Margins
Prickle Island Zoo book cover 1
Prickle Island Zoo book cover 2
Prickle Island Zoo book cover 3
Prickle Island Zoo
Series · 5 books · 2024-2026

Books in series

She's a Keeper book cover
#1

She's a Keeper

2024

They’re both used to temporary. Have they unexpectedly found forever? Lark Lachlan has her life under control. Although she enjoys the occasional summer fling with women, the devoted-to-her-career, bisexual zookeeper has no trouble keeping her heart in its cage. So she’s a little surprised to feel an instant, all-consuming attraction to the handsome new volunteer, Logan. The last thing Logan Anderson needs is another failed romance. Looking for a final adventure before heading home to take over the family business, the outgoing New Zealander is intrigued by the hottie . . . with her hand down a monkey sewage pipe. But he runs up against her no-sleeping-with-volunteers rule, even when she drunkenly locks lips with him in a red-hot kiss. Lark is tempted to let passion run free with the fun-seeking Kiwi, but animal antics and a dwindling timeline threaten to keep them strictly platonic… Will Lark and Logan let nature take its naughty course? She's A Keeper is the laugh-out-loud first book in the Prickle Island Zoo romantic comedy series. If you like relatable characters, light-hearted humor, and steamy romance, then you’ll adore Ali K. Mulford’s feel-good tale. Buy She's A Keeper to satisfy your untamed desires today!
Easy Tiger book cover
#2

Easy Tiger

2024

He’s trying to keep his livelihood afloat. She threatens to destroy it. Will two wild hearts finally be tamed? Hawk Lachlan will do anything to save his family’s zoo. With only a year to prove that he and his siblings can handle the responsibility, the gruff eldest brother is determined to fulfill his father’s legacy. So when the new gift shop girl keeps causing clumsy chaos, he refuses to let their attraction add to the mayhem. Hannah Murphy is getting desperate. Needing enough cash to help her mom retire, the gossip columnist takes a mysterious job to spy on the handsome grouch who always seems to catch her in hilariously compromising snooping attempts. But when she falls into a penguin pond and comes out shirtless, she can’t deny their sizzling chemistry. Realizing the blundering beauty has squeezed her way past his defenses, Hawk grows closer to the woman helping him stay sane. But as Hannah finds herself falling hard, she fears her big secret has already doomed her chance at happiness. Will outrageous shenanigans lead to heartbreak or forever? Easy Tiger is the swoon-worthy second book in the Prickle Island Zoo romantic comedy series. If you like grumpy-sunshine relationships, tons of humor, and emotional feels, then you’ll adore Ali K. Mulford’s steamy story.
Party Animal book cover
#3

Party Animal

2024

She’s never done love long-term. But will faking it lead to forever? Finch Lachlan works hard and parties harder. But tired of her siblings judging her fun-loving ways, the head veterinarian at her family’s zoo vows to prove she can make it past the third date. And maybe she can begin with the hottie who just seized her attention with a sizzling kiss. Chef, Frankie Benedetti, craves a fresh start. But after learning her ex-boyfriend and his new squeeze are spending the summer in the same place, the just-out bisexual panics and locks lips with the first hot woman she can grab. And when she discovers they’re coworkers, Frankie convinces the tattooed vet to enter into a mutually beneficial, make-believe relationship. Impressing her close-knit clan with displays of commitment, Finch feels the lines blur as the two women grow closer. But Frankie fears their scheme could be the victim of its own success and end with two broken hearts… Will Finch and Frankie’s playful passion turn into something real? Party Animal is the sweet and spicy third book in the Prickle Island Zoo romantic comedy series. If you like sapphic heroines, animal antics, and light-hearted reads, then you’ll adore Ali K. Mulford’s funny tale. Buy Party Animal to have a wild time today!
Crocodile Tears book cover
#4

Crocodile Tears

2025

Dove Lachlan is a self-proclaimed bird nerd and DnD enthusiast who’s finally found her place among her wacky clan of zookeepers. She's become the driving force behind the zoo's fundraising and events, pouring her heart into making Prickle Island Zoo a sanctuary for animals and a delight for visitors. But being immersed in her work, Dove has decided to put romance on a permanent hiatus . . . That is, until movie star, Deacon Harrow, starts filming his latest blockbuster at her family's zoo. Dove isn't thrilled that her former childhood best friend—turned enemy—turned movie star has weaseled his way back into her life. After his most recent conservation blunder, she can't even bear to be in the same room as him. Fame has changed him—or has it? When Deacon launches a new conservation campaign to repair his public image, he ropes Dove into helping him in the hopes of getting closer to her. He knows the kindhearted Dove won’t be able to refuse and tries to use their newfound proximity to set things right. But Deacon fears that maybe this time, he’s messed up his relationship with Dove beyond repair. Amidst the clamor of wild animals and film crews, old sparks fly and forgotten feelings resurface. Can Dove and Deacon rekindle their friendship—and perhaps discover something more? Get ready for a wild ride filled with love, laughter, and a few crocodile tears. Each book in the Prickle Island Zoo series can be read as a standalone
Hold Your Horses book cover
#5

Hold Your Horses

2026

When socially anxious, secretly asexual, and thoroughly horse-illiterate Hollis lands a job at Prickle Island Zoo (by pretending to be a cowgirl from Wyoming), she’s just hoping for a fresh start . . . and maybe to hide away from the world with a Jane Austen novel and meerkat in tow. What Hollis doesn't expect is to fall head over heels—literally—for the charming non-binary zookeeper, Heron. Heron Lachlan knows that living at their family zoo on a tiny island and being ace means the dating pool is zero. Heron accepts that their longest running relationship will probably be with a literal goose . . . until Hollis trots in wearing a thrifted cowboy hat and lying through her teeth. As zoo hijinks, escaped ostriches, and a meddlesome family of zookeepers bring them closer, Hollis and Heron must face their fears, their secret hopes, and their wildly incompatible knowledge of equine fun facts. A light-hearted, queer rom-com about finding your person, embracing your truths, and rewriting the rules of love—Hold Your Horses is the joyful, asexual slow-burn you didn’t know you needed. Each book in the Prickle Island Zoo series can be read as a standalone. Feel free to jump into this series wherever you like!

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