Marshmallow Girl

by Ames B. Winterbourne

After years of being cursed as a marshmallow, Melody has given up on most things-especially love. Magical men just aren't doing it for her, so when her friend suggests she try a dating app that matches humans with magical beings, she begrudgingly tries it out.

Sam is just your average bartender looking for love. When he tries out a dating app, he has no idea he's being matched with a marshmallow girl. But dating a marshmallow isn't so bad, especially with the bedroom activities Sam's interested in.

80 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

Ames is a full-time stay-at-home mom, paralegal, and writer. She writes paranormal, fantasy, new adult, and mystery/thriller books with romance and spice.
When not writing, you can find gasping for breath as she chases after her little Slytherin Loki toddler, cuddling with her cats, or watching the Golden Girls with her husband.

Feel free to follow her on:
Instagram: ames_the_author

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amestheauthor

Or check out her website: https://www.amestheauthor.com

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hotter and sweeter than fresh from the campfire smores! I ate this up!

The plot was super sweet and made me giggle. The spice was hot.
Only complaint is that now I really want a smore.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Love. This truly is love."~Melody

I never would have imagined reading about a marshmallow person/kink but here we are.😄😄 What a quirky, strange, little fantasy this was. And I don't mean that in a bad way. It's a short story and it kept my interest. I haven't read any part of the MatchMaker Baker series; I just know this was a world of supernatural beings, or monsters, finding connection and love with humans. Which was the case of Melody, a curvy 35yr old baker, who happens to not be as she appears. Hence the title. She's been living as a sugary fluff being, under glamour, so humans don't 'see the real her'🤯 for 10yrs. Way to go Elle!! Way to go!! There's reasons why, which I will not spoil here, I will say it's thanks to her best friend, a witch, who didn't get her spell casting right.😖😯🫸🏻✨🧪 It's a disaster. If you want to know all the details, you'll have to read it.😁😁😁

Another supernatural being Miriam, friend of Elle's, has a dating app that Elle encourages Melody to try with specific kinks. Mel has given up on guys at this point. Miriam also encouraged Sam, a 40yr old human, former surfer dude, who owns a bar, to give her app a shot too. He wants to meet his forever girl. Let's just say Sam has had a fantasy that he's always wanted to try. I know. It's a trip!!😜 What do you think happens?! Hehe Now granted there were some hiccups about Melody blushing, then her not being able to blush, and certain organs not being there and yet others were, it made me question it, but I decided to go with it. Why not?! Forget logic and enjoy it for what it is. There's funny moments. Bigfoot. A little drama. And also, sweet moments about finding genuine connection with someone that accepts you completely. There's spice. Dirty talk with some degradation. It was all consensual. Mel's a domme but it didn't go in that direction. Imagine if it had.🪢🪢Even Sam wanted to try other things. He's eager.🤣🤣 There's a HEA and a cute image of Melody and Sam at the end. I liked it. It was definitely different. If you like that sort of thing in your books, you should check this one out. You might be craving s'mores after.🔥🍫🍧🍪 Good luck.🤭🤭 Happy reading!!💟💟💟

🍢👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼Thank you to Ms Winterbourne and Booksprout for an early book, the opinions shared here are my own.👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏼🍢

[Katherine Iverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy the heat that Ames is able to write so well into sentient object romances. I’ve so far enjoyed various desserts and tools in spicy situations and I will continue to come back for more.

This story takes place in the Matchmaker Baker universe/series, but can be read solo. The author provides good warning to readers that you will see characters from other books. So, if you’re one to need an overly thorough understanding of the magic involved in this story then I recommend checking out Ames’ Matchmaker Baker books. It was also fun seeing Miriam again (check out the Unusual Romance Charity Anthology).

That being said, Melody and Sam were absolutely perfect for each other. Sam was the first male to accept Melody’s fluffy form and help her trust again. There is a slight misunderstanding and what might be considered a third act breakup, but everything is resolved quickly into a sticky sweet HEA. For a short book, there was plenty of story, spice, and personal growth to tug at the heartstrings.

[Melissa Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 recommend! 😂

[Chrissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unhinged Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I never thought a book about a guy with a marshmallow kink could be this amazing. I might never look at marshmallows the same way again, but honestly, that’s perfectly fine, haha! I had no idea what to expect going into this book, but it completely surpassed my expectations. Somehow, it managed to be both ridiculously wholesome and absolutely hilarious while also being incredibly spicy. If you ask me, that’s the perfect blend for a fantastic read!

Melody is a baker, but not just any baker. After a playful spell meant to let her transform into a marshmallow went terribly wrong, she’s been living as one for over ten years. Life as a marshmallow isn’t exactly a walk in the park, and despite her best efforts, Melody has had little luck finding love. That is, until she meets Sam.

Sam is your typical bartender, on the lookout for his one true love. After deciding to give a dating app a shot (though, I must say, it asks some pretty strange questions), he’s matched with a girl who’s, well... a marshmallow. I know, it sounds wild, but maybe life isn’t so bad after all for Sam and Melody.

This book was a fun time and easy to read! If you’re looking for something short, sweet, and guaranteed to make you laugh, this is your perfect read!

[Spooky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wild, Sticky, and Surprisingly Sweet Ride!

I don’t normally read Monster Romance, but Marshmallow Girl sounded too interesting to pass up. I also don’t usually go for spicy books, so wow—this was a wild ride from start to finish! I ended up reading it all in one go, and honestly, I had a blast.

This book is fun, messy, and definitely not what I expected. Things get very graphic at times, and as a dude in my 30s, I found myself giggling and repeatedly thinking, WTF am I reading? But underneath all the sticky chaos, there’s actually a really sweet love story.

I will never look at camping or s’mores the same way again. If you’re into odd but entertaining books with a touch of spice (and maybe a late-night snack craving), this one’s worth checking out!

DISCLAIMER: Received an ARC from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.

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[High Lady of Delulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75
I didn't love this as much as I'd hoped to.
The story is sweet, the premise is intriguing and honestly, the whole marshmallow thing works.
I just hoped that what Melody said about her preferences would've actually happened. And while I like how the book is resolved, I was a bit underwhelmed by the dialogues and personally, I don't think I needed that conflict arc, although it was built up and worked. I think, it just wasn't for me.

Overall it's a fun, short read and I'm sure, among those of us who love the slightly weird and unhinged, many will enjoy it!

I received an ARC of this book and am leaving a voluntary, honest review

[Nycole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was this a masterpiece.. no.
Was this fun.. absolutely 💀😭😂😭😂😭

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun and quick read, and had to have been one of the most bizarre concepts I’ve ever read. I was thoroughly intrigued by it the entire time.

I realize this may be strange to say, but I did want more worldbuilding from this sentient marshmallow romance. I just have so many questions, and believe me, I know I’m reading entirely too much into this, because it’s just meant to be a fun and silly romance, but the absurdity of the questions I had were what kept me reading, hoping that somewhere they would be answered. They were not, so I’m just going to put them here to get them to stop haunting me.

How can parts of Melody regenerate while a scratch from her cat stays gouged in her marshmallow flesh? How does the food she “eats” make it down to where her stomach would be? If Melody just reaches into her stomach area to pull out undigested food, how does the marshmallow flesh let her do that? What’s the consistency of it when things touch her, like if she runs into something does she have any fear of being skewered? Also, the expiration date implications? Utterly horrifying. As you can see, I was perplexed by these details, only coming up with more and more questions as I read. This could have very easily been a horror story instead of a cute and silly romance, is what I’m realizing.

I was hoping the third act conflict would be a bit more creative than the miscommunication that occurred. I mean, there’s a lot that could’ve been done with Melody being a marshmallow, so the actual conflict fell a bit flat for me.

All in all, I did have fun reading this and thinking up all of my horrifying questions.

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[TeJai Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to be honest; I usually don’t read anything other than sapphic romance - but I was drawn to this book due to the cover and title. I thought it was the cutest book cover - especially the marshmallow girl. This was a really cute paranormal romance that had a bit of spice. Melody is a baker who has been living as a marshmallow since the moment a spell went wrong. It’s been over 10 years since that day, her friends encouraged her to start dating. Sam is a bartender who has been searching for his forever love. Will Melody and Sam find true love. This was a spicy story that is well worth the read. I don't want to give too much away, but I would say that if you enjoy a sweet love story with a bit of spice, this is your story. I will say that I do wish there was way more backstory to the characters, but this was a sweet, cute story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book started off wild in the best way. The main character? A whole vibe. She's bold, curious, and definitely not shy about what she wants. The love interest? Business-minded, snack-loving, and surprisingly sweet under the surface. Their connection had me laughing, side-eyeing, and rooting for them all at once.

