A lonely woman, a grumpy kraken, and a town determined to bring them together…
Nina needs a fresh start. Broke, alone, and desperate to escape her past, she stumbles into the quirky little town of Fairhaven Falls, hoping for a quiet place to rebuild her life. What she doesn’t expect is to nearly drown in the river on the edge of town—or to be saved by the town’s most mysterious resident.
Sam has spent most of his life lurking deep in the river, keeping his distance from the humans on shore. As a kraken, he’s used to being feared, whispered about, and left alone. But when he rescues Nina, something in him stirs—an unfamiliar and dangerous longing to keep her.
Nina should be terrified of the massive, tentacled creature who rescues her. Instead, she finds herself drawn to him—the gruff protector with bioluminescent skin, a possessive streak a mile wide, and a heart as deep as the ocean.
But just as she begins to believe she’s finally found a place to belong, her past comes calling, threatening to rip her new life—and her monster—from her grasp.
Sam has spent his life keeping his distance. But when danger comes for Nina, he’s ready to show the town—and the world—just how terrifyingly protective a kraken in love can be.
Welcome to Fairhaven Falls, where love is wet, wild, and all together wonderful!
Each book in the Fairhaven Falls series can be read as a standalone. This sweet and steamy small town romance is intended for mature readers.
This is a fun, small-town monster romance! It’s part of the Fairhaven Falls series of interconnected standalones.
Set in the fall and leading up to Halloween, human FMC Nina is escaping a controlling fundamentalist upbringing. She stops for the night in Fairhaven Falls along the river while on the run. When she unexpectedly goes tumbling into the river, she is luckily rescued by MMC Sam, the elusive kraken with a tragic past of his own.
I really enjoyed this installment. I was glad to see Sam finally get his own story after being a background character in several previous books. The MCs had great chemistry, with plenty of spicy moments balanced by sweet ones. I also liked revisiting familiar characters while meeting some new faces.
This is another fun addition to the series! I can’t wait to see what happens next in Healed by My Hyde, expected to release November 2025.
Spice 4.5/5 Plot: 4.5/5 Writing: 4.5/5 My Enjoyment: 4.5/5
*** I received an ARC and am voluntarily, leaving my honest review.
I have been so wanting for Sam’s story to happen !! 💕
“From the moment I saw you, something in me recognized you. As if I’d been waiting for you without knowing it.”
Flora’s matchmaking is next level (plus loving the track suit mottos 😂)!! This is a beautiful, enchanting, all-the-feels story where Nina, a human, and Sam, a kraken learn to face their fears, trust again, and put their loneliness aside. Expect steamy times as krakens have some interesting talents involving their tentacles 😉!! After escaping from a cult called The Chosen in Haven’s Grace, Nina is a bit down on her luck when she reaches Fairhaven Falls. When Flora causes a mild accident, Nina is spontaneously accepted into the town (could just kiss your heart-of-gold-under-a-grumpy-acting face, Ben 🥰), giving Sam a chance to see his future and his place in the town. But danger lurks, and Sam proves to himself that he can protect someone he loves.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Like every book so far in this series, this one was wonderful. I want so badly to live in Fairhaven Falls. I was so glad that Sam got his story and am excited to see who Flora sets up next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fairhaven Falls Series - ✅1.Cupcakes for My Orc Enemy: Sweet Monster Treats (Fairhaven Falls) (February 10, 2023) - 4⭐ ✅2.Trouble for My Troll: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls) (August 24, 2023)-4⭐ ✅3.Fireworks for My Dragon Boss: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls) (09.21, 2023) - 4⭐ ✅4.Mistletoe for My Minotaur: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls) (12.07, 2023) - 4⭐ ✅5.Valentine for My Vampire: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls) (February 4, 2024) -4⭐ ✅6.Gift for My Ghost (Fairhaven Falls) (October 13, 2024) - ✅7.Wedding for My Werewolf: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls) (February 2, 2025) - 4 ⭐ ✅8. Bidding on the Orc Outcast: A Cozy Monster Romance by Honey Phillips (February 24, 2025) - 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✅9.Kiss for My Kraken: A Cozy Monster Romance (Fairhaven Falls) - Expected publication October 2, 2025 - 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ SAM and NINA - a lovely couple, especially Sam 🥰 ❌10.Healed by My Hyde: A Cozy Monster Romance - Expected publication November 6, 2025
