Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta is the first book in the Cambric Creek series and to be completely honest, I started reading this as a joke. The only thing I knew about the story was that it was a smutty romance about minotaurs. Anytime I see it recommended on a TikTok video, it’s just part of ‘smuttiest reads’ lists. Based on the cover, I assumed it took place in a medieval D&D-type world. I was half right.
Needless to say, I went into this book completely blind, so my assumption was half right. It does take place in a D&D-type world, but during modern times. Violet is a typical, down-on-her-luck millennial: over-educated and drowning in student loan debt, on the verge of moving into her parents’ basement. When a lifeline appears in the form of a very unconventional job in neighboring Cambric Creek, she has no choice but to grab at it with both hands. The job, or hand job, if you will, is at Morning Glory Milking Farm, a state-of-the-art medical clinic used to collect minotaur semen for the purpose of making those little blue rise and shine pills. Yes, it’s collected just how you think it is.
The book isn’t just about slapping the beef stick; it’s really about Violet’s adjustment to living and working in a town inhabited by all sorts of monsters. After being raised in an all-human city, it’s a pretty big culture shock. She becomes best friends with a vampire she meets at the coffee shop and finds love in the most unexpected of places.
I know I said I started reading this as a joke but after only a few chapters in, I was really enjoying. It’s an easy, fun read, and Violet’s story is relatable and super sweet. The story as a whole is super cozy, low stakes, and high heat. For someone who reads a lot of really fucked up stuff, this was a great palate cleanser. I listened to the audiobook for free on hoopla, so if you have a library card, you don’t have anything to lose. Eva Cain did a fantastic job with the narration, and I really liked the way she did the male voices. She and Hollie Jackson, who narrates the Ice Planet Barbarian series, may be my favorite female narrators.
If you can’t tell by now, I really enjoyed Morning Glory Milking Farm, and I’ve already added the rest of the Cambric Creek series to my TBR.