Bump in the Night

Black Oasis #2

by Nik Knight, Lily Mayne

You never know what’s hiding in your closet...

At twenty-six, Ivy has their life figured out. They have a decent paying job at the London office of Somnus Entertainment--the gaming company behind the wildly popular game Black Oasis--a draughty flat they inherited from their wild great aunt, and a few select friends to pass the time. They’re a responsible adult, thank you very much, and while they might get lonely at times, they know better than to put too much stock into that fanciful notion known as love.

But when a skeevy encounter during a fun night at the pub devolves into a violent hate crime, their life changes forever.

Waking up in a demon dimension, beaten within an inch of their life, is bad enough. But add a snarky, haughty healer with the universe's worst bedside manner, and Ivy knows they’re in for a long, excruciating recovery. Lau the Dreamwraith is prickly, arrogant, and entirely infuriating, but for some strange reason, he seems hellbent on nursing Ivy back to health. Despite Lau’s whinging over their “inferior human qualities,” there is a heat building between them that neither are able to fight. Like a match meeting kerosine, their chemistry ignites, but Ivy’s stay in the demon world is temporary and fire always burns out eventually.

Love is a dream, after all; it has no business in nightmares. Right?

Join Ivy and Lau as they nurture the sparks between them until they explode into an unexpected passion that crosses dimensions in Bump in the Night, the second book in Knight and Mayne’s co-authored queer, monster romance series, Black Oasis.

Bump in the Night is an M/X monster romance full of hurt/comfort, angst, humor, and a sweet, spicy love between a fiery Brit and their arrogant sleep demon. This love story contains explicit content and is not suitable for young readers. Be sure to check the Trigger Warnings at the beginning of the book for more details

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, M M Romance, Monsters, Paranormal, Queer, LGBT

401 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2024

About the author

Nik Knight (they/them) is a born and bred Hoosier living in a top-secret location in Europe. They are a single parent to two wonderful gremlins, and they write love in all its forms.

When they aren’t busy adulting, Nik can be found in their writing nook, typing away as their fingers turn to nubs.

Reviews

[Astra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lua is a sassy and (a little bit stuck up) dreamwraith and then there’s Ivy who is nonbinary and full of just as much sass but also (at times) kind words. The best part throughout this entire book was just witnessing their personalities clash and also Vari, I freaking love Vari 😂. Although the next closest thing would be all the sweet conversations, there were actually a lot of them which I wasn’t expecting. I’m not sure why, they just didn’t seem like that kinda couple. And the moments of miscommunication fit nicely into the plot. We get a glimpse of Cody and Nor which was super nice because I missed themmm. There were monsters, some strange world full of strange creatures and a sentient plant, so I think this one checks off all the box’s for spooky month!

[ivanareadsalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

✨💖Just me over here celebrating another PINNACLE WIN 5⭐ Buddy Read with my twinnie Brooke who made this particular read even MORE special! ti amo tantissimo, amoreeeee!!💖✨

ok so that being said, LET'S GET IT!!👏🏽

⚜️I really really enjoyed Bump In The Night (Black Oasis #2) !!⚜️

👾🌿🌱This book read very “Lily Mayne”, like a 💥mashup💥 of both her Folk and Monstrous series! Brooke was on point when she likened Lau to “Moth, with some Wyn highlights”…but there was also A LOT of Lonan in his characterization too! And Ivy was quite sweet and sassy, and reminded me a bit of Ash as well, minus the green thumb! So essentially, I was in familiar territory and it felt like coming home…but trippier and funnier and wildly enjoyable!🥰

💪🏽🦄🌈I'm not too familiar with Knight's backlist, but i did enjoy How to Survive a Summoning , and i see some of that novella's lovable zany quirkiness in the underlying "fun" vibe of BITN! i LOVED this fabulous shift in tone and i hope future installments will carry this ✨energy✨ forward as well!🐕🦑💫

❤️‍🔥 What I loved (in no particular order): ❤️‍🔥

⚜️ Enby IVY was a mega star, and they had my attention from the beginning! Sweet and as pretty as a {🌺Hedreya🌺} flower with some assertive and cheeky thorns, this babe opened their story standing in their power and I was here for ALL of THAT stiletto👠 and sequin🔹💎🔹 shine!👛💅

