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spicewitch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-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? Yes
2.5
The pros:
- the spicy scenes are mostly good, and there are moments when the characters have solid chemistry
- I really loved the hero, and overall liked his arc
- the heroine shows some growth over the course of the story
The cons:
- I would absolutely not recommend this to anyone except white people. The fantasy racism (with orcs clearly being analogues to black people, along with the other “scary” fantasy races) is really poorly handled. This book could’ve used a sensitivity reading. I’m not even mad that their necessarily *is* fantasy racism—it’s just weird for them to talk about orcs “from the homeland” being “barbaric” and not having electricity or other modern amenities even though the FMC literally works in IT, and it’s never explained if the low tech is by choice or just because they’re ~so barbaric~, along with some things the FMC says to the MMC.
- The story isn’t great.
I was not expecting the kidnapping plot and it honestly felt like such a fucked up and unnecessary part of the story when he could’ve just… talked to her and explained the severity of the situation and gotten proper consent from the beginning. - Their chemistry and connection is… fine. There are moments when it feels like they click but overall, meh.
Altogether: I’m mot unhappy I read it and I had a decent time with it, but it’s just okay at best and a little yikes at worst. I would be willing to check out other books by this author in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
Moderate: Racism
kaydub23's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Book was wild. Just so silly….why is there an orc mafia turned vigilante hero with magic hands? No idea. Almost didn’t make it through the first 10% bc of how dumb the FMC was being (bitch you’re just asking to get yourself killed) but I guess it worked out and was mostly just amusing. Super light read. Though liam being a grown ass elf crushing on a presumably young orc doesn’t seem cool. And skye was pretty ignorant throughout….so kinda mixed vibes. Topics could’ve been handled a bit better
timap's review against another edition
4.0
Skye, the female Fae lead, has spent her life trying to fit the Fae ideal and feeling like she’s failing. Now in her thirties and recently dumped by her partner of 8 years, she’s feeling like a spinster. When she tries to get out of her slump by signing up for a hook up, she accidentally interrupts an assassination and is taken by Ansel, the male Orc lead, for her protection.
But she’s not stupid. She knows, when you’re kidnapped, you’re supposed to attempt to escape, so she does. That doesn’t explain the attraction she has to Ansel or the sympathy that’s developing for his situation. Then he shows her just what he can do for her in bed and she’s in heart and soul.
However, Ansel was upfront about his longterm no-female plan…
This story is female lead POV, well written, and an interesting, engaging story in a fantasy world. I prefer dual POV, though I admit I understand why this story worked better in single POV. I enjoyed the significant character development Skye underwent. I enjoyed the relationship development. I enjoyed the integration of the secondary characters. I respected the slowburn of the intimate engagement, and found those scenes erotic. I am looking forward to the next story in the series.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
But she’s not stupid. She knows, when you’re kidnapped, you’re supposed to attempt to escape, so she does. That doesn’t explain the attraction she has to Ansel or the sympathy that’s developing for his situation. Then he shows her just what he can do for her in bed and she’s in heart and soul.
However, Ansel was upfront about his longterm no-female plan…
This story is female lead POV, well written, and an interesting, engaging story in a fantasy world. I prefer dual POV, though I admit I understand why this story worked better in single POV. I enjoyed the significant character development Skye underwent. I enjoyed the relationship development. I enjoyed the integration of the secondary characters. I respected the slowburn of the intimate engagement, and found those scenes erotic. I am looking forward to the next story in the series.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
andreasbooktea's review against another edition
1.0
DNF @43% this book started out good there was nothing really wrong with this book until I hit this part in the book where the conversation they were having made me feel extremely uncomfortable. The MMC Ansel is talking about the struggles of his people which is suspiciously close to how black people are treated in America. And while pointing out Skye’s privilege instead of recognizing her privilege and feeling empathetic towards him and his species she cops an attitude and gets defensive saying “…but what do I know? I’m just a faerie living in my own privileged world…if you’re so desperate for a job, you can turn off the light this time.” And I feel like we are meant to feel bad her because she’s been kidnapped and I absolutely don’t. It sucks being kidnapped (obviously) but why did the author choose to have her dismiss or ignore the real struggles of his people. Especially since her next door neighbor is very racist towards orcs and was expressing that towards Skye multiple times. It was just uncomfortably similar to conversations I’ve had with my YT counterparts and I don’t want to see that in books.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
amanisky's review against another edition
5.0
the orc boss
I couldn’t wait for Skye’s growth in this story, I’m excited for book two. Skye was definitely someone I fear to meet in real life at the beginning of the story the lengths she was willing to go was unfortunate but she pulled herself together. I recommend.
I couldn’t wait for Skye’s growth in this story, I’m excited for book two. Skye was definitely someone I fear to meet in real life at the beginning of the story the lengths she was willing to go was unfortunate but she pulled herself together. I recommend.
mpwheeler's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
rjordan19's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥+
Humor: Yes!
Perspective: First person from the heroine only
Cliffhanger: No
Epilogue: No but the last chapter jumps ahead a touch.
Should I read in order?
This is Green’s debut!
