A review by carlaabra
Halfling by S.E. Wendel

adventurous emotional slow-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

3.5

First half of the book was great, 4.5 stars, slow burn romance. It’s tense and sweet. He rescues her from slavery and treks to return her to her family. There’s some species hostility, surprisingly no language barrier! MMC is a halfling, hated by his orc clan and abandoned by his human mother, drowning in his insecurities and feeling unworthy. He’s a total cinnamon roll with touch-her-and-die orc tendencies. FMC is the control freak oldest sibling, “I’m not a damsel in distress, I’m a callused and capable farm girl”. She was annoying at first, especially ad she took every opportunity  to crow about how capable she is, but over time her personality is more fleshed out. They develop friendship then attraction as they travel together; the main angst is miscommunication, “I like them but do they like me”. 

Second half, after the feelings reveal and return home, was not great: the pacing was totally off, boring plot, 80% smut and uneventful smut at that. There is a lot of cozy, fluffy family scenes (boring for me). Sorcha’s plotline about becoming her own woman felt forced. Also apparently she’s a badass fighter for some reason, who knew horses were so deadly. The climax in the third act (ESPECIALLY the miscommunication that caused it!) was too much imo.  
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