⛈️But with great, “confuse-the-straights-with-your-glam” power, there sometimes comes a 10.0 magnitude hate crime that had ME BAWLING LIKE I WAS THE ONE BEING MURDERED!💔😭

👑👗And so this “killer outfit” became indelible in my mind, as THE "Friday-Night-I'ma-Do-Me" armour Ivy wore carried so much more weight and meaning behind it than JUST a dress. because all that gorgeous, empowered energy they'd stepped out rocking at the beginning of the night, triggered the ferocious violence that almost got them killed.🩸🦴

☠️⚠️❌because some humans are just hateful fkin demons.❌⚠️☠️

🚥🛑Please be kind to yourselves and MIND YOUR TRIGGERS, loves!🚥🛑

🍒🍃So YESSSSS I loved Ivy, who was sweet and also a bit fierce, and I enjoyed their love and healing journey throughout this book very much!🍃🍒

🗻 Lau the Dreamwraith was all kinds of prickly and adorable and I loved him very much!! He was a healer herbalist sleep demon (of the Panacea Clan - YES 100% on the nose, that!) with a cottage on a mountain top obv far away from everyone except his precious bestie Nor, a gorgeous garden and kitchen apothecary, and was pretty much the embodiment of ALL the BEST BOY vibes from both of LM’s Monstrous and Folk series!🌿🌼🍄

💓I COULD NOT STAN HARDER!!!💓

⚕️Lau was miles of heart (and heart-eyes😍) for Ivy, wrapped up in performative ferocity, which I found just as endearing as his 🌺Hedreya🌺 did! It was “lights out” for Lau when back (around Book 1’s “time”), Ivy had stumbled through his world from a dream, and thus began Lau’s fortuitous wardrobe skulking crush that ended up saving Ivy’s life in the end.💘 ❤️‍🩹💞✨#dreamlovergoals✨

😄 When I say this was silly and hilarious at times, I genuinely mean that! so YESS to a whole bunch of star power for inducing hysterical wheezing laughs from my poor -but happy- lungs, and ofc all the emoji/sticker associations that came out of this reading experience!🍽️🥘🍳🫖

😎 Vari. that is all. like Brooke said, you may have never thought that you needed a himbo demon in your life, but you'll for sure THINK AGAIN after Vari shows up! because this spray tan toga wearing broseph is 78345686 levels of entertainment that just kept on giving! so i very much hope Vari has an installment in this series, because the joy game STEPS UP something fierce with that excitable frat bro as the main character!

🌴🎮👾okkk i've been rambling on quite a bit but I HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME WITH BITN! not only was this book romantic and sweet, but it also offers fans of both the Monstrous and Folk series, and the zany-quirky vibe of How to Survive a Summoning , an installment of Nik Knight & Lily Mayne fabulousness that dazzles! Love this amazing world of Black Oasis, and looking forward to whatever else is still to come from this awesome duo!🌴🎮👾

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5 stars ⭐️

Another wonderful buddy read win with my lovely twin sis, Ivana 💝

“Sweet dreams,” I said, and he snorted. “I do not dream.” I smiled. “I know.”
“But if I could,” he said, voice trailing off as sleep claimed him,
“I would dream of you.”

I’m still buzzing from the happiness this book left me.
Bump In The Night was outrageously funny, super sweet and incredibly hot.
Possible spoilers ⚠️

You can definitely tell that Lily Mayne co-wrote this, especially Lau. The grumpy sleep demon was adorable, even when he was really trying not to be. If Moth and Wyn had a demon baby, that would be ice prince Lau.
Prickly and arrogant on the outside, but oh so sweet and lovely on the inside. You could just feel how much he was pining for our sassy Ivy, even in the beginning. The caretaking, the hair washing, buying clothes for them. I’m in love.

Why did he have to be so… unbelievably nice sometimes? Couldn’t he have just picked one or the other? Arrogant bastard or thoughtful, caring nurturer? Then maybe I wouldn’t be so confused.

As for the smut, I loved the bit of role reversal we got to experience with Ivy and Lau.
Ivy, sometimes femme always sassy, turned into a slightly dominating power bottom, meanwhile Mr. Grumps melted and blushed and loved being bossed around. This stereotype-destroying role change added that extra spark that made this romance even more exciting and fun.

