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Blackthorn Bay #6
Night Shift: A Cozy Monster Romance
Erebus has existed since the beginning of time.
Ancient. Powerful. Untouchable.
As the living embodiment of Night itself, he has spent eternity ushering darkness across the world before surrendering the sky to Dawn each morning.
Until one exhausted barista offers him a free scone.
Calliope Craven works the closing shift at Ghoulish Grinds, Blackthorn Bay’s favorite supernatural coffeehouse. Between late-night customers, monster tourists, and barely making rent, she’s too busy surviving to notice there’s something unusual about the quiet, handsome man who keeps appearing just before closing.
But Erebus notices her.
Her kindness. Her warmth. The way she smiles at strangers even when she’s exhausted.
And for the first time in eternity… Night wants something for himself.
What begins as innocent fascination quickly spirals into obsession. Erebus starts lingering outside the coffee shop, walking Calliope home from work, and stretching the nights longer just to spend more time near her.
Then he stops letting the sun rise altogether.
Now Blackthorn Bay is trapped in perpetual darkness, the town council is in chaos, and everyone—from Mayor Zadok Infernalis to the furious local witches—is desperate to fix Erebus’s love life before the entire town loses its mind.
Unfortunately, convincing an ancient cosmic entity to let go of the woman he loves may be impossible.
Especially when Calliope is starting to fall for him too.
Welcome back to Blackthorn Bay, where the coffee is enchanted, the monsters are lovesick, and even eternal darkness can’t compete with true love.
Ancient. Powerful. Untouchable.
As the living embodiment of Night itself, he has spent eternity ushering darkness across the world before surrendering the sky to Dawn each morning.
Until one exhausted barista offers him a free scone.
Calliope Craven works the closing shift at Ghoulish Grinds, Blackthorn Bay’s favorite supernatural coffeehouse. Between late-night customers, monster tourists, and barely making rent, she’s too busy surviving to notice there’s something unusual about the quiet, handsome man who keeps appearing just before closing.
But Erebus notices her.
Her kindness. Her warmth. The way she smiles at strangers even when she’s exhausted.
And for the first time in eternity… Night wants something for himself.
What begins as innocent fascination quickly spirals into obsession. Erebus starts lingering outside the coffee shop, walking Calliope home from work, and stretching the nights longer just to spend more time near her.
Then he stops letting the sun rise altogether.
Now Blackthorn Bay is trapped in perpetual darkness, the town council is in chaos, and everyone—from Mayor Zadok Infernalis to the furious local witches—is desperate to fix Erebus’s love life before the entire town loses its mind.
Unfortunately, convincing an ancient cosmic entity to let go of the woman he loves may be impossible.
Especially when Calliope is starting to fall for him too.
Welcome back to Blackthorn Bay, where the coffee is enchanted, the monsters are lovesick, and even eternal darkness can’t compete with true love.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2026
About the author
Matilda Martel
250 books310 followersMatilda is a Texas girl in love with a Philly boy who loves to write dirty books about two people who trip into love and fumble their way into a Filthy, Funny, Happily Ever After.
I live in Austin, with my husband, two crazy Chihuahuas and an even crazier cat. And I spend most of my day writing dirty romance books about older men who fall in love with younger women and make fools of themselves trying to win their hearts.
If you love Dark Romance, you’ve come to the wrong place. I don’t like dark heroes.
I like my hero to be successful, sweet, suave, sophisticated and kind--- and then I want him to lose all his composure and game when he meets the heroine. I want him to turn into a bumbling idiot when he spots the girl of his dreams and revert to a teenage boy in a man’s body trying to win her.
I like my heroines to be witty, intelligent, and unshakeable---who could do just as well without a man—until the hero convinces her otherwise.
I write A LOT OF AGE GAP--because I LOVE AGE GAP ROMANCE. I’ve got no other excuse for it.
No matter what kind of story it is, my ladies are ADORED, and my endings are always Happily EVER AFTER, not HFN.
Want a free Ebook? Join my mailing list to get my monthly newsletter!
Join at:
matildamartel.com/newsletter
instagram.com/matildamartel.author/
twitter.com/martelbarrett
pinterest.com/matildamartelauthor/
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/matil...
I live in Austin, with my husband, two crazy Chihuahuas and an even crazier cat. And I spend most of my day writing dirty romance books about older men who fall in love with younger women and make fools of themselves trying to win their hearts.
If you love Dark Romance, you’ve come to the wrong place. I don’t like dark heroes.