Basic plot:
Our heroine is ready to get over someone by getting under someone and joins a dating app
Give this a try if you want:
- ‘monster’ romance – this is a contemporary world filled with fae, elf, orcs, humans, goblins, demons
- Scottish orc hero, fae heroine
- heroine nurses hero back to health
- mistaken identity
- scarred hero
- heroine brushes and braids the hero’s hair
- well-endowed hero
- hero washes the heroine’s hair
- dirty talking hero
- hero buys her sexy underwear then later rips them off
- anxiety rep (heroine)
- delicious angst!
Ages:
- Heroine is 33, didn’t see hero mentioned
First lines:
Hey u up?
I always considered myself levelheaded, especially as I barreled towards my mid-thirties at increasing speed. I often found comfort in there being very few things left in this world that could send me into a tizzy.
Except for my ex-boyfriend.
My thoughts:
This book right here….is currently my top read of the year. Green has taken my orc virginity and I’m so glad it was her *sniff. She has immediately become an autobuy author for me and now I have to foam at the mouth until she releases another book since this was her full length debut! I was so in love with this book.
I really enjoyed the build up of sexual tension in this book. I think it was really well done and one of those things I am always chasing in romance. Make me want it. Give me feels. I want to feel that longing and have it so good when they finally come together. And I had it here and it’s one of the reasons I will treasure this book!
This is one of those stories that captured my heart pretty quickly. It was hilarious. Skye was endearing. Ansel was stunning. I was lost. I spent all my spare minutes trying to escape my children and family and read this novel.
Skye works in IT and is trying to recover from her last relationship. I really loved Skye. My heart broke for her as we worked through her issues and her need for love. I think her and Ansel are perfection together. I can see why people got so annoyed with Skye – she’s obsessed with her crappy ex-boyfriend, who, it’s clear to us is a total asshole. But, haven’t we all been fools for love? She comes from what seems like a somewhat neglectful family. Her mother spends all her time talking about other people and herself and doesn’t even ask about Skye. We know Skye has a sister but they don’t seem close. She has been with Carter for 8 years – almost a decade of her life! I feel for her and understand her insecurities. We know she deserves better OF COURSE and it was such a great point in the book when Skye realizes that too.
Ansel is just *swoon. He says the perfect things. He builds Skye up so well and I adored his fall for her. He could communicate better, sure, but I think overall it wasn’t too much held back. Coming from a place of trying to protect her it was understandable. I just adored him – he put her first and gave her as many orgasms as she needed. When I found out he knew she was unscrewing the window bars I love him. When I knew he was awake listening to her masturbate I loved him even more!
Cock/Hero Stats:
- Hero is an orc with long hair and white tusks
- cock is a darker green than his body, very large, but otherwise quite human
- 7 ft tall
Quotes/thoughts:
“Go on, lass. I’ll stay here. Just promise me you’ll stay on your side of the city. It’s much safer.”
I bit back a snarky comment about him sounding just like my eighty-year-old neighbor because, unlike my neighbor, he was big enough to squash me like a bug.
“Hurry, Before I change my mind and decide to keep you forever,” he added with a dark chuckle.
---
“Sweetling, please. You have to be careful or you’re going to hurt yourself,” Ansel spoke in such a soft voice as if he was coaxing a wild animal. I yanked my arms away as he reached for my wrists. But I had nowhere to go; he had me backed into a corner. I flailed for a few moments until he caught my arms.
---
He made a sound of displeasure that came from deep within his throat. “That’s what I was worried about,” he said under his breath. His expression hardened as he regarded me. “If you’re ever put in a position like that again, Skye, I need you to promise me you will never sacrifice yourself for me. Your life is more important than mine. You are worth saving, I am not. Never forget that.”
---
“Skye,” he said in a soft voice that brought a new batch of tears close to the surface. “Are you okay? How many times do I have to tell you that a man who can’t make you come is not worth crying over? Actually no man is worth crying over. We’re all assholes.”
---
“Come here,” he rasped, motioning for me to move closer to the end of the bed. “I am going to make you feel so good that not only will you forget the bastard’s name, but everything else wrong in your life.”
---
“That little pussy of yours had gotten you into a lot of trouble now, hasn’t it? Just think, if you had someone fucking you properly, you wouldn’t have wandered into the alley that night.”
“No one has ever fucked me properly,” I said.
He smirked. “Well, you’re in for a real treat. Because fucking properly is the only thing I’m good for.”
Content warnings:
- Mention of drug usage (black rock)
- Racism
- Scenes of the heroine recovering from a breakup where she feels unloved (and he continues to take advantage of her)
- Unsolicited dick pics
- Heroine is held and threatened with a gun/assaulted
- Heroine is taken by the hero (for her safety)
- Death (view spoiler)
- Torture
- Hero is a smoker
- Infidelity (view spoiler)
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex? (view spoiler)
7% - cock touches (interrupted)
29% - 🔥 kisses, breast play, fingering for her
36% - heroine masturbation (short)
45% - kiss
50% - 🔥 oral for her
62% - 🔥 oral and fingering for her
65% - 🔥 blow job in the shower
78% - 🔥 kiss that leads to sex under an overpass. Oral/fingering for her. Him holding her against a ledge/wall
87% - 🔥 her on top, then missionary
99% - playing with vibrators, missionary (It fades a bit to the end – you might count it)
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥+
Humor: Yes!
