Reviewed by True
TITLE: The Beacon and the Brine
SERIES: Monstrous Cravings #2
AUTHOR: Katherine McIntyre
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 341 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 7, 2026
BLURB:
A desperate human dreamer. A sea monster bound by contract. A forbidden romance that could set them free…or end in destruction.
After one mistake too many, Elrich’s family is marrying him off.
Arielle Triton is his future bride-to-be, gorgeous, eligible, and from a wealthy family with connections to New Atlantis…who also hides the fact they’re merfolk. Except there’s no spark toward Arielle, none of the soul-searing romance Elrich dreamed of.
Yet, Ursuline, the serious cecaelia who’s their family lawyer? From the moment he meets them, he’s drowning in their sharp gaze, living for their low chuckles, their dry wit. But Ursuline is bound to the Triton family, just as Elrich is bound to marry someone he doesn’t love. And as those feelings grow stronger for Ursuline, the tug-of-war between duty and desire become unbearable.
As the truth behind the Triton family wealth surfaces, Elrich can no longer ignore the weighted whispers or disappearances from the staff. However, learning too many secrets in the Triton household is deadly, and if he and Ursuline stand a chance of survival, he’s clutching onto one hope.
Some contracts are destined to be broken.
REVIEW:
Elrich was never enough for his parents. He’s an artist, and as the heir he should fulfil a role at the family business, but he fails time after time.
His father is done with him and is marrying him off to a wealthy family, two birds with one stone.
His bags are packed and off he goes to the Triton family. He has to marry Arielle Triton. According to Arielle’s idea, they are free to do what they want and see who they want, before and after the wedding.
Elrich feels trapped. The only way to feel free is in the ocean and behind his canvas.
Meeting Ursuline made it all more bearable.
Ursuline is a cecaelia, they are the Triton’s family lawyer.
Elrich is touched starved, he is used to being set aside, invisible, and discarded. Ursuline gives him their full attention, full of sweet endearments.
They find each other more than once, and preferably in their beloved water, the encounters are hot as fuck.
Imagine what all those tentacles could do, and even more at the same time?
There’s no future for them. Both are bound to the Triton family with killing contracts.
The Triton family had secrets, and those who dared to speak about them just disappeared!
Elrich is determined to find out and escape, preferably with Ursuline, before the wedding.
There are so many questions, a few for example: what are the Tritons hiding, why can’t Ursuline return to New Atlantis, what’s going on with the disappearing?
In short, without spoiling, there’s a lot to discover and a massive hurdle to overcome, before the lovers have their hea!
What a fabulous story this was! The author created an impressive world with magical creatures. The plot was well thought out, and Ursuline and Elrich are engaging, emotional, and lovable characters. Their sexual moments were scorching and breathtaking.
The writing was enthralling, the story compelling, and the pace just right; it made it all very comfortable to read.
RATING: 
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