Treasured by the Himbo Zombie

Mapletown Monster Mates #2

by Ivy Knox

My intuition is usually great at detecting danger, but whenever I’m with this goofy undead man, fear is never present. Instead, I feel at peace.

A single mom who’s DONE with dating…

Lindsay has reached the end of her patience with men and has vowed to swear off all interactions with them that exceed small talk. Besides, she can easily stay booked and busy with her successful job as a marketing executive, and raising her sweet daughter, Jules.

But, see, there’s this guy… Dominic, the zombie who owns Mapletown’s most popular bar, with his beefy forearms and tender smile. One night, Dominic steps in when a creep puts his hands on her, and surprises her with a level of selflessness she’s never seen before. They become friends, but that’s all, because she’s already established that doesn’t want another romantic relationship ever again.

A zombie bar owner with a heart of gold…

Dominic is a man constantly haunted by his dark past and eager to make up for the hurt he’s caused. When Lindsay walks into his bar, he recognizes her from another lifetime, long before he was turned into cannabalistic savage.

What’s more, she radiates exhaustion and melancholy, and he becomes determined to put a smile on her face. Her hard edges and acid tongue don’t deter him. In fact, he’s mesmerized by her. Those adorable freckles. Her thick, jiggly thighs. It doesn’t take long for him to fall head over heels. Love isn’t what she wants, but he doesn’t care. He’ll take what he can get.

But at some point, he’ll have to reveal what he’s done. Will his past destroy any chance they have of building a future?

Treasured by the Himbo Zombie is a low-stakes, high-heat monster romance featuring a black cat, plus-size FMC who’s given up on love, and a golden retriever zombie desperate to steal her heart.

Genres: Plus Size, Monsters

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2026

About the author

Ivy Knox is a sci-fi romance author who has a penchant for big, broody aliens/monsters covered in muscles who know how to treat their ladies right.

Reviews

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such a good time with this one. I really enjoyed the first book, and this one was just as fun to dive into.

This is such a cozy, small-town monster romance, and Mapletown is quickly becoming one of my favorite settings. There’s something about this world that just feels warm and easy to sink into, even with all the paranormal elements woven in.

I loved this couple. Dominic is such a sweetheart, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow. It felt natural, a little messy at times, but in a way that made it feel real.

The mix of humor, heart, and a little bit of spice made this such an enjoyable read. It’s one of those books you can just curl up with and not want to put down.

Overall, this was a really fun, cozy continuation of the series, and I’m definitely excited to keep going in this world.

[Lisa Ann D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Most of the time, I’m too big for chairs and doorways. What other use for my body is there than carrying a goddess through the snow to keep her feet from getting cold?” Even beneath the inky black sky, I can see her cheeks turning pink. 🧠
Treasured by the Himbo Zombie
🧠

𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗬 𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗗 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘.
🧠


The intimate details and moments. The social commentary. The discussion of women and those in danger by men. (& SA, + assault in a particularly poignant fashion)
Everything! This was absolutely perfect in my opinion. I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

And, at the center of it all- there’s beautiful relationships: Loving and supportive. Mother/child. Friends. Romantic. Found family. Plus more love and support in general.
🧠


→→→→ 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀 & 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀:
black cat FMC
bisexual consent king
friends to lovers
golden retriever MMC
tight pacing
queer positive
packed with different themes
standout characters
plus-size single mom
hurt/comfort
monster special anatomy ‼️
small town romance
he falls first
great musical references
a town you wish were real
diversity
feminine rage
▬▬▬▬▬🧠▬▬▬▬▬

5 stars
★★★★★


▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁❤︎
We live in a cruel and violent world, and for whatever reason, society seems to fear trans people more than domestic terrorism, and over my rotting fucking corpse will I let anyone insult my baby for living authentically, Ain’t happening.‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

🧠
𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗕𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.
❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎

💘💘💘

——-

[Cazlovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lindsay heads to Mapletown to visit her friend Natalie and her ghost boyfriend, Winston (Adored By The Grumpy Ghost).

A night out at the local bar takes a turn when Lindsay lands herself in trouble and is rescued by Dominic, the bar owner who just happens to be a zombie.

The chemistry between them is undeniable, but Dominic is big, green, and bound to the town, unable to leave without permission.

With stress piling up at work and her child struggling at school, Lindsay makes a bold decision to leave her old life behind and start fresh in Mapletown.

Landing back in Mapletown felt like coming home. I loved this book from the first page to the last. It was so nice to see Natalie and Winston again, and I absolutely loved Dominic and Lindsay’s story.

It was funny, spicy, and full of intense emotion. I could not put it down. And Dominic… wow. That man has talents. A salt and pepper haired zombie who can do all that? 🥵

Someone send me houses for sale in the area please. I am packing my bags.