AND SPIN OFF Sweet Monster Treats Series : ✅ 1. Cookies for My Orc Neighbor by Michele Mills - 3 ⭐ ✅ 2. Candy for My Orc Boss by Ava Ross - 4 ⭐ ✅ 3. Cupcakes for My Orc Enemy by Honey Phillips - 4 ⭐ ✅ 4. The Single Mom and the Orc by Honey Phillips - 4 ⭐ ✅ 5. Single Orc Dad by Ava Ross - 4 ⭐ ✅ 6. Twins for the Wild Orc by Michele MillS - 4 ⭐ ✅ 7. Undercover Orc by Ava Ross - 4 ⭐ ✅ 8. Protected by the Orc by Honey Phillips - 4 ⭐ ✅ 9. Arrested by the Orc by Michele Mills - 3 ⭐ ✅10.Awkward Date with a Wicked Orc by Michele Mills (17.02.2025) - 3 ⭐ ✅11. Bidding on the Orc Outcast: A Cozy Monster Romance by Honey Phillips (February 24, 2025) - 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✅112Fake Dating an Orc Cowboy by Ava Ross (March 3, 2025) - 3.6 ⭐
In this fantasy world, monsters are out and amongst humans. There are some humans who think these creatures are "abominations" and not meant to exist amongst mortals. The FMC (Nina) has recently escaped from a cult-like community that is of the mindset that "Others" are demons and they need to be purged. She finds herself in Fairhaven Falls, a community of Others that welcomes her with open arms. None are more infatuated with her than the recluse kraken, Sam (MMC). He knows from early on that Nina is his mate and he wants to leave his solitude to form a life with her. Sam has also had kind of a shitty life up to this point, and it's easy to see why he might want to stay hidden. Flora, the resident matchmaker, has other plans for Nina and Sam though. There's some drama with the cult that Nina escaped, lots of assimilating into the town, and plenty of reading about Sam and Nina getting to know one another. There's obviously a HEA for the couple, and the possibility of lots more couples finding their HEA in Fairhaven Falls in books to come.
There is so much damn introspection and pontificating. If I had wanted to read a story about angsty inner turmoil and constant self doubt, I would have read some great literary work. What I did pick this up for was unique monster junk. And while we do see some kraken related spice, it definitely isn't featured in this monster smut. And I use the term monster smut very loosely.
The action pieces of the story seemed to move too quickly and the mundane, every day parts of the story seemed to drone on forever. The pacing of the book was definitely off and it made reading clunky. It wasn't even that long of a story and it took me quite awhile to make it through this one ... for me anyway.
The very slow moving spice and deplorable pacing knocked this down several stars for me. I was hoping for a lot more tentacle related reading, but ended up with a mushy romance with way too much focus on feelings. It's not that I wouldn't recommend it, but if you came for the monster smut aspect alone, prepare to feel let down.
Flora has her matchmaking sights set on Sam, the kraken who keeps a low profile and doesn't feel like he's quite part of the town. The special someone Flora thinks is his perfect match? A human lady on the run who's just trying to find a safe place to land.
As it turns out, Fairhaven offers Nina the safest of places. She might have taken a tumble in the river not long after arriving, but she's rescued by a sexy monster, ends up with a job at the local tavern, and Flora manages to wrangle her a place to live (that happens to be close to the river because Flora is VERY GOOD at putting her matchmaking pieces where they need to be). So, yeah, Fairhaven might be the place Nina can settle in for good.
On Sam's end, he's drawn to Nina, but doesn't know if she can accept him as he is. As it turns out, the big guy just can't stay away from her, though. At first, he's determined to keep her safe while keeping his distance, but soon that isn't enough and, as it turns out, Nina is pretty darn open-minded when it comes to the individual who makes her feel safe. Honestly, she deserves all the safety and all the happiness, AS DOES SAM.
A little danger, a not-so-fun group who are determined to take Nina back, Flora doing her thing, found family, a kraken who doesn't realize how well he already fits in, and a lady who knows a good monster when she sees him. *thumbs up*
So far, this is the Fairhaven Falls book I was waiting for. I loved it so much!!
Sam was a solitary kraken. He had lived through horrors and just felt, for him and the town, that he was best alone. That is until he sees Nina. He sees a woman who is just as lonely, just as scared of new places and people and just as secretive because she has to be. He is afraid Nina will be terrified of him, but it is the exact opposite, she loves him readily, easily. He is her knight, her hero, her protector and once he opens his heart he realizes Nina is his, his mate, and he will never let her go.
