Clearing Up the 2026 Release Confusion
Fans of Ashley Bennett have had plenty to celebrate – and speculate about – since her Leviathan Fitness series was officially picked up by Berkley Romance. But with new editions, expanded novels, and overlapping announcements, there’s been understandable confusion about what’s coming next and which titles belong to which universe.
To help readers and booksellers alike, here’s a clear breakdown of Ashley Bennett’s upcoming 2026 releases – including Griffons & Gains and Rugged Blood – plus what the Berkley deal means for the Leviathan Fitness series as a whole.
Leviathan Fitness Joins Berkley Romance
Ashley Bennett has announced that her Leviathan Fitness series – the wildly popular monster romance saga – has been officially acquired by Berkley Romance, an imprint of Penguin Random House known for publishing top contemporary and fantasy romance authors.
In her announcement, Bennett shared:
“It has been SO HARD to keep this quiet and I’ve been subtly teasing it FOR MONTHS… calling the books novels in posts, including quotes from the NEW edition of Muscles & Monsters in teasers!!”
The deal marks a major step in Bennett’s career, elevating her indie hit into a broader traditional publishing platform while maintaining her creative independence on select titles.
What the Berkley Deal Means for Readers
Bennett confirmed that Books 1–3 of the Leviathan Fitness series will be expanded into full-length novels under Berkley.
That means fans can expect:
- New scenes and expanded storylines in the first three books.
- Revised editions to be published by Berkley beginning in Spring 2026.
- Indie versions of the eBooks and paperbacks will remain available for a while before eventually being pulled – Bennett promised to notify readers before that happens.
So if you’ve already purchased the indie editions, you’re safe for now – but expect the Berkley versions to become the definitive editions moving forward.
Griffons & Gains: Still Part of Leviathan Fitness, But Self-Published
One of the biggest points of confusion online has been Griffons & Gains, a title many assumed was being absorbed into the new Berkley lineup. That’s not the case.
Ashley Bennett confirmed directly in her recent announcement:
“Griffons & Gains will be self-published, but it is still part of Leviathan Fitness.”
That means while Griffons & Gains is canonically set in the Leviathan Fitness universe (Book 4), it’s being independently released by Bennett, not through Berkley Romance.
This hybrid publishing approach isn’t unusual – authors sometimes retain control over companion novels or side stories while partnering with major publishers for flagship titles. Fans can expect Griffons & Gains to maintain the same tone, heat level, and creative freedom as Bennett’s original indie works.
📅 Planned Release: Spring/Summer 2026
🏋️ Series: Leviathan Fitness (Self-Published Installment)
Rugged Blood: A Separate Title, Still Releasing in 2026
Another area of online confusion has been Rugged Blood. Some early speculation suggested it might be tied to the Leviathan Fitness series – but Ashley Bennett has clearly stated that it’s a separate book altogether.
In her own words:
“Rugged Blood is still coming in 2026.”
While Bennett hasn’t yet shared full plot details at the time of writing, context suggests Rugged Blood will stand apart from the Leviathan Fitness universe, likely as a new romance or fantasy project under her own brand.
📅 Planned Release: Fall 2026 (Exact date TBD)
📘 Type: Standalone novel, not part of Leviathan Fitness
Fans should think of Rugged Blood and Griffons & Gains as two distinct titles:
- Griffons & Gains = set in the Leviathan Fitness world, self-published.
- Rugged Blood = entirely separate, also expected later in 2026.
To Conclude
Ashley Bennett’s update is more than just exciting news – it clarifies how she’s blending traditional publishing success with indie freedom, a model many modern romance authors are exploring.
By partnering with Berkley for expanded re-releases while self-publishing Griffons & Gains and continuing with Rugged Blood, Bennett ensures that both her long-time readers and new audiences will have plenty to look forward to – without confusion about continuity or availability.
It also confirms that the Leviathan Fitness universe will continue to grow beyond the Berkley deal, with fresh stories and possibly new characters entering the world through self-published routes.
Keep track of all Ashley Bennett’s 2026 and beyond releases!
