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bookishhill's review against another edition
2.0
DNF @ 70%
The dialogue is weird, the heroine’s a doormat, and the spice just didn’t work
The dialogue is weird, the heroine’s a doormat, and the spice just didn’t work
livebythemoon7's review against another edition
5.0
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. It was surprisingly sweet for being a mafia monster romance, and I found that it was well balanced enough to make it not only work, but to end up making me shed a few tears at one point. It's rare that I cry from reading a book. I was that invested in the story. The world and character building were good, and I appreciated some of the characters' backstories that helped explain their viewpoints. I find myself wishing there was more to this story. The ending was satisfying, I just didn't want it to end.
As always, my heat rating is not based on how well it was written. My heat rating is based on the amount of occurrence, length of the scenes, and how filthy/unconventional. There were several scenes, including self, oral, and full on. They were of a good length. The only way they are unconventional is because it is a Monster Romance. 3/5
As always, my heat rating is not based on how well it was written. My heat rating is based on the amount of occurrence, length of the scenes, and how filthy/unconventional. There were several scenes, including self, oral, and full on. They were of a good length. The only way they are unconventional is because it is a Monster Romance. 3/5
spacedragonshoard's review against another edition
4.0
ARC Review.
This was my first introduction to orcs and mafia within the romance genre, though I am an avid reader of fantasy. And I enjoyed it. The book is not too dark, maybe mafia-lite as Ansel (MMC) is leaving the mafia.
The mafia theme is constant throughout, as it related heavily to the plot. The FMC is complex, but at times comes across desperate and bratty? She's doing a lot to better herself, but in a superficial way, and hasn't quite looked deeper into her own motivations and when she does, she's very motivated by her own ego. Yet, and this goes to the author's skill, even when I didn't like Skye, I was still invested in seeing where the story was going to go and how she was going to grow, and change.
I did, immensely, enjoy her scene with Carter though. He deserved everything.
Ansel on the other hand, is the cinnamon roll with extra cinnamon. HE's not overly sweet (he was in the mafia), but he's sweet to Skye, and that's what matters most. He is a little hard on himself, and I'd love to see him with a better sense of self than only being able to offer his penis. (I get why he thinks that, it makes my heart hurt to think that he thinks that's all he can offer her.)
The world building is interesting, and there is enough in this book that I could see some of the characters having their own books if the author chooses to later write them. And I would enjoy reading them. There's a lot of complexity around orc-relations, especially how they relate to other species and how other species view them, and I'd like to see how they view others.
This was my first introduction to orcs and mafia within the romance genre, though I am an avid reader of fantasy. And I enjoyed it. The book is not too dark, maybe mafia-lite as Ansel (MMC) is leaving the mafia.
The mafia theme is constant throughout, as it related heavily to the plot. The FMC is complex, but at times comes across desperate and bratty? She's doing a lot to better herself, but in a superficial way, and hasn't quite looked deeper into her own motivations and when she does, she's very motivated by her own ego. Yet, and this goes to the author's skill, even when I didn't like Skye, I was still invested in seeing where the story was going to go and how she was going to grow, and change.
I did, immensely, enjoy her scene with Carter though. He deserved everything.
Ansel on the other hand, is the cinnamon roll with extra cinnamon. HE's not overly sweet (he was in the mafia), but he's sweet to Skye, and that's what matters most. He is a little hard on himself, and I'd love to see him with a better sense of self than only being able to offer his penis. (I get why he thinks that, it makes my heart hurt to think that he thinks that's all he can offer her.)
The world building is interesting, and there is enough in this book that I could see some of the characters having their own books if the author chooses to later write them. And I would enjoy reading them. There's a lot of complexity around orc-relations, especially how they relate to other species and how other species view them, and I'd like to see how they view others.
melissaslibraryy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Hated that the fmc was constantly feening over her loser ex for about 75% of the book when the mmc is right there! Granted the circumstances of how they met and why they stayed together wasn’t ideal for a relationship but the constant bitching and worrying about “ugh if I could just get out of here and see my ex so we could get back together” or “I wonder how he’s doing” when he treated her like shit especially the last year of their EIGHT YEAR RELATIONSHIP with him just leading her on and refusing to get married bc “it was too much commitment” yet the mmc who’s known her less than a couple months is giving her orgasms when her ex could never manage to get her off. My fave thing the mmc’s said was “why’re you crying over a man who’s never made you come? actually why’re you crying over a man period?” Like THANK YOU!!! Even he gets it 😭😭 it was just frustrating having to read her internal monologue about her missing him when she just missed the idea of being with someone. If the book wasn’t focused on that loser for majority of her pov (third person or not) the actual plot and action could’ve been worn better and more engaging for the reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
alienpeenfiend's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic. Amazing. Superb . 10/10 would fuck the orc boss again and again.This book was amazing, full of angst and struggles, action and heat, spicy and romance, humor and emotion. Oh and THE DADDY DOM ORC BOSS OF MY DREAMS. Seriously you had me at good girl. Lark Green is going on my author short list of “shut up and take my money”, I devoured this book.
Over all this book was a slower burn, but with steamy moments to tied you over and make you want more. When they get to it though ohhhhhhhh boyyyyyyy let me tell you! *fans self*, THAT WAS SOME HOTT ORC FUCKING, I AM STILL NOT RECOVERED. I’ve never read mafia romance before, but I am an avid monster romance and sci-fi romance reader. I don’t tend to like angsty reads, but this book is making me question all the things I thought I knew about myself. What I do know, is that I love monster mafia romance, especially if Lark Green is writing it. (Seriously Lark, WE BETTER GET MORE CUZ I NEED DEMIE’S STORY.)
The action and tension building was AMAZING.I love action adventures in my romance and this was the perfect level. I loved the flaws, heart, and growth from both characters, and how they were able to go their separate ways, but come back to each other in the end (but also GOD DAMMIT LARK THAT WAS TORTURE YOU FIEND. But I liked it
Over all this book was a slower burn, but with steamy moments to tied you over and make you want more. When they get to it though ohhhhhhhh boyyyyyyy let me tell you! *fans self*, THAT WAS SOME HOTT ORC FUCKING, I AM STILL NOT RECOVERED. I’ve never read mafia romance before, but I am an avid monster romance and sci-fi romance reader. I don’t tend to like angsty reads, but this book is making me question all the things I thought I knew about myself. What I do know, is that I love monster mafia romance, especially if Lark Green is writing it. (Seriously Lark, WE BETTER GET MORE CUZ I NEED DEMIE’S STORY.)
The action and tension building was AMAZING.I love action adventures in my romance and this was the perfect level. I loved the flaws, heart, and growth from both characters, and how they were able to go their separate ways, but come back to each other in the end (but also GOD DAMMIT LARK THAT WAS TORTURE YOU FIEND. But I liked it
sophiereadsstories's review against another edition
4.0
If you are new to dark, mafia, or orc romance, this is the perfect blend of the two. It doesn't go to the dark, dark place that some mafia romances do, and it's not as, um, messy or weird as some orc and monster romances.
It is its own unique blend, and, as a first book (how is this Lark Green's first book??? ), it's a great read with a wonderful, solid story and characters that feel real and that you can relate to. even if one is a huge orc and the other is a fae.
Skye is a very relatable character who has a very sketchy and manipulative ex-boyfriend, and her one act of pretending to be someone else and trying something new (a back alley, no strings attached hook-up) leads her to Ansel.
Ansel is an orc on a mission of vengeance and cleaning up the city (even if he's also part of the mafia and morally very, very grey), and stumbling on Skye while trying to hook-up ends with him inadvertently kidnapping her.
Their love story might be unconventional, but the journey that they go through—with Skye learning, with Ansel's help, that she is worthy of not just being loved, but actively worshiped, and Ansel learning that being vulnerable enough to ask for help is in and of itself a strength—made for a great read!
The side characters added an element of humor and fun, and I can't wait to read Lark's second novel.