Even if there wasn’t too much happening action-wise, it was still an absolutely hilarious read. I can’t tell you how many times I had to stop reading ‘cause of the tears from laughing way too hard. From crazy fights with a demon Pomeranian, Lau being high as a kite, the most ridiculous bickering I’ve ever witnessed, and Vari the himbo demon, this was just a fun ride all the way through.

“What is it you humans say? The pot meets the pan?” “It’s pot, meet kettle,” I hissed.
“I don’t care. You are the pot, the pan, and the kettle!”

Don’t let the bickering fool you, these two were crazy for each other.
Among all the fun times, there was also a very sweet and loving romance. I especially adored the underlying message of embracing your differences and being able to love yourself for what you are.

This was just a winner all around, and I’m also super excited for what I hope will be the next installment (please be Vari the himbo, please please please).

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.

CW and tropes (spoilers):
- On page hate crime/physical assault
- Transphobia
- Body dysmorphia
- Mild gore
- Non-binary MC
- Mentions of parental abandonment & neglect
- Grumpy/sunshine
- Found family
- Non-human genitalia
- Caretaking
- Purring ❤️‍🔥
- Rimming
- Vers MCs
- Touch-starved MC
- 69

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot. It is the second in a series that should be read in order (even though it is a new couple).

Ivy is a feisty non-binary human who is saved and nursed back to health by a sleep demon after being attacked. Lau (said sleep demon) is extremely arrogant and prickly, but of course, deep down he is the biggest cinnamon roll ever. There are some great funny moments.

A lot of the character development is fairly cliché. There's not much in the way of plot (mostly Lau and Ivy are sitting around Lau's place working out their issues and eventually falling in love for their HEA). Buuuut, when there's really good smut in a book, I can forgive a lot. And well, let's just say that this one delivers in that department. #GoodSmutCoversOverAMultitudeOfWritingSins

[haletostilinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ended up loving this even more than the first one, which I had quite enjoyed.

But I absolutely adored Lau and Ivy together.

Ivy is non-binary, and were AMAB. Ivy's never had any body dysmorphia, really, but they've just felt both male and female and neither at the same time.

Since Ivy is our POV character, they felt like a they to me, as we got to know them so well. Again, I am cis, so I am not well versed in trans issues or if trans characters are portrayed well, but from my limited knowledge, Ivy felt wonderfully written. They were so well rounded and interesting and sweet, and I loved their character.

Lau was wonderful too. He was just so adorable. He tried to be all prickly like he was in the first book, but it was all a front, especially with Ivy. The amount of times this man blushed with Ivy was so great.

How they come to be in each other's lives, however, doesn't start out great, as in the human world, Ivy is attacked in a hate crime attack when a man at the bar they were at thought they were a woman, and then a man when they lowered their voice.

When they left the bar, that man and his two friends cornered Ivy and - Trigger Warning Here: beat them almost to death - although not much of it is shown on page.

Lau, whose been kinda pulling a Nor and creepin' on Ivy, becomes aware of what happened to Ivy as Ivy slips almost into unconsciousness - or close to death? It seems to be that - and then takes them back to the sleep demon world, where Lau nurses Ivy back to health in the cabin a mountain where he lives a little ways away from Nor and Cody in their hovel.

Ivy's leg was broken too in the beating, so they need to stay with Lau as they're nursed back to health.

During that time, the two start to fall in love, although there's some starts and stops, due mostly to Lau's skittishness - it was never quite clear if Lau had been a virgin (because of his "deformity") or he was just very skittish and unsure around Ivy because of how he felt about them, and worried over what they might think of his "predicament."

Also, there's the fact that Ivy doesn't belong in the sleep demon world...right? They have to go home to the human realm, surely? They have a life there....kinda. They at least have friends who care about them.

But unlike with Cody, who had a horrid family and no friends and after what happens with his half brother, makes the easy choice to live in the sleep demon world permanently, for Ivy it's just a bit more difficult a decision.

How a solution is came to is brilliant though.

I adored these two. They just were both so sweet and adorable with each other. Ivy was more assertive at times, but they still had a sweetness to them. Seeing Lau so gone for a human after his "hatred" of humans in the first book was so wonderful.

Their chemistry was just so good and leapt off the page.

