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A review by litty_lydi
Obeying the Orc by Sue Lyndon
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I pushed that thought away and tried to focus on the moment, rather than the complicated situation I'd found myself in at The Sweet Siren with a dominant former priest who'd purchased my nights in perpetuity.
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In a fantasy world where humans, orcs, fae, minotaurs and other fantasy creatures cohabitate (and procreate 👀), Natalee Oakbee's been experiencing a streak of bad luck. She moved to a remote mining town after being disowned by her family for eloping with her late husband, and now finds herself calling the local brothel "home". Her goal is to work there as a Siren until she has saved enough money to return to the mainland. However, she soon realizes this might not take long, as a hot half-orc is willing to pay her a month's wages every night that she spends only with him. The catch? He desperately wants Natalee to become his wife, and she's uncertain if this is a wise decision for either of them.
Ex-priest Knot Thazurok has been living in solitude for the past two years after losing his wife and son in child birth. While he still wrestles with his faith in his gods and the pain and misery life has dealt him, he has recently felt the urge to re-enter society. After a chance encounter with the new human in town, he begins to feel ready to start a family again, with one potential wife in mind. The only cost is 50 gold pieces a night and the patience to convince the headstrong Natalee that any potential impact on his reputation that marrying a siren may bring is meaningless to him.
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What can I say? I'm a sucker for a male character that is the perfect balance of unhinged-possessive-male and love-sick-puppy-dog-who-would-risk-it-all-just-to-see-her-smile. Pair that with a female character who is self-assured, and makes the most out of the less-than-ideal situation she's found herself in (auction queen), and package it into a perfect length story and I'm a happy, giggling reader for a few hours.
I would consider this monster-romance-lite. While Knotcan't believe there's no 🪢 in this is half orc, the only distinguishing traits he has is green skin and pointed ears, so if you're still just dipping your toes into monster romance, I'd consider this a safe book to continue to explore the genre 👹.
This is a Sue Lyndon book, so Knot is very much the "strict husband/alpha/don't disobey me" dominant male role, so if that's not your thing I'd give this one a pass. However, Sue always finds the perfect balance with the sickly sweet declarations of love shit also happening throughout this story. Knot is BIG WIFE GUY energy. Natalee's a much stronger woman than me for her repeated refusal of his proposal; I'd break quicker than a dry spaghetti noodle.
I am once again left asking "Lord when’s it gonna be my turn to have a hot monster pay me thousands a night just to be with me because he wants me as his wife???????"
I will end this on a tangential note by pointing out that we were introduced to not one but TWO (2) single minotaurs in this story ... please Sue... just a silly little sequel or two 🧎♀️Bull Moon Rising may have ruined me
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I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In a fantasy world where humans, orcs, fae, minotaurs and other fantasy creatures cohabitate (and procreate 👀), Natalee Oakbee's been experiencing a streak of bad luck. She moved to a remote mining town after being disowned by her family for eloping with her late husband, and now finds herself calling the local brothel "home". Her goal is to work there as a Siren until she has saved enough money to return to the mainland. However, she soon realizes this might not take long, as a hot half-orc is willing to pay her a month's wages every night that she spends only with him. The catch? He desperately wants Natalee to become his wife, and she's uncertain if this is a wise decision for either of them.
Ex-priest Knot Thazurok has been living in solitude for the past two years after losing his wife and son in child birth. While he still wrestles with his faith in his gods and the pain and misery life has dealt him, he has recently felt the urge to re-enter society. After a chance encounter with the new human in town, he begins to feel ready to start a family again, with one potential wife in mind. The only cost is 50 gold pieces a night and the patience to convince the headstrong Natalee that any potential impact on his reputation that marrying a siren may bring is meaningless to him.
✨✨✨
What can I say? I'm a sucker for a male character that is the perfect balance of unhinged-possessive-male and love-sick-puppy-dog-who-would-risk-it-all-just-to-see-her-smile. Pair that with a female character who is self-assured, and makes the most out of the less-than-ideal situation she's found herself in (auction queen), and package it into a perfect length story and I'm a happy, giggling reader for a few hours.
I would consider this monster-romance-lite. While Knot
This is a Sue Lyndon book, so Knot is very much the "strict husband/alpha/don't disobey me" dominant male role, so if that's not your thing I'd give this one a pass. However, Sue always finds the perfect balance with the sickly sweet declarations of love shit also happening throughout this story. Knot is BIG WIFE GUY energy. Natalee's a much stronger woman than me for her repeated refusal of his proposal; I'd break quicker than a dry spaghetti noodle.
I am once again left asking "Lord when’s it gonna be my turn to have a hot monster pay me thousands a night just to be with me because he wants me as his wife???????"
I will end this on a tangential note by pointing out that we were introduced to not one but TWO (2) single minotaurs in this story ... please Sue... just a silly little sequel or two 🧎♀️
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I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Child death and Death