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The Sea-Ogre's Eager Bride
Valessa is in danger. Her town has been captured by Aventinian raiders, the women taken, and now she's on a ship destined for nowhere good. But when a terrifying, four-armed sea-ogre pirate boards the ships and demands compensation, Valessa's luck changes.
The sea-ogre demands a bride. It's the perfect opportunity for her to escape.
Valessa volunteers. She tells everyone she's very experienced with sea-ogres and knows just how to please them. She's very descriptive about it, too.
Thing is...Valessa's a liar.
She's never met a sea-ogre in her life. But it can't be that hard to keep one man-slash-monster happy, can it?
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2025
445 people are currently reading
487 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Dixon
167books18kfollowersRuby Dixon is an author of Science Fiction Romance. She likes fated mates, baby-filled epilogues, and cinnamon roll heroes. She also likes to write biographies of herself in the third person, because it feels more important that way.
Ruby also loves coffee and dirty books and will probably be a cat lady at some point. :)
Ruby also loves coffee and dirty books and will probably be a cat lady at some point. :)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
March 5, 2025
Ruby, Ruby, Ruby� the only author I can trust to write a heartfelt tender love story about a girl who escapes servitude and gets dicked down finds her home with a socially awkward half fish man with 4 arms and 2 cocks that lives on the back of a giant sea turtle
March 31, 2025
3.5 stars rounded down
I feel conflicted about this read because I value that Ruby Dixon took the time to shift the dynamic between Valessa (h) and Ranan (H) so that there wouldn’t be uneven forces at play between them given that she spent so many years as a slave and is uncertain about her standing with him for much of the book. But miscommunication (specifically a lack of productive communication) plays out also throughout most of the book and I struggled with that. How each approached their relationship dynamic made complete sense for both of their characters, it just wasn’t to my personal taste. This is an interesting story though about a loner sea ogre who mixes up his words and the human bride he accidentally claims adjusting to each other and then growing into their HEA.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama (though the H does get jealous over the h). H is inexperienced other than kissing and the h was experienced, but had a complicated history with sex given her background as a slave.
Some tropes/themes:
� Awkward MMC
� Wanting to please as a defense mechanism for the FMC
� Living on a giant sea turtle
� Pirating
� Bleak options for human women
� Finding your strength
� Hurt/comfort
Ranan and Valessa have so much learning to do about each other at the start of the book. Valessa chooses the sea ogre over certain enslavement in a brothel and then has no idea how to act around him because he gives her very little to go off. For his part, Ranan meant to say “bribe�, not “bride�, and doesn’t know what to do with this human. He’s short-tempered with her then mad at himself. There’s a good bit of floundering until they start to find a footing with each other. Of course, there was still plenty left in the story so I was sure something would happen and it does.
Steam-wise, Ranan has double appendages and Valessa does get hands on with them plenty but the full act isn’t until late in the book. He’s also concerned about her pleasure, which completely takes her off guard and leads to a moment that does a nice job of not only building physical intimacy, but emotional intimacy too. Because Valessa has been a slave for so long and thanks to Ranan’s stoic nature, vulnerability exposure doesn’t come easy for these two.
Most of the story is just a sea ogre and his bride with a giant turtle. Ranan’s wealth is negligible to him and astounding to Valessa. The cultural differences were mostly fun for them to navigate and esp when Ranan seeks out another human to try and get things for his wife (though if you’re like me and hoping for a scene where Valessa comes and surely sets the record straight on what I thought was that other human taking advantage, it doesn’t happen, sorry).
When something awful happens, my heart was in my throat at the same time as I was so proud of the character that had to step into the fray. What happens does lead to them needing to spend time with Ranan’s family and a rift opens between the two that feels insurmountable until another moment provides the necessary pressure point to air everything out.
The ending is HEA and very sweet. There’s an epilogue a few weeks later and then five years later. I almost rounded up instead of down because of the epilogues, I was smiling so big at the end. The frustration I had with the miscommunication though led to the rating I gave it, even though I did enjoy the read overall.
I feel conflicted about this read because I value that Ruby Dixon took the time to shift the dynamic between Valessa (h) and Ranan (H) so that there wouldn’t be uneven forces at play between them given that she spent so many years as a slave and is uncertain about her standing with him for much of the book. But miscommunication (specifically a lack of productive communication) plays out also throughout most of the book and I struggled with that. How each approached their relationship dynamic made complete sense for both of their characters, it just wasn’t to my personal taste. This is an interesting story though about a loner sea ogre who mixes up his words and the human bride he accidentally claims adjusting to each other and then growing into their HEA.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama (though the H does get jealous over the h). H is inexperienced other than kissing and the h was experienced, but had a complicated history with sex given her background as a slave.