Also the inclusion of Lau's half-brother, Vari, was great. Vari is a total himbo in demon form. But there is a sensitivity underlying all his himbo bluster, as there's a moment or two when he gets serious in this. There's especially a moment when Ivy calls Vari an idiot and Vari quietly says "I'm not stupid" and my heart hurt for him a bit. I'm sure he's been called stupid in his life multiple times by others.

But he's got that total himbo energy and I can't wait for him to fall for a human (*cough*andimpressuponthemhistwodicks*cough*) and have them see more than his himbo-ness.

His book - because he HAS to have a book, like it just makes sense! - will definitely be an entertaining one and I can't wait!

As for Ivy and Lau, they got a wonderful HEA, and I was just grinning from ear to ear when I finished this. This was just so well paced, so well done, and even better than the first book. I absolutely loved this.

Can't wait for Vari and whatever human catches his precious himbo heart. Onto the next! 😘

My Ratings for the Black Oasis series:

✨ Whispers in the Dark: 4.5 (my review)
✨ Bump in the Night: 5 stars

[Shelby | Spicy.booknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paranormal M/MX
Sleep Demon/Human
Lots of Caretaking
Grump x Grump
Serious Black Cat Energy
Hilarious Banter
Sweet, Vulnerable Moments
🔥🔥🔥

I loved this one so much! I think maybe even more than the first one, maybe.. They are so different, so its probably not fair to compare the two. Where Nor and Cody were so sweet and lovely, these two were like two little spicy, sassy cats after each other! So freaking fun to read though!

A very traumatic event brings Lau and Ivy together in a situation where Lau becomes caregiver to Ivy. Its a fairly simple story, as that's pretty much the plot, BUT this book thrives on the slow burn (ish) and banter between these two. Lau is one uppity, grumpy mofo and he just loves to talk shit. His actions are sweet, but what comes out of his mouth is something else. Just like in real life, when people do that they are usually insecure and hiding something, Lau is no exception. Ivy is the one to see that, and takes no shit from Lau. That makes for some great banter and after a time, some very sweet moments! I loved both these characters, but Lau is just something else.

We are also blessed with Lau's brother, who is hilarious, and a couple great scenes with Nor and Cody from book one. I really, truly hope there is a book three for Lau's Himbo bro Vari.

[☆Kylie☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 Stars.
Steam: 6 out of 10.
Triggers: physical attack for being lgbtq+
Love Triangle: No
Cheating: No
HEA: Yes

Review to come

[Cesco · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I tell you that I’m a slave to this series, it’s not a joke. I’m here for all of the sleep demons and their humans.

HOWEVER, something was missing in this one and I couldn’t really place my finger on it. I think my rating relies on the vibes alone and how much I just love Nor and the universe.

Ivy was almost too neutral of a character. To the point where their later conflict and miscommunication seemed out of pocket.

Lau actually carried this one for me: (as the monsters usually do). His character was just silly and bashful throughout. I really wanted Ivy to poke at him more, or initiate more FRIENDLY actions before their attraction was a prevalent factor.

Overall my gripes are so minor to the enjoyability of the book that I should just stfu and be happy that I liked it. But there are still so many things that my close reading brain overthinks and needs to pick at.

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super duper delightful and immensely intense story!!
Every time when I read something by this author a/o authors, I think it should be also a movie, it’s all so fantastically written, the pictures are flowing before my eyes, it’s real, I’m there, I feel the tension, feel the hurt, and can taste and smell the scents of winter and rosemary and so much more!

Imagine: your bedroom closet door is open every morning, even when you are certain you closed it.
Yup, that was happening to Ivy. At first, they thought it was the cat, but then they remembered the cat died two years ago. *big eyes*

Ivy was harassed in a hate crime, left for dead on the street, and miraculously saved by… a monster?
Yes, Lau the Dreamwraith is a sleep demon, he took Ivy to his realm and took care of Ivy’s wounds, he’s haughty, feels superior, and is extremely prickly, but on the other side oh so gentle. It’s confusing Ivy.

Lau is the demon who appears in Ivy’s nightmares, how does that work you have to find out yourself!

Oh my goodness, you guys have to read this amazing story. Two stubborn, cranky, blunt personalities, with sharp tongues, snarling and yelling at each other, frustrating the other, did I say stubborn?
Yup, that sums up those two! Wait for their spicy moments, hot hot!

