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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved the world that the characters were in. The main characters werr insuferable. The FMC was a pushover who did mote groveling as the victim of bullying and miscomunication. The side characters are one dimentional and the dialogue unappealing. Would have been dnf'd if it was longer
lighthearted
medium-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
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
Listened to the audiobook so fast omg. This was very fun and cute, the perfect palate cleanser
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-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
Rating 4⭐
Spice 🌶️🌶️.5
Spice 🌶️🌶️.5
ALC REVIEW
Okay, SO, I thought this was going to be a comfy cozy book you know like how the Cambric Creek Universe is (not the spin-off ones, the main ones)..... I WAS WRONG. It had A LOT more angst than I would have thought it would.
This is a fake dating scenario where the FMC needs money to save her inn and the MMC wants to get a deal going for his brewing company. But the catch? The MMC and FMC have history. They knew each other back in high school and low and behold (is that the right phrasing?) MMC has bullied FMC throughout their school years.
And you know, I actually like fake dating situations. The storyr was really good, and was getting better, UNTIL there was a record scratch. MISCOMMUNICATION TROPE. OH I'M NOT SORRY, ITS NOT MISCOMMUNICATION, BUT AN ASSUMPTION. I won't get spoiler what, BUT I ABSOLUTELY COULD NOT STAND IT. I almost DNFed it to be honest.
I really really, REALLY hate assumption tropes, especially when the MCs dont even bother to try to get to the source for confirmation. Like oh, you'll believe other people they have to say but you won't go to the person it's about?! ESPECIALLY IF YOU KNOW PEOPLE AROUND TOWN LIKE TO GOSSIP AND TALK CRAP?! I'm sorry, hell the fawk no.
Because of the scenario, MMC should have made FMC grovel and apoligze like she did to him in the beginning. Soooo yea. I overall liked it. It had very interesting bits about the orc's....body parts hehehehe.
I received and ALC through Netgallery. All my thoughts and opinions are true and honest.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
📖 Bookish Thoughts
This was such a sweet and cozy orc monster romance. Honestly, it was the light-hearted book I needed today. I listened to the audiobook while following along on my Kindle and the experience was perfect.
This was such a sweet and cozy orc monster romance. Honestly, it was the light-hearted book I needed today. I listened to the audiobook while following along on my Kindle and the experience was perfect.
I’m not usually a fan of bully romances, but this one really worked for me. Thorak was Mariah’s high school bully, and now they’ve ended up in a fake dating/engagement scheme. This forces him to not only face his feelings for her but also take accountability for how he treated her in the past.
Even though the story is light and fun, it touches on some heavier topics and handles them with care. I do wish Thorak had stood up to his parents a little earlier, but I was happy with where things ended. The whole vibe was very low angst, and now I absolutely want to visit Elderberry Falls.
🍂 What You Can Expect
• Former bully
• Enemies-to-lovers
• Fake fiancée
• Forced proximity at the inn
• He falls first
• Redemption arc
• Low angst
• Small town magical charm
• Orc brewmaster
✨ Favorite Quote
It’s a strange kind of magic, this: the power of sincere words spoken by someone you never thought capable of them.
____
• Former bully
• Enemies-to-lovers
• Fake fiancée
• Forced proximity at the inn
• He falls first
• Redemption arc
• Low angst
• Small town magical charm
• Orc brewmaster
✨ Favorite Quote
It’s a strange kind of magic, this: the power of sincere words spoken by someone you never thought capable of them.
____
📖 Final Score: 4.5 stars
🎧 Audio Score: 5 stars
🎧 Pub Date: June 24, 2025
Thank you to RBmedia and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
🎧 Audio Score: 5 stars
🎧 Pub Date: June 24, 2025
Thank you to RBmedia and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
This was cozy and spicy! Mariah and Thorak’s story is ultimately a bit flawed but they make it to their HEA in the end! There were some cute moments and I really enjoyed the cozy fantasy town of Elderberry Falls.
Thorak was Mariah’s high school bully, but his justification is even more juvenile. It plays into that garbage cliche of “he’s being mean to you because he likes you!” I do think he turned his act around sufficiently but come on.. The theme of being accepting of those that are different than you is certainly important but felt a little heavy handed, with both Robert and Thorak’s parents having strong prejudices that they work to overcome.
I listened to the audio version of this and it was well done! I always enjoy multiple narrators for multiple POVs and both narrators did a great job of infusing emotion into the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the audio ARC!
Thorak was Mariah’s high school bully, but his justification is even more juvenile. It plays into that garbage cliche of “he’s being mean to you because he likes you!” I do think he turned his act around sufficiently but come on.. The theme of being accepting of those that are different than you is certainly important but felt a little heavy handed, with both Robert and Thorak’s parents having strong prejudices that they work to overcome.
I listened to the audio version of this and it was well done! I always enjoy multiple narrators for multiple POVs and both narrators did a great job of infusing emotion into the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the audio ARC!