Nina and Sam were such a wonderful couple. I loved seeing their story unfold. She had been through just as much hardship as Sam, but she never shied away from him, she reached out, wanted him close, wanted him with her. He was the other half of her heart, her happiness.
Seeing so many residents of Fairhaven Falls in this book was such fun. I loved Ben, he was such a wonderful character. All gruff and grumpy, and so warmhearted and caring and protective. I hope he gets a book of his own. Annabelle, Jekyll and Eric were great in this book too. I can't wait to read Jekyll's book.
This series just keeps getting better the more I read.
I love Fairhaven Falls and all of the residence. Flora is doing her matchmaking again. I love her methods, even though some of them were not conventional. Nina is in trouble with a capital T. Running away from her past and trying to survive. I love how Sam ,the towns mysterious river man, protects her. And how she is able to get him to realize his potential , his worth in the town. I loved how he slowly shows her and Ozzie his world, his island, his cabin and the secret cove he has never shown anyone before. This is about finding love and acceptance. About being comfortable with who and what you are. Well written. I love the humor especially from Flora , and her tracksuit saying with put a smile on your face. I liked the slow burn to the romance. Of Nina accepting Sam for who and what he is with no prejudice. The way they met was all Flora. Her telling Sam "The river brings treasures if you know where to look." Although Nina doesn't know how to swim, oops. I love her cryptic messages. After reading about Nina and Sam you just want to sigh and think that was perfect.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fairhaven Falls where the extraordinary is, paradoxically, ordinary
Sam has found a tentative home in Fairhaven Falls, living on the outer edges, seemingly accepted by the residents, but never fully immersed in community life. Finding Nina gives him reason to assess how he lives and what he really wants for his future. Nina has been running, searching for safety, for the possibility of a new home and, the second she enters Fairhaven Falls, she knows she has found somewhere special, somewhere with possibilities. The residents of Fairhaven Falls rally around Nina to offer her safety and security as one of their own, it's what they do, but more importantly they all sense her importance. Nina is the one who will finally allow them to fully pull Sam into the community too. I love seeing both Nina and Sam discover each other, realise the possibilities and embrace the love that explodes between them and their mate bond. The self confidence they find allows them to see the acceptance and security the town offers them, both of them. Welcome home Sam and Nina! I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
I loved Sam and Nina's story! They both had some pretty traumatic backstories, and they were both strong enough to escape them on their own, but together they found love, healing, and acceptance. Sam is a lonely hermit of a Kraken, hiding from everyone, human and Other alike. Nina has escaped a religious cult and moved from place to ppace trying to find somewhere safe to survive. Good old Flora works her magic and meddling to bring them together. Just when they are on the path to happiness, Nina's former unwanted fiance shows up to drag her back. Sam and half the town come together to protect Nina's, and I really enjoyed the descriptions of that scene. I could visualize Sam going full Kraken, and he didn't let his fear of exposing himself stop him from doing what he needed to for Nina. The side characters of the series are every bit as great as the main characters, and I love nothing more than found family so this series is a real winner for that. Ben really grew on me as well, and I'm quite curious how Flora will work her magic there. Highly recommend diving into this one (no pun intended)!
Fairhaven Falls my favorite friendly town with it’s resident creatures of legend. Romance will again be the highlight of this eleventh book, Kiss for My Kraken. MFC Nina Albright escaped from a small community of her own and had been moving around for two years now along with her cute little dog, Ozzie by her side. Pulling off the road and deciding to get some sleep in her car before looking for work in Fairhaven the next day she hadn’t planned on taking a tumble into a river. Luckily Kraken MMC Sam happened to be nearby fishing and was there to save Nina who couldn’t swim, and of course you KNOW resident Flora had to have had a hand in this little misadventure so me thinks the matchmaking has begun! Loved the story which as always was nicely written, with wonderful characters, sugar and spice, humor, drama, family dynamics, personal vulnerabilities, emotion, passion and a whole lot of cozy monster specialties on the menu. HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A delightful, sweet and steamy small-town paranormal romance
Nina is looking for a quiet place to escape her difficult past and start fresh. Sam is a kraken who has spent his life lurking deep in the river, keeping his distance from humans. Her plan for a quiet life is immediately disrupted when she nearly drowns in the river on the edge of town. Sam rescues her. The rescue stirs deep possessive longing instincts to keep her safe and close.