Then, there’s Lau’s brother, omfg, lol!

The sensuality was sky-high and so sensible. The humor, gosh, it was prickly, sarcastic, stubborn, or just silly hilarious crazy, I loved it! The hurt/comfort made my heart ache.
There’s a beautiful message about acceptance, about loving yourself wholeheartedly!

A wonderfully written m/x monster romance, completely told from Ivy their pov, and it was so well done, all the five stars for this hugely entertaining story that has all the feels!!

Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews

[KaylaMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

✰4.5 stars✰ rounded up

“You are a bossy little human who thinks they know better than me in all things.” He groaned, burying his face in my neck. “And I want you so much it makes me ache.”

Anything these authors write I've been known to just eat right up, and this was absolutely no different. I completely enjoyed it.

I've been waiting on Lau's book since the first Black Oasis book came out, and I was so so so happy when it was finally here.
Finally meeting Ivy and getting to know their personality was amazing, and I really loved that we got this book from their POV so we could keep seeing Lau as his grump self and slowly open up and thaw in that oh so magical way standoffish characters always do.

I think this was such a great edition to the Black Oasis series, and I can't wait to see what's next.

[⋆｡°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°｡⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

400 pages of one big disappointment when it comes to Lau, an amazing side character in Whispers In The Dark whose book I was very much looking forward to.

I'm giving it 3.5⭐ because the book did have its moments and Lau's character occasionally did shine through, but the story didn't have the same magic as the first book, at least not for me.

For all of you who haven't gotten the book yet and are looking through reviews for data on Ivy's biological sex - it's male. So definitely two biological males involved, rest assured.

🟢 Monster demon/human
🟣 Another realm
🔵 Lau very much reminds me of Moth from Mayne's Monstrous series
🟡 Storytelling isn't the same as in the first book
🟣 A bit of good banter, could be much better
🟢 A very slow burn
❗ Physical assault (the MMC is beaten up for being a man dressed as a woman)
🌶️ Smut is good, very little of it and starts very late in the book; Lau's anatomy wasn't sexually well explored, sadly; both vers

Ivy wasn't a very fleshed out character, I think. Not to me. All we know is that they define themselves as non-binary and that's it. That quick story about their sad family life didn't really touch me, to be honest. The rest about Ivy was somewhat unlikeable and they definitely wouldn't be my first choice for Lau's love interest.

Lau is still the same funny, prickly, hot demon who's utterly lonely and feeling completely inadequate with his only one dick. Lau is stalking Ivy in their dreams and once Ivy is attacked and hurt, Lau brings Ivy back to his realm and nurses them back to health.

"I glared at him. “I’m pretty fucking injured, in case you haven’t noticed.”

“Trust me, human, I noticed,” he muttered, then narrowed his eyes at me as he dipped a wooden spoon into something thick and sludgy and very unappetising. “If you vomit on me, I will haunt your dreams for eternity.”

“Terrifying,” I said flatly. “Will you flare your coat dramatically every time?”"

I love, simply LOVE Lau. 😄

But

The whole nursing part took up more than half of the book, so it was a repetitive scene over the repetitive scene, nothing new was happening. A bit of seeing each other naked but I couldn't really feel the vibe. Maybe because I didn't like Ivy as much.

The banter could've been so much better, the story tried and tried and failed to bring it, they were just pointlessly arguing at some point and it didn't have that sexual charge I'm sure the authors were going for.

When Lau and Ivy finally had sex it got a bit more interesting, not to mention the side characters that made this book more readable. Vari, for one. Vari was pretty amazing. But so was Lau in the first installment and look what happened to his story. I'm not saying there should've been more sex, I'm just saying Lau and Ivy's relationship should've had more substance.


The whole book is completely not what I expected, to be honest.

[winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Moth and Lau be best friends?

Lily and Nikole noticed everyone’s obsession with Moth from the Monstrous series, and wrote us another affection-starved, white haired, elf-looking loner... And I for one am here for it. There’s some unique differences to Lau that are sweet, and his love story with Ivy is so endearing.

We finally get to see why Pomeranians are terrifying in the demon world, what the human world thinks of Cody’s disappearance, and what the deal is with Black Oasis.

Overall this was a fun read, and I LOVED the enby representation.