There’s a dating app, a few unexpected twists, and a romance that feels a little like Beauty and the Beast meets modern matchmaking—with a magical twist. Things get spicy, dramatic, and just the right amount of unhinged. I had moments of pure amusement and others where I was yelling at the characters through the pages.

While it didn’t fully hit the mark for me, the originality and humor kept me engaged. If you like your romance a little weird, a little wild, and full of surprises, this might just be your next quirky read.

[Rita Kurgan]

Ok so….. never read a book like this before and may not read one lie this again. I’m not a fan of short stories ( that’s just me) let alone one of food porn. It was ok. Not sure what type of imagination you have to have to even want to write about something like this but to each their own. The story was a cute one. One that moves very fast. I would say that if you’re not open to sex and weird things that just might embarrass you then this book is not for you. It can be a lil creepy at times and just off. I’m really not sure how to rate this the story wasn’t bad it didn’t make me feel anything while reading this book. So for that I only gave it 3 stars. I know now that books like this are NOT my cup of tea and I wont look at a marshmallows the same again. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melody's made of marshmallow, a product of a spell gone wrong. She's made peace with her new self but longs for the one thing she struggles to find: love. When she ventures into the human dating world, she's admittedly skeptical but finds a true match in Sam, the bartender who, surprisingly, has a thing for marshmallow, a thing for Melody.

Melody knows what she wants, but so does Sam. Their hang-ups aren't big enough obstacles for them to not muscle through and find a well-deserved and long time coming HEA, which I was grateful for. This was a fun dive into a different perspective of PNR I can honestly say I haven't read before but that I recommend to anyone looking for something a little different in the PNR world.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Miss LeiLei · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received the ARC for this in exchange for an honest view.
This was a quick read. There was insta love, no filler, not much in the way of character development or back stories. The conversations fell a bit flat and, although I laughed at times, it wasn’t as witty as I wanted it to be.
I would say this is a paranormal/shifter/fantasy. You can read this as a standalone like I did but I would suggest reading in order or exploring other books in the series. It might give some insight into the magical system in this World. It was fun and oddly erotic.
As weird as it sounds, it could have used a bit more marshmallow sex. Thats where this book really worked, where it was most descriptive and not forced or flat.

[Loey Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very fun and sweet read (pun intended). It was perfect for getting out of a reading slump. The premise is very silly, but I enjoyed the story the whole time. It's short and sweet, and I was able to binge it in less than two hours.

It was a bit repetitive at times with repeating phrases and references to the fact that the FMC is a marshmallow. But for me personally this is forgiven because this is not meant to be a serious romance. Even so, I think the story was still an enjoyable, guilty pleasure type of story.

It's fun and lighthearted. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a short and sweet read that does not take itself too seriously.

**Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[whitney scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance 5/5
Spice 3/5 (I read really spicy books)
I really, really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect amount of cute and spicy. I hope it's ok, but my partner enjoys me reading to him, and this was right up his alley. He really enjoyed it as well. This book has led us down a rabbit hole of Ames's books. We have decided to read the Matchmaker Baker series and are on book one.
Overall, I think this book deserves 5 stars for being well written and fun to read.

Favorite Characters
~Miriam
~Elle
Both are very sassy friends, and I enjoyed the heck out of it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam LOVES marshmallows. Melody IS a marshmallow. Even the perfect match is not without its challenges.

Whether you’re into paranormal romance or just really love marshmallows, you’ll find something to like in this sweet treat. Ms. Winterbourne has a wonderful talent for bringing inanimate objects to life and turning them into living, breathing, sensual characters. Hammers, tea cups, and now marshmallow, it’s always a delight to see what she comes up with next.

Love, lust, drama, and a satisfying HEA, it’s all in there. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have this intense craving for a S’more….

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tee · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Marshmallow Girl" was such a fun and lighthearted read! I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, especially with the food play element, but the author handled it in a way that was playful and entertaining rather than overwhelming. The humor kept me engaged, and I found myself genuinely enjoying the unique dynamic between the characters. It was refreshing to see a story that embraced body positivity and self-acceptance without feeling forced. Plus, I loved that it had a happy ending! If you’re looking for a quick, quirky romance with a little spice and a lot of heart, this one is worth picking up.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

✧ ARC Review✧
A big thank you to BookSirens for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was a short and spicy little read you can knock out in like… 40 minutes. It had some genuinely funny moments, the smut was okay for the most part—but I CANNOT overlook the fact that this man set her coochie on fire to make a s’more… and then bit it.

The third act breakup also felt super forced and just didn’t hit for me emotionally. Overall, it was okay. Not my favorite but I can see how it might work for someone else. Not bad, not great. It was weird, it was horny, and it was definitely memorable.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having already read Hexes & Peanut Butter Kisses, I accepted a copy of this little book for free.

What a fun little story! It's something that I genuinely can NEVER see happening, so if you are looking for reality, best to move along. Regardless, I loved it! What a way to discover a weird little kink… Personally, I do not like marshmallow anything, but that's because it's sticky and way too sweet. But, I'm not the one who has to enjoy it, am I? I had an hour or so to kill, and this was perfect. It shows that there really is someone out there for everyone.

[Jendy Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across this ARC copy through BookSirens on Goodreads. I like monster romance and unusual stories as a general rule. This definitely had some funny moments and some sticky, maybe slightly icky moments too. Despite it being marketed as a standalone book, it would have been somewhat more illuminating to understand more of the backstory about why/how Melody ended up as a marshmallow to begin with. The parameters of her form were also kind of vague. Basically she's a sentient marshmallow? I like the fated mates aspect but not so much the third-act drama. Overall, I'd give it a 3.5/5 rating.

[Rose Seals · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written, fast paced novella. Love this baker series and the cover. I never really liked marshmallows till this story has me hooked. Melody is a spell gone wrong that leaves her a marshmallow. So now she's living as that marshmallow. Sam is looking for a special girl to connect with and used an online app. They meet online , chatting then agree to a date. Sam not sure how he feels at first but both find love. Sweet and sticky story. Would recommend to others.

I received this story and leave this unbiased, honest review.

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book. It was a sweet romance with spicy of a page turner and the suspense was so intense. It was so addicted and I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t even put it down. The chemistry between them was captivating and sexually attracting and the physical intimacy was beautiful and passion. Sparks had ignited the fire between their soul and body. With the joy and the happiness of tenderness.

I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Trina Jones

[Nicolle Persoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What to do when a spell goes wrong and you end up being a marshmallow with your former human form? All kinds of sweet stuff you'd say.

Well, that is not the story for our heroine untill she meets the one, the one who actually eats her p… y. No canniballistics, just orgasmistics😉.

Had me laughing out loud, hot and bothered, being mad at a certain waitress and falling for these great characters.

I received an arc and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series !! love Melody and Sam.. this is their short story... a fast paced rom/com drama... Melody was turned into a marshmallow by accident by her bestie no less... Sam just wants to find love... and there's that app , that dating app... yeah, you know the one !! and poof !! they get matched... so funny !! so sweet !!! so good !!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was not what I was expecting but it was a cute love story. It definitely has a love conquers all type theme. It was well written and humorous. At first I had to go back and read the beginning again to get the clear picture of Melody. As the book was coming to a close, I was left wondering what the next book in this series would be.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange But Good

Melody has been turned into a marshmallow - not a shifter, just a soft squishy human shaped dessert. When she tries out a new dating app, she gets matched to Sam. While plenty weird at times, this romance is generally sweet and spicy, and the happiness these two find made me happy. A great read.

[Emzy Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sugary spicy read. The characters are absolutely fantastic. The world building is so interesting. I love how real and loveable the characters are. The author has a real knack for creating a wonderful complete story. I really enjoyed getting to know Melody and Sam. My heart was in my throat a couple of times during the story. I highly recommend this.

[Vera Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book! It's got the perfect amount of humor and cheese. A nice, short read, very nice for a pallet cleanser.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lorraine Whiteley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun, quirky, tongue in cheek kinda story. Everything I expected and more and leaves you gooey all over!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.