Both characters' growth throughout the story is inspiring. Nina's fear of her past and her sense of loneliness grow into bravery and belonging—not just in Fairhaven Falls but to her gruff kraken. Sam's fear of being different due to his terrifying nature transforms as he discovers the support of the community he has protected. Nina's acceptance of him—all of him—gives him the courage to walk among the residents of the small town.
If you love cozy monster romance, small town vibes, and a protective but super sweet MMC, then this visit to Fairhaven Fall is for you!
Sam and Nina are so perfect together this romance was definitely worth the wait.Immediately Sam felt drawn to the pretty little human he sensed a familiar loneliness about her but he didn’t expect to save her life .Nina never expected the tumble into the river especially since she can’t swim but when she woke up in the arms of her savior she immediately thought of him as her river prince . Nina has been running for two years escaping the cult she grew up in but she finds a wonderful job and her own place to live right beside the river.Sam has lived in Fairhaven Falls for 10 years but he felt he never really belonged and always stayed in the river and only observed life. Together they each have a new world to participate in and the story that unfolds is wonderful
The latest story in Phillips' Fairhaven Falls does not disappoint! In Kiss for My Kraken, we finally get to meet the elusive Sam, who we've caught brief glimpses of in the previous Fairhaven Falls books. Sam is pulled from the river depths by his curiosity toward newcomer, Nina. Nina, on the run from her past, finds a safe home in Fairhaven Falls and on the banks of Sam's river. The story tells of Sam's and Nina's discovery of each other and the growth and acceptance that develops. Several characters from other Fairhaven Falls stories make guest appearances. As always, Flora pops up to steer things along. If you live stories involving quirky characters and a nosy, interfering orc/fairy working to find mates for all the residents, you'll love Kiss for My Kraken.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
So, I don’t really know how to rate this book. The couple was sweet, but Sam and Nina individually were a little bit of a struggle for me. Sam, more so than Nina to be completely honest. As the book progressed I kept waiting for something but nothing really materialized. Sam’s past never got explored or explained in full detail and Nina’s was very quickly. I felt like Sam was more of an accessory to her than his own being- which was strange because Sam has always been there in the series. The final confrontation was fun, I have to admit. I almost wished we had seen more of Sam in his final form. I also loved that once he felt comfortable, he found his place. There was so much to love. Which is why it was hard for me to rate. Victor’s appearances were so tantalizing and knowing he is next is awesome. I can’t wait for Victor’s book!
Honey has done it again!! I love the way Sam (Fairhaven’s resident Kraken) overcomes his need to keep himself separate/secret from the town and opens himself up Nina, a new human to the area who seems just as lonely as he is. It was great to see the way they were so accepting of each other.
Although most of the book was about the relationship and character development, there was enough action in the plot and spice in the bedroom that I read the book in one shot and enjoyed every moment!
Thank you Honey for sharing the latest in Flora’s matchmaking in Fairhaven Falls. I am already anxiously awaiting your next instalment.
I received an ARC copy of the book and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Mina has escaped from a closed community and a forced marriage. Having made it to Fairhaven Falls, Flora’s matchmaking hand is very evident in bringing Mina and Sam together when she literally pushes her into the river. Mina thinks of her rescuer as her river prince and when her gentle acceptance of kraken Sam shows him he does not have to keep a lonely existence, love blossoms between them. His tentacles provide so many steamy possibilities to give Mina pleasure. More serious than other stories in the series though still plenty of humour from the Moonlight Tavern crew and fellow residents. I wish I could get Flora’s slogan tops to wear myself. Doctor Jackson’s story is next, but I am looking froward to what Flora has in store for Ben, Mina’s grumpy boss.
I’ve wanted this character to get his match. You just have to wait for the right time. Then along she comes. Nina is running from her past. She has been running and moving as much as she can but this is her last chance before she will have to think about heading south out of the mountains. So Nina is hoping this new place works out better than the lasts have. She meets her water prince her first night. After a fall into the lake that is. Side note she can’t swim. lol so getting a kraken is a twist I didn’t really think about for Sam. But he is hooked right off the bat. Thank goodness these to start slow and steady cause they are both wanting to win this race to their HEA. Add in some church fanatics and this town shows their loyalty to their community again.