Perspective: First person from the heroine only
Cliffhanger: No
Epilogue: No but the last chapter jumps ahead a touch.
Should I read in order?
This is Green’s debut!
Basic plot:
Our heroine is ready to get over someone by getting under someone and joins a dating app
Give this a try if you want:
- ‘monster’ romance – this is a contemporary world filled with fae, elf, orcs, humans, goblins, demons
- Scottish orc hero, fae heroine
- heroine nurses hero back to health
- mistaken identity
- scarred hero
- heroine brushes and braids the hero’s hair
- well-endowed hero
- hero washes the heroine’s hair
- dirty talking hero
- hero buys her sexy underwear then later rips them off
- anxiety rep (heroine)
- delicious angst!
Ages:
- Heroine is 33, didn’t see hero mentioned
First lines:
Hey u up?
I always considered myself levelheaded, especially as I barreled towards my mid-thirties at increasing speed. I often found comfort in there being very few things left in this world that could send me into a tizzy.
Except for my ex-boyfriend.
My thoughts:
This book right here….is currently my top read of the year. Green has taken my orc virginity and I’m so glad it was her *sniff. She has immediately become an autobuy author for me and now I have to foam at the mouth until she releases another book since this was her full length debut! I was so in love with this book.
I really enjoyed the build up of sexual tension in this book. I think it was really well done and one of those things I am always chasing in romance. Make me want it. Give me feels. I want to feel that longing and have it so good when they finally come together. And I had it here and it’s one of the reasons I will treasure this book!
This is one of those stories that captured my heart pretty quickly. It was hilarious. Skye was endearing. Ansel was stunning. I was lost. I spent all my spare minutes trying to escape my children and family and read this novel.
Skye works in IT and is trying to recover from her last relationship. I really loved Skye. My heart broke for her as we worked through her issues and her need for love. I think her and Ansel are perfection together.
Ansel is just *swoon. He says the perfect things. He builds Skye up so well and I adored his fall for her.
Cock/Hero Stats:
- Hero is an orc with long hair and white tusks
- cock is a darker green than his body, very large, but otherwise quite human
- 7 ft tall
Quotes/thoughts:
“Go on, lass. I’ll stay here. Just promise me you’ll stay on your side of the city. It’s much safer.”
I bit back a snarky comment about him sounding just like my eighty-year-old neighbor because, unlike my neighbor, he was big enough to squash me like a bug.
“Hurry, Before I change my mind and decide to keep you forever,” he added with a dark chuckle.
---
“Sweetling, please. You have to be careful or you’re going to hurt yourself,” Ansel spoke in such a soft voice as if he was coaxing a wild animal. I yanked my arms away as he reached for my wrists. But I had nowhere to go; he had me backed into a corner. I flailed for a few moments until he caught my arms.
---
He made a sound of displeasure that came from deep within his throat. “That’s what I was worried about,” he said under his breath. His expression hardened as he regarded me. “If you’re ever put in a position like that again, Skye, I need you to promise me you will never sacrifice yourself for me. Your life is more important than mine. You are worth saving, I am not. Never forget that.”
---
“Skye,” he said in a soft voice that brought a new batch of tears close to the surface. “Are you okay? How many times do I have to tell you that a man who can’t make you come is not worth crying over? Actually no man is worth crying over. We’re all assholes.”
---
“Come here,” he rasped, motioning for me to move closer to the end of the bed. “I am going to make you feel so good that not only will you forget the bastard’s name, but everything else wrong in your life.”
---
“That little pussy of yours had gotten you into a lot of trouble now, hasn’t it? Just think, if you had someone fucking you properly, you wouldn’t have wandered into the alley that night.”
“No one has ever fucked me properly,” I said.
He smirked. “Well, you’re in for a real treat. Because fucking properly is the only thing I’m good for.”
Content warnings:
- Mention of drug usage (black rock)
- Racism
- Scenes of the heroine recovering from a breakup where she feels unloved (and he continues to take advantage of her)
- Unsolicited dick pics
- Heroine is held and threatened with a gun/assaulted
- Heroine is taken by the hero (for her safety)
- Death (view spoiler)
- Torture
- Hero is a smoker
- Infidelity (view spoiler)
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Safe sex? (view spoiler)
7% - cock touches (interrupted)
29% - 🔥 kisses, breast play, fingering for her
36% - heroine masturbation (short)
45% - kiss
50% - 🔥 oral for her
62% - 🔥 oral and fingering for her
65% - 🔥 blow job in the shower
78% - 🔥 kiss that leads to sex under an overpass. Oral/fingering for her. Him holding her against a ledge/wall
87% - 🔥 her on top, then missionary
99% - playing with vibrators, missionary (It fades a bit to the end – you might count it)
smk5495's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
5.0
Amazing debut, I can’t wait to read more from this author! It was a perfect mix for me of monster/mafia/dark/sweet.
zeef33's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0