Kissing the Shark

Maritime Monsters, Book 1

By: CD Rachels

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Book 1 of the Maritime Monsters adult spicy MM Monster romance series.

©2024 Chill Discourse Books, LLC (P)2025 Chill Discourse Books, LLC

Cute and emotional. Recommend!

I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy this because it seemed too fantastical at first impression. But I’m elated to tell you that I was proven very wrong and now C D Rachels and Nick J. Russo have another fan.

The writing, world building, and character development are top notch. You’ll laugh, cry, and cheer the entire time.

Kudos also to Nick J. Russo for his portrayal of the characters and the acting involved. He helped get me “hooked” on the story and kept my attention.

Carlo and Razor-Jaw

Narrator: This is a single narrator which I usually don’t love but Nick Russo does such a good job with Razor-jaw that I could overlook how the other male voices sounded very similar.
Story: Cutest fish out of water story I have ever read. It has humor and emotional depth. There is a bit of angst and emotional turmoil but it resolves into a lovely HEA. The epilogue is also super cute. As far as spice goes was is there is a 3-4 but there aren’t many scenes. It makes what is there feel more special which fits well with the story.

The Cutest Shark Romcom!

Performance: 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤/5
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Nick J. Russo KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK! I had to do a double take to make sure it wasn’t dual narration—he was THAT GOOD!

The way in which Russo brought Razorjaw to life was perfection! Razorjaw has lived 99% of his life in the sea, and as a result, the way in which he speaks is pretty literal at times, and he lacks the understanding of nuances like sarcasm and euphemisms. Razorjaw has to learn about life on the surface, which will make you giggle at times, and the overbearing, naive monster who acts like an overly excited puppy in Karlo’s presence is so endearing.

Russo’s delivery of Karlo was also incredible! Like I said, I thought it was someone else entirely! Karlo is an individual who isn’t confident in himself due to an overbearing family and a bad dating history, so he’s perplexed on how to deal with Razorjaw. Russo does a great job of portraying Karlo’s confusion, vulnerability, and angst that’s created in the push-pull dynamic of following one’s heart vs. keeping things professional. I loved the character growth!

💙MM Monster Romance
🦈Shark Shifter MMC
🌊Marine Biologist MMC
💙Fated Mates
🦈Protective & Inexperienced Shifter
🌊Forced Proximity
💙Friends to Lovers

This was the cutest monster romcom starring an inexperienced shark shifter who has lived in the ocean his entire life & is itching to shower his fated mate with affection. Turns out the researcher he falls head over fin for never thought he would be in a human-monster relationship & his heart is guarded.

Listen to find out if these two men will learn to navigate the open waters they’re swimming in, or if their hearts will sink!

it was adorable 🥰

I love the chemistry of rj and Carlo 😍 especially the baby sharks at the end I can't wait for book 2

Narrator and ease of commoradery between characters.

Shifter romance is not new to me, but the characters in this selection brought back memories of when i was with my BF of the same nationality. (sigh) Alas this book is definitely engaging while also endeaeing as the Shark Shifter learns the ways of the surface world. At the end where the story jumps 15 yrs, i was shocked that the stunning couple actually procured offspring and how well they handled everytging.