay action/horror as Toby J. Nichols.
After traveling all over the world and Australia, TJ now lives in Perth, Western Australia.
Free gay shifter novella when you join TJ's newsletter: http://tjnichols-author.com/lp/
You can find TJ on
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TJNichols
Ream: https://reamstories.com/tjnichols
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TJNichols.au...
follow me on Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/tjnichols or Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tj-ni...
After traveling all over the world and Australia, TJ now lives in Perth, Western Australia.
Free gay shifter novella when you join TJ's newsletter: http://tjnichols-author.com/lp/
You can find TJ on
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TJNichols
Ream: https://reamstories.com/tjnichols
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TJNichols.au...
follow me on Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/tjnichols or Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tj-ni...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 6, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Ogres and Other Dating Dilemmas is a spin-off story set in the world of T.J. Nichols’ Mytho series. The main series is seven books developing the relationship between Jordan and Edra and following the plight of the Mythos and the push for legally recognized personhood. Sean and Troy appear as side characters through much of the series and we see their relationship developing in the background of the main events. The timeline of this story overlaps with the much of the Mytho series and covers some of those major events from Troy and Sean’s POVs. While this story features a new couple and includes a basic overview of the world building and key events from the main series, I do think this one is going to be a lot more enjoyable for those familiar with the Mytho books.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Ogres and Other Dating Dilemmas is a spin-off story set in the world of T.J. Nichols’ Mytho series. The main series is seven books developing the relationship between Jordan and Edra and following the plight of the Mythos and the push for legally recognized personhood. Sean and Troy appear as side characters through much of the series and we see their relationship developing in the background of the main events. The timeline of this story overlaps with the much of the Mytho series and covers some of those major events from Troy and Sean’s POVs. While this story features a new couple and includes a basic overview of the world building and key events from the main series, I do think this one is going to be a lot more enjoyable for those familiar with the Mytho books.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
Read
January 1, 2024Audiobook direct: https://tjnicholsbooks.myshopify.com/...
Audiobook other retailers: https://books2read.com/u/mqqwQQ
Audiobook other retailers: https://books2read.com/u/mqqwQQ
October 23, 2025
4.25 stars. Audiobook. Spinoff, bonus story of a new couple. Paranormal romance. We meet this couple in the excellent Mytho series and they get a lovely book of their own. So much of the world building and species tension is outlined in the main series, that this really does feel like a bonus story and not a stand alone. This couple’s story runs concurrently with the main series, we se may if the same events, but from a different
Perspective, which was really neat and well
Done. It still somehow felt fresh and entertaining, a testimony to the skill of the author.
Great narration by Roberto Scarlato, nice range of voices, emotion and emphasis.
HEA, paranormal, ogre, human, m/m, t/b roles, mild drama, mild angst, medium spice.
Perspective, which was really neat and well
Done. It still somehow felt fresh and entertaining, a testimony to the skill of the author.
Great narration by Roberto Scarlato, nice range of voices, emotion and emphasis.
HEA, paranormal, ogre, human, m/m, t/b roles, mild drama, mild angst, medium spice.
September 1, 2023
Ogres and Other Dating Dilemmas is something a little different in the Mytho series. It’s one of those what-about books as it tells the story of two of the secondary characters you often worry about or want to know how they got through all the changes going on. In this case it’s Sean, Jordan’s best friend, and Troy, the ogre he starts a relationship with. Their story encompasses the action following the nymph incident in Book 3 to the end of the series from Sean’s and Troy’s viewpoints. As a story it does a number of things. It resolves the ‘ogre problems’ generated by Troy’s lifestyle choice and shows the different human responses to the Mytho population. There are some really positive moments and some laugh out funny ones as well.
The love story is great, full of self doubt and worries. Sean has trust issues and Troy has ‘family’ issues. Then there is the fact that they have to try to get by in at least two different worlds: the human world and the ogre world mostly but also the wider Mytho world. Thankfully the last one poses fewer problems. Vampire, elves, werewolves and satyrs seem to have adapted where they can.
A great addition to the series. One that broadens the understanding of Mytho cultures and the impact of human and Mytho cultures on each other. Not a stand-alone but a beautiful second helping of a wonderful series.
The love story is great, full of self doubt and worries. Sean has trust issues and Troy has ‘family’ issues. Then there is the fact that they have to try to get by in at least two different worlds: the human world and the ogre world mostly but also the wider Mytho world. Thankfully the last one poses fewer problems. Vampire, elves, werewolves and satyrs seem to have adapted where they can.
A great addition to the series. One that broadens the understanding of Mytho cultures and the impact of human and Mytho cultures on each other. Not a stand-alone but a beautiful second helping of a wonderful series.
January 4, 2024
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Ogres and other Dating Dilemmas, by T.J. Nichols
a Mytho Investigations Novella
★★★★★
358 Pages
3rd person, dual character POV
Themes: MM Romance, Monster Romance, Collapsed world, Urban Fantasy, Size Queen, Size difference, first responder family, politics, knotting
Triggers: mentions of homophobia/species-phobia, forced drug use, gaslighting, violence, grooming, old-fashioned values, off-page bombing
~
First thing is first...if you have NOT read the Mytho series focusing on Jordan and Edra – all seven books – then STOP NOW. Go back, read them all, then come and read this one, because this book contains spoilers to the main series. It will also be hard to follow who is who and what is going on, if you haven't read that first.
