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adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I've been a fan of Critical Role for about 10 years now, so I was so excited to get a chance to read this early. As a lover of fantasy, but a romance reader at heart, this book hit every story beat I needed it to.
It's an adventure story, it's a story about accepting yourself, and it's a fun road trip story where they all get into swordfights and travel from inn to inn and fall in love all while running away from the bad guys.
And the romance is top notch. Sweet and tender and saucy!
Oskar is the perfect reluctant hero and a quiet, softhearted grump who gets surly every time he notices how pretty Gwen is (and on top of all that. he isn't afraid to cry and be emotionally vulnerable).
Guinevere is the kind of sunshine character that I absolutely LOVE. She believes the absolute best of everyone she meets, makes friends everwhere she goes, and all of this despite having been treated terribly by the people who were suppoed to love and cherish her.
And they're PERFECT together. This is such a fun story overall. I highly reccomend it to everyone.
Thank you so much to DelRey and NetGalley for the eARC!
It's an adventure story, it's a story about accepting yourself, and it's a fun road trip story where they all get into swordfights and travel from inn to inn and fall in love all while running away from the bad guys.
And the romance is top notch. Sweet and tender and saucy!
Oskar is the perfect reluctant hero and a quiet, softhearted grump who gets surly every time he notices how pretty Gwen is (and on top of all that. he isn't afraid to cry and be emotionally vulnerable).
Guinevere is the kind of sunshine character that I absolutely LOVE. She believes the absolute best of everyone she meets, makes friends everwhere she goes, and all of this despite having been treated terribly by the people who were suppoed to love and cherish her.
And they're PERFECT together. This is such a fun story overall. I highly reccomend it to everyone.
Thank you so much to DelRey and NetGalley for the eARC!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I will be the first to admit that this book absolutely exceeded my expectations! "Tusk Love" has been a Critical Role insider for so many years, and its spontaneous fictional creation is always a joy to rewatch within the campaign.
Because of this, however, I expected "Tusk Love" to purely be a very spicy romance set within the DnD/Exandrian universe. I usually don't read romance with a lot of spice, so I was a bit unsure. But it turns out, I didn't need to be! Of course, I won't go into detail to avoid spoilers at this point, but this was way less spice and way more plot and character development than I anticipated!
Oskar and Guinevere both have their struggles, and, of course, their different backgrounds mean their personalities clash quite a bit at the beginning, but it turns out to be quite wonderful and wholesome. I would like to direct some serious expletives towards certain characters that shall not be named here, but let me just say, this was an absolute joy to read, and I am delighted that we can now all hold the actual "Tusk Love" in our hands!
Thank you to Del Rey and Random House Worlds and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Because of this, however, I expected "Tusk Love" to purely be a very spicy romance set within the DnD/Exandrian universe. I usually don't read romance with a lot of spice, so I was a bit unsure. But it turns out, I didn't need to be! Of course, I won't go into detail to avoid spoilers at this point, but this was way less spice and way more plot and character development than I anticipated!
Oskar and Guinevere both have their struggles, and, of course, their different backgrounds mean their personalities clash quite a bit at the beginning, but it turns out to be quite wonderful and wholesome. I would like to direct some serious expletives towards certain characters that shall not be named here, but let me just say, this was an absolute joy to read, and I am delighted that we can now all hold the actual "Tusk Love" in our hands!
Thank you to Del Rey and Random House Worlds and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief
Minor: Confinement, Death of parent
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absolutely adorable. A sweet, quick read with a fun plot, well-developed characters that grow, and smooth writing with a couple of nice spicy scenes thrown in. Gwen and Oskar are basically Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from Tangled β endearingly naive, exuberantly friendly and bubbly, excited about everything, magical vs world-weary, seasoned ruffian with a heart of gold, not-good-enough for the girl. It worked great in the movie and itβs just as delightful here. 100% recommend for any grumpy-sunshine fan.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Classism
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Alright! This is exactly what I wanted when I first heard about it and listened to it in Critical Role. Also, I love Thea Guanzon's writing style and I will continue to recommending her books anytime. OH you had a bad day at work, read Thea. The train you are on is crashing, read Thea. Oh you have to go explore an undiscovered location, read Thea and also don't do that, it's a horror movie and you will unleash an unspeakable horror. Perfection. OOOOHHHH, Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
π» standalone romantasy
π open door spice
π» dual POVs
π naive sunshine FMC x grumpy MMC
π» themes of classism
π perfect blend of cosy and action
π» story within the Critical Role / DnD world
π only one horse & bed
Wow. I fell in absolute adoring love with this book. As I'm writing this review I'm still all smiley and giggling and kicking my feet.
I'm not a DnD player / Critical Role understander I feel like you don't have to be part of this world to enjoy this one.
It's very akin to the original fantasy recipe - main characters are on an adventure in an immersive world (i lost time reading this as I got so into it), great and unique MCs who you learn more about as you go, some incredible (and hilarious) characters you meet along the way, and a romance to quite literally die for.
Bless Guinevere - she is a naive and wholesome FMC.
She goes on such a journey, from being sheltered and unloved to this wild and free individual. And Oskar? H deserves the biggest hug. He's also so swoon worthy like the grumpy but slowly gets soft for her hits SO HARD.
And I'm sorry but the communication in this? Incredible. No miscommunication here, readers. They. Communicate. Yes, I'm pointing it out because Thea has done this so well and it's so perfect and so necessary for these two. You'll see what I mean.
Overall, I fell in love with every aspect, from the writing to the characters. This was truly a wonderful read and with a perfect blend of action and cosy vibes, this is an incredible addition to the genre. Centre of the shelf for you, Tusk Love!
π open door spice
π» dual POVs
π naive sunshine FMC x grumpy MMC
π» themes of classism
π perfect blend of cosy and action
π» story within the Critical Role / DnD world
π only one horse & bed
Wow. I fell in absolute adoring love with this book. As I'm writing this review I'm still all smiley and giggling and kicking my feet.
I'm not a DnD player / Critical Role understander I feel like you don't have to be part of this world to enjoy this one.
It's very akin to the original fantasy recipe - main characters are on an adventure in an immersive world (i lost time reading this as I got so into it), great and unique MCs who you learn more about as you go, some incredible (and hilarious) characters you meet along the way, and a romance to quite literally die for.
Bless Guinevere - she is a naive and wholesome FMC.
She goes on such a journey, from being sheltered and unloved to this wild and free individual. And Oskar? H deserves the biggest hug. He's also so swoon worthy like the grumpy but slowly gets soft for her hits SO HARD.
And I'm sorry but the communication in this? Incredible. No miscommunication here, readers. They. Communicate. Yes, I'm pointing it out because Thea has done this so well and it's so perfect and so necessary for these two. You'll see what I mean.
Overall, I fell in love with every aspect, from the writing to the characters. This was truly a wonderful read and with a perfect blend of action and cosy vibes, this is an incredible addition to the genre. Centre of the shelf for you, Tusk Love!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Classism
Moderate: Gore, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Emotional abuse
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you Net Gallley, Random House Worlds and Del Rey for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.
First of all, wow, I knew this book was going to be good, but I wasn't prepared for how good it is! While I haven't engaged in anything by Critical Role, being a D&D fan I'm familiar with their works. There are a lot of names for different locations and races, but the author does a great job at laying everything out in a way that isn't confusing.
Guinevere and Oskar are both well written characters with great growth. One, learning to exercise her freedom, other, to open up to ones around him. They had great chemistry from the moment they met and I was rooting for them throughout book!
The story itself is well paced. I never felt like things were going too fast or too slow. I have to admit this book was much smuttier than I anticipated, which was a surprise to me! I really can't complain about it though, the scenes were written wonderfully.
First of all, wow, I knew this book was going to be good, but I wasn't prepared for how good it is! While I haven't engaged in anything by Critical Role, being a D&D fan I'm familiar with their works. There are a lot of names for different locations and races, but the author does a great job at laying everything out in a way that isn't confusing.
Guinevere and Oskar are both well written characters with great growth. One, learning to exercise her freedom, other, to open up to ones around him. They had great chemistry from the moment they met and I was rooting for them throughout book!
The story itself is well paced. I never felt like things were going too fast or too slow. I have to admit this book was much smuttier than I anticipated, which was a surprise to me! I really can't complain about it though, the scenes were written wonderfully.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Classism
Moderate: Violence