Some tropes/themes:
� Awkward MMC
� Wanting to please as a defense mechanism for the FMC
� Living on a giant sea turtle
� Pirating
� Bleak options for human women
� Finding your strength
� Hurt/comfort
Ranan and Valessa have so much learning to do about each other at the start of the book. Valessa chooses the sea ogre over certain enslavement in a brothel and then has no idea how to act around him because he gives her very little to go off. For his part, Ranan meant to say “bribe�, not “bride�, and doesn’t know what to do with this human. He’s short-tempered with her then mad at himself. There’s a good bit of floundering until they start to find a footing with each other. Of course, there was still plenty left in the story so I was sure something would happen and it does.
Steam-wise, Ranan has double appendages and Valessa does get hands on with them plenty but the full act isn’t until late in the book. He’s also concerned about her pleasure, which completely takes her off guard and leads to a moment that does a nice job of not only building physical intimacy, but emotional intimacy too. Because Valessa has been a slave for so long and thanks to Ranan’s stoic nature, vulnerability exposure doesn’t come easy for these two.
Most of the story is just a sea ogre and his bride with a giant turtle. Ranan’s wealth is negligible to him and astounding to Valessa. The cultural differences were mostly fun for them to navigate and esp when Ranan seeks out another human to try and get things for his wife (though if you’re like me and hoping for a scene where Valessa comes and surely sets the record straight on what I thought was that other human taking advantage, it doesn’t happen, sorry).
When something awful happens, my heart was in my throat at the same time as I was so proud of the character that had to step into the fray. What happens does lead to them needing to spend time with Ranan’s family and a rift opens between the two that feels insurmountable until another moment provides the necessary pressure point to air everything out.
The ending is HEA and very sweet. There’s an epilogue a few weeks later and then five years later. I almost rounded up instead of down because of the epilogues, I was smiling so big at the end. The frustration I had with the miscommunication though led to the rating I gave it, even though I did enjoy the read overall.
April 1, 2025
3.5 stars - There is a loooottt of miscommunication in this one which is not my fav. However, I loved both main characters and loved how they worked through their issues in order to have a partnership on equal footing. I'm a sucker for an awkward MC, so that worked for me too
March 2, 2025
I don't usually write long reviews but apparently I'm one of the first for this book, and so I'll do it for Ruby.
The Sea-Ogre's gentle bride is a short story (about 250 pages) set in the world of Aspect and Anchor, one of my favourite RD worlds, but can be read as a standalone novella. We follow Valessa, or Vali, a slave who's lived through multiple masters and done what she needs to survive. As the slave ship she's on travels through a narrow passage between cliffs, they find they're trapped by a giant turtle-like creature, a Hamarii named Akara, and a sea-ogre named Ranan, who pirates the ship and takes Vali as his bride.
This couple is adorable - as usual, Ruby managed to compose complete, flawed but lovable characters in so few pages, and I appreciate that the third act conflict is more of an emotional journey than anything else.
I'll admit, I am slightly biased in my review, as I could read RD's shopping list and happily devour every word, but she has definitely come a long way from the first few Ice Planet books and I can't wait to see what new things she tries next, as well as all the new books for her ongoing series!
Please never stop writing <3
The Sea-Ogre's gentle bride is a short story (about 250 pages) set in the world of Aspect and Anchor, one of my favourite RD worlds, but can be read as a standalone novella. We follow Valessa, or Vali, a slave who's lived through multiple masters and done what she needs to survive. As the slave ship she's on travels through a narrow passage between cliffs, they find they're trapped by a giant turtle-like creature, a Hamarii named Akara, and a sea-ogre named Ranan, who pirates the ship and takes Vali as his bride.
This couple is adorable - as usual, Ruby managed to compose complete, flawed but lovable characters in so few pages, and I appreciate that the third act conflict is more of an emotional journey than anything else.
I'll admit, I am slightly biased in my review, as I could read RD's shopping list and happily devour every word, but she has definitely come a long way from the first few Ice Planet books and I can't wait to see what new things she tries next, as well as all the new books for her ongoing series!
Please never stop writing <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2025
Honestly, I kinda fuck with the sea ogre
March 9, 2025
2.5 stars - I really wanted to love this (and I love Ruby Dixon!!) but it just fell pretty flat to me. The premise is really interesting, Vali is a slave who volunteers to be the bride of sea orge Ranan when he stops the slave ship she's on. Ranan doesn't really want a human bride and misspoke but he saves her anyway.
I think this has a lot of potential but I didn't really get a feel for the world or the characters and Vali and Ranan didn't really have any chemistry until the very end. I thought this would have more of a pirate captive type vibe but it really doesn't. I also really wanted more spice and smut but aside from some oral we don't get that until the end either. I was honestly more interested in the seakind's world and customs than them together as a couple.
- I tried to like Vali's character, she's headstrong and since she's been a slave for years she's prone to lying and trying to smooth over her wants and feelings. She's also really self conscious and unmoored through most of the book which I didn't care for. She really comes into her own by the end but I really wanted SO MUCH MORE from Ranan!!