~
When I first saw there were going to be more stories in the Mytho universe, I was super excited but also scared. I'd loved Jordan and Edra's journey so much, would it be the same with Jordan's friends at the helm? Well, it was the same, and now I'm hoping T.J. is willing to write a few more, because I NEED to see Matt and Jake – possibly together? – get their own stories. Please?
Troy and Sean are so stupidly perfect for each other it's unreal. Troy is an ogre, strong but with a marshmallow centre and a whole heap of personal baggage in tow. Sean is slightly wounded, cautious and not ready to settle down considering how it went last time. Together, they not only balance each other out, but they bring something to the table that the other person was missing. Sean is Troy's reminder that he's not alone anymore, that sometimes you have to be afraid and overthink something in order to resolve it properly and safely. Troy is Sean's strength, a big tower of a man who can make him feel emotionally and physically safe, but also treat him gently.
The plot is intricate, and I won't lie – if you haven't read the entire Mythos series so far, you will NOT understand this. Sean and Troy's story spans quite a lot of the plot points from the last 2, if not 3, books in the series. To miss out reading them would mean a lot of the events here will feel confusing and vague, but they'll also spoil the surprises of discovering them naturally within the series timeline.
With that said, I couldn't have hoped for a better story for Troy and Sean. They really are the most adorable couple, and though they face a lot of hardships – most of which I can't mention, because they could be considered spoilers – they overcome them together. As a team!
It was really nice to see a whole host of familiar faces getting some on-page time, though some didn't get as much as I'd hoped for. It was great to see Isaac, Francis and Tatiana again, to see the Strega and Pan getting a scene. It was all so cleverly woven into the events of the main series. I can't wait to read Mason's story in Weddings and other One-Night Stands.
~
Favourite Quote
“An ogre... Are elves too pretty for you?”
Sean laughed. “Yes, Mom. I like to be the pretty one.”
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Ogres and other Dating Dilemmas, by T.J. Nichols
a Mytho Investigations Novella
★★★★★
358 Pages
3rd person, dual character POV
Themes: MM Romance, Monster Romance, Collapsed world, Urban Fantasy, Size Queen, Size difference, first responder family, politics, knotting
Triggers: mentions of homophobia/species-phobia, forced drug use, gaslighting, violence, grooming, old-fashioned values, off-page bombing
~
First thing is first...if you have NOT read the Mytho series focusing on Jordan and Edra – all seven books – then STOP NOW. Go back, read them all, then come and read this one, because this book contains spoilers to the main series. It will also be hard to follow who is who and what is going on, if you haven't read that first.
~
When I first saw there were going to be more stories in the Mytho universe, I was super excited but also scared. I'd loved Jordan and Edra's journey so much, would it be the same with Jordan's friends at the helm? Well, it was the same, and now I'm hoping T.J. is willing to write a few more, because I NEED to see Matt and Jake – possibly together? – get their own stories. Please?
Troy and Sean are so stupidly perfect for each other it's unreal. Troy is an ogre, strong but with a marshmallow centre and a whole heap of personal baggage in tow. Sean is slightly wounded, cautious and not ready to settle down considering how it went last time. Together, they not only balance each other out, but they bring something to the table that the other person was missing. Sean is Troy's reminder that he's not alone anymore, that sometimes you have to be afraid and overthink something in order to resolve it properly and safely. Troy is Sean's strength, a big tower of a man who can make him feel emotionally and physically safe, but also treat him gently.
The plot is intricate, and I won't lie – if you haven't read the entire Mythos series so far, you will NOT understand this. Sean and Troy's story spans quite a lot of the plot points from the last 2, if not 3, books in the series. To miss out reading them would mean a lot of the events here will feel confusing and vague, but they'll also spoil the surprises of discovering them naturally within the series timeline.
With that said, I couldn't have hoped for a better story for Troy and Sean. They really are the most adorable couple, and though they face a lot of hardships – most of which I can't mention, because they could be considered spoilers – they overcome them together. As a team!
It was really nice to see a whole host of familiar faces getting some on-page time, though some didn't get as much as I'd hoped for. It was great to see Isaac, Francis and Tatiana again, to see the Strega and Pan getting a scene. It was all so cleverly woven into the events of the main series. I can't wait to read Mason's story in Weddings and other One-Night Stands.
~
Favourite Quote
“An ogre... Are elves too pretty for you?”
Sean laughed. “Yes, Mom. I like to be the pretty one.”
January 30, 2024
It has been ten years since the mytho world collapsed into the human world and gave all the human haters something else to revolt against. It is not a surprise when there are protests and violence and a cry that mythos are not human but beasts.
This is the world that Troy, an ogre, grew up in and a world he has been trying to live in. Troy doesn’t want to remain in the ogre community, a community who still lives in the old traditional ways where marriages are chosen by Aster the leader of the community. Aster wants Troy to become her fourth husband and that is not what he wants, he is gay and has made it known that he will not be accepting a marriage with a female.
It is at a basketball game that Troy first set eyes on Sean Lloyd who was on the human team while Troy was on a mixed team, mythos and humans. Sean couldn’t get his eyes off Troy who was exactly what he wanted, huge everywhere and that is all I will say about that. In the shower room Troy tries to make his interest known but Sean just ran.
Sean is a man who lacks confidence when it comes to relationships, he runs before the breakup he is sure will follow happens and before he is heartbroken. He is a mytho biologist which has not endeared him to many mythos. His work revolves around plants, trees and insects but many feel he was responsible for experiments on living beings. Troy does not care about his job only him.
Then Troy made his feelings known Sean was happy to agree to a date and at the same time was afraid. The fear is a result of tensions between humans and mythos that often result in violence. Troy lives in the ogre region and humans are not always happily received, Sean lives in the human region and a mytho would stand out like a sore thumb. Neither Sean nor Troy feels comfortable in the other’s region but if they hope to have a relationship it is a necessary evil.
Aster still refuses to give up on getting Troy and doesn’t hesitate to get her other three husbands to use threats and violence. That violence also is against Sean and Troy is between a rock and a hard place when it comes to being with the human he has grown to love and fearing for his safety. The passing of the Mythological Persons Bill claiming mythos as human could finally bring the wall down that has separated the species.
Being seen as human and given the same rights would make being together so much simpler for Troy and Sean but would undoubtedly lead to more deadly violence.
Humans always seem to find a reason to hate, protest and bring about violence, we see it every day, you just open a newspaper or put on the tv. This is my first book in this series, and I loved it, Sean and Troy are wonderful characters who just want to be able to love who they want, and that too is nothing new in our society.
Violence, sex, love, surprises and secrets, this book has it all. I read some reviews that made mention of catching up with Jordan and Edra and although I did not read the start of their story, I enjoyed reading how it ended.
This is the world that Troy, an ogre, grew up in and a world he has been trying to live in. Troy doesn’t want to remain in the ogre community, a community who still lives in the old traditional ways where marriages are chosen by Aster the leader of the community. Aster wants Troy to become her fourth husband and that is not what he wants, he is gay and has made it known that he will not be accepting a marriage with a female.
It is at a basketball game that Troy first set eyes on Sean Lloyd who was on the human team while Troy was on a mixed team, mythos and humans. Sean couldn’t get his eyes off Troy who was exactly what he wanted, huge everywhere and that is all I will say about that. In the shower room Troy tries to make his interest known but Sean just ran.
Sean is a man who lacks confidence when it comes to relationships, he runs before the breakup he is sure will follow happens and before he is heartbroken. He is a mytho biologist which has not endeared him to many mythos. His work revolves around plants, trees and insects but many feel he was responsible for experiments on living beings. Troy does not care about his job only him.
Then Troy made his feelings known Sean was happy to agree to a date and at the same time was afraid. The fear is a result of tensions between humans and mythos that often result in violence. Troy lives in the ogre region and humans are not always happily received, Sean lives in the human region and a mytho would stand out like a sore thumb. Neither Sean nor Troy feels comfortable in the other’s region but if they hope to have a relationship it is a necessary evil.
Aster still refuses to give up on getting Troy and doesn’t hesitate to get her other three husbands to use threats and violence. That violence also is against Sean and Troy is between a rock and a hard place when it comes to being with the human he has grown to love and fearing for his safety. The passing of the Mythological Persons Bill claiming mythos as human could finally bring the wall down that has separated the species.
Being seen as human and given the same rights would make being together so much simpler for Troy and Sean but would undoubtedly lead to more deadly violence.
Humans always seem to find a reason to hate, protest and bring about violence, we see it every day, you just open a newspaper or put on the tv. This is my first book in this series, and I loved it, Sean and Troy are wonderful characters who just want to be able to love who they want, and that too is nothing new in our society.
Violence, sex, love, surprises and secrets, this book has it all. I read some reviews that made mention of catching up with Jordan and Edra and although I did not read the start of their story, I enjoyed reading how it ended.
January 7, 2024
**4.5**
It's so good to have Sean and Troy's story after reading and loving the Mythos series. Jordan and Edra's HEA was a hard fought battle, and Sean and Troy go through it a fair bit too. I'd say this can be read as a standalone but it is a companion novel to the Mythos series. It's set during the time of that series from when Sean and Troy first met until the end of the main series.
Two very different people, not just in species, Sean is human, a scientist who studies Mytho plant biology and stays away from relationships with the idea that he doesn't make a good partner. Troy is an ogre who lost his whole family in the Collapse. He has had a hard time within the ogre community since the collapse and just wants to be free to do his own thing. Upon meeting, there is an instant connection and attraction on both sides, though they are equally wary as a mixed species relationship is seriously frowned upon.
It's hard to stay away when that person is the only one who has made you wish for a relationship for the first time in forever. Sean has seriously low opinions of himself and also stresses about pretty much everything, overthinking everything. Troy is one of the few that find it endearing, and it also happens to help that he has a certain size advantage over many others. They seem like a perfect match but with everything going on in the world and waiting to see if the law passes that will officially class Mythos as people, there's a lot to worry over, along with Troy's problems with his ogre tribe. The one who thinks herself the leader doesn't want to let him out of her clutches, no matter who she goes about it.