Spice: 4/5
Angst: 2-3/5 (check TWs)

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lau is a sleep demon of the Panacea Clan, and he is not stalking a human, no matter how it looks. Humans are weak and fragile and beneath his notice. Except for one human named Ivy who Lau… checks in on from time to time. Casually. It’s no big deal, ok? It’s just a good thing he was there when Ivy needed his help. It’s not like he cares or anything.

Bump in the Night is the second in the creative Black Oasis series that matches ‘monsters’ with humans. We met cranky Lau in book 1 where (for me at least) he stole the show. He’s bitchy, dramatic and very confident- on the surface. But deep down he’s insecure, fearful of rejection and struggles with loneliness. He doesn’t feel comfortable in his own skin- something Ivy can relate to.

Ivy is nonbinary (love the representation!) and uses they/them pronouns. Please heed the content warnings- there is a short scene of on-page violence that may be triggering for some. As someone with no triggers, I thought it was deftly and sensitively handled by the authors. The reality of the world we live in is that sometimes horrible things happen to people who do not deserve it. If you are concerned about the trigger but still want to read the book, it is easy to skip that scene and not miss anything vital to the plot. Please be aware that the attack is referenced again throughout the story (in reference to healing from injuries sustained) and in a brief flashback.

This series is just so adorable and wholesome. Don’t let the cover fool you… if you go in expecting super dark and fearsome, you will be disappointed. The ‘monsters’ are protective and loving and cuddly. If you liked the first in the series (Nor and Cody’s story) you already know what to expect. I was very thrilled to see Ivy get their happy ending with Lau. I think I’ll always prefer Lily and Nikole’s darker books, but sometimes a lighter read is just what you need.

Rating: 3.75 rounded up
Angst: 3/5
Steam: 3/5

I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Ezra · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Camila T 🍉 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was as delightful as the first, but I’m kind of in a mood :( maybe RTC? We’ll see.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Please check TW! Nikole and Lily make them VERY easily accessible.***

All vibes, no brains review incoming. Plot? I don't know her. 

OKAY. Okay. Friends. This book. THIS BOOK. I thought by now I would have fully gathered my thoughts, but who am I kidding? (Myself, mostly. I am the joke.)

This book is sweet, sad, spicy, infuriating, soul-crushing, precious, healing, funny, and absolutely brilliant. 

Ivy (they/them) feels like they're being watched. By maybe a cat? No, that can't be right. Purr Ian McKellan has been gone for years. They swear they closed that closet... hm. Anyway.

They go out with friends and Something Horrible happens. They're probably gonna d!e. Until *someone* shows up and nurses them back to health. 

Enter, Lau. Lau is a sleep demon with a coat and a flare for the dramatics. He acts like he is the best thing since sliced bread, but as his layers are peeled back by Ivy, they find that he's very insecure. 

The way these two baby dumbs sweet angel dinguses grow together is so funny and cute. Throughout the story, I wanted to slam their mouths together for a kiss or bash their heads together. (For legal reasons, I am JOKING.)

Vari. Goodness. He was the PERFECT frat boy and comic relief. The d!ldos. My goodness. The d!ldos. 

I suggest you read book 1 in the series (Whispers in the Dark) so you get to know Nor and Cody. You probably don't *have* to... but you won't know the importance of them in Lau's life if you don't. Also, Nor and Cody are sweet angel babies. I would do cr!me for them. 

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

From book 1 I knew I was going to love Lau, but he was even better than expected. Just so dang prickly, but probably the most caring demon to ever exist. Lau was a complete show stealer in book 1, but Ivy held their ground and was an equally interesting character that I fell in love with. When you look at these covers it's easy to think they will be spooky, but honestly, these books are sweet and fluffy. Heed the trigger warnings though, as there is an on page assault in this one, but it sets the stage for our MCs to fall in love (even if they have to be dragged in kicking and screaming). It's a slow burn romance that absolutely fits the MCs and their insecurities.

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

SEÑORES, ESTO SÍ QUE ES OTRA COSA.
GRACIAS. ERA JUSTO LO QUE NECESITABA

Después de la desilusión que me llevo el primer libro de la novela, aquí se nota que las autoras se han puesto las pilas y nos han traído una novela totalmente diferente a la anterior. Una maravilla.

