REVIEW: The Beacon and the Brine by Katherine McIntyre (Monstrous Cravings #2)

THE BEACON AND THE BRINE

Monstrous Cravings - Book Two

by Katherine McIntyre

Release Date: April 7, 2026

Review

I have to admit, I wasn’t sure I’d like this series. I don’t generally love re-interpretations, but oh my, both books have been amazing. Unique, strong stories that have taken inspiration from, but haven’t tried to recreate, while also creating a modern universe in which they all exist.

Evil wealthy families, wheelin' and dealin' with people's lives and freaking out and getting violent when they don’t do what they want.

But thankfully, Elrich, whose family is trading him in a business deal, meets Urusline. His family-in-law/owner's lawyer, who isn’t there by his own desire either.

Together, they form a bond and build an allegiance. Supported by an incredible group of friends, they work to take down the people who deserve it, build an amazing, loving relationship, and form some incredible bonds with their circle.

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Synopsis

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.

About Katherine McIntyre

I split my time writing stories with snark and heart, working with amazing authors to edit their manuscripts into shape, and working on clients as a massage therapist.

In my free time, I’m usually going on adventures with my husband, daughter, and friends or diving into a good book and curling up with the cats. I’m an Aries-Taurus cusp–which to any astrology buffs should tell you plenty. If you’re more into Myers-Briggs, I’m an ENFJ.

I’ve always wanted to heal and help, probably why I fell into massage and teaching yoga. And that shows through in my writing too–I ended up falling for romance as my primary genre because I adore the intricacies of human relationships and watching how love and affection can really help people heal from their wounds and grow.

I’m huge into family and community, which is probably why you find either family or found-family stories in almost every one of my books. The way people come together is inspiring, and I’ve got an overflowing love for the way people take care of each other. Those relationships are just as important as the romantic ones to me, and I love highlighting them in my work.

The biggest thing you’ll probably see in my work is hope. That’s not to say I can’t write sad situations or difficulties–our lives and stories are woven with them. But that’s never going to be the takeaway from my work, how the world is broken and trying to wear you down. I’m a realist, so I’m not blind to the tragedy and sadness out there, but I want to live in the hearts of people who care, who show compassion to one another, and prove that we humans can get something right. I want to explore how even though we’ve all got the ability to fuck up, we can overcome our mistakes and rise triumphant.

So there it is, folks–that’s me.

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