It can be scary for them at times (on page fight and recovery) but the time they spend together shows them what they could become and how much they come to mean to each other, regardless of what the haters think. There's also a dash of drama with Sean's family, keeping him on his toes all over as he gets involved in one or two of the big events that occur within the Mytho series. A brilliant story that adds another POV to the world alongside the drama that TJ created in the original series.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
It's so good to have Sean and Troy's story after reading and loving the Mythos series. Jordan and Edra's HEA was a hard fought battle, and Sean and Troy go through it a fair bit too. I'd say this can be read as a standalone but it is a companion novel to the Mythos series. It's set during the time of that series from when Sean and Troy first met until the end of the main series.
Two very different people, not just in species, Sean is human, a scientist who studies Mytho plant biology and stays away from relationships with the idea that he doesn't make a good partner. Troy is an ogre who lost his whole family in the Collapse. He has had a hard time within the ogre community since the collapse and just wants to be free to do his own thing. Upon meeting, there is an instant connection and attraction on both sides, though they are equally wary as a mixed species relationship is seriously frowned upon.
It's hard to stay away when that person is the only one who has made you wish for a relationship for the first time in forever. Sean has seriously low opinions of himself and also stresses about pretty much everything, overthinking everything. Troy is one of the few that find it endearing, and it also happens to help that he has a certain size advantage over many others. They seem like a perfect match but with everything going on in the world and waiting to see if the law passes that will officially class Mythos as people, there's a lot to worry over, along with Troy's problems with his ogre tribe. The one who thinks herself the leader doesn't want to let him out of her clutches, no matter who she goes about it.
It can be scary for them at times (on page fight and recovery) but the time they spend together shows them what they could become and how much they come to mean to each other, regardless of what the haters think. There's also a dash of drama with Sean's family, keeping him on his toes all over as he gets involved in one or two of the big events that occur within the Mytho series. A brilliant story that adds another POV to the world alongside the drama that TJ created in the original series.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
January 7, 2024
Sean Lloyd has given up on love and resolves to dedicate himself to his studies on mytho biology. He does have one activity outside of work and that is basketball. When he is knocked over by a player on the other team, Sean feels as if he has found his one and does not care that he is an ogre. Troy wants Sean as well but confusions result when Sean does not understand Troy’s overtures. With a little help from friends, the two get together but many are not happy except, of course, Troy and Sean. There are ogres who are really unhappy with Troy’s decision to turn his back on ogre life. They are more than willing to use any means including illegal (according to human law) actions to bring him back in line.
For these two, navigating the new normal took several different turns for them. Neither wanted the other to be hurt in any way. There were some miscommunications along the way, but these two men were not willing to give up on love. Love is something they decide is worth fighting for. This story is filled with good feelings and a few not so good. They persevere and again with some help from friends, things get better and better. This book is about possibilities and change. I love the interaction and the different viewpoints we get to see related to the same occurrences from some of the other stories set in this world. Ogres and Other Dating Dilemmas is a true winner.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and it was my pleasure to voluntarily leave this review.
For these two, navigating the new normal took several different turns for them. Neither wanted the other to be hurt in any way. There were some miscommunications along the way, but these two men were not willing to give up on love. Love is something they decide is worth fighting for. This story is filled with good feelings and a few not so good. They persevere and again with some help from friends, things get better and better. This book is about possibilities and change. I love the interaction and the different viewpoints we get to see related to the same occurrences from some of the other stories set in this world. Ogres and Other Dating Dilemmas is a true winner.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and it was my pleasure to voluntarily leave this review.
January 8, 2024
My first entry into this series and although I haven’t read the prior books, I did not feel lost in the series at all. The author does a great job of not making you feel like you missed out on world building. Honestly, I’m even more interested in this series and reading more about Jordan and Edra’s relationship and the events that this pair of MCs have faced.
Troy’s character is such a gentle giant for me. He’s been on his own since the collapse and never truly felt like part of the ogre community but also never feeling part of the human world either. The situation at Aster’s household caused him so much grief and put him at such odds with the entire community. Since losing his family, he hasn’t had anyone to stand for him and support him in either world and you just feel for him. Along comes Sean who overthinks everything with his science focused brain and sometimes feels like such an opposite to Troy. Yet they absolutely work together and balance each other out. I loved how Sean and his family become that found family for Troy along with other mytho characters that we meet in the book.
I am invested in this world now and planning on going back to read more. I also plan on picking up Mason and Vlash’s story to see what Mason gets up to at the wedding. He seems like a character in desperate need of a HEA and can’t wait to read it! I read a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and fair review.
Troy’s character is such a gentle giant for me. He’s been on his own since the collapse and never truly felt like part of the ogre community but also never feeling part of the human world either. The situation at Aster’s household caused him so much grief and put him at such odds with the entire community. Since losing his family, he hasn’t had anyone to stand for him and support him in either world and you just feel for him. Along comes Sean who overthinks everything with his science focused brain and sometimes feels like such an opposite to Troy. Yet they absolutely work together and balance each other out. I loved how Sean and his family become that found family for Troy along with other mytho characters that we meet in the book.