- He's short and terse and a little dense sometimes but we didn't really see him grow. I would have loved for him to be more dominant and emotionally aware and for there to be more bonding and romance scenes. I wanted MORE ogre... But he seems more like a fish person ?? I'm not looking for an asshole hero, but Ranan just seemed super lost or injured for most of the book that it really started to drag.
Honestly... By the end it just felt like Vali settled for him because the sex was good and he's the only man to not mistreat her when there could have been a deeper connection. I did love the turtle tho! She's the best character IMO.
I think this has a lot of potential but I didn't really get a feel for the world or the characters and Vali and Ranan didn't really have any chemistry until the very end. I thought this would have more of a pirate captive type vibe but it really doesn't. I also really wanted more spice and smut but aside from some oral we don't get that until the end either. I was honestly more interested in the seakind's world and customs than them together as a couple.
- I tried to like Vali's character, she's headstrong and since she's been a slave for years she's prone to lying and trying to smooth over her wants and feelings. She's also really self conscious and unmoored through most of the book which I didn't care for. She really comes into her own by the end but I really wanted SO MUCH MORE from Ranan!!
- He's short and terse and a little dense sometimes but we didn't really see him grow. I would have loved for him to be more dominant and emotionally aware and for there to be more bonding and romance scenes. I wanted MORE ogre... But he seems more like a fish person ?? I'm not looking for an asshole hero, but Ranan just seemed super lost or injured for most of the book that it really started to drag.
Honestly... By the end it just felt like Vali settled for him because the sex was good and he's the only man to not mistreat her when there could have been a deeper connection. I did love the turtle tho! She's the best character IMO.
March 3, 2025
Sea monster man/pirate that lives on top of a giant sea turtle. Enough said. I love Ruby Dixon’s mind.
March 13, 2025
This may be my favorite Ruby book yet. I wanted to wait til I could give it my full attention but also didn’t want to put it down. There’s a note in the back mentioning Ruby took a while to figure out their power dynamic and I’m so glad she did because it shows 🤌
March 10, 2025
This is Machamp fanfiction
March 15, 2025
“The Sea-Ogre’s Eager Bride� by Ruby Dixon
2⭐️/5⭐️
2.5🌶/5🌶
Ugh, this book was such a disappointment. The Aspect and Anchor series is my favorite Ruby Dixon book series, and for over a year I have been eagerly (haha) awaiting its release. But this story fell so flat, and I’m blaming most of this on the MMC.
I can’t even remember the MC’s names, lol, that’s how unremarkable this story is. Such a shame. The FMC is captured with others and placed on a boat, she’s going to be sold into slavery in another town. Then swoops in the MMC, who is a scary looking sea ogre (side note, his skin color was described two different ways, so I had difficulty picturing him in my head) with four arms and a fin on his head. He doesn’t demand riches, he demands a bride! Except, he’s clumsy with words and actually meant BRIBE. Ah, now he’s stuck with the FMC.
There are tons of misunderstandings and miscommunications. The FMC thinks the MMC hates her…because that’s how he acts towards her. And then in his POV chapters he’s like “she hates me, and I can’t blame her because I did x, y, and z�. SIR, GET REAL. So he’s aware he’s an asshole and doesn’t do anything about it?? He was very unsympathetic, whereas the FMC did so much to gain his favor.
By the tail-end of the book she learns about his ‘bride/bribe� mistake, and is rightfully offended. I think she should have left his ass, but then it wouldn’t be a romance story, lol. Overall, a suuuuper lackluster and disappointing book. If I can’t get behind both MCs, then the story is hopeless, and I found the MMC to be really easily dislikable.
The best part of the book were the giant turtles.
Oh, and I didn’t care for the double dicks, but if you’re going to include that then at least utilize them in more than one scene!
2⭐️/5⭐️
2.5🌶/5🌶
Ugh, this book was such a disappointment. The Aspect and Anchor series is my favorite Ruby Dixon book series, and for over a year I have been eagerly (haha) awaiting its release. But this story fell so flat, and I’m blaming most of this on the MMC.
I can’t even remember the MC’s names, lol, that’s how unremarkable this story is. Such a shame. The FMC is captured with others and placed on a boat, she’s going to be sold into slavery in another town. Then swoops in the MMC, who is a scary looking sea ogre (side note, his skin color was described two different ways, so I had difficulty picturing him in my head) with four arms and a fin on his head. He doesn’t demand riches, he demands a bride! Except, he’s clumsy with words and actually meant BRIBE. Ah, now he’s stuck with the FMC.
There are tons of misunderstandings and miscommunications. The FMC thinks the MMC hates her…because that’s how he acts towards her. And then in his POV chapters he’s like “she hates me, and I can’t blame her because I did x, y, and z�. SIR, GET REAL. So he’s aware he’s an asshole and doesn’t do anything about it?? He was very unsympathetic, whereas the FMC did so much to gain his favor.
By the tail-end of the book she learns about his ‘bride/bribe� mistake, and is rightfully offended. I think she should have left his ass, but then it wouldn’t be a romance story, lol. Overall, a suuuuper lackluster and disappointing book. If I can’t get behind both MCs, then the story is hopeless, and I found the MMC to be really easily dislikable.
The best part of the book were the giant turtles.
Oh, and I didn’t care for the double dicks, but if you’re going to include that then at least utilize them in more than one scene!
March 2, 2025
As per usual, this was another fantastic Ruby Dixon book. I always love her characters and the interactions between them.
Vali is a slave and about to be sold to a brothel when Ranan, a sea ogre, boards the ship she’s on and demands a bride. Vali figures it’s best to belong to one owner than a bunch of men so she volunteers. She lies about knowing all about sea ogres and how to please them and goes off with Ranan. Problem is, Ranan hates liars and can see right through her. The other problem…Ranan wanted a BRIBE, not a bride. So they are both stuck with each other. Vali is eager to please hoping she doesn’t get dumped off somewhere, and that’s exactly what Ranan is planning to do with her. A series of events, however, makes him change his mind and the two eventually grow closer. When Vali finds out the truth- that Ranan never wanted her in the first place- how will that make her feel? When Ranan introduces a human to his sea kind family, will he be embarrassed she can’t even swim? Does he still even want a bride? How does he know Vali actually wants him and isn’t just defaulting back to the slave mentality of pleasing the person she’s with? The love between these two is a slow angsty burn but it’s worth it!
Vali is a slave and about to be sold to a brothel when Ranan, a sea ogre, boards the ship she’s on and demands a bride. Vali figures it’s best to belong to one owner than a bunch of men so she volunteers. She lies about knowing all about sea ogres and how to please them and goes off with Ranan. Problem is, Ranan hates liars and can see right through her. The other problem…Ranan wanted a BRIBE, not a bride. So they are both stuck with each other. Vali is eager to please hoping she doesn’t get dumped off somewhere, and that’s exactly what Ranan is planning to do with her. A series of events, however, makes him change his mind and the two eventually grow closer. When Vali finds out the truth- that Ranan never wanted her in the first place- how will that make her feel? When Ranan introduces a human to his sea kind family, will he be embarrassed she can’t even swim? Does he still even want a bride? How does he know Vali actually wants him and isn’t just defaulting back to the slave mentality of pleasing the person she’s with? The love between these two is a slow angsty burn but it’s worth it!
March 27, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This was a sweet monster romance!
Ranan is not a big talker and asks for a bride instead of a bribe from a passing ship. Valessa offers herself, hoping it’s a better deal than the slavery awaiting her.
I liked how Ranan works to make sure that Valessa wants him and his attentions instead of trying to please him after her past in slavery.
There’s definitely some darker aspects to this world and her past, but it’s never too in depth.
I liked how they learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses and how they built a life together.
It’s not very plot heavy, and I think some things could’ve been fleshed out more, but it was an enjoyable read!
This was a sweet monster romance!
Ranan is not a big talker and asks for a bride instead of a bribe from a passing ship. Valessa offers herself, hoping it’s a better deal than the slavery awaiting her.
I liked how Ranan works to make sure that Valessa wants him and his attentions instead of trying to please him after her past in slavery.
There’s definitely some darker aspects to this world and her past, but it’s never too in depth.
I liked how they learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses and how they built a life together.
It’s not very plot heavy, and I think some things could’ve been fleshed out more, but it was an enjoyable read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2025
Ruby Dixon is a queen, I tell you! The fact that she wrote this years ago and went back so she could give the FMC more power to choose what she wanted to do with circumstances she couldn’t get out off meant so much! I got to see her grow from someone who’s always been a people pleaser to knowing she would be fine if she just chose herself. Ranan getting tongue tied every time he opened his mouth was just hilarious! He’s the sweetest sea-ogre in the world! Absolutely loved the story!
March 4, 2025
I enjoyed this.
I was more drawn to the seakind world and would have liked more of how they function and their stories. I do wonder if this story started out as a serial series because it has a bit of a choppy storytelling in my opinion. Its a flow thing
Ruby Dixon just makes characters I really enjoy and these two were very endearing. I found that the slave to bride to my wife evolution pretty genuine feeling. She had been a slave for a long time and her survival instincts influenced her heavily. He was a loner and a bit of an outsider with is own kind so he was awkward and kinda unpleasant to be around which also felt really genuine!
A couple that pirates together stays together!
I was more drawn to the seakind world and would have liked more of how they function and their stories. I do wonder if this story started out as a serial series because it has a bit of a choppy storytelling in my opinion. Its a flow thing
Ruby Dixon just makes characters I really enjoy and these two were very endearing. I found that the slave to bride to my wife evolution pretty genuine feeling. She had been a slave for a long time and her survival instincts influenced her heavily. He was a loner and a bit of an outsider with is own kind so he was awkward and kinda unpleasant to be around which also felt really genuine!
A couple that pirates together stays together!
March 10, 2025
My father said that the gods smile upon those that make their own luck.
This was a good little grumpy/sunshine romance that was loosely connected to the Aspect & Anchor series. I was hoping for this to match that series in length and theme but it did not. I don't really have any complaints but this one isn't one of my favorites from Ruby. It was a bit below average for her, imo.
March 23, 2025
Cute story about a sea-ogre and recovering human slave falling in love.
#two-finger tease
#two-finger tease
March 4, 2025
This was incredibly fun�
March 8, 2025
This was so cutesie I love that he’s just awkward and doing his best😭 need me some of that
March 2, 2025
That’s how I meet Ranan’s family—upon my back, covered in vomit, half drowned and naked. Lord Vor has taught me so much humility this day.
Valessa is such a strong heroine and I love her. Even if she does show up like this to meet her future in-laws. Ranan was equally adorable if not just a huge cinnamon roll hiding behind a scary sea ogre façade. The real MVP in this whole story is Akara and I didn’t kbow I’d love a giant turtle as much as I did. Especially since she’s not on the page enough for my liking. A giant adolescent turtle that hates everyone. I needed more of her.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Don’t listen to me. I like what I like. Ruby Dixon is one of my favorite writers. She writes romance so well. And there’s always something charming about her “monster� men being the softest most caring men. And the real monsters being awful humans. I dig this.
Valessa is such a strong heroine and I love her. Even if she does show up like this to meet her future in-laws. Ranan was equally adorable if not just a huge cinnamon roll hiding behind a scary sea ogre façade. The real MVP in this whole story is Akara and I didn’t kbow I’d love a giant turtle as much as I did. Especially since she’s not on the page enough for my liking. A giant adolescent turtle that hates everyone. I needed more of her.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Don’t listen to me. I like what I like. Ruby Dixon is one of my favorite writers. She writes romance so well. And there’s always something charming about her “monster� men being the softest most caring men. And the real monsters being awful humans. I dig this.
March 19, 2025
I love a socially awkward MMC and the FMC who takes her fate into her own hands!
March 15, 2025
4.7/5
I loved it.
Oh my goodness this book. It healed me. The MMC is so sweet and patient and I love that he falls first and falls harder. He is awkward and accidentally requests a “bride� instead of a “bribe� from a passing slave ship and ends up with Vali. She is the definition of a fawn response and he has the sweetest and most charming time trying to determine if she wants him or is simply grateful and afraid. He navigates the power dynamic in a very satisfying and thoughtful way. Though Ranan is very cold and distant at first for sure (before he realizes he wants Valessa).
I love that he gets tongue tied when he is experiencing emotions strongly and I love even more that she came up with non verbal ways for him to express his approval (stroking her ear) or disapproval (tapping her arm).
There was no penetrative sex until 90% and our sweet cinnamon roll MMC reveals he is a virgin. The sex is tender and sweet more than hot but I loved it.
And I loved their happily ever after too. Continuing to be pirates and setting spaces free. How lovely.
Monster (sea ogre/seakind). MMC Ranan with 4 arms, green skin, fins to backs of arms and calves, crest on his head instead of hair, and 2 cocks. Slave FMC Valessa. Fawn response. Rescue. Power dynamic. Virgin MMC. Sex at 90%. First time a partner pleasures FMC. Anal. DP. First anal. Pirates. Mind communication with giant turtle. Forbidden romance. She rescues him too. No OMD/OWD. No cheating. Slight breakup? Low angst. No breeding/pregnancy. Epilogue 5 years later as pirates saving slaves.
I loved it.
Oh my goodness this book. It healed me. The MMC is so sweet and patient and I love that he falls first and falls harder. He is awkward and accidentally requests a “bride� instead of a “bribe� from a passing slave ship and ends up with Vali. She is the definition of a fawn response and he has the sweetest and most charming time trying to determine if she wants him or is simply grateful and afraid. He navigates the power dynamic in a very satisfying and thoughtful way. Though Ranan is very cold and distant at first for sure (before he realizes he wants Valessa).
I love that he gets tongue tied when he is experiencing emotions strongly and I love even more that she came up with non verbal ways for him to express his approval (stroking her ear) or disapproval (tapping her arm).
There was no penetrative sex until 90% and our sweet cinnamon roll MMC reveals he is a virgin. The sex is tender and sweet more than hot but I loved it.
And I loved their happily ever after too. Continuing to be pirates and setting spaces free. How lovely.
Monster (sea ogre/seakind). MMC Ranan with 4 arms, green skin, fins to backs of arms and calves, crest on his head instead of hair, and 2 cocks. Slave FMC Valessa. Fawn response. Rescue. Power dynamic. Virgin MMC. Sex at 90%. First time a partner pleasures FMC. Anal. DP. First anal. Pirates. Mind communication with giant turtle. Forbidden romance. She rescues him too. No OMD/OWD. No cheating. Slight breakup? Low angst. No breeding/pregnancy. Epilogue 5 years later as pirates saving slaves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2025
This is a sweet, slow romance embedded in an interesting universe of water creatures, pirates, and slavery. There's very little action. Of you're looking for a lot of romance tropes, you won't really find them here. This is about two people who learn how to communicate and eventually love each other, much like real life.
I have adored Ruby Dixon for a long time. I love most of her series, except for the Fireblood Dragons. (Too much angst, crappy heroes, unlikeable heroines, and flat out depressing sh!t.) She pretty much invented the big blue barbarian trope which is super entertaining, even if the female leads are sometimes not my thing.
If you've read a lot of Ruby Dixon, this book is similar in pace and plot to her Risdaverse series. Many of those stories occur after the female lead has been offered a chance for a somewhat safe life of farming/small business on a quiet planet. There are similarities here that definitely involve slavery and piracy. In this case, the female lead jumps at the chance to live with someone who may offer better treatment than a life of $ex work.
The pace is just a little too slow for me. I get the point. The issues are around communication, how to express feelings, and building a life together when the relationship hasn't really been established, and the two parties are very different. I could have used more action and a little speeder pace. Also, the life experiences of the leads could have been more detailed to create stronger, more dimensional characters.
Lastly, I miss the humor that Ruby Dixon often brings to her work.
This is a decent read and an interesting romance.
I have adored Ruby Dixon for a long time. I love most of her series, except for the Fireblood Dragons. (Too much angst, crappy heroes, unlikeable heroines, and flat out depressing sh!t.) She pretty much invented the big blue barbarian trope which is super entertaining, even if the female leads are sometimes not my thing.
If you've read a lot of Ruby Dixon, this book is similar in pace and plot to her Risdaverse series. Many of those stories occur after the female lead has been offered a chance for a somewhat safe life of farming/small business on a quiet planet. There are similarities here that definitely involve slavery and piracy. In this case, the female lead jumps at the chance to live with someone who may offer better treatment than a life of $ex work.
The pace is just a little too slow for me. I get the point. The issues are around communication, how to express feelings, and building a life together when the relationship hasn't really been established, and the two parties are very different. I could have used more action and a little speeder pace. Also, the life experiences of the leads could have been more detailed to create stronger, more dimensional characters.
Lastly, I miss the humor that Ruby Dixon often brings to her work.
This is a decent read and an interesting romance.
March 5, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶 (one smex scene, with other scenes of ôrål)
🔥🔥
I am so happy to be back in the world, even if this isn’t focused on the gods.
This story focuses on a slave, Vali, and a sea-ogre, Ranan. When Ranan accidentally says he wants a Bride instead of a Bribe from a ship that is passing through, Vali quickly volunteers to be free of her potential future as a slave. Ranan, not being one for words, has a hard time trying to figure out what to do with the over talkative woman he accidentally accepted as his wife.
The two main characters don’t have much chemistry for much of the book. It definitely is a slow burn for a monster romance, and the characters go through a lot of growth together. Vali is just trying to become her own person, and not being owned by a master, and Ranan is trying to become the husband he knows he should be for Vali. Both have their struggles and they work through it together.
I liked the plot, but I wish there was more chemistry between the two MC’s. Even more banter, or some sort of dialogue, because Vali was left guessing most of the time and it could get repetitive.
The one thing I would say, if you haven’t read the books about the world, you don’t need to for this book at all. It is a true standalone within the series, and is the only monster book (persay) within the series. I would highly suggest reading the other books since I do think they were better.
⟣TDZ�
� Touch her and 💀
� Strong Heroine
� Curvy FMC
� Dual POV’s
� FMC not Virgin
� Virgin MMC
� Found Family
� Monster 🍆 🍆
� He falls first
� Grumpy/Sunshine
� Forced Proximity
� HEA
🌶🌶 (one smex scene, with other scenes of ôrål)
🔥🔥
I am so happy to be back in the world, even if this isn’t focused on the gods.
This story focuses on a slave, Vali, and a sea-ogre, Ranan. When Ranan accidentally says he wants a Bride instead of a Bribe from a ship that is passing through, Vali quickly volunteers to be free of her potential future as a slave. Ranan, not being one for words, has a hard time trying to figure out what to do with the over talkative woman he accidentally accepted as his wife.
The two main characters don’t have much chemistry for much of the book. It definitely is a slow burn for a monster romance, and the characters go through a lot of growth together. Vali is just trying to become her own person, and not being owned by a master, and Ranan is trying to become the husband he knows he should be for Vali. Both have their struggles and they work through it together.
I liked the plot, but I wish there was more chemistry between the two MC’s. Even more banter, or some sort of dialogue, because Vali was left guessing most of the time and it could get repetitive.
The one thing I would say, if you haven’t read the books about the world, you don’t need to for this book at all. It is a true standalone within the series, and is the only monster book (persay) within the series. I would highly suggest reading the other books since I do think they were better.
⟣TDZ�
� Touch her and 💀
� Strong Heroine
� Curvy FMC
� Dual POV’s
� FMC not Virgin
� Virgin MMC
� Found Family
� Monster 🍆 🍆
� He falls first
� Grumpy/Sunshine
� Forced Proximity
� HEA
March 23, 2025
Not going to lie, when I saw sea-ogre, I immediately got worried this wasn’t for me. I kept picturing Shrek with fins in my head but my friends and I have a saying “In Ruby we trust� so we jumped right in trusting one of our favorite authors. I am so glad we decided to read it because I truly believe RD has such a beautiful creative mind.
I fell in love with the misunderstood Ranan. His grumpiness cracked me up but deep down he is very sweet.
Then we have Vali who has had a terrible life that leads her into a chance meeting with Ranan that changes her circumstances. Unfortunately, even escaping captivity with your new hot, beefy 4 armed partner on the back of a huge turtle still doesn’t convince her that she hasn’t traded one capture for another.
Watching them try to navigate a relationship with spouse of a different species that they don’t know much about all while struggling to communicate was a fun and enjoyable experience.
I am also eager to know more about the seakind in this book if RD decides to expand this world.
I fell in love with the misunderstood Ranan. His grumpiness cracked me up but deep down he is very sweet.
Then we have Vali who has had a terrible life that leads her into a chance meeting with Ranan that changes her circumstances. Unfortunately, even escaping captivity with your new hot, beefy 4 armed partner on the back of a huge turtle still doesn’t convince her that she hasn’t traded one capture for another.
Watching them try to navigate a relationship with spouse of a different species that they don’t know much about all while struggling to communicate was a fun and enjoyable experience.
I am also eager to know more about the seakind in this book if RD decides to expand this world.
March 3, 2025
The Sea Ogre’s Eager Bride featured Vali, human and Ranan, Sea Ogre. Vali has been captured and is en route to be sold when Ranan intercept the ship she is on, demanding a bride. Vali volunteers, as one Sea Ogre has got to be better than whatever might be in store for her.
This was really delightful. Ranan was so adorable. He just couldn’t words and I love when men can’t speak - it’s the best version of miscommunication. He tries to speak, but he’s often tongue tied or blurts the wrong thing and I find that so incredibly charming. I loved how devoted he was to Vali, almost immediately.
Vali, for her part, was so strong and capable. Escaping a tough life and relying on Ranen didn’t come easily for her and I loved watching her start to be herself instead of whatever she thought Ranan wanted at first.
I wish the book was longer, I flew through this and I just wanted more!
This was really delightful. Ranan was so adorable. He just couldn’t words and I love when men can’t speak - it’s the best version of miscommunication. He tries to speak, but he’s often tongue tied or blurts the wrong thing and I find that so incredibly charming. I loved how devoted he was to Vali, almost immediately.
Vali, for her part, was so strong and capable. Escaping a tough life and relying on Ranen didn’t come easily for her and I loved watching her start to be herself instead of whatever she thought Ranan wanted at first.
I wish the book was longer, I flew through this and I just wanted more!
March 4, 2025
La premisa de esta novela es tan peregrina 🤣🤣
Me encanta. Si no fuese una tacaña con las estrellas le pondría cinco.
Dixon escribe historias tan divertidas y tan seguras para mí. De verdad, se están convirtiendo en mi lugar de confort.
La cuestión es que aún tratando temas delicados siempre los resuelve con un arte. Como en este caso: ella es una esclava, él un ogro marino que la ha “rescatado�. La dinámica de poder entre ambos es dudosa y, por eso mismo, creo que esta es una de las novelas más lentas, en cuanto a desarrollo de la relación romántica, que he leído de esta autora.
No había leído nada de este universo en concreto y me ha gustado bastante la ambientación. Interesante y rica, como me tiene acostumbrada 😊
Estoy segura de que volveré a este mundo.
Me encanta. Si no fuese una tacaña con las estrellas le pondría cinco.
Dixon escribe historias tan divertidas y tan seguras para mí. De verdad, se están convirtiendo en mi lugar de confort.
La cuestión es que aún tratando temas delicados siempre los resuelve con un arte. Como en este caso: ella es una esclava, él un ogro marino que la ha “rescatado�. La dinámica de poder entre ambos es dudosa y, por eso mismo, creo que esta es una de las novelas más lentas, en cuanto a desarrollo de la relación romántica, que he leído de esta autora.
No había leído nada de este universo en concreto y me ha gustado bastante la ambientación. Interesante y rica, como me tiene acostumbrada 😊
Estoy segura de que volveré a este mundo.
March 9, 2025
So monster romances are typically a hard sell for your average reader. Like the MMC is a large, green, 4 armed dude with two ding-dongs?
