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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This was a fun and spicy romantic fantasy novel.
I love that the main characters come together as a response to prejudice and discover their own misunderstanding of each other. Thorak is such a softie and watching their relationship grow was aw inducing.
The ending was great and I can't wait to read the next book in the Elderberry Falls series; when it has been written and published.
Jack Calihan and Rose Dioro did a great job narrating this story. The alternating narrators made it easy to decipher whose point of view you were hearing.
I love that the main characters come together as a response to prejudice and discover their own misunderstanding of each other. Thorak is such a softie and watching their relationship grow was aw inducing.
The ending was great and I can't wait to read the next book in the Elderberry Falls series; when it has been written and published.
Jack Calihan and Rose Dioro did a great job narrating this story. The alternating narrators made it easy to decipher whose point of view you were hearing.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A big thank you to Tantor Audio, Netgalley, and Cora Crane for giving me this audio ARC in return for my honest review!
If you're looking for a short and sweet monster romance, this might be the book for you! When Mariah finds her inn infested by magical pests, she isn't sure where she'll come up with the money to keep her business afloat. At the same time, her high school bully Thorak finds himself facing a business deal that could mean big things for his brewery. The only problem is that the human man he's doing business with is uncomfortable dealing with orcs. How does he solve this problem? Lie about a human fiancee, of course. Mariah overhears their exchange and comes up with a solution that will help them both. He covers the cost of repairs and she pretends to be his fiancee to help see the deal go through.
This book is dual POV and the male and female narrators really did a great job. They were both easy to listen to and put the right amount of emotion into the characters.
Pros:
* This book is very easy to listen to, follow along, and understand what's happening
* There's a big theme with discrimination and I think it's really interesting that the author shows it from both sides. Humans who do not like magical creatures and magical creatures that do not like humans. There's a lot of growth in this area, especially for some of the side characters.
* If you're new to monster romance this might be a good one since the “creative anatomy” is less creative than other books 😅
Cons:
* I'm not a big fan of bully romance and while there isn't really any on-page bullying between MCs, I have a hard time with “I know you caused me untold emotional trauma but now I love you”
* I felt like the emotional development, especially for the MMC could have been better. He's kind of just like “I've been in love with her for years” and there's really nowhere to go from there.
* The MMC claims he bullied the FMC because he was in love with her and he didn't want other people to bully her. I mean, I know high schoolers are young and dumb but that seems like a stretch to me.
Overall this book was cute, short, and sweet with some cozy vibes. I feel like it could have been better but it wasn't bad. I rated it 3 stars.
There are about three explicitly spicy scenes in this book which means I would rate it about 2 in terms of spice.
While it wasn't my favorite book, I think it could be a good read for others! If you read my review and didn't get turned off by anything, I would recommend you give it a listen.
If you're looking for a short and sweet monster romance, this might be the book for you! When Mariah finds her inn infested by magical pests, she isn't sure where she'll come up with the money to keep her business afloat. At the same time, her high school bully Thorak finds himself facing a business deal that could mean big things for his brewery. The only problem is that the human man he's doing business with is uncomfortable dealing with orcs. How does he solve this problem? Lie about a human fiancee, of course. Mariah overhears their exchange and comes up with a solution that will help them both. He covers the cost of repairs and she pretends to be his fiancee to help see the deal go through.
This book is dual POV and the male and female narrators really did a great job. They were both easy to listen to and put the right amount of emotion into the characters.
Pros:
* This book is very easy to listen to, follow along, and understand what's happening
* There's a big theme with discrimination and I think it's really interesting that the author shows it from both sides. Humans who do not like magical creatures and magical creatures that do not like humans. There's a lot of growth in this area, especially for some of the side characters.
* If you're new to monster romance this might be a good one since the “creative anatomy” is less creative than other books 😅
Cons:
* I'm not a big fan of bully romance and while there isn't really any on-page bullying between MCs, I have a hard time with “I know you caused me untold emotional trauma but now I love you”
* I felt like the emotional development, especially for the MMC could have been better. He's kind of just like “I've been in love with her for years” and there's really nowhere to go from there.
* The MMC claims he bullied the FMC because he was in love with her and he didn't want other people to bully her. I mean, I know high schoolers are young and dumb but that seems like a stretch to me.
Overall this book was cute, short, and sweet with some cozy vibes. I feel like it could have been better but it wasn't bad. I rated it 3 stars.
There are about three explicitly spicy scenes in this book which means I would rate it about 2 in terms of spice.
While it wasn't my favorite book, I think it could be a good read for others! If you read my review and didn't get turned off by anything, I would recommend you give it a listen.
adventurous
lighthearted
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
The Orc and the Innkeeper was a cozy, easily digestible fantasy romance that hit the spot when I wanted something light and low-stakes. The story doesn’t have a ton of frills, but that worked in its favor—it’s straightforward, charming, and sweet in its simplicity.
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the dual narration. The male narrator had a nice, gravelly voice that suited the orc character perfectly and added depth to the listening experience. The chemistry between the characters felt warm and natural, and the pacing made it easy to sink into the story without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
If you're in the mood for a soft fantasy with a touch of romance and comfort, this is a great pick.
Thank you to Cora Crane, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for the ARC!
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the dual narration. The male narrator had a nice, gravelly voice that suited the orc character perfectly and added depth to the listening experience. The chemistry between the characters felt warm and natural, and the pacing made it easy to sink into the story without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
If you're in the mood for a soft fantasy with a touch of romance and comfort, this is a great pick.
Thank you to Cora Crane, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for the ARC!
An entertaining read, but far too repetitive. I lost count of how many times the characters steeled themselves, and how many times the size difference between an orc and a human was emphasized... We get it, he's huge and she's petite.
I also thought it was too on the nose too often, explaining things that were obvious to me as a reader. But, I was entertained and it was the right time for a whimsical "fake dating" romance.
I also thought it was too on the nose too often, explaining things that were obvious to me as a reader. But, I was entertained and it was the right time for a whimsical "fake dating" romance.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I am not a huge fan of bully romance. I find it unrealistic, even more so that human orc relationships 🤣 Maybe I have a mean bitter spirit but I have zero interest in making amends with bullies and I didn’t even have any that tormented me growing up! Have you seen the new episode of Black Mirror where she is super petty and gets revenge on all her bullies? That’s more realistic in my brain. This whole forgiveness love romance thing is hard to believe. That’s really my main beef with the book.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
Too fast, 3rd act shit was dumb af, pacing was off. The world was interesting though.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into when I stumbled upon this book but I'm very happy I did. The Orc and the Innkeeper is a fantasy romance that is equal parts cozy and spicy. We follow two enemies, Mariah and Thornak, who manage to wind themselves into a fake engagement for each of their own personal gain... or are they in it for something else?
"These next 14 days will either be my sweetest fantasy come true or my ultimate undoing."
This was a bit of a different writing style than I am used to - but not in a negative way at all. I think it really helped draw me into the novel and feel at home in this fantasy world; being able to imagine the town of "Elderberry Falls" and understanding the social issues that plague some residents and visitors. As stated above, this book has such a cozy atmosphere. Nailing all the little details that make up this novel - like the opening with "pixie dust mites". Because of this I found it to be such a fun read that put a smile on my face.
"Don't let your fear of the past keep you from embracing the future."
I found myself rather enthralled in the lives of our main characters and their shenanigans. I enjoyed how real these fantasy creatures (and one human) really felt. They were flawed, loveable, interesting, charismatic, and brave. Although, I was also slightly taken aback by how casually the main female character, Mariah, got over her so called "torture" from her school bully-turned possible lover. It didn't seem right to me that she would just casually accept everything and everyone at their word. However, she does go on a rollercoaster of trust uncertainty later on in the book so maybe she was written like this on purpose. A strong character, most definitely, but maybe a little bit of a pushover in certain scenes. Loveable, nonetheless.
“How hearts can open, and prejudices fade when people are given the chance to truly understand one another.”
Overall, I found this a wonderful quick read that I didn't want to put down.
This book is one very fun ride. If you're looking for fantasy, very spicy, cozy, enemies to lovers, fake dating, types of books - I would recommend you pick up this series.
I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into when I stumbled upon this book but I'm very happy I did. The Orc and the Innkeeper is a fantasy romance that is equal parts cozy and spicy. We follow two enemies, Mariah and Thornak, who manage to wind themselves into a fake engagement for each of their own personal gain... or are they in it for something else?
"These next 14 days will either be my sweetest fantasy come true or my ultimate undoing."
This was a bit of a different writing style than I am used to - but not in a negative way at all. I think it really helped draw me into the novel and feel at home in this fantasy world; being able to imagine the town of "Elderberry Falls" and understanding the social issues that plague some residents and visitors. As stated above, this book has such a cozy atmosphere. Nailing all the little details that make up this novel - like the opening with "pixie dust mites". Because of this I found it to be such a fun read that put a smile on my face.
"Don't let your fear of the past keep you from embracing the future."
I found myself rather enthralled in the lives of our main characters and their shenanigans. I enjoyed how real these fantasy creatures (and one human) really felt. They were flawed, loveable, interesting, charismatic, and brave. Although, I was also slightly taken aback by how casually the main female character, Mariah, got over her so called "torture" from her school bully-turned possible lover. It didn't seem right to me that she would just casually accept everything and everyone at their word. However, she does go on a rollercoaster of trust uncertainty later on in the book so maybe she was written like this on purpose. A strong character, most definitely, but maybe a little bit of a pushover in certain scenes. Loveable, nonetheless.
“How hearts can open, and prejudices fade when people are given the chance to truly understand one another.”
Overall, I found this a wonderful quick read that I didn't want to put down.
This book is one very fun ride. If you're looking for fantasy, very spicy, cozy, enemies to lovers, fake dating, types of books - I would recommend you pick up this series.