I am invested in this world now and planning on going back to read more. I also plan on picking up Mason and Vlash’s story to see what Mason gets up to at the wedding. He seems like a character in desperate need of a HEA and can’t wait to read it! I read a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and fair review.
January 7, 2024
Sean is a mytho biologist who has very few people skills. His best friend drags him to events and has even pushed him to join the gay men's basketball team. One day they are playing another team in the league that has a werewolf and a troll. Sean is very drawn to the troll named Troy but being near him leaves him speechless. When Sean catches Troy in the locker room's shower, it appears that Troy is interested in him too but Sean is too chicken to make a move. He regrets it later and asks his friend for help and advice. Their friends get Sean and Troy together again but the two have a lot to learn about each other.
Troy is a troll but he has his own path to follow. He doesn't fit in with the traditional tribes because he doesn't want to be selected by a wife. He fought not to be selected and now he is considered too old to be selected, he can choose to do whatever he wants. He has a job working for the city landscaping the magical areas in parks. He enjoys getting to know all the various species around him but he never wanted anyone for his own until he saw Sean. He tries to make his interest plain to Sean but he keeps getting mixed signals. Is it possible for two such different people to make a life together?
Troy is a troll but he has his own path to follow. He doesn't fit in with the traditional tribes because he doesn't want to be selected by a wife. He fought not to be selected and now he is considered too old to be selected, he can choose to do whatever he wants. He has a job working for the city landscaping the magical areas in parks. He enjoys getting to know all the various species around him but he never wanted anyone for his own until he saw Sean. He tries to make his interest plain to Sean but he keeps getting mixed signals. Is it possible for two such different people to make a life together?
January 7, 2024
This was a really sweet and steamy book with a bit of angst. Sean Lloyd is a Mythos biologist who has given up on finding love because he is "too much". Mythos are creatures such as shifters, vampires, werewolves and ogres that came into the human realm when their parallel world collapsed. Sean wants a loving and committed relationship but he has certain things that he likes in a partner. While playing in a basketball league, he meets Troy Violet, a big and handsome ogre, who knocks him over then helps him up. Troy ticks all of Sean's boxes on what he looks for in a guy. The two become friends but are immediately attracted to each other. They soon begin secretly dating. They are afraid to go public with their relationship due to the ogres not wanting Troy to date outside of the ogre community but also due to waiting for a bill to pass to make Mythos be considered as humans. I really like how supportive Sean's friends and family were of his relationship with Troy and welcomed Troy into their family. I recommend this book for a quick and fun read.
January 7, 2024
4 Stars. This was a really sweet story of a human and an Ogre (mytho) and the important changes that were needed to support their relationship in the community. It's the first one I've read of the series but found it easy to pick up and found the varieties and states of mythos really interesting, plus the changes that got introduced when magic adjusted their states back to more familiar conditions.
The characters had depth and consistency in how they reacted to events given their individual histories, and liked how they dealt with the challenges that were hurled at them at a fairly consistent rate. I also thought the sorrow and reflection by Troy on the loss of his close family at the time of the collapse was well handled and resonated.
Also the supporting characters were more than 2D and the stories behind them I expect would be covered within the series.
Lovely read and look forward to reading more of this series.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
The characters had depth and consistency in how they reacted to events given their individual histories, and liked how they dealt with the challenges that were hurled at them at a fairly consistent rate. I also thought the sorrow and reflection by Troy on the loss of his close family at the time of the collapse was well handled and resonated.
Also the supporting characters were more than 2D and the stories behind them I expect would be covered within the series.
Lovely read and look forward to reading more of this series.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
January 9, 2024
It does not matter what the social norms might want to dictate. Attraction comes where it comes and that is what happens for Sean, who is human, and Troy, who is an ogre. They encounter each other on a basketball court and they find themselves checking each other out and liking what they see. But there are obstacles. Mythos are not always well regarded or treated by humans. The complications that a mixed couple will deal with are at times complex and frustrating. And then there are the personal issues both men are dealing with. Sean is a bit awkward and has trust issues. Troy is dealing with a culture that does not really have a word for gay, yet he knows that is his truth and he wants to live his truth despite the fact that he is working against his culture's norms. It was heartening to see them being drawn together despite the obstacles and to want to be with the person who does it for them. This was such a good addition to this series and has a timely message overall given current social realities.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 8, 2024
Love this world and this addition to it
I love this world and the ideas behind it have lead to a lot of interesting stories. This book is a standalone novel in the mythos world with enough of the history in it to be able to understand what is going on without being too repetitive for readers like me who have read the series. Sean is a human who is interested in bigger guys and Troy is bigger because he is an ogre. TJ Nichols again does a great job of giving us a love story while still working in a lot about the world as it is after Earth and Mythos collapsed into each other. I think being able to work all that they do into a tale that flows so well is one of Nichols’ greatest strengths as a writer. Don’t be worried that this is a long book because it’s so easy to be carried away by the story and get invested in the characters. Don’t be surprised if you want to read the rest of the books, I feel like going back and enjoying them again.