Monster Romance
Opposites Attract
Small Town
Paranormal Beings
Plus Size FMC
Zombie MMC
Single Mum
Past Secrets

[kbn1031 · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Treasured by the Himbo Zombie by Ivy Knox

What's not to love about this book? The town, the people, the paranormal... well, everything and everyone except Gemma! Ugh! 🤣

Lindsay is a 40-something single mom who has visited Mapletown several times. She's adult enough to admit that she feels at peace there, even though she lives in Boston with her daughter Jules. After some work and school drama, they make the move permanent. And as a bonus, Dominic lives there. He just happens to be a zombie, a bar owner, and her friend with benefits. Lindsay doesn't believe in love or men, so Dominic has his work cut out for him! They fall fast and hard, all while dealing with their pasts, associated traumas, and paranormal abilities.

Y'all, READ THIS SERIES!!! It's so good! This is book two, but book one, Adored by the Grumpy Ghost is equally good. If I could pack my bags and move to Mapletown right now, I would. 😊

I received an ARC of this book, but these opinions are my own. I would like to thank the author, Ivy Knox, for allowing me the privilege of reading her work. ♥️

[Len · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was… cute? After a really stellar first book in the series this one felt kind of dull to me. I’m probably just burning out on cozy small-town romances, and even the added thrill of monsters, aliens, witches, or other things that go bump in the night can’t make up for books that are too cozy to feel like complete stories.

Also I’m sick of books, and romance in particular, where everyone has either been in therapy or is thinking about going to therapy and the characters constantly throw around pop-psychology terms in order to analyze to death their feelings and behaviour. It’s an exhausting behaviour from people in the real world that I’m hitting my limit with. Yes—therapy can be life changing and provide valuable insight. But not everything needs a diagnosis and sometimes people seem to use all of this therapy speak jargon to create distance from other people and from living a real, full life. It’s all just so much navel-gazing and introspection that sometimes there’s no space for being messy, authentic, or actually doing things.

And while the positives of therapy outweigh the negatives in the real world they really… don’t in novels. Sorry. I’m bored. I’d like to see your characters experience their emotions, not talk about them. I’d like to see your characters take action and not spend an entire novel in their own heads.

Nothing happens in romance novels any more. Instead two characters who barely engage with each other psycho-analyze themselves to death while occasionally having sex that the reader is constantly told is mind-blowing in a way that just isn’t realistic.

And to top it all off the sex scenes are usually as dull as dishwater on the page, often, and the scenes all run together in their similarity. Don’t tell me the sex is mind-blowing when I can read for myself that it’s mid at best, or learn to write better sex scenes.

Also I’m sick of everyone constantly doing their best to communicate well and establish consent and everyone always gets off. It just makes everything feel deeply unrealistic and not genuine. Real couples struggle to get these things right and I just don’t think “and everything was beautiful and barely anything hurt” is romantic, actually. I think it’s corny and uninteresting. Come on. This guy is a zombie and the only hardship in their relationship is that both of them have some attachment trauma that they resolve through inner dialogue? Really?

I get that it’s romance but come on. Write something that feels true. Write a book with some bones underneath all that tooth aching fluff—the first book in this series really had some substance to it. I don’t think I’d be as upset about this one if the first book hadn’t raised my expectations. This was a slog to get through, not a pleasure, and it’s because I was annoyed and bored every step of the way.

[Denise O · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fast becoming one of my favourite book series, Mapletown a place where many species of monsters reside, a community that looks out for another and are protective of their town.

🍁Halloween the best night of the year in Mapletown, where Lindsay is having the time of her life and catches Dominic’s attention, to him she the only person in the bar he has eyes for.

🍁Lindsay has put up walls, her ex wasn’t great to her and she wonders can she open her heart to Dominic. But what she doesn’t know is that he had been searching for her all this time and he has so much to say to her. He’s not going to let her go.

🍁Lindsay realises that he is worth the risk, she can be herself around him and most of all he makes her laugh and has great time for her daughter Jules. Dominic’s heart belongs to her since the first time he met her and even though he’s a zombie she doesn’t look at him differently 💕

🍁𝒯𝒶𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝑜𝓃 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒶𝑔𝒶𝒾𝓃🍁

This was such a heart warming story, I loved Lindsay and how fierce she is, a single mum who would do anything for her daughter and Dominic what he went through the guilt he carries but he found his person in Lindsay and their unbreakable bond. Plus we get to see Natalie and Winston from Adored by the grumpy ghost which is an added bonus 💕

[Dee Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book it was everything I thought it would be. This is the second book in the Mapletown Monster Mates. Ivy Knox most certainly knock this one out of the park too. The first one with Natalie and Winston was chef's kissed, but Dominic and Lindsey was by phenomenal. We met Lindsay in the first book she was Natalie's friend kind of loved Natalie a little hard and caused a little bit of a rift but things are patched up now. This book will be available April 8th 2026 please run and get it you won't be disappointed.
MY REVIEW DOES HAVE SPOILERS IN IT SO IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ THEM PLEASE KEEP SCROLLING. I WAS OVER THE MOON ABOUT THIS BOOK AND I JUST WANT TO GET ALL THE LOVE OFF OF MY CHEST.


