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Celestial Pines Romances #2
Mane Squeeze
When a spellbound fae scholar crashes a rogue summoning circle and ends up magically tethered to Celestial Pines’ grumpiest shifter, sparks don’t just fly…
They explode under a full moon.
Lillith Verdan was supposed to cast one simple summoning. Quiet. Contained. Curse-free. But fate—and Dominic Kane’s ill-timed swagger—had other plans. One accidental ritual detonation, one proximity curse, and now they’re stuck thirty feet from each other until further notice. He’s the town’s reluctant Warden with a lion’s temper and a reputation for running solo. She’s chaos in boots, sarcasm on legs, and the only woman who’s ever made his instincts purr.
They try to keep their distance. They fail spectacularly.
Now the woods are waking, a fae prince is sniffing around, and the bond that shouldn’t exist is starting to feel a little too real.
Because magic may have cursed them...
But falling might be the part they chose.
They explode under a full moon.
Lillith Verdan was supposed to cast one simple summoning. Quiet. Contained. Curse-free. But fate—and Dominic Kane’s ill-timed swagger—had other plans. One accidental ritual detonation, one proximity curse, and now they’re stuck thirty feet from each other until further notice. He’s the town’s reluctant Warden with a lion’s temper and a reputation for running solo. She’s chaos in boots, sarcasm on legs, and the only woman who’s ever made his instincts purr.
They try to keep their distance. They fail spectacularly.
Now the woods are waking, a fae prince is sniffing around, and the bond that shouldn’t exist is starting to feel a little too real.
Because magic may have cursed them...
But falling might be the part they chose.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2025
79 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 4, 2025
Mane Squeeze is the second title in the Celestial Pines series, and brings us Lillith’s and Dominic’s sizzling and complicated romance. When Dom accidentally crashes into Lillith’s summoning ritual, chaos and danger are the result. While Lillith only wanted answers, not actually having the fae prince appear, well, he did, and this nasty piece of work has his own agenda. Binding these two in a tethering spell that only allows them to be 30 feet apart from each other, or they feel the consequences, is just the beginning of his dangerous meddling.
Dominic is a lion shifter who, after being betrayed by his pride, is strictly a solo player; he’ll never be tied down to anyone who can destroy him again. That doesn’t mean he’s not a man who enjoys playing the field and annoying one particular fae. Lilith has escaped the intrigues, the lies, and the plans of the fae high court and found sanctuary here. She’s not about to trust anyone enough to let them in, and besides, Dom is an annoying lion who brings out the worst of her sarcasm. There’s no way they could be mates… right?
Mane Squeeze by Kala Aster and Milly Taiden is a fun, sexy, intricate shifter romance with a couple who trade banter and sarcasm while hiding a deeper connection from each other. I enjoyed watching them slowly lose the walls they hide behind as they slowly, steadily bring one nasty prince’s actions into the light and eventually defeat him. If you love a well-written, snarky, fun shifter romance, then you’re going to feel right at home with Mane Squeeze.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author's team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Dominic is a lion shifter who, after being betrayed by his pride, is strictly a solo player; he’ll never be tied down to anyone who can destroy him again. That doesn’t mean he’s not a man who enjoys playing the field and annoying one particular fae. Lilith has escaped the intrigues, the lies, and the plans of the fae high court and found sanctuary here. She’s not about to trust anyone enough to let them in, and besides, Dom is an annoying lion who brings out the worst of her sarcasm. There’s no way they could be mates… right?
Mane Squeeze by Kala Aster and Milly Taiden is a fun, sexy, intricate shifter romance with a couple who trade banter and sarcasm while hiding a deeper connection from each other. I enjoyed watching them slowly lose the walls they hide behind as they slowly, steadily bring one nasty prince’s actions into the light and eventually defeat him. If you love a well-written, snarky, fun shifter romance, then you’re going to feel right at home with Mane Squeeze.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author's team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
June 29, 2025
If you read the synopsis you already know the basics of the story. The twist? She’s grumpy, he’s flirting with sunshine. She’s trying to do everything to break the bond, he’s trying to make the best of it. She feels like her house is betraying her and all he can do is laugh and try not to get hexed.
It is not quite enemies to lovers, but is in that trope. It’s a slow burn with quick wit and a woman who isn’t swayed by his usual cockiness and swagger, but when they give in? Roar!
In short, Lillith and Dom are going to try to figure out how to live together or they could die trying not to, either by magic or proximity.
I would like to thank the authors and BookSprout for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily given. As always, I wish you happy reading!
It is not quite enemies to lovers, but is in that trope. It’s a slow burn with quick wit and a woman who isn’t swayed by his usual cockiness and swagger, but when they give in? Roar!
In short, Lillith and Dom are going to try to figure out how to live together or they could die trying not to, either by magic or proximity.
I would like to thank the authors and BookSprout for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily given. As always, I wish you happy reading!
July 3, 2025
“Mane Squeeze” by Ava Hunter and Milly Taiden
- This is an enjoyable, magical, creative read. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.
Dominic, a grumpy lion shifter and Lilith,a sharp-tongued fae scholar are magically tethered following a summoning gone wrong. In whimsical Celestial Pines, their banter sizzles as danger brews in the whispering woods.
Thirty feet apart—always—until desire shatters every boundary under the full moon. A witty, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romp full of claws, curses, and unforgettable friends.
- This is an enjoyable, magical, creative read. I received a free copy and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.
Dominic, a grumpy lion shifter and Lilith,a sharp-tongued fae scholar are magically tethered following a summoning gone wrong. In whimsical Celestial Pines, their banter sizzles as danger brews in the whispering woods.
Thirty feet apart—always—until desire shatters every boundary under the full moon. A witty, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romp full of claws, curses, and unforgettable friends.
August 24, 2025
Mane Squeeze
This is the best book I have read in a long time,the witch and the lion were perfect together and they saved Celestial Pines.When the lion was struck down,I wanted to throw my kindle but if you read the book you will find out what happened. Thumbs up to the author.
This is the best book I have read in a long time,the witch and the lion were perfect together and they saved Celestial Pines.When the lion was struck down,I wanted to throw my kindle but if you read the book you will find out what happened. Thumbs up to the author.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews