Mothman Has Officially Stolen My Heart
Just when I thought C.M. Nascosta couldn't top a sexy minotaur, she introduced me to a nerdy, socially awkward mothman... and somehow made him one of the most lovable monster book boyfriends I've ever read.
If you enjoyed Morning Glory Milking Farm, then Sweet Berries is another must-read in the Cambric Creek series. While each book follows a different couple, they all share the same cozy, monster-filled small-town setting that makes this series so incredibly charming.
The series currently includes five novels, along with the prequel novella The Minoan Bride and the reverse POV novel A Blue Ribbon Romance. While they aren't required reading, they're fantastic additions if you end up falling in love with Cambric Creek like I did.
Meet the Couple
Grace (FMC): Outgoing, confident, and just a little adventurous. After escaping an emotionally abusive marriage, she's finally starting over in Cambric Creek, where she works as an event planner at Cal's farm and has found a community that truly feels like home.
Merrick (MMC): A sweet, shy mothman whose awkward charm completely stole my heart. As a research scientist studying migratory pollinators through a university fellowship, Merrick is brilliant, incredibly kind, and so adorably nerdy that it's impossible not to root for him.
What I Loved
The romance between Grace and Merrick starts with one of the most memorable meet-cutes I've ever read. After an unusual nighttime encounter leaves Grace wondering exactly who has been visiting her window, she's shocked when the mystery is solved by an awkward mothman who accidentally followed the scent of fresh blackberries... and then became completely captivated by her instead.
Merrick is absolutely adorable.
His nervous clicking and chirping, his awkward apologies, and his complete inability to flirt like a normal person made me smile every time he appeared on the page. He's the perfect example of a cinnamon roll MMC who's brilliant in the laboratory but hopelessly awkward when it comes to romance.
Grace balances him perfectly.
She's confident enough to take the lead when Merrick gets flustered, but she's also carrying emotional baggage from her previous marriage. Watching her slowly learn to trust again with someone who genuinely adores her was one of my favorite parts of the story.
The chemistry between these two is fantastic.
Their relationship develops naturally through shared conversations, adorable dates, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments before the romance eventually turns wonderfully steamy. Like the first book, the intimate scenes are creative, memorable, and very spicy, but they never overshadow the emotional connection growing between the characters.
I also loved learning more about mothmen in this world. C.M. Nascosta continues to expand Cambric Creek with each book, making every monster species feel unique while keeping the cozy small-town atmosphere that makes this series so addictive.
The ending left me with the biggest smile on my face. Without giving too much away, Grace's fears about Merrick eventually leaving create just enough emotional tension before delivering a wonderfully satisfying happily ever after that felt completely earned.
The Verdict
If you love cinnamon roll MMC’s, nerdy scientists, slow-burn monster romance, cozy fantasy, and plenty of spice, Sweet Berries is an absolute delight.
Merrick completely won me over with his awkward charm, and watching Grace find happiness after everything she'd been through made their romance even more rewarding. Funny, heartfelt, surprisingly wholesome, and incredibly spicy, this is another fantastic addition to the Cambric Creek series that had me excited to see which monster C.M. Nascosta would introduce next.
Happy reading, and remember my fellow spicy book dragons, before starting a book please check the tropes, and always check for trigger warnings. Nobody likes an unfinished book because the tropes aren't your cup of tea or having a bad reading experience because of unexpected trigger warnings.
