A review by readingbyevenstarlight
The Orc and the Innkeeper by Cora Crane

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the ALC!

I’m absolutely loving cozy fantasies right now, and listening to them as audiobooks is such a fun experience. There’s something so soothing and calm about listening to a low-stakes fantasy story about a human innkeeper and an orc brewmaster fake dating to accomplish their own goals and accidentally falling in love in the process.

It’s a bully romance without having to experience a lot of the bullying, which I prefer because they aren’t my favourite. He bullied her as teens, but now they’re adults and turns out he REALLY likes her. There’s a lot of romantic tension between the two, and the narrators of this audiobook do a fantastic job of bringing it to life. They really embody the characters, and I always love having two narrators, especially when the book is in both perspectives. 

The story was sweet if predictable, but that’s one of the nice things about cozy fantasy. You’re not there for a twisty plot. This was my first cozy fantasy with spice, and I think I’ve decided I don’t hate having spice in my cozy fantasy, but I probably don’t want it on audio in the future. It’s funny, because I don’t necessarily mind it in other books, but something about it being in cozy fantasy weirded me out and messed with my vibes a bit. I can eyeball read it just fine. 😂

If you’re looking for a spicy cozy fantasy, I definitely recommend this one. It’s a story of overcoming prejudices, set in a magical town in a world that is still learning to combine the magical with the human world. It has its funny moments, sweet moments, and spice to pull it all together. Add it to your cozy fantasy TBR today!