I like my hero to be successful, sweet, suave, sophisticated and kind--- and then I want him to lose all his composure and game when he meets the heroine. I want him to turn into a bumbling idiot when he spots the girl of his dreams and revert to a teenage boy in a man’s body trying to win her.
I like my heroines to be witty, intelligent, and unshakeable---who could do just as well without a man—until the hero convinces her otherwise.
I write A LOT OF AGE GAP--because I LOVE AGE GAP ROMANCE. I’ve got no other excuse for it.
No matter what kind of story it is, my ladies are ADORED, and my endings are always Happily EVER AFTER, not HFN.
Want a free Ebook? Join my mailing list to get my monthly newsletter!
Join at:
matildamartel.com/newsletter
instagram.com/matildamartel.author/
twitter.com/martelbarrett
pinterest.com/matildamartelauthor/
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/matil...
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Looking for more of my reviews? Want to contact me? Check out my blog! Shreya Reads, Reviews, and Writes
⭐3
TROPES YOU'LL LOVE:
🌃Immortal x Mortal
🌃Anything for Her
🌃Awkward MMC
🌃He Falls First
🌃She teaches Him
--💟💟--
I have to admit, this one disappointed me a little 🫣
Night Shift is the sixth installment of Matilda Martel's Blackthorn Bay series, and we follow the love story of Erebus - literal night embodiment - and Calliope, a coffee-shop worker. Their relationship blooms through quiet moments, but boundaries become challenging when Erebus decides his time with Calliope needs to extend beyond the darkness of night.
WHAT I LOVED
⭐Erebus: He was just a sweetheart, learning about the mortal world with his blunt, innocent responses and his desire to be with Calliope. I love characters who are kind of oblivious to everyday euphemisms and conversation, so watching him be genuinely honest with Calliope and Petra - which led to some very amusing moments - was really the highlight of the story.
⭐Petra: OMG I need a story for Petra because she was the light (no pun intended) of the story XD She had me cackling with her dedication to dawn yoga and her body aches when Erebus refused to let dawn come on time. She gave me sassy older-woman vibes and she was really the reason I kept moving forward with the story.
⭐The Refusing Dawn Plot: I found the idea of Erebus trying to prevent dawn from appearing, in order to have more time with Calliope, to be really interesting. I was invested when reading about the effects of perpetual darkness and how it tied into Erebus' desire to be selfish with love.
WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME
please remember this is subjective ❤️
⭐The Romance: I feel a bit awkward saying this, but I didn't feel a strong connection between Calliope and Erebus, at least not romantically. They gave me sibling vibes more than anything and their romance was weighted by philosophical discourse that wove with elaborate metaphors which took me away from the actual relationship progression. I felt like the desire to be right (like to bring dawn back at its normal time) was given more importance than the chance to elevate their relationship, kind of in a way that would give more emphasis to the whole "anything for her" aspect.
⭐The Plot: I'll be honest, without Petra I found the story to drag quite a bit. I get that this is meant to be a cozy read, but I would have liked for at least some events to be occurring. We get a lot of inner dialogue, especially from Erebus' perspective, but it leads to chapters ending with him and Calliope doing something; we never really get the extent of what they do together. I wish I'd gotten to see them just do more activities together than drinking coffee and internally analyzing each other.
Overall, this was a nice, lazy morning read! I loved Erebus and Petra is my new best friend XD
⭐3
TROPES YOU'LL LOVE:
🌃Immortal x Mortal
🌃Anything for Her
🌃Awkward MMC
🌃He Falls First
🌃She teaches Him
--💟💟--
I have to admit, this one disappointed me a little 🫣
Night Shift is the sixth installment of Matilda Martel's Blackthorn Bay series, and we follow the love story of Erebus - literal night embodiment - and Calliope, a coffee-shop worker. Their relationship blooms through quiet moments, but boundaries become challenging when Erebus decides his time with Calliope needs to extend beyond the darkness of night.
WHAT I LOVED
⭐Erebus: He was just a sweetheart, learning about the mortal world with his blunt, innocent responses and his desire to be with Calliope. I love characters who are kind of oblivious to everyday euphemisms and conversation, so watching him be genuinely honest with Calliope and Petra - which led to some very amusing moments - was really the highlight of the story.
⭐Petra: OMG I need a story for Petra because she was the light (no pun intended) of the story XD She had me cackling with her dedication to dawn yoga and her body aches when Erebus refused to let dawn come on time. She gave me sassy older-woman vibes and she was really the reason I kept moving forward with the story.
⭐The Refusing Dawn Plot: I found the idea of Erebus trying to prevent dawn from appearing, in order to have more time with Calliope, to be really interesting. I was invested when reading about the effects of perpetual darkness and how it tied into Erebus' desire to be selfish with love.
WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME
please remember this is subjective ❤️
⭐The Romance: I feel a bit awkward saying this, but I didn't feel a strong connection between Calliope and Erebus, at least not romantically. They gave me sibling vibes more than anything and their romance was weighted by philosophical discourse that wove with elaborate metaphors which took me away from the actual relationship progression. I felt like the desire to be right (like to bring dawn back at its normal time) was given more importance than the chance to elevate their relationship, kind of in a way that would give more emphasis to the whole "anything for her" aspect.
⭐The Plot: I'll be honest, without Petra I found the story to drag quite a bit. I get that this is meant to be a cozy read, but I would have liked for at least some events to be occurring. We get a lot of inner dialogue, especially from Erebus' perspective, but it leads to chapters ending with him and Calliope doing something; we never really get the extent of what they do together. I wish I'd gotten to see them just do more activities together than drinking coffee and internally analyzing each other.
Overall, this was a nice, lazy morning read! I loved Erebus and Petra is my new best friend XD
Review of advance copy received from Author
Night Shift by Matilda Martel is a delightfully whimsical and supernatural romance set in the enchanted town of Blackthorn Bay. The story follows Erebus, an ancient, untouchable, and powerful living embodiment of Night who has spent eternity ushering darkness across the world. His endless routine changes forever when Calliope Craven, an exhausted barista working the closing shift at Ghoulish Grinds, hands him a free scone. Captivated by her warmth and kindness, Erebus’s innocent fascination quickly spirals into an intense obsession, leading him to linger outside the coffee shop, walk her home, and eventually stretch the nights longer just to stay near her.
When things escalate and Erebus stops letting the sun rise altogether, trapping Blackthorn Bay in perpetual darkness, the town council and local witches find themselves scrambling to fix the cosmic entity's love life before everyone loses their minds. Beneath the quirky supernatural chaos, the novel explores deep, meaningful themes about learning to let go even when your heart wants to hold on, the importance of choosing each other above everything else, and the fragile, beautiful promise of tomorrow. Brilliantly written and packed with charming monster-town dynamics, this fresh and imaginative read offers a wonderful introduction to an author who leaves a lasting impression.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When things escalate and Erebus stops letting the sun rise altogether, trapping Blackthorn Bay in perpetual darkness, the town council and local witches find themselves scrambling to fix the cosmic entity's love life before everyone loses their minds. Beneath the quirky supernatural chaos, the novel explores deep, meaningful themes about learning to let go even when your heart wants to hold on, the importance of choosing each other above everything else, and the fragile, beautiful promise of tomorrow. Brilliantly written and packed with charming monster-town dynamics, this fresh and imaginative read offers a wonderful introduction to an author who leaves a lasting impression.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
**Endless Night!**
*Night Shift* is the final book in the Blackthorn Bay series, and I completely loved the love story between Erebus and Calliope. Erebus has spent eternity watching everyone live their lives while he brings in the night. That is, until he meets Calliope, and the connection he feels toward her sparks an obsession he has never experienced before—an obsession he is both drawn to and reluctant to let go of.
At first, this merely leads to Erebus staying a few extra minutes, delaying the sunrise, which seemed harmless. However, as Calliope and Erebus's connection grows stronger, Erebus becomes unwilling to let the sun rise, leaving Blackthorn Bay in a perpetual state of nighttime. Calliope is truly a perfect match for Erebus, making their love story rich with emotional depth. Their journey showcases the importance of supporting one another, embracing love, and understanding that holding on or letting go of love doesn't mean you lose it—it simply transforms into something more.
This cozy paranormal romance is fun and easy to read, providing a great way to conclude this amazing series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*Night Shift* is the final book in the Blackthorn Bay series, and I completely loved the love story between Erebus and Calliope. Erebus has spent eternity watching everyone live their lives while he brings in the night. That is, until he meets Calliope, and the connection he feels toward her sparks an obsession he has never experienced before—an obsession he is both drawn to and reluctant to let go of.
At first, this merely leads to Erebus staying a few extra minutes, delaying the sunrise, which seemed harmless. However, as Calliope and Erebus's connection grows stronger, Erebus becomes unwilling to let the sun rise, leaving Blackthorn Bay in a perpetual state of nighttime. Calliope is truly a perfect match for Erebus, making their love story rich with emotional depth. Their journey showcases the importance of supporting one another, embracing love, and understanding that holding on or letting go of love doesn't mean you lose it—it simply transforms into something more.
This cozy paranormal romance is fun and easy to read, providing a great way to conclude this amazing series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 31, 2026
This was a really sweet, short story about learning to love, trust and let go. Erebus is the god of night, a man who takes everything literal and who has never been in love before. Calliope is the barista he falls in love with, and the woman he eventually holds the night for indefinitely in order to see her. I liked how this one was a community affair, so many side characters involved, each with their own dynamic personality. Alaric was also hilarious in this one, definitely loved stirring everything up. I also liked how Erebus learned to difference between control and trust, what it truly meant to love someone and how to balance his two sides. I was a little confused on how the whole mating thing and matching life spans played out in other books but not here. That wasn't really covered but was a point of contention. No cheating or OM/OW drama, dual POV, assumed HEA and a sweet epilogue in the future. Looking forward to seeing if there's more to this series and who will come next!
August 30, 2026
Night Shift by Matilda Martel was a fun and charming addition to the Blackthorn Bay series! I loved the small-town atmosphere, quirky supernatural characters, and the sweet chemistry between the FMC Calliope and MMC Erebus. Their relationship was entertaining and had a great balance of romance, humor, and a little spice. Erebus was especially intriguing with his mysterious, otherworldly nature, while Calliope brought plenty of warmth and heart to the story. I also enjoyed the coffee shop setting and the way the paranormal elements blended naturally into the cozy atmosphere. Matilda Martel has created another enjoyable addition to the Blackthorn Bay series. Overall, Night Shift was a light, charming, and entertaining read that kept me smiling.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 4, 2026
Erebus controls when day becomes night and vice versa forever however that is about to change. When Calliope shows him an act of kindness and offers her a pastry he is smitten and now he never wants night to end as it will mean they will be separated and he fears if that happens she won’t come back.
Calliope is drawn to Erebus as well however his need to keep the night is throwing the whole town off kilter as well as herself. She knows that it can’t continue but will she be able to convince him that allowing the day to come won’t mean that she will leave.
Erebus has always given other people what they wanted, and he doesn’t want to give up the one person he wants. Theirs is a story of trusting and understanding that the love they share doesn’t end when the sun rises.
Calliope is drawn to Erebus as well however his need to keep the night is throwing the whole town off kilter as well as herself. She knows that it can’t continue but will she be able to convince him that allowing the day to come won’t mean that she will leave.
Erebus has always given other people what they wanted, and he doesn’t want to give up the one person he wants. Theirs is a story of trusting and understanding that the love they share doesn’t end when the sun rises.
August 30, 2026
What happens when the Greek God Erebus falls in love?
In Night Shift a sweet and spicy monster romance the question is answered in an entertaining sixth book of the Blackthorn Bay series.
He has been watching late night barista Calliope Craven and admires her kindness but his infatuation will soon leave Blackthorn trapped in darkness.
An enjoyable short story that was nicely written with wonderful characters unfolds to reveal a town in chaos, love in the air, some spice, emotion, a little drama, in a completely sweet, delightful read. HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In Night Shift a sweet and spicy monster romance the question is answered in an entertaining sixth book of the Blackthorn Bay series.
He has been watching late night barista Calliope Craven and admires her kindness but his infatuation will soon leave Blackthorn trapped in darkness.
An enjoyable short story that was nicely written with wonderful characters unfolds to reveal a town in chaos, love in the air, some spice, emotion, a little drama, in a completely sweet, delightful read. HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 4, 2026
🌙 A Little Darkness After Hours 🖤
Night Shift was such a fun little paranormal romance! ☕🌙
A cozy coffee shop, a mysterious monster hero, and a whole lot of possessive, “you’re mine” energy? Yes, please. 👀🔥
I loved the unique concept of Erebus being the literal embodiment of Night, and the chemistry between him and our heroine made this a quick, entertaining read. Add in instalove, an obsessive hero, and that cozy-but-dark atmosphere, and you’ve got a seriously fun monster romance. 🖤
If you love paranormal romance, monster heroes, instalove, and possessive heroes, definitely add this one to your TBR! ✨
Night Shift was such a fun little paranormal romance! ☕🌙
A cozy coffee shop, a mysterious monster hero, and a whole lot of possessive, “you’re mine” energy? Yes, please. 👀🔥
I loved the unique concept of Erebus being the literal embodiment of Night, and the chemistry between him and our heroine made this a quick, entertaining read. Add in instalove, an obsessive hero, and that cozy-but-dark atmosphere, and you’ve got a seriously fun monster romance. 🖤
If you love paranormal romance, monster heroes, instalove, and possessive heroes, definitely add this one to your TBR! ✨
September 1, 2026
Who new true love could start with a free scone? Then again if I had a long night, especially as the literal embodiment of night, and someone offered me a free hot buttered flaky piece of edible heaven. I'd probably fall a little in love as well. Erebus and Calliope were great characters. This story was sweet and funny at times. This was a fun read. I enjoyed the magic of the fantasy world, blended together with modern world as we know it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 11, 2026
Erebus and Calliope's paranormal, monster romance is a fun read with interesting characters and a unique storyline. Calliope is a barista, and Erebus becomes obsessed with her when she gives him a free scone. His obsession causes the whole town to go into chaos, leaving Blackthorn Bay in complete darkness just so he could stay with Calliope longer. This cozy, paranormal romance is book six and the final book in the Blackthorn Bay series. I recommend this book, this series, and this author to everyone who loves great storytelling. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
August 25, 2026
Ms. Martel has done an exceptional job creating the supernatural characters in this series!
My heart strings were definitely being pulled for Erebus!
And, despite not knowing what he was doing, he was so romantic, so swoon-worthy!
Wait until you meet him!
Can there possibly be something between him and Calliope?
Will the town put a stop to any romance?
Funny.
Emotional.
Wonderful!
My heart strings were definitely being pulled for Erebus!
And, despite not knowing what he was doing, he was so romantic, so swoon-worthy!
Wait until you meet him!
Can there possibly be something between him and Calliope?
Will the town put a stop to any romance?
Funny.
Emotional.
Wonderful!
August 28, 2026
Blackthorn Bay is the perfect small town setting for this paranormal romance. Erebus is the embodiment of night. He ushers darkness across the world. Calliope give Erebus a scone and that starts his obsession. Erebus however, soon makes it so night never leaves Blackthorn Bay and the entire town comes to help. This is a beautiful love story and an amazing read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 29, 2026
Night Shift by Matilda Martel was a delightful and whimsical way to end the Blackthorn Bay series! I absolutely loved Erebus and Calliope and their unique, wonderfully strange love story. The enchanted town, quirky monsters, and Erebus’s obsession with his barista added plenty of fun, while the deeper themes of love, letting go, and choosing each other gave the story real emotional depth. A cozy, imaginative, and heartwarming paranormal romance that was a fantastic finale to the series!.
September 8, 2026
This is a completely different book from any I have ever read. It is a paranormal, steamy romance. Erebus is the keeper of the night and has done so for eons. But that all changes when he meets Calliope, the barista at the coffee shop. Things change drastically for the town when Erebus keeps night in place to stay with Calliope. This is a fantastic book with a perfect happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Want to Read
June 18, 2026Blackthorn Bay Series :
❌ 1 Paws & Order (June 16, 2026)
❌ 2 Infernal Affairs (June 30, 2026)
❌ 3 Hoofloose (July 14, 2026)
❌ 4 Fang Fatale (July 28, 2026)
❌ 5 Drop Dead Gorgeous (August 11, 2026)
❌ 6 Night Shift (August 25, 2026)
https://matildamartel.com/
or
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H242N849?...
❌ 1 Paws & Order (June 16, 2026)
❌ 2 Infernal Affairs (June 30, 2026)
❌ 3 Hoofloose (July 14, 2026)
❌ 4 Fang Fatale (July 28, 2026)
❌ 5 Drop Dead Gorgeous (August 11, 2026)
❌ 6 Night Shift (August 25, 2026)
https://matildamartel.com/
or
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H242N849?...
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
4.5/5⭐️
The premise is an interesting one and I loved how it goes on to show us how we need to “let go” even when our heart tells us to hold on. In this case, there are consequences —huge ones!
I loved the idea of choosing each other, above everything else, and the promise of tomorrow (though nothing is ever guaranteed).
The premise is an interesting one and I loved how it goes on to show us how we need to “let go” even when our heart tells us to hold on. In this case, there are consequences —huge ones!
I loved the idea of choosing each other, above everything else, and the promise of tomorrow (though nothing is ever guaranteed).
August 31, 2026
The author has taken us back to Blackthorn Bay in order to pull us into the lives of Erebus and Calliope. The heartwarming story keeps us turning the pages with connection, obsession, obstacles to overcome and determination.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 10, 2026
Erebus and Calliope are opposites in more ways than one. Her kindness drew him in but being the eternal embodiment of night limits the time spent. It becomes a problem for all until they find a way to make it work. Enjoyable read with great characters and a fun literary world.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 30, 2026
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. It was a sweet love story that needed some compromises to make the town happy. I liked Erebus and Calliope as a couple.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews