bookishbowen 's review for:

The Orc and the Innkeeper by Cora Crane

4.0

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

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🌶🌶🌶
Vibes - Good Time, Cosy

"Tormented" is a bit harsh.

I've come to realise that while I'm not a fan of bully romances, ex-bully romances I love. I think it's the redemption arc. In this the level of grovelling is equal to the level of damage done. Not much.

Most of the grovelling was him saying "sorry" over and over during the sexy scenes which was just kinda weird.

She says he tormented her but even in her flash backs it doesn't seem like he instigated anything, he just said some things that weren't nice and stood by while his friends bullied her.

He saw her family heirloom necklace get broken and did nothing, which isn't good but he wasn't the one who broke it. And he fixed it. Even if it took almost 10 years for her to get it back.

I get having her guard up around him but I don't think he was that bad even then. But even so he'd grown out of his old prejudices he learnt from his family and wanted to make things right with his fake fiancé, especially since he's been besotted with her for years. He is open and vulnerable with her and she slowly lets her guard down despite her reservations. He was more in love with her that she was with him. I loved the side characters and am looking forward to continuing the series.

Tropes

• Monster
• Small Town
• Fake Dating Fiancé
• Enemies To Lovers (high school bully)
• Pet
  (teacup boar)