“All demons stalks. We’re hunters, remember. Not that kind of staking. ”

Los protagonistas me han encantado, sobre todo con Lau. Yo solo quiero abrazarlo y conocer sus extravagantes plantas.

Tengo muchas ganas de conocer la historia del siguiente protagonista. Solo espero que sea tan buena como esta porque las interacciones de dicho personaje han sido del diez.

“+Are you…crying abour dildos ?
-Yeah. I just love him so much, you know?

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet, funny, and ultimately deeply romantic monster romance between two stubborn, but endearing, characters. We briefly met prickly Lau in the previous book, and as his layers are uncovered here, it's so easy to fall for him and Lily both. It was nice seeing the previous characters again, and meeting Lau's hilarious brother, who will inevitably be getting his own romance next.

[Christina Sturgill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 🌟
Spice: 2.5/5 🌶️
Characters: Lau and Ivy

I am completely obsessed and in love with Lau.
I struggled with Ivy from start to finish.

This was enjoyable but also frustrating.

[timtam (semi-slump) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars ✨

[Sofia Boquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Lily Mayne’s ‘Moth characters’, the grumpy and arrogant but secretly insecure and lovable characters. I was so excited when I found out the next book would be about Lau because from the first time I met him in the first book I knew I wanted to read his book!

This book was so cute and overall a good read, but I can’t give it 5 stars because there was some things I didn’t vibe with and I felt like something was missing.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this SO MUCH. I loved the first book and loved this one too, you could probably read this as a standalone but a few questions are answered from book one and I definitely recommend reading them in order!

Ivy is out with their friends when there is an incident, and they end up waking up in their “dream” but not really their dream. And they’re with Lau. If you’ve read the first book then you were likely DESPERATE for Lau’s book and it does not disappoint!!! This was a perfect slowish burn because it had so much tension and so much cutey romanticness.

Lau is outstandingly grumpy and I am obsessed with him. This is all from Ivy’s POV and I would usually say I need their POV but I really didn’t necessarily miss it. He was so endearing from Ivy’s POV and how they kinda bullied each other was PERFECT for me 😂

This isn’t enemies to lovers, they kinda act like they’ve been married for 40 years and have hilarious banter and bickering and I love it so much 🥹🥰 Ivy is a dream. I loved how they accepted everything and how, as much as they pushed Lau’s buttons, they were pretty instantly enamoured which is always my fave lil mini trope.

Lau nurses Ivy back to health and he is the most reluctant nurse ever. He has no bedside manner at all (even though he kinda maybe slightly kidnapped Ivy 😂) and he expresses that in classic Lau ways.

Lau is grumpy and rude but he is SO caring too. He opens up and trusts Ivy so much and that just makes me want to worship Ivy even more. I was so interested for Lau’s story and honestly I actually thought it would be a stepbrother romance based on some of the nuggets from book one, and I’m so glad it was this!

I love all of the side characters, Cody and Nor make some appearances and I somehow forgot how absolutely precious Nor is. Also we are introduced to Vari. And I am obsessed with Vari. I cannot wait to see who he ends up with and how they handle him 😂 he had me cackling out loud.

This is a long ramble if you got to the end well done ❤️

Thank you to @gay.romance.reviews for the ARC 💕🥹

[happilyeverafterobsessed · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Kath · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I loved their dynamic!

[Lea · Rating 2 out of 5]

So bummed to say that I didn't really enjoy this one. I love Lily Mayne's Monstrous series, and I loved the first book in this series, Whispers in the Dark. But this one was a big miss for me.

I didn't connect with Ivy and also really couldn't get a full grasp on Lau's character. Ivy was too sexually pushy, even when Lau was very clearly uncomfortable. I think we were supposed to think "but Lau actually wants it!" And while I read a lot of dubcon and noncon, the writing did not seem to be aware of how Ivy's pushing could be perceived, which it made it more uncomfortable to read. Also, all Ivy ever thought about was Lau, throughout the entire book. Really—you're not going to worry about the life you had before, about how you were hate crimed, about how worried your friends and loved ones must be? I don't know why Ivy felt the need to go back to their world when they never even thought about it at all. All their thoughts revolved around Lau, and it was just kind of miserable, especially since Lau was uncomfortable with how pushy Ivy was being. Ivy didn't seem to have much of an inner life aside from sexually wanting Lau and having a short (thankfully non-physically violent) fuse, and that was a bummer for me.