So in this book we have Lindsay a mom in her early forties, who is a curvier woman. She is a definition of a badass, she is independent, she's strong, but she does have a lot of trauma that deals with her past and her parents situation they really affects her in their current time. A big part of that trauma being her mother telling her when she was younger that men always leave. Which sticks with her a lot. She also have a daughter jules who is a wonderful little girl. She is trans and is going through a lot of changes and the way Lindsay supports her warms my heart. All though her biological father I'd love to throat punch him but that's neither here nor there.
Now mapletown is a town full of monsters that has a spell put on it so nobody on the outside can see. So monsters whatever the case may be whatever they are can live in peace and happiness. The only way you can get into the town is by knowing someone or having a lineage there. Which leads us to Dominic. He was once a normal man ate some berries in Alaska got infected thanks to Dr. Yates she rehabilitated him and got him back to normal. So now he looks like a normal person just with green skin and stitches. He also has a very special appendage above his male anatomy which is mind blowing. But he also has flavored man juice that taste like peanut butter cups like every male monster does in mapletown. Which is a curse put on the males in mapletown. Dom is one of the most amazing people. He met Lindsay when they were younger and she gave him his first kiss and also protected him from his brother and his brother's friend when they were trying to drown him, which I thought was amazing in the book. He also made a list of things that Lindsay liked and disliked. He accepted Lindsay's daughter for who she was. So much so that Jules called him Zad(zombie dad) which I thought was absolutely amazing. Side note I love that he started a Sunday tradition where she painted his nails a different color every week the love was so real and so amazing.
There were a few characters that I did not like such as Gemma. A purple demon that was a total twat. She decided that she wanted Dom so bad that when he was going to jules's talent show at school she decided to drug him and take him to her house where she was later discovered. This is when we find out what Lindsay's a grey witch and she also hones in on telekinesis. Pulling a bookcase on top of Gemma was chef's kids that was what she deserved. But there is one thing in mapletown if the monsters hurt a human they are then punished they are sent to a rehab in Iceland and then if they pass the test they are rehomed. Gemma I got that but now she also has to wear a neon yellow bracelet where it says she's a sexual predator I felt like she got what was deserved.
After this incident Lindsey nurses Dom back to health where the secret that Dom was scared to tell Lindsey comes out. During his transition he wind up unaliving three people, 2 cops and his brother. Once Lindsay found this out she loved him no less. That the person that did that was not the man standing before her today. In the first year Dom couldn't remember what happened until Dr Tate rehabilitated him. So she felt that those transgressions couldn't be held against him. I really love this book and I can't wait to see how this series continues this book was just chef's kiss just like the first one. Ivy knox is one of my favorite authors. I love her monster romances.
Now there are some characters that I absolutely loved through this whole book that were just amazing, you have Camilla she was a witch and got Lindsey to explore her roots, you have vyla the orc bartender with Jacked arms purple face tattoos that is just the biggest flirt. You have Vlad that is an old vampire with these sassiest mouth, and the funniest demeanor. You have Anton that is the kraken chef that is just amazing I love him too. There are so many more through the book that are just phenomenal but those are the ones that stood out the most to me.

There are a couple quotes that I love that I'm going to put at the bottom.
Anton to Dom: "Didn't notice, but I'll throw a mother fucking parade in her honor if she pulls you away from Gemma."

Lindsey: " I'm Bi as a bottlenose dolphin. Yes they're famously known to be bisexual."

Dom to Lindsey - "I'm sure. You'll never be too much for me, Lindsey, and you're not going to scare me away. I see every layer of you - even the ones you try to cover up - and I want them all."

Dom and lindsey- "Anything you change about our love story?" I asked him "Yeah after that first kiss, I never should have let you go. You?" I shake my head "No. Since I didn't believe a love like this existed, every moment has been a breathtaking surprise." "I'm glad I proved you wrong, gorgeous." "Me too, I tell him. Me too."

[Amie Derricott · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are heading back to Mapletown and its monster inhabitants. Natalie and Winston are happily in love and living in Lindsay’s grandmothers house, while Lindsay herself is absolutely done with men. She is more than happy being a single mom to the awesome Jules and keeping busy with her marketing job. Dominic is the zombie owner of Mapletowns local bar. An absolute teddy bear of a man, he is determined to make up for his cannabalistic past with his heart of gold. When Lindsay walks into his bar looking exhausted and down, Dominic recognises her from his human teenage years and is determined to make her smile again. He is absolutely head over heels for this glorious woman and is hell bent on getting her to realise that falling in love and settling down is not as awful as she seems to think it is.
I absolutely adored Natalie and Winstons grumpy/sunshine dynamic in book one of the Mapletown Monster mates series and didn’t think they could be topped. Enter Dominic and Lindsay with their golden retriever/ black cat vibes. After several disasterous relationships, the worst being with Jules’ father, and now in her 40’s, Lindsay has fully committed to being single. Disenchanted by love, she is perfectly fine on her own thankyou very much. She is 100% a character that I think that many women can identify with, feeling like you are just too much for people and scared that when you show them the real you, they will walk away. It was also incredible to see a character who struggles with dermatillomania, something that I certainly have never come across in a novel before. For so many people, that urge to pick at their skin when they feel anxious or stressed is not even a conscious thought, and Ivy Knox has highlighted this condition in such a sensitive and real way. While Dominic is initially portrayed as “the perfect man” it’s not long before his flaws appear. He has a tendancy to walk away from arguments instead of staying to talk things through, he hides parts of himself from Lindsay and doesn’t see any problem with staying friends with an old flame who clearly still wants him. They are very much an accurate portrayal of a real couple and even though they do have a happy ever after, it doesn’t come without a few troubles along the way first.
I am so in love with all of the residents of Mapletown and I’ll be waiting eagerly for the next installment!

[Lyv ˚♡˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down

⋆ ✦ ⋆ ✦ ⋆ ✦ ⋆ ✦

Maybe I was put back in her life for a reason. No, I’m certain I was. I reckon I was brought back from the dead to show her the absurd beauty of being alive.

⋆ ✦ ⋆ ✦ ⋆ ✦ ⋆ ✦

This started off so strong for me and I was honestly obsessed in the beginning, but it definitely lost a bit of that spark towards the end.

Lindsay was a character I mostly really liked. I understood her mindset, I was rooting for her, and I appreciated how guarded she was. That said… she didn’t fully feel like a 40 year old to me. Something about her anttitude and reactions just didn’t quite line up with that age, which made it a bit harder to fully buy into her character at times.

Dominic though? Such a cutie. Big, beefy, southern-accented himbo zombie who is just obsessed with taking care of her? Yeah, I get it. He was attentive, caring, and genuinely trying to be better. The stuff with Gemma frustrated me, but overall he carried a lot of the charm of the book.

Now for the things that pulled me out of it a bit, because there were a few. The whole rut situation didn’t really make sense to me. He’s a zombie, not a shifter or some kind of animalistic creature, so suddenly introducing that felt a bit random and out of place. Same with the… suckler attachment situation. It just felt like it was thrown in for shock value or spice rather than actually fitting the character or the world. It wasn’t even that those things were bad, they just didn’t feel cohesive. Like I could feel the author trying to add something extra, but it didn’t quite match what had already been established about him.

The setting was such a highlight though. The monster safe haven vibe was genuinely adorable, and I found myself wishing I could live there. It had such a cosy, found-family feel to it. And Jules? Absolute sweetheart. Watching her figure herself out and just exist so freely was honestly one of the best parts of the book.

Overall, this was a solid read. Not perfect, but enjoyable, and honestly it came at the perfect time because I’m coming out of a book slump, so this helped a lot. Thanks for the ARC, Ivy!

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness where do I even begin? Right from the dedication I knew that I was in for one heck of a ride and I wasn't disappointed even a little bit. It's always such an interesting experience reading a book and relating to the characters SO hard. To their views on the world, the views of themselves, the trauma that haunts them and leaves them feeling less than. This book was more than I anticipated in the absolute best way. The author used this opportunity to very clearly say the important things and I appreciate her so much for doing it. "We've reached a point in the downfall of society where I don't give a solitary fuck what you are, as long as you aren't stupid or evil."

I was so happy to see it picks up quite literally where book 1 ends. Lindsay helps plan the grand gesture for Winston to win back Natalie and where does she go? Back to the bar of course! The only thing Lindsay knows for certain is that being 40 something means she's tired of the bs and she's not going to accept any sort of nonsense. She's focused on her career and her daughter and that's that. Romance may be just as dead as the hot zombie bar owner that has her feeling things. Little does she know their history goes back much farther than just being her friend's boss and Dom has been hoping for and dreaming of the day the girl would two different color eyes would come back into his life.

Dominic is absolutely amazing and he would make anyone feel all the feelings. He is obsessed in the best way and I am living for it (sorry Dom). He had such a hard life and that didn't stop in death. He just tries so hard to be better and do better and he would make anyone swoon haaaaard. Having a monthly rut and a little extra something something going on downstairs 😏😉 really is just the cherry on top. Lindsay is the type of FMC that if you can relate to her you're going to love her and if you can't then the rest of us are happy for you. I thought she was truly amazing and overcoming all the doubt and fear was so rewarding. They both deserve to be happy, together. "I vowed to be done with men, but Dominic isn't technically a man. He's a zombie." Sound logic, girl 😂💁

[Valentina Morgana la fata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author


If you’re looking for a cozy read that will make you smile—and maybe even laugh a couple of times—while you’re curled up under the covers, *Treasured by the Himbo Zombie* is the perfect book for you.
Honestly, I’m a bit sorry I only had the pleasure of reading this book in the spring, when the weather was already too warm for snuggling under soft blankets on the couch.

Treasured is a paranormal romance set in the present day and therefore tackles themes and issues that can easily resonate with a certain group of readers in their 30s and 40s, first and foremost the fact that the female lead isn’t the usual twenty-something girl but a single mother closer to the dreaded forty than to thirty.

While this is certainly a strength for many others, it isn’t for me.
Although the age range is accurate, I personally don’t have children and don’t intend to have any, so the appeal of the single mom had little effect on me, and I found the parts involving the FMC’s daughter rather boring and irrelevant.

As always happens to me in these cases, rather than the couple themselves or the dynamics of the love story, I found myself interested in the worldbuilding and discovering more and more that there are a series of hidden gems in romance literature.
Mapletown, despite not being anything excessively new or original, is still extremely interesting for how it’s managed, for the laws that govern it, and for how life within it has been structured.

Another thing I find truly interesting is how the types of “witchcraft” are categorized and how there’s a whole range of witch types that haven’t been adequately represented before, such as the kitchen witch.

The writing style is simple without being boring and avoids being unnecessarily wordy, which would be quite detrimental in a novel of this kind.
All in all, it was a truly enjoyable read; I’ll try to get my hands on the first novel in the series in the near future!

[H-A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Treasured by the Himbo Zombie by Ivy Knox
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

(Mapletown Monster Mates: Book Two)

Reasons I loved it:
🖤plus sized FMC
🩷both main characters are over 40
🖤found family vibes
🩷adorable texting back and forth
🖤excellent spice
🩷Lindsay gets in touch with her past and becomes a baddie even more

This was a really lovely read. I have been waiting for this since we were introduced to the smooth talking Dominic in book one and I was not disappointed!

This is a sweet and spicy ride which will suck you in and invest you in the small town of Mapletown once again.

I love an older main character and I adore a plus sized babe so I knew this was going to work for me, that’s before you add in the joy that is the paranormal delights of this world Ivy has created.

Lindsay is a really relatable character, she is a fierce protector in more ways than one and like so many of us, has been known to charge in to protect people she loves, perhaps without taking a moment to think. It broke my heart reading how she questioned whether or not her natural protectiveness made her ‘too much’ and I loved how this was managed in the book. Lindsay is also a single mum of a beautiful trans daughter and we love to see healthy and loving representation 💕

Our MMC Dominic is the himbo zombie sweetheart of your dreams. We see beneath the surface level nice guy bartender and get to know the person with complex identity issues and trauma due to his past which is shown throughout and handled with sensitivity by Lindsay which was great to see. I loved how the relationship between them grew, the obstacles they overcame and the personal development throughout.

Overall a really good read, would recommend!

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️
This felt like such a cozy read, with almost not conflict that truly had me worried for our lovely Nic and Lindsay! Their communication from the beginning was so sweet and intentional, from discussing their past and interest in each tother. This small monster town was a beautiful world full of love and acceptance for monsters and humans who were lucky enough to be apart of it. Lindsay is a single mom who is on the edge of burnout from a job that doesn't respect her time or efforts while simultaneously navigating her daughters transition into a young woman. Jules had my entire heart form her attitude, smart mouth and loving nature - it was also so sweet to see her friendship with Nic develop with secret handshakes and inside jokes once Lindsay introduced them. Nic sought to support both "his girls" from the moment he met them and it showed in him being present and loving at any cost, like calling Jules *princess* and encouraging Lindsay's catering/cooking interest. It made their acceptance of him and his past that he held so much shame around an obvious response. Just a wonderful little family that hold space for each other while also helping each other grow stronger and better together. Overall, a sweet story with fantastic discussions on mental health, gender affirming care and that people who make you feel bad about yourself don't deserver your time.

TW: About 90% of the way in there is an attempted SA by a side female character to the MMC by drugging him unconscious, it is unsuccessful but there are discussions that insinuate what would have happened.

[VagabondBooker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interestingly written with a solid plot and definitely enough "spice." The writing style is breezy and readable. The pacing is steady and moves along quite quickly. For those who enjoy this specific stories, this story won’t leave you indifferent.

Dominic is a total "Zombie Teddy Bear." He’s a bartender whose life changes completely after turning. Lindsay is sharp-tongued, occasionally hot-headed, and perhaps a bit too blunt.
Together, they are pure dynamite! The chemistry is palpable from the very first chapters, and the steamy scenes can certainly get your blood hot. Since I look for logic even in stories like this, I appreciated that the author managed to write it in a way that actually made sense. I didn't have to ask myself "Wait, how is that even possible?" :D

What tripped me up a bit was Lindsay’s relationship with her daughter, Jules. It felt less like a mother-daughter dynamic and more like a "best friend" situation, where Lindsay tries to compensate for her own childhood disappointments by letting Jules do whatever she wants, justifying it by saying she’s a "good kid."

Even though this is fiction, when a story tackles sensitive, real-world topics like gender transition, I’d prefer a more grounded approach. Having a preteen (13 years old) start puberty blockers less than a month after coming out (when in reality that process usually takes at least six months) felt rushed. It made it seem more like a teenage whim that Lindsay was just racing to facilitate.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐
Spice: 3/5 🌶️

[bookswithjaxy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m absolutely in love with this series.

We now have the story of Lindsay, Natalie’s (from book one) best friend, and everyone’s favorite Bartender Zombie, Dominic.

Lindsay is a single mother who has absolutely given up on men. She works hard in her career to provide for her daughter Jules, who recently came out to her as Trans. Lindsay feels as though she is the black sheep in her family, always having what’s wrong with her be criticized by her mother while her sister gets all the praise. As Lindsay starts visiting Mapletown, she learns that the reason she can visit is because she has Witches in her bloodline. Can she also practice witchcraft along with everything else she has going on?

Dominic recognizes Lindsay as the girl he met years before on the beach who saved him from his brother’s torture. Dominic was changed into a Zombie years before and has been able to control his desires thanks to Dr. Yates and her treatment. He has searched for Lindsay for so long, but knew nothing more than her first name. And now she’s in Mapletown.

This book is the amazing story of Dominic trying his best to get through Lindsay’s defenses and love on her. Through it all Lindsay makes the ultimate decision regarding her career, her life in Boston, and her fears of change and the unknown.

I resonate so much with Lindsay and her need to protect those she loves. Her love for her daughter and just her sheer lioness tendencies.

You won’t want to miss out in this beauty of a story!

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

This is a fun small-town monster romance. It is the second book in the Mapletown Monster Mates series of interconnected standalones and could be read out of order with minor spoilers.

FMC Lindsay is a single mom workaholic whose BFF recently bought her grandmother’s home in Mapletown, a secretive monster town only accessible to those who’ve been invited. She’s been enjoying blowing off steam visiting her friend and meeting the non-humans in town, and she catches the eye of hunky zombie bar owner MMC Dominic. He’s very interested, but she’s standoffish, though she eventually can’t resist his cinnamon roll charms.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a fun read with easy to root for characters. I liked that the FMC was tough and no-nonsense, paired with a super sweet MMC who was instantly smitten. There were some great side characters introduced, and I felt like I got to see more of the town than was established in book one, which was a treat. The third act conflict was frustrating, as they usually are, but it all works out in the end with a sweet and steamy HEA.

Another fun book in the Mapletown Monster Mates series, I hope Knox continues with more in the series.

Spice 4/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
My Enjoyment: 4.5/5

***I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I loved the first book in the Mapletown Monster Mates series (and I totally did!) but this book has me officially *obsessed*. The cozy, small-town monster vibes of Mapletown are just perfection. I want to move in at this point.

Lindsay's fierceness and protectiveness of those she cares for felt very relatable, to me. She loves hard, even when she doesn’t want to, and I loved how unapologetic she is about who she is and what she wants (or doesn’t want). Watching her slowly soften without losing that edge was very satisfying.

And Dominic? Yeah… he might be holding the #1 spot on my book boyfriend list right now. The level of care and attention he gives Lindsay is unmatched (this man literally took notes!) and it never feels performative. It’s just who he is. The way he fully embraces Lindsay's trans daughter, Jules, without hesitation honestly had me sobbing. Same with how genuinely excited he gets when Lindsay shares her ideas. Those moments had me deep in my feels.

The romance builds at such a good pace, and while the spice is definitely top tier (and yes, their is some fun special anatomy), it never overshadows the connection between them. If anything, it enhances it.

This book just worked for me on every level. It's fun, emotional, comforting, and spicy. I absolutely loved it. I cannot wait to see who the next book is about.

[Jen Is Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t just a monster romance; it’s a story about healing, second chances, and finding where you truly belong.

Lindsay is such a relatable FMC. Between her busy life and previous failed relationship, she is understandably wary about opening her heart to romance. She is good at her job and even better at being a mother, supporting her daughter unconditionally. I loved the way Dominic and the rest of the Mapletown community embraced her daughter's identity.

Dominic is a golden retriever MMC who carries a heavy secret. Dominic might be a sweet, beefy bartender now, but he carries physical and mental scars from a dark time after he was first turned. After everything he has been through, you cheer for him to find real happiness. He knows Lindsay is what he wants and is too charming for her to resist. Their banter and texting conversations were definitely a highlight for me.

Lindsay and Dominic aren’t perfect, and that’s what helps to make their story so great. They try to have those difficult adult conversations, and even when they stumble, it feels authentic. They are both dealing with the trauma and demons of their pasts (looking at you, succubus ex!), and their growth together feels real and earned. They deserve their happily ever after.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought I put my review in ages ago.. can't find it so here we go!

First off.. .her daughter stole the show for me ;) And I love how accepting her mom is of her trans situation. Also the relationship her daughter has with both her mom and him. I love how she moved to be sure her daughter was in an "accepting" town. And how fun that she made a secret handshake and calls him Zad (zombie dad).

Second, I am not a fan of the title. A "himbo" is a slang term for a conventionally attractive, physically fit, yet unintelligent or "empty-headed" man. This man is not unintelligent nor is he empty-headed.

Plus, I did struggle a bit with how on and off she was with being with him. It was fine at first and made sense, because of her family history, that she would take time to let him in her heart. But, after she supposedly had found her peace with it and was ready to move forward, she randomly would pull away. It pulled me out of the story at those times because I thought we were moving beyond it. I don't know if Ivy was looking to extend the story and needed a catalyst or what but it really didn't need to do that. Once we got past that part, it flowed well again.

HOWEVER, lol, This story has great main characters and side characters and, other than the hiccups above, a great storyline. I'm looking forward to the next story in Mapletown!!

[Bookwyrm_in_KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book in the series and was thrilled that my favorite side character would get his time to shine in this book. Dominic, the gorgeous, giant zombie bar owner stays his sweet self in Treasured by the Himbo Zombie.

Lindsay, who was briefly around in book 1, is a single mom raising her trans daughter in the big city and working an increasingly unfulfilling job in marketing. As she spends time visiting her best friend Natalie in Mapletown, she finds herself drawn to the sweet, golden retriever zombie bartender.

Lindsay and Dominic both struggle with the demons of their past (some more literal than others, like Dominic's succubus ex) as they slowly go from friends, to friends with benefits to a relationship. Lindsay has to grapple with the scars left from her parents' divorce and her less than stellar dating history. Dominic has to carry the scars, mental and physical, of being viciously bullied by his older brother and from the dark period when he was a recently turned zombie.

Their relationship felt very realistic. They tried their best to have adult conversations when things bothered them, but weren't always successful. The biggest hiccup was caused by external factors.

Thank you, Ivy Knox, for the opportunity to advance read! 💚

[Laura R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Lindsay is out at a bar in Mapletown on Halloween when, after an encounter with a jerk, she’s rescued by Dominic – the owner of the bar. Who also happens to be a zombie. What starts as a simple intervention between her and a creep turns into something more as Lindsay learns just how selfless Nic can be, becoming fast friends… that quickly escalates into something more as she discovers Nic’s heart of gold beneath all of those muscles. Can he win her heart? Or has she closed herself off for good?

This was so freaking cute and I just wanted to give Nic a hug literally the ENTIRE book because damn dude, he’s such a golden retriever and he deserves only the best. I won’t lie, I was a little skeptical on how the zombie thing would work considering they’re usually mindless monsters who eat brains, but it’s quickly established that that’s only when they’re first turned and from there I was able to get down with the dirty. I feel for Lindsay as she struggles with putting her heart back out there, and the healing she goes through as she struggles with opening up was fantastic. I loved the way that she owned up to her mistakes and is the first one to apologize – I feel like it’s so rare to see FMCs actually take that step and usually they wait until the man comes back to say something but nope, not out girl Lindsay. Because once she knows what she wants, she goes out to get it… and she wants Nic. I loved the two of them together and was cheering them on. Nic was such an awesome man for her and her daughter (ZOMDAD FOR LIFEEEEE) and honestly I loved the way they all came together as a family. I LOVED THIS BOOK!! I would most definitely recommend this to everyone who needs a low-stakes romance between a black cat and a golden retriever.

[Loreina Klevenski · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you had told me I’d be this invested in a zombie romance, I probably wouldn’t have believed you… but here we are 😆

Treasured by the Himbo Zombie is exactly what it sounds like and somehow even more. It’s a friends-to-lovers, single mom romance with a plus-size FMC who’s completely done with men… and a golden retriever energy zombie MMC who is all in from the start.

Lindsay is strong, tired, and not interested in opening her heart again. Dominic, on the other hand, is soft, protective, and absolutely gone for her. She’s sharp and guarded, and he just patiently shows up for her over and over again. It shouldn’t work (especially considering she's a human, and he's a zombie), but it really does.

And yes… this is definitely zombie smut 😂 Ivy Knox’s imagination is unmatched. The concept alone is wild, but she fully commits to it in a way that makes it entertaining, spicy, and surprisingly heartfelt.

It’s low-stakes, high-heat, a little unhinged in the best way, and perfect if you’re in the mood for something different.

If you like monster romance, this is 100% worth the read. If you don’t… this might not be your thing, and that’s okay too!😌

[Booked On A Feeling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely adorable!! There are so many things I loved about this book!

Fmc is a single mom who works her ass off, while simultaneously trying to be a present mother. I loved her unconditional support for her trans daughter’s journey so much. As a mom myself, I connected so deeply with the fmc. She is a plus size goddess and the mmc is obsessed with her body which swoooooooooon 🥵

Mmc, Dom, is such a sweetheart and has an absolute heart of gold. His obsession for Lindsay, fmc, along with his connected to her daughter had me so emotional. I couldn’t read it fast enough and managed to read it in an afternoon into evening.

The monster town is so cozy and also HAS FREE HEALTHCARE!? Talk about a perfect reality.


This was such a feel good story, but it also had so much emotional content that I am mad I didn’t read it sooner.