I love this world and the ideas behind it have lead to a lot of interesting stories. This book is a standalone novel in the mythos world with enough of the history in it to be able to understand what is going on without being too repetitive for readers like me who have read the series. Sean is a human who is interested in bigger guys and Troy is bigger because he is an ogre. TJ Nichols again does a great job of giving us a love story while still working in a lot about the world as it is after Earth and Mythos collapsed into each other. I think being able to work all that they do into a tale that flows so well is one of Nichols’ greatest strengths as a writer. Don’t be worried that this is a long book because it’s so easy to be carried away by the story and get invested in the characters. Don’t be surprised if you want to read the rest of the books, I feel like going back and enjoying them again.
January 15, 2024
Ogres and Other Dating Dilemmas by author TJ Nichols is a Mytho Novel. I would read anything TJ Nichols wrote, this story is full of humor, love and an off-beat kind of love. I love original romances or something I have never read a lot about. Ogres are new for me. I loved Troy and Sean together.
Sean: Has given up on finding love. He works as a Mytho biologist. All his friends are finding their forever love he would like to have that too.
Troy: he was 13 when the collapse happened. He has lost most of his family. He was taken in by another family, but he has always had a hole in his heart he wants to have filled by someone just for him. He wants to be progressive but there are those who do not wish mixed mating and will do anything to stop it.
These two have a lot of things to go through. Heck, they have both been through a lot. They manage to find love through all that. I loved this story and look forward to reading more in this world in the future.
Sean: Has given up on finding love. He works as a Mytho biologist. All his friends are finding their forever love he would like to have that too.
Troy: he was 13 when the collapse happened. He has lost most of his family. He was taken in by another family, but he has always had a hole in his heart he wants to have filled by someone just for him. He wants to be progressive but there are those who do not wish mixed mating and will do anything to stop it.
These two have a lot of things to go through. Heck, they have both been through a lot. They manage to find love through all that. I loved this story and look forward to reading more in this world in the future.
January 5, 2024
This is Sean and Troy’s book set in the Mytho Investigations universe. There are, of course, cameos by Jordan and Edra, as well as some of the other side characters so I'd say it's better to read this in order. The timeline, however, spans the whole of the series.
I'm so happy the author wrote Sean and Troy's story. Their budding relationship really jumped off the page even as peripheral events took place in the main body of the series. Seeing those events from Sean and Troy's perspective is great.
As always, the writing style hits the right notes for me - sympathetic characters with an interesting storyline in a fascinating world full of extremes from unerring love and support to abuse, violence and separatism. It's worth mentioning potential trigger warnings for some of these darker elements.
This is an almost perfect read for me, but there was just one thing that I was waiting for but didn't get. That was for the ringleader of the problems Troy's dealing with to get their just desserts on page. The wrapping up of that element felt rushed to me because it happened off page.
Otherwise, I'm so glad these guys get their HEA and I'd love for there to be more books in the Mytho world. 4.5*
An ARC was provided by GRR. This is my honest review.
I'm so happy the author wrote Sean and Troy's story. Their budding relationship really jumped off the page even as peripheral events took place in the main body of the series. Seeing those events from Sean and Troy's perspective is great.
As always, the writing style hits the right notes for me - sympathetic characters with an interesting storyline in a fascinating world full of extremes from unerring love and support to abuse, violence and separatism. It's worth mentioning potential trigger warnings for some of these darker elements.
This is an almost perfect read for me, but there was just one thing that I was waiting for but didn't get. That was for the ringleader of the problems Troy's dealing with to get their just desserts on page. The wrapping up of that element felt rushed to me because it happened off page.
Otherwise, I'm so glad these guys get their HEA and I'd love for there to be more books in the Mytho world. 4.5*
An ARC was provided by GRR. This is my honest review.
January 24, 2024
Trying to get to yes, can be fun. Sean, is stuck in a rut while his friends are finding love. Troy, is trying to live his best life with the hand he is dealt. When he was young, he was taken into a family that embraces old school ogre traditions. He isn't married to the ogre way of life and is open to expanding his horizon. He falls in love with a human man, which is not what traditional ogres expect. There are fun miscommunications as Sean and Troy get to know each other. Fun look into cross cultural dating and how external characters cope or object. Can Sean and Troy find a way to make them work? Nicely done. Great characters. Nice cover art! Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 3, 2024
*I got this book for free, but this opinion is my own.*
A couple, despite the problems get together. Let me start by saying that this one is my favourite authors, because they tend to write really well, and this book was no exception. To start, the beginning had you curious, and from the beginning, I was cheering for the main characters, especially seeing that I could relate to the issue presented in the book. Also, they use suspense well, making you want to keep reading. The first half made me read until early morning. This is where the negative comes in. The beginning half was good and full of suspense. The second half was entertaining but not nearly as suspenseful. Still, I'd suggest this book to anyone looking for great characters, a swoon-worthy couple, and a cute plot.
A couple, despite the problems get together. Let me start by saying that this one is my favourite authors, because they tend to write really well, and this book was no exception. To start, the beginning had you curious, and from the beginning, I was cheering for the main characters, especially seeing that I could relate to the issue presented in the book. Also, they use suspense well, making you want to keep reading. The first half made me read until early morning. This is where the negative comes in. The beginning half was good and full of suspense. The second half was entertaining but not nearly as suspenseful. Still, I'd suggest this book to anyone looking for great characters, a swoon-worthy couple, and a cute plot.
January 8, 2024
This is such a great series and loved reading Sean and Troy's story. You do really need to read previous books to fully understand and relate to all the characters but it could be read as a standalone. Sean and Troy are so different as Sean is human and a biologist who has alot of trust issues whilst Troy is an ogre that has to contend with objections from his own kind. They have an instant connection and have to fight for their "mixed" relationship but overcome these
with help from Sean's friends and family who supported them fully and became Troy's family too.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
with help from Sean's friends and family who supported them fully and became Troy's family too.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
January 10, 2024
Oh,this was just lovely. I loved reading this series and Jordans and Edras story ... so getting an additional story in their universe was great
And I enjoyed it much more than anticipated.
We see Sean and Troy throughout the whole series and I was curious about their story.
And it was perfectly done!
No unnecessary repetitions, no change in characters or storyline.
This one fitted perfectly in every way.
I was not expecting to love these two so much. Their story is heart-warming and I loved to see them develop their relationship.
Sean's family is great and maybe we'll see them again.
Now I am curious about Masons story
... hopefully it will be as perfect as this one
And I enjoyed it much more than anticipated.
We see Sean and Troy throughout the whole series and I was curious about their story.
And it was perfectly done!
No unnecessary repetitions, no change in characters or storyline.
This one fitted perfectly in every way.
I was not expecting to love these two so much. Their story is heart-warming and I loved to see them develop their relationship.
Sean's family is great and maybe we'll see them again.
Now I am curious about Masons story
... hopefully it will be as perfect as this one
December 29, 2023
I feel like I have so much to say about this book but my reviews always end up so short. Weird.
It was wonderful to be back in the Mythos world. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed it. What was jarring, though, was realizing that the timeline of this single book is pretty much covered in the previous series. That said, it was obviously told from different perspectives with different focuses and so felt like an entirely new story. And that's where this is weird: I think you could get away with reading this without having read the others. Given the huge amount of worldbuilding and plot that went into those books, that's pretty damned impressive.
Troy was the sweetheart of this book, though. Sean had so many hangups and so much emotional baggage that he never seemed to want to deal with or talk about. It made him.. not hard to like.. but hard to latch onto. His brothers, though, I found to be hilarious. Such a great job was done showing their family dynamic.
Like every other TJ Nichols book I've ever read, it was hard to put this one down for any length of time and when I did have to, I found myself thinking about it. Highly recommend this novel and the entire series.
It was wonderful to be back in the Mythos world. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed it. What was jarring, though, was realizing that the timeline of this single book is pretty much covered in the previous series. That said, it was obviously told from different perspectives with different focuses and so felt like an entirely new story. And that's where this is weird: I think you could get away with reading this without having read the others. Given the huge amount of worldbuilding and plot that went into those books, that's pretty damned impressive.
Troy was the sweetheart of this book, though. Sean had so many hangups and so much emotional baggage that he never seemed to want to deal with or talk about. It made him.. not hard to like.. but hard to latch onto. His brothers, though, I found to be hilarious. Such a great job was done showing their family dynamic.
Like every other TJ Nichols book I've ever read, it was hard to put this one down for any length of time and when I did have to, I found myself thinking about it. Highly recommend this novel and the entire series.
December 31, 2023
Sean is full of self doubts and anxiety, but his instant attraction to Troy has him wanting more than one night. Troy is the perfect match as he has all the patience needed to calm Sean, but he has major issues with the supposed leader of ogres and her need to control him by any means necessary.
Their journey is a bumpy one, full of ups and downs, misconceptions, doubts, outside forces trying to keep them apart, as well as other mytho/human issues going on around them. There is danger, violence, complications, and enemies. There is also an intense connection, great friends and family, laughs, steamy sexy times, courage, love, and a sweet and satisfying HEA.
While I really enjoyed this book - and I would recommend it - there were a couple times where I felt like I was missing something, and I believe that's due to me not having read any of the previous books. That said, I was still able to follow it and understand what was going on.
I received an ARC from GRR, this is my honest opinion.
Their journey is a bumpy one, full of ups and downs, misconceptions, doubts, outside forces trying to keep them apart, as well as other mytho/human issues going on around them. There is danger, violence, complications, and enemies. There is also an intense connection, great friends and family, laughs, steamy sexy times, courage, love, and a sweet and satisfying HEA.
While I really enjoyed this book - and I would recommend it - there were a couple times where I felt like I was missing something, and I believe that's due to me not having read any of the previous books. That said, I was still able to follow it and understand what was going on.
I received an ARC from GRR, this is my honest opinion.
January 4, 2024
I'm gonna be honest and say I made a mistake in reading this book before trying to read the rest of the series first. I was a bit lost as to the political landscape and I need to say that I like my romance books a bit "dumb" so the continuous focus thereon kinda took me out of the story and after a while irritated me.
HOWEVER, Troy and Sean were adorable, with awkward Sean and cinnamon roll Troy. I enjoyed their start and the relationship they built together. It was fun exploring the world through their eyes and I can see myself reading the rest of the books in this story just to catch up with the other characters.
HOWEVER, Troy and Sean were adorable, with awkward Sean and cinnamon roll Troy. I enjoyed their start and the relationship they built together. It was fun exploring the world through their eyes and I can see myself reading the rest of the books in this story just to catch up with the other characters.
January 9, 2024
Sean and Troy
I really enjoyed reading this book. I looked forward to their story after the previous book in the series and I wasn't disappointed. Troy is an ogre who lives in a community of mostly traditional ogres. They want him to marry a female ogre and became one of three husbands. Troy has fallen in love with Sean, a human male.
I liked how they were able to include all the characters and the story overlapped Edra and Jordan's .
The characters were good, the story was entertaining. I'm really glad I read it. I love this series
I really enjoyed reading this book. I looked forward to their story after the previous book in the series and I wasn't disappointed. Troy is an ogre who lives in a community of mostly traditional ogres. They want him to marry a female ogre and became one of three husbands. Troy has fallen in love with Sean, a human male.
I liked how they were able to include all the characters and the story overlapped Edra and Jordan's .
The characters were good, the story was entertaining. I'm really glad I read it. I love this series
May 6, 2024
I loved Troy and Sean's story, and the way it took place at the same time as the main series with references to what was going on then.
I enjoyed the exploration of Ogre culture and the perspective of Troy of Jordan/Edra etc, and Sean as he learns more about Mytho and gets to know Troy. I loved the friendships, and Sean's family and brothers.
The insight as to who was truly responsible for the wedding issue, and Pan's role in sorting things out was interesting. I'm looking forward to Jake's book now, and Pan's.
I enjoyed the exploration of Ogre culture and the perspective of Troy of Jordan/Edra etc, and Sean as he learns more about Mytho and gets to know Troy. I loved the friendships, and Sean's family and brothers.
The insight as to who was truly responsible for the wedding issue, and Pan's role in sorting things out was interesting. I'm looking forward to Jake's book now, and Pan's.
January 9, 2024
An Ogre Romance, Yes Please!
I hadn't read any of the other books in this series and I had no problem following the story.
Troy and Sean were adorable, with awkward Sean and cinnamon roll Troy.
There are moments of heart and humor as well as the deeper and harder ones.
They both needed someone to trust in and feel at home with and find in in each other.
I liked the story and I'm looking forward to see what happens next.
I hadn't read any of the other books in this series and I had no problem following the story.
Troy and Sean were adorable, with awkward Sean and cinnamon roll Troy.
There are moments of heart and humor as well as the deeper and harder ones.
They both needed someone to trust in and feel at home with and find in in each other.
I liked the story and I'm looking forward to see what happens next.
September 28, 2024
Great Read
I loved this book. I didn't actually read any of the others before this one, but it didn't take anything away from it. I loved Troy, and found Sean somewhat relatable. I loved how they worked their way through the ups and downs, the misunderstandings, hatred and prejudice, and their own personal issues. Id love to read more about the friends and family members ending up with mythos as well.
I loved this book. I didn't actually read any of the others before this one, but it didn't take anything away from it. I loved Troy, and found Sean somewhat relatable. I loved how they worked their way through the ups and downs, the misunderstandings, hatred and prejudice, and their own personal issues. Id love to read more about the friends and family members ending up with mythos as well.
November 23, 2025
I liked this more than I thought I would. I liked it better than the previous book. Sometimes spin offs drop in quality to the series but this one was just as good as the series.
The characters were all likeable and the story follows the events of the previous book but adds in enough extra details that you don't know exactly what will happen. I also liked that you saw the events slightly differently from the last book which is realistic when coming from another character's POV.
The characters were all likeable and the story follows the events of the previous book but adds in enough extra details that you don't know exactly what will happen. I also liked that you saw the events slightly differently from the last book which is realistic when coming from another character's POV.
December 31, 2023
It was great to be back in this world. I’ve loved this series and am so glad we got Sean and Troy’s story. It was interesting to see the events of the series through a different couple’s perspective. The addition of other characters including Sean’s family was great as well and I really wish Ricky was single lol. I do feel a bit let down that the resolution of the ogre issues were done off page, I really wanted to witness the comeuppance and hopefully pain brought to Aster and her thugs. Maybe it will be in Vlash’s book but even so it should have been in this one. I also needed to see some butt kissing from those who treated Troy so badly- Francis specifically needed to apologize. Overall these two were perfect for each other and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them fight for their HEA. There was also some major heat happening between them too!
January 8, 2024
I hadn't read any of the other books in this series and it didn't matter. It might have been nice to have some of the background but it did not make a difference.
I like Troy and Sean and can imagine how difficult it was for Troy deciding that he didn't want to be part of the selection and then trying to live his life.
If anything though, I did feel the book was a little too long.
I like Troy and Sean and can imagine how difficult it was for Troy deciding that he didn't want to be part of the selection and then trying to live his life.
If anything though, I did feel the book was a little too long.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews