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Monsters of Ashwood #2
Whispers in the Woods
The darkness called, and she followed it like a moth to a flame…
In the wake of buying Ashwood Manor, Jenna Hellsing discovers that a grumbly gargoyle and a sexy shadow are not the only monsters haunting her. The terrifying beast in the woods is calling her home, and the truth begs to be set free…
As Jenna slips into old habits and her past collides with her present, she finds herself in the middle of a deadly game, one that is all too familiar.
Flint never thought he’d have a second chance. A chance to love again, a chance to re-write the past. Though it seems not even a Hide-Behind can outrun fate, and danger follows Jenna wherever she goes…
Will Flint, Degal, and Shadow refuse to let history repeat itself… even if it means they have to face their own nightmares and ghosts?
In the wake of buying Ashwood Manor, Jenna Hellsing discovers that a grumbly gargoyle and a sexy shadow are not the only monsters haunting her. The terrifying beast in the woods is calling her home, and the truth begs to be set free…
As Jenna slips into old habits and her past collides with her present, she finds herself in the middle of a deadly game, one that is all too familiar.
Flint never thought he’d have a second chance. A chance to love again, a chance to re-write the past. Though it seems not even a Hide-Behind can outrun fate, and danger follows Jenna wherever she goes…
Will Flint, Degal, and Shadow refuse to let history repeat itself… even if it means they have to face their own nightmares and ghosts?
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2023
30 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Ariel Dawn
75 books283 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Ariel Dawn is a real life mermaid and self-professed geek with a penchant for a good book and a strong cup of coffee (or tea!).
Ariel writes plot driven paranormal romance, monster romance, reverse harem, and urban fantasy featuring feisty heroines, sinfully delicious heroes, and neurodivergent besties.
As a fellow neurodivergent, when she isn't writing, she can be found cosplaying, attending conventions, or creating all sorts of artwork in her studio. She loves hanging out with family and friends as well as playing video games and board games with her retro gamer husband.
Ariel writes plot driven paranormal romance, monster romance, reverse harem, and urban fantasy featuring feisty heroines, sinfully delicious heroes, and neurodivergent besties.
As a fellow neurodivergent, when she isn't writing, she can be found cosplaying, attending conventions, or creating all sorts of artwork in her studio. She loves hanging out with family and friends as well as playing video games and board games with her retro gamer husband.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 21, 2023
What a perfect ending to Jenna, Shadow, Degal, and Flints story!
January 8, 2023
Absolutely great story! I love that Flint finally comes around! The 4 of them together is wonderful!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2024
my favorite part of this was the ending. not in a snarky way, but genuinely, i liked the resolution of the plot, the way the villain was handled, and how everyone came back together in the end.
my least favorite part is that every single time the word “corporeal” is supposed to be used, the word that’s actually in the book is “corporal.”
my least favorite part is that every single time the word “corporeal” is supposed to be used, the word that’s actually in the book is “corporal.”
June 19, 2024
I'm going to give this duology a single review since I read the books back to back, and they form one continuous story. Honestly, the two books combined are less than 350 pages, so I don't know why the author bothered to break them in two. I know there's the sell-more-books aspect. But finding standalone Why Choose romances is like finding a treasure. I wish more authors would write them, and here I see a perfect opportunity to do so squandered.
I have mixed feelings about this series. In one sense, I liked it a lot. I liked that the men of the harem have a real, deeply felt, and openly expressed relationship with one another. I liked the characters themselves. Since I finished book one and then bought book two, I obviously enjoyed spending time with them.
BUT I was hoping for so much more than this series delivered. There are some aspects of the story that seriously disappointed me. (This will be spoilerish, by the way.) I found the heroine bland. Honestly, among the three men's history and established relationship, she felt very much like a late addition tag-along rather than a truly important addition. Honestly, I'm not even sure she felt like the main character of the book. Degal, in terms of page time and development, and Shadow, in terms of group dynamics, fit the bill a lot better.
But mostly, the author made some choices I thought were super cliched and predictable. At the tail end of book one, I had a premonition of where the story was going and made this note:
Well, to risk repeating myself, I was disappointed. It wasn't straightforward reincarnation, but it's close enough to fit the bill. I want a heroine that the men love FOR HER, not for what (or who) she is a reflection of.
The villain was incredibly obvious. It's the only named character with no other obvious character role (best friend, work colleague, lover, etc.), and his motivation was one we've all seen a billion times before. It's serious low-hanging fruit in the plotting department. I have to say the same about the FMC's history of rape. *Yawn* So overused as to have been leeched of all emotional impact. Again, it's low-hanging fruit plotting. It's evidence of either incredible laziness or an author who has yet to mature and learn to imagine plot points for themselves instead of choosing them from pre-scripted cultural story arcs.
As a side note, I'm quite tolerant of purple prose. But if you are not, this might not be the book for you. It could also do with another editing pass. All in all, this wasn't horrible. I like it well enough. But it left me with several unanswered questions and could have been so much more than it is.
I have mixed feelings about this series. In one sense, I liked it a lot. I liked that the men of the harem have a real, deeply felt, and openly expressed relationship with one another. I liked the characters themselves. Since I finished book one and then bought book two, I obviously enjoyed spending time with them.
BUT I was hoping for so much more than this series delivered. There are some aspects of the story that seriously disappointed me. (This will be spoilerish, by the way.) I found the heroine bland. Honestly, among the three men's history and established relationship, she felt very much like a late addition tag-along rather than a truly important addition. Honestly, I'm not even sure she felt like the main character of the book. Degal, in terms of page time and development, and Shadow, in terms of group dynamics, fit the bill a lot better.
But mostly, the author made some choices I thought were super cliched and predictable. At the tail end of book one, I had a premonition of where the story was going and made this note:
I'm going to be so disappointed if this book/series goes in the reincarnated lover direction. Let her be important as herself, not as Virginia 2.0. Please!
Well, to risk repeating myself, I was disappointed. It wasn't straightforward reincarnation, but it's close enough to fit the bill. I want a heroine that the men love FOR HER, not for what (or who) she is a reflection of.
The villain was incredibly obvious. It's the only named character with no other obvious character role (best friend, work colleague, lover, etc.), and his motivation was one we've all seen a billion times before. It's serious low-hanging fruit in the plotting department. I have to say the same about the FMC's history of rape. *Yawn* So overused as to have been leeched of all emotional impact. Again, it's low-hanging fruit plotting. It's evidence of either incredible laziness or an author who has yet to mature and learn to imagine plot points for themselves instead of choosing them from pre-scripted cultural story arcs.
As a side note, I'm quite tolerant of purple prose. But if you are not, this might not be the book for you. It could also do with another editing pass. All in all, this wasn't horrible. I like it well enough. But it left me with several unanswered questions and could have been so much more than it is.
January 31, 2023
A quick warning: this book contains that taboo Indigenous creature of lore (w*nd*go); Indigenous folks have asked that it not be used in mainstream media as a horror component... authors will argue in circles that it's okay to use them or that its different enough from the lore but this explicitly uses the name, so I am including a warning. I'm not Indigenous so I can't judge the author on the use, I can only provide you (fellow readers) with the information.
Other than the above this was a satisfying conclusion to this duet!
I have to say the Monsters of Ashwood are a lot darker than I would normally pick up, so I worry that might color my review a little but I honestly enjoyed Ariel Dawn's writing and I will absolutely pick up more from her in the future. That said, it was dark lol. I thought the first one was dark with the flashbacks - this one is equally so, if not more so. So please check the content warnings if you're a sensitive reader, Ariel Dawn did a great job updating them on Voices and went into Whispers with an exhaustive list. (I've gotten into the habit of watching for these things as an ARC reader and I didn't think she missed any that are on my radar.)
Flint, arguably the creepiest of the monster mates but I loved him. He was so sweet and so concerned with everyone else's feelings. He was also a very unique monster, I haven't read any Hide Behinds in anything else so that was a treat. I still don’t totally love Degal but I think he redeemed himself from his hot and cold behavior. I loved Shadow. Nothing like a debonaire gentleman with pleasure-dom tendencies *swoon*. I enjoyed the dynamic between the trio too! Jenna isn't my favorite FMC in the world but I found her well-written and I really like the moment where she cries that she's a monster, and her mates don't tell her she's not, they tell her it's okay because they all are.
Other than the above this was a satisfying conclusion to this duet!
I have to say the Monsters of Ashwood are a lot darker than I would normally pick up, so I worry that might color my review a little but I honestly enjoyed Ariel Dawn's writing and I will absolutely pick up more from her in the future. That said, it was dark lol. I thought the first one was dark with the flashbacks - this one is equally so, if not more so. So please check the content warnings if you're a sensitive reader, Ariel Dawn did a great job updating them on Voices and went into Whispers with an exhaustive list. (I've gotten into the habit of watching for these things as an ARC reader and I didn't think she missed any that are on my radar.)
Flint, arguably the creepiest of the monster mates but I loved him. He was so sweet and so concerned with everyone else's feelings. He was also a very unique monster, I haven't read any Hide Behinds in anything else so that was a treat. I still don’t totally love Degal but I think he redeemed himself from his hot and cold behavior. I loved Shadow. Nothing like a debonaire gentleman with pleasure-dom tendencies *swoon*. I enjoyed the dynamic between the trio too! Jenna isn't my favorite FMC in the world but I found her well-written and I really like the moment where she cries that she's a monster, and her mates don't tell her she's not, they tell her it's okay because they all are.
September 23, 2023
Spooky season smut ♡
This was a really quick face paced duet, I loved the spooky mystery behind book one, but I'm not going to lie the plot kinda took a back seat to smut in the second book which is fine but I wanted more of a balance because I was loving the gothic feel of it all. That smut, though, was definitely fire 🥵🥵 I enjoyed reading the guys all reconnect their bond once again and then building it with Jenna. When they lost their original mate, Victoria, it kind of fractured their bond, but Jenna helped bring them back together.
Having once again cemented the bond between them didn't mean they'd be able to move forward without their pasts haunting them and whilst Jenna's past wasn't connected to her monster mates a moment in her past connected her to them in a way none were prepared for.
Now, the same evil that stole their previous mate Victoria is back to claim another, but this time around, they'd rather let d3ath claim them before they suffer the loss of another mate. But Jenna isn't Victoria. The darkness calls to her in a way that would scare many, but she welcomes it with open arms, and it's this darkness that gives her the strength to live.
Perfect read for spooky season 📚 Recommend Reading.
This was a really quick face paced duet, I loved the spooky mystery behind book one, but I'm not going to lie the plot kinda took a back seat to smut in the second book which is fine but I wanted more of a balance because I was loving the gothic feel of it all. That smut, though, was definitely fire 🥵🥵 I enjoyed reading the guys all reconnect their bond once again and then building it with Jenna. When they lost their original mate, Victoria, it kind of fractured their bond, but Jenna helped bring them back together.
Having once again cemented the bond between them didn't mean they'd be able to move forward without their pasts haunting them and whilst Jenna's past wasn't connected to her monster mates a moment in her past connected her to them in a way none were prepared for.
Now, the same evil that stole their previous mate Victoria is back to claim another, but this time around, they'd rather let d3ath claim them before they suffer the loss of another mate. But Jenna isn't Victoria. The darkness calls to her in a way that would scare many, but she welcomes it with open arms, and it's this darkness that gives her the strength to live.
Perfect read for spooky season 📚 Recommend Reading.
August 28, 2025
3.5 stars
This is fine, I'm going to stand by my comment from the first review that this should have just been one book. No need for the two shorter ones. Both were in desperate need of an editor, there are a lot of slightly off words that needed to be caught. ("I need you to come on sight for the interview" instead of "I need you to come on site for the interview")
Jenna is very much the least important and least engaging character in this book. Which is fine for me, I was very smitten with the m/m dynamics and healing of their relationships, but I know some folks need the FMC to be very much the center of the whole story. Flint's literal emergence in this one was perfection, and seeing him through the eyes of the others was endearing. He is a very sweet character and I love that he's portrayed that way despite being a big scary monster.
Bring the pair of books to the beach or on a plane. They're easy enough and short enough that you can burn through the first and go onto the second if the vibes are working for you.
This is fine, I'm going to stand by my comment from the first review that this should have just been one book. No need for the two shorter ones. Both were in desperate need of an editor, there are a lot of slightly off words that needed to be caught. ("I need you to come on sight for the interview" instead of "I need you to come on site for the interview")
Jenna is very much the least important and least engaging character in this book. Which is fine for me, I was very smitten with the m/m dynamics and healing of their relationships, but I know some folks need the FMC to be very much the center of the whole story. Flint's literal emergence in this one was perfection, and seeing him through the eyes of the others was endearing. He is a very sweet character and I love that he's portrayed that way despite being a big scary monster.
Bring the pair of books to the beach or on a plane. They're easy enough and short enough that you can burn through the first and go onto the second if the vibes are working for you.
January 15, 2023
Mysterious, Suspenseful, & Steamy
We finally meet Flint, prepare to fall in love with him and deeper in love with Shadow and Degal. Is Flint who we were lead to believe? We have even more flashbacks of Jenna's traumatic past and find put she found her strength in a very unexpected place from someone you least expect. This is a book that although I very much loved every second I was sad to see it end. If you thought the first was hot & steamy with mystery you haven't seen anything yet! There's a real danger to Jenna! Don't forget the film crew is coming too, could that mean more trouble for the four? A danger is unseen and ready to take Jenna away. Can they stop it or lose Jenna forever? Edge of your seat suspense.
We finally meet Flint, prepare to fall in love with him and deeper in love with Shadow and Degal. Is Flint who we were lead to believe? We have even more flashbacks of Jenna's traumatic past and find put she found her strength in a very unexpected place from someone you least expect. This is a book that although I very much loved every second I was sad to see it end. If you thought the first was hot & steamy with mystery you haven't seen anything yet! There's a real danger to Jenna! Don't forget the film crew is coming too, could that mean more trouble for the four? A danger is unseen and ready to take Jenna away. Can they stop it or lose Jenna forever? Edge of your seat suspense.
February 1, 2023
This is book 2 and the conclusion of a duet. You need to read book 1: Voices In The Dark, before you can enjoy Whispers In The Woods.
The story picks up where it left of in the previous book. Jenna is "saved" from the woods, but she's met her third mate, Flint. At first, Deval doesn't trust Flint and thinks he's the one that killed Victoria. But Flint is not the only monster who lurks in the woods, and the gang will have to fight to stay together.
I loved this book!!! Jenna and her men deepen their bonds and she gets to know and love Flint. Shadow and Degal get reacquainted with Flint, which goes rocky at first. I love the different relationships! The men have different dynamics together than they have with Jenna, and it's super interesting! Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a PNR RH. You'll love this duet!
The story picks up where it left of in the previous book. Jenna is "saved" from the woods, but she's met her third mate, Flint. At first, Deval doesn't trust Flint and thinks he's the one that killed Victoria. But Flint is not the only monster who lurks in the woods, and the gang will have to fight to stay together.
I loved this book!!! Jenna and her men deepen their bonds and she gets to know and love Flint. Shadow and Degal get reacquainted with Flint, which goes rocky at first. I love the different relationships! The men have different dynamics together than they have with Jenna, and it's super interesting! Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a PNR RH. You'll love this duet!
January 31, 2023
The highly anticipated follow up to Voices in the Dark, Whispers in the Woods is dark, steamy, and will get your pulse racing!
The characters need to face their past to move forward. We also meet Flint. Ah Flint. Love him! There’s a bit of suspense and those steamy scenes….*chef’s kiss* I’m a huge fan of dark reads and Miss Dawn did not disappoint.
This was everything and more! This was an engaging guilty pleasure read. I was not disappointed! I highly recommend this and the first book. I love the author’s storytelling style and I look forward to reading more from her. I give this 5 stars.
The characters need to face their past to move forward. We also meet Flint. Ah Flint. Love him! There’s a bit of suspense and those steamy scenes….*chef’s kiss* I’m a huge fan of dark reads and Miss Dawn did not disappoint.