It is its own unique blend, and, as a first book (how is this Lark Green's first book??? ), it's a great read with a wonderful, solid story and characters that feel real and that you can relate to. even if one is a huge orc and the other is a fae.
Skye is a very relatable character who has a very sketchy and manipulative ex-boyfriend, and her one act of pretending to be someone else and trying something new (a back alley, no strings attached hook-up) leads her to Ansel.
Ansel is an orc on a mission of vengeance and cleaning up the city (even if he's also part of the mafia and morally very, very grey), and stumbling on Skye while trying to hook-up ends with him inadvertently kidnapping her.
Their love story might be unconventional, but the journey that they go through—with Skye learning, with Ansel's help, that she is worthy of not just being loved, but actively worshiped, and Ansel learning that being vulnerable enough to ask for help is in and of itself a strength—made for a great read!
The side characters added an element of humor and fun, and I can't wait to read Lark's second novel.
thornykins's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC of this book in return for a fair review.
Official verdict: 3.5 stars rounded up because debut novels get a little more grace.
So, if you're here because light mafia (and I do mean light, if you're looking for dark angst turn around) mafia is your thing, then this is absolutely the book for you, it's full of mafia men just trying to do the right thing and get a little bit of revenge.
But, if you're here for monster romance, meh. This is a monster romance only in the fact that both characters keep reminding us the hero is an orc. If not for that, he could be any random dude.
All told, a sweet book that probably could have been 25% shorter if the heroine didn't spend literally the first 50% of the book simping over her ex-boyfriend.
Official verdict: 3.5 stars rounded up because debut novels get a little more grace.
So, if you're here because light mafia (and I do mean light, if you're looking for dark angst turn around) mafia is your thing, then this is absolutely the book for you, it's full of mafia men just trying to do the right thing and get a little bit of revenge.
But, if you're here for monster romance, meh. This is a monster romance only in the fact that both characters keep reminding us the hero is an orc. If not for that, he could be any random dude.
All told, a sweet book that probably could have been 25% shorter if the heroine didn't spend literally the first 50% of the book simping over her ex-boyfriend.
huffemme's review against another edition
funny
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
5.0
kassiebetweenpages's review against another edition
3.5
I have read mafia books before and they really are not my favorite, but I think that maybe I just needed a bit more pizazz...monster mafia books are now a thing I need more of.
I appreciated how much our fmc Skye struggled with feeling worthy, her ex really did a number on her self-esteem and it shows I can appreciate that. to say that she was obsessed with her ex is an understatement lol. How her and Ansel met was hilarious!
I do really wish the discrimination that occurred in this book was touched on a bit more and self-growth and awareness was acknowledged. at one point I thought that maybe Skye was going to realize her unconscious discrimination when Ansel was speaking out about how Orcs were still unable to find work but it just kind of left me wanting a bit more acknowledgement about it from Skye. that being said I feel like Skye did change her thinking in a more Suttle ways, I personally just wanted Skye to acknowledge her privilege as it was so obviously carved out in this book. what's the point in having it in the book with there is no active self-growth.
overall, I really enjoyed the story and am interested in finding out more about the side characters Like Ansels "brothers".
I appreciated how much our fmc Skye struggled with feeling worthy, her ex really did a number on her self-esteem and it shows I can appreciate that. to say that she was obsessed with her ex is an understatement lol. How her and Ansel met was hilarious!
I do really wish the discrimination that occurred in this book was touched on a bit more and self-growth and awareness was acknowledged. at one point I thought that maybe Skye was going to realize her unconscious discrimination when Ansel was speaking out about how Orcs were still unable to find work but it just kind of left me wanting a bit more acknowledgement about it from Skye. that being said I feel like Skye did change her thinking in a more Suttle ways, I personally just wanted Skye to acknowledge her privilege as it was so obviously carved out in this book. what's the point in having it in the book with there is no active self-growth.
overall, I really enjoyed the story and am interested in finding out more about the side characters Like Ansels "brothers".