I’m going to feature this book on my bookstagram and tell the world what an adorable and wholesome read it is!!

[Katie Welder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was already hooked on Dominic after he was introduced in the first book and this just solidified it.

This is a cozy low angst small town monster romance. Lindsay finds herself in the only bar in Mapletown on New Year Eve and a situation puts Dominic right in her path. It all changes from there. Dominic wondering if it is fates doing placing her back in his path....

Dominic is such a sweet simp. He really has gotten beaten down and his past has given him many insecurities. But he puts it all on the line for her. And he is very unique in more than one way 🤭

Lindsay is such a great mother to Jules. I absolutely loved Jules and her coming into herself. Lindsay did frustrate me a bit but her with Dominic makes up for all that.

I absolutely love this town and can't wait for my next visit.

[ElleBearBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to Mapletown! I've enjoyed getting to know the residences of this sleepy, safeguarded monster small town. This time we meet Lindsay, a single mother trying to do right by her daughter, advance in her career, and rediscover herself as she evaluates what matters the most in life.

Dominic is a undead zombie making his way. A chance meeting with Lindsay makes him crave her more, and want to become apart of her world. he's far from perfect and tries his best to impress both her and Lindsay's daughter Jules.

I really loved diving back into this wonderful small town again! I felt like some areas fell short, and were a little rushed in the end, especially with miscommunication being a thing.

However this little community came together at the end to support the couple in finding their way with their relationship. It's a short and easy read!

[Katherine Gisleson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️ - medium spice, multiple explicit scenes
1st person, dual POV

I love Mapletown. It’s kind of a dream place: free healthcare for everyone, super strict on sexual harassment crimes, and a spell that makes people’s junk taste like the taster’s favorite candy? Sign me up, I’ll move there 🙋‍♀️

Lindsay was amazing. She handled pervy creeps and bullies with the temperament of a feral cat and I was impressed. Dominic was the sweetest, hulk of a guy there ever was. And all the deets about his zombie-hood were very interesting! The extra bit of anatomy he grew in the change was also very intriguing 👀

I wasn’t completely on board with how some of the conflicts played out, but overall, I’ve really been enjoying this series. Curious to see where Ivy will go with it next!

Thanks to the author for the advance copy 💝 Available now!

[GracelinaReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nic and Lindsay

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I never imagined I could love anyone more than Winston from Adored by The Grumpy Ghost, but boy, was I wrong! I couldn’t put this down, and Dominic and Lindsay had me hooked from the very start. Their relationship is spectacular, and Dominic is swoon-worthy! He’s the definition of masculinity. He’s not afraid of strong-willed women, he treats everyone with respect, and he’s secure in his sexuality (he ain’t afraid of things considered feminine 😉).

This book was such a rollercoaster of emotions—I laughed, I giggled, I got a little hot and bothered, I was angry, and I even cried! I really enjoy when I experience such a wide range of feelings. It makes the experience, that much better!

Ivy’s book is fantastic and it’s definitely one of my favorite reads this year!

[Deanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute book! Nic and Lindsey were great together. I loved how protective they were over each other but also how they fit so well in each other’s worlds.

There were so many great side characters (Mapletown has some great monsters) but my favourite was definitely Jules— not just herself as a person but also how she fit into the rest of the story. I loved that Lindsey was such a mama bear for her, how everyone approached Jules coming out as Trans, and how well she got on with Nic too.

The spice was also a tasteful amount and there was still plenty of story to go around, which is how I prefer my spicy romances.

I love Ivy and her books and characters and I cannot wait for whatever comes next! I always know it’ll be worth the wait.

[Ravyen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

„This man is officially a menace, and I fear I might not hate him as much as I wanted to.”

This was everything I wanted it to be🥹 I fell in love with Mapletown when I ARC’d Adored by the Grumpy Ghost, and I am so glad we got Dominic’s story next!

•Cozy, monster filled small town
•Second Chance
•Single Parent
•Dual POV
•Soulmates

Dominic is the zombie cinnamon roll MMC that everyone needs and adores. Lindsay is the single, mature mom that takes no shit. I loved their growing relationship as well as their past! Talk about love at first sight😍

I’m so excited to see who Book 3 of the Mapletown Monster Mates will be about! I’m hoping for Riz’s story next🤭

Thank you so much to the author for the gifted copy!🖤

[• Dan reads books • · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story full of cuteness and lightness from the beginning to the end!

I enjoyed reading this so much, from the background story (which caught me by surprise so much) to the relatable and so easy to like characters!

My favorite part has to be the setting, this small town that is a secret heaven for the monsters, where they’re safe and that’s is full of diversity and this sense of camaraderie that makes you want to live there!

Then we have Lindsay who I really enjoyed, I totally connect with her unease with let people in and totally admire her as a mother! And Nic? He’s such a sweet gigantic with the fluffiest heart and adorable dorky personality!

Fully recommend it for monster lovers out there!

Btw such a pleasure to see again Natalie and Winston! My favorite ghost haha!