lucylimon's review
5.0
On page 1, we meet Skye, the main character, at a hilariously awkward moment. She's determined not to answer her exe's booty call, but just as she's about to take care of things herself, "can’t make bad decisions if I’m not horny," her trusty vibrator gives out. And that's just the beginning of Skye’s problems!
The Orc Boss is the monster/mafia romance mashup that I never knew I always wanted. It's super sexy and high on angst. If you enjoy the torture of intense sexual attraction dueling against stubbornness and emotional and mental hang ups, you are in for a delicious treat. I was in it, yelling at characters, and desperately rooting for an HEA the author had me despairing of to the very end!
This quote from the cover blurb is a great indicator of what you're in for with this fantastic debut novel from Lark Green. "Ansel swears he’s only kidnapping Skye to keep her safe. But when she wakes to find herself handcuffed to his bed, she feels a lot of things. Safe isn’t one of them."
The Orc Boss is the monster/mafia romance mashup that I never knew I always wanted. It's super sexy and high on angst. If you enjoy the torture of intense sexual attraction dueling against stubbornness and emotional and mental hang ups, you are in for a delicious treat. I was in it, yelling at characters, and desperately rooting for an HEA the author had me despairing of to the very end!
This quote from the cover blurb is a great indicator of what you're in for with this fantastic debut novel from Lark Green. "Ansel swears he’s only kidnapping Skye to keep her safe. But when she wakes to find herself handcuffed to his bed, she feels a lot of things. Safe isn’t one of them."
alienpeenfiend's review
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
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
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
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
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".
spicewitch's review
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.
Spoiler
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
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
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.