This was everything and more! This was an engaging guilty pleasure read. I was not disappointed! I highly recommend this and the first book. I love the author’s storytelling style and I look forward to reading more from her. I give this 5 stars.
February 1, 2023
Finally! The long-awaited sequel! This picks up where book one left off, with the mysterious Flint, people be prepared to fall in love with him, and deeper in love with Shadow and Degal. Like the first one, this one is just as steamy, emotional, and suspenseful.
Overall, this was another amazing book from Ariel Dawn, well a rounded monster romance, and 100% worth the read. If you are looking for a monster romance that is filled with steam, mystery, and RH this is the book for you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall, this was another amazing book from Ariel Dawn, well a rounded monster romance, and 100% worth the read. If you are looking for a monster romance that is filled with steam, mystery, and RH this is the book for you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 5, 2023
Obsessed!
Whisper in the woods is the end of the Monsters of Ashwood Duet. I’m this book we find out more about Jenna and her mates. Their pasts and what tore them apart. I loved Ariel’s writing. It kept me intrigued and trying to guess what was gonna happen. The plot was great and the 🌶️ was on point. I need more of Flint!!
Whisper in the woods is the end of the Monsters of Ashwood Duet. I’m this book we find out more about Jenna and her mates. Their pasts and what tore them apart. I loved Ariel’s writing. It kept me intrigued and trying to guess what was gonna happen. The plot was great and the 🌶️ was on point. I need more of Flint!!
February 5, 2023
Picking up right where Voices in the Dark (Book 1) left off, it was very easy to jump right back into Jenna's story. I loved the development of Jenna and her men's bonds. Each of the dynamics and relationships were unique. There is mystery, suspense and steam. There are flashbacks providing more backstory on Jenna's trauma. This is a very engaging read.
September 20, 2023
so sad it’s over
I would love to read more about this group. I’m glad we finally got to find out what happened w Adam. Alsoooo i called the two (is it a plot twist) I’m not sure but I called it. Such a good book. I could see myself reading this again. Loved the spice MMFM ( is that the right way to write that lmao. Idk but loved it.
I would love to read more about this group. I’m glad we finally got to find out what happened w Adam. Alsoooo i called the two (is it a plot twist) I’m not sure but I called it. Such a good book. I could see myself reading this again. Loved the spice MMFM ( is that the right way to write that lmao. Idk but loved it.
January 29, 2023
Second – and final? – book in this duet, we get all the answers left from book one. We get to know Flint at last and discover all the mysteries left unsolved from book one. A short and quick read, with a lot of smut, that will lead to the deserved HEA.
January 31, 2023
🌟🌟🌟🌟 / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book picks up right where Voices In The Dark left off. This book jumps straight to the spice and is super steamy!! We get more about Jenna’s past. You’ll hate Adam and love the monsters even more than you already do.
May 10, 2023
Great Story
I really enjoyed this story and the surprise twist really stunned me! The spicy scenes were also wonderful. I would love to read a Epilogue about them. Maybe featuring children!!!!!
I really enjoyed this story and the surprise twist really stunned me! The spicy scenes were also wonderful. I would love to read a Epilogue about them. Maybe featuring children!!!!!
June 25, 2024
Ahhh I loved this!! Such a fun spicy read and definitely a great love story.
Still a huge fan of degal lol
I love loved book one and this one upped the love.
Such a great book duet I highly recommend
Still a huge fan of degal lol
I love loved book one and this one upped the love.
Such a great book duet I highly recommend
January 1, 2025
3.5 stars.
It was all right, but it definitely read like there could be a lot *more* in this story. I didn't love some of the explanations for things, and I wanted... I guess, just more to flesh things out.
It was all right, but it definitely read like there could be a lot *more* in this story. I didn't love some of the explanations for things, and I wanted... I guess, just more to flesh things out.
January 8, 2023
This was a quick read. The story was good and I liked different personalities of the main characters.
August 23, 2024
Monsters and ghosts and revenge. Spooky spice.
February 1, 2023
Loved this conclusion to the duet. Ariel Dawn is a talented storyteller, and the words she crafts in this series burn up the pages.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews