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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
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.
This book made me cry not many books do that but it pulled at my heart strings so many times. I just wanted it to be all better they deserved to be happy.
I absolutely adore this cute cozy romance, I couldn’t put it down. It was sweet, fun and heartbreaking all at once.
She’s a human that owns the inn and he’s the orc that tormented her all through highschool. She needs money to fix an issue at her inn and he needs a fake human fiancés to help with a business deal. What could possible go wrong or right.
Enemies to lovers
Fake relationship
Tusk
Enemies to lovers
Insta love
Small town romance
Bully romance
Second chance romance
I absolutely adore this cute cozy romance, I couldn’t put it down. It was sweet, fun and heartbreaking all at once.
She’s a human that owns the inn and he’s the orc that tormented her all through highschool. She needs money to fix an issue at her inn and he needs a fake human fiancés to help with a business deal. What could possible go wrong or right.
Enemies to lovers
Fake relationship
Tusk
Enemies to lovers
Insta love
Small town romance
Bully romance
Second chance romance
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
super cute romance without a drawn out angst plot, i really enjoyed it, the voice actors also did a great job, the characters are all loveable and the plot was so good!
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Oh, you want a cozy monster romance with a cinnamon roll but slightly grumpy Orc? An effervescent human innkeeper? And their lives as they live through some of the best tropes known to romance literature??? I am talking fake dating, grumpy sunshine, pining, ugh…10/10! The only thing that made the story better? THE AUDIOBOOK!! Rose Dioro and Jack Calihan did a brilliant duet for this story!! Hearing Thorack and Mariah brought to life via this dream team duo….again 10/10!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
It was fine. You’re kind of thrown into the middle of something semi-established so I didn’t feel like I earned the payoff.
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The miscommunication/insecurity break up lasted an annoyingly long time and didn't make sense based on what had already happened. There was a lot of focus on overcoming racism in side characters which all happened weirdly fast.
This was a cute and cozy fantasy romance. If you’re just in the mood for a low stakes d&d type story with tavern vibes, magical creatures, and a fake dating setup between a human innkeeper and an orc brewmaster, this is it. It’s not a book you want to go into with a critical lens, just enjoy it for what it is..fun, light, and a little spicy.
This was my first cozy fantasy with spice, and I didn’t hate it. I don’t know if I want a ton of spice in my cozy reads going forward, but it didn’t ruin it for me.
The narration was really well done. Jack Calihan and Rose Dioro brought both characters to life. Calihan especially stood out to me because he just used a regular voice for narration. So many male narrators overdo it with the husky bedroom voice for literally everything and it gets annoying, but he didn’t fall into that trap. It made the audio much more enjoyable.
Is it predictable? For sure, but that’s part of the charm. It’s D&D meets Hallmark and I enjoyed it. Quick read, good vibes. I’m inclined to read future books in this series.
Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This was my first cozy fantasy with spice, and I didn’t hate it. I don’t know if I want a ton of spice in my cozy reads going forward, but it didn’t ruin it for me.
The narration was really well done. Jack Calihan and Rose Dioro brought both characters to life. Calihan especially stood out to me because he just used a regular voice for narration. So many male narrators overdo it with the husky bedroom voice for literally everything and it gets annoying, but he didn’t fall into that trap. It made the audio much more enjoyable.
Is it predictable? For sure, but that’s part of the charm. It’s D&D meets Hallmark and I enjoyed it. Quick read, good vibes. I’m inclined to read future books in this series.
Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.