As for Lau... I understand his huffy and snobby personality being a front, but the way his wall would go up and then go down, and he'd be a dick and then he'd be sweet, was something I could not understand or predict. Similarly, he would go from sexually not interested to VERY interested and wanting to go past "first base" right away, after previously giving many signals that he was very uncomfortable with sexual attention.

I don't know. I wish they had talked things out more. I wish that Lau could've had his sexual "awakening" in a situation where Ivy was really understanding and patient with him, instead of pushing themself on him all the time. Especially knowing that Lily Mayne can write consent really well, like in Moth (I have not read other books by Nicole Knight, so I can't speak on their writing).

And after all of Ivy's insistence that they were independent and liked their life and couldn't possibly be in love with Lau (even after they spent the whole book thinking about Lau and only Lau), things suddenly flipped and Ivy decided they did love Lau and couldn't live without him. What? But why the change though?

Yeah, it just really missed for me. But 3 stars because of course the sex scenes were good... If I didn't think about my negative views on the characters. But my dislike for the characters made it really difficult to enjoy the scenes.

If you're okay with romances where the characters are just very fixed on each other and nothing else, don't mind sexual pushiness that is supposed to be read as hot, and you like some sexual denigration and mild praise kink, you might enjoy this book.

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Why did he have to be so...unbelievably nice sometimes? Couldn't he have just picked one or the other? Arrogant bastard or thoughtful, caring nurturer? Then maybe I wouldn't be so confused."

Oh precious Lau. I couldn't wait to get to know more about him since I finished the first book in the Black Oasis series. He was such a dick and I'm totally here to say that, well, not much has changed on that front. The best part about Lau is that although he is quite arrogant and rude, he's also so much more. The demon has a lot going on beneath his haughty exterior and I just loved getting to know him better in this book.

The entire book is told from human Ivy's POV and it was fun reading along while they tried to figure out their demon caretaker. Oh, and yes, you read that correctly. Lau almost gives nurse ratchet a run for her money when it comes to bedside manner, but truthfully, he's very good at what he does when it comes to healing. The real horrific part of it all is why Lau ended up having to take care of Ivy in the first place. That part did prove difficult to read so pay attention to the TWs for this one.

I loved how much Ivy could make Lau blush. It made me smile every time and it happened quite a bit. Their romance was a slow burn. It took a lot of time and patience for Lau to let down his mile high walls, but once he did it didn't take long for Ivy to fall for him. Unfortunately, Lau and Ivy are both stubborn AF so even though they did both have feelings for one another, it took a ridiculous, yet somehow loveable, himbo sibling doing some meddling for them to finally get their HEA in the end.

[jasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am shocked... because I well and truly adored this and I really wasn't expecting to. Bump in the Night is the second book in Nikole Knight and Lily Mayne's Black Oasis series. Whilst I wasn't the biggest fan of the first book or it's characters, I really enjoyed this one. We meet Lau, an arrogant and grumpy demon who is actually super sweet and attentive, and Ivy the human who Lau saves/kidnaps after being attacked. Despite their obvious differences, they’re both really alike and a really nice pairing. Overall, an adorably cute and lovely read.

Also, Lau’s brother is very much giving himbo vibes. He would fit perfectly into Lily Mayne's Goliaths of Wrestling series.

[Nina ~ Meleth Bookaddicted ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was monstrously sweet and wholesome. Don’t let that cover fool you, BUMP IN THE NIGHT is not at all fearsome or dark as the cover may suggest. No, it’s about a solitary yet lonely, surly sleep demon named Lau and his (non-binary) human, Ivy. Ivy is content in their life - they have a stable life - a good job, a flat to call his home and friends to combat his loneliness - until a night out changes everything … Mischief and banter, heart and snark, this book is everything I didn’t know I needed. I wholeheartedly recommend!

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

To preface, at this point, I’m heavily sipping on that Lily Mayne koolaid which.. you know… highly recommend my dudes.

This romance was so cute and the disagreements were deliciously stubborn. The miscommunication conflict which occurs was something that I didn’t even mind at all because the resolution was so perfect and not drawn out like a lot of miscommunication tropes tend to be. Overall delightful read.