I had been anxiously waiting for The River monster's story, and this was worth the wait. Sam has always been a mystery in the Fairhaven books, and reading about he meets Nina, with a bit of help from Flora the towns Matchmaker. Coming from a cult that made slaves out of the women, and barely escaping a forced marriage to an evil, controlling man, having to be on the run had her on edge. Meeting Sam after she "Falls" into the river, and he has to save her and resuscitate her, she dreams of a River Prince. She's very trusting and shows no fear of him! I really loved how they spend time together, and he courts her slowly. Great HEA ending! Trish. A
Fairhaven Falls is one of my favorite places to be. We meet old friends like Flora who again is guiding two beings together. We see Sam under the water as he watches the strange girl on the shore; he feels a connection yet tells himself he is destined to be alone. Besides, if anyone finds out he can be out of the water, so much will be asked of him. The slowly building connection between Sam and Nina was sweet to read. Yet she held back due to her upbringing. Now, she is starting to feel safe. That is, until danger confronts her. Honey has created an amazing world in Fairhaven Falls, and I love being a part of it.
Sam is a Kraken who lives in the river in Fairhaven Falls. He keeps hidden because he feels everyone would be afraid and unaccepting of his kind. Nina was raised in a cult type group and was promised to marry one of the elders sons but she doesn't want to be told what to do or how to live anymore. She wants to be free so she escapes and ends up in Fairhaven Falls. She almost drowns but Sam saves her. He stays hidden thinking she will be scared of him but he feels an immediate bond with her. This book has wonderful characters and a story that pulls you in and you just can't stop reading. I love every one of the Fairhaven Falls books, it's a fantastic series!
Another good story in this series! This one has a bit of a slower start than others. Sam doesn’t interact much with people, and Nina is seeking a safe place to heal and hide from a group of zealots. Once the steam starts, the action all around d picks up, and it’s well worth the wait. I was a little confused about the festival. I thought it was a one night festival, but there’s a festival scene before and after the climax. So that threw me. Nothing that detracts from the story. Just made me pause. The story is sweet, and so goad Sam finally gets his story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nina is trying to find a safe place away from the repressive religious community in which she grew up—and the arranged marriage they tried to force upon her. Sam is a kraken and he’s the self-appointed guardian of the river in Fairhaven Falls. Both are lonely, both have a kind of social anxiety. Nina is learning to live in a society of acceptance but with fear of being found and taken back. Sam is afraid of being too different, even for Fairhaven and is extremely reclusive. But when Nina arrives and falls in/is pushed(?) into the river, Sam notices and immediately rescues her. This is the catalyst for some big changes for the two of them.
OMG… I have waited for this series to return. Flora! I love Flora she is the grannie everyone needs laughing. I am happy Sam found him some love and happiness and acceptance. Even though those of us who have been reading from the first book already know the River King has always been accepted by his community; he just needed some help realizing that. Nina is brave soul not just from befriending and falling in love with our beloved River King; but she is brave and strong in how she stood up those bullies. I am glad FairHaven has returned. I’m looking forward to the next story of love. And hopefully we get a look into who’s having whose baby!
I might be crazy because the continuity of a cozy monster romance is bothering me, but I guess we just completely disregard the Nina that was in Posy's story. She never started working at the thrift store, just found her calling in the Tavern wench life. Also, I thought Dr. Jackson was with Gladys this whole time but he's getting the next book. I am just confused. I also thought Sam and Will's sister were going to get together but fine.
I liked Sam and Nina well enough, but dang after 80% it seemed like one long drawn out epilogue chapter. The story could have wrapped up with them dancing at the festival but it just KEPT DRAGGING. Still 3 stars because Ozzie was cute.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Welcome (back) to Fairhaven Falls... I LOVE this small town and all the occupants. The old and the new, all have their own unique stories to tell and so many of them are my favourite! I love the story of Nina and Sam, it is going to be one of my favourites I can tell. I love the sweetness of their story, even with the bumps in the road to their HEA.. I love this Author and this story doesn't disappoint. Its a Stand Alone, or can be read as part of the Fairhaven set...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A fantastic trip to Fairhaven Falls! Sam is someone I’ve wanted a closer look at for some time now. With only a few glimpses of him, I didn’t know what to expect. Boy, oh boy, is he a keeper! I love what a perfect match Nina is for him. Their story is well-written, with a heartwarming romance, some unnerving excitement, and lots of pleasure visiting with the residents of Fairhaven Falls. I spy some other very interesting individuals in this story. I’m speculating that their stories will be forthcoming. They are too interesting to pass up. I can’t wait for more!