BUT all that I've run into and given a chance (especially Ruby Dixon) are just these melt your heart innocent little nuggets that make me kick my feet in adorableness. They way they think and talk about their main character is so flipping cute i start to blush.
This was a fun book and I devoured it in one day. Vali's need to be worthy/useful to feel accepted hit hard and was not expected in a romance novel but much appreciated.
All in all I love Ruby Dixon's books and I definitely enjoyed my time with this one
PS living on top of a giant ass turtle was a fun little experience I never thought I'd have as a reader but boy was it a fun plot device.
BUT all that I've run into and given a chance (especially Ruby Dixon) are just these melt your heart innocent little nuggets that make me kick my feet in adorableness. They way they think and talk about their main character is so flipping cute i start to blush.
This was a fun book and I devoured it in one day. Vali's need to be worthy/useful to feel accepted hit hard and was not expected in a romance novel but much appreciated.
All in all I love Ruby Dixon's books and I definitely enjoyed my time with this one
PS living on top of a giant ass turtle was a fun little experience I never thought I'd have as a reader but boy was it a fun plot device.
March 7, 2025
I felt compelled to pick this book up for two reasons: a) it takes place in the same universe as the author’s Aspect and Anchor series, which I absolutely LOVED, and b) I’m a fan of both captive and monster romances. I tried to keep my expectations realistic, knowing this was a shorter, quasi-spinoff rather than an epic journey like the main series. With this in mind, I found this to be a really fun story with great characters and an enjoyable dynamic between them.
I found myself actually cackling as FMC Vali and MMC Ranan were brought together through unlikely circumstances—a bit of a mispronunciation here, and a bit (okay, major amount) of sexual history embellishment there. Overall, this book was just SO entertaining. I adored the characters, especially Vali, who was strong, capable, and on a journey to figure out who she was as her own person and not a slave. I love how she was well-balanced, full of humor but also slowly realizing she no longer had to lie or manipulate to survive—she could just be. And I absolutely ate up the miscommunication trope that Ranan brought to this book, along with his sincere efforts to be a good husband.
That said, there were a few things that could have been stronger. The chemistry between Vali and Ranan felt lacking in the first half, and it ultimately took quite a while to develop. Also, while I usually love a good “one character gets hurt, the other has to nurse them back to health, and they fall further for each other along the way� trope, Ranan spent a LOT of this novella seriously injured. Given how short the book is, it started to feel like his recovery took up too much of the story, making parts of it drag.
So, in sum� did I have a good time reading this book, and am I glad I picked it up? Yeah. Could it have been better? Also yeah.
I found myself actually cackling as FMC Vali and MMC Ranan were brought together through unlikely circumstances—a bit of a mispronunciation here, and a bit (okay, major amount) of sexual history embellishment there. Overall, this book was just SO entertaining. I adored the characters, especially Vali, who was strong, capable, and on a journey to figure out who she was as her own person and not a slave. I love how she was well-balanced, full of humor but also slowly realizing she no longer had to lie or manipulate to survive—she could just be. And I absolutely ate up the miscommunication trope that Ranan brought to this book, along with his sincere efforts to be a good husband.
That said, there were a few things that could have been stronger. The chemistry between Vali and Ranan felt lacking in the first half, and it ultimately took quite a while to develop. Also, while I usually love a good “one character gets hurt, the other has to nurse them back to health, and they fall further for each other along the way� trope, Ranan spent a LOT of this novella seriously injured. Given how short the book is, it started to feel like his recovery took up too much of the story, making parts of it drag.
So, in sum� did I have a good time reading this book, and am I glad I picked it up? Yeah. Could it have been better? Also yeah.
March 22, 2025
I loved the other books in this series more, but this one was a cute little fluff piece that takes place in the same world. Vali was an okay FMC, but she didn’t really stand out to me. Ranan was a little flat as well I think and the whole plot being based on the fact that he demanded a ‘bride� instead of a ‘bribe� was a little odd. However it had the usual humor Ruby puts in her books and I enjoyed it for what it was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2025
Ruby melted my heart, again!
I loved this story from beginning to end.
There was plenty of depth and personality to both MCs, the sorry line was adorable and the action was entertaining and enjoyable. This story, like all her others, left me smiling and rooting for our heroes.
The FMC was strong and resilient, without being overly tough, which I prefer. The MMC was surly yet lovable. There was growth on both their parts.
I love Ruby’s writing style and this is yet another well-done story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Long live the queen!
I loved this story from beginning to end.
There was plenty of depth and personality to both MCs, the sorry line was adorable and the action was entertaining and enjoyable. This story, like all her others, left me smiling and rooting for our heroes.
The FMC was strong and resilient, without being overly tough, which I prefer. The MMC was surly yet lovable. There was growth on both their parts.
I love Ruby’s writing style and this is yet another well-done story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Long live the queen!
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